HomeMy WebLinkAbout1937-03-02SELECTMEN'S EEETING
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I MARCH 2, 1937.
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, Potter, Giroux, Clark
and Ross were present. The Clerk was also present.
Mr. Giroux moved that Charles E. Ferguson be re-
elected Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for the
coming year. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was
unanimously voted.
At 8:00 P.M. hearing was declared open on the
application of the Edison Electric Ill. Co.•and the
New England Tel. & Tel. Co. for permission to locate
one pole on Bow Street, opposite'Fottler Avenue. No
persons appeared in opposition. Mr. Ross moved that
the permit be granted. Mr. Potter seconded the motion
and it was so voted.
At 8:05 P.M. hearing was declared open on the
application of the Edison Electric Ill. Co. and the New
England Tel. & Tel. Co. $or permission to locate four
poles on Hill Street northerly from a point approx-
imately 250 feet north of Diana Lane,
Mr. C. Edward Glynn, representing the Lexington
Golf Club, appeared and after looking at the plan,he
stated that he had no objection to the erection of the
poles provided no trees were moved or mutilated.
Mr. Ross moved that the permit be granted provided
no trees were moved or mutilated. Mr. Potter seconded
the motion and it was so voted.
327
Organization
Pole
Location
Pole
Location
A request was received from George B. Sarano for
the use of Estabrook Hall on Thursday, March 11th, for Use of
the use of the Town Meeting Members in Precinct Four. Hall.
Mr. Giroux moved that the use of the hall be granted
free of charge. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it
was so voted.
Request was received from the Massachusetts State
Guard for the use of Cary Memorial Hall on the evening Use of
of March 30th for the purpose of holding a play. Mr. Hall.
Giroux moved that the use of the hall be granted subject
to a fee of $15.00. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and
it was so voted.
' Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works
containing data and estimates relative to the subject Town
of a Town Painter. Mr. Raymond listed work which could Painter
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be done by such a man if funds were provided and showed
that such work would take about 132 man days. Mr.
Raymond estimated that the equipment needed would cost
about $120.00. He said that it happened that there
would be very little money available in 1937 for the
employment of a Town Painter. Allowances were made in
various appropriations for painting work needed and it
was intended that a large amount of this work would be
done by regular employees of the departments. However,
in view of the extensive cuts made in the estimates, it
isvery likely that a large amount of the painting will
have'to be dispensed with. Mr, Raymond said that he
felt that painting of torn buildings and equipment was
not properly attended to and that sufficient funds to
take care of such work were not provided. He said that
if a Town Painter were more or less regularly employed
and funds made available for materials and payment off
labor, much of the work could be taken care of in the
proper time. If a Town Painter were put on the basis of
a five day week at $5.50 per day,` $1083.50 would be
required to carry the painter from April 1st to the
end of the year. In addition, a helper would probably
be needed for approximately 100 days at $500.00,
making $500.00 more. This amount, plus the cost of
equipment and stock and materials, would make a total of
about $2,000. If a painter were employed for only 150
days per year, the cost, including equipment acrd stock,
Town would amount to about $1170.00. Mr. Raymond recommended
Painter. that this amount be provided for the employment of a Town
Painter one hundred days and an assistant for, fifty
days. He thought that this would give a fair demonstra-
tion of the value of a Town Painter and if things turned
out as expected in the benefits to be derived for such
work, it might then be practicable later in the year to
obtain additional funds to do work in connection with
schools, library, etc.
The Chairman suggested that instead of employing a
regular Town Painter that the Board authorize Mr. RW -
mond to employ a man to do the work up to the amount
of money available in the various appropriations and
next year the Board would have something to go on on
deciding the merits of a Town Painter. Mr. Giroux
asked how Mr. Raymond intended to have the work done
that is planned in the budgets, and Mr. Raymond stated
that it has always been done by regular employees. He
said that if money was deducted from the budgets and set
aside for painting to be done by a Towri Painter, the
labor items in the appropriations would be that much,
shorter and the regular employees would suffer on
account of it. Mr, Giroux recommended that the Board
approve the appropriation of more money to try out the
employment of a Town Painter. The Chairman suggested
that the School Department be contacted to see what was
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to be done in the Schools and that the Board would be in
' a better position at the time of the summer meeting to
say whether or not a Town Painter was needed.
Mr. Giroux moved that the amount of $600.00 be
requested at the Annual Town Meeting to experiment with
the employment of a Town Painter. Mr. Ross seconded the
motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Raymond presented a set of construction and
materials specifications for streets, sewers, drains,
water main's and services which he recommended the Board
adopt. He said that he did not know if the Town wanted
to allow any contractor to come in to do sewer, water
and street work or not. The question of inspection
bothered him. He said that one of the worst features in
this town was the fact that services have been connected
from cesspools to the sewer,and pipe from the cesspool
to the house has been laid without joints of any kind.
He said that he would check the Plumbing Regulations to
see if jointing materials were required. Mr. Raymond
requested the Board to look over the specifications to
see if they approved them and to decide if Merriam was
to abide by these regulations or if a special contract
was to be drawn up.
Mr. Raymond said that the Clematis Brook Project
'. was closed down due to the fact that Federal funds were
exhausted-. There are quite a lot of boulders in the
fairways of the Minute -Man Golf Club and the manager of
the Club was very anxious to have them removed. The
men who were employed on the projedt are out of work and
he put them to work removing the boulders. He under-
stood that the work was finished and he thought that
the total cost amounted to about $100.00. He asked
approval of having the work done and of charging the
expense to the W.P.A. Labor and Materials appropriation.
Mr. Ross moved that the Board approve the work already
done and of charging the expense to the Labor and
Materials appropriation. Mr. Potter seconded the
motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Raymond said that a man had been out to look
over the project and he was to report back as to
whether or not it could be finished by June 30th with
the funds requested. The man was out about ten days
ago and Mr. Raymond supposed that the project had gone
to Washington by this time.
The Chairman asked where the Project Supervisors
were appointed ad Mr. Raymond said that the appoint-
ments were made Boston but that the Town had the
privilege of recommending local men for the positions.
' Timothy Kinneen was recommended for Supervisor on the
Clematis Brook project but was not approved. A. Ferry
was recommended for Supervisor on the Tree project but
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Spedici-
cations.
W.P.A.
330
x�
was disapproved and William Kearns was approved and '
assigned. Kearns was on the job only one week or
so when he was transferred to another project. Timothy
Kinneen was then appointed supervisor on.the Tree
Project without the Town recommending him. Mr. Ray-
mond said that he had asked to have Kinneen appointed
Supervisor on the Mill Brook Project as Harry Burgess
is getting through on March 15th and had asked to have
Jesse Meadows appointed supervisor on the Tree Projecst.
He said that he had received a letter stating that the
Tree Project did not need a Supervisor but did need a
number one foreman. Meadows was approved as the foreman.
Mr. Reymond read a report which he had received Prcm
the Supt: of Highways on the sidewalk on Stetson Street
Sidewalk, in front of the Merriam property. Mr. Paxton reported
Stetson that the sidewalk is in need of repair or reconstruction.
Street. Mr. Raymond thought that a granolithic.sidewalk should
be constructed under the Betterment Act. Pair. Giroux
suggested that Mr. Raymond.talk to Mr. Merriam to find
out if he was willing to pay for a betterment sidewalk.
Mr. Raymond said that he was getting the, construc-
tion drawings for Robbins Road and Independence Avenue
Robbins ready and he wanted to know if the Board would approve
Road. paying for Engineering over -time between now and the '
Town Meeting so that they could go ahead with the
project immediately after the Town Meeting. The
Chairman told him that he'thought there would be no need
of having engineers work over -time because the Town
Meeting would be adjourned and the money would not be
available for about one month.
Mr. Raymond reported that he had received a com-
plaint from George S. Head of Westminster Avenue relative
Street to street lighting. He said that there was a light on the
Lights. pole in Lexington very near the Arlington Line and one
on a pole in Arlington very near the line so that two
lights are very close together. He recommended that
the light on the pole in Lexington near the line be dis.
continued and that a light be installed nearer the Head
house. Mr. Ross moved that Mr. Raymond's recommendation
be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was
so voted.
Robbins Mr. Raymond said that after reviewing the estimate
Road for Robbins Road he found they would be able to build
Sidewalks. rough sidewalks.
Mr. Giroux moved that Mr. Raymond investigate the
Odorless method of handling the odorless cart with the idea
cart that Mr. Canessa make himself available for the Townes '
needs and that if this cannot be accomplished, that
Mr. Raymond investigate the possibility of engaging
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someone else to do the work. Mr. Potter seconded the
motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Raymond said that two men claimed that they
had taken over some of Johnson's property on Taft
Avenue and wanted to know if they,could have water and
sewer extensions. He said that he told Mr. Joseph Ross
that he did not think that the Board wanted to do any-
thing on water andsewer in the development until a new
Board of Survey had been made and the street lines
straightened out.
The Chairman stated that he thought it would be a
good idea for the men to appear before the Board to
discuss the matter and it was decided to have the men
come in next Tuesday evening.
Mr. Giroux said that the records of the February
23rd meeting were incorrect insofar as his motion on
the rearrangement of the seating at Cary Hall at Town
Meetings was concerned. He said that his suggestion
was to remove the first five rows in the front of the
center section of seats and to leave sufficient seats
in the center and side sections to take care of 250 or
,260 people and to leave out the balance of the chairs
as far back as the ropes. Mr. Potter moved that Mr.
Giroux's suggestion be approved. Mr. Ross seconded
the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Clark moved that the Board approve the
application for a Peddler's License for George W. Porter
of 25 Theresa Avenue. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion
and it was so voted.
Mr. Clark moved that the Board approve an
Overhanging Sign License for Rudd's Package Store at
1848 Mass. Avenue, subject to the filing of the bond and
the approval of the Building Inspector. Mr, Giroux
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
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Water &
Sewer in
Johnson
Development
Seating
plan at
Town
Meetings
Licenses
Letter was received from the Lexington Savings
Bank advising that there was a deposit in that Bank Trust Funds
under Trustees of Public Trusts, Sundry Funds, a total
principal of $22,385. represented by 169 separate accounts.
Mr. Ross moved that Matthew Stevenson be nominated Slaughter"
as Slaughter Inspector foie the year ending March 31, Inspector.
1938. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Ross moved
nominated as Animal
March 31, 1938. Mr.
it was so voted.
that Dr. Chester L. Blakely be
Inspector fot the year ending Animal
Potter seconded the motion and Inspector
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Letter was recdived from the Building Inspector
'
relative to a zoning violation at 581 Marrett Road
by the tenant, Roger W. Brown. Mr. Longbottom said
that he had repeatedly warned Brown about the violation
and last October he moved most of the material stored
in the yard to Bedford and at that time he found
that Brown was renting the adjoining shed owned by
Mr. Robert Trask for the storage of building supplies.
Brown
He warned Brown of the violation and he agreed to
Zoning
abolish it. Two weeks ago Mr.Longbottom investigated
Violation
the premises again and found that Brown had cut two
openings in the rear wall of the shed so that he
could badk trucks into it for easy removal of supplies
that are still stored there. He visited the place
again on February 26th and found that all violations
still existed. Mr. Longbottom requested the Boardts
approval in writing to turn the case over to the Town
Counsel.
Mr. Giroux moved that Mr. Brown be given one week in
which to eliminate the violation and that if he did
not comply with the order to eliminate within one week
that the Building Inspector be given authority to turn
the matter over to the Town Counsel, Mr. Ross seconded -
the motion and it was so voted.
Board of
Board of Appeals finding allowing E.S. & A.D.
'
Appeals -
Peterson to maintain a gasoline station on the Concord
Peterson
lurnpike at Blossom Street, was noted.
Board of Appeals finding permitting C. Cataldo
Cataldo
to use the house at 59 Bow Street for a two family
dwelling was noted.
Board of Appeals finding permitting the Lexington
Lex.Trust
Trust Co. to move the office building on Harding Road
Co.
to Lot 12, Block 6B Harding Road, was noted.
Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee
advising that the appropriation for Engineering Dept. -
Personal Services had been reconsidered and the item for
Engineering
extra engineering had been increased from $500.00 to
Budget
$1500.
Mr. Giroux moved that the Selectmen stand by their
original recommendation of $2950. for-extra'engineering.
Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. It
was felt that Mr. Raymond should advise the Appropriation
Committee that it was his intention to hire an additional
engineer and pay him $1450.00 and to allow $1500. for
miscellaneous extra engineering.
The Clerk asked the Board if the voted- for the
Voted
Annual Meeting were to be split up into "Personal
'
Services" and "Expenses". Mr. Ross said that he was
opposed to it. Mr. Clark said that he was opposed to
' it because it caused the Town Accountant so much
additional work. The Chairman said that there were two
arguments against it, the extra work causedthe Town
Accountant and the fact that it tied the hands of the
Selectmen in not allowing them to exercise the perog
atives of their office.
Mr. Giroux moved that the votes be not split up.
Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted.
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The Board considered the items mtdchthe Appropriation
Committee had disapproved of and acted on them as follows:
Street Lights - Mass. Ave. - No change in original
recommendation -.( 1000.)
333
Votes
Pub. Works - Labor & Materials - it (6000.) Budgets
ti Traffic Signals Improvement - - ( 3215.)
(Mr. Clark wished to be recorded in opposition to
this matter)
Ashes & Dumps - No change in orlEinal recommend-
ation - ($2100.)
Insurance - 9 - ($8200.)
Pub. Works Bldg. Repairs - It was decided to concur with
the Appropriation Committee on the sum of
$1000.00 for this item.
Expenses of Advisory Committee for Town Meeting Members -
No change in original recommendation - (:75.00)
It was decided to discuss the other items elimin-
ated by the Appropriation Committee next week.
Mr. Giroux moved that the Board meet on Tuesday
afternoon March 9th, at 4:00 PLM. Mr. Ross seconded Meeting
the motion and it was so voted.
The Board again discussed Judge Northrup's letter
advising that the Barnes property was not for sale to
the Town. Mr. Giroux moved that the Barnes property be Barnes
taken by Eminent Domain if it could not be purchased property
for $25,000.00. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it
was so voted. Mr. Clark voted in opposition to the
matter.
Commitment of Water Miscellaneous charges in the
amount of $75.50 was signed by the Board. Commitment
State Aid Return in the amount of $26.00 and
Military Aid Return in the amount of $25.00 were signed Returns
by the Board.
The meeting adjourned at 11:05 P.M.
A true record, Attest!
Cls rk.