HomeMy WebLinkAbout1929-05-14SELECTMENIS MEETING - May 14, 1929,
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen
was held at the, Selectmenls Room, Town Office
Building at 7:30 P.M. Messrs. Burnham, Custance,
Chamberlain, Shannon and Blake were present. The
Supt. -of Public Works and the Clerk were also present.
Mr. Burnham reported that Mr, Worthen called
his attention to the fact that the guides licensed
by the Selectmen to guide parties to historical spots
were charging the parties desirldg this service a
fee which was not reasonable, and he asked that a
provision be incorporated in the license requiring
the maximum charge for each party guided to be 5011..
The Board therefore decided that inasmuch as
complaint had been received of these ections, that
it would be a good thing to incorporate this in the
license of the guides and it was so voted.
The application of William A. Granfield for a
gasoline filling stationg was discussed, It was
decided that inasmuch as Mr. Granfield definitely
violated the provisions of the permit which was
granted to him formerly the Bdard did not feel that
he showed good faith, and therefore voted not to
grant him a permit for two tanks of 1000 gallons each,
In this connection also it was decided to
notify Mr. Granfield to remove his tanks that were
placed in violation of the first permit granted him.
It was also voted to notify the Standard oil Company
to remove these tanks,
In regard to Mr. Granfieldls application for a
Common Victualler's license, it was decided to lay
this license upon the table until such time as he places
himself in good faith with the Board.
It was also voted to request the Building
Inspector to enforce the Building haws and have Mr.
Granfield remove the fruit stand which he has located
within 201 of the highway which is not in accordance
with the Zoning Laws.
Letter was received from Frerleriek J. Spencer
asking f'or`e $400 for use' of his. car. Mr. Spencer
stated that the Town Accountant would not approve
the bill until the Selectmen had given him notifi-
cation as to the amount allowed for the use of his
car.
Mr. Spencer explained that last year he
checked up all of•the land and buildings in the Town
and this was the reason why he was asking for the $200
additional.
Question arose as to whether this amount would be
asked for each year after, inasmuch as it was not.
understood whether it would or would not be asked for
Maximum
charge of
guides.
Granfieldts
application.
Granfieldts
fruit stand.
$400 for
Assessor's car'
184
Barnes
application,
garage.
Tillson
house.
Cerussi
Road.
VianoIs
j Loan.
each year, it was decided to lay the matter on the
table until further information could be obtained,
At 8 P.M, hearing was declared open on the
application of James H. Barnes, 100 Oak Street,
for permission to erect a private garage. Mr. Barnes
was present as rocas also the Building Inspector. The
Building inspector stated that the requirements were
lived up to and satisfactory to him. He would view
the,plan presented. It was voted to grant the permit,
no objection having been received.
Mr. Eugene G. Kraetzer came before the Board to
find out what use could be made of the Tillson
house at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and
Plainfield Street under the Zoning and. Building Laws.
He stated that the party desiring to purchase'the
premises wished to acconmodate tourists, and he
wished to find out if it could be sold for this purpose.
Mr. Kraetzer was requested to put his questions
in writing to the Board and they would look into the
matter.
Mr. Blake reported in regard to his investigation
of the Cerussi Road layout that he got in com-
munication with Mr. Wrightington and was informed
by him that there was a sewer easement in this
proposed street, and there is also an undischarged
mortgage from Mrs. Scott on the land purchased by
Mr. Ryder and this will have to be secured before
the title to the property can be straightened out.
Mrs. Scott is somewhere in Europe. The plan of the
layout has been filed in the Land Court.
Mr. Blake stated also that Eugene J. Viano and
Fred Viano -applied for a loan to the Trust Company
and the Trust Company made them a proposition of a
loan of $8000.
The question has now been raised as to whether
they have established a valuation for the land for
the Vianos whereas the Town''.has been assessing
this property for $500. Mr. Blake stated that the
matter will probably be penning for some time before
It is straightened out.
Letter was received from Mr. Wrightington in .
Cottage which he stated that he made appearance for the Town
`arm against the Cottage Farm Bridge assessment at the
Bridge. 'hearings which have been held this week before a
special commission for that purpose.
Letter rocas also received. From the Town Counsel
in which he stated that Attorney OtConnor for the
Lawrence Ella Louise Lawrence Estate has named a price of
f Estate $00 for which he will settle the damages on the land
taken on Waltham Street. Decree was made July 13; 1926
and the County Commissioners awarded him $70, for
14,800 square feet of land.
"x7
1
After discussing the matter, the Board decided
to authorize the Town Counsel to settle for an
'
amount not exceeding $100.
Letter was received from the Town Counsel in
Bean case.
which he enclosed copy of the decision of Judge
Hammond in the case of Lexington versus Bean at al.
The Board discussed the matter and decided to
instruct the Town Counsel to enter an appeal from
the decision of Judge Hammond.
After reading an opinion of the Town Counsel in
r6a rd -'to the application of Mrs, Mary A. Rowland to
obtain a permit for a gasoline station in addition to
Gasoline
her store on her premises at Lowell Street, and
application,
letter of the Planning Board in regard to same, the
M..A. Rowland.
Selectmen decided to inform Mrs. Rowland, that after
taking the matter up with these parties, they decided
that it would•not be wise to grant a permit for.the
gasoline station.
The Supt. of Public `forks was authorized to move
the flood light which lights the statue of Capt.
Parker at Hayes Fountain,across the street on an
Flood light,
iron pole now in possession of the Town. This
becomes necessary in connection with the widening of
Massachusetts Avenue at the Buckman Tavern property.
I
'
In'aecordance with the recommendations of the
Committee on review of the present Zoning Laws, a
Board of
Board of Appeals of the following members was ap.
Appeals.
pointed by the Selectmen. Theodore A. Custance.,
member of the Board of, Selectmen, G. E. Glynn,
member of the Planning Board, Roland W, Baldrey,
Curlys L. Slocum and Arthurr N. Maddison.
The application
of Rubin & Seligman for per.
Rubin &
mission to erect a concrete and brick service
Seligman
station with a 1000 gallon underground tank for
service
gasoline at the roar of 1709-1713 Massachusetts
station.
Avenue in accordance with plan on file at the
Selectmen's Office, April 17, 1929 was considered
again: The Board finally voted to grant a permit
to Rubin & Seligman.
The following licenses were signed:
Hairdressing license.
Hazel Brown 1711 bass. Avenue
Alcohol License.
Licenses
'
Dominick F. Ross 3 Depot Square
1
iRevenue Loan
Member chosen
to serve on
Comm. Fire
Dept. site.
Letter was received from the Town Accountant
in which he advised the Board that it was necessary
to secure a Revenue Loan of $175,000 to be dated
May 24, 1929 and. _payable December 31,, 1929 at the
Atlsntie National Bank of Boston.
The Board voted to authorize the Treasurer to
borrow this amount of money in accordance with the
terms set forth by the Accountant
In accordance with vote of the Town, the
following member of the Appropriation Committee was
appointed to serve upon the Committee to choose a
site for Fire Department Headquarters, Mr. John H.
Devine.
Gammell In accordance with the terms of the Gammell
.Legacy Fund. Legacy, the following were appointed to serve with
the Department of Public Welfare as Trustees of the
Gammell Legacy Fund: Mrs. Henry C. Davis, and Mrs.
Helen C. Whittemore,
Framing Rep. -Letter was received from Representative George
Town Gov. Act.E. Briggs stating that he desired to pay for the
framing Df a copy of the Act establishing Representative
Form of Town Government.
Dearing's In connection the the hearing recently held
suggestions on the layout of streets from Lowell Street to
on layout of Bedford Street, letter was received from Basil R.
streets. Deering in which he set forth some suggestions
for the layout of streets.
The suggestions were handed over to the Town
Engineer.
Rubin &
Seligman
deed land to
Town,
Mr. Blake reported a conference with Rubin &
Seligman on the•9th day of May, and he stated that
they finally agreed to deed to the Town a strip of
land at the froitt of their property for the sum of
+1000 so that the Town could set back the curbing
and repair the sidewalk to have the curbing set
back to the new line of the street.
Report was received from the Health Inspector,''
Russell I. Prentiss, in regard to keeping of pigs •
-
a.s follows:
May 14, 1929.
I beg to submit the following report:
Ryders Stock'Farm Inc., Maple Street
The violations at the Maple Street piggery have
not been corrected so far, although Mr. Ryder said
that they would fix up things immediately. The permit
should still be withheld. Inspection made May 15, 1929*
1
1
1
Swenson Brothers, Allen Street.
This piggery is in good condition. The pigs
'
are all kept Iii the old barn on Allen Street. The
building has been whitewashed and practically no
garbage is fed the pigs, The feed consists of
waste flour, bread and skimmed milk.- There is no
compost heap on the premises. I recommend that
permit be granted to Swenson Brothers. Inspection
made'May 13, 1929.
C. A. Fogg, Woburn Street.
Mr. Fogg has been operating a year without a
permit. There are several conditions that I have
called his attention to -and he has made no changes,
The garbage isin an open iron box but
.stored
is not covered. There are two compost heaps on the
_
place which are not covered, one of them at the rear
of one of the buildings is very objectionable.
The platform •and the yard is dirty.and the land
around it is covered with refuse, waste and muck.
This piggery is within sight of the main highway.
I recommend that a hearing be given to Mr. Fogg
to show cause why an :order of prohibition should
not be issued. Inspection made May,.1929.
'
Frank Canisius, Ward Street.
Mr. Canisius has been operating his piggery
without a permit for over a year. The premises
are very ditty and there is a pile of garbage in the
yard which the hens, dogs and ducks are feeding on.
Two small piles of waste material from the pig house
which was partially covered but not satisfactory
exists. The inside of the building is dirty and
has never been whitewashed and he has At the present
time about.25 pigs. I recommend that Mr. Canisius
be given a hearing to show cause why an order of
prohibition should not be issued. Inspection
made May 14, 1929,
Russell I. Prentiss
Health Inspector.
It was voted to withhold the application of
Ryders Stock Farm Inc. to keep pigs on Maple Street.
Ryders Stock
It was voted to grant Swenson Brothers on Allen
Farm Inc.
Street a permit to keep pigs.
It was voted that Chester A. Fogg and Frank
Canisius be given a hearing on Tuesday evening.
Chester Fogg &
next to show reasons why they should not comply
with the regulations of the Board of Health in
Frank Canisius,
regard to keeping pigs.
The Supt. of Public Works agreed to have
frontage estimates of the cost of construction
11M
Estimates
of streets made on various streets for which
Construction
application has been made, ready for the Board
of streets.
so that, a hearing may be held on these streets
in approximately two weeks; The tentative date
of the hearing was set as of May 29, 1929;
Invitation was received from Rear Admiral
Old Ironsides
Philip Andrews, Chairman of the National "Save Old
ceremony.
Ironsides" Committee inviting the Chairman to attend
the ceremonies of the arrival of the Masts and
Spars of the U. S. Frigate Constitution, and it was
referred.to the Chairman to reply to this invitation.
Inasmuch as no additional proposals have -been.
Proposals for
received outside of the proposals of the Seagrave`
pumper.
Company and the American LaFrance Company for a dumper,
the Board took no action on the matter.
Transfer for
It was voted to transfer from the Sewer
$20,000.
Assessment Account to Sewer Construction Account
the sum of $100000.
Mr. Custance read a letter from the Planning
Board in regard to the swimming pool. Mr. Emery
stated that he desired to obtain the cooperation
and advice of Mr. Shurtleff before proceeding on
the construction of the swimming pool and Mr.
Swimming Pool
Custance wanted to get the point of view of the Board
in regard to Mr. Srurtleff inasmuch as Mr. Shurtleff
had never been employed by the Town. He had, however,
secured money from the Field & Garden Club for his
advice theke being various matters which did not
seem to be clear in the minds of the Planning Board,
it, was decided, therefore, to have a meeting
with the Planning Board to go over these matters,
and if Pyr. Emery desired to secure information -
iom Mr. Shurtleff, the Board felt that he did so
on h -Is own initiative.
It was voted to appoint Henry Raymond as
Special Police.Special
Police of the Town, inasmuch as he has an
opportunity to see that the school boys do not
destroy Town property on Belfry Hill.
Mr. Blake reported the placing of rocks on
Belfry Hill and the planting of barberry on the line
Barberry, of the Town property near Miss Harrington's property
Belfry Hill. so that the children could not climb upon the racks
and destroy property,
Mr. Custance brought up the matter of
automatic traffic signals and presented plan of
layout of lights on the corner of Waltham Street,
Elm Avenue, and Clarke Street on Massachusetts
Avenue. He felt that perhaps an appropriation might
Nj
C�
be obtained at the Town Meeting to install some
automatic traffic lights so that they might be
installed before Massachusetts Avenue is constructed.
The Supt. of Public Works was instructed to get
further information in regard to the contraction,
maintenance and cost of traffic signals.
Mr. Blake reported having received letter from
Mr. Spencer of the firm of Johnson, Clapp, Ives &
Kinght, in connection with the deal of the Town with
A. A. Marshall. Mr. Blake informed the Board that
Mr. Marshall informed both he and Mr. Brown that he
had a release of rights over the land of Mr. Denham.
Now Mr. Denham states that the release that he
receiveO was obtained falsely and he also states that
Mr. Marshall did not take his deposition of his
signature, and he denies that he releases his rights.
Mr. Denham now asks $1000 for his release of rights
and wants a right of way out to Muzzey Street from h.ts A. A. Marshall
own land or he will release all rights and sell
his property for $6000 so that this will tie the
matter up to some extent, and it may be possible
that no action can be entered into by the Town for
some time.
It appears, however, that the vote of the Town
passed did not call for only a, specific amount
of land and the plan made by the Town Engineer does
' not agree with the description passed under vote
of the Town, therefore this matter will have to
againibe, placed before the Town at the Town meeting.
The clerk was requested to bring before the
Board on Tuesday evening next, plan of.proposed Plan, Vine Brook
road from Vine Brook Road. on Waltham Street to Road..
Muzzey Street.
The Supt. of Public Works was requested to have
a layout of a water main on Massachusetts Avenue from
its present end to Wood Street and estimate of the
cost of laying the main. He was also requested to
study the proposition of connecting this main up
with the stand pipe and go into the proposition of
negotiating with Mapy J. & Helen A. McCaffrey.
It was voted to place curbing along the.Library
property on Clarke Street.
The weekly report of the Supt: of Public Works:
is as follows:
For week ending May 11, 1929
Highways,
Surface patches were made on Wood Street,
Audubon Road, Lincoln Street, Adams Street, Concord
-Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue.
Water Mains.
Curbing along
Library,
190
q
Gravel was spread and leveled. Asphaltic oil
applied and surface rolled on Cedar Street.
Tar applications made on the surfaces of the
follovring streets: Somerset Road, Franklin Road, '
Edgewood Road, and Chandler Street.
Moth and Shade Tree Department.
Department was occupied with the removal of
trees, clearing out underbrush and cleaning the
grounds, of Belfry Hill.
Next week the department will prepare the equip=
ment for.the work of spraying the public trees with
arsenic of lead.
Park Department.
Regular maintenance work carried on and will
occupy the dept. next week.
Water Maintenance.
Laid 201 of pipe across Massachusetts Avenue to
connect the 8" main with the 12" main. Installed water
service for Remick on Spring Street; and renewal for
Glass on Parker Street. Two men were tkeing in shut.
offs. Laid 501 of 10" pipe for drain on Massachusetts
Avenue near Converse Hillis house.
,
Sewer Maintenance.
Five men have been flushing sewers. Installed
sewer service for Crone on Lincoln Street; installed
service for Lyons on Massachusetts Avenue.
Sewer Construction.
Carload of 8" pipe received and -uploaded. We have
been working on Waltham Street laying pipe under the
culvert.
Regular routine work is planned for the week ending
May 25, 1929.
Engineering Department,
Highways.
Grades for curb on Massachusetts Avenue between
Wallis Place and Waltham Street.
Line and grade for Buckman Tavern curb.
Sewer.
Grades for Wsltlaam Street sewer crossing Vine Brook.
Miscellaneous.
'
'.Togo of reservoir property for School Committee.
i
Study of Granfield Plan at corner of Spring Street,and
Marrett Road.
Attended Planning Board meeting May 10th.
Very truly -yours.,
William S. Scamynan
Supt. of Public Works,
The meeting adjourned at 11:50 F.M.
A true record, Attest. -
Clerk.
11
CSI