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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1954-01-25-BOS-min 240 CL SELECTMEN'S MEETING , January 25, 1954 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, January 25, 1954 at 7400_ P. M. Chair- man Reed, Messrs. Nickerson, Gay, Driscoll and Bateman were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, met with the Jurors Board for the drawing of three jurors. The following individuals were drawn for jury duty: William A. McLaughlin, machinist, 88 Oak Street, Thomas G. Gallagher, contractor, 61 Buckman Drive and Henry B. Foster, broker, 27 Sherburne Road. Mr. Carroll retired and Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, met with the Board. The Chairman informed the Board that, inasmuch as there are only two candidates for the two vacancies on the- Board of Selectmen, he has extended them an invita- tion to attend the Selectmen's Meetings from now on. Mr. Burns presented a plan of Vine Street and ex- plained the location presenting a problem due to the fact that Father Kinneen has requested the Town to establish lines. Vine He stated that the layout is forty feet wide based Street on the original 1913 plan and as far as it goes it is the best that can be done. In laying it out to a forty foot width, it results in taking something like eight feet from the front lawn in front of the Kinneen house. That is the way it was originally laid out. Beyond his property, it is up to sixteen or seventeen feet and that property is owned by Mrs. Louise Sexton. The Chairman said that in looking this over today with Mr. Burns they thought it would be better to make a thirty foot street and take five feet off each side. Actually, the Town is not constructing the street but only establishing a property line. Mr. Burns said that if nothing further is done after the line is established, it will be fine. However, if it immediately raises the point that the people want to have something done about the street, it will mean trouble because there is a six or seven foot drop and additional land will have to be taken for a slope easement. The Chairman said that Father Kinneen' s only request was to have a property line established. 241 Mr. Burns said that he has conferred with Town Counsel about avoiding the necessity of making a complete layout. He has not heard from anyone on this subject except Father Kinneen. He stated that Town Counsel has advised that there is nothing to do but establish the line. A plan just showing Father Kinneen's property can be filed and no hearing will be necessary. Mr. Burns said that he would have this portion staked out on the ground and make an appointment with Father Kinneen to show him the plan and also the staked out portion. Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting at 7 :25 P. M. The Chairman read a letter written by Paul McCormack to Chief Rycroft, advising that the Holy Traffic Child School Guild authorized him to write relative signals to traffic at the corner of Pelham Road and Massa- Pelham Rd. chusetts Avenue. Some members stressed that warning signals or appropriate signs at this location would help avoid the possibility of a serious accident. Mr. Nickerson said that he thought the Town would have to do something about this particular location very soon and Mr. Driscoll agreed. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to authorize Mr. Burns to investigate the possibility of having a flashing signal light installed. Mr. Nickerson presented a communication he re- ceived from Nathan B. Bidwell, attorney for Mrs. Sarano Sarano, requesting deferment of the sewer betterment Sarano sewer assessment levied on Lot #10, Marrett Road. sewer assessment Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. assessment deferred Nickerson, it was voted, under the provisions of deferred Chapter 159 of the Acts of 1950, to extend the time for payment of sewer betterment assessment in the amount of $657.59, without interest, until said land of any part thereof is built upon, sold, or until the expiration of three years from the date hereof, which- ever event occurs first; provided, however, that this extension of time shall terminate immediately if the facilities of the sewer are used for said land or any part thereof. The Chairman reported that Mr. Hume, of the Bedford Board of Selectmen, is willing to pay the Bedford amount of the sewer loan, plus interest, but does sewer not want to pay the entire amount. Mr. Stevens said that it would be difficult to ask the Town for money for the Bedford Street sewer when Bedford has not paid for it. 242 c cL Mr. Burns said that he would have to have more Col money to proceed with resurfacing this Spring and the Chairman was authorized to contact Mr. Hume and request him to attend a meeting of the Board next Monday night. The Chairman read a letter from Edwin S. Johnston, Firearms 6 Preston Road, in regard to hill request for a license permit to sell firearms. He has been actively engaged as a denied dealer in antique weapons for six years. Mdst of the firearms are antique or obsolete and may be bought and aold without a permit, but when buying a collection or quantity, some of the guns may be classified as modern firearms. Mr. Johnston wrote that h8 does a mail order business, conducted from his home with other dealers or gun collectors. Mr. Stevens said that he did not see how the Board could grant a license to an individual to carry on a me:il order business from his home which is in a residential area. He said that no permit is necessary for the sale of antique guns. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to deny the request for a license to sell firearms. Building & Mr. Stevens reported that he has received a copy Plumbing of the proposed Building and Plumbing By-laws which By-laws consist of 120 pages and if they are accepted at the ,Annual Town Meeting, will hate to be printed in the warrant. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to defeh acceptance of the proposed Building and Plumbing By-laws until some later Spacial Meeting. Bylaw Mr. Stevens also recommended amending the present Town By-laws to include a section whereby the removal of loam can be controlled. Town Meeting Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to set Monday, March 15, 1954 as the date for the Adjourned Town Meeting. Mr. Stevens retired at 8:25 P. M. and the following Long Range members of the Long Range Planning Committee met with Planning the Selectmen: Chairman Brown, Messrs. Jaquith, Williams, Committee Miss Lewis and Mrs. Rich. Mr. Brown said that his group is interested in go- ing through last year's report and finding out what sort of numbers the Board had for the items in the re- port for this year. He mentioned the Public Works 243 h, 7 surface water drainage, sewers, street construction, sidewalks, curbings,curbin s water mains and laterals. The Chairman asked if he meant what the Board will recommend this year and Mr. Brown replied in the affirmative. The Chairman informed the group that the largest drainage project this year will be the complete drainage of the enclosed field. He said the other drainage projects to be recommended are Blossom Street, at the corner of Allen and completion of the Williams Road drain. He gave the group the following information re- garding recommendations to be made by the Board: Street construction $48,980.00 widening & reconstruc- 30,000.00 tion (Cedar Street and Mass. Avenue from Grant Street to Winthrop Road) Sewers 187,950.00 Sidewalks 800.00 Curbings 3,000.00 Water Mains & Laterals 107,000.00 Mr. Brown said he has 018,000 for a fire engine replacement and asked if the Selectmen were going along with that. The Chairman said that the Board will recommend $17,500. Mr. Brown said that his committee has not met with the Recreation Committee but would like to know what the Selectmen are going to recommend. The Chairman stated that the Board will recommend $7,000 for grandstand seats. The Recreation Committee has an item of something like $9000 for a new field on the Hayden property, but the Selectmen are not go- ing along. They will, however, recommend $20,000 to make a new field bordering the enclosed field. Mr. Brown said that they have a definite time table for miscellaneous projects and a new police station is the number one item. The Chairman said that he served on the Committee relative to the adequacy of the Town Offices and one item was a new police station probably within five years. The Chief is recommending this . Mr. Brown said that the next item is a billing machine for the Assessors. Mr. Bateman said that it seemed better judgment to wait on the change in personnel when a new Collector is elected. 244 c. Mr. Brown asked if this item should be kept on the miscellaneous list and the Chairman said that it would have to come up some time. Mr. Brown asked if any provision is being made for dump facilities and the Chairman replied that the Committee on Incineration has just submitted its report and is not recommending incineration, but is recommending two dumps, one at either end of the town. Mr. Brown said that the next item is the Marrett Road Fire Station which, according to a letter from the Fire Commissioners, was fpr 1956. He asked if the Chairman knew if that was a reasonable schedule and the Chairman replied in the negative. Mr. Brown said that item six is the Planning Board's new highway. The Chairman stated that up until a few minutes ago the Board was going to recommend building 400 feet with the layout from Stratham Road to Massa- chusetts Avenue, but there is insufficient time so this item will have to be presented at a Special Town Meeting. Mr. Brown asked about extension of the standpipe and new, larger mains. Mr. Burns said that another standpipe in anew location would go for possibly three to five years. The extension of the mains will still go on. Mr. Williams asked about the cost of a new standpipe and Mr. Burns replied that it depends on when it is constructed and the location. However, it will be somewhere in the vicinity of $190,000. Mr. Brown said that the last item is the west side municipal parking lot. The Chairman said that there is nothing in the warrant on this subject for the meeting this year. Mr. Brown said that the only other item is an appropriation to print the committee's report. Last year it cost somewhere about $300. Mr. Williams said that be has talked with Alan Adams and it was agreed that the Appropriation Com; mittee would be a good committee to handle the work of the Capital Expenditures Committee because they have all the figures. He said that apparently the only thing that keeps the Appropriation Committee from doing this, without all the energy the Capital Expenditures Committee spent, is that no one has ever told them to. He said possibly the town By-laws, which instructs them as to what to do, could be so written that it would instruct the Appropriation Com- mittee to get out this report and that would solve the problem of continuity of this committee. 245 1' The Chairman said that he had not thought of that before and it is something new. He asked how often the personnel of the committee changed and Mr. Brown replied that the committee is discharged at every annual meeting. Miss Lewis said she thought there should be terms of appointment. Mr. Jaquith said he mentioned this to Mr. Stevens and there is a question as td whether this committee can be a by-law committee. Mr. Bateman said that he understood that Article 2 is to be so written this year that no committees can be appointed under it. The Chairman said that is correct and to have- another committee appointed, there will have to be an article. He said the warrant is actually closed but for such a committee, the Selectmen could insert an article. Mr. Jaquith suggested that an article be inser- ted in the warrant to appoint a Long Range Planning Committee using the same language that was used last year. The group retired at 9:05 P. M. Judge Pierre Northrup and Chief Ryeroft met with the Board. Judge Northrup said he w anted it understood from Senate the beginning that he has no axe to grind, but asked Bill #322 for the meeting with the Board solely in the interest of the people of Lexington and this judicial district. He said he is amazed at the lack of appreciation of the judicial system as a force in the community and spoke at length about the origin of the District Courttof Central Middlesex, Its territorial jurisdiction, popu- lation served and the numerous services.- He said that for the last twenty-five years there has been a campaign on to discredit the district courts and he would say unjustly so. There is now a Senate bill #322 which is not all bad. Thirty-four district courts have been listed to be designated as full time, if reorganization under the bill goes through, and the bad part of the bill comes when they decide -what is to - be done with the other district courts. The District Court of Central Middlesex is not included in the list of full-time courts and he enumerated the disadvantages and many reasons why it should be full-time. Judge Northrup said that he was not asking anyone to take a stand on behalf or against the bill but would like the Board to write to Senator Charles J. Innis, Chairman of the Special Recess Committee, Room 319 State House, and urge them •to put the District Court of Central Middlesex on the list as a full-time Court. 246 C Cid The Chairman said that the Board would consider the subject and undoubtedly the decision would be favorable to the district. Judge Northrup and Chief Rycroft retired at 9:55 P. M. The Board was unanimously in favor of contacting Senator Tnnia and asking that the Court of Central Middlesex be recognized and placed on the lint of full- time Courts if reorganization is made under Senate bill #322. Chairman Burnham, Messrs. Emery, Cass and Cronin of the Board of Assessors met with the Board at 10:00 P. M. Assessments The Chairman said that the Selectmen have scheduled on new a hearing on February 2nd and in regard to acceptance streets of twenty-seven streets. The property owners have been notified and in some instances have called to in- quire if it is necessary to attend the hearing. In one instance the Chairman advised that it is not necessary and the hearing is a matter of form required by law. In the meantime some of the people have talked yith Mr. Cronin and asked various questions. Some of the people have the information, which may be entirely rumors,, that the assessments on the land will be increased about $200. He said he would like to know if the Assessors intend to increase the assessments on the streets that have already been constructed by the sub-dividers; the people who purchased the land having pea& the cost of the street, water ►nd in some cases the sewer. Mr. Emery explained that everything the Assessors know about is charged up. If a street, water and sewer is completed, there are no extras and the Assessors assess the property as completed. After it is accepted by the torn,, no further assessment is made. The Chairman said that some of the houses have been there one or two years and asked if the Assessors intend to change the assessment when the street is accepted. Mr. Burnham explained that they are already assessed as accepted streets. Mr. Cronin s aid that the mere acceptance of the street would not mean an increase in the assessment. A finished street is part of the value of the prOperty. The Chairman said that all he wants is assurance from the Assessors that no change will be made in the assessment on the streets that are already constructed and are to be presented for acceptance. He said that as .he understands it now. no change will be made in Le assessment when the street is accepted and Mr. Cronin replied that was correct. 247 4i The Chairman said that the Selectmen do not feel that there should be a change in the assessment even • if the street is accepted and then maintained by the Town. The Board of Assessors retired at 10:15 P. M. Notice was received from the Middlesex County Commissioners advising that the amount which the Town Mdsx. Cty. of Lexington is to pay for the maintenance, operation San. warrant and repair of the Middlesex County Sanatorium for the year 1953 is $21,286.29; said amount payable on or be- fore April 1, 1954. The warrant was r eterred to the Board of Assessors. The Chairman read a letter from the Boy Scouts of American, Boston Council requesting permission Scout for the use of the Center Playground and the Battle Pilgrimage Gruen on Saturday, April 10th for the Annual Scout Pilgrimage. The Board had no objection and referred the communication to the Recreation Committee. !too Chairman read a letter f rain the American April 29th Legion Auxiliary, requesting permission to erect a stand food booth at the corner of Meriam Street and Buckman Tavern on April 19th. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to grant the request. Letter was received from the Arlington Board of Selectmen stating that the Ar1!fl ton Selectmen thought it would be advantageous to the Selectmen of Surround- ing towns if they would visit and sit in at each others Invitation meetings. They invited the Lexington Board to attend one of their meetings on any Monday evening that would be mutually satisfactory. Notice was received from the Middlesex County Selectmen's Selectmen's Association advising that the first meet- Assn. ing of the Association will be held at Robbins Memorial Meeting Town Hall, Arlington on (Wednesday, February 3rd. Inasmuch as this is the first time the meeting has been held in Arlington, all members of the Board express-11d the desire to attend and the Clerk was in- structed to so advise the Secretary of the Association. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Carroll stating Voting that the voting equipment in Precinct One will have to booths II be repaired before it can be used again. 1 248 Cid The Chairman was authorized to instruct Mr. Burns ' to contact Mr. Custance and have the necessary repairs made. The meeting adjourned at 10:25. P. M. A true record, attest : f -der , Se ctmen 1 1