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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1938-02-01 197 SELECTMEN ' S MEETING IIFebruary 1st, 1938 11 A special meetingof the Board of Selectmen was p held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building at 3:00 P.M. Chairman Ferguson, Messrs. Giroux, Ross and Potter were present. The Clerk was also present. Budgets were discussed as follows : Shade Trees : The item for Supplies and Repairs was cut to $350.80 and the item of $200.00 for arsenate of lead was omitted entirely. The total amount approved was $4158.00. Moth & Insect Suppression: Approved in the amount of 04900.00. Park Department, Special Items: 6600.00 was approved for a fence to be erected between the Harrington property and the East Lexington Playground. 66900.00 was approved for a fence to be erected around the property lines at the Center Playground. 5300.00 was approved for the drinking fountain at the North Lexington Playground. Park Department :- Approved as follows : Superintendent ' s salary - 61700.00 Clerk 364.00 Instructors 1784.00 Total approved for Personal Services - 53848.00 Total budget approved for 414,800. with the suggest- ion that the Trustees of Public Trusts allow Mr. Garrity to use 6300.00 from the Tower Fund for expenses. Highway Maintenance : 1V1r. Raymond and Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board. Mr. Raymond said that if the item for equipment rental was omitted, it would not bring the budget down as the matter would have to be taken care of in some other manner Mr. Paxton said that Mr. ;[kite 's salary was not included in the budget and that the increases requested were figured from April 1st. He said that he was requesting 5150.00 for photography equipment. This would take care of a small movie camera projector and screen. He thought it would be a good way to keep a more complete picture of the work carried on. Mr. Paxton said that the amount 11 requested for maintenance of road surfaces was larger than that expended last year because 426,000. was requested than and this was cut to $'13,000. Those streets that were not done last year were included in this year's 198 to me budget. He said that if Maintenance of Road Surfaces was to be cut , he would suggest that the 07065.00 for two coat oil be left alone. They retired. Highway Construction Mr. Ross moved that the Spring Street job be abandoned and that the Charles Street job be approved in its place. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Highway Maintenance : The salary of John O 'Connor was increased $2. to $32. and Mary Corcoran' s salary was increased from 014 . to $16 . The total Highway Maintenance budget approvedvas $48,000.00. Salaries were discussed and action taken as follows : Supt . of Public Works : Approved on the basis of $4600.00 per year beginning April 1st, 1938. Engineering: It was decided to allow the 01771.09 for salary of Leigh V. Farnham for extra engineering to pay the salaries of both Mr. Farnham and Mr. Townsend. Water and Sewer Departments : Joseph A. Ross 's salary was approved for $50. per week beginning April 1st, 1938. George Harrington' s salary was approved for 029.50 per week beginning April 1st, 1938. Isabelle Harvey' s salary was approved for 020.00 per week beginning April 1st . Ruth Hayes' salary was increased to 014. per week beginning April 1st. Public Welfare : Mr. Lawrence G. Mitchell 's salary was approved for $45 per week; Mr. George V. Morse ' s salary was approved for $32. per week; Miss Muriel Edkins' salary was approved for $16. per week; Miss Gertrude Mitchell ' s salary was approved for $20. per week; Mrs. Mary E. Casey's salary was approved for 012.50 per week. W.P.A. Salary of Clayton F. Beach approved for $27.50 per week. No change. Selectmen 's Department : Salary of Elinor Moakley approved for $24. per week. There were no salary changes except those listed above. Accounting : It was voted to approved the sum of $1300. for clerical 199 help and $185. for Postage and Office Supplies. The total amount approved was $4775.00 . Snow Removal: The sum of $15,000. was approved tentatively. Registrations :- It was voted to increase the item approved for ballots to $55. The total amount approved was $731.00 . Aid to Dependent Children: Approved for $7,000.00 . 00 . Military Aid Approved for $500. Old Age Assistance Approved for $20,000. Public Welfare, under Chapter 117: Approved for $80,000. Soldiers ! Relief - Approved for $4500.00 State Aid: Approved for $500 .00 . The meeting adjourned at 5 :30 P.M. A true record, Attest : Clerk. 20010 SELECTMEN' S MEETING February 1, 1938. ' A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 7:00 P.M . Chairman Ferguson, Messrs. Potter, Giroux, Clark and Ross were present . The Clerk was also present. Mr. Raymond appeared before the Board. Mr. Raymond asked if the Board would authorize the Hockey construction of a board hockey rink, the materials for Rink which would cost 1220.00. There are three carpenters on welfare who could do the work . Mr. Potter moved that the construction of the rink be authorized, the materials to be charged to the appropriation for Welfare, Labor and Superintendence. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond reported that the North Hancock Street Drainage W.P.A. drainage project had been cancelled. He asked if project. the Board approved his re-writing the project, leaving out the Blake Road portion of it . Mr. Potter moved that the project be rewritten with the omission of the Blake Road drainage . Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond reported that the Boston Regional Produce Use of Market, Inc. would like to use Estabrook Hall on March Hall. 9th from 10:00 A.M. to 4 :00 P.M. for a business meeting. Mr. Potter moved that the use of the hall be granted subject to a charge of 510.00. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond reported that on January 22nd, John McAvoy was operating the town snow plow on the sidewalk on Waltham Street at Rix' s driveway . He went out in the road to turn around and come back. A car was proceeding along Waltham Street toward Waltham which was in collision with the tractor. The rear of the running board was damaged. Accident . It was about 4:00 P.M. and sleeting a little at the time. The tractor was in second speed. Mr. Raymond thought that if the person was travelling at a moderate rate of speed and if his windshield was properly cleaned, he should not have struck the tractor. The car was operated by a man named Scott from Woburn, who submitted an estimate in the amount of 013.00 for repairs to the car. Mr. Potter moved that no action be taken on the matter. Mr. Toss seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond said that the following estimates had been made for the construction of betterment streets that had 201 been requested: Taft Avenue $7500.00 Estimates - Woodland & Colony Rds . 10700.00 Betterment Pine Knoll Road 9700.00 Streets Total 027900.00 Mr. Raymond said that the assessment of Taft Avenue and Pine Knoll Road would be ccBnparable with the assessment that we have had for the past two or three years. The Woodland and Colony Roads assessment will be very much higher due to various conditions and the fact that it will be necessary to install more than 1000 feet of drainage beyond the improvement to find an outlet, which outlet can be used only at the pleasure of Paul Bowser. He said that he had gone much further than the people on Woodland and Colony Roads requested as he had prepared an estimate for a regular betterment street. Mr. Potter moved that the estimates be sent to the petitioners. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond reported that he had received a letter from the Town Counsel stating fairly definitely that the public liability insurance policy which the town carried, Public assured no liability except in the Water Department. He Liability asked if the Board wanted him to approve the bill for the Insurance Public Liability insurance premium which amounts to $230.10 for four months, 075.00 of which was chargeable to Water, and the balance to general insurance. Mr. Ross moved that the policy be cancelled for all departments excepting the Water Department . Mr . Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Town Counsel to which was attached a letter from Robert L. Ryder regarding his reservations in the Vine Brook drainage agreement.. Mr. Ryder said that the Ryders were willing to stand on the Ryder agreement which was signed October 26th, 1937, and he agreement would leave to the judgment of the Selectmen whether or not they cared to recommend to the Town the suggestions which were made in his letter of October 27th, 1937. Letter was received from the Town Counsel advising Barnes that the sale of the Barnes property had been completed Property and he enclosed his bill in the amount of $75.00 for services. Mr. Clark moved that the bill be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Board of Retirement advising that Anthony Ferry, a laborer in the Highway Persons Department, would be retired on February 1st, 1938. retired Letter was received from the Board of Retirement advising that Charles W. Higgins, a laborer in the Highway Department, would be retired as of March 1st, 1938. 202 mo Letter was received from Philip J. Guest , financial Sound car secretary of the Meat Cutters and Provisions Store permit . employees, requesting a permit to operate a sound car in Lexington. Mr. Clark moved that the application be dis- approved, but the motion was not seconded. Mr. Giroux moved that a permit be granted for Wednesday, February 2, 1938. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Clark wished to be recorded in opposition. Letter was received from the Health Inspector rel- ative to the Leary property at 13 Hayes Lane . Mr. Stevenson Leary said that the pipe leading from the sink was broken away property. and the soil pipe was no good. He recommended that the owner be ordered to make the place a proper one in which to live. Mr. Clark moved that the necessary action be taken. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted Letter was received from the Chief of Police giving New Police prices of new police badges. He recommended that twenty Badges . badges be purchased for the patrolmen at 0"2.50 each. Mr. Ross moved that the purchase of the new badges be approved and included in the Police Department budget. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. At 8:00 P .M. , hearing was declared open on the appli- Lowell cation of Dana T. Lowell for permission to maintain a one garage car garage at 1 Candlewick Close. No persons appeared in hearing. favor or in opposition. Mr. Ross moved that the permit be granted subject to the approval of the Building Inspector. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Petition was received from the New England Tel. & Tel. Co. and the Boston Edison Co. for a joint pole "relocation on Mass. Avenue, easterly from Forest Street approximately, 96 feet, one pole . Mr . Ross moved that the permit be granted. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so Pole voted. locations . w s r coc� ived,,..�f'rom the New England Tel . & Tel. Co_/fb' mYETt91 til4PePo� to one pole on Shade Street, from Cary Avenue northwesterly approximately 330 feet. Mr. Ross moved that the permit be granted. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Upon motion of Mr. Clark, seconded by Mr . Ross, it was voted to grant the following licenses : Licenses. George Callahan - Crosby Road. - Garbage License Fair Oaks Dairy - 9 Sheridan Street - Past. of Milk License Lowland Dairy Farm - 92 Adams Street - ft n ft n Commitment of water rates in the amount of $4903.86 Commitments was signed by the Board. Commitment of water miscellaneous charges in the amount of 013.50 and of water liens in the amount of 017 .00 were also signed. 203 Water betterment assessment abatement for George Bullock et al in the amount of 031 .50 was signed by the Abatement Board. The following annual reports for 1937 were received: Health Officer Park Division Annual Public delf are Agent Highway Division Reports. Town Clerk Soldiers ' Relief Dept . Births, Marriages and Wire Inspector Deaths Trustees of Public Trusts Trustees of the Bridge Charitable Fund Letter was received from the Town Clerk to which was attached writ in the name of Mabelle S. Appleton in the Appleton aum of 05,000. for negligence. Mr. Ross moved that the case. matter be turned over to the Town Counsel for his attention. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Town Clerk to which was Table for attached a sketch of a table requested by the Warden in Prec. 1. Precinct One to be used for elections. The Clerk was instructed to discuss the matter with Mr. Raymond and have the table made by carpenters on welfare aid, the cost of materials to be taken from that appropriation. Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Morse appeared before the Board Welfare to discuss welfare matters . Budgets were discussed as follows : Police Department : Mr. Clark moved that the position of a third Sergeant be created and that funds for such a position be included in the Police Department budget . Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Clark then moved that provision be made in the budget for one additional patrol- man for 1938. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so Budgets voted. The following amounts were then approved for Personal Services : Chief 03000.00 Sergeants 4662.50 One new patrolman 1779.75 Other Patrolmen 28366.00 Total amount approved for Personal Services 037808.25 Expenses approved as requested for $4620.00 The Clerk was instructed, however, to get a break- down on the item of 0600. provided for motor equipment. It was noted that the 1125. listed for convention Article purposes was included in this budget whereas it would have to be a separate article . Mr. Giroux stated that he believed it to be an ex- cellent idea to send one member of the Lexington Police Department to the training school in Washington held under 204 tt the auspices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Mg training period is three months and all the town would have to pay would be the officer ' s living expenses in Article. addition to his regular salary. Mr. Ross moved that an article be inserted in the warrant to see if the Town will appropriate 000. to cover the expenses of a police officer while attending the F.B. I. training School in Washington. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Public Works Building : The following items were approved: Wages and Expenses $6678.00 Light and Power 500.00 Coal and gas 900.00 (The Clerk was instructed to find out from Mr. Raymond whether or not this item could be reduced) . Other expenses 300 .00 Painting Outside of Bldg. 550.00 Total amount approved $8928.00 Public Works - Supt 's. Office : The following items were approved: Secretary $995.00 Expenses 425.00 ;1420.00 Mr. Giroux moved that the salary of the Supt. of Public Works be reconsidered next week. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Elections : The sum of 075.00 was added for recounts, making the total approved $1650.00. Selectmen's : The following amounts were approved:- Expenses of Selectmen $1000.00 Salary of Clerk ( Present rate) 1669.34 Other Clerical 1441.00 (This provides for an increase from $22. to 024. per week for Miss Moakley beginning April 1, 1938) Expenses 1111.00 Total amount approved ;5221.34 Public Works, Labor and Materials : Amount requested, ;25,000. Amount approved, $ 6,000 Sewer Maintenance : fihe following amounts were approved: Personal Services : Superintendent 0766.67 Clerk 339.08 (Both at present rate) Wages & Expenses 4710.00 Total amount approved ;5815.75 205 Sewer Services: Approved as requested, 41550.00 Water Maintenance : The following amounts were approved: Personal Services : Superintendent $1533.33 Draftsman 1434.59 Clerk 939.00 Clerk (Part time) 339.09 Total $4246.01 Wages & Expenses approved as requested, ('i'58,065.00 (The 43415. included in Equipment and Repairs was temporarily approved, the Clerk being instructed to get more information on the item) . Water Replacements : Approved as requested, $1500.00 Water Services Amount requested, 05200. Amount approved, 05,000. Water Construction - Sundry Streets : Approved as requested, 45,000.00. Sewer Construction - Sundry Streets : Amount requested, $3500.00.Amount approved, $1,000. Replacement of 4" Mains - The following streets were approved provided there are sufficient funds available for transfer to cover the it am: PerayRoad - 05100.00; Cottage Street - 03100.00; East Street - 03500.00 . Drainage :- The following projects were approved: e - Charles Street $3500.00 a - Raymond & Muzzey Street 4800 .00 b - Right of way to Mill Brook 1000 .00 Total amt. approved - $9300 .00 Mr. Clark wished to be recorded in opposition to the approval of these drainage projects. Police Pensions : Approved as submitted - 41095.00. Mr. Ross retired. It was voted to reconsider all salaries previously voted on and to approve no salary increases with the exception of the following: John W. Raymond, Jr. - Increased to $4600.00 beginning January 1, 1938; John C. Litchenberg - Increased to 420. per week beginning April 1st. 206 4g John T . Cosgrove - Adjusted to 03106.36 for the whole year. Elinor i°toakley - Increased to 024. per week be- ginning April 1st ; Gertrude Mitchell - Increased to 020. per week beginning April 1st; Mrs. Mary E. Casey - Adjusted to 012. per week beginning April 1st, 1938. Registrars of Voters :- Reduced to 50.00 each. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 P.M. A true record, Attest : Clerk. 1