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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1957-08-19-BOS-min 563 SELECTMEN'S MEETING August 19, 1957 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, August 19, 1957 at 7:33 P.M. Chairman James, Messrs. Reed, Tucker and Mrs. Morey were present. Mr. Gayer, Superintendent of Public Works, Mr. Mahon, of the Boston Edison Company, and the Acting Clerk were also present. Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, met with the Board for the drawing of four jurors. The following Jurors individuals were drawn for jury duty: Chester N. Shaffer, 17 Patriots Drive; Harold E. Silman, 250 Marrett Road; Donald D. Lindsay, 47 Wood Street and John L. Ketchum, 27 Patterson Road. Mr. Carroll retired. Hearing was declared open upon the petition of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone & Pole Telegraph Company for j/o pole location on Ivan Street. location Mr. Mahon representing the Boston Edison Company was present. Upon motion of Mr. Reed, seconded by Mr. James, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the Order for the following j/o pole location: Ivan Street, southwesterly side, approximately 15 feet southwast of Eldred Street, -- One pole (1) pole. (One existing pole (JO) to be removed. ) Hearing was declared open upon the petition of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone & Pole Telegraph Company for j/b pole location on Bartlett location Avenue. Upon motion of Mr. Reed, seconded by Mr. James, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the Order for the following j/o pole location: Bartlett Avenue, northwesterly side, approx- imately 200 feet southwest of Lowell Street, -- II One (1) pole. (One existing JO pole to be removed. ) 664 Mr. Mahon retired. Mr. James read a letter to the Board from a Mr. Walter H. McLaughlin, attorney for E. Robert Sylvester Relocation of 8 Ballard Terrace, referring to possible plans for Ballard relocation of certain streets in the vicinity of Ballard Terrace Terrace. The Chairman was authorized to write Mr. McLaughlin, stating that the Board had no plans for such relocation at the present time, and if such relocation did occur, it would possibly come under the jurisdiction of the Planning Board. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, arrived at the meeting at 7:13 P.M. Mr. Maloney arrived at the meeting at 7:118 P.M. Mr. Stevens presented contracts for sidewalks Contracts and also contracts for engineers ' services for sidewalks from Whitman & Howard to be signed by the Selectmen. Letter was presented to the Board compiled by Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, to the Outdoor Advertising Outdoor Division in reply to application from John Donnelly & Advertising Sons for the erection of a billboard or sign in the Tbwn of Lexington at 93-97 Massachusetts Avenue. The Town of Lexington expressed objection to this application and requested that a hearing be held by the Division before final action is taken, and requested time and place of such hearing. The Board unanimously approved of this letter and same was signed by Mr. James. Mr. Gayer requested that in the warrant for Special Town Meeting an Article be inserted for more appropriation for insect suppression. He also mentioned that on the laying out of Eldred Street Chppter 718 funds would be used. Voting Mr. Stevens brought up the subject of purchasing machines voting machines for the Town, and explained that sny rental cost would be applied toward the price of the machines. Mr. James agreed to take this up with the Appropriation Committee. 565 Mr. Stevens had replied to letter received from one Melvin R. Perlman, attorney, regarding injuries suffered Injuries by Nancy Oldford at the Lexington Municipal Pool on at pool July 23, 1957. It was unanimously agreed that this matter was closed as the Town had no liability. Hearing was declared open with the intention to lay out Eldred Street from the southwesterly sideline of Eldred Justin Street to Grove Street, a distance of 1330 feet Street more or less. Hearing Three persons attended the hearing and Mr. Gayer produced map showing location of layout. No objection was raised. Mr. Reed suggested that we put in water and sewer at the same time the road is put in. Hearing was declared closed. Hearing was declared open with the intention to Rowland relocate and alter Rowland Avenue from Massachusetts Avenue Avenue southwesterly approximately 100 feet. Hearing As Mr. & Mrs. Woodberry, the only parties involved, had phoned they had no objection and could not attend, the hearing was declared closed. Letter was received from the County Commissioners in anticipation of work contemplated this year on Concord Concord Avenue, stating that a second hearing would be held on Avenue Friday, August 30, 1957 at 10:50 A.M. Chap. 90 Letter was also received from James J. Carroll, hearing Town Clerk relative to noticefbr first hearing held in June. Petition was received from residents on Massa- Sidewalks ehusetts Avenue requesting a sidewalk. Mr. Gayer advised that betterment sheets were pre- pared on this request. Request was received from Charles E. Bamberg, Sr., for shade trees in front of his property at 24. Calvin Trees Street. This letter was referred to Mr. Gayer who has put this on the list of requests, and will also write Mr. Bamberg. Petition was received from property owners on Rowland Avenue requesting a sign either "not a Thru Way" Signs I 566 rE1 or Dead End Street" . Mr. Gayer advised that all signs on Rowland Avenue had been taken care of. Letter was received from the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts, Department of Public Works, relative to certain changes which would be beneficial to the Town of Lexington, Traffic in the areas of Bedford St. , Worthen Road and Main Fire Signals Station; also Massachusetts Avenue at the Adams School. This letter was addressed to Mr. James, per request from Mr. Gayer, Superintendent of Public Works. After a short discussion, Mr. Gayer stated he would explain this letter in a more simplified manner at a future meeting. Copy of this letter and sketches were given to Mr. Gayer. Mr. Ernest Corrigan, who is the developer of Loring Estates, met with the Board, and stated that he has a problem as he had an agreement with the Superintendent of Corrigan Schools that he would not go through the school yards after development September 3rd. He wants to know what he would do after that. The Superintendent of Schools said he would have to be out of there after the 3rd so as not to disrupt tie classrooms. Mr. James questioned in what condition the road is in. Mr. Corrigan said he cannot connect to the sewer on account of it being Town property. Mr. Stevens suggested that Mr. Corrigan can pay for the sewer even if the Town puts it in, as the Board of Survey Street does hot include water and sewer. Mr. Reed asked if Mr. Corrigan was going to build the houses immediately. Mr. Corrigan said he has seven houses being built right sway, and would connect immediately to t he sewer if he were allowed to go through the property. Mr. Gayer said they couldn't put the sewer in by September 3rd. Mrs . Morey stated that she understood that the work was to be done before the opening of school so there would be no disruption while school sessions are going on. Mr. Reed said the School Committee or Mr. Smith cannot stop Mr. Corrigan from going in. It was unanimously agreed the expense on the utilities would have to be borne by Mr. Corrigan. Mr. Stevens suggested that Mr. Corrigan contact his attorney, Mr. Gould, who in turn wontact him if they could come to no definite decision or solution. 56 Mr. Reed said one solution tog et in this development was for the Townie have an Access Road. he also asked Mr. Stevens if Mr. Corrigan could go ahead and pay us and later if we find out it is the townTs responsibility, reimburse him. Mr. Stevens said we have to have a special account to reimburse Mr. Corrigan. Mr. Corrigan retired at 9:20 P.M. Mrs. Morey suggested that Mr. Smith be notified and Mr. Corrigan be given an extension of time to finish con- struction after September 3rd. Mr. Gayer said the town had no funds available at this time to build a road. Mr. Reed suggested commencing the construction of the road at once and add the cost to the Public Works Account, if all parties concerned are agreeable. Mr. Stevens retired at 9:30 P.M. Notice was received from the D. P. U. re hearing on petition of the Boston and Maine Railroad. No action wastaken. Petition was received from Clifford D. Fleming requesting estimates on connecting water to the Request corner of Earl and Ash Streets. for water This request was referred to Mr. Gayer. Letter was sent to Mr. James from Erik Nelson, 1387 Massachusetts Avenue, written in lengthy detail, giving Traffic stigestions for better traffic control in Lexington. Control No action was taken on this. Letter was received from William Roger Greeley referring to diseased Elm trees. Mr. James agreed to write Mr. Greeley explaining that this matter will be taken up at the next Annual Diseased Town Meeting to decide whether or not to continue Elms this policy of removing diseased Elm trees from private property. Mr. Gayer reported that Blanche Richards who operates the billing machine is receiving $46.20 Salary per week. raise In 1956 she made $L14.00, the previous year she made $40.00. The salary for the type of wort she is doing now is $50.80. It was agreed to consider a raise for Blanche Richards. a6 DI i"r. Gayer stated that he had written the Fire , Department that they were not to open any fire hydrants Water unless they had permission from the Superintendent of Public Wdrks. It is understood that previously the Fire De- partment had been filling swimming pools at the request of the owners. Letter was discussed, sent by Mr. James A. Carrig, Complaint with reference to his 1957 tax bill, which showed a re decided jump in assessment. assessment Mr. James agreed to write the assessors and ask for an explanation of this discrepancy, and to meet with the Board at their earliest convenience, to explain their procedures and policy regarding such assessment. increases Letter was received from Francis S. Benoit re Veterans ' Memorial. Veterans ' Mr. James was going to look into this further Memorial before replying. The selection of this was a suitable memorial as agreed by Town Meeting several years ago. At 10:05 P.M. Mr. Grindle of the Planning Board arrived at the meeting. Routes 2 He stated that he would like to approach the and 128 State Department of Public Works and get a statement from them or any suggestions of what they could do on Route 2 and 128 for access. He would like the Board of Selectmen to go along with him. Mr. James suggested that if we go in there we should have some sort of plan to present to them to take care of this traffic problem. The Board agreed to wait until Sam Snow came back from his vacation. It wasegreed to make an appointment with the Department of Public Works as the Board will agree with anything the Planning Board decides. Letter was received from Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk advising of the resignation of Charles H. Cole, Resignation 2nd. , as a member of the Hospital Needs Study Committee. Invitation was received from the Stanley Hill Invitation Post #38 American Legion, for the installation of officers on Monday, September 9, 1957 at 8:00 P.M. 1 569 Inasmuch as Mondayrevenings are reserved for Board meetings, the Chairman was to write the American Legion and advise them they will try to have a representative present. Application was made by Alan G. Adams for per- mission to conduct a meeting at Estabrook Hall on Use of Tuesday evening, September 10, 1957 at 8: 00 P.M. Hall to discuss Hobbs Brook Basin. Upon motion of Mr. Tucker, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to grant the request. Notice was received from an organization, namely Freedom, Inc. , in which they requested an outstanding citizen of immigrant parents to represent Lexington, in a Constitution Day Celebration, which is to be held on September 17th. It was unanimously agreed to investte the organization before choosing someone to represent Lexington, as neither of the Selectmen had heard of same. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 P.M. A true record, Attest: Acting Clerk, Selectmen -7f [_ I