HomeMy WebLinkAbout1944-12-11SELECTMEN'S MEETING
December 11, 1944.
A regular meeting of the board of Selectmen was
held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, On
Monday -evening, December 11, 1944, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman
Locke, Messrs. Potter, and Sarano were present. The
Clerk was also present.
Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk, appeared before the Board
at 7:30 P.M.
The Chairman explained that Mr. Carroll had been
invited to meet with the Board relative to the question
of the Decennial Census of 1945. He said that in checking
the Assessors' part in taking the polls, etc., the Board
learned that they have apparently a system already set up.
Mr. Spencer has workers for the various districtsr and he
himself intends to do the outlying sections of the Town.
The Chairman stated that if it were possible, the
Board would like to make use of Mr. Spencer's workers,
and to obtain as much help as possible from him, which
Wouldeliminate any unnecessary work.
Mr. Carroll stated that whatever method the Board
of Selectmen would adopt would be perfectly agreeable
with him. -
? r. Potter explained to Mr. Carroll that the Boar,
would like to delegate this work, through him, to the
Board of Registrars..
Mn Carroll said that undoubtedly the "oard of
Registrars would prefer to make some appointments for
this work..
The Chairman asked Mr. Carroll to find out whether
or not the Registrars are willing to have the work done
assisted by Mr. Spencer and his census workers, and to
also advise the ''oard if the Registrars have any preference
as to the individuals taking the census.
Mr. Carroll retired at 7:45 P.M.
Messrs. William G. French and William C. Paxton
appeared before the Board.
Mr. Paxton explained that Mr. French requested an
appointment to meet with the Board tonight relative to
the condition of Garfield Street Which is an unaccepted
street. He wanted to know if it is possible for tia.e
Board to give him afew loads of fill for the street.
Mr. Paxton said that he had previously explained
to Mr. French that the policy of the "oard was, more
or less, a case of the people raising the money to hire
the Town egiipment, and arranging themselves to have
the material put in.
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Decennial
Census of
1995
Request for
Fill for '
Garfield
Street
80
Use Town
Ashes
Mr. French said that if he were given permission
to take the ashes from the .Lown Buildings, he would haul
the ashes, level off the road and put it in shape.
The Board decided that if Mr. French would arrange
to haul the ashes, there would be no objection to his
having them.
Messrs. Paxton and French retired at 8:05 P.M.
Chairman read a letter from James J. Carroll, Town
Clerk, stating that he had received a bill from the Adams
Press for printing the voting list amounting to $275.00,
and the balance in the account, at the present time, was
Printing $199.52. Mr. Carroll requested a transfer of $75.48 to
Voting take care of this bill.
List Mr. Potter moved that the Appropriation Committee
be requested to transfer the sum of $75.48 from the Reserve
Fund to the Elections Account. Mr. Sarano seconded the
motion, and it was s o voted.
Mr. Rowse arrived at 7:55 P.M.
Chairman read a letter from Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk
Recount and Clerk of the Board of Registrars, stating that
a recount of ballots cast November 7, 1944 for the office
of Attorney General was held on Thursday, December 7, 1944.
The recount was officially opened at 7:00 P.M. and closed
at 11:00 P.M.
According to General Laws, compensation for this
work is recommended and provided through the Board of
Selectmen.
Mr. Sarano moved that the workers for the recount
be paid at the rate of $1.00 per hour. Mr. Potter
seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
The board gave further consideration to Mr. Wallace
Tax Title C. Weisinger's offer of $50.00 for Lots 14 and 15,
Sale Park Street, Lexington. A proposal to sell these
lots was advertised in the December 7, 1944 issue of the
Lexington Minute -Man. No persons contacted the Selectmen's
Office as a result of the advertisement.
Mr. Potter moved that the offer be accepted, and
that Lots 14 and 16, Park St., Lexington, be sold and
conveyed to Mr. Wallace C. Weisinger. Mr. Sarano seconded
the mots on, and it was so voted.
The -Board gave further consideration to James F.
and Mary E. Connell' a offer of $35.00 for Lots 194
and 195, Freemont Street, Lexington. A proposal to sell
these lots was advertised in the December 7, 1944 issue
1
1
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of the Lexington Minute -Man. No persons contacted the
Selectmen's Office as a result of the advertisement.
Mr. Sarano moved that Lots 194 and 195 Freemont
Street, Lexington, be sold and c onveyed t o Jambs F.
and Mary E. Connell. Mr. Potter seconded the motion,
and it was so voted.
Tax Title
Sale
Chairman read a letter from Mildred B. Seth
complaining of the rubbish, etc. at the rear of the First
National Block of Stores.
The Clerk was instructed to have Mr. Lamont investigate
the complaint, and have the nuisance abated.
Chairman read a letter from Isabel P. McCarter,
Chairman of the Lexington Camping Committee, suggesting
that some of the blankets, originally purchased by the Blankets
Committee on Public Safety, be donated to the Lexington Held Over
Camping Committee.
The Clerk was instructed to acknowledge the letter,
and inform Mrs. McCarterthat an inventory is being made,
and tit her request would be given, consideration at the
time the items are disposed of.
At 8:00 P.M. Mrs. John G. Sexton appeared before
the Board.
Mrs. Sexton asked if anything further had been done
relative to Mrs. Leary's alleged7 claim for damages to Leary
her house on Muzzey Street. Claim.
The Chairman replied that there was no further Falli
information than what Mrs. Sexton already had. He stated Treeg
that from the best information the Board can obtain,
the tree was in good condition and that being the situation,
there was nothing further for the Board to do.
Mr. Sarano asked if anyone had ever requested the
Town to remove the tree, and Mrs. Sexton replied in the
negative. Mrs. Sexton said that the tree came up by the
roots, and she felt that it could have been taken care
of, and that there was a liability on the part of the Town.
The Chairman -replied that the Board assumed Mr.
Garrity would have taken care of the tree if it needed
any work. fe stated that there are no records indicating
that work s hould have been done on the tree which was
not done.
W. Potter explained that the Town Counsel has
ruled on this claim, advising the Board that there is
no responsibility on the part of the Town, and the Board
is acting according to his advice.
Mrs. Sexton asked if she could abtain a copy of
the report made by Frost and Higgins, and the Board
referred her to Mr. Wrightington.
Mrs. Sexton retired at 8:40 P.M.
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Mr. Paxton appear ed before the Board.
He informed the Board that Workmen's Compensation
Insurance. and Public Liability Insurance Policies will expire on
December 31, 1944. Mr. Paxton stated that he had a
proposal prepared by J. F. McNeil, a representative of
the American Mutual, which showed a possible 20%
saving on all Workmen's and Public Liability Policies.
He reminded the Board that the Board of Selectmen voted
some years ago to stay with stock companies.
Mr. Rowse moved that the policies be renewed through
the same companies, and that the Appropriation ommittee
be requested' to give this matter some consideration,
and submit their recommendations as to the possibility
of using a mutual company. Mr. Sarano seconded the
Renew motion, and it was so voted.
Insurance. Mr. Paxton informed the Board that Public Liability
Policy, covering the operations of the Water and Sewer
Department, will expire on January 1, 1945, through the
office of Robert C. Merriam.
Mr. Potter moved that the policy be renewed through
the same office. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and
it was so voted.
Mr. Paxton stated that the policy in the amount of
$1,250.00 on the Aircraft Tower, formerly paid Tor out
Tower ICs. of the Committee on Public Safety Funds, through the
Not re- office of Gilmore Rothery, would expire in the near
rowed. future.
Mr. Rowse moved not to renew this policy. Mr.
Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted..
Mr. Paxton stated that all the insurance for 1945
Held Over. is still pending, and there are some policies which
will expire early in 1945.
It was decided to hold the question of insurance over.
The Chairman informed Mr. Paxton that there had
Div. of been some concern shown by the citizens of the Town
Precincts. relative to the division of precincts, andthat the Board
voted on Saturday to have a study made of this subject,
and to take definite action in December, 1945.
The Chairman said that the next item to betaken
Girls Rest- up with Mr. Paxton was the possibility of fixing up
Room a girls'rest room.
Mr. Paxton stated that the first thing to be done
would be to erect a metal cage in the basement to enclose
the Engineer's equipment now in the room on the second
floor, which is the only room available for a rest room.
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The Chairman read a letter from Gennaro Sanseverino
requesting a street light on Lisbeth Street, Lexington.
Mr. Paxton stated that Lisbeth Street is unaccepted
and suitable for pedestriant.raffic only. He stated
that the Sanseverinots house is no further from any Street
street light on Massachusetts Avenue than the average Light
householder.
Mr. Potter moved that no action be taken on the
request. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so
voted.
Letter was received from Hubert Broderic listing
his qualifications as an insurance broker and requesting Insurance
that consideration be given him when the matter of placing
additional insurance is discussed by the 1:5oard.
The Clerk was instructed to bring this letter to
the Board's attention when the insurance for 1945 is Herd Over
considered.
The Board then discussed budgets, and the following
action was taken:
Account Requested Approved
Engineering Dept. - Expenses 855.00 855.00
,Sewer Maint. -. Wages & Expenses 3,500.00 3,500.00
Highway Mwint. Chapter 90 1,000.00 1,000.00
Traffic Regulation & Control 700.00 600.00
Street Lights 23,700.00 25,200.00
(The item for Boston Edison
Co, was increased from
*23,400.00 to *24,900.00)
Street Signs 500.00 500.00
Highway Dept. :: Road Machinery 27,000.00 27,000..00
Account
Public Works Bldg. - Wages & 6,500.00 6,500.00
Expenses
Insurance
Water Services
6,400.00 6,400.00
3,000.00 3,000.00
Mr. Paxton retired at 9155 P.M.
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The Chairman read a letter from Neil McIntosh offering
Tax Title $200.00 for Lot 108, Farmhurst, Section 3, Hilltop Avenue,
Offer Lexingtcn.
Mr. Rowse moved that a proposal to sell the lot be
advertised in the Lexington MinuteMaan, and that further
consideration be given the offer/at the next meeting of
the Board. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was
so voted.
Application was received frau Rev. Arthur L Dunnigan
for permission to conduct a Christmas Dance in Cary
Use of Hall Memorial Hall on Saturday, December 23, 1944, from 8:00
P.M. to 11:30 P.M.
Mr. .Rowse moved that the use of the hall be granted,
subject to a charge of $15.00. Mr. Sarano seconded the
motion, and it was so voted.
Application was received from.Alfred C. Capone.,
Saddle 1099 Massachusetts Avenue, for permission to keep two
Horses. saddle horses.
Mr. Lamont granted the license, subject to the
approval of the Hoard of Selectmen.
The Chairman asked Mr. Potter if he would check this
location and report on it next week.
- The Clerk .informed the Board that Mr. Wrightington
telephoned the Selectmen's Office on December 6, 1944,
relative to granting a permit to Henry J. Halloran for
permission to transport garbage through Lexington. Mr.
Wrightington.said that Judge Broadhurst said that Henry
J. Halloran will be enjoined from carrying on the pig
business. The decree has not been entered and possibly
Mr. Halloran will go to the Supreme Court. Mr. Wrightington
felt that the Board of Selectmen should give this matter
serious consideration before sending out an application
for a renewal of Mr Hal loran ' s permit
The Board discussed the matter, and upon motion of
Mrs. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted that an
application be sent to Mr. Halloran for a renewal of
his license to transport garbage through the Town of
Lexington.
Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Rowse,
it was voted to grant the following licenses:
Halloran
Garbage
Permit
John S. Burns - 93 Mass. Ave.
Calvin W. 6ailds 409 Mass. Ave.
Herbert M. Lawrence1777Mass. Ave.
Precision Products Marrett Rd.-Wa
Daisy MacAlpine 50 Percy Rd.
Calvin W. Childs 409 Mass. Ave.
William Viano 1794 Mass. Ave.
Common Victualler
Alcohol
n
ltham St. Aleohbl
Innholder
1st Class Agent
Sunday Movies
co
0.4
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The Chairman informed the Board that James H. Russell's
term as Town Accountant would expire on December 31, 1944. Bussell
Upon motion of Mn Potter, seconded by Mr. Sarano, Re -appoint
it was voted to reappoint James H. Russell, Town Accountant Ment
for a three-year term, beginning January 1, 1945. Town
Accountant
The Chairman informed the ',bard .hat Messrs. Leland H.
Emery's and William H. Shannahan s terms as Assessors
would expire on December 31, 1944. Continue
Mr. Rowse moved that a letter be written to Messrs. Assessors
Emery and Shanahan advising that they are to continue in
the capacity of Assessors until further. notice. Mr.
Sarano seconded the motion, and. it was so voted. Deficit
The Chairman read a latter from Mrs. Mary E. Casey,Chapber
Welfare Agent, requesting a transfer of *4,000.00 to 118A
meet a deficit under Chapter 118A of the General Laws O.A.A
(Old Age Assistance) Aid & Expenses.
Mr. nowse moved that the Appropriation Committee
be requested to transfer the sum of *4,000.00 from
the Reserve Fund to meet the estimated deficit under
Chapter 118A of the General Laws (Old Age Assistance)
Aid & Expenses. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and
it was so voted.
A true record, Attest:
r