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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1930-01-28IN Reports approved. SELECTMENiS MEETING January 28, 1930. The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at the Selectments Room, Town Office Building at 7:30 P.M. Messrs, Burnham, Custance, Chamberlain, Blake and Shannon were present. The Supt. of Public Works and the Clerk were also present. The following reports for the Town Report were approved by the Board; Treasurer, Cary Memorial Library Fire Department Director of Horne Economies Health Inspector Milk Inspector Supt. of Parks Supt. of Public Works. The Board signed notice of intention to lay out 1 1 1 the following streets: Bertwell Road, from North Hancock Street to Fuller Road. Layout of Tucker Avenue from Baker Avenue to Carville Streets. Avenue. Taft Avenue from Baker Avenue to Ellis Street. Smith Avenue from Follen Road to Independence Avenue. The Board also voted to lay out Independence Avenue from Smith Avenue approximately 197 feet. Mr. Daniel J. OtConnell came before the Board regarding his permit for a filling station at the corner of Woburn and Vine Streets. He stated that the plan shown by the Town Engineer took off too much.of his land between Woburn Street and Vine Street, next to the Railroad crossing. He stated that he was willing to 01j'Oonnell remove the shanty, but that he did not want to filling' remove the house which was located there inasmuch station, as he was receiving $29. a month from it, but he would remove the house if the Board wouldg ive him .$3500 for it. Records show that Mr. O'Connell filed a plan showing the location of the lot where the Board intended to lay out the street which will take approximately 2464 sq. ft. from the lot of Mr. O'Connell. He stated that if at any time the Board wanted to take the land for a street however, after he had placed his filling station there, he would be glad to then move the building back. The Board decided to look over the situation and advise him later what their decision would be. 1 1 1 Letter was received from the Unitarian Layman's League asking for reduced rate for the use of Cary Memorial Hall for the Saturday evenings that it was used by the Rice players for shows. The Board voted to give them the reduced rate of $25.00. Application was received from William J. McCarthy, pastor of St. Brigids! Church asking for the reduced rate for the Parish Reunibnnwhich is to be held February 17 at Cary Memorial Hall. The Board granted the reduced rate for the use of the Hall. Willis R. Bowman came before the Board and requested that his application for a peddler's license be signed. He lives at 1654 Mass. Avenue and has lived there for 4 months; he was employed bytthe New England Bakery since December 22nd. The Board signed the application of Mr. Bowman. Letter was received by the Supt. of Water & Sewer Dept. from the County Commissioners asking that a water main be laid to the Tuberculosis hospital at the southwest part of the Town. The Supt. presented estimates of the cost of laying the main. Mr. Custance took the correspondence and was requested to take the matter up with the County Commissioners. Mr. R.P. Elliott came before the Board regarding Five Forks. He stated that sometime• ago he wanted to have a filling station of his own located at Five Forks, but he was told by the Selectmen that there would not be any more permits granted for filling stations in the town. He had never made any written application, inasmuch as he thoughtthatthis was definite information. He had had two offers for the triangle, one was for .$3000; about the only thing that_the lot could be used for was a filling station.,' He felt that he had been deprived of receiving financial- benefit from his land. He also asked why it. was intended to take his property out of the business district and turn it into a residential district. He was informed that this matter.was__one that.was before the Planning Board. Mr. Elliott stated that he did not want to sell the triangle and he would prefer to see it ' put back and the roadway brought up so that there would be four corners instead of five. Under those conditions he would be willing to make an even exchange with the Town; he felt that the road coming up to four corners would be much safer, especially ;if traffic lights were put in there for traffic control. 41 Reduced rate, Unitarian Layman's League. Reduced rate, Catholic Reunion. Peddler's license, W.R.Bowman. Request for water main to T.B.Hospital. Five Forks. 42 He felt that ten years from now it would be a store area and the thing for the Board to do would be to safeguard the traffic. He stated that he had 27 acres of land which he intended some day to develop, and wished to have a nice development. When-asked if the Board: did. not decide. to lay the triangle in the highway, what price he would take for the l and, he.. stated. that 'he.. thought the land should bring as much:as.the.land.._is selling for across the street. Mr. Custance suggested that _he.. would...take Mr. Kelloway the landscape architect, up there to see what suggestions he had to make. After receiving the.sugg.estion,. the Board decided to bring'the matter up. for _action. at the next meeting. Mrs. Jacob Bornstein of 4 Sylvia Street, Mrs. Born- came before the Board with her.father.and..ex- stein re plained that her husband had been put in.-Jail junk for a period of time and she _desired..to make dealers a being for herself and child by 'continuing license. to operate the junk dealers business.establ.ished by her husband. Her father stated that he had his daughter and her child living with him at the present time owing to a fire that occurred in her house on Sylvia Street. She stated that she did not know the man's ' first name that worked for her,_but sh.e would bring the name in at an early date if_the.Board would transfer the license to her or the man employed by her. The Board felt that inasmuch as Mrs. Bornstein had to make a living some way, that it would be best to transfer the license to the man.employ.ed by her and the Board agreed to do so. Letter was received from the Chief of Police explaining that Jacob Bornstein was sentenced for one year in the House of Correction, he having been arrested in Boston for receiving stolen_ property.. Letter was received from Mr. Frank.Hines... Water, Bed€- Director, U.S.Vgteranst Bureau, stating that they ford Hos- had not made any definite decision._on_the project pital. of furnishing water to the Bedford Hospital. Report was received from the Supt. of Public Works that Mr. Shumway of the Dept. of Public Safety reported to him that the garage of Arthur A.Field Field was being operated illegally and that he '. garage, should have a permit to make automobile repairs. It was decided to communicate with Mr. Shumway and ask him what form of permit was required ' and under what authority and regulations.the_permits are granted. Letter was received from the Supt. of the Water and Sewer Dept. stating that request had been made for a water main in Homestead Street. The Supt. of Public Works recommended that the water pipe be laid, and it was therefore voted to lay approximately 1751 of water pipe in Home- stead Street to the.house of W.G.Rogerson. 43 Water main, Homestead St. Letter was received from the Mass. Forestry Association advising the Board that Lexington's quota for shade trees for 1930 was 600 trees, ,and asking that the Board insert an article in the warrant to make an appropriation for planting shade trees, and suggested that many of the trees planted this year would be here when the 400th anniversary is celebrated. Letter was received from Mr. Chamberlain written to the Supt. of Public Works regarding the campaign Of tree planting in Lexington in 1930 and.stated. that the Forestry Association is offering prizes for the best job'in landscapint, taking in consideration the most effective planting. Mr. Chamberlain recom- mended that the Town enter the contest. -He_als..o included information regarding the Chinese elm. It was decided to turn this informatioi/over.' to the Comtuittee on Tree Planting, namely, Edward_H.'' Sargent, Mrs. Hollis Webster and Allan Chamberlain. Opinion was received from the. Tow, Counsel - in which he stated that the members of the Appropriation. Committee in his opinion are eligible for Town Meeting Members. Another 'opinion was received from the Town Counsel in which he stated that to his.mind the election officers could no.t.serve when__they_.are candidates for Town Meeting Members.. The Board signed a statement as of Walter C. Boone in connection_ with of the Academy of Podiatry. Tree Planting. Legal apinion.s, re Rep. Town Government. to the character Incorporation the incorporation of Academy W Podiatry. - Letter was received from the Town Counsel regarding the application of George D. Lexner for the installation of gasoline pumps in connection with the blacksmith shop operated by him at 542-54.6 Mass. Avenue. The complications in the situation are somewhat similar to the case of the Town of Lexington vs Perkins in which an automobile repair shop,_formerly used as a blacksmith shop was being operated.in.a residential district. Mr. Wrightington suggested that when this case is settled it might throw some light on cases of ''pis nature. The Board therefore decided not to grant the )plication of Mr. Lexner which was forwarded to: ie Board by Edward W. 'Taylor, Chief of the Fire apartment. Application, G.D. Lexner gasl .__pumps . 44 Letter was received from Mr. F. C. Green complaining of the manure pile located on Complaint, the Ryder property on Shade Street. Ryder Report was requested from the Health premises. Inspector regarding the complaint, and it was decided to send a copy of the complaint to Mr. Ryder after consulting the Town Counsel re- garding the matter. El� 1 In regard to the abatement of $19.88 presented by the Supt. of Public Works for abatement of assessment on Neil McIntosh's property, inasmuch McIntosh as Mr. McIntosh claims that he gave this small abatement amount of land to the Town and for that reason should discussed. not be assessed for betterments, the Board requested him to give the deed of the property to the Town. Commitment for street betterment charges for the following streets was signed: Commitment, Coolidge Avenue $4000.00 street better- Hillside Terrace 2000.01 ment. Summit Road 1602.55 $7602.56 Letter was received from Mr. F. L. Emery Chairman Planning Board giving information regarding an aerial survey of the Townand stated that the Planning Board had a conference with the Fairchild Aerial Surveys, Inc. of New York with an office at 260 Tremont Street, Boston. In comparison with the Block plan which would take from 12-15 years to complete at the cost of Aerial Survgtapproximately $109000. The Fairchild Aerial Surveys Inc. will undertake to provide the necessary survey within the next zia months at a cost varying according to the scale of map desired. He enclosed a copy of'map4 scale of '400' to the inch which would be prepared for the sum of $22688. Enlarged sections on the scale of .1001 to the inch covering the entire area of the town may be had for $1,006.00 additional. Single copies of the 100 scale enlargements of any particular section of the town for special purposes may be had at a cost of approximately $10, additional and additional copies of the 400 scale map, commonly referred to as a "mosaic" map, may be hada for $122. each. The Planning Board recommended that the information obtained from this survey could, be available for use by the Board of Assessors, Planning Board and various committees, and they felt that it should be accomplished at the completion of the Block .Plan. In connection with the Engirn ening Dept. estimate, the Board voted to discontinue the block plan for a year and to appropriate $3000 in the Engineering Department for an aerial survey. Vine Brook Letter was received freer► the Planning Board Drainage regarding the Vine Brook drainage project and recommended after various studies that the Town make a start on the drainage project from Mass. Avenue El� 1 45 under the Railroad to the vicinity of Sherman Vine Brook Street, and it was felt that this area would not Drainage. be subject to assessment, but assessments can.be made on the aria owned by C.W.Ryder when it is thoroughly drained. They recommended that the drainage be lowered inasmuch as the development of the territory planned by Mr. Ryder is for a high- class development. Mr. Custance presented a bid which he received for a 72" pipe which can be laid for $18. a foot exclusive of drainage. He felt that the expenditure of $25,000 would bring the drainage proposition up to Massachusetts Avenue, but that did not include going under the Avenue. Mr. Custance reported that he communicated with Transferring Mr. Waddell Ts office in regard to using the funds of money. out of the Water Maintenance Account to payoff the bonds coming due. 'He stated that Mr. Pierce informed him that it could not be done, but Mr. Waddell stated that it could be done., and he thought'it good business for the Water Department to operate in that manner. The Supt. of Public Works called attention to . the fact that during 1930 the standpipe will have Standpipe to be repaired, and he felt that the water depart- re repairing. menu maintenance could not be delved into very much for that. reason. A Letter was received from the Town Accountant Transfers. Charles F. Pierce, in which he stated that he felt that not more than $12,,000 should be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account for Maturing Debt for 1930. The following estimates were approved by the Board after considerable discussion on most of the items. Accounting $3150 Assessors 7580 It was decided to refer the appropriation of the Assessors Dept. to the Appropriation Committee without prejudice. Engin ee ring 17500. Board of Appeals P 150. p Police 33966.85 Health 35000 Collection of Garbage 6500. Traffic Beacon Signals 500. Sidewalks & Curbing adjacent. to town property _5000. Highway Con. Summit Rd. from Bollen Rd. to Pinewood Street Highway Con. (Bennett Ave. from Baker Ave. to Tarbell Ave.) ---. 46 Highway Con. (Baker Ave. from Oak St. to near Butler Ave.) ---- Mass. Ave. land damages 1000. Highway Con.. (Simonds Road) ---- Street Lights 24000. Street Signs 3000 Dept, Public Welfare 10000. Soldiers Relief 1200 State Aid 4000 Soldiers Burials 100. Military Aid 500. Libraries 12248. Parks & Playgrounds 15000. April 19th 250. Police Pentons 1870.66 Veterans Pensions -- Fire Pensions 1107.81 Memorial Day 250. Middlesex. Co. Ext. Ser: 3004- 00:Unclassified Unclassified -500. Reserve Fund 2500. Investigating Com. Fire & Water Depts. -- Permanent Men(For men who lost their lives in World War) -- Com. on Permanent men to secure designs ( Veterans of all wars) -- Adm. of Trust Funds 75. Interest 380000' Municipal Indebtedness, 84124.30 The weekly report of the Supt. of Public Works is as follows: Request * Mr. Charles F. Pierce, Town Accountant, requested increase an increase in pay of $200. The Board voted to in salary. approve the increase and recommended it to the Appropriation. Committee. For the week ending January 25, 1930. Highway Department. The widening of Woburn Street, cutting back the high bank near Utica Street and the building of a retaining wall•at this point was continued, also the excavating and cutting back on Hili.S'treet. All eaaavated material was deposited in Hastings Park. Because of icy conditions of the streets, it was necessary to apply sand every day. Next week the department will be occupied with ' the regular maintenance and the continuation of the work on Woburn Street and Hill Street. 47 Made plans for acceptance of -the following: Taft Avenue, Tucker Avenue, Smith Avenue, Bertwell Road. Took sections__at Tucker__. Avenue. Miscellaneous. Plan and descriptions of Middlesex, & Boston Parcels: Completed survey and plan of_Hastings_Park for H.J.Kell.away. Completed list of Mass. Avenue owners from Lincoln Street to Marrett Road for County Engineer. Plan for Rubins and Seligman. Building line survey. Yours very truly, William S. Scamman Supt. of Public Works., The meeting adjourned at 12;26 A.M. A true record, Attest: �� 0 Clerk. Moth and Shade Tree Dept._ Th&s department cut down and remove.d_a number' or trees in. Hill Street disposing of the waste material be burning it. Next week the department will atbnd to the treating Of gypsy moth nests. Park Department. The department spread and levelled the material received at Hastings Park and attended to the nec- essary maintenance work and this work will occupy the department next week. Water & Sewer Depts. Water Maintenance. The compressor has been working for the Highway Department removing ledge from Woburn Street. Four men have been clearing the land of brush on the Carbarn property recently purchased by the _Town. The remainder of our men have been doing regular ma.int enanc a work. ' Regular maintenance work is planned for next week. Engineering Department Highways. Made plans for acceptance of -the following: Taft Avenue, Tucker Avenue, Smith Avenue, Bertwell Road. Took sections__at Tucker__. Avenue. Miscellaneous. Plan and descriptions of Middlesex, & Boston Parcels: Completed survey and plan of_Hastings_Park for H.J.Kell.away. Completed list of Mass. Avenue owners from Lincoln Street to Marrett Road for County Engineer. Plan for Rubins and Seligman. Building line survey. Yours very truly, William S. Scamman Supt. of Public Works., The meeting adjourned at 12;26 A.M. A true record, Attest: �� 0 Clerk.