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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1924-03-18148 MEETlKG * MARCH 18 ,1924 . A regular meeting of the Board of selectmen was held in, the Selectmen's Room. Town Hall, Lexington, on Tuesday, March 18, 19249 at 8:00 P. M. The following membere of the Board were present; namely Messrs. Burnham, Hutchinson, Moulton, and Custance. The ''Town Counsel and Asst Town Clerk were also present. Thomas J. Doherty, repreeentirg the Catholic Church Assoc- iation composed of about 350 people, came before the Board relative to the filling station propoeed by goeeph B. Lowell at the corner of Follen Road and Maceachusetts Avenue. Fie stated that the churdh people intended to build a church opposite the proposed station and that they felt it would be very object- ionable to have a station at this point. The application of Joseph B. Lowell was laid on the table. Ezra F. Breed came before the Board relative to the memorial to the seventy seven men that fought in the battle on the common. He statel th t the ommittee headed by Alfred Pierce interdwdt to erecta outlder wit a bronze tablet upon same bearing the names of, 77 men. Mr. Breed came before the Board to aek for a location for this tablet on the Buckman Tavern grounds, He felt that only about fifteen square feet would be needed. Yr. Stmne informed Lr. Breed that the money for this iaonu- ' ment was obtained upon untrue and misleading representations and that a committee was at work upon the matter of conferring with the various donors of the fund raised by the Minute men and the first thing to do was to straighten out the matter with the donors Mr.. Breed was informed that in view of the circumstances there was nothing to do until this matter wan straightened out, Mr. Charles W. Lawrance, Sub -master of the Lexington High School, came before the Board relative to securing the use of the Playground for the school department every afternoon and Saturdays until the first of April. The Board informed Mr. Lawrance that they did not feel they should grant the use of the grounde to the schools to the exclusion of others. Mr. Lawrance was requested to send in schedule, giving games he had listed. Mr. Lovell of the Concord, Maynard Bus Line Inc. came before the Board with the request that the Board grant him permission to run busses through Lexington from the Lincoln line to Arlington Heights, lie stated that he desired to make the route on the State Road or diddle St. and would agree not to take any passengers from Middle St. to Arlington Heights so that the bus line would not interfere with the electric car service. The fare from Concord to Arlington Heights would be 30¢. The Board informed kr. Lovell that they had not accepted the Jitney Bus regulations as yet, but they would consider his proposition and let him know what action they took. William G. Pott6r, Jamee F. Kimball, John Shea. Cornelius MR Shea and James Moran, o- ers of pigReries in the vicinity of Pleanant St. Walnut St. and Concord avenue came before the ' Board to protest against the regulations the Board made in re- ference to keeping pigs. Thej felt they could not sign these permits knowing they could not comply with the regulations. They felt that they should not to forced to get cement troughs, and they could not havk. feeding places 500 feet from adjoining land in arrj instance. The Board agreed to make a few changes so that the regu- lations would read as follows; and accordingly the following vote was passed by the Selectmen acting as a Board of Health: Voted: That Chapter V11, Section 1 of the Regulations of the Board of health of the Town of Lexington as heretofore amended be and the same are hereby further amended by striking out Clauses �2) and (4) of the Conditions of the permit therein referred to, and substituting in place of said Clauses (2) and (4) the following: 11(2) In pens, the swine shall be fed from troughs of cement or iron kept clean and in good repair, except in the case of breeding pens, in which case the troughs mgy be of wood, if kept clean and in good repair; and if the swine are kept out of doors, they shall be fed from platforms at least one foot from the ground, the air space under neath to be kept clear and clean and feed never given to the swine from the ground, nor allowed to accumulate on the ground around the platform." "(4) All compoa,t heaps shall be treated or covered with ' earth, loam or acid phosphate sufficient to keep down all odor; shall be at leant 500 feet distant from any highway or any dwelling upon the premises of any adjacent land owner, and then in such spot within the premises where the swine are kept as shall be least offensive; and shall be kept under cover." So that as amended, Paid Section 1 of Chapter VTI shall read as follows: Section 1. Goats and Swine. ho person shall keep more than two goats or two swine within -'the limits of the Town of Lexington without first obtaining a permit so to do from the Board of Health and in all respects complying with the conditions of such permit. All such permits shall expire on the first day of May, annually, and may be revoked at any time by the Board of Health. The conditions of such permit shall be ae follows: (1) The pen -or other enclosure wherein swine are kept shall be kept and maintained in a clean condition, and free from any accumulation of manure, garbage or refuse. (2) in pens, the swine shall be fed from troughs of cement or iron kept clean and in good repair, except in the case of breeding pens. in which cave the troughs may be of good, if kept clean, and in Rood repair; and if the swine are Dept out of dourP, .they shall be fed f2-om.platf:.rma at least one foot from the ground, the air space underneath to be kept clear and clean and feed never ' given to the swine from the ground, nor allowed to accumulate on the ground around the platform. (3) The feeding places shall be cleaned once each day and all refuse and manure gathered into heaps. (4) All compost heaps shall be treated or covered with earth, loam or acid phosphate Pufficient to keep down all odor; 150 Shall be at least 500 feet distant from any highway or any `. dwelling upon the premises of any adjacent land owner, and '77 then in ouch spot within the premises where the -swine are kept as shall be least offensive; and shall be kept under cover. ' (5) All swill, garbage or refuse brought upon the pre- misee to be fed to swine shall be kept in covered receptacles made of cement, with sufficient facilities for under -ground drainage, unless fed to the swine immediately upon being brought upon' the premises. (6) Swine shall not be kept in boggy, swampy or wet land., and yards or placer where they are kept shall be cleaned up at least once a week. (7) All buildings used for the houning of swine shall be whitexaPhed at least twice a year and shall be maintained in.a condition satisfactory to the Board of health and its authorized agent. Whoever shall violate any provisions of there conditions for such permit or any of the provisions of any permit granted hereunder shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $100 and to forfeiture of the p:eemit." Eugene J. Viano, Commander of the American Legion Poet, came before the Board relative to the use of the Park system by the American Legion on:A'pril 19th. He stated that it war the intention of the Legion to have games on the park land that were perfectly proper, to permit no gambling games such as were allowed there last year, and to sub- mit all games to the Board of Selectmen and Chief of Police ' before putting them on. The Board, therefore, voted to allow the American Iegion the use of the Buckman Tavern_ property on the corner of Meriam Street and Massachusetts Avenue and the land'in front of -the Boston & Maine RR station with the understanding and condition that they do not put on any form of amusement without first submitting it to the Board for their approval and securing the approval of the Board. Wesley T. Wadman, Building Inspector, came before the Board relative to getting a permit to make over a house on Hancock Street into a four family house. He stated that in building the house for Mrs. Capper fir. Harrison inepectedeame. He was informed that this was a direct violation of the Builftg Lawn and that the Board did not authorize Mr. Harrison to make an inspection. Mr. V'iadman felt because Mr. Harrison was put in charge of his department that he had authority to approve his work. The Board felt that, inasmuch as this plan of the Hancock Street prorerty Mr. Wadman presented. war a direct violation of the Zoning Py -Law parsed by the town at the town meeting March 17, 1924, no action should be .taken on same until the Zoning law had been presented to the Attorney General. It wart therefore, voted that the matter be taken under advisement. I Mr. Wadman called attention to the fact that the occupant of the building at 119 Maes. Ave. war storing care without a Permit. The Board informed him that the matter would be referred X14 151 to the Chief of Police. ' In regard to the appointment of the Building Inspector the Board voted that Wesley T. Wadman be notified that upon the expiration of hie office he will not be reappointed and that he be requested to turn over to the Town Clerk on or before the Last day of his term of office all records, books and papers pertaining to his office. Mr. J. Henry Duffy, Town EpRineer, came before the Board and stated that he appreciated the letter of the Board requesting him to remain as Town Engineer, and asked *hat the Board had to offer if he remained. The Board considered the appropriation for the engineering department which was $7152, and endeavored to give Mr. Duffy an increase to $2F50 or $3000 if the same could be arrar:ged and give an increase in assirtance as he planned this year. Mr: Duffy informed the Board that he would consider that they had to offer and let the Board know within a week as to his decision. In regard to the matter of the Town insuring itself, lettere were received from Belmont, datertown, Wellesley and Arlington in regard to their town insurance, All towns except Arlington insure in the same manner as Lexington. Arlington insures itself and Mr. Stone was given copy of votes under which they acted and asked to give his opinion to the Board on whether this would be advisable for Lexington. Mr. Burnham called attention to the fact that a new steam roller must be purchased by the town. He stated that he would talk with Mr. 41hite and Mr. Quinn, engineer of the road roller, in regard to same before inviting bids. The Chairman stated that Mrs. Milne again called to the Board's attention the fact that there is not sufficient police protection at the school crossing at Clarke Street and that she felt there should be a sign placed there warning automobilibts', The Board referred this matter to the Chief of Police for his attention. In regard to the Memorial Banner to the eight men who died in the World War, and for which an appropriation of $50 was made at the Town Meeting, March 17,1924, Mr. Oustance was requested to Pee that the frame tat Uir ban er w e made and that the banner be placed in the frame and in the own ll as per the vote of the Town. Byron C. Earle war appointed as Collector of 4ater Rates and it war iroted: that for collecting tater rates Mr. Earle shall receive 12% of the total collected, the same as previously arranged with Mr. 'Earle. ' After considerable discussion in regard to the office of Superintendent of Public Works it was unanimously, Voted, that, in accordance with Jection 2 of chapter 1 of the Acte of 1922, the 152 P_ Selectmen hereby appoint '41liam S. Scamman an Superintendent ..... of Public itrorka, who ehall administer under the supervision and ^r direction of the Selectmen such departments as the Selectmen may hereafter designate, which office he is to hold subject to the will of the Selectmen, his compensation being fixed at the rate , of $4000 per annum, and hie term of office to begin April 1',1924. Letter enclosing copy of the vote of the Board was sent to Mr. Scamman, together with copy of Section 2 of Chapter 1 of the Acta of 1922. Mr. Scamman was also requested to take office April let, or as soon thereafter as conveniently possible. In regard to the office of clerk of the Water and Sewer Department the Board decided to write Florence M, Boyd$ present employee, the following: "It appears by the records of the Selectmen that you were appointed Clerk of the Water Board for a term expiring March 31, 1924. In view of the fact that the Board has deemed it wise for the best interests of the town to make a change in the office of Superintendent of Public Works, the Board has felt constrained in view of the beat interests of the town more particularly because of the particular duties which you have been roerformin g in behalf of the Superintendent of Public Works. to vote not to re -appoint you to the office you hold upon the expiration of your term." The Board voted to appoint Edward Leavitt Health Inspector. so that he may administer the Health regulations. Insurance policy to the amount of $1600 was approved b the Hoard. This policy is on the standard scales located inthe Police Station. Letter of thanks for the appointment to the office of Chief of the Fire Department was received from Edward W. Taylor. The decorating of the Town Hall was awarded to the Lowell Decorating Co. the only bidder at $35. This company has been decorating the Town Hall in years past for the April 19th cele- bration and the work seemed to be satisfactory. It was voted to allow the Relief Corps the use of the Town Hall for a dance free of charge. A true record. Atteet: Clerk.