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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1957-02-25-BOS-min 31 DC SELECTMEN'S MEETING February 25, 1957 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, February 25, 1957 at 7:30 P.M. Messrs. James, Maloney, Tucker, Mrs. Morey and the Executive Clerk were present. In Mr. Reed's absence, Mr. James, acted as Chairman. Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk,. met with the Jurors Board for drawing of two jurors. Mr. Robert J. McLaughlin, 19 Spencer Street and Mr. Gerald Gray, 49 Fern Street were drawn for jury duty. Mr. Carroll retired. The Chairman read a letter from the Lexington School Committee advising that the Committee had voted to request an appropriation of $450,000 for renovating the present Junior High School. Mrs. Morey said that she felt she must protest the plan of renovation which is tearing apart the modern section of the building and letting alone. the old section, maintaining substandard classrooms and maintaining an old wooden stair case in this $450,000 expenditure . She said, as a fqrmer School Committee Member, when the occasion arises she felt she must speak against it. The Chairman said that anyone should speak on any subject the way they felt. The Appropriation Committee, Chairman of the School Committee, Chairman of the Cemetery Commis- sioners and Chairman of the Board of Assessors met with the Board to consider items that make up the Approptiatloa annual budget. Committee Mr. Madden reported that his Committee has gone budget along pretty much on everything with the Selectmen, meeting School Committee and others. The exceptions were the salary of the Plumbing and Wiring Inspectors. He ex- plained that the Committee 's basis is an increase of roughly 5%. In those two cases, it is somewhat better than 5%. The Committee has reserved judgement on the survey of the Meagherville land, an expenditure of $15,000, to find out more about it. he explained that the question ?raised by the Committee was the need of the town to go to the expense of registering the land. He reported that it had been explained to him by Town Counsel and he will pass it along to his committee . 31. 1 Mr. Madden explained that by making transfers and bonding the Committee came up with a bonding in- side the debt limit of $375,000, leaving a balancl of $385,000 inside . He reported that the present Excess and Deficiency is $391,000. They have made transfers of $210,000 leaving $181,000. He said that allowing for transfers and bonding, not including the renova- tions to the Junior High School, they came up with the amount to be raised in the tax rate as $3,072,592 which is $436,000 over the same amount a year ago. He said that they end up with $293,000 odd to be raised in this year's tax levy, and they are figuring every $56,000 representing $1.00 on the tax rate . He said this does not include the remodeling of the Junior High School on which they have reserved judgement, which they under- stand is $450,000. He said the Committee is just wonder- ing where this item can be put in. There is $181,000 left in the Excess and Deficiency. One of the bad features is that this renovation must be inside the debt limit. He said these gigures are somewhat rough, but reasonably accurate . ne said $293,000 would represent a *5.00 increase in the tax rate and there would be a substantial additional increase if they try to fit in remodeling the Junior High School. He said the Meagherville survey and the Junior High School are two items upon which the Committee has reserved judgement. Mrs. Marek said she had not talked with the Appropriation Committee since the School Committee received the estimates on which the request was based. She reported that this has been the knottiest problem that the Committee has had to solve in planning for the next five years. By 1959 they will need more than one Junior High School and in fact will need close to two Junior High Schools. They expect an enrolment of more than 1500 and they cannot fit 1500 children into the present building, nor can they anticipate building a Junior High School for 1500 children. She said it looks as if the best and only solution is renovating the pre- sent Junior High School to provide facilities for a good Junior High School program. She said they all agree even if they spend a substantial sum of money pn the present building in order to make it suitable for a modern Junior High School program, t} .ey will still have an old building. Part of it was built in 1902 and the other part in 1925 or 1926. She said the renovation not only has to be provided for within the debt limit but there is not State aid. The amount of money will be entirely at the town' s expense . On the other hand, 312 Cr'7 the present cost of building leads them to expect that a new Junior High School for 900 or 950 children will cost close to $2 ,000,000 and the Committee does not see that the Town is in a position to build two new Junior High Schools in the next three or four years. She said that even with the State providing 30% or a little better, the cost of a new building would still mean a cost of $1,400,000 to the Town, The difference between renovating the present building and building a new one is about $1,000,000. She said with the continued need for schools , the committee did not think there was much choice .. She explained that the outdoor space at the present Junior High School is limited.and to increase it would be expensive . It is not too far from the center playground for school sports. She explained that there is space for a fairly good intramural program. The Committee believes the building is sound and can see no good use for it if not used for school pur- poses. The Committee feels that until it is renovated they are not offering the type of Junior High School program in some areas they should be . On the five-year program, this year offers the lowest required capital outlay of any of the next five years. The Capital Expenditures Committee feels that is a factor to be considered. Mrs. Morey said she talked with Mrs. Marek the other day and she realizes the Junior High School needs to be renovated. When the Nichols report was written in 1946 one of the gkati4 items discussed was the elimination of six-substandard rooms. The architects have retained all six sub-standard rooms in the old section of the building. She said she did not feel they could have a new building and for $250,000 instead of $45o,000 they can build a school which will carry out an educational program; it will hot be a new 1960 school. Mrs. Morey stid-ebe could not see maintaining six sub- standard rooms as classrooms, and that very little consideration has been given to the modernization of the old section of the building. Mrs. Marek said that was ttue to a certain extent. The ground floor of the old section is taken up in good pail. by ventilating pipes, air ducts, heating ducts and pipes of all sorts, She explained that to convert them to a smaller area would be so expensive that the people who advised the committee, and who 'should know, feel it would be money wasted. It would be done if there was no limit to the money to be spent. She saia that she was going to suggest an inspection tour for the Town Meeting Members and extended a prior invitation to the Selectmen and Appropriation Committee . She seed most of the change 313 is concerned, for example , with the home making rooms, the cafeteria and suggested relocation of the girl' s locker room. She, said besides sorra maintenance work, the most critical need is to do something to provide the girls with locker rooms and shower rooms which the Committee thinks they should have . She said the problem arises as to where to put it. She said that every part of the ground floor has been looked at. Neither of the architects suggested putting it in the old section, and one suggested putting it where the cafeteria is now. The other suggested leaving the cafeteria and changing the location of the kitchen and putting the locker room where the other suggested the cafeteria. It is like a chain reaction. If the girl' s locker is moved, it will have to be put somewhere, and to use it where it is seems to be out of the question. She said where the locker room is located determines what has to be moved. Nrs. Marek said they had $200,000 as a possible figure in the five-year plan, and there are two reasons for the increase . One is the changes now contemplated are greater than those originally thought and in the second place costs have gone up. If the money is not appropriated then the Committee shall have to add a sub- stantial amount to the maintenance budget for the Junior High School. The figure the Committee has for that is $118,000.- That is not a final figure and the Committee is still studying it. Mrs. Morey asked if the $118,000 would be included in the $ 50,000 and Mrs. Marek replied that actually it is more than that . The sum of $118,000 does not replace the girl' s locker room. Mrs. Morey said she felt the architects had not given the Committee its moneys worth when they maintained six sub-standard classrooms which for twelve years the Town has been told was no place to send the children to school. She said she felt it was a bad recommendation and must say so. The Chairman asked if the $450,000 was the best recommendation the Committee could make today and if it might be changed before TRRlp Meeting. Mrs. Marek replied/she doubted if they would be able to lower it very much. She reported that the figure given the Committee for the job they thought should be done was originally $521,000. They felt that was too much for an old building and although the $150,000 is not much less, it is some less. She reported that by not doing all the work and using cheaper materials they got the amount down to $389,000 but felt by spending that much 314 hJ DI they should spend $50,000 or $60,000 to do a really gold job. She said the Committee is still asking for infor- mation and breakdowns. She said she agreed completely on one of the Looms, and it may be thrown out . On the others she said she would have to define sub-standard. The one other room on the ground floor is slightly level but with proper renovation it could be a good classroom. There are two rooms on the second floor, one of which is smaller than average . One of the rooms does not heat properly and -he lighting has not been changed anywhere in the building. She referred back to the two rooms and said they could be made adequate rooms on the second floor. On the fourth floor, she agreed with Mrs. Morey. Two of the rooms will be planned for art and the other two are not designated at the moment. In the case of art, health teaching and music no pupils would be in the room for very long as there is only one period twice a week which is different than a regular classroom. She said there is a lot of room on the top floor. Mr. Norman Richards asked if the renovation could be done in two steps, say $250,000 this year and $200,000 next year. He said the Town is faced with the problem of doing it all now or possibly lightening the burden of the blow by doing $250,000 worth this year and $200,000 next year. Mrs. Marek said that they had been checking that too, and it was felt that there would be some advantage in doing it in two steps. They would not want to do any- thing that would have to be redone . She explained that they could not get a contractor to bid on a job now which he would do partly this year and partly a year from now. Mr. Richards asked if it would be possible, somewhere along the line throughout the whole budget, to adopt some measure of austerity which might save $50,000.00 and re- duce the school budget which would apply toward this reno- vation. He said the problem is to raise $450,000 without putting the town down to the zero mark. He said it could all be put on the tax rate which would be $5.00 or $6.00. Mr. Richards said they could borrow some more inside the debt limit and pull the Excess and Deficiency down further and maybe raise $200,000. They could pull the Excess and Deficiency down by $50,000 keep the increase to $5.00 and give the school Committee $250,000. In ad- dition, if they tighten some place else along the line in the Public Works budget and if the School Department could find some place where it would save money, there might be an additional $100,000. 315 The Chairman said the facts have to be faced. All the, budgets represent demands by the public. That being the case, the public must be willing to pay for them. If it is not willing to pay for them, it must stop the demanding. Mr. Richards said the people do demand things, but he thought their demands should be kept within certain bounds. He said there is no problem in selling anyone in town the problem of schools, and there are other things that could be reduced by some degree. He said it has been a practice, since he has been on the Ap- propriation Committee to cut. The Chairman asked if Mr. Richards had some budget in mind where some money could be eliminated. Mr. Richards said he would eliminate personal services for the time being. He understood the overall policy of increasing personal services. lie said they could not in- crease in one department and not in other departments and he would forget that for the time being but he did think they could go through the budget in the Public Works De- partment and cut hfist things there. The Chairman asked what he would eliminate and Mr. Richards replied that there is an item of $50,000 for sidewalks and last year it was $25,000. He said the town did not get all the sidewalks built last year and that it hoped to. He said he thought $25,000 would still provide a substantial program. The Chairman explained that the Sidewalk problem is 'parallel with the school problem and the proposed sidewalks are only in the areas for the school purposes and these do not fill the requirements of the schools. Mr. Madden said that his Committee has recognized the need for all these items and gone along recognizing the need for renovating the Junior High School. He said 'his Com- mittee also recognizes that the selectmen and School Com- mittee are as tax conscious as they are . He said the Committee was shocked at the size of the request for re- novating the Junior High School and has thought it would be about $200,000. He said the point is reached where budget items have to be paid for in the current tax levy. Mr. Richards said he still thought there was some- thing that could be done to raise another $100,000 by cutting some of the budgets, The Chairman explained that the substantial one in the Public Works is sewers . He said the Town is going to be faced with the increased demands for sewers and he did not see how that item could be cut and provide the necessary disposal system. 316 CC Mr. Richards said Allen Street could be cut out and asked if .curbing and drains were needed right now. The Chairman said it has been the experience in the past that projects have been deferred for many years and now they are catching up. He said the fact has to be faced that these things are all requirements and the Town must pay for them in the current tax levy. The Chairman asked Mr. Cass if he had any remarks and he replied in the negative. The Chairman asked Mr. Potter ifhe had anything to say and he replied in the negative. Mr. Maloney asked what must be done this summer oh the Junior High and Mrs . Marek replied that there is roof work, Mork around the exterior of the windows, painting the outside and inside and there is work on the heating system that should be done. She reported that there are no control valves on the radiators. Mr. Maloney mentioned that the situation has been that way for some time. Mr. Maloney asked if repairing the roof and painting would be included in the renovations and Mrs. Marek re- plied in the affirmative. She said if the renovation .s to be postponed they should do some of the exterior painting in the areas that will not be substantially changed. Mr. Maloney said if that were done, the renovation would be so much less next year. He said the maintenance money will come off the total of remodeling the building. He said he would like to know why this has to be done and how important it is to spend *118,000. He said the situation of radiator valves not working exists in other places. Mrs. Marek said the personal services budget has increased substantially. She explained that the salary schedule is lower than other communities with whom they have to compete and there is no question but the schedule will have to be changed another year. The group retired at 8:55 P.M. Mr. Reed, Mr. Stevens and Mr. Gayer came into the meeting. About fifteen representatives from the League of Women Voters were welcomed to the meeting by the Chair- man. Mr. Stevens said he would like to have the Board adopt an Order of Taking of property of Lillian M. Smith 317 located on Grove Street that is to be acquired as part of the site for the elementary school building. He re- ported that the transaction would be closed next week. Smith Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded by Mr. Maloney, land for it was voted to adopt the following Order of Taking. school COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss. Town of Lexington At a meeting of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Lexington held this 25th say of February, 1957, it is ORDERED:- Whereas by a unanimous vote of a Town Meeting duly called, warned and held on the 19th day of November, 1956, the Selectmen were authorized and empowered on behalf of the Town of Lexington to take by eminent domain, or otherwise acquire the land hereinafter described for school and playground purposes, and an appropriation of money was made for the pur- pose, as will more fully appear by reference to said vote, an attested copy of which is annexed hereto. NOW, THEREFORE, we, the undersigned, being a majority of the Board of Selectmen of the said Town of Lexington, duly elected, qualified aid acting as such, do hereby, pursuant to said vote and under and by virtue of the provisions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws of Massachusetts and all acts in amendment thereof and in addition thereto, and of any and every other power and authority us hereto in any enabling, take in fee in the name and on behalf of the Town of Lexington for school and playground purposes the following two parcels of land situated on and easterly of Grove Street in said Lexington and bounded and described as follows : 1. A parcel of land bounded: NORTHERLY by land now or formerly of George J. and Sadie D. Wilkins eight hundred ten and 88/100 (810.88) feet; EASTERLY by land now or formerly of Edwin B. Worthen et al trustees, three hundred fifty-six and 09/100 (356.09) feet; SOUTHERLY by land now or formerly of Lexington and formerly of George J. Andrews, eight hundred twenty-one and 93/100 • (821.93) feet; and WESTERLY by lot A on plan hereinafter mentioned, four hundred forty-four and 96/100 318 '.4 Com.' 041 .96) feet. Said parcel is shown as lot B on plan entitled "Plan of land in Lexington Mass." dated November fig,, 1947, Albert A. Miller, Wilber C. Nylander, Civil Engineers and Surveyors, recorded in Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds as Plan Na 1778 of 1947 in Book 7221, Page 388. 2. A pared of land beti1id0d: NORTHERLY by lot Al on plan hereinafter mentioned, two hundred ninety-eight and !i2/100 (298.t1.2) feet; EASTERLY by lot B, being parcel 1 hereinabove described, sixty-one and 32/100{ (61.32) feet; SOUTHERLY by land now or formerly of George J. Andrews, two hundred eighty (280) feet; and WESTERLY by Grove Street, sixty and 30/100 (60.30) feet. Said parcel is a portion of lot A on the aforesaid plan and is shown as lot A2 on plan entitled "Plan of Land on Grove Street in Lexington, Mass." dated January 22, 1957, Richard J. Gayer, Town Engineer, to be recorded herewith. There is excepted from the taking of lot A2 the right in the owner of the dwelling numbered 121 and shown situated on Parcel Al on the aforesaid last mentioned plan to pass and repass by footand by vehicle, in common with the Town and any others that may hereafter be authorized by it, over a portion of said lot A2 between Grove Street and said dwelling and any private garage that may be constructed as an accessory building thereto; the exact width and location of said right of way shall be determined and may be changed from time to time by the Town, provided, however, that it shall be of sufficient width and so located as to provide reasonably convenient access. All trees upon said land and structures affixed thereto are included in the taking. We award the damages sustained by the persons in their property by reason of the taking hereby made as follows: -To Lillian M. Smith of said Lexington, the sum of One (11.00) Dollar. In so awarding damages we have awarded them to the supposed owner of record of the land hereby taken as of __ e 319 the date hereof, but if the name of the owner of any interest in said land, is not correctly stated, it is to be understood that such interest is owned by an owner or owners unknown to us, and in such case our award is made to the lawful owner or owners thereof. No betterments are to be assessed for the improvement for which this taking is made. WITNESS our hands and seals in said Lexington the day and year first above written. Haskell W. Reed Ralph H. TucTher Ruth Morey Raymond W. James William E. Maloney Majority of the Board of Selectmen COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss. February 25, 1957 The personally appeared the above-named Haskell W. Reed, Raymond W. James, William E. Maloney, Ruth Morey and Ralph H. Tucker, known to me to be a majority of the duly elected, qualified and acting Selectmen of the Town of Lexington and acknowledged the foregoing instrument to be their free act and deed, before me, Hazel J. Murray Notary Public My commission expires : November 29, 1957 I, James J. Carroll, Town Clerk of the Town of Lexington, hereby certify that at a Town Meeting duly called, warned and held on the 19th day of November, 1956, in accordance with the provisions of law applicable thereto, the following vote was unanimously adopted: "VOTED: That the Selectmen be and hereby are authorized on behalf of the Town to purchase, take by eminent domain N or otherwise acquire, for school and playground purposes or for access thereto, the fee, any easement or other interest in any part or parts or all of the following parcels of land situated in Lexington: 1. Two parcels of land situated on and easterly of Grove Street, believed to be owned by Lillian M. Smith, shown on plan entitled "Plan of band in Lexington, Mass." dated November 21, 1917, Albert A. Miller, Wilber C. Nylander, Civil Engineers and Surveyors, which is recorded in Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds as Plan No. 1778 of 1947 in Book 7221, Page 388, and consisting of Lot B, having an area of about 7.45 acres, as shown on said plan, and of a strip of land, having a uniform width of about 60 feet, running from Grove Street to said Lot B along the southerly boundary of Lot A as shown on the aforesaid plan; and 2. Any parcel or parcels of land adjacent to said Lots A and B; and that the sum of $15,000.00 be appropriated therefor and be provided by transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Account." A true copy. Attest: James J, Carroll James J. Carroll, Town Clerk Further consideration was given to request received from the Lexington Golf Club relative to partial payment of sewer betterment and deferment of balance. Mr. Stevens advised that the request could be granted. Upon motion of Mr. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Morey, it was unanimously voted to accept a partial payment of $909.22 and, under the provisions of Chapter 159 of the Acts of 1950, to extend the time for payment of the bal- ance of the sewer betterment of $11400, without interest, 321 until the land or any part thereof is built upon, sold, or until the expiration of three years from the date hereof, whichever event occurs first; provided, however, Betterment that this extension of time shall terminate immediately if the facilities of the sewer main are used for said land or any part thereof. The Chairman read a letter from Gerald Holton with reference to tax title lots 534 and 535, Butler Avenue. Because of the impossibility of financing the purchase of the property through a bank mortgage, Mr. Holton would like to have Mr. Richard Lee of Boston purchase the land on his behalf and give him a long-term lease and option to buy. Mr. Holton also requested permission to budget the sewer betterment assessment over a period of ten years. Tax title The Chairman asked if it was possible for Mr. Holton to budget the sewer betterment and Mr. Stevens replied in the negative. He explained that the better- ment is not now being put on, but is being included in the amount charged for the land. He stated that there is no provision whereby it may be apportioned. Mr. James said that Mr. Holton refers to the fact that he can't personally buy the land but wants per- mission to have someonelse buy it for him. He said it seemed to him that if this is the method he chooses, the request should come from the buyer and not from him. Mr. Maloney said that the Board considered selling the lots to Mr. Holton because they adjoined his property. In view of the situation outlined by Mr. Holton, it was agreed to advise him that unless he can purchase the property, no other arrangement will be considered by the Board. Mrs . Morey left the meeting at 9:10 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from M. F. Shaughnessy, Street representing the Sun Valley Associates, Inc. , requesting accept- acceptance of seven streets and inquiring as to when ances & street lights will be installed in streets not now lights provided for. The Chairman explained that the necessary easements have not been received do some of the streets included in the list. Mr. Stevens said that Winchester Drive is a County road and there is no question of accepting it. On the others, there is some difficiliy over the matter of sewer and water easements running over pritate property. Last August he gave the necessary papers for the attorney 322 N to the sub-divider. They were not returned until about two weeks ago. Mr. Stevens told them if the streets were to be accepted the instruments would have to be returned by December, but they did not come in on time. He reported that not all of the instruments are in on some of the streets mentioned in the letter. He explained that only today he wrote to the sub-divider for further information. Mr. Gayer said that Wheeler Road and Locke Lane are all ready. Mr. Stevens reported that section 38 8 and 10 are in the process of being made ready. He said sections 11, 12, 13 and ]J. are all right providing he gets the in-between ones. Then these are 15 and 16 which he is working on. He said he expected th at everything will be done from one through fourteen then they will be in order for acceptance. the Chairman was authorized to advise Mr. Shaughnessy that until the necessary easements 4ave been obtained the streets cannot be presented foxy acceptance and further if the property owners in the individual streets will petition for the installation of street lights th0 requests will be included in the list to be considered some time about the first of July. Mr. Stevens retired at 9:20 P.M. Letter was received from Albert Gardner, 342 Waltham Street requesting removal of a tree that inter- ' feres with his proposed driveway. Letter was received from Mr. Gayer advising that Tree he viewed the location and the tree is definitely in Removal the way of building a common driveway between the new house at 312 Waltham Street and the next house which Mr. Gardner sold recently. He repotted that the tree is an 18" elm almost void of branches due to the power line imediately above it. It was his recommendations that the tree be posted for removal. Mr. James asked if the tree was diseased and Mr. Gayer replied that hr would have to run a test to determine that and explained that it is not much of a tree. Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded by Mr. Tucker, it was voted to post the tree for removal. Letter was received frpm Mr. Gayer with reference to a meeting recently held by the Town Safety Committee. The first item discussed was a_,request by the First National Stores to build an access driveway from their parking lot to Worthen Road. The request was granted with the understanding that the now existing drive on Bedford Street, nearest the intersection of Worthem Road and Bedford Street would be eliminated after the new driveway is completed. It was felt by both the Com- mittee and representatives from the First National Stores that this would help eliminate some of the traffic congestion 323 at this intersection. Mr. Tucker's suggestion re elimination of parking in front of the Hunt and Baker Blocks between the hours of 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. was considered. The Committee met with Mr. Roy Melton of the Middlesex & Boston Street Railway and it was suggested that the now existing bus stop in front of the Baker Block be moved to meter spaces 30, 31 and 32 as shown on attached drawing. Three meters Parking would be placed where the existing bus stop is now located Hunt and the entire two blocks would be restricted to no par- Block king between the hours of 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. Mr. Robert Brooks of the State Department of Public Works was contacted and advised that a thirty-day trial period could be given. Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded by Mr. Tucker, it was voted to make the following changes in the traf- fic regulations for a thirty-day trial period: stop 1. Move the bus/on the northeasterly side of Massachusetts Avenue from its existing location on the space now occupied by park- ing meters 30, 31 and 32. 2. Ihstall, three parking meters in the present bus stop. 3. Eliminate parking from 4:00 P.M. to 6 :00 P.M. on the north easterly side of Massachusetts Avenue from parking meter 35 to the intersection of Depot Souare. Later in the evening further consideration was given to the overall subject and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously voted to rescind the above mentioned vote changing the traf- fic regulations for a thirty-day trial period. Mr. Gayer presented a sketch and explained what might be done with the Baskin playground. He said that he would have some rough estimate of cost in another week. The Chairman referred to bids opened at five o'clock this afternoon for furnishing and building a steel standpipe and appurtances . He reported that Mr. Howard Standpipe recommended accepting the low bid this evening. bid Upon motion of Mr. Tucker, seconded by Mr. James, it was voted to award the contract tor furnishing and building a steel standpipe and appurtances to the low bidder, Pittsburgh-DesMoines Steel Co. at $125,900 350 days. 324Cal - Mr. Howard Dawes, 10 Bernard Street, brought in a letter before the meeting opened, requesting a rebate of sewer assessments on lot 44 Ivan Street and lot 43 Bernard Street, claiming that his house and out building are constructed on both lots. The Chairman ~aid the Board would have to obtain Dawes information from the Superintendent of Public Works be- assessment fore any action can be taken on the request. Mr. Gayer retired at 9:L5 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from the School Committee advising that an appropriation of $450,000 will be• re- quested at the March Toto Meeting for renovating the present Junior High School. School Mr. James explained that during the previous meeting with the Appropriation Committee this subject was discussed at length. He reported that the Appropriation Committee is still considering the subject, particularly in view of the fact that the money all must come from With available funds, the tax levy or borrowing inside the debt limit and there is no participation by the State in this construction as there is in new building. The Chairman read reports. from the Board of Health and the Fire Department relative to inspections made at 927 Massachusetts Avenue, property owned and occupied Complaint by George Mahoney. The representatives from the League of Women Voters retired at 9:50 P.M. The Chairman reported that the Building Inspector recommended an estimate of $2,000 for renovating this building to accomadate departments now located in the Barnes property and said that Mr. Gayer quoted an estimate of $500 for two doors. Mrs. Morey returned to the meeting at 10:10 P.M. Ars. Morey reported that the Planning Board Tax title recommends not disposing of the land off Waltham Street for which Mr. Tropeano offered $1,000 per acre. The Board discussed informally what departments are to be located in the new Town Office Building. The meeting adjourned at 10:25 P.M. A true •record, Attest: + i xecdtive Clerk', Selec men