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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1955-05-16-BOS-min 77 SELECTMEN'S MEETING May 16, 1955 A regular meeting of the Board of Seleotmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, May 16, 1955 at 7:00 P.M. Chair- man Bateman, Messrs. Gay, Reed, Maloney and James were present. Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present. Hearing was declared open upon petition of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for a j/o pole location on Pole location Bowman Street. Mr. Mahon of the Boston Edison Company and Mr. Consilvio of the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company were the only persons present at the hearing. Mr. Mahon explained that the proposed location is to bring a line across to service new homes now under construction. Upon motion of Mr. Reed, seconded by Mr. James, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the following j/o pole location: Bowman Street, northerly side, at Concord Turnpike, -• One pole. Hearing was declared open at 7:03 P.M. on peti- tion of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company for pole location on Bowman Street. Pole location No abutters attended the hearing. Upon motion of Mr. Reed, seconded by Mr. James, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the following j/o pole location: Bowman Street, southerly side, at Watertown Street, -- One pole. (One existing j/o pole to be removed,) At 7:05 P.M. hearing was declared open upon peti- tion of the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company for permission to lay and maintain underground con- duits and manholes, with wires and cables on Waltham Street. No abutters attended the hearing. Upon motion of Mr. Reed, seconded by Mr. James, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order 78 cw CIA for the following underground conduit locations: ' Conduit Waltham Street: From a point 155 feet location northeasterly from Grapevine Avenue, approximately 120 feet underground conduit. Waltham Street: From a point 134 feet southerly from Concord Avenue, ap- proximately 110 feet of underground conduit. Messrs. Consilvio and Mahon retired at 7:08 P.Y. The Chairman read a letter from Paul K. Palmer, Chairman of the Maria Hastings School Building Com- mittee, advising that Crosby Road will need to be Crosby Road completed by the first of July to make •certain the grading will be done on schedule. He also stated that the Committee had received complaints re the drainage in the area. The Chairman was authorized to advise Mr. Palmer that it will not be possible to comply with the re- quest inasmuch as the bids for constructing roads approved by Town Meeting will not be opened until about the middle of July and even though construc- tion will start as soon as possible after the con- tract has been awarded, the Board does not see how the road will be completed before September 1st. It was also suggested that the Committee continue the use of Wilson Road to bring in equipment and materials for grading and seeding and further, that the Town owns the loam and will have it removed from the site. If Mr. Palmer or his Committee wishes to discuss the subjects further, he is to request an appointment. The Chairman read a letter from George V. Morse, Honorary President of the Lexington Tennis Association, Tennis Courts suggesting that the hard court tennis court now being constructed be surfaced in green. A similar letter was received from Jane Gallagher, Secretary of the Association. The Chairman was authorized to refer the letters to the Recreation Committee, acknowledge Miss Galla- gher's letter and send a copy to Mr. Morse. Mr. Burns referred to the proposed parking area and stated that even if it is constructed without a hearing, the tentative Town Meeting date of June 20th is very short. He said that he doesn't know how large 79 the parking space is going to be and he would like to Parking know if he is to have it laid out because it is going area to take time. Mr. Maloney inquired about the plan already made and Mr. Burns explained that it is not a detail sur- vey. Mr. Reed said that the Planning Board had an ap- pointment to meet with the Board later in the evening and he thought the Boards should decide definitely how the parking area is to be laid out. Mr. Burns said that if the plan he has is approxi- mately what the Boards want to use, he will have to get started. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, met with the Board at 7:25 P.M. Master Sergeant Hill met with the Board and ex- plained that he was representing the Field Artillery unit at Fort Banks. He said that this is Armed Forces Week and the unit would like permission to place a Nike NIKE guided missile on the Common fro 11:00 A.M. died until 5:00 P.M. By having this unit in Lexington on Missile Armed Forces pay it would give the people an oppor- tunity to see it. He said t hat the explosive would be removed from the unit. They would like permission to park one truck. The missile stands thirty feet high and will not damage the ground. There would be six one-inch stakes in the ground for guy wires and the unit would be on display May 21st. Three pieces of equipment will be involved and there will be men to answer questions. Mr. James inquired as to the number of people from the services and Sergeant Hill replied that there would not be more than twelve. Neither Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, or the Board had any objection. Sergeant Hill retired at 7:35 P.M. Mr. Stevens referred to communication from Col. Carey in re difficulty in obtaining a fishing license and it was agreed to have the Chairman discuss the subject with Mr. Carroll. becision relative to Mr. Lyon's request for de- ferment or abatement of water betterment assessments on properties on Wachusett Drive and Marriott Road was held over. Town Counsel is to obtain further infor- mation from the Tax Collector. gIl Town Meeting Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to call a Special Town Meeting to be held on Monday, June 20, 1955 at 8:00 P.M. The warrant •to be closed. Mr. Stevens retired at 8:10 P,M. Chairman McQuillan, Messrs. Cosgrove, Cole and Lurvey, of the Board of Health, met with the •Board. Mr. McQuillan referred to request for permit to allow the Town of Arlington to dump in Lexington and said that the Board of Health realizes it is their re- sponsibility. He stated that if it were only a ques- tion as to whether or not this was a health menace, the Board would not hesitate, but this appears to be a matter of precedent. He said that his Board is willing and will make the final decision but would like to have the counsel and thoughts of the Selectmen. He• said that there is the question as to whether or not the ap- plication may still have a Board of Appeals hearing if the Board of Health refuses to issue a permit. Mr. Reed said that his personal feeling is that the Board of Health must decide whether or not this is a health menace. Mr. McQuillan said he feels it is beyond that be- cause it will be establishing a precedent. Mr. Reed said he thought the final decision would be made by the Board of Appeals and that is where the Selectmen will have an opportunity to express an opinion. He said the only decision the Board of Health can make is whether or not it is a health menace. Mr. McQuillan explained that his Board of Health thought possibly the Selectmen might have some definite reason why they did not want dumps established in Lex- ington and if so, the Board of Health would like to know about it. The Chairman said that even if the Board of Health grants a permit, the applicant will still have to go be- fore the Board of Appeals. Mr. McQuillan said that the Board of Health feels the Cataldo place is an extension of the present Arling- ton dump, filling in land without trucks driving through Lexington streets. He said this would not be a nuisance. However, in Father Kinneen's case there would be trucks coming in every day which might affect the Board of Selectmen more than it does the Board of Health. Mr. Maloney said that if the present operation in Arlington is continued, something will have to be done about the brook and it would have to be piped. Mr. Reed said that would be part of the restric- tions made by the Board of Appeals. The Board of Health retired at 8:40 P.M. 81 Further consideration was given to the subject of Skating Mr. Allents bill for electrical work done at the Adams rink School skating rink and Mr. Maloney reported that he had told Mr. Allen to submit an itemized bill. Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded by Mr. Gay, it Cert. of Inc, was voted to approve a Certificate of Incorporation for Louis A. Zhner, 6 Fair Oaks DrAve. Upon motion of Mr. Maloney, sedm:ded by Mr. Gay, Cert. of Inc, it was voted to approve a Certificate of Incorporation for Albert J. Moll, 25 Dawes Road. Upon motion of Mr. Reed, seconded by Mr. Maloney, Cert. of Inc, it was voted to approve a Certificate of Incorporation for Dorothy Jones, 71 Lowell Street and John J. Garrity, 9 Hancock Street. The Chairman read a letter from James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, requesting a transfer of $115 to cover the Transfer cost of printing ballots for the Special Referendum held May 9, 1955. The request was referred to the Ap- propriation Committee. Letter was received from Barbara L. Bateman, on behalf of the Hancock Congregational Church, request- Rummage tug permission to use the Barnes property for a rum- sale mage sale on Saturday, October 15, 1955. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the request. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Reed, it was voted to grant the following licensee: Clarence R. MacPhee 14 Baker Avenue Sunday Sales Francis J. Lima 877 Waltham Street Junk Collector Ray Feeley 1791 Mass. Avenue Sunday Movies Applications were received from the Lexington Use of hall Police Women's Association for permission to conduct meetings in the conference room, Cary Memorial Building, on May 20th from 7:00 P.M. until 10:00 P.M. and Jure 2nd from 7:00 P.M. until 10:00 P.M. Both uses were granted free of charge, subject to a fee of $1.50 per hour for janitor' s overtime services. Letter was received from Floyd A. Roby, .83 Reed Tax title Street, advising that he will pay $800 for Lots 16 & 17, property Block B, Reed Street subject to restrictions established II by the Board. S2 � Mr. Reed moved that a proposal to sell the lots be advertised in the Lexington Minute-Man and that further consideration be given the offer at the next meeting of the Board. Mr. Gay seconded the motion and it was so voted. Further consideration was given to bids received for four mobile radio units. Radios Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to accept the bid submitted by the Motorola Communications & Electronics, Inc.. in the total sum of $1,5145.08 for the following equipment: 4 25 Watt Mobile Transmitters to- gether with associated Seneicon Receivers housed in a locked dust- proof single steel housing complete with all accessories. Motorola Model T43G-1. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. James, it was voted to make the following appointments for terms expiring March 31, 1956: Board of Appeals Associate Members Elmer D. Houdlette 26 2 Dass. Avenue George W. Emery 7 Somerset Road Ernest A. Lindstrom 663 Farmcrest Avenue Board of Public Welfare & Old Age Assistance Robert K. Taylor 2591 Massachusetts Avenue Gammell Le:taov Income Trustees Mrs. Robert Merriam Oakmount Circle Harold F. Lombard Coolidge Avenue Weights & Measures Ralph B. Chadwick 67 Orchard St., Belmont The Chairman suggested establishment of a Town Com- mittee for the purpose of arranging for Observance of April 19th and United Nations Day. He submitted the names of Dan Fenn and Dorothea Dodge as members of the Committee. It was also suggested that a letter be sent to ser- vice and veterans' organizations requesting them to sub- mit three nominations, one of which will be selected S3 to serve on an over-all celebrations committee., Colo- nel Rock who has assisted with the 19th of April cele- brations is to be appointed an honorary member of the proposed committee. At 9t30 P.Y. Chairman Adams, Messrs. Abbott, Parking Irwin* brindle, Hathaway and Jaquith of the Planning area Board, Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, Mr. Burns, Supt. of Ppblic Works, and Mr. Snow, Consultant to the Planning Board, met with the Selectmen. The Chairman explained that if Mr. Burns does not know within the next day or two what is going to be done insofar as the proposed parking area is concerned he will not have sufficient time to prepare the neces- sary details. Mr. Adams reported that the situation has come up to a very sudden operation with Mr. George Smith. Building has been stopped and there is an option on the land for a lot of money. The merchants have agreed to pay at least $5,000 and the rough total figure is about $18,000. This is brought about because there is a place available to him for $14,000. He said that it seems like a lot of money but if it is ivrtant enough, the town may have to go through something of that sort. The building is about to go up and the only alternative is to take the land by eminent domain. He said the Town now Can take the chance of going to court or paying a large sum of money, about $1.10 per foot. Mr. Maloney said that the amount the merchants have agreed upon will more than offset what Mr. Smith is demanding. He said he thinks the parking area is important enough and some of the owners would be will- ing to sacrifice a little. He said that on both sides of the street, not knowing just who, but some of them are substantial contributors and that in itself should be enough to convince anyone of the urgency. Mr. Adams said that he talked to Matheson last night and he feels sure he will go along. Mr. Maloney reported that the Savings Bank is interested and has agreed to contribute. Mr. Adams said he thought Smith, Manhattan and the Savings Bank owned about 505 of the total land area. Mr. Maloney said that in view of all the work that has been done on this project by Mr. Burns, Mr. Snow and the Planning Board he thought something should be done. Mr. Reed questioned the width of the street and Mr. Burns explained that if there is to be two-way traffic, it will have to be thirty feet. Mr. Adams asked if, in the appraising, the better- 84 ment to the property was considered as an offset and Mr. 1 Stevens replied in the affirmative. Both Boards were in agreement with the plan as pre- sented and the meeting adjourned at 10:05 P.H. A , true record, Attest: "."5 -Cie , eat. n 1