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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1938-10-13560 SELECTMEN'S MEETING OCT. 13, 1938. , A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Giroux, Messrs. Potter, Ross, Clark and Rowse were present. The Clerk was also present. H. J. Crumb, M.D. and Mr. A. P. Tropeano, representing the Lions Club, appeared before the Board. They said they wanted to discuss their request for Sunday movies which the Board turned down last week. Mr. Tropeano said that the group wanted to raise money for eye conservation. For some years the money has been raised by a penny sale, but last year it was not much of a success so they did not want to repeat the experience this year. He said that several years ago the Sons of Italy conducted a Sunday movie. He said they realized that the Board might be flooded with similar requests if the petition were granted, but they felt that the work was so worthy that the Board might grant the permit. It was their intention to produce an educational film and they plan to hold the movie on Sunday evening,. The Chairman said that the Board felt that it might be getting into trouble in granting such a request and Mr. Rowse said that the churches criticized any interference with their activities on Sundays. The Chairman told them that the Board would no doubt allow them to use Cary Hall on the same basis as last year. They retired. 11r. Rowse moved that no action be taken on the matter. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. 2,dr. Joseph A. Ross appeared before the Board. He said that he would like permission to replace the four inch main in Stetson Street with a six inch main. The pressure has been dropping down every year and is now down to three pounds when it should be about sixty pounds. This is due to corrosion. There are three houses connected with the pipe and two of the families are complaining. Mr. Ross said that they had notified the Fire Dept. not to hook onto the hydrant on this line because of the low pressure. Last year the pressure was about fifteen pounds. Mr. Albert Ross suggested that eight inch pipe be put in rather than six inch and said that this would add about twenty cents per foot to the cost. Mr. Rowse asked if there was any justification for doing the work this year, and Mr. Ross said that there was and that was the lack of pressure due to corrosion. There is a balance of $1094.82 in the Raymond Street appropriation and x$''880.21 in the ' appropriation for Cottage and East Streets and Mr. Ross intended to transfer. about X1700. from those accounts to do this job. Mr. Rowse asked how there happened to be such 1 1 1 561 large balances in these accounts and Mr. Ross said that Raymond Street was easy digging and also they figured on using hand labor but machines were used. Mr. Ross retired. Mr. John T. Cosgrove appeared before the Board. He presented a petition to the County Commissioners for the relocation of Lowell Street at Butterfield's Pond. He said that they were contemplating relocating this street in order to carry out what Burlington voted last Monday evening. Mr. Raymond appeared and in reply to the question, said that the Town would have to pay the whole cost of the Lowell relocation and he thought there would be money available `Street In the Vine Brook Drainage appropriation. Metcalf & Eddy relocation talked this over with the County Engineer to get an idea as to what they would like. The estimated cost is about $2500. Mr. Rowse asked how this work could be paid for from the appropriation for Vine Brook and Mr. Raymond said that he would consider this incidental work. Mr. Rowse asked if there was any alternative, and Mr. Raymond said that there was an alternate method. He said that it was all right to sign the ,petition and said that he would check to see if there was money available and ask the Town Counsel if the vote of the Town Meeting on Vine Brook covered this work. It was decided to take no action on the matter until further information was obtained. Mr. Cosgrove presented the Busa Farm W.P.A. drainage project. Mr. Rowse asked how much of the job was on the Busa property and Mr. Raymond said that about 40% of it was. Mr. Rowse said that his objection was that it was benefitting private property.. Mr. Cosgrove said that town water had been put on there recently and within the last couple of years, storm drainage pipes had been put in Marrett Road and they drain right into this brook. Mr. Rowse moved that the project be submitted, but not until Mr. Raymond has received final decision on the four tree trimming and repair projects he is to submit. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Garrity appeared before the Board. He said that he would like to have the balances in the appropriation for the new fences turned over to the Park Department Wages & Expenses account so that they could get the skating areas in condition for the winter and also seed the places where trees were removed. The Chairman asked how much money he spent from his regular appropriation for storm work and he said }.ie spent about 0190.00. The Chairman asked how he would come out if the transfer was not approved. fir. Garrity said he would be able to carry his men until Thanksgiving and would have to let two men go then. �He would not be able to -et the skating areas in condition either. Mr. Rowse said that the only way to justify these transfers would be by showing excess labor costs due to storm work. If the money had been used which ordinarily Buss. farm project Park needs. 562 would be used for the skating areas, it would be logical to transfer this money back. Mr. Garrity said that he would like to buy a Sickle Bar ' Mower to mow the skating areas. The Highway Department has one but they are using it when the Park Department wants it. When asked how long he would use it, he said it would be about four weeks in a year. He asked for this machine in August and was supposed to get it on October 15th, but on account of the storm could not get it. Mr. Clark asked how he got along other years, and Idr. Garrity said that they had mowed by hand and had used the old machine which was no good now. He retired. Mr. William C. Paxton, Jr. appeared before the Board. The Chairman said that there was a great deal of question as to the emergency of the street cleaning work. Mr. Paxton said that there was a great deal of rubbish left after the storm and Mr. Raymond and he felt that if a sudden rain storm should come, the drainage system would be blocked up and there would be a great deal of flooding. He said that there were twigs, branches and all sorts of debris on the sidewalks and shoulders of the roads, which although they did not mean much individually, would collect in a rain and flow along with the water in the gutter. Mr. Rowse asked what they had done previously to take care of the natural fall of leaves. He replied that crews were sent out to pick up leaves alone, and probably only one-half dozen men were used all season. Mr. Rowse asked what he meant by all season, and he said that he meant from about the middle of October to the end of November, which would be about six weeks. The Chairman asked how much money there was in the Street regular Highway appropriation for street cleaning or what cleaning had been done with it. They estimated $5,000. for street cleaning and of this $3800. has been used. Last year from October lst until the end of the year, about_�1400.00 was expended on street cleaning. The Chairman asked what would happen if the work was held up for a month. He said that it was a question of quantity, and there was a great deal of debris on the ground now. If this was held up, the amount would of course increase. If the work was done now, the drainage system would be protected. The Chairman said that the program started Monday called for an expenditure of 5,000.'and if it was allowed to continue, he wanted to know ghat portion of it could be charged to the regular appropriation. Paxton said that $2500. could be charged to the regular appropriation but it would be necessary to eliminate any work on shoulders. The Chairman said that there was complaint today that the men on Forest Street were loafing. Mr. Paxton said that these were W.P.A. men and there was one foreman for about 18 men. It is a new line of work and he said that there was bound to be a loss if a crew of men were put to work doing something they were not accustomed to. He said that if they had ' these men under their control for some little time, they would probably make them into a good crew. They have cleaned 563 approximately 7Q miles of streets in three days and about 120 loads of material have been removed each day. Mr. ' Rowse asked how many W.P.A. men had been at work on these last three days. Mr. Paxton said that there were 54 men and 12 trucks and that he was spending about $350. a day. Mr. Rowse asked how many men from the Highway Department were being used for street cleaning. Paxton said that three were being used, two as foremen and one as a general foreman. Two highway trucks are being used. He said the 54 Y.P.A. men did not include the truck drivers as it was specified that the truck owners should supply the drivers. Mr. Clark asked who determined the size of crews that mere to work on a street and Mr. Paxton said that he and Mr. Raymond did. Mr. Rowse asked how much they spent in cleaning catch basins in a year. Paxton replied that they spent about 2000. They are cleaned in the spring and the summer. Mr. Rowse asked why it was an emergency and why the cleaning of catch basins and streets had to be handled so fast. Paxton replied that if there was a heavy rain storm there would be flooding, but of course th ere.would be no flodding if there were no storms. He said that they did not worry about clogging the catch basins but they did worry about clogging the drains. There are about 900 catch basins and it costs about $2. apiece to maintain them for one year and 0.66 each time one is cleaned. 1Mr. Clark said that at the last meeting he attended, he was told that the emergency was over. The Chairman said that Mr. Raymond explained last Friday that he had for- gotten the question of drainage at last Tuesday night's meeting, and when he thought of it, he felt that it was an emergency and that it should be taken care of at once. Mr. Rowse asked why they did not have the same problem other years. Mr. Paxton said that they did have some trouble but had not had much since 1934. Mr. Rowse said that they usually used six men six weeks, they now were using 54 men for three weeks and vo uld only cover the emergency work. Mr. Paxton said that they would like authority to borrow $2,000. for Chapter 90 Maintenance in anticipation Chap. 90 of reimbursement by the State and County and $10,000. for Money Chapter 90 Construction in anticipation cf reimbursement. .Mr. Paxton said that the Road Machinery Aeeount,was down to about $700. and gasoline bills alone will run to more than that. Also, they have unpaid bills in the amount of $400.00. They have three sidewalk plows that are not Road much good now and a much better job ca n be done with a side- Machinery walk tractor. They requested that $1800. be transferred Account from the Road Machinery Fund to the Road Machinery Account ' for the purchase of a new tractor plow. This could be used in the spring for maintenance work. The Chairman asked what they would do if they did not get the plow. Paxton said that they would have to find someone with horses 564 who would do the work. Arlington pays $1. an hour for horses and Lexington pays only 4.50 an hour. Mr. Rowse ' asked why they were deficient in this account, and Paxton said they had heavy bills for repairs all year. All rental of equipment during the storm was charged to storm emergency, but gasoline and oil were charged to this account. Mr. Paxton said that it would be necessary to request Charles a transfer of $825.00 to the Charles Street Oonstruction Street Account to take care of the overdraft caused when heavy account. rains caused loss during the construction of Charles Street. The Chairman said that Mr. Russell recommended that this amount be transferred from the Police Pensions account. Letter was received from the Town Accountant advising that the School Dept. had submitted an estimate of $575. Storm for storm damage and the Cemetery Department an estimate Emergency of $473.75 for storm damage. The Chairman stated that the Town Accountant took up the matter of funds for the storm emergency work with the State and was informed that bills for all town departments on storm work should be included in the storm emergency account and that some departments could not be included and others excluded. Mr. Raymond appeared before the Board and presented W.P.A. projects for tree work. Each project is limited to $10,000. and he said that he took the liberty of sign- ' ing four projects and sending them in Tuesday night as he did not want to lose two days. The first project is for tree trimming and repairs on public grounds,the Federal Tree contribution being $7,000. and the Town contribution being projects. $500.00. Mr. Ross moved that the project be submitted for approval. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. The second project was for triming and repairing trees in public streets in Precinct 1, the Federal con- tribution being $4840. and the town contribution $660., of which $300. is for superintendence, Mr. Ross moved that this be submitted. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. The next proposal was for trimming and re- pairing trees in Precinct two, federal contribution $7458, town contribution $909.50. Mr. Ross moved that this be approved and submitted. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. The next proposal was for trimming and repairing trees in Precincts three and four, Federal con- tribution $9913. and town contribution 4986.00. Mr. Rowse moved that this be approved and submitted. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond said that he had contacted the P.W.A. authorities and asked for an extension of the starting and finishing time of the North Lexington Sewer project, until after December 31, 1938. They replied that this could not ' be done but that probably an advance grant could be given the town which would pay for engineering and preliminary costs. Mr. Raymond talked with the Town Counsel who said 1 that as far as he could see the town vote fitted in with this proposed method, but he thought that the Selectmen should get Mr. Waddell's approval. The Chairman said that Mr. Russell was going to contact Mr. Waddell on the matter. Mr. Raymond said that Mr. Russell said it was always un- fortunate to have bonds dated Jan. lst although they should be dated the first of some month. The Town Treasurer would have to pay in 1939 bonds retired Jan. 1st, 1940, so he advised dating the bonds February 1st. Mr. Raymond said that it would be necessary to make an agreement with some company to get borings right away. He asked if the Board would authorize him to sign an agfee- ment and make this arrangement. Mr. Ross moved that Mr. Raymond be authorized to make an agreement with some company and arrange to have borings made in connection with Docket No. Mass. 1464-F. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Raymond be instructed to request the Federal P.W.A. authorities for an advance grant not exceeding 15% of the estimated cost of the North Lex- ington Sewer project. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Potter moved that the Town Treasurer be instructed to take bids on a loan in the amount of x$`'90,000. represent- ing the town's share of the cost of the North Lexington Sewer project, the bids to be received Oct. 25, 1938 and notes to be dated Feb. lat., 1939. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. 565 North Lexington Sewer. Letter was received from the Town Counsel in which he reported his opinions regarding the subdivision regulations Subdiv- as drawn up by the State Planning Board. It teas decided ision to invite Mr. Wrightington, Mr. Raymond, Mr. Cosgrove, and Regs. the Planning Board in to discuss the matter with the Board. Mr. Raymond reported that there seemed to be no pro- gress made in getting the O'Keefes out of the Barnes property. He wondered if the Board wanted to put the matter into the hands of the Town Counsel. Mr. Ross moved that the Town Counsel be instructed to proceed to take whatever legal steps necessary to have the O'Keefes vacate the property at 1557 Mass. Agenue. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Clark voted in opposition. The Board again discussed the matter of street clean- ing. The Chairman stated that they were cleaning about 33 miles of streets at a cost of $150. a mile, leaving 20 odd miles uncleaned. Mr. Rowse said that there were two questions in his mind;- whether there was an emergency, and if this was not the most expensive way to go about doing the work. He told Mr. Raymond that the job of cleaning up after the storm was done very expertly but he did think that this street cleaning work was not being taken care of very efficiently. Mr. Raymond said that he did not want to take the responsibility of leaving the streets in the condition Barnes property Street cleaning. 566 that they are now; but if the Board wanted to take that responsibility, it could. Mr. Rowse said that the thing was rushed before there was a chance for satisfactory ' discussion. He said that the thing was authorized illegally inasmuch as there was not a quorum present at the meeting held on Friday, Oct. 7th. The Chairman said that it had been established by precedent that if there was not a majority present at a duly called meeting, whether special or regular, that the two members present could take what action they desired and a third member could approve their action later. The Chairman said that Mr. Raymond told him that there was an emergency and that action should be taken on the matter at once. He therefor called a special meeting at which he and Mr. Potter were the only ones present. They took the action they deemed wise and author- ized the street cleaning work to continue only until a reg- ular meeting could be held on Tuesday, He suggested that the program be continued and limited to $3500. of which $1,000. would come from the regular Highway Department appropriation.. He said that he had reduced his figure from $5000. because Mr. Ross felt that the whole job should cost lessthan the $5000.00 and Mr. Raymond thought that the cost would be considerably less.than $150. a mile. Mr. Rowse asked why they could not use the same method of cleaning this year as every year, that is six men for six weeks. Mr. Raymond said that six men could not do the work in twenty weeks. Mr. Potter moved that the job be continued as proposed ' by the Supt. of Public Works, but the motion was not seconded. Mr. Rowse felt that the work diould be done by the. regular department men and not have the W.P.A. men doing it. Mr. Rowse then moved that the Highway Dept. augment its force by six men and two trucks to take care of the street cleaning work and that a report of progress be made in two weeks. Mr. Ross sedonded the motion and it was so voted. Messrs. Potter and Giroux voted in opposition. Mr. Raymond asked where the money was to come from and Mr. Rowse stated that the money for the six extra men and the two true4s could be taken from the Stbrm Emergency account., Mr.' Raymond asked if they were to go out ' if they get rain to free the grates and stop flooding. Mr. Rowse stated that the matter should be handled then as it ordinarily would be handled. Mr. Raymond said that that would be to try to free the grates and that was a waste of money. Mr. Rowse moved that the money expended so far on the street cleaning work, together with the extra six men and two trucks, be charged to the Storm Emergency account and that the wages of the six regular Highway men on street cleaning work be charged to the Highway Department approp- riation. Mr. Clark seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Messrs. Potter and Giroux w ted in opposition. Mr. Raymond said that this would mean laying the W.P.A. men off in the morning and as they are now on 567 private employment, they cannot get back on W.P.A. until they have a letter stating why t heir private employment ' ceased. They will lose four or five days? work. He said that if they could keep going until Saturday night, they would come out about even, but if not, they did not know what they would do.. Mr. Clark said that he would rather pay them out of Welfare. Mr. Ross said that he did not believe that the men should be penalized. No further action was taken on the matter. Copy of a letter addressed to Mr. Raymond from the P.W.A. Regional Director requesting certain information on DiMarco the DiMarco & Ciccone bid and bid bond was received. Copy bid. of Mr. Raymondts reply was also received. Letter was received from the Chief of Police stating that in his opinion, the bushes at the corner of Mass. Shrubbery Avenue and Grant Street should be removed as they were a at P. 0. traffic hazard. Letter was received from the Belfry Club requesting permission to operate a sound truck advertising a Fun Fair Sound to be held on Oct. 15th and also requesting permission to truck issue hand bills advertising the same. Mr. Clark moved that the request for permission to operate a sound truck on October 15th be denied. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and. it was so voted. Mr. Clark moved that permission be granted ' the Belfry Club to distribute hand bills. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Rotary Club offering the town the two new direction signboards which that body had Direction caused to be erected, one on the Common and one on the signboard Buckman Tavern grounds. Mr. Rowse moved that an article be inserted in the Warrant for the next Town Meeting to see if the Town would vote to accept the signboards, and that the Article Rotary Club be thanked for its action. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted, Letter was received from Mrs. C. E. Goodrich of Lincoln Street, protesting against another hen business to be carried on at the Trask property on Marrett Road. Mrs. Trask Goodrich complained of the odor and noise. The Clerk was property instructed to inform Mrs. Goodrich that the matter waald be referred to the Building Inspector. Letter was received from P. J. Neary of 5 Bennett Avenue again complainir� of the Plumbing Inspector's action Neary in granting a permit for the installation of a septic tank complaint on the lot adjoining Mr. Nearyls. The Board felt that it should abide by the Plumbing Inspector's decision and so took no action on the matter. ' Semple of letter to be written to the Department heads Letter re regarding 1939 budgets was received. It was decided to hold budgets. the matter over for one week. 568 Letter was received from the Board of Health agent Yodwish relative to Mrs. Mary Yodwish. The Agent reported that ' case* the case was heard before Judge Wilson at the Concord Court on October 11th and that Judge Wilson had committed the woman to the Tewksbury Infirmary. Chief Sullivan re- moved the woman to Tewksbury. Town CounselIs bill to date in the Ryder drainage Ryder cases amounting to $4503.00'was received. Mr. Potter moved cases. that Mr. Wrightington be paid $1000. on account. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Report of the Contributory Retirement Board for the Report. month of September was received. Letter was received from the Health Inspector stating that Samuel Stacchi of Laconia Street had requested that Stacchi he be allowed to keep his pigs until they were ready to be pigs. killed, which would be some time in December. The Inspector recommended that the request be granted. Mr. Ross moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Board of Board of Appeals findings granting permission to the --Appeals Ross Realty Corp. to maintain two signs on the Wellington Order. Estates property was received. Water rates abatements in the amount of $91.19 were Abatements. signed. Commitment of water miscellaneous charges in the Commitment. amount of $4398.88 were signed by the Board. Messrs. Mitchell and Morse appeared before the Board Welfare. relative to Welfare matters. The meeting adjourned at 12:00 midnight. A true record, Attest: �Q Cle rk.