HomeMy WebLinkAbout1940-03-18SELECTMENtS MEETING
' MARCH 180 1940
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held
in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Buildigg, at 7:30 P.M.
Chairman Giroux, Messrs. Potter, Locke and Sarano were
present. The Clerk was also present.
Mr. Morse appeared before the Board relative to
Welfare matters at 7;30 P.M.
At 8:11 P.M., the Appropriation Committee and the
Board of Assessors appeared before the Board. The Chairman
said that the purpose of the meetift was to get an expression
of opinion from the Assessors on the percentage of estimated
receipts they would use this year in arriving at the tax
rate.
Chairman Steeves of the Board of Assessors said that
his Board had not taken any action on the matter as yet.
He said the Appropriation Committee had a figure of an es-
timated tax rate but the Assessors did not know where they
got it. Mr. Merriam said that the Appropriation Committee
giguredd on 85% of the 1939 receipts. The Chairman said he
thought it very unfair for the Selectmen and Appropriation
Committee to ask the Assessors to use 100% of last yearts
receipts. He said he took that position last year aha had
not changed his opinion. He said it was not conservative and
he believed it would be taking too much of a chance. He
said he thought the farthest they should go would 'ge to 90,%.
He hoped they would not go down to 80% as that would throw
the figures all off.
Mr. Merriam said the Appropriation Committee used a
figure of $2660000. Accountant Russell said he simply
took the Town receipts over which the Assessors have control
and they figured $265,000. Mr. Merriam said that the
Appropriation Committee knew that the tax rate was the
Assessors' province, and they tried to explain that they
simply figured on a rate because the town expects them to
make some sort of a forecast and that is what they tried to
do.
. Mr. Steeves said they did not know what the tax rate
was going to be because they did not know what the people
were going to vote at the Town Meeting. He said they,did
not know what the valuation was yet or what they were going
to g -et on personal taxes. He said the Assessors had received
a letter from Tax Commissioner Long stating that no Boards
of Selectmen or Appropriation Committees could set the tax
rate. The Chairman said that both Boards understood that
the Selectmen and the Appropriation Committee had no right
' to set the tax rate. Mr. Steeves said the Assessors thought
It rather foolish to set the tax rate at #30* this year
as it will have to be.put right back again next year. He
said there was no sense in putting off construction work as
it had to be done some day.
107
Welfare
Tax rate
108
0.4
r�
Cf3
Mr. Steeves said that the Assessors asked for a full.
time extra clerk and they were given -only enough *oney to
hire a clerk temporarily. He said that they jAight just as
well have been given the money they requested as they will
'
have to have the extra clerk anyway. Mr. Steeves said they
understood that there would be no raises in any of the
departments this year and in accordance with the request of
the Appropriation Committee, they asked for none. He said
Assessors'Miss Ready has been in the department for eighteen years
clerks and she never got her out back. He said she should be given
$l, more in order to get back to what she was receiving before
the salary cut. She would be happy if she got the out baiflc.
The Assessors retired at 8:25 P.M.
Mr. Merriam said the Appropriation Committee asked the
departments to keep their budgets as low as possible but they
did not specifically mention that no increases should be
asked.. The matter of Miss Ready's salary wqs discussed last
year and one of the members of the Board of Selectmen felt
that what she was receiving was all that the position was
worth.
The Chairman asked if the Selectmen wanted to make any
changes. Mr. Potter stated that he was of the opinion that
her present salary was all that the position was worth. If
there is extra help needed, he thought perhaps they should
be given it. Mr. Merriam said they had the Assessors' office
in mind when they asked that girls be taken from other offices
when the Assessors' work was at itseak. He said the had
p y
given the Assessors enough money to pay a girl until June
'
and they thought that perhaps they could arrange their work
so they could get along the balance of the year without
extra help. Mr. Potter said he believed that the work in
the Assessors Office8 of more complicated all the time.
Merriam said that perhaps it did and it might be an injustice
in not giving them a full time clerk and if so, they might
have to give them something from the Reserve Fund. He asked
if any of the members of the Appropriation Committee wanted
to make any change in Miss Ready's. salary, and none diff.
The Chairman said that the W.P.A. authorities had
agreed to set up the three sewer projects as a town -wide
project which is definitely to the advantage of the Town
as it will not tie us down very closely; also the Town will
save some $3600. in engineering. He said the Government
had approved an allowance for unaccepted streets in Liberty
Heights. He said the Selectmen thought it better to
recommend authority to borrow $85OO.u.,Nith the thorough
understanding that only what is needed will be borrowed.
If the possible extras. of $7,175, are allowed by the Government,
the Selectmen felt the $85,000. should be reduced by and.
even $7,000.
If $850000. is required, the ten year deficiency
will be $21,749.75. He asked if the Appropriation Committee
would go along.irith the Selectmen in recommending authority
to borrow $85,000, with the understanding that it would not
be bonded unless it was needed. Mr. Merriam asked if there
was any time 111',Iit on the completion of these projects. The
' Chairman said they were set up for a certain time limit but
he had never known the W.P.A. to shut down on a project
because it had lagged. Mr. Merriam said he asked that
because the Appropriation Committee had made up some figures
based on man monthst work and they figured the sewer projects
would take two years based on 175 man monthst,work per year.
If the quota is reduced, the projects will undoubtedly string
out over the two years and the Appropriation Committee would
not object to that. He wondered if there was any ehancf
that the funds would be jeopardized If the project was strung
out even t�-ough the funds were ear -marked, and Mr. Giroux
said as far as he knew they would not be jeopardised. Mr.
Merriam said that these sewer projects probably .were necessary
and it was a cheap way to do the work, but he thought the
voters should realize that the sewer maintenance costs would
be increased. The Chairman said the increase would be very
small.
The Chairman asked the Appropriation Committee to
remember that two of the requests for these sewer projebts
came in unsolicited and the Selectmen had them drawn up at
the request of the citizens and asked the Legislature to
enable the Town to do .this work under the W.P.A. and assess
betterments. Mr. Merriam asked if the Selectmen had any
idep� how much less a contract job would ruA, and the Chairman
replied in the hegative. Mr. Fawcett said he thought this
' was ono of the best W.P.A. projects we had done yet.
Mr. Merriam asked the Appropriation Committee how it
felt about the appropriation. That Board voted to approve
requesting authorization to borrow $85,000.00.
Mr. Saran moved that the Selectmen recommend that the
To authorize the borrowing of $85,000.with the under-
standing that if $7175. was allowed by the Federal government,
that the borrowing would be reduced by $7000.00. Mr. Locke
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Emery asked if he was correct in understanding that
the work on the Hayden property would not be resumed if this
work was approved. Mr. Giroux said that was correct as
there would not be enough men.
Mr. Merriam said the Appropriation Committee would like
to see the W.P'A, quota kept down as low as possible as it
felt.the day was coming when W.P.A. would stop and those on
it would go back onto Welfare.
Mr. Merriam asked if the Selectmen had any knowledge of
P:W.Ao money,being available. The Chairman said that last
fall the Board asked for money to continue the Lexington
Manor sewer and were turned down. The Selectmencehecked
up again before the present W.P.A. projects were submitted
and there were no funds.
The Chairman asked Mr. Saran to discuss the matter
of the welding machine. He said a welder was needed but
not fundamentally because of welding work. He said that
during the winter, we had four weekd of freezing weather,
110;
during which time several water services froze. The Selectmen
approved the expenditure of $250, for the purchase of a
thawing machine. He Aaw the machine working on a service
'
Welding
and instead of a motor generator set, it was merely anf_�
machine,
approved transformer. The machine was not powerful enough
to thaw out one of the services and it was necessary to hire
a welding machine. In less that twenty-five minutes, the
.service was thawed out. Supt Ross was afraid that the water
mains in Town would catch and that would be very bad. In
times of emergency such as this, it is very difficult to hire
a welding machine as every community wants one. Mr. 8048.
thought he was going to be able to keep the welding machine
ttenty-four hours, but the company had to have it backlCthlit
same night. Mr. Saran said thit concerned him greatly as
he feared for the consequences if mains became frozen. After
making some inquiries, he found that the Town could purchase
a new generator for $375. He thought that an exciter should
also be purchased and the whole thing put on a second-hand
truck, which would cost $40. or $50. The whole thing would
amount to $550, and the Town would have a machine equal'.to
any in this part of the country. The mechanic at the Public
Works Building could assemble the machine with the heap of
a man from the Boston Edison Company, Mr. Merriam asked '1f
the mechanic at the Public works Building was competent to
do the welding that the Town departments.needed, and Mr.
Sarano replied in the affirmative. •Mr. Spellman said he,did
not believe that Lexington had done enough welding in the
past,'and that it could do a lot more and save money. He
'
thought it would be a good idea if the mechanic at the Public
Works Building took a course in welding from the State.
Mr. Merriam asked if there was any other account the funds
could come from other than the Road Machinery Fund as t%at
fund was set up for replacements, and not for the purchase of
new equipment.. He said it probably would be necessary to
purchase a new trench digger very soon. The Chairman asked
Mr. Russell if there was any otbrr,aecount to charge this
expense to, and he said the only other place he could think
of was the Highway Maintenance account. He then said,
however, that the appropriation for the Public Works Building
might be increased to cover it.
Mr. Locke moved that the Public Worke Building approp-
riation be increased by $550. in order to provide for the
purchase of parts with which to make a welderr. Mr. Saran
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
The Appropriation Committee also voted in favor of
charging the expense to the Public Works Building account.
The Chairman read a letter from the Town Engineer
relative to the provisions for deferring assessments as
Assessments;contained in Chapter 83, Section 19, G. L. He recommended
that the betterment a ssessments on sevom)pareele be de-
ferred and asked if he should contact any of the owners.
'
Mr. Merriam suggested that nothing be done on deferring
assessments unless the owners suggest itl Mr. Fawcett
said he thought the owners should know about this provision
in the Staute. It is applicable to land which is not built
upon and is at the discretion of the Sewer Commissioners, Mr'.
'
Bond wanted to know if it was fair to burden property owners
with a dill for sewers when they were not able to pay it just
to provide work for W.P*A. men. The Chairman said that at
no time did the Board consider doing any W.P.A. sewer work
merely tV provide emplayment for W.P.A. workers.
The Chairman said the Board assumed that the Town would
not turn down these sewer but in the or-ent it did, it would.
W.P.A.
be necessary to be prepared to submit another figure on
sewers
regvallr W.P.A. work. It was decided to leave the matter open
and
atd:.st1xat if -the sewer projects are turned down, that .a refiess
budget,
be declared and the amount to be requested decided the night
of'the meeting.
The Appropriation Coomi.ttee retired at 9125 P.M.
The Chairman said that Thomas Fardy and Georve V. Morse
were going to serve as checkers at the informal Town Meeting
on March 19th, and he asked if the Board wanted to pay for Checkers
their services. Mr. Potter moved that the men be paid $2,
each from the Unclassified Account. Mr. Saran seconded the
motion and it was so voted.
Notice of petition for assessment of damages on behalf
of Rupert H..Stevens vs. Town of Lexington was received. The
' Chairman said he talked to Mr. Stevens today and told him Stevens
than the Board could not give the matter much consideration suit
before Town Meeting. He left it that Stevens was to make an
appointment with the Clerk after Town Meeting at such time
as is convenient for him, and that the Town Engineer, the
Tow* Counsel and the Town Addountant would be present at the
conference.
C
The deed to lot 75, Cary Estate, on Marrett Road for Deed to
Forrest E. and Ethel Litchfield, was signed. lot.
The report of the special committee appointed by the
Board for a study of the Tenement House Act for Towns in Tenement
relation to apartment buildings, was received. The Chairman House
recommended that a copy of the report be submitted to the Com. -
Building By -Law committee which is to be appointed at the Report.
Town Meeting and that a copy be sent to the Plumbing By-law
Committee,
Mr. Saran moved that the Selectmen recommend to the
Town at a fall meeting, that the Selectmen be authorized Article
to petition the LegislatureAP relieve the Town from the for Fall
application to it of the Tenement House Act, provided that Town Meetine
at that meeting or before, a Building By-law code has been
submitted and approved by the Town. Mr. Locke seconded the
motion and_it was so voted.
Mr. Potter moved that
of Arlington for the year 1940
the motion and it was so voted.
the radio contract with the Town Radio
be signed. Mr. Saran seconded con-... :
tract
112-
A
At.9t37 P.M. Dr. dames J. Walsh, Edward C. Maguire and
Eugene Loupret appeared before the Board to discuss the
town's need for an ambulance.
'
The Chairman said that there was $3600# in the Veterans'
Memorial Fund and the Selectmen were -recommending that $1600
of this be used to purchase land on Clarke Street adjoining
the Library so there would be a balance of only $2100. left.
Mr. Maguire said that there was one machine that would come
within the $2100. but it was a u&44 car and he would not
recommend buying a used machin®.' -The Chairman asked that one
Ambulance of the group discuss the matter at the•Town Meeting and Dr.
Walsh said that he would. Dr. Walsh said it would be nee-
essary to deal with different companies for the chassis, for
the body and for the equipme4t. There is a•Packard in
Arlington which can be purchased for $2100. The machine
has been re -possessed and has gone 19,000 miles. It could
be purchased for $2100, including #300, worth of additional
equipment, painting and completely rebuilding the motor ih
such a way that a new car guarantee can be given. Dr. Walsh
recommended the purchase of this machine and said he thought
it would last fifteen to twenty yea s. Loupret said that this
was a heavy car and that heavy cars were longer lived. The
car is actuallythree a
ye rsold but only about two years old
in mileage, but in terms of that particular car, it has not
hada year's wear. This ambulance cost $4200. in 1937 and
is well worth $2100. The Chairman -asked if he was to,under-
stand that this group did not recommend Fords and Chevrolets
that were converted from truck bodies. Mr. Loupret said that
'
those cars were nade for very rough riding. Dr. Walsh ,said
that they had one at the City Hospital and they had several
incidents of simple fractures running into compound fractures.
Mr. Maguire said that if they were confined to the $2100,,
he would recommend the purchase of the Packard car in Arl-
ingt6n, although he would prefer a new machine. The, Chairman
said that if the Town Meeting confined the Board to X2100*
the machine in Arlington would be purchased, but if it did
not sufficient funds could be requested to puchase a new
machine.
The Chairman suggested that the matter be discussed
at the informal meeting on March 19th and Dr. Walsh said he
would be glad to discuss it then. The group believed that
the Legion should have the courtesy of saying whether or not
they -approved the matter. Dr. Walsh said that the vote
shfuld be that the ambulance would be known as the "Lexington
Veterans' Memorial Ambulance".
Mr. -Maguire read a letter from Chief Taylor stating
that the Town should have anaumbulance and that it courld be
maintained and manned by the Fire Department. The group
retired at 10:10 P.M.
Mr. Sarano said that Congressman John W. McCormack of ,
Weather South Boston had requested Secretary Wallace for a separate
weather bureau for New England, and he thought the Town of
station Lexington should endorse the petition. Mr. Looks moved that
a letter be sent to Congressman McCormack endorsing his
idea for a separate weather bureau to be set up in the New
113
England district. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was
' so voted.
A bond in behalf of James J. Carroll, Town Treasurer,
In the penal sum of 4P51,400, on which the American Iftloyers'
Insurance Co. was surety and approved by the Commission of
Taxation,, was submitted by the Town Accountant. Mr. Potter Bonds
moved that the bond be approved. Mr. Saran seconded the
motion and it was so voted.
A bond in behalf of James J. Carroll, Town Clerl;,:ln
the penal sum of $1,000. on which the American Employers'
Insurance Co. was surety, was submitted by the Town Account-
ant, Mr. Potter moved that the bond be approved. Mr. Saran
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Sarano,
it was voted that the following appointments, effective
April lat. be wades (terms for 1 year unless otherwise noted)
Board of Appeals member - Edward W. Kinball (5 Mfrs)
Board of Health, Agents - Eleanor M. Lowe Appoint -
Dr, William Corwin ments
Building Inspector - Charles E. Ferguson
Burial Agents - Ralph H. Marshall
Alice F. McCarthy
Clerk, Selectmen Eleanor M. Lowe
' Asa't. Clerk, Selectmen - Elinor Moakley
Fence Viewers - Frank P. Cutter
Bartlett J. Harrington
Field Drivers - Edward C. Magui:te
John C. Russell
Fire Engineers (From - Edward W, 'Paglor
May lat) Norman C. Hooper
Edward F. Buttrick
Gammel legacy Income, Trst.
(Acting with Dept. of Mrs. Kenneth P. Blake
Public Welfare) George V. Morse
Health ft6j)ector - Jobn Lamont
$ealth Officer - Dr. Victor N. Rochette
Lockup Keeper - James J. Sullivan
Milk Inspector - John Lamont
Moth Dept. Supt. - John J. Garrity
Odorless Cart, Charge of- Peter Canessa
Old Age Assistance Bur. - George V. Morse
Agent
Park Superintendent - John J. Garrity
Plumbing Inspector - Ernest A. Lindstrom
Posture Clinic Committee- Mrs. Steele Lindsay
Mrs. Robert Moore
Mrs, Edith M. Kelley
Miss Margaret Kettell
' Miss Margaret Noyes
Publie Welfare Agent - George V. Morse
Agent of the Selectment-to
_Administer Soldiers' Re-
lief, Military Aid,_Stata
Aid - George V. Morse
114
Registrars of''Voters
Sealer of Wgts. & Measures
Supt. of Streets -
Supt. Of Streets, Ass't.-
Supt. of Water & Sewers -
Town Engineer ..
Town Physician -
Wire Inspector -
George He Lowe (3 yrs.)
Ralph Be Chadwick
William U. Paxton
John F. O'Connor
Joseph A, Roes
John T. Cosgrove
Dr. Vietor N. Roahette
Louis We Bills
Eleanor Me Lowe acknowledged acceptance of her
appointment as Board of Health Agent.
Mr. Potter moved that Dr. Chester L. Blakely be
Animal nominated as Animal Inspector for one year beginning April
Inspector lst, 19404 Mr. Locke seconded the iAotion and it was so voted.
Mr. Potter moved that George Whiting be nominated
Slaughter as Slaughteri4 Inspector for one year beginning April let,
Inspector 1940. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Alan G. Adams appeared before the Board to discuss
the cost of printing the Town Report. He said that it was
Town running 65 pages shorter than last year's report at the
Report present time. Furthermore, the specifications asked for
a bid on the basis of last year's report and the text is
quite different this year in that the difficult work was
left in and the easier work omitted,
Just clear expenses if he were paid thersumdof 654a hms itwould
was decided to pay him this amount.
The Clerk asked the Board what the expense of advertis-
ing the vacancy in the Supt. of Public Forks offices vas to
be charged to. tr. bocke moved that then expense be charged
to the Unclassified-accolinte Mr. Potter seconded the motion
and it was so voted.
Letter was received from the Chamber of Commerce
advising that that body had voted to approve the food stamp
Food plan of the Federal Surplus Commodities Corporation, Th®
Stamp Clerk was instructed to thank the Chamber of Commerce for
Plan the letter and to inform them -that while the Selectmen had
approved the plan, it had been turned down for Boston and
its surburbs because of lack of funds.
1
n
Notice of expiration of the following fire insurance
policies was received%
$15,000. - expiring through the office of Robert Whitney; (Apr.l)
20,000. 0 " e N of Neil McIntosh,
on April 15th,
Mr. Potter moved that the policies be renewed through
the same offices for a period of five years. Mr. Saran I seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from the American Legion Auxiliary
requesting permission to have a stand for the sale of frank.
forts on April 19th at the corner of Masse Avenue and Depot
ark adjoining the Central Block. Mr. Potter moved that the
1
L
fl
Board would not object to the maintenance of such a
stand. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Permit for
stand.
Letter was received from the Chamber of Commerce
requesting the use of a conference room on Wednesday, March
27th, for a meeting. Mr. Locke moved that the use of the Use of
room be granted. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was room,
so voted.
Letter was received from the 1l.F.W. Auxiliary request_
ing the use of one of the conference rooms on Wednesday,
March 27,th. Mr. Potter moved that the use of one of the
rooms be granted, subject to a fee of $2.00. Mr. Locke
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
The Chairman said thatsome unaccepted streets in
town were treated as though they were accepted streets
either because the Town accepted them under certain
conditions which in some cases have not been eomplied with,
or because the Town has at some time or other done
maintenance work on the streets. The Chairman suggested
that Mr. Wrightington be requested to advise the Selectmen,
after consultiAg with the Town Clerk, as to any streets
that came under such a category and that he advise the
Board what should be done to have the streets properly
accepted.
Mr. Potter said that Mr. L.W..Slocomb, the man
who wants to purchase lots 36 and 37 Dexter Road, cannot
,get a clear _title to the lots. The property is in very
poor condition and Slocomb wants to know if the Board
will -give him permission to clean up the lots and assure
him that when the town gets a clear title to the property
he will be given the first opportunity to purchase it.
The Clerk was instructed to notify Mr. 3loc6mb that it
is the Board's intention to deliver a title to lots 36 and
37 to him when the titles are clear and that the Board has
no objection to his cleaning up the property.
Unaccepted
streets.
It Was decided to hold the next nesting on April 2nd
at 7: 30 P.M.
The following commitments and abatements were signed;
Water Liens $368.37
Water Rates Abatements 135.68
Commitment of Water Guarantees 935.60
'Sewer House Connections 9:80
Water House Connections
Water Assessment Abatement 2.00
Water Miscl, Charges 57.77
The meeting adjourned at lOt45 P: M.
A true nezord, Attest:
Clerk.
�Y