HomeMy WebLinkAbout1942-07-20 \59
4111 SELECTMEN'S MEETING
July 20, 1942
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was
held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building at
7:30 P.M. Chairman Giroux and Messrs. Rowse, Locke,
and Sarano were present. The Clerk was also present.
Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board. He said
that the Lexington Parent-Teachers Association had re-
quested the use of Cary Hall in the afternoon and
evening of November 13th for a concert by Rubinoff Use of hall
and his violin. The proceeds are for the scholarship
fund and for the entertainment of service men. 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 said that Rev. Harold T. Handley had
requested the use of Estabrook Hall on July 24th for
a meeting of the Committee on Entertainment for Service
Men. Mr. Sarano moved that the use of the hall be
granted free of charge. Mr. Locke seconded the motion,
and it was so voted.
1111 Mr. Paxton said that Converse Hill of Elmer A. Lord
& Co. recommended that the war risk insurance be placed Insurance
on a 90% basis rather than on a 100% basis. This will
reduce the premium about $28.00. The Board approved of
the change.
Mr. Paxton said that two years ago the Appropria-
tion Committee transferred $1300.00 to the Town Offices
Account to put purchase of coal on a seasonal basis, but
that was not done at the Public Works Building, because Coal
at that time the bin would not hold enough coal. They
have now built an outside bin at the public works build-
ing. Mr. Paxton said that he had fifty tons inside the
building, and had twenty-five tons outside which have
not been paid for. Between seventy-five and eighty tons
are used at the public works building in a. season. He
said that he would like to order another twenty-five
tons to be stored in the outside bin for use in the
Cary Memorial Building, if needed. He said that he
needed a transfer of 1225.00 to pay for the additional
coal for the public works building, but undoubtedly
would have sufficient funds in the appropriation to
pay for the additional coal for the Cary Memorial Build-
ing.
The Chairman told Mr. Paxton that the matter would
be discussed with the with the Appropriation Committee.
571
Mr. Paxton asked if the Board wished the report of 4110
the Public Works Department for the six months ending
June 30th, and the Chairman requested him to furnish
the Board with a written report.
The Chairman said that the people living at the
corner of Dowell End Maple Streets had requested a
Req. for "Slow" sign on Lowell Street. Mr. Paxton wondered if
"Slow" the "Slow sign would do any good. The Board discussed
sign the matter, and instructed Mr. Paxton to have the sign
erected.
Mr. Paxton requested authority to remove the traffic
beacon at the junction of Lowell & Woburn Streets. This
Beacon to is the only one left in town. Mr. Sarano moved that Mr.
be removed Paxton's request be granted. Mr. Rowse seconded the
motion, and it was so voted.
Mr. Rowse asked Mr. Paxton if he thought that the
traffic lights on Mass. Avenue at Waltham Street might be
Traffic shut off for the most part of the day. Mr. Paxton said
lights he thought that if the lights were working from 7130 to
9:30 A.M. and from 4:30 to 7:00 P.M. the traffic officer
on duty there probably could handle the traffic the rest
of the time. Mr. Rowse moved that the traffic lights be
kept working only during the hours mentioned above. Mr.
Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
4111
Mr. Paxton said that he had received a call from
Metcalf & Eddy, who have been hired by the Government
Water to consider the water problem at the Bedford Airport.
for Bedf. They want to know what the possibility is of tieing in
Airport with our main on Wood Street. This would merely be an
auxiliary to be used only if the other supply failed.
We have a 12" main in Mass. Ave. , which is reduced to
a 10" main in Wood Street for a distance, and then to
8". _No action was taken in the matter.
Mr. Paxton retired at 8:07 P.M.
Mr. Wrightington appearedefore the Board at 8:10
P.M. He discussed the matter/advertising the new
Building and Plumbing By-laws. He said that he had
Bldg. & talked with Mr. Eugene L. Morgan, Chairman of the Plumb-
Plumbing ing By-law Committee, and with E. B. Worthen, Jr. , Clerk
By-laws ofothe BuildinggBy-law Committee, who in turn talked with
ttie rtgliiSo�gl spWWIL;nag4841141ie LIp '
Adams to hold the type until next winter, when some
minor changes in the by-laws can be made. By then per-
haps the Tenement House Act will be revoked.
Mr. Wrightington said that the Attorney General
had stricken out the section giving authority to the
571
1
Inspector to establish fees , with the approval of the
Selectmen. He says that this can be done only by town
meeting or by town By-law. Mr. Wrightington recommended
that the following article be included in the warrant for
the next town meeting: Article
"To see if the Town will fix the fees for the for
issue of Building and Plumbing Permits." warrant
The Clerk was instructed to insert the article in
the warrant for the next Town Meeting.
Mr. Wrightington informed the Board that Arthur
Earle owed approximately $490.00 on his Wood Street Earle
water guaranty. T. A. Custance and R. H. Stevens are water
the sureties on the bond. Mr. Wrightington said he guaranty
thought that he might be able to settle the claim f6r
$250.00, and requested authority of the Board to settle
for that amount, if possible. Mr. Rowse moved that the
sum of $250.00 be accepted in settlement of the Arthur
Earle water guaranty. Mr. Locke seconded the motion,
and it was so voted.
Mr. Wrightington then discussed the Murphy piggery
on the Lexington-Lincoln Line . He said that Dr. No further
DeNormandie of Lincoln had made an inspection ten days action on
ago, and found that there were no pigs in Lexington. Mr. Murphy
Wrightington said that as there were no pigs in Lex- piggery
1110 ington, he saw no sense in Lexington bringing suit.
Mr. Wrightington retired at 8:30 P.M.
At 8:30 P.M. seven members of the Appropriation
Committee appeared before the Board.
The Chairman explained the coal situation, and
asked the Selectmen if they wished to request a trans-
fer of $225.00 from the Reserve Fund. The Selectmen Transfer
being in favor, the Chairman requested the Appropria- for coal
tion Committee for the transfer. Mr. Sheldon polled
his Board, and the majority were in favor of the trans-
fer.
The Chairman asked the Selectmen and the Appropria-
tion Committee if they were in favor of ordering twenty-
five tons of coal for the Cary Memorial Building, and
the majority was in favor of it .
The Chairman said that Mr. Spencer had told him
that the Assessors were behind in their work because Extra girl
of the trouble over setting the tax rate. When the for
rate is announced, they will need another girl for Assessors
four weeks at $15.00 per week. Mr. Locke moved that
the Appropriation Committee be requested to transfer
$60.00 from the Reserve Fund to the Assessors-Personal
Services Account. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and
it was so voted.
Mr. Sheldon polled the Appropriation Committee and
4111 the majority was in favor of the transfer.
572
The Chairman said that Mr. Chadwick, Sealer of Weights 4111
and Measures , had asked the Selectmen for additional car
allowance, because of extra duties and the increased cost
Car of gasoline. Mr. Rowse thought that Chadwick should show
allowance how much more mileage he is doing in 1942 over 1941, and
Sealer Wts . also advise the Boards as to just how and why his duties
have increased. The Clerk was instructed to request Mr.
Chadwick for this information.
The Chairman read a letter from Chief Sullivan ad-
vising that he had contacted Childs and the Colonial
Garage for bids on the new car. Childs has no cars, and
Police the prices at the Colonial Garage were beyond the amount
cars available in the appropriation.
The Chairman asked the Appropriation Committee how
it would feel about purchasing two new cars, one to be
put into use now, and the other stored at the Public Works
Building until the Board felt it was needed. Some members
of the Appropriation Committee said they thought that both
cars now owned by the Police Department should be turned
in now and two new cars put on the road. The Chairman
polled the Selectmen on this question, and the Selectmen were
divided. Mr. Sheldon polled the Appropriation Committee
and the majority was in favor of purchasing two new cars
now and putting them into service now. The Selectmen said
they would go along with the Appropriation Committee.
The Clerk was instructed to request bids on two new1111
cars for the Police Department, the present two cars to
be turned in. She was further instructed to request bids
of several out-of-town concerns.
Mr. Sheldon read a letter from the Committee on Public
Food for Safety asking approval of the allocation of $100.00 from
Tower the appropriation for the Committee on Public Safety for
food and coffee at the Observation Tower. Both the Sel-
ectmen and the Appropriation Committee approved of the re-
quest.
Mr. Morse appeared before the Board at 9 :18 P.M.
to discuss welfare matters, and retired at 9:50 P.M.
Letter was received from Mr. Wrightington relative
Dismiss to the claim of the Town to recover welfare payments to
Leaf case the late Philip Leaf. Mr. Wrightington said that he
was satisfied that there is not enought in the estate
to warrant further proceedings . Mr. Rowse moved that
Mr. Wrightington be instructed to dismiss the action.
Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
The Chairman informed the Board that Daniel J.
Offer to O' Connell had offered to pay $100.00 for the lot on
purchase Fletcher Avenue formerly in the name of Benjamin F.
land Pearce and Arthur Kendall.
n3
• The lot contains 57,153 square feet , and was last assessed
for $2290.00. It was decided to refer the offer to the
Committee on Sale of Tax Title property.
Letter was received from Neil McIntosh stating that
his client was not willing to pay more than $250.00 for McIntosh
Lot #139 on Cary Avenue. It was decided to hold the offer
matter over to next Monday.
Governor Saltonstall 's Executive Order #27 to
the effect that the provisions of law requiring a Executive
written contract or the posting or advertising for Order
bids for the purchase of supplies shall not apply to
the purchase of fuel.
The Election Officers to serve until September 1,
1943 were appointed as follows :
Precinct One
D-Charles J. Dailey Warden
D-John D. Barry Deputy Warden
D-Pauline E. Bartlett Inspector
D-Frederick L. Murphy Deputy Inspector
R-George E. Foster Inspector
R-Alice G. Marshall Deputy Inspector
411! R-Mary E. Stankard Clerk
R-Marion G. Cook Deputy Clerk
D-Mary A. Rowland Teller
D-Donald Cameron
D-Annie H. McDonnell
D-George F. Stygles
R-Ilda J. Field
R-James A. Wiggins "
R-Richard E. Truesdell "
R-L. Ellsworth Pierce "
Precinct Two
R-Victor H. Harmon Warden
R-Clyde E. Steeves Deputy Warden
R-Lucius A. Austin Inspector
R-Helen K. Ditzgerald Deputy Inspector
D-Randall W. Richards Inspector
D-Ruth R. Ray Deputy Inspector
D-John H. Dacey Clerk
D-Mary E. Manley Deputy Clerk
R-Arthur L. Hanson Teller
0-Edward MoGrory
R-Elizabeth R. Nourse
D-Madeline J. Corbett
R-Madeline V. Peterson
R-Laurina Metcalf Wilson
D-Jesse Condinho
D-Helen A. McCaffrey
574
Precinct Three •
R-Franklin W. Coleman Warden
R-Guy Maynard Deputy Warden
R-Peter Robertson Inspector
R-Neil McIntosh Deputy Inspector
D-Charles E. Moloy, Jr. Inspector
D-Margaret E. Ormand Deputy Inspector
D-John F. McKearney, Jr. Clerk
D-Patrick H. McDonnell Deputy Clerk
D-Cornelius P. Cronin Teller
D-Virginia E. Welsh "
R-Samuel W. Wellington a
R-Emma L. Hovey a
D-John J. McCormack
D-Henry P. Meade a
R-Esther P. Graham ^
R-Bessie Davis "
Precinct Four
R-Howard E. Custance Warden
R-Frederick S. Britton Deputy Warden
R-William E. Mulliken Inspector
R-Irene E. Robinson Deputy Inspector
D-William E. Dailey Inspector
D-Daniel A. Gorman, Jr. Deputy Inspector
D-Mary J. Ferry Clerk 4111
D-Joseph Dailey Deputy Clerk
D-Helen T. Maguire Teller
D-George J. Vaughn a
R-Caroline F. Deloury "
R-Carle Hauck "
D-Francis H. Maguire u
D-Agnes G. Hall a
R-Robert Cady "
R-A. Thomas Ferry "
The report of the 1942 April 19th Committee was re-
ceived and read by the Chairman. Mr. Locke moved that
April 19th the report be accepted and placed on file, and the com-
Committee mittee Discharged. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and
it was so voted.
5'
y
Report of the School Lunch Project for the month of
Jure was received.
Application for a license to board two infants was
received from Gladys Smith of 12 Locust Avenue, and ap-
plication for a peddler's license was received from Licenses
Theron H. Gough of 451 Concord Avenue. Both of these
being renewal., Mr. Rowse moved that they be approved.
Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
Mr. Sarano said that a group of women wished to
give lessons in canning, and he requested permission
to use the balance of the $100.00 allowed for the
garden on WalthamL��'� Street to purchase supplies for
n
gardeefi- gecx-p+ `. tree4, orbehsee 612'. p1. .era X44, the Canning
canning. He then said that 50.00 would probably be Project
sufficient, and he requested the approval of the Board
of the expenditure of this amount of money to can food
to be given to welfare recipients. It was decided to
approve the expenditure of $50. 00, this amount to come
from the welfare appropriation.
The records of the meeting held on July 6th and
on July 13th were declared approved.
The meeting adjourned at 10;23 P.M.
1111 A true record, Attest:
Clerk
fI IV
-L'