HomeMy WebLinkAbout1942-11-09 69
SELECTMEN' S MEETING
November 9, 1942.
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in
the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening,
November 9, 1942 at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Giroux, Messrs . Potter,
Rowse , Locke, and Sarano were present . The Clerk was also
present .
Upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Rowse, it
was voted to approve the following pole locations and sign
the orders :
Lowell Street , southwesterly side and northwesterly from
a point approximately 3,865 feet northwest of Haskell
Street , two poles; Lowell Street, southwesterly side,
approximately 2,945 feet northwest of Haskell Street, one Pole
pole; Lowell Street, southwesterly side, approximately locations
1,305 feet northwest of Haskell Street, one pole; Lowell
Street southwesterly side, approximately 80 feet northwest
of Haskell Street , one pole; Lowell Street, southwesterly
side, approximately 40 feet southeast of Haskell Street,
one pole ; Lowell Street , westerly side, approximately 55
feet north of the Arlington-Lexington line, one pole.
At 7:30 P.M. Mr. Morse appeared before the Board to
discuss welfare matters . He retired at 7 45 P.M.
Mr. Richard Cromwell appeared before the Board. He
said that the Town was going to have a set of short wave
radios for use in an emergency between points in Town and
outside, and in order to operate it will be necessary to Short wave
have a station license . The Town must own the sets and radio sets
the Town must apply for the license. The Chairman of the
Board of Selectmen must sign the application. Also, a
Radio Aide should be approved by the Board. He said that
in July Mr. Stewart C. Cairns of 47 Taft Avenue was ap-
pointed by the Committee on Public Safety as the Radio
Aide. That Committee would like to have the Selectmen
confirm the appointment to the F.C .C . Mr. Cromwell left
various papers for the Board to look over and authorize
the Chairman to sign. He retired at 7:44 P.M.
Letter was received from Malcolm H. Clifford re-
questing that the following members of the Auxiliary Special
Police Unit be appointed Special Police Officers in the Police
Town of Lexington for the duration of the war.
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Name Address
Lloyd L. Faulkingham 62 Woburn Street
Roger W. Jackson 25 North Hancock Street
Joseph R. Beauchesne 95 Spring Street
Edward Peterson 43 Marrett Road
Ralph L. Bullock 18 Hill Street
James C. Shaw 11 Hamblen Street
Frederick W. Shaw 15 Hamblin Street
John Durfee 10 Webb Street
Edward Abrams 198 Mass. Avenue
David Goldberg 198 Mass . Avenue
Hymen Marcus 217 Mass . Avenue
Louis Rosendorn 59 Fottler Avenue
William J. Endres 14 Oakland Street
Lincoln C. Higgins 44 Bertwell Road
David Arnold Rix 503 Waltham Street
William J. Hanna 110 Woburn Street
Fred W. Bodge 7 Belfry Terrade
George S. Zittel 20 Vine Street
William A. Templeton 6 Albermarle Avenue
Axel Sorensen 117 Bedford Street
i Edward R. Sarkisian 6 Farmcrest Avenue
Keith L. MacLean 80 Bloomfield Street
Theodore Richards Mottola 240 Lincoln Street IIJohn F. Dowd 14 Winthrop Road
Everett Chapman 10 Curve Street
Daniel J. Coakley, Jr. 837 Mass. Avenue
Gaetano Buttaro 837 Mass. Avenue
Bertram P. Gurtin 84 Middle Street
Leonard Kenworthy 61 Prospect Hill Road
George F. Fardy 40 Preston Road
Vernon Jones 51 Gleason Road
Lawrence E. Stone 12 Sheridan Street
Charles D. Allen 4 Paul Revere Road
William John Baskin 45 Adams Street
Wilfred L. Morris 77 Valley Road
Eugene A. Acheson 2634 Mass . Avenue
Charles L. Dwyer 15 Freemont Street
Joseph B. Grinnell 19 Pone Knoll Road
Frederic W. Fenerty 7 Preston Road
George F. Smith 282 Bedford Street
Clifton F. Barrows 8 Locust Avenue
Charles Robert Rudd 30 Prospect Hill Road
Rosario J. Ciccolo 12 Oxford Street
Lancelot B. Cooper 15 Hilltop Avenue
Henry Gnade 21 Highland Avenue
Arthur R. Hood 28 Sherman Street
Myron Clifton Graffarn 516 Mass . Avenue
R. Malcolm Scott 516 Mass . Avenue IIWalter C. Smith, Jr. 17 Coolidge Avenue
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Charles E. Rice 282 Marrett Road
Ira A. Rix 50 Valleyfield Street
Harold L. Tyler 6 Muzzey Street
Walter H . Worth 55 Cary Street
Ransom A. Norris 23 Haskell Street
It was the Board's feeling that it was best to review
the appointments each year and for that reason they should
expire on March 31, 1943.
Upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Rowse, it
was voted that the men on the list be appointed Special
Police Officers for a term expiring on March 31, 1043.
Letter was received from the Boston Edison Company
relative to extinguishing all street lights on warning
signals . Previously, arrangements were made to have the
lights extinguished on the yellow signal, but the Massa- Street
chusetts Committee on Public Safety now requires the lights
Company to extinguish the lights on the blue or red signal.
The Edison Company requested that the Chairman of the Board
be authorized to approve of this procedure .
Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Giroux be authorized to sign
the application forms. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and
it was so voted.
Letter was received from Mr. Raymond L. White advis-
ing that there are now 668 names on the Honor Roll. He
recommended that the number on the Service Flag be changed 700 names
to 700 . The Clerk was instructed to notify Mr. Moloy and on Flag
Mr. Garrity to change the number on the Service Flags to
700.
The Chairman asked the Board what it wished to do on
Mr. Cromwell' s request . Mr. Potter said that he knew Mr.
Cairns and believed him to be a fit person to be endorsed
by the Selectmen. Radio
Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Caipfs be appointed Radio Aide
Aide, (confirming the Committee on Public Safety appoint-
ment) and that the Chairman be authorized to sign the ap-
plication forms. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it
was so voted.
The Chairman asked the Board what it wished to do
about Armistice Day. Mr. Potter moved that the usual Armistice
custom of closing all day be followed. Mr . Rowse Day
seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
At 8:30 P.M Mr. Robert P. Trask appeared before
the Board. He said that it was imperative that more
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office space be provided for the Rationing Board.
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They need about twice as much as they now have and should
have two separate rooms . The upstairs conference room in
Room for the Cary Memorial Building would be ideal for them. The
Rationing Chairman wondered if it would be possible to work out
Board some suitable offices in the Barnes property, but Mr. Trask
rather doubted that it wound be suitable as considerable
hall space is needed at certain times . It was decided to
have Mr. Paxton confer with Mr. Trask and Mr. Graves and
to discuss the matter again next week.
Mr. Trask said that the Rationing Board had been
charging its expenses to the Unclassified Account. He
Rationing wondered if the Board wanted him to submit a budget for
Board 1943. The Chairman asked if he had any idea how much money
budget would be needed and he thought that $400.00 should be pro-
vided. The Government pays the girls ' salaries and the
Town has to pay for lights , heat, office supplies , etc.
The Board requested Mr. Trask to submit budgets on the
proper forms .
Letter was received from the Rationing Board request-
ing permission to purchase two fluorescent lamps at a price
of $11.00 each. The Board also requested permission to buy
Supplies a steel three-drawer file, with lock, at a cost of gs45.00.
for The Clerk said that she believed that there were insufficient
Rationing funds in the Unclassified Account to pay for this equipment,
Board and upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Locke , it was
voted to request the Appropriation Committee to transfer the
sum of $100.00 from the Reserve Fund to the Unclassified
Account. This is to pay for the equipment mentioned above
and for additional supplies for the balance of the year.
Mr. Trask retired at 8 :55 P.M.
Letter was received from Mr. Wrightington enclosing
a check for $20.00 representing two payments by Joseph A.
oss Ross. Mr. Wrightington asked to whom the remittances were
ayments to be made in the future. The Board felt that the payments
should be made direct to the Selectmen.
Letter was received from John C. Lichtenberg resigning
his position in the Engineering Department. The Board
voted to accept the resignation with regret.
Letter was received from the County Commissioners to
which was attached a subpeona for assessment of damages
Legal by George E. Rogers of Lexington in connection with the
issue land taken for the relocation of Spring Street. The Com-
Spring St. missioners requested that the Board authorize counsel for
the Town to enter an appearance in behalf of the Town and
the County in the case.
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Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Wrightington be requested
to enter an appearance in behalf of the Town and County
as requested. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was
so voted.
Mr. George C. Sheldon appeared before the Board and
said that it would be necessary to furnish the Dog Officer Transfer-
with some funds. Dog Off.
Mr. Potter moved that the Appropriation ommittee be
requested to transfer the sum of $25. 00 from the Reserve
Fund to the Dog Officer - Expenses Account Mr. Locke
seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
Letter was received from Nathan B. Bidwell stating
that he had been informed that the new owner of the
Roberts ' property on Adams Street was going to apply for Chicken
a permit to run a chicken farm. Mr. Bidwell asked that Farm
he be notified if and when such an application was re-
ceived.
At 9 :00 P.M the Board of Fire Engineers appeared
before the Board. There was an informal discussion on
various matters pertaining to the Fire Department.
The group retired at 10:50 P.M.
Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board at 10:55 P.M.
He said that the Senior High School had requested the
use of Cary Hall on November 27, 1942 from 8:00 P.M. to Uses of
1:00 A.M. when a dance would be held, the benefits of Halls
which are to be given to the Football Injury Fund.
Mr. Potter moved that the use of the hall be granted
free of charge. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it
was so voted.
Mr. Paxton said that the Minute Men had requested
the use of a conference room on November 18, 1942 from
8:00 P.M. to 10 00 P.M. for a regular meeting. The
Chairman told Mr. Paxton that the Rationing Board would
like to have the conference room and if the Board de-
cides to allow them to use it , it will be impossible for
the Minute Men or any other group to meet there in the
future . It was decided however, to allow the Minute Men
to meet there on the eighteenth.
Mr. Paxton informed the Board that Mr. Merriam had
requested the use of Estabrook Hall on November 18, 1942
for a meeting of the Air Raid Wardens.
Mr. Potter moved that the use of the hall be granted
free of charge. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was
I' � so voted.
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Mr. Paxton told the Board that Mr. Frank Shepard
of 1386 Massachusetts Avenue had a water bill of $336.58
Shepard for the third quarter of this year. There was a leak
water bill in the services and Mr. Shepard had to pay a plumber
over $100.00 to find the leak and the Water Department
assisted the plumber. The leak was between the meter
and the house. Mr. Shepard recognizes the fact that the
water went through the meter but wondered if the Board
could do anything about reducing the bill . The average
bill for this quarter is $37.00.
Mr. Rowse moved that the Board authorize an abate-
ment of one half of the bill. Mr. Potter seconded the
motion, and it was so voted.
Mr. Paxton said that he had three watchmen at the
Public Works Building all under fifty years of age, who
Watchmen could operate equipment and were, possibly, men to go
at P.W.Bldg. out and do a day' s work. There were two questions how-
ever. One, would removing them as watchmen affect the
insurance rates? ; and two, the protection of the stock
at the building. He found that he could insure the
equipment for $5,000.00 at a cost of about 1;80.00 per
year. He would keep one man to take care of gassing of
equipment and to take care of the fires . The Board
told him he could work out the problem to suit himself.
He told the Board that if he did take out burglary
insurance, about $100.00 would have to be spent in
fixing up the windows , putting on locks, etc. He said
that he was not ready to recommend placing the insurance
as yet.
Mr. Paxton retired at 11:12 P.M.
Letter was received from George E. Eaton of 9 Calvin
Street, reporting an accident between his car and the
Police car police car on November 3, 1942. Mr. Eaton attached a
accident bill in the amount of $21.60 which is the estimated cost
of repairing his car. The police officer' s report was
also received. Inasmuch as there is no insurance on the
police car, upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr.
Sarano, it was voted that the car be fixed and the bill
paid from the Police Department Expenses appropriation
provided proper releases are obtained.
Application for readmission of Maitland P. Mundy
to the Middlesex County Sanatorium was received.
Mr. Rowse moved that the application be approved and
signed. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so
voted.
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The Chairman told the Board that Mrs . George P.
Vaccarest of 252 Marrett Road demanded that something
be done so that the Lovell Bus Lines , Inc. would be
allowed to stop on Massachusetts Avenue , East Lexing- Lovell Bus
ton, between Marrett Road and the Arlington line. It stops
was decided to request the Middlesex and Boston Street
Railway Company and the Lovell Bus Lines , Inc. to meet
and discuss the problem and to advise the Board of
their decision in the matter.
Application for certificate of character of John
B. MacDonald of 509 Woburn Street was received.
Mr. Rowse moved that the application be approved
and signed. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was
so voted.
Upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Rowse
it was voted to approve the following pole locations
and sign the orders :
Forest Street, southeasterly from Belfry Terrace, four
poles; Forest Street, northwesterly from a point ap- Pole
proximately 85 feet northwest of Waltham Street, three locations
poles ; Lowell Street, northerly from North Street,
thirteen poles ; North Street at southwest corner of
Lowell Street, one pole.
Application was received from the Lexington Theatre
for permission to show the following pictures on Sunday, Sunday
November 15, 1942: "6ross Roads; "This Time for Keep " , movies
and a newsreel.
Mr. Rowse moved that the pictures to be shcwn be
approved and that the Board sign the license Mr.
Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
The Board discussed the matter of moving the Re-
port Center from the Selectmen' s Room. Report
Mr . Potter moved that the Chairman request the Center
Committee on Public Safety to find new quarters as
soon as possible. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and
it was so voted. The Chairman said that he would talk
with Mr. Webb.
The Clerk reported that the Health Inspector
telephoned her at 5:00 P.M. and said that Mrs . Leary
had done nothing to abate the nuisances at #9, #11,
and #13 Hayes Lane.
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Mr. Rowse moved that, in accordance with General
Laws Chapter 111, Section 125, the nuisances be re-
Board of moved and the expense be paid by Bridget Leary, the
Health owner of the property. Mr. Locke seconded the motion,
and it was so voted.
Water betterment assessments for Grassland Street
in the amount of $135.00 and sewer betterment assess-
ments for Cary Street in the amount of $232.00 were
signed. Water miscellaneous charges in the amount of
$7.93 were also signed.
The meeting adjourned at 11:40 P.M.
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A true record, Attest :
Clerk