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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1950-06-12 Board of Selectmen MinutesDEPART~T OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIES: Repor~ received showing that there was a sharp increase in the average food prices from April through May. Clothing showed a downward ~rend, fuel and ~ight decreased while shelter showed a moderate advance. DIVISION OF CIVIL SERVICE: Approval of the appointments of Leo Mack. lin and Freeman Barteaux as reserve officers was received from Thomas J. Greehan. REQUEST FOREEMOVAL OF T~O TREES: Mr. Rober~ Winters of 53 ~eareSt. Lawrence requests the removal of ~wo trees on Greene Stree: near Poplar Street where he intends ~o build .a home. Mr..Conners feels that these trees should be removed as they are in poor condition. A hearing has been set for June 19, 1950 a~ 7:45 P.M. in the Se!ectmen's Office. JUNE 12, 19~0: ~kly meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at ?JO0 P.M. with all members present. Weekly bills and payrolls were approved. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS:-CENTER SCHOOL: A letter was received from Francis 7. O'Brien informing the board that the School Committee voted :o grant the Board of Selectmen permission to erect supports for basketball ne~s on the Cen~er School Grounds. No action was taken on the recommenda- tion of the Recreational Council that the Center School building and yard be added ~o the Drummond Playground. The letter further s~ated that as soon as the equip- men~ can be transferred ~o the Kit~redgeSchool, the School Committeewill surrender the building to the ~%wn. RESIGNATION: James T. Poor submitted two letters of resignation as member of the Appeal and Planning Board, necessary because of the pressure of his business and to become effective as of June 10,1950. The Board voted to take this matter under advisement.. Notice received of the various signs which a re missing on Sutton, Main and Prescot~ Stree~s~and the board voted to refer this matter to the Police Department for replacement of these sig~s.~ ADVISORY BOARD: ~ANSFER APPROVAL: Approval was =~ceived for the transfer 0f$27.00 from the Reserve Fund to the Wiring Inspector's appropriation ~ctmke ~are of~expenses for the balance of the year. ' LAWRENCE GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY: The board~voted unanimously to gran~ permiss£on ~o~cava~e ~o install gas s~rvice at 51 May Street, 12 feet on Street. Mr. Carry notified. SPEED REGULATIONS- CHICK1TING ROAD: zNotice of the special reg~stions governing the ~speed of mo~or vehicles on Chickering Road, Osgood St~et~nd Osgood Street by-pass- Route 125, as made by the Departmen~ of Public ~?orks and the Regsitrar of Motor Vehicles, acting Jointly, in accordance with the provisions cf Section 18 of Chanter PO of the Genersl'Laws, as amended by Section 2 of Chapter 564 of the Acts of i948 and are as follows:~ NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC: Beginning a: a point 500 feet north o~ Peters Street in North Andover thence northerly for a distance of .82 miles a~ 45 mil~s per hour ... .40 ,, "35 ,, " · 52 " "40 " " "ending at station 146 +O0 the total distance being 2.29 miles. SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC Beginning in North Andov~r a~ station 146% 00, then · 52 miles a~ 40 miles per hour · 40 35 .82 · 20 40 ending at station 14. 20 the total d~stance being 2.~9 miles. Signed by W. F. Callahan, Commisszoner, Public .'orks, B. H. Grou~, Associate Commissioner, F. V. Matera, Associate Commissioner and Anthony A'. Benzagni, Deputy Registrar of Motor Vehicles. The board voZed to notify the Police Department of this regulation ~14 and request that it be enforced and also ask that the Chief check on the road signs in this area and see if they have been posted. Chief McEee wants to call the boards attention to the school bus stops at the various echools o His department marks off£ a space for the bus but teachers and others park their cars there and the result is that the bus stops in the middle of the street to let the children on and off the bus. Chief McEee suggested that if a new regulation is made with respect to Main Street that perhaps the hoard would make a rule regard- ing the school bus stops and the police could then enforce the law with respect to parked cars in the school bus space. 66 1 EXECUTIVE SESSION POLICE DEPARTMENT-BOARD OF SELECTMEN June 12, 1950 OFFICER MYRON L~S: Er. Thomson informed Mr. Lewis that this was an executive session and was to' be held mtrictly confidential by the board and he hoped that Officer Lewis would also hold this in strict confidence. Mr. Thomson inquired if Officer Lewis held any other Job besides his police work "~ and he replied tha~ he did not. Mr. Thomson inquired if he was familiar with the rules and regulations of the Police Department as set up in 1932 and he replied that he had read them but not recently. · When asked if he had any objections to these rules he stated that theycould be improved. Mr. Thomson asked if he would conduct himself in accordance with these rules and Mr. Lewis stated that he could or they shouldn't be there. ~I Er. Coffin inquired if Officer Lewis was satisfied with ~he operation of the police department. Mr. Lewis said he was satisfied,was always used well and has no~ been ~ossed around. What are you aiming at? Mr. Coffin asked if he had any ideas for the advancement of the department. Er. Lewis~ said he wanted to be fair and he had given no thought ~o such a thing and could not' give a quick answer. He said he building and facilities could be improved. Mr. Coffin said, Then you are satisfied with conditions but there is room for improve- ment. Er. Thomson informed Officer Lewis that this was ~ strictly confident!al matter and asked if he had any specific recommendation with respecm to supervision in..thedepartment. Er. Lewis said he could recommend but that he is not the head of the department and he wouldn't embarrass the head of the department. If the head of the department refused to make a change, without a cost to the department, he would be va. ong. Mr. Thomson asked if there was any member that Mr. Lewis thought could be replaced. Er. Lewis went on ~o say that Civil Service doesn't bring up the matter in this way. He said there is a six months provision and then if satisfactory, the person is employed permanently. E think you are asking about competance and reliability of the department. Er. Thomson said no that it was not physical characteristics. Mr. Lewis went on to say that there is no Janitor and theplace has to be cleaned, the toilets should be kep~ immaculate and the car has to be washed. Mr. Coffin asked if there was a set schedule for all of the officers so that each would have their turn of taking care of this work. Mr. Thomson'asked if there was any reason why the chief couldn't have quarters cleaned by someone rathe~ than have the officers do the work? Mr. Lewis said Nc, that t~his was discussed at one time and that each of the officers were to take their turn doing ~his work. He said one schedule had been drawn up by a man a~ the Eastern Mass. Co. which gave one extra man a day when he could clean up, hut that schedule was no~ accepted. He also said that the Towm Building has their windows cleaned and even though the station is attached to the building, the menare not allowed to wash the windows in the s ration. In answer to a question by Mr.~ Thomson with respec~ to new men being ~rained ~o use firearms, Officer Lewis said they are no~ trained to use firearms but that the Sele may designate eeuipmen~ which an officer may carry. He said he had talked to Lawrence Andover about revolver permits and they informed him that there was no need for an officer to have a permit as that was part of his work but he felt that the men should be instructed as to how to use a firaarm. Mr. Goffin askod if such instruction had not been given to the new men. Mr. Lewis said it could have been done in his absence but he didn't know. Mr. Thomson thanked Mr. Lewis for coming in and asked that Officer Fleming be sent i~. 2 June 12, 1950 Mr. Thomson informed Officer Fleming that this was ane~ecutive session and was strictly confidential and he hoped that Officer Fleming would also hold it as confidential. Mr. Fleming said he wan~ed the board to know that he realized that he did not have to be here unless he wanted to and Mr. Thomson askedhim if he objected to being he did not object. He said he didn,t approve of this t here and he said he ype of meeting and he felt that what had to say could be said in front of anybody. Mr. ~homson inquired if he was fsmiliar with the rules and regulations of the department~ and he said he had never seen them. Mr. Thomson asked ~ow he felt about an officer working outside of his police duty hours and .~receivtng pay for~ it. ~Mr. Fleming said he had no ex,re work at this time but he feels that a man should work if he can and~he should be given credit for trying bo better himself as long as it didn't interfere with his ,police work. He said he felt that $56.00 was low wages and that he thought the underpaid in comparison with other places. He said that an officer~:runs into all kinds of situations, makes decisions on the spur of ~he moment. He said you have to gain knowledge act quickly, go into houses where there is fighting and people try to make youdo something that is wrong. ~ He s~id he ~elieved that an officer needs more intelligence than most other people. Mr. Thomson asked if he did no~ study q~ite a bit before coming into this department. He said that you get most of your knowledge thnough experience. He mentioned schools that were 'held in. Lowell but ~that very few officers attend these schools. He said he didn't learn !anything and he did not tkink they W~re very effective. Mr. Fleming said he 'thought $66.00 would be a fair s slaty for a police officer. Mr. Thomson asked him if he knew .that there is a rule in Lawrence that an officer may not have an extra Job. He said he knew that some of the officers and also the firemen had lextra jobs and had been doing extra work for some time. 'Mr. Thomson inquired if he .was satisfied that in genersl the department is O.K. and if there was any ~fsult to find'~ith his superiors. Mr. Fleming~ said he was absolutely satisfied, that the denartment is the beet in the s~a~e and the chief' knows how to handle people. He said he wen:' out ~ on two serlous cases and he Just watched the ~chief. He'said hetalks nice to thepeople and then if they don't go along with him and do.what they should, he takes action. He doesn't believe tha~ the chief could be replaced at any 'ti~e , either now or when he resigns, excep~ by me. Mr. FleminE said he the Chief,,anything, he neverasked for any favors and he never felt obligated to didn't owe he found him to be absolutely square with the men and wellable ~o manage them. the chief but Mr. Thomson asked if 'felt that there was proper supervision in the department. Mr. Fleming stated that it was absolutely proper. He said it was difficult to manage any grou~ 6f men. He then went on to say that the way the police department is being oriticised there will be wise 'guys coming over her and try ~o get away with something, knowing that an officer~might be alone in a car end according to newspaper reports, thedepartmsnt is not on'the ball. ~Lu Lawrence they have three or four cars available and auy number of office~s. Mr. Thomson asked if he didn'~ realize that there is a considerable difference in the size of Lawrence and~this ~town. He asked if there was proper cooperation in the depar~ent and Mr. Fleming agreed that there was. Mr. Thomson inquired ~if Mr. Fleming felt that outside occupations interfered with regular police work and he said that he did no~ believe it did. Mr. Coffin asked if ~e' could account for the complaints being made about the police depart- and Mr. Fleming said he thought that the people were with the police. He stated tha~ speed in Lawrence and they cannot control it. Mr. Thomson asked-if he thought all complaints were based on no reason at all and Mr. Fleming you have to protect one half against the other. Mr. Coffin ,then said, "You think the Chief is doing an excellent Job, better than any other department and that the chief is the best there is, except you~ and ~erything is rosy? Mr. Fleming agreed that this is the way he felt. board then asked that officer ~arnham be sen~ in. HOUGHTON FARNHAM JUNE 12, 1950 Mr. Thomson informed this officer that this was a confidential matter and he hoped that he would treat it so and that he did not have to answer any questions unless he wanted i to. He asked the officer if he had any other work other than police work and Officer Farnham stated that he did do some work in the greenhouse. ...o Mr. Thomson asked if it interfered with his police work and he stated that it did not. He asked if the officer was familiar with the outside work of the other officers and he stated that he was. Mt. Thomson inquired if he felt that any of the other officers extra work had any effect on their police work and the officer said he did not feel he could answer that question. Mr. Thomson asked he were satisfied that there was complete cooperation among the officers, and he said '~ot wholly". He said he was familiar with the rules and regulations and Mr. Thomson asked what his thoughts were about the men doing extra work. He said if it did not interfere with his police work, it should be allowed. Mr. Thomson asked if amy of the officers performed work which was. not suited to police officers and the officer said he couldn't answer this question. In answer to Mr. Thomson's question as to salary being adequate, officer Farnham said he felt the pay in town was slightly higher than some places but in lawrence the pay was higher. He said he was satisfied but of course, he could use a raise but he ·felt that the men with families found it hard to get along as their expenses were so ~mch higher. Mr. Thomson asked if he thought that conditions were adjusting themselves and he said no, that during the war, it was almost a necessity ~o earn extra money but that food and clothing~ fuel, e~c. was still very high and it was still necessary to earn more'money. Mr. Thomson inquired if there were any particular occupations which he felt officers should not engage in.and the officer replied that this was a hard question to answer. He said that an eight hour shift in a mill would no~ be suitable as the officer would be tired and unable to perform his duty. In his case, the officer said it is up to him, he works when he feels able to and he prefers to have something to do on time off. Mr. Thomson asked if he thought that the sentiment of the people is true, that the police department is in a~bad way. Mr. Farnham said it has been better the past month or so. Mr. Coffin inquired as ~o whose name the business was in and the officer replied that it was in his wife's name and always has been. He just helps out but seldom goes out to do auy delivering and never on police time. He said they have a slow wholessle business. Mr. Coffin also inquired if this work interferes with police work and he said it did not. Mr. Coffin said that this board is confronted by a wave of opposition on the lazity of the police department and asked if the officer cared to offer any information. He did not and stated that he was satisfied with conditions etc. at he present time. Mr. Coffin asked if at any time he had been stopped from doing his duty. Officer Farnham said as far as he was concerned personally, no interference had ever been · ade. ~. Coffin asked if he felt that there was some Justification on the part of the public a~ to complaints and he said he would say yes. Mr. Coffin asked if the .officer thought that speeding had improved during the pas~ mvo weeks and he said that hms shift is quiet and he doesn't know what goes on days but he thought that there was an improvement. Mr. Coffin th.eh inquired if the heard should ask for suggestio.ns, open. and agreeable, would the offmcer offer any suggestions but officer Farnham samd he dmdn't know. Mr. Coffin mentioned a suggestion box and s~a~ed that if useful suggestions were given and applied, it would be useful to all members. Mr. Farnham agreed that this might be worked. · Mr. Thomson asked if the efficiency indicated during the past two months is part of the rules of the department of the threat of rules by this board or is it voluntary on the par~ of the department or brought about by action. Mr. Farnham said he did not think it was brought about by this board or by ~hreats. Mr. Thomson asked if he meant that if nothing had been done by this board, we coulde~pect such a change in the department. Offi=er ~..~rnham said he couldn't answer that as he 'is not around and doesn't hear all the talk. Mr. Thomson asked if the orders from the chief have increased recently and he said they had. The board then asked that Joseph Lawlor come in. " JOSEPH LAV~OR 4 JUNE 12, 1950 Mr. Thomsun informed Officer Lawlor that this was a cenfidential session and he hoped that he would also keep this in mind. He asked if he was familiar ~vith the rules and regulations and he said he was not. Mr. Thomson read the first pgge of the rules and Mr. Lawlor agreed that he would obey the rules and regulations and would sign the for~ required by the board. He said he had no other occupation other than police work at the present time. Hecan,tSaidtellhe aboutWas satisfiedthe future.With the salary a t present as his wife works but you In answer to Mr. Thomson,s question as to what draining he has had, Officer Lawlor said he was a reserve officer, and rode around in the police car to become familiar with the radio and he was fairly familiar With firearms. Mr. Thomson asked if he had any plans about going ~o school or if the chief ever~uggested any school or if he had any ~owtedge of any training he shodld have. He said he did apply to a correspondence school in Chicago, heanyhadschool.~ever heard of any training required and the chief had not Suggested When asked by Mr. Thomson if he was satisfied with the Police Deoartment, he said he was but that he had only been there for seven weaks. Mr. Thomson asked if he had any regular assignments and he said that his ~ shift is different as he is on irregular hours. He said he has to try all i ~d.o~o?~ay~ and ~ave a card 1there, he take~ care of school traffic from 8 to · o.Du ant then ne is in the crUiser until 9:00 A.. He said they check different intersections and all other places unless called in for somthing special. Coffin asked if hehad been instructed as to the use of firearms and he said that he had not been instructed · '~ training during the~war, in the department but he did have . Asked by Mr. Coffin ~if he had any instructions abou~ danger of making false · Mr.~arrests~ThomsonetC'~suggestbdhe said not since he had been in the department. i regulations, that he ask the chief for a copy of the rules and DAVID ROCHE 5 ~ June 12, 1950 inquired if this officer had ever seen s copy of the rules and r~egu2ations and if he would be willing ~o subscribe to same. He said he ~would be glad ~o sign the required form and he was advised to ask the chief for a copy of the rule s amd regulations. Mr., Thomson asked the officer if he were satisfied with the manner in which detailed to work and he stated that he was. Asked if he had any other occupation, Mr. Roche stated that he was attending the Bentley school of accounting and that if' he were successf~, he hoped ~. to practice accounting at some future time. He, said this a~tending school , did not interfere with his police work. He is not married and is satisfied With' the pay received. · · said he may stay in police work if necessary. H~e~s~ta~e.d that he had military police duty in the arm~, using firearms, he ~zed troups ~and he said he has gone ou~ to do some range practice. Mr. Thomson asked if he were satisfied with the manner in which the police department is operating. Mr. Roche said'he didn't think he could answer that question too well as he has only been on the force a short time. Mr. Thomson asked Mr. Roche if he was satisfied with the pay received and he said the take home pa~ was samll and most mill workers receive $55-60 average. He felt that the mill worker didn't work as steady as the police officers and they have security but he also felt that there are more risks involved in police Work, He stated that he does not have regular dally instructions but goes to various places~ checking traffic and he didn't think there was any unusual speeding. He said he s topped s.everal on Chickering ~Road~and he believe exaggerate the speeding matter. He told of several instances that people where the speeding w.as only 'imaginary, and one w~an wanted to bet that the person was going 60 miles per hourlwhen actually they were going only 45. Mr. Roche said he has had no instructions as to check_lng speed of cars hut Mr. Roche said you can generally Judge from various things about the cars. He said he likes to get out on the road and not hide as he believes that the people should see the officer and invariably they slow down. Mr. Coffin asked if he had received inStructions that he was to prosecute only flagran~ violaters and he said no that he did this on his own. Zt was a mat~er of using common sense. He said many people do not realize ~heyare speeding and when warned it' is effective in the future. Officer XWillis was not available and will be at the next meeting. 6'9 JUNE %2, 1950-continued SCHOOL COMMITTEE: Letter received informing the Selectmen that as soon as the Kittredge School is completed,' the Department of Public Schools will move its effects from the Center and ~errimack Schools to the new building. The letter stated that pupils' desks and chairs which are fastened to the floor, at the ~errimackwill remain; teachers' desks and chairs, although movable, will not.be taken. Equipment of the home econo~mtcs and the manual training rooms was specifically exempted from transfer at the time of the sale. All 'other equipment such as book~ and supplies, pictures and musical instruments like pianos, most of which were gifts will be removed. Mr. O,Brien asked that this be checked with the hill of sale and unless this does not ~gree, Mr. O'Brien will instruct the princiapt, teachers and · Jahitors to plan for moving on the theory outlined above. The board voted to check the'bill of'salewith ~. O'Brien's letter. RACING INFORMATION: Letter received from the Wes%ern Union Telegraph Company informing the Selectmen that at the present time no Wester Union facilities are being leased to patronsin North Andover who disseminate racing information to subscribers. The board voted to write another letter and request that our letter be kept on'file and if at any future date, there is informationavailable we would like to have it sentto this board. CITY OF LA%~%ENCE: Joseph R. Turrisi Mr. Carty/camebefore the board with a letter dated June 6, 1950 from Joseph R. Turrisi, Director of Engineering, stating that-the Statewas ready to provide $20,000 for the construction'of a bridge onNorth Parish Road provided that North Andover, Essex County and the City of Lawrence would match the amountJ~Mayor Meehan has stated that he is willing to appropriabe $5,000 as the share of the City of Lawrence toward this new construction and the letter asks that ~r. Catty call this matter to'the attention of the .Town officials. North Andover's share will be $5,000. Mr. Cartystated that he did not feel that North Andover should pay any part of this money as the 'bridge is inLawrenme and not North Andover. He. asked'the Selectmen for'their opinion and the board unanimously felt that-theywould go along~with'Mr. Carty in this matter since all money for Chapter 90'has been or is to'be allocated for other'purposes. A letter will be sent ~o Mr. Turrissi. REQUEST FOR USEOF DRU~0NDPLAYGROUND: - Mr. Lyman R. Kitten, representing the'Ways and Means~'Committee came before the board to ask for permission to use Drummond Playground on. July 3, 1950 for their annualcelebration. The board granted permission to use the playground for this night. WHITE LINE_- SUTTONS HILL: ' ' Mr. Cartysuggested that awhite line be painted on Sutton Street at the point where the curve was recently eliminated and the board agreed ~that t~is would tend tostop the spe~ding and help curb~accidents. Mr. Carty. will take this up.with the Police Department. BOND POS'~'~u: Mr. Alfred DeFusco came in .to post a bond with the Selectmen ih the amount of $200 as required under A~ticle 52, as voted at'the Annual Town Meeting on March 18:'1950. This amount is necessary to complete the work as required in the article. Cash bond of $200 turned over to James J. Maker on 6/13/ 950. ' DOG OFFICER: Warrant~ of dog officer was signed and returned to this board on jUne 12,. 1950 as required in Chapter 140 of the General Laws~ each year. POLICE C0'.~ES$IONERi ~he Board wrote a letter tothe Police Commissioner, John F. Stokes, S~ate Police, requesting that we be given some assistance'from the State Police "in patrolling ChickeringRoad,' now'that special speedregualtions have been established and this board propose to see %hat they are made .effective. ABUTTERS- PEMBROOKE AND TYLER ROADS: Signatures of all abutters on these two streets were received 'from Michael Cristaldi, releasing the town from all damages which might be caused in line and grade in the conditioning and accepting by the town, of Pembrook and Tyler Roads, as laid out on a plan known as Mifflin Park, filed with the town clerk, with the understanding that it will be accepted as a public wayby the town. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Five police officers came before the board individually to discuss the,rules and regulations of the police department.