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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1954-12-23-BOS-min 517 SELECTMEN'S MEETING December 13, 1954 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town '0ffice Building, on Monday evening, December 13, 1954 at 7:00 P.M. Chair- man Reed, Messrs. Gay, Bateman, James and Maloney were present. Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present. Hearing was declared open upon petition of the Bos- ton Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for approval of pole location on Pole Lowell Street . location Mr. Mahon, representing the Boston Edison Company, was the only person present at the hearing. Mr. Burns explained that at a previous hearing the Board had granted permission and signed an order, but the petitioner' s description was incorrect, although the plan was right. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to approve the location and sign the order for the following: Lowell Street, approximately 25 feet southeast of Fairlawn Lane, -- One pole. (One existing j/o pole to be removed. ) Hearing was declared open upon petition of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for approval of a pole location on Concord Avenue. Pole Mr. Mahon, representing the Boston Edison Company, location was the only person present at the hearing. Mr. Burns explained that this is another instance where the petitioner' s description was incorrect when originally presented. Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to approve the location and sign the order for the following: Concord Avenue, northeasterly side, approximately 280 feet southeast of Chadbourne Road, -- One pole. (One existing j/o pole to be removed.) Mr. Mahon retired at 7:04 P. M. 518 cola Mr. Burns read the following quotations received ' for the purchase of a 2-i ton dump truck: Truck bids F. K. Johnson, Inc. (G.M.C. ) $5882.23 net Frederic R. Childs 6100.00 " International Harvester 6100.00 Ferrin Seamans & Co. Inc. 7000.00 " Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to accept the bid of $5882.23 submitted by F. K. Johnson, Inc. At 7:11 P.M. the following members of the Planning Board met with the Selectmen: Chairman Adams, Messrs. Irwin, Grindle, Jaquith, and Hathaway. Mr. Snow, Con- sultant to the Planning Board and Mr. George Smith were also present. Discussion was somewhat as follows: Chairman: We have called this informal hearing on the Parking parking area. The Board felt that this year area it would like to go along with the parking area on the other side of Massachusetts Ave- nue which is bordered by Muzzey and Waltham Streets. This Board Is in charge of the mechanics and the Planning Board has set up the design and planning. We have come up with a plan and I thought I would let Mr. Snow bring it out here now and we will go over the whole project and find out if it is agreeable to everyone concerned and also find out if we can come to some agreement making it possible to proceed with the parking area which we would like very much to do. Snow: (Presented plan of proposed parking area. ) We have studied a number of plans and it seems to us the most desirable thing to do is to come down through the middle without destroying any houses or business and put in a central parking area. We could come in off Waltham Street and we could get through from several different points here. Perhaps through the Leary-Sexton property or some- where near there. In order to make it feas- ible we want to get as many cars as possible and this particular scheme shows only 58. If we come back out from the telephone ex- change we will get in 98 cars. Smith: On this plan you are taking all of my land. Snow: (P'resented another plan showing the Smith land and what he has purchased. ) This 519 scheme would take that piece of land. Every owner would abut on this parking area and in so doing increase the value of the property from a commercial development angle. With this scheme there would be an additional amount of land there you would not need and you could get in a three- car garage plus a small building. Smith: It is not really a garage. It is building from which I want to distribute newspapers. It has garage doors . That is all. (Pre- sented a rough drawing showing the proposed building 43' x 214' . I want to get it so I can drive into it from my driveway. The other building would be 35' wide and come across the end of this lot here. Chairman: The parking area could eventually continue down to Forest Street. Smith: There is another building which I hope to put up which will give me a little revenue from the property. Adams: We have tried since 1939 a number of plans and from the point of view of a well operated parking lot this seemed to be the most Peas- Snow: It will be the one to give the great- est advantage to every holder of frontage. Snow: We plan for every store to have service. Smith: This I definitely would not like to see be- cause the cars go so fast now I have a sign there to stop them. Adams: That is the least of all of the present exits. There are other possibilities. Smith: I would not care about the other side but this is a bad spot. Snow: This here would be only one way. Chairman: Eventually this street will have to be one way because of the traffic on it now. Smith: I would not need all that. It is a 35' build- ing and a 143' building and that is the land I want to retain Chairman: We want the parking area the same as the one up here, flush against the buildings. Smith: I know of no other place near my store where I can get land tocperate this building. If you tell me where I can find another piece of land I would like to know. I am afraid of the right of way out of there. It is a one-car right of way and one car can block it up. If I have an entrance to my garage Which I own and control, I can take care of it. 520 cad Bateman: You are going to put up a business block there some day. Smith: Some dayin the future utu maybe. y e. Adams: As far as your own business goes, wouldn't this give you enough access and the size of building you want? Smith: It does not look se when you go in there. Mr. Stevens Town Counsel, arrived at 7:25 P.M. Smith: I want the 35' building there so I can rent it, and have a contract ready for the con- struction. Hathaway: The value of your property on a frontage street and if there there is a parking lot put in be- hind it would tend to enhance the value. Smith: I am not interested in the value. It is not for sale in the first place and in the second place I paid more money for it than it is worth, but I paid it because it was worth that to me as it was the only place I could get. Adams: Your first essential is the distribution center. The other building came along afterwards. We are trying to look out for the other commercial ventures. This is for the benefit of everyone and if we could have this corner here, it would give you a better plan. Maloney: How mcg ihcine would you get? Smith: I would get enough to pay t he taxes on the prop- erty. Maloney: I doubt it. That will be very valuable some day. Chairman: If we came to some agreement on fixing your dis- tribution center which was the purpose for which you purchased the land, and we were able to pur- chase the other part of the land from you, would you agree to that? Smith: Well, if you have made up your mind, you can take it anyway. Chairman: That is not the way we want to do it. Smith: I would not want to say definitely until I can get a layout. Chairman: We would do everything we can to help you do that. Burns: I will have the building staked out for you and try placing it in three or four places to show you how it will look. Chairman: The best way to go about this is to have Mr. Burns go over it with you and stake it out so you can see how it will look. Smith: Yes. Sometimes it looks good on paper but when you drive a car over it, it is not so good. L 521 � y . It was agreed to have Mr. Burns arrange a meeting with Mr. Smith, at his convenience, and then make another appointment for him to discuss the subject further at a later meeting of the Board. Mr. Smith retired at 7:140 P.B. Adams: He could work out his distribution center, but the carpenter shop will require a Board of Appeals hearing. On that ground could it be denied? Chairman: He purchased the land mainly for a distribution center. The Planning Board retired at 8:00 P.M. The Chairman read a letter, signed by John J. Burtch and three other residents of Lowell Street, in protest of fouling the water in Butterfield's Pond. According to the letter a gravel washing concern has taken over Butter- the land on the other side of the pond and is using the field's water to wash gravel and then run the waste water back pond into the pond. Mr. Burns said t hat the concern is located in Bur- lington. The only interest the Town of Lexington has was when, as part of the Vine Brook Drainage project, there was a discussion with the Town of Burlington about col- lecting this water. Mr. Stevens said he would try to secure information in regards to the taking Lexington may have made and suggested that Mr. Burtch be told the Board is looking into it to see if there are any rights of the Town which are being violated. Mr. Frank Grazulis, 108 Reed Street, Lexington, who made an offer of 075 each for lots 7,8,10 and 11, Block 32, Avon Street, met with the Board. The Charman explained that the Board invited him Tax title in inasmuch s the members are a little reluctant to property sell these lots because of the fact that there is no water in Avon Street. He said he understood that Mr. Grazulis would be willing to connect the water himself. He asked if Mr. Grazulis intended to connect a service from Center Street. Mr. Gragulia replied that the nearest connection would be on Reed Street opposite Center Street and it would run about 200 feet. The Chairman asked if he owned the property on the corner of Reed and Center Streets and he replied that he could run along Center Street. Mr. Burns asked if he owned the land on the left hand side of Center Street and Mr. Gra,ulis replied in 522 CL the negative. He said he owns one piece on Avon Street, #9. He said that Mr. Cunha would like to see a main go down there but he could not put it in him- self. The Chairman said that the Board is concerned about getting the water down there and should know from the people who own the land on the left hand side if they would object. He said the Board would want to know definitely one way or the other before advertising the lots for sale. He said the Board would also have to arrive at what it believes is a fair price for the lots. He stated that the Board would want permission in writing from the property owners to go through their land, and if Mr. Grazulis could obtain this the Board will give further con- sideration to his offer. Mr. Grazulis retired at 8420 P.M. Mr.. John M. Buchanan' s letter of November 29th Request for in re sewer facilities for a house he intends to build sewer on Meriam Street is to be considered by the Board when budgets are discussed later this week. Further consideration was given to letter re- Engstrom ceived from H. W. MacKechnie, et al re so-called Drain Engstrom Drain. Town Counsel said that there appears to be no obligation on the part of the town as it seems that the culvert put in on Highland Avenue does not affect it. Insofar as he is able to ascertain the town does not have any rights in it, and he agreed to draft a reply to Mr. MacKechnie . The Chairman read a letter from the School Com- Additional mittee requesting the Selectmen to take the necessary land for steps to secure additional land adjacent to the Franklin Frankliim School so it may be available whenever the decision is School made to add to the building. The Committee would like to have an article inserted in the warrant for the March, 1955 meeting to secure 2 or 2i acres of land on the Allen Street side. Some questions were raised as to why the addi- tional land had to be on the Allen Street side and the Chairman agreed to investigate; the other members of the Board to view the property at their convenience. Mr. Burns presented a plan of the present veterans lots on Hill and Cedar Streets, together with proposed road and possible additional lots. He pointed out the Golf Club parcel of land which the Lexington Golf Club would like land to acquire and explained that it would not have any effect whatever if the additional lots are ever devel- oped. 520 r1 I� The Board was unanimous. in the opinion that no further lots should be considered in this area until the sewer is installed which will be some time away. It was agreed to insert an article in the war- rant for the March meeting requesting authorization to, sell the parcel to the Lexington Golf Club, and further agreed to entertain an offer of *300. Mr. James inquired about the cost of renting the bulldozer and said that he thought the Appropriation Committee should be requested to make a transfer to Transfer purchase the unit. Messrs. Stevens and Burns retired at 9:45 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from Representative Police Edith Nourse Rogers on behalf of Earl P. Anair, ap- applicant plieant for appointment to the Police Department. He also read proposed reply which was approved by the Board. Notice was received from Commissioner William Treas. & A. Schen advising that the sum of *61,300 has been Collect. established as the amount not less than Whict the bonds 1955 bond of the Treasurer shall be written and $68,500 has been established as the amount not less than which the 1955 bond of the Collector of Taxes shall be written. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to approve the sum of *61,300 as the amount of the Treasurer' s bond for 1955 and the sum of $68,500 as the amount of the Collector of Taxes bond for 1955. Application was received from the Secretary of Cert. of the Commonwealth on behalf of David F. Toomey, 1061 Inc. Massachusetts Avenue, for a Certificate of Incorpora- tion. A satsqfaotory character reference was re- ceived from the Chief of Police. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the application. Letter was received from Chief Rycroft adgising that he needs an additional *200 for expenses. As explanation, he reported that the maintenance of Transfer automobiles for the current year was higher than an- ticipated, during the hurricanes approximately $100 was paid out for food and equipment and the coat of batteries and bulbs has gone 'up as high as 1.00% in some instances. 524 CL Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to request the Appropriation Com- mittee to transfer the sum of $200 from the Ressrge Fund to the Police Department-Expenses Account. The Board gave further consideration to Mrs. M. Cavanaghts offer of $200 for Lot 151 Tarbell Avenue. Tax title ✓A proposal to see this lot was advertised in the property December 8, 1951 issue of the Lexington Minute-Man. No persons contacted the Selectmen' s Office as• a result of the advertisement. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to sell and convey Lot 151 Tarbell Avenue to Mrs. M. Cavanagh, 3d Tarbell Avenue for the sum of $200; the deed to be drawn so as to prevant the erection of a building on the lot. Further consideration was given to Mr. Antonio BuSa" e offer of $300 for Lots 51 and 52 Cummings Tax title Avenue. property Upon motion of Mr. Maloney, seceded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to entertain an offer of $500 for the two lots. Further consideration was given to Mr. Albert Tax title C. Cuccinello' s offer of $75 each for Lots 27, 28, property 29, 30 and 31, Block 17, Ward Street. Upon motion of Mr. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to entertain an offer of $300 per lot. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Licenses James, it was voted to grant the following licenses: Lexington Bowladrome 1698 Mass. Ave. Com. Vic. Renewal Five Forks Spa 286 Lincoln St. ' a Countryside Pharmacy 317 Woburn St. " n n Mary A. Rowland 150 Lowell St. w n " Berman's Market, Inc. 12-]J4 Mass. Ave. Pkg.Goods Store Albert J. Cavatorta 12 Forest St. Auctioneer Nem (Letter from Chief) The Chairman reminded the Board that Mr. Edward Appointment B. Cass' term as an Assessor would expire January 1, 1955. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. James, it was voted ro re-appoint Mr. Edward B. Cass as an Assessor for a three-year term expiring January 1, 1958. 525 Mr. Bateman brought up the subject of seals on Seals on Town cars and stated that he definitely thought all town ears town cars should have the seal. The Chairman said he felt differently on the subject and explained that the Supt. of Public Works and the Chief of Police have business which could be better carried on if the cars were not so easily recog- nized. Mr. Maloney expressed the view that people re- ceiving aid from the Town, through no fault of their own, might be caused undue enibarrassment if the Wel- fare Department car had a seal on it. The meeting adjourned at 10:15 P.M. A true record, Attest: 41/4 e , S e c tm -4y 1 1