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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-01-06-BOS-min 177 SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 6, 1975 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, January 6, 1976, at 7 30 p.m Chairman Kenney, Messrs Bailey, Buse, and Mrs Battin; Mr. O'Connell, Town Manager; Mr Cohen, Town Counsel; Mr. McSweeney, Director of Public Works/Engineering; Mrs MCCurdy, Executive Clerk, Were present At the request of the Town Clerk, the following jurors weme Jurors drawn Dora A. Carr 455 Lowell Street Bernard R. Danti 74 Bloomfield Street Mr. O'Connell informed the Board that the Minute Man Regional Vocational School is scheduled to be opened on January 13, 1975, and as a result of a letter from our Building Commissioner, he had alerted the School Superintendent that all necessary permits must be obtained in order to have a Certificate of Occupancy issued Mr. O'Connell recommended the approval of the Board of a reserve Transfer- transfer of $1100 to Account 2930-Office Machine Repairs, due to a Acct mechanical failure during the water billing period If these repairs 2930 are made, it will mean several more years of use for this machine; a new machine would cost approximately $5-6,000 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request approval of the Appropriation Committee of a transfer from the Reserve Fund to Account 2930 in the amount of $1100 Mr O'Connell discussed the Center swimming pool recreation Center area. This pool is about 40 years old and, last year, Mr Bertini Pool had expressed his concern about a possible breakdown. In our review, Area we pinpointed two different problems - the old water filter on the main pool and an inadequate number of boy's toilet facilities. We first determined it would be $20,000 to redesign and modernize the pool but, out of related capital budget planning, the decision was made to make $10,000 available to study the recreation need, and assigned it to the Planning Board for study We included in that plan a trailer with toilet facilities Since that time, as a result of more information and estimates of cost of installing that system Mr. McSweeney determined that the program, if it followed the State standards, would represent an additional $35,000 We do not be- lieve that the condition of the pool and the question of the future can in any way justify going this far on a maintenance type program. We suggest that the Board call for a meeting with the Planning Board and the Recreation Committee to re-examine what the best short- range course of action would be Can we get by if the addition of a filter is going to cost $40,000? It is no longer a get-by maintenance but a major renovation 178 Selectmen% Meeting January 6, 1975 Chairman Kenney : The Manager is saying that in order to upgrade the pool, you are talking $150-200,000. We should have the meeting in order to alert people that we are in for a major expense for the pool, and decide if we want to keep that pool It was agreed to arrange a meetingwith the PlanningBoard 9 9 to discuss the CenterP ool. r Fire Deputy Fire Chief Silva, Personnel Board and the Appropria- Dept tions Committee met with the Board Deputy Silva We request one more man per shift and would like to create a new position for a 5-days a week Fire Prevention Officer In 1968, we had 54 firefighters on a 50 4 work week In 1971, the Town voted to give a reduction to a 42 hour work week. We are working 15 men per working shift and we are asking for a 16-man coverage, with a total of 65 men TheAppropriation Committee wanted to know the insurance class- ification of the Town and the Insurance man told me that on a scale of 1 - 10 we rate 5 I asked how long it had been since that rating but he could not tell me. When I asked what we should do about it, he said that it was up to the Selectmen and the Town Manager I have worked up some charts and, on frequency and trends, I used July, 1974 as an example During July, we had 3 men on vacation and a 12-man working shift. Mr O'Connell One point I would emphasize that on some calls we would have 4 pieces of equipment out plus the ambulance The equipment is fully extended. Chairman Kenney Is July a heavy month? Deputy Silva It is our lightest month; October is heavy. Mr O'Connell 3 to 4 and 9 tod10 are heavy hours Deputy Silva On Authorized Time Off with Pay - disability has gone up from 135 days to 165 days For a total force of 60 men next year, we have 12 more vacation weeks added to our schedule because of seniority. Mr. Chapman What alternatives are there? You have a variety of frequency of calls, and is there any way to shift manpower? Deputy Silva No, we work a 10-hour day Mr. Bernier Voluntary call-back is the alternative to more people Mr O'Connell That could take care of the planned staff but not the emergency requirement. Mr. McGonagle Do I understand that when you have a call for an ambulance plus 4 pieces of equipment, you still have 3 pieces of equipment immobilized? Deputy Silva Right Mr McGonagle Even if you had 1 more MAft, you would have 2 pieces that would not move U 179 Selectmen's Meeting January 6, 1975 Chairman Kenney It has been the position of the Board that there is need for beefing-up, skid the Manager is giving the recommend- ations. I am not saying the rate of speed we are getting to it but want you to be aware that we know of the problem. Deputy Silva I don't mind waiting a little while if I can get a couple of men this year and a couple next year. Mr McGonagle What about extra pieces of equipment? Mr Bailey On the first alarm, you wouldn't send them out even if you had the people. Mr Bernier It hasn't been mentioned that you have to keep a man back for Mutual Aid Deputy Silva We call a man in Mr Busa: HOw long does it take to get call-back men on duty? Deputy Silva I have been back in less than 5 minutes Mr Busa I am trying to determine the time lapse Deputy Silva 7 to 10 minutes, average. Chairman Kenney thanked Deputy Silva for his presentation, and he, Mr. Bernier, and the Personnel Advisory Board retired from the meeting; The Board discussed the Articles to be inserted in the 1975 Insert Annual Town Warrant Warrant Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to insert Articles the bundretal Articles in the Warrant for the 1975 Annual Town Meeting; including 8 Citizens' Articles NOTE See Selectmen's Meeting :of February 3, 1975 The Board discussed the proposal from the League of Women Voters Recreation for appointments to the Recreation Study Committee, consisting of Study one representative of each Board of Selectmen, PLanning Board, Committee Recreation Committee, School Committee, League of Women Voters, Friends of Recreation; three At-Large members After discussion, the Board agreed to establish a 7-member committee Representative of Selectmen, Planning Beard, Rec- reation, School Committee, League of Women Voters, and two At- Large members. Nominees will be requested The Board discussed the request from the Sheraton Lexington Sheraton Motor Inn for an extension of hours to 1 00 a.m. under the Inn- Lexi Motor holder liquor license because of the Bicentennial year and, also, Inn the competition from Ether establishments. It was the feeling of the Board not to change from 12 00 Midnight Chairman Kenney I would like to be able to assist them in serving their guests but it doesn't seem to fall in line with the Town's vote on liquor, as they have the license in conjunction with serving food. If they have some special event scheduled, let them write to us fot an extension of hours I iso Selectmen's Meeting January 6, 1975 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to deny the request of the Sheraton Lexington Motor Inn for an extension of hours to 1 00 a m. but to inform them that requests for an extension for special functions may be submitted to the Board for consideration. Heitman Chairman Kenney read a report from Mr. McSweeney regarding Philip Rd. a request from Mrs John Heitman, 34 Rockville Avenue, for an abatement of the street betterment assessment of $940 on Lot 112, Street Philip Road. The report states "that Mrs Heitman bases her argument on the fact that she bought her property free of any known liens or encumbrances as the former owner, Mr. Carlson, had not been notified of the street betterment Her argument has some truth but no legal basis unless Town Counsel thinks otherwise " Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to refer Mrs. Heitman's request to Town Counsel for an opinion. water Chairman Kenney read a letter from Mr Robert Chen, Arlington, Canection requesting information as to the possibility of a water connection #7 Ridge Rd to Lot #7, Ridge Road as he is interested in purchasing the lot A report from Mr McSweeney states that the petition must be received from the owner, not the potential owner of the lot. The Board agreed to so inform Mr Chen. Chairman Kenney read. a letter from Mr Robert D. Wright, 24 Meriam Street, requesting the replacement of the concrete side- walk bordering his property with a new sidewalk of similar concrete construction. A report from Mr. McSweeney states that this project will be constructed in the spring Mr. Wright is to be so informed. Crosswalks - Chairman Kenney read a report from Mr McSweeney stating that Reed/Bedford the crosswalks at the intersection of Bedford and Reed Streets have Streets been painted, as requested by Mr. Trimhold. The Board discussed the petition for a pedestrian light at the Munroe Munroe School and it was agreed to arrange a meeting with the Munroe School School P T A. and the Traffic Safety Committee to discuss sufficient Signal traffic gaps Executive Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Session Executive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating or voting on matters which, if made public, might adversely affect the public security, the interests of the Town or the reputation of a person 181 Selectmen's Meeting January 6, 1975 After discussion of land acquisitiin, collective bargaining, it was voted to go out of Executive Session Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 9 35 p m. A true record, Attest /f- Executive Clerk, Selectmen 1 I