Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1958-05-05-BOS-min 337 SELECTMEN'S M1 FTI NG May 5, 1958 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, May 5, 1958, at 7:30 P. M . Messrs . James Tucker and Mrs . Morey were present Mr Stevens, Town 'ounsel, Mr. Gayer, Superintendent of Public Works, and the Executive Clerk were also present. Mr. Adams arrived at 7:55 P. M. It was moved and seconded that Mr. James act as Chairman during Mr. Maloney' s absence The Chairman read a letter written by Mr. Stevens to Mr. Charles G. Ruggiero, 10 Battle Green Road, ex- plaining the method that was followed in assessing his Sewer property the sum of $1,005.31 as a betterment in con- betterment faction with the construction of a sanitary sewer in Battle Green Road . The Chairman read a letter from the Department of Public Works advising that a hearing is to be held at 100 Nashua Street, on Thursday, May 8, 1958 at 2:00 P. M. in the matter of laying out as a State Highway, for construction purposes only, a section of road in the Town of Lexington and another section of road in the towns of Lexington and Bedford - Access Road to Airport. Petition, three copies of Order, together with plan for a j/o pole location on Hilltop Avenue was received. The Chairman explained that this petition was submitted in place of the one received two weeks ago and the guy wire has been excluded. Pole It was unanimously voted to grant the petition location and sign the order for the following j/o pole loca- tion: Hilltop Avenue, northeasterly side , approximately 680 feet southeast of Kendall Road, - one pole . Mr. Stevens called the Board' s attention to changes made in the proposed Sign By-Law. The subject of adopting rules and regulations relative to awnings was brought up and it was suggested 330 Rules and that the Town Uounsel, following the Special Town Meet- Regulations ing, prepare such rules and regulations for the Board' s re awnings consideration. It was further suggested that Town Counsel draft a letter quoting the law and advising that per- mits for awnings will have to be obtained. Mr. Gayer reported that hearings were held April 30th relative to proposed removal of trees on Concord Avenue and he submitted copies of protests that have been filed with him. He explained that Town Counsel has advised Tree him that the Tree Warden will have to obtain approval removal from the Board of Selectmen to remove the trees or issue permits to have them removed. The Statute provides that if there is written ob- jection at or before a public hearing, the trees cannot be removed without the approval of the Board of Select- men. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the removal of certain trees on Concord Avenue by the Tree Warden and further granted him per- mission to have the trees removed by a contractor. The Chairman read a letter frau William Sullivan, 18 Bates Road, President of the Patriots Forest Civic Association, referring to enclosed petition requesting Sewer a sewer system in the area. The Chairman said that this would be figured and included in the budget for next year . Estimates of cost will be prepared by Mr. Gayer and sent out for signatures to be returned not later than October 15, 1958. The Chairman read a letter from W. F. Davis, 18 Boulder Road, stating that he has been informed by the Town Engineer's Office that the Town does not plan to proceed with the installation of a sewer line which he understood was to be provided for connection of his waste disposal to the town sewerage system. He asked that further consideration be given to the installation. The Chairman explained that Mr. Davis and Mrs . Fernald live in the two houses not served by the sewer and the people would not give the easement . He said that Mr. Davis had not known what happened because he signed the petition for a sewer. He called and found out the sewer was not going to be put in to take care of his house so he then called the Chairman who ad- vised that he write the Board to be on record. Letter was received from Mrs. Albert E. Gilman, Jr . , 23 Wilson Road, stating that the traffic con- dition on Wilson Road is getting worse and the people want a partial gate at the end of the road, one that 339 will allow foot traffic, but would be locked day and night except to allow school buses through during school hours. Wilson Road The Chairman recalled that a couple of years ago traffic there was some discussion about the traffic there and through the school yard. At that time , they used it as a basis for requesting abatement of the betterment charges on Wilson Road which they were then paying. That request was denied and now they are back again. Mrs. Morey mentioned installation of a sidewalk on both sides . The Chairman said that the Board had discussed the possibility of getting the co-operation of the School Department in having a chain put across. Mr. Adams said that this is traffic control. The Chairman said that it seemed to him that the School Department has some responsibility. Mrs. Morey said that perhaps the Traffic Study Committee could arrange to have some League Women make a count to see where the traffic is going and coming from. She suggested that the Committee be requested to handle it immediately and report back in two weeks . It was also agreed to advise the School Committee what is being done . Mr. Gayer reported that there is $936.38 interest inthe Taylor Tree Fund to be expended by the Lexington. Tree Department for care, purchase or preservation of trees. He said he would like to use that for the pur- Trees chase and planting of additional trees this Spring The Board had no objection. Mrs. Morey suggested that the Board write a let- ter to the Chief of Police and ask him to check on the Buckman Tavern grounds being used as a playground. The Chairman reported that he talked to Mr. Maloney at some length two weeks ago tonight about Whitman & Howard. At that time , Mr. Maloney asked him to look into the situation and see what he could determine as far as recommendations are concerned. Engineering The Chairman suggested two things in general the Board should look into . One, some other consulting engineering company, preferably a smaller one, and secondly, look into the advisability of employing enough people in our own department to do the work. He said that whatever the Board does, if it does either, could not be done for several months . It would be his feeling, at the moment, to continue with Whitman and Howard on the basis we have suggested for this year. 340 Then six months from now the Board could come up with an answer. The Chairman suggested following the plan recom- mended involving consultation with Mr. Gayer to ar- rive at a figure . Mr. Gayer said that arrangement puts him on the spot. The idea of checking Whitman & Howard estimates might put him in an undesirable position. The Chairman said that he agreed and said that Mr. Gayer could not check the figures to a point where he would be satisfied with them. The Chairman suggested, and the Board agreed, to continue with Whitman & Howard, fcr this year, on the basis of 12% for all road, sewer and drain work and on the basis of $% for all water work, a credit to be given for work done by our own Engineering Department. Mr. Gayer retired at 8:50 P. M. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Gayer, in which he referred to a letter from the Planning Board regarding petition to change the name of a portion of Winter Street. Winter Street The Board felt that the other part of Winter Street will be built up sooner or later and it was agreed to refer the matter back to the Planning Board with the suggestion that Winter Street be extended over Sky View Road to Rangeway and Volunteer Lane from Grove Street all the way down the finished and unfinished part of Winter Street. The Chairman read a letter from F. K. Johnson In- surance Agency, 11 Muzzey Street, stating that as Mr. Merriam has notified the Board, they will acquire his insurance business the beginning of next year. They Insurance hope the Board will permit them to serve the Town ' s future insurance needs as Mr. Merriam has done in the past and before January would like to visit with the Board. Letter was received from Mrs . Eric T. Clarke, President of the Lexington League of Women Voters, World Trade asking the Board to issue a Proclamation establishing Week the week of May 18th as World Trade Week in Lexington, and also inviting the Board to attend an evening' s discussion on Monday, May 19th, at 8:00 P. M. Mrs. Morey suggested that the Proclamation be given to Mr. Adams for publication and the group ad- vised that the Board cannot join them that evening because of its regular meeting. Letter was received from the Kiddie Kamp Corpora- 3.41 tion, 10 Milk Street, Boston, requesting permiegion to conduct a Tag Day in Lexington on Saturday, May 17th Tag Day In keeping with the policy established some time ago, that Tag Days be limited to only two or three local organizations, it was voted to deny the request. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the following licenses: Licenses Charles Durkin, d.b.a. Minute Man Cab Public Carriage ren'1. Wardrobe ' s Pharmacy Sunday Sales " Chester W. Fillmore Peddler " Theron H Gough Application for a Special License as a Hawker and Peddler was received from James J. Green, 8 Fiske Road, Lexington, which requires a certification of character from the Board. Peddler's The Chairman read a letter from Chief Rycroft ad- License vising that an investigation has been made by his De- partment through the Board of Probation and it was found Mr. Green was in the Roxbury District Court on July 2, 1951 for larceny, and was sentenced to six months in the House of Correction , and further sus- pended, and on February 5, 1952 the case was filed. It was agreed toadvise the Director that the Board does not feel it can sign the Certificate of Character in view of the applicant' s record. Fur the r consideration was given to the appoint- ment of a Fire Commissioner, and upon motion of Mr. Adams, seconded by Mr. Ticker, it was voted to re- Appointments appoint Mr. George C . Sheldon for a three-year term expiring May 1, 1961 . Mr . Adams stated that the Board should establish a policy that three terms are enough and the other Policy re members of the Fire Commissioners be so advised in- appointments formally. He said he felt it would be in the best interest of the Town to limit the terms on most Boards to three . At 9:15 P. M. , the Planning Board met with the Selectmen relative to the proposed taking to be made by the State Department of Public Works and its re- lationship to the proposed zoning question coming up May 12th. The subject was discussed at length and it was the feeling of the Board of Selectmen that the matter 4aab 'not between the Town and the State, but one be- tween the State andFilene ' s . 342 Reference was made to the hearing at the State ' Department of Public Works on Thursday, relative to the proposed Access Road to the Bedford Airport. Re- presentatives from the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board will attend. The meeting adjourned at 10 :15 P. M. A true record, Attest: of xe tiv�/ Cler(k, Seletmn. r.-a r S �1 I I