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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1943-10-04306 Uses of Halls Water IService SELECTMEN'S MEETING October 4, 1943 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Town Accountant's Office, due to the fact that the Committee on Public Safety was using the Selectmen's Room in connection with state -gide Report Center activities, on Monday evening, October 44., 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. Paxton appeared before the Board. He said that Mr. John Lamont had requested the use of Estabrook Hall on October 22, 1943, from 8 P.M. to 12 P.M., for a poultry raisers' meeting. Mr. Potter moved that the use of the hall be granted, free of charge. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that the Lexington Field and Garden Club had requested the use of Estabrook Hall on Tuesday morning, October 5, 1943, from 10 A.M. to noon. Mr. Paxton informed the Board;that'he had authorized the use of -the hall.. Mr. Sarano moved that Mr. Paxton's action be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton informedthe. Board that on Cliffe Avenue, from Cummings Avenue to Rawson Avenue, there is a two-inch water service which was put in a few years ago by private owners. There are about six houses being served from this two-inch service. Mr. Paxton said because the street is rough, and due to the grade of the street, material is being washed off the surface of the pipe, and it is possible that the pipe may become unfit for use. The question he had in mind was whether or not the Town would have any liability relative to furnishing the six abutters with water, assuming that something went wrong with the service pipe. He stated that this was an unaccepted street. Mr. Paxton said that Mr. Wrightington felt that it should be treated as a private service and any work done on it should be charged to the abutters. He said that if the Town felt that the installation of a water main in that street was a benefit to the abutter then it could be put in without their requesting it and the betterments charged to them. Mr. Paxton said that in the past he has follo*ed the policy of obtaining 50%"or 75% of the abutters approving the installation before it was done. The Chairman asked if any request had been made, and Mr. Paxton replied in the negative. He said it was just a situation which he thought the Board should know about. 1 307 The Chairman read a letter from Mr. George J. Ross, 27 Browning Street, Weymouth, Massachusetts, claiming alleged Ross damages to, his car in the amount of $50.30, as a result of Claim hitting a water main shutoff on Fuller Road, Lexington. ' Mr. Paxton said that Fred Stevens reported this accident the day after it occurred, and the Engineers took elevations of the water shutoff and found that it was protruding from the street. Mr. Paxton said that this condition is found on most unaccepted streets. It. was decided to send Mr. Wrightington a copy of the letter together with a copy of the estimated damages, and ask that'he advise the Board whether or not, in his opinion, the Town has any liability in the case. The Chairman said that it had been brought to his attention Shltr that some kind of a shelter should be built for the convenience 'Five of persons waiting for buses at Five Forks. He asked Mr. Paxton Forks what he thought such a shelter would cost, and Mr. Paxton said approximately $40.00. Mr. Sarano moved that Mr. Paxton be authorized to have a shelter built at a cost not to exceed 850.00, this amount to be charged to the Unclassified Account. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mrr Paxton retired at 8:20 P.M., and Mr. Lamont appeared before the Board. The Chairman read a letter from Henry D. Miller, 209 Poultry Follen Road, Lexington, requesting that pernmits for poultry Complaint issued within logical distance of his house be cancelled im- mediately. He claimed that his premises are infested with rats. Mr. Lamont' informed the Board that he had investigated the residences in this section where poultry permits had been granted, and he .did not believe that this was the cause of the rats claimed to have been seen by Mr. Miller. It was decided to write Mr. Miller that as far as the cockerels are concerned the nuisance would be abated at once. However, after having the complaint investigated the Board did not feel that the condiitons of the poultry yards in the neighborhood was causing rats. The report of the Committee appointed to assist persons who desired to obtain land to plant a Victory Garden was received. The expense of plowing and harrowing amounted to $237.95. The Victry sum of $204.50 was received and turned over to the Town Treasurer, Garden making the total expense to the Town $33.45. This amount taken Comm. from the $300.00 originally set aside for the use of the Victory Garden Committee left a balance of $266.55. 308 Canng Bills Fuel Permit The report stated that the Canning Committee has bills amounting to $30.00 and the Victory Garden Committee recommends that they be reimbursed for this amount. Mr. Potter moved that the bills of the Canning Committee be approved for payment from the balance of the $300.00 set for the Victory Garden Committee. Mr. Sarano seconded -the motion, and it was so voted. The Committee stated that if they were to continue to function another year some action should be taken relative to obtaining releases for 1944. Mr. Sarano moved that an amount not. to exceed $200.00 be made available from the War Activities Appropriation. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Locke moved that the Committee consisting of John Lamont, Chairman, John J. Garrity, and Fred Spencer be reappointed for the year 1944. Mr. Lamont retired at 8:35 P.M. Mr. Peter J. McDonagh's request for permission to increase the storage of fuel oil at his station at 301 Mass. Avenue, Lexington, from twenty thousand gallons to forty thousand gallons was given further consideration by the Board. Mr. Potter reported that upon investigation he found, that between 80% and 90% of the oil was distributed in Lexington. Mr. Locke moved that a permit be approved for an additional ten thousand gallons. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A letter was received from Lawrence McCabe, Director of Public Relations, City Hall, Boston, Mass., requesting the use of Loan the flags of the forty-eight states to be displayed on the route of of a parade from October 8, 1943 to October 12, 1943, inclusive. Flags Mr. Potter moved to grant the request providing the flags were insured in the amount of $1,000.00 against loss or damage and that any flag lost or damaged would be replaced; the flags to be picked up at the Cary Memorial Building and returned in the same condition as they are received. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A letter was received from Harry A. Williams, 12 Melrose Street, Boston, Mass., formerly of Lexington. Mr. Williams stated that it was the desire of the late Ada Crosby Williams, Gift a resident of Lexington from 1915 to 1942, to make a gift to the Town ofa painting of one of her father's ships. Mr. Sarano moved that an article be placed in the Warrant for the next Town Meeting to see whether or not the Town wishes to accept this gift. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 1 1 Upon motion of Mr. Locke, seconded by Mr. Potter, it was voted to appoint Albert G. Frothingham, 20 York Street, Lexington, a Teller in Precinct Three to replace Mrs. Barrows who has resigned. The Board give further consideration to Lt.,Johns Fitz -Gerald's offer of $300.00 for a parcel of land by 400' on Grove.Street, Lexington. A proposal to s lot was advertised in the September 30, 1943, issue Lexington Minute -man. No persons contacted the Sele Office as a result of the advertisement. Mr. Locke moved that the offer be accepted and the lot be sold and conveyed to Lt. Fitz -Gerald. seconded the motio , and it was so voted. tone 435' ell this of the ctmen's that Mr. Sarano 309 Teller Tax Title Sale Deed The deed to Lots 6 and 7, Section 3, Farmhurst on Marrett Signed Road, Lexington, having been prepared by Mr. Wrightington trans- ferring said lots o Mr. William M. O'Brion, was signed by the Board. The deed to Lot been prepared by M Joseph and Martha 15, Moreland Avenue, Lexington, having . Wrightington transferring said lot to . Yntas, was signed by the Board. Deed Signed A letter was received from Stephen F. Hamblin of the War War Parents.of America, stating that they believe a War Parents Parents Town Committee of (Rehabilitation and Employment should be formed; Comm, this Committee to consist of members of every organization in Town to work with the Selectmen. It was decided to have representatives from the War Parents of America meet with the Board of Selectmen on Monday, October 18, 1943, o discuss this subject. The matter of e in the Lexington P Mr. Pottermove requested to hold Lieutenant. Mr. S so voted. The Chairman in John A. Lyons, Cha and Regulations re Mr. Lyons enclosed a rule relating to the duties of a Lieutenants statin, that he had sent a copy to Mr. Wrightington. Mr. Potter move• that this addition to the Police Riles Police and Regulations be approved. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, Rules and it was so voted. tablishing the position of Lieutenant lice Department was again discussed. that the Division of Civil Service be n examination for the position of eldon seconded the motion, and it was ormed the Board that hehad written Mr. rman of the Committee on Police Rules ative to the duties of a Lieutenant. Office of Lt. in Police Dept. Upon motion of Mr°. Potter, seconded by Mr. Sheldon, it was voted that the entire set of Rules and Regulations of the Police Department of the Town of Lexington be adopted. The Clerk was instructed to obtain an estimate of the cost of printing these regulations .n booklet form., Rgltns 1 310 0.4 At 9:20 P.M; the Board met in the Selectments Room with the entire Police Department. The Clerk was not present at this meeting. At 9:35 P.M. the Police Department retired. The following comments were made by the Chairman to the Police Department at the above mentioned meeting: TO THE MEMBERS OF THE LEXINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT There are so many things that the Board of Selectmen wish to accomplish in the Police Department that it seemed advisable to call a meeting of the entire force so h (ve to sat andwhst each individual member could hear first hand what/ a own of Lexington expects of them. What I have to say has been typed and a copy will be incorporated in the Selectmen's Records so that it can be referred to at any future date should it be desirable. It has become the duty of the Board of Selectmen to appoint a new Chief of the Lexington Police Departmenj. The appointment has been made and the new Chief is John W. Rycroft. We widh'at this time to congratulate him and to congratulate the Department and to wish you all a successful) and happy future with a full record of accomplishments. We are putting into effect at once new Police Department Rules and Regulations which a committee of three, appointed for that purpose, have submitted for our approval. These will be printed in pamphlet form as soon as possible and distributed for your guidance. At a meeting of the Board of Selectmen held last Monday, it was voted to take steps to establish the office of Lieu- tenant in the Police Department. This will necessitate an examination being held shortly so tonight we, are requesting the Division of Civil Service to conduct this examination. As a result of this action, we will require only two Sergeants as long as the Department remains approximately at its present size. The establishment of the office of Lieutenant will give the Chief an assistant who will have charge of the Department in his absence. Also, the members of the force will have someone to whom they may look for leadership when the Chief is not available. The main purpose of this meeting, as I have stated above, is to advise the entire Department as to what the people of Lexington expect of them I wish to emphasize very strongly how disappointed we officials, the merchants, taxpayers and all citizens of Lexington have been in our Police Department in the past. The Town has actually been paying you men for something that has not been delivered. At this time you are turning a new page, starting a new chapter, or even a new book if you will, and you have the opportunity of delivering the goods. To make the matter easily understood, let us consider a similar situation in another field. Suppose anyone of you hired two or three men to tidy up the grounds around your home and suppose that these men came with the tools and the knowledge of the work but did not use either, only to the 311 extent of cutting the grass where it could be seen from the street and trimming the shrubbery only where it could be seen by passersby. Not only that, but they spent most of the time talking to neighbors and walking around the grounds. In a certain degree this is approximately the situation in the Police Department. You have the knowledge, you have the equipment, you have the job to do and we know that you can do it if you will. Just so that you may all know the main items of criticism of the Police Department made over the past several years, I am listing them. 1. Intoxicated persons must permanently be removed from Lexington Center, the jungle, or any other section of town. 2. The abuse of parking regulations in the Center must be stopped. 3. U turns and double parking must not be allowed. 4. Cars or trucks should not be allowed to stop at any red painted curbings. 5. Officers directing traffic at the center, expeeially at the junction of Waltham Street and Massachusetts Avenue must be in the center of the street. 6. Cars should not be allowed to stop, except on business, to converse with Officers when on duty in the center of the street. 7. General visiting with civilians on the sidewalk must be discontinued. 8. Officers should have their coats buttoned and maintain military bearing at all times. 9. When persons are stopped for violations, whether from Lexington or out of Town, they should always be treated courteously. A good enforcement officer can obtain cooperation without access to courts in many instances. 10. The practice of smoking when on duty, most flagrant in the cruising cars, must be discontinued. 11. Bicycle regulations must be enforced. The items listed above are the general complaints and do not apply to all the Officers but I am mentioning them so that they will' be fresh in each Officer's mind. Now I wish to say a word in regard to the internal affairs of the Police Department. In: the first place it is important that all Officers keep themselves in first-class physical condition not only because they cannot be efficient Officers unless they are physically well and strong, but also because this Board is considering periodic physical examinations to make sure that we maintain a force of physically fit men. We expect the Police Department to keep complete records of its activicties. We expect all Officer to receive definite instruction as to their duties and responsibilities. We expect all members of the force to be treated fairly and justly by their superiors at all times. We expect and are going to demand that your Chief make every effort to carry out the wishes of the Board, and do all in his power to make the Police Department what 312 the citizens of the Town would liketo have it. We expect that there will be no friction.. In the Department. Finally I wish to say that the Board of Selectmen are determined, through your cooperation, to make the Police Department of Lexington outstanding in the State. A department that is known for its character, its efficiency, its thoroughness and its courtesy. In other words, one that delivers the goods full measure and overflowing. A Department of this type which we desire will receive the full cooperation of the townspeople and you will have the opportunity to make improvements or additions as they may be needed to improve your efficiency. Let us all, everyone of us, put our shoulder to the wheel and make our Police Department the best that can be found anywhere. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M. A true record, Attest: 1