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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1954-12-06-BOS-min 510 RA SELECTMEN'S MEETING December 6, 1954 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen liras held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, December 6, 19514 at 7:00 P.M. Chairmen Reed, Messrs. Gay, Bateman, Maloney and James were pres- ent. The Clerk was also present. Mr. James E. Collins, Welfare Agent, met with the Board to discuss budgets for 1955. The Chairman explained that the Selectmen have not taken any action in regard to personal services. Welfare Mr. Collins stated that his personal services bud- Budget get is based on the step-rate increases allowed by the Welfare Compensation Plan. The Chairman asked if the increase included all the employees in the department and Mr. Collins replied in the affirmative. The Chairman informed Mr. Collins that all budgets under his jurisdiction, with the exception of personal services, has been approved as submitted. Mr. Collins referred to Old Age Assistance-Aid & Expenses and explained that the amount to be deducted for Federal Grants for Aid should be $55,800, making the total budget $88,700. Mr. Collins retired at 7:30 P.M. Mr. Edward B. Cass, Chairman of the Board of Assessors, and Mr. Cronin, Secretary, met with the Board to discuss budgets for 1955. The Chairman explained that the Selectmen have not made any decision on personal services. Mr. Cass said that Miss Ready now receives the maximum for Senior Clerk but if any increases are to be made in the Senior Clerk salaries, the Assessors would Assessors' then requ6st an increase for her. He explained that Budget Miss Pierce and Mrs. McLellan have not reached the max- imum salary and a $2.00 per week increase is provided. He stated that the Assessors would like to increase Mr. Cronin' s salary to $5200 as they feel he is well worth the money. The purchase of a billing machine was discussed informally and Mr. Cass was of the opinion that inasmuch as it would be used only one month out of twelve the cost of purchasing one would not be justified. He said that the work can be done as quickly and efficiently by hand. The Messrs. Cass and Cronin retired at 8:00 P.M. 511 The Chairman read a letter from the Mystic Valley Gas Company requesting permission to locate a !" cast iron gas main in Vine Brook Road. He reported that Mr. Burns had no- objection providing the main is not placed on top of the 16" main in the street now. Gas line Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, permit it was voted to grant the request, providing the peti- tioner contacts Mr. Burns before any work is started to make sure that the gas main is located where he approves. The Chairman read a letter from Brewer & Lord ad- vising that now the addition to the Fiske School has Fiske Schoo. been completed the insurance coverage should be in- insurance creased. The company has discussed the cost with both increased Mr. Smith and the architect, and after deducting the cost of excavations, and including the new equipment, it was determined that the insurance should be in- creased $2670500 - making the total on this item $692,500. The Chairman read a letter from Brewer & Lord to- gether with list of names of agents who are to parti- cipate in distribution of commission on the town in- surance. Last year only 93% of the total was distri- buted as the Board felt it would like to hold 7% for distribution to other agents who might be deserving for consideration. The Board discussed the subject and it was unan- imously agreed that with the addition of four agents, who have requested a share in the townts insurance business, the list would as as o ld be large desirable. No 8 new agents to be added unless for some reason an agent now connected with the town insurance program drops off. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to give l to four new agents and the re- maining 2% to Brewer & Lord, the firm that does the work on town insurance. The apportionment of insurance was approved in the following percentages: Brewer & Lord (Includes 4, balance 25.000 of 7% carried over last year) Tracey W. Ames 8.000 R. C. Merriam 7.500 Albert I. Carson 3.250 W. S. Oouette 3.250 Norman A. Downs 3.250 Samuel L. Fardy 3.250 Foster & Lamont 3.250 512 0 a Wm. H. L yon 3.250 111 Mrs. H. D. Broderic 3.250 John F. MacNeil 3.250 Charles F. Vaughn 3.250 Milton F. Hodgdon 2.250 Edward A. Lerner 2.250 John J. Sullivan 2.250 J. Quinton Rush 2.250 Jasper A. Lane 2.250 Donald M. Fifield 2.250 Bradford Giddings 2.250 Merlin J. Ladd 2.250 Leslie H. Bull 1.250 C. Irving Lohr 1.250 Ernest E. Rogers 1.250 Charles R. Soar 1.250 W. S. Cooledge Co. 2.250 William E. Phillips 1.250 Ellison F. Beckwith 1.250 Marshall P. Lerner 1.250 Philip S. Gilman 1.250 At 8:00 P.M. Mr. John M. Buchanan and Mr. Gilman I Haven met with the Board re installation of sewer to service houses they intend to build on Meriam Street. Mr. Buchanan explained that they intend to build on Mariam Street, the Castle Heights Estate formerly owned Req. for by Mr. Baskin and the sewer is now as far as Abbott Road. sewer I, Mr. Buckanan' s architect asked him to find out whether or not it will be possible tp put in a sewer connecting from a point on Abbott Road so that his house could con- nect into it. He felt it would be better to avoid using a septic tank. The Chairman asked if his house Vaould be located about 300 feet beyond Abbott Road and Mr. Buchapan re- plied that it would be possibly 350. This would take it V upt of where his roadway will come in. The Chairman asked if he had discussed the subject with Mr. Burns and Mr. Buchanan replied in the affirmative. The Chairman asked if Mr. Burns said anything about ledge and Mr. Buchanan replied that he did not know. He said that there is some ledge near his property. The Chairman explained that the Board could include this item in the budget now being prepared to be voted on at the annual Town Meeting. He said that the Board could not give him any assurance that it will be voted upon IIfavorably, but in most cases the budgets are approved. He said that another consideration is the assessments 513 which usually include both sides of the street. He explained that Mr. Jones, whose property is across the street, is already connected from a long connec- tion from Meriam Street. Mr. Buchanan said that Mr. Sands owns the proper- ty next to his. The Chairman explained that the other side will be assessed and he does not know if the owners will be will- ing to go along with it. He said that there is no ques- tion but that it will be expensive. Mr. James asked if his house would be lower than street level and Mr. Buchanan replied that Dr. Haven' s house would be all right but if the sewer is put in, the architect will have the house so it sets up and there will be sufficient height to connect if the sewer is six or seven feet down. Mr. James asked if he would build the house up t o meet a normal depth sewer and Mr. Buchanan replied in the affirmative. He said he could connect from the first floor. Mr. Bateman said that the cost would be about $18 or $20 per foot which will amount to approximately $7,000 and it is questionable if the town will approve it inas- much as only two properties are involved. He said, how/. ever, that if Mr. Buchanan wanted to pay the entire assess- ment, it might be done but he was not sure. The Chairman said that there are some questions he would like to ask the Town Engineer but he had another engagement this evening. He said that the people on the other side of the street definitely will not want the sewer because one is already connected and two of them are up on top of the hill and undoubtedly would sewer the other way. Mr. Buchanan asked if the Town would ever put a sewer up there and the Chairman explained that the town does not put in sewers unless the conditions constitute a health menace. He explained that all other sewers are installed upon petition from the abutters and the Board requires at least 75% signatures of the property owners. Mr. Bateman said that Mr. Buchanan' s land slopes down toward Castle Road and perhaps he could get an ease- •- ment through the property and possibly go down on that side. Mr. Buchanan said he would be willing to contribute a reasonable amount but to assume half of the $7,000 would be very difficult. The Chairman said that the Board would discuss the subject with the Town Engineer, decide what could be done and then invite Mr. Buchanan and Dr. Haven to be present 111 at some future meeting to consider the problem further. Messrs. Buchanan and Haven retired at 8:45 P.M. 514 c Mr. William G. Potter and Mr. George Hynes, Cemetery Commissioners, met with the Board to discuss budgets for 1955. Mr. Potter explained that the Commissioners have included funds int he personal services budget to pro- vide for an increase in the Superintendent' s salary. Cemetery This amounts to $40 which will bring his salakry up to budgets the maximum he can receive and still retain his veteran P11 - pension. 11 -pension. The Clerk' s salary amount includes funds to pro- vide her with one-half of what a full-time Clerk receives. The Chairman explained that the Selectmen have not made any decision in regard to personal services but is somewhat concerned about the Superintendent of Cemeteries who is also Veterans' Agent. He said that the Veterans' Agent was supposed to be a part-time job and that is what Mr. Healy wanted when he took it over. However, he has now made it practically full-time and the Board is aware of the fact that he has done a good job. He ex- plained that last year the Appropriation Committee was of the opinion that he should receive an increase as Veterans' Agent, but the Selectmen were not altogether in agreement. Messrs. Potter and Hynes retired at 9:10 P. M. Chairman Roeder, Messrs. Sheldon and Fitzgerald, Fire Comunissioners, met with the Board to discuss bud gets for 1955. The Chairman explained that the Selectmen have not made any commitment in regard to personal services. Fire Dept. Mr. Roeder stated that the Commissioners have budget given no thought to increases but if there is an over- all program for increases, the Commissioners will go along with it. He said that the Commissioners still feel that the position of Deputy Engineer should be created so that the duties of the Chief Engineer may be taken over automatically when he is out of town. The items and information on the budget explanation sheets were taken up individually and the Commissioners retired at 10:30 P.M. Notice was received from the State Department of Public Utilities advising that a hearing will be held at the State House on Tuesday, December 114 at 2:15 on Legal notice petition of the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway Co. for approval of merger into it of Suburban Electric Securities Company. A second notice was received from the State Depart- I 515 Department of Public Utilities advising that a hearing Legal will be held on Tuesday, December 1)4, at 2:15 on peti- notice tion of the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway Co. for approval of change in par value and number of shares of its remaining capital stock. Both petitions were referred to Town Counsel. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. H. L. MacLean, 31 Grove Street, requesting permission to erect the Nativity Scene on the Common during the Christmas season. She also inquired whether or not it would be necessary to notify the Park Department to have the barn delivered to the Common on Saturday morning, December 11 and the Nativity figures on Saturday morning, December 18. Scene on The Chairman was authorized to instruct Mr. Burns Common to have the barn and figures delivered to the Common on the dates requested by Mrs. MacLean. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, Licenses it was voted to grant the following licenses (all re- newals) : (renewal) The 1775 House 130 Pleasant St. Common Victualler " Regent Deleicatessen Co. 1729 Mass. Ave. Margaret & Sidney Heywood 271 Marrett Rd. Mawhinney Motor Sales 581 Marrett Rd. 1st Class A ent Frederic R. Childs 09 Mass. Ave. " " F. K. Johnson, Inc. 39-141 Bedford St. Hardyts Garage 915 Waltham St. 2nd " Upon motion duly made and seconded it was voted to Uses of grant the following uses of halls: halls Minute Men Council Girl Scouts Conf. Room Dec. 16 (Free) Lex. Choral Society Cary Mar. 12-13 " " " May 21-22 a Lex. Boys ' Club Estabrook Saturday after- noons, beginning Jan. 8th Mr. ,Maloney will advise the Board whether or nbt ad- mission is to be charged and if so, the Club will be charged $10 for the uses of the hall. The Board gave further consideration to Mr. Manuel Souza' s offer of $200 for Lot 7, Eastern Avenue, A pro- posal to sell this lot was advertised in the December 1st issue of the Lexington Minute-Man. No one contacted the Selectments office as a result of the advertisement. Tax title Upott motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to property sell and convey Lot 7, Eastern Avenue to Manuel Souza for the sum of $200; the deed to be so drawn that the erection of any building on the lot will be prohibited. 516 Comi Letter was received from Mrs. M. Cavanaugh, 38 Tax title Tarbell Avenue offering $200 for Lot 151 Tarbell property Avenue which abuts her property. Upon motion duly made and seconded it was voted that a proposal to sell the lot be advertised in the Lexington Minute-Man and that further consideration be given the offer attthe next meeting of the Board. If the lot is sold to Mrs. Cavanaugh the deed is to be drawn up to exclude building on the lot. Mr. Busa' s offer of $300 for Lots 51 and 52 Cummings Avenue was held over until the next meeting of the Board. Mr. Cuccinello' s offer of $75 for lots 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31, Block 17, Ward Street was held over until the next meeting of the Board. Letter wasreceived from Thomas L. Flannery, on behalf Proclamation of the Boston Association for Retarded Children, Inc.,, together with suggested proclamation in connection with fund raising campaign being conducted for mentally re- tarded children. Mr. Maloney reported that he believes this to be a fairly good cause.and would like the Board to c©-operate. The Chairman was authorized to sign a proclamation de11 - claring the month of November 114 to December 15 as Re- tarded Children' s Month and to insert a copy in the Lexington Minute-Man. Application on behalf of John F. Rich, 27 Mariam Cert. of Inc. Street, for a Certificate of Incorporation was received from the office of the Secretary of State. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to sign the application certifying Mr. Rich's character. The meeting adjourned at 10:55 P. M. A true record, Attest: ler , S "ectme4 1