HomeMy WebLinkAbout1945-04-02 131
SELECTMEN'S MEETING
April 2, 1945
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was
held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on
Monday evening, April 2, 1945 at 7 30 P.M. Chairman
Locke, Messrs . Potter, Sarano, Rowse and Sheldon were
present. The Clerk was also present.
At 7 :30 P.M. Mr. George W. Emery, Chief Engineer
of the Board of Fire Engineers, appeared before the Sell
Board. 1923
Mr. Emery stated that the Fire Department has a Lincoln
1923 Lincoln chassis formerly used as a brush fire Chassis
wagon. He said that this piece of equipment was
junked as fire apparatus about two years ago, and the
Board of Fire Engineers would like to have the author-
ity to dispose of it.
Mr. Sheldon moved that the Board of Fire Engineers
be authorized to obtain bids for the 1923 Lincoln Chassis Fire
formerly used by the Fire Department as a brush fire Dept .
wagon. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so
voted.
At 7 :40 P.M. Mr. William C. Paxton, Superintendent
of Public Works, appeared before the Board.
Mr. Paxton called the Board' s attention to the fact
that the perambulation of the Town' s bounds should be
done this year, and in the past the Board has appointed Perambul-
Mr. Spencer and Mr. Cosgrove as substitutes for the ation
Selectmen. Town
Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Cosgrove be requested to Bounds
act as a substitute for the Board of Selectmen, and that
Mr. Frederick J. Spencer also be appointed a substitute,
subject to the approval of the Board of Assessors . Mr.
Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
Mr. Paxton informed the Board that the men in the
Public Works Department who are now receiving 70ct or 850' Wage
an hour will be receiving 8020', 86 3/4, and 97 3/4. Rates
Mr. Paxton presented .a list recommending_ an increase
in the rates as follows :
Name Present Rates Suggested Rates
Brenton .85 1.00
Cataldo .75 .90
' Galvagno .70 .82
Mackenzie •75 .90
Nutt .75 .90
Paladins .70 .82
Ryan .75 .90
Silva .76 .90
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Name Present Rate Suggested Rate
Vitale .75 .90
Weisinger .90 1.05
Rourke .75 .90
O'Neil .70 .82
Hauck 1.25 1.25
Shea .85 1.00
Harrington .90 1.05
O'Connor 1.00 1.15
He said that he would suggest increasing the
three men now receiving 70V per hour to 82V per hour
and the rest of the men he given a straight 15V
increase . He said that neither of these three men
can operate equipment.
After considering the proposed schedule, upon motion
of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Potter, it was voted to
authorize Mr. Paxton to increase the wage rates of the
men in his department as follows : The present rate of
70V now being paid to three men to be increased to 82V;
the present rates of 75V and 85¢ to be increased 15V
each; the present rate of 90V to be increased to $1.05;
and the present rate of $1. 00 to be increased to 01.15.
Mr. Paxton informed the Board that he had received
prices on a snow loader from three different companies.
Vote to He stated that there are three units used in and around
Purchase this area, namely the Barber-Greene, Haiss and the Nelson.
Snow Of these three makes, Mr. Paxton prefers the Barber-Greene
Loader unit. The price quoted on the Nelson is $5,192.00 at
Boston and a Crawler unit at $5,392.00. The price quoted
on the barber-Greene unit is $5, 280.00 and the Haiss
$5.400.00. Mr. Paxton said that where he would have only
one machine, he would prefer the Crawler type . He informed
the Board that the price on the Haiss was quoted to him
verbally, and he has no written bid. Mr. Paxton said that
Nelson does make a smaller unit that sells for $3,470.00,
but he would prefer a larger machine.
Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Paxton be authorized to
purchase a Barber-Greene snow loader at a price not to
exceed $5,280.00. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and
it was so voted.
The Chairman said that the Lexington collection of
clothing will be held on April 22, 1945. This drive is
Clothing being supervised by Mr. Don MacCarter and Mrs . Harold
Drive Wheeler who would like permission to use the back part
of the basement of Cary Hall to sort and pack the clothing.
Mr. Paxton said that he could see no objection to
granting the use of the space
Mr. Rowse suggested that possibly the Barnes property
might be more suitable.
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The Clerk was instructed to notify Mrs. Wheeler
II that the Board had no objection to their using the Cary
Building or, if they preferred, the Barnes Property.
The Chairman said that they would also like to use
Town trucks.
Mr. Paxton said that municipal equipment has not been
used in most of these salvage campaigns. He said that in Clothing
talking with Mrs . Wheeler she seemed to think that there Drive
would be between twenty-two and twenty-five depots in the
Town from which they would bring the clothing to a central
location for sorting. He said that if this arrangement
were carried out, beachwagons would be an ideal solution
to the transportation problem.
The Board felt that every effort should be made to
use private cars, and that only as a last resort should
Town equipment be used.
At 8 :10 P.M. Mr. Joyce , Chairman of Selectmen in
Bedford, Mr. Larken, Chairman of the Water Commissioners
in Bedford, a Mr. Atwood, Mr. Puffer and Theodore A. Clark' s
Custance appeared before the Board. Mill
Mr. Joyce said that they were trying to control the Dam
water which was flooding part of Bedford, and at their Draining
last Town Meeting it was voted to appropriate $4,000.00
to purchase dam rights of Clark' s dam. He said that it
is believed that by eliminating this dam the flooding
conditions would be remedied both in Bedford and Lexing-
ton. Mr. Clark is asking $8,000.00 for the dam rights.
Mr. Joyce said that until the existing situation is
corrected, there is nothing that can be done to drain the
area, and the reason they are discussing this subject
tonight is to find out what cooperation may be expected
from the Town of Lexington.
Mr. Custance said that if by cooperating with the
Town of Bedford the water level could be lowered sufficient-
ly, then there is an opportunity for the Town of Lexington
to do something for the Town of Bedford. He said he did
not know how much the level would be lowered if the dam
were removed, but he had been informed that it would be
possibly nine feet.
The Chairman stated that according to the elevations
on the map submitted by Mr. Cosgrove, the Town Engineer,
the water level in Lexington would not be lowered at all.
Mr. Custance said that he was merely interested in
this project as a citizen in the Town of Lexington.
The Chairman asked if it wouldn' t be necessary to lower
the entire brook in order to obtain proper water drainage .
Mr. Puffer replied that to a certain extent that was
correct.
Mr. Puffer said that if a complete drainage project
were undertaken it would be necessary to test the natural
water bed.
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Mr. Rowse asked what would be accomplished for the
Town of Bedford if the level of the river bed were
lowered.
Mr. Puffer replied that it would accomplish a more
rapid flow-a-way of the present water at the brook. He
said that a drop of the present level of about 32' or
4' would give the surrounding territory a chance to drain
into the brook at a much lower level than it does now.
Mr. Potter asked if the dam held water back the whole
summer, and Mr. Puffer replied that it did With the exception
of a few weeks .
Mr. Sarano asked if the dam were being used at the
present tire , and Mr. Larken replied in the affirmative.
Mr. Rowse asked how much interest there had been shown
in Bedford relative to doing the complete job of lowering the
level, and Mr. Puffer replied that a great deal of interest
had been shown.
The Chairman asked if an engineering survey had been
made .
Mr. Joyce said that the County Commissioners had been
contacted a week ago, at which time he was not aware of the
meeting this evening. He said that he would like to have
the Selectmen of Lexington express their desire to cooperate
to the extent that Bedford could advise the County Engineer
that Lexington was definitely interested in having a -survey
made. He said that he did not know whether or not the
County would be of any assistance . He stated that he had
not had a qualified engineer sumbit any report as to 'what
results would be obtained from the lowering of the dam.
The Chairman stated that the drainage must start in
Bedford, and Lexington would have to obtain some complement
to know whether or not any benefit to the Town of Lexington
would be obtained. He Said that the Town of Lexington could
not contribute to the cost unless it Were known whether or
not it would be a benefit to the Town.
Mr. Potter asked how much money would be necessary for
a complete project .
Mr.Puffer said that atone time he had been advised by
an Engineer that the project would be approximately $25,000.00.
Mr. Larken said that the Town Meeting in Bedford had
appropriated $4,000.00 for this project and they would like
Lexington to contribute $4,000.00 .
The Chairman informed them that the Annual Town Meeting
had been held a week ago.
Mr. Sarano asked if the proper procedure wouldn't be
to find out whether or not this work could be taken over
by the County.
Chairman Joyce said that that was what he would like to
see started He asked if the Board of Selectmen of Lexington
would go on record as being in favor of asking the County
Commissioners for a survey.
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Upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Yr. Sarano,
it was voted that the Board of Selectmen be recorded in
favor of supporting the Town of Bedford and asking the County
to make a study of this particular problem.
Chairman Joyce said that he would take this matter
up with the County Engineers tomorrow, and advise them that
it has been discussed with the Board of Selectmen of Lexing-
ton who have indicated their desire to cooperate.
The group retired at 8:45 P.M.
A letter was received from W. H. Lyon acknowledging
additional fire insurance recently placed through his office. Ins .
Chairman read a letter from W. H. Lyon offering $100.00
for Lot 174, Middle Street , Lexington.
Mr. Potter reported that he and Mr. Spencer had looked
at this parcel of land which is a small corner lot. He
said that the owner of the property on the other side is
contemplating purchasing it to he annexed to his present lot .
Mr. Potter said that inasmuch as it is only a 50' lot,
he would not recommend building a house upon it . Tax
Mr. Potter moved that no action be taken on the offer . Offer
Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
The Chairman read a letter from Arley A. Amber offering
$150.00 for Lots 92 and 93, Brandon Street, Lexington.
Mr. Potter said that he and Mr. Spencer had looked at
these lots and would not recommend that they be built upon, Tax
inasmuch as they are too small. Offer
It was decided not to dispose of the lots at this time.
A letter was received from Frank Ambrocey offering
$75 00 for Lots 33 and 34, Marvin Street, Lexington,
Mr. Rowse moved that a proposal to sell the lots be
advertised in the Lexington Minute -Man, and that further
consideration be given the offer at the next meeting of the
Board. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
The Board gave further consideration to Anna Valihura' s
offer of 435.00 each for Lots 88, 89, and 90, Valleyfield
Street, Lexington. A proposal to sell these lots was
advertised in the March 29, 1945 issue of the Lexington
Minute-Man . No persona contacted the Selectmen' s Office as
a result of the advertisement.
Mr. Sheldon moved that Lots 88, 89, 90, Valleyfield
Street, Lexington, be sold and oonveved to Mrs. Anna Valihura.
Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Wrightington, Town
Counsel, acknowledging his re-appointment for another year. Town
Mr. Wrightington stated that on February 8, 1946 he will be Counsel' s
seventy years of age, and will automatically retire under Rs-'App' t
the terms of the Contributory Retirement Act.
136 a
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Mr. Rowse moved that the vote of Narch 12, 1945
Reapp' t appointing Mr. S. R. Wrightington as Town Counsel for
Town one year be rescinded, and that he be reappointed for
Counsel a term to expire February 8, 1946 . Mr. Potter seconded
the motion, and it was so voted.
The Chairman read a letter from Lyon Carter,
President of the Lexington Visiting Nurse Association,
relative to a nurse placarding houses wherein exists a
Nurse contagious disease
Placard The Clerk informed the board that Ars Verateeg,
Rouses Director of the Associaticn, came in to the office today,
Dangerous and said that she was very much in favor of having one
Disease of the nurses assume this responsibility. She feels that
the Association should work more closely with the Board
of Health. She stated that she had telephoned Mr. Carter
and he had authorized her to advise the Board of Select-
men that he would have no objection to having one of the
nurses placard houses for contagious diseases.
Mr. Sheldon moved that such an a rrangment be approved.
Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
Sp. Police Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by v,r. Sarano, it
App't was voted to appoint John Lamont a Special Police Officer
Lamont in the Town of Lexington for a term ending March 31, 1946 .
Application was received from Mrs . Gerald B.
Litchfield
iel on behalf of the Lexington Council of Girl
Scouts for permission to use Cary Memorial Hall on the
Uses of afternoons of March 15, and 16, 1945 for Drum Corps
Hall rehearsals
Mr. Potter moved that the uses be granted, free of
charge. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so
voted.
An agreement was received from Daniel J. O'Connell
O'Connell for signatures of the Board of Selectmen releasing all
Agreement rights of the Town of Lexington in an agreement given
to said Daniel J O'Connell, dated January 27, 1937
pertaining to his land on Massachusetts Avenue and Woburn
Street . This agreement imposes voluntary restrictions on
the use of the land by Mr. O'Connell which is now zoned
as a C-1 district.
The Annual Town Meeting on March 26, 1945 voted to
cancel the agreement.
Sign The Clerk informed the board that she had contacted
Release Mr. Wrightington who approved of the form of release
and recommended that it be signed by the bard .
Mr. Rowse moved that the release be signed. Mr. Sheldon
seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
137
Upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Sheldon,
it was voted to grant the following licenses Licenses
Garret D. Foley 1698 Mass. Avenue Overhanging Sign
Peter' s Music Shop 1719 Mass. Avenue Overhanging Sign
William Viano 1794 Mass. Avenue Sunday Movies
The appointment of a new member of the Board of Held over
Appeals to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Maddison was 3 weeks
held over for three weeks .
The Board consideredthe appointment of a separate
Board of Health and felt thEt these appointments should Board of
be given a a.reat deal of thought, and it was decided to Health
take no action at this time.
The Clerk informed the Board that Mr. Theodore A.
Custance had requested the use of the Selectmen' s Room V-Day
on Tuesday evening, April 3, 1945 for a meeting of the Committee
V-Day Committee . Meeting
Mr. Sheldon moved that the use of the room be
granted. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so
voted.
Mr. Potter said that Mr. Raymond White, Town Account-
, ant, had advised him that two girls in his department and
one girl in the town Clerk' s office were not employed by Clerk' s
the Town at the time the bonus was voted in 1944. However, Bonus
Mr. White included sufficient money in the amount appropri-
ated at the Annual Town Meeting for the payment of a bonus
from January 1, 1945 through March 31, 1945 to include these
three clerks.
Mr. Sheldon moved that payment of the 15% bonus from
the period of January 1, 1945 to March 31, 1945 inclusive
be approved for the following clerks Janet Kidd in the
Town Clerk' s Office, Virginia Tarbell in the `town Account-
ant's Office and Muriel Wilson in the `sown Accountant ' s
Office. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
Mr. Rowse stated that he had been approached by an
individual interested in a Youth Center who wanted to know
whether or not the board would object to such a project, and Youth
if it would be in favor of leasing the Barnes Property for Center
this purpose.
The members of the board felt that they would approve
an acceptable plan under proper supervision.
A true record, Attest :
i924-1-44421-
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