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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1943-12-27SELECTMEN'S MEETING December 27, 1943 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held. in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, evening, December 27, 1943, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Rowse, Messrs. Potter, Locke, Sarano and Sheldon were present. The Assistant Clerk was also present. At 7:30 P.M. Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board. He said that the Boston Market Gardeners' Association had requested the use of Cary Hall for their Annual Get Together on January 17, 1944, from 6 P.M. to 11 P.M. Mr. Potter moved that the use of the hall be granted, subject to the usual charge. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that Miss Corcoran wanted to terminate her services as of December 24, 1943. However, he felt that she was entitled to a vacation but before he granted it to her, he wanted the approval of the Board. The Chairman felt that Miss Corcoran was -entitled to two weeks' vacation with pay. Mr. Locke moved that the Board accept Miss Mary E. Corcoran's resignation effective as of January 10, 1944. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Potter moved that Miss Corcoran be given two weeks' vacation, with pay, ending January 10, 1944. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Assistant Clerk was requested to send copies of the vote to Mr. Paxton, Mr. Carroll and Mr. White. Mr. Paxton discussed the matter of pictures for the Pictorial Report. He made three suggestions for the Park Department: (1) Picture of the park with pave channel and gardens taken from the playground road approximately at the backstop; (2) Picture of the swimming pool; and (3) Picture of Hastings Park and the Center Playground taken from Massachusetts Avenue. 361 Use of Hall Clerk's Vacat'n Pictures for Report The Chairman requested Mr. Paxton to check the Enclosed foundation of the playing field in view of the possibility Field of someday having an enclosed field andconcrete stands located there. The Chairman said that if they recommended to Town Meeting an enclosed field with concrete stands, they did not want cracks to develop in the concrete at a later date. Mr. Paxton said that he would take care of the matter. Mr. Paxton said that under the Public Works Department he would suggest the following pictures: A picture of the 'Public Works Building taken from Bedford Streak a picture of the meter testing room showing the meter testing machine, with the enclosure around the machine removed; Follen Road, taken from the old Nunn House, in the northern section and including a section of Tower Park; a picture of Cary Memorial Building taken approximately by the Baptist Church and 362 Postwar Lbt Lines Layouts Dimout showing the Town Office Building. A letter was received from the Employers' Fire Insurance Company regarding a simplified manner of handling the Town's Insurance Policies. Mr. Paxton said that it was the same plan that he had spoken to the Board about last week suggesting that five major companies be given policies expiring each successive year so that a policy would expire each year for five years. The Commissions would be pooled and certain allotments would be given to the agent the Board desires. The Chairman read a letter from Francis E. Lombard, Chairman of the Committee on Town Employment requesting information regarding the number of people, both male and female, that the Town would have to employ over and above those now engaged to carry on the work in the postwar period. It was decided to hold this matter over until Mr. Paxton submitted his five-year program on postwar work. The Assistant Clerk was requested'to send Mr. Paxton a copy of Mr. Lombard's letter. The Chairman said that quite a few of Lexington.'a_ "lot lines" are known only by Mr. Spencer, and he thought that a block survey would be a good postwar project. Mr. Paxton suggested an aerial survey, but the' Chairman felt that he would like to see definite "lot lines" established by a block survey. He requested Mr. Paxton to talk with Mr. Spencer-- about the survey. Mr. Paxton said that a year or two ago he thought that it was not going to be necessary to re -construct streets. However, in the development of the Town we have a number of streets only two rods or 33 feet wide. Somebody is liable to build a house twenty feet back from the street in a critical spot, and in the future if the street has to be widened, the Town will have damages brought against it. Mr. Paxton said that the Town Engineer has prepared some definite layouts for some of these streets. He further stated that the County is willing to make the layouts, and asses these streets may be main arteries in the future he felt it would be cheaper to do the work now than ten years from now. The Chairman said that the layouts should be done one at a time. He requested Mr. Paxton to submit a list of the Streets to the Board. The Chairman read a letter from the Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety cautioning against the removal of permanent dimout shielding or other forms of dimout light control because the dimout may be resumed at any time. No action was taken on the matter. 1 The J. T. Carlson bill in the amount of $5.00 for flowers sent to Mr. Garrity's father was submitted. Mr. Sarano moved that the bill be approved for payment. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A preliminary discussion was held on Mr. Paxton's budgets. He stated the amounts which were appropriated last year and also informed them of the balances in his accounts as of November 30, 1943. Mr. Paxton advised the Board of the amounts in his various accounts that he was requesting for 1944. No action was taken on the matter. The matter of appointing the two Assessors and the Assistant Assessor was discussed. A letter was received from Mr. Wrightington stating that an assesspt.'is to continue on office "until his successor is duly elected or appointed". Upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Locke, it was voted to notify Mr. Frederick J. Spencer that he is to continue in office as Assistant Assessor until further notice. A letter was received from the State Emergency Public Works Commission regarding the progress of municipal postwar public works programs. The matter was held over until Mr. Paxton has completed his five-year program of postwar work. A letter was received from the Appropriation Committee advising that the following sums had been transferred from the Reserve Fund: $30.00 to the Assessors' Department - Personal Services Account to take care of the Assistant Assessors in listing polls, and $30.00 to the Registrations Department - Personal Services Account to take care of the Assistant Registrars in listing polls. A letter was received from the Appropriation Committee advising that the Unclassified - Rationing Board Budget in the amount of $625.00 had been approved. Their request of $100.00 for office equip re was reduced to $50.00. The Assistant Clerk was requested to have a copy of this letter put in the budget books. A letter was received from the Appropriation Committee recommending that a 15% wage adjustment bonus be paid to all full-time employees in the employ of the Town as of December 31, 1943. No bonus to to exceed $325.00 and is to be paid during the calender year of 1944. Of the total amount a portion is to be allocated to the School Department. Mr. Sheldon moved that the former vote of recommending to Town Meeting a 12W¢ bonus for all Town Employees be rescinded. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 363 Carlson Bill Paxton Budgets Appoint'g Assessors Postwar Transfer Ration- ing Budge 15% Bonus 364 Bonus Mr. Sheldon moved that the Selectmen recommend to the Annual Town Meeting that a cost -of -living bonus of 15% be paid to all Town Employees, including School, Fire and Police, not to exceed 075.00, and based on 1943 pay rates. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Board. then discussed the .suggested order of Town Departments and ptdtures for the 1943 Pictorial Town Report Report. The meeting adjourned at 10:20 P.M. A true record, Attest: A22'rk.I 1