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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1953-11-09-min 140 SELECTMEN'S MEETING November 9, 1953 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, November 9, 1953 at 7:00 P. M. Chairman Reed, Messrs. Nickerson, Gay, Driscoll and Bateman were present. Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present. At 7 :00 P. M. hearing was declared open upon petition of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lincoln Laboratory, for permission to maintain one underground tank for the storage of 1,000 gallons of Gasoline gasoline at 244 Wood Street. hearing The application was submitted to Captain Bel- castro, df the Lexington Fire Department, and returned with his approval. No persons were present in favor or ap- position. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the license granting permission to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lincoln Laboratory, to main- tain one underground tank for the storage of 1,000 gallons of gasoline on premises located at 244 Wood Street. Hearing was declared open upon petition of the Boston Edison Company for permission to construct and locate a line of conduits and manholes on Massachu- setts Avenue,,at Grant Street, a distance of approxi- Conduit fnate1.y 30 feet. No persons were present in favor or location in opposition. The Clerk informed the Board that Mr. Mahon, representative of the Boston Edison Company, telephoned the office today and asked to have the petition with- drawn, The hea±ing,therefore, was declared closed and no action taken. Petition from the Boston Edison Company and the Pole New England Telephone & Telegraph Company for JO pole location relocation on Watertown Street was held over. Mr. Burns reported that bhe had checked this and has no objection to the proposed relocation. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to approve the petition and sign the order for the following pole relocation: Waterttiwn Street, approximately 15 feet northwest of Crescent Road, One pole (One existing JO pole to be removed. ) J 141 Further consideration was given to Mr. Hasicai 'S request tail partial or complete abatement of water and street betterment assessments levied on his lot, 37 Hillcrest Street. Request for Mr. Burns presented a plan showing the lot and betterment informed the Board that there aree300 square feet in abatement the entire parcel. He suggested a betterment of $600 on the street and $120 on the water or a total of $720 and abating $607. The subject was discussed at length and Mr. Nickerson suggested that in the future on an issue such as this the Engineering Department bring it to the Board' s attention and it can be determined whether or not an abatement would be allowed. Mr. Driscoll said that he thought the amount sug- gested for abatement was too high as the land has been benefited due to the construction of the street. The members of the Board felt that they would like to View the parcel of land• Saturday morning before arriving at any decision. Further consideration was given to the letter from the First Church of Christ, Scientist, requesting the installation of a spot light to better illuminate Request for the corner of Muzzey and Forest Streets . spot light The Chairman reported that he and Mr. Burns hdd inspected the area and at the present time there is no foliage on the trees to obstruct the light. He said that Mr. Burns had mentioned the possibility of placing another pole on the other side of the street. Mr. Nickerson stated that if a spot light is to be placed on the church property, it would be the churdh's responsibility, but if it were to be located on the public way approaching the church, it would then become the responsibility of the town. Mr. Bateman suggested putting a larger light on the pole now located at the corner of the Old Belfry Club. Mr. Burns was requested to carry out Mr. Bateman's suggestions and the Chairman was authorized to advise the church that a larger light will be placed at the corner of the Old Belfry Club and if it does not solve the prob- lem, the Board will then consider the possibility of plac- ing another pole across the street. The Chairman read a letter from Henry J. Travers, 40 Earle Street, offering $150 for lots 30-38 inclusive lots 24 and 27, Block 15, Hickory Street. Tax title It was agreed to view the lots Saturday morning property and consider the offer further at the next meeting of the Board. 1.442 C Letter was received from the Board of Fire En- gineers in reply to the Selectmen's letter of Sep- tember 15th requesting an explanation of the sum of East Lex. $500 in the 1953 budget for traffic lights at East Fire Lexington due to the fact that the bid received was Station $2400. Lights The Chairman felt that inasmuch as the sum of $500 was specifically earmarked in the 1953 budget for this particular item, the Commissioners should not appropriate it for anything else and that it should go back into the Excess and Deficiency Account. Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting at 7 :35 P. M. The Chairman read a letter from the Cemetery Com- missioners advising that Maurice D. Healy has been ap- pointed Superintendent of Cemeteries to fill the un- expired term caused by Mr. Garrity's resignation. Mr. Stevens said that some time ago the Board dis- cussed the subject of straightening out the boundary line between Winchester and Lexington. The proposed Winchester draft has been approved by Winchester and be presented -Lexington a Legislative petition to the Board, together with a boundary proposed Act, for signatures. Mr. Stevens explained Aet that the Town of Winchester will execute the instrument and it will be filed as a joint petition. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to sign the petition as presented by Town Counsel. Mr. Reed left the meeting at 7 :45 P. M. and Mr. Nickerson served as Chairman for the remainder of the evening. Mr. Robert Jeremiah, Wire Inspector, met with the Board and reported that he has made a survey of charges for electrical permits made in various towns . He stated that two adjoining towns have no fees and two other towns Jeremiah charge a fee higher than that charged in Lexington. re : Wire He read a rather lengthy list of proposed changes Inspecting and recommended fees for Lexington. fees The Chairman said that if the inspector goes into a system of charging whereby he has sliding scales and six or seven basic items, a state of confusion will be induced and further more the contractors would undoubted- ly object. He thought that if the subject was considered from the standpoint of simplicity instead of complexity it would be better for both the town and the inspector. Mr. Gay asked what brought about the proposed changes and Mr. Jeremiah replied that some of the other towns have been increasing the fees . He said that some 143 day this position might develop into a permanent job 111 either for him or someone else, and by taking in more money he thought the town would be better able to pay for a full-time man. The Chairman said that he thought Mr. Jeremiah had made good effort in the right direction and sug- gested that he revise his proposals whereby they would be a little less complicated. He mentioned possibly a certain sum for a new house, a sum for alterations, a miniinum sum for any store or small commercial building and a sum to be determined for any large manufacturing building. Mr. Jeremiah agreed to revise his suggestions and retired at 8:00 P. M. Mr. Howard D. Butler, Scout Executive, and another individual met with the Board in regard to the street betterment assessment levied on property owned by Sachem Council, Inc. and located on Grant Street. The Chairman asked if the council intended to sell the land and Mr. Butler replied that he did not know. He explained that there is a man who seemed interested in buying it and that is what started the chain of events. The other representative said that when the pros- pective purchaser found out about the lien, he lost in- terest. He said that if the Board could give the council some relief it would also put a piece of property back into taxation. He stated that there are two good lots Boy Scout down there and if the sale goes through no doubt they betterment will be built upon. He said that the scouts use the property to some extent but as it is, the land is tax free. Mr. Butler said that the lots are almost perpen- dicular and not too desirable, and are carried on the Assessors books at $1,000. The Chairman explained that there are three mem- bers of the present Board who were on the Board when it went through the series of abatements on Grant Street. He said that the Board spent days going over the street and trying to determine upon whom a hardship was worked because of the assessment and who was benefited and to what extent. He stated that the Board took into con- sideration that it was an expensive construction and cost more than anticipated and reduced the assessments on that basis. He recalled that the Boy Scout assess- ment was deferred and by law interest was charged at the rate of 4%. Some time later, through efforts of Town Counsel, a law was passed by the legislature whereby certain property was put into a special category and the betterments could be deferred without interest for a period of three years. At the end of the three-year period the owner could request another deferment of three 144 CL years. The original vote deferring the scout better- ment with interest was rescinded and it was then voted to defer it for a three-year period without interest. He explained that the amount assessed as better- ments against the scout property was assessed by the Board because it was figured as added value put into this property. He said that if the Board should vote, as it can, to abate all or part of the assessment, it means that the taxpayers in general have to pay that sum, whereas it is a benefit to a certain piece of property. He said that he would think the price the council could get for the property would include the betterment. He explained that the Board cannot abate the assessment merely because of the Boy Scouts. Mr. Butler said the coUncil believes it is get- ting a certain amount of use from the land but feel it could benefit to a greater extent from the funds the sale of the land would bring. He said that the town would have taxable property which, year in and year out, would bring money into the town not only from the land but also for the buildings. He said that it is a business proposition. The Chairman stated that the matter of getting land back into taxation is a matter about which the Board is a little touchy, and the argument that when a house is built upon a piece of land it becomes a benefit to the town taxwise does not impress the Board very much. 111Many times in houses are children who must be educated and it is very dubious if the town makes anything . He explained that there is substantial footage in the land and anyone who purchases it might put up one or two houses. W. Butler said that there is ledge in the land and the Chairman informed him that the Board abated an assessment on a lot on Grant Street and six months later a house was built on that very lot. He ex- plained that the street cost $15 or $16 a foot. He said that the Board would consider the matter and dis- cuss it but he thought he might as well tell the council how the Board feels now. He said that this particular man who wants to buy the property is only one of many people who might want to build in Lexington. He said that one cannot purchase anything in Lexington com- parable to those lots for less than $5,000 or $6,000. He said that he sincerely thought the council would re- ceive a good price for the lots, perhaps not this month or this year, but in the meantime it is not putting any money into the lots. Mr. Gay asked what they would consider a fair abatement and Mr. Butler replied that he thought $1,000 off would be fair. i 145 Mr. Bateman asked how much had been offered for 111 the land and Mr. Butler replied that when the man heard about the lien he was not interested and did not make any offer. The Chairman suggested that the council place the property with a real estate agent and if no offer netting a good profit is received within six months or so, dis- cuss the subject with the Board again. Mr. Butler said that he was perfectly willing to go along with the Chairmants suggestion and he knew that the trustees of the property would be willing to go along with it also. The council representatives retired at 8:25 P. M. Mr. Walker, Town Accountant, met with the Board. He explained that he was talking with Mr. Reed about payrolls. He has to have some new ones and thought, inasmuch as the State Director of Accounts Payrolls and the Secretary of the Commonwealth does not want the payrolls thrown out, the forms should be revamped so they could be bound. He said that there are four different sizes at the present time; two for the school and two for the regular departments, and they are not upl. to date in any way. The Chairman asked if it would mean any change machinewise and Mr. Walker replied in the negative. He said that it would eliminate duplicate payrolls. He said that he would recommend listing all people on general government on one payroll. His department would Make up the payroll and then take it around for department heads to initial. The Chairman asked if the Accounting Department would make out all payrolls and Mr. Walker replied that it would with the exception of those on time. The Chairman asked if he meant he would make out those for salaried individuals and Mr. Walker replied in the affirmative. He said they would all be listed and just initialed. The Chairman asked if Mr. Walker had discussed the proposed change with the department heads and he replied in the negative. He said he thought he should discuss it with the Board for approval first. The Chairman said that it may be a very good idea but it may be something that the department heads would object to. Mr. Walker said that he could not see any r eason to object as everyone would be receiving the same amount of salary each week. He said that the payrolls have to be in such order that they can be bound and kept for future reference. The Chairman asked if they were kept now and Mr. Walker replied that beyond 1937 there is no record of anti* one person having worked for the town in any de- par.LiLent 146 to The Chairman asked if the State was not going to require the town to keep the payrolls for a certain number of years, and Mr. Walker replied that they have to be kept forever. Mr. Driscoll asked if there would be only one set and Mr. Walker replied that the library and school would make their own. Mr. Bateman asked how much money would be saved and Mr. Walker replied that there would be a saving on carbon. The Chairman asked if the Accounting Department would take care of the Police and Fire Departments and Mr. Walker replied that he would not make out their payrolls any more than he has in the past. The Chairman suggested that Mr. Walker write to the Board listing the departments he would cover with this. Mr. Walker said that the new payroll would cover all the departments under general government. The Chairman asked if he would include the Fire and Police and Mr. Walker replied in the negative. He said he would not include the School Department either, The Chairman asked him to make a list of the de- partments he would include. Mr. Walker said that he noticed, on charges for sewer connections and water connections, where the town shovel is used the charge is $5.00 and where Littlefield's shovel is used the charge is $7.50. He Connection said his did not think that was fair and thought it charges should be one or the other. The Chairman said that Mr. Walker might be correct, but probably the charge of $7.50 by Littlefield is based on What the town pays him. Mr. Driscoll said that he personally thought people being charged either of the rates are most fortunate in the figure. The Chairman explained that if times ever get back to normal the town will not be hiring Littlefield. He is doing a very good job for the town and perhaps the individual paying for the connection does suffer a little. He said the Board would consider the subject. Mr. Walker reported that he talked with Dr1 Foley, Chairman of the Recreation Committee, the other day and understands that the committee is going to put Mr. Recreation Loupret' s payroll back again at 60% of the former amount. payroll The Chairman suggested that, when he receives the payroll, he advise the Town Treasurer that the Board discussed the matter with Town Counsel and has been advised that it is legal. 147 Mr. Walker said that there is a way the town can save money next year on workmen's compensation by tak- Workmen's ing street cleaning out of Highway Maintenance, taking compensation , Ill cleaning of drains out of Highway Maintenance.and cleaning sewers out of Sewer Maintenance. He said that a saving of 33 1/3% could be made. The Chairman asked him to write the Board a letter to this effect. Mr. Walker and Mr. Stevens retired at 8:50 P. M. Invitation was received from the- Allied Veterans' Council for the Board to attend Armistice- Day Obsef- vance in Cary Memorial Hall on November 11th at 10:00 A.M. Application was received from Col. Connell Alber- tine, on behalf of the Veterans ' Memorial Committee, for permission to conduct a meeting in the Selectmen's Use of Room on Thursday evening, November 12th from 8:00 P.M. hall until 10:00 P.M. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to grant the request. A letter was presented to the Board from Mr. and Mrs. Milan L. Pittman, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Edwin R. Wilbur and Mr. Edward C. Thorup,- offering to pay the Redemption Town the sum of $150. to redeem their lots, which are of property 111 W-4, W-5 and M-6 Pine Knoll Road, from a taking by Pine Knoll the Town for non payment of one year 's installment of Road a street betterment assessment. The street betterment on this land was apportioned over a 10 year period com- mencing in 1949. The 1949 installment of $143.37 was unpaid when these persons purchased their lots but through an error the certificate issued by the Tax Colledtor as to municipal liens stated that the in- stallment had been paid. Subsequent installments have been paid. The Collector made a taking of the property for non payment of the 1949 installment, and with charges of $25.52- and interest of $56.25, the amount now required to redeem is $222.15. Upon con- sideration thereof, it was Voted : To accept the offer to redeem the property for $150., subject to obtaining authorization from t he Department of Corporations and Taxation to abate charges of $15.89 and interest of 456.25. The meeting adjourned at 9 :05 P. M. A true record, Attest : 111 Clerk, S ectme'n