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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1953-12-21-min 204 C Cid SELECTMEN'S MEETING Dbcember' 21, 1953 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, December 21, 1953at 7:00 P. M. Chair- man Reed, Messrs. Gay and Bateman were present. Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present. Mr. Alan G. Adams, met with the Board and dis- Planning cussed the budget submitted by the Planning Board. He Board explained that his Board intends to engage a consultant Budget under a special article in the warrant. Funds will b e needed by the consultant for maps and blueprints. Mr. Adams retired at 7:20 P. M. The Chairman reported that he went to see Roy Cook, at the Central Fire Station, and was informed Central by him that the condition of the heating system is no Station different now than it has been for two or three years. Heating He said that the oil truck stops there every week. System The building is not zoned and in order to bring heat up in one part of the building it goes up to 75 or 80 in the living quarters. The Chairman said that it is a question of using the $500, which everyone knows was earmarked for traffic lights, requesting a transfer from the Reserve Fund, or obtaining an appropriation at the Annual March Meeting. Mr. James, Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, arrived at the meeting at 7 :30 P. M. and the Chairman explained the subject under discussion. He said the Fire Commissioners would like to have the system cor- rected right away and also would like to use the $500 allocated for traffic lights. Mr. James said that if the condition is costing the town money and has to be repaired anyway, he would think the sooner the condition is corrected the better. He agreed to send two representatives of his Committee over to discuss the subject with the Board later in the evening. Mr. James retired at 7 :35 P. M. Shade The Chairman r ead a letter from Edwin B. Worthen advising that he would like to meet with the Board for Trees the purpose of discussing the possibility of the town doing work, under Shade Tree appropriation, on the trees at Buckman Tavern, Munroe Tavern and the Hancock Clarke House. 205 It waswith ggreed to invite Mr. Worthen to meet the Board on Tuesday, January 12, 1954. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, with reference to the case of Rochette vs. Legal Town of Lexington. Following conferences with the Issue plaintiff's attorneys, they decided to drop the case. The necessary pleadings have been filed and on December 11, 1953 judgment was entered for the Town. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, arrived at the meeting at 7 :40 P. M. Mr. Stevens reported that Rep. Ferguson had called him in regard to the bill f or the proposed road and Acts of boundary line between Lexington and Winchester. Under Legislature the House rules, the petition will have to be advertised for three weeks in the local paper and Winchester will also advertise it. Mr. Stevens referred to the claim for damages submitted by Henry Edward Walsh who, in driving over Eldred Street, damaged the gas tank in his ear incurr- ing an expense of $7.50. Walsh claim Mr. Burns said that there was a sewer service for trench going into the house and the accident actually damages did happen. Mr. Stevens stated that he would prepare •a release and send it to Mr. Walsh for signature in an effort to clear the -case up this year. Mr. Burns retired at 8:10 P. M. Mr. Horace Hill, representing the Lexington Golf Lexington Club, met with the Board. He stated that they would Golf Club like to make a change in the golf course because they are afraid that some of the children in the area may get hurt. He explained that they have engaged an architect to make some changes in the course and they are interes- t ted, particularly in the seventh hole, and would like to pure scene property owned by the town which abuts the veterans ' property, The Chairman asked how large an area the Club has in mind and Mr. Hill replied that the architect suggests seventy-five or one hundred yards of property which would be the veterans' project. Mr. Stevens said he assumed the land could be sold under a Town Meeting vote, but it would be necessary to have a plan showing the Club's present boundary lines. The Chairman said that the deed could be shacked to find out whether or not there are any r esttrictions, secure a better plan and then write Mr. •Hill -at the Club. Messrs. Stevens and Hill retired at 8:25 P. M. Cem Mr. Ralph Chadwick, Sealer of Weights and Measures, Sealer of met with the Board to discuss his budgets for 1954. Weights & Be presented each member of the Bpard with a letter enumerating the duties performed by Ma as Sealer. He Measures originally presented a budget for personal services in Budget the amount of $800, but asked to have it revised to $1200. Mr. Chadwick explained that Settlers in most towns charge for,work done for the School and Health Depart- ments and that would increase the amount taken in. by him at least $25. However, he has never made any charge to these departments because he felt it was merely taking money from one department and putting it in another. He explained that even though the number of ar- ticles sealed may mot increasebusinesses are going into more complicated scales which have to be checked more closely than the old type. He stated that there has been a terrific increase in the number of fuel oil trnbks in town. There are now twenty-four and as the town grows the number will increase. He said that pre-packaged goods require a lot of time checking. The Chairman asked what other towns he worked for and Mr. Chadwick replied that he works only for Lexington and Belmont and that between the two there is enough work to make it a full time job. He stated that in Belmont he is asking for an increase from $1700 to $2400. Mr. Bateman asked if the Selaer was a State Officer or a Municipal Officer and Mr. Chadwick replied that the Town pays him; it is a Civil Service job and he is em- powered with the powers of arrest if it is necessary. Mr. Bateman inquired about the amount of time de- voted to work in Lexington and Mr. Chadwick seid. that _it ik_difficult to determine. ge has been here almost every day for the past three weeks. Mr. Gay asked if he would total the amount to three months and Mr. Chadwick said that it would be closer to five months. The Chairman said that the Board would take the wet- ter under consideration and Mr. Chadwick retired at 8:40 P. M. Messrs. Hynes and Potter, Cemetery Commissioners, Cemetery met with the Board to discuss 1954 budgets. Budgets Mr. Potter stated that the Commissioners have not recommended any increase in the salary of the .Clerk, who has had only a few months experience. He said that the Commissioners do not feel they would be justified in asking the Appropriation Committee for additional money before it is determined whether or not the Clerk can do the work. Mr. Healy, the Clerk, told the Commissioners that his salary as Supt . and Clerk exceeded an amount 207 whereby he would continue to receive his government pension and asked if his wife could act as Clerk. The Commissioners bad no objection, but now the Clerk has asked for an increase and the Commissioners fee). that is planning too far in advance. The Chairman asked if the Commissioners were re- questing an increase of ten cents per hour for labor and Mr. Potter replied in the affirmative. The Chairman asked if any provision had been made for overtime and Mrs Hynes replied that it is included in the labor figure which is explained in the work sheet. Messrs. Hynes and Potter retired at 9 ;05 P. M. Letter of thanks was received from Tracy W. Ames for insurance commission on the portion of the premium of the town insurance assigned to him. The Chairman read a letter from Robert Jeremiah, Fire Sta, Wire Inspector, reporting on his inspection of the Wiring wiring at the Central Fire Station. Letter was received from Col. Theodore W. Gram- storff advising that the following housing space would be required to locate a National Guard unit in Lexington: Company.Commander's Office x 101 National Orderly Room 10! x 121 Guard Unit .Locker Room 301 x 201 Supply Room 241 x 151 Ordinance Room 24' x 151 Lecture Room 301 x 201 _Assembly Hall 401 x 501 The Chairman was authorized to advise Col. Gram- storff that it is impossible to comply with their re- quest to locate in Lexington due to the fact that there is no building large enough to meet their requirements. Letter was received from the Lexington Coal Com- pany advising that Edith Kindred has left the company's Publics employ and requesting that Mrs. Robert Boleyn be ap- Weigher pointed as a Public Weigher. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to appoint Mrs. Robert Boleyn a Public Weigher in the Town of Lexington for a term expiring March 31, 1954. Mr. Smith's letter re appointment of school jani- Special tors as Special Police Officers was held over. Police The Chairman reported that he had discussed this subject with the Chief of Police and he would like to interview the men. 2O CL Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to appotnt the following individuals Special Police Officers in the Town of Lexington for terms expiring March 31, 1954, subject to approval by Chief Rycroft. Commissions were never signed. Chief of Police trying to straighten it out with the Superintendent of Schools. Further consideration was given to Mr. Henry Travers' offer of $150 for tax title lots on Hickory Street. All members of' the Board viewed the property. Tax Title The Board had some doubt as to whether the land would property actually be used for garden purposes inasmuch as the land now owned by Mr. Travers is not cultivated and if it were eventually divided into house lots it would incur expenses for street construction, water and sewer. • Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Gay, It was voted to advise Mr. Travers that the Board does not desire to dispose of the lots at this time. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, Uses of it was voted to grant the following uses of halls : halls Five Fields, Inc. Estabrook Jan. 5 Free (J.S. ) League of Women Voters Estabrook Jan. 7 Free (J.3. ) Fireman's Relief Assn. Cary Feb.24 $35.00 (J.S. ) Letter was received from James E. Collins, Wel- Welfare fare Agent, requesting permission to purchase a hew Dept. automobile for the use of the Welfare Department: The Car. present 1949 Chevrolet has gone approximately 46,000 It miles, and needs repairs amounting to $300. The State Department of Public Welfare has granted permission, • and inasmuch as the Federal Government participates in . approximately 40% of the cost of the car, that permission is required. Mr. Collins advised that there are ample funds in the Federal Administration to cover this ex- penditure so a transfer is not necessary. No action was taken. License Upon.motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Gay Renewals it was voted to grant the following licenses (renewals ) : Town Line Pharmacy, Inc. 20-22 Mass. Ave. Common Victualler Countryside Pharmacy 317 Woburn St. " 't Wildacre Inn 50 Percy Road 11 Public Application was received from Charles Durkin, 18 Carriage _ Manley Court, for another cab license, which would make a total of three. 209 Mr. Bateman said that a hazard exists at the taxi stand now with two cars and questioned the advisability of another cab. He suggested elimi- nating one or two parking meters on the opposite side of Emery Park at the Scott building. The Chairman agreed to discuss the subject with the Chief of Police and no action was taken on the application. Messrs. Donnelly and Read of the Appropriation Committee, met with the Board. Mr. Read said that Mr. James told -the Committee about the trouble with the heating system at the Central Are Station. The Chairman said that the Board is trging t o find out whether funds should be transferred from the Reserve Fund for this is an emergency ot'if it is something that can wait until the Annual March Meet- ing. He reported that Chief Engineer Cook advised him that the condition is not any different than it has been for a yearorso but there is a waste of oil. He explained that there is $500 in the Fire Department Expenses account which was earmarked for traffic lights and the Fire Commissioners would like to use that plus $160 which they have to correct the condition. The Chairman read bids as follows : Thomas G. Gallagher, Inc. Replacing radiator & drip traps $465.00 Replacing radiator valves 202.00 Additional zone control - price to be submitted later Richard J. Spencer 580.00 H. B. MatKay & Son 590.51 • The Clerk left the meeting at 9 :55 P. M. A true record, Attest: Clerk, Se ctmen