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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1958-05-19-BOS-min 347 SELECTMEN'S MEETING May 19, 1958 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, May 19, 1958, at 7:30 P. M. Chairman Maloney, Messrs . James, Tucker and Mrs Morey were present . Mr Stevens, Town Counsel, Mr. Gayer, Super- intendent of Public Works, and the Executive Clerk were also present. Mr. Adams arrived at 7:55 P. M. Hearing was declared open upon application of the Associates Realty Trust of Lexington for permission to store #2 fuel oil in an underground tank on the prem- ises at 727 Marrett Road. Mr. M. A . Seabury, Jr. , representing the petitioner, was the only person present. Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded by Mrs . Morey, it was voted to grant the Associates Realty Trust of Fuel oil Lexington a license to store 4,000 gallons of #2 fuel hearing oil in an underground tank on the premises located at 727 Marrett Road The application was approved April 25, 1958 by Deputy Chief Belcastro and notice of the hearing was advertised in the May 8, 1958 issue of the Lexington Minute-man. Mr. Seabury retired at 7:33 P. M. Hearing was declared open upon application of. Duval Sheet Metal Works, Inc . , for permission to main- tain an underground tank for the storage of 1,000 gallons of gasoline on premises at 3 Bow Street. Mr. Frank Rymes, representing the petitioner, was the only person present . The application was approved May 5, 1958 by Deputy Chief Belcastro and notice of the hearing was Gasoline advertised in the May 8, 1958 issue of the Lexington hearing Minute-man. Mrs . Morey asked if gasoline had everbeen stared at the location before, and Mr. Rymes replied in the negative . Mr. Rymes retired at 7:37 P. M. Upon motion of Mr. Tucker, seconded by Mr.James, it was voted to grant the Duval Sheet Metal Works, Inc . a license to store 1,000 gallons of gasoline in an under- ground tank on the premises located at 3 Bow Street. 648 �-C S Request was received from the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for permission to install two anchor guys at the corner of Rawson Avenue and Albemarle Street, both private ways. Guy wire Mr. Gayer reported that the pole number on the location petition is incorrect and he does not understand why two guy wires are desired. He explained that there is a pole already placed with wires in four directions . The Chairman said that possibly the load may be increased. Mr. Gayer said the only reason the Town is in- volved is the fact that the Town owns a lot on the corner. Upon motion of Mr. James , seconded by Mr. Tucker, it was voted to grant the request. Letter was received from Edward P. Colbert, 796 Massachusetts Avenue , requesting installation of a water main to service lot #101 Grandview Avenue where Request for he intends to build a house . water yr. Gayer reported that he has started a formal petition on this. He explained that there is a private line going part way up and the people connected won't have any betterments to pay. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Leon Bateman advising that the merchants would like to have a sign, Parking similar to those erected by the Town in other parking Sign areas, to publicize the parking lot built by Mr. Viano. Mrs. Morey interpreted the letter as a request for permission to erect a sign and Mr. Gayer said he thought it was a request for the Town to erect it. The Chairman said that Mr. Bateman could not put a hole in the sidewalk for a sign. Mr. Gayer said that permission could be granted, but if the sign, as suggested, says parking for customers it is a private parking lot. The Chairman said that the sign would be for the convenience of the public. Mrs. Morey said she thought it would be all right if the proposed wording were changed and the merchants wanted to pay for it . Mr. Stevens said that the Board could not assume the merchants were going to make the sign and if they do, the Board would want to make sure it would be all right. Mr . James said that he would be in favor of per- mitting the merchants to erect a sign if they want to buy one and have just Public Parking on it. Mr. Tucker said that the sign should not be limited to customers. , 349 Mr. Gayer agreed to discuss the subject with Mr. Bateman Letter was received from the Raytheon Manufactur- ing Company, addressed to Mr. Stevens, together with a proposed water service contract, for the Town to supply Water water to the company' s proposed new laboratory in Bed- ford. Mr . Stevens said that he would check the contract with Mr. Gayer . The Chairwan read a letter from Mr . Stevens in reference to tax title lot 11, Block 88, Short Street, which the Board voted to convey to Concetta Lembo. He pointed out that the lot has a frontage on Short Street of twenty-five feet and is being conveyed to Mrs . Lembo because she is the owner of lots 9 and 10. He explained that if the three lots are combined into one lot, it would result in a frontage of 75 feet and assumed that the Board intended to insert a restriction in the deed requiring the lots to be combined for building purposes. It was unanimously agreed tohave a restriction inserted in the deed requiring the lots to be combined for building purposes . The Chairman read a letter frau Mr. Stevens with reference to a sewer order adopted by the Board on March 11, 1957 for the construction of a sewer in Depot Square Depot Square . The donstruction was not carried out sewer and he therefore prepared an order rescinding it. After this order has been executed, a new order for the construction of this sewer, based upon the sewer appropriation made at the Annual Town Meeting this year, should be adopted. Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded by Mr. Tucker, it was voted to adopt an order rescinding the order for construction of a sewer in Depot Square , adopted by the Board on March 11, 1957. Mr. Bertram P. Gustin, Chairman of the Town Celebra- tions Committee, met with the Board at 7:50 P. M. He explained that the Committee thinks the pre- cedent this year of a Lady Lexington is significant, and it is intended to continue the activiity each year. He said it is proposed to have a picture of Miss Lexington placed in the conference room and asked from whom per- Miss mission should be requested. Lexington Mrs . Morey said that if there was to be a series of pictures eventually, there would be quite a number, IIand Mr . Gustin said that the size would be reduced to 8t 11 a5O The Chairman said that he thought the subject should be discussed with the Trustees of Cary Memorial Building. Mr.Gustin asked if the Town Celebrations Com- mittee was going to he responsible for a Thanksgiving Thanksgiving service this year and the Chairman replied that the Observance Board would send him a letter asking the Committee to arrange, coordinate and execute appropriate services for the observance of Thanksgiving, 1958. Mr. Gustin retired at 7:55 P. M. A report from the Traffic Study Committee, rela- tive to a communication received two weeks ago about Wilson Road, was due today. Mr. Gayer reported that the Committee has met and Chief Rycroft felt that he wanted to inake a traffic count in the area, but during the past two weeks, he was short of men and had other more urgent things to take care of. He was planning to send a plain clothes man up to the area and the Committee will meet this week if he has obtained the information he wanted. Traffic Mr. Gayer explained that the question of school property is involved and they would like to check with Town Counsel to make certain that any recom- mendations the Committee has will work out . At the present, time, the solution appears to be a gate with the proper signs stating this is not a through street, the gate to be opened only for school buses or fire trucks. Mrs. Morey said she thought that one evening the Chairman asked Mr. James and Mr. Tucker to take care of certain items and then asked Mr. Adams and her to take care of certain items . She asked if they were supposed to be doing something to report to the Board on. The Chairman aaid that she and Mr. Adams, as he recalled, were to work with the Traffic Study Com- mittee . om- mittoe . Mrs. Morey said that she thought she and Mr. Adams should meet with the Traffic Study Committee . Mr. Adams asked if they had the power to initiate projects of their own and the Chairman replied in the affirmative . He explained that one project is the parking areas in the center . Mrs . Morey said that she and Mr. Adams could meet with Mr. Gayer and the other members of the Committee some afternoon and then come in to the Board with a report Mr. Adams said that a number of years ago, the Boards of Selectmen had subcommittees and it worked out rather well . 351 The Chairman said such an arrangement might work out if necessary, but he was opposed to getting into the various departments because they have department heads However, for a specific project, he would have no objection. At 8:00 P. M. , Mr. Martin Bashian met with the Board He explained that the Centennial Legion will be observed September 19, 20 and 21. In' previous years, it has been in Other parts of the country but this year it is to be in Boston . Mr. Bashian is Ad- jutant of the organization and plans are progressing very well. He said the group would like permission to have a parade on Saturday morning, starting at ten o'clock, from the intersection of Woburn Street and Massachusetts Avenue, proceeding to the Common where there would be a review. The Minute-men would like to have public installation of officers and arrange- ments have been made with Rev. Handley to have ser- Centennial vices in the Episcopal Church. There will be approxi- Legion mately 300 participants, and if time permits, they would visit two of the historical houses and then proceed to Concord Mr. Bashian said that if per- mission is granted, they would like a representative from the Board of Selectmen to attend. Mr. Bashian explained that he would like per- mission to use the Common for a review. There will be a public address system but no stand, and the entire program will probably not take more than an hour . Mr. James suggested using the church parking lot for the buses . Mr. Bashian said that there would be the problem of feeding the group and asked if there was any pos- sibility of using a school cafeteria. Mrs. Morey suggested that he contact the School Committee . Mr. Adams said he thought the Town flags should be displayed on Saturday, the 20th, and the Board agreed. Mr. Bashian retired at 8:10 P. M. Mr. Austin Fisher, Chairman of the Standing School Building Committee, met with the Board. He said he desired to explain the situation in regard to the Barnes Property. The Committee 's archi- tect has made a study and to do a straightforward job would cost $25,000 instead of $18,000. He said the uestion is, what does the Committee do? There is 18,000 available and the Committee definitely does 352 not want to go back to the Town for additional funds If the Committee has just the heating, lighting and Barnes plumbing done it will be all right. However, if it Property gets into decorations, it will be over the appropria- tion. He said that if an architect were to go in and say this is what should be done , he would spend $1400 on flooring and $4200 on heating. This would add up to $2500. He said he thought the Committee could cut this away back, leaving to the School Committee certain decorating items. He said he understood the Selectmen still have control of the building so he felt the Board and the School Committee should know what they are in for. All the Standing School Building Committee is go- ing to spend is $18,000 and do the best it can. The estimate for repairing the roof is $550. Insulation would be $220 or a total of $770,4 If the Board could make this amount available , it would help a great deal. According to the architect, the roof is in very bad condition, and he does not want to give it out on the general bid. The Committee prefers to do it under a separate contract before the bids go out or while they are being considered. He explained that repairs of this nature are dubious and there is no telling what a general contractor will do with a repair bid. The Committee is of the opinion that it could do the masonry work, con- nect the heater up to the flue, such flooring as is needed, patch the walls and ceiling, plumbing, heating and electrical work . That is about all . He said that as long as the Selectmen have title to the property, there is the problem of who is repponsible for what. The Chairman explained that the object was to dis- pose of the building, and all the Board wants is the title to the land . Mr. Stevens explained that the Board could not turn the building over sooner because Town departments are still using it. Once the building is unoccupied, at the next Town Meeting the Board will transfer the care and control of the building, not the land, to the School Com- mittee . Mr. Fisher said that the bommittee has $18,000 and it is going to spend that amount and that is all . The plan is basically one of plumbing, heating and electrical work The Committee will repair the building just to make it livable . The Chairman said that Mr. Risher could advise the School Committee that the Board feels it is through with the building and it is theirs from now on and will be legally turned over . He said that some time in the near future , he would like to look into the cost. He said he thought the Board was of the opinion it should be turned over now in its present condition. Mr. Fisher retired at 8:35 P. Y . � ff3r The Chairman read a letter from Mr . Leon Bateman asking that the Shenandoah flag system be extended to include the side of the street where his store is now located. Flags Mr . Gayer agreed to contact Mr. Charles Brenton, formerly with the Park Department , to obtain further information on the subject and rept back to the Board next week . The Chairman read a letter from John D. Chiesa, advising that for several years he has cut the hay on the Willard property located on North Street. He Hay on has never been charged rental for the land as Miss Willard land Willard felt the improvement to the property com- pensated for the hay he removed. Mr. Chiesa would like to continue to cut the hay as feed for his cattle . It was agreed to advise Mr. Chiesa that inasmuch as the Town does not presently owns the property, the Board is not in a position to grant him permission to mow the hay. However, if he obtains permission from Miss Willard, the Board will honor it when the Town takes title to the land. Letter was received from William P. Fitzgerald, Fire Commissioner, together with a copy of specifica- tions Ambulance tions for a new ambulance and a list of companies to whom they will be sent . Bids are to be forwarded to the Selectments Office on or before May 26th. Letter was received from Mrs. Robert McMillan, 38 Moon Hill Road, relative to a publicity campaign in connection with the deCordova Museum' s June circus Permit festival. The proposed plan includes a cavalcade of denied jeeps, advertising, flyers and sale of tickets . It was the opinion of the Beard that favorable action would be establishing a precedent which could prove to be undesirable and permission having once been granted, the Board could not consistently refuse any future similar requests. Permission was, theree fore , denied. Letter was received from Mr. Carroll, Town Treasurer, advising that he had received the follow- ing bids on a $500,000 loan in anticipation of re- venue : Second Bank-State Street Trust Co. .60% The Merchants National Bank of Boston .635% Lexington Trust Company $200,000 .66% 300,000 .72% II 354 The bid submitted by the Second Bank-State Street Trust Company of .60% was approved by the Board. Letter was received from Mr. Irwin, Building Inspector, in regard to the new Sign By-Law. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to establish the following fees for erection of signs : A minimum $2.00 charge for any permit for a structure the estimated cost of which is $2,000 or less. A fee of $1.00 per thousand or fraction thereof for any structure over $2,000 . Further consideration was given to Mr. Philip J. Knox' s offer of $550 for tax title lots 228 to 233 on Freemont Street. Mr. Paul B. Lloyd 202 Cedar Street, had also Tax title submitted an offer of $500 for the same lots. Mr. James, representing the Board, had a con- ference with both individuals and Mr. Knox agreed to sell lots 222 and 223 to Mr Lloyd for $183, and Mr. Lloyd agreed to purchase them from Mr. Knox. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sell and convey tax title lots 228 to 233 inclusive to Philip J. Knox for $550. Further consideration was given to Mr. John L. Wood' s offer of $500 for tax title lots 234 to 242 Tax title inclusive on Freemont Street . The Board discussed the subject very thoroughly and came to the conclusion that it would be in the best interest of the Town not to dispose of the lots . Mr. Wood' s offer was therefore declined. Further consideration was given to the Homeland Realty' s offer of $4600 for tax title lots 220 to 258 inclusive on Freemont Street and lots 264 to 272 in- clusive on Asbury Street. Tape title The Board decided that it would be in the best interest of the Town not to dispose of the remaining lots, 228 to 233 inclusive having been sold to Mr. Knox, and the Homeland Realty's offer was therefore declined. Further consideration was given to Walter J. O'Brien's offer of $500 for tax title lots 579 and 580 on Edna Street which he desires to purchase for 355 a play yard. The Chairman was authorized to advise Mr. O'Brien that if the Board decides to accept his offer, a re- striction will be written into the deed whereby they Tax title cannot be used for the erection of any building . If he is still interested in acquiring them with the re- striction to so advise the Board. Further consideration was given to Mr. William J. Gibbs ' offer di' $500 for tax title lot #38 Grape- vine Avenue, which he desires to acquire for agricultural purposes, primarily for raising shrubs as a hobby. Tax title Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that a proposal to sell the lot be advertised in the Lexington Minute-man, a copy of which is to be mailed to the abutters, and that further consideration be given the offer at the Selectmen's meeting on Monday, June 2, 1958. Letter was received from the Middlesex County Sanatorium requesting that Robert F. Ingram, an em- ployee, be appointed a Special Police Officer. Mr. Ingram' s primary duty is to directtraffcic in the Sanatorium parking lot. Appointment Satisfactory character reference was received from the Chief of Police . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Robert F. Ingram 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 to renew the following licenses : Licenses Corner Variety Store 856 Mass . Ave Sunday Sales George H. Phelan 11 Stevens Road Peddler Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adopt an Order of Taking on Asbury Street from Paul Order of Revere Road, a distance of 560' , more or less, northerly Taking to Balfour Street. (Copy in Selectmen' s 1958 files under Highways, Asbury Street) . Mr. Stevens said he had four engineering contracts with Whitman & Howard which he prepared on request of Contracts Mr. Gayer; streets, sewers, trunk sewer and water. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign an Exercise of Option to purchase certain land Exercise of from Diomede Famosi, as Trustee of the Middleby Realty Option Trust, situated on Middleby Road and Wachusett Drive . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to Tax Title sign a deed, prepared by Town Counsel, conveying tax title lot 19, Block 18, Reed Street to Catherine V. Kelly. O5b ►-c Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to 111 sign an Exercise of Option to purchase certain land from Options Andrew E. Millyan and Margaret K. Millyan, situated on Massachusetts Avenue . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign an Exercise of Option to purchase certain land from Edith W. Willard and Genieve Robinson, situated on the westerly side of North Street. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to Poppy Drive grant permission to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 3007, to conduct an Annual Poppy Drive on May 22nd and 23rd. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to re-appoint the following individuals as Associate Members Appointments Board of Appeals, for terms expiring March 31, 1959: J. Henry Duffy, Charles H. Norris , George W. Emery and James A. Harding, Jr. Reference was made to redecorating the Selectmen's Selectmen ' s Room and Mr. Tucker said he would rather purchase a Room new table than to buy new chairs . Mrs . Morey said she would look at some tables. It was agreed to invite the Planning Board to meet next Monday at 9:00 P. M. for the purpose of discussing Worthen and Emerson Roads . The meeting adjourned at 9:t5 P. M. A true record, Attest: l xee&tiveG Merl , Selee n. f L h N L i � v 7: ( --- — -- Mrs. Morey's correction of May 26th records Mr. F. K. Johnson, Mr. Leonard Foster and the Planning 1 Board met with the Selectmen at 9:00 P.M. 1 Mr. Foster reported that he and Mr. Johnson, represent- lk ing themselves as individuals, did after the last Town Meet- ing, contact Cabot, Cabot and Forbes. First of all, he had previous contact with them and secondly, he thought they represented professional promoters. The theory was to secure from them the interest in picking up the options represented by or controlled by the Federated Stores. He said after two meetings a letter of intent has been signed by Cabot, Cabot and Forbes to pick up the options. The purpose of picking up these options is the development of an office-park type of proposition in that area. They have a company at the present time , who would like to come to that property. The size of the building would be about 100,000 square feet, about thirty acres out of a total of 150 acres, costing about two and one-half million dollars, 600 or 750 employees. Mr. Foster said that if this area were totally developed in the the to fifteen acres, it could, with zoning restrictions, be developed and be a credit to the Town. He said he and Mr. Johnson thought it was time to expose what they have been doing to the proper authorities and they hope to have a meeting this week, if possible, with the Planning Board, at which time they would have a represen- tative from Cabot, Cabot and Forbes for the purpose of answering questions. At present, the company would like to go into design work immediately and start construction early in the Fall and occupy it in 1959. The area they are interested in would be the Hayden property facing Route 128. Mr. Johnson said that Mr. Wheeler would like very much to have the total holdings of Cabot, Cabot and Forbes in- cluding the Richards and Pilkington property and the Hayden, Swenson property rezoned. At the moment they have one customer but this they feel would fit a very desirable pattern. Mr. Wheeler said this company would be more par- ticular of the overall picture than anyone else. He ex- pects by tomorrow he can divulge the name of the company and give more details about it . He will call tomorrow and arrange to come to Lexington if the Boards want to meet so that there would be a public announcement tomorrow. Mr. Grindle asked if they discussed roads, and Mr. Johnson replied that the access goes back to Spring Street again. Mr. Jaquith asked about the sewer and Mr. Johnson replied that they did not discuss that . He said as near as they could determine, the property runs down to the foot of present Concord Avenue . M _ s S Mr. Snow explained that it is bounded by Old Shade Street and there is a small piece of land owned by the same group of people who own Woodhaven development. Mr. Adams said he would assume this would be of con- siderable magnitude . Mr. Johnson said he was told this company they have in mind for the Swenson-Hayden area is not interested in the 2A area because of the location and the contour of the land. They have been looking -for about six years and they are very anxious to have this lot. Mr. Jaquith asked if it was Cabot, Cabot and Forbes intention to have the whole area rezoned including the Richards, Pilkington, Swenson and Hayden. 1