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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1951-03-05-min 385 SELECTMEN'S MEETING March 5, 1951 A regular meetin* of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen a Room, Town Office Bundling, on Monday evening, March 5, 1951, at 7:00 P.M. Chair- man Emery, Messrs. Gay, Driscoll, Nickerson and Hoyt were present. Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present. Mr. Burns reported that he had received bids for gasoline, the low bidder being Esso by a little more than half a cent a gallon and this amounts to between Gasoline $200 and $300. He said that last year the low bidder Bida was Shell and explained that the Town has been purchasing premium gasoline but he does not know why. Mr. Hoyt explained that the premium is the ethyl content which gives the explosion in the cylinders. Mr. Driscoll felt that, in view of the short hauls, regular gasoline could be used by the Town. Mr. Burns felt that there would be a saving of about $1,000 by using regular gasoline and explained that the only variation in the quoted prices is the dis- 1 count allowed which remains constant, but the gas will have to be charged at the market price. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was voted to accept the bid submitted by Esso. Further consideration was given to Mr. Larson's request to have a' tree removed which he claims to be in the center of the driveway to a house which he is Tree constructing on Oak Street. Removal Mr. Burns reported that he and Mr. Garrity had in- spected the tree and explained that there are two trees that will be in the street when it is constructed but only one is causing Mr. Larson difficulty at the pres- ent time. Mr. Garrity is of the opinion that the tree should be removed. Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to instruct Mr. Garrity to post the tree for removal. A discussion was held relative to the 1951 Highway Maintenance budget which was submitted in the amount of gtgbrray $76,100 and approved for $65,000 by the Appropriation Maint. Committee and $74,600 by the Septmen. The budget was Budget revised and approved by the Board in the amount of $69,000. Mr. Burns discussed the proposed Sunnyfield sewer project and said that he would like to show the Board how the situation has been worked out. 386 Sunnyfield He presented a blueprint and explained the system as Sewer originally laid out; then explained the proposed instal- lation. Ae said that he had submitted his plans to Met- clef & Eddy who approved it, made the estimates and went over the ground. Metcalf & Eddy's estimate is $178,000. They found the difference between constructing an ejector station and building a cast iron force main to be about $3,000. With the continued maintenance of a pumping station it does not seem logical. He explained that the entire project has been redesigned on the basis of straight gravity. Metcalf and Eddy suggested that there would be a saving to the Town if the Town did the engineering and contract drawingi. They would furnish consultant super- vision and if the Town so requests, they will put a man in the field. This will save between $4,000 and $5,000. He said that the main will take all of Grove Street up to Winter Street and Burlington Street to the Burlington line and a portion of North Street. Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting at 7:35 P.M. The Chairman polled the Board and it was the opinion of all members that the people in the Sunnyfield area need relief insofar as overflowing cesspools is concerned. Mr. Driscoll suggested, and the Board agreed, to obtain a recommendation from the Board of Health. n Mr. Edward B. Nolan, 21 Fern Street, met with the Nolanomaaint Board. He said that he has lived here since 1923 andC the dwelling is now beginning to show signs of a wet cel- lar. He explained that when the sewer was installed in Fern Street it wasnecessary to dynamite and as a result the cellar wall on the westerly side of his house has be- come separated and water leaks into the cellar after every rain storm, and at times it is four inches deep. The chairman asked if he would have any objection to the Board sending a man down to inspect the cellar and he replied in the negative. The chairman said that the Board does not admit, at this point , that the sewer con- ' tractor did any damage. It was agreed that Mr. Burns would contact Mr. Nolan by phone and make an appointment to in- spect the cellar. Mr. Nolan retired at 8:04 P.M. Mr. Maurice Feely, applicant for a Common Victualler license at 405 Waltham Street, met with the Board. The Chairman explained that the Board would like to ask one or two questions about Mr. Feely a proposed res- taurant or delicatessen; what experience-he has had and what his plans are. Mr. Feely said that he operated a placy/in Worcester for seven years and also had been in business in Webster, Springfield, Needham, Randolph and Westboro. However, he has not been in business since July 22d. 387 he stated that he will sell ice cream and will try to sell dinners. he said that he will hate a soda fountain, lunch counter and booths. He will have a partition about ten or twelve feet from the back wall for a kitchen. He explained that he would open as soon as he has a license and will operate the. business himself. Mr. Stevens asked if he has ever had a Common Vic- tualler license suspended and he replied that he has nev- er been refused a license and never had one suspended. The Chairman said that the Board would advise him of its decision within a week or terfdays. Mr. Feely retired at 8:07 P.M. Mrs. Louise Sexton met with the Board relative to the possib&lity of the Town purchasing her property at 1519 Massachusetts Avenue. The Chairman ackknowledged her letter mentioning $25,000 and sakd, to be very brief, the Committee that went over to look at the property has put a price of Sexton $20,000 on it. He explained that the Board does not feel that it can recommend a higher figure. Mrs. Sexton said that she is not particularly anxious to sell to the Town and that she did not come to the Town but the town, through the Planning Board, came to her. She said that her price is 025,000. The Chairman asked if that was her final word on the subject and she replied in the affirmatige. She said that she can get more than $20,p00 for the property and there is no assurance that the 4.own will purchase it. The Chairman said that be thought if the Selectmen and the Appropriation Committee both recommend it, it would be voted, but that is Only an .opinion. Mrs. Sexton said that if the Town is going to buy the property it should pay $25,000 because her rights have been jeopard4Ated. Airs. Sexton r etired at 8:30 P.M. Chairman Foley, and Messrs. Pearson and Crerie of the Recreation committee met with the Board to discuss the status of Kinneen's Pond and what work the Committee Kinneents wants done. Pond The Chairman of the Board said that the Selectmen would like to know what the Committee has in mind that they think should be done to complete. the area in the manner the daa¢nittee considers proper in view not only to the local residents, _but in view of the overall rec- reation program of the town. Dr. Foley said that the pro.ect was stalled last year through poor judgment. however, they went ahead, spent the money and had the area graded. * said that he thought the imprtant item .now is loaming and seeding. 388 . Mr. Burns reminded the group that there is a two inch water service to be installed. Doctor Foley said that they havin mind putting a hedge along Burlington Street erecting a small back- stop and building a sand box. ne said that they do have a jungle gym that can be erected. The Chairman said that with reference to completing the entire area he understood they wanted a vkating rink and asked to what use it would be put in the summer. Doctor Foley replied that the skating rink can be made as large an area as they want. He said that his , Committee recommends that it be completed, the dike to be taken down. The Chairman asked how the skating area would be conscted and Doctor Foley replied that next year another d]tke would be put across and loam added to it each year where it is needed. Mr. Burns stated that, as he recalls, it was to take the dike that is there now down and spread it around. Doctor r'oley said that one end would have to be damned to keep the water in. The Chairman asked if the Committee wants the entire area seeded, loamed, a hedge all along the way to the street and some type of a backstop. Doctor Foley replied in the affirmative and said that they want the backstop on the end towards the Center. Mr. Gay inquired about the other end and Doctor Foley replied that it would be made into a Childrente area. Mr. Pearson said that two things must be done; one is learning and the other seeding. The 0hairman asked how much of the work the Committee feels is essential for this year and Doctor Foley replied that they would like to see it all done. Be said that if the learning and seeding is done, the hedge, bubbler and backstop are so minute that they may as well be included. Mr. Crerie said that he thought the hedge should be planted as a safety measure to keep the children from running into the street. Mr. Garrity arrived at the meeting at 8:50 P.M. Mr. Burns estimated ' 4,000 for loaming, $100 for seeding, $100 for the hedge, 4115 for the water serviee and $700 for the bubbler, totalling $5,000 Kith the pos- ability of saving $ if the loam is obtained from the Fiske School. The group with the exception of Mr. Burns and Mr. Stevens retired at 9:05 P.M. The following members of the Planning Board met with the Selectmen to discuss the proposed road from Edison Way to Depot Squares Chairman Cromwell, Messrs. Adams, Couette, Johnson, Ripley and Potter. 889 Mr, Cromwell said that the Planning Board will go along with the project part way. Be said that last week Mr. Ballard stated that the primary object was traffic circulation and parking was secondary, but from the Planning Board's approach to the problem, the parking seems to be most important. He said that the street without parking, or without plans for park- ing, does not fit into what seems best according to the Planning Board's ideas. He said that if the street is constructed, the property will, in one way or an- other, be put to some use which will at the same time cut down the parking area and give rise to demand for more parking space. He said that it would cut down the possible area that can be used for parking. Mr. Couette stated that Mr. Cromwell has in mind stores being built on the new way. Mr. Cromwell explained that the Planning Board feels that Af someone is give more frontage in the cen- ter of the lown the most logical thing to do is to build upon it. Even if they don't build new, sooner or leer they would build either by extending back from naUachu- setts Avenue or by building on the street line . He said that the Planning Board will go along with building the street back to the railroad track which would en- courage the development of the area for parking without giving frontages that would be built upon as Stores. He said that if this were made a public street, with entrances directly into the area, it seems to the Planning Board that it would encourage parking, and at the same time prevent the building of additional store property. The Chairman asked why the Planning Board wanted to prevent possible development and Mr. Cromwell replied that the further development would result in the need for more parking area, but would also result in less area for parking. The Chairman suggested that if the street is put through the land would be more valuable and bring in more money. Mr. Cromwell said that it would be worth more money only because it would be used to build upon. The Chairman stated that he has talked to two dif- ferent individui&s and been advised th't the value would be raised by 10% or 15% at least by the existence of a street here. W. Cromwell said that it seems to him that a prope erty in the center of the town is worth more or less de- pending upon its possible use for business. Be said the fact that it is located somewhere makes it potentially more valuable but only because it can be built upon. The "hairman said that he has been told that itiis more valuable just because it is more accessible. ,JcJo et Mr. Cromwell said that he thought if the value is increased 15% that is what someone would be *tiling to pay because they would think it could et some time be devoted to an incoming use. Mr. Couette said that there is a maximum to which one can go as long as this land is built upon. If it is made into a street there is no question but what the and would be built upon at some time. He said that if is is to be developed for parking, and that is what the townspeople and merchants seem to be asking for, and pro- vide a circulation street, the Town will not gain what it is after in parking area and that is the serious need in the center today. Mr. Ripley said that it seems to him that if the Town spends the money for the road and then the land be- comes more valuable and desirable and they are stores in there, the parking area is gone and the own has lost ev- erything it started out for, plus the cost of the road. Mr. Johnson said that the Town needs more parking space rather than more store frontage and parking is the real problem. The Chairman asked if, granting this is not ideal as a parking solution, the Planning Board does not feel inclined to go along. Mr. Cromwell replied that the Planning Board does not want to go along. The Board does not think it is too good a circulation, but he said that he would admit that the Board does not know how to bring about the park- ing desired. He suggested the possibility of making a municipal parking area, but said that he did not know if the Town would approve unless it could be financed from parking meter revenue. The Chairman said that as it stands now, the Board of Selectmen will have to recommend it or not recommend it and asked if the petition could be cut off at Edison Way. Mr. Stevens replied that if the Edison wants to do it, it would be ai.new deal and would have no relation to what the petition covers. The group, with the exception of Mr. Burns. and Mr. Stevens, retired at 9:30 p.m. Mr. Milne and nine other residents of Manning Street met with the board. Mr. Milne said that the street is in very bad condi- tion and the Chairman informed the group that the Select- men had viewed it Saturday morning. Mr. Milne said that the people would like to know what can be done, if anything. He said that the Chairman had informed him if the Town did any work on the street it would become legally responsible for a period of six years. 391 Mr. Stevens said that was correct and that aiy repairs made by the Town to an unaccepted street pre- vents the Town for eperiod of cttx years from claim- ing that it is not a Town way. Mr. Milne brought up the fact that the Town plows the street and Hr. Stevens explained that the Town has the right to do so by special statute. Mr. Burns explained that the Town would like to do something for the people on the street but there are thirty or forty miles of unaccepted streets in the same category. It was explained to the group that they could en- gage a private contractor to make repairs or construct the street or they could petition to the Town to have it accepted under the Betterment Act. The Chairman asked Mr. Burns when he expected to install the sewer main and he replied about the last st April. The group, with the exception of Mr. Burns, re- tired at 10:25 p.m. At the request of the Chairman, Mr. Gay conducted the meetingfor the remainder of the evening. Mr. Burns presented each member of the Board with typed notations with reference to the dump on Lincoln ' Street. Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to authorize Mr. Burns to instruct the Dump attendant at the Lincoln Street dump that, insomuch as he is a Town Employee, he is to discontinue the prac- tice of picking the dump. Petition, signed by fourteen residents of Wilson Road, was received requesting the Board to prepare an estimate of the cost of constructing the road. Wilson Mr. Burns explained that the signatures represented Road everyone on the road. In compliance with the request, the Suptt. was instructed to have an estimate prepared and mailed for circulation among tthe property owners for sig- natures. It was unanimously agreed that the petitioners should be advised that this project has not been in- cluded in the 1951 budget and therefore no commitment can be made at this time. At 10:33 p.m. Mr. Leonard F. Collins and one other individual met with the Board for the openings of bids for the collection of garbage in the Town of Lexington, the present contract expiring on April 19th. 392 Two sealed bids were received, opened by the Chair- man and read as follows: •� Leonard F. Collin6, 141 Spring Street, Lexington Certified check #100 First year $13,800 Second year 14,500 Third year 15,200 Garbage He included in his bid statements that he is a vet- Bids eran of World War II, has been aresident of Lexington for 18 years, and has the required equipment and man tofftake care of garbage collection and disposal. Stanley Roketnnetz, 159 New Boston Street, Woburn Certified check #100 Period of 2 years with an option for renewal for the third year, $12,500.00 per year. Be included in his bid statement that if the contratst is awarded to him he will collect according to Town spec- ifications, that most modern equipment will be used and that his plant is open for inspection. Mr. Collins and his companion retired at 10:40 p.m. No decision was made relative to the bids. Petition, signed by five residents of Bedford Street, Bedford was received requesting that their properties be included Street in the proposed sewer project. Sewer It was agreed to advise them that it is not possible for the hoard to make any commitment at this time inasmuch as it is not in a position to determine just how much work can be done in 1951 with available funds. nowever, the petition is to be placed on file and considered later in the year when more definite information is obtainable and it is known how costs are coming out. Letter from W.S. Couette with reference to drainage Blossom St. on Blossom and Allen Streets was held over from the last Drainagt meeting. Mr. Emery reported to the Board that Town Counsel 1s of the opinion that there is no obligation on the part of the Town. Letter was received from Town Counsel stating that it is his pinion that there is no legal liability on the part Shea Claim of the own for damage caused to A. R. Sheets car from snow said ivice d4 tnig fr,04 t,l'aa x f o)f ihdPNAnnbbk School. Mr. Burns retired at 10:40 p.m. Letter was received from Leon W. Bateman offering $100 Tax Title for Lots 186. and 187 Grassland S reet. Inasmuch as there is a drainage problem involved the Board felt that it would not be advisable to dispose of the lots. Upon motion of Mr. Etpery, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted not to accept the offer. 393 Further tonsidetation wp$ given to Mr. Frank J. Pino l a offer of $1300 for approximately 13 acres of tax title property, located on Waltham Street, formerly owned by Stearsn. Members of the Board viewed the property which is not located on a street and has no access except over private property. Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Dris- coll, it was voted not to accept the offer. Letter Was received from Kenneth C. Harmon, 2 Marianna Street, Lynn, offering $50 for Lot 215 Sprir.g Street. The Clerk was instructed to refer the offer to • the Committee on Tax Title property for recommendation. Letter was received from James Harrison, 25 Free- man Street, Arlington, offering $75 each for Lot 20 Rangeway Street and Lot 22 Hillcrest Street. The Clerk was instructed to refer the offer to the Committee on Tax Title Property for recommendation. Upon motion made and seconded, it was voted to grant the following Asea of halls: League of Women Voters Estabrook Hall March 8 Lexington Field & Garden Club " Sacred Heat " March 1£ Uses of Church Cary Hall April 8 halls St. Brigid s Church " " May 13 Snored Heart +Murch " " May 25 VFW Estabrook Hall March 13 Conf. Room Allttuses were granted free of charge, with the ex- ception of the application from the Sacred Heart Church for permission to hold an Annual Reunion, for which a charge is to be made of $35. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Dris- coll, it was voted to approve the following licenses: Lexington Theatre, Inc. 1794 Mass. Avenue Sunday Movies Licenses Manor ,pa 269 Bedford Street Sunday Sales Wardrobe's Pharmacy, Inc. 807 Mass. Avenue Sunday Sales Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted to Permit grant permission for the following paper drives: Battle Green-Order of DeMolay April 1st Lexington Boge Club May 6th permission had previously been given to the Lexington V.F.W. to conduct a drive on Sunday , March 4th. A collection was hedl but due to inclement weather the organization re- 394 an quested permission to finish collecting next Sunday. The j}oard was not in favor of granting the request. Mr. Driscoll reported on the inspection made of the present ambulance. The individuals who reported to him do not recommend repairing the ambulance and re- commended the purchase of a new one. Bids for a new ambulance were not opened and held over. The meeting adjourned at 11=10 p.m. A true record, Attest: �er , S ectnen