HomeMy WebLinkAbout1931-08-111
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SELECTMEN[S,MEETING
AUQgt T 11, 1931.
A regular meeting of: the Board of Selectmen was held
in the Selectmen's, Room, Town Office Building, at 7:30 P.M.
Messrs. Trask, Cus.tance, Shannon, Blake and Gilcreast were
present. The,Supt. of Public Works and the Clerk were also
ppesent.
Letter was received from the Citizen's Celebration
Association in which they called attention to the fact
that some of the communities have appointed committees Geo.Wash.
to be in charge of the George Washington Bicentennial Celebration.
Celebration, and asked whether or not a committee had
been appointed. in Lexington.
The Board voted to appoint Ezra F. Breed as Chairman
of the committee and leave it to the Chairman of the
Board to appoint the other four members of the Committee.
Joint location of seven poles on Mass. Avenue near
Marrett Road was granted to the New Eng. Tel. and Tel. Joint
Co. and the Edison Elec. Ill. Co. location.
Auctioneerts License was granted to Frederic B. Auctioneer's
Hubley, 16 Barnes Place. License.
Hearing was declared open at 8 P.M. on the Board's
notice bb establish the exterior lines of "A".and "C",
Streets and the hearings were held conocxrrently.
MI'ds Helen A. McCaffrey appeared before the hearing Hearing, "A"
and stated that she was satisfied with the layout of the and "C" sts#
exterior lines.
In regard to the naming of the streets, Miss McCaffrey
stated that she did not see any reason why Bernard Street
should not be duplicated inasmuch as there were a great
many other streets duplicated in the same manner. She
d-ld. not':tlesire-�to',:ha=ie , th.is street named Bernard Street
but ;she felt that Bernard Road was not a duplication.
However, if the Board insisted upon making a change, she
would not object to this street being called Morgan Road.
RECORD OF APPROVAL OF PLAN OF JEAN ROAD
Lexington, Mass.
August 11, 1931.
At a meeting of the Board of Selectmen of Lexington
acting,as a Board of Survey for the approval of a plan of
Jean Road formerly called 'A" Street, it appeared that the
Board had given notice b� publication once in each of two
successive weeks in the Lexin-ton Times -Minute -Man", a news -
%paper published in, Lexngton on the 3rd dngl 10th day of July,
1931 of its intention to cause a plan of a certain territory
or section of land showing thereon the location of a way to be
called "A" Street to be prepared the last publication being
at least two days before a public hearing an the 11th day
of August, 1931 given by the said Board of Survey as required
by law; and it further appeared that at the said hearing the
Board of Survey had voted to cause such a plan to be prepared;
.and it further appeared that such a plan had been then
prepared by John T. Cosgrove, Town Engineer, dated
August 4, 1931 and that the said Board of Survey there-
upon gave notice of a public hearing thereon by
R once in each of two successive weeks in the
"Lexington Times -Minute -Man", a newspaper published
in the said Lexington, on the 3rd and 30th day of July,
1931 the last publication being two days at least before
the said hearing; and it further appeared that the said plan
which shows 'clearly the direction, width and gtades of
the said way,. had been open to public inspection for one
month after the first advertisement of this hearing; and
it further appeared that the hearing was held as advertised
and that no objection was made to the said plan.
NOW THEREFORE, after the said hearing the said Board
of Survey does hereby determine that in the opinion of the
said Board, the interest of the public may or will require
in the territyory or section of land shown on the said
plan the location of the said way and does hereby approve
the said plan and designates the said way as Jean Road instead
of "A" Street, and all members of the Board do thereupon
sign the said plan and file the same in the office or the
Town Clerk who attests thereon the date of the said filing.
Robert P. Trask Board
Clarence Shannon of
Hallie C. Blake Selectmen.
John E. Gilcreast
-Theodore A. Custance,
RECORD OF APPROVAL 'OF -PLAN OF MORGAN STREET
Lexington, Mass.
August 11, 1931.
At a meeting of the Board of Selectmen of Lexington
acting as a Board of Survey for the approval of a plan of
Morgan Street formerly called "C" Street, it appeared that the
Board had given notice by publication once in each of two
successive weeks in the "Lexington Times -Minute -Man", a news-
paper published in Lexington on the 3rd dno 10th day of July,
1931 of its intention to cause a plan of a certain territory
or section of land showing thereon the location of a way
to be called "C" Street to be prepared the last publication
being at least two days before a public hearing on the
11th day of August, 1931 gi#ef .by, the said Board df Survey
as required by law; and it further appeared that at the said
hearing the Board of Survey had voted to cause such a plan
to be prepared; and it further appeared that such a plan
had. been then prepared by John T. Ccmgrove, Town Engineer,
dated August 4, 1931 and that the saidoBodrd of Survey
thereupon gave notice of a public hearing thereon by
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publication once in each of two successive weeks in the
eLexington Times -Minute -Mann, a newspaper published in the
said Lexington, on the 3rd and 10th day of July, 1931
the last publication being two days at least before the
said hearing; and it further appeared that the said plan
which shows clearly the direction, width and grades of
the sais way, had been open to public inspection for one
month after the first advertisement of this hearing; and
it further appeared that the hearing was held as advertised
and that no objection was made to the said plan.
NOW THEREFORE, after the said hearing the said Board
of Survey does hereby determine that in the opinion of the
said Board, the interest of the public may or will require
in the territory or section of land shown,on the said. plan
the location of the said way and does hereby approve the
said plan and designates the said way as Morgan Street
instead of "C}' Street, and all members of the Board do
thereupon sign the said plan and file the same in the office
of the Town Clerkwho attests thereon the ,date of the said
filing.
Robert P. Trask BOARD
Clarence.'Shannon OF
Hallie C. Blake SELECTMEN
John E. Gilerrmst
Theodore A. Custance
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSE'T'TS
Middlesex, ss. Lexington, Mass.,September 15,1931.
Town of Lexington,. Selectments Room..
At a meeting of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of.
Lexington, after having given written notice 6P the intention
of said Board as required by law, to establish the exterior
lines of a way to be called "A" Street, running from
Massachusetts Avenue opposite Lake Street, connecting
with street marked "C" Street, in a southeasterly direction
five hundred and fifty-six feet (556) more or less, all as
hereinafter more fully appears, and as shown on a plan
by John T. Cosgrove, Town Engineer, dated August 4, 19310
a plan of which way had previously been approved by the
Board of Survey of Lexington under section 75 of Chapter
41 of the General Laws, and after public hearing thereon
held on the llth day of August, 1931, and no objections
having been made;
Now upon consideration of the matter it is
ORDERED: That the Board of Selectmen is of the opinion
that public necessity and convenience require that the exterior
lines of the said way formerly known as "All Street but to
be known as Jean Road be laid out and established the plan
of which Jean Road has been approved by the said Board of
Survey and the same hereby are laid out and established as
follows;
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The westerly line of Street "A" begins at a point in the
southerly line of Massachusetts Avenue, said point being
easterly and distant 48.73 feet from a stone bound marking
the westerly terminus of a curve of 714.94 feet radius,
thence bearing to the right ttrith a curve of 20.00 feet radius
distant 29.33 feet to a point of tangency, thence south
40 501 east distant 83.72 feet to a point of curvature, thence
bearing to the left with a curve of 316.79 feet radius
distant 126.38 feet to a point of tangency, thence south
270 41130" east distant 339.28 feet to a point.
The easterly line of Street "A" 'Begins at a point in the
southerly line of Massachusetts Avenue, said point being easterly
and distant 132.17 feet from a stone bound marking the.westerly
terminus of a curve of 714.94 feet radius, thence bearing to
the left with a curve of 20.00 feet radius distant 35.84 feet.
to a.point of tangency, said Lexington and a copy of which
will be recorded with Middlesex South District Registry of
Deeds with a copy of this order. _
And said Board having considered the question of damages
sustained by the owners of lands across and through which said
ways have been laid out and established as aforesaid, hereby
determines that no damages are sustained and no damages are
awarded, and said Board hereby declares that all acts done
herein are done under the provisions of law authorizing the
assessment of betterments.
Robert P. Trask Board
Clarence Shannon of
Hallie C. Blake Selectmen.
John E. Gilcreast
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss. Lexington, Mass.Sept.15, 1931.
Town of Lexington, Selectmen's Room.
At a meeting of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of
Lexington, after having given written notice of the intention
of said Board as required by law,.,to establish the exterior
lines of a way to be called "C" Street, running from "A" street
in a southwesterly direction three hundred and forty six feet
#346) more or less, all as hereinafter more fully appears,
and as shown on a plan by John T. Cosgrove, Town Engineer,
dated August 4, 1931, a plan of which way had previouslybeen
approved by the Board of Survey of Lexington under section 75
of Chapter 41 of the General Laws, and after public hearing
thereon held on the 11th day of August, 1931, and no objections
having been madet
Now upon consideration of the matter it is
ORDERED: That the Board of Selectmen is of the opinion'
that public necessity and eDnfenience require that the exterior
lines of the said way formerly known as "C" Street but to be
known as Morgan Street be laid out and established the plan of
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The above described lines are parallel with and distant
40.00 feet from each .other except tt the curved intersection
with Street "A", said Lexington and a copy of which will be
recorded with Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds with
a copy of this order.
And said Board having considered the question of damages
sustained by the owners of lands across and through which s&1d
ways have been laid out and established as aforesaid, hereby
determines that no damages are sustained and no damages are
awarded, and said Board hereby declares that all acts done
herein are done under the provisions of law authorizing the
assessment of betterments.
Robert P. Trask Board
Hallie C. Blake of
Clarence Shannon Selectmen.
John E. Oilcreast
'Theodore A. Custance
At 8:15 P. M. hearing was declared open on the
application of M. Bowman Judkins for approval of plans
of Alden Road.
Mr. Judkins appeared ht the hearing and stated
that he appeared before the Planning Board and
presented his plan, and the Planning Board wanted
additional information and another plan presented.
Mr. Judkins agreed to get this information and the
plans for the Planning board as soon as possible, and
the Board, therefor, adjourned the hearing for two weeks
to August 25th.
Mr. Custance reported that he consulted with Mr.
Willard C. Hill in reference to insurance, and that
Mr. Hill found he had made a mistake in recommending
the increases contained in his letter under date of
July 28th and wished to apologize for the error.
Mr. Custance stated that he was getting the
figures together for the appraisal of the Public Works
Building and ' sugested that Mr. Fowler of.the Industrial Appraisal Co. be employed to give a detailed appraisal
of the Franklin School, the Public Works Dept. Building,
and. the Adams School addition to bring the appraisal
up to date. He felt thzt this should not exceed
$100.
done. The Board authorized Mr. Custance to have this
143:
Iteal,ing
Alden Rd.
Insurance.
Appraisals.
which Morgan,Street has been approved by the said Bdazid
of Survey and the same hereby are
laid out and
established
as follows::
The northerly line of Street
"A",
"C" begins at
a point in
the westerly"line of Street
thence bearing
to the
right with a curve of'15.00 feet
radius distant
24.10 feet
to a point of tangency, thence S
640 21► 30" W
distant
352.31 feet to a point.
The above described lines are parallel with and distant
40.00 feet from each .other except tt the curved intersection
with Street "A", said Lexington and a copy of which will be
recorded with Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds with
a copy of this order.
And said Board having considered the question of damages
sustained by the owners of lands across and through which s&1d
ways have been laid out and established as aforesaid, hereby
determines that no damages are sustained and no damages are
awarded, and said Board hereby declares that all acts done
herein are done under the provisions of law authorizing the
assessment of betterments.
Robert P. Trask Board
Hallie C. Blake of
Clarence Shannon Selectmen.
John E. Oilcreast
'Theodore A. Custance
At 8:15 P. M. hearing was declared open on the
application of M. Bowman Judkins for approval of plans
of Alden Road.
Mr. Judkins appeared ht the hearing and stated
that he appeared before the Planning Board and
presented his plan, and the Planning Board wanted
additional information and another plan presented.
Mr. Judkins agreed to get this information and the
plans for the Planning board as soon as possible, and
the Board, therefor, adjourned the hearing for two weeks
to August 25th.
Mr. Custance reported that he consulted with Mr.
Willard C. Hill in reference to insurance, and that
Mr. Hill found he had made a mistake in recommending
the increases contained in his letter under date of
July 28th and wished to apologize for the error.
Mr. Custance stated that he was getting the
figures together for the appraisal of the Public Works
Building and ' sugested that Mr. Fowler of.the Industrial Appraisal Co. be employed to give a detailed appraisal
of the Franklin School, the Public Works Dept. Building,
and. the Adams School addition to bring the appraisal
up to date. He felt thzt this should not exceed
$100.
done. The Board authorized Mr. Custance to have this
143:
Iteal,ing
Alden Rd.
Insurance.
Appraisals.
144
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The 'Chairman reported having had a conference with
Mr. Robert H. Holt and the Town Counsel in regard to the
order on the Mulvey property. The Chairman gave Mr.
Mulvey
Holt a copk, of the order intended to be sent to Mrs.
order
Mulvey and Mr. Holt agreed to take it up with Mrs.
Mulvey informally and see if the order could be
carried out.
The Board, therefor, decided to lay this matter
on the table until such time as Mr. Holt reports
progress with Mrs. Mulvey.
The Chairman also reported having had a con-
ference with Mr. Holt in regard to the Stone property.
He stated that Miss Stone feels that she may be able to
stand the expense of one-half the cost of the building
Stone
of the fence for which $800. was appropriated. For the
property.
land we purchased, however, Mr. Holt felt she shaUd
get at least two cents a foot for the land.
Mr. Holt was to go over the valuation of the
property amain to see if some figure could be arrived
at that would be agreeable.
Letter was received from'the Town Counsel, S.R.
Wrightington, in which_ he stated that Mrs. Caroline A.
Harring-
Harrington now desires -to press her suit for damages
ton suit
for the establishment of the building line.
for damages.
The Ccnmalel asked the Board's instructions in
regard to experts. The Board voted to instruct
Mr. Wrightington to use his own judgment in this case
and employ whatever experts he so desired.
Mr. Spencer reported that the tax rate would be
$34.00 instead of $33.30 as stated last week. Ile
Tax rate.
stated that the State Accountant would not allow them
to figure in the 1930 taxes that were not `collected,
and that is the reason for the increase.
Letter was received from the Building Inspector
in which he reported on the premises of Ellis Lee
Lee
in regard to permits, taken out for the buildings on
premises.
the premises. There are two buildings for which
there were no permits.
The Chairman informed Mr. Lee that he could get
along without his roosters and Mr. Lee agreed to kill
them so that they would not annoy the neighbors.
Letter was redeived from Stanley P. Newhall,
Editor of the "Lexington Townsman" in which he
Publica-
requested the Board to give this paper some of the
tion of
notices published.
awn
He called attention to the fact that the
Notices.
"Lexington Townsman" is in the process of incorporation
that all the stock holders were to be residents of the
Town. Tn addition, one of the rules of the
paper's personne7.1 is that all connected with the
paper live in Lexington. At a future date, they
intend to have the printing of the paper done in
Lexington.1ie stated that their recognized office
of publication is 1774 Mass.Ave., Lexington.
Opinion was received from the Town Counsel
in reference to the publication of notices intthe
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paper. He quoted cases of decisions in regard to
publication of notices in papers and stated that
notices could be inserted therein.
Publication
he also recommended changes in the Code of
of Town
'By-laws in.reference to the publication of notices
Notices.
in newspapers published in.Lexington.
The Board, after discussing the matter,
voted to publish a.portion of the official notices
of the town in the 'Lexington Townsman.'
Bids on the painting of the Town Office Building
were received as follows: Edward H. Mara $238;
F. H. Tobin, $160.
Mr. Custance wrote the specifications for the
Painting,
painting of the building, and specified Snow -lite
Town Office
be used. He explained that this is a new kind of
Building.
paint he has used this year and he feels that it
is much more satisfactory than white lead. He stated
that two coats of Snow -lite were as efficient as
three coats of white lead.
Mr. Tobin:>was to complete the work under Mr.
Custance's direction.
Chairman of the Board of Assessors and Town
Counsel came before the Board and reported that Mr.
Ryder.has appealed to the Board of Appeals on his
1930 taxes for all of his property in the Town.
' He'desired to know whether or not the Board felt that
experts should be employed.
After discussing the matter, it was decided to
Ryder taxes.
wait for progress on this appeal;_then it may be
decided later whether or not it will be necessary to
employ experts. They will have until Sept. lst to
decide.
The Chairman reported that Miss Edith Willard
of North Street said that she would like to have the
water extended to her property. Most of the property
along the route of the extension of the water main Extension
is owned by Albert H. Burnham and Gustaf Lidberg. of Water
Mr. Burnham is not interested in signing a main,
guarantee for water and therefor there would not be
a chance of getting the full guarantee. The total
cost of the extension would be $16,000,%
Miss Willard is depending upon the brooks at
present and is unable to get water enough for her
cattle inasmuch as the brooks are now drying up.
No action was taken on the matter.
Mr. Blake presented a circular showing a rate
per capita of indebtedness of all of the Townss-in Rate "r
' Massachusetts. Lexington is 15th from the top of capita.
the list having a per capita of $76. per person.
Letter was received from the Town Counsel
in-referenee to the Health Regulations which were
sent him. Health
He stated that he did not believe that these Regulations.
regulations were fitting for the Town, inasmuch as they
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Signs.
Request for
9h.ield on
street light.
did not include a number of the regulations that we are
now working under that have been affected, for instance,
the conduct of piggeries. He suggested that the
regulations be placed in the hands of a committee to
revise and that all of the regulations should be
checked with the laws in reference to health matters,
He did not believe that the regulations should
include the General Laws.
The Board discussed the matter, and decided to
appoint the following committee: Dr. ShannonChairman;
Russell I. Prentiss, Health Inspector; Dr. Wm.L.Barnes,
Health Officer; Haskell Reed, representing; the farming
and dairy industries; and Lester Andrews, a plumber.
Bid was received from Mr. L. H. Truesdell for
the repainting of the signs designated:"Town'Offices"
and "Police" for the sum of $7.50 each;'also a bid
to furnish two new oval signs, each marked "Entrance"
and "Exit" on both sides, the signs to be of heavy
plank material with fancy iron frames for the sum of
$11.50 each.
The Board decided to accept Mr. Truesdell's bids
for the painting of these signs.
Mr. Blake suggested that they be anchored so that
they could not be easily removed.
Request was received from Mr. James H. Lewis,
23 Meriam Street, for a shield to be placed on the
street light in front of his house inasmuch`as the
light shines in his windows.
The Supt. df Public Works reported that he has
ordered the shield.
Invitation.
Invitation was received for the Board to attend
the Police Convention at St. Petersburg, Florida.
Circular on Infantile Paralysis requesting the
Infantile
Board to keep a record of the persons who have had
Paralysis.
Infantile Paralysis and who are willing to offer thkir
blood for serum during this epidemic was received.
Petition for sewer in Oakland Street, from the
Present end to Chandler Street was received by the
Sewer.
Board, and they decided to insert an'aaticle in the
next warrant requesting authorization for this sewer.
Letter was received from the United Improvement
Society, C. E.,MacPhee, Secretary, asking that
street lights be installed at the corner of Baker
Avenue and Tucker Avenue; in the hollow on Theker
Avenue between Baker and Carville Avenues; and on the
second last pole on Chase Avenue.
Request was also received from the United
Improvement Society that the Edison pole at the corner
of Carville Avenue and Butler Avenue be moved so that
it will not be _dangerous.
The Chairman was directed to reply to the letter
Street
that 1 hts on Tucker Avenue, between Baker and
lights.
arvil Avenues, and on Chase Avenue, can only be
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installed on vote of the Town, but that an article
would be insbrted in the warrant, requiring lights.
'In regard to the condition at the corner of Camille
And Butiler Avenues, material from the drainage work on
Carville Avenue has been placed there so that there is
room to pass without danger.
They were informed that the pole is in the proper
location.
The Chairman read the preliminary report of the
Lexington Arboretum Committee.
After reading the report, the Board, acting as
a Board of Park Commissioners, voted to grant the Lexington
Committee such authority as is vested in them to Arboretum
establish an arboretum in Tower Park. Committee.
The Board also voted to congratulate the Committee
on their report.
In regard to the application of Miss Addie E.
Palmer for Old Age Assistance, Mr. Gilcreast reported Old Age
that'he had visited Miss Plamer and recommended that Assistance.
she be granted old age assistance in the sum of
$5.00 per week.
Mr. Custance called. attention to the fact that the
streets in the Town are dirty and should be cleaned up
by the men who are on the Welfare Department. Cleaning
The Supt. of Public Works was requested to put' streets.
some of these men to work to get the Town cleaned up.
Attention was called to some of the elm trees
in the Town, inasmuch as they looked as though they
were drking up and dying.
The Chairman stated that he would write to
Mr. Jenks to see if any remedy could be offered to
improve this condition.
I4r. Custance called attention to the fact that
the Board should give consideration to the appointment
of the Supt. of Streets inasmuch as Mr. White is now
75 years old.
Letter was received. from the Town Counsel
in which he gave his opinion in .regard to Chapter 458
of the Acts of 1931.
He stated that he felt that the Town could
insure its employees against liabilit7--while operating
cars of the Town. He stated also that they could
provide property damage insurance under the authority of
General Laws, Chapter 40, section 5.
The Board therefor, decided to renew the liability
and property damage insurance expiring on the automobiles
' of the Town on August 19th..
In connection with this opinion of the Town Counsel,
it was decided to ask him if they could provide insur-
ance for the Chief of the Fire Dept. and other call
firemen under this law.
Elm trees.
Supt. of
Streets.
Insurance.
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The weekly report of the Supt. of Public Works
was received. �
The meeting adjourned at 10:55 P.M.
A true record, Attest r
Clerk. °
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