HomeMy WebLinkAbout1922-10-10170
MUTING, OCTOBER 10, 1922.
All Members Present.
A hearing was declared open on petition of Mr. Fred H. Moulton of.
Middle Street for permission to erect a gasoline filling station at
the corner of Mass. Avenue and Maple Street, the capacity of the tanks
to be 6000 gallons. A number of persons in the neighboring vicinity
_were present. Mr, Moulton presented glans drawn up by R. & T. Farquar
Landscape Architects of Boston. Mr. Moulton explained that he had
purchased the Frank D. Pe.'_rce Estate directly opposite the proposed
filling station location and .".at he intended to develop the 1; acres
moreor less comprising that estate.
He explained that he would be willing to make any variations in
the plans of the roadway if the Board of Selectmen desired him to do
so. ar. Moulton presented letters from Charles P. Nunn and Daniel W.
Weeks and also a petition signed by the following:
Nelson W. Jenney William B. Foster
Charles H. Spaulding Francis L. lsuttrick
Joseph Trani Ada Wilkinson
E. G. %Vhea.trn Wilbur F. Atwood
L. Ella Wheaton D. R. Knight
linnie A. Til.lson L. J. Reynolds
James G. Robertson Arthur S. Tyler
who were in favor of the proposed filling station. The only person
speaking against the granting of the petition was Virgil A. Rice of
Maple- Street, owner of the property just op->osite the location. his
claim was that the filling station would hinder the sale of the houses
which he had built on the op,�osite corner of Maple Street.
The -board declared the hearing closed and took the matter under
advisement.
Mr. Harrison was then instructed to write to Mr. Moulton asking
that he change the plans so thut the drives would not come so direct
into Maple Street.
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A hearing was declared open on the petition of the Colonial till-
ing :nations Inc., Mr. Allen Hubbard Petitioner, for the installation
of a gasoline filling station, the capacity of the tanks to be 5000
gallons, to be located on the Plumer Estate on :Sass. Avenue. mr. F.
A. Taylor of Wakefield, Mass. spoke in favor of the granting of the
same and explained that the gasoline used by their company was of a
finer grade than the gasoline used.at the various other filling stations.
the photograph of the proposed filling station is colonial in architec-
ture 7;it.: a very effective lighting scheme. He ecplained that they had
locations in various towns and cities surrounding end that their fill-
ing stations were conducted in a. very fine mar_rer by selected men of
good character.
Mr. Hubberd also presented plans showing the general lay -out giv-
ing the frontage of the lot as 100 feetFe said thea the building
as presented would cost the company $1500.00 to build, and that they
Mould not be asking for a filling station unless they felt that it
was a worth while project.
A letter was received from Dr. Barnes abutting owner, also a peti-
tion against the installation of this tank signed by a great many of '
the attendants of the Baptist Church. Dr. Barnes was also present
personally, as were also the following signers of the petition:
Mr. F. W. Miller, William I. Brown, Harry VJ. Patterson, Mr. Arthur N.
Madison, and Mr. Leroy S. Brown. Mr. Robert P. Clapp also spoke
against the granting of the -permit stating that public necessity and
convenience do not require it, and that there was a garage e:ithin a
few feet away which will accomodate all of the requirements necessary.
The hearing was declared closed at 8:45 P. M. The Board after con-
sidering the matter voted not to grant the petition on the ground that
public convenience and necessity do not require it and also on the
' strong opposition.
Mr. Leroy S. Brown and Mr. Robert P. Clapp came before the Board
as members of the Citizen's Committee to secure the $10,000 towards the
purchase of "Depot Park", they explained that they were not in receipt
of the other 910,000 which was necessary to get the site, but that they
felt that they should get the approval of theBoard on what ever promo-,
sal they may propose to the Boston & Maine Railroad Company.
In this connection Mr. Clapp explained that the Railroad Company
owned the right-away on both sides of the grass plot exceeding the pre-
sent gravel limits and that part of the graze plot should now be in-
cluded in the gravel drive-way. The proposal of the buying all the 7a nd
to include one right-away was talked of. Mr.-Clapp then requested that
Ir. Duffy survey the grass plot and tell how many feet is in the area.
at the present time. He also requested that the Hoard write a letter
teat may be given to the committee stating that the Board wishes the
Committee to represent them in this proposal.
An application for a license to peddle was signed for Manuel A.
Mederios of 21 Charles Street, Last Lexington. This is a renewal of
a former license granted him.
Mr. C. Elliot Hadley came before the Board to ask whether or not
they had any objection to his printing the assessed property list of
the town in the Lexington Times. He said he would have to print part
' of the list in each weeks issue, but that he could print the list so
that it could be cut out each week and kept for reference. The Board
informed him that theiri,.d no objection provided he did not print any
particular items, but that he copy the books as the Assessors have them.
The petition of the Edison Electric Ill. Co. of Boston to install
one pole opposite the Parker School on Bedford Street was granted.
A letter was received from Mr. Robert H. Holt as Counsel for R,)b-r+
Whitney giving his opinion on re -shingling Mr. Whitney's house with wood
shingles, w=:ich advice was contrary to the rules of the Building Inspector.
Copy of Mr. Holt's letter was turned over to the Town Counsel that he
might advise the Board whether ot not Mr. Holt's opinion was correct.
Legal opinion was received from &1r. Robert L. nyder to the effect
that the damage to the house of Ada P. Wilkinson of 7 Maple Street in
his extimation would not exceed $100.00. The Board decided to write to
Mr. -Ryder and ask him whether or not Mrs. Wilkinson set her figures on
the amount of the damage.
Legal opinion was received from Town Counsel Ryder stating that the
town has accepted the Act of the General Court entitled "An Act Relative
to Vacations of Laborers Employed by Cities and Towns", this Act being
Chapter 217 of the Acts of 1914. It would therefore appear that the
laborers are entitled to a 2 weeks vacation. Mr. Harrison was requested
' to get in touch with -the heads of the various departments and determine
which men are the ones entitled to this vacation.
In regard to the request of Mr. Scarman to order the two trees locat-
ed at the junction of Maple Street and Mass. Avenue cut down, Mr. Har-
rison wrote a letter on the same to the Board expressing his opinion
that he did not think that these trees should be out down. Other members
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of the Board were in accord with Mr. Harrison's suggestion and it was Cn
therefore decided not to carry out the order.
The request of Mr. H. L. Harpin of "Wildacre" to place signs direct-
ing persons to "Wildacre" on the street signs belonging to the Town had '
been referred to Barr. Harrison, and Mr. Harrison presented a written re-
port to the Board stating that in his mind the approval of the granting
of such permits was not a proper precedent to establish owing to the
fact that very often disagreement arises between the Board and the peti-
tioners, and also the liability to damage which might result. The Board
informed Mr. Harpin that they had considered the matter and that they
were not willing to grant his request, but suggested that he get the per-
mission of the property owners along the street and place signs in their
fields directing persons to "Wildacre".
In reference to Mrs. Capper's filling station Mr. Harrison was to
take the matter up with Mrs. Capper verbally and to inform her that un-
less she could secure the withdrawal of the objectors the Board could
not grant her a further hearing as the conditions exist same as previously.
A request was received from the School Committee c,sking that the
school nurse be placed upon the town compensation pay roll. It was de-
cided to ask Mr. Hill if he thought it proper to place her name upon the
pay roll, end if it was to do so. The rete of compensation she is receiv-
ing is $550.00 per year.
The Lexington Gas Company was granted permission to extend its main
in Maple Street from Mass. Avenue 1040 feet approximately, provided they
got the approval of Mr. O'Connell, the State Contractor, the State High-
wayI Representative, and the Town Engineer.
The Lexington Gas Company was also granted permission to excavate
at the following places: Bloomfield Street and #2 Rnymond Street.
Letters were received from the Fourth Atlantic Bank, The Old Colony
Trust Co., and the National Shawmut Bank of Boston giving figures for
the printing and legal opinion on the $35,000 issue of Highway Construc-
tion Bonds. Mr. Blake was requested to take the matter of the issue of
these bonds uD with the Town Treasurer.
A letter was received from the Board of Assessors in which they out-
lined their ideas relative to making the assessing department more effi-
cient. The outline as given was in accordance with the verbal ideas
given at the reeting held Oct. 3rd. TheBoard voted to inform the Asses-
sors that they would back them up in their proposition.
Mr. Harrison re7orted to the Board that he had a ccnferei.ce with
Mrs. Irving P. Fox of Bloomfield Street in reference to the retaining
wall along her property. The town having laid out the street about 1102
1902,she claims that the wall which is now in the street should be put
back on the new line of the street. Mr. Harrison was directed to take
the matter up with the Town Counsel in on endeavor to find out the
liability of the town.to construct this wall: and to inform Mrs. Fox
that the matter would be taken up at a later date.
Mr. Harrison made'a written report on his interview with Mr. Ross
relative to his claim for $135.60. A copy of his report was turned
over to the Town Counsel with the request that Ishe give his opinion on
the seine.
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The following street ligits were ordered installed:
One on Webb Street
Six on Follen Road
' Three on Arcadia Ave.
One on Rindge Ave.
One on Albermarle Ave.
all as determined upon on Oct. 10th by Mr.
the Edison Electric I11. Company of Boston.
Seaman and Mr. Howard of
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A letter was received from the Department of Labor and Industries
informing us that the Sealer of weights and Measures should be equipped
with the following:
1 - gallon automatic test measure for gasoline
5 _ it " " it if
The Clerk was directed to find out what the balance of the appro-
priation was and to carry out the orders accordingly.
Notice waB received from the Department of Public Works stating
that (Chapter 526) entitled "An Act relative to the use of public ways
by heavy vehicles and other heavy objects" was passed, and the Town of
Lexington was one town which was a through route from Boston to Troy,
New York.
WATER DEPARTMENT.
Mr. Hellman came before the Board with reference to certain releases
for the town to enter and lay pipes in private ways, and it was left
' with Mr. Beaudry to take the matter up with the Town Counsel as to the
form of release and whether or not wifes of husbands signing releases
should release dower rights.
Mr. Tenney explained that he had talked with Mr. Patrick Flynn about
the installation of water on Butler Avenue and that Mr. Flynn informed.
him very emphatically that he would sign no guarantee for the town
whatsoever if he never got the water in. The Board offered various
suggestions, one being namely that they put in a 2" pipe and charge
Mr. .Flynn the cost of putting it in.
Mr. _13eaudry informed the Board that Mr. Clarence H. Cutler had an
interview with Mr. Harrison and himself in regerd to the installation
of water mains on Concord Avenue. Mr. Cutler is not sure just whether
or not he wants the water main -put in, and until he decides definitely
there is nothing to do in the matter.
In regard to the settlement of claim of Mr. Hawkee for the use of
the trench along his property Mr. Harrison reported to the Board that
he had visited Mr. Hawkes and that he felt that he should be reimbursed
for the use of the trench and that he felt that $100.00 would be an
acceptable compensation; It was left with Mr. Harrison to draw up a
release and talk with Mr. Harrison and possibly reduce the compensation.
fr. Tenney w<ns not present at the meeting until 3:15 P. ;i:.
MEETING, OCTOBER 13, 1922.
CLERK
A permit was granted to Fred H. Moulton of Middle Street, to erect
a gasoline filling station at the corner of Maple 6treet and Mass. Ave.,
he having filed a statement of willingness to comply with the wishes of
the Board in regard to'drives.
A true record, Attes : �/'
CLFRK. -