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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1953-08-31-min 63 SELECTMEN'S MEETING August 31, 1953 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening, August 31, 1953 at 7:00 P. M. Messrs. Nickerson, Gay and Bateman were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. Reed arrived at 8:00 P. M. and Mr. Nickerson acted as Chairman for the entire meeting. Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk, met with the Board for Jurors the drawing of two jurors. Clifford M. Martin, 6 Hillside Terrace and Marshall C. Dean, 85 Blake Road were drawn for jury duty. Mr. Carroll retired at 7 :03 P. M. At 7:03 P. M. hearing was declared open upon petition of the Boston Edison Company for permission to locate one pole on Bedford Street. Mr. Mahon, representing the petitioner, was the only person present at the hearing. He explained that the Pole location is for the Town of Bedford and has already been location completed and said that it was a rush job, but approved by Mr. Burns before located. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mrs Bateman, it was voted to approve the petition and sign the order for the following pole 1ocation: Bedford Street, southwesterly side, approxi- . mately 70 feet northwest of Winter Street, One pole. Mr. Mahon retired at 7 :20 P. M. The Chairman referred to communication received Amendment from Edward J. McCarthy, Highway Traffic Engineer, for to traffic the State, in regard to flashing signal at the East rules c Lexington Fire Station and a stop sign on Locust Avenue. Approval of the signal is being held in abeyance pending amendment to Traffic Rules and Orders in regard to the stop sign. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to amend the Traffic Rules and Orders of the Town of Lexington adopted by the Board of Select- men under date of October 7, 1943 by adding the follow- ing at the end of Article VIII, Section II. Eastbound drivers on Locust Avenue -at Massachusetts Avenue 64 Application was received from the Commonwealth Cert. of of Massachusetts for a Certificate of Incorporation Inc. on behalf of William I. Burnham, 30 East Street; said corporation to be known as the Middlesex County Assessors Association and to be located in Belmont. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to certify Mr. Burnham's character. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Garrity, Sup=t. of Shade Trees, with reference to a tree located at 11 Bowman Street which Mr. George Tree Fortunato wants removed. Mr Garrity stated that removal MS. Fortunato is building a retaining wall between his property and the tree e,nd this will cut all the feeding roots. He said that it is hos opinion that the $oston Edison Co. should remove it. It was decided to refer the matter to Mr. Burns and if he thinks the Boston Edison Company should co- operate, he is to contact the company. Mr. James Sawyer's offer of $250 for lots 1 and 2, Block 18, Reed Street, was again held over. The Chairman read a letter from Chief Rycroft advising that Mrs. Helena A. Murphy, a woman police officer doing traffic at the Hancock School, has Resig. & resigned, He recommended the appointment of Mrs. appt. woman Edith P. Petterson, 6 Hill Street. police Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to appoint Mrs. Edith P. Petterson, 6 Hill Street, a police traffic officer to fill the vacancy caused by Mrs. Helena A. Murphy's resignation. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. Hilda Moore requesting permission, on behalf of the Christian Rummage Service of the Lexington Methodist Church to conduct Sale a rummage sale at the Barnes property on Saturday, October 3rd. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to grant the request. The Chairman read a letter from Col. Connell Albertine, on behalf of the Church of Our,Redeemer, Paper requesting permission to conduct a Paper Drive on Drive Sunday, September 13th. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to grant the request. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, arrived at the meeting at 7 :35 P. M. The Board discussed the possibility of requiring developers to place telephone and electric wires under- ground and the Chairman agreed to confer with Mr. Adams, Chairman of the Planning Board. 65 At 8:00 P. M. Mr. Gustave E. Larsen met with the Board. He presented a plan of his lots in the vicinity of Hillside Avenue, recorded in April, 1950, showing a proposed street. He said that the plan was approved by the Planning Board and it was the understanding that the Town would construct the street within a reasonable length of time. He •stated that the Town wanted the Larsen re : street put through in order to take the traffic from Proposed Hillside Avenue, because it is so steep where it •meets Street Massachusetts Avenue. He said when he was laying out his lots the street was suggested. He said that •he gave the Town a deed for the land for a street and under- stood that there would not be any assessment for the street levied on two of his lots but he would have to pay the others. The Chairman asked if he was now requesting that the Board take action in regard to constructing the street and Mr. Larsen replied in the affirmative. He said that the Town could construct it or he would get information as to what the Town wants and he would con- struct it. The Chairman said that the Board would have to review the subject and if it is voted to recommend construction, an article will have to be inserted in the warrant for a subsequent town meeting and the money will have to be appropriated. He explained that this is not something simple or something that can be -done in a hurry, and it is not a foregone conclusion that the town meeting will go along with the Board, but it is very liable to. Mr. Larsen said he sacrificed some land in order to develop the land in the rear. The Chairman asked if he was talking about three lots and he replied in the affirmative. He asked if Mr. Larsen would be willing to bid on the construction of the street to specifications and Mr. Larsen replied in the affirmative. He said that he is in the foundation business and put in a street for Mr. Cadario, but did not put in manholes. The Chairman asked if he worked by the day or by contract and he replied that it was by day. The Chairman explained that if the Town has the street constructed it will be put out for bid and there is no reason why Mr. Larsen could not bid on it. The Chairman said that the Board would consider the matter and contact Mr. Larsen. Mr. Larsen said that he has the same situation on Watertown Street and presented a plan of property owned by him there. He stated that some years ago he wanted to construct Crescent Road and the Planning Board thought it was too steep. Now there is a house r „n Y there and he still has a lot there. He asked how this would tie imcwith what is being dqne at the Peacbck Farm. The Chairman said he thought he was on the Planning Board at that time and the develiopment was discouraged because of the terrain. He said that if Mr. Larsen so desired he could engage an engineer to work this out and present it to the Planning Board. Mr. Larsen retired at 8:15 P. M. Mr. Bjorn met with the Board and said he would like to tut in a bid for the purchase of Lot 46, Hillcrest Street. The Chairman explained that all he would need to do Tax Title is submit an offer in writing. He said that the Board Property would consider it but is not bound to accept it and the Board can either accept it, tell him the offer is not enough, or advise him that the Board prefers not to dis- pose of the property. Mr. Bjorn asked if the price would include the water betterment, and the Chairman replied that if he would state whether or not he would assume the betterment, the Board would determine the price, but one way qr another the betterment would have to be paid. Mr. Bjorn asked if the betterment would be paid over a ten-year period and the Chairman replied that insofar as tax title property is concerned, all better- ments must be paid for at the time of purchase. Mr. Bjorn retired at 8:20 P. M. Mr. Burns, Suptt. of Public Works, arrived at the meeting. • He reported that he had received bids on copper tubing as follows : Copper Red Hed Mfg. 10,000+ 314" .3629 2,000+ 1" •4502 Tubing Hilco Supply " .$7 " '+ •48 Geo. Caldwell It " .3675 " " .4625 J. A. McDonald " '! .3629 " " .4502 Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to adept the bid submitted by the J. A. McDonald Company for the purchase of 10,0001 of 3/4" and 2,000' of 1' copper tubing. Mr. Burns presented a blueprint showing proposed street lighting for the new High School and mentioned having the main entrance in from Waltham Street in- High School eluded as street lighting. He said that the spacing would be something to be done eventually and that on the street alone there would be eleven lights. He stated that it will cost $3180 a year to run the lights on the present 1:00 A. M. schedule. To start with, it might be worked out by taking every other light and re- dtcing the number to four or five. He explained that if 67 the parking space is not illuminated as street lighting it will mean a separate lighting system and he does not know who will assume the cost. The Chairman asked if the wires were to be placed underground and Mr. Burns replied in the negative. Mr. Gay was very definitely opposed to overhead wires for the new building. The Chairman asked if Mr. Burns was talking $7,000 and he replied that he is talking about $15,000 or $20,000. Mr. Bateman asked from what budget this money would be paid and Mr. Burns replied that he supposed it would be the regular Street Lighting budget. Mr. Bateman said that he was in favor of underground wires. The Chairman said that he thought the Board should spend some time to discuss this subject and also to discuss it with the School Committee and see what can be worked out. He stated that the School Committee has no.;money, the school will be operating within a week, and there are no lights there. Mr. Burns agreed to contact the Boston Edison Company and obtain costs for underground wiring. Petition was received from the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company for re- moval and placement of one pole on Bedford Street; proposed location approvedby Mr. Burns. Pole Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr,. Bateman, it location was voted to approve the petition and sign the order for the follbwing pole removal and location: Bedford Street, southwesterly side, approximately 260 feet southeast of Camellia Place -- One pole. (One existing JO pole to be removed.) Petition was received from the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone & Telegraph Comapny for removal and replacement of one pole on Concord Avenue; proposed location approved by Mr. Burns. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to approve the petition and sign the order for the following pole removal and location: Concord Avenue, approximately 10 feet southeast of Chadbourne Road, -- One pole. (One existing JO pole to be removed. ) The Chairman read a letter from the State Department of Public Works advising that E. W. Giles, Inc. has requested an:extension of time on the contract with the Town, dated June 16, 1953, covering work on Hill Street. The Commis- Giles sioners recommend extension of cokipletion date to September Contract 10, 1953. extended c 6g 3 Co CL Mr. Burns recommended .that the request be granted. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to approve E. W. Giles, Inc. request for extension of his contract for work on Hill Street. Petition was received from residents of Spring Street, requesting the installation of a saver. Req. for Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Gay, sewer in it was voted to have the Public Works Department pre- Spring St. pare a list of estimates of cost to be sent out for the abutters to sign. At 8:45 P. M. the following members of the Recreation Committee met with the Board. Chairman Foley, Messrs. Crerie, Person and Potter. Mr. Garrity and Mr. Tenumon411 members of the Appropriation Committee, were also present. Dr. Foley said that his Committee would like $20,000 and has been looking for a site suitable for Little League. He believes they have found a solution and that is the land in back of Chapman's property on Maple Street. A large quantity of gravel or fill has been removed so that• that is a natural area banked on two sides and flat on the bottom. This particular area is dry even in the wet season. The Committee has talked to the Chapman's and also to Mr. Tropeano who represents Little the Ryders, owners of part of the land., They are both League willing to sell the land and the- Committee would like to purchase 643 acres. The price is set at $500 per acre which means about $3150 for the land alone. Mr. Burns explained that the figures he has given the Committee are subject to revision only in the unit costs, but are fairly close. Dr. Foley said that 1,000 yaledd of fill will be needed at $1.50 or about $6900 to bring the 6.3 acres level at grade 94. He said Mr. Burns feels that the figures they took last year, including loam, seed, backstops, fence and everything would be $2800 and allows $1500 for engineering which would bring the total figure up to $19,770 or $20,000. Mr. Reed asked if they had plans for something other than Little League, and Dr. Foley replied that the League will take up two acres. He said that the demand for recreation and playing areas is going to be great in the next few years and they would have another four acres of land beside this. He said the $20,000 will put them in business for the field. The present Little League Field does not take care of the minor leagues and the next year it will be necessary to have another field, and if there is a Pony League, there will still be area enough. Mr. Reed said that in other words, the Little League field will cost $17,000 and is at least $7,000 more than it was a year ago. He said be thought it would be difficult to get the town to vote $19,000 69 for Little League. The Chairman suggested purchasing the 6.3 acres and obtaining funds for construction at a subsequent meeting. Dr. Foley said that is what they plan to do. Mr. Person said the whole area is being levelled in these figures. The Chairman mentioned drainage and Mr. Burns said that, insofar as the Little League is concerned, there would be no problem. There. might be some on the four acre piece but even that would be small. The Chairman said that he does not know how the Board feels, but he would think it would advise the Comittee to request the smallest amount possible and said that there probably will not be any precinct meet- ings for this town meeting to discudd the articles. Mr. Bateman asked how this would be paid for and the Chairman replied that the only possible way is a transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Account. Mr. Person asked if the Chairman bad any figure in mind and he replied in the negative. He said that there was opposition to $10,000 at the last town meeting if it had come to a vote. He explained that the special meet- ing has been called because of the school crisis and those articles will have prime consideration. He would like to see the Little League voted but would prefer to see it next March after due consideration and at the proper time for appropriating money than to have it de- feated at the October 5th meeting. However he said if the Committee wanted an article requesting $20,000 all right. Mr. Gay asked if the other Little• League field would be abandoned, and Dr. Foley replied in the affirm- ative. He said he has not heard from the School Committee but believes they plan to have varsity, a freshman team and a junior high team, and there will be a junior var- sity to each one which makes six teams. There are two fields that are playable. Mr. Burns retired at 9:05 P. M. Mr. Bateman said he believed if the project is turned down at the special meeting it will be more difficult to get it through the March meeting. Dr. Foley said the Committee intended to use the present field for one year only. Mr. Gay asked if they had an agreement to turn it back to the school, and Mr. Person replied in the neg- ative. The Chairman suggested obtaining the land and pos- sibly enough money to bring the fill up to grade. Mr. Reed asked if he was correct in his under- standing that there would be no frontage on Maple Street, and Dr. Foley replied that there will be only twenty- five feet for a roadway. 70 Co CL The Chairman said he thought the Committee should talk a forty foot road. Dr. Foley said that would mean taking some of the Chapman land. The Recreation Committee retired at 9 :25 P. M. to discuss the subject and decide just what is to be re- quested at the October 5th Special Town. Meeting. Mr. Stevens discussed the articles for the warrant and retired at 10:05 P. M. Application was received from Col. Connell Albertine requesting permission to hold a meeting of the Veterans' Use of Memorial Committee in the Selectmen's Room on Thursday, halls September 10th. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to grant the request. Application was received from Sergeant Gerard A. Palardy, on behalf of the U. S. Marine Corps, re- questing that space be made available for recruiting. It was agreed to advise him that a room on the second floor of the Barnes property will be made available. The ,Chairman reported that Mr. Tobiason called this evening with further reference to the activities at the North St. gravel pit on North Street. He explained to the Board gravel pit that the police have checked every half hournbut when the cruiser is there everything is quiet. He said that if necessary, the Chief will have to place a man there until someone is arrested for disturbing the peace and taken to court. He agreed to contact, the Chief on the matter. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 P. M. A true record, Attest; Cle 1 _