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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1957-05-27-BOS-min 467 SELECTMEN'S MEETING May 27, 1957 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, May 27, 1957 at 7:30 P.M. Chairmen James, Messrs. Reed, Maloney and Mrs. Morey were present. Mr.- Gayer, Superintendent of Public Works, and the Executive Clerk were also present. . At 7:30 P.M. hearing was declared open upon. petition of the Boston Edison Company for permission to locate one manhole and one conduit on Lincoln Street. Mr. Mahon, representing the petitioner, was the only person present. He explained. that the proposed locations are directly opposite the company's easement which is on either side of Lincoln Street at this point, and it is the Manhole company's intention to increase the voltage potential in and conduit Lexington. locations The Chairman asked if the construction work. to be done would be limited to the manhole and about thirty-five feet of conduit. Mr. Mahon replied that it would be nearer twenty-feet. The Chairman asked if Mr. Gayer had any objection and he replied in the negative. Upon motion of Mr. Reed, seconded by Mrs. Morey,. it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the following manhole and conduit locations : Lincoln Street, approximately 2080 feet west of Weston Street a distance of about 15 feet, -- one manhole; Lincoln Street, approximately 2060 feet west of Weston Street a distance of about 20 feet, -- one conduit. Mr. Mahon retired at 7:35 P.M. Mr. Gayer reported that Worthen Road can be built entirely of Town property. Worthen The Chairman explained that he had discussed this Road with Mr. Stevens the other day and he was concerned about the road in by the High School and pointed out that if it were constructed so that private property abutted on it, it would be necessary for the Board to hold a public 4138 r N tEJ hearing and charge betterments. On the other hand it it were built entirely on Town property, even if the Town only owned a strip of one foot wide on one side, no hearing would be necessary and no betterments would be charged. He said that Mr. Spev8Bsiyould like to know which way the Board wants/t6 get it in this June Town Meeting there probably won't be time to have a layout and hold a public hearing before the Town Meeting. Mrs. Morey asked if it would be necessary to make any bends in the road to put it entirely on Town land and Mr. Gayer replied in the negative. Mrs. Morey asked if it was/d4sirable, good and sound location and Mr. Gayer replied in the affirmative. Mr. Reed said he would be in favor of building the road on Town land without a public hearing. The Chairman reported that the Planning Board would be down later in the evening at which time the subject could be discussed further. The Chairman read a letter signed by four residents of Eliot Road and two residents of Tavern Lane complaining about rusty, muddy water. Mr. Gayer said he must admit that the condition is not good and he has had the mains in the area flushed every other day. He said he is of the opinion that the amount of water being used by the Grey Nuns and the size of the main has increased the velocity of the water to the extent that it keeps continually stirred up.. He said he knows of nothing to do except install a 12" main and told Mr. Howard the other day, if necessary, to let out this piece and Adams Street first to get the water in. Mr. Reed asked about the Town putting it in and said Complaint if it comes down to one or two items in a contract, the re rusty bid will be high. water The Chairman asked about the length on Pelham Road and Mr. Gayer replied approximately 1400 feet. Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting at 7:45 P.M. Mr. Maloney asked if a 12" main would correct the situation and Mr. Gayer replied that he did not know of any other solution. .He reported that when the pipe was tapped last year and when the water was put in Tavern Lane, they found those mains were corroded. Mr. Reed said that the Town of Arlington has equip- ment that is used to clear rust out of the pipes and asked if it would halt) this section temporarily. Mr. Gayer said that there are many areas in similar condition and that the equipment is intended for larger pipes. He said he did not know if it could be used for smaller pipes. 469 Mrs. Morey asked if what Arlington is doing would be worth trying on Eliot Road and Mr. Maloney said it is a very expensive operation. Mrs. Morey said she would like to know how expensive it is and Mr. Maloney replied that for what the Town of Arlington is spending, they could almost put in new pipes. Mr. Gayer said either the Town could put the main in or he could get prices from some of the contractors in Town and see if they would give a reasonable price on it. W. Reed said it would have to be let out on bid if the Town does not clothe work. Upon motion of Mr. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Reed, it 'was voted to sign an extension of Time for Passing Ext. of Papers in connection with the acquisition of land for time the new Junior High School. All copies were taken by Mr. Stevens. Letter was received from Mr. Stevens recommending Claim settlement of the suit brought against the Town by settled Estelle M. Lee of Belmont and requesting a check in the amount of $448.28 to be sent to him so that he could finally dispose sof the case. Mr. Stevens said that the Board would have to arrive at some conclusion on Riboch. He said he talked to Leeland Construction who said the land was sold to Riboch. He asked McConchie whether or not he Riboch has reserved any drainage easement over the land he (Ampollo) sold and MoConchie said he did not and did not drainage think it necessary. All he did was enclose the brook in a conduit, and put the street drains from both streets into that. The area in the development drained in the brook and therefore he put no more water in the brook than was going in before. Ae said the brook continues across the land he sold into the Willard land and there is no increase in drainage because of the development. Mr. Stevens said he also talked to Nylander, to whom McConchie referred him, and he feels the same. He said It was really a brook, in some places five or six feet deep. He feels there has been no casting of water on the Riboch land. Mr. Stevens said that Mr. Ryan, the attorney, has been calling him daily and he told him the matter would be definitely decided tonight. He also told Mr. Ryan he had talked to McConchie and his engineer and reported what they said. 470 M1 Earlier Mr. Ryan had said he wanted to know the Board's decision so they could know how to act. If this is more than they can afford, they may have a claim against the Town. Mr. Stevens said all McConchie did was put the brook in a pipe. Mr. Maloney asked how large the pipe was and Mr. Stevens replied that he did not ask him. Mr. Stevens sand that Hylander told him there were two brooks; one only a ditch and the other brook which he put in a pipe. Mr. Reed said if the brook is five or six feet deep in the area, it would seem to him that the development would require a larger pipe. Mr. 'Stevens pointed out that if the pipe is too small at some time the Town will have to change it at its own expense. Mrs. Morey asked if it had been proved that McConchie's drainage was inadequate. Mr. Gayer said that the 12" may take care of the two streets he developed and not carry the load down at the end where the water goes past. Mr. Reed said that the old Metcalf & Eddy plan shows a 14.2" drain frim the intersection of Hawthorne and Long- fellow Roads twards Miss Willard's property. He said if the brook is five or six feet deep there should be a larger pipe and asked if the developer should be required to pay the entire expense or if the Town should pay a portiop for the extra size pipe. Mr. Maloney said a developer should not have to put in a certain size pipe to drain all the property in the area. Mrs. Morey said when an individual buys a brook which is part of the drainage system of the Town, he automatically has to take care of what is going to drain in it. She pointed out if they had not purchased that section of the land then they could have put in a 12" drain. She asked if the purchaser was responsible as long as die purchased what is established as a drain. Mr. Stevens said at the present time the Town has no obligation in there. Mr. Stevens suggested advising that the Board has considered the subject and did not reach a conclu- BUM this eveling because the members want to take a look at the area involved. Mr. Stevens said the Board had sent him a letter 471 from Paul McCormack concerning Mr. Trebino's activities on Spring Street and asked that he contact Mr. McCormack. Complaint He said all Mr. McCbtmack did was abk if any permit had been issued to Trebino and all that calls for in the way of an answer is to tell him that no permit Was issued. He said he would write Mr. McCormack and state that his letter had been referred to him and advise that no per- mit had been issued to Mr. Trebino. Mr. Stevens said the only other item he had was the Special Town Meeting. He explained, as he understands it now, the Planning Board hearing will be held June 6th. Town The printer has said if the warrant is signed :on the 10th Meeting and he gets it the 11th he will do his best to get it out, re zoning MA has not promised. change Mr. Stevens said he feels there is too much involved to freeze the warrant before the hearing and it should be dated afterwards. He said the Board can't be sure what will come out at the hearing and the Planning Board may want something changed. He reported that he advised Filene 's attorney that the Board had to be in a position where, following that hearing, it can sit down and see what the Planning Board will recommend and what changes, if any, and if the changes are substantial there will be another hearing. The attorney felt he would like any changes made between the hearing and the drafting of the warrant rather than have them made on the floor of Town Meeting.. Mr. Stevens said there are some questions to be answered and he did not see how anything can be done until after the hearing on the 6th. He suggested to the Planning Board that its next meeting be held on June 7th, and said he did not know how work could be done on the warrant until after the hearing. Mr. Stevens reported that he received a call trona lady on Spring Street who wanted to know if the warrant was going to be opened. He told her that time is so short he doubted if the Board would have time to put in any articles. She wants to increase the appropriation for the Police Department so they can have an officer on Spring Street because of the fast traffic. He explained to her that even if there was an article in the warrant„ the Board did not have to assign an officerto Spring Street. Ile said she was going to call him tomorrow and he asked if the meeting was definitely going to be held on June 214th ''and if the warrant is to be held to this particular toning question. I 4'72 1.4 ml Mrs. Morey inquired as to the status of the Building and Plumbing By-laws and Mr. Stevens said those two could be ready but the sign by-law needs more work. Mr. Stevens said the Planning Board will want a letter from the Selectmen to the effect that they Corrigan will recommend a road re the Corrigan development development in such and such a location. road The Chairman explained that the Planning Board would be meeting with the Selectmen this evening and and that can be resolved. Letter was received from Mr. Stevens with reference to tax title lots 30 and 31, Block 18 Ward Street, which the Board voted to sell and convey to John Casella. In his opinion, the taking of lot 30 for nonpayment of the 1951 and 1952 taxes was invalid, because the taxes were not assessed to the record owner pf the title. He has informed the Assessors of the situation and advised them that 1957 taxes should be assessed to John F. Gowell, Probably taxes will not be paid so later a tax taking can be made and in about three years, the tax lien foreclosed. In the meantime, however, the Town is not in a position to convey title to Mr. Cason*. The Chairman said the question arisen does the Board want to sell only one lot and also does Mr. Casello wsnt' to purchase only one lot. Mr. Stevens explained that before the Board advises Mr. Casello of the situation, it should decide whether or not it wants to sell lot 31 and if so what the price is to be. The Clerk was instructed to bring in a plan of the two lots next Monday night. Letter was received from the M.D.C. advising that the Town of Wakefield has applied for admission to the Metropolitan Water Districtfor the purpose of obtain- ing a portion of its water supply; Winchester and Need- ham, members of the District, have applied for permission to purchase additional portion of their water supplies and the City of Marlborough has applied for permission M.D.C. to purchase water from the open channel of the Wachusett hearing Aqueduct. A hearing will be held on these applications at 2:15 P.M. on Wednesday, May 29th at the Commissioners' hearing room on the fifth floor, 20 Somerset Street. Mr. Stevens explained that the Commissioners are re- quired by law to notify all members of the hearing at which they will decide about taking these towns into the system. 473 Mr. Stevens retired at 9:15 P.M. Notice was received from the County Commissioners that sealed bids will be received for .construction of a Bids for section of Concord Avenue at 100 Nashua Street until Concord Ave, 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, June la., 1957, at which time they reconstr. will be publicly opened and read. Letter was received from Alfred P. Tropeano advising that the present owners of a large tract of land on Waltham Req. to Street, opposite the High School, are desirous of lowering have cul- Vine Brook to Vine Brook Road. They would like to have the- Vert Town lower the culvert under Winthrop Road Extension. lowered Mr. Gayer agreed to check into the matter and discuss it with Mr. Tropeano. The Chairman asked him to obtain complete information as to the cost and what is involved. Letter was received from the British Consulate-General, H. J. Griffiths, asking if there is any organization that British would assume responsibility for the maintenance of the soldiers grave of 25 British soldiers killed at Lexington in 1775. grave Mr. Reed reported that at one time the Air Force in Bedford had requested permission to take care of the pro- perty. It was also suggested that the National Historic Sites. Commission and Mr. Martin Bashian be contacted. Letter was received from the FBI advising that eighty officers, one of which was Lieutenant James F. Corr, FBI had registered at the school on Police Adminstration. school E. J. Powers, Special Agent in Charge, wrote that Lieuten- ant Corr by his industry and attention to detail, has taken from the course many ideas which will be useful to the community. Letters were received from Mr. Carroll advising that the following committees have been appointed: Committees Hospital Needs Study Committee Charles H. Cole, II Board of Health Levi Burnell Planning Board Dr. Daniel Yui11 Moderator Dr. Harold Crumb " Herbert L. Crowley George P. Morey " 474 r M1 Cary Lectures Committee Edward L. Mears, John F. Rich, Mrs. Ralph H. Tucker Recreation Committee Colby E. Kelly, Moderator M. Lawrence Allen The Chairman reported, with references to the Recrea- tion Committee, that the Moderator did not designate which appointment is for three years and which one is for ono year. He tried to contact him this evening but he was not home. The Chairman read a letter from the Memorial. Day Committee, together with details of the program for the Memorial 30th at which they request a member of the Board to be Day present to read the proclamation at the Common. Mrs. Morey agreed to represent the Board. The Chairman read a letter from Chief Rycroft re . porting information he obtained through the Board of Special Probation about the eustodians and maintenance men Mr." Police Smith has requested to be appointed Special Police. Mrs. Morey suggested, and the Board agreed, that the information be submitted to Mr. Smith with the re11 - quest that he now make a recommendation to the Board of those individuals he wants appointed Special Police. Letter was received from the Department of Public Welfare requesting permission to purchase a new automo" bile for use of the department. The pre.ent car pur- chased in 1943 and gone approximately 37,000 miles. The Welfare Dept.State Department of Public Welfare has granted its per- car mission to purchase a new car, bids for which were re- ' ceived as follows: Mawhinney Motors 1957 Plymouth Plaza 6 cylinder, plus equipment and lees tax $2305.05 Allowance for 1954 Chevrolet 1250.05 1035. 0 Rowe-Jackson Chevrolet, Inc. 1957 4-door Chevrolet sedan 6 cylinder, plus equipment, less tax 2072.82 Allowance for 1954 Chevrolet 975.00 47 The Board recommended accepting the low bid P 6 submitted by Mawhinney Motors. The Chairman brought up the subject of parking on both sides of Hancock Street when the Masonic Hall is being used. He recommended that no parking be per- mitted on Hancock Street where there is usually four cars parked. Mr. Reed suggested that the Chairman contact Mr. Charles Peirce, Master of the Lodge. At 10:00 P.M. Mr. Grindle and Mr. Jaquith of the Planning Board, met with the Selectmen. The Chairman referred to the road to the High School and said if there is a Town Meeting in June Road to and if the road is put in under betterments by virtue High of the fact it abuts other property than town property, School the Board will have to hold a public hearing. That limits the Board in regard to time. On the other hand, if it were plt in all on Town property a public hearing would not be required and the Board could proceed and ask for an appropriation. He explained that Mr. Gayer has a plot plan which indicates the road going over the lot which the Town purchased on Waltham Street and which does not involve any abutters. He said the Selectmen would like to know if this fitted into the Planning Board's thinking regarding the possible extension of Wor- then Road. Mr. Grindle said all the Planning Board is interested in is if it will have to do something on the difinitive plan within two weeks. He said the Planning Board would like to do whatever the Selectmen recommended. Mr. Reed said the Selectmen would like to know if the Planning Board will approve the road as shown on the plot plan presented by Mr. Gayer, Mr. Grindle said as far as he was concerned, it was all right. The Chairman suggested that Mr. Grindle take the plan, discuss it with the Planning Board and let him know its decision in the morning. Mr. Jaquith said he understood Mr. Gummere, of Filene 's, had talked to the Chairman regarding assessed Filene's valuations. shopping The Chairman said he had mentioned $5,000,000 as he center has at all the meetings. Mr. Jaquith said the Planning Board would like some 471 NZ Cil figures to use and had Mr. Bruce Howlett talk to the Assessors who made the suggestion that an expert appraise the value of the property. Mr. Jaquith said, in the first place, the Planning Board does not think the Town should spend the money and in the second place, they don't know if the figures would mean anything.. Tonight the Board decided it was im- practical and is falling back on what Mfr. Gummere said which is a minimum coat of 500,000 square feet of seven and a half millien dollars, based on present costs of $15 a foot. Assuming that is assessed two-thirds of cost it will give $5,000,000 assessed valuation. The maximum cost would be $10,000,000 assessed valuation. He explained this is what the Planning Board will use unless someone thinks of smoothing better. Mr. Grindle said that the Board of Assessors are meeting tonight and will discuss the subject. Mr. Reed asked if the valuation could be increased once the land has been re-zoned, until such time as it is used. Mr. Maloney said that would be a decision for the Assessors to maks . Mr. Reed said he wondered if the taxes could be increased as soon as the property is re-zoned as the land would increase in value if it is re-zoned. The meeting adjourned at 10:15 P.M. A true record, Attest: V/ ' "' ' tive 4lerk Select if_„ • • I