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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1947-12-01 124 `0 174 SELECTI NS IV.EETING December 1, 1947 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room on Monday evening, December 1, 1947, at 7 30 p.m. There were present: Chairman , Paxton, Messrs. Locke , Emery, Gay and Driscoll. The Clerk was also present. Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, left a box Jurors of names with the Clerk of the Board of Selectmen and requested that two jurors be drawn. Mr. Edmund J. Costello , 1468 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, was drawn to serve on Civil Business, First Session. Mr. Peter H. Stevens, Engineer, 31 Hancock Street , Lexington was drawn to serve on Criminal Business, First Session. At 7 35 P.M. Mr. James V. McDonald of the Boston Edison Company met with the Board. Mr. McDonald explained that he was acting as advance man on a formal request the Boston Edison Company will make Boston to the Board of Selectmen about an easement over Edison Butterfield' s Pond, which was taken by the Town. re ease- Mr. McDonald presented a bluepkiht which he stated ment over he would leave with the Board. He said this is Butter- part of the same road which he discussed in the field' s Hobbs Brook Section. He stated that there will be Pond no structures in the pond , that it will be aerial. The Chairman explained that the Board of Selectmen had requested the Boston Edison Company to advise the Board as to the complete layout. He said that it would be helpful if they could prepare an 800 acale map with a line showing the exact location in Lexington Mr . McDonald stated that for the Board' s information a little better than 70% of the land taking have been obtained by the Boston Edison Company. The Chairman read a letter from the Town Coun- sel stating that he is entirely in accord with the position of the Board of Selectmen and advised both Mr. Cook and Mr. McDonald of the Boston Edison Company that the entire matter would have to be fully explained and presented to the Board of 11 125 Selectmen before the Board could arrive at any decision on the factual aspect of the case. Mr. McDonald agreed to meet with :,he Board of Select- men on Monday evening„ December 8th, to discuss the entire subject. The Clerk was instructed to request the Town Counsel to be present at this meeting. Mr McDonald retired at 7 45 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from the law firm on Gaston, Snow, Rice and Boyd, together with a notice of a hearing on the joint petition of the Boston Consolidated Gas Co and the Arlington Gas Light Co. for approval of the contract and the sale and pur- chase of gas. The hearing is to be held at Room 1u6, State House , on Thursday , Dec 11th , at 10 30 A.M. No action was taken on the matter. The Chairman read a letter from Andrew Adamson Sale of offering $50 each for Lots 43 and 44, Block 1 , Property Garfield Street. Mr. Adamson stated that these lots adjoin his property The Committee on Tax Title Property recommended accepting the offer. Mr. Locke moved that a proposal to sell the lots be advertised in the Lexington r.inute-Man and that further con- sideration be given the offer at the next meeting of the Board. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from the Lexington Chamber of Commerce requesting the consideration of the Board relative to the installation of parking Parking meters in the busine s section of the town. The Meters Clerk was instructed to acknowledge the letter and advise the Chamber that the subject of parking meters has already been brought to the attention of the Board of Selectmen, and that the Planning Board has been requested to submit a report on this subject. The Chairman read a letter from the Chamber of Commerce relative to the installation of lights in Lights in Depot Square area which they claim was ap2roved Depot some time ago. The Clerk was instructed to request Square additional information and to inquire as to whether or not this communication referred to Depot Square roadway. The Chairman read a letter from the Lexington Chamber of Commerce relative to the "diminshed 126 1.4 lighting now existing on Waltham Street". The Chamber urges increased wattage to be installed in the street lighting fixtures and increased wattage in the lights along Massachusetts Avenue . They also requested that all night lighting of public Street areas be incorporated in the program for 1948. Light The Clerk was instructed to advise the Chamber that lines have been established for the widening Waltham St. of t"Taltham Street and it is anticipated that an item will be included in the 1948 Budget to cover this expenditure . The Selectmen are of the opinion that it would not be logical to put in new lights before the widening is completed. The Clerk was also instructed to inform them that the Boston Edison Company is at the present time making a sur- vey of Massachusetts Avenue , in its entire length from the Arlington line to Bedford Street. The Chairman read a letter together with a petition received from the Middlesex and- Boston M. & B. Street Railway Co. for a license to operate motor St. Rwy. vehicles for the transporatation of passengers for Petition hire from the corner of Bedford Street, Hancock Street and Bedford Street. Mr. Emery suggested that a copy of the letter and petition be forwarded to the Planning Board with the request that this subject be given consideration and their recomm- endations submitted to the Selectmen. The Chairman read a letter from the Town Counsel regarding the request of Mr. Frank L. Stevens for an explanation in writing from the Town Accountant as to the procedure of rendering and paying the bills. The Town Counsel stated that the letter the Town Counsel proposes to send to Mr. Stevens seems to be in accord with the facts and he knows of no reason why it shouldn' t be mailed. Bow Street The Chairman read aletter from Mrs. L. Frank Cochrane , 21 Cliffe Avenue, relative to the Bow Crossing Street Railroad crossing. The Clerk was instructed to send a copy of the letter to the Town Counsel and to advise him that the Selectmen are in total ag-eement with Mrs. Cochrane, and are of the opinion that the matter has been delayed far beyond a reasonable time. She wFs also instructed to req- uest the Totem Counsel to take this matter up with y 1 127 the Chief Engineer of the Boston & lilaine in an effort to find out if and -when the proposed changes are to be made. The Chairman read a letter from the Approp- riation Committee stating that it has been unan- imously decided that the salary schedule for all town employees , -with the expection of the clerks Salaries in the Town Office Building; and '°lelfare Department, should not be handled as a group The Committee also voted to recommend to the Selectmen the following ad ustrlents - that the max- imum for all seriioD clerks should be 038 .00 per week and 033 .00 per week for unior cler1 s , and the comm- ittee feels the pay of the various clerks should be adjusted to that figure if recommended by the Depart- ment Head. No action was taken on the matter. Upon motion duly made and sec.,nded it las voted to grant the following licenses Licenses William Viano 1794 Mass. Avenue Sunday Movies Geo. F. Taylor 424 Marrett Road Common Victualler (ren. ) I II Sidney B Heywood 271 IJarrett Road tt ^ " Bessie 0 . Withrow 73 Waltham Street Innholder Minute Man Cafe 1715 Mass. Avenue Common Victualler " Johnson Pontiac 97 Lass . Avenue 1st Class Agent Frederic R. Childs 409 Mass. Avenue " The Chairman read a letter from H. Webster Thomas stating that the hockey rink for the Lexington High School hockey tear,i, adjacent to and on the east side of the high school, has not worked out satisfactorily Hockey inasmuch as there is no protection at this point from Rink the full mid-day sun As a result the ice surface melts and the surface is not good for practice use by the team. The Coach as well as the Director of Athletics feel that it would be better for the hockey team to practice at the rink at the Parker Field. Mr. Emery moved that the School Committee be informed that the Board of Selectmen is reluctant to sacrifice one of the rinks at the playground now being used for skating by the children and that the School Committee consider using the land in the rear of the High School or the Munroe School for the location of a hockey rink for the high school hockey team. Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion, and it was so voted 128 :D 1.11 At 8 30 P.M. Mr. Lawrence Selig met with the Board relative to his application for the renewal of the sec- ond class Agent' s License at 396 Marrett Road. The Chairman said that Mr. Selig had been requested to meet with the Board to-night because the members of the Board desired more information pertaining to the K. & S. Company at 396 Marrett Road. Mr. Selig informed the Board that he is now in business for himself , that the K & S. bus- iness is operated by him only. Mr. Selig stated that 396 Alarrett Road is a temporary location and is at the corner of Marrett Road and Waltham Street. Mr. Emery asked if this were Mr. Selig' s main business and he replied in the affirmative. Mr. Emery asked how much room he had for cars at this location and iar. Selig replied that he has three. He said that when he is ready to change the location he would come before the Board and discuss the matter with them. Mr. Selig retired at S 45 P.T.I. Mr. Gay moved that Mr. Selig' s application for a second class Agent' s license at 396 Marrett Road be approved. Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Gay informed the Board that the caretaker Dump of the dump suggests that the dump be closed at four complaint o' clock in the afternoon and that a ,gate be erected to keep it closed until seven in the morning . He said it had also been called to his attention that garbage is being deposited in the dump. The Chairman said that it is his opinion that the dump attendant should stop truck drivers from dumpi.ng loads and he should also be able to stop the dumping of garbage. he reminded the Board that the attendant has been appointed a special police officer. The Chairman said that there was no question that the problem of fires at night was a serious one, but he did not believe the attend- ant ii started them. Chief Rycroft met with the Board at 9 15 P.M. Appoint relative to the applic&.tions for the position of Dir- Veteran' s ector of Veteran' s Services and Veteran' s Benefits and Agent an informal discussion was held. He retired at 9 25 P.M. Upon motion of ''°r. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted that Edward F. Chapin, 17 Columbus Street, Lexington, be appointed Director of Veteran' s Services and Veteran' s Benefits, on a part time basis from December 1, 1947, to March 31 , 1948, at a remun- 129 1 oration of 320.00 a week. Yr. Emery suggested that the Chairman dictate a letter to Mr. Chapin advising him that he would be on a probationary period. Mr. Emery sug, ested that the Board consider inserting an article in the .Jarrant for the pur- pose of obtaining funds to be paid to the family of John Broughall , a former fireman who has rec- ently died. The Clerk was instructed to write the Town Counsel and to inquire as whether or not there is any legal way the town can, if it sees fit, pay the widow money. At 9 50 P.I . , Mr. Joseph H. DeFoe, Sup t. of Public Works, anu t"r E A Lindstrom, Building Inspector, met with the Board. The Chairman read a letter from the Board of Health informing the Occupancy Board that there have been instances where new Permits houses have been sold and occupied without an occupancy permit being issued, due to the non- approval of sanitary facilities. Mr. Lindstrom stated that he does not issue occupancy permits until everything has been inspected. The Chair- man asked him if he would check on occupancy permits Hr. Lindstrom stated that he does not issue a permit until a Health Inspector has ao roved the cesspool or septic tank. Mr. Lindstrom said he wanted to bring up the question of gravel being hauled from Laple Street. He said he went down a week ago last Wednesday , Gravel and at that time he was told no more gravel would Pit on be removed. He questions whether or not this Maple St. gravel pit is being operated legally. The Chairman said that he thought the Building Inspector should contact the Town Counsel. The Chairman asked Yr. DeFoe if he had any idea when the Liberty and Ledgelawn Avenue work would be Sewer on completed. Mr. DeFoe replied that Russo expects to Liberty have another machine in this week. If he does Mr. & Ledge- DeFoe will follow up the water. He said he did not lawn think it would be fair to Russo to put in the water and have the trench cave in. The chairman explained to the Board that a Mr. Hamilton has built a 130 X20,000 house on Ledgelawn Avenue and he wants to move in to-morrow He is most anxious about the sewer line. The sewer service line has been installed in his house . He wants to move in but Sewer on does not want to build a cesspool He has con- Liberty strutted a small dry well right at the street & Ledgelawn line. The question is whether or not he can move in and utilize this inasmuch as the sewer is coming through in a very short time. Yr,. Emery asked if it would be two weeks before the sewer would be extended to this property. Mr. DeFoe replied that it might be more. The Board felt that this was a problem that Mr. Lindstrom and Mr. Lamont could probably work out together. Mr. Lindstrom retired at 10 05 P.T . Mr. DeFoe presented a blueprint of the pro- posed changes in street lighting starting at Grant Street , going up through Lexington Center to Merriam Street. He informed the Board that Street lights the section from Woburn Street to Bedford Street calls for the installation of 31 - 1000 lumens lights, the units to be replaced are 1 - 1000 lumen light and 42 - 6000 lumen lights, these all being underground. He stated that this would cost .? 36. 68 extra per year for the job. He explained that the Boston Edison Company will do all the underground work and pave the streets and sidewalks if necessary He stated that there is a plan now in process whereby in a few months communities will be charged for installations. If the order is placed promptly the town will have to pay only the ?36. 68 Mr. Emery asked if the Town would have to pay for the concrete poles and Mr. DeFoe replied in the negative. He said that the proper procedure was to write to the Boston Edison Company and make a formal request for the installation and to ask then to advise the Board as to the cost, if any. The Board questioned the cost of X36.68 inasmuch as Mr. DeFoe had a letter from the Boston Edison Company stating that the installation charge would be $18,000. The Chairman called Mr. Hitchcock at his home and the explanation as given by Mr Hitchcock advised him to have the Board of Selectmen write a letter requesting an estimate II 131 IIof cost of new lights in Lexington Center. Under Schedule rate "E" they can charge underground installation but they have not been charging them. By writing this letter it would force the company to make a decision and Mr. Hitchcock will try to have a letter back to the Board for the next meeting. her. DeFoe ex- plained that the present overhead section from the Arlington line to Woburn Street calls for 115- 6000 lumen lights, six of which have already been installed at the High School , so that the total would be 109 lights. He explained that the Street present lighting consists of 31 - 800 lumen, 25- lights 2500 lumen and 9 - 6,000 lumen. These would be removed if the new lighting was installed and the total cost to the town would be an additional 05,271. 12. He said it is fair to assume that the installation could be made at the company' s expense, however, the cost would have to be compiled. The Chairman asked the Board if they wished to discuss street lighting on Massachusetts Avenue. Mr. Gay said he would like to see something done. With reference to a change in the lighting at the corner of Waltham Street and Concord Avenue, Lights Mr. DeFoe replied that the Boston Edisdn Company at Wal- recommends installation of one 800 and one 600 them St. lumen light. Mr. Emery moved that the Boston & Concord Edison Company be instructed to proceed with the Avenue proposed changes in the street lighting at the corner of Waltham Street and Concord :venue. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. With reference to the estimated cost of tem- porary repairs on Winter Street Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that the section from where the request came could possibly be temporarily repaired for about 0150. He said there are other sections where fill should be put in and also the grader used. He said he thought it Icould all be done and put in a fairly good condition for about 0300. Repairs The Chairman explained that any expenditure on on Winter this street would be more or less a waste because Street the town intends to construct the street in the spring. He suggested that the ashes from the schools be dumped on the ledgy section ani' that it be smoothed up at a cost not to exceed 0100. The Board agreed. 132 UD Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that the people on Winter Street have not as yet been billed for Repair of the use of the bulldozer and he believes that no Winter St. charge should be made . He explained the equip- ment was there for only about four hours and that the people themselves dumped in eight of nine Charge for loads of gravel. Mr. Driscoll said that he could use of not see town employees being paid by private in- equipment & dividuals. He asked, in the event of an accident, men. how the insurance angle would be handled . The Chairman asked if the people on Winter Street paid for the operator' s time and Mr. DeFoe replied in the negative. Mr. Gay asked who paid the operator and kr. DeFoe replied that he was paid by the Town. The Chairman stated that he is in favor of utilizing town equipment for private individuals, but it should not be done on town time and they should pay the men 14.r Driscoll moved that the Sup' t. of Public Works be instructed to bill the residents of Winter Street for the use of the bulldozer and also for the operator' s time. Mr. Emery seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that he has con- ferred with the Town Counsel relative to the method Water on of handling assessments for the installation of a Marrett water main on Marrett Road. Mr. DeFoe said that Road -- his procedure is for the town to install the water Grigor main and charge the betterment assessment When Agreement P;Ir. Grigor asked for an abatement he will then be presented with an instrument for his signature whereby he agrees to pay the charge if and when he sells any or all of his farm land. The Chairman asked if Mr. DeFoe had discussed this with Mr. Grigor and he replied in the negative The Chairman asked if the Board felt that hr. DeFoe should contact Mr. Grigor and it was decided that the Sup' t discuss the subject with kr. Grigor to determine whether or not he would be willing to sign such an agreement. Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that all the prop- Lisbeth St. erty owners on Lisbeth Street have been interviewed construction as the result of a petition requesting the construct- ion of the street. However, out of eight abutters only two are willing to pay for the cost of cons- truction No action was taken on the matter r 133 II Mr. DeFoe presented the Board with a fin- ancial statement relative to the John McDonald Construction Company. The Chairman asked if the Sup' t. had analyzed the bid and he replied in the affirmative . Upon motion of l. r. Driscoll, seconded Award by Mr. Emery, it was voted to award the contract bid for for the installation of a water main in Laple Maple Street to John McDonald Construction Co , the Street low bidders , the work not to be started, how- ever, until 7oburn Street is sufficiently com- pleted to be open for traffic . Mr. Emery seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that an individual was building a house on Fairview Avenue and both abutters on both sides of the street have signed a petition for the Installation of a water main. He said this would entail an e.,tension of only 70 feet. He thought that where it is such a short connection it could be put Ln and about three lengths of pipe would take care of the house Request under construction The Board suggested that he for have the order ready for sikrnatures next week, sewer on Fuller A letter was received fror Maurice martin req- Road uesting a sewer connectionfor 5 Fu�ler Road. Mr. DeFoe presented the Board with a sketch and ex- plained it in detail. He informed the Board that he has no money in sewer construction - sundry streets The Chairman said that although Mr. Martin needs the sewer, and the town would like to help him, if there is nc money available it will have to wait until after the town meeting in Larch. Mr. D<nery asked if this were a hardship case and Lir. DeFoe said that according to his letter Mr. Martin expects to move in the latter part of January or the first of February The Chairman said that he thought it should be done if there was any wav of doing it, and perhaps it would be best if Mr. DeFoe went to see Mr. Lartin and advised him that if there was any money available in January , because of the fact that other contracts did not take as much as anticipated, it might be possible to comply with his request . 134 1 Mr. DeFoe said that with relation to 16" Borrowingpipe, he has sufficient money to finish the job, but for water pipe 6" to 16", not including Request 16", there is only $13, 000 left He stated Bids that he has 7,700 worth of pipe still coming plus some fittings , but he believes it will be necessary to request additional money He has sufficient funds to take care of 16" pipe. The Chairman asked if the Board wanted to req- uest the Town Treasurer to obtain bids on 100, 000 borrowing. A.r. Locke said he thought the borrowing should be made. Upon motion of Mr. Locke, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to request the Town Treasurer to obtain bids on a X100, 000 borrowing for a period of ten years. Mr. Emery said that Mr. William Porter of . Porter Adams Street wants someone to fix his water Wm m. meter. Mr. Porter said he had talked with the WRe eer meter Public Works Department several months ago but nothing had been done. Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that at the time of Town Meeting he called Mr. Porter' s house and talked to Mrs. Porter He said that he told her to have Mr. Porter get in touch with him, which he has never done. Mr. Emery asked if Mr. DeFoe would contact Mr. Porter again and he replied in the affirmative. Mr. Emery asked why wouldn' t the winter, when the around was frozen, be a better time Culvert to do the culvert work at the back of the fire rear of station than in the spring. He asked if it Fire Station were practical from Mr. DeFoe' s point of view. Mr. DeFoe said that he would have to have money to do it. Mr. Gay asked how he would obtain the money. Mr. DeFoe said that this was one of the things Mr. Cosgrove , the Town Engineer, was going to work up for the next town meeting. Er. Gay asked if he couldn't do it before April and Air DeFoe said he couldn' t do it un- less he took the money out of Highway Main- tenance. Mr. Emery asked how much it would cost and Mr. DeFoe thought that for approx- 1 135 .1 400 feet of 36" pipe it might cost 47.00 , 58.00 or ,,9.00 a foot . The Chairman explained that the difficulty is that this is a construction ,job and no money is available unless it comes out of Highway Main- tenance. The money in the Highway Maintenance Account goes back into the E. & D. on December 31st. The Supt. of Public Works can in Jan- uary spend an amount not exceeding the maximum monthly expenditure in 1947, and whatever he takes out for the culvert will be deducted from the Highway Maintenance Account hr. Emery asked if there were much engineering work involved and Mr. DeFoe replied in the negative . Mr Emery said that Deputy Chief Cook will have the firemen do the work themselves if the Sup' t can give them 50 feet of pipe. LIr. DeFoe said that first a layout should be made. They should know where the ripe is going and determine the grades and figure the size of the pipe The Chairman said that if the firemen are willing to lay the pipe that the Sup' t should , he believes , order some 50' pipe Mr. Emery said this installation will be from the west side of the Camelia Place to the brook. Mr. DeFoe said he would have the Town Engin, er lav it out, determine the grades, determine the size of the ripe and try to do something about it right away. Er. DeFoe retired at 11 40 P.P._ The Clerk was instructed to ask the Town Accountant to submit a statement showing balances in all the accounts, riot including personal services, and make a notation as to which accounts carry over-. The meeting adjourned at 11 45 P.M. A true record, Attest le , electmen.