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SELECTMEN'S MEETING .
JUNE 23, 1931.
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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, Gilcreast,
Blake and Shannon were present. The Supt. of
Public Works and the Clerk were also present .
Two of the members of the Board of Selectmen
of the Town of Winchester together with the Town
Engineer came before the Board in reference to the
building of a street connecting Winchester with
Ldxington. They stated that there would be another
hearing on this natter at the County Commissioner's
Office June 30, 10:30 A.M. and urged that the members
Street from of the Selectmen of Lexington attend this meeting to
Winchester to state that they were in favor of a street coming
Lexington. through to Lexington
The Town of Winchester has already appropriated
*17,000 and the State likewise appropriated $17,000.
They stated that the County Commissioners have some-
how got the impression that the Selectmen of Lexington
are not in favor of continuing High Street through
to Lexington. They made this appropriation in
Winchester this year and also an appropriation to put Wat-
er in the street and considerable labor would be
employed and it would help the unenployment situation.
There are several new houses to be built in this
section, and it is a very nice development; they are
extremely anxious to get the street laid out before
they put in the water pipe.
The Chairman agreed to attend the meeting on
Tuesday, June 30th at 10:30 O'clock A.M.
Letter was received from Patrick J. Neary in
reference to tent caterpillars that have come over
onto his property at 9 Bennett Avenue. He quoted
Complaint, Section 18 of Chapter 132, General Laws, which
P.J.Neary re provides for property infested with brown tail moths,
moths & caterpillars, known as public nuisances, {to be
caterpillars. destroyed by the Town and the owner of the property
Should be faxed.
Letter was written to Mr. Neary instructing him
that it was now too late to do anything about the
caterpillars, but if he would notify the Board
next year when the caterpillars bothered him, they
would have the matter straightened out with the
owner.
Letter was received from the County Commissioners
Dogs. in reference to the control of dogs. II
Letter was also received from the State Dept.
of Public Health in reference to a meeting to be held
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on June 25th at 11 :45 A.M. at the Gardner Auditorium,
State House, at which the subject of stray dogs and
rabies is to be considered. Notice of this
meeting was sent to the Animal Inspector for his
attention.
It was voted to grant a Common Victuallers License
to John J. Dwyer, Waltham Street and Marrett Road. Licenses.
It was voted to grant a Slaughter House License
to August Young, Laconia Street .
The Board dis cussed the application of Frank W.
Perkins for a gasoline perudt , 5371.542 Mass. Avenue,
Lexington, inasmuch as the Board of Appeals have
considered, informally, Mr. Perkins ' application
and decided that they would not grant a gasoline
permit in a residence district as an accessory use.
The Clerk reported the arguments of Mr« Perkins Frank
that he could not find anything in the Zoning Law Perkins
wherein it states that the Board of Appeals should application
act upon a gasoline permit in a residence district. for gasolint
It is not definitely stated in the Zoning Law that
they shall act on such applications , but it appears
to come within the jurisdiction of Section 9 G.
Mr. Perkins having had a previous hearing
upon his application, the Board felt obliged to
inform him of the situation, inasmuch as they
instructed that a joint hearing be held with the
Board of Appeals on his application.
The Chairman was therefore directed to write
Mr. Perkins a lett er explaining the situation to
him and inf onning him that if hs insisted upon
having a hearing,_ that the hearing should be held
jointly with the ,Board of Appeals.
Contracts for the construction of Mass . Avenue
were before the Board. Mr. Custance advised that
they be laid over for one week until such time as
the State Engineer has an opportunity to look over Mass. Avenue
the contract. It was Mr. Custance' s desire to use Contracts.
a different kind of stone than that mentioned in
the contract and he desired to have it changed.
The matter was therefore laid over for one
week.
Invitation was received to attend the open-
ing of the Medical and Surgical Building at Invitation.
Rutland Sanatarium on Friday, June 26th.
The Milk Inspector having made a report that
Mr. Arthur S. Tyler, 29 Maple Street has now corn- A.S.Tyler's
plied with his order relative to his pasteurization Pasteurization
of milk plant, the Board voted tog rant Mr. Tyler of milk lic.
a license for the Pasteruization of milk.
Notice was received from the State in regard
to the billboard of the Lexington Inn which is
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located near the house of William Dailey on r'"C
Advertising Marrett Road. There have been a few billboards
sign. advertising local business which have been
allowed by the Board in the past, such as the
Lexington Lumber Company, and this sign bad
been approved for erection last year, and the
Board therefore voted to ,approve this permit.
Mr. T . A. Custance received a letter from Mr.
Edward C . Stone in reference to the widening at
the corner of Hayes Avenue and Hancock Street.
Mr. Custance sent a letter to Mr. Stone, also a plan
E. C. Stone of what was proposed to be taken at this corner.
taking. Mr. Stone stated after talking the matter over
with Mrs. Stone, they did not believe that they
wanted to give up the land at this corner at the
present time. If, however, the Board felt that they
must make an actual taking, he wished an opportunity
to be ,heard.
Complaint was received from Forrest E. King of
Complaint re the odor that comes from the rear of the block in
odor, rear which he is located - 1745 Mass. Avenue. The Health
Rubin and Inspector investigated the condtions and directed a
Seligman letter to the First National Stores and to Friend's
Block. Bakery calling their attention to the condition
that he found in the rear of their premises.
It was decided to acknowledge Mr. King 's letter,
and inform him that the Health Inspector had made
this inspection and ordered the place cleaned up.
Report was received from the Health Inspector
on the conditions of the premises at 38 Cedar Street,
owned by Nellie Shea who died on June 16th. The
conditions were called to the attention of the Board
by Dr. William L. Barnes who was called in at the
Unsanitary time Miss Shea was found dead. He stated that the
condition of house was in the most deplorable dondition of any
Shea house, house he had ever seen.
Cedar Street. The Health Inspector reported that the house was
occupied by Nicholas Shea who was employed in the
Highway Department, and Edward Shea who appears to
be of unsound mind. The house consists of five rooms
and a small porch which is the entrance to the house.
One of the bedrooms down stairs in which Miss Shea
was found dead, is in a filthy conditi on and full of
rubbish and rags . There were no bed clothes on the
bed. The kitchen and the other bed room dow nstati s
occupied by Edward was also in a filthy condition.
The dished on the kit chen table had not been washed
for weeks and a bad odor Was notcieable. The
bedroom upstairs was not quite so bad but very dirty.
The other room was used for a store room. There bras
hardly any light in the room as the windows were
covered with rags . The toilet outside the house
was in a very unsanitary condition. The Health
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Inspector recommended that the occupants of the house
I II be ordered to vacate the premises as it would almost
be impossible to clean the premises up, and that
Edward Shea be taken care of by the Welfare Dept.
and properly committed to a Sanatorium.
The Board, after considering the matter, did not
know what the status of the property would be, and
decided to communicate with the Town Counsel to find
out what the legal status of the property was, and
if there were any mortgages or debts against the
estate.
They also voted to instruct the Clerk of the
Welfare Dept: to take the proper steps to have
Mr. Edward Shea committed to some institution.
The Chief of Police recommended verbally that
the place of business operated by Eva Bornstein at Eva Bornstein'
56 Mass. Avenue be closed at 11:30 At night . The store to be
Police Dept. have had considerable trouble with closed at 11.
this location from gangs hanging around the store,
and also recently made a conviction of one of the
Bornstein family for selling liquor.
The Board considered the matter and voted to
instruct Mrs . Bornstein to have the premises closed
up by 11 o'clock at night.
In reference to the parking situation at the
corner of Independence Avenue and Mass. Ave., the
Supt . of Public Works has already painted out a
part of the parking area which he had designated in Parking,
front of the stores of Pichette & Ahern, about which Pichette &
Mr. Ahern complained. Some of the members of the Ahern stores.
Board had looked the situation over, and Mr. Custance
recommended that the matter be laid on the table
until a survey is made of Independence Avenue to
see whether or not this street should be widened.
He felt that this is the main entrance to the
development on the hill beyond, and is becoming
rather thickly settled and that this may be one
reason why there are accidents at this point.
The matter was therefore laid on the table.
Letter was received from Mr. E. B. Worthen, in
which he gave the early history of the section in
which the Franklin School is located. He gave the
early owners of the proprty, and suggested names for Naming of
the street which is to take the place of the Old Allen St.
County Road, formerly old Allen Street. The Board
intends to layout a street from Present Allen Street
to the Franklin School. This street eventually will
continue to Marrett Road.
After considering the suggestion of the names
of Stearns Road and Clematis Road, the Board voted
to name this street from Marrett Road to Blossom
Street Allen Street. This would leave Allen Strret
from the School house to Waltham Street unnamed.
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It was decided to write the School Committee
giving them the recommendation of the Board and ask
if they had a suggestion of a name for that part of
Allen Street that would be left un-named.
Letter was received from Elmer A. Lord & Co.
in which they stated that they enclosed the endorse-
Insu rance. ments for blanket insurance, taking off the follow-
ing items and reducing the total amount $15,800.
Item 1. Alms House and Ell *5000
3. Hen House 300
5. Lockup Building 200
16. Brick Pumping Station 10000
22. Tool Shed 150
26. Grandstand 150
*15800
The Clerkreported that the letter which had
been sent to John N. Connars in regard to the
John N. Connors Board's action last week , had been mailed to
letter re pigs Lincoln and it should have been mailed to Lexington.
& buildings. The Board therefore voted to send another
letter to John N. Connors as follows :
June 23, 1931. '
John N. Connors, Esq.
Old County Road
Lexington, Mass.
Dear Sir:
The Board of Selectmen of Lexington have
received your letter of June 9 in which you apply
for a permit to maintain buildings already erected
without a permit within the limits of the town of
Lexington, and a permit to keep swinein the said
buildings.
Although no f onnal appeal with respect -to the
buildings is before the Board, the Board have con-
sidered your request and hereby inform you that
your request with respect to the building is denied.
The Board of Selectmen, acting as a Board of
Health, have considered your request for a permit
#o keep more than two swine within the limits of the
Town of Lexington and have denied your request.
You will be allowed one month from the date of
this letter in which to remove the swine in question,
and one month from the date of this letter in which
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to remove the structures hi question before further
action is taken by the Board in this matter.
Yours sine erely,
Robert P. Trask
Chairman, Bd. of Selectmen.
Letter was received from C. W. Brooks in regard
to the drainage condition at the corner of Reed and
Ash Streets which exists in the spring and in a
rain storm, of the cesspool backing up and the Drainage,
cellars flooding and stagnant water, which was Redd and
considered a health menace, and as7;d that something Ash Streets.
be done to remedy the condition.
The Board decided to acknowledge receipt of the
letter and inform C. W. Brooks that they would look
into the situation to see if anything could be done
to help the condition.
Report was received from the Health Inspector
of the property of Delia Mulvey located at Numbers
2, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 Vine Street that the
properties are not connected with the sewer and that
the toilets are out doors and are offensive and Report on
unsightly. Mr. Prentiss investigated the condition premises of
of the premises in the rear of 20 Woburn Street, D. Mulvey.
formerly occupied by John McKenzie and about to be
occu li ed by James Meehan, and advised that all of
these properties have bathrooms installed and he
connected with the sewer wherever possible.
It was therefore voted to instruct Mrs. Mulvey
to have toilets installed in these properties and
have the premises connected with the sewer.
Letter was received from F. L. Emery in which
he stated that he was endeavoring to remedy the F. L. Emery
situation of the cesspool overflowing at 18 Cedar re cesspool
Street until such time as the sewer is installed in
the street.
Mr. Gilereast reported that it would be well
to advertise for the $60, 000 school house notes, $60,000
and to have them d ated July 1st and payable in 10 school house
years. Notes.
The Board therefore voted to authorize the
Town Treasurer to request bids to be received on
Tuesday evening next on this loan.
Mr. Hallie C. Blake reported that he had
visited the Nevins family at 512 Waltham Street Mr. Nevins re
and that Mr. Nevints son stated that his father Old Age
did not need Old Age Assistance, and that the Assistance.
Board should not pay any attention to his request.
He stated that he expected a settlement of money
which was due him and he could probably take care of
his bills when it was received.
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DQ a seen Nim a aakl reported that Mr. Fogg had not yet F••�,
gAe hip t placing a larger morgage upon his
Assistance. property.
The Clerk reported having received an
application for Old Age Assistance from James Meehan
J. Meehan re and his wife now living at 1656 Mass. Avenue who
Old Age intend to enter the house owned by Delia Mulvey
Assistance. located at the corner of Woburn and Vine Streets.
Mr. Meehan is now working on the Street Department
scraping the streets, and if he receives Old Age
Assistance he must give up his work.
On the applications for Old Age Assistance it
was voted that the Clerk notify the members of the
Old Age AssistanceBoardready when she is re dy to
recommend Old Age Assistance to any particular
applicant, and the Old Age Assistance Board would
then callo
up n the applicant and decide whether or
not the assistance would be granted.
The plan showing the taking at the corner of
Taking, corner Abbott Road and Meriam Street was presented, and
Abbott Rd. & Mr. Blake stated that hw was ready any time to
Meriam St. sign the deeds for the taking of his land for this
widening.
The Town Engineer, who was present, was
requested to see Mr. Arthur C. Whitney to find
out whether or not he would be agreeable to havi
ng
the corners of his property widened.
Sewer The Town Engineer was also requested to look
Connection. into the matter of extending the sewer to connect
with the Bishop house on Follen Road
The Health Inspector reported in regard to the
application of August Young for permission to trans-
port garbage that the receptacle in which Mr. Young
A. Young stores the garbage was ordered repaired some time
garbage ago, and Mr. Young has not done it.
license. He therefore recommended that his fee for the
transportation of garbage permit be returned to
him and that he be notified that the transportation
of 'garbage without a permit is in violation of the
Board of Health Regulations.
Mr. Gilcreast made a written report of the way
the dumps are handled in the Town of Arlington,
Winchester and Wihthrop. Dr. Shannon suggested
Town dumps. that in Lexington the area of the dump where persons
are allowed to make deposits is too large, and that
is the reason why it takes so long to keep it cleaned
up. he felt that a wire fence could be put up on the
Town dump leaving an area of about 100 feet for
persons to dump on, and this would leave everything
in the one place and make it easier to clean.
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After discussing the matter, the B and decided
to refer the matter of studying the dum.p, situations
around the Town to Dr. Shannon and request him to
bring in a plan of caring for the dumps ; also to see
if there were any way in which a penalty could be
made for violation of the regulations. It appears
from the Board of Health Regulations which are now
in existence, that no particular reference is made
to persons dumping in the Town, except in reference
to the offensive material.
The Chairman brought up the matter of collection
of water rates . It appears that there are a large
number of persons on the list of unpaid water rates, Unpaid
and that many of the persons should not be on the water rates
list. It also appears that the Water Department
has sent out all the notices to collect the water
rates, although the commitment for the collection is
given to the Tax Collector for which he is paid
leg for' collection; arrangments should be made with
Mr. Earle whereby his clerk should dend out the
dunning notices and when they have gone as far as
they possibly can, to collect the rates, that they
then turn the list of uncollected water rates over
to the Water Dept. so that the water maybe shut off.
The Chairman was directed to talk ith Mr. Earle
to see if he could make any definite arrangements .
The matter of completing negotiations with Colonial
property owners on Colonial Heights was left with Heights.
Mr. T. A. Custance to attend to.
Mr. Custance called attention to the fact that
Mr. Harry M. Ripley desired to enter the sewer on
Massachusetts Avenue, and inasmuch as there was a
vote of the Town authorizing installation of a. sewer
in Mass. Avenue from Hastings Road beyond his house,
he felt that he should be anti tied to connect on Mr. Ripley
that street. At the time Mr. Trask, before he was re Connect-
a member of the Board of Selectmen, desired to have ing with
the sewer connected to his house, the Board laid the sewer.
sewer in the sidewalk and on Mr. Trask's land; the
connection was made to the sewer in Hastings Road
rather than putting the sewer up Mass. Avenue.
Mr. Ripley desires to either enter the sewer in
Massachusetts Avenue els to connect with Mr. Trask's
sewer.
The matter was laid on the table for one week.
The Chairman called attention to the fact that
there was a scale on some of the Elm trees about Tree work.
Town which should have a certain spray, and that
there were various things that should be done to the
trees in the Town. He stated that Mr. Jenks is going
to draw up a program of the tree work which should be
done in the Town of Lexington.
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Attention was called td the height of the hedge
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at the corner of Lockwood Street and Mass . Avenue.
The parties who live on this street find it difficult
Complaint, coming out at the end of the street, inasmuch as
hedge, Lock- they cannot see any of the cars coming from Mass.
wood Street. Avenue.
It was decided to write to the owner of the
property and suggest that they might have the shrubbery
cut to protect the travelling public.
The weekly r eport of the Supt . of Public Works
was received.
The meeting adjourned at 11 o'clock P.M.
A true record, Attest :
Clerk.
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