Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1947-05-20 372 .41 SELECTMEN'S MEETING May 20, 1947 ' A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Rooms, on Tuesday evening, May 20, 1947. There were present Chairman Paxton, Messrs. Locke, Emery and Gay. The Clerk was also present. Water At 7 30 p.m. Mr. Joseph DeFoe, Sup't of Public Orders Works, met with the Board. Mr. DeFoe requested permission Approved to have orders prepared for the installation of water mains ih Boulder Road, Preston Road, Winthrop Roadd Extension, Sherburne Road and Cummings Street. Mr. Locke moved that the regaebt be approved and the orders approved. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that there is an insurance policy in the amount of $13 ,000 expiring on May 23, 1947, through the office Holton-Wilcox Company. The Chairman read Renew a letter from Mrs. Holton requesting that the policy be re- Insurance newed through her office inasmuch as she is still a taxpayer Policy in Lexington. Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Locke, $13 ,000 it was voted to renew policy #4481 in the amount of $13 ,000 with through the office of A. I. Carson to be written in the lum- A I Carson bermen' s Mutual for a period ending July 1, 1952. Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that the only request he has for sidewalk construction is the one referred to him by the Board last week. He said that this particular area on Waltham Street is not too bad and he would like to postpone any work on it for this year. Mr. Locke said that he would Sidewalk like to see the work done whereby the abutters pay 50% of Construe- the cost and have it constructed this year if possible. tion The Chairman suggested that Mr. DeFoe write the petitioner that he would construct the sidewalk this year if possible. The Chairman suggested that Mr. DeFoe write the petitioner that he would construct the sidewalk this year if possible. Mr. DeFoe agreed. The Chairman read a letter from G. P. Wadsworth, 26 Hayes Avenue, stating that he would like to have a front walk and driveway paved with macadam. Mr. Wadsworth wanted to know if the town would pay a portion of the contract price sub- mitted by Warren Bros . Roads Co; if the town would consider putting in another type of sidewalk under the usual better- ment assessment program, or, if the town would give him per mission to put in the pavement himself. The Chairman skid that if the sidewalk were built by a private contractor it might not comply with the town' s specifications. If the town does it, it may have to be postponed for another year. The Board decided to advise Mr. Wadsworth that the Selectmen would have no objection if he undertook the construction of the sidewalk himself and that a permit would be issued. 373 Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that one of the employees Sick of the Public Works Department was hit by an automobile leave in February and has just returned home from the hospital. and vasa He said he would like permission to pay this individual two tion to week' s vacation pay , sick leave for 1947, and four days McKenzie sick leave to which he is entitled for 1946. Mr. Locke moved that Mr. DeFoe' s request be granted. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. At 8 P.M. Mr. John J. Garrity, Supt. of Parks and Approve Playgrounds, met with the Board. Mr. Garrity submitted Playground recommendations for playground instructmrs for the 1947 Instruettrs summer season. Mr. Gay moved that the recommendations be approved as submitted. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Garrity retired at 8:15 p.m. Mr. F. K. Johnson met with the Board. Mr. Johnson F.K.Johnson said he was concerned relative to the brook which runs Re brook on through the rear part of his property on Bedford Street. Bedford St. He said that he intedds to erect a building and is anxious to have this area filled in. He said that he understands that this water in the brook is street drainage from the Oakmount Circle area. The Chairman informed Mr. Johnson that no funds had been appropriated to take care of this and asked if Mr. Johnson was in a hurry. . fie replied that he would like to have the brook covered so that he could take advantage of fill as it comes along. He said that it would be to his advantage to eliminate the brook entirely. The Chairman asked if it would be agreeable with Mr. Johnson if the Town Engineer made a study of this between now and the first of June. Mr. DeFoe said that he would have Mr. Cosgrove, Town Engineer, start to work on this within the next month. Mr. Johnson asked if this was a town project and the Chairman replied that insofar as putting in the drain is concerned it will be because the water comes from town streets. Mr. Johnson retired at 8: 25 P.M. Mr. John Wilson met with the Board. Mr. Wilson discussed John at length the proposed installation of a water main in Summit Wilson Road. Mr. Wilson is opposed to having this area developed and Re expressed the opinion that he thought the town would be encour- Summit aging development by installing a water main. The Chairman Road said that he understandsthat Mr. Wilson does not want Summit Road constructed but the Town of Lexington is only increasing the fire protection. He said that the town is trying to service as many people as possible using a small amount of pixie because of the acute shortage . The Chairman asked if Mr. Wilson was 374 cr opposed regardless of whether or not the assessment would be abated and Mr. Wilson replied in the affirmative. The Chairman said the town would try and abide by his wished as much as possible. Mr. Wilson and Mr. DeFoe retired at 8 50 P.M. Planning The following members of the Planning Board met with Board Rdt the_Selstctmen Chairman Worthen, Messrs. Cromwell, Ferguson, Service Houdlet' Nickerson and Richards. Mr. Worthen explained that Roads the Planning Board would like to discuss with the Selectmen the question of service roads on the Concord Turnpike develop- ment. Mr. Worthen asked if the Board of Selectmen in general would be in favor or opposition to service roads from the cost angle or for any other reason. The Board suggested 25 feet additional planting area adjacent to the present turnpike. Mr. Worthen said that the Planning Board ig of the opinion that service roads adjacent to the pike are most desirable. Mr. Lickerson explained that the Planning Board is in favor of a service road adjacent to the pike for aesthetic reasons. Mr. Locke said he would be inclined to follow any recom- mendations of the Planning Board in relation to this subject. The Board of Selectmen was unanimously in favor of following the suggestions recommended by the Planning Board. The Chairman asked if it would be possible for the Planning Board to consider the Concord Turnpike insofar as service roads are concerned and have a planarawn showing how it might work out from the Arlington line to the Lincoln Line. He said the Board of Selectmen would then know what the Planning Board' s policy is going to be and the Selectmen would know exactly what they had in mind. Mr. Worthen said that he thought this was a very good suggestion and would be considered by his Board. The Planning Board retired at 9 35 P.M. Approve Chairman Tho as Donnelly of the Board of Fire Engineers Duplicate and Deputy Chief "ook met with the Selectmen. Deputy Chief Gasoline Cook said that he would like to have the Clerk of the Board Licenses type duplicates of gasoline licenses that have been issued in the Town of Lexington. The Board had no objection. lr. Donnelly and Deputy thief Cook retired at 9 50 P.M. Settle The Chairman informed the Board that he had talked with claim of the representative of the insurance company relative to alleged Mabel & claim for damages submitted by Earl W. Garland of Bedford, Mass. Earl The insurance company thought that if the town is willing to Garland pay one-half of the cost they will pay the other to settle the claim. The Chairman said that he assumed the Board would be willing to go along on its previous decision to pay one-half of the damage. The adjuster left a copy of the release signed by Label C and Earl W. Garland releasing and discharging the town from any and all claims. 375 A petition and an order was received from the N. E. Tel. Approve & Tel. Co. requesting permission to put underground conduits Order for and manholes on Bedford Street, approximately 515 feet north- Under- west of Harrington Road. Mr. Locke moved that the petition ground be approved and the order adopted. Mr. Gay seconded the Conduit& I motion, and it was so voted. Manhole The ChdiArman read a letter from Paul Bowser requesting an abatement of assessment against his property in the sum of $15,900.00 in connection with the construction of Grant Street. The Chairman read a letter from Sgt. William E. Smith, Deny use U.S. Army Recruiting Service, requesting permission to use Sound a sound truck in Lexington one day during the week of May Truck To 26th. The Chairman stated that over a period of time the U.S.A. Board has always refused similar requests. The Clerk was Recruit. instructed to advise Sergeant Smith that the Board does not Service desire to establish a precedents , and therefore , denied the request. The Board gave further consideration to Mr. John A. Sell Lot WigginAt offer of 1100 for Lot 99 Leighton Avenue. A notice of the offer was inserted in the May 15th issue of Leighton the Lexington Minute-Man. No further offers were #99 Ave . to received as a result of the advertisement. Upon motion John A. of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Locke, it was voted to accept Wiggins Mr. Wiggin '- offer and to sell and convey lot #99 Leighton Avenue. The Chairman informed the Board that no decision had Not to been made relative to the prohibiting of heavy trucking on prohibit north Hancock Street. It was voted to abide by Chief Heavy truck Rycroft' s recommendations and not post this as a street ing on NO. upon which heavy trucking is prohibited. Hancock St, An application was received from the Senior High Grant use of School Class requesting permission to use Cary Memorial Cary Hall to Hall on the afternoon of June 8th for a baccalaureate Senior Class service. Mr. Locke voted that the use of the hall be grant- for ed free of charge. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it Baccalaureate was so voted. An application was received from Robert C. Merriam Grant use of requesting permissidal to use Cary Hall or Estabrook Hall hall for on the evening of June 3d for a meeting to discuss the organization organization of a taxpayer' s association. Mr. Emery moved of taxpayer ' s that the use of the hall be granted free of charge and the Association deposit usually required waived. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. __ 376 on .0 Upon motion of Mr. Emery, secanded by YY.r. Gay, it Licenses was voted to grant the following licenses William Viano 1794 Mass. Avenue Sunday Movies Countryside Associates Lowell Street Sunday Golf The Chairman reported to the Board that he had talked Vote to to Mr. Seaver of the Needham Transportation Committee. Sign This committee believed that in the sincerity of the petition Lieutenant-governor' s communication relative to the Rapid of Needham Transit Hct but it is so written that once the commission Trans. Com is established Lexington can be forced into the system withmut any recourse or obtaining the opinion of the voters. The Needham Transportation Committee want to have the Act so written that the voters will have an opportunity to consider it. Mr. Emery moved that the Selectmen sign the petition sub- mitted by the Needham Transportation Committee . Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. L. Miles Re At 10 25 P.M. Mr. Lawrence Miles met with the Selectmen. Veterans' He informed the Board that he had devoted considerable time Agent obtaining information relative to the duties and responsibility of the Veterans' Agent and he very firmly believes that the Director cannot do the job on a part time basis. Mr. Miles said that as much as he would like to handle it, it is impossible for him to take it. The Chairman asked if Mr. l+iles thought there would be a definite need for a full time agent and he replied that sooner or later he thought the town would have to make provisions for a full time agent. Mr. Miles agreed to continue to make further investigation and contacts and report to the Board at a later date. He retired at 11 P.M. Closing of Mr. Emery called the Board' s attention to the fact old Fire that some shutters should be placed over the windows in Station the old fire station on Merriam Street when it is vacated. The Chairman suggested that the Fire Department be ie- quested to obtain the lumber necessary ror shutters, paint them and board up the windows, thelexpense to be charged to the Fire Department Expense Account with the understanding that if the account is short at the end of the year the Appropriation Committee will be requested to make a transfer. Increase of The Chairman informed the Board that Mr. Spencer had Wages as of conferred with him again relative to the increase in salaries April 1, for Miss Ready and Miss Thompson. Mr. Spencer believes that 1947 relations in the office would be more amicable if the pro- , 377 11 posed increases were retroactive to April 1, 1947. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Locke, it was voted to rescind the vote of May 13, 1947, whereby the Salary increases of these two clerks were to be affective May 16th. Mr. Gay then moved that MiGs Ready and Diss Thompson' s salary be increased in the amount of $3 . 00 a week retroactive to April 1, 1947. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The meeting adjourned at 11 50 P.M. A true copy, Attest g4g4A44/Ir j /44f le k. I