HomeMy WebLinkAbout1930-01-2130
SELECTMEN'S MEETING
January 21, 1930.
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen
was held at the Selectmen's Room, Town Office
Building, at 7:30 P.M. Messrs. Custance, Blake
and Shannon were present. The Supt. of Public
Works and the Clerk were also present.
The following reports were approved by the
Reports Board, with the suggestion that the Supt. of
approved. Public Works rewrite some of the report of the
Supt. of Parks.
Cary Memorial Library
Trustees, Cary Memorial Library
Dental Clinic Committee
Police Department
Planning Board
Town Clerk and Town Treasurer
Selectmen
Wire Inspector
Supt: Moth Dept. & Tree Warden
Supt: of Parks
Suptj,,of Streets
Supt. of Public Works
For es t Warden.
Street Lights A petition for street lights on Hinchey Road
Hinchey was received from the residents of that street.
Road. It was decided to insert an article in the warrant
requesting permission to install the lights.
The Board authorized the renewal of ins=ance
Renewal for the months of January and February, and
of instructed the Clerk to renew all insurance
Insurance. coming due for the balance of the year until
otherwise instructed.
Letter was received from the Appropriation
Request Committee in which they requested the opinion of
Town the Town Counsel as to whether the members of
Counsel's the Appropriation Committee could serve as Town'
opinion, Meeting Members and comply with the Town By-law.
Town Meet- They also requested that an amendment be drawn
ing Mem.- to bhe by-law that will allow the members of the
bers. Appropriation Committee to serve for a second
term if they so desire.
The Board decided to communicatO with the
Town Counsel asking for his opinion on these
matters.
Notice of a hearing to be held at room 166,
Lovell Bus State House, January 2$, 1930 at 2 P.M. was
hearing. received on the application of the Lovell Bus Line,
Inc., from the Dept. of Public Utilities.
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Letter was received from the Firemen's
Benefit Association asking for the use of
Carp Memorial Hall at the reduced rate of $25.
on February 19 and 20 and for a slight charge
for the rehearsal.
The Board decided to grant them the use of
the Hall at the reduced rate of $25. for February,
19 and 20 and to charge them $5.00 each evening
for rehearsals, with the special request that..they
cut down as much as possible on the lights.
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'
Letter was received from Albert A. Loss,
Supt. of Water and Sewer Dept. in which he
stated that application had been received for
a water main in Valley Road. He stated that Water Main, Valley Rd
the extension of approximately 11001 of 6"
pipe was necessary to furnish water to the house
of Charles McNamara of Somerville.
The Board thought that inasmuch as the pipe
would connect up with the circuit that it should
be made an 811 pipe and authorized the installation
of the same, but before the installation is made,
they decided that a Board of Survey layout should
be made of the street, and therefore instructed
the Town Engineer to proceed to make a Board
of Survey layout.
Letter was received from the Firemen's
Benefit Association asking for the use of
Carp Memorial Hall at the reduced rate of $25.
on February 19 and 20 and for a slight charge
for the rehearsal.
The Board decided to grant them the use of
the Hall at the reduced rate of $25. for February,
19 and 20 and to charge them $5.00 each evening
for rehearsals, with the special request that..they
cut down as much as possible on the lights.
Firemen's
Benefit Assoc.
granted reduced
rate for Hall.
George D. Lexner
application for
gas. pumps.
The Lovell Bus Line Inc. presented a sbhedule
Of stops they intend to make from Spring Street to
corner of Marrett Road and Lincoln Street, down ,
Lincoln. Street to. Massachusetts Avenue, from Massa-
chusetts Avenue to Woburn Street., over Woburn Street
to Lowell Street, and from there to the Arlington -
Lexington line..
Schedule of
stops, Lovell
Bus.
Letter was received from Edward W. Taylor,
'
Chief of the Fire Dept., in which he enclosed
an application for a gasoline permit for George
D. Lexner at 542 Massachusetts A-enue. He
stated in a letter with the application that
Mr. Lexner had been ill.for 's everal weeks
and would probably be incapacitated for further
heavy work. He felt that if he received a
.gasoline.permit, he might hire someone to do
the repairing on the automobiles and tend to the
gasoli:.e pumps himself.
The Board decided'that,,inasmuch :as the
property was in the residential district under
the Zoning Law they would have to consult the
Town Counsel, inasmuch as the building had been
used as a blacksmith shop and then for repairing
automobiles, whether the gasoline permit would be
a non -conforming use of the premises that were
used as a blacksmith shop previous to the es-
tablishing of the Zoning Law.
Firemen's
Benefit Assoc.
granted reduced
rate for Hall.
George D. Lexner
application for
gas. pumps.
The Lovell Bus Line Inc. presented a sbhedule
Of stops they intend to make from Spring Street to
corner of Marrett Road and Lincoln Street, down ,
Lincoln. Street to. Massachusetts Avenue, from Massa-
chusetts Avenue to Woburn Street., over Woburn Street
to Lowell Street, and from there to the Arlington -
Lexington line..
Schedule of
stops, Lovell
Bus.
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Letter was received from R. I. Prentiss, Health.
Garbage Inspector, in which he gave a list of persons whose
Truck garbage trucks were inspected by him on January 18,
Inap ection, 1930 and advised that permits be granted to those
on the list.
The Board voted to grant the permits to the
names on the list, procided they complied with the
filing of the necessary application and payment of
fee for same.
Letter was received from the Health Inspector
enclosing copy of swimming pool regulations of the
Swimming City of Boston which he felt should be viewed with
Pool an idea of adopting some regulations in connection
Regulations.with our town swimming pool.
The Board decided to refer the regulations
to the Supt. of Parks to have him look the same over
and advise the Board what he felt was necessary to
establish for regulations in connection with our
swimming pool.
Mr. Joseph Campbell appeared be6ore the Board in
Request for an appeal for assistance in obtaining work. He had
work, been out of work for a number of weeks and had a
J.Campbell family to support and had been unable to secure any
work to supply them with food.
The Board referredthb-matter to the Clerk` to
see if arrangements could be made to get work for
Mr. Campbell.
1
Report was received from the Chief of Police
;J.Lima
stating that James Lima, who was in.an accident
on day
last summer, had fainbd recently in Court. The
duty.
Chief has placed him on day duty instead of Edward ,
Lennon so that his work would'not be so strenuous.
Mr. F. H. Ready came before the Board to find
Request to
out whether or not the Board.would pay the expense
have John
of installing in the.Cary Memorial Hall a wire
McNamara
so that the speaking at the reception of John
reception
McNamara on Friday evenin, January 24, 1930s mss
broadcasted
be broadcasted. Hesuggestedthat the wire might
be left there for future occasions. He`repor_ted
that the expense necessary would be $65. for
the installation of the microphone and $40.
for the wire which the Telephone Company would have
tai install and a fee of 40 per month would be
charged by the Telephone Company to retain the wire.
Mr. Blake communicated with the Trustees of
the Cary Library and they felt that they'did not
want to spend any money for this purpose.' The .
Board also advised him that they did not believe
any organisation having any affairs in the Cary
Memorial Building would -want 'to expend $40. to
have their Bntertainments broadcasted. Sugzrestions
was made to Mr. Ready that a. part of the balcony
be set aside for the women of the Town, mothers of
the boys who were interested in athletics, who he
stated were anxious to go to the meeting.
1
Mr. Ready stated that he would take the matter
up with the Committee and have them decide what
should be done.
Report was received from Mr. Albert H. Burnham
that the Act asking for permission to revoke the
acceptance of the Tenement House Act will be passed
by the Legislature but there is a time limit of
three years on the same. He reported that Mr. Briggs
stated that Acts were not generally passed without
a restriction of some time.
Letter was received from Helen M. Kelley,
President of the Lafayette Club asking for the
reduced rate for the use of Cary Memorial Hall on
February 22, 1930. 'The Board voted to grant the
reduced rate of $25.00.
Letter was received from the Supt. of Public
Works giving a report on the construction of the
sewer in Fottler Avenue. He stated that it is
proposed to construct 610► of street but that 12501
Is required to be constructed for the sewer to
connect with the trunk line. This makes about 6401
of sewer to be constructed on a street where there
will be no reimbursement. -3001 of this abuts on the
Town of Arlington property. There is also a culvert
to cross and a steam Railroad. The figure of 7000,
estimated cost does not allow for a sewer deep enough
to take care of the great meadows but it will be
deep enough to take care of any building on
Brandon Street. If constructed deeper, it would
add about $2500 to the estimate.
The Board decided that inasmuch as the sewer
program for next year is very,_light,_ and.they are
to bmild'the new street, that they should install
the sewer before constructing the street.
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Tenement
House Act.
Lafayette Club
reduced rate.
Fottler Avenue
sewer.
The Supt. of Public Works reported on the Bertwell Road.
estimated cost of constructing Bert*ell Road from
North Hancock Street to Fuller Road. The Board
felt that it would not be fair -to figure the cost
as it was figured, inasmuch as.the._portion _of -the
section beyond would not be equal.
The Supt. was therefore instructed to refigure
the cost.
The Supt. of Public Works presented estimated"
cost of construction of Taft Avenue as being $5252.50. Taft Avenue.
It was decided to send the estimate to Mr. James
Guthrie to obtain the signatures of the abuttors.
The plan of Bow Street showing the proposed Bow Street
' widening was viewed by the Board, and it was
deoided that it would be a good thing to
complete the layout there.
It was. decided to have fir. Custance communicate
with Mr. F. Qiano, owner of the land where a taking
will be made, to see whether or not he could get
.the land provided the Town put in a granolithic
34 �.
sidewalk along the property.
The Supt. of Public Works reported on
the cost of putting Cedar Street into good
Cedar St, condition as $2800. This would be widening
the roadway, filling with gravel, graded,
applying of bituminous top and treated with
pea stone and loam.
The Board decided that there were too
many other pnojects that needed attention at this
time, and decided to inform the Paul Revere Golf
Club that they would see that the road was kept
in good condition, but they did not feel they
could expend the money for widening this year.
Mr. Scamman reported that Neil McIntosh
informed him that he had given a small circle
Mr. McIntosh of land at the triangle at the junction of
re abate- Prospect Hill Road and Wachusett Drive in Fair
ment of Oaks to the Town by not selling the land and
betterments. leaving it in the highway. Mr. McIntosh there-
fore felt that he was entitled to abatement of
bette ments on this small strip of land,
amounting to approximately $19.00.
No action was taken on this matter.
It was left with the Clerk to appoint the
Tellers in the various precincts to serve at
the annual election in March.
Letter was received from the Shell Eastern
Petroleum Products Inc. in which they stated
Shell Gas Co. that in regard to the matter of the sign and
sign removed. fence at Massachusetts Avenue, formerly owned by
Anselm C. Mullen and Mary G. Welsh, they have
referred the matter to Michael McDonough who
operates the station.
Mr. Scamman further reported that Mr. Mullen
communicated with him and stated that they
would take down the 101 sign nearest the street
and a part of the fence.
Checking The Clerk reported that the Assessors had
deeds, made a start on checking the deeds of the East
E. Lexington Lexington Meadows by asking the Examiner at
Meadows. East Cambrid'e to report the deeds on record.
The Supt. of Public Works' Tetter was
received regarding the sewer assessment on Forest
Forest St. Street and advising that at the time the vote was
Sewer passed on construction of Forest Street as a'highway,
Assessment. nothing was mentioned about betterment assess-
ments for sewer construction, and he did not see -
any reason why the sewer betterments on Forest
Street should not be paid.
It was decided to inform Mr. Latimer S. Beaver
to this effect.
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The following estimates for 1930 were considered
and the amounts set against the accounts were
' approved by the Board:
Appropriation Committee $1500-
Selectmen
150.Selectmen 6125:
Treasurer 20000'
Collector 4500.
Law 2000:
Town Clerk 1850:
Election _& Registration 3000
Supt. Public Works 5400.
Town Office & Cary
Memorial Bldgs. 9000.
Moth & Insect Suppression 4500:
Shade Trees 1500:
Inspection of Wires 825:
Sealer Weights & Measures 450:
Inspection of Cattle 500'
Inspector of Plumbing 1150.
Sewerage Survey _-
Highway Coli. Mass. Ave.
from Waltham St. to
Hayes Fountain, Bedford
St. from Hayes Fountain
to Elm Avenue --
Planning Board 500.
' Advertising & Printing -' e,
Zoning Laws
Board of Appeals 150.
New Town Office Bldg. -
Various Fire Dept.
Approp ri at i ons
(Installation of Fire
Alarm Boxes) 3100.
Forest Fire Wagon Equip. --
Inspection of Bldgs: 1200:
Various, Forest'Fires 500:
Dog Officer 50'
Vital Statistics 50:
Dental Clinic 1700.
Insp. of Slaughtering 600:
Lovering Brooks 500.
Removal of Ashes & Care
of Dumps 22500
Automatic Traffic Signals 1400:
Sidewalks & Curbing 5000.
Purchase of Land(Stuart
Marshall Realty Co.
Purchase of Carbarn
property (M.&.B.St.
Rwy. Co.) _
Inspeetbr of Milk 500.
' Forest Fire Wagon
(Equipment)
Fire Alarm underground
wires, Mass. Ave., Woburn
St. to Elm Ave. __
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Motor Pump for Fire Dept. --
Equipment of Fire Alarm
apparatus, protective devices
New Headquarters, Fire Station
ArchitectO plans and contractors'
bids.
C'�
The Board of Assessors came before the
Selectmen to ascertain whether or not they could
have the services of the TownCounsel in suits which
Assessment
are brought against the Town, Board of Assessors,
of Swenson
by Swenson Brothers, owners of Kelsey Ranch,
Brothers'
believing that the assessments placed upon them
property.
is too high. It is understood that the Swenson
Brothers purchased the Kelsey Ranch for $30,000
but the assessment on the, property is $39,950. The
Assessors explained that they did not feel that the
assessment could be reduced, and that it was a, fair
valuation.
Mr. Kraetzer stated that he knew persons who
were interested in the property and felt it was
worth that much.
They also hada suit from Mr. George Norton
of Pleasant Street for assessment of tax on land.
The Board authorized the employment of the
Town Counsel, S.R.Wrightington'to take the cases
to Court.
Petition was received for estimate of the.
Tucker Ave.
coat of construction of Tucker Avenue from Baker
Avenue to Tarbell Avenue.
The Town Engineer was instructed to prepare
an estimate of the cost of construction to send
the abuttors at an early date so that hearing could
be held on the same.
The various suggestions for the Town Seal were
Change in
looked over by the Board, and it was decided
Town Seal.
to insert an article in the Warrant asking for an
appointment of a committee t.o. confer with the
Selectmen on the change of the Town Seal.
Mr. Custance presented plans showing Hastings
Hgstings
Park and explained that all of the fill from Hill
Park.
StreEt is now being placed in the Park to fill it
up and take away the pond which has existed there
for some time. He suggested that the park might
be graded and walks laid out in the Spring, and
asked whether the Board felt that the expenditure
of money for the services of a landscape architect
such as Mr. Kellaway would be reasonable.
The Board felt that it was a very good idea
for the park to be laid out in this manner,, and
authorized Mr. Custance to employ Mr. Kellaway.
C'�
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Letter was received from the Health Inspector
in which he stated, in response to the Board's
letter in regard to the sanitary condition of the
barber shops in Town, that he inspected the '
barber shops of James Geoghegan, Depot Park, Robert
Britton, 1836 Mass. Ave., and the Sanitary Barber
Shop, 1796 Mass. Avenue and found the conditions
in the shops fairly good, each one living up to
Inspection of
a code of regulations of their own.
Barber shops.
He called attention to the fact that the
regulations were not posted in the barber shops as
required by the Board of Health Regulations. He
also called attention to the bill before the
Legislature last year intending to establish a
Board of Registration in barbering and regulating
thepracticethereof. The investigation made
covers a complete investigation of barber shops
over the State and he gave the reports which were
that further legislation for the licensing and
regulating barber shops was not needed..at this
time. He recommended that the Regulations of
the Town be amended to conform to the regulations
of the City of Boston, and the shops be inspected
three or four times during the year.
Letter was received'from 'the State Reclamation
Board in which they explained that it was
necessary to have hearings before the appropriations
'
could be made for mosquito control, inasmuch as
Mosquito
the law had these "requirements, and realizing
survey.
that the Town Meetings were coming soon, they
advised having the hearings. They wished to
state however, that there would be no charge for
the survey.
The Board decided to reply that they do not
intend to have any hearin s or make any appropriations
for mosquito control. However, if there would be
no char§e for the survey, it could be made and
then when the information was gathered, they would
decide what they would do.
Letter was received from Herbert H. Boynton
in which he gave the costs of the voting machines
suitable for this Town as $1084.50 F.O.B. Jamestown, Voting
New York. He also enclosed' copy of two bills which Machines.
he has filed in the Legislature in connection
with the use of voting machines; one to have the
State pay a part of the expenditure and the other
to allow the siingle_party lever to be used in the
voting machines.
It was felt beat not to endeavor to put
in any voting machines at this election.__.
1
38
`�;Ib
5
Letter was received from the Town of Nahant
in which they explained that they had the Lloyd
Thomas Co. appraise the buildings in their Town..
and 'the cost averaged about $1.50 ppr building.
,
Nahant
They felt that in having a concern of this kind assess
re assess-
the property that a great deal of property was
ing,
found that was not assessed such as garages.
The Board felt that inasmuch as the Board
of Assessors have made a check of all the buildings
in Lexington, that not a great deal.,coald be
gained by employing this concern to go over this
Town.
The following is the weekly report of the
Supt.'s
Supt. of Public Works.
Report.
For the week ending January 18, 1930.
Highwa-Y Department
The cutting back of the high banks on
the north side o'.' Woburn Street makes it necessary
to employ a drilling machine as considerable ledge
has been encountered. There are several places
where it is necessary to build a retaining wall.
The Department is also occupied with cutting
down the high banks and filling in low spots '
widening and relocating Hill Street. A large
amount of filling material from this job is being
placed in the low part of Hastings Park.
Surface patches were placed in a nvmber of
streets.
Sidewalk snowplows were operated and snow was
plowed back and removed from the center of.the town
and was pushed.back.to the sides in a number of
streets. Sidewalks and streets were sanded.
Next week the work on Woburn Street and Hill
Street will be continued and the regular maintenance
work will be attended to.
Moth and Shade Tree Dept.
This department cut down and removed trees in
Hill Street. This was made necessary on account of
the widening.
Next week this department will be occupied with
treating the gypsy and brawn tail moth nests. '
Park Department.
Besides the regular maintenance.. this department
spread and leveled gravel placed in the low part of
Hastings Park and will be occupied with this work
next week.
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Water Maintenance.
The men have been cleaning up the yard,
inspecting hydrants and painting and repairing
equipment.
week. Regular maintenance work is planned for next
A petition has been received from Mr. .Charles
McNamara of Somerville for the extension of
approximately 1100 ft. of 6" water pipe in Valley
Road from Bedford Street.
Engineering Department
Highways.
Completed Cedar Street Survey.
Completed Hill Street plans and recorded them
at the Registry January 15th.
Line for wall along Woburn Street easterly of
Utica Street. Staked out southeasterly junction
of Marrett Road and -Lincoln Street.
Miscellaneous.
Made_final-plan. of "Five. Forks" to accompany
petition of -for -reduction -of 0.1 Districts.
' Topo.survey along south side.of Oak Street.
site. Work on plan of Allen Street re. school house
Skeleton plan of "Great Meadows" showing_abuttors.
Yours very truly,
William._ S. S.c_amman
Supt. of Public Works.
The meeting adjourned at 12:45 A.M.
A true record, Attest:
Clerk.
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