Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1938-11-01591 SELECTMENIS MEETING TOV. lst, 1938. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmep's Room, Town Office Building, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Giroux, Messrs. Potter, Ross and Clark were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 P.M. the Town Treasurer appeared before the Board with bids on loans .for Chapter 90 maintenance and construction of Bedford Street in anticipation of reimburse- ment from the State and County. The following bids were received: Loan of $2,000.00 for maintenance: Lexington Trust Company - .35 Loans Second National Bank - .269 Loan of $10,000.00 for Bedford Street: - Lexington Trust Co. - .35 Second National Bank .269 Mr. Clark moved that the bid of the Secbnd National Bank be accepted. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Charles A.Tracey, Supt. of the Lexington Branch ' Post Office, appeared before the Board. He stated that the employees of the Lexington Post Office would like the_use of Cary Memorial Hall on Tuesday, November 29th, for a banquet and entertainment in connection with the dedication Use of of the new Post Office. Mr. Tracey said they would like Hall. the use of the hall free of charge. Mr. Potter asked if the affair was to be run for profit and Mr. Tracey replied in the negative. hr. Clark said that people he had talked to would rather contribute to something for the local postmen than something for the Boston postmen. Mr. Tracey said that this was the first Federal building in Lexington and they wanted to make some recognition of the event. Mr. Potter moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. At 7:45 P. M. Mr. John A. Scott, manager of the kass. Employment Service at Waltham, P.r. Raymond, Mr. Beach, Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Morse appeared before the Board. The Chairman asked 1kr. Scott if he believed a large percentage of Lexington men would be assigned to the Vine Vine Broth Brook job and Mr. Scott said he did not know. There is a Job. lot of pressure being put on the contractor to use union labor on the job but he did not know whether or not that would be done. If so, no Lexington men would be assigned because there are practically no Lexington men belonging ' to unions. The Chairman asked if the picture would be altered if the men could find ways of joining the union and Mr. Scott 5'92 replied in the affirmative. He said it should be con- sidered whether it would be cheaper to advance the $25, to join or not to keep the men off Welfare. They pay 05. per week to the Union until the $25. is paid up. Mr. Giroux asked if a man paid $5. and joined the union and then got work for less than a week he would have to pay the other $20. and Mr. Scott said he did not believe so. Mr. Scott said that the contract read that the contractor might obtain his men through the U. S. Employment Service or through the local Unions. The Chairman said it was the duty of the Selectmen to see that as many Lexington men as possible were employed on the project. Mr. Scott said that he had had pressure put on by unions, but he did not know now Mr. DiMarco felt on the matter. He said he talked to a Mr. Sylvester, an employee of DiMareo's, who said the firm in- tended to go non-union on common labor and union on skilled labor. Mr. Scott said, however, that his office would not allow that as it would have to be one or the other because they are afraid of strikes. Mr. Clark said that one of the conditions upon which the Board sold the project to the town was that local men would be put to work. Mr. Scott said that veterans on relief would have p?eference, veterans not on relief would be second, citizens on relief would be third and citizens not on relief would be fourth. Mr. Scott said he had arranged to have a Mr. Freeman come out tomorrow and arrange it so that if the contractor did not accept a man he might go back on W.P.A. The Chairman said that nothing could be done until the contractor decided what poliey he was going to follow. The group retired. A Miss Mary L. Canty of Somerville appeared before the Board and requested permission to operate a sound car Request for from November 2 to November 8 inclusive, relative to the Sound car. last question on the ballot for the November election. She stated that the group did not intend to make a nuisance of itself but merely wished to place its side of the question before the people. The Chairman told her that it had been the policy of the Board to deny all such requests. She retired. No action was taken on the matter. Letter was received from Norman H. Brown offering to Offer for buy lots 3-7 inclusive, block 91 and 1-6 inclusive, block Lots 92, Meagher development, for $15. per lot. Mr. Potter said that it had been the policy of the Board not to sell lots in this development because of the uncertainty as to just where Route 128 was going through. Mr. Potter moved that the offer be refused. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Rosa left the meeting at 8:35 P.M. Letter was received from the Contributory Retirement Retitement. Board advising that John J. Collins, employee of the High- way Department would be retired on November 15, 1938, and D 1 D Mr. Raymond reported that the V.F.W. wanted to use Cary Memorial Hall on the afternoon of January 22, 1939 from 2:00 to 6:00 for a county council meeting. Mr. Potter moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond said that the question had arisen as to whether or not they should put in branches in the Vine Brook sewer at the rear of the houses which front on Fletcher Avenue which now have cesspools in the batik yards. Mr. Raymond said he would not recommend doing it as some day they would have to put a sewer in Fletcher Avenue; also the takings have been put through with the statement that no betterment assessments would be made. If they were put in, of course the branches would cost something and there might be a question as to the validity of the assessments. Mr. Potter moved that the Board approve the policy of not providing branches on the main sewer in the rear of Fletcher Avenue. Pair. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. ' Mr. Raymond presented an agreement with Skinner and Sherman on the cement and concrete in connection with the Vine Brook job which required the signature of someone authorized by the Board of Selectmen. Tarr. Raymond said he 593 Vine Brook Job . Wood cutting Use of Hall. Vine Brook Sewer A greement- Vine Brook and that Charles F. Wallin, employee of the Park Depart- ment, would be retired on November 24th. Mr. Raymond appeared before the Board. He stated that the contractor on the Vine Brook job would want to close off part of Sheridan Street and Hayes Lane during construction on Vine Brook. Mr. Raymond believed that the Selectmen had the authority to grant a permit to close these streets, but said that he would take the matter up with the Town Counsel. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Raymond be given authority to close off the streets, provided the Town Counsel approves. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond informed the Board that the W.P.A. wood- cutting project had been returned disapproved. The letter which accompanied the disapproval suggested that the men on welfare do the wood cutting. In view of this, he recommended that the Board consider any offer for the purchase of the wood. He stated that there was enough wood to supply the welfare needs for five or six years. After discussing the matter, it was decided to leave the wood at the town dump until later in the winter to see if W.P.A. men could work on it then. Mr. Raymond said that he would like to start work at the Adams School playground first. Mr. Clark moved that this be approved and that Mr. Raymond be authorized to use ' welfare labor on the work. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond reported that the V.F.W. wanted to use Cary Memorial Hall on the afternoon of January 22, 1939 from 2:00 to 6:00 for a county council meeting. Mr. Potter moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond said that the question had arisen as to whether or not they should put in branches in the Vine Brook sewer at the rear of the houses which front on Fletcher Avenue which now have cesspools in the batik yards. Mr. Raymond said he would not recommend doing it as some day they would have to put a sewer in Fletcher Avenue; also the takings have been put through with the statement that no betterment assessments would be made. If they were put in, of course the branches would cost something and there might be a question as to the validity of the assessments. Mr. Potter moved that the Board approve the policy of not providing branches on the main sewer in the rear of Fletcher Avenue. Pair. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. ' Mr. Raymond presented an agreement with Skinner and Sherman on the cement and concrete in connection with the Vine Brook job which required the signature of someone authorized by the Board of Selectmen. Tarr. Raymond said he 593 Vine Brook Job . Wood cutting Use of Hall. Vine Brook Sewer A greement- Vine Brook 594 approved the agreement. Mr. Clark moved that the Chairman sign the agreement. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. n Mr. Raymond reported that the contract for the first portion of the North Lexington Sewer project had been Arawn North up and if approved, 'would be advertised on November 3rd and Lexington November 10th, with the notice that bids would be received Sewer. on November 17th. The starting date for the project is the 18th but of course work could not be started then. If the bids were received on the 17th and everything was all right, the Board could award the contract on November 22nd. Mr. Potter moved that this schedule be approved. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond reported that the Public Safety League had Sound car. requested permission to operate a sound truck in Lexington. Mr. Clark moved that the request be denied. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Street Mr. Raymond presented a report on street lighting in Lighting Lexington Center after 1:00 A.M. The Chairman requested repor t for a ember of the that copies of the re r h m each ort be made p p Board. The Chairman read a letter from the Mass. Department of Conservation advising that W.P.A. crews were being made available for work on private land with the consent of the owner, to remove fire hazardous material. The Fire letter stated that applications for such work were now Hazards - being received. W.P.A. work. Mr. Raymond read a letter from Mr. Garrity relative to the matter, and the Chairman read a letter from the Chief of the Fire Department stating that he would prefer to discuss the matter with the Board before making say definite recommendation. Mr. Clark moved that Mr. Raymond arrange a conference with Mr. Garrity, Chief Taylor, the Town Counsel and him- self, to discuss the matter and that the recommendation of that group be submitted to the Board. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond read a letter from Mr. Garrity stating that bills in the amount of $18.65 and $5.50 had been Damage to received for repairs to the roof of the porch at 24 Hancock Tuttle Street. There was an Elm tree on town property which fell house. over on this house and the damage to the roof was caused when the town removed the tree. Mr. Raymond seal that the tree was town property but he did not believe that the owner of the house could collect by law, but he thought there was a moral obligation on the part of the town. Mr. Clark moved that the bills be paid inasmuch as IJir. Raymond believed that most of the damage was done by town men in removing the tree, the expense to be charged to the Storm Emergency account. Iair. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. n 595 1 1 The Chairman stated that he had overlooked two things at the meeting last week. One was the requested transfer to the Road Machinery Account and the other was the trans- fer to the Park Dept. Wages and Expenses account. He said that Mr. Paxton had stated that there would be $850, needed in the Road Machinery Account for the balance of the yeer without buying any new equipment. He pointed out that Mr. Garrity had informed the Selectmen that he had about $180. worth of storm emergency work charged to the Park Department account and that that account would be short. He said he therefor had instructed the Clerk to provide for these transfers in the Warrant. Mr. Clark moved that the Chair- man's action be approved and that the transfer of $850. to the Road Machinery Account and the transfer of $180. to the Park Department Wages and Expenses account be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Transfers needed. Mr. Raymond pointed out that November 11th was a Change of holiday and he therefor thought that would be a good time meeting to start closing the payroll week on Thursday, so that the night. first Selectmen's Meeting on Monday could be held on Nov. 14th. He thought that would work out all right if we did not have rainy weather. Mr. Potter moved that the Selectmen start their Monday meetings on November 14th. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from Peary Reardon of Vine Street stating that the 1938 apportionment of her sewer better- Reardon ment assessment amounted to $18. and the interest amounted sewer to $11.79. Mr. Reardon stated that she was receiving Old assessment Age Assistance and was unable to pay the charge. Mr. Potter moved that the abatement of the 1938 charge, plus interest, be authorized. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and It was so voted. Letter was received from the Town Accountant relative to the notes on the borrowing for Storm Emergency under Article 5 of the warrant for a town meeting November 10th. ' Mr. Russell stated he understood that the Board had suggested that the notes be issued for a period of six months and he recommended that the borrowing be made for a period of one year. He checked this matter up with the Director of Accounts' office, and Mr. Waddell said that all of the Storm municipalities were borrowing for a period of one year and emergency he believed it unwise to borrow for a lesser period. Mr. notes Waddell pointed out that undoubtedly the Lesiglature next year would pass a special Act permitting the municipalities to fund this one year borrowing over a longer period,'which is expected to be a maximum of ten years. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Waddell's recommendation be followed and that the borrowing be made for one year. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. 1 1 The Chairman stated that he had overlooked two things at the meeting last week. One was the requested transfer to the Road Machinery Account and the other was the trans- fer to the Park Dept. Wages and Expenses account. He said that Mr. Paxton had stated that there would be $850, needed in the Road Machinery Account for the balance of the yeer without buying any new equipment. He pointed out that Mr. Garrity had informed the Selectmen that he had about $180. worth of storm emergency work charged to the Park Department account and that that account would be short. He said he therefor had instructed the Clerk to provide for these transfers in the Warrant. Mr. Clark moved that the Chair- man's action be approved and that the transfer of $850. to the Road Machinery Account and the transfer of $180. to the Park Department Wages and Expenses account be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Transfers needed. Mr. Raymond pointed out that November 11th was a Change of holiday and he therefor thought that would be a good time meeting to start closing the payroll week on Thursday, so that the night. first Selectmen's Meeting on Monday could be held on Nov. 14th. He thought that would work out all right if we did not have rainy weather. Mr. Potter moved that the Selectmen start their Monday meetings on November 14th. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from Peary Reardon of Vine Street stating that the 1938 apportionment of her sewer better- Reardon ment assessment amounted to $18. and the interest amounted sewer to $11.79. Mr. Reardon stated that she was receiving Old assessment Age Assistance and was unable to pay the charge. Mr. Potter moved that the abatement of the 1938 charge, plus interest, be authorized. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and It was so voted. 596 Bornstein assessment Letter was received from Mrs. Annie Bornstein of 5 Hibbert Street requesting that her street betterment assessment in the amount of 4712.10 be adjusted. Mr. Ray- mond said that there.was some question about the betterment to the lot being as much as the assessment. The law says that no assessment shall exceed the betterment. In his judgment, the betterment was not over one-half the assess- ment levied. The street was put in largely as a benefit to the citizens in Arlington. Inasmuch as the full Board was not present, it was decided to hold the matter over for one week. Letter was received from Chief Edward W. Taylor stating that the firehouses in town were entirely inadequate and Fire Dept. requesting that an article be inserted in the warrant for needs. the next Town Meeting to appoint a committee to study the needs of the Fire Department in this connection. The Chair- man suggested that the Fire Engineers bring up the matter at the next Town Meeting under Article 1. Mr. Potter moved that the suggestion be approved. Mr. Clark seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from Mr. E. B. Worthen stating_ that in the past analyses had been made of traffic accidents Traffic in Lexington. He suggested that the record of 1938 be analyses gone over. Mr. Raymond said he had this record for 1937 but he thought it would be well to look over the previous reports to see what form they were in. Mr. Clark moved that Mr. Raymond be authorized to request the Police Department to make a study as suggested by Mr. Worthen and that Fie establish the method of reports based on previous reports. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. 1 1 Mr. Clark stated that last week he requested that the yellow blinker at the corner of Harrington Road and Bedford Traffic Street be turned on and he wanted to repeat that request. lights. Mr. Raymond said he did not believe it could be done, but he would look it up. Mr. Clark then moved that the traffic blinker at Harrington Road and Bedford Street and the one at the junction of Mass. Ave., Bedford and Clarke Streets be turned on at such times during the day as the Police Dept. deemed advisable. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Town Counsel enclosing Constablets bill in the amount of ap7.90 for money paid out by the bill. Constable for summonses and witness fees in the Marulli case. Mr. Clark moved that the bill be approved for payment. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Town Counsel in the case Appleton of Appleton vs. the Town of Lexington. This is the woman case. ' who claims that she fell on the sidewalk at the corner of Waltham Street and Mass. Avenue on May 1, 1937. Her attorney has offered to settle for $1,000. and Mr. 'Urightington said 597 that such information as he had did not show injuries that would justify a verdict of that amount. He asked if the Board wished to make a counter offer at this time. Mr. Clark moved that the offer of `w1,000. be rejected and that no counter offer be made at this time. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Mass. Dept. of Health Film - stating that a motion picture film "A New Day" which is based "A New on pnemonia control, be endorsed by the local Board of Health. Days' Mr. Potter moved that the matter be referred to the local theatre manager. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Clerk informed the Board that there were the following vacancies in the Election Officers: Precinct One, 2 tellers, one Republican and one Democrat; Precinct Three, 1 teller Democrat; Precinct Four, one teller, Democrat (temporary). Mr. Potter moved that Pauline E. Bartlett, Democrat, of 41 Pleasant Street, be appointed a teller in Precinct one; and that Constance L. Thompson, Republican, 173 Marrett Road, be appointed a Teller in Precinct One. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Potter moved that Mary Gaynor of 71 Bedford Street Democrat, serve at the election on November 8t1a in place of the absent teller in Precinct Four. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Clerk was instructed to contact Mr. Eugene T. Buckley for suggestions for the appointment of a Democratic teller in Precinct Three. Notice was received of a hearing to be held on Nov. 5th on the relocation of Lowell Street. Messrs. Mitchell and Morse appeared before the Board relative to welfare matters. The Board signed the following commitments: Water Rates $5377.64 Water Liens 90.03 Water Connections 10.00 Sewer Connections 30.88 The meeting adjourned at 10:00 P. 11. A true record, Attest: 1 Clerk Election Officers Hearing - Lowell S t. Welfare Commitments