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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-04-03-STM-min 23 Given under our- hands , at Lexington, this twenty-first day of March, �'.D. l9 3. Robert P Trask John E Gi_lcreast Selectmen Charles E Ferguson Daniel J O'Connell of John A Lyons - Lexington Constable 's Return . March 25 . 1933. To the Town Clerk, I have notified the inhabitants of Lexington by posting printed copies of the forgoing 'Warrant in the Post Office, in the vestibule of the 'Town Office Building and six other public places in the Town, and by mailing a printed copy of the same to every registered voter in. the Town seven days before the time of said meting. Attest; Patrick J Maguire Constable of Lexington . ADJOURNED AND SPECIAL TOWN MEETING HELD April 3 , 1933. • Meeting was called to- order by Moderator Robert H Holt, at 8;02 P. N. There were 198 Town Meeting Members present. Town Clerk , James J Carroll, read the Warrant untilkfurther read- ingwas voted waived,after which the Constable 's return was read. Selectman Mr . Trask moved to take up article five, of the unfinish- ed busines of the Town Meeting held March arch 20 ,1933. _ Under above article five , Mr. Houghton , Chairman of the School Committee offered the following motion; Voted; That the sum of $220,102.00 be. appropriated and assessed for the support of the public schools and for_the payment of tuition ,at vocational schools for the current year. Mir. Rowse, Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, offers the following amendment to Mr. Houghton's motion; Voted; That the motion of Mr. Houghton' s be amended as follows ; `That the sum of $209, 175.78 be appropriated far the support of public schools and payment of tuition at vocational schools. Mr. i`owse 's amendment seconded by Mr . Chamberlain. Mr. Greel5t offers second amendment as follows; Voted; That the sum of 0212,792.00 be appropriated and assess- ed for the support of the public schools and for the payment of tuition at vocational schools for the current year. Mr . Greeley's amendment seconded by Mr . Webster , Mr . Hutchinson moves then vote taken ,same be taken by ballot,. Moderator holt . suggests suspension of the question of ballot until the main question was to be put. Mr. Devine asks the attitude of the Selectmen regarding the question of reductions in salaries. Answered by Selectman Yr. Trask, the Board was unanimous in favor of fifteen per cent reduction. General discussion by several speakers. Mr. i_amlin offers suggestion five per cent be taken from each appropriation as appropriations were made. Not considered. The amendments were voted on in the following order; First; If tO substitute Mr. Greeley's amendment in place of of Mr. Howse 's amendment. 24 0-1 = tz The followin,,1: tellers were ap,pointed with the following result ; Robinson, Medan and '-iichard L%owse. ;01 ' • Yes Mo 8 Robinson 33 45 Redman 57 17 R.Rowse 14 -- __ 70 104 Declared lost 9 ;24 P .M. Second amendment as offered by Mr .Rowse to Mr. Houhton' s motio.y, and result , same tellers, counting; _ Yes Mo 35 Robinson 8 51 Redman 55 . 15 -.,e>. Rowse 17 -- -- 101 80 Tarried 9 ;26 P .M. uestion on main motion. Mr. Hutchinson withdraws motion to take vote by ballot 9 ;27 P.M. Dr. J J alsh offers motion, vote be taken by roll-call. Declared lost unanimous 9 ;27 P.M. Main motion as put for 4209,175.78 . Yes TM 36 Robinson 3 57 --7,edman 26 20 F. Dowse 8 -- -- 113 37 'Carried 9 ;29 P .M. Mr. Trask Under article five, Selectman/offered the following ,which were all carried un-nimously; For the expenses of the Appropriation Cottee 125.00 For the salaries and expenses of the Selectmen' s Dept. 3, 071.30 For the salary and expenses of the .Lown reCOUrt'-lat 3,075.00 For the salary and expenses of the Town Treasurer 1, 205.00 For the salary and expenses of the Collector 5,072.50 For the salary and expenses of the Board of Assessors 5, 360.00 For legal services 2,425.00 For salary and expenses of the Town Clerk 1,840.00 _ For sal-ry dad expenses of the Supt. of Public Works 4, 50e. 00 For elections end registrations 1,050.e0 For the expenses of the Town Office Eldg,a; Cary Mem.31dg 8,260.00 For the sal-ries and expenses of the En-_ineering Dept. 10, 300,.,00 For the expenses of the Planning Board 250.00 For the expenses of the Board of Lppeals 225.00 For the sal-ries and expenses of the Police Dept. 31, 900.00 Also voted that the Selectmen be authorized to sell the Police Department automobile F02 the salaries -na expenses of the Fire Dept . 35, 950.00 For hydrant rentals 7,455.00 For the Salary Plaa expenses of the Building Inspector 1, 250. e0 For the sale ry and expenses of the tire Inspector 550.00 For the salary and expenses of the Sealer of Weights and Measures 475.00 For the protection of public shade trees and for the planting of shade trees 5ee.00 For the expense of forest fires 700.00 For the salary of the Dog. Officer , 50. 00 For the mrinten-nce of public health -nasanitation 9, 200.e0 For the expenses of the Dental Clinic 1,625.00 For vital statistics , 50.00 For the salary of the inspector of Animals 5ee.00 For the salary of the Inspector of Elaughtering 6ee.00 For the ,salary -nd' ex-;enses of the Plumbing Inspector 925.00 For the expenses of the EeTer Maintenance Department 6, 190.00 . or the removal of ashes -and care of dumps 2, 200.e0 For the expense of collecting garbage 4,450.00 For the salary of the Town Physician 500.00 For the maintenance and care of hihways 42,820.00 For the construction and repair of street signs 150.00 1 25 For the construction of sidewalks of granolithic where the abuttors Till pay one- half the expense 1, 200.00 For the expense of removal of snow and ice 7, 000.00 For the expense of street lights 21, 5e0.00 For the expense and operation of the Public uorif.s 4,870.00 For the expenses of Traffic aegulation_and Control l, 40. 0 Cor the expense of the Public velfare 30, 000.00 For Soldier' s elief 2, 50e.e0 For State Aid 30(). L)J For Soldier' Burial 10e.00 Far Military Aid lUe.00 or the sneport of the Libraries 11,048 .50 For the maintenance of Public larks & Playgrouds 9,875.80 For the expenses of the 2'pril 19th. Celebration 250.00 For the proper observance of Memorial ]-)ay, to be expended under the direction of Post 119 of the CTrand -rmy of the aepublic 250.0e For Insurance 7, 000.00 ,-b - or the expense of printing and publishing the Town e.eporti- 660.03 For Unclassified Expenses 200.00 2or ';:ater Maintenance Account 63,920. 00 and that the amount of receiits in excess of this a propriation be reserved to be appropriated for ater e Lepartment purposes. For the maintenance and development of Munroe Cemetery 1, 800.00 For the maintenance -nd development of -destview Cemetery 1, 000.e0 For the payment of interest on the public debt 37,10e. 00 and the sum of w10,158.75 to be transferred from hater Maintenance ! ccount, ( iTe47, 258.75) For the payment of bonded indebtedness maturing in 1933 the sum of 125, 000. 00 For the administration of irast Funds 65.00 Under article 14, unfinished business of -Lown meeting held Match 20, 1933, Selectman Mr . Irssk offered the following motion, Voted that ti-le sum of ,4,1,804.87 be transferred to the Cary Library Account the same being the sum received from the Middlesex County for dog fees. Unanimous 9 ;52 uestion by Selectman Mr. Trask if any report to be made under article 24, of unfinished business, Town Meeting held March 20, 1953. Ansvered no report to be made, therefore move for indefinite post- ponement , Indefinitely postponed carrd unanimous 9 ;§_4 Under article 27 of unfinished business of Town Meeting held March 20, 1933, Selectman Mr. Trssk moved for indefinite postponement,which was carried unanimously 9 ;56 l .M. Selectman hr . Trask moved to take ma - rticle 28 Of unfinished business of Tom Meeting held March 20, 1933, zrancis Eurke, offering the following motion; Voted; That the Town amend the Lexington Coning By-Law and map by changing from an El -1 to a 0-1 district the following described parcel of land ; " A Trian.mlar parcel of land bounded on the northwest by Fletcher Avenue distant 163.490 feet, on the southwest by Woburn Street distant 320.22 feet, and on the northeest 10, - the Boston and Lowell Corp. right of way distant 317.40 feet, containing about 27, 994 square feet " . Mr. Burke offered his reasons why change should be made. Mr. J H Duffy , . hairmon of the Plannin Board offered the follow- ing report; Acting on the petition of IJaniel J O' Connell to amend the Lexington toning By-Laws by changing the triangular parcel of land bounded by Fletcher 1Vvenue, ioburn Street and the right-of-way of the Boston and Lowell - ailroad. 'corp. from ana.1 district to a 0.1 district, the Planning Board in accordance with the provisions of the Zoning By-Law has held a duly advertised hearing,and after consideration, noWreports to the Town. The Planning Board has twice previously considered requests for substantially this same change, and upon its adverse reports the Town has twice refused to approve it.Upon this its third consideration of the matter, the Planning Board has again unanimously voted to recommend to the Town that this change be not approved at this time . 26 0-1 tz: It does not appear that the fundamental conditions ct- \c„ ing the matter hive in any material degree changed since it was :c - sidered by the Town. The opposition of the Planning Board to the Proposed change is,as formerly, based primarily upom a firm belief that the area already provided for business use is ample, not only for all present needs but for the needs of many years to come,and that to enlarge the area will necessarily lend to a depreciation in valueof existing business areas and a progressive deterioration of nearby res- idential properties. beyond this primary consideration, which involves a principle of far-reaching importance affecting the future development of the Town with respect to its business areas, the PlaTnaing bora is moved by other and more immediate considerations to recommend that the Town at least defer committing itself to a change at this time. Among these are the following; (1) The Petitioner hs indicated that he has in mind reel/est- ing the witharaTal of certain 'arias on the southerly side ofass- achusetts 'venue from Winthrop ,.- ona to the baptist Church from the Lusinesa or C. 1 district to an -7 .1 or residence district and further that he would favor the withdrawal of the land from the Town Buildings to Fletcher Avenue from the v® 1 district to an R.1 district.Such changes, the Planning Board feels, deserve the serious consideration of the lowm.and should be carefully explored and acted upon before any new area immediately adjacent is set apart for business use. 2J '2he House Jroperty involving an important tract of land adjacent to loua property is now in the market and its future development is uncertain® Being important in its influence on general torn development the future of this area should not be prejudiced at this tine by a change in the status of the property involved in this petition. The Planning Board recognizes the improvements that the petitioner has made in the property. and the apparent fact that the lama cannot be turned to as great profit for the owner throtgh res- idential use as through business use, but would again point out that the land was couired by the owner while it was in a residential zone with no indication on the part of the Town that its status was to be Changed. Respecting the specific business use indicated fbr this area, should it be changed to a business area, the Planning Bonrd is of the opinion that a filling station would' introduce aadea' compliea- tions and dangers to both highway and sidewalk traffic .Seeing no Public necessity with respect to this special use nt this location, the ,Boara notes the growing demand in neighboring municipalities to exclude such uses from areas it Proximity to churches, schools, and Public buildings. Respecting the inducements offered in the way of new assessable values, the Board is inclined to discount these con- , siderahly in view of the broader considerations and to contem-elnte the probability of eventual depreciation of the value of mercantile build- ings in this area owing to its peculiar location. The Planning hoard recognizes the desire of residents of the Fletcher . venue and roburn Street districts for improved street con- ditions and convenient neighborhood stores,but it should be noted that Fletcher Avenue is now an unaccepted street and that a business area suitable for neighborhood stores is already provided on Woburn Street east of the railroad 9 -'-he furare extension of Sherman Street to Woburn street with general rearrangements and improvements including the possible discontinuance of Fletcher Avenue from the Railroad to sachusetts !venue are seen as developments indicating the aesir- ability of deferring any change in the status of the area involved in the -eresent petition. he Planning Board regards this triangular nrea, just off the principal avenue between two streets ard n railroad, and between two areas in T7gich the Town itself has 11- 77.77investments, as being of peculiar strategic importance. Changes such as might be involved in the elimination of the ' oburn Street grade crossing, or the relayout of Woburn Street as a part of a major state highway development suggest that heavy charges for damages might well fall on the Town if this area were to be built upon for business purposes. 27 :or these reasons The lown should surely moint- in at this point the imitation of the business area as originally conternlated when the Ldoning By-Low was Passed. he I'la-nning Board -gain urges th-t the down make no change at this time in the status of the -errticalar area covered b-- the petition. J- Henry Duff . U Edward Grlynn. Edwerd _limball. m. D Milne. Sheldon Robinson. E l' Schiebe. Ar il 3 , 1933. Petitioner B J O' Connell seeaks,beins- aided by views from more- ing picture slides. uestions asked and answered by various speakers. :70 Thirds vote being re(„uired the appointed tellers made the following returns ; Yes Eo 22 2,obinson 13 08 e L',edmen 27 14 R, Rowse 20 -- -- 104 60 Being under two-thirds petition to change was declared lost 10 ;45 2.1.1. Under article 2e . Under article 29 of unfinished business of -own Leeting ..61d March 20, 1933. Selectman LIr . Irask offered indefinite postponement, Carried unanimous 10 ;46 e .1.. Under article 30 of unfinished business of Cown Leeting held Larch 20, 1933. Selectman hr. Ir- sh.offered inaifinite postponement . Carried unanimous Under article 1 selectman lir. -rask ofi-ered the following in four e-- sepflrnte votes ;Voted that the Selectmen be authorized to install a sewer in beford Street, from Shirley Street northerly a distance of approx- imately 120 feet ; carried unanimously 10;48 I .M. Voted; -Lint the selectmenbe authorized to install a dewer in Sum- mit Road, from the present end southerly a distance of approximately 400 feet ; carried unanimously 10;49 2.L. Voted, that the Selectmen be authorized to install a sewer in Eustis ' treet,from the present end a distance of aeproximntely 115 feet carried unanimously 10;50 P.L. and for the purpose of said constnuction and installation of sewers the sum of w2100 be ape,ropriated and assessed and =, 2600 be transferred from the sewer Assessment - and to the Sewer Construetion Account, carried unanimously 10;55 PAM. At this time Francis E Burke,appeering in favor of Daniel J 0800-mie11 made it known , he was aPgying for reconsid4rtion of article 28,which had been acted upon at this, Meeting, also, tht same wag being applied for within the prescribed time. Moderator Lr. Holt in quires from town Clerk at what time article 28 was pnssed. Reply by Town Clerk at 10445 P.M. Under article 6 Selectman Mr. Trask offered the following; Voted that the sum of w10,000 be appropriated and assessed to com- plete the construction and installation of sewers in Tewks'eury,Sargent and Shirley Streets, authorized by vote of the lown Meeting, October 31, 1933. carried unanimously 11;03 P.M. Under article 2 Selectman Mr. Irask offerad the following; Voted that the Selectmen be authorized to install a trunk line sewer beginning at the Arlington-Lexington Line near Mill Brook and ex- tending to Lou Street a distance of approximately 1150 feet, and for the purpose of said construction and installation the sum of 0000 be appro- priated and nsseEsed, carried unanimously 11 ;10 1 ,11. 2E; 01 Under article 3 i-electman M . Trask offered the following in six parts; Voted th' t the Board of Selectmen be authorized to install water mains, not less than six inches in diameter and subject to the usual gurantee or the assessment of betterments in the following streets; Allen Street from the present end in Blossom Street a distance of approximately 1400 feet ; Mr.Lamont moved for indefinite postponement of this part of the article , which was carried unanimously llill Outlook Drive from Wachusett Drive easterly a distance of approx- imately 100 feet ; carried unanimously 11;12 eM Harbell Street from the present end southerly n distance of 190 feet ; carried unanimously 11;13 P.M. Colony Road from the present end northeatterly a distance of approximately 100 feet ; carried unanimously 11;13 P.M. Simonds Road, from the present end easterly a distance of app- roximately 350 feet ; carried unanimously 11;14 P.M. and for the purpose of said construction and installation of water mains the sum of ye000 be transferred from the Water Department Available Surplus Account to the Water Department Construction Account, carried unanimously 11;15 P.M. and further voted that the Selectmen be authorized to use any unexpehd- ed balance for other Water Construction subject to the usual gurantee or the assessment of betterments. carried unanimously 11; 16 PJM. Under article 4, Selectman Mr. Trask offered the following; Voted that the Selectmen be authorized to install water mains in Tewksbury Street from Bedford StreetP to Sargent Street and in Sar- gent Street from Tewksbury Street to Shirley Street a distance of app- roximately 550 feet, and for the purpose of said construction and installation the sum of 41000 be transferred from Water Department Available Surplus Account to the Dater Department Construction Account. carried unanimously 11;19 P.H. Under article 5, Selectman Ex. Trask offered the following; Voted that the sum of 413,000 be appropriated and assessed for labor and material on public works to be expended by the Selectmen for the aid of unemployed citizens of the Town. carried unanimously 11;20 P.H. Under article 7, Selectman Mr. Trask offered the following ; Voted that after July 1st. 1933, the Town Employees be released from any obligation to contribute 10 ,0 of their salaries to the Un- employment Relief Fund as voted by the Town on October 31, 1932. auestion by 'J-homas Fitzgerald if the agreement made by the Town amployees was a contract, and if same be withdrawn. Referred to the Town Counsel, with the reply , same was not a contract and could be withdrawn at any time. Above motion was put and carried nranimously 11;25 P.M. Motion to adjourn was made by Francis 011amberlain carried nranimously 11;27 P.M. A true record, attest ; m _ ". /Town Clerk.