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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1959-10-19-BOS-min 318 rz or SELECTMEN'S MEETING October 19, 1959 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, October 19, 1959, at 7:30 P.M. Messrs . James, Adams and Mrs . Morey were present. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, Mr. Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, and the Executive Clerk were also present. Mr. Ferguson arrived at the meeting at 8:10 P.M. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Chairman to appoint Mr. James Acting Chairman in the absence of Mr. Maloney Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Minutes to approve the minutes of the Selectmen' s Meeting held on October 13, 1959, subject to amendment of the last paragraph. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request of the Planning Board to have Town Counsel Mr. Stevens as Town Counsel represent the Planning to represent Board in its appeal from the decision of the Board of Planning Appeals granting a variance of the Zoning By-law to Board permit the erection of a professional office building at 789 Massachusetts Avenue in an R-2 District. Mr. Stevens reported that the appeal has been taken and notice given the Town Clerk on Friday. The Planning Board and Board of Appeals' members have been served a process. The matter has been set for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, October 27, and pre- sumably the trial will be in this Fall session. Mr. Stevens reported that he revised the deed of tax title lots 90-9L , inclusive , on Albemarle Avenue to restrict them for building purposes to two lots and Deed it is now ready for signature . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the deed, prepared by Town Counsel, conveying lots 90-94, inclusive, Albemarle Avenue, to The Busa Realty Trust, 38 Circle Road, Lexington. Mr. Stevens referred to a letter from Nathaniel Ponn, attorney for the Massachusetts Department of Pub- lic Works, and a release to be signed in payment of $250 for thetaking of a small parcel of Westview Cemetery for the purpose of the new access road between 219 Bedford Street and Wood Street. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the release , to be mailed to Mr. Stevens to- Release gether with a Certificate signed by the Town Clerk, setting forth the authority under which the Board signed. Hearing was declared open upon petition of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for per- mission to locate a manhole in the sidewalk, Massachu- Manhole setts Avenue, northeasterly side approximately 2Li southeasterly fromMaple Street. Mr.Consilvio, representing the petitioner, was the only person present at the hearing. He explained that the company is requesting permission for the man- hole to give it access to go into the existing conduit in Massachusetts Avenue and go down Maple Street to people who are looking for more service and to people who do not have service . Mr. Carroll approved the proposed location and reported that Mr John C . Carter, 1083 Massachusetts Avenue , would like to have the manhole located to the left of his walk because it appeared to him to be in direct line of his connecting to the sewer on Massachu- setts Avenue . Mr. Carroll checked with the company and agreed that it would be very inconvenient for the com- pany to relocate . It will not be in direct line to a sewer service . Mrs. Morey asked if the service down Maple Street would be underground or overhead, and Mr. Consilvio re- plied that it would be overhead for the present, but eventually the serfice will be underground in Maple Street. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order Petition was received from the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Pole Company for permission to locate ten poles on Brandon locations Street. Mr. Consilvio explained thslt this is to validate the lunation, formerly a private way and now a public way Mr . Carroll approved the proposed location. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petition and dgn the order for the fol- lowing pole locations : Brandon Street, southwesterly side, southeasterly from a point approxi- mately 251 southeast of Fottler Ave . ,-- ' Four poles. 320 cv 110 Brandon Street, northeasterly side, northwesterly from a point approximately 25' northwest of Fottler Avenue,-- Six poles. Mr Consilvio retired at 7:50 P.M. Mr. Carroll reported that an infor*al meeting had been held with the Air Force in regard to the water problem. Since that time , a meeting was held attended by Whitman & Howard, the engineer for the Air Force and Mr. Carroll, in regard to the engineering disagreements concerned with the sharing of the cost of the AP line . Water The conclusion reached at that meeting was that another meeting should be held and that was held last week. At neither meeting was any conclusion reached except dis- agreement on the basis of the cost . The Air Force con- tends it will not use as much water as the Town says it might. Mr Stevens explained that the informal conference was something like the one held with the Board. Then there was the engineering conference to determine whether or not engineering differences could be solved. They have not been solved so the Town is standing on the position of the letter which was sent to the Air Force . The Air Force is standing on the position of a much smaller figure . The next step would be for an appropriate person to contact either the Commanding Officer of the Air base or his Judge Advocate and state the situation as the Town understands it and say that the Town now waits for the Air Force ' s formal letter. Mr. Stevens said it seemed to him that the Town has exhausted any need for continuing informal conferences, and it should now have a formal reply to the letter. Mr. Stevens explained that a telephone call should be made to the Air Force to advise that the informal conferences have been concluded and the differences still exist, but the Town's position has not changed. To bring the matter to a conclusion, request a formal reply to the Board' s letter, and advise that the only conclusion that can follow will be a termination of the agreement. He said that past experience would indicate that estimates would be on the low side instead of the high side . Mr. Carroll reported that the Air Force has used six times as much water as was originally estimated. He said that Mr. Paul Howard analyzed the situation on an entirely different approach and arrived at the same con- clusion, and he feels the end the Town should be talking about is fourteen or fifteen years hence , or an average 321 II time it would take to pay off the bonds . The Chairman asked about the Town' s total average consumption, and Mr. Carroll replied 1,000,000,000 gal- lons, and the Air Force is using 18%. It was decided that contact should be made with Colonel Roberton, Commanding Officer, and Mr. Carroll was authorized to call him. Mr. Stevens retired at 8:00 P.M. Mr. John E. Harvey, 1 Constitution Road, met with the Board relative to sewer betterment assessments levied against lot 69 Constitution Road and lot 70 Paul Revere Road The Chairman explained fiat the property involved is at the corner of Paul Revere Road and Constitution Road and that Mr. Harvey' s house is located on one of the lots. In his leter of 1958, Mr Rarvey said that he has no intention of ever selling or building on the vacant lot and would like the betterment abated. Mr. Harvey said that since that time, he has thought the situation over and obtained more information. He presented a drawing of all the property invoked and Sewer bet- said he was applying for an extension of time for pay- terment ment of the betterment assessment under Chapter 259. assessments He said he had both Mr. Lyons and his son look at the property, and they advised him that a house could physically be built upon the lot., but in so doing, it would so impair the value of the property that it would be stupid to do so. He said although it might be physi- cally possible to build on the lot, it would be extremely expensive . The Chairman explained that a week ago, the Board discussed a similar situation and the decision arrived at in that case was that the property owner had two choices. One , he could pay the betterments as assessed and leave the lots as two lots. The other choice would be to combine them by plan into one lot, in which case the betterment only on one side would then apply. Mr. Carroll said it seemed to him that the Iota would have to be combined before an abatement could be considered. The Chairman explained that the deferment was set up to apply in a situation where an individual had a large tract of land, such as a farm. He would pay the betterment on the lot upon which his house was located and then request deferment on the remaining property. Mr. Carroll explained that the assessment would be substantially the same if the lots were combined. • I . 322 0,4 ov 110 The Chairman said the Board would discuss the sub- ject further and advise Mr. Harvey of its decision. Mr. Harvey retired at 8:24 P.M. It was agreed that Mr. Harvey does have a build- able lot and to advise him that the assessments on his property are no different than those assessed against other individuals owning two corner lots . In view of the circumstances, the Board felt that there is no justification for deferment or abatement . Mr. Carroll said he would like to know the policy on salaries for budget purposes. Mr. Ferguson asked if he had any ideas, and Mr. Carroll replied that he felt, because therewere no Salaries increases last year, that there should be a substantial increase this year . He recommended an increase of 5% or 10% for the entire department, based on nothing more than the fact the cost of living is going up and the Town employees did not receive an increase last year when the employees in surrounding towns did. Mr. Adams asked if he had compared his rates with the rates in surrounding towns for similar work, and Mr. Carroll replied that comparisons have been made several times but he has not made any. The Chairman said he knew it was difficult to do. Mr. Carroll said that comparisons are odious be- cause every town is different. Mr. Adams asked if he had lost any men, or would be likely to lose any, because of the wage scale , and Mr. Carroll replied that he has lost two in the Park Department because of inadequate salaries and he does have difficulty in hiring good laborers for the start- ing rate . Mr. Carroll explained that the Public Works De- partment yearly salary is substantial. If the work is there , it has to be done and it must be done on overtime , but if the work is not there , the salaries are too low without the overtime . He said he could not see the amounts paid for the clerical help. He reported that he cannot get good girls for the amount of money being paid. The Chairman asked if he would ma any distinction as to the amount of raise to be given the laborers as compared to the office help. Mr. Carroll said the girls in his office are under- paid. He said the men in the Public Works Departtent are getting adequate total yearly wages, but they are not getting adequate hourly wages and they are not pro- tected; without overtime , they are underpaid. He said 323 the average wage is about $1.75, and some of the men who have been working for the town for years and are good workers, are getting $1.76 an hour. He said he thought the men would rather have a substantial increase than to have to work overtime . He said he would have to increase the number of men . Mr. Carroll said the Public Works Department is understaffed and he was thinking about maintenance . He advised that there has been no preventive maintenance done for years and none is being done because there are not enough men to spare for any maintenance program. He said he did not believe he ever received a complaint about the men standing around. Mr. Ferguson asked if at the present wage levels he could or could not hire enough men, and Mr. Carroll replied that he did not know if it is the low initial salary or not, but he cannot get the men. Mr. Ferguson asked what contractors were paying for just a laborer, and Mr. Carroll replied $2.54 per hour. Mr. Ferguson said that the men have paid vacations and work fifty-two weeks a year. The Chairman asked if it was necessary to have much overtime in the winter other than for snow plowing, and Mr . Carroll replied that it depended on the winter. He said when he first started to work here, the men did not work Saturdays because there wasn'p the work. Mr. Carroll said he also felt the janitors were underpaid and said Mr. Dailey should be paid $5.00 an hour because the compliments on the appearance of the Police Building are fantastic and he does a wonderful job. He said he would recommend one or two merit in- creases in the Engineering Department in addition to a general overall increase . Mr. Carroll said he felt merit increases should be given regardless of any overall increase . The Chairman said as he understood it, Mr. Carroll felt that there should be a general increase principally because of the cost of living increase and in addition to that, there are certain merit increases he would like to recommend, including people in the Engineering Depart- ment, custodians and the clerical help should be above and beyond the merit increases. Mr. Carroll said he did not think the fringe bene- fits were spelled out too clearly. M". Adams asked if he would recommend a personall policy and Mr. Carroll replied in the affirmative . II 324 ov 0-4 Mr. Ferguson pointed out that once the policy is 11carefully spelled out, there may be individuals who would take advantage of it. Mr. Carroll said he felt a Department head could misuse the present policy. He also raised the question of time off for deaths in families . He said he could do what he thinks is fair to the Town and to the individual, but if another Department head is too liberal, it places him in an undesirable position. Mr. Ferguson felt that Mr Carroll would be better off under the present system, and if he feels thit some- one is taking advantage of the situation, it can be brought to the attention of the Board. He suggested some of the Department heads getting together and recommend what they would like as a few basic rules. Mr. Adams said he felt the time has arrived when there must be some general understanding, and he thought all the Department heads should be included He said there is also the question of overtime in the Fire and Police Departments because some of the men receive more in overtime than the Chiefs do. He said perhaps a Person- nel Board is the answer. Mr. Ferguson said he did not think a Personnel Board 1s the answer yet. He said Mr. Carroll just wants a few basic rules for everyone to operate under and then the Department heads can use their own judgment. It was agreed that Mr. Carroll, Mr. Palmer and Mr. Cronin should consider the subject and recommend what they would like as a few basic rules. Mr. Carroll retired at 9:03 P.M. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into executive session for the purpose of dis- Executive cussing, deliberating or voting on a matter which, if Session made public, might adversely affect the public security, the financial interest of the Town, or the reputation of any person. The Appropriation Committee met with the Board, and a discussion was held relative to a financial and salary policy for 1960. The Appropriation Committee retired at 9:30 P.M. A short discussion was held relative to the request received from the Board of Appeals, through Tows Counsel, for Special Counsel to represent that Board in the matter of the appeal taken by the Planning Board. Mr. Stevens retired at 10:00 P.M. 325 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to resume the open meeting . Report was received from George W. Forten, Dog Officer, of his doings as Dog Officer for the months Dog Officer of July, August and September. The Chairman read a letter fromMr. Paul F. Bartel, 3 Sunnyknoll Avenue , together with proposed additional program, for the observance of April 19, 1960. It was agreed to forward the communication to the Town Celebrations Committee . The Chairman read a letter from Lowell A. Mayberry, attorney, 31 Mill; Street, Boston, advising that a bank- Mobile ing house in New York had requested him to make inquiry Housing as to whether the Board would allow a Mobile Housing Park Park to be constructed and maintained along Route 128 or close to it. The Board was unanimously opposed. The Chairman read a letter from Raymond E. Lewis, Adjutant, inviting the Board to attend the dedication Dedication of the American Legion' s new quarters at 3 Fletcher ' Avenue on November 11, 1959, at 3:00 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from the Town Cele- brations Committee , addressed to Mr.Maloney, asking him to read the Governor' s Thanksgiving Proclamation Thanksgiving at services to be held at the Senior High School on Proclamation Sunday, November 22, at 8:00 P.M. It was agreed to contact Chief Rycroft relative to flashing lights and temporary spotlights to be lo- cated at the Junior High School, as an accident pre- ventive measure , when Daylight Saving Time goes into effect on Sunday, October 25. The meeting adjourned at 10:15 P.M. A true record, Attest: eek ive lark,( Selectm