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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1953-03-09-min .505 SELECTMEN'S METING 111 March 9, 1953 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectman was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building', on Monday evening, March 9, 7_953 at 7 ,00 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. Letter from Mrs . G. Naomi Morash, 19 Stratham Road, requesting water service for lots 3 and 4 Stratham Road was held over from last week. Mr. Burns presented a plan showing the lots and explained that houses have been built-on lots 1 and 2 aid the Town extended a service from a pipe in Request for there, down to the house on lot 2. He said that he water in definitely would not want to take two houses off the Stratham Rd. one inch line. He stated that the only other solution is to extend the main in from Massachusetts Avenue and no provision has been made for it in this years bud- get. It involves about 600 feet of pipe and will cost between $2,500 or $3,000, possibly more coming across the brook. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was unanimously voted to advise Mrs . Morash that the Board will consider the request when the 1954 budgets are being prepared, hut that in all probability the Board will not vote to recommend the extension. Mr. Daniel A. Lynchts letter requesting defer- ment of sewer betterment assessments on property owned by Frank A. and Mary Napoli was held over from last week. Napoli Mr. Burns presented a sketch of the property deferred and explained that there are two parcels of land, assessment one starting from #35 Middle Street and running to the corner of Cary Avenue and the other parcel run- ning to land owned by Thomas Napoli. He stated that both parcels are farm land. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was unanimously voted, under the provisions of Chapter 159 of the Acts of 1950, to extend the time for payment of betterment assessment of $814.44 and $2,027 .96, without interest, levied against property of Frank A. and Mary Napoli, located on Middles Street, until said land or any part thereof is built upon, sold,or until the expiration of three years frzm the date hereof, whichever event occurs first; provided, however, that this extension of time shall terminate immediately if the f acillties of the sewer main are used for said land or any part thereof. 506 CC CD Petition, three copies of order, together with plan, was received from t he Boston Edison Company for Pole proposed pole locations on Woburn Street; all having locations been approved by Mr. Burns. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was unanimously voted to grant the petitions and sign the orders for the following pole locations: Woburn Street, approximately 1580 feet north- east of Lowell Street, one pole. Woburn fktreet, southerly side, easterly from a point approximately 350 feet east of Utica Street, eight poles. Woburn Street, southerly side, approximately 30 feet west of Webb Street, one pole . Woburn Street, southerly side, easterly from a point .aPproximately 50 feet east of Webb Street, fifteen poles. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Carroll, Town Treasurer with reference to sewer construction loan of $45,000 authorized under article 3 of the Special Town Sewer loan Meeting held November 17, 1952. The article requires an agreement between the Town of Hedford and the Town of Lexington, and Mr. Carroll advised that it is neces- sary for him to have a copy of the agreement to file with the Director of Accounts. When Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, arrived at the meeting he informed the Board that the agreement is in the process of being drawn and that he would send Mr. Carroll a copy. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Carroll, Clerk of the Board of Registrars, advising that a Recount recount of the votes cast at the election on March 1953 for the office of Selectmen will be held on Wednesday evening, March 11th at 7 :00 P. M. in the Selectmen' s Room. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk and Treasurer, advising that Miss Mary R. McDonough Appointment has been appointed Assistant Town Clerk and Assistant Town Treasurer as of March 3, 1953. The Chairman read a letter from James E1 Collins, Welfare Agent, requesting the Board to consider an in- crease in salary for Miss Katherine H. Crosby, Junior Clerk in his Deaprtment. 507 Mr. Burns retired at 7 :20 P. M. Mr. Bateman said that a short time ago Miss Mitchell was considering retiring and Mr. Collins persuaded Miss Crosby to remain until such time as she could be a Senior Clerk. Evidently Miss Mitchell is not going to retire this summer and that changed the complexion as far as Miss Crosby is concerned. He said that there was an exception made in the case of Junior Clerk in the Police Department. Mr. Nickerson said that the Selectmen are recom- mending $44 and the Appropriation Committee is re- commending $42. Mr. Bateman said that the Appropriation Committee is not going to argue the case and that this is very similar. Mr. Nickerson said that Miss Crosby has contacted every member of the Board . He explained that, in re- gard to the Police Department, there is only one girl and she has been receiving $42. Everyone else has been considered for an increase and the Selectmen felt that she should be increased to $44, and even with only one girl in the office she should not be precluded from an increase. He stated that Miss Crosby will receive an increase and all the girls in that office are at the maximum. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was unanimously voted to advise Mr. Collins that, in view of the fact that this subject has been discussed at length by the Board, and in view of the fact that if the request were granted, it would create a pattern in his Department which would be different from that in any other Department, the Board therefore is not in favor of making any change in its recommendation for this year. Letter was received from the Chief of Police in which he reported upon an investigation made in regard East Street to accidents on East Street, in the vicinity Of Mrs. traffic Doran's home. He stated that only one other accident has occurred here during the past five years, land the majority of people using the street are local and fam- iliar with the situation. He suggested painting "Slow" signs on the street at the curved highway from Lowell Street end and also at the Adams Street end. Letter was received from the Lexington Visiting Represen- Nurse Association asking the Board to appoint 'a rep- tative to resentative to serve on the Board of Directors of the V. N. A. Lexington Visiting Nurse Association for the year 1953 - 1954. 508 mo Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was unanimously voted to appoint Mr. Bateman as the Selectmen's representative. Notice was received from the State Commissioner of Conservation re appointment of local Moth Superintendent. Moth Supit. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was unanimously voted to re-appoint Mr. John J. Garrity as Moth Superintendent in the Town of Lexington for a term expiring March, 1964. Application was received from the Lexington Field and Garden Club for permission to conduct a meeting in Estabrook Hall on Monday evening, March 23rd from 7;45 P. M. Until 9 :50 P. M. Inasmuch as the first Adjourned Town Meeting may continue on that evening, the -Board was unanimously opposed to granting the request. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unani- mously voted to grant the following uses of halls : (free ) League of Women Voters Estabrook April 9 Meeting St. Brigid 's Holy Name Soc. Cary Hall May 10 Breakfast Lex. V1 F. W. Cary Hall Apr . 18 Dance Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was unanimously voted to grant a Sunday Movie License to Lexington Amusement Co.'„ Inc. The Chairman read a letter from John Blackhall Smith, Supt. of Schools, in which he stated that he feels the 1952 School Report as printed by the Somer- ville Printing Company is unsatisfactory. His contact on the subject was with a Mr. Brennan of the Somerville Printing Company. School The proof for the School Report is read by the Report School Department and mailed directly to the printer. The Board agreed to advise Mr. Smith that the Company has been doing the work for many years at a low bid and further it hoped that no incident would endanger the Board ' s position in being able to secure a Town Report of the quality and bid which the Somerville Printing Company submits. Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was unanimously voted to authorize the Superintendent of Public Works to sign a water service contract dated April 15, 1952, on behalf of the Town, between the Town of Lexington and the United States Air Force. At 7 :45 P. M. Mr. and Mrs. Pittman, 18 Pine Knoll Road, Mr. John Baskin, Mr. William Lyon and Mr. Thorup met with the Board. 509 Mr. Pittman said that on May 7, 1951 he purchased property on Pine Knoll Road . The bank's lawyer had the property searched and sent to the town to see if there were any outstanding taxes. He presented a document which he said he received from his lawyer who had received it from the Town stating that there were no taxes on the land when he purchased it. He said that it indicates all taxes and betterments were paid up to- that time, and the situation is on the street better- ment. Since May 7, 1951 the Town has seen fit to put a tax title on the property and he said the only noti- fication he had was on the tax bill which indicated that there is a tax title on the property. He said that he an& the bank lawyer attempted to find out about it. In November, 1951 after he purchased the property, the Town put another tax title back on the land for a betterment which it claimed was owed in 1949, two years before he purchased the property. He said that this tax title has gone on three pieces of property; his being the center piece. He stated that in checking into some of the details there seems to be a possibi- lity that the tax for 1949, that is for the betterment, might have been paid by Mr. Baskin. Mr. Baskin said that he owned the property until the Spring of 1949 and he paid taxes in 1949 but did not pay any betterment. However, he then stated that he II was not sure. Mr. Lyon said that the tax title is in the name of John W. Baskin and applies to three separate lots. In two cases the houses are owned by people other than those who built them and Mr. Carroll will not accept any pay- ment of money from Mr. Pittman because the tax, title is on all three jointly even though Mr. Baskin paid. The Chairman stated that the Board had expected Town Counsel to be present but he was unavoidably de- tained in Boston. He explained that this appears to be a legal problem and without Town Counsel to advise the Boa rd, the matter will have to be postponed. He advised the Pittmans to contact Town Counsel, and they agreed to do so. The group retired at 8:00 P. M. The following members of the AppropriatiCin Committee met for a joint meeting on budgets; Chairman James, Messrs. Reed, Tucker, Cleveland, Donnelly, Ferguson and Mr. Walker, Town Accountant : Mr. Potter, Chairman of the Cemetery Commissioners, Mrs. Morey, Chairman of the School Committee and the following members of the Board of Asses- sors were also present ; Chairman Burnham and Mr. Emery. Mr. James, Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, conducted the meeting. He asked if there were any dif- ferences in the recommendations of the School Committee. Mrs. Morey said that the Appropriation Committee was aware of the fact that under Vocational Education, the sum of $4,000 was approved, against $5,128 which was re- 510 quested . This is the only item reduced by the Approp- riation Committee, and she explained that it may be necessary to request a transfer of $1,000 because of the large enrollment. Mr. Burnham, Chairman of the Board of Assessors, said that he was wondering about the $4500 recommended for the Secretary to his Board whereas $5,000 has been recommended for the Town Clerk and Tax Collector. Mr. James said that the Committee looked at the heads of all Departments and has classified them into two categories; one having greater responsibility than the other. The responsibility of the Secretary to the Board of Assessors comes in the second category. Mr. Potter, Chairman of the Cemetery Commissioners, said that he did not know whether or not the men in the Public Works Department were to be given an increase and if so, the men in the Cemetery Department should be given an increase. Mr. James explained that the budgets as presented by the Public Works Department have not been changed from the original recommendation and he knew of no increases. Mr. Potter asked if the Public Works Department employees were going to receive an increase this year, and Mr. Nickerson explained that the budget is not going to be increased beyond the amount requested . Mr. Burns has been authorized to increase the wages, but he is to make the amount in his budget do. The budget is not being increased. Mr. Potter asked if the hourly rates were going to be increased and Mr. Nickerson replied int he affirmative. He advised Mr. Potter that he could follow the same pro- cedure as the Public Works Department. Mrs. Morey, Messrs. Potter, Burnham and Emery re- tired at 8:25 P. M. Mr. James said that the first item to discuss is Personal Services - Town Offices and Cary Memorial Bukld- Ing,4 The Appropriation Committee has decided to maintain its position with regard to increases for the head janitor and the most recent janitor, but to give the $2.00 raise to the second janitor. His Committee 's figures rein in the same on those items. He referred to the item of 7750 in this budget and asked if it could not be taken care of by requiring a cash advance from the organizations using the hall. Mr. Nickerson replied that he did not think so, but that the Board has an open mind on the subject. He men- tioned an instance whereby the hall is engaged for an evening and must be ready again within twenty-four hours later on a Sunday. , 511 Mr. James asked if it were intended to bill the 111 organization for rent and for janitor' s fees. The Chairman replied that in some instances the hall is granted free so that there would be only one bill for janitor 's services. Mr. James said that another suggestion would be to increase the rental fee and take care of the janitor in that way, but Mr. Nickerson reminded him that the funds must go into the Excess and Deficiency Account. Mr. James said that his Committee would prefer to have the Town get a cash advance at the time the permit is applied for, but in any event it will go along with the Selectmen. Mr. Nickerson suggested that the Selectmen reserve their decision until the subject is discussed further. Mr. James referred to the Engineering Depprtment- Personal Services budget and reported that his committee has voted to increase its recommendation in the^sum of $603.65. He then referred to the Police Department - Personal Services budget and stated that his Committee is maintain- ing its position with regard to the Sergeant's salary st $3800 rather than $3850 and also maintaining its position with regard to the Clerk at $42. He stated that a question arose in regard to the starting date for the police women, and that was paying them from May 15th through June 30th when the schools will be closed by the middle of June. Mr. Nickerson asked what he thought about starting May 1st to June 15th and Mr. James asked if six weeks training was necessary. Mr. Nickerson replied that the Board understood from the Chief that he would like to have them from May 1st to June 15th to properly train theme Mr. Nickerson asked if it would be agreeable to the Appropriation Committee to have the Chairman of the Board check with the Chief of Police and then contact the Com- mittee. He said that the amount of money involved is so small that the Board would like to go along with the Chief; as the women must be trained on school crossings. Mr. James said that his Committee would discuss the subject further and advise the Board of its decision. Mr. James referred to the Fire Department - Personal Services budget and stated that his Committee is leaving the Lieutenant 's salary at $3.800 rather than y$3850. He then referred to the Building and Plumbing Ex- penses and said that an item of $480 was included for printing 1,000 copies of the Building By-laws,' and the 512 co suggestion has been made to include the present Plumbing By-laws and printing only 500 copies. He suggested an additional sum of $220 so that the Building and Plumbing By-laws would be printed in the quantity of 1,000 to last for two years. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was unanimously voted to amend the budget to include an additional 0220. Mr. James said that the Appropriation Committee will approve the amount of $3500 for engineering services pro- viding the vote is for $8633 Expenses and $3500 hgineer- ing Services. Mr. James referred to Articles 34 and 35 and stated that the questioh has been raised in regard to the amounts and his Committee wondered why the figure totalled $50,000 awhile ago and is now $30,000. He asked if it were care- lessness. Mr. Nickerson replied that the Board does not know where the Appropriation Committee got that figure and that the Selectmen never had it. He explained that the Board had $45,000 for off-street parking and repairs t o Massachusetts Avenue and established an estimate of $25,000 for Massachusetts Avenue and the remaining $20,000 was for Edison Way; for some months the Board had a figure of $15,000 for that. He said that when Edison Way was first estimated it was something over $10,000, and the Board feels that $15,000 is a safe figure. He referred to the $30,000 amount and said that the Selectmen never had any such figure, but this has always been the amount of money in the parking Meter Account. Mr. Nickerson reported that Minot, DeBlois and Madison were advised that the Board had $15,000 which could be recommended which meant that instead of them getting $13,000 for the land, which they paid, it is $5,000. He said that he believed the Town Coinsel had a letter from t hem in which they agreed to go along with this figure. Mr. Nickerson explained that Edison Way consists of a strip 40 feet and to get that, the Boston Edison Company, Minot, DeBlois & Madison, O' Connell and Hunt agreed to donate. O'Connell died and the triangular piece of land he agreed to give was about 1650 feet. The Board feels that if necessa, y, it will be taken by eminent domain, and if the Case goes to Court, the damages will not be very heavy. He explained that Minot, DeBlois and Madison would take the land from Edison Way back to the stores, and it consists of three parcelsp Lot B and Lot C which comprises the land contingent to proposed Edison Way 513 and going back about thirty feet f rom t he building. The remaining land the owners wish to keep because they want to approach the buildings for loading. Town Counsel advised that the Town can lease the land for any given time so the Board intends to lease it for a year during which time the Town will construct it, blacktop all that and lots B and C, then the entire area will be blacktopped. If the Town did not lease the land for a time, it could not go on the land, drain the area and do the black- topping. The Town can lease the land for $1.00 and when the work is done, the owners cani.take it back. The Chairman reported that he received a letter from Mr. Garrity submitting a new price for the truck regiested in his budget for Insect Suppression. The correct figure to be appropriated now is $3,229.77. The Chairman stated that Mr. Howard S. 0. Nichols would like the Selectmen and the Appropriation Committee to reconsider the budget for Administration of Trust Funds, which was reduced from $175 to $125. He would like very much to increase the amount paid to the clerk in the bank who does the work from $125 to $150. Mr. James said that his Committee would give this budget further consideration. The Appropriation Committee retired at 9:10 P. M. Mr. Lindstrom, Building & Plumbing Inspector, met with the Board. He said that when the Board appoints a Wire Inspector he would recommend that he work out of the Building Department. One reason being that when an individual calls for inspection it could be determined from the records, if they were kept in his office, whether or not a permit for wiring had been issued. Disposition of filing cabinets now in the Build- ing Department was discussed in an effort to make more room available, and it was suggested that some of the more recent files might be placed in the Accounting De- partment. Mr. Lindstrom discussed the situation in regard to his office personnel and informed the Board that one of his girls has given her notice. She is now receiving $35.10 but would reconsider and stay for $40.00".. No action was taken. Mr. Lindstrom retired at 9:40 P. M. Letter was received from James Balletto, 75 Clelland Street, Lexington, offering $800 for lots 527-533 in- Tax elusive and lots 576-477 inclusive on Asbury and Balfour Title Streets. 514 These are the same lots for thich the Board re- ceived an offer from Leeland Construction Company and Tax Title for which the Board entertained an offer of 92,000. Property The Chairman was authorized to advise Mr. Balletto that the Board will entertain an offer of 42,000 and that the purchaser will have to arrange to supply his own water. Mr. Nickerson reported that he had discussed the subject of Health Union with Dr. Wells and asked if he wouldbe willing to enter into an arrangement where- by the Town would not have to appoint a committee to investigate this further. Dr. Wella thought it would be satisfactory to appoint an unofficial committee com- posed of him, Mr. McQuillan, Chairman of the Board of Health, and Mr. Cass, Chairman of the Committee ap- pointed by Town Meeting in 1951 to study the Act rela- tive to the organization of Union Health Departments. It was agreed to defer action until after Town Meeting. The meeting adjourned at 9 :30 P. M. A true record, Attest; 1 en