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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1953-01-12-min 451 SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 12, 1953 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday even- ing, January 12, 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. Mr. Burns discussed briefly the cost of snow removal and stated that additional lifting for private industries will cost approximately $2500 more per storm. Mr. Driscoll moved that Mr. Burns be authorized to remove the snow at whatever time he deems best and fol- lowing the storms he considers to be serious enough. The Chairman explained that snow removal from private business areas will re uire another snow loader at a cost of approximately f25,000. He suggested that the subject was of enough importance to be given serious consideration by the Board and recommended that no ac- Snow tion be taken for another week. Removal Mr. Driscoll agreed to withdraw his motion to give the members of the Board an opportunity to think the matter over and it was further agreed to take the sub- ject up at the next regular meeting of the Board. Mr. Burns reported that there are only two streets to be accepted by the Town under the Betterment Act; Bartlett Avenue and Gleason Road. These two should be ready for hearings and acceptance in March. There are other streets, constructed by developers according to thee Town's specifications, to be' accepted, that do Streets not involve any appropriations. However, he thought for that hearings will have to be held because private acceptance land is involved and the Town will be making a taking. He mentioned that the Planning Board is going to want a Special Town Meeting in May and suggested that the constructed streets be held over for acceptance at that meeting. When Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, arrived at the meeting he informed the Board that he did not thinly the law actually required a hearing, but he recom- mended that the Board follow the same procedure in regard to accepting the developers' streets as has been carried out in the past on streets that were not constructed privately. The Chairman read a letter from the Board of Removing Fire Commissioners in regard to removing snow from snow from around the hydrants. hydrants 452 tc OD Mr. Driscoll mentioned the possibility of having the"firemen dig out the hydrants and the Chairman was authorized to ask Mr. Roeder to give the Board some data on how this problem is handled in other towns. It was also agreed to request Mr. Adams to insert an item in the local paper requesting citizens to remove the snow from hydrants located near their property. Letter was received from Mr. Clesson Schofield, 71 Pleasant Street, stating that the lights on the Complaint statue at the Sacred Heart Church annoy the neighbors because they shine in their windows. Mr. Driscoll agreed to check this with Father Murphy and report to the Board next week. Letter was received from t he State Department of Conservation advising that the sum of at least $4,172.68 is recommended for Insect Control and that a minimum of $5,062.88 is recommended for Dutch elm disease. Mr. Burns retired at 7:40 P. M. and Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting. The Chairman read a letter from the Lexington Food Market requesting permission to place a coin- omatic horse on the sidewalk in front of the store at 1751 Massachusetts Avenue. Permit Mr. Stevens said that he could see no objection and upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to authorize the Chairman to discuss the subject with Mr. Grigor, owner of the market. Mr. Stevens retired at 8:00 P. M. The Clerk alio retired during a meeting of the Library Trustees. At 9:15 P. M. the following menbers of the Appropriation Committee met with the Board to dis- cuss budgets for 1953 : Chairman Bateman, Messrs. MacDonald, Ferguson, Brad, Donnelly and Madden. Mr. Walker, Secretary to the Committee, was also present. Mr. Bateman reported that his Committee had dis- cussed Water Construction - Capital Outlay with Mr. Burns and had come to the concludion that this a must for 1953. The Clerk left the meeting during a discussion on Personal Services and the Chairman reported the follow- ing: ' 453 The Appropriation Committee has decided that the I cost of living index has not increased materially but has decreased in the past twelve months, and the Com- mittee is not going to recommend any across-the-board increases, but is going to consider spot increases. Budgets These increases presumably will apply to Department heads, Officers of the Police and Fire Departments and unfairly low paid office personnel. Mr. Bateman said that his Committee will meet with the School Committee tomorrow evening and at that time will advise the School Committee likewise and is going to refuse to go along with the request of the teachers and janitors. The Appropriation Committee retired at 10:25 P. M. The Clerk returned to the meeting. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Walker, Sec- retary f the Board of Retirement, requesting that Chapte81 be placed on the ballot to be voted on at Retirement the An ual Election in March. Act Decision was held over until the next regular meeting of the Board. Letter was received from Mr. Carroll, advising that Samuel Augustine has resigned as a member of the Resignation Lexington Youth Study Committee, Upon motion of Mr . Gay, seconded by Mr. Reed, it was voted to concur with Commissioner Long's approval Deputy Tax of surety bond in the sum of $1,000 on behalf of Leon Collector J. Greene as a Deputy Tax Collector in t he Town of Lexington for a term expiring December 31, 1953. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Reed, it was voted to grant the following uses of halls: American Legion Aux. Conf. Room Jan. 19 free Little League Baseball Cary Hall Feb. 9 a Minute-Man Council Girl Sc. " "' Feb. 12 '" 4-H Club "' "I Mar. 14 $.3.5 Lex. Choral Society '" '" Apr. 11 free Apr . 12 "` 4-H Club Cary Hall Apr. 29 '" Upon motion of Mr. Reed, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to grant the following licenses : Daniel Curtin 442 Marrett Road Common Victualler William DeFelice 80 Westview St. Peddler Lex. Amusement Co. 1794 Mass. Ave. Sunday Movies II The meeting adjourned at 10 :45 P. M. A true record, Attest ; -7/1'C rk