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9 BOARD OF APPEALS 17EETING March 13, 1942 A meeting of the Board of Appeals was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 8:00 P. M. Messrs. Kimball, Bowker, Brown, and Locke were present. The Secretary was also present. In the absence of Mr. Glynn, Mr. Kimball acted as Chairman Pro -tem, and in the absence of Mr. Robbins, Mr. Bowker acted as Clerk. At 8:00 P. M. hearing was declared open upon the petition of Paul Costa for permission to alter the dwelling located at 1099 Mass. Ave., Lexington, so as to accommodate four families. Thirteen persons were present at the hear- ing. The notice of the hearing was read by Mr. Bowker. Mr. M. L. Brown of 41 Holland Street, Somerville, said that he represented the Brown and O'Brien Realty Corp., the owners of the property. They propose to sell the property to Mr. Costa if this petition is granted. Brown said that the house was too large now, and inasmuch as there is a shortage of small apartments in Lexington, they would like to make the house over to take care of three or four small Apartments. He said that he had no plans to show the change. Mr. Kimball asked Brown if he was familiar with the Tenement House Act, and he replied in the negative. Mr. Kimball said that the Tenement. House Act was adopted by the Town some time ago, and he read Paragraph 34, which refers to wooden buildings. This section provides that a house must be of fire -proof construction if occupied by more than two families. Mr. Brown said that if the petition was granted, he intended to tear down the ell. He did not know that the law would prohibit a four family house here. Mr. Kimball asked if the Detition would have been for two families if he had known of the law, and Brown replied in the affirmative. Pair. Locke asked how many rooms there were in the main house, and Brown said that he thought there were nine, not counting the top floor. Mr. Kimball asked what Mr. Brown thought the apartments would rent for, and he said that he did '.not know, as he had no knowledge of rentals in Lexington. He would have to consult a realtor. Mr. Kimball said that inasmuch as the Board could not consider a four apartment house, the hearing would be con- tinued on the basis of a two family house. • •