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 .
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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. ,
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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 .
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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.
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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.
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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
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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 .
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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 :
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lxeccitive Clerk, Selectmen