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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1941-03-1011 SELECTMEN'S MEETING March 10, 1941. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Monday, March 10, 1941 at 7:30 P. M. Messrs. Giroux, Rowse, Locke, and Sarano were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. Giroux said that there was no Chairman of the Board at the present time and he therefore suggested that the Clerk of .the Board preside. The Board agreed that this was the manner in which the meeting should be handled until a Chair- man was elected. Mr. Rowse then moved that Mr. Archie R. Giroux be elected Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for the ensuing year. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was un- animously voted. Mr. Giroux then presided over the meeting. Mr. Rowse said he realized that the Selectmen were not supposed to be the economy group in the Town and that they were supposed to recommend such expenditures as they felt were necessary. He thought however, that the Selectmen should re- consider the budgets already approved and decide whether or not there were any things that should be eliminated. He felt that there were some items in the budget which should be eliminated and thought that there were many people in the Town who would not be satisfied if the Appropriation Committee not only approved practically everything the Selectmen recommended but went beyond that and recommended the outlay items that the Selectmen had no control over. Chairman Giroux said that the operation of the Town for the last four or five years had been at a very low level. He said that the high expenditures were for welfare and the accounts the Board of Selectmen had no control over. He said the view point seemed to be that now was the time when we should do things that we had been putting off for several years. He thoughtthat the precinct meetings should be told of the major things that should be done and then given an opportunity to act on them. According to items approved now, the tax rate .will be $32.00. He mentioned the playground fence and said that the Town started to build the enclosed field several years ago and a great deal of money has been spent there. He said the question was whether this was the year the field was to be finished so that some use could be made of it and revenue re- turned to the Town, or if it should be let go for another year. Mr. Rowse said that it had been the endeavor fbr the last eight or ten years to bring down the Town's operating cost and it has been the general idea that the tax rate we could afford to pay was about 030.00. He said that apparently this Board felt that $32.00 was low enough and that now was the time to do these things and to give up the idea of the $30.00 tax rate. 555 Chairman of Board Discussion re: Expenditures Playground fence 556 ea The Chairman said that in good times and bad, the $32.00 rate must have been acceptable to the Town as there was only one year in twenty that the tax rate had been below that figure. He said that for the last few years the Town had been operat- ing at a cost of $16.00 for maintenance and operation. He said the Town was spending less despite the fact that it was growing. We have been paying off the bonded debt but the operation and maintenance costs have been kept down to the lowest possible level. He said that if there was any chance to cut down, it must be in those items over which the Board has no control such as welfare, Old Age Assistance, etc. Mr. Rowse asked if it was the Chairman's idea that the Board had not taken care of the regular functions of the Town at all. The Chairman said that the Board had been putting off two or three road construction jobs for the past few years. Mr. Rowse said he felt that he had some part in bringing down the tax rate without injuring the Town. Now the Board apparently feels that it has given up taking care of things long enough and that now is the time to do them. The Chair- man said that the maintenance had been well taken care of but that some of the major jobs that should have been done had been neglected. Mr. Rowse said that what was bothering him most was the change in view point and that now the feel- ing is that we have to spend money. The Chairman said that he did not believe that Mr. Rowsets statement was quite correct. ' He thought the taxpayers should be told that now was the chance to do some construction work and not increase the tax rate. He thought the Selectmen should outline the picture to the Town Meeting members and then they are the ones who have to approve or disapprove the various items. He said that the following precinct meetings were to be held: Precinct One Adams School March 21, 1941 Precinc* Four Estabrook Hall March 20, 1941 Precinct Three Estabrook Hall March 25, 1941 He said he was planning to attend these meetings and that he would try to point out to the members present the difference in opinion that exists and tell them that it was up.to them to decide the question. Mr. Rowse asked if any of the members of the Board wanted to make any change in their stand on any question and none did, At 7:55 P.M. Mrs, Edythe M. Burke, Mrs. George V. Ryan, and Mrs. Arthur N. Lee appeared before the Board. They.rep- Food Booth resented the American Legion Auxiliary. The Chairman told A. L. Aux. them that the'Selectmen had made an error in granting the Auxiliary permission to maintain a stand at Emery Park on April 19th. Mrs. Burke suggested that the stand might be operated on the. Buckman Tavern grounds, but the Chairman ' informed her that the Historical Society and many towns- people would object strenuously to this. The Chairman asked what the objection was to locating at the corner of Depot Park near the Central Block. Mrs. Burke said the bake shop had a lunch counter and the proprietor would ob- ject to any stand being put up next to his store. It was de- cided to have the group consult with Mr. Garrity and the Chairman told them the Board would approve whatever location Mr. Garrity suggests. The -group retired at 8;07 P.M. At 8;08 P. M. Mr. James J. Walsh, chairman of the Cemetry Commissioners, Clyde A. Steeves, chairman of the Board of Assessors, Randall B. Houghton, chairman of the School Commi- ttee, and the following members of the Appropriation Committee appeared before the Board; Messrs. Sheldon, Rosenberger, Hoyt, Brown, Spwllman, Maynard,'and Russell. Mr. Giroux relinquished the chairmanship of the meeting to Mr. Sheldon. Mr. Sheldon said the meeting was called in accordance with Article 13 Section 1 of the Town By-laws, to consider the items in the annual budget. Mr. Giroux moved that the reading of the budget be waived. Mr. Hoyt seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The difference in the amounts approved by the Board of Seledtmen and the Appropriation Committee were read by Mr. Sheldon. He read some figures which the Town Accountant had ' prepared, giving the amounts approved for 1941 as compared with the appropriations in 1940, as far as the tax rate is concerned. The budget for public welfare was discussed. Mr. Giroux said the only place any cut could be made was in Chapter 117 as the other budgets were under control of the State and Federal Government. He said that the Selectmen were not satisfied with the welfare situation in the Town, but had done everything possible to reduce it. Me said that the State and Federal Government were putting on pressure to have Old Age Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children built up. He said that there was a Bill before the Legislature to enable the State to take over that part of welfare that it does not now have control over. Mr. Sheldon said that the Appropriation Committee was making a recommen- ation in its report that the moderator appoint a committee to study public welfare. He said that this was in no way a criticism, but the Appropriation Committee felt that there was a lot of good in this sort of study. They feel that be- cause it is the second largest item in the budget, the more the townspeople know about it, the better off they will be. He said that Arlington had such a committee appointed and an excellent report was submitted. Mr. Giroux said he had told Mr. Sheldon he believed the Selectmen would have no objection to such a study. 0 Items in annual budget 558 Moth Supt. Homemakers Group He said it was too late now, but he thought it would be a good thing to present a Bill for the next session of the Legislature to have a separate Board fair Public Welfare established, that would be two years from now. He suggested that in 1942 the Town Meeting be requested to authorize the Selectmen to submit a Bill to the Legislature requesting the establishment of a separate Board of Public Welfare in Lexington. Mr. Rowse said he felt that the taxpayers were not getting the proper break this year, in view of the decrease in the bonded debt. Mr. Sheldon said the Appropriation Committee felt that now was the time to do some of the things that had been put off. He said that if everything was thrown out this year, next year the rate would probably jump to $33.00 or higher and the Appropriation Committee feels a fluctuating tax rate is bad for the Town. He said it was simply a question of whether or not the Town was going to do things now that it could, or if it was going to put them off for another few years. Mr. Sheldon said that the Appropriation Committee was recommending a difficult setup on the appropriation for Follen Road. They are recommending an appropriation of 3,000.00 from the tax levy and bonding the balance of 151000.00 to be paid off in five years at the rate of ,i>3,000.00 per year. The Selectmen agreed with this. Mr. Sheldon read a letter from Elmer A. Lord,& Co. with reference to the sprinkler system for the high school. The cost of insurance for rive years is $16,737.00 and if the sprinkler system is put ii:, there will be a saving of $6025,00 each five years. The sprinklers would pay for themselves in about ten years. Mr. Steeves asked if the high school would be large enough in ten years to accommodate all the pupils and Mr. Houghton said of course he could not tell. However, if the time comes when they are too crowded, the question of dropping the Bedford pupils could be considered. Mr. Sheldon said both Boards felt that a study of the salary situation should be made by a committee and the Appropriation Committee is making that recommendation in its report. The group retired at 9:10 P. M. Mr. Locke moved that Mr. John J. Garrity be appointed Moth Superintendent for the ensuing year upon the approval of the State Forester. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 1 1 A letter was received from the Middlesex County Ex- tension Service requesting that a member of the Board of , Selectmen greet the Homemakers group on :June 3rd at Cary Hall. It was decided that either,Mr. Giroux or Mr. Sarano would greet the group. D 1 The Board of Appeals order denying the applica-tion of Alexander Marvin to divide lots number 5 and 6 on Taft Ave. Marvin appli- so that each parcel would have an area of about 6,500 feet cation denied was noted. A letter was received from the President of the Lexing- ton Public Health Association informing the Board that at the Public H'lt last meeting of the Board of Directors, it was voted that the Assn. Chairman of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Lexington be elected a director of the Association and that the encumbent of said office shall at all times be an ex -officio director of the Association. The Association also voted that the Chairman should at all times have authority to designate an alternate to represent him at any or all meetings of this Association. The Chairman suggested that Miss Lowe be appointed to represent the present Chairman of the Board. He said he Miss Lowe had suggested this to Mr. Carter who had approved of it. to rep. Mr. Rowse said the Association's work was not Town Chairman at work and he wondered if the Selectmen should have any part Public in it. The Chairman said that no member of the Board alone Health meet had any power to speak for the Board. Mr. Rowse said he ings did not object to having a member of the Board of Selectmen a director of the Association, or having the Clerk a director, but it was the wording of the vote that bothered him. The vote said "The Chairman of the Board of Selectmen" and he objected to that as he thought it was making the Board of Selectmen members. The Chairman asked if any of the other members of the Board had any objection to the Association's vote and they had none. He said what the Board wanted was in- formation so that the Selectmen would know what was going on. Mr. Locke moved that the Board approve Miss Lowe appearing as an alternate for Mr. Giroux. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 0 A letter was received from the Chinese Students' Association requesting permission to hold a Tag Day in Permit for Lexington some Saturday in March or April. Mr. Locke Tag Day moved that the permit be granted. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton appeared at 9:25 P. M. A final plan of lots 33-38 on Mass. Avenue and Paul Revere Road in the Wellington Estates Development was sub- mitted by the Ross Realty Corp. Mr. Rowse moved that the Board of Survey plan entitled "Plan of Lots number 33 to 38, Wellington Estates, Lexington Mass., owned by Ross Realty Corporation, March 7, 1941, Scale 1 inch = 100 feet, Merrill A. Brown, civil engineer and surr veyor", be approved by the Board. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 560 Use of Halls Mr. Paxton stated that the Sons of Union Veterans had requested the use of Cary Hall for an entertainment on March 15th. Mr. Locke moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Saran seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that Precinct 3 Town Meeting members re- quested the use of Estabrook Hall on March 25th. Mr. Rowse moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton presented a plan showing location of proposed gas mains in Ariel, Smyth, Cary, and Cherry Streets and Taft Location Avenue and Sutherland Road. He said that he approved the lo - of gas cations as did the Town Engineer. mains app. Mr. Locke moved that the Board approve the locations. Mr. Saran seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said he had received a letter from Mr.. Wrightington with reference to the acceptance and construc- tion of Moreland and Oakland Avenues etc. Mr. Wrightington Acceptance said that the Town could not assess betterments greater than of streets the assessed valuation of the property. He said that the problem was whether or not the Selectmen wished to spend money to construct a street only twelve feet in width instead of the usual forty feet. He said that if the Board did not wish to authorize the construction, the petitioners could proceed under General Laws, Chapter 82 Section 26 before the County Com- missioners. No action was taken on the matter. At Bedford and Reed Streets, the Board voted to install one 600 candle power lamp near the corner of Larchmont Lane. Street At the intersection of Lincoln Street and Mass. Avenue, lights the Board voted to install three 600 candle power lamps and remove one 800 candle power and one 230 candle power lamps. The Board voted to install ten 80 candle power lamps at Follen Road. 1 1 Mr. Paxton said that he had reached an agreement with Mr. Walter A. Gleason of 59 Piedmont Avenue, Waltham, who claimed damages to his car resulting from an accident on Waltham Street on January 30, 1941, whereby the Town would Gleason reimburse Mr. Gleason in the amount of $40.00. He said he settlement had tried to put through a voucher for this amount but the Town Accountant would not approve it because the Selectmen had not definitely approved the settlement of $40.00. Mr. Locke moved that the claim be settled for $40.00. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton discussed the W.P.A. sewers being constructed W.P.A. in Liberty Heights. He said it was estimated that there was Sewer in a total of 1800 cubic yards of ledge to be removed and Liberty approximately 1,000 cubic yards had been removed so far. Htg. 1 1 1 1 1 He presented a plan and showed the ledge that had been encountered. He said the job was probably about 47% completed. The Chairman said he had been receiving complaints on the blasting as it is going on every day. Mr. Paxton said he believed it would have to continue if the job was to be completed. Mr. Paxton retired at 10;10 P.M. Mr. Morse appeared before the Board. Mr. Morse said he had received a letter from Mr. Wrighting- ton advising that he had received a communication from Archie M. Hillman, City Counselor of Worcester, requesting that he appear at a hearing to be held on House Bill #345 on April 3, 1941. This is a bill authorizing Towns to collect from persons receiv- ing Old Age Assistance who may come into some money after they have gone on the Ord Age Assistance rolls. Mr. Wrightington thought it might be well for the Board to record itself in favor of this bill and to notify the Chairman of the Committee on Pensions to that effect. Under the present Old Age Assistance law there is no obli- gation to repay a cent to the Town that grants one the assistance unlees one happens to have real estate valued at more than w3,000.00. Mr. Rowse moved that the Selectmen authorize the Town Counsel to support the Bill and that Rep. Charles E. Ferguson be requested to notify the Chairman of the Committee on Pen- sions that Lexington is in favor of the passage of House Bill #345. Mr. Morse brought up the matter of Fidelity Bond and in- surance in connection with the Food Stamp Plan. The insurance he recommends will cost $48.00 per ear and the Fidelity Bond will cost $10.00 for a coverage of 12,000.00. The bond would cover Wilbur Roberts as Stamp Cashier and the insurance policy would cover everything. The Board informed Mr. Morse that it would approve placing the insurance and the bond with Gilmour, Rothery Company through its Lexington agent, Mr. Robert Whitney. A letter was received from Mr. Beach stating that it was necessary to have someone to wash dishes at .the various schools in connection with the School Lunch program and so far he had been unable to secure a woman from the welfare rolls to do this work at the Franklin School. He suggested that he be given authority to hire Miss Edna C. Cataldo to work two hours per day for five days at the Franklin School and that she be paid $6.00 per week. Mr. Sarano moved that Mr. Beach be given the requested authority. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 561 House Bill #345 Franklin Set Lunch Pro- gram 562 The Chairman said that Mr. Grindle told him. that he was , having quite a lot of trouble with boys thumbing rides in Boys front of the high school. He asked that the Police Depart. thumbing ment assist in curbing this practice. rides Mr. Sarano moved that Chief Sullivan be asked to cooperate with Mr. Grindle in the matter. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman said that because Cary Hall was alreddy engaged for April 18th, it would be impossible to hold Patriotic patriotic exercises that evening. He said because it was exercises rather late now, he thought it would be a good idea to de- lay the preparations for another year. The Board approved the suggestion. The meeting adjourned at 11:00 P.M. A true record, Attest: /0 Clerk 1