Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1951-01-02-min 819 SELFCTMEN'S MEETING ' January 2, 1951 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Slectmen's Room, Town Offices Building, Tuesday evening, January 2nd, at 7 :pp P.M. Messrs. Gay, Nickerson and Hoyt were present. Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, and the Clerk were also pres- ent. Mr. Gay presided in the absence of gr. Emery. Mr. Burns informed the Board that a meeting had been held With Mr. Walker for the purpose of discuss- ing carrying funds over from 1950 to 1951. He said that if he can show Mr. Walker th. t material has been ordered, with purchase orders to cover, the money will be carried against the account and he will honor it. Carrying Mr. Burns said that frankly he does not want to be put over Funds in the position of ordering pipe at the end of the year making it appear that he is trying to use the mon- ey in his account. He said that he has requests for work which was not done this year, to take care of the $17,900 which is left in his account. The Chairman asked if an order for pipe could be placed to take care of the work amounting to $17,,900 and Mr. Burns replied that he could obtain an order dated December 30th or some previous date. He said that the motives are all right, but he is not in fav- or because at some later date he may be accused of try- ing to use money which was not spent in the current year. Mr. Hoyt said th. t he thought Mr. Burns would be perfectly justified if hefelt this was a responsibili- ty he does not wrnt to take . The Chairman asked if Mr. Burns would be warranted in placing an order because of the shortage of pipe. Mr. Nickerson said thEt he would have no com- punction, as to him this is just good business End he would be in favor of getting the material if it is more or less certain that the work is going to be done this year. Mr. Burns explained that it takes about fourteen or sixteen weeks to have pipe delivered if ordered now. The Chairman said that he thought it would be a protection to the Town to order the pipe inasmuch as there definitely will be a shortage. Further discussion was held over until Mr. Emery arrives. The Chairman read a notice from the DPU relative 320 mt to a hearin, scheduled for Thursday, January 11th, Edison rates Room 166 State House, at 10:00 A . M. upon petit- Hearing ion filed by the Boston Edison Company for a change in rates. Mr. Nickerson said that if the Company's re- quest is a fair one, he did not think it shouldh be opposed because its expenses are increasing along with all other businesses . Mr . Burns agreed to have someone from his De- partment attend the hearing. Mr. Burns retired at 7:30 P.M. Mr. Edward Connors met with the Board, at his own request, to discuss garbage collection. he said that he wanted to explain some of the complaints that have been made and stated that before Thanksgiving he lost two men; one is back in the Navy and the other has returned to the Navy Garbage Yard. He stated that he had a friend of his put Collection on a truck and after a week or ten days said that he then made arrangements with Murray Potter to start collecting this morning. Mr. Connors explained that last week they en- countered all kinds of weather - the first of the week was 100 below freezing and many of the con- tainers were frozen and Firday it was so icy that walk. Heexplained that in his men could hardly Lexington there are an unusually large number of outdoor buckets and even Mr. Potter ' s men were amazed at the number of outdoor bubkets . Those buckets freeze more readily than an underground bucket and it takes time to dig them out. Ur. Connors admitted that there was only one collection last week. Because of theice on Friday, the men only went through the motions but they worked all day Saturday. Ile said that it is dif- ficult tounderstand why a complaint will be re- ceived from one house and a Christmas Card from the very next house. He said that he is not going to bid the con- tract again and he assured the Board that he is not letting down on the job because he is not go- ing to bid. lie said that he very definitely felt that most of the complaints were the result of conditions beyond his control. Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting at 7 :40 P.M. The Chairman asked if Mr. Connors felt that he could handle the collection all right between now and the time the contract expires . Mr. Con- nors replied in the affirmative. He said that he thinks he has done a good job in view of the size 1 321 of the town, number of houses ,, weather and lack of co- operation from the people. Mr. Connors retired at 7:40 P.M. A few comments were made relative to the Oak Street bus route and the Clerk was instructed to have a lic- ense typed for signatures next week and further to ask Bus Mr. Garfield, of the Middlesex and Boston Street Rail- Route way Company for a schedule of operation over the ,Er op- osed route. Mr. Stevens mentioned that copies of the Traffic Rules and Regulations should be available to the mem- bers of the Police Department. Mr. Hoyt stated, and the Board agreed, that necessary steps should be tak- en to have the present rules edited and printed for distribution. The Chairman explained to lir. Stevens that a bill in the amount of $45.00 had been received from a Dr. Brett for services rendered to Officer Lima in 1949. Mr. Stevens agreed to investigate the matter and report to the Board. He retired at 8:15 P.M. Lima' s Doctor Bill Mr. Burns and six individulas , representing the Sunnyfield area, met with the Board. Mr. Howard H. Dawes, 10 Bernard Sfreet, said that this group was present this evening to see what can be done about the condition it the Sunnjfield area, thich is Bernard, Ivan, Calvin, Donald, and Bedford Streets. He said that the condition as far as sewage is concerned is bad , End th t at least half a dozen of the septic tanks in the area overflow onto the streets. He stated that for years the people in this area have been dig- Sunnyfield ging holes and dry wells and have now reached the point Sewer where there is no room to dig more holes. Mr. Dawes said that now the people know the pipe has been laid under Route 128 they want to connect with it and there are 30 houses in the immediate area that would connect. Mr. Leonard R. Hayes, 6 Calvin Street, said that the sewer is coming out of the ground at his house. 1e has purchased gravel, dug ditches three feet deep and it is a very bad situation. He stated that something will have to be done whether it is through this Board or through the State Department of Health. Mr. W. P. Johnson, 10 Calvin Street, said that one house, at the rear of his, has been occupied since last August and there has been a pool of wrter on the ground ever since the house has been occupied. Mr. Burns reported that he has gone over this sub- ' 322 ject roughly to get some idea as to the amount of money involved . He said that based on what things have cost in previous years, $50 a foot is not too much up through the marsh. He read the estimated distances and Hosts as follows : From Route 128 to Bernard St. 5,000 feet $250,000 From Beford St. to Justin 1,200 " 60,000 Total for the trunk line $310,000 In order to service Ivan, Bernard and Calvin Streets a line would have to be put in Justin Street, at $15 a foot 1,6000 feet $24,000 Ivan Street, entire length 24,000 Bernard & Calvin Streets another 24,000 To take care of the petitioners on Bedford Street 24,000 Total for lateral sewer §96,000 Adding this $96,000 to the $310,000 for the trunk line brings the total job to $406,000, of which $96,000 is assessable. Mr. Hayes asked how much the Manor sewer cost and Mr. Burns replied that it cost $200,000. He explained by the use of the map on the wall where the trunk line was laid and said that the remainder was on straight assessable property. He also said that the trunks were only eight and ten inch size. Furthermore, the con- tractor at that time was paying labor only *1.18 an hour. Mr. Hayes said that it is a bad condition and someone will have to do something mbout it . The Chairman said that the only thing he could say is that now these people have been in and given the Board their side of the sz-ory, the Board will discuss the subject. He said that he could not make any com- mitment as to just that could be done at the present time. He further stated that he did not know if this could be done in 1951. He said the Board will study the subject and let the group know what decision is made. One individual, who did not give his name, said that if this cannot be done in 1951, they would like to have it considered as the next major sewer job in Lexington. The group retired at 8:35 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from Messrs . Little- john and Lewis advising that they have inspected the Two-wry two-way radio communication system installed by Link radio Co. , and find it complete and in accordance with the system specifications that were established for it. Mr. Stevens, who returned to the meeting, said 323 that this communication could be filed and that he is trying to obtain prices of the items that have been substituted. The Chairman read a letter from Eugene B. Ham- ilton with reference to the Board' s letter of Dec- ember 27th, deferring without interest the betterment Hamilton assessment levied against Lot 176 Ledgelawn Avenue. Request Mr. Hamilton requested the Board to reconsider and for abate the assessment. Abetment Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to advise Mr. Hamilton that the Board has reconsidered the subject and is of the op- inion that there is no further action to be taken on it. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to sign a certificate of charac- ter for Malcolm F. McKenzio, 24 Vaille Avenue, who has applied to the Secretary of State for a Certif- icate of Incorporation. Satisfactory report was re- ceived from the Chief of Police. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to grant the following licenses: Hegy' s Spa 93 Mass . Ave. Com. Victualler Village Variety Store 856 Mass. Ave. " " Lexington Theatre 1794 Mass . Ave. Sunday Movies Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to grant the following uses of halls ; Veterans of Foreign Wars Estabrook Jan. 3 free Lexington Field and Garden " Jan. 8 free Lexington Girl Scouts Cary Mar. 12 free Lex. Choral Society " Apr. 21 free Lex. Choral Society " Apr. 22 free The Chairman read a letter from the Chief of Police stating that the Mass . Police Chief '. Assoc- iation will conduct a Police School for training local officers, to be held at the State police Head- uarters in Framingham. He would like to include $150 in his budget to cover the cost of sending two officers to the school this year. Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr . Nidkerson it was voted to approve the Chief 's request. 324 The meeting adjourned at 9:10 P. M. The next regular meeting of the Board will be held in the Selectmen' s Room, on Monday, Jan- uary 8th at 7:00 P.M. A true record, Attest: 1