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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1944-02-07 403 SELECTMEN' S MEET ING February 7, 1944 1 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen 's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening February 7, 1944, at 7 :30 P.M Chairman Rowse, Messrs. Potter, Sarano and Locke were present. The Clerk was also present . Mr. Carroll appeared before the Board at 7 :30 P.M• Mr. Carroll said that he had figured on only three Election elections when he submitted his Registrations Department Budget Budget. He stated that the Registrations Department - Expenses Budget will have to be increased $53.00. It will be necessary to have an additional set of voting lists, and the advertising will also be increased. The revised budget totals $493.00. Mr. Sarano moved that the vote of January 22, 1944, approving this budget in the amount of $410.00 be res- cinded. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Sarano moved that the revised budget be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted, Mr. Carroll said that in the Registrations Department - Personal Services Budget, he had failed to include the amount of $200.00 for Assistant Registrars to cover the work of the annual listing. He also stated that the Appropriation Committee notified him that they were allowing $150.00 for clerical assistance as compared with the amount of $400 .00 requested in his budget for this item. It was decided to take no action on this budget until the Chairman talked with the Appropriation Committee. Mr. Carroll retired at 7:45 P.M. , and Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board. Mr. Paxton said that when Frank Barry left the employ of the Town, he spoke about some tools which he Frank had brought with him when he first began to work as a Barry's Town Employee. Mr. Barry claims that the tools have Tools been used by various individuals and have become worn out or lost, and he feels that he should be reimbursed. Mr. Paxton told Mr. Barry to make his claim in writing. Mr. Paxton said that he had received such a letter from Mr. Barry. He checked with Mr. Scamrnan who informed him that Frank Barry did bring several tools with him when he first came to work for the Town. The Town did not have any tools , and Mr. Barry furnished his own. Mr. Paxton said that he had an estimate of the number of tools used, and Mr. Barry claims the figure to 1 be $150.00. The Chairman asked if the tools now being used by the Town were in good condition, and Mr. Paxton replied that according to Mr Cassells, most of the tools have been purchased within the last three or four years . 404 The Chairman asked Mr. Paxton whether or not he could let Mr. Barry have the tools now in stock and buy new ones for the Town. Mr. Paxton replied that Mr. Barry would prefer to have the tools rather than the cash The Chairman suggested that Mr. Paxton give Mr. Barry tools now in stock, and to buy duplicates to be retained by the Town. Mr. Potter moved that the Supt. of Public Works be authorized to adjust the matter to his satisfaction on the above basis . Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Postwar Mr. Paxton said that he had attended the meeting at Meeting M.I.T. on postwar planning. He reported that most of the M.I.T. delegates were from local Planning Boards . He said that the majority of the problems discussed were of a legal nature. The Chairman asked him if he had any suggestions or changes in the Town plans, and Mr. Paxton replied in the negative . He said that according to one speaker, there should be no difference between the Planning Board and the Postwar Board. The Chairman said that the Board was conmidering the possibility of appointing an Advisory Committee consisting of three citizens and Mr. Paxton, for the purpose of studying the needs of the Town relative to postwar Public Works . The Committee would set up a schedule as to the most important items, based on some long-term plan. This program would be only in connection with the work the Town itself would do . Mr. Paxton stated that a representative of the Mack Inc. Truck Company had called him and informed him that there Road would be more trucks available in 1944 than there had been Mach. in 1943. Accn't He suggested increasing the Road Machinery Account in the amount of $5,000,00 in the event the opportunity comes to purchase any equipment in. .944..E . i 7 e: ,,., n ed t a m Mr. Potter moved that the sum of $5,000.00 be added to the Road Machinery Account in the event the opportunity comes to purchase new Town equipment. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Wid.ng The Chairman said that the Board had discussed the Mass . possibility of widening Massachusetts Avenue in front of the Ave. Boston Edison Company. He said that this would be considered a postwar project. He requested Mr. Paxton 4o check with the Boston Edison Company to see if the agrsembnt they had previously made relative to this matter could be renewed or extended. Mr. Paxton retired at 8:25 P.M. Mr. Greeley appeared before the Board. Planning He stated that he merely wanted to ask if there was Board any advice the Board could give the Planning Board in regard to its recommendations which would enable them to schedule their meetings. The Chairman said that he could answer that by saying that a Committee had been appointed to study the parking facilities , originally suggested by the Planning Board, and that another Committee would be named to go over the recommendations of the Planning Board insofar as the Town was concerned on postwar projects. Mr. Greeley retired at 8:45 P M. The Chairman read a letter from John R. Sloane, President of the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society, Use of requesting the use of the projection machine at a Projection lecture on Sunday, February 13, 1944. Machine Mr. Sloane assured the Board that the Society would assume all responsibility for the safety of the machine, and that he would cell for and deliver it himself. Mr. Sarano moved that the request be granted. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A letter was received from Tracy W. Ames , Director of the Lexington Athletic Booster Club, Booster inviting the Board of Selectmen to be guests of that Club organization on Monday evening, February 21, 1944, at Invitation 8 P.M. It was decided to accept the invitation, and to have the Selectmen' s Meeting on that evening at 7:00 P.M. , in an endeavor to complete business in time to attend the entertainment. A letter was received from Mr. Wrightington Assess ' relative to the Appropriation for the Board of Assessors. Compensa- Mr. Wrightington is of the opinion that there is no reason tion why Assessors should not receive pay for their services, and he knows of nothing in the Town Votes or By-laws which would effect such payment. The Chairman read a letter from the New England Dist. of Fire Insurance Rating Association pertaining to the Fire distribution of Fire Department stations. The Association Stations contends that if a Central Station is located on the land adjoining Cary lvlemorial Building, and strut:tural development turns northward it would be desirable to protide a station in North Lexington. A letter was received from Mr. W. H. Ballard Parking advising that he would serve as a member of the Committee Committee to sdy parking facilities in Lexington Member Center . The Clerk was instructed to write Mr. Ballard and advise him that the Board would appreciate it if he would call a meeting of the Committee . 406 PJ The appointment of a Local Property Officer to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Melville Webb was considered by the Board. Mr. Potter moved that Deputy Chief Roy A. Cook be appointed Local Property Officer for Lexington Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Forms were received from the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission for reporting an estimated increase of resident population in Lexington. No action was taken cn the matter. A letter was received from the War Production Board offering suggestions for the conservation of coal, oil, gas, electricity, water, communications and transportation. No action was taken on the matter . Mr. Sarano reported that he had inspected Morris Bloomberg's place of business, and found that it has been satisfactorily cleaned up. Mr. Sarano moved that the Second-Class Dealer's License be granted. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Locke, it was voted to grant the following licenses : Flora A. Myers 65 Bridge Street Boarding Home for Infants William Viano 1794 Mass . Avenue Sunday Movies The Chairman said that the School Committee had suggested to the Appropriation Committee that the bonus Article be worded so that the bonus would be continued through the first three monthsof next year. The Chairman asked the members of the Board how they felt about continuing payment of the bonus for three months in 1945. The Board felt that it would be j stifled in setting up the Article as suggested by the Appropriation Committee. Mr. Greeley appeared before the Board at 9 :10 P.M. The Chairman informed Mr. Greeley that a letter had been received from the New England Fire Insurance i?ating Association relative to the distribution of Fire Department Stations in Lexington, and asked him if he knew how the request for the approval of the stations was made. Mr. Greeley said that at a meeting of the Board of Fire Engineers and the Planning Board, the Engineers brought in testimony in regard to the location of the Fire Stations . They stated that Revere Street would bring the Central Fire Station near enough the Center itself to allow the low rates. Mr. Greeley stated that the Engineers also brought up the argument that it was better to have a Fire Station at each end of the Town. 407 The Chairman explained the Board's viewpoint on the location of a Central Fire Station. Mr. Greeley said that at some future date there would be a street from Camelia Place, on Bedford Street, across to Hastings Park. If this were done, the Revere Street location for a Central Fire Station would be ideal. Mr. Greeley said that the Planning Board thinks that the Town will devolop in an all out pattern. He said that he thought East Lexington should also be considered for a new station, and he suggested putting an Article in the Warrant to appropriate money for plans and specifications for an East Lexington Fire Station. Mr. Locke asked if the location in East Lexington would effect the plans, and Mr. Greeley replied that the plans would be the same for a minor station wherever it was located in East Lexington. He retired at 9:45 P.M. It was decided to insert an Article in the Warrant Article to see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to acquire Warrant by purchase or take by eminent domain on behalf of the Fire Town, for the purpose of erecting a new East Lexington Station Fire Station the property, of Edgar W. Harrod. It was also decided to insert an Article in the Warrant to see if the Town will authorize the Moderator to appoint a Committee of five to secure plans and speci- fications for the construction of an East Lexington Fire Station. The Chairman said that in the event the bonus was Rescind taken out of the Excess and Deficiency Account there will Bond not be money available for the purchase of bonds. Vote Mr. Potter moved that the vote of the Board on January 17, 1944, to insert an Article in the Warrant relative to the purchase of bonds, be rescinded and that the Article be eliminated from the Warrant. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman said that he would contact Mr. Worthen Advisory in regard to the Advisory Committee on postwar Public Comm. Works, and report at the next meeting. Postwar The meeting adjourned at 10:25 P.M. A true record, Attests Cl k 1