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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1961-01-09-BOS-min 297 5RTRC TMEN'S MEETING Janua. y 9, 1961 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, Janu r y 9, 1961, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Morey, Messrs . Adams , Ferguson, Richards, and Cole were pre- sent . Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, Mr. Carroll, Super- intendent of Public Works, and the Executive Clerk were also present . Mr.James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, met with the Board for the drawing of two jurors. The following individuals were drawn for jury duty: Edward J. Jurors Cassidy, 173 Cedar Street, and Samuel L. Fardy, 29 Pine Knoll Road. Mr. Carroll retired. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen's Meeting Minutes held on Tuesday, January 3, 1961. Discussion was held relative to application for the use of Cary Hall by the Lexington Rotary Club on March 18, 1961. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Use of Hall to revoke permission granted December 114, 1960 for the use of the hall if the purpose of the proposed use of the hall is to carry on a lottery; permission having been granted through a misunderstanding. Letter was received from Mr. Stevens relative to State aid for free public libraries. The Chairman suggested that the information in the letter be referred to the Executive Committee of Aid for the library and Mr. Stevens agreed that it might be free librarts well to refer the matter to the committee . Mr. Carroll retired at 8:10 P.M. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into executive session for the purpose of dis- cussing, deliberating or voting on a matter which, if made public, might adversely affect the public aecurity, the finandial interest of the Town,. or the Executive reputation of any person' Session 298 '-' The Chairman read a letter from Chief John W. Rycroft relative to a personnel trmatter, and following discussion of the subject, motion was duly made and seconded, to resume the open meeting. Mr. Stevens retired at 8:35 P.M. Mr. Edward B. Cass met with the Board . The Chairman explained that the Board had asked Mr. Cass to attend the meeting because it had been dis- cussing the Assessor' s Department, policy of assessing, the way things have been conducted, and the budget . She said the fact that the time for his reappointment was up again it seemed like a good time to talk to him individually and as Chairman of theBoard of Assessors . She said that there was some question as to whether or not assessments on business properties have been kept up as they should have been over the past five years, and if that is one of the reasons why a general reassessment is needed. She stated that there is a question as to whether or not Mr. Cronin has been operating the depart- ment as he wanted it . Mr. Case stated that the Clerk of the Board is the only man who is an expert appraiser and has the tech- niques of running an office and keeping the office cur- rent. He said the Assessors rely on him for the know-how Assessors' in running the office . He said the Assessors are simply ibepartment citizens ofthe Town doing the assessing job for the Town as a phblic service and they are not experts, and of necessity they rely on Mr . Cronin to make the assess- ing his full-time career. He said that, in a sense, they do take the lead frau him as to how to proceed and keep things up to date. Mr. Cronin sets up the day's work, for example . He does not make any major decisions without taking them up with the Baird at a meeting . He said that everything that has to do with assessing as such is done by the Assessors when they go gut with him or attend meetings. He said in that sense one could not say Mr . Cronin ran the office . In addition, he is the ex- pert in the office. The Assessors are assessors and Mr. Cronin is the Clerk and the Assessors rely on him for the techniques of the administration. They also rely upon him to point up problems . Other than that, he does not run the department. He said that Mr. Cronin does not want to make decisions and is very careful to stay in his own province . He said he thought Mr. Cronin kept his place very well. He said there are three lay men and an ex- pert and they naturally look to him for advice . The Assessors meet once a week in the evenings, either Monday or Tuesday night. 299 The Chairman asked if usually two Assessors went out with Mr. Cronin, and Mr. Cass replied that it depended on what was being assessed. They try to have all three , or at least two, unless it is on houses or routine things. They feel they can cover more ground on homes with just one man and Mr. Cronin. Mr. Cass said he tries to give one morning and one evening a week. Mr. Burnham gives two and three full days . The work is brought into the evening meetings. * The decisions are made at the meetings and Mr. Cronin does not have a vote . Mr. Adams said a year ago the subject of getting the taxbills out was discussed and the Board talked to Mr. Cass and Mr. Cronin and at that time, it appeared that the bills could not be sent out because of vacations . A letter went from the Board asking not to have the vacations fall in the same period another year but the same situation prevailed this year. Mr . Cass said that would be a matter of arranging in the office. He said it could have been done and should have been done . He said that the Assessors asked for additional help but the request was denied. Mr. Adams said it seemed odd that one year the Selectmen asked about it and the same thing occured again. The Chairman asked if the policy of getting the ex- cise tax bills out first was set by the Board of Assessors or Mr . Cronin. Mr. Cass replied that he probably told the Board about it at a meeting and the Assessors thought it was a good idea because the banks would not be paying taxes until late . He explained the idea was to get some quick money and the. Assessors went along with it. He said it still seems theoretically the thing to do. Mr. Adams said that the. Assessors' work is only part of the entire procedure , and there were times when the vacations made it impossible for other departments to arrange their vacations and it created a personnel problem. Mr. Cass said that vacations come in July and August, and itis considered a crime usually if people can't have the vacation period during those two months. The Chairman said that a check showed Lexington to be latest in getting the real estate tax bills out . Mr. Richards stated that the Board has been con- sidering the question of machines and will investigate the matter for an overall installation of machines . Mr. Cass said he thought other departments could make use of the machine . The Chairman explained that the Town already has 111 a new graphotype, an old addressograph, and a billing *The AssesLors who go out don' t make the decisions . Soo machine used for the water bills which is quite old. She said the Board is considering one machine room for all departinants. Mr. Richards said the Board hopes the machines can be used by mo-e than one department . The Chairman stated that all the tax bills could be out in a week, as she understood it, and then the machines could be used for other work. Mr. Cass said a machine would seem to solve the problem of getting the tax bills out early. He said it did not matter what department had the machine . Mr. Adams mentioned the valuationof business properties. Mr. Cass said he never heard the complaint that business properties were not kept up and he thowght they were right up to date . He said the department was readjusting the entire business area because of the applications for abatements. He said he thought the business area was uptto date, he did not think there was any problem, and the Assessors thought they had business properties in good condition in th&s Town. He said the Assessors feel the business properties are assessed a,s high as they can be right now. Mr. Adams said before Mr. Trani purchased his pre- sent building, it was assessed for less than $4,000 and it seems a low figure for any business on the main street . When it was sold, the assessment was changed to $9,000. Mr. Cass asked if it was the building or the land that was assessed for $4,000 and Mr. Adams replied it was the land. Mr. Richards said it had been that way since about 1932. Mr. Adams said it seemed to him that the new build- ing he is in is assessed too low; Mr. Cass said that building was done a couple of years agol He said some buildings might be low be- cause they are old, and the land may be higher. Mr. Adams asked about the rents and Mr. Cass replied that the Assessors had tried to get the rents but were unsuccessful. Mr. Cole asked if any readjustments had been made since the parking areas were built and Mr. Cass replied that he thought all the buildings and land were redone about three years ago and he thought they were fairly high. He said he did not knlow the story on the Trani building. Mr. Cole asked if the Assessors reappraised at the time of a sale, and Mr. Cass said they do not think that is fair and is spot assessing. 30 He explained that the Assessors were in favor of a general reassessment because it would take in every piece of property and every commercial property and the Assessors don't have the time for that . Mr. Cass said he was disturbed about the comments on the commercial properties because the Board felt they were in line . He said they would look them ove• again and see if they are out of line . He said that they assess generally around SO% and are running close to 45% on residences . Mr. Cole asked if the net return to the Town would be the same as it is now if there was a general re- assessment. Mr. Cass replied that the general feeling is that the Town would realize more money. He said it would result in an established assessment and he thought the Town would receive more money. He said he would take another look at the commerdial areas in Town. Mr. Ferguson asked Mr . Cass what he considered the duties of the Board of Assessors to be . Mr. Cass explained that the Board of Assessors are appointed by the Board of Sete etmen but their duties are statutory and are under the supervision of thedepartment of Taxation and not under the supervision of the Town. He stated that they are bound by the statutes and have no supervision by the Town at all as to their assessing duties . Mr. Ferguson asked if the duties involved merely appraising a certain piece of real estate . Mr. Cass replied that the statutehas to do with assessing and does not mention running the office. He explained there is a statute that 'vomits a Town to re- quest the State to come into the Assessors' office and ask for assistance in setting up the assessing practices. However, this requires too much supervision by the State that most communities have not gone into it. He said the State does put out a manual on assessing and assessing practices. Mr. Ferguson said Mr. Cass stated that the Assessors rely upon Mr. Cronin for expert advice . Mr. Cass said that Mr. Cronin is the expert appraiser. Mr. Ferguson asked if theBoard made the decisions . Mr. Cass replied thAt the Board makes the decisions on the techniques he sets up. The Assessors rely on him to keep them up to date on the best method of assessing but they do the actual assessing. Mr. Cronin is the only one who has made a compote study. Mr. Ferguson asked if Mr. Cronin provided the As- sessors with the formulas and figures. Mr. Cass replied that he does not provide the Board with the figures. He said the Assessors do the arithmetic 302. )-.at in the field and Mr. Cronin brings the book out . The pro- perty is listed and calculations made on the field and the assessment is made from that . He said they assess accord- ing to the standard and accepted practices of the Appraisers ' Institute of America. Mr. Ferggson asked if it were possible for two people come up with a different answer. Mr. Cass replied on a new house , no, but on an old house, yes. • Mr. Ferguson said that the Board of Selectmen asked to have certain things done which were not done and he asked who was responsible, the Board of Assessors or the Clerk. Mr. Cass replied that tWblame was upon the head of . the Board of Assessors . He said he intended not to take responsibility for such matters and does not take the responsibility. The Assessors expect Mr. Cronin to carry out the instructions of the Board of Selectmen and if he doesn't, the Assessors would be disappointed. They would expect him to so operate the department that the muest would be carried out. Mr. Cass said he would not -make a note in his diary and try to remember it for the follow- ing year as he does not have the time for that. - Mr. Cass said he did not know why Mr. Cronin missed it. He runs the office and should because he is the Clerk of the Board. He said the office operation is an adminis- trative- task and the Assessors do not have the time to supervise Mr. Cronin or the manner in which he runs the office . Mr . Cass retired at 9:30 P.M. Mr. John Carroll returned to the meeting. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reappoint Mr. Edward B. Cass to the Board of Assessors for a three-year term expiring January 1, 1964. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petition and sign an order fop the following j/o pole location, approved by Mr. Carroll: Massachusetts Avenue , easterly side , Pole approximately 125 feet north of location Barnes Place , -- One pole . Mr. Carroll reported that Mr. Mahon, Boston Edison Company, called him relative toobtaining permission to Pole erect a pole for a temporary service to the Pilgrim location C hureh and filing a petition at a later date for three additional poles. The desired permission was granted. 303 Letter was received from the State Division of Forests and Parks stating that the financial liability of the Town for Insect Pest Control for 1961 has been established as $7,569.74 and the financial liability of the Town for Duthh Elm Disease Control for 1961 has been established as $17,569.74. The Chairman read a letter from Alden W. Jefts, 47 Wachusett Drive , expressing concern over the lack of safety devices and the absence of parking facilities at the Marrett Road reservoir skating area. Skating area It was agreed to advise Mr. Jefts that there are no funds available tolevel off a parking area and the Recreation Committee will be requested to place a ladder and life rings as suggested. Mr. Sinkevichts offer to purchase lot 196 Circle Road was held over. Mr. C oiwell's offer to purchase lots 59 and 60 Ivan Street was held over. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the following licenses: Louis Sala Taxi Driver (renewal) Ernest L. Reese new Licenses Ralph R. Towl Minute Man Restaurant Common Victualler (renewal) Anna Phillips " " " Lexingtnn Motors, Inc . 1st Class Agent Rowe-Jackson Chevrolet " " " " The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Lurvey, Executive Health Officer, relative to Mary A. Rowlandts application for a Common Victualler license, 150 Lowell Street. He stated that he has never had occasion to inspect the License establishment because it has been closed ever since he has been in "exington. Therefore he could not recommend issuing a Common Victualler license to any establishment that is not in operation. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted not to grant the license . Mr. Carroll mentioned that about two weeks ago, Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, brought up what the Town was going to give Hayden and what Hayden was going to give Exchange of the Town. He presented a plan of the properties to land which he was referring and said he would like to make certain he understood correctly what the Board has in mind. 304 The Board made no change in the plan submitted and the parcels indicated by Mr. Carroll . Mr. Carroll referred to Worthen Road and asked if he should contact Whitman & Howard for the preparation of a rough draft of the contract which must be done in Engineering a hurry. Mr. Ferguson replied that the decision is up to Mr. Carroll as to what concern he hires, but if some other engineering concern is not engaged for some of the Town business, he will bring the subject up again. Mr. Carroll reported that Anthony Busa was in to see him about the culvert at Lillian Road, and wanted to know what the Town is going to do about it . The Busa culvert is now approximately 99% completed, and the Culvert Board had at one time discussed the possibility of inserting an article in the warrant requesting an ap- propriation of $2,000 to be paid to Mr. Busa. He said he did not think the Board would take any action at the Annual Town Meeting this year because the plan has not been approved and some of the work cannot be done until spring. Mr. Burnell, Chairman of the Planning Board, came into the meeting and read the following list of items for which that Bpard wants articles drawn to be pre- Articles sented at the Annual March Meeting: 1. Abandonment of a portion of Westview Street . 2. Revision of Waltham Street A 1 district . 3. Woburn Street crossing for Emerson Road. 4. Rezoning the M 1 district to C 3. 5. Regular option article . 6. Upgrading the parking in C 1 areas. Permissive use . 7. Elimination of C 1 district at Lowell and North Streets and at Lowell and Laconia Streets . Mr. Carroll retired at 11:03 P.M. The Chairman read tatters from Mr. Irwin, Building Inspector, and Mr . Belcastro, Chief Engineer, reporting on an inspection of the wooden fire escape at 271 Lincoln Street. It was Egreed to acknowledge the letters and state that the Board presumes the proper follow-up action will be taken and to keep the Board advised. The meeting adjourned at 11:09 P.M. \., A true record, Attest: 1 4 Executive Clerk, Selectmen