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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1957-03-04-BOS-min 325 SET,FCTMEN'S MEETING March 4, 1957 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, March 4, 1957 at 7:30 P.M. Chair- man Reed, Messrs. James, Maloney, Tucker and Mrs . Morey were present. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, and the Executive Clerk were also present. Hearing was declared open upon application of the Josiah Willard Hayden Recreation Center, Inc. for permission to store 20,000 gallons of #6 oil, under- ground at 24 Lincoln Street. The abutters were notified by registered mail and the application approved by Bernard J. Belca#tro, Deputy Chief, Lexington Fire Department . Mr. Edwin B. Worthen and Mr. Harold W. Geddes, 15 Audubon Street were present at the hearing. Mr. Worthen explained that he was representing the architect, and reported that Mr. Saum and Mr. Hibbard were unable to be present. He said that the original specifications called for 30,000 gallons and it was reduced to 20,000 gallons for various reasons. he said that it will be 222 ' from the rear corner of the gymnasium, is tied down to a concrete mat with tie rods and turn buckles and three feet of cover. He explained that it is all underground except for the manhole which is on the paved area. The Chairman asked if there was any opposition and Mr. Geddes said that he wanted to know Nat where the tank is to be located and why the request was for 20,000 gallons which seemed a lot to him. Mr. Worthen replied that it is a good-sized building. Mrs . Morey sAid that 20,000 gallons is the capacity of the tanks at the High School. Mr. Geddes said the tank is not in the filled land and from the size it is heavy., Mr. Worthen explained/i' Rtnit would be tied down to a reinforced mat with tie rods and turn buckles . He explained that whether it is empty or otherwise it will stay there. Mr. Geddes said that he had no objection. The Chairman declared the hearing closed and ftssrs. Worthen and Geddes retired at 7:40 P.M. 326 Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to approve the application and issue a license to the Josiah Willard Hayden Recreation Center, Inc. to maintain one underground tank for the storage of 20,000 gallons of #6 oil on the premises located at 24 Lincoln Street. Mr. Gayer met with the Board. Petition was received, signed by residents on Theresa Avenue, requesting that the street be paved and accepted by the Town. Theresa It was agreed to have the Superintendent of Public Avenue Works prepare an estimate of cost to be sent out for signatures for consideration in next year's budget. Letter was received from Herbert S. Kassman advising that he would like to initiate proceedings for the acceptance of Stonewall Road. The Chairman said that this, together with other sub-division Stonewall streets , might be accepted at a Special Town Meeting. Road It was agreed to request Mr. Kassman to have a formal petition, signed. by property owners, submitted and also to check with Mr. Snow, Consultant to the Planning Board, relative to possible easements that may be necessary. Telegram was received from Mrs. Frederick D'Abbraccio requesting installation of sewer main in Westminister Avenue. Inasmuch as it is too late to include this in the budget for this year, it is to be considered as a 1958 item unless it is determined that funds are available upon completion of the program. prepared for this year. Mrs. Winifred Lovering Holman, 275 Concord Avenue, sent the Board a clipping from the Lexington Minute-man which she wrote relative to a dump on. Dump Concord Avenue. Mr. Gayer reported that he received a letter from Mrs. Holman, prior to her item in the paper, aid the area referred to has been cleaned up. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Gayer with further information relative to the proposed bus Bus stop stops and parking changes in front of the Hunt and and Baker Blocks. parking Mr. Roy Melton of the Middlesex and Boston street meters Railway was again- contacted and reported that the buses stop in front of the Baker block every half hour. Whichever bus arrives first, waits at this stop for the others end this could be a period of five or ten minutes, L. 327 Mr. Gayer also explained in his letter that signs reading "No Parking 4:00 P.M. to 6:30 P.M." can be obtained. However, they are not a standard stock item and it will take approximately two months to receive them. Ae can make signs with stencils to serve the purpose for a trial period, after which permanent ones can be obtained If desired. Mr. Tucker explained that originally he had no thought of changing the bus stop. He would leave it as is and just eliminate parking between the hours of 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. Mr. Maloney suggested taking one step at a time and for the present take no action relative to the bus stop. The Chairman said as he understood it, all the Board desired for the present was to eliminate parking in front of the Hunt Block and Baker Block between L4.:00 P.M. and 6:30 P.M. It was agreed to write Mr. Trani, advise him of the contemplated change and solicit his co-operation relative to deliveries during these hours. It was also agreed to give the matter some publicity in the Lexington Minute-man. Letter from Howard H. Dawes, 10 Bernard Street, 11Letter to sewer betterment assessment on lots 44 Ivan Street and lot 43 Bernard Street was held over from the last meeting. The Chairman reported that he had checked with the Board of Assessors and they are still taxing this property as two separate lots. He explained that part of Mr. Dawes ' tool shed is over on the other lot about five feet and the porch is over five feet . If Mr. Dawes should sell the house or desire to remove the porch and tool shed he would have a buildable lot. He said he thought the assessments were justified. Mr. Stevens said the property could be combined into one lot and Mr. Gayer reported that at the time the assessments were levied they were two seperate lots. Mrs. Morey inquired about the amount that would be saved and Mr. Gayer replied that it was about $30. Mr. Gayer agreed to discuss the subject with Mr. Dawes rather than try to explain the situation in a letter. The Chairman read a letter from Harold Seidenbeg, 32 Marrett Road rela tive to difficulty he has encountered getting out of his driveway due to traffic on Route 2A. 328 C-4 The Chairman wps authorized to advise Mr. Seidenberg that the Board has no jurisdiction insofar as posting Traffic signs is concerned on Route 2A due to the fact that it is a State Highway. Letter was received from the Planning Board in regard to the streets to be presented at the Annual Town Meeting for acceptance. Before taking any action, Streets the Planning Board would like to view the plans, to- gether with the plan for Allen Street. The Chairman explained that the plans were avail- able at the hearing and filed with the Town Clerk the day after the layouts were signed. Mr. Stevens said he would like to have a, Certificate of Entry signed on the drain from Tower- Road to Independence Avenue. Mr. Stevens explained that the order to construct a sewer in Ross Road had been brought down in error and said that the Board should rescind the vote for its adoption. Sewer Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded by Mrs. Morey, Order it was voted: That the order to construct a common sewer in Ross Road which was adopted by the Board on October 15, 1956 and a copy of which was recorded in Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds, Book, 8844 Page 42 , be and hereby is rescinded; said order having been adopted through error since the Board had earlier, on August 27, 1956, adopted an order of taking by eminent, domain sewer easement in the land in which said sewer was to be constructed and had atated in said order of taking that betterments were to be assessed for said improvement and had attached to the copy of said order of taking that was recorded in said Deeds in Book 8802, Page 334, a schedule of the estimated betterments to be assessed. Mr. Stevens reported that the Historic Districts Historic Commission was having trouble getting five members to- Districts gether and thought that there should be four Associate Commission Members . He said to make a change would •require legisla- tive action and the Board agreed with his thinking. Mr. Stevens informed the Board that Mr. MacNeil has an application for a variance on the piece of land that is coming to the Town and it is different from the previous variance. 329 Letter was received from Mr. Collins, Welfare Agent, relative to the proposed 5% increase for the Social Worker. He explained that this does not bring her to the minimum of $3360 yearly as set forth in the Welfare Compensation Plan. He felt, in figuring the salary, Social it should be based on $3360 yearly minimum which be- Worker came effective January 1, 1957, instead of the salary she received for 1956. • The Chairman asked how the Social Worker could be paid retroactive, and Mr. Stevens explained that the State would not allow it until after the annual town appropriations are made. The Chairman reported that Mr. Collins said he had money left. Mr. Stevens explained that Personal Services do not carry over and he did not see how it could be done, but possibly something could be worked out through the Bureau of Accounts. Mr. James explained that this salary is short by $6.00 per year. Mr. Stevens said he could not see how the Board could put it into effect until it had the appropriation. Letter was received from William J. Endres, 15 Williams Avenue registering opposition to the proposed Street change in the name of Williams Avenue to Davis Road. name The Chairman read a letter from the Additional Town Office Building Committee with reference to pos- sible changes in the selection of departments designated Town to occupy the new building. Office It is not the Board's intention to make any change Building in the departments to be transferred to the new building as indicated on the Committee 's plan. The Chairman reed a letter from the Lexington Chapter American Red Cross with reference to a recent Red conversation relative to the possibility of garaging Cross the Red Cross Station wagon in the vacant stall at the Station police station. Mrs. Roeder, Motor Service Chairman, wagon looked at the space and felt it would be adequate. The Chairman said that the Chief had no objection and would have the area cleaned out. Letter was received from the D & L Disposal Service requesting permission to distribute handbills, a copy of Permit which was attached, at the dump on March 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 2L. between 9:00 A.M. and 3 00 P.M. 330 The Chairman reported that no permit had been issued by the Board of Health for the collection of rubbish and it was agreed to advise the D & L to obtain a permit from the Board of Health first. At 10:55 P.M. final results of the election were available and Mr. James and Mr. Maloney were elected Selectmen for a term of three years and sworn to the faithful performance of their duties by James J. Carroll, Town Clerk. Mr. Reed moved that Raymond W. James be nominated as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for the ensuing year. Mr. Tucker seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Organization Mr. Maloney moved that the nominations be closed. Upon motion of Mr. Reed, seconded by Mr. Tucker, it was unanimously voted that the Executive Clerk cast one ballot for Raymond W. James, as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for the ensuing year. Mrs. Morey reported that she received a letter from Mrs . Milne on Preston Road. She said that there are "Slow Children" signs there but wondered about an ordinary stick being placed in the ground with scotch lite tape calling attention to dangerous curves . Mr. James reported that he met Saturday with Mrs. Marek and Mr. Brown relative to the proposed remodeling of the Junior High School Building in an effort to see what could be done financially. It appears the only way it can be done is by reducing the Excess and Junior Deficiency $100,000, reducing bonding capacity 1200,000 High School and by $220,000 on the tax levy which is about 1 .00. Mr. Tucker asked what would 4RHen if the work was not done and Mr. Maloney replied/tHey would use the building for another year. Mrs. Morey reported that the School Committee is not committed to the plans or to this architect and it would seem that they could ask for a new study. 4r. James said he would like them to ask for $200,000 to do the job and then ask what is the best that can be done for it. Mr. Reed said he thought the Selectmen should tpake a statement. Mrs . Morey reported that ten years ago it was agreed that the girls ' locker room was bad. It was I 331 agreed that the kitchen was a bad place, wet and damp and it is still in the same place. It was also agreed that there were six sub-standard rooms which the Committee is not moving. Mr. James reported that they are moving a partition which is now between two sub-standard rooms and taking out a closet which provides three windows . he said two Junior High Schools are going to be necessary and they are going to build a new one . He said it should be fixed up somewhat because if the Town spends $200,000 it is better than to spend *2,000,000 for another school. He suggested that Mrs . Marek tell the Town the value it will receive for this money. Mr. Reed asked if Mrs . Marek talked about not requesting Money for additions to the two elementary schools until a later meeting and Mr. James replied in the affirmative . He said that would be borrowed outside the debt limit anyway. blr. Maloney reported that over 100 fewer built homes in 1956 and asked what the Town would have this year. Mr. Reed referred to Fire and Police Personal Services and it was unanimously and definitely agreed to provide for three additional men in each department. The meeting adjourned at 11:20 P.M. A true record, Attest : �fA )% 17 /i`_�.ti -- '*;a ti�vjClem, Selec en Meeting of Selectmen, Planning Board and Mr. Gummere re : Filene 's, not in permanent record book, but in Selectmen's - Meetings file. Meeting held on March 4, 1957.