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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1951-10-15-min 17 SELECTMEN'S MEETING October 15, 1951 A regular meeting of the Board of Select- men was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, October 15, 1951, at 7:00 P.M. Chairman Nickerson, Messrs. eery, Gay, Driscoll and Hoyt were present.. Mr. Burns, Sup't of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present. Mr. Burns presented for consideration the installation of a water main in Spring Street from the Concord Turnpike going towards the Waltham Line and explained that the requests came in August 13th. He said up until the present time he has not been forced to install the main and make any commitment. He reported that to put the main down on the Turnpike he has to go along land owned by Miss Pilkington and would like- to put the dirt from the trench on to her land. The last time he talked to her she was very anxious to have the water installed in Spring Street. He explained to her that no request had ever been received from anyone who had actually purchased land there. Immediately after that conversation individuals who purchased parcels of land from her submitted requests for water. She still has =not refused permission to put the Spring St. trench dirt on her land, but may possibly Water Main make it contingent upon getting the water in Spring Street. Mr. Burns said that he has received the necessary permit from the State but has held Cali off until he talks with Miss Pilkington again. He said that the amount he is talking about is about 0,000 of which about $1,500 or 0,000 is assessable, and the money is available. He said that of all the requests submitted this year the only ones not done are Chase Avenue, about 200'; Hayes Lane, Ellison Road, which is the largest, Williams Road, Minter Street and Spring Street. Mr. Emery asked what would happen if the dirt were dumped on the land and said that he is not in favor of extending the main. Mr. Driscoll said that he does not know enough about it, but would agree with Mr. !Mary inasmuch as he has seen the area and knows the situation. Mr. Emery said that he would like to ask Town Counsel if the Board could vary the formula on water betterments the way it was varied on sewer betterments. V 18 co C..r When Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting the Chairman explained the situation to him. He said that if the only person to be assessed, by loading,, would be the Pilkingtons he thought the Board should find out from them in advance if they are willing to pay. He said that he would not like to fight this on water. The Chairman asked if the Town would be Spring St. in danger of damages by dumping the dirt on Water Main her land and Mr. Stevens replied that he pre- sumed it would. He said a taking could be made for temporary purposes. He said that the Board could take a temporary easement which would cease after completion of .construction. The Chairman asked what it would cost for the 800' and Mr. Stevens said that it is difficult to determine but he thought it would be very little. He said that there would be no actual damage to the land. The Board felt that the Coneaad Turnpike job should be done and the question of damages handled in the legal way. Mr. Burns agreed to contact Miss Pilkington again. Petition was received, signed by three Richard Rd. residents of Richard Road, requesting the Sidewalk construction of granolithie sidewalks. The Board felt that this would be a 1952 budget item and the Chairman said that he would like to look at the area. Petition was received from residents of Prospect Hill Road requesting the installation of catch basins to relieve flooding of private property. Mr. Burns explained that the problem is the drain on Marrett Road, a State highway. Prospect !e said a permit could be obtained from the Hill Road State to place a pipe in Marrett Road with no Catch Basin openings, but it Would not be too successful. He suggested advising the petitioners .that if the State will put in its portion, the Town would consider drainage for Prospect Hill Road. He agreed to check further with the State and report. Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting at 7:30 P.M. Mr. Manfred Warred met with the Board and Mr. Burns retired. 19 Mr. Warren explained that during the last war the Town had three or four sirens, but the situation at the .present time does not warrant the purchase of sirens. The State has plans for a practice alert and may ask to have some kind Civil of air raid signal. A few towns are using signals Defense and some are using the fire whistle. He said that Roy Cook told him that the Fire Commissioners designated ten blasts of the fire whistle repeated three times. Contingent upon the approval of the Fire Commissioners the Board approved the suggested air raid signal. Mr. Warren retired at 8:10 P.P . and Chief Rycroft met with the Board. The Chief had been requested to meet with the Board relative to the position of Lieutenant in his Department. He said that it is a situation where there are two close marks. Sergeant Smith filed an appeal just as a matter of protection.- The Chairman asked the Chief if he would tell the Board what his recommendation is. The Chief said that it is so close it is difficult to say anything about anyone. Sergeant Smith and Sergeant Knapp are two different types of individuals and they work in different ways. Smith is a good smart police officer and there is no question about it, but he lacks the same Police initiative that Knapp has. It does not make any Lieutenant difference to Knapp if it is five thirty or six; he will stay on duty. He said that this is not true of Sergeant Smith unless the Chief asks or tells him to stay on. Knapp has been doing all the investigating, court work and prosecutions and has done a remarkably good job in that field. He said that both men make a good appearance, and it is difficult to say anything about the top man or do all the talking about the second man. He said that personally he felt Knapp would be the better man as far as ability is concerned, and that he has a year and a half more service. He explained that if the markings were true, Sergeant Knapp would have received 94.13 and Sergeant Smith 92.70 because Sergeant Smith re- ceived two points for being a veteran. The Chairman asked if the veteran's status Would have any effect on the Civil Service approval if the second man were appointed. Chief Rycroft replied that it would not as long as the choice is made on merit. The Board can choose the second man but must give a reason for doing so in writing. 20 cv 20 The Chairman asked how the executive .ability of the two men compared and the Chief replied that there is not too much difference. He thought they would have the same command over the men. Mr. Gay asked what Sergeant Smith could do if the second man were appointed and the Chief replied that he might appeal but there would be nothing upon which to appeal. Mr. Driscoll asked who was appointed Sergeant first and the Chief replied that it was Smith. Mr. Driscoll asked if Knapp took the exam- ination at that time and the Chief replied that he believed he did. Mr. Driscoll asked if. Knapp had ever applied for disability retirement and if he has trouble with his legs . The Chief replied that he has gout. Mr. Hoyt inquired as to the status of the third man and the Chief replied that he is the youngest of the group. Police The Chief said that he could not say anything Lieutenant morally about either Tuan. He said that he would like to make the suggestion for the Board's con- sideration, where there are two close marks, that two Lieutenants be appointed. He said the cost would not be prohibitive as it is a matter of about $200 a year. He further suggested that they be replaced by the appointment of two Sergeants. He said that the Department has had three Sergeants, one Lieutenant and a Chief. The Chairman asked if he had a Sergeant's list and the Chief replied that he understands four have passed the exam. At the present time there are twenty-one patrolmen, two Sergeants and one Chief. The Chairmen asked if he felt definitely that when he had his new Officers that he can correct some of the things that have been post- poned and the Chief replied in the affirmative. Following a discuesion covering several items in connection with the Department personnel, the Chief retired at 9:10 P.M. Mr. Plummer, representing the Painters' Guild of the Arts and Crafts Society, met with the Board and requested permission to hold an Permit exhibition on the lawn of the Buckman Tavern for next Sunday afternoon between one o'clock and Exhibition five o'clock, He said that in the event of rain they would like to hold the exhibition the following Sunday. Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to grant the request. Mr. Plummer retired at 9:15 P.M. and Mr. Burns returned to the meeting. 21 The Chairman read a letter from Raymoa E. Lewis requesting suitable drainage to eliminate a pool of water in the front of his property at 11 HancOck Street. Hancock St. Mr. Burns explained the only way to correct Drainage this is to properly regrade several feet of the street. He said that he does not think it is a dangerous situation, and that it would probably be taken care of next year in regular maintenance work. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. J. Willard Hayden with reference to the water on Shade Street. Letter was received from Frank DeMao, 759 Marrett Road, requesting the installation of one Street street light. Mr. Burns recommended one light Light on the existing pole. Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to authorize one light as recommended. Mr. Charles Larden's request for street lights on Woburn Street 0347 ) was held over from a previous meeting. Mr. Burns recommended seven lights to properly cover the street. The Edison Company talked about 2500 lumin lamps, but Mr. Burns Street asked for 800. If at any time later they are Lights changed to a larger lumin there will be no additional cost. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscolls it was voted to authorize the installation of seven 800 lumin lights. Mr. John Campobasso's request for a street light on Summer Street was held over from a previous meeting. Mr. Burns recommended one Street light and explained that there is only one Lights location without purchasing another pole. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, It was voted to authorize one light as recommended. Petition for street lights on North Street was held over from a previous meeting. Mr. Street Burns recommended seven lights to take care of Lights the entire street. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to authorize seven lights as recommended. Mr. Burns reported that he had received a request for a street light on Buckman Drive and Street recommended three lights. Lights Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Eery, it was voted to authorize three lights as recommended. 22 Further consideration was given to Mrs. Spencer's request to have a second tree removed Tree from in front of her driveway on Vine Brook Road. Removal Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to instruct Mr. Garrity to have the tree removed. Letter was received from the Planning Board Edison with reference to Edison Way. The Chairman took Way the letter and agreed to contact Mr. Ballard and Mr. Adams in an effort to arrange a meeting to discuss the subject. Mr. Burns retired at 10:25 P.M.; Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll seconded by Mr. Cert. of Hoyt, it was voted to sign a statement of facts Inc. with reference to Helen M. Farley, Elizabeth Currier, Irving Currier and Helen G. Currier, who have filed for a Certificate of Incorporation. Letter was received from H. F. Stewart, Chairman of- the Red Feather, requesting per- Permit mission to land a helicopter on the Common, Sunday, Denied October 21, 1951. It *as the opinion of the Board that this would. be an inappropriate use of the Common and the request was denied: Letter was received from Stanley W. Janusas, 12 Tucker Avenue advising that he would like to purchase veterans lot #15 Cedar Street. Mr. Janusas stated in his letter that he is a veteran Vet's of the U. S. Navy, enlisted from Lexington, May, Lot 1943, and was discharged in June 1946. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Huery, it was voted to sell and convey Veteran' s Lot #15 Cedar Street to Stanley W. Janusas. Application was received from the Lexington Allied Veterans Council requesting permission to Use of use Cary Hall for Armistice Day exercises on Hall November 12th from 10:00 A. M. until noon. Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to grant the use of the hall free of charge. Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to grant the following licenses: Licenses Lexington Theatre, Inc. 1794 Mass. Ave. Sun. Movies George M. Szili, Jr. 7 Spencer St. Peddler Mr. Charles Durkin's application for a Public Carriage license was held over for another week. Letter was received from Mr. Carroll requesting a transfer of $2,512.02 to the Treasurer's Expenses Account to cover expenses incurred in connection with the loan covering the water, sewer and school bonds. Another letter was received from Mr. Carroll Transfers requesting a transfer of $500 from the Parking Meter Account to the Town Treasurer's and Town Clerk's Personal Services Account. The Chairman agreed to endeavor to secure more information on both of these requests. The applications for licenses for retail package stores by: Edward J. Connors and Thomas F. Connors Warren T. Bryant Arnold P. Bradford Alfred L. Viano and Fred N. Viano George W. Breslin and Warren F. Breslin William E. Phillips and John J. Phillips Robert Cataldo were taken up and discussed. The Chairman reported that the application of William E. Phillipa and John James Phillips had been withdrawn dna to their inability to secure the premises described in the application and read a letter dated October 10,1951, to this effect. Liquor Upon motion duly made and seconded it was License unanimously voted to reject all of the aforesaid Applica- applications as in the opinion of the Selectmen tions the present three retail package stores are adequate in number and location to meet the reasonable demands of the public for places at which they may obtain alcoholic beverages. A true record, Attest: �e , ectten 1 Il