HomeMy WebLinkAbout1951-04-16-min 430
SELECTMEN'S MEETING
April 16, 1951 1
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen- was
held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on
Monday evening, April 16, 1951 at 7:00 P.M. Chairman
Nickerson, Messrs. Gay, Emery and Driscoll were pres-
ent. Mr. Burns, Sup+t. of Mali° Works, and the Clerk
were also present.
Hearing was declared open upon the petition of
the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for
permission to lay and maintain underground conduits
and manholes, with the wires and cables to be placed
therein, under the surface of the following public
N. E. Tel. ways :
conduits
Revere Street - From pole #83/12, located on
the southeasterly side, approximately 1250 feet,
northeasterly from Bedford St. , northwesterly and
northeasterl8 to pole #83/14, approximately 255
feet underground syphon connection.
Bedford Street & Revere street - From the inter-
section of Bedford St. , northeasterly to the
easterly side of Revere St. (to J.0. pole #83/2),
approximately 125 feet underground connection.
Bedford Street - From a point approximately 58
feet from the northeast intersecting curb line
to Harding Road, northwesterly and southwesterly
(to J.0. pole #6/56), approximately 80 feet under-
ground connection.
Mr. Lord, representing the petitioner, was the
only person present at the hearing. He referred to
the location at the railroad track on Revere Street
and explained that at the present time the cables are
aerial and the Company considers them a hazard and
would like to siphon them under the railroad tracks.
Mr. Gay asked if the proposed location concerned
the Boston & Maine and Mr. Lord replied that the tele-
phone company has contacted the railroad and will also
arrange to have a flag man present if necessary to sup-
ervise the work.
Mr. Lord explained that the Bedford Street loca-
tion is to serve new homes, and the people are are
waiting for service.
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Mr. Emery inquires as to the possibility of
under ground location at the East Lexington Fire
Station and Mr. Lord said that he would find out and
let the Board know.
The Chairman said that he would contact Mr.
Lord and advise him of the Board's decision.
Mr. Lord retired at 7:15 P.M.
Mr. Burns requested permission to purchase
copper tubing. He reported that he had invited six
bidders to submit quotations. The following bids
were received:
3/4" 1"
Braman, Dow & Co. None available
George A. Caldwell Co. No reply
Hilco Supply Co. 10,000' e .3263% 2,000' Q .4048%
John A. MacDonald Co. 10,000' .34% 1,000' .43%
Any Any
Pierce-Perry Co. quantity @.3439% quantity 0 .42661
Red Head Manufacturing Co. Under 2,000' 0 Under 2,000' 0 .4029/
.3357%
2,000' 0 .3240% 2,000' Q .40921
10,000' 0 .3190] 10,000' S .3897%
Mr. Burns explained that the low bidder is the con-
cern that supplied copper tubing when no one else would or
could. He said that he would like permission to order
10000' of 3/4" and 2,000v of 1".
Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Gay,
it was voted to authorize the Superintendent of Public
Works to place an order with the Hilco Supply Company
for 10,000' of 3/4" copper tubing at 3263% per foot
and 2,000' of 1" copper tubing at 4048% per foot.
Mr. Burns requested permission to purchase an "or-
ange peel bucket" and explained that the Town Meeting voted
$17,000 for road machinery. The sweeper did not cost
as much as he thought it was going to and furthermore
he was able to purchase the Hough loader at a better Purchase
price than anticipated.
He stated that last year he borrowed an orange of orange
peel bucket from the Town of Brookline and used it peel buck-
on Littlefield's shovel which worked out very well. et
He was able to do from 30 to 50 basins a day -- loading
11 I from the basin into a truck. TheTown of Brookline does
not want to let us have the bucket and Mr. Burns said
he can purchase a new one for $365 which will work on
any machine .
432
The Chairman showed a copy of the vote to Town
Counsel who stated that the vote was so written to
provide for the purchase of any equipment.
Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Dris-
coll, it was voted to authorize the Sup+t. of Public
Works to purchase an orange peel bucket at a price
of 1365.
Letter from the County Commissioners, together
with petition for specific repairs on Paul Revere
Road was held over from the ]ast meeting.
Petition Mr. Stevens advised the Board that the Board
re would not be commiting itself and be under any ob-
paul Revere ligation by signing the petition. He explained that
Road this merely requests the layout and there is nothing
further to be done until the layout is brought in to
Mr. Burns.
Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll,
it was voted to sign a petition directed to the County
Commissioners requesting specific repairs on Paul Re-
vere Roadl
Mr. Emery preferred not to sjgn the petition.
Letter was received from the Meteor Sales of New
England, together with a contract agreement for the
purchase of a 1951 Meteor Cadillac ambulance. Mr.
Stevens took a copy of the contract for examination
and the Clerk was instructed to contact William Fitz-
gerald and request that he read the proposed agreement.
Mr. Emery moved that the contract agreement be-
Agreement tween the Town of Lexington and the Meteor Sales of
to purchase New England for the purchase of a 1951 Meteor Cadillac
ambulance ambulance, in the amount of $5,958 be signed subject
to the approval, from a legal angle, by the Town Coun-
sel, and subject to the approval of the change of spec-
ifications by Mr. Fitzgerald. Mr. Driscoll seconded
the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Stevens informed the Board that he had another
certificate of insurance covering a second truck for,
the collection of garbage and that it is now in order
for the Board to sign the contract.
Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll,
it was voted to sign a contract between the Town of
Lexington and Stanley Roketenetz, in the amount of
$12,500, for the collection of garbage eff ectt a April
18, 1951, expiring on April 17, 1953 with the option
to extend the term to and including April 17, 1954.
The Clerk was instrubted to retain the original and de-
liver a copy to Mr. Roketenetz .
433
Letter was received from the Arlington Gas
Light Company requesting permission to locate
1,000' of 4" steel gas main in Watertown Street
for the purpose of supplying gas service to twenty-
two new homes.
The plan attached had been submitted to Mr.
Burns and approved by him. Gas main
Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. location
Emery, it was voted to approve the proposed location
providing the pavement is replaced .
Messrs. Stevens and Burns left the meeting
at 8:25 p.M.
The following members of the Lexington Boys '
Club met with the Board: President Maloney, Messrs.
Newhall, Cass and Kelley.
Mr. Cass said that the club is interested in
obtaining some property where meetings can be held
and to use as headquarters for various activities
of the organization. Be explained that the present
location is inadequate and very expensive. There is
about $1,000 set aside for rent for the coming year
and the Club is interested in the Sexton property.
He discussed the organization at length and stated
that they would like a rental in the amount of $50 Boys ' Club
per month. re use of
The Chairman explained that the property has not Sexton prop-
been acquired yet and undoubtedly will be on schedule erty
but the schedule will be, at the earliest, the first
of July. He said that the Boys ' Club is the first
group to approach the Board for the use of the prop-
erty and as yet the Board has given no consideration
to the subject.
The group retired at 8:45 P.M.
Mrs. Rhoda, part-time clerk in the Accounting
Department, met with the Board. She said that she
wanted it understood that Mrs. Rich, Temporary Town
Accountant, had nothing to do with her requesting a Part-time
meeting with the Board. She said that she feels she clerk in
should receive the 10% increase given to other Town Aec't.
employees, and that she came to work in October. She Dept. re
stated that she works from nine until two, without any raise.
lunch hour and in her opinion is doing theaork that it
would take a Junior 'lerk all day to do.
The Chairman asked if the members of the Board had
any questions7�( and there were none.
Mrs. Rhoda retired at 8:50 P.M.
Mr. Burns returned to the meeting.
Mr. Burns presented each member of the Board with
a general outline of work schedule for 1951, and informed
the Board that Dodge reports published that the Town
of Lexington had appropriated $10,000 for sewer construction
work and that Metcalf & Eddy was going to be the engineer.
434
He said that most of the work as far as layout and
design is concerned is merely routine and that Met-
calf & Eddy is not in a position to give the Town
a full-time Inspector. They stated that they might
1e able to take care of the inspection but can guarantee
nothing and at any rate the Town will have to pay 25%
of the man's salary. He questioned whether the Town
can afford to pay for having the plans approved and also
Follen Hill for a man's time for very general supervision. The
sewer proposed schedule was considered, especially the Pollen
Road sewer project, and upon motion of Mr. Emery, sec-
onded by Mr. Gay, iliwas voted to authorize construction
of the Follen Hill sewer project with Town help.
Mr. Burns referred to the petition and letter
from Swenson Bros. relative to Clematis Brook, and
presented a profile of the entireCbrook. He said
that he had travelled the brook and also talked with
Mr. Swenson's superintendent. He said that there are
2400/ on Swenson/8 land which should be cleaned to
Clematis properly take care of Waltham Street. He asked if
Brook Mr. Swenson would be satisf lbd if the water left the
side trenches and ran back to Stedman Road and he
said that he would go along with that much for now. ►
Mr. Burns estimated the cost for the entire project
as being between $1500 and $2000.
Mr. Emery asked if, from a legal point of Qiew,
the Town had any obligation and Mr. Burns replied in
the affirmative, explaining that the Town dumps water
from Waltham Street, Bridge Street, Farmcrest Avenub
and Brookside Avenue.
Upon motion Of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Gay,
it was voted to authorize the Superintendent of Public
Works to use his own discretion in correcting the ex-
isting drainage pribblem at this area.
At 9:50 P. M. the following nembers of the Planning
Board met with the Selectmen: Chairman Adams, Messrs.
Couette, Irwin, Johnson, Potter and Ripley.
A lengthy discussion was held relative to the en-
forcement of the Zoning By-law and the group retired
at 10:25 P.M.
1'he Chairman read a letter from Harold J. Toole,
Director of Water Division and Chief Water Supply En-
gineer, of the Metropolitan District Commission, stat-
Fluoride con- ing that the Commission,is considering the advisability
tent of M.D.C. of increasing the fluoride content of the water supply.
water The Commission would like to know taether or not
Lexington is in favor of initiating such a program.
Mr. Burns stated that this subject has been discussed
at ten or fifteen water works meetings and it is no longer
in the stage of experimentation. In general it has been
very effective in reducing tooth decay.
X35
Mr. Emery said that he did not feel in a posi-
tion to vote either way inasmuch as he does not
know enough about the subject. No action was taken.
The Chairman read a letter from Mr. J. H.
Gardner, 73 Huntington Road, Arlington. Mr. Gard-
ner has purchased a house from the Kelchester Real-
ty Trust, located at 343 Woburn Street, and is pres-
sing for delivery of the house by May 15th. He asked
that the Board investigate and find out why the water Request
cannot be installed by that date. for water
The Board agreed to leave the matter to the dis-
cretion of the Superintendent of Public Works.
The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Converse
Hill of Brewer & Lord, relative to bringing the
1946 insurance appraisal up to date. It was suggested Insurance
that this be held over until the next meeting of the appraisal
Board.
The Chairman read a letter from the Bedford Board
of Selectmen relative to connecting the Bedford police
two-way radio system with the Lexington police two-way
radio system.
The Chairman agreed to discuss the subject with
Chief Rycroft.
Letter was received from the Veterans of Foreign V.F.W.
wars requesting permission to conduct the organizationts Poppy
annual Poppy Drive on May 25th and 26th. Drive
Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll,
it was voted to grant the request.
Further consideration was given to the letter re-
ceived last week from the Veterans of Foreign Wars
relative to a popcorn stand location of April 19th. V.F.W.
The Chairman reported that he had conferred with the popcorn
Chief of Police and it is his suggestion that the pro- stand
posed stand be located at the triangle at Hancock,
Bedford and Elm Streets.
Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Emery,
it was voted to authorize the Veterans of Foreign Wars
to cperate a popcorn stand April 19th at the location
suggested by Chief Rycroft.
Letter was received from Robert A. Custance, on
behalf of the Order of DeMolay, requesting permission
.'or six boys to sell ice cream on the 19th of April on
Massachusetts Avenue between Gratt Street and Slocum
Road; the boys to use shoulder boxes.Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Gay,
it was voted to grant the request.
436
Application was received from Dr. Leonard V.
i ort, on behalf of the Lexington-Arlington Doc-
tor+s Club, requesting the use of Estabrook Hall on the
evening of May 8th for the purpose of showing films in
connection with Civilian Defense.
Mr. Gay moved that the use of the hall be granted
free of charge. Mr. Emery seconded the motion and
it was so voted.
Application was received from the Lexington Boys:
Club for permission to conduct a Directors: meetin
in a Conference room on the evening of May 16th. The
Clerk reminded the Board that the First karish Church
has engaged Cary Hall for an antique sale at t he rate
of $35 for that day and evening.
The Chairman agreed to contact Mr. Maloney, Direc-
tor of the Boys : Club, and arrange to have the meeting
held elsewhere.
Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Emery,
it was voted to approve the following licenses :
Lexington Theatre 1794 Mass. Ave. Sunday Movies
Countryside Associates Lowell St. Sunday Golf
Lexington Cab Company 11 Depot Square Public Carriages
Corner Variety Store 856 Mass. Ave. Common Victualler
Walter M. Garland, Jr. 272 Lowell St. Pedler
The meeting adjourned at 10:55 P.M.
A true record, Attest;
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