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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1940-03-18 107 SELECTMEN'S MEETING MARCH 18, 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, 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. Welfare 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 meeting 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 Tax rate got it. Mr. Merriam said that the Appropriation Committee figured 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 year's receipts. He said he took that position last year *t4 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 $266,000. Accountant Russell said he simply took the Town receipts over which the Assessors have control and they figured $266,000. 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 get 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. 108 to to Mr. Steeves said that the Assessors asked for a full- time extra clerk and they were given only enough Money to hire a clerk temporarily. He said that they #ight 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 aocordance with the request of the Appropriation Committee, they asked for none. He said Assesaors'Miss Ready has been in the department for eighteen years clerks and she never got her out back. He said she should be given $i. more in order to get back to what she was receiving before the salary out. She would be happy if she got the out bank. 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 was 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 A 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 Office got more complicated all the time. 11. 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 nonedid. 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 $8500.virith 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 $85,000. is required, the ten year deficiency will be $21,749.75. He asked if the Appropriation Committee would go along with the Selectmen in reoommending authority to borrow $85,000. with the understanding that it would not be bonded unless it was needed. Mr. Merriam asked if there • 109 was any time limit 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 months, work and they figured the sewer projects would take two years based on 175 man months' 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 chance that the funds would be jeopardized If the project was strung out even though 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 coats 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 projefits 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 idea how much less a contract job would run, and the Chairman replied in the negative. Mr. Fawcett said he thought this was one of the best W.P.A. projects we had done yet. Mr. Merriam asked the Appropriation Committee haw it felt about the appropriation. That Board voted to approve requesting authorization to borrow $85,000.00. Mr. Sarano moved that the Selectmen recommend that the Town 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.A. 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. Sarano 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, FR) r Cl during which time several water services froze. The Selectmen approved the expenditure of $250. for the purchase of a thawing machine. He daw the machine working on a service Welding and instead of a motor generator set, it was merely an•=. 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. Super Ross was afraid that the water mains in Town would catch and that would be very bad. In ti*ea of emergency such as this, it is very difficult to hire a welding machine as every community wants one. ltr. Ro*a. thought he was going to be able to keep the welding machine twenty-four hours, but the company had to have it backtthtt same night. Mr. Saran said this 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 hetp of a man from the Boston Edison Company. Mr. Merriam asked if the mechanic at the Public Works Building was competent to do the welding that the Town departmenta.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 that 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 Chairian asked Mr. Russell if there was any ottani-account 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 Works Building approp- riation be increased by $550. in order to provide for the purchase of parts with which to make a welderz. 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 Aseessmentsaontained in Chapter 83, Section 19, G. L. He recommended that the betterment a ssessments on seyennparcels 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 111 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 till 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 to,provide eaplayment for W.F.A. workers. The Chairman said the Board assumed that the Town would not turn down these sewers but in the event it did, it would W.P.A. be necessary to be prepared to submit another figure on sewers regualerW.P.A. work. It was decided to leave the matter open and * d:sthat if the sewer projects are turned down, that a reness budget. be declared and the amount to be requested decided the night of the meeting. The Appropriation Co +mittee retired at 9=25 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. Sarano 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 that 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. 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. Sarano moved that the Selectmen recommend to the Town at a fall meeting, that the Selectmen be authorized Article to petition the Le-giaiatnre4° relieve the Town from the for Fall application to it of the Tenement House Act, provided that Town Meetin€ 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 the radio contract with the Town Radio of Arlington for the year 1940 be signed. Mr. Saran seconded cont. the motion and it was so voted. tract 112 cc cc At 9 :37 P.M. Dr. James 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 used car and he would not recommend buying a used machine.' The Chairian 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 nec- essary to deal with different companies for the chassis, for the body and for the equipment. 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 iii 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 actually three yearsold but only about two years old in mileage, but in terms of that particular car, it has not had a 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 $21001, he would recommend the purchase of the Packard car in Arl- ington, although he would prefer a new machine. The Chairman said that if the Town Meeting confined the Board to 42100. 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 sh -uld 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 an-ambulance and that it could be maintained and manned by the Fire Department. The group retired at 10:10 P.M. Mr. Saran(' 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. Locke moved that a letter be sent tc COhgressman 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 k51,400c on which the American Epployers' 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. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted. A bond in behalf of James J. Carroll, Town Cler]F, ltn 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. Saran, it was voted that the following appointments, effective April 1st, be made: (terms for 1 year unless otherwise noted) Board of Appeals member - Edward L. Kinball (6 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 ' Ass't. Clerk, Selectmen - Elinor Moakley Fence Viewers - Frank P. Cutter Bartlett J. Harrington Field Drivers - Edward C. Maguite John C. Russell Fire Engineers (From - Edward W. Taylor May let) Norman C. Hooper Edward F. Buttrick Gammel Legacy Inoome, Trst. (Actiftg with Dept. of - Mrs. Kenneth P. Blake Public Welfare) George V. Morse Health X pector - John 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 Misa Margaret Kettell Publie Welfare Agent - Miss Margaret Noyes George V. Morse Agent of the Selectmen to _Administer Soldiers' Re- lief, Military Aid,_State Aid - George V. Morse 114cc C-1 Registrars of Voters - George H. Lowe (3 yrs. ) Sealer of Wgts. & Measures Ralph E. ,Chadwick Supt. of Streets - William . Paxton Supt. Of Streets, Ass/t.- John F. 0/Connor Supt. of Water & Sewers - Joseph A. Roes Town Engineer - John T. Cosgrove Town Physician - Dr. Victor N. Rochette Wire Inspector - Louis W. Bills Eleanor M. Lowe acknowledged acceptance of her appointment as Board of Health Agent. Mr. Potter moved that Dr. Cheater L. Blakely be Animal nominated as Animal Inspector for one year beginning April Inspector 1st, 194Q. Mr. Locke seconded the notion and it was so voted. Mr. Potter moved that George Whiting be nominated Slaughter as Slaughtering Inspector for one year beginning April 1st, 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. Mr. Adams saidhe would just clear expenses if he were paid the sum of $654. It 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 ''orks office. Was to be charged to. Mt. bocke moved that the expense be charged to the Unclassified accatint. 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. The 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 surburba because of lack of funds. Notice of expiration of the following fire insurance policies was received; *15,000. - expiring through the office of Robert Whitney; (Apr.l) 20,000. * " « " 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. Sarano 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 Mass. Avenue and Depot Park adjoining the Central Block. Mr. Potter moved that the 115 Board would not object to the maintenance of such a Permit for stand. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. 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 Y.F.W. Auxiliary request- ing the use of one of the conference rooms on Wednesday, March 27th. 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 Unaccepted town were treated as though they were accepted streets 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 consulting 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. Slocomb that it is the Boards 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. It was decided to hold the next neeting on April 2nd ' at7: 30P.M. The following commitments and abatements were signed: Water Liens 068.37 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 10:45 P. M. A true record, Attest : Clerk.