HomeMy WebLinkAbout1940-01-151
SELECTMEN'S MEETING
JAN. 15, 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.
The Chairman read a letter from Mr. A. Thomas Ferry, Request
Commander of Stanley Hill Post #38, A.L., advising that the for funds
Post was requesting that the Town appropriate $500. toward for Legion
the National Convention of the American Legion to be held in Convention.
Boston during September, 1940. The Chairman said that the
Legislature passed an Act last year enabling towns to make
such appropriations.
Mr. Potter moved that Commander Ferry be invited to
appear before the Board to furnish detail on the matter. Mr.
Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted.
The Chairman said that the Secretary of the Allied
Veterans Council had submitted a budget for Patriot's Day
in the amount of $750.00. He said that the sum of $500. Patriot's
for Patriot's Day had been previously approved by the Board Day
and he asked if the members wished to change their minds Budget.
on the appropriation. Mr. Potter moved that the Board make
no change in its recommendation of an appropriation in the
sum of 1500. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so
voted.
Mr. Rowse asked the Board if it had any objection to Town
requesting the Town Treasurer to consolidate his annual Report
report. The Board had no objection.
Petition for street lights on the following streets Street
was received: Winter Street, Hillcrest Street, Wright lights
Street, James Street, Rangeway Road.
The Clerk was instructed to request Mr. Raymond to
make a.study of the locality and submit a recommendation to
the Board.
The Chairman stated that the Subdivision Regulations
had been prepared, studied and revised by the Town Engineer,
the Supt. of Public Works, the Planning Board and the Town
Counsel and had been approved by all of these persons. He
said that it was now in order for the Board of Selectmen,
acting as the Board of Survey, to adopt them.
Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Rowse, it
was voted that the Subdivision Regulations of the Board of
Survey be adopted as follows:
Subdivision
regulations
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SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF SURVEY C
OF LEXINGTON.
(Adopted January 15, 1940)
SCOPT These regulations apply to all subdivisions of land
hereafter laid out in the Town of Lexington. A "sub-
division", so far as these regulations: -are concerned,
is the division of any parcel of land into two or•more
lots in such a manner as to require provision for a
street for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of
sale or building development.
REGISTRY AND PERMITS. No subdivision plan.or plat may be
recorded in the office of the registry of deeds, and no
permit to erect a dwelling on a new street in a sub-
division may be issued by the building inspector, unless
that subdivision has been approved by the Board of Survey,
referred to in these regulations as "the Board".
LEGAL BASIS. A legal explanation of the powers and duties of
the Board of Survey appears in Sections 81-F to 81-J
of Chapter 211, Acts of 1936, adopted by the Town on
March 28, 1938, and in Sections 73 to 81 of Chapter 41,
General Laws of Massachusetts, adopted by the Town on
May 12, 1911. The regulations below prepared by the
Board of Survey in conformity with Section 81-F are
neither Statutes nor By -Laws: they are, rather, "the
reasonable rules and regulations --governing the sub-
mission and approval of --plats."
SECTION 1. PRELIMINARY PROCEDURE. The following general
procedure shall be observed in connection with the
preparation and approval of any subdivision plat:
(1) Before submission to the Board of any subdivision
plat, the subdivider shall hold one or more conferences
with the Planning Board and Town Engineer to whom he`
shall submit two prints of a Preliminary Plat and Street
Profiles prepared in conformity with the provisions of
Section IV of these regulations. It is the purpose of
these conferences to aid the subdivider in preparing his
Plats and Profiles for formal submission to the Board
in conformity with the requirements hereinafter set forth.
(2) It is also suggested that the subdivider and his
designer and surveyor inform themselves of the pro-
visions of the Zoning, Building, and other By-laws, since
many of them bear upon his problem. In particular, he
should note the following amendment to the Building
By-law
"Article V. Section 2(a). Before approval by the Board
of Survey of a subdivision plat under G.L. Ch. 41; see.
81-F, it shall require that the ways laid out on such
plat shallcoordinate with other existing or proposed streets
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with which they may connect, and it shall require such
provisions for the disposal of surface water as will
prevent damage to the said streets and utilities and to
other ways in the town, and shall require an agreement
by the subdivider, bindin on his successors in title,
to construct the ways and�or utilities in the manner and
location shown on said plat as finally approved, and to
conform. to the regulations of the Board of Survey re-
garding such construction, performance of which agree-
ment shall be secured by a bond with a surety company,
authorized to do business in Massachusetts as surety,
in the sum of One Thousand Dollars as liquidated damages.
No permit shall issue for the erection of any building
or the carrying on of any activity requiring a permit
on lots abutting on such ways until such ways are so
constructed."
SECTION II. PROCEDURE BEFORE THE BOARD. The following
general procedure shall be observed in connection with
the submission and approval of any subdivision plat:
(1) The subdivider shall file with the Board the
original drawings and two sets of prints of the Plat
and Street Plans and Profiles prepared in accordance
with the provisions of SECTIONS V AND VI of these reg-
ulations. He shall also make a deposit of Ten Dollars
($10.00) to cover the cost of holding a public hearing.
(2) The Board will set a date for public hearing on
the Plat and Street Profiles, notice of which hearing
will be given at least ten days prior thereto by ad-
vertisement in a newspaper published in Lexington and
by mailing a copy of the notice to all owners of prop-
erty abutting upon the land included in such Plat, as
appearing upon the most recent tax list.
(3) Within forty-five days after the submission of the
Plate to the Board for approval the Board will approve,
modify and approve, or disapprove the said Plat and
Profiles. It will then return to the subdivider one
copy of the.Plat and Profiles with the date of approval
or disapproval stamped thereon.
(4) The Board, in studying the Preliminary Plat, will
take into consideration the requirements of the community
and the best use of the land being subdivided. Attention
will be given to width, arrangement, and location of
streets, size and arrangement of lots, and provision for
main or through highways, drainage, and park and school
sites. Adequate street connections will be required to
insure free access to adjoining subdivisions and lands.
(5) The Final Plat will be approved by the Board if it
conforms to the requirements of law and to these regula-
tions. Upon approval of the Final Plat the Board will
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file certification of its action with the Town Clerk;
if theBoard does not act on the Final Plat *'tthln-fdrty-
fl-ii da-ks of its submission the Town Clerk will certify '
that the Plat'is approved through failure of the Board
to act. In either event a certificate of approval will
be required by the Register of Deeds before he can
record the subdivision Plat.
(8) Approval of the Final Plat by the Board does not
constitute acceptance by the Town of any street or
other public way or property.
SECTION III. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS. The subdivider shall
observe the following general requirements and principles
of land subdivision, although variations may be permitted
when, in the opinion of the Board, topographic or other
factors necessitate such variations;
(1) All streets which may serve as extensions to ex-
isting streets or highways shall be continuous and in
alignment with such existing streets, and of the same
or greater width.
(2) Blain highways shall, in general, have such widths
as are designated by the Board. No street shall be less
than forty feet, and no through street less than fifty
feet in width.
(3) At all intersections curb lines shall be rounded,
with radii appropriate to the anticipated use of the
intersecting streets. The Board may require that
property lines at intersections be rounded or cut back
in order to provide for adequate rounding of corners.
(4) No street shall have, at the curb line, a grade of
less than 0.5%. No street shall have a grade of more
than 10 ; no main highway shall have a grade of more
than GV,
(5) Alleys with a minimum width of twenty feet may be
required at the rear of any lot designed for commercial
use.
(6) No land shall be subdivided for residential use
if the Board considers such land unsuitable for such
use because of danger to health.
(7) In case a tract is subdivided into larger parcels
than normal building lots, such parcels shall be arranged
to allow the opening of future streets and practicable
resubdivision. I
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SECTION IV. THE PRELIMINARY PLAT. The preliminary Plat
shall be prepared by a competent surveyor or designer,
preferably at a scale of forty feet to the inch, and
shall show the following information:
(1) Subdivision name, date, scale, and north point.
(2) Names and addresses of record owner, subdivider,
and surveyor or designer.
(3) Location and names of owners of adjacent properties.
(4) Location, names, and present widths of all existing
streets, alleys, or public properties in or adjacent to
the parcel to be subdivided.
(5) Width and location of all proposed streets and
other ways, building lines, and easements, and profiles,
at appropriate scales, of all proposed streets.
(6) Location and approximate dimensions and areas of
all proposed lots and public properties, if any.
(7) Proposed method of surface drainage and sewage
disposal.
(6) Proposed or anticipated uses of property.
' (9) Topography, with two -foot contour interval unless
the Board specified otherwise.
SECTION V. THE FINAL PLAT. The Final Plat as submitted to
the Board shall be clearly and legibly drawn in water-
proof black ink on tracing c;oth. The sheets shall be
20 by 30 inches overall, and shall have half-inch
margins on three sides and an inch -and -one-half margin
on the fourth; the wider margin shall be at the left
side or the top, whichever is the 20 -inch dimension.
The drawings shall be at a scale of 40 feet to the inch
unless the Board shall designate otherwise. The Final
Plat shall show:
(1) Subdivision name, date, scale, northpoint, and
legend.
(2) Names and addresses of record owner, subdivider,
and surveyor or designer.
(3) Location and names of owners of adjacent properties.
(4) Proposed street and alley lines, lot lines, building
lines, drainage structures, reservations, easements, and
areas to be dedicated to public use, and all existing
buildings, walls, drives or other fixtures abutting on
or near to the proposed streets.
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(5) Sufficient data: to permit ready determination of
the location, bearing, and length of every street line,
lot line, and boundary line; all bearings to be ,
referred to true north.
(6) Lots, numbered in numerical order commencing with
the number "one" for each block; and blocks,, if there
be more than one, lettered in alphabetical order.
(7) Location and dimensions and areas of all proposed
lots and public properties, if any.
(8) Appropriate names for all streets (not to be placed
on final drawings until approved by the -Board).
(9) Traverse calculations and copy of survey notes of
plat boundary. (Submitted separately on pages 8'j by 11
inches).
SECTION VI. STREET PLANS AND PROFILES. Street plans and
profiles shall be prepared on the same size sheets and
in the same manner as the Final Plat. They shall show
the followings
(1) Subdivision name, date, scale, legend, and
northpoint for each key plan.
(2) Key location plan, showing side lines, curb lines, ,
center line, points of tangency, length of tangents,
length of curves, and radii of curves, for each proposed
street in the subdivision, together with all buildings,
walks, drives, and other existing fixtures within forty
feet of the sidelines of such street. Center lines,
points of tangency, and figures shall be in red; other
data shall be in black. Proposed names of streets
shall be shown after such names have been approved by
the Board.
(3) Directly above or below the key plan of each street,
a profile showing existing and proposed grades along the
center line and side lines of that street, together with
figures of elevation at the top and bottom of all even
grades and at 25 -foot intervals along all vertical curves.
The horizontal scale of'the profiles shall be the same
as that of the key plan; the vertical scale shall be
exaggerated ten times. Lines and figures indicating
existing conditions shall be in black; lines and figures
Indicating proposed grades shall be in red. Both i3hall
be referred to Lexington datum plane.
SECTION VII. CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS. (1) Construction
specifications for roadways, sewer, water and drain
lines, stone monuments, etc. shall conform to the standards I
of the Town prevailing at the time of approval.
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(2) Inspection of all construction work shall be per-
formed by the Board of Public Works or its duly authorized
agent at the expense of the contractor or subdivider.
(3) All engineering services in connection therewith
shall be furnished by and at the expense of the con-
tractor or subdivider.
(4) Upon completion of such work, satisfactory to the
Department of Public Works, certificates of approval
shall be issued to the subdivider and to the Building
Inspector.
ARCHIBALD R. GIROUX BOARD
WILLIAM G. POTTER
A. EDWARD ROWSE OF
ERROL H. LOCKE
GEORGE W. SARANO SURVEY
A telegram from Edith.Nourse Rogers anda letter from
David I. Walsh were received advising that the W.P.A. school W.P..A*
lunchroom project had been approved. Mr. Rowse moved that Project
Mr. Beach be instructed to proceed with the project as soon
as the State Administrator approves the project. Mr. Potter
seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Clerk was
instructed to request Mr. Beach to try to take the women for
this project from the Welfare rolls as far as possible.
Mr. Rowse moved that the Town Meeting be adjourned from Town
March 4th to March 25th, 1940, rather than March 18, 1940, Meeting
Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Notice was received from Robert Whitney of the ex-
piration of fire insurance policy in the sum of $11,100.
on Feb. 8th. Mr. Potter moved that the policy be renewed
fora period of five years through Mr. Whitney's office.
Mr. Sarano seconded the motionand it was so voted.
Insurance
Mr. Rowse moved that an article be inserted in the
warrant for the Annual Town Meeting to see if the Town will Article
vote to authorize the Selectmen to place not exceeding 50%
of the town fire insurance in agency mutual companies. Mr.
Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from the Secretary of the Allied 19th of
Veterans Council advising that the following were appointed April
to the 19th of April Committee for 1940: Claude A. Palmer, Committee
Chairman, A. Thomas Ferry, Irving L. Moore, Albert A. Miller,
and Julius Seltzer. Mr. Locke moved that the suggested
committee be appointed. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and
it was so voted,
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Mr. Potter moved that the following licenses be granted:
Mr. Carroll remained at the meeting and said that last
Town year he merely printed figures giving the vital statistics
Clerks and did not give any names as had been the practice in
report, previous years. This was done upon the request of the
Selectmen. He said he, had received a protest against this
form of report and wondered if the Selectmen wished him to
submit a list in the same form .this year. The Chairman in-
formed him that the Board would like it in the same form as
last year. Mr. Carroll retired at 8:45 P.M.
The Assessors appeared before the Board at 8:45 P.M.
Chairman Steeyes said that the Assessors were going to make
a drive for personal taxes this year which would mean more
clerical work and also, three sets of books rather than two
would have to be made up. Excise taxes are making an enormous
amount of extra work each year. Mr. Spencer said that he
wanted a clerk to work full time from now until the latter
part of June on accumulated work and her services would be.
needed for the balance of the year getting ready for 1941.
Mr. Spencer said he had a card index system of which he was
very proud and unless it was kept up to date, it was of no
use. This year they have to prepare three books for the State
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Swenson Brothers - 210 Marrett Road - Past. of Milk License
Licenses.
Mary F. Jaynes - 1840 Mass. Ave. - Common Victuallerls',
Countryside, Inc. - 400 Lowell Street - It n
Countryside, Inc. - 400 Lowell Street - Methyl Alcohol)
Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Carroll appeared before the Board for the drawing
Juror
of a juror to serve on civil business, first session, at
Cambridge beginning Feb. 12, 1940. Mr. Alfred C. Mortimer,
Jr. of 14 Dexter Road, was the juror drawn.
The Registrars of Voters appeared at 8:00 P.M. The
Reg. of
Chairman stated that the meeting had been called to discuss
Voters'
budgets. The first item discussed was Registrar's salaries
budget.
in the amount of $300.00. Mr. George H. Lowe stated that
this was an increase of $100. He said that he was surprised
that an increase of $100. only was requested as he thought
the Board was going to ask for an increase to $100. for each
member. They have four periods of registration which last
from two to four hours and the last day they have to be on
duty ten hours. The Registrars have to be at the polls when
they open and must remain there until the last vote is
counted which is often three or four o'clock in the morning.
The Board has regular meetings; the members act as Ballot -law
Commissioners; they act as Election Commissioners; and they
have to take charge of re-counts. Mr. Lowe said he thought
that each member should receive $100, per year. Mr. Truesdell
presented a list of the amounts paid Registrars in surround.-
Ing communities, which the Chairman read.
The Selectmen said that the matter would be discussed
further and the registrars retired.
Mr. Carroll remained at the meeting and said that last
Town year he merely printed figures giving the vital statistics
Clerks and did not give any names as had been the practice in
report, previous years. This was done upon the request of the
Selectmen. He said he, had received a protest against this
form of report and wondered if the Selectmen wished him to
submit a list in the same form .this year. The Chairman in-
formed him that the Board would like it in the same form as
last year. Mr. Carroll retired at 8:45 P.M.
The Assessors appeared before the Board at 8:45 P.M.
Chairman Steeyes said that the Assessors were going to make
a drive for personal taxes this year which would mean more
clerical work and also, three sets of books rather than two
would have to be made up. Excise taxes are making an enormous
amount of extra work each year. Mr. Spencer said that he
wanted a clerk to work full time from now until the latter
part of June on accumulated work and her services would be.
needed for the balance of the year getting ready for 1941.
Mr. Spencer said he had a card index system of which he was
very proud and unless it was kept up to date, it was of no
use. This year they have to prepare three books for the State
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three for themselves, and three for the Tax Collector. Mr.
Spencer said that if he didn't feel that he needed the girl,
' he would not ask for her. He spent about $300. for extra
clerical help this year. Mr. Rowse asked why N.Y.A. girls
would not work out all right. Mr. Spencer said that one
girl could work only 55 hours a month and it would mean
breaking in two girls. Mr. Rowse asked if this would be a
permanent addition to his department, and Mr. Spencer said
that he hoped so. Mr. Spencer said that his clerk spent
a great deal of her time answering telephone calls. The sum
of $510.00 was requested for Expenses as compared with $400
in 1939. It was necessary to request a transfer of $107.
in 1939 so the 1940 estimate is based on 1939 expenditures.
Mr. Spencer said that he was requesting $40. for a folding
gate to be placed over his counter and closed at night so
that people could not climb over the counter.
Mr. Potter asked the Assessors how they would feel
about having their terms expire on Dec. 31st rather than Assessors'
on March 31st, and they all felt that it was the proper terms*
expiration date. He suggested that the members resign on
December 31st instead of carrying over until March 31st and
they all agreed that they would do so.
The Assessors retired at 9:07 P.M.
Mr. Morse appeared before the Board at 9:15 P.M. to Welfare
discuss welf are.matters and retired at 10:00 P.M.
' Mr. Morse said that last Wednesday there was a
conference at the State House and the State was notified
that it would have to submit to the Social Security Board
a statement of persons employed in all welfare departments
before Feb. 1, 1940. Mr. Morse talked with Clifford Cook,
the agent in Arlington who is a member of the State
Association, who said that three plans for qualifying had Morse
been submitted as follows: competitive examination; non- appointment -
competitive examination; and automatic qualification after
three years' employment. Mr. Rowse asked if this was a merit
system, and -Mr. Morse replied in the affirmative. Mr. Cook
said that inasmuch as Mr. Morse was acting in a temporary
capacity, he would not be approved. Mr. Cook suggested that
Mr. Morse be appointed agent before Wednesday, Jan. 17th if
possible. Mr. Morse retired.
Mr. Rowse moved that George V. Morse be appointed
Welfare Agent in the Town of Lexington. Mr. Locke seconded
the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Raymond appeared at 10:02 P.M.
Letter was received from Francis Dailey of 18 Bowker
Street relative to the estimate of the cost, of construction
of Bowker Street. Mr. Dailey said the abutters felt that Bowker
there were several parcels of land, including corner lots, Street
which had not been included in the estimate and which, if
included, would reduce the cost to the abutters. Mr. Ray-
mond said that if the Selectmen determined that those corner
lots should be assessed a betterment and the Selectmen felt
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they could prove the betterment to the lots, it would be all
right to assess them. The lots Mr. Dailey referred to are on
Mass. Ave. in one case and on Taft Ave., an accepted street,
In another case, Mr. Raymond said he did not believe that
if the owners protested the betterment that the Selectmen
could prove the betterment in court, and would have to abate
the assessment. He suggested that Mr. Dailey be advised
that the betterments on these corner lots could not be
enforced but if the owners agreed to pay the betterments,
it would be all right to include them. The Clerk was in-
structed to so advise Mr. Dailey.
Letter was received from one Mary J. Wellington of
Manchester, N.H. stating that she was the grand -daughter of
Wellington the Peter Wellington who owned the Wellington homestead now
Lane Ave. owned by the Minute -Man Golf Club. Miss Wellington stated
she noticed a street sign designating a new road as.Welling-
ton Lane Ave. She wondered why the street was named both Lane
and Avenue and suggested that the Avenue be dropped. Mr.
Raymond said that this was a private way and that if the
people did not want to have the name changed, the Town
Meeting would have to do it.
The Clerk was instructed to tell Miss Wellington that
the Selectmen were taking the matter under consideration.
The matter of the Holmes lots on Waltham Street was
discussed. Mr. Ray23iond said that all that was necessary
Holmes was to round the corner and keep the land that is within the
lots- sixty foot taking for Vine Brook.
Waltham St. The Board felt that it did not care to sell the lots
for less than $1500. and the Clerk was instructed to so
advise boyh Mr. Edward B. O'Connor and the L. J. Reynolds
Real Estate Co.
The Chairman stated that he talked with Mr. Eddy today
Supt. of and asked him if he could arrange it so that Mr. Raymond
Public could have one month here if he finds he has to leave. They
Works worked out this program. Mr. Raymond will stay for one week
from the date he receives notice to leave here and for the
three weeks following,,everything possible will be done by
Metcalf & Eddy to arrange for Mr. Raymond to come out here
for such time as he is needed.
The matter of plowing Dr. Rochette's driveway was dis-
Snow cussed. Mr. Raymond said that in the first place, the Town
plowing. could not go into private property and plow snow, and in the
second place, Bedford Street is a state highway and is therefor
plowed by the State. It was decided to advise Dr. Rochette
of these two facts and tell him that it would be impossible
for the town to plow his driveway.
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Mr. Raymond stated that Mr. William E. Fiske had claimed '
damages in connection with takings on Vine Brook and flowage
rights, Butterfield's Pond. Mr. Raymond discussed this with
Mr. Wrightington at length in view of his decision on the
Fiske Mabey case in which he ruled that the original award must
claim. stand inasmuch as no claim was filed within the time limit.
In the Fiske claim, two takings were within that category.
However, in the taking for flowage rights, suit can be filed
as late as Feb. 13th. Mr. Fiske asked for damages totaling
' $400. plus about $20. for his estimate of the cost of well
points to make his well deeper. Mr. Raymond pointed out to
Mr. Wrightington that an award of about $80 had been made to
Mr. Fiske in the flowage taking and just a few dollars in
the leasehold interest taking. He asked Mr. Wrightington
if he would make a recommendation or suggestion as to what
he would approve as a fair offer to Mr. Fiske under the
circumstances. Mr. Wrightington replied that he thought
$250.00 was a fair offer. Mr. Rat;mond asked the Board's
approval to approach Mr. Fiske on that basis. Mr. Rowse
moved that Mr. Raymond be given such authority. Mr. Sarano
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
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Mr. Raymond informed the Board that the Sacred Heart
Church had requested the use of Cary Hall on April 18th for
a Reunion. Mr. Rowse moved that the use of the hall be
granted subject to a charge of $15. Mr. Locke seconded the
motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Raymond reported that the Directors of the Chamber
of Commerce had requested the use of the Conference Room
on January 17th. Mr. Potter moved that this be granted
free of charge. 11r. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so
voted.
Mr. Raymond reported that the Retail Division of the
Chamber of Commerce had requested the use of the Conference
Room on Thursday, Jan. 18th. The Board felt that the Retail
Division could meet in some one of the stores up town and
Mr. Potter said that he would talk to Mr. F. K. Johnson
about it.
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Use of
Hall.
Letter was received from Metcalf & Eddy recommending Change
the issuance of a change order on Contract 4, North Lex- order.
ington Sewer, on which A. P. Rounds is the contractor, grant-
ing an extension of time for completion of the contract of
65 days. The reason for the recommended extension is due to
interference on the part of the contractor for the furnishing
and placing of the equipment for the pumping station. Mr.
Raymond recommended that the change order be signed.
Mr. Rowse moved that the change order be signed as
requested. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so
voted.
Mr. Raymond said that some time ago, he received instru-
ctions to have Mr. Shea estimate the cost of painting the
East Lexinton Fire station. He made out the payroll in the Shea's
amount of V. for the Fire Department to sign, but the Chief wages
refusedto sign it. I;Ir. Shea was paid out of the Town Offices
accountand Mr. Raymond put through a transfer in the sum of
t$. from the -Fire Dept. to the Town Offices account. Chief
Taylor refused to sign the transfer. No action was taken
on the:matter,
Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee
relative to extra clerical hire. The Committee felt that Clerical
this extra expense could be avoided by the temporary loran, hire.
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of a clerk from one department to another. The Appropriation
Committee also recommended that a survey be made of the
office records detail to see whether or not non-essential
work was being carried on. Mr. Raymond said -he had made a
study of the matter and knew of no department which could do
without its clerk for any extended length of time. The
Town Engineer talked with him on the matter and agreed tol.
have his clerical work done by one of the girls in the Water
Department during business hours. Mr. Rowse moved that the
department heads be instructed to consult with the Supt. of
Public Works when temporary clerical help is needed. Mr.
Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Raymond said he had checked the matter of office
records detail and found that the records being kept were
essential and that in most cases, the superintendents
desired more detailed records but their clerks did not have
time to keep them. He did not feel that the offices were
over -staffed.
The Clerk was instructed to ask the Appropriation '
Committee if they had any suggestions on the subject.
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Letter was received from Mrs. William Kenney who wrote
(Drainage-
in behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Franceschelli and Mr. and Mrs.
Guy Appollonio. Mrs. Kenney wanted to know if the brook
Frances-
which runs through her parent's property was going to be
ehelli
cleaned before time for spring planting. She said that they
land.
were promised that the brook would be cleaned out before
spring of 1940.
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Mr. Raymond said that the project for the drainage
of the South Branch area of Vine Brook was submitted to the
W.P.A. and disapproved because the Town had not completed
the Vine Brook P.W.A. project. He planned to re -submit
the project at an early date and believed it would be
approved this year. He said it was not much of a chore
to send a gang of men to clean the brook where it runs
through the Franceschelli land and he thought this should
be done if the W.P.A. project was not started in time.
Mr. Rowse moved that the 1Y.P.A. project be re -submitted.
Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Street
Mr. Raymond said as far as he could find out, there was
lights,
no agreements with the Lexington Trust Co. relative to street
lights in front of the bank whereby the town pays the Trust
Company for two street lights. If the lights were not
there for the Trust Company, Mr. Raymond thought we would
have to have two street lights anyway. Mr. Rowse suggested
that Mr. Raymond talk with Mr. Walker to see how the Bank
would feel about assuming the whole cost of the lights.
Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee
stating that in a discussion with Mr. Plxten, he suggested
Snow
utilizing regular town employees from other departments,
Removal
such as the Engineers, to assist in the supervision of snow
removal. Mr. Paxton thought that this would substantially
increase the efficiency and economy of snow removal. Mr.
Raymond said there was no question but that in a great snow
storm it would be logical to have the Engineers or some other
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town employees supervise the removal of snow. He said Mr.
Paxton felt that two i?ien from the Engineering Department
should be broken in so that they would know what was going
on. He suggested that the next time there is a snow storm,
a couple of engineers be put on snow removal. The Chairman
suggested that this matter be left to the Supt. of Public
Work to work out and there was no objection.
Commitment of Water Miscellaneous Charges in the amount
of $18.00 was signed by the Board. Commitment
The meeting adjourned at 11;25 P. M.
A true record, Attest. -
Clerk.