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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1954-06-01-BOS-min 377 SELECTMEN'S MEETING June 1, 1954 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Tuesday, June 1, 1954 at 8:05 P. M. Chairman Reed, Messrs. Gay, Maloney and James were present. Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, and the Clerk were also present. Hearing was-declared open upon petition of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for per- Conduit mission to lay and maintain underground conduits on location Massachusetts Avenue and Wood Street. Messrs. Barnard, Hayes and Consilvio, repre- senting the petitioner were the only persons present. Mr. Consilvio explained that the petition was submitted due to the fact that the company has to sup- ply service to the Army Base and also to the Lincoln project in Bedford, in which area there are a great number of subscribers. Mr. Gay asked if the conduit would take care of everything in the- area and Mr. Consilvio replied that it would be good for at least ten years. Upohl motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to approve the following conduit location: Massachusetts Avenue and Wood Street: From the present manhole 54/89 in Massachusetts Avenue to pole 115/3 in Wood Street, approximately 340 feet. The above hearing was declared closed and hear- ing was then declared open upon petition of the New Conduit England Telephone and Telegraph Company for permis- location sion to lay and maintain underground conduit in Waltham Street and Massachusetts Avenue. No persons were present in opposition. Mr. Barnard explained that this particular pro- ject is for the purpose of picking up the subscribers in Lexington to carry them to the new central office on Waltham Street. The only way it can be done is to come out on Massachusetts Avenue. The company thought the situation was taken care of a year ago when it was planning to have the office on Mariam Street, However, the company is now forced to go back into the street and there is no alternative. He said this would be a major conduit line. 378 The Chairmai said that last year, before Mas- sachusetts Avenue was resurfaced, the Superintendent of Public Works notified the utility companies that no permits would be granted to open up Massachusetts Avenue unless an emergency arose. He said this may be an emergency but the Selectmen are not of that opinion. The petitioner anticipated obtaining land on Mariam Street which did not work out and now the Board of Selectmen will be in a position whereby it will be severely criticized forgoing the avenue again. Mr. Barnard said that his company does not like the situation either but last year no one could fore- see the situation which forced this upon them. H said that the duct had already been put up to Mariam Street because the company wanted to move in advance of the street resurfacing. Mr. Gay asked how long the avenue would be closed off and Mr. Barnard replied that they would do the work at night If necessary and they will keep lanes open on both sides of the street. Due to other' ob- structions in the street, the company will have to go down;,the middle. The Chairman said that the- Board would-undoubtedly insist that the work on Massachusetts Avenue be done at night. He said he would like to discuss the subject further with the Board before making a decision. Mr. Gay -asked if the proposed conduit would com- plete the project and Mr. Barnard replied that the office is being built to take care of a twenty-five year period. Messrs. Barnard, Hayes and Consilvio retired at 8:25 P. M. Mr. Burns recommended that the BoArd requirq the company to cap from the curb on Waltham Street to the curb directly across on Massachusetts Avenue. The order was not signed and a letter listing the provisions is to be sent to the petitioner. Petition was received from the Boston Edison Com- pany and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Com- Pole pany for j/o pole location on Burlington Street. location Mr. Burns explained that the present pole is lo- cated in a street entrance and he approves the pro- posed change, Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. James, it was voted to„approve the following j/'/o pole location: Burlington Street, approximately 15 feet northwest of Longfellow Road, One pole. (One existing pole to be removed. ) 379 ' Petitions received from the Boston Edison Com- pany and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Com- pany for j/o pole locations on Lowell Street, Blossom Street and Concord Avenue were held over from a pre- vious meeting. Mr. Burns reported that the present poles are all located in driveways and he recommended approval of the petitions. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. James, it was voted to approve the following j/o pole lova- Pole loca- tions and sign -the orders: tions Lowell Street, approximately 25 feet southeast of Fairlawn Lane, one pole. (One existing j/o pole to be removed.) Blossom Street, approximately 375 feet north of Concord Avenue, one pole. (One existing j/o pole to be removed.) Concord Avenue, southwesterly side, ap- proximately 250 feet southeast of Barberry Toad, one pole. The Chairman read a letter from George F. Hagerman, 1 Oakland Street, requesting the town to Light shield place a shield on the electric light located op- posite his house. Mr. Burns informed the Board that he had written a letter today in an effort to find out whether or not the neighbors in this area would have any objection to a shield being placed on this light. The Chairman read a littter from Supt. Smith rela- tive to a recent break into the office of the Center School at which time a film machine and a tape recor- der were stolen. He suggested purchase of insurance protection on equip*ent located in all of the public schools. Mr. Burns reported that the cost for this par- ticular type of loss is $22.75 per $1,000. However, this is for breaking and entering only; vandalism is something else and not covered by the same policy for breaking and entering. He said that he talked with Mr. Hill and it is a question of how much the town has lost. From the conversation he felt that Mr. Hill thought the cost would be too high. The Chairman agreed to write Mr. Hill and ask for some definite information as to cost, types of coverage and advice. P 380 CL Memo was received from R. J. Fontaine, 4 Retolutionary Road, complaining about water col, lectin in front of hisproperty. 8 Mr. Burins explained that the water comes off Paul Revere Road and goes into Revolutionary Road. Complaint There has been water there before and he built an apron which has taken care of the condition to some extent. However, it would have to be three feet high $o take care of recent storms. Mr. Burns said that he has done as much as he can to help this man, but Revolutionary Road is nothing but gravel and not an accepted street. He talked to Mr. Fontaine today and when he left the office he seemed to be satisfied, but wanted to leave the information with the Board. Further consideration was given to Mrs. Seaver's Tree request to have a maple tree removed from in front of removal her property at 37 Somerset Road. The Chairman said that he, Mr. James and Mr. Burns had viewed the location and felt that it would be a shame to take the tree down. The Chairman was authorized to advise Mrs. Seaver that the Board is reluctant to have the tree removed but if she will submit a petition signed by the neigh- bors advising that they would have no objection, fur- ther consideration will be given to her request. Messrs. Stevens and Burns retired at 9:07 P. M. The Chairman read a letter from John J. Shaugh- nessy, 44 Garfield Street, Wbburn, requesting per- mi+*aion to move a barn 2141 high, 201 wide and 30' Permit to long from the Burlington-Lexington Line on the old move bldg. Middlesex Turnpike to Russell Street thence to the left into Woburn. A bond for $1,000 was filed with the letter. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to grant a permit subject to the follow- ing Eonditions: 1. Contact Park Department to make certain no trees or shrubs will be damaged. 2. Contact Chief of Police well in advance so that he may arrange his schedule as to the day and time the building is to be moved. The Chairman read a letter from Henry W. Merry, Duxbury, requesting permission to move two Jonset house sections on a trailer over Maeaachuaetts Avenue from Bedford to Quincy. 381 Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to grant the permit subject to the fol- lowing conditions: Permit to 1. Bond coverage to indemnify the town from move bldg. any damage to persons and/or property. 2. Contact Park Department to make certain no trees or shrubs will be damaged. 3. Contact Chief of Police well in advance so that he may arrange his schedule as to the date and exact time the buildings are to be moved. Letter' was received from Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk, Appointment advising that the Moderator has re-appointed M. Lawrence Allen a member of the Recreation Committee. Further consideration was given to letter from the Lexington Allied Veterans' Council in regard to a Transfer shortage in the 19th of April account whereby a bill of 134.20 due the Service Bus Lines of Revere is un- paid. The Chairman was authorized to ask the Trustees of Public Trusts to consider a transfer from the Leroy S. Brown fund to defray this expense. Further consideration was given to Mr. Worthen's letter of May 24th in which he suggested placing a Historical marker on the first common grave of the Minute Men, marker The Board was in accord with the suggestion and authorized the Chairman to ask Mr. Worthen for advice re an appropriate inscription and further secure the endorsement of the Lexington Historical Society. Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to sign the Dog Warrant for 1954. Letter Was received from the Follen Church Evening Alliance requesting permission to use the Barnes proper- ty on Saturday, September 11, 1954 for a rummage sale. Rummage Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Maloney, sale it was voted t0 grant the request. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to grant the following licenses: Licenses David 3. Michelson 30 Harding Road Guide William DeFelice 80 Westview Street Peddler Application for a Junk Collector' s License was received from Francis J. Lima, 847 Waltham Street. The Chairman read a letter from Chief Rycroft 382 giving Mr. Lima' s record with the Board of Probation License dating back to 1931, 1940 and 1941. ' Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to grant the license. Application was received from Mrs. Stillman P. Williams requesting permission, on behalf of the United Use of Nations Commitiree, to hold a meeting in the Selectmen's hall Room on Tueada - evening, June 15, 1954. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. James, it was voted to grant the request. The Board discussed the amount of $32.25 com- mitted as janitor's fees charged to the Simon W. Abatement Robinson Lodge and upon motion duly made and secon- ded it was votgd to abate the sum of $18. This amount was for services rendered to remove the canvas, chairs and clean the hall following a use by the School De- partment for a concert. Upon motion of Mr. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Gay, Appointment it was voted t re-appoint Dr. William L. Cosgrove a member of the oard of Health for a three-gear term expiring June , 1957. Upon mots n of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Maloney, IISigning of it was voted sign bonds in the amount of $500,004 bonds borrowed in an icipation of revenue; said bonds dated June 1, 1954 and payable November 1, 1954. Letter was received from the Board of Health ad- Transfer vising that there is a shortage in the Dog Clinic Account in the amount of $35.47 due to the ineroased cost of vaccine. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. James, it was voted to request the Appropriation Committee to transfer the sum of $35.47 from the Reserve Fund to the Dog Clinic Account. The meeting adjourned at 9:50 P. M. A true record, Attest: le , S ectmgn /