HomeMy WebLinkAbout1953-01-05-min 443
SELECTMEN'S MEETING
January 5, 1953
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was
held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building,
on Monday evening, January 5, 1953 at 7 :00 P. M.
Chairman Nickerson, Messrs. Gay, Driscoll and Reed
were present. Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, and
the Clerk were also present.
Hearing was declared open upon petition of the
Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone
and Telegraph Company for permission to locate two
j/o poles on Paul Revere Road .
Mr. Mahon, representing the Boston Edison Com-
pany, was the only person present at the hearing.
He explained that the Leeland Construction Company Pole
is erecting a new house, and one of the proposed location
poles is to service that house and also another
house to be built. The second pole will act as a
guide for the existing line .
Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr.
Gay, it was voted to approve the following go
pole location:
Paul Revere Road, southerly aide,
easterly from a point approximately
130 feet east of Greenwood Street,
-- Two (2) poles.
Mr. Mahon retired at 7 ,05 P. M.
Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting. He reported
that he has received a communication from Earle S.
Tyler, attorney for Mr. Williams who has filed a
petition in the Land Court for registration of the
title to his property at 341 Wood Street, and that
the Land Court has raised a question as to whether
or not the Town acquired any title to the portion of
the Williams land that was within the old location
of Wood Street under a deed from Ernest S. Holton and
others to the Town dated October 23, 1933 , because of
the language appearing at the end of the description
in said deed, °including also all their rights in land
within said former location of Wood Street.° Mr.
Stevens exhibited a copy of a plan on file in the
Registry of Deeds showing where the old location of
Wood Street crossed the Williams parcel and said that
the Land Court had suggested the matter might be
handled by an affidavit of the Town Engineer that the
Town claimed no interest in that land and an assent
by the Town Counsel to the decree of registration.
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Mr. Burns stated that there were no Town pipes in
that portion of the old location of Wood Street
and that there was no reason why the Town should
claim any interest in it. After discussion it was
voted to approve of the Town Engineer making an
affidavit that the Town Claimed no interest in that
portion of the old location of Wood Street and to
authorize the Town Counsel to assent to the decree
of registration.
Mr. Stevens retired at 8;00 P. M.
Budgets submitted by Mr. Burns, Supt. of
Public Works, were discussed and acted upon as
follows :
Budget Requested improved
Public Works Suptt. Office-Personal $23,103.32 No action
Public Works Suptt. Office-Expenses 480.00 $ 480.00
Town Offices & Cary Bldg.-Expenses 21,000.00 19,000.00
Engineering Department- Personal 20,902.00 No action
Engineering Departanent- Expenses 1,230.00 1,230.00
Sewer Construction - Sundry Streets 110,340.00 96,480.00 '
Street Lights 34,100.00 No action
Construct Curbing 3,000.00 3,000,00
Insurance 25,800.00 25,800.00
Water Maintenance-Wages & Expenses 36,420.00 36,420.00
Water Services 46,000.00 37,500.00
Water Construction-Sundry Streets 19,800.00 19,800.00
Water Construction-Capital Outlay 163,400.00 No action
Mr. Burns retired at 8:35 P. M.
The following membef's of the Planning Board and
Chamber of Commerce met with the Selectman: Chairman
Adams, Messrs. Hathaway, Irwin, Johnson and Potter;
Messrs. Allen, Michelson, Oppenheim, Ready and Tarbox.
The Chairman explained that the meeting was being
held at the request of the Chamber of Commerce represen-
tatives who were inclined to think that it would be a
good idea to meet with the Selectmen and the Planning
Board for a discussion on parking. He stated that sub-
sequent to the meeting last week, he wrote Mr. William
Ballard and asked if he could get anything further from
Parking the owners of the block, Minot, DeBlois and Maddison,
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that is anything definite as to what they are planning
to do. However, he did not receive a reply. He said
that, in regard to Edison Way, at the present moment the
Board has a two year old agreement dated December 13,
1950 in which the Boston & Maine Railroad, Hunt and the
Boston Edison agtee to donate land. He read the agree-
ment to the group and said that this is what the Select-
meh thought would be sufficient cause for them to insert
an article in the warrant back in 1951. When the sub-
ject was taken up with the Planning Board, they did not
give approval because they were fearful that some of
the people might build stores facing on the back street
and thereby the Town would lose what it is after, which
is a by-pass road and parking space. He said that if
the owners did that, they would be putting themselves
out of business. There is not sufficient parking area
now to serve the stores, and if more stores were erected
and parking space reduced, it would seem like bad busi-
ness. He explained that the Board of Selectmen did not
have any feeling of suspicion in the matter. He said
that he does not believe Mr. Ballard will be able to
obtain any agreement whereby these people will provide
a parking area.
Mr. Adams said that the Planning Board has not
arrived at a definite conclusion but did discuss two
for one parking in the center and have reached a fairly
definite conclusion for the Annual Town Meeting.
The Chairman said that if the Planning Board feels
as it does, he would advise that the Selectmen are go-
ing to insert an article in the warrant for construc-
tion of Edison Way and let the Town vote on it, and
the Planning Board can safeguard the Town by putting
in the area two for one parking for buildings, and
that will prevent any buildings from being put up in
there.
Mr. Potter asked if the article would refer to
just that area, and the Chairman replied that that
particular part is all the Board of Selectmen had con-
sidered presenting. He said that he understood from
Mr. Adams that the Planning Board is anxious to make
a "package deal" on the other side of the street also.
He said that the Selectmen would listen to that.
Mr. Adams stated that the Planning Board has just
spent half an hour discussing the other side of the
street. The members all feel th at the suggestion
presented by the Chamber of Commerce last week is good
but inadequate and might be a temporary stop gap and
that the original plan of 1945 still appeals to the
Planning Board, with revision because of new buildings
going up. He said that the report was a very good one,
and his Board feels that it should not be dropped for
a lesser plan without sufficient study.
Mr. Potter said that the plan for parking on the
other side appears to be easier than Edison Way insofar
as the abutters are concerned.
The Chairman asked if it would be agreeable to the
Chamber of Commerce to delay the other side of Massa-
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chusetts Avenue until more study has been given to it.
Mr. Michelson said that some conclusion should be
made as to what is going to happen on this side of the
street. He felt that the ire of the landowners would
be aroused if they gave the land and then could not
convert it to building space.
The Chairman said that he thought it would be
utmost folly for the owners of the building to erect
stores in back.
Mr. Michelson said that if they don't reserve the
back land, there is still no off-street parking.
The Chairman said that Minot, DeBlois and Maddison
have made a detailed study of how to best turn that area
into parking and how to make the lines go. He thought
that as soon as the street was constructed, they would
be at their construction.
Mr. Michelson said that if they didn 't, the Town
is still faced with no off-street parking.
The Chairman agreed and said that all the parking
would be just on the railroad side.
Mr. Michelson argued that it would be used by com-
muters who would leave their cars there all day.
The Chairman explained that with the street there
would be room for forty additional cars, and he did not
believe the area would be taken up by commuters. He also
explained that the area could be zoned for one or two
hour parking. He said that the plan mayjnot be perfect,
but the Board is trying to work out a bad situation as
well as possible.
Mr. Ready mentioned the possibility of the abutters
not going along with parking on the left hand side of
the new street and asked how many cars could be parked
on the right hand side of the street after it goes
through. He ev lained that he meant the land between
the street and the railroad track.
The Chairman replied that approximately forty cars
could be parked.
Mr. Ready asked if the Parking Meter Funds would be
available, and the Chairman replied that the money will
not be available for this project and that money will
have to be appropriated for street construction. He said
that if the Town wanted to make a taking of any or all of
the back area, parking meter funds would be available, but
this would be a very expensive taking.
Mr. Tarbox said that he thought the Chamber of Com-
merce as a whole is interested in the fact that the
Selectmen are taking some action. He said that he
thoughtthe Committee would be very well satisfied if
the Selectmen and Planning Board could reach an agree-
ment and present the matter to the Town Meeting this
year.
The Chairman said that the Selectmen will present
the best plan they can to the Town Meeting and let the
Town vote the money or not.
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Mr. Tarbox asked if both groups were in agreement,
111 and the. Chairman replied that he might as well say yes.
Mr. Michelson asked if the 1945 plan could be used
today, and Mr. Adams replied that the proposed block
would require some change but nothing serious.
Mr. Michelson asked if it would be a regular street
and Mr. Adams replied in the affirmative. He said that
his Boardfeels that the Town should own a portion of the
parking area and the money could be used for that.
The group retired at 9;00 P. M.
The Chairman read a letter from Daniel P. O'Connor,
Commander of the American Legion, requesting permission
to use Estabrook Hall the third Monday in every month
from September until 3une for meetings, until such time Use of
as the Legion obtains suitable quarters. hall
Decision upon the request was held over until such
time as the Board has adopted a policy in regard to pay-
ment to janitors for overtime work.
Letter was received from Ernest J. Corrigan, 145
Pleasant Street requesting the installation of water and
sewer in Diehl Road. The Chairman was authorized to Water &
advise Mr. Corrigan that his application is too late sewer
to be considered this year and to suggest employment Diehl Rd .
11 of a private contractor to do the work under the
supervision of Mr. Burns.
Petition, signed by seventeen registered voters,
was received requesting the insertion of an article
in the warrant for the Annual March Meeting relative Article
to the revision of the By-laws concerning the use of
firearms.
Petition.,, signed by thirteen registered voters,
was received requesting the insertion of an article
in the warrant for the Annual March Meeting relative
to an amendment to the Zoning By-law so as to change Artible
certain land on the southeasterly side of Weston
Street from an R1 District to a Cl District.
A discussion re the subject of overtime pay for
the janitors was held but no ddfihite decision reached.
One suggestion was to charge the organizations using
the hall $1.50 per hour for the janitor, but it was
also suggested that the janitors should be on the
town payroll.
Mr. Driscoll brought up the subject of show re-
moval on both sides of Follen Road at the Sacred
I Heart Church, and it was left to Mr. Burns to use
his own judgti.
Bond, in the sum of $1,000, was received from
Miss Thompson on behalf of Edward R. Fahey as a Bond.
Deputy Collector, approved by Commissioner Long,
for a term expiring December 31, 1953.
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Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Reed,
it was voted to grant the following licenses :
Lexington Amusement Co. 1794 Mass. Ave. Sunday Movies
Bradford Motor Co. 34 Bedford St. lat Class Agent
The Clerk informed the Board that Mr. Carroll
wanted to know if the Selectmen intend to recommend
acceptance of Chapter 559, Acts of 1952 in re in-
cinerators . She was instructed to advise him that
the Board has taken no action.
The meeting adjourned at 10 :30 P. M.
A true record, Attest:
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