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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1951-08-27-min 549 SELECTMEN'S MEETING August 27, 1951 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening, August 27, 1951 at 7 :00 P.M. Chairman Nickerson, Messrs. Emery, Gay, and Hoyt were present. The Clerk was also present. The Chairman read a letter from Orson K. Miller, 234 Concord Avenue registering a complaint about conditions at 246 Concord Avenue. He stated that Mr. Thambash and others work all day Sundays on racing cars and that the noise and gas is most objectionable. Miller Inasmuch as it could not be determined from complaint the letter whether the Thambashes actually conduct a business or just work on the cars as a hobby, the Chairman was authorized to confer with the Chief of Police and take whatever action seems to be warranted after the subject has been investigated. Mr. Long, representative of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, met with the Board, at the Board's request, relative to the application for permission to lay and maintain underground conduits and manholes on Massachusetts Avenue. The Chairman explained that the Board felt that the proposed conduit location was of such length that some further information should be obtained. Mr. Long stated that the company is endeavoring to place some more trunk lines between Arlington and Lexington. The existing conduit is filled and there is no more room for additional cable which the Town needs very liluch. He explained that there is a N.E. Tel. separate conduit down at the Arlington end up to the conduit point where a new conduit has been requested. He on Mass. stated that more trunks are needed between Arlington Avenue. and Lexington to give better service in Lexington. The Chairman referred to the new fire station in East Lexington and said that three or four months ago the Telephone Company took out one pole and put an underground cable in Locust Avenue with the thought in mind that as soon as funds were available the second pole would be removed. He said that it might be a good idea to remove the pole when the proposed cable is placed in Massachusetts Avenue. Mr. Long said that he was not in a position to say whether the pole could be removed or not. He agreed to present the subject of removing the second pole to the engineer and call the Selectmen's Office as to what the decision is. Mr. Long retired at 7 :40 P.M. 550 mt petition was received from residents of Meriam Street requesting hot top curbings to protect the front of their lots from the rush of water in heavy Meriam rains. St. The Chairman explained that he had discussed Drainage this petition with Mr. Burns who feels that the solution is not a curbing of this type, but the drainage which will cost $7,000 or $8,000. The Chairman was authorized to advise the pet- itioner that the only solution to the problem will be underground drainage and that it will be considered in the 1952 budget. Letter was received from Mrs . John M.Cook, on behalf of the Community Fund Drive, requesting permission to do a number of things in connection with the Drive. Approval was given for the following: 1. Boston Edison Company to install Community Fund collars on its poles. 2. Boy Scouts to pitch tents on the lawn of the Barnes property. Use of a room, for campaign headquarters, to the right of the Boy Scout entrance at the Barnes property. Community 3. Two spotlights on Cary lawn to illuminate Fund Drive Cary Building, October 20th. 4. Sounding of fire whistle. 5. Flying helium baloons over the homes of District Directors up to the individual property owners. Mr. Frederick McMillen, 82 Cliffe Avenue, Arthur T. Smith, 78 Cliffe Avenue, H. A. Hamilton, 15 Cummings Avenue and G. T. Peterson, 54 Cliffe Avenue, met with the Board. Mr. McMillen said that he has lived on Cliffe Avenue for about twenty-eight years and ever since he lived there, the Town has maintained the water Cliffe pipe and by maintaining he said he meant doing all Avenue the necessary repairs to it. He stated that the present Water leak in the pipe, which developed some time ago, is not Main the first leak. There have been several and in the winter the water has frozen, but always repaired by the Town. The Chairman explained that the Superintendent of Public Works has discussed this subject with him and contends that this a private one-inch main, in- stalled many years ago, and not installed deep enough to prevent freezing. The Chairman said that he could not say definitely that the Town has never repaired the pipe, but he knew that Mr. Burns had never repaired it since he has been superintendent. The Chairman asked if the repairs were made by the Town or if the people hired Town equipman.t? Mr. Hamilton said that the Town paid for the repairs. 551 Mr. Gay asked when the repairs were made and Mr. Hamilton said that it was either last year or the year before. The Chairman explained that if any work was done by the Town on a private line it was wrong. Cliffe Ave He said that the Town does not own it and is not Water Main supposed to do any repair work on a private line. He said this is the first time the Board has heard anything about the Town making repairs . The Chairman asked who paid for the pipe originally and Mr. McMillen replied that Mr. Ely Roberts turned it over to the Town and a man by the name of Gunnarson put it in and turned it over to Mr. Roberts, who turned it over to the Town. Mr. McMillen said that he has lived here twenty-eight years and the pipe was given to the Town before that. The Chairman said that aa far as any information that Mr. Burns has this is a private line and if it is, the Town should not touch it. He said the only solution is to have a water main installed correctly that will give some pressure, but the people in the area have told Mr. Burns that they don't want to be assessed. Mr. McMillen said that they feel that the Town has maintained the pipe for so many years it is obligated to repair it now. He said he wants the Town to replace the present pipe. The Chairman explained that unless some record can be found that the Town has taken ownership of the line that the Town will do no more repair work on it and will not replace it. He said that the Board will have the records checked and contact Mr. McMillen at a later date. The group retired at 8:55 P.M. Mr. Bench, representative of the Registry of Motor Vehicles met with the Board and explained,- by use of a plan, proposed speed zoning on Route 2-A. He stated that the State Engineers have been working on the project for five years and arrived at the recommended speeds after studying the accident records, type of road construction, width of the roads, grades, and amount of traffic. He said the new building develop- ment was also considered. He explained that Chief Rycroft is in favor of the proposed speeds and that there will be a public hearing on the subject at 100 Nashua Street. His position is to inform the cities and towns and answer questions. Mr. Gay questioned the 40 mile zone at the Kelley Development and Mr. Bench said that if the Police Depart- ' went makes a check of the accidents there and the Board asks to have the speed reduced, it will be given consideration. 552 The Chairman said that there may be a school constructed in this area and Mr. Bench said that the Department would not allow 40 miles per hour in a school district and would definitely recom- mend a change. Mr. Bench retired at 9 :30 P.M. and the following members of the Planning Board met with the Selectmen: Chairman Adams, Messrs . Couette, Irwin, Johnson, Potter and Ripley. Mr. Adams presented a plan of Edison Way and the proposed street to Depot Square. He said that over a period of time his Board has had various dis- cussions on this subject but did not arrive at any conclusion. This evening they did arrive at a general conclusion for which he thought the Board would speak unanimously. The Planning Board 's interest has been in parking rather than a by-pass road or access road or circulation of traffic. They agreed this evening that this is still their major interest. However, the Planning Board is in favor of an entrance - one way entrance in this section and one way out of this area. It is not in favor of the road as such, but is interested in an entrance and an egress - one way in and one way out. He said that the Planning Board is not agreed on the development of Edison Way. The Chairman said that the Boston Edison Company Edison is not interested in giving Edison Way as just a Way street into the rear of the garage. He thought the Company was interested in donating the land if it is part of a through set-up. Mr. Adams said that the Planning Board 's interest is still in parking. The members of his Board all more or less agree that if the road is constructed, there will be buildings put up on it. He said that his Board is aware of the many problems of plowing, lights, etc. He said his Board also agreed to close the exit to the rear of the O'Connell property. The Chairman said that when the Selectmen asked Mr. Ballard to do some negoitiating that they had been guided by what he thought he could do and should do. The Selectmen have gone along with him in general. If the Planning Board does not feel that his plan is correct, in his opinion, it tosses Mr. Ballard 's services out of the window as a negotiator. He said that he does not believe there is a chance of Mr. Ballard revising the whole thing and negotiating on that basis. Mr. Adams said that he thought this subject has been viewed from two different angles and right or wrong the Planning Board is interested in parking and he thought the Selectmen were interested in circulating traffic. The Chairman said that he did not think that statement was correct. 551 Mr. Gay asked when the repairs were made and Mr. Hamilton said that it was either last year or the year before. The Chairman explained that if any work was done by the Town on a private line it was wrong. Cliffe Ave He said that the Town does not own it and is not Water Main supposed to do any repair work on a private line. He said this is the first time the Board has heard anything about the Town making repairs . The Chairman asked who paid for the pipe originally and Mr. McMillen replied that Mr. Ely Roberts turned it over to the Town and a man by the name of Gunnarson put it in and turned it over to Mr. Roberts, who turned it over to the Town. Mr. McMillen said that he has lived here twenty-eight years and the pipe was given to the Town before that. The Chairman said that ma far as any information that Mr. Burns has this is a private line and if it is, the Town should not touch it. He said the only solution is to have a water main installed correctly that will give some pressure, but the people in the area have told Mr. Burns that they don't want to be assessed. Mr. McMillen said that they feel that the Town has maintained the pipe for so many years it is obligated to repair it now. He said he wants the Town to replace the present pipe. The Chairman explained that unless some record can be found that the Town has taken ownership of the line that the Town will do no more repair work on it and will not replace it. He said that the Board will have the records checked and contact Mr. McMillen at a later date. The group retired at 8:55 P.M. Mr. Bench, representative of the Registry of Motor Vehicles met with the Board and explained,- by use of a plan, proposed speed zoning on Route 2-A. He stated that the State Engineers have been working on the project for five years and arrived at the recommended speeds after studying the accident records, type of road construction, width of the roads, grades, and amount of traffic. He said the new building develop- ment was also considered. He explained that Chief Rycroft is in favor of the proposed speeds and that there will be a public hearing on the subject at 100 Nashua Street. His position is to inform the cities and towns and answer questions . Mr. Gay questioned the 40 mile zone at the Kelley Development and Mr. Bench said that if the Police Depart- ' went makes a check of the accidents there and the Board asks to have the speed reduced, it will be given consideration. 552 The Chairman said that there may be a school ,G+ constructed in this area and Mr. Bench said that the Department would not allow 40 miles per hour in a school district and would definitely recom- mend a change. Mr. Bench retired at 9:30 P.M. and the following members of the Planning Board met with the Selectmen: Chairman Adams, Messrs . Couette, Irwin, Johnson, Potter and Ripley. Mr. Adams presented a plan of Edison Way and the proposed street to Depot Square. He said that over a period of time his Board has had various dis- cussions on this subject but did not arrive at any conclusion. This evening they did arrive at a general whichhe thought the Board would conclusion forgspeak unanimously. Planning The Board 's interest has been in parking rather than a by-pass road or access road or circulation of traffic. They agreed this evening that this is still their major interest. However, the Planning Board is in favor of an entrance - one way entrance in this section and one way out of this area. It is not in favor of the road as such, but is interested in an entrance and an egress - one way in and one way out. He said that the Planning Board is not agreed on the development of Edison Way. The Chairman said that the Boston Edison Company Edison is not interested in giving Edison Way as just a Way street into the rear of the garage. He thought the Company was interested in donating the land if it is part of a through set-up. Mr. Adams said that the Planning Board 's interest is still in parking. The members of his Board all more or less agree that if the road is constructed, there will be buildings put up on it. He said that his Board is aware of the many problems of plowing, lights, etc. He said his Board also agreed to close the exit to the rear of the O'Connell property. The Chairman said that when the Selectmen asked Mr. Ballard to do some negoitiating that they had been guided by what he thought he could do and should do. The Selectmen have gone along with him in general. If the Planning Board does not feel that his plan is correct, in his opinion, it tosses Mr. Ballard 's services out of the window as a negotiator. He said that he does not believe there is a chance of Mr. Ballard revising the whole thing and negotiating on that basis. Mr. Adams said that he thought this subject has been viewed from two different angles and right or wrong the Planning Board is interested in parking and he thought the Selectmen were interested in circulating traffic. The Chairman said that he did not think that statement was correct. 553 Mr. Adams said that he would put the last part as a question but he does know that the Planning Board has been interested in off-street parking. He said that the members of the Planning Board feel very strongly that if the road is constructed, there will be buildings. Mr. Couette said that Mr. Howland, of Minot, Williams and Bangs showed every evidence of being Edison interested in parking and said that he was not so Way interested in the road as he was of developing the parking area. Mr. Adams said that everyone wants something that will benefit the Town, but realizes that there should be a meeting of the minds to accomplish any- thing. Mr. Emery asked if the planning Board is of the definite opinion that there is no basic need of a circulation street. Mr. Adams replied that he thought, as of the meeting tonight, the Planning Board feels that there is no need for circulation traffic. Following further general discussion on the subject, it was agreed that the Planning Board would take the plan as prepared in conjunction with Mr. Ballard ' s ideas, remark it to conform to its ideas and then present it to the Board of Selectmen for consideration. If both Boards agree, the Selectmen will then refer the new plan to Mr. Ballard and ask if he would be willing to continue negotiations . The Planning Board retired at 10230 P.M. Letter from the Lexington Boy's Club relative to the use of the Sexton property was held over from last meeting. Considerable discussion was held on Letter the subject of the building and it was finally agreed re that it would be impractical to use it as headquarters Sexton for the Boy's Club. The Chairman was authorized to so prop. advise Mr. Newhall and ask him if he wished to with- draw the request. Mr. Hoyt retired at 10245 P.M. Letter was received from F. K. Johnson requesting permission to move the single-family dwelling at 31 Permit Bedford Street around the back of his garage, across to move Town Land, to land he owns on Camellia Place. build- The Board had no objection and Mr. Emery mentioned ing that care should be taken not to crush a large drain which was installed in the area several years ago. 554 The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Chapin Veterans ' Agent, advising that he will need a Transfer transfer of $2500. 11 A transfer of $2,000 was recommended providing Mr. Chapin can explain his request to the satisfaction of the Chairman Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to grant the following licenses : Licenses Lexington Theatre, Inc. 1794 Mass. Ave. Sunday Movies Countryside Associates Lowell St. Sunday Golf The meeting adjourned at 11:25 P.M. A true record, Attest : I