HomeMy WebLinkAbout1928-04-24REGULAR MEETING, APRIL 24, 1928
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at
the Selectmen's Office at 7:30 P.M. Messrs. Burnham, Custance,
Ballard, Robertson, and Chamberlain were present. The Supt. of
Public Works and the Clerk were also present.
Hearing was declared open at 8:30 P.M. upon the application
of Mrs. Dora H. Patrick of 20 Hancock Street, for permission
to erect a two car garage on her premises at said address. No
persons appeared to object, and it was voted to grant her•a
permit.
Hearing wad declared open at 8:35 P.M. upon the application
of Concetta Tedesco of 202 Mass. Avenue for permission to erect
a tw6eiarage on her premises at said address. No persons
appeared to object, and it was voted -to grant her permission to
erect the garage.
Letter was received from George E. Foster, 10 Plainfield
Street, thanking the Board for making arrangements to have the
April 19th Pami:c,e march in front of his father's house. His
father is a Grand Army Veteran and was unable to be in the parade.
James H. Russell, Commander of the American Legion, came
before the Board and presented a written report of information
he had obtained in regard to George E. Smith of 8 Independence
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Road. He stated that he came because Mr. Smith was a war
veteran, and the highest in rank on the list of the Police De-
partment, and he felt that he should be given consideration. He
stated that he did not feel thay any veteran should be considered
if he was not qualified for the position, but upon investigation
he felt that Mr. Smith was qualified in every way to fill the
position. He presented letters of recommendation in reference
to the character of Mr. 'Smith, and st.ted that he found that
everyone spoke very highly about him. He stated that even the
family physician who happened to be a friend of Senator Cotton
stated that he was physically fit in every way for the position.
He found that he had entered the A. E. Dress Meat & Wool Company
when he was seven years old, and his father was there as foreman
and remained there taking his fatherts position as foreman
when his father left, :1nd remained there until 1923, at which
time he went into business for himself in partnership. He lost
a great deal of money on this partnership agreement and since
1926 he has not been regularly employed except for radio work.
The Board balloted on the appointment of Police Officer and
voted to appoint George E. Smith of 8 Independence Road as a
permanent member of the Police Department.
Mr. Ballard brought up the Audubon Road drainage situation,
and inasmuch as no plan was ready to present upon the drainage
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matters it was voted that the Supt. of -,Public Works be instructed
to give definite study to the layout of surface water drain pipe
in the trench with the sewer from such point in Audubon Road
as seems feasible to carry the water from Lincoln Street and
Aud-dbon Aoad to a culvert on Lincoln Street to near the McCaffrey
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line and submit plan of same.
The Supt. of Public Works was requested to look into the
matter of sidewalk upon the Common, and also trees which were
suggested might be taken down, and make a report to the Board
on same.
The Supt. was requested to see Rubin & Seligman and find
out if they desired the sods on the Town Hall lot and shrubs that
are also there.
Mr. Burnham made a report of progress on negotiations on the
Glass property in connection with the widening of the entrance
to the Parker Field on Clarke Street. He took the plan to
look into the matter more fully and make a report to the Board
at a later date.
Letter was received from the Supt. giving his recommendation
as to sliding scale to be adopted for the Police Department as of
April 1, 1928 as follows:
First six months
$4.75
per
day
Second six months
5.00
per
day
Second year
5.25
per
day
Third year
5.50
per
day
Fourth year
5.75
per
dey
Fifth year and after
6.00
per
day.
Sergeant to receive 250 per day over the maximum pay of
Patrolman.
ae also stated that he recommended an increase of 250 per
day to J. C. Russell, P. J..Maguire, E. C. Maguire, T. C. Buckley,
W. C. O'Leary, and H..H. Harvey, from April 1, 1928 for the
ensuing year, and that the balance of thq officers on the payroll
receive their increase automatically as it becomes due.
The Board voted to grant the increase in pay in accordance
with the schedule of the Supt. of Public Works.
The Supt. presented lease drawn up by the Town Couns;A for
the rental of the sheds in the rear of the Town Hall from Rubin
& Seligman. The Board felt that this lease should be presented
to Rubin & Seligman for their approval and signature.
Letter was received from the Supt. stating that Mrs. William
C. Stickel, Regent of the D. A. R., desired to plant a tree on
the Lexington Battle Green or Buckman Tavern property on April
30, 1928, Arbor day. The Board stat4d that they had no objection and
left the matter with the Supt. of Public Works and Supt. of Parks.
Report of the Supt. of Public Works was received as follows:
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FillingHighway Department. '
, grading, and rolling gravel roads.
Cleaning streets preparing for April 19th, Patching, scraping,
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grading, and rolling Concord Avenue, preparing surface for seal
coat.
Water Department.
Appr6ximately 500 ft. of 611 pipe laid on Spring and Shade
Streets. The amount of ledge encountered in this construction
slowed up work considerable. One new service installed in
Meriam Street. The work of renewing old services in Mass. Avenue,
between Oak Street and Marrett Road, was carried on this week.
It is the intention of the department to renew these old services
wherever necessary. Corporation cocks have been cleaned in the
services that do not deed renewal.
Sewer Department.
653 ft. of construction on Lincoln Street has been com-
pleted. One.sewer connection on_Meriam Street has been started,
.but has not been completed.
Tree Warden.'s Department.
Trees on the new Town Hall grounds trimmed and several cement
patches made. Also, the Memorial Trees on Common were trimmed.
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Opinion was received from the Town Counsel in regard to the
pay of the Firemen. fie stated that he felt that it was entirely
' up to the Engineers of th-e Fire Department to grant increase
in pqy to the members of the Department.
In regard to the pay of the members of the Fire Department,
the Board voted, in view of the vote of the Town authorizing
the appointment of a committee to investigate the Fire Department,
to advise the Engineers of the Fire Department that the Board
do not feel that an increase in pay of the members of the Fire
Department should be made until the report of this sommittee is
received by the Town and action taken by the Town in respect
to increase in pay, and so informed the Fire Engineers.
Letter was received from the Chief of the Fire Department
informing the Board of the number of pieces of apparatus owned
by the Fire Department, and the condition of each piece. The
Board felt that a copy of -this letter should be sent to the
Moderator, inasmuch as he is about to appoint a committee to
investigate conditions in regard to the Fire Department, and to
advise the Board when he has appointed the members of that com-
mittee.
A report was received from the Health Inspector in regard
to his visit to the premises of John & Salvatore Ricci.
The Board voted to notify John & Salvatore Ricci that they
would be given until Sept. 1, 1928 to dispose of their pigs.
Letter was received from Dr. William L. Barnes in which he
stated that it would probably cost approximately $100. for the
services of physicians and $35. for materials to complete the
Schick Test in the schools.
After discussing the matter the Boated decided to allow the
sum of $135. to cover this expense provided it was done in con
262
junction with the wishes of the School Authorities. A suggestion
was made that a request be made to the parents in all cases
to find out if they desire to have the Schick Test done by the
doctor provided, or if they desire to have it done by their own
doctor.
Mr. Custance brought up the fact that he felt that the Board
h should be thinking of the installation of a sewer in Waltham
Street and Glen Road. 'In view of the fact he asked.the Supt.
to prepare figures on the probable cost of the sewer in these
streets.
Estimate was received from the Supt. in regard to the in-
stallation of a sewer in Waltham Street between theA resent
sewer and property of John E. A. Mulliken a distance of ap-
proximately 900 feet at,&,cost of $5500., and Glen Road between
Upland Road and Oakland Street a distance of approximately 323
feet at a cost of $2,000. It was decided to put an article_
in the warrant asking for the authorization of the Town to
install sewers in both of these streets.
It was felt that some thought should be given to whether
when Waltham Street is widened along the Aldrich property,
that it should be widened to Vine Brook Road.
The Supt, was requested to present schedule of request for
sidewalks so that the Board could authorize invitation for bids
on same.
The Board voted to appoint Robert L. Smith and.Frankln P.
Simonds as Special Police.
The following licenses were signed by the Board.
Sarah Berman 6 Mass. Avenue Common Victuallers
Edward I. Berman 2 Mass. Avenue Sunday Sales
Charles R. Miller Marrett Rd. &
Lincoln Street Sunday Sales
Meeting adjourned at 10:30 P. M.
A true record, Attest:
Clerk.
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