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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1952-03-10-min SELECTMEN'S MEFTING 171 March 10, 1952 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, March 10, 1952 at 7:00 P.M. Chairman Nickerson, Messrs . Emery, Gay, Driscoll and Reed were present. Mr. Burns, Sup' t of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present. Hearing was declared open upon the petition of the NEW England Telephone & Telegraph Company for conduit location on Locust Avenue to supersede petition dated December 13, 1951. The petition to be acted upon contains approximately 104 feet of existing conduit which was not included in the original petition. No persons were present in favor or in opposition and upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the following conduit location which supersedes petition dated Conduit December 13, 1951 : Location On Locust Massachusetts Avenue and Locust Avenue Avenue: From manhole 54/23 located on northeast side of Massachusetts Avenue, southwesterly, southerly and southeasterly to pole 56/3 on Locust Avenue, approximately Z,48 feet underground conduit . Pet_tion was received from the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone & Telegraph g p �' Company for joint or identical locations of one pole on Paul Revere Road, southerly side, appro- ximately 200 feet west of Asbury Street. The Pole plan, as presented, was approved by Mr. Burns, Location Town Eng- neer. Mr. Emery suggested locating the pole on the opposite side of the street and the members of the Board agreed to view the proposed location some time before the next meeting, at which time action will be taken on the petition. The Chairman read a letter from Fredrick G. Disney, 439-B Clayton Street, Montgomery, Alabama advising that since moving from Lexington in May, 1951 he has continued to receive water bills. He Disney did not state at what address he resided while Water Bill living in Lexington. Mr. Burns explained that Mr. Disney had in- formed the Water Department that he moved but neglected to state that he had sold the property. However, the matter has now been straightened out. 172 Q. Letter from the Lexington Lumber Company re- questing the Town to continue the removal of snow past the business property of the Lumber Company and Custance Brothers, was held over from the last meeting. The subject was discussed and the Board Snow arrived at the conclusion that if this request is Removal granted, the Town will have to lift snow from approximately twenty other commercial locations at an estimated cost of between 43,000 and 44,000 per year. The Chairman was authorized to explain the situation to Mr. Maynard, President of the Lexington Lumber Company. Mr. Burns retired at 7 :15 P.M. Miss Mildred Thompson, Tax Collector met with the Board, at her request. The Chairman said that the Board understood she desired to discuss the request she made some months ago in regard to an additional clerk for her Department. He explained the reason that the Board did not invite her in before was not from the lack of courtesy, but was due to the fact that the Selectmen do not follow the same method of procedure in regards to budgets as the Appropriation Committee. He stated that the Appropriation Committee each year invites the heads of the Depart- ments in to discuss budgets and that the Board of Tax Selectmen has considered her letter, presented with Collector the budget, quite carefully. Miss Thompson mentioned the property in the Meagherville area and explained the procedure which she must follow to have these lots properly tax titled . Mr. Gay inquired as to how long it would take a girl to do this work and Miss Thompson replied that she wants another full-time clerk. She said that she is doing all the work the Collector ever did and a good part of the bookeeping. She said that no one can work on the books and work at the window also. The Chairman asked if she worked overtime and she replied in the negative stating that she does the bookeeping in between. Mr. Gay asked if there is enough work to keep a girl, hired for the Meagherville property, busy and Miss Thompson replied that she needs another full time girl . The Chairman asked if she had any other items to discuss and she replied in the negative stating that she mentioned the others in her letter. She retired at 7 :30 P.M. I 173 The Chairman was authorized to advise Miss II Thompson that, after further consideration, the Board of Selectmen still believes that this is not the ear to add another girl to her Depart- ment. Mr. Burns returned to the meeting. Letter was received from Gaetano A. Coscia, requesting the Board to have a tree planted in Tree front of his house at 16 Hilltop Avenue . The Clerk was instructed to refer the re- quest to Mr. Garrity, Sup' t of Shade Trees . The Chairman read a letter from Town Counsel in reply to the Board ' s request for advice as to whether or not it has the legal authority to grant Mr. Berman's request to use two rear upstairs rooms, first floor above the store, for additional storage of alcoholic beverages. It is Town Counsel' s opinion that the request is for an extension or enlargement of a non- Berman' s conforming use and should not be granted by the Package Board unless the Board of Appeals has given prior Store permission. He also pointed out that even if such permission were obtained from the Board of Appeals I, and the request granted by the Selectmen, it is questionable whether the Alcoholic Beverages Control (commission would approve. Mr. Emery moved that the Chairman advise Mr. Berman of Town Counsel 's opinion with as much explanation as the Chairman deems advisable. Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion, and it was unanimou ly voted. Letter was received from the State Committee on Milit ry and Naval Affairs advising that a Airport hearing will be held on Wednesday, March 12 at 11 :00 A.M. relative to the proposed acquisition of a portion of the Bedford Airport by the U. S. Air Force:. Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting at 7:40 P.M. The Chairman reported a discussion he had with Mr. John Gifford regarding the proposed use of the Bedford Airport for training of jet interceptor Airport groups. Mr. Stevens said that he would plan to attend the hearing. The Board felt that a runway, i less hazardous to the residents of Lexington than the one proposed, might be used. Mr. Luke May had an appointment to meet with the Board to discuss his water bills and Mr. Burns Mr. May re explaine that some time ago Mr. May requested an Water Bills abatemen because of leaks in his water line at the Nursery nd the Board granted an abatement on the basis th t he pay what it cost the Town for the water that wen through the pipe. 174 r G He said that some time later he again applied for another abatement and, as Mr. Burns recalled it, he was given another abatement and was supposed to have had the leaks repaired. Mr. Burns explained that the pipe involved is privately owned and runs from the railroad tracks up to the Nursery, across the Nursery somewhere up to the house across the tracks. Somewhere between the house and the pit there are several leaks . He wanted Mr. Burns to put in a service from Massachusetts Avenue to the house but Mr. Burns told him that this is a private right of way and refused to grant his request. Mr. May met with the Board at 8:12 P.M. He said that he wanted the Board to abate the nursery water bill. He said that he thought three quarters have been billed at 4600 for each quarter and he is sure that a lot of the water has been wasted because there is a leak in the pipe. The Chairman asked if he owned the pipe and he replied in the affirmative. He said that he had received an abatement before; he knew about the leak and paid the wholesale cost of the water. He would like to handle it the same way this time. The Chairman said that before the Board abated the bill, Mr. May agreed to fix the leak so that there would not be any future loss. Mr. May said that he did not recall the agreement and the Chairman explained that the abatement was not granted until the water line was repaired . Mr. May re : Mr. May agreed and said that he thought he Water Bills had fixed the line and it was all right for about a year and a half but this past year it has gone bad again. The Chairman asked if his average was about $50 per quarter and he replied that it is some- thing like that. The Chairman asked if his reason for not notifying the Board sooner was due to his illness and he replied in the affirmative. The Chairman stated that Mr. May owns the pipe and as far as the Board is concerned, it has no right to grant abatements time after time when the fault is in Mr. May' s pipe and on his land. Mr. May agreed that the Chairman was correct, but he said that he was asking for an abatement at this time and further asked the Board to give him until Spring to fix the pipe, which he will do. He said that he borrowed the town 'phone but was unable to pick up the leaks and this year he plans to put in a new line. He said the line is about twenty years old and it is a series of fixing one break after another. I 175 The Chairman said that the Board will review II the bills for the last couple of years, since the abatements, and contact Mr. May. Mr. May retired at 8:20 P.M. Mr. Burns reported that the present boiler in Cary Memorial Building is large enough to handle o_l and the cost of converting to oil, with a 10,000 gallon tank, plus a possible 4150 for a steel pan is 44900. He said that it may Boiler For cost another 4200 for zoning. This is for three Cary Bldg. zones; Town Offices, Cary and Estabrook Halls. Mr. Emery asked if the boiler had to be lowered nd Mr. Burns replied in the negative. Mr. Burns was requested to find out how much it ill cost for zoning if it is not done until some later date. At :25 P.M. the following individuals met with the Board = Mrs. Morey, Chairman of the School Committe , Chairman Burnham and Messrs. Emery and Cass of he Board of Assessors, Messrs. Gail Smith and Jack Garrity, representing the Cemetery Commissi ners, and Chairman Bateman, Messrs. Clevelan , James, Smith, Donnelly and Tucker of II the Appropriation Committee and Mrs. Rich, Secretar7. Mr. Bateman asked if there was any member of any Committee or Board who desired to ask any questions and Mr. Burnham replied that he would like to ask the Appropriation Committee about the salary of the Secretary to the Board Joint of Assesors . The Assessors requested 44500 Meeting On and the ppropriation Committee recommends 44100. Budgets He said hat according to the agreement, when the y` Secretar was hired, he was to receive p'4100 a year at he end of two years. The 10% increase that the Town voted in 1951 had not been voted at that tim and the Assessors requested p4500 which would colrer the 10% increase. Mr. Bateman said that the Appropriation Committee: did not overlook that and he referred the subject to the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, because the Appropriation Committee made its decision on the figure recommended by the Selei.tmen. Mr. Nickerson explained that the Board did make an agreement with Mr. Cronin, when he was hire , that his salary would be raised to ' 04100 of er a certain time had elapsed. He said that the Board never did make any commitment, moral or otherwise, to raise his salary beyond that point at any particular time. He stated that the Board does not feel this is the proper time to raise him into a category where he would be comparable to the Town Clerk and Collector of Taxes. 176 Mr. Burnham said that Mr. Cronin never received 00 the 10% increase and Mr. Nickerson stated that he received an increase in that year from 43600 to 44100. He said that Mr. Cronin would not be pre- eluded from any future raises that may be general. If the recommendations that the Selectmen are re- commending are passed, he will not have to work Saturday mornings any more than the other employees of the Town. Mr. Nickerson said that the salary will remain the same so Mr. Cronin will actually be receiving more money per hour. Mr. Nickerson said that in spite of the fact that Mr. Cronin has studied for his position and done a good job of preparing himself, he has only been in the employ of the Town for three years. He said that the Board is not going to attempt to remove any initiative by saying that the salary is going to be just so much. He came to work at 470 and is now receiving a substantial amount. He can look forward to reasonable consideration from the Board but the Board does not think this is the year. Mr. Leland Emery asked if the Selectmen are planning to have the building in general closed Saturday mornings so that the Assessors ' Office could be closed all day. Mr. Nickerson replied that the Selectmen are going along with the program of a five-day week but the Town Meeting will have to vote to change Joint the By-laws . He explained that there is a Meeting On reservation in the vote that evening hours may Budgets be called for at the discretion of the Selectmen. Mr. Gail Smith asked how the Appropriation Committee arrived at 412,000 for Westview Cemetery. Mr. Bateman replied that the budget had been refigured. The Appropriation Committee found that the Commissioners used 411,314 last year and the Committee just assumed that 412,000 would be an increase in labor. He explained that last year they had an increase of 7*% of a total year ' s wages . The Committee added 22 to that, gave a little more and rounded it out to 412,000. He said that the Committee has approved more this year for labor than the Commissioners had last year. Mr. Smith said that when they asked for 113,328 they had in mind the extended area they have been fixing and the extra work for taking care of it. He said that he is not sure the Committee 's figures are not all right and maybe the Commissioners should cut the corners and not have it as nice as they would like it, but he was just curious as to how the Appropriation Committee did it. Mr. Bateman said that the Commissioners are planning four men during the summer; one additional man for twenty-six weeks at 4127 an hour. 177 Mr. Smith said that they are making available new territory which makes for extra work. Mr. Bateman asked if they were planning to extend the cemetery next year and said that Mr. Potter had said that they were not extending the cemetery. Mr. Smith replied that there is extra fence and roadways to be done this year. He asked why the amount of $ 2,000 had been approved when they asked for 44,000. Mr. Bateman replied that there is extra fence and roadways to be done this year. He asked why the amount of 42,000 had been approved when they asked for 44,000. Mr. Bateman explained that Mr. Potter told his Committee that the Commissioners were not planning to extend the cemetery this year but had road and fence repairs to make . The 44,000 included tae purchase of land and Mr. Potter said that the land would cost 43.000. Mr. Bateman said that the last figure the Appropriation Committee 'z ad was 41600. Mr. Smith said that the Appropriation Committee .aas recommended unfavorable action on the purchase of the land and if the Commissioners do not buy it, they will have the expense of fencing, screening and shrubbing it. Joint Mr. Bateman said that it is fenced now. Meetin On Mr. Garrity said that none of the new g development is fenced. Budgets Mr. Bateman said that the Appropriation Committee thought they were ,iving the Commissioners 41,000 mors than they asked for. Mr. Smith said that it will take 41350 to re- surface the roads, and there won' t be much left to do any fencing or screening if the land is not purchased. Mr. Smith said that if the land is not pur- chased something will have to be done and Mr. Bateman said that the Committee thought that shrubs or something could be put on the side. Mr. Garrity said that he does not think the Town will get the land and there are probably 150 lots that the Commissioners will not be able to sell because he did not believe anyone would want to buy lots located right next to a housing development. He said that if it is fenced, it will require about 700 feet. Mr. Bateman said that it would have to wait for another year and Mr. Smith of the Appropriation Committee said that the Commissioners could request additional funds at a Fall meeting. There being no further questions the group retired at 8:45 P.M. 178 go Memorandum was received from the Massachusetts Selectmen's Association advising that Chapter 90 faces Chapter a 25% cut if the budget as recommended in the budget 90 message to the House Committee on Ways and Means, and now recommended by that Committee to the House, is passed. Copy of House Bill No. 2102 was received. This is an Act to Impose a Tax on Gross Receipts Bill 2102 and to Apportion the Revenue therefrom to the General Fund and to Cities and Towns and Providing a Limit for Tax Rates in Cities and Towns. The Chairman read a letter from the Board of Ambulance Fire Commissioners reporting an accident involving the ambulance and police car #31, the estimated cost of repairs being 410. The Chairman read a letter from the Board of Fire Commissioners requesting a ruling in regard to the use of the ambulance on emergency calls re- ceived from outside of the Town. The Commissioners also inquired about the charge for the use of the ambulance to the Emerson Hospital in Concord. Ambulance It was the gpinion of the Board that the ambulance should be available for use in surround- ing towns in case of an extreme emergency. Mr. Emery suggested, and the Board agreed, that a possible change in rates be left to the discretion of the Chairman of the Board of Fire Engineers. Letter was received from the State Department of Conservation, Division of Forestry, in regard to Fire the appointment of a Fire Warden. Warden Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to re-appoint Roy A. Cook as Forest Warden in the Town of Lexington for a term of one year. • Notice was received from the State Department of Conservation in regard to the appointment of a Moth Superintendent. Moth Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Supt. Reed, it was voted to re-appoint Mr. John J. Garrity as Local Moth Superintendent in the Town of Lexington for a term of one year. Mr. Stevens retired at 8:55 P.M. Certificate of Incorporation was received on behalf of Verdie A. Dodds, 17 Dawes Road, Lexington. I Cert . Of Satisfactory character reference was received from Incorp. the Chief of Police. Approval was questioned by Mr. Mary and the matter was held over until the next meeting. 179 Letter was received from Mr. Carroll advising that on March 4, 1952 he appointed Miss Mary R. Appoint- McDonough as Assistant Town Treasurer and Assistant ment Town Clerk. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Emery, it was voted to grant the following uses of halls, free of charge: Uses of Halls V.F.W. Estabrook Hall March 11 & 25 Senior High School Cary Hall June 9, 10, 11 & 13 Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to grant application of License Lexington Theatre, Inc . for a Sunday Movies License. The meeting adjourned at 9 :10 P.M. A true record, Attest: le k