1939-01-30 - Laserfiche WebLink

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It would be up to the agent to dig up jobs out of town andrupply men for them. Mr. Clark said he felt the only solution was through people in town who could put Lexington men to work, but he did not believe the answer was within the Town of Lexington. Mr. Merriam said that he believed the work would have to be procured out of town. The general matter of W.P.A. was discussed and Mr. Merriam said that the Appropriation Committee felt that the W.P.A. projects should all be approved by the Town Meeting Members before they were approved by the Selectmen. Mr. Rowse said he thought it was all right for the Appropriation Committee to approve the projects. Mr. Merriam said he merely thought that the Appropriation Committee should know what projects were to be done before Town Meeting. He did not mean that they were to have final say on the projects as he did not believe that that body was as competent to judge their values as the Selectmen. It was the unanimous feeling of the Board of Selectmen that it would be a mistake to put the W.P.A. projects before the Town Meeting Members for approval as it would be impossible to get ten or more igen to agree on each project. The Board felt it would be better if the Appropriation Committee would pass on the projects and approve them before they were submitted. The matter of establishing a separate Board of Public Welfare was then discussed. Mr. Merriam said that if it was at all possible to get a separate Board that would do a good job, it would be the best thing for the town. He thought an elected board might be dangerous, although they thought it would be an advantage over the present sie°t=up The Appropriation Committee is in fati,or of an appointed board. The Chairman pointed out that under the Act of the Legislature referring to Lexington passed in 1922, the duties of the overseers of the poor are vested in the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Emery said he would see what was nec- essary to be done in order to change this. They retired at 11;00 P. M. The matter of the police officer investigating welfare Officer on cases was discussed and it was brought out that he did not Welfare wear a uniform. Mr. Clark moved that the police officer be work, ordered to wear a uniform while investigating welfare cases. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from Tax Commissioner Long rel- ative to the Barnes property. He said that if it was the agreement between the town and the Barnes heirs that the 1937 taxes were to be included as part of the purchase price, a sufficient amount of money should have been appropriated for that purpose. He said that appropriations Barnes should reflect the true amount being expended and if the property. town failed to fulfill their agreement, a further approp- riation should be made at torn meeting so that the towns- people would know just what the property cost. The Clerk was instructed to take the matter up with the Town Counsel and ask him if he agreed with Mr. Long] Mr. Rowse moved that if Mr. Wrightington agreed with Mr. 1 D 1