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.
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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.