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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1942-03-30 463 1111 SELECTMEN'S MEETING March 30, 1942. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening, March 30, 1942 at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Giroux, Messrs . Potter, Rowse, Locke , and Sarano were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board. He said that the Lexington Committee on Public Safety had requested the use of Cary Hall on April 14, 1942 for a lecture and demonstration. Mr. Locke moved that the use of the hall be granted, Uses of free of charge . Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it Halls was so voted. Mr. Paxton reported that the Lexington High School had requested the use of Cary Hall on June 4, 1942 for graduation. 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 the Arlington Gas Company had requested approval of extensions in the following Gas streets : Reed Street from Vaille Avenue, a distance of Extension 132 feet southeasterly; Robbins Road, a distance of 112 feet northeasterly, from Plymouth Road, and Vine Street a distance of 380 feet. Mr. Sarano moved that the locations be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that he had several locations in mind where sand might be delivered. He asked however, Sand for if this was absolutely necessary. Mr. R. H. Stevens Defense told him that 15 to 20 people came down to his pit on Sunday to get sand. Mr. Stevens believes that between 1000 and 1200 people have obtained sand from his pit since he made it available. The Chairman suggested that the matter be left to Mr. Paxton and that he dis- cuss it with Mr. Rucker. No further action was taken on it . Mr. Paxton said that the Chairman had given him a pamphlet regarding emergency water regulations. Mr. Harrington of the Water Department called on Mr. Killam Emerg. of the M.D.C. to discuss the subject. Mr. Killam Water Reg. feels that there is no need for our purchasing any clorinating equipment now. 464 The Chairman said the pamphlet had been sent to him by 4111 Harold B. Lamont and in view of Mr. Killam' s decision, he thought there was nothing further to be done on the matter now. Mr . Paxton said he had received a price of $22.50 from Mr. Cronin, of the A. J. Amberg Company, for a Equip. used legal size four-drawer file for the Law Depart- for Law ment. He recommended purchasing this equipment. Dept. Mr. Rowse moved that the equipment be purchased and the expensecharged to the Law Department-Expense Account. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton read a letter from Robert Whitney rela- tive to the insurance on the Air Craft Warning Tower. Mr. Whitney has been carrying a $1200.00 binder on the Ins. on Tower, but now finds that he is unable to complete a Obs .Tower policy. The reason for this is that the New England Fire Insurance Rating Association refuses to give him a rate because the Town on November 16, 1939 designated the office of Elmer A. Lord & Company as sole brokers of record. It was decided to request Mr. Hill of Elmer A. Lord & Company to obtain a rate and to tell him that that the Town would like the policy placed through the • office of Mr. Whitney. Mr. Paxton said that he had had some demands from the residents In the Oak Street section because of alleged blasting damages . He had a letter from a Mr. Blasting Lambert and a Mr. Ware demanding that something be damage done at once. Seven or eight complaints have been claim received in all. Mr. Paxton said that the surface would still have to be put in and of course they would run into ledge when that would be done. Mr. Rowse thought that nothing should be done until all of the work was completed. Mr. Paxton was instructed to tell the people that their complaints would be con- sidered when the whole job was completed. Mr. Paxton read a letter from Mr. Wrightington relative to Mr. Needham's request that Fern Street as Fern now constructed, be laid out as a Town way from the Street present end of the accepted street to his land. Fern Street is narrower than the standard set by the Selectmen for new roads. Mr. Wrightington said that Mr. Needham was prepared to write a letter to the Selectmen stating that he will not ask for any exten- sive drainage construction in the street, but would like the berm extended approximately 25 feet farther up the street to diminish the present flow of surface water from the street into his driveway and garage. 465 411/ Mr. Wrightington said that inasmuch as this is an unusual situation, acceptance of the road at its present width would not be a precedent which would embarrass the Town in the future . It was decided to request Mr. Needham to write a letter such as sug- gested in Mr. Wrightington's letter, and to have the other residents on the street sign it. Mr. Paxton presented the proposed agreement be- tween the Town and John Sullivan relative to better- Sullivan ment of water betterment assessments. agreement Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Sullivan be requested to sign the agreement. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The cost of constructing a drain from Outlook Drive through the O'Connor property, to the line of the Menotomy Trust Company was estimated by Mr. Paxton Downing Rd. at $1400.00. This proposed drain would take care of Outlook Dr. any continuation of the drainage system up to Prospect Drain Hill Road, Outlook Drive, and Downing Road when con- nected. They could put a drain from Prospect Hill Road, but the people would still get the water from the left side of Prospect Hill Road. Mr. Gilbert Etheridge of 53 Downing Road appeardd before the Board. He asked what he was going to do with the stagnant water in his cellar. He said he had not been able to get his car into the garage for two weeks . The Chairman told him that the Board had discussed the matter and was going to contact the Town Counsel to see if it would be proper to construct a drain provided the necessary easements were secured. He said that this probably would take about a week and that Mr. Paxton was prepared to start the work as soon as Mr. Wrightington said that it was all right to go ahead. Mr. Etheridge said that the water was coming down from Prospect Hill Road and that conditions were very bad. He again asked the Board to have something done immediately to relieve the situation, and the Chairman told him that the Town had no equipment with which to pump out the water. Mr. Etheridge admitted that all of the water was not coming from Prospect Hill Road and that some of it was coming from Outlook Drive. Mr. Potter told him that when a person built on an unac- cepted street he should not expect the Town to put in drainage. Mr. Etheridge said he realized this, but he was looking at the problem from a health angle now. Etheridge said that a couple of years ago they had a similar condition and Mr. Paxton went over and viewed the water then. Mr. Etheridge said that the Town should have remedied the situation then. Mr. Paxton said that a small drain pipe was put under the road at the time, 46 but the pipe was filled in and broken, and was of no use. 4111 The Chairman told him that the Board was going out of its wayhelp to him and that was all it could do. Mr. Etheridge retired at 8:25 P.M. Letter was received from the Department of Public Utilities advising that there is an urgent need for old and unused street railway rails. Mr . Paxton said Railway that he believed Lexington would not get enough money rails out of the rails in the streets to pay for resurfacing them. He thought there was not more than half a mile of rails . No action was taken on the matter. Letter was received from Mrs. Ragna Goodmansen of 172 Mass . Avenue advising that she had received a bill Goodmansen for $ 47.00 for sewer betterments on Cherry Street. req. for This assessment was levied on Lot C which extends from abatement Mass . Avenue through Cherry Street. The lot is too narrow to be built upon and for this reason Mrs. Good- mansen requested an abatement of the assessment. Mr. Paxton said he would check the matter and report on it next week. Letter was received from the Social Security Board requesting the use of a room on one morning a week for interviewing persons applying for Old Age, insurance, • etc. Mr. Paxton recommended that the W.P.A. office in the Barnes property be used. Mr. Potter moved that the writer be advised that he might have the use of desk space in the W.P.A. office. Mr. Paxton retired at 8:37 P.M. Letter was received from Chief Sullivan calling the Board's attention to the excellent work of Ser- geant John C. Russell patrolmen Benjamin Day and Police William C. O'Leary. These men apprehended three young men with rifles off Lowell Street, one of whom shot Mrs. Ida Copelotti of Pearl Street. The Chairman suggested that a letter be written to each of the three men commending them for the good work. better was received requesting that the Board pro- ran claim April 14th as Pan American Day. The Chairman American suggested that Mr. Nason, the Librarian, handle the Day matter and it was decided to request Mr. Nason to do so . Mr. Wrightington' s bill amounting to $100. for his services in the case of Bjork v. Lexington was received. Bjork Mr. Rowse moved that the bill be approved. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 467 4111 Bond of Edward C. Maguire as Constable was received. Mr. Rowse moved that the bond in the sum of $1,000. Bond be approved. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from Miss Eleanor M. Lowe Health advising of her acceptance of the position as Board Agent of Health Agent for the year ending March 31, 1942. Upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Locke it was voted to renew the following licenses : Frederick W. Shaw, 15 Hamblin St. Two Swine Louis J. Reynolds, 1736 Mass. Ave. Auctioneer's Lie. Licenses " " " " Overhanging Sign H. P. !Mod & Sons , 1729 Mass. Ave. " Western Union, 1736 Mass. Ave. Letter was received from the Town Counsel recom- mending that the following vote be adopted: VOTED: That in order to avoid any doubt as to the authority of the Auxiliary Police of the Lexington Committee on Public Safety under the vote of this Board of March 16, 1942, which police have previously been appointed special police by this Board, the said Auxiliary Police are hereby appointed Auxiliary Police Vote re : 4110 under St. 1941, Ch. 719, Sec. 5a and they are authorized Auxiliary to exercise the powers conferred by the provisions of Police St. 1942, Ch. 13, Sec. 6 . They shall further exercise and perform such of the powers and 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 ade- quately handled by the regular police force. Mr. Rowse moved that the vote be adopted. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The matter of appointment of associatemembers of the Board of Appeals was discussed. Board of Mr. Rowse moved that George H. B. Green of 1337 Appeals Mass . Avenue and Harold F. Lombard of 24 Vine Brook Associate Road be appointed for a period of one year ending Members March 31, 1943. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. At 8:55 P.M. Messrs. Beach and Morse appeared before the Board to discuss the salary of the Food Salsry of Stamp cashier. Mr. Beach said that he allowed suf- Food Stamp ficient money in his budget to pay Mr. Roberts , the Cashier cashier, at the same rate he is receiving now--that is , 413.50 per week. Mr Morse said that he allowdd enough in his budget to pay Mr. Roberts at the rate 468 4111 of $18.00 per week. He said that he appeared before the Appropriation Committee on December 15, 1941 and that body was unanimously in favor of raising Mr. Robert's salary from $13.50 per week to $18.00 per week until such time as the new consolidated State plan went into effect. When that happened it would mean that Mr. Roberts, for instance, would have charge of the stamps in surrounding small Towns as well as in Lexington. The Appropriation Committee felt that Mr. Roberts should be paid more because of the responsibility of the job . The Chairman asked if the Board had any recollec- tion of the Appropriation Committee advising of its stand in this matter and no one remembered it. Mr. Rowse said he li+emembered discussing the subject with Mr. Morse and that the Board did not approve it. After some discussion, upon motion of Mr. Locke , seconded by Mr. Potter, it was voted to pay Mr. Roberts at the rate of $78.00 per month and that the matter be brought up again in sixty days. Mr. Beach said that he would not have sufficient money to pay Mr. Roberts at the rate of $78.00 per month for the rest of the year and he wanted to go on record to that effect. Mr. Beach said that he had made up a list of the men working on the Oak Street sewer job and if the job Oak Street is closed down, six would be eligible for Old Age Sewer job Assistance; fifteen, he believed, would obtain private employment, and he thought that bine would go on wel4111 - fare. Mr Beach retired at 9:20 P.M. Mr. Morse remained to discuss welfare matters . He retired at 9:35 P.M. Letter was received from the Town Counsel relative to the water job done in Bedford under the supervision of Joseph A. Ross . The Chairman said that a slip had J.A.Ross been located at the Public Works Building which read as follows : "One 12" x 8" T.S. and Gate; 200 lbs. lead- used in Bedford to be replaced by Joseph Ross", signed J. A. Ross. Mr. ''rightington said that in view of finding the slip, he did not believe the Selectmen had any obliga- tion to report the matter to the District Attorney. Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Wrightington be instructed to take proper steps to secure restitution of the total amount paid Joseph A. Ross, namely $155.47. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Clerk was instructed to write George Harrington and ask him if he knew of any material that had been borrowed or taken in any way from the Town of Lexington that had not been either returned or paid for. • 469 4111 The Chairman said he thought the war time policy adopted by the Town Meeting should be printed and given to all department heads so that the policy can be adhered to as much as possible. Mr. Potter moved that the policy be printed and the cost charged to the Selectmen' s Expenses Account. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman said that the State of Massachusetts was requiring that all letters filling more than one page be continued on the reverse side of the paper. He thought that this policy should be followed in Lexing- ton. Mr. Rowse moved that all department heads be re- quested to follow this procedure. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. At 10 :17 P.M. Mr. Allen W. Rucker, Mr. George Emery and Mr. Manfred Warren appeared before the Board. Mr. Rucker said that the Medical Division was request6d to Public equip its First Aid Personnel with belts which will hold Safety supplies and medicine. These will cost about $100.00. Mr. Potter moved that the Committee be authorized to urchase the belts and supplies at a cost not to exceed $100.00. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Rucker said that the Air Raid Wardens need belts that will cost about $200.00. Mr. Locke moved that the 4111 Protection Division be authorized to purchase medicine and equipment for belts at a cost not to exceed $200.00. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Emery and Mr. Warren retired at 10:25 P.M. Letter was received from Mr. J. W. Farley, Director of the Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety, inforxt- ing the Board that the plans of the Women's Defense April 19 Corps for the fire demonstration for April 19th were demo. approved. 'he Clerk was instructed to publish the plan in this week's paper. Commitments of Water Guarantees and Water Rates ; Water Rates Abatements, and Wter Liens were signed. The meeting adjourned at 10:40 P.M. A true record, Attest: Clerk • 4