HomeMy WebLinkAbout1945-01-03 48 00
SELECTMEN'S MEETING og
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 Locke, 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
Mattee Clarence McPhee, Oak Street, Lexington, in error. He
Sewer said that this matter had been brought to his attention
As: Oat. 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
Acot. 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.
Scow 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.
Damp Mr. Sarano suggested that something be done to
P.W. remedy the unsightly condition of the Bedford Street
Bldg. dump, inasmuch as complaints have been made by the
neighbors in that vicinity.
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Mr. Paxton said that the condition at the dump
now is no different than it has been for the past Dump at
six months. He said that quite an area has been filled Public
in this year and if dumping is permitted, the space will Works
be filled in that much sooner. He said that it is only Bldg.
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 $50.00. 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.
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 Lnderstood 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. Hoyt replied that that was correct.
Mr. Hoyt said that. the School year runs from
September let to September let, 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 1st, 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 adjustments made at that time.
Mr. Rowse seconded the motion.
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tn
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
Vote on substituted as a straight salary increase for all regular
Salaries Town Employees, together with step-rate increases,
and effective as of April 1, 1945; no salary increase to
Bonus 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
Appoint Massachusetts, Division of Forestry, stating that Selectmen
Forest in Towns shall annually in January appoint a Forest Warden;
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
Lot on regarding the registration of title to the lot at the
Corner corner of Parker Street and Massachusetts Avenue. The
of Mass . lot at the west side bounds on an old 15-foot passage way
Ave. & to which it is believed the Town acquired title as part of the
Parker St. 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
registg-ed 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.
pP ;1�
Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
li V.F.W. Application was received from the V.F.W. requesting
Free Use of permission to use Cary Memorial Hall on the evening of
Hall 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 organi7ntion during the year. Mr.
Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
Application was received from the Lexington Special
Special Police Department requegting permission to use Estabrock
Police Use Hall on January 18, 1945, from 8:30 P.M. to 10:30 P.M. for
Of Hall a business meeting.
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Mr. Sarano moved that the use of the hall be granted, Police
free of charge. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it Cruising
was so voted. Car
'
The Chairman read a letter from Chief John W. Rycroft
of the Police Department informing the Board that the body Damaged
of the cruising car had been damaged to the extent of
approximately 000.00.
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. Saran,o, moved 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.
Upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Sarano,
it was voted to approve the following licenses : Licenses
Peter J. McDonagh 301 Mass. Ave. Methyl Alcohol
Lillian Newlands 1775 Mass . Ave. Common Victualler
Partridge's Food 1709 Mass. Ave.
Addie M. Mason B0 Oak St. Infant Boarding
John A. Sellars 430 Concord Ave. Past. of Milk
William Viano 1794 Mass. Ave. Sunday Movies
Application was received from Michael O'Gara, 30 Hilltop Pub.
Avenue, Lexington, for a license to operate a Public Carriage Carr .
in Lexington. Lie .
Mr, Potter moved that the lieens€.,be approved; subject
to a shtisfaetory character reference from the Chief of
Police. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
F r
The Clerk was instructed to invite Mr. John A. Lyons Town
and Mrs.. Mary E. Casey of the Board of Put is Welfare to Phy.
meet with the Selectmen next Monday evening for the purpose Services
of discussing services rendered by Dr. Rochette as Tovsn
Physician.
The Chairman informed 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.
A true record, Attest :
C erkQ f