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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1940-08-06286 ~� r� SELECTMEN'S DEET IRR ' 'August -6., 1940. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectments Room, Town Office Building, at 7t30 P.M. All of the members were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7t30 P.M. Mr. P on appeared before the Board. He said that Mr. Hill ofimer A. Lord & Co. had advised that we had been carrying -sprinkler leakage insurance on the Cary Memorial Building to the value of $20,000. Mr. Sprinkler Hill said that the cost of this insurance during the past Insurance five years was #270.40, and he recommended that this be Cary Mem. reduced to $140700. which is exactly 5% of the value of Building the building. The cost of this imurance for five years would be $201.44 Mr. Paxton said that he had talked with Mr. Hill and he agreed with him. Mr. Potter moved that the sprinkler leakage insurance on the Cary Memorial Building be reduced to 5% of the value of the building, which would be $14,700.., and that the policy be renewed on this basis for a period of five years. Mr. Paxton reminded the Board that Public Liability ' Insurance on town automobiles and trucks expired on August 19th. The premium on this policy is approximately $1,000. Public Last year.the premium was divided among L. J. Reynolds, Liability C.H. Schofield, and Ready and Mott. Mr. Potter moved that ins* re- the policy be renewed through the office of L. J. Reynolds newed, the premium to be divided as follows: 2/5 to Robert C. Merriam,; 2/5 to L.J. Reynolds; and 1/5 to Helen K. Fitz- gerald. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said he thought the Board should con- sider the insurance on the new ambulance at this time. He received a lengthy letter from Robert C. Lee on the subject. He discussed tete matter with F.K. Johnson and Mr. Raymond, and they recommended, as far as fireand theft were concerned, that it be carried under the broad form such as is carried on Mr. Worthen's policy. Mr. Paxton recommended that the public liability policy be extended to include the ambulance, and that guest coverage be provided. Mr. Sarano moved that Mr. Paxtonts recommendations in the matter be adopted. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that the ArlingtonEGaa;Light.ges , had requested permission tou stabrook Hall on October 10, 17, 24, and 31 for a cool 's ool. Mr. Locke moved that ' 1 the use of the hall be granted, subjected to a fee of 4P5.00 for each use. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted. -The Chairman told Mr. Paxton that we should have the Plates for the new ambulance, and he suggested that the car be registered in the name of the Town of Lexington, Fire Department. Mr. Saram moved that Mr. Paxton be authorized to secure the plates'in this name. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. 0 Plates for ambulance. Mr. Paxton said that the Chairman had requested him to report on the progress of the Liberty Heights sewer, also on the cost of same. He said that the Town's expendi- tures out of the bond issue were $f,856. Of that we have approximately $1,050, worth of stock on hand. We have spent $7,173, out of Federal Funds. As far as labor is concerned, the7­figure that the value of the work done tp date is $6,500. We are $600, to $700. in the red as far • as Federal Funds are concerned. The Chairman requested Mr. Paxton to keep track of this project, and if he sees any danger of running short on fundai to report to the Board. Mr. Rowse asked Mr. Paxton to inform the Board how the $850000. borrowed for W.P.A. projects was all- ocated to the various Jobs. Mr.,Paxton said that the Town Engineer had made up two estimates on the cost of construction of Sheridan Street, one at $1433.35, for construction under the usual method on which the betterments would run from.$96. up to $287. Mr. Douglast assessment would amount to about $538. Mr. Paxton thought it might be all right to put in a cheaper type of construction 'at this end of the street, however. The drainage is already in there. If the cheaper type of construction was used, the cost would amount to about $1,000., and the assessments would run from $68. to $200. Mr. Paxton said that some time ago he checked up with eighteen surrounding cities and town,# and ;found that in three instances, betterments were not assessed at all. The majority of them did not include drainage, and in most cases, a better kind of construction was put in. Both Cosgrove and Paxton believe that drainage should not be included in the cost to the abutters. He suggested that a flat rate per linear foot be established. The Chairman said that when Mr. Paxton was ready, he should submit a written report on this phase of the matter. Mr. Paxton said that he would like to put the cheaper type of construction in Sheridan Street as an experiment. Sheridan St. con- struction 288 as he wanted to know how it would stand up. The Chair- man suggested that Mr. Paxton tell Mr. Douglas that the estimated cost was $1400., but that it was possible that the work might be done on a lower cost basis, but_. that if the work was done on the lower cost basis, that he be told that this street was being done as an experiment. Mr. Paxton agreed to talk to Mr. Douglas. It was then decided that Mr. Paxton was to tell Mr. Douglas that if the abutters would agree to the $1,000 figure, that the matter would be submitted to the next Annual Town Meeting, Mr. Paxton said that at the preaent time parking is t1lowed on both sides of Waltham Street between Vine Brook oad and the location of the old Post Office. At busy times, it is practically impossible for two cars to pass. Amendment He recommended that the traffic regulations be amended so to traffic as to prohibit parking on the easterly side of Waltham regulation Street., from the southerly side of Mass. Ave. to the northerly side of vine Brook Road. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Paxton's reacaimendation be adopted. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman said that he spoke to Mr. Paxton about putting a gate across the culvert at Vine Brook, as he ' was afrAAd that some child might get into the pipe. Paxton Gates at said that he talked with Mr. Raymond about this, -and he Brook rook was of the opinion that gates should not be installed. pipe. The Chairman suggested that the matter be held over for two weeks, and that Mr. Paxton and Mr. Raymond give it further thought. Mr. Paxton said that he talked with Mr. R.L. Ryder with reference to his giving a release of damages on the bridge across Winthrop Road. Extension in exchange for the abatement of the interest on the sewer betterments. Ryder would not agree to give the release. Paxton talkede'.with Raymond, who thought it would be beet to drop the matter now and take it up in the early fall when Mr. Wrightington comes back from his vacation. He said that some time we were going to construct the south branch of Vine Brook, and it would be wiser to include a bridge in that projeect. Mr. Rowse said that the condition was dangerous, and he thought that perhaps some sort of a cheap bridge ought to be put in. Paxton said that he did not believe that could be done unless some supports underneath were put in. It was decided to do nothing on the matter. Mr. Paxton retired at 8125 P.M. L At,8t25 P.M. Chief Sullivan appeared before the Board. The Chairman said that the Board wanted to discuss the matter of the water service at the Chapman property being.tapped before the water got to the meter. The Chief said that he Chief thought he could hold Samuel Chapman, theowner of the property res for this, but the Clerk of Courts would have to know how Chapman much water was stolen. Mr. Potter said that even it it tapping was only one gallon, it would be stealing. Mr. Potter water ser - asked if it might be wise to wait until we knew what the vice. Federal Government was going to do on the -case, and the Chief said that he thought it would be. He said that he would keep track of this phase of the case. He retired at St40 P,M. At 8t45 P.M. Mr, Edward Hutchinson and Mr. John Morrow appeared before the Board. Mr. Hutchinson holds a mortgage on the Morrow farm. Mr. Hutchinson said that the Town had offered Mr. Morrow's attorney $12000, to settle his case against the town (including all water bills). He said -that there was no doubt but that the water table on this land had been lowered two or three feet, but that it was difficult to tell exactly what the damages were. Mr. Rowse asked if the Vine lxrook Project had bene- fitted the man at all, and Mr, Hutchinson said he could not see how it had. He said that there was a permanent Morrow damage and that the land was going to tends -to get dryer claim rather than wetter. Mr. Potter asked how much of the reclaimed land Morrow would get, and'Hutchinaon said that there was about one half an acre that was taken that was pretty wet. Mr. Rowse said that Morrow's attorney had asked for $2140,; he wondered if they eared to make any other offer. Mr. Hutchinson said that if the Town would pay'NOrrow $2,000, he would be satisfied, He said that the extra $1,000. would hardly pay for the extra water he would have to use. Messrs. Hutchinson and Morrow retired. It was decided to hold the matter over for two weeks# and to discuss it then with Mr. Raymond. The Chairman said that Miss Julia McCaffrey wanted to know if the'Selectmen would authorize the abatement -of the taxes on her lot of land on Parker Street in which the water pipe is laid, because the Selectmen had held up the sale of the lot for one year. It was the feel- ing of the Board that it had no grounds on which to recommend that the Assessors abate this tax. Mr. Morse appeared at 9:03 P.M. to discuss welfare matters' and retired at 9:35 F.M. McCaffrey request for abatement of tax. 290 It was decided to hold the next meeting on August , 190 at 8115 P.M. Letter was received from Metcalf & Eddy recommending Change the issuance of a change order modifying the requirements order, and pries for Item 21 of Peter Salvuecits Contract. Mr. Salvueci Raymond recommended that the change order be approved and contract signed. Mr. Potter moved that the recommendation be adopted. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Sarano, Water it was voted to sign the Simonds Road pater Order, as order. followst COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, as. Town of Lexington WHEREAS, the Torun of Lexington at a torn meeting duly called said held on April 8, 1940, duly adopted under Article 13, of the Warrant the following voter "VOTEDI That the Selectmen be authorized to install water -mains in such accepted or unaccepted streets, as my be applied for during the year 1940, in accordance with , authority contained in the By-laws of the Town, subject to the assessments of betterments, and to take by eminent domain any necessary easements theref r, and for the pur- pose of said installation the sum of 04,000, be appropriated this money to be provided by transfer from the Water Depart- ment Available Surplus Account". VOTED: By the Selectmen acting as .a Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners under the authority of the foregoing vote and of every other power them thereto enabling, that a water main be constructed in Simonds Road from the pre- sent end a distance of approximately 170 feet southeasterly substantially in accordance with plan of Joseph A. Ross, dated August 5, 1940, and entitled, "Plan -of Proposed Water Main in Simonds Road, Lexington, Mass., Sealer 1 in. - 40 Ft., Aug. 5, 1940, Joseph A. Ross, Supt. Water Dept." Betterments will be assessed for this improvement in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 80 of the General Laws. The area which it is expected will receive benefit or advantage other than the general advantage to the comm- unity from such improvement is described as follows ' That portion of those properties on each side of Simonds Road beginning at the present end and extending southeasterly a distance of approximately 170 feet. The said area comprises the several lots shown upon a plan of Joseph A. Koss, Supt. Water Department hereinbefore referred to which are designated in the schedule hereto annexed and made a part hereof. We estimate the betterments that will be assessed upon such parcel of land to be as shown in the schedule ' hereto annexed and made a part hereof. Witness our hands at Lexington aforesaid this sixth day of August, 1940, Archibald R. Giroux Board of William G. Potter Selectmen of Errol H. Locke the Town of A. Edward Rowse Lexington. George W. Sarano COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS ' Middlesex, as. Town of Lexington August 6, 1940. Then personally appeared the above named Archibald R. Giroux, William G. Potter, A. Edward Rowse, George W. Sarano and Errol H. Looke; and severally acknowledged the foregoing instrument and statement by them subscribed to be their free act and deed and the free act and deed of the Board of Hater and Sewer Commissioners of the Town of Lex- ington, before me, Wm. S. Seaman Notary Publice, SCHEDULE OF ESTIMATED BETTERMENTS REFERRED TO IN THE FOREGOING ORDER. SIMONDS ROAD (from the present end a distance of approximately 170 feet southeasterly). Owner as of Jan. 1, 1940 Lot No, Assessment Lexington Trust Co. Block 244, Lot 1 444.10 ' Lexington Trust Co. Block 12, Lots 28, 290 30 135.00 Lexington Trust Co. Block 14, Lot G 129.44 292 Letter was received from the State Department of Public Burnham Health advising that the water in the tubular well on the well premises of Albert H. Burnham at 34 East Street was safe for drinking. That Chairman informed the Board that the Trustees of the Isaac Harris Cary -Fund had paid the taxes on the lot of land on Clarke Street which the Town recently purchased, for the six months in 1940 to July 1. They requested that the taxes for the remaining six months. Mr. Potter moved that the Assessors be requested to abate the tax in the amount of $50.40. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from E.B. Worthen stating that last spring he obtained signatures on a petition requesting either a W.P.A. or a P.W.A. project for the lowerifig of the North Lexington Brook. Mr. Worthen said that he realized that there were no funds available to do this work now, but was sending the petition in for future consideration. The Clerk was instructed to thank Mr. Worthen 1 1 1 Letter was received from the Town Treasurer with reference to the 435,000. loan. He said that Mr. Wardell had ruled that these notes had to be dated May 1 rather $35,000 than August 1, As a result, the Lexington Trust Co., had loan changed their bid from 100.21 - 1% to 100-17 - 1%. Mr. Rowse said he could not understand why the Trust Co. had to change the bid, as they were making more money altho the loan was for a shorter period. Mr. Locke said he would look into the matter. Letter was received from Mr. Raymond thanking the Board for his appointment. A lengthy letter was received from Albert E. Lamb, attorney for Richard F. Rodenhiser of Watertown, who is seeking a permit to clean out eesspools in Lexington. Mr. Lamb said that in refusing to grant Mr. Rodenhiser a permit, the Board was depriving him os something to which he had a right. He also said that the Board had not Rodenhiser right to refuse to grant a permit. The Clerk was instructed cesspool to advise Mr. Lamb that the Board wished to make no change cleaning in its previous vote to grant no further licenses for this permit. work in Lexington. Letter was received from John W. Beal, Commissioner Traffic of Public Works in Massachusetts, advising that the traffic survey survey which the Selectmen requested would be made shortly after Labor Day, That Chairman informed the Board that the Trustees of the Isaac Harris Cary -Fund had paid the taxes on the lot of land on Clarke Street which the Town recently purchased, for the six months in 1940 to July 1. They requested that the taxes for the remaining six months. Mr. Potter moved that the Assessors be requested to abate the tax in the amount of $50.40. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from E.B. Worthen stating that last spring he obtained signatures on a petition requesting either a W.P.A. or a P.W.A. project for the lowerifig of the North Lexington Brook. Mr. Worthen said that he realized that there were no funds available to do this work now, but was sending the petition in for future consideration. The Clerk was instructed to thank Mr. Worthen 1 1 1 J C and tell him that the material would be placed on file. The following election officers were appointed to serve until September.l, 1841# D D R R R D D D R R R R R R D D D R R D R R D EJ ELECTIONS OFFICERS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE Sept. 10 1841, PRECINCT ONE Charles J. Dailey John D. Barry Bartlett J. Harrington Michael E. McDonnell George Foster Frank Lambert Mary E. Stankard Alfred Hayward Mary Ae Rowland Donald Cameron Harold MacGilvray George F. Stygles Ilds. Je Field Helen B, Dolan L, Ellsworth Pierce Arthur W. Hughes Irving B. Pierce Clyde Ee Steeves Lucius Austin Clifford Pierce Randall Richards Ruth Ray John H. Dacey Mary E. Manley Arthur L, Hanson Edward McGrory Elizabeth NoRrse Madeline J orbett Madeline Ve Peterson William S. Bramhall Helen Me.Qliff}.aJ, Jesse Condinho PRECINCT TWO Warden Deputy Marden Inspector Deputy Inspector Inspector Deputy Inspector Clerk Deputy Clerk Teller A e a a .. Warden Deputy Warden Inspector Deputy Inspector Inspector Deputy Inspector Clerk Deputy Clerk Teller a a n r e PRECINCT THREE ' R Hiram W. Jackson, Jr, Warden R Franklin N. Coleman -Deputy Marden R Alred A._ Adler Inspector R Mark L. Dodd, 1r, Deputy Inspector D Charles Be Moloy, Jr Inspector D Margaret E. Ormond Deputy Inspector D John McKearney Clerk D Patrick H. McDonnell Deputy Clerk D Cornelius P. Cronin Teller D Virginia Welch " a Samuel W. Wellington " R Emma Hovey " D John J. McCormack " D Henry Meade R Esther Graham " R William H. Stevenson -RUE22T FOUR R Howard Custance Warden R Frederick S. Britten Deputy Warden R William E. Mulliken Inspector R Irene Robinson Deputy Inspector , D Kathleen M, Dailey Inspector D Daniel A. Gorman, Jr. Deputy Inspector D Prank Maguire Clerk D Joseph Dail*y Deputy Cleric D William E. Dailey Teller D George A. Bullock " R Charles P. McEnroe " R Carl Hauck D Mary J. Ferry " D Agnes Hall " R Robert Cady " R A. Thomas Ferry " 'Letter was received from the Town 8ounsel with refer once to the case of Helen B. Matthews against Wallace Article Weisinger. He said that the Town had never accepted statutes for authorizing the indemnification of Town employees. He said Town 'Meet- that an article should be inserted in the warrant for the Ing. next Annual Meeting to see if the Town would vote to accept General Daws, Chapt 41, Sec, 100A as inserted by Statute 1931, Chapte 488, See. 4, as amended by Statute 1934. 1 1 Chapt. 291, Sec. 3. The Clerk was requested to send a copy of the letter to each member of the Board. Letter was received from the Milk Inspector reporting on conditions at the Swenson Farms. Mr. Lamont requested Report on permission to have microscoptic tests made of raw milk milk at any time he deemed it necessary. Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Swenson Lamont be given this authority. Mr. Sarano seconded the Farms motion and it was so voted. Application for a transfer of the Overhanging Sign Permit at the Liggett Drug Co. at 2721 Mass. Ave. was re- Overhang- ceived. Mr. Rowse moved that the permit be granted, subject Ing to the approval of the Building Inspector, Mr, Saran Sign per - seconded the motion, and it was so voted. mit. The application of James J. Waldron for permission to place an overhanging sign at 1732 Mass. Avenue Was discussed. It was the feeling of the Board that there would be objection from the townspeople if Mr. Waldron was allowed to erect this sign, as it was to be placed on a post sunk in the lawn in front of the house at 1732 Mass. Avenue. The Chairman said he would talk to Mr. Waldron on the subject. The Chairman said that he planned on having a simple ceremony on Thursday. August 15 at 7:30 P.M.•in front of the Minute Man Statue:,, when the ambulance would be turned Ceremony over to the Town by the Veteran's organizations. There ret Ambu- was no objection to this. lance. The Chairman said that he believed the Board would establish some policy with reference to vacations for clerks in the Town Offices. Mr. Locke moved that, beginn•. Ing July 1, 1941, clerks in the employ of the town for six months to one year be given one weekts vacation with pay, and those in the employ of the town for over one year be given two weekts vacation with pay. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Chairman said that it had been brought to his attention that persons buying tax title property were neglecting to record the deeds. It was suggested that $2.00 be added onto the sale price of this property in $2.00 to be the future so that the Town would record the deed, lir, added to sale Potter xoved that the suggestion be adopted. Mr. price on tax Rowse "*Mdad the motion and it was so voted. sales. The Clerk informed the Board tb4t the Referendum Election held on July 29th had cost257.24, and that 29.6 this had been Selectmen's ' money spent out of the expenses appropriation. Mr. Rowse moved that the Appropriation Transfer Committee be requested to transfer this scam from the Reserve to Fund to the Selectmen's Expenses account. Mr. Potter Selectmen's seconled the motion and it was so notedo account. he Clerk said that it had been necessary to hire , an additional clerk because of the extra work connected - with the Civilian Defense Committee, and that the sum of $12.46 additional would be needed for Extra Clerical, Nr. Sarano moved that Appropriation Committee be requested to transfer this sum from the Reserve Fund. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Chairman said that all of the expenses of the Civilian befense.Committee were being paid from the Selectmen's Expenses account. He suggested that the Appro- priation Committee be requested to transfer $100* from the Reserve Fund. Mr. Potter moved that the suggestion be approved. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. Commitments Commitments of water liens in the amount of $62*96, and commitment of sewer miscellaneous items were signed. The Chairman said he thought a Committee to draw up Rules and Regulations for the use of the Ambulance should ' be appointed. The following Committee was appointed; Committee Edward W. Taylor, Dr. Harold J. Crumb -,,Dr. James J. Walsh, on rules William G. Potter, and James J. Sullivan (or a representa- for am- tive of the Police Department). bulance The meeting adjourned at 1005 PoVe A true record, Atteste Clerk. 1