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