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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1961-03-06-BOS-min 372 C SELECTMEN'S MEETII March 6, 1961 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, March 6, 1961, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Morey, Messrs. Adams, Ferguson, Richards and Cole were present . The Executive Clerk was also present. Mr. James J. Carroll met with the Board for the drawing of three jurors . The following individuals Jurors were drawn for jury duty: John G. Evans, 6 Blodgett Road; Philip H . Slade , 6 Nowers Road; Thomas H. Flanders, 11 Lantern Lane . Mr. Carroll retired. Upon motionduly made and seconded, it was voted Minutes to approve the minutes of the Selectmen' s Meeting held on February 27, 1961. Hearing was declared open upon petition ofthe New England Telephone andTelegraph Company for a conduit location opposite Curve Street . , Notice of the hearing was mailed to the applicant Conduit and to the owners of property, listed on the petitioner' s location blueprint. Mr. Consilvio, representing the petitioner, was the only person present at the hearing . He explained that the company is looking to place this cable for service into the general area of Curve Street and Massachusetts Avenue . The hearing was declared closed. Hearing was declared open upon the petition of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for permission to locate a hip guy and anchor on Grant Street. Hip guy Notice of the hearing was mailed to the petitioners and anchor and to the owners of property as listed on the petitioner' s blueprint . Mr. Consilvio, representing the telephone company, Mr. Mahon, representing the Boston Edison Company, and Mr. Thomas J. Colbert, 40 Court Street, Boston, repre- senting the Estate of Paul Bowser wee present . Mr. Mahon explained that the company desires to set the poles, an existing line and not an extension of the system, and to make a crossover it desires to put a hip guy on the existing pole . The hearing was declared closed. • 373 Hearing was declared open upon petition of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for permission to locate two Poles, hip poles , hip guy and anchor on the second pole . guy and Notice of the hearing was mailed to the peti- anchor tioners and to the owners of property as listed on the petitioner' s blueprint . Mr. Consilvio, Mr. Mahon and Mr. Colbert were present . Mr. Colbert stated that he was interested to know what is proposed to be done and that he had no objection. The hearing was declared closed. Messrs . Mahon, Consilvio and Colbert retired at 7: 50 P.M. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the petitions and sign the orders for the following poles, hip guy and anchor locations : Massachusetts Avenue - From manhole 5 ./27 opposite Curve Street southwesterly and southeasterly approximately 52 feet of conduit. Grant Street, easterly side , southerly from a point approximately 360 feet south of East Street, -- Twe poles - hip guy and anchor on the second pole . Grant Street, westerly side , from a pole located approximately 595 feet north of Colony Road, -- One hip guy and anchor. The Chairman called Chief Rycroft in and explained that the Board -;wanted to discuss speeding on the State highway over the weekend. Following the discussion, Chief Rycroft retired at 8:05 P.M. Mr. John Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works , met with the Board. The Chairman referred to the Selectmen' s Minutes of December 19, 1960, relative to the Traffic Study Committee ' s report that included "No Parking" signs Ito be placed by the First Church of Christ Scientist 374 1,04 raD in front of the church on Forest Street. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to advise Mrs . Maxine Gedritis, Clerk of the Church, Na that the church may erect "No Parking" signs along Parking Forest Sreet in front of the church property during services . The Chairman asked who would supply the signs and Mr. Ferguson replied that the church would . Mr. Ferguson asked if bumpers would be put in at Reed and Bedford Streets . Mr. Carroll stated that bumpers had been put in and were taken out and trees planted. He said Traffic the new shopping area would also have trees. He explained that the bumpers were removed because of complaints by MacKay and others . He told Mr. MacKay that the bumpers would be taken out but if the trees did not accomplish the same purpose the bumpers would be put back. Mr. Ferguson said he thought the bumpers should be put back . Mr. Ferguson asked about the curbing at Dr. Mooney' s property on Massachusetts Avenue, and Mr. Carroll said that if the Bow d thinks it is a problem, he would have it taken out. Traffic The Chairman said the same situation exists on Worthen Road at St . Brigid' s church. It was agreed to have the Traffic Study Committee look at these areas and meet next Monday at 7:00 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from John Bellizia, in reference to his letter of February 7 requesting the Town to petition the State to drain Tophet Swamp by dredging Kiln Brook. Mr. Carroll said, in his opinion, he thought it should be done because of the low land on the easterly side of Route 128 and this is an opportunity to get the State to widen it. He said the State would have to Drain lower the culvert because it is too high now . He said it should be dredged for a long way, almost to the Shawsheen River . The Chairman reported that Mr. Olson is going to be out here on Wednesday and it might be a good time to ask him about this . Mr. Ferguson said originally, as he recalled, the situation was aggravated by Route 128. Then apparently there was some disagreement and the State agreed to do it if the Town obtained the release of easements but nothing was done because the Town was unable to get 375 ' the easements . He asked the reason for doing it now . Mr . Carroll said there is just as much reason to do it now as there was then. Mr. Ferguson said the State won' t do it and the State put in 128. Mr. Carroll explained that Mr. Armstrong, Super- Kiln Brook intendent of the Mosquito Control Project, was the first person who brought this to his attention and said it was definitely a mosquito problem. Mr. Carroll suggested that a letter be sent to the State asking what the cost , in terms of dollars and cents, would be . The Chairman said that more information could be obtained from Mr. Olson when he is in Lexington next Wednesday. Mr. Carroll reported on the garbage bids opened Friday and said that he wrote Harold H. Shaw, North Great Road, Lincoln and asked for an equipment record, experience record, and a financial statement but has Garbage bids not received a reply. He also wrote Roketenetz and asked for the same information, and was referred to one of the brothers, a lawyer, who said he did not know if they wanted to give the requested information . IThe Chairman said the Board would have a more complete report next week, and Mr. Carroll said the contract could not be signed until after Town Meeting. Mr. Frank Heaney, Fay, Spofford & Thorndike , Inc . , met with the Board at 8:35 P.M. to discuss th9 Interim Report on the Refuse Collection and Disposal Study. Mr. Ferguson said he did not find any reason that he could detect as to why the Town should have rubbish collection when it is operating a sanitary fill dump. Refuse & Mr. Heaney stated the only reason he gave was, in Disposal running any disposal facilities, it is difficult to handle the great number of cars at the disposal point . If the Town has collection, only a few cars would be going in. Mr. Ferguson asked if the individual dumping his own rubbish would complicate the operation to the extent of $45,000. Mr. Heaney replied that it would not and said individuals taking rubbish to the dump have no collection charge . If they have a collector take it for $2.00 a month, it would be cheaper to pay for it on the tax bill . Mr. Ferguson said that at the moment if people want to pay, they pay and if not , they don't . Mr. Heaney said that sanitary land fill makes for I larger enclosure and it means an extra man at the lo- cation, fencing and extra solid gravel fill . 376 Mr. Ferguson said the reason for collection is to insure a steady flow of refuse to the fill site and also an orderly procedure in covering so that at the close of business at the end of each working day, there will be nothing but clean fill visible to the naked eye . Mr. Heaney said the dumping would be on a platform, the operator cleans the receiving area off and at the end of the day it is clean. Mr. Ferguson asked what would happen if too many cars went to the dump for the operator to clean it up. Mr. Heaney replied that he has figured on over 200 feet of dumping line . Mr. Ferguson asked if more equipment would be necessary for burying the material and Mr. Heaney replied • in the negative . He said the machine is ample to carry the material down and pack it . Mr. Ferguson said he wa. not sure that it had been decided that the best method for Lexington was sanitary land fill . Mr. Heaney stated that he is recommending sanitary land fill. Mr. Ferguson said he assumed the Town would eventually have to go to incineration. Mr. Heaney said if the Town could use the areas listed in the report, incineration would be twenty years away. Mr. Ferguson said that with incineration, there still has to be a place todump and he asked why Mr. Heaney did not recommend an incinerator now on one of these areas . Mr. Heaney replied that there will be no trouble getting rid of the ashes from the incinerator when the time comes . He said there would always be unburnable material that has to be buried or disposed of at remote locations . Sanitary land fill is recommended because of the reclamation value . He said the Town would have land that can be released for industrial purposes . Mr. Richards said he disagreed on the eventual in- cineration because he understands that most sabitary engineers contend that the disposal of waste materials can be put to an advantage . He. said it is not neces- sarily true that twenty years from now the Town will have to go to incineration. He stated that it is an expensive and wasteful type of disposal. Mr. Heaney pointed out that the State and the U.S. Public Health service will approve of both rubbish and garbage in the sanitary land fill so that there is com- plete disposal. In operating an incinerator, some of the material will have to buried. However, the major difference is the reclamation value . He said if a town has land it can use for a long period of time and by 377 I doing so get some real value he could not see going to incineration. The Chairman said that by going to land fill, the collection of rubbish could be put off, but by going to incineration, it would seem that rubbish collection would be a must . Mr. Ferguson said he could not see the need for collection and could not see spending the additional money for collection. The Chairman asked if the Board desired to dis- cuss the subject any further . No one had any further questions or comments . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to direct Mr. Heaney to continue the study in accordance with his proposition on the proposal that the Town embark on a system of sanitary lard fill, without municipal collection, located in. area #10. Mr. Heaney retired at 9:20 P.M. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, met with the Board. Mr. Stevens reported that he had an accident claim involving a police cruiser, driven by Officer Knute . Claim On February 15, 1961, at 2:15 A.M. , he backed the cruiser I out of police headquarters into the parked car of Officer Stanley Janusas . An estimate of the damage , received from the Colonial Garage, was $93.90. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize Mr. Stevens to settle the claim for $93 .90. Mr. Stevens reported that the Metropolitan District Commission is going ahead with the Route 2 water project Water down to Waltham Street and it calls for a completion date of December, 1961. Mr. Stevens reported that he now has a plan, prepared by Mr . Carroll, on the Herzog property which has been Herzog shown to the Planning Board. Mr. Stevens will send the plan to Herzog and ask that he let him know if it is in accord with the Board' s understanding so that a deed can be prepared. Mr. Stevens referred to Station Way and said that an order had been received from the County Commissioners determining that convenience and necessity require the layout of that way across the tracks at grade . The next step is to obtain the written consent of the Department of Public Utilities, and he read a letter he had drafted to send to the Department . 378 Mr. Stevens said that when he talked iithPMr. Pryor, who represented the railroad at the hearing, it was his Station Way impression that the railroad wanted lights there for its own protection and he is to check with the Engineering Department tomorrow and then call Mr. Stevens . The Board approved of the proposed letter and agreed th t it was all right for Mr. Stevens to send it along . Notification was received from the Metropolitan Hearing District Commission advising that it is considering the advisability of transferring the dare and control of Long Pond and Whitehall Pond, Rutland, to the Department of Natural Resources . A Hearing for all interested officials of the towns of the District will be held March 9, 20 Somerset Street, at 11:00 A.M. No action was taken. Statement was received from the Metropolitan District Water Commission indicating the amount of water sold to all municipalities and revenue received during the previous calendar year . No action was taken. Notice was received of a hearing to be held at the Department of Public Utilities upon- investigation by the Hearing department as to rates and charges of the Boston and Maine Railroad. Mr. Stevens stated that ordinarily the Town is not represented. No action was taken. Mr. Carroll presented a plan entitled "Taking of ,128 Taking Land for Route 128 Widening", prepared by the engine- Plan ering department showing land taken by the State, dates of taking and the awards . Mr. Richards agreed to check into the matter further, and no action was taken. Mr. Carroll retired at 9:58 P.M. The Board went over the motions to be presented at the Annual Town Meeting with Mr. Stevens, after which Mr. Stevens retired at 11:03 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from Peter Salmon, Field Secretary, Fellowship of Reconciliation for the "Walk for Peace" advising that a walk to promote world peace will go through Lexington on April 1. The organization intends to contact Chief Rycroft and work with him. 1 . 379 The Chairman reported that the Lexington Chamber of Commerce would like a letter from the Board re- questing or suggesting that the stores remain closed on April 19, a holiday on which the Sunday Blue Laws April 19 do not apply. It was agreed to send a letter suggesting that the stores remain closed at least during the hours of parade . It was agreed to send a letter suggesting that the stores vote voluntarily to remain closed for the day, rather than to do so after an official request. Letter was received from Dr. Howard A. Smith, Chairman of the Minuteman Freedom Committee , advising that a committee of townspeople are planning to invite to Lexington and Concord the United Nations delegates April 19 from the seventeen new States admitted to the United Nations in 1960 to be entertained in private homes April 19 and participate in commemorative exercises in each town. It was suggested that the details be worked out with the Town Celebrations Committee. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Nickerson asking what progress has been made in regard to the enforcement of regulations. The Chairman reported that the Bo rd of Appeals would like to meet with the Selectmen to discuss the subject Enforcement and it was agreed to arrange a meeting some time after of the final adjournment of the Annual Town Meeting. regulations Memo was received from Mr. Irwin, Building Inspector, listing complaints received and action taken during the month of February. Letter was received from Mr . Edwin F. Small, Minute Man National Historical Park Project, advising that Mr. Stout, a landscape architect, will visit Lexington on Route 126 Thursday, March 9, with Mr. Olson of the Department of bridge Pulbic Works, to make a field investigation of the pro- posed relocation of the Massachusetts Avenue bridge at Route 128. Application for the position of Gas Inspector was received from Mr. Edmund A . Webb, 43 Hayes Avenue , Lex- Application ington. No action was taken on the matter. Request was received from the League of Women Voters (Mrs. Leon B. Groisser, Treasurer) requesting permission 380 - to place a table in the lobby of Cary Memorial Build- , ing on the night of Town Meeting for the purpose of selling pamphlets entitled "Town Government in Lexington" and "Look at Lexington Schools1P . The Board had no ob- jection . The meeting adjourned at 11:30 P.M. A true record, Attest: ec tiv le rkc Select n i