Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1945-11-05310 Collector Taxes on Unpaid Bills Held Over Street Light on Leonard Road Denied. Authorize Purchase of Cab for Tractor SELECTMEN'S MEETING November 5, 1945 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, November 5, 1945, at 7:30 p.m. Chairman Locke, Messrs. Potter, Rowse, Sarano and Sheldon were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. Rowse acted as Chairman. At 7:35 p.m. Mr. William S. Scamman, appeared before the Board. Mr, Scamman was invited to meet with purpose of discussing a list of "Accounts by the Town Accountant. Mr. Scamman suggested that each department send out letters to collect their own bills. He also suggested that in the cases of accidents when the atbulance is called that the Police of Fire Departments obtain the names of the insurance companies involved, and that ambulance bills be mailed to the companies. Mr. Rowse asked Mr. Scamman what he thought was the best way t o collect unpaid bills. Mr. Scamman said that if he were going to collect them, he would have to get some billheads. Mr. Scamman agreed to go over the list and make some recommendations to the Board. He retired at 7:50 p.m. Colonel Barry appeared before the Board. Colonel Barry said that he had received a request from Mr. Anderson on Leonard Road for the installation of a street light at the corner of Leonard Road and Woburn Street. Colonel Barry said that he examined the location, and that there is a light approximately 165' west of Leonard Road and another light approximately 150' east of Leonard Road. He said that the lights are spaced according to general standards, and he would recommend that the request be disapproved. Mr. Potter moved that the request be denied, and that Mr. Anderson be advised as to the reason. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Colonel Barry informed the Board that he would like to purchase a cab for the Allis-Chalmers Tractor at a cost of $200. Mr. Potter asked if the money were available in the Snow Removal Account, and Colonel Barry replied in the affirmative. Mr. Potter moved that the request be approved, and that Colonel Barry be authorized to purchase a cab to be used on the Allis-Chalmers Tractor at a cost not to exceed $200, and to be charged to the Snow Removal Account. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Collector of Taxes, the Board for the Receivable" submitted 00 a 1 1 311 Colonel Barry informed the Board that now legislation Reduction had been passed by the Legislature reducing the water rates Water Rates to $40 a million gallons, which is a reduction of 60%. Colonel Barry submitted a report in detail for each member of tre Board, and it was decided to hold the matter over until next week in order that the members would have an opportunity to give it further study. Colonel Barry said that he had been trying to locate a Authorize sand loader, and found that C. Henry Jackson has in his Purchase possession an old one that he is willing to sell. Colonel Second Barry thought it would be worth $125.00. Hand Sand Mr. Sarano moved that Colonel Barry be authorized to Loader purchase a second-hand sand loader from C. Henry Jackson at a cost not to exceed $125.00, and that the item be charged to the Snow Removal Account. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A letter was received from District Highway Engineer, Mr. F. D. Sabin, advising that it is expected that a total Chapter of $2,635,000 will be available for Chapter 90 construction 90 Request during the 1946 calendar year. Mr. Sabin suggested that requests for Chapter 90 be submitted before November 15, 1945. Colonel Barry presented a letter for the signature of the Chairman of the Board on the subject of Chapter 90 construction and maintenance. Colonel Barry recommended maintenance in the amount of 3,000 of which $1,000 is to be contributed by the State; 1,000 to be contributed by the County; and $1,000 to be contributed by the Town. He further recommended construction Chapter 90 improvement for the construction of Grove Street in the amount of $20,000; $5,000 to be contributed by the County; $10,00C to be contributed by the State; and $5,000 to be contributed by the Town. Mr. Sheldon moved that the Chairman be authorized to sign the letter as submitted. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Colonel Barry retired at 8:20 p.m. At 8:25 p.m. Vincent Damiano, applicant for the position Damiano of Superintendent of Public Works, appeared before the Board. Applic. Mr. Rowse asked Mr. Damiano if he had ever been connected Supt. with any city or town Public Works Department. Public Mr. Damiano replied that he started with the State Depart -Works ment of Public Works, and from there, he went to work for the Federal Government, with -whom he has been working for three and one-half years. He said that he has worked for only two different departments, forest and Navy. He said that he has held quite a few positions; results of promotions. He stated that he has never had to change his employer, and has had four or five promotions in six years. He said that his present efficiency rating; is excellent. Mr. Damiano also stated that all his work has been in Public Works; road construction; runway construction; large buildings of all types; small buildings, and etc. 312 Transfer Old Age Assistance Pay Rolls He said that he has. had to handle as many as 150 men. He stated that he had to make his own designs, and then see that they were fulfilled in the field. He said that he had the qualifications for position. Mr. Rowse explained the duties of the position of Superintendent of Public Works in Lexington. Mr. Damiano said that for the past three and one-half years he has had engineers and inspectors working under him, and he has had charge of the Field Engineering Depart- ment and also the Inspectors' Department. He said in the field they haveroads, drainage systems, sewers, and all types of outlets that have to be maintained. He said that he has to control the data in the office, and coordinate it with the field work. He said that practically eighty percent of his experience has been handling men, and that at one time he was called upon to lay out a ten-year program in the State of Massachusetts. Mr. Damiano stated that he is registered as a professional engineer and also as a road surveyor in Massachusetts. Mr. Rowse explained that the former Superintendent of Public Works was receiving $4,800 per year at the time of his resignation. Mr. Damiano said that his present base pay is $4,520 a year on a forty -hour week. During emergencies, he worked overtime, and his pay was anywhere from $p5,000 to $6,000 a year. He stated that he would like to return to Massachusetts to live, and would be willing to work for the salary mentioned. He stated that he is a permanent employee of the Navy, and can stay indefinitely if he so d&sires. Mr. Rowse asked When he would be available, and he stated that he. would like to give two weeks' notice. Mr. Damiano retired at 8:45 p.m. At 8:47 p.m. Chairman John A. Lyons, Warren R. Hadley and Harold F. Lombard of the Bureau of Old Age Assistance appeared before the Board. Mr. Lyons presented figures showing an increase in cost in Old Age Assistance this year over last year. He said that the pay rolls in 1945 up to November 1, amounted to $62,735. In 1944 for the same period they amounted to $59,590. Mr. Lyons said that the actual payments of payrolls in November and December for 1944 were November $6,340 and December $6,839. The approximate payrolls for November and December of 1945 will be $6,300 for each month. Mr. Lyons said that Federal Grants received in 1944 were x$30,068 and so far this year they have received p20,783. He said that it is estimated that the total amount received for this year will be $29,283. He said that the total unexpended balance as of November 21, 1945 was $4,647, and the November pay roll will amount to $3,263; leaving a balance of $1,384. Mr. Lyons informed the Board that he will need 43,500, in excess of the $4,000 recently transferred, to meet the pay rolls. a 1 Mr. Lyons explained to the Board that the clothing had been increased $173.37 per month; nursing home rates have been increased from 418 to $25, and the hospital rates have been increased from $4 to 45 a day. Mr. Rowse asked when the last pay roll payment would be made, and Mr. Lyons replied the fifteenth of the month. Mr. Lyons said that his Board would like to avoid a Town Meeting, and will let doctor and dentists' bills carry over until the first of the year. Mr. Rowse said that he would suggest a transfer of 03,000, and that Mrs. Casey be advised to stay within this amount if possible. Mr. Lyons had no objections. Mr. Sheldon moved that the Appropriation Committee be requested to transfer the sum of $3,000 from the Reserve Fund to the Old Age Assistance - Aid & Expenses Account. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The members of the Bureau of Old Age Assistance retired at 9:05 p.m. Mr. Locke informed the Board that Mr. Joseph DeFoe, applicant for the position of Superintendent of Public Works had called on him. It was decided to invite Mr. DeFoe to meet with the Board at the next. regular meeting. At 9:10 p.m. Captain John Mahoney appeared before the Captain Board. Mahoney Mr. Rowse explained that the members of the Board who Position were present were very much interested, and, therefore, thought Supt. it would be well to have him meet with the; Board the second Public time to meet the Chairman. Works Mr. Rowse explained that he was empowered to tell Captain Mahoney that the Board would like to have him hold any decisions of his own for two weeks, and that the Board will give him a definite answer within that time. Captain Mahoney agreed to do this. Mr. Rowse said that he would like to have Captain Mahoney tell Mr. Locke a little of his experience in handling men, his active work, and his knowledge of Public Works. Captain Mahoney stated that he had graduated from Tufts College in 1928, and during the summer months worked as a rod man and transitman. He said that upon graduation, he worked for six months as a resident engineer, representing the State with a force of sixty to one hundred men under his supervision. He then went to work for the City of Boston, and bad control of a small field survey party. Late he worked on road construct- ion with from ten to one hundred men under his supervision. Captain Mahoney said that he then went into business for him- self for a period of eight years. At the end of that time, he went to work for the National Fireworks, wherd he had active supervision over five hundred mechanics for the construction of a munitions plant. 313 DeFoe ,Meet Again Supt. Position 314 LeGraw Case Parade Band on Sunday November 11 Bickford Application For Employment He said that from there he went into the United States Army, and was assigned to the Quartermaster Depot in Boston. He then went to the Corps of Engineers, and took command of a company which he commanded for nine months consisting of 275 men. Captain Mahoney said that late in 1943 he went overseas as a staff officer. Mr. Locke asked if he were interested in a municipal position. Captain Mahoney.replied that he had always liked public works, and that he is not financially able to back himself in a business of his own. Mr. Rowse asked why he had chosen a municipal ,position, rather than private industry. Captain Mahoney said that the work varys too much. Mr. Locke asked as to his health, and Captain Mahoney replied that it was very good. Mr. Locke asked if thought he could get along with people, and Captain Mahoney said that he had never had any trouble. He retired at 9:23 p.m. Mr. Locke read a communication to the Board which he received from Stephen Hamblin pertaining to one Wilfred F. LeGraw. Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Potter, it was voted to authorize the Chairman to acknowledge the letter, and stated that the Board of Selectmen had discussed the facts brought up in this letter, and feel that there no phases of the case that justify any action by the Board. Mr. Sarano retired at 9:35 p.m. Mr. Rowse thought that the Board should give further consideration to the Lexington Allied Veterans Council's letter of October 29, 1945. The group intends to hire a band for the parade scheduled to assemble at the Lexington .Green on Sunday, November 11, 1945 at 10:30 a.m., and to march down to the Sacred Heart Church for 11:30 a.m. Mass. The Clerk was instructed to write the organization that the Board had given further consideration to their letter, and is of the opinion that the organization should follow the previous procedure of using the local drum corps instead of having a parade with a band on Sunday, and that the drum corps should not play in the vicinity of any of the churches. Mr. Locke retired at 9:50 p.m. The Clerk informed the Board that she had received an application from Ruth Bickford, Age 18, who has had steno- graphic experience, and would be willing to come to work for $20 a week. She is now employed at the Massachusetts General Hospital as a file clerk. Inasmuch as a new girl in the Selectmen's Department would operate the switchboard, through which all Public Works Department calls are made, it was felt that possibly the $100 included in the 1945 Highway Maintenance - Personal Services might be used if the girl were employed. CC 0-4 315 Mr. Rowse agreed to contact Mr. White to find out whether or not this $100 is available from the Highway Maintenance - Personal Services Account for clerical hire. A letter was received from Chief John W. Rycroft to which was attached correspondence sent to him from Mr. Thomas S. Traffic (lrindle, Superintendent of Schools, regarding traffic lights Lights at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Clarke Street. Thi Mass. parents of the children attending the Hancock School would like Ave. to know whether or not the traffic lights at this. location may Clarke be turned on. Street Mr. Potter agreed to take this matter up with Chief Held Rycroft and report at the next meeting. Over A letter was received from Elmer A. Lord & Company advising that the Town Buildings are under -insured, and, in the event of a serious fire, the company believes the Town would suffer a severe loss with a resulting increase in the tax rate. The letter stated that the present values are at least forty per cent over their appraisal. TheGlerk was instructed to find out how, much money is available in the insurance account, and to bring the matter up next week. Insurance A letter was received from the Appropriation Committee advising the Board that the following transfers from the Reserve Fund had been approved: Trans. $250 for the Plans, Specifications for the East Lexington Approved Fire Station; 50 to the Dog Officer's Expenses; 500 to the Garbage Collection Account; 15 to the Appropriation Committee - Expense Account; 250 to the Sewer Services Account; and $4000 to the Old Age Assistance - Aid & Expenses Account. A letter was received from John J. Garrity, Superintendent of Parks & Playgrounds, relative to the eradication of poison Poison' ivy. Mr. Garrity said that if the Board thought that something Ivy should be done to destroy the vine in 1946, he would include an item in his ShadeTree Budget. Mr. Sheldon moved that Mr. Garrity be instructed to include anitem in his 1946 Shade Tree Budget for the eradication of poison ivy. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Application was received from the Lexington Minute -Men, Minute - Inc. for permission to use a conference room in the Cary Men Memorial Building the third Wednesday of each month. Granted Mr. Sheldon moved that the request be approved. Mr. Use of Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Room Upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Potter, it Sign was voted to sign the following deeds, having been prepared Deeds by Mr. Wrightington. 316 Boosters Use of Hall Granted 1 month Hold B ids Town Over on Report Chadwick Purchase of Old Table Central Fire Station Contract Lot 134, Wachusett Drive; Lot 56; Prospect Hill Road; and Lots 37 and 38, Richard Road, Lexington. Mr. Potter informed the Board that the Athletic Boosters' Club would like to use Estabrook Hall one night each month for a meeting. Mr. Sheldon moved that the use of the hall be granted for one month. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Clerk informed the Board that requests for bids for the 1945 Town Report should be sent out,and asked how many reports the Board desired to have printed this year. The possibility of having a pictorial report was considered, and it was decided to hold the matter over for awhile. The Clerk informed the Board that Ralph E. Chadwick, Sealer of Weights and Measures, had expressed a desire to purchase a table now in the basement of the Town Office Building and for which he will pay $1A0. Mr. Potter inspected the table, and recommended that the offer be accepted. ' A letter was received from Gordon D. Richards, Chairman of the Building Committee on Fire Stations, together with a contract on the Central Fire Station, rewritten to include suggestions made by Mr. Wrightington. The Board decided to hold this contract until such time as the contract for the East Lexington station is received. A true record,, Attest: Clerk. 1