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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1945-05-21SELECTMEN'S MEETING May 21, 1945 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, May 21, 1945 at 7:30 P.M. Messrs. Rowse, Potter, Sheldon and Sarano were present. The Assistant Clerk was also present. In the absence of Mr. Locke, Mr. Rowse served as Chairman. The members were notified of this meeting by a notice mailed on May 17, 1945. Mr. Otis J. Conner's offer of 4350.00 for Lot 134, Wachusett Drive, held over from last week, was again considered by the Board. Chairman Rowse read a letter from Captain Burton A. Murray of the Metropolitan District Commission, offering 6400.00 for Lot 134, Wachusett Drive. Upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Potter, it was voted to hold these offers over until the next meeting of the Board. Chairman Rowse read a letter from Munroe H. Hamilton, 68 Devonshire Street, Boston, offering the total sum of $650.00 for Lots 33, 34 and 35, Robbins Road; Lots 37 and 38, Richard Road; Lot 7, Tower Road; and Lot B on Plymouth Road. Mr. Hamilton was the former owner of these lots. Upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Potter, it was voted to hold this offer over until the next meet- ing of the Board. At 7:35 P.M. Mr. George W. Emery, Chief Engineer of the Board of Fire Engineers, and Deputy Chief Cook of the Fire Department appeared before the Board. Mr. Emery stated that last week he had appeared before the Board to purchase a replacement unit for Hose No. 2. The following Wednesday he received a letter informing him that the Board had voted to take no action on the request and advising that it was the opinion of the majority of the. Board that the apparatus should be repaired at present. The Board of Fire Engineers held a meeting subsequent to the receipt of the letter. They did a great deal of investigating and after reviewing the whole situation, it was voted to have Mr. Emery come back tonight and respectfully request the Selectmen to re-exam- ine the matter. Mr. Emery distributed to each member an estimate of repair parts for Hose No. 2 which amounted to an approximate total of 6975.20. 173 Held Over Held Over New Truck Board of Fire Engineer: 174 Chairman Rowse said that the idea of the Board was just to make temporary repairs. The Board assumed that they would secure the new truck at the next Town Meeting. Mr. Potter said that there would probably be a Town Meeting in September and not before it, and the idea of the Board was just to make temporary repairs to go along until Town Meeting. Chief Cook said that the truck has reached a point where it is unsafe. Mr. Emery said that the truck wouldn't really be needed until fall, but they needed the available time now to get the equipment ready. Mr. Sheldon said,that, of course, there is no guarantee that the truck would be available in September. Mr. Emery said that he had talked with Mr. Wright- ington, Town Counsel, who said that it was up to the Board of Selectmen to decide whether or not it was an Emergency. Mr. Emery said that he thought an Emergency could be declared because in September they would be right in the middle of the brush fire season, and there would not be time to construct the equipment. Mr. Sheldon asked if there was a period of about two months when they do not have -any available time, and Mr. Emery said they have no spare time in Septemrer, October, November and sometimes December. Mr. Emery said that Hose No. 1 in East Lexington is thirty-three years old while Hose No. 2 is only twenty- two years old. This, if Hose No. 2 cannot be used the burden of brush fires will be on Hose No. 1. Mr. Emery said that the age of Hose No. 1 has a direct bearing on the situation because there is really two old pieces instead of one. Mr.' Rowse asked ghat the Fire'Department would use if Hose No. 2 were out of order, and Mr. Emery said they would probably have to use heavy LaFrance equipment which would be a very expensive proposition. Mr. Rowse asked if the break in the casting was one that they had had before, and Chief Cook replied in the affirmative atating that they had previously repaired the angle iron. Mr. Rowse asked what would have to be done tofix the equipment now, and Chief Cook said that the truck would have to be taken apart, sent away and welded. Mr. Sheldon asked if the men have enough time during the summer to fix the new piece of equipment and have it ready by September. Mr. Emery said they would be able to have it ready by Labor Day. He said that altogether the unit would cost 0500.00i or less. He stated that this would be the end of modernization in the fire department for a while. Mr. Sheldon said that as far as price is concerned, the unit costs only about 10% or 15% more than in 1941. Mr. Rowse stated that the Board would review the matter again. Messrs. Emery and Cook retired at 7:50 P.M. Mr. Sheldon said that he felt that the Board should declare an Emergency. 1 Mr. Potter felt that it would be better to advance the date of the Town Meeting, and he thought the matter should be held over until next week when the Chairman would be present. Mr. Sheldon said that what Mr. Emery was trying to do was utilize labor this summer to have the unit ready for fall. It was decided to hold the matter over until the next meeting of the board when the Chairman would be present. Chairman Rowse read a letter from James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, requesting that the figures already furnished on the Decennial Census be withheld because a question had arisen concerning the inmates of the Metropolitan State Hospital. Mr. Carroll did not feel that the inmates should be included as residents of Lexington, and he talked with the State Department. about the matter. He had expected a definite answer this evening, but as yet it had not arrived. Mr. Carroll said that he would have the necessary information by Monday evening, May 28, 1945. At 8:03 P.M. Messrs. McCarthy, Watt, Minot, McDonald, Kurston, Coyne and Brown of the Lexington Veterans of Foreign Wars appeared before the Board. Mr. McCarthy said that three years ago he/before the Board trying to obtain land in East Lexington for a V.F.W. home. This request met with disapproval. Later, the post tried to purchase a home on Muzzey Street. The Board of Appeals denied this application. Tonight, he was ask- ing consideration to find out just what could be done. The number of their personnel has risen to 116 men and members are coming into the post at the rate of four and five every week. Seventy-five of these individuals are paid up to date. The post also has travelling member- ships, with the majority of the men in the European and South Pacific Areas. Mr. McCarthy said that when a man joins the organization, his mother joins the Ladies' Auxiliary. What the V.F.W. would like is a temporary home until they can f ind suitable headquarters. Mr. McCarthy said that they are not having membership drives, but if they did have a drive he felt that the number of men could be increased by two or three hundred. He stated that if it meets with the Board's approval, the V.F.W. would like to use the East Wing of the Barnes' Property where the Red Cross used to be. They plan to use it only temporarily, maintain it, keep it clean and pay all the bills. The post just wants a clean place to be able to bring the boys and they felt that the Barnes' Property would be the solution for the time being. 175 Held Over 'Census V. F. W. request Use of Barnes Property 176 Held Over Mr. Rowse asked Mr. McCarthy to illucidate on the rooms mentioned. Mr. McCarthy said that there were two or three rooms where the Red Cross used to be. He stated that there were a couple of partitions that would have to be removed and the V.F.W. will bear the expense of fixing the property up. Mr. McCarthy said that they would like to purchase or build a home someday as they have approximately 0.700. cash in a building fund and they could secure more in a very short time. He said that the V.F.W. did not intend to have the headquarters open at all times. Mr. Sheldon said that the V.F.W., however, would really want access at all times. He asked Mr. McCarthy if it was planned to have someone there during the day. Mr. McCarthy said there would be someone there during the day if it was considered necessary. Mr. Rowse informed the group that the Board under- stands that they are looking for headquarters comparable to the Legion's,.and they would like to rent the Barnes' Property temporarily. The group retired at 8:25 P.M. It was decided to refer the matter to Mr. Paxton, Supt. of Public Works, with the request that he check to see just what would have to be done to make the rooms suitable for the V.F.W. At 8:27 P.M. Mr. S. R. Wrightington, Town.Counsel,. and Mr. Edwin B. Worthen, Jr., Chairman of the Planning Board, appeared before the Board regarding the proposed new Rapid Transit System. Mr. Greeley was unable to'be Rapid present. Transit Mr. Wrightington said that the Chairman had asked him to hold a previous conference with Mr. Worthen and ,System Mr. Greeley, but as a suitable time for both could not be arranged, he talked with each individually. Mr. Rowse said that the Boerd intended the group to study -the system in the best interest of the Town and submit information that would be helpful. Mr. Potter said that he did not think the majority of the townspeople were pleased withthe proposed.new setup. Mr. Wrightington said that if some alternate route were proposed, then the Board could object to the present one. Mr. Sheldon asked if there were any possibility that Lexington's train service be abandoned and then the new setup not go through, and Mr. Wrighton said that he did not think this would happen. Mr. Wrightington said that under the new plan, it would take approximately twenty-seven minutes from Lexington to down -town Boston. Mr. Wrightington stated that he, personally,was entirely satisfied with the train service to North Station now. 1 177 Mr. Rowse said that the proposal from Lexington to Arlington Heights to East Watertown and then to Boston looks like a makeshift proposition as far as Lexington is concerned. Mr. Wrightington stated that the hearing would be on May 29, 1945 and although the Legislative Committee can have one or more hearings, it is getting near the end, and if the Legislature acts and the Statute is adopted, Lexington will be included whether it wants to be or not. He stated that if a deficit does arise, it will be apportioned as present apportionments and Lexing- ton will have to pay its share. The apportionment will be based on the number of citizens using the service. Mr. Sheldon asked if it were possible that there would be a.d.eficit, and Mr. Wrightington said that there might be one. Mr. Sheldon asked Mr. Wrightington if the Selectmen should oppose the adoption of the new plan. Mr. Wrightington said that opposing the new plan would be futile, but if the plan is let go through without a protest, the assumption might be t hat they were to follow out the plan as far as Lexington is concerned. He said that both he and Representative Ferguson feel that if the Board intends to take any stand, it should start right now to prepare a report. Mr. Wrightington stated that tomorrow night a delegate is coming out to talk with the Chamber of Commerce on the matter. Mr. Cann, consulting engineer, is also to be present. Mr. Worthen said that one of the Planning Board members who had talked with Mr. Cann had called him this evening and advised him that Mr. Cann was going to state the fact that they were perfectly willing to extend the proposed route to Lexington. Mr. Wrightington said that he would like to have something tangible and definite to present as an alternate proposal if the Selectmen decide that they are not in favor of the present route. He said they will not have very much time in at the hearing to listen to alternate plans, and he thought it well to have it prepared in writing and submit a brief. Mr. Sheldon asked Mr. Wrightington if he thought that there would be a 10f/ fare. Mr. Wrightington said that he did not think this would be possible, but the amount would be determined by the D.P.U. Mr. Sheldon said that Mr; Wrightington should have the.,report prepared and present it as the Board's opinion and, therefore, the Board would have to take some official action tonight. Mr. Wrightington said that he would have to have some instructions from the Board before attending the hearing. 178 Mr. Sarano asked Mr. Wrightington if next Monday evening would be too late, and he replied that it would not be too late to present the report, but it would be too late to prepare it. Mr. Rowse said that, of course, it was now impossible to get the opinion of the taxpayers due to the lack of time, and that the Selectmen must decideon the matter. Mr. Worthen said that he had talked with the Planning Board members individually and he then read a report to the Board. He explained, however, that sixty or seventy per cent of the report were his own ideas and they did not constitute an opinion of the Planning Board. Mr. Wrightington said that the alternate plan would propose service from Lexington direct to Park Street, and Mr. Worthen said that he, personally, would favor this plan. Mr. Rowse requested Mr. Worthen to find out how the Planning Board feels about the matter and told Mr. Wrightington to continue with thereport proposing the alternate route so that the Bop_rd could have it for the meeting next Monday evening. Chairman Rowse asked Mr. Worthen if he could secure a report of the Planning Board's opinion for next Monday's meeting, and Mr. Worthen replied in the affirmative. Mr. Sheldon said that it was up to the Planning Board as to what they wanted to recommend to the Board. Mr. Rowse told Mr. Worthen that if Mr. Wrightington's plan does not agree with the'Planning Board, they should submit one to the Selectmen that is satisfactory to them. Mr. Rowse felt, however, that they should recommend post- ponement of action to:secure more time to study the matter. Mr. Wrightington said that he should be authorized tonight to state to the Legislative Committee that the Selectmen would prefer that the main Statute carry over until the next Annual Session of the General Court. Upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was VOTED: That the Board instruct the Town Counsel to inform the Committee of the Legislature at the hearing on the meport of the Legislative Committee on Rapid Transit that because of the short time during which they have been able to consider that report they have not been able to obtain the opinion of the Town, and that they favor refer- ence to the next Annual Session of the General Court on the Statute appearing in Appendix #1 of the report, but that they are in favor of the resolve in Appendix #3 for further investigation of the supplementary and feeder service to be proposed by the Commission. Upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was FURTHER VOTED: That the Town Counsel complete a report on the alternative route over the Fitchburg Line, and that, if possible, this be submitted to the Planning Board before the next meeting of the Board of Selectmen before next Monday evening. 00 a 1 Chairman Rowse read a letter from Mr. Edwin B. Worthen, Sr., requesting that a Stenographer be present to take the notes of the hearing on the Rapid Transit Bills under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce. It was decided to request one of Mr. Paxtonts clerks to be present at the hearing. Chairman Rowse requested Mr. Vuorthen and Mr. Wrighting- ton to meet with the Board next Monday evening at 8:15 P.M. Application was received from Mr. Ralph Banks, 18 Bridle Path, Lexington for permission to keep 600 poultry at the property adjacent to his premises. It was decided to hold this matter over until the next meeting of the Board. • Chairman Rowse read a letter from the Lexington Lions Club offering to the Town of Lexington an appropriate score board for the Center Playground. The Assistant Clerk was instructed to advise the Lions Club that steps will be taken to have this gift properly accepted, and they will be contacted as soon as more information is available. Chairman Rowse read a letter from Dr. Morton Swartz, 409 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington Center, on behalf of Miss Kathryn. Norton, 45 Harbor View Street, Dorchester. The letter registered a complaint about a dog owned by a Mrs. Dattoli, 101 Cliffe Avenue, Lexington. Miss Norton was bitten by this dog on May 11, 1945. Upon checking the Board of Health Records, it was found that this particular dog has bitten three persons previous to Miss Norton. The Assistant Clerk was instructed to acknowledge the letter and advise Dr. Swartz that the complaint was being investigated by Dog Officer Russell. She was also requested to have Dog Officer Russell investigate the complaint and submit a report before next Monday evening. Invitation was received from The British Naval and Military Veterans/ Association inviting the Board to attend their 31st Annual Pilgrimage to Lexington on Sunday, May 27, 1945. No action was taken on the matter. Mr. Sarano retired at 9:45 P.M. Application was received from the Lexington Club, Inc. for permission to use Cary Hall on the evening of May 29, 1945 for a dance from 8:00 P.M. to 12:00 P.M. Mr. Sheldon moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 179 Held Over Poui„try Permit Held Over Score Boar Center Playgro d Held Over Dog Complaint Held Over Brit. Vete . Pilgrim- age Use of Hall 180 Application was received from the Lexington Club, Inc. for permission to use Estabrook Hall on the evening of May 29, 1945 for the showing of moving pictures from 8:00 P. M. Use of to 12:00 P.M. Hall Mr. Sheldon moved that the use of the hall be granted, free of Charge. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion,' and it was so voted. Use of Hall Application was received from Mr. Rufus L. McQuillan on behalf of the Lexington War Parents of America for permission to use Estabrook Hall on the afternoon of Sunday, June 10, 1945 for a meeting. Mr. Rowse moved that the use of the hall be granted, free of charge. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Sheldon, Licenses it was voted to approve the following licenses:: Alice A. Frost Ralph Banks William Viano 56 Allen Street 18 Bridle Path 1794 Mass. Avenue Infant Boarding Home 600 Poultry Sunday Movies Reddy Application for the admission of Eugene T. Reddy to the Applin -Middlesex County Sanatorium was signed by the Board. A true record, Attest: Assistant Clerk 00 1