HomeMy WebLinkAbout1945-06-18 197
SELECTMEN 'S MEETING
June 18, 1945
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held
in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday
evening, June 18, 1945 at 7 :30 P.M. Chairman Locke,
Messrs . Potter, Sheldon and Sarano were present . The
Clerk was also present.
At 7 :30 P.M. Mr. Munroe Hamilton appeared before the
Board relative to certain lots in the Sunnyside develop-
ment. Mr. Hamilton said that he was interested in the Munroe
lots , and that he did not believe the board realized the Hamilton
whole situation. Mr. Hamilton read a four-parne letter Lots on
giving all the details from the tiwe he was first interested Sunnyside
in certain lots in the Sunnyside Development. Mr. Hamilton Developmt
was particularly interested in Lots 33 and 34 on Robbins
Road.
Mr. Sheldon asked what Mr. Hamilton felt would be a
fair price for these two lots .
Mr. Hamilton said that he intended to pay the amount
quoted in a letter received from Mr. Carroll, namely $165.
for Lot 33 and $141.66 for Lot 34.
' Mr. Potter mentioned that if these lots were sold
for this amount , there wo,'ld still be betterments.
Mr. Sheldon asked Mr. Hamilton if he bought the lots
for $306.66 what his attitude would be pertaining to the
betterments.
Mr. Hamilton said that, in his opinion, he felt the
Board has established a price by selling Lot B, Plymouth
Road, to J. Milton Brown for $150.00. Mr. Hamilton said
that if he were going to give up the two lots on Richard
Road, he felt that he should pay only $300. 00 for Lots
33 and 34 on Robbins Road without paying any betterments .
The Chairman asked Mr. Hamilton if he would retire
until the Board considered the matter.
Mr. Hamilton retired at 7 :55 P.M.
The Board discussed his offer of 4300.00 for the
lots, and finally decided to sell the lots to Mr. Hamilton
at this figure .
Mr. Hamilton returned to the meeting at 8 :00 P.M.
The Chairman told him that the Board had suggested
that he write a letter and offer $300.00 net for Lots
33 and 34, Richard Road.
Mr. Hamilton agreed to write the letter, and said
that it would be entirely satisfactory to him.
He retired at 8 :05 P .M.
Mr. Clifford Fleming and a Mr. Dwyer appeai'ed before
the Board without an appointment.
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Fleming Mr. Fleming said that he had received a letter from
and the Board of Health ordering him to dispose of his chick-
Dwyer ens within a certain period . He said that he had told
Chickens Mr. Lamont that he would dispose of the chickens this
Without spring, but feels now that the shortage of food is so
Permit acute that he would like to continue raising them.
Mr. Fleming said that he has no permit because his
application had been refused.
The Chairman explained that originally the Board
of Selectmen had jurisdiction over this matter, but
now it would have to be handled by the Board of Health.
He suggested that Mr. Fleming contact Mr. Lamont.
Mr. Fleming and Mr. Dwyer retired at 8:12 P.M.
V.F.W. At 8 :13 P.M. the following members of the Veterans
Barnes of Foreign Wars appeared before the Board: Eugene
Property McCarthy, Thomas Brown, Henry Flynn, Warren Breslin,
Roland Garmon and Robert Watt.
Mr. McCarthy said that the Post met last week, and
voted to accept the conditions as designated by the Board
of Selectmen relative to the use of the BErnes Property
as a meeting place for the V.F.W. He said that the Post
would like the Board sometime , in the near future, to
reconsider their decision pertaining to the number of
carnivals to be held each year.
Carnival Mr. Potter explained that the Board had no objection
to both the Legion and the V.F.W. operating a carnival
in the same year, but they preferred not to grant a
permit at the same location because of the objections
by the nPiahbors in the vicinity.
Mr. McCarthy asked about the keys to the Barnes
Property, and the Chairman suggested that he work out
the details with Mr. Paxton.
The group retired at 8:20 P.M.
Superintdt The Chairman read a letter from William C . Paxton,
Public Superintendent of Public Works, resigning as of July 12,
Works 1945.
Resign' tn Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board at 8:24 P.M.
He informed the Board that he had received a bill
in the amount of 69.45 from Miss Marion Phillpott who
claims damage to her car as a result of a manhole cover
Phillpott located on Massachusetts Avenue near Oak Street.
Claim Mr. Sheldon moved that Mr. Paxton be authorized to
Damages settle the claim in the amount submitted by Miss
Phillpott. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was
so voted.
"Ho Mr. Paxton said that he had received a complaint
Swimming" about children swimming in Stevens' pit . He said that
Signs the water is four or five feet deep, and he had received
a request to have the pit posted. He also reminded the
Board that last year mention had been made about posting
Butterfield' s Pond and the Lexin-ton Reservoir.
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The Chairman suggested that Mr. Paxton discuss this
matter with Mr. Garrity, and have Mr. Garrity use his Coal
own judgment as to whether or not "No Swimming" signs Supply
should be posted.
Mr. Paxton informed the Board that coal can be
supplied only by those dealers who furnished the
Town last year, and, therefore , he requested bids
from the Lexington Coal Company and Robert Fawcett
& Son Co. , Inc.
Mr. Paxton suggested having sixty ton delivered
now, sixty in September and sixty in November.
The Lexington Coal Company submitted a price of
$9.84 per net ton for New River Run of Mine Bituminous
Coal, and $10.06 per net ton for Pennsylvania 24" Lump
Bituminous Coal.
Mr. Paxton advised the Board that the Pennsylvania
Coal is what has been used at the Cary Memorial Building
and the New River is what has been used at the Public
Works Building. He stated that the Lexington Coal
Company supplied the Public Works Building last year, Bids Coal
and the Robert Fawcett & Son Co. , Inc. supplied the Awarded
Cary Memorial Building.
Mr. Sheldon moved thEt the bids for the 1945 supply
of coal be awarded on the same basis as they were last
year. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
It was decided to postpcne delivery until September
10, or 15, 1945.
Mr. Paxton said that he received a request from the Street
School department pertaining to the lighting: of the front Lights
stairway at the Parker School. He said that three years Bedford
ago he had made a survey of the street light situation Street
at Simonds Road and Bedford Street . The Edison Company
recommended the installation of three 6,000 lumen lamps
at indicated locations, owing to the traffic conditions
on Bedford Street; the location of the Parker School,
and the bus stop at this location, both sides of the road- Parker
way; in order to graduate said lighting up to 6, 000 lumen School
lamps , the Edison Company suggested the installation of
2,500 lamps on poles E/60 and 6/66 . Mr. Paxton said that
in goingover the location again, the Edison Company
recommend only one 6,000 lumen lamp to be installed at
the corner of Simonds Road. Mr. Paxton said that probably
this would not solve the problem, and the School Depart -
ment may have to install pedestal lights on the stairs .
Mr. Sarano moved that Mr . Paton be authorized to
request the installation of one 6,000 lumen lamp.
Mr. Paxton said thet he had contacted the Fire, Police, Dispositri
and Public 6orks Department pertaining to the Committee Committee
on Public Safety supplies . He said that these departments Public
had taken what they felt they could use, and there is Safety
still a large quantity of material. Supplies
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It was decided to advise the Camping Council
Committee that they could have all the blankets left,
and to turn over the rest of the material to the Public
Health Association.
Pole Petition, plan and copies of orders were received
Location from the Boston Edison Company requesting authorization
of the following pole location:
Massachusetts Avenue - Approximately 30 feet southeast
of Hibbert Street, one pole.
Massachusetts Avenue - Approximately 24 feet southeast
of Hibbert Street, remove one pole.
Mr. Sheldon moved that the request be granted, and the
order signed. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was
so voted.
Dump The Chairman read a letter from Harold A. Conant,
Complaint 47 Lincoln Street, complaining about the dump.
The Chairman informed the Board that he would
acknowledge the letter.
Mr. Paxton retired at 9 16 P.M.
Supt' s It was decided to have the Chairman contact Mr.
Resign'n John J. Garrity, Assistant Superintendent of Public
Held Works, and to ask Mr. Garrity to meet with the Board
Over of Selectmen next Monday evening.
The matter of Mr. Paxton' s resignation was held
over.
A letter was received from Rev. Lester Lewis of the
V-J Day V-E Day Committee .submitting additional names to the Board
Committee for their approval and appointment to the V-J Day Committee .
Rev. Lewis also requested the use of Estabrook Hall for
a meeting on Friday, June 22, 1945.
Mr. Potter moved that the names submitted be approved,
and the individuals appointed to serve on the V-J Day
Committee . Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it
was so voted.
Mr. Potter also moved that the use of Estabrook
Hall be granted, free of charge. Mr. Sheldon seconded
the motion, and it was so voted.
Sign Reinstatement Form #57 was received from the
Reinst'mt Divison of Civil Service for the signatures of the
Forms Appointing Authority for the reinstatement of Ralph E.
Sealer Chadwick of Belmont as part-time Sealer of Weights and
',Weights & Measures in the Town of Lexington.
Measures The Clerk informed the Board that Mr. Chadwick
had resumed his duties as Sealer as of June 15, 1945,
before any forms had been received from Civil Service.
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Mr. Sarano moved that the Reinstatement Date be
designated as July 1, 1945. Mr. Sheldon seconded the
motion, and it was so voted.
The Clerk informed the Board that the automobile
allowance for the Sealer of Weights and Measures had Increase
been reduced from $200.00 to $150.00 in 1943, because Weights
of the fact that Mr. Lamont agreed to combine some of & Measures
his duties as Health Inspector with those of the Sealer. Car Allow-
Mr. Sheldon moved that the Appropriation Committee ance
be requested to transfer the sum of $50.00 from the
Reserve Fund to the Sealer of Weights and Measures -
Expenses Account to restore the account to its original
amount of $200.00. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and
it was so voted.
The Chairman read a letter from the Arlington
Board of Selectmen relative to the Report of the Metro- Transit
politan Transit Recess Commission. The Arlington Report
Board would like to meet with the Lexington Board of Held Over
Selectmen for a general discussion of the matter which 1st of
they feel has a direct bearing on the future of both August
communities .
The Clerk was instructed to acknowledge the letter,
and to advise the Board of Selectmen of Arlington that
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a date for a meeting would be arranged and they would
be so advised.
The Clerk was further instructed to bring this
matter to the Boardts attention the first of August.
A letter was received from George V. Morse, War Parents
President of the War Parents of America, inviting the Invitation
Selectmen to attend their Annual Installation and
Entertainment at Estabrook Hall on Thursday evening,
June 21, 1945.
The Clerk was instructed to acknowledge the letter,
and advise that the Board would be represented.
A letter was received from the Board of Selectmen, Greater
Town of Winchester, relative to the Greater Metropolitan Metropolitih
Area and suc-gesting that a joint meeting be held with Area
Planning Boards and other Town Officials before the
present plans are too far advanced .
The Clerk was instructed to acknowledge the letter,
and advise the kiinchester Board of Selectmen that
Lexington is in favor of a jointmeeting, and would like
to be advised when such a meeting is scheduled.
The Chairman read a letter from the Lexington Mardi
11 Rainbow Girls stating that they would prefer to hold Gras
their Mardi Gras on Harrington Road, from Bedford
Street to Massachusetts Avenue, inasmuch as there is
not enough room between Bedford and Hancock Streets,
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the location granted by the board. on June 4, 1945.
Mr. Potter moved that the Lexington Rainbow Assembly
be authorized to block off Harrington Road, between
Bedford Street and Massachusetts Avenue, on the evening
of July 3, 1945 between the hours of 8 :00 P.M. and
11:00 P.M. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was
so voted.
Ryder The Chairman read a letter from Robert L. Ryder
Unable stating that he regretted exceedingly that he was not
Accept in a position at this time to accept an appointment as
Board of an Associate Member of the Bot-rd of Appeals due to
Appeals commitments which he has made on behalf of clients
App' t. of his who will have in the near future matters coming
before the Board of Appeals .
Application was received from Dorothy P. Rich,
Cert. of et al, for a certificate of Incorporation to establish,
Incorp. maintain and operate one or more schools in Lexington
for children of pre-school age on a non-profit basis .
Satisfactory character references were received
from the Police Department.
Mr. Potter moved that the application be signed.
Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
A letter was received from Mr. Wrightington
Approve enclosing a bill in the amount of $100.00 from John
Bill on T. Blackwell for his report on Rapid Transit.
Rapid Mr. Wrightington said that the bill met with his
Transit approval and he understood that a similar bill had been
sent to Waltham.
Mr. Sheldon moved that the bill be approved for
payment, and charged to the Selectmen' s - Expenses
Account. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was
so voted.
Ross The board gave further consideration to Mr. D. F.
Tax Ross' offer of $100.00 for Lot 35, Robbins Road,
Title Lexington. A proposal to sell this lot was advertised
Sale in the June 7, 1945 issue of the Lexington Minute-Man.
No persons contacted the Selectmen's Office as a
result of the advertisement.
Mr. Sheldon moved that Lot 35, Robbins Road,
Lexington, be sold and conveyed to Mr. Ross. Mr.
Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
4ohnson Mr. Eben Johnson' s offer of $400.00 for Lot 37,
Tax Cary Street, plus 0152.08 for the street, water and
Title sewer betterments. was again considered by the Board.
Sale Mr. Johnson's application to the Board of Appeals for
permission to erect a residential dwelling on this
lot was approved on June 8, 1945.
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Mr. Potter moved that Lot 37, Cary Street, be sold
and conveyed to Mr. Eben Johnson, without advertising,
for $552.08, and that an abatement be put through on the
betterments. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was
so voted.
A letter was received from Walter D. McGrath accept-
ing iia_ hoard' s price of $150.00 for Lots 197 and 198, Tax
Tarbell Avenue , Lexington. Title
Mr. Sheldon moved that a proposal to sell the lots be Offer
advertised in the Lexington Minute-Man, and that further
consideration be given the offer at the next meeting of
the Board. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so
voted.
Upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Sheldon,
it was voted to sign the deed to Lots 105 - 109 inclusive , Sign
Beaumont Street, and Lot 73, Farmcrest Avenue . Both of Deeds
these deeds were prepared by Mr. Wrightington, Town Counsel.
The Clerk informed the hoard that Miss Ready' s term
as a member of the Board of Retirement would expire on Board
July 1, 1945, and it was in order for the Selectmen to of
set a date for election of an employee to fill this vacancy. Retire-
It was decided to call an election on Friday, June ment
29, 1945 at 5:10 p.m. , Mr. Sarano to preside. Member
The Clerk informed the Board that she understood the
Chamber of Commerce had arranged to close the stores in War
Lexington on June 25, 1945, from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. Bond
during the War Bond Cavalcade. Caval-
Mr. Sheldon moved that the Town Offices be closed cade
from 1 30 p.m. until 3 :30 p.m. on June 25, 1945 to afford
the Town Employees an opportunity to view the Cavalcade.
Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
A true record, Attest :
Clerk
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