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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1942-05-12SELECTMEN'S MEETING May 12, 1942. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening, May 11, 1942 at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Giroux, Messrs. Potter, Rowse, Locke, and Sarano were present. The Assistant Clerk was also present. At 7:30 P.M. hearing was declared open upon the petition of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for permission Pole to erect ten poles on Winter Street, northerly from location Bedford Street. No persons appeared at the hearing. Mr. Potter moved that the petition be granted and the order signed. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. At 7:32 P.M. Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, ap- eared before the Board with bids on the loan of 1001,000.00 authorized at the May 1, 1942 meeting. The loan is to be payable to the National Shawmut Bank May 7, 1943 and dated May 12, 1942. Bids were re- eeived as follows: Lexington Trust Company.5A discount Second National Bank .51 discount Mr. Rowse moved that the sum of $50,000.00 be borrowed from each bank. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. At 7:55 P.M. Mr. Edward McDonough, of the Adjutant General's Office, Mr. Albert Evans, of the State Guard, and Messrs. Rucker, Emery, Adams, and Clifford of the Lexington Committee on Public Safety appeared before the State Board. Guard The Chairman said that he had invited the Chairman of the Committee on Public Safety and Mr. Clifford of the Auxiliary Police to attend this meeting relative to a State Guard Reserve in Lexington inasmuch as they have been training Auxiliary Police since July, 1940. The Chairman said that many people had the idea that a State Guard unit might be requested to go out of Town. In the meantime the Adjutant General's office has stated that the State Guard Reserve could not be called out except in the case of an invasion. The Chairman asked how the Committee on Public Safety felt about this unit. • Mr. Rucker said that his Committee had discussed this at great length. The Committee is unable to come to any definite conclusion. He said that a State Guard Reserve should not in any spay interfere with the Com- mittee on Public Safety, particularly the Auxiliary Police. The Chairman asked Mr. Clifford if he ever talked to the Auxiliary Police as a group about a State Guard Reserve unit. Mr. Clifford said that the police would rather not have it. He said that he was very much op- posed to it because he does not see how they can gain by it. Mr. Rucker said that there must be enough men in Town to serve in the State Guard without using the Auxiliary Police. Mr. Evans, connected with the State Guard at Woburn Armory, said that Woburn would take care of Lexington in case of an emergency. He said that he thought Lex- ington should have a unit, and that the Adjutant General's office was very enthusiastic in regard to this. He said that State Guard units are entirely backed up by the War Department. Lieutenant McDonough said that the State Guard does not attempt to draw recruits from the Auxiliary Police. He said that one of the ideas behind the State Guard re- serves was harmony and that is their object here. He said that in case of an emergency to send a regular State Guard Unit into another Town resulted in friction. There- fore, they feel that a unit should be composed of resi- dents of the Town. He said that the Auxiliary Police are strictly civil, working under peace time conditions He said that criminal and civil liability is something that a member of the State Guard Reserve is released from. He said that the State Guard is part of a program to provide local protection of a military nature. The Chairman asked who had to bear the cost of main- tenance of these men when on home duty and in training. Lieutenant McDonough said that 0200.00 would take care of a fairly well equipped unit. He said that either the individual or the Town would have to supply enough money for the so-called summer uniforms. The cost is between $5.00 and $7.00 if purchased individually, but they can be purchased cheaper in lots. He said that at present it is estimated that $400.00 would take care of the uniforms and a place to drill. Lieutenant McDonough said that the unit would be under the jurisdiction of the Selectmen and that the Selectmen would choose the re- cruiting officer. Messrs. Emery, McDonough, and Evans retired at 8:25 P.M. Mr. Clifford said that it seemed to him that pressure was being brought on this matter and Mr. Rucker said that the pressure was coming on the Governor from the 8eacost. Article The Chairman said that if an invasion were to come and we had made it impossible for a nucleus, we would be wide open for criticism. Mr. Clifford retired at 8:35 P.M. The Board discussed at length the matter of a unit for Lexington. This would be a new project undertaken by the Town which, while calling for limited funds in the beginning, might well run into large expenditures. Therefore, the Town would have to approve of the expendi- ture of these moneys. Mr. Rowse moved that this question be brought to the Town at the time of the next Town Meeting. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Rucker said that he was very anxious to have something definite done in regard to reducing the skyglow. Street He said that he is afraid the army will issue blackout Lights orders before we are fully prepared. He suggested that every second or third light be turned off. Mr. Rucker retired at 8:50 P.M. At 8:52 P.M. Mr. George Emery and Mr. Alan Adams, of the Board of Fire Engineers, appeared before the Board. Mr. Emery said that mutual aid with Arlington had been cancelled. The Board of Fire Engineers think this should be continued. They had a conference with Chief Taylor and learned that it had been discontinued because. he could agree to send only one man with apparatus to help Arlington. Mr. Emery said that they have to keep two men for ambulance duty and all the callmen who live in East Lexington are not around during the day. The Department has lost five callmen out of twenty-five and the Chief said that he expected to lose five or six more. Mr. Emery said that the callmen situation, together with the ambulance situation, demands some attention if we are to reinstate the mutual aid to Arlington which his Board believes should be done. He said that the ambulance has been out on 225 calls up to the last week of April this year. He said that with four men Qn duty, two for the ambulance, one to go to Arlington, would leave only one man at the station. The Board of Fire Engineers would like the Selectmen to consider the following suggestions: 1. Instruct the Supt. of Public Works or the Supt. of Parks to allow their employees to answer fire alarms as callmen while at work; 2. Tighten the restric- tions under which the ambulance is sent out; 3. Make some arrangment for a permanent house in the Center of the Town for the ambulance so that it could be served by a more ample crew at the Center station. The Chairman asked Mr. Emery to have some regula- tions written up. Mr. Emery said that inasmuch as>the ambulance belonged to the Town, he didn't feel that his • Cl • 0 was the one to write the regulations. The Chairman said that very shortly our Police Department will be under less pressure due to the fact that traffic will not be so heavy and he suggested that one policeman and one fireman go out on ambulance calls. Mr. Potter said that this should be taken up with the Chief of Police first. It was decided to have the Fire Engineers draw up a set of regulations to be submitted to the Board of Selectmen for approval. Mr. Emery agreed to have the proposed regulations written. Mr. Emery and Mr. Adams retired at 9:15 P.M. At 9:16 P.M. Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board. He said that Mrs. William Driscoll had requested the use of Cary Hall on June 6th from 8:00 P.M. to mid- Use of Hall night for a dance. There will be an admission charge of $1.10. The proceeds are to go to the Box Fund for the boys in the service. Mr. Potter moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that Metcalf & Eddy had requested the use of a transit for a period of six months at $25.00 per month. Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Paxton be authorized to rent the transit to Metcalf & Eddy for six months at $25.00 per month. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton informed the Board that the elevator at Cary Memorial Buildingg has not been checked since the building was built. he said that it will cost $110.00 to have the elevator reconditioned. Mr. Sarano moved that the elevator be reconditioned at a cost of 6110.00, the expense to be charged to the Cary Memorial Building Expense Account. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Equipment Rental Cary Bldg. elevator Mr. Paxton said that Mr. Beach and Mr. Cosgrove had been working with a man from the W.P.A. headquarters in regard to the possibility of removing the car rails Car rails as a W.P.A. project. Mr. Paxton said that he had checked the Selectmen's Records and the Town Clerk's records and was unable to find any record of the original agreement between the, Town and the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway. He suggested checking with Mr. Wrightington on this. It was decided to have Mr. Paxton look into this matter further and report next week. Mr. Paxton said that he would like to report to the Board on"the labor situation as far as clerical help is concerned. He said that 1t is impossible to (Clerical get'a girl to work for $13.00 per week. Mr. Paxton Help said that he had a girl from High School. She was here only a week when she secured a position with Dewey Almy Chemical Co. at $16.00 a week: Mr. Potter moved that the Appropriation Committee be requested to approve increasing the starting salary of office help from $13.00 to $15.00 per week. Mr,. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so vote. Mr. .Paxton reported on the labor situation -rela- tive to the Highway Division. He said that he has lost Labor four men since the first of the year. He -said this means situation complaints and that maintenance will have to be postponed. Highway He said the situation does notdisturb him at present, Division but he is concerned about the snow removal problem as the men he is losing are his•good men. Mr. Potter asked Mr. Paxton if he had any suggestions and Mr. Paxton re- plied that he didn't know whether or not the men -would stay for time and one half for overtime work. Mr. Rowse suggested that Mr. Paxton work this matter out and bring some plan to the Board at a later date. Mr. Paxton agreed to do this The Chairman said that Mr. Rucker, of the Committee on Public Safety, was very anxious to have something done to provent skyglow from the street lights. Mr. Paxton Street said that the Boston Edison Company is working with lights areas most vitally concerned. He said that the surround - Ing towns of Arlington, Newton, and Belmont are waiting for further information before taking any drastic steps. It was decided to take -no action for the present. The Chairman said that the Board of Fire Engineers were concerned over the,lack of call firemen. He asked Call Mr. Paxton if he would agree to,let the Public Works firemen men be call firemen and go off the job when necessary. The matter of compensation would be worked out by the Board of Fire Engineers. Mr. Paxton explained that he is short of men and has Follen Road, Oak Street, and Spring Street to finish. It was the feeling of the Board that the Fire Engineers make every effort to ' secure more callmen. Mr. Paxton retired at 9:55 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from Henry Parkman,Jr. stating that the Office of'Price Administration will Ration.. take care of the telephone expenses in connection with Board the Rationing Board as soon as possible. In the mean- time, it is hoped that the Board of Selectmen would arrange to finance the current bills pending further action. • The deed for the sale of lot 35 in Block 1 on Bedford Street, to Ernest E. MacPhee, was received from Mr. Wrightington. Mr. Potter moved that the lot be sold and con- veyed to Mr. MacPhee and the deed signed. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from Mr. Wrightington relative to the arrears of water charges for the premises oc- cupied formerly by Anthony Ross & Co. Mr. Wrightington said the attorney for the Middlesex & Boston does not recognize any liability, but has expressed a desire to maintain friendly relations between his company and the Town. He is prepared to recommend to his company, that the sum of $90.00 be paid in settlement. Mr. Wrighting- ton recommended that this amouht be accepted in settle- ment. Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Wrightington be authorized to accept $90.00 in settlement. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from Herbert A. Thurber of 8 Dee Road, Lexington stating that he was interested in lots 1 and 2 on Dee Road. He is not in a position to purchase these lots at this time, but would like to lease them for arden and play yard purposes. He is willing to pay 9300.00 for the lots at some future date when he will have the money to buy them, probably next summer. It was decided to write Mr. Thurber that if he made a down payment on the lots he could use them for a garden, and then make payments in installments, the deed to be given to him when the last payment is made. Letter was received from Miss Emily Burke of 314 Mass. Avenue complaining about the dump situation near her property. The Chairman said that he was very much disturbed over the dumping situation in Lexin3ton. Mr. Rowse sug- gested that the Auxiliary Police check on this matter. The Chairman said that he had talked with Mr. -Beach in view of getting three or four men and a truck to go around and keep the Town cleaned up when the W.P.A. closes down. The Board approved of this and also authorized the Chairman to write the Committee on Public Safety and request the Auxiliary Police to re- port to the Selectmen the names or registration numbers of any persons dumping waste materials in other thah proper flown dumping areas. 513 Lo t 35 Bedford St. Water chgs. M. & B. premises Lots 1 & 2 Dee Road Dumping 514 Letter was received from Mr. Garrity submitting the names of the playground personnel for the summer of 1942. Mr. Rowse moved that the list be approved. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Bill was received from J. T. Carlson for flowers sent the family of Officer Smith and Mrs. Webber, sister of Selectman Rowse. Mr. Potter moved that the bill be approve for pay- ment. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from Eugene J. Viano request- ing a license to rent motor vehicles on the "drive yourself basis." The Board felt that if Mr. Viano License could tell the Statute under which we have authority to issue such a license, then Mr. Wrightington should draw up the terms. The Chairman said that Lyon Carter, president of the Lexington Public Health Association feels that a Public charge of 75¢ should be made for calls to public wel- Health fare cases and that this charge should be paid by the Assn. Town. The Selectmen decided to stand on their previous decision which was to diaspprove this charge. The Board of Selectmen, acting as the Board of Survey, signed the plan submitted by Giles Smith, architect for the Franklin P. Simonds Estate. Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Locke, it was voted to grant the following licenses: Marie A. Miller 588 Marrett Road, Sunday Sales Royal D. Chandler 101 Grove Street, 150 poultry George Holman 20 Hill Avenue, slaughter Commitments of sewer betterment assessments, sewer house connections, and water house connections were signed. At 10:20 P.M. Mr. Bramhall appeared before the Board. He said that he wanted to find out who the person was who complained about his work as Teller in Precinct 2. The Chairman told Mr. Bramhall that the Board felt that the person who made the complaint was justified in doing so and that the Board of Select- men did not feel obliged to reveal his name. Mr. Bramhall retired at 10:30 P.M. • • • The Chairman asked if the members of the Board had stblected a member to serve on the Committee to dravr,,up the Police Regulations. No name was submitted so the matter was held over for another week. The Chairman said that the Committee on Public Safety had requested approval of $350.00 for the Demo- liton Squad and 0100.00 for food. It was decided to have the Appropriation Committee meet with the Select- men Monday evening. The meeting adjourned at 10:35 P.M. A true record, Attest: • 40 Assistanterk 5115