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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1969-01-06-BOS-min 136 SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 6, 1969 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, January 6, 1969 at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Cataldo, Messrs. Cole, Mabee, Kenney and Greeley were present. Mr. Legro, Town Counsel; Mr. Gray, Executive Assistant; Mr. Burke, Superintendent of Public Works; Mr. McSweeney, Town Engineer; Mr. Wenham, Assistant Superintendent of Public Works, and Mrs. McCurdy, Executive Clerk. Mr. Gray informed the Board that he had received a call from Otis Brown regarding a TMMA meeting on January TMMA 16, at 8:00 P.M. at the Science Lecture Hall; the meeting is solely on the Junior High School and the Board is in- vited to attend. Mr. Gray informed the Board that part of the project at the "res" is the construction of a building on the site. old He asked how the Board would like to proceed with the de- Res sign. The Chairman said that under the By-Laws, the project is assigned to the Permanent Building Committee. Mr. Gray was instructed to set up an appointment for Mr. Taylor to meet with the Board on next Monday evening. The Chairman read a letter from the Boston Edison Leave to Company, requesting leave to withdraw a joint petition to withdraw install two hip guy and anchors on Marrett Road. Marrett Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to Road approve the request of the Boston Edison Company to with- draw a joint petition to install two hip guy and anchors on Marrett Road. The Chairman read a letter from the Planning Board regarding an access driveway of the Junior High School. Mr. Zaleski had been asked to discuss this with the Traf- fic Committee. Jr. High Mr. Gray said that Mr. Zaleski had submitted three School possibilities of accesses. As a result of a letter from the Planning Board, the Architect met with us and it is the opinion of the Traffic Committee that there should be one access on Marrett Road and a possible one-way in and one-way out, and rather than have a problem on Mar- rett Road, as long as there is a pedestrian walk somewhere, the Architect agreed that this would make some sense; they are coming back on Wednesday morning with an alternate proposal. We were not in favor of this particular type of 137 thing. They are coming in with one point of exit; one entrance to come out at the same place. After the meeting on Wednesday morning, we will make recommendations to the Board. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to Lodging sign a Lodging House License for Wild Acre Inn at 50 Percy License Road. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Chairman to sign Liquor Identification Licenses for: I.D. Kenneth A. Barlow 391 Lowell Street John S. Boyd 4. Oxbow Road Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign Common Victualler Licenses for the following: Comm. Pepe 's 856 Mass. Avenue Viet. Bellino's 141 Mass. Avenue Meredith Foods, Inc. 321 Woburn Street Mr. Cole reported that there is a controversy over the bill to change the celebration of April 19 from a Monday. The bill will not go through in time to allow the Celebrations Committee to plan. April 19 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to direct the Town Celebrations Committee to plan the cele- bration for April 21, 1969, in conformity with the State. The Chairman asked Mr. Cole if he had talked. with Mr. Nickerson regarding the Minute Man National Park Ad- visory Committee. Bicenten- Mr. Cole said that he had not. He did suggest that nial their Committee be responsible for the 1975 celebration; they are better able to more personally direct a good celebration than anyone else. The Chairman asked Mr. Cole to meet with Mr. Nicker- son and report back to the Board. Mr. Adams said that he would hate to have the Bi- centennial go by without something being done. Mr. Greeley suggested a flag raising ceremony. In Battle this same connection, what is the policy of flying the Green Flag flag at halfmast? If we have a flag flown pursuant to an Act of Congress, it should not be dipped. 138 The Chairman said that the flag is still the Town's; all the Act did was give us permission to fly it twenty- four hours a day. My feeling is, it is still the Town's and the people are the most important, just as important as international figures. That is Our main flag. This subject has come up several times. Mr. Cole agreed with the Chairman. Mr. Greeley did not agree. He said that we asserted ' the initiative- this is a flag of significance and we went to Congress; the flag should be accorded a different kind of significance. The Chairman said that the Board can change it but this has been the position for some time; this has been the custom and tradition. The Chairman asked Mr. Legro if he had gone over the Great Meadow contract? Mr. Legro said that he has looked at the proposal and assumes there will be some refinements when the joint committees work on it. The point is, who is going to let Great the contract? We should see what Arlington is going to Meadows propose and act in the best interests of the Town. The Chairman said that Arlington is going to give it to the Great Meadow Committee. I can't see getting into a position of giving it to some other Board. Mr. Legro said that this is Arlington's land and we got authority to contribute to their project. When we spent the $10,000, we got fair value and limit our liabi- lity. The Chairman said to let them draw a contract and we will look at it and see if we are protected and let them let the contract. Mr. Legro said that he didn't think we have any authority to enter into any contracts on Arlington's land. If we do contribute, see that the Town gets a fair return for our money and gives you the things we are looking for. Messrs. Daniel Friel and Bill Jones of the Boston Edison Company and Chief Corr met with the Board. Edison Co. The Chairman said that the reason for the meeting Snow storm is because of the recent storm. We understand full well the problems of that night but we want to get things equared away. I received a call from Chief Corr at 11:30 P.M. saying we had lost the power at 7:15 P.M. and he was unable to get an answer at the Edison Company. I called the emergency number and the first time the line was busy, then I got the Dispatcher to get Mr. Cooper and he not only said that he couldn't, but wouldn't, answer as to why we only had one crew here in Town. He wouldn't give me a number to call but told me he would call me. I waited L5 minutes and called him back. Once again, I explained my 139 feelings and he said that he would call Mr. aueeley, who called me back to say that there was one crew in East Lexington and one from the Woburn line was just coming in; he couldn't give me any idea of when to expect power. I told him there was no power at the housing for the elderly, and someone in Town was in an iron lung; I needed answers and he couldn't give me any. What we want to do is get things squared away for when we are looking for information; when the Chief calls, he de- serves not only answering the phone but some answers. We had no way of knowing what to do, and I don't think we should operate this way; with 33,000 people in Lexington, there should have been more crews in Lexington. We want answers that are adhered to; this is the area we want to go over with you. Mr. Friel asked, can't the fire and police get the answers from the dispatchers? The Chairman said that the police have the tele- phone number and Chief Corr got no answers, only the answering service. At 2:00 a.m. I made the call to Boston. Mr. Jones said that the number is Garrison 7-7600. Chief Corr said that the Woburn phones were not answering, Boston was. Mr. Jones said that a private line goes directly to the supervisor and dispatcher. Mr. Kenney asked if Chief Corr has the unlisted number? Chief Corr replied that he had tried the Woburn number first; the numbers we have to call on failure are the published numbers . Mr. Friel said that the numbers he had go into our dispatching office. Mr. Jones said that the only thing he could say was there was so much trouble in every town and if there were five or ten calls at one time. . . Chief Corr said that he tried to find out why there was one truck in Town. When I called, that truck was called to Arlington and there was not a truck at that time in Town. The Chairman and I were out in the street with five cruisers, trying to locate an Edison truck. We would estimate there were two thousand phone calls coming through the police desk saying they couldn't reach the Edison Company. One of our cruisers went to Grove Street to see the patient in the iron lung and called the fire department to start the generator. We don't think we have to answer for Edison. At one point, we were told that a survey crew was supposed to be in North Lexington looking around trying to find where the trouble was. I found one at Ledgelawn Avenue and the man 140 was reluctant to give any answers; I went back one hour later and he was still sitting there. Mr. Jones said that he was supposed to stay there, there were wires down. The Chairman asked, two of them? We could believe nothing. Mr. Friel said that there was only one truck at that time. The Chairman said another one was sent into the housing for the elderly and he left; I told him that he only had the housing turned on and most of the Town was out. I understand full well in a storm like that it is bad, but I can't understand why an operation would be set up like that. Mr. Friel said that it was not set up that way where the police and fire couldn't get to our dispatcher. When I called Mr. Q.ueeley to check, the truck was on its way. The Chairman said that up until that time we only had one; I don't see why with a Town the size of Lexington and the amount of trouble we had, there was only one crew. For three or four hours, there was no answer. Mr. Friel said that Lexington, as a whole, wasn't badly off as far as trouble and wires down; I just can't understand not being able to get into the dispatcher's center. He asked Chief Corr if he has had any trouble before? Chief Corr replied, not at other times. The Chairman said that he would like to know who we call and have it understood that the next time we get our share of crews in here in less than 4 or 5 hours. We are responsible for 33,000 people; we have an emer- gency and we could be of some help to you; we can't allow it to happen again. Mr. Friel said that this is the first time I have known it to happen to you; we have direct lines for police and fire and they are on PJB. hours. Chief Corr said that the people in there won't give the answers we wanted to hear. Mr. Jones said that they may not have had the in- formation. The Chairman said that we are telling you to get somebody in there with answers. Mr. Jones said that one of the survey men came into the police station and he has a radio in his car. Mr. Friel said that the survey man goes out ahead and finds the trouble. The Chairman said that the survey man was sitting up on Ledgelawn Avenue. Chief Corr said that there were two civil defense men there directing people around the wires. 141 Mr. Jones said that the man showed poor initiative. Chief Corr said that the man asked, who wants to know? The Chairman said that the first answer we got was when we talked to Mr. Friel. Chief Corr asked what would happen if we had a deep freeze immediately following that storm? Mr. Friel said that we would have been back that next day. We had everything back Sunday night. The Chairman said that he felt the worst part is, if we didn't get out of bed, we wouldn't have had you for two days. Mr. Friel said that when the Chairman had called him, two crews were on their way; on Sunday, there were three crews. Chief Corr asked, where did you find them? Mr. Friel said that people are off Saturday. Chief Corr said that in an emergency, he calls his men in. Mr. Friel said that it takes time to call them all in; some people are on vacation and get people from other power companies, Brockton and Connecticut companies. Chief Corr asked if he didn't consider the Boston Edison like the police department and reach these people, no matter where they were? Mr. Friel said that we had crews in there in the afternoon. Chief Corr said that they weren't out all night. We only had one truck until 3 o' clock in the morning. Mr. Friel said that some worked 30, L.0 or 50 hours straight. This business of only one crew - you should have been told what circuits are out and estimates of when they would be back on. The Chairman said that Mr. Cooper would tell me nothing. We can't change what has happened; we want to change the future. We would like to set up numbers to be used by police, fire and public works and would like a guarantee from you in case of this type of thing, we will get what is coming to us as far as crews in here to do the job. Mr. Greeley said that we have had discussion with Edison and have been told how much more expensive it is to put it underground. If you save money on an ice crew, he wished they would figure the money on the cost. Mr. Friel said that they would still have to dig to find the trouble and it is four times more costly. Mr. Greeley didn't agree and said, your cost esti- mates last weekend - you don't charge to maintain services during an ice storm. Mr. Friel said that an ice storm is worse than a hurricane. . 1412 Mr. Greeley said that if they are going to maintain services during a hurricane and an ice storm, you must have more crews and Lexington is paying for interruption of services ; you should figure a better cost to maintain. It.isa.very important point; when we talk about maintain- ing overhead wires, they say they hope they don't have an ice storm. Mr. Jones said that they have quite a bit of Aere- dex cable in Lexington and it is working out very well as it is a perfectly clear cable. The Chairman asked if a limb falling on it will affect it? Mr. Friel said that most of the trouble is from the pole to the house. They are getting underground costs more than ever before and if it is faulty, it is a job to find it. Mr. Friel said that we will be out to the police station and public works and give them the numbers to call. The Chairman said that we want it understood that if the Chief or public works calls, they will get an answer. Mr. Friel said that he will check it and hopes it doesn't happen again. Chief Corr suggested that one man be assigned to this Town that we could call and give these troubles to. The Chairman said that we can get that squared away if they work through Chief Corr. Mr. Friel and Mr. Jones retired from the meeting. Mr. McSweeney discussed the streets that would be approved under Chapter 90; the list should be given to Chapter the DPW. If the Planning Board is serious about Worthen 90 Road, it could be considered; from the Bowman School up to the Church property, 550' , $65,000. The Chairman said that is a Planning Board request; they are asking for a 441 width pavement. Mr. McSweeney said that they would go along with a 70' width. Mr. Kenney asked if this could be amended down to 30 feet? We should have an answer for it. The Chairman asked if the Board would consider Worthen Road? Mr. Mabee said that he would go along with this if the Board works out a definite policy; before we come up with another one, we have to get a lot of people together and iron it out. Mr. Greeley said, not unless we get a commitment from the developer. The Chairman said that it i'ouid take two years. If they want Worthen Road at 550' , we will need $5,000 more. 143 Mr. McSweeney agreed. We have available approxi- mately $95,000 on Chapter 90 and $35,000 on Chapter 679 and 616. The Chairman said that we have to decide. Mr. McSweeney said that a design has been made on Worthen Road and Mass. Avenue. The Chairman mentioned Lincoln Street, from Marrett Road down; there is a drain problem, sidewalk and tree problem. Mr. Gray said that section would probably qualify. The Chairman said that we will look at some roads and finally decide in order to make decisions for the Warrant. Mr. Greeley said that if we get to Town Meeting and they turn down Worthen Road, we forget Spring Street and might get Marrett Road. Mr. Kenney asked if they had to designate Chapter 679? The Chairman said that we have to. Mr. McSweeney said that it was his understanding if Town Meeting approves 679 money, we get the check. The Chairman said that we have to get the authority to use it. Mr. McSweeney said that if authority is given by Town Meeting to spend it, in six or eight weeks, the money is in the treasury. There is a balance of $32,000 ori Maas. Avenue money and we are asking for authority to transfer. Mr. Legro said that, asking about the money for Mass. Avenue, that money comes into the Town and must be here before you can appropriate it; this is the procedure that must be followed; if that money cannot come in and go in- to E & D, it comes in and must be earmarked. Mr. McSweeney said that the Town doesn't have to appropriate 679 or 616 money at Town Meeting. Mr. Kenney said that it behooves us to have a few alternatives. The Chairman said that what will suffice for Chapter 90 will suffice for the other two. Mr. Greeley asked about Route 2. Mr. McSweeney said that it has tentatively been ap- proved to come in at the National Park, a connection at 2A, Route 2A Mr. Greeley wondered what it does to Lincoln Street. Mr. Gray said that there is no connection from Lincoln Street to Route 2. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing, Executive deliberating or voting on matters which, if made public, Session 114 might adversely affect the public security, the financial interests of the Town or the reputation of a person. After discussion of matters of financial interest to the Town, it was voted to gottut,ffExecutive Session. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 9:50 p.m. A true record, Attest : f 1 /��i c ei' Executive Clerk, Selen Tr c"— i 1 •