Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1943-07-12260 SELECTMEN' S MEETING July 12, 1943. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, July 12, 1943 at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Rowse, Messrs. Potter, Locke, Sarano and Sheldon were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 P.M. hearing was declared open upon the Pole petition of the Boston Edison Company and the New England LocatiorLPelephone and Telegraph Company for permission to relocate one pole at Vine Street, in the triangle at Hayes Lane. No persons appeared in favor or in opposition. Mr. Locke moved that the petition be granted and the order signed. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board. He said that the War Parents of America had requested the use of Estabrook Hall on the third Friday of each month. Use of Mr. Sarano moved that the use of the hall be granted, Hall free of charge. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Water Service Mr. Paxton reported that Leonard Jellis, who lives on Ward Street, had requested an estimate for the renewal of his water service. Mr. Paxton quoted an estimate of $45.00 and Mr. Jellis requested that the payment, which is usually made in advance, be deferred until after September. Mr. Paxton informed the Board that it has never been the policy to defer payments on water service renewals. It might be all right in this particular case, but in doing so, possibly a precedent would be established. The Board did not feel justified in authorizing deferment of the payment and upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Locke, it was voted to take no action on the request. Cosgrove Mr. Paxton reported to the Board that Mr. Cosgrove, Sick the Town Engineer, had been taken mentally ill on July 4th Leave and would not be back to work for a few months. He in- formed the Board that Mr. Cosgrove had; worked for the Town twenty-one years. The Board discussed the case and upon motion of Mr. Potter; seconded by Mr. Sheldon, it was voted to grant Mr. Cosgrove a threes_ month period sick leave with pay, to be effective as of July 15, 1943 through October 15, 1943. The Chairman. read a letter from Ernest T. Berglund, Berglund 1 Ames Avenue, claiming damages to his home due to the claim blasting when sewerage was placed in the street last year. He claimed that it would cost $30.00 to repair the damages to two bedrooms and the bathroom and $20.00 to repair the living room. 1 Mr. Paxton stated that the first telephone call re- ceived in regard to these alleged damages was January 16, 1942 when Mrs. Berglund reported that a window had been broken from blasting. It was very cold weather and Mr. Paxton send a man down to fix the window. On March 2, 1942 Mrs. Berglund telephoned again and Mr. Paxton informed her that the proper procedure was to present a claim to the Board in writing. There have been other claims for damages in connection with this particular project and the Board has taken no action on them. Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Locke, it was voted to take no action on the Berglund claim. Letter was received from Daniel J. O'Connell offering to pay the sum of $25.00 for Lot 28, Hillcrest Avenue. Mr. Potter informed the Board that this particular lot is use- less as far as building or developing, and recommended that the offer be accepted. Mr. Locke moved that Lot 28, Hillcrest Avenue be sold and conveyed to Mr. O'Connell for the sum of $25.00. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Wrightington relative to the claim of Reinap v. County Commissioners. Reinap Mr. Wrightington stated that in making the taking, the Claim engineers planned that no damages would be payable, because there was already an easement of travel over the land technically taken. He believed in theory they were correct. However, the Reinaps have claimed a jury trial. Mr. Wrightington stated that a settlement would save the expense of trial and suggested that the Board authorize hdtriti settle for the sum of $100.00. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Wrightington be authorized to settle this claim for the sum of.$100.00 and that the expense be charged to the Legal Department - Expenses Account. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. At 8:00 P.M. Messrs. Greeley and Worthen of the Planning Board appeared. The Chairman explained that the Selectmen had received letters pertaining to post-war plans. He read a letter from the War Parents of America inquiring as to what plans the Selectmen have made, or expect to make, in coordinating the various semi-public activities of various groups. He also read a letter fro{t the Employment Security Commission of, New Mexico asking about the formulation and preparation of a long-range program of public works. Mr. Paxton said that so far nothing has actually been done on post-war.planning and that anything he would work out, would be with the group interested in labor. 261 Tax Title Offer Post-war Plans 262 x Mr. Greeley said that the Planning Board has studied in particular the portion of the Town located in East Lex- ington in connection with the Middlesex Turnpike and the Paul Revere Highway. Plans have almost been completed on this in conjunction with the State Engineers and an expert has been employed to get plans in shape relative to t his locality. Mr. Greeley said that his Board was also interested in the Public Works property in North Lexington and in approaching the Boston & Maine Railroad relative to the condition of the various stations in Lexington. It was decided to have Mr. 'Paxton check with Mr. Greeley and write the Boston & Maine Railroad on the subject. Mr. Greeley discussed at length the studies being made by the Planning Board and stated that when plans have been completed, he would like to'meet with the Board of Selectmen again. Messrs. Greeley, Worthen and Paxton retired at 8:45 P.M. Mr. M. E. Casey of 76 Laconia Street appeared before the Board. He stated that his land comprised about 20 acres Casey and that he had had a group of buildings designed for the pur- Swine pose of keeping poultry and livestock. He wants to have Permit the Board approve his application to keep swine. The Chairman explained to Mr. Casey that his application had been denied because the Board wants to continue its policy, already established, not to grant any more permits for piggeries in Lexington. He also stated that any permits for swine in Lexington would not be issued for more than two. Mr. Casey retired at 8:50 P.M. Mr. Sheldon moved that Mr. Casey's request to keep swine be dehied. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Public Welfare At 8:51 P.M. Mr. John A. Lyons, Chairman of the Board of Public Welfare appeared. He informed the Board that his Board was considering purchasing four new typewriter desks at a net cost of $139.00. The Chairman read a letter, signed by Mr. Lyons, re- questing that the salary of James E. Collins be increased to $38.00 per week. Mr. Collins is now receiving $28.00. At 9:00 P.M. Mr. Cutter, of the Welfare Board, appeared. The question of purchasing the desks was again dis- cussed and it was decided to wait until such time as the Department would know definitely where the office is to be located. The requested increase in salary was again discussed. Mr. Lyons felt that Mr. Collins should be given -the increase, inasmuch as results accomplished would be better and that Mr. Collins is actually doing the work of Agent. After further discussion, upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Locke, it was voted to approve an increase of 05.00 per week for Mr. Collins, effective Friday, June 16, 1943.. Messrs. Lyons and Cutter retired at 9:10 P.M. Letter was received from •Munroe H. Hamilton requesting reconsideration by the Board relative to deferment of water and sewer assessments on Lots 33 and 35 Robbins Road. Mr. Sheldon moved that no action be taken on the matter. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from the Board of Fire Engineers requesting approval of 068.00 additional com- pensation for A. J. Bevington, a military substitute on the full time force of the Lexington Fire Department. Mr. Sheldon moved that the Board of Selectmen ap- prove the payment of approximately $68.00 additional compensation to Mr. Bevington. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from Mrs. Clifton stating that she is unable to pay any part hospital bills for the care of her husband sex.County Sanatorium. The Chairman advised they Board that Mrs. Daniels is able to work and has no family to care for, thus preventing her from working. It was decided to notify Mrs. Daniels that the Board feels that until she has exhausted every possible opportunity to take care of this obligation, in- cluding effort on her part, that it does not wish to cancel any part of the charges. Letter was received from the Town Clerk informing the Board that Luther R. Putney had resigned as a member of the Old Age Assistance Bureau. Upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Sarano, Old Age it was voted to appoint the following members to the 5].d Assist. Age Assistance Bureau for a term ending March 31, 1944: Bureau Messrs. John A. Lyons, Matthew Stevenson and Ernest Cutter. Letter was received from the Town Clerk advising the Board.that Mr. Archie R. Giroux had resigned as a member of the Board of Public Welfare. B. Daniels of the at the Middle - 263 Hamilton req. for deferred ass'mts Additional comp. for Bevington Daniels' hospital bill 264 ,Letter was received from the Town Clerk informing the rd -that the following members have been appointed to Committee erve on the Committee, authorized at Town Meeting March 15, 1943, to study the setup of various Town Departments in the interest of efficiency and economy: A. Edward Rowse, Chairman Board of Selectmen; Lewis Hoyt, Chairman Appropriation Committee; Wm. R. Greeley, Chairman Planning Board; Elwyn G. Preston and Harry A. Wheeler. The Clerk informed the Board that Mr. Lamont would like Poultry the Board's approval on his recommendation that Gail Smith's Permit application to keep 5,000 poultry on the Ryder land on Maple Street, be granted. Mr. Locke moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Welfare Board appeared at 9:40 P.M. Mr. Lombard advised the Selectmen that Mr. Collins had expressed his desire for an increase in salary and would not be satisfied with a $5.00 increase. He also said that a temporary agent, under the Civil Service regulations, is re- quired t o,be paid a minimum salary of a permanent appointee. The two Bdards discussed the matter at some length and it was the feeling of the Selectmen that Mr. Collins should not be given more than a $5.00 increase until he has proven that he is capable Of deing the work. The Welfare Board retired at 9:50 P.M. The Chairman informed the Board that a letter had been received from the Division of Civil Service requesting the Civil dates of all suspeions, penalties and reprimands appearing Service in the records of the Police Department against each applicant Request for promotion to the Chief of Police. The Clerk wrote Acting Chief Russell requesting this information and was informed that there are no records in the Police Department. Mr. Sheldon moved that if it is found that the Police Department has no records, the Chatrman be empowered to write the Division of Civil Service accordingly and inform them that.. information contained in the Selectmen's Records would be incomplete. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. **** The deed to lots 1 and 2 Dee Road, prepared by Mr. Deed Wrightington, conveying the lots to Herbert A. and Hazel M. Thurber was received and signed by the Board. Invitation to bid on Ambulance Service for the Veterans' Administration Facility in Bedford was 'received. Ambulance Mr. Sheldon moved that no action be taken on the matter. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 P.M. A true record, Attest: Cle 1