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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1955-10-17-BOS-min 19$ SELECTMEN' S MEETING October 17, 1955 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Build- ing, on Monday evening, October 17, 1955 at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Bateman, Messrs. Gay, James and Maloney were present. The Clerk was also present. Hearing was declared open upon application of Manhole and Boston Edison Company for permission to locate a conduit manhole on Lowell Street at Woburn Street, a distance locations of approximately 10 feet and conduit, buried armored cables and pole connections on Lowell Street, a dis- tance of approximately 6095 feet. Mr. Donald Noyes, 375 Lowell Street and Mr. Mahon, representing the petitioner, were present: Mr. Mahon explained that the cable is to run underground service into the new substation to im- prove conditions in the area. He traced the loca- tions on a blue print for Mr. Noyes. Mr. Noyes stated that he was more interested in what will happen in front of his property, such as how long it will take and the affect it will have on the grading. Mr. Mahon said that the proposed project is not much of a job and the driveways will not be horsed off. The Chairman asked if Mr. Noyes had any objec- tion and he replied in the negative. The Chairman said that if there were no further questions he would declare the hearing closed. (See next page.) Hearing was then declared open upon petition of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Tele- phone and Telegraph Company for permission to locate two poles on Fottler Avenue. Mr. Evan C. Ernst, 22 Fottler Avenue and Mr. Ralph H. Rumery, 15 Brandon Street, were present at the hearing. Messrs. Richard F. Crawford, 239 Lowell Street, Manhole and Hubert L. Paquette, 223 Lowell Street, Mr. Walsh, conduit 265 Lowell Street and Thomas P. Cerulli, 2I9 Lowell locations Street arrived for the hearing on Lowell Street. Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to reopen the hearing on petition of 1 99 the Boston Edison Company for permission to locate a manhole , and buried cable on Lowell Street. Mr. Crawford expressed concern for his cement apron and! Mr. Mahon stated that it is not the peti- tioner' s intention to break up any granolithio and the area would be left in its original condition. Mr. Crawford asked why the installation had to be underground and M . Mahon replied that it is a hot line and the company is required by law to place it underground. The Chiarman said that he would again ask if those present had any objections. M . Moyes said that near his house there is a very large depression that fills with water. The Chairman explained that the subject was not related to the petition but is a problem involving Maple and Woburn Streets. Mr. Walsh inquired about the distance between man- holes and Mr. Mahon answered by pointing them out on the blue print. The Chairman declared the hearing closed and pro- ceeded wish the hearing pertaining to pole locations on Fottle Avenue. Mr. ahon said that he understands Fottler Avenue has recen ly become a public way and explained the proposed ocations by use of blue prints, and said Pole that the request is to improve voltage conditions. locations Mr. Ernst said that he objected to the pole having two guy wires, one coming in on his property about eight feet. He said that he does not object to the pole, but does object to the guy wires. Mr. Mahon told Mr. Ernst to forget about the guy wires. If he is opposed and does not grant per- mission, he company will have to do something else. The pole can be keyed or they can seek permission from the own of Arlington to place the guy wire. Mr. Aumery said that he does not want anything on his property and Mr. Mahon told him to forget about the anchor guys. The Jhairmsi asked if the guy anchor would be left off Mr. Rumery' s property and the guy wire left off Mr. Ernst' s property and Mr. Mahon replied in the affirmatiVe. The bearing was declared closed at 8:00 P.M. and the group! retired. Hearing was declared open upon petition of Mr. Gasoline George E. Smith for permission to maintain one under- hearing ground tank for the storage of 500 gallons of gasoline at the rear of 10 Muzzey Street. 200 c- No one appeared in favor or in opposition. The application was approved by Deputy Chief, Bernard J. Belcastro of the Fire Department. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. James, it was voted to approve the petition and grant a license to George E. Smith to maintain one under- ground tank for the storage of -500 gallons of gaso- line on property located at the rear of 10 Muzzey Street. Certified list of officers eligible to the pro- Sergeants motion to the position of Sergeant in the Police De- Police partment Was received from the Division of Civil Ser- Dept. vice. Chief Rycroft met with the Board at the Chair- man' s request. The Chairman explained that the Board has re- ceived a list of five names from which to select three and said that the Board would like to know how the Chief feels about the men and if, in his opinion, either Martin or Morelli should be appointed in pref- erence to one of the first three names. The Chief replied that he did not think so. The Chairman asked if he was very well satisfied with the first three men and the Chief replied in the affirmative. The Chairman said that the appointments would be taken under advisement and the Board would like to make it an occasion - have pictures taken, newspaper publicity and let it be known that the Town has three young men' who are going to contribute to the super- vision and thinking of tie Police Department. He said that int he event Woodward or Morelli, now attending Police School, were appointed the Board would like to obtain permission to have them attend the Selectmen's meeting for the appointment and to have their badges pinned on. The Chairman informed the Chief that the Board would like a meeting of all Officers of the Depart- ment every month, six weeks or three or four times a year. The Chief said that would be all right. The Chief retired at 8:35 P.M. Upon motion of Mr. Maloney, seconded by Mr. James, Licenses it was voted to grant the following licenses: Lexington Theatre 1794 Mass. Ave. Theatre Lexington Theatre 1794 Mass. Ave. Sunday Movies Red Cross Invitation was received from the Lexitgton Chapter Invitation American Red Cross to attend a meeting of the Board of a - - 2)1 ' Directors on Thursday, October 20th at 8:00 P.M. at the Zitso studio. The speaker is to be Belson Vogel- sohn, Chapter Field Representative and disaster worker, from the Eastern Area Office. Letter was received from the Emergency Finance Board advising that the school construction loan of $775,000 has been authorized. Mr. Herbert V. Canfield, representing Pitney- Bowes, Inc. and Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, met with the Board to discuss postage meter machines. Postage Mr. Canfield presented a sample machine and ex- meter plained that a deposit is made at the Post Office and machine the register accumulates the postage as it is used. He stated that envelopes incorrectly stamped could be re- deemed at 90%. Thi machine seals, stamps, prints and cancels and it costs $715. He explained that the govern- ment does not permit the sale of the meter which may be rented at a quarterly charge of $36. Mr. Carroll estimated that all the departments would use a total of 100,000 envelopes a year and Mr. Canfield said that the machine would save money for the town. The Chairman said that the subject would be dis- cussed with the department heads and suggested that Mr. Canfield submit detailed information in a letter. Messrs. Canfield and Carroll retired at 8:55 P.M. Mr. Burns, Superintendent of Public Works, met Chapter 90 with the Board. Letter was received from the County Commissioners advising that a meeting will be held on Wednesday, Oct- ober 26th at 10:00 A.M. for the purpose of discussing matters pertaining to public roads for 1956. Mr. Burns said that, for the Board' s information, he is again recommending Concord Avenue as a Chapter 90 project. Mr. Burns referred to bids opened at five o'clock Worthen Rd. for street and drain work, Worthen Road. Onlytwo bids bids were received; Quimby, $167,972.60 and Brox, 152 ,755.00. He stated that after allowing for damages and fees there will be about $125,000 left. The bid extensions will have to be checked and then the Board may abandon the project, re-advertise or try and take enough off to make this workable. Mr. James said that the Board could also go to Town Meeting and request additional funds. 202 C) 0.1 Mr. Burns reported that the hearing relative Pottier Ave. to the railroad crossing on Fattier' Avenue was crossing supposedly routine, However, today at four o' clock the railroad advised that it is not going along, it isnot going to be routine and the crossing will be closed when the street is constructed. If it goes through, they want the crossing protected the town is to pay for the protection and the figure has in- creased from $5,000 to $8,500. He said that he and Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, will attend the hearing tomorrow morning. The Chairman also agreed to attend. Mr. Burns again referred to the shortage in some Shortage in of his accounts and reported balances as follows: Sewer, Water Water services $1304.00; sewer services $19.05 and Dump Accts. dumps $40.26. He explained that he needs $3,000 for wages alone for the balance of the yea3' in the Dump Account. Mr. James recommended taking $13,000 from the Reserve Fund - $5,000 each for water and sewer ser- vices and $3,000 for dumps. Mr. Burns explained that if the weather remains good, this amount will not carry through the balance of the year. Mr. James said that the Selectmen must try for the maximum they can get from the Reserve Fund and if they can' t get it, they will have to have a Town Meeting. A telephone call was put through to the Approp- riation Committee andthe following members met with the Board: Chairman Clark, Messrs. Madden, Blodgett, Works, Bailey, Richards and Dwyer. The Chairman explained that he was talking to Mr. Clark the other day on the subject of trying to avoid calling a Special Town Meeting. As a result of the unprecedented building there is a serious shortage in the water and sewer services and also a shortage in the dump account. With reference to the first two items, the money is paid to the town in ad- vance but must be credited to the Excess and Defic- iency Account. He explained that last year the Se- lectmen cut $15,000 from the water' services budget because it did not seem possible that they would go so high. This year the Board cut *114,000 off. He said the third item was the dump. For'every new house erected, there is more rubbish to be disposed of at the dump Which necessitates more fill, more hours for trucking and more hours for bulldozing. 203 He said that the transfer should have been requested two or three weeks ago, and explained that there is a balance of $19.05 in the Sewer Services Account with something like fifty or sixty services to go in, de- pending on the weather. He also reported to the Com- mittee that there is a balance of $13014.00 in the Sewer Services Account and $10.26 in the Dump Account. He said that the Board would like to get along without a Town Meeting if possible and would need, roughly, $5,000 each for sewer and water and $3,000 for dumps or a total of *13,000. Mr. James explained that the demand for sewer and water services is in excess of these figures and it is only a gamble that this amount of money will carry. If it does not carry, providing the Appropriation Com- mittee see fit to make the transfers, a Town Meeting will be necessary anyway. Mr. Clark inquired about the balance in the Re- serve Fund and Mr. Palmer stated that as of tonight it is $19,305.97. Mr. Clark asked if the Selectmen were making this a formal request and the Chairman replied in the af- firmative. The Appropriation Committee and Mr. Burns retired at 10:10 P.M. Letter was received from Kenneth J. Garland, 10 Dexter Road, together with receipted bill for $6.00 Claim from the Colonial Garage for twwing charge. Mr, Garland claimed that his car sank in con- struction work at the corner of Dexter and Fuller Roads because the area was not properly marked. Mr. Burns informed the Board earlier in the even- ing that usually he pays these small ci&i s and col- lects from the contractor. The Clerk was instructed to give Mr. Burns a copy of the communication and the bill for towing. The Chairman read a letter from Howard H. Dawes, 10 Bernard Street, enclosing petition from the resi- Sunnyfield dents of Sunnyfield to have Bernard Street, Calvin Streets Street, Donald Street, Eldred Street and Ivan Street accepted at the Annual Town Meeting in March, 1956. The letter requested thirty foot streets, five foot sidewalks and six foot grass plots. Mr. Burns had explained to the Board that twenty- four feet is a standard street width and if sidewalks are constructed there will be a betterment in addition to the street betterment. The Board decided to delay answering the letter until the estimate of cost sheets are returned with signatures. 204 Letter was received from Raymond E. Lewis, Chairman of the Town Celebration Committee recom- Appointments mending appointment to the Committee of Donald E. Legro, Donald Gillespie, P. F. Poehler, Jr. , Ernest Giroux and Martin Bashian. Mr. James reported that he was almost certain Mr. Legro would decline the appointment. Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to appoint the following individuals to serve on the Town Celebrations Committee for terms expiring July 1, 1956: Donald Gillespie, 1 Leroy Road, P. F. Poehler, Jr. , 1. 68 Marrett -Road, Ernest Giroux, 20 Woodland Road and Martin Bashian, 144 Woburn Street. The meeting adjourned at 10:35 P.M. A true record, Attest: / V 'Clerks tme' 1