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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1955-09-19-BOS-min 17: SELECTMEN'S MEETING September 19, 1955 A regular meeting Of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, September 19, 1955 at 7:00 P.M. Chair- man Bateman, Messrs. Gay, Maloney and James were present. The Clerk was also present. The Chairman read a letter from Chief John W. Rycroft, advising that he will leave on his annual Vacation September 2L{th and he suggested appointing Lieutenant James F. Corr, Jr. Acting Chief of Police during his absence. Upon motion duly made and seconded it was voted to appoint Lieutenant James F. Corr, Jr. , Acting Chief of Police during the period of Chief Rycroft' s annual vacation commencing September 2h, 1955. Chief Rycroft met with the Board at 7:10 P.M. The Chairman explained that the Board had received the results of the Civil Service examination held Sdr promotion to Police Sergeant. He stated that one man Police had basil requested and asked if another list could be Sergeant requested if it were decided to appoint two more Ser- geants. The Chief replied in the affirmative and explained that his budget, which was approved by the Appropriation Committee, provided for three Sergeants. With three Sergeants, he would have one in the cruiser every night with a patrolman and he would change cars every two hours. He would see the Center man, listen to all mes- sages, attend to all mishaps and check every store. If he has another day' in the week, he will work a desk shift. The Chairman stated that there has been some dis- cussion as to how this was going to be worked out. Mr. James said that he would like to see some time, an organization chart of the Department, not necessarily giving the names. He would like a chart showing the duties of each individual so that aay member of the Board could, at any time, pick it up and say that at this time of day the Sergeant would be do- ing this type of duty. The Chief stated that he has made up many charts, but in order for the Board to say that any certain in- dividual is working on a certain night he would have to have a work schedule and the names have to be there. 174 ov CL Mr. Maloney asked if there were some Sergeants who don't see an Officer and the Chief replied that he doesn' t have an Officer on at night. On the al- ternate nights there will be a Lieutenant on the last half and the first half. He is with the patrol- man doing the first half and a patrolman doing the desk the last half. The Chairman said that three more Sergeants would make a total of four and asked how many men were on the force. The Chief replied that there are twentybnine and this would give him twenty-two patrolmen. Mr. Gay asked if the Chief had any choice of the three men whose names are on the eligible list and he replied that he would go along with the number one man. If he is not appointed, the Board would have to write the Division a letter of explanation and it would re- quire more than to merely state he has not had enough experience. The Chairman asked if he would have any objection to the Board appointing only one man and the Chief suggested telling the Division of Civil Service that one vacancy is to be filled and the two new Sergeant positions are being created. Then the three men could all be appointed at the same time. Mr. Maloney said that he did not think the Board should make an appointment while the Chief is away on vacation. The Chairman said that in some of the Departments the groups get together, for example the School De- partment, and' talk over various problems. He said the Chief would have seven Officers and he wondered if the Officers might meet regularly and perhaps some times with the Board of Selectmen for the purpose of dis- cussing problems of the Department. The Chief said that the Officers know all of the problems. There is a roll call and everyone is told. He explained that any change in policy is made known to the men by letter. Chief Rycroft retired at 7:30 P.M. The Chairman was authorized to advise the Division of Civil Service that sihce the Board requested the examination for promotion to Sergeant, it has been de- cided to also create two new positions of Sergeant and to request additional names from which the three appoint- ments may be made. Mr. Burns and Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting at 7:35 P.M. ' 175 IIUpon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Maloney, Chap. 90 it was voted to sign a Memorandum of Agreement for the Construction improvement of a section of Hill Street under Chapter 90. The Chairman read a letter from Harvard University Graduate School of Education relative to the possibility of a graduate student working in a Town government post for a brief period this Fall. Harvard The Chairman was authorized to advise that the student Board cannot see any possible way to perform the tasks assigned in the letter on such short notice. The Chairman stated that he would call Mr. Smith, Suptt. of Schools, to see if his department could par- ticipate in the program. Letter was received from Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Vasi- lopoulos requesting the installation of a street light Street in front of their house at 25 Freemont Street. light The 1955 street light appropriation has been al- located and this request will be included in the 1956 budget for consideration.. The Chairman read a letter from the County Commis- Fottler Ave. II sioners re petition for laying out Fottler Avenue over hearing the tracks of the Boston and Maine Railroad at grade. A hearing has been set for Tuesday, October 18, 1955 at 10:30 A. M., County Commissioners' Office, East Cambridge. Mr. Stevens reported that he wrote the Boston & Maine today telling them he understood they would write him setting forth the position of the railroad in ample time for this hearing so that they would have time to straighten out any differences of opinion. The railroad wanted the Town to defray the cost of putting in automatic signals at a coat of approximately $5,000. Mr. Stevens told the railroad representative that it is not fair and it should at least be fifty-fifty. That is where the situation stands now and as soon as Mr. Stevens hears from the railroad he will arrange a conference to see if a fifty-fifty basis can be agreed upon. Letter was received from Mr. Carroll, Town Treasurer, submitting a list of bids received for the $700,000 School Project Loan and the $70,000 Off-street Parking Area Loan. Upon motion of Mr. Maloney, seconded by Mr. James, Borrowings it was voted to approve the bid of Smith, Barney & Co. and Union Securities Corp. - 100.309, 2.30%. Mr. Burns and Mr. Stevens retired at 8:O5. P.M. 176 Borrowing Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to request the Town Treasurer to obtain bids on a +6) 0,000 borrowing for the following, authorized by votes of Town Meetings: $1400,000 Sanitary sewer main Article 35 Annual Town Meeting 70,000 Sewer mains Article 12 Annual Town Meeting 50,000 Street Construction Article 52 Annual Town Meeting 120,000 Worthen Road Article LI Special Town Meeting At 8:00 P.M. Captain John Dowd and Sergeant Forbes met with the Board. Captain Dowd explained that he would like to estab- lish an Artillery Unit, being a Reserve Unit, but not a Reserve National Guard outfit. It will be a small unit, con- Reserve listing of officers mostly non-commissioned and the equipment would be negligible. He said that they would not need to store guns or ammunition. At present they are operating out of Lawrence with Middlesex County and Essex County under their jurisdiction. He said that they have discussed the subject with the V. F. W. and have been told that they may have the use of that organiza- tion' s building. He explained that the Battery would be service and not firing. The Chairman asked where the equipment would be kept and Captain Dowd replied that the men wodld learn theory. The equipment is now in Lawrence and that is where it will remain. If it is necessary for the men to actually work with the equipment it will be taken down from Lawrence and brought back. Captain Dowd said that he would like the aprroval of the Board of Selectmen to have a Battery in Lexington. Mr. Gay asked if they wanted a vacant hall or one with chairs and Captain Dowd replied that chairs would be all right if they can be moved for drill practice. He said that for their purpose the V. F. W. hall is all right. Mr. Maloney asked if the boys were supplied with uniforms and Captain Dowd replied in the affirmative. He explained that they are in the United States Army Reserve and have to serve three years. Mr. Maloney asked how many boys they would attempt to recruit and Captain Dowd replied that they would like all of them if' possible. Mr. Maloney asked if the boys were paid and Captain Dowd replied in the affirmative. He said that they would meet one night a week and are paid according to rank. The Chairman said that there are not many halls 177 IIavailable in Lexington and he thought the V. F. W. would be suitable. The Board had no objection and endorsed the es- tablishment of an Artillery Reserve Unit to be located in the V. F. W. building on Vine Street. Captain Dowd and Sergeant Forbes retired at 8:25 P. M. Copy of letter from Town Counsel to Herman B. Dine High School was mentioned by the Chairman. Mr. Stevens requested borrowing approval of borrowing $775,000 under the provisions of Chapter 545 of the Acts of 1948, for the construction, original equipping and furnishing of additions to the new High School Building. Letter was received from Mr. Herman B. Dine, to- gether with copy of vote passed by the Emergency Fin- ance Board, authorizing a school construction loan of $700,000. Further consideration was given to Mr. Ralph J. Tax title Frissorets offer of $5,000 for lots 243-258 Asbury property Street and lots 579-584 Edna Street. Notice of the offer was inserted in the September 15, 1955 issue of the Lexington Minute-Man but no persons contacted the Selectmen' s Office as a result of the notice; . Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to sell and convey lots 243-258 inclus- ive, Asbury Street and lots 579-584 inclusive, Edna Street to. Ralph J. Frissore subject to the following provisions: Mr. Frissore to install necessary water lines on both streets for the houses he intends to construct; and Mr. Frissore is not to build on these lots until such time as a sanitary sewer is available to service the houses. Request was received from the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society for permission to hold an outdoor Outdoor Art Art Exhibit on the Buckman Tavern lawn, Sunday, Exhibit October 9th from 1:00 P.M. unti1, 6:00 P.M. with an alternate date of Sunday, October 16th • Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to grant the request. Letter was received from the Lexington Methodist Barnes Church requesting permission to use the Barnes prop- property e-rty for a rummage sale on Saturday, October 1, 1955 with an alternate data of October 8th. Upon motion of Mr. Maloney, seconded by Mr. James, it was voted to grant"the request. 178 ► n Letter was received from William C. Madden re- Barnes questing permission to use a room on -the first floor property of the Barnes property for Red Feather headquarters from October 21st to December 1st. The reques-t was granted, providing there is room now available. Paper Letter was received from Rev. Harold T. Handley, on drive behalf of the Church of Our Redeemer, requesting permis- sion to conduct a paper drive on Sunday afternoon, Octo- ber 23rd, Upon motion of Mr. Maloney seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to grant the request. Application was received from Mrs. Timothy J. Use of Quinlan, on behalf of the 4-H Town Committee, request- hall ing permission to use Estabrook Hall for a Parent- Leader meeting on October 14th from 8:00 P.M. until 10:00 P.M. Upon motion of Mr. James. seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted- to grant the use of the hall free of charge, subject to a fee of $1.50 per hour for janitorts over- time services. USe of Application was received from Sarah C. Gale, on hall behalf of the Lexington Field and Garden Club, Inc. requesting permission to use Estabrook Hall for a meet- ing with lecture on November 16th from 7:00 P.M. until 11:00 P.M. Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded by Mr. Maloney it was voted to grant th0 use of the hall free of charge, subject to a fee of $1.50 per hour for janitor' s over- time services. License Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to grant a Sunday Movie License to the Lexing- ton Theatre. Application for a Common Victualler license was re- License ceived from Pierre Victor Brunelle, d.b.a. Martin' s Drug Store, Inc. Upon motion of Mr. Maloney, seconded by Mr. James, it was voted to sign the license to be retained by the Clerk until. satisfactory character references are re- ceived from the Chief of Police. It was further voted that the fee is to be $2.00 inasmuch as the license will expire December 31, 1955. Interviews Interviews of applicants for position of Superin- tendent of Public Works and Town Engineer was discussed. It was agreed to schedule one interview for Monday, 179 September 26th at 7:00 P.M. and three for Tuesday, September 27th at 7:00 P.M. , 7:145 P.M. and 8:30 P.M. Mr. Gay mentioned that it is somewhat difficult Selectmen' s to attend the Selectmen' s meetings at 7:00 o' clock meetings and suggested that the regular time be established as 7:30 P.M. It was agreed, commencing October 10, 1955, to start the Selectmen's meetings at 7:30 P.M. Upon motion of Mg. Gay, seconded by Mr. Maloney, Appointment it was voted to appoint Robert Fawcett a member of the Personnel Advisory Committee to replace Mr. Lee Simonds. .At 9:00 P.M. Mr. John MacNeil and Mr. John G3.A- Insurance vin met with the Board to discuss Town fire insurance program. An informal discussion was held and Improved Risk Mutuals offer one policy, excellent engineering ser- vice and one loss adjustment in case of a loss. The meeting adjourned at 9:50 P.M. A true record, Attest: C'J erk, Sel ectmOn ��