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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1950-08-28-min 184 an ST TFCTMEN'S MEETING August 28, 1950 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room on Monday evening, August 28, 1950, at 7 :00 P. M. There were present: Chairman Emery, Messrs . Gay, Driscoll, Nickerson and Hoyt. The Clerk was also present. At 7 :00 P. M. Mr. Joseph H. DeFoe, Supt. of Public Works, and Mr. William M. Burns, Town Engineer, met with the Board. Mr. Burns advised the Board that Tony Mel- chianno had been unable to raise the $3,000 which the Board had requested him to do in order that they might be assured that payrolls would be met if the contract for Prospect Hill and Marrett Road work was awarded to him. The Chairman suggested that all bids might be rejected and this project could be readvertised. Mr. DeFoe and Mr. Burns said this was not advisable. Mr. Nickerson asked if the difference between Award Melchianno and Brox was 43500. , and Mr. Burns replied Prospect the net difference was about 41,100. He said if it Hill Rd . was possible the Town would take over a portion of contract the work and save about 41,000 but he would not to Geo. leave Marrett Road torn up all winter. Brox Mr. DeFoe said that Brox bid was a good one. Mr. Driscoll moved that inasmuch as A. Melchianno could not raise the money requested by the Board, to support the contract, it was deemed advisable to award the contract to George Brox, Inc. Mr. Hoyt seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. 1eFoe stated that the people on Watson Road are complaining about the shoulders on the road and requesting that they be loamed. He explained that it had been the policy of the town since 1946 to keep Watson the price down and that the cost of loaming the Road shoulders was so high that it had been omitted on all jobs. He said that Libetsty-Ledgelawn group had made the same request and it had been denied . The additional cost to the abutters would be about $2.00 a foot. On Watson Road the entire cost would be about $400. Mr. Gay said he had been contacted about the condition of the street and had looked it over. He agreed that it looked unfinished and he did not like it. Mr. DeFoe and Mr. Burns agreed that it looked bad but that all the streets had been left in the same condition conforming with the policy of the town to keep the cost down. Mr. DeFoe explained 185 that it would be cheaper for the residents to pur- chase the loard and do the work themselves than v/it would be i'or them to have the work done by the Town. Mr . Hoyt asked if the entire street would have to be done or just the corners. Mr. DeFoe replied that before you got through substantially all the street would have to be done. Mr. Burns said that on most streets the people had done the work themselves and it looked very well. Mr. Hoyt said if the people want 2t done they should be willing to pay for it. Mr. Gay said he thought they expected it to be done as part of the whole job without extra cost to them. He suggested that Mr. Mears be contacted and told that this was not included in the contract but that if the people wished to sign an agreement to pay for the work it would be taken care. The Chairman suggested holding the matter over for a week. In the meantime Mr. Gay said there *duld be an additional cost if the work is done and would report at the next meeting. Mr. Harold E. Stevens, Town Counsel, met with the Board at 7 :20 P. M. Mr. DeFoe presented an estimate of pipe needed for work which had been authorized for this year and work pending for which signature sheets have been sent out. A lengthy discussion followed as to the amount of pipe to be ordered due to the fact that date of delivery extends from 14 to 20 weeks according to the Purchase of various sizes . They also discussed the amount of Water Pipe money available and which might carry over into 1951. Mr. Walker, Town Accountant, was requested to sit with the Board and explained why he had allocated the Water Department Funds as shown on his books. He explained that if an order was placed in 1950 and he had notice of it the necessary funds would hold over to pay for it. However, Messrs. DeFoe and Burns did not concur with the method and the Board felt that once money had been appropriated at Town Meeting it should not be Allowed to lapse. Mr. Emery read from his notes for the Annual Town Meeting under Article 14 the explanation given to the Town Meeting Members . Mr. Stev ns said the money voted was not limited and, therefore, legally the town was not limited in order- ' ing the pipe. Mr. Hoyt said he felt the Town could not go wrong in ordering the pipe now which they felt could be used in 1951. 186 The Chairman requested that Messrs . Walker, DeFoe and Burns retire and check the amount of money available to place a satisfactory order for pipe and Messrs . DeFoe and Burns returned to the meeting later and suggested that the following order be placed: 7,700 feet of 6" pipe 2 700 " 8n " 2,000 " 12" " They would also order hydrants, valves and fittings . The Chairman asked if the other members of the Board had any questions about this order and ther were none. The Chairman asked if Mr. DeFoe, Mr. Burns and Mr. Walker approved this order and he replied in the affirmative. Mr. Gay suggested that they place a larger order for pipe and if it was needed it would be cancelled before delivery. Mr. Hoyt said he agreed with this suggestion. After some discussion. the Board authorized Mr. DeFoe to place the following order: 9,000 feet of 6" pipe 3,500 " 8" " 3,000 " 12" n Bids for the development of Kineen' s Pond were received on Augiist 25th as follows : Michael Ray $5,017 .00 Dow Company 5,664.50 George Brox, Inc. 6,240.00 T. R. Rawson 6,946.00 Milla's Florist Nursery Inc. 6,958.00 There was a discussion about omitting the loam from the contract and it was finally decided after con- ferring with Mr. Stevens to omit this item. Kineen's Mr. Burns that when this project was finished Pond there would be about three times as much area as was originally requested and he thought that the loam could be added at a later date. He said the people would still be getting more than they expected to under the vote of town meeting. The item of a backstop was discussed and Mr. Burns said that he had planned to put a hedge on this area. The Board felt that this might not be too practical and that eventually a fence would have to be erected. The cost of loam was deducted from all the contracts and the bids were then listed as follows : 187 George Bro4, Inc. X3,735.00 Dow Company 2,744 .00 Michael Ray 3,748.30 Award Millais 3,651.05 Contract Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was voted to award this contract, without loam, to George Brox, Inc. at a cost of 43,735.00 At 8:30 P. M. Mr. Toros Bashian met with the Board re his request for a permit to move a house from R 128 to a location on Wood Street. The Chairman explained to Mr. Bashian that he had talked to Mr. Ibndstrom, the Building In- spedtor, and had been advised that Mr. Bashian must submit a plot plan to that Department before a permit could be issued. He also said that there had been complaints from some of the neighbors in that vicinity. Mr. Bashian explained, by use of the map, just where the house would be located. He also said it was a new house and had been built about three years ago. A lenthy discussion followed after which Mr. Bashi.n advised the Board that he had already sold the house and would not need the permit. He said he had received a deposit and expected the balance on Saturday. The Chairman said the matter would be laid on the table and if the deal did not go through Mr. Bashian could again contact the Building Inspector and present the plot plan, after which time the permit would be considered. Mr. Bashian retired at 9:00 P. M. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to close the Town Office puilding on Saturday, September 2, 1950. At 9:10 P. M. Mr. and Mrs. John Chappelle, 72. Hillcrest Avenue, met with the Board . He explained that for the past three months he had been unable to secure any water from his well that could be used. Water The water was examined by Mr. Jackson, the Health Request Sanitarian, and was declared polluted. He had made three tests during this time and there had been no improvement. He explained that he had to carry water more than a quarter of a mile for drinking purposes but had no water for any other use . He II said he had steam heat and unless he was able to secure water he could not heat his home. Mr. Chappelle explained that the property on this section of Hillcrest Avenue, with the exception of one lot, was owned by relatives of his and he would 188 obtain the necessary signatures to have water installed without any difficulty. . The Chairman explained that this condition existed when Mr. Chappelle moved into the property and he must have been aware of it. He said the Town did not feel responsible in any way; however, they were sympathetic to his problems and would discuss it with Mr. DeFoe and Mr. Burns later in the evening. The Chairman also explained the shortage of pipe and said even though the Board wanted to do the work it might cause considerable delay in obtaining this pipe. Mr. and Mrs. Chappelle retired at 9:10 P. M. The Chairman read a letter from the Board of Assessors requesting authorization to pay Miss Dorothy Pierce for a second vacation week. Miss Salary Pierce has been in the employ of the town for seven for months. The Board voted to adhere to the policy re- Vacationcommended by the Wage and Salaries Committee at the March 23, 1942, Town Meeting, which was to grant one week vacation to those employees in the Town service more than six months but less than one year. The Chairman read a letter from the Board of Fire Engineers in which they recommend the possible New Ambulance purchase of a new ambulance at this time. The RequestedmnChairman agreed to write the Fire Engineers and advise them that the Board were not inclined to take any particular action at this time to replace the ambulance. It was thought that this might be discussed in the 1951 budget. A letter was received from the Town Clerk advising Resignation the Board of the resignation of Mrs. Steele Lindsay from the School Building Committee. Inasmuch as this committee had been appointed by the Moderator there was no action necessary by the Board. Resignation The Board considerered the resignation of Mr. Henry Brask from the Town Manager Committee. . It was their opinion that his experience on this committee during the past year was extremely valuable and they would like him to reconsider. Mr. Gay agreed to contact Mr. Brask and express to him the opinion of the Board. Messrs . DeFoe and Burns returned to the meeting at 9:30 P. M. A letter and petition was received from Mrs . Martha 189 Yntas asking that no shades be placed on the street lights in the area of 40 Moreland Avenue. No request for shading the lights had been received and the Street Chairman agreed to acknowledge Mrs . Yntas ' letter Lights and tell her that if a petition to shade the lights is received her petition will also be considered. Mr. Emery asked Mr. DeFoe if he had any opinion as to water on Hillcrest Avenue . Mr. DeFoe said Mr. Chapelle had made this request several months ago but nothing further had been done on it. Mr. Hoyt said he thought Mr. Chapelle had made Water an earnest effort and was willing to secure the Request signatures. It was decided that the papers should be pre- pared and a request made for the signati s, with the understanding that thew ater will be installed as soon as possible, depending upon the delivery of pipe. Upon motion duly made and seconded it was voted to approve the following votes which had been prepared by the Town Counsel: Votes VOTED: That pursuant to the authority granted by Chapter 159 of the Acts of 1950, the time for payment of the betterment of 4836.00 assessed upon land of Thomas Napoli, consisting of about 12.02 acres, situated on Lincoln Street, which assessment was made in connection with the laying of a water main in said Lincoln Street, is hereby extended, with- out interest, until said land or any part thereof is built upon or sold or until the expiration of three years from the date hereof, which ever event first occurs; provided, however, this this exten- sion of time shall terminate immediately if the facilites of said water• main are used for said lot or any part thereof. VOTED: That pursuant to the authority granted by Chapter 159 of the Acts of 1950, the time for payment of the betterment of 4518.40 assessed upon land of Ciriaco Cataldo, consisting of about 14.25 acres, sitauted on Bow Street, which assessment was made in connection with the construction of a sewer in said Bow Street, is hereby extended, without interest, until said land or any part thereof is built upon or sold or until the expiration of three years from the date hereof, whichever event first occurs; provided, however, that this extension bf time shall terminate immediately if the facilities of said sewer are used for said lot or any part thereof. 190 The Chairman read a letter from the Arlington Gas Main Gas Company requesting permission to install a 6" gas main in Lowell Street from the junction of Woburn Street, a distance of 2100 feet. The plan had been approved by Mr. Burns. Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to grant the request for this installation. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. W. H. McCullough, 67 Valley Road, requesting the installa- tion of a water main. Mr. DeFoe stated that he had advised Mr. McCullough to send in a petition with the signatures of the others who would be served by this extension. The Chairman agreed to ackno*- ledge this letter and request Mr . McCullough to obtain the signatures. A letter signed by William C. Catley, 41 Fair Oaks Drive and Philip R. Brooks, 44 Fair Oaks Drive requesting the extension of a water main on Water Fair Drive, Drive. The Chairman agreed to acknow- Request ledge the letter and advise the writer that in view of other commitments and other requests we regret we cannot give any assurance at this time as to the date of installation. Mr. DeFoe and 1dr. Burns left the meeting at 10:05 P. M. A letter was read from Messrs . Littlejohn and Radio Lewis re commending the purchase of two spare parts Request kits, trumpet type speakers and an additional mobile unit. It was decided that the Chairman would look into the cost of the third unit and to bring the matter again at the next meeting. A letter enclosing a bill for 418..00 covering Water excess water, was received from Newton V. Crandall, Bill 40 Middleby Road. It was the opinion of the Board that this bill should be turned over to the bonding company to could paid under the Raimo contract; and in the event they did not pay it the bill was to be abated. A letter was received from the Town Accountant advising that there was 445 .77 temaining in the Law Tranfer Department- Expenses Account. Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to re- quest the Appropriation Committee to transfer the sum of 4200. from the Excess and Deficiency Account to cover expenditures for the balance of the yeF-r. 191 Upon motion duly made and seconded it was voted to approve the following licenses: Licenses Countryside Associates Lowell Street Sun. Golf Lexington Theatre, Inc. 1794 Mass . Avenue Sun. Movies The Clerk left the meeting at 10:35 P. M. after wriich a discussion followed on the Sunday Sales Licenses requests by John O'Connor and Kieran Lowry. No action was taken on these permits . C Acting Clerk, Selectmen. I I