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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1948-05-24 388 SELECTMEN'3 MEETING III May 24, 1948 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room; Town Office BTilding on Monday evening, May 24, 1948, at 7;30 p.m. Chair- man Paxton, Messrs. Emery, Gay, Driscoll and Nickerson were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk met with the Board for the drawing of two jurors to serve on criminal business, 1st seasionbeginning June 7, 1948. Jurors Mr. Clayton M. Hagar, int cream, 21 Slocum Road and Mr. George Gault, route salesman, 430 Massa- chusetts Avenue were drawn. Mr. Carroll retired at 7:35 p.m. and Mr. Anthony DePaolo met with the Board. Mr. DePaolo explained that he operates the bowling alley, next to the theater and said that he Pool would like to put in two pool tables. He stated Room that he would not allow minors to play. The Chairman explained that the reason the Board in the past had denied his request was because the feeling is that as soon as a pool room is established in a community, it makes a gathering place for the less desirable elements. He stated that as far as the Board is concerned, the members feel that a pool room is somewhat different thatr arbowling alley; that it may not be to the best advantage to the town or to the proprietor. The Chairman said that the Board would give the request further consideration and Mr. DePaolo retired at 7:45 p.m. The Chairman asked what the Board's wishes were in the matter and upon motion made by Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Emery, it was voted to deny the request. At 7:47 p.m. Mr. Frederick Spencer, Of the Board of Assessors, met with the Selectmen. Assessors The Chairman informed the Board that Mr. Spencer had a talk with him last Saturday and he thought it would be well for Mr. Spencer to meet with they Hoard. He explained that Mr. Spencer feels that for the next L.. 389 two or three months he isoin to be verybusy g g getting the public book ready. The girls will also be very busy and he will have no time whatever to give to the training of a new Assistant Assessors. He would like, therefore, to have some additional clerical help fbr eight or ten weeks. The Chairman stated that Mr. Spencer's recommend- ation which, he assumed comes from the Board of Assessors, is that the appointment of an Assistant Assessor be postponed until the fall and perhpps 'in the fall re-advertise for an Assistant Assessor and by that time, if the position is properly publicized, there may be better applications from which to choose. The Chairman said that he had an idea Mr. Spencer was interested in one particular applicant, but he stated that Mr. Spencer has assured him that such i$ not the case. The Board of Assessors is disappointed in the list of applications they have received. The Chairman asked if this was the story in general and Mr. Spender replied that it was correct. The Chairman said that if it is agreeable to the Board, Mr. Spencer would like to secure a Clerk for eight or ten weeks and postpone appointing as Assistant Assessor until the fall. He stated that Mr. Spencer and the Board of Assessors would like the Selectmen to go through all the details of getting the man ready and then discuss the matter with the Board of Assessors. * Bk.. Spencer said that the law requires the Assessors to make the appointment, but the Assessors would like the Selectmen to do it. The Chairman asked Mr. Spencer if there was any feeling about this as far as the Board of Assessors is concerned, and Mr. Spanner replied that insofar as he knew there was none. Mr. Nickerson asked if the funds were earmarked and Mr. Spencer replied in the affirmative stating that Girl it does not make any difference as long as he does not for $o over his appropriation. He said that it will cost Assessor 1 ,150 to put a man on now and they won't be going out until the first of November. He said that for the next three months he will not have time to break in a new man because he figures all the taxes himself. The girls write the book and put on the valuations. Mr. Gay asked how much he would pay the girl and Mr. Spencdr replied that he could get a high school girl for $30 a week. Mr. Gay asked if there would be any difficulty in using the money and Mr. Fluery said that he thought the Appropriation Committee should be notified as a matter of courtesy. * The Assessors will then go through the mechanics of appointing whoever the Selectmen wish. a,o The Chairman said that the Board would prefer not to make any decision until after interviewing the applicants tomorrow night and Mr. Spencer said that it would be all right with him. The Chairman said that Mr. Spencer also talked with him about the $40;000 transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Account to various operating accounts, and the matter was discussed by the Board. The Chair- man suggested that Mr. Spencer and Mr. Giroux go into see Commissioner Long. However, Mr. Spencer refused to contact Mr. Long. Mr. Spencer said that if the Board wanted him to he would call Mr. Giroux and ask him to go in to see Mr. Long and tell him that if he can get this straightened out, it will be all right, but he would like to put something in this week's paper. Mr. Spencer retired at 8:05 p.m. and Chief Rycroft met with the Board. The Chairman explained that the Board had received an employment form to be signed for the appointment of two temporary police officers until the Civil Service list is made up. There are eight names submitted by Citral Service of individuals who have expressed a desire to become police officers. Chief Rycroft informed the Board that he had also received requests from four other persons whose names are not on the list. The Chairman asked the Chief if he had any recommend- ations. The Chief replied that most of the applicants have spoken to him and he has been checking and had made rather thorough investigations. He explained that as long as the appointment may be made without the Civil Service, for theimoment, there is an oppor- tunity to "hand pick" the hon. He said that he did not want the Board to take his word, but he has given this matter considerable thought and he has two men in mind who he thinks would make very fine police officers. He further stated that he has nothing detrimental to say about any one on the list. Chief Rycroft said that he has selected James Bur- dick, 12 Theresa Avenue, 26 years old, graduate of Lexington High School. He was an M.P. in the army for three years and stationed overseas. Burdick had a very good record in school. He is 5' 10" and weighs about 175 lbs . 391 The Chiefts second selection is Robert Martin, 33 Pollen Road. His name is not on the list. Martin is 22 years old, married, born in Lexington, graduated from Lexington High School with very high marks, work- ing and has attended Portia Law School. He was an aviator in the crew of a bomber overseas. He is 61 1" tall. The Chief asked him why he was interested in this position and he said that he would like to make police work his career. He would like to be a member of the force in his own town, but if he is not appointed he will go into the State Police. The Chairman asked if the Board desired to inter- view these men, that in the past usually the Chief has recommended the applicants. The Chairman asked if two men would be appointed until such time as a list is made up and the Chief said that if two men are appointed and they pass the exam- ination they will automatically become officers. They have to supply their own uniforms. Mr. Emery asked if the Board appoints two men and they afterwards pass the examination with possibly a mark of 71 and some of the others taking the examination receive 90, would the Board still have to appoint the first two. The Chief replied in the affirmative and said that in this way the Board has an opportunity to pick their men. The Chairman asked the Board's wishes. Mr. Emery said that he thought, as a matter of policy, it might be a good idea to let this go over for a week so that the members of the Board might have an opportinity to check on the applicants. He said that he believed the Selectmen should look into it themselves. The Chairman asked if this met with the approval of the other members of the Board and Mr. Gay replied in the affirmative. Mr. Driscoll said that he thought the applicants should be extended the courtesy of an interview. The Chairman asked the Chief of Police to have the two men he mentioned meet with the Board next Tuesday night at 9:00 for an interview. Chief Rycroft retired at 8:25 p.m. Mr. DeFoe, Supt. of Public Works, met with the Johnson Board. He reported on the water betterment assessment Water for Mrs. Ruth Johnson, Grove Street and said that in assess- checking he found the line was installed in 1914 went and no record can be found of any charge having been made. The water comes to about the center of her property. 392 Poig The Chairman said that although there are no records, the water was put in according to the policy at that time. According to our present regulations, one cannot establish a lot line to within fifteen feet Johnson of the house. Therefore, there is an imaginary line. water The next assessable lot will have to be considered even assess- though it was put in for nothing in years gone by. He ment explained that, based on the present policy, there is a distance which is non assessable. Mr. Emery and Mr. Gay both agreed that this was the way they understood the problem from the last discussion. The Chairman said that there is a distance of approximately 149 feet where Route 128 might go through and as he recalled, it was the Board's decision tot ake the 149 feet in delayed assessment and have an agree- ment prepared uovertng it. Cost to supply Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that Metcalf & Eddy water to figured on using a 10" main on Westview Street and a V. A. 12" on Bedford Street, to supply the Veterans ' Hospital, at a cost of $130,000. He said that he figured $134,000. but if a 12" pipe is used all the way it will cost $140,000. and he recommended using 12". This includes Westview to Winter, not included by Metcalf & Eddy. The Chairman said that the next step would be to make an appointment with the hospital officials to meet with the Board on June 7th. Mr. DeFoe presented the Board with a detailed Spring report on the status of the Spring Street develop- Street ment by Custom Built Homes, Inc. develop- The Chairman suggested that the Supt. of ment Public Works contact the subdivider and inform him that, under his agreement, the work is to be com- pleted by July 10, 1948/ and request him to proceed with the work; a further report to be submitted to the Board next w eek. Mr. DeFoe reported that Otis Connor, 54 Outlook Drive has been after him for months relative to drain- Connor age of his property. He lives at the corner of Out- drainage look Drive and Middleby Road, both unaccepted streets. complaint There is a low spot in front of his house and Mr. DeFoe thought the main trouble was water coming down from Prospect Hill Road which has no drainage. He said that he does not see how he can do any drainage in this area now. 393 The Chairman said that the complaint was just- ified to a certain extent, but there is nothing that can be done at the present moment. Mr. DeFoe said he suggested to Mr. Connor that he put in a couple of loads of fill in the low spot. The Chairman suggested that by putting patch in one spot or another it might help. He asked if it was all right for Mr. DeFoe to try and fix it and the Board had no objection. Mr. DeFoe requested permission to increase Robert McGlone's rate of pay. He explained that when he hired Mr. McGlone he was hired as a transit man. Mr. Burner is very much satisfied with his work. The budget provided a salary of $3,200 for a chief of party man and Mr. DeFoe requested an increase of $300. The Chairman asked if what he wanted was to increase Mr. McGlone►s rate to $2800 and Mr. DeFoe replied in the affirmative. The Chairman asked how the Board felt about the re- quest and there were no objections. Referring to Chapter 90 construction of Grove Street, Grove Mr. DeFoe stated that the State is desirous of start- ing the job at one end or the other. They would agree Chap. to start at the far end of the cutoff and go ahead 90 as far as the $15,000, will allow or start at the Bed- ford end. He explained that the worst part of the road is the middles ection but the State does not want t o start in the middle. He said he thought the Town should put the water in first and then start at the upper end of the road and go along as far as the money will allow. The Chairman said that he felt Grove Street has been jammed up. He thought they should start at the cutoff— and go as far as they can. When they get to the end of the $15,000 that distance will then be completed with a pavement. He said that if the water main goes up where the trees are, there still is not a very great cut through there anyway. All that will be necessary is to pick up a six foot trench instead of a five foot trench. It will be necessary to take some trees down, but that may be charged to the water construction. The Chairman asked if there were any questions and there were none. He suggested that Mr. DeFoe cheek with the State on the construction of Grove Street from the start of the cut off and go as far as the $15,000. will permit. As for the water construction, 394 UD a*. ng Mr. DeFoe will put it in the proper location and if trees have to be taken down, it is a logical charge to Water Construction. Mr. DeFoe said that he would like permission to advertise for the construction. The Chairman said that the State Department of Public Works will obtain the bids and award the contract. The Chairman read a letter from Charles M. Copeland who owns a home at 14 Ridge Road. Mr. Copeland is dis- turbed by the fact that overflow from cesspools or septic tanks constructed for the new development on the south side of East Street might contaminate his well. Mr. DeFoe said that he has been down to the Cope- land house and he would say that the house is about 200 feet back from the nearest house of the develop- Copeland ment. He has taken this up with Mr. Lamont. Mr. DeFoe complaint believes it is very questionable that his well would be contaminated. The Clerk was instructed to advise Mr. Copeland that the Board is sympathetic to his problem and has requested-.a report from the Health Inspector. Mr. DeFoe retired at 9;50 p,m. and Mr. Giroux met with the Board. Mr. Giroux discussed the $40,000 transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Account, voted kt the March Town Meeting and retired at 10:05 p.m. The Chairman read a letter from the Town Clerk informing the Board that Mr. Holt, the Moderator, has appointed Paul F. Hannah, 64 Bloomfield Street to servo as a member of the Recreation Committee as authorized at the Annual Town Meeting in March. Recreation Committee The Board gave further consideration to Thomas Walsh's offer of $50 for lots 485 and 486 Ames Avenue, Lexington. A proposal to sell was advertised in the May 20, 1948 issue of the Lexington Minute-Man. No persona contacted the Selectmen's Off ice as a result of the Tax Title Advertisement. Property. Mr. Gay moved that the offer be accepted and that lots 485 and 486 Ames Avenue be sold and conveyed to Mr. Thomas Walsh. Mr. Emery seconded the motion, and it was so voted. • 395 [ II Letter was received from Leonard Jellis Jr. offering $8 each for lots 190, 191, 189 Rindge Avenue. The Committee on Tax Title property recommends $100 for the three lots. Mr. Every moved that Mr. Jellis be advised that the Board of Selectmen will entertain an offer of $100 for the three lots. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was voted to grant the following licenses: Joseph DeFelice 81 Westview Street Peddler (renewal ) Countryside Assoc. Lowell Street Sunday Golf " William Viano 1794 Mass. Avenue Sunday Movies " Richard H. Childs 7 Adams Street Innkeeper (held over) Application was received from Mr. Warren, on Use of behalf of the Senior Class requesting permission Hall to use Cary Hall on the following dates: June 6, Baccalaureatq June 9, Graduation; Juhp 11, Grad- uation Dance. Mr. Every moved that the uses be granted free of I charge. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Clerk informed the Board that Dr. Pyle's Board of term as a member of the Board of Health would expire Health June 1, 1948. Mr. Every moved that Carl Terhune be appointed to serve as a member of the Board of Health for a three- year term expiring June 1, 1951. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Clerk was instructed to advise Dr. Pyle and inquire as to whether or not he would be willing to serve the Board as an advisor and consulting physician. The Chairman read a letter, addressed to Mr. Gay, from Levi Burnell, District Chairman of the Lexington- Bedford Boy Scouts. The letter was written, following a discussion with Mr. Gay, relative to the Board's letter advising that the Boy Scouts would not be grant- ed permission for any such activity as a Scout Circus due to the fact that it had been reported to the Board that there was not proper supervision. The Clerk was instructed to advise Mr. Burnell that the hall could not be used for activities such aei* Scout Circus, but for any general use the Boy Scouts will be �y given the same consideration as any other organization Q and the Selectmen would appreciate co-operation in ' providing adequate supervision. • 6'`,(U The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. A true record, Attest; / / 2C electmen.