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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1952-04-07-min 201 SELECTMEN' S MEFTING April 7 , 1952 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selecumen' s Room Town Office Building, on Monday evening, April 7, 1952, at 7:00 P.M. Chairman Nickerson, Messrs . Gay, Driscoll, and Reed were present . Mr. Burns, Sup' t . of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present. Mr. Emery arrived aft 7:30 P.1, Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, met with the Board for the drawing of two jurors . Mrs . Mary K. Tryon, Jurors housewife, E Dee Road, and Mr. Walter S. Beatty, oil Burners, 182 Wcltham Street, were drawn. Mr. Carroll retired. Hearing was declared open upon the petition of the Ibston Ldison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for the erection of a guy wire End anchor on Bedford Street, from a pole located at the junction of Reed Street. No persons were present in favor or in opposition. Mr. Xurns reported that he has received numerous Pole complaints about this particular triangle and if Location possible, he would recommend relocating the pole . He explained that there is a pole and it was tied to a tree which has been removed or else Mr. Garrity asked to have the guy wire removed. The Chairman suggested, and the Board agreed, that the Sup't of Public Works advise the petitioner that the Board is not in favor of the proposed guy wire and anchor location and suggest another location. The hearing was declared closed . Hearin, was declared open upon petition of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for joint pole location on North Street,, Northwesterly from a point approximately Pole 2855 feet northwest of Adams Street. Location Mr. & Mrs. G. F. Zecher, 5 Harvard Avenue, East Saugus, owners of abutting property, were the only persons present . The chairman asked if the proposed location would interfere with Mr Zecher 's driveway and he replied 11 that it will be in the center where he will be looking out of his window 202 OD Mr. Zecher said that if the petitioner ham to have a pole he would prefer to have it moved to the right in sn easterly direction. Mr. Burns agreed to contact the petitioner and request that they contact Mr. Zecher and discuss the subject with him. The hearing was declared closed and the Zechers retired at 7:15 P.M. Petition was received from the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for permission to remove end relocate two poles on Concord Avenue, northwesterly from a point Pole approximately 25 feet northwest of Benjamin Road. Location Mr. Gay objected to having a row of poles located on the stBeet and 'gr. Burns suggested that a representative of the boston Edison Company be requested to attend the hearings on the pole locations. The Board agreed to view the area and arrive at a decision next Monday hight. Letter was received from Walter D. McGrath, 14 Chase Avenue, afeising that he is the owner of lots 200, 201 and 202 Tarbell Avenue and they are now under McGrath an agreement of sale for the purpose of building. h Request He would, therefore, like to have the water main r t; For Water extended to service these lots. Mr. Burns reported that Donald Irwin is going to purchase these lots and build a house . As soon as he takes title to the property,Mr. Burns will try to have the water, which now ends at lot 199, extended to service the house. The Chairman was authorized to answer Mr. McGrath and also tb discuss the subject with Mr. Irwin. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs . Anna Endres, 15 Williams Avenue, registering a complaint of Complaint damages to the street incurred during snow plowing. Mr. BUrns explained that due to the fact that there was no frost in the ground the snow plows did rip up some of the streets . The Chairman said that as much as this may be a justified complaint, nevertheless it is an unaccepted street and the Town cannot do any maintenance work on it . Letter was received fr.;m Joseph Oppenheim, 15 Taft Avenue, in which he referred to a foundation on Complaint the lotloycated directly belling the house. He claims that it is being used as a dump tiid is a hazard to the children in the nesighborhood . The owner of the property has promised to eliminatethe nuisance, but it has now been in existence for six years . The subject wrs referred to Town Counsel for his 203 opinion and he requested that more information be obtained fP0m the Building Inspector and Assessors . The Chairman read a letter from Charles F. Mitchell referring to a petition for the construction Sidewalk of a granolithic sidewalk in front of his property at 7 Richard Road Mr . Burns agreed to obtain further information and report to the Board next Monday night. Further consideration was given to the vote passed at the Adjourned Town Meeting held on March 24th amending the Town By-Laws whereby the Town Offices are to be closed on Saturdays and Closing open for two hours one right a week, the night to be Saturdays determined by the Selectmen. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Emery, it was voted to keep the Town Offices open on Monday nights from 7; 00 P . A. until 9:OOP. M. Mr. Burns retired and the following members of the April 19th Committee met with the Board; Chairman Garrity, Messrs . Irvine and Lewis . Mr. Irvine informed the Board that General Hoyt S. Vanderberg will be the principal speaker and the Committee will have to give a luncheon for the General, his Aide, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, and several other celebrities . The Committee is April 19th faced with the problem of having a reception for Committee about thirty people and would like the Selectmen to make an appropriation. The Chairman asked if he were addressing the Board as five individuals or as custodians of various funds and Mr. Irvine replied that he was addressing the Board as custodians The chairman explained that there was en appropriation for the celebration and that is the final amount. He stated that the Selectmen have a fund which is used for contingencies during the year, but he doubted if the Board would vote to use any of thf t money He said the t the Board would take the request under advisement and let Mr. Irvine know of its decision Mr. Irvine estimated an amopnt oetween thirty and forty people at the reception. The groap retired at 8:25 P .M. and Mr. Burns returned to the meeting. 1 Mkt OD Letter was received from Mr. Stevens advising that he has considered the request from the, East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project, for the ex- ecution by the Board of forms granting permission Low for low flying. He explained that this is a Flying matter not within the jurisdiction of municipal Permit authorities and has discussed the matter with Mr. Armstrong, gup' t of the project. Mr. Armstrong took the matter up with the Mass . Aeronautics Commission and it seems that there is no necessity for such a permit from the Board. Letter wts received from Representative Charles Gibbons, together with a co, y of House Bill 1301, an Act Establishing the Metropoliten District House Commission Advisory Council. No action was taken. Bill 1301 Letter was received from Converse Hill quoting liability insurance rates oh the Town Ambulance . Insurance Mr. Stevens said that he was interested in the occupants of the ambulance and said that he would confer with Mr. Hill The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Carroll advising that ;Lots 135, 355, 361 to 370 inclusive, 373 and 375, Dunster Gardens, Philemon Street, were duly foreclosed, are tax title property and Tax Title can be sold by the Town. Property The Board preferred to look at the property before taking any action on the letter received from Joseph A. Purcell, attorney for Irene B. Graziano, who claims that she has a deed to these lots, prepared by Daniel J. O'Connell. The subjcct of the increase appropriated for garbage collection was discussed, and Mr. Stevens said that this calls for an amendment to the contract to increase the amount of compensationl He said that the Board could at the same time eliminate the option. The chairman sug,ested to apportion the increese in two portions , 41,000 to be added to the monthly Garbage payments and yp1,000to be paid February 1, 153, if Contract the collectionhas been satisfactory. Mr. Stevens is to have further information as to the vote mnd amended contract next Monday night. Mr. Stevens referred to a letter from Attorney Small, who represents Mr. Palladino and the Board in- structed him to notify Mr. Small that until his client has something definite to offer, the Board Palladino is not too interested in the matter. 205 Upon Motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Emery, it was voted to adopt Orders for laying out the following streets : Barrymeade Drive Hillcrest Street Hudson Road Independence Avenue Munroe Road Normandy Road Street Preston Road Underwood Avenue Orders Wilson Road Woodcliffe Road 52 Selectmen' s Copies of loch Order are on file in the 1952 files - HiOhways . At 10:00 P . M. Messrs . Kolly,Hume and Dunston, from the 'fawn of Bedford, met with the Boavd . Mr. Dunston said that his Committee wondered if it should proceed with the sewer project or not and asked if the money has been appropriated for the extension between Eldred Street and Bedford ' s Main. He asked why Bedford should proceed with construction when it has no place into which to empty the sewage. The Chairman explained that the Selectmen told the Bedford group some months ago what they would recommend to the Town Meeting. He said that the Board did not recommend, and did not say that it would recommend, an appropftitton of money to put in the 3,000 feet because it had no idea Bedford would be wanting it before Lexington had a subsequent Town Meeting. He said that the vote to put in the Sunny- field main and the laterals was voted unanimously under recommendation of the Board of Selectmen and the Appropriation Committee, and there was no comment on it at all from the floor. He explained that one of the Board ' s arguments wad a mmral commitment to go along with Beditrd and was based on the aid Lexington was receiving in having the main come up here at no expense to Lexington. He said that he included in the presentation the fact that the Board would recommend to Home Town Meeting an appropriation of money for constructing 3,000 feet of gravity sewer in Bedford Street to connect to Bedford ' s force main. Mr. Hume asked if the M. D. C. has started yet and the Chairman replied in the negative stating that it is out for bids and they are to be submitted April 17th. Mr. Hune asked if the Town is enlarging the pumping station and the Chairman replied in the negative. 206 Prl CO Mr. Dunston said that he and Mr.' elley II hr have faith in the Selectmen, but thee two members of his Committee who are a lile doubtful, and they are hesitant about hiring engineers or doing anything until a discussion had been held with the Lexington Selectmen. He asked if the Board could guarantee to tie in Eldred Street. The Chairman repliedthat the Board cannot guarantee anything but the fair mindedness of the vote of the Town Meeting. Mr. Burns said that the Selectmen have done everything they said they would do. Mr. Stevens explained that everything Lexington is going to pay for has been voted. The Chairman said that Bedford is going to pay for it as a connection charge but Lexington will have to have a Town Meeting appropriate the rL. money. Mr. Stevens explained the situation by the use of the map and stated that the piece that Lexington will have to guild which money has been voted . The piece Bedford will pay for, and Lexington will build, is to within 900 feet II of Bedford 's line. The Chairman state. that Bedford will con- struct in Lexington 900feet of force main and Lexington will then construct 3,000 feet of gravity main and the money for this is available . Mr. Dunston said his Committee wants to know why this was not included in the Town Meeting and the Chairman replied that the Board would not include money for the future in a vote this year, and it will be appropriated when it becomes necessary. Mr. Burns said that the answer was given at the meeting when he ad-Led the engineers when it would be needed and they replied that it would be a year or a year and a half. He said that this was very definitely brought out. Mr. Kelley asked if Bddflord was ready by next Fall would Lexington be able to put it in then and the Chairman replied in the negative. He said that Bedfordjhpd% tecbvild a pumping station and it would seem a physical impossibility for them to be ready. Mr. Stevens informed the group that the completion date of the M. D. C. contract is September, 1955 . II 207 The Chairman said that the Committee could be informed that, if by some method this project of Bedford ' s could be hurried along so that they are going to watht a connection, it can be presented to the Town of Lexington at a Fall Town Meeting. He said that he would predict, with the amount of work to be done, this will end up by being pre- sented at the Annual Town Meeting in March. The group, including Messrs. Stevens and Burns, retired at 10:25 P. M. Letter w: s received from Rev. Harold T. Handley, on behalf of the Church of Our Redeemer, requesting permission to conduct a food sale in the Rectory grounds April 19th. Food Inasmuch as this is private property, the Sale Board was of the opinion that no permit is necessary. Letter was received from the Y-teen Girl' s Club requesting permission to sell fudge on Public ways in Lexington faring the day of April 19th. The Board had no objection. IIThe chairman read a letter from the Lexington Drum Corps requesting permission to conduct Tag Days on Friday and Saturday, April 11th and 12th. Tag Day The Board denied ;ranting a pewit for Friday � inasmuch as it is Good Friday, but granted a permit for Saturday. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Emery , it was votel to approve Surety Bond #F•:105701 in the sum of 41;2,0)0 on behalf of William E. Russell as Bond Constable in the `sown of Lexington. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr Reed it was voted to grant the following licenses : tiotilnses George R. Reed Son 1721 Mass . Ave. Sunday Sales Renewal Durand 's Chocolate Shop 1780 Mass. Ave. " it rr F. B. Huble,y 4 Stetson St. Pnctioneer " W S. Couet to 1710 glass. Ave. if 'r H " Robert N. Gaiin 1965 Mass . Ave. " " Margarbt P\Ic_Jaughlin 25 Harding Road If " John W. Leary 45 Waltham St. Public Carriage "" Lex. Theatre., Inc. 1794 Mass . Ave Sunday Movies "" Letter from the Fire Commissioners re appointment of Ia Deputy Chief Engineer was held over. The Chairman was authorised to convey to the Commissioners that Fire the Selectmen do not endorse such an appointment . Comm. 208 CD Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Reed it was votea to sign the Warrant for the Presidential Primary to be held on Tuesday, April 29, 1952. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Maurice N. Healy, 2982 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, as Veterans ' Agent for a term expiring March 31, 1953, at a salary of w24.20 per week. It was agreed to advise Mr. Healy that he will be able to use the Selectmen' s Room temporarily, but as soon es possible the Board will provide him with room for filing cabinets. The meetin ; adjourned at 10:50 r. M. A true record, Attest: 2,,,./1‘11V/ K 1