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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1951-11-13-min 45 SELECTMEN'S MEETING November 13, 1951 L regular meeting of the Board of Select- men was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Tuesday evening, November 13, 1951 at 7:00 P:M. Chairman Nickerson, Messrs. Emery, Gay, Driscoll and Hoyt were present. Mr. Burns, Supt of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present. The meeting was held on Tuesday due to the fact that Monday was a legal holiday. Mr. Burns brought up the subject of coal bids and reported that the situation is the same as last week. Snyder will deliver at the convenience of the Town. Mr. Driscoll inquired as to how much money was involved, between the bids, in a season and Mr. Barns replied $150. Mr. Emery asked if Snyder's bid was good for all or any part and Mr. Burns replied that the tonnage given was the only basis. Mr. Emery mentioned that the Board has always tried to protect the local bidders, but if the Board keeps on indefinitely disregarding the low bidder, it may be that there will be no Coal bids, and asked how the Board felt about split- Bids ting the bid. Mr. Driscoll was agreeable but Mr. Hoyt said that if Lexington Coal Company were second, he would be inclined to give the business to them because the business is in Town, but under the circumstances he would be inclined to give the entire business to Snyder. The Chairman said that if the bids are all on one type of coal, the Board might just as well accept the low bid. Mr. Emery asked if there was any danger in having only one source of supply and the Chair- man replied in the negative. Mr. lbery suggested placing an order for 2/3 of the supply with Snyder and 1/3 with Fawcett. However, Mr. Hoyt moved that the contract be awarded to the Snyder Fuel Company. Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion, and it was unanimously voted. Petition was received from the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone Pole & Telegraph Company for permission to locate Locations poles on Concord Avenue, both locations having been approved by Mr. Burns. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Emery, it was voted to approve the following jointly-owned pole locations and sign the order: Lr r 46 c7 00 Concord Avenue - Two poles, south easterly from a point approximately 20 feet southeast of Field Road. Concord Avenue - One pole, south- easterly from a point approximately 175 feet southeast of Benjamin Road. Letter was received from John F. MacNeil, 117 Shade Street, stating that he wishes to be on record for having notified the Town of the hazardous conditions on Shade Street. The Chairman informed tie Board that he had a call from Mr. Burns last week and Mr. Burns told him that funds in his Water Services Account are very low. Be has $1,000 left and had requested $5,000. He asked whatsum the Board would ask the Appropriation Committee to transfer Transfer and Mr. Emery suggested $2500 and asked Mr. Burns if he could separate the hardship cases frost the speculative cases. Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to request the Appropriation Committee to transfer the sum of$2500 from the Reserve Fund to the Water Services Account. Mr. Burns said that he would like to have it recorded that he has requested $5,0Q0 but is willing to try with $2500. Letter was received from Tracey W. Ames expressing appreciation for additional fire insurance business. The Chairman referred to Mr. Converse Hill's visit with the Board two weeks ago and asked if the Board were ready to make some decision as to how the fire insurance is to be handled. Mr. Hoyt stated that he would be governed by the feeling of the insurance company and Mr. Driscoll was concerned because he felt the Insurance agents who now write their own policies would lose 5%. The Chairman explained that the object was not to take insurance away from any agent, but to relieve the Public Works Department of the problem of handling the policies. The subject was discussed at length and the Chairman suggested. having Mr. Hill advise the Board in writing just. how the change should be. made. The Board authorized the Chairman to111 solicit such a letter. 47 Letter was received from John A. Sharkey offering $25 each for Lots 22,35, and 46 Tax Title Hillcrest Street. Water betterment assessments Property on these lots total $328.65 and the- offer was rejected. Mr. Burns recommended construction of Hillcrest Street as a 1952 project and the Board suggested that it be included in the 1952 budget. Letters were received from the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission informing the Board that a hearing will be held on the appeal of Bryant, Phillips, Breslin, Connors A.B.C. and Viano at 10:00 A.M. Monday, November 19th. Hearings The letter, addressed to the Board requested that the members be present and all evidence which relates in any way to the appeals be presented. At 8:00 P.M. Messrs. Stanley and Alex Roketenetz met with the Board. The Chairman explained that Mr. Roketenetz, Sr. had called at his office and discussed conditions which make it necessary for him to request more money for garbage collection. His son also conferred with him and subsequently wrote a letter. He explained that they are dis- turbed about the fact that they are losing money on the contract and the Board is disturbed about the number of complaints Mr. Roketenetz stated that his problem is with labor and this is not the type of job to interest good help. He said that the amount of the contract limits the amount of money that can be paid to the help. They have been paying the men $45 a week. During the last two months it has been impossible to get help and during the summer they have not had six men employed con- tinuously. Since April, they have had about Garbage 35 different employees. The men all want more Collection money and at the present time are being paid $60 a week. He explained that it has cost $31 a month for advertising for labor and about $1200 a month for help. When they have not been able to hire men, they have taken men off the farm. He said that the trucks cost about $150 per month and insurance is about 135 per month. They also have bookkeeping, social security, supervision, advertising, buckets. He said that it is not his idea to try and build the cost up. L __ 48 Pp They have tried to give thorough collection but the labor problem is serious and there hasn't been enough garbage in Lexington to offset the difference. He said that many of the complaints are a result of new help. GaOrs�s The Chairman said that he had told Mr. Collection Roketenetz, Sr. that as far as the contract for the first year is concerned, there is nothing the Board can do inasmuch as the only way to obtain more money is to call a Special Town Meeting. He said that the Board would give their problem all due consideration. Mr. Roketenetz said that they will try to do the best they can this year, but would like, if possible, to have an increase for next year. Mr. Gay asked if $60 per week would hold his help and Mr. Rotetenetz replied that it is difficult to say as the labor shortage is acute. The Chairman asked them to give. the Town good service and said that the Board will be in touch with them after considering the matter. Mr. Roketenetz said that they will give as good service as possible. Messrs. Roketenetz and Burns retired at 8:35 P.M. Chief John W. Rycroft and Officer William G. Dooley met with the Board, at the Board's request, relative to a charge of neglect of duty preferred against Officer Dooley by Chief Rycroft. Following an informal hearing, the following action was taken by the Board. Voted: That Officer William G. Dooley be and hereby is found guilty of the charge of Neglect of Duty in that Dooley on Friday, November 2, 1951, after Neglect he had been duly assigned traff its of Duty duty at the pedestrian crossing on Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, known as the Theater Crossing, between the hours of 4:20 P.M. and 5:30 P.M. he left said crossing before 5:30 P.M. contrary to the orders issued by the Chief of Police. Voted : That Officer William G. Dooley perform ,g hours of punistm.Rt duty, the same to be performed at such times as may be designated by the Chief of Police. The Chief and Officer Dooley retired at 8:55 P.M. 49 Further• consideration was given to the appointment of two Sergeants to the Police Department. Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded Sergeants by Mr. Gay, it *as unanimously voted to Appointed appoint James F. Corr, Jr. and John A. Russell as Sergeants to the Lexington Police Department, effective December 1, 1951 at the rate of $70.42 per week. Further consideration was given to the appointment of two Lieutenants to the Police Department. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Eblery, it was unanimously voted to appoint _ Lieutenants Forest Knapp and George E. Smith as Lieutenants Appointed to the Lexington Police Department, effective December 1, 195L at the rate of $74.27 per week. The Chairman reported, for the records, that at a special meeting held last Thursday Police evening Chief Rycroft requested two full-time Dept. patrolmen, two lady police officers and a Personnel full-time stenographer. 111 Upon motion duly made and seconded it was voted to grant the following licenses : Lex. Theatre, Inc. 1794 Mass. Ave. Sun. Movies Lex. Liquor Mart, Inc. 1849 Mass. Ave. Package Licenses Goods Store (Approval of transfer from John J. Rudd to Lexington Liquor Mart, Inc. received from A.B.C. dated November 8, 1951). Establishment of fee for 1952 Package Goods Store License was held over from last meeting. Liquor Fee Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was unanimously voted to establish the fee for 1952 at $1500. Request was received from Charles Allen, j on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, request- ing permission to attach Christmas lights to the Edison poles and to broadcast Christmas carols. The Board had no objection providing the Boston Edison Company approved use of the Permit poles and providing only appropriate Christmas music is broadcast with no commercials. 1 50 Request was received from Mr. Donald D. Hathaway, on behalf of the Lexington Taxpayers' Use of Association, for permission to conduct a meeting Hall in CaryHall on December 4th from 8:00 P.M. until 10:00 .M. for the purpose of discussing proposed housing facilities in connection with expanding activity at Bedford Airport. Bids were received for printing the 1951 Annual Town Report as follows: Acme Printing Company Everett, Massachusetts 509 copies at $6.50 per page Bids 100 additional copies of the School Department and 100 additional copies of the Town Accountant reports at $1.00 per page. Somerville Printing Company Somerville, Massachusetts Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. F2nery, it was voted to accept the bid sub- mitted by Somerville Printing Company. The meeting adjourned at 10:35. P.M. , , lec en