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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1935-12-17 194 SELECTMEN'S MEETING. DEC. 17th, 1935. A regular meeting of the Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building,. at 7:30 P.M. Messrs. Ferguson, Lyons, Potter, Giroux and Clark were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7:46 P.M. bids were received on a loan in the amount of $100,000. in anticipation of revenue, the notes to be dated December 18, 1935, and payable July 17th, 1936. The Town Treasurer appeared and submitted the follow- ing bids: Second National Bank .245% Whiting, Weeks & Knowles .19 Bids on N. E. Trust Co. .164% Loan. Lexington Trust Co. .18+% Boston Safe Deposit & Trust .18% plus $7. premium. Mr. Lyons moved that the loan be awarded to the New England Trust Co., the lowest bidder, at their bid of .164% discount. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Board discussed the matter of appointing Assist- ant Assessors to begin work on January 1st, 1936, to serve during such time as the Assessors shall designate Assistant at a salary of $4.00 per day. The following persons Assessors were considered: appointed. John McKearney 125 Grant Street Milford Woodward 16 Manley Court Paul McDonnell 28 Vine Street Francis Kelley 40 Woburn Street Frederic B. Hunneman 7 Parker Street. Mr. Clark made a motion that the following persons be appointed: Milford Woodward, Paul McDonnell, Francis Kelley and Frederic B. Hunneman. Mr. Lyons seconded the motion and it was so voted. At 8 P.M. hearing was declared open on the appli- cation of Clarence H. Conroy for permission to maintain a two car garage at the corner of Summit and Follen Conroy Roads, Lexington. Mr. Conroy appeared and presented Garage plan of the proposed garage . No persons appeared in hearing. opposition. Mr. Lyons made a motion that the license be granted subject to the approval of the Building Inspector. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Ralph I. Dale appeared before the Board to discuss again the matter of having the Lexington Police Department join the New England Police Revolver League. He stated that he was ready to go ahead with the project r , 195 as soon as possible and that if nothing were done until March, it would mean that the indoor range work would have to be dropped. The second series of matches will come up in January and in order to receive any benefit from an indoor range it must be used in the winter. The Chairman asked Mr. Trask if he thought that there was some space available in the Public. Works Build- ing that might be used for a range and Mr. Trask stated that he thought there was . Mr. Dale stated that the range should be about 75 feet long and 9 feet wide. The Chairman asked if it would be possible to build a temporary range and Mr. Dale replied that it would be possible but that it would be better to build a permanent range. Mr. Trask did not see how the range could be erected for $100. but Mr. Dale thought that it would. Mr. Trask stated that there would be about $75. available in the Police Dept. appropriation. He stated that there would have been more but he had Police promised Officer Neal that if there was any money left shooting at the end of the yearhe would purchase some photo- range. graphic supplies for him and he did not like to go back on his word. He stated that he thought the project could be started and the ammunition purchased after the first of theear. y The Board informed Mr. Dale that the h matter would be talked over and that Mr. Traslc would take up the matter with him. Mr. Dale retired. II Mr. Lyons moved that the Supt. of Public Works be authorized to proceed with the construction of a shooting range at the Public Works Building and that not more than $100. be expended on the construction of the range, and that one half of the cost be charged to the Police Dept. appropriation and the other half to the Unclassified Account . Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Supt. of Public Works reported that Roland Garmon, who with his mother takes care of the Stone Building, felt that the $10, per week plus rent and Janitor, fuel Which the Town pays Win, was not sufficient money Stone for the amount of work that he and his mother had to Building do now. There are 35 women working on the E.R.A. in the building and he also has to take care of the Library. The Board took no action on the matter as they felt that this was a matter to be brought before the Library Trustees. The Supt. of Public Works brought up the matter of the employment of Manuel Rose as Library Janitor at the Cary Memorial Library. He stated that Rev. Chapman of the Library Trustees was very much disturbed because the Janitor Board had appointed Rose. Mr. Trask stated that he at Cary thought that it was proper to bring the matter before Memorial the Board inasmuch as Mr. Ferguson was Chairman of the Library. House Committee, a sub-committee of the Library Trustees. He stated that Rose had been removed and that Mr. Corcoran of Stratham Road was appointed in his place. 196 tn 11-1 1-4 The Supt . of Public Works stated that it would be necessary to purchase a polisher for the Cary Library so that the proper equipment to take care of the floors would be on hand. The Chairman stated that the Town had Polisher for been spending $75. to $100. per year on the floors and floors at that the amount already spent was sufficient to have Cary Mem. purchased a polisher. Mr. Trask stated that Mr. Moore, Library. of the Air Flo Corp., recommended a machine which cost $145. new but that a rebuilt machine might be purchased for $110. plus $4. for an extra brush and $3. for some other equipment. It was Mr. Moore 's opinion that the floors should be polished every week. The Chairman remarked that there was sufficient money in the Library Account to pay for the machine. Mr. Lyons moved that the Supt. of Public Works be authorized to purchase the rebuilt polisher for the Cary Memorial Library. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask stated that the Libraries appropriation was over-drawn on a number of accoubta. He stated that there had been a vote passed earlier in the year that no more than $1200. was to be spent this year for books mad that Miss Kirkland has already spent over $1300. for Coal for books. Mr. Trask stated that there was, however, some Stone money available in the account, and he thought that it Building. would be a good idea to buy coal for the Stone Building with this money and that about eight tons were needed. The Chairman instructed Mr. Trask to purchase the coal which was needed for the Stone Building. Mr. Trask suggested that pea coal be used as he thought that if it were used, a blower would not be needed. The Chairman thought that it would be advisable to get a few bags of pea coal to see how it worked out, and' Mr. Trask agreed to try it. The Chairman stated that he received a call from Harry Burgess, the foreman on the Mill Brook W.P.A. project. Burgess is working 112 hours a month and is Pay for earning $77. He has 90 men under him and he feels W.P.A. that he should receive $1. an hour. The Chairman told foreman. him that the Board had nothing to do with the money paid on W.P.A. projects . Burgess telephoned the Chairman again and stated that he had talked with Mr. Arthur Dodge, who was an auditor in the W.P.A. office in Boston, and stated that he was informed that if the Board wished a foreman to receive $1.00 an hour, all it had to do was to request it . Mr. Trask stated that he had done some inquiring in regard to the matter and had been unable to find anything to substantiate this statement. Mr. Trask remarked that John O'Connor, who is Assistant Supt. of Streets and who is in charge of the W.P.A. projects, was earning only 62Qj per hour. Mr. Trask reported that he would look into the matte further. 197 The Supt. of Public Works stated that he had gut a 11 steam shovel in the low spot at the- Public Works Build- ing to remove loam and he found that there was anywhere Public Wks from 18 inches to 3 feet of good loam there. It is Building. being .piled up and he thought that there would be three or four thousand yards of good loam. He remarked that he did not know how the shovel was going to be paid for. Mr. Trask brought up the matter of James J.. McGann's water guaranty. The Town Counsel has been getting after McGann on the account. McGann owns six lots of land on Edna Street and although there is no question that he did sign the bond, there is no water within 300 feet of his McGann lots. Mr. Trask wanted to know. if the Board wanted to Water go to Court on the matter inasmuch as the property was Guaranty not supplied with water. Mr. Lyons asked Mr. Trask just how the bond read. Mr. Trask infoashed him that .Mr. Wrightington had the bond but that he would see how it read and would report on the matter at the next meeting of the Board. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Fred J. Spencer be Assistant appointed Assistant Assessor for the year 1936. Mr. Assessor Lyons seconded the motion and it was so voted. appointed. The Clerk informed the Board that Miss Eastman, the Public Health 'Nurse, had requested that the Board con- sider appropriating a sum of money to allow for pre- school clinics in North and East Lexington. Miss Eastman would like to make a survey of all the babies in Town, and follow them up until they reach school age, and she does not plan to charge for home visits. These clinics will take care of under-nourished children, thoae who Pre-achoal need tonsils removed, etc. On account of luck of funds, clinics. the Lexington Public Health Association has been unable to make any progress in this direction in the past three years, and at the present time its funds are vdry low. Miss Eastman says that she will furnish the equipment and records. She feels that $45 or $50 per month will be needed, and that this amount would also take care of her tuberculosis work. She would be pleased to appear before the Board at any time to discuss the matter. The Board decided to request Miss Eastman to appear and discuss the matter and also to request Mrs. Kenneth P. Blake, President of the Lexington Public Health Assoc. to be present at the same time. The Chairman asked if the Board. would rather meet Meeting Monday night next week instead of Tuesday inasmuch as next Tuesday was Christmas Eve, and it was decided to hold week. II the meeting on Monday night. The Chairman informed the Board that the Cleric had requested that a new mimeograph machine be purchased. The old machine is about 12 years old. It was purchased L 198 y Can at a cost of $65. and there will be an allowance of 25. on it. A new machine would coat $190. less the 25. allowance, or $165.00. It is hand operated, but Purchase of it is much faster than the old machine in that it has new an automatic feeder and it is automatically inked. The mimeograph Clerk informed the Board that a great deal of the Board machine. of Appeals work was done on. the mimeograph and. that there was a balance of $112.24 in the Board of Appeals Account Mr. Lyons moved that the machine be purchased and that some part of the cost of the :same be charged to the Board of Appeals Account and that if this were not possible, that the whole cost be charged to the Select- men's appropriation. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask informed the Board that the Boy Scouts Use of would lite to use Cary Memorial Hall three nights in Hall. February for a pep talk as they were going to have a concentrated drive. Mr. Potter moved that the Soy Scouts be allowed to use the hall on the three evenings desired free of charge. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and .it was so voted. Mr. Trask stated that after the Board had voted to put all available men at work on the Clematis Brook project, he went down to East Lexington with Mr. Garrity and it looked as though it would be a very easy job to get the skating rink in shape. He therefor put- ten Skating men to work on the skating rink and notified the W.P.A. rink, authorities, and after the men were at work for a while, W.P.A. the W.P.A. authorities told Mr. Trask that he could not go ahead with the project. However, they called later and told him to have the men continue to work on the project this week and to charge the labor bathe Waltham Street Sidewalk project. Mr. Trask stated that if the men could work there two more weeks, the project could be completed. Mr. Trask stated that he had received a call from a citizen who wanted to know if the Board was going Street to enforce the street numbering regulation andif not, numbering. that he was going to change back to his old number as he was the only person on the street who bad put up a new number and it was very confusing. Mr. Giroux moved that a notice be inserted in the local paper requesting the people to change to the new street numbers. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask stated that the only account that was over-drawn was the Traffic Regulation and Control Account and this was over-drawn about $25. which would be about the amount of the electric light bill_ for 199 December. He stated that it was impossible to estimate II the electric light bill for the year. Traffic Mr. Giroux moved that the Appropriation CommitteeReg. & be requested to transfer the sum of $25. from the Reserve Control Fund to the Traffic Regulation and Control Account.. Mr. Account Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask stated that Mr. Kendall of the County Commissioners Office had presented a petition stating Lincoln & that Lincoln Street was to need of specific repairs and Watertown that Watertown Street from the end of the new macadam Streets. road at the Cambridge-Concord State Highway to the Belmont Town line was in need of specific repairs. The Board voted to sign the petition. Mr. Clark asked the Supt. of Public Works why the traffic lights at Waltham Street and Mass. Avenue were running after midnight, and the Supt. of Public Works Traffic replied that it was customary to turn off the lights lights. at midnight. Mr. Clark wanted to know why the lights could not be turned off earlier, say at 10 o'clock P.M. , and Mr. Trask replied that he thought they should be going until after the theater let out. Mr. Lyons moved that the traffic lights at the corner -of Waltham Street and Mass. Avenue and the traffic lights at Mass. Ave. , Bedford and Clarke Streets, be changed to blinking lights at 11 P.M. ,each evening. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it_ was so voted. �f The resignation of Albert A. Ross, Supt. of the Water and Sewer Department was received to be effective at such time as the Board deemed advisable. Mr. Ross stated in his letter that he hoped that the Board wofXd feel free to call on him at any time for advice or information. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Ross 's resig- nation be accepted to be effective as of February 1, 1936. Mr. Lyons seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. -Trask suggested that the Department continue Ross to run without a Superintendent as he felt that the Resignation amount of work to be done in the next one or two years did not require a Supt. and an Asst. Supt. also. The Chiairman stated that he felt it would not be a good plan to operate without a Supt . for a year or two and then appoint a, new man, as the man coming in would not know anything about the Town, the system, or the Dept . in general, and would probably be appointed during a busy season. Mr. Trask stated that Albert A. Ross and his brother had been running the Department for several years and that Joseph A. Ross knew almost as much about it as his brother did and that if a man were put in over him he would probably leave, but that it would be a different story if the Board wanted to promote him. Mr. Trask stated tht he thought Joseph Ross was capable of supervising the Department. No action was taken on the matter. 200 y 0-4 Application was received from the Minute Man Golf Club, Inc. , for renewal of their license to sell beer and wine on the premises at the corner of Concord Ave. and Pleasant Street. Mr. Potter moved that the license be approved subject to the approval of the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Application was received from Ernest C. Martin for renewal of his Druggist's License to sell alcoholic beverages not to be drun]] on the premises at 1798 Mass. Avenue. Potter moved that the Licens-e be approved Liquor subject to the approval of the Alcoholic Beverages Licenses. Control Commission. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Application was received from Adolph Labes for renewal of his license to sell wines and malt beverages not to be drunk on the premises at 35 Woburn Street, Lexington. Mr. Giroux moved that the license be approved subject to the approval of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Application was received from the Lexington Fruit Co., Inc. for renewal of their license to sell wines and malt beverages not to be drunk on the premises at 1740 Mass. Avenue. Mr. Potter moved that the license be approved subject to the approval Df the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Lyons did not vote on the matter. Peddlers Application for a Peddlers License was received License. from Thomas W. Smithers, B Dunham Street. Mr. Potter moved that the application be approved. Mr. Giroux sedonded the motion and it was so voted. The Board again discussed the matter of' William G. Murphy's application for a Second Class Agent's Murphy License. Mr. Lyons moved that the permit be denied. Agent's Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. License. Mr. Ferguson voted in favor of granting the permit. Mr. Giroux then moved that the vote be reconsidered and Mr. Lyons seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Giroux then moved that Mr. Murphy be requested to appear before the Board on next Monday evening to dis- cuss lava matter before it is given further consideration. Mr. Lyons seconded the motion and it was so voted. Application was received from the H. 3. Seiler Co. Common for a Common Victualler's License at 130 Pleasant Street, Victuallers Lexington. Mr. Lyons stated that when the Town voted Licence, to change the zone at this location, Mr. Moody, Who Moody, owns the property, agreed to file a statement in Court to protect the neighbors,which statement would say that if the undertaking were not a success, he would not turn over the property to anybody to run except for an 201 eating place. Mr. Potter remarked that it was probably ' a slip-up on Mr. Moody's part that this statement had not been filed. Mr. Potter moved that the permit be granted. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Lyons voted in opposition to the granting of the permit. Order was received from the County Commissioners Lincoln for the relocation and specific repairs on Lincoln Street. Street. Letter was received from the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission which stated that the figures giving Letter re the population as determined by the State Census taken liquor earlier in the year will be effective on Monday, Dec. 30, licenses. 1935, and that the Board could legally act on applications for additional licenses to sell all alcoholic beverages for the year 1936 on the basis of the new census figures. Letter was received from Mr. Hugh E. Leonard which stated that he would be glad to accept his appointment as a member of the committee 'on ways and means of Committee improving the administration of Public Welfare in the members. Town. Letter was received' from Allen Rucker in which he stated that he would be pleased to serve on the same Committee. Letter was received from the Radio Television j Industries Corp., in which they inquired whether or not the town would be interested in an amplifying system for the Cary Memorial Building auditorium. They stated Amplifying that they had been in this business for the past sixteen system. years and felt qualified to give the town good. serviee and would be glad to make a survey and quote on the necessary equipment. Mr. Lyons made a motion that the matter be referred to the Supt. of Public Works to obtain information in regard to the cost, etc. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. The report of the Supt. of Public Works for two weeks , December 1 - 12 inclusive, was received and Report. approved. The Supt. of Public Works discussed extra expend- itures which he might request in 1936 as follows: 1. Automobile for Asst. Highway Supt. - $650.00 Mr. Trask stated that John O'Connon, Ass't. Supt. was using his own car at the present time, is paid $15. per month, and it was on the road all the time. There are two other cars in the depart- ment, one which is used by the Supt. and one which is used jointly by the Highway Dept. and the mechanic. Mr. Clark inquired if the Supt . and the Assistant 202 H S2. Supt. were on the road at the same time and Mr. Trask replied in the affirmative. Mr. Lyons moved that the article be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it .was so voted. 2. Highway Grader - $4000.00 Mr. Trask informed the Board that the grader that they have now has been in service for 11 years and during the last two years it has been out of commission about 50% of the time and when it is needed, it is usually being repaired. He stated that the Town could rent a grader and apply the rental to the cost of the machine when it was par- chased, and that it was absolutely necessary for the department to use a grader from May 1st to December 1st. The Chairman asked what type of work could be done with the grader, and Mr. Trask informed him that resurfacing, maintenance work and new con- struction could be done with it. Mr. Potter moved that the highway grader be rented and that the rental charge be applied to the cost of the machine, the balance due to be paid in 1937. Inasmuch as the motion was not seconded, Mr. Potter withdrew it. Mr. Clark moved that article 2 be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 3. Clam Shell for excavator - $600.00 Mr. Trask informed the Board that the excava- tor which the Town purchased was equipped with a drag line and a shovel but did not have a clam shell and that for drainage work, swamp and sand digging, the clam shell is the most desirable piece of equip- ment to have. It would cost $15. per week to rent a machine and the Town would probably use one continually next year on Mill and Clematis brooks for about 20 weeks. He stated further than in ordinary years this equipment would hot be used very much. Mr. Potter moved that article 3 be approved. Mr. Lyons seconded the motion and it was so voted. 4. Construction of Plymouth, Richard and Tower Roads under the Betterment Act - $8500.00 Mr. Trask stated that it was very important that these streets be resurfaced as the rain washed the roads down onto Mass. Ave. There are about 16 houses involved and practically everybody has signed the paper signifying their approval of the con- struction of these streets. Mr. Potter moved that Article 4 be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Lyons voted in opposition to the project. 203 5. Reconstruction & Drainage, Reed Street - $10,000.00 Mr. Trask informed the Board that Reed Street was one of the worst streets in the Town and that it was absolutely necessary to do something to it. He stated that a real job would cost $10,000. and if the Board decided that it did not wish to authorize this, that it would be necessary to do a major resurfacing job which would cost about $5000. He stated that more than 100 families use this street and that something had to be done . The Chairman asked how long a resurfacing job would last and Mr. .TraRk stated that it would last two yearsand then it would be necessary to start patching it. A reconstruction job would last ten years. Mr. Clark moved that the matter be postponed for future decision. Mr. Giroux seconded c ed the motion and it was so voted. 6. Independence Avenue Drainage - $4000.00 Mr. Trask stated that this was a number one project and should be done. Two years ago we had a flood and it cost the town $500. for damage done to the stores at the corner of Mass. Avenue and independence Avenue. It is planned to Vsick up the drainage at the brook, take it down Independence Avenue across Mass. Avenue and down onto Curve Street. The Chairman asked how many times the Town had trouble on account of floods and Mr. Trask stated that we have had none this year but had had trouble in the previous two or three years. Mr. Trask stated that Metcalf and Eddyts Drainage Report would be ready around February 1st and the Chairman asked if he thought it would be a good idea to wait until the report had been received. Mr. Trask stated that he thought the Town should not wait. Mr. Clark moved that the project be dia.- approved and Mr. Lyons seconded the motion but it was not carried. Mr. Potter moved that the pro- ject be approved and the motion was not seconded. It was finally decided not to make any recommendation on the article at the present time. 7. Munroe Calculating Machine - Engineering Div. - $425. Mr. Trask stated that the Engineering Dept. has a calculating machine at the present time but that it is worn out and out of date . It has been in the Department for 17 years. Mr. Clark moved that the project be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. 8. Anthony Ross & Son Court Order - 1308.60 Mr. Trask informed the Board that there probably would be interest added to the above figure. The article was approved. 204 y CD 1-11 9. Water Construction - Bloomfield, Eustis, Warren Ste., Winthrop & Percy Roads - $7000.00 Mr. Trask stated that there was a 12 inch - pipe in Hkeiland _Avenue from Winthrop Road to Bloom- field Street but only a six inch pipe in Winthrop Road. There is a 12 inch pipe in Vine Brook Road, 4 inch pipe in Bloomfield Street and 4 inch pipe in Percy Road and Eustis Street. Mr. Trask stated that if by tomumeeting time it looked as though the W.P.A. would not do this work, that the town should appropriate $15,000. to cover the cost of the entire job. The Chairman asked if this was the next step on Metcalf & EddyTs program and Mr. Trask stated that it was and that Maple Street was the next step. Mr. Lyons moved that the project be approved in the amount of $3590:00, Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Giroux then moved that the vote be reconsidered. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Potter then moved that the project be approved For $7000.00. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. 10. Tractor Crane - Highway Division - $800.00 Mr. Trask stated that the town owned only one tractor crane and this is owned by the Water Depart- ment and that another one was needed for the Highway Division. Mr. Lyons moved that the project be dis- approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. 11. Bulldozer, Highway Division - $700.00 Mr. Trask stated that this machine was needed for spreading gravel on new construction work and for spreading snow during the winter. Mr. Lyons moved that thePr oj PPect be disapproved. Mr. Giroux seconded. the motion, and it was so voted. 12. Power Sprayer, Moth & Shade Tree Div. - $1150.00 Mr. Trask explained that the present spraying machine has not the power to reach half way up the trees and that it has out-lived its usefulness. He stated that the purchase of the machine was very essential. Mr. Lyons moved that the project be approved. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. 13. Tractor, Park Division - $950.00 Mr. Trask stated that the Park Dept. wished this equipment and that it would do away with the necessity of adding to the present force of the Park Department. Mr. Lyons moved that the project be disapproved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. 205 14. Gang Mower, Park Division - $350.00 Mt. Trask stated that the Park. Dept. bad a vast quantity of lawn to take care of now and Mr. Garrity would like to have a gang mower. Mr. Lyons moved that the project be disapproved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. 15. Gang roller - Park Division - $ 00.00 Mr. Trask stated that the Park Dept. would like to have this equipment but that it could get along without it if necessary. Mr. Lyons moved that the project bd disapproved. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. 16. Lincoln Street, Chapter 90 - $7500.00 The Supt. of Public Works stated that work on this street had already been started and that it was absolutely necessary to complete it. Mr. O.ark moved that the project be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was to voted. 17. Watertown Street, Chapter 90 - $7000.00 Mr. Trask explained that this was for the con- struction of the street to the Belmont Line and the work was not necessary at the present time but that he would like to see the cross over at the new road completed. He thought that this would cost approximately $3000. and of this amount, the town would have to pay about $1000.00. He stated that the traffic lights could not operate if the street is left as it is now. The Board decided to look at the crossing and discuss the matter next week. 18. Waltham Street, Chapter 90 - $5000.00 Mr. Trask stated that the Waltham Street recons- truction had started and that he had half a promise from the State Dept. of Public Works that if the town applied for the construction of the street to Concord Avenue, that $1500. would be provided by that depart- ment. Mr. Clark moved that the matter be disapproved. Mr. Lyons seconded the motion and it was so voted. Messrs. Ferguson and Potter voted in favor of the project. 19. Chapter 90 Maintenance - $3300.00 Mr. Trask stated that under this arta cls, it was proposed to repair Woburn Street at a cost of approximately $1100. and Concord Avenue from Waltham Street to the Lincoln Line. Mr. Lyons moved that no recommendation be made at the present time. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. 206 0-4 20. Pleasant and Watertown Sts. - Land Damages - $650.00 This is to cover the damages in the amount of *450. t(o) o be offered to Patrick J. Shanahan and the 200. to be paid toJ. Alexander Wilson for land damages. Mr. Lyons moved that the article be approved. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Welfare Agent discussed the ease of Salvatore Corselli. The man has been working for the Cemetery Corselli Commissioners from April to November for the past three case. years but he has been through now for about four weeks. He has a wife and one child. He is paying $2. per week for clothes and has to pay rent. Mr. Mitchell recommended that he be aided in the amount of $10. per week. Mr. Potter moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Welfare Agent discussed the case of Warren Grant, who has been employed on the W.P.A. topographical work and has been receiving $60. per month. Grant Grant received today his first full two weeks ' pay for soma• ease, time. He is supposed to pay $15.94 per month interest to the Home Owners Loan when he receives his pay from the W. P.A. Mr. Mitchell recommended that Grant be allowed fuel in addition to his NOPE A..,.adbary. Mr. Potter moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Gltroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Welfare Agent discussed the case of John Rose, Jr. who left the E.R.A. and went to work for Lester Andrews, but who is not employed at the present time. He has a wife and five children. Rose will receive before Christmas, his oall fireman's pay which mounts to about $60. le owes one month's rent but will pay it when he receives his fireman's pay and this will leave him about $25.00. Mr. Mitchell recommended that he be aided in the amount of $12. per week. Mr. Giroux moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Welfare Agent discussed the ease of George J. Burke of 75 Woburn Street who has a wife and one son and has no settlement. -He has been ordered out of his house for non-payment of rent. His son works in Saugus and erns $14. per week and pays his mother $5. per week. Mr. Mitchell recommended that if necessary, in order to avoid eviction, that Burke be aided so that he could pay his rent. He r eeommnended that he be aided not to exceed $7. per week if necessaiy .. Mr. Lyons made a moti on that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. The meeting adjourned at 12:03 A.M. A true record, Attest: Clerk. 207 SELECTMEN'S MEETING DECEMBER 23, 1935. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 7:30 P.Y. . Messrs. Ferguson, Lyons, Potter, Giroux and Clark were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 P.M., Mr. James M. Keane, Arlington Town Engineer, appeared before the Board. He stated that the Town of Arlington had received several requests for the acceptance of Hibbert Street, and Arlington Was wondering if there was any chance of Lexington accepting the lower portion of the street. He stated that Irwin, Berman and Bornstein, owning property on Hibbert Street in Lexington, were not interested in the acceptance of this street. The Chairman stated that about one Hibbert year ago some Arlington people spoke to him about Street getting the street accepted and he told them that the Acceptance. beat thing to do would be to go to the people on Hibbert Street in Lexington and see if they would petition the Board for the acceptance of the street. Mr. Keane stated that Arlington was ready to go ahead if Lexington would do the work in Lexington and that it was Arlington's plan to do the work under the Works Progress Administration. The Chairman told Mr. Keane that the Board would discuss the matter further and advise him and Mr. Keane retired. It was decided to hold the matter over for one week so that the Board could go down and look over the street. Mr. Vido Videtti of Bow Street appeared before the Board and stated that he was working on the Mill Brook project on November 4th. A water pump was working day and night and Videtti was on the night shift. On the Videtti above date when he went to work, apparently lanterns teeth. had not been set out, for he fell and was hit on the mouth. He broke his bridgework and loosened his teeth. Mr. Mitchell had his bridgework attended to and when this was being done, another tooth began to ache so Videtti went to Dr. Cosgrove, but Dr. Cosgrove refused to do any more work until he had assurance that the Town would take care of the bill. Videtti felt that the Town should pay for the replacing of the tooth inasmuch as it was loosened when he was engaged on Town work. The Chairman told Videtti that the Board would check-with Dr. Cosgrove on the matter and he retired. Letter was received from Gordon W. Robinson, Secretary of the Minute-Man Sportsman's Club, Inc. , which stated that that organization desired the use of 208 a• Cary Memorial Hall on the evening of Tuesday, January 14th, for the purpose of holding its annual club supper. Rental of The letter stated that the organization would like to Hall. hire the hall at the lowest possible rate. Mr. Giroux moved that the Minute-Man Sportsmants Club be allowed to use Cary Memorial Hall on January 14, 1936, the charge to be $15.00 providing the hall is available. Mr. Lyons seconded the motion and it was so voted. At 8:00 P.M. , Mrs. Kenneth P. Blake and Miss Frances Eastman appeared before the Board to discuss their request for an appropriation for pre-school clinics. Miss Eastman stated that the Lexington Public Health Assoc. had been conducting clinics for several years, one which was held every week at Lexington Center and another which has been held once a month at East Lexington. Miss Eastman now has 300 children under her supervision. She stated that one and one third of the cases treated in a period of five months were Welfare and E.R.A. families. She stated that weights and measurements were taken and if a child were underweight and not gaining, he was referred to a Boston Hospital. If a child is under-nourished, he is supplied milk or eggs through the T.B. fund. She stated that of 478 visits Pre-School made, the actual cost to the organization was $358.50 Clinic and the amount actually collected was $8*7.75, which left a minus of $270.75. Of the total number of visits made, 284 were classified as "no fee" and they actually cost the organization $213.00. Miss Eastman stated that the actual cost of the clinic at Lexington Center-would be $156.00 per year and $72. per year for the outlying districts, making a total of $228. All the doctor receives is $3.00 per afternoon. The Chairman inquired if the people in the Franklin School district should also have a clinic and Miss Eastman stated that she would like very much to carry on a clinic in this district. It would cost therefor a total of $264.00 to carry on clinics in the North, East, West and Center parts of the Town. Mr. Lyons asked Miss Eastman how large an appropriation she thought should be made and she informed him that she thought $500. would be sufficient. He then stated that what she actually wanted was an appropriation of $500. to be expended for pre-school clinics and follow-up work to be done under the jurisdiction of the LexingtonPublic Health Association. Mrs. Blake stated that the Association nets about :1000. per year from its drive and it expends about 3000. per year. Mr. Clark asked her how the deficit was made up and she informed him that the Association received $900. per year from the Red Cross and any other income was received from whatever social events they engaged in and whatever collections they could make from home visits. The organization has expended about $500. each year above its revenue for the past three 209 IIyears and if the same thing happens this next year, their treasury will be down to about $300. Mrs. Blake stated that she thought that very soon the State would come in and demand that the towns, acting under the Board of Health, pay for pre-school work. The Board informed the two ladies that the matter would be given further consideration and they retired. It was decided to hold the matter over for one week. Bids were received as follows for printing 1000 copies of the Annual Town Report for thear 1935: Somerville Printing Co. , Inc.. - f1.62 per page Mercantile Printing Co. - 1.75 Bids on The Hampshire PressInc. - 1.92 Town Ger den City Press, Inc. - 2.05 Report. H. L. Grimes Printing Co. - 2.20 Spaulding-Moss Co. - $1100. flat price. Mr. Lyons moved that the bid for printing 1000 copies of the annual Town Report for 1935 be awarded to the Somerville Printing Co. , they being the low bidder. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. The following licenses were grhnted:- Herbert M. Lawrence - 1777 Maas. Ave. - Denatured alcohol Licenses II Arthnr B. Field - 851 " " - n " granted. Shell East.Pet. Prod.-1095 " n - Methyl " Liggett Drug Co. - 1721 " n - Common Victuallers. Mr. Lyons moved that the Board rescind its vote to Rescind approve the application of Max Berman for a license to Berman sell wines and malt beverages at 12 Mass. Avenue. Mb. License. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Secretary of the Stoke to which was attached a tabulation of the census. The Census. population of Lexington as reported was 10,813, and the legal voters, 4919. Inasmuch as the tabulation of the census had been received from the Secretary of State, it became possible Berman for the Board to grant a third liquor license to sell License. all alcoholic beverages. Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Lyons, it was voted to approve the application of Max Berman for a license to sell all alcoholic beverages at 12 Mass. Avenue. Application was received from the Theatre Pharmacy Theatre for a druggists ! license to sell all alcoholic beverages Pharmacy at 1792 Mass. Avenue . Mr. Potter moved that the License. II application be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. 210 y Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee which stated that at a recent meeting, the following vita had been adopted: "The Appropriation Committee disapproves the erection of a shooting range to be open to anyone out- Police side of the Police Department,even if rental is charged, shooting and the suggestion is made that the Board of Selectmen range. adopt regulations requiring certain practice by the members of the Police Department, to justify the expenditure ' of the money". Mr. Lyons moved that the Chief of Police be instructed to confer with the Supt. of Public Works to draw up regulations covering the use and requirements of the shooting range at the Public Works Building and to submit same to the Board for its approval. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Town Counsel which Ross stated that judgment had been entered on December 13th Suit. 1935, in the case of Anthony Ross vs. the Town of Lexington in the sum of $1712.38. This amount in- cluded interest and costs to that date. Mr. Wrighting- ton stated that the Board should allow in addition, interest at 8 per cent per annum of $1308.60 from December 13, 1935 in making an appropriation for pay- ment. Mr. Lyons moved that an article be inserted in the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting covering the judgment plus interest to March 1st, 1936. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Town Accountant reminding the Board that his appointment expired Appointment January 1st, 1936. Mr. Lyons moved that Mr. James H. of Town Russell be appointed Town Accountant for a three year Accountant. term to expire on Jan. 1st, 1939, at a salary of $2775.00 per year, said salary to be subject to revision at the discretion of the Board. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Petition was received from the Edison Elec. Ill. Pole Co. and the New Ing. Tel. & Tel. for a joint location location. of 12 poles on Gleason Road between Williams Road and Fuller Road. Mr. Potter moved that the petition be granted. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Supt . of Public Works appeared before the E.Lex. Board and suggested that all able-bodied Welfare men skating be put to work at the East Lexington skating rink rink under the supervision of Timothy- Kinneen who is to be paid $.55 per hour. Mr. Lyons mored that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Potter sedonded the motion and it was so voted. 211 The Chairman asked Mr. Trask if there were any life- Life-saving saving devises at the Reservoir and Mr. Trask stated devices at that he would check on the matter and report next week. Reservoir. Mr. Trask informed the Board that the section in the rear of the Water Dept. at the Public Works Build- ing was the only place where the shooting range could be constructed but that it was necessary to go through this section to get into the blacksmithTs hop. He Police thought that the end of the building would be full of shooting holes from the bullets and that under no circumstances range. should any spectators be allowed to enter the section. Mr. Potter suggested that a false petition be erected and filled in so that there would be no- danger of the ballets going #hrough the walls. The :Chairman stated that he could see no objection to the bank employees using the shooting range. Mr. Giroux suggested that Mr. Trask talk over the matter with the Chief of Police and make his recommendations next week. Mr. Trask reported that he had arranged with Mr. Patrick Shanahan to accept $475. in settlement of Land damages to his property on account of the reconstruction Damages. of Pleasant Street. Mr. Trask reported that the Building Inspector had over-drawn his account in the amount of $3.05 as Building it had been necessary for him to buy some stationery, Inspector /1 and he recommended that the Board request the Approp- Account riation Committee to transfer that sum from the Reserve Fund. Mr. Potter moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr, Lyons seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask stated that he had been requested by the Clerk to get some information with regard to the Amplifying cost of an amplifying system for the Cary Memorial system. Building and he wanted to know if the Board was really interested in the matter as he did not want to do a whole lot of work on it if nothing was going to be done on it at the present time. The Board felt that it was not really interested in the matter and instructed Mr. Trask to do nothing further on it. Mr. Trask reported that an insurance policy in the amount of $35,000. under blanket schedule which had Insurance been placed through the office of George W. Taylor & Son expired on January 1st, 1936. Mr. Lyons moved that the policy in this amount be renewed through the same office. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask reported that the construction of Waltham Street cost $2243.72 in excess of what was appropriated. He had interviewed the County Engineer, Mr. Kendall, after 212 y the State Engineer had intimated that the State would help to pay the excess if the County would help. Mr. Kendall did not make any promises bud admitted that the Couhty had some money availatble for such things and Waltham that if an application were made for repairs -to Waltham Street Street, and a hearing held, and if the work had not been Construction.completed, that he might urge the Commissioners to spend some money on the street. Mr. Trask offered this explanation of the petition which he had requested the Board to sign. Mr. Trask stated that the total cost of repairing Waltham Street from where the work just done leaves off at Blossom Street to the first ramp at the cross-over at the new Turnpike, under Chapter 90, would cost approximately $3600. and that the town 's share of the cost would be about $1200.00. Mr. Giroux moved that the Board approve the appropriation of $1200. for the construction of this portion of Waltham Street. Mr. Lyons seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask submitted a revised list of expenditures requested by the Dept. of Public Works in the annual budget of 1936 as follows: 1. Auto for Asst. Highway Superintendent - $650. - Approved 2. Highway Grader - $4000.00 - Approved 3. Clam Shell for excavator - 600.00 - 4. Construction of Plymouth, Richard, Tower Rds. under Betterment Act - $8500.00 - " 1 Estimates 5. Reconstruction and Drainage, Reed Street - $6000.00 for Mr. Trask suggested that this appropriation be 1936 made to do part of the job thoroughly from Sunnyknoll Avenue westerly and put in as much of a section as possible with the proper drainage, etc. Mr. Clark stated that he did not think that Reed Street was in very bad condition and that it was a dead end street and therefor not so very important. Mr. Lyons did not see any need of repairing the street at all. Mr. Lyons moved that the article be disapproved. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Giroux opposed the motion. 6. Independence Ave. Drainage - $4000. - No tecommendation. 7. Sewer Construction, sundry Streets - $1000.00 Mr. Lyons moved that this article be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. 8. Munroe Calculating Machine, Engineering Div. - $425.00 - Approved. 213 9. Anthony Ross & Son Court Order - $1712.38 - Approved. (Plus interest on $1308.60 from Dec. 13, 1935 to March 1st, 1936 ) . 10. Water Construction Sundry Streets - $30,000.00 (Of which $7000. was approved last week) . Mr. Trask stated that for the past 15 years the Town has spent not less than $40,000. per year on various types of construction. Mr. Trask stated that the Water Dept. had a crew of 20 odd men who had been employed in the Department from five to twenty years and it has been the policy every year to provide work for these men, and in order to make it possible for these men to keep their jobs, it will be- necessary to appropriate $30,000. for Water Construction. He suggested that instead of appropriating $7000. for replacing small pipes in Bloomfield, Eustis and Warren Streets, Winthrop and Percy Roads, that the Board appropriate $30,000. for Sundry Streets to be expended under the jurisdiction of the Board, the majority to be expended on new extensions tnd that if there was any money left in the latter part of the year, it could be _spent on the above replacements. He stated that Lexington was the only town around that made specific appropriations for each street. Mr. Clark inquired_ if the Town was going to appropriate this sum of money merely to keep the Water Dept. men busy, and Mr. Trask stated that he thought that it was for the best interests of the Town to maintain an efficient Water Dept. force and he thought that the Board should not cause the men to lose their jobs by not appropriating sufficient money and thereby disrupt the whole organ- ization. _The Chairman stated that he did not think the Board should approve an appropriation of $30,000. without having some idea of just what work was going to be done and what it was going to cost. The Board felt that Mr. Trask should bring in figures showing how the $30,000. was made up and instructed him to do so. 11. Power sprayer, Moth & Shade Tree Div. - $1150. - Approved. 12. Lincoln Street, Chapter 90 - $7500.00 - a 13. Watertown Street, Chapter 90 - $1200.00 - Mr. Trask explained that this $1200. waa the town's share of the cost of the construction. of the cross- over. Mr. Lyons-made a motion that the article be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. 14. Waltham Street, Chapter 90 - $1200.00 - App^ owed. 214 N 1-11 15. Chapter 90 Maintenance - $3300.00 - Approved. fa' Mr. Trask explained that he would recommend the resurfacing of Mass. Avenue from Lincoln Street to Marrett Road. He stated that the road needed to be sealed as the water was getting into it. The approximate cost of the work would be $4000.00. The Estimates other project under this article was the construction for of Concord Avenue from Pleasant Street to the Lincoln 1936 line and the estimated cost to the Town of these two projects would be approximlately $3000. MP. Lyons moved that both projects be approved for $3300. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Trask informed the Board that Woburn Street from Mass. Avenue to Utiea Street was not a Chapter 90 job. 16. Pleasant & Watertown Streets, Land Damage -$650.00 - Approved. 17. Public Works Dept. , Labor and Materials - $10,000. Mr. Trask stated that this amount was practically all for materials except about 5% for supervision, and that this sum would be sufficient for the year. The Chairman asked Mr. Trask if only part of the money for labor and materials was appropriated at the Town Meeting last year and he replied in the affirmative. Mr. Lyons moved that $5000. be appropriated for the Public Works Dept. , Labor and Materials, with the idea of transferring the balance from the Exoess and Deficiency Account when necessary. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Board discussed budgets and approved them for the following amounts: Posture Clinic $700.00 Wire Inspector 65_.00 (Mr. Bills asked for an appropriation of $850. . Budgets of which $600. was for salary, $200. for trans- for portation and $50. for office supplies. The 1936 Board voted to approve tie $600. for salary and approved. $35. for office supplies . Assessors - $6084.75 (The Assessors had requested an increase of $50. for the salary of the Clerk but the Board felt that the item should not be acted on at the present time and therefor voted to deduct the $50. from the budget) . Elections & Registrations 2229.00 Sealer of Wgts. & Measures 500.00 Dental Clinic 1950.00 Board of Appeals 200.00 Building Inspector 1045.00 215 Ryder case $1500.00 Law Department 2500.00 (Mr. Wrightington explained that he was asking for the usual $25,00 for the Law Dept. and $1500.00 to cover the expenses of the Ryder case). Public Welfare $30000.00 (Mr. Lyons moved that the Public Welfare Appropria- tion be approved in the amount of $58,000. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Chairman remarked that in previous years only part of the money expended on Public Welfare was appropriated at the Annual Meeting. Mr. Lyons then moved that the vote be reconsidered and Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Lyons then moved that the sum of $30,000.00 be approved for Public Welfare with the under- standing that the balance needed would be trans- ferred from the Excess & Deficiency Account at a later date. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Welfare Agent requested that the salary of the Clerks in his Dept. be increased $3. apiece, hut the Board felt that no action should be taken on these salaries at the present time ). Budgets for 1936 Old Age Assistance $10,000.00 approved. State Aid 300.00 Military Aid 250.00 Soldiers ' Burials 100.00 Soldiers ' Relief 3,500.00 Town Accountant 3,767.50 (The Town Accountant left his salary for determin- ation by the Board. His present salary is $2775.00 and the Board voted to approve this amount for the present). Plumping Inspector $900.00 (Mr. Bain asked for an increase of $100. in salary and $50. for stationery and supplied. The Board voted to approve $800. for salary and to approve the $100. for stationery and supplies). Shade Trees 2,649.00 (Mr. Trask recommended an increase of $1000. for labor as a third man was needed in the Department ) . Moth Dept. 1,782.00 Eigineering Dept. 10,000.00 ' (This included the $425.00 for the calculating machine ) . 216 Mr. Potter moved that the Chairman and the Supt. of gl+ Salaries. Public Works confer with regard to salaries. Mr. Lyons seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Clark voted in opposition to the motion. W.P.A. Mr. Trask stated that he had checked up on the matter foreman's of the W.P.A. foreman 's pay and that there was nothing to pay. the story that the Stectmen had anything to do with salaries, and that the maximum pay was 477.00 per month. Loam at Mr. Trask stated that it was necessary to stop Pub. Works removing the loam at the Public Works Building as the water Building. was coming in so fast. McGann Mr. Trask reported that the McGann Water Guaranty Guaranty bond stated the streets in which the water was to go and bond. the water bad:been installed in the specified streets. The meeting adjourned at 11:10 P.M. TheTSupt. of Public Works' report for the week ending Dec. Al ;tewpicsp ?'Xtiew l approved. Clerk.