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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1954-05-17-BOS-min 365 II SELECTMEN'S MEETING May 17, 1954 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, May 17, 1954 at 7:00 P. M. Chairman Reed, Messrs. Gay, Maloney and James were present. Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, end the Clerk were also present . The Chairman discussed the water conditions at the rear of 015 Franklin Road, prpperty owned by Paul Collins. He reported that he and Mr. James had viewed Water the area and although the Town might be responsible for complaint some of the accumulation of water, they do not think it is entirely contributed by the Town. Mr. Burns agreed to compose a reply to Mr. Collins for the Chairman.'s approval and signature. A further informal discussion was held relative to the Bartlett Avenue flooding conditions. Mr. Burns retired at 7:30 P. M. The Chairman read copy of a letter from Town Counsel to the Board of Assessors, advising that Chapter 286 of the Acts of 1954 amends Section 13 of Chapter 80 Apportion- of the General Laws, so that betterments may be appor- ment of tioned over a period of twenty years rather than over a betterments period of ten years as at the present time. The new extended Act, approved on April 6, 1954 goes into effect ninety days thereafter. The Chairman read copy of a letter from Town Counsel to George W. Greenlaw, Jr. in regard to better- ment assessments against church property. The letter explained that while a church or other charitable cot- Church potation is exempt from local real estate taxes, it is betterments not exempt from betterment assessments for street con- struction and other improvements that particularly benefit the property. Mr. Stevens also discussed the subject with Mr. Vincent Clark, attorney for the Methodist Church group, who concurs in Mr. Stevens' opinion as to• the law. Letter was received from Donald K. Irwin, 6 Tax title Valley Road, offering $2500 for thirty-eight parcels property of tax title property located on Hillside Avenue. No action will be taken on the offer until the Board has had an opportunity to view the land. 366 ommi C4 CL The Chairman read a letter from Mr. and Mrs. James Wanless, Jr. , 28 Sherman Street, recommending Gordon Steele, 12 Smith Avenue as a member of the Rec- Recreation reation Committee. Committee The Chairman informed the Board that the appoint- ment for 1951 is one to be made by the Moderator and the Recreation Committee would like to have the pre- sent member, Mr. Lawrence Allen, reappointed. The Clerk was instructed to forward a copy of the letter to Mr. Ferguson, the Moderator. Mr. Reed referred to the Lexington Drum Corps' Tag Day request for permission to hold a Tag Day on May 21 and 22 and the Board' s reply suggesting June 18. The or- ganization has now requested the two dates of June 18 and 19. The Chairman was authorized to advise the Lexing- ton Drum Corps that permission is granted for June 18 only. Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting at 7:50 P. M. The Chairman read a letter from Rev. Harold T. Permit Handley, on behalf of the Lexington Vacation Church School Committee, requesting permission to conduct small arts and crafts classes on the Battle Green dur- ing the mornings of June 21 through July 2. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the request. Invitation Invitation was received from His Excellency Christian A. Herter to attend graduation exercises at the Framingham State Police Training School on Friday, May 21, 1954. Scheibe The Chairman read a letter from Henrietta M. betterment Atwood in reply to the Board's communication in regard to water betterment assessed against property owned by Emily R. Scheibe, now deceased. The. Clerk was instructed to forward a copy of the letter to Town Counsel for reply. Engineering Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Maloney, it contract was voted to sign contract for engineering services (Contract No. 1) between the Town of Lexington and Whitman & Howard, Inc.; said contract having been approved and signed by Town Counsel. The Chairman read a letter from Governor Herter advising that President Eisenhower has requested the State of Massachusetts to participate in the effort to raise $5,000,000 on behalf of victims of the Korean War. 367 Mr. John J. Garrity met with the Board to dis- cuss further repairing the roof of the house at 9 Garrity Hancock Street in which he lives, owned by the Town. house A quotation was received from Custance Brothers repairs in the amount of $388 to repair the roof and $150 to repair around the bottom of the house. The Chairman aaid that Mr.. Bateman had suggested inviting Mr. Garrity in to discuss this subject and also said that there are no funds available. He asked if the situation might not be too acute could any station be de- ferred until a special Town Meeting in the Fall. Mr. Garrity replied that something would have to be done right away. The Chairman said that to request a transfer would mean that this is an emergency to justify the transfer. Mr. Garrity said that the roof leaks into the bathroom and downstairs to the front room and kitchen. He had Gordon Osgood go all over it two weeks ago and he believes some of the water is coming in through the brick chimney. Mr. Gay asked how long it has been since any major work has been done and Mr. Garrity replied about thirty years. Mr. Maloney said that if the Town is going to do any work, it should be done right and remove the shingles that are there rather than shingle over them. He said he would like to obtain a price on the complete job and suggested that the Board look into the matter further. Mr. Garrity said that there are two or three other items that should be taken care of - the steps should be fixed and some clapboards replaced. If those are taken care of, the house should then be painted' He said that if the Board is going to ask for a transfer, the whole house and barn should be fixed up. Mr. Garrity retired at 8;35 P. M. Mr. Maloney mentioned a proclamation in connection with the V.F.W. National Poppy Drive and it was unan- Proclamation imously voted to authorize the Chairman to sign a proc- lamation for publication in the Lexington Minute-Manb Further consideration was given to the Jury List for 1951 . Mr. James questioned the procedure followed Jury List each year in the preparation of the list, and showed great concern over the fact that the names were selec- ted by the Clerk even though they were presented to and approved by the Board. Following some discussion, the other three members of theBoard agreed to accept the list as presented by the Clerk and she was instructed to send out the ques- tionnaires to be considered by the Board at a later meeting. 368 cid At 9:00 P. M. Mr. Harvey Newgent and Mr. Burns met with the Board. Mr. Newgent stated that he had been asked by some of his neighbors to discuss the flooding condition in front of his house. He asked if the town could clean up the area after every storm because the drain fills up. The Chairman mentioned that the streets are all Newgent paved and asked where the sand came from. Mr. Newgent complaint replied that it is the winter sand. The Chairman asked if it plugged the drain and Mr. Newgent replied in the affirmative. He said that it fouls up the sewer. Mr. Burns said that the conditions exist only fol- lowing a heavy rain storm and explained that the drain is sitting on ledge. Mr. Newgent said he did not think anyone could do anything about it, but would like the Town to clean up after every storm. The Chairmen said that if cleaning the material up would correct the situation, the Town would do eiiat it can. Mr. Burns said that this is just another condition that will require a substantial amount of money bo cor- rect. Mr. Newgent retired at 9:10 P. M. Mr. Burns also retired and the meeting adjourned. A true record, Attest: e , ctme