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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 . 9 • L 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 '?M!�a 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 . • 1 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. iNno twc 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. r. 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 • - 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. Ir 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 . r 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