HomeMy WebLinkAbout1952-12-08 Board of Selectmen MinutesDECEMBER 8, 1952: continued
HIGHSYAY DE?AR~ENT: SUGGESTIONS BY MR COFFIN:
Mr. Coffin suggested that the Selectmen ask Ira Carty to take careof a
blocked drain on Union Street near #41, ~illiam Tallis, whose basement is
often flooded because of this condition.
He also suggested that the Selectmen ask him mo correct a condition on the
north sidewalk on Union Street. between 25 and 33. There are two elevations
at this point and the connection is abrupt, it has been covered with ~hot top
but there is still danger of pedestrians tripping, as one lady did not long
ago. Mr. Coffin suggested that he break up the top elevation for a distance
of several yards and reconstruct so as to make it a gradual decline.
Mr. Coffin made a motion that the above matters be referred to Mr. Carry.for
correction,' Mr. Finneran seconded the motion and vote was unanimous and Mr.
carry will be notified.
FIRE ESCAPE:
A legal notice had been inserted in the ~'ibune calling for bids on the fire
escape at the old Center School. No bids were received up to seven o,clock
tonight and the board agreed with Mr. Coffin's suggestion that we contact
Junk Dealers in Eawrence and see if we can ge~ an offer to remove these fire
escapes and have them taken away. Mr. ~homson suggested that we contact
D & F CO. and seeif they are interested in buying the fire escape.
RECREATIONAL COUNCIL:
The board voted to fill the Vacancy in the Recreationul.Council caused 'by the
death'of Mr. Kilcourse and two names had been mentioned as possible appointees;
Lillian M~rshall, 2S Lincoln Street and Warren Stanwond, 105 Marblehead Street.
Mr. Coffin made a motion that Warren Stanwood be appointed mo fill this vacancy
and Mr. Finneran mentioned that he would like to appoint Lillian Marshall.
He later seconded Mr. Coffin,s motion and the board voted unanimously to appoint
Warren Stanwood as a member of the Recreational Council.
GREAT 'POND ROAD-CHAPTER 90
Mr. Thomson mentioned the.projec~ on Great Pond Road and discussed the taking
of land last February and informed the members that if the abutters are not
satisfied with the offer from the mown, they have only one year to t'ake some
action. He felt that ~te should contact all abutters and suggested that we
have Mr. King take this over. '
Mr. Coffin suggested that we ask Mr. King to draw a form and send it to. each
abutter concerned with' this land takinG
Mr. Thomeon said there should be an offer of compromise without prejudice and
if the o~ner is not satisfied he would have a chance to ask for some compensa-
tion. Mr. King will be contacted about this matter and will submit
given to this board by the Board of Assessors.
TAX COLLECTOR-BOARD OF ASSESSORS~
~he Board of Assessors and Tax Collector met with the Selectmen to talk about
some re-arrangement of offices. Mr. Thomson said there should be an article
prepared for thevarrant which closes on January 12,' 19S3 to raise the money
required to do this work; This could be done wither by an article or from the
Town Building appropriation.
There was a discussion as to a possible changing of the Court Room into two
offices and one' of the above offices could take that over.
Mr. Thomson talked about people who are embarrassed when they come in to talk
with the assessors and similarly when they want to talk with the ~am collector.
Mr. Lund made a suggestion that the Court l~oom be upstairs and the Old Age
office and the Boa~ of Selectmen take over the Court Room. The Board of
Assessors would then take the Selectmen's office. Both offices require a vault
or safe.
· ~he Welfare office also has need of a vault for their confidential' records
and Mrs. Dearden stated that sh'e would prefer to'remain in her present office.
Mr. Wallwork said that his office has more traffic than any other, office in
the building but Mr. Thomson said that this could be disputed. ~r. Wallwork
asked if that meant Mrs. Dearden's office mhd she stated that that was true.
The group viewed the Court Room and the Assessors office and discussed possible
changes. Mr. Wallwork then stained that perhaps they could wait until the
School department moved out of the building and then make the changes.
Mr. Thomson felt that we should have John Alter or some other person who is
qualified to make such changes, look at the building and give us an estimate
aa well as his suggestions as to what would be the best solution. It was left
that the Selectmen would seek some professional advice.
LUMBERMENS MUTUAL CASUALTY COMPANY:
Notice received that F. R. Rogers,Supervising Engineer had made inspections -
of all the boilers in the town and there were three which require attention:
Town Infirmary- Police Station and Thompson School. These departments will be
be notified and aSked to make necessary changes and report to this board.
DECEMBER 8, 1952: continued:
Chief McKee reported that the provisional appointments of Leo Galeazzi, 44 Sawyer
Road 'and Philip ~aylor, 346 Salem Street expired on November 22, 1952 and he
would like the board to reques~ approval of another six months provisional
appointments. Both men are veterans. The board voted to reques~ approval from
the Director of Civil Service.
DECEMBER 1~, 1952:
The regular weekly meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held a~ 7:00 P.M. with.
all members present. Weekly bills and payrolls were approved.
~REE 'REMOVAL HEARING:
A hearing was held on the petition of Frank Mendes for the removal of a large
elm tree in front of his property.
Mr. ~homson infc~med the board that there was a petition signed by fourteen
people opposing the removal.of, this tree and' the lis~ was headed by Mrs. Jessie
Fu~neaux.
Mr. Mendes said the ~ree is in the drive~ay and he wouldn't be able ~o get
into his garage. When the plans were drawn they considered this tree but
due to the requirements of the building inspector nOm other plans could be made.
Mr. Connors, tree warden said the ~ree is 14 fee~ ou~ in the street, if they
ever decide ~o widen the street. The curb box put in by the Board of Public
Works is used as a guide and he said there are other trees whic~ will have to
come out if they widen the street. He said the tree is not diseased by dutch
elm and he hesitates ~o take it down but there see~ to be no other alternative.
He said this tree would create a hazard if the s~reet were widened.
Mr. Coffin asked to see the plans of the house and garage and it was felt that
no changes could have been made in the plan unless the whole plan of the house
had been changed. He asked Mr. Connors about planting new zrees and M~. Connors
said he would be glad to plant some as they receive some from the Improvement
Society and they buy some.
Mr, Coffin then made a motion which was seconded by ~r. Finneran that the petition
of Frank Mendes be granted s.nd that the ~ree warden, John Connors, be instructed
tc remove the ~ree. Vote was unanimous.
STREET LIGHT REQUEST:
Tee board vot~ %o grant a request' for a 1000 lumen street light on Bradstreet
Road west of Green Street a~ a new residence · ~mis is on the s edond pole in
Green Street.
Mr. Finneran mentioned a light on Merrimac Street~ and the board will view this
location a~ a later date. Miss. Bateson asked .~. Finneran about a light and
said it was very dark and there is only one ligh~ on the street.
DRAINAGE SYS~M- TURNPIKE STREET:
George Jewett and George Ckron, Board of Health members, Ira D. Carry, Highway
Surveyor and Ralph Brasseur, engineer, met with the Selectmen to discuss the
drainage system on Turnpike Street. A letter Nas received from Cbmmissioner
William Callahan of the Department of. Public ,';orks stating that if immediate
action is not taken,definite steps would be taken by the Department.
Mr. ThomSon explained that we had first received notice of the condition on
Turnpike Street on January 15, 1952 from the. Department and the Selectmen had
immediately notified the Board of Health. Later they again notified the Board
of Health and the Highway Department ~o see what could be done. ~he Board of
Health contact&d the Beverly office on May 23, relative to this condition.
There was some discussion as ~o where the source of the trouble was and it was
decided that Mr. Carry would clean out the catch basins on Tuesday and those
presen~ would go up to this location and see what can· be found. Mr. Brasseur will
contact Mr. H&aley and see if he will plan to meet with them.
Nr. Thomson felt that if something were not done right away, the drains will be
closed and it will be very embarrassing for all the departments.
~he board requested Mrs. Dearden ~o contact Mr. Callahan's office and ask for
an extension of time ~o avoid having the State Department take action, with respect
to closing the drains.
Mr. Callmhan's office reported that something must be started ~ once and he
will grant an extension of ~ime provided that action is ~ aken immediately and
that his office be notified when the work is completed.