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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1953-09-21-min 87 SELECTMENTS MEETING September 21, 1953 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmenis Room, Town Office Bui;ding, on Monday evening, September 21, 1953 at 7 :00 P. M. Chair- man Reed, Messrs. Nickerson, Gay, Driscoll and Bateman were present. Mr. Burns, Supit. of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present. The Chairman read a letter from the Atlantic Re- fining Company in regard to the proposed service sta- tion and restaurant building on the east side of Route 128. The company proposes installing a sewer line from its station to and entering, the sewer now being ex- Sewer and tended to Lincoln Street and Marrett Road. It also water for proposes a water line from its station, connecting Atlantic the main located at the end of Barrymeade Dmive. Refining Co Mr. Burns explained the locations by use' of the wall map and said that the letter was the result of many conferences with various representatives of the company. When he was told they were ready to let con- tracts he told them that they had not discussed assess- ments with the Board and that it is customary for people to pay a betterment charge for installation of water and sewer. Mr. Burns stated that they will have to put a force main and it will be installed in the shoulder. As part of the agreement, he would like to have the company give the town rights to get the drainage out of Barrymeade Drive. He can dig a ditch from Barry- meade Drive to an existing ditch at a cost of only about 4400. He stated that the sewer assessment can be based on regular assessment, taking the full depth and full width. The water assessment can be deter- mined by the Board. Mr. Burns agreed to prepare figures for the Board giving the cost of both installations. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. P. A. DoPahlo, 46 Forest Street, requesting the construction of a Requ. for Sidewalk in front of his property. sidewalk The Chairman was authorized to acknowledge the letter and advise Mr. DePaolo that his request would be considered when the 1954 budgets are discussed. Letter was received from Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk, Conduit ill together with petition and orders in triplicate, sub- locations mitted by the New England Telephone and Telegraph Com- 88 Cu pany, for permission to lay and maintain underground conduits and manholes in Massachusetts Avenue. The original hearing and approval was May 25, 1953. How- ever, the petitioner's description was incorrect and this is to correct the records. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was voted to sign the order covering the following locations : Massachusetts Avenue and Bedford Street = From manhole 54/53A located on Massachusetts Avenue opposite Clark Street, northerly and northeasterly approximately 160 feet underground conduit. Massachusetts Avenue and Merriam Street - From existing conduit in Massachusetts Avenue opposite Merriam Street, northeasterly and northerly approximately 432 feet un- derground conduit - 1 manhole. Mr. Burns referred to Article 4 in the warrant for the Special Town Meeting to be held on October 5th And Said that if the Town of Bedford is not in a po- sition to pay back the money borrowed, Lexington can Article make a transfer from the Excess and Deficiency' Account to pay off the loan and then Bedford reimburse Lexing- ton. He explained that he is not going to be able to finish the project for $53,000. He does not want to put on a permanent patch but would like to put on a temporary patch and leave it for the winter. He dis- cussed the subject with Town Counsel who advised that it could be done temporarily and not consider the job complete and then make whatever charges are necessary in the agreement with Bedford. Mr. Burns referred to Article 5 and stated that it is in two parts; additional funds to complete work al- ready under construction and funds for that portion of sewer in Massachusetts Avenue to Stratham or Woodberry Roads. Article In reference to the first part he said that it in- cludes Hill Street, Simonds Road, Blake Road, Marrett Road and School Street. The total amount necessary for remaining work is $94,800. He has a balance of $77,000 and has made allowances of $16,000 for Bartlett Avenue and Gleason Road. Cash available to do the work is $59,800, leaving the amount needed at $34,229. He explained that the second part is sewer the Robinson Hill Assnciates (Newgent) and is about $25,000 I 89 for 800 feet. Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting at 7 :30 P. M. Mr. Burns explained that this development should connect to an existing sewer and Town Counsel has ruled that 1500 feet is not a reasonable distance. The pres- ent sewer, therefore is not available, and the houses would be serviced with septic tanks installed at the owners, expense. He said that because of the type of land, the Board would have forty or fifty home owners asking for $70,000 or $80,000 for a sewer. It was de- cided to request this amount of money to go from Lin- coln Street to Woodberry Road and have the money ap- propriated contingent upon Mr. Newgent's subkitting proper plans, proper form of agreement and building the sewers in those streets. If he did that, the Town could then take this money earmarked and build that portion of the sewer. Mr. Nickerson said that if the developer did not go ahead, the money should be taken back at the March meeting, a subsequent meeting or the following March meeting. Mr. Stevens said that the money would autasiatic- ally lapse December 31st. However, Mr. Burns could re- quest to have the money carried over until the March meeting and if Mr. Newgent's agreement is not completed, it could be cancelled at that meeting. Mr. Burns referred to Article 6 and reported that he has 154 sewer services completed now, and has 12 de- posits, 42 requests not paid for, most of them in the Sunnyfield area. He estimates completed services to the end of the year to be another 40. He also has Bartlett Avenue, Gleason Road and Marrett Road which is another Article 56, or a total of $17,700. The balance as of today is $10,700 leaving him short $7,000. He stated that his original budget figure was #37,800 and it was reduced to $35, 000. He emphasized the. tMarrett Road will have to be done this year. Mr. Burns referred to Article 7, a request for additional funds for street lighting to take care of the new Senior High School. He was authorized to in- dicate to the Appropriation Committee that the Select- men will recommend the entire project underground or thenentire project underground with the exception of 500 feet. Mr. Burns retired at 7 :50 P. M. Mr. Stevens said that some t ime ago a question came up about abatement of assessment levied on land owned by Mr. Baskin and located on Pine Knoll Road. (Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, to prepare the vote of the Board on this subject. ) Jo Mr. Stevens reported on Rent Control and said that he called the State House today and was advised that Lexington has two file drawers on the subject. If Rent the Town votes for control, it will be necessary to pur- Control chase two filing cabinets and a typewriter. The State sup- plies most of the forms and thought Lexington could get along with one employee. There is one man in Woburn who receives $3500 and has no clerk. He does all the typing, and is not very busy. Waltham has five filing cabinets, a director at $4,000, assistant at $2400 and a clerk at $2200. Mr. Stevens said that in trying to determine what i will cost Lexington he figured a director at $3500, a new typewriter and two files or a total of $4,000 per year. Mr. Stevens retired at 8:15 P. M. Further consideration was given to Mr. James F. Sawyer's offer of $250 for Lots 1 and 2, Block 18, Tax Title Reed Street. A majority of the Board viewed the lots Property and the Chairman reported that the land in this area is assessed at the rate of l0rl per square foot. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Bateman it was voted to entertain an offer of $1,000 for the two lots. Further consideration was given to Mr. Harold I. Bjorn's offer of $300 for Lot 46 Hillcrest Street. A majority of the Board viewed the lot and the Chairman reported that lots in this area and of the same size Tax Title are assessed for $250. Property Upon motion of' Mr. N ckerson, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to advise Mr. Bjorn that they would be inclined to act favorably on his offer if he will agree to accept- a deed whereby the lot is restric- ted and used only in..conjunction with the adjacent lot he now owns, and not used for a house. Application was received from Alfred Busa, on be- Use of h$Of of the Knights of Columbus, requesting permission hall to conduct a Communion Breakfast in Cary Hall on Sunday morning, November 1st. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Nicker- son, it was voted to grant the use of the hall free of %barge, but subject to a charge of $1.50 per hour for jan- itor 's overtime services. At 9 :00 P. M. Dr. Ralph H. Wellsumet with the Board to discuss the changes in the Regional Health District Law, a copy of the major differences in the Acts having 91 been given to the Board last week. He said that he' Union thought it would be well for someone to represent the Health Town at the health meetings who could report back to the Bard and thereby keep the Selectmen posted on what is being done in this regard. He agreed to contact the Board whenever meetings are scheduled and arrange to take one or more members with him. Dr. Wells retired at 9 :15 P. M. At 10:00 P. M. the following members of the Approp- riation Committee met with the Board : Chairman James, Messrs. Donnelly, Fisher, Clark, Ferguson, Manning and Read. Mr. Walker, Town Accountant, was also present . Articles The Chairman explained that he invited the Commit- tee to be present this evening to find out if there were any huestions or if the Selectmen could be of any help in regard to the articles in the warrant for the Special Town Meeting. Mr. James said that his committee talked with Mr. Burns this evening about the articles starting with num- ber four. He thought the committee understood that one. He said that article five was discussed in detail and, as he understands it, there will be a request for $60,000. The Chairman said that was correct and explained that the article is in two parts. Mr. James said he understood that; $35,000 and $25,000. He asked if the Selectmen were going to recom- mend positive action on articles four, five and six. The Chairman said that recommendation on article four will depend upon whether or not Lexington receives the money from Bedford. He said that the Board will recommend article five and also article six for $7,000. He said that the Board would like to recommend $10,000 on article seven plus purchasing the standards from the Boston Edison Company. However, figures will have to be obtained on these. He stated that the Selbctmen will recommend $10,000 or $8500 which will be putting eighty- five feet in back on poles. He said that this will be entirely street lighting and will have not S.i±g 't`o 'do .with the school. Mr. Walker told the Board that if this item is in- cluded in the school budget the Town will receive 28% reimbursement from the government. The Chairman said that he does not know if the School Committee will want this included in the school budget and Mr. Walker said that it would be set up as a special account for lighting the new school. The Chairman had no objections to trying to set it up this way. 111 Mr. James said that Mr. Smith, Supet. of Schools, was of the opinion that the Town could be reimbursed. 92 a Mr. James said that there will be no approp- riation under article eight and the Chairman explained that the Town needs permission to take this land by eminent domain. Mr. James asked if the `Board would take any action on articles nine, ten and eleven and the Chairman re- plied that the Selectmen would vote as individuals. Mr. James said that no appropriation would be needed under article twelve unless the Town votes for Rent Control. The Chairman explained that if it is voted there will have to be one office head who would also act as a clerk. He explained that in checking neighboring cities, it was found out that they pay between $3500 and $4000 per year. Woburn has only one man and Waltham has an of- fice head, an assistant and a clerk. He stated that Lex- ington wll need only two file cabinets, a typewriter and a desk. He said that insofar as Space is concerned, there is only the Barnes property. If Rent Control is voted it can be paid for from available funds for the balance of the year. The Chairman explained that there will be a five- man board and they set the salary of the officer, subject to the approval of the Selectmen. The board serves without pay. Mr. James asked if the Selectmen were going to take any action oh article thirteen and the Chairman replied that the Board has not made any decision yet. The Chairman suggested a joint meeting with the School Committee and the Recreation Committee for next week. Mr. James said that he would like some questions answered by the Recreation Committee first. The Chairman said that someone would have to speak oh this article and he did not think it would be the Selectmen. Mr. James agreed to arrange a meeting with the Recreation Committee early next Mbnday night and then meet with that Committee, the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen. The meeting adjourned at 10:15 P. M. A true record, Attest : Cl rk I