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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1953-05-04-min 569 SELECTMEN'S MEETING May 4, 1953 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, May 4, 1953 at 7:00 P. M. Chairman Reed, Messrs. Nickerson, Gay and Bateman were present. Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present. Hearings were declared open upon petition of the Boston Edison Company for permission to locate manholes in Lincoln Street and Bedford Airport Road (locally known as Marrett Street). Mr. Mahon, representing the Manhole petitioner, was the only person present at the hearings. locations He explained that the three locations requested are actually all one project which has to do with a 13,800 volt line to be placed underground for a customer, the Cambridge Research Laboratories. The proposed manholes are necessary to carry the line to the customer's loca- tion in Lincoln. Mr. Nickerson asked if the line was going to one particullr building which is located in Lincoln, and Mr. Mahon replied in the affirmative. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to approve the petitions and sign the orders for the following manhole locations: Lincoln Street, approximately 600 feet east of Lexington-Lincoln Town Line, a distance of ap- proximately 25 feet. One manhole. Bedford Airport Road (locally known as Marrett Street), junction of Marrett Road and Massachu- setts Avenue, a distance of approximately 260 feet -- Two manholes. Bedford Airport Road (locally known as Marrett `Street), between Massachusetts Avenue and the Lexington-Lincoln Town Line, approximately 2080 ±eet. Mr. Mahon retired at 7:08 P. M. The Chairman read a letter from James A. Carrig requesting the removal of a tree located in front of Tree a ranch house now under construction at Lot 13, Minute Removal Man High-Lands, Section One. Mr. Burns said that he is not familiar with this 570 C2 00 particular case, but it may develop that the tree will have to be moved when the street is widened. The Board preferred to view the area before tak- ing any action on the request. The Chairman read a letter from George W. Breslin requesting the removal of a tree located at the corner of Waltham Street and Marrett Road. Mr. Breslin in- Tree tends to hot top the area around his store to provide Removal a parking space. He claims that if the tree is removed, the entrance to the m will be clear. The Board preferred to view this area also before taking any action on the request. The Chairman read a letter from the Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army, in which reference was made to the government program of construction now in effect at the Air Force Bedford Research Center off Wood Street. Due to field operations, it has become necessary Town bound for the government to remove temporarily the existing granite bound marking the Bedford-Lexington-Lincoln corner common to the respective township boundaries. The bound Will be reset as soon as possible by the government. The Chairman requested that some decision be made relative to request from Mr. Edwin B. Worthen, Jr. that maintenance work be done on the trees at Munroe Tavern and the Hancock -Clarke House. Historical Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, Society it was voted to advise Mr. Worthen that the Supt. of trees Shade Trees will make every effort to assist the His- torical Society some time after the first of July, following the spraying season. The Chairman read a letter from Charles E. Ferguson, Moderator, suggesting that a member of the Board of Selectmen serve on the Incinerator Committee authorized Incinerator by Town Meeting, Mardh 16, 1953. Committee Mr. Burns expressed the opinion that, in view of the fact that final decision relative to incineration will no doubt have to be made by the Selectmen, a mem- ber of the Board should be on the Committee. The Chairman was authorized to advise Mr. Ferguson that Mr. Leon W. Bateman wouldbb willing to serve on the committee more or less in a liaison capacity and that, due to the number of Board and Committee meetings, it may be that he cannot be present at all the Meetings of the proposed committee. Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting at 7;30 P. M. 571 The Chairman read a letter from Chi4f Rycroet ad- vising that he, together with Mr. Burns and Mr. George Bow Street Cole, representing the Middlesex & Boston Street Rail- bus stop way Co, , had investigated the bus stop at the corner of Bow Street and Massachusetts Avenue. Concurring with the recommendations made by these three individuals, upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, the following votes were passed : Establish a bus stop approximately 100 feet west of Bow Street, using as a marker for the bus stop, the first tree which is approximately 100 feet west; Amend the Traffic Rules & Regulations to prohibit parking in bus stops; Abolish present bus stop at the corner of Pleasant Street and Massachusetts Avenue, going in an easterly direction; Establish a new bus stop approximately 100 feet west of the intersection of Pleasant Street. Mr. Gay brought up the subject of traffic enter- ing Massachusetts Avenue from Locust Avenue. He said that the Board had at one time discussed the possi- Traffic bility of cutting some of the bank away and suggested Locust & that Mr. Burns give the Board a plan of what he thought Mass . Ave. should be done and how much it will cost the town. Mr. Gay was authorized to contact Mr. Hoyt, who during his term as Selectmen, had made a study of this situation and discussed it with the owner of the property at the corner of Locust and Massachusetts Avenue. Letter was received from the Chief of Police re Demes A. Fallo, Boston Road, Billerica, who has ap- plied for a Third Class Motor Vehicle Junk License at 400 Lowell Street. Mr. Stevens advised that before the Selectmen consider granting a license, the applicant would have to obtain a permit from the Board of Appeals to use the premises for such a business. Letter was received from William P. Fitzgerald, on behklf of the Lexington Little League Baseball Permit for group, requesting permission to conduct a parade from parade the Senior High School building to the Center Play- ground on Saturday. May 16th at 1:00 P. M. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to grant the request and so advise the Chief of Police. 572 CO Mr. Burns referred to the water bids opened at five o'clock this evening and explained that $20,000 of the $185,000 appropriation was set aside for d e- velopments, which leaves $165,000 available. For pipes and fittings he mentioned $85,000; contract, $59,000; engineering, $9,000 and contingencies on contract, $6,000, a total of $160,000 which is within $5,000 of what is available to work with. He recom- mended bonding $100,000. Mr. Stevens referred to Mr. Thomas Napoli's visit with the Board last week and his request for abatement of Lincoln Street 1952 Water Betterment Assessment in the amount of $157. He reported that he checked to see if the Lincoln Street Water Order was put on the Napoli Certificate of Title, and it definitely was; one in 1947 later 1946 estimated at $836, and one in 1947 estimated at Assessment $157. When these were put on, the land was in Mr. Napoli's name. In 1948 he put it through a straw, and it came back in his and his wife's name. Mr. Stevens said that it does not Show on that, but it is referred to in the body of the instrument. The Board did not feel justified in granting Mr. Napoli's request for abatement and, upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was voted not to abate the 1952 water betterment assessment in the amount of $157 and to so advise Mr. Napoli. Mr. Joseph Rooney and Mr. Jerome Garrity, rep- resenting the Veterans of Foreign Mara, met with the V. F. W. Board in re their application for permission to cola- Poppy Drive duct a Poppy Drive on May 22nd and 23rd. The Board voted last week to limit the drive to one day. Mr. Rooney asked for reconsideration and ex- plained that the drive is nation wide on both days. He stated that the members of the organization cannot be expected to give up a day's pay and work on the drive Friday. He also stated that the surrounding towns will be conducting the drive on both days. The Chairman explained that, due to criticism and complaints relative to drives being held two days, the Board had established the policy of limiting them to one day. He further explained that an exception had been made recently in regard to the Legion's Tag Days due to the fact that their paper drive had conflicted with another drive and the organization did not realise as much money as it had anticipated. He said that the Board would reconsider the subject. Messrs. Rooney and Garrity retired at 8:20 P.M. 1 571 Inasmuch as the Poppy Drive is nation wide and not just local, Mr. Nickerson moved that the previous vote of the Board on Monday, April 27th be rescinded and that permission be granted for both May 22nd and 23rd. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from Carroll M. Pike, 27 Holland Road, Melrose, on behAlf of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, requesting permission to conduct Tag Day a Tag Day on May 14th. denied Follbwing the Board's policy of limiting Tag Days to one or two local organizations, Mr. Nickerson moved that the request be denied. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Application was received from the First Parish Church requesting permission to conduct a Hayloft Use of Jamboree Show, followed by a dance, in Cary Memorial hall Hall on Saturday, May 23rd, and the use of the coat room. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to grant the use of the hall sub- ject to a charge of $35.00 plus $1.50 per hour for janitor's services. Application was received from Martin Gilman, on behalf of the Youth Study Commission, requesting per- mission to conduct a meeting in the Selectmen's Room, May 14th. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to grant the use of the room free of charge. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to grant a Sunday Movie License to the Lexington Amusement Co. Zile Chairman read a letter from John J. Shaughnessy, M Garfield Avenue, Woburn, requesting a permit to move two Quonset Huts through_the Town of Lexington from the Bedford Veterans' Hospital, some time between May 7th and 15th. Permit Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to grant the request subject to the appli- cant notifying the Chief of Police and Mr. Garrity of the exact day and time the buildings are to be moved. At 9:00 P. M. Messrs. Hume and Atwood, Bedford Selectmen and Mr. Kelley, their Town Counsel, met with the Board ra the Bedford sewer project. Mr. Hume said that he understood the contract bid 11is $48,000, and he would like a run down of the cost of the entire project. He also asked if the rates would be yearly or an average. L 574 C: tC 1g Mr. Burns replied that the contract bid was $48,000. He explained that the engineerts fee and IIthe cost of financing is *5,000 more, or approxi- mately $53,000. Bedford Mr. Hume said that Bedford has $53,000 set aside sewer so the funds are available. He said that they are cut- ting out some laterals setup for another town meeting and that the Raytheon picture has materialized and will be started very shortly on Hartwell Road. He said that the Sewer Committee has $53,000 and as far as the contract is concerned, it is all right. The Chairman informed the group that Lexington has the $53,000 available. Mr. Hume asked what amount of water would be al- lowed Bedford, d Mr. Burns replied that it will be 800 gallons pe minute. He explained that that is the peak load Lexi ton would allow under the present set- up of the pumps. He said this is the highest rate Lexington will allow. Mr. Hume said that between six and eight there might be more, and the rest of the day would be average. Mr. Burns stated that Lexington has the same peak time, and he had to limit the amount. He said that he could not see, at the present time, Bedford getting more than Lexington. Mr. Burns said that he told Mr. Kelley and Mr. Dunstan that naturally that is not the top load that Bedford would have to deliver to Lexington, but heII couldn't see Bedford dumping in that rate for spin time to come. He said that he could see no reason to make changes in the pumps at this time. If the pumps have to be increased in a year or two, it will be de- termined quickly enough. Mr. Hume said that the Veterans Administration is trying to enter the system if possible. Their peak was 435 gallons per minute, and he figures Bedford is 200 plus a minute. Mr. Burns said that he has also talked to the Veterans Administration on the subject, and they talked about their consumption of 3,000 or 4,000 gallons a day. Mr. Kelley said that he would like to go over a couple of items in the proposed agreement with Mr. Stevens. He stated that Mr. Stevens said that Bedford would never be able to put in any more than 800, accord- ing to the agreement. He said that if Bedford wants to put in more there and the present setup is not able to take it, that would subject Bedford to paying its share of enlarging the pumping station. He asked how much that would cost. Mr. Burns said it would be a change of bumps and motors. He could see no reason for it unless there IIis a tremendous deluge. He said that it would probably 575 cost in the vicinity of $2,000 or $2,500 for each pump. 111 He said that it would not necessarily mean that both pumps would have to be enlarged. Mr. Burns said that if there is another pump or one replaced, Bedford's pumping charge will be increased and Mr. N❑me said that it would be charged to maintenance and cost of operation. Mr. Hume asked how the Board would feel if it were possible to enlarge Lexington's system, and the Chairman replied that the Board would probably go along with it. Mr. Kelley said that if Bedford needed a new pump, Lexington would probably need a new one anyway, and Mr. Burns explained that if the Town of Bedford takes care of its own, system, Lexington will not need any new pump. Mr. Kelley said that the next question is Bedford paying for house connections, is and wyes. He said that he understood that Lexington does not expect Bedford to pay for the laterals from the main line to the street line. Mr. Burns said that he is only putting an opening in the line and that there will be 22 wyes and 4 ts. Mr. Kelley asked how much they would cost, and Mr. Burns replied $335. Mr. Hume said that he understood Bedford was to pay for all is and wyes. Mr. Kelley asked about the Town of Lexitats correc- t ting any breakdown of the system immediately, and Mr. Stevens said that naturally Lexington will use itsbest efforts to maintain its own system but will not state that it will be liable or accept any liability. He ex- plained that if Lexington is for any reason unable to take the sewage, it will not be under any liability. Mr. Stevens explained that the proposed agreement would, have to be retyped in the morning, signed by the Bedford Board of Selectmen and completed not later than Wednesday. The group retired at 9:35 P. M. Upon mot3.on of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was unanimously voted to sign and deliver the sewer agreement between the Town of Lexington and the Town of Bedford dated May 5, 1953. At 9:40 P. M. the following members of the Planning Board met with the Selectmen: Chairman Adams, Messrs. Planning Grindley Hathaway, Irwin and Potter. Board Mr. Adams said that the Planning Board has come across several problems which involve major town prob- lems. He mentioned a preposed subdivision in the vici- nity of Kinneen's Pond where there will be fifty or sixty houses erected. The developer has complied with all re- quirements. The only major thing is that it comes opposite 576 CC 00 Gardner Fergusonts house which is a bad place for a street. The abutters who attended the hearing voiced this as their explained He obj p lained that Town Counsel has advised that the PlanningBoard cannot hold upa subdivision because of a traffic hazard, and the Board had to approve it. He said that Burlington is now a main traffic drain. Mr. Adams said that there is another subdivision on the old Graham farm, and it seems to his Board that it is the Town's problem to take care of Burlington Street. It was proposed for widening at one time, but there were objections and the project was dropped. He said that the Planning Board is of the opinion that now the Town should take steps to widen the street. He informed the Board that there was a hearing this evening on the Burgoyne property, North Hancock Street which is another street the Planning Board would like to have something done. He also mentioned Allen Street, Johnson Road and Concord Avenue. He said t hat Allen Street may come on the market shortly, and it should be laid out. Concord Avenue was laid out by the County three or four years ago and, with the development of Five Fields, that section is very dangerous. He re- ferred to Johnson Road and said that Winchester has built a portion of the road end, with sewer now approach- ing the lower end, the development will start again. 11Lexington agreed to go along, in an informal way, with Winchester. Mr. Adams presented a plan of the Newgent develop- ment and stated that Mr. Newgent now proposes an en- trance off Cedar Street. The Planning Board is in- sisting that it be sewered if possible, and Mr. Newgent wants to know if the Town would do anything on its own sewer. T he meeting adjourned at 955 P. M. A true record, Attest: %'�% erk% Ni�y2 1 L