HomeMy WebLinkAbout1931-08-04J
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SELECTMEN'S MEETING
AUGUST 4, 1931.
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was
held in the Selectmen's Room, Tvwn Office Building at
7:30 P.M. Messrs. Trask, Custance, Shannon, Blake and
Gilcreast were present. The Supt. of Public Works and
the Clerk were also present.
Licenses to operate Golf courses on Sundays were
signed for Robert/ L. Innis to -operate the Marrett Gardens
and for George W. Bean to operate on Bedford Street.
Special Police commissions were signed for George
M. Ross of 45 Hancock Street and for.Alfred Emerson
of Grove Street.
William E. Macurda of 45 Hancock Street' -was
drawn as a Juror.
The Chairman reported;having communicated with
Robert Holt attorney for Miss Ellen A. Stone, relative
to coming before the Board to discass the value of the
Stone land, but Mr.'Holt was unable to come. The
Chairman agreed to see him, however, before the next
meeting about the Stone property and also the Mulvey
property.
The Chairman reported having talked with Miss Helen
A. McCaffrey of 33 Parker Street and she insisted
upon having' ":C"Street called Bernard Road although her
attention was called to the fact that there was now
a Bernard Street. She stated that there were several
other streets duplicated in the same manner.
The Board discussed the matter and decided to
leave these two streets designated as "A" and "C"
Streets until they are definitely laid out.
Letter was received from Frank Canisius of 12
Reed Street in which he asked that the balance of
39 of,his 1930 taxes be abated. He was advised that
he would have to apply to the Board of Assessors.
The matter of appointment of the Election Officers
was left with the Chairman and Clerk to look into and
report the list,
Report was received from the Health Inspector
relative to the premises of Ellis Lee on Ward Street.
He stated that the -e were eight henhouses, a.garage,
a privy -and an unused building in the back yard:
approximately seventy-five hens and four roosters.
the premises were fairly clean and he did not believe
the hens constituted a nuisance but he recommended
that the Board delcare the keeping of the roosters
a nuisance and order the same abated. He stated
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Sunday
Golf
License
Special
Police
Juror
Stone
Property
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also that he understood the sign "Eggs for Sale"
was removed a month ago. He felt that the matter
of carrying on a business should be referred
to the Building Inspector.
Letter was received from the Town Counsel
in which he gave his opinion relative to the use
by the American Legion of the upper story of
the building recently renovated by George-E.Smith,
He stated that in his opinion the use of the
premises by the Legion for private meetings of
the members to which the general. public will
not be admitted will not constitute a 4zse as
a public building with the meaning of the town
Building Laws. He felt, however that the
Building,Inspector should assure himself relative
to the strength of the floors.
The Clerk reported that the Building
Inspector stated that the premises were constructed
sufficiently strong enough for this purpose and
as far as he w s concerned the opinion of the
Town Counsel that the building might be uses for
tl%axwetings of the Legion was entirely satisfactory
to him.
The Board decided to communicate the opinion
of the Town Counsel to Mr. Prentiss.
In reference to the Town paying the. rent
for the American Legion, the Board decided that
this matter should not come up for action until
the annual town meeting. '
Im reference to the letter received from Mr.
Willard C. Hill giving information on the revision
of the Insurance sthe€lule, the Board voted that
the recommendation of Mr. Hill in reference to
placing 80% insurance on the buildings recommended
to be increased by him be adopted and also that
90% insurance be placed on the High School.
It was also decided to have Mr, Custance consult
with Mr. Hill relative to arranging the new
schedule.
Letter was received from the Town Counsel
in which he stated that he received notice from
the Tbwn Clerk of the aiearing at the County
Commissioners Office on the Board's application
for alteration at the Bow Street crossing and the
relotation'of Bow Street from Massachusetts Avenue
to Cliffe and Wilson Avenues on September 4 1931.
at 10 A.M..
Report was received from the Superintendent
of Public Works in reference to the bill of $40..38
rendered to the Town by Daniel J. OtGonnell
in which he stated that the windows that were
repaired and charged for on this bill were not
broken by the employees of the Water Department,
but by other persons playing ball in the enclosure.
The department is responsible for the damagedone
to the door, the cost of which is $7.15 plus -,the
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costoflabor. The cost of labor was to be obtained
from Mr. Custance who did the work for Mr. OtConnell,
and the information relative to the payment be sent
to Cdr. O'Connell.
Frederick J. Spencer, Asst. Assessor, came befExe
the Board and presented figures showing a proposed tai
rate of $33.50 for 1931 as ag?Lnst $32.00.1ast year.
Letter was received from the State Aid Commissioner,
Richard R. Flynn in which he stated in regard to John
Lyons of 61 Woburn Street, that although a veteran has
certain rights he loses them by hds own misconduct.
The Chairman explained that Mr. Lyons went to the
State House with Mr, erentiss, Commander of the American
Legion, and Mr. Richard R. Flynn explained to him that
he acted improperly. Mr. Lyons then appealed to Mr •
Trask again with a'very much changed attitude, and asked
for another chance, and Air. Ross agreed to take him back
on good behavior.
In reply to the Board's letter asking whether or
not the town co4ld put applicants for Soldiers' Relief
At work, the State Aid Commissioner stated that,he was
not competent to give that advice and referred to the
Civil Service Commission or the Commissioner of Labor
.and Inc�istries .
Committment of miscellaneous water charges in the
amount of $1376.58 and sewer charges in the amount of
$5,891.52 for the following streets: Bowker,Street,
Berwick Rd.and Hayes Ave., Cedar St Robbins Rd. and
Watson Avenp.e: and also sewer service charges in the
amount of 46.98 were signed by the Board.
Letter was received from the Employers Liability
Assurance Corp. in reference tc� the engineering survey
of the work done by the Mater � Sewer and Highway Depart-
ments. They again called attention to the employment
of older men and to physically unfit men being employed.
Patition was received from residents of Fottler,
Theresa and Cliffe Avenues in which they stated that they
have been informed that Oamuel Lippa intended to sell
his house to colored people. The Board replied that
there was nothing that could be done inasmuch as they
have no control over the sale of private property.
Verbal request was received from Stanley P. Newhall
that the Town advertise in the new local paper "The
Townsman",
It was decided that this request be put in writiig,
and inasmuch as the paper is prepared in Lexington, having
' their office at 1774 Massachusetts Avenue and the paper
being printed in Watertown, to inquire of the Town Counsel
if it would be proper to insert legal notices therein.
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Mr. Custance called attention to the fact that
the Town Office Building should bd painted and re-
quested the Supt. of Public Works to find out if he
had sufficient funds to pay for same. '
The Chairman read a letter to Hon. Arthur W.
Hollis in reference to bill -boards. He quoted the
Lexington by-laws and referred to the Zoning maw
in reference to bill -boards and pointed out that the
present<law does not give sufficient authority to
the towns, and asked for consideration t- the.proposed
amendments.
The meeting adjourned at 9.:32 P.P.
A true record, Attest:
Clerk.
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