HomeMy WebLinkAbout1944-12-18 36 GC
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SFLECTME 1S MEETING JC
December 18, 1944
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was
held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building,
on Monday evening,,December 18, 1944 at 7:30 P.M.
Chairman Locke, Messrs. Potter, Rowse, Sarano and Sheldon
were present. The Clerk was also present. The members
were notified of this meeting by a notice mailed December
16, 1944.
At 7:30 P.M. Hearing was declared open on the
application of Stanley N. White for permission to install
three underground tanks for the storage of three thousand
gallons of gasoline on the premises at 286 Lincoln St. ,
Lexington, The notice of the hearing was read by the
Chairman.
Mrs. Hinxman, mother of the applicant, was the
Stanley N. only person present at the hearing.
Mr. Potter asked if there had ever been tanks at
White this location before, and Mrs. Hinxman replied that
Gasoline there had been three one-thousand gallon tanks on
Application this site. She informed the Board that Mr. Hinxman
Three leased the property to the Shell Oil Company who pur—
Under- chased the equipment. When they wanted to cancel the
Ground lease before the expiration date, they took the tanks
Tanks . with them, inasmuch as the Hinxmans were financially
unable to purchase them. The Sun Oil Company is now
interested in operating the station, providing under-
ground tanks are installed.
Mr. Sheldon asked how long the gasoline station
had been operated, and Mr_ . Hinxman replied that her
husband had operated it since 1937.
Mr. Sarano asked if the property were listed in the
name of Stanley N. White, and Mrs. Hinxman replied in
j the affirmative.
Mrs. Hinxman retired at 8:45 P.M.
Mr. Sarano moved that the application of Stanley
N. White for permission to install three underground
tanks for the storage of three thousamd gallons of gas-
oline on the premises at 286 Lincoln Street be granted;
subject to the approval of the board of Fire Engineers.
Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
Chief Rycroft appeared before the Board at 8:50
P.M. He stated that he would like to purchase 125
badges for the Auxiliary Police, and charge this item
to the committee on Public Safety Account. He stated
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that the best price he could obtain was $165 per badge.
which would make a total cost of $206.25. He informed Auxiliary
the Board that the Auxiliary Police held regular meetings Police
once a month, and still donate service to the Town. Badges
Mr. Potter asked how this price compared with the
price previouslyaid for badges, and the Chief reified
that he had paid $2.50 each.
Mr. Rowse asked if the other badges had been
purchased and charged to the Committee on Public Safety
Account, and the Chief replied in the affirmative .
Rowse asked if they could be purchased before
the end of the year, and the Chief replied that he
was assured of ten day delivery.
Mr. Rowse moved that the sum of $206.25 be approved
for the purchase of 125 badges for the Auxiliary Police;
this amount to be charged to the Committee on Public
Safety Account. Mn Sheldon seconded the motion, and it
was so voted.
Chief Rycroft retired at 7:55 P.M., and the following
members of the Appropriation Committee appeared before
the Board: Messrs. Hoyt, Brown, Bryant, Hynes , Jenney,
Winlock, and Brown.
Mr. Hoyt explained that the School Committee had
presented a proposition to the Appropriation Committee
and he would like to know the reaction of the Board of
Selectmen so that the School Committee may be advised
whether or not it will be necessary to revise its budgets,‘,
They have submitted budgets with a 15% increase in salary
to all on the School, Department, with the exception of
the janitors and the clerks . The School Committee prefers
a permanent salary increase of 15%, rather than the bonus.
They suggested that the 15% increase in salary be put
into effect September 1, 1945, and that they go along
with the bonus unti 1 that time.
Mr. Potter asked why the School Committee didn't
feel the same about the janitors and the clerks as they
did about the teachers .
Mr. Hoyt replied that the School Committee felt
that the teachers have not been paid what they should have
been paid and have rated higher salaries for some time.
Bt said that the raises were figured on a basi a of
teachers with degrees and without degrees. He said that
the School Committee agreed that perhaps the clerks and
janitors did not come into the same category as the
teachers.
Mr. Sheldon asked if the difficulty was that they
were having difficulty in hiring teachers, and Mr. Hoyt
replied in the negative stating that they felt higher
salaries had been due for some time which would put
Lexington in the class with surrounding Towns.
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Mr. Ronald Brown informed the Board that at the
present time there is a maximum on the grade schools
and on the Junior and Senior High Schools, and the
School t'ommittee proposes to forget that basis. He
further stated any teacher has put in a nuttier of years
training. Whatever a teacher is trained for, the School
Committee would prefer to hire her for that particular
job. The Committee claims that on the present basis if
they desire to hire a teacher for the rade schools
there is a maximum, and it is difficult Cb get a
teacher for that amount. By going on a schedule that
calls for "with degrees" and "without degrees" teachers
could be hired according to the schedule.
Mr. Sheldon said that it would appear that there
are two issues, one is the School dommittee's criticism
of their own salary system, and the second is the
bonus issue.
Mr. Potter reminded the group that the only issue
that the Board of Selectmen is interested in is that
of the bonus.
Mr. Hoyt said that the School Committee wants to
be able to hire teachers for a definite permanent salary,
and not on a year to year basis , that is promising a
bonus. He said that if the teachers were paid a salary
and a bonus, they felt that the bonus could be eliminated
any time.
Mr. Bryant said that 4r. Grindle's argument was
that in hiring a teacher at the end of the year, he
would have no authority to advise her that there would
be a bonus paid the following year.
Mr. Hoyt stated that the problem is how to reconcile
the School Committee 's request with the rest of the Town.
The School Committee desires to establish a higher scale
for salaries.
Mr. Locke informed the Appropriation Committee that
the Selectmen as a Board had not arrived at any dicision
relative to the bonus or salary increases.
Mr. Hoyt said that the Appropriation Committee
would like to see the bonus continued and that step rate
increases have not been debated.
Mr. Hoyt said that the School Department has included
in its budgat. a request for several thousand dollars for
a kinderrrartef, and the Appropriation Committee thought
possibly this item should be handled through a separate
article, rather than the regular School Department
budget. The School Committee claims that they have the
authority and the responsibility to overate a kindergarten.
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Mr. Bry ant said that the School Committee has two
reasons for including this item in the budget: Kindeegarten
First - they have a petition signed by a few hundred
people, and Second - they have inquired as to the
benefits of a kindergarten, and find that a child who
spends two years in a kindergarten is three years ahead
of the average child in the first grade.
Mr. Hoyt informed the Board that the Appropriation
Committee had not taken any position on this matter,
but they did feel that it would be fairer if the towns-
people had an opportunity to vote on it at Town Meeting.
The Appropriation Committee retired at 8:40 P.M.
Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board.
The Chairman said that the question has come up Insurance
as to whether or not the insurance policies for the coming
year are to be renewed through the same agents.
Mr. Paxton said thet he is trying to make July lst
the expiration date on all policies .
Mr. Paxton said that for the first quarter the
following policies would be expiring: $4,000.00-
Elmer A. Lord - Ja- uary 5, 1945; 411,000.00. George W.
Taylor & Son - January 5, 1945; $11,100.00 - Robert
' Whitney - February 8, 1945; $90,000.00 - Elmer A. Lord-
March 1, 1945; and $60,000.00 - George W. Taylor & Son -
March 1, 1945 .
Upon motion of Mr. howse, seconded by Mr. Sheldon,
it was voted to cancel the following policies as of
January 5, 1945: Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, expiring
January 5, 1945, $ 4,000.00; Fireman' s Fund Insurance
Company, expiring January 5, 19.45,. $90,000.00; and
Aetna Insurance Company, expiring May 6, 1945, $10,000.00.
Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sheldon,
it was then voted that these policies be renewed through
the agency of Elmer A. Lord & Company for a period of
approximately five years and 178 days, expiring July 1, 1950.
Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sheldon,
it was voted to cancel the following policies placed
through Robert Witney, expiring February 8, 1945:
Hartford Fire Insurance. Company - February 8, 1945-
411,160 .00• Home Insurance Company of New York - April
1, 1945 - $15,000.00; and Home Insurance Company of
New York - December 5, 1945 - $20,000.00.
Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sheldon,
it was voted that one policy be written in the amoant
of $46,100.00 for a period of approximately five years
11 and 145 days, expiring July 1, 1950, through the office
of Robert Whitney.
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Upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Rowse,
it was voted to cancel the policy of $10,000.00. expiring
on April 16, 1945, through the agency of W. S. Couette,
and rewrite the policy with the same agent as of January
5, 1945 in the amount of $21,000.00 for a period of
approximately five years and 178 days, expiring July 1,
1950. $11,000.00 of this amount was formerly placed
through the agency of George W. Taylor & Son with an
Held expiration date of January 5 1945.
Over Feb. The Chairman requested Mr. Paxton to take up the
question of insurance again sometime during the Math
of February.
Mr. Paxtcn reported on the list of unpaid accounts
' Unpaid submitted a few weeks ago, and said that there are several
Accounts miscellaneous charges going back as far as 1936. The
majority are for turn ons and turn offs at $1.00 each.
One item is for damage to a hydrant in 1943. A bill
was sent to the man who caused the damage, in the amount
Abatements of $103.50, but he now lives out of state. There are
a few for repairs to water services not amounting to more
than five or six dollars each; the total of the entire
group about $1,264.50.
Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Sheldon,
it was voted to abate miscellaneous water charges as
follows*
193& - $9.78; 1939 - 1.00; 1940 - 418.00. 1941 - $8.85;
1942 - $33.74; 1943 - $157.23 and 1944 - $26.00.
Mr. Paxton said that the next list that he had
was water guarantees which had been given to Mr. Wright-
ington in 1940. He said that ,prior to 1935, the amount
outstanding was $955.15.
Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Sheldon ,
it was voted to abate the following water guarantees:
Margaret Dempsey 175.87 1935 & prior
Henry J. Nutt 280.21 " " "
James S. Mowat 93.29 No longer resident of Mass.
Angelica Young 227.59 Deceased
William R. Rogerson 24.46 1935 & Prior
John Donavan 18.98 1937 & Prior
Charles Higgins 13.18 1936 °• Prior
Russell B. Allen 51.45 Financially unable to pgy
E. E. Holton 250.52 Deceased
Frank Maguire 183.80 Several years illness in family
Louise Hannaford 36.31 Old Age Assistance.
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IIUpon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Sheldon,
it was further voted to instruct iiIr. Paxton to request
Mr. Wrightington to report as to the collectability
of the following water guarantees : James S. Smith -
268.04; Lexington Real Estate Trust, Robert Ryder Trustee -
703.01; Rupert H. Stevens - $228.15 and Harvey Wheeler -
225.00.
The Board of Selectmen also considered sewer house
connection charges, and upon motion of Mn Potter, seconded
by Mr. Sheldon, it was voted to abate the following
charges : Leland McConchie - $12. 75; Louis Ruocco -
$9.72 and John Anderson - $15.22.
The Board also voted tq instruct Mr. Paxton to
request Mr. Wright ingto n to report as to the collect-
ability Of the following sewer house connection charges :
Daniel J. O'Connell - Committed September 27, 1938 -
$44.13; and Viano Realty Corp. - committed October 14, 1941 -
$219.83.
The Board requested Mr. Paxton to obtain further
information pertaining to the sewer house connection
charge committed May 26, 1940, in the amount of $65.77,
against Melville W. Webb, before submitting same to
Mr. Wrightington.
Upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Rowse,
it was voted to abate tne following Highway Department
charge: Woodland Riding Acadamy, committed Decemo:er
31 , 1941 - $10.00.
Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, se •onded by Mr. Sheldon,
it was voted to abate the following Public Works Charges :
John Bieren - committed BtovemJer 22, 1943 - $10.00;
And Arthur Pierce - Committed November 22, 1943 $22.50.
Edward W. Taylor- committed November 3 , 1942 - $45.70
The Chairman read a letter from Augene J. Viano,
President of the Colonial Garage, Inc. stating that
abort six weeks ago employees of the Frost & Higgins
Company of Arlington, on removing a large branch of the
elm tree in front of their garage, allowed the branch
to fall knocking off two flood lights on a steel pole,
damaging the lights possibly beyond repair. No estimate
of damage has been received to date.
Mr . Paxton stated that �`r. Garrity had received
a letter from Frost & Higgins advising him that they
are covered by insurance.
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The Clerk was instructed to acknowledge the letter
from the Colonial Garage, Inc. , and advise them that
their alleged claim had been referred to Frost <t(
Higgins, who the Board understands are covered by insurance.
Mr. Paxton said that he would like the Board to
reaffirm the vote of the Selectmen as of March 29 , 1928,
Reaffirm pertaining to the duties and responsibilities of the
Supt . Superintendent of Public Works. This vote stated that
Vote the following divisions were included in the Department
of Public Works : Highway, Water, Sewer, Engineering,
Park, Public Buildings (with the exception of the Schools
Libraries and Fire Stations) Building, Plumbing and
Wiring.
Mr. Sheldon moved that the Chairman be authorized
to write a letter to these various departments reaffirming
the vote as requested by Mr. Paxton. Mr. Sarano seconded
the motion, and it was so voted.
The Chairman read a letter from Raymond Le White
advising that the Appropriation Committee had voted
Transferto transfer the sum of $75. 48 from the Reserve Fund
to the Registrations Department - Expenses Account.
Letter was received from Mr. dames J. Carroll
• Census informing the Board that material furnished by the
Material State for the census to be taken in 1945 has been delivered
to his office.
The Board gave further consideration to Mr. Neil
McIntosh's offer of $200.00 for Lot 108, Farmhurst,
Tax Sale Section 3, Hilltop Avenue, Lexington. A proposal to
sell this lot was advertised in the December 14, 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 Lot 108, Farmhurst, Section 3,, Hilltop Avenue,
Lexington, be sold and conveyed to kr. Neil McIntosh.
Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
A bill was received from William H. Ballard,
Parking Chairman of the Committee on Parking Facilities, in the
Comm. amount of $7.13 for expenses incurred by his Committee.
Bill Mr. Rowse moved that the bill be paid and charged
to the Unclassified Account. Mr. Potter seconded the
motion, and it was so voted.
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, Alfred C. Capone's application for a permit to Permit
keep two saddle horses at 299 Massachusetts Avenue, Saddle
Lexington,held over from last week, was then considered. Horses
Mr. Potter reported that he had investigated the
locality and he would recommend granting the permit.
Mr. Rowse moved that the permit be approved. Mr.
Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
Letter was received from major James. H. Russell
expressing his appreciation for his reappointment as Re Aop't
Town Accountant for a three year term, beginning January Accountant
1, 1945.
Application was received from Kenneth Lima of the
Lexington High School for permission to conduct a High
School Dance on the evening of December 28, 1944, from Use of Hall
8:00 P.M. to 12:00 P.M.
Mr. Rowse moved that the use of the hall be granted;
subject to a charge of $25.00, plus a police officer
and matron. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it
was so voted.
Mr. Rowse moved that the deed, prepared by Mr.
Wrightington, conveying lots 14 and 15, Park Street, Sign
Lexington, to Mr. Wallace C. r`Jeisinger, be signed. Deed
Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
Mr. Rowse also moved that the d eed, prepared by Sign
Mr. Wrightington, conveying Lots 194 and 195, Freemont Deed
Street, Lexington, to James F, & Mary E. Connell, be
si-Lned. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was
so voted.
A letter was received from Mr . Scamman, Tax Collector,
stating that his department would take care of theLback Back
taxes due the Town, and he expects to have them settled Taxes
early in 1945.
Report was received from the Board of Public
Welfare relative to the Board's inquiry regarding the Accounts
list of Accounts Receivable an Old Age Assistance and Receivable
Public Welfare.
Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Sheldon,
it was voted to approve the following licenses : Listenses
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011
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Carroll Brothers 31 Allen St. Trans. of Garbage (Renewal)
John A. Janse 26 Greenwood St. " " " M
Mantel Silva State Rd. , Lincoln"` n n n
John E. McHugh Virginia Rd. eon. " " " "
Kennedy Brothers 142 Winter St. Wal! " " "
James F. Morse & Co. 66 Norfolk Ave. Rex"' " " •
N. E. Rendering 00. 39 Market St. , Bri. " " " " k 1
Bernice H. rogue 239 Woburn St. , Lex" " " n
Frank Reynolds South Rd., Bed'. " " " it
Pattison Bros . Middlesex St. Burl. " " " If
Leslie J. Wood 62 Webb St. , Lex. " " n n
Mary A. & Ernest R Rowland 150 Lowell St Common Victualler"
Mike & Christy Hallos 1715 Mas. . Ave. " " "
Edgar J. Thivierge 1620 Mass. Ave. " " "
F. K. Johnson, Inc. 39 Bedford St. Alcohol License "'
George F. Taylor 424 Marrett Rd. Common Victualler"
Morris Motors 400 Waltham St. 2nd class Agent "
F. K. Johnson 39 Bedford St. 1st Class Agent "
Violet P. burgess 34 Fletcher Ave. Infants Boarding"
William Viano 1794 Mass. Ave. Sunday Movies "
Tax Title Letter was received from John F. O'Connor offering
$200,00 for Lot 124, Section $, Farmhurst, Kendall
Road, Lexington.
Held Over The Chairman asked Ir. Potter to check this offer
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and report at the next meeting of the Board.
'Town Offices The Clerk informed the Board that inquiries had
been made as to whether or not the Town Offices would be
Christmas closed Saturday, December 23, 1944 end $aturday, December
New Year 30, 1944.
Closed Mr. Sheldon moved that the Town Office Building be
closed all day Saturday, December 23 , 1944 and all day
Saturday, December 30, 1944. Mr . Sarano seconded the
motion, and it was so voted.
It was decided to hold the next meeting of the
Board on Tuesday, December 26, 1944, and to have the
first meeting in 1945 on Wednesday, January 3, 1945.
A true record, Attest:
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