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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1955-01-17-BOS-min 546 CL SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 17, 1955 A. regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building on Monday, January 17, 1955 at 7:00 P.M. Chairman Reed, Messrs. Gay, Bateman, James and Maloney were present. Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, end t he Clerk were also present. The Chairman read a letter from the Board of Appeals re variance granting the First Congregational Harrington Society, Unitarian, to use the rear portion of the Road present Rowse land• on Harrington Road for a parking area. The purpose of the letter was to express the Board' s positive belief that Harrington Road should be made a one-way street. Petition was received from Boston Edison Company Guy wire for approval of guy wire and anchor location on the location Cambridge-Concord Highway. Mr. Burns explained this is merely tying back a dead end line and the property on both sides belongs to the City of Cambridge. Upon motion of Mr. Gqi , seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the following guy wire and anchor locations Cambridge-Concord Highway, from a pole located opposite Mt. Tabor Road, Guy wire and anchor Petition was. received from the Boston Edison Com- pany and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Com- pany for approval of guy wire, anchor and five poles on right of wqr running from Massachusetts Avenue to Guy wire Roosevelt Road. and pole Mr. Burns explained this location is on the road locations going to the new Maria Hastings School. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman , it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the following guy wire, anchor and pole locations: Right of way running from Massachusetts Avenue to Roosevelt Road. Guy wire and anchor - five poles 547 The Chairman read a letter from Mr. H. K. Mac- Kechnie, 12 Winthrop Road, expressing thanks for the Board' s letter of Decmeber 20 clarifying the- status as respects rights of way pertaining to the so-called Engstrom Drain. Letter was received from Commissioner John A. Volpe advising that the following allotments have been approved, contingent upon local action, relative to Chapter 90. State Town County Chapter 90 Hill Street ) $16,500 $8,250 $8,250 Concord Avenue ) Maintenance 1,000 1,000 1,000 The Chairman read a letter from Ethel M. Padden, )488 Marrett Road, requesting the town to place benches down by the Old Lexington Reservoir on Marrett Road and also the installation of a bright light. Mr. Maloney reported that he understood a local Reservoir businessman was going to take care of the lighting. ' The request for benches was referred to the Recreation Committee. Mr. Burns explained that the police officers are now using the Public Works Building for a shooting Shooting gallery but the portion of the building they use is gallery for not heated. Lieutenant Corr has inquired about using police space in the boiler room, Cary Building. However, this would necessitate removing the partition in the coal bin. Mr. Burns explained that it is not a bearing wall and he would not have any objection. The officers are willing to do as much of the work they can themselves. Mr. James inquired about the number of times it would be used and Mr. Burns replied that the men would use it every week. The Chairman asked how the men would get into the building and Mr. Burns replied they would use the rear door. He said it would not interfere with any other activity in the building and even if it did, the prac- tice could be postponed until some other evening. The Board had no objection, but Mr. Bateman said he would like to look at the place first. At 7:30 P.M. Messrs. Wadsworth and Smith met with the Board re additional land for Franklin School. 548 CL Mr. Smith presented a blue print of the school Franklin plot now owned, and what the Committee would like to School acquire. He explained that to enlarge the building land to the extent the committee thinks it should be, will require another acre and a half of land. He stated that Mr. Greeley has laid the building out in, what in his opinion, is the best way. He said that in order to obtain the play area and also to meet the State Building Assistance Commission's requirements, the logical procedure would be to extend the corner down. The Chairman said that at the time he discussed the subject with Mr. Swenson, he was not aware of this present proposal. However, he felt he would be co- operative and agreed to discuss the matter further with him. Messrs. Wadsworth and Smith retired at 7:35 P.M. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, arrived at the meeting. Chairman Roeder, Messrs. Fitzgerald and Sheldon, Fire Commissioners, met with the Board. Mr. Roeder presented the Chairman with a letter, Aerial signed by the Commissioners, to which was attached a ladder copy of an inspection report that has just been made off' the present condition of the aerial ladder. The Chairman read the report, signed by William J. Kelly and David I. Driscoll, Maintenance Division of the Uity of Boston Fire Department. According to the report the ladder has a very bad twist and leans to the left when fly ladders are extended, top fly ladder has both spars distorted, on the left side rail of the butt ladder the weather has penetrated into the wood at the lag bolts that hold the runners to the main spar. The report stated that the ladder could not be tested until the conditions have been repaired and it is their opinion that in its present condition it is not safe to use above the butt ladder due to the dis- tortion of the ladder. Mr. Roeder explained that the Commissioners re- quested the inspection; if it tested all right, they would forget it but if it did not test all right, they would come back and see the Selectmen. The Commis- sioners are now wondering what to do as they feel they should restrict the upper sections of the ladder. If they restrict it, they will be protecting the men but will not have the facility of the longer ladder. The Chairman asked how long the ladder had been in its present condition and Mr. Roeder replied that the Commissioners didn' t know. It has been involved in three different accidents. 549 a= He said a year ago Moulton put in a spar and at that time it was supposed to have been gone over and in A-1 condition. The Chairman said that the ladder has been in use as it is now for some period of time and asked what prompted the request for a change. Mr. Roeder replied that the Engineers have re- quested it for two years- because since the spar was replaced it has leaned to the left. He said when the item was included in the Capital Expenditures budget this year, they did not know it was in as bad condi- tion as it is. The Chairman asked if the Commissioners were un- animous in the opinion that the ladder should be re- placed. Messrs. Sheldon and Roeder replied in the affirm- ative. Mr. Gay asked if Moulton inspected the ladder and Mr. Roeder replied in the affirmative. Mr. Gr asked if he said it was all tight and Mr. Shmldon replied that he repaired it so naturally he would say it was all right. He said that as far as he personally is concerned he would weigh the opinion in this letter far greater than Moultonts opinion. Mr. Roeder said that there is no question but that Moulton knows ladders, but he does not think he knows what is required by the Underwriters. Mr. Bateman inquired about the cost of remedying the twist. Mr. Roeder said they asked how much it would cost to put on• a new side on the butt section and were told that one piece not finished would cost $1,000 which would not correct the two top sections or take out the twist. The Chairman asked how they knew it was unsafe if they have not tested it and Mr. Sheldon replied that they are afraid they might break the ladder. Mr. Sheldon said that he, as a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners, does not feel this piece of equipment is safe; the Selectmen dould do exactly as they want and the Commissioners will do as the Selectmen want them to. Mr. Maloney asked how t he men felt about it; if they felt it was unsafe. The Chairman said what bothered him is the fact that when the budget was originally presented nothing was said about the ladder being unsafe; this all came about after he informed Mr. Roeder that the Selectmen had not approved the item. Mr. Roeder said t hat Driscoll and Kelly went over the ladder section by section, took it out, raised it 55® gas as high as it would go and then brought it down. It definitely had a twist in it . They examined it and when he asked Driscoll for his opinion, he said it was unsafe for further use. Mr. Maloney asked how Chief Engineer Cook felt and Mr. Fitzgerald replied that he thinks it is safe. Mr. Maloney asked if he had checked with any other men who use it and Mr. Fitzgerald replied in the affirmative. He said that out of five men, one said if he were ordered to go up he would go; two of Ahem said it was unsafe. The Chairman said that the Commispioners obvious- ly want to condemn the ladder anyway so if it is tested and breaks it won't make any difference. He said if the ladder breaks during a test, the Commissioners would not be any vm rse off than they are now as they want it condemned immediately. Mr. Roeder said all the Commissioners want to do is to make sure it is safe for the men. He said if the town does not want to spend the money, the Com- missioners want to go on record that they do not feel the ladder is safe. The Chairman said the Selectmen do not want the men working on the ladder if it is unsafe, but they want to be shown that it is unsafe. He said they w uld discuss the subject with the Appropriation Com- mittee later in the evening, and advise the Commis- sioners of the decision tomorrow. Mr. Roeder said a new truck would cost $34,500 and the allowance on the present truck is $14500. The Commissioners retired at 8:30 P.M. Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, returned to the meeting. Letter was received from the U. S. Army Engineers re closing a portion of Wood Street, Mr. Stevens said that he has checked this and a Mr. Stewart contends that they did take the fee in the street, but that they regularly make their takings sub- Closing ject to such easements and therefore the taking did not Wood St. take the right of passage in that way. The Bedford end is closed and therefore he, Mr. Stevens, could not see how there would be any damages against Lexington. He said if that is the situation, and he assumes it is, if the town petitions the County Commissioners to aban- don that part of the road they will hold a hearing. If they do abandon it, it will free the road of the easement. He said that it was laid out as a County wags and a County never takes more than an easement. He said he could see no objection and would not worry about damages. 551 Both Mr. Burns and Mr. Stevens agreed to obtain more information on the subject. Mr. Stevens retired at 9:00 P.M. Mr. Burns submitted a figure of $76,500 for the Pumping pumping station, which is to be a separate article in station the warrant. Mr. Burns referred to miscellaneous sidewalks as possible 1955 projects and submitted a figure of $6500 for Massachusetts Avenue, Waltham Street and Adams Sidewalks Street. This figure is based on shoulders and no curbing. Mr. Burns referred to sidewalk construction on School Street and presented the following possible methods to follow: Granite curb on both sides and bituminous $ 23,750 concrete sidewalks on both sides Granite curb on both sides and gravel on both sides 18,750 Granite curb on one side, bituminous con- crete on one side 11,875 Granite curb one side and gravel on one side 9,375 Bituminous curb on both sides and hot top on both sides 17,500 Bituminous curb on one side and hot top on one side 8,750 Bituminous curb on both sides and gravel both Elides 12,500 Bituminous curb on one side and gravel on one side 6,250 Mr. Burns said that he recommends granite on one side and gravel on one side, $9,375. He explained this does not include the cost of the land. Mr. James said he would be in favor of having granite on one side and bituminous concrete on one side, 11,875. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. James, License it was voted to renew a First Class Agentts license to 552 Morris Motors, )400 Waltham Street, Lexington. ' Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to grant the following uses of halls: Uses of halls Lex. Police Relief Conf. RM. Jan. 18 Meeting et "' " r first Tuesday of each month St. Brigidts Parish Cary Hall Feb. 21 Minstrel Feb. 22 Minstrel League of Women Voters Estabrook Mal . 3 Meeting V. F. W. Cary A . 18 Dance Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. James, Streets it was voted to sign notices of intention to lay out the following streets: Bertwell Road, Bridge Street, Fuller Road, Sherburne Road, Brandon Street, Fottler Avenue, Hayes Avenue and Crosby Road. The Chairman read a letter from Michael T. Curran, Lek,ington Master of Lexington Grange, advising that Ernest Hunt, Grange 47 Farmcrest Avenue will act as the Grange delegate to delegate work with the Allied Veterans' Council in planning the observance of April 19th and Mr. Clayton Morse, 21 Sherman Street will act as alternate. Letter was received from the Lexington Allied April 19th Veteranst Council informing the Board that the follow- Committee ing individuals will serve on the April 19th Committee: George Foster, Connell Albertine, Malcolm Clifford, Daniel O'Connor, Maurice A. Gagne and David F. Toomey, At 9:25 P.M. the following members of the Approp- Appropriation riation Committee met with the Board.: Chairman Fer- Committee re guston, Messrs. Read, Clark, Biggs, MacDonald, Madden, budgets Fisher and Walker. Miscellaneous budgets were discussed until 11:00 P.M. at which time the Planning Board arrived at the meeting. Mr. Adams said that he would like to discuss the Municipal municipal parking lot. He and Mr. Burns have con- parking tatted about three quarters of the land owners. They area were co-operative without a final discussion of figures. The other day one of them reversed his feeling and thought the Town was asking too much for assessed valu- ation plus 20%. He has conversed with others and think- ing is in a flux. He said that time is short and the Planning Board feels that the municipal parking lot is 553 vital to the business health of the town. They also feel the expense involved should be paid for by park- ing meter funds; using the present funds and borrow- ing the rest, parking meter receipts to pay for it. There is about $15,000 available now and the balance could be bonded for six years. To do the drainage, lighting, etc. it will cost roughly $25„000 leaving a balance of $145,000 to purchase the land. He asked if the approach now was to go to the men with the en- tire story. Mr. James asked what the back land is assessed for and Mr. Adams replied that it is 14 per foot. He said that there isn' t any property owner who will not benefit from the parking area. The Chairman said he thought the Board of Select- men feel that the project should be started. Mr. Adams said that to cover the expenses of the town there should be both parking areas and light manu- facturing. Mr. Maloney asked if the Planning Board intends to make a taking if the property owners do not agree and Mr. Adams replied that if they had to take seven out of eleven it would be very expensive. The Appropriation Committee and the Planning Board retired at 11:05 P.M. The Chairman reported that the State engineers had requested permission to set poles on Weston Street and Pole Concord Turnpike, Route a, prior to granting a petition location to be submitted by the Boston Edison Company. The Board had no objection. The Chairman reported that Mrs. ElizabeXhAlaaner_g 51-'Reed Street was taken to the Symmes Arlington Hos- Ambulance pital in the town ambulance. Mr. Collins, Welfare Agent, had inquired into the possibility of the Board abating the charge. Mr. and Mrs. Maxner are both about eighty years of age, have lived in Lexington for many years and although they are not receiving aid, it will be a financial hardship for them to pay the bill. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted not to render a bill to Mr. Maxner for the use of the ambulance. It was agreed to meet again tomorrow night to dis- cuss budgets further. The meeting adjourned at 11:10 P.M. A true record, Attest: ler , SfiL4n