HomeMy WebLinkAbout1937-01-051
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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'-e Letter was received from the following towns with
regard to the restoration of salary cuts:
Arlington:-
Melrose;-
Belmont:-
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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
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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.
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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
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The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
A true record, Attest:
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recommendations of the Committee town extent not con-
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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
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the Committee.
The Welfare Agent discussed welfare matters with
the Board.
Welfare.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
A true record, Attest:
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