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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1941-01-27me - ' SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 27th, 1941. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectments Room, Town Office Building at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Giroux, Messrs. Potter, Rowse, Locke and Sarano were present. The Clerk was also present. The Chairman said Mr. Pulliam R. Greeley had filed, as a report of progress, the Planning Board's study 6f - budgets for the five year period, 1935-1939. He asked if the Planning Board could discuss the Survey with the Selectmen but the Chairman suggested it was difficult for the Board to do it this evening as there was only one copy and the Selectmen had no chance to go over it. The Chairman asked Mr. Greeley to have copies made and forwarded to the Board. He agreed to do this. At 7:30 P.M. the Registrars of Voters appeared before the Board. The Chairman said that there was some confusion in the minds of the Selectmen as to why the extra x100.00 for per- sonal services was requested last year. He said some members of the Board seemed to think this extra x100.00 was to cover the re - registration of all voters. Mr. Truesdell said that his Regis - Board appeared before the Selectmen and the Appropriation trars Committee and asked for an increase in salary of 25.00 of each. He said that it would be necessary to ask for much Voters. more money if the re -registration of voters went through. He said his Board is asking for just enough to bring it up to a parallel with towns of the same size around here. He said it was necessary to put in a lot of extra time last year as they had several registrations on account of the four elec- tions. There was an extra election and a recount. The Chairman said that the Appropriation was split up into two parts, 0200.00 - $100.00. He said that the Selectmen did not understand that the registrars were asking for a permanent increase. Mr. Truesdell said that Lexingtonts population had increased 30% in the last ten years and there was a great deal of work for the registrars to do. Mr. Lowe said that the re -registration would have to be started not later than December 1, 1940 if it was going . through so that was not an issue now. He said however that it was not a factor last year in asking for an increase of $100.00. .He read.a list of salaries paid to Registrars in towns around Lexington and all were over that paid here. He said that each election involved about thirty-eight hours work for each Registrars and last year there were four elections plus 510 a recount and a special election. ' He said the registrars have to check all nomination papers and prepare the registration sheets. Last year the registrars spent 210 hours on elections alone. He said that in 1910 the Board of Registrars were paid 060.00 and now they are paid only $50.00. He said they were asking for a perman- ent increase. The Board of Registrars retired at 7:50 P.M. Mr. Rowse moved that the salary of the Registrars of Voters be set at 675.00 per man or a total of X300.00 for the Board. Mr. Potter seconded'the motion, and it was so voted. At 8:00 P.M. Mr. Clyde Steeves, Chairman of the Ooard of Assessors appeared before the Board. Mr. Steeves said that the Personal Services and Expenses were down x'1200.00 from what they were ten ,years ago. He Assessorsaid that last year 150 cars were added and these increased budget. the taxes about $4,000.00. The Town received $3e,000.00 from excise taxes last year. He requested that the Board approve the -udget as submitted, and retired at 8:30 P. -M. Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board at 8:30 P.M. He said that the Chamber of Commerce had requested the use of Estabrook Hall on January 31st, for its annual Use of meeting. Hall Mr. Rowse moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was ' so voted. Mr. Paxton submitted a list of policies to expire in 1941 and asked if the Board wanted to renew them all at Expiring once rather than just before each policy expired. Ins. Mr. Rowse said that some of the brokers holding polic- policies might move out of town or pass away and he thought ies. it would be best to bring the policies up three or four times' a year. Mr. Paxton agreed to bring in the expirations four times a year. Mr. Paxton said that three truck.owners, Frederick Sgrosso, Stephen Trebino and Joseph Tropeano were going to apn17 for Common Carrier plates. He.thought the Selectmen should contact the Public Utilities Commission and request that the plates be.approved as soon as possible so that the trucks could be used by the W.P.A. Mr. Paxton said that he had looked at the street lights Streets at Stratham Road and Massachusetts Avenue, and Reed and lights Bedford Streets but had done nothing about them as Mr. Stevens of the Boston Edison Company was going to look over the locations with him. He said he would report later Mr. Steven's recommendation. L 511 ' Mr. Paxton read two letters from the W.P.A. rela- tive to projects in connection with the Defense Program. He talked with fir. John . Kane, who wrote one of the Defense letters, and it was Mr. Paxton's opinion that there was Program only one project worthy of consideration and that was the construction of unaccepted streets that had a large number of inhabitants. He said however, that he did not see how this would aid in the Defense Program. He talked over the subject with Mr. Joseph Ross who thought that some of his suggestions on water supply, sub- mitted to the Civilian Defense Committee, might be carried out. Mr. Paxton said that the cost to the Town would be about 25% and there was a chance that it might be consider- ably less due to the fact that the Federal Government may contribute some materials as well as the labor. The Chairman thought the program had more drawbacks than advantages. He also said that we had more than enough work for the W.P.A. this year. No action was taken on the matter. Mr. Paxton said he had received a call from Mr. Vernon Gomez of Oak Street w'ro said that his house and that of his mother-in-law had suffered damages to the ceilings Gomez as a result of the blasting for the sewer mains beYng laid in claim that vicinity. Mr. Friend, the inspector, and Mr. Beach blasting went down and Mr. Friend reported that he felt that none damages. of the damage was tide result of the blasting on the sewer job. He felt that some of the damage might be a result of the recent earthquake. No action was taken on the claim. Mr. Paxton said he had talked again with Mr. Whitney and Mrs. Davis about the Abbott Road Sewer. IIr. Whitney Abbott is still not agreeable to paying any part of the X334.00 Road sewer sewer assessment and Mrs. Davis is not willing to pay the assess - total assessment of something over $500=00 . She said ments, it was her understanding that the cost of her service and the betterment assessment would be about $200.00. Mr. Paxton said that in view of the circumstances he did not feel that the Town should put in the extension. Mr. Rowse moved that the vote of the Board authorizing the construction of the sewer main in Abbott Road be re- scinded and that the sewer order adopted on January 6, 1941 be rescinded. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and itcwas so voted. A letter was received from the Secretary of the East Lexington Men's Club requesting that the Selectmen install Light at a light over the entrance to the Adams School. The Clerk Adams was instructed to send a copy of the letter to Mr. Paxton School. and ask him to check the matter with Mr. Grindle and re- ' port his recommendation to the Board. 512 Mr. Paxton said that he talked with the State Traffic ' Engineers on the system at the corner of Waltham Street and Traffic Marrett Road. They figured their estimate on Pedestrian lights at Control so that a pedestrian could push: the button and Marrett Rd. get across. Mr. Copell of the State Department of Public & Waltham Works felt that this was the best system. Mr. Paxton said St. that if the Town wished a less expensive job he thought the Board should decide how much money it wanted to spend and then see what could be obtained for the money if the State would approve it. Mr. Rowse said he felt we should get whatever system the State would approve. Mr. Paxton said the State Planned to -gut actuators on the Marrett Road ends. Mr. Rowse said he ` understood actuators cost a great deal of money. The' Board asked Mr. Paxton to obtain the cost of the Push-button, the Actuator, and the Pre -timed systems. The Board will then .decide which system'it wished to install. A letter was received from W.S. Caouette in reply to the Clerk's letter advising the amounts of the betterment assess- ments on Blake Avenue provided that street was constructed Blake Ave. from Edgewood Road to Patriot's Drive. Mr. Caouette said he accepted had discussed the matter with the Blake interests and they had street. requested him to ask the Selectmen to take immediate steps to have the street accented. Mr. Sarano moved that the proper steps be taken so that ' the street might be accepted. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A petition was received from the Boston Edison Com- pany and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for Pole the approval of ten joint pole locations on Walnut Street, locations southwesterly from Concord Avenue. Mr. Potter moved that the locations be approved and the order signed. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A letter was received from the State Department of Public Works advising that the State and County had set up the following allotments for Chapter 90 construction for 1941. Chapt. 90 Street State Town County Spring St. $10,000. 45,000, �P5,000. Por. Potter moved that an article requesting the con - Art. for struction of Spring Street, under Chapter 90, be inserted in the Warrant. warrant. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 1 513 A letter was received from Mr. Francis Fay Miller, attorney for the Tower Estates, containing a re -draft of Section 2-A of Article 5 of the Building By -Law. A letter was also received from Mr. Wrightington con- taining his opinions relative to Mr. Miller's re -draft. The Clerk was instructed to call a meeting of those who attended the meeting on January 23rd to discuss Board of Survey Regulations and to invite Mr. Wrightington, Mr. Cosgrove and Mr. Paxton to be present. A letter was recevied from Helen K. Fitzgerald, ad- vising that she had received her broker's license and was now in a position to place all kinds of insurance. The ' Clerk was instructed to place the letter on file. A letter was received from the Town Treasurer ad- vising that the borrowing capacity of the Town for the year 1941 was $77,876.56. A letter was received from Mr. Carroll advising that the following had been suggested for the Patriot's Day Committee for 1941: Melville W. Webb, American Legion, Chairman Carl Jones, Veterans of Foreign Wars James H. Waldron, State Guard George E. Foster, Sons of Union Veterans James J. Carroll, Minute Men, Secretary Mr. 5arano moved that the persons recommended be appointed to serve on the committee. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, -and it was so voted. A letter was received from Mr. James J. Carroll ad- vising that the Patriot's Day Committee recommended a budget of $750.00 for 1941. Mr. Rowse moved that the sum of $500.00 be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Meeting to discuss Sub -Div. Reg. Request for Ins. Patriot's Day Comm. Patriot's Day Budget Mr. Sarano said that he had received a request that Edgewood Road be made a "Coasting" street. Mr. Paxton said that Edgewood Road ran between Merriam and hancodk Coasting Streets. He thought that coasting would be dangerous on the Street Hancock Street end and moreover when Hancock Street is sanded the Department always received complaints from the residents of Edgewood Road that that street has not been sanded. He said that York Street was the nearest coasting street to this vicinity. No action was taken on the matter Mr. Paxton retired at 9:45 P.LR. and Mr. Morse appeared. A letter was received from Mr. Francis Fay Miller, attorney for the Tower Estates, containing a re -draft of Section 2-A of Article 5 of the Building By -Law. A letter was also received from Mr. Wrightington con- taining his opinions relative to Mr. Miller's re -draft. The Clerk was instructed to call a meeting of those who attended the meeting on January 23rd to discuss Board of Survey Regulations and to invite Mr. Wrightington, Mr. Cosgrove and Mr. Paxton to be present. A letter was recevied from Helen K. Fitzgerald, ad- vising that she had received her broker's license and was now in a position to place all kinds of insurance. The ' Clerk was instructed to place the letter on file. A letter was received from the Town Treasurer ad- vising that the borrowing capacity of the Town for the year 1941 was $77,876.56. A letter was received from Mr. Carroll advising that the following had been suggested for the Patriot's Day Committee for 1941: Melville W. Webb, American Legion, Chairman Carl Jones, Veterans of Foreign Wars James H. Waldron, State Guard George E. Foster, Sons of Union Veterans James J. Carroll, Minute Men, Secretary Mr. 5arano moved that the persons recommended be appointed to serve on the committee. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, -and it was so voted. A letter was received from Mr. James J. Carroll ad- vising that the Patriot's Day Committee recommended a budget of $750.00 for 1941. Mr. Rowse moved that the sum of $500.00 be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Meeting to discuss Sub -Div. Reg. Request for Ins. Patriot's Day Comm. Patriot's Day Budget 514 The Clerk asked if the 1941 taxes on Lot 10-B, Marrett ' Road, which the Board recently agreed to sell to David A. Rix, were to be assumed by Mr. Rix. Mr. Potter moved that * . Rix be requested to.assume Lot 10-B the taxes for 1941. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it Taxes was so voted. The Town Counsel's bill in the amount of $410.00 for services and disbursements in the case of Ham v. Lexington was received. Mr. Potter moved that the bill be approved. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Town Counsells bill in the amount of X50.00 for his services in the case of Kenrick v. Lexington was received. Mr. Potter moved that the bill be approved. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A supplement to the Sewing Project was received from Sewing Mr. Beach. Mr. Locke moved that the Supplementary Project Project be approved and the Chairman authorized to sign it. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Board of Health abatement in the sum of $3.57.was approved. ' Notice was received from the County Commissioners ad- T.B. Hosp. vising that Lexingtonts share of the Mid lesex County expenses Tuberculosis Hospital expenses would be 6,051.41 for the year 1941. Food Stamp Notice was received from Washington that the Food Plan Stamp Plan had been approved for Lexington. Mr. Locke said that he had made some inquiries about two-way radio system for the Police Department. He thought a system would be a little premature for Lexington inasmuch as the Police Department has only two cars. Two-way 'Natertown put in a General Electric system that cost radio systemapproximately $4,000.00 and after the installation was in, Police the R.C.A. people told them that they could have given the Dept. service for 43,000.00. He said he was waiting for a story from an outfit in New York that was going quite a little work in frequency modulation systems. He said that Winchester was tied in with Arlington with a two-way radio system and it would probably be possible for Lexington to do the same thing if was willing to allow it. 11 ' Mr. Locke thought the matter should be turned over to a committee when the Town gets ready to do anything on it. It was decided to have a committee appointed under Article Article 2 of the Warrant for the next annual meeting to study the for War - question. rant. A letter was received from Mr. Charles E. Ferguson, Building Inspector, stating that while the Legislature was Resigna- in session it would be very difficult for him to properly tion of fulfill the duties of the Building Inspector along with the Bldg. In. duties imposed upon him in the House. He suggested that his resignation become effective as soon as the Board was able to find a successor. The ILetter was placed on file. . Commitment of water rates and list of water liens were signed as follows: Commitment of water Rates sec. III $5597.87 List of Water Liens 156.09 The Board considered the Water Construction budgets. The sum of $36,500.00 was asked for extensions under the Betterment Act and V6 000.00 was asked for Water Construction, Sundry Streets. The Loard decided to group the extensions in ' Betterment Streets with the Sundry 6treets and approved the sum of *40,000.00 for both accounts. It was decided to bond this amount for a period of eight years, thus making the pay- ments 05,000.00 a year. The. meeting adjourned at 11:30 P..M. A true record, Attest: `C . e rY 1