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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1957-11-13-BOS-min 15 II SELECTMEN' S MEETING November 13, 1957 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Wednesday, November 13, 1957 at 7:30 P.M. Chairman 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. Mr. Stevens submitted five copies of a contract Contract for putting in the foundation for the standpipe and explained that he would hold the five copies for his signature until tomorrow. Upon motion of Mr. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Tucker, it was voted to sign the contract as pre- pared awl submitted by Mr. Stevens. Mr. Stevens explained that he had prepared a petition to the Department of Public Utilities rel- ative to setting down for a seperate hearing that Petition portion of the Boston and Maine Railroad service curtailment that pertains to the Lexington branch. The petition was signed by the Board and returned to Mr. Stevens. Mr. Stevens asked Mr. Gayer if the Traffic Study Committee had an opportunity to study the proposed stop and protect system of protection for the Woburn Woburn Street Street grade crossing. grade crossing Mr. Gayer replied in the negative and said that the proposed protection would be safe but he did not know what effect it would have on the passenger train service. Mr. Stevens said that it would slow the trains down a minute or two. Mr. Stevens took a memo received from Mrs. John Levis,, Hayes Lane, that a group of the neighbors be- lieve this would be an opportune time to request the railroad to remove the shack at the intersection of Woburn Street, Vino Street and Hayes Lane. The Chairman referred to the public hearing to be held in Estabrook Hall next Monday relative to the Hearing re: petition of the Boston and Maine Railroad for approval Trains by the Department of Public Utilities of the discon- tinuance of certain trains. 116Lie Mr. Stevens suggested that the group be told ex- actly what the railroad proposes. He said he under- stood pamphlets are to be passed out to the commuters and said the Chairman could explain that the hearing is being held to get the views of those using the trains and also tell them that if the trains are taken off, it will necessitate people using the trains to use some other method of transportation. He said perhaps some information will be given at the hearing that will cause the Board to suggest that the railroad at least make a schedule change. He said the Board should get some idea how much affect this change, if carried out, will have on the two other trains. Mrs. Morey asked if the Board should pass out some information and Mr. Stevens said that had been done before but not much response was made. He said any notice should be passed out at the station because it is the Lexington people the Board is interested in. Mrs. Morey said that if the Board counts only on the people reading the notice in the paper, it will not have a fair representation. The Chairman reported that he know of a number of people who ride on the train that have seen the notice. Mr. Maloney said he thought that the people who ride the trains are very conscious of this. Mrs. Morey said she would like to make sure they are well informed. The Chairman read a letter from William Gibbs, 1+9 Grapevine Avenue, relative to attacking dogs in his Complaint neighborhood. re: dogs Mr. Stevens advised that the Board should refer the communication to the Dog Officer who would obtain more detailed information from Mr. Gibbs and then the Board could set a date for a hearing. The Chairman agreed to contact Chief Rycroft and arrange for an officer to investigate inasmuch as the Dog Officer is now in the hospital. Mr. Maloney referred to the Great Meadows and Great said that Arlington would like a definite proposal, Meadows for instance, for its right title and interest *20,000.. Mr. Stevens said he was trying to find out the name of the Committee and also the name of the Chair- man so that he could draft a letter for the Chairman of this Board to sign. Mr. Maloney reported that Arlington feels Lex- ington should be definite in a proposal so that when the Town Meeting comes up, they will have an article to cover it. 117 Mr. Stevens asked if Mr. Maloney meant next March and he replied in the affirmative. Mr. Stevens said he would like to get a plan that shows what is being discussed. He stated that Mr. Snow is so busy he did not know if he would be able to give this the attention needed to settle this quickly. He said he should have some kind of a plan that will show the area in which Lexington is interested and then he could start checking and see what they have in there. Mr. Maloney suggested that Arlington be given a sketch of what they are now paying taxes on. Mrs. Morey suggested approaching it just from Arlington's holdings in Lexington. Mr. Malone' reported that Mr. Greeley would like something definite because members of the Committee have many ideas and said he thought a fair price, dealing with a Townwould be $20,000. Mr,. Stevens said Lexington would want to make a taking and then pay Arlington. Mr. Maloney said he thought this should be on a very friendly basis and the Board might advise Arling- ton what it intends to do with the property so it can be presented to the Arlington Town Meeting. Mr. Stevens said he would draft a letter now and then follow it with a more definite letter. Mr. Maloney reported that Mr. Greeley told him some of the people do not want to relinquish this property but Mr. Greeley thought it would be fine for Lexington to develop a park and not restrict it to the use of people in Lexington. Mrs. Morey said that the Board should not make any promises as to what the land will be used for, and the Chairman said that the Board could say what it will not be used for. Mrs. Morey said that the property should be kept as an open area and moved that Mr. Stevens draft such a letter. Mr. Tucker asked if Arlington used some of the water now and Mr. Stevens replied in the affirmative explaining that they don't need to use it. Mr. Tucker said he doubted if Arlington would want to give Lexington the water rights. Mr. Stevens said that the Town Engineer has a plan and• perhaps he could work from that. Mrs. Morey said that in the first letter, the Board does not have to go into great detail. Mr. Stevens agreed and said that when Lexington gets to the point of acquiring the property, the Board will have to be nore specific than it will in this first letter. 118 The following members of the Standing School Building Committee met with the Board: Chairman Fisher, Messrs. Johnsen, Potter, Davis, Kent and Mrs. Fox. Mr. Fisher asked how the Committee is expected to handle preparation of items for the warrant and the Chairman suggested that the Committee deal directly Article with Town Counsel for writing the articles, Mr. Fisher said he would like to have as much time as possible and the Chairman explained that if the Appropriation Committee wants to act within the letter of the law, it does not have to consider any request received after December 20th. Mr. Fisher referred to the method of financing and asked who would work out the amounts to be bonded and the amount to come out of other funds. Financing The Chairman replied that the method of finan- cing is a function of the Appropriation Committee. Mr. Fisher asked if there were any new develop- ments on the additional piece of land for the new Junior High School and said he was referring to the parcel between Ives and Milliken, He asked if the Sites Town was going to acquire it. Mr. Stevens explained that as soon as a plan has been prepared, the owners will be contacted. Mr. Fisher said he understood there is to be an elementary school and asked if the site would be owned by the Town by March or April. Mr. Stevens explained that the Town owns that property now. Mr. Fisher explained that his Committee cannot engage an architect until the Town owns the laud. Mr. Fisher referred to financing the renovation of the Junior High School and said that in talking with Mr. Stevens, it was suggested that the Committee Bonding look into special permission for bonding outside the debt limit. He said it turned out that if the Com- mittee is going to do this, Mr. Stevens should have been able to start a week or so ago. He said his Committee has talked to the School Committee, Appro- priation Committee and Capital Expenditures Committee. Their first reaction was that this might be undesir- able because of increasing the bonded debt, and might also increase the interest rate. However, it will be just the reverie, The State would be saying that it has looked into the situation and find the Town's credit all right. He said that the Appropriation Committee would like to see this come out bf the tax levy but feels it is not practical because of the size. 119 He said it seems to him that the Selectmen should request Mr. Stevens to go through the necessary motions to ask for permission to bond the renovation outside the debt limit. The Chairman asked if the Committee had any idea what the figure is, and Mr. Fisher replied in the nega- tive. He said they do not think it will be less than $300,000 and it may be $400,000. Mr. Stevens explained that there would have to be a figure in the Act. He said it could be written with a blank figure but he thought an amount should be put in to start with. Mr. Fisher said that although there is an amount in the Act, the Committee does not have to use it and would like to ask for $400,000 just to be safe. Mr. Stevens asked if this included equipping and furnishing and Mr. Fisher replied that the entire building would not be equipped. Mr. Stevens said he would have to put in equipping and furnishing and could try and get it excluded from 25j of the assessed value. Mr. Stevens explained that the entire amount on the new school could be borrowed, but on the other, it would depend on what the Act says. He said if it 11 was all right with the Board, he would make a draft. Mrs. Morey said there is no reason why this amount could not be borrowed for tan years where it is for renovation. Mr. Stevens said the length of the bonding seems to be what gets it over and twenty years is the maximum. He said it could be presented for a lesser borrowing period if it seem desirable. The Chairman said that as far as arranging the financing is concerned, once the policy is established, it is a function of the Appropriation Committee. Mr. Fisher reported that the Committeets program on the new Junior High School is moving along very nicely. The preliminary plans have gone into the School Building Assistance Commission and a meeting is scheduled for tomorrow morning. The rough estimate is still $2,000,000. but they hope to get below that. Mr. Stevens retired at 8:35 P.M. Barnes Mr. Fisher explained that the Committee realizes property more and more what it means to have the Superintendent's office on the first floor, He said that it is not too satisfactory with Mr. Smith and his Secretaries at the Junior High School, and the Committee started looking for some way to have the Superintendent in another loca- tion. The only possibility they could find was, of course, the Barnes property. He explained what they are doing by leaving the Superintendent where he is, 120 is sacrificing three good classrooms and being forced to use three very poor ones on the third floor. He explained that the cost of renovating those three rooms for use would be *20,000 or $30,000 which would not need to be spent if they can find a location some- where else for the Superintendent. He said that the School Committee feels if the move is to be made in the next few years, it should be made now. The Com- mittee asked Harry Erickson to look at the Barnes property which he did with Mr. Irwin and their opinion is that it is in good enough condition for a number of years and could be fixed up at a reasonable cost. Mr. Smith would like it if an arrangement could be made, and is willing to work out Whatever can be done within the space available . He said that the School Committee is 100% with the Committee in this request, and would have attended the meeting this evening ex- cept for the fact that they are at another meeting in Cary Hall. He said that the Committee feels this is worthwhile from the Town's point of view and it realizes there are tenants in the building which sem- plicate the situation. The Chairman said he had a few comments. First; he thought it is a desirable thing to have the school administration located in one place, preferably in some place other than the school building. When the change is made, it should be a change that is permanent, that it should not be a temporary change with regard to location. If the change should be made to the Barnes property, he thought it would be temporary and not last more than ten years. He said that Mr. Smith's figures indicate what he needs for the whole staff is 4,000 square feet which is more than there is in the build- ing. He said it seems to him that it is not adequate now let alone the nember of people Mr. Smith will ac- quire as the school system grows so in that event it will be temporary at best. He asked if the Committee had any figure as to how much it would cost to renovate the building for school purposes. Mr. Fisher replied that Harry Erickson said $10,000 would be plenty as against $30,000 they would have to spend in the other building. The Chairman said he would not want to see any change made that would be temporary. Mr. Potter said that, in discussing this as some- thing temporary, to him it is an emergency. He said the Superintendent could move in to the Barnes property which will male available three classrooms that are so badly needed at this time. He said he did not know what provisions the Board had for the Welfare Depart- ment which takes up a good part of the building but it will not take as much room to accommodate that department 121 in the future as ithas in the past because Social Security will take over a good part of its work. The Chairman explained that there is no plan to keep the Welfare Department in that building, and it will move . Mr. Fisher showed the members of the Board a plan of the Superintendent's office in the Junior High School. Building. He said the arrangement will be temporary if the Superintendent is left where he is and money will have to be spent at a later date. He said the School Committee does not feel that the Town can afford com- mercial rental rates for the Superintendent. He said the Committee is anxious to get a decision as it is holding up the architect at the moment. He explained that the first and third floors are hanging in the balance waiting a decision as to what is to be done with the Superintendent. He said that they still have the same number of class rooms but have poorly lighted and poorly ventilated classrooms on the third floor. These definitely are substandard rooms being fixed up as compared to three good rooms on the first floor. He said the upper rooms are unsafe and have no lavatory and to fix them up will cost about $25,000 plus fixing the downstairs for the Superinten- 11 dent so that is where the $30,000 comes from and it could be more than that. Mr. Maloney asked if they estimated $10,000 for the Barnes property, and Mr. Fisher replied that they have no specific estimate on the Barnes property, but the of er figures are estimates. de said he did not think/ the rooms in the Barnes property would have to be changed. Mrs. Morey inquired about the heating system and Mr. Maloney replied that it is separate from this building and a good adequate system. Mr. Potter said that the heating system was put in 'Within the last few years and Mr. Maloney agreed that it is quite modern. Mrs. Morey asked if the Committee would take out the third floor and Mr. Fisher replied that they would do nothing with it and it would be locked off. Mr. Maloney asked how soon they would want the Barnes property and Mr. Fisher replied in June or July, when they start tearing the building apart . He said the most desirable time would be when the contractors move in Qhich will make it impossible for Mr. Smith to work. Mr. Maloney said that if the Superintendent took the Barnes property, it would take some time for re- modeling. Mr. Fisher said that apparently this would have to be done by Town Meeting so they may have to make 122 some other provisions in one of the other schools. Mrs. Morey asked if the Committee felt this must be done next Spring and Mr. Fisher replied in the af- firmative. He said if it is not done this Spring, it will limit until 1960 and their problem is that they may be left with no Junior High School at all. Mr. Potter said that it is agreed then that the Welfare will be going out of the building. The Com- mittee 's question was whether or not the building would be available. The Chairman said he was not sure even with the Welfare going out. There must be some place for the Planning Board. He said this is something the Board can't say yes or no on tonight. He explained that the Board is studying the allocation of space now and it works out well except for the Planning Board and the Boy Scouts. Mr. Fisher said that he did not think the Plan- ning Board would be bothered by the School and to him the Boy Scouts seem to be the real problem. He said he was sorry for the Boy Scouts but if the Town needs the building, this is a decision for the Board. The Chairman said there/6fie figure he would like. He would like to know what it will cost to get the building renovated with the minimum space required by the Superintendent. Mr. Fisher said that he would have the Superinten- den't ideas. The Chairman said that the suggestion was made to build an Administration Building on the Boys ' Club property. Mr. Fisher said he did not know if they cou]d have a well considered estimate next Monday night, but Mr. Smith would restate his space requirements. The Chairman said that the Board would have to examine the position of the Boy Scouts and what the Town's obligations are there. Mr. Potter said he understood that the Boy Scouts are 1boking for a building of their own before very long. Mrs. Morey asked if there was any reason why Lexington should provide them with space and pointed out that the council includes Arlington and Bedford. The Chairman said the Board would consider it anyway and the group retired at 9:05 P.M. Letter was received from Mrs. E. J. LaFlamme, 259 Lowell Street, inquiring why her water bill dated November 1, 1957ias so high. Water Mr. Gayer recommended that Mrs. LaFlamme be bill advised to talk to Mr. Jefferson who can explain it to her. He reported that her letter contains several mistakes. 123 The Chairman said that he would suggest that she contact Mr. Jefferson and if she has anything further to discuss, she can then meet with the Board. The Chairman read a copy of a letter from Mr. Gayer to the State Department of Public Works con- cerning his displeasure at the progress made by the Concord Avenue contractor, J. J. Carroll, on the reconstruction of Concord Avenue. Mr. Gayer reported that they came out immediately upon receipt of his letter and succeeded in getting the contractor to work. Mr. A. Clifford Fletcher's request for extension of sewer main to service a house at 112 Spring Street was held over. Mr. Gayer reported that he sent a letter to the State Department of Public Works and received a re- ply today which stated that present plans for the relocation of Spring Street in conjunction with the reconstruction of Route 2 do not indicate any changes Sewer, 112 in the section of Spring Street in the area described Spring Street by Mr. Gayer. As far as the State is concerned, the extension of the sewer main to service the house would in no way conflict with their plans. Mr. Gayer said that if it is agreeable with the Board, he has started, at least, to include this as an item for the budget. He said he was sure he could not get it this Fall as it is about fourteen feet deep and ledge. Mr. Maloney asked knere the money would come from for that type of installation. He also asked how many feet it is from the sewer to the manhole' and how deep the ledge is. Mr. Gayer said that the main line is fourteen feet deep and he would say off hand, 150 feet. Mr. Maloney asked if he could be serviced a dis- tance of 150 feet and have him pay for the service rather than have the Town extend the main. Mr. Gayer replied that he could only go to jaw top. Mr. Maloney said that there may never be another house put down there and he would not want to see the Town spend several thoudand dollars for one house. Mr. Tucker said this man is building a house and asked what happens if he does not have the service. Mr. Maloney said if it is going to cost some money he should pay for it. The Chairman said if just a service is put in, it would not be necessary to go fourteen feet. Mr. Gayer said he would like to extend the sewer main a few feet and bring a chimney up. 124 x Mrs. Morey said this is a special case and even though the Board has said it would have no more long services, this is different. Mr. Gayer said he should be charged an amount equal to a betterment plus the cost of putting in the service. Mrs. Morey said he would be put on the list and taken care of in as good time as possible. The Chairman suggested that Mr. Gayer advise him of what it will cost him. Mr. Gayer asked if the Board wished him to cor- respond with Mr. Fletcher and the Chairman replied in the affirmative . Mr. Gayer asked if the Board wants him to con- sider a rubbish collection program this year, and asked if it should be included in the budget or not. Me said he could give, basically, what the cost might be. It would require three units 16 yard bodies and each unit would run about $10,250./.Rn estimate for a full year 'it would take nine men, roughly $38,000, including vacations and sick leave. For 1956 he has $30,750 for the capital expenditure of equipment and roughly $40,000 for salaries, $1,000 for gas, oil and repairs or about $51,750 for a six-months period. The Chairman asked how long the trucks would be good for on an annual basis and Mr. Gayer replied that in Bangor they had truck bodies for ten years but the trucks had to be replaced. The Chairman said if they are good for five years, it is about $6,000 a year for equipment, $38,000 a year Rubbish for labor and about $3,000 a year for gas, oil and re- collecicn pairs or abeab 148,000 a year to do this job which is about $1.00 on the tax rate. To start this would be once a week with the understanding that the property owner would place the container on the street. Mr. Maloney said there is nothing worse than people putting rubbish on the street and he would never agree with it. The Chairman explained if it is picked up from the garage or house, it will double the cost of labor. Mr. Maloney said he did not think it would double the cost, because unlike garbage, rubbish would not be picked up at every house. Mrs. Morey said if there is Town pick up, there will be more rubbish than people take to the dump and she thought the Board should negotiate with Belmont to see if they would like Lexington• to be joint tenants. The Chairman explained that this has been dis- cussed before and it would not make any difference on the cost. 125 Mrs. Morey said she could see twice as much going to the dump than goes there now. The Chairman said this was discussed with Arlington a couple of years ago and as far as an incinerator is concerned, it has nothing to do with rubbish collection. Mrs. Morey said if there is rubbish collection, the dump will be filled that much faster and the Board should consider where it is going. She said she thought the Board should empower the Chairman to talk to Belmont and the M.D.C . Mr. Maloney said he did not think either Belmont or Arlington is interested in tying in with Lexington. Mr. Tucker said they are still talking about it in Arlington. Mrs. Morey said she would like a straight answer from Belmont. The Chairman suggested that Mrs. Morey go over to Belmont and said that this is not something that could be satisfactorily answered by correspondence and should be a personal interview. Mr. Maloney said that if land is not developed for industrial purposes, there is plenty of land. Mrs. Morey said the Board should have an answer to everything; what area it wants to set aside and now. Mr. Gayer said that he is working oh budgets and the Chairman saLd that the figure of $75,000 comes back to what has been discussed before. He said if the people want rubbish collection service, it will add $1.00 or $1.50 on the tax rate. He suggested that Mr. Gayer insert a seperate budget sheet and then it can eiMher be used or discarded. Mr. Tucker said that the garbage contract comes Garbage up next year and he thought the Board should discuss that some time. Mr. Gayer said he would be glad to discuss it with the Board very shortly. Mr. Tucker said that there is no Town ordinance re burning leaves on the streets and asked how much harm it does. Mr. Gayer replied that it does considerable harm Burning to asphalt streets. Where leaves are burned one will leaves find pot holes after the frost has worked on it. Mr. Tucker asked how many streets are asphalt and Mr. Gayer replied a good portion of them. The Chairman said that substantially all of the streets as they are not gravel. Mr. Gayer referred to Eldred Street and the use of Chapter 718 funds. He asked if those funds were Eldred to be used elsewhere and betterments charged on Eldred Street Street. 126 Mr. Maloney said the Town would take land there and asked if the betterments would be abated. The Chairman said the Board should know what the situation is. If the people have agreed to pay betterments, the street should be constructed with betterments. Mr. Gayer agreed to look into the subject and report next week. Mr. Gayer reported on the status of Depot Square re water and sewer. He said that the water and sewer• contract was awarded to Susi and DeSantis April 15, 1957. On the 16th, after a meeting, he called Whitman & Howard and asked them to delete the Depot Square work until Depot advised otherwise as the Board was going to negotiate Square with Mr. Smith. The Chairman asked if the contract included the street and Mr. Gayer replied in the negative. Mr. Maloney asked if the funds were still avail- able and Mr. Gayer replied in the affirmative. Mr. Maloney said he would like to discuss the subject further with Town Counsel. Mr. Maloney eked what the reason was for Tower Park. Mr. Gayer replied that Charles Brenton always talked to him about wanting to put in blacktop be- Tower cause of the washing gravel problem, and last year Park discussion was held relative to including an item in the budget but it was decided not to. He said it was brought to his attention that there was a park fund for care, maintenance and improvement of Tower Park. He asked for bids, assuming it was the thing to do, to put in a very narrow walk to replace the gravel path. Mr. Maloney said if funds are available , the least that can be done is to put .some peat around the shrubs. He said there is no sidewalk on the street and now there is a sidewalk in the park. Mr. Gayer retired at 9:55 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Carroll, Town Treasurer, relative to bids received for $180,000 Borrowing school project loan, Act of 1948 bonds. Upon motion of Mr. Tucker, seconded by Mrs. Morey, it was unanimously voted that the sale to Kidder, Peabody & Company at 100.237 and accrued interest pf the $180,000 3.60 per cent School Project Loan, Act of 1948 bonds (Nos. 1 to 180) of the Town dated November 15, 1957, payable November 15, $L0,000 in 1111958 and 1973 and $5,000 in 1974 to 1977, and reciting 127 that they are issued pursuant to Chapter 645 of the Acts of 194.8 as amended and votes of the Town duly passed, is hereby approved. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Palmer, Sec- retary to the Appropriation C(hmmittee, advising that Resignation Mr. Madden has resigned as Chairman. and Mr. Richards & Appointment was elected to that position. The Chairman read a letter from Jack Frost, Yankee Homecoming, relative to proposed highway mark- ers marking the Yankee Trail", to be installed at Yankee Home- points throughout New England. The location selected coming for Lexington is North bound on Massachusetts Avenue markers about 500 feet north of the intersection of Massachu- setts Avenue at Routes 4 and 25 South of the Lexington Green. The Board had no objection to the proposed location but desired to have more definite information relative to the design, size and whether or not the markers are to be erected for a certain period of time or if it is intended to make the installation permanent. Bids were received for printing the 1957 Annual Town Report as follows: The Lexington Press Inc. 500 copies: $755 per page 600 copies 7.75 per page Town Report 200 School Reports $115.00 50 Accountants Reports $100.00 Somerville Printing Company, Inc. 600 copies $5.05 per page 200 School Reports $2275 per page 50 Accountant 's Reports 42.65 per page Upon motion of Mrs. Morey, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to accept the low bid submitted by the Somerville Printing Company. The Chairman said that the Board has discussed several time what should be done about mechanizing the Town offices and it seems that the Boat+d does not have time enough to determine whether it is desirable or how to make a decision. He asked if the members Mechanizing of the Board thought Town Meeting or the Selectmen Town Offices should appoint a committee of individuals familiar with office procedure to look into the subject of how the offices can best be mechanized. 128 Mr. Maloney said that once the new building is occupied and the offices in the present building are set up, it might be desirable to have such a committee. The meeting adjourned at 10: 25 P.M. A true record, Attest. Mec•f iv Cler , Selec en 1