HomeMy WebLinkAbout1927-12-27nm
REGULAR MEETING:, DECEMBER 27, 1927.
' A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at the
Selectmen's Office at $.00 P.M. 1tessrs. Custance, Burnham, Ballard,
Robertson, and Chamberlain were present. The Supt. of Public Works
and the Clerk were also present.
Mr. Albert W. Thayer of Watertown and James C. Doherty of
Arlington came before the Board and presented three letters of
recommendation of the character and financial ability of Mr. Thayer.
Mr. Thayer desired to obtain a first class Agents License to do
business at 480 Mass. Avenue for the sale of Hudson and Basex Cars.
The Board questioned Mr. Thayer as to the handling of the
second hand cars taken in trade, and they informed the Board that
there was plenty storage space in the rear of the building to store
the cars without leaving them in the yard. In regard to the fire
hazard he stated that the Chief of the Fire Department had no
objection to the building being occupied for this business.
Mr. William R, S. Eaton, representing the Lexington Trust Co.,
came before the Board -and stated that the Trust Company rented the
property to Mr. Albert W. Thayer, and they were satisfied that he
is a responsible party.
After consideration the Board voted to grant a first class agents
license to Mr. Albert W. Thayer.
Mr. Wagner of the Lexington Sand and Gravel Co. came before the
Board in regard to his application for a gasoline tank on premises on
Winter Street. No persons appeared to object, and the Board voted'to
grant permission to the Lexington Sand and Gravel Co. to install a
gasoline tank of 1,000 gallons on their premises for private use 6nly
Hearing was declared open on application of Walter G. Black
at 8.30 P.M. for permission to erect a two car garage on his premises
at corner Mass. Avenue and Rowland Avenue.
No persons appeared to object and it was therefor voted to grant
Falter GIS Black permission to erect a two car garage.
Hearing was declared open at 8.40 P.M. upon the application of
Fred Cloyes for permission to erect a two car garage on his premises
at 6 Upland Road. -
No persons appeared to object and it was voted to grant per-
mission for the erection of this garage.
The Board granted permission to Frank R. Fitzpatrick for a first
class agents license to do business at 1 Dass. Avenue, Lexington.
The Board voted to sign the deed conveying the school house lot
on Concord Avenue -to Clarence H. Cutler and executed the deed for
the consideration of $275.00.
' Letter was received from Robbins & Smith setting forth .their
intended program for construction in 1928. They stated that they
intend to finish to a sub grade Robbins Road and Matson Road, and
that they have Smith Avenue and Independence Avenue nearly completed
and would like water, sewer, and light service on all of these streets
in 1928. They would also like to have service in Tower Street
No action was taken on the matter
Letter was received from the Planning Board in which they set
forth their views in regard to the Engineering Department. They
explained that they felt .the services of a competent engineer with
broad esperience should be had, and -that at least four additional
engineers, two being competent surveyors and two rodmen, should be
added to the force. They felt that with an organization of this kind
in a few years a complete block plan of the town and also a complete
street and topographical plan could be made. The Planning Board also
stated that they weuld be willing to make a request to the town for
additional engineering serviews in the way of assisting the Board
to obtain the necessary assistance.
The Board discussed this letter at some length and also discussed
the merits of obtaining a new chief engineer and also a town planner.
The opinion was expressed that with the services of a competent
engineer the need for the service of the town planner would be less.
No definite action was taken since it was felt that the members of
the Board should first hear the report of Mr. Chamberlain after he
talks with the acting Town Engineer.
Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works setting forth
his estimate for the year 1928, and recommending the employment of
a young man clerk in his office so that the correspondence and de-
tail records of his office could.be kept accurately. No action was
taken on the matter at present inasmuch as estimates will be taken
up at one time for all departments.
rt was decided to change the meeting date with the Planning
Board from Thursday evening to Tuesday evening next if that could
be arranged with the Planning Board.
Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works in which
he gave an estimate of the cost of extending 530 fee -t of 8" pipe
as of $1925., and 611 pipe $1650. He stated that a Mr.CUtter of
Arlington is contemplating the purchase of the land being part of
the porter Bros. & Milson Farm at Adams and Fast Streets, and in; -
tends to erect a home and two or three green houses. He stated
that he thought he would use an amo74n.t of water costing approximately
$200. a year. It was felt that the financial ability of Mr. Cutter
should be looked up, and Mr. Burnham was requested to do this.
Mr. Robertson felt that if Mir. Cutter's financial ability proved
to be all right that the extension of this main should be made.
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John J. Garrity came before the Board at the request of Mr. Bal-
lard and explained.to the Board that several attempts had been made to
flood the center play ground for skating, but this was not successful
owing to the sandy Vottom, and the water sinks in almost immediately
when it is poured on since the frost rarely goes beyond three inches.
He stated that at one time the two tennis courts were flooded wit#
fairly good success but that this is a small area and does not ac-
commodate many people. He stated that they also tried to flood the
East Lexington playground, and found the same condition existing. A
suggestion was made that the tennis courts be turned around and '
run lengthwise and be located in the rear of the William E. Manley
property toward Parker Steet. Six courts could be built with a elag'
bottom and arrangements could be made so that poles could be moved
and the place flooded for skating in winter. The Board seemed tube
of the opinion that this was a very good idea, and felt that Mra Ballard
and Mr. Garrity should get figures for the cost of doing this work.
Mr. Garrity explained that the lower part of Hastings Park at
' the junction of Lincoln St. and Mass. Ave. was flooded, and a great
many childarenchad availed themselves of the opportunity to skate there.
The Supt. of Public Works reported that the cost of removing the
snow of the last storm was $984.70.
Mr_ BAllaed stated that he did not feel that the town was justi-
fied in spending so much money to remove snow. The Supt. of Public
Works informed hire that on this particular occasion it would have been
better not to have spent as much money, but if a series of storms had
arrived arfd the plowing had not been done on the first storm, there
would have been great difficulty in handli-mg the snow. In this connec-
tion Mr. Ballard suggested that something be done in regard to replacing
the grass in front of the Hubert Grieves house on Lincoln Street which
had --been torn up by the snow plows.
The Board voted to establish the custom of this board and ,for
future boards of establishing a lien on property of all abuttors where
permanent sidewalk work is done, and register at the Registry of Deeds
an order calling for the betterment on the property by which a side-
walk is laid.
Mr. Ballard called attention to the drain which is being con-
structed on the property recently purchased by Mr. Custa.nce on
Audubon Road, formerly the property of Morton G. Hopkins. He felt that
the drainage water should not perhaps,have been taken into the street
J as it had been.
Mr. Custance explained that a drain existed near Mr. Hopkin's
house and that he felt it was up to Mr. Hopkins to carry the drain
out to the street. Mr. Ballard critisized the action taken since he
felt that the town might be called upon to take care of 'other drainage
problems of a similar nature. In connection vith:'thls matter the
drainage from the McCaffrey brook was also considered.
It was suggested that when the sewer islaid in Audubon Road that
an under -drainage pipe be laid carrying the water away from Audubon Rd.
Meeting adjourned at 11.50 P.M.
A true record,. Attest:
- Clerk.
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