HomeMy WebLinkAbout1944-09-11SELECTMEN'S MEETING
September 11, 1944
A regular meeting -of the Board of. Selectmen was
held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on
Monday evening, September 24 1944. Chairman Locke,
Messrs. Rowse, Sarano and Sheldon were present. The
Clerk was also present.
At 7:45 P.M. Mr. James J. Carroll, Town. Clerk,
appeared before the Board for the drawing of one juror.
Mr. Charles L. Cambridge, carpenter, 1359 Massachusetts
Avenue, was drawn to serve on Criminal Business at
Cambridge beginning October 2, 1944.
Mr. Carroll retired at 7:47 P.M.
565
Juror
At 7:48 P.M. hearing was declared open upon the Gaso]� ne
application of Antonio Busa, 46 Lowell Street, Lexington, gearing
for a license to maintain an underground tank for the
storage of 500 gallons of gasoline for private use. No
persons appeared in favor or in opposition. The petitioner
was not present. The hearing was declared closed and
no action taken.
At 7:55 P.M. Mr. Patrick Mackino and Mr. Wilbur Locke,
both residents of Middle Street, Lexington, appeared
before the Board. Mr. Mackino informed the Board
that he objected to the turkey house being built by Complaint
Mr. Thomas Napoli. He said that the building is bbing res Napoli
erected within 200 feet of his property. He presented Turkey hal'
a petition signed by six residents of Middle Street
requesting the Board of Selectmen to stop the completion
of the turkey house; Mr. Mackino stating that it is a
nuisance. Mr. Rowse explained that Mr. Napoli had a
right to erect the building and a nuisance would not
occur until the building was used.
The Chairman asked if the location in question
was operated as a farm when Mr. Mackino first moved to
Middle Street and he replied in the affirmative.
Mr. Mackino stated that he had no objection to
Mr. Napoli raising turkeys, but he felt that there is
sufficient land for the building in question without having
it in its present location. He also claimed that the
property was not kept clean and was a health menace.
The Chairman advised Mr. Mackino that the question of
cleanliness would have to be approached from a health
angle.
Mr. Wilbur Locke said that he knew Mr. Napoli very
well and would contact him Tuesday evening relative to
the possibility of having the building moved and having
the turkey yards cleaned up. He preferred to have no action
taken by the Board of Selectmen or the Board of Health
until he had seen Mr. Napoli. It was decided to hold
the matter over for one week.
566
Fire
Station
Committee
Request
Transfer
Mr. Mackin and Mr. Locke retired at 8:15 P.M.
At 8:15 P.M., Mr. Donald E. Nickerson appeared before
the Board. He stated that he had been delegated, by
the Committee appointed by the Moderatdr to obtain
plans, specifications and estimates for the construction
of a new Central Fire Station and a new East Lexington
Fire Station, to ask the assistance of the Board of
Selectmen. P •
• Mr. Nickerson said that several meetings had been
held and after very careful thought and consideration,
the Committee had coincided upon an architect, and approached
three people. The Committee felt that they .h ould have
expert assistance•and decided to engage George Ernest-
Robertson as a consultant for the Committee. He would
merely advise the Committee and would have nothing to
do with the plans.
The Committee further decided to select Eugene
Morgan for•the East Lexington Station and Leland & Larson
for the Central Fire Station.
Mr. Nickerson stated that Avir. Robertson had been ap-
proached and the Committee was able to.secure his services
for a stipulated sum of $750.00. He will give advice on
both fire stations.
Mr. Nickerson said that Mr. Morgan had been approached
and he would like a commission for the aaaller station,
and would have preferred to have the Central Station.
Mr. Nickerson said that Leland & Larson had been
offered a stipulated sum, because the Committee was bound
by the amounts appropriated, not to exceed $3,000.00
for designing the Central Fire Station. The Committee
has been advised by Mr. Greeley that such procedure is
ethical. Mr. Greeley also advised that the Committee could
not ask two or three architects if they would accept a
set sum, and that it would be correct tb ask the
architect to cooperate by not exceeding the sum which
was appropriated.
Leland & Larson agreed verbally that they vo uld do
the work for $3,000.00 and this raised the question as
to the figure of 5750.00 which was appropriated for the
East Lexington St-ationx Mr. Nickerson stated that his
Committee could not ask an architect to design the East
Lexington Station for $750.00 because as far as they can
judge, the station will cost between $35,000.00 and
$40,000.00. Mr. Nickerson informed the Board that the
members of the Committee were reluctant to "sell"
Mr. Morgan to design this building for $750.00 and further-
more he refused to do it anyway.
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567
Mr. Nickerson said that it was intended to handle
Mr. Morgants fee on a flat base and the sum of $625.00
will be needed in addition to the $750.00 appropriated.
Mr. Rowse moved that the Appropriation Committee be
requested to t?4nafer the sum op $625.00 from the Reserve
Fund to the Account for Plans, Specifications and Estimates
for the construction of a new Fire Station in East Lexing-
ton. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Nickerson retired at 8:45 P.M. and Mr. Paxton
appeared before the Board.
Mr. Paxton informed the Board that he had received
a request from Hutchinson Brothers, who live on Blossom
Street, for the installation of a water main in that
street. They are now being serviced by a two inch
service which runs from Concord Avenue. The Hutchinsons
have sold a portion of their property and are disturbed
about the problem of getting water this winter inasmuch Request
as there have been several breaks in the present service.for
Mr. Paxton said that he can obtain eight inch Water
cement lined pipe. He also informed the Board that the Main
Hutchinsons were so anxious for the installation of a water
main that they are willing to have a layout of the street
made from the Concord Highway to the old Concord Avenue.
Mr. Cosgrove, the Town Engineer, hac, contacted Mr.
Corsini and Mr. Hutchinson, the only abutters, and they Article
are willing to pay the betterment assessments on the water
main and are also willing; to give the town a Taking.
Mr. Paxton consulted Mr Wrightington and he believes that
it would be well to make a layout and have it accepted
at the next Town Meeting, and in the meantime have
both abutters sign deeds giving the Town general takings Layout
for highway, water, sewer, etc.
Mr. Paxton said that the installation would run
from Concord Avenue for a distance of approximately
600 feet which will take care of the greenhouses and
give a direct line to Charles Hutchinson's house.
He stated that if a taking were made, a wall and knoll
would have to be excavated and the main would undoubtedly
be run off the existing pavement. He informed the Board
that Blossom Street is an accepted street.
Mr. Rowse moved that the installation of,the requested
water main be approved and that Mr. Cosgrove, Town
Engineer, be instructed to make up plans for a layout of
the street from the Concord Highway to the old Concord
Avenue. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so
voted.
Mr. Paxton informed the Board that the following in-
surance policies would expire during the fourth quarter
of the year:
568
Mount Date Expiring
$20,000.00
10,000.00
60,000.00
30,000.00
October 7, 1944
October 22, 1944
December 5, 1944
December 5, 1944
Agent
Elmer A. Lord & Co.
Mrs. Helen Whittemore
Elmer A. Lord & Co.
E. Elizabeth Holton
Upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Rowse,
it was voted to renew the policies as follows:
$20,000.00 policy expiring on October 7, 1944 through
the office of Elmer A. Lord & Co., to be renewed through
same office and to be added to the policy expiring in 1948;
$10,000.00 policy expiring on October 22, 1944 through
the,office of Mrs. Helen Whittemore, to be renewed through
the office of Norman A. Downs;
$60,000.00 policy expiring on December 5, 1944 through
the office of Elmer A. Lord & Co., to be renewed through
the same office and to be added to the policy expiring
in 1948;
$30,000.00 policy expiring on December 4, 1944 through
the office of E.Elizabeth Holton, to be renewed through
the office of Tracy W. Ames, and to be added to the
policy expiring July 1, 1949.
The Chairman read a'_letter, from George E. Carney,
15 Sutherland Road, Lexington, complaining about the
Complaint condition of said street. Mr. Paxton informed the board
that Sutherland Road is unaccepted, that there is no
drainage and the street. is badly washed out. He inspected
the street and it is not in very good condition, but
there is nothing that Alan be done about it. The Chairman
said that he would acknowledge the complaint.
Mr. Paxton retired at 9:15 P.M. and Mr. George
V. Morse appeared before the Board.
Mr. Morse, as President of the War Parents of America,
Use of Hall made application for .the use of Estabrook Hall on the
evening of September 21, 1944 for a meeting.
Mr. Rowse moved that the application be approved and
the use of the hall be granted free of charge, subject
to the $25.00 deposit as required by the Rules and Regulations
governing the use of Cary Memorial Building. Mr.
Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so.voted.
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569
(see below for paragraph)
The Chairman read aletter from John J. Garrity,
Supt. of the Park Division, to which was attached specifi-
cations for the fence and baseball backstop for the new Fence
field on the Center Playground. Mr. Garrity stated that
if the specifications met with the approval of the Board,
he would submit them.
Upon motion of Mr. riowse, seconded by Mr. Sarano,
it was voted to instruct Mr. Garrity to request bids,
subject to Mr. k'axton's approval of the specifications.
The Planning Board's request for some girl in the
Town Offices to do the Clerical work of that Board was
held over. The Board approved having Miss Doherty,
Assistant Clerk in the Selectmen's Office, do this work
if she so desired.
Letter was received from W. M. Philbrook, 49
Grassland Street, Lexington, offering the sum of $100.00
for Lots 25 and 26 Grassland Street. The Chairman informed
the Board that Mr. Spencer recommended accepting the offer.
Mr. Rowse moved that a proposal to sell the lots Tax Title
be advertised in the Lexington Minute Man and that Property',
further consideration be given the offer at the next meet-
ing of the Board. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and
it was so voted.
Clerk For
Planning
Board
Letter was received from James I arrison, 50
Cleveland Street, Arlington, offering the sum of $75.00
f or.Lots 40 and 41 Dexter Road. The Chairman informed
the JJoard that Mr. Spencer recommended accepting not
less than $300.00 for these particular lots.
Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Harrison be advised that
the lowest price acceptable to the toard for Lots 40
and 41 Dexter Road is $300100. Mr. Sheldon seconded
the motion, and it was so voted.
The Board gave further consideration to Mr. T. Tax Title ,
Bateman Slocum's offer of $150.00 for Lots 20,21 Property
and 22 Blossomcrest, Lexington. A proposal to sell these
lots was advertised in the September 7, 1944 issue of the
Lexington Minute Man. No.persons contacted the Selectmen's
Office as a result of the advertisement.
Mr. Sheldon moved that the offer be accepted and
that Lots 20,21 and 4 Blossomcrest, Lexington, be sold
and conveyed to T. Bateman Slocum for the sum of $ 150.00 Harrington
* Mr. Rowse seconded the moti-on, and -it was so voted. Elm
The question of having work done on the so-called Harrington Elm
by the Town was held over. The Chairman informed the Board that a rep-
rStentative of the Frost & Higgins Go., who answered the telephone, stated
that the company does carry insurance and would assume full responsibility
for accidental -damage to either the tree or adjoining property if work
were done for the Town. He further stated that there is sufficient money in
the Shade Tree Account to take care of this expense.
Jar. Rowse moved that Mr. Garrity be authorized to arrange for Frost &
Hig .114.00. to do this work for the Town, the cost not to exceed $160.00, to
kt wasr odvo2edhe Shade Tree Account. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and
Tax Title
Property
570
Application was received from the Lexington V.F.W.
Inc., for permission to conduct a Penny Sale in Cary
Hall on the evening of November 28, 1944 from 7:30 P.M.
Use of Halluntil midnight. The Chief of Police approved the
application and recommended two officers and one matron
in attendance. -
Mr. Sheldon moved that the use of the hall be
granted free of charge, subject to the deposit of $50.00
3n accordance with the Rules and Regulations governing
the use of Cary Memorial Building. Mr. Rowse seconded
the motion, and it was so voted.
The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Carroll,
Town Clerk, advising that he had rescinded the appointment
of Mary. R. McDonough as Assistant Town Clerk and
Assistant Town Treasurer until other arrangements could
be made. It was decided to take no action on the matter
and to consider it at the next meeting of the Board
at which time Mr. Wrightington would be present.
The deed conveying Lots 118 and 119 Homestead
Street, to Francis Shaw, having been prepared by Mr.
Wrightington, was signed by the Board.
•
The deed conveying Lots 27 and 28, Block 1,
Harding Road to William E. Maloney, having been prepared
by Mr. Wrightington, was signed by the Board.
Application was received from the Lexington V. F. W.
Inc., for use of the Cary Hall on the evening of November
11, 1944 from 8:00 P.M. until 11:00 P.M., for the
purpose of conducting a memorial service. The application
was received too late in the afternoon to be approved by
the Chief of Police•and it was decided to hold it over
for. one week.
Asst.
Town
Treas.
Deed
Deed
Use of
Hall
• The Chairman informed the Board that the Association
for the Preservation of.Antiquities was definitely interested
in purchasing the old Stone house in East Lexington and
it had been suggested that it might possibly be moved
to the Old Adams School site.
It was informally agreed by the Board that it would
be to the best advantage of the Town to dispose of this
property for this purpose.
• The meeting adjourned at 10:05,P.M.
A true record, Attest:
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