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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1936-02-04SELECTMEN'S MEETING ' FEB. 4th, 1936 A regular meeting of the Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Ferguson, Messrs. Lyons, Giroux and Clark were present. The Clerk was also present. 277 Mr. Edward W. Taylor, Chief of the Fire Dept., appeared before the Board to discuss the budget for that Department. The total amount requested was 39,984.33, an increase of $1705.97 over 1935. The Chairman asked the reason for the increase of $260, for the maintenance of the fire alarm system, and Mr. Taylor replied that he always asked for $1500. as the cost of the maintenance was very close to that amount. Mr. Clark asked if he would get a better price on gasoline if the Supt. of Public Works bought his gasoline along with that pur- chased for the other departments of the Town, and Mr. Taylor replied that he did not believe so, that the same price was quoted each one. Mr. Clark asked what the oldest piece of equipment was that he had and he replied that it was the American LaFrance fire engine at the East Lexington station which was about 22 years old but was in eery good condition. Mr. Clark stated that he had noted that the Fire Dept. was purchasing oil and wanted to know what it was for. Mr. Taylor replied that he had purchased'_t*o oil burners in 1935, one for each station. The improvements recommended by Chief Taylor were read by the Chairman as follows: UNDERGROUND CABLE on Mass. Ave. - Woburn St. to Arlington line.................$7,686.00 UNDERGROUND CABLE on Mass. Ave. Woburn St. to Mass. Ave. Fire Station.........3,981.00 TWENTY FIRE ALARM BOXES 10 New and 10 Replacements ....................2,500.00 SEPARATING TAPPER AND BOX CIRCUITS Urgently recommended by Underwriters ...... ....2,857.00 RE -LOCATING WHISTLE APPARATUS (1) New outfit to be located in Cary Memorial Building. Credits of Approx. $375.00...1,800.00 (2) Removing whistle and tanks from present location and installing same in Cary Mem. B1dg....900.00 SIX ADDITIONAL REGULAR MEN - May lst to Dee. 31st 288 days at $4.16 equals $990.08 x 6 ...... ....5,940.48 Additional rooms for Men......................1,000.00 ONE CITY SERVICE LADDER TRUCK .....................12,000.00 ' ONE TWO TON TRUCK (Rescue & Lighting Service)......1,850.00 HEADQUARTERS Constructed and Furnished .......... 120,000.00 MASS. AVE. STATION Constructed and Furnished......60,000.00 I 278 cr Mr. Taylor said that at the present time we have six circuits in the town and on those circuits we have boxes, and also tappers to'call men which weakens the ' system. He stated that there should be nothing on the circuits but the boxes that are to be nulled and that the town was unablelto test the box circuits electrically. The Chairman asked if it would not be logical to put in the underground cables before running new circuits for the tappers and Mr. Taylor stated that that work woijld have to be done first. Chief Taylor stated that the present whistle apparatus is located in the shed in back of the First National Stores on Mass. Ave. and that the apparatus was really obsolete. He said that there was an opportunity to install the whistle at the Cary Memorial Hall and this' would cost about $900, but h® would 'recommend the purchase of a new whistle which would cost approximately $1800. Mr. Giroux asked if there would be any objections to the whistle blowing when something was going on 1n the Hall, but Chief Taylor stated that he did not think. so as the whistle was not blown after 9 P.M. Chief Taylor discussed his request for six additional regular men, and explained that under certain conditions there are only two men at headquarters with the switch- board and three pieces of apparatus to handle. He stated that he had only 12 regular men and he thought that it was very important to employ additional men. ' He stated that it wa's practically impossible to get , call men; that they did not want to serve on the Fire Dept. in that capacity, The Chairman asked Chief Taylor if -the ladder truck recommended was additional or a replacement and he stated that it was additional. Chief Taylor stated that the two ton truck recommended was to replace the Fire old Lincoln which is used for brush fires, etc. Dept. There was no discussion on the new headquarters Budget. and station recommended. Mr. Clark asked Chief Taylor is there was anything special in the $500. requested for repairs and he re- plied that it was for repairing the roof and fixing the _side walls of the headquarters and that he would like to paint at least the front of the East Lexington Station if there was enough money left. Mr. Giroux asked what was most important in the recommended improvements and he stated that the fire alarm system and underground cables came first, then separating the tappers and fire alarm boxes. He remarked that there was no sense in getting new apparatus if he did not have enough men to handle it. Mr. Taylor presented the Forest Wardents budget in the amount of $1570. which was approved by the Board. Mr. Taylor then retired. 279 Mr. Clark remarked that every year the Fire Dept. appropriation was out -as much as possible but yet something ' extra was always purchased. This year Chief Taylor purchased two new oil burners and the previous year he purchased a new engine. There was no further discussion on the budget. At 8 P.M., Harry and Ivar Johnson, a Mrs. Blight, a Mrs. May and the Building Inspector appeared to dis- cuss the Johnsons violation of the Zoning Law by the construction of houses on lots containing frontages of only 72 feet. The Chairman stated that the plan submitted to the Board of Survey showed that the lots had a frontage of, 75 feet but that they contained only 72 feet frontage and asked the reason for it and if the Engineer knew about it. Mr. Johnson stated that he must have. The Chairman asked if Mr. Selwyn was the Engineer and. if Johnson knew that the lots had only 72 foot frontages. Mrs. Blight stated that Mr. Selwyn told her 'that he did not lay out the property• Iva3& Johnson stated Johnson that he bought lot #38 and built on it and sold the layout. house to Mrs. Blight and that he was now building on lot #35. The Chairman asked him if he knew that there was only a 72 foot frontage when he built the house and Ivar replied that he did not. The Chairman informed ' Johnson that he had not lived up to the Board of Survey layout and Johnson wanted to know if the Board of Survey would allow him to build on a 72 foot lot. The Chairman stated that the law provided for a 75 foot frontage and that there could be no deviation from the law. `Johnson then asked if the Town Engineer was not supposed_ to check the lots and the Chairman replied that he absolutely was not supposed to and told Johnson that it was a problem he wo�ild have to solve. The Chairman read the letter which the Building Inspector had written to Johnson. He then asked Ivar Johnson how far along he was on the second house before he found out that he had a frontage'of only 72 feet and he replied that he had just discovered it last week and the first thing he knew about it was when -Mrs. Blight checked her frontage. The Chairman told the Johnsons that there was nothing the Town co ld do about it now and it was a problem that they would have to work out themselves and they retired: The Supt. of Public Works and the Acting Chief of Police appeared before the Board. Mr. Trask stated that if the town was going to enforce the speed laws, that they would have to put another man on the force. He stated that the men had to take their days off on Police ' Saturday or Sunday and at the present time Officer Dept. O'Leary is out sick and it is necessary to call the night men in for day duty. There are 13 officers, two sergeants and the Chief of Police, on the.force. There are six men on nights. Benjamin Day fills in for the men on their days off. In the day there are two men in the center, two in the car and one at East Lexington and one at the station. Mr. Lyons asked why the men in the car could not check on the speeding, and Rycroft replied that there were three men needed to run a good trap. He stated that it was necessary to have one officer in the center roaming around checking cars, people drinking in the rear of buildings, etc. The Chairman stated that the Board of Trade had been very much upset over the drive on parking, but after hearing Rycroft speak last night, they had recommended what the Police Dept, was doing.* Mr. Clark asked if the roaming man could be borrowed for traffic work and Rycroft stated that he could be on week days but not on Saturday or Sunday. Messrs. Rycroft and Trask then retired. Mr, Giroux thought that as the Town wanted a good job done, that Rycroft's reque`st-should be given con- sideration, He then moved that the appropriation for the Police Dept* be increased to allow the addition of one more officer, Mr. Lyons seconded the motion and it was so voted, L 1 Writ was received for the drawing of one juror Juror. for criminal business to be held at Lowell on the first Monday of March. Mr. Harry F. Howard, adver- tising business, was the juror drawn. The Planning Board appeared before the Board to discuss the proposed amendment to the Zoning By -- law -With reference to the removal of loam. The Chair--, man remarked that the matter had been left with Mr. Lyons to discuss with the Town Counsel and draw up an amendment, Mr. Lyons stated that the Town Counsel had said that what the Town was trying to do was to restrict the removal of loam rather than to prevent taking it out of town. Mr. Wrightington stated that the amendment drawn up on October 21st took care of the matter as well as possible. The amendment drawn up on.that date reads as follows: "VOTED: That the Lexington Zoning By-law be amended by adding to Section 4, R.1 Districts, Paragraph 6, the following paragraph: Amendment "Excavation and removal of any sod, loam, sand, re: Stripping gravel, clay or quarried or crushed stone, of Loam, except that the provisions of section 9 do not apply when such excavation or removal are incidental to and in connection with the construction of a building for which a permit has been issued in accordance with the building by-law and this by-law, and when such excavation or removal are permitted under paragraph numbered "4" in the paragraphs headed 'In R,l Districts'." Mr. Clark asked if the merchants parked their cars on Mass. Avenue during the day and Rycroft stated that that was the trouble and he had told the Board of Trade so. The Chairman asked if another man would be needed if the Chief were back, and Rycoft stated that he would say so. L 1 281 Mr. Wrightington stated that there was A question of- what the difference was between farming and a business and the line vn uld be very hard to draw. The Chairman asked if this amendment varied very much from Winchesters By-law and Mr. Wrightington replied that it did, that that by-law was a very long one. The Chairman then asked if Mr. Wrightington thought it necessary to include any limitation as to the amount of loam to be removed and Mr. Wrightington stated'that'it'woilld be very hard to determine the limit, but if a limit could be determined that it could be established. The Chairman felt that it could be defined by area better than any other way and Mr. Duffy asked that supposing a farmer sold part of his land for a real estate development and the ex- cavation of the street was removed and piled up, what would be done. The Chairman stated that the develop- ment would not be a farm if the Board of Survey had approved the layout and that the developer could not be prevented from selling the land from the excavated lot as it would be in connectidn with the development of the property. Mr. Lyons asked Mr. Wrightington if he thought the draft amendment of October 21st improved on the By-law and he replied that he thought it, did improve it but not very much. Mr. Kimball stated that he was not in favor of specifying the number of loads to be removed. Mr. Neil H. Borden approved the more general statement and Mr. Lester F. Ellis was in accord with the general statement. Mr. Giroux stated that he would like to see the amount to be removed specified, but if it were better to be general, he would agree on the general statement. Mr. Lyons moved that the draft amendment of Oct. 21st as submitted by the Town Counsel be inserted Article in in the Warrant as an amendment to the Zoning By-law. Warrant Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted - Mr. Duffy stated that the set -back on the Concord Turnpike of 50 feet for residential sections and 100 feet for business sections was talked over at the joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board held some time ago. He stated that the Planning Board was of the opinion that what they wanted the set -back for was to protect the road from business congestion. He thought that a 25 foot set -back plus the 30 foot set -back already imposed Set -back would be sufficient in the residential areas and that on new the 50 foot set -back would be too much. He thought Turnpike. that the most practical way to approach the problem was to lay out the area adjacent to the road that they felt should be laid out, pick out business areas, etc. and then the Board would be in a better position to say whether or not they needed.a set -back and what it should be. He stated that the Planning Board was inclined to give the matter further study. 282 April 19th Committee. Highway Maintenance budget. The Chairman stated that he thought enough time should be taken to make an adequate study of the sit. uation so that they could have a definite reason for establishing the set -back. Mr. Borden thought that some scheme might be worked out for having the traffic come in at certain places only and have parallel highways either through the taking of lands or the cooperation of the owners, There was no further discussion and the Planning Board retired, Mr, Tracy W. Ames appeared before the Board to discuss the April 19th Committee. He stated that in Lexington there are 35 men representing the various troups meeting every month to consider ways and means of improving scouting, He stated that Mr. Malcolm Clifford was a member of this group and that while it is impossible for a man to attend each meeting of the council, Mr. Clifford had attended only one meeting since 1931. For that reason the Council thought that someone else rather than Clifford might have been chosen to serve on the April 19th"Committee, but that as long as he had been appointed, they would agree to the appointment. He stated that the development of scouting had been toward servicing rather than parading. This service consisted of assisting the Police in traffic duty, maintaining a first aid hut, acting as guides and messengers, etc. He stated that the Legion liked the Boy Scouts to march, but Sachem Council preferred the boys to render service. He stated that there would be a meeting of the Council on Tuesday, Mardh 3rd and he would like Mr. Clifford to attend that meeting, but the Chairman stated that he thought notification of the meeting should come from the Council rather than the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Ames agreed with him and retired. Mr. Lyons moved that the April 19th Committee consist of the following members: Charles L. Parker, Chairman Malcolm H. Clifford Albert H, Burnham James J. Waldron Charles A. McCormack Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted, Mr. Trask and Mr. Paxton, Supt, of Streets, appeared before the Board to discuss the Highway maintenance appropriation. "Phe estimate for the regular expend- itures totaled50,053,40 and other recommended expend- itures totaled 115.,142.50, making the total budget $65,195.90. Mr. Trask stated that the principal increase in the budget was on drainage, which amounted to $12,900,00, This drainage was to -be installed In the Bloomfield Street, Highland Ave., Percy and Winthrop Roads section. He thought that it would u no be good economy to do the work as the Water Dept. was ' planning to replace the old four inch pipe in that area and it would be wise to do both jobs at the same time. Mr. Lyons moved that the Highway Maintenance budget be approved in the amount of'50,000,.but the motion was not seconded. - Mr. Paxton recommended that a seal coat be put on Locust Avenue and the Chairman asked why this was necessary as Locust Avenue was a new street. Mr.. Paxton replied that it might go another year without a seal coat, but that he thought it better to put it on before the street was too far gone. Mr. Paxton had -listed 15 streets for which he recommended re- treading and the Chairman asked what the most important streets were on the list. Mr. Paxton replied that Allen and Blossom Streets had been used a great deal during the construction of the new road and he thought that they should be done. Bennett Avenue, Baker Avenue and Chas} Avenue were in fairly good condition but he wanted to protect them. He thought that Mass. Avenue from the. Minute -Man to Parker Street should be done and that it would be a good plan to do Elm Avenue -at the same time. He stated that Woburn Street would have to be constructed under Chapter 90 soon and that re -treading it would post- .pone ost- .pone the reconstruction for a while. He stated that Abbott Road, Larchmont Lane and Weston Street were in very bad shape and he was planning to give them one coat of asphalt next year. Mr. Paxton had recommended putting two coats of oil on Lowell Street and Westminster Avenue as drainage was put in these streets last year and the streets were not finished after that work had been done. However, the work on -these -streets depended on whether or not the State was going to rebuild them. He stated that Oakland Street had been in a very bad condition ever since the installation of the sewer and he would recommend doing something on it. The total cost of installing a drain for the hill would be approximately $16,000, and he recommended 'that the drainage be forgotten at the present time. Mr, Paxton had listed Percy Road as being'in need of repairs but stated that nothing would be done on it if the drainage was not approved, Mr. Paxton stated that some work had been done on Spring Street last year but he thought the whole street should be done this year. The W.P.A. is now doing some work on the street as it is a Farm -to -Market Road. The Board informed Mr. Paxto tYat the budget would be taken underadvisement and he ret re . Letter was received from the Lexington Trust Co. stating that the Bank was considering the further development of Lexington Manor. The Bank therefor requested the Board's approval of the extension of the water main from its present end in Blake Road Water main, Blake Rd. to Preston Road and in Preston Road to the intersection of Simonds Road. The letter stated that the bank, realized that it would be difficult to induce any person to purchase lots in a location not already supplied with Town water. Mr..Trask stated that the estimated cost of the work would be approximately $4000.00. The Chairman stated that the bank owned a valuable piece of land in the Manor and had paid taxes on the property for a number of years and he felt that the Board should at least recommend that an article be inserted in the Warrant for the extension and give the Town an opportunity to vote on it. Mr. Lyons wished to go on record as being opposed to making water extensions. . He felt that any Realty Company or developer should install his own public utilities. Mr. Giroux stated that he would like to have a committee appointed to study the question of public utilities, water extensions, etc. Mr. Ferguson stated that the Town had had a water, sewer and drainage survey made by Metcalf & Eddy and that these had been published, but that no one ever read the reports or paid any attention to them. Mr.. Giroux then moved that an article be inserted in the warrant for the requested extension. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Lyons voted in opposition to the matter. Mr. Trask stated that when he submitted the budget for Traffic Regulation and Control he had forgotten Traffic that the publishing of the Traffic Rules and Orders Reg, was to be charged to this account. He therefor budget. recommended that the Board approve the addition of $62.50 to the budget already approved. Mr. Lyons moved that the request be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask reported that the three street lights Street on old Watertown Street had not been removed and he Lights, inquired if the Board wished to have them removed or to have them relocated on the new Street. Mr. Lyons moved that the lights on old Watertown Street be removed. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask stated that the Board had approved the Highway purchase of a .new car for the Supt. of the Highway Dept. t.car Dept. and he asked that the Board approve the purchase of the car now. He stated that John O'Connor would be away for a month and that he had been using his 'own ear and now that he was away the man in charge of the W.P.A. was without a car. He stated that he had appointed Clayton Beach as W.P.A. supervisor during O'Connor's absence. Mr. Clark moved that no action be taken on the matter until after the Annual Meeting. Mr. Lyons seconded the motion and it was so voted. I- L 1 C W.P.A. Supervisor. Spring Street Kelley claim. Annual reports:for:.the following departments were received and approved: 26wn Clerk; Wire Inspector; Fire Dept; Public Welfare; Soldiers Relief; Cemetery Commissioners; Highway Maintenance. Mr. Trask reported that he had received a request from the Boston Market Garden Association for _permission to use Cary Memorial Hall on February 18th for the purpose of holding its annual banquet. Mr. Giroux Use of moved that the Association be given permission to Hall, use the hall on that date and that a charge of $25, be made. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask reported that the insurance policy in the amount of $1600. carried on the town scales through the office of George W. Taylor & Son was expiring. Insurance Mr. Giroux moved that the policy be renewed through the same office. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. ' Mr. Trask reported that he had received a request from the Follen Church for permission to use Cary Memorial Tull on Saturday, Feb. 29th, for the purpose of holding Use of Ah,:amateur show, and admission of 35� to be charged. Hall. Mr. Giroux moved that the Follen Church be allowed to use the hall on that date at a charge of $15.00. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Chairman asked if Mr. Beach was working temporarily, if OtConnor would continue in the same capacity upon his return, or if someone else would be appointed. Mr. Trask stated that Beach was acting only until a permanent. man was appointed. He asked how much the Board wished to pay Beach and stated that he had been receiving $60. per month as a W.P.A. foreman but that he was working full time now. Mr. Trask recommended that he be paid $25. per week. Mr. Giroux moved that the recom- mendation be approved. Mr. Lyons seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask recommended that the Board petition the County for the 40 foot layout of Spring Street. He stated that it had never been laid.out and that this should be done in order to widen it. The W.P.A. is now working on Spring Street, Mr. Lyons moved that a petition be filed with the County for a 40 ffoot 1 out o g rin Street. Mr. Giroux seconded itp tY e mot on an w& so voted. Letter was received from Francis W. Kelley of 40 Woburn Street stating that on Sunday, Jarraary 26th, his mother, Mrs. Mary C. Kelley, fell on the ice on an unsanded portion of Vine Street. Mrs. Kelley sustained a fracture of the left arm and is being treated by Dr. Walsh. Mr. Kelley asked what action the Town would take in the matter. Mr. Lyons moved ' that no action be taken in the matter. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. W.P.A. Supervisor. Spring Street Kelley claim. Annual reports:for:.the following departments were received and approved: 26wn Clerk; Wire Inspector; Fire Dept; Public Welfare; Soldiers Relief; Cemetery Commissioners; Highway Maintenance. Mr. Trask reported that he had received a request from the Boston Market Garden Association for _permission to use Cary Memorial Hall on February 18th for the purpose of holding its annual banquet. Mr. Giroux Use of moved that the Association be given permission to Hall, use the hall on that date and that a charge of $25, be made. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask reported that the insurance policy in the amount of $1600. carried on the town scales through the office of George W. Taylor & Son was expiring. Insurance Mr. Giroux moved that the policy be renewed through the same office. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. ' Mr. Trask reported that he had received a request from the Follen Church for permission to use Cary Memorial Tull on Saturday, Feb. 29th, for the purpose of holding Use of Ah,:amateur show, and admission of 35� to be charged. Hall. Mr. Giroux moved that the Follen Church be allowed to use the hall on that date at a charge of $15.00. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. 286 Mr. Trask asked if the Board wished the Water Dept. to charge for thawing out frozen services. Thawing Mr. Clark moved that the work be done by the Town Services. and that the property owner be charged the cost of the work. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask read a letter which he had received from Wm. Roger Greeley advising him that it would cost between $200: and $300. to experiment and improve the acoustics at the Cary Memorial Hall. The Chair - Acoustics man stated that in view of the fact that criticisms Cary Hall. of the acoustics had been published in the Minute Man.that Mr. Greeley's letter might be published, with his consent. Mr. Giroux thought that it would be best to do.nothing at all on the matter at the present time and later.on to install a modern amplifying system. Mr. Clark then moved that no action be taken on the matter. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask stated that Charles Nutt, while oper- ating a Town truck.spreading sand on Waltham Street, Accident. had backed up and the rear end of the truck struck the telephone pole in front of the Hunt property at 15-17 Waltham Street. The }pole fell against the Hunt house and struck the roof over the piazza breaking it down, and also breaking one window. The officer who investigated the matter stated that the base of the pole was very badly rotted so that it did not require much of a blow to knock it over. Mr. Trask stated that he would take the matter up with the Telephone Co. to see if they would past the damages. Mr. Trask reported on the Harvey claim for damages. He stated that the accident happened the Harvey claim morning of the snow storm and that when the street was plowed out, no boulders had been found, and Mr. Harvey claimed that he struck a boulder. Harvey had called the Police Dept. and reported the accident but made no mention of the boulder, and Mr. Trask stated that he just backed up into the trench. He felt that inasmuch as Harvey had lived on Lincoln Street all during the construction work on the street, that he should know where the trench was. Mr. Giroux moved that no action be taken on the matter. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask reported that the date for the W.P.A. W.P.A. vaudeville show had been changed three times and that Show the Legion was now ready to sponsor the show on February 20th and 21st. He told the W.P.A. man that the rate of $50. would have to be paid before the doors were opened, but he had notreceived the money as yet. 1 287 The ghairman suggested that Mr. Trask contact the Legion and find out if they were willing to guarantee the payment of $50. before the show opened and if they were not, that Mr. Trgsk's action in refusing to open the doors be ap- proved. Mr. Giroux moved that the Chairman's suggestion be adopted. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask discussed a notice he had received from the Women's League for Peace and Freedom. He stated that Arlington had given permission to erect a monument in the Center of'the Town and he wanted to know if the Selectmen would approve the same thing if somebody in Monument. Lexington would sponsor it. Mr. -Giroux thought that the Board should have more information on the matter before it agreed to do anything. It was moved that Mr. Giroux be appointed a Committee of one to investigate the matter and report at next week's meeting. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask stated that the operating Division of the W.P.A. had requested that one man be appointed as Sponsor's the Sponsor's Agent for all W.P.A. projects. Mr. Agent, Giroux moved that Mr. Trask be appointed Sponsor's W.P.A. Agent for the Town of Lexington. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask submitted the Water Maintenance budget In the amount of $67,350.00. He stated that the sum of $330000, had been approved to pay the Metropolitan Water Assessment and that this was merely an estimate and if the Board wished to cut it down one or two thousand dollars it could do so and then if necessary a transfer could be made later on. Mr. Clark moved that the Metropolitan assessment be cut to $31,500, which reduced the total budget to $65p850,00, Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask submitted the Water Construction budget and stated that it would cost approximately 18,000, to replace the old four inch mains in Bloomfield Street, Highland Ave., Vine Brook, Winthrop and Percy Roads He stated that Mr. A. A. Ross had recommended that the services in these streets be renewed, which would add about $1000. to the cost. The Chairman recommended that $19,000. be approved for the replacements of the four inch mains in the streets above named and that the sum of $10,00, be approved for installing drainage, in the same streets, the drainage work to be done by the Water Dept. employees. Mr. Clark moved that the Chairman's recommendation be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. The method of financing this construction was held over for one week. Met, Water Assessment and Water Maintenance Budget, Water Con. Budget. Mr. Trask recommended the sum of $5,000.00 for (Water Con. Water Construction, Sundry Streets. Mr. Giroux moved Sundry that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Clark seconded Streets the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask recommended that the sum of $1500. be approved for normal water maintenance replacements and Water $1000. for replacements of the services in the Percy replacements Road area, making a total of $2500.00. Mr. Clark moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask recommended that the sum of $15,000. Snow be approved for Snow Removal,' Mr. Clark moved that Removal. the recommendation be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so'voted. The Board voted to grant the following licenses; 'Licenses. William Lappen - Blake's Candy Shop, 1781 Mass. Ave. - Common Victualler Mary G. Mullen & Mary A. Welsh - 283 Mass.Ave.-Innholder James F. Cavanaugh - 149 Grant Street - Public Carriage Letter was received from the Lexington Trust Co. (Smith informing the Board that that bank had recently acquired property. title by foreclosure to the property on Valley Road formerly owned by Charles F. & Harriet Smith. The letter referred to the suit against the Town which . the Smith's had instigated. It was decided to hold the matter over for one week. The Planning Board requested that the Board insert an article in the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting to amend the Zoning By-law by changing from an R.1 'Articles District to a C.1 District, a parcel of land on the for easterly side of Pleasant Street on the northerly Warrant line of the Concord Turnpike, petition for which had been received from Sarah A. Cutler. The Planning Board also requested that the Board insert an article in the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting to amend the Zoning By-law by changing from an R.1 District to a C.1 Distriet,.a parcel of land at the northwest corner of Pleasant Street and the new Concord Turnpike upon petition of Ernest DeVincent. The Chairman informed -the Planning Board that the requested amendments would be included in the Warrant. Letter was received from S. A. Cutler of Concord Article for Ave. requesting that the Board insert an article in Change in the Warrant for the Annual Meeting asking for a change 'By -Law. in the Zoning By-laws from an R.1 District to a 0.1 requested. District, the property at the corner of Pleasant Street and the new. Concord Turnpike. Inasmuch as the Plan- ning Board had already requested that such an article be inserted in the Warrant, no further action was taken on the matter. Cn y C l 1 L l 1 1 The report of the Supt. of Public Works for the week ending Feb. lst was recei=led and approved. Letter was recbived from the_.Town Counsel stating that conveyancers might refuse to accept title to tax title foreclosed land even a"ter registration on the strength of the vote adopted by the Town Meeting last year authorizing the Selectmen to sell. Mr. Wrightington suggested that an article similar to that used last year be put in the March Warrant and a new•vote obtained giving the new Board of Selectmen the same authority. In view of this fact, the Board decided that the article recommended by Tax Commissioner Long be inserted in the Warrant. Bills totalling $1439.05 were received from the Town Counsel covering expenses incurred in the case of Ryder vs. Lexington before the Auditor. Mr. Giroux moved that the bills be approved. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Town Clerk to which was attached a letter from the Mass. Forest and Park Assoc. requesting that the following article be in- serted in the Warrant; "To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for the pruning of dead wood from the elms and for the removal of any dead or dying elms on the public streets". The matter was held over for one week. Report. Tax Title property. Ryder case bills. Article for Warrant. Letter was received from Soma Weiss, M.D. requesting Requbst information with regard to the Board of Health's arrange- for - ment with the Middlesex County Sanatorium. informatioi The matter was held over for one week. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee stating that it had approved an annual salary for the Town Treasurer of $900, and an annual salary for the Town Clerk of $1775., making the total salary for both positions $2675. The Committee had decided to restore the original salary of $2400. plus the sum of $275, which was to cover the amount which had been received by the Town Clerk from fees in the past, the readjustment to be made with the proviso that the Board of Selectmen would insert an article in the Warrant for the Annual Meeting to see if the Town would vote to instruct the Town Clerk to turn over to the Town, all fees received by him as Town Clerk. The Appropriation Committee requested the Board to take necessary steps to provide for a change in the By-laws to provide that the Town Clerk will turn over to the Town all fees received by him in his capacity as Town Clerk. Mr. Clark moved t'gat the Town Clerk's salary be fixed at $2675. and that no further fees be retained by him and that the article be inserted in the Warrant as requested and that the Board take steps to provide for a change in the By-laws as requested. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Town Clerk salary. 290 ITax Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee recommending that no more money be paid by the Water Dept. to the Tax Collector for collecting water rates Collector's and that the Appropriation Committee had approved a salary. salary of $2775, per year for the Tax Collector and Town Collector, Mr. Clark moved that the salary of $2775. be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Town Accountant -to which was attached a voucher presented by the Park Dept. for payment of $20. to Albert A. Miller for Bill for preparing plans for a field house at Lexington, Center Engineering Playground. Mr. Russell stated that the voucher had services. not been placed in the warrant inasmuch as the ex- penditure had not been authorized and Miller was a regular.employee of the Engineering Dept. Mr. Garrity had informed Mr. Russell that the reason for the extra payment was that the Engineering Dept. was unable to do the work within regular hours due to the pressure of other work. Mr. Russell inquired if the Board wished to approve the bill. Mr, Clark moved that the bill be disapproved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Appropriation Law Dept. Committee stating that it had voted to make no change ' Budget. I[ in the previous approval of $2500, for the regular Law Department expenses in 1936 even though the Town Counsel had requested the approval of $3000. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee advising the Board that it was voted to make no change with reference to the action previously taken in disapproving the item of $25. for gasoline and oil for Mr. Spencer's car. Letter was received from the Town Accountant suggesting that the Water Stock Account and Sewer Stock Stock Account be combined so that there would be one Stock Accounts. Account to be known as the Public Works Stock Account. It would be necessary to transfer the cash balances in each of the two accounts to the Excess and Deficiency Account or if it was decided to have a Public Works Stock Account, it could be transferred to that account. Mr. Giroux moved that no change be made in the Stock Accounts, Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Welfare Agent reported that he had received Condon an application for Old Age Assistance.from John F. case. Condon of Concord Avenue. Mr. Mitchell recommended that Condon be aided in the amount of $6. per week. Mr. Giroux moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Lyons seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Welfare Agent recommended that supplementary ' aid be furnished Mrs. Arthur Forsythe and family of Woburn Street. The daughter, Elizabeth, had been working on the W.P.A. sewing unit and was now ill with Tuberculosis and the family was therefor deprived of the salary of $13. per week which she had been receiving. Mr. Giroux moved that supplementary aid be granted. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. 1 L 7 291 Forsythe case. The Welfare Agent recommended that he be authorized to furnish supplementary aid to Thomas F. Costello, Costello Mr. Giroux moved that the recommendation be approved. case. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Welfare Agent stated that he had received a request for aid from Mrs. Mary E. Casey of 57 Taft Avenue. He recommended that she be aided in the amount of 014. per week plus fuel. Mr. Clark moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Welfare Agent informed the Board that the Water Dept. was going to shut off the water at the house on Barnes Place owned by John E. Barnes. Mr. Barnes is working on W.P.A. and earning $9. per week and his wife is ill at home. The Chairman felt that in this case a lien should be recorded -rather than have the Welfare Dept. pay the bill. Mr. Giroux moved that -a lien be recorded in this case. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Welfare Agent reported that he had received an application for aid from Philip Leaf of Cottage Street. There is no mortgage on the house but it was left in trust so that Mr. Leaf might live there for the duration of his life. After his death the property was to be split six ways. The Chairman asked if Leaf had tried to get a mortgage on the property and Mr. Mitchell stated that he did not believe that he had. The Chairman thought that Leaf should not be aided until he had tried to get a mortgage and had been refused. Mr. Giroux moved that Mr. Mitchell be authorized to furnish food for the family if necessary. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Casey case. Barnes case. Leaf case. The Welfare Agent stated that he had received an application for aid from John Ricci of 990 Waltham Ricci Street. Mr. Ricci has a wife and 9 children. Mr. case. Giroux moved that Mr. Mitchell be authorized to furnish food if necessary. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. The meeting adjourned at 12;40 A.M. A true record, Attest; --•Clerk.