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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1941-03-03' SELECTMEN'S MEETING March 3, 1941 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectments Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening, March 31, 1941 at 7:30 P. M. Chairman Giroux, Messrs. Potter, Locke and Sarano were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. Rowse appeared at 8:05 P. M. At 7:30 P. M. the Town Clerk appeared for the drawing of two jurors. Mr. Paul L. Callahan, repairman, of 8 Fletcher Avenue was drawn to serve on Criminal Business at Cambridge, First Session beginning April 7, 1941. Mr. Arthur B. Field, garageman, of 20 Chase Avenue was drawn to serve on Civil Business at Cambridge, Second Session, beginning April 7,1941. Drawing jurors At 7;35 P. M. Mr. Garrity and Mr. Paxton appeared be- fore the Board. Mr. Garrity said that in 1937 the Board of Selectmen authorized the Deputy Tree Warden to plant trees inside the sidewalk in various streets in the Town. The people in the Brick Village Development have asked to have Planting trees planted, but Mr. Garrity did not believe that they should trees ro- be planted on the plot between the sidewalk and the street. side walks This plot is about three feet wide. He thought the trees . ' should be put six feet inside the side walk. Most towns are planting trees in private property inside the sidewalk now. Mr. Potter asked if there was any chance of the Town getting into trouble and Mr. Garrity said he would send out a card which the property owner would sign and which would protect the Town. He read the form of card to be sent out. The Chairman suggested that it might be a good idea to make mention on the card that this was in accordance with the custom being followed in other communities. Mr. Paxton said the three foot grass plot was not wide enough to give proper water to the roots of the trees and as the trees grow, they displace the sidewalk and gutter pave-. ments. Mr. Garrity said that Winchester would not plant a tree in the outer grass plot. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Garrity be authorized to pro- ceed with the"work in accordance with his desires provided the Town Counsel approved. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Garrity retired at 7:45 P. M. Mr. Paxton said that a conference had been held with Mr. Merriam, Mr. Ross and himself present. The group worked Estimate of out an estimate of costs of Patriots Drive using a different cost of method. Mr. Ross felt his estimate might be increased to Partiots Dr. $1900.00. 550 Uses of Halls He found a list of assessments on water and sewer construction made up in 1937 to be assessed to Mr. Merriam and the total amount of the assessment was $1140.00. Calling this $1125.00 and deducting from Mr. Rosa' figure of $1900.00, a balance of $775.00 is left. This is what is to be paid to Mr. Merriam but he will he satisfied with $700.00 provided no betterment is assessed on Lot 7. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Merriam be reimbursed in the sum of $700.00 with the understanding that no betterment assessment will be levied on Lot 7. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton received a request from the Precinct Four Town Meeting members for the use of Estabrook Hall on March 20th. Mr. Potter moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that the Red Cross requested the use of a conference room on March 11th. Mr. Potter moved that the use of the conference room be granted free of charge., Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said he had talked with Mr: Custance about using one of the rooms in the Barnes' property for the meet- ings of the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Custance finally agreed to try the room now used by the W. P. A. engineers. Mr. Paxton said that last year the Board granted him Rental permission to rent a sweeper for which he paid $35.00 per of sweeper day. This sweeper did such a good job that he would like to rent it this year for not more than two weeks, the cost to be charged to the Highway Maintenance Account. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Paxton's request for per- mission to rent the sweeper be granted. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said he felt that the real difficulty on the coal had perhaps been a misunderstanding on the specifica- tions under which we requested our bid. We requested straight run -of -mine coal and there are two types ---this and domestic Coal run -of -mine the latter is screened and that is the type the Lexington Coal Company has supposedly been delivering to us. However, as our specifications call for straight run -of -mine, beginning next week the Lexington Coal Company will deliver to us straight run -of -mine coal at $7.00 per ton. Mr. Rowse asked how the coal supplied by the White Fuel Company had been running and Mr. Paxton said according to analysis the fuel had not been quite up to specifications. He called this to the attention of the company and they showed him the result of an analysis as compared with the analysis made by the Town. The Company felt that the Town should pay for any analysis made now. He said however, from a practical point of view, they have noticed no difference in the coal burned. 11WIV 1 1 1 ' Mr. Paxton is going to write a letter to Mr. Birmingham and tell him that the analysis was not up to what it was supposed to be. Mr. Paxton discussed the petition for acceptance and construction of Moreland Avenue, Oakland Avenue, and Swan Lane, etc. The engineers made up an estimate of the cost of this construction showing it to be $20,000..00 or $24,000.00. The assessment sheets were sent to Mr. George McLaughlin, attorney, for signatures. However, they were able to secure only five on the entire list. Mr. McLaughlin feels that the Town has a responsibility as far as these streets are con- cerned, and he feels that something should be done on them. Mr. Paxton said he mentioned to Mr. McLaughlin that he understood the abutters on any private way were responsible for the way in front of their property, and he felt that if there was any way that the Town could force the people to maintain the road to a certain minimum standard, it would satisfy his clients. Mr. Paxton told him that was something the abutters should straighten out between themselves. The Chairman suggested that Mr. Paxton consult with Mr. Wrighting- ton and request him to answer Mr. McLaughlin's letter. The Chairman called the Board's attention to the fact that the Selectmen desired to have some report on the Mine Brook situation to be presented to the Town meeting. Mr. ' Russell was to make up this report and it had been suggested that it was to be incorporated in the Appropriation Committeets report. They felt that it would cost forty or fifty dollars to have the report printed and the suggestion was made that it be omitted from the Appropriation Committeets report and that it be mimeographed and distributed at the Tows Meeting and also be put in the paper. The Clerk was requested to ask Mr. Russell to submit it to the Board. The Chairman said that Mr. Ernest Martin spoke to him about having the one hour parking on Mass. Avenue between Waltham Street and Muzzey Street extended to nine or ten o'clock in the evening. Mr. Sarano said this subject, was being studied by the Chamber of Commerce and that the or- ganization would submit its recommendations soon. 5:51 Accept. & Con6tr. of Moreland, Oakland & Swan Lane Vine Brook Report Extending 1 hour parking in Center The Clerk reported that it would cost $150.00 to print enough copies of the Building, Plumbing, and Gas Laws to be Building, supplied to the Town Meeting members and $250ti00 if they were Plumbing & to be sent to all the voters. It was decided to have printed Gas By -Laws sufficient to supply the Town Meeting members only. The Chairman said that certain individuals in Town are anxious to have sufficient funds appropriated at this Town meeting to take care of equipping three units of the Fire 552 �I Department so they could connect with the two-way police , radio. It would cost $480.00 for each unit or approxi- mately $1500.00 for the three. The Clerk was instructed to write Mr. George Fuller and tell him that the Select- men would recommend the purchase of the equipment for the Police Department only as equipment for the Fire Depart- ment could not be purchased under the article in this warrant. The utter of increased personnel for the Fire De- partment was discussed. It was the opinion of the Board Increase that the Town might approve one additional man but that personnel it would not approve of two. It was decided to recommend Fire Dept. the employment of one additional man in the Fire Department, beginning May 1, 1941, A letter was received from the Appropriation Committee Bldg. & advising that that body had approved the sum of $93.75 for Plmbg. Ins. automobile allowance for both the Building and Plumbing car all. Inspectors. It was decided to change the Selectmen's recommendation on this item from $75.00 to $93.75 in order to concur with the Appropriation Committee. A letter was received from Channing Cox in which was indorporated a letter from the Director of Accounts advis- (Money for ing that in his opinion cities and towns could appropriate ' 'defense money for defense purposes. The Chairman said he did not see how the Board could say how much money was needed. Har. Paxton retired at 9:30 P.I. Mr. J. L. Douglass appeared before the Board.He said that he would like permission to obstruct the sidewalk in front of 1698 Mass. Avenue for the purpose of constructing J.Dou lass g a building there. Mr. Douglass said he with e g g s d had filed th sidewalk Board a bond to obstruct the highway and he wanted to know bond if this would be sufficient or if it would he necessary to file another bond. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Douglass be granted per- mission to obstruct the sidewalk in front of x,698 Mass. Avenue for the purpose of constructing a building, this permission to remain in effect for sixty days from March 3, 1941, provided he filed a bond which met with the approval of the Town Counsel. Mr. Locke seconded the motion,and it was so voted, The Chairman said that last Friday the Clerk had to Trans. Exp. cover a meeting at the State House and he thought she 'Clerk-Select.should be reimbursed for expenses and transportation. Mr. Rowse moved that the Clerk be authorized to sub- mit a bill to cover expenses whenever she had to go anywhere on Town business. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A letter was received from the Appropriation Committee Bldg. & advising that that body had approved the sum of $93.75 for Plmbg. Ins. automobile allowance for both the Building and Plumbing car all. Inspectors. It was decided to change the Selectmen's recommendation on this item from $75.00 to $93.75 in order to concur with the Appropriation Committee. A letter was received from Channing Cox in which was indorporated a letter from the Director of Accounts advis- (Money for ing that in his opinion cities and towns could appropriate ' 'defense money for defense purposes. The Chairman said he did not see how the Board could say how much money was needed. ' He felt that if such emergency should arise,, then a transfer from the Reserve Fund could be made or a Town Meeting could be called. Mr. Charles McCormack and Mr. Edmund A. Webb appeared before the Board. They requested that the American Legion be granted permission to use the center playground on Jtlly 30 4, and 5 for the purpose of holding a Field Day. Mr. Sarano moved that the permit be granted. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The matter of a stand to be placed on the Common on April 19th was discussed. All of the members felt that there should be a new stand. It was decided to add the sum of $100.00 to the Park Department -Expense Account so that a new stand could be built. Mr.•Potter moved that the expense of decorating the stand be charged to the Unclassified Account. lir. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Clerk informed the Board that no objection had been received on changing the name of Blake Avenue to Patriots Drive. Mr. Sarano moved that the Selectmen, acting as the Board ' of Survey, approve changing the name of Blake Avenue to Patriots Drive. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. n 553 Field Day permit New stand for Apr. 19 Blake Ave. be Patriots Drive A letter was received from Mr. Robert C. Merriam calling to the Board's attention the fact that a fire Fire Ins. insurance policy in the sum of $3300.00 expires April 21 --- policy through the office of Helen C. Whittemore. He requested authority to rewrite the insurance. The Clerk was instructed to determine how much insurance Mr. Merriam had and bring up the matter next week. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. George Whiting be nominated as Slaughter Inspector. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and Slaughter it was so voted. Insp. Mr. Potter moved that Dr. Chester L. Blakely be nomi- Animal nated as Animal Inspector. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, Insp. and it was so voted. Mr. Morse appeared before the Board at 9:15 P. M. and discussed the Food Stamp Plan. He said that the stamp window Food Stamp would have to be open from 9 to 12 and 1 to 3 on Thursday window hrs. and Fridays, also it should be open either Monday or Tuesday morning and afternoon. 554 MIT Mr. Beach thought that Wilbur Roberts work on the W.P.A. , would be decreasing because of the number of men being Food Stamp laid off and both he and Mr. Morse felt that Mr. Roberts Cashier was qualified to serve in the capacity of Stamp Cashier. The recommended that his salary be increased from $22.00 to 130.00 per week. Mr. Rowse asked why they recommended the increase and Mr. Morse said that he would have more clerical work to do and would have to do some of his visit- ing after hours. It was decided to employ Mr. Roberts in the dual capacity of W.P.A. Investigator and Food Stamp Cashier and pay him at the rate of $27.00 per week, beginning March ll, 1941. It was also voted to allow him $100.00 for -cat allowance. The Surplus Commodity budget was approved in the amount of $1506.00. A letter was received signed by the following members of the Welfare Department: George V. Morse, James E. Collins, Request from Mrs. Mary E. Case, Thomas F. Fardy, Muriel C. Edkins, and employees of Gertrude E. Mitchell. These employees requested that the Welfare Dept. Board review and reconsider the salaries recommended for for salary 1941. They felt that they were not justly compensated for increases their work and requested that the salaries recommended under Civil Service be adopted. The Chairman told Mr. Morse it was the feeling of some of the members of the Board that there should be no increase In salaries but the Board did approve some. He said that a committee was to be appointed to study salaries and.to sub- mit recommendations prior to the next annual Town Meeting. Mr. Morse retired. A report was received from Mr. Beach showing a balance of $72.63 on hand as of March lst on the School Lunch Pro- ject. A letter was received from the Appropriation Committee recommending that bids be received on fuel allowed Welfare recipients. It was decided to refer the matter to Mr.� Morse for his recommendation. A letter was received from the Lexington Field and Re: Food Garden Club expressing regret that permission was given Booth At to the American Legion Auxiliary to sell food at Emery Emery Park Park on April 19th. It was voted to rescind the vote of January 2, 1941 granting permission to the American Legion Auxiliary to operate a food booth at Emery Park on the 19th of April. The Clerk was instructed to advise the Auxiliary that the Board would have no objection to the maintenance of a booth at the corner of Depot Part and the Central Block, provided the property owner had no objections. Commitments of water rates, water bettemments and water liens were signed. rThe meeting adjourned at 10:45 P.M. A true record, Attest: Clerk 1