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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1942-03-16 443 • SELECTMEN'S MEETING March 16, 1942 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening, March 16, 1942 at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Giroux, Messrs. Rowse, Locke, and Sarano were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 P.M. hearing was declared open on the peti- tion of the Boston Edison Company to install one guy wire and anchor from the pole located in Lowell Street, Guy wire approximately 245 feet northwest of Reed Street. No per- location sons appeared in favor or in opposition. Mr. Rowse moved that the petition be granted. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. At 7:32 P.M. Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board. He stated that the Lexington Committee on Public Safety Had requested the use of Cary Hall on March 20, Use of 1942 for a lecture and demonstration. Halls Mr. Locke moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. • Mr. Paxton reported that John Lamont had requested the use of a conference room for the Garden Club on March 27, April 13, 15, May 1, and 15 from 8:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. Mr. Sarano moved that the use of the room be granted free of charge. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton reported that the 4-H Club had requested the use of a conference room on March 20th from 7 :00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Mr. Locke moved that the use of the room be granted free of charge. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman reported that Malcolm Bunker requested the use of Estabrook Hall on April 8, 1942 for the Arts & Crafts business meeting. Mr. Rowse moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton reported that the expenditure on snow removal up to the present time was approximately $6100. Snow He estimated the cost of the last storm at $200; taking Removal in and setting out equipment about $1,000.00; repairs 4110 444 to equipment $5,000.00 ; cleaning up sand $2,000.00; • storms in November and December $2,000.00, total $11,800.00. Mr. Paxton said that if they bought new trucks this spring he would like to purchase two plows to go on the trucks at a cost of $350.00 each. Thiw would make a total of $12,500.00 needed for snow re- moval. Mr. Paxton reported that Mr. Cosgrove had talked with John Sullivan about his water betterment assess- Sullivan ments on Paul Revere Road. Mr. Sullivan is willing to water sign an agreement to pay the betterments at such time betterment as the property is improved, but he will not pay any ass 'mt. interest. The Chairman asked if the Board wanted to go along on the agreement without charging him interest or not. It was decided to have Mr. Wrightington prepare an agreement and give it to Mr. Paxton for Mr. Sullivan to sign. Letter was received from Ralph Chadwick, Sealer of Gas for Weights and Measures, requesting permission to purchase Insps. gasoline from the Highway Department for use in his private car when on Town business. The Chairman said that the same problem would develop with the other in- spectors and Mr. Paxton said he was afraid that they would run into trouble on the question as the Town would be selling gasoline and it should not do that. 1111 The Clerk was instructed to advise Mr. Chadwick that the same problem applied to other inspectors in the Town and that when the matter came to a head the Board would establish a policy with reference to it. At 8:00 P.M. the annual meeting with the Chairman of the Board of Assessors, School Committee, Cemetery Annual Commissioners, and the Appropriation Committee, re- Meeting quired under Article 13 of the General By-laws, was with held. Appr. Com. Mr. George C. Sheldon acted as Chairman. He said that the meeting was being held to discuss items in the budget for 1942. He said that the real purpose of the meeting had already been served as there were no differences between the two Boards. Mr. Giroux said that there were Articles in the Warrant to enable the Town to transfer money from the W. P.A. Sewer Account to an Unemployment Relief Project, but the Division of Accounts objected. Mr. Rowse sug- W.P.A. gested that a vote be adopted to set up some money for sewers the construction of sewers with welfare recipients doing the work. He thought it was fair to ask welfare recipients to earn the money they receive. The Chair- man said that Mr. Rowse's idea was to finish the job with Town labor but that cannot be done. He said the 445 chances were that men on welfare this year would probably not be physically able to work on the Sewer Project. It was decided to ask the Town Counsel if it would be possible to transfer funds from the W.P.A. Sewer Account for a Sewer Project on which welfare recipients would be em- ployed. Mr. Rowse said that he noticed the Reserve Fund had been increased to $15,000.00 and he wondered if the ex- tra $5,000.00 might be used for a project for welfare Reserve men if the unemployment fund did not go through. He sug- Fund gested that it might be earmarked in the Reserve Fund for this purpose. Mr. Sheldon said that he thought this could be done. There being no other discussion, Messrs. Spencer, Houghton, and Walsh retired at 8:35 P.M. Messrs. Rucker and Emery appeared before the Board. Mr. Rucker said that some weeks ago the two Boards Stretchers approved a total of $500.00 for the Medical Division and an additional $65.00 for stretchers. Twelve stretchers were purchased and they will have some additional ones donated. They have a total of twelve ambulances and feel that they should have two stretchers to an ambulance. they thought they should have another dozen stretchers and these would cost $126.00. Both Boards were polled 4111 and both approved the purchase of one dozen stretchers at a cost not to exceed $126.00. Mr. Rucker said that the Town Counsel had rendered a decision to the effect that under Chapter 13 the Auxiliary Police should be properly identified with Badges & badges. Mr. Rucker said he had been unable to get belts for prices on these today and would have to appear before Aux. Police the Board again. He thought that $125.00 would cover the cost of the badges and white canvass belts. Both the Appropriation Committee and the Selectmen voted to approve these purchases . The Appropriation Committee retired at 8:57 P.M. Mr. Rucker said that the State Committee wanted a Apr. 19th celebration for Patriots ' Day held on Sunday the 19th parade rather than on Monday the 20th. He thought that the parade should start around 1:00 P.M. Letter was received from Mr. Wrightington relative to Mr. Rucker's request that authority be obtained to have a fire extinguishing demonstration on the play- Fire Ext. ground on April 19th. He said that Statute 1941, Chap. Demo. 581 forbids issuing fire permits during April and May except on rainy days. He said that the demonstration might be held if plans were submitted to the Massachw setts Emergency Commission for approval, and after having • 4441 been approved they were published in the local paper at 4111 least seven days before the activity was to take place. It was suggested that the Committee on Public Safety pre- pare the plan and submit it to the Emergency Commission for approval. Mr. Rucker said that the Committee would like to use the bathhouse on April 19th and would like to have water in the pool. The Chairman said that it would not be practical to fill the pool and the rest of the Board agreed with him. However, there was no objection to the use of the bathhouse. Mr. Rucker said that he was not yet ready to Ball Town empi. the Town employees together to outline their duties in Defense connection with Civilian Defense. He requested that the duties Town Counsel look into the legal tie-up between the Committee and the Town employees with particular regard to the Selectmen's right to order the employees to turn out after working hours . Mr. Rucker requested that Town equipment such as fire apparatus , trucks, etc. be used during the next blackout test. The Board felt that it would not be wise to have this done as it might be leaving the Town un- protected. Letter was received from the Town Counsel relative 4111 Aux. to powers and duties of Auxiliary Police officers . He Police advised that the Board approve the purchase of metal badges badges for the Auxiliary Police and that the badges be marked "Lexington Auxiliary Police. " Upon motion of Mr. Locke, seconded by Mr. Rowse, the following voted was adopted. "VOTED: That the Auxiliary Police of the Lexington Committee on Public Safety appointed under the authority of St. 1941, Ch. 719, sec. 5A are authorized to exercise the powers conferred by the provisions of St. 1942, Ch. 13, sec. 6 . They shall further exercise or perform such of the powers or duties of police officers as may be designated by the Chief of Police when they have been called to such duty by the Chief to meet a situation which in his opinion cannot be adequately handled by the regular police force. The Clerk was instructed to furnish Mr. Rucker and Chief Sullivan with copies of the vote. Letter was received from the Adjutant General, Edgar C. Erickson, calling the Board's attention to the fact that the Auxiliary Police were drilling and parading 411/ with fire arms. General Erickson said that this was contrary to law and he requested that the Board take Adj . Gen. steps to see that the activities were terminated complains immediately. about Aiix. Letter was received from Mr. Wrightington in- Police forming the Board that he had contacted the Adjutant General's office on the subject. The Adjutant General said that he was under pressure from the War Department to prevent local organizations from doing the work of the State Guard. Mr. Wrightington thought that this was an effort by the State Guard to define more definitely the line of demarcation between the duties of the State Guard and the duties of the Auxiliary Police. The Chairman said that this was a matter to be settled finally by the Governor and no action was taken on it. Mr. Rucker retired at 9 :17 P.M. Mr. Morse appeared before the Board to discuss wel- fare matters and retired at 9 :58 P.M. General Instructions for the members of the Committee on Public Safety were received. Mr. Rowse moved that the instructions be included in the Select- men's records. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it 411) was so voted. The instructions are as follows : General Instructions No. 1 To :- All Volunteer Members, Lexington Committee on Public Safety Subject : State Laws and Emergency Orders Governing the Nature of Service, Duties and Responsibilities of Members of Town Public Safety Committees : Please be advised that:- Under the provisions of the Acts of 1941, C. 719, Part II, Section 6-a and the Governor's Executive Order No. 1, dated December 31, 1941, your activities in, with and for the Lexington Committee on Public Safety are under the direction of the Massachusetts State Committee on Public Safety. For your information, the following paragraphs are quoted from the Governor's Executive Order No. 1, dated December 31, 1941 :- "2. The Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety is hereby authorized to organize, supervise, direct and coordinate local committees on public safety in the cities and towns of the Commonwealth for the protection of the lives and property of the citizens of the respec- tive cities and towns in which such committees have heretofore been, or may hefeafter be, organized. 411) 3. The Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety 448 and the military and police forces and all other duly 1111 constituted officers of the Commonwealth, are hereby directed to carry out throughout the Commonwealth, any and all orders and regulations now or hereafter promul- gated by me for air raid precautions, or for the preservation of life and property; and the local committees on public safety and the duly constituted municipal authorities in the cities and towns are hereby directed to carry out such orders and regulations in their respective cities and towns. 4. The Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety of the Commonwealth, in addition to the execution of orders and regulations described in the paragraph 3 above, is, subject to my direction, hereby authorized to take all further action for the protection of life and pro- perty in the Commonwealth as may be permitted by law. " The effect of the Law and the Executive Order cited above is to place all members of the Lexington Committee on Public Safety under the direction and control of the Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety. Allen W. Rucker General Chairman Lexington Committee on Public Safety Bond No. F-60707 in the sum of $48,000.00 issued 4110 by the American Employers ' Insurance Company on behalf Bonds of James J. Carroll as Town Treasurer for the year 1942 was received. Public Official bond No. F-60708 in the sum of $1,000.00, issued by the American Employers ' Insurance Company, on behalf of James J. Carroll as Town Clerk for the year 1942 was also received. Commissioner Henry F. Long, having approved the first bond, upon metion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Locke, it was voted to approve both bonds and to turn them over to the Town Accountant. Letter was received from W. H. Lyon of 1779 Mass. Avenue requesting that he be given an opportunity to Insurance write some Town insurance. The Clerk was instructed to write Mr. Lyon that his name would be placed on file and that he would be given consideration when insurance policies were to be renewed. Letter was received from the Town Treasurer ad- Wilson vising that he had received a check for $1,486.80 in reimburse- full payment of the order of the Court to Walter H. ment and William Stanley Wilson to reimburse the Town in the water theft case. 4110 4110 Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Locke, the following appointments for the year ending March 31, 1943 were made : Animal Inspector Dr. Chester L. Blakely Board of Appeals Errol H. Locke (3/31/47) Winthrop H. Bowker (3/31/46) Board of Appeals (Associate Members) J. Milton Brown Lester T. Redman Board of Health Agents Eleanor M. Lowe Dr. William Corwin (Met. State Hosp.) Bridge Charitable Fund Thomas G. Lynah Building Inspector William A. Cann Burial Agents Alice F. McCarthy Ralph H. Marshall Clerk, Selectmen Eleanor M. Lowe Clerk, Selectmen Assistant Hazel J. Murray Constable (Under Ch. 41 Sec.91A) Charles E. Moloy Dental Clinic Committee Mrs. Irving Yelland Mrs. Frank Hudson Mr. Thomas S. Grindle Dog Officer John A. Russell Fence Viewers J. Bruce LeWis Leigh V. Farnham Field Drivers Edward C. Maguire • Forest Warden (Appointed 1/6/42) John C. RussellEdward W. Taylor Gemmel Legacy Income, Trustees Mrs. George W. Emery (Acting with Dept.of Public Welfare) George V. Morse Health Inspector John Lamont Health Officer Dr. Victor N. Rochette Lockup Keeper James J. Sullivan Measurers of Wood,Bark & Manure Harold I. Wellington Jacob Bierenbroodspot Arthur J. Rivet, Jr. Milk Inspector John Lamont Moth Dept. Supt. (Appointed 3/9/42) John J. Garrity Odorless Cart, Charge of Peter Canessa Old Age Assistance Bureau Errol H. Locke George W. Sarano Luther R. Putney Old Age Assistance Bureau, George V. Morse Park Superintendent John J. Garrity Posture Clinic Committee Mrs . Steele Lindsay Mrs. Robert Moore Mrs. Edith M. Kelley Miss Margaret Kettell Miss Margaret Noyes 4111 I _ � 450 Public Weighers William E. Mulliken • Andrew Hammarbeck Public Welfare Agent George V. Morse Agent of the Selectmen to Administer Soldiers ' Relief, Military, and State Aid George V. Morse Registrar of Voters Malcolm H. Clifford Slaughter InspectorGeorrge.Whiting5) Town Counsel Sidney R. rightington Town Engineer John T. Cosgrove Town Physician Dr. Victor N. Rochette Wire Inspector Louis W. Bills Letter was received from Claude A. Butterfield Lot 121 offering to pay the sum of $25.00 for Lot 121 on Bridge Bridge St. Street. Mr. Butterfield is the former owner of the pro- perty. Upon motion of Mr. Rowse , seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted to sell him the lot for $25.00 subject to the approval of the Tax Title Committee. Letter was received from the Town Clerk advising of the resignation on March 10, 1942 of Howard W. Howard Robbins as a member of the Board of Appeals. Robbins Mr. Locke moved that Mr. Robbins ' resignation be Resigns noted and that he be written a letter of thanks for4110 his fine work as a charter member of the Board of Ap- peals. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from Clarence S. Walker ask- ing the Board to consider his resignation from the Board of Retirement. It was decided to hold the matter over. The Clerk informed the Board that the day after the Board on- B. of H. ectedwith rthe ese er,ptheeownat erinformed 19 rher rthat eet cthe Order 19 house was vacant. Mr. Wrightington suggested there- Cedar St. fore, that the order of March 9, 1942 be modified. Mr. Locke moved that Viola H. Jones of 1 Fuller Road, Lexington be notified that the property located at 19 Cedar Street, Lexington must be connected with the sewer before it is occupied again. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Application for a permit to keep two swine was received from Timothy Kinneen of 156 Vine Street, Swine Lexington. permit Mr. Rowse moved that the application be approved and a. permit granted. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 4111 451 . Commitment of water miscellaneous charges in the amount of 832.00 and water- rates abatements in the amount of 26.25 were signed. Letter was received from the Town Counsel to which was attached a copy of a letter from the Town Accountant of Bedford relative to the water job in that Town super- J.A. Ross vised, by Joseph A. Ross . The letter said that a bill of bill to $155.47 had been rendered by Joseph A. Ross and that the Bedford work was supervised by Mr. Ross after working hours on May 3, 1941. The pipe and fittings costing $997.28 were purchased from a Boston concern. The Chairman suggested that the Town Accountant be asked if there was any money received from Joseph A. Ross in any of the accounts shortly after May 15, 1941 covering the work done with Lexington's equipment, or otherwise, for the Town of Bedford. It was also decided to write the Town Counsel and suggest that he ask Mr. Ross where the tapping sleeve and gate came from. The meeting adjourned at 11:05 P.M. A true record, Attest: • Clerk