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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1951-11-05-min SELECTMEN'S MEETING November 5, 1951 A regular meeting of the Board of Select- men was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening, November 5, 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. Mr. Burns reported that he had received five bids for coal, the three low bidders sub- mitting quotations as follows : Snyder Fuel Corporation 412.45 Robert Fawcett & Son 12.93 Lexington Coal Company 13.14 He explained that the figures amount to about 4100 more from Fawcett and 450 plus from Lexington Coal Company for the same quality coal. He said that he would like to check with Snyder to find out whether or not they will keep the Town supplied without it being necessary to call. Mr. Emery asked about the quantity of Coal coal being discussed and Mr. Burns replied Bids 1200 tons. The Chairman asked if the Board wanted Mr. Burns to check the service rendered by Snyder as compared with the other bidders and if he is convinced that the service and coal is the same, to award the bid to the low bidder, otherwise bring the subject up again next week. Mr. Emery expressed the opinion that for the sake of protection it might be well to have two supplies. Mr. Burns agreed to obtain further inform- ation and report to the Board next week. Early morning street lighting was con- sidered and upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded Early by Mr. Gay, it was voted to authorize Mr. Burns Morning to make the necessary arrangements to have the Lighting lights turned on one-half hour before sunrise, but not earlier than 6:Q0 A.M. Letters were received from the Arlington Gas Light Company requesting approval of pro- posed location of steel gas mains in Vine and Gas Main Cedar Streets for the purpose of supplying gas Locations service to new homes. Mr. Burns reported that he went over the proposed location and would like to have them located as far off the pave- ment as possible. CC TO Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the following proposed steel gas main locations : Cedar Street 110' of 6" Vine Street 750' of 2" Petition, three copies of an Order and Pole plan were received from the Boston Edison Locations Company and the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company for joint or identical pole locations on Concord Avenue, approximately 175 feet southeast of Benjamin Road, and southeasterly from a point approximately 20 feet southeast of Field Road. Mr. Burns informed the Board that he would like to obtain more information about the pro- posed locations before making any recommendation. Action.pas, therefore, held over for one week. The Chairman read a letter from Emile Saulnier, 42 Silk Street, Arlington requesting the extension of a sewer main to service a house which he intends to build on Lot A, Burlington Street. Upon motion of Mr. finery, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to advise Mr. Saulnier that his request would be placed on file for consideration at some future time. Mr. Stevens letter of October 19, 1951 re Ernest B. Johnson, Jr. vs Board of Selectmen was held over from previous meetings. The Chairman reported that he and Mr. Emery had viewed the property and it is their opinion that before Route 128 was constructed, the Lots were of some value and should have stood a betterment assessment but as Route 128 goes across, they do not merit a betterment assessment now. They felt that Mr. Johnson should have collected from the State, but he didn' t. Johnson Mr. Enery said that he would not be in Claim favor of this on its merits unless Town Counsel has other reasons for favoring it. When Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting he explained that he wrote his letter based on the fact that the land was not buildable. He asked if the Board felt that the land on which an abatement had been granted was different then the land in question and the Chairman replied in the affirmative. Mr. Stevens said that the State would testify that it was not buildable when they looked at it and further said that it is not a good case to try. 39 It was agreed that Mr. Stevens should try to arrange a conference with Johnson, his attorney, Mr. Burns and Mr. &eery to re- open negotiations. Messrs. Burns and Stevens retired at 7:55 P.M. Chief Rycroft met with the Board. The Chairman read a letter from the Chief registering a complaint against Officer Dooley for neglect of duty. Chief Rycroft informed the Board that a call had been received at 5:20. P.M. that a women had been struck at a crossing in the center and received a broken arm. The Officer had left the crossing before 5:30 P.M. and should have been there until that time. He said that it was a bad night and raining at the time, and it is not known what caused the accident, but if the Officer had been on duty the accident may not have occurred. Mr. Gay inquired as to where the Officer went and the Chief replied that he did not know. The Chairman said that this is the first time since he has been on the Board that there has been any question of disciplinary action. The Chief stated that he has always taken care of such incidents himself, but that he had warned his men what would happen. Mr. Emery inquired as to whether or not Town Counsel should be present and Mr. Gay asked how long the Officer has been on the Felice force. The Chief replied that he has been Officer in the Department about two years. Charge Mr. Driscoll said that in view of the criticisms about the young Police Officers, the Board should see that this is clarified and the necessary punishment given. The Chief explained that this is the Officer's first offense, that he was recently married and he would not want to see him hurt financially. He therefore recommended that he lose three days off within a period of two months. Mr. Gay asked if the proposal would be better than extra duty and the Chief replied in the affirmative stating that he will have to go fourteen days before he has a day off. 1 In this way he will not be affected financially. Be said that the fact the incident has been brought to the Board 's attention will have some affect on the other men and that whatever action the Board takes will be all right as far as he is concerned. 40 cc z. go Mr. Hoyt moved in favor of the Chief's recommendation but Mr. Emery said that he would prefer to discuss the subject further and Mr. Hoyt withdrew his motion. The Chief said he thought the Officer should be notified and have a hearing before Police the Board. Re said that all he can do is to Officer write the Board. Charge Mr. Emery said that he is in favor of supporting the Chief, but he would like to think about the matter before making a decision. Mr. Stevens returned to the meeting at 8:05 P.M. and the Chairman explained the situation to him. He said that he could not make any definite statement but would look into it and advise the Board as to the correct procedure. Certifications on the Board' s requisition for two permanent Police Lieutenants and two permanent Police Sergeants were received from Sergeant & the Division of Civil Service. Lieutenant Mr. Emery raised the question as to whether Appointments or not appointing one Officer first would give him seniority and the Chief was requested to obtain the answer from Civil Service. The appointments, therfore, were held over for another week. The Chairman referred to the position of Sergeant and asked if the Chief had any re- commendation. He replied that he has not changed his opinion in regard to the top man. He said that the Officer is having marital trouble and is in arrears on his alimony payments. Ho would like to be able to recommend him for promotion because he needs the additional money, but when there was extra duty work on the highway con- struction he refused to take it. He said that he is not a good leader of men and does not have any initiative. The Chairman recalled, with reference to a previous Sergeant examination, that the Chief had made the statement that if this particular Officer was top man again that he supposed he would have to be recognized. He asked iC', in vie* of this, the Chief recommended not appointing him. The Chief admitted the statement but said that he has not changed his mind as to his qualifications. Chief Rycroft retired at 8:15 P.M. Messrs. Burns, Baskin and Comeau met with the Board. 4[1. Mr. Baskin presented a sketch and ex- ' plained what he proposes to do sometime with his land from Williams Road to Route 128. Mr. Burns referred to the town drainage problem and explained that he had talked to Mr. Baskin about going down Williams Road, turning down Gleason and piping a portion of the drain until something was done, and it would run as an open ditch down to where it will dump off•. He said the only question that arose was that Baskin wanted some consideration for future drainage if and when he builds the road and some contribution to take care of drainage in Blake Road. The Chairman asked if he was requesting two considerations and Mr. Burns replied in the affirmative. Mr. Baskin said he thought that some of this land should be deeded to the Town for drainage purposes and then there will always be a place to dump the water that no one can question. The Chairman asked Mr. Baskin to explain what he meant by a contribution and Mr. Baskin replied one-half. The Chairman asked about the other end and Mr. Baskin said that should be the Town's problem, because the water has to be dumped somewhere. He said that he spent $2146 to build Williams Road and it is all washed away now. He said at one time the Chairman of Baskin re; the Board told him there were .no funds available drainage and asked him to let the matter go for thi time being. Since then there has been a sewer betterment levied against the property in the amount of $1550, and it was verbally promised to be withheld, He said that the low land does not mean much to him but it is assessed for $1,000 and he will deed it to the Town. .Mr. Burns said that he is in a position now of having to get the water out of Gleason Road and asked if he could have it run into Baskin's field and Mr. Baskin replied in the affirmative, for the time being. Be said that he can't afford to develop the area at present and doesn't know when he will but suggested that the Board be prepared in the event he changes his mind. The Chairman explained that there are so many items to be considered in the 1952 budget that the Board would welcome anything that can be deferred for another year. Mr. Baskin said that he may do Williams Road in the Spring but the rest of -the development won't be done for possibly two years. 42 Mr. Burns asked if he would give tkte• Town an easement on Williams Road and Gleason Road to allow the water to spill on his land where- ever he may designate and Mr. Baskin replied that he would give an easement to do anything Mr. Burns wants and further that he can dump the water any place he wants. Mr. Emery asked if he meant a written easement and Mr. Baskin said that he would give the Board whatever it needed. The Chairman then referred to the East Street claim and Mr: Baskin said that there was a piece of land, formerly owned by Porter Bros. & Wilson taken for the school building which was supposed to have been sold back to him. The Chairman explained that the Board, on as good advice as it could obtain, asked Town Meeting last March for *3,000 to take care of the damages on East Street, and believed this sum was sufficient. however, it now appears not to be enough because the people want more money than is available. He said that if the item .of a piece of land is something that the Board can do to help him build out a lot, he thought everyone on the Board would be willing to look into it to see Baskin re; if there has been some breach of promise. East Street Mr. Baskin said at the time there were Claims eleven acres, more or less, and a small piece was to go to him. Mr. Emery said that he recalled some such discussion and if it was not followed through it was because of an oversight, and there was no intention of avoiding an agreement. Mr. Baskin said that he thought his price on East Street was reasonable and when his attorney advised him that the Board thought it was high he told him to double the figure. He did say, however, that he did not want to go to court. The Chairman asked if Mr. Baskin would give the matter of East Street some further thought and then get in touch with the Board. He replied in the affirmative and said that he thought he• and the Board could reach an agreement. He retired at 9:00 P.M. Mr. Worthen's letter, dated October 16, 1951 with reference to the condition of the inscription on the ancient monument at the Common was held over from previous meetings. 48 The Chairman reported that it will be ' quite expensive to make satisfactory repairs. Ancient The possibility of requesting a transfer was Monument discussed and it was finally agreed to include Repairs an item in the 1952 budget. Letter, together with a photostatic copy of the sewerage bill, Chapter 757 of the Acts of 1951, was received from Town Counsel. Letter was received from the Chamber of Commerce requesting the Board to eliminate Parking enforcement of parking meters after 6:00 P.M. Meters on Friday nights during the month of December. Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to grant the request. Letter was received from the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission advising that an appeal has been received from William E. and John James Phillips. The .Board gave further .consideration to Mr. Paul A. Hoyt's offer of $500 for Lot 5, Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington. A proposal to sell this lot was advertised in the November Tax Title II1, 1951 issue of the Lexington Minute-Man. No Property persons contacted the Selectmen's Office as a result of the advertisement. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Emery, it was voted to sell and convey Lot 5, Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington to Paul A.. Hoyt. The Board gave further consideration to Mr. A. J. Bachelder's offer of $500 for Lot 4, Massachusetts Avenue,, Lexington. A proposal Tax Title to sell this lot was advertised in the November Property 1, 1951 issue of the Lexington Minute-Man. No persons contacted the Selectmen's Office as a result of the advertisement. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Emery, it was voted to sell and convey Lot 4, Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington to A. J. Bachelder. Further consideration was given to Mr. Joseph J. Sheehan' s offer of $400 for Lots 243 Tax Title through 258 Asbury Street. Property Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to entertain an offer of $1,000. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to grant the Lexington License Theatre, Inc. Sunday Movie License. 44 OD Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the following uses of halls: Uses of Halls Richard F. Jackson Conference Room, 4-H meeting November 27, 1951 League of Women Voters Estabrook Hall, meeting January 7, 1952 Application was received from Brandeis University requesting the use of Cary Hall for a dance on December 14th. Letter was received from Dr. Harrington with reference to the Board's denial of a request received from the Belmont Hill School for permission to conduct n dranitic performance in Cary Hall. The Board was unanimously opposed to granting permission to .organizations outside of the Town for the use of Cary Building. Both requests were, therefore, denied . Report of the Police Department for the month of October was noted and placed on file. Request was received from the Lexington Paper Boy's Club for permission to conduct a Paper Drive Drive on Sunday, November 18th. Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to grant the request. Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to close the Town Off ice Building on Saturday, November 10th and Monday, November 12th, Armistice Day being Sunday. .The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M. The Chairman of the Bedford Board of Selectmen, five members of the Bedford Sewer Commission, Bedford Town Counsel, two engineers, representixlg Thomas Worcester, Inc., Mr. Burns Sup't of Public Works and Mr. Stevens,, Town Counsel, met with the Board and discussed the matter of sewage disposal by the Town of Bedford. No definite conclusion was reached other than that the meeting will be held on Thursday of this week by all the interested parties in an endeavor to reach a conclusion. A true record, Attest: 1 k /