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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1958-02-24-BOS-min 263 aJ SELECTMEN'S MEETING February 24, 1958 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, February 24, 1958 at 7 :00 P.M. Chairman James, Messrs . Maloney, Tucker and Mrs. Morey were present. Mr. Gayer, Superintendent of Public Works, Mr. Stevens , Town Counsel, and the Executive Clerk were also present. The Chairman reported that the following differ- ences exist in budgets acted upon by the Selectmen and the Appropriation Committee : Appropriation Budget Selectmen Committee Town Celebrations Committee $4,200 $4,000 If the $200 difference is needed, the Budgets amount may be transferred from the LeRoy Brown Fund. ' The Selectmen agreed on $4,000. Fire Department - Expenses 23,190 22,930 Item for -clothing allowance reduced as three additional men not approved. The Selectmen agreed on $22,930. Road Machinery - New Equipment 45,000 50,000 The Selectmen agreed on $50,000. Street Signs 5,000 2,100 The Appropriation Committee did not have complete information on this item. Sewer Construction - Sundry Streets 154,650 135,150 The Appropriation Committee took out Eldred Street. The Chairman explained is to Mr. Palmer that the street is to be constructed and the Selectmen believe water and sewer should be installed first. Water Construction 137,500 107,500 The Appropriation Committee not ap- proving booster pumps until comple- tion of new stand pipe . 2t4 0-c s Police Department - Expenses 18,291E 16,385 Appropriation Committee did not have information re uniforms and equipment for auxiliary police. Chairman recommended including $5100 for uniforms in Civil Defense budget. The Chairman said that some decision should be made relative to the replacement of Engine #3, Fire Department Capital Expenditures, and the Board was unanimously opposed to this item of $18,000. The Chairman reported that a gentlemen from Asbury Street is disturbed because, in reading the Minute Man, he learned that Asbury Street is not to be presented to Town Meeting for acceptance. The Chairman explained to him that the Board is recommending water and sewer which pleased him very much. He did point out that he thought Asbury the Board should recommend acceptance of Asbury Street Street from Paul Revere Road to Balfour Street, the abutters on that portion being in favor. The Chairman explained that it is too late to pre- sent it to the Annual Town Meeting_, but it should be kept in mind for a Special Town Meeting. The Chairman left to attend a meeting of the East Lexington Men's Club and upon motion of Mr. Tucker, seconded by Mrs. Morey, it was voted to elect Mr. Maloney Chairman for the remainder of the meeting. Letter was reoeived from Mr. Stevens in reference to a town hydrant on Woburn Street which was struck by Release a car operated by Richard H. Bosworth on January 1, 1958, the cost of repairs being $75.19. Mr. Stevens enclosed a release submitted by Mr. Bosworth's insurance company which he requested to have signed by the Board and the Town seal affixed by Mr. Carroll. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the release and return it to Mr. Stevens after the seal has been affixed. An agreement was received from the Boston Edison Company between the Company and the Town relative to a police spot light and a flood light on pole numbered 115/2 located on Wood Street. Agreement Mr. Stevens , having received a copy of the agreetnt from the Clerk, telephoned the company's attorney, who is also Town Counsel in Wellesley. He explained to the Board that he questioned the provision whereby the Town would "indemnify the Company and held it harmless against any and all loss, cost, damage or expense caused by or owing to the existence or removal of said construction or its presence on said pole, whether or not the negligence of 265 IIthe Company or its servants, or agents or any of them, contribute to such loss" . Mr. Stevens said that he has not heard from the attorney and suggested that the subject be held over un- til the next meeting of the Board. Letters commending the Department of Public Works for work done on snow removal during the recent storm Snow were received from Ernest Nickerson, 7 Bruce Road and removal Alexander G. Ritchie, 44 Bridge Street. The Chairman read a letter from Kurt M. Kramp, 149 Concord Avenue, relative to some harm that may have Concord been done to a tree when a storm sewer was installed. Avenue He asked to have the Town check the tree and cover the Slope sand with top soil. easement Mr. Stevens explained that apparently Mr. Kramp is referring to the notice of the slope easement as he is one of those individuals from whom the Town took a slope easement. Notice was received from Mr. Carroll, Town Treasurer, advising that effective March 1, 1958 all bills to be paid must be accompanied with a stamped self-addressed envelope, Postage because of the method to be adopted by the Board of Select- mailing men for handling postage for mailing services. The Chairman thought that possibly Mr. Carroll did not clearly understand the system and suggested that some- one explain it to him. Mr. Gayer referred to installation of water and sewer in Eastern Avenue . He said that on the basis of removing from the petition the names of those people who already have water and sewer, the percentage of signatures now are as follows: Water - percentage of lots signed for, 87 percentage of owners signed 40 percentage of assessment 89 Sewer - percentage of lots signed for, 85 percentage of owners signed 50 percentage of assessment 82 He said that the area has to be straightened out some time. The Chairman said that unless the Board does something about it now, it may become involved with further diffi- culties. Mr. and Mrs . Collin Campbell, 2409 Massachusetts Avenue, met with the Board. Mr. Campbell said that he could see no way he can tie into the sewer on Massachusetts Avenue with any reasonable expense , and he complained last summer when he learned that it was not going in front of his house. 266 He said that Mr. James and Mr. Carroll suggested that he go out the back, but he can't do that because there is ledge there . Mr. Carroll came up and it was decided he could go out the side to Massachusetts Avenue and that reverses his plumbing. That will entail going through the same ledge. He said the original plan was for the sewer to go in front of his house and that is what he signed for. The contractor's man went into his cellar and said that was the way it was going. He petitioned to have it come that way but the job was completed and he has been billed for Massachusetts Avenue. He said another suggestion was that he go up the front and put a manhole in, but he will not permit a manhole in his front yard under any conditions. He said he would like to drop the garage down some day and having a sewer pipe there would preclude that . He said that he had asked if they could some in 75 feet from Minute Man Lane as he would then have one straight line and have the normal plumbing but has not got it, and is petitioning to have that done under the next appropriation if it is possible. Mr. Gayer asked why he objected to a manhole and Mr. Campbell replied that he does not want a manhole on his front lawn. Sewer Mr. Gayer asked why he objected if it was covered Betterment and grassed over. Mr. Campbell replied that to him that is a makeshift connection and he can't understand why he is the only person on the street whose connection is going out of the house sideways. He said he would not have a manhole there. He said he could not understand why the plans were changed and he would like to see the contract and any correspondence or bids that were submitted. Mr. Gayer submitted a copy of the plans which indicated that Mr. Campbell 's house was to be sewered on Massachusetts Avenue. He said Mr. Campbell called him and asked why the plans had been changed at which time he advised him that no change had been made and it was never intended to have the sewer go all the way up Minute Man Lane. Mr. Campbell said that disagrees with what the con- tractor's man said. He said he was under the impression it was . He said he could not see why one house on the street should be treated any different than any other. Mr. Gayer said that the reason, which may not have been explained to Mr. Campbell, this was not run up into Mintite Man Lane is the fact it is solid ledge and would cost 3,000 or $4,000 to extend the main up there . They had to go up Massachusetts Avenue anyway with a sewer which connected to his house and that is the reason the engineering decision was made . Mr. Campbell said he does not think it is solid ledge . Mr. Campbell asked why they should have the sewer pipe across their lawn, and why it could not be put out on the street where it belongs. ')67 Mr. Gayer said it would go across the lawn and out to the street. Mr. Campbell said he did not think he should accept a manhole . Mr. Gayer explained that this is good engineering, and Mr. Campbell said he disagreed as he has been told by a plumber that in most cities they are obliged to go straight out . Mr. Gayer explained that when there is a change of direction that is what a manhole is for, He said it could go straight out Massachusetts Avenue with no man- hole. He said that even if it goes out Minute Man Lane it would have to go across the floor. Mr. Gayer said that many houses connected last year had slabs and manholes were put in. He explained that with the change of direction a manhole is put in so it can be corrected if necessary. The Chairman asked if Mr. Campbell was having any trouble with his cesspool and he replied in the negative. The Chairman said that the Board would discuss the subject further and attempt to come up with an answer. Mr. and Mrs . Campbell retired at 8:45 P.M. Mr. Gayer is to discuss the matter with Mr. Stevens and at the same time discuss the subject of abating the betterment charged Mr. Campbell for Minute Man Lane. Consideration was given to bids received and opened on Thursday, Fbeurary 20, 1958, for the real estate at 10 Westminister Avenue which considts of a single family dwelling house and approximately 15,000 square feet of land. Upon motion of Mr. Tucker, seconded by Mrs. Morey, it was voted to accept the high bid of $6500 submitted Tax title by Warren Dean Smith, 27 Arnold Street, Arlington. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to License renew the innkeeper' s license, Wild Acre Inn (Mrs. Coleman) 50 Percy Road. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to Street sign the layouts of the following streets to be presented Layouts to the Annual Town Meeting for acceptance: Constitution Road, Leroy Road, Roosevelt Road, Ellison Road and Theresa Avenue Messrs. Gayer and Stevens retired at 8:55 P.M. It was decided to advise the Chief of Police that the Board would prefer to have the League of Women Voters park their car, with posters reminding people to vote, in the parking space nearest Trani 's Package Goods Store 26s 1.4 rather than in front of Woolworth's. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M. A true record, Attest : c4iive ler ,, Selecty n C., A C. p� L I