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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1945-01-16 i 55 SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 16, 1945 t' A reinter meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, en Tuesday evening, January 16, 1945, at 7635 P.N. The members were notified of this meeting by a notice mailed January 10, 1945. Chairman Locke, Messrs. Potter, Sarane and Sheldon were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7:35 P.M. Mr. James J Carroll, Town Clerk, appeared before the Board for'the drawing of two jurors. Irving A. Rich, Storekeeper, 36 Kendall Road, was Jurors drawn, to serve on Civil Business, First Session, at Cambridge, beginning Monday, February 5, 1945. Joseph A. Parke , Salesman, 4 Hillside Terrace, was drawn to serve on Criminal Business, First Session, at Cambridge, beginning Monday, February 5, 1945. Mr. Jasper A. Lane., Insurance and Banking, 177 [Waltham Street, was drawn to serve on Civil Business, Second Session, at Cambridge, beginning Monday, February 5, 1945. II Mr. Carroll retired at 7:40 P.M., and Mr.. Paxton appeared before the Board. The Chairman reads. letter from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Public Works, which Chapter stated that on account of the existing emergency no 1945 90 State Funds will be available for 1945 Chapter 90 Maintnce Construction. The tentative maintenance allowance for Lexington was reduced from $1,000.00 to $900.00. Mr. Paxton retired at 7:45 P.M . and Mr. Rowse arrived at the meeting. 3066, Harry Boyd, 30 Bedford Street, Lexington, ap peared before the Board and said she wished to register a complaint relative to the garage formerly occupied by Complaint Newcomb & Dailey. She stated that it has been rented to Re: a livestock concern, and is used for the storage of Garage garbage and garbage trucks. She said that the trucks come in at night and go out in the -morning and occasionally come in during the day. She stated that the situation is most unpleasant and undoubtedly there will be an objectionable odor during the summer. Mrs. Boyd stated that the neighbors in the vicinity are willing to sign a petition relative to this condition if necessary. The Chairman said that he would request a full report from the Health Inspector. Mrs . Boyd retired at 7:55 P.K. and Chief Ryoroft appeared before the Board. 56 00 a x The Chief stated that he would like to knowwhather I or not some adjustment may be made in the salaries of the Patrolmen, Sergeants and the Lieutenant in the Police Department. He said that there had been rumors that the 15% bonus might be considered a 15% salary increase, and with the variety of talk relative to salaries, some unrest had been caused in his department. The members of the department feel that with the increased cost of living they should stay in close proximity with other departments. The Chief said that he• had talked with numerous departments in other Towns, but they do not know ghat action will be taken. The Chief presented the following schedule of salaries of surrounding Towns as a comparilpp with Lexington. Chief Captain Lieut. Sergeant Patrolmen Bonus Arlington '44 $4000. $ $3000. $27006- $6.04-6.54 $104. '45 4200. 3100, 2800, 2464. 300. Belmont '44 4200. 2940. 2520. 1900-2310 '45 4200. 2940. 2520. 1900-2310 250. Cambridge '44 4700. 3200. 2950. 2750. 1082.80-2390 '45 5000. 3400. 3150. 2950. 289.0. As of J la Waltham 144 4350. 3300. 3000. 2700. 1900-2400 '45 4350. 3300. 3000. 2700. 1900-2400 Watertown '44 3300. 2900. 2700. 2550. 2100-2300 '45 3300. 2900. 2700. 2580. 2100-2300 15% ' Wakefield '44 3000. 2700. 2400. 2190. '45 3200. 2B00. x600. 2390. Plus 10 of ZS% Reading '44 145 3341.25 2778.30 2548.30 3341.25 2778.30 2546.30 Natick '44 '-•2850. 2600. 2400. 1945 Undeeide Wellesley 144 3000. 2350. 2100. $300. '45 3300. 2650. 2300. 300. Needham '44 3300. 2550. 2200. '45 3600. . 2850. 2500. Stoneham '44 3000. 2400. 2190. 10%Bonua '45 3000-3500 2400-2700. 2200-0500 15% " ton Lexin 144 3000. 2502.86 2346: 2190. Lexington 2502.86 2346. 2190,E 1S onu� '45 3000. 14I per 12¢per da. 104per da. day increase increase 57 The Chief stated that a Patrolman's basic pay is 06.00 II per day and by adding the 15% bonus he would receive Police 6. 90 per day. The Chief suggested increasing the Dept. Patrolman's rate 10% per day which would make a base Salaries pay of *7.00 a day. This would mean a 12% per day increase for the Sergeants and a 14% per day increase .for the Lieutenant. The Chairman asked if there was any particular reason why these Towns were selected as a comparison, and the Chief replied simply because they surrounded Lexington. Chief Ryoroft retired at 8t15 P.H. and George W. Emery and Robert Fawcett of the Board of Fire Engineers appeared before the Board. Mr. Emery said there were two things he wanted to discuss this evening. First was the gueetion of wages, and second was an Article in the Warrant authorizing Fire Dept« the Selectmen to obtain bids and let a contract for the new fire station. He said that the plans will be ready at the Town Meeting for the Central Station, but it was uncertain whether, or not the plans for East Lexington Central Station would be ready. The architect estimates a cost Fire of $88,000.00, plus whatever the rise in price is since Station 1941. This may moan an increase of 10% or 12% over 1941 prices. This figure does not include grading, connect— ing services or any special items. It would include plumbing and heating. Mr. Emery stated that he has no idea what the furnishings would cost. He said that he presumed that there would be an Article- which would authorize the Selectmen to receive bids and let a contract as soon as government regulations would permit. Mr. Emery felt that the Town Counsel should phrase the ;Article. Mr. Sarano asked if much grading would be required, and Mr. Emery replied that they would need. a lot of fill, and the architect will recommend that the Town Art. do the grading, the sidewalks and the driveway work. Warrant Mr. Rowse moved that an Article be inserted in the Warrant authorizing the Selectmen to obtain bids and let a contract for the new fire station as soon as govern- ment regulations will permit. Hr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Hr. Rowse also moved that an Article be inserted in the Warrant authorizing the Selectmen to receive East Lex. bids and let a contract for the East Lexington :Fire Fire Station Station also. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Hr. Emery said that Fire Engineers would have a report ready on Civil Service relative to an Article Civil Ser. in the Warrant covering this matter. vice Article 58 0o Mr. Emery said that it was no secret that the School Committee is going to ask for a straight salary increase rather than a bonus, and this being so, the Board of Fire Engineers feel that they should do the same. Mr. Emery presented a proposed wage scale for members of the Fire Department. BASE PAY. .OLD NEW $7.00 per day and .40 for each Senior) $2190 plus 15%- $2555. rating Privates) $2518.50 per day Lieutenant 2290 plus 15%- 2701. 2633.50 Captain 2390 plus 15%- 2847. 2748.50 Master Mech. 2290 plus 15 .%- 2701. 2633.50 Deputy Chief 2800 plus is%- 3300. Or whatever Chief 3175.00 .P.D. will get #375. max. minus #60. STEP RATES OLD NNE $4.50 per day let year $5.50 per day 1st year i 5.00 per day 2nd year 8.25 per day 2nd year 5.50 per day 3rd year. 7.00 per day 3rd year and thereafter 6.00 per day 4th year and thereafter CALL MEN OLD NEN #125. year plus 15% -$143.75 $150. yearly plus $15. yearly after 5 years " 25. yearly after 10 years He stated that the base pay of a private or a patrolman in the fire and police departments have been the same respectively for some years. Mr. Emery informed the Board that the Board of Fire Engineers voted to bring the bonus into the regular pay. Mr. Fawcett stated that the Engineers were of the opinion that the men in the fire department should have more pay and, therefore, voted to take the same action 58 as taken by the school department. Mr. Rowse expressed the opinion that he thought this was not a logical time to establish basic pay rates because there are so many features and elements to distort the picture. He said he would like to avoid the problem of cutting pay in the future. Mr. Potter said that he felt it did make a great difference whether or not the employees were given a 15% increase in salary or a bonus, and pointed out the fact that the number of employees in the Highway Depart. menthes gone from forty to eight. Mr. Emery said that at the present time all he can offer a new man is $4.50 per day, and it is lust impossible to hire anyone at the rate of pay. He said he did not know Whether it would be po*sible to hire a man for $6.00 or $7.00 a day, but he believed the chances would be better. The Chairman asked Mr. Emery if he thought it would make any difference to the men he had last year if they received $6.90 a day or $6.00 a day plus 15% bonus. Mr. Emery said that he believed the men would be more satisfied with $6.90 a day. He said they do know the difference because their pension is based on their full rate of pay, and all the men are aware of this. He said that the men all feel that a pay raise is better than a bonus. Mr. Alan Adams of the Board of Fire Engineers arrived at 8s40 P.M. Mr. Emery said that undoubtedly there would be Veterans of this war applying for positions in the police and fire departments and it would seem that a better type of man could be employed if the salary were more attractive. Mr. Emery said that the Fire Engineers think the differentials and the base pay of the fire and police departments should be the same because the work is similar. Mr. Emery said that the Board of Fire Engineers were going to recommend Civil Service for the fire department, and with good pay rates they hope to be able to obtain a better type of man for the department. Mr. Rowse asked what the rates recommend were based upon, and Mr. Emery replied that in the first place they were based on .$7.00 a day which is 10¢ more than they now receive4 The Engineers also felt that they should be the same as the rates in the police department. Mr. Emery said that no attempt had been made to reach or equal any other Town, Mr. Sheldon asked what the new wage scale would cost over the present system, and Mr. Emery replied between $600.00 and $700.00. 60 00 Mr . Emery said that the step-rate increases shown on the proposed new wage scale were made up irrespective of the school department or police department. He said that the Engineers believe very definitely .in the step— rate increases. He said that no one can employ a good man for $4.50 a dry. Where it formerly took three years and a day to reach the maximump ,the Engineers are proposing two years and a day to reach the maximum. The Chairman asked Mr. Emery if he could meet with the Board on Saturday afternoon, January 20, 1945, and submit data pertaining to the salaries paid in .other Towns. Mr. Emery agreed to do so, and the group retired at 9:80 P.Y. A letter was received from Harold .T. Cavan, 2408 Held Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, offering the sum of Over $50.00 for Lot 32, Summit Avenue, Lexington. It was decided to hold the offer over !or one week. The Chairman read .a letter tram the Appropriation Transfers Committee advising that the sum of $115.99 should be transferred from the Reserve Fund to the Snow Removal Account. The Appropriation Committee also voted to transfer the sum of $243.34 from the Reserve Fund to the Town Offices and Cary Memoriar 'Bhilding - Expenses Account. Application was received from the Lexington Athletic Booster Club requesting the use of la)abrook Hall on the I Use of evening of January 17, 1945, from 8100 P.Y. to 11s30 P.M. Hall for a general meeting. Mr . Rowse moved that the use of the hall be granted, free of charge. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Clerk informed the Board that the Special Police would like permission to use Eatabrook Hall on the . evening of January 18, 1945, as previously granted. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr Sarano, it was voted to grant the following licenses! Licenses Henry J. Halloran South Acton Trans. Garbage (Renewal) Waverly Hardware 1756 Mass. Ave. Alcohol Swenson Brothers 210 Marrett Rd. Past. of Milk William Viano 1794 Mass. Ave. Sunday Movies. * 61 ' Mr. Sarano moved that the deed conveying Lots 24 and 25, Bertwell Road, Lexington, to John F. and Margaret Daniels, having been prepared by Mr. Wrightington, be Daniels signed. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so Deed voted. Signed Inventory of the Medical Supplies belonging to the Lexington Committee on Public Safety was received from Medical Melville W. Webb former Chairman,. Inventory Cass. Public Sft., Mr. Rowe. suggested that there should be an Article in the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting conveying a 15% bonus, in the event the Town AeetingMembers would Article prefer to pay a bonus of 15% rather that a 15%salary increase. Mr. Rowse said that complaints had been made relative to the way the records aro being kept pertaining to the Vets .Veterans of World War II, and, he thought that definite Wr II steps should be taken to establish a complete up to date ,system. It wets decided to meet Saturday afternoon at 2:30 P.M. for the purpose of discussing budgets. Meeting A true record„ Attest: .7),Nk2- 111