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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1953-02-09-min 477 SELECTMEN'S MEETING February 9, 1953 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, February 9, 1953 at 7 :00 P. M. Chairman Nickerson, Messrs. Gay, Driscoll and Reed were present . Mr. Burns , Supt of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present . The Chairman read a letter from Eugene J. Bewig, 182. Tremont Street, Somerville, requesting the exten- Request for sion of a water main to 6 Melrose Avenue where he is water planning to build a house. Mr. Burns explained that the applicant had been in to see him and was told that if he wanted to pay the cost of a 100 foot service and also pay the better- ment assessment in advance, something might be done for him. Mr. Reed suggested, and the Board agreed, that this request be left with Mr. Burns and that he use his own judgment in granting it. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. Robert H. Marsh, 32 Williams Road, requesting the installation Street of two street lights. Mr. Burns agreed that the lights area is very dark and felt that her request is justi- fied . The Clerk was instructed to place the request on the list to be considered by the Board in July. The Chairman read a letter from James A. Carrig, Request for requesting the removal of three trees on Concord removal of Avenue, directly in front of lot #15. The Board trees preferred to view the area before making any decision. Petition was received from the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for permission to relocate one pole on Woburn Street, southeast of Lowell Street. Mr. Burns explained that the pro- posed relocation is to clear a driveway, and he had no objection. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the following pole location: Woburn Street; Approximately 1619 feet southeast of Lowell Street, one (1 ) pole; remove` one (1 ) pole. A 473 cc At 8:00 P. M. Mr. McQuillan, Chairman of the Board of Health, and Mr. Jackson, Health Sanitarian, met with the Board. Mr. McQuillan explained that he wanted to discuss sewers in Lexington and stated that the Board of Health is not set up as an engineering department but now has more engineering problems than Board of Health problems. He explained that under the new State law on subdivisions the Board of Health must approve sani- tary facilities on subdivisions before the Planning Board can approve the subdivision. He reported that 3,000 was appropriated for engineering services in 1952 but a very small portion was used, and the Board of Health has told developers that they must obtain a definite plan approved by Whitman & Howard as to what should be done on every low lot to make it feasible to buildoon. Mr. Stevens arrived at the meetingnat 8;10 P. M. Mr. McQuillan said that he would like to bring to Mr. McQuillan the Board 's attention the problem of the lack of sewers re: Sewers in Lexington where there are so many homes being con- structed . The Chairman said that the Board knows that..it is imminent that something will have to be done. Mr. McQuillan inquired about the survey made by Metcalf & Eddy several years ago, and Mr. Burns explained that it was made purely on following the valleys of the town, and everything that was laid out was laid out on trunk lines and existing streets. He stated that Metcalf & Eddy could not lay out a plan to tell today where to put in more sewers. The trunk lines are all laid out, but it is impossible to fore- cast where development will take place. Mr. McQuillan asked about the cost of sewer for the Carrig development, and Mr. Burns replied that it would cost a million dollars. The Chairman explained that the Board is aware of the problem and Mr. Burns has told him that in five years and possibly sooner something will have to be done about sewer for the Carrig development where there will be 150 houses. Within three to five years there will be too many houses to take care of the sewage by cesspool or septic tank. Mr. McGgil1an said that there are two subdivi- sions coming up, on Robinson Hill and the other is Rinneen's, and he understood that it is possible to require them to build sewers in both places. Mr. Burns stated that they have been so advised by the Planning Board, and he was present when they were told. 'L 471 Mr. Stevens said that the Planning Board would be the Board to tell the* and it definitely can tell them that they will have to connect with a sewer. The Chairman suggested that the Planning Board send the Board of Health a copy of the minutes taken when developers meet with the Board to discuss their preliminary plans. Mr. McgUillan asked if the Board felt that the developers should not be asked to pay for the engineer- ing services, and the Chairman expressed the opinion that the Board of Health should pay for the engineer- ing survey and also pay the engineering concern for inspection to make certain that the recommendations are carried out. Messrs. McQuillan and Jackson retired at 8:35 P. M. Letter was received from Mrs. David G. t ovan, together with a copy of the Handbook on Town Govern- ment prepared by the League of Women Voters. Mrs. Govan requested permission to use the Town seal on the publication. Mr. Stevens said that he thought it would be mis- interpreted and should be used only by an official League of Town organization. Whalen Voters' The Chairman took the copy to read when he has pamphlet the time. IIMr. Stevens also received a copy with the re- quest that he check it for any errors. He agreed to do so as a private citizen and not in his capacity as Town Counsel. Mr. Stevens retired at 9 :05 P. M. Mr. Driscoll brought up the subject of removing snow from private industries and moved that Mr. Burns be authorized to use his discretion in removing snow from in front of business establishments. Mr. Reed Snow removal seconded the motion. However, following further discussion, the motion was amended whereby it would be subject to receiving a list from Mr. Burns of the areas which he would recommend for snow removal. The Chairman explained to the Board that he has discussed this with Mr. Burns who told him that it will involve $10,000 additional a year. He said that he thought if the Board left it to Mr. Burns' discrePion he would use it as little as possible, and he did not want Mr. Burns to be '"put on the spot". Mr. Burns said that he has no feeling one way or another in regard to lifting the snow. He said that he would submit a list of places he would do if he had the authority and stated that once the Town starts picking up the snow, it will have to be done after every storm. L 480 CC OD Request from the Recreation Committee to increase its expenses budget by $100 for a hockey rink board was approved. Request from Mr. Lindstrom, Building Inspector, to increase his budget by $480 to pay for printing Building Code books was denied inasmuch as the Board understands from Town Counsel that the revised Building Laws will not be ready this year. The Chairman read a letter from the Board of Fire Commissioners advising that they would like to have a Fire Deptt. further discussion on budgets. budget Mr. Driscoll said that he wished to be recorded as being in favor of appointing three additional men, but is not in favor of appropriating funds for a clerk. Letter was received from Genaro Luongo, complain- ing about a dancing school being conducted by Mr. Complaint Raymond Doyle, 284 Massachusetts Avenue. The Chairman was authorized to refer the matter to Mr. Lindst*om to detdrmine whether or not the Zoning By-law is being violated. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Reed, it was voted to grant the following uses of halls : American Legion Auxiliary Conf. Room Feb. 16 Meeting United World Federalists Cary Hall Apr. 13 Meeting & Dinner Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Reed, it was voted to sign a corrected notice of intention to lay out Edison Way Section 1 From Massachusetts Avenue Edison Way northeasterly to the Boston & Maine Railroad distant approximately 283 feet; Section 2 From Edison Way, Section 1, northwesterly to Depot Square distant approximately 580 feet. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Reed, it was voted to sign the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting, March 2, 1953 . At 9:30 P. M. the following members of the Approp- riation Committee met with the Board to discuss budgets : Chairman Bateman, Messrs. Cleveland, Donnelly, Ferguson, James, MacDonald, Reed and Tucker. The Chairman asked if all the members of the Appropriation Committee were aware of his discussion with Mr. James and Mr. Bateman replied in the Affirm- ative. ' L_. 481 Mr. Ferguson said that it has been two years since the Town has had a general raise, and there has been about a 5% increase in the cost of living. How- ever, in fairness to the taxpayers, there has now been a decrease in the cost of living, so possibly the Com- mittee should recommend an across the board increase of 5%, cost of living, recognizing that it cannot Budgets pass judgment on the individual_jobs. He said he thought the Town should hire an engineer to come in and go over all the jobs of the Town and set up a classification and wage scale. Mr. Bateman said that they then recommend a temporary twelve-month adjustment for all Town em- ployees pending study by a qualified outside organi- zation to fix classifications and adjust wage scales as they now exist. He said that his committee does not feel it is being fair to some and perhaps paying others a little too much. He said they favor an ad- justment of 5% and then hire someone to come in and tell them what it is all about, and asked if the Selectmen felt sure on the subject. The Chairman replied that he could not answer for the Board, but personally he was opposed to an outside group coming in and re-assessing property values, and he has the same reaction immediately to having someone come in and go through the wage scale -- some outside group that does not know personalities and individual situations. He said that he does not think it neces- sary. He stated that the Selectmen and the Approp- riation Committee is having its usual variation of opinions because they want to pay people working for the Town enough money to live on and prevent anyone leaving because they are not being paid enough. Mr. Bateman said that his Committee felt the same way. He asked if the Selectmen would suggest a committee within the Town to make the survey. The Chairman said that he does not think it is necessary. Mr. Bateman said that his Committee tried to find the answers without hurting anyone and keeping every- one happy. The Chairman explained that 5% added to $36 is 1.80, and the two Boards have been talking about a 2.00 increase. He said that therefore his question is why make it $1.80, end why not put the wage scale that has been worked out into effect. Mr. Bateman said that his Committee does not feel it is right, and further they do not feel fundamentally that it is a well thought out wage pattern but is a makeshift. The Chairman said that the Board was going to keep the patrolmen and privates in the Fire Department down where they were and then changed its mind and de- cided to recommend $95 more which is close to 5%. He L 4132 OD said that Mr. Batenman's failure to mention the top salaries prompted him to ask if the Committee has changed its mind about differentiating the heads of the Departments and the employees in the Department. Mr. Bateman replied that some of the Department heads should have at least what is being suggested, $5,000, and perhaps one or two of them should have more. He said they do not think $5,000, for the police and fire department heads for what is expected of them is pay enough. They would like to study that. The Chairman said that it seemed very cold to him to have an outside firm come in and asked if such an organization would be so much better equipped than the Board to make a decision. He asked if the Board's personal knowledge of the situation wasn't more valuable than the experience of such a firm. Mr. James said that the study would serve as a basis not as an answer and would provide a schedule. He said that he does not know if one department head is more important than another. He said that he does not know if a senior clerk in one office has a more repponsible position than any other and if not she should not be receiving the same pay. Mr. Gay asked if he knew how much such a survey would cost and Mr. James replied in the negative. The Chairman asked if they intended to have a study made of the Town Office Building, Welfare Department, Department of Public Works, Fire and Police or if they would take all of the groups and how much thought has been given as to where they would start and stop. Mr. Bateman said it was in his mind that all de- partments and employees would be included with the exception of the School Department. Mr. Driscoll said that he agreed with the Chair- man's remarks and the group of employees is so small that the Board actually knows what is going on. Mr. Gay said that he could not see where anything would be gained for the money spent and stated that the report may not be too far off what the Board is now thinking about. Mr. James said that it definitely would be worth the money, and that he could not go along with any wage schedule the Boards would set up because he would not know whether it would be fair and just. The Chairman asked if he did not think the Board of Selectmen was fairly close to the subject and would want to do what is right and within a reasonable range and trusted to do its best. He said that every depart- ment head knows what the ability is of the girls, how long they have worked and how much they must be paid to keep them working for the Town. 483 Mr. James said that the salary schedule of his com- pany is based upon a countryside survey and is kept up to date every year. He would like a study made to bring him up to date on town salaries. The Chairman said that the Board could gol along with a study as long as it wasn't made by an outside professional group. Mr. Ferguson suggested finding out what the respon- sibilities are of each clerk and what they are doing. Mr. Burns explained very clearly why he opposed classification insofar as the men in the public Works Department are concerned. The Chairman said that this is an immediate prob- lem to clear before the Appropriation Committee 's re- port goes to the printer and inasmuch as both groups seem to be in reasonable accord that the lower] brackets should have about a $2,.00 increase and department heads should receive more, he would recommend that the two groups proceed with the other budgets. Mr. Bateman said that the department heads fall into two classes; (1) Chief of Fire, Chief of Police, Town Clerk & Treasurer, Tax Collector and Librhrian; (2) Assessors, Welfare and Health. He has not, found a position for Mr. Garrity or Mr. Walker. He said that it seems to him that the fire and police chiefs aremen of extreme importance and have greater respon- sibility. The two groups then went through the entire budget book with the exception of personal services. The meeting adjoi.rned at 11:40 P. M. A true record, Attest : er 1