HomeMy WebLinkAbout1960-04-11 Board of Selectmen MinutesApril ll, 1960
The Board of Selectmen met am 7:30 P.H. The members present were: Ralph E.
~inck, Chairman; William Finneran an~ Philip Sutcliffe.
HEARING: Benjamin Hollins, Storage of Gasoline
There was no opposition to the application of licenses for s~orage of gasoline
by Benjamin Hollin$, at 17 Massachusetts Avenue. Mr. Finneran made a motion
that the licenses be granted, seconded by Mr. Sutcliffe and vote~ unanimously.
OPPOSITION TO LANDTAKING FOR HIGHWAY 495 CONSTRUCTION
~Lrs. Sophie Didell, 93 Massachusetts Ave. and Mrs. AnielaAponovich, Perry St.,
appeared before the Board to express dissatisfaction with the answers given
at the public hearing when state officials told what is known up to now abou~
the route and the home owners who will be affected by the taking. She said
many people were dissatisfied with the resulm of the hearing and suggested the
Selectmen call another hearing, inviting "a responsible person from the D.P.W.
to answer them".
Chairman Finck stated that no money has yet been appropriated by the federal
government for construction of the highway, so it wofi~d be impossible for
state officials to give more than an approximate date of taking.
Mrs. Aponovich requested information as to how she would go about having her
hofise moved, if she thought it necessary.
Chairman Finck assured everyone that the Board would attempt to ~et someone to
town who could point out the exact route, and who could answer questions re-
garding land taking and negotiating procedures.
JUROR DRAW~'
John J. Lyons, Town Clerk, appearedbefore the Board for the drawing of a
juror for the May 2, 1960 sitting of Salem Superior Court, Civil business.
Mr. Finneran drew the name of Eva C. Sharp, 1~9 Beverly Street, Housewife.
APPLTCATION: Board of Fire ~gineers
Mr. John Walsh appeared to apply orally for the vacancy on the Board of Fire
Engineers, and stated his qualifications. The Board advised him to put his
qualifications into writing and that they woul~ give his application every
consideration.
ELDERLY HOUSING ~
Attorney, John J. Willis and Ra~ond C. ~ountain, Chairman of the Housing .'
Authority, appeared before the Board to discuss the acceptance b~ the Town
of the driveway to the D2dDr~y~housing project. Mr. Fountain stated that
State Housing Authority wou!d like some assurance from the Selectmen that
the town will maintain the drive. The Board said they woul~ send a letter
but that the Planning Board would also have to give approval. Atty. Willis
also suggested that there is additional work to be done on Davis .St. e~tension
andthat could be submitted for approval, when the work is completed, at.the
same time as the driveway.
Mr. Sutcliffe made s motion that the necessary steps will be taken, seconded by
Mr. Finneran and voted unanimously.
APPLICATION: Lawrence Gas Company
Twb officials of the Lawrence Gas Co, any appeared before the Board to explain
the purpose of the company's application to excavate at 123 locations in town
to chemically treat the gas main. Gen. Supt. Armando Guartno and Frank Goebel
ezp!ained the procedure that would be taken by the Gas Company. Chairman Finck
was concerned mainly withwhat the condition of the roads woul~ be after the
Company was through with its excavations. The town wants to be assured that the
roads will be put back in good condition. Mr. Guarino and Mr. Goebel assured
the Board that this woul~ be done and that the Gas Co. will also provide police
protection where necessary during the excavations.
DALE STREET
Theodore Smolak , 503 Dale Street, stated that his father had leased land to
the town on Dale Street and had aske~ the town to provide a roadway on the south
side of the street. He said this has not been done and woul~ like to have the
Selectmen invesmigate.
April 11, 1960 - continued:
APPOINTMENTS: Police Dept.
Appointment of ~wo new police officers was d~ferred for one week ~o give all
four men on the list the time required by Civil Service to notify the Board
whether or not they would accept the position. Mr. Finneran mods the mo~ion
to table any action until next week. Mr. Sutcliffe seconded the motion and the
vote was unanimous.
POLE &WIRELOCATION
Mr. Finneran made a motion to sem s hearing date of April 25, 1960, at 7:30 P.M.
for the Merrimack-Essex Electric Co. for Pole & Wire Location on the southerly
side of Andover Street. Mr. Sutcliffe seconded the motion, and the vo~e was
unanimous.
LAWRENCE GAS COMPANY: Excavation for Gas
This petition for excavation for gas service at 77 Chadwick St. will be acted
upon after it has been approved by the proper authorities. Mr. Finneran made
the motion, seconded byMr. Sutcliffe and voted unanimously.
HEARING: Francis W. Trombly
Mr. Sutcliffe made a motion to set a hearing for Francis W. Tromb!y, for a
permit to operate a bus route through ~own. This hearing will be he!~ on
April !Sth a~ 8:00 P.M. Mm. Finneran seconded the motion and the vote was
~nanimous.
PLANNING BOARD
Chairman Finck rea~ a letter from the Planning Board requesting a report on
conditions at 1003 Osgood St. Mr. Sutcliffe m~de a motion that the Planning
Board request the report from the Building Inspector. ~. Finneran seconded the
motion.
INVITATION: Methuen V.F.W.
Chairman Finck read s letter from the Methuen V.F.W. inviting the Board to visit
their new home on Easter Sunday, April 17th. Mr. ~inneran made a motion to
express the Board,s thanks and will make every effort to attend. Mr. Sutcliffe
seconded the motion. The vote was unsnlmous.
REPORT: Lawrence Airport Commission
Chairman Finck read a report from Thaddeus p. Zimny, Liaison Officer to the
Lawrence Airport Commission. The Board commented on the excellenm reports
they are receiving from Dr. Zimny and noted investigating any further develop-
men~s on proposed glider operations, since such operations may present a hazard
to the town. Mr. Sutcliffe made a motion to accept the reporm, seconded by
Mr. Finneran and VOted unanimously.
MEETING: Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Co.
Chairman Finck read the letter announcing the meeting in May in Chicago and
enclosing a Prox~y. Mr. Sutcliffe made a motion to table for one week, seconde~
by Mr. Finneran and voted unanimously.
REPORT: Mass. Retail Price Index
Chairman Fimck read a letter from the Dept. of Labor & Industries with a report
of the Mass. Retail Price Index. Mr. Finneran made a motion to accept the
communication for further s~udy. Mr. Sutcliffe seconded the motion. The vote
was unanimous.
HOUSEBILL#2960
Chairman Finck read the letter from the Mass. Federation of Taxpayers
Associations regarding House Bill #2960. Mr. Sutcliffe made a mo~ion to table
this letter forone week for further study. Mr. Finneran seconded the momion
the rome was unanimous.
NATIONAL OBSERVANCE
Chairman Finck read a letter regarding the national observance of Helen Keller's
80th birthday. Mr. Sutcliffe made a motion to accept the letter, seconded by
Mr. Finneran and voted unanimously.
INCINERATOR
The Board discusscd the location of o proposed incinerator in the mown yard.
Chairman Fimck stated that opinions and estimates of contractors should be
thoroughly considered. Something should be done as soon as possible, as there
is s definite need of an incinerator. Mr. Sutcliffe made a motion mo con,act
three or four firms for prices, seconded by Mr. Finneran and voted unanimously.