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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1931-02-101 1 SELECTMEN t S MI?ETING FEBRUARY 10, 1931 A re=Tular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building. Messrs. Custance,. Trask, Shannon and Blake were present. The Supt. of Public Works and the Clerk were also present. Garbage licenses were granted to D. J. Kelley, Hartwell Road, Bedford and James F. Moran, Pleasant Street, Lexinoton. Letter was received from Mr. Russell I. Prentiss in which he called attention to the fact that he was not able to make an inspection of the premises of August Young any farther than inquiring over the telephone and asked that this permit for garaiage be upheld ?intil he has made a personal inspection. Two letters were received from the Town Counsel in regard to the establishment of a Posture Clinic. He gave references to the law and did not believe that a clinic could be estahlished. On communicating with the State Accountant, Mr. Trask reported that they found the authority for the establishment of a dental clinic and health clinics under section 30, Chapter 111 of General Laws. Upon mailing this reference to the Town Counsel he agreed that the clinics can be estpLblished as suggested. Mr. Trask therefore stated that he wished to ask the Town for $1000 for the Posture Clinic to be expended under the direction of the 3oard of Health by.a committee appointed by them, which will be the _present posture clinic Committee. Letter was receive,' from Mr. George M. Ross .requesting ap-oointment as a Special Police. ,There has been considerable trouble with the youngsters in the neighborhood and he desired to have the appointment approved for this purpose and so that he might assist in the violation of automobile traffic also. The Board voted to appoint Mr. Ross as Special Police up to April 1, 1931 and notified the Chief of Police of the appointment. �M Garbage Licenses. A. Young garbage license. Clinics. The Board of Assessors came before the 3oard of Selectmen in response to the letter the Board received from the Swenson Brothers that they felt they were unfairly taxed for the property known as the Kelsey Ranch, located on Concord Avenue and Spring St. T.ney called the matter to the attention of the Selectmen inasraach as the Selectmen apoointed the Special Police. Board of Assessors. The Assessors reported that they had made reductions in this case and have spent considerable Swenson time with the Swenson Brothers endeavoring to arrive at property. what they felt was a fair value and they had to justify themselves in their action when the case came before the Courts, by stating t'-iat the property was a show place originally 422 and they had reduced the assessment; inasmuch as the farm was being used as a farm and they reduced it for practical purposes. The following reductions were made in the various buildings. The Assessors felt that the _�arn which is assessed for $6000 could not be built today for $40,000. The tool house, assessed for $500 could not be duplicated for less Selectmen's than $4000 or $5000. The stable will hold 60 cows Assoc. and it could not be duplicated "or a great deal more than Meeting. the assessment.' The house is assessed for $10,000 and contains 7 or 8 the bathrooms which are valued at least at $1500 each. The Spanish tile roof on the house is in perfect condition, and -the house is as finely constructed as:any in the Town. After obtaining this information from the Assessors, the Board decided to consider the. matter further. Notice was received of the meeting of the Selectmen's Association of Worcester to be held at Worcester, February 11, 1931. The Board voted to grant the Girl Scouts the use of Cary Memorial Hall on March 13, 1931 free of charge. Mr. Dalton of the Board of Selectmen of Winchester and Air. Sharron, Assistant Town Engineer of Winchester met with the BAard of Selectmen of Lexington'to discuss the matter of the layout of a street connecting Lexington with Winchester beginning at the ,junction of High Steeet and Ridge Street in Winchester, thence in a general- Street, west-rly direction to the Town Line between Lexington Winchester and Winchester, thence in Lexin,7ton to a point on Lowell to Lex. Street about midway between Summer Street and Maple Street. They presented a petition to.be signed by the citizens of Winchester and of Lexington to petition the County Commissioners for the layout of this highway.. Mr. Dalton explained that the Town of Winchester has already aonropriated $60,000 for the construction of this street and the County and the State will not do anything; until the petition is signed by the citizens of the Town of Lexington. The Roard of Selectmen decided to rewrite the petition presented by the Selectmen of Winchester and have the same prenared for si_Tnature on Tuesday eveninz next. 1 1929 1930 1929 1930 House 20,000 100000 Cow barn $209000 $6,000 House 2,500 3,000 Tool House 2,500 500 Bungalow 3,000 41000 Hen -houses 1,000 gone Cottage 1,500 19000 Silos 800 gone Stable 29,000 2,000 Spring House 500 250 Pit 500 gone Ice house 200 1.00 55 Acres of Land 7750 15250 The Assessors felt that the _�arn which is assessed for $6000 could not be built today for $40,000. The tool house, assessed for $500 could not be duplicated for less Selectmen's than $4000 or $5000. The stable will hold 60 cows Assoc. and it could not be duplicated "or a great deal more than Meeting. the assessment.' The house is assessed for $10,000 and contains 7 or 8 the bathrooms which are valued at least at $1500 each. The Spanish tile roof on the house is in perfect condition, and -the house is as finely constructed as:any in the Town. After obtaining this information from the Assessors, the Board decided to consider the. matter further. Notice was received of the meeting of the Selectmen's Association of Worcester to be held at Worcester, February 11, 1931. The Board voted to grant the Girl Scouts the use of Cary Memorial Hall on March 13, 1931 free of charge. Mr. Dalton of the Board of Selectmen of Winchester and Air. Sharron, Assistant Town Engineer of Winchester met with the BAard of Selectmen of Lexington'to discuss the matter of the layout of a street connecting Lexington with Winchester beginning at the ,junction of High Steeet and Ridge Street in Winchester, thence in a general- Street, west-rly direction to the Town Line between Lexington Winchester and Winchester, thence in Lexin,7ton to a point on Lowell to Lex. Street about midway between Summer Street and Maple Street. They presented a petition to.be signed by the citizens of Winchester and of Lexington to petition the County Commissioners for the layout of this highway.. Mr. Dalton explained that the Town of Winchester has already aonropriated $60,000 for the construction of this street and the County and the State will not do anything; until the petition is signed by the citizens of the Town of Lexington. The Roard of Selectmen decided to rewrite the petition presented by the Selectmen of Winchester and have the same prenared for si_Tnature on Tuesday eveninz next. 1 423 Notice was received from the Chief of Police of the death of James Irwin, retired police officer on February 4, Death of ' Notice was sent to the Appropriation Committee to James pn reduce the aropri,)tion for retired police pensions to Irwin. $1030. The Board voted to araopt the following traffic Traffic regulations which bring the parkin,:- and traffic regulations Regulations. all up to date and attach a penalty of $20. for the violation of same. OFFICE OF S aECTME N TOWN OF LEXINGTON MASSACHUSETTS February 10, 1931 Acting under the provisions of Chapter 40, section.22 of the General Laws all Traffic Regulations adopted by the Board of Selectmen are hereby repealed and the following orders to control .the parking of vehicles are hereby given by the 3oard of Selectmen: ' FOREST STREET No parking allowed on the Westerly side of Forest Street between Waltham Street and Muzzey Street. MAPLE STREET All traffic entering Maple Street from Mass. Avenue shall pass to the right of the island. All traffic entering Mass. Avenue from Maple Street shall pass to the rjght of the island. MASS ACHITS ETTS AVE"dUE EAST SIDE Diagonal parking forty-five degrees from grant Street to the cross walk opposite the northerly side of Waltham Street, unlimited. Parallel parking from opposite the northerly • side of 'Waltham Street to the Southerly end of Repot Park, limited to one hour, from nine A. M. to six P.M. Diagonal parking forty-five degrees from the Southerly end of Depot Park, to't.he nd rtherly end of Depot Park., ' unlimited. Diagonal parking forty-five degrees from the northerly end of Depot Park to Meriam Street, limited to one hour, from nine A.M. to six P.M. MASSACIiUSETTS AVENT�-E, WEST SIDE Parallel parking from opposite the northerly 424 side of Grant Street to Waltham Street, unlimited. Parallel parking from I. alt? am Street to opposite the northerly side of Puleriam S`.reet, limited to one hour, nine A.M. to six P.M. Parallel perking from opposite ',he northerly side of iieriam Street to Clarke Street, unlimited. WALTHAM STREET Parallel parking from Massachusetts Avenue for a dist-ince of about one hundred -and fifty feet, both sides, limited to one hour from nine A. M. to•six P*M. MUZZEY STREET Parallel parking on the most northerly side from Massachusetts Avenue for a distance of one hundred and fifty feet limited to one hour, from nine A.M. to six P.M. No parking on the most southerly side from Mass. Avenie for a dist�.nce of one hundred and fifty feet. s ELT+? AVVNUE No pnrkin>7 on the most southerly side of the street. OAK STREET No parking on .the Westerly "side a dIst•$nce of three k3t hundred feet fr'om`.Massacbusatts _Avenue southerly. r RESTRTCTIONS No parking within fifteen feet of any intersection or within ten feet of any fire hydrant. BUS STOPS ast�rly side of Massachusetts Avenue j.zst northerly of cross walk opposite Waltham Street. Easterly side of Massachusetts Avenue .fust northerly of the most northerly end of Depot Park. Easterly line of Massachusetts Avenue about forty feet northerl-y of northerly side of Meriam Street. Westerly side of Massachusetts Avenue in front of A.A. Marshall & Son property. Westerly side of Massachusetts Avenue at the southerly side of Waltham Street. 1 7 1 425 REGULATIONS GOVERNING TRAFZIC CONTROL, SIGNALS Section 1. Meaning of Colors. Colors in ':raff'ic control signals shall have the commands ascribed to them in this section, and no other meanings, and no driver of s, veh c,e= shall fail to comply with said commands. (1) RED: V,hi=e the red lens is iliumi cited no driver of a vehicle facing the signal shall enter the intersecfifon; (Provided, however, that if a right or 1 -ft green arrow l -ns is illuminated at the same time, a driver may enter the inter- section to make the turn permitted by the ar:.°ow.) (2j CHANGE: Vaile the yellow lens is ill-uminated any waiting_ driver of a vehicle shall remain standing until the green lens is illuminated, and any driver of a vehicle approaching the intersection who can stop said vehicle with safety before reaching the intersection, or a marked step line, shall strip at such point. (3) GREEN: While the green l -ns is illuminated any driver of a vehicle facing the signal _shall proceed, subject to the safety of those who may h-tve been in the intersection at the time the lens was illuminated (and subject to the special turning restrictions contained in paragra.1h (5) of this section). (4) IiED AND YELLOW: Vhile the red and yellowy lenses are illuminated together no driver of a vehicle shall enter the intersection and during such time the intersection is reserved for the exclusive use of pedestrians. (5) GREEN AR t0W LENS: VYhen a special right or left turn green arrow lens,is incorporated in a signal, •rivers facing said signal may make a turn in the direction of such arrow, only when such lens is illuminated. (6) FLASHING RED: The red lens wren illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes shall require driv^rs to come to a complete stop before entering the intersection. Such flashing red shall be used only in beacons and in traff.c signals, when not operating as stop -and go devices, to indicate the full stop required before entering a through way. (7) FLASHING YELLOW: The yellow lens when illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes shall indicate the presenee of danger and shall permit drivers to proceed ohly with caution. PENALTY "Whoever violates any of the foregoing rules and orders shall be subject to a penalty not exceeding twenty dollars ($20:00) for one offense. Albert H. Burnham Hallie C. Blake BOARD Clarence Shannon OF Theodore A. Custance SELECTMEN Robert P. Trask 426 2nd Class The Board voted to grant a second class Motor ?rotor * Vehicle License to Edward J. Rogers of t.e Town Line Vehicle Lic.Garage at 7 Massachusetts Avenue, he having three letters of recommendation. .The Board voted to grantthe petition of the E.E.I. Co. for the relocation of poles on. Hill St. south - Pole Pole from a point approximately 250 feet southwest locations. of Bedford St. Hill 5t_ at a point approximately 820 feet southwest of Milk St. Hill St. southwesterly from a point Assessment, approximately 1240 feet southwest of Milk St. Taft Ave. The Board approved the bond of $10,000 issued in Town the name of Helen C. Vdhittemore as a -own Treasurer for Treasurer the balance of the term ending March 2, 1931. Bond. be;ieve that the bills should exceed the amount that Letter was received from W.V.1. Hinckley of Marrett Request Road rn4uesting insurance on the Town schedule. A for. reply was made that his name would be pl xcea on file insurance. until the tlme comes for the change in the schedule . for position insurance. 2nd Class The Board voted to grant a second class Motor ?rotor * Vehicle License to Edward J. Rogers of t.e Town Line Vehicle Lic.Garage at 7 Massachusetts Avenue, he having three letters of recommendation. Letter .vas received from the Supt. of Public Works in regard to the complaint of Edna and George H. Doughty relative to the bill rendere'_: on the highw,iy betterment of Taft Avenue. Mr. Scamman stited that after receiving the letter, he checked up with the total amount filed Assessment, at the Registry of Deeds and found that the total was Taft Ave. $5400. The estimate, however, given to the persons attending the hearing on Taft Avenue, was $5252.50. After considering the matter, the Boar;, did not be;ieve that the bills should exceed the amount that the persons were informed the construction wo•k would cost and instructed the Supt. of--•Public,Works to send out new bills reducing the amount of the betterment. Application Application was received from Mr. George A. aaynes for position of Hayes Lane for the postiion of -building Inspector. of Bldg. The Board decided to L%fer all ap„lications for Inspector. the position of Building.Inspecto-o to the Board after the annual election. Mr. T. A. Custance stated that he had taken up the matter of appraising the Public Works Dept. building with Mr. Willard C. Hill, and he stated that a man by the.name Appraisal of Joselyn who has made appraisals of buildings of this Public Works kind, would charge $50 for the ap" raisal. ►ir. Custance Building. presented the information on the ap.raisa of the building and he desired to know if the Bo_.crd wished to spend $50 for the appraisal., he presented information to the Board giving a total value of $303,828.60. He felt that if the expenditures made on the building were added to this amount, it would give the value of the building and insuring the building for 80% he felt that the amount of $408000 would be amount sufficient for insurance purposes. It was decided to inquire of, Mr. Hill whether this appraisal would be sdtisfactory or not. 427 The Clerk called attention of the Board to the fact that the Board has petitioned the County Commissioners for relocation of Massachusetts Avenue from u'`altham Street Relocation ' to Vvloburn Street. This will cover the necessary steps of Mass.Ave., taken to place in the h.ghway the land which form^rly was Waltham St. in front of the old Town Hall lot which was reser}e_d when to Woburn St. sold so that the automobiles now parking in what is assumed the highway will not be park -,.ng on the private land owned by the Town and will be parking on the highway., Mr. George B. Dennett having passed way under date of February 7, the Bortrd derided to notify the Boston Post Death of that Ir. Dem-.ett, being the holder of the Roston Post Cane Holder of had passed away on that date. It is sinknown at the presertt Golden Post time ,,rho is the party that should receive the uolden Post Cane. Cane. The Town Engineer reported through the Llerk that the work on the descriptions of the corners at Clarke Street, Meriam Street and Hayes Avenue talked of last week, Description.c he expected to do in the siring or summer. The Board of various had giren ordsrs to do this work right away but agreed that corners it would be suitable for the work to be done in the spring. postponed. Mr. Blake however, called attention to the fact that he thought it was not necessary to tike the wi-_?o,: trees on the coi-ner of his property and that a new curve could -be made which would allow the two willow trees to remain. It was decided to call this matter to the attention ' iif the Town.Engineer. The Board decided to divide the Annual V+arrant so that the appropriations necessary to carry on the various departments could tie made at the first meeting, and to draw a second warrant after the first meeting is dissolve,:; for Varrants the second session of the annual meeting. drawn. The Board sign^d the Warrant covering the various appropriations for, the first annual meeting. Commitment of eater guarantees in the amount of Commitments. $3265.87 was signed by the Board. In regard to the third class Agentts license application of Peter Cannesa, the Board decided to notify Mr. Cannesa that they would not grant him any ;icense at 904 Mass. Avenue", and furthermore that he would have to P.Cannesals clean up the premises or they would take steps to license prosecute him under the laws inasmuch as he had. no business refused. carrying on an atuomobile business in that section. Mr. Howard S. 0. Nichols of the School Committee came before the Board and presented a proposal from Charles b'. & Harriette W. Smith in which they stated that they would take $2500 for approximately 4 acres of land owned by. Smith them at he rear of the Parker School. Xr. Nichols stated that property. the School Department recommended the payment of 82000 for the Smith puoperty an after making this recommendation, he received this proposal from Mr. and lirs, bmith. He desired to have an article inserted in the Yrarrant asking the Town to purchase the land. 428. The Town Engineer presented a plan of the layout of Ledgelawn Avenue._ This street is located in the rear of Ledgelawn the property owned by the Public Works Department ' Ave. and is a part of the layout brought about by the layout. proposed transfer and sale of land of the Public Forks Department. The Board decided to advertise a hearing on this street and to refer the plan to the Planning Board. - Mr. T. A. Custance re3)ort--d that complaint had been made to him by Paul Cowdrey of Allen Street regarding the busses carrying the school children. Re stated that he Complaint, had taken up the matter with the School Department and School did not get much satisfaction. He stated that'the busses. children had to leave very early in the morning to get the bus and the bus was vary crowded. Mr. Custance stated that he talked the matter over with Mr. Hanson and he agreed to look into the matter to see if any thing could be done to remedy the condition. Mr. Custance called attention to the fact that the Application Water Dept. does not have any application for a person to for water fill out when they desire to have water turned on. He to be turned felt that an ap-jlication should be made out for thi party to sigg. one It was decidefl to notify the Water De, --.t. to this effect. Mr. Custance also reported that Mr. Hubert C. ' Grieves complained of the traffic coming down Lincoln Street Traffic, travelling too,fast in the section along Audubon Road Lincoln and Hastings Park. He felt that there should be some Street. signs put ,up 'here to caution the public from travelling so fast. Mr. Scamman stated that some lights had been placed there at one time previous, and they were removed by some unknown person. In regard to the application for Sunday golf made Sunday by John Lamont, the Board voted to approve the Sudday golf Miniattre-, Golf license when Mr. Lamont presents the approved. application for approval. Letter was received from the Chief of the Fire Department in which he stated that he did.not Fire Dept. approve the action by the Board of Selectmen in reducing appropriation. the appropriation of the Fire Department, and he therefore wanted to go on record as disapprovirgthe action. He recommended four new men be employed mmd he wanted to c?,ll attention to the fact that there is a shortage of men now in 'meal time. ' It was decided to send a copy of this letter -to the Appropriation Committee for their consideration. Letter was also received from Mr. Taylor in which he request�:d an appropriation for. the Forest harden Dept., to cover hose, $300 salary to the Forest vlarden Dept. and a pump, which he explained, would be a saving on the vire Department equipment. -Th s letter was refer: ed to Mr. Trask for his inves- tLgation. In regard to the salary of the Town Clerk and !own Treasurer, John H. Kane, deceased, the clerk reported the State Accountant stated that after a man passes out when in the employ of the Town the salary is sometimes paid to the estate but it is not legal. The Board therefore decided that they would not pay salary after the date of death of Dr. Kane. The Board decided to pay $100 for the month of February to Helen C. Whittemore to be divided between the Town Treasurer's and the Town Clerk's Department, The following is the weekly report of the Sint. of Public Works. For the week ending February 7, 1931 HIGHVY AY DEPARVENT Vork was done on Hill Str,et drillin5 anCi blasting and removing ledge.. Snow removal, push'_ng ba�:k snow end sanding streets and sidewalks occupied the. dei.;°tment the greater part of the week. Next week the department will work on Hill Street, attend to regular maintenance and any necessary snow removal. MOTH & SHADE TREE DEPT. ' Climbing trees and treating moth nests with creosote on Maple Street and Mass. Avenue. Broken limbs of ti ut 6o -..n and removed on ',00d Street and Hill Street. Next week the department will continue the ,=k of treating moth rests. PARK DEPARTMENT Regular maintenance was attended to and will occupy the department's time next week. DATER & SEaER DEPARTMENT ' Vlorked on new cement floor at Public 'Vvorks uilding; thawed out two frozen services on Taft Avenue; two men snorked on hydrants; shovel'-e(.­no�, f ram hydrants; t-tvo men and com- Letter from Fire Chi of . Town C;erk's and Town Treas. Salary. 430 pressor worked on Bill Street for the Highway Department. Regular maintenance work is planned for next week. Q ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Highways Figured Farm Crest Avenze betterment assessments. Work on record plans for Dexter Road and Farmerest Avenue. Studied Survey of Grant Street near Hayes Lane. Plan of relocation of Grant Street between Sheridan and York Streets. Sewers One-half' day spent on Town Sewer study. Miscellaneous Floor grades at Public 4orks Building. Relocations of Mass. Avenue, Wood Street and Hill Street plotted on 400 scale Town Map. Three (3) plans for Town Counsel. Completed block to date as of Assessors Records. Work on street n unb� rin;z plans.. Check work with Engineer Joyce regarCing Tower St. to establish satisfactory la - Relocated bound at the corner of Mass. Avenue and ' Plainfield Street. Wrote descriptions of 3 parcels of Town of Lexington property formerly M. & B. "t. Ry. Co. Completed 100 scale plan of properties from Woburn: Street to Maple Street extending from Lowell Street to the Winchester anc Woburn boundary lines (requested by Town of Winchester). Completed 100 scale plan o' area bounded by Mass. Avenue, Maple Street, Lowell Street, Woburn Street, Woburn Line, Winchester line and Arlington line. Wrote specifications for: - Widening, deepening Vine Brook from Hayes Lane to beyond cast Street. 2. Covered drain f vo t7 end of Clarke Street westerly to playground road. Wrote description of playground taking at Hamblen property. Yours very truly, William S. Scamman Supt. of Public Works The meeting, adjourned`: at 12 P.Ie , A true record, Attest: a4,&, Clerk