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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1959-01-05-BOS-min �ry ._) 1 IISELECTMEN 'S MEETING January 5, 1959 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday`Maloney,vening, January 5, 1959, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman lMessrs. James, Tucker, Adams and 1 Mrs . More were present . Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, Mr. Gayer, Superintendent of Public Works, Mr. Carroll, Asst. Superintendent of Public Works, and the Executive Clerk werb also present . Mr. Stevens reported that he had prepared three contractslfor engineering services with Whitman & Howard, all in sets dated December 31, 1958 He ex- plained tzat one has to do with sewer construction, Contracts extension of the trunk sewer along Route 128 to Shade for engine- and Weston Streets and the fee is 12%. The other one eering serv- is for sewers in the Byron Avenue and Lockwood Road ices -- area and the third one has to do with the study for sewer the sewer from the manhole opposite the pumping I station, Route 128, to serve principally the light manufacturing area under zoning . Uponlmotion of Mr. James, seconded by Mr . Tucker, it was voted to execute the contracts prepared by Mr . Stevens. All copies were signed and returned to Mr. Stevens . Mr. Gayer explained that while Mr. Howard was designing this for the Itek area, it will be extended up to Westview Street because as soon as it is that close there will be a demand for it. He said if it is not used ow, he is sure it will be shortly and all the field wor is completed. Mr. dams asked if signing the contracts followed usual pro4edure and Mr. Stevens replied in the affirmative . Mr. Stevens reported that he has taken a deed from Mr. Boudreau of Lot 70 on Garfield Street, which will have to be ratified by Town Meeting. He explained this will be a continuation of Sunnyknoll Terrace and the Planning Soard did not want a dead End. He explained that Mr. Boudreau acquired lot 70 at the end of the Deed street which lies in between town-owned parcels and it is a twenty- five foot lot . Rather than acquire it for 1 a street, which the Town has a right to do, the Board is getting a straight conveyance and fee of it . Upon motion of Mr. Tucker, seconded by Mr. James , it was voted to authorize Town Counsel to accept and record the deed. 558 MC Memorandum on open meetings was received from Open Mr. Stevens who explained that it is not necessary for meetings the Board to take any action. The Act becomes effective on January 6, 1959 Further consideration was given to letter from Roger B. Leland, attorney for Leonard Jellis, relative to a certain parcel of land at the intersection of Laurel and Reed Streets which Mr Jellis desires to acquire . Mr. Carroll presented a plan of the area showing Laurel St. the extension of Laurel Street, old Reed Street, the extension island and the Jellis property and explained a sug- (Jellis) gested way of conveying the land. It was agreed to extend Laurel Street to Reed Street and to obtain a vote from the Annual Town Meet- ing to abandon any rights in the old Reed Street . The Town could then make conveyance to Mr. Jellis of the portion of the triangular parcel of land between the old Reed Street location and the new Reed Street. Letter was received from the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society advising that the Society had selected Miss Ruth M. Pettengill and Mr. Carl E. Bryant as can- didates for appointment to the Historic Districts Com- mission. Historic Mr. Adams reported that Mr . Philip B. Parsons, Districts whose term expired, had not been asked to serve again Commission as the Society did not understand he could be reap- pointed. Mr. Stevens explained that there is nothing in the law to prevent an individual from being renominated. It was agreed to advise the Society that there may have been some misunderstanding and explain that Mr. Parsons could be reappointed. No action will be taken by the Board until a reply is received from the Society. The Chairman read a letter from the State Depart- ment of Natural Resources advising that the sum of Dutch elm $10,000. has been determined as the Town's liability Dutch elm & insect for Dutch elm disease control in 1959 and the sum of & insect suppression $7,569.74 for control and suppression of other public suppression nuisances . An additional total appropriation of *4,450. was recommended. It is on the basis of the additional appropriation that assistance can be given by the State . It was agreed to ask the Department what the Town receives for the required appropriation. Mr. Stevens retired at 8:17 P.M. Mr. Carroll presented a plan showing a 125 foot section of Baker Avenue upon which there is located four houses . He suggested that this section be con- structed and accepted by the Town in connection with the acceptance of Peacock Farm Road and Compton Circle He said that both sewer and water have been installed in the section. The 'hairman inquired about the cost to the abut- Baker Avenue tars and . Carroll replied that he has estimated $3.85 per foot. It w s the unanimous opinion of the Board that this sect on of Baker Avenue should be included in the group of treats to be constructed and accepted by the Town this year. Mr. ayer advised the Board that he would like to have his esignation effective the end of next week if Gayer' s it is acceptable to the Board. He said the budgets resignation are practically complete and he did not think he would be needed for any further help as Mr. Carroll could handle them. IIMr. Gayer reported that the computation of the three low bids, opened December 29, 1958, for trunk sewer work was correct and Richard White Sons , Inc. was the low bidder. Upon motion of Mr. Adams, seconded by Mr . James, it was voted to award the contract for trunk sewer work to Richard White Sons, Inc . , the low bidder, at Trunk sewer the bid price of $101,855. contract Messrs . Gayer and Carroll retired at 8:20 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from the Pond Realty Trust advising that the conditions outlined by the Board in letter of December 18, 1958 relative to the sale of tax title lots 26 through 31 on Garfield Tax title Street are acceptable to the Trust. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to advertise a proposal to sell the lots in the Lex- ington Minute-man and that further consideration be given the offer following the advertisement . The Chairman reported that Mr. William I. Burnham advised that he has the time required for the duties of an Assessor and every effort will be made to have the Assessor I bills out on time . However, weather conditions can slow up the work In 1958 he often devoted three days a week to assessing. 560 z The Chairman read a letter from John J. Carroll, Assistant Superintendent of Public Works, confirm- ing his verbal application of Monday, December 29, 1958, for the position of Superintendent of Public Works and Town Angineer. Mr. Adams asked if the Board had agreed that he was competent, and Mr. James replied that the Board knows more about his competency than it would any new applicant. Mr. Tucker said he thought Mr. Carroll should be given a chance at the position. Mr. James akked what salary Mr Carroll was think- Sup't. of ing about and he thought it should be determined before Public Works the appointment is made . Mr. Adams said the Board could appoint him, but he thought the salary should be diseussed and he asked at what salary Mr Gayer was appointed. The Chairman replied that Mr. Gayer received 0,000. and Mr. James pointed out that Mr. Gayer had more experi- ence . Mr. Adams said that Mr. Carroll would be assuming the same responsibilities and he would agree to $7,500. per year if Mr . Carroll is told that as of March or April 1st, he would be given some consideration. Both Mr. James and Mr. Tucker felt that was too soon. The Chairman said that if Mr. Carroll did a satis- factory lob tOis winter, tie woild recprend am increase of $500. Mr. Tucker said he felt it a little early to grant an increase . Mrs . Morey suggested that the Board consider the Public Works budget Saturday morning with both Mr. Gayer and Mr. Carroll. Mr. James said he did not like to discuss any budget with a department head before he had an opportunity to familiarize himself with the budget. Mrs . Morey said that perhaps the Board should dis- cuss budgets this week and then consider them again next Monday. The Chairman reported that Mr. Gayer advised him that the budgets had been prepared by both #im and Mr. Carroll and he could see no reason why Mr. Carroll could not carry on with the budgets . If necessary, Mr. Gayer would be willing to come back to discuss the budgets with the Board. The Chairman said he asked Mr. Gayer how he felt about Mr. Carroll, and he replied that he believes he is ready to try and do a good job. Mrs . Morey said that there are eight weeks in which to discuss budgets and asked if it wouldn't be sensible 561 I to take care of those in which Mr. Gayer is interested while he is here . The Chairman said that the Board would be working on budgets and the Appropriation Committee would be working o them. Mr. ames said he thought Mr. Carroll was just as familiar ith the budgets as Mr. Gayer. Mr. ames said he would be in favor of appointing Mr . Carroll at a salary of $7500. per year with an in- crease to $8,000. per year on July 1st if he qualifies . Mr. `.ducker said that would be his suggestion. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint John J. Carroll Superintendent of Public Works and Town Engineer, effective January 16, 1959, at a salary f $7,500. per year with ti-e understanding that the rate will be increased to $8,000. per year on July 1, 1959 if, in the opinion of the Board, he qualif&es . Copy of letter from Thomas G. Lynah to James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, was received advising that Mr. Lynahts resignation as a Trustee of the Public Trusts Resignation and Bridge Charitable Fund would be effective as of March 1, 1959. II Lett r was received from Charles N. Coll at os, t6 Webste Road, commending the Police Department for assistanc rendered on December 25th. Upon motion of Mrs. Morey, seconded by Mr. Adams, Licenses it was voted to grant the following licenses: Countryside Pharmacy 317 Waburn Street Common Victualler (renewal) Elwell Incorporated 55 Mass. Avenue n 't n Minute Man Restaurant 1715 Mass . Avenue " n n Lexington Inn 727 Marrett Road " " n Lexington Inn 727 Marrett Road Innkeeper " Jeanette H. Kanis 93 Spring Street Auctioneer (new) The Clerk reported that a telephone call had been received rom one of the Clerks in the Welfare Depart- ment rela ive to cold air caning in through the door in that d partment. Welfare Mr. dams suggested, and the Board agreed, that Offices weather s ripping be installed to correct the condition. The hairman suggested that a study be made of the heating s stem in the Town Office Builling. Mr. ames brought up the subject of National Engineer' s Week and pon motion dilly made and seconded, it was voted 532 a:10 to appoint Harry B. McCormick, Peter Zitso and Paul G. Committee Yewell to serve on the committee to arrange an appropriate program for observance of the week. The meeting adjourned at 9:03 P.M. A true record, Attest: xec 1 ive lerk Salem en. E