HomeMy WebLinkAbout1944-01-10 369
SELECTMEN'S MEETING
January 10, 1944
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held
in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday
evening, January 10, 1944, 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. Messrs . Emery, Adams and Donnelly of the Fire
Board of Fire Engineers appeared before the Board.
The Chairman stated that Mr. Emery had contacted him Engineer
upon receipt of a letter from the Town Accountant advising
that the Board of Selectmen did not feel that the bill for
extra compensation for Deputy Chief Cook' s car was in order Cook
for payment. The amount of this bill was $100.00. The Car
Chairman said that Mr. Emery had informed him that Deputy Allow.
Chief Cook had kept a record of the mileage travelled, and
4the amount of work he did would amount to $200.00 a year.
Mr. Emery informed the Board that this item was put in
for payment at the instigation of the Board of Fire Engineers,
and that Deputy Chief Cook had nothing to do with it. Mr.
Emery said that Depty Chief Cook had driven 1400 miles in
the month of April alone, making trips for the Board of
Fire Engineers, trips to Boston in connection with war
regulations, etc. Mr. Emery said that in making up the
budget , the sum of S100.00 was requested rather than
$200.00 as , more or less , an experiment. He said that
he did not understand that this matter should have been
taken up with the Board of Selectmen before the bill was
submitted for payment.
The Chairman stated that if the Deputy Chief has done
certain duties , which are considered extra duties, the
proper way to handle the charge would be to submit a bill
for the number of miles at 5 per mile. He suggested that
a bill be made out for the extra travel. Fire
Fire Department - Personal Services Dept.
Budgets
Mr. Emery said the Board of Fire Engineers were
recommending that the Deputy Chief be based on the same
salary basis as the Chief of Police. He informed the
Board that there are three or four men on the step-rate
schedule which accounts for the increase in the total.
He reminded the Board that the Deputy Chief received $2,650.00
plus $50.00 as Forest Warden. The Engineers were recommending
that no salary be paid the Forest Warden, but this amount
be included in the salary of the Deputy Chief. The salary
they are requesting for the Deputy Chief is $3,000.00 a
year.
Fire Department - Expenses
The Board considered the items in this budget, and had
no questions.
no
Fire Department - Capital Expenditures
Mr. Emery said that the present ladder truck was
purchased in 1917, and for the past ten years the expenses
on this apparatus have been very heavy. He stated that the
Board of Fire Engineers believe the equipment dangerous to
operate. He stated that the new type of ladder in which they
are interested is a manpower saver; one man can operate the
truck and put up the ladder.
** Mr. Pour suggested that perhaps the Town Meeting Members
should appoint this Committee.
The Board of Fire Engineers retired at 8 :30 P.M. , and Mr.
Paxton appeared before the Board.
Mr. Paxton advised the Board that he had talked with
Mr. Garrity and Mr. Cosgrove pertaining to an "enclosed field" .
Their report was based on the construction of a concrete stand
seating 2,000 persons , with a total load of 1,300 tons. The
load on the soil was 1,040 pounds per square foot, which is
consistent with the recommended bearing capacities of that type
of soil. With a wooden stand, with steel girders, which is the
type recommended by Mr. Garrity, the loading would be approximately
300 pounds per square foot, which is consistent with the present
Enc. load on the subsoil at the dam in the skating area. This dam
Field has shown no appreciable settlement over the past five years , and
& would seem to indicate that the soil would sustain a wooden
S+and stand. There are no wash borings in the section which is
to be used for the grandstand, and the Town Engineer recommends
that these borings be made as soon as possible.
Mr. Paxton said that he had checked with the company
who did the work on Vine Brook, and they will not be able to
do this work for some months. The cost would be approximately
$200.00 to be charged to the Park Maintenance Appropriation.
Mr. Paxton said that Mr. Garrity approved of the chatge, but
would like an additional sum of $200.00 added to his budget .
If the size of the foundation is increased to 10 square
feet, the load can be reduced to approximately 670 pounds per
square foot.
Mr. Paxton said that without making a definite estimate ,
the cost of the concrete stand would run from $15,000.00 to
$18,000.00. A wooden stand with the same seating capacity would
cost approximately $5,000.00 or $6,000.00.
Mr. Paxton said that when it was talked about enclosing
a field, some years ago, an item was included in the budget
to grade up some of the low spots He said that the amount of
fill put in was over 23,000 yards , which gives a mat more than
four feet in depth over the entire acreage.
Mr. Paxton stated that Metcalf and Eddy recommended that
certain low areas be developed into park lands because foundations
would be too expensive to warrant development into house
lots .
** Mr. Emery suggested that the purchase Of the equipment be
supervised by a Committee possibly consisting of two members of
the Board of Selectmen, two members of the Appropriation Committee
and two members of the Board of Fire Engineers.
371
The Chairman read a letter from Wm. Roger Greeley stating
that the Planning Board members very definitely recommend the Mulliken
purchase by the Town, at the present time, of the low land Prope±+ty
on the Mulliken estate, together with a right-of-way extending
out to Waltham Street. The Planning Board believes that this
property should be added to the present playground area, and
that it may be used in the future for anyone of a number of
purposes .
Mr. Sarano suggested that the dimout shields be removed from Remve
the street lights at Lexington Center. Dimout
The Board considered tree matter, and upon motion of Mr. Shields
Saran o, seconded by Mr. Sheldon, it was voted to authorize Mr.
Paxton to have the dimout shields removed from all street lights
in Town.
Mr. Paxton retired at 8:50 P.M.
At 8:52 Mr. Cosgrove appeared before the Board to discuss Eng.
his budgets . Budgets
Engineering Department - Personal Services
Mr. Cosgrove explained that he was asking an increase from
*48.00 to *50.00 per week for Mr. Higgins , effective April 1, 1944 .
Engineering Department - Expenses
Mr. Cosgrove explained that his budget was *25.00 higher
this year because one of the cars in the Engineering Department
will be seven years old this June and may need some repairs.
Another item which might increase the Engineering Department-
Expenses is the plan whereby that department keeps its records
up to date at the Registry.
Mr. Cosgrove retired at 9 :00 P.M- , and Mr. Lindstrom appeared
before the Board to discuss budgets.
Plumbing Department - Expenses Plmb.
Dept.
Mr. Lindstrom stated that the automobile allowance he is now Budgets
receiving does not cover what it cost tb operate his car for
Town purposes . He stated that he has driven 39,094 miles on
Town business.
Mr. Lindstrom stated that there is some printing of applications,
cards and forms that should be done this year.
Mr. Lindstrom retired at 9:10 P.M. , and Chief Rycroft appeared
before the Board.
The Board discussed budgets submitted by the Chief. It Police
appeared that there were no unusual items in the budgets , and Dept.
Chief Rycroft retired at 9 :35 P.M. Budgets
II
X n!
Through some error, the Lexington Committee for Service
Men mailed notices for a meeting to be held Monday, January OJ
10, 1944, instead of Monday, January 17 , 1944.
Use of Reverand Handley talked to the Chairman today, and
Hall requested the use of the hall for this Monday evening,
inasmuch as notices had already been mailed.
It was Chief Rycrof is recommendation that no police
officer be required.
Mr. Rowse authorized the organization to use the hail,
and Reverand Handley left his personal check in the amount
of $25.00.
Mr. Potter moved that the Chairman's action be approved.
Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
A letter was received from Paul R. Hederstedt stating
that he had been a resident and property owner in Lexington
Inc. since 1935. Mr. Hederstedt said that he would very much
appreciate the oppportunity of serdicing any portion of the
Town's insurance which the Board might care to assign to him.
The Clerk was instructed to give Mr. Paxton a copy of
this letter for his files.
The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Wrightington
Rev. of advising that in December of 1944, the Selectmen should
Precincts consider the revision of the precincts .
The Clerk was instructed to take this matter up again
ir_ September, 1944, after obtaining the count from the Town
Clerk.
The Chairman read a letter from George E. Graves
Appt 'mt requesting approval of the Board of Selectmen on the nom-
to ination of Mrs. Carroll C. Davis to serve on the Price Panel
Rstto;�n of the Lexington War Price and 'Rationing Board.
Board g Mr. Locke moved that the nomination of Mrs. Davis be
approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
A letter was received from Melville W. Webb resigning
Res . of as local Property Officer for the Town of Lexington. Mr.
Property Webb recommended the appointment of Roy A. Cook.
Officer The matter was held over for one week.
Held Over
A letter was received from Melville W. Webb advising
that the Committee on Public Safety is of the opinion that
the Observation Tower should not be domolished until some
Obs . definite word has been received from headquarters . Mr. Webb
Tower stated that his Committee would see that the Tower is kept
in proper condition until the war is over.
A letter was received from the Committee on Public Safety
in reply to the Board' s letter relative to the shot guns in the
Shot- Police Department . The Committee felt that inasmuch as the
guns control of the guns come under the jurisdiction of the Selectmen,
they will dispose of them whenever the Board so desires .
.r 373
A letter was received from the Appropriation
Committee advising that the following transfers from the
Reserve Fund had been approved; Transfers
100.00 to the Street Light Account;
6.96 to the Unclassified Account; and
282.50 to the Accounting Department - Expense Account.
The Chairman said that he had talked with Mr. Worthen Reg.
relative to obtaining pictures for the Pictorial Town Report. Town
He said that Mr. Worthen thought the Board would be making Report
a mistake to eliminate the regular Town Report.
The Chairman said that he thought it might be better
to have a regular report printed now, and to insert an
Article in the Warrant requesting an appropriation for a Article
pictorial Town Report.
Uoon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Locke, in
Warrant
it was voted to write the Somerville Printing Company,
who submitted the lowest bid, advising that the Board had
changed its previous decision relative to the Town Report
for 1943. Without receiving new bids , the Board would like
to place this work with the Somerville Printing Company
provided the prices quoted in October still apply.
The Clerk was instructed to write Mr. Vienot advising Postpone
him that the Board had decided to postpone a Pictorial Pictor ' l
II Town Report until some time after Town Meeting, and that Report
this subject will be taken up with him at a later date.
The Chairman asked the Board when the Town Meeting Town
should be held. Meeting
Mr. Sheldon moved that the date of the Annual Town March
Meeting be set for March 13, 1944. Mr. Locke seconded 13, 1944
the motion, and it was so voted.
The Chairman told the Board that he thought it might Asses.
be well to have Mr. Steeves and Mr. Burnham meet with the
Board next week inasmuch as they have not yet been reappointed
Assessors .
He thought that whoever was going to handle the
Assessor's budgets should be invited to meet with the Board
also.
A letter was received from the 19th of April 19th of
Associates stating that they believe some celebration for April
the 19th of April should be planned this year.
They requested an appropriation of $300.00 for Patriot' s
Day, and $250.00 for Memorial Day.
The Clerk was instructed to write the organization that Memor' 1
as soon as they had formed a Committee the Board would like Day
to discuss plans for the observance of April 19, 1944.
A
A letter was received from the Secretary of the Cert.
Commonwealth advising that Malcolm R. Bean, 75 Bertwell of
Road, Lexington, has filed an application for a certificate Incorp.
of incorporation.
374 0.1
A letter was received from Chief Rycroft advising
that Mr . Bean is a man of good character with no Pollee
record.
Mr. Locke moved that a statement of character be
signed. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so
voted.
Upon motion of Mr Locke, seconded by Mr. Sheldon,
it was voted to sign the following petitions for layouts :
East Street from Adams Street to the Woburn Line; and
Adams Street from Hancock Street to the Burlington Line.
Application for the admission of Robert Bruce MacLaren,
14 Banks Avenue , Lexington, to the Middlesex County Sanatorium
was received from Dr. Israel Kahalos, 483 Beacon Street, Boston,
Mass .
Mr. Locke moved that the Board of Selectmen, acting as
the Board of Health, approve the application. Mr. Sheldon
seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Locke, it
following
was voted to approve the licenses :
Connors Bros . Middlesex St. , Burlington Trans . Garbage
Frank J. Reynolds South Road, Bedford
Peter J. McDonagh 301 Mass . Avenue Alcohol
Waverley Hardware 1756 Mass . Avenue
William Viano 1794 Mass. Avenue Sunday Movies
The meeting adjourned at 10 :45 P.M.
A true record, Attest :
1-�
Ii I '