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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1931-12-08SEL ECT MFK 13 MEETING DECEMBER 89 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. Cu=,,tance, Blake, Shannon and Gila -east were present. The Supt. of Public Works and the Clerk were also present. Mr. T. A. Custance acted as Chairman during the absence of Mr. Trask, Chairman of the Selectmen. Mr. Michele Stacchi of 5 Prentiss Road, Arlington, came before the Board relative to notice received from the Building Inspector to demolish the house that he has located in back of Webb Stre:t. y The Building Inspector stated that Mr. Stacchi moved this building over the road from Breez-y,-Hill in Burlington without a permit. He dug a kind of a cellar for the building which he believed showed his intention.to use the building for a house. Mr. Longbottom received a compla rit from Mr. Lealie Wood inasmuch as this building showed up when the leaves were off the trees. After receiving the complaint from Mr. Wood, he turned the matter over.to the Town Counsel for his opinion and these people took the matter up with the Town Counsel and were advised by him to communicate with the Selectmen, and this is why they came before the Board. Mr. Stacchi stated that the building has been there for over a brear. He moved the building there without a permit. He used the building, however, to bring his three children up t}iere early Sunday morning aid went home to his Arlington address on Sunday night. The property consists of one and one-third acres of land. He was not aware that there were Town Building Laws which he would have to live up to at the time he moved the building. A friend was with Mr. and Mrs. Stacchi who stated that they lived in her brother's house at 5 Prentiss Rd., Arlington, and that she has been to the place in Lexington and knows that they did not stay tiere over night or attempt JSo live in the place inasmuch as there was nothing .there to keep house with.It was simply a place for the children. Mr. Stacchi also kept three or four pigs there. He is keeping the pigs without a permit. He was advised that he could not keep the pigs there without a permit. Mr. Stacchi, was willing to fix up the building and the Building Inspector stated that he saw no objection to the building remaining if he applied for a permit and fixed the building in accordance with the Building Laws, and also that he pay all the expenses incurred by referring the matter to the Town Counsel. The Building was not to be used for a dwelling. The Town Counsel, S. R. Wrightington, came before. the Board prior to the time that Mr. and Mrs.-Stacchi left.and stated that this arrangement will bd agreeable to him. e 261 Complaint re Stacchi building. The Town Counsel advised the Board.in_.regard to the Sperandeo building which the Building Inspector took up with him and stated that he found from Mr. Sperandeo's Attorney that e 262 he was a bachelor and came to this house, only qn week- endd. Mr. Wrightington stated that he apparently has Spe randeo some money, he having worked for Chamberlain Hat Store matter* for several years and lives in Boston in the .winter time. He stated that there was a hen house and another small a house which had been there before 1916. Mr. Longbottom stated that M. Sverandeo told him til,at he had stayed there all summer, coming out there each night. Mr. Wrightington stated that he urged the attorney to have this man tear the olace down and the man apparently wanted to do something to make his peace with the Selectmen.' The Town Counsel stated that he w4s making some progress on the Brogna case with Mr. McIntosh. Mr. Custance stated that he felt that Mr. Brogna was trying to make a case oat of this matter Brogna and asked permission to talk with Mr. Holton, an d case* he felt that as Mr. Holton was entirely agreeable to putting the water in Wood Street and the relocation of the street, he would not request damages. Town Counsel stated that Mr. Brogna was a part owner of -the rproperty and for this reason h_td a right to his say. However, he would talk to Mr. Brogna and ask whether or not permission would be given to Mr. Custance to talk to Mr. Holton. In regard to the case of Caroline Harrington, Town Counsel reported. that Mr. Stearns, Attorney for Mrs. Harrington, talked with Mr. F. L. Emery in regard to the building line, and they informally talked. the Harrington figure of $3500. for the p-anchase of the land between case. the street line and the building line, as a tentative figure, and Mr. Emery called Town Counsel and in-"ormed him of his conversation with him and stated that he thought it mizht be advisable to get title to this property. The matter was not definitely settled until the return of the Chairman, as to the figure to be'ancepted. The Town Treasurer came before the Board and presented the following':birds in response to his request for bids on the $15,000. Water Construction loan and on the $10,000. Sewer Construction loan;- Fstabrook & Co. 100,ID3 Stone Webster Blodgett Co. 100.14 R. L. Day Co. 100.09 Loan Brown Bros. Harriman 100.09 F. S. Moseley Co. 100.043 Letter was received from the Town Accountant in which he requested that a Revenue Loan of $125,000., dated Dec. 17, 1931 and payable June 5, 1932 be request- ed at this time. Revenue The Hoard agreed to request bids on this Revenue Loan Loan. Town Treasurer presented a letter received from the Travel Clnb,.p Oakdale, Rhode Island in which they requested an opportunity to go through the historical places in the Town. 1 The Board informed Mr. G�rroll to refer the matter to Mr. Edwin B. Worthen who would guide them about the points of interest. Mr. Maynard E. S. Clemons representing Mr. Samuel Lippa came before the Board in reg<ird to the purchase of the water pipe in Fottler Avenue. He stated that Mr. Lippa owns 190 feet on one side of Fottler Avenue. The water pipe, however, does not go the entire length of the land. The entire length of the pipe when laid was 400 feet. Now that this street is accepted Mr. Lippa felt that he was entitled to reimbursement for the pipe. The pipe was purchased by the Suburban Lead Co. The trenches were dug by the residents and the water was turned on by the Town. Mr. Clemons felt that the Town is running the water through a pipe not owned by them. Mr. Lippa stated that the ye-zr.before last he received inform4t ion from Mr. Custan ce and Mr. Scamman that he would be reimbursed for the labor and for that reason he got the idea that he would be reimburaed. It was explained that there was a controversy at the time about the approval of the Board of Survey Plans and that is why the water was not put into this territory by the Town. This street has been accepted add Mr. Clemons feels that the Town is using someone elses property and should pay for it. Mr. Wrightington called attention to the fact that Mr. Brand of the Suburban Land Co. laid these streets out contrary to the Board of Survey restrictions and these ptpole built homes there and could not get water until the Town agreed to-h'tlp them out by turning the water into the pipes when the pipes were purchased and laid by the residents. There seemed to be a difference of opinion between the Town Counsel and Mr. Clemons as to whether or not the turning on of the water and the Town Engineer giving the grades for the laying of the pipe constituted putting in any public utilities under the Board of Survey Act. Mr. Clemons called attention to the fact that the Town accepted the street with the same grades that were originally laid down. The Board decided to refer the matter to the 7(own Counsel to advise Mr. Clemons that they will not pay for the pipe and labor of installing sane. 263 Fottler Avenue, water pipe. Notice of suit brought by Donald Shea against the Town was read by the Board. Mr. Wrightington stated that he had not had an Shea opportunity to go into this matter, but as near as he could find suit. out from the attorney, this was a case of where they claim the Town turned wate=r onto their land. However, Mr. Wright- 3n#4bnn would have additional inform-�tion._for the Board at a later date as the'1-Taatter had already been referred to him. 264 Notice was received from the Supt. of Water Dept. that he received an application from Mr. E. B. Hamilton for the extension of approximately- 110 feet of six; inch Wher pipe in Liberty Avenue. Ile estimated the cost of tie Extension, extension at $275. Liberty Avenue. It was voted to authorize the Supt. of Public Works to install 110 feet of six inch pipe in Liberty Avenue. There would.only be one house for which this water would be taken, and the Board decided the guaranty .should be signed. Bill for sek-vices of Metcalf and Eddy for report on the Sewerage system in the Town in the amount of $2737.61 .was received by the Board. They have already received Sewer a payment of $262.39, making a total of $3000. for the report. survey. It was decided to request Metcalf and Eddy to furnish ten additional copie- of this report without charge. It was also decided to request bids for the printing of this report, having in mind having separate copies printed or printing the'report as a part of the Town Report. n Tht+- folJoWi were drawn as jurors Benjamin. Stoney, Clerk, 3 Fern Street George W. Bean, Laborer, 241 Bedford St.. Jurors. Roy A. Ferguson, Bank, 19 Bertwell Road. Commitment of water rates for the first section in ' the amount of $6,642.38 was signed by the Board. Commitments. Commitment of sewer rentals for the first section in the amount of $442.21 was signed by the Board. Commitment of sewer assessment charges in the amoknt of $6,208.30 was signed by the Board. Garbage The application of John Chaves, Lincoln, for permission license. to transport garbage was laid on the table. Letter was received from H. W. Swenson of Swenson Brothers in which he called attention to the fact that the Town has appropriated $29,000. for the unemployed and suggeste(? the consideration of the work on Clematis Brook, which runs through 60 acres of land. They called attention to the tax, valuation which is more than doubled. Clematis on their property and the Town has not done anything in Brook. in regard to deepening and widening this brook. They also called attention to the fact that some of their land was taken to widen Allen Street and requested that they be not taxed for this land. They also called attention to the fact that a stone wall was built on the Ferry side of the street, but none on their side. ' This matter was laid on the tablte. Letter was received from Clarence H. Taylor., Traffic Engineer of the State Dept. of Public Works, in which hbe gave several recommendations of what should be done in Lexington in re gar. d to t f fi c cendt9ifts4 1 Supt. of PubllAdolrks reported that he had painted lines on Hill Street and Revere Street at their intersection with Bedford Street in accordance with the suggestion con- tained in the letter. The Board requested Mr. Scamman to give them an estimate of the cost of carrying out all the recommendations contained in this letter. fdr. Gilcreast reported that a delegation consisting of Mr. Jones, Mr. Emery and Mr. Arnold visited him in regard to the water main guaranty account on Bridge Street, they having received notice from the Supt. of Public Works that their water would be shut off on December 21st if the guaranty was not paid. They informed Mr-Gilcreast that they understood they were to pay $6.20 per year for ten years on the guaranty. The first year the bill was $6.05; the next $6.05; the next $19. Their understanding with Mr. McIntosh was that the guaranty would only be $6.05 each year4 They had been to the State House and were informed in there that if they lost any tnenats by the shutting off of the water, that the Town would be responsible for the rent until such time as the water was turned on again. Mr. Custance suggested that a form be worked out whereby Mr. Earle will be notified on all guarantys.on property so that when property is sold, he will have that information on hand. In this manner, it will help to 'get the guarantys pA.id. The Supt. of Public Works was requested to report back to -the Board next week and present the bonds signed in connection with the water main on Bridge Streets In /;the meantime, Mr. Gilcreast stated that he would notify Mr. Jones that the matter was b�n� looked into so that they would not take any further steps until they received word from the Board. 265 Water gua ra nt y Bridge St. Mr. Gilcreast reported on the application of, Frank Majewsi,i, 24 Fairmont Ave., Somerville, that he visited the house and found no one him but Mr. Majewski. It was a two Old Age apartment house, in good repair and the furniture and fur- Assist Ecce, nishings of the apartment were very ;rood. Mr. Majewski Majewski. was unable to speak English very welt and he had a very unsatisfactory visit. The Clerk was to get a cor)y of the application of Mr. Majewski, and Mr. Gilcreast is then to look into the matter further. In regard to the application of John Devine, Mr. Gilcreast stated trat he visited Mr. Devine at the Rest Old Age Inn and Mr. Devine informed him that he did not believe Assistan ce they cared whether or att he remained at the Rest Inn, and Devine. , he would probably have to look for a more reasonable place to board up on Woburn Street. In regard to the property owned by Mr. Devine had his sister on Utica Street, Mr. Gilcreast reported that the porperty was in rather a dilapitated condition and it would cost considerable for repairs and he found from the neighbors that they considered it a fire hazard. In regard to his equity in the property, it was decided to question Mr. Worthen inasmuch as it was found that Mr. Worthen holder a will for Mr. Devine. It was also decided to find out about some mon ey that was reported to have been left to him by his brother when he died a few years ago. 266 Mrs. Lothrop. bliss Willard re water, North St. Sinn. Signs. In regard to lme.,.-Gvacet;T;otbe ,}- r7.".-Bl&ke'_Vep0rted.' that she owns the house at 80 Bloomfield Stre-t which is mortgaged for $4,000. in the Lexington Savings Bank and Mr. A. W. Locke has a $1000. mortgage. on the -property which -is assessed for $6500.00 She also has a mortgage on the greenhouse which she is part owner of, her son owittng the other half. Mr. Blake reported that he talked with Mrs. Bowles, Matron of the Old_Peoplels Home, and asked her whether or not she felt that if the Old Age Assistance was paid to Mrs. Lothrop, that that would be satisfactory to the Executive Committee. She stated that they like Mrs. Lothrop at the Home and desired to have her stay there. but there was no way in vb ich she could get funds. It was decided to write the Executive Committee of the Home so that the letter would be before them on Monday, and stat®what the Board ,would be willing to do and it would be placed before them for their action. Mr. Custance reported that Miss Edith Willard of North Strdet spble to hi -m again about obtaining water and he requested her to hold off until the Spring inasmuch as she would not need water this winter. Mr. Scammants attention was cAlled to the blind corner on Burlington Street near North Street where a sign "Blind Cornier" or "Go Slowly" should be placed. Supt. of Public Works reported verbally about signs directing to other towns. He was directed to have a sign placed at the Five Forks directing to Concord; on Wood Street directing to Bedford; on Spring Street directing to Waltham; on Middle Street directing to Lincoln; at Adams Street directing to Burlington. Supt. of Public Works reported that he has visited Frost the Frost property on Bedford Street near Westview property. Cemetery and found the property had all been cleaned up. Supt. of Public Works reported an accident to the car of Harry L. Coolidge on Pleasant Street where a Accident. water connection had been made in the street near the Moran house. The mill for fixing the car was $3.97 and Mr. Scamman believed it should be paid out of the Water Maintenance Ac count . Petition was received from the residents of Vine Brook Road calling attention to the condition existing in Vine Vine Brook and requested that action be taken immediately to Brook. correct the situation. The Chairman replied to this communication stating thb.t only $500. is appropriated for cleaning aW lowering brooks and that the entire appropriation has now been expended. However, he was instr.zctin, the Supt. of Public Works to obtain men that were receiving aid .from the recent appropriation for Unemployment Relief to clean the btook from the fork to Mass. Avenue so that the difficulty will be taken care of. 1 C Letter was received from Elmer A. Lord Fc Co. in which they called attention to various objects that were not covered by the Town Boiler Policy and requested that ' the Board give consideration to extending the contract to cover the items contained in the letter. The Board viewed the various items and felt that it was not necessary to place additional insurance to cover these items. Another letter was received from Mr. Stephen Hmmblin in which lie enclosed a copy of a letter from Miller McClintock who does ^esearch work for the Albert R. Erskine Bureau for Street Traffic and in which Mr. Hamblin suggested that a further study of the foot crossing lines be made. It was decided to leave this matter for the Chairman to take care of* Petition was received from the residents of the vicinity of the Shell Eastern Petroleum Products gas station at the junction of Maple Street and Mass. Ave. in which they request that the Selectmen revoke the license to sell gas and petroleum products at that location. It was decided to .refer the matter to the Town Counsel for his opinion. 267 Insurance. Traffic control. Complaint re gas station. I Letter was received from Margaret J. Preble and letter was also received from James and Susan Gaffney in regard Dexter to Dexter Road assessments. Road ' Mr. Custance agreed to reply to the letter. Assessments. Supt. of Public Workts report was received. The meeting adjourned at 10:50 P.M. A true record, Attest: C1 erk .