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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1929-07-30 306 SELECTMEN 'S MEETING - JULY 30, 1929. 45 The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, July 30, 1929at 7:30 P.M. Messrs. Burnham, Custance, Blake and Shannon were present. The Supt. of Public Works and the Clerk were also present. Mr. Frederick J. Spencer of East Street, came before the Board and explained that he had been without water for some time inasmuch as his well had run dry. This is an occurrance which happens nearly every year and Mr. Spencer desired to obtain same relief from the situation. He asked if a temporary 2" main could be laid upon the ground so that six families in the vicinity could be furnished with water, and Mr. Custance stated that he looked up the cost and found Water Main, that it would be about $450. to install 2000 ' of 2" East Street. pipe. He fired the cost to the families supplied to be about $100. He therefore offered a motion that 2000' of pipe be laid to serve the six families, and that Mr. Spencer be responsible for collecting the sum of $100 as a deposit for the cost to the families for laying this pipe. In the Fall the pipe could be removed and the stock returned to the Department. It was decided also to install meters to each individual family for which they would have to pay. At 8 P.M. hearing was declared open upon the O'Connor & application of O'Connor & Quinn for permission to Quinn garage . erect a two car garage on Highland Avenue in con- junction with the new house that is beinebuilt by them. No persons appeared to object, and it was voted to grant the permit. The Board signed the contract for the construction Waltham St. of Waltham Street, from Marrett Road to Massachusetts contract. Avenue, the contract having been awarded by the State to John A. Gaffey & Son of Medford. Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works Sidewalk Acc 'T. in which he advised that there was no further money in the account for construction of sidewalks and advised that any further applications be held over until next year. Commitment of sidewalk charges in the amount of Commitments. $1396.56 the same being one-half the cost to the abuttors for construction of granolithic sidewalks was signed by the Board. )Q s Commitment in the amount of $4179.69 was signed for water charges in the 3rd section of the Town. Commitment for $208.12 for sewer rental charges for the 3rd section of the Town was also signed. Abatement in the Water Department in the amount of $316.21 was signed and in the Sewer Department in the Abatements amount of $54.45. In 1926 letter was written to Richard P. Elliott relative to the triangle near the junction of State Road and Lincoln Street at Five Forks . Mr. Ballard it was understood, communicated with Mr. Elliott on Triangle, this matter but no definite action was arrived at . State Rd. & Mr. Blake agreed to see Mr. Elliott about this land Lincoln 3t4. as to whether or not he would be willing to have it used as a park or have it put into the Highway. It appears that under the present Zoning law, this triangle is in the business district, and inasmuch as it is not sufficiently large to place any building upon, it would be an obstruction in the highway at a rather dangerous corner. Letter was received from the London Guarantee and Accident Company stating that they would not Dr. Blakely. pay the bill for the Anti-rabic treatment given to Dr. Chester L. Blakely, inasmuch as he was an appointed officer of the Town and did not come within the juris- diction of the Workmen's Compensation Act. Mr. Custance reported that the Lexington Rotary Rotary Club Club wanted to place a sign on the triangle in front Sign. of the Masonic Temple. The application for the sign has not been as yet received, but it was the opinion of the Board that it would not be objectionable, and voted to authorize the granting of the permit when the application arrives. Application was received from Edward I. Berman E.I. Berman for a peddler's license. This being a renewal, the license. Board voted to approve the application. Letter was received from the Town Counsel relative to advertising signs and enclosing a form Overhanging of regulation to be adopted by the Board. Sign Reg. It was decided to have a copy of the letter and regulations sent to the various members of the Board. Letter was also received from the Town Counsel in regard to the collection of the assessment on Assessment Highland. Avenue. He stated that he felt that it Highland Ave.. was too late to render a bill to Mr. Hilliard, and that the Collector should collect the amount from Mr. Black as best he could inasmuch as he did not believe, as long as the order was not filed in East Cambridge, the Town could carry on litigation in the matter. Jo UO 6L It was reported by the Tax Collector that todmi Mr. Black had paid all of his taxes so that this account is now complete. Letter was also received from the Town Counsel regarding the status of the StuarteMarshall Realty Co. agreement. It appears that the Attorney for the Stuart-Marshall Realty Co. feels that the Town should, by act of the Legislature, repeal the tenement house Act so that they could put up Stuart-Marshall the type of building they desire. Realty Co. Mr. S. R. Wrightington cautioned the Board against doing this inasmuch as it would give an opportunity for other parties to build a tenement house in the meantime and it might be undesirable for the Town. The Board generally felt that not a great deal of progress has been_.:made on this proposition and it might be possible thatthe Stuart-Marshall Realty Co. was holding off with the idea of selling to some other party, inasmuch as the demand for stores in the Town has been filled, they may not be inclined to construct the building. The matter was left with Mr. Custance to take up with Mr. Wrightington. The Town Counsel wrote a letter in regard to the School House Lot on Marrett Road in connection with the Board of Survey layout of Robert L. Innis & Dougall McLennan, of the entire property surrounding the School House Lot , so-called. Mr. Wrightington stated that he found this lot has been sold to School House William H. Gafford September 4, 1902. The Assessor's Lot . records do not have it assessed to anyone, although the Town counsel states that the Town had been assessing the lots and sold them for taxes. He could not see any reason, however, for objecting to the layout of the Street dry this property by the Board of Survey. Letter was received from the Town Accountant in Temporary loan which he stated that it was necessary for the Board to authorize the borrowing of a temporary loan in the amount of $150,000 notes to be dated August 8, 1929 and payable April 8, 1930 at the Atlantic National Bank of Boston. The Board voted to authorize the issue of this loan. State Aid State Aid pay roll for the month of July was signed payroll . by the Board. Mr. Custance reported that he had an interview with Purchase of Mr. H. H. Hanson, President, W& R. St; Ry. Vompatay B & M ..Co. relative to purchase of land of the M. & B. St. Ry R. Co. land, Bedford on Bedford Street for the Public Works Department. St. He stated that Mr. Hanson informed him that the price 309 for the land was $35,000 and that it was not a proposition that any trading could be done upon. There are approximately 12 acres of land, and he felt that it was advisable to include the right of way for an entrance to the proposed layout of the Street, being an extension of East Street to Bedford Street. A letter was directed to the M. & B. St. By4 Co. In Whidh'*as stated that the Board would be ready to present the proposition of purchasing this property from them at an early Town Meeting if the Directors of the Company would consider accepting the same. The Supt. of Public Works was instructed to check up the amounts of money paid out by the Town for rental of places for storage of equipment and rental for storage of automobiles and all other items of expense caused by not having a location for the equipment of the Town Departments. Letter was received from Mr. Robert L. Ryder in which he enclosed a deed to the Town of Lexington of Deed, land land at the corner of North and Lowell Streets, in Lowell & accordance with his agreement sometime ago; also North Sts . enclosing partial release from Antonio Merdadante of land at this corner. Letter was received from the Supt'. of Public Works in regard to the water pressure in the Town. He stated that he felt we should not wait far the development of the Star Realty Company and should start constructing a 16" water main in Massachusetts Avenue, and place a larger main in Charles Street, Taft Avenue, Tarbell Avenue to Tucker Avenue, and then to the junction of Massachusetts Avenue, Pleasant Street and Follen Road. Construction He called attention to the fact that they were of water mains about to start constructing a sewer in Charles Street from near Cherry Street to Taft Avenue and the water main could be laid in the same trench as the sewer for that distance. He stated that the 10" main in Massachusetts Avenue between the E. Lexington station and the Arlington line must be badly clogged up with rust and scales, reducing its capacity; that the pressure should he 85 lbs. , and that we are not getting over 80 lbs. at any time, and that in the early morning hours. Mr. Ross reported that Mr. Prescott of Oakmount Circle has complained on several occasions about being without water and at 4:20 today he called on the telephone stating that he could not get any water. Mr. Custance felt that before doing this construction work, the proposition needed more study. He also stated that Mr. Sherman of Metcalf & Eddy, when talking with him, thought that the main could be brought out across to Pleasant Street to come out at about Watertown Street. He also communicated with the County and they 310IND are intending to apply to the Town of Lexington for water for their hospital, and it might be possible that they would come in on this proposition. The Town Engineer was requested to study the layout of a sewer across this territory and to present a plan to the Board onTuesday evening next. Letter was received from Mr. Arthur H. Earle of Wood Street in which he stated that on July 17, 1929 in crossing the hole in the road Damage to in front of the Catholic Church, the left front Mr. Earle's end of his car snapped, and at the top of Concord car. Hill it dropped into a ledge and the left front wheel came off, due to the breaking of the spindle bracket in two places. The first break, he believed was caused by the hole in the road, and the weight of the car coming on that end, caused the breaking of the spindle. He stated that this has not been the first time that he has been put to inconvenience because of the condition of the road, and he felt that the Town should be responsible for the damages and enclosed a bill of $90.70 from the Colonial Garage for fixing his car and $52.03 foriental of a car while his own was being fixed. The Board voted to lay the matter on the table for one week. In the meantime the hole would be investigated. Petition was received from the E. E. I. Co. Poles, and the N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co. to set and remove Follen Road. three poles on Follen Road, this being a new location for the existing poles . It was voted to grant the petition. The Board acknowledged receipt of the deed from Mr. Ryder with thanks , stating that they would R. L. Ryder have an Article inserted in the Warrant for the re. deeds. acceptance of this deed at the next Town Meeting, also thanking him for his efforts in trying to secure a deed from Mr. Mercadante, and requested that he cnntinue his efforts to obtain the deed from him. There having beensome question on the status of Locust Avenue, votes were presented showing that Locust Ave . the Town accepted Locust Avenue in March, 1920. The Supt. of Public Works was therefore requested to do some work on this street. Bid was received by the Supt. of Public Works for the fence around the Belfry from the Security Fence Col, the bid being $ 297.00, and also for Fences . the pumper fence along Hastings Park as of 93ft per linear foot. The Board considered securing a bid on all fence work to be done from one Company, namely the tennis 311 courts and the pumper fence around the Belfry, to see whether or not a lower bid could be obtained. Mr. Custance agreed to look into the matter and report to the Board next week. Mr. Custance informed the Board that he obtained a figure of *400. for the building of a culvert under the Bow Street R.R. crossing. This culvert would Culvert, be built of stone and concrete slabs over the top. Bow Street. Inasmuch as this work has been contemplated for some time and the residents in the vicinity have been promised that the work would be done, the Board authorized the expenditure of not more than *432. for this work. Mr. Custance reported also that the weather is ideal for completing the work on Clematis Brook, inasmuch as the brook will now be dry and if the Board had no objections, he would proceed to carry out the work authorized last spring a part of which he has already done. The weekly report o the Supt. of Public Works is as follows : For the week ending July 27, 1929. Highway Department. The department continued the reconstruction of Supt ' of Massachusetts Avenue a half section between Meriam Public Works Street and the South entrance to the Railroad station Report. being completed. Surface patches were made in Woburn Street, Massachusetts Avenue, Wood Street and Edgewood Road. Wood Street, between Maguire 's property and the Bedford Town line was covered with a coat of asphalt Oil. Brush on Wood Street was cut out . Next week the Department will continue the work of construction of Massachusetts Avenue and the necessary maintOlance work. Moth and Shade Tree Department. Street shade trees on Woburn Street and Massa- chusetts Avenue and on the Lexington Green were trimmed, dead limbs and low hanging branches being cut off. This work will continue to occupy the Department next week. Park Department. The cement for the floor and walls of the swimming pool has been placed and the work of the construction is progressing. The Department has been occupied with the regular maintenance work and this work will be attended to next week. .31 2 Water Maintenance. Water se-vices have been installed for the following perso~ s ; Collins, Middle Street, Black, Highland Avenue; Brown, Edgewood Road. We have connected the houses on Hill Avenue and Summit Avenue with the new 8" main. Two men have been repairing and greasing hydrants. We have been raising gates and manhole covers in Massachusetts Avenue where the new road is being built. Water Construction. _ ' We have laid approximately 25 ! of 8" water pipe across Summit Avenue, We have ],aid approximately 75 ' of 6" pipe in Shade Street. Sewer Maintenance. Sewer services have been installed for the following persons : Brown, Edgewood Road; Ahern & Pichette, Woburn Street; Black, Highland Avenue. Sewer Construction. We have laid approximately 100f of 8" sewer pipe in Smith Avenue and have built one manhole. We have unloaded a carload of 6" sewer pipe. The work contemplated for the week ending August lath is as follows : Water and sewer services, laying drains at the swimming pool, and sewer con- struction. Engineering Department. Sewers. Lines and grades for construction at Smith Avenue. Tied in y's at this location. Highways. Made plans of Waltham Street from Vine B*!Ook to Marrett Road, showing owners with the reppective frontages for County Engineer, F. H. Kendall. Completed survey and plan of Lincoln Street from Marrett Road to Middle Street. Cemetery. Ran out lines to complete road circuit of southerly lobe. Set grade stkkes which will be marked for finished road. 01 ) Miscell aneoua . Index and copy plans for office record . Attended Assessors ' meeting for information in regard to betterment assessments . Made two plans of 100 foot highway along Vine Brook from Mass. Avenue to Vine Brook Road. Started tracing large plan of car barn property. Assistant, Stanley Higgins, continued supervision of swimming pool construction. Yours very truly, William S. Scamman Supt. of Public Works . The meeting adjourned at 10:50 P.M. A true record, Attest: Clerk.