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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1962-02-12-BOS-min SELECTMEN'S MEETING February 12, 1962 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, February 12, 1962, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Morey, Messrs . Adams, Ferguson, Cole and Richards were present. Mr. Stevens , Town Counsel, Mr. Staples, E$ecutive Assistant, Mr. John J. Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, and Miss Murray, Executive Clerk, were also present . Mr . Stevens reported his conversation with Mr. Hannah of Raytheon relative to the F .A.A. remote communi- cations towers . He explained tip t other sites are being considered and that no action needed to be taken by the F.A .A. Board at the present time . The Chairman read a letter from Arthur U. Hooper, attorney, representing Mrs . Mary E. Kuhn of Maryland, relative to lots 28 and 29, block 61, on Hickory Street which are being taken for a refuse site . Mr. Hooper Land taking requested that the Board make an offer in settlement. Mr. Staples and Mr. Carroll were instructed to check into the subject and report back to the Board. Further consideration was given to Mr. Dow H. Darden' s claim for damages resulting from the taking for a town way in connection with the alteration and Claim relocation of Burlington Street, for which the Board had made an offer of $250 in full settlement . Mr . Stevens reported that Mr . Darden' s claim is the only one on the street that has not been settled and it is in litigation . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to settle the claim on the basis of $250, plus abate- ment of the sidewalk betterment in the amount of $144.92 . Mr. Carroll reported that he and Mr. Staples attended a meeting of the Metropolitan Water Users Association at which the water rate bill was discussed. He stated that the Commission has a bill formulated which will establish the rate for 1962. The president of t1-2 Water rate Association, William Pratt, of Newton, spoke against bill allowing or giving the MDC a free hand in establishing the rate each year feeling thatthe members of the associ- ation should be in favor of the rate of $120 m.g. as tops . r K a Mr . Pratt feels that the rate could exceed $120 m.g. very easily and if this bill is passed in its present form, the members of the Metropolitan Water District would have no way in the matter wh tever . He explained that a vote was taken at the meeting and it was agreed that the association was in favor of the bill with the ex- ception that there should be a limit of $120 m.g. put on it . He stated thst there is a hearing tomorrow morning at 8 :00 A.M. on this . Most of the cities and towns are leaving it up to Mr. Pratt to attend the hearing and argue against it. Mr . Carroll referred to his letter to the Board of January 29, 1962 relative to the proposed change in the water rate schedule and change from quarterly to semiannual billing and said that he could see no reason to make any change in his recoirnaendations because of the pending water rate bill. Water rates Mr. Carroll said he intended to enclose a notice and billing in the next water bills for sections A and B, send a postcard to Section C and also publish a notice in the Minute-man. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adopt the following schedule of water rates to be- come effective May 1, 1962: Minimum charge $17 .50 per year for 5,000 cubic feet 0.35 per hundred cubic feet up to 10,000 cubic feet $.27 " It It It 100,000 cubic feet $.23 " " '' " la --4'100, 000 - 100, 000 cubic feet Meters are to be read and bills sent out semiannually. Mr. Stevens retired at 8 :28 P.M. Mr . Carroll presented pictures of the Linden treei Trees which is proposed for Lexington Center and reported that about ten trees will be planted. Further consideration was given to Mr . Richard D . Hamiltonts letter of January 31 relative to the acqui- sition of tax title lots on Edna Street. Mr. Ferguson recalled that there was a question as to whether or not someone had made an agreement for a gravel road. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to advise Mr.Hamilton that he apparently misunderstood that the street had to meet the subdivision control re- quirements and that his proposal to construct a gravel surface street was not acceptable to the Board. Mr. Carroll referred to street lighting for the • Fiske School, requested some time ago by the P.T.A. , 286 and reported that he had received recommendations from the Boston Edison Company of fourteen lights at a cost of $858. 60 per year . He said he could see no School reason why it needed to be so extensive and figured lighting it at an annual cost of $462 .60. He explained that the lights could be put on the Town street lighting schedule and the School Department billed for them. Mr. Adams said he could see no reason why the School lighting should not be paid by the School Department . The Chairman suggested establishing a policy and mentioned that three adi tional school sites were being requested. Mr. Carroll agreed to ask the Boston Edison to give him detailed information as to how each of the schools is billed . The Chairman reported that Dr . Benjamin White , Peacock Farm Road, and other residents in the area, wanted to know something about Emerson Road and she suggested arranging a meeting at some future date , at which Mr. Snow and Mr . Carroll would be present . Emerson Road Mr. Richards said he should think no hearing would be scheduled until the engineering work had been completed. The Chairman explained that these people just want to know what is being considered. Mr. Richards questioned the advisability of a hearing and said he thought it would be better to have a layout . The Chairman explained that the people just want a meeting to talk about it . Mr . Carroll retired at 8 :45 P.M. Upon motion duly-made and seconded, it was voted to rescind the vote of January 15, 1962 to insert an article in the warrant requesting an appropriation of Busa nfvert $2,000 to contribute to the cost of the culvert in- stalled in Lillian Road by Mr. Busa. Letter was received. from Mr. James J. Carroll, advising that he had received Mr. George Nonnemakerrs Resignation resignation as a member of the Appropriation Committee . Letter was received from Mr . C . Roland Christensen suggesting Dr. John Matthews and Dr. Robert N. Anthony Appropriatim as possible candidates for positions on the Appropriation Committee Committee . idu mt F.0 Letter was received from Reverend Harold T. Handley, Paper Drive on behalf of the Church of Our Redeemer, requesting permission to conduct a paper drive on Sunday, April 29 . Upon motion duly made and seconded'., it was voted that the request be granted. • The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Irwin advising that he has received an application and plans from J. H. McManus for the erection of a one-story coffee shop to be located at 903 Waltham Street which is the junction of Coffee shop Waltham Street and Concord Avenue . The Board felt that the State Department of Public Works should be notified in connection with its design of the interchange at Route 2 and Waltham Street . Invitation was received from the Concord Board of Selectmen to participate in the 19th of April ceremonies April 19th in Concord. The Chairman suggested that they be advised that Lexington will have an active day and if there are any hours convenient for a representative to attend, it might be worked out . Mr . Cole suggested amending the Traffic Rules and Traffic Orders to provide for a pedestrian traffic light at the light Parker School. Report is to be received from Mr. Carroll before any action is taken. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to lay out the following streets : Alteration and relocation of Lincoln Street from Worthen Road, a distance of 300 feet, more or less, westerly . Albemarle Avenue from Rawson Avenue a distance of 170 feet, more or less, northeasterly to Anthony Road . Anthony Road from Albemarle Avenue northwesterly a distance of 320 feet to Lillian Road . Gerard Terrace from Cedar Street westerly a cistance of 303 .53 feet to its terminus . Lillian Road from a point 675 feet from the westerly side line of Lowell Street and running southwesterly a distance of 1076 feet , more or less . Turning Mill Road from a point about 71 feet, more or less , from the westerly side line of Demar Road a distance of 656.57 feet westerly and northerly. cfl - Justin Street from Bernard Street to Eldred Street a distance of 685 feet, more or less, northwesterly. Rindge Avenue from Rawson Avenue southerly a distance of 1035 feet, more or less, to terminus . Tarbell Avenue from Tucker Avenue southwesterly a distance of 775 feet , more or less, to terminus . Winn Avenue from Bow Street easterly a distance of 140 feet to Rindge Avenue . Winthrop Road from Waltham Street easterly, a distance of 1146 feet , more or less, to Sherburne Road. Lexington Avenue from Follen Road a distance of 932 feet, more or less, northerly to Locust Avenue . Locust Avenue. from Follen Road a distance of 635 feet, more or less, westerly. A telephone call was received from Mr. Kershaw, Social Studies Teacher in the Senior High School, re- questing permission to bring students and their advisers to the Board Meeting the night of Town Meeting . Students Mr. Adams agreed to discuss the subject with Mr. Kershaw. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Warrant for the Annual Election, March 5, Warrant 1962, and Town Meeting, March 19, 1962. Mr . Adams reported that Chief Rycroft informed him today that he had another incident similar to that Police involving Officer Janusas . Officer Koch was absent from his post . Mr. Adams also said tht when the Board of Fire Commissioners met with the Board, it was mentioned that when the time comes to let a contract for blacktopping, Fire Dept. they should contact Mr. John Carroll. paving Mr. Richards suggested that a letter be sent to Mr. Carroll stating that the Fire Commissioners have a certain amount of paving to be done at the Central Fire Station and it is the Board ' s opinion that it should be figured in the 1962 paving contract, and ask him to con- tact the Commissioners . M . Adams mentioned that the Board had reduced the Fire Dep=rtment Expenses budget b V400 under the Fire Dept. ............. . _s r 1c a item for lockers and tonight there is a voucher going through in the amount of 579.33 payable to the Andrew Wilson Co. Mr . Staples was requested to investigate and report to the Board. Mr. Adams referred to the incident involving Mr . Healy' s car allowance and said that the Department Car allow- heads should be advised of the correct procedure . He ance said he understood that Mr. Staples talked to Mr . Healy. Mr. Adams mentioned Civil Defense and Mr. Staples Civil Defense reported that he had a few bills, including a telephone bill, and asked if the Board wanted to continue paying them. The Chairman suggested suspending the telephone temporarily. Mr. Adams said the Civil Defense department still has a deputy and he should have a telephone . Mr. Staples was requested to discuss the telephone lines with Mr . William Enders . Mr. Ferguson said the Board of Selectmen should see that the Town is operated as efficiently as possible and sometimes that becomes considerable detail. He said the Board cannot go around checking but must wait until it hears that something is incorrect . He said if things seem to be running satisfactorily, it is assumed that the department head is doing a good job. He said he did not see why the Board could not ask questions about policies in the various departments and as an example , said he would like to know why there are two men in a police cruiser . Mr . Adams said the Board has the final responsibility and should know what the departments are doing. Mr. Richards said that, in regard to the Police De- partment, it would not be an undue burden on the Chief or the Board if a certain Monday each month fifteen minutes were set aside to discuss operational matters of the department . Mr . Frank E. Douglas, of the Appropriation Com- mittee , met with the Board and referred to the salaries being requested by the Town Clerk and Collector. It was agreed to send a letter to all department heads, including the Treasurer and Collector, advising that the Board has approved a YL!.00 increase for all full-time employees and a $2.00 increase for all part- time employees, effective April 1. The department Ado & .33 • heads are also to be advised of the article pertaining • to consultant services for the preparation of job classification and pay schedules for all positions in the Town. Mr . Douglas also discussed the cash balances being kept on hand by the Treasurer, and said that the Ap- propriation Committee has been concerned and feels that about $15,000 a year income is being lost . He said he expects to discuss the subject with Mr. Carroll in the morning. Mr. Douglas retired at 10:00 P.M. Mr . Adams said that on the question of salary, which the Board has agreed upon, he would like to have the Board think it over and not agree upon anything at this meeting . He suggested that the Board adopt a policy when the con- ' sulting firm does make recommendations that rather than put it off until the next Annual Meeting, it be taken up at the next Special Town Meeting. He said the next Annual Town Meeting is too far away. Mr. Richards said the Board should first know how long it will take to get this done , and then how much time will be spent, after receipt of the recommendations , in discussing them with the departments involved. He said it would have to be studied and the Board should determine what will be the best way to implement it . Mr. Adams said he agreed, but felt that something should be said that this does not necessarily have to be put off until the next Town Meeting. Mr. Staples advised that it would not require a vote of a Town Meeting to adopt the policy. Mr . Adams said he was not asking for a decision this evening, but would like the Board to think it over . Upon suggestion of the Chairman, it was agreed to send a letter to Major General Berauist who has been transferred from Hanscom Field to take command of the • new Air Force Communications Service at Scott Field, Illinois . Mr . Staples reported that the second girl in the Collector ' s Office assumed she would move up in some degree as well as the first girl who took Mrs . Tullar' s position. He explained that if she receives the same as the other, it would amount to 31.50 per week, and Mrs . Rich, in discussing the subject with him, said she would leave unless she was advanced. Mr. Staples said this would place her in the same position as the • Assessors ' second clerk and the Accountant ' s second clerk. The Board was in favor of the adjustment . 9C aC rr It was agreed to submit the same figures for the 1962 Law Department budgets as were submitted for 1961 . The meeting adjourned at 10:15 P.N. A true record, Pttest : 7 lxeccitive Clerk, Selectmen