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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1959-05-18-BOS-min 145 SELFCTMmTS MEETING May 18, 1959 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen ' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, May 18, 1959, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Maloney, Messrs . James, Adams, Ferguson and Mrs . Morey were present Mr Stevens, Town Counsel, Mr. Carroll, Super- intendent of Public works, and the Executive Clerk were also present Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen' s Meeting Minutes held on May 11, 1959 The Chairman read a letter from Mr Stevens rela- tive to a sewer betterment of $1,005 31 assessed upon land of Charles G. & Betty G. Ruggiero, being lot 44 Interest on Battle Green Road Mr Ruggiero stated that he never received a bill and that it was his intention to pay the betterment in full . Mr Stevens received a check and recommended abatement of the interest . I/ Upon motion duly made and seconded it was voted to abate the interest in the amount of ;46.91, account #5449. Mr. Stevens reported +-hat from tire to time he has received from the Tax Collector lists of unpaid bills due the Town for sewer services When the estimate exceeds the cost, the amount is turned over to the Collector and sometimes payment is made and some times it is not . He said even though the amounts are small, he supposed proceedings to collect should be started He explained that in some instances it Unpaid will cost more to collect than the amount of the un- sewer paid balance , but if these bills are to be collected, services proceedings will have to be started. He has written letters and the next step is to bring suit Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Town counsel to start necessary pro- ceedings in an effort to collect the unpaid bills due the Town for sewer services . Mr Stevens retorted that he has contacted the insurance company and proceeded to have insurance coverage placed on the Buckman Tavern in the amount of $45,000 for which the Town will pay one-half of the 111 premium. 146 az or Stevens1.4The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Sad- vising that a narrow strip of land belonging to Chester L. and Kathryn K. Blakely situated at the corner of Bedford and Winter Streets was taken by the Commonwealth in the relocation of Bedford Street . There is an out- standing sewer betterment assessment on the Blakely land originally in the amount of $1,041 01, which was apportioned Sewer over a ten year period and is being paid off in annual in- Betterment stallments. The Blakelys have settled their claim for damages release with the Commonwealth, but before payment can be made , it is necessary for the Town to release the land taken from the lien of the betterment assessment . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to release from the lien securing the betterment assessment of $1,041 .01 such part of the land of Chester L and Kathryn K Blakely as is included within the State high- way location as altered and laid out by the Commonwealth. M . Stevens reported that Mrs . Mark Moore , Jr . was involved in an accident with a Town truck at the inter- section of Waltham Street and Massachusetts Avenue , on April 30, 1959. Moretti, driving the Town trailer truck, Claim scraped Mrs . Moore ' s car . One of the witnesses said there is no question of who is liable An estimate of $129.45 was received from the Colonial Garage for repair- ing the damages and an estimate of $111.30 was received from Rowe-Jackson Mr Stevens sent Mrs . Moore a release based on the $111.30 estimate Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize settlement of the claim for damages in the amount of $111.30. Letter was received from Mr. Stevens advising be had contacted Robert H. Holt, president of the Trustees, in reference to the letter of April 30th, received from the Cary Lecture Cary Lecture Committee for 1958-59. A copy of Mr. Holt ' s Committee letter to the members of the Committee was enclosed. Mrs . Morey said she thought the new Committee should be given the material and proceed with the recommendations . She also suggested that the new Committee meet with the Board. It was agreed to thank the 1958-1959 Committee for its work and advise that a copy of Mr Holt' s letter had been received which the Board thinks sets forth the situation very clearly. If the 1959-1960 Cary Lecture Committee so desires, an appointment will be made for the subject to be dis- cussed with the Board 147 Mr Stevens reported th'4t lot 11 off Holton Road, containing 31,230 square feet, more or less, with a frontage of twenty feet, was considered to be owned by the Town by Mr. Harvey Newgent . He had saved it for the Town for a recreation area. Mr. Stevens said he thought the Planning Board recommended that the Town acquire it and the easiest Newgent tax way would be to take it for the amountof unpaid real title land estate taxes in the amount of $132.25. Mr. James pointed out that much discussion is held about recreation areas but no one seems to know what they are going to be used for. Mr Adams . .id it could be used as a neighbor- hood play area and Mr. James said it might cost the Town more than its value . Mr. Stevens said that Mr. Newgent stated that interest was expressed in having this for a recreation area and he saved it for that purpose . He considers it belongs to the Town and is willing to execute a deed. Mr . Stevens said he would discuss the subject with the Planning Board Mrs . Morey suggested that the parcel be given to the abutters and Mr. Ferguson said he would be in favor of acquiring it for unpaid taxes. Letter was received from Mr Stevens relative to a vote of the 1959 Annual Town Meeting authorizing the Selectmen to acquire for playground or recreational purposes any or all undeveloped land abutting Town land on North Street that was acquired in 1957 . A deed has been obtained from the Esco Builders conveying to the Town land located between the Shannon pit and the State Esco land highway location for the proposed Route 3 The agreed price is $100 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to purchase , pursuant to vote under article 38 of the 1959 Annual Town Meeting, from Esco Builders Corporation, land located between the former Shannon Pit and the State highway location for the proposed Route 3, for an agreed price of $100 The Chairman read a letter from Alfred P Tropeano, together with plan showing lots C , D, E, Waltham Street, owned by Vine Brook Realty Trust, stating that Lot C was entitled to the same waiver of betterments that Betterments the other lots received Mr Carroll explained the location of the sewer in relation to the lots Mr . Stevens said that it seemed to him there was I 148 rD some discussion as to whether or not a precedent was being established and he did not think there was anything in the arrangement to include any future development Mr Carroll said he thought Mr Tropeano under- stood that, and Lot C is identical to Lot B. Mr. Stevens said he would look into the previous correspondence and report next Monday. Mr. Stevens retired at 8:35 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. William Roger Greeley stating that last year maples were planted on Trees on the Common, and the Chairman agreed to have them removed Common and substitute trees of some native species He also asked about plans for the Wardrobe property Mr . Carroll reported that the only planting on the Common was three American elm trees Mr Mazerall feels with proper control, he can control Dutch Elm disease especially in this area and he wanted to try some elms Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the Mystic Valley Gas Company Gas Main to extend a 4 inch low-pressure gas main in Crosby Road to supply gas to house #3, providing the instal- lation conforms with Mr. Carroll' s specifications r�- Mr Carroll retired at 8:40 P.M. Mr Bertram P Gustin, Chairman of the Town Cele- brations Committee, met with the Board. He reported that Mark Bortman, Chairman of the National Historic Districts Commission, who is involved in thePeople to People program, attended a Committee National meeting last week. The Committee gave him a Liberty Historic Bill and a Certificate of Birth. He is going to take Districts 1000 copies of the Certificate to use at a conference ,.omm. in Berlin June 21-23rd where there will be 800 Mayors in attendance from the cities and towns of free Europe . He would also like to work next year ' s celebration into the People to People program. The Committee would like the Board to act in an official capacity . Mr. James asked what would be involved as far as the Board is concerned, and Mr. Gustin said it would mean being present at dinners, speech making, etc . The Chairman said he thought the Board would be pleased to co-operate Mr. Gustin reported that the Town Celebrations 149 t Committee will be responsible for the cost of re- pairing and cleaning the the Shenandoah Flag System Flags Mr . Gustin retired at 8 .55 P.M. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to amend the Traffic Rules and Regulations of the Town Traffic by adding to Article V, Section 2, the following: Rules & Regulations On the easterly side of Hill Street from Diana Lane northeasterly 1400 ' ± (No Parking) . Letter was received from the Town of Belmont inviting the Board to participate in Centennial cele- bration to be held on June 17, 1959. Further consideration was given to Walter J O' Brien' s offer to purchase tax title lots 579-584 on Edna Street. Mrs . Morey reorted that she and Mr Adams had looked at these lots and are of the opinion that the Planning Board's recommendation not to dispose of any lots on Edna Street should be followed. Mr. Adams explained that Edna Street is very Tax title narrow and if it is contructed under the Betterment Act, the Town will have to assume a large portion of the betterments because of the corner properties Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted not to sell any tax title lots on Edna Street and therefore to reject Mr. O'Brien' s offer. Mrs. Morey referred to tax title lots on Free- mont and Asbury Streets and stated that if a builder has already started a development and it appears to be a good one , it would seem reasonable to sell the tax title lots to that individual if he will con- Tax title tinue the services without any cost to the Town. lots Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that a proposal to sell lots 243-258 inclusive on Asbury Street, lots 234-242 inclusive on Freemont Street and lots 631-634 inclusive on Freemont Street be advertised in the Lexington Minute-man, and that further consideration be given the offers received on these lots at the June 1, 1959 meeting of the Board . Mr. Adams did not vote . Letter was received from Charles E Ramsey, H. W. Newgent & Associates, asking the Board to reconsider its decision relative to tax title lots 50 add 60 Ivan 1 150 ' CC Street It was decided to lookat these lots again and Tax title also find out what betterments have been assessed against the property Letter was received from Charles E. Ramsey, H. W. Newgent & Associates, relative to lot 24, block 33 Avon Street, which the Board had advised that it appeared to be in the best interest of the Town not to sell The Board looked at the plan again, and because the prospective purchaser intends to acquire lots 25 and Tax title 26, decided to advise Mr. Ramsey that the Town does not make any agreement or representation as to the validity of the title , and it is the purchaser ' s responsibility to have the title checked If under these conditions, he is still in- terested in acquiring the property, the Board will consider the offer of $150. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Irwin, Building Inspector, with reference to a complaint registered by Zoning Mr. Charles K. Stocker, concerning operations of Ralph J. violation White , 81 Woburn Street. Mr. Irwin reported that the premises are being used for junking operations and as such use is prohibited by the Zoning By-Law, he will proceed to have the situation corrected Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the following licenses Town Line Pharmacy 20 Massachusetts .Avenue Sunday Sales (renewal) George H Phelan 11 Stevens Road Peddler " The meeting adjourned at 9:45 P.M. A true record, Attest- cutiv 'Clerk, Selec yen.