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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1958-06-16-BOS-min 375 SELECT!VEN?S MEETING June 16, 1958 . A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen 's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, June 16, 1958 at 7 :30 P. M. Chairman Maloney, Messrs. James, Tucker, Adams and Mrs. Morey were present. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, Mr. Gayer, Superintendent of Public Works, and the Executive Clerk were also present Letter from Raytheon Manufacturing Company rela- tive to water for a new laboratory in Bedford was held Raytheon over. water The Chairman read a letter from Mr Stevens ad- vising that papers were passed today on the Millyan property, 561 Massachusetts Avenue, and the Town now Millyan has title to it. Mr. Stevens arranged with Mr. Con- property verse Hill to cover the property with fire and public liability insurance in theamount of $17,000. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign a Taking Order, prepared by Town Counsel, on the Diomede Famosi land acquired byvote of Town Meet- Famosi Ing on May 12, 1958 under Article . Order of Mr. Stevens explained that he would have the Order Taking followed up with a confirmatory deed and release . Mr. Stevens reported that he had a lease of the parking area on Edison Way and explained that the five- year lease will expire in July. He advised Minot, DeBlois & Maddison that it cannot be extended and he would write it for another five-year period. He in- formed the Board that the wording has been changed a Parking little and it is a one-year lease commencing July 27, area lease 1958 and will extend automatically for a total of five years unless one party gives notice to sooner terminate it. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the ]ease between the Town of Lexington and Trustees of Real Estate Investment Trust of America covering a portion of the parking area to the rear of 1733 to 1953 Massachusetts Avenue . Mr. Stevens reported that he has heard from an attorney on the Freeman Gray property. The Chairman read a letter fromthe Board of Assessors relative to the apportioned sewer betterment assessment, account #1982C, Freeman and Stella L. Gray (Gray sewer The Board of Selectmen made a taking of the property betterment which has a sewer betterment assessment balance of $20 .18 and the Assessors desire to have it abated to close the account. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to abate the balance of the sewer betterment assessment levied in the name of Freeman and Stella L. Gray in the amount of $20.18. Mr. Stevens retired at 7:55 P. M. Petition, signed by John E. Carlson and other resi- dents of Cedar Street, in reference to a ditch at the rear of the properties was read by the Chairman Mr. Gayer reported that he made a personal investi- gation and recommended extending the ditch which would Cedar St. have to be a project fbr next year . ditch The Chairman was authorized to advise Mr. Carlson that the communication willbe included with items to be considered when the budgets are being prepared fort 1959. The Chairman read a notice from the State Depart- ment of Public Works advising that the contract for Chapter 90 c onstruction - Concord Avenue - has been ' Chapter 90 prepared for the contractor's signature , assuming that contract the Board would award it to the low bidder, Chesterbrook Construction Co. Inc. If the Board has any objection, the State is to be notified immediately. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. William Roger Greeley, stating that the planting around the three Town administration buildings is not balanced or com- plete . He asked the Board to consider a minimum of Planting work on the area. Town Offices Mrs . Morey suggested, and the Board agreed, that Mr. Greeley be asked if he would be willing to make some suggestions for the Board' s consideration without in- curring any liability. The Chairman read a letter from Mr . William Roger Greeley relative to replanting on the Common. Mr. Gayer presented a planting plan made by Mr. Greeley in 1957 and said if the Board wanted him to, Planting on he would advise Mr. Mazerall that it is to be followed. Common Mr . Adams suggested discussing the subject with the Field and Garden Club 377 Mrs . Morey said she believed Mr. Greeley was very familiar with the subject and the Maple trees are of a bushy variety which he feels is not in character with the Green and hoped there would not be any more of that species planted. She suggested that the plan be checked before any fu are plantings. Mr. James mentioned that checking the plan does not mean that theBoard has adopted it. Mr. Fred F. Robicheau, 259 Winn Street, Burlington, and Mr. Haskell W. Reed met with the Board. Mr. Robicheau purchased lot 1B Crosby Road from Mr. Naudzun on October 21, 1955 and wants a sanitary sewer to service the lot upon which he desires to build a house . Mr. Robicheau said that when he purchased the lot, he was advised to wait until the following year when the sewer would go up Massachusetts Avenue . He said he Robicheau waited that year and the next year and would like to sewer know something definite . Mr. James asked who gave that advice and Mr. Robi- cheau replied that Mr. Lurvey said that there might be a possibility of connecting to the Town sewer ,but nothing was promised. He said that at the time Mr. Lurvey ran a percolation test and advised that it would not be advis- able to install a septic tank or cesspool. Mr. Reed said he has known Mr Robicheau for some time. He said there is a deferred betterment which is due immediately if he is able to build if the sewer is available . He said he was on the Board when the sewer in Massachusetts Avenue was brought up and some consider- ation was given to it taking care of Crobby Road. He said he realized this is a new street and not advisable to dig it up, but he thought the sewer could be put in the shoulders . He referred to the three lots owned by the Methodist Church and said the only use that would be made of them would be for a Rectory and he felt a line could be connected to the sewer. Mr. Reed said he realized this would probably cost $2,000 but the Town has always absorbed the cost of corner lots . He said Mr. Robicheau would pay the better- ment in one payment . He stated that the street better- ment would be due and that would offset the cost of the sewer at this time . He said the lot because it cannot be used, is assessed for $500. Mr. hobicheau will build a $20,000 or $25,000 house and he would like the Board to give him every consideration. He said he did not know whether funds were available but the betterments would be paid. Mr. James explained that the money received for betterments would not be available . *)'(8 Mr. Tucker askdd how long Mr. Robicheau owned the lot and he replied three years . Mr. Adams asked if he was a resident of Lexington and he replied in the negative . Mrs. Morey explained that this application for a sewer would take its turn and be placed at the bottom of the list so the installation probably would not be done now. The Chairman asked what the sewer betterment would be and Mr. Gayer said, guessing, about $685. The Chairman said that the Board would discuss the subject and advise Mr. Robicheau of its decision. Messrs. Robicheau and Reed retired at 8:20 P. M. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Lurvey, Execu- tive Health Officer, stating that the lot is not accept- able for an individual sewage disposal system. Mr. James said he would like to see the sewer built on Crobby Road and he thought it could be done . The sewer contracts are going out for bid very shortly and the Board will know very soon how much money beyond the bid is available in the appropriation. He said that this is a small job and if there is $2,000 left, Mr. Gayer could do the work with his own crew. The Chairman said that if the sewer goes up Crosby Road, it would also serve the Methodist church. Mr. Gayer said that if the church is not already connected, it will be very shortly on Massachusetts Avenue . Mr. Adams asked why the Byron Avenue, Lockwood Road sewer couldn' t be done if there' was $30,000 left in the appropriation. He said to grant the request for Crosby Road would be installing a sewer where there is no resi- dence and in the other area people are in trouble . The Chairman said that when it comes to $30,000 he thought the Town Meeting should decide . Mrs . Morey said she would like to see the Byron Avenue, Lockwood Road sewer ready for a Special Town Meeting. It was unanimously agreed to advise Mr. Robicheau that the Crosby Road sewer will have to be considered when the budgets are being prepared for 1959. Mr. McManus, Mr. Sacco and two other individuals met with the Board relative to installation of sewer Byron Avenue in Byron Avenue and Lockwood Road. Lockwood Rd. The Chairman explained that last year there was sewer an amount of approximately $30,000 included in the budget to sewer this area. A great deal of discussion was carried on because only twelve houses in the area were to be served and the Selectmen felt they did not have the support of the Board of Health and the Appro- priation Committee to warrant spending $30,000 for a 379 sewer and pumping station. He said that is the reason it was not approved. He said that the Selectmen and the Board of Health would try to have it approved in the bud- get for the Town Meeting. He explained that it is possible the betterment costs will be extremely high. That wou]d have to be discussed and the property owners would have to sign a petition to have the work done and then an estimate of the cost would be prepared for signatures . Mr. Sacco said that he approached Mr. Gayer and nothing was said about the Board of Health and a petition has been submitted and estimate of costs signed. He said it never occurred to him that he should go to the Board of Health. The Chairman explained thattrying to get the approval of Town Meeting for an expenditure of $30,000 fir a small group of people needs support such as the Board of Health stating that the situation is a health menace . He said that the Board would attempt to include it in the budget next year and if the Town Meeting members approved it, the Board would be happy to proceed with the installation. Mr. Sacco said that next year is not soon enough as this is an emergency. The Chairman said that the condition must have existed for a number of years and Mr. Sacco said that during the past year families have moved in and there are a number of children in these families . U The Chairman said that if the Board did want to start the installation, it would take a vote of Town Meeting and it would be many months before the work was done because of the engineering involved. However, knowing it may be approved, some of the engineering work may be started in advance . One gentleman asked if the Board thought the cost would be decreased by postponing the work and the Chair- man replied in the negative . He laid he did not know of any way the Board could work faster . He said he thought the award was aware of the problem and mentioned that there are other areas which are bad and which the Board is trying to correct, but he did not know of any short cut. One gentleman said he has lived in the area for eighteen months and had his cesspool cleaned out three times. Mr. Sacco said that he understood on some occasions the Town Meeting takes up items such as this as an emergency. The Chairman said he did not think it practical to call a Town Meeting for one item. Even then the process would take that much time . With Mr. Gayer knowing the Board is planning this program, some of the preliminary engineering work can be done in advance . He explained this project involves a pumping station and will require engineering work. 380 Mr. Sacco asked how soon the installation would be made if approved by Town Meeting. Mr. Gayer replied that in this instance he would make every effort to have this a special project so that as soon as the money is appropriated, the engineer- ing work would be done and a contract could be let. Mr. Sacco asked if it would be two months after the March meeting and Mr. Gayer replied that three months would be a more practical estimate . Mr. Sacco said that next March would not be soon enough and Mrs. Morey explained that the Board could not do anything without the money being made available . She asked how long the newest house had been there and Mr Sacco replied twenty years Mr. Gayer explained that he was talking to Mr. Lurvey who advised that the people could help themselves tempo- rarily by doing some work on the filter beds. The Chairman said that the Board would attempt to get the drawings started this year. The group retired at 8:45 P. M The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. Florence Bernier, 296 Bedford Street, calling attention to the fence at Parker School the Parker School which she believes to be dangerous fence to children, a tree at the Parker School partially blown down and also asking to have a white strip painted down the middle of Worthen Road. The first two items were referred to the School Worthen Road Committee and the Worthen Road item is to be discussed at the next meeting of the Traffic Study Committee . The Chairman reported that Mr. Charles Cole called and asked if the Town would declare 200 feet of Sage Pole location Road a public way so that the Boston Edison Company can install poles free of charge ; otherwise the school will have to pay $650. Mr. Gayer explained that to make it a public way involves a hearing and acceptance by Town Meeting. Mr. Gayer reported that Itek' s proposed project can bd sewered by gravity. They would like to meet Sewer fOr with the Board and he thought they would like to know Itek who is going to pay for the sewer. The Chairman said he would get figures on borrow- ing from the Town Accountant. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Collins, Wel- Salary fare Agent, requesting an increase in Miss Crosby' s salary from $57.11 per week to $59.39 per week . Per- mission has been obtained from the Civil Service to promote Miss Crosby to the position of Senior Clerk, the previous clerk having retired. 381 II Mr . James said he would like the amount to conform to what the Board has set up in the salary schedule It may be more or less, but he would check it and advise the Board. The Board gave further consideration to Mr. Matthew Zubowitch' s offer of $800 for lots 98 and 99 Taft Avenue . A proposal to sell these lots was advertised in the June 5, 1958 issue of the Lexington Minute-man. Tax title Letter was received from Jennie C. & Edward E. Coye, Jr., abutters, offering $400 for lot 99. They own lots 100 to 104 inclusive and their house is built on lots 103 and 104. Letter was received from Stewart C . Cairns, Grace Cairns Trustees, offering $400 for lot 98. Their pro- perty abuts this lot and they have owned it since 1910. It was agreed to ask Mr. Stevens if the Board could sell one tax title lot with restrictions . Mr. Gayer reported that the following bids had been received on a sewer machine : J. F. McDermott Company $4200 delivered, 1% 30 Days O'Brien Manufacturing Co 4350 net, delivery 30 Days Bids Mr. Gayer recommended purchase of the unit bid on by McDermott. Upon motion of Mr. Adams, seconded by Mrs. Morey, it was voted to accept the low bid of $4,200 submitted by the J. F. McDermott Company. Mr. Gayer retired at 9:45 P. M. List of gnlicensed dogs was received from Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign a Warrant to the Dog Officer to catch and confine Dog and to kill or sell all unlicensed dogs as required by Warrant Chapter 140, Sectton 151A, G. L. Invitation was received from the Lexington Field and Garden Club to attend a dedication service at Emery Park on Sunday, June 22nd, at 12:15 Letter was received from the Kiddie Kamp Corporation, 10 Milk Street, Boston, requesting a loud speaker permit Permit for the month of June to advertise a fund raising contest. denied Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to deny the request The Chairman read a letter from Chief John W. Rycroft recommending that Paul Mazerall, who is in charge of parks 82 and playgrounds, be appointed a Special Police Officer. Special Upon motion of Mr. Adams, seconded by Mr. James, it Police was voted to appoint Paul E. Mazerall a Special Police Officer in the Town of Lexington for a term expiring March 31, 1959. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Licenses to grant the following licenses: Lexington Bowladrome , Inc. - Bowling Alley Sunday Bowling The Chairman reported that the Board is invited to attend a meeting of the Young Republican Club to be held Meeting June 19th at 8:00 P. M. in the Munroe School Mr. Adams called the Board' s attention to the fact an urgent call was made for a doctor recently and eleven minutes, by actual watch count, elapsed before a contact was made . Seven calls were placed and one doctor had Doctors patients, one was at a hospital and five did not answer The Chairman was authorized to write the Board ce Health calling the situation to its attention and to suggest that the Board consider working out some arrange- ment with the doctors whereby better coverage can be pro- vided the town. The Chairman agreed to discuss the ambulance specifi- cations with the Fire Commissioners and report to the Board. The meeting adjourned at 10:25 P. M. A true record, Attest: l��Fzt i Cf , Se l4ctnne n. VII/k/ I Iii