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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1952-05-05-min 240 km SELECTMEN'S MEETING May 5, 1952 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, May 5, 1952, at 7 :00 P. M. Chairman Nickerson, Messrs. Emery, Driscoll and Reed were present. Mr. Burns, Sup't. of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present. Mr. Burns reported that he had received a call from Mr. Hill who was the original man behind the Town' s Federal grant for engineering services tie called in connection with the idea of Federal funds not only for plans but also sewer, water extensions or streets under Federal certain conditions . He explained that this is still in lid connection with Lexington' s nearness to the Bedford Airport. To qualify for Federal aid, Lexington must show that it has had a defense housing area forced upon it. Mr. Burns explained that in a situation such as this, if there were a housing development say on Mass- achusetts Avenue at the Bluffs, and it became necessary to have ewer installed and funds were not available either in part or in whole, a loan botald be obtained either partial or complete, depending on the conditions. If the Board is interested, the routine application can be filled out or if not interested, Mr. Hill would like to be so advised . The Chairman asked if the amount would be specific or blanket and Mr. Burns replied that it would have to be for a specific purpose. The Chairman asked if there is any special timing on this and Mr. Burns replied that Mr. Hill would like some indication as to whether or not the Board is in- terested . The Chairman suggested, and the hoard agreed, to discuss the subject further next Monday night. Mr. Burns reported that he had talked with Doctor Barnes this morning in regard to a sewer easement and he is billing to go along with it in the location as now shown. Doctor Barnes raised the question of the manhole interfering with plowing and Mr. Burns informed him that it could be placed so that there would be no Barnes interference. He wanted a copy of the borings which Easement Mr. Burns agreed to give hiii. Mr. Burns said that Doctor Barnes is satisfied with the location so now he will have a plan drawn, and description and form of easement for him to sign. 241 Mr. Emery asked if Doctor Barnes mentioned any sum and Mr. Burns replied in the negative Mr. Burns said that if he grants the easement and then wants money for it, there is still no harm done. Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting at 7:25 Y. M. Mr. Burns reported that he has arrived at a figure of 07,400 on the M. D. C. sewer cost settle- ment for the Mill Brook sewer. He said that he thought he would take the Engineering News Record Index for 1948 and 1952 in an effort to arrive at a figure . Mill Mr. 'tevens suggested that when Mr. Burns has his Brook information complete that he and the Chairman meet at Sewer his office and he will go with them to discuss the matter with Mr. Berrigan at the M. D. C. He said that if the Board calls a Special Town Meeting an article should be inserted to cover the acquisition by the M. D. C. of approximately 1,171 feet of sewer. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Berrigan on the subject stating that the M. D. C, would like to initiate negatiations toward the acquisition, by pur- chase, of the completed portion of the Mill Brook Sewer. Mr. Stevens recommended that the Chairman acknowledge the letter and advise Mr. Berrigan that the Board expects to have the figures next week. Mr. Stevens reported that he has checked the law in regard to calling a Special Town Meeting in connection with dredging Kiln Brook. Re said the only commitment the Town would have to make would be for damages =rue from a taking and no taking has been made. However, Special this has been the practise of the Commonwealth and it Town will be less work to comply. ne said that for all Meeting practical purposes it will be necessary for the Town to give the State the type of agreement requested. iie has Kiln Brook received forms for obtaining releases from the property owners whose land abuts the brook. The Chairman asked what would happen if any of the property owners refused to sign the easement and Mr. Stevens said that it would seem to him very difficult because to establish any damages/this is for the purpose of improving the land. The subject was discussed at length and the Board more or less felt that it would be of sufficient ad- vantage to the Town to warrant calling a Special Town .Meeting. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unan- imously voted to call a Special Town Meeting for Mon- day, May 26, 1952. 242 tO The Chairman was authorized to contact the Chair- man of the School Committee and the Chairman of the Veterans ' Memorial Library Committee to determine whether or not there is any possibility of the latter being ready to have an article inserted in the warrant for this special meeting. Upon motion of Mr . Emery, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to close the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting called for May 26, 1952, as of this evening. Letter was received from the county Commissioners inquiring if and when entry was made on Paul Revere Road. Mr. Burns wes requested to send a reply to Thomas B. Brennan, Chairman. The Chairman read a letter from Richard B. Rowse Curbing calling the Borrd ' s attention to the condition, which he claims to be dangerous, of the edge of the sidewalk on the Harrington Road side of his property. He stated that he believes the time has come to install curbing on at least one side of t he street. The Board agreed to look at this Saturday mornigg. Mr. Stegens referred to betterment assessments de- ferred without interest and said that frankly he cannot see why it isn' t the wisest system for the Board of Assessors, after being informed that the betterment has been postponed, to mark the current card of that Deferred property. Then when the Assessors receive a report Betterment of a transfer of ownership of the property in whole or Assessments in part, they should advise the Board of Selectmen of that fact so that the instrument can be looked at and corrected. The Chairman agreed to contact Mr. Cronin, Clerk to the Board of Assessorsr,. to find out if he is positive that the deferred betterment assessments are being prop- erly followed . Two bids were received for recutting and painting approximately 1,000 letters on the Ancient Monument on the Common as follows : B. Quintiliani Gra. Co. 4x1150 Bids for 139 West Street,Q.uincy Recutting a Painting Arcangelo Qascieri and Ancient Adio DiBiccari 975 Monument 1167 Mass. Ave ., Arlington 243 , 111 Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded h* Mr. Reed, it was unanimously voted to accept the low bid of Cascieri and DiBiccari in the amount of 4975. Mr. Stevens read a letter from the New England Tele- phone and Telegraph Company in regard to their poles in Lexington that are being used for display and/or commer- cial signs. The Company does not agree to allow attachments to the poles and aka for their removal. All the streets listed were private with the exception of Highland Signs on Avenue and Bedford which is a State Highway and upon Telephone which the State has placed a Civilian Defense number. Poles Mr . Burns agreed to check the sign on Highland Avenue. Mr. Burns retired at 8 55 P. M. The Chairman read a copy of a letter from the State Department of Public Health to the local Board of Health advising that Chapter 562 of the Acts of 1951 has been repealed by ChaptF.r 270 of the Acts of 1952 and it is now necessary for the Board of Health to have a Board of budget item to pay for the treatment of tuberculosis Health patients, retroactive to Janurry 1, 1952. The figure Funds used when the budgets were bubmitted was 4p4,380.00, but was eliminated. The Chairman agreed to discuss the subject with Ir. Bateman to determine whether funds are to be transferred or appropriated at the Special Town Meeting. Mr. Stevens retired at 9 :05 P. M. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Manfred L. Warren, submitting his resignation as Director of Civil Defense effective es soon after the Region-Wide test on May 15th as convenient. Mr . Warren Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Reed, resigns as it was voted to accept Mr. Warren' s resignation and send Civil him a letter of thanks for his services. Degense Mr. Driscoll said that he would like to Submit the Director name of Wendell Irvine vs a candidate for Civil Defense Director. The Chairman mentioned Mr. Grindle es a possible candidate and the Clerk was instructed to bring this subject up again at the next meeting of the Board. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Warren in regard to emergency power for the rolice and Civil Civil r Defense headquarters. He stated that the probable Defense needs in case of an emergency would exceed the capacity Generator of the generator that was purchased over a year ago, A larger unit can be purchased for 41'1, 189 with an allowance of 4680 for the present generator. 244 tt c. co The Chairman agreed to discuss this with Chief Engineer Roy A. Cook of the Fire Department. Board of Public Letter wt.s received from Arthur F. Mason advising Welfare the Board that due to ill health he cannot accept re- appointment to the Board of Public Welfare. i,Ir. Driscoll reported that Mr. Francis J. Hunt told him verbally that he cannot accept reappointment to the Board of Public Welfare due to the pressure of his business . Application was received from Mr. P. E. Wilson, on behalf of the Prorp-Manaders, requesting permission to conduct a dance in Cary Hall on May 10th from 7 :30 P. P.I. until midnight. Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Emery, it was voted to grant the use of the hall subject to a charge of v�35. Upon motion of 11Ir. Reed, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to renew the following licenses : Marcia Dane 1736 Mass . Ave. Intell. Office Five Forks Dairy B<r 271 Lincoln St. Sunday Sales Harvey J. Comrie 93 Mass . Ave. Town Line Pharmacy 20 Mass. Ave. " " Minute Man Junk Co. 81 Woburn St. Junk Joseph DeFelice 81 Westview At. Peddler Upon motion of Mr. Reed, seconded by mr. Driscoll, it was voted to grant 2 Sunday Movies license to the Lexington Theatre, Inc. Additional room at the Barnes property for the Srchem Council Boy Sc.,uts was considered further by the Board, and it was ggreed to allow themt o use the ad- ditional space requested, subject to a 25.00 increase in rent. The organization is to definitely understand that due to the growth of the Town it is very possible that the Board may reed the offices occupied b: them and they may be requested to vacate . No action was taken on the numerous offers for tax title property. T: e meeting adjourned at 9:35 P. M. �1 k A true record, Attest: