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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1957-06-03-BOS-min 477 SELECTMEN'S MEETING June 3, 1957 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, June 3, 1957 at 7:30 P.M. Chairman James, Messrs. Reed, Maloney, Tucker and Mrs. Morey were present. Mr. Gayer, Superintendent of Public Works, and the Executive Clerk were also present. Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Treasurer, met with the Board. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Carroll re- questing approval to obtain a temporary loan of Loan $500,000 in anticipation of revenue, to be paid November 1, 1957. Upon motion of Mrs. Morey, seconded by Mr. Reed, it was voted to authorize Mr. Carroll to arrange for a temporary loan of $500,000 to carry out the finan- cial obligations of the Town until the 1957 taxes are paid; said loan to be payable November 1, 1957. Letter was received from Mr. Carroll, together with a list of unlicensed dogs in the Town as of June 1, 1957. Mr. Carroll said that the Board may or may not know that Frank Mowat, the Dog Officer, is very sick Dog Offiar° and how he was going to carry out the work he did not know. He said that year after year there are a number of people in Town who never pay a dog license. He said that if Officer Mowat is going to be unable to carry on his work he thought something should be done about it. He stated that the Town has a Second Dog Officer who gets paid $25.00 a month and he doesn't do anything. He also receives pay from the County for feeding the dogs and disposing of them. Mrs. Morey referred to the list and asked if it meant the ones licensed last year did not get a li- cense this year. Mr. Carroll replied it meant that and new owners. He said it is not fair for one individual to Pay his dog license and another individual not pay. Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting at 7:35 P.M. The Chairman said from what Mr. Carroll reported Mr. Mowat is not physically able to carry out his task and Mr. Carroll said that is what he believes. 47E DI The Chairman said it then becomes the duty of Mr. LaRose to do the work and Mr. Carroll said that was right. Mr. Maloney asked if Mr. LaRose was paid by the Town and Mr. Carroll replied that he receives $25 a month and is also paid by the County for feeding the dogs and disposing of them. Mr. Reed asked from what account he was paid and Mr. Carroll replied it is expenses. Mr. Reed explained that it would be for the care of dogs and not salary. He said he questioned whether or not the Board could get him to go and round up the unlicensed dogs. Mr. Carroll said he is paid from expenses but is appointed by the Board. Mrs. Morey asked if it wasn't almost necessary to have a policeman with authority and a badge. Mr. Maloney reported that the Dog Officer in the Town of Arlington is not a police officer, but he said it was a good idea for a policeman to do it. Mr. Carroll retired at 7:40' P.M. The Chairman asked Mr. Stevens what the Board's responsibility is if Officer Mowat can't carry out his duties as Dog Officer. Mr. 'Stevens said the Chairman could talk with Mr. LaRose to see if he is in a position to do the work and if not, there is no limit as to how many Dog Officers the Board might appoint. He said the Board might want to appoint another one or talk to Mowat and ask him to resign. The Chairman said he would find out from the Town Accountant what the vouchers cover. Mr. Tucker suggested that some publicity be given to the Dog Warrant in the local paper. Memorandum was received frpm the Massachusetts ' Selectmen's Association relative to an act to in- crease the compensation of members of police depart- ments under Civil Service in the Commonwealth. Mr. Stevens reported the following salaries as set up by the Barrington Plan recently reacted: Act re Patrolmen $3770, after six years $4862; Sergeants Police $4316, after six years $5564; Lieutenants $5070, Salaries after six years $6474. It was left that Mr. Maloney would attend the hearing and ff he wants anything, contact Mr. Stevens. 1 471) ' Mrs. Morey asked if the Board was in favor of the Act and Mr. Maloney replied that he did not think it should be. An Act relative to the care of veterans ' graves, submitted by Mr. Healy, was held over. The Chairman explained that apparently everything that is required is being done, except that the Board has never appointed a Veterans' Graves Officer. Veterans' Mr. Reed asked if the Board had to make the ap- Graves pointment and Hr. Stevens replied that if bomeone Officer should complain because something was not being done, then the Board would have to do it. He explained that if Mr. Healy was appointed. t Veterans ' Graves Officer he would have mere duties. The Chairman said that possibly the Board could appoint one of the Cemetery Commissioners and Mr. Tucker said he was thinking the same thing. Mr. Stevens said the Board could appoint the Chair- man of the Cemetery Commissioners and suggested that the Chairman talk to the Cemetery Commissioners about it. Copies of Traffic Sign Permits, issued by the State Traffic Department of Public Works, were received from Mr. signs II Carroll as follows: Permit 7026 - Isolated Stop Sign Paul Revere Road at Cedar Street Permit 7025 - Isolated Stop Sign Hill Street at Cedar Street Permit 8260 - Traffic 'regulation permit covers erection of stop signs under per- mits 7025 and 7026. The Chairman mentioned that the Board was to arrive at some decision this evening relative to 'Riboch (Ampollo) drainage. He reported that Mr. Maloney and Mr. -Gayer will view the property tomorrow morning. Mr. Stevens presented sewer contract between the Town of Lexington and George Brox, Inc., in the amount of Sewer $73,057, which he explained had been duly executed by Contract the contractor and bonding company. He said that they signed are now ready for the Board's signatures. All copies were taken by Mr. Stevens. 480 Mr. Harold Marvin, Lexington Street, Burlington met with the Board. He explained that he is running a small foundry and is interested in the purchase of all or partiof the so-called Ham land if the Town would like to sell it. The Chairman asked him to indicate the property on a plan acquired from the Engineering Department #149 (D of 6) . Mr. Marvin said he could not find a plan of this particular land in Burlington. He looked at a plan in the Engineer's Office in Lexington and showed it to the Board, as he remembered it, on the plan presented by the Chairman. He said he understood from the Engineer that the Town obtained the land for the purpose of high water protection, but he did not fully understand it. He said if it could be purchased without any complications, liens or easements or rights - of way, it could be filled in and that is why he wants all or part of it. He said if he could purchase it and the Town of Lexington wanted it piped, he could extend the three-foot piece of pipe from Adams Street to the 'pond. He said he did not see what Ham land advantage it is to the Town of Lexington to own it. Mr. Stevens explained that, In connection with the flood control of Vine Brook, the Town acquired some land in fee and acquired the ownership of the land at Butter- field's Pond and in addition acquired flowage rights in other parcels of land giving the Town the right to tOod the land to elevation 176. He said the purpose was to have the storage areas atailable so in times of high water there would be places fpr the water to go. He said the engineering done at that time indicated those areas were needed to save the land in that vinicity from flooding. Mr. Marvin said if it did rise it would go into Quinn's land right now. The Chairman said the land/N $uired for the purpose of flowing water onto it and in case of heavy rains or hurricanes or the like, that area might still flood so it seemed unlikely that anyone would want to put a building on it. Mr. Marvin said he thought twenty-five feet back from the inlet it is built up and he was under the im- pression that there might be three acres of land in there that someone might put a building on and not go below Adams Street. He said he did not see how the 481 quarry section could be flooded without coming up Lowell Street or coming over a piece under Adams Street. The Chairman said Of the Board presumes the contour lines to be correct, he couldn't .see how the Board would want to sell it. Mr. Marvin said he thought a 250 foot or 300 foot strip could be sold without creating any hazard at all. Mr. Reed explained that the Board could not sell the land and it would have to be presented to .a Town Meeting. Mr. Marvin said he was under the impression it would have to go before a Town Meeting. The Chairman said the Board would think about it and write Mr. Marvin a letter advising him what the Board can or cannot do. Mr. Reed explained that the Board is going out in the near future to look at some tax title property and will look at this land at the same time. • Mr. Marvin retired at 8:45 P.M. Mrs. Morey reported that one the Arlington Selectmen said, as Water Commissioners of Arlington the Board of Selectmen had the right to dispose of the Great Meadows land at any time. He further said that the Arlington Selectmen were waiting to hear from the Lexington Selectmen about a meeting they pro- posed. She explained that there are people in Arling- i ton who are desirous of having it kept as it is. Mr. Stevens said Lexington should make it clear to Arlington that if this land is not to be used for Great water supply purposes, the Town of Lexington wants to Meadows acquire it and should have it. If it is to be a recreation area, that should be a function of the Town of Lexington and not the Town of Arlington. He said the Chairman could send them a letter stating the Board'' position and leaving the way open to them to discuss it with the Board. He said the Board would have to come to some understanding before it files a Bill. The Chairman said it seemed to him that the Board should know what it is talking about first. Mr. Stevens said that Arlington's records should indicate which areas oP land they own in fee, the areas ..of land in which they have flowage rights and the areas pf land which revert if they cease to use it for water purposes. He said he believed they have made fairly complete title examinations and if they have done that work, the Board should be able to find out what they have and where it is located. 1 482 - The Chairman said he thought Mr. Reed had made the. statement one evening that the reason Arlington wanted the study committee was because they did not know what they had. Mrs. Morey suggested that the Chairman a. d Mr. Reed stop in some time and discuss it with the. Aria. ington Selectmen. The Chairman agreed to call and suggest a meeting. Mr. Stevens said it might be at the point where the Town Counsels should talk about it. The Chairman said he would call to Find out whether or not they have enough information to enter into a general discussion at this time. Mrs. Morey recommended that the Qhairman obtain something in writing. The Chairman presented a prim showing the property lines on Sylvia Street relative to Mr. Alexander MacMillan's property, the former synagogue. The plan showed the cellar wall to be within 1.73 feet of the lot line at one end and within 2.18 feet of the lot line at the other end, which obvously does not give Mr. MacMillan room enough for a drive- Tax title way. lots on The Chairman explained that the Town owns two Sylvia St. lots; part of lot 17 abutting this property and lot 18, next up the street. He said Mr. MacMillan would like to buy the 20 foot strip shown on the plan whihh would give him room for a driveway. Mr. Maloney asked what the Board would then do with the 40 foot lot. The Chairman said he thought the Board should ask Mr. MacMillan to purchase both pieces. The Chairman read a letter written by Mr. MacMillan in 1955 offering $200 for both lots and the Board'sre- ply that it would entertain an offer of $800. The Board felt that both lots should be sold at the same time and Mr. Maloney said he would look at the property tommorrow. Letter was received from Mrs. Joseph Collette, 86 Cedar Street, requesting abatement of sewer betterment assessment in the amount of $763.59. Due to the unusual shape of Mrs. Colletta's lot, Sewer upon motion of Mr. Reed, seconded by Mr. Tucker, abatement it was voted to reduce the betterment from $763.59 to $437.10 and abate $290.49. The adjusted betterment was arrived at by taking the total frontage of 114 4E3 II feet x a depth of 100 feet x $4.15, the cost per square foot. Petition was received signed by thirty-four individuals requesting erection as soon as possible of traffic con- trol signs on Spring Street, such as "Children, Go Slow" Traffic and "Speed Limit 25 Miles per Hour" and an appropriation Spring for the Police Department to enable appointment of four Street additional officers. The Chairman was authorized to acknowledge the petiton. Mr. Gayer referred to bids opened a week ago on cast iron pipe, hydrants, tapping sleeves & valves with boxes and gate valves and boxes. He explained that he would like to go Alppg with the low bidders with one exception, that/ ydrants. He said !i the Town has purchased nothing but Darling hydrants and he would like to continue; the difference being $25.40 on the entire bid. The Chairman read a letter from Whitman & Howard wit1f the following recommendations; That the cast iron water pipe begiven to the low bidder, Shahmoon Industries, Inc. , Warren Pipe II & Foundry Division, for the total price of $33,207. That the gate valves and boxes be given to the low bidder, H. R. Prescott & Sons, for the total of Bids $2,686.26. That tapping sleeves and valves, with boxes, be given to the low bidder, H. R. Prescott & Sons, for the sum of $595.20. That hydrants be given to Public Works Supply, who furnish Darling hydrants that have been quite regularly used in the Town for several years, for the sum of $3,004.62, who are $25.40 higher than the low bidder, H. R. Prescott. However, for the sake of uni- formity and the economy in buying parts, they recom- mended that Darling hydrants, furnished by Public Works Supply,be purchased. Mr. Maloney asked how the low bidder would feel and Mr. Gayer explained th t it has happened before on hydrants. He had discussed it with Prescott and said their bid might not be accepted and he explained why, and they understood. the situation. Mr. Maloney questioned inviting bids if the same hydrants are to be purchased all the time. 4$4 r" c.� The Chairman asked if anyone else sold Darling hydrants andMr. Gayer replied to the ne ati-e+ Reedwhere the salesman came Mr. inquired as to r q from and Mr. Gayer replied that he is a local resident. Upon motion of Mr. Tucker, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to accept the bids as recommended by Whitman & Howard. Mr. Maloney informed Mr. Gayer that another year he would not approve accepting a higher bid just to purchase Darling hydrants. Mr. Gayer retired at 10:00 P.M. The Chairman reminded the Board that some decision should be made relative to lots 30 and 31, Block 18, II, Tax title Ward Street. He explained by use of a plan that Mr. Casello's land abuts lot 30 which is the lot Mr. Stevens advises was improperly foreclosed and the Town is not in a position to convey. The Chairman was authorized to inform Mr. Casello whatmake his own decision has happendd and let him i Mr. Bertram P. Gustin met with the Board at 10:00 P.M. He said the Town Celebrations Committee had re- ceived a request from the Council of Churches to act Town celeb. as Moderator for a Thanksgiving celebration. The Jewish Committee Community Center or the Catholic Churehehave not been represented. The Council felt it is not within their jurisdiction and felt if the 'Town Celebrations Committee would be the spearhead, they would then act as co-ordinator. The Chairman asked if there was any assurance that such an arrangement would be successful with regard to the Catholic church or Jewish synagogue. He said there would be no point in doing it unleeB they were in favor. The Chairman said that Mr. Gustin could rind out how they felt by talking btth them and if they are favorable, write #she Board a letter to that effect and consider that it is all right. Mr. Gustin retired. at 10: 15 P.M. Further consideration was given to appointments (Appointments to the Town Celebrations Committee. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was 481; voted to appoint Mrs. Doris L. Pullen, 17 Percy Road and Mr. Lincoln P. Cole, Jr. , 16 Hill Street, members of the Town Celebrations Committee for three-year terms expiring April 30, 1960. Further consideration was given to letter re- ceived from the Cary Memorial Library Building Addi- tion Committee relative to acquisition of land for parking facilities. . Mr. Maloney reported that Mr. Albert Douglass is not interested in disposing of any of his property. He will need a garage in the rear and is hesitant to cot his area down which might effect his business. Library The Chairman was authorized to advise the Com- parking mittee that the Board can see no possibility of the Town acquiring additional property from Mr. Douglass as he has plans of his own. ?4s. Morey said the only solution is for the Town to get first refusal on Ur. Newhall's property. Letter was received from Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk Resignation advising that he has received a letter from Alan G. Adams resigning as a member of the Lexington Planning Board. Application for Certificate of Incorporation was received from Edward J. Cronin, Secretary of the Commonwealth, on behalf of Vincent M. Caputo. Letter was received from Chief Rycroft report- Cert. ing that on Mkt 12, 1949 Mr. Caputo was arrested by of Inc. officers of his Department just beyond the Cambridge Reservoir, and lust off Route 2, attempting to steal shrubbery which had been planted by the State. He was found guilty of attempted larceny, fined $25 which he paid, and the case was filed. It was the opinion of the Board that some mention should be made of the police record in the report to the State. The Chairman reminded the Board that Chief Engineer Cook's term as Fire Warden expired June 1, 1957. Appoint- Upon motion of Mr. Tucker, seconded by Mr. Reed, ment it was voted to re-appoint Roy A. Cook Forest Warden in the Town of Lexington for a term expiring June 1, 1958, subject to the approval of the Director of Forestry. The Chairman reported that the Lexington Golf Club would lik to have a few loads of gravel put on the land 486 where the contour of Hill Street was changed leaving a strip of land between the pavement and the stonewall, Golf Club so that it could be used as a parking area to get the parking cars off Hill Street. area Mrs . Morey asked if the Club wanted the Board's permission to put the gravel on. The Chairman explained that the Club will put on the gravel and he told the Club spokesman that he thought the Town would grant permission to place the gravel and use the area for parking. The Chairman was 'authorized to advise the Club that the Board had no objection. The Chairman reported that Mr. Gayer has two individuals to whom he would like to give an increase Wage rates in salary. One is Warren Hamilton who has taken over increased Mr. Shea's position. Mr. Shea was making $1.95 per hound Mr Hamilton is making $1.76 per hour. Mr. Gayer would like to pay him f1.86 per hour The 'Chairman said the other individual is W. G. Weisinger who now earns $1.86 per hour. He has been trained as a ahovek operator by Mr. Maloney. This position was made available when the Town purchased a new backhoe and Littlefield' s shovel was no longer hired. Mr. Weisinger has passed the State Examination which is required before_one can operate such a machine without constant supervision. He said that Mr. Gayer would like to increase his rate to $1.911. per hour. Mr. Maloney said he has discussed with Mr. Gayer the fact that Wei.einger is very hard on the equipment. It was unanimously agreed to authorize Mr. Gayer to increase Mr. Hamilton's pay rate to $1.86 (Grade 6) per hour and Mr. Weisinger's pay rate to $1.94 (Grade 6) per hour. The Chairman reported that Mrs. Muriel Stone, Clerk to the Board of Appeals, has submitted her resignation Resignation effective Monday, June 10, 1957. The meeting adjourned at 10:50 P.M. A true record, Attest: e iv eCler J, Selectin•,