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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1954-01-12-BOS-min 225 ,- '�1 SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 12, 1954 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building' on Tuesday evening, January 2, 1954 at 7 :00 P. M. Chairman Reed, Messrs. Nickerson, Gay and Bateman were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, met with the Juror Board for the drawing of one juror. Mr. Stillman P. Williams, 9 Sheridan Street, was drawn for jury duty. Mr. Carroll retired. At 7:00 P. M. hearing was declared open upon petition of the Boston Edison Company for conduit Conduit and manhole locations on Massachusetts Avenue and location Grant Street. Mr. Mahon, representing the petitioner, was the only person present at the hearing. He ex- plained that the company is endeavoring to increase the voltage at the bowling alley and surrounding area. It is proposed to place a new manhole in the sidewalk and go out to the conduit in Grant Street, thereby avoiding any work being done on Massachusetts Avenue which has recently been paved. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bate- man, it was voted to approve the following locations: Massachusetts Avenue, northwesterly from Grant Street, a distance of approximately 30 feet, manhole. Grant Street, northeasterly from Massachusetts Avenue, ardistance of approximately 20 feet. The Chairman asked if anything had been done on the lights at the new High School, and Mr. .Mahon re- plied that he had discussed this with Mr. Wentworth Street today and following the last meeting with the Board, lights he went over the entire situation with Mr. Burns. (School) Some of the proposed locations were agreeable to Mr. Burns and some of them were not. He was interested particularly in the lights at the rear of the build- ing. Mr. Wentworth and the engineer who plotted the job have gone over the situation with Mr. Burns. Mr. Mahon presented a plan of pole location Pole location 226 CL Pole on town property to service the garage in the West 111 - location view Cemetery. He explained that the town will do the underground work and no charge will be made for the pole. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to approve the proposed location subject to approval by Mr. Burns, Mr. Mahon presented a plan of pole locations in Edison Way connection with illuminating the Edison way parking pole area. He said there are no questions about. the poles locations on Edison Way from Massachusetts Avenue, but he wanted to make sure whether or not the other poles were on private pvnperty. Later in the evening the matter was discussed with Town Counsel who advised that it is town-owned property and considered to be private. Mr. Mahon retired at 7 :25 P. M. The Chairman read a letter from Dr. R..Willard Hunt, 34 Hancock Street, requesting that funds be in- Curbing eluded in the 1954 budget to provide for curbing in- stallation in front of his property. He also mentioned that he understood W. L. Jackson had made a similar re- quest. Dr. Hunt also e.aimed that as a result of laying the new sewer pipe in Hancock Street the passageway for cars was temporarily narrowed and traffic de- stroyed the grass plot between the street and side- walk. Mr. Burns arrived at the meeting at 7:40 P. M. Mr. Burns agreed that some damage had been done to the grass plot, but he intends to restore it in the Spring. Mr. Nickerson said that if the Board is going to receive requests for curbing all along Hancock Street, it might be profitable to study the matter and de- termine whether or not the Board is going to change its policy which has been to avoid installation of curbing. The Chairman said that Mr. Burns is of the opinion that if curbing is going to be installed to any extent, it should be considered as a betterment and assessed to the property owner. The Chairman suggested accepting no more curbing requests for 1954 and between now and the 1955 budgets determine whether or not assessments are to be levied. He was authorized to advise Dr. Hunt that it is too late to include his request in the 1954 budget, that it will be considered as an item for the 1955 budget, 227 .p and further that the Town will correct any damage that may have been caused to his grass plot as a result of Town work. Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting at 7 :45 P. M. The Chairman read a letter from Alfred R. Batstone, 49 Bartlett Avenue, requesting deferment of sewer betterment assessment on lots 104, 105 Batstone and 106 Bartlett Avenue. sewer Mr. Nickerson said that he held this for advice betterment from Town Counsel because it has been the Board's deferred policy to defer betterments on farm land only. He asked if the Board would be putting itself in a position of having to grant similar requests. Mr. Burns said that he thought this request is one that would come into the category the Board has been thinking about. He said this property con- sists of several hundred feet on both sides. Mr. Nickerson asked if these lots could be built upon today and Mr. Burns replied that the street is layed out but not open to the public. He said that he just couldn't see Mr. Batstone selling this as a parcel to build on. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Nicker- son, it was voted, under the provisions of Chapter 159 of the Acts of 1950, to extend the time for payment of betterment assessment on Lot #106 in the amount of $1,491.32 and on Lot #104 in the amount of $797.20, without interest, until said 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 termin- ate immediately if the facilities of the sewer are used for said land or any part thereof. Messrs. Stevens and Burns retired at 8:25 P. M. The Chairman reported that he talked to the Civil Chief of Police today and the veteran on the Civil Service Service list will be by-passed. When the one re- List maining man is appointed a new examination will be scheduled. Mr. Reed left the meeting at 8:30 P. M. amd upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Ir. Bate- man, it was voted to have Mr. Gay act as temporary chairman. Messrs. Albertine, Lewis, Bashian, Hood, Cole and three other individuals, representing the April 19th Allied Veterans' Council, met with the Board. Budget The Chairman explained that there were one or two questions the Board would like to ask about the budgets submitted by the Council• 228 r , Mr. Bashian explained that the item for Enter- tainment of Guests, includes hotel room and meals for - the speaker of the day and his aide. Mr. Lewis explained that it costs the Norwich band -$300 or $350 to come to Lexington and the money listed in the budget is for feeding the band. The Chairman inquired about the figure for Lex- ington Drum Corps and Mr. -Lewis explained that the Drum Corps receives $100, High School band 125 and the Norwich band $100. -Mr. Cole stated that it costs $35 to rumthe hand up the street, and it cost the Legion $2300 last year to keep the Lexington Drum Corps on the road. Following further discussion the g roup retired at 9 :00 P. M. Mr. William H. Lyon, and Mr. Donald Fifield, rep- resenting the Lexington Taxpayers' Association, met with the Board. T.P.A. req. - Mr. Lyon said that the Association would like to publishing have the article having to do with the cost of the town assessments report increased by an amount sufficient to publish the list of assessed valuations. He said they do not know the exact cost, but have figures from $2400 to $3,000. A definite cost can be arrived at. EA said if the assessments are published it will mean increased rev- enue to the town. The Chairman asked if Mr. Lyon-was requesting the Board to add to the cost of publishing the town r sport, the cost of publishing the assessed valuations. Mr. Lyon replied in the affirmative and said that if the Board will hot do that would it permit the Tax- payers to insert an article in the warrant under ten signatures -even though the closing date has gone by. The Chairman said that the Board would give him an answer, but felt that is something to be discussed when Mr. Reed is present. Mr. Nickerson said that if the assessments are pub- lished, undoubtedly there will have to be 1500 copies or more. Mr. Fifield-said he thought there is a demand for this and that the published assessments would be read. Mr. Lyon admiLtted that the information is avail- able to the public at any time, but it is not used. He said this would help the Assessors by making it unneces- sary for real estate men to call them or visit them when a house is for sale. Mr. Nickerson said that he would like to get a com- plete overall exposition as to just how this would ef- fect what the Association wants it to effect. Messrs. Lyonand Fifield retired. 229 �ski II The Chairman read a letter from William H. Wilder, 74 Winter Street, complaining about eleven junked auto- mobiles adjacent to his property. The Clerk was in- Complaint structed to refer the complaint to Mr. Lindstrom for investigation and report. Letter was received from Marshall P. Lerner, Gilmour, Rothery & Co., requesting that his name be added to the Lexington Agent's Pool for insurance. Insurance Mr. Lamer had previously written in 1952 and was ad- vised to submit his request at a later date. Inasmuch as distribution of commissions has al- ready been made, no action can be taken at this time. However, it was agreed to place his name on the list for consideration if and when further distribution of the town's insurance is made in 1954. Notice was received from Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk, Referendum advising that the Attorney General has approved Article approved 4, of the Referendum held December 28, 1953. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Use of Bateman, it was voted to grant the following uses of halls halls : Veterans' 'Memorial Committee Conf. Rm. Jan. 14th free 4-H Club Cary Hall May 7 & 8 free Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. License Bateman, it was voted to renew the following licenses : renewals Donald W. DeFelice 80 Westview Street Peddler (Bakery) William DeFelice " Anthony Ferreria 249 Marrett Road " rr Mr. Gay suggested that the Chief of Police be con- tacted on all license renewals before they are granted by the Board. A special meeting will be held on Thursday, January 14th to work on budgets. The meeting adjourned at 9 :30 P. M. A true record, Attest : Cel r , S ectmen