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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1942-09-14 13 SELECTMEN'S MEETING September 14, 1942 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening, September 14, 1942 at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Giroux, Messrs . Potter, Locke, and Sarano were present Mr. Rowse arrived at 8:05 P.M. The Clerk was also present. Mr. James J. Carroll appeared before the Board for the drawing of jurors. Mr. Paul Whipple, salesman, 15 Belfry Terrace was drawn to serve on Criminal Business , First Session at Cambridge beginning Monday, October 5, Jurors 1942. Mr. Fred B. Fletcher, painter, 72 Burlington St. was drawn to serve on Civil Business, Second Session at Cambridge beginning October 5, 1942. Mr. Carroll retired at 7 :35 P.M. Mr. Frank H. Carter of Wayland appeared before the Board. He said that he had made application for a license to slaughter and render at the property located at 76 Slaughter Laconia Street owned by Edward J Casey. Mr. Potter said license that he had talked with Mr. Carter in the afternoon and he told him that a license to render had never been issued here before. Mr. Carter assured him that there would be no dead carcasses brought in and that the render- ing would be of the offal. He said he would render only in an emergency. Mr. Carter read an agreement dated August 31, 1942 whereby Mr. Casey agreed to sell him the property. Mr. Carter retired. Mr. Potter moved that a license to slaughter and render be granted Mr. Frank H. Carter at 76 Laconia Street. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Potter moved that a slaughtering house license be granted to Edward J. Casey for a period ending April 30, 1943. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. At 7:55 P.M. Mr. George W. Emery, Chairman of the Board of Fire Engineers, and Mr . Paxton appeared before the Board. Call Mr. L4nery said that last May he asked permission firemen for the members of the Park and Highway Departments to become call firemen. At that time they had 22 or 23 call men but this week they lost three of them. In May, Mr. Paxton's chief objection was that he had some 6 14 .64 work that had to be done on Spring Street and Oak Street and that he did not want the men to leave during the day. About two weeks ago he spoke with Mr. Paxton again and was told that by the first of November he would be able to release one or two men. Last Saturday Mr. Emery told Mr. Paxton he hoped he could make this October first. Mr. Paxton said that all the construction work was completed but that they still had a lot of work to do. He was afraid that if his men were appointed call firemen now, they would feel they still should be members of the call force after the war. He said he would like to see the arrangement made on a war time basis . Mr. Emery felt that the men might not accept the appointment if they were for the duration of the war only. Not all of the men are going into the armed forces--many of them are going into defense work and probably in order to be fair, the Fire Engineers might like to put them back after the war is over. Mr. Paxton suggested that the men be given to understand that although they are call firemen, they be allowed to go to fires in the daytime at the discretion of the Department heads. He thought that some arrange- ment could be worked out to the satisfaction of the Fire Engineers. Mr. Emery said that in order for the men to be satisfactory, the Engineers would have to have assur- ance that the men would be available to answer calls dur- ing the daytime . Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Paxton work out some arrangement with the Fire Engineers so that the men in the Public Works Department might be appointed call fire- men for the duration of the war. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Emery retired at 8:03 P.M. Mr. Paxton said that Mrs William G. Potter had re- quested the use of a Conference Room on alternating Fri- Uses of days from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon for meetings of the halls Delphian Club, the first meeting to be held on October 2, 1942. 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. Potter did not vote on this issue . Mr. Paxton said that the Florence Crittenton League had requested the use of a Conference Room from 10:30 A.M. to 12:00 noon on September 14, 1942. He told the Board that he had granted this use and the Board approved of his action. 1 15 Mr. Paxton said th: t the Lexington Minute Men had requested the use of a Conference Room on September 16, 1942 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. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that the Lexington Community Chest had requested the use of a Conference Room on September 18, 1942 for a meeting. Mr. Potter moved that the use of the room be granted free of charge . Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that the Lexington Grange had re- quested the use of Cary Hall on September 18th and 19th from 2:00 P.M. to 11 :00 P.M. for a fair. Mr. Sarano moved that the uses be granted subject to a charge of 015.00 per day. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that George Fuller of Sunny Knoll Avenue would like permission to rent the grader and Equipment roller to do some work on that street. Rental Mr. Potter moved that the rentals be allowed sub- ject to the usual charge . Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that he had received an agreement , prepared by Mr. Wrightington, and signed by the resi- dents of Fern Street to the effect that they will not Fern ask the Town to install extensive drainage or the re- Street construction of the present pavement if the Town votes to accept the street. This agreement is merely to pro- tect the Town. Mr. Sarano moved that an article be inserted in the warrant for the annual Town Meeting to see if the Article Town will vote to accept Fern Street, subject to the provisions of this agreement. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that Captain Wiggins had been in to discuss the matter of a water supply to the Bedford Airport and he left four copies of a contract for the Water for Selectmen to sign. Airport Mr. Paxton talked with a man at the Metropolitan District Commission and they had no record of approv- ing a water supply to the airport being tied-in with the Town of Lexington' s supply. a aj 16 s Mr. Paxton sent them a copy of the letter received from Major VanAllen saying that the Metropolitan District Commission had approved this tie-in and he had not re- ceived a reply . It was decided to hold the matter over until the next meeting. Mr. Paxton read a letter from Mr. Garrity recom- mending that the supply of arsenic of lead for 1943 be Arsenic of purchased now because it might be difficult to get it lead next year . He has enough money in the Shade Tree Ap- propriation to pay for this . This matter was held over until the next meeting. Mr. Paxton said that Mr. E. A. Lindstrom had talked to him about old Allen Street which the children on Farmcrest Hill use to go to the Franklin School. The Old people feel that the Town should put a layer of gravel Allen St. over the bad spots and cut the brush. They are think- ing of getting up a petition requesting the Board to authorize this work . Mr. Paxton told Mr. Lindstrom that there was nothing the Town could do as the street was unaccented. No action was taken on the matter. Mr. Paxton informed the Board that Bertha Dias came to work in the 'Water and Sewer Department last November. When preparing* that budget he neglected to allow for an Miss Dias ' increase in her salary after her year was up. According salary to the Salary Committee 's report , she is entitled to a 51.00 increase after she has been here one year. Mr. Potter moved that the increase be approved as of November 27, 1942 and that the Appropriation Committee be requested to transfer the sum of 4,5.00 from the Re- serve Fund in order to 3neet the increase . Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton informed the Board that he felt the Concord Ave. County should be petitioned to lay out Concord Avenue , layout Adams Street, and Grove Street for a minimum width of 50 feet. The Chairman suggested petitioning the layout of one street at a time. Mr. Rowse moved that the County be petitioned to lay out Concord Avenue from the Belmont line to the Concord Turnpike . Mr . Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman said that Robert Hannafard, who has been working at the dump, telephoned him and complained because he had been put back to work on the Highway De- partment. , 17 Mr. Paxton said that Hannaford had been working at the Lincoln Street dump and as they were short of men in the Highway Department, he thought he would try him there. He planned to put the tractor into the dump once a month. Mr. Hannaford is due for retirement next year and he says he is not capable of doing the work in the Highway Depart- ment. Mr. Paxton told him that if he was physically un- fit for work there then he should get a letter from a doctor to that effect. No action was taken on the matter. The Chairman informed the Board that bids on garbage collection were to be received up until 12 :00 noon and that only one had been received. Connors Brothers of Burlington bid $6,000.00 for the first year, 06,000.00 for the second year, and 06,000.00 for the third year. Garbage The bid was accompanied by a certified check in the bids amount of 0100.00. Mr . Rowse moved that the contract be awarded to Connors Brothers for a period of two years for the sum of $12,000.00. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. It was decided to request Connors Brothers to sub- mit a bond in the sum of 012,000.00 and to submit a certificate of workmen's compensation insurance before the contract is signed. Mr. Paxton said that the account would be short 1150.00 because of the increase in the contract. Mr. Potter moved that the Appropriation Committee be requested to transfer the sum of 4150.00 from the Reserve Fund to meet the deficit in the garbage account . Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from the County Commissioners advising of a petition for assessment of damages by Spring St . Rudolph and Elwine R. Reinap on account of a land tak- ing for relocation of Spring Street . Any damages awarded are assessed upon the Town by reason of the Commissioners ' order of relocation. Mr. Potter moved that the matter be referred to the Town Counsel for such action as is necessary. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from W S Couette request- ing that the planting areas on both sides of Follen Road near Marrett Road be mowed. Mr. Paxton reported that this had already been done. Mr. Paxton retired at 9 :20 P.M. 18 y Mr. Morse appeared before the Board. He reported that Thomas Fardy had left the Welfare Department for employment as a guard in the Watertown Fardy Arsenal . He said that Fardy was entitled to ask for a leave of leave of absence for the duration of the war and that absence he had requested it. He has not applied for the with- drawal of his retirement funds . In accordance with Civil Service regulations , he is requesting a leave of absence for six months and then undoubtedly he will ask for a renewal of it Mr. Rowse thought that the Board should take the matter under advisement so that they could discuss it with the Town Counsel . The matter was held over until the next meeting. Mr. Morse said that Wilbur Roberts had to vacate his house at the Middlesex Sportsmen's Club by Sept. 30th. He is now employed as the Food Stamp Cashier at Wilbur 4l8.00 per week and says that he will have to get a new Roberts position paying more money . He has not resigned as yet. Mr. Rowse asked if it would be possible for Lexing- ton to combine with some other town and have the latter ' s cashier handle Lexington. Mr. Morse thought perhaps that might be done, but he said that he had not had a chance to find out about it yet. He said he would talk with the Town of Arlington and with Mr . Stalker of the Boston office and report at the next meeting. Mr. Morse said he talked with the Civil Service Commission and they will approve returning Miss Crosby Miss to $19.00 per week. They suggested that Miss Gertrude Crosby E. Mitchell be granted an increase of 01.00 which would bring her up to the top rank in her classification as Miss Junior Clerk. They further recommend classifying her Mitchell as a Senior Clerk and then granting her an additional dollar. Mr. Sarano moved that Miss Mitchell be granted an increase of $1.00 beginning September 4, 1942 and that the Appropriation Committee be requested to transfer the sum of $ 17.00 so that there will be suf- ficient funds to pay Miss Mitchell the additional dollar. Mr. Morse retired at 10 25 P.M. The Chairman said that he was going to be very Giroux busy at the Republican State Headquarters for the next leave of six weeks and that he would like a leave of absence absence from his duties as Chairman of the Board. The Board had no objection to Mr. Giroux taking a six week' s leave of absence as Chairman. He retired at 10:00 P.M. 19 There being no Chairman, the Clerk then acted as Chairman. Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Potter be elected Temporary temporary Chairman during Mr. Giroux' absence. Mr. Chairman of Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Board Potter then took the chair. Upon motion of Mr Sarano, seconded by Mr. Locke , it was voted to send the following letter of sympathy to Mrs. Edward W. Kimball whose husband passed away on September 2, 1942 : September 14, 1942 Mrs. Edward W. Kimball 1359 Massachusetts Avenue Lexington, Massachusetts Dear Mrs. Kimball : The Board of Selectmen wish to express to you and your family its most sincere sympathy in the passing of Mr. Edward W. Kimball. Not only was he unselfish in his service as a member of the Board of Appeals and the Planning Board, but in all other civic affairs as well. His intimate knowledge of the Town, his sound judgment, and his spirit of fairness will be greatly missed by his associates . The Selectmen voted on September 14, 1942 to incorporate in their Records this message of sympathy to you. Sincerely yours, Archie R. Giroux, EML Chairman, Selectmen. Letter was received from the Lexington War Price and Rationing Board relative to the resignation of Administra- Mr. Frederick J . Spencer as Administrator of that tor of Board. They took the matter up with the State author.- Rationing ities who assured them that there was no objection to Board Mr. Spencer's holding that office. Mr. Locke moved that Mr . Frederick J. Spencer be appointed Administrator of the Lexington War Price and Rationing Board, this appointment to be effective on September 15, 1942. Mr Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Notice was received from the Massachusetts Depart- IIment of Public Utilities advising that a hearing would 20 be held at lOz3O A.M. on October 27, 1942 relative to Hearing the rates and charges of the Arlington Gas Light Co. on Arl. The Clerk said that she would see if the Board should gas rates do anything on the matter and would report at the next meeting. The Chairman said that it was necessary to appoint someone to the Board of Appeals to fill the vacancy Board of caused by the death of Edward W. Kimball . Appeals Mr. Locke moved that Mr. Donald E. Nickerson of 2198 Massachusetts Avenue be appointed for a term end- ing March 31, 1945. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Walter C. Ballard of 8 Raymond Street be appointed an Associate member of the Board of Appeals for a period ending March 31, 1943. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A bill in the amount of $8.00 for flowers sent to Mrs. Nellie Cosgrove and to Chief Sullivan was received. Flowers Mr. Sarano moved that the bill be approved and charged to Unclassified Account . Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Town Counsel' s bill in the amount of $50.75, in Counsel' s the case of Lexington v. Rose Scurtq was received. bill Mr. Locke moved that the bill be approved for payment. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from the V.F.W. requesting Old that the Board insert an article in the warrant for the Adams next Town Meetinm +n see if the Town would approve School tran3ferring the so-called Adams School lot to the land PQst. It was the feeling of the Board that if the land was to be transferred and a building was to be erected on it, it should be for the use of all veterans ' organizations rather than a single one. Mr. Rowse moved that the Post be informed that an article would be inserted in the warrant for the Article annual Town Meeting in March, 1943 provided a petition signed by ten registered voters requesting the same was received. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 1 21 ' The Clerk informed the Board that Andrew Massucco had offered to pay the sum of $;25.00 for lots 17 and 20, Tax title Meagher. Mr. Potter and Mr. Spencer recommended sell- property ing the lots. Mr. Saran o moved that the lots be sold and con- veyed to Andrew Massucco. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The meeting adjourned at 11 :00 P.M. A true record, Attest : Clerk _L —