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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1943-08-11 273 SELECTMEN'S MEETING August 11, 1943 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, August 9, 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. Mr James J. Carroll appeared before the Board for the drawing of two jurors Mr. George A. Jaynes, mason, 35 Grant Street, Lex- Jurors ington, was drawn to serve on Civil Business, Second Session, at Cambridge, beginning September 13, 1943. Mr. Francis D. Flanagan, electrician, 4 Aerial Street , Lexington, was drawn to serve on Criminal Business, First Session, at Lowell, beginning September 8, 1943 . Mr. Carroll retired at 7 32 P b;. , and Mr. Paxton ap- peared before the Board Mr. Paxton informed the Board that the War Parents of Use of America had requested the use of Estabrook Hall for a Hall meeting on the evening of September 13 , 1943 . Mr. Potter moved that the use of Estabrook Hall be granted, free of charge. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton informed the Board that C. W Johnson of Rental 294 Bedford Street, Lexington, had requested the use of the of grader. Equip. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Paxton be authorized to rent the grader to Mr. Johnson at the usual charge. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that he had received a request from 41ttk Mr. Garrity, representing the Lexington Servicemen' s Dance Organization, to block off a portion of Winthrop Road ExbenSiom, on Wednesday evening, for a weenie roast be- tween the hours of 7 P M. and 9 P.L. , and a block dance between the hours of 9 P.L and midnight. Mr. Potter moved that the request be granted. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr Paxton informed the Board that he had received Wm. G. a letter from the Employer' s Insurance Company relative to French the William G French accident case The insurance company base does not believe this case to be compensable. Mr. Potter moved that no further action be taken on the matter, and that a copy of the letter from the insurance company be sent to Mr French. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 1.4 274 "r Faxtor informed tne Board that the Public Liability Insuranbb on all rown equipment would expire on August 19, Public 1943 . He explained that it is customary to renew this "iabilitY policy through the office of Louis J. Reynolds , and to divide Insurance the commission as follows . 2/5 to Louis J. Reynolds, 2/5 to Robert C. Merriam, and 1/5 to Helen K. Fitzgerald. rr. Potter moved that the Public Liability Insurance policy be renewed through the same office, and the commission divided as in previous years. Mr. Paxton informed the Board that he had received a letter from Elmer A. Lord & Co. , pertaining to the boiler Boiler insurance. The new policy dated Tune 1, 1943 , was written Ins, for a period of three years. By rewriting at this time the Town will secure the benefit of the present low rate as the insurance company is confident that there will be a substan- tial increase veithin tne next month or two. The insurance company requested that the policy now held by the Town be returned for cancellation, and a new pJlicy written for three years at a cost of $400 . 60. Mr. Sheldon moved that the present boiler insurance policy be cancelled, and a new ono placed as of June 1, 1943 . Mr. Potter eaconeed the motion, and it was so voted. A letter was received from Eugene J. Viano stating that sometimes there is a foot of water in the boiler room of the Colonial Colonial Garage NJ'. Viano claimed that the contractorsdn targe completing their work assured him that the six inch pipe, Drainage which previously drained the roof water into the brook, had been connected to the new Vinebrook drain Mr Viano has recently purchased a stoker to be installed in the garage this fall and any water in the cellar would be injurious to this piece of ecuipment. He requested that the roof water drain be connected to the Vinebrook drain. The Chairman said that if a mistake had been made and the connection should have been made , the work should be done in 1,1r. Paxton' s presence. lr. Paxton said that he believed this should have been done by the contractor. Lr. Potter moved that Mr. Paxton be requested to determine whether or not the Vinebrook drainage contract had any provisions in it for connecting the six inch pipe, which previously drained the roof water from the Colonial Garage into the brook, with the new Vinebrooc drain, and if, in Mr. Paxton' s opinion, this work should have been done he is hereby authorized to see that the connection is deue. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Paxton stating that he had investigatedilots 35, 37, 38 and lot B, owned by Hamilton Munroe H. Hamilton in the Smith Development. Mr. Paxton Assess- stated that lots 37 and 38 fall off from Richard Road but, merits in his opinion, the problem is no more serious than some of the other lots which are already built upon. 275 He stated that lot 35 has a great amount of ledge, but he believes it would be possible to build on that lot also. He further stated that fill had been dumped on lot B and an area had been staked out for a proposed foundation. The Board gave further consideration to Mr. Hamilton' s request for deferment of sewer and water assessments. Mr. Saran moved that inasmuch as the assessments were on these lots at the time he purchased them and that these lots can be built upon, no action be taken on the request. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Wrightington relative to leasing part of the Public Works Building to Altec the U. S. Navy. He stated that the Town has power to lease Request parts of its buildings temporarily not needed for Town pur- Room at poses, but he did not recall any Town Meeting vote that would P,W.Bldg give this authority to the Selectmen. He stated that, in his opinion, it would require a Town Meeting vote. However, if the Navy is in a hurry, it can, of course, take what it wants by eminent domain and agree on terms of settlement later. The Chairman informed the Board that he had received a telephone call from Mr. Perkins of the Altec Service Corporation who would lease the property and sublet it to the Navy. Mr. Perkins wanted to know what the opinion of the Town Counsel was. The Board discussed the matter with Mr. Paxton and decided that it might be better to lease one room rather than to have the Navy go through the process of eminent domain whereby they might take over the whole building. At 8 P.M. Lt . Cornell, Ensign Terry and Messrs. Perkins and Simonds of the Altec Service Corporation appeared before the Board. The Chairman informed the group that the Board had been advised by the Town Counsel that it had no right to lease this property. He said that the Board wanted to make sure the Altec Corporation had exhausted every other possibility before allowing them to use a room at the Public Works Building. Lt. Cornell said they had looked around for suitable quarters but was unable to find any to meet their needs. Mr. Perkins said that he had looked at the Lexington Lumber Company but it would be a very expensive proposition for them to fix the the building for use as a classroom. He said that if this were a long-term proposition, they could make an additional _ building on the Altec property, but they will only need space for five or six months at the most . The Chairman asked if it would be possible for them to get along with the meter room only, that is, using no other room in the building. Lt. Cornell said the Navy would be most grateful for whatever space may be obtained. 276 0.3 He said they would like two rooms, but if one room is all the Town can spare it would be an enormous help. The Chairman asked with whom arrangements should be made relative to the use of the room and Lt. Cornell replied that the arrangements would be made through Altec. The Chairman said that the Board would try to make some arrangements so that the meter room could be used, but he wanted it clearly understood that the Board supposed the Navy would not come in later on and request additional room Lt. Cornell said that they would be satisfied with the meter room and would not ask for additional space. Lt. Cornell, Ensign Terry and Mr. Simonds retired at 8 35 P.M. Mr. Rowse asked Mr Perkins what the Town could expect for rental and Mr. Perkins replied that $75.00 a month would be satisfactory. The Board felt that $75.00 a month would be satisfactory. Mr. Perkins retired at 8 40 P.M. Mr. Sarano moved that permission be granted to the U. S. Navy, through the Altec Service Corporation, to use the meter room only at the Public Works Building for a classroom under the supevision of Mr. Paxton; the rental, satisfactory to Mr. Perkins of the Altec Service Corporation and the Board of Selectmen , to be $75.00 per month. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. In discussing this matter the Board decided that this agreement be verbal rather than to obtain any written agreement or lease. A letter was received from D. F. Ross offering the sum of $1500 00 for the property on Hill Street and Cedar Street known as the Town farm. Tax Mr Paxton_ advised the Board that if this property were Title to be sold the Town should make a taking and widen both Offer Cedar and Hill Streets, Otherwise the Town would have to pay back the $1500.00 in takings. It was decided to write Mr. Ross and advise him that the Selectmen felt that the Town should not dispose of the property at this time. Mr. Paxton retired at 8 50 P.M. Patriot' s Report of the Lexington Patriot' s Day Committee was re- Day ceived, together with vouchers coveringexpenditures in the Report amount of '$67.00. This amount is payable from the Leroy S. Brown fund. A letter was received from Mrs. Alice Barrows stating Held that she will be unable to serve as Teller in Precinct 3. Over This matter was held over for two weeks. A letter was received from Mrs. John T. Cosgrove ex- Letter pressing her gratitude to the Board of Selectmen for of consideration given to Mr. Cosgrove during his illness. Apprecia- tion 277 Request for certificate of character of William A. Wilkins, 20 Forest Street, Lexington, one Of the incorporators of the Anthony-Hunt-Hamilton Post , No. 221, Inc. , was Cre- ceived. ert. ' s Mr. Potter moved that the Board sign the certifi- of cate. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Character Request for certificate of character of Edward L. Nolan, 21 Fern Street , Lexington, one of the incorporators of the Burlivere Flying Club , Inc. , was received. Mr. Potter moved that the Boarc sign the certificate . Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted At 9 P.M. lar. John A. Lyons appeared before the Board. ' The matter of Mr. Collins' salary was again discussed. Collins Mr. Lyons explakned to the Board that in filling out the Salary requisition the word "permanent" appointment refers to the position and not to the employee. He advised the Selectmen that the Board of Public Welfare , at their meeting held tonight , voted to write the Town Treasurer and the Town Accountant that a vote had been passed to pay Mr. Collins $38.00 per week. The Board of Selectmen felt that this was the way the matter should be handled. Mr. Lyons retired at 9 15 P.L. A letter was received from the Lexington Firemen' s Carnival Benefit Association requesting permission to operate a carnival during the week of September 6 to 11, inclusive , on Permit that portion of the Center Playground known as the Aldrich property. In the event that it would not be Possible to grant the permit for this year the Association requested per- mission to hold the carnival in 1944 . A letter was received from Mr. Garrity asking whether or not the nei hbors might object to a carnival in this location, for what purpose was it given to the Town, and whether or not this would be establishing a precedent. The Chairman informed the Board that this land had been given as a gift on the condition that it be devoted to the use of the youth and citizens of the Town and that no structure should be erected except such as mieeht be in- cidental to its use as a playground. The Board decided that the Chairman should write the Association a letter advising it that the Selectmen believe this property should not be usee for such a purpose, and to further advise that the present Board of Selectmen as no right to commit next year's Board relative to granting a permit for 1944. A letter was received from the Appropriation Committee Salary stating that in the opinion of that Committee the salary schedule has proved its value and should be continued in operation. However, it should be examined and brought up Schedule to date in order that it may continue to act as a guide for aj 2 7 8 a;;.. future action. It was decided to write the Appropriation Commmittee and re-luest recommendations in connection with bringing the salary report up to date. Mr Sorrentino' s offer of $50.00 for lots 17 and 18 Held Bow Street , and 89 and 90 Theresa Avenue , was referred to Over Yr. r'otrer for investigation, and held over for two weeks. Letter was received from Mrs. Martha Yntas offering to Tax Title pay the sum of $250.00 for Lots 315 to 339 , inclusive , on Sale Moreland Avenue. Mr. Sheldon moved that the offer be accepted, and, that the lots be sold and, conveyed to Mrs. Yntas for $250.00. Mr Saran° seconded the motion, and it was so -voted. Mr. Sanseverino ' s offer of $65. 00 for Lots 65 and 66 Held on May Street was held over for two weeks. Over The Chairman informed the Board tnat Mr. Cann had re- ceived a call from Yr. Fletcher relative to Mr. Warren' s kennel. Mr Cann stated that lumber had been delivered to Mr. '; arren' s house, and he was constructing a building without a permit . Mr. Bidwell has been retained by Mr. Fletcher Fletcher in an effort to prevent Mr. Cann from issuing a Dog permit for a kennel in this vicinity Complaint The Board felt that Mr. Warren should be written a letter ordering him to discontinue the operation of a kennel on his property at once, and also that he Must dispose of the dogs now on his property inasmuch as. they are a ,ntiOance by reason of excessive barking. Mr. Sheldon moved that Mr. Warren be ordered to discontinue the -)peratl.on of a keL.nel and to dispose of the dogs. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The. Board signed Mr. William. Viano' s Sunday Movie Movie License for August 15 , 1943 . License The deed to Lot Zti Hillcrest Avenue, conveying Deed this land to Daniel J. O' Connell was signed by the Board. The deed to Lot 100 Hilltop Avenue, conveying this Deed land to Charles A. and Anna E. Tracy was signed by the Board. The meeting adjourned at 9 55 p.n. A true record, Attest C141*