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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1947-08-25522 SELECTMEN'S MEETING August 25, 1947 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday evening, August 25, 1947, at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building. There were present Chairman Paxton, Messrs. Locke, Emery and Gay. The Clerk was also present. Mr. DeFoe, Sup't. of Public Works, Mr. Burnes, Asst. Sup't. of Public Works, Stanley Higgins, a Town Engineer, Mr. Tracy Ames, an inusranee broker, and nine other persons met with the Board for the opening of bids for the construction of streets. Bids were received as follows: Bid Certified Check J. F. White Contracting Co. $47339. $ 225007---- 11 Pemberton Square Boston, Massachusetts C. & R. Construction Co. 75 Bradeen Street Roslindale, Massachusetts 57,950.24 3,000. A. V. Taurasi, Inc. 60,077.14 3,100. 40 Court Street Boston, Massachusetts es Construction Co. 50,211.03 2,600. 119 Landseer St. West Roxbury, Massachusetts The reading of the bids was closed at 8:05 p.m. and the group retired. The Chairman invited Mr. White to return to the meeting. He asked him kow long his firm had been in operation and Mr. White replied that it was incorporated in 1920. They have done Chapter 80 work in North Andover and are now working in Marlboro. He stated that he is President and General Manager but that his father has a share in the business. Mr. Emery asked if the business is incorporated and Mr. 'White replied in the affirmative, and gave the amount of $50,000. He informed the Board that the corporation owns all its own equipment. The Chairman aJsked if the contract was awarded to Mr. White would he be willing to place the insurance with 'alocal agent. Mr. White said that he has done business with Mr. T. J. Nowland. The Chairman said that possibly Mr. White CO 1.31 523 might request Mr. 'lowland to handle the bonding through the office of Tracy Ames. He explained, however, that there was nothing in the specifications whereby a con- tractor is obliged to place the bond through any particular agent. Mr. White retired at 8:14 p.m. Mr. DeFoe reported to the Board that he and Mr. Street light Frank Hitchcock of the Boston Edison Co. had inspected req. denied the location on Watertown Street as the result of a request received for an additional street light. At the present time there is four -pole lighting which is not very good but Mr. Hitchcbck is not keen about recom- mending another light. Mr. DeFoe explained that as far as eventually lighting dip the street is concerned, to install the light requested would be a step in the right directioh. The Chairman asked if Mr. DeFoe and Mr. Hitchcock felt that it was not practical from an engineer- ing point to put in the street light, and Mr. DeFoe replied in the affirmative. Mr. Gay moved that the request be denied. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. DeFoe explained that they had also investigated a request for a street light on Cummings Avenue off Hillside Street. He said that he would not recommend a light at this location. Mr. Locke moved that no action be taken on the request. Mr. Emery seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Shade for The Chairman read a petition signed by residents Street of Spencer Street requesting the installation of a light shade on a street light at the corner of Joseph Road approved and Spencer Street. Mr. Emery moved that the request be granted. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from Custom Built Homes, Inc., claiming damages as a result of alleged neglect on the part of the Town while installing a water service Claim for at 50 Munroe Road. Mr. DeFoe stated that he would like Damages to confer with Mr. McLaughlin and report at the next meeting of the Board. The Chairman read a letter from Alfred G. Tropeano stating that he is representing James J. & Bridget 3. Murphy in their claim for damage as a result of a taking Claim for for the purpose of re -locating Grove Street. Mr. taking of Tropeano stated that he would appreciate an opportunity property to discuss the matter with the Board. Mr. DeFoe said that the Murphy's are very much conerned about the trees 524 -and the line has been changed for them. He agreed to bring in a sketch showing the new location. Mr. DeFoe retirdd at 8:30 p.m. Messrs. William Porter, John Porter, Ernest Porter and James Wilson met with the Board. The Chairman explained that the Planning Board and the School Committee Perter - had looked over the land owned by Porter Bros. and Wilson Wilson as a possible location for a proposed elementary school. He explained that one site is at the end of York Street and is right close to the Vine Brook Channel. A second area is the land owned by John Bas- kin and Paul Bowser which does not have quite enough area although it is a real possibility. Another site is the Porter Bros -Wilson property which extends all the way from the Baskin land to the sewer easement line over the Burton property and an eighty foot easement up to Woodland Road. Mr. Porter asked how m4eh land would be left between the taking and the bird sanctuary'. The Chair- man replied that there will be none left' inasmuch as it borders on the bird sanctuary lit. He said the Board would like to have all the possible information so that they can go to town meeting in September and recommend the purchase of one of the two parcels of land for so much money. He said that what the Board wanted to know was how much Porter Bros. & Wilson want for their land. Mr. Ernest Porter replied that they wanted $1,500 an acre for their eleven (11) acres, which would put the price up to something like $15,000. The Chairman asked what the land is assessed for and Ernest Porter replied that he did not know. John Porter said he thought it was assessed for *400 an acre. The Chairman explained that if the Board goes to Town Meeting and recommends that the Town talo by eminent domain and appropriate a certain amount of money, the only amount allowed is the assessed valuation plus 25%. He stated that usually the owner of the property is not satisfied with that 'amount and take the town to court. The case is then dragged out for possibl* two years and the town as well as the owner of the land then has legal fees. He said that the town hopes to be able to get togkther on the purchase price which may be recommended to the School Committee and the Planning Board, who in turn will recommend it to the Town Meeting. Ernest Porter asked if the town would mot 1 1 1 525 like the entire strip. The Chairman replied that it would seem to him that it would be better to take the entire strip. He asked how much they would want left on Adams Street and Ernest Porter said that they would want about two (2) acres. Mr. Locke inquired as to the frontage on Adams Street and William Porter said that the frontage is about 400 feet. Ernest Porter said that they could give the town a right of way. Mr. Emery &eked if they wanted the land on Adams Street and Ernest Porter replied that they wanted that particular parcel of land to raise plants for their greenhouses. He stated that it is the best land on the farm. The Chairman asked if using the eleven acre total for a basis and taking off the two acres, how much it would cost the town for the remaining nine acres. He said that this would give them about a 200 foot right of way running in from Adams Street. Ernest Porter replied that he would Like to get about $1,250 for an acre. The Chairman said that he personally. believes $16,500 is more than he would like to see the town pay at the present moment. Mr. Emery and Mr. Gay said they both felt the same way. The Chairman said that inasmuch as the land is assessed for $400 an acre and the owners quadruple the price, it makes it embarassing to take it before Town Meeting. Mr. Emery asked if the prive was set so high because the owners felt that the town would be taking the most usable land. John Porter said that any land they have sold has been sold at the prime of $1,000 an acre. The Chairman said that they recognized that the town would be taking the part of the farm, but on the other hand there are one or two acres which will not be taken and the Selectmen would prefer not to take it by eminent domain because there will be an economic loss to everyone. He suggested that the owners of the land think it over and the Board would also give it further consideration. The group retired at 9:50 p.m. The Clerk was instructed to write to the Chairman of the School Committee and the Chairman of the Planning Board informing them of the proposition presented by the Porter Bros. and Wilson and to ask them for their opinion by Tuesday, September 2, if possible. • The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Walker, Town Accountant, requesting permission to purchase a 14" Royal Typewriter for approximately $131.75, and also authoriz- ation to dispose of an old typewriter and an adding machine. The H. M. Nichols & Co. of Framingham has offerred $35 for the used typewriter and $20 for the used adding machine which Mr. Walker believes to be Approve purchase. of machine for Town Acc'ts.. Office. 526 Poster for Examination for Sergeant Lex. Police Dep't. Adams & Parker School Breaks Approve bill A. L. for Veteran's Lots V. F. W. re- quest for rent reduction denied. more than the Royal Typewriter Co. would allow him. He stated in his letter that he has sufficient funds in his account to pay for a new machine. Mr. Emery moved that the request be granted. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from H. M. Nichols & Co. of Framingham, Mass., submitting a quotation of $39 for an Underwood Typewriter and $21 for a Royal Typewriter now being used by the Assessors. The clerk was instructed to request Mr. Spencer to submit an explanation relative to this offer. A letter was received from the Division of Civil Service l;together with the poster to be issued for the examination of sergeant in the Lexington Police Department. The Clerk informed the Board that the Chief of Police is of the opinion that the examination should be open to the permanent regular patrolmen who have been employed for at least three years prior to the examination. The poster is set up for one year prior to the date of the examination. Mr. Emery moved that the poster be returned with the request that it be revised to read "three years" instead of "one year". Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Gay brought up the subject of the recent breaks in the Adams and Parker Schools and upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to request the Chief of Police to submit a preliminary report on these two breaks. The Chairman read a letter from the American Legion to which was attached a bill in the amount of 932 for mailing and material relative to drawing for veteran's lots. Mr. Emery moved that the bill be approved for payment and charged to the Unclassified Account. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A letter was received from the V. F. W. requesting the Board of Selectmen to reduce the rate for the use of the rooms in the Barnes property from $15,00 a month to $1.00 a month. The Chairman explained to the Board that the rent has already been reduced from $25.00 to $15.00. Upon motion of Mr. Locke, seconded by Mr. Emery, it was voted to advise the V. F. W. that the Board of Selectmen believe the present charge of 0 mt 1 1 527 $15.00 is reasonable and no reduction is justified. A letter was received from the Town Counsel Legal regarding vacancies occuring during the year in the Opinion list of Town Meeting Members. It is Mr. Lynch's opinion that upon notice of a vacancy a special meeting of the Town Meeting Members of that precinct in which a vacancy occurs should be called promptly by the Town Clerk and the vacancy filled. A letter was received from the Town Counsel Legal relative to the records of the Town Clerk. He stated Epinion that unless the records pertain to illegitimate or Town abnormal sex births, etc., there is no reason why Clerk the town clerk cannot turn copies over to the Board of Selectmen. A letter was received from the Town Counsel Legal regarding the use of Cary Memorial Hall and charges /Opinion to be made for said use by the Board of Selectmen. / Cary Hall Mr. Lynch stated that it was his oipi4in that the ✓ Selectmen are empowered to permit the use of the hall or any meeting that is not of a sectarian or poli ical character, and they are empowered to promulgate a schedule of rates. The Selectmen received a letter of complaint Complaint from E. N. Zaccheus addressed to the Board of Appeals which the Clerk was instructed to refer to Mr. E. A. Lindstrom. A letter was received from Elbert Fisher, 88 Dudley Street, Medford, offerring $100 for Lots 58 & 59 on Rangeway Road. The Committee on Tax Title Tax Title Property recommends an amount of $150. Mr. Locke Property moved that Mr. Fisher be advised that the Board of Selectmen will entertain an offer of $150. Mr. Emery seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A letter was received from Rocco Dell 'Isolay., 11 Leydon Street, Medford, offering $75 for Lots 35 & 36 on Hillcrest Avenue. Whenever Winter Street Tax Title has been accepted by the Town Meeting these lots Property will then be on a finished street with water and the Committee on Tax Title property recommends a price of $200. Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to advise Mr. 'Isola that the Selectmen do not wish to dispose of these lots at this time. 528 Tax Title Property Tax title property Tax Title property Estabrook Hal" App't. to Bd. of Pub Welfare A letter was read from Joseph Ventoal offering $200 for lots # 50, 51, 52, 53 and 55 Hillside Avenue. The Committee on Tax Title Property recommends retaining these lots until such time as the soeoalled Nichols property on Oak Street is developed. If and when Hillside Avenue is widened, the lots will be worth considerably more. Mr. Ventola be advised that the Board of Selectmen do not desire to dispose of these lots at this time, Mr. Day seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A letter was received from Irs. Arthur N. Lee of 59 Ward Street stating that she is willing to pay $200 for Lots 18, 19, and 20, Block 19, Ward Street. Mr. Emery moved that a proposal to sell be advertised in the Lexington Minute -Man and that further consideration be given the offer at the next meeting of the Board. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was. so voted. The Clerk informed the Board that Mr. Apostoulu, who submitted an offer of $45 for "167 and 168 Cliffe Avenue came into the Selectmen's Office with Mr. Spencer and questioned the price of $75 which the Board put on these lots. Mr. Emery moved that Mr. Apostoulu be advised that the Selectmen do not wish to reconsider their quotation of $75. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A letter was received from the V. F. W. requesting permission to hire Estabrook Hall and Conference Room on Wednesday evening, September 3. Mr. Emery moved that this use be granted free of charge. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. An application was received from Jessie I. Withrow, 73 Waltham Street, for permission to accomodate and serve meals to permanent winter guests. Mr. Locke questioned whether or not the Board of Selectmen had the authority to grant a license inasmuch as this house is located in a residential area. The Clerk was instructed to obtain more information. Upon motion of Mr. Locke, seconded by Mr. Emery, it was voted to appoint Mr. Arthur W. Mason as a member • of the Board of Public Welfare for the unexpired term ending March 31, 1948. The meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m. A true record, Attest, 14 Jerk,Yectmen. C gay 1