HomeMy WebLinkAbout1940-01-08584
SELECTMENIS MEETING
January 8, 1940.
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.
Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Locke, it
was voted to grant the petition of the Boston Edison Co.
and the New England Tel. & Tel. Co. for a joint location
Pole
of four poles on Follen Road, southeasterly from Marrett
locations.
Road, upon which hearing was held at 7:30 P.M.
At 7:35 P.M. hearing was declared open on the appli-
cation of the Boston Edison Co. and the New England Tel.
& Tel. Co. for a joint location of two poles on.Bloomfield
Street, southwesterly from a point approximately 160 feet
southwest of Highland Avenue. Upon motion of Mr. Potter,
seconded by Mr. Locke, it was voted to grant the petition.
Mr. Carroll appeared before the Board for the dravinng
Juror.
of a juror to serve on criminal business, first session,
beginning at Cambridge, February 5th. Mr. Stephen D. E.lyce,
mechanical engineer, of 159 Shade Street, was the juror
drawn.
Upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Potter,
it was voted to grant the following licenses:
Licenses
Herman H. Scheufele, Jr., 344 Concord Turnpike, Methyl
Alcohol;
Colonial Garage, Inc., 1668 Mass. Ave. - 1st Class Agents.
Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Sarano,
it was voted to adopt the following water main orders
COMMONWEALTH_ OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss. Town of Lexington
WHEREAS, the Town of Lexington at a town meeting duly
called and held on March 20, 1939, duly adopted under Artlele
16 of the Warrant the following vote:
"Voted: That the Selectmen be authorized to install
Concord
water mains in such accepted or unaccepted streets, as may
Ave. Water
be applied for during the year 1939 in accordance with
Main Orddr
authority contained in the By-laws of the Town, subject to
the assessment of betterments, and to take.by eminent
domain any necessary easements therefor, and for the purpose
of said installation the sum of $4,000.00 be appropriated.,
this money to be provided by the.transfer of $1,000.00
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fromthe Water Assessment Fund and the transfer of $3 000,
from the Water Department Available Surplus Account.'
, Mo
AND WHEREAS, the Town of Lexington at a town meeting
duly called and held on November 13, 1939, duly adopted
' under Article 5 of the Warrant the following vote:
"Voted: That the sum of $1,000.00 be appropriated
for.the Water Construction Sundry Streets Account, this
amount to be transferred from the Water Assessment Fund,
That an additional sum of $2,000.00 be appropriated for Water
Construction, Sundry Streets, this sum to be transferred
from Water Department Available Surplus".
VOTED: By the Selectmen acting as a Board of Water and
Sewer Commissioners under the authority of the foregoing
vote and of every other power them thereto enabling, that
a water main be constructed in Concord Avenue from the present
end a distance of approximately 100 feet northwesterly,
substantially in accordance with plan of Joseph A. Ross,
dated January 8th, 1940, and entitled, "Plan of Proposed
Water Main in Concord Avenue, Lexington, Mass., Scales
1 in. - 40 ft., Jan. 8; 1940, Joseph A. Ross, Supt., Water
Dept."
Betterments will be assessed for this improvement in
accordance with the provisions of Chapter 80 of the General
Laws. '
The area which it is expected will receive benefit
' or advantage other than the general advantage to the community
from such improvement is described as follows:
That portion of those properties on the westerly side
of Coneord,Avenue beginning at the end of the present water
main and extending northwesterly a distance of approximately
100 feet.
The said area comprises the several lots shown upon
the plan of Joseph A. Ross, Supt., Water Department here-
inbefore referred to vdiich• are designated in the schedule
hereto annexed and made a part hereof.
We estimate the betterments that will be assessed
upon each parcel of land to be as shown in the schedule
hereto annexed and made a part hereof.
Witness our hands at Lexington aforesaid this 8th
day of January, 1940.
Archibald R. Giroux BOARD OF
Errol H. Locke SELECTMEN
A. Edward Rowse OF THE
George W. Sarano TOWN OF
' William G. Potter LEXINGTON
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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss. Town of Lexington
January 8th, 1940
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Then personally appeared the above named Archibald R.
Giroux, William G. Potter, A. Edward Rowse, Errol H. Locke
and George W. Sarano and severally acknowledged the fore-
going instrument and statement by them subscribed to be
their free act and deed and the free act and deed of the
Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners of the Town of Lex-
ington,, before me,
James J. Carroll
Notary Public
(Mar. 14, 1945).
SCHEDULE OF ESTIMATED BETTERMENTS
REFERRED TO IN THE FOREGOING ORDER
CONCORD AVENUE
(From the present end a distance of approximately
100 feet northwesterly)
Owner as of January 1st, 1940. Assessment
Lily C. Johanson $90.00
Extra
Letter was received from Metcalf & Eddy recommending
work
an extra work order on Contract #4, at a total cost of
order.
$310.07. Mr. Potter moved that the extra work order be
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signed. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Deposits-
Notice was received from the Lexington Savings Bank
Trust
advising that the balance on deposit on Oct. 299 1939
Fund,
under Trustees of Public Trusts, Cemetery Funds, was
$24,485.00 represented by 187 separate accounts.
Letter was received from A. P. Rounds, contractor on
the North Lexington Sewage Pumping Station, stating that
Rounds
the completion date of his contract having been established
contract.
as of Dec. 13th, 1939, he was claiming that the 33 days from
Nov. 10 to December 13 were necessary because of inter-
ference because of Contractor Hall. He said that all the
work performed during the above period would have been
completed previous to Nov. 10th had it not been for the
order of the engineers not to lay the rubber floor until
contractor Hallls work was substantially completed.
The following requests for uses of conference rooms
in the Cary Memorial Building were received:
Uses of
Red Cross - January 16th; Committee on Plumbing
Cary Hall
Laws, January 16th; Committee on Fire Department
Accommodations, January 10th.
Mr. Potter moved that the uses be allowed. Mr. Locke
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seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Beach appeared before the Board to discuss his
budget. He stated that the item of $1144. for extra clerical
' help pays for the additional man recently put on at $22,
per week. He said that the 420, requested for Automobile
Allowance would take care.of both his and the investigators
car. Mr. Beach's office now has to pay its own telephone
bill and this amounts to $12. or $13. a month. The budget
totaled around $50,000.00.
The Chairman said that last year we asked for and
received $20,000. but had a balance of $5300. from 1938.
This year the balance may be $500. The Chairman asked what
the average quota was this year and Mr. Beach said that it
was 145. He figured the 1940 budget on a basis of an
average of 160 men. The Engineer for this district asked
that -54 --more men be put to work in Lexington. The Chairman
asked how many of these persons would be eligible from the
Welfare rolls and Mr. Beach said that only one would be. W.P.A.
Mr. Rowse said that these people who would be assigned are budget
not now receiving welfare, but if they go on W.P.A., the
Town will have to stand a certain expense as itsshare of
the cost. Mr. Potter said that if the people were not on
W.P.A. they probably would be on Welfare. Mr. Beach said
that at least 20 men came in last week and applied for W.P.A.
work. Mr. Beach said that if $11,500. (which is the cost of
the Merriam Street sewer) was deducted from the $50,000.
there would be enough work for the 160 men for the year.
' Mr. Rowse said that in the past, we have been very free in
certifying men for W.P.A. work when the need was not urgent.
He thought it m3.ght be dangerous if a large number was added
to W.P.A. because they might go back onto Welfard when W,P.A.
work is completed. Mr. Potter said that if the Board con-
sidered these projects worthwhile, the cheapest way of doing
them was under the W.P.A. Mr. Rowse said he agreed on the
worthwhile projects, but he did question whether or not a
person would apply for Welfare the minute W.P.A. shuts down.
Mr. Rowse asked Mr. Beach if he was careful enough in cer-
tifying W.P.A. Workers so that he was absolutely sure they
were urgently in need of work and Mr. Beach replied in the
affirmative.
Mr. Sarano wanted to know what the value of work per-
formed would be if the Town spent 048,000. for Labor and
Materials. Mr. Beach said the value would be approximately
$170,000.00.
Mr. Beach said that last year, 26 men worked in Acton
and several more were on a State-wide project so that the
money lasted, but if this had not happened, the money would
have run out long ago.
The matter of constructing sewers under W.F.A. and
earmarking the funds re.ceited for betterments to pay off the
bonded debt was discussed. Mr. Beach was urged to find out
as soon as possible whether or not the Liberty Heights sewer
' and Merriam Street sewer projects were going to be approved.
The Town Accountant appeared before the Board. The
Chairman asked him if there was any way that money could be
earmarked in the Sewer Assessment Fund to pay off the debt
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incurred by borro*ing money to ,build sewers with the aid of
the W.P.A. Mr. Russell said the only thing we could do
would be to transfer the money each year from the Sewer
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Assessment Fund to pay off the the debt incurred by borrow-
ing money to build sewers with the aid of the W.P.A. Mr.
Russell said the only thing we could do would be to transfer
the money each year fro)n the Sewer Assessment Fund to pay
off the bonded debt. Mr. Russell said that the Sewer
Assessment Fund could be used for sewer maintenance, sewer
construction or sewer debt. A special W.P.A. Sewer Project
Account could be set up. Mr. Rowse asked if we could
appropriate $5500. and borrow for any department, and Mr.
Russell said that we had to appropriate for each department
for which we wished to bond with the exception of the Water
Department. Mr. Russell said' that under Chapter 72 of the
Acts of 1939, the Town had a right to borrow money for a
period not to exceed 10 years for work to relieve unemploy-
ment. In each other case, you have to appropriate 25,`6
for each $1,000. of valuation. Sewer and drainage work go
together. Water is outside the debt limit so it excluded
and the only other exclusion is a Federal aided project.
Mr. Russell retired at 9:10 P.M.
The Chairman suggested that the following vote be
adopted: Voted: That for the time being, the Selectmen
W.P.A.
recommend an appropriation of 25,000.00 for Public Works,
sewers
Labor and Materials, with the understanding that this excludes
the Merriam Street, Adams Street and Coolidge Ave. sewer,
the Towns share of which amounts to $11,116.00 and also included
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the Liberty Heights sewer, the Townts share of which is
$10,508.00, with the understanding that in the event that
these two projects are approved, the Town's share shall be
bonded and the receipts under the Betterment Act from these
two projects shall go into the Sewer Assessment. Fund with
the understanding that the said receipts will be used to
pay off the bonded debt; and with the further understanding
that if either or both of these projects becomesart of `the
program, that the 25,000.00 shall be reduced to 20,000.00.
Mr. Potter moved that the vote be adopted. Mr. Locke seconded
the motion and it was so voted. '_
The Chairman read a letter from. Mr. Beach showing that
W.P.A.
the total truck hire for 1939 was $5385.00. Mr. Beach
request
recommended that the Town purchase two used trucks' at a cost
for trucks.
of between $750. and $800. If one truck was used continually
for a year, it would work 1650 hours making a total cost of
$1170.00 and the cost of operation would be $861., leaving
a savings of $308, per truck. Mr. Beach said that Mr.
Raymond was very much in favor of this plana Mr. Sarano
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said that the fact that people were kept off welfare because
their trucks were hired by the W.P.A. was a factor to be
considered. Mr. Beach said he checked with the Town Account-
ant and was informed that these trucks could be purchased
from the W.P.A. Labor and Materials appropriation.
It was decided to discuss this matter further with the
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Supt. of Public Works,
Mr. Beach retired at 9:45 P.M.
Mr. Morse appeared before the Board at 9:55 P.M. to
discuss Welfare cases.
Mr. Morse discussed his budgets and said that he had
made up a gross schedule of $134,500. for all forms of
Welfare for 1940. From this can be deducted Old Age grants
of 221,000. and A.D.C. grants of 04,000.00, leaving a net
of 1108,500,
This is divided as follows:
Public Welfare $55,000.00
A. D. C. 130000.00
Old Age Assistance 28,000.00
Soldiers' Relief 100000.00
Military Aid 1,000.00,
State Aid 1,200.00
Soldiers' Burials 300.00
He said that Personal Services total $9245.49.
He retired at 10633 P.M.
The Board discussed the matter of placing the Town
Accountant under Civil Service in accordance with Chapter
183 of the Acts of 1939. The Chairman said there would
have tobe a petition signed by almost '1000 persons and there
would have to be two articles in the Warrant, one to see if
the Town.wants to put the position of Town Accountant under
Civil' Service and the other to see if the Town wants to
' place the present encumbent under Civil Service. If the
Town votes in favor of this, then the present encumbent will
have to take a non-competitive examination to see if he is
fit to be the Town Accountant. Mr. Potter moved that the
Board of Selectmen go on record as approving that the nee-
essary. steps be taken to submit to the voters of the Town,
the placing of the position of Town Accountant and the
placing of the present encumbent, James H. Russell, under
Civil Service in accordance with the provisions of Chaptar
183 of the Acts of 1939. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion
and it was so voted.
M 0
Welfare,
Welf are
budgets
The report of the Appropriation Committee on the study
of Town insurance was submitted to the Board. The members Insurance
said that they would study the matter and take action on it study
later,
The Chairman said that Dr. Rochette came in and said Plowing
that he had to do a great deal of night work and wondered physicians
if his driveway could be plowed out. It was decided to tkke drives.
up the matter of leaving physicians' driveways clear with
Mr. Raymond at the next meeting.
It was decided to meet on Saturday, January 13th
at 2:00 P.M. rather than on January 11th. Meeting.
The Clerk was instructed to find out if the Town Town
Accountant or Supt. of Public Works had any objection to Meeting.
the Town Meeting being held on March 25th rather than on
Marchl8th.
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The report of the committee appointed to study the '
Moth operation of the Moth and Shade Tree Division was received
Committee and read by Mr. Rowse. Mr. Rowse moved that the Moth
Report Committee report be included in the Town Report and that
the Committee be extended a letter of thanks. Mr. Locke
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Building The Clerk was instructed to insert an advertisdment
Inspector. in the paper advising that applications for the position
of Building Inspector would be received.
The meeting adjourned at 11:25 P.M.
A true record, Attest:
er .
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