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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1950-09-06-min 192 an SELECTMEN'S MEETING September 6, 1950 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Wednesday evening, September 6, 1950 at 7 :00 P. M. Chairman Emery, Messrs . Gay, Driscoll and Hoyt were present. The Clerk was also present. J. Carroll, sown Clerk, met with the Mr. JamesC oll, Board for the drawing of two jurors . Jurors Mr. John L. Woodbury, insurance agent, 403 Massachusetts Avenue, and Mr. Herman S. Schwarts, editor, 18 Highland Avenue, were drawn. Mr. Carroll retired at 7:07 P. M. The Chairman reported that the organization of Use of Alcoholics Anonymous would like permission to hold a Hall meeting in Estabrook Hall, and also have the privilege of using the refreshment counter, on Sunday, October 15th. Mr. Gay moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Frank D. Walker, Town Accountant, advising the Board that he has passed tis physical examination, and has been accepted by the Town Arany. He requested Military Leave commencing September Accountant 15, 1950. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to grant Mr. Walker 's request for Military Leave beginning September 15, 1950, and to extend the Board 's best wishes . Mr. Joseph H, DeFoe, Supt. of Public Works, met with the Board at 7 :10 P. M. Insurance He reported that Converse Hill has talked with him Barnes about the Barnes property and believes that, as a result Property of the recent repairs and remodelling, the insurance coverage should be increased from 411,500 to 423,000. Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to approve Mr. Hill's recommendation and authorize increasing the insurance coverage on the Barnes property to X23,000. Mr. DeFoe reported that he needs additional funds for Water Services and explained that he has discussed this subject with the Chairman. The Chairman said that as he recalls, Town Meeting appropriated 421,000 which was estimated to be sufficient for about 325 services at 465 or thereabouts per service. 193 There have been 290 installed and about 60 more Transfer applications on file of which 49 have been paid for. for water He explained that at the present moment the account services is just about depleted, and there is pipe on order at a cost of x$1,500 which will have to be paid for within the next few weeks . The Chairman suggested that the Board request a transfer of $6,500 based on the assumption that there will be a Fall Town Meeting in October. He informed the other members of the Board that he has discussed this subject with Mr. Cleveland inasmuch as Mr. Pat- terson is out of Town and he has agreed to poll his Board. The Chairman also explained that he had discussed this proposed transfer with Mr. Searle of the Division of Accounts. Mr. Searle said that the acquisition of additional funds appeared to be urgent at the moment and it would seem like a logical transfer from the Reserve Fund. He stated that there is about 412,000 left in the Reserve Fund at the present time and undoubtedly Mr . Stevens, or his concern, will want 42,000 or 43,000 and there is :.bout 410,000 short in the Snow Removal Account. Mr. Hoyt thought that possibly less than 46,500 could be tranferred and then additional funds requested at the Special Town Meeting to be held some time this Fall. to be transferred from the Water Department Available Sur- plus Account. The Chairman said that it would also be necessary to purchase more copper tubing. An order for 15,000 feet has been placed but this may be all used by December and then there would not be any left to start the year. Mr. Gay felt that the Board had no alternative but to request the transfer. Mr. Driscoll said that he would rely upon Mr. Hoyt 's judgment from his experience as a member of the Appro- priation Committee. The Clerk was instructed to call Mr. '-leveland (Mr. Patterson being out of town) and advise him that the Board of Selectmen would like a transfer of 46,000 from the Reserve Fund to the Water Services Account . Mr. Cleve- land agreed to poll his committee this evening by telephone. Mr. DeFoe presented several requests for street lights and explained each one by the use of sketches . He stated Street that a representative of the Boston Edison Company and he Lights had inspected the various loc& tions and agreed upon the following recommendations : Boulder Road , 1 light Lincoln Street, 2 lights Baker Avenue, 1 light Gleason Road, 1 light 194 an Upon motion duly made and seconded it was voted to approve the locations as outlined and recommended by Mr. DeFoe. Mr. DeFoe reported that the New York representative of the Warren pipe Company is not in favor of giving the Town any pipe this year and claims that it cannot be Water delivered. Mr. DeFoe said that he thought some deal Pipe would have to be made in order to secure the pipe. He said that he would like the Board 's permission to write a rather severe letter stating that delivery of the pipe is expected this year in accordance with the agreement and that it is imperative that a certain number of feet is delivered at the price quoted. He explained that the Boston representative felt such a letter might bring re- sults . The Board had no objection. Mr. Gay brought up the subject of drainage on High- land Avenue at the rear of Dr. Murray' s property, and mentioned having a pipe laid. The Chairman said that the Board had voted to have the brook cleaned out. Mr. DeFoe said that he spoke to Mr. Burns about this but no mention was made of any pipe being laid. He ex- plained that it would require an 18" pipe and cost ap- proximEtely 050. The would eliminate any future clean- ing. Mr. Hoyt asked if the necessity of laying the pipe Highland could be eliminated by cleaning the brook every year. Avenue Mr. DeFoe said that it would cost about 640 to clean Drainage it every year. The Chairman said that he is in favor of this project but did not see why it should be done before other projects which have been included in the budgets. Mr. Driscoll explained that this is an item which has been discussed many times and nothing has ever been done. Dr. Murray is somehwat irked because it has been brought up at various times but without any results . He said that he thought Dr. Murray would feel much better if some definite action were taken by the Board . Mr. Gay moved that the Superintendent of rublic Works be authorized to place this project on the list of drainage work to be done with the understanding that the pipe will be laid as soon as possible, in its order of priority. Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that he did not take any vacation in 1946, 1947 or 1948. He said that in 1946 he Vacations spent a great deal of time trying to obtain equipment for the town. In 1947 the Engineer was new and he did not think it would be fair to leave him alone to handle the vast amount of work. In 1948 Mr. Burns was appointed Town Engineer and that year neither he, Mr. Burns or Mr. Weisinger took a vacation because of the volume of work to be done. 195 Mr. DeFoe said that he would like the Board to consider extending his time so that he might receive pay for six weeks vacation time. The Chairman said that he thought there might be some legal angles to this and he did not know what the Town Counsel would say. He agreed to discuss the sub- ject with Mr. Stevens. Mr. Gay asked if the Superintendent of rublic Works could be authorized to haul approximately 80 years of Loam loam from the Fiske School to the East Lexington Library. E. Lex. Mr. Driscoll moved that the superintendent be so Library authorized . Mr. Hoyt seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Gay said that the people on Watson Road are very much dissatisfied. Mr. DeFoe asked if the property owners wanted to pay for loam and Mr. Hoyt replied that some may and some may not. He said that the situation is bad and he thought the Town should put in loam, six the sides of the road and have it definitely understood hereafter that the Town will do the work and the people will have to pay for it or else it will not be done and the people so advised. He said that he thought loam shotild be put on the sides of "atson Road at the Town' s expense. Mr. Hoyt moved that toe tson Road be taken care of at the Town's expense . Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. DeFoe asked if he were to seed it and Mr. Hoyt replied that he thought the property owners would take care of that. The Chairman said that if Watson Road is done now he thought the Town would have to go back to Liberty- Ledgelawn. Mr. Hoyt said that he did not think so. The Chairman asked why the Town should pay for this work rather than having it included as part of the cost of the street. Mr. Hoyt explained that there are two corners which have been left in very bad condition and the people on those corners are not paying for the street anyway. He said that this was not included in the cost and not dis- cussed. He stated that he thought the people assumed the street would be left in a good condition and he does not think that they should now be told that they will have to pay extra because the shoulders were left the way they are. The "hairman said that he did not see why the Town would not have to do Liberty-Ledgelawn, and Hoyt said that the people in that area have all been billed and the situation cleaned up. 196 The Chairman wished to be recorded as not voting on this subject. Mr. DeFoe retired at 8:25 P. M. Mr. William Spiers of the Pleasant Associates met with the Board with reference to the proposed road from Proposed Winchester to Lexington. Road Lex- The Chairman explained that he had talked to Mr. ington to Cromwell, Chairman of the Planning Board, who informed Winchester gadVised Mr. Spiers that the Selectmen have written to the (Shim that his Board has not acted as yet upon this. He Planning Board, and save him a copy of the letter to read, but as yet no reply has been received. Mr. Spiers retired at 8:30 P. M. Action upon Mr. Brask's resignation as a member of the Town Manager Committee was held over until the next meeting of the Board. Raimo re- The Chairman read a letter from the Raimo Contracting quest for Company requesting an extension of time on the Sewer Pro- extension ject to December 10, 1950. The request was approved by the of time Continental Casualty Company on September first. The Chairman said that he felt the request to be un- reasonable and thought an extension to October 1st would be sufficient. It was agreed to authorize the Chairman to discuss this matter with the Town Counsel and Superin- tendent of rublic Works . Action on the proposed location of nine poles on Robinson Road was held over until the next meeting of the Board. Letter from 'enry C. Littlejohn and Frank D. Lewis, with reference to the Town's radio communication system, was held over from the last meeting of the Board. The Chairman said that the speakers have been tested and are all right. 14hether they are an extra or should have been standard equipment at the beginning has not Radio been decided yet. He asked if it would be agreeable to System approve the suggestions if it develops that the present contract, with the two speakers which have been furnished, are not adequate and also to have Mr. Stevens modify the contract to include the third mobile unit. He explained that this will not mean that the Town will pay more, but would bring all the units within the guarantee and specifications of the contract. The members of the Board had no objection. Rummage Letter was received from Mrs . Louis Cizek on Sale behalf of the Pre-School P. T.A. for permission to con- duct a Rummage Sale at the Barnes property on October 21st. The BOard had no objection provided the property will be available at the time. 197 The Chairman read a letter from Ralph E. Chadwick, Sealer of Weights and measures, relative to the pur- chase of a 50 gallon test tank to properly serve the fuel truck owners in Lexington. At the present time he borrows a test tank from the Town of Uatertown. A quotation Weights & of $1,195.00 was enclosed with the letter. Measures Mr. Hoyt moved that Mr. Chadwick to advised that Test Tank there are no funds available for any such expenditure and suggest that he incorporate it as a Capital Outlay item when making up his 1951 budget. Mr. Gay seconded the motion and it was so voted. A bond in the penal sum of %1,000 wPs received on behalf of John C. Russell as Constable in the Town of Bond ;,exington. Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to approve the bond as submitted. Application was received from Philip Welch, Supt. of Public Works in Reading, relative to the position of Application Superintendent of Public works in Lexington. Supt. rubli Application was also received from James J. Leahy, Works 106 Blake Road, Lexington, on the same subject. The Clerk was instructed to place both applications on file until some future meeting. Application was received from Challis Wilson, 6 Woodlawn Avenue, Waltham, relative to the position of Town Acct. Town Accountant. The Clerk was instructed to place this on file until some future meeting. Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to grant the following licenses : Licenses Lexington Theatre, 1794 Mass . Avenue Sun. Movies Countryside Assoc. Lowell Street " Golf A discussion was held on the applications for Sunday Sunday Sales Licenses submitted by John F . O' Connor, Five Forks Sales and Kieran J. Lowry, 286 Lincoln Street. Licenses Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted that the Sunday Sales Licenses be granted until 9 :30 P. M. providing it is legal to do so. The Chairman wished to be recorded as not voting on the subject and agreed to contact Town Counsel before the licenses are mailed out. The Clerk informed the Board that Mr. Ralph Nason would like permission to store some microfilm in the Town Storage Office vault. of Mr. Driscoll moved that the request be granted. Mr. film Gay seconded the motion and it was so voted. 198 The Clerk informed the Board that the American ' Legion would like permission to conduct an installation Use of rehearsal in Cary Hall on Friday evening, September 8th, Hall from 8:00 P. M. until 9:00 P. M. Mr. Hoyt moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Gay seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Daniel Curtin's application for a Second Class Agent 's License was held over. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 P M. A true record, Attest: e , ectnen.