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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. 1 1 567 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. 1 569 (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: 1