HomeMy WebLinkAbout1952-02-04-min 142
SELECTMEN'S MEETING
PiR
February 4, 1952
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen
was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office
Building on Monday evening, February 4, 1952 at
7 :00 P.M. Chairman Nickerson, Messrs. Emery, Gay,
Driscoll and Hoyt were present. The Clerk was also
present.
Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk and Treasurer,
met with the Board.
The Chairman explained that for some time the
Board has been trying to "hold the line" in regards
to Clerks ' salaries, and as Mr. Carroll knew, there
is a Senior Clerk maximum and a Junior Clerk
maximum. He stated that the Senior Clerk in Mr.
Carroll ' s office has reached the maximum and he
thought he could say for the members of the Board
that they are sympathetic in knowing how much work
she does and what a good girl she is. However, the
moment she is put in a special category, questions
will be raised. He explained that there are girls
in the building who have been working for the Town
Town Clerk a good many years longer than Miss McDonough and
they have been trying to get into a different
re category and the Board does not feel right about
Personal making an exception in Mr. Carrolls ' case.
Services Mr. Carroll said that he does not mean to be
offensive to the Board but would like to state that
the Selectmen do not set the salary for the office
of the Town Clerk and Treasurer. He said that is
governed by General Laws by the Town Meeting members.
The Chairman explained that the Board is not
arguing but merely asking for co-operation. He said
that Mr. Carroll may be right and may be able to force
a raise.
Mr. Carroll said that he does not intend to do
that and was just makintgi.the point because he did
not know if the Board was familiar with the law.
He said that he considers Miss McDonough far sup-
erior to any Senior Clerk in the building. She
has been appointed by him as Assistant Town Clerk
and Town Treasurer. He stated that she proved her
worth last year when he was sick and when the
Second National Bank saw how capable she is, she was
offered a position at $50 a week but did not accept
it out of loyalty to him. He explained that she
has full responsibility of the office during his
absence and the title of Senior Clerk does not fit
her. He referred to the Clerk of the Board and said
that she is over the head of a Senior Clerk because she
has duties and work she has to take care of. He said
that, without mentioning any names, there are girls in
the building rated as Senior Clerks who could not do
Miss McDonough's work.
143
Mr. Driscoll asked if Miss McDonough signed
herself as Assistant Town Treasurer and Mr. Carroll
replied in the affirmative. He explained that her
title is authorized by the State and approved by
Commissioner Long. He said that he talked with
his Doctor this evening and he won't know until
March first whether or not another operation is
necessary. He said that Miss McDonough takes work
home at night because he will not allow her to
work nights because of the affect it may have on
her health.
Mr. Emery asked how long she has worked for
Mr. Carroll and he replied ten years.
Mr. &eery asked the amount of increase for
which Mr. Carroll was asking and he replied that
he wants an increase of $5.00 per week for the
year.
Mr. Driscoll asked why Miss McDonough was not
classified in the budget as Assistant Town Clerk
and Assistant Town Treasurer and Mr. Carroll re-
plied that she should be but the budget sheets were
made out in the Accounting Department. He explained
that there will be no Senior Clerk in his office.
Mr. Gay asked what her salary would be with
the $5.00 increase and Mr. Carroll replied that
she is now getting 445.98 a week and he is asking
1 for $5.004nore.
The Chairman said that he thought the Board
understood Mr. Carroll's attitude.
The Chairman said that the Board would like to
re-open the question of voting booths and explained
that the Board does not want to spend the money
this year unless it is absolutely necessary.
Mr. Carroll said that the Town has gone along
so far with them and can continue to take the
chance and get along. He explained that he just
wanted to bring the situation to the Board 's
attention. If the Board feels that nothing should Voting
be done this year, it is all right with him. Booths
Mr. Hoyt inquired as to just what is involved
and Mr. Carroll replied that Precinct One is for
replacement, but he can still get by with the
present booths.
Mr. Gay asked if there are enough booths in
every precinct to accommodate everyone who wants
to vote and Mr. Carroll replied that by law only
so many can be there at one time. Only four
voters can stand inside the rail at a time. He
said the only time they are slow is between seven
and eight o'clock at night.
Mr. Emery asked if anyone in line by eight
o 'clock could vote and Mr. Carroll replied in the
affirmative.
Mr. Carroll retired at 7 :15 P.M.
144CO
The Chairman read a letter from Thomas A.
Napoli requesting deferment of a water betterment
assessment in the amoant of 4157 under the pro-
visions of Chapter 159 of the Acts of 1950.
Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr.
Driscoll, it was voted, under authority of Chap-
Napoli ter 159 of the Acts of 1950, to extend the time
Water for payment of water betterment assessment of 4157,
Assessment without interest, levied against property of
Thomas A. Napoli, until said land or any part
thereof is built upon, sold, or until the expiration
of three years from the date hereof, whichever
event occurs first; provided, however, that this
extension of time shall terminate immediately
if the facilities of the water main are used for
said land or any part thereof.
The Chairman read a letter from Frank A.
and Mary I. Napoli requesting deferment of •
sewer betterment assessment in the amount of
41,584.15 under the provisions of Chapter 159
of the Acts of 1950.
Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr.
Hoyt, it was voted, under authority of Chapter
159 of the Acts of 1950, to extend the time for
payment of betterment assessment of 41,584.15,
Napoli without interest, levied against property of
Sewer Frank A. and Mary I. Napoli, until saidland or
Assessment any part thereof is built upon, sold, or until
the expiration of three years from the date hereof,
whichever event occurs first; provided, however,
that this extension of time shall terminate immed-
iately if the facilities of the sewer main are
used for said land or any part thereof.
The Chairman read a letter from Dr. Ivan G.
Pyle requesting deferment of sewer betterment
Dr. Pyle assessment in the amount of $222.95 levied against
Sewer lot 25 Woodland Road.
Assessment The Chairman was authorized to inform Dr.
Pyle that the legislation under which he re-
quested deferment was conceived to apply to
farm land in large areas before subdivision into
lots and therefore the Board is not in favor of
granting his request.
The Chairman informed the Board that Dr.
Pyle had telephoned him and asked to have the
Hayes matter of Hayes Avenue reopened . He was very
Avenue much disturbed to find out it was not going to
be recommended by the Board.
Mr. Emery said that he did not believe Dr.
Pyle would have to pay any betterment as the
longer frontage is on Meriam Street.
145
The Chairman said that the Engineer' s work
sheet shows an assessment of 0477.92. However,
the Board was not in favor of making any change
in its decision not to recommend the street to
Town Meeting for acceptance this year.
The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Stevens
with reference to the case of Ernest B. Johnson,
Jr. vs Town of Lexington, advising that a settle-
ment has been reached with the plaintiff ' s Johnson
attorney, and it is in order for the Board to Settlement
abate the betterment in the principal amount of
$370 with interest of $34.99.
Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr.
Gay, it was voted to abate water betterment
assessment, levied against property on Grove
Street, owned by Ernest B. Johnson, Jr., in
the principal amount of 4370 with interest of
$34.99 making a total of 4404.99.
Mr. Stevens arrived at 7:35 P.M.
The Chairman reported that he and Mr. Emery
had inspected the dump on Lowell Street and ex-
plained that Mr. Stevens is now trying to get a
restraining order.
Mr. Stevens said that he was going to consider
amending the Zoning By-Law and also see if there
could be an amendment to the Regulations of the
Board of Health in regards to dumping. He said,
however, that it might weaken the Town' s case to
go in on the present Zoning, having an amendment Lowell St.
in the making at the same time, but he thought Dump
he should try to get a restraining order.
Mr. Stevens said that the Chief of Police
feels that he is not receiving any co-operation
from the people in the house over there. The
children attend the Lexington schools, but the
house is not assessed in Lexington. Mr. Emery
said that the house is in Burlington.
It was a unanimous opinion of the Board
that the Town Counsel should proceed to take
whatever action is necessary to obtain a re-
straining order.
Mr. Stevens read a letter from W. H.
Ballard stating that it would be helpful in Fire
completing the Scott negotiations if the Board Station
would include an article in the warrant for the Lot On
March Town Meeting whereby the Board is specifically Meriam St.
authorized to complete the sale of the fire station
lot on Meriam Street.
Mr. Stevens said that the Board could in-
clude an article in regard to the old fire
station property and that it is just a question
as to whether the Board wants the authority or
not.
146
Mr. Emery explained that Mr. Ballard has
always felt. that the Board should have that power
because he could then talk to Scott with the view
Fire Station of having the old building removed within a few
Lot on years. He said that when Mr.. Paxton was Chairman
Meriam St. of the Board he thought it inadvisable for the
Selectmen to have such power until such time as
the Board had some concrete argument to present
to the Town Meeting,. Mi'. Emery said that he would
like to have an article included.
The Chairman questioned the advisability of
any Board of Selectmen having authority to sell
Widening the property and Mr. Hoyt suggested that the time
Mass. Ave. in which the Board could act might be limited.
Mr. Ballard also requested the inclusion
of an article in the warrant, requesting the
Selectmen to review the possibilities of the
further widening of Massachusetts Avenue in
the Lexington Center business district. He
stated that such an article would also be help-
ful in the Scott negotiations.
Mr. Ballard wrote that while the Board
has not requested him to do so, he would not be
adverse to receiving a request. to assist in
negotiating a similar agreement in respect to
the property at 1757-1775 Massachusetts Avenue,
formerly owned by Daniel J. O 'Connell.
Mr. Stevens informed the Board that the
Bill in regard to public inspection of Welfare
records is scheduled for hearing tomorrow
morning.. He explained that if passed, it will
put the law back where it was in 1941 before
there was an amendment providing examination
of any Public Welfare records. He said that
Public the first part would open the records to public
Welfare inspection insofar as the name of the individual
Records and amount received is concerned .
Mr. Driscoll asked if this would mean in-
spection of the records by other than officials
and Mr. Stevens replied in the affirmative.
The Chairman asked if Mr. Stevens intended
to go to the hearing and he replied that he would
not attend unless the Board wanted him to.
It was decided that the Town Counsel should
obtain a report on the hearing and then the Board
would decide on what action to take.
Mr. Stevens retired at 8:15 P.M.
Letter was received from Ralph Chadwick,
Sealer of Weights and Measures, advising that the
Town of Belmont expects to purchase a mobile 50
gallon Test Tank for use in testing fuel oil tank
and truck meters.
147
He stated that if Belmont buys the tank,
Lexington should assume the garage rent, Weights &
and requested that his 1952 budget be in- Measurers
creased 120. Expense
The Chairman agreed to confer with the
Appropriation Committee and also to contact
Mr. Chadwick in an effort to obtain more
specific information relative to the garaging.
The Chairman reminded the Board of two
items, presented by Mr. Worthen, to be con-
sidered as possible 1952 projects.
He reported that the approximate cost of Relettering
relettering the ancient monument on the Common Monument on
will be 01,000 and the approximate cost of a Common
marker for Hastings Park is 4400. &
It was agreed to include an additional sum Marker for
of 01,000 in the Selectmen' s Expenses budget for Hastings
1952 to pay for relettering the monument and let Park
the marker for Hastings Park go for another year.
At 8:30 P.M. the following members of the
Appropriation Committee met with the Board;
Chairman Bateman, Messrs. Cleveland, Donnelly,
Reed, Smith, Sullivan and Tucker. Mrs. Rich
was also present.
Budgets for 1952 were discussed until
10:55 P.M. at which time the Appropriation
Committee retired.
Request was received from the American
Legion Auxiliary for permission to erect a
booth at the corner of Meriem Street and Mass.
Avenue on the 19th of April. Permit
Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by
Mr. Gay, it was voted to grant the request.
Letter was received from the Boston Seventh-
Day Adventist Temple requesting permission to Tag Day
conduct a Tag Day in Lexington on either May 13, Denied
14 or 15.
Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr.
Hoyt, it was voted to deny the request.
Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr.
Driscoll, it was voted to grant a Sunday Movies License
license to the Lexington Theatre, Inc.
Application was received from the American
Legion Auxiliary requesting permission to con- Use of
duct a meeting in the Conference Room, Cary' Hall Building on Monday evening, March 17th.
Inasmuch as the Adjourned Town Meeting is
scheduled for this date, the request was denied.
A meeting of the Board will be held on Saturday
morning at 9:30 A.M. for further consideration of
budgets. The meeting adjourned at 11:15 P.M.
A true record, Attest: Clerk %�GL2