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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1931-06-09 72 SELECTMEN'S MEETING JUNE 9, 1.931. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building at 7:30 P .M. Messrs. Trask, Custance, Blake, Shannon and Gilcreast were present. The Supt. of Public Works and the Clerk were also present. Letter was received from John N. Connors in which he- stated that he was -not aware of the fact that the buildings ohahid preemisesJ.*ere .iu Lesingtu_n until the Town Engineer staked out the line about ten days ago. He therefore, asked for a permit to cover the swine and buildings . The Board directed a reply to be made to Mr. Connors which was to be written by the Town Counsel. The Chairman reported having received a complaint Connors from Miss Syer, Wood Street about the odor of pigs . pigs. He asked her whose pigs they were and she stated that they were Connors ' pigs. Mr. Prentiss , Health Inspector, reported that about one year ago he had a complaint from Miss Syer about the odor of pigs in the neighborhood, and when he got there, from the direction she gave that she received the odor, he travelled through the woods and did not find any piggery located in Lexington, but the odor came from the Connors piggery. Mr. Trask reported that he had talked with Dr. McKenzie, Chairman of the Lincoln Board of Health, and Dr. McKenzie informed him that they have 18 piggeries in the Town of Lincoln, and they have not yet granted Connors a permit because of his attitude about the Board of Health Regulations. He stated that if the Town of Lexington did not grant him 'a permit that- probably the Town of Lincoln would be disposed to grant him a permit for a limited number. Inasmuch as they have so many piggeries in the Town, they are anxious to keep the number down as much as possible. After discussing this matter, the Board voted to advise Mr. Connors that he will not be granted a permit to keep pigs in Lexington, and that the pigs that are in Lexington should be removed within thirty days, the Town counsel to direct the communication to be sant to Mr. Connors. The Chairs** !tailed ittenti*. tan theogarbage .ticks swfled by Hr. Condors; they are not hovered while making Collections .of ,gavbage, thrithighopt the Town , Mr. Prentiss stated that he has always had trouble with Mr. Connor's avoiding his orders and he reently found one of his trucks leaking. The Board felt that do Health Inspector should entbrce the Health Regulations and have Mr. Connors keep his trucks covered while making garbage collections which not only is unsightly but is a carrier of flies. 73 The Chairman read a letter which the Town Counsel wrote to Robert L. Ryder under date of June 4th in reference to Mr. Ryder's letter to the Board. Mr. Ryder's Wrightington informed Mr. Ryder that he was having pigs . difficulty in discovering any effective method by which the present injunction can be kept alive and he, Mr. Ryder, be still allowed to keep the limited number of pigs. Mr. Wrightington informed the Board that he would not rely solely upon Mr. Ryder's letter of June 2nd in which he stated that this application to the Board would not affect the decision in favor of the Town in prohibition proceedings already brought relative to this locality. Letter was received from Russell I. Prentiss in reference to the Ryder piggery, giving a report of the condition of the premises as follows : June 9, 1931. Honorable Board of Selectmen Lexington, Massachusetts Gentlemen: In response to your request to inspect the Ryder piggery relative to granting a permit to keep one hundred pigs in the Brood House on Waltham Street, I have the following to report :- The house contains about seventy-five pens. These pens accomodate one sow and litter. A few of the pens contained two sows . I found that the garbage was fed on the floor in some pens. At the rear of the building there were two piles of garbage and waste materials . Flies were seen around these piles. The floor of the building where the cans are washed was covered with garbage and dirty water. The house needs whitewashing. In view of the fact that many complaints in this neighborhood were about flies and odors, it would seem to me that the continuance of a piggery 'in this locality would be inviting many more complaints and criticisms . The conditions surrounding a piggery are ideal for breeding flies and the mere fact that garbage is fed and handled there will cause odors . • The Commissioner of Public Health stated in a letter to your Board that in his opinion this location was not suitable for keeping pigs in any great number. One hundred` sows and several hundred young pigs constitute a large number. I also think that to grant a permit at this time 74 CA will break down the moral we have built up and that the time and money spent in litigation ever this piggery would be wasted. I do not recommend that a permit be granted to keep pigs on the Ryder property on Waltham Street. Yours very truly, (Signed) Russell I. Prentiss Health Inspector. He stated that he did not believe that Mr. Ryder should be granted a permit for the location at 117 Waltham Street inasmuch as the Town has spent time and money in litigation and he did not recommend that a permit be granted. He Pelt that most of the objections given at the trial were about the flies and certainly the keeping of pigs on the premises would attract flies; also that there would be a continued performance of carrying pigs, when they were large enough, over to Woburn and back again to Lexington when they were large enough for brood sows . The trucking was another one of the complaints at the Ryder trial. The Chairman reported that he did snot believe in laying this matter over for any lengthy period. The Town Counsel is to go away for a month in about two weeks and he felt that action should be taken on the matter before the Counsel goes on his vacation. The Board voted therefore, to authorize the Chairman to communicate with the Town. Counsel about a letter to be written to Mr. Ryder refusing the permit at 117 Waltham St. The following bids were received on granolithic sidewalk workt Sidewalk Name Sidewalk Driveways. bids. B. J. Harrington 4.24 $.30 Anthony Ross 8E Son .20 .25 George H. Lowe & Co. .27 .30 Simpson Bros. Corp. .25 .30 Tufo & Yebba, Inc. .20 .25 Hervey F. Armington, Inc. .194 .25 The Supt. of Public Works reported that he had several squares of granolithic sidewalk work which he desired to-have done over by-the Atmingtoxt.'Ce. when they are here. The Hervey F. Armixigten, Inc. being the lowest bidder, they were,awarded the bid of $.i9f for side- walk work and $.25 for driveways. 1 75 The Chairman read a letter received from G. H. Delano, Maintenance Engineer, State Dept. Public Works in which he stated in reference to accidents at the corner of Marrett Rd. and Lincoln St . , the State Dept. had investigated the conditions and found that a traffic control signal of a px'etimed type, costing Traffic approximately $1000. complete and ready to operate, Control. would yield the most satisfactory results. The Commissioners had voted to install this equipment and pay one-half the cost of the installation and all of the maintenance cost if the Town would pay the other half of the installation and the cost of the electric current used and replace the globes when necessary. The letter was referred to Mr. Custance to see whether or not he could get the State to pay the whole cost of the installation inasmuch as the Town did not make any appropriation. The Board signed a lease for three years for the Lex. Golf rental of a part of the Alms House property land for Club lease. the ninth hole, to the Lexington Golf Club at a rental of $10. per year. Hearing was declared open on the application of Moody Henry S. Moody of the Minute Man Golf Club for application permission to install a private gasoline tank in the for capacity of 300 gallons. No persons appeared to gasoline. object, and it was voted to grant the petition. Hearing was declared open on the application of Beatteay Walter J. Beatteay for permission to erect a one car garage per private garage at 10 Lockwood Road. No persons mit granted. appeared to object, and it was voted to grant the petition. Bill for the rental of Estabrook Hall for three meetings in the amount of $25.00 having been sent to Miss Alice N. Morse of the Juvenile Music Club, Juvenile she replied that she understood that she could have Music Club the hall free of charge. rental of The Board had taken no action on the application hall. and directed the Clerk to secure additional inform- ation in regard to the status of the blob. Permit was granted to John A. Sellars for the Sellars pasteurization of milk at his plant on Concord Ave. pasteur- ization. The various members of the Board received invitations to attend the 30th annual convention of Convention the International Association of Chiefs of Police of Chiefs of to be held October 12-15, 1931 at St. Petersburg, Fla. Police. Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works in which he gave an estimate of the cost of setting curbing from Wallis Court to the driveway of James J. Walsh as $1150. The Board considered the matter, and decided 76 inasmuch as Mr. Walsh has not applied for a granolithic Granolithic sidewalk in front of his premises, that they would curbing Mass. not put in the curbing in front of his premises . When Avenue. he applies for a granolithic sidewalk and given the proper grades, it may then be taken care of. The Board, however, authorized the Supt. to have the curb installed from Wallis Place to Winthrop Road. Newspaper clipping showing the decision of the Billboard Court relative to the outdoor advertising signs was decision. before the Board. Decision was made that the Dept. of Public Works have the power to regulate the billboards, and to grant and refuse permits therefor. It was understood that this matter is now to be taken to the United States Supreme Court for decision. The Chairman read a letter received from R. L. Day & Co. in reference to the water loan of *40,000, and Water Loan. also his reply to them explaining that the Town would not install a main less than six inches in diameter. He trusted that this would straighten .out the matter so that the notes could be sold. The decision of the Board of Appeals granting a ?Joliette & permit to Pichette and Ahern was placed before the Ahern Decision. Board. This decision gave specific conditions under which this permit was granted, they being as follass : 1. That the two houses now on the lot be demolished before work on the garage is commenced. 2. That said garage to be constructed is in accordance with drawings as exhibited to the Board on May 22, 1531 and filed with this permit. 3. That only 2-1000 gallon gasoline tanks with ane (1) pump each shall be installed, said puipps to be located within 10 feet of the "office" as shown on the attached plan. 4. That no cars shall be exhibited for sale on the premises. 5. That the premises shall be kept in a neat and clean condition at all times. 6. That the present repair shop on the premises shall be demolished on or before May 22, 1933, and The Board of Selectmen voted to approve of the conditions set forth by the Board of Appeals and to grant a permit to Pichette and Ahern to keep, stare and sell petroleum products, and volatile inflammable liquids in connection therewith, and to use the 77 premises at 847-855 Mass. Ave. as a public filling station, for the storage, keeping and sale of gasolihe in 2-1000 gallon tanks with pumps. The Clerk informed the Board that the Board of Granfield Appeals decided against granting a permit to William application A. Granfield for permission to install 2-1000 gallon refused. gasoline tanks on his premises at the corner of Marrett Road and Spring Street. The Board of Selectmen also voted unanimously not to grant Mr. Granfield a permit to install 2-1000 gallon gasoline tanks at the corner of Marrett Rd. and Spring Street. Mr. Custance, Mr. Gilcreast and Dr. Shannon reported that after the last Selectmen's meeting, they looked over the electric lights at the corner of North Street Hancock Street and Bedford Street, and also the Lights. lights at Marrett Road and Mass. Avenue. They presented plans showing what they recommended for a change in the street lights and recommended 600 candle power lights. The Chairman reported that he also had looked over the conditions and felt that the situation could be improved by 250 candle, power lights and felt that the Board should at least try out the 250 candle power lights at Bedford and North Hancock Streets. The Supt. of Public Works was- therefore instucted to install a 250 candle power light at the corner of No. Hancock Street and Bedford Street and a 600 Candle power light at the corner of Marrett Road and Mass. Avenue. Letter was received from the State Dept. of Public Works in which they stated that the balance of the money not expended on Mass . Avenue construction would be allowed for the Wood Street construction Wood Street work. This letter was referred to Mr. Custance for his atteintion to take up the matter with the County Commissioners. The Board voted to appoint Henry J. Travers Special of Earl Street who is employed at the Paul Revere Police. Golf Links as a Special police, also Horace M. Howard, Cary Library janitor. The Supt. of Public Works reported that it would require seven street lights on School Street and an additional street light on Mass. Agenue on the pole on the westerly side of the entrance to Lights, School Street and that these lights if put in service School St. after July 1st would cost *82.00 for the balance of the year. The Board voted to authorize the Supt. to install these lights. 7s Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works in which he stated that the east side of I Mass. Avenue between Waltham Street and Woburn Street is cracking and should be sealed before it breaks up. It was necessary to patch near the Mass. Ave. curbing and apply a thin seal coat of surfacing, sealed. material and cover with pea stone well rolled. This would cost about $450, and the street will last for several years . The Board voted to authorize the Supt. of Public Works to proceed to put on the seal coat as suggested in his letter. The Board revised the Jury list as follows : LIST OF JURORS AS SUBMITTED BY THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN OF LEXINGTON, 1931. Jury List. Name Occupation Address Akerley, Elmer C. Bond Salesman 63 Forest St. Allen, Russell B. Real Estate Wood St. Archibald, Earle S. Wool 23 Downing Rd. Archibald, VNiittemore C. Struc. Eng. 16 Vaille Ave. Ashley, Harold C. Painter 77 Highland Ave. Bailey, George J. Farmer East St. IIBalogh, William J. Furrier 98 Fottler Ave. Barrington, James L. Dye Business 24 Bloomfield St. Barton, George S. Artist 15 Bloomfield St. Bean, George W. Proprietor 241 Bedford St. Beatty, Walter S. Banker 53 Waltham St. Beaudry, Charles S. Civil Engineer 5 Raymond St. Bevington, Alfred J. Farmer 58 Marrett Rd. Bond, Raymond A. Bond Salesman 37 Somerset Rd. Bourne, Herbert C. Caretaker 41 Bedford St. Breed, Ezra F. Plumber 44 Bloomfield St. Buck, J. Jerauld Reporter 73 Bloomfield St. Bull, Leslie A. Fruit Grower 83 Hancock St. Burrill, William L. Real Estate 127 Bedford St. Burt, Leon C. Office Manager 25 Harding Rd. Butters, George W. Manager 78 Highland Ave. Chadwick, Elmer A. Manufacturer 17 Audubon Rd. Chamberlain , Wm. E. Manufacturer 14 Eliot Rd. Chapman, Charles E. Farmer 40 Maple Street Clow, Samuel P. Carpenter 21 -Waltham St. Cole, George F. Bus Operator 210 Bedford St. Crone, Louis L. Salesman 30 Forest St. Custer, Everett J. Salesman Marrett Rd. Davis, Henry C. , Jr. Auditor 6 Audubon Rd. Denham, Harold C. Clerk 8 Jackson et. Dodge, Arthur C. Treasurer 52 Perky Rd. I Drew, Carl I. Clerk 10 Locust Ave. Duffy, J. Henry Civil Engineer 25 Maple St. Earle, Arthur H. Real Estate 102 Forest St. Emery, Leland H. Salesman 85 Meriam St. 79 II Ferguson, Roy A. Bank 19 Bertwell Rd. Fernald, Robert W. Banker 2 Washington St. Fletcher, Fred B. Carpenter 18 Independence Ave. Frost, Harry G. Salesman 47 Lincoln St. Giroux, Arbhibald Stock Exchange 13 Stratham Rd. Graham, John C. Market Gardner Burlington St . Guthrie, James A. Machinist 24 Taft Ave. Hadley, Charles E. Plumber 502 Mass . Ave. . Hatch, George C. Farmer Watertown St. Hauck, Carl Wood Carver Harbell St. Hayden,J.Willard,Jr. Banker Shade St. Hill, Converse Insurance 2101 Mass. Ave. Hilliard, Clayton A. Statistician 33 Highland Ave. binchey, Michael Clerk 12 Hancock St. Hopkins, Morton G. Insurance 9 Audubon Rd. Horton, Lawrence M. Salesman 6 Lincoln St. Hunt, William Retired 9 Adams St. Hyde, Walter L.. Clerk 22 Forest St . Irwin, James, Jr. Carpenter 19 Hibbert St. Joy , Charles R. Retired 627 Mass. Ave. Judkins, Merle B. Builder Grassland St. Knight, Daniel R. Paper Co. 1088 Mass. Ave. ' Knights, Arthur A. Manufactt*er 25 Winthrop Road Lamont, Harold B. Banker 20 Winthrop Road II Little, Russell M. Shoe Bindings 7 Forest St. Lowe, George H. Foreman 421 Marrett Rd. Mabey, Edison R. Trucking 145 Grant St. MacPhee, Clarence Milkman 126 Oak Street Macurda, William E. Coal 45 Hancock St. Maguire, Frank H. Farmer Wood St. Manning, Stephen B. Watchmaker 50 Woodland Road Marshall, William J. Shipper 9 Independence Ave. Mayo, Robert D. Salesman Oakmount Circle Mead, Reuben Retired Robinson Rd. Meek, Charles B. Farmer Bsnon St. Merriam, Robert C. Manufacturer 24 Oakmount Circle Nickerson, James A. Real Hatitte 15 Vine Brook Rd. Parker, Charles L. Store Manager 12 Cary Street Peirce , James A. Advertising Mgr. 40 Marrett Rd. Pierce, Irving B. At home 100 Forest St. Reed, Kelsey G. Cotton Finisher 7 Franklin Rd. Reed, William W. Real Estate 57 Meriam St. Robinson, Gordon W. Salesman 80 Hancock St. Rows, Albert G. Pattern Maker 3 Locust Ave. Ross, George M. Bond Salesman 45 Hancock St. Rowse, Arthur E. , Jr. Manufacturer 38 Somerset Rd. Russell, Syron A. Blacksmith 927 Mass. Ave. Russell, Galen A. Insurance 1505 Mass. Ave. Sargent, George W. Bookkeeper 31 Waltham St. II Scheibe, Edgar G. Manufacturer Lineoln St. Shore, , Ralph C. Salesman 68 Bedford St. Smith, Allen C. Dry Goods 5 Forest St. Spaulding, Edward L. Electrician 14 Parker St. Steeves, Clyde E. Steamfitter 50 Hill Top Ave. 80 Stone, Robert M. Insurance 18 Hayes Ave. Stoney, Benjamin S. Clerk 3 Fern St. Swenson, Axel M. Farmer 39 Prospect Hill Rd. Temple, Walter F. Salesman 51 York St. Tower Ellis W. Buyer 23 Bloomfield St. Toye, Francis J. Post Office Foreman 3 Ames Ave. Tyler, Arthur S. Milk Business 29 Maple Street Whipple, Bertram F. Bank Business. 13 Chase Ave. Whipple, Charles A. Merchant 1 Upland Rd. Whitney, Robert Insurance Round Hill Rd. Wilson, Walter H. Farmer 33 Fern St. Robert P. Trask Clarence Shannon Selectmen Halite C. Blake of -Theodoee A. Custanoe Lexington. John E. Gilcreast.. The Supt. of Public Works presented changes in the Swimming Pool Regulations recommended by Mr. Swimming Garrity, Supt . of the Park Dept . The Board felt Pool Reg. that inasmuch as Mr. Garrity was familiar with the work at the swimming pool, that his recommendations should be adopted, and so voted. Hedge, Mr. Trask brought up the fact that the hedge Buckman at the rear of the Buckman Tavern property, along Tavern. the Railroad should be clipped and suggested that the arbor vitae be clipped as a hedge. The Chairman reported on the work done by Mr. Jenks en the trees at the Common, and the Board agreed Trees. that the work done has been very excellent and reason- able' It was also voted that the Chairman be instructed to request Mr. Jenks to look over the trees around the Cary Memorial grounds and on Tower Park. Dr. Shannon called attention to the Locust tree on Buckman Tavern property which looked at though it were in very doubtful condition and should be looked at, and also to a tree on Waltham Street in front of the Hunt property opposite the post office. The attention of the Supt. of Public Works was called to the condition in front of D. J. O r Connel l's house. The Chairman reported that Mr. O'Connell Water in wont called this evening and stated that a woman had been of O'Connell splashed and her clothing wet with water from the house . puddle in this seotion, and that something should be done about it. Mr. Cus tante reported that the Town Engineer stated that a catch basin could be built on Woburn 81 1 Street to carry this water away from Mass. Avenue and then the water could be run down the gutter temporarily until something more definite is done. The Board discussed the matter of work done on Allen Street . The Chairman felt that the work should not run into a construction job in digging out the highway. He felt that the Highway Maintenance Account Allen could not stand doing too much on this street, al- Street though it could be fixed so that it would be passable. The Board felt that the stone wall should be repaired and then the street cleaned up. Mr. Custance reported that he consulted with Mr. Kendall about the status of the Old County Road and he was informed by him that when the street was Old County abandoned and another road constructed to take its Road. place, that the property reverted to the original owners. lie therefore felt that this layout now should proceed just as a new layout . The Board discussed the laying out of Allen Street and voted to make a board of survey and Selectmen's layout from Allen Street to the school. The Supt. of Public Work's attention was called to the fact that Mr. Alfred Haynes was complaining Haynes about the w at er running down over his property, and property that the Supt . should at least dig an open d rain if he could not put the pipe in across the property. The list of persons who have not as yet entered the s ewer was presented to the Board. The Board felt that the sewer department were not re- Sewer ceiving sufficient income from the s ewers laid in connections. the streets , inasmuch as these connections were not made. T The matter was referred to the Chairman to draw up a notice to be sent to persons Who have not already connected. Attention was called to the fact that the curves in East Lexington have not-been marked as the Board reported to the Town that they would be masked. The Board discussed the matter and felt that if the Curves curve between Independence Ave. and Pleasant Street painted. were painted that this would held the situation. The Board inquired how much it would Capt to purchase a machine to paint the highways, and Ore Olupt. of Public Works stated that he thought it would cost about $75.00. The Board felt that money would have been saved long ago with the expenditure of this sum inasmuch as the man who does the painting is very slow. The Board reque at ed Mr. Scamman to get definite figures on the cost of this machine. Mr. Custanc e reported that sometime ago arrangements were made with the Field and Garden Club to cut the grass borders, 'end. the Town would stand one-half the expense. When Mr. Ballard was on the Board, he felt that the Town should dO ttilS 82 work and the Town was supposed to have taken care Grass borders of it. Mr. Custance felt that the Field and Garden cut. Clitb had a man to do this work and that they did it well and the Town should go back to this arrangement. The chairman reported that he had ridden through the Town this morning with Mr. Finery viewing various situations and they discussed grass borders. It was left with the Chairman to communicate with the president of the Field and Garden Club to see what arrangments could be made and what the cost of the club taking care Of the grass borders would be, the Town to pay its share. Mr. Cus tanc a called attention to the complaint that he received from Dennis Collins, Cottage Street Complaint. of the pole located in front of his house. Cottage Street is a private way, and therefore the Board has no jurisdiction in the matter. Mr. Custance asked if the Board wished to make a layout of the street through this section. No action was taken ,on the matter. Complaint, Com-Aaint was received from Mr. Faulkner of the re drain. work being done on the drain in East Lexington. Mr. Custance reported that he had seen Edward C. E. C. Stone Stone regarding the corner of Hayes Avenue and Hancock property. Street and stated that Mr. Stone desired to have a plan showing the layout inasmuch as he was interested in one of the trees which might have to be taken down. Mr. Custance reported having communicated with Mr. Holt regarding the Ellam► A. Stone property, arra he hoped to have something definite from Mr. Holt E. A. Stone in the near future. He went oder the situation with property. Mr. Holt recently and he informed him that Miss Stone objects to an entrance on Mass . Ave. , and the School Committee desired to get started this week on the work; it was hoped that some definite agreement could be arranged with Miss Stone whereby they could go in there and start the work. Mr. Blake called attention to the fact that Condition of when the scale near the Denham property along side property of the building which George Smith has now adjacent to purchased for a periodical store were removed, Denhays. that the place was not cleaned up and that the place should be smoothed up. This matter was called to the attention of the Supt. of Public Works. was re eiveekly report of the Supt. of Public Works d. Tne meeting adjourned at 10:55 P.M. A true record, Attest : Clerk.