Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1942-03-23- to 1942-03-23 ATM-min 24 " Special Meeting of Town Meeting Membe - of Precinct One held r72,1 Estabrook Hall, Monday, March 23, 1942. L Meeting called to order by the Town Clerk, James J. Carroll, at 7:40 P.M. There were thirty-two members present. Eugene L. Morgan was unanimously elected Chairman for the meeting. William F. Cbvil was unanimously elected as Clerk. Nominations were made for Edward T. Mears of 5 Watson Road and Emile J. Vadeboncoeur of 35 Brandon Street to be elected as Town 1 1 Meeting Members. Ballots were passed, with result as follows; Edward T. Mears 20 Emile J. Vadeboncoeur 12 32 Edward T. Mears was declared elected for a term of two years to fill vacancy caused by the resignation of Malcolm R. Fuller. Attest: ( Torn erk ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING MARCH 23, 1942 The Town Meeting was called to order at 8:10 P.M. by the Mod- erator, Robert H. Holt. There were 119 Torn Meeting Members present. The Town Clerk,James J. Carroll, read the warrant for the meeting until further reading was waived upon motion of Selectman, A . Edward Rowse. 8:11 P.L. The Constable ' s Return was read by the Town Clerk. 8: 12 P.M. Unless otherwise specified all articles were presented by Selectman, Archibald R. Giroux. Article 2. The Appropriation Committee report presented by Robert J. Fawcett, Vice-Cbgirman. Lotion made and seconded that the Appropriation Report be accepted and placed on file . Carried Unanimously 8:12 P.M. Clarence E . Smith presented the report of the Committee on the Study of Public Welfare. Motion made and seconded that report be accepted, placed on file, and committee discharged. Carried Unanimously 8: 29 P.M. Selectman, Archibald R. Giroux moves to lay Article 2 on the table and takeup Article 33. No objections. Article 33. VOTED: That the Selectmen be_ instructed to petition the Legislature for legislation amending St. 1922, Ch. 1 by striking out of Section 1 of that Statute , the words, "Overseers of the poor,' and providing for a Board of Public Welfare separate from the Board of Selectmen to be established by appointment by the Board of Selectmen and Public 'Dprks. Carried Unanimously 8:38 P.M. 25 Article 2. Report of Building By.Law Committee presented by Edwin B. Worthen, Jr. Motion made and seconded report be accepted, placed on file, and committee be dissolved. Carried Unanimously 8: 44 P.M. Selectmen, Archibald R. Giroux, moves to lay Article 2 on table and take up Article 25 . No objections. 8: 45 P.M. Article 25. VOYHT: That the Town amend its Building By-law by sub- stituting therefor a new Building By-law as follows : Same on file in Town Clerk' s Office. Amendment of the Building By-Law as presented Carried Unanimously 8:47 P.M. Article 2 taken from table . Carried Unanimously 8:47 P.M. Eugene L. Morgan, Chairman, presents Plumbing By-Laws . 8:50 P.M. Motion made and seconded that Plumbing By-Laws be received and committee discharged. 8:52 P.M. Selectman, Archibald R. Giroux, moves lay Article 2 on table and take up Article 23. No objections . Unanimously 8:53 P.M. Article 23 . VOTED: That the Selectmen be authorized to petition the Legislature for legislation authorizing the Town of Lexington to revoke its acceptance of the Tenement House Act for Towns, which is now General Laws, Chapter 145 , Carried Unanimously 8:54 P.M. Article 26 . VO9TED: That the Town amend its Plumbing By-law by sub- stituting therefor a new Building By-law, as follows: Same on record in Town Clerk' s Office . Adoption of Plumbing By-Laws- Carried Unanimously 8:55 P.M. Article 27. VOTED: That the Town adopt a new Gasfitting By-law. Vernon C . Page speaks in opposition. Adoption of Gasfitting By-laws voted upon as follows: IN FAVOR TELIF,RS OPPOSED 9 Charles M. Blake 25 6 Nathan B. Bidwell 79 6 J. Henry Duffy 28 21 132 Declared Lost 9: 15 P.M. Article 24. VOTED: That the sum of 0_,030.00 be appropriated and assessed to cover the expenses of printing, publishing, and distributing the proposed Building, Plumbing By- laws , this money to be provided from the revenue of the current year. Carried Unanimously 9:16 P.M. Articld 2. J. Milton Brown, Chairman, presents Survey of Salaries and Wages Committee . Motion made and seconded report be accepted, placed on file , and committee discharged. Unanimously 9:18 P.M. iF Article 2. VOTED: That a committee of three be appointed to have charge of the lectures under the wills of Eliza Cary Farnham and Susanna E. Cary for the current year. • Carried Unanimously 9 :19 P.M. FUHThER VOiLED: That it is the sense of the meeting that the recommendations of the Salary Committee with respect to the future policy of the Town as to salaries is approved, and that the Selectmen and the Appropriation Committee be in- structed to adhere to that policy in the future, so far as they deem practicable. Carried Unanimously 9:18 P.M. 26 c-,72 Article 2. FURTHER VOTED: That the Town Meeting express5 its apprecia- tion P-rj to the committees reporting here tonight; and that the roster of these cbmmittees, namely: Building_By-law_Committee: Edwin B. Worthen, Jr. ,, Chain-Ian Charles E. Ferguson Lewis M. Reynolds Howard W. Robbins Gordon D. Richards Plumbing By-law Committee: Eugene L. Morgan, Chairman Winfield S. Caouette George E. Graves Clarence R. Hopkins Howard E. Custance Salary Committee: J. Milton Brown, Chairman Eugene T. Buckley Thomas J. Donnelly, Jr. William H. Driscoll Committee on Public Welfare:Harold F. Lombard, Chairman Clarence E. Smith W. Russell Rosenberger Committee on Cary Lectures: Robert H. Holt, Chairman Grace L. Merriam Thomas S. Grindle Committee on Civil Service: George W. Emery, Chairman Lincoln C. Grush James E. Spellman be made a part of the records of this Town Meeting, that the Town may have a record of the civic service contributed by these citizens. Carried Unanimously 9:22 P.M. Article 3. VO'1..ED: That the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1943, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year and to renew any note or notes that may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws. Carried Unanimously 9:22 P.M. Motion by Edward W. Kimball Article 2 be placed on table. Carried Unanimously 9:22 P.M. Article 4. Moderator states all items to be read and voted as one vote unless there are objections or exceptions. Article 4. VOTED: That the following amounts be appropriated and assessed for the current year: Appropriation Committee Personal Services $600,00 Expenses 455 .00 Selectmen's Department Personal Services 3,026.34 Expenses 1,737 .00 Accounting Department Personal Services 4 539 33 _ • Expenses 275.00 Treasurer' s Department Personal Services 2,0 834(.4,46 ( Of which $1,000.00 is for salary of Town Treasurer) Expenses - 55a OD Article 4. Other Finance Offices & Accounts - 27 (Cont.) Expenses X150.00 Collector' s Department Personal Services 4,976,00 ( Of which p2,85O.00 is for the salary of Tax Collector) Expenses 1,570.00 Assessors ' Department Personal Services 5 ,853.83 Expenses 500.00 Law Department Personal Services & Special Fees 2,000.00 Expenses 300.00 Town Clerk' s Department Personal Services 2,478.16 ( Of which 41,800.00 is for salary of the Town Clerk) Expenses 261.90 Elections Department - Jurisdiction of Selectmen Expenses 1,716.00 Elections Department - Jurisdiction of Town Clerk Expenses 181.92 Registration Department Personal Services 450.00 Expenses ;. 600.00 Public orks - Superintendent's Office Personal Services 4,77 4.17 Expenses 150.00 Town Offices & Cary Memorial Buildins, Personal Services 4,500.00 Expenses 7,000.00 /lgineerinv Department Personal Services 9,408.62 Expenses 875.00 Planning Board Expenses 250.00 Board of Ap2eals Expenses 150.00 Board of Retirement Expenses 450.00 Building Department Personal Services 1,100.00 Expenses 130.00 Tire�• re epartment Personal Services 600.00 Expenses 100.00 „ 2 8 Article 4. Weights & Measures ( Cont.) P.77,1 Personal Services $500,00 Expenses 265.00 Insect Suppression Personal Services 300.00 Wages & Expenses 3,700.00 Shade Trees Wages & Expenses 1,150.00 Doi Officer Personal Services 100.00 Expenses 75.00 Health Department Personal Services 500.00 Expenses 5,500.00 Dog Clinic_ Expenses 950.00 Dental Clinic Personal Services 1,75000 Expenses 100.00 Posture Clinic Expenses 625.00 ' Vital Statistics Expenses 25.00 Animal Inspection Personal Services 500.00 Slaughtering Inspection Personal Services 800.00 Plumbing Department Personal Services 900.00 Expenses 178.00 Sewer Maintenance Personal Services 391.25 Wages & Expenses 3,500.00 Sewer Services Wages & Expenses 1,500.00 Care of Dumps & Removal of Ashes Wages & Expenses 1,900.00 A Garbe Collection Expenses 5,300.00 Highway Maintenance Personal Services 276567 Wages & Expenses 36,000.00 SNOW Removal Wages & Expenses 12,500.00 Article 4. Traffic Regulation & Control ( Cont.) Wages & Expenses ; 1,500.00 Street Lights Expenses 22,700.00 Street Signs Wages & Expenses 400.00 Public Welfare Personal Services 4,370.01 Administration Items 1,550,00 Commodity Distribution 1,850:23 Town Physician 750.00 Aid & Expenses 40,000.00 Dependent Children Aid Personal Services 588.64 Administration 50.00 Aid & Expenses 14,000.00 Old Age Assistance Personal Services 1,896:81 Administration Items 310.00 Aid & Expenses 38,500.00 Soldier' s Relief Personal Services 384.56 Administration 25,00 Aid & Expenses 5,000.00 State Aid Cash Grants 500.00 Military Aid Cash Grants 800.00 Soldier' s Burials Burial Expenses 200.00 School Maintenance Personal Services 186,731.12 Expenses 41,428.90 Americanization Classes 203.00 Vocational Education: Tuition 1,531.00 Cary Memorial Library and Branch Personal Services 10;147.00 Expenses 4,522.00 ( Which includes the amount received by the Town for dog fees) Memorial Day Expenses 250.00 Pensions a Fire Department 1,107.81 Contributory Retirement System Pension Accumulation Fund 13,944.00 Interest Deficiency on Funds 565.92 MArticle 4. Public Works Building ( Cont.) v21.742 Wages & Expenses $10,454,67 Insurance Premiums 5 ,500.00 Administration of Trust Funds Expenses 70.00 Printin.a2K2En Report Expenses 615.39 Ambulance Maintenance Expenses 145.00 Unclassified Expenses 560.00 Water Maintenance Personal Services 3235.59 Wages & Expenses 21,900.00 Water Services Wages & Expenses 5,000.00 Cemetery Maintenance - Munroe Personal Services ' 300.00 Wages & Expenses 2334 00 / * Interest on Debt Interest 8,303.75 And FURTHER VOTED: That the following amounts be appropriated: Maturing Debt 70,299 .03 Of which $2,500.00 is to be transferred from the Sewer Assessment Fund, and $13,872.40 is to be transferred from the Tater Department Available Surplus Account, the balance to be raised in the tax levy of the current year. Cemetery Maintenance - Westview Personal Services 500,00 Wages & Expenses 3,893,00 ( of which ‘,1,500.00 is to be provided by transfer from Westview Cemetery Sale of Lots Fund.) All the above carried unanimously 9:43 P.M. Highway Department - Road Machinery Expenses 15,000.00 This amount to be transferred from the Road Machinery Fund. And FURTHER VOTED: To ratify and approve the arrangement followed in 1941 whereby the receipts of the Road Machinery Fund were increased by an hourly rental charge, not in excess of the amount allowed by the State , for use of the equip- ment of the Department of Public Works, when used for local purposes for which appropriations may be voted to the said Department. Carried Unanimously 10:10 P.M. Police Department Personal Services 38-,347.54 Expenses 3,780.00 Carried Unanimously 9:44 P.M. 31 Article 4. Fire Department ( Cont.) Personal Services 039,000.00 Expenses 8,565.00 Amendment presented by William E. Phillips . Exoenses read 09,565.00 . Amendment put to vote and declared lost 9 :56 P.M. Original motion as presented carried unanimously 9:57 P.M. Forest Fires Personal Services 87.50 Tages & Expenses 850.00 Carried Unanimously 9:58 P.M. Milk Inspector Personal Services 400.00 Carried Unanimously 9 :59 P.M. Parks & Playgrounds Personal Services 3,272.00 Wages & Expenses 9,650.03 Amendment by Frederick Y. Gay. Personal Services read $4,273.00 of which 01,541.00 to be used for playground instructors for a period of ten weeks. Amendment put to vote and declared darned at 10:07 P.M. . Main motion voted as follows: Parks 3: Playgrounds Personal Services 4,273.00 Wages & Expenses 9,650.00 Carried Unanimously 10:07 P.M. Article 5, VOTED: That the following unexpended appropriation balances be transferred to the Excess and Deficiency Account: From Police Radio Transmitter Account 380.34 From Central Fire Station Alteration r .t. 500.00 Carried Unanimously 1011 P.M. Article 6. VOTED: That the Assessors be authorized to use the following money from available funds toward the re- duction of the 1942 tax rate: From Water Dept.-Available Surplus, 015,000.00 for Maturing Debt. Carried Unanimously 10:11 P.M. Article 7. IndefiniteIyPostponed. 10:12 P.M. Article 8. VOTED: That the Board of Selectmen be authorized to sell and convey any of the real estate now or hereafter acquired by the Town by sale for nonpayment of taxes, , the right of redemption of which shall have been fore- closed or otherwise terminated, upon such terms and conditions as they may approve. Carried Unanimously 10: 12 P.M. Article 10.VOTED: That the Board of Selectmen be authorized to petition the Director of Accounts of the State for an audit for the year 1942. Carried Unanimously 10:13 P.M. 32 Article 11. VOTED: That the Selectmen be authorized to install water mains not less than 6" nor more than 16" in diameter in such accepted or unaccepted streets as may be applied for during the year 1942, subject to the assessment of betterments, and tot ake by eminent domain any necessary easements therefor, Carried Unanimously 10:13 P.M. Articles12, 16 , and 17 . No objections being made by the Town Meeting Members Articles 12, 16 , and 17 taken up as a whole. Meeting taken over by Selectman, A. Edward Rowse . 10:15 P.M. Article 12, VO'HD: That the Selectmen be authorized to install sewer mains in such accepted or unaccepted streets as may be applied for during the year 1942 in accordance with St . 1897, Ch. 504, as amended, or otherwise, and to take by eminent dowin any necessary easements there- for. FURTHER VOr7D: that the Selectmen be authorized to install such sewer mains in any accepted or unaccepted streets located in any of the areas shown on the plans referred to in the vote of the meeting of March 25, 1940 under Article 20 of the warrant for that meeting, either with or without the cooperation of any Agency of the United States, and to take by eminent domain any necessary easement therefor, and that for that Purpose, the sum of Ten Thousand (410,000) Dollars is appropriated to be provided by transfer from the unex- pended balance of the account -of the proceeds of-bonds or notes issued under the authority of said vote of March 25 , 1940. Carried Unanimously 10 :18 P.M. Article 13. VOTED: That the Selectmen be authorized to install street lights in the following unaccepted streets : Robbins Road; Rangeway; Revolutionary Road; Constitution Road. Carried Unanimously 10: 19 P.M. Article 14. VOTED: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of 43,33769 for providing co-operation with the Federal - Government in unemployment relief and other projects, of direct or indirect benefit to the town or its inhab- itants, said sum to be provided from the revenue of the current year and expended under the direction of the Selectmen. Carried Unanimously 10: 19 P.M. Article 15. Presented by William G. Barrett. VOTED: A motion that the Board of Selectmen be directed to increase the pay of all the employees of the Public Works Department 4 .10 -( ten cents) per hour above the present existing basic rates of hourly pay; tlIPt the Selectmen lend their efforts toward establishing as near as possible a 44 hour week, so that this depart- ment will have as near a uniform work week as can reason- ably be expected to take affect as of April 1st. Amendment presented by Ernest Cutter that increases be made of five cents per hour instead of ten cents per hour. Amendment as presented by Ernest Cutter declared lost 10:46 Motion as presented by Walter E. Barrett declared lost 10 :46 P.M. Article 9 . VOTED: That the sum of 415,000 .00 be appropriated for the Reserve Fund, as provided by General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 6 . Carried Unanimously 10: 47 P.M. 33 Article 18. VOTED: That the sum of $100.00 be appropriated and ass- essed to pay the necessary expenses of School Officers incurred outside the Commonwealth in securing information upon matters in which the Town is interested or which may tend to improve the service in the School Depart- ment. Carried Unanimously 10:48 P.M. Article 19. Indefinitely Postponed. 10:49 P.M. Article 20. VOTED: That the sum of ?1,000.00 be appropriated and assessed for highway maintenance; said sum, or any portion thereof to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen and to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County, or both, for this purpose. Carried Unanimously 10: 50 Article 21. VOTED: That the Town appropriate the sum of 625 .0C for the installation of fire alarm boxes , this money to be provided from the revenue of the current year. Carried Unanimously 10 : 50 Article 22. Indefinitely Postponed. 10 :50 P.M. Article 28. VOTED: That the Selectmen be authorized to petition the Legislature for legislation authorizing the Town to appropriate money for the removal of snow and ice from private ways within the Town which are open to public use . Carried Unanimously 10:51 P.M. Article 2, Presented by William Roger Greeley - Report of Special Committee for budgeting and moves that the Moderator appoint a committee of five to work cut a plan for advanced budgeting and report at the next annual meeting, Carried Unanimously 10:54 P.M. Article 29. Presented by Edward W. Kimball . VOTED: That the Lexington Zoning By-Law be amended as follows: By changing "Section 16" to read as follows: Section 16 . There shall be a Board of Appeals of five members, who shall be appointed by the Selectmen for terms of five years each, the term of one appointee to expire each year. The Selectmen snail also appoint in like manner four associate members of the Board of Appeals, one or more of whom may be designated by the Selectmen from time to time to take the place of a reg- ular member or members of the Board of Appeals as to cases arising under this by-law in case of vacancy, inability to act or interest. REPORT OF TRE PLANNING BOARD ON A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO TEE LEXINGTON ZONING BY-LAW AS IT APPEARS UNDER TT-FF's ARTICTF 29 IN THE TOUN WARRANT FOR THW, TOWN MEETING TO BE ELD MARCH 23, 1942. A public hearing was held February 13 , 1942 after notices were given in accordance with the Zoning By- law and the Planning Board now submits a final report with recommendations to the Town. The Board of ATypeals is set up by legislation to hold hearings and make decisions upon variances in the appli- cation of the Building Code, the Zoning By-law and the Sub-division Regulations . 34 The Board consists of five members with alternates to fill vacancies tV at hearings and has averaged 26 hearings per year for he past three years . In general its activities rave a direct relation with building activities , and as a result the meetings reach a peak during the Spring and Summer months when enforced absences of members make it difficult to obtain full attendance . To meet this condition it is proposed by this amendment to increase the number of available alternates, and the Planning Board recommends favorable action by this meeting. Wm. Roger_Greeley Lester F. Ellis Edward T. Kimball D. E. Nickerson Edwin B. Worthen, Jr. Fred C. Newhall Main motion as presented Carried Unanimously 10:56 P.M. Article 30. Presented by Lester F. Ellis . VOTED: That the Lexington Zoning By-Law be amended as follows: By adding the following to Section 6 ( a) second paragraph: However on such lots there shall be provided on each side of each dwelling or other permitted main structure a side yard which shall be kept open from the front line of the main structure to the rear line thereof as follows : On lots recorded previous to July 19, 1929 the side yard shall be at least 7.5 feet in width and on lots recorded after July 19, 1929 but before October 6 , 1938 the side yard shall be at least 10 feet in width. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD ON A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO TEE LEXINGTON ZONING BY-LAW AS IT APPEARS UNDER ARTICLE 30 IN TI-JE TOWN WARRANT FOR THE TOWN MEETING TO BE EELD MARCH 23, 1942. A public hearing was held February 27, 1942 after notices were given in accordance with the Zoning By-law and the Planning Board now submits a final report with recommendations to the Town. Previous to July, 1929 the only reference to a minimum width open side yard between a duelling and the lot boundary was con- tained in the Building Code under a provision that the side walls of any building of the second or third class shall not be less than 7* feet from the line of any adjoining lot. In 1929 the Zoning By-law was revised and among the amendments adopted was a provision for a minimum 75 foot lot frontage with not less than a ten foot side yard. In 1938 an amendment was adopted substituting a minimum 100 foot frontage with not less than a fifteen foot side yard. It has been discovered that the second amendment has abrogated the ten foot provision for recorded lots. The proposed Building Code, however, makes no provision for side yards but refers this whole matter to the Zoning By-Law, although the seven and a half foot re- striction of the Building Code still stands. In order to continue the intent of the By-Law, the. Planning Board offers the amendment covered by Article 30 of this meeting and recommends favorable action thereon. 85 TraeRoger Greeley Lester F, Ellis Edward W. Kimball D. E. Nickerson Edwin B. Worthen, Jr. Fred C. Newhall Carried Unanimously 11:00 P.M. Article 31. Presented by Fred C. Newhall. VOTED: That the Lexington Zoning By-Law be amended as follows: By changing under Section 3 (b) C.1 Districts paragraph 7, which now reads: TpUpon the northerly side of Massachusetts Avenue be- ginning at Vine Brook and extending westerly to the easterly line of Merriam Street, throughout its length extending northerly to the Railroad property," to read as follows: Upon the easterly side of Massachusetts Avenue be- ginning at a point southerly and distant 164 feet from the center line of Grant Street and extending northerly to the southerly line of Merriam Street, throughout its length extending easterly to the Railroad property. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD ON A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO Tl E T,R INGTON ZONING BY-LAW AS IT AP±'EARS UNDER ARTICLE 31 IN THE TON%i WAREANT FOR THE TO7N MEETING TO BE HELD MARCH 23, 1942. A public hearing was held February 13, 1942 after notices were given in accordance with the Zoning By-Law and the Planning Board now submits a final report with recommendations to the Town In the Zoning By-law the written descriptions of areas facing Massachusetts Avenue are, in all cases except one paragraph, referred to as being located on either the easterly or the westerly side of the Avenue, and the changes in this amendment are to bring the wording of this Paragraph into conformity with the other cases. There are no changes in classification or the boundaries of the area described. The Planning Board recommends favorable action by the Town. um. Roger Greeley Edward W. Kimball Edwin B. Worthen, Jr Lester F. Ellis Fred C. Newhall D. E. Nickerson Carried Unanimously 11:01 P.M. Article 32. Presented by Wm. Roger Greeley. VOTED: That the Lexington Zoning By-Law and kap be amended as follows: By changing under Section 3 (b) C.1 Districts paragraph 8, which now reads: 36 Article 32. "Upon the westerly side of Massachusetts Avenue be- ( Cont.) binning at the northerly line of Winthrop Road and ex- tending northerly to a point opposite the southerly line of Merriam Street and of a depth of 100 feet from the westerly line of Massachusetts Avenue throughout" to read as follows: Upon the westerly side of Massachusetts Avenue be- ginning at a point northerly and distant 568 feet from the center line of Winthrop Road and extending northerly to a point opposite the southerly line of Merriam Street and of a depth throughout of 100 feet from the westerly line of. Massachusetts Avenue. REPORT OF TRE PLANNING BOARD ON A PROPOSED AL.17,NDLLE7T TO TBE LEXINGTON ZONING BY-LAW AS IT APPEARS UNDER ARTICTY,, 32 IN THE TOT71\T WARRANT FOR TEE' TOWN YEETING TO BE HELD MARCH 23, 1942. A public hearing was held February 13, 1942 after notices were given in accordance with the Zoning By-Law and the Planning Board now submits a final report with recommendations to the Town. The purpose of this amendment is to change the area on the westerly side of Massachusetts Avenue from Winthrop Road through the Baptist Church property from a Business ( C-1) Zone to a Res- idential ( R-1) Zone. The district on the opposite side of the Avenue was changed into a residential area several years ago and we believe that the available business zones in the center of the town are far in excess of the needs for some time to come. This opinion is substantiated by nine vacant stores and at least three undeveloped business lots between Merriam Street and Vine Brook. It is felt that the area from Vine Brook to the Bap- tist Church may at some later date be used for apartment house development and is not to be changed at this time . Several persons appeared in favor and none were opposed to the change at the hearing and we are advised by the Board of Assessors that "The land between Wallis Court and Winthrop Road is assessed on a residential basis" . The Planning Board recommends favorable action by the Town. Wm. Roger Greeley Lester F. Ellis Edward W. Kimball D. E. Nickerson Edwin B. Worthen, Jr. Fred C. Newhall Carried Unanimously 11:04 P.M. Article 34. VOTED: That the Town approve the following program for the establishment of a policy relative to the operation of the various administrative departments of the Town and relative to Town finances during the present war and for a reasonable period thereafter: PLAN OF TOWN OPERATION LUhING WAR YEARS Recognizing the difficulties with which Municipalities will be faced during the war, and realizing the great financial problem of all our citizens, the Selectmen and the Appropriation Committee submit the following program with the recommendation that it be approved and adopted by the Town Meeting as the general plan of operation during the war years: 1. All non-essential construction and luxuries shall be eliminated. 37 2. Maintenance of highways , parks, and other Town facilities shall be on a minimum basis, the preservation of the present conditions being the only obligation. 3. Every Town Department and official or employee shall use the utmost ingenuity in the accomplishment of his or her task at the lowest possible cost, with the conservation of equipment, time and materials carefully guarded to the smallest item. 4. The careful scrutiny of all expenditures shall be incumbent upon all, to the end that appropriations may be conserved with un- spent funds showing at the end of the year. 5 . The calling of Town Meetings, other than the annual meeting, shall be discouraged unless deemed absolutely essential by the two Boards . 6. To the end that funds may be available for real emergencies, or for the stabilization of the tax rate, transfers from Reserves (Excess & Deficiency Account) shall be carefully scrutinized and denied except on these grounds, or for valid reasons . 7. The raising offmds by bonds or notes of the Town, excepting notes issued in anticipation of taxes, shall be denied to the end that our debt situation may be strong at the close of the war. February, 1942, Carried Unanimously 11:05 P.M. Article 35, VOTED: That the Selectmen be authorized to acquire by purchase an easement for surface drainage, drains and drainage rights adjoining Watertown Street and the Con- cord Turnpike substantially as shown on a plan entitled, "Section 1 of Lexington Country Club Estates, dated October 23, 1940. Albert A. Miller, C . E. and recorded with Eiddlesex South District Deeds, Book 6500, page 550 and a plan of proposed easement for drain from Watertown Street to Briggs Road, Lexington, Massachusetts, dated Januar- 20, 1942, John T. Cosgrove, Town Engineer, " and for that purpose the sum of " 500.00 be appropriated, said sum to be transferred from the Drainage Construction Account . Carried Unanimously 11:06 P.M. Article 36. VOTED: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum 4'50.00 for the erection of a temporary structure to contain the names of those Lexington citizens serving with the armed forces of the United States of America, said structure to be placed at some conspicuous public place, the location to be selected by the Board of Selectmen. Motion presented by Charles McCormick offering amendment to read not to exceed ga ). Amendment as presented voted upon and declared lost 11:09 P.M. Main motion as presented declared carried 11:09 P.M. Article 2. fhV -7k.: T2xxZuttxkhaxRnemmxt*ItsxeluRRxig.x22g"ftRilizA W-Z-Mx -§-15- 3T-§Z):-:Mat,tqfixxhuwtzrAigXt);_x_szazixttrzatxtise Selectman, Archibald R. Giroux, explains account of a drive being made by the ssachusetts Salvage Committee , and upon the suggestion of the American Legion Post #38 the old war cannon located at Tower Park be turned in as junk. Selectman Giroux states Mrs . Hallie C. Blake had been consulted and was agreeable for such a transaction, and account of such action or permission having been given by the Board of Selectmen previous to this Town Meeting, he was asking for the approval of the Town Meeting for the action taken. Also, Sel- ectman Giroux announces that the cannon was sold at auction on Sunday, March 22, 1942 for the amount of 425 .00 which was to be turned in to the Town Treasury. The approval of the above action by the Selectmen vas unanimous , 9:22 P.M.