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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1951-12-03-min 65 SELECTMEN'S MEETING December 3, 1951 L regular meeting of the Board of Select- men was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, December 3, 1951, at 7:00 P.M. Chairman Nickerson, Messrs. Emery, Gay, Driscoll and Hoyt were present. The Clerk was also present. Letter was received from Thornton S. Cody, 8 North Street, with reference to Street petition filed on October 3rd for street Light & lights and street signs. A suggested reply Street was submitted by Mr. Burns and approved by Signs the Board. The Chairman read .a letter from Charles F. Small, Attorney, representing the Pleasant Associates, with reference to property abutting Lowell Street, formerly owned by Deb homes, Inc. The Clerk was instructed to reter the communication to Town Counsel for reply. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee with reference to the Board's recom- mendation that a transfer in the amount of $406.43 II be made from the Reserve Fund to the Town Clerk- Treasurer Personal Services Account. The Com- mittee has agreed to make the transfer upon the Transfer condition that a letter is received from Town Counsel giving his Opinion that such a transfer is legally allowed and within the powers of the Committee to grant. (The letter was taken by Mr. Stevens on Tuesday, December 4, 1951. ) The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk, advising that it will be necessary to purchase forty-nine new Voting voting booths. Booths Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to include the necessary funds in the 1952 Elections Expenses - Juris- diction Selectmen budget. Letter was received from John A. Sharkey, offering 028.65 (amount of betterments ) for Tax Title Lots 22, 35, 36 and 46 on Hillcrest Street. Decision was held over for the next meeting of the Board. Certificate of Incorporation was received IIon behalf of Helen M. Farley at 288 Lowell Street, Helen G. Carrier, 295 Woburn Street Cert. of and Irving Currier, 295 Woburn Street. Incorp. Satisfactory character references were received from the Chief of Police. However, the Board preferred to check with Town Counsel before signing the application. 6-^ 66 CO The Clerk informed the Board that Mr. Errol H. Locke had inquired as to the possibility of abating an ambulance bill incurred by a Abatement resident of the Home for Aged. Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to abate the bill in the amount of *1240. Application was received from Rev. F. J. Murphy on behalf of the Sacred Heart Church, for permission to conduct a lecture in Cary Hall on Saturday, February 16, 1952, from 7:00 P.M. until midnight. Mr. Emery questioned .whether or not this would be a use permitted under the Cary Will Use of and a discussion followed. Hall Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to grant the use of the hall subject to a charge of 4035.00 on the assumption that the lecture is to be non- religious. Letters were received from the Alcoholic A.B.C. Beverages Control Commission advising that action re said Commission had voted on November 27, 1951, liquor to sustain the action of the Board in refusing applica- to grant a Package Goods Store license to tions. Warren T. Bryant, George W. and Warren F. Breslin, Alfred N. and Alfred L. Viano and William E. and John J. Phillips. Letter was received from the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission advising that after having given due consideration to all the circumstances in connection with Edward J. and Thomas F. Connors appeal, the appeal was sustained. The letter further stated that the Commission hereby transmits its order to grant to Edward J. and Thomas F. Connors a Package Goods Store license for the sale of alcoholic beverages in accordance with their application theref or, for premises located at 1700 Massachu- Connors setts Avenue, Lexington, on or before Tuesday, License December 4, 1951. Mr. Gay said that he would like to be consistent and reject it, thereby being con- sistent with the original vote. Mr. Emery said that he felt the same way and mentioned that no evidence was presented on the basic issue as to whether there are a reasonable number of places in town where the purchase of alcoholic beverages may be made. Mr. Hoyt said that he could see no reason for changing his mind. He said that the Board thought there was no justification thirty days ago and he can see no justification now. 61 The Chairman reminded the Board that the license will be granted anyway by the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. Mr. Driscoll said that he wished to be recorded as being in favor of granting the license and moved that the Board of Selectmen issue such license in compliance with the order of the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. Mr. Nickerson seconded the motion and upon a vote it was defeated by I two to three votes Mr. Phillip LaGrassa met with the Board relative to his application for a Public Carriage License. He said that he will operate the cab at the Logan Airport and is using Mr. Philip Gravallese's address because he now lives in Arlington but will live in Lexington after the first of the year. LaGrassa The Chairman asked where he would operate Public in Lexington and he replied that he is not Carriage going to run the cab in Lexington at all, but License will have to have a permit from the town in which he lives. He explained that the Logan Airport is owned by the State and anyone living in a suburban town may work out of the Airport. Mr. Emery asked if this would be estab- lishing a new taxi route and Mr. LaGrassa replied in the negative. He said that he will garage his car in Lexington and will have to have a permit from the town where the car is garaged. The Chairman said that the Board would consider the matter and then get in touch with Mr. LaGrassa. He retired at 8:05 P.M. Mr. Emery then moved that the license be granted providing Mr. LaGrassa is correct in his statements and the Chief of Police has no objection. Mr. Gay seconded the motion and it was so voted. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Emery, it was voted to grant a Package Goods License Store License to the Lexington Liquor Mart, Inc. for the year 1952. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to grant a Sunday Movies License License to the Lexington Theatre, Ino. Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to grant a ommon Victualler Sunday License and A Sunday Sales License to Jacob Sales Begelman, D.B.A. Town Line Pharmacy, 0 Inc 2 - 22 Massachusetts Avenue. 68 COU 09 The Chairman read Officer Mowat's report relative to his investigation of a complaint registered by Mra. Elizabeth M. Bauguss with Complaint reference to dogs owned and kept by Mr.. Eliot Saunders, 20 Adams Street. The Chairman was authorized to inform the complainant that an investigation has been made. The Chairman informed the. Board that a date should be set for closing the Warrant Warrant for the 1952 Annual Town Meeting. Fpon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to close the Warrant on January 7, 1952. Appointment of the Board of Assessors was discussed at length and upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was unanimously voted to make the following appointments: William I. Burnham, 1 year term expiring January 1,195e. Assessors Leland H. Emery, 2 year term expiring January 1,1954. Appointed Edward B. Cass, 3 year term expiring January 1,1955, The Chairman was authorized to contact Mr. Burnham and ask him if Mr. Cronin may meet with the Board of Selectmen to explain the records kept by the Assessors in regard to their asses- sing and meetings. The Chairman referred to the operation of a sand and gravel pit on North Street and said that it was considered advisable to have Doctor Shannon, his son Philip, in whose name the pit is officially recorded, and Rupert Stevens meet with Town Counsel and Chairman of the Board. He reported that such a meeting was held today at 4:00 P.M. and in addition to the above, Mr. Shannon's attorney was also present. Mr. Stevens asked about the ownership of the pit and Clarence P. Shannon admitted that he is the owner. Mr. Stevens brought up the Subject as to when the pit was acquired and Mr. Rupert Stevens Stevens said that he purchased it in 1928. and worked Gravel it before he took title to it. The two rit attorneys discussed the 1924 Zoning By-law and Mr. Stevens said that he and the gravel pit under discussion were the cause of the revision of the 1929 Zoning By-law. He told the Chair- man of the Planning Board at that time, Mr. Emery, that he intended to purchase the property and wanted to know if the Planning Board would permit him to take out gravel. 9 The Chairman of the Planning Board said that the Board would not be in favor and would try and stop it. Mr. Stevens served notice then and there that he was going to start operations the next day which he did. Mr. Rupert Stevens said that the Planning Board found that the 1924 Zoning By-law would not "hold water" and claimed that under these circumstances the Zoning By-law was rewritten in 1929. Mr. Harold Stevens asked the Shannon lawyer if it were not true that the Zoning law had been passed by the Town and approved by the Attorney General even though it made no reference to gravel pits being allowed. The Chairman reported that they kept in- sisting that they were going to operate care- fully and leave the pit in good condition, and asked why some compromise could not be made. The attorney said that his client has a profitable deal on the pit and thought he should be allowed to recoup his expenditures. At this time, 8:50 P.D ., Mr. William G. Potter, Chairman of Cemetery Commissioners, met with the Board. He explained that he is ready to meet with the Appropriation Committee with his 1952 budget and each year the Committee wants to know when the Cemetery Department is going to be moved to the Town Office Building. He stated that he had requested a meeting with the Board this evening to ask what relief the Board can give him in regards to locating in this building, because the Appropriation Com- mittee seems to think that it can be done. Transfer of The Chairman asked if the transfer could Cemetery be effected this year and Mr. Potter replied Work that he does not know what to do until there Discussed is a place available and as yet he has not approached the girl doing the work. He said that he has not gone into the matter to the extent as to whether or not she would be willing to come down to the Town Office or if there is a girl in the building who could do the work. Mr. Driscoll asked about the privacy of an office for the Department and Mr. Potter replied that there would have to be privacy as most of the people coming into the office are in a more or less state of distress and grief. r II The Chairman said that the facts would have to be faced and that there is no room in the Town Office Building. � C 70 Mr. Emery said that there is room in CC the Barnes Property, but he did not know whether or not it would be suitable. He said that the first floor of the ell is vacant. Mr. Potter said that the attitude of the Appropriation Committee towards the Clerk bothers him because she is doing all the work for $10.00 which is less than what is paid to girls in the building for a two-hour meeting, the records of which are done during the day. He admitted that the girl in the Cemetery Department does other work end writes insurance but stated that she is available from nine until five every day. Mr. Hoyt abked if it is a full-time job and Mr. Potter replied in the negative, but Said that she is available forty-four hours a week. Mr. Driscoll asked if the Commissioners were going to ask for more money for the Clerk and Mr. Potter replied in the affirmative. The Chairman asked if the Board wanted to tell Mr. Potter that, under the circumstances, there is no place for the Department in the Town Office Building and the Board probably Transfer of would not be in favor of bringing the office Cemetery down here and putting the Clerk on full time. Work Mr. Emery asked if she could help on the Discussed Veterans' work and the Chairman replied that the Board is contemplating having the Chief 's secretary handle that. Mr. Gay asked if Mr. Potter thought it would be worth while to remodel a section of the Barnes property and Mr. Potter replied that personally he does not believe in spend- ing any more money on, the Barnes building. The Chairman suggested that Mr. Potter find out whether or not the Clerk would come down to the Town Office Building and work for the Town. Mr. Emery suggested that he find out it she will come down and if so how much she will want for a salary. Mr. Hoyt suggested that Mr. Potter obtain a resume of the amount of work involved. Mr. Potter agreed and asked if the Board would be willing for him to inform the Approp- riation Committee that the Board can find no place here .at the present time. Mr. Emery said there is no place in this building and if the Barnes property is suitable is a question. Mr. Potter retired at 9:15 P.M. and the ' following members of the Appropriation Com- mittee met with the. Board: Chairman Bateman, Messrs. Cleveland, Donnelly, Sullivan, Smith, Tucker, James and Reed. The Chairman said that the Selectmen believe they can effect a five-day week throughout all the departments in town and are working their budget plans on that basis; They have started with the Police Department, continued with the Fire Department and have gone over the matter with Mr. Burns of the Public Works Department. He explained that the Boards ideas may stem from the Town Meet- ing vote last year when the Town voted a five- day week for the Police Department, but he thought, however, it has developed more since. He said that the Board will try to make a five-day week effective. The Police Department has given the Board a new scheduling and Chief Ryareft has asked for two additional men, one secretary to relieve a third man from office work, and two temporary lady police offiosrs for school crossings. The lady officiers would get $75.00 a month for nine or ten months a year and the secretary would go on at Senior Clerk pay. In that way, he showed the Board a schedule that would enable him to make effective a five-day week at approximately the cost of 3 1/2 patrolmen instead of the five the Town Meeting voted for him last year to make a five-day week. Appro. He explained that the Fire Department is Committee going to ask for additional men to cut the re hours hours down from 71 to 61. This will not give and wages them a five-day week, but will give a comparative cut down in hours. The Chairman said that the Public Works Department would pay its 'men the same weekly pay that is paid them now, but instead of working 48 hours, they would work 44 hours a week for five days. He explained that the Town Office Building would close down completely on Saturday. He stated that the Board has not gone into the Cemetery Department or the Park Department but the latter would follow along with the Public Works Department. He further stated that the Selectmen favor a coat-of-living increase of $2.00 a week across the Board. Mr. Bateman asked if the men would be paid the same for 44 hours as they have for 48 hours and still receive an increase. The Chairman referred to the Public Works Department and said that the idea is to eliminate all possible overtime. He said that there would be a very small percentage of overtime necessary and that would be on snow removal or a water main break. 72 Mr. Tucker inquired as to how many additional men would be necessary and the Chairman said that it would not involve any extra men. Mr. Tucker asked if the same amount of work would be done and the Chairman replied that Mr. Burns believes that he will be able to handle the work. He said that the Town has had more con- tractors working and if the Board follows Mr. Burns ' recommendation, it will continue to have work done by contractors. Mr. Tucker asked what brought up the sub- ject of shorter hours and the Chairman replied that it was the trend of times. Mr. Tucker questioned when the matter was brought up at Town Meeting and the Chairman said that closing the Town Offices would have to be voted on by Town Meeting. The Chairman asked if the Appropriation Committee had any comparisons of the surround- ing towns and Mr. Bateman replied in the negative. The Chairman explained that Lexington is the only 48 hour town around and the Board decided that the change from 48 to 40 hours is too much. Mr. Tucker asked if the Board proposed to close the Town Offices on Saturday mornings and Appro. the Chairman replied in the affirmative. Mr. Committee Tucker recommended that the office workers re hours begin at 8:30 and the Chairman said that they and wages are accustomed to working from nine until five. Be said that the Board of Selectmen is not try- ing to sell the Appropriation Committee anything, but is merely informing it as to what the Selectmen have in mind. He explained that the Board has given the subject serious consideration for about three months. Mr. James asked how the proposed program would affect the School Department and the Chairman replied that it would have rio effect at all as far as the hours are concerned. They will receive their step- rate increases and Mrs. Morey feels that she is in a good position competitively to obtain teachers. Mr. Smith asked if the teachers would receive a step-up increase and an additional increase and the Chairman said that Mrs. Morey did not react to the Board that she thought it was necessary. Mr. Tucker asked why, more lady police officers couldn't be hired and the Chairman explained that Mr. Emery and Mr. Driscoll have been studying the matter and the Chief has been co-operative. He said that the Town will have to have more police officers rather than fewer as it goes from 14,000 to 17,000 and adds 500 new houses this year. He explained that the budget was made up last year to include two additional officers to enable the use of two prowl cars on nights because the Town can't be covered by one prowl car with two men. 73 The group retired at 10:15 P.M., and the meeting adjourned. The Chairman informed the Clerk at a Special Meeting of the Board held on Saturday, December 1, 1951, it was unanimously voted to authorize- the Chief of Police to employ Mrs. Donald Manley as Clerk in his Department, effective immediately at the rate of 045.98, Senior Clerk pay. e , lectoen / 1