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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1941-05-06I0 • SELECTMENIS MEETING May 6, 1941. A special meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 7s30 P. M. Chairman Giroux and Messrs. Potter, Rowse, Sarano, and Locke were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. Wrightington appeared before the Board. He said that he wished to discuss the DeCristafaro case, he being one of the contractors on the North Lexington Sewer Project. His contract was on a unit price basis, with a total of about $65,000. When they came to measure, the Engineerst estimate gave DeCristafaro about $61,000.00 and he said that he was going to get the rest of that money. His attorneys brought up eight counts, one of which was the $1800. which we are holding back. They also claimed that the Town did not measure right, and that he should get more on certain items. There have been eight hearings before an Auditor, and we are paying F. T. Alden $25.00 per day when he is testifying. Mr. Wrightington said that the expenses of trying the case were mounting up. The Auditor suggested that DeCristafaro and the Town straighten out its differences, and settle the case. Mr. Wrightington told DeCristafarots attorney that he should make a proposition, and ,yesterday he came through with one. His whole claim is $6969.15, and we are holding $1269.38 which the Warren Pipe Co. has claimed. DeCristafaro's proposition is that he wants to get $3750.00 clear, in addition to whatever he has to pay the Warren Pipe Company. The amount he claims we owe him is $5499.77. Of that amount we are holding back $500.00 to compensate for the $500.00 paid Leary. Mr. Wrightington said that he doubted that we could collect this from DeCristafaro. On two other items Metcalf & Eddy's figures were not satisfactory, to him. The question of the sheathing left in place, and of iron pipe which had to be returned are to be straightened out yet. Mr. Rowse said he thought that Wrightington should go through with the case to the end of the Auditor's report, and then decide what to do. The other four members of the Board were in favor of compromising. Mr. Rowse asked Mr. Wrightington if he was recom- mending making an offer of settlement, and he replied that he was, in view of the P.W.A. outlook. The Chairman, speaking for the other four members of the Board, told Mr. Wrightington to offer to settle the case for $1,000.00, plus whatever he could salvage out of the $1200.00 owed to the Warren Pipe Co. Letter was received from Mr. Wrightington relative to a letter referred to the Selectmen stating that one Robert Lord was injured in Cary Hall on April 20th when a cannon in the vestibule fell on him. The young man has had to have the doctor several times since the accident, and his mother wanted to know who was going to take care of the doctor's bills. The Chairman thought it would be a good idea to have the • Town Physician go up to see the boy and submit a report on his condition, and Mr. Wrightington agreed with hint. Mr. Wrightington also thought that evidence regarding the circumstances should be obtained, and the Clerk was in- structed to obtain evidence in the case. The Chairman brought up the question of assembling all data on legal issues, and mentioned the Vine Brook cases in particular. He thought that all the data should Data on be placed in one book, so that it would be easily access - legal ible in the future. Mr. Wrightington thought it was a issues good idea, but said that a great deal of work was involved. He suggested that a committee be appointed, of which E. B. Worthen would be Chairman, to supervise the work. The Chairman said that he would speak to Mr. Worthen on the matter. The Chairman said that there was a hearing in the morning on a bill before the Legislature to set the rate at the Middlesex County Sanatorium $12.25 for three years, during which time the Recess Commission will make a thorough Rates G study of the matter. He said that the reason the towns Mdsx. Cty. should back the bili was that many of the towns had made San. their appropriations before the increase in rate was an- nounced, and they could not get transfers to meet the defi- Cite. The C1erk'was instructed to advise the Committee on Rules that the Town of Lexington was in favor of setting the rate at $12.25, but suggested that the Legislature make an attempt to get all the data and pass Legislation during this session. The Chairman said that the Committee on Public Safety needed funds. The Selectmen's Department has been supply - Transfer ing the stationery, postage, and time, and he thought 4100. for Com. should be provided. Mr. Rowse moved that the Appropriation on Public Committee be requested to transfer the sum of $100.00 from Safety the Reserve Fund to the Selectmen's Department - Expenses - Account. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Clerk said she would keep account of the funds expended on Public Safety work. Mr. Rowse brought up the question of gardens for Wel- fare recipients. He said that Wm. R. Mulliken had offered Gardens for to plow and harrow about six acres in back of his house on Welfare re- Waltham Street. Mr. Rowse asked the Board's approval to cipients purchase fertilizer and seeds from the Welfare Aid Account. Mr. Saran moved that Mr. Rowse's requestbe granted. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 0 Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Morse be instructed to appoint someone in his department to supervise this gardening work under Mr. Rowse's direction. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Rowse said he would like to know how the Board felt about the following subject. He said that there was an acute need for domestic help, and there are persons on Welfare who are able to do this work. He said he would like to have some- one like Mrs. Casey, of the Welfare staff, be responsible for placing women on relief in some of these positions. Mr. Locke moved that Mr. Morse be instructed to have Mrs. Casey undertake a program of household employment under Mr. Rowse's Direction. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Potter retired at 9:15 P. M. Mr. Rowse called the Board's attention that the parti- cipation in the Food Stamp Plan was very poor, and he said that the reason for it was that the recipients claim that the food allowances are too high. The meeting adjourned at 9120 P. M, A true record, Attests Clerk • Welfare women tc work as domestic