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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1956-07-23-BOS-min 547 SELECTMEN'S MEETING July 23, 1956 A regular meeting .of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectments Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, July 23, 1956 at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Reed, Messrs. James, Maloney, Tucker and Mrs. Morey were present. Mr. Gayer, Supt. of Public Works, and the Executive Clerk were also present. Mr. James J. Carroll met with the Board for the Juror drawing of one juror. Mr. Robert D. Platka, Banker, 9 Glen Road, was drawn. Sealed bids for resurfacing two bituminous tennis courts and bids reconstructing two clay tennis courts, located at the Center Playground were opened by the Chair- man and read as follows: P.J. Joyce & Son, Inc. ' Reconstructing two bituminous courtd $5,800.00 Resurfacing two clay courts 1,550.00 Richard white Sons, Inc. Resurfacing two clay courts 1,890.00 M. E. Hennessy Co., Inc. Tennis Court bids Resurfacing two clay courts 1,825.00 Dennis Driscoll & Co, Inc. Reconstructing two bituminous courts 5,995.00 Resurfacing two clay courts 1,675.00 Mr. Samborski, Recreation Committee Director, met with the B oard at 7:35 P.M. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, also met with the B oard. The Chairman explained that P. J. Joyce was low on both bids and asked if he could be held to do a good job. Mr. Stevens stated that he did not know; the quality of the job depends on the quality of the contractor. Mrs. Morey said that Joyce' s past work has not been as good as Driscoll' s past work. 548 Mr. Stevens said that if hhe Board found his past work has not been satisfactory if can reject the bid and award the contract to the next bidder. If, however, the Board feels Joyce is qualified, it can award to him. The Chairman stated that the Board would have to rely on the opinion of the Recreation Committee, and Mr. Samborski which is that the previous work was unsatisfactory. Mr. Maloney mentioned that the courts are being used now and Mrs. Morey said that the- previous work was condition. Mr. Maloney said he went to loolt at them and then went up to Valley Road and there were puddles on them all. He said he would not like to accept the low bid if the other people are better quailified Mr. Samborski said that it was up to the Board of Selectmen to award the contract britt he personally would prefer to have the work done by Driscoll. He said he could only repeat what he said when he met with the Board before. He asked Mr. Gibbon of the Driscoll Com- pany, who put in the two clay courts originally, how: anyone could bid $825 against a figure twice as high. He said very frankly he knew of courts done by Joyce on that basis. He uses an inferior material and in many cases the courts had to be dug up and the ultimate cost was more. He said he checked with the Superintendent of the Harvard fields who advised that he never heard of Joyce as a tennis court man. He is just beyond being a landscape man and does not begin to qualify as a tennis court specialist. Mr. Samborski said that the Committee was critized last year with the dilly dallying when J oyce did the work and the results were not too good. Based upon past performance the Recreation Committee recommended that the bid be awarded to the next highest bid- der. Based upon information furnished by the Recreation Committee, the Board determined that P. J. Joyce&& Son, Inc. is not a competent qualified builder of tennis courts. Upon motion of Mr. Tucker, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to award the contract to the next lowest bidder qualified, responsible bidder. Dennis Driscoll & Co., Inc. at its quoted price of $5,995 for reconstructing two bituminous courts at the Center Playground. 5I Upon motion of Mr. Tucker, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to award the contract to the next lowest qualified, responsible bidder, Dennis Driscoll & Co., Inc. at its quoted price of $1,675.00 for reconstructing two clay courts at the Center Playground. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Gayer in refer- ence to Mr. Collin Cambell's request to have a tree ad- jacent to his property at 2409 Massachusetts Avenue re- moved. Mr. Brenton reported that the tree is beyond Tree saving and although it is not particularly dargerous, removal he does agree that it should be taken down. There are other trees which require attention before this one and he will place it on his list to have it removed as soon as possible. Upon motion of Mr. Tucker, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to authorize Mr. Brenton to post the tree for removal. The. Chairman reported that Mr. Vandenberghe, 50 School Street, had verbally requested to have a tree removed because he claimed it to be dangerous, a limb having fallen off. Tree Mr. Gayer discussed the subject with Mr. Vandenberghe and it was agreed to trim the tree rather than take it down. The Chairman read a letter from Alice J. Dwyer, 69 School Street, advising that her rose arbor was damaged during the process of laying sewer pipes and Damage to has never •been repaired. rose arbor Mr. Gayer informed the Chairman that the rose arbor was taken care of as of today. Futher consideration was given to Mr . Edward H. Suefertts request to have a tree removed from his property at 96 School Street, which he claimed was obstructing a driveway he proposed to build. Mrs. Morey reported that She looked at the area. He has a narrow lot and wants to putlis car in off the street. She said she was in favor in granting his request as she• thought the tree shdzld be taken down. Upon motion of Mr. Tucker, seconded by Mr.Js , it was voted to post the tree for removal. I 050 Letter was received from the Board of Fire Commissioners, together with A letter from Captain Stephen H. Broughall, advising that he would like to retire on or about September 10,1956 because of ill health. Req. for Mr. Stevens said that he would check the statute retirement as to the proceedure. At 7:45 P.M. hearing was declared open upon prti- tion of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for permission to locate one pole on Massachusetts Avenue, 65 feet sbwth- easterly of Sylvia Street. Mr. Mahon, representing the Boston Edison Company, and two other individuals were present. The Chairman explained that 'the present pole is Pole now located in front of the entrance to the nEw drive-in location resturant. Mr. Mahon said that the company plans to bring the pole to the lot line ,as indicated on the blueprint. Upon motion of `lr. James, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the following pole location. Massachusetts Avenue, northeasterly side ap- proximately 65 feet southeast of Sylvia Street, one pole. (One existing JO pole to be removed.) The group retired at 7:45 P. M. Mr. Gayer reported that he had worked something out on curbing, but he realized it was up to the Board to make the decision. He explained that the budget provided $5,000 and his proposed program is $4,500. Curbing He said that on Massachusetts Avenue starting at Clarke Street and going to the Hancock Church there is a apace of about 330 feet and it seems a good place to start. That is1,320. It was discussed for Hancock Street from Jackson' s house up to Adams Street about 800 feet, an estimate of $3,200. This would leave about $500 for a safety valve and if money is left, a little more curbing could be installed. He stated that the 800 feet excludes the areas that now have curbing. Mr. Tucker said that he would not vote against curbing for Hancock Street but he thought, in refer- ence to Jackson' s, if a previous commitment had been made something should be done about it. He said he wanted to go record as being sympathetic towards these people but there are other places in town that he felt should have preference. He said he would not vote against it, but he would not vote for it either. He said he thought the Hancock-Clarke House should have curbing , or from the railroad up to the Hancock-Clarke House. 551 Mr. Gayer referred to the petition requesting in- stallation of sewer lines in Burlington Street and said that only one house listed on the petition , Mr. Braggon, 103 Burlington Street, could connect now. He tan be connected by an extension of approximately 150 feet. The other people cannot be connected to a sanitary sewer be- cause there is no trunk line sewer available. Mr. Gayer reported that he contacted Metcalf & Eddy and Camp Dresser & McKee, in regard to a survey of the water system. He found that Whitman & Howard do have a lot of information -which they have gathered through the years which will be helpful to them. Mr. Cobb of Camp Water system Dresser & McKee will not be interested on submitting an survey estimate unless the town is through with Whitman & H oward. Mr. Gayer said he was of the opinion that it should be given to Whitman & Howard and if it is so decided, land for the location of a standpipe should be obtained. It was suggested that the Board meet with the Appro- priation Committee to discuss a transfer to provide funds for the survey. Mr. James questioned whether or not this would be considered an emergency as the problem of water shortage has come up every year for several years now. Articles It was agreed to insert articles in the warrant for the Special Town Meeting, tentatively scheduled for October, requesting an appropriation for both the survey and the standpipe. Mr. Tucker suggested that Mr. Adams publish an ex- planation inthe Minute-Man asto why the ban on watering Ban on laws is still in effect and also mention that it will con-sprinkling tinue to be in effect until further notice. Mr. Stevens reported that he met with the Franklin School Addition Committee last Thursday night at its request, The architect had a letter from McCarron & Sullivan, Inc. who a aid the Department of Public Health refused to approve a sewage filter bed for the school Franklin and insisted that the connection be made to the tom, school sewer. Notwithstanding the fact that the plant designed sewer would work satisfactorily based upon tests made, the Department insisted that there be a whole new system for the entire school as the present system is not working properly. He said he Biked to the Chief Engineer, Sterling, who said they ha gone that far. It appears that there is a tt®i sewer about one-half mile front he school and under those circumstances they felt a connection should be made to the Town sewer. Mr. Stevens said he explained that there were many calls for sewers and in the future it might be entirely impractical to connect the school to the sewer. He said Mr. Gayer is going to make a study of what could be done. 3)52 Mr. Stevens said that knowing they are going but for bid he thought the Chairman of the Committee should meet with the Board to answer any questio ns about State aid. He said that if the Board decides it wants to go a- head with the sewer it will be taken up at the next Town Meeting. On the other hand, if the Board feels it is not practical to make a connection now, Mr. Gayer as Superintendeht of Public Works, could write a letter to the Committee stating that it is impractical to connect to the Town sewer and they can send that into the eke State with their plans and ask„for approval. Mr. James adked It Meg Stevens indicated that the present system on the present school is not operating satisfactorily and he replied that was his understanding. Mr. James asked if this came from the Board of Health and Mr. Stevens replied in the negative. Mr. Maloney said that they were taking $35,000 for a filter bed and Mr. Gayer quoted $60,000 for a sewer. He said he thought the Town could aexsess betterments for this sewer and it would also serve some other people. Mrs. Morey explained that the filter bed would cost only $20,000 because that Town would receive aid. The Chairman said the filter bed would cost $35,000 and asked if/ money could be used towards the sewer. /the Mr. Stevens replied that no part of the appropriation can be used for a sewer. The Chairman asked what would be done with the $35,000. Mrs. Litchfield, Messrs. Biggs, Robbins and Martin met with the Board. Mr. Stevens reported that he had given the Board a little background based on the meeting the other night. Mr. Gayer stated that he made a rather hurried preliminary study of the needs. At first he wondered if he could tie into the existing sewer on Waltham Street. However, there is only an 8” line there and that line is handling all it can now. He then came up with the pro- posal to run a sewer by gravity down Stedman Road to where the brook crosses, put in a pumping station and a force main to the intersection of Farmcrest and Stedman. It would then be gravity down Stedman Road to Marrett Road, go across Marrett Road and then turn left and go back onto where there is an existing 12" line. He said that is one possible solution to the problem, and a rough estimate of cost is $61,000. He said he does not want to add any more to the existing system and if he did do that a pumping station would be required, Mr. Stevens asked if this proposal would take in any homes and Mr. Gayer replied in the affirmative. He afaiid a petition had come in from the people on Marrttt Road and this would take care of them. Mr. Martin asked about Brookside and said that they do have a problem there. 553 The 13hairman asked if it could be gravity fed from Alen Street and Mr. Gayer replied in' the negative. He said the pipe would have to be above ground . Mr.. James asked if this job, either way-, would- re- quire a pumping station and what part of the $60,000 is for the station, Mr. Gayer said he estimated $5,000 for the school installation. He said that would be for the school only and not handling any additional load. Mrs. Morey said that would not be very sensible. Mr. Gayer said that he would need more time to make a complete study. Mrs. Morey asked how soon the Committee was going out for bids and Mr. Martin replied that they expect the final plans next week but there must be a decision on this question. Mrs. Litchfield said they had a tentative date of July 30. Mrs. Morey asked if the specifications were all written and Mr. Stevens replied that he thought they were well along. The Chairman said this subiect has come up rather suddenly and Mr. Gayer stated the survey is a quick ones He said as it looks at the moment, the Board should give this some study before making a recommends- , tion because it involves a pumping station. He said the Board would want to make sure it is doing the right thing. Mr. Martin asked what this would mean to the Committee and its budget. He asked if the $61,000 would affect the Committee' s appropriation. The Chairman explained that Town Counsel has advised that none of the appropriation can be used for the con- struction of the sewer. Mrs . Morey mentioned that sewerage for the old schoo could not be charged tothe Committee. The Chairman said that necessary funds would have to be appropriated by a Town Meeting. Mr. Stevens said that if the Selectmen feel that their plans for sewerage in this area is not ready to be put in operation and it is a waste of money to do special work for the school,, the Committee would have to have a letter to that effect and submit it with their plaor approval and he thought they would get it. Mr. Stevens said that if the Board does not decide whether or not it is practical at this time until there is more study, the Committee should go to the Department of Public Health and state that this is under study by the Town and if it is found practical and economically feasiUle, a change will be made, but the Committee wants it approved II with a disposal system with the understanding that it may be changed to a sewer. He said the architect would have to set it up with an alternate. 664 ma Mr. Tucker asked if treq'e was some allowance in the plans for a sewage disposal/1nd Mr. Martin replied in the affirmative. system Mr. Tucker Said that if a sewer connection is made the money for the disposal system will not have to be spent and would go back to the Excess and Deficiency Account. He said the money for the sewer could be taken from the Excess and Deficiency. Mr. Stevens replied that this would be borrowing money, and it does not work that way. Mr. Maloney said he thought the Committee should accept the bids as they are and if it is- feasible to do this then they won't need to borrow the money. He said he did not think any committee should have $35,000 extra. Mrs. Morey said that the money would not be borrowed until after the bids come out. The Chairman explained that the Treasurer is in the poocess of borrowing the money now. Mrs. Litchfield asked if the architect didntt feel that a sewage disposal system would be satisfactnny if the State allowed it. Mr. Martin said that the people from the State said they do not like this idea and also condemned the present system. He said that he has not seen the letter. The Chairman said that the Board of Health does not have anything on this and if it is as bad as that they should have. Mr. Martin said that the architect did say if -they have to pursue a filter bed now and the sewer is -a pos- sibility there would be money spent to engineer the filter bed. It could save -$2,000. Mr. Robbins explained that the Committee had no question and the architect Yiad no question but this was brought up by the State. The Chairman said that the Selectmen have not actually considered a sewer in this area, and more study should be given to the subject before a decision is reached. Yr. Martin asked how much time might be involved. Mr. Gayer asked if he meant for the sewer to handle the school only or if it is to take care of a larger area He said if he had Rnawers to a few questionslike that he could give a some answers. Mr. James said that if a pumping station is to be put in, it should handle the whole area that it ever could. The Chairman said that the Board would give this some thought during the next two or three weeks and if it decides to go along with it, an article will be inserted in the warrant for the Fall Town Meeting. He said he thought the State could be satisfied as to why the sewer would not be installed. Mr. Mr. Stevens said a good strong letter will probably take care of it, but it looks as though the Committee will have to spend the $2,000 for engineering servicss. The Committee retired at 8:35 P. M. X55 Eighteen people from Wood Street met with the Board upon invitation of Robert Johnson re traffic. Mr. Johnson spoke at length relative to the number of cars and the rate of speed. He also reported that he has contacted the Chief Police, Registry of Motor Vehicles and Colonel Adams at the Airport. Mr. Clement Williams, 341 ';food Street, said that there is :=ear., abandonment in 'process whereby a portion of Wood Street will be shut off and this should help the sit- uation. Mr. Joseph Napoli, 39 Wood Street, asked if there were any immeadiate plans for a direct access road from Route 128 into the airport. The Caairman explained that the access road will be from Bedford Street to Wood Street and will come out at Mr. Williams ' property. Mr. Napoli asked if there would be an access to Route 128 from the airport and the Chairman replied in the negative. Mr. Napoli asked who set up this plan and the Chair- man explained that it was the Federal Government. The Chairman said that the Board is aware of the narrowness of Wood Street and also knows there is speeding, the same sa there is on other main streets ,in town. He said the police are spending just as much time in spot checking on Wood Street as it is on other streets . He ecplained that the subject of speeder was brought up at a meeting of the Executive Council, of which he and Mr. James are members. He said he would again discuss the subject at the next meeting of the Community Council. He said that the abandonment of a portion of Wood Street is possibly the best solution. Mr. Stevens explained that the abandonment has nothing to Ao with Shutting the road off. It was a re- quest of the government to have it abandoned and wale not abandoned as a means of access to the airport. The Chairman said that the Board would check on the status of the abandonment proceedings, bring the subject up at the Community Council Meeting and try to have more spot checking. He said the Board would also pass the information along to the Traffic Study Com- mittee which consists of the Superintendent of Public Works, the Chief of Police and the T own Planner. Mr. Frank DeRoeck, 4 Pa tterson Road, asked if it were possible to put bumps in the road and the Chair- man replied in the negative. Mr. Williams asked if the white lines could be painted and speed limit signs erected. The Chairman said that t he whits lines could be painted and the signs have a certain psychological effect for those who look at them. The group retired at 9:04 P. M. X66 Ind Mrs. Joseph Coletta, 86 Cedar Street, met with the Board. The Chairman presented a plan and explained that the proposed sewer will go by Mrs. Coletta's property, and because she has 18,400 square feet of assessable property, her assessment will be $763.59. Mrs. Coletta said that she is not getting much more sewer than people paying half that amount and her lot is very poor, all swampy. She said she did sign for the sewer thinking that the assessment would be about $300. She said it is a definite financial burden and in checking relative to paying for it over a period of twenty years, it will cost about $35 a year. She said she did not see how they can pay for it, having borrowed money from her mother and mother-in-law already to build the house. The Chairman explained that the sewer has not been constructed yet so it will be s.ome time before the Board makes any decision but she would be advised as to what can be done. Mrs. Coletta retired. Mr. Stevens said he would try and take a look at this. Mr. Stevens retired. The Chairman submitted to the Board information relative to the status of the town's request for side- walks on State highways. There are twenty-three towns with similar requests and it nal appears that there are no funds available. Upon motion of Mrs. Morey, seconded by Mr. Tucker, it was voted to send a letter to these towns asking their co-operatign in contacting their Senators and Representatives requesting,suppleinentary budget to provide the necessary funds. The Chairman was also authorized to advise the School Committee of the situation so that they will have an opportunity to provide for additional bus transportation. Upon motion of Mrs. Morey, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to sign a Certificate of Incorporation on Cert. of behalf of Samuel F. Parker. Inc. Upon motion of Mr. Tucker, seconded by Mr. Maloney, License it was voted to grant an Auctioneer' s license to Bertram P. Gustin, 50 Bloomfield Street. 1 557 The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. Carol Murphy, 2 Mill Brook Road, requesting permission to conduct a block dance on July 28th which will involve blocking off Mill Brook Road. Westbrook Road will be easily acces- sable in case of an emergency. The Chairman mentioned that both streets are Block dance private ways, and the Board had no objection. The meeting adjourned at 10:40 P. M. A true record, Attest. tiv /Cles k V ,.