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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1953-06-01-min 594 CO S1 r,RCTMEN'S MEETING m June 1, 1953 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, June 1, 1953 at 7 :00 P. M. Chairman Reed, Messrs. Nickerson, Gay and Bateman were present. Mr. Burns, Sup't. of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present. Mr. Burns informed the Board that he had received Bids on bids for two carloads of 6u Vitrified Clay pipe as V. C. pipe follows: Lexington Lumber Company, .3036; T. E. Toomey, .3080 and Waldo Bros., .3181. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to accept the low bid of .3036 submitted by the Lexington Lumber Company for two car- loads of 6° Vitrified Clay pipe. Mr. Burns reported that he had received bids for 10,000 feet of copper tubing as follows : John A. McDonald Company, .3629; Red Hed Manufacturing Company, Bids on .3629 and Pierce-Perry Co., zeal. He informed the copper Board that the McDonald Company's representative lives Tubing in Lexington. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to accept the bid submitted by John A. McDonald Company for 10,000 feet of copper tubing. Mr. Burns presented a sketch showing the area at the corner of Locust Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue and explained that it will be necessary to take off most of the corner and the porch from the house on the corner to obtain really good visioh. He said that it very definitely will ruin the man's property, and it appears to him that there is a greater hazard from the two trees and the pole than there is from the corner. He explained that the project would involve the con- struction of a retaining wall. The Board felt that possibly the situation may be improved when the flashing lights are installed for the Fire Station. Mr. Burns stated that there was $16,000 available Hill for Hill Street -- $8,000., $4,000 and $4,000, and the Street bids came in for something over $18,000. The State Department of Public Works office called and suggested that he request the Public Works and the County Com- missioners to allocate additional funds, $2,000 from the State and $1,00c from the County, providing Lex- 595 ington also contributes another $1,000. He said that, in his opinion, the letter should be sent by the Board. Mr. Burns explained that there is money left over from last year for Hill Street in his account, but he is not sure as to whether or not $1,000 can be taken from it. However, it definitely was earmarked for Hill Street. In discussing the subject later in the evening, Mr. Stevens was of the opinion that if the money is available and funds will be contributed by the State and County, it can be used on Hill Street. Upon motion of Mr. Burns, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to request the State Department of Public Works to contribtiteaanaddditional $2,000 and the County $1,000 for Chapter 90 work, Hill Street. Mr. Burns reported that the five bids received for sewer extensions, Contract #3 have been analyzed and the low bidder, Quinton Vespa does not seem to be out of line. He suggested taking out Hill Street, temporarily at least, and eliminating School Street which gives a Contract #3 credit of about $23,325.00 and brings it down within Sewer the limit desired . He suggested waiting until the btids Extensions are opened for Bartlett Avenue before doing anything about Contract #3 and then award it to Vespa, the low bidder, cutting out a portion of Hill Street and all of School Street. On completion of both jobs, take what- ever money is on credit against the cost of School Street and apply for what is needed to complete it at a Fall Town Meeting. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was unanimously voted to award the contract, as covered by the low bidder, Quinton Vespa Co., in the amount of $87,839 with the exception of a portion of the work on Hill Street and School Street in its entirety. Mr. Stevens reported on the claims for damage in connection with blasting by Quintin Vespa Co. on Contract #2 and stated that he is satisfied that the amount of money being held back can now be released, with the exception of the regular 2% of the contract. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to authorize the Superintendent of Public Works to release the retained percentage now being held by him, less the 2% which is required to be held for one year udder the terms of the contract. At 8:00 P. M. Mr. and Mrs. Edwin G. Schneider, Req. for representing the Moon Hill Associates, met with the sidewalks Board in re sidewalk for Fern Street. Mr. Schneider on Fern St. said that he did not know whether or not he had made it clear in his letter that the Association is willing to help financially to have sidewalks constructed on Fern Street. 596 The chairman explained that there are no funds available this year, and the main problem in this in- stance is the land taking. He stated that at the present time the road is only 18' wide; if and when sidewalks are constructed, the street will have to be widened. He stated that the street should be 24' wide and the town would want 8' for a shoulder, making 32' . He said that some of the houses are very close, and it would involve moving them plus taking land. The Chairman referred to financial aid by the group and stated that the Town would still have to assess the abutters. Any contribution financially would have to be between the Association and the abutters. He also said that there are many main thoroughfares that do not have sidewalks, some of them will have to, and Fern Street is not a through way. It is used in the most part by people living on the hill. Mr. Nickerson asked if they had any idea of what the overall expense of takings and constructing the sidewalk would amount to. Mr. Burns said that he did not know about the land taking at the moment, but the cost of widening the street and getting a minimum sidewalk on one side, and carrying it past the corner of Moreland Avenue would be $12 or 13 per foot. He said the figure may sound high, but he did not think it would be much less. He said that there would be approximately 2,000 feet involved which would run into $25,000 or $26,000 with- out any land takings. rs. Schneider said that there are now or will be about 100 children going down the street to school. Mr. Burns said that he is familiar with the prob- lem and does not want to minimize it, but there are many streets in the same category. He referred to Oak Street as an exampl . Mr. Nickerson sail the expense starts at $26,000 and plus the land takings it might well reach $35,000 or $40,000. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider retired at 8 :10 P. M. Mr. Stevens referred to the sewer contract between the Town and the United States Government - Cambridge Air Force Research Center and said that three things Air Force have come up since the Board executed the contract. sewer However, he would not agree to any change in the con- contract tract without a letter from the Board. He reported revision the latest developments and upon motion of Mr. Nicker- son, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to revise the contract as signed by the Board so as to 1 ) Increase the maximum permitted rate of flow from 550 gallons per minute to 625 gallons per minute. 2) By omitting any provisions for termination by either side and making it a perpetual right of connection. 597 3) By exempting the Government from liability for any stoppage, loss or damage occasioned by sewage from the Government sewer unless de- livered in excess of the maximum permitted rate. 4) That the Town be not required to receive any sewage until after the M.D.C. is ready. Mr. Stevens informed the Board that the Board of Fire Commissioners are preparing rules and regu- Fire Deptt. lations in regard to the Fire Department and the way Regulations they are now, members completing twelve months service would be entitled to a vacation of two weeks. He asked if the provision for two weeks vacation agreed with the Public Works Department. Mr. Burns stated that it is what his department has and his is governed by statute. Mr. Stevens explained that the Commissioners are leaving out any regulation pertaining to sick leave. Mr. Burns thought that both the vacations and sick leave should be the same as his department be- cause many of his men are call firemen, and, if the regulations are the same, it would eliminate any pos- sibility for dissatisfaction among the men. Copy of Chapter 386, an Act further regulating Chapter 386 the making of repairs oh private ways by cities and towns was received from State Representative Henry D. Keenan. The Chairman read a letter from the State De- partment of Public Works requesting t he Board to release from the operation of a water betterment Release of assessment a portion of the land formerly owned by betterment Owen McDevitt, et al, which was taken by t he Common- wealth. Mr. Stevens acknowledged receipt of a copy of the letter and said that he would like to check into it further before advising the Board. Mr. Peter Somers' application for a Certificate of Incorporation was held over from last week. Mr. Stevens explained that the Statute reads that the Secretary of Cert. of the Commonwealth may inquire of any municipality in Inc. which a corporation has or proposes to have a plade of business, in regard to the character of the officers. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to sign the instrument received fromt he Secretary of State and return it to him. Mr. Stevens retired at 8:45 P. M. Letter was received from Streeter Stuart, II Curbing Crescent Hill Avenue, in re installation of a curbing in front of his property. The Chairman was authorized to advise Mr. Stuart that his application will be placed on file for con- L. 598 CG OD sideration then the 1954 budgets are prepared. Questionnaire was received from the Town of Shrewsbury in regard to street acceptance. Mr. Burns was instructed to answer the communication and supply the information requested. Mr. Burns retired at 8:50 P. M. Certificate of Incorporation was received on be- Cert. of half of Walter M. Gray, 12 Eaton Road. Satisfactory Inc. character reference was received from the Chief of Police, and Mra. Bateman said that the applicant was known to him personally and he recommended favorable action. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was voted to sign the instrument and return it to the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Letter was received from Maude F. March, Post Office Box 86, Lexington, offering *100 for lots 63.1-634 Freemont Street. Tax title It was agreed that as many members of the Board that could will view the property on Wednesday night. Decision on the offer was held over until the next meeting. 111 The Chairman read a letter from Chief Rycroft advising that the name of William H. Cuzner, 173 Marrett Road, had been left off the list of Special Police Special Officers submitted by M.I.T. last week, and he would Police like to have this name added to the list. Upon motioh of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to appoint William H. Cuzner a Special Police Officer in the Town of Lexington for a term expiring March 31, 1954. List of unlicensed dogs, as of June 1, 1953, was received from the Town Clerk. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Dog Warrant Bateman, it was voted to sign the 1953 Warrant instruct- ing the Dog Officer to catoh and confine all dogs within ° the town not duly licensed. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was voted to renew the following licenses: Licenses Marcia Dane 1736 Mass. Avenue Intelligence Office Frank C. O'Brien 264 Marrett Road Peddler Clarence MacPhee 14 Baker Avenue Sunday Sales Lex. Amusement Co. 1794 Mass. Avenue Sunday Movies 599 Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to grant the following uses of halls: Merrill F. Norlin Cary Hall June 17 rehearsal tfl It 'A Jane 18 graduation Lex. Civil Defense m '" June 22-25 Blood typing program Youth Study Commission Selectmen's Rm. June 16 meeting Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was voted to sign an order for the installation of Sewer a sewer in Hill Street from Milk Street, a distance of Order approximately 1550 f� wetey p The Chairman ex ne t . Warren telephoned the office, at request of Mrs. Morey, and would like permission to place spot lights in front of Cary Memorial Building on graduation night. The Board had no objection. The Chairman reported that last Friday night he had a conference with Mr. Schofield, Mr. Holway, Chief Rycroft, Father Murphy and Daniel Lynch in re the lights at the Sacred Heart Church. A solution was finally arrived at and the lights placed in a position satis- factory to both Mr. Schofield, who had previously regis- tered a complaint, and Father Murphy. The meeting adjourned at 9;15 P. M. A true record, Attest : lerk✓ 111 _ea 1111 NMI OhHja 0 A 0 c C