HomeMy WebLinkAbout1940-03-111
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N I
SELECTMEN'S MEETING
MARCH L1, 1940
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held
in the Sielectments Room, Town Office Building, at 700 P.M.
Messrs. Potter, Giroux, Sarano and Locke were present. The
Clerk was also present.
Mr. Giroux said that there was no Chairman of the Board
at the mteoment, and he therefor moved that Mr. Locke be appointed
temporary Chairman, pending the election of the permanent
Chairman. Mr. Sarano seconded the mdtion and it was so voted.. Organisa-
Mr. Giroux said that Mr. Potter was the senior member tion.
of the Board and had the longest experience and an excellent
knowledge of town affairs. He believed that the nomination as
Chairman of the Board was due. Potter, and he so moved.
Mr. Sarano said that he, for,f' ways looked to Mr. Potter
for guidance when he was in doubt on any measure, as he felt
that he was very fair and impartial, and very well informed on
town affairs. He said that it would give him great pleasure
to second Mr. Girouxts motion.
Mr. Potter said that he thought that Mr. Giroux had done
excellent work as Chairman of the Board, and he thought that
the best interests of the town would be served if Mr. Giroux
would apt in this capacity during the coming years. He then
requested that the motion just made be withdrawn, and Mr.
Giroux said that he was willing to withdraw his motion in view
of Mr. Potter's request.
Mrs Potter then moved that Mr. Giroux be elected Chair-
man of the Board of Selectmen for the coming year. Mr. Sarano
seconded the motion and it was so voted unanimously (Mr. Rowse
withing to be recorded in favor),
Mr. Giroux thanked the Board for its continued faith in
him and said that the past year had been the most pleasant
since he had been a member of the Board of Selectmen; and that
while times had been difficult, the Board had worked harmoniously,
in a spirit of friendship, toward the best interests of the Town
as it saw them.
Letter was received from Mr. Raymond relative to private
ears transporting W.P.A. workmen. He said that he understood
that Workmen's Compensation Insurance carried by the Town did
not cover W.P.A. workmen and that none of the wages of the W.P.A.-
W.P.A. workmen were included when audits were prepared in trans -
determining the amount of insurance payments. Two years ago portatio
it was decided not to include W.P.A. and Welfare workers under
the Workmens' Compensation insurance. Mr. Raymond recommended
that the owner of the cars obtain insurance to provide for
extra territorial coverage and to provide for the transportation
of passengers for hire within the limits required, that is to
and from work. He thought that they should also obtain
insurance for property_ damage for the minimum limit for which
such insurance is ordingrily carried.
The Board discussed the matter and upon motion of Mr.
Locke, seconded by Mr. Potter, it was voted to deny Mr. Beach's
1:02
request for permission to allow private oars to transport
W.P.A. workmen to and from the jobs.
The Chairman informed the Board that the.total amount '
Snow spent for removal of snow from the sidewalks since the Fob.
Removal. 14th blizzard was $207.00.
Invitation was received from the Auxiliary of the V.F.N.
Invitation to attend an installation in Cary Hall on March 15th, The
Clerk was instructed to acknowledge the invitation with thanks.
Letter was received from the Disabled American Veterans
of the World War, Arlington Chapter #49 requesting a permit
to hold a carnival on Mass. Ave. opposite Sylvia Street on
Carnival the evenings of April 18th, 19th and 20th. Mr. Locke moved
that the organization be informed that the residents in Sast
Lexington had objected strenuously to such carnivals and %t
the Selectmen decided a year ago to allow only one carniva
ta
a year to be operated there, the matter of which organization
to hold the carnival to be decided by the various Lexington
organizations. Mr. Potter seeonded the mots n and it was so
voted.
Letter was recieved from Mrs. F. B. James requesting
Resigns.- that her name.not be considered when reappointments to the
tion. Dental Clinic Committee for 1940 were made. The Clerk was
instructed to acknowledge Mrs. James' resignation with regret.
Letter was received from Luther R, Putney requesting '
that his name not be considered when reappoihtmentl to the
» Bureau of Old Age Assistance for 1940. were made.' t V"
decided to write to Mr..Putney and ask him if he would rs-
consider the matter.
Letter was received from Mr. W. S. Caouette on beUolf
of Mrs. Hallie C. Blake requesting that estimates be prepared
for the construction of Blake Ave. from Patriots Drive to
Edgewood Road, under the Betterment Act so that work could be
started this spring. The Clerk was instructed to inform Mr.
Caouette that it was too late to do anything on the street
this spring but that the Engineering work would be done when
possible.
Letter was received from Melin J..iadd of 1 Oakland
Street, Lexiogton, agent for the Hartford Fire Ins. 00.4
Insurance requesting that he be given consideration when insurance
policies are to be renewed or when now policies are to tie
written. The Clerk was instructed to place his name on
the list of those requesting permission to write torn
insurance.
Letter was received from Mr. Charles R. Soar of
298 Marrett Road requesting that he be considered in the ,
writing of some of the Town's insurance. The Clerk was
* instructed to place Mr..Soar's name on the.list of persons
requesting insurance. -
Bond in the penal sum of $1,000. written by the New
Amsterdam Casualty Co. on behalf of Mr. Charles E. Ferguson
' as Building Inspector of Lexiigton running from Beb. 1st, Bond
1940 to Feb, Ist, 1941 was received. Mr. Locke moved that
the bond be'approved by the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Saran
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was rea6ived from the State Dept. of Public
Health to which was attached copy of a letter from that W,P,A,
department to the Boston office of the W,P,A, approving the Sewer -
construction of sanitary sewers in Hancock Street, Merriam Hancock Ste
Street and Collidge Ave,, Merriam St. and Adams Street, ect,
Letter was received from Mr. Frederick S. Priest of
Watertown containing two proposals for the demolition of
the old Adams School. The Clerk was instructed to inform
Mr. Ptiest that no action would be taken on the matter
until after Town Meeting.
Letter was received from: the Town Accountwffi'k relative
fico the Publie Works, Labor, Materials & EMpenses account for
W.P.A. projects. Mr. Russell said that there was an over.
draft of $839,48 and a total expenditure of $6661,46 had been W,*.A,
made this year. This overdraft is permitted by the provisions account
of Chapter 180 of the Acts of 1938 which provides that cities
and towns may, in the period after the expiration of any
fiscal year and before the regular appropriations 4have been
made, incur liabilities for the purpose of provideing cooperation
with the Federal government in unemployment relief and other
projects, provided that liabilities incurred during said -
interval do not exceed in any one month, one -twelfth of the
sums spent for similar purposes during the preceding year.
During the year 1939 the total expenditures for Labor &
Materials was $19703.72 and one -twelfth of that amount is
41641,98, Therefor, during March, it will be possibAe to
incur liabilities and make payments to create an overdraft of
1$1641.98. As the overdraft now amounts to $839.48# only
$802.50 m0y be expended for the balance of the month.
Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Russell and Mr. Beach be in-
formed that the Selectmen were limiti#g the overdraft on Labor
& Materials for the balance of the month to $802.50, Mr,
Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr..Russell said that Sec. 8, Chapter 215 of the Acts
of 1939 provided thatta vote could be passed by two-thirds
of the Town Meeting Members declaring an emergency measure
necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health,
safety or convenience of the Town, which would make it
possible for funds to be used immediately rather than waiting
the usual five days after the dissolution of the meeting,
Mr, Russell suggested that it might be advisable to offer
a vote a t the Town Meeting to declare the vote for Labor and
Materials an emergency measure so that the money would be
' available immediately for expenditure- Mr. Potter moved that
Mr, Russell's suggestion be adopted. Mr. Locke seconded the
motion and it was so voted.
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Letter was received from the Town TreasurerstatingTax title that there was..a discrepancy in the title to lots 36 and 37
property Blbck 22; Dexter Road, which he previously notified the
Selectmen were the property of the Towyn and could be sold.
Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Carroll be requested to take
the matter up with the Town Counsel in an effort to obtain
a clear title to the land. Mr. Locke seconded the motion
and it was so voted.
Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Locke, the
following uses of halls were approved:
Lexington community Chest --Conference Room — March 21st,
Use of free of charge;
Hall. Eastern Star - Cary Hal l- June 8th - free of charge=
Boy Scouts, Cub Pack - April 13th - free of charge;
V.F.W.- Cary Hall, March 15th - free of charge.
Request war received from St. Brigid's Church for per•
mission to allow the Reunion on April 24th to run until one
ofclock rather than midnight. Mr. Potter moved thatt. the
request be granted subject to sn additional charge of $5.00.
Mr. Saran.o seconded the motio4L and it was so voted.
The Chairman said that the Board had allowed okay
$105. for automobile allowance for the Ntealth Inspector
and $50& will have been spent by April lat, leaving a
Autos balnace of only $55, for the rest of the year. He asked
allowanceif the Board wanted to have the changes in automobile
allowances effective on Jan. lat or April lots Mr. Potter
moved that the changes be effective on April let. Mr% Saraae
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
The Chairman-isaid that Jospph Vitale of Rawson Avenue
had complained about the drainage in front of his houses Mr.
Saran said that Bow Street was an accepted street that is
surfaced and it drains into another Otrest. There is a•large
Drainage porA of water at the intersection and Vitale's house is
Box St. opposite the intersection and the man cannot get into his
house without boots. There is no place for this water to
go as there is frost in the ground and the ground will not
absorb it. Mr. Aarano said he thought it would cost around
$1500, to corredt the situation. The Chairman said there
was no money to do the work so he suggested the matter be
held up to be considered when we get our new Supt. of Public
Works, a thought perhaps there might be money in E. & Ds
in the fall to do the work.
Mr. Potter moved that the Town "Ingineer be authorized
W.P.AO to send out betterment assessment schedules for the exingten
sewers Manor Sewers so the people would know before Torn Meeting what
their assessments amount to. Dir. Sarano seconded the motion
and it was so voted.
The Chairman said he did not believe that the Approp•
Preliminary riation Committee Report would be out in time to notify the
Town Town Meeting Members of the informal Town Meeting to be held
Meeting on March 19th. He suggested that the Town Meeting Members
be notified by post card and that the expense be charged
1
to the Unclassified Account. Mr. Potter moved that the
Chairmants suggestion be approved. Mr. Locke seconded the
' motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Locke moved that Mr. Moloy be instructed to request
small groups who have been granted permission to use Eatabrook
Hall to move into a conference room when practicable. Mr.
Dotter seconded the motion and it was so voted.
1
The Chairman said that the Board had approved the
purchase of a tractor from Road Machinery and the purchase
of a V -plow from Snow Removal. He said that if the tractor
was turned down, it would be unnecessary to purchase the
V—y1hew.and he wanted to know if in that event the Selectmen
wanted to recommend the purchase of four snow plows, at a
cost of $1200QVOQ from Snow Removal, The Board felt that
this was the thing to de.
The Chairman said tlat:.theSelectmen had recommended
certain increases in salaries but had taken no definite stand
on the question of a salary out. The Appropriation Committee
has taken a stand in opposition to any salary out. He wonted
to know what position the Board wanted to take should the
matter arise at the Town Meeting. Mr. Potter moved that the
Chairman be authorized to say that the Selectmen were opposed
to a salary cut. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was
so voted.
Flim
Use of
Hall.
Road
Machinery
Salaries
The Chairman said that Mrs. Malcom Fuller of 32 Independ-
Onoe Ave. had requ9sted that a police officer be stationed Police
at the intersection of Mass. Ave. and Independence Ave..as Protection
children were going to and from scho6l and sidewayks were.not children
plowed on the westerly aide of Mass. Avenue. Mr. Sarano said
that there was an officer at that location this morning.
Mr. Morse appgared before the Board relative to Welfare
matters. Welfare
The meeting adjourned at 9t2b P. M.
A true record, Attestt
Clerk.