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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1959-03-09-BOS-min 54 cv 1.41 SELECTMEN 'S MEETING March 9, 1959 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, March 9, 1959, at 7:30 P.M. Messrs . Maloney, James, Adams, rerguson and Mrs . Morey were present . Upon motion of Mr. Adams, seconded by Mr. James, it was voted to elect Hazel J. Murray, Executive Clerk, pro tem. Motions were in order for election of a Chairman. Upon motion of Mrs. Morey, seconded by Mr. James, it was voted to nominate William E. Maloney. Organization Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded by Mr. Adams, Organization it was voted that the nominations be closed, and the Executive Clerk east one ballot for William E. Maloney as Chairman of the Board for the ensuing year. Mr. William E. Maloney was unanimously elected Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for the ensuing year. Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, met with the Board for thedrawing of three jurors, and the following Jurors individuals were drawn for jury duty: Frank E Douglas, 220 Follen Road; Carl H. Bolter, Jr . , 87 North Hancock Street and William M. Bowen, 22 Munroe Road. Mr. Carroll retired. Mr. Adams reported an error in the records of the minutes of the Selectmen' s Meeting held on March 2, 1959. In the fourth paragraph on the first page, the Minutes figures 42.5% or $203,150 should read 27% or $22,140. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes subject to correction of the error Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, and Mr. John Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, met with the Board. Letter was received from the State Department of Public Works, together with three. copies of an agreement between the Commonwealth, the Town of B & M Cross- Lexington and the Boston and Maine Railroad, relative ing agree- to the construction of the crossings at grade over the ment tracks of the Lexington Branch of the Boston and Maine Railroad to the Bedford Airport, made necessary by the construction as a State highway on a new location of ref r !) a portion of the Bedford Access Roads . Mr. Stevens said the only place the Town enters into the picture is on page two of the Agreement which states that upon the completion of the project, it will be discontinued as a State highway and the Town shall be responsible for the maintenance of the entire highway including that portion within the limits of the crossings at grade He said there seemed to be no objection as that is what is being done on the other crossings . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Agreement and return all three copies to the Department of Public Works. Mr. Stevens reported that he met with John Carroll and Mr. George Howland last week and went over the figures in regard to supplying water to the Air Force . He said he thought the Board should go over these figures with the Chairman of the Appropriation. Committee and the Water for Chairman of the Capital Expenditures Committee as soon Air Force as possible andhe had suggested a conference on Tues- day, March 10th, at 7 30 P. M. in the Selectmen's Room. He said Mr. Carroll has a memo of the figures which takes into consideration water which the Town furnished to the hospital and to Raytheon He said if, after the conference , the Board feels it wants to take more time , it can take more time He said it may be that these figures will have to be revised and this is just a preliminary conference . Mr. Stevens referred to the hearing to be held at the County Commissioners ' Office on Tuesday, March 17, at 10:30 A. M. on the petition of (1) the Selectmen Hearing for the laying out of a footway over the location of the Lexington Branch of the Boston and Maine Railroad, at grade , between Valley Road and Essex Street; and (2) the Boston and Maine Railroad for the discontinuance of Valley Road a s a public way over the crossing of the railroad. He explained that he and Mr Carroll would attend the hearing, but he did not think it necessary for the Board to be present The Chairman read another letter from Edward S. Munro in regard to drainage conditions on Tavern Lane . Mr. Munro asked if he could have a ruling on easements Drainage as applied to the Tavern property. Mr. Carroll said he doubted if the Town had any easements, and stated that this is a natural waterway. 11 The Chairman said the Board recognized there is 5simime 010 a little problem there and some effort would be made to help the situation. It was agreed that a reply to the communication was not necessary. Mr. Stevens retired at 8:10 P. M. Mr. Carroll reported that he had received a letter from Whitman & Howard recommending that the contract for Sewers, Force Main and Pumping Station be awarded Sewer bid to Frank Frederick Construction Company, Inc . , the low awarded bidder. He said the low bid was $15,516 and the second low bid, submitted by Benedetto Bros . Inc. was $16,572. The estimated amount for the project was $24,000. Upon motion of Mr. Adams, seconded by Mr. James, it was voted to award the contract to Frank Frederick Construction Company, Inc. , the low bidder. Mr. Carroll presented a sketch of proposed parking Parking at the Lexington Golf Club. He pointed out the gravel Lex. Golf parking area and the gravel shoulder twenty-five feet club off the edge of the pavement, and reported that it will be possible to park about twenty-five cars in the area. He said it could be loamed or paved. Mrs . Morey asked why, as a temporary measure , the area couldn't be made neat. She suggested that it be cleaned up before the expenditure of any money and see how it works out this Summer. The Chairman said that possibly the Golf Club would assume the expense of hot topping the ares but Mr . Ferguson explained that the Club is financially unable to pay for hot topping. Mrs . Morey said the area could be cleaned up and Mr. Carroll agreed. Mr. Ferguson suggested erecting No Parking signs on the opposite side of the street. Petition was received from the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for six j/o pole locations on Concord Avenue . The locations were approved by the Superintendent of Public Works and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petitioh and sign the order for the following j/o pole locations : Concord Avenue, northeasterly side, southeasterly from a point approximately 750 feet southeast of Pleasant Street,-- Two poles 57 Concord Avenue , northeasterly side , southeasterly from a point approximately 1095 feet southeast of Pleasant Street,-- Two poles. Concord Avenue, northeasterly side , southeasterly from from a point approximately 1730 feet southeast of Pleasant Street, -- Six poles. Ten existing i/o poles to be removed. Petition was received from the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Pole Company for twelve 3/o pole locations on Lowell Street locations The locations were approved by the Superintendent of Public Works and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the following i/o pole locations: Lowell Street, westerly side , approximately 35 feet north of Summer Street, -- One pole . Lowell Street, westerly side, southerly from a point approximately 200 feet south of Summer Street,-- Five poles . Lowell Street, southwesterly side, approximately 775 feet northwest of Fairlawn Lane , --One pole . Lowell Street, southwesterly side , southeasterly from a point approximately 300 feet southeast of Woburn Street, --Four poles . Lowell Street, southwesterly side , approximately 915 feet southeast of Woburn Street, --One pole . Mr. Adams reported that there was a bad fire at the dump on Saturday and said that the new access road through the swamp might abut some Town land and pos- sibly a Town dump could be started. Mr. James recalled that Mr. Reiss had offered his land for use as a Town dump. Town Mr. Adams reported that Mr. Carroll had sug- Dump gested using the Utica Street pit for sanitary fill with an entrance over Busa' s land which would elimi- nate traffic over Utica Streets. 58 CD CV oxi Mrs. Morey said, she felt theBoard should take some action to acquire this property quickly The Chairman reported that Mr. Hamilton, who purchased the Freeman property at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Worthen Road, wants a sewer Hamilton connected to these two lots. He is going before the sewer Board of Appeals to request permission to divide the land into two lots. Mr. Carroll explained that the problem is not one that can be easily solved, beeause there is a sewer manhole at the intersection which is about 71 deep. Mr. Hamilton asked him, if he purchased the land, if the sewer could be extended to service those lots . Mr. Carroll told him he thought theoretically it might be but he wanted to make sure . He checked the profile and theoretically it is possible to run a sewer and catch both of these lots. However, from a practical standpoint, there is a drain which has to be crossed, a 4." gas main, an 8" water main, a 16" water main and a telephone line up to the air base . He said he was able to check the grades to every one of these, but it is so close to the bottom of the 16" water main with the sewer he was very much concerned as to what would happen if that main was hit. He explained that it would cost in the neighborhood of $500 to $1,000 to relocate a 16" water main. Then the tele- phone cable came up. He said that he personally went in and it is about seven feet deep below Massachusetts Avenue which means they are directly in the path of this sewer. He stated that he told Mr. Hamilton it could be done, but he wanted the Board to know about it. He said that telephone line is very important and it will be expensive to relocate it . The Chairman asked if there would be a sewer in Worthen Road some day and Mr. Carroll replied in the affirmative . He said that at each end of Worthen Road there is a sewer which is too high to serve it. Worthen Road will have to be sewered by a small pumping station somewhere in the middle, with a force main going toward Bedford Street. Mr. Carroll reported that Mr. Hamilton has been to see him several times and has also met with the Board of Health. He said he attended a meeting of the Board of Health and that Board's feeling was that it would not approve any building in there . Mrs. Morey asked if an easement could be obtained from the Home for the Aged and join the line where it is lower, and Mr. Carroll replied that it would not be practical. Mr. Adams asked if this land was part of the lot 59 the Town purchased and the Chairman replied in the af- firmative . Mr.James explained that the Town took it from the Freemans . Mr. Adams said that some day the Town would have to put a sewer in Worthen Road. Mr. Carroll said, exclusive of the cost of relo- cating the telephone cable, and assuming that the 16" main has to be moved, it will run into $2,500 to 63,000. It seemed to be the opinion of the Board that it was not practical to consider a sewer to service these two lots . Messrs. James and Carroll retired at 8 :35 P. M. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk, advising that he had received Mr. Gharles G. Davis ' resignation as a member of the Historic Districts Commission, effective May 1, 1959 . Resignation Upon motion of Mr. Adams, seconded by Mrs. Morey, it was voted to accept Mr . Davis' resignation. The Chairman read a letter fromthe Lexington Arts Historic and Crafts Society, Inc . , advising that Carl E. Bryant Districts and Andrew Dreseelly had been nominated as candidates' Commission for appointment as Associate Members of the Historic Districts Commission. Letter was received from the Superior Funeral Coach Sales, Inc . , advising that they will be willing to hold the ambulance bid open until April 15th. Ambulance Letter was received from the I . W. Douglas Co. ad- vising that their bid for the ambulance would be held open for action by the Board. The Chairman read a letter from James Carroll, advising that he has re-appointed Miss Mar cDonough Appointment as Assistant Town Clerk and Assistant Town Treasurer for a period of one year. Further consideration was given to Berman's Market, Inc . application for a transfer BC Package Goods Store license from 12-14 Massachusetts Avenue to 55 Massachu- setts assachu- setts Avenue . The Chairman reported that Mr. Berman stated to him that they would use the entire area for parking. The Chairman told him that the Board was concerned about him selling any of the land and he advised that he has no plans to sell and will use the entire area for parking. License Mr. Ferguson said that it might solve everyone ' s 6® z n tr problem if the application was sent back to Mr. Berman License so that he could describe the area at 55 Massachusetts Avenue as consisting of so many feet which is to be used for parking. The Board felt that the license as described was sufficient and upon motion of Mr. Adams, seconded by Mrs. Morey, it was voted to grant the license subject to approval of the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. Mrs . Morey reported that she was told by someone who was talking with Mr. Purinton that he was going to Civil meet with the Board this week to discuss Civil Defense . Defense The Chairman said he thought Mr. Purinton should meet with the Board and he said he also thought he should have an assistant. It, was agreed to make an appointment for Mr. Purinton to meet with the Board next Tuesday night . The Chairman read a letter from Gardner C . Fer- Resignation guson resigning immediately as a member of the Recreation Committee . Mr. Ferguson advised the Board that he had also submitted his resignation to Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk, Mr. Ferguson suggested Mr. William Caterino as a replacement and the Chairman agreed to contact him to determine whether or not he would be willing to servitcon the Committee . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to hold the next regular meeting of the Board on Tues- day, March 17, 1959, inasmuch as the Annual Town Meet- ing will be held on Monday. As required by Section 2, Article XIII of the General By-Laws, the Appropriation Committee , Chairman of the School Committee, Chairman of the Board of As- sessors, and Mr. Smith, representing the Chairman of the Cemetery Commissioners, met with the Board to con- sider the items which make up the annual budget. Mr. Richards explained that the Appropriation Com- Budget mittee had reduced the Planning Board Expenses budget Meeting $500 because the amount for the Master Plan appropriated last year was not all used. Mr Richards said the Committee would take under advisement the Recreation Committee budget which was reduced to $4,000 . The Chairman explained that the Selectmen felt the Secretary of the Board of Assessors should be given an increase . He said thatthe Board had written to every Department head advising that the Selectmen intended r.61: to hold the line on salaries and wages, approving only merit increases or correcting inequalities . He said the Board felt that the Secretary and Assistant Asses- sor qualified for a merit increase and therefore approved the salary at the rate of $6300 per year. Mr. Cass said that the Board of Assessors heartily agreed and thinks the Secretary deserves an increase because he is an expert in his line . The Chairman said the Board of Selectmen had not acted on the Law Department Budgets and Mr. Richards ad- vised that the Appropriation Committee assumed the amounts were the same as last year. Mr . Palmer reported that Town Counsel advised him in a telephone conversation that he was going to submit his budgets using last year ' s figures . The Chairman said that the Welfare Agent who handles about a quarter of a million dollars of the Town' s money and who has done an excellent job, according to the Wel- fare Board, receives less than the custodian at the High Schbol and he thought that was out of line . He reported that he had discussed the subject with Mr. Lombard, Chairman of the Welfare Board, who advised that the Agent has recovered a substantial amount of money for the Town and is a very conscientious worker. Even though the Board reviews each case , it depends a great deal on his judg- ment and the members feel he is entitled to a merit in- crease . The Chairman said thereis a .small problem on the Social Worker which amounts to about 44 per week He advised that the Board of Selectmen would like to go along with the amount requested for the Agent which it believes is justified. The Appropriation Committee retired at 10:10 P. M. Mr. Adams mentioned theHancock Church controversy and said he thought the Selectmen, not as an official Board, but being the Selectmen, should interest them- selves in the problem and arrange a meeting of the two groups before Town Meeting. It was agreed to invite the Historic Districts Commission and the Church Building Committee , or Hancock whomever else they wanted to delegate, to mast on Church Saturday morning, March loth, in the Selectmen' s Room at nine o'clock. Mr. Adams reported that he met Mr. Cataldo the other day looking at the railroad station for which he has a front elevation of the restoration which is Parking very good. He said during the conversation the re- mainder of the land was mentioned. Mr. Cataldo is having the siding pulled out. Mr. Adams said the other parking lots are now inadequate and some thought was given to leasing this land and using it for long-time parking. Mr. Cataldo is 62 l r tr willing to listen to any suggestion and Mr. Adams thought he would be very co-operative . He said he thought the subject should be explored, and suggested inviting Mr Cataldo to meet with the Board. The Chairman said that when this first came up, it was discussed with Mr. Snow and Mr. Cataldo sug- gested that at least part of the area would make a good parking lot. During the negotiations, the pro- perty was almost acquired by the Grossman Lumber Co. but Mr. Cataldo felt that he did not want a car loading yard around his building. Mr. Adams said that Mr. Cataldo was successful in getting the railroad to agree to remove the siding. Mr. Ferguson asked if Mr. Adams ' idea was to lease the property from Mr. Cataldo, and he replied in the affirmative . He said it seems to be the answer to certain problems. M . Morey suggested that the Board have a land layout to look at. Mr. Ferguson said the first question the Board will be asked is why it waited until Mr. Cataldo pur- chased the property and then leased it from him. Mr. Adams explained that up to this time , the Boston & Maine insisted on loading rights. Mr. Ferguson said that Mr. Cataldo was able to acquire the property from the railroad Mr. Adams said that the subject is not up for a decision this year. Upon motion of Mr. Adams, seconded by Mrs. Morey, it was voted to make the following annual appointments: ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS March3 1 1959 - March 31, 1960 5 Board of Appeals Thomas G . Lynah (5 year term) Board of Appeals (Associate Members)George W. Emery Charles H. Norris James A.Harding, Jr. Bridge Charitable Fund Donald R. Grant, '60 Wm. R. McEwen, Jr. ' 62 Constable Charles E. Moloy Dental Clinic Paul F. Poehler, Jr. Elizabeth Haroian Phyllis E. Black 63 ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS (CONT'D ) Director of Veterans ' Benefits and Services Maurice D. Healy Executive Clerk, Selectmen Hazel J. Murray Fence Viewers Reverend Harold T. Handley John Garrity Field Drivers John W. Rycroft Benjamin W. Day Insect Pest Control Superintendent Paul E. Mazerall Lockup Keeper John W. Rycroft Posture Clinic Agnes F. Manning Eleanor T. Massimilla Gertrude A. Flynn Pauline F. Fontas Alice W. Hammer Joan G. O'Brien Marion Colby Charlotte B. Guild M. Ilene Nielsen Priscilla Ir.. McEwen Esther Sherman Christine Merrifield Public Weighers Harold I. Wellington Edward F. Skinner Public Works Superintendent John J. Carroll Registrars of Voters Jasper A. Lane (3 year term) Town Counsel Harold E. Stevens Town Engineer John J. Carroll Veterans' Graves Officer Maurice D. Healy Wire Inspector Robert K. Jeremiah The meeting adjourned at 10:40 P. V. A true reetard, Attest: Exec ive lark, Select .=p . 1 \