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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 .90 132 00 1-11 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. 133 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. 13400 x 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. 135 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 0-11 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- ' ile r / 4 /11 i N