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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1931-04-21 12 SELECTMEN 'S MEETING f'C APRIL 21, 1931. , A regular meetingof the Board of Selectmen was held at the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building at 7 30 P.M. Messrs . Trask, Custance, Blake and Gilcreast were present . The Supt. of Public 'uiorks and the Clerk were also present . Mr. Edward W. Taylor, Chief, Fire Dept. , came before the Beard to discuss the matter of insurance to protect himself while on duty as Chief of the Fire Dept. Mr. Gilcreast informed him that in his investigation, he found tat the Federal Surety Co. will write a separate policy for him, covering him on liability insurance for his car, that is to say, he will have one policy on his car which will cover him privately, and the other policy will cover him as Chief of the Fire Dept. The 1nployers Liability Assurance Co. would place an endorsement on his present accident policy covering him to the amount of $4000 while on duty as Chief of Fire Chief the Fire Dept. re insurance. The Board discussed the matter at some length and discussed whether or not it would be best to increase the salary of the Chief, which authority is in the hands of the Engineers; whether he should sell his car to the oin'1•L ` 4 9 tie ler �uilretygeo awdTe nallgg6r i.!e and which the Employers Liability Assurance Co. would allow. In any event, Mr. Taylorts beneficiaries would be at a disadvantage if he-were killed while he was in the employ of the Toon as Chief of the Fire Dept. , inasmmch as his policy would be void. The Board decided, in view of the fact that there is a bill before the Legislature to provide authority to insure employees, that they would wait to see what action was taken by the Legislature. The following licenses were granted: Alcohol Ross Tire & Battery Co. 3 Depot Square Calvin W. Childs 339 & 409 Mass . Ave. Waverly Hardware Co. 1756 Mass . Ave. common Victuallers Howard M. Munroe & Irving Currier, Woburn & Lowell St. Annie B. Fraser 803 Mass . Ave. Jacob Bornstein 4 Sylvia St. Hattie E. A. Peckham 37 Hancock St. Lillian J. Pratt Marrett Rd. Mary A. & Ernest R. Rowland Lowell St. B. K. Liggett & Co. 1721 Mass . Ave. Jame M. Lawrence Concord Ave. 13 Common Victuallers Entertainment Countryside Filling Station Lowell & Woburn Sts . Innholaiers George B. MacAlpine 50 Percy Rd. Warren E. Russell 1505 Mass . Ave. Manufacture of Ice Cream A. W. Partridge Cor Waltham St. & Marrett Rd. Hearing was declared open by the Board of Survey on the application of James R. Smith of Arlington for approval of plans of layout of streets over the property located at the corner or Mass. Avenue and Locust AvenWe, at 8 P.M. Mr. James R. Smith J. R. Smith and his Engineer, Mr. Joyce were present at the layout . hearing. They presented plans showing the lotting s cheme and the layout of Richard Road, Tower St . , Plymouth Road andRobbins Road. The plans were in very fine shape for acceptance by the Board of Survey. No persons appeared against the layout, and the Board voted to approve the layout of these streets and lotting plan. `he ('hairman inquired of Mr. Smith, whether or not he would consider putting in bounds, and Mr. Smith replied that he would do so if the Board desired to h*ve'h. r6 He stated, However, that he had been on the Board of Survey in the Town of Arlington for a period of six years and the experience there was that stone bounds may be placed in, but when trucks hit them, they are wed out of place and many times it tikes considerable engineering work to get the bound in place again. They did agree however, that there should be bounds placed on street corners. They would not object to placing stone bounds if the Board insisted upon their doing so. The Town Engineer reported that the sewers had been cleaned by the Sewer Dept. from Maple Street to Grant Street and that they had been considerably clogged up by debris of various kinds such as automobile tires. He suggested that they be cleaned Cleaning out from Maple Street to the Arlington line. out of Mr. Trask felt that there should be some way of sewers. locking the manhole covers down so that people could not threw things into the sewers. The Supt. of Public Works did not believe that this was feasible, inasmuch as it was necessary to get at them many times in a hurry, and that it re- quired two men to remove one of the manhole covers with tools at the present time. Mr. Albert H. Burnham came before the Board 14 oph presenting the Board with a Manual of the General 3z" Court. . Mr. Burnham asked what the Board intended to do on Vine brook. He called attention to the fact that he has a water system on his pfoperty that Cost him considerable money and if Vine Brook were lowered 2i ft. it would damage his water system, Mr. Burnham and he felt that he should collect damages. re Vine Brook After considering the matter, the Board informed Mr. Burnham that they did not see any reason why he should not dam up the brook on his own property if he so desired when it reached the low point if he did not have a sufficient water supply, inasmuch as this would not damage any one further along on the brook, and it would not back the water up on the upper end of Vine Brook. The deed of Stephen F. & Nellie J. Hamblin of Hamblin gift a gift of land in the rear of their premises adjoining of land . the center playground was received. The Board voted to present this to the Town for acceptance. Notice was received of the tenth annual conf er- Ind.& Public ence of the Industrial and Public Safety Committee Sat'ety conf. to be held at the Hota1 Statler April 29 and 30. This matter was referred to Mr. Gilcreast to attend to. Notice of the approval of the Attorney General of the amendment to the By-law allowing a business district to be established on the property of George W. Bean, 241 Bedford Street, and the approval of the map by the Attorney General was received. G. W. Bean The Clerk reported having consulted with the property. Town Counsel on this matter, and he believed that as long as the plan was approved, that it should also be published. This had not been done before in other cases where the amendments were made to the Zoning Law; it would also be rather costly to print the map each time an amendment was made, inasmuch as the map is cast in one single plate and a new plate would have to be made each time. It was left with the Chairman and the Clerk to proceed to advertise the by-law in the proper manner as advised by the Town Counsel. Application Application for the boarding of infants was to board received from Florida Crawford, 39 Moreland Ave. infants. The Board voted to lay the matter on the table until such time as the Clerk manes an investigation of the premises Notice, of a hearing to be held Wednesday April 22, 15 1931 at Room #245, State House at 10 :30 A .M. on Senate Bill #463 was received, in regard to taking water Senate Bill from the Quinapoxe6 River and its tributaries by the #463. City of Worcester. The Representative and the Senator were requested to oppose this project at the hearing . Notice of the annual confe ence of the Sealers of Sealer of Weights & Measures at Washington D. C. , July 2 - Weights & June 5, 1931 was received by the Board. Measures It was felt that the attention of the Sealer should Don- be broughtto the fact that there w'is no allowance in Vention. his anpropriation for his attendance at this convention. Petition for damages from Sarah E. Holmes for S .E.Holmes damages to her property located on Mass. A e. where petition for the relocation was made in 1930 was acknowledged by damages. the Town Counsel who stated that he would attend to the matter. Letter was received from the Town Counsel in which he advised, inasmuch as the Town voted to give to the Board of Appeals the power to decide on Vote re the appeals from the Building Law, that the Board of following vote be passed by the Board of Selectmen Appeals. appointing said Board:: Voted: That Theodore A. Custance, a member of the Bo r d of Selectmen, C. Edward Glynn, a member of tae Planning Board, Roland W. Baldrey, Curlys L. Slocum and Arthur N. M-addison, be appointed, a Board of Appeals under Article II, Section 4, of the Building By-law of the Town. Farther Voted: That all acts of the Board of Appeals heretofore appointed under Article II, section 4 of the Building By-law of the town, be and they hereby ' areratified, and approved. The. matter of guard rails was laid over again for one aaofith. The Town Counsel enclosed a check of $332. Sale of land received from Mr. William L. Bu-rill for land at Public purchased at the Public Works Department and also a Works Dept . check for $1000 received from the Home Finance Co. for land purchased at the Public Works Dept. The Chairman. presented a letter which was brought to him by "Paul Revere" on the 20th of April signed April 20th by Joseph McGrath, Acting Mayor of the City of Boston, celebration. in which they joined with the Town of Lexington. in commemorating the 156th anniversary of the historical ride of Paul Revere. Letter was received from the Naar East Relief Assoc. in which they requested permission to use the Near East Police and Fire stations for the collection of bundles Relief for the Near East relief. It was decided to refer this m atter to the local paper to put in the paper this information about the 16 oph collection for the Near East Relief so that people in the Town may avail themselves of an opportunity to leave bundles at the fire station and police station for this purpose. A circular letter enclosing a proclamation was received from the Maternity Center of N. Y. City proclaiming a new Mothers ' Day of May 10th. This matter was left with the Chairman to attend Mother 's Day. to. The Board did not believe that they should adopt a proclamation on this matter, but that the information might be given to the local newspaper for the benefit of those who might be interested. The Board confirmed the action of three members Ledn-elrlwn of the Board in approving the lotting plan of the %ve . plan. Home Finance Co. which showed the lots on Ledgelawn Ave. which was signed by Messrs. Trask, Custance and Shannon on April 16th. Town of Letter was received from the Chairman of the Lincoln re Board of Selectmen, Town of Lincoln, in which he answering extended his thanks for the service of the Lexington fire alarm. Fire Dpet . in answering the call in Lincoln on Monday evening, and expressing their appreciaton of the prompt action, and offered their assistance to Lexington at any time. Bids on the painting of the cottage and barn at 9 Hancock St. , located on the - ckman Tavern property oncupied by John J. Garrity, Supt. of Parks was received as follows ; Fred N. Hargreaves & Son - 1 coat $140. 2 coats 260. .Bids, painting J. C=arrityts Frank H. Tobin 1 coat 140. house. 2 coags 250. Ludwig Geiss 1 Coat Barn $40, cottage $70 - Total $110. 2 coats " 70, cottage $110 - Total $180. The Board vct ed to award the bid to the lowest bidder, Lud*ig Geiss , 917 Mass . Ave. , Lex., at his bid of $180 for two coats of paint. Letter was received from the President of the Mass . Association of Selectmen, Axel Zetterman, in which he thanked the Board for their letter of the Letter, Axel 8th instant. He stated that the letter referred to Zetterman re was not signed or authorized by him, and was repudiated gasoline tax. by him at the meeting. He agreed that some new Legislation should be favored by the SelectmenA ' Assoc. to the end that more of the gasoline money be given to the Chapter 81 Towns , and that no Towns be burdened with the expense of any portion of the cost of building State highways . 17 Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works in which he reported that he talked with James V. Picariello in regard to the sidewalk assessment on his property on Shirley Street, and Mr. Picariello stated that he did not see any reason why he should pay the sidewalk charge intsmuch as when he purchased Picariello the property there was no record of any lien upon sidewalk the property, and he +'elt that the former owner tax. should pay the sidewalk tax. Mr. Custance reported that he endeavored to secure payment of this sidewalk assessment from Mrs . Holstrom who ordered the sidewalk, but had been unable to do so, and recommended that the amount be abated. Letter was received from the Town Counsel in which he reported that Mr. Hendrick indicated that Costs, the costs that will be taxed in the O'Connell case O' Connell would be between $150 and $175, the exact amount would case. be determined at a later date. Letter was received from the Mass . Safety Council, 6 Beacon Street, calling attention to a confbrence Mass . Safet; on April 30th to discuss highway end industrial Council accident problems. Conference. This matter was left to Mr. John E. Gilcreast to attend the conference. The Chief of the. Fire Dept. reported regarding the notices whicl1 the Board requested that he draw up for posting around the Town, that he felt the Town should save the money which would be spent on printing the posters inasmuch as he did not believe Posters re that the posters would do a great deal toward Forest eliminating fires. fires . It was unofficially reported that Mr. Hamlin of Parker Street knew who the person was that set the fire in back of Lexington Gardens , and that he was ready to take- the party to Court. It was felt that if some action of this kind was taken and the person convicted, that it would do more good toward the stopping of fires than any other action which could be taken. Mr. Scamman reported an estimare of the cost of repairs on Pleasant Street, between Mass. Avenue and Watertown Street as $4200. If the street here scarified rolled and used for a foundation for a penetrated top, it would last for a number of years . If it were Pleasant scarified, a thin coating of gravel applied with Street. surfacing material and pea stone top, the cost would be reduced about $800, but this would not improve the street except for one or two years . The Board felt that this street was in such poor condition that a fairly good job should be done on it and also that the Supt. should take off a part of the curve at the junction of Watertown Street which is now rather dangerous, and the Board so instructed the Supt. of Public Works . 18 Letter was received from the Chief of Police in • regard to accidents in East Lexington, from Marrett Rod to the Arlington line. He stated that the traffic turning left onto Marrett Road from Mass. Ave . had difficulty in entering this street, due to the fact that traffic going east on Mass. Ave refused to slow down. This is one of the causes of accidents at this point . Traffic coming down Marrett Road entering Mass . Ave. enters at a fast rate of speed and comes in contact with the east bound traffic on Mass . Ave. Strangers stop -.Lt Maple Street at the sign pointing to Cam- bridge and Boston. He also called attention to the fact that the ro .d narrows down near Independence Ave. , and inas- mIch as the automobiles park on both sides of the street on account of the stores, this causes congestion. Traffic Report re coming out of Pleasant Street refuses to slow down at the accidents , corner, and traffic on Mass . Ave. fails to slow down. Mass .Ave. Motorists making left turns off the Avenue from gasoline stations have caused accidents . The width of Mass . Ave. at Bow street and Sylvia Street is a cause of danger to the children. There is also a grade on Mass .Ave. near that point . He stated that he believeiall accidents in any part of the Town were caused from speed. Mr. Trask called attention to the fact that the Board should make a report to the Town on this matter, in- .. asmueh as it was referred to them, and Mr. Custance made suggestions to remedy the situation. He sn ;gested 'that a white line be drawn on Mass. Ave. from Marrett Road to Pleasant Street in the middle of the street ; that the Board incre se the candle power of the lights from Marrett Road to Pleasant Street; that no p arkirig be allowed on Independence Avenue for a distance of 50 ft. from its intersection with Mass. Ave. , and no parking on Mass. Ave. at its junction with Independ.ene Ave. a distance of 25 or 30 feet from the corner, and that the Board consiryer adopting parking regulations to this effect. The Boarddiscussed the matter of painting a line on Mass. Ave. and felt that perhaps the albite line should only be painted on the curves , inasmuch as this would hinder tiraffic going on the straight stretches of the road. The Supt. of Public Works was instructed to look up thecost of operation of larger lights from Independence Ave. to Pleasant Street. The Supt. of Public Works reported that Mr. haynes Haynes desired to have the easement presented -to him changed, easement. taking out the word " .rain", inasmuch as he felt that at dome later date he might be compelled to allow an open drain on his premises. The Board saw no objection to this change in the easement. Mr. Cus t anc a called attention to the fact that the T-enches trenches across the highways are not properly tamped. fixed on He stated that they should be rolled and that the manner in highways. which they are now fixed, with heavy traffic passing over re 19 them, they settle very quickly. The Board therefore instructed the Supt . of Public Works to see that all trenches. were properly fixed on Bedford Street from the railroad crossing to Mass . Ave. and on Mass . Ave. from near Parker Street to the Arlington line and also one on Waltham Street . The Supt. of Public Works was requested to have the Pumping stone bound and curbing removed from the pumping station Station. property on Lincoln Street. Mr. Custance called attention to five elm trees on the Kelley place on Bedford Street. These trees are within the highway bounds, and they should have attention. Elm trees, • It was left with the Supt. of Public Works to find Bedford St, out whether or not the Stite would look after these trees inasmuch as Bedford Street at that point is a State highway. Mr. Custance also called attention to the fact that all the trees from Bedford St. to No. Hancock St. should be trimmed. The Chairman called attention to the flet that the trees in front of the Bashian property on Mass. Avenue should also be trimmed. Attention was called to the fact that requests were made for trees on Hillside Terrace, Hill Top Ave. , and Simonds Road. Trees . Discussion as to what kind of trees should be planted was entered. into. Mr. Scamman reported that maole trees would be rather costly. It was decided- that if enough trees were needed, it might be well to send for sane that would be received at a lower rate than they Gould be purchased for at some local place. This matter was left with the Chairman to attend to. Mr. Blake called attention to the fire menace that Fi-e existed on the premises of Edmund A. Webb, 27 Hayes Ave. Menace, He stated that Mr. Webb had sold some trees and that the Webb slash had been left on the ground and if a fire got into property. this it would destroy a great deal of territory. It was decided to request Mr. Webb to clean up the fire menace at a very early date. Mr. Custance reported having received notice from Tearing down the Lowell Building & Wreckir:g Co. , that they accept the Alms house. proposition of removing the Alms^House and sheds without cost to the Town and they would provide liability insurance to protect the Town. The Board considered the rough draft of votes Town Meet- prepared for the Town Meeting and suggested certain ing Votes. changes to be made. The Clerk called attention to the fact that when talking with the Town Accountant , he did not believe that bonds would be issued for the payment of damages to Mr. O' Connell in the amount of $22,447, and the Clerk upon 20 licab f; e talking to Mr. Waddell, was informed by him that he did not know whether or not bonds could be issued on the O 'Connell building line. This was a new question to him. The Town Bldg. line. Counsel informed the Clerk that he considered the build- ing line a part of the relocation of a street and for that reason bonds could be issued. Inasmuchss the question arose, it was decided to refer the matter to Mr. Custance to take up with Mr. Waddell to be sure of the proper decision on thepreparation for this vote. It was decided to call the next meeting of the Selectmen at 7 o' clock P.M. , inasmuch as the community service meeting is to be held in Cary Memorial Hall at 8 P .M. , at which time the Selectmen are requested tob e present. The weekly report of the Supt. of Public Works was Deceived. The meeting adjourned at 11:30 P.M. A true record, Attest: Clerk.