HomeMy WebLinkAbout1931-01-27' 408
SFLECTTTN 'S MEETING
JANUARY 27, 1931.
A regular meeting of the Board ef Selectmen was held
at the Selectmen 's goom, Town Office Building at 7 30 P. M.
Messrs . Burnham, Custance, Trask, Blake and Shannon were
present . The Supt. of Public Works and Lainor Moakley,
Clerk pro-tem were also present .
Bldg. Inap. The Board considered the question of closing the Town
funeral Office Building during Mr. Tibbett 's funeral , but voted hot
to do so.
Garbage The Board voted to approve the following garbage licenses :
license Edward '9 n
unzel, Chester a Fogg, John Sullivan ad Manuel
Silva .
The request for a pool room license from Edward
Pool Bunzel and George H. Wood was laid on the table as no
license letters of recommendation accompanied the request.
Mr. Norman C. Hooper appeared before the Board in
regard to the Fire Dept . appropriation. He said that he
Extra men felt the Department needed four extra men, but he hoped
for fire that the Board would at least; apo-ove of two . He
dept . explained that they had established a system of desk
duty this year and as this kept one man at the desk continually,
he felt that they needed another man. Ae did not stress the point of
sala-y increase, but hoped that the Board would consider
the matter of the two extra men favorably. The Board
decided to take this matter under adAsement .
At 8 P.M. hearing was declared open upon the application
of Pichette & Ahern for permission to erect. a garage and
repair shop fo- 20 automobiles and to keep t4 store and sell
Pichette & petroleum products and volatile inflammable liquids in
Ahern connection therewith at 847-855 Mass . Ave . and to use
A
hearing the premises as a eublic filling station for the storage , '
keeping and sale of gasoline to the capacity of 5000
gallons in underground tanks.
The Chairman of the '4oard read the notice of the
hearing, and also a letter from the Chief of the Fire
Dept . in which he stated that he saw no reasen why the
Board should not erant this license. He suggested,
however, that the tanks should be installed and inspected
before the license was granted.
Mr. Joseph R. Cotton of Lexington appeared and spoke
in behalf of the petitioners and stated that he felt
that the erection of a filling station at this point would
be an improvement to the community. He stated that
there were two old bu; ldings on the premises that were
nothing but fire traps , and that the owners intended to
either demolish or remove these buildings ; that traffic
at this point was rather congested, and that the owners
intended to have the station set back from the street
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with plenty of parking space that would take cars off
the Avenue, thus relieving danger from that source. He presented
a pettion signed by many of the people in thai vicinity stating
that they approved of the granting of the permit . He also
stated that the bui_ldine now on the premises was third class,
and that the intended building woeld have first class sides ,
and a second class roof which would be a decided improvement .
He stated that Mr. Pichette intended to use cinder block and
stucco it over.
Mr. John L. Pichette stated that he hoped this permit
would be granted as Mr. Arthur 7ield, who rents the property,
has had considerable increase in his business , and he would
like to cooperate with him in giving him better business
conditions .
Mr Arthur Field also stated that he honed the permit
• would be granted, as at present, the two buildings that ate
standing shat off his premises and this naturally reduces
his business .
Mr. John W. McLearn, who owns the property adjoining
that on which the station is intended to be erected, stated
that he had no objection to tie permit beim granted.
Mr. Kennedy, representing the estate of Charles H
Spaulding, asked to view the plans He had no objections unless
second-hand cars were intended to be sold on the premises .
r. ^ +dilliam H. Parks , 28 Falmouth Road, West Newton,
appeared for George A. Parks . He stated t- at his father
had petitioned for a gasoline fill=ing station but had been
riven permission to w'5t draw his petition, altho .i.Lh he had
not dole so yet. He o ,jested to having another filling
station erected right ne -t to the premises upon which he
intended to build as this would decrease the value of his
property.
Mr. Tdward L. Crown, an abuttor, read a letter from Mr George
A. Parks , in which he a -ain stated his oniections to the filling
station. Mr. Crown stated that he himself had no objections
but under the conditions would not like to see a filling
station there.
As no more persons appea ^ed to 'i ,e evidence, the
hearing was declared closed.
The Board decided favorably on the petition subject
to the decision of tne Board of Appeals .
Anplication of Leona •d R. Cooke for a one car
garage on the premises of 94 Forest Street was received. L. R. Cooke
No persons appeared to obiect, and the board voted to approve Garage.
the application, subject to the anhroval of the Building
Inspector.
Mr. Daniel J. O' Connell appeared before tee beard
on behalf of James Cavanaz n in regia"d to the filin„ of Ca-'anaugh
a bond. Mr Cavanaugh, i?e stated, is a taxi driver in Public
Lexington. Although he has every insurance that would Carriage
cover any claim risine as a result of the manner in Bond.
which he operated his taxi, he felt that if it were necessary
to file a bond, he would do so, and would like to receive
the advice of tne Board on this matter. The Board decided
to refer the matte- to the Town Counsel.
e _
410
Letter w__s received from Christian Science Church ^i]
Parkinr , re._ardinc parking on J- orest Strut . They recommended that
Christian parking be allowed only on the opposite side of the Church,
Science or the no-'th si 'e cf Forest Street a-ed Muzzey Street .
Church The Board decided to add this] to the Parking regulations .
Letter was received from the State Association
of Selectmen in regard to a bill prepared by the Mass .
Town Forestry Assoc. in consultati -n with the officers of the
Forest Mass . Tree Wardens and Foresters Assoc. providing that any
Committee. town may l'ote to put all its tree work under an unpaid
Town Forest Committee to ' e appointed h•- the Selectmen.
The Board approved of the bill.
Letter was received from the Town Counsel regarding
Regular regular date of Tewn Meeting. The Board decided not to
date of take any action on this matter until after the March
Town Meetng town meeting.
In regard to a letter received from Swenson Bros.
regarding an assessment on their property, the Board
Swenson decided to acknowledge the letter, and adui-se Fr Swenson
Bros re that they would take the matter under consideration. They
an also decided to take this matter up with the Assessors .
Assessment .
The Board signed the State Aid Payroll in the amount
State Aid. of $12.
Appraisals
The matter of Appraisal of Public Works Dept . Bldg.
Public Works was laid on the table .
Dept. Bldg.
Report The Board approved the report of the Tercentenary
Tercentenary Committee as submitted by Mr. Harold Lamont, Chairman.
Committee. They also auproved the report o" the Fire Dept .
Estimate, The Board approved the detailed estimate from the
Park Dept . Park Department.
Mr. Arthur H. Earle appeared before the Board in
regard to the bond to be signed in connection with the
water ,-uarantee in Wood Street . He stated that he did
not consider a bond of this type a fair proposition.
He felt that the Board should change the 'bond to one
that would be figired on a fairer basis , as he felt the
Mr. Earle people Ado signed this bond were payin." mo»e than their
re water share, as otner prople, needing water at a later date,
guarantee, could get it without signing the bond . The Board advised
Wood St Mr. Earle they would take the matter under consideration
and let him know b letter at an early date After
further discission of the q .iestion, they decided to write
to Mr. Earle and tell him that nothing could be done to
alter the terms of the bond.
Letter was received from Mr. David W Creelman in
regard to Betterment Assessment . This matter was referred to
the assessors . This letter stated that the Board of Assessors
should make apoortionments after the bills have been made
out by departments .
Water and Sewer Commitments were signed by the Board.
411
Water in the amount of x'745. 54. Sewer in the amount
of $573.07.
The Board considered the matter of sending notice Notice to
to Precinct Members .vhose terms were expiring, and Precinct
decided not to do so . Members .
Mr. Custance stated that he had negotiated with the
owners of property in North Lexington in regard to a Land in
purchase and sale acreement and the Board voted to North
authorize the Chairman to sign the Agreement with Lexington.
William L. Burrill for the purcnase and sale of land in
North Lexington,-it being understood that all agreements
signed in connection with sale of land are subject to the
approval of the Town of Le'rineton.
Mr. Custance and Mr. Trask reported that they had gone
over the request or the Engineeri_np Dept. for an appropriation
of $16,000. and after cuttine,. ('own various items , offered Engineering
the figure of $15,000. for approval . The Bonrd approved Dept
of the figure and declared it ready to suemit to the Appropria-
Anpropriation Committee. tion.
They also reduced the Fi-e Dept. Estimates from $47,482 .
to $40,955. The Board also a> roved of this estimate.
Le-ter was received from Mr C. Wesley Johnson applying
for an anrointrnent as constable. He also submitted three C. Wesley
letters of recommendat-ion. Mr Trask was asked to look into Johnson,
the matte- and report at a later date . The Chief of Police Constable.
was also to report as to his character It was decided
to write My'. Johnson that the Hoard was taking the :latter
under advisement , and would let him know at a late- date
as to the apnointment .
The question was brought up as to a successor for Mr. John
F. Tibbetts , late Building Inspector Ar. Trask szggested
that the three offices of Building Inspector, Wire
Inspector and Plumbing Inspector be combined into
one. He agreed to look into the matter and report to the
Board.
The following- is the weekly report of the Supt. of
Public Works ;
For the week ending January 24, 1931.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Work of removinc ledge in Hill Street continued and
gravel spread and leveled at the end of Wood Street , near Mass .
Avenue .
Because of icy conditions , it was necessary to spread
considerable sand both on sidewalks and stre-,ts .
Next week the department will work on Hill Street ,
attend to regilar maintenance and care for any snow work that
may be necessary.
MOTH & SHAMTREE DEPARTMENT
The treatment of gypsy moth nests with creosote
was continued and work in the section of the Public Works
412
Building alloted to this department was done. 07r1
Next week the :✓ork of treating moth nests with
creosote will be continued.
PARK DEPARTMENT
Regular maintenance work at `ended to and will
occupy the department next week.
WATER & SEWFR DEPART7ENT
Two men have been repairing hydrants; two men
drilling and blasting for Highway Department on Hill
Street. Backfilled gas trench to Public Works Building.
Worked on laying middle section of cement floor in Public
Works Bldg. Regular maintenance work.
Regular maintenance is planned for next week.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Highways
Made up mileage schedule of accented streets
with classification of types of pavement .
Took additional levels at Dexter Road, plotted
profile and established grades .
Miscellaneous
Made topo plan of Stone property adjacent to rail-
road and school.
Made study plan for development of East Lexington
Playground .
1931 Budget.
Readjuste lots easterly of Fairview Avenue in
proposed Colonial Heights Development .
Plotted relocations of Mass . Avenue, Wood Street
and Hill Street to 400 scale to be used in correct 400 scale
town map
Work on street numbering plans.
Work on new Smith development with Engineer Joyce.
Additional information on O'Connell property to
-Lown Counsel.
Started to compile 100 scale plan o" territory
bounded by Mass Avenue, Maple Street, Lowell Street and
Lexington Line.
Information to Town Engineer of Winchester regarding
land adjacent to Lexington-Ainchester Line.
Yours very truly,
William S. Scammai
Supt: of Public Works '
The meeting adjourned at 11 07 P.M
A true record, Attest : ��%, Q n® 41(
Clerk, pro-tem. v