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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1960-01-04-min 408 1.4 Si,RC TMFtd 'S MEETING January 4, 1960. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, January160 at 7:30 P.M. Chairman 4, 9 , Maloney, Messrs . James, Adams, Ferguson and Mrs. Morey were present. The Executive Clerk was also present. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was Minutes voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen' s Meeting held on December 28, 1959. Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, met with the Jurors Board for the drawing of two jurors. The following individuals were drawn for jury duty: John Servente, 128 Lowell Street and Walter A. Ward, 4 Bruce Road. The Chairman referred to Mr. Carroll's budgets for 1960 and explained that the Board is trying to arrive at a point where it might justify increases over what it considers normal increases. Town Clerk's Mrs. Morey suggested, where there is an Assis- budget tent, establishing a yearly rate . She explained that the question had been raised as to whether or not the Assistant should be considered a salaried indi- vidual, as salaried people do not receive overtime pay. Mr. Carroll explained that the overtime pay is for work for the Board of Registrars . He said that many towns employ a separate clerk for the Board of Registrars andif they had one in Lexington, there would not be any overtime pay. Mr. Carroll stated that his Senior Clerk is a new employee, but is doing very good work. The Chairman mentioned that a larger increase has been requested for the Junior Clerk and asked if Mr. Carroll thought it would be satisfactory. He replied in the affirmative, and said that if there was any question he would explain that the amount of the increase for the Senior Clerk was all he requested. The Chairman asked if Mr. Carroll had a record of vacations and sick leave . Mr. Carroll rep;:ied that Miss McDonough was entitled to three weeks ' vacation but took only two weeks. She had no time off due to illness . The Senior Clerk was entitled to one week and took one week. She was out sick one day. The Junior Clerk 9 was not entitled to any vacation as she did not start to work for the Town until June and she was out sick one day. Mr. Carroll retired at 7:4.5 P.M. Mr . Stevens, Town Counsel, and Mr. John Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, met with the Board. Mr. Stevens referred to lots 64-68 Bellflower Street and lots 69-72 Hamblen Street sold to Leon E. Cornier & Sons, Inc . He presented a plan showing the lots and explained that they are all twenty-five Tax title foot lots . In the deed, as he prepared it and as the Board executed it, lots 65, 66, 67 and 68 on Bellflower Street are to be combined into one lot . Lot 64. on Bellflower Street is to be combined with Lots 59 to 63, inclusive , into a second lot. He said th3 deed was drawn this way after checking with the buyer's attorney, Flynn & Flynn. Mr. Flaherty, in the office of Flynn & Flynn, says it was their understanding that Cormier owned lots 59 to 63 and only intended to add lot 64. to 65 and 63. The title examiner, in checking for a con- struction loan, found this . Mr. Stevens suggested that Mr. Flaherty check with the examiner to see if he would accept a confirmatory deed which would recite this was given for the purpose of setting forth the restrictions that were intended to be imposed and incorrectly stated in the original deed. It was agreed to have Mr. Stevens redraft the deed for the Board' s signature . Mr. Carroll reported that he checked with the Air Force on the meeting to discuss the water supply and it is not the intention to become involved in Air Force an engineering discussion. He has asked Mr. Howard meeting to meet him at 8:30 Thursday morning, and said that apparently the Air Force wants to do something to settle the problem. Mr. Carroll presented an agreement for the Board to Sign on the Boston & Main crossing for the Itek Agreement sewer. Mr. Stevens explained that the arrangement is the same as those made on other crossings and it was agreed to sign the agreement as submitted. Mr. Carroll reported that Mr. Paul Mazerall, Park Department, receives four hours additional pay each week for overtime for changing the flag on the Common on Saturdays, if he does not work, putting it up and taking it down Sundays and check- 440 1.4 ing the ball fields each night. He has been bothered more and more by telephone calls all hours of the day and night and would like the Board to arrange to pay him one hour a day extra and have a telephone in his house, similar to the arrangement with Mr. Weisinger, so the Park Department telephone would be listed in the book. Every night he receives from five to ten calls . The Chairman said he did not think it would be an emergency service . Mr. Carroll explained that most of the calls are from the Recreation Committee and many calls are re- ferred tp his home by the Police Department. Mr. Ferguson said he could not visualize an emergency telephone for the Park Department and sug- gested that the Police Department be requested not to refer any calls to Mr Mazerall's home . Messrs. Carroll and Stevens retired at 8:15 P.M. Mr. Palmer, Town Accountant, met with the Board and the Chairman explained that the Board would lit a record of his employees ' vacation and time off, absence due to illness . Accounting Mr. Palmer stated that last year there was no Dept . budget sick leave at all and his girls have taken their full vacation. They were entitled to two weeks with pay and each of them took one week without pay. The Chairman asked if, as iia.r as Mr. Palmer knew, neither girl had any time off and he replied in the affirmative . The Chairman asked Mr. Palmer how he arrived at the recommended increases, and he replied that new help had been hired by the Board of Health at the rate of $51.80. The Chairman explained that $51.80 is not the starting rate of pay. He said a girl with experience and required to take shorthand and dictation is worth more money. Mr. Palmer stated that Mrs. Jack takes all his dictation and does all his letters. The Chairman asked who did this work before and Mr. Palmer replied Mrs. McCausland. The Chairman asked if Mrs. Boleyn could take shorthand, and Mr. Palmer replied that he did not know. He said Mrs. Jack had ten years' experience with the Newton-Waltham bank before she came to his department . The Chairman stated that it has been brought t ' the Board' s attention that there has been time out, whether for sick leave or not . Mr. Palmer said his girls may have a dental appointment at four, but they have not had any full days or half days off. 411 Mr. James asked if everyone was punctual, at work by nine o'clock. Mr. Palmer replied in the affirmative and stated that Mrs . Jack is in the office when he arrives and he is in at nine o'clock. Mr. James referred to the expense budget and asked how many meetings Mr . Palmer attended. Mr. Palmer replied that there is a day meeting in April, three days in June and three days in the fall. Mr. James asked about the Out-of-State Travel budget and Mr. Palmer explained that he has joined the M.F.A. and this year, there will be a four-day session in New York City in June, and the New England one will be in Providence for three days . Mr. James said this accounts for seven days of meetings, and Mr. Palmer stated that he finds them to be very helpful. Mrs. Morey asked about the NewYork meeting, and Mr. Palmer explained that the session will be held on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and ends Thurs- day morning. He will be back in Boston at noon. Mrs. M rey asked if the meetings were yearly or once in 2 while and Mr. Palmer replied that they are held every year. Mr. Ferguson asked what the program consisted of and Mr. Palmer replied that most of it is lectures and papers are read. They usually have expert speakers on municipal finance, capital expenditures and metro- politan planning. Mr. Palmer retired at 8:30 P.M. Mrs. Rich, Collector of Taxes, met with the Board. The Chairman explained that the Board is try- ing to arrive at some percentage figure on salaries and Mrs. Rich said that she did not figure the in- Tax Collect- creases ollect- creases on a percentage basis. or budget The Chairman asked about the vacations and sick leave . Mrs. Rich stated that the Collector was en- titled to a vacation period of two weeks, Mrs. Tullar, three weeks and the two Junior Clerks, two weeks. Tllle Collector was out six days, Mrs . Tullar was out .one day and the other two clerks were out two days each. Mrs. Morey asked if Mrs . Rich thought Mrs. Tullar' s salary was too low, and Mrs . Rich replied that each girl in the office knows all the work and could carry it on. Mrs. Morey said that most of the increases are considered in the vicinity of $3.00, but Mrs . Rich's recommendations are higher. 412 z, 7 CA Mrs . Rich said that her department was left out last year and the Chairman explained that there were no general increases given last year. Mrs. Rich recommended that the balance in the Metered Mail Account be held over and that $4,000 additional be appropriated. Mrs. Rich retired at 8:45 P.M. The Planning Board met with the Selectmen. The Chairman explained that some of the members of the Board are interested to hear what the Planning Board' s opinion is relative to the municipal parking, so-called, at the Waltham Street-Marrett Road corner. They would also like to know if the Planning Board has arrived at any decision relative to Mr. Busa's culvert. Mr. Abbott referred to the Potter property on Potter Waltham Street and to that Board' s letter to Mr. Parking Potter in which it was stated that this involves the overall planning of the Town. He explained that this is something the Planning Board has planned for the future and will be in a report that is expected to be available as soon as possible after Town Meeting, maybe in June or early fall. Mr. James explained that the Board' s thought on this is that in this particular area, if one wants to consider municipal parking, this is about the only place . Mr. Abbott said that Mr. Snow has reasons why this would nbt be a desirable area for municipal parking. Mr. Snow reported that Mr. Potter had talked to the Planning Board. He feels that he could not put in a First National or an Atlantic & Pacific with the present parking . Mr. Snow said he thought this was one thing Mr. Potter had in mind when he was talking about a muni- cipal parking area in the rear. He said that the Plan- ning Board does not feel that a municipal parking area should be established to serve any one individual. He reported on a traffic count made at this particular inter- section and said that the Board does not feel that a large development such as a Super Market should be in that particular area. Mr. James said that there is now, without anything being added, a real parking problem. One of the things desirablewould be some kind of parking facilities some- where to relieve what is now a problem. He said whether the Potters put up a Super Market or any other kind of business, which they can do, will merely aggravate the situation. He said he would like to know if anything can be done to relieve an already bad problem. 413 Mr. Snow said that he agreed to some degree , but he could not see the Town building a municipal parking area for this particular development any more than for any other development . Mr. James said if something could be arranged so it will be a service to the other people in the area who do need parking for their customers, he would be in favor of it. Mr. Ferguson asked if metered parking would change Mr. Snow' s opinion, and he replied in the negative . He said the most acute parking problem there now is the one in front of Geoffroy's pharmacy. If a municipal parking area were created on this corner and a Super Market put in front of it, the park- ing area would be used exclusively for the Super Market use . Mr. Ferguson said that there is a problem with this particular location at the moment because the Town has been offered land free of charge for municipal parking, so this area at the moment becomes a special problem. He said the Planning Board does not approve of this land for parking, but recognizes the fact there is a parking problem. He asked where the Board intended to have parking. He said Mr. Potter can put up a building now and the parking ratio can' t be changed. He can put up a building and it will add to the parking problem. Mr. Snow said it would cost the Town thousands of dollars to establish a municipal parking area. Mr. Ferguson asked if the parking area would serve only one individual and MI,. Snow replied that as far as he is concerned, it would. Mr. Adams said that apparently there are two ob- jections . One objection is a matter of principle and the second one is from a traffic point of viewtiiis is not a good place for a municipal parking area. He said that as a parking lot for any general use, it is a poor location. Mr. Snow said that was correct and he did not think it would be possible to get in or out of the area during the rush hours of heavy traffic . The Chairman asked if Mr. Snow felt this would be used for one particular business and not as a neighborhood parking area. Mr. Snow said that was correct and reported that there is no land at the rear of the Homeland Realty building zoned for business. Mr. Abbott said that the Planning Board has looked into the subject, and if the Town puts in the parking, Mr. Potter could then put in a Super Market and that 414 OV will create a problem in itself From that standpoint, he did not think the Board would agree that it is a good thing for the Town to accept the land and put in a parking area. Mr. Ferguson said that the Selectmen must give the Potters an answer whether or not they want to accept the land as a gift. Mr. Adams said he thought the answer should be no. He said a Super Market is not a neighborhood store. Mr. Abbott said such a market could not go in the area without the parking. The Chairman said he did not think it would be wise for the Selectmen to accept land for a project that the Planning Board does not think is good for the Town. The Planning Board was unanimous in its opinion that it would not be in favor of accepting the land as a gift for a municipal parking area. Mr. Abbott said the Planning Board would have some- Box culvert thing for the Board next week in regard to Mr. Busa' s culvert and Lillian Road. Mr. Abbott reported that the Planning Board has been unsuccessful in its attempt to locate anyone to work on the Worthen Road project this winter and will have to wait until next summer. The Chairman asked if the Planning Board still Worthen Road feels that Worthen Road should go through and Mr. Abbott replied in the affirmative . He asked if it could go until a June meeting. The Chairman replied that as long as he can re- port progress to the Hayden people, he did not think there would be any problem. Mrs . Morey said that when the Hagerty property changes ownership it will cost the Town more money. Mr. Abbott said that actually Mr Snow will not be able to get all the information ready for June , but will have to go until September or October and asked if Worthen Road could go until an October meeting . The Chairman said he would discuss the subject with the Hayden people . The Planning Board retired at 9:45 P.V. The Appropriation Committee met with the Select- men at 9:45 P.M. and discussed Personal Service and Expense budgets for 1960 until 11:15 P.M. at which time the Appropriation Committee retired. 415 ' Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the following licenses: Lexington Motors Inc 34 Bedford St. 1st. Class Agent (ren'l. ) Geo. R. Reed & Son 1721 Mass. Ave . Common Victualler " Village Variety Store 93 Mass. Ave . Sidney & Margaret Heywood Marrett Road Early Bird Do-Nuts, Inc . 399 Lowell St. Application for a license to operate a coin music machine at the Early Bird Do-nuts, Inc ., 399 Lowell Street, was denied. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve for payment bill in the amount of $750 re- ceived from Norman T. May for services representing Legal fee the Board of Appeals in the suit of the Planning Board vs . the Board of Appeals in Middlesex Superior Court, to be paid from the Board of Appeals ' Account. The Chairman read a letter from Miss Ella Kilcup, L. Grove Street, opposing to surveying for a sidewalk on the right side of Grove Street. It was agreed to acknowledge the ]e tter and ex- plain that the survey was being made in connection with a complete layout of the entire street. The Chairman read a letter from Ephraim Martin, Postmaster, relative to handling of mail for Lexing- ton, and the transfer of this mail to the Arlington Postal Branch. The change is in line with a program of the service Postal Service to give the citizens of this Postal District an improved postal service . The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Arthur E. Burrell, Director of Civil Defense, submitting names of Robert Thompson for appointment as a Radio Officer, and Daniel A. MacDonald for appointment as a First Civil Deputy Radio Officer. Both individuals have signi- Defense Pied their willingness to accept the responsibilities of the positions and have completed the necessary oath as required by Chapter 639 of the Acts of 1950. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Robert Thompson, 11+ Normandy Road a Radio Officer and Daniel A. MacDonald, 5 Fairland Street, a First Deputy Radio Officer. Letter from Mr. Cornelius Cronin in regard to Senator Maddents inquiry, House No. 2323 was held over until the next regular meeting of the Board. 416 mmlb Cz7 6.4 Letter from the Board of Assessors relative Assessors to the revaluation of real estate for assessment purposes was held over until the next regular meeting of the Board Letter from the Civil Service relative to Welfare Compensation Plan was held over. Letter was received from the Arlington-Lexington- Bedford Jewish Community Center, inviting the Chairman to attend, on behalf of the Town, the Installation ceremony of Rabbi Herbert Rosenblum on Friday, January 15, at 8:30 P.M. It was agreed to meet Saturday morning, January 9 at 9:00 P.M. to discuss budgets. The meeting adjourned at 11:20 P.M. A true record, Attest: xee ive lerk Select 1