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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1944-03-27 444 SELECTMEN'S MEETING March 27, 1944 ' A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, March 27, 1944, at 7 :30 P.M. Chairman Locke, Messrs. Potter, Sarano and Sheldon were present. The Clerk was also present. Two At 7:30 P.M. Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk, appeared before Jurors the Board for the drawing of two jurors. Mr. Theodore A. Custance, Contractor, 100 Bedford Street , was drawn to serve on Civil Business at Cambridge, beginning Monday, May 1, 1944. Mr. 4avid Kidd, Grocer, 7 Butler Avenue, was drawn to serve on Criminal Business at Cambridge, beginning Monday, May 1, 1944. Mr . Carroll retired at 8:32 P.M At 7:32 P.M. hearing on the application of Brown acid Larchmont Benson, Inc . for the approval of a plan of Larchmont Lane Lane was declared open Hearing Everett M. Brooks , engineer for Brown and Benson, Messrs . Alfred P. Tropeano, Joseph Tropeano, John T. Cos- grove, Town Engineer , and William C . Paxton, Supt. of Public Works were present at the hearing. Mr. Brooks presented a plan of the development and said that he was representing Browband Benson who are the owners of the property. He said the reason for coming before the Board was really on the relocation of Larch- mont Lane. Mr. Brooks said he believed the owners contacted Mr. Cosgrove and he suggested a regular 40 ' layout to be approved by the Board of Survey. The layout is in compliance with Mr. Cosgrove's suggestion, and it is agreeable to Brown and Benson. Mr. Alfred Tropeano said that there are trees 25 ' to 40' high, which come with 6' or 7' from the macadam road at the present time . Mr. Tropeano said that he has a 600' frontage which averages 10' or 12' and this layout will take quite a lot of land. Mr. Cosgrove said that the grade taking where Mr. Tropeano would be concerned is 6' . Mr. Brooks said that the macadam part of the street would be changed and there would be no point in having a sidewalk constructed until the land was developed. He said there would be a taking of 9' or 10' on one side and 6 ' on the other. Mr. Alfred Tropeano said that he is the Administrator of his mother 's estate and his brothers have an interest in it, and one brother is opposed to the taking of any land. Mr. Brooks said that he was not looking for any land and that the lots would be just as valuable at 20 ' , but it was merely for the layout of the Town that the plan was dawn this way. Mr. Cosgrove said that the pavement would be at least 8' from the trees . 445. Mr. Brooks explained that as long as the Tropeanos owned the land, they control putting in a sidewalk. Mr. Paxton said that was correct, and that Mr. Tropeano would have to apply and agree to pay 50% before a sidewalk could be built. Mr . Paxton said that the ledge would be difficult to move but if it will disturb the Tropeanos , it might be possible to make some change in the layout. The group, with the exception of Mr. Paxton, retired at 7:55 P. J. to discuss the subject. Mr. Paxton informed the Board that this is now an accepted street and the Town will have to pay for the construction and the Town will also have to pay for the land damages to the Tropeanos . He said that this would be a good time to get the street determined for the best interest of the Town. The owners agree to a 30' setback on Revere Street and Bedford Street . They planned to have the setback 35 ' , but are willing to have the building lines set on the Board of Survey Plan. Mr. Paxton said that Mr. Carlton Batchalder, 20 Simonds Rental Road, had requested the use of the bulldozer. He said that of he had also received a request from Mr. Howard Lilly, 81 Equip. Gleason Road, for the use of the bulldozer. Mr. Sheldon moved that the requests be granted, subject to the usual charges. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted Mr. Paxton said that there was an Aetna Insurance Policy in the amount of x$30,000.00 expiring on May 21, 1944, through the office of Elmer A. Lord and Company. He Ins. suggested that this policy be added to another policy, now carried by Elmer A. Lord and. Company, in the amount of 00,000.00 expiring on December 5, 1944. Mr. Sheldon moved that the $30,000.00 policy expiring in May, through the office of Elmer A. Lord and Company, be renewed through the same office, and that Mr. Paxton's suggestion that this policy be added to another policy, expr"ing December 5, 1944, be approved. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that he had checked on the prices of tools and had a man from the Snap On Tool Company make Tools ; suggestions as to what tools should be kept in stock at the Public Works Building. He condemned practically all the tools owned by the Town. The representative gave Mr. Paxton a list of all the tools that, in his opinion, the Town should have in stock. The net cost would be approximately $494.21. Mr. Paxton thought it would be a good idea if a stock could be set up and checked each year to be kept in A-1 condition. 1 Mr. Sheldon asked if his understanding that Mr. Paxton was going to purchase $60.00 worth of new tools for Mr. Barry was correct , and Mr. Paxton replied in the affirmative. Mr. Paxton said that he was having; a list made out of the tools now owned ;:v the Town, and he would suggest that the Town purchase the tools recommended by the representative of the Snap On Tool Company, and charge the cost to the Road Machinery Account. Mr. Paxton said that he had included an item approximately $58.00 for a tool chest and a roll cabinet in which to put the tools. He said that the total amount would actually be somewhere around 5550.00, to be charged to the Road Machinery Account. Mr. Potter moved that Mr Paxton be authorized to purchase the tools which he considered necessary for the Public Works Department, amountinc to approximately $650.00; this amount to be charged to the Road Machinery Account Mr Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr Paxton retired at 8:20 P. 'I. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Edwin B. Worthen urging the Board to reconsider his appointment to serve on a Flag- Committee relative to the purchase of a new flagpole for the pole Common. Mr. Worthen said that he would be willing to serve, Committee but would prefer to have the Board of Selectmen appoint Mr. A. Lasalle Ripley in his place Mr. Worthen said that Mr. Ripley is an artist and, he believes , qualified to serve on this Committee . It was decided to comply with Mr. Worthen' s suggestion, and upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted to appoint Mr. A. Lasalle Ripley a member of the Committee relative to the purchase of a new flagpole for the Common. The Chairman r(ad a letter from Edith Nourse Rogers Town Mtg. stating that she had taken up the question of Town Meeting Members on Members serving on local Rationing Boards with Chester Bowles, Ration'ng Administrator, Office of Price Administration. Mr. Bowles Boards advised Mrs Rogers that he is in the process of appointing a Committee consisting of Local Board Chairmen, Selectmen and Town Meeting Members who will develop a policy which will apply to positions of this sort another year. At 8:35 P.M. Chairman George W. Emery, Messrs . Driscoll, Fire Fawcett and Donnelly of the Board of Fire Engineers , and House Messrs . Cromwell, Ferguson, Richards, Worthen and Nickerson Fire of the Planning Board, appeared before the Board. Eng. & Mr. Emery stated that eachmember of the Board of Selectmen Plnng• had been given a copy of the report of the Board of Fire Board Engineers pertaining to the Fire Department housing situation. He said that the Planning Board also had a report to make on the same subject. Mr. Cromwell read the report of the Planning Board and said that he would have copies made for the members of the Board of Selectmen. L . 447 Mr. Sheldon asked if there were any further suggestions which the Planning Board might make and Mr. Perguson stated that the II Planning Board Report had been written in a hurry by Mr. Greeley and it is possible that there might be some changes. He ssid that the main thing discussed by the Planning Board was that the Barnes Property might be used for a War Memorial or a Veterans ' Bureau, and these two subjects would be enlarged upon Mr. Sheldon thought that some consideration should be given to the needs of the Town Offices and the Police Department . Mr. Ferguson replied that +here is enough property without using the Barnes Property for this purpose. Mr. Richards said that the Planning Board does not feel it is necessary to build anything on the Barnes Property, and that the Town Office Building, and the Police Department, can be left out entirely as far as this property is concerned. Mr. Sheldon asked what the Planning Board' s opinion was relative to the Adams School Lot and Mr Cromwell replied that if the Central Fire Station is located on Bedford Street it would be necessary to bring the East Lexington Station nearer the Center. Mr. Sheldon mentioned the fact that if the East Lexington Station is located on the present site it will be necessary to get along without a station while the new one is in the process of being built, and it will also be necessary to grade that property. Mr. Emery said that they would like to see some action on the subject as soon as possible, and wondered if it would be possible to have a Town Meeting before June. He said that the matter would rest; primarily on the Board of Selectmen. The Chairman said that he would like a copy of the Planning Board's report as soon as possible, for a matter of record. He informed the group that this subject has not been discussed by the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Emery said that whatever is done, he thought it would be a good idea to obtain some options and also to do some drillings on the proposed sites . Mr. Sheldon said that the Board of Selectmen would prefer to wait until there is a full Board present before taking any action, pnd informed the group that a complete Board would be present on the 10th of April. The Chairman assured the group that the Board of Selectmen will move just as fast as possible on the subject , and expressed the Board' s thanks for an excellent and logical summary of the matter. Mr. Sheldon asked if the Board of Fire Engineers intended to bring the Appropriation Committee up to date on this housing situation, and Mr. Emery replied that he had given Mr. Hoyt a copy of the report. Mr. Emery said that the house in Hingham cost $60,000.00 in 1941, and he believes that it is exactly the type of 'house that Lexington should have. The group retired at 9 :15 P.M. 1 l 448 Mr. Grindle appeared bef( re the Board. He said that there ha- been a little misunderstanding between the Appropriation Committee , the School Committee, and the Town Accountant, relative to the payment of the bonus. Mr. Grindle said that there was a discussion the first year of the bonus on t -_is subject , and the final Bonus vote went through basing the School Department on the December 31, 1942 pay rolls. He said that the Appropriation Committee thought this referred to the school teachers only and not the entire School Department. Mr. Grindle said in order to hire help he had to promise them that their 1943 bonus would be based on their annual rate of earnings in effect December 31, 1943. Mr. Grindle said that he has talked with Mr Hoyt twice , and Mr. Hoyt thought the bonus was set up only to include the school teachers based on their annual rate of earnings, however, he has now withdrawn his objection. Mr. Potter said that it would be necessary to follow the vote of the Town. Mr. Grindle retired at 9 :25 P M. Mr Potter moved that payment of the bonus for all employees for the School Department based on their annual rate of earnings in effect December 31, 1943, as voted by Town Meeting, be approved. Mr Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. At 9 :30 P.M. Chairman Steeves, Messrs. Cann, Burnham, Emery and Shanahan of the Board of Assessors, appeared before the Board. Mr Steeves said that the Assessors would like to have a little talk with the Selectmen as they were a little Assessors disturbed by the report read at Town Meeting, and were Very much surprised that Mr. Greeley made the statement that he had signed the report although he had not read it. Mr. Steeves said that in the nine years he had been on the Board of Assessors he had put in a tremendous amount of time on Town work. He said he noticed the report advocated a Board of Assessors with a permanent Chairman Mr. Steeves felt that a permanent Chairman could not do any more than the present Clerk. He also pointed out that on a three man Board it is often impossible to have a full Board present at a meeting. He felt that it was easier to have an individual appear before a five man Board than it was before a three man Board. Mr. Steeves informed the Board that in his nine years there has never been a case carried to the Ap elate Board in Court. It would cost between 0250.00 and 0300.00 each time a case was brought before the Board. Mr. Steeves said that the Town Acc.•untant was going to deduct Withholding Tax from the Assessors ' salaries. The Chairman explained that if the Assessors signed a Withholding Slip they would not be committing them- selves , and the deduction would not have to be made. The group retired at 9:45 P.M. 1 449 The matter of Lot 131, Section 3, F.rmhurst, Waltham Street, formerly owned by James E. Brown and taken by the Town for tax title, was again considered by the Board. Tax Mr. Potter moved that the lot be sold and conveyed Title for the sum of $72.49, which is the amount of the unpaid Sale taxes from 1938 to 1942 inclusive. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Board agreed to accept payments in two installments as promised by Mrs. Brown when she appeared before the Board a week ago, The deed will be held until the full amount is paid. Letter was received from Frederick W. Cook, Secretary of State,, for a certificate of character on Malcolm R. Cert. of Bean, 75 Bertwell Road. Char. Sheldon moved that a certificate of character be approved. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Application was received from the Nature Club of the Use of Children's Museum requesting the use of hstabrook Hall Hall on the morning of April 1, 1944 , from 10 o' clock until 11 o' clock. Letter was received from Mr. Grindle stating that the Nature Club lectures are of direct educational value and the programs supplement school work. Mr. Potter moved that the use of the hall be granted, free of charge, and without any deposit . Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from Mr. Carroll, Town Treas. Treasurer, to which was attached a Surety Bond in the Bond amount of $48,000.00 on behalf of Mr. Carroll as Town Treasurer. Mr. Sheldon moved that the bond be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was sc voted. Surety Bond in the penal sum of $1,000.00 on Const. behalf of Mr. John C. Russell in the Town of Lexington Bond for a period of one year, beginning April 1, 1944, was received.. Mr. Sheldon moved that the bond be approved. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Sheldon, Deed it was voted to sign the deed conveying Lot 6 (Fait/. Oaks ) Signed Marrett Road, Lexington, to Anthony J. Rochette , 366 Marrett Road. Upon 'motion of Mr.. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Saran, it was voted to sign the deed conveying Lots 183 and 184. Deed on Riidge Avenue, .Arlington Heights Terrace 't Clarence Signed L. Myette of Wakefield. 45U z Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr.. Sheldon, it was voted to make the following appointments : II LIST OF APPOINTMENTS (Ex firing March 31, 1945.) Animal Inspector Dr. Chester L. Blakely Board of Appeals Arthur N. Maddison Board of Appeals (Associate Members) , Lester T. Redman J. Milton Brown Walter C. Ballard Board of Health Agents Hazel J. Murray Thomas Bowdidge (Met. State) Alexander Armour Bridge Charitable Fund Trustee Clarence S. Walker Building Inspector William A. Cann Burial Agents Alice N. McCarthy Albert F. Douglass Clerk, Selectmen Hazel J. Murray Constable (Under Ch. 41 Sec. 91A) Charles E. Moloy Dental Clinic Mrs. Irving Yelland Mrs. Frank Hudson Thomas S. Grindle Dog Officer John A. Russell Fence Viewers Stanley A. Biggins John J. Garrity Field Drivers Edward C. Maguire John C. Russell Gemmel Legacy Income, Trustees Mrs. George W. Eatery (Acting with Dept. of Public Welfare) John A. Lyons Health Inspector John Lamont Health Officer Dr. Victor N. Rochette S,ockup Keeper John W. Rycroft Measurers of Wood, Bark and Manure Harold I.. Wellington Jacob Bierenbroodapot Milk Inspector John Lamont Moth Department, Supt. John J. Garrity Odorless Cart, Charge of Peter Canessa Park Superintendent John J. Garrity Posture Clinic Mrs. Steele Lindsay Mrs. E. J. Vadeboncoeur Mrs. Edith M. Kelley Miss Margaret Kettell Miss Margaret Noyes Registrar of Voters Leon H. Truesdell Slaughter Inspector George G. Whiting Supt. of Public Works William C. Paxton Town Counsel S. R. Wrightington Town Engineer John T. Cosgrove Town Physician Dr. Victor N. Rochette Weighers Harold Wellington 451 Weighers (con. ) Jacob Bierenbroodspot Arthur J. Rivet, Jr. Wire Inspector Louis W. Bills Mr. Potter informed the Board that Mr. Monsignor* would like permission to slaughter three days. Slaughter It was decided to have Mr. Potter see Mr. Whiting, and report to the Board next week. Mr. Sarano moved that the following licensesbe approved. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was Licenses so voted. Western Union Tel. Co 1736 Mass. Ave. Overhanging Sign Boston Edison Co. 1727 Mass . Ave. Harry Gee 1734 Mass. Ave. " ft F. B. Johnson, Inc 39 Bedford St. Patrick Shanahan 52 Pleasant St. Past. of Milk William Viano 1794 Mass. Ave. Sunday Movies Damon E. Murray 7 Sylvia, St. Physiotherapy The meeting adjourned at 10:10 P.M. A true record, Attest : C1 rk /2 FG'