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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1955-11-28-BOS-min 256 SELECTMEN'S MEETING November 28, 1955 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, November 28, 1955 at 7:30 P.M. Chair- man Bateman, Messrs. Gay, Reed and James were present. The Clerk was also present. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Reed, it was voted to grant the following licenses: Licenses Lexington Theatre 17914 Mass. Ave. Sunday Movies Lex. Liquor Mart, Inc. 18 Mass. Ave. Package Store Berman' s Market, Inc. 12-14 Mass. Ave. Package Store Uses of hall Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Reed, it was voted to grant the following uses of halls: Five Fields Corp. Estabrook Dec. 6 Meeting Simon h. Robinson Lodge Cary Apr. 21 Dinner & Dsnce The Chairman referred to the action taken by the Board last week relative to allocating 2.250% of the Insurance town insurance commission to Lincoln Cole, Jr. and re- ported that he no longer maintains an office in Lexington. It was unanimously agreed to give 2.250% to Otis S. Brawn, Jr. and the balance to Brewer & Lord. The Chairman read a letter from M. G. Dearborn, on Legion behalf of the Stanley Hill Post, American Legion, re- Room questing a key to the Legion Room in Cary Hall. Mr. Dearborn claimed that the room is used by various or- ganizations and it is often in an untidy condition. The Board was unanimously opposed to giving a key to any or- ganization and the Chairman agreed to check with Mr. Rochette to obtain information relative to the room be- ing used by other organizations. Mr. Burns arrived at the meeting at 7:55 P. M. He explained that he has a man in his office (Mr. Salary Jefferson) who has taken over a considerable volume of increase the late Mr. Harrington' s work and he would like to in- crease his salary from $67.30 per week to $77.30 per week. He stated that Mr. Jefferson is doing his own work and more. 257 Mr. Reed asked if he would be doing the extra work all the time and Mr. Burns replied in the affirma- tive. He said that he will do the estimating and has been handling all the payrolls, water and sewer ser- vices. The Chairman reported that there are available funds and the Board was unanimously in favor of the increase. Mr. Burns referred to an accident that occurred on Curve Street and explained that there is no question about responsibility. He received two estimates; one Accident for $133.85 and one for $134.05. claim Upon motion of Mr. Reed, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to authorize Mr. Burns to settle the claim, necessary release being prepared by Town Counsel, and charge the amount to Water Maintenance Account. Mr. Burns also referred to an accident whereby a highway truck backed into a vehicle. He explained Accident that this one amounts to $105 and as the Town has no claim property damage coverage, the Board can authorize pay- ment or let the woman sue the driver. Upon motion of Mr. Reed, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to authorize Mr. Burns to settle the claim and charge the amount to Highway Maintenance. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, arrived at the meeting at 8:20 P.M. Letter was received from Mrs. Louise W. Peterson, 62 C a'y Avenue, requesting removal of a tree from in front of her house. She claims that the dead branches Tree create a hazard. The Chairman agreed to confer with Mr. Brenton in an effort to determine whether the tree should be pruned or removed. Further consideration was given to Mr. John F. Tax title Blaist letter, on behalf of James Mulcahey, advising property that his client would pay $1500, the price entertained bythe Board for lots 27-31 inc. Block 17, Ward Street. A notice to sell was advertised in the November 23, 1955 issue of the Lexington Minute-Man. In September, 1955, Mr. Albert Cuccinello, 693 Marrett Road offered $300 each for lots 29, 30 and 31 and advised that before taking any action the Board would like an opportunity to view the lots. The Chairman reported that Salvadore'-Cassella, 97 Reed Street talked to him and offered $1400 for the five lots. A letter was received from Ernest E. Outhet, 25 Ivan Street offering $1300 for the five lots. 58OZ CILd Mr. Gay expressed caaneern relative to the ad- vertisement and Mr. Stevens explained that it is just giving notice and does not ask for bids. he suggested that the Board could write Mr. Cuccinello that the Board has determined it is prepared to sell the lots at a proper price and would like to dispose of all five of theg and ask if he is interested in purchasing the five. He said that the Board is under no obligation to anyone as a result of the advertise- ment. dvertise- ment. It was also agreed that if the lots are to be re- stricted to one building Mr. Blais should be• advised as his client may not be interested in the lots with restrictions. TheChairman agreed to write these individuals in an effbrt to determine who wants to purchase the lots with restrictions and to whom the Board is go- ing to sell. Petition was received from Anthony J. Sanseverino, Sewer 81 Cedar Street, signed by twenty-two other property owners, requesting installation of sewer. The• Chairman was authorized to advise Mr. San- severino that the trunk sewer, although started, will probably not be ready for at least a year. The peti- tion will be placed on file and when the line is ready estimates of costs will be prepared and s ent out for signatures. Messrs. Stevens and Burns retired at 8:45 P.M. Chairman Rowse, Messrs. Carroll, Buckley and Newhall, Committee on Revision of Voting Precincts, met with the Board. Revision of Mr. Rowse presented each member of the Board with Voting a map showing the proposed precinctrevisions. He Precincts explained that Chapter 215 of the Acts of 1929 is the law under which the survey has been made. The Chapter requires a map, above-mentioned, a list of the streets, which he presented. He stated that it also requires a list of the voters in e ach precinct which Mr. Carroll has pre- pared. However, at the moment he has only one w py and would like it returned to him. Mr. Rowse said that the first consideration is the number of present voters; the second consideration is the available polling places and the third consideration is possible future development and enlargement of the Town as to where it would come and how it would affect these various precincts. He explained that the pre- cincts fairly well developed are the ones with the num- ber of voters in them. The dividing lines are supposed to follow natural lines as much as possible and the Com- mittee has followed the brooks as best it could and the 259 II streets as best it could. There are only two places where they have not followed the streets -- the divid- ing line between 3 and 5 which starts at Revere Street and goes to a point on North Street which is to be determined by degrees. He said that the same thing ap- plies off the end of Cedar Street which goes through the golf club and that will have to be determined by degrees also. The Chairman asked why the Committee took Massa- chusetts Avenue instead of the railroad track and Mr. Rowse explained that it would give too many on that side. Mr. Buckley said that it would not give an equali- zation of voters. Mr. Rowse referred to the subject of polling places and explained that the Committee does not set them up but they have been considered. He said that Precinct 1 could start with the Adams School and consider Har- rington School if a large development took place in that area. In Precinct 2 they figured on the Fire Station as the most central point and also thought of the possibility of using Franklin 9ciool. He said that Franklin School or the High School could be used for Precinct 4, the High School having more room and being more centrally located. The Hastings School could be used for Precinct 6, the Parker School for Precinct 5 and Cary Hall for Precinct 3, as it is now. Consideration was given to the subject of placing bulletin boards in each precinct and it was agreed that the Board would obtain more information. The Committee retired at 9:20 P.M. Upon motion of Mr. Reed, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was unanimously voted to accept the report and approve the recommendations submitted by the Committee on Re- vision of voting Precincts. According to the map, pre- dented this evening, the revision in numbers per pre- cinct are as follows: Precinct 1 - 1443; Precinct 2 - 1680; Precinct 3 - 1556; Precinct 1a - 1666; Precinct 5 - 16214; PreciAct 6 - 1647. The Chairman read a letter from the Health Sani- tarian advising that Lots 213 through 258, Asbury Tax title Street and Lots 579 through 584 Edna Street have been property inspected. In his opinion the only lots that could be used for building would be Lots 250, 251 and 252 com- bined for erection of one building. Due to high ground water condition the remaining lots in the area, could not be adequately severed by cesspool, septic tank or other device. Mr. Reed suggested holding up the sale of these 2 U€? x tax title lots until the sewer is installed. Mr. James stated that if the Board desires to sell them and Mr. Frissore will pay the Board' s price and understands he cannot build on them until the sewer is in, it would be all right. The Chairman agreed to write Mr. Frissore ad- vising him of the Sanitarian' s report and ask him to advise the Board if he is still interested in pur- chasing the lots. The Chairman refereed to letter of welcome, signed Welcome by the Chairman, to new residents of the Town that has Wagon been delivered to Welcome Wagon hostesses in the past. He reported that only three or four merchants in Lex- ington now belong and the other names on the present list of subscribers are out of town businesses. The Chairman was authorized to advise Airs. Louder, the hostess, that the Board prefers not to sign any more letters until such time as the sponsors are Lex- ington business firms because the letter gives tacit approval to all of the firms whether in Lexington or not. Upon motion of Mr. Reed, seconded by Mr. Gay, Supt. of it was voted to rescind the vote of the Board passed Public on October 25, 1955 appointing Mr. Richard J. Gayer Works as Superintendent of Public Works, effective December 1, 1955, at a salary of $8500 per year. Upon motion of M . Reed, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was then voted to appoint Mr. Richard J. Gayer, 17 Wheeler Park, Brunswick, Maine to the position of Assistant Superintendent of Public Works in the Town of Lexington, effective December 1, 1955 at a salary of $8500 per year. Mr. Burns explained that one Mr. Holton, who is building a house, would like permission to use tax Permit title lots 534-535 on Butler Avenue during the con- struction of the house. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize Town Counsel to prepare an instrument granting permission to Mr. Holton to use the two lots. Town Counsel did not leave a copy for Selectmen' s file. The meeting adjourned at 9:140 P.M. A true record, Attest: / ler , Se ctmen