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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1943-09-201 1 1 SELECTMEN'S MEETING September 20, 1943 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, September 20, 1943, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Rowse, Messrs. Potter, Locke, Sarano and Sheldon were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board at 7:30 P.M. He said that Mr. Paul Wagner of the Lexington Sand and Gravel Co., had requested the use of the tractor bulldozer... Mr. Potter moved that the request be granted, subject to the usual charge, with the provision that the Town operator operate the equipment. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton reported that.. holdup policy in the amount of $10,000.00 would expire October 18, 1943, through the office of Elmer A. Lord and Co Mr. Locke moved that the policy be renewed through the same office. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton informed the Board that Mrs. Morse of the Red Cross Canteen, had requested permission to use two kettles, formerly used in connection with the School Lunch Project, for making coffee at the Medical Centers in case of an alert. Mr. Saran moved that the request be granted. Mr. Potter seconded the motion,'and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said it would be necessary to advise Mr. Clarence S. Walker, Treasurer of the Lexington Trust Company, that Miss Mary E. Corcoran, Secretary and Mr. William C. Paxton, Supt. of Public Works, were authorized to sign all gasoline ration checks for the Town of Lexington. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Clarence S. Walker be advised that Miss Mary E. Corcoran and Mr. William C. Paxton were authorized to sign all gasoline ration checks for the Town of Lexington. Mr. arano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A letter was received from Mrs. Harold F. Wheeler, Chairman of the Lexington Salvage Committee to which was attached a letter from Mrs. Selwyn H. Towne of 756 Massa- chusetts Avenue, Lexington, complaining that the bin located on the so-called Old Adams School Property was a public nuisance and a damage to her property. The Clerk was instructed to acknowledge Mrs. Wheeler's letter and to advise her that the Board was of the opinion that this bin is located in the most satisfactory place and until a more serious complaint has been received, the Board did not care to have it removed. 295 Rental of Equip. Insurance Policy Kettles Ration Checks Salvage Bin 296 Posters on Poles Mrs. Wheeler requested permission to place Community Fund Posters on electric light poles in Lexington during the week of November 8, 1943. Mr. Potter moved that Mrs. Wheeler be advised that the Board had no objection to her placing Community Fund Posters on the poles in Lexington during the week of November 8, 1943, Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Tns. Letter was received from Mrs. Helen K. Fitzgerald asking that the Board consider her when renewing a fire insurance policywhich will expire in November, 1943. This is a $15,000.00 policy now held with the Employer's Fire Insurance Company through the office of Mrs. Whittemore. The matter was held over for one week. Mr. Paxton retired at 7:45 P.M. Mr. Collins appeared before the Board to discuss the application for Military Aid by Dominic P. Modoono. Mr. Collins informed the Board that Mr. Modoono is now receiving Medical treatments which are being paid from the Army Emergency Relief. It is necessary that an operation be performed on his leg and if this does not correct the trouble it will be necessary to operate on his spine. Mr. Modoono has applied to theveteran's Bureau for Aid but until such time as his application is acted upon he has no funds from which to pay for his board and room. Mr. Collins retired at 7:55 P.M. The above application was considered by the Board, and upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Sheldon, it was. voted to approve the application for Aid in the amount of $40.00 per month (one-half to be paid by the State) until such time as action is taken on his application to the Veterans's Bureau. Modoono Military Aid Comm. on Public Safety Mr. George W. Emery, Finance Officer of the Lexington Committee on Public Safety appeared before the Board. He requested approval of the allocation of $1,025.00 f rom the $15,000.00 Committee on Public Safety Fund to be used as follows: $350.00 for Personal Services; $350.00 for Administra- tion and Operation; and, $325.00 for Observation Tower. Mr. Emery informed the Board that these amounts do not include any unusual expenditures. He said that this would leave a balance of approximately $1,700.00 in the Committee on Public Safety Fund. Mr. Potter moved that the request be approved. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Police The Clerk retired at 8 P.M. and returned at 9t40 P.M. At 8 P.M. Sgt. Francis T. Neal appeared before the Board and retired at '8:45 P.M. 10.4 1 297 At 8:45 P.M. Officer George E. Smith appeared before the Board and retired at 9:10 P.M. At 9:10 P.M. Sg. John W. Rycroft appeared before the Board and retired at 9:40 P.M. Mr. John A. Lyons, Chairman of the Board of Public Welfare, Bd. of appeared before the Board and submitted a proposed letter to Public be sent to former Welfare recipients who are now employed, Welfare with the request that they reimburse the Town. Mr. Lyons informed the Board that Americanization Classes were to bestartedunder the supervision of Miss Anderson for people on general Welfare over sixty-five years of age. Mr. Lyons retired at 9:45 P.M. A letter was received from the emergency Public Works Postwar Commission of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts together with a questionnaire relative to a survey of the status of postwar public works planning in Massachusetts. The Clerk was instructed to complete the form stating that there were two projects under consideration for which no working plans or specifications had been made; no fund have been appropriated to complete plans and specifications and that the estimated cost of the projects was $90,000.00. A letter was received from Mrs. Joseph Yntas, 40 More- land Avenue, Lexington, offering the sum of $35.00 for Lot Tax Title 15, Moreland Avenue, Lexington. Offer Mr. Sheldon moved that a proposal to sell be advertised In the Lexington Minute -Man and further consideration be given the offer at the next meeting of the Board. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Henry DeVincent's offer of $300.00 for Lots 315 to 339, inclusive, Moreland Avenue, Lexington, which was held over, was again discussed by the Board. Tax Title The Clerk was instructed to advise Mr. DeVincent that Offer the Board felt that Lots 340, 131--155 and Lot 21, Moreland Avenue, should be included in the sale of Lots 315 to 339, inclusive. The price acceptable to the Board on all the above mentioned lots is $400.00. Upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Locke, it was voted that a proposal to sell the four parcels be ad- vertised in the Lexington Minute -Man if Mr. DeVincent is interested in them at this figure. Further consideration was given to Mr. Anthony J. Tax Title Rochette's offer of $150.00 for Lot 6, Fair Oaks, Marrett Sale Road. Mr. Locke moved that the offer be accepted and that Lot 6, Fair Oaks, Marrett Road, Lexington, be sold and conveyed to Mr. Rochette, subject to restrictions which will prohibit the building of a dwelling on this lot; said restrictions to be incorporated in the deed. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. It was further voted to approve payment of the $150.00 as follows: 050.00 down payment now due; $50.00 due in the month of December, 1943, and $50.00 due in the month of March, 1944. 298 Further consideration was given to Mr. William M. O'Brion's offer of $350.00 for Lots 6 and 7, Section 3, Farmhurst, Marrett Road, Lexington. Tax Mr. Locke moved that the offer be accepted and that Title Lots 6 and 7, Farmhurst, Section 3, Marrett Road, Lexington, Sale be sold and conveyed to Mr. OtBrion. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Boarding Application was received from Mrs. Elizabeth B. White,, Home for 26 Downing Road, Lexington, for permission to obtain a Infants Boarding Home for Infants. A letter was received from John C. Russell, Acting Chief of Police, stating that Mrs. White is a Registered Nurse and is of good character. Dr. Rochette informed the Clerk by telphone that he recommended Mrs. White's home as a suitable one in which to board two children. Mr. Potter moved that the application be signed. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Deed The deed conveying Lots 9, 10 and 11, Block 95, Reed Signed Street, Lexington, to Wallace Clifton Weisinger was signed by the Board. • A letter was received from Mr. George E. Graves, Chairman Rationing of the Lexington War Price and Rationing Board, requesting Board the Board's approval of the Rationing'Baard's decision in regard to a representative of organized labor serving on the Rationing Board. Mr. Sheldon moved that the decision of the Lexington Rationing Board, in regard to the addition of a representative of organized labor as a member of the Board, be approved. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from Mrs. Bridget Leary, 45 Waltham Street, Lexington, relative to the building owned by her and IBldg located at 11 Hayes Lane. Mrs. Leary stated that Mr. Cann Permit had requested that the building and sheds at this location, recently damaged by fire, be demolished. She stated Mr. Somerset of the Home Remodeling Company does not feel that it is necessary to tear down the main building, and she requested that a permit be issued to repair it. A list of specifications received from the Home Remodeling Company was enclosed. It was decided that the Chairman would acknowlege Mrs. Leary's letter and also to advise Mr. Cann that the Board was leaving this matter up to him. 1 1 1 The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Wrightington stating that he had postponed filing the bill in equity against Mr. Thomas D. Warrenuntil he received further in from the Board. The Chairman also read a letter from Mr. Wrightington to Mr. Warren in which he stated that he had been directed by the Board of Selectmen to bring suit to enforce the Zoning By -Law because Mr. Warren was carrying on a business in a residential area. Mr. Wrightington also stated that he had been informed that Mr. Warren was constructing a kennel with- out a building permit and maintaining a kennel without a license. A copy of Mr. Warren's letter in reply stated that he was disposing of his dogs as ordered by the Board of Selectmen, that he does not and never did have a boarding kennel and that he was not constructing a kennel. The Board felt that inasmuch as Mr. Warren is disposing of the dogs he should be given until October 20, 1943 before legal action is taken. Mr. Sheldon moved that Mr. Wrightington be so advised and instruct him to write to Mr. Warren. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Wrightington in reply to the Board's letter of September 14, 1943, regarding the request of Monroe Hamilton for relief from water and sewer assessments on Lot 35, Robbins Road. Mr: Wrightington stated that the fact the tax sale was made on three lots at one time seem to him to be immaterial because it is his understanding that before the Board takes any action to relieve Mr. Hamilton, he will redeem the entire tax title so the Board's action will relate only to future assessments of installments of the old sewer and water assessments. Mr. Wrightington suggested that the deferment of the assessment be for a definite time and not until the lot is built upon and that Mr. Hamilton sign an agreemnt to be recorded covering the deferment. Mr. Hamilton has an opportunity to sell Lot 35 and wants the assessments on this particular lot abated. However, it will be necessary for Mr. Hamilton to pay every charge due now before future assessments can be abated. It was decided to ask Mr. Wrightington that if Mr. Hamilton pays the assessments and taxes to date on Lot 35 whether or not future assessments can be abated and the lot sold. The Board felt that definite information as to the outstanding balance now due on Lot 35 should be obtained from the Assessor's Office. The matter was held over for one week. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Wrightington advising the Board that when an appointment to the office of Chief of Police is made it will be a perp Tient appointment and that the parson appointed will be subject to removal or suspension only 299 Warren Dog Case Rami It on Assess- ments Police Appoint- ment 300 0.4 for a cause in accordance with the Civil Service Statute. Mr. Wrightington stated that he had given further consideration to the new Police Rules and Regulations and suggested some changes. It was decided to attach the suggested changes to the office copy of the Police Rules and Regulations and to take no action upon them. until a Chief of Police has been appointed. The Chairman informed the Board that two members of the Appropriation Committee had met with the two members of the Board of Selectmen relative to the question of salaries for Clerks in the Town Offices. The group came to the conclusion that the maximum on either Junior or Senior Clerks should not be exceeded at the present time. In the case of Clerks whose salary has not reached the maximum, these would have to be considered as the requests for increases come up. The Board discussed the matter of Records of the Selectmen's Meetings being sent to any other department. Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Sheldon, it was voted to discontinue sending a copy of the Selectmen's Records to any department, but that the Records would be available at all times to the Supt. of Public Works. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 P.M. A true record, Attest: