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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1948-03-08286. • SETFCTPt1'S MELTING March 8, 1948 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, March 8, 1948 at 7:30 P.M. There were present: Messrs. Panton, Emery, Gay, Driscoll and Nickerson. The Clerk was also present. Lir. Emery moved that hir. William C. Paxton be re-elected as Chairman.of the'Board for.the ensuing year. Er. Gay seconded the. motion, :fir. Paxton nen.tioned that in. 11 probability he ,would not be run..ing, for re- election and would not, therefore, be handling the town rleetin_' next year and. asked that this be considered. irr. Emery moved that the nominations be closed. Er. Gay seconded the motion, -and Mr. Paxton was unanimously elected as Chairman of the Boar0 for the ensuin• year. At 7:35 1'.L:. Lr. H. .;ebster Thomas, Chair- man of the School Co, mAttee, Lr. Clyde E. Steeves, CMairman of the Board of Assessors, Lir, William Burnham, Chairman of the Cemetery Commissioners, and the following members of the Appropriation. Coiariittee ret with the Board; Chairman Hoyt-,' Messrs, Fawcett, Patterson, liinlock, Vadeboncuuer and Mr. Walker. lair. Hoyt explained that this meeting had been called as authorized by Section 2 of Article 13 of the General By -Laws whereby those present would consider items which make up the annual budget and any other municipal matters. He asked if the Board of Selectmen had any Questions. The Chairman of -the Board said that as fat as the widening of valtham Street is concerned the Select- men will have to do some checking. .They assumed_ the widening, was going; down to Forest Street and the warrant reads only as far as Vine Brook Road.f He explained that the Board of Selectmen agrees - with the Anpropriation Committee.relative to the transfer of funds but the question did arise as to v.hether or not paying damages -could be con- sidered as an emergency when the Board is aware Df the item. L:r. Hoyt asked if the Selectmen knew 287 that there would definitely •be a claire for damages. The Chairman explained that the Board does know that damages were awarded in 1928 and that they were not paid. He stated that some members of the Board feel that there may he a moral obligation on the part of the Town. The Chairman said that the Board of Selectmen Appro. and the Appropriation Coemittee disagree on the Com. appropriation for Patriot's Day. He said that as he do not recalls it the Board of Selectmmen. voted to recommend agree on an aperopri=.tion of 11,500. He also explained to the Patriot's p7roup why the Selectmen have aynroved the increased Day aporopriL tion. P.r. 1 oyt explained that the Appro- Budget pri_etion Committee is fairly well divided; those who op}pose the 11,500 feel that in view of the expenses that the town is being, faced with the question whether or not it would be advisable to establish a budget of this size. The Chairman explained that the Board of Selectmen feel that there is no harm in having a difference of opinion. lar. Hoyt said that the Appropriation Committee would not take the action of trying to' amend the vote of the Board of Selectmen. ?_r. I:oyt said that the Appropriation Committee has a memorandum concerning; the truck for the Fire Department, and the Fire Department has submitted a price of x'1_,356. against the :1,200 appropriation. He asked if the Board of Selectmen wished to change its vote. The Chairman replied that the Selectmen have not received any official communication from the Board .of Fire Engineers and that Deputy Chief Cook has an appointment to meet with the Board this evening. T.Ir. Emery informed the Board that the ladder truck belonging to the Fire Department was damaged at the'fire at the corner of Bow Street and. it is being driven back out to the factory. He said the question arises as to whether or not the estimate for the damages is to be included in the budget or handled as a transfer from the i3eserve Fund. Yr. Hoyt asked if i.Jr. F.nery has a__y idea as to haw much the repairs would cost. Er. Adams of the Board of Fire Engineers replied that the cost may run as high as $1,000. Mr. Emery stated that the expense for driving the truck to I';isconsin and tack will Change of figures in Fire Budget suggest- ed. 288 Police Car Adeident Length of bonding term Grading at Adams School Rates for Election Workers amount to over :1,100. Mr. Hoyt asked how the Committee felt on the subject. Mr. ?'inlock was of the opinion that it was an emergency. Mr. Vadeboncouer stated that he thought it would be wise to include .01,500 • in the budget and not make a transfer from the Reserve Fund. The Appro- priation Committee recommended adding 01,000 to the Fire Department Expenses account budget. The Chair- man of the Board of Selectmen suggested not changing the amount in the budget until the Board is in receipt of an exact figure. The Chairman explained that there is a similar situation in the Police Department. He stated that one of the police cars was involved in an accident. He had looked at the car and it is questionable whether or not it should be fixed. He explained it is the car that is to be traded in for a new car and further stated that he expects to have a report on it. The period for bonding on the water and sewer articles in the warrant was considered and both Boards agreed to bond for a period of 15 years under Article 14 and a period of 10 years under Article 15. 1:r. Thomas asked if the town men could do some grading work on the new school on Adams Street. He said he had asked Mir. DeFoe, Supt. of Public Works, who was very indefinite. The Chairman said that he believed that the Board would be glad to look into this and that off hand he could appreciateM:r. DeFoets indefiniteness because he is faced with tremendous water and sewer expansions and the personnel in the Public Works Department has not increased and the possibility of getting men is not any greater than it has been. He said this grading job would be a fairly large job. The group with the exception of Mir. Steeves retired at 8:20 P.I.I. MIr. Steeves discussed the rates now being paid * and Mr,. Steeves replied in the negative. He is merely bringing the question up as Warden of Precinct The matter of appointing a roan to replace Mr. Frederick Spencer was discussed and MIr. Steeves informed the Board that the Assessors plan to *election workers. Mr. Emery asked if he were making a formal request for an increase in the amounts to be paid Png 1 1 289 interview all applicants next Wednesday evening. The Chairman of the Board su ;sted that the top 'six men be interviewed by the Board of Selectmen and the Chairman of the Board of Assessors. Lir. Steevep had no objection. He retired at 8:45 P.LI., and Lr. Joseph H. DeFoe, Sunt. of Public !forks, met with the Board. He said the question of disposing-, of the old Sale of trucks has coxae up. Mr. Chandler of Grove Street old trucks is interested in nurchasin • them. IIe said, however, dis- that he supposed he would have to obtain bids and then eussec he would not be able to apply the money toward the purchase of the new trucks. Er. Driscoll said that he would realize more money if the trucks were sold privately. The Chairman sugnested that the hoard wait until after town meeting and then obtain an estimate from the new truer: dealer and also advertise. Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that he has been invited to meet with the Taxpayer's Association to- morrow evening. He submitted a report which he intends to give -to the \ssociat.ion inasmuch as he does not intend to be present at the meeting. The Chairman read the report to the Board and they had no objections. The Board felt, however, that any information should be obtained from the Board of Selectmen and -not from the head of any one Department. The Chairman sug.'=,ested that the President of the Association be invited to meet with the Board some time after Town ;:_eeting. Er. Hickerson suggested that if the Board prefers to have this information go through the proper channels that it be submitted to the Association by the Board :of Selectmen. 1.`:r. Emeryasked if this was a,7r.eeable to Lr. DeFoe and he replied in the affirmative. Mr. DeFoe retired at 9:07 P.LI., and Irr. George P. Morse met ;with the Board. Lr. Morse explained that he was a representative of the Lexington Tennis Association and is interested in the re -surfacing of two tennis courts in East Lexington Playground. He said he understands Jr. Garrity has an appropriation in his budget for this work. He said the Tennis Association recommends, and they think the town would save money by doing a total job rather than a partial job and he means by 290 Report re: ladder truck damage that resurfacing 120 feet by 120 feet covering the two courts. He stated that if the total area is resurfaced instead of having*, part asphalt and part gravel he believed the town Would save money. The Chairman explained that Mr. Garrity recommended' $1,300., and it is a little late to change the budget but he thought Mir. Horse's suggestion seemed worth while. .He said the Board would check with Kr. Garrity and find out what he intends to do with the tennis courts, and ask hira for a report. Mr. Morse retired at 9:20 P.r. Chairman Donnelly of the Board of Fire Engineers, Deputy Chief Cook, Mr. Metcalf, a mechanic of the Peter Pirsch Company, and Mr. O'ITeil, a salesman of the Pirsch Company, raet with the Board. The Chairman read a letter from the Fire Engineers stating that the aerial truck was damaged at a recent fire and the Fire Engineers have been advised that to transport the unit between Lexington, Mass., and Kenosha, Wisconsin, and return it would cost $100 for the salary of the driver plus food, lodging, gasoline and oil. Mr. 1etcalf explained that he is the Eastern Area Delivery Engineer. He explained that he came to Lexington the other day and looked at the ladder and checked with the Chief as well as he could. He said that he made the decision that it was something more than he wanted to take care of and he called the factory and the factory concurred with his decision. The decision was to take the truck back to the factory. Mr. Metcalf explained that there is no structural failure in the ladder. By structural he means that if the ladder were in the air and it collapsed. He said that as near as he can find out from his investigation and talking with the Tien who were on the ladder when it happened it was a combination of several things, 'which caused the trip in the ladder. One was the position it was in. He said, however, that this was something which could not have been avoided. He said there was no other location at which the ladder could be placed to do the work. He said that the ladder was between a 20 and 25, degree elevation and that, first of all, puts a lot of strain on the ladder but it had to be used at that angle. There were three men on the ladder necessary to '.candle the 291 line of hose. The ladder was icy and the only thing he can see that caused it was that the top man on the ladder slipr=;ed on the ice. With the derd weight on the ladder when he slipped it was twisted just a little and he slipped from the high side to the lower side. When his weight hit that side of the ladder it gave it a momentary shock which was just enough to give it one whip and that was enough to springy the spars. He said that this vas nothing that could have been foreseen. The Chairman asked how far the ladder was extended and Mr. Metcalf replied that it was between 50 and 55 feet. He said that as he sees it the trouble was caused because the ladder was at too tow an angle., The Chairman asked if the three mien were on the top and IIr. hetcalf replied that one Tian was at the top, another man was a little of the way down and the third man was away down at the butt section. They had about 50 feet of hose with 50 gallons of water and this all a'h ed up to weight on the ladder at the low angle. The Chairman asked. if I;°r. IJetcalf or I.r. O' eil had any idea as to the cost of repairs. I..r. I::etcalf replied that he has made a full report to the factory in writine and has talked to them three times on the telphone. He said he is not allowed t:) -give a cost and he suggested that the Board write to the factory. lir. Metcalf said that within a few days after he Bets out to the factory he will have the Chief Engineer call the Fire Department and give a definite figure. The Chairman asked if the Board could expect to •receive a definite figure the latter part of this week. I.:r. Metcalf said that definite word as to the cost should be received not later than five o'clock next Monday. The Chairman inquired as to the type of the ladder and Iir. Metcalf said Oregon Fir. Mr. Donnelly asked if ISr. Metcalf thought the damage was done to the bottom section only and Er. Hetcalf replied that the damage was done to the fly section. He exnlai_ned on the inside of the right section the wood shows evidence of splintering inside the reinforced channel. He said that at first he to tight the tension rods had stretched from the sudden snap and alloy tithe ladder to go out of true. IIe said that the Ladder in laying on the truck shows E curvant which indicates a permanent strain in the base section. He explained that the strain comes from about 5' up from the fly spool and continues for a minimum of 38", which is about 10" 292 in from the plate on the side. The ladder definitely shows on both spars a strain to the left. The Chairman said that the Board discussed this previously and two members of the Board of Selectmen were on the Board of Fire Engineers when the truck was purchased and that a great deal of thought and consideration was given before this unit was ourchased. He explained that this is about the first time the Department has had an opportunity to really use the truck. The Chairman said that a fire has to be handled under emergency conditions and, therefore, when a truck like this one is purchased the factors of safety should be large enough to take care of situations like this. The Chairman said that he would like the company to bear in mind that the Selectmen would like the repairs for as reasonable an amount as possible, and the`Board would feel happy in this instance if the company would assume a -portion of the cost of repairs. Mr. Metcalf said that when he arrived at the factory he would pass this information along verbally to Mr. Pirsch and he suggested that the Board write a letter and if the answer is un= favorable Mr. Pirsch will give a good reason. Mr. O'Neil said that as a saleman of the company he is vitally interested in it and that he will take this matter up With the,factory personally. He said that he will do his best, therefore, to have the factory repair it at a minimum cost. He said it would not.be necessary for the Board to wiite a letter. The Chairman asked if the Board had any questions and there were none. Mr. Donnelly said that I:"r. Metcalf would like authorization in writing to drive the truck out to 'Wisconsin. Mr. retcalf explained when he is delivering a new trucks, before the acceptance order is signed, the factory assumes all the responsibility. However, where the town is insuring the truck for the tower's protection he is More or less of an agent of the tower when driving it out there. If he holds a letter or a temporary appointment as a member of the Fire Department he would then he a direct agent of the town driving the town truck and if something happenod it makes the position of the town a little greater for any one who right be injured. The Chairman said that • 293 this sounded _reasonable but he did think the Fire Engineers should check with the Town Counsel. 1`s. Donnelly agreed to do so and the croup retired at 10:00 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from Frank T. Titchcobk of the 'Boston Edison Company with reference to the new proposed street lighting for. Massachusetts Avenue from the Arlington line to Bedford Street. Proposed Ai)roval has been obtained from: the company to make Changes the installation at the company ' c expense including In street the underground section thrauh the center and the Lighting overhead district from the Arlington line to Woburn Street, according to plans recently submitted to Er. Defoe, providing that the street li._;.htin schedule for the entire town_ is changed from the present part -night to the all nicht schedule. Er. Hitchcock stated that if the all niE;iit lighting is approved by the town and the Boston Edison is aut'.orized to su :ply this schedule the proposed neva lighting can then be installed at thenoard's request and at the disorh's expense. The Chairman read a letter from the Town Counsel regarding the settlement a,,reed upon between the Board of Selectmen and hr. John Devine, attorney for Thomas A. Lapoli. The Town Counsel hes already contacted Mr. Devine regarding the mechanics of effect- ing the settlement. Napoli layout The Chairman read a letter to the Town Counsel with reference to the request of Luke C. ',key of the Lexington T'urseries for a Board of Survey approval of a proposed layout which may not be actually developed for a period. of ten to fifteen ?ears. ir. Lynch said that in his o ,inion the Poard of Survey cannot Bd. of et this time anprove the layout suggested by Mr. Nay. Tt is his further opinion that the layout should not Survey be approved by the present Board of Survey inasmuch as the Town will vote on March 22, 1948, on the creation of a new Planning• Board underpLapter 340 of the Acts of 19!7, and the new Planning.'3ord, so created, will also became the Board of.4urvey. The Clerk was instructed to send P.:r. I:ay a copy of the Town Counsel's letter. j 294 Navy Club Exhibit Use of Hall Use of Hall Use of Hall The Chairman read a letter from the First Naval District referring to the Board's letter requesting information concerning the Navy Club of the U. S. A. According to the letter the corporation is a private oranization composed of former naval enlisted men and is not sponsored by the U. S. Navy.' Mr. Ilt,mery suggested that possibly the exhibit proposed by the Navy Club could be included as part of the 19th of April celebration. Upon the motion of Lr. Driscoll, seconded by Er. Gay, it was voted to write K. A. Groff, National Shipswr_iter, and suggest that he contact the Chairman. of the Patriot's day and that possibly some arrangements alight be riade whereby the exhibit could be included in the Patriot's Day Parade. A request was received from the Women's Guild of the Church of OurRedeemer for permission to use the Barnes' property for a rummage sale on Friday, April 16th. Mr. Emery moved that use of the Barnes Property be granted, free of charge. Mr. Drisc9ll seconded the motion, and it was so voted. An application was received from the V. F. W. requesting permission to conduct a business meeting in Estabrook Hall and Conference Roora on March 16. Mr. Gay moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Lir. Driscoll secanded the motion, and it vms so voted. An application was received from the V. F. W. requesting permission to conduct an Amateur Talent Show in Cary Hall on Friday, April second. The Cler;: was instructed to inquire as to whether or not the organization intended this use to be one of their free uses. If not, there will be a charge of $35.00. An application was received fron.the Lexington Club requesting permission to conduct a dance for rad 1 the Senior High School students, in Cary Memorial Hall on April loth. Eir. Gay moved that the use be ;ranted subject to a charge of M35.00. Mr. Emery seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 29i Use of Hall An application was received from Father MacDonald requesting; permi =:pion to conduct a Reunion in Cary Memorial Hall on :April 22d. Pair. Driscoll moved that the use of the hail be granted subject to a charge of 135.00. Mr. Emery seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Use of Hall An application was received from Middlesex County Farm Bureau reeues tin-^ , permission to conduct Use of an annual banquet in Cary Hall on Tuesuay, March 3d. Hall Mr. Driscoll moved that the use of the hall be grant- ed subject to a charge of X35.00. Yr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. An ap lication was received from the Lexington Arts & Crafts Society requesting permission to conduct an exhibit in nary and Estabrook Halls on Sunday, Use of April 25th. Mr. Driscoll moved that the use of the Hall hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it vas so voted. Upon motion of Er. Emery, seconded by Mr. ' Driscoll, it was voted to grant the following licenses: Licenses. Edward J. Conley Sunday Sales 314-316 Marrett Road " Common Victualler 314-316 Marrett Road ''illiara Viano Sunday Movies 1794 Mass. Avenue The Chairman read a letter from John T. Blackwell of the Greater Boston Census Tract Committee. Mr. Blackwell also submitted a Ma? giving a tentative plan of division and the census tracts for use in the 1950 Federal Census. Each Mayor or Board of Selectmen is being asked to write an official letter of approval of the tentative tract plan submitted. Mr. Emery moved that the Chairman be authorized to write a letter as outlined by Mr. Blackwell. Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman informed the Board that some of the workers at the annual election, March 1, 1948, did not begin work until six o'clock. One worker work- 296 ed only two hours because of illness. It was decided to ';ay ttie workers who began at• six o'clock at the rate of 4.75; the v rkers who started at one o'clock - :7.75, and the worker who had to leave because of illness, X3.00. The meeting; ad:ourned at 11:10 P.M. A true record, Attest: