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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1953-12-14-min 193 SELECTMEN'S MEETING December 14, 1953 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office B4ilding, on Monday evening, December 14, 1955 at 7 :00 P. M. Chairman Reed, Messrs. Driscol, Gay and Bateman were present. Mr. Burns, Superintendent of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present. The Chairman read a letter from Harold W. Tillson, Treasurer, Lexington Golf Club, requesting Deferred deferment of a portion of sewer betterment assess- Sewer ment levied against the Club's property located on Assessment Hill Street. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Dris- coll, it was voted, under the provisions of Chapter 159 of the Acts of 1950, to extend the time for pay- ment of betterment assessment in the amount of $2309.22 (7741 ), without interest, until said land or any part thereof is built upon, sold, or until the expiration of three years from the date hereof, whichever event occurs first; provided, however, that this extension of time shall terminate im- mediately if the facilities of the sewer are used for said land or any part thereof. The remaining portion of the betterment, in the amount of $372.94 is due and payable. The Chairman read a letter from Commissioner Volpe advising that a meeting will be bald at the Hearing re: State Department of Public Works Building on Decemz- Route 3 ber 30th at 2:00 P. M. to discuss further improve- ment of Route 3 from its present intersection with Route 128. The Chairman and Mr. Burns plan to attend the meeting and Mr. Bateman said that he thought he might also be able to attend. The Chairman read a letter from the Lexington Gardens, Inc., 93 Hancock Street requesting permission Permit to dig a small trench across Hancock Street for the purpose of installing a bell alarm system in connec- tion with the greenhouses. Mr. Burns said that he would have no objection and agreed to contact Mr. Millican, president of this cor- poration and work something out with him. Letter was received from Brewer & Lord advising that the commission on the town business amounted to 194 Q. a Insurance $2,165.90 and the company has paid to the various agents for their participation, the sum of $2,007.40, leaving 7%, or $158.50 to be distributed at a later date. Mr. Burns reported that he received two bids for Bids for 6R sewer pig, as follows : sewer pipe Lexington Lumber Company 300 per foot net Waldo Brothers 31.3¢ per foot net Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to accept the low bid submitted by the Lex- ington lumber Company for two carloads of six inch sewer pipe. Mr. Burns brought up the subject of sewer better- Bedford St. ment assessments on Bedford Street and explained the sewer portion assessed was from Eldred Street on. He said assessments that he has not mailed out the assessmentasas he feels certain there will be questions on some of them. It was agreed to have all the bills mailed out and to advise the property owners that they may apply for de- ferment. Mr. Burns referred to the drainage on Bedford Bedford St. Street (Viano property) and said that there very defi- drainage nitely is a store going to be constructed there. He said that two water mains run through the culvert now on Bedford Street and also the sewer. He said that if he just takes the portion on Bedford street, offsets the water mains and tries to cover the situation where the sewer is , it will be helpful but from Bedford Street to the railroad is open. He stated that while open ditches are all right with farm land it is a different proposition with valuable property. The only way to effectively correct the situation is to pipe it. If it is piped, it will take care of the area from the railroad to Bedford Street. From there some part of it will have to be piped or walled off or something done to it because whatever use is made of the land, they will want to utilise as much of the space as possible. Mr. Bateman asked if the Town is responsible for the water and Mr. Burns replied that the Town dumps water into it and under the drainage Act of 1926, the Town is responsible. He explained that water is going in from the corner of Lincoln Street down through Stretham Road. Mr. Gay asked if the Town owned the brook and Mr. Burns replied that the responsibility of maintaining it is the Town's. He said that we do not own it, but thought it was left with whoever sold it that the Town could ac- quire it. 195 The Chairman said that if the Planning Board had any idea of putting a road through there in the future, now is the time to take the land. Mr. Batowan said he understood that Seth and Viano are willing to give fifty feet. Mr. Burns said that there was a letter from Mr. Ballard in regard to the Seth property, but he did not recall anything from Mr. Viano. Mr. Burns said that something definite should be decided, that is, whether or not the road is going to be constructed and when. He said to do the drainage as it is now will cost approximately $30,000. Mr. Gay suggested that the Selectmen discuss the road with the Planning Board. The Chairman said that he would consider this drainage item as a separate article in the warrant and not part of the regular drainage budget. Mr. Burns retired at 7 :35 P. M. and Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, met with the Board. Letter was received from Mr. Smith, Superintendent School of Schools, advising that the School Committee voted to budget increase the salaries of all custodians effective April 1, 1954, and also to revise the salary schedule of the teachers effective September 1, 1954. This means an in- crease of $8,850 which should be added to the salary bud- get* The Chairman said that Mr. Jeremiah received a call from the electrician at the Howard Johnson restaurant No control who wanted specifications in regard to wiring. Howard Mr. Stevens said that the Town either does have Johnson's control or does not have control and in his opinion it restaurant does not, even though the building is located in Lex- ington. He explained that towns do not have any juris- diction over State-owned buildings. Letter from Harvey W. Newgent & Associates re ex- tension of sewer to service development on Robinson Hill was held over from last week. - Mr. Stevens said that the statement was made at the Annual Town Meeting to the effect that the money Robinson appropriated for this sewer would not be carried over Hill sewer if it was hzbt used. He said that the Board could only funds advise Mr. Newgent that in view of the fact it is not ready to proceed, the Board will again ask for funds to be appropriated at the March meeting because the last Town Meeting was informed that the money would be turned back to the Excess and Deficiency Account if it was not used. Mr. A. Edward Rowse met with the Board. at 7 :45 P.M. He explained that he came in to see if he could get a 196 Q. CL note from the Board of Selectmen to put in a folder which is being sent out supporting the change in the zoning. He said that he has one from the Chairman of Statement the Board of Health and also one from the Planning re Change Board* in zoning He said that he would like the Board to say it is in the best interest of. the town that the change be made and also state what it might mean in orderly development of the town; just something to show that it is in the best interest of Lexington that this change in zoning be supported. The Chairman asked how soon the folder will be ready and Mr. Rowse replied that a group is having a meeting tomorrow night, but the folder will not be out for another week. He said that the townspeople will look to the Board for guidance and so little information has gone cut that those in favor have to look to organi- zations in which the .people have confidence. The Chairman said that he would be glad to discuss the subject with the .Board and find out whether or not it is willing to go along. Mr. Rowse said that a majority of the Board would be satisfactory. Mr. Rowse brought up the subject of short-term Town Meeting members, and the manner in which this has been handled. He reported that Mr. Carroll is satisfied Short-term to change the present system if Town Counsel can give Town Meeting some changes. Members Mr. Stevens explained that it would have to be an Act of Legislature. The Chairman said that the Board has a memo to take this subject up with Mr. Carroll this month. Mr. Rowse retired at 7:55 P. M. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, License it was voted to renew the following licenses : Renewals Countryside Inc. 40Q Lowell St. Common Victualler renewal Old Coffee House 1775 Mass. Ave. Mary A. Rowland 150 Lowell St. It " The 1775 House, Inc. 130 Pleasant St. Ernest C. Martin 1793 Mass. AvQ. it " e John J. Dacey 424 Marrett Rd. George R. Reed & Son 1721 Mass. Ave. Regent Delicatessen 1729 Mass. Ave. " " Shoppers' Haven, Inc. 316 Marrett Rd. Lex. Bowladrome Inc.1698 Mass. Ave. Frederic R. Childs 409 Mass. Ave. pit Class Agent "' 197 Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to sign the Warrant on the Referendum to be held December 28, 1953. Notice was received from Commissioner Schen es- tablishing the sum of $58,500 as the amount not less Bonds than which the 1954 bond of the Treasurer shall be written and $74,100 as the amount not less than which the 1954 bond of the Collector of Taxes shall be written. U pon motion•of Mr. Gay, secondad by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to approve the amounts as established by Commissioner Schen. The Chairman read a letter from Superintendent Special Smith asking the Board to consider appointing all Police school custodians as Special Police Officers. Mr. Stevens suggested that the subject be dis- cussed with the Chief of Police before any action is taken by the Board. At 8 :15 P. M. Colonel Gramstroff, Colonel McMullen and Major Hunt met with the Board. Col. Gramstroff informed the Board that the State has allocated the Town of Lexington for placing a mili- tary unit. He stated that they are interested In trans- ferring a unit from Wakefield to Lexington which is al- ready organized. He said that the first requirement to take up is Locating the housing of the unit until such time as the State Armory and Federal government will put up an armory. He ex- plained that the period of time will be about two years and the most important feature is trying to get the unit settled here and whether or not a unit could actually be supported in Lexington. He said. he would like a favorable report to take back to the Adjutant Genera]: about placing a unit in Lexington. He said that there are companies in Concord,Waltham and Woburn. Col. Gramstroff said they would like some type of housing such as a place for assembly and place for equip- ment. The Chairman told the group that available space is very limited and in fact it is difficult to house all the Town officials. He said that, at the moment, he did not know of any hall that would be suitable. Mr. Bateman asked how much space would be re- quired and Col. Gramstroff replied. that they would need two small places for office equipment and per- sonnel; two small rooms possibly 101 by 151 . He said that he had in mind was available space in a school such as an assembly hall. In Melrose, the unit uses the Town Hall. 198 Col. Gramatorff explained that the group now had seventy-one men and it is authorized to organize up to 100 or 120. However, most of the units hold between 70 and 80. The Chairman said that, offhand, the only location he could think of would be the gymnasium at the old High School. Col. Gramstroff said that they would use the hall only two nights a week and this is something that does not have to be answered right away. He stated that the State pays a rental fee to the City of Melrose. The Chairman said that the Board would be willing to discuss the subject but the main difficulty would be to locate suitable space. Mr. Stevens asked if the Adjutant General had selected Lexington and Col. Gramstroff replied that he suggests the areas. He said that the State would not take property. The city or town has to supply the land for the site of the armory. The Federal govern- ment pays 75% and the State pays 25% of the cost of construction. Col. Gramstroff said that he would not try to rush the Board but would like to know its decision as soon as possible. The Chairman asked what days they would operate and Col. McMullen replied that they drill on Mondays and do the administrative work on Thursdays. The group retired at 8:25 P. M. The following members of the Veterans' Memorial Committee met with the Board: Messrs. Albertine, Veterans' Dearborn, Foster, Blake, Garrity, Mrs. Farnham and Memorial Mrs. Durkin. Eugene Morgan, architect, was also present. Col. Albertine said that they would like to ob- tain a model of the memorial to show the Town Meeting and this model will cost money. He said that if Mr. Morgan does not do the job and the Town goes along with it, he should be paid for the model, and the approximate cost is $200. He said they will need $100 for the model and $100 for the plans. Mr. Morgan showed various sketches of Cary Build- ing, the Town Office Building, and the location of the proposed memorial. He explained that the stone wall cost between $4,000 and $5,000; the town to pay for the walk and planting. The architect's commission would be in addition, about 8% of the total cost. The $200 for the miniature model plan and elevation will be deducted from the total cost. The Chairman said that there is a little money in the Selectmen's Unclassified. Account and possibly there is about one-half of what they need now, or $100. He 199 asked if the group would need the money before the first of the year end mr. Dearborn replied that maybe by February. The Chairman said that the Board could allocate some to the Committee now and get the balance tt the March Town Meeting. Mr. Morgan said that he would be willing to wait until after Town Meeting for the money. The group retired at 8:55 P. M. Mr. Stevens suggested a transfer from the Reserve Fund to pay the bills for the plans and model. Messrs. Roeder, Sheldon and Fitzgerald, Fire Com- missioners, -met with the Beard do discuss budgets. Mr. Roeder said that he has kept the $500 origin- ally designated for traffic lights, as requested by Fire Dept. the Board, to turn back. He said that on December 10th Budgets they were told that the heating system at headquarters was not working properly. They found out that all the valves, put in during the war, had substitute pins and now the system is maintaining constant steam pressure. The estimated cost to repair the system is $667 and the Commissioners feel that it would be wise to use the $500 and have the work done immediately, otherwise it will have to be an item in the 1954 budget. The Chairman said that he thought the Selectmen would not want to go along with only one bid, but would want two or three. Mr. Bateman said he thought the Commissioners should obtain another bid. The Chairman explained that in several instances where more than one bid has been received, the Town has saved money. The Chairman explained that the Selectmen will recommend $5500 per year for the Chief of the Fire and Police Departments, $4500 for Captains, $4150 for Lieutenants and $3758 for privates effective April 1st. Mr. Roeder said that the Commissioners are again requesting an appropriation for a Deputy Chief Engineer and still feel that it is more than practical to have a second in command so that if Roy Cook is out of town the Department will have someone to call upon. He ex- plained that as it is now, when Roy is going to be out of town he must notify the Commissioners which means telephoning each number and then posting a notice. He said that Roy Cook is on duty twenty-four hours, and never has any time for himself. The Chairman stated that the same condition exists in the Police Department and that technically the post- tions are twenty-four hour jobs. Mr. Roeder said that there are Lieutenants in the Police Departments to take charge during the absence of the Chief and the Chairman asked if there was any- 200 Cid thing to prevent the Commissioners from making ar- rangements whereby a Captain would be in charge. The Chairman said that, not speaking for the Board, but personally he is not in favor of estab- lishing the position of Deputy Ch4if. Mr. Driscoll agreed with the Chairman and said that the Board is recommending an increase for the Chiefs over and above what other Department heads will receive. Items in all budgets under the jurisdiction of the Commissioners were discussed and the group retired. The meeting adjourned at 10:25 P. M. A true record, Attest: o} Clerk, Se ctme4 L/