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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1954-04-20-BOS-min 331 w:RI SELECTMEN'S MEETING April 20, 1954 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Tuesday evening, April 20, 1954 at 7:00 P. M. Chairman Reed, Messrs. Gay, Bateman and James were present. Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present. Hearing was declared open upon petition of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for per- Conduit mission to locate 365 feet of underground conduit on location Woburn Street. Mr. Gonsilvio, representing the petitioner, Mr. John Coyne, 3!, Woburn Street and Mr. Charles Sullivan, 43 Woburn Street were present at the hearing. Notice of the hearing was read by the Chairman who stated that all abutters in the affected area had been notified. Mr. Consilvio explained that the petition is for a total of 365 feet of underground conduit which is about double the amount. The_ petitioner found out that the conduit location from pole 54/6A to pole 1114/7 was never validated. He said that the reason for the petition is for upraise of service and trunk lines for the new central office. He said the conduit will be in the public way and will have nothing to do about private property. The Chairman explained to those present that the Board is required by law to notify the abutters re- gardless of the location. Mr. Burns approved the proposed location and the property owners present had no objection. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to approve the petition for the following underground conduit location: Woburn Street: From present manhole easterly approximately 365 feet. Messrs. Sullivan and Coyne retired. Hearing waS declared open upon petition of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company far per- -mission to locate underground conduit and manholes in 332 at 0-4 CL Bedford Street from North Hancock Street to the Bedford line. Mrs. Joseph Depose, 136 Highland Avenue,Somerville, was the only person present at the hearing, although notices had been mailed to all property owners. The Chairman explained that the conduit would be underground, in the street, and the Board was required by law to notify the abutters even though the conduit is not to be .located in private property. $r. Consilvio said that the pole lino from Westview Street has three very large lead cables and there are no more facilities. The company is trying to tuild up Conduit & the trunk lines and service towards the Town of Bedford, manhole and there is no other way to get up there. They cannot locations put another lead cable on the pole. Mr. Gay asked if the proposed installation was similar to the conduit location in Massachusetts Avenue and Mr.. Consilvio replied in the affirmative. Mr. Bateman irsquirgd about the reserve capacity and Mr. Consi]vio replied that this installation will have at least a ten-year capacity and it could be more, but he would have to check with the company engineers. Mr. Bateman asked if the present large cables would be taken down and put in this conduit. Mr. Consilvio replied that he did not think so. The only reason for taking the cables down would be if the company were forced to by a prescribed law. Mr. Burns said that, according to the plans, some portions of the location are close to an existing water main and some of the installation looks to be over the main. He said that from Harding Road there is solid ledge and he does not want the conduit located on top of the water main. He said that he would like to see the locations shown on the ground before giving his ap- proval. Mr. Consilvio said that he would arrange to have Mr. Haynes, company engineer, contact Mr. Burns. Mr. Bateman said that he would like to know the nu*bsr of years capacity this installation is going to take because the Town of Bedford is growing at a terri- fic rate. He also mentioned that the patch usually put in the streets by the petitioner is not too satisfactory. Mr. Gay inquired about resurfacing Bedford Street and Mr. Burns stated emphatically that he does not want the telephone company making any installation until he has finished working on the street. The Chairman said that no action will be taken on the petition until such time as the company's engineer contacts Mr. Burns, works out some location satisfactory to him:.and also advises him as to the time of capacity. 333 Ay The hearing was declared closed and Mrs. Derosa retired. Hearing was declared open upon petition of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for per- Conduit mission to locate underground conduit on Bedford Street location from Harrington Road southerly approximately 453 feet. Mr. Consilvio said that there is a plugged duct from manhole 54/53$. They plan to start off at a dead end for the 453 feet to the manhole at Harrington Road. There is no way of going northerly except by picking up the dead end and running in a new conduit. The Chairman said that the same conditions will apply to this location as to the one in the previous hearing. Mr. Gay asked if these two locations would complete the work to Bedford and Mr. Consilvio replied in the affirmative. Messrs. Consilvio and Burns retired at 7:35 P. M. Mr. John J. Garrity came into the meeting, and re- ported that there is a leak in his house and he would like someone from the Board or a representative of the Board look at it. The Chairman said that someone would be up and inspect the roof. Mr. Garrity retired. Mr. William G. Potter, Chairman of the Cemetery Commissioners, arrived at the meeting. Mr. Stevens, Town Coubsel, arrived at the same time. Mr. Potter said that at the last meeting of the Commissioners, Mr. Healy brought up the question of his salary. Mr. Potter told him that the Commissioners had decided what the salary would be, but Mr. Healy said that the Chairman of the Board stated on the Town Meeting floor that the increase would apply to all full and part- time employees. Mr. Potter explained to him that the subject had been thoroughly discussed and recalled that he had been on the job ohly a short period of time, the reason for no increase being recommended by the Com- missioners. However, Mr. Healy insisted that, accord- ing to the Chairmian''s remarks he was entitled to an in- crease. Mr. James asked if Mr. Potter knew what he re- ceived last year and he replied that he was Veterans, Agent and when he took over the positions of Supt. and Clerk to the Cemetery Department he received $1900. He asked the Commissioners if it would be all right for Mrs. Healy to work as Clerk and said that he would 334 CL give her the Clerk' s salary. They had no objection and thought it would work out all right, permitting him to cover the office for both jobs. However, after a week or so he brought up the question again of an in- crease for himself, and the Board found out that the reason he wanted to hire Mrs. Healy was because he had reached the maximum salary he could receive without for- feiting his 100% disability pension. Mr. James said that Mr. Healy received a substan- tial increase as Veterans' Agent percentage wise. Mr. Potter said he understood that but Mr. Healy' s argument is the statement made by the Chairman. The Chairman said that he id not mention part- time employees because the Boar* was not giving raises to part-time employees. Mr. James said th+ t he holds two jobs and his net salary was increased. The Chairman explained that the Seleotmen did not recommend an increase at all as far as he Was concerned as Superintendent of the Cemetery Department and was not too much in favor of increasing his salary as Veterans' Ageht. However, in discussing the subject with the Ap- propriation Committee before Town Meeting, the Selectmen were willing to increase the Veterans" Agent salary, that being the only place the Board felt justified in an in- crease. He said that he has no recollection of making any such remark on Town Meeting floor. Mr. Gay said that he did not recall any mention being made about part-time salary increases. Mr. Potter asked the Board to write the Commis- sioners to that effect. The Chairman said that he would be glad to dis- cuss the subject with Mr. Healy at any time. Mr. Potter said that the maximum he can receive and still collect disability is $200 more. Mr. Bateman said that while this budget was being discussed he talked with Mr. Hynes and he gathered that where Mr. Healy had one full-time job he could not do any more on the veterans job, then he took on this job. He said that personally he is not satisfied with the setup. Mr.` Potter retired at 7=145 P. M. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. K. S. Reed, 38 Buckman Drive recommending that the traffic circle at Traffic the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Pleasant Street nircle be moved ten or fifteen feet into Massachusetts Avenue. Mr. Burns said that this bubjeot has been considered every year about this time ever since he came to Lexington. The State was called in on it and agreed that they would like to do something but it would cost too much. It would 335 involve taking land from Cataldo and some frontage off the building. Mr. Stevens said that it would have to be a set- back and there isn' t much rormm there now. Mr. Burns said that the answer is a real inter- change which is too expensive. He said that there isn' t much of accident record for this particular spot. The Chairman asked about lights and Mr. Burns re- plied that he does not think that is the answer. He said it should remain as is or have an interchange put in which would be an expensive proposition. He agreed to contact the State Department of Public Works and ar- range for a study and recommdation. Mr. Stevens brought up the subject of Edison Way and said that some of the betterments should be abated. The Western Real Estate Trust has two betterments; one parcel of registered land and one unregistered. Mr. Burns said that he would put the commitments through next week. Uri, Stevens referred to the $200 settlement in re- gard to Edison Way with the Boston & Maine Railroad. Edison There are no funds left in the Edison Way account. Way It was agreed to take the money from t he Law De- ' partment Expenses Account. Mr. Burns retired at 8:05 P. M. The Chairman read a letter from the Board of Fire Commissioners in regard to medical bills incurred as a result of in4ury to private Francis McCarron' who in- Transfer jured his batik while fighting a fire in Waltham. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to request the Appropriation 'Committee to transfer the sum, of $1,130.35 from the Reserve Fund to the Fire Department Expenses Account. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Kr. Bateman, Towti it was voted to call a Special Town Meeting to be held Meeting on June 114, 1956 The Chairman read a letter from the Board of As- Napoli sessors advising that on January 29, 1953 Frank A. and betterment Mary Napoli sold to their daughter and son-in-law lot due #1 at 45 Middle Street and there is a house now erected on the Iota._ Therefore, the Assessors will commit the amount of 1 deferred sewer betterment assessment. Letter was received from Guy Franoeschelli, 34 Grapevine Avenue, requesting continued deferment of sewer betterment assessment; three years from the last deferment having expired. 336 = C lai Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mtn. Gay, IIit was voted, under provisions of Chapter 1.59 of the Acts of 1950, to again extend the time for payment of Franceschelli betterment assessment of $1,759.98 upon land owned by betterment Bertha Francesohel,Li, Gaetano and Bertha Franceschelli, deferred located on Grapevine Avenue, without interest, until said land or any part thereof is built upon or sold or until the expiration of three years from the date hereof, whichever event occurs first; provided, however, that this extension of time shall terminate immediately if the facilities of the sewer main are used for said land or any part thereof. The Chairman read a letter from Miss Harrington, Complaint 1884 Massachusetts Avenue, complaining about oil trucks, owned by Minute Man Oil Company, being parked unattended for hours at a time in the vicinity of the Common. Mr. Bateman said that he would watch the area and the Chairman was authorized to write the company and re- quest co-operation in parking either on Mariam Street, the old Fire Station site or the municipal parking area. Notice from the Middlesex County Selectmen's Assn. re meeting on May 5 was held over. Invitation Invitation was received from the Veterans of Foreign IIWars to attend a Point installation of officers of the Post and Auxiliary on Saturday evening, April 24 in Cary Hall. Mr. James said that he would represent the Board. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to renew the following licenses: Minute Man Cab Co. 18 Manley Court Public Carriage(renewal) Lexington Cab Co. 11 Depot Square SI M • Lexington Bowladrome 1698 Mass. Avenue Bowling Alley w • • a "' N' Sunday Bowling • Salvation Army 87 Vernon St. Rox.Junk Collector a Corner Variety Shop 856 Mass. Avenue Sunday Sales • John J. Dacey 424 Marrett Road "' a • Dttrnad' s Chocolate Shop1780 Mass. Avenue It ' • Five Forks Spa 286 Lincoln St. * • • Manor Spa 269 Bedford St. a • is Town Line Pharmacy Inc.20-22 Mass. Ave. a • • Wardrobe's Pharmacy807eAve. • • • Henri' s Nobby HouMas Ae.e 442 Marrett Road Ih " New Fruit Haven 314 Marret Road • 9 New Letter was received from Leo M. Gaughan, on behalf IIof the V. F. W. requesting permission to conduct its annual Poppy Drive on Friday, May 28 and Saturday, May 29. 337 ' Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. James, it was voted to grant the request, being a national drive. Poppy Drive The meeting adjourned at 9:114 P. M. A true record, Attest: --Clerk, S eatme