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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1939-12-11Welfare funds. Transfer SELECTMENIS MEETING Dec. 11, 1939. 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, Rowse, Locke and Sarano were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. Potter left the meeting at 8:10 P.M. and returned at 9:30 P.M. Letter was received from the Town Accountant giving a summary of the funds which apparently will be required to Carry the Public Welfare Dept. through the month of December. Mr. Russell thought that the minimum deficiency would be $45009 which sum did not inclyde unforeseen items such as.additioral hospital bills, etc. he Chairman said that both he and Mr. Russell recommended that the sum of 05,000. be made available. Mr. Rowse moved that the Appropriation Committee be requested to transfer the sum of *51,000. from the Reserve Fund to the Public Welfare Expenses•aceount. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. I 1 The Chairman stated that the City of Somerville had a Welfare judgment against the Town of Lexington on welfare cases in the : bills- sum of $1,085.92 and at the present time there is a balance Somerville of $703.11 available which can be used properly to pay the bill. He suggested that the Appropriation Committee be re- quested to transfer the sum of f382.81 from the Reserve Fund to make up the difference. Mr. Russell appeared, and stated that in 1937 the Town appropriated $703.11 to pay Somerville bills and this amount was held over.because Somerville did not want to or could not pay its bills to Lexington. The City asked the Legislature to permit borrowing to pay wel- fare bills, but'the Legislature disapproved it. The Mayor of Somerville did not want to make an appropriation out of current funds to pay for unpaid bills of a predecessor. They are getting around it in this way by bringing suit against the other municipalities, a process entirely new in our way of handling municipal finances. This $703.11 could not legally be collected because the bills are outlawed, but the moral obligation is there. We brought suit against Somerville within the required time, but Somerville slipped up and did not bring suit against us in time. He and Mr. Morse thought that this was a good way of straighten- ing it out. Mr. Locke moved that the Selectmen request the Appro- Transfer priation Committee to transfer the sum of $382.81 from the Reserve Fund to be used in meeting a.judgment against the Town of Lexington for the City of Somerville. Mr. Potter seconded the Motion and it was so voted. ' ' The Chairman read a letter from Dennis W. Delaney, W.P.A. administrator, advising that the Assignment Division had assigned ten additional people in Lexington. Chief Taylor appeared before the Board to dicuses his' budgets fnr 1940. He stated that they were the same as last year's. The Chief said he based.next year's estimates on. this year's figures and also said that he would not exceed his appropriation. Mr. Rowse asked the Chief why he did not paint the East Lexington Fire station. He suggested that Chief Taylor buy the paint out of this year's appropriation if there is a sufficient balance band have the Fire Dept. men paint the building. Chief Taylor said that he could not do it under the law as licensed riggers had to do the work. The Chairman suggested that the Town Painter go down there as he is a rigger, and he could have men work under him. The Clerk was instructed to request Mr. Raymond ,to send the Town Painter down to the East Lexington fire station to estimate the number of gallons of paint needed to paint the building with two coats and have Mr. Raymond notify Chief Taylor. The Chief retired at 8:10 P.M. MI W.P.A. Fire Dept, Budgets East Lex. Fire Station Chief Sullivan appeared before the Board to discuss his budgets.. There was no change in the Personal Services Acaouht. He stated that he ran over on his equipment item this year and was therefor asking 080. more. The Chief said that the mileage of the 1938 Police car showed it had been driven 83,000 miles and he thought a new car should be purchased in January. The Chairman said that because no one knows What Police action the Town Meeting is going to take, he thought it budgets would be better to run the car until after the annual meet- ing if possible. The Chief said he thought they would be allowed 0400, for the old car. The Board told him to run the car until'after Town Meeting if possible and to get a figure on•a new car just before Town Meeting. He said he was not asking anything for the motorcycle. The Chairman asked the Chief it the motorcycle was safe and he replied that it was. The Chairman said that the Board did not want any man to use equipment that was not safe. The Chief retired at 8:35 P.M. Letter was received from the Board of Retirement ad- vising that Nicholas Shea of the Highway Department 'would be Shea retired on December 13th, 1939, after having worked for the Retirement Highway Department since June 1889, a period of over 50 years. The Clark was instructed to show the letter to the editor of the local paper so that he would give the matter some pub- licity. ' The Chairman informed the Board that Mr. T4A. Custanee had telephoned�.and said that the Chamber of Commerce•wanted 542 to have the town decorated for Christmas as much as,possible. ' Xmas The Chamber of Commerce wanted to know if the Selectmen would decora- approve having candles placed in each of the front windows tions of the Town Offices and Cary Memorial Buildings. The cost for the Town Offices would be not more than $15, and for the Cary Memorial Building would be not more than $20. The Chairman said that the expense could be charged to Unclassified. It was the feeling of the Board that with conditions as they are and with the demand for economy, that it would be u wise to approve such expenditures this year. The Chairman called the Board's attention to the f ct Sealers that there wad an item of '42.50 for transportation exp nses bill for for the Sealer of Weights and Measures"on this weekls w rranto expenses.This represents 8* months at $5.00 per month, here are sufficient funds in the appropriation to pay for this bill, Mr. Sarano moved that the bill be approved. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. It was decided to meet Christmas week on December 27th iMeet- and New Year's week on January 3rd. ings . The Chairman stated that.he had received a wire advising of a meeting to be held Monday, December 11th, at the Hotel Food Statler relative to the use of the Food Stamp Plan. Mr. Stamp Rowse attended the meeting. Mr. Rowse said that several ' Plan. mayors and members of Board of Selectmen from neighboring communities were present at the meeting. Mr. Harry F. Woodward Secretary of the Mass. Food Council, explained the Food Stamp system. He said that in the first place, it seems fairly certain that Nor Tobin is not going to be able to get the Stamp Plan for oston unless cities and towns in Metropolitan Boston request it also as it is liable to result in dis- satisfaction as there is too much inter -buying between cities and towns. This meeting was called in a hurry because unless other communities enter the system, they are afraid.Mayor Tobin cannot get it. The method is for the town or city to request the Surplus Commodities Commission to put our town on a system of food stamps. What they do is this. They set up an office for the distribution of these stamps. Providence is operating on this system and has only one office. At the meeting, however, it was stated there problably would be offices in Arlington, Cambridge, Somerville, etc. He said it was not clear to him whether or not there would-be an office in Lex- ington, but they did state there would be one in each community and that office would be financed by the Federal Government with no expense to the community. The payments of money and grocery orders would be given to the Welfare recipients in exactly the same manner as they are given now. If they receive cash, they would be required to cash the check and go to the Federal office and buy orange stamps. In Providence they are allowed to purchase 41.50 worth of orange stamps for each 543 ' member of the family and for every two orange stamps, they are given a blue stamp free. Orange stamps are used in the regular purchase of food in any store, Blue stamps, which are free, are for surplus commodities which are listed at the grocery stores. These consist of such things as dried prunes, raisins, squash, hominy grits, butter, etc, With the blue stamps, they go into the same store, they buy their regular food and buy the same things the surplus commodity has at the price the store is charging, At the present time, surplus commodities are distributed from the Barnes property, brit with this plan the articles would be purchased at the store. Mr. Rowse said that at the meeting were present representatives of the Great A.& P. Tea Co., First National Stores, Economy Stores, and all the large chains. He said.that there was a restriction on the orange stamps that no tobacco or liquor could be purchased with them. The local Surplus Commodities Division would be abolished. The Welfare Agent sends'in a'list of names and those persons receive an identification card giving the number in the family, etc. Not only persons receiving aid under Chapter 117 can use this plan, but also those receiving aid under various other forms such as A.D.C., Old Age Assistance, Soldiers' Relief, and W.P.A. can use them. The Chairman said he approved the plan as it takes from the Government the handling of food and places it with the merchants, where it belongs. Mr. Rowse said that if the ' Town was in favor of the plan, it should notify Mr. Harry F. Woodward. Mr. Rowse moved that the Board of Selectmen go on record as being heartily in favor of the Food Stamp Plan and also as being in favor of having it in effect in. Lexington, and to request that the Federal office for the distribution of food stamps be located in Lexington. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Town Treasurer recommend- ing a borrowing of $75,000. in anticipation of revenue. Mr. Loan Rowse moved that the Town Treasurer be requested to take bids on a loan in the sum of $75,000. in anticipation of revenue, notes to be dated Dec. 19, 1939 and payable Dec. 200 1940. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it w&s so voted. Letter was received from W, C. Paxton thnaking the Board Letter of Selectmen on behalf of the High School Football Injury of Committee for the use of Cary Hall on December 1st. thanks, Mr. John J. Garrity appeared before the Board to discuss his budgets. He said there were no increases requested in Personal Services, although he thought an increase for the Supt. of Parks was long overdue, He said that the Light and Power items had been increased because he thought the filter at the swimming pool should run 24 hours at a time instead 544 C� of 16 or'18 as it does now. Under the Equipment and Repair ' Park item, Mr. Garrity said that there were two tennis courts in Budgets. East Lexington that need re -surfacing very'badly. One court in North Lexington needs to be re -surfaced. This last court was built in 1934 and a top usually lasts about five years. Mr, Rowse asked what the difference in upkeep was between'our- courts and clay courts. He said he preferred clay courts. Mr. Garrity said that the upkeep on clay courts was between %$125. and $135. per year. All the cities and towns around are changing to hard -top courts. Garrity said that this year he drew money from the'Trust Funds for repairs to the flag pole but he thought $100. should be appropriated in 1940 for a new flag pole. Mr. Garrity requested 63200. for a fence for the center playground and 01070. for a new water main to the center playground. He thought that the income from the fence should maintain the enclosed field and that the income should be kept in a separate fund. The Chairman suggested that the money for the fence be borrowed and that the income from it be used to pay off the loan. Mr. Potter said he believed that the grounds would deteriorate unless they were fenced in. Mr. Garrity said he would recommend that the grounds not be opened until the fence is erected. The Chairman asked Mr. Garrity to get figures,on what the maintenance of the field and the fence would amountto. It was suggested that a certain percentage of the income from tickets be used for maintenance ' of the field. Mr. Garrity said he thought there should be' -1000 permanent seats put in at a cost of around $1.50 each. The Chairman said he thought the income on the field should'.be continued until the initial cost of the field has been paid.' The Chairman suggested that Messrs. Potter, Garrity, Wrightin.g- ton, Russell and a representative of the School Athletic Associa- tion act as a committee to make a study and recommendations on the fence for enclosing the field at the Center Playground, this study to include the financing of a loan, also method of paying off the loan, both interest and principal, and maintain- ing the fence and field: Mr. Locke moved that the Chairmants suggestion be approved. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Insect Suppression budget was next discussed. Mr. Garrity said that the Moth Committee recommended that more Moth clerical work be done in this department and that the regular budget, clerk be given a $2. increase from $15. to $17, per week. She was increased from $14. to $15* last year. Mr. Rowse asked Mr. Garrity if he could give an estimate of the number of Cords of wood laying around in various Wood for wooded areas in town which vooda could be used by the welfare welfare. recipi6nts. Mr. Garrity said he thought there would be 500 cord. Mr. Garrity said he had discussed with Mr. Raymond the ' 545 Letter was received from Metcalf & Eddy recommending an extension of time on the DeOristafaro contract for the North Lexington Sewer as follows: (a) For completing the work between Station 4 00 and Station 19 50 of the Northern Section, an extension of time of 46 days, covering the time from the contract date of completion, May 10 1939, to the actual date of completion, June 16, 1939. (b) For completing the Change work between Station 44 00 and Station 48 00 of the Northern order ' Section, an extension of time of 10 days, covering the time from the contract date of`completion, May 1, 1939, to the actual date of completion, May ll, 1939. Mr.'Potter moved that the change order be approved and signed. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Wrightington submitted to the Board agreements rel- ative to the furnishing of water to the Bayliss house on Shade Street. The agreement called for the laying of a service from the end of the present 4 ain in Concord Ave. to Shade Street and in Shade Street to the Bayliss property, the entire Bayliss expense to be borne by the Bayliss'. water. A letter was received from Mr. Victor C. Harnish, attorney for Mr..Bayliss, asking that the Town assume the cost of the main" in Concord Ave. to the corner of Shade Street, the. reason for the request being that the street is a public way and the extension would be for the benefit of any future development along Concord Ave. The Chairman said, that Mr. Raymond thought it would be best to go ahead on the basis of the agreement and as the agreement called for a service, it was decided to do this. Mr. Rowse moved that the agreement by signed. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Chairman said Mr..Raymond had left for approval, a ' W.P.A. project for the installation of sewer.mains'in"Liberty Sewers - Heights. The'Federal funds called for are $30,175. and Town W.P.A. funds are 617,727. Mr. Rowse moved that the project be approved and submitted. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted. matter -'of purchasing a power saw and Mr. Ray;iond objected at first because of the safety angle. He thought it would-be too dangerous,' but now after reconsideration, he has no objection. Mr. Rowse'asked the Board to consider having this wood out by hand, on a piece work basis. Mr. Sarano said he thought it would be much easier to have the wood out by the power saw into four foot lengths and to have the men split it up after that. Mr. Potter moved that the purchase of a power saw at a cost of approximately $150. be approved, this expense to be charged to the Storm Emergency account. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Sarano - moved that a suitable person be placed in charge of this saw,' .his wages to be paid by the Public Works, Welfare Aid Account, and his rate of pay to be determined by the Supt. of Public Works. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Garrity retired at 10:30 P.Tfi. Letter was received from Metcalf & Eddy recommending an extension of time on the DeOristafaro contract for the North Lexington Sewer as follows: (a) For completing the work between Station 4 00 and Station 19 50 of the Northern Section, an extension of time of 46 days, covering the time from the contract date of completion, May 10 1939, to the actual date of completion, June 16, 1939. (b) For completing the Change work between Station 44 00 and Station 48 00 of the Northern order ' Section, an extension of time of 10 days, covering the time from the contract date of`completion, May 1, 1939, to the actual date of completion, May ll, 1939. Mr.'Potter moved that the change order be approved and signed. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Wrightington submitted to the Board agreements rel- ative to the furnishing of water to the Bayliss house on Shade Street. The agreement called for the laying of a service from the end of the present 4 ain in Concord Ave. to Shade Street and in Shade Street to the Bayliss property, the entire Bayliss expense to be borne by the Bayliss'. water. A letter was received from Mr. Victor C. Harnish, attorney for Mr..Bayliss, asking that the Town assume the cost of the main" in Concord Ave. to the corner of Shade Street, the. reason for the request being that the street is a public way and the extension would be for the benefit of any future development along Concord Ave. The Chairman said, that Mr. Raymond thought it would be best to go ahead on the basis of the agreement and as the agreement called for a service, it was decided to do this. Mr. Rowse moved that the agreement by signed. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Chairman said Mr..Raymond had left for approval, a ' W.P.A. project for the installation of sewer.mains'in"Liberty Sewers - Heights. The'Federal funds called for are $30,175. and Town W.P.A. funds are 617,727. Mr. Rowse moved that the project be approved and submitted. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted. Welfare* Abate- ment. Mr: Morse appeared before the Board to discuss Welfare matters. Board of Health abatement in the amount of $23. was signed. U The meeting adjourned at 11:35 P.M. A true record, Attest: C1 ek. 7 1