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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1930-02-11 53 SELECTMENI3 MEETING February 11,1930. A regular meeting of the .Board of Selectmen was held at the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, at 7 :30 P.M. , Messrs . Burnham, Chamber- laid, Custance and Blake were present. The Supt. of Public Works and the Clerk were also present. At 7 .45 P.M. Mr. Albert A. Ross , member of the American Legion came before the Board and re- quested that an article be inserted in the Warrant asking for an appropriation for the use of the American Legion to entertain the visitors who Appropriation will come to Lexington owing to the 1930 Legion for American convention which is to be in Boston. The Legion Legion Conven- estimate about $50,000 - $100,000 people will tion. visit the Town during the week of the convention. He stated that the American Legion post in Arlington is asking for $2500 and Winchester, $1000, and that the Legion here felt they should have $2000. He spoke also of the Legion getting public subscriptions to pay for a float to be in the parade, possibly the representation of the Spirit of 1776. He stated that he communicated with Mr. Harold B. Lamont, Chairman of the Tercentenary Committee, and he did not want to have it forgotton that the American Legion would like to have some money, and wanted to have it arranged so that it would either come through the Tercentenary Com- mittee or through the Legion itself. Mr. Byron C. Earle, Tax Collector, came before Tax Collector the Board and informed them that he had to increase re appropriation the appropriation $500. owing to the fact that the State Auditor advised him that he could not pay for the advertising of any property out of the current taxes . The Board of Survey voted to repeal their vote passed August 8, 1929, whereby the layout Proposed of 100' was made by the Board of Survey. Street. At 8 P.M. , hearing was declared open on the layout of a road to run from Massachusetts Avenue to Vine Brook Road, along the Viano garage. Various of the owners of property appeared before the Board to view the new layout . Mf. Custance explained to them that the layout did not take as much of their property as the 100 ' layout, and therefore the damages would be less and at some later date they would present a state- ment relative to what they felt the damages would be. No persons appeared to object to the layout, and the hearing was declared closed. The Board signed the layout of the road from Massachusetts Avenue to Viae Brook Road to a width of 80 ' . 54 At 8:15 P.M. hearing was declared open on the Selectmen's notice to lay out the exterior lines of the street just laid down by the Boar of Survey. All the persons present at the B oard of Survey hearing remained present . There was no bbjection and the Board voted to adopt an order for the layout of this highway. Discussion arose as to what name to give the road just laid out. Mr. Robert L. Ryder stated that the name "Memorial Drive" seemed to be a good suggestion to him when the road was completed. Tenement House Copy of the Act authorizing the Town of Lexington Act. to revoke acceptance of the Tenement House Law was received from Senator Joseph R. Cotton. At 8 :30 P.M. hearing was declared open on the notice of intention to lay out Tucker Avenue from Baker Avenue to Carville Avenue. Mr. Louis Van- derwoude inquired as to the price per foot for the construction of this street. He was informed that the price was 16.08 1/3 per foot. Mr. Vanderwoude presented a paper giving signatures of residents of the street . 75% of the owners of property was not represented however, and he was requested to secure more signatures . Mr. Anthony Janusas opposed the Tucker Ave. layout of the street. The hearing was declared closed and the Board signed the order for the layout of the street and agreed to insert an article in the Warrant asking for the acceptance of this highway provided the property owners meet the requirements of filing the signatures of 75% of the property owners . At 8:45 P.M. hearing was declared open on the notice of intention to lay oat Taft Avenue from Baker Avenue to Ellis Street . Mr. Louis E. Cosco appeared in favor of the layout of the highway as did also Miss Monica Holland. Taft Ave. Mr. James Guthrie stated that sometime ago when the estimate was made in 1926, he secured signatures on this estimate which was considerable less than the estimate made.at the present time. Mr. Guthrie was informed that a new law had passed since the estimate of 1926 was made, whereby the Town would 'have to stand any expense over and above the estimate, and therefore the estimates made are higher than usual inasmuch as the Town does not want to stand any of the expense of laying out these private streets when the requirement is 100% be paid; however, if the cost of the street does not meet the estimate, the abuttors will receive the benefit inasmuch as they will not be charged for anything in excess of the cost. Mr. Edson H. Bowman stated that he was not in favor of the layout. Mr. Matthew M.Subowitch requested information about the layout and stated that he had only purchased the lot of land near his house to clean the place up. 55 Inasmuch as the residents of the street seemed to be anxious to discuss the matter, the hearing was closed temporarily, and then called back again after the residents had an opportunity to discuss it .together. Mr. Guthrie stated t:iat he would be in favor of the layout if anything could be saved on the estimate and that when he endeavored to secure signatures after receiving the new estimate, he could not do so although he had the paper nearly signed up on the previous estimate. Mr. Antonio Cantore was opposed to the layout of Taft Avenue as was also Mr. John C. Cairns and he knew his wife would be. Mr. Cairns stated that It would be no benefit to him inasmuch as he was at present on an acepeted highway. Met the hearing w b Over Ms.' ZubowitehAagreed tib pay hip portion although during the hearing he had made objection. After the hearing closed, the Board voted to pass the order for the layout and to place an article in the Warrant for the acceptance of the street provided 75% of the property owners sign the statement agreeing to pay their portion. At 9 P.M. hearing was declared open on the notice of intention to lay out Bertwell Road from North Hancock Street to Fuller Road. Bertwell Road. Mr. Roy Ferguson, William W. Ferguson and Mr. James Little came before the meeting. Roy Ferguson presented signatures although he did not have 75% of the property owners . He stated that he communicated with Mr. White and Mr. White was willing to agree to the layout as far as 601 of his premises were concerned. Mr. White, however , wrote a letter to the Board that he did not see how the street would, be any benefit to him inasmuch a's the Zoning Law called for a lot with a frontage of 75+ and he wouldonly have 60+ available for use as a house lot . Mr. Hallie C. aa.ke made the suggestion that drainage pat into the street would help the conditi n considerably inasmuch as this territory has springs and a natural brook. It was agreed to insert an article in the Warrant providing the owners of 75% of the property sign the agreement to pay the cost of construction of the street. Hearing was declared open on the notice of Smith and intention to lay out Smith Avenue and a short Independence piece of Independence Aveme all between Locust Avenue . Avenue and Follen Road. Mr. Custance reported that nothing could be done regarding this layout inasmuch as Mr. Smith and Mr. Robbins and the abuttors are not ready to go to the expense at this time . Hearing was declared closed, and no action was taken. .56 Letter was received from the Building Inspector regarding the filling stations of Anselm C. Mullen, Rest Inn and Prendergast Brothers, corner Massachusetts Avenue and Fottler Avenue. He stated that the Rest Inn filling station had a permit from the Board for a 12,000 Prendergast gallon gasoline tank to be located 301 from and Rest Inn the street which they had done, but they have put filling in a 2000 gallon tank in place of the 1500 stations. gallon tank. They have two pumps which they have taken out and put in three pumps nearer to the Prendergast filling station than the old ones were. They have removed one sin and agreed to remove the other today. The Prendergasts also have a sign less than 201 from the street and they have recently put in a pump about 51 from the street line. Petition for a sewer in Cliffe Avenue was received by the Board and it was decided to insert Sewer, an article in the Warrant authorizing the con- Cliffe Ave. struction of a sewer in this street and also to obtain the cost of construction of the street from the Supt. of the Sewer Department. It was decided to issue the balance of the Water $50,000 loan on Water construction, bonds to be Bonds. issued at the rate of 4 and to run for ten years from March 1, 1930. Resignations were received from the three members of the April 19th Committee, namely, Edward L. Child, April 19th Galen Russell and Converse Hill. Mr. Edward Child committee . stated that he did not believe he could get along with an appropriation of $250, but if he had an appropriation of $500 he would be willing to serve. It was decided to leave this matter for discussion with the Tercentenary Committee, and therefore no definite action was taken. Letter was received from Mr. Herbert J. Kellaway, State Architect regarding the treatment of Hastings Park. In conversation with Mr. Kellaway, Mr. Custance Hastings informed the Board, that he recommended that the property Park. in front of the Robinson, Giroux and Fischer estates opposite Hastings Park on Massachusetts Avenue be filled in and graded to the street and shrubbery planted thereon. Mr. Custance communicated with Miss Robinson regarding this matter, and stated that he would have further information regarding the layout of Hastings Park at a later meeting. Cemetery The estimate of the Cemetery Department, Munroe Estimate. and Westview Cemeteries , was approved and passed along to the Appropriation Committee. 57 The balance of the Selectmen 's report was Reports approved. approved with slight changes, and also the Tax Collector's report was passed on for the Town Report. Information was received from the Board Mosquito control of Health of Arlington of a meeting Monday meeting. evening, February 24, 1930 at 8 P.M. , at which time mosquito control will be discussed. Letter of thanks was received from Mrs . Carey Pridham of Follen Road for consideration Death, Carey given out of respect to her husband who was Pridham. recently killed in an aeroplane accident. The flag was at half mast, and Follen Road was sanded to make easy access for the parties attending the funeral. Letter was received from Albert A. Ross, Supt. of Water and Sewer Dept. in which he Deposit Method. recommended that the deposit method in use for water service be abolished and that a fixed rate per foot be made and charged for the installation of water services. This method would do' away with considerable bookkeeping in the Water Department, Tax Bollector's Office and Accountant 's office, and would eliminate the difficulty in collecting small balances after the installation of services. Under the present system the excess deposits are returned from the receipts and charged against the water maintenance account. This shows an expense not ircurred by the Department. Under the new method it will not be allowable to refund the deposits from the approcriation. He recommended that the above system be adopted, and the following rates be established and approved For service work from curb line to cellar: 1" cement lined pipe $1.50 per foot. 11" " " 1.65 " " In " n " 1.75 " 2 " " " 1.90 " tr Further he recommended that if the owner wished to do his own excavating from the property line to the cellar wall that the cost will be one-half of the following: This, plus the cost of a stop and waste cock, as follows:. 1" $3:00 • 1 " l " 3.00 2� 3.65 3.90 If ledge is encountered in the excavation, the cost of removing it will be in addition to the above price. 58 Sewer Commitment. Commitment of sewer assessments in the amount of $2986.19 was signed by the Board. Application for the Incorporation of the Davis Square Board of Trade, by Harty C. Fallis, Incorporation Lean H. Truesdell and Charles A. Whipple of of Davis Sq. Lexington was received. Recommendation of these Board of three gentlemen's character was received from the Trade. Chief of Police, and the Board voted to sign the application. Petition for street lights in Valley Road Street was received by the Board. It was decided to lights . insert an article in the warrant requesting permission to install street lights in Valley Road and also in Summit Road. Registrars The Town Counsel rendered an opinion that serving the Registrars of Voters could not serve as as Town Town Meeting Members, inasmuch as in their Meeting capacity they officiate at the elections . Members . The Board discussed the widening of Oak Street Oak St. and decided not to insert an article in the Warrant for any action on this street inasmuch as the Engineerin7 Department could not get the layout made in time. Mr. W. D. Brown and James Russell came before the Board representing the Committee onWar Memorials and presented the proposed sketch of memorials to the men who died in the service during the World War. War Mr. Russell, for the minority of the Committee, Memorials . presented two articles. He stated the American Legion decided to insert an article in the Warrant so that more than one memorial could be established. He stated that the American Legion had aniidea of placing two monuments , one tothe veterans of the World War and the other to be for the veterans of the Civil War, one to be placed in Hastings Park and the other in Depot Park. The majority of the committee was in favor of one monument wherein the World War and Civil War veterans could be represented together. After considerable discussion, the Board agreed to insert an article in the Warrant and also an article to establish for the Committee sites which may be used for the memorial. Warrant The Board signed the Warrant for the Annual signed. Town Meeting. The following is the weekly report of the Slant . of Public Works . 59 For the week ending February 11,1930. Highway Department. Work on Woburn Street has been continued. The retaining wall and fence are nearing completion and when they are finished and the ledge cleared up nothing will be done until Spring. Work on Hill Street has been discontinued for a short time because of weather conditions. Work of removing snow and sanding streets and sidewalks occupied the time of the department. Next week the Department will probably finish the work on Woburn Street and the regular maintenance will be looked after. Moth & Shade Tree Department. The Department treated gypsy moth nests with creosote on Cedar Street, Hill Street and in the Town Woods and will be occupied with this work next week. Park Department. The regular maintenance has been attended to and will occupy the department next week. Witter Maintenance & Construction. The compressor and two men have been working for the Hithway Department on Woburn Street. We are laying a 12" water main across Mass. Avenue about opposite the right of way to the stand- pipe . This is to provide a future connection with the standpipe. At Lake Street a length of 12" pipe has been laid, taking off the 12" pipe in Mass . Avenue to provide for the extension in Lake Street and Columbus. Street to Cedar Street. This layout has been approved by the. Supt. of Public Works and Mr. Custance. Regular maintenance work is planned for next week. Engineering Department Highways . Figured grades and plotted profiles of Smith, Tucker and Taft Avenues and Bertwell Road. Study of Oakland Street extension. Stakes for junction of Woburn & Vine Streets . I Ill Miscellaneous . Made street numbering plans for "Sunnyfield". Checking field notes in 35 note books . Figured part of Lincoln Street topo levels . 60 '17 Bedford Street survey to tie in carbarn property. Yours very truly, William S. Scarman Supt. of Public Works . The meeting adjourned at 12 :25 A.M. A true record, Attest : Clerk.