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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1952-10-14-min 381 SELECTMEN'S MEETING October 14, 1952 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Tuesday evening, October 14, 1952 at 7 :00 P. M. Chairman Nickerson, Messrs. Gay, Driscoll and Reed were present. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, and the Clerk were also present. Mr. Emery arrived at 7 :20 F. M. Letter from Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk, re an action of contract, Massachusetts Broken Stone, against S. Cali Construction Company for 01,000. was noted and placed on file. The Town Clerk had also sent the same information to Town Counsel. The Chairman read a letter from Richard D. Tracey, 5 Butler Avenue, asking that the restrain- ing order issued by the Board in 1949 on his dog Tracey dog be released. He claimed that the suit with the complainant has been settled and enclosed a letter from his attorney which stated that he had re- ceived a release and an Agreement for Judgment and Judgment Satisfied. Mr. Stevens stated that the Selectmen had issued a restraining order because they thought the dog dangerous because of the fact that it had bitten somebody. Mr. Driscoll said that he would not vote to release the order because, once a dog has snapped at someone, it is very probable that he will do it again. Mr. Stevens recommended advising Mr. Tracey that the action of the Board was taken after it reached a conclusion on evidence that the dog was dangerous, and there is no relation as to Whether the claim is settled or unsettled. The Board was unanimously in favor of keeping the restraining order in effect. The Chairman read a letter from James E. Collins, Welfare Agent, requesting an appropria- tion at the November Town Meeting of $2500 for Funds needed General Relief. According to Mr. Collins, there for General will be balances in the Old Age Assistance, Aid Relief Acct. to Dependent Children and Disability Assistance accounts, but they could not be transferred to General Relief. Mr. Stevens informed the Board that unex- pended balances of the Town can be transferred if approved by the Appropriation Committee . 382 0.0 The Board was in favor of a transfer rather than to request additional funds at the Special Town Meet- ing in November. Letter was received from the Board of Retire- ment, together with a copy of Chapter 781, effec- tive February 12, 1952, pertaining to increases Retirement applicable to certain members of the Lexington increases Contributory Retirement System. If the Act is accepted by the Town, it will increase the Retire- ment payroll approximately $2,000 per annum. The Chairman said., and the Board agreed, that this subject is one that should be studied and the Board should determine whether or not it is some- thing to be presented to a Town Meeting. The Board agreed that it should not be included in the warrant for the Special Town Meeting in November, but, if presented to the Town, should be presented at an Annual March Meeting. Mr. Stevens reported on the Lannefeld claim and informed the Board that the best he can do, without bringing suit, is 50% of the claim. The Lannefe.d amount the insurance company paid is $828, and they claim will take half. He said that, if it is the consen- sus of opinion to try and settle the claim, an article would have to be inserted in the warrant, as the Board does not have authority to settle an amount in excess of $300. Mr. Burns arrived at the meeting at 7 :35 P. M. The Chairman asked if he would be willing t o settle for $300, and he replied in the affirmative. The Chairman requested, and Mr. Stevens agreed, to contact the insurance co$ipany and advise them that this is something very difficult to present to a Town Meeting, and, furthermore, that it would have to wait until the Annual Meeting in March, and to suggest that settlement for $125 less be made. The Chairman informed the Board that additional funds will have to be requested to complete the Sunnyfield Sewer Project, and, following a discus- sion of the subject, it was agreed to borrow the $1800 required, plus $5,000 for the Woburn Street water project, rather than request a transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Account. Possible trans- fer from this Account for the School Department and Veterans Memorial Library was taken into considera- tion. Mr. Stevens retired at 7x55 P. M. Mr. Burns gave the following report on sewer, water, streets and services. 883 Sunnyfield Sewer Contract #2Quinton Vespa-- Authorized to borrow $210,000 and $2.,552 was trans- ferred . Contract let at $149,600. To date, includ- ing engineering, $89, 600. worth of work has been done. In order to complete, will need $116,000. Adding the retaining percentage, $124,133: and $106,180 which leaves a shortage of $17,953. Sewer Sundry Streets--Made up of $60,000 approp- riation $75,000 to come from the M. D. C. and a mar- gin of $5,000. Had $140,000 estimated and based what would be done on what would be received from the M. D. C. To date has spent $56,000 and it will take about $73,200 to complete. On that he has $77,600 on hand which leaves approximately $5,000 to the good. Woburn Street Water--$110,000 authorized of which $52,000 was appropriated, 417,000 left over and author- ized to borrow $40,000. The contract and engineering is about $74,000 and that is about what the project ran which leaves a shortage of $5,000. Street construction--It looks as if he will run over about $5,000 but would prefer to wait on this until the end of the week. Authorized bonding $335,000; have bonded $255,000 and also had $5,000 difference to make up on the sewer sundry streets, so, counting that as a gain, that is .5,000 less on the borrowing. From that he has to take $18, 000 for Sunnyfield and $5,000 on Woburn Street which is $23,000 from $85, 000 or $62,000. This does not include the streets . Services--There are 171 sewer services done to date; 24 paid for, not done; 100 requests for which no deposits have been made . That means 124 services at the present time at $130, each, making a total of $16,100. There is approximately $11,000 in the budget which leaves a shor- tage of $5,000. Of the 100 there are probably 50 from the Manor. There are ten more weeks left, and he said that doing ten a week would be a lot. However, 24 ser- vices does not justify another machine , as it costs almost $1.50 a foot more to have the services done by contract. On this alone, he is short $5,000, but 50 of the services may very well not come iii. Water Services--There are 304 done, deposits for 28 and requests for 46 as of today. Last Friday received request for 34 in the Kelley development, 24 in Couette 's development and 40 in Carrigts. The ones he has remain- ' ing to do, 74 at 485; 94 at $80 and miscellaneous is $17,210. He has $12,800 and there is no doubt in his mind about 74. Whether or not Carrigts will be done he does not know. Kelley' s development will definitely be done, and there are 208 services. 384 s OZ The Board felt tha t the money necessary in this category could be transferred from the Reserve Fund. A letter, together with money order in the sum of $30, was received from Joseph Britt, Main Street, Acton, for an old grinder at the Public Works Build- ing. Sale of Mr. Burns recommended selling the grinder and grinder agreed to check to determine whether or not the price offered is enough. It was left to his dis- cretion to dispose of the unit. Two letters were received from John C. McFar- Tree land, 481 Concord Avenue; one requesting the re- removal moval of a tree and the other requesting the in- stallation of a street light. Mr. Garrity is to submit a report with refer- ence to the removal of the tree. Inasmuch as there are no funds for street lights Street this year, the request will be considered in the 1953 light budget and reviewed with other request for street lights in July, 1953. Letter was received from Mr. Marchese, 59 Hill- crest Street, requesting the installation of three Street street lights. This request will be oonsiderdd in lights the 1953 budget and reviewed in July, 1953. Letter was received signed by five residents of Five Forks area, complaining about equipment owned by Brox being parked on a residential lot owned by Mr. E. J. Lowry. Mr. Burns explained that the equipment must be Complaint moved by now, as it was there only during the time work was being done on Barrymeade Drive and Wilson Road. Letter was received from Frederick G. Disney, 7474 Mohawk Avenue, Ft. Worth, Texas, with refer- ence to water bills for his former residence at 41 Woodcliffe Road. Mr. Burns agreed to acknowledge the letter, a copy of which was given to him. Mr. Burns retired at 8x55 P. M. Further consideration was given to Mr. H. F. Jones ' offer of $50 for Lot 70 Brandon Street. A Tax title proposal to sell the lot was advertised in the property October 9th issue of the Lexington Minute-Man. No persons contacted the Selectmen's office as a result of the advertisement . 885 Upon motion of Mr. Reed, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to sell and convey Lot 70 Brandon Street to Mr. Harry F. Jones, 7 Williams Court, Somerville. Letter was received from Mrs . Ann Culbertson, on behalf of the American Legion Auxiliary, request- ing permission to conduct Poppy Days on November 7th Poppy Days and 8th. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Emery, it was voted to grant the request. Letter was received from Rev. Francis J. Murphy, on behalf of the Sacred Heart Parish and St. Brigid 's Parish, requesting permission to conduct a Paper Drive Paper Drive on Sunday, November 2nd with the privilege of conduct- ing it at a later date in case of inclement weather. Upon motion of Mr. Reed, seconded b3 Mr. Gay, it was voted to grant the request. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to grant the following uses of halls : Uses of Halls League of Women Voters Conf . Room Meeting Oct. 22. Richard F. Jackson Estabrook Hall 4-H " Oct . 24 Mdsx. Cty. Farm Bureau Cary Hall Dinner Oct . 2.9 Lex. Council of Churches Cary Hall Thanks- Nov. 25 giving Service All uses were granted free of charge with the ex- ceptioh of the Middlesex County Farm Bureau for which a charge of $35 is to be made . Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Reed, it was voted to grant a Sunday Movie License to the Lex- ington Amusement Co. , Inc. The Chairman informed the Board that Mr. Walker, Town Accountant, told him that he is going to devote himself to politics and would like to come back to work November 7th. The question of the number of 1952 Town Reports to be printed was considered and the Clerk was instruc- ted to obtain bids on 800 or 900 copies. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Reed, it was voted to sign the Warrant for the Presidential Election to be held November 4, 1952. The meeting adjourned at 9 :10 P. M. A true record, Attest : erk