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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1952-04-14-min ---- - --- 209 ISLLECTIEN' S MI,J:TiING April 14, 1952 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, April lq, 1952, et 7 :00 P. M. Chairman Neckerson, Messrs . hmery, Gay, Driscoll end Reed were present. Er. Burns , Sup ' t of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present. Mr. Gay noted as Chairman for the evening. MessrS. Long of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company and Mahon of the Boston Edison Company, met with the Board in regerd to several petitionsfor i/o pole and guy wire locations which have been held ovcr for several weeks . The f_rst order considered WES for the removal relocation of ten poles on Paul Revere Road . -- The chairman stated that the Board does not like to see so many poles going up and would like Pole I to know what the petitioners intend to do up there . Locations Mr. Mahon said that the relocation of these poles wasbroughtabout by a street widening, and they are M to be brou ht back to the new street lines . Ho said that here is a ,ossibility of eliminating a pole or two and stretching out the sections, but without making a survey, this may disturb some services new theverunning from existing poles . He said that the company did not have in mind eliminuting any poles . The Chairman said that the rioard would like to have some poles eliminated if possible. Mr. Long said that the sections ere already very lenghy and whether poles ma' be eliminated is a question of safety. Mr. Emery said that his interest was more in getting the poles moved to the opposite side of the street where there are some trees and they won't be so conspicuous . 1 Mr. Mellon askedllfiMr-. EmeryJathought- waseTtb. locate the poles on the side of the street thet,, does have trees and he replied in the affirmative. Mr. Mahon seid that the company usually avoids trees end 9 great many times prefers to put them in open spaces . Mr. Emery asked about insulating the wires and Mr. Macon replied thet they do put in tree wires . . [ C 210 CO Mr . Emery asked if it would take much of a survey to look over the situation with the thought he has in mind. Mr . Long said that there is a question in his mind as to whether= or not these poles are not already located. Mr. Burns said that two or three trees carne down and two poles may have been relocated . Mr. Mahon asked if a Survey shows it possible, feasible and proper to relocate a number of poles on the other side of Paul Revere Road would the abutting owners object. Mr. Emery Said that the poles would be located on Town land and further stated that some of the abutting owners would not like it. Mr . Long explained that his company avoids trees not entirely from e service point of view but also from a .Safety point of °view. He said that experience has proven that rubbing and chafing on telephone wires creates wear and interrupts service. He also said that trees heavily laden with wires have brought down wires and killed people . ME. Mahon agreed with these statements. Mr . Emery mentions_ the potential beauty of this road And ivir. Long explained that where wires are located in the trees, the company asks permission to trim, and hacked trees are not good. Mr. Emery said that he would rather see a hacked tree than a telephone pole . Mr. Long said that he also has in mind the safety of his men. The Chairman said that Mr. Burns is very anxious to work on Paul Revere Road and asked how long it would take to resurvey this location. Mr. Mahon said that if he entertains the possibility of bringing the poles on Lothe west side of Paul Revere Road, he thought there would be the problem of getting around the points of curvatures and radiuses for service . Mr. Emery asked how the Board felt about suggesting that these gentlemen make this survey tomorrow or the next thy and report to Mr. Nickerson and give him discretion to go on from there . The bo<rd agreed. Mr. Mahon said that he would attempt to have a resurvey made within the next day or two. Ur . Nickerson said that he is not sympathetic to having the poles on t'aul Revere Road c anted over and he thought. that there will be houses constructed on the opposite side of the road in the near future. 211 fw Petitions for the following locations were held over inasmuch as they all tie in moreor less with the re_ocation mentioned above: Paul Revere Road, southerly side, approximately 200 feet west of Asbury Street, 1 pole . .From Paul Revere Road, southeasterly side, approx_mately 130 feet northeast of Con- stitit_on Road, one Guy Wire and anchor. Cedar Street, at the junction of kaul Revere Road, one pole. Petition for the installation and maintenance of wires over Camellia klace was discussed. Mr. Long preserved a sketch showing approximately what they would -ike to do. Mr. Emery said that his second choice would be to come over the rai .Poed from Hancock Avenue . Mr. Mahon said that the company would prefer to use one pole if it can obtain rights . The petitioners agreed to study the proposed location further, submit a report to the Chairman who was authorized to use his discretion in regard to the location. Petition for lthcation and maintenance of a guy wire and anchor on Bedford Street, at the junction of Reed Street, was considered. Mr Long explained that the Boston Edison Company had a guy wire from a pole and attached to a tree . The guy wire was necessary because of the heaver strain. The tree to which it was attached had to be taken down because it was diseased . It was agreed by Mr. burns and Mr. Long that a hip guy would &ve the best solution and upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Redd, it was voted to approve the petition nd sign the order, on the basis of a hip guy, for the following location: Bedford Street, from a pole located at the junction of Reed Street retition for location of one pole on North Street, northwester_y from a point approximately 2B55 feet north west or Adams Street was condidered. 212 .m The Chairman explained that the board held a public hearing on this proposed location and Mr. Zecher, 5 Harvard Avenue, Last Saugus, who owns a lot of land at this location and is building a house, was opposed to the location. Mr. Long informed the Board that he had written to Mr. Zecher on three different occasions, but as yet has never received any reply. Mr. Nickerson agreed to arrange to have the Zechers contact the petitioner. Petition for a i/o pole location on Robinson Road, approximately 125 feet north of a point approximately 1,015 feet eadt of Grove Street was considered. Mr. Mahon Said that he would like to withdraw this petition. Messrs . Mahon and Long retired at 8:00 P. M. Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Lindstrom, Building Inspector, with reference to A foundation at the rear of 15 Taft Avenue . abpnt wti;ic } ttLe Board has received a complaint from Mr. Joseph Oppenheim. Cellar Mr. Stevens said that he is not familiar with Foundation any proceedings whereby the Town can tell the owner Taft Avenue to fill in the foundation, and he thought it was doubtful if the Board could do anything about it . He took the letter written by Mr. Lindstrom. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Stevens, in reference to Mr. Converse Hill ' s letter of April 4th quoting rates for liability insurance on Insurance the Town ambulance. Mr. Stevens recommended, to on avoid double coverage, that the insurance on the Ambulance ambulance with Foster & Lamont be withdrawn and insured ohly under the policy proposed by Mr. Hill. Mr. Nickerson said that he thought it would be advisable toa cquire the additional coverage as recommended by Mr. Hill and so moved . Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion And it was so voted. At 8:35 P. M. Mr. John Blackwell and client, Mr. Hamllan, met with the Board. Mr. Hamlin said that he had requested the Blackwell appointment this evening in connection with the land re in Meagherville which he has already discussed with Meagherville the Board about a year ago. He paid that he had an property offer for all the land to which the town has title 213 IIon the north side of the road , according to the Assessors ' records . He ,resented the chairman with a letter together with a deposit of 4500. , giving the terms and conditions upon which he desires to buy the lands . He offered 43, 415 for 34.15 acres for deeds conveying good and clear record and marketable title to the ltnd, free from all encuiaberances of record . The offer is good until April 30, 1952. Mr. Nickerson asked if this offer was for the land the Town now possessed bpt not for the land which the lown is in the process of acquiring and Mr. Hamlin intends to obtain it. Mr. Hamlin replied that he is making an offer for part of 560 lots and there are about 225 more lots about to brcome Town owned, which in effect, gived the proportion in terms of lots . He said that in terms of acreage he should say the land he has made an offer for is some 40'A, of the land in question. Mr. Nickerson asked if Mr. Hamlin' s eventual offer will be bePween 48,000 and 49,000. Mr . Hamlin replied that it would assuming it appears logical to offer the same unit price . He said that the land is very similar. Mr. Emery said that he would like to know what this is all ahbut. Mr. Hamlin explained that one of his activities as a real estate investor has been the development of land , usually for retail shopping centers . Mr. Blackwell is assisting a group, of which he is the head, in a shopping center in Irlington, and felt that a sound opportunity in real estate investment exists in what is known as an industrial controlled center. He has brought this land to Mr. Hamlin' s attention as one which contains a great many qualities in lhat respect as 1)1r as its location is concerned and the various facilities not too fur away from it. He said that It_ iivEchn theltelegi*nofnMr; Pladkwelll ' s recommendation that he has been studying the lurid And making an offer. Mr. Emery questioned if all the land is zoned as En industriEl area and Mr Blackwell srid that that henthoaght all the lots for which the offer is made ere noN in the industrial extension He said that all but possibly one or two of the parcels of land not yeT, cleared as tax title are in this industri?al area . Mr. naL.lin said thEt he thought one would have to have E smerqlly good ideE s to how soon one would acquire the entire erebefore si,endiai6 the money necessary for planning, etc . 214 Mr . Nickerson SaidiSaidthat, in other words, this is preliminary. Mr. Hamlin said that this is the first step in a development idea. The Chairman said thnt the Board will think this over and let Mr. Hamlin know of its decision. Mr. Blackwell said that this is for investment and control development and not merely for speculation. Messrs . Blackwell and Hamlin retired et 8:50 P . M. Mr. Stevens presented an original and copy of the amended garbage contract, in the amount of 4, 500., signed by the contractor, Stanley Roketenetz. Garbage Upon motion of Mr . Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Contract Reed, it was voted to sign the contract, Ind' return it to Town Counsel, to be retained by him until he receives the necessary insurance certificates, bonds, etc. from the contractor. Mr. Stevens said that some time ego the question came up about installing pipes under a sidewalk on Slocum Road for melting snow. He said that the owner of tne house wants to extend the pipes down the driveway, sidewalk and include about four feet in the travelled way.. Mr. Stevens Said that he would be hesitant about giving; permission to place the pipes under the travelled way. The Clerk was requested to advise the Board next Ionday night of the action taken on the original request. Mr. Stevens retired at 0:20P. M. and Mr. Burns returned to the meeting. Mr . Burns reported that he had received two bids, both tne same, for gasoline; one from Shell and one from Esso . He now purchasts_;his gasoline from Esso and the bid was 1-S below tank wagon prices Gasoline which is .1490 on regular. Bids Upon motion of rr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Emery, it was voted to authorize Mr. Burns to purchase his supply of gasoline from Esso . Mr. Burns reported that he has received two bids for washed sand and gravel. Acme Sand .c Gravel sub- mitted a bid of 75¢ per ton and the Hi eland Send Sand & & Gravel submitted a bid of 64 Or ton, Gravel Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Bids Emery, it was voted to authorize Mr. Burns to 111accept the old of the Highland Sand & Gravel . 215 Mr. Burns referred to bids on copper tubing and explained that most of the bidders have given him a price of 32.63 per 100 feet for 10,000 feet and over . One concern bid 432.00 per 100 on 2,000 and over. he would like to purchase the 2,000 and over (Copper' and also purchase some from the other bidders, who tubing have been supplying him. Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Reed, it was voted to authorize Mr. Burns to purchase copper tubing at his discretion. Mr. Burns reported that he his received the following bids fone,l64 cast iron w6ter main : H D Wood, 46 . 81 per foot, U., -1S. ripe, 46 .69 per foot and barren ripe 46 .11 per foor. 16" water Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. pipe Reed, it was voted to authorize Mr. Burns to accept the bid of the Warren ripe Company. �.� Letter was received from William H. Watson, 11 Middleby Road, complaining about flooded conditions on a large plot of land et the rear of I his residence . He claims that the conditions have Watson existed sense the laying of the main sewer line drainage through the land which leads him to believe that complaint the drains were blocked at that time . Mr. Burns said that this condition has not existed because the sewer was put in. "hen the sewer was finished t here was a better ditch than was ever there before. He explained thrt the pipe on Mr. Wats )n' s side of Middleby hoed was clogged et the end (some debris washed down from the brook and childre'z placed boards in it ) and folded.' over the land. £hie Mown took care of it and the brook has gone dawn end is down below the surrounding land . die. etelained_that the 'sewer job has been finished almost two years. Mr . Matson applied for a building permit and Mr. Jackson advised the Building Inspector that a septic tank would not properly function here. Mr. Nickerson agreed to look at the area and reply to Mr . Watson' s communication. Letter was received from Edwin ". Hutchinson requesting +extension of water main to serve three Request for lots on the west side of Blossom Street and the Water Concord Turnpike. The request was placed on file to he considered in the 1953 budget as no money has provided for it this year. 216 The Chairman read a letter from Harry A . Smit};t, Jr. , 36 Outlook Drive, advising that he is making claim to his insurance company for damage to living room and hall ceilings caused by blasting when the Claim For sewer was constructed in Prospect Hill. Damages Mr. Burns informed the Board that the insurance company is handling this end they don' t usually press against the Town. Letter was received from the County Commissioners advising the Board that a hearing will be held on Hearing the relocation of Hill Street at the commissioner' s Office on Tuesday, April 29th, at 10:30 A.M. Letter was received fron the State Department of Public Works advising the Board that the sum of $8,000 has been allotted, under 0hapter 90, for the improvement of Hill Street; 44,000 to f con- tfibuted bythe Town and �p4,000to by contributed Chapt. 90 by the etaand 44,000 to be contributed by the County. Letter was also received advising that the sum of 41,000 has been allotted, under Chapter 90, for highway maintenance; 41,000 to be contributed by the sown and 41,000 to be contributed by the County. Mr. 'urns retired at 9:55 P. M. Certificate of Incorporation on behalf of Carl Bryant, 12 Fair Oaks Drive , et al, to be known Cert. of as the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society, Inc. was Inc . received from the Secretary of the State, Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to sign the certificate. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Emery, it was voted to grant the following uses of halls : Uses of Halls American Legion Aux. Conf. Room April 21 Free 4-H Club " " " 15 Girl Scouts Cary Hall " 24 League of Women Voters-Conf. Room " 25 Upon motion of Mr.-Emery , seconded b y Mr. Licenses Nickerson, it was voted to grant the following licenses: I 21 • Lex. Cab Co, Inc. 11 Depot Square Public Carriage Charles rr. Durkin Depot Square Wardrobe ' s Pharmacy 807 Mass . Avenue Sunday Sales Manor Spa 269 Bedford St . " " Corner Variety Shop 856 Mass. Ave. John J. Dacy 424 Marrett Road Salvation Army 87 Vernon St . Boston Junk Lex. theatre , Inc. 1794 Mass . Avenue Sunday Movies Notices were received from the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission calling the Board ' s attention to the call and delivery of alcoholic beverages oh Patriots " Day, April L9th, and Presidential Primary Day, April 29th. Mr. Dr_scoll reported that he has been approached by one of the liquor dealers who asked if they would be permitted to remain open on April 19th after six or seven o ' clock. Upon motion of r.Ir. Emery, seconded b, Mr. Reed, it was voted to requ t the liquor stores to remain closed on April 19th until 6 :00 o ' clock P. M. It was further voted to request the liquor stores to remain closed during the polling hours (2:00 P. M. until 8:00 ?. I. ) on April 29th. Letter was received from Ralph Sandberger, Boston Road, Bill e: ica, on behalf of the Lexington Post, V. F. W. requesting 2crmission to have a popcorn stand in the vicinity of Depot Square on April 19th. Stand The Clerk was instructed to request the Chief April 19th of Police to designate a location, preferably not on the gras3 plot. Applications from position of Policemen were received from the Chief of Police, together with his notations and recommendations of each of the policewomen six applicants Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was toted to approve the Chief 's re- commendations for the appointment of Mrs . John J. Murphy, 1 Homestead Street, and Mrs . Lois Conley, 36 Simonds Road, effective May 1, 1952. The meeting adjourned at 10:15 P. M. -17 1 k A true reco'd, Attest: