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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1927-10-2543 �1 REGULAR MEETING, OCTOBER 25, 1927. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at the Selectmen's Office at 7:30 P.M. Messrs. Custance Robertson, Ballard, Burnham, and Chamberlain were present. he Supt. of Public Works and the Clerk were also present The Chairman informed the Board that the Chief of the Fire Department offered the services of the permanent members of the Fire Department to perform traffic duty at the Adams and Hancock Schools on Mass. Avenue at the hours when school children pass to and from these schools on the avenue: A letter, therefor, was sent to the Board of Fire Engineers in appreciation of their cooper- ation. In this connection the permanent members of the Fire Dep partment were appointed as Special Police of the town, The following names are the permanent members appointed as such: Selon A• Cook Roy A. Cook Charles H. Mugridge Elmer B. Denham Stephen Broughall John J.Broughall Charles G. Richards William A.Mulvey The Board voted to grant licenses for the sale of Denatured Alcohol to the following: Lexington Hardware & Supply Co. Metropolitan Filling Stations, Inc. , In regard to the application of Nellie B. Wadman, the Board decided to hold this matter over for one week. . Letter was received from the Chardon Detective Agency in which they stated that they desired an opportunity to make an investigation of the hotel. Letter was also received from the Chief of Police, James J Sullivan, in which he made a report to the Board in regard to li- quor traffic which the Chardon.Detective Agency referred to. He stated that some time ago Mr. Chardon came to his office and in- formed him that there were three stills in the town, and that a hotel was selling liquor and furnished rooms for immoral purposes. The Chief informed him that the department had just raided three stills. In regard to the hotel the Chief reported on October 20, 1927 that he with Officers, E. Maguire? Rycroft, Knapp and O(Leary raided the Paul Revere Tavern and founii no trace of liquor after a thorough search of the premises. He has not had any reports of disturbances from the hotel. The Board was very well satisfied with the report of the Chief, and so decided to inform him. A change was made of the time of meeting with the Arlington I Selectmen to November 55 1927 at 3 P.M. 147 Letter was received from the Planning Board in which they re- quested a consultation with the Board in regard to the appropriation ' for the Engineering Department for 1928. The Board felt that the Planning Board should present in writing their outline so that the Board might discuss the same before talking with them. It was felt that this is a matter for Mr. Chamberlain to report to the Board on. The Clerk reported the complaint received from Miss Mabel Cook, 8 Warren Street, whereby the radio station operated by Mr. Carl Wheeler at 13 Pelham Road is a violation of the Zoning Law,,in- asmuch as it is run for business purposes, and is operated in a residential district. Letter was received from the Town Accountant informing the Board that at the present time there is available in the Sewer Construction Account $3,006.04, and in the water construction Account $1227.30. The Supt. of Public Works was requested to find out how much money is needed to carry on these departments for the remainder of the year. Application was received from Robbins & Smith for extension of water main in Tower Street from the present dead end a distanee of approximately 180 feet,. The Board felt that if any houses are contemplated in addition to those for which this request is made, that the water extension should be made at this time. Petition was presented to the -Board consisting of 257 names, by William Roger Greeley, Hollis Webster, and Edwin B. Worthen. The petition asked that a town meeting be called to consider the subject of the widening oh Massachusetts Avenue and Bedford Street and traffic conditions in Lexington centre. Town Counsel, Sydney R. Wrightington, wax present, and informed the petitioners that any action taken at the town meeting would not affect the decree of the County Commissioners. He advised that the petitioners go to the County Commissioner's office and make their plea to them, and it might be possible that they might reverse their decision. Mr. Webster felt that the votes which might be passed at the town meeting would be of a more representative nature, and the Coun16y Commissioners would be more liable to act upon the same. He felt that a number more citizens would also sign the petition, and that most of the persons he talked with were not in favor of the widening. Town Counsel explained that in the ninety's the Board of Selectmen petitioned the County Commissioners to widen Mass. Avenue from the center to the Arlington line. The Town proceeded to do the work, and when they came to building a wall at Oak Street they found that it would cost so much that they did not do the work in accordance with the layout of the County Commissioners. The County Commissioners had to qo the work themselves, and charge the cost of same to the town. The case went to the Supreme Court, and it was found ' in substance that under a County decree a town must do the work as approved by the County before any funds will be available from the County for payment of same. Francis Toye, Chairman of the Civic Association, Committee, came before the Board and requested that a new hardwood floor be laid in Emerson Hall, owing to the fact that the present one is old and splintery, and no smoking was allowed on the premises on account of the old floor. Mr. Toye was informed that this is a matter for the Library Trustees, who have charge of the Stone Building, but that they would call their attention to the matter. Mr. Chamberlain suggested that the funds of the Treasurer be placed in the savings account of the Lexington Trust Company rather thana checking account, and instructed the Clerk to ask the Town Accountant to get the difference in interest which could be earned during the year 1926 upon deposits made in the bank if they were placed in the savings account and were availed of the additional interest. The Supt. of Public Works was requested to have the figures on the Ross contract and the extras ready for the Board on Tuesday evening next. In accordance with this decision Town Counsel felt that if the Town did not abide by this decree that the County would have to and assess the cost to the town. , Suggestions were made by Mr. Greeley of a gyratory system which would relieve traffic for Mass. Avenue, thereby he felt that no widening is necessary along the Buckman Tavern. Mr. Greeley agreed however, that it was necessary to,.widen on Hancock Street and on Mass. Avenue below the Buckman Tavern, but he did not believe it should be widened along the Buckman Tavern. To widen in this manner, of course, would not make a practical curve at this point. Quite a lengthy discussion was entered into 1* the parties present and the Board of Selectmen whereby several,expressions of opinion were made as to why and why not the widening should be made. Mr. Ballard felt that it did not seem in accord with the recommendations of the Planning Board that they should object to this widening, inasmuch as they recommend the establishment of buildings lines, and the widening of the avenue will accomplish the same purpose as the building line,•if not more. The Board agreed not to take any speedy action upon the proposition and informed the gentlemen present that probably no work will be done before Tuesday next. They did state, however, that it is necessary as soon as possible, to get a catch basin in on Hancock Street and connect the same with the brook at an early date. No action was taken upon the petition presented. Town Counsel informed the Board that no public utilities should be placed in the streets that have not been approved by the Board of , Survey, and that owners of land violate the statutes by the sale of lots on said property. The Supt. of Public Works was requested to clean out the brook near Sheridan Street. Francis Toye, Chairman of the Civic Association, Committee, came before the Board and requested that a new hardwood floor be laid in Emerson Hall, owing to the fact that the present one is old and splintery, and no smoking was allowed on the premises on account of the old floor. Mr. Toye was informed that this is a matter for the Library Trustees, who have charge of the Stone Building, but that they would call their attention to the matter. Mr. Chamberlain suggested that the funds of the Treasurer be placed in the savings account of the Lexington Trust Company rather thana checking account, and instructed the Clerk to ask the Town Accountant to get the difference in interest which could be earned during the year 1926 upon deposits made in the bank if they were placed in the savings account and were availed of the additional interest. The Supt. of Public Works was requested to have the figures on the Ross contract and the extras ready for the Board on Tuesday evening next. It was suggested that one of the American Gas Accumulator beacons be placed at the jundtion of Concord Avenue and Waltham Street. Discussion arose as to whether the overhead light would be sufficient at this spot. The Chairman informed the Board that a beacon would cost $250. He was authorized to have one in- stalled at this point. Meeting adjourned at 11:15 P.M. A true record, Attest: Clerk. n 149