Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1940-05-07D 1 L SELECTMEN'S Bf,EETING MAY 70 1940. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was x held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 7130 P.M. Chairman Giroux, Messrs. Potter, Locke, Rowse and Sarano were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7t30 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 6lub meeting in Cary Hall next winter. The Club is nonsectarian and is non-political. It has reached its max - 1Z= membership of 300 and has a growing waiting list. If they could have a larger hall to meet in they could extend their membership. Twelve meetings a year are held, of which one is an all day meeting. The dues are 44. per member per 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 halls-. The Chairman said that the Selectmen had no desire to compete with the rental of private halls, but if the Belfry Club was too„lsmall for the meetingsp there apparently would be no objection to renting Cary Halle She said they used one long table for teas. Mrs. Clarke retired at 7t40 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. Outlook Club - Usetub - Use of Hall 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 portion Blasting W.P.A. sewers year the City- reorganized and a Board of Public Works was elected. A change in positions was made and his position was abolisted. Mr. Lingley had been City Engineer, Supt. of the Sewer Depto 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 Supte 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 7x50 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. Writing said he could not get insurance. An Insurance company will cover a whole job, including blasting, but will not insure the blasting alone. He said he had a bond which gave him a 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 test 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 02750.00. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. 1 D 1 He also wished to discuss the Innis and McLennan case in which the Town made no award. The counsel intimated ' that he would settle for 0500. Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Wrightington be authorized to settle the case for an amount 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 accept $750. Ryder says he will accept $500* from the Town and preserve his rights against De@ristafaro. Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Wrightington be authorized to offer $500. on the taking and $500. on the dumping of sewage of Leary's land with the understanding that if possible, we will re- cover $250. from DeCristafaro. fir. Potter seconded the', motion and it was so voted. The cases are to be settled jointly. Letter was received from kr. Wrightington to which was attached letter from Roberts B. OV,696 attorney for Rupert H. Stevens, stating that Stevens felt that hh should be paid $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 9x30 P.M. At 9:35 Messrs. Garrity, Ross and Paxton appeared before the Board. The Chairman said they had been requested to appear because there was some dissatisfaction among the 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 trim 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 Innis & McLennan suit Leary suits. Stevens suit. Laborers' wages. 170 , c only one man did -tort 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 Depte hien were on the ground none months of the year an d if their rates were increased, the Park Dept* rates would have to be increased also. Mr. Rowse asked if the men in the Highwayp 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 $lo 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 9=55 P.M. Letter was received from the Town Counsel advisitag that the vote of the Town Meeting of August 8, 1938 was broad enough to authorize the construction of drain in a portion of -Grant 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.. RaymorA said he had not received a reply from Salvueei yet, but Mr. Paxton made an .estimate of $1,000a 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 autho,,��ity provided 5alvueci did not care to do the work. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond said he thought it might be advisable PIW.A' to request the Federal government for approval to provide 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 0,5,0000 Mr. Rowse moved that the suggestion be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and ' it was so voted. ' Letter was received from Mr. Raymond advising that he had in his office certificates of completion.of Contracts 11 39 4, and S for the North Lexington Sewer project. Upon motion of Mr. Locke, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was unamimously voted that the following resolutions be adopted: C 1 1. Whereas Certificate of Completion for Contract 1 of Docket No. Mass. 1464-F with P. DeCristofaro Company, Inc. for the construction of the North Lexington Sewer has been submitted by Metcalf & Eddy the engineers, be it resolved that the Board of Selectm4n hereby accepts the work' of the contractor for and on behalf of the Town Uf Lexington. Whereas Certificate of Completion for Contraet,3 of Docket No. Mass. 1464-F with W. C. Ferguson for the con- 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 4 of Docket No. Mass. 1464-F for the construction of the 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 the equipment for the Pumping Station has been submitted 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 & Eddy the engineers, be it resolved that the Board of Selectmen hereby accepts the docket No. Mass. 1464-F for and on behalf of the Town of Lexington. Letter was received from Metcalf & Eddy re- w' commending the issuance of a change order on the De- Cristafaro contract on the North Lexington Sewer, totaling x$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 seconded the mDtian, and it was so voted. 17n Resolution No. Lex. Sewer Resolution Contract 1 Resolution Contract 3 Resolution Contract 4 Resolution Contract 5 Resolution, all contracts 1464-F Change order 172 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 Franceschelli 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 Aver; Bertwell Road; Sawtell Road. Mr. Beach sewers felt that the saving to the Town would be $129189. The Chairman said he asked Mr. Beach if we might be able to do all the sewers with the $50,0000 F 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. 1 1 1 LJ The the janitor: to halls. 173 Clerk was instructed to request Mr. Moloy, Use of appear next week to discuss the rental of 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 location.of booths and all equipment relating Field 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 mails 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= walk survey project, reported that since Jan. 4, 1940, he had travelled 245 miles in his'own car in performance of his work. He wondered if he mfight 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, Etheridge use of car 174 Board of Sur- vey plans "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"; "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' Fehruary 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" = 4t, Horizontal Scale 1" m 40'.April 1939;" "Plan and Profile of Proposed Street Plan of Lancs 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 tha'lr 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 Bucknan Tav- Dept. be requested to keep the children off these ern grounds grounds. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted. 1 11 1 1 Bond 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- quested to have his next bond written from April lst, the date of his appointment. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. Plumb. Insp. bond 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 st2ebEenrarticle 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'' 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.. Jesse Meadows, 536 Mass. Ave. Hyman Weiss, 21 Ash St.,Chelsea John W. Leary, 45 Waltham St. James T. McGann, 156 Woburn St. Edward J. Casey, 76 Laconia St. George Holman, Hill Ave. To to to Junk Dealer to of to to Public Carriage of of Slaughter House to . It Article Use of hall Slaughter License Licenses 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.. 1`76 Boiler in- surance n- surance Insurance 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 persons from the contract which would allow a return 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 410,000. on June lst. 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. Saran 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 itwas 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 lst. 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