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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1948-11-01573 SELECTMEN'S MEETING November 1, 1948 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room on Monday evening, November 1, 1948 at 7:30 P.M. There were present: Chairman Paxton, Messrs. Emery, Gay, Driscoll and Nickerson. The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 P.M. Mr. William H. Ballard and Mr. Parking Edwin B. Worthen, Jr., met with the Board for the purpose of discussing the possible revision of the existing parking regulations. Mr. Ballard said that it appeared to him that now the Selectmen have author- ization for the acquisition of parking meters it might be well to go as far as eliminating parking entirely in some of the narrow parts of Massachusetts Avenue. He said that he suggested in his letter the discontinuance of present parallel parking on one side of Massachusetts Avenue only and that he did not go into traffic and traffic lanes. He suggested that they consider the widening of Massachusetts Avenue in front of the blocks in the center with the individual owners. If it is necessary to take property by eminent domain the Town Counsel should be consulted. The Chairman explained to Mr. Ballard and Mr. Worthen what has taken place in so far as Mr. Scott in the Central Block is concerned. He said that the Board realized that a very definite study of parking meters has to be made and he personally likes the idea of no parking in front of the Central, Hunt and O'Connell Blocks. The Chairman suggested that Mr. Ballard discuss this subject with Mr. Worthen and have another plan drawn up showing the existing street line and curves; also showing the straightening out of Emery Park. Mr. Ballard and Mr. Worthen retired at 8:15 P.M. Mr. Emery moved that a letter of appreciation be sent to Mr. Ballard for his interest and suggestions on the •subject of parking. Mr. Nickerson seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Upon motion of Mr. Emery seconded by Mr. Nickerson it was then voted to ask Mr. Ballard if he would attend the Selectmen's meeting when Mr. Scott presents his plans relative to what he proposes to do with the Central Block, Mr. Ballard to act as a spokesman for the Board in an effort to arrive at some satisfactory agreement. Mr. Nickerson suggested that Mr. Ballard might give some thought as to the method by which the subject should be presented to Mr. Scott. 574 Welfare Agent re: Salaries DECALS Mr. James E. Collins, Public Welfare Agent, met with the Board for the purpose of discussing a change in the Welfare Department Compensation Plan. He presented the Chairman with a copy of the plan to be submitted to the Division of Civil Service whereby salary ranges for positions in the Welfare Department have been fixed. Mr. Collins explained that the Senior Clerk has come within $25.00 of her low maximum and the Junior Clerk has come within $85.00 of her maximum. He further ex- plained that he is trying to work out a budget for 1949 and must submit a plan to the Civil Service. The Chair- man asked Mr. Collins if it would be possible for him to prepare his budgets with the exception of salaries because of the fact that the Board of Selectmen experts to consider all the salaries in the town. Mr. Collins retired at 8:30 P.M. and Mr. John Kaufman met with the Board. Mr. Kaufman requested an appointment with the Board to discuss Decals for the town equipment. He explained in detail what the cdloring would be and stated that the Public Works Department would put the Decals on the vehicles. He gave the Board a list of prices, and towns now using Decals and retired at 8:40 P.M. Mr. Nickerson said he understood the Boafd had disposed of this subject and the Chairman said that• Mr. Kaufman had talked with Mr. Emery and requested an appointment to meet with the Board. Mr. Nickerson said he would be willing to reconsider if the Board wants Decals. Mr. Emery said he would like to have Decals on the equipment if the Board is advised by Mr. Worthen that it is a good picture. The Chairman stated that when the picture is on the equipment all one will get is a general picture. The Chairman asked what the Board wished to do and Mr. Emery asked him for his opinion. Mr. Driscoll moved that an order be placed for 500 Decals at 60¢ each but the motion was not seconded. Mr. DeFoe arrived at the meeting at 8:50 P.V. The Chairman asked him how many vehicles he had. He Said there would be about thirty. The Chairman asked him how many Decals he thought should be ordered. He said he thought they should be ordered. He said he thought they should be tried out and order only 150. The Chairman asked him if he would have enought funds in his Road Machinery Fund to pay for them and Mr. DeFoe said he would rather not say until a later date. Mr. Driscoll suggested that Mr. DeFoe check with other towns as to the quantities they purchase and a list of the towns now using Decals.• The contract for the construction of the North Branch Vine Brook was signed by the Board. Sign Contract Mr. Emery moved that the Supt. of Public Works be authorized to call Mr. Daddierio and tell him that Tracey Ames has been most helpful to the town and if there is any way Mr. Daddiero: can arrange with his bonding agent to give Mr. Ames a portion of the bond it will be appreciated by the Board. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. DeFoe presented requests for the installation of street lights and by the use of sketches explained them to the Board. Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to authorize Mr. DeFoe to pro- ceed to make the necessary arrangements for the in- stallation of the following street lights: Grant Street - Meriam Street Cherry Street one light. - two lights, approximately 300 feet up from Adams Street on the right hand side. and Sutherland Road - four lights, one to be placed at the corner of Cherry and Sutherland. Mr. DeFoe said that he had checked with the Town Counsel again on the Cataldo assessment. Mr. Cataldo can pay the entire betterment or defer the assessment by paying interest until he sells the land or any part of it. The only other alternative is for the Board to abate the assessment. The Chairman asked if it was possible to eliminate the interest charge. Mn DeFoe said according to Mr. Lynch it is not. He said that he asked Mr. Lynch if there was any way the Board could help Cataldo and his reply was that only one thing could be done and that was to abate the assessment in whole or in part. Mr. Emery suggested that the Chairman contact Mr. Cataldo and explain that because of the law the interest cannot be abated. Mr. DeFoe reported that he has sufficient funds to purchase two pieces of equipment but at the present time there is nothing that he would recommend bgying. The Chairman suggested that he postpone the purchases until next year and let the money revert back to the Road Machinery Fund. Cataldo Assessmerd New Machinery 576 Eng. Serv. Sidewalk Water in Oak Street Rental of Bleachers Discussed Mr. DeFoe asked about negotiating with Miller and Nylander in an effort to have some engineering service done. He asked if the Board wanted to leave it up to him to enter into an agreement. The Chairman suggested that he make the ag1eement and let the Board know about it. A letter was received form Robert Schrock, 200 Waltham Street, together with a petition for the con- struction of a sidewalk from 181 to 201. The Chairman agreed to discuss this with the Supt. of public Works to determine whether or not the sidewalk should be con- tinued up to Winthrop Road. The Chairman read a letter from Alfred p. Tropeano, attorney for Alphonso B. and Margaret L. West with reference to the application for the installation of a water main in Oak Street. Mr. West desires to go on record that he will petition for deferment without interest until such time as he sells lots being bettered by the installation of the water main. Mr. Tropeano recommended that before Mr. Larson builds houses the Board consider widening Oak Street. The Clerk was instructed to &sk Mr. Lindstrom to postpone issuing building permits on Oak Street until he has talked with either the Shairman or the Board. Mr. Gay said that Saturday morning Manfred Warren told him that the Town of Stoneham requested rental of the bleachers for Thanksgiving Day and it is possible that the Town of Concord might also want to rent them. Mr. Gay said all the Board would have to determine was what the charge would be and he thought it would be a nice gesture. The Chairman said that he has a little different picture on the subject. In the first place he knows the struggle over the years Mr. Garrity has had to get the enclosed field and bleachers. He said that this is the first year that the field has been under the supervision of anyone other than the Board of Select- men. He said that is is a good thing to co-operate but the bleachers are wooden and without much doubt some of the boards would be snapped. He said that Mr. Warren would be making the arrangements only and it would be up to someone else to do the work and pay for the repairs. Mr. Driscoll said that the bleachers would get more wear transporting them back and forth than at the enclosed field. Mr. Emery asked who had control of the use of the bleachers. The Chairman said he would think it would be the Recreation Committee under the Board of. Selectmen. Mr. Gay said that he would think the town renting them would come and get them and then return Sad 1 them in the same condition. Mr. Emery asked if Mr. Gay were bringing this up to the board officially or casually. Mr. Gay replied that Manfred Warren had asked him to bring it up. The Chairman suggested that Mr. DeFoe check with Mr. Garrity and ask his opinion as to how much damage might occur to the bleachers by taking them up and putting them down and going in and out of the field. He also suggested that Mr. DeFoe ask if Mr. Garrity felt that e legitimate charge of $100 would be sufficient. Mr. DeFoe retired at 9:35 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from Harold Conant stating that he has rendered a bill to the town for damage by fire to his cedar trees in the amount of y''' $500. He has now received in exchange for a receipt for the fire damage. The Clerk was instructed to Conant advise Mr. Conant that the assessment of taxes was Claim entirely within the jurisdiction of the Board of Assessors and a subject over which the Board of Selectmen have no control. 577 A letter was received from the Lexington Allied Veterans's Council inviting the Selectmen to participate in the Armistice Day memorial services to be conducted in Cary Memorial services to be conducted in Cary Memorial Hall at 10:00 A.M. Paper Requests were received from Rev. Joseph A. Cronin Drive and Rev. E. R. MacDonald for permission to conduct a paper drive on Sunday, November 14, for the Archbishop Cushing Charity Fund. Mr. Emery moved that the requests be approved. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from John J. Craffey, Tax 37 Hamilton Street, Dorchester, offering $500 for 19 Title lots on Garfield Street. The Committee on Tax Title Property inspected the area and there is a large tract of land which it is expected will be laid out in 100' lots. They recommend that the town retain these lots and, if possible, have them made into 100'. Mr. Emery moved that the offer be rejected on the basis of the recommendation. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Board gave further consideration to the request received last week from the American Legion that Holiday World War Veterans be given the day off on November llth without loss of pay. Mr. Driscoll moved that all employees in the Public Works Department be granted a holiday on November llth without loss of pay. Mr. Emery sedonded the motion, and it was so voted. 578 An application was received from the Lexington Arts & Crafts Society for permission to conduct a Christmas Party in Estabrook Hall on December llth from 2:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. A similar request was granted last year free of .charge. Mr. Emery moved that the request be approved and the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Nickerson seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman informed the Board that he had received a telephone call from Miss Eleanor Hood who wished to thank the Board for their efforts in attempting to straighten out the difficulty she had with her landlord. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 P.M. A true record, Attest: