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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1945-01-0348 SELECTMEN'S MEETING January _3 , 1945 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Wednesday.evening, January 3, 1945, at 7:30 P.M. The members were notified of this meeting by a notice mailed December 28, 1944. Chairman Loeke, Messrs. Potter, Rowse, Sarano and Sheldon were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 P.M. Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board. Mr. Paxton informed the Board that in 1941 a sewer 'Abate. assessment in the amount of $68.00 was committed against whets Clarence McPhee, Oak Street, Lexington, in error. He Sewer said that -this matter had been brought to his attention Assiut. by the Tax Collector, and that Mr. McPhee justly refused to pay the assessment. Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Paxton be authorized to put through an abatement in the amount of $68.00 com- mitted against Clarence McPhee. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton stated that the Town Office and Cary. Trans. Memorial Building - Expenses Account will run over T.O. & $246.34, due primarily to the fire in the Cary Memorial Cary Building, and he requested a transfer. Exp. Mr. Sheldon moved that the Appropriation Committee Acct, be requested to transfer the sum of $246.34 from the Reserve Fund to the Town Office and Cary Memorial Building - Expenses Account. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton stated that he would also need a transfer Trans. for the Snow Removal Account in the amount of $195.79. Snow He said that he had ordered a snow plow, costing $295.00, Removal which has not yet been delivered. He said that the Approp- Aeeint riation Committee questioned whether or not the snow plow should be charged to Road Machinery, but Mr. Paxton stated that any equipment used by one department only is usually considered a maintenance cost and charged to that particular account, rather than to Road Machinery, Mr. Rowse moved that the Appropriation Committee be requested to transfer the sum of $195.79 from the Reserve Fund to the Snow Removal Account. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Sarano suggested that something be done to remedy the unsightly condition of the Bedford Street dump, inasmuch as complaints have been made by the neighbors in that vicinity. Dump P.W. Bldg. 00 1 Mr. Paxton said that the condition at the dump now is.no different than it has been for the past six months. He said that quite an area has been filled in this year and if dumping is permitted, the space will be filled in that much sooner. He said that it is only the people in the immediate vicinity who wish to have the dump closed. Mr. Sarano moved that Mr. Paxton be authorized to post "No Dumping" signs along the Bedford Street side of the dump at the Public Works Building, and that he also be authorized to erect a fence along the Bedford Street side of the dump; the cost of which is not to exceed 00.00. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton retired at 7:45 P.M., and Messrs. Lewis L. Hoyt, Ronald Brown and J. Milton Brown of the Appropriation Committee appeared before the Board. 49 Dump at Public Works Bldg. Mr. Hoyt said that since his meeting with two School members of the Board the other night, the Appropriation Comm. Committee has again met with the School Committee and Project believes that their project is not at all flexible. Bonus & They feel that they have worked out a program which they Salary want placed before Town Meeting to have the salary structure voted upon. They are, however, willing to hold it off and not have it put into effect until September 1, 1945. The School Committee feels they have waited two years now, and believe that the situation is such that they should go through with it. Mr. Rowse said that as he understood it, the School Committee's argument is that when they employ a teacher to work for a school year they are unable to promise a fixed amount for the entire year, and Mr. Hovt replied that that was correct. Mr. Hoyt said that. the School year runs from September lat to September 1st, and the contract made with the teachers becomes effective September 1st. Mr. Ronald Brown informed the. Board that the School Committee has worked with some school teachers' organization and agreed upon a certain schedule, and he believes the School Committee is committed on whatever conclusions. were made. Mr. Hoyt said that the School Committee wants the Town to authorize it to put a new salary scale into effect, and they are not particular as to whether it will be effective April 1st or September 1st. He stated, however, that if the Appropriation Committee asks them to make the effective. date September lst, there must be some reason given. After considerable discussion on the question, Mr. Sheldon moved that the Board of Selectmen go along with the School Cormuittee, paying a bonus until September 1, 1945, at which time it will be eliminated and substituted as an increase in salary, with adju"stments made at that time. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion. 50 Vote on Salaries and Bonus Appoint Forest Warden Lot on Corner of Mass. Ave. & Parker St. V.F.W. Free Use of Hall Special Police Use Of Hall The majority of the Board of Selectmen were opposed to this motion, and it, therefore, was not carried. Mr. Potter moved that the bonus be eliminated and substituted as a straight salary increase for all regular Town Employees, together with step -rate increases, effective as of April 1, 1945; no salary increase to exceed $400.00, and the increase to be based on December '31, 1944 pay rates. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Sheldon and Mr. Rowse wished to be recorded in opposition. The three members of the Appropriation Committee retired at 9:35 P.M. A letter was received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Division of Forestry, stating that Selectmen in Towns shall annually in January appoint a Forest Warden; such appointment to take effect when approved by the Forester. Mr. Potter moved that Deputy Chief Roy A. Cook be reappointed Forest Warden in the Town of Lexington for the year ending December 31, 1945. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Wrightington regarding the registration of title to the lot at the corner of Parker Street and Massachusetts Avenue. The lot at the west side bounds on an old 15 -foot passageway to which it is believed the Town acquired title as part of the gift of the playground from Augustus E. Scott. Miss Tenney, who owns the lot in question, claimed rights in the passage way. Mr. Wrightington stated that he had persuaded her attorney to withdraw her claim so that when'her lot is registered it will•be bound by the side of the passage, way, without any claim of rights in it.. Mr. Wrightington also enclosed a bill for services in the amount of $25.00. Mr. Potter moved that the bill be approved for payment. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Application was received from the V.F.W. requesting permission to use Cary Memorial Hall on the evening of February 15, 1945, from 8:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M. for a Military Ball. Mr. Potter moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge; this. use to be considered one of the six free uses granted to the organi7a.tion during the year. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Application was received from the Lexington Special Police Department requesting permission to use Estabrook Hall on January 18, 1945, from 8:30 P.M. to 10:30 P.M. for a business meeting. 1 1 Mr. Sarano moved that the.use of the hall be granted, free of charge. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from Chief John W. Rycroft of the Police Department informing the Board that the body of the cruisingcar had been damaged to the extent of approximately 300.00. The cruising car was stopped,,on 'the side of a road when a truck skidded into it pinning it against another truck that had already stopped. Appt. Upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Sheldon, Two it was voted to appoint Lovell Ernst, Manager of the Lexington Sp. Theatre, and Frank George, Doorman of,the Lexington Theatre, Police Special Police Officers in the. Town of Lexington for a term ending March 31, 1945. Mr. Sar,an,o.,aiovgd that the deed,,prepared by Mr. Sign Wrightington, conveying Lot 42, Spring Street, Lexington, Reinap to Mr. Rudolph Reinap be signed. Mr. Sheldon seconded the Deed motion, and it was so voted. 51 Police Cruising Car Damaged Upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted to approve,the following licenses: Licenses Peter J. McDonagh Lillian Newlands Partridge's Food Addie M. Mas on John A. Sellars. William Viano 301 Mass. Ave. 1775 Mass. Ave. 1709 Mass. Ave. tO Oak St. 430 Concord Ave 1794 Mass. Ave. Methyl Alcohol Common'Victualler It Infant Boarding . Past. of Milk Sunday Movies Application was received from Michael O'Gara, 30 Hilltop Avenue, Lexington, for a license to operate a Public Carriage in Lexington. Mr, Potter moved that the lieens fo,be approved; subject to a shtisfaetory character reference from the Chief of Police. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. - r The Clerk was instructed to invite Mr. John A. Lyons and Mrs.. Mary E. Casey of the Board of Put is Welfare to meet with the Selectmen next Monday evening for the purpose of discussing services rendered by Dr. Rochette as Town Physician. The C1-atrman' inf ormed, the Board that he would be unable Meeting to be present on Monday, January 15, 1945. Changed It was, therefore, decided to change the date of the Jan. 16 meeting that week to Tuesday, January 16, 1945. Pub. Carr. Lid. Town Phy. Services A true record, Attest: