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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1947-01-13175 SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 13, 1947 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening, January 13, 1947 at 7:30 p.m. Chairman Potter, Messrs. Locke, Rowse, Sarano and Paxton were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 p.m. Mr. Joseph H. DeFoe, Suilt. of Public Works, appeared before the Board. He said that he has had occasion this year to hire an M -scope for locating water mains from Metcalf & Eddy and they send out an operator at a cost to the town of $25.00. He said that he thought the purchase of an M -scope would be a worthwhile investment for the town. Mr. Rowse asked how soon this equipment would be needed and Mr. DeFoe replied that there is no work that M -scope would necessarily call for it at the present time. Mr. Rowse asked if there had been an amount included in the 1947 budget to pay for the equipment, and Mr. DeFoe replied in the negative. Mr. Rowse moved that the Supt. of Public Works include an item in his 1947 budget to provide money to pay for an M -scope. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. DeFoe said that a question has come up relative to Robin - assessments for the installation of a water main in Robinson "son Road. Two property owners, Mr. Murphy and Mr. Johnson refuse Rd. to sign. Mr. Folsom has 530 feet of frontage and he is Assess- concerned about the location bf Route 128. He is willing to ment sign for only that portion of land that he will be able to use. Mr. Rowse retired at 7:55 p.m. to attend a meeting of the Committee on War Memorial. The Board discussed the question of assessment and upon motion of Mr. Paxton, seconded by Mr. Locke, it was voted to authorize the Supt. of Public Works to proceed with the installation of a water main in Robinson Road even though 75% of the abutters have not signed the petition. Mr. DeFoe explained in detail the change in price of water pipe and informed the Board that to install all the water pipe for which he has requests, including the custom Built Homes development as far as has been approved by the Water pipe 176 Board of Survey, he willrneed 3800 feet of 12 inch; 5400 feet of 8 inch and 5300 feet of 6 inch. Mr. Paxton moved that Mr. DeFoe be authorized to place an order for 6000 feet of 6 inch; 6,000 feet of 8 inch and 4500 feet of 12 inch. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted.. Mr. DeFoe retired at 8:20 p.m. and the following members of the Board of Assessors met with the Selectmen: Chairman Clyde Steeves, Messrs. Burnham, Fmery, Shanahan and Spencer. Mr. Steeves said that his Board has been obt assessing new houses and they have found a number of houses in town that are not properly assessed. He said that in some instances houses have been remodelled without building permits having been issued. Mr. Steeves said that his Board is suggesting that they make a survey in an endeavor to bring the inequalities up wheee they belong. The Chairman asked how far they would go on such a survey. Mr. Steeves said that three of the Assessors would go out and do a street at a time, taking in every house on the street. Survey by Mr. Paxton asked how long such a survey would take, Assessors and Mr. Spencer replied that he thought it might take thirty or forty days. Mr. Paxton asked how much money would be needed, and Mr. Steeves said that it would cost $24 a day; Mr. Spencer receiving no compensation - about $1600 would 'take `care: of the job: Mr. Steeves said that they would like to begin the work right away, and the Chairman explained that funds for such a survey will have to be made available at the Annual Town Meeting in March, and he suggested that the Assessors request an appropriation and commence the work in April. He stated that the Selectmen, however, would not object if the Assessors preferred to tbegin the survey now and take a chance of having the money made available. The Board of Assessors retired at 8:45 p.m. and Mr. Rowse returned to the Selectmen's meeting. Mr. Aquaro of RindgeAvenue and Mr. Joseph Vitale appeared before the Board. Mr. Aquaro said that he was askidg to have the sewer installed in Bow Street and he has been acting for this for fourteen years. He said that he now has three cesspools and no room for another. eve 1 1 177 Mr. Paxton explained that a main trunk line will Request have to be constructbd up to the back end of Bow For Sewer Street in order to take care of the situation. He In Bow said that the trunk line will then be continued up Street to the Reed's Farm, up Maple Street and up Woburn Street, Mr. Paxton stated that this problem is now being studied through Federal assistance by Metcalf & Eddy. Mr. Aquaro said that if the cesspools run over onto Bow Street this summer he will call it to the attention of the State Board of Health. Mr. Paxton said that he thought every member of the Board of Selectmen was with Mr. Aquaro 100% but there are a number of sewer problems in this town. He said that he knew Mr. Aquaro has been after this for fourteen years, but there are a number of other problems that must be worked out first. He said that Mr. Aquaro may rest assured that the Selectmen recognise the need and will do everything that they possible can. Mr. Aquaro said that he did not expect to have the situation taken care of in 1947. Mr. Aquaro retired at 9:10 p.m. and the following members of the Appropriation Committee met with the Selectmen: Chairman J. Milton Brown, Messrs. Hall, Hopkins, Hoyt, Hynes, Jenny, Lane, Newhall, 'Winlock and the acting town accountant, Mr.. Macbeth. Mr. James Collins, Public Welfare 4ent was also present. The Chairman explained that he had invited Mr. Collins to be present this evening relative to the'duties of a Veterans' Agent. He said that if the Board appoints an agent, and that law says one must be appointed, some provisions will have to be made for the salary. Mr. Collins said that at the present time there are only two Veterans' Benefits cases; one receiving 48.50 a week and one going off within a week. Mr. Rowse asked if a member of the Committee could Veterans' handle the work, and Mr. Collins replied that the Agent Agent must be a veteran. He said that if the Board did not want to appoint an Agent for one case, the Selectmen may do it themselves until such time as the case load increases. The 'Chairman said that he understood Mr. Collins could act until Town Meeting. Mr. Collins said that applications for veterans' benefits must be presented to the Selectmen, and that there are tau types - Veterans' Benefits and Veterans' Services. Mr. Collins said that the Veterans' Services Agent could work with the newly appointed Advisory Board and he could also take over both jobs. 178 The Chairman asked if the Veterans' Services Agent would have to be appointed and Mr. Collins replied not necessarily. He said that the Board of Selectmen could act in that capacity. Mr. Rowse asked if Mr. Collins could be the Veterans' Benefit Agent, and Mr. Collins replied in the negative. Mr. Rowse said that there is at least one veteran:; on the Advisory Board and asked that if he were appointed Agent would the law be covered. Mr. Collins said that it is necessary to 'lave a private office for the purpose of receiving. applications. Mr. Rowse asked if it would be necessary for the Board to pass a vote if the Selectmen were to handle the benefits. Mr. Collins said that the Commissioner of Veterans Services in Boston should be notified. Selectmen Mr. Rowse movedthat the Board of Selectmen act as as Vet. the Veterans' Benefits Agent, Mr. Sarano seconded the Benefit motion, and it was so voted. Agent. The Chairman asked if Mr. Collins could act as Veterans' Services Agent and he replied that Dr. Short as a member of the Advisory Board and a veteran of World War II could act as Veterans' Services Agent and have a secretary do the work. Mr. Collins retired att9:25 p.m. Mr. Hoyt asked if there was anything to be presehted-to Town Meeting relative to the Teterans's Services and Veterans' Benefits Agents and the Chairman replied that apparently there is not. Mr. Brown, Chairman of the Appropriation Committee said that the subject to be considered is Personal Services and he presented to each member of the Board a schedule of the present salaries of clerks in the various departments. Salaries Mr. Rowse asked how much weight the Appropriation Committee put on the length of service of employees and Mr. Brown replied that he thought it should have some bearing, but not much. He said that in some instances it appears that employees having worked for only a short period of time have learned to do a good job and should receive what the job is worth. He said that others, employed for longer period of time may possibly have reached the top. He said that apparently both the Appropriation Committee and the Board of Selectmen assume that the old salary schedule of 1 minimums and maximums is now out. Mr. Rowse asked if the Appropriation Committee felt that conditions warrant any increases above the present rates and Mr. Brown replied that he did not think so. Mr. Hoyt said that the Appropriation Committee was more concerned about the inequalities rather than increased rates. Mr. DeFoe, Supt. of Publis Works was invited to sit in on the salary discussion at 9:45 p.m. He informed the group that this year the girls in his office asked him for an increase of $4.00 a week. A lengthy discussion was held and several schedules proposed. The final schedule agreed upon is as follows: Hazel J. Murray Frances Richey Ruth, Arner Barbara Olson Ann McDonough Mayy McDonough Mildred Thompson Lillian Tullar Helen Ready Eleanor Heaney Alice Corbett Rita McNamara Ruth Vaughn Virginia Tarbell $50.63 35.00 33.00 31.00 27.00 35.00 35.00 31.00 35.00 31.00 33.00 31.00 31.00 33.00 Selectmen n Accounting n Town Clerk » n Tax Collector Tax Collector Assessors fT Public Works Park and Bldg. Inspector 179 The Chairman explained to the Appropriation Committee the survey proposed by the Board of Assessors. The Appropriation Committee and Mr. DeFoe retired at 11:16 p.m. Application was received signed by residents of Coasting Robbins Road requesting that this road be posted for coasting. Mr. Paxton suggested that the Chief of Police be requested to submit his recommendations to the Board on all such requests. Any decision upon the petition was held over until the next meeting of the Board. Letter was received from Tars. H. R. Jackson, 7 Stetson Street stating that the street had not been sanded in the recent ice storm. The Clerk was instructed to refer the complaint to the Supt. of Public Works. 180 Clerk of Assessors Article Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted to grant the following licenses - all renewals: David Michelson Mrs. Hattie Peckham William Viano Guide License Common Victualler Sunday Movies The Chairman stated that Mrs. Nilson had telephoned the Selectmen's Office and requested permission, on behalf of the Lexington Field and Garden Club, to use Estabrook Hall on the morning of February 11, 1947 for a meeting. Mr. Sarano moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman informed the Board that Mr. Spencer would like authorization from the Board to employ someone for his office with the idea in mind that whoever he employed would take his place when he retired. Mr. Paxton said that he thought this particula4 position was most important and that the Selectmen dhould advertise and make some effort to obtain more than one applicant for the job. No action was taken on the matter. The Chairman informed the Board that the Lexington Golf Club is interested in purchasing a portion of the lor.land area in the so-called Poor Farm property on Hill Street. He asked if the Board would insert an article in the warrant on the matter or should an article be requested by ten registered voters. It was decided to have the Chairman obtain a map of the area in question, showing grades etc. and to consider the matter further next week. Letter was received from the Lexington Allied Veterans Council submitting nominations for the •,Patriots' Day Committee together with a request for 'an appropriation of 0,000. Upon motion of Mr. Locke, seconded by Mr. Paxton, it was voted to appoint the following individuals to serve on the.Patriots's Day Committee: 1 1 Robert H. Watt John Melquist Neil McIntosh John Lamont Albert H. Burnham Leslie R. Armstrong Wirging L. Moore Albert G. Frothingham Post 3007 V.F.W. Post 38 American Legion Unit 32 Mass. State Guard Vets. Lexington Minute Len, Inc. Sons of Union Veterans, Civil War AMVETS President Secretary -Treasurer 181 Patriots/ Day Comm. The Clerk was instructed to request the Comr1ittee to meet with the Selectmen for the purpose of discussing the appropriation for 194.7. A true record, Attest: Clerk