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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1950-03-13-min 573 SELECTMEN'S MFFTING March 13, 1950 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening, March 13, 1950 at 7 :00 P. M. Chairman Emery, Messrs. Gay, Driscoll, Nickerson and Hoyt were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. DeFoe, Supt of Public Works, met with the Board and discussed a request received from William R. Reid to have street lights installed on Rangeway Road. He presented a sketch to the Board showing both the existing and pro- Street posed lights, and recommended three additional lights. Lights Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to authorize the Superintendent of Public Corks to make the necessary arrangements to have three additional street lights installed in Rangeway Road. Further consideration was given to Mr. Tobiason' s request for a street light on North Street. Mr. DeFoe presented a sketch of the lighting and recommended that the request be granted. Street Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, Lights it was voted to authorize the Superintendent of Public Works to make the necessary arrangements to have one additional street light installed on North Street as re- quested by Mr. Tobiason. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, met with the Board at 7:35 P. M. Mr. DeFoe gave each member of the Board a detailed financial summary relative to the funds necessary to complete sewer Contract B. Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that he has had some trouble with the boiler in Cary Memorial Building. This Cary Bldg. particular boiler has been welded, but is apparently boiler swelling. A representative from the American Radiator Com- pany suggested that fronts be put in the boiler and that the first two sections be taken down to determine the extent of the rust. If they are not rusted too badly, he felt that they can be cleaned and with the now boiler fronts it will last for three or four years. Another proposition is to take all the sections out, clean them and then put them back. The cost for the first method will be approximately $1135 and the cost for the second method will be approximately $2535. Mr. DeFoe said that a new boiler, dismantling the old one and taking it out, would cost $6586. He said that he thought the money should be appropriated with the idea that it may be necessary to obtain a new boiler. He stated that he would not recommend taking all the fronts out and spending that much money on an old boiler. 574 :� sli The Chairman asked Mr. DeFoe how much the budget II should be increased and he replied that he would re- commend $6500 with the understanding that if it is not sufficient, it will be necessary to ask for a Route transfer. 128 Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Gay, \ it was voted to increase the 1960 budget for the Town Offices and Cary Memorial Building in the amount of $6500. Mr. DeFoe retired at 800 P. M. A letter was received from the State, together with a set of blue prints relative to Route 128, and its affect on tax title property. The complete data was taken by Mr. Stevens. At 8:00 P. M. Mr. Leonard Collins, 141 Spring Street, met with the Board, at the Board 's invitation, to discuss his bid for the collection of garbage in the Town of Lexington. The Chairman asked if Mr. Collins had the equipment which he felt he would need or if he would have to purchase some more. Mr. Collins replied that he would have the equip- ment on short notice - two new GMC. trucks. The Chairman asked if he thought two trucks would IIbe enough to do the job and Mr. Collins replied in the Garbage affirmative. Bids The Chairman asked if he had any experience in municipal garbage collection and he replied that he now collects in Arlington and Somerville. He said that he is under contract with restaurant and hotel owners. The Chairman asked if he intended his bid to be for one year or for three years and Mr. Collins replied that he thought the contract ran from year to year. The Chairman asked if Mr. Collins was a veteran and he replied in the affirmative. He said that he was employed by Swenson before he went into the service and when he came back he went into business for himself. The Chairman asked how long he was in the service and he replied that he was in three years . Mr. Collins retired at 8:00 P. M. Mr. William Callahan, Wilson Road, Bedford, met with the Board, at the Board ' s invitation, to discuss his bid for the collection of garbage. The Chairman asked if he intended his bid to be for one, two or three years and Mr. Callahan replied that the price he quoted was for one year but he was thinking of three years. IIThe Chairman asked if it would be agreeable if the Board chose to award it for one, two or three years and Mr. Callahan replied in the affirmative. i 1 L._ 575 The Chairman inquired as to what equipment he has and Mr. Callahan replied that he has a late 1946 Chevrolet two- ton truck, The Chairman asked if he intended to collect with only one truck and Mr. Callahan replied that if he is awarded the contract he will purchase a heavy duty truck. The Chairman asked what experience he has had and Mr. Callahan replied that he has been hauling from Cambridge for sixteen years. The Chairman asked if he were under contract and he replied that he has a subcontract. The Chairman asked if he were familiar with the number of houses in Lexington and he replied that he had some idea, and thought there are about 4,000. He said that he did live in Lexington some years ago and was born in Lexington. Mr. Hoyt asked if he could cover the entire town, tvo collections a week with two trucks and Mr. Callahan said that he believed he could with the right men. He said that his two brothers would work with him. Mr. Hoyt asked what else he would do in the course of a week besides collecting the garbage and Mr. Callahan said that he figured it would take the entire week to collect twice from every house. The Chairman asked if he had any references and he II referred the Board to Mr. Kelley in Bedford and Mr. Paxton, Mr. Driscoll asked if he owned his own farm and he replied that his father owns it. He said that the farm is sixty-eight acres and located in Bedford. The Chairman asked if he raised pigs and he replied that he had pigs at one time but lost them. The Chairman asked what he would do with the garbage and he replied that he could get pigs easy enough. Mr. Callahan retired at 8:20 P. M. Messrs. Edward and Thomas Connors met with the Board, at the Board 's invitation, to discuss their bid for the collection of garbage. The Chairman explained that for the first time in some years several bids had been received. The Board did not know three of the bidders and therefore decided to invite them all in. Edward Connor presented the Chairman with a statement of his costs . He said that the price of pork went up and he then cut his bid . He said that they do not sell the garbage but feed it and it is worth more when the price of pork is high and cuts down on the price of the contract. He also explained that they now have more men. Thomas Connor said that the town is growing rapidly and in order to give good service they have hired two men and also put another man on last June. Mr. Gay asked how many men and trucks they have and Thomas Connor replied that they have five men and two trucks covering the town twice a week, collecting every day,. ' 576 16160,1 n1 Edward Connor said that Lexington is sixteen square miles and that does not mean much to many people, but it is an area as large as Belmont, Arlington and Water- town put together. He also said that there are houses dotted on the furthermost corners of the Town. He said that there are not very many streets running parallel to esch other. Edward Connor said that he thought the collection in Lexington had been on contract for about twenty years and they originally had it. They were working their men ten hours a day and a law was put into effect where- by the men could work only eight hours. They checked at the State House and were advised to bid on an eight hour day which they did and lost the contract. When the successfullcontractor bid again he raised his price and lost the contract. Mr. Driscoll asked what the average number of com- plaints was and Eedward Connor replied that he believed there were between 200 and 250 year. Thomas Connor stated that he stops at the Town Offices every day and personally checks all complaints. Mr. Nickerson asked how long it would take a new collector to become efficient at the job and Thomas Connor said he thought it would take six months, possibly longer. Mr. Driscoll asked how many men they have on the farm and Edward Connor replied that they have fourteen. Mr. Driscoll asked him how many pigs they have and he replied about 1500. Thomas Connor said that in the event one of the regular men collecting were to be taken ill, they can always take a roan-from the farm and put him on collecting. They also have an extra truck which can be used. The Chairman wed how large the trucks are and Thomas Connor replied that they are one and one-half tons. The Connors retired at 8:35 Y. M. Mr. Holger G. Witman, 122 New Boston Street, Woburn, and his son met with the Board, at the Board 's invitation. The Chairman asked him what experience he has had in municipal garbage collection. Mr. Holger replied that he collected in Stoneham and gave the Chairman a letter from the Stoneham Badrd of Health stating that they were sorry to lose him inasmuch as he gave the fullest satisfaction in the performance of his duty and they were glad to recommend him. He also had a letter from one of the residents, addressed to the Board of Health, complimenting Mr. Holger on his work. He said that he had also collected for three years in Cambridge. He has been buying from Melrose and how boys from Winchester. The Chairman inquired as to the location of his farm and he stated that his farm is in Woburn. He said that he now has three GMC trucks; two 1947 two-ton and one 1946 ton and a half. L 577 The Chairman asked how many men he has and he replied that he has four at the present time. If he were awarded the Lexington contract he would hire four more and purchase another two-ton truck. He said that he pays his men well and they are good men. He has been in the business for six years. The Chairman asked how many pigs he has and he said that he has about 2500. Mr. Hoyt asked why he wanted the contract and he said that it will be cheaper feed than if has to buy the garbage. He said it will also be cleaner garbage to feed. The Witmans retired at 8:45 P. M. No decision was made as to the awarding of the contract. Messrs . Fred Newhall and Reid of the 19th of April Com- mittee and Chief Rycroft met with the Board. The Chairman explained that the Board would like to know where, on town property, stands were to be located on the 19th of April. Mr. Reid explained that concessions have been granted to local organizations for Emery Park, the triangle at Hancock and Bedford Streets, corner of Meriam Street, at the Buckman Tavern, the Barns property, and the field next to the High April School. The latter has to be cleared through the School 19th Committee. The Recreation has also given approval for one concession on the Center playground area. The Committee 's request for additional funds was also discussed and it wEs agreed to ask the Town Meeting for an additional appropriation of 4,000. Messrs. Newhall and Reid retired at 9:35 P. M. Chief Rycroft informed the Board that construction work on route 128 will start Monday morning and the Concord Tarp- pike has to be policed twenty-four hours a day. He explained that it may not be possible to use his regular men all the time and requested the appointment of five Special Police. Special He explained that three of the men he is recommending Police are members of the Fire Department, butthis has been cleared with Chief Cook. The duties of the Special Policd will be on traffic only and they will be paid by the contractor. Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was voted to appoint the following individuals as Special Police Officers in the Town of Lexington for a term expiring March 31, 1950: Edward E. McGrory Donald L. MacGillivray 46 Parker Street 33 Charles Street Edward G. Bunzell Dennis Fullerton 397 Bedford Street :: ::lis CourtFrancis J. McC 12 Cherry Street A 57S e" Chief Rycroft said that a Police School for twenty new men will start on March 20th. This is a five week ex- tensive training course in all fields of police work to be conducted by the Cambridge Police Department, but 90% of it is to be done by F.B.I. trained instructors. He said that he would like to send two of his men to take this course, but felt that they should receive money for their lunches and transportation. The classes begin at nine in the morning and are over at five in the evening, Police every day except Saturday when they close at noon. The School men will take notes all day and transcribe them as home- work. The Chief said that he thought $100 would take care of the expenses for the men but no provision has been made in his budget. He said that possibly he could absorb this in his present budget, but it may be necessary to ask for a transfer at the end of the year. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was unanimously voted to authorize the Chief of Police to select two officers as candidates for the Police School as outlined by him. The Chief retired at 9:45 P . M. Mr. W. H. McCullough's offer of $150 for lots 24,25, and 26, Block 73, Valley Road, was held over -rum the last meeting of the Board. Tax Title Mr. Nickerson moved that a proposal to sell the lots be adtised, in the Lexington Minute Man and that further consideration be given the offer at the next meeting of the Board. Mr. Hoyt seconded the motion, and it was no voted. Letter was received from the Arlington Board of Selectmen with reference to the proposed cancellation of Jaturday train service on the Lexington Branch, of the Boston and Maine Railroad. The Selectmen in Arlington unanimously voted to oppose the petition and have written to the DPU requesting to be recorded in oppostion. Letter was received from the Woburn Board of Health advising that a hearing would be held on March 15th at 8:00 P. M. relative to an application for the establishment I Proposed of a Hebrew Cemetery on a lot of land north of Lexington cemetery street. This particular land, in some places, comes up to the Lexington line. It was agreed that the Chairman should write a letter stating that the Selectmen of Lexington are opposed to the establishment of a cemetery at this particular location. Letter was received from the 19th of April Committee inviting the Board of Selectmen to march with the Chief Marshall's Staff on April 19, 1950. 579 Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to approve National Surety Corporation Bond #632130, C]'k's written on behalf of Hazel J. Murray as Clerk of the Board Bond of Selectmen. Petition was received signed by a number of residents in the Fern and Pleasant Street areas requesting favorable Bus action to adding a bus stop for the Lovell Bus Company at Stop or near the junction of Fern and Pleasant Streets . The Chairman agreed to write to the Lovell Bus Lines, Inc. Application was received from the Middlesex County Extension Service for permission to conduct a meeting in Cary Hall on Friday, March 31st from 10:00 A. M. until 4:00 P. M. 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 meeting adjourned at 10:45 P. M. A true record, Attest: J er , S e c r -n. 1