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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1936-02-25 332 cn SELECTMEN'S MEETING. FEB. 25, 1936. ' A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 7:30 P.M. Messrs. Ferguson, Lyons, Giroux and Clark were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 P.M. Chairman Buckley and Clerk Spencer of the Assessing Department appeared before the Board Assessors ' to discuss the budget for 1936. The Chairman read budget. the letter which was received from the Appropriation Committee advising that that Committee had approved the sum of $25.00 for gasoline and oil for Mr. Spencer's car. The Assessors had been requested to appear before the Board to discuss this item and as the Appropriation Committee now approved it, there was no further discussion on the matter. The Annual Report of the Supt. of Public Works Report of was received and approved. Mr. Giroux moved that the Supt. of report be inserted in the Annual Report and Mr. Clark Pub. Works. seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from Ruth R. Wheeler of Letter of Concord protesting against the Board's action in protest. refusing to allow the production of the play "Valley Forge" in Lexington by W.P.A. actors. No action was taken on the matter. Letter was received from the Town Accountant calling the Board's attention to the fact that the Snow total expenditure to date for the current year for Removal Snow Removal was $15,054.08. The Board of Selectmen Budget. had recommended an appropriation for Snow Removal for the year 1936 of $15,000. Mr. Russell stated that this appropriation would have to be increased inasmuch as an amount could not be appropriated which was less than the amount of the over-draft from Jan. 1 to the date of the Town Meeting. The Chairman asked Mr. Trask what his estimate was of the amount that would be needed for the balance of the year. Mr. Trask replied that if we had another bad storm, it would probably cost $5000. , but that the greatest expense from now on would be for sanding. He stated that a safe figure would be $22,000. but that it might not cost more than $18,000. Mr. Giroux moved that the sum of $20,000. be approved but the motion was not seconded. Mr. Lyons moved that the sum of $18,000. be appropriated for Snow Removal, and Mr. Clark seconding the motion, it was so voted. Mr. Giroux voted in opposition to the matter. 333 At 8 P.M. Board of Survey hearing was declared open on the application of Sherman K. Hardy for the approval of the plan of land owned by Sherman K. & Vera B. Hardy at 148 Hill Street, Lexington. Mr. Hardy appeared in favor of the application and no persons appeared in opposition. The Chairman read the notice of the hearing. Board of Mr. Hardy stated that the lots were to be Survey, restricted and that he was not going to put in any Hardy. street until land was wanted in the back part of the parcel. The Chairman asked what restrictions Mr. Hardy was going to put on the property. He replied that the houses were to ha e a setback of at least 50 feet and were to be of strict colonial architecture, and he would allow no house to be built that would cost less than $5000. above the ground. He thought that he would put restrictions in the deeds so that no lots would be split up for a certain number of years. Mr. Lyons moved that the layout as submitted to the Board of Survey be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. At 8: 05 P.M. Mr. Smith J. Adams, Vice President of the Middlesex Turnpike Associates and Mr. Frank S. Powers of Lowell, appeared before the Board and Proposed requested the Board's endorsement of the proposed Turnpike. turnpike from Arlington to Lowell. Mr. Adams stated that he was asking the endorsements of all the cities and towns in the vicinity of the new road. The following cities and towns had gone on record as being in favor of it: Lowell, Chelmsford, Burlington, Billerica and Bedford. The Chairman asked if the final road had been decided upon yet, Mr. Adams stated that Senator McCarthy was goingto insert in the Bill before it went to hearing, the clause that both Lowell Street and Summer Street were to be rebuilt and that the hearing would be held on March 17th. Mr. Clark moved that a letter be written to the Middlesex Turnpike Association confirming the Board's approval of the construction of the new road. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Chairman informed the Board that Mrs. Hatch had telephoned the Clerk and advised that she was willing to accept the Board's offer of $400. for land Hatch taken for the construction of the new highway on Land Watertown Street. Mr. Clark moved that the approp- Damages. riation requested for Pleasant and Watertown Streets Land damages be increased by $400. to take care of Mrs. Hatch. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. 334 imq 0.1 At 8:15 P .M. , Mr. Clarence Walker, representing the Lexington Trust Co. , appeared before the Board to discuss the alleged damages to the Smith property at the corner of Bedford Street and Valley Road. The Trust Company has recently acquired title by foreclosure to this property. Mr. Walker had previously informed the Board that the Trust Company was willing to withdraw the pend- ing suit against the Town if the Town would agree to pay the Bank S150. for land damages and cancel the betterment assessment . He stated that the Bank had a definite obligation to its stockholders and they thought that it would be better to settle rather than to continue the suit. The Bank has no particular way of arriving at a proper amount to ask for damages, but it feels that there have been damages in excess of the betterment assessment, but they prefer not to sue because of the expense. Mr. Walker stated that the Bank was asking Smith for a nominal sum in excess of the betterment and that suit. it had taken that stand after consulting two attorneys who had stated that they believed the Bank had a case. The Chairman stated that when the original taking was made, Mrs . Smith started suit, and the basis of the suit was that she owned the whole of Valley Road to the stone wall and that by the Town' s making the taking, she lost one building lot. He thought the most important question was whether or not she owned to the center of the road or to the stone wall. Mr. Walker stated that the mortgage stated that the Smith' s owned to the stone wall mhich he thought proved the ownership. He stated that there was a considerable drop from the lawn to the street level in front of the house on the Valley Road side of the house, and in the Bank' s effort to put the house in shape, they thought that they would have to do something to the lawn and it would be necessary to put in a retaining wall. He stated that this might be due to the fact that the Town had made the taking. The Chairman asked if Mrs . Smith had lost her rights in the lot. Mr. Walker replied that she had not; that the mortga-'e was dated in 1922 or 1924 and at the time Mrs. Smith mortgaged the property subject to the taking the town had made. The Chairman stated that there would be a question as to whether or not there was a betterment on account of the construction of the Road. Mr. Walker stated that there was no question but what there had been a betterment . He stated that there was another complication which was that the Town would have to get a release from Mrs . Smith as she was the owner at the time the taking was made even ,though she had nothing to do with the property at the present time. Mr. Walker stated that he thought he could get such a release without any trouble. The Board informed him that they would discuss the matter and he retired. Mr. Lyons moved that the Trust Company be offered the sum of $100. and that the betterment assessment be abated. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. 335 At 9 P .M. Chief Edward W. Taylor appeared before I the Board to discuss the Fire Dept . Budget . The Approp- riation Committee cut the item for extra duty from $300. to $200. Mr. Taylor agreed to cut this item to $200. The item for substitutes was reduced from $150. to $50. Chief Taylor stated that they had two cripples in the Department, Mr. Charles Richards and Mr. Stephen Broughall. Mr. Broughall has been out for six weeks . Mr. Taylor stated that Mr. Broughall had an incurable disease and he thought that he would have to carry him for six months and then pension him. Mr. Taylor thought that it would not be right to go along with eleven men when they should have twelve and he thought that he should Fire Dept . have $150. for substitutes, and the Board agreed with Budget. him. The item for hose was reduced from $1550. to $1150. Mr. Taylor stated that if the tests came out well that the sum of $1150. would be sufficient and that he was willing to take a chance on it. They test the hose with a pressure of 200 lbs . to the square inch. The item for equiiment and men was reduced from $300. to $200. Mr. Taylor stated that the $200. would be all right. The item for fire fighting equipment was reduced from $1039.80 to $800. Mr. Taylor stated that he would try to get along with the $800. The item for main- tenance of fire alarm boxes was reduced from $1500. to C1200. Mr. Taylor stated that he thought he could get along with $1200 because only $1235. was spent last year. The item for repairs to building was reduced from $500 to $250. The Chairman asked what Mr. Taylor intended to do. He stated that he intended to fix the roof and patch the holes in the side of the building. Mr. Lyons moved that this item be approved in the amount of 8500. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. The item for furniture and furnishings was reduced from $100. to $50. Mr. Lyons moved that this item be left at $50. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Sundry items for maintenance of building and grounds was reduced from $300. to $200. and Mr. Taylor stated that $200. would be all right . The item for Medical supplies was reduced from $200. to $100. He stated that it was anyone' s guess as to who was going to get hurt but that he would take a chance on the $100.00. The item for stenographic expenses was reduced from $100. to $50. Mr. Lyons moved that this item be left at $100. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. The item for electric light bulbs under departmental transfers of $50.00 was eliminated. 336 y 1-4 0.4 The Chairman asked Mr. Taylor what the saving would be if the tappers and box circuits were installed at Tappers & the same time as the underground cable and he replied Box that there would be a saving of from $300. to $350. circuits . The Chairman asked what it woa ld cost to install tappers and box circuits from Woburn Street to the East Lexington Fire Station and Mr . Taylor replied that it would do no good to install tappers and box circuits for this area only, that they would all have to be installed at the same time. Mr. Trask asked if the Board had taken any action relative to the sign which the new cleanser had erected on a store Which he rented in D. J. O'Connell' s block. The Chairman stated that he had asked the Building I Sign. Inspector to see the proprietor of the store to find out if he would put up a smaller sign. Section 1 of the Overhanging Sign Regulations was read by the Chairman. Mr. Lyons moved that the proprietor be requested to remove the sign within ten days and if the order was not complied with, that the matter be turned over to the Town Counsel for action. Mr. Clark seconded the motion but it was not carried. Mr. Lyons then withdrew his motion. Mr. Giroux moved that the matter be refer- red to the Town Counsel for his opinion and if the Town had jurisdiction over the sign to proceed to take action against the owner of the sign. Mr. Lyons seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask stated that the Boston Regional Market Assoc. had requested the use of Estabrook Hall on the Use of morning and afternoon of March 11th for the purpose of Hall holding its annual stockholders meeting. Mr. Giroux moved that the application be granted. Mr. Lyons seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask stated that the Legion Drum Corps wanted to run four Beano parties to raise money. Mr. Lyons Legion thought that if the Legion was going to run the parties Drum Corps, themselves that it would be all right, but if some Use of outsiders were going to run the parties for the Legion, Hall. the application should be refused. Mr. Lyons moved that the matter be continued for one week so t11-,at further data could be obtained. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. The following water liens were signed: Kenneth P. Blake - Liberty Heights - $14.10 Water Liens . John A. Sellars - Concord Avenue - 21.36 Mary E. Barnes - Barnes Place - 15.00 James A. Burrill - Hillside Ave. - 15.00 Harry E. Johnson - 10 Taft Ave. - 19.86 337 The Board discussed the matter of election booths at the Adams School with Mr. Trask and he stated that in the past when the election was held at the Stone Booths Building, Roland Garmon had always done the work. He at thought that it was up to the janitor of the School to Adams do it now, especially since the Board had agreed to School pay him an additional $3.00 for that day. Mr. Trask was instructed to take care of the matter. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee advising that it disapproved the item for drainage in Bloomfield Street. The Board discussed the matter and Mr. Giroux thought that the program of Metcalf and Eddy should be carried on. Mr. Lyons and Mr. Clark thought that Bloomfield the work of drainage and water construction should not Street be done unless the tax rate could be kept down to $31.50 Drainage. or $32.00. Mr. Lyons moved that the matter of drainage in Bloomfield Street be disa;jnroved. Mr. Clark seconded the motion but it was not carried as Mr. Giroux and Mr. Ferguson voted in opposition. The Board was, therefor, in disagreement on the matter. The Board voted to make no chancre in the amount Building approved for the budget for 1936 for 3ui_lding Inspection. Inspection. The Welfare Agent discussed the case of Milford Dalrymple of Albemarle Avenue who has a wife and one Dalrymple child. He asked the Board's approval for food already case. supplied and recommended that the family be aided in the amount of $11. per week. Mr. Lyons moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Welfare Agent discussed the case of Mrs. Caroline Goodhue. He stated that there was no available place for her in Town. She had been aided in the amount of Goodhue $6.00 per week and he recommended that this amount be case. increased to $9.00 per week. Mr. Lyons moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Welfare Agent discussed the case of Carmen MacDonald who has a wife and six children. He recommended that the MacDonald family be aided in the amount of $18.00 per week. Mr. case. Lyons moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Welfare Agent discussed the case of Alfred Dattoli who has a wife and one child. He was working on the W.P.A. but lost his assignment slip and could Dattoli not go back to work until he received another one which case. would be in a day or two. Mr. Mitchell asked for authorization of the Board for sup-lementary aid. Mr. Lyons moved that the authorization be granted. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. 338 tn *13 The Welfare Agent discussed the case of Charles O'Connell J. O'Connell who has a wife and four children and has case. been on Soldiers ' Relief. Mr. Mitchell recommended that O 'Connell be supplied with fuel. Mr. Lyons moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Welfare Agent discussed the case of Samuel F. Watson Watson who has a wife and five children. This is a case. Soldiers ' Relief case. Mr. Mitchell asked authorization to aid Watson in the amount of $17.00 per week. Mr. Lyons moved that the authorization be granted. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Welfare Agent discussed the case of Mrs. Paul McDonnell who is separated from her husband. The case has recently been in Court and the Judge sentenced Paul McDonnell McDonnell to 30 days in jail which he appealed. The case. Judge authorized payment of $8. per week cash from the husband. Mr. Mitchell recommended that she be given $3.00 per week additional. Mr. Lyons moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Welfare Agent reported that Philip Leaf had made Leaf application for Welfare and he recommended that he be ' case. given $10. per week aid. Mr. Lyons moved that the recommendation be aprroved. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Appropriation Committee advised that it disapproved Highway Construction for Lincoln Street Highway under Chapter 90. Mr. Trask stated that he had enough Con. money left to finish the drainage and fill in the trench. Lincoln Mr. Clark asked Mr. Trask if he was sure that $6500. St. would be ample to finish the job and he replied that there was no question about it. The Board therefor agreed to make no change in its previous action approving the item. The Appropriation Committee advised that it Betterment disapproved the item for Highway Construction of Plymouth, Streets. Richard and Tower Roads. Mr. Lyons moved that the vote of December 23rd approving the construction of these streets under the Betterment Act be rescinded. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Ferguson voted in opposition to the matter. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee advising that an appropriation of $40,000. had been aprroved for Highway Maintenance in which it was specified Highway that $5360. was for the salary of the Superintendent, Maintenance assistant Superintendent, Consulting Superintendent and Clerk. Mr. Lyons moved that the sum of $40,000. be approved and that the Board concur with the Appropriation Committee in the matter of salaries. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Ferguson voted in opposition to the matter. 339 Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee advising that the budget submitted for Insect Suppression Insect had been approved in the amount of *1855. Mr. Clark Suppression. moved that the sum of $1855. be approved for this account. Mr. Lyons seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee advising that that Committee disapproved of the appropriation of $7950. for Hydrant Rentals. Mr. Clark asked if it would be practical to meter the water used from hydrants. Mr. Trask informed him that it would not be practical Hydrant because it would be necessary to nut a meter on each Rentals. hydrant and build a pit for each meter. Mr. Giroux stated that he could see no reason for changing over the method of charging for hydrant rentals. It was decided to make no change from the previous vote to approve this item. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee advising that that Committee approved the sum of *250. for the Memorial Day appropriation. The Chairman read a letter which had been received Memorial from the Corporal Wm. Power Kenibbs Camp #66, U.S.W.V. , Day. requesting that the Board approve an appropriation of $25. to cover the expenses in connection with the marking and decorating of the graves of Spanish War Veterans in Lexington. Mr. Lyons moved that $225. of the appropriation for Memorial day be allocated to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and that the sum of $25. be allocated to the Spanish War Veterans. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee advising that that Committee disapproved of the instal- lation of a traffic light at Meriam Street and Mass. Traffic Avenue . Mr. Giroux moved that the installation of the Light, light be approved. Mr. Lyons seconded the motion and Meriam it was so voted. St. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee approving the sum of $250. for the Patriot 's Day budget. Mr. Giroux moved that the vote of last week recommending the sum of $500. for this appropriation be rescinded and Patriot 's Mr. Clark seconded the motion. Messrs. Ferguson and Day. Lyons being opposed, the motion was not carried. Mr. Giroux moved that the sum of $250. be approved for this appropriation and Mr. Clark seconded the motion. Messrs. Ferguson and Lyons being opposed, the motion was not carried. The Board was in disagreement on the matter. 340 01 Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee Police advising that the total amount approved for the Police Dept. Dept. budget for 1936 was $36,946.31. Mr. Lyons moved that the sum of $38,646.31 be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Lyons was obliged to leave the meeting at 10:40 P.M. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee Posture advising that that Committee disapproved the appropriation Clinic. of $750. for the Posture Clinic. Mr. Lyons moved that the appropriation of $750. be approved. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee advising that that Committee had taken no further action Supt. of on its decision to disapprove the increase in salary of Public the Supt. of Public Works and the Clerk, and the other Works. items which were reduced. Mr. Clark stated that he felt that if the Appropriation Committee was going to fight Mr. Trask' s increase in salary on the Town Hall floor, he wondered if the Board was doing right in raising his salary after only one year on the job. He wondered if they were going to start an uprising on the Town Hall Floor. It was decided to make no change in the previous vote to approve the sum of $4984.00 which included increases in salary for the Supt. and Clerk. Mr. Giroux moved that the vote passed earlier in the evening disapproving the increases for the Supt. Highway and the Asset. Supt. of the Highway Dept. be reconsidered. Dept. There being only three members present, Mr. Ferguson seconded the motion. Mr. Clark voted in opposition to the matter. Mr. Giroux moved that the sum of $40,000.00 be approved for Highway Maintenance but that the Board disagree with the Appropriation Committee on the matter of salaries for the Superintendent and the Asset. Superintendent. Mr. Ferguson seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Clark voted in opposition to the matter. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee Shade advising that the sum of $2772. had been approved for the Tree Shade Tree appropriation for 1936. Mr. Clark moved that budget. the sum of $2772. be approved for this appropriation. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee Street advising that that committee had decided not to withdraw signs. the recommendation of the appropriation of $200. for Street Signs. Mr. Clark moved that the sum of $200. be approved for Street Signs for 1936. Mr. Giroux seconded the notion and it was so voted. 341 Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee advising that that Committee considered that the sum of Town $1000. would be sufficient to cover the cost of printing Report. the Town Report. Mr. Clark moved that the sum of $1000. be approved for the printing of the Town Report. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee advising that that Committee had approved an appropriation of $6000. for Water Construction, Bloomfield Street, Water Con provided that this appropriation covered the complete Bloomfield cost of the project. Mr. Clark moved that the approp- Street. riation be disapproved but the motion was not seconded. Mr. Giroux moved that the sum of $6000. be approved for Water Construction' Bloomfield Street. Mr. Ferguson seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Clark voted in opposition to the matter. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee advising that that Committee had approved an appropriation of $50,000. for Public Welfare for 1936. Mr. Clark moved that the previous vote of the Board approving $30,000. Public for Public Welfare be rescinded. Mr. Giroux seconded Welfare. the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Clark moved that the sum of $50,000. be approved for Public Welfare for 1936. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Municipal Management and Research Co. , Inc. , requesting tha4- a representative Letter re be allowed to make an analysis of the financial condition analysis of the Town and make recommendations . No action was of Town. taken on the matter. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee inviting the Board of Selectmen to attend the meeting on Meeting. Wednesday evening, February 26th, at 7 30 P.M. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee advising that that Committee voted in favor of the adoption of Article 4, 6, 11, 14, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32 and Appropriatiol 52 in the Town Meeting Warrant. The Appropriation Committee Committee voted to disapprove Articles 16, 40, 41 and 47. recommenda- Under Article 4, the Appropriation Committee recommended tions. the s• .m of 52775.00 per year for the salary of the Town Collector and Tax Collector and the sum of $1775.pe year or the salary of the Town Cierg and the sumor194. rer ear ,for. the salary of the Town _reasures. p iatlon Uommi ee ma e no recommen as ander r is sop 2, 3, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 49. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee advising that the Board voted to approve the sum of $25.' T.O. and for extra labor in the Town Offices and Cary Memorial Cary Mem. Building account and that the sum of 19.20 had already Bldg. been expended. No action was taken on the matter. Account. 342 Letter was received from the Town Accountant stating that the General Laws provided that the Town Accountant Contracts shall have the custody of all contracts of the Town. He to be stated that he had received very few contracts and filed with assumed that very few contracts were being made. He Town suggested that the various Town Officials be advised that Accountant. all contracts must be filed with the Town Accountant. Mr. Giroux moved that the Town Departments be informed of the Statute. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Application was received frem David K. Porter of Peddlers 25 Theresa Avenue for a Peddlers License. Mr. Giroux License. Moved that the application be approved. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Report of the Supt. of Public Works for the week Report. ending February 22nd, 1936 was received and approved. The meeting adjourned at 11: 35 P.M. A true record, Attest: Clerk.