Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1962-09-04-BOS-min CO CO SELECTMEN'S MEETING September 4, 1962 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Tuesday, September 4, 1962, at 7 :30 P.L. Chairman Adams, Messrs . Richards, Cole, Brown and Burnell were present . Mr. Legro, Town Counsel, Mr. Staples , Execu- tive Assistant , Mr. Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, and Miss Murray, Executive Clerk, were also present . Mr. Harold E. Stevens met with the Board and re- ferred to the bids received August 20, 1962 for sup- plying common borrow at the Lexington Playground. He stated the invitations specified that the bids were to be filed at the Selectmen' s Office before 4:00 P.M. , Monday, .. August 20, and six bids were filed. The last one came in from Paino-LaCava Company, Inc. and Mrs. McCausland said when she received it, she glanced at the clock and thought they just made it . She made no notation as to the time. She went to her typewriter, typed the name and address on the list of bids and then she brought the bid with the list to the Selectmen ' s Room and placed it on the table. All this was done before Mr. Carroll came in. Mr. Carroll was confident that when he came in it was two minutes past four. He knew he was late. The bidders were present and the low bid was Paino-LaCava Company, Inc. in the amount of $29,700. The second bid was $35,250 submitted by Gil-Bern Construction Co. Inc. After the bids were read, Mr. Bern spoke up and said the Paino bid was not received on time and all the bidders corroborated. Mr. Carroll had the clock checked and learned the clock in the Selectmen' s Room was a minute and a half slow. Mr. Stevens said it is possible, but one cannot be sure, that the Paino bid was received before four by the clock in the room, but actni ly, it was a minute and a half past four. He said the question was raised as to whether or not the Selectmen should accept that bid, and it is his opinion that they can. He said there is no time set by statute for receiving bids and it is his opinion thatthe only governing pro- vision is the general By-Law which requires inviting at least two bids or advertising for bids and certainly that was done . He said the only question would be whether there were circumstances involved by the bid coming in late. He stated that the bids were received at or so closely by the time specified, and the low Bid awarded bidder was in the room by the time Mr. Carroll came in, so that there could not have been any change in the bid. Under those circumstances, he felt the Board would have authority to accept that bid. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the bid of $29,7Q0. submitted by Paino-LaCava Company, Inc. for supplying common borrow at the Lex- ington Playground. Mr. Stevens referred to the proposed acquisition of land, located on Laconia Street, owned by Mr. William F. Ash. He indicated the property, to be used for school purposes, on a plan, and reported that an option had been received from Mr . and Mrs. Ash dated August 30 which provides for the price of $12,000. He explained that $11,000 is to be paid in cash on delivery of the Exercise of deed and $1,000 to be paid within one year when the option property has been vacated. If Mr. Ash does not vacate, that $1,000 is liquidated damages for the failure to do so. Mr. Ash will have the right to occupy the premises without charge with no obligation on the part of the Town. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to exercise the option obtained from William F.Ash and Muriel G. Ash for the purchase of a parcel of land with buildings thereon situated westerly of Laconia Street and numbered 96 Laconia Street . Mr. Stevens presented the contract with the Malden Paving and Contracting Co. Inc. , that was awarded at the last meeting which has not been signed by the bonding company and the contractor in the amount of 84,430.00 . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Contract to sign the contract between the Town of Lexington and signed the Malden Paving and Contracting Co. , Inc . for sidewalk work, at its low bid price of $4,430 .00 . All copies of the contract are to be held by Mr. Carroll until Mr. Stevens advises him that he has re- ceived the insurance certificates . Mr . Stevens retired at 7:L48 P.M. Mr. Thomas Moon met with the Board in regard to the football scoreboard the Gridiron Club wishes to donate to the Town . Mr. Carroll reported that he had contacted William Cushman, electrician, who advised him that if the sup- plier of the scoreboard will furnish the cable back to b�^ a, the press box, the estimated installation cost is $1200. He said it would be necessary to run a conduit through which to put the cable, plus some boxes . Mr. Moon felt that the Estimate was too high. The Chairman said the Board was in favor of the scorbboard but there is a questi. n of money and where it will come from. Mr. Carroll reported that there were no funds in any of his budgets and he did not think the Recreation Committee had such an amount available . The Chairman asked about the possibility of the Schools paying for the installation, and Mr. Carroll Scoreboard mentioned that the field is a town field. Mr. Richards mentioned that if the amount involved was $1,000, it would have to go out on bid. However, no funds are available and he could not advise the Appropriation Committee that this is an emergency. He Article said if the Club could see its way to come back next year, an article could be inserted in the Warrant . Mr. Moon agreed to let the matter go until an article has been inserted in the warrant requesting the necessary funds. Mr. Moon retired at 8:00 P .M. Mr. Carroll reported twat tree hearings had been held on Concord Avenue . He said no one was present and there were no objections filed. He reported that he and Mr. Staples met with Mr. Blaisdell and Concord Ave . it was their understanding that the Appropriation Com- mittee was going to meet this evening, but there is no meeting until next week. Mr. Staples reported that Mr. Blaisdell had asked for a specific vote and a letter from the Board requesting a transfer relative to finishing Concord Avenue under Chapter 90 . Mr. Carroll reported that it will be necessary to take some slope easements on Concord Avenue and he presented a plan showing the various parcels of land involved, and the extent of the easements . He said Slope ease- each property owner had been approached. He expects ment Concord to build a wall on the Dailey property and also on Avenue the Burke property. He said no one would grant an easement and he would discuss a taking order with Mr. Legro . Mr. Carroll referred to the Raytheon contract, Bedford, and read a, letter he received from the company' s attorney to which was attached six copies of an amendment to the contract . He said he was sure Raytheon Town Counsel would want to check this and that apparently contract Raytheon is going along with the increase in the water rates. Mr. Carroll referred to the construction of side- walk to Fulton Road. He said he was planning to include the Grove Street sidewalk and the Lowell Street side- walk in one contract . However, if it is the Board' s intention to extend Lowell Street next year, he would Sidewalks advise leaving that section of the Lowell Street side- walk off this year. It was agreed not to include the section of the Lowell Street sidewalk in this year ' s contract. Mr. Carroll presented a plan of the present lay- out of the two municipal parking areas and the pro- posed parking meter plan . The subject of trees in the parking lots, as sug- gested by the Chamber of Commerce, was considered again and it was agreed not to plant trees in either parking area. Mr. Carroll referred to driveway openings on Marrett Road where it is proposed to construct a side- walk. He presented a sketch of the proposal received from the State and reported that he had talked with Sidewalks the various owners in regard to the openings. He said it would be necessary to show where the sidewalk is and therefore he proposed to put in a hot-top berm. The sidewalk will be raised seven or eight inches and will be step-down sidewalks. If he raises everything, all the water will be pocketed. He said he could put in bumper blocks but cars would be parked against them. He reported that the State will put in 350 ' of granite curbing if the Town will put in hot-top curbing. Mr. Carroll referred to the 24" sewer main at Route 128 on which he felt the State was putting too Sewer Pipe much cover. He said he talked with Whitman & Howard Route 128 and they feel the Board should go on record with the State Department of Public Works in the event anything ever does happen that the State will be responsible for repairing the pipe . He said it would probably cost the Town $25,000 or $50,000 if anything happened to the pipe . It was agreed tc go on record as recommended. Letter was received from Mrs. Jean M. Strong, 775 Massachusetts Avenue, requesting that a "Slow" Traffic 1 sign be erected at the corner of Barnes Place. t elad [deC Zt Mr. Carroll reported that Barnes Place is a private way and as such, the Board has no authority to erect a sign . Notice was received from the County Commissioners advising that a hearing will be held at the Commissioners ' office on Wednesday, September 26, 1962 at 10:00 A.M. to discuss matters pertaining to public roads and highway improvement for 1963. Chapter 90 Mr. Carroll said he thought theTown should ask for as much money in 1963 as it did in 1962 and tell the Commissioners that the project willbe specified at a later date. The Chairman reported that Mr. W. F. Davis, 18 Boulder Road, was in to see him again and thinks the Town should do something to solve his waste disposal Davis ' problem. sewer Mr. Carroll explained that Mr. Davis is not in very much trouble and he does not understand why Mr. Davis is not satisfied with the suggestiondi an ejector. He reported that 1''r. Davis has all the figures and he wnet over the entire subject with him again about two weeks ago. The Chairman said he would tell Mr. Davis that, in view of the circumstances, an ejector would be the best solution. Mr. Carroll and Mr. Legro retired at 8:45 P.M. Mr. Charles M. Evans, of Evans Associates, met with the Board. Mr. Evans said he had a progress report to make and presented each member of the Board with a pro- posed ClassiThation and Compensation Plan and Per- sonnel By-Law, dated September 4, 1962. Salary He reported that he has cleared all the class Classifica- specifications submitted before and hopes to meet tion & Com- with the Planning Board. Mr. Snow hppes a plan he pensation has will be followed. Plan Mr. Evans said the vital problem is the one dis- cussed last week and that is the impact on the employees of the Public Works Department if the work week is re- duced to a forty-four hour basic week which would elimi- nate $60,000 annually in the scheduled overtime. He suggested, at some point , that Mr. Carroll be brought in to discuss Saturday work, and if thework is there, whether the Town should pay premium time. He said he would like to go through the By-Law with the Board very quickly. He said he would also like to hold a U session with the Board between now and the middle of ehe month. = It was agreed to meet with Mr . Evans on Thursday, September 13, at 8:00 P.M. Mr. Evans was informed that the Board was not in favor of the proposal in regard to longevity. Mr. Evans said that from his standpoint as tech- nician, he had to ask if the Town was justified in paying for this premium time week after week if the work is there . He asked if the work load should be adjusted to take care of the straight time. He said if the reason for the Saturday scheduled work is to provide additional compensation to employees, the challenge to him is to supply an alternative measure and yet have a going rate comparable with the annual earnings. He explained that if the Board wanted to take the responsibility and say this is its policy, he would have to have direction from the Board, but it is his responsibility to point out any alternative method. He said the Police, with extra detail, is handled very well. However, the officer who has been on the force twenty or thirty years does not have the strength to do extra work but would be compensated for longevity. Mr. Richards said the Town is paying a premium price for work on Saturday, but for longevity, it would be paying a premium for nothing. Further consideration was to be given this subject at the meeting on Thursday. Mr. Evans went through the proposed plan briefly from beginning to end as a preliminary discussion to the meeting scheduled for September 13. Mr. Evans retired at 9: 30 P.M. The Board of Selectmen recessed to attend the Board of Assessors ' Meeting at 9:30 P.M. Present at the meeting were Chairman Cass, Messrs . Connell, Grush and Cronin, Messrs. Patten and Kean of Assessors ' Cole, Layer and Trumble, Messrs . Blaisdell and Clarke Meeting of the Appropriation Committee, and Town Counsel, Legro. Mr. Cass mentioned that his Board had just spent approximately two hours with the Town Meeting Members. Mr. Adams said the Selectmen had suggested this meeting after the meeting last Monday night . He said at that time, there was a petition being circulated-:which was going to be sent to the Seledtmen requehing them to roll back the assessments to the l951 valuations . They also had a large number of cards signed by some owners showing either no calls at all or only about 4^ryS � V rai tt five minutes spent on viewing each house. He stated it was pointed out at the meeting that there was nothing the Board of Selectmen is empowered to do about it , that the Assessors are independent of the Selectmen and could not be influenced by anyone . He said he felt it proper that the Board of Selectmen receive any and all peti- tions so he asked for this joint meeting. He said the Selectmen are vitally interested in the tax bills and receipts. Mr. Cass thanked the Board for attending the meet- ing and said he had records and the Selectmen could refer to any specific problems . He said the question of tae tax bills is what concerns the Assessors . He explained that there were a few cloudy days in the spring and only one day on which the Town could be flown. He said the Assessors felt that they had to get the job started at once and the Town was flown as fast as it was possible . He reported that in getting the Town flown, the maps out, the contract signed, etc. , time was lost and it was not possible to keep up with the schedule . He said he understood it was a normal schedule to get the job done in one year and the Assessors were assured that the work would be done in one year. It is ex- pected that the work would be done in one year . It is expected that all recalls will be completed by the end of tae week. He explained that there are four men working now and five more will be on the end of the week. He stated that there are about 200 houses not entered previously because of vacations, etc . , that they are going back to see, and those as a result of complaints. They hope to get in every house this week. If it is not possible to get in, they will go along on the estimate and the tax bills will go out . He said the Assessors are feeding the information to the addressograph people now. It is out of alphabetical order but they have agreed to take it and the Assessors hope the bills will start going out October 30 at the latest and they will 'nage thirty days to pay. He said the Assessors are not losing too much time and they now have the 1962 valuations and feel they would run into a taxpayers ' suit if they go back to the old valuations . He referred to the petition that had been filed and said the Assessors can see no way it can be done and they don 't want to do it . He explained that in Springfield a different percentage was used for a different classification. He stated the Assessors tried to make their system percentage throughout the Town and they would be illegal in not going to the full and fair cash value and they now know what the full and fair cash value is . He said there would be no reason for not going to it . Mr. Adams asked if the bills would be out quicker by using the old system. Mr.Cronin replied that he thought they could get them out quicker with the present information . Mr. Cass said they could not do it any faster with the old valuation than they can now and they would be faced with the same situation next year. Mr. Kean stated they had about 1,000 applications for hearings but when it came time for them to come in, about 200 did not show up. They explained the cards and information to 300 of the 800 and told them that they could see no reason for making any change, and this left 500. Changes were made in some of these 500 and they could do about 100 of them in the office from the in- formation obtained from the applicants without a visit. That left about 400 homes to be visited and they expect to have these done by Friday . They did not get into 200 houses because people were on vacation or for some other reason not home. Mr. Cass explained this was about normal in these projects but they are going back to get into those houses. Mr. Clark asked if they would go back at the in- vitation of the owner and Mr. Kean replied just those who came in. Mr. Adams said one argument is they did not go into the house and the other is the short time spent there . Mr. Kean explained that the people going into the houses only get information and they have nothing to do with putting a valuation on the property. Mr. Cass explained thatmany people thought the house was being valued at that time. Mr . Kean explained that a fellow measur:ss the out- side and from there the information goes back to the office. The land is put on it and they go back in the field again. He said a reviewer puts the value on the land and buildings. Mr. Adams referred to assessing undeveloped land and said the big farms would be forced into developments . Mr. Cass explained that the Assessors are getting a job done by a professional outfit and they are doing this Town the way they are doing every other town . The Assessors are accepting their figures and then must realize what they can do. He explained that the Assessors can change a valuation if an application is made. He stated that the Assessors have always handled the farm land differently in this Town and they have to decide if this is the way that will stand up in court . He ex- plained that the appraisers have handled it their way because the Town has no farm zones and they therefore 624 L valued it as residential property. He said the Assess- ors are going to be faced with the problem of what to do with applications for abatements and that they have only four or five applications . He said the Assessors have the same feeling about farm land as the Selectmen have, and they want to keep the farm land as long as they can in this Town . He explained that the appraisers have done what they think is correct and the Assessors will take it from there. Mr. Kean said that the farm land with buildings were not hurt but Where there is just vacant land, the people were hurt . As examples, he mentioned the Swenson farm and the Napoli farm, farms with good frontages. He ex- plained this land is in transition and is not being sold as farm land. Mr. Adams said the Town would have additional homes and additional schools. Mr. Kean said there is only one lot in Town zoned for farm and that is a fifty foot lot on Grapevine Avenue, so specified in the deed. Mr. Adams said the Selectmen discussed this last Monday but did not arrive at any decision as to what to ask and what not to ask. Mr. Cass stated that the Assessors want to do what is best for the Town and to do their jobs . Mr. Kean explained that if these could be changed to a farm zone, it would not necessarily establish a lower value of the land. Mr. Cass explained the appraisers feel this is the market value of the land today. Mr. Adams said assessing could not be used to deter- mine the growth of theTown. Mr. Cass said the Assessors have not made any decision yet nor have they received any applications for abatements. Mr. Adams said if there had been only 200 or 300 people at the hearing, he might not have been so impressed. Mr. Cass said some of the people were there in in- terest and not to protest . Mr. Cole said at no time did more than 50% of the people applaud. Mr. Cass reported that Cole, Layer and Trumble advise that they always have protest meetings of that proportion. He stated that one of the biggest problems of a revaluation is that it brings a lot of things to the attention of the taxpayers, and this has happened before . Mr. Kean said the company values its reputation and if the Boards felt it would be to the advantage of the Town for them to sit down with a representative group, they would. F': Mr. Adams said he told this new group that they should have asked for an interview. Mr . Kean said, in terms of his experience, the Boards have seen the peak. Mr. Adams said many people have to pay their tax to the bank and some of the small home owners have to get an amount of money in a short time. Mr. Clarke asked who the dissidents were, and Mr. Patten replied that most of the complainants are the young people just getting started in life and the pen- sioners . However, they have to assess what people own. Mr. Cass explained that the older homes that were assessed for $6,000 or $7,000 for years have not been paying their fair share. He said he thought the Manor Section was the hardest hit . Mr. Legro said the complaints he heard were some- what on the individual increase but also based on the assessments they hear in other parts of the Town . He said the increase in the Manor is hurting those people. Mr. Cass stated that the sales in the Manor are fantastic. Mr. Clarke asked what level of employees made the physical inspection. Mr. Kean replied the Junior level and explained that these people just collect information . He said the actual depreciation, relation of the house and its value to the existing sales in the area is carried out by the Senior level. Mr. Clarke said one of the biggest criticisms is that some inequity could creep in Mr. Cass said the Assessors selected a group who they think is the best in the country and they did a good job. Mr. Cole asked how many times they assessed people for land they did not own, and Mr. Kean replied there were a few. Mr. Cass said the bills would be sent out as they are now and then the Assessors will accept the appli- cations for abatements and hold hearings . Mr. Kean explained that tae company would follow through on any claim filed for one year after the re- valuation was finished. Mr. Cass explained that the Assessors are the only ones who can make the final decision and the concern is providing the Assessors with figures. He said the Assessors could accept or reject it in whole or in part , but they feel that a good job has been done. He said the Assessors hired the best in the field, paid a good price for it and a good job has been done . ae ed LIP Mr. Brown asked how they explained that it took three to five minutes to go through a home. Mr. Kean replied that is all they need. He ex- plained that these boys have been doing nothing but this for seven or eight years . They have been trained to look for the features and it really takes very little time to do this. Then someone goes on the outside. He said the same man or a different man may check this. Mr. Adams asked what percentage of the Town had lower taxes and Mr. Kean replied that this has not been analyzed. He stated that Sun Valley took a slight de- crease, but because of the 57.00, they will be paying the same, a little more or a little less. Mr. Kean stated that about one-third remained the same . Mr. Blaisdell asked if an analysis could be obtained for the record. He said nc value had been picked up in the Town. Mr. Cronin explained it was not a matter of finding more valuations but a matter of equalizing. Mr. Blaisdell said the tax base had not been broadened and Mr. Cass explained it was not intended to achieve that . Mr. Kean said they took the same amount of wealth and distributed it. He said they arrive at full and fair cash value on a conservative basis . Mr. Cass reported that Commissioner Wilson told the Assessors they had no alternative but to accept these figures now. He stated that the Commissioner of Tax- ation felt the Assessors would be violating the law if they did not follow it . He explained that the Assessors ' percentage scale was not correct and when they were study- ing the sales, they felt they had to have an expert ap- praisal. Mr. Legro asked if they valued parcels of land of the same size on the same street the same . Mr. Kean explained thatin the Manor, they have a $60 a front foot . Up there the lots are very small and will sell for $4500 whereas on Turning Mill Road, they will run $7,000. He said on Follen Hill a lot will sell for from $7,000 to $9,000. Mr. Legro asked if it was without regard of the building, and Mr. Kean replied in the affirmative. Mr. Adams asked if the Assessors felt , in view of the Springfield decision, that they could do nothing else but go to the fair cash value. Mr. Cass replied in the affirmative. He said he did not think it would be fair to the 90% who have not complained, not to. He said it would be possible to get the ne& .bills out quicker because the system is all geared for the new ones. Mr. Cronin stated that 90% of the cards will be sent to the addressograph now andhe hopes the bills will be out by the first of October. Publication of a tax list was mentioned, and Mr. Cass said the Assessors would have no objection to a public listing. Mr. Adams said the last time a tax list was published, the total Town Report cost about $6,000 and would probably run to $10,000. Mr. Patten said he gave an estimate of printing the values and the price he had was a direct quotation from a printing company which was about $1800 for a Town of 10,000. He said for Lexington it would probably be $3,000 or $4,000. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 P.M. The Chairman reported that Mr. Clarke and Mr. Blaisdell, of the Appropriaticn Committee, advised him that a transfer of $3300 had been approved for Chapter 90 work on Concord Avenue. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Concordlue to sign a contract, dated August 14, 1962, between the contract Town of Lexington and N. Pandelena & Son, Inc . , for signed highway work on Concord Avenue. Letter from Lawrence Freeman relative to the in- stallation of traffic lights at Worthen Road was re- Traffic ferred to the Traffic Study Committee. Further consideration was given to an offer of $400 for lots 99 and 100 Grandview Avenue, received from Charles J. Allen, 44 Eastern Avenue . Tax title Mr. Staples presented a plan of the area and reported that Mr . Snow, Planning Director, recommended that the two lots be retained by the Town because if, in the future, Grandview Avenue is eventually laid out, there will be these two lots to contend with and straightened out . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reject Mr. Allen 's offer, it being the opinion of the Board that it would be in the best interest ofthe Town to retain ownership of the lots. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen ' s Meeting held Minutes on August 20, 1962. Letter was received from Leland H. Emery, a former member of the Board of Assessors, suggesting that the X2 r Board of Assessors be increased to seven members. The Chairman recommended that the subject be dis- cussed further by the Board before the Annual Town Meeting in March. Further consideration was given to letter received frem_.the taxi companies relative to the present taxi Taxi rates fares . The subject was referred to Town Counsel and held over for another week. Letter was received from Mr. Edwin B. Worthen with reference to the lettering on the tablet of the Revolutionary Monument . It was agreed to request Mr. Staples to obtain a price for cleaning and cutting the letters . Request was received from Reverend Harold T . Handley, on behalf of the Chunch of Our Redeemer, for permission to conduct a paper drive on Sunday, Paper Drive September 30, between the hours of 1:00 P.M. and 6:00 P .M. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that the request be granted. Letter from John F. MacNeil relative to an in- surance proposal he submitted to the Board a year ago Insurance was received. The subject was referred to Mr. Cole and Mr. Brown for report . Decision relative to the Gold Ribbon Farms ° sign was held over . Letter was received from Medili Bair, Superintendent of Schools, advising that the School Committee had re- ceived Mr . Ronald S. Woodberry' s resignation as a member School of the School Committee. Committee It was agreed to invite the School Committee to meet :With theBoard on September 10, 1962 at 9:00 P,M. for the purpose of discussing a replacement . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Resignation to accept with regret Mr. Donald E. Legro ' s resignation as a member of the Historic Districts Commission . Consideration of a replacement was held over . Upon motion duly msde and seconded, it was voted 529 to grant the following licenses: Allan W. Boudreau Taxi Driver Frank T. DeLosh, Jr. II II Bernard L. Nutting, Jr. a II Richard M. Gunning II It Gordon Russell Blood Common Victualler & (Concord Hill Market) Sunday Sales The meeting adjourned at 11:25 P.M. A true record, Attest : Ali 22 / ✓✓ ,ExecutiveClerk, Selectilen