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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1941-07-07446 SELECTMEN'S MEETING July 7, 1941. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room; Town Office Building, Lexington, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Giroux and Messrs. Potter, Rowse, Sarano, and Locke were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 P.M. hearing was "declared open upon the pe- tition of the Boston Edison Company and the N.E. el. & Pole Tel. Co. for permission to erect one pole on the Cambridge location Concord Turnpike at the corner of Lawn Avenue. The Chairman turnpike said that the Town Engineer would approve locating ' the pole ten feet southeast of the original proposed location. Mr. Potter moved that the location be approved in accordance with the Town Engineer's recommendation. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. At 7:35 P.M. Mr. William A. Cann, the Acting Building Inspector,appeared before the Board. Mr. Cann gave the Board a summary of the work he has been doing. He sub- mitted a letter from the Town Accountant saying that he was $1.80 short in his Expense account. Upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Rowse, it was voted to request the Appropriation Committee to transfer the sum Salary of of $1.80 from the Reserve Fund to the Building Department Acting Expense Account. Bldg. Mr. Cann told the Board he felt that he should get Insp, more money. He said he put in six to six and one-half hours er day, and he thought his salary should be at least 145.00 per week and that he should get $175.00 per year for his car. Mr. Rowse said that it would be im- possible to increase the salary now, as there were no funds available for transfer. The Chairman asked Cann if he would be satisfied to continue at the present rate of pay and take a chance on getting more later on, and he said he felt he should get more money now. It was decided to discuss this question again at the next meeting. Mr. Cann said that beginning July 14 he and the Plumbing Inspector would like to change their office hours Change in from eight to nine in the morning to one -thirty to office two -thirty in the afternoon. The Board had no objection to hours, this. Insp. The Clerk was instructed to request Chief Sullivan to meet with the Board at the next meeting to discuss the police stopping building when no permits were in evidence. At 8:07 P.M. Mr. E. A. Lindstrom, the Plumbing Inspector, appeared before the Board. He said he wanted to U_j know what could be done to increase his salary without waiting for a Town Meeting. He said he averaged five hours per day on the job. Mr. Lindstrom said that his mileage had increased to about 480 miles per month. Mr. Lindstrom said he thought his salary should be increased to $1400. per year. The Chairman asked him if he would be satisfied if, after discussing the subject, the Selectmen voted to recommend an increase in salary to be retroactive to July 1st, and he said he would be. e thought his car allowance should be increased from 91100. to $150, per year. The Chairman told him that the matter would be discussed at the next meeting, and he retired. At 8215 P.M. Messrs. A. R. Soderberg, E.T. Buckley, William H. Driscoll, and J. Milton Brown appeared before the Board. Mr. George Nary appeared at 8:25 P.M. These people are on the Committee appointed to Study Salaries. The Chairman suggested that the Committee organize and elect its Chairman. He told them that the Board's purpose In meeting with them was to request them to set up some intelligent salary schedule for Town Employees. He said that the present arrangement was not satisfactory to the Board or to the Employees. He said the Board would like a minimum and maximum salary set up for each position, with step -rate increases. The Chairman suggested that the group get everybody's point of view - The Selectmen's, the Appro- priation Committee's, and the employees'. Mr. Potter said that it was the intention of the Board to have them consider the part-time employees, such as the Inspectors. The Chair- man told the group to exclude the School, Police, Fire, Cemetery, and Library employees. Mr..Potter moved that all department heads be advised to furnish any, information requested of thea' by the Salary Committee, and to appear before the group when requested to do so. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The group retired at 8:45 P.M. Mr. Wrightington and Mr. Paxton appeared at 8:50 P.M. to discuss the Milson water matter. X4;7 Plumb. Ins, request for increase. The Chairman read a letter from George Scott in which he said that he was not interested in the Board's proposition that the Town offer him the fire station land in exchange for a 25 foot widening of Mass. Ave., etc. Mr. Wrightington said that the Selectmen should begin the preliminary work to es- tablish a Building Line. He said that the first step would be to have a hearing on the proposed layout. It was decided to have this hearing on July 17 at 7:30 P.M. It was also decided to meet next Monday at 7;30 with Mr. Greeley and Mr. Wrightington to discuss the subject further. The Chairman told the Board to be present next Monday evening. Salary Committee. Scott matter. Mr. Wrightington read a letter from R. H. Stevens Stevens dated July 5, 1941 relative to water guarantees, and his guaran- proposed answer to the letter. He asked if the Board ty. approvedof his sending his reply, and the Board had no objection. Mr. Wrightington said Mr. Fiske and Miss Willard had not cashed the checks sent them in connection with the Vine Brook Project. He said the only thing to do was to wait until the final audit, and just before then notify them.that unless they cash the checks immediately, the bank will be notified to stop payment. They will then have lost the P.W.A. right to bring suit. He said that Mrs. Bean probably would projects. deposit her check on the North Lexington Sewer Projects, and that would clean that up. There was an award of 460.00 to Mary Trepasso•on land that.really belonged to John Cadario, Before Mr. Raymond made this taking, the land was transferred to one hurley, and through error, the taking was made in.the name of Trepasso. When Mr. Raymond found this out, he sent out a notice to both Cadario and Hurley, but had no reply. Mr. Wrightington thought it best to do nothing on this yet, and take a chance on the check being cashed. Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded -b7 Mr. Locke, it was voted to hold the regular meetings every other Monday Select- evening at 7:30 P.M. during the months of July and August, men's and until after Labor Day. It was further voted to hold meetings. the regular meetings every Monday night other than the aforementioned months. The Town Counsel's bill in the amount of 41200.•for Bill, De- his services in the case of P. DeCristofaro Co., Inc. V. Cristofaro Town of Lexington, was received. Mr. Locke moved that the case. bill be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Wrightington retired at.9:45 P.M. Mr. Paxton informed the Board that over the past weekend there were a number of accidents on Woburn Street at a curve just beyond Utica Street. A few years ago they gave the street a surface treatment, and the road bled. Last year they received complaints from the residents in the vicinity about the slippery condition, and they fixed it up as best they could. It was all right until we had this Patching hot weather. Now the cars slide off the road and land in up Woburn the field, or tip over. In talking with the people over St. there, he found out that there might be a possibility of a suit for not eliminating that condition. Mr. Paxton re- quested permission to rip up a section of the road approxi- mately 400 feet and bank it and relay it before next Sunday. The cost would be charged to Highway Maintenance. Mr. Locke • �J • • ;:x.49 moved that Mr. Paxton's recommendation be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that there had been two accidents on Concord Avenue near the Teeter property, where there is a rise and a sudden drop,; He said that he wanted to fix this Repairs spot. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Paxton be authorized to to Concord fix the road at this place. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, Ave. and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton requested permission to adjust the rate of pay of one of the Town Employees, commensurate with the value of that man's work. The Board had no objection, and left the matter in his hands. The Salary Committee returned and said that Mr. J. Milton Brown had been elected Chairman and A. Randall Soderberg had been elected Secretary. Mr. Paxton said that he would like to change the pur- chasing system. He felt that the present system was too complicated and too expensive for a town of this size, inas- much as we get bids on anything of any size. He talked with Mr. Russell and he feels it is just a waste of time as far as he is concerned. Mr. Paxton said he kept all bids and prices in a book on file in his office, and anybody could look at it at any time. He suggested that a daily order form be used. Mr. Rowse thought that the purchase -,orders should be signed and approved by the Department heads. It was decided to have two copies of the purchase orders made out, one to go to the Company and one for the Department head, and to have the Department heads give daily order sheets to the Supt. of Public Works. Rate of pay, High- way emp. Purchase orders. Mr. Paxton said that Mr. Cosgrove estimated the cost of a granolithic sidewalk in front of the Hunt Block at 0400.00. At the present time there is an S" curb which has the remains of an iron rail in it, and there is a 6A curb for approximately 30'. He thought it would be best to replace this with a new 7" curb at a cost of $100.00 more than it would coat to reset the curb. Mr. Rowse asked if this arrangement would satisfy Sidewalk the tenants, and Mr. Paxton said he believed it would. The Hunt Blk. whole job will cost about $700.001, and the money would come from Sidewalk Construction, Sundry Streets. Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Paxton be authorized to have the work done, provided Mr. Russell thought the charge was a proper one to the Sidewalk Construction, Sundry Streets Account. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that he had talked with the Edison Company about the street lights in front of Alvin's on Waltham Street, Street When he said that there was a possibility that Waltham Street light might be widened next year, they recommended that no change Waltham be made in the lights this year. The Clerk was instructed Street. A true record, Attest: er . 7 L I to so notify the proprietor of Alvin's. Mr. Giroux said that A. Thos. Ferry said that Mr. Garrity was spraying private property and taking the busi- Spraying ness away from private business men. It was decided to on private have Mr. Garrity come before the Board at the next regular prop. meeting to discuss the subject. Letter was received from the V. F. W. requesting permission to conduct a Carnival on the Viano lot on V.F.W. Mass. Ave. opposite Sylvia Street from August 4th through Carnival August 9th, Mr. Sarano moved that the permit be granted. permit. Mr. Rowse seconded the tmotlgn,and it,was so voted. Letter was received from Clarence S. Walker saying that it would be impossible for him to serve as Chairman of the Lexington Defense Savings Committee, The Clerk was in - Defense strutted to talk with Mr. Walker and have him meet with Messrs. Savings. Worthen and Mulliken to see if one of the bank employees might serve in this capacity. Applications for the admission of Stella Miskell of Concord Avenue, and Maitland Munday of Appleton Street, Arl. Miskell & (Lexington settled) were received. Mr. Potter moved that Munday to the applications be approved and signed. Mr. Locke Sana seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr.,Locke, it was voted to grant the following licenses: Julius Seltzer, 1853 Mass. Ave.Overhanging sign k Licenses W. S. Caouette, 1772 Mass. Ave. Gustave A. Hurtado, 53 Westview St. 15 Swine Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee Coal for advising that the sum of $1300.00 had been transferred from Town Off. the Reserve Fund to the Town Offices & Cary Memorial Build- ing - Expenses Account for the purchase of coal. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee °Repairs to advising that the sum of $250.00 had been transferred from lights 0 the Reserve Fund to the Public Works Building - Wages & P.W. Bld. Expenses Account to pay for repairs to the lighting system. Board of Appeals Order denying the peition of L. H. Bd. of Miller for permission to maintain a pony riding ring at Appeals 973 Concord Turnpike was received. order. Mr. Morse appeared at 10:30 P.M. and retired at 11:17 P.M. A true record, Attest: er . 7 L I