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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1944-04-24 468 x SELECTMEN'S MEETING April 24, 1944 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, April 24, 1944, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Locke, Messrs. Sarano and Rowse were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. Carroll appeared before the Board at 7:30 P.M. to discuss the clerical situation in his office. Mr. Carroll informed the Board that he had tried for a year to do the work in his office with only one Toim girl, but it has not been successful. He said that when Clark he had two girls, one was assigned to the work in connection with the office of the Town Clerk and the other one took Clerical Hire care of the work in connection with the office of the Town Treasurer. He said the work in his office is so far behind that something will have to be done in the way of assistance. He said that the Town Clerk's Office is governed by Mr. Cook Secretary of State. Mr. Carroll said that the State Depart- ment has inquired as to why certain records have not been kept up to date, and when he informed them that it was because he did not have the help in his office, he was told to obtain the necessary help. . The Chairman asked .lair. Carroll how long it was since he had two girls in his office, and Mr. Carroll replied since February of last year. Mr. Sarano asked him how long he had two girls, and Mr. Carroll said that for the past four or five years he has had two full-time girls. The Chairman asked how the ordinary amount of work coming into his office compares now with the work a few years ago. Mr. Carroll said with the number of birth, death and marriage certificates, that records pertaining to these items have greatly increased. He said that when he first took office the population was nine thousand as compared with approximately fourteen thousand at the present time. Mr. Sarano asked what Mr. Carroll would recommend, and he said that he wanted sn other mull-time girl. He said that he was of the opinion that his present girl, Miss MdDonough, is more or less dissatisfied, and that the only solution he can see to the problem is to employ a full-time girl. He said that he has two girls in mind, both who: he thinks would prove satisfactory. He said that one girl has had experience and he thought she would come to work for $18.00 a week. The other girl without experience would work for $16.00 per week. He said that he would prefer to have the girl without experience and instruct her himself. 1 469 Mr. Carroll said that unless he has more assistance he will have to ask for a leave of absence or resign, and that the State Department has asked him for a report of the result of this meeting tonight. The Chairman said that if this is a matter for the Appropriation Committee to act upon, the Board of Selectmen did not care to interfere. Mr. Carroll said that when the work in his office has been brought up to date he would then be willing to work with one girl. It was the decision of the Board that this matter should be straightened out by Mr. Carroll and the Appropriation Committee. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Carroll concerning the inqu4ry of one James W. Denney, pertaining to Lots 249, 250, 278 and 279, located on Wood Street and Colonial Heights. Tax Mr. Carroll said that he had talked with Mr. Denney Title and the matter is now taken careof. He informed the Board Disc. that these four lots can not be sold until they are foreclosed, and that they will not be foreclosed until some time in 1945. The lots in question are made out to the "Heirs of William H. S. Denney". If a statement is obtained from the heirs that they will sign off, Mr. Denney can then redeem the lots after they are foreclosed. The only person who can redeem property before foreclosure is the owner. Mr. Carroll retired at 8:20 P.M. and Mr. Lamont appeared before the Board. Mr. Lamont said that the people living on James Street object to Mr. Iovino keeping hens, and would prefer that no permit be issued. He said that he had taken this problem to Mr. Wrightington and obtained an opinion on it. Iovino The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Wrightington stating Hen that Mr. Iovino is registered with the conservation cothinittee Permit of the extension service of the Massachusetts College as a market gardener. Mr. Iovino has seven acres under cultivation in Lexington, and for some time in the past, he has cultivated two acres near his home not far from the location referred to in his application. Mr. Wrightington stated that he understood that no health menace would result from the keeping of hens on the lot as applied for. He further stated, that since no health menace would result, it is his opinion that the permit should be issued. Mr. Lamont said that he believed that if the place is kept clean and taken care of, there would be no health menace, and that he would recommend granting the permit. Mr. Sarano moved that the permit be granted. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Lamont retired at 8:30 P.M. and Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board. 470 Mr. Paxton stated that the only item he had to bring before the Board this evening was the question of increasing the salaries of the girls in his department. He saidf•bhat about a month ago when Miss Harvey left, he discussed with the Board the possibility of not employing another girl, and suggested that the three girls be given an increase in salary. He would like to know now just what the Board wants to do on the subject. He stated that there was sufficient money to pay for any increases in salary. He said at the Paxton resent time Miss Corbett and Miss McNamara are receiving Clerks 18.00 a week and Miss Vaughn is receiving $17.00 a week. Mr. Paxton said that he would recommend giving each of the girls a $5.00 per week increase. Mr. Paxton said that Miss Corbett and Miss Vaughn are both able to operate the billing machine. Miss McNamara has been limited to Park and W.P.A. work. He felt that with three girls it would be advisable to have them all able to operate the billing machine and the addressograph machine. Mr. Paxton said that he does not know definitely whether or not he will be able to continue Held with only three girls. He said that he has had to eliminate Over much letter writing, and does much of his business over the telephone. He said that these recommendations were based on the fact that he is making an attempt to keep the girls he has at the present time. TherBoard decided to hold the matter over for one week. Application was received from the Boston Edison Company Pole for a joint pole location on Burlington Street. Mr. Paxton said that neither henor Mr. Cosgrove could Loca- determine any particular reason leny there should be any new tion pole put in and two Held present poles eliminated. The Chairman asked Mr. Paxton to check this further, Over and report next week. He agreed to do so. The Chairman read a letter from the State Department of Ch. 90 Public Works advising that the Commissioners have allotted the sum of $1,000.00 for Maintenance, Chapter 90 roads in Lexington. Letter was received from Andrew Dreselly stating that St. he would like to have his address changed from 1:5 Goodwin No. Road to Patriot 's Drive. Mr. Dreselly went to the Town Changed Engineer and was assigned the number twelve (12) . Mr. Rowse moved that the assignment of mumber twelve (12) Patriot's Drive be approved for the building on Patriots Drive occupied by Mr. Dreselly, subject to the approval of Mr. Cosgrove Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 471 Mr. Paxton retired at 8:50 P.M. Bill was received from B. F. Smith and Company in Bill for the amount of $57.00 for making soil borings at the site Soil Borings of the proposed fire station at Bedford Street and Camellia Place. Mr. Rowse moved that the Appropriation Committee be requested to transfer the sum of $57.00„and that this bill be approved for payment. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from Joseph Corsi offering the Tax Title sum of $125.00 for Lots 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, Block 18, Corsi Reed Street. The Chairman said that he had talked with Mr. Spencer on this matter, and he recommends that the offer be accepted. Mr. Rowse suggested that further information be obtained from the Engineering Department as to Whether Rwld Over or not these particular lots might be where Route 128 is to be located. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Grindle stating that in August 1943 the School Department engaged Arthur R. Linfield Linfield as maintenance man and acting head janitor of the Bonus high school. In the agreement with Mr. Linfield at that time his total salary for 1944 was to include any. bonus. Mr. Grindle stated that since the bonus for 1944 is 15%, or double the amount of 1943, Mr. Linfield believes he is entitled to the difference, i.e. , 7i%. At the last meeting of the School Committee this sum was granted to Mr. Linfield, retroactive to January 1, 1944. Mr. Grindle stated that. inasmuch as the bonus is under the jurisdiction of the Selectmen, Mr. White has requested that this change receive the consent of the Board. Mr. Rowse moved to approve the adjustment bonus of 70 to Mr. Arthur R. Linfield of the School Department, retroactive to January 1, 1944. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Wrightington Settlement relative to the Welfare Case brought by the City of of Jones Cambridge against the Town of Lexington for Old Age Welfare Case Assistance to Mrs. Janet Jones, now deceased. Mr. Wrightington stated that his investigation of the $acts indicated that the Welfare Department in their original investigation of the claim overlooked certain items which would probably result in a decision against the Town. Mr. Wrightington has talked with the Assistant City Solicitor and agreed with him to settle the case for $100.00, which is substantially less than the face of the claim. 42 .J PJ Mr. Wrightington suggested that the Board arrange to have a check put through, payable to the City of I Cambridge, and have it sent to him so that he could arrange for the dismissal of the action. Mr. Rowse took this matter up with Mr. Lyons, and was advised that the Board of Public Welfare approved. Mr. Rowse moved to approve payment of $100.00 in settlement of the case. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from the Department of Civil Service requesting the dates of all suspensions, Civil penalties and reprimands appearing against each applicant Ser�ttee for promotion to the office of Lies Conant in the Police Department. req. for The Clerk was instructed to reply to this letter, records of and send a copy of the record which was compiled at the Police time the examination for the office of Chief of Police Officers was taken. Lt. The Board felt that it whould be called to the Exam. attention of the Division of Civil Service that Officer Mowett, who took the examination, is a Military Substitute. d. Heal th A new draft of the Act providing for the appointment B ABa. Heldt by the Selectmen for a separate Board of Health, consisting Over of not less than three, nor more than five members, was received from Mr. Wrightington. It was decided to hold this over until a meeting when all members of the Board would be present. Bldg. Surety Bond #GA-299080-A in the sum of $1,000.00, issued on behalf of William A. Cann, Building Inspector InsBond for the Town of Lexington for a term ending March 31, 1945 was received. Mr. Sarano moved that the bond be approved. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Rescind The matter of appointing the Board of Public Welfare was considered. Vote of Mr. Rowse moved that the vote of April 10, 1944, April 10 appointing Mr. Paul Hubbard in place of Mr. Henry Letoile, re : Bd. who is scheduled to be called to the Armed Forces , be Pub. Welf. rescinded. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sarano, App. it was voted to appoint the following members to serve on Bd. of the Board of Public Welfare in the Town of Lexington for a Public term of tine year, beginning May 1, 1944: John A. Lyons, Welfare Harold F. Lombard, Matthew Stevenson, Henry A. Letoile and Warren K. Hadley. 473 Upon motion of Mr. Rowse seconded by Mr. Sarano, Old Age it was voted to appoint the following persons to serve Assistance on the Bureau of Old Age Assistance in the Town of Bureau Lexington for a term of one year: John A. Lyons , Matthew Stevenson and Warren K. Hadley. Upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Rowse, it was voted to grant the following licenses : Licenses Max Sulkin 132 South St. , Waltham Junk Benjamin Berman 13 Mass. Ave. , Lex. Katheaine Leary 45 Waltham St. , " Pub. Carriage John Kenealy 856 Mass. Avenue " Sunday Sales William Viano 1794 Mass. Avenue " Sunday Movies The Chairman said that Mr. White, Town Accountant, has asked him to discuss with the Board the matter of salaries for the Clerks in his office. Mr. White Accounting recommended that Miss Clifford's salary be increased to Department $20.00, and he would like to know what the Board will Cler$cal "authorize him to pay a new girl to replace Mrs . Farnham. Mr. White said that he intends to make Miss Clifford ** a Senibr. Clerk.' The question of salary is to be reviewed, and the amount fixed at a later date. In hiring another girl, Mr. White will have to stay Withy' rte""-- Junior schedule as set by the Salary Committee Report. It was decided- to request the Appropriation Committee to meet with the Board of Selectmen next Monday evening for the purpose of discussing the salary situation. * The Clerk was instructed to tell Mr. White that the Board approved changing the status of Miss Clifford from Junior to Senior. Clerk. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 P.M. A true record, Attestt: v /4"2:j1 Cler 42-4-64441 i_f 1 4