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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1953-11-02-min 133 SELECTMEN'S MEETING November 2, 1953 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, November 2, 1953 at 7:00 P. M. Chair- man Reed, Messf+s. Nickerson, Gay, Driscoll and Bateman were present. Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present. Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk, met with the Board for Jurors the drawing of two jurors. Mr. Stanley W. Cruwys, 18 Winthrop Road and Miss Irene F. Harkins, 2 Myrna Road were drawn. Mr. Carroll retired. At 7 :00 P. M. hearing was declared open upon petition of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for permission to lay and maintain under- Conduit ground conduits and manholes in Pleasant Street and location Massachusetts Avenue. Mr. Consilvio, representing the petitioner, and Mr. Charles E. Bowker, 172 Massachusetts Avenue, were the only persons present. Mr. Consilvio said that his company is seeking petition before the Board for about 165 feet of under- ground conduit running on Massachusetts Avenue and Pleasant Street from pole 80/2 to approximately 60 feet southwest from Follen Road to a manhole 54/30 on Massachusetts Avenue. He explained that the original plan on this par- ticular petition was placed in 1930. It is an iron pipe and there is no more room for telephone cable. The company wants to put in relief for homes on Peacock Farms and also the Minute Man golf course. Mr. Burns said that, in reference to this petition and the one to follow, he would like to recommend some changes in the proposed location and would also like to designate the time the work is to be done. Mr. Nickerson asked how much more work is to be done on Massachusetts Avenue and Mr. Consilvio replied that the two proposed locations this evening should complete the project. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to grant the petition subject to changes recommended by Mr. Burns, and also subject to the work being done at a time satisfactory to him. There being no further questions, the hearing was declared closed by the Chairman. 134 a At 7 :05 P. M. hearing was declared open upon petition of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for permission to lay and maintain underground conduits and manholes in Massachusetts Avenue from the Arlington-Lexington town line, northwesterly approx- imately 3466 feet. Mr. Consilvio explained that this is in addition to the four ducts now in the avenue. The company wants Conduit to increase the facilities to compensate the change in location Arlington. Mr. Bowker asked if a conduit would be dug for each home and the Chairman replied in the negative and explained that this is a trunk line going underground down Massachusetts Avenue. Mr. Bateman asked if this was a continutation of the line now being built and Mr. Burns explained that last year the company installed a conduit to Oak Street. This location is from Oak Street to the Arlington line. The hearing was declared closed. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded b y Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to grant the petition subject to changes recommended by Mr. Burns, and also subject to the work being done at a time satisfactory to him. Messrs. Consilvio, Bowker and Burns retired. Mr. Milton F. Hodgdon met with the Board. The Chairman reported that he had a conversation with Mr. Merriam and Mr. Hodgdon following the latter's request for an opportunity to participate in town in- surance. Howeger, he felt that Mr. Hodgdon could ex- plain the situation to the Board in his own words bet- ter than he, the Chairman, could report it. Mr. Hodgdon stated that he started tomork with Mr. Merriam on real estate, and actually works as an Mr. Hodgdon independent as far as the records are concerned. He re : Insurance said that he does have a drawing account and that was in 1946. In 1947 he studied and took the State exam- ination for an insurance for an insurance broker's license and at that time he' again wrote an agreement with Mr. Merriam whereby he would run the majority of his business through Mr. Merriam's office, mainly in- dividual home owners' business. Mr. Merriam gave him an opportunity to write through other agents or direct with the companies . He said that in this particular setup Mr. Merriam has him listed as an individual broker. Mr. Hodgdon said that as far as any business is concerned, outside of the office, he works on stric- tly a brokerage arrangement. He said that in this case, Mr. Merriam would not be involved in any way, and that his drawing acodunt clods not enter into the insurance business at all. He stated that, on a brokerage basis he writes the insurance and supposedly he is to pay Mr. Merriam who receives the underwriting. 135 Mr. Nickerson explained that the town insurance business is a troublesome item and he believed Mr. Hodgdon was aware of how the Board has handled it. He said that it has proven quite satisfactory as now set up and it is all apportioned right down the line. This year two people who had town insurance either closed up or died and there is a small amount to be reapportioned. He stated that the Board does not want to be unco-operative, but there are four or five other insurance offices in town in a similar position. If the small amount to be apportioned is given to him there.will be four or five other requests and there will be no insurance to give them. He said that he sometimes thinks the insurance brokers overemphasize the value of getting a portion of the town's insurance. Mr. Hodgdon said that one does not receive a broker' s license very easily and a broker usually works with some agency or a company. * He said he be- lieves his case is unusual as ordinarily there is only one licensed broker in each office. He said that he would like to participate but if the Board does not think it is correct at this time he would appreciate being kept in mind for the future. Mr. Driscoll said that he would like to see the insurance allocated as it grows because he feels that some of the agents are overloaded. Mr. Gay asked if any commission on town insur- ance would all be Mr. Hodgdon's and he replied that Mr. Merriam would not be involved. The Chairman said that Mr. Merriam made it very clear to him that he would not be involved in any way if Mr. Hodgdon were to receive any town insurance. Mr. Hodgdon stated that he writes quite a lot of insurance with Brewer & Lord. The agreement with Mr. Merriam is to help him (Mr. Hodgdon) and also to protect Mr. Merriam's business. He stated that he has a full brokerage license and can write with any company licensed to do business in Massachusetts . Mr. Hodgdon retired at 7 :20 P. M. Mr. Gay asked how much insurance is involved and the Chairman replied 2.5% to be diatiddd between Messrs . Lerner, Sullivan and Hodgdon if the Board decides to include him. It was agreed to include Mr. Milton F. Hodgdon in the list of agents to participate in the commission on town insurance. Petition was received from the Boston Edison Pole Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph location Company for permission to relocate a pole on Revere Street. Mr. Burns explained that the proposed relocation is to move an existing pole from a private driveway. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Nitkerson, 136 ommit was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the following pole location: Revere Street, approximately 145 feet northeast of Larchmont Lane. One pole. (One existing pole to be removed. ) Petition was received from the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Pole Company for permission to relocate a pale on Marrett location Road; proposed relocation approved btx Mr. Burns. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the following pole location: Marrett Road, approximately 780 feet east of Cary Avenue. One pole. (One existing pole to be removed. ) The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Bert E. Havican recuesting that the water and street betterments assessed against Lot 37 HillArest Street be abated either in part or in their entiret . Mr. Burns explained that the lot is located on Hillcrest and Winter Street and consists of a long narrow piece upon which it is impossible to build. He suggested allowing fifteen feet from the back line, allowing a house lot, and then take the frontage and assess it and abate the balance. Mr. Nickerson said that he would assume, paying an assessment on the frontage, the owner would be en- joting a better lot. Mr. Burns explained that it is only about five feet wide at the end. Mr. Bateman asked how much money the town would be losing on this as an abatement and Mr. Nickerson re- plied that it would be approximately 2/5 of each assess- ment; water $210 and street $1, 117.50. Mr. Burns was requested to submit more detailed information on the subject at the next meeting of the Board. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. Walter Rutledge requesting extension of the sewer system to 1ndlude her house lot No.. 3, Adams Street. Rutledge req. Mr. Burns reported that the sewer does not go for sewer by this lot and there is nothing to be done unless it is extended for one house which means an extension of probably 100 feet. Mr. Bateman asked if this would be a main and Mr. Burns replied in the affirmative, stating that it would be an eight inch main. The Chairman was authorized to advise Mrs. Rutledge that the date for filing applications for 137 work in 1954 was established as October 15, 1953. ' Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting at 7 ;45 P. M. Letter was received from the First Church of Req. for Christ, Scientist, requesting the erection of a spot spot light light at the corner of `Muzzey and Forest Streets. Before taking any action, the Board will view the area with Mr. Burns. The Chairman read a letter from Leonard F. Collins, informing the Board that he is exercising the option to extend the term of the garbage con- tract to and including April 17, 1955 at the con- tract figure of $26,325. Mr. Burns reported that the collector now has three trucks and there has been much improvement in the collections. Mr. Stevens explained that another certificate of insurance would have to be ootained in April. He advised the Board to acknowledge receipt of the let- ter and tell Mr. Collins that in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 14 of the contract, he is required to furnishLa performance bond not later than February 18, 1954 in the sum of $25,325; said bond to be in the same form as the bond attached to the orig- inal contract. Mr. Stevens said that an attorney, Mr. Goldman, had called him in regard to the Lexington Nurseries Lex. Nursery water bill. water bill Previous to Ur. :;Tay t s death- he had met with the Board and discussed the amount of the bill which was high due to a leak in the pipe on his land. At that time the Board voted not to make any adjustment. Mr. Stevens was advised that no change is to be made in the previous decision of the Board. The Chairman reported that Father Bernard Kinneen, who lives on Vine Street, wants the town to Father locate the street line so that he can put up a fence Kinneen or grade the lawn down to what is his own property Vine Street and not town property. He explained that, according to records oft he Town Clerk, the street was never accepted by a formal vote of the town. However, from what he is able to learn, it is a public way. He stated that in 1913 the Board of Survey set up a plan for an accepted street. The layout was voted but no -takings were made and nothing further done on it. He explained that according to Mr. Burns, the layout can- not be done by the plan as it is now. If a forty-foot street is made, it will mean practivally going right e_ to some of the houses. Mr. Stevens agreed to check the subject further. 138 Onsi Further consideration was given to letter from Article -the Lexington Field and Garden Club in regard to Scheibe Park. It was agreed to insert an article in the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting in March 1954. Messrs. Stevens and Burns retired at 8 :45 P. M. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman, Tax Title it was voted to sign deed, prepared by Town Counsel, property conveying lot 46 Hillcrest Street to Harold I. and Rosaline Bjorn. The Chairman read a report from the Chloif of Report from Police with reference to letter from the Library police re : Trustees in regard to damage to property and building E. Lex. at the East Lexington Branch Library. library The Clerk was instructed to forward a copy of the report to Mr. Mason, Secretary to the Board of Trustees. Bleachers Copy of letter from the Schoel Committee to the Recreation Committee was received, in which it is re- quested that an item be included in the 1954 budget to cover the cost of providiig bleachers for the enclosed field. Letter was received from the Lexington Savings Bank advising that as of October 28, 1953 there was on deposit, under Trustees of Public Trusts, Cemetery Trust Funds, a total of 237 accounts having a total prin- funds cipal of 031,635. In addition there are the Fiske Flower Fund, principal $300 and the Hilton Trust Fund, principal $4,577.47. Application was received from the Lexington Common Bowladrome for a Common Victualler's license whereby Victualler coffee and sandwiches may be sold in the alley. License Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Bateman, it was voted to grant the license and fur- there to reduce the fee from 05.00 to $1.00 inasmuch as the licenses expire on December 31, 1953. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, Use of it was voted to grant the following licenses, free of halls change, subject to a fee of $1.50 per hour for jani- tor's overtime services : Lexington Community Concert Cary Hall Nov. 20 Lexington Teachers' Club Cary Hall Feb. 4 Lexington Recreat. Com. Selectmen's Room Nov. 3 (No janitor's fee ) 139 +� 1 At 9 :00 P. M. Mr. William G. Potter, Chairman of Transfer the Ceiietery Commissioners, met with the Board. He explained that the Commissioners would like to pur- chase a cemetery lot and Town Counsel has advised that available funds cannot be used and a transfer will have to be made. An individual, now living in California, owns a lot and desires to dispose of it. According to the Cemetery Rules and Regulations it must first be offered to the Town, and the amount needed to purchase it is $81. Inasmuch as the Reserve Fund is low, Mr. Nickerson suggested that an item be included in the 1964 budget. Mr. Potter agreed to advise the owner of the lot that provisions will be made to purchase it in 1954. Mr. Potter said that the Commissioners would like Sign for to suggest placing a sign at the Barnes property indi- Town Dep'ts, eating that the Public Welfare Department and the Cem- at Barnes etery Commissioners are located in the building. At property the present time there is only a boy scout sign which might lead one to believe that no other department was in the building. The Chairman agreed to contact Mr. Burns and have proper signs placed at the entrance. Mr. Potter retired at 9 :15 P. M. The Chairman reported that Mrs . John Rich, Chair- man of the Dental Clinic, called him -and explained that the school dentist, due to increase in his private Dental practice, is able to do only corrective work and has hygienist no time for examinations. There are sufficient funds in the account to hire a dental hygienist for the balance of the year and she would like to hire one. The hygienist would also do the clerical work. Mr. Gay reported that he had seen Mr. Seaver in regard to appropriate wording for a plaque to be placed on Hastings Park and showed the Board two Hastings samples given to him by Mr. Seaver. He stated that Park he had shown them to Mr. Worthen, who instigated the plaque project, and he preferred the larger of the two. The Chairman agreed to ask Mr. Burns to obtain prices for a bronze plaque. The meeting adjourned at 9 :25 P. M. A true record, Attest: / 11 C1 k