HomeMy WebLinkAbout1940-03-04SELECTMENIS MEETING
' MARCH 41 1940.
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held
in the Selectments Room, Town Office Building, at 7130 P.'M,
Chairman Giroux, Messrs. Potter, Locke and Sarano were present.
The Clerk was also present.
At 700 P.M. the Town Clerk appeared before the Board for
the drawing of a juror to serve on civil business at Lowell, Juror,
first session beginning Monday April lat. Mr. Frederick C.
Hadley, draftsman, of 12 Bertwell Road, was the juror drawn.
Letter was received from Mr. John W. Raymond, Jr.,
notifying the Selectmen that in accordance with Section 15,
Chapter 40, G.L., the right taken by eminent domain of a
temporary leasehold interest in the location described underllo
in the Order of Taking dated September 274 1938, on lands now
or formerly of Colonial Garage, Inc., said taking being recorded
In Middlesex South District of Deeds, Book 6248, Page 2, and Lease -
consisting of the right to use said land by the Selectmen or hold
other duly authorized agents of the Town or contractors with interest
the Town and their agents or servants for the operation of Release
engineers and workmen, and the storage of equipment and of
' materials for construction, or materials removed from construction,
or for any other purpose in the construction of said public works,
Including the right to erect and maintain such temporary office
quarters and shelters as may be reasonably necessary, is no
longer required for public purposes.
Mr. Raymond said he believed there should have been an
article in the Warrant for the Annual Meeting to effect the Supple -
abandonment of this easement. He talked to Mr. Wrightington mentary
on the matter and he thought it would be in order for a Warrant,
supplementary warrant.to be mailed in the same envelope with
the Appropriation Committee Report. Mr. Raymond suggested the
form of article.
Mr. Locke moved that a supplementary warrant be prepared
to takcare of this matter.
Zetter was received from the Town Accountant relative to
the article in the warrant for ansap ropriation for Unemploy-
ment Relief, Mr. Russell said that Uhapter 46 was enacted Art* re
last year and this extended the time in which towns might funds
appropriate money for temporary emergency unemployment relief. for Un -
This legislation provided that any town may by a two-thirds employ -
vote establish and appropriate money for a separate fund for ment
expenditure by or under the direction of the boards or relief,
officers in charge of Town departments, subject to the a proval
of a board of administration consistingor own.o�icers
s as the Town shall, y iEs vote, dteFE19J,, ror t,e
construction,, improvement or.repair or p� ways,,.public parks,
' sewer and water supply systems, municipal buildings, and other
municipal works of undertaking whereby empolyment may be
afforded to citizens of the Town, who shall be determined in
such manner as the Town shall. by Its vo to. Drescribe to be
IN need thereof; or for the purchase or hire of materials,
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supplies and equipment and the employment of labor for the
furtherance of,or as the contribution of the Towh to any
federal unemployment relief project undertaken or to be
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undertaken within the Town. It therefor will be necessary to
first designate the board of administration and secondly, to
designate the citizens to be afforded employment. The letter
further stated that we have previously had an appropriation for
purchase of materials and equipment and for wages of super-
intendence on public works projects on which welfare aid recipients
may be required to work. The last time an appropriation was made
for this purpose was under.Article 28 of the annual 1938 warrant,
and as of March 1st, there was a balance in that account of
$563.15. Mr. ussell suggested that an article similar to
Article 28 in the 1938 warrant to appropriate money For unem-
ployment relief be submitted.
Mr. Locke moved that this article be inserted in the
Article
supplementary warrant. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and
It was so, voted.
Letter was received from the Town Accountant calling the
Boards attention to the fact that a Fire Dept* payroll was
listed on the warrant today in the amount of $135, for pay for
Emergency
extra duty. This extra duty payroll has been.occasioned by
Fire Dept,
the extra traffic work being performed by the Fire Dept, to
budgito
protect children. Mr. Russell said that this was a larger
amou#t than was expended for the same purpose in any one nmonth
in 1939.
Mr. Sarano moved that the Selectmen declare the existence
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of an emergency under the provisions of Section 31, Chapter 44
General Laws. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was unan-
imously voted.
The Chairman said that Mr. Paxton tried out plowing the
side walk on Mass. Ave. early today and found that it could be
done very easily so with the approval of three members of the
Board, Paxton was told to plow Mass. Ave. Sidewalks to the
Arlington line. Mr. Potter moved that the action of the majority
of the Board in ordering this work done be approved. Mr. Sarano
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from the Town Counsel. He said he
had reviewed Mr.C1ay Gleason's letter of February 23rd
regarding transportation by M.P.A. men of -other W.P.S. men.
The Clerkwas instructed to give a copy of Mr. Wrightington's
letter and one of Mr. Gleason's letter to Mr. Raymond and ask
him to go over bothofthem and give the board his opinion
on the matter.
The Chairman said that the Appropriation Commtttee had
taken up the matter of an ambulance and voted to approve a sum
not to exceed $2100, for the purchase of one. The Appropriation
Committee approved of a suggestion which has been made that '
the ambulance be known as the Vetbranst Memorial Ambulance and
that it be purchased from the balance of the fund that has been
outstanding for years for a veteran*? memorial. The same
suggestion has been made with reference to the land on Clarke
Street and also that it be suggested to the Town Meeting that
' when the Town extends the Cary Library, if ever, the wing on
Clarke Street would be known as,the Veterans' Memorial Wing,
The Appropriation Committee approved of this.
Mr. Potter moved that the Selectmen approve of it. Mr.
Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted.
The Clerk was instructedtto write the Rev. Paul H.
Chapman and tell him that the Selectmen and the Appropriation
Committee approved of the suggestion that the funds be trans-
ferredi'from the Veterans# Memorial Fund and that when a wing
is built that it be known as the Veterans' Memorial Wing.
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Land on
Clarke
Street.
Letter was received from Clayton F. Beach relative to
the Liberty Heights sewer project. He was_imformed that Lib.Htga
Washington had asked for a official project number, which W.P.A.
meant that the work had been approved although' said approval sewer
had not reached Boston as yet.
At 81 P.M. Messrs. Paxton and Ross appeared beforetthe
Board to discuss the matter of wage rates. Mr. Ross said
that Mr. Paxton, Mr. Garrity and he discussed the matter and Wage
considered the hourly rates. Where they thought a man should scale,
be increased, they made a note of it. When they got through
they were pretty much satisfied that the men in each depart-
ment would be on an equal basis. Mr. Ross said that he had
four men that would go from 55 cents to 60 cents per hour and
' one man would go from 50 cents to 55 cents per hour. The fops
men first named hangle equipment.
The Chairman asked if the men would average a fairly good
week's pay if they were given this increase and the work went
along in the same way it did last year and Mr. Ross replied
ih the affirmative. He said the chances were that they would
get some work connecting house sewers as,a result of the W.P.A.
sewers.
Mr. Paxton said that if at any time during the year he or
Mr. Ross felt the need of hiring additional men, they mould
confer to see if there were men available in the other depart-
ment before hiring outsiders.
Mr. toss said that that would cost an additional $433. per
year but that he would not require an additional appropriation.
Beginning May 1st he would have two less men and he would not
attempt to replace them. Their pay will offset this increase.
Mr. Paxton said that the rates of pay had been, based on the
schedule of minimums and maximums for laborers, equipment
operators and foremen. He said that he was figuring on
increasing fourteen men in his department and he was co#fident
that his appropriation would be sufficient to cover the
increases. He said that in 1939 two of his men retired and one
man got throughtso there are three less regular men. One man
retired the first of this year. Mr. Paxton said that Mr.
' Garrity had only four men that were affected.
The Chairman asked about the Public aaorks Building
employees and Mr. Ross said that he. had charge of them.L Mr.
Raymond included enough in his budget to pay Stone $22.00
per week, Cassella $22.00 per week, Devey (Blacksmith). $.60
m
Sidewalk
plowing.
Snow
Removal
funds,
per hour and Barry (modha.nic) $35.00 er_week. The three men
felt that Mr. Devey should receive a 1.05 per hour increase
and that Mr. Barry's rate was all rig4t: The Chairman said
that inasmuch as the Public Works Building.budget would not
allow for increases, he suggested that the other increases be
granted and that Mr. Ross submit his budget next year with
recommended rates included.
Mr. Paxton said that the matter of holidays with pay
Was discussed and all three men agreed that the men should be
granted two other holidays with pay, the fourth of July abd
Labor Day. The Town pays for Christwxs:. and Thanksgiving and
that is all, although the men have•to take other holidays off
and do not get paid.
Mr. Marano moved that the increases for the Highway Dept,
Water and Sewer Dept. and Park Department employees as
Itemized on the submitted lists -be approved. Mr. P&tier
seconded the motion and it was so voted. This vote was passed
with the understanding that the department heads stay within
their budgets.
Mr. Sarano moved that the men in the Highway, Water and
Sewer and Park Depprtments be granted two additional holidays
with pay, the fourth of July and Labor Day. Mr. Potter
seconded the motion and it was so -voted.
The Chairman asked Mr. Paxton what he recommended on
plowing the sidewalks. Mr. Paxton recommended continuing
on Mass. Ave. to Cedar Street, Bedford Street from the center
to Parker School, Woburn Street from Mass. Ave.tb Utica Street,
and Waltham Street from Mass. Ave. to either Marrett Road or
Brookside Avenue. He said that if those were done, probably he
would get complaint from Mrs. Dailey Sh Marrett Road Aad he
thought perhaps it would be well to do Marrett Road from
Bacon Street to Mass. Avenue. His estimated cost for this
work was $250.00.
The Chairman asked if he had any idea how much money he
had spent on snow removal. He said that up to last Thursday
night, they had spent a total of $100974.84. The Road
Machinery bill is $1456.02 for Fepruary, making a total of
$13,430.88 to date. The Chairman asked Mr. Paxton if he
would have ready for March 18th a written report on everything
spent on snow removal to that date so that the Board would know
how much money would have to be appropriated for Snow Removal.
He asked that this figure include the funds for setting out
snow fence in the fall.
Mr. Locke asked Mr. Paxton about Hancock Street. He said
Snow that it was very flat and in rather bad.condition because it
Removal was so slushy and wet. If given authority, he would do the
main streets first and Hancock Street next, as he considered
that was more or less a main streat.
They retired at 8t30 P. M.
Mr. Sarano moved that the sum of $2506 for sidewalk
plowing be approved, this amount to be charged to the Snow
Removal appropriation. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and
it was so voted.
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Mr. Morse appeared before the Board at 8140 P.M.
relative to Welfare matters.
Welf Ore,
A petition signed by the abutters of Cary Avenue re-
glursting that a schedule of estimated betterments for the con- Cary
struction of that satreet be prepared, was received. The Clerk Ave.
was instructed to turn the matter over to the Town Engineer.
The Clerk informed the Board that the P.T.A. wanted to
change their request for the use of Estabrook Hall during the
day to the following dates, the meetings to be held in the
evenings April 5, 12, and 26, May 3, and May 10th. Mr. Locke
moved that the new dates be approved. Mr. Potter seconded
the motion and it was so voted.
The.Red Cross requested the use of the Conference Roost
on March 12th, the Tenement House Committee requested the
use of the Conference Room on March 8th and the Chamber of
Commerce requested the use of the Conference Room on March 7th,
Mr.. Locke moved that the uses be granted as requested. Mr.
Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted.
The Chairman said that a new group of about forty
townspeople had been formed who called themselves the Lexington
Choral Society. They had requested the use of Estabrook Hall
for eleven Monday evenings as followst March 11, 18, 250
April 1, 80 150 229 290 May 6, 130 and 20. Mr. Potter moved
that the use of Estabrook Hall on those evenings be approved
provided there were no other engagements. Mr. Saran seconded
the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was rectived from the Appropriation Committee
stating that they mould recommend that the Assessors be
authorized to use the amount of $20,000. from Be & D. -toward
the reduction of the 1940 tax rate. The Commissioner of
Corporations:and Taxation has furnished advice that the
maximum amount that the Town will be permitted to transfer
is $36,000. Mr. Potter moved that the selectmen approve
of the recommendation that $20,000, be used toward the
reductio# of the 1940 tax rate. Mr. Saran seconded the
motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Potter said that his committee had looked at
Lot 75 on Marrett Road" which Mr. F. E. Litchfield offered
to purchase for $100.00'. They recommended that the offer
be accepted. Mr. Locke moved that the lot be sgld to Mr.
Litchfield for the -sum of $100.00 and the Town Counsel
requested to prepare the deed. Mr. Sarano secoftded the motion
and it was so voted.
Use of
Hall .
Use of
Estabrool
Hall*
E. & D.
Sale of
lot.
The Chairman said that the Selectmen originally approved
20,000. for W.P.A. and the Appropriation Committee approved
' 11,000.. The Appropriation Committee has now approved $15,124,
which is the figure Mr. Beach gave as the cost of all projects W.P.A.
outside of sewer projects. Mr. Saran moved that the previous budget.
vote of the Board to approve $20,000. for W.P.A. be rescinded
and that the Selectmen approve $15,124. for the 1940 budget.
Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Reserve
Fund
Budget.
W.P.A.
sewers -
The Chairman said that the Appropriation Committee was
requesting $159000. for the Reserve Fund and $115,064.50 for
charities$ feeling that it undoubtedly will be necessary to
transfer money from the Reserve Fund for charities sometime
during the year. Mr. Potter moved that the Chairman be
instructed to suggest to the Town Meetingg that it approve
the Selectmen's total welfare figure of �p123,308,57 and that
it reduce the -Reserve Fund by the difference between that
figure and the amount recommended by the Appropriation
Committee for charities of $115, 164.50. Mr. Locke Seconded
the motion and it was so voted.
The Chairman said that Mr. Beach figured the Town's
cost for.the three W.P.A. sewer projects at $71,297,006
However, it may cost the Town an additional $5400, for
unaccepted streets and $10,140, for materials requested from
the Government which may not -be approved. Therefor, it is
ossible that the total Town s share will be $87,837, or about
88,000. The Char
,J*an said-fhat'if by the time of Town Meet-
ing we have not heard from the Government, that the Town
Meeting be requested to authorize the borrowing of $88,000o
in order tote on the safe side. 0f course if It is not all
needed, it will not be borrowed, lie told Mr. Merriam about
this and -Mr. Merriam agreed with him. He said the Approp-
riation Qormi.ttee and Selectmen were going to feet on March
18th with Messrs. Beach and Cosgrove and probably could
decide on the final figure at that time.
Commitments of water rates, water miscellaneous charged*
Cowdtw, .water liens and water assessment abatement were signed.
menta
The meeting adjoumed at 9150 P. M.
A true record, Attest t
Clerk.
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