HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-06-BOS-min60-305
Selectmen's Meeting Minut
June 3, 1996
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, June 3, 1996 in the
Selectmen's Meeting Room., Town Office Building at 7:30 p.m. Chairman McSweeney, Mr.
Bailey, Mr. Busa, Mr. Fenn, Mrs. Eddison; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel; Mr. white, Town
Manager; and Ms. Smith, Executive Clerk, were present.
Public Comments
Stephen Tripi submitted a petition for a referendum question on the ballot for the next annual
election. He also expressed his concerns for the safety of his family after his picture window had
been shot at with a BB gun and after having received threatening phone calls over the past several
weeks.
Mr. McSweeney indicated he would get back to Mr. Tripi after he had a chance to look over the
petition he had submitted.
/Boston Edison Cony an Grant of Location Hearin - 17 Lowell Street
Mr. McSweeney opened a hearing on the petition for a grant of location for a pole relocation.
The work is being requested by the developer of the Winship Common subdivision.
There being no questions or comments, Mr. McSweeney declared the hearing closed.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the joint petition of
NYNE X/Boston Edison Company for a grant of location to relocate pole #55/11 from its present
location on Lowell Street, in a northwesterly direction along the private property line, a distance
of 45 feet ±.
NYNEX Grant of Location Hearing - Coolid e Avenue
Mr. McSweeney opened a hearing on the petition of NYNEX for a Grant of Location for conduit
to be installed to provide underground telephone service to the customers at 73 and 73 A Hancock
Street.
There being no questions or comments, Mr. McSweeney declared the hearing closed.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the petition of NYNEX to lay and
maintain underground conduits and manholes, with the wires and cables to be placed therein,
under the surface of Coolidge Avenue from the customer's property at 55 Coolidge Avenue,
placing conduit in a westerly direction a distance of 129 feet; then turning northerly a distance
• 1 n tu southerly i n
of 43 feet to pole #4�3 5, also from previously described wester y ru , to soot e ly a d sta ce
of 49 feet to p ole #42/34.
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Selectmen's Meeting - June 3, 1996
NYNE Grant of Location Hearin - Massachusetts Avenue and Meriam Street
Mr. McSweeney opened a hearing on the petition of NYNEX for a grant of location for conduit
to be installed, owned and used by NYNEX to provide underground telephone service to a new
Surface Area Interface Cabinet on Meriam Street. Conditions being required include the cold
planing of Massachusetts Avenue for an area 24' to 27'x 2" and Meriam Street 9'x 2 ", repainting
traffic lines and parking lines, and using a paving contractor approved by the Town,
There being no questions or comments, Mr. McSweeney declared the hearing closed.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the petition of NYNEX to lay and
maintain underground conduits and manholes, with the wires and cables to be placed therein,
under the surface of Massachusetts Avenue from manhole #54/57A, placing conduit in a
southwesterly direction, a distance of 138 feet ±; then turning in a northeasterly direction up
Meriam Street, a distance of 455 feet ±, to proposed Surface Area Interface location at Meriam
Street municipal parking lot.
_ _ x Grant of Location Hearing - Meriam Street
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Mr. McSweeney opened a hearing on the petition of X for rant of location for a Surface
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Area Interface Cabinet and conduit to be installed, owned and used by NYNEX on Meriam Street
adjacent to the Meriam Street parking lot. The petitioner has received Historic Districts
Commission approval for this installation. In addition to the grant of location, the Board is being
asked to approve the issuance of a license to NYNBX to locate the SEAL unit on Town . pro ert
p y
In exchange for the license, NYNEX will pay the Town a one --time consideration in the amount of
$15, 000.
There being no questions or comments, Mr. McSweeney declared the hearing closed.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the petition from NYNEX for a
grant of location and a license to install a Surface Area Interface Cabinet on the grass strip on the
southeasterly side of Meriam Street.
Letter to Massachusetts Cable Television Commission
Cable Tv and Communications Advisory Committee member Julian Bussgang requested that the
Board send a letter he has drafted to the Mass. Cable Commission requesting a ruling from them
on whether a hearing is necessary on the transfer of paper and stock from one company to
another. Mr. Cohen has reviewed the dram letter and indicated it is in order.
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Selectmen's Meeting - June 3, 1996
Upon notion duly made and seconded, it was voted to send the letter as requested to the
Massachusetts Cable Commission.
At the request of the Cable TV and Communications Advisory Confmittee, the Board asked the
Manager to provide a copy of the I -Net contract to the CATV Committee before it is executed.
The Manager indicated he would do so.
Hackna Carriage/Limousine License Renewals
Barbara A. Zuben dlbfa Lexington Sedan Services 789 Massachusetts Avenue
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the application of Barbara A.
Zuben and issue her three limousine licenses subject to the vehicles passing inspection by the
Lexington Police Department.
Arlex Taxi
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the application of Ronald Bonney
d/bla Arlex Taxi and issue four hackney carriage licenses and three limousine licenses subject to
the vehicles passing inspection by the Lexington Police Department.
Town Manner Evaluation
Mr. McSweeney reported that he had distributed a copy of the evaluation document to each of his
colleagues. He is asking them to complete their evaluations and return them to him by June 17.
He then plans to have a formal evaluation at the meeting of July 1, 1996.
Board members indicated they °would be open to written public comments on the performance of
the Town Manager until the meeting of June 17.
Appointments
Town Counsel
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reappoint the firm of Palmer & Dodge
represented by Norman P. Cohen as Town Counsel for a terra to expire June 30, 1997.
Executive Clerk
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reappoint Phyllis A. Smith as Executive
Clerk for a terra to expire June 30, 139T
Deeper of the Lockup
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was Voted to reappoint Chief Chris Casey as Keeper of
_ i w the Lockup for a term to expire June 30, 1997.
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Selectmen's Meeting e June 3, 1996
Registrar of voters - -
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reappoint Luanna Devinis as Registrar of
voters for a term to expire March 31, 1999.
Prop osal for Increased Parking Fees and Street Light Reduction Program
Mr. McSweeney reviewed the changes that were made by Town Meeting to the Selectmen's
proposed budget. one item is the increased use of- parking meter funds in the amount of
$141,000, which would be a revenue increase. The second is a budget reduction of $117,000 for
the street light line item. The plan is that we will be making a decision at the meeting on June 17.
Parkin
Mr. white explained that the Town collects approximately $344,000 a year in parking meter
funds. we could meet $59,100 of the $141,110 problem by using every bit of money in the
Parking Meter Fund. That would leave us with an $52,000 problem.. we don't have a lot oftime
to pull these things together.
DPW Administrative Assistant Pauline Burke reviewed several options which would produce
more revenue in the parking meter fund.
There was much discussion about increasing the parking permit fees, parking meter fees,
extending the hours for metered parking, parking fees for weekends and looking for more metered
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parking possibilities.
Center businessman Eric Michelson presented the Board with some alternative suggestions to
raising the meter rates in the center. There was much support from other businesses in the Center
to Mr. Michelson's proposals.
There was concern expressed over Mr. Michelson's proposal to add permitted parking to some
side streets because of safety concerns.
Board members asked the Public works Department to take a look at Mr. Michelson's figures
and work in some cost figures and come to the Board meeting on the 17th using as much of Mr.
Michelson's suggestions as possible and come in with a proposal to meet the $52,000 revenue
gap.
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Selectmen!s Meeting - June 3, 1996
Street Lights
DPW Director George Woodbury reported on a meeting of staff where after pedestrian and traffic
safety consideration, it is every other light in Town. He is still negotiating with Boston Edison to
turn the ownership of the lights over to the Town. He will be corning in with a proposal on the
1 7th which will meet the $117,000 in savings.
Mr. McSweeney thanked the Public works staff for their efforts.
Minutes
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the meetings of
April 16, April 20, April 22 and April 29, 1996.
Executive Session Minutes
U pon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the executive session minutes of
the meetings of April 16 and April 20, 1996.
Board Members and interested citizens left to go on a tour of the street test lights throughout
Town.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10:23 p.m.
A true record, Attest:
(2
Ph A. Smith
E iv Clerk-
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Selectmen's Meeting Minutes
June 17, 1996
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, June 17, 1996 in the
Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building at 7:30 p.m. Chairman McSweeney, Mr.
Dailey, Mr. Busa, Mrs. Eddison; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel; Mr. white, Town Manager; and Ms.
Smith, Executive Clerk, were present.
Public Comments
Stephen Tripi submitted a petition with the required signatures for a referendum question on the
ballot for the next annual election.
Mr. Tripi asked whether the petition as submitted would be acceptable. It was determined that
the petition as submitted meets the requirements and-therefore the Board would waive the need
for a formal petition form.
Mr. Tripi* expressed concern that the Board act as soon aspossible on the petition because if the
Board voted against putting the referendum question on the ballot, he would need as much time
as possible to obtain the required signatures of 2,000 registered voters, representing 20% of the
registered voters of the Town.
s
Transfer of Common victualler All Alcoholic Liquor Licence - Roka Restaurant
Mr. McSweeney opened the hearing on the application of Dabin Restaurant for a transfer of an all
alcoholic common victualler license from the Roka Restaurant.
Mr. Conroy, Attorney for the applicant, indicated that the present owners were moving back to
Harvard Square. The new owner is a registered voter in the Town of Arlington. There will be no
changes in the operation and the hours will be the same.
There being no questions from the Board or the audience, the Chairman declared the hearing
closed.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the application of Dabin
Restaurants, Inc. for a transfer of an all alcoholic beverage license from Roka Restaurant at 10
Muzzey Street.
MBTA/Lexoress Contract
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve and sign the contract renewal
between the META and Lexpress for a one -year period.
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Selectmen's Meeting - June 17, 1996
Letter of Endorsement - Lexinpt on Housinp, Authodty A lication
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Chairman to send a letter in
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support of the Lexington Housing Authority's application for a grant for modernization funds to
enhance the scattered sites housing in the Town through the Comprehensive Improvement
Assistance Program.
Trustees of Public Trusts - Trust Funds
Carolyp McCabe Memorial ScholarshiD Trust
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to establish the Carolyn McCabe Memorial
Scholarship Trust.
Mary Sorenson Memorial Scholarship Fund
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to establish the Mary Sorenson Memorial
Scholarship Fund.
Lexington P.T.A. Scholarship Fund
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to establish the Lexington P.T.A. Scholarship
Fund.
CATV and Communications Advisojy Committee
David Buczkowski of the CATV and Communications Advisory Committee requested the Board
on behalf of the Committee to request a hearing on the transfer of license ownership from
warberg- Pincus L.P. to Cablevision Systems Corp.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to conduct a hearing on the transfer of
CATV license ownership on Monday, July 22, 1996 at 7:30 p.m.
EmpZ Park/De of S are Redesiiz n
There was much discussion over three schemes for the redesign of Emery Park/Depot Square
proposed by the Design Advisory Committee at an earlier meeting of the Board of Selectmen on
April 1, 1996.
A. new Scheme E, presented to the Board by the Friends of Emery Park, proposes to have two of
the Lexpress buses park on Massachusetts Avenue in front of Depot Square and two buses park
on the opposite side of Massachusetts Avenue in front of the Shawmut Bank. There was much
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Selectmen's Meeting - June 17, 1996
concern expressed over the safety of passengers crossing Massachusetts Avenue to transfer to
another L.express bus. It is estimated that there are 15 to 20 passengers a day who do use
transfers. Recommendations were made to see whether all four buses could park in front of
Depot Square if the MBTA stop is either moved or eliminated.
Professor Ivor Morgan of 4 Chandler Street spoke on behalf of the Friends of Emery Park about
their concerns over a grant proposal submitted by the Transportation - Office which would reduce
the park to "small fragments".
Board members requested the Design Advisory Committee to review the new proposal and
working with the Transportation Advisory Committee, come back to the Board with a
recommendation.
Parking Fees
DPW Director George Woodbury presented the Board with a combination of options which
would result in a net revenue increase of approximately $85,000. There was considerable
discussion about the concerns about raising the parking fees; the businesses fear they will lose
customers and the neighbors on the side streets such as Parker, Forest, Waltham and Muzzey near
the Center are concerned that any increase in fees will cause people to park on their streets to
avoid paying for parking.
Mr. Dailey hopes to see some blending of parking fee increases along with building permit fee
increases so that the $85,000 can be raised in a way that causes very little grief to neighbors and
to the businesses in the Center. Mr. Dailey proposed approving the following options: attended
lot on all Saturdays from April 1 to October 31 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. generating $7,309 net
revenue;. increase the night flat rate at attended lot after 5:00 p.m. from 500/h to 750/hr.
generating $4,663 net revenue; increasing attended lot all day rate from $1.50 to $2.00 generating
$21,190; and increasing annual permit fee at the attended lot from $200 to $225 eneratin
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$21,500 in net revenue. Mr. Dailey also proposed to change the six meters in Lot #1 off Waltham
Street from two -hour meters to thirty - minute meters; and allowing parking after 6 :00 p.m. at the
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"No Parking Loading zone' at the rear of Peking Gardens and adding additional metered spaces
as follows: create angled space near Boston Edison driveway on Edison way; eliminate Craft
Cleaners "No Parking - Loading Zone" or five- minute drop -off; create a "Compact Car Only"
space in the corner near the bike path on Edison way; one space adjacent to Dunkin' Donuts @7a
1707 Massachusetts Avenue; and three spaces on Meriam Street on either side of attended lot
entrance. Mr. Dailey also suggested moving ahead on the proposed plan to create an additional
twenty to twenty -five spaces in the School Administration lot.
Mr. white was asked to. come back to the Board on July 1 with a plan for raising the building
permit fees to cover the difference.
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Selectmen's Meeting - June 17, 1996
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the proposals as outlined by Mr.
Dailey.
Street Light reduction Pro jz m
Mr. Woodbury reviewed the report of the Street Lights out Group to turn out roughly 1300
street lights in Town in order to realize a $117,000 savings necessitated by a $117,000 cut in the
street light budget. He asked that the Board approve the concept presented and allow the Town
to begin final negotiations with Boston Edison to finalize the cost of turnoff, the time -lines and
the savings.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the concept as presented and
request the DPW Director to go ahead with the program.
Test Light Timetable
Mr. Chalpin reviewed a proposed timetable for the remain_ der of the test light program. The
evaluation period should continue through February 28, 1997 in order to experience all extremes
in temperature. Questionnaire's will continue to be distributed, including the neighborhoods where
the test lights are installed, and the Lighting options Committee will have the results available by
February 1, 1997. The Lighting options Committee will present a formal recommendation to the
Board recommending which lights should be chosen by March 30, 1997.
After a decision is made by the Board, Boston Edison will have two weeks to calculate and
submit a proposed rate for each light. Then the Town and Boston Edison will have two weeks to
reach agreement on the proposed rates.
Mr. McSweeney thanked Mr. Chalpin and members of the Lighting options Committee.
Recreation Fee Increase - Pine Meadows Golf Course
Recreation Director Karen Simmons reported on a recent meeting of the recreation Committee
concerning fee increases. The Recreation Committee is requesting the Board's approval for a
$1.00 increase in all fees for use of the Pine Meadows Golf Course. The Committee is still
reviewing other fees and will come back to the Board with a recommendation at a later date.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the
Recreation Committee to raise all the golfing rates at the Pine Meadows Golf Course by $1.00.
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Selectmen's Meeting - June 17, 1995
Reserve Fund Transfers
Mr. white reviewed requests for transfers from the Reserve Fund.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request the following transfers from the
Reserve Fund: $95,000 to Element 4300 Fire Personal Services; $20,000 to. Element 4300 Fire
Expenses (includes May 6 transfer request); $4,012 to Element 2150 Police and Fire Medical
Expense and $50,000 to Element 8410 Legal Expenses.
Salary Adjustments
Mr. white requested end of the year salary adjustment transfers be made from Account 2320
Municipal Salary Adjustments.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to transfer $13,050 from Account 2320 as
follows: $4,000 to Line Item 2410 Clerical Pool; $700 to Line Item 6210 veterans; $8,3 50 to
Line Item 8120 Town Manager's Office.
Landfill Composting
Mr. Woodbury reviewed plans to increase the Contractor's Fee for Yard waste Disposal. The
plan is to come back to the Board on July 1 with permit statistics and projected revenue figures
and at that time ask the Board to approve the new fees.
Letter to Senate - -House Budget Conference Committee re vocational Re ional Tuition Amount
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to send a letter to the Senate -House Budget
Conference Committee and the Town's local legislators in support of two sections of the senate
budget proposing to change the vocational regional tuition amount from $5,000/student to the
state-wide average.
Ap12 ointments to Torn Celebrations Committee
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Suzanne E. Barry and Jinn Cataldo
to the Town Celebrations Committee for a three -year term ending June 30, 1999.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reappoint John Graham, Sondra Lucente
and Julie Miller to the Town Celebrations Committee for a three -year term ending June 30, 1999.
Upon motion duly and seconded, it was voted to reappoint Henry C. Murphy to the Town
Celebrations Subcommittee for a one -year term ending June 30, 1997.
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Selectmen's Meeting - June 17, 1996
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint David Taylor and Robert J.
Tracey to the Town Celebrations Subcommittee for a. one -year terns ending June 30, 1997.
Minutes
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the meetings of
April 1, 1996, May 1, 1996, May 13, 1996, May 15, 1996 and May 20, 1996.
Executive Session Minutes
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the executive session minutes of
the meeting of May 20, 1996.
Executive Session
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 4--0 by roll call vote: Mr. McSweeney, Mr.
Dailey, Mr. Busa and Mrs. Eddison to go into executive session for matters of land acquisition,
the disclosure of which might adversely affect the interests of the Town, with no intent to resume
open session.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 1035 p . m.
A true record Attest:
Phyl A. Smith
Ex utive Clerk