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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1947-01-27189 SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 27, 1947 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's oom, Town Office Building, Lexington on Monday evening, January 27, 1947 at 7:30 p.ip. Chairman Potter, Messrs. Locke, Rowse, Sarano and Paxton were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 p.m. Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk, met with the Board for the drawing of three jurors. Mr. William E. Phillips, Davis Aircraft, 10 Bloomfield Street was drawn to serve on Civil Business, second session at Cambridge beginning Monday, February 3, 1947. Jurors Mr. George M. Gowan, Boston $b Maine, 1987 Mass. Avenue was drawn to serve on Civil Business, first session at Cambridge, beginning Monday, February 3, 1947. Mr. Randall W. Richards, autb.salesman, 67 Farmcrest Avenue was drawn to serve on Criminal Business, first session at Lowell,: beginning Monday, February 3, 1947. Mr. Carroll retired at 7:35 p.m. and Mr. Joseph H. DeFoe, Supt. of Public Works, met with the Board. Mr. DeFoe said that there has been a survey made of Town the lighting conditions in the town offices and he has Office a plan for revising the lighting system. Moakley and Lighting Son gave an estimate of $4,000.00 for the work. No action .was taken on the matter. Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that the Town Counsel had insisted that he obtain bids relative to the engineer- ing services for planning future trunk sewers. He said Bids for that he obtained two bids. Fay, Spofford & Thorndike Sewer submitted a bid, for five projects, in the amount of Contracts $18,750.00 and Metcalf & Eddy submitted a bid of 19,100.00 Mr. Paxton said that Metcalf:& Eddy is familiar with the Town of Lexington and it seemed to him that they should have given a little lower bid, and that from this job they . would undoubtedly get a sizable amount of business. Mr. Rowse asked when the actual work would be done and Mr. DeFoe replied that the south branch of Vine Brook should be done next year and the north branch immediately following. After some discussion on the matter, upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Locke, it was voted to award the 190 Hearing on Layout of Pine Knoll Road contract for engineering services for planning future trunk sewers to Metcalf & Eddy at their quotation of $19,100.00 for the five projects. Mr. DeFoe retired at 8:05 p.m. At 8:00 p.m. the following members of the Patriots' Day Committee met with the Board: Messrs. Frothingham, Watt, Lamont, Burnham, Seltzer, McIntosh and Foster. The Chairman explained that the Committee had been invited to meet.with the Selectmen this evening inasmuch as the Selectmen would like an explanation relative to the Committee°.s request for a $3,000 appropriation for 1947. Mr. Frothingham read records of a meeting which accounted for the requested estimated expenditure of $2,000 as follows: ball in Cary Hall, $50;'professional bands, $500; transportation, $350; ,printing,ostage and clerical work, $150; cash prizes for floats, $200; luncheon to guests,, $100; breakfast to sea scouts $50; rent of automobiles to drive disabled veterans *100; Lexington Drum Corps, $50; V.F.W. Drum Corps, $50; installation and use of loud speaker, $100; movie film of activities, $150; miscellaneous expenses, $150. The Chariman said that he thought it might be difficult for the Committee to obtain the approval of another $1,000. if they had no definite plans. Mr. Frothingham said that if the Committee receivers $2,000. they can proceed with the program and expenditures as outlined. Mr. Rowse asked if they were asking for an appropriation of $2,000. and Mr. Watt replied in the affirmative. The group retired at 8:20 p.m. Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Paxton, it was voted to approve the Patriots' Day budget in"the amount of $2,000. At 8:22 p.m. hearing was declared open on the layout of Pine Knoll Road as a town way. Mr. DeFoe, Supt. of Public Works, Mr. Higgins, Asst. Town Engineer and fourteen dither persons were present. Mr. Higgins presented a plan of the proposed layout and street, and explained it to the group. Mr. John Baskin questioned the price for building the road. Mr. John Bowan, said that he had personally approached Mr. Baskin relative to fixing the road and at that time Mr. Baskin was willing to consider it providing it was done the way he wanted, and he did not care whether the road was accepted or not. Mr. Sarano asked if Mr. Baskin objected to the layout and Mr. Baskin replied in the affirmative. Mr. Lyon, realtor, said that the Town of Lex- ington has regulations req4irtng at least 100 foot frontage and an area of 12,500 square feet per lot. He said that the lots owned by Mr. Baskin are 90 feet in depth. Mr. Paxton said that he believed Mr. Baskin could take his problem to the Board of Appeals and they might look with favor on having a frontage of 75 feet with a depth of 90 feet. The Chairman said that he thought the Board of Appeals might approve a frontage of 100 feet. The Chairman informed the group that the Board could merely approve the layout of the road and it would be up to the Town Meeting to vote on the construction. Mr. Paxton explained that the road specifications require 12" gravel. foundation, 4" penetrated macadam and included drainage. The shoulders shall be ex- cavated to the right of way line and that all sloping shall be done on private property. (Also included in the estimate) No allowance is made for stone walls or retaining walls on any of the property lines. The Chairman informed those present that the matter would be discussed further and declared the hearing closed at 9:02 p.m. The group retired.- Mr. Rowse moved that the layout of Pine Knoll Road be approved as shown on the plan. Mr. Paxton seconded the motion, and it was so voted. At 9:05 p.m. hearing was declared open on the layout of Taft Avenue as a town 'w. The following residents in the area were present: Rudolph Sommers, Harold N. Wilson, Daniel J. Walsh. Mr. Higgins, Asst. Town Engineer explained a sketch plan. No persons appeared in opposition. Mr. Paxton outlined the specifications to the Taft Avenue group as he did to the Pine Knoll residents. The Chairman said that the matter would be discussed further and declared the hearing closed at 9:10 p.m. The group retired. Mr. Rowse moved that the layout of Taft Avenue be approved as shown on the plan. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 191 Hearing on lay- out of Taft Ave Mr. Baskin and Mr. Lyon appeared $fore the Board 192 Ext. Of time on Baskin Bond Paper Drive Article again. Mr. Baskin said that he had been advised by the Supt. of Public Works that pipe for the installation of water in Castle Road would not be available until October, 1947. He would, therefore, like to extend the time on his boar% Mr. Rowse said that if the'time on the bond were extended then the time limit on the agreement would also have to be extended. Mr. Paxton asked if ha expected to rough out •the road this year and Mr. Baskin replied in the affirmative. The Chairman said that he believed the Board would be willing to extend the time limit on Mr. Baskin s bond and agreement. Mr. quest to Mr. to erect Mr. Baskin asked the Board to again consider his re- have "Slow Signs" placed on Adams Street. Paxton said that the Board had agreed last June these signs. • Baskin retired at 9:20 p.m. with Mr. Lyon. The Chairman said that Mr. Hutchinson on Blossom Street wants the Board to write him a letter that he may show to the individual purchasing his house, that the Town intends to extend water down Blossom Street, if and when pipe is available. Mr. Rowse suggested writing Mr. Hutchinson that the Board has already voted deo include this project in the 1947 budget and that the work will be done under the provisions of the Betterment Act, subject to the assessment of betterments. The Chairman said that someone had called him and asked permission to conduct a paper drive on February 23, 1947 for the East Lexington Boy Scouts. Mr. Rowse moved that the request be approved. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion,aad it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from the Lexington Golf Club stating that they would like to purchase from the Town a parcel of land approximately 1/2 acre in size, which adjoins the Golf Club property. The letter requested that an article be inserted in the warrant for the town meeting to see if the town will sell this parcel of land. Mr. Rowse moved that an article be inserted in the warrant and that the Chairman contact the Golf Club and obtain a price for the property. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 441 1 1 193 Letter was received from Mrs. William H. Hannam, 23 Lincoln Street claiming that the foot pedal to her under- ground garbage received had been broken by the garbage Garbage collector. complaint' Mr. Rowse moved that the complaint be referred to Mr. Connors and that he be requested that he be requested to contact Mrs. Hannam in an effort to arrive at some satisfactory adjustment. Mr. Paxton seconded the motion, and it was so vJted. Letter was received from William Roger Greeley advis- ing that he will complete plans and spedifications for the proposed locker building at a cost not to exceed 1600. He also stated that he will deliver the plans and specifi- cations to the Selectmen together with an estimate of the cost of construction. Letter was received from the Trustees of the Cary Memorial Library advising that they had voted to request the Board of Selectmen to insert an article in the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting requesting the pay0.ent of the architectural firm of Kilham,"Hop;kins and Greeley for services rendered in completing plans and specifications for a new and improved Cary Memorial Library building. Article Mr. Greeley's bill in the amount of .5,917.50 figured on an estimated cost of $141,750.00 was enclosed. Mr. Rowse moved that an article be inserted in the warrant and that a copy of the letter be sent to the Appropriation Committee. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Clerk was instructed to write the Trustees and • ask for an explanation as to why the amount of 1141,750.00 was used when the town only appropriated $125,000.00 Letter was recieved from the Planning Board stating that they would like to increase the Planning Board - Expense budget from 1250 to $1500. This will enable them to employ outside engineering on the anticipated increasing number Budget of problems. Mr. Paxton moved that the Board reconsider the budget and approve the amount of n1500.00. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Middlesex & Boston Street Railway Company stating that they had applied for a license to operate motor vehicles for hire and a license had been Amend - granted which reads in part "Thence via Marrett Road to went the corner of Marrett Road and Access Road." The Petitioner now advises that it should read "Thence via 194 Salaries Massachusetts Avenue to the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Access Road." Mr. Rowse moved that the amendment be approved. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee advising that the Committee had voted to recommend the following salary rates in connection with the 1947 budget: Selectmen's Dept. Mrs. Richey $33.00 Accounting Dept. Mrs. Arner Miss Olson 33.00 31.0o Town Clerkb Dept. Mary.McDonough 35.00 Ann McDonough 27.00 Tax Collector's Dept. Miss Thompson 35.00 Mrs. Tullar 31.00 Assessors' Dept. Miss Ready 35.00 Mrs. Sullivan 31.00 Phalle Works Dept. Miss Corbett 33.00 Miss McNamara 31.00 Miss Vaughn .31.00 Miss Tarbell 33.00 No action was taken by the Selectmen Notice was received Bf a testimonal dinner to be given Henry F. Long, Commissioner of Corporations. and Taxation. Application was received from the Sacred Heart Church Use of requesting permission to conduct a Ministrel Show in Cary hall Hall on Monday, March 17, 1947. Mr. Rowse moved that the use of the hall be granted, subject to a charge of $25.00. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Clerk asked what date the Board desired to set Adj. Town for the Adjourned Town Meeting and it was decided to hold Meeting the meeting an Monday, March 24, 1947. Application was received from Anthony DePaolo, 19 Bowling Hibbert Street for a license to maintain six bowling alleys Alley at 1804 Massachusetts Avenue. Chairman read a lettor from the Chief of Police and upon motion of Mr. Locke, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted to grant the license. I' 1 1 195: Upon motion of Mr. Paxton, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted to sign notices of intentions to lay out the following streets; Lockwood Road, Byron Avenue, Spencer Street, Joseph Road and Brookside Avenue. The Chairman informed the Board that if all the streets for which petitions have been mailed for acceptance, were done, the constables' fee of $1.00 each serviee'would run into two or three hundred dollars. Mr. Rowse moved that the fee be set at 500 and that the services be divided between Constable Magurie and Constable Russell. It was decided to meet on Thursday evening, January 30, to consider budgets. Mr. Lynch, the Town Counsel will meet with the Board on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. for the purpose of going over the warrant for the Town Meeting. A true record, Attest: Cler