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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1936-11-02114 r� SEIE CTMENIS MEETING. NOV. 2nd, 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. Potter, Giroux, Clark and Ross were present. The Clerk was also present. It was decided to hold the weekly meeting next week Meeting. on November 9th rather than on November 10th due to the Public Health Association entertainment which is being held on that night. At 7,30 P.M. Chief Edward W. Taylor appeared before the Board and said that he had received a bill of $1020 for insurance and wondered why he got it. He asked Mr. Raymond who told him that the different departments were going to tarce care of insurance. This particular bill covered fire and theft insurance on fire apparatus. Mr. Taylor had made no provision in his budget for insurance and he did not'see how he was going to pay the bill, He said that the Selectmen thought it would be a wise thing to have the insurance and the Fire Engineers decided that they would be very glad to carry it if they could -get a transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Account to pay ' for it. The Chairman asked Mr. T sylor if there was any Chief possibility of getting the money from the Fire Department Taylor re appropriation. Chief Taylor replied that he did not know insurance. at the present time how he was going to come out this year but he thought the best thing to do was to profit from past experience. Last year he had a very easy year as far as fires went and his expenses were lighter than he had estimated and he therefor had some coney left over with which he purchased two oil burners. He was asked by a member of the Board of Selectmen where he got the money to purchase them and he told him that he had a balance in his appropriation. The Board of Fire Engineers thought that the oil burners would result in a saving on the coal bill and for the first time, the fire houses would be properly heated. He appeared before the Appropriation Committee and was given a call -down for expending money for an item for which no provision had been made. This year he has been trying to live within the specified items in the budget. The Chairman asked Mr. Taylor if the insurance on the buildings and contents covered the apparatus while it was in the buildings and Mr. Taylor said that it was not covered anyway. The Chairman then said that it was necessary to take out a special policy to cover the apparttus and it was the feeling of the Board at the time the policy was placed that it was the wise ' thing to do in view of what it cost to insure it and 115 The Chief said that he would like to take up at some Fire time in the near future, the question of employing more Dept. permanent men. He retired. men. ' taking into consideration the types of buildings that we hearing was declared have for fire stations. He said that as nothing was said ' to the Fire Engineers regarding insurance, there was no Olsen for permission reason for them to include an item to cover it in the budget. Mr. Taylor said that he was running very close Bertwell Road. Mr. on his appropriation but if the Board felt that they should pay the bill, they would do it, but if he ran over on the proposed garage. his expenditures at the end of the year, the Board would know the reason why. The Chairman told him the Board would discuss the matter further and advise him. Chief Taylor said that in 1929 or 1930 the Board of Selectmen asked the Board of Fire Engineers to give preference to men who were working for the Town when they were appointing call firemen. They complied with that request and got along very well until recently. The Chief said that he had aim ays believed that a f ire was an emergency but he found out that he was mistaken as the present Supt. of the Highway Department feels that that is not so. Some two or three years ago a member of the Board complained because he had too many call men and finally the Board of Fire Engineers and the Appropriation Committee came to an agreement whereby the number was to be reduced. No men Call were discharged but as they left they were not replaced Firemen. so that the call men were reduced from 38 to 30. This year on two occasions there were fires and town men were ' working near the scene of the fire but did not respond to the alarm and a second alarm had to be put in to call help from other towns and Mr. Taylor did not think that that was right. He is unable to get enough call men in town. The minimum pay is $125. per year and 80% of the fires must be attended in order to get this amount. Mr. Ross said that he thought the reason for Mr. Paxtonts ob jeetion was that v+hen a fire broke out and his men were working on the outskirts of the town, they expected to be driven to the fire in a truck and that this held up the job., Mr. Taylox0 submitted a schedule of the time put in by Highway men in the past three years. He said that frequently the town men were dismissed before the all-out signal. The Chairman told him that the matter would be discussed with the Supt. of Public Works. The Chairman requested the Supt. of Public Works to discuss the matter with the Supt. of the Highway Division and report on the matter next week. The Chief said that he would like to take up at some Fire time in the near future, the question of employing more Dept. permanent men. He retired. men. ' At 8:00 P.M. hearing was declared open on the appli. cation of Paul W. Olsen for permission to maintain a one Olsen car garage at 15 Bertwell Road. Mr. Olsen appeared and garage presented plan of the proposed garage. No persons appeared hearing. 116 c� in opposition. Mr. Clark moved that the permit be granted subject to the approval of the Building Inspector. Mr. ' Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Chairman stated that Chairman Houghton of the School Committee had telephoned him and stated that the painting work on the various schools was nothing that the Painting School Committee was particularly interested in but the project for members understood that there were some painters on the schools. W.P.A. who might do this work that would not be done otherwise. It was entirely up to the Board of Selectmen whether or not they wished to submit a project. If it is not done by the 1N.P.A., it will not be done at all. Mr. Clark moved that no action be taken on the painting project for the schools. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Chairman reported that he had received a request Tag Day. from the Salvation Army for permission to have a Tag Day on Saturday, November 7th. Mr. Clark moved that the permit be granted. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Health Inspector stating that he met Mr. Scott and a Mr. Miller at the Central Block to discuss the health situation. Mr. Scott agreed to have the front hall washed and cleaned, glass put in ' Central upstairs and down, cellar door locked, back yard kept Block. clean and the rubbish taken away twice a week. The Meadows apartment where most of the trouble existed was looked over and Mr. Scott said that he would give him notice to vacate. Someone is to -sweep the halls and stairs everyday and take care of the back yard. 'No action was taken on the matter. Letter was received from Mrs. N. E. Stockhaus stating Use of that the Middlesex Salon 161, 8 and 40, felt that they Hall. were unable to pay $10. for Estabrook Hall on November 9th and ti.erefor would not use it. Letter was received from the Town Treasurer stating Loan, that he hdd received and acceted a bid from the Lexington Trust Company on the loan of 100000. of 1% discounted, payable October 29th, 1937 at the National Shawmut Bank of Boston. A letter was received from the heirs of Dr. Wm. L. Barnes stating'_that on October 29th, 1936, they terminated Barnes and cancelled all agreements, exclusive and otherwise, for Property. the negotiations for the sale of property at 1557 Mass. Avenue and Fletcher Avenue, Lexington. The letter was I signed by Esther R.J. William L., Jr. and Arthur W. Barnes, a majority of the heirs. No action was taken on the matter. 117 Letter was received from the Planning Board stating that on October 16th plans for.a proposed development of the so-called Goodwin property were submitted by 1r. Robert Merriam. Mr. Merriam stated in his letter that the layout showing a street connecting Merriam Street and a Board of Goodwin Survey layout known as Blake Avenue was acceptable to the property Town Engineer and the Supt. of Public Works. The Planning Board voted to approve in principle this same layout. In view of the controversy which developed at the hearing held October 27th before the Board of Survey, the Planning Board desired to review the entire block enclosed by Yeriam Street, Edgewood Road, Hancock Street and the railroad right of way and to submit a further recommendation. Notice of a hearing to be held on Monday, November 9th at 2:.15 o1clock was received from the Dept. of Public Utilities on the application of -:Alton Yd. White of Maynard Bus Line for a permit to operate a bus from the Lincoln -Lexington Hearing. line over the Concord Turnpike to Waltham Street on Route 128 and on Waltham Street to the Lexington -Waltham line. The Selectmen voted last May to give 11r. White a permit to operate a bus over this route provided he did not pick up or discharge passengers. The Clerk was instructed to advise the Middlesex & Boston Street R.R. Co. of the hearing. The Board discussed the claim of Mrs. Gertrude White for damages sustained when she tripped on a defect in the sidewalk on Woburn Street. She claims damages in the amount of $25.00 on account of loss of work, etc. The Town Counsel said that if it was an old defect which the White Town should have taken care of, it would be cheaper for claim. the Town to settle. Mr. Raymond said that it was an old defect. Mr. Giroux moved that the claim of Mrs. Gertrude White be settled for $25.00 in accordance with the advice of the Town Counsel and that a proper release be obtained, the same to be paid out of the Law Department appropriation. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Board discussed with 11r. Wrightington the claim of Elizabeth Sullivan for damages sustained from an alleged defect in the sidewalk in front of 52.Waltham Street. Mr. Sullivan Potter moved that the case be turned over to the Town claim. ' Counsel. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Town .Counsel appeared before the Board and the Barnes ' case of the purchase of the Barnes property was discussed. property. The Board discussed the matter of blasting damages Blasting with the Town Counsel. damages. The Board discussed the claim of Mrs. Gertrude White for damages sustained when she tripped on a defect in the sidewalk on Woburn Street. She claims damages in the amount of $25.00 on account of loss of work, etc. The Town Counsel said that if it was an old defect which the White Town should have taken care of, it would be cheaper for claim. the Town to settle. Mr. Raymond said that it was an old defect. Mr. Giroux moved that the claim of Mrs. Gertrude White be settled for $25.00 in accordance with the advice of the Town Counsel and that a proper release be obtained, the same to be paid out of the Law Department appropriation. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Board discussed with 11r. Wrightington the claim of Elizabeth Sullivan for damages sustained from an alleged defect in the sidewalk in front of 52.Waltham Street. Mr. Sullivan Potter moved that the case be turned over to the Town claim. ' Counsel. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. 118 x Letter was received from the Town Counsel stating ' that the attorney for Leo A. Boynton had filed a motion Boynton for a new trial on the ground of newly discovered evidence case. and it will be heard in East Cambridge on November 9th. Until that is disposed of, Mr. Wrightington cannot have a final decree entered pursuant to the finding which was made last summer in fagor of the town. Yadwish The Board discussed the Yadwish case with the Town case Counsel who said that he would submit an opinion on the case. Mr. Raymond brought up the question of plowing snow Snow plow- in private ways. The Town Counsel said that it could be ing in made legal by making them public ways or by petitioning private the Legislature for an amendment to the Statute. Mr. ways. Giroux suggested that Senator Cotton be invited to attend a meeting of the Board within a few weeks to discuss the matter. Mr,. Raymond stated that Calvin W. Childs wanted the Town to install a drain from the westeray side of Water- town Street across his land to the easterly side of the Drain on new Concord Turnpike. Mr. Raymond said that street water Childs' went through the property and the Town could install a property. drain under Chapter 263 of the Acts of 1926. He thought ' a 12" pipe with one manhole would be needed and he estimated that it .would cost about $275.00. He said that if the drain was not installed that Nortonts land would be flooded. The Chairman asked who would be responsible if the drain was not installed and Norton's land was flooded, and Mr. Raymond said that the person who stopped up the drain, Mr. Childs, would be •responsible. Mr. Giroux moved that the request be denied due to the fact that Childs had requested that the drain be installed at the town's expense. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond said that the W.P.A. project for build - Building ing six new snow plows was progressing satisfactorily Snow PlIws- with the exception that George Stygles, who is working on W.P.A. them, has put in all the time on the W.P.A. that he can until December. He would like to have Stygles work two weeks more which would cost about 60.00. Mr. Ross moved that Stygle s be hired to work two weeks building snow plows and that his wages be charged to the Snow Removal appropriation. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond reported that the W.P.A. quota had been ' W.P.A. reduced from 175 to 160., Nine men have been let off and have been complaining. Mr. Giroux suggested that in cases where men object that they be heard before the Advisory Board. 119 Mr. Giroux suggested that he be allowed to r esign as the Selectments representative on the Lexington Lexington Advisory Board, Mr. Ross moved that Mr. Giroux's Advisory resignation be accepted. Mr. Clark seconded the motion Board. and it was so voted. Mr. Giroux moved that Mr. Raymond be made Chairman of the Lexington Advisory Board. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond brought up the question of complaints from. Arlington and East Lexington residents on account of Blasting blasting on Mill Brook. Mr. Giroux mar ed that the Board complaints take no action on these complaints at this time. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond said that there were quite a number of sidewalks with defects and many were much worse than the two discussed tonight. There is no money to make repairs. The Chairman stated that he thought the Town should provide funds in next year's budget to repair these Sidewalks. defects. As no money was provided this year for repairing the sidewalks, Mr. Raymond thought the appropriation next year should be twice as much as was asked for this year. No action was taken on the matter. Mr. Raymond informed the Board that the hold-up insurance policy in the amount of $10,000, expired on Hold-up October 18th, 1936, Mr. Giroux moved that the policy be insurance renewed and that the bill of 45.00 be paid from the Unclassified Account. Mr.. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Clark moved that fire insurance policy under blanket schedule in the amount of $5,000. expiring on November 6th through the office of George H. Gibson be renewed through the office of Robert B. Sturtevant. Mr, Insurance Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. -Mr. Clark moved that fire insurance policy under blanket schedule in the amount of 10,000. expiring on November 6th through the office of Robert B. Sturtevant be renewed through the same office. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Clark moved that fire insurance policy under blanket schedule in the amount of $5,000. expiring on November 6th through the office of Leslie A. Bull be re- newed through the same office. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr.. Raymond said that he thought .the Town ought to submit the verification of its Chapter 90 requests for Chapt.90 1937 right away. He suggested that the Board ask the work for ' Town to appropriate $3,000. for Chapter 90 maintenance if 1937. it was the intention to ask for no more construction work than on 'Naltham Street. Mr. Giroux moved that the Town 120 Wateptown Street. Barry illness. be asked to appropriate 43,000.00 for Chapter 90 Maintenance. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond reported that only a small portion of Watertown Street could be constructed with the $3100.00 available. Mr. Raymond reported that Frank Barry had been ill for three weeks and had taken his two week's vacation during that time. He expects to be back to work in one more week. He has been carried on the payroll and Mr. Raymond asked approval of this. Mr. Clark moved that Mr. Raymond's action in carrying Frank Barry on the payroll daring his illness be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond reported that Neil McIntosh was com- plaining about the drain again. He called on him and McIntosh told him that if he would give written permission, he j drain. would have the men raise the manhole to the level of the lawn and clean out the pipe. Mr. McIntosh agreed and wrote out the permission which Mr. Wrighting.ton said w as all right as far as the permit went. Mr. Raymond had the work done. Mr. Clark moved that Mr. Raymond's action be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Clark moved that the blue print of the town Photos to office and Cary Memorial •buildings and photographs of Washington. same be forwarded to Washington.. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond said that a salesman had called on him about a Ruc'kstall two. -speed axel for a Ford or Chevrolet truck and he thought that one would be ver good for snow plow work. He can have one installed for 195.00. The Purchase of company has one installed on a Standard 1935 Ford with a truck. Ruckstall rear end with booster brakes, pair of eiht- leaf auxiliary springs, etc., which sells new for 11200. or so. This car has 6,000 miles on it. The truck is for sale and they are asking $650.00 for it. Mr. Raymond would like to be authorized to offer $500* for the truck or a maximum of $600. The Chairman said he did not think that the trucic should be purchased and charged to the Snow Removal appropriation as no provision had been made for it in the budget. No action was taken on the matter. Mr. Raymond discussed the case of John J. Kelley who is working on the W.P.A.. and is getting about $15..00 per week. Kelley thought he should receive an increase in pay as he was working in the same capacity as a foreman. He Went into Boston about it and the papers show that there was provision made for a mason -foreman under which category Kelley believes he falls. The Boaton� Office told Kelley 1 1 that he could have the pay of a mason -foreman if We Beach and the W.P.A. Engineer approved. The W.P.A. engineer, Mr. McCarthy, was very much put out because Kelley went into Boston on the Matter and he would not recommend that Kelley be granted a job as a mason -foreman as he was not fitted for it. The Board took no action on the matter. The Board discussed the matter of installing traffic lights at the junction of Meriam Street and Mass. Avenue. Mr. Giroux moved that an estimate of the cost of synchron- izing the traffic lights in Le:�ington Center from Waltham Street to Elm Avenue including the proposed traffic lights to be installed at T.Teriam Street be presented by Mr. Ray- mond. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. 121 Kelley complaint. Traf f is Lights. The Board decided to look over the proposed con- 1937 con- struction work for 1937 on Friday, Nov. 6th, at 1:30 P.I.I. struction. Application was received from Norman G. McGowan for a license to sell hIethyl Alcohol at the filling station Alcohol at the corner of Waltham Street and Marrett Road. Mr. license Giroux moved that the permit be granted. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Board of Appeals findings denying the apl)lica- Board of tion of A. J. Silva for permission to enlarge the existing Appeals roadside stand at 643 Waltham Street and granting the findings. application of the Tower Brothers for permission to erect three large real estate signs,w ere received. The Chairman reminded the members of the Board that Mr. Raymond's term expired on November 11th. Mr. Giroux Appointment - moved that John W. Raymond, Jr. be reappointed. Su,t. of Supt. of Public Works to January 1st, 1938 at the rate of 14200. Pub. I.Vorks. per year. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond reported that Mrs. Hamilton of Taft Ave. Hamilton had x"40. which she could pay down on her sewer connection. sewer The Board advised him to do as much uvork as he could for connection the $40. and then to wait until he received more funds. The Welfare Agent discussed Welfare matters with the Board. VVe7f are The meeting adjourned at 10:30 P.M. A true record, Attest: Clerk.