HomeMy WebLinkAbout1946-02-04 4®8 00
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SELECTMEN'S MEETING yC
February 4, 1946.
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held
in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday
evening, February 4, 1946, at 7 :50 P.M. Chairman Locke,
Messrs. Potter, Sheldon and Sarano were present. The Clerk
was also present.
At 7 .40 P.M. the following groups appeared before the
Board Messrs. Hoyt, Hynes, Raymond Brown, J. Milton Brown,
Jenny, Newhall, Hopkins, Winlock and White of the Appropria-
tion Committee; Messrs. Cromwell, Houdlette, Nickerson,
Ferguson and Gordon Richards of the Planning Board; Messrs.
Johnson, Spencer and Worthen of the Committee on Parking
Facilities; and Mr. DeFoe, Superintendent of Public Works,
Alan Adams, George Smith, and Alfred Tropeano.
Parking The Chairman explained that the purpose of the meeting
Facilities was to give the Planning Board and the Appropriation Committee
an opportunity to hear a report from the Committee on Parking
Facilities. He stated that Mr. Worthen would act for Mr.
Ballard, Chairman of the Committee on Parking Facilities,
who was unable to be present.
Mr. Worthen said that he assumed most of the individuals
present had read the report, but for the benefit of those
who were not familiar with it, he gate the basic plans, the
location of the proposed street, and explained at length
the parking project.
The Chairman said that one question which had been dis-
cussed by the Board of Selectmen was pertaining to the area
in the rear of the Seligman Block, and the railroad right-
of-way.
Mr. Worthen informed the group that the Committee felt
that the advantages of the proposed area outweighed any ad-
vantages that the location at the rear of the Seligman
property might have. Mr. Worthen answered numerous questions
pertaining to the proposed area, and the group retired at
8:07 P.M.
Direction Mr. DeFoe said that he had received a call from the
Sign At Bedford Airport requesting the installation of a direction
Clarke St. sign at the junction of Clarke Street and Massachusetts
Mass. Ave. Avenue. Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that there is already
a State sign on this location and he knew of no reason why
the request should not be granted.
The Board had no objection to a conventional sign being
erected at this location.
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Mr. DeFoe said that he had made quite a study of the Drains
possible riprapping on Vine Brook at Waltham Street. He Vine
said that, at the present time, if a drain pipe is installed, Brook
the situation will not be greatly relieved, but by riprap- At Wal-
ping the grade will be lowered. Mr. DeFoe said that lower- tham
ing the brook 41 will not help the playground very much be- Street
cause the pipes coming out from the playground will be 31
above the bottom of the new open culvert. In order to take
advantage of the lowering grade of the brook, it will be
necessary to put in a network of drains in the playground
and drop them 31 .
Mr. DeFoe said this week he took a soundings and a pro-
file of the brook. The condition seems to be that there
is about 32 feet of muck to contend with. Mr. DeFoe said
that he did not believe lowering the brook right now would
materially affect the present field.
The Chairman asked if there were drains around the
playground. Mr. DeFoe said that there is a drain below
Clarke Street with drains leading from it. He said that
on the Waltham Street side there are three drains that drain
toward Waltham Street. There are also two or three drains
on the other side that drain into the main drain. He said
that the best they can do is to put in riprapping and lower
the brook so that there will be a foot pitch.
The Chairman read a letter from Mary Francesshelli, Street
34 Grapevine Avenue, Lexington, requesting the installation Lights
of street lights. Art. in
Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that Grapevine Avenue is Warrant
unaccepted and in his opinion two lights would be sufficient.
Mr. Sheldon moved Grapevine Avenue be included in the
list of streets for which the Board is requesting street
lights at the Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Sarano seconded the
motion, and it was so voted.
The Chairman read a letter from the Massachusetts De- Hrng
partment of Public Works stating that a hearing would be State
held on Wednesday, February 6, 1946, on the matter of lay- Highway
ing out a State highway from a point on Massachusetts Avenue
near Marrett Road northwesterly to the Bedford Airport.
The Chairman requested Mr. DeFoe to attend the meeting,
and suggested that the Town Engineer should also be present.
Mr. DeFoe agreed to be present at the hearing and re-
tired at 8:25 P.M.
Mr. Lermond, a representative of the Blue Cross, appeared Blue
before the Board. Cross
Mr. Lermond said that there has been two Blue Cross Payroll
groups in Lexington since 1942; the School Department and Deduettn
the Town employees. The association prefers to have pay-
roll deductions made, and in talking with the Town Treasurer
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he stated that he wou;d be willing to handle the necessary
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clerical work. Mr. Lermond stated that there seems to be oc
some misunderstanding between the Treasurer and the Town
Accountant relative to payroll deductions. Mr. Dine of the
Division of Accounts informed Mr. Lerner that it was a mat-
ter of Town policy whether payroll deductions could be made.
The Chairman agreed to contact the Town Accountant.
Mr. Lermond retired at 8:35 P.M.
Price The Chairman read a letter from the Lexington Trust
Stevens Company stating that the Executive Committee has set a price
Gravel of ,$5,000 on the so-called Stevens Gravel Pit on Utica Street.
Pit
The Chairman read a letter from James J. Carroll in-
forming the Board that from instructions received from his
physician to curtail some of his activities, it is necessary
for him to resign as a member of the Patriots ' Day Committee.
19th April The Chairman read a letter from James J. Carroll in-
Celebra- forming the Board that the Patriots' Day Committee voted to
tions request an appropriation of $1,000 to cover the expenses of
hiring bands or music and transportation for a 19th of April
celebration.
Sell Lots The Board gave further consideration to Jessie W. Rob-
on Asbury bins' offer of x;250 for Lots 540 to 548 Asbury Street and
& Edna Lots 559 to 567 Edna Street, Lexington. A proposal to sell
these lots was advertised in the January 31, 1946 issue of
the Lexington Minute-Man. No persons contacted the Select-
men's Office as a result of the advertisement.
Mr. Sheldon moved that the offer be accepted, and that
the lots be sold and conveyed to Jessie Robbins. Mr. Sarano
seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
Vote to A second offer was received from Charles D. Sullivan
Advertise in the amount of $900 for Lots 48 to 52 Fletcher Avenue and
Lots 48- Hayes Lane, Lexington.
52 Fletcher Mr. Sheldon moved that a proposal to sell the lots be
Ave. Lex 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.
Award At 8,-45 P.M. Messrs. Richards, Ripley, Nickerson of
Contract the Committee on Fire Stations and Chief Engineer Emery
Central appeared before the Board relative to the bid on the Central
Fire Fire Station.
Station The Chairman asked what had happened to the change in
the quoted price.
Mr. Emery replied that the clause to which the Board
objected was to be removed.
Mr. Richards explained that the contractor had seen
all his material men and obtained firm bids.
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The Chairman asked if the contractor felt he was in
a position to contract the job, and Mr. Emery replied in
the affirmative.
Mr. Sheldon asked in the Board voted to sign a con-
tract would the contract be ready for signatures at the
next meeting of the Boaru.
Mr. Emery replied in the affirmative. He said that
if the Board voted this evening to sign a contract, they
have actually bought something.
Mr. Potter asked what the contractor would sign in
the way of a bond.
Mr. Richards replied that he would sign a Surety Com-
pany 100% completion bond.
Mr. Sheldon moved that the Town accept the adjusted
bid of the Tredennick-Billings Company of Boston to con-
struct the new Central Fire Station for the sum of $107,688,
and that the Selectmen sign and approve said contract for
said work as presented. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion,
and it was so voted.
The Clerk was instructed to hold the checks and bonds
of all the bidders until next Monday evening.
The group retired at 9 :05 P. M.
Memorandum was received from James J. Collins, Agent Brown &
of Soldiers' Relief and Military Aid, requesting approval Blodgett
of the following individuals under Soldiers' Relief; Thomas Soldiers '
Brown, 435 Waltham Street, Lexington, under treatment at Relief
Soldiers' Home, Chelsea, - $12.00 a week; and Frank Blodgett
1650 Massachusetts Avenue, Veteran of World War II and now
a patient at the Massachusetts General Hospital - $5 .00 a
day for hospitalization.
Mr. Sheldon moved that the request be approved. Mr.
Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
Application was received from the Sacred Heart Church
for permission to use Cary Memorial Hall on the evening of
March 15, 1946, from 8:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. for a St. Use of
Patrick's Day Concert. Hall
Mr. Sarano moved that the use of the hall be granted, $25 Chg.
subject to a charge of $25. Mr. Sheldon seconded the
motion, and it was so voted.
Application was received from the Lexington Senior
High for permission to use Cary Memorial Hall on the eaten- Use of
ing of February 19, 1946, from 8:00 P.M. to midnight for Hall
A Junior Prom. Free
Mr. Sheldon moved that the use of the hall be granted,
free of charge. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it
was so voted.
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The Clerk informed the Board that Mrs . Harold Wheeler '
Display had requested permission to display the Red Cross Flag at
Red Cross the Red Cross Headquarters from 9 :30A.M. to 4 :30 P.M. every
Flag day, except Saturday and Wednesday, during the Red Cross Drive.
Mr. Potter moved that the request be granted. Mr.
Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
A true record, Attest :
C erk
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