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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1945-12-03336 SELECTMEN'S MEETING December 3, 1945 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, December 3, 1945, at 7:30.p.m. Chairman Locke, Messrs. Potter, Rowse, Sarano and Sheldon were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 p.m. Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, appeared before the Board for the drawing of three Jurors: Reginald F, Pierce, Salesman, 17 Goodwin Road, Lexington, was drawnto serve, on the Grand Jury, Criminal Bisineee, Jurors Monday, January 7,"1946. Drawn John Terhune, Retired, 54 Grant Street, Lexington, was drawn to serve on Civil Business, Second Session, at Cambridge, Monday, January 2, 1945. Mr. John J. Doheny, President, 17 Smith Avenue, Lexing- ton, was drawn to serve on Civil Business, First Session, at Cambridge, on Monday, January 7, 1946. Mr. Carroll retired at 7:40 p.m., and Colonel Barry appeared before the Board, Colonel Barry informed the Board that up to five o'clock p.m. on December 3, 1945, the total cost for Snow Emergency Removal was 00490.50. He said that the free balance in` Snow Removal the Snow Removal Account is $2,189.50. Vote The Chairman read Chapter 44, Section 31, of the General Laws relative to cities and town incurring liability in excess of an appropriation. Upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was VOTED: That due to an extreme emergency involving the safety of persons and property, the Executive Assistant, Public Works Department, is authorized to pay bills result- ing from the removal of snow during the months of November and December in excess of the Snow Removal appropriation. A special article to ratify this action is to be inserted in the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting in March, 1946. Colonel Barry recommended that the Board of Selectmen Rescind rescind the vote authorizing the cancellation of an order Vote for placed for a caterpillar cletrac, and also to rescind the Huber Road vote authorizing the purchase of a huber road maintainer, Maintainer and recommended that the order for the caterpillar cletrac be reinstated. Vote to Upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Potter, Purchase it was voted to rescind the vote passed by the Board of cletrac Selectmen on Monday evening, November 26, 1945, authorizing Praetor the cancellation of an order placed for a caterpillar cletrac. 00 337 It was also voted to rescind the vote authorizing the purchase of a huber road maintainer. It was further voted that the order previously placed for a caterpillar cletrac be reinstated. The Chsirman read a letter from Robert C. Merriam Insurance stating that the Public Liability Policy covering the operations of the Water and Sewer Departments would expire on January 1, 1946. Mr. Sheldon moved that the policy be renewed through the office of Robert C. Merriam. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Colonel Barry informed the Board that Perrie Callicutt has been offered a position with a civilian trucking concern at $1.25 per hour. _He said that he_ thought Mr. Collicutt Would remain with the Town if he received $1 an hour. Mr. Rowse asked if Colonel Barry considered the_ man of enough .value to warrant a further increase. Colonel Barry replied that he is an excellent mechanic, and recommended the increase. Mr. Sheldon moved that Colonel Barry's recommendation be approved, and Mr. Perrie Collicutt's wage rate be increased to $1 per hour. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Increase Collicutt to $1 an hour Colonel Barry then reported to the Board on the snow storm. Be said that the Public Works Department had a plan for snow plowing, ;but the first night all of the equipment failed. At eight o'clock p.m, on the night of the. storm, the weather forecast was light snow with no accumulation. He stated that all of the Town Equipment was out at 10:15 p.m., and Bieren's truck was on the road at 2:00 a,,m. Pierce's truck did not show up until 8:00 a.m., and Trebino's also arrived in the morning. Colonel Barry stated that Poill*acci and Sylvester from Watertown came to work on Saturday December 1 1945, Sylvester has two trucks, and is willing to work for the Town if the Town of Lexington has frames to fit his trucks. However, he will not be able to do any Town work until seven or, eight hours after a stbrm because of the fact that he works for the Boston Elevated on snow removal. Mr. Sheldon asked why the trucks did not arrive at eight in the morning when they were called at one, and Colonel Barry replied that he did not know why they were delayed. Mr. Sheldon asked if there were any policy pertaining to the number of inches of snowing before equipment is called out. Colonel Barry said that the equipment is not called out until there is a snow fall of between three and four inches. Snow Storm & Plowing Same 338 To include two 3i Ton Dump .Trucks in Budget oba Rich e: Town ounsel Ellen Stone House 'Mr. Lyon A lengthy discussion followed relative to snow removal, and the Board authorized Colonel Barry to have the necessary repairs made on the equipment. It was further decided to include two 3i ton trucks in the Highway Department - Road Machinery Capital Outlay Budget. These two trucks are in addition to the 6 ton truck already ordered, and the 5 ton dump truck in the budget. Colonel Barry retired at 8:40 p.m:, and Mr. John F. Rich appeared before the Board. The Chairman stated that der. Rich had been invited to appear before the Board to follow up the conference he had with the Chairman and Mr. Rowse. Mr. Rich stated that after he finished school, he went to Dartmouth, and received an A.B. Degree, and then he went to Harvard Law School where he graduated in 1933 L.L.B. Following that, he went to work with Choate, Hall and Stewart on a temporary basis. While there, he learned of an opening with a firm in New York, where he practiced for four years. Mr. Rich said that he took examinations in Massachusetts and New York, and is a member of both bars. He said that while he was in Buffalo he did every type of law work, except criminal work. He said that in 1937 he became connected With Judge Burns who had been his teacher at Harvard, and he has been donnected with him ever since. He does general practice, with emphasis on corporate work. Mr. Rich said that as far as Town work is concerned,. ho did_not think he would have any trouble. Mr. Sheldon asked if Mr. Rich were appointed, would it be his intention to handle the Town business personally, and Mr. Rich replied in the affirmative. Mr. Rowse asked if he would be willing to come down• to the Selectmen's Meetings each week, and Mr, Rich said that he would be willing to do so, and thereby become more familiar with Town work. Mr. Rich retired at 8:40 p.m., and Mr. William Lyon appeared before the Board. Mr. Lyon said that Mr. Worthen had contacted him because a permit had been issued to demolish the Ellen Stone House. Mr. Lyon said that he had talked with Mr. Cate1do, the owner, who is most cooperative. Mr. Lyon agreed to buy theAhouse.and remove it from the lot, with the under- standing that if any organization in the Town wanted to purchase it later and pay him what an auditor -considers it cost, plus a charge for his time, Mr. Lyon'would be willing to sell it. He said that the Adams School Lot was mentioned by Mr. Worthen, but since that time he understands that this property could be disposed of only by a vote of the Town Meeting, and the house must be removed by January. are Mr. Potter said that there/two lots by the Gataldo's property, and the house next to it, formerly used as a parish house for the Sacred Heart Church, and he suggested op 0.4 that Mr. Lyon contact the owner to determine whether or not the house could be placed there temporarily. Mr. Lyon said that he had just purchased the house at 55 Waltham Street, Lexington, from Mr. Wrightington, who is trustee. He said that the house is in the business zone, and after signing the agreements, he heard about a road going through in connection with the parking area which would necessitate the demolition of this particular house. _ Mr. Potter who was a member of the parking committee stated that he called Mr. Wrightington at t he.t ime a study was being.made of the parking area, and informed him that the house in that area would be taken. Mr. Lyon retired at 9:10 p.m. Sick leave policy was held over for another week. Fetter was received from the Appropriation Committee informing the Board that the following budgets had.been approved: Account Garbage Collection Appropriation Committee - Pers. Appropriation Committee - Expenses Accounting Department - Expenses Law Department --Expenses Requested Approved $8,500 Serv. 500 650 435 500 $8,500 500 650 435 500 The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Wrightington relative to a Charles Lyman Weld's will. The administrator is about to file a final account, and has sent a copy to Mr. Wrightington which provides for payment to the Town of a legacy of $1,349.87. Mr. Wrightington said that. before the administrator can pay the money to the Town, the Tilwn ought to adopt a vote accepting the provisions of the will, and he suggested an Article be included in the warrant for the next Town Meeting. Mr. Rowse moved that an Article be insertedL•in the warrant for the next Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Board gave further consideration to Mr. Richard Bramhall's offer of $700 for Lots 19-22 inc., Block 17, Bertwell Road, Lexington. A proposal to sell these lots was advertised in the November 29, 1945 issue of the Lexington Minute -Man. An offer of $800,dated December 3, 1945 was received from Robert L. Ryder, Attorney for Mr. William D. Milne, a former resident of Lexington, and now of Larchmont, New York. Upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Rowse, it was voted that Mr. Milnets offer be accepted, and that Lots 19-22 inc., Block 17, Bertwell Road, be sold and.con- veyed to Mr. Milne. 0. 339 House on Waltham Street Parking Area Held Over Budgets Article in Warrant Weld Will Sell Lots 19-22 inc. Bertwell Road to William D. Milne 340 Application was received from the Lexington Club, Inc. Uses of for the use of Cary Memorial Hall on January 25, 1946, and Halls was held over from last week. Mr. Potter reported that money received by this organ- ization is ued for charity in general. Mr. Rowse moved that the use of the hall be granted, free of charge. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Potter said that the Lexington Club, Inc. would also like to use Cary Hall on the Sunday before the performance for a rehearsal. Mr. Sheldon moved that the request be approved. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Appoint The Chairman read a letter signed by Mr.:Frederick J. Asst. Spencer recommending the appointments of the Assistant Assessors Assessors:to do the listing as follows: Frederick J. Spencer Robert E. Ryan Madeline V. Peterson J. Carroll Ryan Charles Nichols Harold F. Rycroft Mary Oliver Jesse Condinho Gladys Watson Winslow C.• Roche, Jr. Mr. Sheldon moved that the list submitted by Mr. Spencer be approved, and that.the appointments be made as of December 1, 1945. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A letter was received from Mrs. George S. MacAlpine, Wildacre Inn, requesting that Percy Road Extension be plowed, inasmuch as there are a number of elderly people at the Inn who might be in need of a doctor. The Clerk was instructed to acknowledge the letter, and advise Mrs. MacAlpine that the matter was being investigated. She was further requested to ask Colonel Barry to check the request, and to determine whether or.not is practical for the Town to plow the Percy Road Extension. Mr. Tracy Ames, Chairman of the School Committee, tele - Sidewalks phoned and stated that the School Committee had received Plowed requests to have more sidewalks plowed. The Chairman said that he would take the matter up with Colonel Barry. Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, s econded by Mr. Sheldon, it was voted that the Chief of Police be instructed to enforce Section 8, Article 5, of the Traffic Rules and Orders of the Town of Lexington, which pertain to all-night parking. It was also decided to have Alan Adams print this Article in the next issue of the Lexington Minute -Man. Plowing Percy Rd. Extension Enforce No All - Night Parking Letter was prepared by Colonel Barry to be sent to the Establish Metropolitan District Commission advising the establishment New Water of new water rates as of April 1, 1946. . Rates Mr. Rowse moved that the Chairman be authorized to sign the letter. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and_it was so voted. cac 1 The appointment of a Town Counsel was considered at length, and it was decided to invite Mr. Daniel Lynch to meet with the Board on Monday evening, December 17, 1945. Mr. Potterreported that the Veterans of Foreign Wars had drawn off the water in all the toilets in the Barnes Property not being used, and the rooms where there is water are being heated. He said that he understood that the building was being taken care of by Mr. Watt the plumber. The Clerk was instructed to ask Colonel Barry to check and determine whether or not arrangements had been made according to the letter written to them on November 27, 1945, and if not, to have the water turned off. If the organization has complied with the precautionary measures, they are to be advised that the Board would like an acknowledgment of the letter. Mr. Potter informed the Board that Mrs. G. G. Henry Kuipers, Kuipers 109 Reed Street, Lexington, had contacted Mr. Spencer several Tax times relative to Lots 5-7 inc., Block 91, Reed Street, Lexington. Title Mrs. Kuipers had submitted an offer of $200, and was advised Offer by the Board that the lowest figure acceptable for these particular lots is $300. Mr. Rowse moved that Mrs. Kuipers be advised that the minimum amount. that the Board will accept for these lots is $300. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Rowse auggested that some time after January 1, 1946, the Board adopt a policy on accepting unaccepted streets, and that same publicity be given the subject in the local paper. 341 Lynch Inv. Re: Town Couns V.F.W. Barnes Property A -true eopy, Attest: Accept Unaccepted Streets