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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1931-10-20 209 SELECTMEN'S MEETING OCTOBER 20, 1931. A regular meeting of the Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 7 :30 P.M. Messrs. Trask, Shannon, Blake, Custance and Gilcreast were present. The Supt. of Public Works and the Clerk were also present. Mr. Fred Longbottom and Mr. Louis Reynolds came beffrEe the Board with a Mrs Edwards who represents an oil burner company that put out an oil burner for a kitchen range. Mr. Longbottom explained that Mr. Edwards wanted to have a smokestack in the Aldrich Building in the office occupied by Wilton Real Estate. The Building Laws will not allow him to give a permit, and that is why he brought the matter before the Selectmen. He stated that there was no chimney in the office that he could connect with, and inasmuch as the Building Law stated that no smokestack shall go through an exterior wall and as this was only a temporary affair:, he felt that the Board should consider it . Building He stated that there was a gas pipe which is Inspector connected with the beauty parlor upstairs that it might re oil be connected en to for a vent . Mr. Edwards desired burner. to have this hook-up for a demonstration and he had to have the vent to take the gas fumes out of the air. He stated that he experimented in his own garage. He hoo)ed up one. of his oil burners in a stove and put a small pipe out of the stove and operating in this manner, the heat on the chimney was so little that you cbuld keep your hands on it. He felt therefor, that there would be no danger from the heat if an outlet were allowed. Mr. Longbottom stated that he sug!*ested that he build a brick chimney, and that he did not have to build the chimney more than one story. The Board voted to leave the matter to Mr. Custance to look into and to work out with the Building Inspector. Mr. John J. Garrit-, Supt. ( f Parks, came before the Board and presented bids on the construction of a fence around the Stone property. The bids were as follows : Fence. Anchor Post Fence Co. ' s $705. S. A. White & Son 650. ( complete) J. C. Carley 742.90 Security Fence Co. 776. C. A. ,Gates 1.20 pr. ft . Beacon Equipment Co. 649. II It was voted to accept the bid of the Beacon Equipment Co. of 64 Pearl Street, Brookline at their bid of $678.30 for #9 two inch mesh wire. They also quoted the price of 1t $1.05 per foot for additional footage if necessary. Mr. Trask informed the Board that the School Dept. would be willing to stand the expense of $200, for partof this Fence. Mr. Trask called attention to the fact that the wire should be ordered to keep'-the children off the Joy property. At 8 P.M. joint hearing of the Board of Appeals and Selectmen was called on the application of the Standard Oil Company for an increase of capacity of the gasoline tanks Joint at 789 Mass. Avenue. 1000 additional was requested. No one appeared to represent the Standard Oil Co. hearing. and no one appeared against the petition. It was voted to let the matter go by default. Mr. K. L. MacLean came before the Board and stated that he had taken over the management of the Lexington Boys Football Team inasmuch as Mr. Gibbons had given up the position. He stated that he realized the position that the High School boys would be in when their suits were loaned by them, and they did not want to do this . They have now 18 jerseys and nine or ten pair of trousers, and they desire to have a game on the ball field next Football 'Sunday a°tt one o' clock. Team. Mr. Trask informed them that they might have the use of the field at one o' clock provided they get off promptly at two thirty for the Minute Boys Team. He also informed him that the Board would not decide upon any future use of the field until after the game next Sunday when they have an opportunity to ;et the response ofithe townspeople on the game played. The '3oard approved the bill of the Town Counsel Bill of for entering an appeal against the N.E. T. & T. Co. at Town the request of the Board of Assessors . After entering Counsel. the case, he was requested by the Board of Assessors to dismiss the appeal. The bill was in the mount of $80. Bids were advertised on the water loan of $10,000. Loan. by the Tawn Treasurer, but no bids were received. Letter was received from Herbert J. Kellaway giving advice in regard to the suggestion presented by Mr. ornery by photograph. Mr. Emery suggested planting of shrubbery at the junction of Lincoln Street and Mass . Avenue on Hastings Park. Mr. Kellaway suggested that the place be filled in by additional elm trees and if anything wee planted in the way of shrubbery, he advised against evergreens in tree form, inasmuch as they would grow high and he felt that at this corner there was a traffic' problem which. should be considered and there should not be any obstruction of the view from one street to the other. He stated that if it seemed advisable to plant any shrubbery, he suggested euonymus eve-green or Japanese Dwar yew. 211 Mr. Kellaway also suggested that the 99 year restriction which now exists around the Common might also be obtained around Hastings Park as a protection to the Park in future years. The Chairman reported that Mr. Kellaway, Mr. Gilcreast, Mr. Custance and he viewed Hastings Park last Saturday afternoon and went over the situation there. Letter was also received from Mr. Emery in which he informed the Chairman that before sending information that he did, he consulted with Mr. Wm. R. Greeley and Mr. Shurtleff and they both agreed that the planting as proposed on the Hastings photograph sent to the Board would improve the appearance Park. of the locality. After , onsidering the matter, the Board voted to plant three elm trees around Hastings Park at the junction of these two streets and to remove one tree later which is not in a good condtion ; and not to plant any shrubbery until after they viewed the location of the trees . The Supt. of Public Works was therefor instructed to have the trees planted. The trees were to be furnished by Mr. Hallie C. Blake. Town Counsel S. R. Wrightington came before the Board and stated that Mr. Brogna, who owns land on Wood Street, has brought suit against the Town. He asks $2000. for damages . The property which he is interested in is in the name of Elizabeth Holton and himself. He claims that there is a frontage of about 500 feet and that in this t'iJ'ontage he had ten building lots 000 feet deep, but by the Brogna taking of the land he loses the building lots inasmuch as suit. the land in the rear is of such nature that it cannot be used for house lots . The Town Counsel requested the Town Engineer to prepare a topographical map so that he could see the contour of the land, but that has not been done yet. The Counsel stated that if it is true that he has lost the house lots, he is entitled to damages. Town Counsel also called attention to the fact that Boinay Mr. Boinay now desires to talk with him about the suit suit. being brr'ught against him. On advice of the Health Inspector it was voted not to Garbage grant a permit to transport garbage to Frank Dias , Concord permit. Ave. Letter was received from the Health Inspector in which he gave a report of the violations at the piggery of Ernest K. Ballard of Wood Street. As this is the second report received by the Board for violations of the conditions of Ballard the pig permit held by Mr. Ballard, the Board voted to advise piggery. him that if another report of this kind is received they will have to take court fiction against him. 212 CA Boarding Application for lieeise to board tWo infants was infants. approved for Mrs . Elizabeth M: Button of Francis Street. ' Alcohol Permit for alcohol license was granted to A. M. license. Prendergast, 329 Mass. Avenue. a ' f r Application for boarding aged people .,wad ,r,eeeited Boarding from Ethel G. Hamilton of 167I Bedford Stfeet': ?Sititable aged references were -given, 'and, iit:was- vatted to 'approve the , people. applioatioz - t ; ,F , + Notice was received from the Essex County Extension Service stating that a State wide rat campaign is to be Rat held Friday, October 30th. campaign. The Supt. of Public Works was requested to order whatever rat poison was needed. Michael E. Hinchey of 12 Hancock Street was drawn Juror. as a juror for the criminal session. Abatement of chargea made in the Public Welfare Dept . Abatement . in the amount of $293.14 was signed by the Board. Complaint of the condition of a cess pool existing Complaint on the premises of Leslie Bull, 83 Hancock Street was re cess- received from Charles H. Jones, 87 Hancock Street. pool. The matter was referred to the Health inspector for his investigation. Letter was received from the Supt. of the Water and Sewer Dept . stating that a request had been received for Water the extension of 1000 feet of six inch water pipe in extension. Hillcrest Avenue. The Matter was referred to the Supt. of Public Works to see whether or not this street had been laid out by the Board of Survey and if he felt the, extehsion should be made. Letter was received. from William H. Ballard in which he stated in rep'ard to the insurance policies written by Insurance. W. Porter & Co. that he would be glad to take them over on their expiration and he would also be glad to place such insurance as the Selectmen would like to place with him. Letter was received from Roy A. Ferguson thanking the Selectmen for their prompt action in taking up the Street matter of the location of the street light at the corner light. of North Hancock Street and Bertwell Road inasmuch us he stated that this was a very dangerous location. Letter was also received from Roy- A. Ferguson in which he called attention to the condition of Valley Road and stated that he felt the Road should be accepted Valley - owing to the conditiinand also the fact that the Town Road. owns land on this street. Attention was called to the fact that Mr. McNamara, who has greenhouses on Valley Road, stated before the meeting of the ioard of Appeals that it was his intention to ')ring in a petition for the acceptance of the street for the March Town Meeting. 213 The matter was referred to Mr. Nustance to take up with Mr. Ferguson and it was felt that through Mr. McNamara an application for the acceptance of the street might be filed. The Board considered the application of D. J. O' Connell to move the building at 1542 Mass . Avenue up to the triangn at the junction of Woburn Street and Fletcher Avenue. The Board stated that they had viewed the premises and found that all of the trees were on Mr. O' Connell's property so that no damage would be done to any of the Town' s trees O'Connell while removing the building. re moving The Board voted to grant permission to have the building building moved provided he assume all responsibility for any damage caused in removing this building. Mr. Blake did not vote on this matter. In regard to the filing of layouts in the Town Clerk's Office, the Clerk reported information received from the Intormm.tion towns of Arlington and Winchester as to the manner they re street file their reports . layouts. This information was to be given to the Town Counsel inasmuch as he requested it. Mr. Trask requested the use of the Cary Memorial Hall Use of for the Farm Bureau. Cary Mem. The Board voted to grant to the Farm Bureau the free Hall. use of the hall on November 18th, 1931. Letter was received from Mr. F. L. Lmery apologizing for not being present at the meeting the Selectmen called to discuss appropriations for the various departments. Planning He stated that the Planning Board were willing to take a cut Board in their appropriation along with other departments, but appropria- they felt they should at least have three or four hundred tion. dollars . Letter was received from the Town Counsel in regard to the claim for damages of Edward J. Gavin, in connection with the relocation of Mass. Avenue. It is apparent from Gavin the information contained in the Town Counsel 's letter that damages . Mr. Gavin has lost all right to file a claim for damages . The Board made an offer to Mr. Gavin of #500. and this was refused by his wife. The matter was left in the hands of Mr. Custance to take up with Mr. Gavin to see if hls desired to accept the +'500. , or the money would be returned to the Treasury. The Town Engineer came before the Board to discuss Engineering the expenditures of his department before going before the expenditures Appropriation Committee on Wednesday Evening. Mr. Gilcreast reported that the application for administrator of the estate of Mr: Frank A. Fogg was now Fogg going on and unless there was any objection from his children matter. it would probably go through. Mr. Albert A. Ross , Supt . of the Water and Sewer Dept. came before the Board at 9 P.M. to discuss the matter of appropriation for the Water Dept. He presented figures 214 441. 011 showing the charges which he estimated would carry on the Water Maintenance Dept. for the balance of the year . 0.4 In discussing the items of this department it was round that Mr. Ross ' salary was charged to the Water Maintenance Account and none of it was charged to the Water Construction Account. This was felt improper inasmuch as he is Supt. of the Construction Dept. as well as the Maintenance Dept. and the Board decided to inform the Town Accountant to Water charge Mr. Ross ' salary one-half to Maintenance and one-half Dept. to Construction. It was also found that charges for installation of water services were charged to Water Maintenance Account: The Board felt that this was a charge that should be made to the construction account and also decided to inform the Accountant that these should be charged to the Water Construction Account . The Board also discussed with Mr. Ross the number of employees kept regularly through the year and inquired if to whether or not there was sufficient work to keep them all or if he could divide the men up and have them on for three days each. Mr. Ross stated that there was considerable work to be done, meters to be repaired and taken out, and pipes to be lined and various items for the men to do to keep tp the department in the proper manner. The Board also discussed the amount of money paid to Byron C. Earle, Tax Collector, for collecting water mates. The amount paid this year has been $800.00 on collection of $54,000,00 Discussion was had that he should be on a regular Salary basis instead of on a one and one-half per cent basis At it is now. The Board discussed whether or not the bonded debt should be paid by the Water Dept. This has only been done the last two years inasmuch as it was felt the Dent. should pay its own debt if possible, but it is found it is not possible to do it without crippling the department. Mr. Ross stated that the Middlesex County Hospital Account would probably be about $2100. a year in water rates. Mr. Ross stated that he found that in other towns the water department was not paying very much on maturing debt. The Board discussed whether or not high- priced men were Put on jobs that could be done by men who were paid smaller salaries . Mr. Ross stated that it was very interesting to note that ,he figured the average pay of the man who received $28.80 a week was $21. per week for the entire year. He stated that some of the towns were paying the laborers more than Lexington. Mr. Ross read the list of persons on his payroll and the amount of pay each received. It was proposed by the Board that any over-time hereafter, be paid at no rate other than the regular single time rate. This was to refer to all departments . At the time that Mr. Christopher Harrison was Supt. of Public Works, Mr. Char4es Faugno was placed on the pay roll of the Water Dept. at hale-pay although he was dismissed from regular employment. It was felt that Mr. Faugn6 was of value to this department owing to his lone service as location of mains that were not on the maps of the Town could be found through him. Mr. Faugno's services have 215 not been imlicitedifbrfa long time, but he still remains on the pay roll. It was voted that his name be taken from the pay roll on November 1st. The matter of salaries of laborers and employees was laid on the table for One week. Letter was received from Harriet E. Bryer, Secretary of the Lexington Teachers Club, in which she stated that Donation the Lexington Teachers Club voted to donate the sum of for Public $1000 . payable by Jan.l, 1932, to the Committee on Public Welfare. Welfare, said sum to be expended at the discretion of such Committee and the Lexington Teachers Club joint3-. Application for Soldiers Relief was received from Harry L. Coolidge for his son Roscoe Coolidge. 'Information_ was obtained from Mr. Ctholidge that his son had been working' since last spring and had now been out of work for two Soldiers weeks . He obtained $20. a week from working and paid $7 . Relief. a week board. He was requested to report to the Arlington Gas Company to see if he could secure employment there. The Board felt that inasmuch as he was employed all summer that he s €otld have some saved and therefor did not take any action upon the application. The weekly report of the Supt. of Public Works was received. The Clerk reported that Mr. Elton B. McCausland came into the office and stated that he had.r'talked with Mr. Scamman when he first received the bill of $02.04 and he understood that this charge for the betterment would not be put on his tax bill. The plan presented by the Town Engineer showed that the street was constructed a distance of 30 feet on the frontage of 90 feet owned by Mr. McCausland. The Board, after considering the matter felt that Mr. McCauslan'l received the benefit of the construction of the street and t'.lat he should pay for the betterment on the 30 feet. Inasmuch as Mr. McCausland did not make a request that the amount be apportioned, it was decided to inform him that if he desired to have the amount apportioned he could now do so. • Mr. Gilereast reported having visited John E. O' Connell at 5 Hibbert Street at the home of Mrs . Annie Bornstein O'Connell and recommended old age assistance be granted to Mr. old age 01Connell in the amount of $5.00 per week. assistance. Application of old assistance of Mr. Meehan was Meehan,old again discussed and it was voted to increasb the amount of age assist- ' old age assistance to Mr and Mrs . Meehan from $12. a week ante. to $16. a week. The Board discussed the Community work done at the East Lexington Playground and Mr. Trask read the letter E.Lexington written to the various persons who provided labor and Playground. equipment so that it would be a success . It was stated r 216 that there was about $75. left that was donated that + could be used to dlean up the field . He already has arranged with Mr. Thomas G. Whiting to c&can up the rest of the stumps in the field. The grading will be done by the Welfare Dept. Mr. Trask also read a letter which he had written to the School Dept . and to the Editor of the Lexington Times Minute-lean relative to the piece the Times wrote about the meeting held to discuss appropriations for 1932. The headlines, stated that all departments were ready to cooperate with the Selectmen in cutting down the budget except the ,,School Dept. Mr. Trask himself gave the informationnthe paper and was very much surprised that they printed the headlines in this manner although the neva story was fairly accurate. He requested the paper to make a correction in the next issue. The meeting adjourned at 12 :07 P.M. A true record, Attest; Clerk. 1 1