HomeMy WebLinkAbout1936-09-22 52 °'
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wadnuTalsa'S MEETING. x
SEPT. 22, 1936. '
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held
in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, Lexington,
at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Ferguson and Messrs. Potter, Clark
and Giroux were present. The Clerk was also present.
Refunds Excise tax refunds in the amount of $99.87 were signed
by the Board.
Mr. Robert A. McAdoo of Concord, who now has the
garbage contract, appeared before the Board. Mr. McAdoo
said that there was considerable difference between his
present contract and his new bid. His bid on the present
contract was $8600. per year, and he relized after he had
the job for only six weeks that he was going to lose. money.
He spoke to Robert P. Trask, then Chairman of the Board,
about it. Mr. Trask told him (he said) that the Board
relized that he never could do the job for the price he
bid, but as he had signed the contract, he would have to
live up to it. However, he suggested that he continue the
work for a year, and if he was still losing money, to for-
felt his contract. McAdoo told him that if he continued for
a year, he would continue for three years, and that as the
Town of Lexington felt that way about it, he would give the
Town the best service possible, even though he lost con-
siderable money. Mr. Trask told him that there was no
doubt that he would be given consideration when his present
contract expired if he bid the new one.
Mr. Giroux asked McAdoo how much money he had lost on
the contract, and he replied that he had lost approximately
$6500. in the three years, and that he had nearly lost his
house. The only thing that saved him was his thirty-six
cows.
Mr. McAdoo said that he had not intended to bid this
contract, but he had thirty-six letters asking him to bid
that he had received from residents of the Town that were
well satisfied with his service. He decided to bid only
the Tuesday morning that the bids were due.
Mr. McAdoo said that his men worked from 6:00 A.M. to
6:00 P.M., and worked every holidy including Thanksgiving
and Christmas. The men take only a half an hour for lunch.
He pays his driver $27.50 per week. He said that he could
not do thework with "green" men, as he had a great deal of
trouble even now when a man is sick, as the substitutes do
not know where the pails are, etc. His men have worked
faithfully, and he thought that if he got the contract this
year that he would pay them better wages. He works three
men most of the time, but pert of the time he works four
men. Mr. Clark asked him if he employed Lexington men, and
he said that he did not . He likes to have him men report
at his yard in the morning and at night so that he can see
them start out and return.
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McAdoo said that there was too much ground to cover, and the
houses are so far apart that sometimes it is impossible to
make the collections with one truck. There are seasons of
the year when it is absolutly necessary to have two trucks.
He said that heehaw had to buy a new truck every year, and
he now has a truck 11 months old that needs new tires all
around. He said that one truck would never do the work
now, that a second truck was needed. If only one collection
a week in the winter was required, perhaps you could get
along with one truck, but could not do so with two collections
per week. The work is much harder in the winter, as the men
have to dig the pails out of the snow, do a lot of walking,
etc. Mr. McAdoo figures that his trucks cost him $4.00 a
day. A truck burns from ten to fourteen gallons of gasoline
a day, and there is the insurance and wear and tear to think
of. Every truck depreciates $500. per year, so he figures
that $4.00 per day is not too much to figure for the trucks .
The Chairman asked McAdoo how much he thought the pick-
ups had increased. He replied that when he started work
here there were 1400 houses, and now the Town Report states
that there are 2300 houses. When he bid the job, he knew
nothing about Workmen's Compensation Insurance or about a
bond. He pays about $145.00 per year for pails. The Bond
costs 10 of the contract. He did not think that a bonding
company would give a three-year bond.
Mr. Potter asked McAdoo if he would consider a lower'
figure than $29,500. He said that he would, if he could work
under the same conditions as he is now, but not with an 8-hour
day. He figured that he would need five men in the winter
and two trucks if held to an eight hour day.
The Chairman asked McAdoo what he thought he could do MeAdoo re;
it for if"he was allowed to pork under the same conditions Garbage
as he is now, and he said that he could not say just then, Contract
that he would have to figure it again.
Mr. Potter asked McAdoo if he could continue to collect
the garbage after October let if the Board had not seen fit
to award the new contract by that time. He replied that
both his bond and his insurance expired on October lest. If
the insurance could be taken care of, he would be willing to
work a week or two longer. He repeated that he had given
good service even though he was losing money, as he thought
he would be given consideration when the new contract was let.
The Chairman asked McAdoo if he had ever collected
garbage before he got the Lexington contract, and he said
that he had not, but that he had fed a great deal.
The Chairman asked him how soon he could determine
what he could do the work for under the same conditions as
at pre sent , and. he said that he probably could submit a
new bid by next Tuesday morning.
Mr. Giroux moved that Robert A. McAdoo be authorized to
continue the collection of garbage until such time as the Board
of Selectmen awarded the new contract. Mr. Potter seconded
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the motion, and it was so voted. McAdoo agreed to this, and
retired. The Clerk was instructed to invite Mr. Bieren,
the low bidder, to appear before the Board next Tuesday evening.
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Harry Burgess, James Roache, and Anthony Kenego appeared
before the Board.
Roache stated that when he was working on the E.R.A.
about a year ago, a digger became stuck below Bow Street,
and he was put to work by Burgess to take it out. He was
working two days a week for the E.R.A. and received his pay
for the two drys. Burgess gave him extra men and he worked
three days extra each week, and worked a total of fifteen
days extra, besides his E.R.A. time. The wages for the
extra time put in could not be collected from the E.R.A. and
he had not received his money.
Mr. Giroux asked if the Supt. of Public Works author*
ized Burgess to put the men to work, and Burgess stated that
Mr. Trask authorized him to work Roache and the men the extra
time. Burgess said that he took the matter up with Mr.
Trask, and Roache did also, and Mr. Trask told Roache to
collect the money from Burgess. Burgess said that Mr.
Seaman was working on the E.R.A. or W.P.A. at the time, and
he also authorized him to take the digger out.
The Chairman asked if Mr. Trask authorized him to do the
work as an individual or as the foreman of the job. Burgess
said he received the authorization as the foreman of the job.
The Chairman asked Roache what he was being paid at the
Roach° re: time this happened, and he said that he was earning $1.30
extra time. per hour as a mason, and that he had 105 hours ' pay coming
to him.
The Chairman asked Roselle why he let the matter go so
long, and he replied that he had taken up the matter sevdral
times with O'Connor, Trask, and Beach, but that nothing had
been done. He said that he thought the W.P.A. wou'd pay
him. The Chairman asked him what gave him that impression,
and he said that Mr. Beach had.
The Chairman said that if Roache was working for the
Town that he should have been put on the Town payroll.
Mr. Giroux said that he recalled that there had been
a run-around back and forth between one department and and.
other as to which one wee going to pay this bill.
Mr. Clark stated that if the time was put in, and the
man was entitled to his money, that he would receive it.
Mr. Roache stated that he worked on Nov. 14, 15, 16,
21, 22, 23, 27, 29, and 30 of 1935 and Dec. 4, 5, 11, 12,
18, 19, of 1935.
Kenego stated that he had been working seven hours a
day, three days a week for the Y.P.A. in 1938. Mr. Burgess,
the foreman on the Mill Brook project, asked him to take a
form down, and he worked extra time doing it. He said that
when he was working on the W.P.A. and worked extra time, he
usually took the time off to make up for it. He took the
time off, but did not receive his money. He worked 21 hours
extra. He went in to the Boston N.P.A. office to see if be
could get his money, and was told that he had worked his
quota and could not be paid for the 21 hrs., that the Town
would have to pay him. He worked 7 hours each day on
November 21, 22 and 28, 1935, at 111.17 per hour, as a
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carpenter. Mr. Burgess said that he had authorized the
work as he was in a hurry to get the form off, and Kenego
was the only carpenter available. Mr. Trask visited the
job and knew *hat was going on and thought it was all right.
Burgess said that Mr. Scamman could give the Board all the
details. The Chairman told the men that the Board w uld
look into the matters, and they- retired.
The Supt. of Public Works stated that the tent cater-
pillar situation was getting very serious, and that he felt Tent
that the time had come to advise the property owners in the cater-
Town that if they did not clean up their trees and bushes pillars.
that the Town would go in and do it and charge them for it.
To make this legal, it will be necessary to notify the
property owners either by written notice, or by advertising
three times in the paper. He said that he would report
further on the matter next week.
The Supt. of Public Works reminded the Board that the
agreement between the Boston & Maine R.R. and the Town re:
signal lights at Fletcher Avenue states that the Town shall
submit a sketch showing what the Town proposes to do. Mr. Fletcher
Raymond had received a letter from Mr. Morrill of the B.& M. Avenue
R.R. requesting the sketch. Mr. Raymond submitted to the Agreement.
Board the sketch which he had had prepared.
The Chairman stated that the proper way to do the work
would be to widen the road over the railroad right of way,
and asked Mr. Raymond what harm it would do if this was not
done. Mr. Raymond stated that he thought that the lights
could be installed just the same. The Chairman said that
there were no funds available for the widening at the present
time, but he could see no harm in submitting the plan con-
taining the widening, and getting the approval of the rail-
road. He did not think that the Town would be obligated to
do the widening even though the plan was submitted showing
it. He suggested that Mr. Raymond talk with Mr. Morrill on
the matter, and Mr. Raymond agreed to do this.
Mr. Raymond brought up the W.P.A. proposal #17, which
is to establish a community center for youthful people. The
name of the sponsor's agent was on the projedt as that of W.P.A.
Mr. (brindle, but Mr. Grindle had not signed it. Federal Project,
funds in the amount of $1350. have already been allotted #17
for the project. Mr. Grindle said that he was not especially
interested in the project, but thought that Mr. Potter knew
all about it. Mr. Potter said that he thought that the
project referred to the community classes held at the high
school last winter. Mr. Clark moved that the matter be
deferred one week, and that in the meantime Mr. Raymond
contact Mr. Grindle on the matter. Mr. Potter seconded the
motion, and it was so voted.
Mr. Raymond read a letter which he had received from
R. H. Stevens stating that on account of Ch. 461 of the Acts
of 1935 being enforced, he was forced to pay higher wages to
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his men working on Lincoln Street. This means that he will
have to pay his men $11.00 more per day in wages. He
asked if the Town would pay him more money in proportion
to what he had to pay, as he had not figured on paying the
higher scale of wages when he figured the work in the spring.
R.H.Stevens He receivds $40.00 per day for his shovel, and $2.75 per
Re: Ch.461, boa for his trucks. Mr. Raymond stated that he would have
Acts of 1935.85 or 30 more days work for the shovel, plus an equal number
of days for the trucks. Mr. Ulark . sked' what pertiewla3' '
classes of labor this act referred to, and Mr. Raymond said
that it referred to truck drivers, the firemen, and the
shovel operators. The Chairman stated that perhaps the '
Town could hire other shovels at the same rate we are paying
Stevens . Mr. Raymond said that Stevens would be willing to
accept an adjustment of $5.00 per day on the shovel.
The Chairman asked if he would be willing to forget it
for the balance of this year in view of the amount of work
he gets in the town. Mr. Raymond said that he did not think
he would do it willingly, but he probably would do it as he
could not very well do otherwise. The Chairman said that
if there was any money left in the appropriation when the
job was completed that perhaps he could be paid some more
money. Mr. Clark moved that Mr. Raymond talk with Mr.
Stevens on the matter and report to the Board next week.
Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
Mr. Raymond said that the Town would start work on the
Ch. 461, 1936 contract for Lincoln Street next week, and would be re-
Acts of quired to pay wages in accordance with Ch. 461 of the Acts
1935, re: of 1935. This means that the Town will have to pay $1.00
Lincoln St. per hour for the roller operator, 75/ per hour for the
grader operator, 75/ per hour for the jackhammer operator,
75y per hour for the compressor operator, etc. , as compared
with 60, 55, and 50 cents per hour. It will mean an in-
crease of about $500. in the Lincoln Street expenses. Mr.
Raymond said that as far as he could see, there was no way
out of it and the Town would have to pay the wages in
accordance with the State Law.
Mr. Raymond informed the Board that he had succeeded
in having the State Engineer make a change in the ledge and
Lincoln drainage work in Lincoln Street , and thought that the new
Street. way would be much more economical. He could not tell
exactly how it was coming out, and could not do so until
a schedule had been worked out. He said that he thought
that the job was being run very well. If there is not
sufficient money in the appropriation to complete the job,
perhaps a portion of the road will not receive the final
surface,but might be handled under Highway Maintenance nr;t
year.
Mr. Raymond stated that he needed excavation done on
Mill Brook and had tried to locate a shovel man around Town
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but had been unsuccessful. He would like to try dynamite on
Mill Brook. The dynamite expert thinks that with favorable DynamitinE
winds and light charges that the job can be done. The
DuPont power man would do the job. It would be much more of MillBrook.
economical doing it this way. The Board agreed that it
would be all right to do the work by dynamiting.
Mr. Raymond said that he had completed working up the
P.W.A. Vine Brook project, and the total was $105,300. It
is set up so that the Town will request a Federal grant of
$47,800. and will furnish funds amounting to $58,300. of
which several thousand dollars have already been provided,
including surveys, engineering work, etc. He stated that
the funds will be provided by the sale of twenty year interest
bonds, and thought that it would take about eight months
to complete the work. This project will take the culvert Vine Brook
from about 100 feet beyond Vine Brook Road to about 680' P.W.A.
this side of Haynes Lane, and a 21" sewer will be laid in Project.
the same trench with the drain. The sewer will be low
enough to take the system over to the Farmcrest Avenue
section (eventually), and will take care of every lot the
way the Town has planned for Zoning, and is in accordance
with Metcalf & Eddy's survey. The open channel will start
from where the closed conduit ends this side of Hayes Lane.
Mr. Raymond stated that there should be some start made to
take care of the water near East Street and Bowser's culverts.
Mr. Clark asked if it would be necessary to stick to the 20
year bond issue if ft 'vita fdund necessary to bond only a
part of the money, and Mr. Raymond said that he did not
believe so. The Board approved Mr. Raymond's submitting
the project as explained at this meeting.
Mr. Giroux stated that last year it was requested that
two or three shelters be provided for children at outlying
points, and wanted to know if this could be done under A Shelters
W.P.A. project. Mr. Raymond said that Mr. Ross had spoken for School
to him six weeks ago about this, and had told him persons children.
to contact on it . The School Dept. has informed Mr. Raymond
that it is not interested until complaints are received, and
the bus drivers state that they have had no such requests.
The Chairman said that he thought that this was a School
Dept. matter, and that if the Selectmen did receive any such
requests, that they could refer them to the School Department.
Mr. Raymond stated that the Supt. of the Park Departient
had requested that two men in the Moth Dept. , John A. Ferry, Salaries,
and Henry J. Nutt, receive an increase in pay. There are Moth Dept.
sufficient funds in the appropriation. In 1921, Ferry
received $27.00 per week and Nutt received $30.00, and now
they are both earning $22.00 per week. Garrity recommended
that both men be paid $24. per week for a 40 hour week. Mr.
Giroux moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr.
Potter seconddd the motion and it was so voted.
It was voted to grant a license for an overhanging Overhang-
sign to Eugene Derby at 11 Waltham Street, subject to the ing
approval of the Building Inspector. Sign.
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Mr. Raymond stated that the W.P.A. was bothering him,
He said that Mr. Beach was putting in a lot of overtime
and was doing a lot of work, and should receive more
N.P.A. money. Also, O'Connor should be back With the Highway
salaries. Department to help Paxton. He said that there was an
item of $1325. in the appropriation of $8,000. just
approved, which was for office expenses, and this included
O'Connor's salary, which is now being paid from Highway
Maintenance. There will be about $380. in the Highway
Maintenance appropriation left because O'Connor's salary was
paid from the W.P.A. appropriation for a time . He
suggested that this be transferred at a later Town Meeting.
There would be more money available if O'Connor was paid
out of Labor and Materials, and he is really working for
the W.P.A. now.
Mr. Clark moved that O'Connor's wages be charged to
the ?ublic Works, Labor & Materials Appropriation beginning
Sept. 28th. Mr. Giroux seconded themotion, and it was so
voted.
Mr. Giroux moved that the Chairman write a letter to
Officer the Chief of Police commending the action of Officer Barry,
Barry who submitted to a blood transfusion for a man who was
injured in an automobile accident . Mr. Clark seconded the
motion, and it was so voted.
Letter was received from the Town Treasurer advising
that he had accepted in the name of the Town of Lexington
Loan the bid of the Lexington Trust Company of one per cent
discount on a loan of $10,000. , dated September 16, 1936,
and payable within one year.
Letter was received from the Lexington High School
Use of Football Injury Fund Committee requesting the use of Cary
Cary Hall. Memorial Hall on November 27th for a dance, the proceeds
to be used for the medical care of the football squad.
Mr. Giroux moved that the Committee be granted the use of
the hall free of charge. Mr. Potter seconded the motion,
and it was so voted.
Request was received from the American Legion Aux-
Use of iliary for the use of Cary Memorial Hall on Friday,
Cary Hall. November 13th, from 2:00 P.M. to 10:30 P.M. , for a fair
and bridge. Mr. Giroux moved that the American Legion
Auxiliary be granted the use of the hall at a charge of
$15.00. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so
voted.
Letter was received from the Supt. of thePark Depart-
ment stating that he did not believe that there was
Concession sufficient demand to warrant granting a concession for the
at sale of refreshments at the center playground. He said
Playgrounds. that it had always been the policy of the town to keep
venders of all kinds from the playgrounds in order to }Weep
the grounds in a clean and healthful condition. Mr.
Garrity did not believe that the $25.00 compensation would
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any more than pay for the cost of cleaning up after the
games. Mr. Grindle agreed with Mr. Garrity. Mr. Giroux
moved that the request of the Simco Trading Co. of Mattapan
for the concession at the center pilyground be denied. Mr.
Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
Letter was received from the commission on investigation
of salaries of judges of probate and insolvency stating that
the Commission would hold two public hearings which the Hearing.
Board was invited to attend. No action was taken on the
matter.
Letter was received from the State Department of Agri-
culture stating that it was sponsoring State-wide mosquieo Mosquito
control, reclamation and drainage projects, in co-operation control
with the W.P.A. Mr. Potter moved that the matter be re-
ferred to the Supt. of Public Works. Mr. Clark seconded
the motion, and it was so voted.
Letter was received from Doris Dalrymple stating that Resignation
she wished to tender her resignation as Water Registrar, Water
effective September 26, 1936. Registrar.
The Welfare Agent discussed Welfare matters with the
Board.
' The meeting adjourned at 10:40 P.M.
A true record, Attest: Q�
Clerk.
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