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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1948-03-08~ON 8, 1~9~- coatinued AIRPORT COMMISSION: A letter was received from the Airport Commission informing the.board that they were planning to plant Carolina Hemlock trees on the south side of Button Street ,opposite the airport and to plant Carolina Hemlock and Dragon spruce on the north side of Sutton Street as per agreement two years ago when the large trees were removed. This action is subject to the approval of this beard. The size~.and.~ype of trees is also recommended by theCivil Aeronautics Authority. The board voted to refer this letter ~o the Tree Warden for his inspection end comment. DIVISION OF FORESTRY: MOTH SUPT. The board voted unanimously to appoint John J. Conners as Superintendent of Moths for the coming year. A communication was received ~rom the Division of Forestry and a card %o report the appointment to this office. REORGANIZATION: The Board of Selectmen re-organized on this day. Mr. Coffin made a motion that Arthur A. Thomson ~e re-appointed as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen .and Mr. Finneran.seconded the motion which was a majority~te. Mr. Coffin then made a motion that Joseph M. Finneran be re-appointed as Clerk of the Board and Mr. Thomson seconded this motion which was a majority veto. APPOINTMENTS: The following appointment were made b~ the newl~ organized board: Supt. Moth Department, Burial Agent Public Weighers ~Surveyors of Wood, Bark and Lumber Fence Viewers Animal~Inspector .Slaughtering Inspector .Keeper of the Lock-up Custodian of TaxvTitles Auctioneer" " "Prop. : .Supt. Town Infirmary Matron " John J. Conners Harold Barrington James R. Dooley Robert Hebb Harold Ratctiffe John C; Farnum, Angus Cross Ira D. Carty Arthur H. Farnham Charles W. Paul Ernest Smith Unanimous vote of the board William A. Barrell, Joseph Gill, Edward Ji McCarthy Robert J. Burke Robert J. Burke Alfred H. McKee James J. Maker James J. Maker 0rin B. Foster Nora L. Foster Allwere unanimous vote of the board. :.Tho'.matter of appointing constables was held over for one week as was the appointment of th~ Sealer of Weights and measures. SKI-TOW-.TRAFFIC: Mrs.'Autumn Ryan cf 370 Summer Stree~ came b~fore the board and stated that they were having difficulties in the section of the town where the ski tow is operatimg durimg the winter months. Mrs. Ryan talked with an officer at the Police Station and'was informed that he felt that this was one of Mr. Ca~ty's problems aw~ when she talked with Mr. Cartyhe informed her .that-it definitely was a matter for the Police Department. She stated that she had not talked with the chief about this matter. She stated that this has been a terrifying winter for thos~ who travel and she lives out so far that ~some times they cannot get out. She said that they cannot get through Mill Road so that there is no value trying to use the other end of Summer Street. If were to be a fire, they would .have to use ~chnson Street. Mrs. Ryan~felt that perhaps there is little that can be done this winter but next winter if something isn't done, she would be tempted to give up her home on Summer be- cause of conditions' for travelling. She stated that there is no fault to find with the plowing of .the Highway Departmentbut the trucks and cars going to the Ski Tow park on one side and this is dangerous to boys and ~irls who might be on the road with skis. She stated that at times thirty to forty cars park in this area and there might well be s parking area here. She said she is greatly concerned about the matter of the highways. -Mr. Thomson read Article 3, Section 2 of the town by-laws which gives the Selectmen the power to make any regulations which would regulate the traffic 'conditions in this are to make them safe. 352 M~RCH 8, 19~8: continued Darrell Brit~on was also present in regard to this matter and stated thatArticle 3, section 2, covers what he had in mind and he has plowed this area where.~he skiers park. He said they use Rea Street constantly and he has to back out about One half mile at different times when the cars are parked on Rea Street. Mr. Thomson inquired who operates the Ski Tow and was informed that Mr; Henshaw operates it. Mr. Thomson stated that this is' purely a private commericAal venture end cannot be allowed to interfere with the highways. Hrs. Ryan made it clear that she was not critical of the police or the highway surveyer but she believes that something should be done to clear this trouble for'neat winter. Mr. Thomson felt that this matter lies with th~ Selectmen and Mr. Finneran felt that we should do something and should talk with the police chief and see what they can tell us~about·the matter. Mr. Coffin stated'that it may be necessary to insert~a newby-law and he agreed that we should refer the matter ~o the police and have him make report to this board by March 15. Notion made and seconded that parking conditions at the Ski Tow be referred tothePolice Chief and a report made to this board with respect to anything tha~ can be done and reporm to bemade by March 15, 1948. Unanimous vote. CURVE ON HILLSIDE ROAD: A plan was-submitted by Mr. Carty to"this board,showing how the cur~,~'c~n he s~raightened eat on Hillside Road. ~Ir. Clark who owns the land, Has .conferred .with Mr. Carry and Mr..Brasseur and has agreed t~ convey 13, 440 square.,feet land to the town. This is the amount needed to straighten the curve. r~r. COffin stated that the work will most likely not be done m~til Spring and asked if this would be time enough. ,. Mr. :Thomson emplained that Mr. Clark is quite aged and becaose of this,.,~,the matter should be taken care of as soon as possible. The board-then voted to hold this matter over until nex~ weekand have it called to the attention ' of the board. RERMt~ TAG DAY: ,~,. The Military Order of Cooties, a branch of.the V. F. W. was granted a permit for a~tag~day to be held in this town on April 17, 1948. Proceeds wLLT'.be used for hospitalized veterans. ...-: ~:P. 0LICE ~AND ,FIRE .DEPARTMENT HOUi~S: ·. ~ ,~?," Mr. Andrew Coffin stated that he would like to have a schedule of"th~-h"6~S:~ !~'~i of the police and fire departments, which he understood came ~under the..~Juris diction of the Selectmen. Be stated that being alnew member of the.~bo'~,/ he would like to know all about it. ~,,, ,,·.~ Mr. ~Thomson felt that this was a fair request,And .suggested that a· schadule:,of the specific hours of each man,in each department be requested andpres~ted.~'~ t~ this board for the next meeting. (~.i;,; h~i~ ~ ~': SELECTMEN!S POWEI{S: Mr.' Coffin also stated that he was somewhat puzzled as to, the. specific.powers-~, of~ the Board of Selectm~n and would like to know the extent of their'powers~;: with respect to other departments not under the Jurisdiction of the Seiectmen. ~,., He stated that we approve bills and he has always assu~ed,that if-they,l,were, thoughtI to ,,,be out- of order, by disapproving them, ~hey :~could stop ~paymeut. ~ Coffin.asked if we could communicate with Commissioner Long as to .the matter as he would like to know for. sure Just ,what procedure can be followed. 'When a bill ~isi:held up,, Mr. Coffin said he would assume that the contract ,for smae~ is in ~existance. He stated that some years ago~he remembered stud~nts discussing this .and asking how far the powers and duties of the Board .of~,i~'; Selectmen go' ahd stated ·that, he also heard that this power was one of,the greatest, powers, which~ the Selectmen~. possess. Nm, Thomaon stated that this was a proper inquiry and that a letter should be sent to Commissioner Long requesting speci~c information as to the powers afl .~he Board ,of Selectmen with reference to approval of, bills ,~ ,,~ in department not, coming directly under their Ju~isdictibn:,.' · Mr. Thomson said he would go a step further and request an :6pin'ion~om' - - C. J. Mahoney on this matter but Mr. Coffin stated that an opinion costs~ money and he would prefer to wait and see what Mr. Long has' to say abo%ft' it~. The matter was then left to the secretary to send a letter to Mr. Long and request the information for Mr. Coffin. DAMAGE CLA~: A bill for dmage to a ~indow a~ Suttons Mills, caused when a highway ~epartment truck skidded into it was presented by Mr. Carty, for payment. ~he board agreed mo pay this bill from the Contingent Fund for the amount cf $7.45~ MARCH S, 1948: - continued ESSEX COUNTY TRAINING SCHOOL: Notice received that a public hearing is ~o be held on March 9, 1948 a~ the : State:House relative ~o the .abolition of the Essex County Training School and giving reasons for George A. Baker, Supt. writing to this board to register protests for a new untried state controled plan. No action was taken. DAMAGE CLAIM- RELEASE: A release was received from John Donovan,9 Williams St. for the consideration of the sum of $35.00 for doctor's bill for treatment of a fractured finger. 'INSURANCE AGENT: Mr..Coffin stated, that, he was chairman of the North Andover Insurance Agency and has had equal shares in the business on all commissions. He s~ated that he will no longer be active in the Insurance business which comes under the Jurisdiction of the Selectmen. He said that since he was a member of this board he was prohibited from dealing financially with the ~own in such matters. Mr'~, Thomson stated that he regretted having him discontinue his membership in · the association and suggested that he continue even without remuneration. Mr. Coffin stated that undoubtably a new chairman will be elected but he~..~will be '~lad to go along with the new chairman and make everything clear to him but he stated that he is complying with the by-law and he will not violate it.' '~ Mr. Coffin stated that he would be very glad to do anything in his power'to e~tend' his experience %o the board but with no participation and he wished'to .go.(on record as having no association with the financial interests of the or~ganization. ;. :.Ap?EAL BOA O Mr.:'Alter came before the board and asked'if the appeal board could'have legal...' counsel if, in a case where a variance had been denied and the case was likely. ~';come up before, the Emergency Board. Mr. Thomson felt that if the Appeal . 'b0a~d is ~o uphold the Zoning laws, they have the right to have counsel. "' ". :~'.,.'Mr~i Alter asked if they could be sure to have someone there to represent the · '>q-.'."t'ow~. and lend a littl~ dignity and help if the Appeal Board notifys this effice~ Mr.~Thomson suggested that Mr. Alter notify Mrs. Dearden and this board they had counsel'. :'.TOWN CLERK- JOSEPH DUNCAN: - .... ~[,~Mr~.',Thoms~nzat' th~stimesaid he hesitated to let this go by without some reference to Joseph Duncan, who servedfor so many. years with great a~i~ity · .and is deser~ing of some recognition and that special mention of t~s 'service of Joseph Duncan be recorded asbeing performed with'an admirable spirit,. · ann'.this board ough~ ~o officially make a record of this, -Mr. Coffin stated that he heartily agreed and his conclusion of him is that ' 'the~e is a greatness there and he certainly is an inspiration to the town; Mr~ Finneran agreed thatwe should spread this information on our records and ~forward a copy ~o Mr~:Duncan with the-thanks of the Board of Selectmen: ' .?iii~!~ ~motion~'was madeand seconded that the'properentrybelmade in our reccrds. L~ 'i.:,~i.i~of. officisl recognition of Joseph Duncan's services'and'a~copy to be sentto~~ -~hi~;'.,Vote was unanimous, The following official recognition will be sent~ to Mri~Duncan: '"Th~'~'voluntary retirement this year(1948) of Mr. Joseph A. Duncan fromthe ~0ffice of Town Clerk, after exemplary service to the people of North Andover for a period of 39 years, occasions our expression of profound admiration .andrespect to him, and· we deem it our duty as well as a privilege to extend L,.to~l'him the thanks of thetown he Served sowell. ' H~' Unshakable int~grity, hi~ wide knowledge of town goYernment, his steady .:aPplication of intelligence~ common sense, and impartiality to the duties ~i..of.~the office, his willingness to serve beyond Ehe requirements.of office', hist -2.helpfulness to all people, his.generosity, his readiness to actwithout thought o~?personal gain'or glory, and the fine humamtouch in his. relationships with '~l~.associated with him .... these qualities, and the good effort they have had upon.the community stand as a lasting memorial to a distinguished public 'servant . Sucha useful career is an example which we commend to the people. We record ~cu~.sincere wishes that Mr. Duncan may continue to be with us and Tor many years to come, in good health and good fortune, and that he will.honor us by his'frequent presence and counsel. We direct that this vote be entered in the records of the Board, in detail, and that a copy be presented .to Mr. Duncan. A .letter of application to the appointment of animal inspector was received ~. from E. C. Bulgar, V.M.D. on March 9, 1948. The board voted to acknowledge the' letter and inform Mr. Bulgar that the board regretted that his letter arrived too late for consideration as Robert J. Burke was appointed to this position on March 8, 1948 after r~rganization of the board.