HomeMy WebLinkAbout1929-05-28SELECTMENIS MEETING MAY 285 1929.
' The regular meeting of the'Selectmen was held
at the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, May
28, 1929 at 7:30 P.M.. Messrs. Burnham, Custance,
Blake and Shannon were present. The Supt. of Public
Works and the Clerk were also present.
Cdr. Frank Canisius came before the Board in
response to the request of the Board to come before
them at their meeting May 28.
Mr. Canisius explained that it rained so hard
last week and he did not have any car that he did
not come down.
The report of the Health Inspector on the
inspection of his premises was read to him.
Mr. Canisius explained that he was informed
that the town did not grant any more permits to
keep pigs. He stated also that there.was no manure
on the premises and that Mr. 'White had brought him
a couple of loads of loam to put over the manure.
He stated that Mr. Prentiss asked him to cover the
pile a little better, and that is all he asked him
to do. He asked why he did not tell him what he
wanted. done.
Mr. Custance informed Mr. Canisius that he was
' before the Board to show cause why an order of
prohibition should not be served upon him for
keeping pigs.
Mr. Canisius stated that some of his neighbors
L°Tould like to see him moved from the location, but
some of these neighbors keep pigs themselves. He
now has about twenty or thirty pigs. He stated that
he colledts swill on Somerset Road and Upland Road
on Meriam Hill, and that they wanted him to do the
collecting in this section rather than have the
Town do it. He also collects from places on Bedford
Street. He stated that they have pigs all around
him and he did not feel that he could be objectionable
in the neighborhood, inasmuch as most of the people
do 'keep --them.
Cdr. Custance asked the question how long he
wanted to keep pigs, and he stated that he wanted
to keep them just as long as he had to do the collect-
ing or until such time as the town takes the collection.
of these places over,
Mr. Custance informed him that he had received
complaints that he did not collect from some of the
places on Vaille Avenue. Mr. Canisius stated that
some of these houses that desire him to collect the
' swill two or three times a week which he is unable•
to do, do not have enough swill to warrant his
making so many collections.
Mr. Canisius stated -that be could not haul the
manure on his premises out of his bgrn where his pigs
are kept every day as it would be impossible to do it.
Cantaius
hearing.
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Recommendstion was also received of granting a
tion of milk
license to John A. Sellars of Concord Avenue for
license,
establishment of a pasteurization of milk plant.
L S� s �c e.re was
no'� He
c
e
y p aca s d
'
milk license to John A. Sellars.
asked him to cover the compost p6le a little better.
At'8 P.M. Eugene J. Viano came before the Board
He stated that all of his neighbors kept pigs;
,
when asked how many kept pigs. He stated that he did
given telative to his request for the removal of
not feel that he was as much a muisanee in keeping
three trees in front of the Colonial Garage inasmuch
pigs as some of the neighbors were in making moonshine,
as a granolithic sidewalk is to be constructed at
and he did not feel that he should be driven out
that location. He felt that the trees should be removed
because of these neighbors whom he felt were ob.
before the sidwalk'is put in.
jectionable,
The Board previously had considered taking
The Board decided to ley the matter of aetibn
these trees down, and had posted them for that
against lir. Canisius on the table until such time
purpose.
as Mr. Prentiss gives further report on the matter.
The hearing was held, and several women in the
Report was received from Russell I. Prentiss in
regard to the application of Robert Cady for per-
mission to keep four pigs on Greenwood Street.
Mr. Prentiss reported that Mr. Cady had disposed
Robert Cady of all his pigs except these f our,,and does not
Application. intend to keep any more after these are sold, and
recommended that the permit be granted.
The Board voted to grant a permit to Robert Cady
to keep four pigs.
Pasteuriza-
Recommendstion was also received of granting a
tion of milk
license to John A. Sellars of Concord Avenue for
license,
establishment of a pasteurization of milk plant.
J. A. Sellars:
The Board voted to grant a pasteurization of
'
milk license to John A. Sellars.
At'8 P.M. Eugene J. Viano came before the Board
with the request that further consideration be
given telative to his request for the removal of
three trees in front of the Colonial Garage inasmuch
as a granolithic sidewalk is to be constructed at
that location. He felt that the trees should be removed
before the sidwalk'is put in.
The Board previously had considered taking
these trees down, and had posted them for that
purpose.
The hearing was held, and several women in the
Town objected inasmuch as they considered that one
'Trees,
of the trees next to the Leavitt property, was a rare
E. J. Viano.
specimen of maple, man3e1Y-,s: Si1vear�fnaple,
Mr. Blake fouxd that upon investigation, the
tree was only a swamp maple, and therefore not as.
valuable: as though for at the time of the hearing.
Inasmuch as the sidewalk is now to be constructed
there, the Board voted to remove the three trees
in front of the Viano property.
Three members of the Committee on Forestry,
namely Edward H. Sargent, Chairman, Mrs. Helen Noyes '
Webster, and Allen Chamberlain, came before the Board
and informed them of the study that they have made in
regard to obtaining a forest park reservation.
They ,placed before the Board a plan showing the
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location of 260 acres of land which, at the present
time;, might be available to secure as a Town forest
park. The tract of land consists of the Simonds
'
property, and at the present time it is in the hands
of three real estate men and that it might be laid out
at any time for disposal. They felt that the
opportunity for taking this property was now ideal
before any complications might arise in the sale of
the property to real estate developers.
They explained that the hemlocks on this
property were perfectly beautiful and that in a few
years to come the opportunity may not be available
for dscuring a tract of land of this kind; that the
adjoining towns have lost their opportunity to secure
a park of this kind and they felt that it was far-
sightedness to make arrangements to purchase this
land and preserve it. The generation in the future
would extremely appreciate what has been done for them.
There is a spring on the premises and a small
pond and there is plenty of opportunity for develop-
ment, and they felt that the land should not require
a great deal of expense for development, inasmuch
as the,park should be left in its original condition
with perhaps a few drives through it.
Airs. Webster felt that as California is noted for
its redwoods and Waverley for its Oaks, Lexington
would then be noted for its hemlocks.
The Committee presented -letters from bar. Trightington,
'
Mr. Greeley and. Sheldon A. Robinson of the Committee
who were unable to be present at this meeting, explain-
ing their views on this project. A written report of
the Committee was placed before the Board. Mr.
Chamberlain explained that he felt that the Town
should-retition the Legislature to secure an enabling
act so that this project could be carried out.
It appears that approximately 22 acres of this Town
land is in Burlington, and it might be nossible that forest
that strip.of land could be purchased also. Mr, park.
Custance brought up the point of possibly straingbten-
Ing out the line of Lexington and Burlington and
establishing a new boundary.
Mr. Blake agreed to purchase the land in
Burlington and hold it until.such time as arrangements
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could be made by the Town to take it over. Mr. Blake
also agreed to communicate with Mr. Edwin B. Worthen,
who is guardian for Franklin P. Simonds, to see if he
could secure an option on the property, and the Board
advised the Committee that they felt that if this
could be done, it would be better to have the details
worked out and present the proposition to the Town at
a Town Meeting in the fall rather than try to get it
ready for the Town Meeting in. June.
The Committee expressed their appreciation for
the cooperation of the Selectmen on their project.
Application for a license to have a hairdressing
and manicuring parlor was granted to,Mrs. M. M. Heath License:.
to do business at 1787 Mass. Avenue.
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Special Police license was granted to Michael
Hotz, Special
Hotz of Lowell Street so that he could protect the
Police
property of WLEX. There have apparently been
attempts at breaking and entering at the WLEX station
and therefore the request for appointment for this m.in
,
who is employed: by WLEX.
The weekly report of the Supt. of Public Works
is as follows:
For the week ending May 25, 1929.
Highway Department.
Pelham Road, Eliot Road, Washington Street, Eustis St..
and Percy Road were dressed and tar and sand. applied,
Surface patches were applied to the following streets:
Eliot, Percy Roads, Meriam, Lincoln, Bow, Brant,
Spring and Middle StreAts and Concord Avenue.
Crushed stone dust placed on sidewalks on
&Mass. Avenue, Clarke Street, Bedford Street& Surface
of trench in Massachusetts Avenue was replaced.
Catch basins cleaned and other maintenance work
Report of accomplished.
Supt. of Next week the department will be occupied with
Public Worksthe dressing of the streets,surfaces and other
regular maintenance work.
Moth'and Shade Tree Depts. '
The spraying equipment has been made ready. Nests
of the tent caterpillar have been treated on Massa
chusetts Avenue, School Street, Lowell Street, and
North Street.
Next week the department will spray the Town
tress.
Park Department.
Regular maintenance work carried on by this de-
partment and will occupy the time Sg the department
next week.
Water Maintenance.
'Mater services have been inst9lled as follows:
Rice, Cary Avenue Robbins & Smith, Smith Ave., re-
newal for Luongo, Mass. Avenue, renewal for
Piccariello on Shirley Street; started service for
Partridge on Marrett Road,
Eater Construction. '
Laid. 2 lengths of 8" pipe across Massachusetts
Avenue to connect the 12" main in Massachusetts'Avenue
with the main in Muzzey Street. A carload of 12"`
sewer pipe was unloaded for the Park Dept.
Sewer Maintenance.
The following services have been installed,-
' Luongo, Massachusetts Avenue; Whalen, Massachusetts
Avenue; McNamara, Curve Street, started se"ice for
Robbins & Smith, Smith Avenue.
Sewer Construction.
We have laid.24" corrugated iron pipe across
the -Park Road. One manhole has been built in
Waltham Street.
Regular routine work is planned for the week
ending June 8, 1929.
Engineering Department.
Highways.
Massachusetts Avenue curb grades between Wallis
Place and Waltham Street. Grades for brick wall on,
Bertwell Road.
Sewer.
Grades for stubs in Waltham Street sewer.
Miscellaneous.
' Stakes on proposed swimming pool location.
Completed 2 ft. contour plan of Reservoir
property for School Committee.
Completed checking one half of district des-
criptions in new Zoning Law.
-Line and grade and stakes for playground drain.
Very truly yours,
William S. Scamman.
Supt. of Public ;forks.
The Supt. of Public works was instructed to
remove three trees on Clarke Street which were
condemned by the Board as unsafe to be on the
highway.
Mr. & Mrs. Tilliam A. Granfield came before
the Board and presented three blue prints with
different locations of tanks in front of their
property on the corner of Spring and Middle Streets.
Mrs. Grgnf ield stated that she was before the
Board to explain that when they first received their
' per&it, the Standard oil man told them that the only
location for the pumps would be out nearer the street
and informed them that the matter would be alright
inasmuch as he knew the Selectmen would agree to it.
They, therefore, let him place the tanks where they
Trees ,
Clarke Street
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Granfield
hearing.
Fire
pumper.
are loc-ted at the present time.
The Standard Oil Company also felt that they
should not remove the tanks even though they had
notice to do so, inasmuch -is they felt that the,.
Selectmen would grant a'location there.
Mrs. Granfield explained that she was a teacher
in Arlington and she would retire in a couple of
years; she hoped to be able to have something by
which Mr. Granfield could earn a living in addition
to her pension, and she felt that these pumps would
give that extra assistance.
She stated that Mr. Granfield had been running
a market in Arlington and that he had run into
debt and she had paid his debts.
The Board discussed the matter of whether or
not a heading should be granted on the last application
of Mr. Granfield or whether they would reverse the,
decision on the other application. It was decided,
however, that they would grant a new hearing on the
last application.
Proposals -were received from the Ahrens -Fox
Fire Engine Company for a firs pufper.
It was decided that the Supt. of Public works
should get together with the Engineers of the Fire
Department and talk with the three Companies, the
American LaFrance, and Seagrave and. the Ahrens -
Fox Companies in regard to proposals and submit to
the Selectmen definite propositions.
In regard to the swimming pool, it was definitely
decided at the meeting on Friday, May 24, 1929 that
Swimming the location of the swimming pool be unchanged from
Pool. the original location designated by the Committee.
Mr. Custance reported that progress would be
made on the digging of the drain in the playground
very soon. it was decided in connection with the
swimming pool matters that a Committee of three
members of the Board carry out the swimming pool
construction. Dr. Clarence .Shannon, having been
a member of the Committee, Hallie C..Blake being
in charge of the parks and Theodore A. Custance to
whom the construction work was handed., were des
ignated as the members to carry out the conktrueti-on
of the pool'.
It was reported that Mrs. Franklin R. Kimball,
2117 Mass. Avenue was negotiating with Mr. Henry
Kitson, sculptor, to grant 1im a deed of some of her
property upon which is to be located the 'Minute -Man
Memorial Statue. Mr...Edward C. Stone is Chairman of
Minute Man the Committee to confer with the Minute -Man Memorial'
Memorial. Committee and he notified the Board in regard to _Wy
action which might be taken upon this matter in him.
absence. It was deol-ded to inform him of the rumor of
progress that is being made -on this matter.
1
j
The Board signed contract with Simpson Bros.,
Corporation for construction of sidwalks in the Town...
Sidewalk
'
in gceordanee with their bid submitteM previously.
Construction
Mr. Albert H. Burnham reAorted that he had
consulted with Mrs. M. W. Glass in regard to deeding
to the Town a strip,of land so that a suitable en-
trance might be made to the Parker playground. He
stated that she would deed 10,650s uare feet of land
at the rate of 10� per fdot plus increase above the Glass
valuation or at the rate of 12 -le per foot, making
property.
$1331.25 for the total sum.
Thie Board felt that this was a very reasonable
proposition and -decided to insert an article in the
Town Warrant asking for authority to enter into
negotiations with Mrs,. Glass in regard to purchasing
this hand.
Mr. Burnham reported that he and Mr. Custance
attended' -the hearing on Waltham Street before the
Waltham St.,
County Commissioners. There was strenuous objections
County Com -
from Mr. George Gibson in regard to widening of
missioners.
street in front of his property. It was decided
that some of the curve in the street should be
modified along the Ryder property and the street
be not widened in fronVof the Gibson house at this
time.
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'the following commitments were signed by the
Board..
Water Commitment $4'733.16
.. Sewer Commitment 207.52
The Board voted to authotise the Town Counsel to
make an offer of $200, to settle the case of the
Settle
Estate`of Ella'Louise Lawrence for land damages on
Lawrence case.
Waltham Street.
It was agreed to include Mr. Scott of the.
Scott Tea Co. In the agreement of the Stuart
Stuart-
Marshall'iRealty Co. inasmuch as he requested
Marshall
that this be done, and the Town Counsel has no
Realty* Co.
objection to this being done.
The meeting adjourned at 11:25 P.M.
A -true record, Attest:
Clerk.
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