HomeMy WebLinkAbout1948-07-29460
Chapter 90
Maintenance
Claim
SELECTMEN'S MEETING
July 29, 1948
A special meeting of the Board of Selectmen
was held in the Selectmen's Room on Thursday evening,
July 29th, at 7:30 P.M. There were present: Chair-
man Paxton, Messrs. Emery, Gay and Nickerson. The
Acting Clerk was also present.
The Chairman read a letter from the Department
of Public Works enclosing a contract which they
signed in connection with Chapter 90 maintenance work.
The Chairman read a letter from Frank M. Hodgdon,
70 Reed Street, requesting payment for damage to his
car caused by a cave-in in Meriam Street on July 27th.
The Clerk was'requested to ask the Supt. of Public
Works to submit a report at the next meeting of the
Board.
A letter was read from the Town Accountant which
Retirement explained the payment of pension to Mrs. Marion E.
Whiting.
The Chairman explained that Mr. Albert Frothing -
ham had spoken to him about a dangerous condition
existing on York Street and he read a letter address -
Drainage ed to the Board explaining this situation. It was the
opinion of the Board that a serious condition did
exist but that it was a matter to be considered for
the next annual town meeting, this portion of York
Street being unaccepted.
A letter was received from Mr. Clarence Walker,
Treasurer of the Lexington Trust, which quoted a
telephone conversation with Officer John A. Russell
Complaint of the Police Department. The members of the Board
were in agreement that insofar as the loan was con-
cerned it was a private matter between Officer Russell
and the Lexington Trust Company.
The Chairman said that he had received several
complaints the past few months about this officer
and that the police car had been seen parked infront
of a house on Bedford Street when it should have been
patrolling the town. He said it was importamtcthat
new officers going on the force should know certain
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basic requirements of an officer in Lexington,
which is a reasonably high class community. The
first thing they should learn, is courtesy andregard-
less of what the provocation might be, the officer
should never make a statement as alleged by Mr. Walker.
The Chairman said he did not believe that police
officers should expect special privileges. If a person
wants to do something for them, that is their privilege,
but they should not automatically expect these things
because they are police officers. He said that he did
not want to imply that these "special benefit privileges"
applied to Officer Russell, but that it was something he
felt should apply to all the department.
It was the opinion of the Board that the Chair-
man should talk with Chief Rycroft and before the next
meeting. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by
Mr. Gay, it was voted that Mr. Emery would check with
the Town Counsel for his opinion as to the action to
betaken by the Board of Selectmen.
The Chairman reviewed the previous discussion on
betterments. Mr. Emery said that he would like to Betterments
withdraw the suggestion he had made pertaining to the
one-third, two -third method of assessments. He said
the general policy of the town for many years had
been for 100% assessments and he felt that former
Boards of Selectmen had good reasons for staying with
this policy.
Mr. Nickerson said that he felt the fact that the
different towns varied so much in their figuring of
betterments indicated that it is a very puzzling problem.
Mr. Paxton said that his personal feeling was that
when a street was constructed it benefited the town
as a whole and he cited Taft Avenue as an example. He
said that home owners immediately start fixing up their
property and it improves the general appearance to
people entering the town. He said that as far as
drainage is concerned, the people care little whether
or not it is there just as long as they have a hard
surfaced street. He said that drainage is many times
put in for the general advantage of the town and not
for any one individual, and he did not believe that
drainage should be charged to the individuals. A
large drain is put in on some streets to take care of
other surrounding streets. In cases like this one
only a few are paying for a service rendered to many.
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He explained that new developments include the
price of drainage when the lots are sold and
streets built; when unaccepted streets are
accepted and drainage is put in, it is assessed;
but if drainage is put in on an accepted street
no charge can be made. Neither can it be made
if drains are necessary on unaccepted ways in
order to protect properties and for general
town benefit.
He felt that there were many inequities by
including drainage in the betterment charge.
Mr. Emery said that he felt the Town Meeting
members voted on Pine Knoll Road and Grant Street
with the thought in mind that the assessment would
be 100% and that would be one good reason for
sticking to it.
Mr. Paxton said he wanted to be recorded as
against any charge for .drainage. Mr. Emery said
that he thought that each individual street could
be considered and the actual benefit to each one
estimated. Mr. Paxton said this would be far better
than setting up any formula and a step in the right
direction. Messrs. Finery, Gay and Nickerson all
felt that by considering each individual case as
it came up, a more satisfactory figure might be
reached.
It was decided to postpone any dOfinite vote
until the next meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 9:50 P.M.
A true record, Attest:
Acting Clerk, Selectmen.
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