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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1948-05-10Special Meeting May 10, 1948 On Monday, May 10, 1948 at 4;30 p.m. Mr. Paxton, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, had a conference with Mr. Crimp, the architect on the proposed new elementary school on ;Adams Street and Mr. Waltzer Chambers. Mr. Burns, Assâ–șt. Supt. of Public Works was also present. This meeting was held for the purpose of discussing drainage, water main construction and street lighting at the new school. It was unanimously decided that the roof water and driveway drains would be carried towards Adams Street and that a temporary line, approx- imately 400 feet, could be constructed along the bank of the brook and the water could be dissipated to the open brook of the channel. Mr. Burns, in the meantime, will analyze the street drainage on :!dams Street and adjoining streets and take into consideration the conditions of this drain from the school so that ultimately it can carry to Adams Street near the present culvert. On water main construction, Mr. Paxton informed them that it was not necessary to obtain the approval of the Board of Selectmen, but that Mr. DeFoe and Mr. Burns could work it out with the architects at the proper time. The main could be installed, it being understood that the school appropriation would pay for the toal cost of labor, materials and equipment in the construction of this main. Mr. Crimp wanted the opinion of the Board of Selectmen pertaining to street lights through the school driveway and Mr. Paxton informed him that, as it is not a street, he felt any lighting in the driveway or park- ing area should be borne by the School Department and could be controlled from within the building. This appeared to be in accord with the opinion of the School Committee and therefore there will be no street lights installed along the dtiveway or parking area. WCP : m "1/.C2-/Zilectmen. 369 370 Selectmen's Meeting May 10, 1948 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Build- ing on Monday evening, May 10, 1948 at 7:30 p.m. Messrs. Emery, Gay, Driscoll and Nickerson were present. The Clerk was also present. It was not possible for Mr. Paxton to be present and Mr. Emery therefore, acted as Chairman, At 7:30 p.m. hearing was declared open upon the application of _Che Socony Vacuum Oil Company, Inc. for permission to increase the capaicty of underground tanks for the storage of gasoline from 2,000 gallons to 6,000 gallons at 273 Bedford Street. The application also included 500 gallons of fuel oil; 500 gallons of motor oil; 500 gallons of waster oil and 250 gallons of antifreeze. Mr. A. V. Paynter, representing the petitioner and two other ;:persons were present. Notice of the hearing was read by the Chairman. No persons appeared in opposition. Mr. Paynterexplained that his company now has two 1,000 gallon tanks and would like to take out one 1,000 gallon tank and install 2,000 gallon tanks, with the possibility of further increase later on if the Board approved. He said that the company is asking for storage of 6,000 gallons anticipating modernizing the plant at dome later date. Mr. Paynter informed the Board that the manager, William E. Pollack, Jr., of the station has been with the company for ten years, lives in Lexington and is a G. I. The Chairman asked if the oil Company owned the station and Mr. Paynter replied in the affirmative stating that the company also owns the land. The Chairman asked if there were any questions and there were none. The group retired at 7:37 p.m. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to grant the request of the Socony Vacuum Oil Company, Inc. for permission to increase the capacity of underground tanks for the storage of gasoline from 2,000 to 6,000 gallons at 273 Bedford Street. 1 1 371 :At '7;40 p.m. Mr. Clyde Steeves, Chairman of the Board of Assessors, met with the Selectmen. He stated Assessors that the Assessors have interviewed twelve applicants and made appointments for the top three to meet with the Selectmen this evening. Mr. Steeves said that he would not like to speak for his Board, but he has one of the three in mind. The Chairman asked if Mr. Steeves would like to be present during the interviews and he replied in the affirmative. Mr. lickerson asked if Dr. Shannon had called him relative to a young fellow by the name of James who is interested in filing an application for this position. Mr. Steeves replied that Mr. Potter had called him and he told Mr. Potter to have Mr. James write a letter. Mr. Steeves said that he does not think it is right to consider him now. Mr. Gay said that if by any chance the Board is able to find a man of high caliber it might be unwise not to interview him. He said that he believes the position is important enough so that they cannot afford to be too "hard boiled", and some individmal, who could qualify, might be passed up. He said that he does not believe it is too late to talk to this fellow. Mr. Steeves said that he tbid,l Mr. Potter to have Mr. James send in a letter and the Assessors will inter- view him at their next meeting on Tuesday of Wednesday of next week. Mr. Nickerson said that it would seem fair to him and asked if Mr. Steeves were satisfied with the applicants and he replied that he would be satisfied with any one of the three coming in tonight. At 8:00 p.m. Freeman Nourse met with the Board. The Chairman read Mr. Noursers application and asked him why he wanted to give up his present position and work for the town. Mr. Nourse said that, being in the family, there are two of them in the store and both of them cannot operate the business. He explained that one would have to be over the other and it is his intention to look for some- thing more permanent and not to work for a relative. His uncle, George Smith, owns the store and his son also works for him. Mr. Driscoll asked him how long he attended the Babson School and he replied that he attended for two years. The school was operated through the Babson 372 Institute of Wellesley, but was discontinued during the war. Mr. Nickerson said that this position is of importance to the town and if a man took the job, he should do so with the intention of making it his' llf e's work as far as the town is concerned. He explained that it would be highly unprofitable to have a man come in for a few years and thep leave and asked Mr. Nourse if this position is the heighth of his abmition. Mr. Nourse replied that he has given the matter considerable thought and that is the reason his appli- cation was late in coming in. He said that he would make the position his life's work if he is selected. The Chairman asked if Mr. Nourse was familiar with the starting salary of 555 and he replied in the affirmative. The Chairman asked how soon he could come to work if he were appointed and he replied that he would like to give two week's notice. The Chairman asked if Mr. Nourse has done any studying or work on the phases of this position since he filed an application and he replied that he has looked into the duties of Mr. Spencer's job, but he has not looked into the taxation values of homes. He said that he has been told there are books in the ;assessor's Office and if he is selected, he would::; consider the first six months like going to school. Mr. Nourse retired at 8:10 p.m. At 8:15 p.m. Mr. Frank Holmes met with the Board. In answer to questions, Mr. Holmes stated that he was born in Waltham, has lived in Lexington since 1938, is twenty-three yearsold, single and a veteran. He said that he served in both the European and Pacific theaters as Staff Sergeant. The Chairman asked if he had experience in super- vising men and giving orders and he replied in the affirmative. The Chairman asked if he were now employed and he replied in the affirmative. He is working for S. A. Lund, who lives in 62 Farmcrest Avenue, and is a awn - tractor. He explained that he enjoys his work and likes his employer, but the position in the Assessors' Department seems to offer security. He is now going to Boston University three nights a week. The Chairman asked if he were attending under the G. I. and he replied in the affirmative. He said that 0-4 1 373. he is studying business management. The economic professors dwell on another depression and he would like to find a position offering security. He said that he will be going to school for three years because he is going nights. If he were going days he would finish in less than two. Mr. Holmes retired at 8:25 p.m. At 8:30 Mr. John O'Connor met with the Board. In answer to questions, Mr. O'Connor stated that he was born in Lexington in 1902 and still lives here, and that he is married. The Chairman said that he had read Mr. O'Connor's letter to the Board and asked if there was anything further he wished to say. Mr. O'Connor said that he thought he had covered everything in his letter and did not believe there was anything further to be said. The Chairman asked what his present salary is and Mr. O'Connor replied that his take-home pay is $ 45.77. The Chairman asked if it is Mr. O'Connor's desire to change from the Engineering Department to the Assess- ors' Department because of the pay. Mr. O'Connor replied not particularly. He said that the position in the Assessors' Department offers more opportunities than there are in the Engineering Department. The Chairman inquired about Mr. O'Connor's education and he said that he had graduated from Lexington High School. The Chairman asked if he had done. any studying since then and he replied that he had not actually in going to school. The Chairman said that if Mr. O'Connor were selected, he assumed that he would be satisfied and would not be looking around for something else. Mr. O'Connor said that he has spent, shall he say, the best years of his life working for the town and it perhaps would be the logical thing for him to stay with the town. Mr. O'Connor said that he has been more or less interested in the Assessors' office in a great many ways. The Chairman asked if he liked to meet people and he replied that offhand, when the crew is in the engineering department, he takes care of 75% of the people who come in looking for information. Mr. O'Connor retired at 8:37 p.m. Mr. Steeves said that the Assessors would like to know the Board's "setup" now and further stated that the Assessors are the ones who actually make the appointment. 374 The Chairman advised Mr. Steeves that the Selectmen would let his Board know whatever decision is made by May 18, 1948. It was decided to defer any action relative to this subject until Mr. Paxton arrived. 'Ir. Joseph H. DeFoe, Sup't. of Public Works, met with the Board. He informed the Selectmen that the Board of Retire- ment had unanimously voted to retire Sabastinno Palladino, the dump attendent, for ordinary disability, Palladino to give Palladino his vacation starting May 11, 1948. Retire- The Chairman asked if the retirement was at Mr. ment Palladino's request and Mr. DeFoe replied in the affir- mative. Mr. DeFoe again brought up the problem of drainage on School Street. He said that an individual is build - Drainage ing several houses on the left hand side of School Street, School going toward Lincoln. The land is very wet and he is Street pumping the water out into the street and it then runs onto land across the street. He said that he under- stands the Health Inspector has refused to issue permits for septic tanks due to the high water level. Mr. DeFoe said that the drainage would only take care of the sur- face water. Sidewalk Maintenance The Chairman asked if Mr. DeFoe 'had any suggestions and he replied that he will have to study it. The Chairman asked if he had any concrete proposal and he replied in the negative. The Chairman said that if the Health Inspector has refused a permit, the builder will undoubtedly want to see the Board. He suggested, that in the meantime, Mr. DeFoe study the matter and have a report for the Board. It was also agreed that Mr. DeFoe should contact the Town Counsel relative to the town's responsibility in similar cases. Mr. DeFoe reported that the sidewalks in front of Durand's and Alvin's stores are in very bad condition. He said that there may be 60 or 70 slabs to be replaced. The Chairman suggested that Mr. DeFoe, if the Board approved, discuss the subject of sidewalk maintenance with Mr. Paxton and do whatever he recommends. The Board approved. 1 375' .The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Albert Trobasso Trobasso, 3 Bay State Road, Cambride, who owns some Complaint land on Valleyfield Street in Lexington. Mr. Tro- basso claims that his land is being flooded because the brook is clogged and requested the town to clean the brook. Mr. DeFoe reported that this individual owns one parcel of land on which he pays $18 taxes and another on which he pays $27. He said that he did not see any reason why the town should spend money to lower the water level on land of such low value. It was decided to have Mr. DeFoe talk to Mr. Trobasso. The Chairman read a letter from the M. D. C. Water for informing that Board that at a meeting held on May Bedford 6, 1948, it was voted to authorize the Director Hospital to inform the Board of Selectmen that the Commission has no objections to the Town of Lexington proceeding with plans to furnish water to the Veterans Administration in Bedford. Letter was received from Mr. Hitchcock of the Boston Edison Company, advising the Board that work on the new proposed street lighting from Woburn Street to Bedford Street will be started in the near future and completed as rapidly as possible. Mr. Hitchcock stated that it is his belief, that Street the Selectmen do not want the all-night lighting in the Light, center to start until the change has been made. The ing Clerk was instructed to advise Mr. Hitchcock that his contention is correct. Mr. DeFoe retired at 9:45 p.m. Letter was received from Mr. Grindle informing Recreation the Board that the School Committee has appointed Committee, Tracy W. Ames to serve on the Recreation Committee for one year and Bertram P. Gustin for two years. Notice was received from the Middlesex & Boston Bus Street Railway Company stating that, due to lack of Service patronage, bus service between Bedford Airport, discon- Spring Street and Park Avenue, was discontinued tinued May 8, 1948 with the exception of necessary trips to Bedford Hospital and Park Avenue. The Clerk was instructed to write the Middlesex & Boston Street Railway Company and ask whether or not it is the intention of the company to abandon the franchise, particularly insofar as Spring Street is concerned. 376 Paper Drive Easement Boston Edison Letter was received from John Lamont, on behalf of the Lexington Athletic Boosters Club, requesting permission to conduct a paper drive on Sunday, September 19, 1948. The Clerk informed the Board that several weeks ago the Booster Club had asked to have this date reserved. Mr. Driscoll moved that the request be grant- ed. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Stanley Hill Post reouesting permission to conduct a paper drive on Sunday, September 19, 1948. The Clerk was instructed to advise the Post that permission for a paper drive has already been granted for this date. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Lynch to which was attached the original and a copy of the proposed easement from the Town of Lexington to the. Boston Edison Company. Mr. Lynch requested tht-- Board to sign the document, return the original to him and retain the copy. Mr. Driscoll moved that the easement be signed. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from Mr. Edwin B. Worthen relative to the seal on the Selectmen's letterheads. Mr. Driscoll moved that a new die be obtained and Seal that the old and worn dies be destroyed. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A list of eligibles for appointment to the Police Department, in order of standings, was received from the Division of Civil Service. There were five Police names on the list, only two of those having designated Appointment their wish to be considered. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was voted to appoint John p. Costello, 42 Allen Street, and William Meadows, Jr. 60 Woburn Street, permanent police officers in the Town of Lexington at a salary of 649.22, effective May 21, 1948. 377 A contract between the Town of Lexington and Sky -Spray, Inc. was left with the Clerk by Mr. Garrity who requested the Board's signature so that he could proceed with airplane spraying. The Clerk was instructed to find out from Mr. Garrity whether or not the contract has been approved by the Town Counsel. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, Water it was voted to sign the following water oeders: Orders Calvin Street, Donald Street, Eldred Street, Ivan Street, Bernard Street, Liberty .Avenue and Ledgelawn &venue. Copies of the orders are filed in the Selectmen's Office under "Water Orders", 1948. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, Sewer it was voted to sign the following sewer orders: Ledge - lawn Avenue, Carley Road, Meriam Street and Reed Street, Copies of the orders are filed in the Selectmen's Office under "Sewer Orders", 1948. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Garrity, Superintendent of Parks and Playgrounds, submitting two more names to complete his playground personnel for the summer - - Patricia Murray, 9 weeks at $10 and Stanley R. Tebbetts as supervisor of both play- grounds, 10 weeks at $50. Mr. Nickerson moved that Mr. Garrity be authorized to employ the two individuals at the rates quoted provi there are sufficient funds in the budget. Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Play- ground lay- ground ding per- sonnel The Chairman read a letter from John T. Blackwell stating that the Board's needs for a eneral statement of basic considerations applying to proposals for new bus routes in Lexington could be met to the best advan- tage by making the Board's inquiries a part of the study program of the Planning Board. Mr. Blackwell stated that during the next three months, town -wide studies of desirable neighborhood development will be completed, and special attention could be given to the probable traffic flows resulting from such development, provided a sum: of money could be allocated to the planning budget for this purpose. Mr. Blackwell quoted a figure of 000 or more. Mr. Nickerson moved to approve the sum of 0300 378 providing Mr. Paxton agrees, this amount to be charged to the Selectmen's Expenses account. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The meeting adjourned at 10:25 p.m. A true record, Attest: