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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1942-11-02 62 SELECTMENtS MEETING November 2,1942 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening, November 2, 1942 at 7:30 P.M. Messrs. Potter, Rowse, Locke, and Sarano were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. Potter served as Chairman pro-tem. At 7:30 P.M. Mr. James J . Carroll appeared before the Board for the drawing of two jurors. Mr. William E. Maloney, oil dealer, of 289 Bedford Street, was drawn to Jurors serve on Criminal Business at Cambridge, First Session, beginning December 1, 1942. Mr. Ralph E. Scribner, merchant , of 66 Gleason Road, Lexington, was drawn to serve on Civil Business at Lowell beginning December 7, 1942. Mr. Carroll retired at 7:35 P.M. Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board. He said that the Delphian Club had requested the use of a Conference Room in the morning on the following dates : November 6, 20, 27, December 4, 11, and 18. Uses of Mr. Sarano moved that the uses of the conference room halls be granted. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr Paxton informed the Board that Mr. Robert C. Merriam had requested the use of a conference room on November 4, 1942 from 7:45 P.M. to 9 :45 P.M. for an Air Raid Wardens Instruction Class . Mr. Locke moved that the use of a conference room be granted. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that he had visited Winchester to look at the curb markings over there and had talked to the State Department of Public Works on the subject. The Curbings State approves marking the curbings white at cross walks and at the present time they are working on regulations permitting it . The State said to go ahead and paint the curbings . Mr. Paxton said that it would not be very ex- pensive and would take one half to one full day. Mr. Locke moved that the Superintendent of Public Works be authorized to paint the curbings white at onvtEsES walks and to charge the expense to Traffic Regulations and Control. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. S 63 Mr. Paxton said that in 1932 the Board of Selectmen voted not to charge Emma J Hadley of Fern Street for her water rates as she was being aided by the Town. Mr. Pax- Emma J. ton thought that this was the wrong way to handle the Hadley matter as if the woman is a welfare recipient, then the water bill water rates should be paid by the Welfare Department. The Selectmen agreed with Mr. Paxton. Mr. Rowse moved that the bill for water rates be sent to Mrs. Emma J. Hadley in the future . Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton informed the Board that Gabriel Brucchi has been doing dynamiting in the past but now this work is being done by George Whiting. Mr. Brucchi received Brucchi $1.00 an hour while dynamiting and 65 an hour when work- salary ing as a laborer. He is now earning 05an hour more than the other men and Mr. Paxton recommended reducing him to 604 an hour. Mr . Rowse moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr . Paxton said that Thomas Sullivan was receiving 60¢ an hour, and during the past few months he has been doing the work of a foreman when necessary. Mr. Paxton Sullivan ' would like to increase him to 65 an hour. salary Mr. Rowse moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that he wished to discuss the problem of men on an hourly basis -- George 0. Harrington, John F. O'Connor, and Francis T. Barry. During the coming winter they will have to work overtime on snow removal, and Mr. Paxton would like to put them on the same basis as laborers Overtime for overtime work but at straight time rather than time and a half. Mr. Rowse asked Mr . Paxton to guess how much the overtime might amount to and he replied that he would not even hazard a guess. Mr. Paxton recommended paying these men on an hourly basis for overtime work between the hours of 6 :00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. and on Sundays. Mr. Rowse aticad if the policy would continue after the war and Mr. Paxton said that he didn't think so. He will figure a regular week at forty-four hours and establish the hourly rate. Mr. Rowse moved that the Superintendent of Public Works be authorized to pay George 0. Harrington, John F. O 'Connor, and Francis T. Barry on an hourly basis (straight time) for overtime work performed during the hours of 6 :00 P.M. and 7:00 A. M. and on Sundays . Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 64 .� 03 Mr. Paxton said that he had written to contractors and truck owners to get an expression of opinion as to whether they would be willing to work on snow removal this winter. He received the following replies : Sidewalk Contractors - Tropeano wants 75¢ an hour for labor and y¢l.00 an hour for his horse . Sullivan wants 74 an hour for labor and $1.00 an hour for his horse . John Dailey said that he was not interested at all. Mr. Paxton talked with Mr. Meek on Bacon Street to find out if he was interested in plowing and he said that he would Snow be if he could get labor. He finally got a man who said Removal that he would go out on sidewalk plowing if he was paid $1.00 an hour. Street Plowing - Bieren said he would plow for the same rate as last year and 75%' an hour for his man. He re- quested that he be allowed to garage his truck at the Public Works Building during the winter. Mr. Paxton said that Mr. Bieren had a very large truck and he did an ex- cellent job of p,owing. He thought it would be a good idea to garage the truck at the Public Works Building during the winter. Paul Wagner said his plowing would depend upon what labor was available . George Spellenberg said that his truck was at our service. Trebino has a Ford truck which will be at the service of the Town evenings only. R. H. Stevens cannot guarantee the use of his trucks. John Gaffey has two trucks but cannot continue at the old rate. Arthur Pierce will not be able to plow this year. There will be seven Town trucks available this year. Mr. Paxton said that they will not be able to lift snow and plow streets at the same time. After the snow is lifted they can then do the sidewalks. Mr. Rowse thought that we should be able to get along with but very little sidewalk plowing this year because of war restricted automobile traffic. Mr. Paxton said that some towns are doing away with sidewalk plowing entirely. He thought however, that the following sidewalks should be plowed: Massachusetts Avenue from the Arlington line to School Street; Waltham Street to Allen Street; Woburn Street to Lowell Street, and Bedford Street to Buttrick' s . Mr. Potter read Article 22 of the General By-laws relative to the removal of snow and ice from the sidewalks. The Board thought it more important to have the streets plowed than the sidewalks . Mr. Paxton thought it would be wise to work out a snow removal program and then have Mr . Adams put it in the paper so that the storekeepers would know what the policy was going to be. 65 Mr. Potter thought that the storekeepers should be notified that they would be expected to remove snow from the side- walks in front of their stores . Mr. Paxton thought that the Depot Park and one side of Merriam Street to the rail- road track should be plowed. The Clerk was instructed to arrange to have an article inserted in the warrant for the annual Town Meeting in March, 1943, to amend Article 22 of the General By-laws so as to Article enforce the property owners to remove snow and ice from their sidewalks. Mr. Paxton told the Board that he felt the Fire De- partment should shovel out the hydrants . He also felt that the Fire Department should shovel the snow in front of the Fire Station. The Board felt that the Fire Depart- ment should at least lift the snow from in front of their buildings . Mr. Rowse thought the Fire Engineers would object to the firemen shoveling hydrants as they claim they have insufficient help now to man the stations. How- ever, Mr. Paxton said that he would discuss the matter with the Fire Engineers . Mr. Paxton reminded the Board that it had taken no action on the sidewalk plowing rates . The Board approved a maximum of 75X an hour for labor and $1.00 an hour for Sidewalk the horses. On street plowing, Mr. Paxton thought that Plowing all the trucks should be raised 50¢ an hour. This will rates raise the operator from 75X to $1.00 an hour and the helper from 5O to 75¢ an hour. The Board approved of this. Letter was received from Mrs . C. L. Barcus, owner of the house at 822 Massachusetts Avenue. While out west, she was informed by letter that there was eighteen inches of water in the cellar. The water was pumped out and it was found that it was running in from the street where the Barcus Stop and Waste was partially open. Mrs. Barcus said that claim the oil burner was damaged but she did not know to what extent. Mr. Paxton said that he had received Mrs . Barcus ' claim and he had written to her and asked her to submit an estimate of the damage to the Board. It was decided to hold the matter over until Mrs . Barcus ' letter was received. Mr. Paxton retired at 8:35 P.M. Mr. Morse appeared before the Board at 8:35 P.M. to discuss welfare matters and retired at 8 :47 P.M. Letter was received from Mr. John B Sawyer, attorney for the Boston and Maine Railroad, recommending that the Selectmen appoint a representative to meet with the repre- Maple St. senatives of the State and County to try to reach some Bridge agreement on the gppottlammerttof the cost of repairs to the Maple Street bridge . 1 IIMr. Rowse moved that Mr. Paxton be appointed to represent the Board in the matter. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. l _ 66 Letter was received from the Altec Service Corporation stating that that company was in the starting stages of a highly important portion of the defense program having to do with training of Navy gunners . The Plant Protection Division of the First Service Command, United States Army will have charge of protection facilities in this area. They recom- mend that arrangements be made with the Police Department so that the night watchman can call the desk in the Police sta- tion every hour. It was further suggested that should the Police call fail to come in as scheduled, the man on the desk at the service police station would investigate by telephone or otherwise to see what may have caused such a discrepancy. The company will be pleased to pay any exoenses. The Clerk said that she had talked with the Chief and he said that he believed arrange- ments for this service could be made without any expense. The Board therefore approved of the service and told the Clerk to advise the company that there would be no charge until it was determined whether or not there was any expense involved. Letter was received from Judge Crafts , attorney for Frank Carter who applied for a license to slaughter and render on the Casey property on Laconia Street. Judge Re :Render- Crafts enclosed an affidavit from Mr. Young in which Mr. ing and Young said that during his ownership of the premises, Slaughter- prior to 1934 and until 1936, he rendered considerable fats ing and grease purchased for the purpose, as well as the resi- due from a meat market on the premises. The Chairman said that Mr. Young never had a license to render on the premises . No action was taken on the matter. Upon motion of Mr. Locke, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted to approve the following pole locations and sign the order: Pole location Lowell Street northerly from Woburn Street, seven poles ; Lowell Street, easterly side , approximately 40 feet south of Woburn Street, one pole; Lowell Street, westerly side, and southerly from a point approximately 65 feet south of Woburn Street, two poles . Letter was received from Robert H. Moore of 1445 Massachusetts Avenue , reporting that on October 20 , 1942, Petty in the vicinity of the High School, a petty fight fight near occurred between some of the High School boys and a Lex- High Sch. ington resident who was passing by in an automobile . Mr. Moore ' s son was one of the boys involved. 67 During the fight, the Lexington resident hit one of the boys on the side of the head with a gun and the report of the incident is on record at the police station. Mr. Moore talked to the Chief about the incident and the Chief said that he would investigate. Mr. Morre telephoned the sta- tion on October 26, 1942 and the officer who answered the telephone said he did not know whether the permit had been revoked or not . Mr. Moore felt that the Chief had been very lax in handling the situation. Letter was received from Chief Sullivan advising that on October 27, 1942 he revoked the permit to carry a revolver which had been issued to Matthew Buckley of 22 Grant Street, Lexington. The Clerk was instructed to so inform Mr. Moore. Letter was received from Grover Cronin Inc. thanking the Board for the loan of the flags of the 48 States. Letter was received from Mr. Wrightington advising that the Town would be justified in making an appropria- Street tion to install a light in the parking space near the rail- light road station, under the authority contained in General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 5 (33) . Letter was received from Mr. Wrightington relative tb the papers which the United States Army had requested the Re : land Board to sign in connection with the sale of part of the taking b3 parcel of land off Westview Street, owned by the Town. Mr. U.S .Army Wrightington said that there were certain items he could not approve and he had so informed the United States Army Engineers . Letter was received from the Health Inspector inform- ing the Board that he had investigated the condition of the three outhouses located at #9, #11, and x#13 Hayes Lane Board and owned by Mrs. Bridget Leary. Mr. Lamont reported that of the outhouses were in a filthy condition and were a menace Health to the public health. He recommended that Mrs . Bridget Order Leary be ordered to do away with these outhouses at once and provide proper sanitary facilities for the houses. Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Locke , it was unanimously voted to adopt the following order : Lexington, Mass. November 2, 1942 The Board of Selectmen of Lexington, acting as a Board of Health, after receiving a report from Mr. John Lamont, Health Inspector, as to the condition of the premises located 68 a at 9, 11, & 13 Hayes Lane, Lexington, find that the out- houses located on said premises are a menace to the Pub- lic health and a nuisance by reason of their filthy con- dition, and therefore, the Board adopts the following order under authority of G. L. Ch. 111, Sec. 123 and every other power enabling it to do so. ORDERED that Mrs. Bridget Leary of 45 Waltham Street, Lexington, Massachusetts, in the County of Middlesex, the owner of the property at 9, 11, 13 Hayes Lane, Lexington, at her own expense remove the nuisance and source of filth thereon, within five days from the date of the service of this Order. William G. Potter MAJORITY A. Edward Rowse OF THE George W. Sarano SELECTMEN Errol H. Locke OF LEXINGTON Commitment of water house connections, sewer house connections, water lien costs , and water rates (sec . III) were signed. The meeting adjourned at 9 :45 P.M. A true record, Attest : Clerk 1