Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1944-03-14SELECTMEN'S MEETING March 14, 1944 A special meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Tuesday evening, March 14, 1944, at 7:00 P.M. Messrs. Potter, Rowse, Sarano, Sheldon and Locke were present. The Clerk was also present. The members were notified of this meeting by letter dated March 10,'1944. Mr. Carroll appeared before the Board at 7:30 P.M. He said the reason he had requested an appointment with the Board was because a question had arisen as to whether or not -the Withholding Tax should be deducted from the fees paid to election officers. He said that Mr. White, Town Accountant was of the opinion that the Withholding Tax should be deducted. Mr. Carroll presented a letter dated March 14, 1944, which he received from Denis W. Delany, Collector of Internal Revenue, concerning the application of the Withholding Provisions. The last paragraph of Mr. Delany's letter stated, 'It is held that amounts paid to precinct workers for services performed at election booths in State, county, and municipal elections in the State of R are in the nature of fees paid to public officials within the meaning of section 1621(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, supra, and are not, therefore, subject to collection of income tax at the source under section 1622(a) of the Code, supra." Mr. Carroll informed the Board that the workers began at 8:00 in the morning and worked through until 11:00 at night, or later. He thought Mr. White would be satisfied to approve the pay rolls if he received a letter from the Board of Selectmen advising that it was not necessary to deduct the 20% Withholding Tax. The Clerk was instructed to write Mr. White on the subject. Mr. Carroll retired -at 7:32 P.M. There being no Chairman, Mr. Potter acted as -Chairman, pro -tem. Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sheldon, it was voted to elect Errol H. Locke as Chairman of the Board for the ensuing year. The Board checked the list of appointments to be made during the month of March, and it was decided to 'hold them over for two weeks. Mr. Spencer appeared before the Board at 8:50 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from G. Philip Wardner, 50 State Street, Boston, Mass., stating that by a mortgage deed dated December 31, 1927 and recorded with Middlesex 431 Election Workers Tax Deduct'n Question Chairman Elected Held Over 432 Lots on Arl. Hghts Terrace Sold for Taxes Deed Signed Under ground Cable Opening Man- holes South District Deeds, Book 5187, Page 314, Alexius Smith and Mary C. Smith mortgaged to Farrar Cobb and G. Philip Wardner, Trustees under the Will of Caroline Jackson .Lots 183 to 186.'Inclusive and Lots 211 to 215 inclusive as shown on a plan of lots at Arlington Heights Terrace. Mr. Warder stated that by a deed dated October 20, 1933 the mortgage was foreclosed and the property sold to Clarence L. Myette, a straw for the trustees. Mr. Wardner has arranged to sell this property but was advised that the Town of Lexington took over for taxes lots 183 and 184; the amount of t're tax being $21.42. Mr. Wardner would like the Town to sell the trustees these two lots for the amount of the tax for which the Town took the property. Mr. Spencer stated that the Town foreclosed on Lots 183 and 184, the people continued to pay the taxes and he continued to assessthem. They now want to sell the two lots, but find that the taxes for one year, about eight years ago, are unpaid. Mr. Spencer suggested that the Town give them a title to the two lots in question for the back taxes. Mr. Wrightington is of the opinion that the trustees should be allowed to buy the land for the taxes that have not been paid. Mr. Rowse moved that lots 183 and 184, Arlington Heights Terrace, be deeded to the trustees for the amount of the un- paid taxes. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Spencer retired at 8:52 P.M. The deed to Lot 104, Bartlett Avenue, having been prepared by Mr. Wrightington, conveying said lot to Alfred Batstone was signed. Mr. Locke retired at 7:55 P.M., and Mr. Rowse acted as Chairman. A letter was received from the Boston Edison Company requesting permission to locate an underground cable through the Town's easement limits under railroad premises off Curve Street, Lexington. Previous to the meeting, Mr. Paxton checked the pland and recommended that the proposed work be approved. Mr. Sheldon moved that the request be granted. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from the Boston Edison Company, addressed to Mr. Paxton, requesting a permit to'open Waltham Street, for the purpose_of enlarging' eighteen manholes. The Edison. Company agreed to do the necessary surface work_, and also agreed that the manholes would not be open over a- weekend. Mr. Paxton approved of the work, but• would like authorization to grant the permit Mr.: Sarano moved that. Mr.. P.axton be author4zed to grant permission to theBoston Edison Company to open Waltham Street. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 1 1 The Chairman read a letter from Edmund J. Brandon, United States Attorney, relative to a Stipulationfor a consent judgment. This Stupulation is in connection with the spur track to the Bedford Airport in the vicinity of Westview. *. Mr. Potter moved that the letter and Stipulation be forwarded to Mr. Wrightington for his advice and recommendations, and that he be authorized to handle this matter for theTown. Mr. Sarano sedonded the motion, and it was so voted. Upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Sheldon, it was voted to appoint Mr. John J..Garrity, Moth Superintendent in the Town of Lexington for a term ending March 31, 1945. The Chairman read a letter from Charles L. Haas, Main Street, Wilmington, stating that he desired to move a building 16' x 18' x 12' in height, from Tewks- bury to Natick, and requested permission to transport the building through Lexington. Upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Potter, it was voted to grant Mr. Haas permission to move the building, subject to the following conditions: (i) He is to furnish a bond in the penal sum of $1,000.00 indemnifying the Town against any or all claims for damages. He is not to have the building on the highway over a weekend or any holiday. He is to contact the Tree Warden before moving the building to make arrangements so that no trees will be damaged The Clerk was instructed to request Mr. Garrity to accompany Mr. Haas when the building is moved through Lexington. (2) (3) Upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted to reappoint the following persons to serve on the Lexington Community Committee on Veterans' Rehabilitation and Employment. The Board of Selectmen was authorized to appoint this Committee by a vote of the Town Meeting on March 13, 1944, and the names were submitted by Stephen F. Hamblin. (Names on page 434) A letter was received from the Lexington War Price and Rationing Board requesting the approval of the nomination of one David A. Long, 53 Burlington Street, Lexington, to serve on the Price Panel of the Rationing Board. Mr. Potter moved that the nomination be approved. Mr. Sardno seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Request was received from the American Legion for permission to conduct a carnival on the Viano propert , East Lexington, during the month of July, preferably during the week of July 3, 1944. 433 Stip. Consent Judgment Mot h Supt. Move Building Through Lexington Lex. Comm. Vets' Rehab. Employment Nomination Price Panel Rationing Board Carnival Legion 434 I AM AN AMERICAN DAY COMM. Appointed Rat Complaint The Chairman reminded the Board that at a meeting of the Selectmen held on June 28, 1943, it was voted that not more than two permits be issued in any one year for a carnival at any one location. The American Legion was granted a permit last year to conduct a carnival at this location. It was decided to hold the, matter over. Letter was received from the United States Department of Justice, advising that May 21, 1944, has been designated as "I AM AN AMERICAN DAY". The letter requested the Board of Selectmen to appoint a committee to repare a program, and also to submit the names and addresses of said committee. It was decided to send a copy of the letter to the Allied Veterans Council and appoint the council as the committee on "I AM AN AMERICAN DAY". The Clerk informed the Board that Mrs. Robert Fuller, 197 Bedford Street, telephoned to register a complaint about the dump at the Public Works Building. She has talked with the State Board of Health, and was advised to contact her local Board. Mrs. Fuller claims that she has been bothered by rats from the dump. It was decided to have Mr. Paxton report on this:matter at the next meeting. LEXINGTON The meeting adjourned at 8:35 P.M. A true record, Attest: Cler COMMUNITY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT Mr. Clyde A. Booker Dr. Everett E. Morrill Mr. Francis E. Lombard Mr. Eugene L. Morgan Mrs. Lyon Carter Mrs. Randall B. Houghton Mrs. William G. Potter Rev. Harold T. Handley and others, with Stephen as Chairman F. Hamblin eel .r