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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1961-01-30-BOS-min 325 SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 30, 1961 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, January 30, 1961, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Morey, Messrs . Adams, Ferguson, Cole , and Richards were present . Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, Mr . John J. Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, and the Executive Clerk were also present. Letter was received from the Planning Board with reference to the vote adopted under Article 46 of the Adjourned Town Meeting held March 28, 1960, which authorized acquisition of property from Messrs. Herzog and Benkley. The Planning Board now recommends that the Selectmen proceed to take the land by eminent domain, because a mutual agreement to purchase cannot be arranged with both individuals involved. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Order of to instruct Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, to prepare a Taking for Taking Order for the acquisition of the Herzog and Herzog land Benkley properties as authorized by the above-mentioned Town Meeting vote . Letter was received from Mr . Snow, Planning Director, advising that Mrs . Hagerty had telephoned Hagerty hkm and scheduled Friday afternoon, February 10, as property a time at which it would be convenient for Mr . T. H. Reenstierna to make an appraisal of the inside of her residence . Mr. Stevens referred to the land to be acquired from the Towers Trust, located on Follen Hill, and ex- plained that a further extension of time for passing Extension papers is necessary. of time Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign an instrument extending the time for passing papers to March 31, 1961 . Mr. Stevens asked for authorization to bring a suit on behalf of the Town for property damage against Joseph P. Shannon, 32 Fairlawn Lane , explaining that the statute of limitations will run out unless suit is brought before February 9. This was an accident in- volving Mr . Shannon and Officer Casey. Suit Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize Mr. Stevens to bring suit on behalf of 326 the town for property damage against Joseph P. Shannon, 32 Fairlawn Lane . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign a contract between the Town of Lexington and Contract Louise, Tropeano in the amount of $5,342.00 for the con- struction of the Civil Defense Room in Cary Memorial Building . Mr. Converse Hill met with the Board, at the Board' s request, to discuss insurance . The Chairman explained that about ten years ago the Board of Selectmen suggested a change in the set-up of the Town insurance and it was then that the present program was established. In December, 1960, when Mr. Hill wrote about distribution of the commission, Mr. Cole and Mr. Ferguson raised the question as to why these individuals should receive the percentages allot- ted to them. The subject caused so much discussion that Mr. Cole and Mr. Ferguson worked as a committee with Mr. Robert Cave and the result was a plan which the Insurance Board would like to discuss with Mr. Hill. Mr. Hill stated that in 1911 when his father first took over the Town's insurance, the agents had certain policies and at that time, it was put on a percentage basis instead of on a specific policy basis . Mr. Ferguson explained that the plan the committee devolved provides for one agent and an insurance com- mittee of five agents who do business in Town. The premiums would be divided 40% or 50% to the agent and 5o% to be divided among the five on the committee . The committee would be expected to meet, review policies, do some investigating, and the expectation would be that the committee would change from year to year. He said that eventually it should revolve around the fact that every- one interested in insurance in the Town, actually engaged in it, would have an opportunity to serve on the committee . He asked if Mr. Hill thought this was something he could work under or if it would have pitfalls. Mr. Hill replied that it would be difficult for him to answer without giving the impression that he was criticizing. Mr. Ferguson explained that he was opposed to dis- cussing the subject with Mr. Hill because of the position in which it placed him. rr. Hill said it would not be possible to get five qualified insurance menin the Town all the time . He said there just aren' t that many who really know. They sell insurance but when confronted with a problem, they go elsewhere . He said also that he thought a comuittee 327 of five was too large . He stated that the Town of Weymouth is the only Town he knows of that has an insurance committee such as the one suggested. The only towns Brewer and Lord have at the present time are Newton, Lexington, and Rockland. He said he was always being asked questions by someone and wanted to know if questions were to be taken up by the committee . Mr. Ferguson replied that the question would go to the agent and the agent would be the one the Board would look to. He explained that the committee would work as the agent assigned the work to it . The Chairmmn asked if, when an insurance business was sold, the purchaser automatically received a com- mission, and Mr. Hill replied that many times he does as he is maintaining the office . Mr. Adams asked how the other towns handled the insurance, and Mr. Hill stated that his partner is on the insurance committee in Newton and he acts about the same way as Mr. Hill does for Lexington. He said he also ;does the work for Rockland . The Chairman explained that the ideawas that if there was a committee, the insurance agents would be doing something and therefore would be conscious of the fact that they were working for the commission. Mr. Hill said he would do anything the Board wanted to, but he thought it would be a mistake to remove any agents from the list . Mr. Hill retired at 8:45 P.M. Mr. Stevens reported on the notice received from the Land Court relative to petition of Alexander Palladino for the registration of a certain parcel of land . Mr. Stevens reported that he had received from Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk, a notice of a claim of Marilyn T. Barrett and Denis Driscoll. Claim The matter was discussed, and Mr. Stevens authorized to represent Mr. Driscoll if he tants him to. Mr. Carroll reported that a bearing had burned out on the Autocar. A new White engine will cost $2700 and by using the same block and completely rebuilding the engine , it will cost approximately $1500. Autocar It was agreed to authorize Mr. Carroll to have repair the engine rebuilt at an estimated cost of $1500, The Chairman . explained that the Selectmen have an item in the budget for an Executive Secretary and asked if Mr. Stevens would consider continuing to 111 serve as Town Counsel subject to the Hoardts engaging as Executive Secretary. 32'8 G7 Mr. Stevens replied that the subject has been discussed now for several years and said that there Town Counsel is a difference in having one in the future and having one on the job who could relieve the Town Counsel. He said the individual would have to be found, trained, and the Board would have to find out if he would take over part of the work. Mr. Ferguson asked him to clarify his reply and he said that his answer is "no" . Mr. Stevens retired at 9:33 P.M. Statement was received from the State Department chapter 90 of Public Works indicating tentative 1961 Chapter 90 allotments. The item for construction in Mr. Carroll' s budget was revised to $47,400 and the item for main- tenance was revised to 4SOO. Petition was received from the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for transfer of location of a pole on Lowell Street to the New England Telephone and Telegraph Pole Company. location Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petition and to authorize the Chairman to sign the Order for the transfer of ownership of the following pole : Lowell Street, southwesterly side, approxi- mately 80 feet northwest of Haskell Street, -- One pole . Letter was received from Robert L. Burke, 231 Marrett Road, requesting the town plow the side- Snow walk on Marrett Road east of Stedman Road. removal Mr. Carroll was instructed to discuss this particular location with the School Department . The subject of plowing private driveways was discussed and Mr. Ferguson asked how many driveways were now being plowed. Mr. Carroll replied that there is only one , 29LA Bedford Street, and explained that it is plowed with the approval of a former Board of Selectmen. The suggestion was made that a letter be sent from the Board stating that the demands have become so great for plowing and the hired equipment so ex- pensive, that the Town can no longer continue to plow private driveways . Mr. Ferguson said he would like to know the back- ground . 329 Mr. Cole moved for reconsideration of the Sundry Sewers budget toinclude 1525 feet of 8" on Marrett Sewers Road from Wilson Road to Lincoln Street, in the amount of $22,875.00. The motion was not seconded and therefore lost . The Chairman brought up the question of a change in the rates charged for street construction. Rates Mr. Carroll stated that he intended to write the Board a letter on the subject. The Chairman asked Mr . Carroll to make a memo to discuss the abandonment of a portion of Westtiew Street next Monday. Mr. Carroll stated that the Board had asked him about parking for the akatin area at Marrett Road and said that for approximately 0500 , be can provide a park- ing area for thirty cars and for $1500, an area for sixty cars can be provided. Marrett Road Mr. Ferguson made a motion to increase the budget skating area by $2,000 and to provide a parking are a to accommodate sixty cars . The Chairman mentioned that it would be necessary to take down some trees if a larger area is provided. Mr. Adams said he would like to see a plan before any construction is started. Mr. Richards moved for reconsideration, Mr. Adams seconded the motion and a majority of the Board voted for reconsideration. Mr. Richards moved that the sum of $500 be added to the budget to provide a parking area for thirty cars . Mr. Adams seconded the motion and the vote was passed by a majority of the Board. The Chairman referred to the account of the Board' s discussion relative to the Boulder Road sewer in the minutes of the January 23,meeting . Mr. Ferguson asked if the estimate included the cost of going through ledge , and Mr. Carroll replied in the negative . Mr. Ferguson .:asked how much more it would cost to go through the ledge and Mr. Carroll replied that as a guess it would be approximately $5,000. Sewer Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to disapprove extension of the sewer as submitted on the plan presented by Mr. Carroll January 23, 1961. Mr. Carroll retired at 10:12 P.M. 330 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Minutes to approve the minutes of the Selectmen's Meetings held on January 23, 1961 and January 26, 1961. No action was taken on the recommendation submit- Precincts ted by the committee appointed to study and review the precinct boundaries . Notice was received from the Director of Accounts advising that as of January 1, 1961 the amount of "free cash" for the Town was $742,195.84. Letter was received from George W. Mayo, Jr. , 3 Emerson Road, registering a complaint about a plumbing Zoning and heating business being conducted at 101 Adams Street complaint by William F. Gediek. The Building Inspector has been advised and requested to make an investigation and report to the Board. The Chairman reported that the Lexington Minute Men would like permission to hold meetings in the room in Cary Memorial Building formerly used by the American Legion. Use of Room Previous permission had been granted to the Marine Corps League Detachment, and it was agreed to grant per- mission to the Lexington Minute Men if the Marine Corps League has decided not to use the room. Letter was received from the Addressograph-Multi- graph C ddressograph-Multigraph.0 ompany together with quotations for tax writing equipment. The delivery of the equipment is approxi- mately 90-180 days and the company has been asked to Business schedule the delivery of a Model 6400 Graphotype and Machines supplies for early April with the Class 1900 Addresso- graph to be shipped later in May or June . The letter stated that the company understands delivery cannot be -made prior to .the Tbwn Meeting anddelivery in April is based upon confirmation at the Town Meeting. However, unless the equipment is scheduled at this time , they will be unable to make delivery in time for the preparation of the 1961 tax records. Mr. Adams was opposed to having the delivery scheduled. Mr. Richards said that he would like to receive bids from IBM or comparable organization before taking any action. Letter was received from Mr. Ralph H. Tucker, Presi- Historic dent of the Lexington Historical Society, relative to the landmarks recent designation of the Battle Green and Buckman Tavern as historic sites. He would like to see them registered as historic landmarks and suggested bronze plaques. 331 IMr. Tucker stated in his letter that there has been no Council meeting but such a meeting is scheduled for next Wednesday, and if there is a majority opinion not in agreement with his expressions, he will so advise the Board. It was agreed to hold a Special Meeting on Wednesday evening at 8:00 P.M. in an effort to complete some un- finished business before Mr. Richards leaves on his trip abroad. At 10:32 P.M. , the Appropriation Committee met with the Board. The Chairman stated that the Selectmen would like to know how the Committee feels about the salaries for 1961. Mr. Adams stated that the committee believes its proposal can work eventually and he and Mr. Blaisdell Appropriatia- agreed that it could wait for an Executive Secretary. Committee During Mr. Blaisdellts comments on salaries, he said that he would like to see an article in the warrant establishing the position of Executive Secretary with the idea of setting up the position not unlike that of the School Department . No definite decision was arrived at on either the salary question or the position of an Executive Secretary. The meeting adjourned at 11:45 P.M. A true record, Attest: 'Execitive Cler , Se]e ; men rC� n 1