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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1955-01-24-BOS-min 554 Q. SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 2h, 1955 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held In the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, January 24, 1955 at 7:00 P.M. Chairman Reed, Messrs. Gay, Bateman, James and Maloney were pres- ent. The Clerk was also present. Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, met with the Board Jurors for the drawing of two jurors. Douglas S. Robertson, salesman, 11 Grapevine Avenue and Charles D. Hufton, laboratory technician, 162 Burlington Street were drawn for jury duty. Mr. Carroll retired and Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, met with the board. Town Meeting Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to set the date of March 14, 1.9S5 for the Adjourned Town Meeting. The Chairman read a letter from Donald M. Fifield Sidewalk with further reference to the sidewalk on Adams Street. He stated that the question as to when the permanent sidewalk voted for in March 1949 is to be installed is still unanswered. It was the unanimous opinion of the Board that there is no object in continuing the correspondence. The Chairman read a letter from Brewer & Lord ad- Insurance vising that they had taken the liberty of binding; from January 1st, Fire and Extended Coverage Insurance on the Maria Hastings School to cover during construc- tion. In discussing the subject with Mr. Cole, they found that fire insurance of $549,000 should be carried and will therefore proceed to issue policies for that amount. Mr. Burns reported that the insurance figure for the L955 budget is $28,401.18. The Chairman read a letter from Francis Coscia, Request for 16 Hilltop Avenue requesting removal of a tree now on removal of town property and located in front of a proposed drive- tree way to a house he intends to erect on Lot 63, Farmorest Avenue. I �A • 4 , J 555 Before taking any action on the request, the Board will view the location. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. Helen B. Sarano advising that she received a tax abatement of Deferred $16.50 on Lot 17 Barrymeade Drive. She stated that assessments due to the fact the lot has been condemned by the Sarano lot Health Inspector it cannot be used for building pur- poses and she requested an abattement of the street and water assessment. Under the provisions of Chapter 1i59 of the Acts of 11.950, it was voted to extend tile time for payment of street betterment assessment on Lot 17, Barrymeade Drive in the amount of $3514 .0!4, without interest, until said land or any part thereof is built upon, sold, or until the eviration of three years from the date here- of, whichever event occurs first. It was also voted under Chapter 159 of the Acts of 1950 to extend the time for payment of water better- ment assessment on Lot 17, Barrymeade Drive in the amount of $120.79, without interest, until said land or any part thereof is built upon, sold, or until the expiration of three years from the date hereof, which- ever event occurs first; provided, however, that this extension of time shall terminate immediately if the facilities of the water main are used for said land or any part thereof. Mr. Burns said that the amount to be recommended for curbing installation in 1955 has not been definite- ly determined. Curbing If the Board goes along with the proposed areas, that is, both sides of Hancock Street from Adams Street to Bertwell Road; both sides of Massachusetts Avenue, Clarke Street to Lincoln Street and one side of Massa- chusetts Avenue from Plainfield Street tb Locust Avenue, the total amount, based on granite curb, is `$30,960. Mr. Burns stated that in these particular loca- tions he would recommend granite curbing in preference to black top. The consensus of opinion was that a flat sum of $ 4500 should be included in the 1955 budget and approp- riated; Mr. burns to do as much curbing installation as he can with that amount. Mr. Burns referred to the proposed parking area at the rear of Massachusetts Avenue, between Waltham and Muzzey Streets, an area of 6)400 square yards. He sub- Parking mitted the figure of $33,750 for drainage, curbing, walks area and fencing and' stated very definitely that this figure does not include any takings. . 4 X56 C4 Mr. Burns referred to the proposed road from approximately opposite the Central Fire Station to Massachusetts Avenue. With a seventy foot taking, twenty foot parking, including the drain from Bedford Street to Stratham Road figures $70.80 per foot or $136,614j. The other drain from Bedford Street to the railroad track is $21,760 or a total of $158,1404. If a sixty foot taking is decided upon, it figures $56.50 per foot or $109,0145 and $130,805 including drainage. He reported that these figures do not in- clude a water or a sewer main but are merely for con- structing the road. Cedar Street Mr. Burns referred to Cedar and School Street takings takings. It was decided to use the amount carried over for Cedar Street and pay for as many takings as the money will provide. At 8:00 P.M. Mr. Reiss, of Reiss Associates Inc. , met with the Board. Mr. James explained that Mr. Reiss would like to know about the possibility of having an article inser- ted in the warrant for the March meeting to re-zone a Manufacturing piece of property, now owned by Mr. Wagner, upon which zone he has an option. He would like to have the M-1 zone increased in size. Mr. Reiss said that he would like to have the Wagner property in its entirety zoned for manufactur- ing. He discussed the subject with the Planning Board last Monday and the suggestion was made that the piece of property bordering on Bedford Street be left out so that there would be no industry on Bedford Street. That proviso would be agreeable to him. Mr. James asked if he wanted an entrance from Westview Street and Mr. Reiss replied in the affir- mative. Mr. Bateman asked how much acreage is involved and Mr. Reiss replied that there are approximately eighteen acres that are not zoned. The Chairman said that he thought the Board would be receptive to inserting the article and Mr. Reiss retired at 8:25 P.M. Assessment Warrant was received from the County Commissioners re Middlesex advising that the sum of $23,422.99 has been assessed Sanatorium against the Town of Lexington as its share in the main- tenance, operation and repair of the Middlesex County Sanatorium for the year 19514, payable on or before April 1, 1955. Messrs. Burns and Stevens retired at 8:145 P.M. ' 557 The Chairman read a letter from the Division of Sergeant Civil Service advising that arrangements will be made examination to hold a competitive promotional examination for the position of Police Sergeant at the earliest possible date. The Chairman read a letter from Chief Rycroft advising that while on traffic duty at a fire on Woburn Street on January 21st, Officer John M. Barry slipped Injury to on the ice, fell and cracked his elbow. Dr. Harrington Officer notified the Chief on January 22nd that Officer Barry Barry will be disabled for approximately three weeks. Upon motion of Mr. Maloney, seconded by Mr. James, Cert. of it was v oted to sign a Certificate of Incorporation for Inc. David Goldberg, et al of Lexington, satisfactory char- acter references having been received from the Chttf of Police. Letter was received from Elitabeth D. Haroian, Sec- retary of the Parent-Teacher Association Council, re- questing permission to conduct a Tag Day to raise money for the High School Scholarship Fund on Mpnday, March Tag Day 7th, Election Day. The Chairman reported that the only time permis- sion was granted for a Tag Day on an Election Day was in 1950 when it was granted to the High School Band. At that time it was definitely understood that no per- mit would be granted on an Election Day in the future. The Chairman was authorized to advise Mrs. Haroian that much criticism was expressed when the Board had granted a similar request some years ago and since that time it has been the policy of the Board not to grant permits for Tag Days on any election day. However, if another date were selected, the Board would undoubtedly act favorably. Mr. James mentioned traffic congestion resulting in a dangerous condition in front of the Center School Traffic at when the students were coming out of the building after Center attending a dance. School The Chairman was authorized to call the matter to the attention of the Superintendent of Schools and sug- gest arranging to have the cruiser stop by or having an officer assigned to duty. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Gay, Use of it was voted to grant the following uses of halls: halls 111 Lex. Council Girl Scouts Conf. Rm. Feb. 18 Meeting Lex. Council Girl Scouts Conf. Rm. Feb. 28 Meeting t 558 a School Department Cary Hall June 10 Concert I The meeting adjourned at 9:25 P.I . A true record, Attest: ler S /may, ectm I I