HomeMy WebLinkAbout1949-01-1549
SRT,FCTMEN'S MEETING
January 15, 1949
A special meeting of the Board of Selectmen was
held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Bu lding on
Saturday morning, January 15, 1949, at 9:301.M.
Chairman Paxton, Messrs. Emery, Driscoll and Nickerson
were present. The Clerk was also present.
The following representatives from the Middlesex
and Boston Railroad met, at the Board's invitation, to
discuss additional transportation service in Lexington: Transpor-
Messrs. Cole, Deeley, Garfield and Turner. tation in
Lexington
The Chairman explained that the Board had received a
request for transportation in the Manor Section and also
received a report on this subject submitted by a consultant
engineer. He asked if it would be feasible for the rep-
resentatives of the railroad company to work up what they
think might, at the present time or some time in the future,
be satisfactory lines to service this area and also North
Hancock and Spring Street sections.
Mr. Francis B. Turner, attorney for the Middlesex &
Boston said that he had a conference with the president
of the company and discussed what occurred at the Select-
men's Meeting last year when a hearing was held on trans-
porttion for the Manor Section, Spring Street and Burling-
ton Street. A number of things have happened since then.
The Company's costs have increased substantially. They
had a raise of 14 per hour which went into effect this
past summer. They also began to drop about 14% on last
year's figures on passenger revenue. He said that he
wished to point out that the situation is somewhat different
than it was a year ago and for that reason Mr. Walsh, pres-
ident of the company, felt that before embarking on any new
services the matter should be passed upon by the Board of
Directors. They will not meet again until next month .
He said that he believes the company is conscious of the
desires of the people, but the company also has the problem
of man power in the Lexington division. He stated that they
have discussed the possibility of starting a service in the
Manor and also the possibility of changing the existing lines
but further work is necessary, and he thought it would be
close to a month before d definite answer may be given.
The Chairman said that the Board was not thinking of
an immediate new service but was thinking along the lines of
whether or not the Company has made a survey and as to that
might be done in the future according to the growth of the Town.
Mr. Turner stated that in establishing a bus route
they have to come before the Board of Selectmen at a public
hearing. The Board then decides if it is in the interest
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Fire
Department -
Expenses,
Hours etc.
of the Town for the licenses to be granted. If the
Selectmen grant the license a copy is then taken to the
State House where the matter is again heard.
If the Department of Public Utilities finds that
public convenience and necessity requires such a route they
issue a license. He explained that this all takes time
and even though they had some idea of doing anything
immediately it would be some time before any routes could
be operated.
The Chairman presented a precinct map of the Town.
showing what areas the Board had considered for possible
new routes.
Mr. Turner took the map and said that a study would
be made and if there is some way of working out routes for
Simonds Road, Hancock, Burlington and Spring Streets the
ideas will be submitted to the Selectmen.
The Chairman explained that the Selectmen are not
trying to force any bus lines and does not want to grant
licenses for bus lines that may in the future go through
residential areas. He stated that he would like the
company to look at this problem not only for immediate
service but also consider the future.
Mr. Deeley said that the lines outlined by the Board
on the precinct map were logical but not right now.
He would prefer to start with a smaller route.
It was agreed that the representatives of the Middle-
sex and Boston would study the subject and advise the Board
at a later date.
The group retired at 10;15 A.M.
Chairman Donnelly, Deputy Chief Cook and Mr. Roeder
of the Board of Fire Engineers met with the Selectmen.
The Chairman explained that the Board of Selectmen
has discussed the matter of the Fire Department very
seriously. He stated that the Selectmen are recommending a
10% increase to all municipal employees which includes
the Fire Department and the Town is faced with a tremendous
amount of additional expenses this year. The Board would
like to discuss further the possibility of using auxiliary
or call firemen in an effort to keep the cost of the
operation of the Fire Department down for the coming year.
He explained that Mr. Roeder had been invited to attend
this meeting because of the fact that he had drawn up
the schedule proposed by the Fire Department. He said
that in view of the expenses thiiyear the Selectmen would
like to have some honest effort made to use auxiliary
or call firemen which will require an analysis of the
hours of greatest possible fires -- knowing when the
Department will have the greatest number of fires and
planning coverage for that period. He stated that it will
require a lot of work on the part of the Fire Engineers,
but it will mean a great deal to the Town if it can be
worked out for a year or two.
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The Chairman said that if the Selectmen ask for
• six additional men, together with an increase in salary,
there is the possibility of having nearly everything.
defeated. He said that the Board does know that some
thought should be given to the East Lexington Fire Station
which, however, may not come this -ear. He stated that if
the Fire Department makes an effort to keep the expenses down
it will put the Department inn -a more favorable position. If
it is impossible to operate with auxiliary or call men, the
Department will.at least have a background and can say that
an effort was made which did not work out. If no= effort
is made there is the possibility of an antagonistic feeling
towards the Fire Department. He said that he is aware of
how difficult itxnay be to work with call men, but on the
other hand it may work out. He stated that the Selectman
believe the possibility is great enough so that an effort
should be made to make it work out.
Mr. Donnelly said that the Board of Fire Engineers
will be receptive to anything. He said that he has done a
lot of thinking and at the moment he doegnot know whether
he should give the Selectmen his ideas because they could
be changed. He suggested further study and report. He
stated thatit might be better to ask for two extra mei
this year to give better coverage and continue on the
eighty-four hours this year. He stated that before anything
is done an opinion should be obtained form the men in the
Department; that he would not want_to antagonize them.
Mr. Emery asked if a reorganiped auxiliary force or
a larger more wide awake call force would be of salue to
the Board of Fire Engineers and Mr. Donnelly said that it
would up to a certain point.
Mr..Donnelly said that he would call the Board -6f Fire
Engineers together and discuss the matter from all angles and
obtain an expression of opinion from the men in the Department.
Mr. Emery said that the Selectmen would try to get the
seventy hour week at a minimum expense to the Town. If the
Engineers decide that they do not want to try this proposal
the Selectmen will be forced into a position to make a decision.
He stated that if the Engineers ask for a seventy hour week
and someone at Town Meeting asks if the Department can be
operated along the lines outlined, the\$electmen will have to
say that they think it can and the Fire.Engineers think it
cannot. This will then defeat obtaining six additional men.
He said that if the Engineers will not try it out he thought
they would be putting the Selectmen in a very vulnerable posi-
tion. There is going to be more money needed for the East
Lexington Fire Station and the best possible relationsthere
is and the more men on the Town floor who might be members of the
auxiliary, the better treatment they will receive when asking
for the East Lexington Station.
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Frederick
Spencer -
retirement
as Clerk
Appntted
Assessor
J.
The Chairman asked, assuming that the coverage remains
the same with two additional men, that hours they vo uld
have.
Deputy Chief Cook replied that they did not intend
to reduce the hours.
The Chairman asked if they did put on two men what
could be done to reduce the hours.
Mr. Donnelly said that on the study they have made
at the moment, two additional men * uldnot reduce the
hours, but there may be a way of doing it.
Mr. Driscoll asked how many call men there are and
Deputy Chief Cook replied that there are seventeen.
Mr. Driscoll asked if they had been with the regular
men for years and Deputy Chief Cook replied in the affir-
mative.
Mr. Driscoll reminded the group that the Lexington
firemen have the advantage of working outside of their hours
which is not permissable in some towns.
Mr. Roeder said that if they could locate two men it would
who would work six nights a week instead of the call men,/here
allow the seventy hours to go into affect.
Mr. Emery said that he thought the Department has an
opportunity to build up good publicity and goodwill.
The group retired at 9:40 P.M.
Mr. Daniel A. Lynch, Town Counsel, met with the
Board.
The subject of re -appointing Mr. Prederick J. Spencer
as an Assessor was discussed. Mr. Lynch stated that Mr.
Spencer has to retire next November and if he is appointed
must be appointed for a three-year term which he cannot
serve. He recommended that the Board appoint Mr. Spencer
for a regular three-year term and that he retire in November.
He explained that after November Mr. Spencer cannot retain
the position as Clerk to the Board.
Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Driscoll,
it was voted to appoint Mr. Spencer as an Assessor for a
three-year term, expiring December 31, 1952.
The Board agreed to meet with the Planning Board on
Tuesday evening, January 18, 1949 to discuss the proposed
new Zoning By -Law.
The meeting adjourned at 12:00 noon.
The meeting resumed at 2:00 P.M. and budgets were
discussed until 4:00 P.M.
A true record, Attest:
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