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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1943-05-24234 SELECTMEN'S MEETING May 24, 1943 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening, May 24, 1943, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Rowse, Messrs. Potter, Locke, Sarano and Sheldon were present. The Clerk was also present. Printing At 7:30 P.M. Mr. Cann, Building Inspector, appeared By-laws before the Board. Mr. Cann informed the Board that he would like very much to have the Building By -Law printed in book form. He said that he believed we should have 500 reprints of Both Building and Plumbing By -Laws. The Chairman said that he_ had received the following estimate from the Adams Press: Reprints - Bldg. By-laws of Lex. - 300 copies $60.00 500 copies 75.00 Reprints - Plumbing By-laws -.300 copies 28.00 500 copies 33.00 Yours very truly, /3/ A. G. Adams Upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Locke it was voted to request the Appropriation Committee to transfer the sum of $108.00 from the Reserve Fund for 500 reprints of the Building By-law at $75.00, and 500 reprints of the Plumbing By-law at ;33.00 Mr. Cann informed the Board that the $100.00 allotted Car for his car allowance will be used up by July 1, 1943. He Allow. said that if his work was to be done right he must have Mr. Cann more money. The Chairman requested Mr. Cann to submit the number of permits granted, value of the property and the number of inspections made to date for consideration by the Board at the next meeting to be held on June 7, 1943. Mr. Cann agreed to do this. Mr. Cann retired at 7:40 P.M., and Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board. Be informed the Board that Mr. Raymond L. White had Rental requested the use of the Town compressor to break the con- of crete in which his water meter is encased. Mr. Paxton Equip. informed the Board that a friend of Mr. White's who is a member of the Public Works Departient will operate the compressor for him. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Paxton be authorized to rent the compressor to Mr. White. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 1 1 1 1 235 Mr. Paxton informed the Board that he had received a letter from Elmer A. Lord & Co. pertaining to War Damage War Damage Insurance, asking for a check in the amount of $1270.99, Insurance renewal.of the premium. Mr. Locke moved that payment be authorized in the amount of $1270.99 for the renewal of the policy through the office of Elmer A. Lord & Co. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and ' it was so voted. Mr. Paxton informed the Board that the United States Army had purchased land on Wood Street going towards Bedford, just above Mrs. Syerrs property. The Army is considering the construction of additional buildings and want to run a 6" water main from our main, approximately 700', on Wood Street to serve the buildings. Mr. Paxton said that he did not know the number of men going into the buildings or how much water would be used. He said the Army would like a fire hydrant on the line and wondered whether or not the Town would permit them to put in a 3" meter at the end of the line in the building 700' away from our main. Mr. Paxton said that he did not believe this was very logical because the Town does not know the number of men or the amount of water to be used. He said that the dead end main would need flushing if only a small quantity of water were used and the Town would not get paid for the water flushed. For this reason he thoughta meter should be put on the line within 201 of the right of way of Wood Street. Upon motion of Mr. Locke, seconded by Mr. Potter, it was voted to require the meter to be placed not more than 20' from the street line on Wood Street. Mr. Paxton informed the Board that he has been using a 5 ton tractor purchased in 1925, for snow re- moval and also on the dump work. He said the tractor has completely broken down and it would cost approximately $400.00 or $500.00 to repair it. Mr. Paxton said that he had checked with a number of tractor companies and the only unit he could find was a 1939 or 1940 tractor at a price of $3,325.00. Mr. Swartz, Construction Equipment Manager of the W.P.B. Is of the opinion that within two or three months there will be a number of units available and we may be able to get a fairly good buy if we wait that period of time. Mr. Paxton said he would like approval to spend a maximum of $4,000.00 for the purchase of a satisfactory unit if and when he is able to locate one. He informed the Board that the sum of $5,000.00 was set aside for the purchase of a 5 ton truck and to date he has been unable to purchase a truck. The Board decided that it would be wise to wait for two or three months and if a used tractor in good con- dition becomes available, to have Mr. Paxton purchase it with the $5,000 set aside for the purchase of a truck. Army Water on Wood Street Tractor 236 Public Welfare Mulliken Drainage Devine Drainage Bd. of Public Welfare The Chairman said he would write the Appropriation Committee relative to this matter. The Chairman informed Mr. Paxton that the Board of Public Welfare had an appointment with the Board of Selectmen fcr 8:00 P.M. He said he would like to have Mr. Patton remain for this meeting s the question of placing the Public Welfare Board was to/onsidered. Mr. Paxton suggested that if the Public Welfare Board continues in the Towi Office Building, the files now in the Barnes Property could be put downstairs where they could be more easily referred to. Mr. Paxton informed the Board that the north branch of Vine Brook and the ditch going to Mr. Mullikents property had been cleaned and the elevation taken to see if it would be possible to lower the brook. He said unless the entire rip rapping was removed and the brook redesigned it would be impossible to do anything so far as eleviating the condition was concerned, other than cleaning the brook. Mr. Paxton said that he had talked with Mr. Wrightington today who informed him that he had talked with Mr. Devine relative to his drainage complaint. Mr. Devine wants the entire ditch encased, and catch basins to take care of the water. Mr. Wrightington requested additional information on the subject as he feels the Town has no responsibility whatsoever. Mr. Paxton agreed to obtain this information for Mr. Wrightington this week. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Devine complaining further about the condition of the brook at the rear of his property. It was decided to have Mr. Paxton answer the drainage complaints and to submit his correspondence to Mr. Wrightington for his approval. At 8:15 P.M. the Board of Public Welfare appeared. Mr. John A. Lyons referred to the• records of the meeting held last week by the Board of Public Welfare. The matter of the location of the Board was discussed at length. He said that much time was lost in reviewing the cases due to the fact that most of the information is now in the Barnes property. Mr. Lyons stated that they voted to request - the Board of Selectmen to furnish and establish quarters for the Board of Public Welfare. The Chairman asked Mr. Lyons if his Board believed it was necessary to have the Department in this building. Mr. Lyons replied that he thought all Town Offices should• be in one building. After further discussion, it was de- cided to locate the Board of Public Welfare in the room now used by the Inspectors. Mr. Patton is to locate the Inspectors in the Engineering Department. The Board of Public Welfare retired at 8:35 P.M. 1 • • 1 • 1 237 The Chairman said that Mrs. French spoke to him this evening and inquired as to why her husband was not receiving compensation. Mr. Paxton said that Mr. French was on his way to Mr. French work when he either slipped on the ice or was struck by a car. He said that there was no evidence that Mr. French had been to work or was at work therefore, no report was made out on the accident. The Chairman asked Mr. Paxton to make another in- vestigation and he agreed to do so. A letter was received from Ernest E. Rogers of 22 Middle Street complaining about the lack of drainage on Rogers his property. Mr. Paxton said that Mr. Rogers had been Drainage in to see him on Saturday. Mr. Paxton suggested to Mr. Rogers that the people in the neighborhood get together and run a ditch to drain the water off .themselves. Mr. Paxton said the Town does not pipe water in here at all and according to Mr. Wrightington's opinion in other cases, the Town has noresponsibilityin this case. Mr. Paxton said that he told Mr. Rogers that the Town could not do anything and suggested that he dig the ditch. He said that Mr. Rogers didn't think he could afford this under- taking. Mr. Potter moved that no action be taken on the matter. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted.• .A letter was received from Mr. Paxton completing Telephone his survey of telephone service in the town Office Survey Building. A letter was received from Munroe E. Hamilton Hamilton requesting reconsideration of his proposal for abate- Abatement ment of betterment charges on the Sunnyside lots until Request such time as the lots are used for building. No action was taken on the matter. A letter was received from the Lexington War Price and Rationing Board requesting the Board of Selectmen Pleasure to instruct the Police Department to cooperate in Driving connection with the enforcement of the pleasure driving Ban ban. The Clerk was instructed to send a copy of the letter to Sergeant Russell and advise him that it was the wish of the Board of Selectmen that his department cooperate with the Rationing Board to discontinue non-essential driving in Lexington. 238 Reading Select- men Request Replica Town Seal C.O.P.S. Secretary rax Title Sale Special Police Appt'mt A communication was received from the Board of Selectmen from the Town of Reading requesting that they be advised of any features in connection with the operation of Town Meetings held in Lexington. It was decided to refer the letter to Mr. Giroux for a suggested answer. A letter was received from Mr. Wrightington stating that Mrs. George E. Briggs has made an offer to award books as prizes to pupils. These are to be in memory of her husband and are to bear a bookplate. She inquired whether or not it would be permissible to have a reproduction of the Town Seal at the top of the bookplate. Mr. Wrightington said that unless the Selectmen had any objection in doing this, he would suggest that the Board adapt a vote authorizing the School Committee to use a replica of the Town Seal as part of the bookplate. ''Sttelddrr.itcrcrecr°t t`'tite 'Sc7 s_1 ieetntriteteellian silithorized to use a replica of the Town Seal as part of the bookplate marking the books to be presented by Mrs. Briggs. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A letter was received from the Chairman of the Committee on Public Safety stating that Miss Ruth Elizabeth Vaughn has been employed by that Committee as Secretary at the rate of $16.00 per week. A letter was received from Joseph Corsi, 20 Avon Street, Lexington, offering to pay $200.00 for Lots 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, Block 18, corner of Reed and Center Streets. Mr. Potter informed the Board that the Committee on Tax Title property redommends accepting this offer. Mr. Sarano moved that the Board of Selectmen sell and convey Lots 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5,'Block 18, corner of Reed and Center Streets to Mr. Corsi for the sum of $200.00. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A letter was received from Francis J. Smith, Keeper of Hobbs Brook Reservoir, requesting that he be appointed a Special Police Officer in the Town of Lexington. A letter was received from Acting Chief Russell stating that Mr. Smith is a man of good character and reputation. He recommended that he be appointed a'Special Police Officer. Mr. Sarano moved that Mr. Smith be appointed a Special Police Officer in the Town of Lexington for a term to expire:. on March 31, 1944. Deed to The deed to Lot 19, Park Heights, conveying this lot Mr. Edberg to Mr. William Edberg was received from Mr. Wrightington. 1 Upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Sheldon, it was voted to sign the deed. Upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded it was voted to approve the following li Barney Witt [us 495 Lowell Street Hattie Peckham 37 Hancock St. Louis J. Reynolds 1736 Mass. Ave. William Viano 1794 Mass. Ave. Patrick Mackino 18 Middle St. Edward J. Casey 76 Laconia St. George F. Murphy 125 Bailey Rd. Somv. Mr. Edward J. Casey's application to keep 1 horse, 1 cow, 2 goats, 200 Poultry and 200 swine was discussed. Upon motion.of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Sheldon, it was voted to approve the application with the exception of the swine. by Mr. Locke, tenses: Trans. Garbage Common Victualler Auctioneer Sunday Movies One amine Slaughter 239.. Licenses Mr. Casey It was decided to hold the next meeting of the Board on June 7, 1943, and to meet every two weeks during the months of June, July and August. The meeting adjourned at 9:45 P.M. A true record, Attest: