HomeMy WebLinkAbout1961-07-24-BOS-min SELEC TMEN'S M:JTING
July 24, 1961
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was
held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building,
on Monday, July 2L , 1961, at 7:00 P.M. Chairman Morey,
Mr. Adams and the Executive Clerk were present .
While waiting for a quorum, the Board conducted
interviews of applicants for the Women' s Safety Patrol.
Chief John W. Rycroft introduced Mrs. Barbara L.
Morrison, 7 James Street, an applicant for the Women' s
Safety Patrol.
In answer to questions Mrs . Morrison gave the
following information. Four of her five children will
be attending school and a neighbor wouldtake care of
the other one during her absence . The children are
healthy and her health is good. She would like to be
assigned to the new school and has never done this type
of work before . Previous to her marriage she worked
in an office and has worked at Raytheon since her
marriage . She does not know any of the women now
members of the Women' s Police force and has a sister-in-
law who is a police woman in Arlington.
Mrs . Morrison retired at 7:06 P.M. Applicants
for Women' s
Chief Rycroft introduced Mrs . Ella R. Murphy, Safety Patrd.
139 Maple Street .
In answer to questions Mrs. Murphy gave the
following information . She has lived in Lexington
about a year and came from Tarrytown, New York.
She expects to stay in Lexington as her husband is
employed by a paper company in Charlestown and they
have purchased their house . She would prefer the
Maple Street crossing because it is almost directly
opposite her house and she does not have a car. If
one of the children happened to'-be sick, she could
almost talk to him from the crossing. The children
have been very healthy but if necessary a neighbor
would stay with them. She worked in her father' s
office before she was married but has never done
this type of work before . She felt that she could
do it .
Mrs . Murphy retired at 7:11 P.M.
Chief Rycroft introduced Mrs . Theresa Nylander,
15 Haskell Street .
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In answer to questions, Mrs. Nylander gave the
following information. She has lived in Lexington
thirty-two years . After August 21 she will be living
on Blodgett Road across frau the Harrington School .
Her youngest child will be attending the Lexington
Academy this year . If her children were ill, she has
an aunt who would be available at almost any time and
her mother would also be available . She does not have
a car. She has never done this type of work before .
She went to college and to an Air Lines Training School
but then she married and the air lines do not employ
married women.
Mrs . Nylander retired at 7:14 P.M.
Chief Rycroft introduced Mrs. Phyllis . Thomas,
55 Ivan Street .
In answer to questions , Mrs. Thomas gave the follow-
ing information. She has lived in Lexington seven years
and if her older child was sick she could leave her
alone for an hour or so. She has a neighbor across
the street who would be willing to take care of tie
children if necessary. She does not have a car and
that is why she would like to be assigned to the Grove
Street school or the Parker School. She worked for
the John Hancock Insurance Company before her marriage
and has had experience with children having been a j
Sunday School teacher for five years . She has never
done this type of work before . Her husband is employed
by the First National Bank of Boston.
Mrs . Thomas retired at 7:19 P.M.
Messrs . Richards and Cole arrived at the meeting.
Following a discussion, it was voted to appoint
the following women to theWomenls Safety Patrol :
Mrs . Theresa Nylander, Mrs . Ella R. Murphy and Mrs .
Phyllis E. Thomas .
The Chief reported that the committee in charge
of the .L. G. Hanscom Field Days, Summer Festival, has
requested permission to drive a sound truck through
the Town rather than to have a trailer displayed at
Depot Square as they have done the past few years .
Sound truck Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to grant the request, the Chief to limit the number of
trips through the Town.
Chief Rycroft retired at 7:35 P.M.
Mr. Stevens and Mr. John Carroll arrived at the
meeting .
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to sign a contract with Seltzer & Company, Inc . in Contract for
the amount of $7, 750 for renovation of heating equip- boiler work
ment in the boiler room in Cary Memorial Building.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to approve the minutes of the Selectmen' s Meeting held Minutes
on July 10, 1961 .
Mr. Carroll reported that he had received bids
for a 2-ton truck to be used by the Park Department.
Automotive Service Company bid $5,818; Dunn Ford Com-
pany bid $5, 938; Rowe-Jackson Chevrolet bid $5, 954.20 . Truck bids
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to accept the low bid of $5,818 submitted by the
Automotive Service Company.
Mr . Carroll reported that he had invited bids for
an underground sprinkler system at the Buckman Tavern,
but had received only one bid of $2,552 from Larchmont
Engineering . Sprinkler
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted system bid
to accept the bid of $2,552 submitted by Larchmont
Engineering.
Mr. Stevens reported on the status of the Hagerty
agreement .
Mr. Stevens referred to a letter received in April
from Mark E. Gallagher, Jr. , attorney for Paul J.
McCormack and Albert C . Brun, requesting an offer in
writing of the amount the Board is willing to pay as
payment pro tanto for the taking of property owned by McCormack-
them and located on Lowell Street . Brun trial
He said he had talked with Mr. Gallagher who lawyer
feels the case will have to be tried. Mr . Stevens said
he went along with that thinking but did feel he would
not have the time to try it. He explained that it would
be coming up in September or October and he would like
to turn the trial over to Edward U. Lee who has repre-
sented various communities . He reported that he las
talked to Mr. Lee about it, but had not agreed on any
fee for his services . However, he did not think there
would be any difficulty.
Upon motion duly made andseconded, it was voted
to authorize Mr. Stevens to engage Mr. Edward U . Lee
and to turn the trial of McCormack-Brun over to him.
Mr. Stevens stated at the time of Town Meeting Mr .
Reenstierna made an appraisal of $12, 000 and that was
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the amount appropriated . He said he would like an open
vote as to settlement .
McCormack- Upon motion duly made and. seconded, it was voted
Brun settle- to offer the $12 ,000 appropriated in settlement, less
ment whatever may have been charged to it .
Mr. Stevens referred to the T C relief sewer and
reviewed the position taken by the Town in regard to
the system of assessing costs on the members . He said
he found that in the 1961 session the Dedham bill went
in again and was enacted and the cost will be assessed
'_''DC system foron the whole district . He explained that he was bring-
assessing ing this to the Board' s attention so it can be thinking •
about what should be done . He advised filing a bill
this next session and said it would require a good deal
of work by many people to get it through. He explained
that the amount appropriated for the Dedham sewer
probably will not be enough and the probability is that
next year they will have to go back for more money and,
at that time , it might be a good time for Lexington to
go back. He recommended taking the matter up with the
Town of Arlington as a first step and said he would call
the Town Manager as soon as he returns from his vacation.
Mr. Carroll reported that he had looked at Mr . Fred -
Benkley' s property on Whipple Road and decided there should be l
a 15' x 15' fence . He obtained a price of $512 from Security
Fence for
57 feet , a 3 foot gate, 6 feet high with barbed
Benkley wire on top. He reported that the wire out to the antenna
fence cables has been strung in trees and he felt it should be
higher.
It was agreed that a fence should be erected.
Mr. Stevens presented copies of Exhibit "A" , Water
Service Specifications and reported on the water contract
Water with the Air Force . No change was made in the draft
Contract as presented.
At 8:10 P.M. , Mr. Barrett, Sherman Street, came into
the meeting and asked what must be done to make an
ordinance regarding dogs . He said after talking to the
Dog Officer he would like to know what steps must be taken •
to get a stricter dog law.
Dog laws Mr . Stevens explained that the dog laws are statutory
and the matter of restricting dogs is covered under State
statute . He explained also that the Selectmen have
powers to restrict, fine or restrain. He said there is
also a County Dog Officer at the County Commissioners '
Office .
The Chairman said if Mr. Barrett would write a
letter in detail to the Board, the Board would give him an
answer .
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Mr. Barrett asked about the control of traffic
at Fletcher Avenue , Woburn Street and Massachusetts
Avenue .
Mr . Carroll reported that it had been referred
to the State Department of Public Works, Traffic
Division, and he heard from that division about a
month ago . They have worked up many designs on the
intersection, none of which were satisfactory. They Traffic
keep coming to the conclusion that the can ' t do any-
thing better than what is there now. If the traffic
is channelized, it will make it dangerous for the
traffic coming from Arlington. He said the division
plans to do some more work on it .
Mr. Barnett retired at 8 :14 P.M.
Mr. Carroll retired and Donald K. Irwin, Building
Inspector, met with the Board.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to go into executive session for the purpose of deliber-
ating, discussing or voting on a matter which, if made
public, might adversely affect the public security, the
financial interest of the Town, or the reputation of
any person .
Following a discussion relative to Charles ' store ,
1765 Massachusetts Avenue , it was voted to resume the
open meeting.
Mr . Irwin retired at 8:55 P.M. and Mr . John Carroll
returned to the meeting .
The Chairman asked if there was any feeling that
laundromats should be closed on Sundays . She said with
one proposed for the center of Town, she thought they
all should be closed. Laundromats
Mr . Adams stated that everything is closed in the
center and he felt they should be closed.
No action was taken on the matter .
Mr . Stevens retired at 9:00 P.M.
Mr. Daniel G. Wheeler and Mr . Paul Shepard of
Cabot, Cabot & Forbes, Messrs . Soule , Grindle and
Bryson of the Planning Board and Mr . Snow met with
the Selectmen .
The Chairman stated that the Selectmen assume the
Planning Boat is interested in an access to the dump.
SheYwd suggested to Mr. Wheeler that the discussion be
postponed until after the Planning Board had made a
study but he still wanted to meet with the Selectmen.
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Mr. Wheeler stated that the Selectmen had requested
that he discuss the access to the dump areas and he
thought Mr. Shepard had been in contact with Mr. Carroll .
He said they would like to have more of a commitment as
Access to to what the Town would propose doing.
limp sites The Chairman explained that the Planning Board is
trying to work out the best use of the entire area and
the Selectmen had sent Mr. Wheeler a sketch of where ,
under the initial study, the access should be . She
asked if the proposed access would be satisfactory, and
if the Planning Board proposed something else what
alternative Mr. Wheeler thought would be desirable .
Mr. Wheeler said he had been working with a company
to the extent that they agreed to pay 516,000 for engineer-
ing study to be located on the Route 128 side of Hartwell
Avenue , setting against the railroad. He explained this
was going on at the time of the March Town Meeting and
because of Cabot, Cabot & Forbes agreement not to place
anyone in the C-3 zone, they have located in Bedford. He
said two companies have been lost and a third company
found about the sanitary fill area and cancelled. He
said they still hope to locate them in the Town. He
stated that losing three companies has caused them some
concern plus the fact that their assessments were raised
to four times what they were a year ago. He said from
the Town' s point of view, the sanitary fill is the most
logical thing.
The Chairman explained that the Planning Board
will not be ready until August 7 so it is not known at the
moment where the access will be .
Mr. Wheeler said he would prefer that there be just
one access and questioned why there has to be an addi-
tional street and wondered why there must be two accesses .
He said whatever is done in rezoning there will be an
additional street which means there will be another street
for them to contend with. He would like to see something
worked up so that they would not lose any more land . He
asked why an alternate access could not be worked out
directly on 4 or 25. He said they would like to see the
entire piece taken since it cannot effectively be used.
He proposed the damages being the amount of money they
have to pay Mr. Reiss, and said he would like to know
why another street is needed . He stated that the
proposal opens private lands in the rear and he did not see
why they should have to affer through an eminent domain
taking toopen up private land as well as Town property .
The Chairman said the Board would have to wait for
the Planning Board to present its plan.
The Chairman referred to a previous discussion about
the cemetery land and stated that the Cemetery Commissioners
desire to extend the cemetery.
Mr. Wheelersaidone ai he has an option on parcel of
land as protection from speculation around them. He
said they had tied up the Chinese fellow' s property at
the rear of the cemetery which has about eight acres, and
were trying to tie up the property right adjacent, but
were outbid. He said the option will run out the end Cemetery
of August or September and they would be willing to land
turn it over if it has merit to the cemetery or it
could be dropped and negotiations carried on with the
private individual. He said he would meet with whomever
the Board suggests and go over the option. If the
Town is not interested in acquiring the land, he would
hold the option until the zoning question is settled.
The Chairman referred to theRinaldo property and
Mr . Soule said the Planning Board would like to see that
brought to the Town for rezoning, and asked how deeply
interested the National Historical Park is in the pro-
perty. He said the Planning Board does not want to be-
come involved in zoning some land in which the Park is
interested. Rinaldo
Mr . Snow said he knew the park is interested. land
Mr . Wheeler said he did meet with Mr. Small who
said this would not in any way affect the present or
proposed takings .
Mr. Soule said the Planning Board would like to
hear from the National Park people and he thought Mr.
Snow could write to an individual . He said the Select-
men should write the letter but Mr. Snow has been
interested and the Selectmen could delegate the privilege
to him to write the letter .
Mr. Snow said he could make a telephone call and
the Chairman felt that more time and thought should be
given than merely an answer to a telephone call .
The Chairman said itdid not look as though this
land would be affected, and it was left that Mr. Snow
would write the letter.
Mr. Shepard referred to land on Spring Street,
presented a pl-_n and reported that he had recently
asked the State in writing what it intended to do
and the reply was that they do not know what their
plans are . Spring St .
Mr . Wheeler said they have held this property
since 1958 with the proposed taking on it and would
like the Town' s reaction as to whether or not he
finD;›
ley:
should just wait for the State to come up with an
answer or if he should go ahead and develop: the pro-
perty just allowing for the widening of Route 2.
Mr. Snow said it has been definitely decided
that Spring Street will be-relocated.
The Board was in agreement that Mr. Wheeler should
proceed to merchandise the property .
Messrs . Wheeler and Shepard retired at 9:55 P.M.
Letter was received from the Planning Board rela-
tive to the acquisition, as an addition to the Center
Playground and as a site for the future extension of
Parker Street, land cwned by C . Henry Jackson .
C . Henry Mr . Richards said all the Planning Board is asking
Jackson for is authority to enter into some type of negotiations
property and he thought there should be a more definite proposal.
He said the Board should also know the length of time
Mr. Jackson would be renting the property or using it
free of charge .
Mr. Soule said the Planning Bawd was thinking
about paying Mr. Jackson so much money now which
would buy the entire property and allow him to use
the property for a specified period of time , and is
asking for authority to enter into such an agreement .
The Chairman pointed out that such an agreement
would be limiting Mr . Jackson' s sons scope of business
who is now only thirty-five .
It was agreed that the Planning Board should make
preliminary inquiries as to what can be worked out if
the Town wanted to acquire lot "A" , lot "B" or the
entire property.
Mr. Soule reported that the Planning Board had re-
ceived a letter from a Miss Carroll of Boston who owns
some land in Meagherville and would like to sell it to
the Town. He said the Board has written her and said
Lot in the Town would purchase it for `100.
Meagherville Mr. Adams asked what it was being purchased for
and Mr. Soule replied that the Planning Board has enough
money in its option account to pay her $100 for it.
The Selectmen were in favor of acquiring the parcel
for $100 .
The Planning Board retired at 10:08 P.M.
Mr. Carroll referred to bids opened last Monday
for resurfacing streets and reported the low bidder
was Essex Bituminous Concrete Corporation, with a bid
of $36,340 . The second low bidder was Warren Brothers
with a bid of $37, 730 .
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to award the contract to Essex Bituminous Concrete Bid for re-
Corporation for B36, 340 . and tosign the agreement con- surfacing
tained in the contract documents as soon as the same streets
has been completed.
Mr. Carroll referred to bids opened today on
street construction, including the parking lot, and
reported the low bidder was Carter Construction
Corsoration and V. De Angelo, a joint venture ,
with a bid of •$12L , 879.75. The second low bidder
was J. J. Ryan Construction, Inc. with a bid of Street con-
$129,589.85. He reported that Carter ' s bid had been struction
verified and found it to be correct . He explained contract
that , in an attempt to save time , they had the bidders
checked ,ahen they took out the plans and they were also
questioned today by Whitman & Howard. On the basis
of the information obtained from Whitman & Howard and
the fact that they were the low bidder, he recommended
awarding the contract to Carter.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to award the contract to Carter Construction Corpo-
ration and V. DeAngelo for 5312 ,879.75 and to sign
the agreement contained in the contract documents as
soon as the same has been completed.
Mr. Carroll referred to bids opened today on sewer
work and reported the low bidder was B & R Construction
Company, Tnc . and A. Luchetti & Sons, a joint venture ,
with a bid of $120, 851.50. The second low bidder was Sewer bids
R. A. Buccella & Sons with a bid of $134, 7 .2 .00 . He
said he did not know very much about these people ex-
cept the fact they have done some good work for the Town
on sidewalks . However, he did not recommend awarding
the contract until further information has been obtained
about the company.
Mr. Carroll suggested that the Board give some con-
sideratien to petitioning the County to lay Massachusetts
Avenue out as a county way, and said that work will have Mass . Avenue
to be done on the street and it will be very expensive .
Letter we.s received from Maxfield Parrish, Jr ., 7
Paul Revere Road, expressing concern about the possible
loss of two trees in connection with the construction
of the proposed sidewalk and recommending a procedure
to be followed . Sidewalk
Mr. Carroll reported that the trees to which Mr.
Parrish referred will not have to be taken down.
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Letter was received from William A. Delaney, 30
Hathaway Road, together with petition, asking the Town •
Complaint to assume responsibility of an open drainage ditch at
re drainage the north end of Hathaway Road, which the people in
ditch the area believe to be a definite danger to children
and a potential health hazard.
The subject was discussed with Mr. Carroll who pre •
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sented a plan and explained that the developer was re-
quired to put a culvert at the end of the road. He ex-
plained that this was an existing waterway and he did
not think the Town should take any action.
Before arriving at a decision, it was agreed to view
the ditch.
A letter was received from Harold Conant, 47 Lincoln
Street, claiming damages in the amount of $13 .20 for re-
Claim for pairs to the exhaust pipe on his car which he claimed
damages was necessary as the result of running over an angle
iron in the dump.
It was agreed to refer the claim to Mr . Stevens .
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
Chapter 90 sign a Memorandum of Agreement for Chapter 90 Highway
Maintenance .
Upon motion duly made andseconded, it was voted
Pole to grant the petition and approve the order for a j/o
location pole location on Pelham Road, southeasterly side, ap-
proximately 1, 075 feet southwest of Massachusetts
Avenue .
Letter was received from Howard A. Bridgman, 277
Waltham Street, asking to have the Town replace rocks
in his stonewall that have been torn down and thrown
Stonewall on the sidewalk.
Mr. Richards suggested that Mr. Bridgman be ad-
vised that the Town will inspect thearea to see that
there are no rocks impeding the use of the sidewalk
or creating a dangerous hazard for the pedestrians, and
to thank him for calling the situation to the Boa:?dTs
• attention .
Mr. Adams reported that he had received complaints
Sidewalk about parking on the sidewalk at the Manor Spa and
suggested that a white line be painted indicating the
sidewalk.
Mr. Carroll recommended using blocks as he did
at McKayts stores on Bedford Street.
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Letter was received from Mr . Carroll, with a copy
of his letter to the Planning Board, concerning a
recent amendment to the subdivision control law which
he believes has the effect of weakening that law. Subdivision
It was agreed that Mr. Carroll should discuss the control law
subject with the Planning Board and report back to the
Selectmen .
Mr. Carroll retired at 11:04 P.M.
Letter was received from Edwin B. Worthen, Jr. ,
asking the Board to consider relettering the tablet of
the old Revolutionary Monument on the Common and re-
pairing the signboard near the monument . Revolutionay
Mr. Carroll had reported that the signboard has monument
been repaired and painted by the Park Department.
It was agreed to include an item in the 1962
budget to cover tEE cost of relettering the monument .
The Chairman referred to the discussion with the
Planning Board earlier in the evening relative to the
National Historical Park ' s interest in the Rinaldo
property.
In reconsidering the subject, the Board felt that
a letter should be sent to theNational Park by the
Selectmen and not Mr. Snow. It was suggested that Rinaldo land
the Park be advised that there is reason to believe
the land will be rezoned for C-3, industrial district,
and it is being notified of this proposed change .
It was agreed that the Chairman should contact
Mr . Soule in the morning and advise him of the Board' s
decision.
Report was received from Mr. Donald K. Irwin,
Building Inspector, of his investigation of Marshall ' s Marshall ' s
Bakery, 315 Marrett Road. bakery
It was agreed to send Mr. Douglas S . Robertson
a resume of Mr . Irwin' s report .
A copy of Mr . Snow' s letter to theBoston Edison
Company relative to an estimate of the cost of relo-
cation of about 2300 feet of the company' s right-of-
way, in connection with the development of an industrial
district, was noted, together with the company' s reply,
and placed on file .
The Chairman reported that Mr. Carroll, Town
Treasurer, would like authorization to borrow $500,000 Borrowing
in anticipation of revenue .
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Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to authorize Mr. Carroll, Town Treasurer, to borrow
$500,000 in anticipation of revenue .
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
Appointments to appoint the following individuals as Election Officers
for terms expiring September 1, 1962 .
Decision relative to painting a white traffic line
on Moreland Avenue was held over , (Board to view) .
Notice was received from the Middlesex County
Selectmen' s Association of a Sumner Meeting to be held
Saturday, August 12, at Sunset Acres, Ashby.
The Clerk was instructed to place the item on the
agenda for the next meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 11 :32 P.M.
A true record, Attest :
.ExecutiveClerk, SelectMen