Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1956-09-10-BOS-min 41 SELECTMEN'S MEETING September 10, 1956 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, September 10, 1956 at 7:30 P.M. Chair- man Reed, Messrs. James, Tucker and Mrs. Morey were present. Mr. Gayer, Superintendent of Public Works, Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, and the Executive Clerk were also present. Hearing was declared open upon petition of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone Pole and Telegraph Company for permission to locate two location poles on Castle Road. Mr. Mahon, representing the Boston Edison Com- pany, was present and explained that there is a new home under construction on a lot assessed to Effie S. Lyon. The companies are desirous of bringing service to that house by installing the two poles as indicated on the blueprint. Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded by Mr. Tucker, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the following pole locations: Castle Road, easterly side southerly from a point approximately 25 feet south of Hayes Avenue, -- Two poles. Mr. and Mrs. Oscar R. Carlson, 23 Hayes Avenue, arrived after the hearing closed and Mr. Mahon ex- plained the proposed location as indicated on the blueprint. Mr. Carlson said that he did not think the poles presented any problem. The. Chairman asked if he had any objection and he replied in the negative. Mr. Mahon, Mr. and Mrs. Carlson retired at 7:38 P.M. Mr. Stevens reported, off the record, on Captain Capt. Broug- Broughall's request for retirement effective September hall 10, 1956. He informed the Board that Dr. Charles T. retirement Mooney is the family physician. Mr. Stevens said that he would draft a letter to the Commissioner of Public 11 Health requesting the appointment of a Chairman to a Medical Panel to examine Captain Broughall. 42 N Tj The Board designated Dr. Leonard V. Short to rep- resent the Town. Mr. James said that Captain Broughall 's vacation was up a week ago today and he was due back to work so the problem arises as to how long the Fire Depart- ment should continue to pay him a salary. Mr. Stevens commented that Captain Broughall is sick but his illness is not connected with his work. At 8•:00 P.M. Mr. William Meadows, 60 Woburn Street, met with the Board. Meadows re: He explained that he had requested to see the Work in Board in regard to work if there is any. He stated Highway that he has worked in the Cemetery Department and then Dept, transferred to the School Department. He said that he was promised a position through Mr. Saul at the Junior High School but it never materialized. The Chairman asked if he worked for the School De- partment at all and he replied that- he did work at the new High School. The Chairman inquired as to what type of work he was. looking for and Mr. Meadows replied that he wanted to work in the Highway Department. The Chairman explained that the Board of Select- men does not hire the men; that function being left to the department heads. He said. that the only posi- tion open is that of a water meter reader and it is necessary that the reader drive a car. Mr. Meadows said that he cannot drive. He said his pension money is available but he does. not want to disturb that. The Chairman explained that there are no other openings and stated that an extra man could not be hired because there are no funds. He said that only when a position becomes vacant can another man be hired. Mr. Meadows said that he has not worked since last October. The Chairman asked if he had .tried the School Department again and he replied in the negative. The Chairman asked if the Cemetery Department personnel was complete and he replied that he thought it was. Mr. Meadows asked if he could transfer to the Highway Department from the School Department, and the Chairman explained that would not be possible as they are entirely separate. Mr. Meadows said that he would take it from here 43 and possibly try the School Department again. Mr. Meadows retired at 8:12 P.M. An informal discussion was held relative to a pro- posed school site on the Chiesa and Bull property, fol- lowing which Mr. Stevens retired at 8:30 P.M. Mr. Edward Watson, 65 Reed Street, met with the Board relative to his offer of $200 each for tax title lots 73-76• inclusive, Block D, Garfield Street. The Chairman explained that the Board has looked Tax title at the property but has been too busy with other prob- property lems to take any action. He said the Town is not in the real estate business and therefore, the Board has given other items preference. He indicated the lots on a plan and also presented a sketch of Sunny Knoll ex- tension which will come directly in back of Mr. Watsonts lots but will not include the tax title lots in which he is interested. Mr. Watson said that he has eight children and his neighbors on both sides have two or three. He would like to clear a couple of the lots and make a play- ground out of them until such time as he is ready to build. The Chairman reported that, according to Mr. Snow Consultant to the Planning Board, these lots will come under the subdivision regulations. The Chairman asked if he intended to build im- mediately and Mr. Watson replied that he would not until the street goes through. The Chairman asked if it would make any difference to him if he had to build the street and he replied that eventually he would construct it. Mr. Gayer took the sketch to the Planning Board and upon his return, reported that no house could be built on tie lots until such time as Garfield Street was approved by the Planning Board and built to town standards. The Chairman directed attention to the house there now and asked how the builder obtained a permit. Mr. Gayer reported that this particular house faces on Reed Street. Mr. Watson said that was correct and he would still take the lots as they are and take his- chance on getting the street built. Mr. Watson retired at 8:45 P.M. Mr. James said that he thought $200 per lot was a fair price. 44 Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded by Mr. Tucker, it was voted that a. proposal to sell the lots be ad- vertised in the Lexington Minute-Man and that further consideration be given the offer at the next meeting of the Board. Mr. Watson is to be advised that if the lots are sold, the deed will be so drawn as to prohibit erect- ing more than one dwelling on the four lots. The Chairman read a letter from Walter J. Ostromeeki, 91 Cary Avenue, requesting permission to pick up kindling wood and logs at the dump. Dump Mr. James said that he did not think an exception could be made and the Board agreed. The Chairman read a letter from Chester Lidberg, 92 Adams Street, requesting extension of the water main for a distance of approximately 300 feet. Water main Mr. Gayer was requested to obtain more detailed information for the Board and report next week. Upon motion of Mr. Tucker, seconded by Mrs. Morey, Sidewalk it was voted to sign an Order for the construction of a bituminous concrete sidewalk along the easterly side of Lowell Street, extending from Peartree Drive a dis- tance of approximately 900 feet southerly to Winchester Drive. Press release was received from the ABC relative Package to the sale and delivery of alcoholic beverages dur- Goods ing polling hours on State Primaries Day, Tuesday, stores September 18th. Package Goods stores shall not sell or deliver alcoholic beverages during polling hours unless they are authorized to do so by vote of the local licensing authorities. Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded by Mrs. Morey, it was voted not to authorize the sale or delivery of alcoholic beverages on State Primaries Day, Tuesday, September 18, 1956 during polling hours which are from 8:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from Chief Rycroft Chief advising that he is leaving for his annual vacation Rycroft on September 16th. Vacation Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded, by Mr. Tucker, it was voted to appoint Lieutenant James F. Corr as Acting Chief during the period of time Chief Ryeroft is on vacation. 45 Mr. Gayer reported that Mr. Stanley Higgins has resigned and accepted a position with Metcalf and Engineer Eddy. He has worked for the Town of Lexington twenty- nine years. Mr. Gayer said that Mr. Higgins was a graduate engineer and it will not be possible to replace him with a man of his background for the salary now be- ing paid. He said the matter of personnel in the En- gineering Department is very serious and it is now be- ginning to show in just the essential duties of the department. The personnel, salaries and possible solutions of the department were discussed briefly. Mr. Gayer reported that the heating plant at the Public Works garage is out of order. One day this summer the boiler broke and he had the plant inspected by a heating expert. Lester Andrews also inspected it Heating plant this Spring and the consensus of opinion is that the Public Works plant is not worth repairing. He reported that one Building firm submitted a plan for heating the building. Its thought was to put in five individual heaters with warm air and replace all of the hot water with space heaters using oil. He said the figures he now has run in the neighborhood of $8,000. He said the pipes are corroded and in bad condition but they possibly could be used. The Chairman said this is an item that will have to be provided for at the Special Town Meeting. The Chairman asked if the figure is for space heaters and Mr. Gayer replied in the affirmative. He said some of the work might be done by town men if they are supervised. Mrs. Morey asked if they would have the time and Mr. Gayer replied that if they could get two units up, they could get along for awhile. Mr. Tucker asked what the alternative would be and Mr. Gayer replied that it would be to clean this unit out and see if it can be repaired temporarily. Mr. Tucker asked what a new boiler would cost and the Chairman said that Mr. Maloney is of the opinion that the boiler is no good and the system is not good enough to take care of the building. Mr. Tucker asked what was wrong with the system and the Chairman replied that it does not take care of the building. Mr. James said that Mr. Gayer should obtain a figure for a new boiler and a new space heating system. II 46 Com" nr7 The Chairman read a report from Corporal John J. Kulik, State Police Concord, to Captain Carl M. Larson, Sidewalks Commanding Officer, relative to a check made regard- ing the construction of a sidewalk on Lowell Street near the Harrington School. The Chairman was instructed to speak to Chief Ryaroft re parking on Worthen Road on Sundays during church services. Upon motion duly made and seconded it was voted Appointment/to appoint Mrs. Gerald B. Litchfield to the Town Cele- brations Committee for a term expiring April 30, 1957 to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mrs. Clement N. Williams. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 P.M• A true record, Attest: Exert. iver Jerk, Select n 1 G I