HomeMy WebLinkAbout1954-04-05-BOS-min f308
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SELECTMEN'S MEETING
April 5, 1954
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was
held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on
Monday, April 5, 1954 at 7:00 P. M. Chairman Reed,
Messrs. (iay, Bateman, James and Maloney were present.
Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, and the Clerk were
also present.
Application was received from James J. Durkin for
permission to maintain one underground tank for the
storage of 1,000 gallons of gasoline on premises located
Gasoline at 11 Marlboro Road. Notice that a public hearing would
hearing be held was inserted in the March 25, 1954 issue of the
Lexington Minute-Man and the abutters notified according
to requirements of law.
Prior to the hearing, Mr. Durkin withdrew his ap-
plication and therefore no action was taken on the sub-
ject.
Mr. Robert Jeremiah, Wire Inspector, met with the
Board.
The Chairman stated that the Board is concerned
Wire about the time the inspector is on the job and would
Inspector like to know if there is any way he could devote more
time.
Mr. Jeremiah asked how much time the Board wanted
and the ChAirman said that he thought the Board was not
completely satisfied with the hour between four and five.
Most of the contractors are on their way home and it is
difficult for them to meet with the inspector. He re-
called that the inspector previously said it was a
waste of time because so few contractors come into the
office at that time.
Mr. Jeremiah said that during the past six months
he has had only four or five calls. He said this is a
part-time job and asked if it were not more important
for him to be out on inspections than to 'be sitting at
home Orin the office waiting for the telephone to ring.
The Chairman said that the Board was not thinking
so much about the telephone calls as it was about the
contractors coming in to see the inspector. He men-
tioned the Building Inspector's hour between one and
two.
Mr. Jeremiah said that the Town Offices do not
open.J.until nine and that makes it difficult for him
because he has to report on his own job at eight
o'clock. He said he could be in the office between
eight andrnins but was doubtful that he could work out
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anything between nine and ten or one and two. He said
some of the contractors do not like to take the time to
come into the office and would rather send applications
in by mail. He said the contractors know what is re-
quired of them and it is only an occasional strange con-
traetor .in-toin'who contacts the office.
Mr. Jeremiah said that he real ly would like to be
able to spend more time in the office. He said that he
is not money conscious but he receives $129 per month,
with all the deductions. He has asked for more money and
if he received more he might be able to db something, but
he can' t under the present circumstances. He said that as
it is now he loses about $200 a year from his regular work.
He assured the Board that he was not complaining about the
compensation because he likes the work and wants to keep
the position. He said he thought he was doing a good jobs
attends meetings for Wire Inspectors', but if the Board
feels it is important for him to be in the office he does
not know what he can do about it. He said he did not be-
lieve many contractors would come in to see him in the
morning. He is available Sundays and evenings and en-
courages contractors to call him at his home.
Mr. Bateman said that he did not know what the hour
should be, brit he did think if the Building Inspector had
worked something out it was because the people asked him
to. He mentioned the possibility of a contractor coming
&pto town, wanting an inspection and then be on his way
and asked what that pereon would do.
Mr. Jeremiah replied that when a job is done in the
morning, it is inspected that night or in the afternoon,
Mr. Bateman asked if he saw the contractor on the
Job and Mr. Jeremiah replied in the negative.
Mr. Bateman said that was the point he tried to make.
The Inspector leaves a note if there is anything wrong and
sometimes the contractor has come from a distance (one
from Ashland). The contractor has gone home and must come
all the way back again.
Mr. Jeremiah said that strange contractors know
they should contact the Wire Inspector, find out what they
are supposed to do and do the job accordingly. Under
those conditions, they will not have to come back.
Mr. Bateman said that a year ago when the position
was discussed, he understood that there was going to be
regular hours and all the inspections would not be made
after hours, Saturdays and Sundays. He said something
should be worked out so that the inspections can be made
during the day.
Mr. Jeremiah said that there has been only one
flashlight inspection and that was when he first took the
job and had an inspection to make at the Atlantic and
Pacific. He explained that he uses a flashlight even dur-
ing the day. The ohly ihspections made after dark, during
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the winter; were electric ranges, electric dryer instal-
lations and other appliances where the inspections are
made in the homes and can be made after dark.
Mr. Maloney said that if an electrician somas in
and applies for a permit, under the present arrangement,
the inspector does not know if he has a liber.
Mr. Jeremiah said that the electrician is supposed
to have a number and he has a book containing a list of
all licensed electricians and their license numbers and
addresses. He said that if a notice is mailed about a de-
fect aid 4e dbes hbt hear from the contractor within ten
days he goes after him.
Mr. Maloney said the only complaint he had is that
there should be someone on the job at least part of the
day and he has received five such complaints.
The Chairman explained that the Board• has received
no complaints insofar as the work is concerned.
Mr. Burns said that the contractors who work in
town know where to reach the inspector and personally he
has not seen any strangers coming in looking for him.
Mr. Jeremiah mentioned that the Town of Arlington
has two full-time inspectors and they are in the office
only one hour each day. He said he spends between thirty
and thirty-five hours on the job. $$ makes a roughing
inspection on a new home and a finished inspection. He
stated that he has inspected every electrical installation
made in the town since he took over the job.
Mr. James said the only complaint he heard is that
of a fellow who has done a Job and wants to get it in-
spected before he goes home. He does not want to come
back again unless it is necessary. Now the inspections
ars made after four in the afternoon and on week ends. If
....contractor finishes a Job after four on Friday, he would
then net be able to contact the inspector and go home. If
an inspection were made over the week end, the contractor
would not receive a notice until Tuesday or Wednesday and
Mr. James said he felt that was -very serious.
Mr. Jeremiah said that the contractors working in
town know the rules and regulations and do not slip up in
that respect.
tLr. James asked if there was a written code and Mr.
Jeremiah replied that there is one but he has been going
to write up something and present it to the Board for ap-
proval and then send copies to the contractors.
Mr. James ashed if there is no code, under what code
does the town operate and Kr. Jeremiah replied that he goes
under the NaMional Underwriters Coda,
Mr. James asked if the town conforped to the Stake
regulation. and Mr. Jeremiah replied in the affirmative.
Mr. James said that people coming into the town now
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I don't know what they have to do except to go by the State
code.
Mr. Jeremiah said the first thing- they should do is
contact hitt and they know that. Contractors are supposed
to take out a permit before installinga range, but 'soae
of the contractors wait a week after te installation be-
fore applying for a permit.
Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, arrived at the meeting
at 7:25 P. M.
The Chairman said that the major item is the time
the inspector is in the office and mentioned the hour be-
tween eight and nine in the morning.
Mr. Jeremiah asked if the Board would require that
he be in during that hour every day. He said he would
like to do it, but he will forfeit $15 a week from his
regular job.
The Chairman asked hamar much he had been forfeiting
between four and five, and he replied $6 a week.
Mr. Bateman said he did not know whether the hour
should be in the morning or in the {afternoon.
The Chairman asked if the Board feels the complaints
are justified enough to ask the inspector to change the
hour or continue until more complaints are received.
IIMr. Jeremiah suggested continuing on the same basis
and if further complaints are received he will try to work
something out.
Mr. James asked if the contractors know where the
inspector can be reached between four and five, and Mr.
Jeremiah replied in the affirmative.
Mr. Bateman said that the contractors do not like
to wreak into their evenings with business.
Mr. Burns said that. he does not believe there is
any man in the electrical business today, or in any
business, who does not know where to locate the Wire
Inspector.
Mr. Maloney asked why the contractors should be
obliged to locate the Inspector•
Mr. Burns replied that they have to call him some
place.
Mr. Maloney said that he has no complaint about the
Inspector's work, but he does not see why anyone should
have to go looking for the Inspector or anyone else to get
an inspection for which they are paying.
Mr. Jeremiah said that no one is being held up on
inspections.
The Chairman asked if the Board wanted to set the
hour between eight and nine in the morning or between four
and five in the afternoon.
II Mr. Maloney said that he was not prepared to say
but he would not aee why the position should not be
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operated to accommodate the people who come in.
Mr. Burns said that it is not always known when
the people are ready for inspections either in the
Building or Wiring Departments. He said the hours
work out well in the Building Department. The buil-
ders call and request an inspection; a list is kept
of all calls and the inspector picks it up when he
cornea in and then goes out on inspections. . He said
that the Building Inspector does not see the people.
Mr. Gay asked if any one of the individuals who
complained recommended any specific hour for the in-
speotbr to be available and Mr. Maloney replied that
they would just like some hour during the day. There
are no complaints Whitever about the work.
"-The Chairman suggested that the work 'be carried
on as it is temporarily and an effort be made to find
out just what hour would be the most satisfactory to
the contractors.
Mr. Gay suggletid that the inspector contact other
towns where a part-time inspector is employed and find
out about the hours they spend in the Office.
Mr. Jeremiah retired at 7440 P. M.
Hearing was declared open upon petition of the
Pole Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and
location Telegraph Company for four j/o pole locations on Woburn
Street. No persons were present at the hearing and Mr.
Burns approved the proposed locations.
Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bateman,
it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order
for the following j/o pole locations:
Woburn Street, southwesterly from a
point approximately 95 feet southwest of
the Lexington-Woburn line, four pees.
Petition was received from the Boston Edison
Compare and the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company
Pole for j/o pole relocations on Adams Street. Mr. Burns
location approved the proposed locations.
Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Bagman,
it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for
the following j/o pole locations;
Adams Street, approximately 15 feet south-
west of Westwood Road, 1 pole. (One exist=
ing j/o pole to be removed.)
Adams Street, approximately 80 feet north-
east of Westwood Road, 1 pole. (One exist-
ing
i/o pole to be removed.)
313
The Chairman_read a letter from the Board of
Health regarding a dump on private land on Essex Street.
The Board is asking permission from the owners of the
land to have it filled in and would like the Board of Dump on
Selectmen to authorize the Superintendent of Public Essex
Works to fill it. Street
Mr. Burns explained that the Board of Health had
asked him to cover it and he refused to go onto private
property.
Mr. Stevens said that the owner could post the
land and the dumping could be stopped in that way and
he also referred to the Board of Health rules and regu-
lations in r egard to the subject of dumps.
The Chairman was authorized to advise the Board of
Health that inasmuch as this dump is onrdvate property,
the Selectmen have no authority to act and suggest that
the problem might be solved under the provisions of the
amendments to the- Board of Health regulations, in re-
lation to dumps, adopted on February 15, 1952.
Petition was received, signed by residents of
Grant Street, requesting the Board to erect a permanent
type fence around the storm drain located east of Hayes
Lane at Grant Street..
Some members of the Board viewed the area and the Fence for
Chairman said that a guard rail fence could be erected storm drain
for. $50 against $200 for a chain link fence.
Mr. James said that he did not believe a guard rail
fence would take care of the situation.
Mr. Maloney asked if the town were liable to erect
a fence and Mr. Stevens replied that there is no liability
for surface water drains.
Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded by Mr. Bateman,
it was voted to authorize the Superintendent of Public
Works to erect a tt chain link fence.
Mr. Burns referred to the garbage contract and said
that when it was awarded he recommended that it be for one
year with option to renew 1954 and 1955 at bid pride, de-
pending upon performance in 1953 and 1951 . He said as
far as he is concerned the collections have been good; Garbage
complaints have dropped from fifteen and twenty a day contract
to about four a week and it has been a pleasure to do
business with the contractor. The contractor would like
the same option to renew in 1955.
Mr. Stevens read the contract and said that no
provision has been made for a second option and the
collection will have to be put out for bid again. He
took both the contract and the bond and it was agreed
to discuss the subject further next week.
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At 8:00 P. M. Mrs. Lowell, 14 Slocum Road, and her
daughter, met with the Board in regard to a water bill
in the amount of $9.00. She explained that the builder
Water was given money to pay this and other bills which he
bill neglected to do and she felt that the amount should be
paid by the builder.
Mr. Stevens explained that the charge for water is
a charge against the land itself and that ie the basis
upon which water is furnished. The credit le extended
because the property is pledged to pay for tho water and
is worth so much more than the water.
The Chairman said that the Board was in sympathy
with the problem, but it is one between the builder and
the owner. There is no legal authority under which the
Board could abate the charge.
Mrs. Lowell said under the circumstances she sup-
posed she would have to pay for it. She and her daughter
retired at 8:15 P. M.
Mimeographed memorandum was received from the Met-
ropolitan District Commission in regard to application
made by the Town of Needham for permission to pump a
portion of the town's water supply from the Sudbury
aqueduct.
Messrs. Stevens and Burns retired at 8:40 P. M. '
Messrs. Gagne, Albertine and Pierpont, representing
the April 19th Committee, met with the Board. and outlined
the proposed program for observance of Patriots' Day.
The group retired at 9:00 P. M.
Miss Marcia Dane met with the Board, at her request,
to talk to the poard as a private individual. She stated
that wh#t she had to say was not political and not to be
recorded in the Selectmen's records.
The Clerk retired.
At the conclusion of Miss Dane' s discussion, they
completed the agenda and the action was relayed to the
Clerk for the records.
Upon motion of Mr. James, seconded by Mr. Bateman,
Bond it was voted to approve Bond No. 150081 on behalf of
approved Reginald A• Roberts, as Deputy Collector, in the amouht
of $1,000 for a term expiring December 31, 1954;, said
bond having been approved by Commissioner Saban.
Proclamation Letter was received from the Bay State Society for
the crippled and handicapped children, together with
suggested proclamation in support of the Easter Seal
campaign.
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It was decided to publish the proclamation in
this week's issue of the Lexington Minute-Man.
Letter was received from the Lexington Committee Sign
for Educational Television Channel 2, requesting per-
mission to erect a sign 4+ x 51 on Emery Park in con-
junction with the local campaign tor funds, April 19-24.
The Board had no objection and approved the request.
Upon motion duly made and seconded it was voted to
grant the following uses of halls: Uses of
halls
Girl Scouts Conf. Room April 8 free
0 -town Committee - Cary April 27 free
Lex. Methodist Church Cary Nov. 6 $35
It was agreed to grant permission to the Old Rummage
Belfry Club to use the Barnes property on Saturday, sale
April 17th for a rummage sale.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Annual
to make the following annual appointments for a 'term appoint-
of one year unless otherwise noted: manta
APPOINTMENTS MADE 4/5/.54
II
Board of Appeals Thomas G. Lynah (5 yr. term)
Board of Appeals J. Henry Duffy
(Associate Members) Elmer C. Houdlette
Edwin B. Worthen, Jr.
Board of Public Welfare Harold F. Lombard
John A. Sellars
Howard A. Dawes
Building Inspector Ernest A. Lindstrom
Constable (Under Ch. 1{1, Sec. 91A.) Charles E. Moloy
Dental Clinic Mrs. Vincent Burke
Mrs. John R. Rich
Mr. John B. Smith
Dog Officers James F. Mowat
Eugene M. LaRosa
Executive Clerk Hazel J. Murray
Field Drivers John 1/. Ryoroft
Benjamin W. Day
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Fence Vievrers Rev. Harold Handley
Mr. Garrity
Gammell Legacy Income Trustees Harold F. Lombard
(Acting with Board of Public Welfare) Mrs. Robert C. Merriam
Lockup Keeper John W. Rycroft
Measurer of Wood & Bark Harold I. Wellington
Moth Department Superintendent Charles H. Brenton
Old Age Assistance Harold F. Lombard
John A. Sellars
Howard H. Dawes
Plumbing Inspector Ernest A. Lindstrom
Public Works Superintendent William M. Burns
Registrar of Voters Malcolm H. Clifford
(3 yr. term)
Town Counsel Harold E. Stevens
Town- Engineer William M. Burns
Veterans' Agent Maurice N. Healy
Weighers Harold I. Wellington
Jacob Bierenbroodapot
Paul Wagner, Jr.
Arthur Genetti
Arthur J. Rivet, Jr.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to appoint the following Special Police Officers for terms
expiring March 31, 1955:
SPECIAL POLICE COMMISSIONS
Acheson, Eugene A. 2631 Massachusetts Avenue
Allen, Charles D. 1; Paul Revere Road
Allison, Howard D. 15 Utica Street
Anderson, Carl 231 Bedford Street
Andrews, Daniel J. 21 Shirley Street
Barrett, Elliott J. 232 Lincoln SAMSet
Beauchesne, Joseph 36 Adams Stxtt
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Bickford, Walter E. 82 Waltham Street
Bradford, Arnold P. 24 Pine Knoll Road
Brand, Robert W. 89 Bedford Street
Brunn, Ewart M. 40 Downing Road
Butler, Lawrence M. 24 Woodland Road
Cabral, Joseph E. 47 North Street
Carroll, James J. 17Muzsey Street
Clifford, Malcolm H. 5Chase Avenue
Colesworthy, C. B. Jr. 23 Hancock Street
Conklin, George F. Jr. 15 Nichola Road
Crosby, Vernon R. 5 Sunnyknoll Avenue
Curran, Michael D. 24 Baker Avenue
Davis, Daniel B. 8 Plainfield Street
Dearborn, Horace G. 16 Stratham Road
Dearborn, Murray G. 16 Stratham Road
Dermody, Roderick 1722 Massachusetts Avenue
Dooley, Henry W. 77 Baker Avenue
Dow, Kenneth W. 5 Bedford Street
Dressily, Andrew 15 Goodwin Road
Eriksson, E. Alden 41 Preston Road
Fifield, Donald M. 25 Adams Street
Finney, Charles A. 6 Albemarle Avenue
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Flack, Clifford F. 1j1 Outlook Drive
Foster, George E. ' 10 Plainfield Street
Galvin, Roswell P. 21 CresOent Hill Avenue
Garrity, Jerome F. 15 Theresa Avenue
Greening, Caywood 688 Marrett Road
Howie, Colin A. 14 Scotland Road
James, Henr7 28 Vaille Avenue
Jenson, Edmund M. 46 Fern Street
Johnson, Joseph S. 51 Spring Street
Jones, Cecil 36 Woburn Street
Josephson, Harold W. 27 Harding Road
Sakes, Edward G. ' 1}4 Locust Avenue
Kleinberg, Edward F. Ill Moreland Avenue
Lamont, John 1I Spencer Street
Lannquist, Arthur 153 Shade Street
Lewis,. Raymond E. 11 Hanv'ook Street
Linfield, Arthur R, 58 Oak Street
MacDonald, Charles 24 Bernard Street
MaaKechnie, H. K. 12 Winthrop Road
I Maloney, William E.
Marcus, Hymen 269 Bedford Street
229 Massachusetts Avenu
318 =
Martin, Clifford M. 6 Hillside Terrace IIMcInnis, Richard 83 Cary Avenue
Melquist, John 86 Gleason Road
Mors, William F. 252 Marrett Road
Moakley, Richard 1149 Adams Street
Moloy, Charles E. 23 Webb Street
Moretti, Joseph A. 8 Rindge *venue
Murphy, L. Francis 5 Bennett Avenue
Myatt-, Robert 9 Sunnyknoll Avenue
MacLean, Ralph D. 9 Spring Street
Nickerson, Benjamin 81 Gleason Road
O'Connor, Daniel P. 49 Cedar Street
Parker, Edwin F. 9 Forest Street
Palermo, Victor 20 Avon Street
Pierpont, Wilfred D. Jr. 4 Taft Avenue
Polley, John D. 189 Wood Street
Redmond, James 7 Dunham Street
Reilly, John F. 1}3 Downing Road
Richards, Randall W. 67Farmcrest Avenue
Richardson, Earl W. 18 Winter Street
Ritter, Julius C. 13Pine Knoll Road
Rogerson, William G. 19 Homestead Street II
Rosendorn, Louis 5 Fattier Avenue
Rudd, C. R. 30 Prospect Hill Road
Ruocco, Louis 28 Theresa Avenue
Ryan, William J. 6 Camelia Plaoe
Sayjuels, Frank T. Jr. 31 grassland Street
Saunders, Robert W. 295 Marrett Road
Schofield, Gleason C. 7 Pleasant Street
Sellars, John A. 430 Concord Avenue
Seymour, Cyril V. 11 Bedford Street
Shaw, James C. I1 Hamblen Street
Slader, Frederick 23 North Hancock Street
Smith, Edward C. 55 Taft Avenue
Smith, Walter C. Jr. 17 Coolidge Avenue
Sorenson, Axel 117 Bedford Street
Thompson, John H. 274 Marrett Road
Turner, Gerald C. 9 Hillside Terrace
Walsh, James Y. 1 2 Bedford Street
Webb, Edmund A. Haes
WebbMelille W. 2 6 LincolnvStreet
Wilson, Davis S. dr. 11 Hamblen Street
Wright, Glenn 67 Simonds Road
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Young, Stanley R. 86 winter Street
Zittell, George S. 306 Lowell Street
Zitso, Peter 21 Bertwell Road
SPECIAL POLICE OFFICERS
Alan G. Adams Adams Press
Roy A. Cook Deputy Chief ,Fire Department
Anthony Rochette Janitor, Town Office
Charles Brenton Park Department
Ralph I. Dale 1640 Massachusetts Avenue
Haskell W. Reed Selectman
Frederick M. Gay
Leon W. Bateman
Raymond W. James "'
Michael E. McDonnell Janitor, Cary Library
William M. Burns Supt. of Public Works
Francis J. Smith Keeper, Hobbs Brooks Reservoir
Ernest A. Lindstrom Plumbing Inspector
Frank J. Peters Middlesex County Sanatorium
James Stuart Smith 4 Percy Road
William L. Harrington Metropolitan State Hospital
John W. Alexander
Henry Brown, Jr.
James W, Manning 173 Hancock St., Cambridge
(Belmont Country Club)
LINCOLN PROJECT M.I.T.
August 3. Cidaho 55 Lake Street, Wilmington
Donat A. La Casse 22 Spring Street, Lexington
George C. McKenny 115 Brown Street, Brookline
SPECIAL POLICE - SCHOOL JANITORS
Clarence Maa$hee School Depart*iit
14 Baker Avenue
George Doughty, Jr. "'
75 Paul Revere Road
Thomas F. Ryan a
29 Shirley Street
Thomas J. Sullivan *
21407 Massachusetts Ave.
Louis A. Bonney 'p
261 W1ltham Street
William A. Knight "' a
18 Bowker Street
Carl R. Petterson a
6 Hill Street
Horace W. Bonney "' a
261 Waltham Street
Anthony J. Janus as M •
12 Tucker Avenue
Thomas Sullivan e m
17 Curve Street
David Kidd '
7 Butler Avenue
William P. Casey " r
1063 Wass. Ave.
William J. Marshall w
9 Independence Avenue
Further consideration was given to Mrs. Rich's re-
Trariefer quest for additional funds for an extra typist and two
files.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to request the Appropriation Committee to transfer the
sum of $500 from the Reserve Fund to the Tax Collector's -
Personal Services account and $325 to the Tax Collector's-
Expenses Account.
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Letter was received from the Town Counsel re
land of Dianne Estates, Inc., Waltham Street. Pur-
suint to vote of the Board, purchase has been com-
pleted for a parcel of land in the sum of $1200
(option obtained by the Planning Board) and the
deed recorded.
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