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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1942-08-17SELECTMEN'S MEETING V August 17, 1942 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening, August 17, 1942 at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Giroux, Messrs. Potter, Rowse, Locke, and Sarano were present. The Clerk was alsop resent. Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board. He said that Mr. Joseph M. Bettencourt of 65 Spring Street had been in to see him and had told him that he was quite dissatisfied with the way the Town had left Bettencourt the bank in front of his house. He would be satisfied banking if the Town would go in and ramp on his property and some time in the future he would build a wall himself. Mr. Paxton told him that he thought the Board would do this, but probably would want an agreement from him al- lowing the Town to go in on his property and do sloping. Yr. Paxton said that he would have Mr. Wrightington draw up an -agreement. Mr. Sarano moved that Mr. Paxton be authorized to do the work as described to Mr. Bettencourt. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that there was a brook in the rear of the Bean property and the new owner has been very much concerned with the sewage that goes into the brook and he feels that the brook should be enclosed. The brook is 75 Brook on. feet in the rear of the house. The Chairman said that Bean there was reason to believe that cesspools were connected property;.?, with storm drains and that this sewage went into this brook. Mr. Paxton said that vitrified clay pipe should be used if the brook was enclosed. Mr. Paxton said that he believed the remedy was to carry a drain out Williams Avenue to Bedford Street. However, there are a couple of a houses that have pumps that are taking .water from the brook for small .gardens. The pipe would cost about 40� per foot, making a total cost of about $60.00 and the labor will be about 460.00 making a total cost of not more"than $125.00 Mr. Rowse thought that the expenditures would:be a waste of money as the sewage problem would not be solited. The Chairman asked how much it would cost if the people insisted that the brook be enclosed all the way and Mr. Paxton said a rough estimate of the cost was $400.00. Mr. Paxton said that he had some cracked pipe on hand. Mr. Rowse suggested that this pipe be sold to Mr. Kelley, the owner, and then he could do the work himself. r 1 1 Y Shea as call f iceman Mr. Potter moved that the brook be enclosed as far ab the broken pipe on hand will allow. Mr. Sarano secon- ded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Rowse wished to be recorded in opposition. At 7:60 P.M. Mr. George W. Emery appeared before the Board. He said that the Fire Department would like to have Michael Shea for a call fireman during the day- time without any pay deductions for the time put in. They are losing call men to the armed forces all the time and the problem is becoming serious. The Fire Department will pay Mr. Shea $2.50 per call. Mr. Paxton suggested that Mr. Shea make up whatever time he loses in answering calls. It was decided to leave the matter with Messrs. Emery and Paxton to work out. Mr. Emery retired at 8:03 P.M. Letter was received from Mr. W. S. Couette advising that the Towers were prepared to offer to the Town the Tower land strips of land on either side of Follen Road near Marrett Follen Rd. Road. It was the opinion of the Board that there would be no advantage to the Town in acquiring more land for merely decorative purposes. It was decided however, to obtain the Planning Board's opinion on the matter. Mr. Paxton retired at 8:20 P.M. Mr. Morse appeared before the Board and retired at 9:05 P.M. Waldron Ia 1940 bill Pole F location Letter was received from the Town Treasurer advis- ing that warrant #107, voucher 5015, contained a 1940 bill in the amount of $6.60. Mr. Morse said that this covered meal tickets for Percy Walker at Mr. Waldron's restaurant. In 1940 Mr. Morse authorized meal tickets for Walker for two weeks and he thought that Walker had taken care of the obligation after he had returned to work. However he had not done so and this year Mr. Wal- dron presented the bill. It was decided to ask the Town Counsel for his opinion on the matter. Letter was received from the Board of Registrars advising that Mr. George H. Lowe had been elected as Chairman of the Board for the year ending March, 1943. Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sarano, the following joint pole locations were approved and the order signed: Eliot Road, at southwest corner of Bennington l 1 1 1 Road, One (1) pole; Eliot Road, easterly from Bennington Road, nine (9) poles; Pinewood Street, southeasterly from a point approximately 240 feet southeast of Follen Road, Three (3) poles. The deed for the sale of Lot 139, Cary Avenue to Ervin 0. Griffith of 65 Tufts Street, Arlington, was received from ter. Wrightington. Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Locke, it was voted that the lot be sold and conveyed to Mr. Griffith, and the deed signed. Letter was received from the Metropolitan District Commission in reply to the Chairman's letter relative to the advisability of allowing a connection on Wood Street, at the Bedford line, to supply water to the Bed- ford Airport. Commissioner Hultman said that it was inadvisable, if not dangerous, to take on an additional load to our present system, due to the inadequacy of the present distribution system supplying Lexington and Arl- ington. He said that the Commission had been trying to remedy the condition but had been unable to do so due to war conditions and he said that his engineers reported that probably sources of water are available on the land of the Bedford Airport. Also, a solution might be for the Federal Government to complete the necessary pipe lines in Arlington and Lexington which the Commission Is unable to complete. The Clerk was instructed to advise Metcalf & Eddy of the situation. Letter was received from Sergeant John W. Rycroft relative to slip covers for the new police car. He recommended that the covers on the rear seat and back, and. all side panels be removed and cleaned to beut on the new car. The cost of cleaning will be about 42.00. He recommended replacing the front seat covers and the new ones will cost $6.50. The Board decided to approve of Sergeant Rycroft's recommendations and to charge the expenses to the Police Department Expenses appropriation. Request of certificate of character of Henry A. Siekman of 62 Hinchey Road was received. Sergeant Rycroft reported that Mr.Siekman was a man of good character. Bir. Potter moved that the certificate be approved and signed. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 3 Deed to lot 139 Cary Ave. Re: water for Bedford Airport Seat covers for police car Cert. of character In Letter was received from Angelo Delfino offering Lots on to pay the sum of $50.00 for lots 5,6,7, and 8 in the Reed St. rear of his house at 94 Heed.Street. It was decided to refer the offer to the Committee on Sale of Tax Title Property. The Chairman said that he had talked with W. S. Couette who feels that the present system of placing insurance is unfair. He suggests that the Board adopt Insurance the system used by some towns where one overlying agency is used and that agency places all the insurance. Mr. Rowse said that Mr. Hill is very ill and he thought that no change should be made while he is so ill. No action was taken on the matter. Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Rowse, I it was voted that the following letter of thanks be written to Mr. Frederick J. Spencer for his services ad Administrator of the War Price and Rationing Board, Mr. Frederick J. Spencer Assessors' Office Lexington, Mass. Dear Mr. Spencer: ' The Board of Selectmen has learned with regret of your resignation as Administrator of the War Price and Rationing Board. We realize that there was a great deal of work involved and want you to know that we ap- preciate all that you have done. Yours very truly, Archie R. Giroux Chairman, Selectmen. The Chairman reported that he would be out of Town until next Monday and it was voted to refer any matters requiring the Chairman's attention to Mr. Potter during Mr. Girouxt absence. The Chairman said that John J. Kelley of Muzzey Street was very much disturbed because the Board had not approved of paying him the difference between what he earns now while training for defense work and what he earned as a foreman on the W.P.A. The Board decided to make no change in its previous action on the matter. C] The Chairman requested the Board to meet next Mon- day., August 24, 1942 at 4:30 P.M. to sign the warrant. Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Locke, it was voted that the following letter be incorporated in the Selectmen's records: August 11, 1942 Mr, Allen W. Rucker Vice -Controller, Area C, Region V Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety 47 Somerset Road Lexington, Massachusetts Dear Mr. Rucker: The Board of Selectmen acknowledge your letter of August. 6th, to which was attached a copy of a letter from Mr. Harold W. Fenner, Executive Director, Region V. Mass. Committee on Public Safety, in which he appoints you Vice -Controller of Area C, Region V. The Board of Selectmen recognize the honor paid you and the Town of Lexington in your new appointment. However, the loss of your service as Chairman of the Lex- ington Committee on Public Safety is deeply and sincerely regretted. The Lexington Committee on Public Safety is now a well organized body, properly trained to meet emergencies which may arise through acts of our enemies. Taking no credit from those who served under you, the Board can honestly state that your resourcefulness, effort, and ability in your position of leadership co- ordinated all the individual abilities, and for this, you are entitled to the appreciation and thanks of the people of Lexington, which is expressed to you through the Board of Selectmen. We extend you every good wish for your success in your new endeavor. Sincerely -yours, Archie R. Gieoux ARG:EML Chairman, Selectmen. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 P.M. A true record, Attest: 1 Clerk