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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1956-05-07-BOS-min 444 SHI ECTMEN'S MEETING May 7, 1956 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, May 7, 1956 at 7:30 P.M. Messrs. James, Maloney, Tucker, Mrs. Morey and -the-Clerk were present. Mr. James was Chairman for the evening. Mr. Staley and Mr. Vielfelt, representing- Techbuilt, Inc. and Mr. Nylander met with the Board to discuss in- stallation of sewers in the northwest part of town. The Chairman explained that the board had con- sidered sewer in that particular area for the recent Town Meeting but after the estimate had been figured Techbuilt as to what it would coat to get the trunk line over re: sewers there to service the few houses it would serve at the time, the Board then decided it was just too expensive at this time. Mr. Staley asked what was meant by a few houses and the Chairman said that there were twenty-six, not all of which could have been served at the time. Mr. Staley said that would mean the people on Robinson Road now are not served by a sewer line. The Chairman said that was correct; they are not included. He said the Board was considering only the houses Techbuilt was building because there had been no complaints. Mr. Staley said he has to charge people $500 or $600 for an adequate septic tank and asked where he would go from here - what could he expect. The Chairman stated that several years ago when the residential land was rezoned into larger lots, one reason was to provide adequate space on a lot to have a septic tank work satisfactorily. Mr. Staley asked if it would cost more than $500 a lot to put the sewerage system in. The Chairman replied that he could answer that only by relating his own experience. The sewer betterment was about $700 for his lot, based on frontage and it was 165 foot frontage. Mr. Staley said that would be almost $30 a front foot. The Chairman explained that it is about $3.00 a front foot. Mr. Staley asked if the Board felt it was better for the people who will be building to spend the money 1- 2 x for septic tanks than it would to have the town putt in a sewerage system. The Chairman stated that the Board does not feel it in better but there just isn't any money at the moment to put a trunk line up there. In the long run it is better to have a sewer line. Mr. Vielfelt said that there are more than twenty- five lots up there. Mr. Staley said that there are another hundred. The Chairman asked if the plan had been approved and kr. Staley replied that this has not yet been ap- proved. He said that there is a second and a third section. The Chairman explained that the trunk line the Board was considering this year would be parallel to Route 128. That will take care of only a limited number of houses. Another trunk line will then be necessary coming from the Eldred Street area and hit- ting the low point on Grove Street. Mr. Nylander said from his general knowledge of the area he did not disagree. He said it is a fact that it would have to be split, one around Robinson Road and there is a divide; the next being serviced from the other way. Of course the final analysis, speaking neither for nor against the trunk line, would be in a position to serve the upper part of Grove Street. The Chairman said that is the most attractive. Mr. Staley said that there would be an assessment for anyone to have a sewer lateral and asked about the trunk. The Chairman said that the trunk line is put in at the town's expense. In developments, the developer is required to put in his own laterals at his own ex- pense if a sewer is available. If it is not available but comes in at a later date, the property owner is assessed on a frontage basis for the lateral. Mr. Staley asked if the trunk near Route 128 would serve them best and Mr. Nylander replied that it would on the first section. The Chairman explained that the estimate on the trunk to come over to the point on Robinson Road was $88,000. Mr. Staley asked where it would begin and the Chair- man explained the location on the wall map. Mr. Staley said that it looked to be $15 or $20 a foot and the Chairman said it was in that order. He ex- plained it would be a twelve or sixteen inch main. Mr. Nylander said that the increase in si;e of pipe does not mean much. Mr. Staley asked if it would require an additional pumping station and the Chairman replied in the negative. 443 Mr. Staley said from Techbuiltts point of view it would be nice to say they have water, storm drain and sewer, but it would mean, instead of saying you have to pay X number of dollars for this lot, you have to pay X number of dollars plus sewer for this lot. He said he charges the customer for the septic tank so it is nothing out of his pocket. He said he oould not see where Techbuilt would have any interest in the sewer line. The cost is much too high for the time being. He said they have to figure between $500 and $600 for an adequate septic tank, Mrs. Morey asked if Techbuilt was putting in dis- posals and Mr. Staley said that in most of the houses they are. Mrs. Morey said that might cause trouble with septic tanks and Mr. Staley said that the size of the septic tank is a small item in the price. He said it will cost his clients about $105 every five years to have the septic tanks cleaned out. Mr. Staley said the tenure is that it is not worth ramming a sewer system out. The Chairman said that there is only one possibi- lity. The Board has been considering a road across over to Grove Street. If that road is put in, in the near future,water and sewer should be put in the road at the same time. Mr. Staley said if the entire area up there de- velops quickly, the town might find it expedient to put a sewer in. The Chairman said if an area is developed and it becomes a health menace, the sewer would have to be put in. He said there are so many areas in town so badly in need of sewers that is where they are being put in. Mr. Nylander said that there is a time element. Even if Town Meeting votes it, it will be a year or two before it is- started, Mr, Staley said his septic tanks are built very well. The group retired at 7:55 P.M. • Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, and Mr. Gayer met with the Board. The Chairman read a report from Donald Irwin, Building Inspector, relative to complaint received Complaint last week from John L. Ennis that town-owned lots 152 and 153 on Theresa Avenue were being used as a combined ear park and automobile repair shop. Mr. Irwin investigated and found that there are three unregistered cars in various stages of being dies- ' mantled on the lots and two unregistered cars parked on Fottler Avenue. All the cars are owned by members of the 4.x.4 Thomas J. Porter family of 32 Cliffe Avenue. Mr. Stevens said that, inasmuch as it is town land, he would think the police could request the owners to clear the junk and cars off the lots and that they should also investigate the matter of the cars parked on the street all day and night. Petition, dated April 26th, was received from residents of Carville Avenue area requesting removal Complaint of an unfinished building located at the corner of Carville Avenue and Banks Avenue. On March 19th the Building Inspector wrote the owner because of complaints he received and stated that an inspection showed the building to be a defi- nite hazard. A building permit taken out in 1948 expired. Unless a new permit was taken out and the building made safe, he would assume the building to be abandoned or demolished. Mr. Stevens said it appears to be private property and he does not know of anything the town can act on. He suggested that the Board acknowledge the letter and request Mr. Irwin to submit more current informa- tion. He will then discuss the subject with him. The Chairman read a letter from residents of Hayes Lane requesting reconsideration of their vot- Voting ing precinct which is now in Adams School. precinct The Chairman said that the precinct boundary lines had to be drawn in the center of the streets, wherever possible, and regardless of how the lines are drawn, there will always be some voters who will be inconvenienced. Mr. Stevens retired at 8:20 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. LeRoy Riley complaining about an open drain on her property at 27 Curve Street. Mr. Gayer reported that he went down and found a large drain that empties at the back of her property opposite a culvert that goes under the railroad track. During the heavy rain he imagined the culvert would not handle the water as fast as it came in. He said he was having levels taken and the culvert measured to see what possibility there is of correcting the situation, but it does not look very good. The Chairman was authorized to advise Mrs. Riley that an investigation is being made to determine what, if anything, can be done. Chapter 90 Letters were received from the Department of Public Works advising that the sum of $1,000 has been allocated 445 for Chapter 90 maintenance and the sum of $10,000 has been allocated for Chapter 90 construction, Concord Avenue. Mr. Gayer said that he had requested bids for 1956-57 requirements of approximately 55,000 gallons of gasoline and approximately 4,000 gallons of Diesel Gasoline Oil. He would like to move the pumps outside the bids building, which would probably lower the insurance rate, and also start a ticket system so that every gallon of gasoline would be accounted for. In the invitation to bid he included the loan, installation and maintenance of tanks and pumps. Bids were re- ceived as follows: Soconv-Vacuum Oil Companv Mobilgas $0.1782 Diesel Up to 800 gallons 0.15 Over 800 gallons 0.145 Installation of tanks $1500 Gulf Oil Corporation Good Gulf Gasoline 0.1812 Diesel Not less than 125 gallons .1460 750 gallons or more discount of 0.05 per gallon Mr. Gayer explained that it will make a differ- ence of $300 a year higher from Gulf but they did bid the way he requested. Upon motion of Mr. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Tucker, it was voted to accept the bid as submitted by the Gulf Oil Corporation. Mr. Gayer reported that he had received bids on water gates and fittings as follows: Bids on water gates Public Works Supply Co. $2,109.40 & fittings George A. Caldwell Co. 2,298.95 Hilda Supply, Inc. 24182.04 John A. McDonald Co. 2,369.59 Upon motion of Mr. Tucker, seconded by Mrs. Morey, it was voted to accept the bid as submitted by Public Works Supply Co. Mrs. Morey reported that the School Department bad X16 x a two signs for Crosby Road and Mr. Smith had given in- structions to have them placed on school property. However, one is almost on Massachusetts Avenue.. He will have it set back if the Board so desires or leave it there. The Board and Mr. Gayer were of the opinion that it is now in a better location than originally planned. Mr. Gayer retired at 8:50 P.M. Mr. Harold F. Lombard, Chairman of the Board of Board Of Public Welfare, met with the Board. Public The Chairman explained he was invited to attend Welfare the meeting this evening to inform the Board as to the function of the Board of Public Welfare and how it operates. Mr. Lombard explained that the first category is General Welfare which originally took care of etsry- one in need of help. During the depression it took care of people of all ages who were unable to obtain employment. That condition does not prevail today and most people on general welfare are old people who do not qualify for Old Age Assistance. The second category is Old Age Assistance. That is for needy people sixty-five years of age and aver who have no more than $500 in the bank, $1,000 paid-up life insurance and no other income. The next category is Disability Assistance which is fairly new. That is government sponsored also and takes care of people totally disabled and who meet other qualifications. These people under sixty-five used to be taken care of by general welfare. The last category is Aid to Dependent Children. Those are families of women whose husbands have de- serted them. If these mothers went to work to support the children, the children would be roaming the streets. The idea is to keep the mother at home and keep the family together. He explained that General Welfare is almost en- ' tirely a local proposition. The town pays for all of it. He explained that under Old Age Assistance the Federal Government pays one-half of the first *S5 plus 17.50. In most eases it amounts to $35 of the first 55 and the State pays two-thirds of the balance. He stated that Disability Assistanceis very similar except the State pays a smaller proportion. .He said that on Aid to Dependent Children the State pays one-third of the total and the Federal Government pays most of the balance. He explained that money coming from the Federal Government constitutes a revolving fund, whereas 447 money coming from the State goes into Excess and De- ficiency. A good part of money appropriated for wel- fare goes into the Excess and Deficiency Account. The Chairmen referred to the vacancy in the Board of Public Welfare and said that the new members of the Board of Selectmen were wondering what qualifications were required for an individual to serve on that Board. Mr. Lombard said that actually the Board is not an administrative Board, but is purely advisory. Mr. Collins tbacasionally calls for help but for the most part he runs the department on his own. He said there are two Cler1 a Junior and Senior, and a Social Worker. He explained briefly the duties involved. He said as far as qualifi- cations are concerned, almost anyone could serve on the Board. They meet regularly once a month and if necessary, would meet more often. There are only two or three cases going on in a month and usually that number going off. Mrs. Morey asked how late the meetings lasted and Mr. Lombard replied that they are not very late. Mr. Tucker asked if Mr. Lombard had anyone in mind to complete the Board and he replied in the negative. He said he would have no objection to anyone the Board might appoint. Mr. Maloney asked if he thought he could get along all right as the Board is now made up and Mr. Lombard replied that they can get along -or they would be glad to welcome another member. Mr. Lombard retired at 9:15 P.M. Mr. Charles Durkin, Minute Man Cab Company and Mr. Elroy Dalrymple, Lexington Cab Company Inc. met with the Board. Mr. Durkin explained that they would like to increase the 35¢ cab rate to 50¢. The present minimum of 35¢ is too low. The Chairman presented a map with zones and rates established in 1946 and asked if the 35¢ rate conformed to the map. Both operators looked at the map and agreed that everything within the circle is now 35/ and they would like to increase it to 50¢. They pointed out the area on the map which they would like established aa a 50¢ minimum zone, a 60¢ zone and a 75/ zone. Mrs. Morey mentioned the speed at which the cabs are driven. Mr. Durkin stated that he let drivers go for a week when he received complaints about speedinge but it is difficult to hire cab operators and they are on a commission basis. The Chairman said that the Board would arrive at 4418 some decision and let them know. Messrs. Durkin and Dalrymple retired at 9:35 P.M. Upon motion of Mr. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Tucker, it was voted to amend the Rules and Regulations govern- ing taxi cabs for the carrying of passengers for hire as follows: Rates or Fares aa. For hackney carriages, taxi cabs, renting cars and other public vehicles, the rates within the limits of the Town of Lexington shall be: $ .50 minimum within the limits of the Town .60 axone as indicated on map .75 maximum within the limits of the Town As soon as the new precinct maps have been prepared the Board will have the three zones outlined and the new rates indicated in the proper areas, a copy of which is to be sent to the cab companies. The Chairman read a letter from the V.F.W. re Mem- Memorial Day oriel Day Observance. On Sunday, May 27th a memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church; assem- bly in front of the church at 10:50 A►.M. for the service at 11 :00 A.M. On Memorial Day, May 30th, all persons and units participating will assemble at Depot Square at 8:45 A.M. The parade will go from there to Munroe Cemetery, to the Old Buring Ground and to Westview Cemetery, re- turning to the Common for flag raising and a short ad- dress by one of the Selectmen. The Chairman read a letter from Robert M. Coquillette Committee advising that the Cary Memorial Library Building Addition Committee voted to extend an invitation to the Board of Selectmen to appoint an ex-officio member to the Committee. Action was deferred until the next meeting when Mr. Reed would be back. Resignation The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk, advising that he has received Mr. Robert 114 Coquilletteas resignation as a member of the Cary Memorial Library Addition Building Committee. 449 Letters were received from Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk, advising that the following committees have been ap- pointed by the Town Moderator: Cary Lecture Committee Edward L. Mears, John F. Rich Committees and Mrs. Ralph H. Tucker School Sites Committee Charles T. Abbott, Roland B. Greeley, Richard R. Harding, Mrs. George Morey and Gordon E. Steele Franklin School Addition Building Committee John M. Biggs, Mrs. Eleanor B. Litchfield, Edward T. Martin, Stanley E. Robbins, Robert E. Seigfried Letter was received from Louis Tropeano, on behalf on the Lexington Sea Scouts, requesting permission to Barnes use the Barnes property for a rummage sale some Sat- property urday in May. Upon motion of Mr. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Morey, it was voted to grant the organisation the use of the Barnes property on Saturday, May 19th. Upon motion of Mrs. Morey, seconded by Mr. Tucker, it was voted to grant the following licenses: Licenses Chester W. Fillmore 659 Marrett Road Peddler Lexington Theatre 1794 Mass . Ave. Sunday Movies Upon motion of Mr. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Tucker, it was voted to sign an easement for the construction of a water main in Webb Street from a point approximately Water 395 feet northerly from Woburn Street northerly approxi- easement mately 1077 feet. Upon motion of Mr. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Morey, it was voted to sign easements for the construction of the following streets which were accepted by the Town Street Meeting held on the 19th day of March, 1956 and ad- Orders journed to the 26th day of March, 1956: Areola Street, from Bartlett Avenue southerly approxi- mately 395 feet; Bernard Street, from Bedford Street northeasterly ap- proximately 1027 feet to Justin Street; Blake Road, from Simonds Road southeasterly approximately 570 feet to Preston Road; Calvin Street, from Ivan Street northeasterly approxi- mately 750 feet to Justin Street. 450 CL Daniels Street, from Taft Avenue southerly approximately 500 feet; Donald Street, from Ivan Street northeasterly approximately 750 feet to Justin Street; Eldred Street, from Bedford Street northeasterly approxi- mately 1050 feet to Justin Street; Pottier Avenue, from the southwesterly line of the loca- tion of the Boston and Maine Railroad to the north- easterly line of the location of said railroad, a distance of approximately 50 feet; Grapevine Avenue, from Kendall Road northwesterly approxi- mately 1150 feet to Waltham Street; Henderson Road, from Purlington Street southwesterly ap- prpximately 585 feet to Blake Road; Ivan Street, from Eldred Street southeasterly approximately 830 feet to frond Bernard Street; Jackson Court, from Parker Street northeasterly approximately 255 feet; Milk Street, from Carley Road southeasterly m proximately 685 feet to Hill Street; Mill Brook Road, from Adams Street northwesterly approximately 351 feet; Nichols Road, from Preston Road northeasterly approximately 530 feet to Blake Road; Pearl Street, from Bartlett Avenue southerly approximately 375 feet; Rowland Avenue, from Massachusetts Avenue southwesterly approximately 360 feet; Wallis Court, from Massachusetts Avenue southwesterly ap- proximately 258 feet. The Chairman read a memo from Mr. Reed advising that the Arlington Incinerator Committee would like to meet Meeting with the Board to discuss the subject of a municipal incinerator, Mr. William Borghesani has set a tenta- tive date of May 16thb but will have to check it with his committee, The meeting adjourned at 9:55 P.M. A true record, Attest: �- xeo tive/ lerk Select r