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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1940-08-191300 License S$LECTM9x } S MEED ING Aug. 19, 1940, A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, Lexington, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Giroux, Messrs. Potter, Rowse, Locke and Sarano were present. The Assistant;Clerk was also present. At 7t3O P.M. Mr. Morse appeared before the Board to discuss welfare matters. He retired at StOO P.M. Upon motion of Mr. Locke, seconded by Mr. Potter, it was voted to grant the following licensees Frank Ready - 1760 Mass. Ave. - Overhanging sign. William Viano - 3794 Mass. Ave. - Theatre License The Board signed an amendment to the Traffic Regula. Traffic tions prohibiting parking on Waltham Street, on the regulation easterly side from a point 160 feet from the southerly side of Mass. Ave. to the northerly side of Vine Brook Rd. At 8x15 P.M. Mr. John Lamont, Health Inspector, appeared before the Board. Mr. Lamont stated that at the last meeting he had reported to the Board the work he has J Letter was received from the Town Treasurer suggest - Ing a borrowing of $75,000* in anticipation of revenue, Loan the notes to be dated Aug. 23, 1940 and payable Aug. 22, 1941. Mr. Carroll appeared before the Board and stated that there were notes of $125,000* coming due the first of the month and this was the reason for the suggested loan. Mr. Potter moved that the Board authorizing the borrowing of $75,000. in anticipation of revenue, the notes to be dated Aug. 23, 1940 and payable Aug. 220 1941s the bids to be received on Aug. 22, 1940 at 4t30 P,M. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter of thanks was received from Mrs. Gertrude E. Letter of Mara for the Board's expression of sympathy during their thanks* recent bereavement, Letter of thanks was received from W.S. Caouette for the cooperation he had received from the town and its officials in connection with the Pollen Hill Eetates. At 8x15 P.M. Mr. John Lamont, Health Inspector, appeared before the Board. Mr. Lamont stated that at the last meeting he had reported to the Board the work he has J 3®1 doing in connection with inspection of cows. Mrr. Lamont said that this work,took a great deal of his time and his purpose in appearing before the Board was to see if some reimbursement might be made hit. He said that his present salary was $500, a year, and during the last month he had Transfer put in an approximately total of twenty days on this work. for He also explained the other duties of the Health Inspector Health and quoted salaries of some inspectors in surrounding towns. Insp. Mr. Rowse suggested that he make a full report on the matter at the time he made his next annual report and budget request. Mr. Lamont explained that there were eight herds he would like.to inspect, but at the present time there was one in particular that he would like to start on immediately. He requested the Board to consider the matter and said he would appreciate any financial help he might receive. He retired at Sa30 P.M. Mr. Rowse moved that the Appropriation Committee be requested to transfer the sum of $50* from the Reserve Fund for Mr. Lamont for extraordinary expenses in connection With his duties as Health Inspector. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr.'Raymond and Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board,, at 8135 P.M. Mr. Raymond said that last year a water main was put in ' Colony Road and a service to the Burton house under the appropriation for Water Construction, Sund Street. An assessment was made against the Burtons of §270. Mr. Ray" mond said that at that time he said they would probably petition for an abatement. They have returned the bill Burton and said that then understood it would be abated. Mr. Ray- water mond talked to' -'Mrs. Burton and they have agreed that they assessment will sign a document similar to that drawn up for the Nichols property on Oak Street by which -the payment of a better- ment for the sewer there was to be deferred until the lots were sold. Mrs. Burton owns six lots altogether on Colony Road and the assessment for the 300 feet in front of lot #95 in which she lives -is the one in question. That lot would be sub -divided into three lots and there Le a sign on the southerly portion of the lot advising that there are house lots for sale. They are willing to agree to pay the betterment on two lots south of the lot occupied by Welch, when and if such lots shall be sold, provided the town would abate the assessment of $270. That would, mean at least $180a would be coming back to the Town. Mr, Raymond redommended that the proposition be accepted and if so, that the Town Counsel draw up the necessary papers. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Raymond's recommendation be approved subject to the approval of the Town Counsel. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. 302 Kenrick claim. In the matter of the Winthrop Road Extension bridge, Mr. Raymond said that Mr. Paxton said the Ryders would not agree to assume any expense in connection with it. Mr, Raymond said he disliked to have the town spend money on it, but felt that the fact that some damage was caused by thework on the building of the Vine Brook Channel could not be evaded. Mr. Giroux asked what account the work would be charged to is it were done and Mr. Raymond said it would be charged to the Vine Brook Project. lir. Raymond thought a 36 inch pipe could be put in now and they would need 50 feet of pipe which would cost $6. or $7, a foot. The Chairman asked how much the whole job would cost and Mr. Raymond said about $700, or $800. This would be eliminating the bridge and installing the pipe to take care of the water. The Board discussed the matter at some length and Mr. Rows• moved that the necessary work be done on the bridge and the cost be charged to the Vine Brook Drainage Project: Mro totter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond reported that he had talked with Mr. Ken. - rick and he had agreed orally that he would settle his claim for #100. if the Town would guarantee to keep the water twfeet higher than it now is or one foot lower than it used to be eight; months of the year.. Mr. Raymond,ssid he thought this could be done by adding two feet to the dam at Burnham's providing Mr. Burnham's permission could be obtained. He said it would mean taking out some pins and planks in the fall and putting them back after the flood period is over in the spring. The annual cost might amount to about $50. or $60, a year. Mr. Rewse asked if he thought` this'would help the Morrow farm also and Mr. Raymond said it would Mr. Raymond said it would cost approximately $2000. to build another dam, but the cost of this work would only be around $100. Mr. -Raymond said he would recomanend trying this out and he thought Mr. Kenriok would want some agreement. Mr. Saran moved that Mr. Raymond's recommendation be approved. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond said he would talk with Mr. Burnham about the matter. Letters were received from Mr. John L. Pichette in which he stated that he had settled his claim for re- moving rocks from the land at the corner of Grant*Street and Hayes Lane•with Mr. Peter Salvucci for the sum -of $175.' Mr. Pi.Shette requested that the town make some arrangements in the matter of the loam, Mr. Raymond. said that Mr. Pl@hette's agreement with the town was that the ground should"be-�rbstored, loamed and seeded if necessary.'' 1 303 ' He suggested that he talk to Mr. Pichette and see what arrangements he might be able to make with him and the Board approved this( suggestion._ Letter was received from the Federal Emergency Ad- ministration of Public Works stating that the Board's Change request for approval of a deductive change in the amount order* of•$400* for omission of the temporary bridge!in connection with Docket 1370-F, was approved. Mr. Raymond said he mould take care of this matter. Mr. Raymond retired at 9t0b P.M. Mr. Paxton reported that he had talked to Mr. J.L. Douglass regarding the construction of Sheridan Street,. but he was not interested in the $1000, figure as he Sheridan St, felt the assessments were still too high and therefore did - not intend to do anything about it. Mr. Paxton presented a report on how the town funds on the various W.P.A. sewer construction projects had been W.P.A. spent to date, Mr, Rowse requested Mr, Paxton to make these reports from time to time. Mr, Paxton read a letter of thanks received from Robert 0. Merriam for insurance recently placed with his office. Mr. Paxton said that he had had several requests from Mr, James Spellman to patch a section of Shirley Street which drosses Sargent Street and he did this, Since then there has been rain and -there is a pool of Water which now stands on Sargent Street, Mrs. Spellman has complained that -the children in the neighborhood are attracted to the Shirley pool of water and play there and she is afraid that they Street, might be hurt by trucks going in and out as the vision is not clear on account of a hedge at that point. Mr, Paxton said bb felt that the necessary work to eliminate this should be done. Mr. Paxton said that Mrs. Spellman also spoke about the entrande to her garage. Seven years ago when the sewer was put in Tewksbury Street, there was considerable blasting done. The contour of the street was so changed, that Mrs.Spellman says she gets water in the garage every spring, Mr, Paxton said it would cost about 20, to, do all the work necessary. The Board discussed the matter and left it to Mr. Paxton's judgment to do whatever he felt best, 304 Street lights Follen Rd.. Insurance Mr. Paxton stated that he had received a request from Mr. William Hunt for permission to rent the grader to scrape Hunt Road. Mr. Potter moved that the grader be rented to Mr. Hunt at the usual rates, Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted, Mr. Paxton reported that Mr. Caouette requested street lights on Follen Road to take care of the entire street. Mr. Paxton said that when the street lighting appropriation was made up, Mr, Raymond estimated there would be ten additional lights for 1940 and to date twenty have been installed so that we are now over our estimate. Mr. Paxton did not feel that there would be sufficient funds in the Street. Lighting appropriation to install the lights on Follen Road this year, No action was taken on the matter. Mr. Paxton stated that he had received a letter from Willard C. Hill stating that due to the installation of the sprinkler system at the Hancock School the fire insurance rate has been reduced from 26� to 25je per annum. Mr, Hill suggested that there should be at least *4,650. sprinkler leakage insurance placed, and his office had placed a temporary binder on this, pending the Board's decision to place the insurance. Mr. Rowse moved that the insurance be placed through the office of Elmer A. Lord & Co. for a period of five years. Mr, Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that $1500. was included in the Snow Bids on Removal budget for the purchase of snow equipment with the snow idea of purchasing four v -plows. He said he had received plows prices from four different companies, The low bid was that of Tractors Inc., a price of J283,64 each or a total of $1134.56. Lyar Sales & Machinery Co. was the second lowest bidder with a price of V300o each or a total of 41200. Mr. Paxton said that he had been putting all Baker plows on the power equipment for the last few years and would suggest that we purchase those now. The Dyar Sales & Machinery Co. have the Baker plows and the difference in cost as compared to the low bid is 416.36 per plow. He said he would recommend purchasing these and keeping the equipment standard. Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Paxton's recommendation be approved, Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted, Mr. Paxton said that in the past we have been buying steel bledee for plows from the Dyar Sales & Machinery Co. and they have not seemed to give as satisfactory service as he expected. He made up a list of requirements for the coming season and received a bid from Dyar Sales & Machinery Co., of $1.25 per foot and a bid from the Allied Steel Co., I n 305 ' the next lowest bidder, of $1.75 per foot. Mr. Paxton said he had not used the Allied Steel material in the past but that there was a greater friction resistence to that steel and he felt we would get better results from their blades. He said that the total cost would be approximately $374. Mr. Howse moved that the blades be purchased from the Allied Steel Co. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that Dr. Remick of the Middlesex County Sanatorium, had requested that they be allowed to tie into the water main on Walnut Street and have a water meter put on the house they are repairing there and that they be given the same rate as is given the institution buildings. Mr. Paxton said that while work was being done there, they found that the present one inch galvanized pipe which supplies water to the house was so corroded that they were unable to get the pressure they need. If they replace the p pe from the main buildings, it would cost approximately 4400, and that is the reason for the request. Mr. Potter moved that the request be granted and that the water be given at the same rate as that charged the institution buildings. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. ' The Chairman read a letter from Wm. Roger Greeley stating that he did not feel the lights at the intersection of Waltham Street and Mass. Avenue were properly adjusted Traffic and that the operation of the lights while an officer was lights In charge of the intersection seemed to unnecessarily Impede the traffic. Mr. Paxton said he would see Mr. Greeley on the matter. Mr. Paxton retired at,'9t35 P.M. Letter was received from Mr. Garrity inviting the Board to attend the Water Carnival at the playground to be held Invitation Sunday, August 25th. Letter was received from Lexington Homes, Inc., re- questing that the Board approve changing the name of Clematis Pond Road to Briggs Road and also changing the name of the New development known as Clematis Pond Development to Lexington changes Country Club Estates. Mr. Rowse moved that the Board approve these two changes. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Chairman stated that the Executive Committee of the Civilian Defense Committee voted at their last meeting 306 to ask the Selectmen to request a transfer of 475, from the Reserve Fund to install a modified skeet range on the grounds of the Minute -man Sportsman's Club. This range would, of course, be the property of the town.and merely be loaned to Defense the club for the use of citizens in training. Mr. Potter Comm. moved that the Board request the Appropriation Committee to funds. make this transfer. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. The report of the Slaughtering Inspector for the period Report from April lst to June 30th was received. The Board approved the application of Arthur R. O'Halloran License of 99 Waltham Street, who applied for a Peddler's License to peddle bakery products. Mr. Potter reported that George Whiting has asked his to request the Board to offer a reward of 0100, for the 'Whiting arrest of the person responsible for the bur -sing -of iris barn barn. Inasmuch as there were no funds available to do this, the Board took no action on the request. The Chairman reported that Mr. Mason of the Peacock rarm had spoken to him in regard to spraying his trees. He said that the town used to do this, but did not do so his year. Therefore he had it done himself at a cost of Spraying 30. and inasmuch as he was not notified that spraying would not be done this year, he felt the town should assume some of the cost. Mr. Rowse moved that no action be taken on the matter. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. It was voted to request Mr. Russell to appear before the next meeting of the ''Board, which will be held on Sept. P.M.A. 3, to discuss the P.R.A. "accounts. The Board discussed the application of James J. Waldron for permission to maintain an overhanging sign at Sign 1732 Mass, Avenue. Mr. Potter moved that the license be license granted, provided the post is put in a place disignated by the Building Inspector. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Potter moved that the Planning Board be requested to consider the matter of overhanging signs and the possible elimination of them and present suggestions and recommendations to the Selectmen. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. 1 Mr. Potter reported that all of the members of the I 307 ' Committee to draw up rules in relation to the new Ambulance appeared at the meeting held on Aug. 15th with the exception of Dr. Walsh, who is out of town. They were all in agreement that it should be used exclusively for emergency cases, such cases to be determined by the Police Department or by any physician in the Town. They felt the fees to be charged should be left to the Selectmen to determine. Mr. Rowse asked if they make any recommendations relative to charges and Mr. Potter said they felt they should be the same as the fees charged for other ambulances. Mr. Potter said they had considered the matter of contagious cases but felt that very seldom contagious cases were emergency cases and this question was not apt to arise. If it is an emergency, they felt it should be used, but thought this type of case would be rare. Mr. Rowse moved that the Chief of Police, the Chief of the Fire Dept. and all the physicians in town be sent a copy of the following regulations "That the ambulance is to be usedexclusively for emergency cases, such cases to be determined by the Police Department or by any physician in the Town, the charges for the use of the ambulance to be the same as the standard rates of private concerns". Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Potter said that the Chief of the Fire Dept. would keep a record of the uses of the ambulance, that is, where it went, how long it took, the amount of gas used, etc. and would inform the Board each time it was used so that the bills could be sent out by the Selectmen. Mr. Potter was requested to get the necessary information as to the standard charges made by private owners. The meeting adjourned at 1Ot20 P.M. A true record, Atteatt Asst. Clerk. 1