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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1945-01-29 73 SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 29, 1945 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, January 29, 1945, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Locke, Messrs . Potter, Rowse, Sarano and Sheldon were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 P.M. Mr. William C. Paxton, Supt. of Public Works, appeared before the Board. He stated that during the past week several calls had been received from citizens requesting assistance Coal in having coal delivered. Mr. Paxton said that he under- Emergency stood all municipalities are supposed to cooperate, and Calls it would be helpful if the Board would make some policy so that the public may be told something definite when the calls come in. It was decided to have the Chairman contact Mrs . Casey, explain the situation to her, and ask her cooperation in handling tills for the use of Town equipment for trans- porting coal during an emergency. A letter was received from the Boston Edison Company pertaining to one of the revised Utilities Orders in relation to the conservation of coal. Utility`*s Mr. Paxton said that he had talked with Mr. Washburn Order of the Boston Edison Company who said that what the U - 9 company had in mind was to have the Board of Selectmen bring this matter to the attention of the Police Department for enforcement. Mr. Sheldon moved that a copy of the War Production Board Utilities Order U-9, prohibiting certain uses of electricity be sent to the Chief of Police with the request that his department cooperate in enforcing compliance of this program.. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from Fred E. Hersom, Jr. , 36 Blake Road, Lexington, stating that it is necessary Hersom for Mrs. Hersom to walk from Blake Road to Hillside Request Terrace every day to care for her daughter who is ill. Plow Inasmuch as Blake Road to Burlington Street is the Blake shortest way, it would help Mrs. Hersom if Blake Road Road could be plowed, and he requested the Board to reconsider its decision of January 22, 1945. It was decided that in the event another snow storm occurred this week that Blake Road should be plowed under the circumstances. 74tri CC Application was received from David A. Rix, 503 Waltham Street, requesting a Board of Surley Hearing Rix relative to the laying out or locating the street or Court way designated as Rix Court. Mr. Paxton said that this matter came up a few years ago and Mr. Rix wanted the own to do something. At that time. he was given the idea that the sown did not have money in the drainage account, and it would be available the following year. However, the war prevented any furthehr work of this nature. r. Paxton believed that Mr. ix wanted the Town to have enough money available to take care of the drainage if, and when there is sufficient labor to do the wBrk. However, if a Board of Survey Hearing is held, the oard must act and either accept the plan or reject it. if it is accepted, bond must be filed and an agreement signed that the construction will be completed within a definite period of time. Mr. Paxton said that under the present conditions, heA.id not believe anything could be gained by having a board of Survey Hearing. He said that the Board of Selectmen were someat sympathetic at the first hearing, but he would suggest that this application be withdrawn. It was decided to have Mr. Sarano contact Mr. Aix and explain the situation to him. The Chairman read a letter from the Belmont Board of Health relative to mosquito control. Mosquito The Chairman asked xr. Paxton if he would contact Control the Belmont Board of Health for more detailed information and report to the Board. Mr. Paxton agreed to do so, and retired at 8:15 P.Y. The Chairman read a letter from the Chief of Police stating that Lieutenant Neal had requested reimbursement Lt. Neal for the use of his private automobile in connection with Car Police work. Allowance Mr. Sheldon. moved that the Chairman be empowered to investigate the matter and make some arrangement with the Chief, and, if necessary, include a sum of money in the 1945 budget to cover this item. Mr. Serrano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A letter was received from Albert G. Frothingham, Secretary of the Lexington Allied Veterans Council, submitting the following names to serve on the Torn of Lexington Patriots' DayCommittees John Lamont 8 s as Chairman, - Lexington Minute-Men, Inc. ; Albert H. Burnham - Sons of Union Veterans Malcolm H. Clifford - Veterans of roreign Wars ; Henry u. Cotton - American Legion;Clarence MacPhee - State Gua$d Veterans ; George 75 S. Foster, ex-officio, - Lexington Allied Veterans council; and Alber . Frothinham, Secretary- Treasurer, - Patriots Im inbentAlliiiideYetnrknn,CSunc&11.-7- - Trea. 'er Day Mn Frothingham stated in his letter that the tentative Comm. plans for the celebration of April 19, 1945 pre somewhat similar to that of the past two years. The ouncil requested the sum of $500.00 for Patriots' Day and $250,p0 for the observance of Memorial Day. Mr. Sheldon moved that the members recommended by the Allied Veterans ouncil be appointed to serve as the Town of Lexington Patriots ' Day committee. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Clerk informed the board that t he Women 's Army Corps would lips permission to exhibit a sign about WAC Sign 4j' high by 2j'wide at the Lexington Red Cross Read- & Flag quarters for a period of approximately thirty days. Disp y They would also like permission to display a flag on a 10' pole at the same time. Mr. Sheldon moved that permission be granted. Jr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A litter was received from Mr. Rarold T. Cowan, Cowan 2408 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, stating that he would Tax titles pay $75.00 fpr Lot 32, Summit Avenue, Lexington. Offer Mr. Sarano movedthat a proposal to sell the lot be advertised in the Lexington Minute-Man, and further consideration be given the offer at the next meeting of the Board. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A letter was received from Mr. Wrightington stating that he had completed transfer of Lots 24 and 25, Block Dain s 20, Bertwell Road, Lexington, from the Town to John F. Cole and Margaret Daniels. Mr. Wrightington enclosed a Calx Title check for $225.00 in payment of the lots and also general Case releases from Mr. And Mrs. Daniels and Mr. Cole. Mr. Releases Daniels is conveying a part of the lot to Cole. The Glerk informed the hoard that the School Nurse had brought to her attention the fact that there have been occasions when school children have been confined Rip orting with contagious diseases of which the Board of Health Contagious has lead no report or a delayed report. Diseases Mn Potter moved that the Clerk be authorized to write the Doctors soliciting their cooperation in reporting all coimnunicable diseases. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion , I and it was so voted. 76 pc The Chairman informed the Board that the Clerk tiad received a call from the Massachusetts General Hosgitad requesting the use of the ambulance on January 31, 1948, Use, of to take one Chester Banks of 8 Brandon Street to the Ambulance hospital and return. The Board authorized the use of the ambulance, and the Clerk was instructed to commit the bill, provided the patient is not being aided. At 8:35 P.M. Mr. White appeared before the Board and stated that the Appropriation Committee had approved the Selectmen's Department - Personal Services Budget as follows : Executive Clerk - $35.00 plus 15% plus $2.00 Senior Clerk - 22.00 plus 18% plus 1.00 Mr. White said that the Appropriation Committee had approved 15% increaaea, plus the step rates; this to be effective in all departments. The increases recommended by the Board of Selectmen for the Fire Department, Police Department, Supt. of Public Works, Supt. of Parka & Playgrounds and Secretary in the Assessors' Department were not zpproved. Mr. White retired at 8:43 P.M. Mr. Pfeiffer, a Selectman in Bedford, telephoned and asked the Chairman if the Town of Lexington would Clark's include an Article in the Warrant relative to Clark's Mill Mill Dam in Bedford Which the Town of Bedford wants to purchase. Dam The Board saw no objection to including en Article , and the Chairman told Mr. Pfeiffer that his request would be granted, and asked him to submit detailed information on the matter to the Selectmen. Mr. Sheldon moved fpr reconsideration of action previously taken by the poard relative to Personal Services Budgets. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion. The majority of the Board not being in accord, the motion was, there- fore , lost. The Board considered the Articles in the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting. Art. In At the request of the Board of Fire Engineers, there Warrant is an Article to see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to obtain biga and let a contract for the erection of a new Central ire Station as soon as govern- ment regulations will permit, and appropriate money there- for. There is also an Article relative to the East Lexington sire Station, 77 1S~. Sheldon informed the Board that the Central Fire Station would cost possibly $100,000.00 and the Fire East Lexington Station would cost approximately $40,000.00 Stations It was tentatively voted that $8,000.00 per year be bonded for ten years and $20,000.00 be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account to pay for the cost of a Central Fire Station. It was also tentatively voted that $5,000.00 per year be bonded fop six years and $10,000.00 be appropriated or transferred from the Excess and De icienpy Account for the coat of construction of the East l'ekd . ngton Fire Station. Mr. Hoyt, Chairman of the Appropriationommittee, appeared before the Board and asked if any fuIther• in- Welfare formation had been received relative to the Civil Sallries Service Salary Schedule for the Public Welfare Department. The Chairman stated that he had been advised by Mr. Lyons, Chairman of the Board of Public Welfare, that a new schedule of Public Welfare salaries was prepared in October, but it has not been adopted by the oard of Public Welfare and no step-rate increases are required until thin schedule is adopted. Mr. Hoyt retired. Public Welfare Budgets were then acted upon as follows: Public Welfare Department - Personal Services Mrs. Casey, Temporary Agent, $3¢.00 plus 15%. (No ateprate increase) Miss Mitchell, Temporary Social Worker, $25.00 Plus 18% plus $2.00 Miss Crosby, Jr. Clerk, $22.00 phis 15%. (No atop- rate increase; reached maximum.) A true record, Attest: C ork , I I