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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1948-10-06535 SELECTMEN'S MEETING October 6, 1948 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectments Room on Monday evening, October 1, 1948 at 7:30 P.M. There were present Messrs. Paxton, Emery, Gay, Driscoll and Nickerson. The Clerk was also present. Mr. William Roger Greeley came into the meeting and stated that a number of organizations in Lexington would like to have exercises on the Common on October 24th, (which is the first International Peace Day), to plant Trees a small oak tree. He stated that Mr. Garrity, Suptt. of Parks and Playgrounds, informed him that there are two or three trees which are not sound and which have to be removed. Mr. Greeley asked the Board to authorize Mr. Garrity to take down such trees as he himself determines and also give this group of citizens permission to have exercises and plant a small oak tree. Mr. Emery moved that Mr. Greeleyts request be granted. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Greeley retired and Mr. Joseph H. DeFoe, Suptt. of Public Works, met with the Board. Tracy Ames, Insurance Agent, and six other persons were also present. Bids for Bids the construction of North Branch Vine Brook sewer were received as follows: Rosa & Todisco A. D. Daddario 135,094.00 112,996.50 The following bids were received for the construction of miscellaneous sidewalks: P.J. Joyce & Son Bayer & Mingolla Cildo F. Danazzoli Geo. Brox, Inc. 3,955.00 5,936.25 6,150.00 5,142.50 The group with the exception of Mr. DeFoe retired. Mr. DeFoe proposed additional insurance to cover smoke damage for the High School and the Hancock School and explained that this coverage will cost approximately $110.00 more per year. He stated that he had checked this with Converse Hill, but Mr. Hill doespot think it necessary because of the type.of buildings involved. 536 The Chairman said that he believed that the town should have coverage #4 if there is to be any change. Mr. Nickerson said that he would like to have a little .more information. The Chairman suggested, and the Board agreed, that Mr. DeFoe contact Tracy Ames and have him submit an opinion. Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that he has received figures from three different companies for changing the sprinkler system inCary Hall and the Public Works Building. He said that he had checked with Converse Sprinklers Hill and asked him what the saving to the Town would be if the changes were made. He stated that the saving would only be about $46.00 a year over the entire insur- ance policy. The bids received were as follows: Bids Water on Circle Road Water Meters Grinnell Company $ 550. 250. Rockwood Sprinkler $ 810. Company 195. Automatic Sprinkler $ 725. Corp. of America 150. Cary Memorial Bldg. Public Works Bldg. Cary Memorial Bldg. public Works Bldg. Cary Memorial Bldg. Public Works Bldg. No action was taken on the matter. Mr. DeFoe stated that he has received a request for the installation of a water main on Circle Road and presented the Board with a sketch showing the areas that will be affected. He explained that only two individual citizens have signed the petition and their assessments would be approximately $ 75.00. each. The Town of Lexington owns land and the Town's proportion would be about $ 718.00. The Chairman said that there should be five signatures obtained and hethought the Superintendent should send out a list of the estimated betterments to Mr. Clark who originated the petition, and ask him to acquire the signatures of other abutters and mail it not later than January,l, 1949, so that it may be considered in the 1949 Budget. Mr. DeFoe requested permission to purchase 150 water meters. He explained that McGrory can supply them to him for $15.75, the price he paid last summer. Pittsburgh will retain the price of $16.59 quoted last summer. He explained that by purchasing them now he will save approximately $300 before the 537 the prices are advanced. Mr. Gay moved that the Sup+t. of Public Works be authorized to purchase 150 additional water meters, the order to be placed before any increase in price becomes effective. Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. DeFoe stated that he had received two letters from iridividuals interested in purchasing the old addressograph machine. Mr. Carl Vienntoff ered $50 and indicated he would pay more. Mr. Albert Casey of Stoneham offered $75. Mr. Nickerson moved that Mr. DeFoe be authorized to sell the machine to Mr. Sell Vienot if he is willing to meet with highest offer Old of $75. Mr. Emery seconded the motion, and it was Machine so voted. Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that he was offered $80.00 to trade in the old billing machine against the new unit but he reserved the right to keep the old machine thinking that he might be able to sell it for more money. Mr. Gay moved that Mr. DeFoe be authorized to sell the old billing }aachine at the price of $80.00. Mr. Nickerson seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from the Appropriation Trans - Committee stating that on September 27, 1948, a trans- fer fer of $600 was approved from the Reserve Fund to the Care of Dumps and Removal of Ashes Account. The Chairman read a letter from Metcalf & Eddy relative to Greenough Bros. application for an extension of sixty days on Contract C-1. Mr. Shaw, the engineer, stated in the letter that excessive breakage of pipe in transit was beyond the control of the contractor. The manufacturer had little pipe in stock with which to replace the damaged pipe and in view of these Extension• circumstances it would appear reasonable to grant of the extension of time of 60 days. Mr. Emery moved Contract that Greenough Bros. Inc. be granted an extension of 60 days on Contract C-1. Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Public Mr. DeFoe retired at 8:35 P.M. and Mr. Howard Carriage Sawyer met with the Board. Mr. Sawyer submitted an License application for a license to operate a public carriage. to He informed the Board that he has been driving a taxi Sawyer in the Town of Lexington for a period of approximately one year and he was approached last month by M. Watson who wanted him to go ihto business with him. }however, 538 since that time Mr. Watson has received an offer to construct seven new houses. He informed the Board that on Friday he purchased a new automobile and today he received his insurance as a taxicab operator. Mr. Sawyer said he would like to have his own license at his own house and he will work at this full time. The Chairman asked him if he had a stand and he said he did not want a stand. The Chairman asked Mr. Sawyer if he would retire for a few minutes which he did. The subject of Public Carriage licenses in Lexington was, discussed and Mr. Driscoll moved that Mr. Sawyer's license be approved and granted. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Driscoll then moved that no further licenses for public carriages be granted until a complete study and survey has been made so that the Board will know who has a license and who is actually using the license. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. At 8:45 P.M. Mrs. Hargrove, Messrs. Clark, Cox, Hargrove and DeFoe met with the Board. The Chairman explained th.t since these individuals met with the Board two weeks ago pertaining to water in upper Massa- chusetts Avenue, Mr. DeFoe has prepared a plan showing the abutters and listing the approximate cost. He read a letter from R. E. Silverman, 2938 Massachusetts Avenue, Water stating that he has spent a considerable sum of money to on have an artesian well installed. The Chairman said he Upper does not feel that he can afford any additional cost for Mass. water. The Chairman explained by the use of the plan Avenue where the water would be laid and whose property would be affected. He said that the assessments are at the rate of $1::50 per front foot. Mr. DeFoe informed the group that the assessments have been estimated as.follows: Bashian Silverman Lee Clark Hargrove Cox $ 2,485.50 3,449.55 1,106.00 150.00 1,365.00 87.00 The Chairman explained that there is a possibility of'a main coming up from Wood Street. Mr. DeFoe informed � the group that the total cost of the construction would be about 1,000., based on currect prices. The Chair- man said that it would be impossible to do anything this year because water pipe is so scarce. Mr. Hargrove asked if he were able to obtain signatures.of all the 1 abutters would the petition be considered. The Chairman said that the Board would be glad to do every- thing that they can. The group retired at 9:15 P.M. Professor John H. Judge met with the Board relative to the proposed school at 114 Concord Turnpike. The Chairman explained to Professor Judge that the Board • had received an application for a certificate of ih- corporation under the name of Beaverbrook Academy, Inc. Professor Judge explained that when he returned from the service he came to Lexington and located at the Hayes Farm which has approximately 3.84 acres and is directly across the street from Child's Gasoline station. He stated that he has been teaching for 15 years and is interested in students who are not making the grade, but who are physically and mentally normal. He said he will invite third year high school students and up to second year college students. He explained that he will use only college teaching faculty. They will come in and teach and then leave and will all be specialists in their fields. He explained that the curriculum will be the standard college curriculum. The school will open at nine and close at five and the students will be given a certificate that will be equivalent to a High School diploma. He will endeavor to see that they get ready for and take the college board exams. He said that it is not possible at this moment to state what the tuition will be but this will d efinitely be a non-profit making business. He said that he will arrange transportation from Park Avenue only. No girls will remain at the school, but he has facilities and equipment to keep six boys. He said he hopes to have not more than ten pupils and he has only three lined up at the present time. The Chairman asked him where he taught and he replied that he is teaching at Tufts College, North- eastern University; also at Garland and Chamberland Schools. The Chairman inquired about the physical growth of the school and Professor Judge said that he would like to have some type of a gym, but the school would never increase over twenty-five pupils. Professor Judge retired at 9:30 P.M. Mr. Nickerson stated that this is a matter that would have to be acted upon by the Board ofAppeals and made•the motion that the Secretary of State be advised that in so far as the Board of Selectmen is concerned it is believed that the incorporators are of good character and should be allowed to incorporate. However, approval of a school must be obtained from 53 Cert. of', Incor- porations 540 the Board of Appeals and is something over Which the Selectmen have no jurisdiction. Mr. Emery seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Milton C. Shaw met with the Board to discuss the easement prepared by the Town Counsel in connection with the work done on Grant Street. He also submitted a document which he prepared himself and informed the Board that he did not want to sign Mr. Lynch's ease- ment. He particularly objected to the word "consider- ation". The Chairman read to the Board both the quit claim deed prepared by Mr. Lynch and also a document M. F. Shaw prepared by Mr. Shaw. Mr. Shaw was of the opinion re: that the Town Counsel should discuss this matter with Easement him. Mr. Nickerson informed• Mr. Shaw that the Board of Selectmen understood that he was going to engage a lawyer. Mr. Shaw said he did have a lawyer for about one week Who went on his vacation, but he does not intend to engage counsel any further. Mr. Nickerson said he thought Mr. Shaw owed tt to the Town to engage a lawyer. Mr. Shaw argued at length and finally decided to write up another agreement eliminating the last two, paragraphs which he said Mr. Lynch did not approve. He retired at 10:35 P.M. Alan Adams informed the Board that he has looked over the copy for the 1947 Town Report and it appears to him that there will be 500 pages as compared to Town 300 in 1945. He said he believes the report can be Report printed at a cost of approximately $800-900., but it will involve rearranging copy, possibly editing, and using different forms. He explained to the Board What he wanted to do and upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was voted that the arrangement and editing of the 1947 Town Report be left to the discretion of Mr. Adams. Removal of tree The Chairman read a letter from Bradford Motor Co., 34 Bedford Street , stating that they are making a parking lot which will necessitate relocation of the pumps and the enlargement of the present driveway. T&re--is -a--ties-d-f-re& 1 --ice x -of 1 eDeed d„;ueway.. There is a tree directly in front of the proposed driveway which they would like to have removed. The Chairman informed the Board that Mr. Garrity said that this was a healthy tree and he thought it was a commercial proposition. The Clerk was instructed to ask Bradford Motors to submit a sketch showing just what they intend to do before any decision is made. 1 541. The Chairman read a letter from the Planning Board relative to off-street parking. The letter stated that Mr. Leon Bateman represented a group of merchants and had informed the Planning Board of a plan to construct a unified parking area between the streets and the rail- Park - road station from Edison Way to Depot Square. The Plan- ing ning Board is in favor of the parking area but does Area not feel that the construction of the proposed road would add materially to the benefits of the parking area. It was decided to invite Mr. Bateman to meet with the Board to discuss this subject further. The Chairman read a letter from Officer Edward C. Maguire requesting retirement effective December 1, Retire - 1948. The Clerk was instructed to refer this matter ment to the Town Counsel. A letter was received from Mrs. Philip Godley re- questing permission to conduct a clothing exchange at Barnes the Barnes Property on October 22d from 10:00 A.M. to Property 5;00 P.M. Mr. Emery moved that the request be grant- ed. Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A copy of a letter written to Mr. Lynch from Bernard B. Whitney, State Building Inspector, was re- Scott ceived giving a report on the recent inspection of the Bldg. Scott Building. The Board was of the opinion that Mr. Scott should be invited to meet with the Selectmen to discuss this matter. The appointment of a sergeant to the Police Depart- ment was held over from the last meeting. Upon motion App.'t of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to Police appoint Forest Knapp, Arlo received the highest rating, Sergeant as Sergeant in the Lexington Police Department, effective October 15, 1948. The Chairman read a letter from the Town Clerk Article to which was attached a letter from the Attorney Gen- App'd. eral approving Article 48 as voted tt the Adjourned Town Meeting held March 29, 1948. This article is in reference to the discharge of firearms. The Board decided to meet on Saturday morning, October 9th, with the Town Counsel to go over the votes for the Special Town Meeting. It was also decided to invite the Appropriation Committee to meet Dates of Meeting 542 Auction with the Board on Saturday morning at 10:30 A.M. to discuss the votes. The next regular meeting of the Board will be on Wednesday, October 13th.. The Chairman reported that he had received complaints relative to the auction being held by the Town Furniture Company at the corner of Waltham Street and Massachusetts Avenue. Mr. Driscoll moved that an investigation be made. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The meeting adjourned at 11:25 P.M. A true record, Attest: Cl k,Selectmen