Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1937-01-051 1 1 SPECIAL SELECTMEN t S NE ETING JANUARY 5, 1937. A special meeting of the Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 3;$0 P.M. Chairman Ferguson, Messrs. Potter, Giroux, Clark and Ross were present. The Clerk and Supt. of Public Works were also present. The Board discussed budgets for 1937 as follows; Police Department. The sum o 500. was asked for a new Chevrolet Car. The Board felt that this car would not be needed inasmuch as the Appropriation Committee voted to transfer suffic- ient funds to buy a new car last week. The sum of $350. was requested for Equipment for Men. The Chairman felt that the Board should be advised as to just what this $250. was to cover. 'The sum of $150. was asked for new revolvers. The Chairman said that new revolvers were bought last year but he did not know whether they were bought for all the members or not. It was decided to request more information on this item. Plumbing IInspedtion. Tills udget was the same as last year with the exception of a $100. increase requested for Salary. No action was taken on the matter. Insurance. Mr. Raymond said that he had not deducted from this item of $9200. the Workments Compensation insurance for the Water Department. He said that this amount could not be determined until it was decided how much con- struction work was to be done in 1937. He said that there would be an adjustment on the Workmen's comp- ensation as he had asked for an audit as of January lst, 1937 and requested the policy to be written as of that date. 211 Police Dept. Plumbing Inspection, Insurance Weights & Measures. This budgget-iias the same as that voted by the Town Weights & last year with the exception of a $100. increase in Measures. salary requested. Assessors. A=ncrease of $50. was requested for the Clerk's Salary. Letter was received from the Acting Chairman of Assessors the Board of Assessors requesting that the sum of $200. be added to the 1937 appropriation to cover the expense incurred by Fred J, Spencer in using his car on Town business. No action was taken on the matter. 212 Public Works Building Repairs. The sum of 41800. was requested for Driveways. Mr. Raymond said that this was to construct a new driveway into the building and around to the Highway and Water sides. Mr. Ross stated that he thought the grounds around the Public Works Building were a dis- grace to the Town. He thought that the dump should be graded off and the drives oiled. Mr. Clark said that he would rather wee this money expended on a public street. Mr. Raymond said that the drainage of the property . was always going to be difficult until something was done on the ledge on the southeasterly side of the build- ing. The sum of $500. was requested for the Highway Dept. office.and the Relocation of the Highway Door. Mr. Raymond said that they could get theequipment in much better if the doors were relocated. He would like to close up one of the doors in front on the Highway side and put a new door in on the northerly side just beyond Public Works the office. This would enable them to enlarge the Building office which he thought was necessary. Mr. Raymond repairs. thought that the sum of $500. would give him some funds to be used to improve the heating system. Mr. Raymond said that he had thought of putting the Highway Office in over the Water Dept. office but he realized that it would be rather inaccessible from the`Highway shop. He said that he had done nothing on the sprinkler system ' for the building. The only way the Grinnell Co. could tell if the system needed to be replaced would be by testing it out with ether and if the pipe was well rusted, it would go. The system has been in operation since 1903. No estimate of the cost -of making a test had been furn- ished, but he thought that the work would be done on an hourly basis. He would not recommend having the work done now but would prefer waiting until warmer weather. He thought it would cost in the neighborhood of $1,0000 He said that one leak is now repaired .with electrician's tape as they did not dare put a wrench on the pipe. Mr. Raymond said that it would be necessary to put up sheds on the Public Works property or more the highway mixing operations outside. Mr. Clark requested Mr. Raymond to get an estimate of the cost of building a shed for storage purposes. Mr. Raymond said that if the Board was going to cut this appropriation at all, he would like very much to excavate the ledge and extend the drains. Public Works Building Equipment. The sum of X485. was requested for the purchase of a service car for the mechanic. He now uses the Highway Dept. truck. The Chairman stated that that ' truck was purchased for the mechanic but the Highway Department has been using it so much that they think 213 it is theirs. He thought that the Highway Department should ask for a truck rather than the mechanic at Pub. Works the Public Works Building. Building The sum of $405. was requested for an auto lift Equipment. and grease truck. Mr. Raymond said that the new cars being bought now are so low that a man cannot get under them to do any work. He said that he would rather have a lift than a pit. The meeting adjourned at 5:00 P.M. A true record, Attest: Clerk. 1 214 SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 5, 1937. A regular meeting of the Selectmen was held in the Mr. Raymond stated that he had received a letter from Rose Whitney Smith stating that the price quoted Smith byr Mr %Smith for the l6t:ad3oining'.the Parker School property. included the withdrawal of both suits against the Town with the understanding that all betterment assessments would be cancelled. Mr. Raymond thought that Smith's offer inferred that the mortgagees would sign releases and that $1500. would settle all the cases and that the Town would be given a clear title to the land. R 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. Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works Summit Rd., stating that although it was voted on March 23, 1936 Street Light. to install a street light on Summit Road, the light had never been installed. He saw no reason why a light should not be installed although the location is on the unaccepted portion of Summit Road. Mr. Ross moved that the Supt. of Public Works be , authorized to install the street light. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond said that he talked with Mr% Wright- ington about entering a claim in the small claims court to recover for damages to Mr. Paxton's car as a result of the accident with Carroll Dunham last summer. Mr. i Wrightington said that the purpose of the small claims court was to save the expense of a lawyer and if he took care of the case, he would charge for it as he Accident to would any other case. He suggested that Miss Lowe I Mr. Paxto.n's could enter the case. Mr. Raymond said that he talked car. to Cassello, who was driving Mr. Paxto 's car, and his story varies. He has made changes inns statement regarding the speed at which the other car was going and he also states that there was a bush at the corner of the building that obscurred the view. In view of these facts, Mr. Raymond thought that the Insurance Co. could beat the case. The claim amounts to $34.95 and Mr. Raymond recommended that the matter be dropped. He said that perhaps the town's only defense would be that the man had no right on the premises. Mr. Raymond rendered him a bill in the amount of $34.95 and he turned it over to his insuxa nce company, the Lumberman's Mutual. The Chairman suggested that Mr. Raymond talk with the Lexington agent of this company to see if he could do anything on the matter. Mr. Raymond stated that he had received a letter from Rose Whitney Smith stating that the price quoted Smith byr Mr %Smith for the l6t:ad3oining'.the Parker School property. included the withdrawal of both suits against the Town with the understanding that all betterment assessments would be cancelled. Mr. Raymond thought that Smith's offer inferred that the mortgagees would sign releases and that $1500. would settle all the cases and that the Town would be given a clear title to the land. R 1 1 u 215 Mr. Raymond informed the Board that he had called on Peter Welsh relative to plowing Hayes Lane. Mr, Plowing Welsh thought that if the Town did not plow the Lane Hayes Lane until six inches of snow had fallen, a large pool of water would be.left at the corner of Fletcher Avenue and Hayes Lane and the snow plowed from Grant Street would be piled up at the end of Hayes Lane. Mr. Raymond told Mr. Welsh that they would see that the Lane was plowed out as well as possible. A petition was received from Neil McIntosh and others requesting the extension of approximately 900 feet cif water pipe in Shade Street from Weston Street, Mr, Charles Hayden owns all the land on one side.of the street and he has not been contacted on the matter. Mr. Raymond said that there was some doubt as to whether or not his land would be benefitted at this Water main time by the extension.. Probably Mr. Hayden would in Shade object to the extension on account of the large better- Street. ment assessment he would have to pay. The Chairman stated that he did not think the Town would be justified in laying 900 feet of water pipe at a cost of $2700, to serve only one house and further- more, he felt that the Town would not be getting any return on its investment. Mr. Clark felt that Mr. Hayden should be contacted to see if he would agree to pay the betterment and if so, all right, but if he did not approve the idea, the Board could discuss the matter again. It was decided to request Mr. Raymond to have some- one contact Mr. Hayden to get his reaction on the matter. Mr. Raymond read a letter which he had received from Mr. -Paxton recommending that the air compressor be overhauled before construction work started. He Overhauling estimated that the cost of repairing the equipment would compressor be not more than $350.00. Mr. Raymond thought it would be best to have someone look over the machine to get a more accurate estimate of repairing it before doing anything further on it. Mr. Clark moved that Mr. Reymond be authorized to get a figure on the cost of overhauling the compressor and more detail as to whether or nor repairs were necessary. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. At 8:00 P.M. hearings scheduled for 8;00, 8:02 and 8:04 on the petition of Harry E. Johnson to maintain a Johnson two car garage at 24 Taft Ave., a one car garage at 26 garage Taft Ave., and a one car garage at 1 Daniels :_'Street, hearings, were declared open. Mr. Eric G. Sahlburg appeared and presented plans of the proposed garages. No persons appeared in opposition. Mr. Ross moved that the permits be granted subject to the approval of the Building Inspedtor. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. 216 Tax Title errors. Police Dept. automobile. Letter was received from the Tax Collector, Wm. S. Scamman, stating that as far as he knew there was no Ryder Tax Title case where the lien of the Town had been definitely lost as a result of negligence on the part of the former Tax Collector. On February 17th, 1936, Mr. Wrightington wrote him that the Land Court had decided nine tax title foreclosure cases, six of which were in favor of the Town. Three were decided against the Town because of some error in the assessment or description. That did not mean that the Town lost the lien as the Law continues the lien for 90 days after the Court decision. Disclaimers were issued covering the years the various parcels had been under tax title thereby putting some of these titles back on the Collector's book and leaving some to be assessed. These were then re -assessed and committed to the Collector and advertised for sale with the proper descriptions, after sending new bills and demands to the owner. The properties were bought in the name of the Town of Lexingtom as no one appeared to bid on them. Mr. Scamman thought that by this procedure the Tax titles were correct and felt that the Town held proper liens on the various properties. Letter was received from the Town Treasurer stating that he had been unable to gather the information relative to tax titles that were in error but would submit it shortly. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee relative to the Board's request for the transfer of $383.55 from the Reserve Fund to purchase a Chevrolet Coach for the Police Department. The letter said that an appropriation was made in March, 1936, of $650. for a trade-in auto and motorcycle. A new automobile and motorcycle were purchased with allowances being made for the trade-in value of the old machines and at the present time there is a balance of $135, in this account. The Appropriation Committee voted to transfer $248.55 from the Reserve Fund to be added to the balance of $135. and approve the purchase of a new Chevrolet coach at a net cost to the Town of $383:55. The Chairman stated that Messrs. Potter, Ross and himself had approved the pur- chase of the Chevrolet from Mr. Johnson today. Letter was received from the Acting Supt. of the Water and Sewer Dept. stating that on October 10, Damage to 1936, Ellis Timothy reported to him that a front spring Timothy's on his car was broken when he drove over a Water Dept. car. trench on Merriam Street. The trench had sunk due to the heavy rainfall on that date. Mr. Ross had received a bill in the amount of $11.60 from the Colonial Garage for repairing the damage done to Mr. Timothy's car and he recommended that the Town pay the bill out of the Water Maintenance Account. Mr. Clark moved that the payment of the bill be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. 1 C 1 C '-e Letter was received from the following towns with regard to the restoration of salary cuts: Arlington:- Melrose;- Belmont:- i 217 10% contribution during 1934 and first six months of 1935 only; 10% contribution in the fall of 1932 and Salaries spring of 1936 only. No reduction. All reduction in salaries restored two years Watertown:- 10% Winchester 10% ago, cut in 1932. Since restored in full. cut in June 1932. Restored to old level in March, 1936. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee High.Con.- stating that it had approved the transfer of $160.01 Pleasant & from the Reserve Fund to the Highway Construction, Watertown Pleasant and Watertown Streets Account. Streets. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee Police stating -that it had approvedthe transfer of $89.51 from Dept. the Reserve Fund to the Police Department Salaries salaries Account. account. Letter was received from the State Division of Forestry informing the Board that the Town might be required by Chapter 132, Section 14, G.L., to expend $5,000. in 1937 for gypsy and brown tail moth work: Gypsy moth appropria- tion. Letter was received from the State Dept. of Public Works stating that that Board passed a vote on Sept. 22, 1936; to the effect that the payment of fuel costs on town -owned equipment on Chapter 90 projects would be Machinery approved with the understanding that next year no allow- account. antes were to be made for equipment except as reimburse- ment for rentals to towns having an established machinery account. Therefor no allowances of any kind can be made from the Chapter 90 allotment on any town -owned equipment unless the Town has previously established a,. machinery account. To establish a machinery account, an article is needed in the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting -and -the Dept. submitted form of articles which had been approved by the State Director of Accounts. Mr. Ross moved that the matter be turned over to the Supt. of Public Works for investigation and recommend- ation. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the State Division of Appointment Forestry requesting that the Board appoint the Forest of Forest Warden for 1937, and submit his name to that division Warden. for approval. Mr. Giroux moved that Edward W. Taylor be appointed Forest Warden for the year 1937. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Town Clerk stating that George L. Morey of the Old Belfry Club had requested that 218 Fred Unsworth, the steward at the Club, be appointed ' Special a Special Police officer in the place of Mark Dodd. police. Mr. Giroux moved that Mr. Unsford be appointed as a Special Police Officer to serve until April lat., 1937. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Chairman informed the Board that Fletcher Taft Assistant was unable to serve as an Assistant Assessor. Mr. Assessor. Clark moved that Robert McDonnell of 28 Vine Street be appointed an Assistant Assessor in the place of Mr. Taft. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Giroux moved that the vote of Dec. 220 19360 Liquor with regard to liquor license fees be amended so that license the fee for a license issued under Section 15 to a fee, registeredpharmacist be set at $300., this rate to take effect as of Jan. 1st, 1938, Mr. Clark seconded f the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Vine Brook Drainage, Committee stating that the Board had filed a 1P.W.A, application for the construction of a conduit from above Hayes Lane to near Vine Brook Road and had filed application for the construction of culverts under East ' Street and Bowser Roard, so-called. The Committee felt that these acts placed limits upon the studies and Letter was received from Elliot T. Sturgis, Jr., Resignation stating that he was forced to resign his position on of Chairman, the Board of Assessors in the Town of Lexington inas- Assessors. much as he had moved to Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Clark moved that Mr. Sturgis' resignation be accepted with,a letter of thanks for his services. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Clark moved that the Board of Assessors be allowed to submit a list of persons they would.like to see appointed to their Board. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Commitment. Commitment of Water liens in the amount of $41.70 was signed by the Board. ' Mr. Giroux moved that the following licenses be granted: Norman McGowan - Cor. Marrett Rd. & Waltham St., Alc ohol Manor Spa - Bedford Street - Common Victuallers. Licenses, Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Inasmuch as the statement of character on George F. Taylor & Son had not been received from the Chief of Police, Mr. Giroux moved that this application for a license as a Common Victualler at 424 Marrett Road be granted subject to a favorable report from the Chief. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Giroux moved that the vote of Dec. 220 19360 Liquor with regard to liquor license fees be amended so that license the fee for a license issued under Section 15 to a fee, registeredpharmacist be set at $300., this rate to take effect as of Jan. 1st, 1938, Mr. Clark seconded f the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Vine Brook Drainage, Committee stating that the Board had filed a 1P.W.A, application for the construction of a conduit from above Hayes Lane to near Vine Brook Road and had filed application for the construction of culverts under East ' Street and Bowser Roard, so-called. The Committee felt that these acts placed limits upon the studies and 219 The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M. A true record, Attest: 11 L er . recommendations of the Committee town extent not con- ' templated by it when the members accepted their appoint- ment. The Committee asked for reasons for the Board's asking for this Committee. It also suggested that the Board refer to -the Committee all matters pertaining to Vine Brook Drainage. Inasmuch as the Committee was meeting upstairs, it was decided to discuss the letter with the members. Vine Brook Chairman Ballard, Messrs. Duffy, Ferguson, Worthen Drainage and Eldridge appeared before the Board. Mr, Ballard Committee. asked to be supplied with the following information: (1) If the vote of the Town at the September Town Meet- ing for W.P.A. Labor and Materials was divided so that there was a separate appropriation for the culverts under East Street and Bowser Road. (2) A list from the Assessors giving the valuations of those parcels of the Ryder property affected by Vine Brook drainage and for valuations from 1929 to date. (5) A list of the various Ryder Tax Title cases and the amounts involved. (4) If the Ryders had started suit claiming damages on account of Vine Brook drainage for the years not included in the case now pending. The Clerk was instructed to obtain this information for ' the Committee. The Welfare Agent discussed welfare matters with the Board. Welfare. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M. A true record, Attest: 11 L er .