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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1941-04-21 SELECTMEN'S MEETING April 21, 1941 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening, April 21, 1941 at 7:30 P. M. Chairman Giroux, Messrs. Potter, Rowse, Locke and Sarano were present. The Clerk was also present. Chief Taylor appeared before the Board. The Board discussed with him the possibility of eliminating grass fires. The Chief said that the de- partment had had 173 alarms since April 1st. The Chief said that if a person started a fire and it got away from him and he was forced to pay for the expense of putting it out, it might be effective. He said that tf there was a large penalty for a person starting a Grass fire without a permit, it might do some good. The Chief Fires said that he had not issued any permits since April 15th upon instruction from the State. He said that the law says that any person starting a fire without a permit is liable to a fine. The Chief said that he had obtained an estimate from Mr. Shea, the Town painteron the painting of the 4111 East Lexington Fire Station. His estimate was $425.00 for two coats . The Chairman asked what it would Bost if a local contractor did the work and the Chief said it would be considerably above Shea's price. Mr. Mara's estimate in 1934 was $495.00. The Chief said that three coats of white paint would cost 4475.00. Mr. Rowse asked what the balance was in his repair item Painting and the Chief said he had spent all of the 4750.00 E . Lex. allowed for East Lexington. He said that the underneath Fire Sta. boards were badly rotted and the corner boards and pillars were all gone . He still has done nothing with the doors or the cupola. Mr. Rowse asked how much he figured in his budget for repairs and the Chief said his estimate was 3750.00 and this was to include the painting. The Chairman asked if he had any funds in his budget tow to cover the cost of the painting and he replied in the negative. Mr. Rowse reminded the Chief that his budget this year was 42300.00 higher than last year and he asked him if he could not squeeze out enough money to do the paint- ing, but the Chief said he could not . He said he had no money to house the additional man and he should have 4250. for this . Mr. Rowse asked why he did not mention that when he was talking about putting on the additional man and he said he did mention it. Mr Rowse asked how much money the4111 Chief needed to finish the repair work at East Lexington without the painting and the Chief thought it would take about $125. Mr. Sarano said that much more work had been done than was figured on. The Chairman asked the Chief if there was anything he could do so that it would not be necessary to provide the $250.00 to house the new man, and he said he didn't know what he could do. There is no room in either station. The Chairman asked if the men could double up and the Chief said he didn' t know how they could. He said however, that this matter could be post- poned for awhile . The Chairman asked when the Engineers planned to put on the new man and the Chief said it would probably be around the first of June. Mr. Rowse asked if it was feasible to give the East Lexington Station one coat of grey paint now and do a real fob of painting next year and the Chief said it would be very patchy. The Chairman showed the Chief the petition from the residents of East Lexington that the Station be painted white and the Chief said that the Fire Engineers had con- sidered white but had decided in favor of the grey. He reminded the Selectmen that the Fire Engineers had the care and custody of the Fire Department buildings so that the color was not a matter for the Selectmen to be con- 410 cerned with. The Chief retired at 7:55 P.M. The Clerk was instructed to tell Chief Taylor that his total appropriation for repairs was $1250.00 of which $250.00 was for repair work at the center station and that the Selectmen felt, inasmuch as the Town Meeting had ad- journed only two weeks ago, they did not care to ask for a transfer of funds so soon and suggested that Chief Taylor complete the repairing and painting at East Lexington out of his appropriation and let the center station go, or if he did the repair work at the center station, he would have to let the painting of the East Lexington station go for this year. Mr. Paxton and Mr. Cosgrove appeared before the Board at 8:00 P. M. The Chairman told Mir. Cosgrove that the Board had asked him to come in to discuss the enclosed field at the center playground. He said that the records show that there are some twenty feet of peat underneath the field Enclosed and the question had been raised as to whether it was field at wise to build the enclosed field on that spot. Mr. center Cosgrove said that he thought it would work out all right. The Chairman asked if he expected the surface to sink on account of the foundation under it and Mr. Cosgrove replied in the negative. 12 Mr. Rowse asked if it would be safe to put bleachers • there and Mr. Cosgrove said that with the drainage that had been put in, he thought it would be all right . About four feet of fill was put there. The Chairman asked if he expected to have any trouble with the drainage pipes cracking etc. inasmuch as the pipes were laid on boards and he said he did not. Mr. Paxton said that five-ton trucks loaded with fill were driven all over that area when the field was being built and he thought that the fill that -was put in would form a carpet and distribute the load* The Chairman said that some members of the Board had received criticism that the field should never have been built there as it was a known fact that there was twenty feet of peat under it. Mr Rowse asked if the boards would rot and Mr. Cosgrove said he did not believe that they would as they are below the water table . Mr. Rowse said that there had been some sinking already where the pipes were put in and Mr. Cosgrove said that was natural, that there was always some sinking where pipes were laid. He said undoubtedly there would be more sink- ing but he did not believe that it would affect the joints. Mr. Paxton said that they expected to have to grade up the field from time to time. Mr. Rowse thought that Mr. Cosgrove should give the Board something definite with regard to the safety of putting weight on the field -- weight for a grandstand and people sitting in it. Mr. Cosgrove said that he could go 4111 over there once a month and take elevations of the field and the Board told him to do this . Mr. Cosgrove retired at 8:13 P. M. Mr. Paxton said that the Red Cross had requested the use of a conference room on April 29th for a meeting and the Chamber of Commerce had requested the use of a con- ference room on April 24th for a directors' meeting. Mr. Potter moved that the use of the rooms be granted free of charge. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said he had received bids on crushed stone as follows: Cv:, Tmq STONE PRICES PER TON #1 #2 #3 #3A #4 #4A Stone Stone Stone Stone Stone Stone Stone Dust Disc. General Crushed Plant 1.25 1.25 1.35 1.50 1.75 2.00 .65 2% Stone Company Delivered 1.70 1.70 1.80 1.95 2.20 2.45 1.10 Maiden Crushed Plant 1.25 1.25 1.35 1.50 1.75 2.00 .75 Stone Company Delivered 1.80 1.80 1.90 2.00 2.20 2.40 1.25 Mass. Broken Plant 1.25 1.25 1.35 1.50 1.75 2.00 .65 2% Stone Company Delivered 1.60 1.60 1.70 1.85 2.10 2.35 1.00 J. H. McNamara Plant Incorporated Delivered Rowe Contracting Plant 1.25 1.25 1.35 1.50 1.75 2.00 .75 2% Company Delivered 1.75 1.75 1.85 2.00 2.25 2.50 1.25 14 The low bidder was the Mass. Broken Stone Company and Mr. 4111 Potter moved that their bid be accepted. Mr. Lode seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said he had received bids on cement brick as follows: Bay State Builders $14.50 delivered in Lexington Supply Co. .50 discount per M - 10 days Cambridge Builders Supply Co. Kelley Sales Corp. Bids on Winchester Brick Co. $13.50 delivered in Lexington cement .50 discount per M - 10 days brick Atlantic Brick & Tile Co. 14.50 delivered in Lexington .50 discount per M Mr. Potter moved that the bid of the Winchester Brick Company be accepted. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said he sent out letters to four companies asking for bids on shovel rental and he received only one reply. Mr. R. H. Stevens bid $5.50 per hour which is 50¢` 4111 more than the 1940 price. Mr. Paxton said the only reason he could think of that the firms did not bid was that there was increased activity in business now. Mr. Rowse asked if the Stevens shovel was in good condition and Mr. Paxton said that it was. Mr. Locke moved that the bid of Mr. R. H. Stevens be accepted. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was eo voted. Mr. Rowse asked if the Town ever rented out its gas shovel and Mr. Paxton said it had been rented out in the past at $3.50 per hour plus the operator's time of $1.00 per hour. • Mr. Paxton said he had received requests for approval of the following gas main locations: Taft Avenue for a distance of 315 feet, Sutherland Road for a distance of 400 feet, Lexington Avenue from Robbins Road to Follen Gas main Road, for a distance of 480 feet and in Richard Road for locations a distance of 250 feet, Mr. Potter moved that the locations be approved. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The matter of labor rates in the Public Works Dept. was discussed. The Chairman read the record of the dis- cussion had in February 1940 on the subject. 1110 4111 He said that it was his understanding that the superintendents were working toward a maximum for laborers . He said that in bringing in requests for increases, it was in accordance with his understanding that this was part of a program and that Mr. Paxton was merely carrying out the ideas of last year. Labor Mr. Paxton submitted a list of proposed increases. He rates said the superintendents were trying to bring along their men so that they would be capable of doing specific work and when it was necessary to hire extra help, they would not have to hire foremen as the regular men could act in this capadity. Mr. Rowse asked if Mr. Paxton was attempting to equalize ac- cording to ability and he said that he was . Mr. Rowse asked if provision for these increases was made in the budget and Mr. Paxton said that the wages came out of the maintenance appropriation so that there would be sufficient money, Mr. Rowse moved that the list of salary increases as sub- mitted be approved as of April 18, 1941. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The increases granted were as follows: Public Wks Present Proposed Dept. sal . Walter Holman ; .65 hr. f .70 hr. increases Sebastiano Palladino .55 .60 John McKenzie .55 .60 Anthony Cataldo .60 .65 1110 Sam Cuccinello .70 .75 Charles Brenton 30.00 wk. 32.00 wk. Andrew Ferry .60 hr. .65 hr. Henry Nutt .60 .65 Maurice Woodward .60 .65 Joseph MacDonald .55 .60 Wallace Weisinger .70 .75 Joseph Vitale .55 .60 James Casella .55 .65 George Ryan .60 .65 William Carpenter .60 .65 David McPeake .60 .65 Gabriel Brucci .60 .65 A letter was received from Mr. Francis Fay Miller, attorney for the Tower brothers, requesting the extension Water main: of water mains in Lockwood Avenue, Buckman Drive, Cedarwood Tower dev. Terrace and Dawes Road. Mr. Paxton said that in his opinion it was in order to have these extensions made and the esti- mated cost was 42500.00 Mr. Locke moved that the Water Department be authorized to install the water mains as requested as soon as the funds were available. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that he had received a suggestion re- garding welfare men. The suggestion was that he take a 0 16 certain amount of his work, and look over the list of 4111 welfare recipients, and if there are men available for work, that he hire them and pay them 301 to 35/ an hour. He said that they probably could do work clean- ing brooks, dressing up the shoulders of the roads, etc. Mr. Potter thought it was a mistake to mix welfare recipients and regular Town employees. Mr. Paxton said that he would merely have Town employees supervise the work. It was decided to leave the matter entirely to his discretion. The following members of the committee on the re- vision of the Building By-laws appeared before the Board: Messrs. Gordon D. Richards, Edwin B. Worthen,Jr. Charles E. Ferguson, and Lewis M. Reynolds. The Chair- man said that realizing the amount of building going on in town now, the Board was very anxious that the new By-laws be completed as soon as possible. He said this was es- pecially important because of the type of work that was Building going on in town. He asked the committee to consider By-Laws putting "teeth" into the By-laws so that the town would be doing everything possible to insure good building. He said that some of the reports the Board had received relative to improper building had bothered the members. Mr. Worthen, chairman of the committee, said that they had arrived at the point where they are planning to • hold a hearing soon to which architects, builders, con- tractors, etc. would be invited to thrash out the pro- posed By-laws. The Chairman said that the Selectmen desired By-laws that guaranteed, as far as possible, an honest deal for the individual. Mr. Ferguson said that the laws did not mean a thing unless they were enforced and he believed that the town needed a full time inspector. Mr. John Harris, who works for the Boston Globe, appeared before the Board at 9:55 P. M. The Chairman said Mr. Harris has been making a study of the Building By-law attuation in the State. Mr. Ferguson said that the Building Inspector had the additional problem of enforcing the zoning laws . Mr. Richards said that Winchester had studied the problem of small houses extensively and he was told that a'home could be built in Lexington several hundred dollars cheaper than in Winchester on account of the strict laws there. The Chairman said that it was not the Boardos intention to try to do away with small houses, but it wanted to see that the people got value for their money. Mr. Ferguson said that all building laws were for was to protect the health and safety of the individ- ual and if the committee got very far away from that principle the By-laws probably would not be passed by the Attorney General 4110 The Chairman said that there was considerable feeling ' on the question of signs and he wanted to know how the Board felt on the subject. The Chairman said that the Board had gone on record as approving signs the width of the building and not exceeding three feet in height. Mr. Rowse said that there was some agitation about doing away with overhanging signs and he asked if the committee was considering this phase of the matter. Mr. Ferguson said that the only way an overhanging sign could be put up was with the approval Of the Selectmen and they alone could control them. Messrs. Worthen, Reynolds, and Harris retired at 9:20 P. M. Mr. Richards said he believed that the Engineering De- partment should be instructed to check the side lines of houses before construction as well as the setback and grade. It was left that Mr. Paxton was to have the engineers cheek the side lines if it was possible to do wo without going to too much expense. A letter was received from three business men in Depot Square requesting a permit to erect a sign seven feet above Request for the ground, having an area of thirty square feet. Mr. sign at Ferguson said that in the first place no sign could be over Depot Sq. twenty feet in area. The Clerk was insti^ucted to write the Field and Garden Club to get their reaction in the matter. Messrs. Richards, Ferguson and Paxton retired at 9:30 Y.M. Mr. Morse appeared before the Board at 9:30 P. M. and retired at 10:07 P. M. A letter was received from the Planning Board advising that Diego Grosso had appeared before the Planning Board with reference to obtaining permission to use his land con- sisting of 6.95 acres off Woburn Street, for the purpose of D. Grosso erecting a dwelling. The letter said that there was a new request to street involved and that under the Subdivision Regulations, erect dwell the Board of Survey was permitted to vary the requirements ing in special cases where topographic or other factors necessi- tate such variations. It was the opinion of the Planning Board that there were no topographic conditions affecting the layout . A letter was received from Mr. Joseph A. Rosa relative to the July, 1940 water bill at the First Pariah parsonage First Parid at 16 Hancock Street. Mr. Ross said that the meter tested parsonage accurately and that there were no leaks found in the plumb- water bill ing. Mr. Locke requested that he be given a copy of the report. A letter was received from the Town Clerk advising that Section 30, Chapter 45 of the General Laws authorizes the Park Commissioners to accept gifts and therefore it was Center play not necessary to have the land at the center playground, ground 4111 which was a gift from Mr. Scott, accepted by the Town. 18 • Application for a ,ttnk license was received from 1110 Junk Benjamin W. Berman of 353 Highland Avenue, Somerville. license A letter was received from the Chief of Police advising that Mr. Berman was a young man of good character. Mr. Potter moved that the license be granted sub- ject to the payment of the fee of $50.00 and receipt of a formal report from Chief Bullock of Arlington. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman said that a telegram had been re- ceived at his house from Mr. Irving Strauss of the RCA Manufacturing Company advising that the charge Two-way for the two-way radio had been changed to $2030.65. radio The Clerk was instructed to forward the agreement to Mr. Wrightington and tell him that the company had approved deleting paragraph five and that the price had been revised from $2435.65 to $2030.65. The Clerk was instructed to ask Mr. Wrightington to ad- vise the company that the Board would sign the agree- on the basis of elimination of paragraph five and the inclusion of the new figure . A letter was received from Mr. Wrightington in- forming the Board that he approved of Mr. Aldents bill Alden' s bill in the case of DeCristofaro v. Lexington and also Mr. DeCristofaro Alden' s price of $25.00 per day for court work. It1111 v. Lex. was decided to request Mr. Alden to submit his bill for services to date. A letter was received from the Middlesex County Sanatorium advising that Thomas Forsythe needed glasses IT Forsythe and that the cost would be $6.50. eyeglasses Mr. Potter moved that the glasses be approved. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A letter was received from Mr. Wrightington advis- ing that Judge Hurley of the Superior Court in Cambridge had refused to issue the writ of mandamus against the Rodenhiser Selectmen by Richard F. Rodenhiser. This is the case claim in which Mr. Rodenhiser sought a permit to clean cess- pools in Lexington. Mr. Potter moved that the following licenses be granted. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mrs. John Thompson, 12 Franklin Ave. Home John W.Leary,45 Waltham St. Public Carrir.+ge William R. Greer,346 Concord Ave. Peddler' s Swenson Bros. Allen St. 100 swine Western Union Tel . 1736 Mass . Ave. Overhanging sign 4111 A surety bond in the sum of $1,000.00, issued in behalf of John C . Russell as constable in the Town of Lexington, was received. Constable Mr. Rowse moved that the bond be approved. Mr. Sarano bond seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Abatement of water assessments in the sum of $270.00 Burton levied on property of Elizabeth M. Burton was approved. abatement The Clerk was instructed to request the Chief of Police to take bids from Chevrolet, Plymouth and Ford dealers on two new cars, painted white with standard police lettering and insignia on the side. The Chairman said that last week there was a hearing at the State House, State Department of Public Works, with the County Commissioners . The State said that Lexington had been cut $5,000.00 on Spring Street. He talked with Mr. Spring Paxton and he said that the minimum he could build Spring Street Street for was $20,000.00. The Chairman asked him if he would rather have the Chapter 90 maintenance allotment or the $10,000.00 Spring Street and he said he would rather have the moneyfor Spring Street. The Chairman argued in favor of the 10, 000.00 allotment and the State finally ap- proved it. The Board approved of Mr. Giroux' action. The Clerk was instructed to request the Town Treasurer to take bids on the following loans : $40,000.00 loan for water construction for a period of 8 years, payable at $5,000.00 per year; $8,000.00 loan for sewer construction for a period Loans of 8 years, payable at $1,000.00 per year; $15,000.00 loan fpr Follen Road for a period of five years payable at $3,000.00 per year. Mr. Potter moved that the note3be dated May 1, 1941. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The matter of having flags placed at half staff in Flags Vets . case of a veteran's death was discussed. death Mr. Rowse moved that all flags be placed at half staff in case of a Veteran's death from the time of death until after the funeral. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The meeting adjourned at 11:00 P. M. A true record, Attest: Clerk