Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1930-04-28 122 - Aael z7 SELECTMEN'S MEETING APRIL 22, 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, Custance, Blake and Trask were present. The Supt. of Public Works and the Clerk were also present. The following licenses were granted by the Board: Alcohol License Ross Tire and Battery Company Licenses . Guide License John Fitzgerald and John Garrity Sunday Sales Hugh McIntosh Common Victualler Lillian J. Pratt Agents License Graham C. Brackett. Letter was received from the Supt. of the Water main Water and Sewer Department explaining that he in Bowker had received an application for extension of a Street . water main from Massachusetts Avenue to lots 26 - 29 Bowker Street, and stated that the extension ofa 6" pipe a distance of 275' would cost $900. The Board voted to authorize the Supt . to make this installation. Sidewalk, The Supt. of Public Works attention was called Meriam St. to the fact that the sidewalk in front of the property of Mr. Charles H. Miles, Meriam Street needed repairing. Letter was received from Mr. Francis E Burke, Attorney for John E.Timothy, in which he reported an accident to Mr. Timothy's car which he claimed was due to the negligence of the Town to protect J.E.Timothy's the highway with proper lanterns at the corner of accident to Adams and East Streets while constructicn work was his car. going on. Report was received from the Supt. of Public Works on this accident, and he stated that he also had the Engineers draw up a sketch showing the conditions . He also reported that there were lighted lanterns on the street and that a so-called boulder which was struck by the car was not a defect in the highway, but was in the grass at the side of the road and was not placed there by the workmen excavating the water trench but was a part of an old wall that has been in the same place for many years. He therefore felt that the accident occurred on property which did not belong to the Town and that the Town was not liable. over It was decided to turn the matter/to the Town Counsel for his reply, and request him to deny the claim. 123 Letter was received from the Lexington Trust Company in which they enclosed a plan showing two proposed flood lights in front of the Lexington Trust Company on Massachusetts Avenue and one or two located on Muzzey Street. Flood lights, The Board voted to grant permission to Lexington the Lexington Trust Comnany to install these Trust Co. flood lights . The Town Engineer was instructed to give the grade lines of the sidewalk in front of the Lexington Trust Company. It was voted to take the application of A. M. Prendergast for permission to increase A. M. Pren', the capacity of his gasoline tanks on Mass- dergast achusetts Avenue & Pottier Avenue from 2500 filling station to 5000 gallons, from the table. Mr. Prendergast came before the Board and asked what kind of plan they wanted to have him present. He was informed that the Board wanted a regular blue print of the property, showing all of the property with the building and tanks thereon. Mr. Prendergast finally agreed to present this plan and the Board voted to lay the matter again on the table until such time as the plan is presented. ' A great many macs of the Town are being Charge for called for and inasmuch as it costs OUeach Town Maps . to have them printed, it was decided to charge the public 10¢ for each of the maps furnished them. It was decided tonnotify the Town Accountant Salary of that the Board voted to establish the salary of Asst. Assessor. Frederick J. Spencer, Assistant Assessor as $2800 for the year and to allow him $200 for the use of his car for the year 1930. Tentative date of May 12 was made for the May 12, Town calling of the next Town Meeting at which time meeting. the Vine Brook drainage que tion is to be taken up. The Supt . of Public Works reported the cost Fence moved to of moving the fence on Hastings Park to Follen Follen Rd. Road and setting it up as $150. The Supt. was instructed to have it moved as soon as possible. Mr. Cuetance read a letter which he had drawn up to have signed in connection with Bermudez the contract on Massachusetts Avenue wherein asphalt, Mass. 111Bermudez asphalt world be furnished in place Ave. of the asphalt called for in the contract of the State. 124 The Town Counsel viewed the policy presented by Eugene J.Viano of the Board of Trade, the CO Overhanging same being a blanket policy to cover all of the sign policy. owners of property along the line and the Town against liability and property damage insurance in case the overhanging sign connected with their premises should cause damage. Letter was received from Mrs . Helen Noyes Webster in which she asked permission to hold a Request for tree planting ceremony on the Buckman Tavern Tree Planting. grounds on Sunday, April 27th. Mrs . Webster was informed that the Board would permit her the use of the Buckman Tavern grounds on any day but Sunday. Letter was received from the B. & M. R.R.Co. Estimate from in which they gave an estimate of the cost of B.& M. co. putting the extra track in condition as *4470. and installing a new side trace 975 ' long as *5791. This information was laid on the table until such time as the work will be undertaken on the M. & B. St. Rwy. Co. property to -put it in shape for the Town. The Town Counsel was notified that the Board found it necessary to purchase the entire amount of M.&.B.St. Rwy. property of the M. &. B. St. Rwy. Co. which was co property. originally intended, owing to the fact that the proposition with Mr. Anderson was not going through and for this reason he will be furnished with another description b-r the Town Engineer. Loan, $8000. It was decided to issue the balance of the loan M.&.B.St.Rwy. of *8000 on the purchase of the M.& B.St.Rwy.Co. Co. property. property, the same to be issued at the rate of 41% for the term of two years. Letter was received from Mr. Frederick L. Zoning Law Emery in regard to enforcing the Zoning Law re Roadside relative to roadside stands . Stands. The Board discussed the matter but no definite action was taken. Report was received from the Supt . of Public Works in which heave the figure of the cost of g g Dexter Rd. construction of Dexter Road. layout. It was reported that the plan and profile of Dexter Road has not been filed in the office of the Town Engineer, although the general layout of the Lexington Building Trust Company property was approved, and Mr. James Little has been requested to file this plan. Mr. Custance reported that Willard C. Hill Insurance has placed insurance covering the brick building of the M.&.B.St.Rwy.Co. pending the time that the Town will take the property over. 125 Application was presented fr m John E.Barnes asking for approval of plan ofout of street' Request for from Mass . Avenue to Curve Street, part of which layout of has been known as Barnes Place. stredt, Mass . It was decided to refer the matter to the Ave. to Curve Town Engineer for study and then the Planning Street. Board. Mr. Trask presented schedule showing information that had been obtained from various towns giving the salaries paid to various town officers, and also from some business houses in Boston giving the salaries paid to their clerks and stenographers. Mr. Trask reported that the average paid to chief clerks was $30 and $25 to stenographers, Salaries. and he offered as a motion for consideration of the Boarc1 that an established rate baa made by the Board that the maximum wage for chief clerks be $30, and the maximum wage for stenographers $25; in this manner an established wage would be made for the clerks to work up to and when this is reached, it would then be understood that no further increases would be granted except when there are exceptional cases. This matter was laid on the table until the Board has an opportunity to view the schedule of salaries in other towns . After considering the matter of salaries the Board voted to grant the following increases in salary to the following persons . • Helen C. Whittemore, Selectmen Dept. $37 - $38. Alice B. Ferguson, " " 22 - 24. Evelyn M. Small ft " 16 - 18. Cecelia Maguire, Supt. Public Works 14 - 16. Eleanor M. Lowe " " " 25 - 27. George Harrington, Engineering Dept. 27.50 28.50 In regard to the complaint made by Mr. Bruce Lewis that he had been only given an increase in pay of 54 Mr. Trask reported that he had taken the matter up with the Town Engineer, and that the Town Engineer stated he Aid not believe Mr. Lewis should receive an increase any more than 504 this year; that his tbIlities were limited. The Town Engineer also reported that he felt George Harrington should receive an increase of $1.00 giving him $28.50 per week, inasmuch as he felt that for any transitman, he world have to pay at least $30. He also reported having lost the services of Mr. Arthur E. Colvin, and with the increase of U Mr. Harrington and the employment of a new man, he would still be paying one dollar less per week that, was originally planned for Engineering services. The Board voted to grant the increase to Mr. Harrington from $27 .50 to $28.50 per week. 1 ) S Mr. Lovell of the Lovell Bus Line Inc. t� came before the Boar' and asked permission to locate a gasoline tank on the premises of Mrs. Mary A. Rowland on Lowell Street, so Application that he would have a place to furnish his for gas tank, busses with gasoline. Mr. Lovell. The Board informed Mr. Lovell that this was not in a business section of the Town, and therefore they could not grant him a permit. It was suggested that Mr. Lovell secure a location in a business district , so that the Board might then consider his application. Inasmuch as the appvopriations for all departments have been made, it was decided to notify the heads of the various departments of Appropriations the amount of the appropriation made for their department and state to them that it was not the intention of the Board of Selectmen to call a Town Meetigg to ask for additional appropriations for their Department , and ask that they live within their appropriation as required by the State Law. As suggested by.the Town Counsel at a previous meting, that the property owners that would be affected by the drainage of the south branch of Vine Brook be invited to come to this meeting Vine Brook to discuss the matter of Vine Brook drainage, the drainage. following were invited to come Mrs . Cora R. Norris, 77 Highland Ave ., Lexington Mrs . R. Belcastro, Marrett Road. Heirs of James P. Munroe, et al, 79 Summer St., Boston Richard Burke, Marrett Road Neil McIntosh, Trustee, 24 Meriam St. Robert L. Ryder, Maple Street Charles W. Ryder, 524 Walnut St. , Newtonville. Mr. Frederick L. finery, Chairman, Planning Board, Mr. C.Edward Glynn, Mr. William D. Milne, Mr. F. J. Spencer, Assistant Assessor, Sydney R. Wrightington, Town Counsel, Edwin B. Worthen, Neil McIntosh and Mr.Ashley representing Mrs. Norris were present. Upon telephoning Mr. Belcastro it was found that he was ill, and Mr. Burke did not have a phone. Mr. C. W. Ryder was also present . Mr. McIntosh stated that he held title to some of the land in the Vine Brook area, and he thought that She P .Z„members stated that the assessment �o� Wecesnve if the lots of land in that area were drained. Mr. McIntosh stated that he would be willing to pay one-half a cent per foot if the land was drained to be available for use. He suggested that in making the assessment here, that the Town do as was done in Newton in the ditch that was put through. in Newton Upper Falls . They took the main ditch and all the laterals and made the land available. He also felt that if the Town was only going to dig the main ditch and not take all the laterals , that that would not be 127 sufficient. Mr. McIntosh did not recall whether or not he had been assessed for the drain in Newton. Mr. Emery explained that there were 146 acres in the South branch that are today useless and the Planning Board figured that one-half a cent per foot assessed on the lots that are now unused woad be what the assessment would amount to . Mr. Emery stated that it was the intention to dig the main ditch and then make it possible for the land owners to drain their land. Mr. Ashley stated that it seemed to him that if the land be benefited so that it cold be built upon, that it world be worth one-half a cent per foot. As it is at the present time, it is not worth very much. If the land is assessed for $200 an acre more than at present and it is not drained to be built upon, it would be very expensive land for farming. He also stated that he doubted if some of the land could be built upon. Mr. Charles W.Ryder stated that he had already expressed his views to Mr. Emery; that he was ready to stand his share of the assessment on all of the land if the drainage is done now. He would like to have it done either now or within the newt two or three years, and he would be willing to pay betterment assessments any where his land was bettered. Mr. Ryder thou;-,ht it would he a better- ment to the whole Town to have the land desirable and built upon, and that it would be very beneficial to have the land in a position where it could be sold. Mr. Ryder was asked by Mr. Wrightington whether or not he thought it would be well for the Town to provide for the draining only from Vine Brook Road to Sherman Street, or whether they should provide for the draining of the whole south branch. Mr. Ryde- thought that the whole thing should be done right now. Mr. McIntosh, regardin- this, stated that he did not want to commit himself until he saw the Report of the Planning Board which was promised at the Town Meeting. Mr. McIntosh, however, felt that the whole thing should be done under the Betterment Act. Mr. E. B. Worthen asked if the Board did the whole thing in one project, where the division would be in assessing the betterments. Mr. Worthen also asked if one contract for the trunk line in the south branch was let as a whole project, why the Board needs to consider dividing the assessments . Mr. Emery stated that the experience in collecting assessments for betterments has not been good, and in many cases they have not been collected. Mr. Emery felt that the Town should fret an agreement in advance arbitrarily fixing the betterments so 128 CsJ that there would be no possibility of the Town losing out and finding themselves finable to reimburse themselves. It is believed from the experience of others that betterments are collected from easier when the agreement is made in advance. Mr. McIntosh brought up the point of diverting the course of the brook by taking the shortest route and asked whether or not the Town wozld be liable for this inasmuch as they had one - experience of a suit regarding a brook. He brought up the question of digging out the laterals, and stated that the land woad only be drained when the laterals were also dug out. Mr. Ashley stated that if the drainage scheme works out as Metcalf & Eddy have designed it, and that all of the low land can be reclaimed, that he himself would agree to betterment assessments of one half a cent per foot, and he woald also recommend to Mrs. C. R. Norris that she also agree to accept the betterment of one-half a cent per foot, provided the land would he suitable for building. Mr. McIntosh also brought up the point that he thouh.t the Town would have to di out the laterals out to each man's land owing to the fact that the brook would be going throu4h other lands before entering the main brook, and unless this was done, his land would not be drained. Mr. Worthen called attention to the fact that the plans of Metcalf & Eddy do not show any laterals. Mr. Custance felt that if the Town undertook to lay out the laterals that they would get into trouble. He felt that the Town should follow out the plan of Metcalf & Eddy and then let the laterals be built when the owners are ready to sell the land for development ; then part of the drainaele would become street drainage. Mr. Ryder thought they could not build the streets until they knew where the water was going to be. Mr. McIntosh stated that the City of Cambridge was very anxious to get water and that it might be well to make some arrangement to run the water through some other way rather than through the Burlington line, and run it into the Cambridge Reservoir. General discussion was entered into as to whether or not parties in the lower lands, if drainage was turned into their property from the various streets from the land above, mi .ht have any claim against the Town . There had been sometime ago, application for relief from Vine Brook drainage under Sherman Street, and at that time Dr. Barnes was willing to contribute $600 towards the construction. At the present time he does not feel so inclifed. Question arose as to whether or not putting all of the water down in that territory in the Spring of the year, whether there would be any trouble. 129 It was stated that the culvert under East Street needs cleaning out and that this should be done to provide for a flow off of the water after the construction was done for the south branch . Mr. Worthen felt that the brooks , at a cost of $2000 or $3000 could be cleaned out. In fact 52500 would do a lot of the initial work. The hearing closed At 10 :10 P.M. The Board requested the Town Counsel to draw an article for the new Warrant to be drawn for Warrant for Town Meeting covering the south branch of Vine Town Meeting. Brook and another article that would cover the work below Sherman Street. The following is the weekly report of the Supt . of Public Works : For the week ending April 19, 190. Highway Department The work of widening the traveled way in Supt' s. Woburn Street was continued; excavating with the Report steam shovel has been completed and gravel fill has been made; during the present week the department will place crushed stone and penetrate. Streets were cleaned and surface patches made in a number of streets. Next week the regular maintenance work will be done and the drain in Lincoln Street will be constructed. The cost of moving the road guard from Massa- chusetts Avenue to Follen Road will be $150 .00 Moth & Shade Tree Department. Moth nests were treated with creosote , in Massachusetts Avenue, Bedford Street, Reed Street and Ash Street. The department will continue this work next week. Park Department. Regular maintenance work, cleaning up, preparing for April 19th and cleaning Belfry Hill . Water & Sewer Department Water Maintenance. Two men painting hydrants ; two men tieing in shut-offs . Water service for Locke on Oakland Street . Water Construction. Set three hydrants on Hinchey Road . Laid approximately 75 ' of S" pipe in Adams Street to connect 130 11 East Street and made connection on East Street with 12" main. Set one hydrant on East Street. Sewer Maintenance. 111 Installed sewer service for Leighton on Tower Street. Sewer Construction. Laid approximately 75 ' of sewer pipe in Tower Street for Leighton service and built one maul ole on this extension. Park Department . Laying 6" pipe at the ball field for the skating rink. Regular maintenance work is planned for next week. Engineering Department Highways . Check location at Waltham Street and Concord Avenue . Survey of Burlington Street. Water Tied in new East Street main. Drainage. Vine Brook project. Miscellaneous . Grades at Playground for skating rink. Sketches and figures for Granolithic sidewalks . Chase Avenue lines for abuttor. Sketch of accident which occurred at Adams Street near East Street. Yours very truly, William S. Scamman Supt. of Public Works . The meeting adjourned at 12 M. A true record, Attest /. a e y (AdtiA ,.. Clerk.