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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1955-02-14-BOS-min 576 CIOSELECTMEN'S MEETING ' February 14, 1955 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, February 14, 1955 at 7:00 P.M. Chair- man Reed, Messrs. Gay, Bateman, James and Maloney were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. William G. Potter, Chairman of the Board of Mr. Healy' s Cemetery Commissioners met with the Selectmen to dis- salary cuss Mr. Healy' s salary. He reported that Mr. Healy, who is Superintendent of Cemeteries and also Veterans' Agent, advised the Commissioners at a meeting today that he cannot live on the amount of money he receives. He receives $30 per week as Veterans' Agent and $17.20 per week as Supt. of Cemeteries. Re stated that Mr. Healy has threatened to give up the job if his salary is not increased and the Commissioners thought that inasmuch as he devotes more time to their department than to the work of Veterans ' Agent, that is where the increase should be given. Mr. Potter said that he has lost his pension this year which mounted to $750« Mr. Bateman said he would not like to recommend an increase on the basis of a ma-i losing his pension. Mr. Potter said he was hired on the basis of re- ceiving a pension and Mr. Bateman said that he was re- ceiving as much money as the other two men were paid. Mr. Gay recalled that he did not want to earn any more money because of the pension and Mr. Potter agreed. The Chairman asked what Mr. Healy was asking and Mr. Potter replied that he wants $2500 as Superintendent of Cemeteries and that will bring him up to $L1,000. The Chairman said that the increase was almost three times what he receives now, and said that Mr. Potter would probably have to discuss it at Town Meeting. Mr. Potter said that he would not wnat to bring up a personal service item on Town Meeting floor. Mr. Maloney said that the man is losing $750 and wants more than twice as much to replace it. He asked Mr. Potter what his recommendation was. Mr. Potter replied by asking what would be done if Mr. Healy gave up the job. Mr. Maloney asked what Mr. Potter thought and he replied that he does not see how Mr. Healy can live on less than $2500 a year. He said he thought he might stay if he receives the $250 the Commissioners are re- questing plus the pension he is losing of $750. IL 577 Mr. Potter retired at 7:30 P.M. The Board decided to make no change in the amount recommended for Veterans ' Agent and to take no action on the Cemetery Item inasmuch as the Commissioners are an elected Board. Mr. Reed left the meeting at 7:35 P.M. and Mr. Bateman presided as Chairman for the remainder of the evening. The following members of the High School Building Committee met with the Board: Mrs. Morey, Messrs. Nickerson, Steel and Norris. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, was also present. Mrs. Morey reported that the committee retained High School the services of Perry Shaw & Hepburn Kehoe & Dean who Addition designed the building and are familiar with it. The Com. who out- committee has also met with the School Building Assis- lines method ante Commission/investigated the best way to accomo- of proced- ate 1300 children and came up with sixteen rooms. ure. The The problem has been solved by increasing the size of the committee shop and keeping the auditorium as it was, omitting a projecting room which is no longer needed. This will increase the capacity of the auditorium to 1160. Mrs. Morey said that the cost will be about $925,000 and they are planning sixteen rooms instead of fourteen. She said that at the request of the Ap- propriation Committee they investigated the possibi- lity of spreading this over a two-year period but the committee feels it cannot recommend that because it would be a duplication of work costing about $50,000. She said the committeets recommendation satisfies the Building Assistance Commission and accommodates the school needs adequately. She stated that no building assistance has been received on the High School and the town has been paying on the bonds for two or three years. She explained that there is between $80,000 and $90,000 due but it wall not be received before Town Meeting. Mrs. Morey explained that the Building Assistance Commission told her the Board of Assessors can apply to Mr. Dine who clears as to what will be coming through 9nd, they are then told what can be applied to the Cherry Sheet. Mr. Stevens said that it would be reflected in the tax rate if it is treated as a receipt. He said the appropriations would be made but the Board would know the amount to be raised would be cut down by the estimated receipt received from the School Building Assistance Commission. a The Board informed the Committee that it was in favor of requesting the total amount at the March Meeting rather than doing part of the project this year and coming back again for funds to complete it. The group retired at 8:10 P.M. Upon motion o± Mr. Gar , seconded by Mr. Maloney, Pole it was voted to approve the following j/o pole loca- locations tions, all having been approved by Mr. Burns: Concord Avenue , southwesterly side, approximately 120 feet southeast of Barberry Road, One polo. Concord Avenue , southwesterly side, opposite Benjamin Road, - one pole, guy wire and anchor. Concord Avenue, northeasterly side, approximately 80 feet southeast of Benjamin Road, one pole. Concord Avenue, southwesterly side, approximately 1405 feet southeast of Shade Street, one pole. Reed Street, approximately 300 feet southeast of Orchard Street, one pole. grove Street, southeasterly from a point approximately 385 feet southeast of the Lexington-Bedford Line, 4 poles. Grove Street, easterly side, south- easterly from a point approximately 965 feet southeast of Winter Street, 14 poles. Letter was received from Eugene B. Hamilton, 1 Braemore Terrace, requesting installation of street lights on Ledgelawn Avenue. Street The Chairman was authorized to advise Mr. Hamil- lights ton that it is the Board' s policy to defer considera- tion of street lights until about the first of July each year at which time all requests are considered to- gether and presented to the Boston Edison Company for study and approval. Letter was received from Carroll H. Beers, 39 Somerset Road, advising that the hurricae blew over a large Maple tree on tows property in front of his prem- 579 ises, resulting in the upheaval and destruction of a section of the sidewalk. Damage to The Chairman was authorized to advise Mr. Bears tree and that the Superintendent of Public Works is aware of the sidewalk situation and intends to make necessary repairs to the sidewalk in the Spring and also to replace the tree. Letter was received from the board of Assessors Deferred with reference to a deferred water assessment in the assessment amount of $300 against property located on Wachusett overdue Drive formerly in the name of McIntosh now in the name of Lyon. The Assessors have been advised by the Col- lector that the amount, which the Selectmen advised committing for payment last April, is still unpaid. The Clerk was instructed to ask the Collector if she intends to collect this amount. The Chairman read a report from the Board of Fire Commissioners re inspections recently made as to the Aerial condition of the aerial ladder. ladder Mr. Burts retired at 840 P.M. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. James, it was voted to sign contract, prepared by Town Counsel, Garbage between the Town and Leonard F. Collins for the col- contract lection of garbage; amount of $22,838.00 per year be- ginning April 1i8, 1955 to April 30, 1958. At 9:15 P.M. Messrs. Linn B. Swain, Bedford Street, Burlington, Allen and Larsen, also from Bur- Burlington lington, met with the Board. request Mr. Swain said that there is an area in Burling- for water ton adjacent to North Street, Lexington where there are about twelve houses for viaich he is trying to get water. He explained that the nearest Burlington water is at the radio tower and it would be impossible for the town to bring it down to these people. He said Lexington has a six inch main at the line and he be- lieves, from tasking with the M.D.C. , it will be neces- sary for Burlington to petition the Legislator for per- mission to allow Lexington to sell water to Burl4ngton. He said that he is interested only in the houselocated there now and this is the only way these people can get water.. He stated that the Supt. of Public works told him that he is not permitted to sell water to another town. He said he would like to present the Act. to the Board of Water Commissioners in Burlington and the Town of Lexington could determine the conditions upon which it will furnish water. • The Chairman said that the Board would have 6o 580 CL discuss the subject as over a period of years similar requests have been refused. Mr. Swain said that all the piping would be done at Burlington' s expense. Mr. Stevens said that Lexington would own the meter and Burlington would pay the cost. Mr. Swain said that it would cost $150,000 to get water to serve these houses. The Chairman inquired about the wells and Mr. Swain replied that they are adequate for anticipated needs for years to come. Mr. Allen said that the extension would be only 300 feet and Burlington would pay all expenses involved. The Chairman said that he was very sure the Board would not grant such a request for an individual but the Board would discuss the subject with the Superin- tendent of Public Works. The group retired at 9:30 P.M. Mr. Stevens retired at 9:35 P•M. Letter was received from Roger W. Thwing, on be- Red Cross half of the Lexington Chapter, National Red Cross, re- thermometer questing permission to erect a small Red Cross thermom- eter in Emery Park for the 1955 Red Cross Fund Appeal from March 1, 1955 to March 31, 1955. The Board had no objection and the request was approved. Letter was received from the Division of Civil Sergeant Service advising that an examination for promotion to exam. Police Sergeant, Lexington Police Department, is sched- uled to be held on April 30, 1955. Police The Chairman read a letter from Earl P. Anair, 4b applicant Bow Street, advising that he is now out of the Army as of February 10th and would like to go to work as soon as possible if appointed. Letter was received from Mrs. Rich, Collector of Ambulance Taxes, together with list of ambulance charges which she charges advised were uncollectible for various reasons, such as abated mail returned, deceased and unable to locate. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to abate the charges as submitted, totalling $360. Veteran Application was received from Eugene Zarella, 29 lot Fessenden Road, Arlington, for Veteran Lot #6, Hill Street. This is the only lot left and one which involves a serious drainage problem. The Clerk was instructed to 581 advise the applicant of whatever decision is arrived at by Mr. Reed and Mr. Burns re disposing of it. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to grant a Common Victualler License to License John Pewtherer, d.b.a. Ye Towne Diner; same having been approved by Board of Health. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. James, it was voted to grant the following uses of halls: Uses of V. F. W. Cary Feb. 16 Dance halls Lafayette Club Estabrook Mar. 1 Meeting American Legion Cary Apr. 22 Sports Night 4-H Club Cary May 6-7 Exhibit Upon motion made and seconded, it was voted to Warrant sign the warrant for the Annual Election and Adjourned Town Meeting; Election, March 7 and First Adjourned Meeting, March 21. The meeting adjourned at 9:45 P.M. A true record, Attest: IIFer , S ectm n