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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1954-11-29-BOS-min 503 SELECTMEN'S MEETING November 29, 19514 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, November 29, 1954 at 7:00 P.M. Chair- man Reed, Messrs. Gay, Bateman, Maloney and James were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. James J. 'Carroll, Town Clerk, met for the draw- ing of two jurors. Miss Marguerite W. Halton, 1508 Massachusetts Avenue was drawn for a Jury Pool and Jurors Miss Helen Murphy, stenographer, 4149 Waltham Street, was drawn for jury duty. Budgets under Mr. Carroll' s jurisdiction were Town Clerk discussed. The Chairman explained that the Board does Budgets not plan to make any decision in regard to personal services until a report is received from the Personnel Advisory Committee. Mr. Carroll referred to the salary he is request- ' I in 1955 and stated that he has been quite upset during the past few months because the Clerk appointed to work for the Planning Board receives 06500 per year. He said that as a result of a law recently passed this individual cannot do anything until it has been approved by the Town Clerk. He said that if this man is paid 0500, he should receive some consideration with the responsibility involved in his capacity as Town Clerk and Town Treasurer. The Chairman inquired about what Mr. Carroll had to do in connection with the Planning Board and Mr. Carroll replied that anyone requesting a subdividion approval must file with him. He has to make a record, make notesand keep it_ on file for a certain number of days. It is then submitted to the Planning Board who in turn go to the Clerk of that Board and he must go to Mr. Carroll for approval before he can do anything. The Chairman asked if this procedure was something Mr. Carroll was doing for the Planning Board before the man was hired and Mr. Carroll replied that the law is new. The Chairman asked if it were something he would have to do even if the man in question did not work for the Planning Board and Mr. Carroll replied in the affir- mative. Mr. Carroll said that over 35,000,000 is handled 11 I in his office besides the thousands of dollars he has to hold, and this individual has only one single job. 504 Co CL The Chairtnan said that the Board has not discussed personal services but appreciated Mr. Carrollts explana- tion for requesting an increase and said it would be taken into consideration when wages and salaries are discussed. Mr. Carroll said the Planning Board expected to starta Clerk at`$5,000 and Mr. Bateman remembered that they had requested $7500. The Chairman explained that this invididual is not classified as a Clerk but was employed as a Consultant to the Planning Board. Town Clerk & Treasurer - Expenses. Mr. Carroll ex- plained that the item or $b00.aunder Equipment and Repairs includes two adding machines and the item of $150 under Travel Expenses makes provision for him to attend the Town Clerks Annual Convention in Chicago. However, even if this item is approved, he may not attend. He explained that later on, he may want to add an amount to provide for certification of notes. Mr. Carroll retired at 7:15 P.M. . Mr. Burns met with the Board. The Chairman r ead a letter from the Board of Health, Sewage to which was attached a copy of letter from the State disposal Department of Public Health in regard to sewage disposal Paul Revere in the Paul Revere Road area. Road area This particular area is included in a major sewer project which Mr. Burns presented to the Board a few weeks ago and involves a substantial expenditure. The Chairman was authorized to advise the Board of Health that at present the Board can only advise that the sub- ject will be given consideration when the sewer budgets for 1955 are discussed. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, met with the Board at 7:25 P.M. The Chairman mead a letter signed by H. K. Mac- ' Kechnie, 12 Winthrop Road, and several other residents in the neighborhood with reference to the so-called Engstrom Engstrom Drain. The signers requested that the town. Drain maintain the entire length of the drain and also cor- rect the drain without further raising the water level. Mr. Burns presented a plan of the area and ex- plained that he has checked every transfer of deeds and he has been unable to find any transfer of easement. Insofar as he can find out, there is no easement running 505 to the Town of Lexington. He said that he has a very definite reason for not doing anything in regard to this drain and that is that as far as he is able to determine, tie Town does not have any rights in there. He also presented a plan of the "Proposed Sani- tary Drain System", 19]1{ which was never signed and a plan made in 1921. He said in 1951 he extended the drain at the request of the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Burns showed a profile of the bottom of the ditch, dated 1943, and explained that the additional pipe had no effect on the water level. He said that he does not think this is a town drain. Mr. Stevens said that if the Town does not have an easement, it would have to obtain one before going in on this property. He took a copy of the letter for further study and the Chairman was authorized to advise Mr. MacKechnie that the Board will look into the matter. Further consideration was given to Mrs. Hardy' s letter in regard to a tree, located at 73 Meriam Street, which she claimssis on town property and in a dangerous Tree at condition resulting from the recent hurricane. 73 Meriam The Chairman and Mr. Bateman viewed the tree and Street were of the opinion that it is not dangerous. Mr. Burns agreed to have Mr. Brenton check and ' report next week. Further consideration was given to Mr. Manuel Sousa' s offer to purchase tax title lot 7, Eastern Tax title Avenue. Mr. Burns reported that Mr. Caterino will property pay $200 for lot 8. Upon motion duly made and seconded it was voted to advertise a proposal to sell in the Lexington Minute-Man and that further consideration be given the offer at the next meeting of the Board. Messrs. Burns and Stevens retired at 8:10 P. M. Mrs. Ethel U. Rich, Tax Collector, met with the Board to discuss budgets. The Chairman explained that the Selectmen, for the present, are not doing anything in regard to Personal Services. Mrs. Rich had no comment to make on the subdect. Mrs. Rich presented the Chairman a letter to which was attached abatements on Water and Sewer Connections for which bills have been returned with a notation Abatements "cannot locate". Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted t o approve the following abatements: 506 CL Hallet & Brooks Bal. Water House Conn. $1.51 L. J. Colwell " '� '� '* 7 Dennis J. Kelley " " " " .37 H. & L. Construction " " " " 3.50 Sinclair & Ryan Sewer House Connection 63.32 Mrs. Rich also presented the Chairman with a letter to which was attached abatements for interest charged on several deferred betterments. When Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting later in the evening he advised the Board to check further into these items before approving the abatements. He took the let- ter and the abatement sheets. Mrs. Rich retired at 8:25 P. M. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Lindstrom ad- Substitute Vining that he intends to take his vacation from Decem- Bldg. & P1mb. ber 6 to December 20 and it is his understanding that Inspector he no longer has authority to appoint a substitute in- spector. He submitted the names of John Burns, Plumb- ing Inspector for the Town of Arlington and Earl Outhet, as Building Inspector. Notice was received from the Department of Public Utilities re petition filed by New England Telephone Hearing and Telegraph Company for permission to increase rates and charges for telephone service. Hearing will be held on Wednesday, December 15, 1951, at 10.00 A. M. , Room 166, State House. The Clerk was instructed to f onward a copy of the notice to Town Counsel. The Chairman read a letter from Maurits D. Cashman, Principal Examiner, State Department of Banking and Retirement Insurance, to which was attached a copy of report of System audit examination of the Lexington Retirement System as of December 31, 1953. The Chairman said that the report would be on file in the Selectmen' s Office if any member of the Board desired to read it in detail.. Application was received for Certificate of Incor- Cer't. of Inc. poration on behalf of Antonia Pappas, 188 Lowell Street. Satisfactoty character reference was received from the Chief of Police. Upon motion of Mr. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to sign the application. 507 Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it was voted to grant the following licenses, subject to approval of the Alcoholic Beverages Commission: Connors Bros. Inc. 1700 Mass. Ave. Package Goods Store Lex. Liquor Mart 18)}9 Mass. Ave. Package Goods Store The Chairman read a letter from John Maclachlan, 15 Lexington Avenue, requesting permission, on behalf of the Simon W. Robinson Lodge, A.F. & A.M. , to con- Use of hall duct an Annual Ladies' Night Dinner and Dance in Cary Hall on April 23, 1951 from 6:00 P.M. until midnight. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to grant the use of the hall subject to a charge of $35 plus $1.50 per hour for janitor's overtime services. Application was received from Paul West, 17 Deming Road, on behalf of the Battle Green Chapter, Order of DeMolay, requesting permission to conduct movies in Estabrook Hall on Saturday afternoons from 2100 P. M. until 4:00 P. M. The Chairman informed the Board that the appli- cant said he had heard that the Lexington Boys' Club had a similar project in mind and if the plans have been made, his organization will withdraw. Mr. Maloney reported that the Boys' Club has all the equipment and expects to show movies. He said that he would contact Mr. west and discuss the subject with him. The Chairman explained that due to unforeseen ex- penses such as repairing voting booths, microphone, longer hours for election workers than anticipated Transfer and a re-run of warrants for the State election (due to error in sample warrant from State) it will be necessary to obtain a transfer of $600.85 for the Elections Department-Jurisdiction Selectmen Account. Upon motioim of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to request the Appropriation Committee to transfer the sum of $600.85 from the Reserve Fund to the Elections Department-Jurisdiction Selectmen Account. Mr. Maloney reported that the Lexington Chamber Cover park- of Commerce would like the Board to authorize the ing meters Police Department to cover the parking meters on Friday nights during the month of December inasmuch as the retail stores will be open every Friday night for Christmas shoppers. Upon motion duly made and seconded it was voted __ A X8 lad to instruct the Chief of Police to arrange to have the parking meters covered Friday nights during the monthe of December commencing December 10th. At 9:20 P. M. Chief Rycroft met with the Board to discuss his budgets for 1955. He told the Board that he very definitely wants the Board of Health work taken out of his Depa.tment because it is taking altogether too much time and in- terferes with police secretarial work. He explained that he had taken it over as a favor to the Board and agreed to handle it for one year. Personal Services Chief Rycroft explained that he is asking for four Sergeants, one to replace Lieutenant Corr and three ad- ditional as of June 1, 1955. He said that he would like to have a superior officer on duty at all times and with four Sergeants he would have one on duty the first half and one on the last half. His plan is to have a Sergeant spend two hours in one cruiser and then change to the second cruiser for two hours; alternating from one car to the other for two hours. The item of $200 for matrons provides $1.50 per hour. He has advised that he must pay this rate as it is very difficult to get a matron. He is requesting one additional police w man to pro- vide coverage at the Maria Hastings School if it is opened in September. Chief Rycroft stated that he is requesting three ad- ditional patrolmen as of September 1 1955 to enable him to create a Traffic Division./ His han Is tp station these men outside of Lexington Center and in reply to Mr. Bateman's question, he said that the men would be on foot. The item for Special Duty is increased as he would like to be able to assign an officer to the new church and he also believes the precincts should be covered during elections. This item also makes provision for officers to be on duty at Town Meetings. The Chief explained that his men have never com- plained about working April 19 or Hallowe'en, but these are two days for which they are not paid. He estimated $750 for forty-six men. 509 In reply to an inquiry re teletype Chief Rycroft said that the installation charge would be $15 and t he rate is $30 per month but he definitely has no room available. With reference to cruisers, the Chief explained that he is requesting funds to trade two cruisers and also to purchase an additional car. He stated that work in the department has increased to such an extent that one car is used for Court work practically every day. Chief Rycroft retired at 10:55 P.M. and the meeting adjourned. A true record, Attest: le , ect n I I