Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1953-09-14-min 81 111 SELECTMEN'S MEETING September 140 1953 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, September 14, 1953 at 7400 P.M. Chair- man Reed, Messrs. Nickerson, Gay, Driscoll and Bateman were present. Mr. Burns, Sup+t. of Public Works and the Clerk were also present. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. N. G. Complaint Nilsson, 495 Waltham Street, complaining about gar- bage collection. Mr. Burns agreed to discuss the complaint with the garbage contractor. The Chairman read a quotation from the R. W. Traffic LeBaron Company, written to the Board of Fire Com- signals missioners, submitting a figure of $2400 for the E. Lexington installation of traffic signals at the East Lexing- Station ton Fire Station. Mr. Nickerson said that, inasmuch as the amount approved in the budget for this item was $500 he would make two recommendations; one, to ask the Com- missioners how the amount in the budget was decided upon and two, to advise them that nothing can be done this year and to make sure that they obtain competitive bids for the 1954 budget. Mr. Bateman said that he thought the Commis- sioners were planning to use the old lights at Clarke Street and that may have figured into the amount of $500. Mr. James F. Sawyer's offer of $250 for lots 1 Tax title and 2, block 18, Reed Street was held over again. The Board agreed to view the lots this Wednesday at 4 :30 P. M. Mr. Harold Bjorn's offer of $300, including betterment assessment of $75, for lot 46 Hillcrest Tax title Street was held over again. This lot is also to be viewed on Wednesday. Mr. Burns retired at 7:25 P. M. Chief Rycroft, Lieutenant Knapp and Patrolman Costello Costello met with the Board. Neglect of The Chairman explained that the meeting was more Duty or less a conference on charges preferred by the Chief. He stated that Patrolman Costello could discuss the matter this way or have a regular hearing and be rep- 82 r•y CL resented by counsel if he preferred. He said that if the officer went along on an informal basis, he would have to abide by the decision of the Board, but there would be nothing recorded officially against his record. Officer Costello said that an informal dis- cussion would be all right with him. Lieutenant Knapp said that on the night of September 3, 1953 the officer reported for duty at 12:35 A. M. and should have reported at quarter of twelve. He asked him why he was late and he had no excuse. The Chairman asked if that was the only time the officer was late and Lieutenant Knapp replied in the negative and said that he had been late several times. The Chairman asked if they were previous to or after September 3, 1953 and Lieutenant Knapp replied that they were previous to September 3, 1953. The Chief said that on.July 24, 1952 he issued a General Order as to what he expected from the men in his department, when the 5-day week became effec- tive, relative to reporting for duty. He stated that, while he was in the office days, the men were coming in on time, but there was trouble at night. He had to issue a Special Order, putting the re- sponsibility on the Lieutenants, and that was that all officers must report not later than 11:45 P. M. and it is the duty of the Lieutenant to report any violation of the Order to the Chief. Every officer on every shift is to report to Police Headquarters prior to his tour of duty and also report to Head- quarters when he completes his tour of duty. He said that those are the things the Lieutenant is complaining about. The Chairman asked if there were times when the officer failed to report and Lieutenant Knapp replied in the negative. The Chief explained that the cruiser was taken one night without the officer reporting. Lieutenant Knapp said that was correct. The officer came in at 12:15 A. M. Lieutenant Knapp was in the back room talking and when he came out the officer was gone. He stated that he showed up twenty minutes later with the cruiser from whatever he had been doing. He said that as far as he was concerned it was not police business. Officer Costello said that the last time he was late was during the hot weather. He fell asledp and overslept. He said that he had no knowledge of coming in and taking a cruiser. He said that he does come An and read the book and then go off on his tour of duty. The Chairman asked how many times the officer had been late other than the particular time men- tioned b y the Lieutenant. 83 Officer Costello asked for how long a period of 111 time and if he meant 1952, and the Chairman replied in the affirmative. Officer Costello said that he had been late eight or ten times. He explained that his wife is a nurse at Symmes Arlington Hospital and sometimes he is de- layed. They have only one car, and he has to wait for her to come home. He said, however, that is straight- ened out now. The Chairman stated that there has to be rules and regulations and violations by one officer is bad for the morale of the other men, and there *ust be dis- cipline. Officer Costello said that he appreciated that. The Chairman said that he knew the officer was a good patrolman and it seemed a shame to spoil his record by being late. Officer Costello said that it was the hot weather and he could not sleep in the day time. He said that on that particular night Lieutenant Knapp did not ask him for any reason. Lieutenant Knapp said that when the officer came in at 12 :35 A. M. he told him that he was not even go- ing to ask him why he was late. He said it was the hot weather and the Lieutenant's answer to that was that he, the Lieutenant, had to get in. The Chairman said that the Board would discuss the subject, arrive at some decision and let the officer know. He asked if the officer had anything more to say and he replied in the negative. Lieutenant Knapp and Officer Costello retired at 7 :40 P. M. The Chairman asked the Chief what he would recommend and he replied that, under the circum- stances, he recommendddd a letter of reprimand with- out penalizing the officer. The Chairman asked if that would take care of the situation in the eyes of the other men, and the Chief replied that he thought it would. Mr. Bateman asked if any other officer had been late eight or ten times a year, and the Chief replied that he did not know of any. He said that some of the men call and say that they are going to be late, but it is very seldom that the men are late, especially in the morning. Mr. Nickerson asked what happens when car is held up because the complement is not in it and the C} ief replied that he tries to have two cars on the last half and if one is alone he will sometimes take the senior man. It all depends on what the Lieutenant decided to do. The car will go out, but he does hot like only one man in a cruiser. After the Chief left the meeting it was unanimously 84 to voted to send a letter of reprimand to Officer Costello. The Chairman brought up the subject, pre- sented to the Board last week by Mr. Roeder, rela- tive to a ruling as to who should issure orders for ambulance patients to be taken to the hospital. The Chief said that he tried to investigate to determine where this all started and the only story he was able to get was that one night there was an accident and the police wanted to take the patient to Lowell. He said that he certainly would not like Ambulance to think that anyone in his department would have issued such an order. The police prefer to send the patients to the nearest hospital which is usually Symmes. If an accident occurs beyond Route 128 the ambulance is sent to Emerson. -He explained that the police do not have an opportunity to make an inves- tigation at the scene of the accident and it is easier to interview at Symmes. The man on the desk notifies the hospital that the ambulance is on its way. He said that there are times when the patient requests to be taken to a specific hospital. The Chief said that he has been here a long time and does not recall ever having any difficulty or words with the Fire Department in this respect. He stated that inasmuch as the police are at the scene of the ' accident first and must investigate all the accidents, he felt that it should be uptto his department to determine to what hospital the ambulance is to be sent. The Chief informed the Board that he is planning to take his vacation this month and will be gone over Chief's October 12th, extending his vacation three days over Vacation the two weeks. He stated that Ll.eutenant Knapp will be in charge of the department during his absence. Chief Rycroft retired at 8:00 P. M. Mee Chairman read a letter from the School Com- mittee to the Recreation Committee relative to com- munication between the two committees on matters of common interest. Upon motions of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Nicker- son, it was voted to grant the following uses of halls Uses of free of charge : halls Youth Study Commission Selectmen's Room Sept. 24 Robert W. Hunter Estabrook Hall Sept. 23-29 Lafayette Club " "' Oct. 6 I 85 Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Gay, s it was voted. to grant the followinguses of halls Lex. Police Relief Ass?n. Cary Hall Oct. 24 $35 Lex. Lions? Club Cary Hall Oct. 26, 27,28 (Subject of charge of $35 If merchandise is sold) Invitation was received from the Stanley Hill Invitation Post, American Legion, to attend Installation of Officers on Wednesday evening, September 16, 1953. The Chairman agreed to send a letter advising that the members of the Board have all made previous commitments for that evening. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Gay, Town Meeting it was voted to sign the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting to be held on Monday, October 5, 1953* Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, reported on the case of the Town against Hanrahan and upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to Claim authorize settlement of the claim Town of Lexington vs. Cornelius N.. Hanrahan for damages to a police cruiser in an accident that occurred November 21, 1952, in the sum of $823,75, and to sign a general release. Mr. Stevens reported on thecase of the Leonard Fuel Col and said that one of their trucks went into a sewer trench necessitating repairs in the amount of $75. Mr. Burns had horses and lights warning of the trench but they had apparently been removed. Under the circumstances it was recommended to settle the claim up to 50%. Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to authorize settlement of the Leonard Fuel Co. vs Town of Lexington claim in the amount of $37.50. Mr. William G. Potter, Chairman of the Cemetery Commissioners, met with the Board at 8:25 P. M. for Garrity the purpose of discussing Mr. Garrity's retirement, retirement The Chairman said that he would like to have Mr. Nickerson take over this part of the meeting in- asmuch as he is more familiar with the subject. Mr. Potter informed the Board that at a meeting of the Commissioners today, Mr. Garrity, who is also Sgptt. of Cemeteries, advised them that he will retire this November, He wondered whether or not the Select- men had made any plans to replace Mr. Garrity and if so, could they include the Cemeteries. Mr. Nickerson asked if Mr. Garrity intended to retire just as Sup?t. of Cemeteries. 86 G. Mr. Potter said that he understood Mr. Garrity would have to retire because of his age. The Chairman said that according to the records of the Board of Retirement, Mr. Garrity's compulsory retirement will be December 23 1954. Mr. Nickerson suggested discussing the overall picture with Mr. Garrity, not only in regard to the Cemetery Department, but for the larger Town Depart- ments that he is handling, and then contact the Com- missioners. Messrs. Potter and Stevens retired at 8:30 P. M. Mr. Nickerson inquired as to what conclusion had been arrived at by. Chief Rycroft in regard to the Gravel Pit gravel pit on North Street. The Chairman. reported that the Chief had one man, and sometimes two, over there evenings until late at night.. Anyone coming in was told that their registra- tion number would be taken for trespassing if they came back. Nothing further has been heard from Mr. Tobiason who originally complained. The Chairman agreed to discuss the matter with the Chief to determine whether or nob he has officers still on duty there and to write Mr.. Tobiason advising what has been done to remedy the situation. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 P. M. 1 A true record, Attest: Clerk 11 1 �.