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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1954-12-27-BOS-min 531 SELECTMEN'S MEETING December 27, 1954 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, December 27, 1951 at 7:00 P.M. Chair- man Reed, Messrs. Gay, Bateman, Maloney and James were present. Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present. Mr. Burns stated that he would like authorization Town Offices to close the Public Works Department at noon on Friday & Public Wks before New Year' s day and explained that the men do Bldg. closed not receive pay this year for either holiday inasmuch at noon as they fall on an off day. He said that in the event of a snow storm, of course the men would have to work. The Board was unanimously in favor of granting Mr. Burns' request; the men to be paid overtime if it happens that they are needed for snow removal on Friday or Saturday. It was also agreed to close the offices at noon on Friday before New Year' s and the Chairman was authorized to so advise the Department heads. The Board gave further consideration to Mr. Alfred Tropeano's offer, on .behalf of a client, to purchase tax title lots on Oak and Eastern Avenues. Mr. Burns discussed the subject with Mr. Caterino, the prospective purchaser, dated June 6, 2903 and ex- plained the situation as follows: On the basis of Mr. Caterino's conversation he wanted ll{ lots for $1500 or Tax title approximately *107 per lot.- However, lots 12 and 13, property Eastern Avenue are tax title but not foreclosed and therefore cannot be disposed of. To get the same rate, it amounts to 12 lots for *1284; thw purchaser to put in the water, sewer and build the streets. It was agreed to entertain an offer of $1500 for lots 56 - 61 inclusive on Fairland Street; 117 - 118 -Oak Avenue; 8-14-15-16 Eastern Avenue; lot 8 to be combined and further to advertise the offer in this week' s issue of the Lexington Minute-Man. Further consideration was given to Mr. Frank Grazulis' offer to purchase lots 7, 8, 10 and 11, Block 30, Avon Street. Mr. Maloney moved that a proposal to sell the 532 Lac c. lots be advertised in the Lexington Minute Man and that further consideration be given the offer at the next meeting of the. Board. Mr. James seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from Antonio Busa advising that he will pay $500, the price entertained Tax title by the Board, for lots 51 and 52 Cummings Avenue. Mr. property Busa wanted to know if he would receive a-- clear title to the land. It was agreed to advertise the lots and advise Mr. Busa that the deed will be so drawn that only one building can be constructed on the lots and further to advise him that the Town does not make any agree- ment or representations as to the validity of the title; purchasers must obtain their own legal ad- vice as the the title. Special Upon motion of Mr. G u*, seconded by Mr. James, Police it was voted to appoint Bart Halmkin, Custodian at the Old Belfry Club, a Special Police Officer in the Town of Lexington for a term expiring March 31, ]955. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to renew the following licenses: Geo. R. Reed & Son, Inc. 1721 Mass. Ave. Com. Viet. Anna E. Phillips 29 Depot Square " » Howard D. Johnson, Co. Rte. 128 & 2A " a' The Chairman read a letter from Dog Officer, Complaint James Mowat, advising that he had investigated a com- re dog plaint by Betty Currier that a Boxer dog owned by Captain Richard Weir had destroyed her cat. Officer Mowat advised that Mrs.. Weir said they would either get a muzzle for the dog or dispose of him. The Chairmsi was autheri1ed to advise lb. Currier of the report. The Chairmen read a letter from Sanborn C. Brown, Chairman of the Capital Expenditures Committee, ad- Capital Exp. wising that the members of the Committee would like Committee to have it established as a By-law Committee. He also enclosed ,a copy of an article to be inserted in the warrant for the March Meeting in this regard. Mr. Burns mentioned briefly that some of the work anticipated by the Committee should rightly be carried out by the Planning Board and Mr. Maloney expressed the opinion that there appears to be too many com- mittees appointed. �.. 533 :L The Board wanted an opportunity to study the proposed articles and therefore no action was taken; the subject to be considered at the next regular meeting. Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting at 7:30 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from Supt. John Articles Blackhall Smith requesting two articles for the war- rant; one involving an appropriation for the renova- tion of the present junior high school building or the construction of another junior high school building; the second authorizing the appointment of a committee to secure plans and supervise the construction of a classroom addition to the high school building and to add to that building an auditorium and shops. The Clerk was instructed to send a copy of the proposed articles to Town Counsel. Mr. Stevens retired. At 7:)5 P.M. Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Haven met with the Board. The Chairman explained that Mr. Burns has worked out a possible solution of their problem in regard to Buchanan and sewer facilities for homes to be constructed by them Haven sewer on Meriam Street. services Mr. Burns presented a sketch of his recommenda- tion and explained that the pipe will come across lots 20 and 21 to reach Mr. Buchanan's house. It will be installed five or six feet in depth and by this method it will be off the street and put in as a service. However, the town would first have to have an ease- ment and the actual location would depend on receiving a plot plan from Mr. Haven. Mr. Burns explained that the cost, unlews there is ledge, is usually #3.00 a foot but in this instance there will be two separate pipes, one for each house, but he thought he could arrange to keep the cost so that it can be; divided between the two owners. He said that the combination of the two services would be about *850 providing the proposed location is not changed too much. Mr. Haven said that he could see no objection to giving the town an easement. The Chairman stated that after this meeting, all that is necessary is for Mr. Buchanan and. Mr. Haven to contact Mr. Burns. Both men retired at 7:50 P.M. Mr. Donald Fifield met with the: Board. 534 The Chairman explained that the Board had in- vited Mr. Fifield in this evening to discuss the sub- ject of sidewalk on Adams Street. He stated that the Selectmen' s records do not indicate that any money had been allocated to Adams Street, although Ys.Mr. Fifield said, the Appropriation Committee did make the statement. The Chairman read article 19 voted at the Annual March Meeting in regard to sidewalks. Mr. Fifield said the School Committee wanted the sidewalk and he thought the people who voted on Adams Street the subject of sidewalks expected the sidewalk in sidewalk Adams Street. He stated that if this is the situation, he thought the articles as presented should be looked into and possibly limit the Selectmen' s authority t little more. The Chairman asked if Mr. Fifield was request- ing a permanent sidewalk or one such as was there. He explained that if a permanent sidewalk is con- structed, one half of the cost will be assessed to the abutters, and a petition would have to be pres- ented signed by the abutters, requesting installation. Mr. Burns said that he remembered the time it was requested for the Franklin School and the work was done. He explained it was out and gravel and stone dust put on. Mr. Fifield said that the rain washes it out and the Chairman said that the Board realizes that. Mr. Fifield said it would be economical to put in a permanent sidewalk. The Chairman explained that if a permanent side- walk is installed one half of the cost will have to be assessed to the property owners and it will be necessary for the Board to have a signed petition. He said he would not want to proceed without a peti- tion because it would not be fair to charge the prop- erty owners if they did not want the sidewalk. He said the Board feels it should have at least 70% in signatures. Mr. James said he thought the percentage could be downward if the sidewalk is for the school. Mr. Maloney said that the percentage of better- ment would be the same. Mr. Gayexplained that even if the sidewalk p had been constructed, the. Board would have no alternative and would have had to assess the abutters. Mr. Fifield said he wants a permanent sidewalk and is willing to pay his share•. Mr. Gay asked if the abutters want the sidwalk and if they would be willing to pay. Mr. Fifield replied that the people want the sidewalk, but he did not know if they would want to pay for it. 535 < i The Chairman suggested that Mr. Burns figure the cost for either a bituminous or concrete sidewalk, make up the necessary forma for signatures and give them to Mr. Fifield to obtain the signatures. If the abutters do not want to go along with a permanent sidewalk, the present sidewalk will be fixed. Mr. Fifield agreed to circulate the petition and retired at 8:12 PT.M• Mr. Burns said that if a permanent sidewalk is installed, he would also want curbing. Mr. Burns retired and the following members of the Board of Health met with the Selectmen: Chairman McQuillan, Messrs. Cosgrove and Cole. Mr. McQuillan said that Chief Rycroft has in- formed him that the clerical work in his department has increased to the extent that it will no longer be possible for Mrs. Manley to do the Board of Health work. He said that the Board of Health does not need a full- time girl and Mr. Cole thought four hours a day mculd cover the work. The Chairman said that calls coming in are not confined to four hours and although the clerical work may take only four hours, a girl would have to be available all day to take care of the calls. The Chairman mentioned Mrs. Healy who works part- time for the Cemetery Commissioners and Mr. Maloney asked how it would tie in with the Building Depart- ment. Mr. McQuillan replied that the Building Depart- ment would tie in better because the work on cesspools and septic tanks is closely connected with building permits. The Chairman said that the Board is not prepared to make any decision in regard to the problem and Mr. McQuillan said that Mrs. Manley would earrren for a few weeks. Mr. McQuillan said he would just like to mention Sewer the subject of sewer connections. He said that the connections Board of Health feels that when the town appropriates money for sewer installations the people should be made to connect within a reasonable length of time. He ex- plained that in some instances hardship cases have been $iven ample time. He said it seems a shame to build 250,000 worth of sewers and not have the people connect. The Board of Health feels that it is not good sanitation if no pressure has been brought to bear when only six or ten people connect. Mr. James said that on the point of economics, it does not make any difference whether the people con- n 536 r•� nect or not. They pay the betterment and the reason for connecting insofar as the Board of Health is con- cerned, is a health problem. The people who do not connect may have sewage systems that never give any trouble, and he said he could see no reason why they should be made connect. Mr. McQuillan said that on that basis ohly those having trouble would have to conheat and therefore a quarter of a million dollars worth of sewers would be installed for only a few people. He said that sewers are modern sanitation, and cesspools or septic tanks are not as sanitary as modern sewers. Mr. James said he was thinking of an instance where the septic tank is in the rear of the house, all the plumbing is in the back and the house sits on a ledge. There are only two people in the family, the system is working all right and it will cost 102,000 to have the plumbing changed over to connect to the sewer. He said this individual can see no reason for connecting. Dr. Cosgrove said that in such ah instance, the Board of Health can't see any reason either. The Board of Health retired at 8:10 P.M. Dr. Howard Foley, his mother, Mr. Burns and Mr. Stevens met with the Board. The Chairman explained the situation in regard to the access road from about opposite the Fire Station on Bedford Street to the corner of Lincoln Street and Massachusetts Avenue. He said the Board would like very much to include an article in the warrant this year to construct the road but unless it can be done the way Mr. Aecesa Viano and the First National Stores want it laid out, road it will be altogether too expensive and the project will have to be dropped. He said the Board would like Dr. Foley and Mr. Viano to arrive at some agreement in regard to Dr. Foley' s property so that the road can be constructed. He explained the situation by use of a plan and said that the Board would like to khow Dr. Foley' s decision as soon as possible as time is very important. The group retired at 9:25 P.M. and the meeting adjourned. A true record, Attest: �e , Se ectm