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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1960-03-14-min 481 SELECTPRN'S MEETING March 14, 1960 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, March 14, 1960, at 7:30 P.M. Messrs . Adams, Ferguson, Richards, Cole and Mrs . Morey were present . The Executive Clerk was also present The meeting was called to order by the Executive Clerk. Motions were in order for the election of a Chairman Mr Adams nominated Mrs. Morey as Chairman of the Board for the ensuing year. Organization Mr. Ferguson nominated Mr Adams, stating that he was in his senior year on the Board. Mr. Adams declined and Mr . Cole moved that the nominations be closed Mr Adams seconded the motion and it was so voted The Executive Clerk east one ballot for Mrs . Morey as Chairman/. Mrs . Morey was unanimously elected Chairman of the Board for the ensuing year. Mr. John J. Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works , met with the Board. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Minutes to approve the minutes of the meeting held on March 7, 1960. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission and sign the petitions for the Pole following j/o pole , guy wire ana anchor locations, location same having been approved by Mr. Carroll Cummings Avenue , southwesterly side south- easterly from a point approximately 75 feet southeast of Cliffe Avenue , -- Two poles . Baker Avenue , northwesterly side, approxi- mately 105' southwest of Butler Avenue , -- One pole - guy wire and anchor. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. and Mrs . Alexander Ritchie , 44 Bridge Street, expressing appreciation to the Public Works Department for the speed and thoroughness in plowing and sanding the streets during the recent Snow snow storm. removal 482 CC The Chairman read a letter from the East Lexington Men ' s Club suggesting the erection of a more prominent sign at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Maple Street . Mr . Carroll reported that he had the sign replaced but it wis knocked down two days after it was erected He intends to have the entire island resigned which should reduce the accident hazard It was agreed to so advise the East Lexington Men' s Club. Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, met with the Board at which time Mr . John Carroll retired. The Chairman stated that she had explained to the Salary Board that Mr Carroll was not satisfied with the salary approved for Miss McDonough. Mr. Carroll said he did not think that the other two girls had been treated fairly. He said that some girls will receive raises of $5.00, $6.00 and 47.00. He reported th t Miss McDonough works overtime and is paid for overtime but she ha to work for it. She is not satisfied and it is a matter of concern to him. He is having difficulty with her continuing to work nights, Saturdays and Sundays The Chairman asked if Miss McDonough wanted to dis- continue the overtime work regardless, of what her salary is and Mr Carroll replied in the affirmative . He ex- plained that the work she is doing was formerly done by the Board of Assessors but was transferred to his depart- ment by law Mr. Richards asked how much overtime was involved and Mr. Carroll replied that it varies Mr. Richards asked if it would average ten or twelve hours a week, and Mr Carroll replied that would be a good average The Chairman explained that the overtime is paid from the Registrars ' appropriation. Mr. Carroll said that Miss McDonough feels the other girls will receive an increase for work in regular hours from nine to five . He thought she would be satis- fied if she were given an increase of $6.00. Mr. Cole asked if Miss McDonough would continue with the overtime work if she received an increase and Mr. Carroll replied in the affirmative . Mr. Ferguson stated that he could not understand how the overtime worked into this He w s under the impression that the salary schedule was made up on the basis of experience , skills and length of time The fact that a girl worked overtime did not affect the scale 483 Mr. Carroll said that the overtime was a separate item Mr. Carroll retired at 7:55 P.M. The Board discussed the subject at length and agreed to approve the rate of $80 .00 per week, and to review the salary for this position again when budgets are being prepared for 1961 . Mr. Stevens and Mr John Carroll returned to the meeting. Mr Stevens asked if the Board had any particular interest in A' title 31 which provides for the Planning Board to obtain options for land as locations for future streets, playground or recreational purposes . He re- ported that the account is now down to about $500 and Option the Planning Board is not requesting any additional Article amount . He said this does not leave very much money available in the event the Selectmen want to exercise any options . The Board decided to have Mr Stevens check with the Planning Board The Chairman rad a petition signed by owners of the so-called Veterans ' lots on Hill and Cedar Street advising that they are interested in purchasing ad- ditional land behind their present lots Article The petition was started by Mrs . Charles E. Connolly as a result of Article 37 in the Warrant re - questing authorization for the Selectmen to sell lot 6 to the owners of the abutting lots 5 and 7. Mr . Morelli, owner of lot 7: is not too interested now and Mr. Belcher, owner of lot 5, has sold his property. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to indefinitely postpone this article . Mr. Stevens retired at 9 25 P.M. Letter from Mr. Eugene Buckley, 22 Grant Street, relative to snow removal, was held over from the last meeting of the Board . The Chairman explained that there is a triangle there and Mr Buckley likes to have the snow loader sent down to pick up the snow . Mr Carroll objects Snow to taking equipment down to this area for one indivi- removal dual . The Chairman and Mr. Adams inspected the area after last week' s meeting. It was agreed to advise Mr. Buckley that the Boa° d will endeavor to keep this particular location in mind AQA bmsai CG in future to make certain that he receives the same consideration as other citizens of the Town, but the Board is opposed to authorizing equipment being sent out to remove snow for private individuals Mr. Carroll explained briefly his recommendations Dump relative to charges for dumping in the Town dump and presented samples of the permits he is considering using. Mr. Carroll retired at 9:50 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from the Board of Fire Commissioners advising that as a result of the recent Transfer snow storm an unusual amount of extra duty was neces- sary to protect the Town, amounting to an expenditure of approximately $2400, and it may be necessary to request a transfer at a later date . The Chairman read a letter from Nathaniel P Blish, Appointment 150 Pleasant Street, advising that he would like to be considered for appointment to the Appropriation Com- mittee . Letter was received from Chief Rycroft, recommend- ing that Mr Raymond W. James be appointed a Special Special Police Officer The Chief explained to the Clerk that Police Mr. James ' present appointment commissioned him as a Selectman and not as a private citizen. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Mr Raymond W. James a Special Police Of- ficer for a period expiring March 31, 1960 . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reappoint Mr Gardner C . Ferguson to represent the Selectmen on the Board of Directors of the Lexington Visiting Nurse Association. At 10 20 P.M. , Messrs . Burnell, Grindle , Soule , Mabee and Myer met with the Board. Mr. Burnell stated that the Planning Board has a problem of organization and a problem of salaries They have two avenues to approach the solution. They Planning could go to Town Meeting next Monday and ask for an Board increase in the form of an Assistant and a full-time Secretary, This , the Board feels, is very necessary in addition to the Planning Director, if the Board is to carry out the work expected of it. The Board is not quite sure , however, as to the amount of money to request . The other avenue is to wait and go before the Town Meeting next June and ask for a package plan 485 which would include the Director, Assistant to him, and a full-time Secretary He said the problem is what approach to make , whether something should be done now or at the June meeting The Chairman said that the program is quite a sub- stantial one to be considering doing one week from to- night and she thought the time was short Mr. Mabee said that the Planning Board feels it should be at another meeting. Mr. Ferguson said that this is the first he has heard on the subject and he wonders how, if there is a special program in mind, it can be delayed a year if the personnel is needed now . Mr. Grindle said that the work is behind and the Board should have asked for it this year but it is too late to request additional help at the Annual Meeting. He said all Town Boards and Committees call upon Mr. Snow and as a result, the masterplan and center play- ground plan have not been done He needs extra help as soon as possible . Mr. Ferguson asked if the type of work the Plan- ning Board expects to have done was of a continuing nature or if it could be done by hiring a consultant engineer. Mr Burnell explained that the cost of contract- ing for this work outside would be almost prohibitive , and it is a continuing need. He said that Mr. Snow is completely submerged all the time and it is too much for one individual to take care of just the routine duties of the Planning Board. Mr. Burnell explained that one of the reasons the subject is being brought up at this late date is that it came up in conversations during the last two weeks . The Planning Board hoped to get an increase for Mr. Snow and requ sted 10% which was cut back to 5%. Mr. Adams aaid he thought this was not only a Planning Board problem but also the problem of other Boards . Mr Snow ' s job was planning and he was ex- tremely qualified. He became involved in subdivision control and is doing work for every Board in Town . He stated that the subdivision control has saved the town thousands of dollars, but has placed a burden on Mr. Snow, Mr. Carroll and Mr . Stevens Mr. Mabee said he did not think anything should be done at this Town Meeting and the Planning Beard should have a complete report prepared . Mr. Richards asked if an emergency existed now and Mr. Burnell replied in the negative . 486 The Planning Board retired at 11:05 P.M and the meeting adjourned. A true record, Attest: r` � xecf�ti�vCler/ Sele c�filmen. 1