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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1944-06-05 511 SELECTMEN'S MEETING ' June 5, 1944 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, June 5, 1944, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Locke, Messrs. Potter, Rowse, Sheldon and Sarano were present . The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 P.M. Messrs . Clyde Steeves, James J. Carroll, Raymond L. White and William C. Paxton, appeared before the Board. Mr. Seaman arrived at 7 40 P.M. Skeleton. The Chairman informed the group that the matter of Crews working with skeleton crews on Saturday mornings in the Summer various Town Offices during the summer months was discussed Months by the Board last week and there was some question raised as to policy. The Chairman said that the Selectmen appreciate that they have no control over the office of Town Clerk, Tax Collector or Assessors. He said that it would be well to endeavor to arrive at a common policy, and the Board would like to know how the various department heads felt about it. With the exception of the Superintendent of Public Works, whose department is more active in the summer months, it was the concensus of the group that there were very few requests for information, either by individuals calling at the office or telephoning, on Saturday mornings. The group retired at 7:45 P.M. Mr. George W. Emeryy Chairman of the Board of Fire Engineers, appeared before the Board. Fire Emery mery eeid that he had Mrs. Phelps ' amended option Station and also an agreement from F. K. Johnson for $500.00 signed with restrictions. The Chairman raised the question as to who would handle the Articles pertaining to fire station on the Town Meeting floor. It was decided that the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen should handle these Articles. Mr. Emery said that the Board of Fire Engineers would be very glad to answer any question asked by Town Meeting Members . Mr. Emery retired at 8:10 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from Raymond L. White, Town Accountant, calling the Board' s attention to Wallace Wages Weisinger's wages, which amounted to $93,10 for one week. The total number of hours represented nearly fifteen hours a day, including Sunday, It was decided to take this matter up with Mr. Paxton. 512 At 8:20 P.M. Mr. Paxton and Mr. Cushman of the Colonial Beacon Oil Company, appeared before the Board. Mr. Cushman presented a plan showing where the proposed four-inch petroleum pipe was to be laid, and stated that both Mr. Garrity, Superintendent of Parks & Playgrounds, and Mr. Cosgrove, Town Engineer, have approved this plan. Mr. Paxton said that he had contacted the Colonial Beacon Oil Company in an effort to obtain information per- taining to the charges made by other Towns in similar instances. This is the first experience of this kind by the Colonial Beacon Oil Company in this section of the country and, therefore , Mr. Paxton was unable to secure much information from them. The Standard Oil Company informed him that in the western part of the State they Oil received easements for as low as 50% per rod and the Line easement was two roddswide. Mr. Paxton said that he con- tacted the Shell Oil Company, Inc. to inquire what their experience was in placing the line to Waverly Oaks. They touched some Town property in Berkley, Sherborn and Norton, but none of these would be comparable with the Town of Lexington. In the case of the easement through State owned property of the Department of Mental Health in Waverly, and the State Agricultural College, the rate will be $1.00 per rod or approximately 6% per foot. Mr. Cushman said that he has been obtaining easements on private property, and is paying 50% a running foot. Mr. Rowse asked if the Colonial Beacon Oil Company was ready to pay that to the Town of Lexington. Mr. Cushman replied that his company is willing to pay the Town in the same proportion as they pay the property owners . The Chairman requested Mr. Paxton to have a map prepared to be used at Town Meeting, and asked Mr. Cushman if he would arrange to be present to answer any questions that might be raised. Mr. Cushman agreed to explain what his company is asking and what it is prepared to pay. He further stated that he would have a letter written to the Board of Selectmen previous to Town Meeting confirming this . Mr Cushman retired at 8:30 P.M. Mr. Paxton informed the Board that a fire and theft insurance policy on automobiles and equipment of the Town, amounting to $23,452.00, will expire July 1, 1944, through Ins , the office of Robert C. Merriam. Mr. Rowse moved that the policy be renewed through the same office. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. I 513 Mr. Paxton discussed fire insurance with the Board and stated that there were some policies which would expire in July. He also informed the Board that a few agents, who had Town insurance, no longer live in Lexington. Mr. Paxton stated that he would like very much to reduce the number of policies and suggested grouping one or two policies held by the same agent. Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sheldon, it was voted to cancel the following fire insurance policies : $15,000.00 Aetna Insurance Company, expiring July 10, 1944 12,000.00 Aetna Insurance Company, expiring November 13, 1944 One pniicy is then to be written through the office of William H. Ballard, in the amount of $27,000.00 for a five-year period beginning July 1, 1944. Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sheldon, it was voted to cancel the following fire insurance policies, placed through Robert H. Whitney, with the Patterson, Wylde & Windeler Insurance Company: $44,300.00 Hartford Fire Insurance Co. , expiring July 9, 1944 10,000.00 " It " " " Nov: 13, 1944 20,000.00 Northern Ins. Co. of N. Y. " Dec. 5, 1944 One policy is then to be written, through the same office, in the amount of $74,300.00 for a five-year period beginning July 1, 1944. It is the understanding of the Board that Mr. Robert H. Whitney, the agent now serving with the Armed Forces, will be given credit for this business . Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sheldon, it was voted to cancel as of July 1, 1944, the following policies placed through the office of Louis J. Reynolds : $16,000.00 Fire Ins. Co. of Hartford, Conn. , expiring July 10, 1944 1,300.00 Federal Mutual Fire Ins . Co. " Apr. 25, 1948 One policy is then to be written, through the same office, in the amount of $17,300.00 for a five-year period beginning July 1, 1944. Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted to cancel, as of July 1, 1944, two policies , one expiring May 4, 1945 and one expiring May 19, 1944, totaling $35,000.00, through the office of Edward W. Taylor. 514 It was further voted to place this business through the office of Tracy W. Ames, to be grouped with the policy already held by Mr. Ames, in the amount of 8,700.00, S� making a total of $43,700.00 to be written for a five-year period as of July 1, 1944. Upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Potter, it was voted to renew, through the office of Paul W. Hederstedt, 150 Congress Street, Boston, for a five-year period beginning July 1, 1944, the $30,000 policy formerly held by John Valentine. Mr. Paxton said that the Chief of Police had suggested Elim. that the taxi stand be eliminated. He has checked this stand Taxi located at Depot Park, and it appears that neither Leary or Stand Rose use the stand. Mr. Montague uses it very litte. Mr. Rowse moved that the taxi stand at Depot Park be eliminated and this space used for parking. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from F. B. Rosenberger of Shades on 42 Locust Avenue, requesting that a shade be installed on the Lamps street lamp in front of his house. Mr. Paxton said that he had also received a similar request from Mrs . Smith, 11 Bloomfield Street. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Paxton request the Boston Edison Company to shade both of these street lights. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman stated that it had been called to the Board's attention that Wallace Weisinger worked 103 hours Weisinger in a week and the question is , can a man put in that number Wages of hours in one week. Mr. Paxton said that Mr. Weisinger works 48 hours a week for the Public Works Deparmtment, 24 hours at the Public Works Building gassing equipment and keeping it clean, and he also has a telephone at his home and takes care of any emergency calls. When he works on Sundays he receives time and a half and double time for holidays. Mr. Paxton said that he is willing to give overtime to any man and has asked different employees of the Public Works Department to work overtime, but they have refused. Mr. Paxton informed the Board that since Mr. Weisinger took over the Water Service, the cost has dropped from $2.50 to 85 per service. Slaughter Mr. Paxton tetired at 9:15 P.M. and Mr. George G. Insp. Whiting, Slaughter Inspector, appeared before the Board. Mr. Whiting said that Mr. Mons ignore has a permit to slaughter three days a week, and the time he spends on inspection intereferes with his own work. Mr. Whiting said that he does not spend a whole day at a time inspecting, but his days are very much broken up and if he is to continue the work this way he expects more money. I 515 Mr. Rowse asked how much local slaughtering was being donB, and Mr. Whiting replied that there was very little inasmuch as people who raised hogs or sheep for their own us,e kill them in the fall. It was decided to have Mr. Potter, Mr. Whiting and Mr. Monsignore meet to discuss this matter in an effort to arrive at some satisfactory arrangement. Mr. Whiting .retired at 9 :30 P.M. Chief Rycroft appeared before the Board. The Chief said that he would like very much to have the Board rescind its vote of April 5, 1943, which suspended Rescind Rule 5, Sections 1 and 3 of the Rules and Regulations of the Vote to Town of Lexington pertaining to the Police Department . Suspend The Chief slid that several officers are now working Rule 5 out of Lexington and .during an emergency it is sometimes Police difficult to locate an officer. He said it is embarrassing Dept. to make changes because most of the officers working want Officer the changes made to fit in with their own plans. Chief Working Rycroft said that each officer is entitled to one day off Elsewhere in eight and that time off is no concern to the Chief of Police. However, the, rest of the week all officers should be available . He said that he is too shorthanded at the present time to let this situation continue, expecially now that vacations are scheduled. Chief Rycroft retired at 9:40 P.M. Mr. Sheldon moved that the vote of the Board of Selectmen passed on April 4, 1943, suspending, during the present emergency, Rule 5, Sections 1 and .3 of the Rules and Regulations of the Police Department, be rescinded. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Leonard of the Roy 0. Leonard Flag Pole Company appeared before the Board at 9:40 P. M. He said that he would Flag like to sell the Board the idea of proceeding with the erection Pole of the flag pole at the Common. Mr. Leonard said that no doubt the price is high, and it is higher than it would have been last year. He said that in six months more it will be impossible to obtain a piece of lumber the size of this pole. Mr. Leonard said that today it would cost anyone $2,050.00 to get the pole out of East Boston. He said that Was the best price he could .obtain. Mr. Leonard said if the Town did the grading, cut up the pole and carted it away, $60.00 could be deducted from the total charge. If the guy ropes can be attached to the trees, another $50.00 could be deducted. He said that the present cross trees were in very good condition and he thought that new ones would not be needed. This would save an addttiopal $150.00. After further discussion, Mr. Leonard retired at 10:05 P.M. 1 516 The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Wrightington informing the Board that pursuant to instructions from. A7 John A. Lyons, Chairman of the Board of Public Welfare, Town action has been brought in the name of the Town of Lex.. Counsel ington against Elizabeth Latter to recover Welfare payments. Latter An attachment of her real estate has been made in Middlesex Attchmt County. The Chairman read a letter from Allen.,W. Rucker Discon- stating that effective May 29, 1944, the Army Aircraft tinue Warning Service will be completely discontinued. The Obs. Tom-Chairman of the Committee on Public Safety has been notified to this effect, and requested to have the water, light and telephone service discontinued. The Board decided to hold this matter over for further consideration before arriving at a final decision relative to the disposition of the Tower. The Chairman read a letter from John Lamont, Health Health Inspector, informing the Board that he had inspected the Insp, premises of Mrs. Latter, 147 Woburn Street and while he re : found an accumulation of dust and dirt from neglect of Latter cleaning, there was no filth of any kind. Houses Letter was received from Sweeney Motor Trucking Sweeney Co. , Inc. , 16 Robin Street, Everett, requesting a permit Cesspool to clean cesspools in the Town of Lexington. Cleaning Mr. Sheldon moved that a permit be granted for a Permit period ending March 31, 1945. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board at 10:15 P.M. Gas at and stated that he had been checking his figures on the Pub. Wks gas at the Public Works Building and finds that for a fifteen Bldg. month period the amount of gas unaccounted for is 72 gallons per month which would include normal shrinkage. Mr. Paxton retired at 10:17 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from the Office of the Req. to Mayor, City Hall, Boston, requesting permission to borrow Borrow the set of 48 State Flags• to be used oni Flag Day. The plan State is to have the flags carried by a special company of the Flags State. Guard. Mr. Sheldon moved that the request be approved, subject to the following provisions ; 1. That the flags are picked up at the Cary Memorial Building, and you may instruct your driver to ask for Mr. Moloy, the janitor, who has charge of the flags. The flags are in boxes and it will be necessary for you to put them on the poles. 2. We ask that you insure the flags against loss ordsge in the amount of $1,000.00 and that any flag lost or damaged will be replaced. 3. That the flags must be returned by you in the same condition as you received them. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 517 The Board gave further consideration to Mr. Joseph Corsi 's offer of $200.00 for Lots 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, Block 18, Reed Street, Lexington. A proposal to sell the lots was advertised in the June 1, 1944 issue of the Lexington Minute- Tax Title Man. No persona contacted the Selectmen's Office as a result Sale of the advertisement. Mr. Sheldon moved that the offer be accepted and that the lots be sold and conveyed to Mr. Corsi . Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman informed the Board that Mr. Carroll had Tax Sale advised the Clerk that the foreclosures on Lots 30 and 31, Farmhurst, Section 3, Farmcrest Avdnue, have been completed and the lots may be sold. Mr. Ralph Cochrane of 16 Farmcrest Avenue has offered $300.00 for these lots. Mr. Sheldon moved that a proposal to sell the lots be advertised in the Lexington Minute-Man, and that further consideration be given the offer at the next meeting of the Board. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. #diet of unlicensed dogs in the Town of Lexington was Unlic. received. from the Town Clerk. Dogs Mr. Sheldon moved that the Dog Warrant be signed and Dog Warrant turned over to the Dog Officer. Mr. Sarano seconded the Signed motion, and it was so voted. Application was received from Manfred Warren requesting Use of the use of Cary Memorial Hall on the evening of June 8, 1944, Cary Hall for graduation exercises. Mr. Sarano moved that the application be granted, free of charge. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A group` of petitions, orders and plans for joint or Pole identical pole locations was received from the New England Locations Telephone and Telegraph Company and the Boston Edison Company, to be signed by the Board of Selectmen. These orders are merely to bring the records of the Legal Depart- ment of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company up to a current basis. The Chairman advised the Board that Mr. Garrity had Flags & inquired as to what procedure the Board wished him to take Flag relative to displaying flags during Flag Week. Week Mr. Saran° moved that Mr. Garrity be instructed to follow the same procedure as he did last year. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman said that he had contacted Mr. Carroll Ryder Land relative to the Ryder land on Maple Street, and was informed Maple St. 1 that Mr. Ryder has agreed to pay the back taxes not later Held Over than June 20, 1944. The matter was held over until that date. The meeting adjourned at 11:40 P/M. A true record, Attest : Cle rk.