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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1958-01-27-BOS-min 217 SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 27, 1958 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, January 27, 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. Mrs. Marek, Messrs. Chapman, Clark and Martin, of the School Committee, Mr. Smith, Superintendent of Schools, and Mr. Fisher, Chairman of the Standing School Building Committee, met with the Board. The Chairman explained that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss possible use of the Barnes Pro- perty by the School Department for its administrative functions. He said he thought Mr. Smith had recently been through the building and probably has, by this time, some definite ideas as to the adaptability of the space for School Department use. Barnes Mr. Smith said, according to the letter from the property Board, received two weeks ago, the Selectmen designated the area now occupied by the Welfare Department, Plan- ning Board and Cemetery Commissioners. He said that he did not measure the square feet but he thought the Board felt this would be equal in area to what the School De- partment now has. The Chairman explained that it is not as much in area as the Department wanted by 1963. Mr. Smith stated that by 1963 they will want more than they have now. He said what they have now is all on one floor and it makes the picture a little differ- ent. He reported that he wept over the three areas trying to think how he could place the people they now have, not adding any more, and it ended up with not having a large room where meetings could be held. He said they have meetings almost every afternoon of one kind or another. In the evenings, they have meetings of the building committees and there would be no such room available in the space the Board indicated. He said it also lacked toilet facilities, they would be short storage space and would be unable to accommodate -one person. The Chairman said that the meeting room facilities on the second floor would be fine under certain circum- stances. 218 Mr. Smith said it would serve the purpose for meet- 11ings he indicated but there is no heat there now. He said if they could have two of the small rooms on the second floor, this would do for the immediate staff. The Chairman asked if he meant two of the rooms which they now use for storage, and Mr. Smith said they are blink used for.:office space and are almost directly opposite the large meeting room. He explained it is not part of the original structure and goes into the wing. The Chairman asked if it was necessary to go down stairs and Mr. Smith replied that there is a door in the corridor on the second floor and that leads into it. Mrs. Morey asked if Mr. Smith was saying that the entire main structure in itself would serve them, and the Chairman replied that it would more then serve them at the moment since they have not included the rooms on the first floor occupied by the Boy Scouts. Mr. Smith said he stopped with the room on the right-hand side but did not include it. He reported that on the first floor in the main building there are three large rooms and a rear room with toilet facilities. Right above, there is one large room in the front and in the back of it, is a room used by the Planning Board and a small office. In back and to the aide of that, is a large meeting room and two small offices, almost opposite the large meeting room. He said if they had this space, they could take care of themselves for the present. He said he made some notes on how it could be used, and the Chairman said he did not think that would be of any in- terest to the Board. Mr. Fisher said his Committee raised the question of this move. If it is going to be, it should be done now so the Committee will not have to make temporary changes or delay some changes in the building which would be very desirable at some other time. He said they could make a better school by not doing anything to the third floor. To the Committee, it makes a lot of sense to leave that as it is and not use it for instructional purposes. The operation of the school is now a four-story building end would become only three* He said from the point, of view of safety, it is a poor layout regardless of what is done up there. The cost per room to renovate those rooms on the third floor is $15,000 each instead of $7,000 or $8,000 for the others. He explained that this means they are spending twice as much to get less desirable rooms and leaving them out, the Committee still has the capacity they were requested to provide. He said the Committee has not verified any space over rhe last year's plan but he felt they now have more. He said their total class room area is more. He explained that some of the rooms down- stairs are larger than the rooms on the third floor and except for art, that area is less pleasant and more difficult to lay out as a good classroom. 219 He said the Committee felt it would save money and improve the operation of the school by doing this. If the Superintendent is unable to move, the Committee will have to use this space and there is a question of getting it ready for Town Meeting. The Chairman asked if Mr. Fisher had any estimate of costs for renovating the Barnes Building and he re- plied that Harry Erickson did come up with some rough figures and he felt a general renovation without re- arrangements would be about $20,000 to do the entire building including the Boy Scout building but no special requirements Mr. Smith might need. The Chairman said that did not include anything for heating and Mr. Fisher said it did include some- thing for heating. He thought it was $3,000 or $4,000 for another heater, which was for the wing and not in- stallation for the entire building. He said, however, this was not a calculated figure. Mr. Smith said he thought it would cost consider- ably more than $20,000 to put the entire building in the condition and provide the space the School Depart- ment would like to have eventually. He said his per- sonal feeling is they would need $15,000 to put it in condition for what the Department wants immediately. He was thinking of that over a period of three years and they might want an allocation each year to con- tinue to improve it. In other words, do it in steps and this would be dependent on how soon the Boy Scouts could leave. The large item immediately is heating which would not be done in steps. The Chairman asked, when Mr. Smith refers to the entire building, if he meant that in three or five years he would need the wing in addition. Mr. Smith replied that in five years they would want just about all of the building because they now have people scattered all over the schools and as they have more people, they should be in one place for supervisory purposes . This, of course, would be some years away. Mr. Maloney said the heater itself might be large enough to do a good job if everything was set up properly. He said the heater is not too old. Mr. Smith said that the rooms are not being ade- quately heated now. He notices four electric heaters. One room had a small radiator in it under the window and it was a long room. He said he thought the other end of the room would be cold. The Chairman said the question to be decided is whether or not it is wprth while to spend the amount of money required to fix the building for any purpose and second, whether or not the decision should now be taken that it will become props t of the School De- partment, because it will once/re is made even in part. 220 Mr. Maloney said it would be easier to build a new building than to put $20,000 into this one with the square foot area to be gained. He said the Department might get a new building for less than $10 a square foot. Mr. Smith said the Department is not particularly interested in the Barnes property but is after a location. Mr. Chapman said he wondered if it would be right to spend the Town's money to renovate the Barnes property. He said he thought it would be much sounder from a finan- cial standpoint to get something more efficient. Mrs. Morey asked if they would get a building about the size of the medical building on Clarke Street. She said' it would seem foolish not to build more than Is presently needed. Mr. Maloney said he doubted if it would cost $10 a square foot if modern methods of office partitions were used. Mr. Smith said the area he was talking about now is what the Department needs now. Mr. Maloney said the Department would need about 4.,000 feet now and Mr. Smith said it would be in that pie ighb orhood. Mr. Fisher said it did not make much sense to build half a building now and half a building five years from now. Mr. Maloney said this type of building would be built unfinished on the inside. Mr. Reed said that it has been his feeling that the location for the new building would be the Barnes pro- perty or the Boys ' Club property. He pointed out that there are ample parking facilities. Mr. Fisher asked what would be done with the Barnes property and Mr. Reed replied that there would not be any use for it. Mrs . Morey said she would like to see the School Department move into the Barnes property because it makes a pleasant approach. Mr. Fisher said there might be strong criticism if the building was taken down. Mr. Reed mentioned that it could become a medical center. Mr. Smith said he had not checked, but he thought a School Administration Building would receive the same percentage building assistance as a school building would. Mrs. Marek said that the School Committee has spent a lot of time thinking about this, and it has been the thinking of School Committee that eventually a building would be needed. She said the thought of using the Barnes property came from the Selectmen. She said the Committee simply needs housing for the central administration and the timing element at this point is very critical. 221 Unless there is some place to house the office next Summer, the Permanent School Building Committee has a problem on its hands. She said it is a matter of having adequate housing, comfortable housing and attractive housing for the Central Administration. She said some decision for renovating must be made and made very quickly. The Chairman said that if the decision is made to go into the Barnes property, it will be very difficult for some years to get some other place for central administration. Mrs. MarOk asked if the Board felt the Town would re- act favorably to a suggestion or motion, supported by both Committees, for a plot of land and a sum of money appropriated to provide central administration offices along with a new Junior High School and renovations. The Chairman replied that personally he thought if it could be pointed out that by moving central administra- tion from the Junior High School the Town would save $30,000 or $40,000, and if State aid is obtainable on the same basis it is now, it would provide $60,000 to build a new administration building, the Town would probably do it. Mrs. Marek said that the annual maintenance on a new building would be less than on an old building. Mr. Reed asked if it would be necessary to go to Town Meeting to give the School Department land for 111 school purposes. Mr. Stevens replied that it should be a Town Meet- ing vote to designate that for the School Department and appropriate money for construction. Mrs. Morey asked where the administration would go this Summer if renovations are being made, and Mr. Fisher replied that was the advantage of the Barnes property. Mrs. Marek explained that costs have gone up 5% over what they were last year and will probably go up again unless there is a recession. Mr. Fisher said that if by chance neither school is finished, there will he something like 1!400 children with no place to go; one of the buildings should be opo ratable. Mr. Smith said that there is more than an outside chance that the new building will not be finished. Mrs. Morey asked if the renovation would be done in the Summer months, and Mr. Fisher replied that it should not interfere with the operating of school next Fall. He said they could schedule it so the worst would be a short period of double sessions. He said the auditorium or gym might not be finished. Mrs. Morey askedere the School Department would go if told to vacate by June, and Mr. Smith replied that he could move very quickly to the basement of the Hancock School. Mrs. Marek said it could be done. 222 amomb ao Mr. Reed said if the new administration building passed, money was appropriated and the Committee went ahead with the plans, the Barnes property would still be empty. He asked if the School Department could use it without doing any work, go in as is. Mr. Smith replied that as long as the roof does not leak, it would be all right. He said they could find temporary quarters.+ln the Barnes property or a school building. The Chairman asked if the School Committee had to make a decision what it would propose to the Town Meeting. Mrs . Marek asked if the two groups would like to separate for a while and each take a vote. Mr. Reed said that personally he would not vote $15,000 to renovate the Barnes property. Mrs. Marek said the School Committee would like to know if the Selectmen would support an appropriation for a new building. Mrs. Morey made a telephone call and reporlad that State aid would not be available. Mrs. Marek explained that if aid is not available, approval on the type of building would not bo necessary. Mr. Tucker asked if the renovation as anticipated would cost half a million dollars, and Mr. Fisher re- plied that the study his Committee has made ends up the same place as last year's study before starting to re- duce it. He said if there is to be a brand new Junior High School in very good taste without frills but de- signed for the program the School Department thinks it dhould be, the Committee will have to fix up the old building on the same basis. Mr. Tucker said it might not pass Town Meeting. Mr. Fisher stated that the alternative would be to build another Junior High Soh.00l in the very near future. Mr. Chapman asked if all were in agreement that the Barnes property does not look like the best investment to make . The Chairman said that as long as it stays there, it will be used for some purpose , and if it is used, maintenance work will be required. He said he did not know if it would be wise to do it all at once or not. Mr. Chapman asked if it was a good investment for the Town. The Chairman replied that unless the building is going to be torn down, it will be used and money will have to be spent on it. Mr. Chapman asked if the next decision was how long it will be used and is there a use for it. The Chairman replied that he could not see any now, but he was sure that as the Town grows, there will be need for more space. 223 Mrs. Morey said if it is used for school purposes, it should be in good condition before the central ad- ministration moves in. The Chairman said that if any other group of people goes in there , there will be maintenance, and the basic decision is whether the Barnes property is to be continued to be used or torn down. Mrs. Marek said that was the Selectmen's decision and the Chairman agreed. Mr. Fishes' asked what the Town's reaction would be to abandon an existing building and build another one, Mr. Maloney said the Board made it clear that all offices were to be located in the Town Office building and it was naturally assumed that the building was not going to be used. Mrs. Morey suggested asking for money for th8 renovation and let the townspeople decide. Mr. Chapman said that the School Committee is not unwilling to go into the Barnes property if it is fixed up. The question is whether or not it is a good build- ing to use and if not, what is to be done. Mr. Stevens explained that there could be an article on the renovation and an article on a new building. Mrs . Marek said she thought a more definite figure should be obtained. Mr. Martin asked what the estimate was to do the job as it should be done. Mr. Smith said that his own personal figure was $15,000 a year for three years. Mr. Fisher said he thought a new building would cost more than that. Mr. Chapman said if it could be done for $10 a foot he thought the thing to do would be to face the issue squarely on the Barnes property. Mr. Fisher said that $45,000 seems like a lot of money to do the job. Mr. Smith said he thought he had what seemed to him realistic figures, He said the property needs reinforcing; he did not know about the heating, changes in rooms, re- decorating, lights changed and sanitary conditions to be readjusted. Mr. Chapman said the problem on the cost would be moving partitions and if the building can be used without getting into that, some money might be saved. Mr. Clarke asked if an attempt could be made to get concrete, good estimates of the cost of repairing the Barnes property to meet the short-term needs and the long-term need and good estimates of the cost of a new building. Mrs. Marek said she assumed it could be agreed that if the school administration offices are moved to the Barnes property, it would be properly renovated and used for school purposes for at least twenty-five years. 224 Otherwise, it would be money foolishly spent. `p . The Chairman said that was t1e way he felt about it. Mrs. Morey said she did not like to think of what $40,000 would get, and she would like to see a building such as Mr. Tropeano built on Waltham Street which will probably cost $60,000. Mr. Chapman asked if the Selectmen would decide whether or not it is in the best interest of the Town to retain the Barnes property or figure on something differ- ent. The Chairman said he thought so. Mrs. Marek asked if the decision could be made to- night and the Chairman said he would hope so. The Chairman asked Mr. Fisher if his Committee 's function was also to build school administration build- ings, and Mr. Fisher replied that he thought it was up to the Town and he presumed it would be in the vote. Mr. Stevens advised that it would have to be. Mr. Fisher said that he thought anything to do with school building would end up with his Committee. The Chairman asked if the Barnes property were renovated and the School Department went into it, would the School Department heed to consider that it was then school property. Mrs. Marek replied that they would need to have it under the supervision of the School Department. Mr. Stevens said that if the arrangement is to be permanent, it should be on the .basis of turniug it over to the School Department. The Chairman said that the Selectmen would communi- cate with the School Department. The group retired at 8:40 P.M. Upon motion of Mr. Tucker, seconded by Mrs. Morey License it was voted to grant a Common VictuOler's license to Manhattan Restaurant,L5 Waltham Street. Mr. Stevens gave the Chairman a copy of H-1690, Chapter L of the Acts of 1958, an Act authorizing the Town to borrow money for remodeling, reconstructing, Act making extraordinary repairs, re-equipping and refurnish- ing the Junior High School Building, the amount not to exceed $6,000. disposition Mr. Stevensens referred to the of tax title Tax title property at 10 Westminister Avenue and it was .agreed to advertise February 5th, have the house open for inspec- tion February 15th and receive bids February 20th at 5:00 P.M. Mr. Stevens retired at 9:30 P.M. Petition was received from the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for pole locations on Boulder Road. 225 Mr. Gayer explained that the locations were in con- nection with construction of the street and the poles have already been relocated. Pols Upon motion of Mrs. Morey, seconded by Mr. Tucker, location it was voted to approve the petition and sign the order for the following j/o pole location: Boulder Road, southerly side, easterly from a point approximately 40 feet east of Blake Road, -- Three poles. Three existing j/o poles to be removed. Petition was received from the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for pole locations on Utica Street. Pols Mr. Gayer explained that the locations were location in connection with the construction of the street and the poles have already been relocated. Upon motion of Mrs. Morey, seconded by Mr. Tucker, its voted to approve the petition and sign the order for the following j/o pole locations: Utica Street, southeasterly side north- ' easterly from a point approximately 60' northeast of Woburn Street, -- Four poles. Four existing j/o poles to be removed. The Chairman read a letter from William Revis, Countryside Pharmacy; asking that some consideration be Snow given to removal of snow from the corner of Lowell and removal Woburn Streets. Mr. Reed said that this is a group of stores in a business area and it was a question as to whether or not the Board wanted to include this as one of the pick- up areas . Mrs. Morey asked, if this location is approved, about the group of stores at North Hancock Street. Mr. Reed said he would like to leave it to the dis- cretion of the Superintendent cf Public Works and the Board agreed. The Chairman read a letter from the Planning Board recommending the following locations as possible sites for future Town dumps: Massimilla land off Bartlett and Lowell Streets. Sand pit at the end of Utica Street. Section of land off Lowell and North Streets. Mrs. Morey reported that the Massimilla land has been recommended as a school site and Mr. Reed said Dumping in that case, it should not be used as a dump because sites dumping there will not help it. 223 He also said that Route 3 may affect the location off Lowell Street and North Street. Mrs. Morey suggested that the subject be discussed further by the Board as soon as Town Meeting is adjourned. Warrant was received from the County Commissioners Assessment advising that the amount of X22,040,57 has been estab- lished as Lexington's assessment for maintenance, op- eration and repair to the Middlesex County Sanatorium. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. Rich, Collector of Taxes, requesting the Board to rescind its vote of April 8, 1957 abating an ambulance bill, committed on Ambulance April 2, 1953, same having been paid. bill Upon motion of Mrs. Morey, seconded by Mr. Tucker, it was voted to rescind the vote of April 8, 1957 abat- ing an ambulance charge to Carol Wright, bill #212, in the amount of $3.00. Further consideration was given to David Haydon's Tax title offer of $300 for tax title lots 630-633 inclusive on Freemont Street. Mr. Haydon's father submitted an offer on the same lots in 1956 and was advised that the Board was of the opinion that it would not be in the best interest of the Town to dispose of this pro- perty. It was agreed to advise David Haydon that the Board is not in favor of disposing of the lots. It was unanimously agreed to call the Annual Town Meeting on Monday, March 17, 1958 at 8:00 P.M. The Chairman reported that Mr. Gmitin had sub- Appointment matted the names of Mrs. William Milne and Mrs. Sidney ' for Town Williams for the Town Celebrations Committee to fill Celebrations the vacancy caused by Mrs. Cheever's resignation. Committee Mr. Reed agreed to contact Mrs. William's on the subject. Budgets were considered until 11:00 P.M. at which time the meeting adjourned. A true record, Attest J/"° %2"2 iecdtive ler Selector