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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1954-01-18-BOS-min 233 l,e r g, SELECTMEN'S MFFTING January 18, 1954 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, January 18, 1954 at 7 :00 P. M. Chair- man Reed, Messrs. Nickerson, Gay and Bateman were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, met with the Jurors Board for the drawing of two jurors . Mr. Francis X. MaguireNew England Telephone & Telegraph Company, 34 Robbins Road and Wendell H. Irvine, 63 Bertwell Road, were drawn for jury duty. Mr. Carroll retired at 7 ;05 P. M. and Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, met with the Board. The Chairman read a letter from Dr. William L. Barnes, requesting deferment of sewer betterment Barnes assessment levied against property owned by him, sewer identified as Lot Bl, Bedford Street. assessment Mr. Burns said that this particu_ltir parcel is deferred not a lot but a long strip of marshland which abuts property owned by the doctor and upon which a _sewer assessment has been deferred. He recommended defer- ment for this property. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted, under the provisions of Chapter 159 of the Acts of 1950, to extend the time for payment of sewer better assessment on lot Bl, Bedford Street in the amount of $290.78, without interest, until said land or any part thereof is built upon, sold, or until the expiration of three years from the gate hereof,, whichever 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 read a letter from Neil McIntosh McIntosh requesting deferment of sewer betterment assessments sewer levied on Lots 1, 2 and 3, Bedford Street, shown on a betterment plan of Sunnyfield. deferred Mr. Burns recommended that the request be granted. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted, under the provisions of Chapter 159 of the Acts of 1950, to extend the time for payment of sewer betterment assessment on Lot 1 in the amount of $162.84, Lot 2 in the amount of $174.47 and Lot 3 in the amount of $174.47, without interest, until said v 234 c. CL land or any part thereof is built upon, sold, or until the expiration of three years from the date hereof, whichever event occurs first; provided, however, that this extension of time shall ter- minate immediately if the facilities of the sewer are used for said land or any part thereof. Letter was received from Commissioner Volpe, Chapter 90 State Dept:. of Public Works, advising that the sum Construction of $14,500 has been tentatively approved for highway purposes under the provisions of Chapter 90. The project approved for 1954 is Hill Street, $13,500; 6 ,750 and $6,750 and Hill Street maintenance $1,000 each for State, County and Town. The Chairman read -a letter from Commissioner Conf. re : Volpe advising that a -conference will be held on Route 128 Thursday, January 21, 1954 at 11:00 A. M. to -discuss traffic the traffic problem caused by Route 128 traffic using Lowell Street, Maple Street, Massachusetts Avenue, Pleasant Street and Ilatertown Street as a short cut to Route 2. Mr. Burns was requested to attend the meeting. Messrs. Nickerson and Bateman said that they would also plan to attend. The Chairman was authorized to advise the Chief of Police. Snow The Chairman read a letter from Ernest Cutter, Removal 127 Follen Road, complaining about snow removal. Complaint It was decided to defer any reply until some time in April when the total cost of snow removal could be determined. The Chairman brought u the subject of" Mr. Edwin 5.• Johnston's request 'for a: permit to sell. guns.. Gun Mr. Stevens arrived :at the meeting at '7235 P. M. Permit The Chaiirman said that the Chief of Police in- formed him Cdr.. Johns,.ton would have to obtain a local per- mit before the State will issue him a license. He sells guns from his car and does not carry on a business from his home which is 6 Preston Road, a residential area. Mr. Stevens suggested that the Board invite Mr. Johnston to attend a meeting in an effort to obtain more detailed information. Mr. Stevens retired at 8:10 P. M. - Mr. Edwin B. Worthen, Sr.- met with the Board. Mr. Worthen said his story is brief and in a way incomplete. He said that the problem of the Lexington Historical Society is with the trees down at the- Munroe Tavern. Last year the town did same work on them and 235 ro there is more work to be done. The Society has no Work on money but is .aware of the fact that there is work shade trees to b e done. Mr. Edmund Munroe who lives there, at called Mr.. Garrity to discuss the subject who ad- Historical vised that this is now a ease of employing expert houses advice for which the town would pay. Mr. Worthen explained that there would be some charge for Mr. Garrity+s advice and the Society does not want to go ahead and employ Mr. Garrity and obligate itself to do any work unless the Town can help it out again. Mr. Worthensaidthat he knew the Board could not commit itself beyond the present year and asked if the Selectmen would think it was an absurdity to let the Society feel if everything goes well it might rely on $200 a year for three years to match what- ever the Society can put with it. He said there isn't much soil on the Tavern grounds and what money the Society has would have to go to feeding the trees and rely on the Town for heavy work. The Chairman stated that he thought the Board would be of .the same opinion as it was last year. It is willing to do a certain amount of work with the money available under the Shade Tree appropriation. He said the Board has not considered the possibility of continuingfor three years but he thought the mem- bers of this Board who would be on next year would be willing to go along with a small amount each year. Mr. Burns said that the money spent last year was in the vicinity of $20Q or $300. Mr. Worthen said he did not think the Society should ask for more than that. Mr. Worthen said he would report back to the Society and the first thing to do is to get Mr. Garrity to lay out what the trouble is and have the imperative part done first and up to $200 can be counted on. Mr. Witikevson informed Mr. Worthen that when the Board talked with Mr. Garrity, just prior to his re- tirement, he mentioned the fact that he would help the Board any time it wanted advice. He said that he would think, having been Park Superintendent for so many years, he would be out of order if he charged the Society very much. He stated that after the talk the Board had with him, it would be willing to call upon him for advice. Mr. Worthen retired at 8:15 P. M. Chairman McQuillan, Messrs. Cosgrove and Jackson, of the Board of Health, met with the Board. Mr. McQuillan said that since he requested this appointment, they have found a map and report giving information relative to the subject of sewers in town. He said one of the things his Board has in mind is the 236 I. C4 question of what study or plans are being made for the near future for building new sewers. He said if Board of there are such plans they would be helpful to his Health re Board when passing on various sub-divisions.. Sewers The Chairman explained that this year the Board will recommend the sewer up Lowell Street to Bartlett Avenue and this area will be developed very shortly. The road to Winchester is very imminent now and it will open up the area for development. The main coming along Lowell Street will make it possible to require the in- stallation of sewerage in that area. Mr. Burns said that before any of the plans reach the Board of Health and there is any possibility of a sewer going in, he would so advise Mr. Jackson. Mr. McQuillan asked if they could plan for the future as to where the most probable spots for sewers are and Mr. Burns referred him to Metcalf & Eddy's report. He explained that if there is a sewer within half a mile of one place, it will immediately branch out. He said it is better to keep the sewer expense down to requests that are really serious. Mr. Burns said that there is nothing, insofar as he knows, where there is a development being put off so that it can't be reached. He said one of the worst cases ig Burling- ton Street and there is nothing that can be reached beyond what has already been reached. He referred to Carrig's development and stated that a year ago no one could have foreseen this and said that a sewer should have been installed there. Mr. McQuillan said that Mr. Carrig told.his Board he was not having any trouble with cesspools and then someone said that there is water in several of the cellars. Mr. Burns explained that 90% of the water in the cellars is caused by the builder not using good sense in building. The Chairman said that suitable plans have been made for sewers and he does not think the town is get- ting behind. Mr. McQuillan said that it now appears that a com- mittee on sewers is not necessary if the Board of Health keeps in touch with Mr. Burns. The group, including Mr. Burns, retired at 8:30 P. M. Miss Dane, Mrs. Cheever, Messrs. Gilman and Blume of the Youth Study Commission met with the Board to discuss articles proposed by them in a communication dated January 3rd. Mr. Gilman said the question of a Youth. Patrol Officer is something his group is interested in dis- , cussing, particularly since the police are under the Board's jurisdiction. He said the article for the 237 warrant was drawn up as good as they could do so at the time. He said they feel it would be nice and best if the provisions for the Youth Patrol Officer, and the officer to replace him, could be included in the regular Pelice Department budget.. The Chairman stated that the Selectmen have dis- cussed the subject and do not feel that the Youth Youth Patrol Officer is necessary at this time and they Patrol would be reluctant to include this in the police bud- Officer get. He said that, inasmuch as the Commission had the article prepared prior to the closing date of the warrant, the Board would accept an article submitted by -ten or more registered voters if it is presented within the next day or two. He explained that the Committee was originally established by an article submitted by ten or more registered Voters and the hoard feels that this article should be inserted under signatures. Mr. Gilman asked if the Chairman would give the Board's reasons on the subject. The Chairman said that in the first place, the Board feels. the Department is short of men. There are only two men on the eligible list and one is in the service, thereby not available. The one remaining man ' will be appointed about March 1st and another examina- tion will not be held until September at which time two more men will be appointed. He said the Bosrd does not feel it can spare an officer out of the department at this time. He explained that -the list is Civil Ser- vice and the man remaining must be appointed before the Department will schedule another examination. Miss Dane asked if anyone knew, in a case like this, if a temporary appointment could be made. Mr. Nickerson explained that some years ago the Board of Select made a practice of temporary ap- pointments and/.one instance with unfortunate results. He said thata -temporary appointee purchased his uniforms and was on the force but when he took his physical examination he failed to pass and, at that time, The Board decided not to make any temporary appointments. He stated that it is not possible to determine whether a temporary officer will pass either the mental or physical examinations and to qualify as as a police officer both exams must be passed. Mr. Gilman said the only question in his mind is about acquiring ten signatures for the articles. The Chairman said that he would like to know the difference between the Youth Commission now in -exis- tence and the one to be proposed. Mr. Gilman replied that ,he is not clear at the 238 a moment as to how far they can go in introducing an article as to the powers of this committee. He said one of the things would be finding ways and, means of establishing a Youth Patrol. That may be all they would want to have the committee charged with. It may be, however, to have a more permanent Youth Com- mittee established as a going concern, to see that some of the things this committee has suggested would be carried out. He stated that it may be determined that a permanent committee is not what they are in- terested in at the moment and a committee for a Youth Control may not be town appointed, but people interested in the project. The group retired at 8:45 P. M. The Chairman reported that Mr. C. R. Glenn, 105 Winter Street, Lexington, came into the office in ref- Tax title erence to tax title lots 35 and 36 Hillcrest Street. property In 1951 he offered $100 for the twa lots and the Board entertained an offer of $800 which would include water betterment assessments in the amount of $178.65. Mr. Glenn would like the Board to reconsider, However, there is now a street betterment of $750. The Board was unanimous in the opinion that the price of the lots should not be reduced. Committee Letter was received from Mr. Carroll, advising that the following individuals have been appointed to serve on the Maple Street School Building Committee : Thornton S. Cody, Richard P. Cromwell, Edward A.. Lamer, Jr., Alfred P. Tropeano and Jason A. Woodward. Uses of Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, halls it was voted to grant the following uses of halls : Girl Scouts Conf. Room Jan. 21 Meeting Chamber of Commerce Estabrook Jan. 24 Meeting Five Fields, Inc. Estabrook Jan. 29 Meeting (All above uses granted free of charge) Assessor Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was voted to re-appoint Leland H. Emery to the Board of Assessors for a three-year term expiring January 1, 1957. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr.. Nickerson, it was voted to sign intentions to Lay Out the follow- ing streets to be accepted a t the Annual March Meeting : Buckman Drive, pawns Road, Williams Road, Bertwell Road, Field Road, Bates Road, Wildwood Road, Philip Road, Benjamin Road, Oak Terrace, Peachtree Road, Castle • 239 1r Road, Ballard Terrace, Peartree Drive, Williams Road, Intentions Scotland Road, Battle Green Road, Minute Man Lane, to Lay Out Appletree Lane, Patterson Road, Barberry Road, Wyman Streets Road, Holton Road, Hutchinson Road, Stearns Road a Webster Road and Lantern Lane. The hearings will be Meld in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Tuesday, February 2, 1954 at 7430 P. M. on streets constructed and at 8:00 P. M. on the streets to be constructed. Further consideration was given to the Lexington Listing of Taxpayers Association's request to have funds approp- property riated at the March Meeting to provide for publishing assessments a listing of property assessments, The members of the Board were all opposed to the project and the Chairman was authorized to advise the Association that inasmuch as the warrant closed January 4th it is too late to insert any additional articles even if they are presented by ten or more registered voters. The Clerk retired at 8:10 P. M. before the Plan- ning Board met with the Selectmen to discuss employ ment of expert advice and various new projected roads to be presented to the Annual Meeting as a tentative project. A true record, Attest : 2f1er� ctmen( 1