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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1937-03-02SELECTMEN'S EEETING I 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 328 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 1 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 329 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 I - 1 r 1 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. 331 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 332 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. 1 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.