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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1954-10-18-BOS-min 4(32 SELECTMEN'S MEETING ' October 18, 1954 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, October 18, 1951 at 7:00 P. M. Chair- man Reed, Messrs. Gay, Bateman, Maloney and James were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. William G. Potter, Chairman of the Cemetery Commissioners, met with the Board. He stated that the Cemetery Commissioners had received a copy of a letter from the Lexington His- Relettering torical Society to the Board in regard to recutting the old Tomb lettering on the Hancock-Clarke Tomb. He said that the Commissioners are in doubt as to where they stand and raised the question as to where the funds were to come from. The Chairman explained that the project was insti- gated by Mr. Worthen and read his letter of July 21, 1954. He said that the Board had no objection to the proposal and had Mr. Burns obtain an estimate of the cost. The Chairman then read excerpts from Mr$ Worthen' s letter to the Historical Society, a copy of which was mailed to the Board. The Chairman said that the Board may have been negligent in not advising the Commissioners but at the time it was taken as just another item brought to the Board' s attention by Mr. Worthen. He explained that ex- pense would be paid from available funds and would not have to be taken from cemetery appropriations, and apolo- gized for not calling the matter to the Commissioners' attention sooner. Mr. Potter said that as long as Mr. Burns had agreed to more or less supervise the project, the Com- missioners have no objection and will let it go along as is. Mr. Potter retired at 7:10 P. M. Application was received from the Lexington Use of Allied Veterans' Council for permission to conduct Vet- hall erans' Day Services in Cary Memorial Hall on Thursday, November 11th from 9:00 A. M. until 11:30 A. M. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to grant the use of the hall free of charge, subject to $1.50 per hour for janitor' s overtime ser- vices. , 463 Application was received from the Lexington Field Use of hall and Garden Club for permission to conduct a meeting in Estabrook Hall on February 10, 1955 from 9:00 A. M. until 12:00 noon. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to grant the use of the ball free of charge. The Chairman reported that Dr. John E. Murray tele- phoned for permission to conduct the Annual Archbishop Paper Drive Paper Drive on Sunday, October 31, 89514. The Board was unanimously in favor of granting the request. Me. Burns arrived at the meeting at 7:25 P. M. The Chairman brought up Mr. Manuel Sousa' s offer Tax Title of $400 for Lots 7 and 8 Eastern Avenue. He explained Property that the Board at one time refused to sell these lots to Mr. Sousa because there is no water available. Mr. Sousa came into the office and told the Chairman he would like to purchase Lot 7 to use as a driveway to his house which is on Lot 6. He does not want to purchase Lot 8 unless the Board is unwilling to sell Lot 7 separate. Mr. Burns said t hat if the lot is sold to Mr. Sousa he will derive benefit of both water and sewer, which will be put in by the developer who is negotiating to purchase the other lots in the area, without having to pay for them. It was agreed to invite Mr. Sousa to meet with the Board two weeks from tonight. Note was received from Mrs. Williams advising that UN Day at a meeting of the UN Committee held on September 16 police Mr. James mentioned that police would be required at the officers UN Day program scheduled in Cary Hall on Saturday, Cot8- ber 23. She would like to know if it is to be the re- sponsibility of the Selectmen or the Committee to arrange for police officers. The Chairman explained that the Chief of Police has been requested to meet with the Board later in the even- ing at which time he will mention the subject to hied. The Clerk was instructed to advise Mrs. Williams that the responsibility of having officers assigned Saturday will be assumed by the Board. Letter was received from Mrs. Williams (Copy of which was mailed to the Selectmen) ince UN Day program asking for attendance of t he Board at the public obser- vance in Cary Hall on Saturday evening, October 23 at 111 8:15 P. M. The Chairman, Mr. James and Mr. Maloney plan to attend; Mr. Bateman will if his present plans are 464 Co changed, but Mr. Gay has a previous commitment. In this letter mention was made of the fact that UN literature is to be sold and Mr. Gay raised the question as to whether or not the hall should have been granted free of charge inasmuch as the regulations speci- fy a charge of *35 if admission is charged or goods are offered for sale. The Clerk was instructed to contact Mrs. Williams and explain the regulations and to suggest the use of a sign asking for donations rather than offering mater- ial for sale. Further, to a dvise Mrs. Williams that the literature should be confined to strictly UN. Statement was received from the State Department of Public Works listing the total expenditures made for Chapt. 90 Chapter 90 maintenance to be $2992.78. reimburse- Mr. Burns explained that the figures are correct ment and upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. James, it was voted to sign the certification whereby reimburse- ment will be made to the town. Petitions were received for installation of sewer Sewer and construction of Pearl Street and Arcola Street. Mr. Burns was instructed to have the estimates of cost prepared and sent out for signatures. Letter was received from Edwin B. Worthen, Jr. , Vice President of the Lexington Historical Society in reference to the $200 provided in the Shade Tree Account for work on trees located at three historical houses. Hist. Soc. Owing to the fact that the Town has had, and will have, shade trees an enormous amount of clean-up and repair work to do on trees, the Society feels that any further special atten- tion at this time to trees on its property would be an imposition. He stated in the letter that although the Society has decided not to use the $200 allocated this ear, it would like to request the Board to grant a similar al- lowance next year. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, arrived at the meeting at 7:40 P. M. Letter dated October 13 was received from John Blackhall Smith, Supt. of Schools, to which was attached School hills received to date for repairs to the various school hurricane buildings as a result of hurricanes Carol and Edna. Mr. damage Smith stated that he understood none of the painting work to repair the damages has been started and before it 465 is he will submit an estimate by buildings. Letter dated October 18 was received from John Blackhall Smith, Supt. of Schools, to which was attached detailed estimate of the cost to repair storm damage caused by hurricane Edna. Mr. Smith stated that none of the work has been started and he will not proceed with it until permission has been obtained from the Board with the understanding that all bills will b e submitted to the Board and paid f rom the emergency ap- propriation covering recent hurricanes. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, advised the Chairman to tell Mr. Smith that bills for repairs to the various schools as a result of hurricane Edna cannot qualify as reimbursable from the State utter the emergency declared specifically for hurricane Carol. The following bills submitted by Nelson Bros. Inc. were approved for payment: Junior High School $1114.79 Hancock School 67.30 Munroe School 65.60 Franklin School 109.02 Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was unanimously voted that inview of the extreme Emergency emergency involving the health or safety of persons vote orroperty caused by the hurricane of September 11, 1954, liabilities not exceeding $31,000 in excess of existing appropriations may be incurred by the proper departments with the approval of the Selectmen. Messrs. Stevens and Burns retired at 8:00 P. M. Mr. and Mrs. William Binder, 239 Concord Avenue, met with the Board. Mr. Binder said that he asked for the appointment this evening to petition the Board to put a catch basin in front of his property, as he had quite a lot of hur- ricane damage from flooding. He said he understood there was an old catch basin there and he stopped at Binder req. the Engineer' s office but there was no record of it. for catch He said that he had contacted Mr. Burns and the Build- basin ing Inspector and they both agreed that the request for a catch basin is legitimate. Mr. Binder said that there is a dip in the road and the water came down the road from a hill across the street and flodded his front yard, ran down underneath the patio, underneath the garage and undermined the foundation wall and it col- lapsed. He said it cost $9146 to repair it and he also __ J 466 C.r CL will have to pay $150 for fill to re-loam his lawn because he had to dig a ditch across the lawn. The Chairman said that the Board realizes the seriousness of the situation and most of the members are familiar with the location. However, no one anticipated what occurred during the two hurricanes. He explained that, as Mr. Burns had advised, there are no funds left in the drainage account this year. He said that Mr. Burns had brought the matter to the Board' s attention and an amount would be definitely included in the 1955 budget in an endeavor to correct the condition. He further explained that the money would not be available until voted upon at the Annual Town Meeting in March. Mr. and Mrs. hinder retired at 8:10 P. M. Letter was received from Ralph A. Nilson, Librarian, Library to which was attached an estimate from S. E. Lund for Hurricane insurance purposes, of the damage to the main library estimate from hurricane Edna. Mr. Stevens returned to the meeting at 8:15 P. M. The subject of precinct revision was discussed Precinct informally with Mr. Stevens and it was unanimously Committee agreed that the Board would appoint a committee of five to study the subject and report to the Board of Selectmen not later than June 1, 1955. The Chairman referred to petition signed by -mothers on School Street requesting establishment of School St. a 15 mile per hour speed zone on that street, and re- quested Town Counsel to advise what is involved and what action may be taken. Special The Chairman mentioned the Special Town'Meeting Town requested by the School Committee and it was unani- Meeting mously voted to call a Special Town Meeting to be held on Monday, November 22, 19514. The Chairman reminded the Board that bids should Town be obtained for printing the 19514 Annual Town Report Report and reported that there are approximately 300 copies of the 1953 report left from a total of 500. Following a short discussion, it was agreed to ask for bids for 500, every effort to be made to have the copy received in time to have the reports completed by the printer and delivered before the Annual Town Meeting. I 467 Upon motion duly made and seconded it was voted to sign the Warrant for the State election and further to establish the polling hours from 7:30 A. M. until 8:00 P. M. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 P. M. A true record, Attest: i)11442 / " . er , Se ctme4 . I