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
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