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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1954-11-15-BOS-min 492 C Co CL SELECTMEN'S MEETING November 15, 19514 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, November 15, 1954 at 7:00 P.M. Chair- man Reed, Messrs. Gay, Bateman and James were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. Maloney arrived at 7:25 P.M. Chief John W. Rycroft met with the Board relative to a letter he received from Massachusetts Institute Special of Technology, Lincoln Laboratories, requesting that Police men assigned to traffic duty by that organization be appointed Special Police Officers. He said that he would have no objection because he does not have men available for this work, but raised the question as to whether or not the Town would be liable if the men should get hurt while on duty in the street. Mr. James suggested requesting the Security Officer to sign a statement relieving the Town of Lexington of all responsibility. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, took a copy of the letter, when he met with the Board later in the even- ing, and agreed to advise the Board on the subject. The Chairman said that the Board still has to make a decision in regard to appointment of three police officers and he understood action was held over from last week due to the fact that he was not Appointment present. He asked the Chief how he felt in regard to of three the three applicants. patrolmen Chief Rycroft said that after talking with them and examining the reports from their employers on two of them there is no question. The only question was in regard to Muller. He said he gave the matter a lot of serious thought and could not satisfy himself that he would be justified in saying that he would not make a good police officer. From what he hears, Muller is a good man; does not drink or smoke. He explained that Sergeant Corr received a comprehensive report from Lt. Kehoe , with whom he went to school, and from that re- port the Chief could find nothing to substantiate not appointing him. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was unanimously voted to appoint the following in- dividuals as patrolmen in the Lexington Police Depart- ment, effective November 29, 19514 at the rate of $3405.82 per year: L 493 111 Carl A. Carlson, 329 Marrett Road Robert R. Muller, 24 Ewell Avenue Michael J. Shaughnessy, 16 Manley Court Letter was received from the Division of Civil Service, together with an eligible list established as a result of examination held on July 20, 1954 for pro- Appointment motion to Lieutenant, Lexington Police Department. of Police Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Gay, Lieutenant it was unanimously voted to appoint James F. Corr, Jr. , 8 Park Street, Lexington, a Lieutenant in the Lexington Police Department, effective November 19, 1954 at a salary of $4500 per year. Upon motion of Mr. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Bate- Requ. exam. man, it was unanimously voted to request the Division for Sergeant of Civil Service to hold an examination for the posi- tion of Sergeant in the Lexington Police Department to fill the vacancy caused by promotion of Sergeant Corr to a Lieutenant. Chief Rycroft left the meeting at 7:40 P.M. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, and Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, met with the Board. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. Everett C. Hardy, 73 Meriam Street, requesting the Board to in- Tree damaged spect an oak tree in front of her home which was dam- by hurricane aged by the hurricanes and now leans toward her home. The Chairman was authorized to advise Mrs. Hardy that someone would look at the tree and she would then be advised of the Board' s decision. The Chairman read a letter from H. G. Gray, Chief Engineer, State Department of Public Works in reply to the Board's letter of August 5, 1954 relative to in- Re: Traffic stallation of traffic control signals at the intersec- signals at tion of Route 2 and Spring Street. According to the Spring St. letter a complete investigation of the traffic con- ditions has been made and it is still the opinion of the State Engineers that traffic signals are not neces- sary. The Chairman was authorized to forward a copy of the letter to Mrs. Arthur L. Ballou, 21 Shade Street, who filed the original petition for the signals. The Chairman read a letter from David S. Miller, Claim for 11 Beacon Street, Boston, advising that he represents injuries Mrs. Mary Brown in a claim against the Town for per- sonal injuries sustained by her on November 2, 1954 as 494 homyAad result of the defective condition of premises known as Cary Memorial Hall. Copy of the communication was given to Town Counsel. The Chairman read a letter from the Bedford Air- Airport port Committee of the Town of Lincoln re a joint meet- Meeting ing with Senator Saltonstall on Thursday, November 18, 1954 at the First Parish House, Lincoln, to discuss the subject of possible solution of the flying problems in connection with Bedford Airport. The Chairman said that he would attend and sug- gested contacting Mr. Nickerson, who was on the Board during the hearings at Washington, to invite him to attend also. The Board had no objection. The Chairman read a letter from the Lincoln Board of Selectmen re a public meeting to be held on Wednes- day, November 17, 1954 at the Lincoln Town House, for the purpose of discussing problems arising from the rapid growth of Bedford Airport. The Chairman read a letter from Raymond C. Garran, 17 Spring Street advising that he owns Lots 223 and 22i4 and would like to purchase Lot 225 now owned by Tax title the Town. property The Chairman reminded the Board that Mr. Donald A. Thomas, 787 Washingtoh Street, Newtonville, had 'made an offer of $250 for this lot in March, 1954 and was ad- vised that the Board did not want to dispose of it at that time. The Chairman wasauthorized to advise Mr. Garran that the Board prefers to retain this particular lot until the installation of the sewer in Spring Street has been entirely completed, at which time he will be contacted on the subject. It was mentioned that pos- sibly the lot could be divided; one half to be sold to Mr. Garran and one half to be sold to Mr. Thomas. The Chairman read a letter from William L. Milne, Milne sewer 15 Preston Road in regard to a letter he received from the Board of Health relative to connecting to the pub- lic sewer. Town Counsel advised that Mr. Milne be told this is a matter over which the Selectmen have no control and comes entirely under the jurisdiction of the Board of Health, but the Selectmen will be glad to discuss the letter with the Board of Health. Mr. Stevens retired at 8:50 P.M. Mr. Gordon Steele and Mr. Lloyd Martin met with the Board. 495 Mr. Steele said that he is working toward the skating area in back of the Adams School which is a natural pond flooded by means of damming the brook Skating which has been done in recent years. He explained it pond at is approximately 200' x 200' and has possibilities for Adams Schoo] enlargement if at any time it is decided to make it larger. He said that in this town, as in other towns, there is a hazard after dark and as far as children are concerned that is important. The children are dismissed from ac400l at three and by the time they go home and arrive back at the pond for skating it is four o' clock and it gets dark at four thirty. He said activities keep children out of mischief and he feels that the area should be illuminated from four thirty oh. He said he realizes this means some expense to someone. The younger children skate from four to six and then the teenagers use the pond. He said if the pond was il- luminated it would be helpful to them and also to work- ing adults who like to skate at night. He said that Ar- lington, Newton and many other towns have illuminated ponds for skating and he feels the time has come when this town should think about it as an important part of the winter program. Mr. Steele said that he has talked to lighting en- gineers, Mr. Allen, Mr. Linguist of the Boston Edison Company, and others. Without any official statement, a simple way would be to run from a pole outside of the Adams School, about four more poles, possibly five, from there to the pond. That would be a Boston Edison project. He said that the first two poles would be erected without charge and each additional pole would be charged for at about $50 per pole or maybe $70. He explained that it would take three additional poles as • well as the free poles. The lighting engineers estimate that there will be six poles needed around the pond, similar to the ones used at filling stations. Those would cost about $100 or $120 for six. The cost of six sets of lights would be $120 And three poles from $150 to $160. The current will cost for L,,000 watts 1.h1{ per night and for 3500 watts, $1.35 per night. The meter would be on a pole near the school. He said he estimates fifty or sixty skating nights per winter with about 500 children, 500 teenagers, Junior High and High and 500 adults. The total cost would be about $L150 to $500 which includes $120 for electricity and labor, assuming that the town would contribute a man or two from the Park Department to help put up the poles. He said that if money is hot available two oil companies will oontribute some poles and fixtures that are obso- lete. The Chairman asked if Mr. Steele had discussed the subject with the Recreation Committee and he replied in the negative. 496 The Chairman asked if he were talking about this winter and he replied in the affirmative. The Chairman said he was not so concerned about the amount of money involved as he was where it would come from. Be explained that the only budget to which it could be charged would be the Recreation and he did not know the balance in that account. He explained that it is difficult to obtain funds at this time bf the year as most of the mpney appropriated for the var- ious departments has been allocated. He said he would not hesitate to recommend this project in the 1955 budget. Mr. James mentioned that in this connection, re- quests would probably be received for the same progres at Kinneens Pond, the Reservoir and the center play ground. The Chairman said he was definitely in favor of the project but the only action now is to find out whether or not the Recreation Committee has any funds available. He suggested that Mr. Steele contact the Chairman of the Recreation:Committee to find out whether or not that Committee would go along with the project and whether or not they have the funds. Messrs. Steele and Martin retired at 9:20 P.M. Notice was received from Edward J. Cronin, Secre- Census tary of State, relative to taking the Decennial Census, which is taken every tenth year from 1925. The Chairman was authorized to delegate this work, through Mr. Carroll, to the Board of Registrars. The Board gave further consideration to Mr. Golini!s offer of $750 for Lots 527-533 inclusive on Asbury Street. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Maloney Tax title it was voted to sell and convey Lots 527-533 inclusive, property Asbury Street to Benjamin H. Golini; the deed to be so drawn that Mr. Colini will be prohibited from erecting more than one dwelling on the entire parcel of land. Invitation was received for the Board to attend graduation exercises of the Seventh Local Police Officers Training School on November 24th at Framingham Motor Inn. Sealed bids for printing the 19514 Annual Town Re- port were received as follows: Somerville Printing Company, Inc. Bids on 500 copies - e4.55 per page Town Report 200 school - 2.00 per page 50 acc► t. - .90 per page 497 Atlantic Typesetting Company 500 copies - $6.80 per page 200 school - 82.80 50 acct. - 51.52 Discount 2% 30 days Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to accept the bid submitted by the Somer- ville Printing Company, Inc. The meeting adjourned at 940 P.M. A true record, Attest: 77-41- ler , S ectme 1