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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1948-01-26224 See page 225 Jurors Resignation of Gilchreast as Comm. Snow Removal SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 26, 1948 A regular meeting of the Board of Select- men was held on Monday evening, January 26th in the Selectmen's Room. There were present: Chairman Paxton, Messrs. Locke, Emery, Gay and Driscoll. The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 P.M. Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, met with the Board for the draw- ing of three jurors, as follows: Mr. Charles F. Vaughan, Insurance, 5 Cottage St., was drawn to serve on the Second Session, Civil Business. Mr. Joseph C. Crosby, 38 Highland rvenue, was drawn to serve on the First Session, Criminal Business. Mr. Stanley E. Chapin, Carpenter,' 516 Massachusetts Avenue, was drawn to serve on the First Session, Uivil Business. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Carroll stating that he had received a resignation from John E. Gilchreast as a Cemetery Commiss- ioner, effective March 1, 1948. A discussion was held relative to the .effective date of resignation, in view of the annual election . being held on the same day. Mr. Carroll stated that he has tried to contact hir. Marshall in an endeavor to have Mr. Gilchreast reword his resignation so that it will become effective any day before January 30th. The Chairman asked Mr. Carroll to check further, He agreed to do so and retired at 7:35 P.M. Mr. DeFoe, Sup't. of rublic Works, and Chief Rycroft of the Police Department met with the Board. The Chairman stated that Mr. DeFoe had expected to report on a snow re- moval schedule this evening but with the work that has to be done on snow removal it seems useless to think of setting up a schedule for this 22 . year. Mr. Locke stated that unless there are some basic changes to make for the bal- ance of the season he saw no reason why the Superintendent could not continue as he was doing at the present time. The Chairman said that someone had contacted him to -day relative to making certain streets one way, just as an emergency. He said he had asked the Chief to meet'with the Board this evening to discuss the matter. The Chairman asked if the Board felt that theemergency was great enough to make any of the streets one way. Mr. Emery want- ed to know what the Chief of Police had to say on the Subject. Chief Rycroft stg Bested abandoning sidewalk plowing because it is almost impossible to plow them in the present condition and ha would prefer to `have the Public Mks. Dept. wing the roads back. He said that if the streets are not then wide enough they may have to make them one way. He said that he drove around the town, after talking the matter over with the Chairman, and it appeared to him that the following streets should be widened: Woburn, Waltham, Massachusetts Avenue, Pleas- ant, Concord Avenue, Bedford, Hancock, Mariam; Parker, Grant, Lowell, and Lincoln from Larrett Road to kassachusetts Avenue, Forest and Adams Streets. He said that he did not know, however, whether or not this would be feasible. Mr. DeFoe said that he could wing the snow back on some of the streets but on others there is no place to push the snow. The Chairman said that he felt the problem is more acute in and around the center. He suggested that possibly the plows could turn out now and again on outlying streets. The Chairman asked the members of the Board how they felt on the matter and Mr. Emery suggested leaving it to the discretion of the Chairman. The Chairman said that he thought it should be tae action of the Board. Mr. DeFoe said that if the snow is thrown back from the streets the sidewalks will be closed for the winter and if some one gets hurt there is a possibility that they may clai4i the town did not give them a chance to walk on the sidewalk. The Chief said that for the last 226 two or three days the townspeople have had to walk in the street and nothing has been gained as yet. The Chairman asked if the Board felt that sidewalk plowing should be discontinued and wing the streets back. The Chairman suggested that the situation be left so that Mr. DeFoe could wing back as much as he can and next week, or if there is a storm in between time, and he feels action should be taken, call the Clerk of the Board who will get in touch with the Selectmen. Mr. Emery said that if the town willfully fills in the sidewalks there may be a legal question. Chief Rycroft asked whether' or not some one way street signs should be ordered. Mr. Driscoll moved that the Supt. of Public Works be authorized to place an order for some one way street signs and also some right and left signs. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Chief Rycroft retired at 8:05 P.M. Mr. DeFoe requested permission to place an order for a Northwest Power Shovel. 'The Chairman explained that when the 1/2 yard shovel was purchased it was so small but there was noting else available. He said that the town should have a 3/4 yard shovel and if the Super- intendent tan place an order that is not binding, in any way, but merely puts the town on the list, he thought it would be good business. Mr. DeFoe explained that there would be a:notation on the order that it would be subject to cancell- ation by the Town of Lexington, at any time. The Chairman said that he felt it was very good business and there was no question but that the Northwest is one of the best shovels, and the coming shovel as far as New England is. concerned. Mr. Locke said he thought that the superintendent could take a chance. Mr. Emery asked what would be gained by placing an order for this unit which the Superintendent do.e.s not expect to obtain for at least two years, for a price that is not firm. He said that he does not feel that it is a sound business policy. Mr. Locke said that it was i tad 1 agreed that prices do not mean a thing. Mr. DeFoe explained that if he waits until shovels are more plentiful the trade-in on present shovels will be nothing. Mr. Emery stated that he wanted to be Pecorded as not voting one way or the other on this subject. The Chairman asked if the Board desired to have the Superintendent write up an order and bring it in next week for approval. Lir. Gay said that he would be in favor of placing the order providing it was in no way binding. The Chairman said that when the 1/2 yard unit was purchased there were no 3/4 yard units available. However the town was faced with the problem of getting a shovel because there was so much sewer and water work lined up. In the two years that the town hes had the shovel it has taken in probably 415,000. The machine has depreci-ted within the two years. He said that before the town gets to the point where the machine must be completely overhauled it would be lo.gical to replace.it. If the town waits for 21 years it will still be on the waiting list if business continues as it is now. If the Board places the order and does need the shovel, it can be obtained. He said if the town is not legally binding itself he does not see any reason why the town should not be placed on the list, but he said it was entirely up to the Board to decide. Mr. Locke suggested that Mr. DeFoe explain the matter to Mr. Lynch and obtain an opinion for next Monday. 227 Power Shovel Order Discussed. Mr. DeFoe reported that he has received only 20% of the signatures for constructing Cary Avenue. It was decided to take rio action. Lir. DeFoe informed the Board that the total money on snow removal for the month of January, up to 4:30 Sunday afternoon, is '24,688.41. He stated that mgney spent for materials, including repairs for equipment is 43,583.00. Starting to -day, January 26th, it will be about i5,400 for this week. He said he included one night, all night, at •3l,900., and an item of 01,000 for miscellaneous which makes a total of approximately `37,000. Mr. DeFoe retired at 8:35 P.M. The following members of the Appropriation Committee met with the Board: Chairman Hoyt, Messrs. Hall, Hopkins, Denney, Patterson and Mr. No action on Cary Avenue Snow Costs 228 Walker, the Town Accountant, was also present. The Chairman stated that the Appropriation Committee was probably familiar with the notice the Town received from the Division of Accounts on snow removal. He explained to the Committee the amounts reported by the Sup't. of Public Works and stated that the Selectmen recommend that for the purpose of an emergency the amount of $40,000 be approved. Mr. Walker asked the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, why repairs to trucks should not be charged to Road Mach- inery instead of snow removal. The Chairman replied that all repairs and parts are charged to Snow Removal and he thought it was just- ifiaole because many of the breakdowns on equip- ment may,not be of a major nature but merely some snow getting on the wires, chains breaking, etc. He explained that the breakdowns are caused by pushing tremendous loads of snow. Mr. Hoyt questioned the breakdown of the cost of snow- storms and mentioned the fact that removing snow after the storm is also charged to the amount spent from the time the men go out on a storm • until they come back. The Chairman explained that it takes time for anyone to become familiar with snow removal to do the work and to work up the cost. He said he thought it should be broken down as follows: (1) Plowing streets: Cost of hired equipment with the hours and equipment used. Cost of town equipment with the hours and labor. (2) Lifting: Cost of town equipment and labor Cost of hired equipment. (3) Plowing of sidewalks (4) Sanding of streets (5) Miscellaneous charges (opening catch basins, clearing fire hydrants, etc.) CLo 1 The Chairman said that the Board must recognize that Public Works Department has had a very accelerated program with relatively new men. He explained that the work in the Department was so far behind that it was not possible to keep the records up as they should be kept. rtr. Hoyt said that he believed his committee is prepared to go along with whatever figure the Board of Selectmen feels is correct. Considering the amount of money that has already been provided for snow removal, upon the motion of Mr. Hopkins of the Appropriation Committee, seconded by Lr. Emery of the Board of Selectmen, the following vote was passed: That written approval be given forthwith to the Superintendent of Public Works to incur, in'addition to general liabilities authorized by General Laws (Ter. Ed.) Chapter 44, Section 13 as amended, addit- ional liabilities for snow and ice removal to an amount not in excess of x22,000 during the interval between December 31, 1947, and February 1, 1948, as authorized by Chapter 5 of the Legislative Acts of 1948, and. that the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen and the Chairman of the Appropriation Committee be and they hereby are_ authorized and directed to execute a written approval in behalf of the Board of Selectmen and Appropriation Committee and transmit same to the Superintendent of Public Works. The Appropriation Committee retired at 8:50 P.I. and Mr. DeFoe returned to the meeting. The Chairman explained to him that the amount of 22,000 has been approved for snow removal for the month of January. Mr. DeFoe reported that he had telephoned to the Town Counsel relative to the question ttaflthenTownd isaliableThe forTown Counsel defects, butsnowed him on the sidewalk is not a defect. He explained that it is not the town's responsibiility and the snow does not have to be cleaned from the sidewalks.* The Chairman suggested that Mr. DeFoe do sidewalks on main stteets when he can get to them. The Board had no objection. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. H. R. Jack- son, #7 Stetson Street, stating that this particular street is left unplowed for several days after each storm. Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that he checked this street the day the letter arrived and the street had been plowed at that time. The Chairman read a letter from Edward W. Sibley, 18 Eliot Road, stating that he would like to call to the attention of the Board, the Chief of the Fire °* But his 3vice is not to block the sidewalks. 229 Snow Removal Complain/ Parked Cars 230 Contract Completed Amount payable for San. Department and the Chief of the Police Department, the dangerous menace of parked cars that have been allewed to remain on Warren Street all night. Mr. Sibley explained that under the present heavy_;' now condition this situation is a menace to traffic and particularly dangerous in the event of a fire. The Chairman instructed Mr. DeFoe to request any of his men finding parked cars interfering with the removal of snow, to immed- iately notify the Chief of Police. The Chairman read a letter from the State Department of Public Works informing the Board that as of December 20, 1947, the work done in Lexington on contract 1'10,064 dated December 5, 1946, has been approved. A warrant was received from the Middlesex County indicating the amount which the town of Lexington is to pay for the maintenance, care and repair of the Middlesex County Sanitarium for the year 1947 and is as follows: On account of maintenance, operation and repair for 1947--..8,652.46 On account of principal and interest and other expenses, under Chapter 417 of the Acts of 1935 as amended by Chapter 205 of the Acts of 1947 552.50 Payable on or before April 1, 1948----$ 9,204.96 Mr. Ryder's offer of $900 for approximately Tax nine acres of so called Holmes Meadowland was Title again considered by theBoard. Mr. Locke moved that the Clerk adVise Mr. Ryder that the Board of Selectmen has decided to retain title to this property for the present time. Mr. Emery sec- onded the motion, and it was so voted. Fine for Violation of plumb- ing laws not satisfact- ory The Chairman read a letter from the Town Counsel stating that complaints had been pro- cured from the Central District Court of Middle- sex at Concord against William Wittholm of Burlington for installing plumbing in the Town of Lexington in violation of the Plumbing By-laws. Both complaints were heard and the 231 defendant pleaded guilty and was fined x15.00 each. Mr. Emery said that he did not believe the amount of fine was sufficient and moved that a letter be written to the Town Counsel informing him that the Board of Selectmen is disturbed with the amount of the fine and to inquire as to whether or not there is any further action that can be taken to bring it before the proper authorities. I•:ir. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from the Chief of Police informing the Board that he had received a communication from Captain Lorgan of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve requesting per- mission to park a recruiting trailer in Lexington Center on the afternoon of January 30th. The Board suggested that the Chief of Police contact Captain Morgan in an effort to determine whether or not it will be possible to postpone the visit to Lexington until such time as streets are in less dangerous condition. In the event this is not possible the Board recommends as an alternate that the Chief of Police use his discretion as to where the trailer may be parked. An application was received from the V. F. W. forthe use of Estabrook Hall and a Conference Room on the evenings of Bebruary 4th and 18th. lr. Emery moved that the use of the hall be grant- ed free of charge. ivir. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Finery stated that the School Committee does not want to have anything to do with the hockey rink and apparently Mr. Garrity doesn't want the primary responsibility. The Chairman informed the Board that Mr. Grihdle, Supt. of Schools, told him today that the School Department is prepared to take care of the hockey rink providing the Park Department will give them some assistance in setting it up. The meiating adjourned at 9:40 P.M. A true record, Attest:' Icy Cle h, electraen.