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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1961-10-23-BOS-min 142 tt • S'ELEC TM,- N' S MEETING October 23, 1961 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, October 23, 1961, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Morey, Messrs . Adams , Ferguson, Richards and Cole were present . Mr. Stevens , Town Counsel, Mr . Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, and the Executive Clerk were also present . Mr . Stevens referred to a communication received by the Board on October 9, 1961 from the State Depart- ment of Public Works relative to an agreement in con- Agreement rection with the installation of 12-inch and 1L-inch asbestos cement sewer pipes, 8-inch and 12-inch cast • iron cement lined water mains and 48-inch reinforced concrete pipes to be installed in connection with the reconstrucedon of a portion of Route 128. He reported that the agreement has been prepared, is acceptable to him and the Metropolitan District Commission and is now in order for the Board to sign. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the agreement submitted by Mr. Stevens . The original and copies were taken by Mr . Stevens . Notice was received from the Metropolitan District Commission of a hearing to be held on October 31, 1961 Ma; Hearing on proposed improvements or extensions to the Metro • - politan District Water System. Mr. Carroll was requested to represent the Town at the hearing. Mr. Cole presented a proposed proclamation per- taining to United Fund week . Proclamation Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to proclaim the week of November 3 - 10, 1961 as United Fund Week in Lexington. Letter was received from the State Department of Public Works relative to the law authorizing towing of vehicles . Mr . Stevens explained that the Town By-Law pro- vides for towing cars interfering with the work of removing or plowing snow or removing ice , but the law to which the State refers is broader in its scope . This law provides for towing cars from areas where No Parking is permitted bathes the disadvantage of 143. • making the rules and regulati: ns subject to the approval of the Department of Public Works . He said he had an idea this was going to be rewritten, there being some Towing feeling that it is inadequate . vehicles Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to refer the communication to the Traffic Committee for study and recommendation . The Chairman read a letter from Mrs . Mary C . Whittemore , 39 Dawes Road, stating that while attending a hearing in Estabrook Hall on Dctober 11, her coat Claim for stuck to one of the seats, and in trying to remove it, damage to all the velvet finish remained on the chair: Mrs . coat Whittemore wrote that she paid B65 for the coat six months ago and asked what the Boa °d intended to do about replacing the coat. Mr . Stevens advised that Mrs . Whittemore had no legal rights, the Town is under no ob ,.igation and under such circumstances has no right to make any reimburse- ment:: . It was agreed to so advise Mrs . Whittemore and tell her that the chairs have been inspected and the Board wondered if there oould be anything in the manufacture of the coat that caused the velvet finish to come off. The Chairman reported that Mr. Fred Benkley, 35 Whipple Road, called her and stated that he had Mr. Coleman and someone else appraise his property and it was worth much more than t1, 000 the Board had offered. He said he did not feel he could settle for that but would take 1300 . Benkley Mr . Ferguson said he felt the same as he did before Claim when the Board approved settlement of $1,000. Mu . Adams said he did not see any justification in a change of what has been proposed to Mr . Benkley. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Chairman to call Mr . Benkley and tell him that the Board. is sympathetic but the settlement of x:1, 000 previously offered, remains unchanged. The Chairman reported that she , Mr . Stevens, and Mr . Carroll met last Friday morning with three representa- tives from the Air Force relative to the proposed Water Service Contract . Air Force Mr . Stevens explained that he had received a call Water Con- Thursday from a civilian in the office of Mr. Mallen re- tract questing an appointment for them to meet with him on Monday. He told them that any further meeting would be with others , so he arranged with the Chairman and 144 Mr . Carroll to meet Friday, and reported on that meeting . • He read a letter, addressed to the Board, and dated October 20, 1961, which, among other thincs, requested consideration be given to an additional thirty day ex- tension of Notice of Termination . Mr. Richards moved that the Board table any action on the request to extend the time of termination beyond November 1, 1961. Mr . Stevens suggested that the last paragraph in the Board ' s letter be revised to read that the Board was delaying any action until next week as it believed it should have final word from the Air Force by then. Mr. Ferguson suggested that the Air Force be ad- vised that the Board was not taking any action at this time on the recuest for an extension. He said he would go along with granting them fifteen more days, providing a letter is written to the Commanding Officer in Bedford stating that the Board expects him to see that this is expedited now. Mr . Adams seconded Mr . Richards ' motion to table any action on the request to extend the time of termi- nation beyond November 1, 1961 . Mr. Ferguson was recorded in opposition and moved for reconsideration. He said he would prefer to give •• one more week' s cooperation and then go to the Command- ing Officer . Mr . Richards said if Town Counsel feels that what he has been told that the effort made by the local authorities to consummate with the changes and that there is a reasonable chance that Browning would be able to ac- cept it in that length of time , he would go along with it . Mr. Stevens said he felt there would be time enough if it was really given priority. Mr . Richards seconded Mr. Ferguson' s motion for re- consideration. Upon motion. dul made and seconded, it was voted to extend the date of termination only to November 15, 1961 and.. to so advise Mr. Carroll . Mr . Stevens retired at 8 :45 P.M. The following members of the Retail Division, Chamber of Commerce , met with the Board, Miss Bongiorno, Messrs . Chamber of Moore , Michelson, Baker and Kolovson. Commerce re Mr . Michelson said he wan=ed to bring the Board up ?srking to date as to how the parking situation in the center is now because of the new parking lot on Meriam Street . He stated that the Chamber of Commerce has tried to get all day pe.rkers into the new parking lot and has sent 145 a letter to all the business men in the center requesting them to park in the new lot . He said a week later they put yellow tickets on the windshields and they were able to tell who was p rking all day. He said if they continue the effort, the all day parking situation can be corrected and reported that the new lot on Meriam Street is being used almost to a maximum. He presented snapshots taken of all the municipal parking areas . He said the Chamber would like the sup;.ort of the Police Department and the Selectmen in trying to force the few people still parking all day to use the other parking lot . The Chamber would like to find a way, through the Selectmen, so that the parking meters will not be put in because the merchants feel that where shopping centers are springing up all around this area, free parking is provided and they would like to keep free parking in the center parking lots . Mr . Moore said the Chamber of Commerce feels retail business will be hurt seriously if parkin, meters are installed in the town parking lots and doesn' t want them if there is any way possible not to have them. The Chairman asked if it was his opinion that the shoppers would not use the lots if metered. Mr. Moore said the surrounding shopping centers of Bedford and Burlington do not have parking meters and the Chamber feels that the people will go there . The Chairman said that the comment has been made that as soon as it is decided not to have meters, the merchants will decide it is a long cold walk over to the railroad parking area. Mr. Michelson said the efforts of the Retail Division will be able to get the all day parkers out of the lots and they can tell by the yellow cards who the all day parkers are . He said if the Division gives the police a list of the numbers of violators, a warning from the Police Department will be more effective than the yellow tickets . Mr . Baker said if there was better lighting in the Meriam Street parking lot at night, more people would use it . Mr. Michelson asked if a request had been put in for lighting that area . The Chairman replied that she thought it was to be illuminated. Mr . Michelson said it will be dark at four-thirty or five and lights are needed. Mr. Moore said the Chamber would like the Board to make every effort not to have the meters installed . The Chairman asked if they would like to have the Board defer action for six months or so. Mr . Moore replied six months or a year, and if the 146" r Chamber does not live up to what it says it will do, the meters could then be installed. • Mr . Richards said he would like to know what the Town Meeting voted, and said he would not be in favor of extending the installation beyond another Town Meeting . Mr . Moore said the Chamb_;r would like , if possible , to have another police officer in the center of the Police Town at night as protection has been very poor the last protection few months . He said he understood one officer is sup- in Center posed to be in the center all night and: maybe that is not enough. The Chamber is concerned about more pro- tecticn in the center from darkness until after midnight . He said many m.erchants have found their doors have not been checked many, many times . The Chairman explained that the number on the force is low at the present time . Mr. Moore stated that the Chamber merely wanted to express its thoughts . . Mr. Ferguson asked what the Chamber had in mind for added protection. Mr. Moore replied that possibly two men on foot at the same time as it seems one man has not been adequate . Mr . Cole asked how a merchant would know if his doors had been checked if they locked them, and Mr. • Moore replied that some of them have forgotten to lock them. Mr . Moore asked if the Board had contacted the Boston Edison as to what their thoughts might be for Street better and more suitable lighting for the Town . lighting The Chair-man explained that the Board has con- centrated on the area down Waltham Street and Massachu- setts Avenue to the Junior High School . She ex_ lained that a study has been made to change the lights in the center but nothing has been done beyond that . Mr . Adams said if new standards are needed, the Town will have to pay for them. Mr . Michelson said as far as the standards go, a representative of the Boston Edison said they would put up the poles but it is the cost of the fixtures that the Town pays for . Mr . hat Mr. has all the Fergusonceruson said Carroll figures and the Boston Edison has made a survey and figured the cost . The Chairman said many people do not feel a white way is a necessity for the center of Lexington . Mr. Baker said that with the new Historic Park coming to Town, some consideration must be given to F,y providing a comfort station. The Chairman stated that the Board has this in mind but there main, that is one of the plans for the next few years . She said the Chamber of Commerce in- formation booth might be combined with a comfort station, and explained that she had received a drawing of such a building from Mr. Greeley. The group retired at 9: 25 P.M. Mr . Ferguson said he had not changed his mind rela- tive to the installation of meters in the mdnicipal park- ing lots . Parking Mr . Cole said he would favor extending the time for Meters installation. Mr . Adams said the meters probably would not be in- stalled until after Thristmas and. suggested postponing action until then. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen' s Meetings held Minutes on October 11 and. October 16. Letter was received from Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk, advising that he had received Mr. Ronald S . Woodberry' s Resignation resignation as a member of the Capital 'Expenditures • Committee . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign an application, certifying to the character of Cert . of Albert J. Moll , 25 Dawes Road, who has applied for a Inc . Certificate of Incorporation. Satisfactory character reference was received from the Chief of Police . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign orders for the following streets laid out by the Selectmen on October 16, 1961 : Buckman Drive from existing Buckman Drive a distance of 235 feet, more or less , southerly to Moreland Avenue . Street Orders Station Way from Edison Way to Municipal Parking Area a distance of 78 feet, more or less, northeasterly. Worthen Road from Waltham Street a distance of 100 feet northerly on the westerly side . Worthen Road from Cambridge-Concord Highway 275 feet, more or less , northerly. (See Selectmen' s Files for 1961 - Highways ) 148. Th,e Chairman asked what night the Board would hold Meeting a meeting the -week 'of Town -meeting ana it was agreed to hold aregular meeting on Thursday, November 9, 1961, at 7: 30 P.M. The Appropriation Committee met with the Board and amounts to be appropriated at the Special Town Meeting Appropriation were discussed as follows : Committee Article 2, $30,000; transfer of $15,000 from the Middleby Road School appropri- ation and $15,000 from the Excess and Deficiency Account. Article 3 . $1.00 Article L. The Committee felt that there is a balance in the account an!_ it was not in favor of adding to that balance . Article 5 . $60,000 available for transfer from the Shade Street sewer . Mr . Carroll thinks he has 619,000 available for the water anc if so, the Committee proposes a transfer, the balance to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account . If funds are not available , the entire amount will be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account . Mr . Ferguson retired at 10:05 P.N. Article 6. $12, 881. Article 9. $L , 000 construction plus land acqui- sition, the maximum ` 10 ,000 for two lots . Article 13 .?' 1, 800 personal services . Article 11T. ,$0, 000 . Article 15.610,000 . Article 16. 5,000. The Appropriat__n Committee plans to discuss the Civil Defense figures with a member •of the Civil Defense Department . 'Js149 The Committee retired at 10:35 P.M. , and Mr. Carroll returned to the meeting . Mr. Carroll reported that he had been talking to Mr . Paul Shepard and a: ked him for an overall plan as to how the entire area is to be developed. When he receives Hartwell that, he can try to workout all the problems pertaining Avenue to water and sewer in the area . He said basically they are willing to put in the 12-inch main. He agreed to report further next week . Mr. Carroll referred to the Capital Zxpenditures report andsaid the subject of sewer construction has caused him some concern and he thought it should be re- viewed. He said it did not make much sense to bring Sewer the sewer over to Waltham Street only and that it should be extended to Woodhaven where it will do some good. He reported that Cabot, Cabot & Forbes has been in to see him about developing the land at the corner of Spring Street and Route 2. They plan to tie into the sewer at Shade Street and Spring Street on a temporary basis . He asked how the Board felt about extending the sewer all in one year. The Chairman said that Woodhaven is the area that next needs the sewer and that is the project for the next two years . It was agreed that it would be wise to plan the entire length to Woodhaven over a two year period. Letter was received from Dr. Lawrence K. Pious, on behalf of Temple Fmunah, requesting permission to move a house from 8 Wyman Road to property at the Concord Permit tc Turnpike near Waltham Street to be used as the parsonage mo:-e build- for the Rabbi . ir^ Mr. Carroll said he would like an opportunity to go over the proposed route and the request was held over. Request was received from Oscar W. Carlson for the extension of the sewer on Grant Street to servi:e lots 1, 2 and 3 . Mr. Carroll presented a plan and explained where 's Carlson Mr. Carlson wants it extended. He said he felt it sewer should be done under the Betterment Act and the Town thereby would not become involved in Mr. Carlson put- ting it in himself. Mr . Richards raised the question of connecting through private property . Mr. Carroll explained that the situation had been explained to Mr. Stevens and there seemed to be no problem. * the sewer is presently located and where 150 tai It was agreed to advise Mr. Carlson that an esti- mate of costs will be prepared for signatures and the request would be considered when the 1962 budgets are being discussed. It was su;,vested that something could be said in the letter to Mr . Carlson to the effect that the Board presumed he had the status of the strip between the present Grant Street and the lots he desires to build on investigated to determine whether or not a sewer con- nection could legally be made . Request was received from the Mystic Valley Gas Com- pany requesting permission to tie in a 2-inch main on Gas Main Taft Av nue to furnish additional feed to the area. Upon Mr. Car! oll! s recommendation, it was voted to grant the request . The Chairman reported that Miss Lillian Viano had made a verbal request for an entrance from Muzzey Street to the parking lot. Mr . Carroll presented a plan showing the fence now on the lot . The Chairman reported also that Miss 'Piano would Parking like to have an opening and would give the Town a right of way . Mr . Richards said he would have no objections if the same arrangement could be made that was made with 1 the Lexington Savings Bank but he did not know how it could be plowed. Mr . Carroll was requested to bring the subject up again next week . The Clerk reported tht Mr . Aiden L. Ripley had called the office to inouire whether or not the Board "No Hunting" planned to post "No Hunting" signs on the property signs recently acquired from the Tower estate . Mr. Carroll was requested to have the property posted . Mr. Carroll referred to his report last week rela- Water tive to the installation of a 12-inch water main in Hartwell Avenue , at which time he stated the connection charge would be $1800 . He explained that the correct figure is $2325.05. Mr. Carroll retired at 11: 15 P.M. Letter was received from Mrs . Edith P. Petterson, Policewomen Secretary of theLexington Policewomen ' s Association, request for requesting an increase in salary to "$125 per month. increase It was agreed to advise the Association that the request will be considered when 1962 budgets are being prepared. 151 The Chairman read a letter from Chester C . Duval, re tractors Association, objectingdtoltheostatement Cer _ Metal ate went "per Gas mits will be issued to Master Plumbers only" which Inspector appears on a notice issued by the Gas Inspector, Mr. Byrne . No action was taken and the letter was held over until the next meeting. The meeting adjourned at 11: 25 P.M. A true record, Attest : / 'Executive_ Clerk., Selectmen