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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1951-06-11-min 476 SELECTMEN'S MEETING June 11, 1951 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen Was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening, June 11, 1951 at 7200 p.m. Chairman Nickerson, Messrs. Gay, Driscoll and Hoyt were present . Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works. and the Clerk were also present. Mr. Emery arrived at 9:50 p.m. Mr. Burns reported informally on the proposed water supply and sewage disposal for the Army Air Corps Engineers. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, arrived at the meeting during this discussion. William Barnes met with the Board at 7 :45 p.m. with reference to his request for permission to rent three rooms in the Barnes property for his office. The Chairman asked what reason the doctor could give the Board for wanting to use a public building that would influence the Board in letting him use it. Dr. Barnes said that first of all, it is a good lo- cation; second, the Board knows what it used to be; third, it is of no use the way it is now; fourth, if fixed up it would be better than it is now and fifth it might bring a good income. Dr. Barnes The Chairman explained that the doctor would be a request to tenant-at-will as the Board cannot tell which way the Town's have office business is going to expand. He said that the Town will in Barnes acquire the Sexton property but the Board has no definite Building use for it yet and it is quite probable that before any use is made of it, the Barnes property would be fully oc- cupied. He said that the Board would not want to have rooms in the Barnes property rented and send town offices down to the Sexton property. Dr. Barnes said that was entirely up to the Board and the way he looks at it, the rooms he wants are not doing anyone any good right now and they could bring in some income from an apparent idle situation. The Chairman inquired as to what the doctor would be willing to do to the inside, and Dr. Barnes replied that the set-up would remain the same except for the toilet and and holes in the ceiling. He said that he could freshen it up a bit. The Chairman asked if the doctor would reilace the 477 toilet or ask the Board to have it done and he replied that I he did not know if the Board would do it. The Chairman inquired about the heating and the doctor replied that it alwa,, s was adequately heated. The Chairman explained that the Boy Scout Council has complained about the heating which seems to be in- adequate and he thought that the system would be over- loaded if the wing were to be heated. The Chairman said that, to sum it up, the doctor feels that he would not want to spend any money to im- prove the heating situation and the doctor stated that he did not realize anything had to be done. The Chairman asked if he would replace the toilet facilities at his own expense or utilize the present ones and the doctor replied that he could not use them very well. The doctor said that there is a three foot square room with a toilet in it. A week or so ago he saw that the toilet is gone but the sink is still in place in the other office. The Chairman asked if it were usable and the doctor replied that it would be if it does not leak. Mr. Hoyt asked if the decision of the Board would have any influence on the doctor deciding whether or not he will come to Lexington to which the doctor replied "that is right." 11 Mr. Gay asked if the doctor was planning to have any electrical equipment of a heavy nature and he replied that his father had more that he has. He said that he can utilize the outlets that are there now. Mr. Driscoll asked if the doctor would move to Lex- ington or live in Rockporta'he replied that he would live in Lexington. The Chairman explained that if the Board does decide to rent the rooms it may be for a very short time. He stated that the Board cannot commit itself for any length of time and cent commit any future Board. Dr. Barnes said that eventually the Board would have to fix the rooms and if he moves in and uses it then when it is taken over for some other purpose the place will be all fixed up. The Chairman asked what the doctor had in mind for rent and he replied that he does not know what the rents in town are insofar as offices are concerned. He said that he thought the Board would set the rental. The Chairman said he thought the doctor would have to make the initial offer. Dr. Barnes said that he thought it would cost $200 to fix the rooms up and mentioned $75 or $80 a month as a starting figure. 4)8 The Chairman explained that if the doctor wants to make an offer of $75 or $80 a month rent, the Board will consider it. Mr . Gay asked how soon the doctor would want to oc- cupy the premises and he replied that he would not want the rooms until the first of October. The Chairman agreed that the Board would contact the doctor shortly and he retired at 8:00 p.m. Mr. Eugene M. LaRose made an appointment to meet with the Board to discuss the water betterment assessment levied against his property on 169 North Street, amounting LaRose to $612. betterment Before Mr. LaRose met with the Board, Mr. Burns ex- assessment plained the charge and presented a plan of the property. He said that he had explained to Mr. LaRose before the water main was installed that it would not be laid to the Town Line but would go far enough to service his house, and that he would be assessed for the entire length. Mr LaRose met with the Board at 8:10 p.m. The Chairman explained, in reply to Mr. La Rose's request for an abatement that once an assessment has been abated, the property cannot be re-assessed. He said that if Mr. LfRose would have an engineer lot out his land the Board would consider deferring the assessment on the new lot, without interest, for the period of three years after which time he would have to apply for another deferment. Mr. LaRose stated that his property does not extend to the Burlington line and Mr. Burns said that all the plans show it as extending to the line and if this is not correct, he is entitled to an abatement of the portion which he does not own. The Chairman suggested, and Mr. LaRose agreed to see what kind of a lot he can work out of this area and whether or not he would have a lot large enough upon which to build. Mr. Hoyt asked if he understood that the present assess- ment levied against the property will remain until a change is made in the land and Mr. LaRose replied in the affirmative. Mr. LaRose retired at 8:25 p.m. Further consideration was given to proposed petition for a country layout of a road, between Lexington and Win- chester, referred to as Johnson Road. Mr. Stevens reported that Mr. Hatch, County Commissioner, has two petitions from the Town of Winchester neither of which includes a street which will reach the Lexington line. Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it Johnson was voted to sign a petition for the layout of a Country Road way, a street beginning in Winchester at a point on Ridge Street near Johnson Street or High Street; thence in a general westerly direction to Lowell Street near Maple Street. 479 The petition, signed by the Board, is to be forwarded ' to the Winchester Board of Selectmen for their signatures. The Chairman read a letter from Robert H. Holt stating that when the water main was extended in front of his house Holt to service Mr. Wilson's house, the blacktop driveway going complaint to his garage was damaged. Mr. Burns said that he is aware of the damage and plans to correct the situation some time in August. Mr. Stevens referred to the three sites for elementary schools and explained that there are discrepancies in two land court plans and that Mr. Burns is to have a survey made. School He presented agreements, signed by the sellers, extending sites the time for passing papers until September 4th. The agree- ments were signed by the Board and returned to Mr. Stevens. Letter was received from the State Department of Public Works relative to Lexington Layout 3709, dated March 7, 1950, parcels Nos. 2-TA, 23, 37, 38, and 39. Partial Mr. Stevens explained that the State would like partial release releases of land from water betterment assessments, similar to the release recently granted to James E. Evans and Elsie P . Evans. The Board had no objection and Mr. Stevens said that the necessary information would be compiled and the re- leases prepared for the Board ' s signature. Petition was received, signed by residents of Middle Street, requesting the Board to prepare an estimate of the cost of installing the sewer in Middle Street. Mr. Burns explained that this petition covers the sec- Middle tion from the top of the hill to Cary Avenue. He stated St. that this is definitely a 1952 project and he told one of sewer the group who called him. Letters were received from Frank H. Ready requesting the removal of one tree in front of his residence at 2246 Massachusetts Avenue and two from the entrance to Jean Road. Removal Memo was received from Mr . Garrity stating that the of trees tree in front of Mr. Ready's residence is not in very good (Ready) condition and is raising the cement walk to his front en- trance. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr . Hoyt, it was voted to authorize Mr. Garrity to post three trees for removal. Further consideration was given to Mr. Sloane' s letter of May 28th with reference to the Lexington Concert Band's request for permission to conduct a series of concerts, an appropriation to defray expenses and a bandstand. Band Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was Concerts voted to grant the group permission to give a series of band concerts on the Common, Wednesday evenings commencing June 27th through September 5th. 480 Zn Z The Chairman was authorized to inform Mr. Sloane that there are no funds available to provide for a bandstand or to pay for installing and operation a light- II ing system and suggest that he present the subject to the Recreation Committee for possible consideration in the 1952 budgets. Letter from Mr. Burpee Coffill requesting the re- moval of a tree from the entrance to his driveway was removal held over from last week. of Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was tree voted to authorize Mr. Garrity to post the tree for re- moval. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to grant the following licenses: Countryside Associates, Inc. Lowell Street Sunday Golf Lexington Theatre, Inc. 1794 Mass. Avenue Sunday Movies 1 Joseph G. Tropeano 11 Lardhmont Lane Auctioneer Letter was received from the Town Clerk to which was attached a list of the unlicensed dogs in the Town. Dog Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it Warr Ont was voted to issue and sign a warrt to the Dog Officer, delivering to him the original list submitted by Mr. Carroll. Upon Motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was II voted to sign the following Water Orders : Hillcrest Avenue, from end of existing main a distance of approximately 420 feet northeasterly; Carville Avenue from Butler Avenue a dis- tance of approximately 190 feet southwesterly; tlossomcrest, Water from Waltham Street a Distance of approximately 1,000 feet Orders southerly; Milk Street from Hill Street a distance of 385 feet, mora or less, northwesterly and Allen Street from Blossom Street a Distance of approximately 500 feet northeas- terly. (Copy of Orders in Selectmen's Files-Water Orders 1951) The Chairman brought up the subject of the bushes in the triangle located between Fletcher Avenue and Winthrop Road. Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to authorize the Superintendent of Public Works to have the bushes removed inasmuch as they now obstruct the directional traffic sign. At 9:45 p.m. the Lexington School Committee and Mr. Grindle met with the Board. Mrs. Morey, Chairman of the School Committee, spoke for group. She said that a meeting had just been held, attended IIby representatives of the Planning Board, Appropriation Committee, 481 Long Range Planning Committee and the High School Building Com- mittee, to determine their reaction to the fact that the bid for the proposed High School is $161,000 over the estimate of the committee of 15. She said that they came to the general conclusion that they 'would like to have a Special Town Meeting and ask for $161,000. They believe that the Town Meeting will approve the additional amount because they were convinced at the March meeting of the need for a new high school. Mrs. Morey said that the question had been raised as to whether or not the building should be cut to the contract as offered by Powers and have the school ready for occupancy with the minimum of equipment and minimum of work and then later Special on ask for additional money for equipment and outside work. Town She explained that the State Building Assistance Commission Meeting will go along as long as the buildingitself was not cut into. the Commission pointed out that if the Town wants State equip- ment and improvement of this particular portion of the building, the money will have to be appropriated and spent before the building is completed. Mr. Stevens said that technically he does not believe the Town Meeting can rescind the original vote as the Town is obligated to pay the architect. He said, however, that he believes it might be possible to call a Special Town Meeting and have a vote that the School Committee be authorized to pay the architect, but to obligate the Town in no further man- ner for the school. He said that he has never seen this done, but he did not think it impossible. The Chairman asked if the School Committee would be taking a very long chance that the additional money might not be ap- propriated and in effect it would mean that the Town disapproved the entire project, and Mrs . Morey replied in the affirmative. Mr. Hoyt inquired as to the timing of the meeting and Mrs. Morey replied that they would like it just as soon as possible, preferably before July. Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to call a Special Town Meeting to be held on Monday, June 25 or Thursday, June 28th, depending on how soon Mr. Adams can have the warrants prepared for mailing. Thegroup retired at 10:30 p.m. The Chairman reported that Mrs. Tenney would like to place a small bronze tablet on back of the Minute Man Statue signifying the fact that the statue is illuminated permanently in memory of her husband. Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to approve Mrs. Tenneyts request. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m. A true record, Attest: