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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1953-09-28-min 93 SFLEC TMEN'S MEETING September 28, 1953 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, Septmeber 28, 1953 at 7:00 P.M. Chair- man Reed, Messrs. Nickerson, Gay, Driscoll and Bateman were present. Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present. Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, met with the Jurors Board for the drawing of two jurores . Mr. John F. Riley, 43 Downing Road and Mr. Royal W. Gilson, 19 Parker Street, were drawn for duty November 2, 1953. Mr. Carroll retired at 7 :05 P.M.' Letter was received from Mr. C. Raymond Reed, 44 Fair Oaks Drive, requesting abatement of the water betterment assessment levied against Lot D, Outlook Drive,, Mr. Burns explained that this particular lot can Water never be built upon due to the fact that it is too assessment small to conform to the present zoning regulations of abated a thirty foot setback and a fifteen C t_ aid•line. He said that there is no betterment on this lot derived from the installation of the water main. Upon, motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to abate in full the assessment in the sum of $244.28 assessed against Lot D, Outlook Drive owned by C. Raymond. and Gretchen A. Reed. Statement was received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts showing all expenditures made for or on Chapter 90 account of the work covered by Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Public Works, Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Town of Lexington, dated June 30, 1953, #14365. Mr. Burns explained that the statement as presented is correct. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was voted to certify that the statement of expendi- tures is an accurate statement of Chapter 90 maintenance. Letter from the Atlantic Refining Company in re Atlantic water and sewer installations was held over from the Refining last meeting of the Board. water & Mr. Burns reported that he has not received the sewer req. plan, on the size of the lot, back from the registry 24 and will have to request one. He will have further in- formation for the Board next week. Petition was received from residents of Bertwell Bertwell Road requesting acceptance of the road from Williams Road Road to Simonds Road. Mr. Burns was instructed to prepare the neces- sary estimated assessment sheets for signatures of the abutters. Petition was received from the Boston Edison Com- pany and the New England.Telephone and Telegraph Com- Pole pany for removal and placement of one pole on Burlington location Street. Mr. Burns explained that the pole as now located is in the middle of the street and he recommended grant- ing the request. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to approve the petition and sign the order for the following pole location: Burlington Street, approximately 20 feet north of Redcoat Lane, One pole,, (One existing JO pole to be removed) The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Carroll, Town Claim Treasurbr, with reference to a statement of claim by Robert W. Balani. The Chairman reproted that he had checked this with Mr. Burns and it is a Planning- Board matter. Mr. Burns retired at 7:35 P. M. Mr. Stevens; Town 'Counsel, and Mr. John J.• Garrity, Suptt. of Parks and Playgrounds, met with the Board. The Chairman explained that the Selectmen had in- vited Mr. Garrity in this evening because they had heard rumors about his retirement. Garrity Mr. Garrity said that the Board received the news 1 retirement a little sooner than he would have given it. The Cem- etery Commissioners had a meeting the second Monday of the month and he told them that he had made application to retire November 1st. He explained that his reason for informing the Commissioners is that they meet only once a month and that would be his last meeting with them. The Chairman said that even though he has not been on the Board very long he would be sorry to see Mr. Garrity leave the employment of the Town. Mr. Garrity said that he has not had a secretary for almost a year and a half and he has been trying to keep up with the work, but found that he just cannot do it. 411 95 The Chairman said that the Board has someone in mind to take his place, but would like to know if Mr. Garrity had anyone in mind. Ile asked if he thought there should be one man for both the cemeteries and parks or one man for each. Mr. Garrity replied that he feels Charles Brenton could handle the parks and trees but the cemeteries would be away from him. It is too much of a job for him. He said that he knows Mr. Brenton has not much interest in the cemeteries at all. He said that it requires at least three trips up there a day and if there is anything doing, such as making new lots, it will take more time. He said very definitely it is too much to ask one man to take on both jobs. He said that Mr. Brenton knows the park and the only thing wrong is that he tries to do too much. He is liable to overloo4 something that the tree department is doing while he is working on the parks and not take care of the supervisory part of it. He stated that Mr. Brenton would have to be told that his job is supervisory and not that of a workman. He said that whatever help Mr. Brenton wanted he would give him. Mr. Garrity said that he would go along with the Cemetery Department for awhile in an advisory capacity, but it would be difficult to find a man to take over cemeteries, parks and trees; they have much in common but are still III far apart. Mr. Nickerson said that Mr. Garrity advised him that Mrs. Garrity had lived in their present home for a great many years and would like to continue. The Chairman said he thought the Board would be willing to go along the way it has been and asked what was kept in the barn. Mr. Garrity replied that the car and a few little things are kept there. He said that they have always looked out for the interest of the town while living there and would continue to do so. Mr. Nickerson asked if he would follow through on Dutch elm disease and he replied in the affirmative. He stated that he would give Mr. Burns a list of what he thinks should be dohs next year. Mr. Garrity suggested making Mr. BrentOn and Mr. Weisinger foremen rather than have a Superintendent of Parks. He said that these two men get along well to- gether and by having two foremen, one of these would be available at all times. Mr. Garrity retired at 7 :55 P. M. Mr. Nickerson said that he thought the Board should accept Mr. Garrity's statement and tell Mr. Burns he should make a point of having secretarial assistance for Mr. Garrity in preparing his recommendations in de- r tail. He also suggested that the Chairman ask Mr. Burns what he plans to recommend in regard to reorganization of the Department. 96 C.r Before Mr. Garrity left the meeting the Chairman referred to Mr. Irving T. Howard's letter requesting re- moval of two large elm trees from his yard at 12 Cutler Farm Road. Req. to Mr. Garrity said that the trees are so badly de- remove trees cayed that no one can tell whether or not they have Dutch elm disease and he would not say they have. He felt that it is the owner's responsibility to have them taken down. He informed the Board that there is nothing that will g o from these trees to other elm trees. At 8 :30 P. M. Dr. and Mrs. Murray R. Winston, 75 Winston Outlook Drive, met with the Board relative to water water betterment assessment levied against their property in assessment the amount of $337.50. Dr. Winston said that there is just a question of the betterment assessment, that he spoke to the engineer, P and has enjoyed their water rights. However, he could not understand what a betterment assessment- is for. The Chairman explained that he was assessed for water installation. There are 225 feet beyond the house and the assessment is on that portion. Dr. Winston said that the barn also has water and the Chairman stated that it is not going in from the street. . Dr. Winston agreed and said that there is one water meter reading for the whole property, but that the in- stallation does not better his property. The Chairman said that the parcel could be sold and two houses erected on it. Dr. Winston said it would ruin his property to sell it and the Chairman stated that it could be subdivided. The Chairman explained that if the doctor did not have water in the street and -a main installed by his house he would have been assessed for 395 feet. As it is, the owner was assessed for only 268 feet. He said that the assessment is based on $1.50 per foot and if the doctor did not have any water at all and it was put in he would have had to pay for the total frontage. Dr. Winston said that the Board was going on the supposition that he would take down the garage and build a house, but that would ruin his property. The Chairman said that he could sell the property and someone else might build. Mr. Nickerson explained that once a betterment assessment is abated, it is abated forever and cannot be put back by increasing the assessment. He stated that the assessment must be made within six months after the completion of the work. Dr. Winston said that this has been done without any consultation with the owners and the Chairman ex- plained that when a water main is installed and goes by 97 a person's house, an assessment is made and the person has to pay. The Chairman said that the land had been bettered, and Mrs. Winston asked if he meant the garage end, and he replied in the affirmative. The Chairman asked if people were living in the garage and Dr. Winston replied that there is one family there and the water is run from the main house over to the garage. Mr. Stevens explained that the betterment is based on the fact that the value of the land is increased. He said there is a greater value because of the fact that the water is there. Dr. Winston, as owner of the property, has the right to divide the land in conform- ance with the zoning requirements, and has land that could be a building lot. He said that because water has been put in ,the street he would get a better price for the land and therefore the value of the land has been increased. He said that Dr. Winston may not want to divide the land but if he sold it, the next owner might cut it up into house lots and there is no question but that he could do it and therefore the land is bettered. Dr. Winston said that the matter was up to the Selectmen and whatever they thought was right he would abide by. The Chairman asked if he were requesting an abate- ment and he replied in the affirmative. The Chairman said that the Board would arrive at a decision this evening. Dr. and Mrs. Winston retired at 8:55 P. M. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to deny Dr. Winston's request for abate- , ment of the water betterment assessment levied against his property at 75 Outlook Drive, in the amount of $337.50. Messrs. Stevens and Burns retired at 9 :00 P. M. Officer James Burdick met with the Board, at his own request. Officer He stated that he was meeting with the Board with Burdick re his own interest in mind and also the Town of Lexington, Sergeant and said that there was a sergeant's examination held and a list established, September 28, 1951. The list runs for two years and as of tonight it will run out. He said that he took the examination in good faith and hopes that possibly there will be some sergeants made. He said that when he came into the department there were 17 men and 3 sergeants, in 1928. Now there are 27 men, plus 6 women and a clerk and only 2 sergeants. He said that he was here tonight to coney that possibly the sergeant's list should be extended for six months in hope that in March there might be a ..ittle 98am CL change in the trend, possibly for his benefit. He said that hellos been told it cost the Town of Lexington $800 to have the examination prepared. He said that with himself and another man on the list it would seem to the town' s benefit, and not theirs only, to extend the list for six months . He said this being the 28th, is very short notice and possibly the Board could take action on it very soon. The Chairman said that the Board did not have in mind making any more sergeants, and whether or not it will come up in March is something else. He stated that the Board has not -considered this and the Chief has not recommended anything in this regard. He said that some of this is new to him and insofar as extend- ing the time, he would have -to take that up with the Board before expressing an opinion. Officer Burdick said that he went to the State House and was told that the list can be extended for a period of six months and then for six more months. He said that there are many nights when no ranking officer is working. This is one of those nights. He said that there is no one on various shifts with rank or a stripe this shift, and sometimes it occurs in the late half. Mr. Gay asked if an extension of time could be re- quested if the Board did not anticipate making another sergeant and Officer Burdick replied that he did not know. The Chairman said that the Board would not ask for an extension of time if it did not anticipate making a sergeant. Officer Burdick said that he talked with the Chief and he stated that he does not see anything in the cards at the present time, but one does not know what is in the cards. The Chairman said that the Board would discuss the matter and Officer Burdick said that a decision would have to be made tonight and the request would have to be dated or postmarked this date. Officer Burdick retired at 9 :10 P. M. Mr. Driscoll said that he would not act on this with- out first discussing it with the Chief, and the other mem- bers of the Board concurred. The Chairman said that he would contact the Chief on his return from vacation and report back to the Boazd. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. Robert E. Lank, on behalf of the Painters' Guild of the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society, requesting permission to hold the Permit annual outdoor exhibition of paintings on the Buckman :_Tavern grounds, October 18th from 2:00 P. M. until 5:00 P. M. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to grant this request. f) Application for Common Victualler license was re- ceived from William Revis, 317 Woburn Street. Satis- License factory reference was received from the Chief of Police. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to grant the license. Application was received from Connell Albertine, on behalf of the Veterans' Memorial Committee, request- Uses of ing the use of the Selectmen's Room on Thursday, October halls 8th, at 8 :00 P. M. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to grant the use of the roam, Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was voted to sign the Sewer Order for construction Sewer of sewer in Blake Road from Preston Road southerly Order distant approximately 435 feet. (Copy on file 1953 Selectmen's Records - Sewer Orders ) At 9 :30 P. M. the following members of the School Committee, Appropriation Committee, Recreation Committee, and Long Range Planning Committee : Messrs. Wadsworth, Fisher, Cromwell, Mrs. 'Morey, Mr. Smith, Messrs . Foley, Little Person, Potter llen, Crerie, Garrity, James, Donnelly, League Ferguson, Cave, Madden, Read, Clark, Jaquith and Brown, A discussion relative to proposed Little League Field on Maple Street was held more or less as follows : Chairman: Last Monday night we met with the Appropriation Committee and were somewhat confused on the subject and felt it might be well to hold a joint meeting. We went to get this Little League settled once and for all. It is of vital importance to all of these groups. We want to go into Town Meeting agreeing some- what rather than have a battle between the com- mittees. We have been meeting individually with each Board, but thought if we had everyone here tonight some understanding might be reached. I would like Dr. Foley to explain to the group what he intends to ask for definitely at this Town Meeting and why. Foley: We are going to ask for $10,000; $4,000 will be for the purchase of the land and $6900 will be f or the rough grading of the land, which is approximately 6.3 acres, That is what we in- tend to ask. The land will be purchased at the rate of $500 per acre. The $4,000 figure is high. The Committee feels we would rather ask for a little more money and turn it back if the purchase does not come that high. The $6900 is Mr. Burns' figure and we will stand or fall on that. 10® 0-4 t3. Chairman: Is that bringing in additional fill? Foley: That is right. Chairman: $5400 if you grade what is already there? Foley: That is right. We feel it would be better to do the whole thing rather than come in next Spring and ask for more fill; to come in next Spring and ask for the fill over and above the subgrade. Chairman: What will be the total cost of the Little League field? Foley: Finished, $20,725 as estimated at the moment. Donnelly: $21,225. Foley: This includes purchase of the land, grading, subgrading Little League field will come to over and above $6,225 for the cost of the field; $1700 for water service; $900 for benches; $500 for fencing the back end of Chapman's land. Chairman: I will ask the Appropriation. Committee how they feel and what they have decided. James ; We have not decided. Chairman: I thought we were all going to meet together tonight and not individually. This Board will recommend the purchase of the land and the rough grading and that is all as far as I know, we will recommend at any time. We feel that the purchase of the land and rough grading is the town' s and from there some or- ganization can take over. We feel that the playground area at the new school will be enough play area, and this will be entirely Little League. We think that the playground area on Maple Street, School Street and the Fiske School will take care of enough children in the areas and provide baseball diamonds. This land will be for Little League only. Foley : I don't think the Recreation Committee will go along because we do not feel there are enough ball fields in town. At the present there has been no definite understanding be- tween the Recreation and School Committees as to how any ball fields surrounding the schools will be used. If we can reach an agreement on that we will probably go along with it but until such an agreement can be reached, to the benefit of the Town, I don't think we can go along. Chairman: I understand that the School Committee has not had any contact about the Little League on Maple Street. 1°1 Foley: That is true. Asking for money to develop this can't very well change the situation for 1954. The situation willremain as it did in 1953. Chairman: I felt there should be more co-operation be- tween the two committees and the Recreation Committee should have let the School Committee know what they were planning to do this year. Foley: The Recreation Committee would like to know what the School Committee is doing on some of our recreation facilities. Chairman : I want to get this settled. If you plan to use the Little League field next year at Parker Field, I think the School Committee should be told about it. I feel the School Committee should also let you know about their plans on the Fiske School, etc. Foley: We were more or less waiting on the Town Meet- ing to get our plans jelled. I will take the blame for it if there is any blame to be taken. Perhaps I should have notified them. It would not affect the status for 1954. It seemed ob- vious last Spring that we would have the Little League with us again this year. Morey: I think the Recreation Committee was aware of the fact that this school area would not be available for Little League. I told them it would be developed when the school was added to. I told Dr. Foley that any school play- ground area should not have a portion exclud- ing our children while school is in session. School playgrounds are available during the summer for recreational programs. I think the halls, gymnasiums and whatnot will be requested to be put _at the disposal of the Recreation Com- mittee some time in the near future. We have the Fiske School which is used generally, and the High School gymnasium which is in constant use and now I suppose the new High School gym- nasium will be used. We understood that the Little League was to be used for one year. The first we knew about the field was when we saw a fence and the diamond. Chairman: Has the Appropriation Committee anything to say? James : We have not discussed it yet. Chairman: The other night, I thought it was through Frank Walker who sent the notices, it was more or less on your behalf that we called this meeting. James : We did not understani it that way. Chairman: Has any member of the Capital Expenditures Com- , mittee anything to say? 102 1-4a Jaquith: We have not discussed the Little League Field in East Lexington. Last year we recommended the appropriation for Little League. One thing that disturbs me is the extent that the field might be used for recreational facilities. The suggestion that it be used for Little League field may be desirable. Over the years the Capital Expenditure Committee has recommended that the Recreation Committee try to develop a long-range program. So far we have not had any such program and get these recreational faci- lities bit by bit. I thinkif the Recreation Committee could develop something along the line of what the Capital Expenditure is sup- posed to be doing, it would be very helpful if something could be done on a long-range program And not have piece meal development. James : If the field is used only for Little League it will, not be necessary to purchase seven acres of land nor to grade seven acres of land. Chairman: I think you will find that they have a Little League field and a Pony League so it will take in the whole area. Ferguson: Are you recommending an appropriation of $6900? Chairman: $5400 is what I had in mind for rough grading. Ferguson: When you say Little League do you mean Pony League? Chairman: No. Clark: Do you mean we should invest $10,000 on con- dition that the citizens of the town back a program that would be developed only if the rest of the town backs it up? Ferguson: You feel that the Town is that civic minded? Chairman: I am afraid it is. I don't think the Town will go along for any more. Foley : What will it cost to develop the school play- ground? Morey: I don't remember. Person: Isn't the development of that as a playground one thing and the Little League something else? Even if that is a playground it will not be available for Little League. Chairman: If we purchase the land and rough grade it some organization will come along and furnish the fill. The figure $5400 is to excavate and grade fill with what is there. Foley: We feel that the whole area should be rough graded at this time rather than come in later and ask for more money to grade it. Person: Can a private organization improve Town property? Foley: Does it become Town property? 103 Stevens : It won't change the title of the property. It Gay: would be done as a gift to the Town. Will this seven acres accommodate all the Little League program? Foley: It should take three fields. Gay: Will you come back again and ask for further development2 Is this whole piece of property enough? Foley : Can you tell me how much this is going to ex- pend? I should think it would hold it. You can get three fields in there. Gay : Haven't other towns ' Little Leagues been spon- sored by organizations? Foley.: Some towns have made the fields complete. In others, civic organizations have made the fields. I don't know of any combination. Chairman: How does this piece of land compare with the Grassland Street piece? Foley: They are two different types of land. This place is a gravel pit and is dry. We have to bring in loam. Grassland Street was not wet during the rainy season as the neighbors said it would be. That land has plenty of loam. The engineering on that would be only levelling and spreading the loam. The Maple Street pieee must have loam brought in. From the size of the piece on Grassland Street, it was five house lots of 50 foot frontage and would be about 250 feet x 250 feet against seven acres. Nickerson: There is no comparison. That was for a play- ground for children and our problem is a Little League field. Jaquith: How much access to Maple Street? Foley: We want twenty-five feet anyway and we may get a forty foot road. Jaquith: It seems to me twenty-five foot access would be narrow. Now is the time to get it. Nickerson: We told the Recreation Committee a month ago our going along on this would be predicated on a forty foot street. We told you that twenty-five feet was not enough. We would not go along with spending $10,000 for a twenty-five foot access road. Chairman: In order to have harmony on any of these pro- jects we must have the co-operation of all the Boards with each other. Clark: We have asked for information which was sup- posed to have been given to us in writing. Chairman: That is the purpose of this meeting, Nickerson: I don't want the Recreation Committee to get the idea that we are rugged about this . I am sure that we told you we wanted a forty foot road. If that is going to increase the cost, 104 Q. CL let us know now. This is a constructive suggestion on our part. Gay : How much additional will a forty foot way cost? Foley: I don't know. There seems to be a discrepancy on the plans. We have to find out definitely where the land is . The lots would be cut down to 120 foot frontage. Nickerson: In going to the Board of Appeals with a lot that does not conform you must have a specific use -- not to subdivide so many feet into so many lots. Foley: Our problem now is to find out definitely how much land we have got. Stevens : You can't do that before Town Meeting. It will take a few weeks to make a survey. The best thing is the minimum. of twenty-five feet and if that is not acceptable, it throws it out. As far as you know now, the only guarantee you have is a twenty-five foot access. If there is going to be a survey, there will not be time enough to do it before Town Meeting. Chairman ; Could you ask for fifteen feet more% Foley: I will have to contact the Ryders because Chapman has sixty-three feet on Maple Street. The meeting adjourned at 10 :35 P. M. { A true record, Attest: Clerk, Se ctmen 1