HomeMy WebLinkAbout1940-05-07 167
SELECTMEN'S MEETING
MAY 7, 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, Rowse and
Saran° were present. The Clerk was also present.
At 7:30 P.M. Mrs. Frank Clarke of 18 Hancock Street
appeared before the Board . She said that she was the First
Vice President of the Lexington Outlook flub and had been
requested to discuss with the Selectmen the possibility of
that club meeting in Cary Hall next winter. The Club is
nonsectarian and is non-political. It has reached its max-
im= membership of 300 and has a growing waiting list. If Outlook
they could have a larger hall to meet in they could extend Club-
their membership. Twelve meetings a year are held, of which Use of
one is an all day meeting. The dues are 04. per member per Hall
year and that money goes back into the program. They have
one meeting which is a scholarship bridge and for which they
sell tickets. They are not allowed to give money to another
organization without a vote of the entire membership.
The Chairman asked where the group met now and
Mrs. Clarke said that it met in the Belfry Club. Mr. Rowse
asked what her idea of payment was and Mrs. Clarke said they
assumed they would have to pay for the janitor, light and
heat. They pay $14. an afternoon now and $20. for an all
day meeting. It will be necessary to have some closet to
store their china and silver because the group holds three
teas during the winter. They paid 05.00 per year for a
cupboard in the Old Belfry Club.
The Chairman asked what the objection to the
Belfry Club was, and Mrs . Clarke said that it was too small.
She said that she had visited mangy: of the clubs in this
district and all of them meet in their town haliss The
Chairman said that the Selectmen had no desire to compete
with the rental of private halls, but if the Belfry Club
was too small for the meetings, there apparently would be
no objection to renting Cary Hall. She said they used one
long table for teas. Mrs . Clarke retired at 7:40 P.M.
Mr. Rowse moved that the Outlook Club be allowed
to hold its meetings in Cary Hall next winter subject to a
fee of $20. per meeting including one all day meeting, and
that it be allowed the free use of closet space and one
free evening use. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it
was so voted.
Mr. Ralph G. Lingley of Worcester, appeared before Supt. of
the Board at 7:40 P.M. Mr. Lingley said he was an applicant public
for the position of Supt. of Public Works. 4e was connected
with the City of Worcester for about thirty years. Last position
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year the City reorganized and a Board of Public Worke was
elected. A change in positions was made and his position
was abolisted. Mr. Lingley had been City Engineer, Supt.
of the Sewer- Dept. for four and a half years conducting a
three and a half million dollar sewage plant. Before that
he was Assistant Street Commissioner. Since he lost his
position, he has been doing private engineering work.
He said he understood that Lexington was a small residential
Community in comparison with Worcester which is a very large
manufacturing city.
The Chairman asked Mr. Lingley if he had actual
operating control of the sewer, water, highway and engineer-
ing departments, and he replied in the negative. He said
he had the engineering supervision over the departments.
He had charge of 450 men when the Water Reservoir was built.
He said that he had survived twenty-five elections in the
City of Worcester. Mr. Rowse asked if he knew anything about
the position here, and he said he presumed the Supt. had
charge of the gariour Public Works departments . The Chair-
man told him that the Supt. of Public Works was the Selectmen's
agent. He requested Mr. Lingley to make formal application
for the position giving his education, references, ete. Mr.
Lingley agreed to do this and retired at 7:50 P.M.
At 8:00 P.M. George Whiting, Mr. Raymond and Mr.
Wrightington appeared before the Board. Mr. Whiting said
that Mr. Beach asked him to do some blasting on Oak Street
and wanted him to take the responsibility. Whiting said
he could not get insurance . An Insurance company will cover
Blasting a whole job, including blasting, but will not insure the
W.P.A. blasting alone. He said he had a bond which gave him a
sewers permit to use dynamite but that was all. The Chairman
said it was the Board' s understanding that the Town would
take no responsibility in any claim for damages resulting
from blasting on the W.P.A. sewers. Mr. Rowse asked Mr.
Wrightington if the Town would be responsible if Whiting
was hired by the day and he replied in the affirmative.
The Chairman requested Mr. Raymond to look into
the matter and make the blasting arrangements as best he could
after consulting with Mr. Wrightington and Mr. Beach. Mr.
Raymond agreed to do this . The Chairman asked him to inform
the Board in writing as to what he decided to do. Mr.
Whiting retired at 8:10 P.M.
Mr. Wrightington said he wished to discuss the
Wheeler Wheeler case in which the town made two takings totaling
suit. $1970. Wheeler's : counsel is willing to settle for $2750.
Messrs . Wrigntington and Raymond recommended that this amount
be paid. Mr. Potter moved that the Selectmen authorized Mr.
Wrightington to settle the Wheeler case for an amount not
to exceed $2750.00. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it
was so voted.
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He also wished to discuss the Innis and McLennan
case in which the Town made no award. The counsel intimated Innis &
that he would settle for $500. Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. McLennan
Wrightington be authorized to settle the case for an amount suit
not to exceed $250. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it
was so voted.
Mr. Wrightington discussed the cases of William
J. Leary. The Town made an award of $145.70 for the taking
and Ryder, the attorney, has finally said he would agree to Leary
accept $750. Ryder says he will accept $500. from the Town suits.
and preserve his rights against DeCristafaro. Mr. Rowse
moved that Mr. Wrightington be authorized to offer $500. on
the taking and $500. on the dumping of sewap'e of Leary's
land with the understanding that if possible, we will re-
cover $250. from DeCristafaro. Mr. Potter seconded the
motion and it was so voted. The cases are to be settled
jointly.
Letter was received from Mr. Wrightington to which
was attached letter from Roberts B. Owe, attorney for Rupert Stevens
H. Stevens, stating that Stevens felt that hh should be paid suit.
$20,000. for the flowage rights the town had taken in his
sand pit. Mr. Wrightington asked the Board if it wanted to
hire an expert to find out how much gravel therewas in the
pit. Mr. Raymond said he thought that borings should be
taken and that the outside cost might be $2500. He thought
it would take a crew of men ten days. Mr. Wrightington
suggested not taking the boring until after the expert had
been hired. Mr. Rowse moved that Messrs. Wrightington and
Raymond be instructed to get the information as to the cost
of such detail as they are going to need before doing anything
further. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Wrightington retired at 9:30 P.M.
At 9:35 Messrs . Garrity, Ross and Paxton appeared
before the Board. The Chairman said they had been requested Laborers'
to appear because there was some dissatisfaction among the wages.
employees on account of the wage increases to certain other
employees.. He said that representatives of the Tree Trimming
group and of the Water Dept. had come to him on the matter.
The Tree Trimming crew claim that they are doing expert work
and are not getting any more money than those who are on the
ground doing routine work. The Water Dept . men felt that
they were not getting enough money. The Chairman asked the
superintendents if they wished to make any changes in their
recommendations.
Mr. Ross said he had oneman who was getting $.65
an hour and was dissatisfied and another who was getting
$.60 an hour and was dissatisfied. The Chairman said that
before the increases were authorized, the three superinten-
dents.consulted together and took into consideration the
amount of money available. The Board then acted on the re-
commendations of the three superintendents. Mr. Paxton said
that the reason the Highway men did not complain was that
170 ,
only one man did tot receive an increase. Mr. Potter asked
if the men in the other departments found out that the
Highway men got an increase and if that was why they complained.
Mr. Garrity said that he believed that was so but the Tree
Dept. Men were on the ground none months of the year and
if their rates were increased, the Park Dept. rates would
have to be increased also. Mr. Rowse asked if the men in
the Highways Department were getting less money than those
in the other departments and Mr. Paxtone replied in the
affirmative. He said that this was merely to equalize the
rates .
The Chairman asked Mr. Ross if he wanted to make
any changes . Mr. Ross said he had one blasting man receiv-
ing $.65 when doing blasting, who received $.55 as a laborer.
This man wants to be paid $.60 per hour at all times. Paxton
said that his blasting man got $.55 an hour as a laborer.
and $1. per hour when blasting. He said, however, that his
men was a comparatively new employee and there was a very
logical reason why the Water Dept. man might be worth $.60
per hour as a laborer.
Mr. Rowse moved that the Water Dept. employee
Gabriel Brucchi, be increased from $.55 to $.60 per hour
to be effective May 3, 1940. Mr. Potter seconded the motion
and it was so voted.
Mr. Garrity said that Henry J. Nutt, his foreman,
wanted to know why he did not receive an increase saying that
he was responsible for the work. Mr. Garrity told him he
did not believe the job was worth any more. The Chairman
asked the group again if they wished to make any more changes
in their recommendations, and they did not. They retired.
at 9t55 P.M.
Letter was received from the Town Counsel advisigg
that the vote of the Town Meeting of August 8, 1938 was broad
enough to authorize the construction of drain in a portion
of Brant Street and Hayes Lane to carry surface water from
Grant St. Grant Street to the present Vine Brook drain, as part of the
drainage Vine Brook Drainage project. Mr. Raymond said he had not
received a reply from Salvucci yet, but Mr. Paxton made an
estimate of $1,000. for doing the work. Mr. Raymond asked
if the Board wanted him to apply to the Federal government
for approval to do the work under Force Account.
Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Raymond be given such
authority provided 5alvucci did not care to do the work.
Mr. ?otter seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Raymond said he thought it might be advisable
PIW.p.. to request the Federal government for approval to provide
1 Vine special channels or pipes where required on tributory ditches
Brook. to the main Vine Brook channel under Force Account, the cost
of the work not to exceed 05,000. Mr. Rowse moved that the
suggestion be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and
it was so voted.
171
Letter was received from Mr. Raymond advising that
he had in his office certificates of completion of Contracts Resolution
1, 3, 4, and 5 for the North Lexington Sewer project. No. Lex.
Upon motion of Mr. Locke, seconded by Mr. Sarano, Sewer
it was unanimously voted that the following resolutions be
adopted:
1. Whereas Certificate of Completion for Contract
1 of Docket No. Mass. 1464-F with P. DeCristofaro Company, Resolution
Inc. for the construction of the North Lexington Sewer has Contract 1
been submitted by Metcalf & Eddy the engineers, be it
resolved that the Board of Selectmen hereby accepts the work
of the contractor for and on behalf of the Town Of Lexington.
Whereas Certificate of Completion for Contract 3 Resolution
of Docket No. Mass. 1464-F with W. C. Ferguson for the con- Contract 3
struction of the force main and water main has been sub-
mitted by Metcalf & Eddy the engineers, be it resolved that
the Board of Selectmen hereby accepts the work of the con-
tractor for and on behalf of the Town of Lexington.
Whereas Certificate of Completion for Contract Resolution
4 of Docket No. Mass. 1464-F for the construction of the Contract 4
North Lexington Pumping Station with Albert P. Rounds has
been submitted by Metcalf & Eddy the engineers, be it re-
solved that the Board of Selectmen hereby accepts the
work of the contractor for and on behalf of the Town of
Lexington.
Whereas Certificate of Completion for Contract
5 of Docket No. Mass. 1464-F with Ralph P. Hall, Inc. for Resolution
the equipment for the Pumping Station has been submitted Contract 5
by Metcalf & Eddy the engineers, be it resolved that the
Board of Selectmen hereby accepts the work of the con-
tractor for and on behalf of the Town of Lexington.
Whereas Certificates of Completion for each
contract on the North Lexington Sewerage Project, P. W. A.
Docket No. Mass. 1464-F, have been submitted by Metcalf Resolution,
& Eddy the ehgineers, be it resolved that the Board of all contracts
Selectmen hereby accepts the docket No. Mass. 1464-F 1464-F
for and on behalf of the Town of Lexington.
Letter was received from Metcalf & Eddy re- I"'
commending the issuance of a change order on the De-
Cristafaro contract on the North Lexington Sewer, Change order
totaling $725 .79. Mr. Raymond recommended that the
change order be approved and signed. Mr. Sarano moved
that the change order be approved and signed. Mr. Rowse
IIseconded the mullion, and it was so voted.
172
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c,
Mr. Raymond said that Mr. Ross had obtained
quotations from three concerns on hydrants and valves and
Water Dept. the prices were identical. He received two bids on
supplies copper tubing and they were identical. The other items
were so small he did not bother to get prices on them.
Mr. Raymond saw no reason why the materials should not
be purchased. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Ross be author-
ized to purchase the supplies at a cost of approximately
$1700. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so
voted.
Letter was received from Norman C. Hooper
MacKay asking that something be done to improve the grading on
property the property of George C. MacKay at the corner of Sherman
and Sheridan Street. The Chairman requested Mr. Raymond
to investigate the matter and report on it nest week.
Letter was received from Mrs. William J.
Kenney for the Appolonio and Francesehelli families, demand-
Drainage ing that something be done so that their land would not
complaint be flooded. The Clerk was instructed to advise them that
Mr. Paxton had informed the Board that the brook had al-
ready been cleaned out and that he had explained the
matter to Mr. Appolonio this morning.
Letter was received from Mr. Russell to which
was attached maintenance bond dated April 16, 1940 for
Ralph P. Hall, Inc. , in connection with the contract on
Hall the North Lexington Sewer project. Mr. Raymond said that
bond he approved the bond. Mr. Potter moved that the Select-
men approve the bond. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and
it was so voted.
Letter was received from Mr. Beach advising
that the W. P. A. authorities had approved the install-
ation of sewers in the following unaccepted streets:
Ames Ave; Tucker Ave ; Coolidge Ave; Williams Road;
W. P. A. Sunnyknoll Ave.. ; Bertwell Road; Sawtell Road. Mr. Beach
sewers felt that the saving to the Town would be $12,189.
The Chairman said he asked Mr. Beach if we
might be able to do all the sewers with the $50,000.
already borrowed and Mr. Beach, thought that that might
be possible.
The Town Counsel' s bill of $75. in the case
Hannam of Hannam vs. Lexington was received. Mr. Locke moved
case that the bill be approved for payment. Mr . Potter
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
173
The Clerk was instructed to request Mr. Moloy, Use of
II the janitor+ to appear next week to discuss the rental of halls
halls.
Mr. Rowse moved that the American Legion be
granted a permit for a field day to be held on Parker
Field in the evening of July 3rd and afternoon and eve-
ning of July 4th, with the right to set off fireworks
and build a bonfire on the evening of the 4th, it being
understood that the permit is granted with the provision
that the locationof booths and all equipment relating Feld Day
to the field day shall meet with the approval of Mr. Permit
Garrity, the details as to location of the bonfire and
in connection with the setting off of fireworks to meet
with the approval of Mr. Garrity and Chief Taylor of the
Fire Department . Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it
was so voted.
Mr. Rowse moved that the Board of Selectmen April 19th
commend the Lexington Allied Veterans Council for the
splendid manner in which the Bails of the Patriot' s
Day celebration were carried out . Mr. Potter seconded
the motion and it was so voted.
Mr . Raymond retired at 10:30 P. M.
Mr. Morse appeared before the Board at 10:30
P. M. to discuss Welfare matters and retired at 11:05 Welfare
P. M.
Letter was received from Mr. Paxton stating
that Mr. Etheridge, supervisor of the street and side- Etheridge use
walk survey project, reported that since Jan. 4, 1940, of car
he had travelled 245 miles in his own car in performance
of his work. He wondered if he might be reimbursed.
The Board felt that no action should be taken on the
request as the Board had given no authority for the man
to use his own car on town work.
The following Board of Survey plans were
signed by the Board:
"Plan of Land in Lexington, Mass. Scale 1"
= 40' June 1939, L. G. Brackett & Co. , Engineers, 88
Tremont Street, Boston, Mass.";
"Plan and Profile of Aeriel Street, Plan of
Land in Lexington, Mass. , L. G. Brackett & Co. , Engin-
eers, 88 Tremont St. , Boston, Mass. Vertical Scale 1"
= 4' Horizontal Scale 1" = 40' , April, 1939;
174
"Plan and Profile of Cherry Street, Plan of Land
in Lexington, Mass. L. G. Brackett & Co. , Engineers,
88 Tremont St. , Boston Mass. Vertical Scale 1" = 4"
Horizontal Scale 1" = 40' April, 1939" ,
Plan and Profile of Taft Avenue, Plan of Land in
Lexington, Mass. L. G. Brackett & Co. , Engineers, 88
Tremont St. , Boston, Mass. Vertical Scale 1" = 4' ; Hor-
izontal Scale 1" = 40 ' April, 1939";
Board of Sur-
vey plans "Plan and Profile of Smyth Street , Plan of Land
in Lexington, Mass. L. G. Brackett & Co. Engineers,
88 Tremont Street Boston, Mass. Vertical Scale 1" = 4'
Horizontal Scale 1" = 40' February 1939" ;
"Plan and Profile of Cary Street Plan of Land in
Lexington, Mass. L. G. Brackett & Co. , Engineers, 88
Tremont St. , Boston, Mass. Vertical Scale 1" = 4' ,
Horizontal Scale 1" = 40' April 1939 ; "
"Plan and Profile of Proposed Street Plan of Land
in Lexington, Mass. L. G. Brackett & Co. Engineers,
88 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass. Vertical Scale 1" = 4'
Horizontal Scale 1" = 40' April, 1939".
Letter was received from C. R. Hopkins complain-
ing
of the condition of the freight yard in back of
Complaint re the Boston and Maine Railroad station. Mr. Locke
railroad moved that the Selectmen, acting as the Board of Health,
property order the Boston & Maine R. R. to clean up the pre-
mises and to keep them i n a neat and orderly condition.
Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from the Commander of Troop
April 19th 23 , Boy Scouts, advising that 116 cars stopped at thetr
information booth on April 19th.
Letter was received from the State Dept. of
W.P.A.sewers Public Health advising that that department approved
the installation of sewers in the Lexington Manor and
North Hancock Street section.
Letter was received from Mr. Garrity stating
that he felt the Police Dept. should be requested to
keep the boys from playing baseball on the Buckman
Tavern grounds. Mr. Rowse moved that the Police
Buckman Tav- Dept. be requested to keep the children off these
ern grounds grounds. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was
so voted.
I
175
IIBond of E. A. Lindstrom as Plumbing Inspector from
May 2, 1,940 to May 2, 1941 was received. Mr. Rowse moved
that the bond be approved and that Mr. Lindstrom be re- Plumb. Insp.
quested to have his next bond written from April 1st, the bond
date of his appointment . Mr. Locke seconded the motion
and it was so voted.
Board of Health abatement in the amount of $29.60 and
Highway abatement in the amount of $12.50 were signed. Abatements
Letter was received from Eugene J. Viano requesting
that an article be inserted in the warrant for the next
town meeting the. same as was in the warrant for the last
Town meeting establishing an apartment zone on Vine Brook
Road. The Clerk was instructed to tell Mr. Viano that Article
etistE.enrarticle would be inserted, but that the Board had
no idea when the next town meeting would be held. She
was also requested to find out if the Planning Board
approved the article .
Request was received from the Red Cross for the use
of a conference room on May 14th and the Chamber of
Commerce for the use of a conference room on May 10th.
Mr. Potter moved that these used be granted, free of Use of hall
charge. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so
voted.
Upon motion of Mr . Sarano, seconded by Mr. Potter,
it was voted to grant the following licenses;
Max Berman, 13 Mass. Ave.. Junk Dealer Licenses
Jesse Meadows, 536 Mass. Ave, "
Hyman Weiss, 21 Ash St. ,Chelsea
John W. Leary, 45 Waltham St. Public Carriage
James T. McGann, 156 Woburn St.
Edward J. Casey, 76 Laconia St. Slaughter House
George Holman, Hill Ave .
" " Slaughter License
The Clerk said that Max Berman of 13 Mass, Ave. had
requested that he be granted a license to collect junk and Berman
be allowed to pay for the fee in installments. The Board
felt that it should not establish such a precedent and
therefor voted to grant the license to Mr. Berman provided
he paid the fee in advance.
176
Letter was received from Elmer A. Lord & Co.
advising that the boiler insurance policy had been
renewed. The letter said that the Selectmen might
wish to eliminate liability coverage for injuries to
Boiler in- persons from the contract which would allow a return
surance premium to the Town of $33.75. They also recommended
that the insurance be suspended during the period in
the summer when the boilers are shut down. Mr. Rowse
moved that Mr. Raymond be instructed to execute the
recommendations and to let Mr. Willard C. Hill know
when the boilers had been shut down. Mr. Sarano second-
ed the motion, and it was so voted.
Letter was received from George B. Gosbee advising
of the expiration of fire insurance policy under blan-
ket schedule in the amount of $10,000. on June 1st.
Insurance Mr. Potter moved that the policy be renewed through
the same office for a period of five years. Mr. Locke
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Potter moved that the Board approve payment
Bill for of a bill of $5. from the Unclassified Account for
flowers flowers sent to John J. Garrity, Jr. Mr. Locke
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Sarano moved that the vote of last week appoint-
ing John T. Cosgrove a Fence Viewer be rescinded. Mr.
Fence Viewer Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr.
Sarano moved that Mr. Frederick J. Spencer be appointed
a Fence Viewer for the ensuing year. Mr. Rowse
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from the Board of Retirement
advising of the request for the retirement of Lawrence
Retirements G. Mitchell on June 1st.
Letter was received from the Board of Retirement
advising of the request for the retirement of Michael
J. Duffy on June 1st.
The following were signed Water Betterment
Commitments Assessment ; Water Liens; Water Miscellaneous charges.
The meeting adjourned at 11 25 P. M.
A true record, Attest
Clerk