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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1928-10-02403 REGULAR MEETING October 2, 1928. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 7;30 P.M. Messrs. Burpham, Custance, and Chamberlain were present. The Supt. of ublic Works and the Clerk were also present. Informal hearing was called at 8 P.M. upon the suggested:-. layout of Rowland Avenue as a public highway. Notice was sent to all the property owners abutting on private way now called Rowland Avenue through to highland Avenue. The street was suggested to be laid out parallel with Slocum Road up to the property of Thomas S. Grindle. The following persons were present. William T. Corwther, Walter G. Black, Ernest C. Martin, Mr. Willard, Mr. Sears, Guy Healey of the Mass. Mortgage Company, Mr. Richards, Treasurer of the Mass. Mortgae Company, ,Ir. T. S. Keegan, Mrs. Ellis Tower, Thomas S. Grindle, Mrs. Helen M. Little and Russell Little. Mr. T. S. Keegan who has purchased the so-called Fitch place on Mass. Avenue, stated that he was willing to have the street laid out as a public highway, but if it were laid out, he would have to move his house at a cost of approximately $5,000., and he was not anxious to spend any money moving it, inasmeh as he is now satisfied with the location unless the abuttors or the Town join in the expense. He felt that inasmuch as he would be giving a strip of land 40 feet wide for a length of about 365 feet that the la land would be of some value to the Town. He could not see any benefit therefore of a public highway inasmuch as the water and sewer were both laid in the street already. Mr. William T. Crowther stated that he had no objection to the layout of plan dated September 18, 1928, but he did have objection to the plan of study of layout made previous to this time which had an outlet through his property on to Bloomfield Street. He stated that he was not anxious to open up the back of his lot for sale, bud that if the previous layout was made, it would ruin his property completely. He did suggest, however, that he thought the street should continue out to Highland Avenue on the line of the sewer. Mr. Walter Black desired to Inow whether the Town or the abuttors would'haveto stand the expense of moving the Keegan house. He stated that he felt that if the street were laid out there and the Keegan house was moved, it would be a decided benefit to Mr. Keegan as he knows for a fact that the house could have been sold several times over for $60000. more than it was sold for if the house were not so near the street, and for that reason he felt that betterments should be assessed to Mr. Keegan. It would also open up other lots for sale that he could realize upon. Mr. Ernest C. Martin stated that he could see no objection to the Board of Survey layout provided the abuttors did not have to stand any part of the damages. Mr. Thomas S. Grindle stated that he was in favor of the street being laid out, but that he did prefer to have it go through to the end of his property line. Mrs. Helen M. Little stated that she would bike to see the street laid out to Highland Avenue. Mr. Willard stated that he did hot object to the layout al- though it would not do him any good. 1 1 1 Mrs. Ellis Tower stated that she was not in favor of a street b6tng laid out as they were not interested in selling any of their land. Mr. Sears stated thr.t he wanted to go on record as in favor of the layout. Mr. Healey stated that he was not in favor of the lines being laid down. The Board explained to the persons present that in order to have the street lines laid down a formal petition should be presented to the Board asking that this be done, and then a formal hearing will be held.. If the Board looked favorably upon the matter, the lines would be set down, and at no future date could any building be built within the street lines, and if in the future the Town decided to built the street, Mr. Keegan's house would then have to be moved. Mr. Phillip Leaf came before the Board in response to their request in regard to his application for position of janitor. He stated that he had several years experience in the work which would have to be done in connection with the Town Office Building and Memorial Building. He served three years in the Havir,,rwhere he learned how to run the boilers. He worked for Mr. Deman J. Doe of Adams Street for sixteen years and the grounds and three boilers were left entirely to his care. There was also a boiler in the stable which he had to attend to. He was also with Mr. Woods the florist for eighteen months, and he bows how to trim trees and plant shrubbery. He also worked on some of the best estates in Town such as the Whipple Estate, trimming shrubs and planting trees. He also worked for Mr. Glass doing ' grading and sodding and for the last three years he has carried on window cleaning business. When the Board asked him how he felt he could get along with the present janitor., he stated that he knew Mr. Moloy and he was certain that he could get along with,him. He also was assured that there was a great deal of night work. Inasmuch a s Mr. Ballard and ar. Robertson were not present, Mr. Chamberlain suggested that Mr. Leaf call upon both members of the Board so that they might have an in#erview with them. Mr* Leonard Jellis and Mr. Bernard F. Hossfield came before the Board. Mr. Jellis stated that about two years ago there was a drainage system established in Ward Street but was not sufficient bo carry all the water away that should be carried away, and he felt that this drain should be completed. He stated that his place was on the low side of the hill, and he got all of the overflow from the present drain. It was voted to request Mr. Scamman to inspect the conditions in regard to the drainage on Ward and Ash Streets, and report to the Board what would be necessary to fix it in the proper way. Mr. agili0 also complained of the piggeries maintained by Frank OftnUlug end John Fleming. He stated that the refuse brought there to Mr. Canisius, place lays there a long time and his pigs ' and his dogs and hens all feed from the same swill pile. He felt that it was a menace to the community, inasmuch as there are about 40 children on the street. He stated that the Canisius farm was about 300 yarns from his house. He also complained of a dump on Ash Street which is in very bed condition, and he felt that the Board of Health should endeavor to stop the dumping there and. make the parties dump in a public dump. The weekly report of the Supt. of Public Works is as follows: For week ending Sept. 29, 1928. Highway Department. Construction of Simonds Road is completed. Construction of York Str eet is now in progress and construction of Prospect Hill Road has been started. Sherman Street has been cleaned and patched, and the surface of Massachusetts Avenue has been patched. The stumps and roots of the large Elm near the Post Office have been removed. Next week the Department will be occupied with the con- atruction of York Street and.Prospect Hill Road and regular maintenance. Moth and Shade Tree Dept. Trees on Massachusetts Avenue near the Green were trimmed and several large limbs removed. The work of, ts►eating the Gypsy Moth nexts with Creosote has been started, and will occupy the time of the Department for the balance of the year. Par'k Department. The Park Department has been occupied with the regular maintenance work. Water Maintenance. The following services have been installed: Needham,. Fern Street; Cassidy, Spring Street; renewal for Kelley, Woburn Street: service for Allen, Gibson Road; started service for Robbins & Smith on Smith Avenue; service for Keefe on Marrett Road. A break in the 8" main on Smith Avenue was repaired on Thursday September 27, 1928. Five corporation cooks were dug up and cleaned out. Two men were working o8 the raising of gates on Massachusetts Avenue. Water Construction. We have started the extension of the 6" water main in the Nickerson development. Sewer Maintenance. The following services have been installed: Chamberlain on Eliot Road (completed): Kelley, Woburn Street; Robbins & Smith, smith Avenue Sewer Construction. We have completed the Woburn Street Sewer. The Glen Road 1 1 409 sewer was started on Friday, September 28, 19289 and about fifty feet of sewer pipe was laid. The work contemplated for the weak ending October 13, is as follows: Glen Road sewer; continuation of the extension of the water main in the Nickerson development; water and sewer services, etc. Regarding the laying of the water mains in the McIntosh development, called Sunny Field, I believe it will be best to lay the least amount of main called for this year, for the reasons that while the construction appropriation is not exhausted, we have had several emergency calls for water main construction which has used considerable of the money appropriated for that purpose. Engineering Dept. Sewers. Lines and grades for construction at Glen Road. Ap- pointment with Mr. Kilgour at his property on Highland Avenue re abatement. Water. Ties to new service in Mt. Vernon Terrace. Highways. I Staked out propeeed'Ifne at Buckman Tavern property. Completed plan showing existing and proposed curb and street lines from Depot Park to Elm Avenue. Miscellaneous. Continued topo work within Marrett Road, Mass. Ave., and School Street. Continued Porth Street alyout at Ryder property Review of sewer proposition in South District with Mr. Raymond of Metcalf & Eddy. For his information we completed a map showing elevations of intersecting highways, high points and low points of streets within and closely surrounding the 1000 acres to be studied. Furnished all available date to Insurance Company representatives in re town buildings. Re -survey of drainage area near Oakland Street section. This information was sent to Metcalf Eddy. Started work on staking out J"eriam Street line near Oakland Street fvr Mr. Reed. Remarks. The last named proposition may require a minimum of 3 days work to give approximate li-e (within 1 or 2 feet.) Exieting conditions and available information cause this inaccuracy. I ' believe this line will be close enough for removal of trees and for building a house. Within 3 weeks 2 Engineers have refused to locate said line from the cost stand -point. Briefly--Meriam St. should be relocated from Abbott Rd. to Adams St. I consider this a proposition for 1929 because it will require from 10 days to 3 weeks to complete this work. Very truly yours, William S. Scamman Supt. of Public Works. 410, Mr. Jellis also spoke of the fact that 1`1r. Lee was blocking up tre highway with material that he dug out of a cellar. The Board informed him that they would investigate these matters. Mr. Jellis stated that in going about Town he found several dumps and he felt that something should be done to stop people from dumping. He stated that while on Lowell Street he saw a wagon drive up and dump on the side of the street. The Board asked him if he desired to be a Special Police so that he might assist in catching the offenders. He stated that he would be glad to do so if it would not interfere with his work too much. A Special Poltee conmlission"was therefore signed for Mr. Jellis. Dr. Clarence Shannon came before the Board in regard to the Reservoir which is now drained of water. He stated that it occurred to the Swimming Pool Committee that before the swimming Pool is filled that it might be well to expend some money, probably abo,?.t $3o0. in a preventative measure. On one side of the Reservoir for a distance of about 25 or 30 feet the water drops off very quickly and there are large boulders where children could go in and get over their head in a minute without any warning, and he felt that inasmuch as all the rest of the Reservoir gradually slopes off and was fairly safe that this part of the Reservoir should be given attAntion. 11e stated that the water in the Reservoir is too stagnant to be made a swimming pool, but inasmrch as children of the town will swim there anyway, it would be better to spend this money to fill in this section with gravel. He stated that he had no definite figures except his talk with Mr. R. H. Stevens who gave him the figure of approximately $3o0. He stated that he felt that the Aprropriation Committee could transfer this sum of money from the Reserve Fund to the Parr appropriation if the Board felt that it was a proper thing to do. It was decided to request Mr. Scamman to see how much yardage there should be in the filling and get an approximate cost and to lay the matter on the table for one week until such figures are obtained. The Town Engineer, John T. Cosgrove, was present and stated that he could not see any advantage in making up blocks of the block plan in squares, inasmuch as if the records of the Assessors are complete as far as the number of the block was concerned, it would then not be necessary to look at the block plan to see the map desired. The party looking for the matter would simply go to the draw covered by the number on the block. He also drew up on the first map of the block plan the block in' the center of the town and showed that the block would not be complete but would have lines going through buildings and showing only one-half of a street and therefore when the plan is completed, you would, have to have one or two other plans to complete the block. This id unnecessary to his mind inasmuch as it makes more work and it is not any advantage. Ae stated that he preferred the way the towns of Milton, Belmont, Swampscott laid out their block plan. It was found that Mr. Montague was through with his field work in Falmouth and Mr. Cosgrove advised that the sooner he is placed to work here before cold weather, the more work he will accomplish. 1 1 It was therefore decided to have Mr. Montague present a statement in writing to Mr. Cosgrove after agreeing with him as to what part of the Town he desires to have -completed first and get a statement from Mr. Montague in regard to the work so that work on the plan could be started., Mr. Cosgrove reported that he had all of the field work done on Chase Avenue and Summit Road and he would be able to present the descriptions of the streets so that hearing could be ad- vertised before Town Meeting is held. Application was received from Mr. Samuel H. Lewis for a permit to be issued to Mr. Henry A. Ferreira to transport refuse from Boston through the Town of Lexington to Burlington. It was decided to refer the matter to the Supt. of Public Works and present a form of permit to be granted to all parties transferring garbage within the limits,of the Town. Letter was received from Mr. Robert L. Ryder in which he stated the following; Sept. 26, 1928. "This will confirm the proposal which I made to the Board at their meeting last evening concerning the complaint of Mr. Robert Fawcett in your notice issued under date of September 20, 1928 relative to a pile of refuse on the Hannaford farm in Lexington; namely, that we are to have a reasonable extension of time for the removal of this pile of manure sufficient to clear the ad- jacent land of crops so that the manure may be spread on the land and plowed in at the time. It being agreed that this procedure will be for the best interest of all concerned. Trusting that I have stated our understanding clearly, I am Very truly yours, Robert L. Ryder." The Board agreed to acknowledge Mr. Ryder's letter as follows: Oct. 31 1928. "The Board of Selectmen beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of September 26, 1928 with reference to removal of nuisance of manure pile maintained -by you on the "Hannaford Farm," so called, and to say that they expect within a reasonable time that the manure will be removed and plowed into the ground, and also that the maintenance of a manure pile in this vicinity be discontinued in the future. Yours very truly, Albert H. Burnham Chairman, Selectmen" Request was received from the County Commissioners for a state. ment of the amount desired to be spent in the Town of Lexington neat year. The Supt. of Public Works was requested to secure figures on Waltham Street so that statement might be sent to the County. 412 ..a brought n but Rates on the various halls about town wer^ i no action was taken on establishing rates, the subject being laid over for one week. �7 The Supt. of Public works was authorized to plaice an 8" water main in Sunnyfield, the McIntosh Development, on Bernard ' Street. Letter was received from the Town Counsel giving his opinion in regard to the Kilgour sewer assessment. The matter was turned over to the Supt, of Public works to bring in recommendation upon the same. Alcohol License for the Old Belfry Garage on Mass. Avenue was signed by the Board. Legal opinion was received from the Town Counsel on the Board of Survey Act. No actin was taken on the same until such time as the members of. the Board have time to read the opinion. Several letters were received from Elmer A. Lord & Co. in regard to insurance. One letter enclosed a form of letter which should be send to the agent. Another advised the endorsement of boiler in the Cary Memorial Building together with building amounting to $602.08 It was decided to hold this bill up for some time. Another letter advised of the expiration of fire insurance on 1919 Ford Bus. It was found that the School Committee are now using busses of the Middlesex & Boston St. Rwy. Co., but that the still store the 1919 bus which sbould be -insured at rate of 1200.00. It was decided to place this amount on insurance. The other matters relating to insurance Mr. Custance requested be laid over until he returns from a ten day vacation, Inasmuch as the appraisals would then be received from the Ap- praisal Company and the matter could be taken up at the same time. In regard to the petition of the Edisonlectric 111. Co. to remove and set one pole on Percy Road and Kvern Lane it was decided to requ st Mr. Seaman to communicate with 2kr. Smith and find out where . Smith desired to have this pole located, and see if the Edison Electric Ill. Co. could cooperate with him in placing it in the desired location. It was decided to request Mr. Harris Reynolds of the Mass. Forestry Association to meet with the Board to talk over the matttr of town forest on Tuesday evening next at 8 P.M. The Edison Electric Ill. Co. presented a sketch of two signs w'ich might be illuminated and erected in the police entrance. These were submitted to Mr. Greeley for his suggestions. Bid was also received from Edwin D. Lewis giving bit of $925. for parking space. This was also submitted to ' Greeley. Letter was received from Frederick N. Sard stating that Shubert week is to be from Nov. 18 to 25, 1928. No action was taken on the matter. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 P.m. A true record, Attest: ) , Clerk.