HomeMy WebLinkAbout1928-07-10 327
REGULAR MEETII' G, JULY 10, 1928.
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen wap held
a# the Selectmen' s Room, New Town Office Building, at 7 30
P M. Messrs . Burnham, 'usta:. ce, C_Iamberlain, and Robertson
were present. The Supt of Public Works and the Clerk were
also present.
The records of last meeting were approved.
The Board signed the warrant to the Dog Officer under
authority of Section 151, Chapter 140, General Laws.
Petition to the County Commissioners asking for the relocation
of Mass Avenue from its intersection at Lincoln Street to
Marrett Road, a distance of 8300 feet, was signed by the Board.
The Board granted a joint petition to the Ddison Elec i is
Ill. Co. and the N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co. for the location of 19
poles on Cedar Street.
Hearing was declared open upon the application of Dana
F. Ward for permission to install a 500 gallon gasoline tank
for private purposes on his premises on Eliot Road
No persons appeared to object, and it was voted to grant
the petition.
At 8 35 P r,,, hearing was declared open upon the aolication
of Charles J. O 'Connell for permission to maintain a private
garage on his premises at 38 Woburn Street.
Mr. O 'Connell appeared in favor of this petition. No
person appeared against the petition, and it was voted to grant
the permit, providing he complies with tae building regulation.
Hearing was declared open at 8 45 P Y at which time Mr.
Robert L. Ryder of the Ryder Stock Farm, Inc . Sydney R.
Wrightington, Town Counsel, William E. Mulliken, 67 Waltham
Street, Fred L. Lord, and Albin Kinquist both of Prospect Hill
Road, came before the Board.
Mr. Wrightington explained th t the hearing was not a formal
hearing, but inasmuch as the Board had received complaints, he felt
that the matter could be discus ed more freely if the parties
interested were present .
Written complaints had been received from Fred L. Lord and
William E. Mulliken, in regard to the Ryder piggery on Waltham
Street. , for this reason this hearing was called.
Mr. Mulliken stated that continual complaints were received
by him from his wife about the odor from the Ryder piggery, and
he stated that there have been occasions when the odor was most
objectionable, and they have to go into the house rather than sit
out on the piazza to avoid it, and that he felt that his neighbor
IIMr Gibson could also corroborate his statement as could also other
neighbors in the vicinity. He stated that frequently when they
have friends calling, the pig ery odor is bad and he felt justified
in making complaint of the conditions . He stated that the odors
have reached his house at intervals in previous years, but that it
was worse in the last few years .
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r . Fred L. Lord stated that he had considerable investment �^
in -iis promises, and he felt teat allowing a piggery t.ist would C'7
be operated in a residential district was an absolute outrage and
common indecency. He stated that the stench was very ob-
jectionable to his wife who is ill with heart trouble, and
that last year it was so bad that she nearly had a collapse.
He explained that when he had friends calling at his house, the
odor was so bad that when they inquired what it was , he had to
inform them that it was the Ryder Piggery. Iie stated that he
would continue to protest to the keeping of pigs while he lives
on the estate, as he feels that it is not proper to allow Mr.
Ryder to keep pigs in a residential district.
Mr . Kinquist stated that he found the odors objectionable
at times and he agreed with Mr. Lord that he did not feel that
pigs should be kept in a residential district .
Mr. Ryder stated that he had no questions whatever to ask
of the torr; lair tants. Mr Ryder was asked when he began to feed
P y'
his pigs garbage, and he stated that about two years ago and
before that they were fed on different rations . He stated that
they take the swill from fifteen or twenty hotels in Boston,
Newton, and Arlington, and that the swill is taken in tight
barrels . From Arlington they taxe it in trucks with a canvas
cover over the top. They bring it to Maple Street, Waltham
Street and to Woburn. The amount of garbage going to Waltham
Street varies froil. time to time, sometioes 70 barrels on the
load, sometimes 50 or 60 barrels . Mr. Ryder stated that the
piggery on Waltham Street is cleaned out every day, and hauled
away, and that there is no compost pile on the premises on
Waltham Street. The material is hauled to the Cary Farm and there
might be a temporary compost on the Hannaford Farm, but there
are no pigs kept on, either place. ;.r. hider stated that he
would take the Board or anyone over the -premises at any time , and he
did not believe that they could smell the piggery. They might
smell the manure thg.t is brought from Woburn. He stated that if
they could smell the piggery he would be willing to get rid of
his pigs .
Mr. Mulliken stated that he would be willing to call the
Board of Selectmen any time that he received the odors and have
them investigate.
The Directors of the Boar._ of Trade namely: Edward L. Fenn,
William Viano, William R. S. Eaton, William E. Mulliken, Louis
Swett, Eugene J. Viano, Rupert Stevens, Charles Schofield, and C .
Eliot Hadley came before the Board.
Mr. William Viano stated that he felt that he was entitled to
know why he was refused a permit to erect a marquise in front
of the Lexington Theatre . He felt that the Board was discriminating
inasmuch as they allow permits for electrical signs to be placed
over the stores , and that he felt the marquise should also be
granted.
Ir. Burnham informed hi:. that the vote of the Board was not
to grant the permit, but if any of the members of the Board wished
to express their own personal opinion, they could do so .
A rather lengthy discussion was entered into whereby
Messrs . Fenn, E. J . Viano , Eaton, Swett, and Schofield all spoke
in. favor of the granting of a permit for the erection of the marquise
by Lir. Viano.
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The arguments presented in favor of granting the
permit were that it was an asset to the town, and it would
enable people outsic.e of the town to know that there was a
theatre in Lexington, and would come to Lexir_ston to live . It
would also assist the merchants who have their stores open
on Saturday evenings, inasmuch as persons would do their
shopping and then go to the theatre.
Mr. Eugene J. Viano felt that the marquise was nothing more
than an electrical display and that the Board of Selectmen was
discriminating in glowing other electrical signs to be erected,
and not granting a permit to the applicant. He stated that he
felt that a theatre without a marquise was like a garage without
gasoline talks . He stated that hardly anywhere can a theatre
be found that does not have a marquise.
Mr . Mara stated that he would like to hear of some reason
why this permit should not be granted.
Iv-r. Swett stated that the reason why he located his store
on Mass. Avenue was on account of the theatre being located in the
block, and that he did the same thing in Somerville for the same
reason.
14r. Schofield stated that from a real estate point of view
that the marquise would be a benefit to the Town.
The Board of Trade then inquired as to when the candle power
of the lights on Mass. Avenue from Woburn Street to Clarke Street
would be increased in accordance with the vote of the Town passed
June 28, 1928. The Board stated that they had not yet discussed
this matter, but that it was scheduled to be discussed this evening.
Bill of the Town Counsel amounting to $650.00 for services
in the McCaffrey case was approved.
In regard to the street lights on Mass . Avenue, the Supt of
Public Works was requested to find out whether or not the street
lighting appropriation would all w for the increase in candle
power on Mass. Avenue, voted at the Town Meeting, and report to
the Board of Tuesday evening next.
• In regard to the application of Prendergast Brothers for
gasoline filling station at the corner of Fottler Avenue and Mass.
Avenue, it was voted to turn the i f ormation in regard to this
application and hearing over to the Planning Board and ask their
opinion as to whether or not they would grant a permit for a gasoline
station at this point or whether they would have less objection
to stores betting located on the corner, inasmuch as the property
is in a business district.
Petition to-the County Commissioners asking for the re-
location of Walt;iam Street fro ,, Marrett Road to Mass . Avenue, a
distance of aNproximately 4790 feet, was signed by the Board.
The Board signed the license for the Lovell Bus Lines, Inc . to
operate their busses in the Town of Lexington the same expiring
July 20, 1929.
Deed of the Hossfield estate which was authorized by vote of
the meeting of the Town on June 28, 1928, was signed by the Board, this
being in connection with release of property on tax title.
J2he weekly report of the Supt of Public Works is as follows:
330 •
For week ending July 7, 1925.
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Highways.
Roadway on Massachusetts Avenue and Cedar Street has
been filled and made ready for scarifying and rolling so that
surfacing material ray be applied. Curbing on the west
corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Cedar Street has been
set. Part of the sewer trench on Lincoln Street and that
on Massachusetts Avenue has been patched. Massachusetts
Avenue, East Lexington, patched; also Wood Street .
StA
Guard rail bordering Lowell/near the Burlington Town
Line has been repaired 1t appears that this fence was
damaged by an automobile or truck.-
It is planned during the week of July 16th to finish
the work on Massachusetts Avenue and Cedar Street and to
seal Waltham Street from Massachusetts Avenue to Marrett Road.
Moth and Shade Trees Departments.
The equipment has been cleaned and carefully stored away
for the season. Two dead trees taken down on Massachusetts
Avenue. Trees trimmed on Muzzey Street and Lowell Street. Work
of trimming trees , cutting out dead wood, and removing bushes
at outlying street corners will be continued during the next
week.
Water Construction.
A small force of men have been working on the ledge in
Independence Avenue at the head of Tower Street. The ditching
machine has completed excavating on Tower Street and will
move to Smith Avenue.
Water Maintenance.
One service installed.
Sewer Construction.
Locust Averue sewer nearly completed. Total distance
of 530 feet . Approximately 240 feet of sewer pipe laid in
Tower Street. Work is progressing slowly in Lincoln Street due
to the large amount of ledge and water encountered.
Sewer Maintenance.
Work of flushing sewers has been continued through the
past week. Three services started. Six services completed,
and two services laid from the sewer to the curb line. Four
carloads of ,ewer pipe and fittings received and unloaded.
We anticipate keeping up the same work next week.
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idiscellaneous .
1A trench has been dug at the reservoia in order to drain
the reservoir more completely.
Park Department.
Regular maintenance work carried on the Park Department .
Engineer[rg Department.
Activities of the Engineering Department for the week
ending July 7th were as follows:
Sewers.
Grades fdr construction at Lincoln Street, Tower Street,
Locust Avenue, and Independence Avenue. Grades for house
connections along Mas achusetts Avenue, East Lexington.
Continued work on sewer record plans to be filed at
Registry of Deeds .
Highways.
Line and grade for curb at Massachusetts Avenue street
intersections along line of new construction.
Waltham Street line for new house . Survey of lot #147
in Fair Oaks to determine location of house and garage on
said lot. Plan of same .
Remarks.
Line and grade work for above mentioned curbs requires
a great amount of time . In addition to this, the construction
of sewers now being laid and studies for the new sewers have
made it impossible for the Department to study either the
development of August Young in the vicinity of Webb Street, or
the development of the Star Realty Company opposite Bow Street.
Sewer record plans will be completed July 17th.
Very truly yours ,
1
Wm. S. Scamman.
Supt . of Public Works .
The Board looked over the contract for sidewalks drawn up
by Mr. Custance, and voted to approve the same subject to slight
changes and the approval of the Town Counsel .
The discussion on the garbage contract was laid over for one
week.
In regard to the constructi m of sewers in Glen Road , Eliot
Road and Hastings Road, it was decided to lay the decision as to
whether sewers should be laid in these three streets over until next
week. In the meantime the Supt. of Public Works was requested to
give his apinion as to how far up Eliot road he felt the sewer
should be laid and to also brim in data on Glen Road sewer.
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It was voted to lay upon the table the matter of sewer
survey in the Town. C7
Letter was received from Edward C . Stone, Chariman of
the Committee to Conference with Minute Men relative to
.memorial, in which he stated h :s position in regard to the
matter in case it should come up in Town keeting while he was
away for a two month' s vacation. He stated that there were
not sufficient funds to carry out tie proposed memorial.
ihe Town Engineer presented plan of the proposed relocation
of the drain on Helen C . Whittemore property at corner of Cedar
Street and Mass. Avenue. The Board approved the layout of the
drain, but requested the Supt. of Public Works to obtain figures as
to the cost of laying same before any work is started The Town
Counsel advised the obtaining of an easement that the Town could enter
the premises to do the necessary work of maintaining the drain at
aly time.
The Toren Engineer came before the Board and presented a letter
outlining what he intended to do in regard to renumbering Mass. Ave.
The Board voted to authorize Lir. Cosgrove to proceed to renumber
Mass. Avenue its entire length from the Arlington Line to the Lincoln
Line, and to renumber the part which he suggested from Cedar Street to
Wood street at l22 foot intervals.
In regard to the use of the swimming pool on the playground,
the Supt. of Public Works was reLuested to get an analysis of the
water which would flow into the swimming pool from the Ryder property
to see if it would be all right to allow the use of the water
for the pool.
The meeting adjourned at 12 .15 A.M.
A true record, Attest:
Clerk.
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