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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1953-10-19-min 119 t SELECTMEN'S MEETING October 19, 1953 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening, October 19, 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 the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for j/o location of a guy wire and anchor in Westview Street. Mr. Mahon and Mr. Silverio, Guy wire representing the petitioners were the only persons pres- location ent at the hearing. Mr. Silverio explained that the companies are seek- ing to anchor guys on Westview Street. He understands they will come up with a 300 pair cable from Bedford Street onto Westview, going under the Boston & Maine Railroad track. It will be necessary to have a guy on one side and one on the other that will carry the 300 pair cable which will be underground. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to approve the petition and sign the order for the following guy wire and anchor location: From pole in Westview Street, approximately 2500 feet west of Bedford Street, -- one guy wire and anchor. From pole in Westview Street, approximately 2820 feet west of Bedford Street, -- one guy wire and anchor. Messrs. Mahon and Silverio retired at 7 :04 P. M. The Chairman read a letter, signed by eleven resi- dents of Colony Road, advising that they would like to Colony connect to the town's sewer system as soon as possible. Road The Chairman was authorized to advise that no funds Sewer are available in the 1953 budget and that this project will be discussed as a 1954 budget item but not neces- sarily approved, and funds voted by Town Meeting. The Chairman read a letter from Ernest J. Corrigan, Diehl Rd. 145 Pleasant Street, requesting installation of water and Water & sewer on Diehl Road. A similar request was made in 1952. Sewer Mr. Burns explained that Mr. Corrigan is a developer and stated that the sewer would have to connect south 120 onto Coolidge Avenue. He said that the plan for the development was recorded fifteen or twenty years ago. Mr. Nickerson asked if the land was leachable and if the lots were large. Mr. Burns replied that the lots are small and sug- gested advising Mr. Corrigan to make the installations himself. The Chairman was authorized to tell Mr. Corrigan that the• Board does not feel justified in recommending an expenditure such as this would involve• for a private development and suggest that he engage a contractor to do the work. The Chairman read a letter from Mr•. Irving T. Howard, 12 Cutler Farm Road requesting the town to plant two trees on his lot #262 Woodhaven. Shade It was agreed t o advise Mr. Howard that inasmuch as trees this is a private way the town has no authority to plant trees and no action can be taken orr the request until such time as the street is accepted and becomes a town way. Letter was received from the Five Fields Incorporated referring to the intersection of Route 2 and Concord Avenue in which it was requested that the Board block off the end Of Concord Avenue and divert necessary traffic over Cutler Farm Road. Concord Concord Avenue is t county way, dedicated to public Avenue use and as such must be kept open. Therefore, the Board has no authority to close it . The Chairman was authorized to advise the group that funds have been requested, in con- junction with the County and State, for widening the avaaue and when the work has been completed some of the element of danger, now caused. by the narrow width, will be removed. Mr. Burns reported that he received three bids for a 4-wheel truck as follows : Four Wheel Drive, $7900; Frederic R. Childs, $6200, and International, $6,000. He explained that the units bid upon by the two low bidders are prac- tically the same. Mr. Driscoll said that personally he would recommend the Four Wheel Drive, and Mr. Burns re- ported that he went to Dorchester and was not favorably impressed with the agent or place of business for this unit. He said that he did not believe the service would be gqq$ and he would be satisfied with either the Ford or ti'eInternational. `Mr. Driscoll reported that a fleet discount of 33-1/3% would be given to the town on Ford parts and 25% on Inter- national. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, 121 it was voted to accept the bid of $6200 submitted by Frederic R. Childs. Mr. Burns said that he would like to exercise Drainage the authority given by Town Meeting to make takings easements for drainage needed on Milk and Manning Streets. He went over the area last week with Mr. Nickerson and showed him the two places where he is going to have trouble. He would like to make another attempt and if the two individuals involved still refuse the ease- ment, then probeed with the takings. Mr. Nickerson suggested advising Town Counsel of what is contemplated before taking any definite action. Mr. Burns retired at 7:40 P. M. Further consideration was given to Mr. Hill's _. letter of October 2nd with reference to the list of Insurance agents now participating in the commission on town insurance. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was voted to remove the names of William H. Ballard, who recently passed away, and Mr. Robert Whitney, now serving in the Armed Forces and about whom there is a doubt as to his residence. It was further voted to include Mr. Edward A. Larner, Jr. and Mr. John J. Sullivan on the list; the extent of participation to be determined when the present list is reviewed for disti.ibution. Application was received from Robert E. Siegfisld, 15 Boulder Road, on b ehalf of the Lexington Council of Uses of hall Churches, requesting permission to conduct Thanksgiving services in Cary Memorial Hall on Monday, November 23rd from 7 :00 P. M. until 10:00 P. M. Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Nick- erson, it was voted to grant the use of the hall free of charge but subject to a fee of $1.50 per hour for jan- itorts overtime services. Application was received from Col. Connell Albertine, on behalf of the Veterans' Memorial Committee, requesting permission to hold a meeting in the Selectmen's Room on Thursday evening, October 22nd from 8:00 P. M. until 10:00 P. M. Upon motioh of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Nicker- son, it was voted to grant the use of the Selectmen's Room as requested. Mr. Stevens arrived and Mr. Burns returned to the meeting at 7 :50 P. M. 1 122 CL An informal discussion was held relative to Mr. Garrity's resignation and replacement. Mr. Stevens referred to Vespa's contract and re- Hill St. ported that he has a covering letter from the bonding sewer company consenting to the addition of sewer work on Hill Street. He said that it appears to him to be inorder. Letter was received from Mr. Stevens advising that the claim of the Town against Cornelius M. Hanrahan for Claim damage sustained by a police cruiser on November 21, 1952 has been settled for the sum of $823.35, which is the full estimate of the damage as made by F. K. Johnson, Inc. A check in settlement has been forwarded to the Town Treasurer. Messrs. Stevens and Burns retired at 8:05 P. M. Mr. Potter and Mr. Hynes, Cemetery Commissioners, met with the Board. The Chairman explained that the Commissioners were invited in this evening as a result of a meeting with Mr. Mr. GarritytsPotter a few weeks ago at which time he informed the resignation Board that Mr. Garrity was retiring. He said that the time, November 1st, is drawing near and that leaves the town without a Park man and the Cemetery without a Super- intendent. He explained that, at the present time, the Board is contemplating on abolishing the position of Superintendent of Parks and establishing a positioh of a General Foreman. He stated that the Board and Mr. Burns feel that the man in charge of the parks would have enough to do to take care of the parks and recreation without taking care of the cemeteries. He said the Board thought the Commissioners should be informed now so they can make some arrangement for their department. He said the sub- ject could be discussed this evening or at some later date. Mr. Potter explained that the other Commissioner, Gail Smith, was ill and unable to be present this evening. They have in mind working something out with the new Clerk and the cemetery foreman which would give both men a bet- ter job than they now have. This, however, is only in the making, and nothing definite has been decided. The Chairman said that the Public Works Department would continue to take care of spraying the trees and plowing the drives, but supervising the cemeteries and taking care of the grounds would 'be entirely up to the Commissioners. Mr. Potter said that the Commissioners have not arrived at any conclusion because they wanted to know what the Board was going to do. The Chairman said that the Board feels possibly more work could be done in the Park Department and that the man in charge will have all he can do without includ- ing any work for the Cemetery Department. 123 Mr. Potter said that the Commissioners would try and work something out but the main problem was plowing. The Chairman assured the Commissioners that Mr. Burns will take care Of both plowing and spraying. Messrs. Potter and Hynes retired at 8:12 P. M. Mrs. George P. Morey met with the Board. She said she asked for an appointment this evening, not authorized by the School Committee, but as an in- dividual. She said there is a problem in town and that i3 the attitude of the children in town. She feels Bleachers that there is an appreciable pickup in school spirit for center and there has been good attendance at all the football playground games. However, there have been complaints about the lack of seats and when the police are spoken to about keeping the spectators off the playing field, they com- plain because there is no place for them to sit. She said it has been the feeling that the town wanted a winning team and people will not attend the games unless they are going to be reasonably sure of having some place from which to see the game. If they have to stand, they will not go to the games. She asked how the problem of additional bleachers could be surrounded. She stated that the Recreation Committee has control of the field, but the Committee comes under the jurisdiction of the Selectmen. Mrs. Morey said that the School Committee does not want control of the field but if it had a little more authority an item might be included in the school bud- get if the Recreation Committee will not buy more seats. She stated that there are seats for approximately 1500 people and the attendance for the Concord game will probably run as high as 5,000. One quarter of the people will be able to see the game and the others will complain. Mrs. Morey said that the School Committee has no authority but is seeking information and said that, noming into the budget season, maybe nothing can be done this year but can be done for next year. She also mentioned that Lexington is to be host in May to a num- ber of bands and there will not be seats enough to ac- commddate the large crowd unless something is done. She asked what could be done and to what extent the Recrea- tion Committee should be pushed. The Chairman said that the Recreation Committee had an item in the budget this year for more seats but an amount was approved for tennis courts instead of the bleachers. Mr. Bateman said that, as he recalled it, the Selectmen and the Appropriation Committee gave them their choice. Mrs. Morey said that the enclosed field and the 124 Lit seats provided for spectators is up tb the Rec- reation Committee; they have to choose, and there have been unpleasant remarks about the lack of seats. She said she is just preparing the Board for budget time and wondering if seats could be rented. Mr. Driscoll said that he would be willing to check into seat rentals and convey the results to the Clerk who in turn could advise Mrs. Morey. The Chairman asked how many seats Mrs. Morey would recommend as a permanent item, and she said that the present number of 1500 should be at-least doubled. The police then will not be able to say that they can't keep the field clear because there are no seats. Mrs. Morey informed the Board that the School Committee has been paying police officers $6.00 an afternoon and allowed a certain amount in the Police rate budget for this item. Last Saturday they received football a bill of $7.50 per man with no notice about the in- games crease. The teachers are paid $4.00 an afternoon as comp pared with $6.00 paid to the police. She said that Mr. Smith spoke to the Chief and was told that the officers were within their rights to set the fee. Mr. Nickerson said this might be something the Board could discuss with the Chief as he thought it would come under the jurisdiction of the Board as well as the Police Department. Mr. Nickerson brought out the fact that- a sub- stantial amount of money might be spent to equip the field but because of the restrictions in the deed of gift, admission to the field can never be charged. Mr. Bateman asked if it would be a paying propo- sition to rent seats for one game, and Mrs. Morey re- plied that she did not know. They have been charging fifty cents. Mr. Bateman recommended finding out how-much it will cost to rent seats and then discuss the subject with the Recreation Committee. Mr. Driscoll agreed to obtain information relative to seat rentals and report to the Clerk before the end of the week. Mrs. Morey retired at 8 :45 P. M. The subject of 1953 Annual Town Reports was dis- Town cussed and insamuch as practically half of the 800 Reports 1952 reports are left over it was decided to send out invitations to bid on 500; bids to be opened on November 16, 1953. Letter was received from William G. Collins, 1847 Massachusetts Avenue, applying for the position of Tree Warden. 125 in Mr. Bateman reported that the applicant had been to see him and wrote the letter at his suggestion. He said he thought, from Mr. Collins' discussion, that he was applying for the position of Superintendent of Applica- 'arks to fill the vacancy as a result of Mr. Garrity's tion for retirement. Mr. Bateman agreed to explain the situation Tree Warde: to Mr. Collins . The Chairman reminded the Board that it has not considered rent, water bills and heating of the house occupied by Mr. Garrity and thought that some action should be taken. Mr. Nickerson said that all the Board could jus- tify would be a rent that is low but fair. He stated that some definite understanding should be arrived at with Mr. Garrity. The meeting adjourned at 9 :05 P. M. B. .true record, Attest Cle I