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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1958-02-10-BOS-min 24 r-C 20, SELECTMEN'S MEETING February 10, 1958 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, February 10, 1958 at 7:30 P.M. Chairman James, Messrs. Reed, Maloney, Tucker and Mrs . Morey were present. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, Mr. Gayer, Superintendent of Public Works, and the Executive Clerk were also present. Mr. Donald E. Nickerson, Chairman of the Board of Appeals , met with the Board. He stated that the Board of Appeals had a meet- ing the other might on petition of Dr. Mooney, down No Parking on Massachusetts Avenue, and during the Board's de- Dr. Mooney's bate on whether or not it would limit his request Mass. Avenue for an addition to his house or not, the matter of No parking signs came up. The only reason the Board hesitated about granting his request was on account of the traffic hazard there. The cars park in his driveway and on both sides of Massachusetts Avenue. Some one on the Board suggested restrictions and re- questing the Police Department to put up No Parking signs on the south side of Massachusetts Avenue. Mr. Nickerson said he recalled that this would have to be part of the Parking Rules and Regulations and approved by the State. He said if the Board has a similar case, and it probably will have, it will not permit any more such situations to arise. He asked if the Selectmen would go along with requesting the State to approve some signs. The Chairman explained, in reference to Dr. Pious ' office, that the Selectmen are going to request No Parking on the southerly side of the street. Mr. Nickerson said the Board of Appeals could make a proviso that it make application to the Board of Selectmen to get the State's approval for no parking. Mr. Reed said the Board of Appeals would ask the Board of Selectmen to prohibit parking and then the Selectmen would ask the State for approval. Mr. Nickerson retired at 7:40 P.M. Mr. Bertram P. Gustin, Chairman of the Town Cele- April 19th brations Committee, met with the Board. p He reported that the Committee is working on a $4,000 budget. He said that there always has been a dinner on April 19th for the invited guests and the Committee is of the opinion that the Selectmen should be included, that the dinner should be held in the 249 area of the Town and that Cary Hall is the place. He explained that there always has been a reception after the parade and the Committee would like to hold it in Cary Hall. He also asked if the Committee has the right to take care of the requests for stands to sell souveniers and food. The Chairman replied that the location for stands is in the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen. The Chairman asked if Mr. Gustin was referring to a luncheon at one o'clock and he replied in the affirma- tive. He said the Committee does not think it should use tax payers ' money to hire a hall when Cary Hall is avail- able. The Chairman said he could see no objection. Mr. Gustin said that the reception- itself could be held in the main lobby with a little decoration and a few tables. Mrs. Morey suggested using the Trustees Room and it was agreed that Cary Memorial Building would be available. Mr. Gustin retired at 8:50 P.M. The Chairman explained that Domenic Petrino's re- quest for deferment of a street betterment assessment to Town Counsel and asked if the Board should defer the betterment on his two lots. Mr. Stevens explained that was not the purpose Petrino of the legislation. It was principally for large betterment unlotted areas used for agricultural purposes where it was a hardship on the owner to pay 1.% interest. He said it was never intended to be used on individual lots but has been used in some areas where there were several lots . Mr. Maloney said he thought if the betterment created a hardship for an individual the Board could grant defer- ment for a limited time. Mr. Tucker said according to Mr. Petrino's story it is a hardship case. Upon motion of Mr. Reed, seconded by Mr. Tucker, it was voted, under the provisions of Chapter 159 of the Acts of 1950, to extend the time for payment of street betterment assessment in the amount of ;650 .09, assessed on lots 23 and 24, without interest, until said land or any part thereof is built upon or sold or until the ex- piration of three years from the date hereof, whichever event occurs- first. The Capital Expenditures Committee met with the 11 Board, ead and Mr. Brown, Chairman, said the Committee would like to know the Selectmen's feelings on the 250 various capital expenditures. He said he was carrying $590,000 for the renovation of the Junior High School and the Chairman said that the Selectmen had no better figure . Mr. Stevens explained that the bill authorized $600,000. Mr. Brown asked if the bill carried over from year to year, and Mr. Stevens explained that the borrow- ing must be made before January 21, 1960. Mr. Brown said he had $2,000,000 for the Junior High School and the Chairman said that is the figure the Selectmen have. Capital Mr. Brown said he had $60,000 for the purchase Expenditures of the Willard property and it is the Committee 's understanding that regardless of how it is paid to Miss Willard, the $60,000 has to be appropriated at one time. Mr. Stevens said that was correct unless it is voted otherwise subject to legislative approval. He said he did not know what the Appropriation Committee would do, but the most that could be postponed would be $44,000 and it hardly seemed worthwhile to go to the Legislature for two years. Mr. Brown said he had $550,000 on sewers and the Chairman said that the Board has determined $169,050 for sewer construction for ordinary streets . The trunk lines figure $390,400. He explained this is made up of an extension of the present trunk line which terminated at Massachusetts Avenue near 128 for about 1400 feet at an estimated cost of $70,000. He said there is a line under Route 128 to connect the Patriots Fbrest area with that sewer trunk line now constructed and that figure is $54,000. He explained that a start has been made on the long line from the Brandon Street area toward Minute Man Highlands and the figure is $250,000 to carry it over to Watertown Street . He ex- plained that these do not quite add up to $390,000 but there are some small items included. There is a group of houses in Byron Avenue which need sewer badly and the best way to sewer the area is a small force main and a small pumping station to be put in the street which will cost about $18,000. Mr. Brown said he was carrying $207,000 for streets and the Chairman said that street construction under the Betterment Act is $147,315. He explained that Allen Street is to be built with Chapter 718 funds, State Funds, and the Town has already received the money. This pro- ject is estimated at $39,000. Mr. Brown asked about the Fire Commissioners ' re- quest for an ambulance and engine #3. The Chairman replied that, according to his notes, the Board has not made a decision on those two items. 251 The Chairman said that the figure for drainage is $31,600, and $30,000 for both sidewalks and curbing, Mr. Brown said he was carrying $97,000 for sewer mains and laterals. The Chairman said that the figure the Board has is $137,500. He also said that there is $54,000 for Road Machinery and reported that there is $50,965 in the fund. He informed the Committee that the item for Rubbish Col- lection is out. He informed the group that an offer of $20,000 has been made for the Great Meadows which is an initial offer. He said two items that the Committee should probably get from the School Committee is -the new administration building and the renovation to the Barnes property. Mr. Brown said that the Committee is in favor of putting the sewers and streets on the tax rate and not bonding. Mrs. Morey Asked if he meant all the sewer and streets or a portion of it, and Mr. Brown replied that it all should be paid for or a much larger portion. The Chairman said that the Committee then feels more things should be paid for from the tax rate . He asked if it was in favor of sewer, water, schools or what. Mr. Brown replied that the Committee has decided upon sewers and streets. The Chairman explained that most of those are paid for by the people who want them, over twenty years so they are self-liquidating debts. Mr. Brown said that if everything is put over twenty years it will mean trouble and the only way out is to choose items which will make a difference. The Chairman explained that these are items for which the people pay. Mr. Brown said that if $300,000 is taken out of the $400,000 it would just keep the debt ratio constant. He said half on the schools and half on the renovation, might be all right. Mr. Brown said that the Committee has to make a report and this year it has made a study of bonding. He asked what date the Board planned to have decisions made relative to borrowing. The Chairman replied that the Board's consideration cannot include the school program. Mr. Brown asked when the Board would have a decision as to how the streets and sewers are to be paid for and the Chairman replied that he hoped to have it in a week or two. The Capital Expenditures Committee retired at 9:30 P.M. Mr. Reed brought up the subject of the proposed trunk sewer construction to serve the Patriots Forest area and questioned whether or not it should be con- 252 sidered, petitions for sewers in other areas having been filed previous to this area. The Chairman said that if the Board did not want to go along with it, he had no objection. Mr. Maloney said he thought it would be good judg- ment to head in the directions where there will be sub- divisions. The Chairman said it seemed to nim that the Town has a sewer program ahead of it and asked where the $70,000 would be used if it is not for the Patriots Forest Area. Mr. Reed said he would suggest the Minute Man High- lands. Mrs. Morey asked if the time to put the sewer in would be while Route 128 is being widened. Sewers The Chairman explained that regardless of how it is widened and constructed, the sewer will still have to go under 128 so it will cost $70,000. Mr. Reed said he thought the government would take the Patriots Forest Section as it is a natural boundary. Mr. Tucker said that if the State is going to widen Route 128 soon, the Town would be money ahead to put the sewer in there now. Mrs. Morey said she would favor having the money available to put the sewer in if the State is going ahead with the construction. Mr. Maloney said if the Towft has to put the land back in its original condition, it will cost money. He suggested having the money appropriated and ready in the event the State does attempt to do something and Mr. Reed said he would go along with that. The Appropriation Committee met with the Board for the purpose of discussing budgets. Mr. Richards reported that the Committee has met with all of the departments having major budgets. There are a few, Mr. McQuillan, Mr. Hynes and Mr. Carroll who want to see the Appropriation Committee. Budgets He reported that the Committee has gote on the basis of increases in salary from information submitted by Mr. Palmer. He explained that the Committee has not determined how the renovation of the Junior High School will be financed. The Committee met with the School Committee last week and it was pointed out the increases given to personnel employed by the School Committee, other than the teaching personnel. He said the salaries are not in line with what other departments are paying for what the Appropriation Committee considered equivalent pos- itions. He said the School Committee votes have already been taken and he was bringing it up as a point for dis- cussion. 253 He said most of the Appropriation Committee feels that there would have to be some coordination there shortly because Town employees not working for the School Committee would be getting substantially less. Mr. Rowse asked if the Board had considered the School Committee salary schedule. The Chairman replied that the custoduans, clerical help and professional help should be in line, but he was not willing to go along with the 20% increase for everyone. He said that he did not know what the School Committee rates were. Mr. Rowse asked if the School Committee have privi- lege an all items or if the Town had any jurisdiction over the janitors ' salaries. Mrs. Morey explained that the Committee can deter- mine that the proposed salaries are necessary. Mr. Rowse questioned if it could be proved that janitors ' salaries are necessary over and above the salaries of town janitors. Mr. Stevens said that the School Committee can set the salaries. The Chairman reported that the Board has recommended 7% on clerks and 5$ on everyone else. The recommendation for the janitors is 5%. Mr. Rowse reported that the School Committee ad- vised it had written a letter to the Board inquiring about the Selectmen's salary schedule but received no reply. The Chairman explained that the Committee wrote a letter last November. Mr. Richards said he felt to maintain the help in the Town and to get good help, it is necessary to pay good salaries, but he felt that no one segment of the Town can be discriminated against. He said he thought the janitors should be paid commensurate to their time. The Chairman pointed out that the Board has a different problem from that of the School Committee. The Board can select the janitors and say they should have more of an increase than others . Then the people in the Cemetery Department and Public Works Department want an equivalent increase. Mr. Richards said that is true but he felt that on the janitors there should be some type of balance but he did not know how that could be achieved. Mr. Richards said that the Committee has been told of a purchase of land from the Willard family for $60,000, and an offer to the Town of Arlington for the Great Meadow. In addition, the Committee has heard from the School Committee and the Selectmen that there is to be some decision relative to administration quarters for the Superintendent of Schools and his staff. 254 He said that because of the vote of the School Depart- ment and its increase, which represents $5.00 on the tax rate, plus the normal increases which may be expected, plus whatever other articles call for an expenditure of funds, it looks like time for an increase in the tax rate. He said it appears now that the Town can continue the way it has and face up to a $10.00 increase. He said he could not see that it can be held down too much. The Chairman explained that the Willard property was a recommendation of the Planning Board that the Town acquire it for recreational purposes in view of the fact that there is so much building going on. Mr. Rowse asked if the use was restricted and if the article would permit the sale of the land. Mr. Stevens explained that it would not permit it now. He said a portion of the land will be restricted as long as Miss Willard and Miss Robinson are there. Mr. Rowse asked why it could not be purchased for a Town forest. Mr. Stevens explained that the Town will be buying it and even though the deed says recreational purposes, the Town will have complete fee. He said it is not the same as when land is given for a certain purpose. Mr. Rowse asked about payment, and Mr. Stevens ex- plai;ied that the owners want to be paid in three in- stallments; $16,000 this year and $22,000 each of the next two years, He said it would all have to be raised or borrowed this year unless the Town went to the Legis- lature which did not seem wise for only three years. Mr. Rowse said that it will be a struggle to keep the rate down to $10. The Committee retired. Upon motion of Mr. Tucker, seconded by Mrs. Morey, Cert. of it was voted to sign A statement on behalf of Thomas J. Inc. Willson, 73 Meriam Street, who has filed an application with the Secretary of State for a Certificate of Inc- orporation. It was agreed to }deet Saturday morning at 9:00 otclock to continue work on budgets. The meeting adjourned at 11:35 P.M. A true record, Attest : �; ecu�ive rk, Select LI I 1