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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1943-10-25326 Officer': Woodward's Leave of Absence Lt.'s Office Salary Use of Hall Water Dept. SELECTMEN'S MEETING October 25, 1943 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, October 25, 1943, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Rowse, Messrs. Locke, Sarano and Sheldon were present. The Cerk was also present. The Chairman read a letter from patrolman Maurice E. Woodward advising the Board that he has passed his physical examination, and is to report for duty with the United States Army on November 11, 1943. Mr. Woodward requested a leave of absence from duty. Mr. Locke moved that the Selectmen accept the resig- nation of Maurice E. Woodward in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 708 of the Acts of 1941, under which he is deemed to be on leave of absence. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from Ulysses J. Lupine, Director of Civil Service, requesting a detailed statement of the duties of Lieutenant in the Lexington Police Department. Other information pertaining to this position, which included the salary, was requested. A salary schedule of members of Police Departments of various Towns, received from Chief Rycroft, was dis- cussed by the Board. Mr. Sheldon moved that the salary of the Lieutenant be set at $48.00 per week for a 7 day week. ($2502.86 per year). Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Application was received from the Lexington Sea Scouts for permission to conduct a Bridge of Honor in Cary Hall on the evening of November 13, 1943, from 8 P.M. to 12 P.M. Mr. Sheldon moved that the use of the hall be granted, free of charge. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Memorandum was received from Mr. Paxto n stating that Mrs. Webster Thomas requested permission to borrow six tables and eighteen chairs for the United War Fund Drive to be conducted during the month of November. Mr. Sheldon moved that the request be granted. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Another item scheduled on the memorandum received from Mr. Paxton informed the Board that Carmine Cuccinnello, the Foreman in the Water and Sewer Department has left the employ of the Town of Lexington to accept a position in the Boston Navy Yard. 1 The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Garrity advising the Board that he had received a request from the Servicemen's Center to place the American Flags around the Common on Navy Day, Wednesday, October 27, 1943. Exercises will be held at the flag pole by the Navy boys at 5 P.R. Mr. Sheldon moved that the request be granted. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so. voted. A letter was received from Frank B. Culbertson, Chairman of the National Flag Raising Committee, advising the Board that the Flag Raising Ceremonies will be held on Sunday, November 7, 1943. Mr. Culbertson had previously requested the use of the green, flagpole, speaker's stand and adequate policing. He further requested the use of Cary. Hall for a program of music. The Clerk was instructed to advise Mr. Garrity that the use of the Common, the flagpole and the speaker's stand had been granted to Mr. Culbertson. The Board gave further consideration to Rudo3Ph Reinap's offer of $200.00 for Lot 42, Spring Street, Lexington. A proposal to sell this lot was advertised in the October 21, 1943 issue of the Lexington Minute -man. No persons contacted the Selectmen's Office as a result of the advertisement. Mr. Sheldon moved that the offer be accepted, and that Lot 42, Spring Street, Lexington, be sold and con- veyed to Mr. Reinap. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Emergency Public Works Commission suggesting a program for postwar public works Committees. It was decided to take this matter up on December 2, 1943, at the meeting scheduled to include the heads of the various organizations in Town. The deed to Lots 65 and 66, May Street, Lexington, and Lot C on Bowker Street, Lexington, having been prepared by Mr. Wrightington, was signed by the Board. The Chairman read a letter from Chief Rycroft recommending that Mr. William P. Fitzgerald,, Manager of the Esso Filling Station located at Woburn Street and Fletcher Avenue, be appointed a Special Police Officer. Sometimes, In an emergency, Mr. Fitzgerald is called upon to escort the school children across the street at this location. Mr. Sheldon moved that Mr. Fitzgerald be appointed a Special Police Officer in the Town of Lexington for a term to expires on March 31, 1944. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 327 Navy Day Flag Raising Ceremony Tax Title Sale Postwar Deed Signed Special Police Officer r 328 Special Police Valley Road Hearing A letter was received from Mr. Carroll requesting that the following Auxiliary Police be reappointed Special Police in the Town of Lexington: Louis Ruocco, 29 Theresa Avenue Marshall Sargent, 27 Oakland Street James Annis, 50 Shade Street John D. Polley, 38 Taft Avenue Benjamin Nickerson, 81 Gleason Road Malcolm H. Knapp, 24 Adams Street Mr. Sheldon moved that the above list of Auxiliary Police be reappointed Special Police in the Town of Lexington for a term to expire on March 31, 1944. At 8 P.M. the following residents of Valley Road appeared before the Board: Mrs. John A. May, Mr. and Mrs. McCullough, Joseph Massuco, Lawrence Massuco and Mr. Netzer. Mrs. May hadpreviously written to the Board relative to the condition of Valley Road, and had been advised that inasmuch as Valley Road is an unaccepted street,the Town had no responsibility in putting it into condition. Mrs. May stated that she had checked with the Assessors' Office and found that several lots on Valley Road were owned by the Town. She inquired as to whether or not the Town would contribute to the expense incurred in fixing Valley Road if the other abutters were willing to pay their share. She stated that delivery trucks refused to drive down the road, and the Doctor has also refused to drive his car over the road. The Chairman said that if the road was accepted the Town, owning some of the property along the road, would have to stand its share of the construction but that would not make the burden any lighter for the abutters. Mr. McCullough stated that the people on Valley Road had an entrance to their property by way of Reed Street, but when the sewer project was built the heavy trucking damaged the road to such an extent that it was practically impassible. Mrs. May said that they did not want a first-class street because a State Highway will be going through and in all probability Valley Road will be torn up. The Chairman asked if a request had been made to have the road restored at the completion of the sewer project. Mrs. May replied in the negative, stating that she understood that the road was to be fixed anyway. Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board at 8:20 P.M. He presented a map showing Valley Road and explained to the Board the difficulty that the people are having in reaching their homes due to the condition of the road. After further discussion, the Chairman suggested that an estimate, as to the quantity of gravel necessary 1 1 to cover that portion of the street which is impassible, be obtained.' Mrs. May could contact all the abutters to determine whether or not the money necessary could be raised. The Chairman said that the Town would rent the grader for levelling the road and also would see what could be done in procurring the gravel. Mr. McCullough said that if gravel was put on the road and levelled off it would answer the purpose. The residents could then get through. The Chairman asked with whom the Board should communicate when we have the information wanted. Mr. McCullough suggested that where Mrs. May had instigated this discussion, it might be well to correspond with her. The group retired at 8:50 P.M., The Clerk was instructed to request Mr. Wrightington for an opinion as to the responsibility of the Town in this matter. That is, if the street is repaired will the Town have to assume a portion of the expenses incurred where some of the property on this road is owned by the Town. The Chairman requested Mr. Paxton to inspect the con- dition of the'road and then submit an estimate to the Board showing the amount of gravel necessary, together with the cost of putting the road in passable condition. Mr. Paxton retired at 8:55 P.M. Mr. Potter arrived at the meeting at 9:05 P.M. Furtherconsideration was given to the appointment of a member to the Board of Public Welfare. Upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Locke, it was voted to appoint Mr. Henry Letoile, 24 Somerset Road, a member of the Board of Public Welfare in the Town of Lexington for a term ending April 30, 1944. At 9:15 P.M. Chief Rycroft appeared before the Board. Chief Rycroft told the Board that he would like to grant Maurice E. Woodward a week off prior to his induction into the Army. The Board had no objection. The Chief informed the Board that up to the present time the members of the Police Force could work seven or eight years without ever having either Christmas or New Year's Day off. He said that he had worked out a schedule whereby every man could have one of these holidays. The Board had no objection to Chief Rycroft putting his schedule into operation providing the Town would be adequately policed. Chef Rycroft submitted a plan drawn by Custance Bros. for alterations to the Police Department at an estimated costs of $454.00. Other estimates relative to improving the main office, the Chief's office and the Guard Room were submitted as follows: 329 Bd. Pub. Welfare Appntm't Officer Woodward's Induc t i on Police Dept. Altera- tions • 330 Asphalt Linoleum Floor Covering (approximately $300.00) Main -Office Guard Room Chief's Office Telephones Moving present switchboard and telephones Radio Moving radio equipment Fainting Office Alterations According to plan Electrical 1 Florescent Light ) 2 Outlets Wiring to doors Labor $120.00 87.50 66.00 30.00 15.00 75.00 454.00 60.00 $907.50 The Chairman asked how urgent it was to make these changes at this time, and Chief Rycroft said it would be of great value phychologically and also it would'te.nd to make the work of the Department more efficient. The Chairman read a letter from Allen W. Rucker Obsv'tn stating that the Observation Tower had been broken into, Tower and he requested that the Police patrol the area sufficiently often to discourage another break. The Chief said that he will have his officers make direct checks as often as possible in an endeavor to fore- stall any further difficulty. The Chairman read a letter from W. S. Cauuette, Chairman of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce, suggesting that the Auxiliary Police be called for duty on Halloween. Chief Rycroft informed the Board that all Auxiliary Police have been assigned to specific patrols on both Saturday, October 30, 1943 and Sunday, October 31, 1943. At 9:45 P.M. the Board left the meeting t o inspect police headquarters and reconvened at 9:55 P.M. It was decided to request Mr. Paxton to have the Engineers prepare specifications for making alterations in the police station, and to obtain bids from two More contractors. Hallo- ween Police Dept. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 P.M. A true record, Attest: er k7 obj Q7 1