Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1951-09-10-min 563 SELECTMEN' S MEETING September 10, 1951 111 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening, September 10, 1951 at 7 :00 P.M. Chairman Nickerson, Messrs . Emery, Gay, Driscoll and Hoyt were present. Mr. Burns, Sup't of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present. The Chairman informed the Board that some- time ago Mr. Burns had talked with him about a dead line for betterment requests - roads, sewers and water mains . Last year Mr. Burns made the remark to the Board that a dead line would be advisable. Mr. Burns reported that he has investigated the procedure being followed by other towns and only two, Arlington and Dracut, have any concrete program. The Town of Arlington sets October 15th as the final date for receiving requests for any work to be done the following year. The policy has been strictly followed and the people are Time limit now educated to the fact that a definite policy for has been established and followed . He said that' betterment he thought this could be worked out in Lexington requests by educating the people by an article in the local paper and talking around town with people who would know about it. He said that it would not matter whether the Board set the first week in October or the second week. This will give the Board time to decide whether or not it is going to act and will give Mr. Burns an opportunity to set up some money in the budget and work on plans so that the necessary data will be ready for Town Meeting. Mr. Gay asked if Mr. Burns knew of anyone who would be seriously hurt if this policy were put in effect this year and Mr. Burns replied in the negative. Mr. Gay asked what the latest date would be that Mr. Burns would want to accept requests and he replied that he would not want anything after the first of November. Mr. Emery said that the plan is definitely worth a try and his idea would be to give it the utmost publicity and state that no request submitted after October 15th would be given any consideration in the 1952 budget unless it is an emergency and further that the Board reserves the right not to necessarily include all the items in the 1952 budget brought in be- fore October 15th. Mr. Driscoll said that he would be willing to go along with Mr. Emery' s suggestion. 564 It was unanimously agreed that the Board of Selectmen should insert a notice in the Minute Man informing the public that October 15th has been designated as the latest date for receiving better- ment requests to be considered in 1952, and that if such requests are received it will not necessarily mean that the Board will include them in the 1952 budget. Mr. Burns brought up the subject of requests for street acceptances and stated that in the Woodhaven Section he has received petitions for Woodcliffe Road, Hudson Road and Munroe Road. Petitions have also been received for Preston Road, Wilson Road, Bartlett Avenue, Pearl Street and Arcola Street. He reported on the percentage of signatures as follows. Woodhaven Section (overall ) 75 Preston Road 650 Wilson Road 100 Requests for Pearl Street 47 street Bartlett Avenue 46 acceptance Arcola Street 17 Mr. Emery suggested, and the Board agreed, that the petitioners for the last three streets be notified immediately that not enough signa- tures have been obtained to have the projects included in the 1952 budget. Mr. Burns informed the Board that the amount of money involved on the streets mentioned is about $71,000. The Chairman asked if he had taken into consideration the fact that the Woodhaven section should be done economically and Mr. Burns replied in the affirmative. He stated that he figured bn $8.00 per foot which includes loaming and seeding. The Chairman asked if the work would be let out on contract and Mr. Burns explained that due to the large quantity of hot top involved, he would let it out. Mr. Burns agreed to have specific data prepared for the Board relative to the betterment requests now on file. Mr. Burns discussed the hours of the men in the Public Works Department and Mr. Emery asked if he was bringing this subject up as something to be considered in 1951 or 1952. The Chairman said he thought the idea was Hours in Public that the Board would study the subject possibly Works Department anticipating a request for shorter hours . Mr. Driscoll asked how the Superintendent felt and Mr. Burns said that he would like to see the 44 hour week and would like to have it effective as soon as possible . He said that either the rates would oe increased and the hours 565 remain at 48 or the men would not be given any- more take home pay and would be given 44 hours. He said that if the Board is going to do it in any fairness, and not give a double raise to all Hours in the Town Departments, it should be done in a year Public when there was no overall percentage increase. Works The Chairman asked if the men are more dis- Dept. contented with a 48 hour working week or with the amount of money they are making - their rates, in other words. Mr. Burns replied that the rate is not so much the argument, but there is definite talk about getting down to a five day week. It was agreed that Mr. Burns should give the Board specific information as to what the rates and hours are in Towns such as Needham, Dedham, Wellesley, Winchester, Belmont, Wakefield, Stoneham, and Reading. Mr. Gay asked if the Board would be agreeable to purchasing awnings for the windows in the Tax Collector ' s Office providing funds are available. Awnings It was agreed that the Superintendent of for Tax Public Works would bring the subject up again Collector around the first of November and consider the possibility of purchasing awnings pending the amount of money left in the Town Offices and Cary Memorial Building Account. Further consideration was given to Mr. Robbins ' request for street lights on Homestead Street. Mr. Burns reported that the street is very dark and re- commended the installation of two lights. Street Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Hoyt Lights it was voted to approve the installation of two street lights on Homestead Street. The Chairman read a letter from Edmund J. Tocci, 8 Concord Highway, in which he complained about the drainage on Bowman Street. Mr. Burns explained that Mr. Tocci has filled in whatever drainage or lack of drainage there was Drainage there. Water from Bowman Street and water from complaint Golden Avenue in Arlington and Lexington dumps into Bowman Street. The Board agreed to view the property before taking any action on the complaint . Letter was received from Mrs. Ernest B. Johnson with reference to a water betterment assessment Johnson levied against the property at 45 Grove Street. better- Mr. Stevens, who received a copy of the merit letter, explained that this is similar to other cases release the Board has had where the State took property in con- nection with Routh 128 . Mr. Stevens left the meeting at 8:15 P.M. 566 =� Mr. Raymond Thayer and Mr. Otis Bramhall met with the Board to request the installation of a sewer in Nichols Road. Nichols Rd. Mr. Thayer said that the cesspools are not sewer functioning properly due to the seepage and the condition is becoming worse. Mr. Bramhall gave the Chairman a petition which was sent out by Mr. Burns, and stated that all but one resident signed. The Chairman explained that now the petition has been returned it will be given consideration by the Board and explained that very shortly the Board will consider all the projects for 1952. He stated, however that the Board cannot guarantee that this particular project will be included in the budget, but it will be discussed. He further explained that these projects have to be placed before Town Meeting and the Board must recommend for or against them and then they are approved or disapproved by the Town Meeting. Messrs. Burns, Thayer and Bramhall retired at 8:25 P.M. Mr. and Mrs. Innis met with the Board with reference to his application for extension of a water main to service Leroy and Ellison Roads . He presented a plan of the layout of lots and explained what he has done in the area to improve the property. The Chairman said that the Board was con- cerned with what he had originally proposed to do on Leroy Road because the Board of Health had objected to the development of some of the lots because they could not be properly drained. Innis req. He asked if Mr. Innis now thought the situation for water was changed and he explained what he has done by use of the plan. He stated that he has not had any difficulty with the septic tanks in any of the houses already constructed. The Chairman explained that, by vote of Town Meeting, a building permit cannot be granted until the Board of Health has vouched for the fact that the lot can be served by a cesspool or septic tank. Mr. Burns returned to the meeting at 8:40 P.M. The Chairman explained that the extension of a water main has to be voted by Town Meeting and there has to be an article in the warrant to cover a number of situations. 567 He said that the project has to be started in one year and considered for the next year' s budget, and explained that the Board is start- ing to work on the 1952 budgets. He informed g g Mr. Innis that his request will be considered as a 1952 project, and explained that if the Board does not think that the amount of money the Town will vote will take care of all re- quests, some of them will have to be eliminated. Mr. Innis said that the water is now down Wilson Road and it would require only a short extension to take care of his lots on Roosevelt Road. The Chairman suggested that Mr. Innis confer with Mr. Burns and give him the entire picture as to what he intends to request. After Mr. Burns has all the information, he will discuss the subject v.ith the Selectmen who will in turn contact Mr. Innis. Mr. Innis retired at 9:50 P.M. Mr. Langdon C. Hedrick, President mf Woodhaven Association, met with the Board and the Chairman read a letter from him with reference to the condition of Munroe Road. Mr. Hedrick asked if there is any question of Mr. McLaughlin, the contractor, having not Woodhaven met the standards and Mr. Burns replied that Streets he met them at the time. He explained that it is now over two years since the road was con- structed, and therefore Mr. McLaughlin cannot be held responsible. The Chairman said that it is possible that the application for street acceptance may be considered in the 1052 budget and said that he thought the situation would be corrected during the construction of the street if it is accepted by Town Meeting. He said that even if the Town votes to accept the street, it will not be constructed until the middle of 1952. He also explained that the deadline for accepting petitions has been extablished as Qctober 15, 1951 and that a minimum of 65% of the signatures of property owners will be necessary for the Board to consider the petition. Mr. Hedrick and Mr. Burns retired at 9:05 P.M. Mr. Stevens returned to the meeting. Further consideration was given to Mr. Joseph Friene ' s offer of 3250 for Lot 3, Farmhurst Section 1, Waltham Street. Tax Title Upon motion duly made and seconded, it Property vas voted to entertain an offer of yi)250 plus 568 cc c the sewer betterment assessment of 4146.67 and a drainage easement from Waltham Street to the back of the lot. Further consideration was given to the Shell Oil Company' s application for permission to remove three 2,000 gallon tanks and install two 4,000 gallon tanks at 1095 Massachusetts Avenue. Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to withdraw the question that was placed before Town Counsel with reference to the application. Mr. Emery wished to be recorded in Gasoline opposition. Permit Mr. Hoyt then moved that the Shell Oil Company' s application for permission to remove three 2,000 gallon tanks and install two 4,000 gallon tanks at 1095 Massachusetts Avenue, be granted. Mr. Gay seconded the motion. ihir. Emery said that he wished to be recorded in opposition, and Mr. Driscoll said that he was not ready to vote on the subject. The Chairman voted in favor of granting the permit, thereby giving a majority in favor and the vote was carried. Mr. Stevens retired at 9 :35 P.M. Letter was received from Henrietta W. Bennett, on behalf of the Ladies Auxiliary, Rummage Post 3007, V.F.W. for permission to conduct Sale a remmage sale at the Barnes Property on Saturday, September 22, 1951. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to grant the request . Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to grant the following licendes : Countryside Associates, Inc. Lowell St. Sun. Golf Licenses Lexington Theatre, Inc. Mass. Ave. Sun. Movies Lexington Theatre, Inc. Mass. Ave. Theatre With reference to Mr. Morasi 's offer of 4200 for Lots 644 through 648 on Asbury Street, the Tax Title Chairman explained that the water main has been Property extended past this property. Upon motion made and seconded, it was voted to entertain an offer of 4475 for the five lots. Letter was received from the Boy's Club with Sexton reference to the possibility of using the Sexton Property property as Club Headquarters . No action was taken on the subject. recor Pe Kiffg,Nadjourned at 10:20C1'er. A true