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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1958-04-28-BOS-min 330 SELECTMEN'S MEETING April 28, 1958 A regular meeting of the Board ofSelectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, April 28, 1958, at 7:30 P. M. Chairman Maloney, Mr. Adams and Mrs. Morey were present. Mr. Gayer, Superintendent of Public Works, Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, and the Executive Clerk were also pre- sent . Mr. Tucker arrived at 8:05 P. M. Hearing was declared open upon application of the Lexington Coal Company for permission to store 2,000 gallons of gasoline in underground tank at 242 Bedford Street. Mr. Harold Wellington, representing the peti- tioner, and four other persons were present at the hearing. The Chairman explained that h6 had an interest in the hearing and if there was any objection, hear- ing could be held then Mr. Tucker, who was going to be a little late, arrived. No one present wished to Gasoline wait for Mr. Tucker to arrive . hearing The abutters were notified, a notice of the hearing was inserted in the April 17, 1958 issue of the Lexington Minute Man and the application ap- proved by Deputy Chief Belcastro. Mr. Wellington explained that the Lexington Coal Company has petitioned for an increase in storage from 500 gallons to 2,000 gallons. He said that the company has found, over the period since the original 500 gallon tank was installed some forty years ago, that it is inadequate and it is also a traffic hazard in the present location of the pump He said it is the company's intention to move the tank and the pumps some thirty feet south of the present garage and of- fice and it will be a distance of some fifteen feet west of the sidewalk. He pointed out that for the past few years, particularly in the winter, it has not only been a traffic hazard but a pedest*tan hazard, particularly with the school children going back and forth. He said with the necessity of having an in- crease in thestorage, it is better to relocate the pump. The Chairman asked if anyone present wished to register in opposition, and one individual, who did not give his name , asked where west is . 331 Mr. Wellington explained that it is at the end of the present siding. An individual asked if it would be off the sidewalk and Mr. Wellington replied that it will be at least fifteen feet off the sidewalk. A woman asked if it would be used for the Lex- ington Coal trucks only axed the Chairman replied that it will be just the same as it is . The woman asked if it would increase fire insuP- ante and the Chairman replied that it shouldn' t. He said he thought the hazard is greater as it is now. One of the men said that the gallonage would be more and the Chairman said that is true but all sta- tions are now equipped with larger tanks because it is more difficult to get deliveries in small quantities He explained that the Fire Department has approved the application and it is not unusual. One of the men said he is right across the street and it will be moved away from him. As far as he was concerned, it appeared all right to him, and he said no one else is present to oppose it . Mr. William McCallum and Mr. Robert G. Allen both stated the proposed location was all right. The hearing was declared closed at 7:140 P. M. and the group retired. Upon motion of Mr. Adams, seconded by Mrs. Morey, it was voted toapprove the application and grant a license to the Lexington Coal Company to maintain 2,000 gallons of gasoline in underground tank at 214.2 Bedford Street. The Chairman read a letter from Francis E. Burke, attorney, advising that Mrs. Marion Coughlin, owner of the premises at 11 Wingate Road, has consulted him with reference to damage to her lawn and driveway caused by town plows during the recent winter season. Snow removal Letter was received from Mr. Gayer, reporting damage that a work order 3251 was issued on Tuesday, April 22nd to repair the damage . He explained in the letter that a large amount of snowplow damage was done due to storms when there was no frost in theground, and this particular location will be taken care of as soon as possible . Mr. Stevens left the meeting at 8:00 P. M. The Chairman read a letter from Peter H. Grimes, 20 Freemont Street, advising that the residents of the street are considering the possibility of having the street black topped and they would like the Town to complete the water main project as soon as possible . He explained that he understood if thestreet was con- structed according to town specifications no better- ments would be charged when it is accepted and he wished to have something on the subject in writing. Report was received from Mr. Gayer advising that Freemont the water main will be extended from its present loca- Street tion on Freemont Street to Asbury Street then on As- bury Street to Balfour Street during 1958 . He also outlined items he would insist upon if the residents want to have the street built, at their own expense, so that it might be considered for acceptance without betterments . The Chairman read a letter, signed by Charles F. Werzelberger, 255 Waltham Street, and James A. Bobney, 261 Waltham Street, stating that since the construction Drainage of Worthen Road, a natural drainage appears to have been destroyed and water has been laying in and around the drainage ditch, oreating a health and a mosquito menace . Mr . Gayer reported that the drain for the new sec- tion of Worthen Road and for Mr. Corrigan's subdivision will be laid this year directly through the area re- ferred to and it is anticipated that this will provide an improvement in the general drainage situation. Further consideration was given to a request from Mr . Alfred Antonelli and Alfred S. Buss for the instal- lation of a water main in Circle Road to serve two houses now under construction. Mr . Gayer presented a tracing showing the property Water owners on Circle Road according to the Assessors' re- cords as of April 24, 1958. The majority of thelots are owned by the Town. Mr . Adams said that the request has been received due to the fact that houses are being constructed and in his opinion, there is no hardship due to the fact that these individuals knew that water was not avail- able . Mrs . Morey said that a building permit was taken out and they knew then that there was no water. Mr. Adams said that this was for new houses and he could see no reason why the request should receive special attention ahead of similar requests previously filed. The Board agreed that this is an item to be in- cluded in neat year' s budget for consideration as a 1959 project. 333 Further consideration was given to letter received a few weeks ago from Arthur C. Mitchell in regard to water and sewer for a new church the Grace Chapel pro- poses to erect on Worthen Road. Mr. Gayer reported that the land is too low to be serviced by gravity sewers into either the Massachusetts Avenue sewer or the Bedford Street sewer and there is no water available . The Chairman was authorized to suggest that Mr. Water & Mitchell contact the Superintendent of Public Works Sewer when the time comes to start construction, as possibly he may be able to offer some suggestions that might be helpful. At 8:15 P. M. , hearing was declared open on the proposed layout of Asbury Street from Paul Revere Road a distance of 560 feet, more or less, northerly to Balfour Street, as shown on a plan entitled 'Plan of Asbury St. Lexington Mass. Scale 1" = 40' April 7, 1958 Richard J. Gayer, Town Engineer" . The Chairman asked how many present were in favor of acceptance of Asbury Street as laid out and the fol- lowing individuals wished to be recorded in favor: Mrs. Theda Bentley, Mary Johnson, Sue St. George, Charles King, Irma King, Mrs. Chris Theodore, William Neville, Asbury St. 7 Asbury Street, Robert C . Cady, Jr. , 44 Balfour Street, hearing Clarence Bentley, 39 Asbury Street, John MacKechnie, 23 Greenwood Street, Philip Knox, 18 Greenwood Street, Robert Cady, Sr. , 10 Greenwood Street, Philip Spencer, 41 Asbury Street, Kenneth St. George, 42 Asbury Street. The Chairman asked how many were opposed and Mr. Paul Mitchell, 25 Asbury Street, said he was not in favor. Mrs. Bentley asked if the street could be con- structed to Emerald Street and the Chairman explained that the street would have to be laid out as described in the notice . Mr. Golini asked what provision would be made for a storm drain at the corner of Balfour and Asbury Streets and Mr. Gayer said that would have to be decided. He ex- plained that when a public hearing is held all he has is the layout to find out how the people feel . He said if Mr. Golini would get in touch with him as the engineer- ing progresses, he would be glad to advise him. Mr. Mitchell said that originally the plan was to lay it out from Paul Revere Road to Freemont Street and that was shortly after he moved in. At the public hear- ing he could not see his way to vote in opposition. That project was dropped and the road now only goes as far as Balfour Street and he lives on the corner. He 334 said he objects because he thinks it could be laid out as far as Emerald Street and at least as far as Green- wood Street . He said if he objects now, he is the only one receiving a disservice if he is doing a disservice . Mr. Spencer said that coming through, it is not only to benefit the people on the street, but also the Town, because it is almost impossible to plow the street in the winter because of ledge . He said when they cut through there it would not be feasible to stop at Green- wood Street anyway. He said all the fill washes down from the upper part of Asbury Street and is deposited on the land at the lower end. He stated that the elec- tric light poles are in the middle of the street. He said if this portion goes through this year, there will be a better chance of extending it next year and he was in favor. Mr. Cady asked if the Town would put some fill in on the other side and Mr. Gayer explained that as an unaccepted street it is owned by the people and the Town is prohibited by law from putting in any fill. He explained that the street is plowed because of a special enabling Act passed by the Legislature which permits the Town to plow an unaccepted street. Mrs. Ruth Spencer, 41 Asbury Street, said she was in favor. Mr. Cady said if he put his boundaries out where they belong on Asbury Street, he would shut the street off, and Mr. Gayer said he hoped to correct that situa- tion. The hearing was declared closed at 8:30 P. M. and the group retired. Following the public hearing, the Board considered the matter and it was ordered that the Board of Select- men was of the opinion that public necessity and con- venience require that Asbury Street be laid out and es- tablished as a public town way, rand that the same is laid out and established as a public town way frcm Paul Revere Road a distance of 560' more or less northerly to Balfour Street . It was voted to sign statements on behalf of the following individuals who have filed applications with the Secretary of the State for Certificates of Incorpora- tion, satisfactory character references having been re- ceived frau the Chief of Police : Andrew Ogren, 883 Massachusetts Avenue, Tool & Dye Cert. of Inc. Manufacturers of Eastern Mass . , Inc . Francis J. Cooke, 2 Stratham Road, Charles Forrester, 11 Parker Street, Dean Nicholson, 32 Hill Street, Opera Group Inc . Costas Verros, 22 Tufts Street, Educational Society Methymnes-Kallones, Inc . 335 Upon motion of Mr. Adams and seconded by Mrs. Morey, it was voted to appoint the following school custodians Special Police Officers for terms expiring March 31, 1959, a request for same having been received from Superintend- Special ent Smith and satisfactory character references re- Police ceived from the Chief of Police . Nicholas J. Delfino John Blodgett Ralph P. Braun Clyde L. Hayne William M. Mahoney Duncan F. Swan Herman A Mahon Oscar Heimlich Edward P. Stevens It was voted to reappoint the following individuals as members of the Town Celebrations Committee for three- year terms, expiring April 30, 1961: Raymond E. Lewis Appointments 11 Hancock Street, Joseph 0. Rooney, 51 Grant Street and Mrs Georgia Williams, 1123 Massachusetts Avneue . Mr. Stevens returned frac the Planning Board Meet- ing and reported that the members of that Board feel Millyan that the acquisition of the Millyan property is essen- Property tial. He was authorized to proceed on the basis of $28,900. Mrs. Morey suggested that the Board ask the Stand- ing School Building Committee and the Appropriation Com- mittee if they wish to meet with the Selectmen to dis- cuss the articles and appropriations for the Special Town Meeting on May 12th. Mr. Stevens retired at 9:45 P. M. The Chairman read a letter from the Planning Board in reference to a petition to change to Volunteer Lane that portion of Winter Street extending from (eve Street to Rangeway. The Planning Board suggested that temporary directional signs be erected at the Winter Street - Sky Street View Road and Winter Street - Rangeway intersections . Signs Submitted with the letter were sketches of street dia- grams. The Board had no objection to the suggestion and agreed to go along with the recommendation. Consideration was given to eight bids, opened to- day, for three 2-ton dump trucks Mr. Gayer reported that he had no preference be- tween the Ford and Dodge . Mr. Tucker said that if Mr. Gayer thought the Dodge 336 was a better truck, he would be inclined to purchase Dodge trucks . The Chairman explained that the Board could not justify the purchase of Dodge trucks unless a B. K. hydro-vae booster brake is installed on the Ford. Mrs . Morey said she felt the Board could accept the Ford bid where the specifications were a guide and not a limit. Upon motion of Mr. Adams, seconded by Mr. Tucker, it was voted to accept the low bid, submitted by Dunn Ford Sales, Inc . , for three 2-ton dump trucks at a net price of $11,430.72 and $11,766.72. Mr. Gayer reported on the bids received for im- provements to the swimming pool and the Board approved a total of $7,723.00. Bids were awarded as follows: Diatomaceous Earth Vacuum to Proportioneers,Inc. $5,404.00 Recirculation Pump to Fairbanks-Morse 867.00 Vacuum Cleaner Pump to Fairbanks-Morse 148.00 Special Sump Pump to L. C. Price Company 663.00 Telescopic Valves to Dravo Corp. 614.1.00 The meeting adjourned at 10:25 P. M. A true record, Attest: Executiv Clerl , Sel toren. 4 ac/ u'A