1942-04-17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING April 17, 1942 A meeting of the Board of Appeals was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 8:00 P. M. Chairman Glynn, Messrs. Locke, Kimball, Bowker, and Green were present. Mr. Maddison was contacted, but could not be present. Mr. Green attended in Mr. Maddison's Place. In the �b sence of Miss Lowe, Miss Murray acted as Clerk Pro -tem. At 8:00 P. M. hearing was declared open upon the petition of F. K. Johnson, Inc., for permission to produce defense materials on the premises of said F. K. Johnson, Inc. located at 39/41 Bedford Street, Lexington. Eight persons were present at the hearing. The notice of the hearing was read by Mr. Bowker. The Chairman asked Mr. Johnson to tell the Board what he wanted to do. Mr. Johnson presented samples of steel parts, to be used in aeroplanes, which he wishes to produce. He said that he had an opportunity to rent a portion of his building to the W. H. Nichols & Sons of Waltham. This company has operated a machine shop in Waltham for forty years. Mr. Johnson said that the automobile business is not good and that the machine shop business is booming. Mr. Nichols' concern needs more space than they now have. He requested that he be granted this permit for the duration of the war. Mr. Johnson said the work performed would be princi- pally a grinding operation which is not noisy. The question was raised regarding the possible insurance risks for the neighborhood and Mr. Johnson said that he had checked this angle through an insurance broker in Boston. He presented a letter to the Board which he received from Walter E. Rowe of Gilmour, Rothery & Co. advising that the proposed production of war materials in the rear section of his property would have no effect on the present insurance rates. Mr. Johnson said that they would start with a few machines and the future depends on what develops. The machines are individually operated and each has its own motor. He said that the building would not be changed in outside appearance. Mr. Johnson said that if the petition were granted, it would be possible for some of the Lexington men qualified in this type of work to obtain employment here at home. The Chairman asked what the size of the building was, and Mr. Johnson said that it was 60' by 50'. The Chairman asked if the power was all electric and Mr. Johnson replied in the affirmative.