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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1952-09-29-min 366 00 SELECTMEN'S MEETING September 29, 1952 , A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room? Town Office Building on Monday, September 29, 1952 at 7 :00 P.M. Chairman Nickerson, Messrs . Emery, Gaya and Reed were present. The Clerk was also present. Hearing was declared open upon petition of F. K. Johnson, Inc. for permission to increase the storage capacity of underground tanks from 6,000 gallons to 10,000 gallons. Mr. Johnson was the only person present at the hearing, and the application was approved by Captain Belcastro of the Lexington Fire Station. Mr. Johnson explained that his request is based on the fact that the volume of his business has in- Johnson creased and, when the proposed store is completed gasoline adjacent to his garage, he anticipates a further in- hearing crease in business. He also explained that the Gulf Oil Company objects to making frequent trips to keep the present tanks full. He stated that at present he has two 3,000 tanks and will have either two 2,000 tied together, or one 4,000. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Reed, it was voted to grant a license to F. K. Johns) n, Inc. to maintain underground tanks for the storage of 10,000 gallons of gasoline at 39-41 Bedford Street; an increase of 4,000 gallons. Mr. Johnson retired at 7 :10 P. M. Hearing was declared open upon petition of the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company for per- mission to lay and maintain underground conduits and manholes in Massachusetts Avenue between Muzzey Street Underground and Harrington Road. conduit Mr. Long, representing the petitioner, was the only person present at the hearing. He explained that the present conduits are filled to capacity and the Company cannot servi• e the Bedford Airport. Many sub- scribers are waiting for new services or change in service and cannot be taken care of with the existing facilities. The Chairman informed Mr. Long that the Supt. of Public Works is very much disturbed about the situat- ion on Hillcrest Street and asked if there is anything that can be done to hasten the work by his company. Mr. Long agreed that Mr. Burns has a legitimate cause f or complaint and said that he had explained to the company engineers that the surfacing of this street was being held up, and he understood some action was to be taken. However, he agreed to investigate the matter the first thing in the morning. 267 Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Reed, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order subsequent to some action being taken by the telephone company on Hillcrest Street. Mr. Read, representing the Hancock Congrega- tional Church, came into the meeting to inquire about the proposed conduit location, and it was explained to him by Mr. Long. The Church wanted to know whether or not the two driveways would be affected, and he was assured that they will not be. Messrs. Long and Read retired at 7 :25 P. M. Petition was received from the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone & Telegraph Pole Company for permission to remove an existing J%o location pole and locate a pole on Cary Avenue. The pro- posed location was approved by Mr. Burns. Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the following pole location: Cary Avenue, at a point approxi- mately 560 feet southwest of Middle Street. One pole. One existing J/0 pole to be removed . Petition was received, signed by four residents of Cedar Street, requesting the Town to plant trees in\front of their property. Mr. Garrity informed the Clerk that, if the re- Request quest is granted, it may lead to other requests in- for trees volving approximately twenty-five trees. The Board was of the opinion that this request is one that should be considered in the 1953 budget. Mr. Burns arrived at the meeting at 7 :35 P. M. He reported that Mrs . Commons, 402. Bedford Street, wants a sewer connection free of charge and abatement of the sewer assessment betterment in settlement of her claim for the taking made by the Town. He stated that the amount of money involved CommonsI is about $450, and the lot is about 100 feet . claim Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting at 7 :40 P.M. and the Chairman explained the situation to him. Mr. Emery questioned making a settlement in this way and said that, if she has a claim for dam- ages, she should present it. Mr. Stevens said that sometimes it might de- pend on the circumstances, but, in this instance, he thought Mr. Emery was correct. It was decided to take no action until a for- mal claim is presented by Mrs. Commons . 368 The Chairman read a letter from W. P. John- ston, 10 Calvin Street, secretary of the Sunny- field Associates, requesting permission for a delegation from the Association to meet with the Sunnyfield Board. The group- watits to discuss the condition complaint of the streets in the area and also tool sheds and outhouses that have been erected in the area. The Chairman was authorized to ackhowledge the letter and advise the group as to what the situation is . Mr. Stevens presented a deed conveying Lot 160 Bridge Street to William E. Myers and Flora A. Myers, 65 Bridge Street. Tax title Mrs. Myers paid for the lot in 1945, but, property through an error, the correspondence was filed and no deed ever made out . Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Reed, it was voted to execute the deed to carry out the vote of a Board of Selectmen passed in October,1945. The Chairman read a letter from Frederic A. Hoxie, inquiring about retirement of a veteran after ten years of service. Mr. Stevens said that he understands the Act providing for retirement of veterans has never been accepted. The Chairman said that the Board has re- ceived three letters claiming damage due to blasting in Nichols Road and asked if this was something between the property owners and the contractor installing the sewer. Mr. Stevens agreed that the Town is not in- Nichols Rd. volved . He suggested advising the individuals claim for of the name of the contractor and telling them damages that the claim should be taken up directly with him and also to advise them that the Town, in its contract, required the contractor to carry insur- ance against blasting. Mr. Burns retired, and Dr. Foley, Chairman of the Recreation Committee, Mr. Brainard Noyes and Mr. John Desmond met with the Board. Dr. Foley explained that no one from the Little Lions Club has contacted his Committee in regard League to a Little League Baseball project. There is a baseball movement in Town to start such a club, and Mr. Noyes is president . He contacted the Recreation Committee to find out whether or not a field could be provided. Both groups believe that the diamond on the Lincoln Street end of the playground would be suitable. He explained that, under Little League rules, the field would have to be used 369 exclusively by the League and could not be used by II any other group. He said that this is the question he would like settled, and asked if the Recreation Committee could set aside part of the public play- ground for an organization of this type vhich is operated by citizens and used by citizens. Mr. Stevens said that he would think it could be done, and that it is being done in other communi- ties. Dr. Foley said that it would mean erecting a fence around the diamond to a certain point in the outfield. Mr. Stevens said that he has seen the fences and they are just snow fences not involving the expenditure of much money. Dr. Foley explained that, as he understands the rules, to be eligible to participate in the playoffs for the championship, the League must have a field that no one else uses . Mr. Gay asked if the High School used the field for softball, and Dr. Foley replied that this starts in May and may mean juggling, but he thought it could be done. The League would want the field from May 15th until the first of August. Mr. Gay asked if the High School would object, and Dr. Foley replied that he thought something could be worked out as there are two other base- ball diamonds open. Mr. Noyes said that there will be four teams and by 1954 they may have eight teams. The Board felt that the Recreation Committee has had the Town Counsel 's opinion, and it should now determine whether or not the project is physically possible, and , if so, it is something for the Com- mittee to work out. Dr. Foley said that his next question was in regard to the Aldrich property and asked if it were given to the Town for recreation purposes, and, if so, was there any particular type of recreation specified. The Chairman suggested that Dr. Foley look up the deed of gift which is held by the Town Clerk. Mr. Noyes mentioned maintenance of the Little League diamond, and Mr. Stevens said that if the group can raise the money and it is spent under the supervision of the Town Departments and according to their requirements, he thought there would be no objection to using private funds. Mr. Emery asked if the group, from the dis- Dussion this evening, was of the opinion that the Selectmen had officially approved the project which 370 A OD might place them in the position of having endorsed it for whatever it will cost for next year's budget. Dr. Foley replied in the negative and said that all they wanted this evening was to clear the use of the field legally, and to find out whether or not it can be used exclusively by the Little League. Mr. Emery said that the Board likes the idea but beyond that it cannot make any financial commit- ments. Mr. Noyes said that he is not asking for money but is asking for the field. Messrs. Noyes and Desmond retired at 9:00 P. M. Dr. Foley said that about a year ago the Rec- reation Committee spOke abbt,}l a play area in Wood- haven. The Chairman explained that some members of the Board went over the area and can't see any possibi- Woodhaven lity of the Board approving of the location mentioned play area by the Recreation Committee. He said the Board is decidedly unimpressed from the view of location and expense. Mr. Emery asked if the Committee had presented the subject to the Planning Board and what they thought of it. Dr. Foley replied that it had been presented and that Board thought it was all right. The Chairman suggested that the Committee present the matter to the Board again in writing and further suggested that the Selectmen go over the area some Saturday morning with the Recreation Committee. Dr. Foley retired at 9:05 P. M. Messrs. Lyon, Fifield, Powell and Birch, of the Taxpayers ' Association, met with the Board. Mr. Lyon invited the Board to a meeting of the Taxpayers in Estabrook Hall on Wednesday, October 22nd. He said that the Association would like to recommend to the Board that the assessed values on homes and land be published in the Town Report. The Association members feel that this will be a common leveler which will do a lot of good, and the situat- ion now is not good. He asked that an amount be in- cluded in the appropriation to cover this. The Chairman said that he thought the only way to have anything like that published in 1953 would be to have the money appropriated at the Annual Town Meeting. I 371 Mr. Lyon mentioned the Special Meeting in Nov- ember and said that, if this were done this year as a separate report and so well received that the to payers wanted it done every year in the proper tithe, it could be taken up and put in the budget. He said that the Association thinks the Assessors neEd some help and believe the report would do a goad job. He stated that the taxpayers would prefer to have the Selectmen sponsor this project than to have the Association insert an article in the war- rant. Mr. Emery asked if timing were important and Mrs Lyon replied that it Would be good now, and if the Board would make the announcement at the Special Town Meeting, it would help. The Chairman explained that, if the Board did make an announcement, it would be merely to tell the Town Meeting members that the Board would favor it for the 1953 budget. He further stated that even after that, the Appropriation Committee might be opFosed, and it might not carry at the Annual Meet- ing . The Chairman said that, if the Board does carry through, and the Appropriation Committee approves, the Board would have to obtain bids. The group, with the exception of Mr. Lyon, re- tired at 9:20 P. M. Mr. Lyon asked if the Board had received a com- munication from Miss Colby in regard to more proper obEervance of Christmas. The Chairman replied in the negative and said that she did contact him by telephone at which time he suggested that she put her suggestions in writing. Mr. Lyon retired at 9:25 P. M. The Chairman said that the suggestion has been made, in reference to the Presidential Election, that the polls be opened at 7 :00 A. M. However, the Board felt that the polls should be open even Polling earlier, and, upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by hours Mr. Reed, it was voted to establish the voting hours on November 4, 1952 from 6 :00 A. M. until 8:00 P. M. Letter was received from Supit. John B. Smith, advising that the School Committee has voted to Special request the Board to call a Special Town Meeting Town Meeting for Monday, November 17, 1952. The purpose for the meeting is to request an appropriation suf- ficient to complete the furnishing and equipping 372 00 of the new High School now under construction. Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was unanimously voted to call a Special Towi Meeting to be held on Monday, November 17, 1952, the warrant for same to be closed October 14, 1952. Mr. Stevens retired at 9:35 P. M., and Mr. Burns returned to the meeting. Discussion was held relative to Chapter 90 vo rk for 1953, a meeting having been scheduled by the County Commissioners for Thursday, October 2nd. Mr. Burns explained that all the Town will get on Hill Street this year is the drainage and possibly not all of that. There will be no surfacing. He asked how much the Town is interested in requesting and asked if it is to go into more than $8,000 a Chapter 90 year. He mentioned requesting funds to complete Hill Street and to start on Concord Avenue. He ex- plained that an appropriation the same as last year would all be used on Hill Street. Mr. Emery inquired about the part of Concord Avenue to be considered, and Mr. Burns replied from Pleasant Street to Waltham Street and said that this section is bad. The people are not in favor of having the street constructed because they don't want any trees removed. He said that he would like to see Concord Avenue built and that it will involve between $50,000 and $76,000 from Pleasant Street to Route 2.. From Blossom Street to Waltham Street would be $32,000 or $33,000. The Chairman felt that, if the Board is going along with Hill Street and finish it, it might be better to do that this year and then next year see what could be done about Concord Avenue . Mr. Emery said that he would prefer to see Hill Street finished and out of the way. Mr. Burne said that he would like to have Hill Street completed and suggested requesting 1-1-2 for Hill Street which would total $32,000 and ask for 8-8-16 for Concord Avenue. Mr. Burns mentioned that Massachusetts Avenue is a Chapter 90 street and, if it is under main- tenance, the $1,000 per year which t he Town has been asking for will never cover that he has in mind. He would like to tear out the whole avenue from Grant Street to the Statue. If it is new construction, it will be presented as a complete project to be done. He agreed to contact the Chairman when he finds out whether Massachusetts Avenue is maintenance or con- struction. The Chairman wall then contact the other members of the Board. 373 Letter was received from Paul R. Keeler, 71 East Street, in which he referred to a strip of Keeler land taken by eminent domain. He wants the Town complaint to cut down the mound of gravel and replace the loam. Mr. Burns explained that the land he men- t_oned is the shoulder of the street, and the Chairman reported that he had viewed the property today. The Chairman was authorized to advise Mr. Keeler that the Board feels the Town has been reasonably co-operative, and the condition is not any worse than that of most of those in town. Further consideration was given to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Jones ' offer of $$25 for Lot 70, Bran- don Street. Tax title Mr. Emery viewed the lot and recommended property selling it to the abutter for $50. Upon motion of Mr. Reed , seconded by Mr. 1 Ebery, it was voted to entertain an offer of $50 for Lot 70, Brandon Street. Further consideration was given to Mr. Sullivan's offer of 0400 plus sewer betterment amsessrent of $$162:.21 for Lot 86, Kendall Road. Tax title II Mr . Emery viewed the lot and reported that it property is a good buildable lot . Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Gay, ir, was voted to entertain an offer of $800 plus the betterment assessment. Further consideration was given to Mrs. Cunha ' s offer of $50 for Lot 4, Block 95, Reed Tax title Street. A proposal to sell this lot was adver- property t sed in the September 25, 1952 issue of the L xington Minute Man. No persons contacted the S lectmen's Office as a result of the advertisement. Upon motion of Mr. Reed, seconded by Mr. Gay, i was voted to sell and convey Lot 4, Block 95, R ed Street to Mrs. Walter Cunha, 139 Reed Street, Lexington. A letter was received from Mrs. Marion B. Steeves, 26 Howard Street, Newton, offering $300 p us water betterment assessment of $75 for Lot Tax title 5 , Grandview Avenue. property Mr. Gay moved that a proposal to sell the lot be advertised in the Lexington Minute Man and that f rther consideration be given the offer at the n xt meeting of Board . Mr. Emery seconded the II motion, and it was so voted. 374 zt 1.0 to Letter was received from Cosmo A . DeBonis, Tax title attorney, 1840 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, Property offering 000 for a large number of lots in Meagherville . Upon motion of Mr. Reed, seconded by Mr. Emery, it was voted to decline the offer. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the following uses of halls : R. F. Jackson Conf. Room Oct. 9 4-H Meeting Taxpayers ' Ass +n. Estabrook Oct. 22 Meeting An application from the American Institute of Engineers for permission to conduct a banquet and dance in Cary Hall was held over and the Chairman authorized to obtain further information. An application from the Lexington Lions Club for permission to conduct a merchants exhibition at Cary Hall on November 12 and 13 was held over and the Chairman authorized to obtain further information. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Reed, it was voted to grant a Sunday Movie License to the Lexington Amusement Co., 1794 Massachusetts Avenue. The meeting adjourned at 11:05 P. M. A true record, Attest : er� �