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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1958-03-03-BOS-min 269 SELECTMEN'S MEETING March 3, 1958 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, March 3, 1958 at 7:30 P.M. Chair- man James, Messrs. Maloney, Tucker and Mrs. Morey were present. Mr. Stevens , Town Counsel, Mr. Gayer, Super- intendent of Public Works, and the Executive Clerk were also present. Memorandum was received from the Massachusetts Selectmen's Association with reference to a hearing scheduled by the Committee on Public Service to be held March 11th at 10:30 A.M. on S-L75 and H-777. S-475 is automatic upon acceptance by the Select- ' men and provides some form of tenure after five years S-475 for persons holding the office or position of Highway Surveyor, Superintendent of Streets , Road Commissioner, Superintendent of Public Works, Commissioner of Public Works and the like. H-777 takes effect upon acceptance by vote of the Board of Selectmen or a majority vote of a regular town meeting and would apply to each successive incumbent as H-777 he becomes eligible, and may be extended to him by the Selectmen if they appointed him. Mrs. Morey suggested that the Board give a letter to Mr. Maloney to be presented at such hearings and the Chairman pointed out that such notices are generally not received until a few days before the hearings are to be held. Notice was received from the Massachusetts Select- men's Association with reference to H-773, an act pro- viding for the adjusting of differences between city or town officials and the members of the fire-fighting H-773 forces and fire alarm divisions of the respective fire departments. This bill will be heard Tuesday, March 4., 1958 and leaves all such disputes up to a Board of Arbitra- tion, which disputes cover wages, hours, vacations, sick leave, etc . , including working conditions which could include the building of new fire houses. Notice was received from the Department of Public Utilities with reference to a hearing scheduled for D.P.U. Thursday, March 20, 1958 at 10:30 A .M. , room 166, hearing State House, as to the propriety of the rates and charges filed by the Middlesex & Boston Street Railway Company. V70 z Mr. Stevens suggested that the Board request the railway company to submit a schedule of present rates and also a schedule of proposed rates. Report was received from the Metropolitan District Commission indicating the amount of water sold to all municipalities, revenue received, a statement of the total outstanding indebtedness at the end of the pre- vious year and the total expenditures for the previous year for maintenance and operation of the system. Mr. Stevens explained this is a report the Com- mission is required to make to all member cities and towns in the district. Letter was received from Mr. Gayer, together with copy of letter from the M.D.C . with reference to supply- ing water to a proposed new building for the Raytheon Maunfacturing Company. In view of the approval of the M.D.C. to now supply Raytheon with water, it is Mr. Gayer' s opinion that the Board should allow Raytheon to connect the new building to Lexington's water supply. Mr. Gayer stated in his letter that the additional estimated 15 million gallons Water for will not affect the town's ability to supply customers Raytheon in Lexington and that is also the opinion of Whitman & Howard. Mr. Gayer said that when he received the letter, he contacted Raytheon end was advised that the earliest they would want water would be the Fall of 1958 and they can see no need of it before that time . The Chairman asked if the 15 million gallons was total or additional and Mr. Gayer replied that he was quite sure it is additional. Mr. Tucker said he thought the Town should have some safeguard and advise Raytheon that the Board understands they will not want water until the Fall of 1958 and the continuing supply depends on the M.D.C . Mr. Stevens explained that the contract would state that the Town is under no liability for supply- ing water which it receives from M.D.C. and it will give them what it can. Mr. Tucker asked if the Board could state that its first duty is to the citizens of Lexington, and Raytheon will be supplied if it is possible. Mr. Stevens said if the Board decides to reconsider, it would be up to Mr. Gayer to review the present con- tract with Raytheon. He said this does lead into the Air Force . The Chairman reported that he talked to Colonel Roberton. He and the people at the air base are very unhappy about the recommendation of a well which was brought byArmy in the E ngineera. The Chairman sug- gested to him that the Board might want to meet again to discuss the subject. 271 Colonel Roberton believes that if he makes the request through the proper channels, the Air Force itself may reconsider this and provide some assistance. Mr. Stevens suggested that the Town should have some financial proposal to submit. He said if this is Water for to be done with M.D.C. money and Air Force money, the Air Base Board could advise that it does not feel the Town is in any position to take any part in the construction. The Chairman reported that he told that to Colonel Roberton and he wants to discuss it on that basis. He said he promised Colonel Roberton that he would arrange a meeting. It was agreed that a memting could be arranged by Mr. Stevens and Mr. Gayer/RA# ig discussed the subject with Mr. Toole. The Chairman read a letter from Vernon C. Page, advising that the Executive Committee of the Town Meet- ing Members Association had appointed him a committee of one to make sure that the Superintendent of Public Works is in attendance at the Annual Town Meeting. Sup't. Mr. Maloney said that it is entirely up to the Town Moderator who can speak. Meeting Mrs. Morey said that the Board could ask Mr. Gayer to attend the Precinct Meeting because it is an informal meeting, but as a paid employee he should not be requested to attend the Town Meeting. The Chairman said that if the Superintendent does attend the meeting, he should not be permitted to talk and the only questions he should answer would be those under discussion and the answer should come from the Board. Mr. Stevens said that the Superintendent could be available in the Town Office Building and if neces- sary, the Board could reach him on the telephone to answer questions. Mr. Tucker recommended, and the Board agreed, to advise Mr. Page that the Board is still of the opinion expressed in the letter of September 17, 1957 that more information and he10 would be derived from the Department heads attending Precinct Meetings where there would not be the formality of a Town Meeting. Upon motion of Mr. Tucker, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to grant the following licenses : Robert W. Cann LAS Hancock Street Auctioneer t-enwl� Bertram P. Gustin 50 Bloomfield Street " M Frederic B. Hubley 4 Stetson Street " rt W. S. Couette 1710 Nass. Avenue Margaret McLaughlin 25 Harding Road " " 272 3e Sewers Letter was received from the Board of Health giving the order of priority that Board recommends relative to the proposed new streets to be serviced by sanitary sewers. The Chairman read a letter from Chief Rycroft calling attention to police work done by Officer John Police J. Shine, Jr. and Officer Albert W. Koch in arresting three men who had broken into the Fieldstone Service Station on the Concord Turnpike. Ten breaks have been admitted by these men in various cities and towns and they are being held in bail of $5,000 and are re- manded in the Cambridge jail awaiting action of the Grand Jury. Mr. Maloney suggested that the officers be given time off as recognition of their work, but the Board was not unanimously in favor. 1r. Maloney pointed out thedanger involved, and the Chairman said he would check with Chief Rycroft to determine if such recognition had been given before. He also suggested that a personal letter be written to each officer and acknowledgement of the Chief's letter posted on the police bulletin board. Mr. Tropeano's letter with reference to increased water diverted to the brook running through Mr. Antonio Water on Busa 's land was held over. Antonio Mr. Gayer reported that he discussed the subject Busa's land with Mr. Paxton who felt the Town is not obligated to replace any culverts that were there for the con- venience of the farmer crossing, but thought in the overall plan, the Town should make plans to clean the brook. He thought in return for cleaning out the brook's Mr. Busa should grant an easement to the Town and for the easement, the Board might include an item in the budget next year to do the work. The Chairman asked if the answer was a larger culvert and cleaning the brook, and Mr. Gayer replied that ultimately that is what has to be done. It was agreed to advise Mr. Tropeano that Mr. Stevens has been informed of the situation and ask that he contact him. Mr. Tucker reported that the Investment Committee Traffic of the Lexington Savings Bank has approved placing a parking meter on Massachusetts Avenue opposite the alley next to the bank building. Mrs. Morey suggested that, at the same time , the bus stop up at Douglass ' funeral parlor be moved and eliminate parking on Massachusetts Avenue at the Central Block between the hours of 4:30 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. It was agreed that these items could be discussed with the Traffic Study Committee when it meets with the Board some time after the final adjournment of Town Meeting. 273 The Planning Board met with the Selectmen at 9:20 P.M. and retired at 9:55 P.M. during which time an informal discussion was held relative to the proposed Wood-Bedford Street Road. The Chairman read a letter signed by W. I Burnham and Mark Moore , Jr. , requesting the Board to consider the abatement of is[ water betterment on Adams Street sent to Moore Realty Trust for $517.50. In 1956, Mr. Lidberg called on Mr. Burnham's father and had him sign a peti- tion to have two dead ends of the water main connected. He said he was sure his father did not understand it would involve a betterment tax as he was negotiating with Mr. Moore at the time . Mr. Moore purchased the Moore land in May, 1957, and since then, the Planning Board water has approved his plans so that Emerson Road involves betterment much of this water main. Mr. Moore was required to assessment put in his own main in Emerson Road across Adams Street to the new main which will be turned over to the Town. Mr. Maloney asked if installation of the water main bettered the property and Mr. Gayer replied in the affirmative. The Chairman asked if Mr. Moore would have tied into the water main if that piece of water main had not been built and Mr. Gayer replied in the negative. The Chairman was authorized to advise Mr. Burnham that according to the information submitted by him, the Board is of the opinion that there is no justification for abatement and if he has any further information, the Board will be glad to hear from him. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 P.M. A true record, Attest : t, CJ" 274 OPENING BIDS FOR GARBAGE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL March 10, 1958 Sealed bids for the collection and disposal of garbage were publicly opened in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, March 10, 1958, at 0-30 P.M. Chairman James, Mr. Gayer, Superintendent of Public Works , John J. Carroll, Assistant Superintendent and the Executive Clerk were present. The bids were opened by the Chairman and read as follows : Stanley Roketenetz, Inc. May1/58 Apr. 30/59 $36,500 159 New Boston Street May 1 8 Apr. 30/60 37,000 Woburn May 1 58 Apr. 30/61 37,500 Certified Check, $100 William J. Dailey Contracting Co. " 33,050 17.1.E Marrett Road " 36,050 11Lexington " 37,050 Certified Check, $100 Ruggiero Bros . Inc. " 24,000 West Concord 23,500 Cash, $100 23,000 One individual present said that the specifications called for a certified check and questioned the legality of a cash deposit. The Chairman said that the Board would obtain a ruling from Town Counsel. Silva Bros. Inc. 22,000 State Road 22,000 Lincoln 22,000 Check, $100 Leonard F. Collins 33,420 1315 Bridge Street 34,920 Dracut 36,14.20 Certified Check, $100 Walnut Farm Trust 32,920.98 25 Walnut Street 31,236.18 Lexington 30,393.78 Certified Check, $100 275 The Chairmanadvised thosepresent that the Board would take the bids under advisement and inform the bidders of the successful bidder. The meeting adjourned at 5:40 P.M. A true record, Attest : -Eke tiv clerk selector r r i _