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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1952-02-18-min 11.56 SELECTMEN' S METING February 18, 1952 OD Selectmen A regular meeting of the Board of Se 1 was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, February 18, 1952 at 7 :00 P.M. Chairman Nickerson, Messrs. Emery, Gay and Hoyt were present . The Clerk was also present. Hearing was declared open upon petition of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for joint or identical locations on Paul Revere Road. No Pole Locations persons were present in favor or in opposition. Notation of approval was made on the plan by Mr. Burns, Superintendent of Public Works. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to approve the petition and sign the order for the following pole locations : Paul Revere Road, opposite and easterly from Harbell Street, 2 poles. Two existing poles to be removed. Paul Revere Road, opposite and eastey from Asbury Street, 2 poles. Two existing poles to be removed. Letter was received from the Arlington Gas Light Company, together with sketch showing proposed location for 350 ' of 6" C. I. gas main in Burlington Street. The main, if approved, is Gas Main for the purpose of supplying gas service to one Location new home. The Clerk reported that Mr. Burns had seen the sketch and recommended approval. Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to approve proposed location of 350' of 6" C. I. gas main in Burlington Street. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Converse Hill, of Brewer & Lord, in reference to the Board ' s letter of last July asking the company to bind 412,500 fire insurance and liability insurance on Insurance the building occupied by the Boy' s Club. Mr. Hill Sexton explained that the fire rate has been published Property at $7 .70 per thousand for one year, 419.20 for three years, making a premium of 496.25 for one year and 4240 for three years for 412,500 insurance. The cost for liability insurance in $ 5, 000 and 410,000 limits is 425.00 per year or 462.50 for three years. 157 Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Emery, it was voted to place fire and liability coverage on the so-called Sexton property for a period of one year and determine some time later in the Spring what is to be done about continuing the use of the building by the Boys ' Club. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Converse Hill advising that a recent inspection of the Town Buildings, made by the New England Fire Insurance Rating Association, emphasizes the fact that the sprinkler systems in the schools are not being properly maintained. Mr. Hill recommended School that the service of maintaining the system by Sprinklers Grinnell Company be reinstated. The cost for such service is 4140 per year and calls for annual inspections. It was agreed to refer the matter to the School Committee and the Chairman was authorized to write the Committee suggesting that this subject be given serious consideration. The Chairman read a letter from Robert P. Curran, Director of Aid and Relief of the State Department of Public Welfare, with reference to combining local welfare appropriations . Mr. Curran advised the Board that combining Welfare the local appropriations would obviate the Appro- necessity of calling a town meeting when one priations appropriation is exhausted and there is a surplus in another account. He stated that there appears to be no prohibition of law in the event that a t.own wishes to combine the appropriations for the several categories of public assistance into one appropriation. The Board was in favor of grouping the various categories of public assistance into one appropriation. Letter was received from Mrs. Alfred Canasetta, 38 Revere Street, requesting the Town to plant two Trees sugar maple trees in front bf her house. The Clerk was instructed to refer the request to Mr. Garrity. The Chairman read a letter from the Board of Health advising that said Board has voted to have all homes on sewered streets in the Manor section Manor connected with the sewer by September 15, 1952. Sewer The Chairman explained that this involves an Connections additional amount of about 420,000 in the budget. He said that he has discussed this with the Town Counsel and also with Mr. Bateman, Chairman of the Appropriation Committee. The Board agreed that funds required for the Manor sewer connections should be provided by a transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Account . 158 00 Sick Leave The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Carroll Pay that the Board is in favor of continuing Miss Ready's sick leave pay for at least one more month. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, arrived at the meeting at 7:40 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from the Lexington Historical Society stating that the Society believes it would be appropriate and desirable to have a Plaque marker or plaque placed on Hastings Park giving re- For cognition to the part that the Cary family had in Hastings the establishment of that area for its present Park purposes. The Chairman reported that the cost of a stone base with a suitable marker would be about 4425.90 and it was agreed to include this item in the budget for 152. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, to Mr. Lindstrom, Building Inspector, in regard to Mr. Berman's request to use two rear Berman's upstair rooms, first floor above the store, for Request additional storage of alcoholic beverages. For Add. The store is located in a C-1 zone and since Storage the new Zoning By-law prohibits liquor stores in Space a C-1 zone, this is a non-conforming use and the question arises as to whether or not the request would involve the extension of a non-conforming use. Before making a ruling, Mr. Stevens would like more information in reference to the building. The Chairman read letters from Mr. Stevens to William H. Ballard and Minot, DeBlois & Maddison in regard to Edison Way. He advised that the Board will report orally to the Town Meeting that the negotiations are still in progress . At 8:00, P.M. Mr. Charles Vaughan, a member of the Board of Registrars, met with the Board. He said that he appreciated the appoihtment Vaughn, to serve as a Registrar, but he has been told by Board of Mr. Carroll that his duties as such will prohibit Registrars him from getting any town business such as bonds or insurance, either directly or indirectly as long as he remains a member of the Board. He said that Mr. Carroll had promised to secure his bond this year through him, but now claims that he can- not have the business because of his connections with the Board. 159 Mr. Stevens read Sections 1 and 2 of Article 2 of the General By-laws and stated that neither have anything to do with Mr. Vaughan and his business with the Town. Mr. Vaughan said that he has had the Assistant Treasurer' s bond for several years and Mr. Carroll Vaughan, promised him his this year but, told him that now Board of this is prohibited. Registrars Mr. Stevens said that Mr. Vaughan would not be doing anything on behalf of the Town and that these two sections do not apply to him. Mr. Hoyt explained that some years ego Mr. Wrightington ruled that unless an individual actually participated in making a contract, his connections with the town as a member of a Board would not conflict. The Selectmen were of the opinion that, on advice of Town Counsel, Mr. Vaughan could inform Mr. Carroll that the situation is not as he interprets it. Mr. Stevens said that he was basing his opinion solely on the basis of Article 2 of the General By- laws and that Mr. Vaughan can talk to Mr. Carroll. If Mr. Carroll has any doubts he can write Mr. Stevens a letter for an opinion. Mr. Vaughan retired at 8:10 P.M. Reference was made to the extract from the meeting of the Board of Directors relative to the change in Manager of Joseph Trani, Inc. Mr. Stevens said that the Board should vote Trani, Jr. to approve the change and then so advise the A.B.C. Management Mr. Finery asked if there is any implied Of Store obligation on the part of the Board to ask the Chief of Police for a character reference and it was agreed to have the Chairman contact the Chief before approving the change. Letter was received from Miss Thompson, addressed to her from Commissioner Long, together with approval of the appointment of Leon J. Greene as Deputy Collector of the Town, together with approval of his bond. Miss Thompson had informed the Clerk that the Deputy bond had been turned over to the Town Clerk for a Collector number of years, but this year he advised her that it should be referred to the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Emery said that he thought the Boerd shougd have a letter from Miss Thompson requesting approval of the appointment and bond. However, he moved that the Board approve the appointment and bond, both hairing been approved by Commissioner Long. Mr. Gay seconded the motion and it was so voted . 160 4. CO Letter was received from Clarence E. Smith, IIadvising that due to the fact that he is out of Resignation Town many Monday nights when the Appropriation Committee holds its meeting, he is resigning as a member of the Committee. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept Mr. Smith' s resignation, effective after the final adjournment of the March Town Meeting. Application was received from the Lexington Council of Girl Scouts, requesting permission to Use of conduct a Scout Rally in Cary Memorial Hall on Hall May 2, 1952 from 7 :00 P.M. until 10:10 P .M. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to grant the use of the hall free of charge. Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. License Gay, it was voted to approve application received from the Lexington Theatre, Inc. for a Sunday Movie license. Letter was received from the Algonquin Gas Transmission Company requesting a grant for location for the construction and maintenance of a welded steel main and appurtenances for the transmission Trans- of natural gas from Newton to Everett. mission Line The Chairman explained that he had discussed this with Mr. Burns who agrees that the proposed crossing, as shown by plan submitted is a logical solution. Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to approve the grant for a location upon the recommendation of Mr. Burns. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 P.M. A true record, Attest: _y/ e Mr. Burns, Superintendent of Public Works, arrived at the meeting after the Clerk had left Manor and stated that if the 122 additional sewer sErvices Sewer are to be installed next year in the Manor section, Services he would simply hire another rig and crew and put 11them in. He said that he could do it.