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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1944-03-06424 Meet to Disc. Annual Budgets Fire Station SELECTMEN' S MEE`1' ING March 6, 1944 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, March 6, 1944, at 8:00 P.M. Chairman Rowse, Messrs. Potter, Locke, Sarano and Sheldon were present. The Clerk was also present. The following members of the Appropriation Committee were also present: Messrs. Hoyt, Hynes, Winlock, Maynard, Newhall, Brown, Bryant and White. Mr. Clyde Steeves, Chairman of the Board of Assessors, was present and Mr. Tracy Ames, representing the School Committee, appeared at 8:15 P.M. Mr. Hoyt, Chairman of the Appropration Committee, said that this meeting was called in accordance with Article 13, Section 2 of the General By -Laws of the Town, to consider the items which make up theannual budget. Mr. Hoyt said that Mr. Walsh, Chairman of the Cemetery Commidsioners, who had been notified of the meeting, did question the Sale of Lots Fund Transfer. Mr. Walsh would prefer to build up the fund. Mr. Steeves said that he had read the Appropriation Committee's Report, and had no questiond. Mr. Rowse said that the Board of Selectmen had originally approved $300.00 requested in the Patriot's Day Budget. When the Appropriation Committee recommended that the sum of $150.00 be taken from the Leroy Brown Fund, the Board of Selectmen rescinded their previous vote and agreed with the Appropriation Committee. He said that the members of the 19th of April Committee were upset when they read in the Appropriation Committee's Report that $150.00 of the 300.00 requested was to be taken from the Leroy Brown Fund. The Chairman said that the Board had decided not to recommend taking any amount from the Leroy Brown Fund. Mr. Hoyt asked Mr. Ames if there were any questions pertaining t q, he School Department Budget, and Mr. Ames replied that ad gone over the report briefly and that he had no questions. Mr. Hoyt said that the Appropriation Committee has not definitely decided on the wording of the statement pertaining to the fire house, but the Committee is unanimoudly opposed to the erection of a coMbination station, and unanimously opposed to the taking of the Leary Property for the purpose of'.buildi ng a Central Station. However, they do not oppose building a Central Fire Station. 1.4 1 The Appropriation Committee is opposed to both the Leary and the so-called Barnes Property for a Central Fire Station. Mr. Rowse said that the Selectmen felt that in view of the fact that the Town bought the property, the citizens should have an opportunity to vote for it. If it is turned down, the Board of Selectmen will then consider another location. Mr. Potter asked if the Appropriation Committee was opposed to building a station, and Mr. Hoyt replied that his Committee was not opposed to building a station, but was opposed to that particular location. Mr. Hoyt asked Mr. Ames if he thought the School Committee would raise any question pertaining to salaries, and Mr. Ames replied in the negative. The group retied at 8:45 P.M. Mr. Ralph H. Marshall and Mr. Albert F. Douglass appeared before the Board. Mr. Marshall stated that because of ill health it was necessary for him to make a change in his business. He said that he has known Mr. Douglass for a number of years and he has been an undertaker in Chelsea for a period of twelve years. He said that Mr. Douglass has taken over the building and will manage the business. Mr. Marshall will be associated with Mr. Douglass and still interested in the business. The'Chairman asked if Mr. Douglass was the sole owner. Mr. Douglass replied in the affirmative and stated that the property is in his and his wife's name. He said that a Mr. Locke is his assistant. Mr. Douglass said that Mr. Marshall released the premises and then he (Mr. Douglass) had to notify the State Board. The State sent out a representative to see that the premises and equipment were in proper con- dition. He said that the Inspector had checked the premises and had given his approtial. Mr. Locke asked Mr. Douglass if he were going to live in Lexington, and Mr. Douglass replied that he had purchased a home on Percy Road. He said he didn't know how long he would operate his firm in Chelsea. He said that the business there had been in his family for three generations. Mr. Marshall and Mr. Douglass retired at 9:00 P.M. Mr. Potter moved that the Board;bf Selectmen, acting as the Board of Health, issue a Funeral Director's License to Albert F. Douglass at 1844 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board at 9:05 P.M. He said that he had an insurance policy in the amount of $2,000.00 on the dwelling at Westview Cemetery 425 F1.7:n 1 D1: ctor's License • Funeral Director' e Li cens e Ins. Policy Expiring 426. which would expire on March 25, 1944. In the past, this policy has been taken out with John Valentine for a five-year term. Mr. Paxton said that there are now twenty-six different agents, and that the policies have been reduced from 96 to 83. He said that it will be impossible to reduce the policies below 50 if the same number of agents were to be maintained. Mr. Potter moved that the policy on the building at Westview Cemetery, in the amount of $2,000.00, be renewed through the office of Robert C. Merriam. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. property Ins. throught Mr. the same Use of Halls Comm. Public Safety Paxton said that the aircraft and motor vehicle damage policy would expire on March 22, 1944, the office of Elmer A. Lord & Co. Locke moved that the policy be renewed through office. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton retirad at 9:10 P.M. Application was received from the War Parents of America for the use of Cary Memorial Hall on Sunday, May 28, 1944, from 3:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. Mr. Potter moved that the use of the hall be granted, free of charge. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Application was received from Rev. William J. Desmond requesting the use of Cary Memorial hall, May 5, 1944, from 8 P.M. to 1 A.M., for the purposed' conducting the Parish Reunion. Mr. Sheldon moved that the use of the hall be granted, subject to a charge of $15.00. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Application was received from the Victory Garden Committee requesting the use of Estabrook Hall on March 27, 1944, from 8 P.M. to 10 P.M. Mr. Sarano moved that the use of the hall be granted, free of charge, and that no deposit be required. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from Edwin B. Worthen, Testing Officer of the Committee on Public Safety, suggesting a proposition to eliminate much of the equipammt and telephone lines now in the Selectmen's Room. Mr. Worthen suggested that individuals who now man this equipment take stations in the various parts of the Town Office Building reached by the lines through the switchboard. Inasisuch as several offices in the building are locked at night, Mr. Worthen requested the Board to work out some plan by which the Committee on Public Safety could have immediate access to the locked offices in the event of a test or an alarm. The Clerk was instructed to give Mr. Paxton a copy of this letter and have him check with the various depart- ment heads and also to confer with. Mbti Worthen on the matter. A letter was received from the Appropriation Com- mittee advising that on Monday evening, February 28, 1944, that Committee voted to recommend unfavorable action under Article 30. The Committee is unanimously opposed to a combination Police and Fire Station. The letter stated that it was also voted to recommend a definite site for the East Lexington Fire Station -- Locust Avenue, The Committee reconsidered the Elections Department Expenses Selectmen Budget, and approved it in the amount of $2,565.40. The Chairman read a letter from Clarence S. Walker expressing thanks for the use of two flags from Cary Memorial Hall during the recent Fourth War Loan Drive. The Board gave further consideration to Mr. Alfred R. Batstone's offer of $50.00 for Lot 104 Bartlett Avenue, Lexington. A proposal to sell this lot was advertised in the March 2, 1944 issue of the Lexington Minute -Man. No persons contacted the Selectmen's Office as a result of the advertisement. Mr. Locke moved that the offer be accepted, and that Lot 104 Bartlett Avenue, be sold and conveyed to Mr. Alfred R. Batstone. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Application for a license to peddle oil and coal in the City of Boston was received from John B. MacDonald, 509 Woburn Street, Lexington. According to the application, Mr. MacDonald had been convicted on February 17, 1944 of selling short weight and with no license. The Clerk was instructed to have Chief Rycroft make a thorough investigation as to Mr. MacDonald's character and any possible record he might have, and report to the Board. A letter was received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Agriculture, relative to the nomination of an Inspector of Animals. Mr. Sheldon moved that Dr. Chester L. Blakely be nominated as Inspector of Animals for the year ending March 31, 1945. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A letter was received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Public Health, relative to the nomination of an Inspector of Slaughtering. Mr. Sheldon moved that Mr. George G. Whiting be nominated as Inspector of Slaughtering for the year ending March 31, 1945. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 4ZT Approp. Comm. Article #30 Use of Flags Tax Title Sale Peddler License Animal Insp. Slgh. Insp. .28 The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Wrightington giving Athletic his opinion as to the right of the Town to appropriate Equip. money for athletic equipment. He enclosed a copy of Statute 1935, Chapter 199.and stated that he believed a part of the School Committee Appropriation could be used for the purchase of athletic equipment. Licenses The following licenses were granted: Anthony J. Ryan, Inc. John L. Shea William H. Lyon William Viano 942 Washington St. Dorch Concord Road, Westford 1779 Mass. Avenue 1794 Mass. Avenue It was decided to hold the meeting next 7:15 P.M. The meeting adjourned at 10:05 P.M. A true record, Attest: . Trans. of Garbage It N Overhanging Sign Sunday Movies week at