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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1950-04-10-min 17 SEI£CTMEN'S MEETING April 10, 1950 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Build- ing, on Monday evening, April 10, 1950, at 7 :00 P . M. Chairman Emery, Messrs. Gay, Nickerson, Driscoll and Hoyt were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. DeFoe, Supt. of Public Works , met with the Board and reported further, as requested by the Board on testing prices for cast from pipe. He reported that he had discussed this subject with Mr. Harold Toole, Inspection of the M.D.C. The Commission does have pipe tested, of Water particularly large orders . In addition to the prices Pipe submitted last week, he stated that he had received a price of 4per foot for over-sized pipe. He explained that the Warren Pipe Company would have no objection if the Selectmen decided to employ en inspector and it would in no way affect the warranty. Mr. Hoyt asked if Mr. DeFoe thought pipe should be inspected and he replied that it would be an extra pre- caution and the amount of money involved so small that it might be advisable to take advantage of an inspection service . IllsMr. Harold E. Stevens, Town Counsel, met with the Board at 7:25 P. M. Mr. Hoyt asked if Mr. DeFoe recommended the pro- posed inspection and he replied in the affirmative. Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to adopt the policy of having all water pipe inspected; the responsibility as to who is to be engaged to be left to the discretion of the Supt. of Public Works . Mr. DeFoe submitted quotations received for the purchase of copper tubing for water services . Copper The Selectmen authorized Mr . DeFoe to purchase Tubing 3/4" and 1" copper tubing for water services in an amount up to 10,000 feet, from the Red Hed Manfactur- ing Company at prices submitted by Mr. DeFoe . The Chairman read a letter from A . Clifford Request Fletcher requesting the installation of a water main for water in Blossomcrest Road. It was agreed that the Supt. installation of Public Works should prepare betterment assessment sheets for signatures . Mr. DeFoe and Mr. Stevens retired at 7:55 P. M. (returned to the meeting later ) . 1s Mr. Frank H. Walker, Town Accountant, met with the Board andresented p each member of the Public Board with a report prepared by him with reference Works to the operation of the Public Works Department Deptt. (clerical ) . It was agreed to have Mr. Walker and Mr. DeFoe meet with the Board of Monday evening, April 24th, at 7:30 P. M. Mr. Walker retired at 8:00 P. M. Mrs . Morey, Chairman, and the following members of the School Committee met with the Board : Messrd . Davis, Wadsworth and Slade. Mr. Grindle and Messrs. Adams and Ripley of the Planning Board were also present. Mrs. Morey stated that the town is going to have another elementary school and presented a map showing the existing schools and proposed locations. She said that unless the property is purchased fairly soon, the Town will have Elementary to pay more money for it. She stated that School the School Committee knows where the schools Sites are needed, the Planning Board knows what land is available and the Selectmen purchase it. She said that the School Committee would like to go to the Special Town Meeting in May and requestIII S an appropriation so that specifications can be obtained. The Chairman asked when a new school should be ready according to the `studies made and Mrs. Morey replied that the Committee plans to fix seven rooms in the existing schools and hold off to see whether a wing will be built on the Franklin School or another elementary school built. She stated that if one of the larger developments actually begins, it might be better to build another school. Mrs. Morey said that it does not seem nec- essary to have a School Sites Committee. The Chairman said that he thought it would be more orderly to have a Sites Committee appointed and it was finally agreed by all present that there should be an Elementary School Sites Committee appointed, authorized by Town Meeting, consisting of two members of the School Committee, two members of the Planning Board and two members of the Board of Selectmen; said Committee to report with specific recommenda- tions and options to the next 'down Meeting. Messrs. Adams and Ripley retired at 8:35 P. M. 19 Mr. Converse Hill met 'with the Board relative to questions raised by the School Committee with refer- ence to insurance. Mrs. Morey informed Mr. Hill that the amount of insurance otit he Fiske school seemed to be out of line. Insurance Mr. Hill explained that the letter, dated last February to which Mrs. Morey referred, only listed the schools for depreciation. Me stated that when the Company speaks about the insurable value on the buildings, it means replacement costs less depreciation, and that all the buildings are appraised by the National Appraisal Company. The subject was discussed at length and Mr. Hill agreed to write a letter, requested by Mr. Davis, to the effect that the schools are adequately protected. It was agreed by the School Committee and tie Selectmen to review the coverage some time about the first of October. The group retired at 9:00 P. M. Mr. Robert T. Person and Dr. Howard Foley of the Recreation Committee, Mr. Aiden L. Ripley of the Planning Board and thirteen other persons, including Messrs . Currier, Greeley, Lyon, Manley and Hood, met with the Board. Future 101 Building Mr. Currier stated that the group desired to Suggestions enlist the Board ' s aid in establishing a policy which will give the Town, buildings to conform with its history. He said that he thought there was a responsibility to keep the Town essentially Colonial or at least have a Colonial appearance . Mr. Ripley explained that in the Town of Wellesley an Art Commission has been created. He talked to the Chairman of that Commission over the telephone and was advised that such an arrangement had worked out very satisfactorily. Mr. Greeley stated that he thought a Commission might have a definite interest in the control of archi- tecture, but that it would be a difficult thing to handle. He thought Mr. Currier had an idea which should be pursued to some conclusion, but it would be very difficult to use force. He said that the idea was good but he thought very careful thought should be given relative to designating any such powers, but that it might be safe to have a com- mittee with powers of persuasion. Mr. Person inquired £ . to wit i.ier or not the group present had requested the meeting because of the pro- posed toilet facilities building for the Center Play- ground and Mr. Currier replied in the negatite and said that this wes not a new idea. He has in the past discussed it with both Mr. Ripley and Mr. Lyon. He 20an said that he was not criticizing any past action, but wanted to establish a policy that will help the Town in planning. Mr. Ripley explained that the subject had been discussed at a meeting of the Planning Board and the Board approved the idea in general. The subject was discussed at length and it was finally agreed to have a Committee appointed, under Article 2, at the Special Town Meeting. The group with the exception of Messrs . Person, Foley and Stevens, retired at 9:55 P. M. Mr. Person informed the Board that the Recreation Committee would like to have an article inserted in the warrant for the Special Approve Town Meeting to provide additional funds in the Plans event the bids for the proposed toilet facilities for Bldg. exceed 08,500. Center Playground The Chairman polled the Board and it was agreed to endorse the plans for the toilet facilites at the Center Playground as submitted by the Recreation Committee. It was further agreed that the building should be wired for electric lights. Messrs . Person and Foley retired at 10:10 P. M. Mr. William F. Bench, of the Registry of Motor Vehicles, met with the Board, He said that the State proposes to speed zone Route 2 beginning at Alewife Brook Parkway and continuing to the Action Speed line, for 45 miles per hour. He stated that he had checked with Zone- Chief Rycroft and also the State Police and they Traffic are in favor. He explained that the Registry would have to have the approval of the Board of Selectmen and the Chief of Police. Mr. Hoyt moved that the Board of Selectmen approve the proposed 45 miles-per-hour speed zone on Route 2. Mr. Nickerson seconded the motion and it was so voted. Messrs . Bench and Stevens retired at 10:30 P. M. The Chairman read a letter from A. Clifford Fletcher, 46 Blossomcrest Road, stating that he would like to build a house on Lots 90 and 91, Request for Wachusett Drive . He asked to have the water water on pipe installed across the front of these two Wachusett lots and stated that he is prepared to pay the Drive betterment on his side of the street. If this cannot be done, Mr. Fletcher asked for permission to run a water line from the house he intends to build to either of the dead-ends . The Board had no objection to Mr. Fletcherts suggestion providing it meets with the approval of Mr. DeFoe and Mr. Burns. 21 The Chairman read a letter from Gordon E. Eaton, 9 Galvin Street, together with petition signed by residents in the Sunnyfield area , requesting an ex- tension of the sewerage system to serve property on Bedford, Bernard, Ivan and Calvin Streets . The Chairman was authorized to advise Mr. Sunnyfield Eaton that the Board would be pleased to discuss Sewer the matter, but that it must be recognized that there is neither the time nor the money to do this work in 1950. Mr. Gay, at the Chairman' s request, took over the meeting • Letter was received from Richard H. Martin requesting permission to use town property ad- Town land jacent to his veteran lot #18 for a garden. for garden LIr. Nickerson moved that the request be granted, subject to the approval of the Town Counsel . Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from Mr. William E. Lyon requesting the installation of parking meters in front of his business establishment et 55 Waltham Street . Parking Mr. Emery was authorized to ask Mr. Lyon if Meters . he would be willing to let the matter rest for a while and see how the situation develops. The Board felt that possibly other adjustments may have to be made after the meters have been in operation. for a while. Letter was received from Mr. J. E. McAuliffe, Supt. of the Lexington Post Office, asking the Board to consider limiting parking to 5 or 10 minutes in front and one the side of the Post Office. Mr. Emery was authorized to acknowledge the letter and ask Ir. McAuliffe to try the meters out as scheduled for a while and see how they work, but that the Board would co-operate as much as possible . Certificate of Incorporation was received on behalf of Charles G. Esterberg, Jr. , 263 Lincoln Cert. of Street. Satisfactory character reference was received Incorp. from the Chief of Police . Mr. Nickerson moved that the application be approved and signed. Mr. Hoyt seconded the motion, and it was s4 voted. 22 Letter was received from Wallace E. Foskett, 98 Orchard Street, Somerville, advising that he would accept the Board's price of 1275. for Lot 42 Hillcrest Street. He further stated Tax Title that he would also like to purchase Lot 43 Hillcrest Street at the same price. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted that the offer be advertised in the Lexington Minute-Man and further consider- ation given to the subject at the next meeting. Letter was received from Mrs. R. C. Cushman, Ambulance 11 Chase Avenue, requesting an abatement of the Bill ambulance bill in the amount of $12. The Clerk Abated reported that she had been advised by the Depart- ment of Public Welfare that Mr. Cushman and his son are both unemployed. The daughter is at- tending school on a scholarship. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr . Hoyt, it was voted to abate the ambulance bill. Application was received from the Lex- ington Taxpayers ' Association requesting the use Use of of Estabrook Hall on the evening of May 3rd for Hall a meeting. Mr. Hoyt moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was voted to grant the renewal of the following licenses : Licenses John W. Leary 45 Waltham St. Public Carriage (Renewal ) Michael O'Gara 1722 Mass . Ave. " Lex. Bowladrome 1698 Mass. Ave. Sunday Bowling If Man-A-Minnit Golf Concord Ave. If Sales George E. Wardrobe 807 Mass. Ave. " " Durand' s Chocolate Mass. Ave. It Geo. R. Reed 1721 Mass. Ave. Kenneth Blodgett 269 Bedford Street " " If Marcia Dane 1700 Mass . Ave. Intelligence " Lex. Bowladrome 1698 Mass. Ave. Bowling Alleys Salvation Army 87 Vernon St. Boston-Junk Collector " Theron H. Gough 451 Concord Ave. Peddler " Lexington Theatre Mass. Ave. Sunday Movies Countryside Associates Lowell St. " Golf 23 Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to appoint the following individuals Special (recommended by the Chief of Police) as Special Police Police Officers for a term expiring March 31, 1951: Bartho79new T. Clancy Robert E. Walton John E. Rowe Joseph P. Marshall Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to sign a contract, approved Two-way by Town Counsel, between the Town of Lexington and Radio Link Radio Corporation for the purchase and install- ation of a two-way radio system. Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Nick- Water erson, it was voted to sign the following Water Orders: Orders Winston Road, Cutler Farm Road, Marlboro Road and Grassland Street. (Exact copy of order in Selectmen's Files "Water Orders", 1950) . Sealed bid was received from Connors Bros . , dated April 10, 1950, for the collection of garbage for a Garbage period of one year in the amount of $10,800. Bid Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was voted to award the contract to Connors Bros. for one year at their bid of x¢10,800. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Driscoll it was voted to make the following appoint- ments for terms of one year: Public WelfareBorrd Edmund J. Costello Fence Viewer H. Webster Thomas Town Manager Committee William H. Ballard Appointments Henry Brask Donald D. Hathaway 1,lichael J. Hopkins Errol H. Locke The Clerk called the Bo-rd 's attention to the fact that the perambulation of the Town 's bounds should be done this year, and in the past the Board has appointed the Town Engineer and the Clerk to the Board of Assessors as substitutes for the Selectmen. Mr. Nickerson moved that Mr. DeFoe and Mr. Burns be requested to act as substitutes for the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Emery seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The meeting adjourned at 11 :45 P. M. �Y ec> . e S t en.