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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1953-04-22 Board of Selectmen MinutesAPRIL 27, 1953 The regular weekly meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:00 P.M. with all members present. Weekly bills and payrolls were approved. NEN ENGLAND TEL..& TEL. CO. & LAWRENCE GAS &ELF, CTRIC CO. A ~~'. on t.~e ~ n pet men o- the above %we companies for permission to locate poles, wires and fixtures on Academ~ Road, opposite Essex Street, 1 pole and on Massachusetts Avenue, northwest of Andover Street, 1 pole. The Board voted unanimously to grant this petition. NEW ENGEAND TEL. & TEL. CO. · earing was ..e on t e 'petition of the New England Tel. & Tel. Co. for permission to locate a line of wires, poles and fixtures along and across' the following public ways: Chickering Road, approximately 225' north of Dufton Court, 1 pole; Chickering Road~ approximately 505' north of Dufton Court, 1 pole; Chicker~ing Road, northerly from a point approximately 785' north of Dufton Court, 2 poles; Oxford Street apprexi- mately 100' northwest cf Russell Street, 1 pole; Rassall Street approximately 235' northeast of Main Street, 1 pole; and Union Street at Annis Street, 1 pole. The Board voted unanimously to grant this petition. Another hearing was held on the petition of the New England. Tel. & Tel. Co. for per- mission to lay and maintain underground conduits and manholes on Sutton Street, 22' of underground conduit from end of present conduit to pole #212; Mr. Flanagan said that the pole on Sutton Street now interferes with the gas station and they are making this *a joint location with the Lawrence Gas & Electric Company. The Board voted unanimously to grant this petition. RECREATIONAL COUNCIL - Article #19: ]ar '~ ~ame e~'ore _ e oar to inform them that they will have to buy stickers and pay for a police officer out of this $500 appropriated. He inquired ~if the regular men would have to be paid $1.59 per hour, and if so, if the reserves would work for less than that amount. Mr. Willis said they.would not workfor less than ~1.59 .an hour and' he felt that the regular men should be given any extra work first then the reserves and if they are not available, any.of the special policemen. Re said these special policemen~-would probably work for ~.O0/hr. Mr: Thomas said they would ~not have enough .money if they had to pay $1.59/hr. and he was advised that they could arrange their own hours to take care of the appropriation. Mr. ~illis said he thought the Chief and the serg~ht had Saturdays and Sundays off and could do this work if they wanted it. Mr. Thomson advised Mr. Thomas that he should tske the~<matter ~p with the police de- partment since it is up to the Chief to designate who shall get the work, and then if they have any trouble, they could 'come before the Board. Mr. Willis thought this was a good suggestion and the Board agreed to go along with it, as did Mr. ~OmaS. ' ' ~ TREE REMOVAL HEARING: A' earing was ~e d on the request of Paul Ventura, 98 Marblehead Street, to have a tree in front of his property removed. Mr. Conners was present and he skid this tree interferes with the driveway and the roo:s are pushing up the sidewalk. The board voted ~unanimously to grant permission to remove the tree and so inst:ucted the tree warden. INSURANCE CO}~ISSIONER: A second letter was se~t to the Insurance Commissioner Cogswell, relative to the interpretation of the word .permanent" as used in the provisions of Chapter 239, Acts of 1952, relative to "G~oup Insurance" for th& town. ' ~he first letter was sent to Dennis ~. Sullivan who has now been replaced as commissioner by Mr.. Cogswell. DMSZON OF CIVIL SERVICE: Approval has been received from the Division of Civil Service for the continued provisional employment of John Donovan and Myron B. Lewis, Jr. Veterans for six months fromM arch 22, 1953. PETITION: A petition was receivedsigned by residents in the vicinity'of Mass. Ave. and Waverley Street requesting that a policeman be placed at the intersection of Mass. Ave. and Waverley Street during the time that the children '~re going to theThompsun School. ihe Petition was presented by Mrs. Alexander D'Urso. Mr. Willis informed Mrs. D'Urso that this was impossible as there are not enough policemen available at' this time. Mrs. D'Urso. said that there are no signs there tc show that there is a school in the vicinity and school children are going back and forth on the state highway. Mr..Willis said that when he was on the police force he suggested s~aggering the school hours and it worked out well but now they ~ll s tart at the same time. Mr. Thomson suggested that we ask the Chief of Police to see if he can get some help from the .State Department since Mass. Ave. is a state highway. M~. Willis suggested that if the chief could make crosswalks on the state highway it would help as wellss putting some school signs there. The chief will be in- formed of this request. Filed under petitions. CHA~ES WINq{ING-FIPJ: DEPARtmENT: Mr. Willis suggested that the board go on record as recognizing the long and faithful service given to the ~own by Charles Winning. A motion was made and seconded that the Board of Selectmen enter on their official records, their recognition of the long years of faithful service given ~o the North Andover Fire Department by Charles Winning, who died this month. The vote was unanimous. V.F.W.. INVITATION: The Board of Selectmen received an invitation from the 'Y. F. W. and Ladies Auxiliary, Post 2104 to 'attend ~heir Joint installation of officers on May 2, 1953 at 7:00 P.M. at Stevens Hall. The board voted to accepttthe invitation with thanks. CENTER SCHOOL: Mr. Thomson inibrmed the board that the Girl Scouts could use ~wo more desks and chairs from the ~enter~School. The board Voted unanimously to gran~ permission for them to have these items. After some discussion, the board requested Police Officer Everett Woodhouse ~o go up ~o the school and take au. inventory of the remaining items.' They agreed to give the ~wo applicants who had requested several desks and chairs the items, they asked for and if we can, dispose of all the other things in the building. Since they are of little or no value, no charge will be made for any further items to be given out. COMPLAINT AND RELEASE: Abill in the amount of $17.~2 was received from John Cuuningham, 7 Goldsmith St. Methuen for damage ~o his car in an accident involving the to~n truck which was driven by Charles ~McCubbin. The Board discussed this for some time and since the'weather and driving conditions entered into this acciden% they agreed to pay the bill, upon receipt of a release by Mm. Cunningham. COMPLAINT: A letter was received .from John M. Burns, 150 Water Street, informing the Board that Mary Burns recently fell on the .sidewalk on .the southeast side. of Elm and-Water Streets, which was icy at that time. He suggested that the Selectmen look at this corner and do something, about it. The board voted unanimously torcfer the matter ~o Mr. Carry and see what he can do abo~t it. DEPARtmENT OF PUBL!C '#OP~S: BIDS FOR CHAPTER 90 WO~: A letter was received advising the board and in accordance with their request~ that the Department has advertised for bids which wil be publicly opened at 100 Nashua Street, Tuesday, April 28, 1953. NEE-GLOBE,HERALD, AMerICAN AND ~E.ANDOVER were the papers used. Mr. Willis suggested that Mr. Carry be notified of this inform- ation. LETTERS ~0 DEPAR~ENT:HEADff:. Mr. Willis read a copy of the letter which was sent ~o each department head relative to having persons sign for materials received in behalf of the town for the purposes of good business practice. Mr. ~homson questioned one sec~i~'of the letter referring ~o the mat~e~' Of informing all suppliers of materials, advising them that the'y submit their invoices with a bill with .the signature of the 'person receiving the materials. He didnot feel that this was part of the v. ote of the board and if Mr. Willis felt he should add it to the letter he should state<that this was his thought. Mr. Willis inquired if he wished to preof read all correspondence in the future. Nr. Thomson said he did not and that he was not being critical excep~ that if his name is to be typed on a lette~, he prefers that the matter refer strictly to the vote. BOARD OF HEAL~H-HIGH~¥AY DEPARTMENT: A copy of a letter which was. sent to Mr. Carty, Highway Surveyor, was received by the Board. The letter request the Highway Surveyor to capp up all openings entering the surface drains, with the exceptions of the original openings installed for the purpose of surface drainage at Wilson Road and High'land Terrace. This let'ter was .the result of an investigation made by the Board of Health relative to sewage entering the State [Lighway Drains. ~ll owners of property in the vicinity were notified and given u~til April 20, to clear up the matter as it refers to their property. PUBLIC WEIGHER: A request received from Sutton's Millsby Mr. Higgins was received, asking that Domenic Reitano, be appointed a sworn weigher. The Board voted unanimously to make this appointment. LAWRENCE GAS& ELECTRIC COMPANY: A reques~ for permission to exmava~e to i:~tall gas service on Trinity Court, 15 feet in street was received and the board voted unanimously ~o grant this permission.. A similar request was received for permission to excavate to install gas service for John McNiff, 412 Main Street, North Andover, 36 feet in street..The board voted unanimously ~o gran~ this permission. Mr. Carry, high~ay~surveyor, ..~11 be notified of these two requests and tha~ permission has been granted. APRIL 27, 1953- continued DE?AR~NT OF CORPORATIONS AND TAXATTON: The board received a reply from Commissioner Henry F. Long relative to the expenditure of a sum of money ($200) fora band to represen~ ~orth Andover in the Lawrence Centennial Parade in June. ~r. Long advised that to expend public money in this manner would be entirely illegal and that there is no authority to do this. Attention was c~lled ~o Section 6A of Chapter 40, which authorizes a town to accept the provisions of this chapter to appropriate money for advertising ~Sresou~ces,~vantages and attractions but a sum'at least equal to the amoun~ there- of shal2 have previously been contributed by public subscription or .donation and paid into the ~o~n treasury to be expended for this purpose. The Board voted to inform Mr~ McAloon of this information as soon as possible. BOARD OF HEAATH: D~PSITE CO~,~TTEE: A letter was received from the Board of Heslth requesting that the Selectmen act on the matter of providing a dump site in the near future. ~he Board of Health feel that since authority and finances have been given for this purpose that action should be taken at once. Mr. ~homson suggested that the chairmsn take s~eps to call a meeting to discuss this matter as soon as possible. Mr. ~Willis decided that this committee should meet.on Nay 2, at 8:30 P.M. and get this project'underway. Letters will be sent to the Board of Health, 'one member of the Planning Board and one member of the . requesting that they attend this meeting. DEPARTMENT OP PU~IC WORKS: Notice received that the Commissioners have allotted the sum of*$7,~00 for the improvement of Great Pond Road on condition that at least $3,750 shalll'be by the town and $~,750 by the county, and ~hat the cost bo be borne by the Common- wealth on account of ss&d work shall not exceed the amount allotted. No action taken. SECRETARY OF THE COMMOM~ZALTH.: Notice received that Melville Weston, 121 Great Pond ~oad, and others (not residents ' of North Andover) have filed in this office an application for a certificate of incorporation as provided.for in chapter 180 of the G. L..Ter. Ed. under the name of the Northern Textile Association for the purpose of providing an organization in which members of the textile industry in the Northern states may~ work together for the improvement of the industry in the 'area, etc., to be located in the city of Boston, Massachusetts. ~he board voted to refer this to the police chief for investigation. Vote unanimous.' .TO~/NHISTORY COMMIT~E~: Mr. ~Willis brought up the matter of. the To,History. Committee and voted to s end a letter to John Osgood asking h~m if he is interested in serving on this committee. When we receive his reply, a meeting of the committee will be planned. BOARD OF REGISTRARS: Mr. WillisnOminated Jo~u J. McDuffie, ~o serve as a registrar for three years. His present term-expired as of March 2, 1953. Mr. Kirkseconded the motion and the vote · was declaredto be ur~_imous. BUILDING INSPECTOR: }~r. Kirk made a motion that Martin Lawlor be re-appointed as Building Inspector for the ensuing year, seconded by Mr. Thomson and declared to be unanimous. DOG OFFICER: Mr. Thomson made a motion to re-appoint John Dolan as Dog Officer~ Mr. Kirk made a motion ~o appoint Stanley Burtulia and this wasseconded by Mr. Willis and the vote was declared to be a majorityvo~e with Mr. Thomson. not voting. Mr. Thomson wished to go on record that he, personally, feels that John Dolan did a splendid Job over a long period of years. REQU~T ~OR~EMO~AL OF THEE: Edward Greene, 300 Chestnut Street requests the removal of a tree which interferes with his driveway and Mr. Ccnnors did look at the tree and he feels that it should be removed. The Selectmen voted to refer this matter to the tree warden for action. A hearing will be held on M~y ll, 1953 at ~:2~ P.M. SCHOOL'CO~ETTEE: A letter was received from ~. O'Brien relative to the meeting to be held on May 4, at 8:00 P.~. with the Selectmen and Board of Public Works. The letter refers to the theme of the conference to be held and the letter will be before the board on May 4, next. Mr. O,Brien sta~ed that they need the advice of Mr. Duffy, Supt. and the Board of Public Works to reach a solution to their problem of the care of the school .grounds. APRIL 27, 1953: continued. HOUSE BII4L 2518: A copy of a letter written by Mr. Willis was before the board. The letter stated that the placing of a bridge across the Merrimac P~tver according no the terms of this bill would satisfy a need of long duration. Mr. Willis informed the board that he attended a hearing at the S~ame House relative but he did no~ f eel that there would be such a bridge, am least, for a long time to come. HARVEY RADIO LABORATORIES: POLIC~ DEPARTMENT: Mr. Willis received a letter from the Harvey Radio Laboratories relative to an invoice in the amount of $250 for police equipmen~ sold mo the ~own. The letter sta~es that this matter was recommended for paymenm by the Advisory Board and acted upon favorably a~ the mown meeting. Mr. Willis replied to ~his letter 6n April 4, informing them that the article had met with unsatisfactory ~rea~men~ a~ the annual ~own meeting, this action being taken primarily because Mr. Willis v~as not satisfied that the bill was due and payable at this time. Mr. Willis further stated that thi~ bill was incurred in excess of the chief's appropriation and therefore under the statutes is not an obligation of the town° On April 24, a letter was sen~ to Mr. Willis from Ely, Bartlett,. Thompson and Brown, advising him that he had not been fully informed of the background of Harvey' s early long and vigilant crusade to collect this claim over the pas~ several years~ during all of which time this equipment has been put to full 'and effectiv~ use by the town. The letter further states that ~hey will be glad to meet at the 'board's convenience mo discuss this matter. Mr. Thomson said he is full aware of the status of the case and that there is no way in which the bill can be paid without an article in the next annual town ~warrant. He felt that there, was no advantage in continued meetings with the persons.involved. ~r. Willis said that there was a change over of book keeping and that maybe that bill is due and payable or it may-have been paid prior ~o the new system being put into effect. He would like to discuss this at a public meeting with those interested, and have the ~hief present, also. ~ The board agreed ~o meet with Mr. 'McLellan and. any others on May il, 1953 am 7:30 P.M. and Mr. Willis will dictate a letter ~o this effect. ARTICLE 33~ 34 and 35. Mr. Willis mentioned that there is a dead line given in the vo~e for these articles and 'he felt that action should be taken at this time. Mr. Thomson~msde a motion that they be referred ~o Attorney Elwyn King for immediate action. Mr. Willis made a motion that these articles be referred to A$~orney Charles Trembly · for action. Mr. Kirk inquired as ~o the usual procedure of the board and Mr. Thomson r eplied~tha~ since he has been selectman, the usual procedure was to refer such legal ~matters ~o the Moderator for action. Mr. Kirk then seconded ~r. Thomson's motion and the board voted a majority vo~e with Mr. Willis not voting. FLOWERS: Mr. Willis brought~ up the matter about buying flowers when relatives of employees die and Wc~dered what the policy of the board was in the past. Mr. Thomson said he felt mhat each individual case should be considered as' they go along. These things do no~ occur too often· and it sometimes helps if'the selectmen are unable to attend a funeral or are not available, the matter' Of flowers is sometimes a help to those left behind. Mr. Willis said he ~vanted something to guide himself in the future and Mr. Kir~ went along with this policy. No change will be made. GROUP INSURANCE: ~he Board discussed the .insurance proposals submitted by the various companies.a~d their agentS taking, into consideration the number of employees considered in each proposals. Mr. Willis thought..it migh~ be a good idea to reject all bids and call for new-ones, and make'sure that each company ~ould work- on the same number of employees and that the ages be listed so that there would be no change in any of the .ages to be used. Mr. Willis said~that time is of the essence and he realizes that something should be done as soon as possible. Mr. Kirk finally made a motion that the contrac~ be given to the John Hancock Company. · Mr. ~homson inquired if, in making the motion, he suggested any one agent. Mr. Kirk said he felt it was an urgent matter and should be given atten~i6nnat once but he did no~ specif~ one particular agen%. On ~hat basis Mr. Thomson said he would second the motion if Mr. Kirk would accept an amendment and the motion w~s then given as follows:- Motion made and seconded that the contract for group insurance be awarded on the proposal submitted by Edward $chorman, on behalf of the John 'Hancock ComDan~., on condition that Edward $chorman, David Long, William Smith and Earl ;?ar~ick ~sall~residents~ of North Andover, narticipate in such agency.~commission as may be payable by the John Hancock Co. for the ~rocurance cf this contract and on further condition that the Jobn'Hancock Company agree to cover call firemen under the same terms and conditions when and if call firemen .are said mo be eligible by the I~surance Commissioner. Mr. %¥illis declared the vote ~o be unanimous. See ne~ vote date 1953. FIRE ALAPJI SYSTEM: Leonard ~/indle, 'representing the Advisory Board and Chief',James Hargreaves and Edwin Koenig met with the board to discuss the possibility of spending approx- imately $500 for repairing the fire alarm system. Mr. Thomson had suggested that the Sole :tmen meet with the engineers and the 'Advisory Board "to get their views. Mz. '#indle inquired' about this being an emergency and stated that the chief has the right to request $500 for an emergency .and the Advisory Board would have to go along with it. If the chief sees fit ~o use his appropriation and get an additional sum a~ the end of 'the year, that could be arranged but Mr. %{indte said they could ~ot earmark $500 of the Reserve Fund ,as there may be other departments who' might want help later in the year. funds from the Reserve Fund mf there are available funds in 'the appropriation whici~ Mr. Thomson then stated that~. The Advisory Board would have no right ~o tranSfer could be used for this purpose. If there is an emergency the money could be used from any department appropriation. He said that if at the end of the year, the 'fire ~depar~ment needs this additional 1money, they can request a transfer from the 'Reserve Fund. Mr. Kirk said it may be conSidered' an emergency at the endof~the year. Mrs. Willis said that if the elasticity of using the funds was.in-question;, we could' arrive a~. a specific cost and if the Advisory .Board is worried as ~o ~the depletion ; ~of the Reserve Fund, then a special town meeting could be.called. - .1~ Mr. Thomso.n then said ~that the mere purpose was to acquaint 'the Advisory'Boa~d.-~ - with this znformation now rather than, tell theTM about it at a later '~date,~ ': ' 'Mr; Windle said he #ill go along with the board,s suggestioff'and' if %he money is -needed:at the end of the year, they 'can have it from the Reserve Fund if there , a sufficient amount available. ........ :' /EIRE' mUCK BIDS: - The Fire Truck Committee, Board ~f Engineers and 'the Selectmen met to'open ia'nd · discuss ~the bids for the new fire truck. Mr~ Willis opene~ the bids and after · some discussion, the committee and the fire engineers adjourned:~to the_court., ''''''--1 ~room'to go 6ver the bids. · -~ .: '. ~ ~he :committee' then informed the board that'they plan to mee~ .on. Sunday at'lO,A.M. to'decide on the bids and the .board will meet with them'in the fire stationJ · ..x ..:rices of each company wi!l' be listed after th~ meeting on Sunday~ ~ayX, 195~ - . MAY 1~ 1953~ ~ The Board of Selectmen held a sDecial meting to-day and :voted unanimously is follows: · · . Voted' that the sale of $1,400,000 2.$0 'per cent Sch6ol;P~oJect !~ '! ~,,s~ '1 to .1400,'date6 June 1', 1953, payable June 1 ' $70' 000 in .' .~ ~'and,'reciting~that thev are n.~ .,,~m;~.+~ +^.~ ~ ,., .,~. ~., .19~4 to '1.973 ~ ~ as amend.~ --~: ,.~+-- - ~, is,s___ ~. ......... ~nap~er oa~ ox .~%ne Acts~ of 1948 ~' · ' '~ CombanV. Kid e :=.~^z- o -. ~ ~ .pa .. , _ Bankers T~ust Company, Estabrook- of. 100.529 and accrued interes~ is 'hereby a~proved~ 'Signed by Arthur'p. Kirk, ~ . ~lerk of the Board of Selectmen. · ~ 'The:', Board! also amended their vote of:April 2:7:~ 'r~iative to' the Group' Life' ~nSurance' and' the ;vote. is..as follows: ' ~ ' Voted ~that the contrac~ for Group Life Insurance be awarded :o the John Hancock Life InsuFance .Company ou~the proposal submitted by..]~dward $chorman' on behalf "o the John Hancock LifeInmzrance Company, on condition.that Edward Schorman, Dagid Long~ William ~mith andSarl Warwick, all, residents of North Andover~ ' participate equally: in ouch credit as may be due for or by~ the said rcompany for the procurement of this business and .to s hare ~equally in such commission as -'may'~be payabIe.by the ~John:Hancock Life .~ Insurance~ Company and on further 'condition tha~ said iDsurance .company agree tm1 cover,call firemen under the 'same 'terms and conditionS when and if call firemen are said to be eligible by the Insurance Commissioner. Mr.' mo=on made this motion and it was secOnded t~r J~hn: ~1" ' ~m~ .' £elt he would l:Lke ,to ,think about ~his and he would discuss it later. However~ Mr. W'illis said .that there was & majority approval, and tha'~ Mrs. Dearden should write the letter =o the Insurance Company (~dward $cho~man) and send it out.