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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1945-05-14168 Purchase Fire Truck Johanna Kennedy Claim SELECTMEN'S MEETING May 14, 1945 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening,.May_14,'_1945, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Locke, Messrs. Potter, Rowse, Sarano and Sheldon were present. The Clerk was also present. The members were notified of this meeting by a notice mailed on May 11, 1945. At 7:30 P.M. Mr. George W. Emery, Chief Engineer of the Board of FireEngineers, appeared before the Board. Mr. Emery read a letter addressed to the Board relative to the 1922 American LaFrance Hose Wagon. Mr. Emery stated in the letter that is was his opinion and that of the board of Fire Engineers that this unit is dangerous to operate, and should be taken out of service at the earliest possible moment. They were, accordingly, requesting a transfer in the amount of $2,400.00 from the Reserve Fund for the purchase of a new model 509 TwowTon Chassis. An additional transfer was requested in the amount of $1,000.00 to cover the cost to build a body and the necessary equipment. Mr. Emery said that he had a priority which would allow the purchase of a chassis if one could be found, and at present he has en option on one for a few days. Mr. Potter asked how much work would have to be done if the chassis is obtained. Mr. Emery replied that they anticipated having the work done on the chassis during the summer months when the men have more time. He stated that the fact that the unit is available now, and would not be available three weeks from now, would, in his opinion, constitute an emergency.. Mr. Emery retired at 7:45 P.M. The Board of Selectmen considered the request presented. by Mr. Emery, and felt that there was a strong possibility that there would be a Town Meeting in September, at which time: this unit could be brought up. Mr. Rowse moved that no action be taken at the present time. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Chairman Locke, and Mr. Sheldon were opposed. The Clerk was instructed to advise Mr. Emery that the majority of the Board believed that the truck now in service should be repaired for the present. The Chairman read a letter from S. R. Wrightington, Town Counsel, to which was attached a copy of a letter to the Board of Public Welfare explaining a proposed settlement of the Town's claim against the estate of :Johanna Kennedy. 1 169 Mr. Wrightington stated that the Board would receive Kennedy a release signed by the Board of Public Welfare, and if Release approved by the Selectmen should be returned to him. Signed Mr. Wrightington stated that the Town will probably receive $3,000.00, and he recommended that the proposition be accepted. Mr. Sheldon moved that the release be signed, and returned to Mr. Wrightington. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. ' At 7:55 P.M. Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board. The Chairman read a letter from Merlin J. Ladd re- questing that an appointment be made for himself and John Insurance Adam, Jr. relative to an insurance plan. The Clerk was instructed to.acknowledge the letter and advise Mr. Ladd that the Board had recently gone over the question of Town insurance very thoroughly, and the policy for this year had been definitely settled. A letter was received from Sherman K. Hardy pertain- Observation ing to vandalism at the Observation Tower. Tower The Chairman said that Mr. Hardy had called him about the condition of the Tower, and Mr. Locke advised him that steps were being taken to have the Tower abolished. The Chairman said that he had given Deputy Chief Cook a list of articles formerly belonging to the Lexington Civilian Committee on Public Safety. Cbief Cook has now returned Defense the list, together with a request that certain items be Material allocated to the Fire Department. There are medical supplies in the various schools, The Public Health Assoc- iation Building, and the office of the Sealer of Weights and Measures. It was decided to have Mr. Paxton collect all avail- able material, and deposit it at the Barnes Property. It was suggested that Mr. Potter and Mr. Paxton check this material and determine what disposition should be made. The Chairman said that John Murphy of the Medical Division of the Committee on Public Safety advised him that a number of the stretchers and blankets would have to be returned to the State. Mr. Paxtonagreed to collect the material and retired at 8:12 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from James.J<Carroll, Town Clerk, stating that he had received numerous calls for poll listing hooks. Mr. Carroll reminded the Board that no appropriation had been made for this purpose, and that the last time this book was compiled he assumed the responsibility. He is again asking the Board for the same authority. Poll Listing Books 170 Invitation to Girl Scout Rally Held Over October Held Over Memorial Day Use of Hall Use of Hall Rental Amplifier System V -E Day Mr. Sheldon moved that Mr. Carroll's request for authorization to assume the responsibility of publish- ing a poll listing book be granted. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion,and it was so voted. Invitation was received from the Lexington Girl Scbuts for the members of the Board to attend their Annual Rally on May 18, 1945, Cary Hall, at 7:30 P.M. The Clerk was instructed to acknowledge the invitation, and to advise the organization that as many members of the Board who could would attend. The Board gave further consideration to Mr. David A. Kirkbright's offer of 6250.00 for Lot 53, Kendall Road, Lexington. A proposal to sell this lot was advertised in the May 10, 1945 issue of the Lexington Minute -Man. No persons contacted the Selectmen's Office as a result of the advertisement. Mr. Potter explained to the Board that Lt. Francis Neal had gone to the expense of preparing a portion of this particular parcel of land for a garden . Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Kirkbright's offer be accepted as of October 1, 1945. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Clerk was instructed to explain to Mr. Kirk - bright that Lt. Neal has already prepared some of the land for a garden. The offer of 6350.00 for Lot 134, Wachusett Drive, received from Otis J. Conner, was held over for one week. • Application was received from the Lexington Allied Veterans Council for permission to use Cary Memorial Building for Memorial Day Exercises on May 30, 1945. This use is for the preparation and distribution of wreaths. Mr. Potter moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, sand it was so voted. Application was received from the Lexington Special Police for permission to conduct a business meeting in Estabrook Hall on the evening of May 24, 1945. Mr. Potter moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A bill was received from Peter's Music Shop in the amount of $15.00 for the rental of the amplifier system on V -E Day. Mr. Rowse moved that the bill be approved for payment and charged to the Unclassified War Activities Account. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. «0 a Prj 1 171 Application was received from Dr. Winthrop W. Harrington for the admission of Florence E. MatDeo to Maffeo the Middlesex County Sanatorium. Admission Mr. Potter moved that the application be signed. to San. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Further consideration was given to the question of the adoption of the Retirement Provisions under General Laws, Chapter 32. Inasmuch as there are now two No action Retirement plans in effect, and it is not known what Retirem't will be done for the Veterans of World War II, the System Board felt that no action should be taken until such time as a fair and uniform plan could be worked out. Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted not to inaugurate a new pension system at this time. Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted to approve the following licenses: Thomas J. Phelan 6 Walter J. Rose 6 Patrick J. Shanahan 52 Robin Hood Dairy 258 William Viano 1794 Aerial Street Tewksbury St. Pleasant Street. Lowell Street Mass. Avenue Peddler's Pulbic Carriage Past. of Milk Past. of Milk Sunday Movies The Chairman said that he had talked with Mr. R. L. McQuillan, and he is very willing to accept the appoint- ment to serve as a member of the Board of Health. The Chairman said that inasmuch as the Doctor would be the leading man on the Board of Health, he thought that the three-year term appointment shouldbe given to Dr. Pyle. Upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Potter, it was voted to rescind the Vote of May 7, 1945 designat- ing the terms of the members of the new Board of Health. It was further voted to appoint Dr. Ivan G. Pyle for a three-year term, effective June 1, 1945; Mr. Rufus L. Mcquillan for a two-year term, effective June 1, 1945; and Mr. George E. Russell for a one-year term, effective June 1, 1945. Licenses Board of Health Terms The appointment of an Associate Member of the Board Held Over of Appeals was held over for another week. Mr. Potter said that Mr. Wrightington had telephoned him relative to the proposed rapid transit system, and wanted to know whether or not the Board had given it any consideration. Mr. Wrightington has some very definite ideas, and thinks that a line should run from Lexington to Lechmere Square. Mr. Sheldon said that he had been approached by sane - one who suggested that the Board appoint a Committee to give this matter consideration, and possibly provide a spokesman if the Town needed one. Rapid Transit Committee 172 Mr. Potter said that as he understood it, the hear- ing is scheduled for two weeks from tonight. It was decided to appoint a tentative committee consisting of William Roger Greeley, Edwin B. Worthen, Jr. and S. R. Wrightington, and to have the Chairman contact Mr. Wrightington on the matter. A true record, Attest: 2)641f: 00 1