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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1951-10-08-min 11 SELECTMEN'S MEETING October 8, 1951 A regular meeting of the Board of Select- men was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening, October 8, 1951 at 7 :00 P.M. Chairman Nickerson, Messrs. Every, Gay, Driscoll and Hoyt were present. Mr. Burns, Supt of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present. The Board discussed the accident which occurred when a car proceeding on Marrett Road drove over the sewer ditch and it, caved in. Mr. Emery reported that he saw the trench on Friday night and it was in good condition. The possibility of insuring the Town for such coverage was considered, although this par- ticular accident is the responsibility of Brox, the contractor. The Chairman read a letter from John A. Rodes relative to Shade Street drainage. Mr. Burns said that the street construction does not bother him, but the amount of water run- ning down Shade Street does. He said that if Mr. Rodes or anyone else has the answer he would like to know it. He said the only :shade solution he can offer is to put in a portion Street of the drain in Shade Street and run it as drainage near Weston Street as he can, but he doubts if be will have any money left over in his account to do this. He informed the Board that it will cost between $16,000 and $20,000 to construct the drain up to the corner of Cary Avenue . Petition was received, signed by eight individuals (no addresses given) requesting Sherburne the extension of the sewer in Sherburne Road Rd. Sewer between Vine Brook and Winthrop Road. The Board agreed that this is a 1952 budget item. Petition was received, signed by nineteen residents of North Street, requesting instal- Street lation of street lights to complete the circuit Lights left open from #48 to the junction of North and Burlington Street. Petition was also received, signed by twelve residents of North Street, requesting Street the installation of "Children Go Slow" signs. Signs Mr. Burns informed the Board that when- ever anyone calls him in regard to traffic signs he tells them that he will paint them on the street now, but if they want the other type, it will take approximately six months. The Chairman requested Mr. Burns to make an investigation of both requests and report to the Board. 12 cy 0. The Chairman read a letter from Vernon C. Page, representing the Follen Church, expressing dissatisfaction of the work the Town has done on the church property, on the side of the church next to the school drive- way. The Chairman suggested, and Mr. Burris agreed, that Mr. Burns contact Mr. Page in an effort to find out just what the trouble is. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, arrived at the meeting at 7:30 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. R. J. Spencer stating that Mr. Garrity has re- moved one tree at the driveway to her garage Removal on Vine Brook Road, but her problem is not of tree solved and she would like to have the second tree removed. Mr. Driscoll said that he would like to look at the area before making any decision. The request was held over until the next meeting of the Board. The Chairman read a letter from Charles Small, attorney for Mr. Palladino, relative Palladino to the drainage problem involving tax-title Drainage property purchased by Mr. Palladino. The Board recalled that Mr. Palladino was well aware of the situation when he pur- chased the property. The Chairman agreed to review the records and contact Town Counsel. Mr. Burns said that if the Town Office Town Building is to be closed Saturday morning, following the holiday on Friday, October 12th, Offices Officd he would like to close the yard also and have Clthe time made up. Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to close the Town Offices and the yard on Columbus Day, October 12th and also on Saturday morning October 13th. Mr. Stevens left the meeting at 7:55 P.Y. The Chairman read a letter from Samuel F. Parker, Vice President of the Lexington Federal McKearney Savings and Loan Association, advising that Miss Betterment Magaret A. McKearney had consulted him with ref- erence to the street betterment assessment levied against her property on Grant Street. The letter stated that Miss McKearney doubts the equitableness of the assessment and the adjustment to date does not, in her opinion, favorably adjust the situation. 13 Mr, Parker requested further review by ' the Board. Upon motion of Mr. Finery, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to authorize the Chairman to advise Mr. Parker that the Board gave very careful consideration at the time the better- ment assessments were considered and all parties involved were entirely satisfied. Letter was received from Mr. Stevens re- lative to the legality of the Town appropriating money for a local 4-H Club. He explained that such an appropriation cannot be made directly. However, the result can be accomplished by an appropriation to the Middlesex County Trustees 4-H Club for county aid to agriculture. He discussed the Approp. subject with the Division or Accounts and also Mr, McDougal, Middlesex County Agriculture Agent. At the present time there are no towns in Middlesex County that make such an appropriation. Some towns do, however, make appropriations in some form that are used directly for the support of the local 4-H Club. If further information is available he will advise the Board. Letter was received from Norcross Teel relative to allotment of the Town's insurance. Mr. Gay recommended that the Board adopt a policy of not placing additional insurance with local agents unless one of the present agents drops out for any reason. The Chairman inquired as to the amount of time involved in handling the Towns insurance, under the present set-up, and Mr. Burns replied that it takes approximately six weeks per year for one girl and between one and two weeks for Insurance himself. Mr. Emery said that he would be in favor of studying the subject and having Mr. Hill, of Brewer & Lord, in to discuss it with the Board. The Chairman agreed to consult Mr. Hill, and request him to submit a letter to the Board outlining how this problem of insurance allocation should be handled. Further consideration was given to Mr. C. R. Glenn's offer to purchase Lots 35 and 36 Hillcrest Street, for $100 plus betterment assessments. Tax Title Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Property Hoyt, it was voted to entertain an offer of $800 for the two lots; said figure to include the betterment assessments. 14 CC CO Mr. Dominic Varello's offer of $200 for Lots 50-53 on Hillside Avenue, was placed on the agenda again at Mr. Gay's request. He explained that Mr. Varello had approached Tax Title him and would like to have the Board reconsider. Property Mr. Emery reminded the Board that the Planning Board has recommended retaining all the tax title property in this area due to the possibility of future development by the Town No change was made in the Board's previous decision to decline Mr. Varello's offers. Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Marrett Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to sign a Sewer Order Road for the extension of the sewer in Marrett Road Sewer from the end of the existing main westerly approximately 655' . (Copy of Order on file Selectmen's Office under Sewer Orders 1951). Further consideration was given to appli- cation for use of Estabrook Hall for a meeting, Use of submitted by Mrs. Gertrude Fox, on behalf of Hall the Welcome Wagon Service. It appeared to the Board that this is strictly a commercial venture and therefore the request was denied. Police report for the month of September was received and placed on file. The Chairman read a letter from the Parking Lexington Chamber of Commerce Off-Street Parking Committee, requesting the Board's consideration to the parking situation in Lexington Center. No action was taken on the matter. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it License was voted to grant the Lexington Theatre's application for a Sunday Movie License. Sexton Letter was received from the Lexington Property Boy's Club, Inc. offering to pay $25 per month for the Use of the Sexton property as head- quarters. The Clerk informed the Board that Chief Engineer Cook has arranged ten blasts on the fire whistle, repeated three times as an air said signal and W. Manfred Warren would like Air Raid to know whether or not such arrangement should Signal be approved by the Board. The Board had ho objection and Mr. Finery suggested that Mr. Warren be invited to meet with the Board to report on the progress of the Civilian Defense organization. 15 Letter was received from Dan H. Fenn, on behalf of the United Council on World Affairs, requesting permission to conduct a meeting in Cary Hall on Wednesday, October 24th, at Use of eleven o'clock in the morning or one o 'clock Hall in the afternoon. Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Emery, it was voted to grant the use of the hall free of charge. Application was received from Rev. Harold T. Handley, on behalf of the Lexington Council of Churches, requesting permission to use Cary Hall on Tuesday, November 20th for a Thanksgiving Community celebration. Mr. Awry said that he would be in favor of granting the use of the hall providing the Use of .council includes churches of all denominations, Hall otherwise he thought it should be denied. Mr. Driscoll said that he would be in favor of granting the request. The Chairman agreed to contact Rev. Handley to determine the character of the exercises. Mr. Stevens returned to the meeting at 9:03 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from the State Department of Public Health, addressed to the Lexington Board of Health, reporting on the results of soil analysis made at 17 Donald Street. Mr. Stevens reported that he had a meeting laat Friday with the builder, Mr. Lindetrom and Mr. Jackson to review the situation and at that meeting he read the letter from the State. He explained to the builder that on the basis of this letter the Board of Health could not issue a permit for a cesspool or septic tank and the Building Inspector could not issue an occupancy permit. He told the builder if he wanted to proceed to construct the house and leave it idle until such time as it could be occupied that it was entirely up to him. At this meeting nothing was said about any claim for damages against the Town. Mr. Stevens reported that the builder has excavated for the cellar and had the forms in place. He therefore has the expense of excavating and the forms. Mr. 111 Burns said that the forms would cost about $200. Mr. Stevens said that he told the builder that the Board of Selectmen has nothing to do with this and that it is entirely in the hand5of the Board of Health and the Building Inspector. Mr. Burns retired at 9:10 P.M. 16 G4 OD The following members of the Board of Assessors met with the Selectmen: Chairman Burnham, Mr. Shanahan and Mr. Cronin, the Clerk. The Chairman of the Board of Selectmen said that this, as stated in the Board's letter, is to see if some point can be arrived at in regard to the forthcoming trial relative to the East Street claims being handled with some hope of success by the Town Counsel or settled out of Court. He explained that Town Counsel is very much concerned because he does not seem to get any firm ground upon which to trade in as far as values are concerned. He attempted East St. to have a joint meeting with all the injured Claims parties and their ideas, in some instances, are a little bit peculiar. He said he thought the settlement is restricted to 43,000 approp- iated' by Town Meeting for settlement of these claims, He said that he thought the Assessors would come in this evening and talk, chiefly with Town Counsel, and arrive at some firm basis of Opinion to go into Court to sub- stantiate what is thought to be the fair value of the land. He explained that if the cases are settled on the basis of some' of the amounts involved, there is no question but that the land is under assessed compared with the owners ' ideas Of values. Mr. Stevens said that he has been trying to obtain figures and was assured by the attorney, Gould, that he would discuss the matter. He arranged for a conference last week with all concerned. Those in attendance were Ulendorf, Kelley, Bailey and Morrow. Ulendorf is assessed for $500 and claims 41800; Bailey claims 41500, Morrow claims 45,000 and Kelley wants 4750. Mr. Porter and Baskin are still to be heard from. The subject was discussed at length and the Assessors agreed to consider each claim individually and try to arrive at sortie def- inite conclusion as to *hat they believe would be a fair amount of damage. The Board of Assessors retired at 10:10 P.M. Telephone call was received from Harold E. Roeder, requesting permission to hold a demonstration at the rear of the Town Office Building on Sunday October 14th in connection with Fire Prevention Week. The Board had no objection. The meeting adjourned at 10:15 P. v A true record, Attest: i k