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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1929-12-03 )i) II SELECTMENTS MEETING December 3, 1929. The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at the Selectmenis Office, Town Office Building, at 'R'• 30 P.M. Messrs Burnham, Custance, Chamberlain, Blake and Shannon were present. The Supt. of Public Works and the Clerk were also present. State Aid payroll in the amount of $28. was State Aid signed by the Board. payroll: u Alcohol license for the Old Belfry Garage was Alcohol signed by the Board. license. Letter was received from Governor Frank G. Allen enclosing copy of telegram which he received from the Request for President of the United States , Herbert Hoover, '-more public requesting every municipality to endeavor to do as utility work. much wonstruction work and public utility work as possible during 1930 The Board decided to notify Governor Allen that the Town of Lexington intended to do approximately $300,000 worth of public work construction during the year of 1930. Another notation was received from Henry D. Love in which he still insiett that the signal lights on Mass. Avenue are operating contrary to the 9tules and H.D.Love signal Regulations which were sent to him' to go over. lights . It was found that it was very evident that he didnot read far enough into the Regulations to see that we are not violating the State Regulations. Copy of legal opinion regarding the proceedure against Frank Canisius was received from the Town Counsel. He advised that Mr. Prentiss proceed against Proceedure Mr. Canisius, not in the Concord Court as was suggested against by Mr. Prentiss but a bill in equity in the Superior Frank Canisius, Court is the proper proceedure. At 8 P.M. hearing was declared open on the application of George F. Teague, 162 Bedford St. G. F. Teague for permission to erect a garage on his premises . granted garage No persons appeared to object , and it was voted license. to grant the lir,ense. Letter was received from Mr. Ballard in which he explained that he could not be present at the meeting Stuart- of the Board of Selectmen this evening. Marshall Realt3 Mr. Wrightington also could not be present. Co. matter. However, Mr. Marshall of the Stuart-Marshall Realty Z Co. appeared before the Boardand statedthat he understood that there was to be a conference with the Board tonight and he informed the Board that he was doing his best to make arrangements to complete the negotiations between the Stuart-Marshall Realty Co. 434 and the Town of Lexington. He felt that considerable time had been spent in the proposition, but that the ZE hinderance was the Scott Tea Co that Mr. Scott wetted to receive all of the money to be paid to the Stuart- Marshall Realty Co. by the Town on the mortgage and that they were willing to do this . At five o 'clock this evening , he understood that Mr. Scott was going to sign the agreement, but after that he understood that he changed his mind and he hoped that he would be ready to do something about it very soon. He stated that Mr. Seltzer was holding him up on the two years left on his lease for the sum of $5000. They would be willing to make an adjustment with Mr. Seltzer but they felt that this amount was excessive. Mr. Hudd would not give any price upon which he would agree inasmuch as his business is established in this location. The other tenants in the building are now tenants at will and they could rent the other stores if it were not for the fact that they would not give a lease and for this reason they were losing money on the property. They explained to Mr. Scott that if he would not come through with the proposition, they would let him have the entire buildinC , inasmuch as they have the privilege of paying the expenses on the building and have not had en opnortunity to buildthe building they desire and have a return on their investment, Mr Marshall stated that Mr. Stuart is a member of the construction company that built the Cottage Farm Bridge and various other bridges andbuildings and an example of his work is their building in Newton Square; he felt that the building they intend to contruct here will be a credit to the Town. The &tiara discussed the articles for the Warrant in connection with the Stuart-Marshall Realty co. and Mr. °ustance communicated with the Town Counsel by telephone and it was left with Mr. Custance to communicate tomorrow with Mr. Wrightington and Mr... Waddell, Director of Accounts , to get the proper articles ready for the Warrant. Mr. Jay 0. Richards came before the Board to see if he could get a definite answer as to what the Board were willing to do regarding the land and building of the M. & B. St. Ry. Co. that he desires to Purchase for a Mr. Anderson who wants to use the building for a sawdust business . J.0.Richards The Board informed Mr. Richards that the land re M.&.B. St. suggested previously after seeing it upon the grounds Ry. land, staked out, they decided was not proper to sell, but they did feel they might possibly make arrangemetps to cell the building giving the right to use the spur track to the party that the building is sold to. The Board felt that Mr. Richards should go up to the nroperty with Mr. Scamman and the Town Engineer and get a plan ready for the Board to discuss and if, the plan is satisfactory to the Board, they might take it up with the M. & B. St iiWy. Co Mr. Richards -re/el stated that the reason he is so urgent is that he must find a place for Mr. Anderson in one month and he is anxious to pet something definite so that he can be assured that be can have this property. The Board felt that it would be well to have someone take over the building so that it would bring some taxable property into theTown, and it would be a rare occasion that a clean business of this kind could be secured in this location. Mr. Custance reported that he communicated with Mr. H . H. Hanson, President of the M. & B. St. Rwy. Co. and was informed by him that he would agree to extend the option from December 31, 1929 to April 30, 1930 so that the Town could have an opportunity to purchase this property in the spring. Two members of the Board of Trade , Mr. Ernest C. Martin and Mr Charles Schofield were present at the meeting and informed the Board that they had talked with the vaious merchants in the `town and find that the merchants believe that the requirement under the Regulations governing overhanging signs adopted by the Boar of Selectmen are a little excessive They feel that the Complaint, requirement for public liability $10,000 - $20,000 limits property ts' a little high and that possibly $5000- $10,000 limits damage re- might be sufficient, although they do feel that this quirements , is high, they do not object to this as much as they overhanging do to, thepropert damage of $5000 required. They feel signs. that t s �009 hbu d� red c $1000 that ' iiII ,f`se rom ` s`i'gn a g t prop y that would be more than the $1000. They stated that they did not find any place that had requirements as strict as these were except At Marlborough and there the public liability is for $5000-$10,000 limits and no property damage. The Board after discussing the matter, decided to change the Regulations reducing the amount of property damage from $5000 to $1000. Letter was received from the Supt. of Public "Torks giving the list of special appropriations that should be carried over until 1930. Accounts It was decided to request the Town Accountant carried over to carry over the following accounts : to 1930. Highway Construction, Summit Road. Highway Construction, Valious Streets. Committee to choose site for school and to secure architects ' plans and contractors ' bids. Stuart-Marshall Realty Co. purchase of land. Securing architects ' plans andcontractors ' bids for new headquarters fire station. Permanent memorial for men who lost their lives in the World War. Fnr use of committee to establish permanent memorial to veterans of all wars to secure designs. 436 e"'" teiowd Request was received from David McPeake, ZS Town Foot ;ali Manager, Lexington Football Town Team asking for Team, reduced the use of Cary Memorial Hall on Wednesday evening,. - rate. December 4 at the reduced rate of $25. The Board d6cided4-to grant the request. Warrant signed. The Board signed the Warrant for Town Meeting to be held December 16, 1929. Letter was received from the Town Counsel in which he explained regarding the Maurice A. Page proper- ty known as the Peat Factory property taken by him on tax Title from the Town, that he knew of no right that M.Page matter, Mr. Page has for the services of the Town Engineer, opinion from to locate the bounds of the property that he Town Counsel. purchased. He also felt that if the Town desires to demolish the building a release could be obtained from the Town of Arlington releasing the town from any suit for damages. He did not see any grounds for a law suit to arise out of the fact that Lexington gave a deed to Mr. Page that might include Arlington land. The Board decided to notify Mr. Page that he could not have the services of the Town Engineer to establish bounds for him, and also to instruct the Town Counsel to secure a release from the Town of Arlington so that if they desire to take steps to d-molish the building they may do so . Mr. Custance stated that he had received a. letter from Mrs . Harold Lamont stating that the Florence Crittenton Society had made a very great Use of Pine error in advertising that they would have bridge Room by the in the Pine room of the Cary Memorial Building. public. She was since informed by Mr. Malay, Janitor that the Selectmen did not allow the use of this room to the public. In view of the fact that none of the antiques have been placed in the Pine room as yet, it was left with Mr. Blake to communicate with Mr. Clapp, Chairman of Trustees of Isaac Harris Cary fund to see if he had any objections to the pine room being used until such time as the antiques were placed there. Rubin & The Clerk was instructed to get from the Town Seligman Engineer a description of the) property taken from , deed. Rubin & Seligman so that a deed may be drawn up. Mr. Custance brought up the fact that the Highway Highway men Dept. didnot get paid for Thanksgiving and Xmas paid for holidays. To pay the men their pay for that day would holidays. increase the payroll to approximately $100. The Board voted that hereafter Thanksgiving and Xmas the regular highway men should receive their pay for these two holidays. Mr. George Whiting came before the Board and x- 37 stated that he felt that inasmuch as his cement George Whiting steps came within the highway taken by the Town in re cement the recent reconstruction of Waltham Street, he should steps. be allowed additional amount to the 445. allowed by the County Commissioners for the cement steps inasmuch as if these were taken away he would have to replace some steps. The Board informed him that it would be a great many years before anything is done about the land and when that is done, the will be paid for the steps and the Board will have to make a new entrance to his property. The Board discussed the various accounts needing Article re money to be requested in*the Warrant for the Town additional Meeting. money for Accounts . The weekly report of the Supt. of Public Works is as follows For the week ending November 30, 1929. Highway Department. Snow fence was erected in all parts of the Town to guard against drifting snow and work of preparing_ snow equipment was attended to. Moth & Shade Tree Department. of gypsy moth nests were treated with creosote in Supt. Spring St. , Bedford Street, Revere Street and in the Public Works Town woods. Report. A dead tree in Maple Street was removed. Next week the work of treating the moth nests will be continued. Park Department. Construction of Tennis Court and regular maintenance work was attended to and will occupy the department next week. Water Construction. Approximately 8001 of 12" water pipe has been laid in Massachusetts Avenue. Sewer Construction. Aprroximately 651 of 8" sewer pipe has been laid in Nada. Avenue. The work contemplated for the week ending December 14th is as follows Mass. Avenue sewer and water jobs. * Street surfaces were patched and gutters cleaned. Next week the Dept. will be occupied with the regular maintenance and drainage construction of Grant Street. Engineering Department. Sewers. Lines and grades for construction of Concord Hill Sewer. Highways. New survey of Bow Street lines to check errors in 1925 plans Water. Tied in 12" main in Mass. Avenue from Cedar Street to Wood Street. Miscellaneous. Continued work on Webb Street Topo. Continued work on Lincoln Street Topo. Wrote description for 3 foot strip taken from Library property. Refigured lines of 100 foot Vine Brook Layout for 80 feet width. Staked out line at Carbarn property. New plan for study at "Five Forks. " Yours very truly, William S. Seaman Supt. of Public Works. The meeting adjourned at 10:37 P.M. A true record, Attest: Clerk.