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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1943-02-15SELECTMEN'S MEETING. February 15, 1943 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, February 15, 1943, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Giroux, Messrs. Potter, Rowse, Sarano, and Locke were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 P.M. hearing was declared open upon the peti- tion of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company requesting the following joint pole locations: Marrett Road, approximately seventy feet southeast of Steadman Road, - 1 pole, guy wire and anchor. Pole Reed Street, at Centre Street, - one pole. Locations Reed Street, southeasterly from Centre Street six (6) poles. Reed Street., northwesterly from a point approximately 75 feet northwest of Ash Street, - two (2) poles. Reed Street, southeasterly from a point approximately 100 feet southeast of Ash Street, - fifteen (15) poles. No -persons appeared in favor or in opposition. The hearing was, therefore, declared closed. Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Locke, it was voted to approve the locations and sign the order. Mr. S. R. Wrightington appeared before the Board. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Wrightington dated February 15, 1943, in which he stated that the Chief of Police of Lexington is subject to the Civil Service regula- tions under G.L., Chapter 31.. The Town of Lexington ac- cepted G.L., Chapter 31, Section 49 on March 15, 1926. Mr. Wrightington stated that he had checked with the Civil Chief Service Commission, and. they ruled that Section 20 of Statute of 1939, Chapter 419, applies to the Chief of Police, even Police though the classification of the Chief and of the police force are provided for under separate sections, so that it might be argued that'. promotions "in such police forces" is concerned with promotions below the grade of Chief. Under Section 20, as amended, no examination is to be held until there are at least four applicants. The Chairman asked if the Civil Service Commission would give this Board time to request the Committee on the Study of Police Rules and Regulations to discuss and study the situation. Mr. Wrightington replied that he didn't know. The Chairman suggested that perhaps it might be well for this Board to delay action on the appointment of a new Chief if the Civil Service Commission would grant time for the 171 172 Committee to study the situation, give a report, and ana- lyze the whole picture. Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Wrightington be requested to discuss this subject with someone in authority on the Civil Service Commission, check the various angles, and report to the Board before Town Meeting. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Board discussed with Mr. Wrightington Mr. George A. McLaughlin's bill in the amount of 8300.00. Mr. Wrightington thought that the bill was a fair one, and the McLaughlin desired results have been accomplished. bill Upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Locke, it was voted that the bill be approved and paid. The Chairman had written to Mr. Wrightington relative to an extreme emergency permitting the Town to incur lia- bility for snow removal in excess of the largest monthly expenditure in the previous year. He stated that it was the Board's understanding that were an emergency not dec- lared, it probable that the Division of Accounts would Extreme say nothing in relation to expenditures for snow. Once it Emergency is brought to their attention, however, they can only advise that they will not approve expenditures above the largest equal monthly expenditure in the previous year. Mr. Wrightington said that he thought the Legislature could do something about this. He said a special act might permit an exception of snow removal on the Statute, which binds the Town down to the first three months of the year to the largest month the year before. Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Locke, it was voted to take no action on this matter. The Chairman read a letter from Theodore A. Custance stating that the Town of Lexington had not published an assessor's report of the assessed valuations of Real Es - Assessor's tate in the Town of Lexington since 1930. Mr. Custance Report thought there was a statute suggesting that this list be published at least once in five years. It is the opinion of the Board that the method whereby the records of assessors are available to the public is sufficient to cover the Town's need. Mr. Wrightington stated that he knew of no law compelling the publication of these reports. Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted to write Mr. Custance and explain the Board's opinion in the matter. At 8:10 P.M. Mr. Wrightington and Mr. Potter retired. 1 173 Mr. William C. Paxton appeared before the Board. Mr. Paxton informed the Board that he was submitting Insurance a revised budget on insurance. This budget was reduced budget $800.00 due to the fact that the boiler insurance Policy was rendered in December and a transfer received. Mr. Paxton read a letter from Mrs. Miller of 578 Marrett Road stating that her meter reading was high. Mr. Paxton had it checked immediately and found that there was a leak in the service line. Mrs. Miller's bill for this month is $55.90, against an average bill of around $5.28. Mr. Paxton said that the leak was in the ground beyond the meter, therefore it was responsibility. He said, however, that adjustments had been made on other bills and suggested that an adjustment be made on this one. Mr. Miller Paxton suggested taking the overage and charging 50 per cent bill which amounts to $25.98, plus $3.75, making a total of 29.73 to be paid by Mrs. Miller. Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Paxton's recommendation be approved. Mr. Locke seconded the notion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton informed the Board that the Spring Street account has been closed, therefore he is unable to pay George E. Rogers the claim in the amount of 5175.00 from that account. Mr. Paxton said that he talked with Mr. White who suggested putting an article in the Warrant to cover this item, or waiting until after Town Meeting Rogers' and then requesting a transfer from the Reserve Fund. Claim Mr. Rowse moved that the bill be held over and taken up after Town Meeting. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman said that John T. Cosgrove feels that he should take a defense job and thinks he can get one. He would like to work part time for the Town - about 20 to 22 hours per week. The Chairman asked if the Department could operate with his working on a part-time basis. Mr. Paxton said the Department would get along all right as far as the present work is concerned, but it will mean not having as complete a post-war program as we should have. Mr. Paxton said that his suggestion was that Mr. Cosgrove apply for a John job, have an interview, see what kind of a job he can get, Cosgrove and then talk with the Board. Mr. Paxton thought it would be better to have the decision of the Board on this ques- tion. It was decided to hold the matter over for two weeks. Mr. Paxton retired at 8:30 P.M. Mr. Carl W. Terhune appeared before the Board at 8:30 P.M. 174 He said that the month of March has been proclaimed by the President as Red Cross Month. He read a proclamation which is being issued by towns and cities and asked if this Board Red would issue such a proclamation. Cross Mr. Rowse moved that the proclamation be approved and Month that Mr. Terhune be authorized to insert the names of the Selectmen in the proclamation. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Terhune retired at 8:35 P.M. The Board decided to have no meeting next week, the holiday falling on Monday. Letter was received from the Navy Department relative to the request of one John Timbury to be assigned to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON. The letter stated that in time of war it is considered that personnel should be assigned to the type consistent of ship with which they are most familiar. It is c with the best interests of the service to assign personnel to vessels on no basis except that which will result in a high condition of proficiency. Men are transferred by rat- ings and not by name in filling assignments. The Clerk was instructed to send a copy of this letter to Mr. Timbury and Mr. John Devine. Mr. Rowse moved that any similar requests for assign- ments on the U.S.S. LEXINGTON be advised on the basis of this letter. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Morse appeared before the Board at 8:45 P.M. and re- tired at 9:25 P.M. Letter was received from the County Commissioners rela- Maple St. tive to the selection of a special commission to apportion bridge. the costs of alteration of the Maple Street bridge. Letter was received from Robert H. Eldridge expressing his thanks for the prompt action taken by the Board in deal- ing with the recent problem of vicious dogs in that neigh- borhood. The Chairman informed the Board that some members of the Committee on Arboretum were in favor of discharging said Com- mittee at the Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Stephen Hamblin, Chair- man, and other members requested that the Committee be contin- Ued. Mr. Locke moved that the report be carried in the Town Report, and the Committee not be discharged. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Committee on Arbor- etum ski I 175 Mr. William Viano's Sunday theatre license for February license 21, 1943, was signed by the Board. The Chairman read a report on the School Lunch costs for the month of January, 1943. The Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting having been approved by Mr. Wrightington, was signed by the Board. The meeting adjourned at 9:45 P.M. A true record, Attest: