HomeMy WebLinkAbout1940-06-031
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SELECTMEN'S MEETING
June 3, 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, Rowse, Locke and Sarano
were present. The Clerk was also present.
At 7:30 P.M. Mr. R.H. Stevens appeared before the Board
to discussirf'ormally his suit against the Town. The Clerk Stevens
was not present during the discussion. Mr. Stevens retired case.
at 8:10 P.M.
Mr. Beach appeared before the Board. The Chairman
said that Mr. Beach was here to discuss his request that
Wilbur Roberts, the W.P.A. investigator, be allowed $124
per month for automobile expenses. He said that Roberts
had been using Mr. Beach's car and that Mr. Beach needed
it himself and of course it cost Mr. Beach more money
because Roberts is using it also. The Chairman asked if
Roberts had a car of his own and Mr. Beach said he had
not. The Chairman asked if Roberts would purchase a car
if he were allowed $12, per month and Mr. Beach said he
did not know. Mr. Rowse asked if Roberts did any work that
Mr. Beach did previously and Mr. Beach said that if Roberts
had any leisure time, he gave him some of his work to do.
Mr. Rowse asked what jobs he was inspecting now, and Mr.
Beach said that it was not jobs Roberts inspected, his
job was to make investigations of cases all over town.
Reports have to be made to the Government periodically, Mr.
Rowse asked what percentage of his time Roberts spent on
investigations and Mr. Beach said he spent about 70% of his
time on that work.
Mr. Rowse moved that Wilbur Roberts be allowed $8. per
month for automobile expenses, said expense to be charged to
the Public Works, Labor and Materials account. Mr. Sarano
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Roberts'
car
allowance.
Notice was received from David I. Walsh that Project
#405960 allotment $100,996. to construct sanitary sewers in
North Lexington had been approved in Washington.
Mr. Beach said that he had talked with Mr. Russell who
thought that in view of the war situation, it would be better
to borrow the balance of the $35,000, authorized by Town
Meeting for sewer work now because of possible increase in
Interest rates.
W.P.A.
sewers
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Mr. Beach asked for authority to.go further with the ,
Liberty Heights project inasmuch as the Board limited him
to Oak Street, Mr. Rowse moved 'that Mr. Beach be given
authorit to go ahead with the sewers in all streets in
Liberty eights where he had over 50% of the signatures of
the property owners. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and
it was so voted.
Mr. Rowse moved that the Town Treasurer be requested to
ask the Emergency Finance Board for approval of the borrowing
of 4350000. when and as needed. Mr. Saran seconded the
motion and it was so voted.
The Chairman said that Mr. Garrity had spoken to him
about tree trimming and grading at the playground, saying
Work at that he was desirous of having this work done as soon as
playground possible. Mr. Beach said that only $300. was allowed for
tree trimming in the W.P.A. account and that had been spent.
Also, there are no funds in the 415,000# labor and materials
appropriation that could be used for this work. Mr. Beach
retired at 8:30 P.M.
Mr. Francis Chamberlain and Schuyller Dillon appeared
before the Board. Mr. Chamberlain said that he was a former
resident of Lexington and still owned property on Pollen
Road. He said he was associated in business with Mr. Dillon,
who was a C.P.A. and a former Town Accountant. The Chairman '
said he learned that Mr. Chamberlain had gone into the field
of engineering and was intending to do work for towns. He
also intended to make surveys for towns to determine that
they were operating as economically as possible.
Mr. Chamberlain said he had no particular ideas that
Lexington needed a survey made. He said he was of the
opinion that the funds spent in Lexington were spent to the
very best advantage to the town. However, he thought there
was no outfit that was 100% efficient and that it was possible
to examine almost every organization and find ways to save
money. He said he did not have any proposition to submit,
but if the Selectmen felt they had a problem and wanted a
aurvey made, they would be glad to do it.. He said his ideas
would be to investigate one department and if savings could
be affected there, the Board might feel disposed toward having
a survey of the other departments made.
The Chairman said that nothing could be done on anything
like that until money was appropriated at an annual town
meeting. He suggested that the matter be left until some
time in the fall when the Board would know how the country
stood in relation to the war, etc.
Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Dillon retired at 9:00 P.M.
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Mr. Potter said he thought the Board should take a
stand on the matter of the lot on Waltham Street at the
entrance to Parker Field and the McCaffrey lot on Parker Puchase of
Street. Mr. Rowse moved that Board recommend acquisition land for
of both parcels of land. Mr. Locke seconded the motion town
and it was so voted.
The Board went out to look at an ambulance which
Mr. F.K. Johnson had brought down, and returned at 9:25
P.M. The cost of the ambulance with standard shift, was Ambulance
42243.50. Mr. Rowse moved that an article be inserted
in the Warrant for the next Town Meeting to see if the
Town.would vote to transfer an amount not to exceed $135.00
from the Reserve Fund, this amount to be added to the $2117.89
appropriated at the annual town meeting so that this ambu-
lance might be purchased, Mr. Potter seconded the motion
and it was so voted.
Mr. Wrightington and Mr. Raymond appeared before the
Board, The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Wrightington
saying that he had examined the title to the lot on Clarke Clarke
Street and was satisfied that the title was vested in the St. lot
Isaac Harris Cary Educational Fund and was free and clear
of all encumbrances. He said there was some uncertainty as
to the dimensions of the lot and he checked them with the
Town Engineer. He wanted to make sure that the Selectmen
and the Library Trustees understood the dimensions before
he prepared the deed.
Mr. Potter moved that the dimensions of the lot as
outlined in Mr. Wrightington's letter of June 3rd be approved
and that he be authorized to prepare the deed.Mr. Locke
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Potter moved that the Selectmen authorize an ex-
penditure not to exceed $100. for a preliminary report on Stevens
the damage to the Stevens sand pit and that Mr. Raymond case.
be authorized to secure the services of a competent
expert in the matter. Mr'. Locke seconded the motion and
it was so voted.
Mr. Wrightington retired.
Mr. Raymond said he called on Albert Burnham last
Thursday and Mr. BurnMAn said he supposed Raymond was up Burnham
there with some sort of a proposition. Mr. Raymond said case
the Board would like to know what his total claim for damages
amounted to and Mr. Burnham said he was not prepared to
sag. Mr. Burnham said he thought he should have heard
from the Selectmen on the figures he submitted as to the
cost of driving new wells and Mr. Raymond told him that the
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Board was interested in getting his total claim. He
said he did not intend to use the old well and expected
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the Town to furnish him with what water he needed until
he did have a satisfactory supply. He said he had been
put to the expense of laying a water pipe and for legal
services. Mr. Burnham said also that the case could have
been settled a long time ago if someone had come to him
to talk it over. He said he thought perhaps the Board
would go ahead and have the water system installed, but
as it had not, the only thin; for him to do was to go ahead
and have new wells driven, a new house built, etc. Mr.
Raymond said that when he left, he felt that Mr. Burnham
was going ahead with his water system and whatever the cost
was, he would consider part of his total claim. Mr. Burnham
said he was not out to get a lot of money out of the town,
but wanted to get out of the town only what it had cost
him.
The Clerk was instructed to acknowledge Mr. Burnham's
statement that it would cost $750. to drive new wells.
Letter was received from James Ball of 33 Banks Ave.
stating that no one had been to see him relative to 'connect -
Sewer ing with the sewer and he wanted to know if it would be
Banks Ave. extended to his street. He said that if this was not the
intention, he would insist that the Board do something
about it because his place was one of the worst on the hill.
Mr. Raymond said that he knew Mr. Ball had trouble
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with his cesspool and the sewer survey made in 1938 showed
that he had a cesspool that was overflowing. He said one
of the reasons they did not plan to put the system in the
street was that it did not appear to be a good investment.
There are several lots of land before you get to the Ball
lot which the town probably would have difficulty in collect-
ing the assessment on in their present condition. The
sewer which would be put in there would be about three feet
lower tha&-the lots and he thought the owners would be able
to rove that there was no betterment. It would cost 0900.
to 1000. to put the sewer u to the Ball lot and the assess-
ments would amount to about 9600. There are three lots
that belong to the Town of Lexington. They planned a short
extension to 114 Banks Ave. and the Ball house at #33 is
almost up to Baker Ave. but not on a corner lot. The vacant
lot adjacent to the Ball property cannot be built upon until.'
a storm drain is installed or until it is filled in.
Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Ball be advised that if he
can secure the signatures of the property owners on the street
on a statement that they will approve the sewer and pay the
betterments, the Selectmen will be pleased to consider the
matter, further. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was
so voted.
At 10:25 P.M. Mr. Paxton came in to discuss the
position of Supt. of Public Works and retired at 10:55
P.M. The Clerk was not present at this discussion.
At 11:00 P.M. Mr. Morse appeared to discuss W'alfare
matters and retired at 11:20 P.M.
The following letter was received from Mr. Paxton:
May 31, 1940.
Mr, Archibald R. Giroux
Chairman, Board of Selectmen
Lexington, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Giroux:
/sl William C. Paxton, Jr.
CS Supt., Highway Division
The Chairman said that the Chamber of Commerce was
holding a dinner on June 10th and therefor the meeting on
rehabilitation had been changed to June 11th. I t was
decided to meet on Tuesday, June 11th, at 7=00 P.M.
At 11: 27 P.M. Mr. 1. A. Custance appeared before
the Board to discuss the thirty miles per hour signs at
the entrances to the town. He sdld that in the first place
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Supt. of
Pub. Wrks.
Meeting
As the Superintendent of the Highway Department,
which is the Department having charge of the lands
and easements -taken bye- eminent domain for the im-
provement of Vine Brook and the construction of a stor-
age basin at Butterfieldts Pond, I hereby notify the
Selectmen that it was not the intention of the Town
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by the said takings to include in the said storage basin
siypart of the land of George E. Ham which was not by
those takings taken in fee, and that any right, if any,
to use said other land of the said Ham for a storage
basin that may have been inadvertently so taken is
no longer required for public purposes.
Sincerely yours,
/sl William C. Paxton, Jr.
CS Supt., Highway Division
The Chairman said that the Chamber of Commerce was
holding a dinner on June 10th and therefor the meeting on
rehabilitation had been changed to June 11th. I t was
decided to meet on Tuesday, June 11th, at 7=00 P.M.
At 11: 27 P.M. Mr. 1. A. Custance appeared before
the Board to discuss the thirty miles per hour signs at
the entrances to the town. He sdld that in the first place
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Supt. of
Pub. Wrks.
Meeting
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Screened
the signs were illegal and that Massachusetts had really
Committee
no laws on traffic signs. He said he had been in eleven
on
states in this country and two provinces in Canada in the
traffic
past two weeks and was of the opinion that Massachusetts
signs,
was way behind the other states in the matter of traffic
Plant
signs. He suggested that the Selectmen appoint one of
Crushed bank gravel
the members to serve on a committee with the Chief of
Dela
Police and Eugene E.,Loupret and members of the Chamber of
Wash6d P
Commerce to study the matter.
Plant
Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Sarano, Chief Sullivan and
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Eugene E. Loupret be appointed to serve on a committee in
Del.
conjunction with a committee from the Chamber of Commerce,
Wash6d #2
to study the matter of traffic signs in Lexington, Mr.
Plant
Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted.,
The following bids were received on sand, gravel and
Sand &
broken stone;
gravel
Highland Sand &
bids.
Acme Sand & Gravel
Screened
Fine Sand
Plant
.45 -
Del.
.70
Del.
.77
Screened
Coarse Sand
Plant
.40
Crushed bank gravel
Del.
Dela
.77
Wash6d P
Peastone
Plant
.70
..20
Del.
1.10
Wash6d #2
Stone
Plant
.65
Del.
1.07
Highland Sand &
Gravel
Screened
Fine.Sand
Del.
.80
Screened
Coarse Sand
Del.
.75
Washed Ti"
Peastone
Del,
1.10
Washed #2
Stone
Del,
1.00
R. H. Stevens
Screened Fine Sand
Del.
.70
Screened Coarse Sand
Del.
.70
Washed t' Peastone
Del,
1.00
Washed #2 Stone
Del.
.90
Crushed bank gravel
Del.
.80
Rough bank gravel
Del.
.40
Spreading Charge
Del.
..20
Stone Prices Mass. Broken Stone
#1 Stone
P1an�
1.00
Del.
1.45
#2 Stone
Plant
1.00
Dbl.
1.45
#3 Stone
Plant
1.10
Del.
1.55
#4 Stone
Plant
1.35
Del.
1.80
#3A Stone
Plant
1.25
ai
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Rowe Contracting Co.
#1 Stone
Del.
1.70 -
Stone Dust
Plant
.65.
#2 Stone
Del.
1.10
Discount, 2%
Del.
1.65
General Crushed Stone
Plant
1.35
#1 Stone
Plant
1.20
#4 Stone
Del.
1.55
#2 Stone
Plant
1.20
Stone Dust
Del.
1.55.
#3 Stone
Plant
1.30
Del.
1.65.
#3A Stone
Plant
1.45.
Del. 1,80'
#4 Stone
Plant
1.55-
.55Del.
Del.
1,90
Stone Dust
Plant
.85
Del.
1.20
Discount, 2%
Rowe Contracting Co.
#1 Stone
Plant
1.15
Del.
1.65
#2 Stone
Plant
1.15
Del.
1.65
rr3 Stone
Plant
1.35
Del.
1.85
#4 Stone
Plant
1.50
Del.
2,00
Stone Dust
Plant
.90
Del.
1.40
Discount, 2%
The Chairman stated that in 1937 the Court entered a
decree enjoining Roger W. Brown from carrying on a trucking Brown
business on Marrett Road and using the premises for the complaint
storage of building materi The Clerk was instructed
to request the Building/to a e the matter up with the
Town Counsel.
Letter was received from Mr. Paxton saying that Mr.
C.W, Ryder had contacted him about the condition of the
wooden bridge across the south branch of Vine Brook at
Winthrop Road Extension. Mr. Ryder claims that the present Repairs
condition of the bridge is due to the use of it by the to
P.W.A. contractors in moving their heavy equipment. Bridge
u
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c�
Mr. Ryder requested that the town supply the labor to
repair the bridge and requested that the matter be pre-
sented to the Selectmen. The Clerk was instructed to 'tell
Mr. Paxton to have Welfare help repair the bridge.
Letter was received from the British Naval and Military
Veterans Assoc. setting the date of June 30 as the day
British of their annual pilgrimage to decorate graves in Lexington,
pilgrimage Bedford and"Concord. The Selectmen had no objection to
the date.
Letter was received from the Town Treasurer advis-
ing that the Lexington Trust Co. had agreed to loan the
Loan Town 95000, in anticipation of reimbursement in connection
with the North Lexington Sewer project, at the rate of
.40% dis.
Letter was received from the Boston & Maine Railroad
advising that they had cleaned up the premises in the vicinity
of the Depot in Lexington Center. The Clerk was instructed
Railroad to write the railroad a letter of thanks and to instruct
;.property the Police Dept. to observe the property at all times to
see that there was no dumping there.
Mr. Potter moved that the application of John E.
License Timothy for a Public Carriage License be granted. Mr. Locke
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from Leon Truesdell, Chairman
of the Parish Committee of the Follen Church, requesting
that some work be done on the driveway leading to the church -
vestry and the Adams School. Mr. Truesdell said that the
vestry was used many evenings after dark and the holes
in the driveway were stepped into because they could not
be seen. He requested that some work be done before June 8.
The Clerk was instructed to tell Mr. Paxton to do whatever
work he thoughtadvisable.
The Clerk informed the Board that Mr. John A. Russell
Dog had agreed to serve as Dog Officer, Mr. Rowse moved that
officer Mr. Russell be appointed to this position for the ensuing
year. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. moved that the flags around the Common be
Display put out/tlayring flag week and that the entire system
of- flags, be displayed on Flag Day, June 14th. Mr. Potter seconded
the motion and it was so voted.
Request was received from the Red Cross for permission
to use a conference roogi on June 11th and from the Chamber
of Commerce to use a conference roop on June 6th, Mr.
Potter moved that°these uses be granted free of charge. Mr.
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Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted.
The Chairman stated that he was still receiving com-
plaints about James Bean sawing wood on Parker Street,
Air. Rowse moved that the matter be referred to the Town Bean -
Counsel on the grounds of violation of the zoning laws. Mr, wood
Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Commitment of water liens in the amount of $131.05
was signed by the Board. Commitment
The meeting adjourned at 11:55 P.M.
A true copy, Attest:
Clerk.
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