Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1932-03-22 348 SELYCTMEN'S MEETING MARCH 22 . 1932. 064" A regular meeting of the Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 7:30 P.M. Messrs. Trask, Custance, Gilereast, Ferguson and O'Connell were present. Golf License. Sunday license was signed giving George W. Bean of 241 Bedford Street permission to have Sunday golf on March 27th, April 3, 10, 17, and 24. Letter was received. from the Town Accountant in which he advised the Board that the Town has on hand about 65,000. with a Revenue Loan of 075,000. payable on the 15th of April. He suggested a loan of 050,000. Temporary dated March 31st, 1932 and payable December 7th, 1932. loan. Mr. Gilereast suggested that the loan be payable November 15, 1932 rather than December 7th. The Board therefor voted to authorize the Town Treasurer to obtain bids on a temporary loan of *150,000. dated March 31st and payable November 15th. State Aid. State Aid payroll in the amount of 01. was signed Payroll. by the Board. Extract from the By-laws of the Town of Winthrop was presented to the Board showing a by-law giving the Board of Selectmen authority to sell personal property Sale of of the Town not exceeding 300. in value. Personal The Board felt that this ealount was rather low and property. it might not cover some conditions that might arise. Mr. O'Connell took the copy and stated that he would look into the matter and see what he could recommend to the Board at the next meeting. Freeman Application was received from George D. Freeman application. of Waltham Street in which he requested permission to peddle meats. Mr. O'Connell felt that Mr. Freeman should inform the Board as to just exactly where he intended to keep his meats before they granted him a license. The application was therefor laid upon th etable. Application was received from George W. Porter, Portsr 39 Theresa Avenue to have the license of James D. application. Paynter transferred to him for peddling petroleum products . Mr. O'Connell felt that it should be proven that Mr. Porter was keeping within all the laws of the State Fire Marshall's Office and have the approval of the Chief of the Fire Department before the license was granted. It was therefor voted to lay this application on the table. Report of progress was received from the Committee on Arboretum as follows : 349 Progress Report of the Lexington Arboretum Committee 45 Parker St. , Lexington,Mass . March 21 , 1932. Tb the Board of Selectmen Town of Lexington The Lexington Arboretum Committee made a preliminary report last summer, which was acknowledged under date of August 14, 1931. In this letter of acknowledgement of the report are the following works : -- "The Board, acting as a Board of Park Commissioners, voted to grant such authority as is vetted in them to your Committee to establish an Arboretum in Tower Park. As no funds are provided specially for this work, and as the carrying out of any plan would cause some expense other than that normally required for the administration of Tower Park, because of more pressing needs in the town it does not seem desirable to go forward with any elaborate plan just now. A detailed plan can be worked out by the committee, and some volunteer work may be ddne this spring. Stephen F. Hamblin Chairman. Lexington Arboretum Committee. The Chairman reported that he had apprdved the application of the American Legion for a wrestling Cary Hall match to be held April 8th at the Cary Memorial rental . Building. The Board of Selectmen approved granting the Legion the use of the Hall for the wrestling match and voted to make a charge of $25. Mr. Joseph Busconi, 40 Quimby Street, Watertown came before the Board. The Board requested him to have the automobiles on Busconi the property owned by him which was formerly the Harry property. Coolidge property, cleaned up and removed inasmuch as they did not improve the looks of the premises and the Board desired to have the places around the Town as clean as possible. Mr. Busconi inquired whether or not the Board would favor cleaning up the premises and applying for a gasoline permit. The Board informed him that applying for a gasoline permit was an entirely different matte-- and that they desired to have the place cleaned up and if he wanted to make an application for a filling station he would have to do that as a separate matter. Daniel Gorman came before the Board and asked what the Board would do about the condition existing in the 350 vicinity of his house on Manning Street. He stated that CM there was about one foot of water in the cellar today and the people who were living in the house had agreed Gorman to purchase the house and he feels now that he may lose 1.4 house. the sale owing to the condition. The Chairman reported that he viewed the premises this morning. The Board requested the Supt . of Public Works to look into the conditions and to see what is the trouble. Phamp let, copy of which was sent to each member of the General Court by the Secretary of the Public Franchise League, was received by the Board. Several weeks ago Mr. Neil McIntosh made a request that he receive an abatement for the difference in cost inlaying a larger main in the streets where the guarantee Abatement . is charged for six inch mains . Mr. McIntosh felt that there was a larger cost for labor to dig a trench for a ten inch main than a six inch main and that allowances should be made. Mr. McIntosh and Mr. Albert A. Ross have gone over the matter with the Board and Mr. McIntosh was informed that allowances were made for the diffe^ence and he was only charged for the cost of installing a six inch main. He felt also that some of the work was done late in the season when the ground was hard and it is more expensive to do the work. It was decided to leave the matter to Mr. Custance to investigate Lind Mr Custance having reported that he felt Wachusett Drive was the only place where an abatement could be make, it was voted to make the abatement on this street. The Board therefor signed an abatement to Mr. Neil McIntosh of $23.69 for the year 1931 to James S. Mowat, for the year 1929, $14, 36, for 1970 $14.36 and for the 1931 account $9.36 making a total abatement of $61 .77. Letter was received frac Mrs . Robert H. Holt in which she resigned as a member of the Dental Clinic Fesignation. Committee inasmuch as she felt that she had given considerable time to this Committee. The Board tooted to accept her resignation and laid the matter of filling the vacancy over for a week. Letter was received ff3om F. L. Amery, Chairman of the Planning Board, in which he stated that the Planning Board had been considering the East Lexington Planning Meadows and the adjoining territory and it was the Board. sense of the meeting that all the territory together with the area between it and the Lowell Turnpike, also possibly the land to the northeast of the turnpike, should have immediate consideration of a general layout in connection with the proposal to widen and improve the Turnpike . They felt that if this were done it would make a better development. He also stated that they understood the Town of Arlington proposes to develop a permanent playground around the reservoir in Arlington and inquired if any ar rangemeets were possible to continue the development around the 1'eservoir in Lexington; also 351 if it was possible to arrange with Arlington to obtain permission to lay out and provide for future improvement of the Great Meadow area. He requested that the Town Counsel take the matter up with the Town Counsel of Arlington. The Board discussed the matter and decided to request Mr. Emery to come before the Board at the next meeting to convey to the Board just what the Planning Board hopes to accomplish. In regard to the letter of Mr. P. J. Neary in which he enclosed a petition signed by several of the Oak St . residents in the vicinity of Oak Street requesting that widening. Oak Street be widened to a width of 6E)' feet, the Board decided to hold an informal hearing next Tuesday evening at 8 :30 P. . at which the parties were invited to express their opinion. Letter was received from Edith M. Hutchinson, Secretary, George G. Meade W.R. C. #97, expressing appreciation for the use of the Hall February 22nd. Application for a pool roan was received from Max Bluestein. He desired to operate at 2 Bow Street. Mr. O'Connell reported that he was acquainted with Pool Room Mr. Bluestein and could recommend him and was fully Application. certain that he would operate a decgg t place. After discussing the matter,/B6 d decided to refer the matter to the Chief of Police for his recommendation. A resolution passed by the City of Melrose relative to giving all Towns and Cities in the County an opportunity to express their views on any app.ropiatians for buildings to be built by the County was received. proposed The Board discussed the matter, and. Mr. Gilereast Legislation agreed to get copies of the proposed legislation in regard to this matter so that the Board could discuss what is proposed for Legislation. Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works in which he recommended a four inch hydrant be placed on Cottage Street; also that he did not recommend that a street light be placed in front of Donnellan's house. The Board voted to instruct the Supt. of Publie Works Cottage to install a hydrant in Cottage St. immediately. St. In regard to the electric light, the Board voted not to install an electric light at this location. In regard to the letter of Mr. A. G. Folger of 26 4ucker Avenue in which he registered a request for a street light on the pole at the junction of Taft Avenue and Ellis Street, the Supt . of Public Works reported that he did not believe a light should be placed on this Street pole inasmuch as it would bring it too near the other light. lights. The Board therefor voted to accept the recommendation of the Supt. of Public Works and to inform Mr. Folger that a light would not be installed.- 352 It was voted to abate the charge of $4.10 made against the State Dept. of Public Welfare for crutches furnished owl Abatement, to Mr. Wilbert Sanford. The State- Law does not al low the State Dept. to furnish equipment for patients while in the hospital and therefor they would not honor this charge. The Board approved the application of Mrs. Florida License. Crawford for the board of infants at her home 39 Moreland Avenue,This license is a renewal. A bill was received from the Lexington Trust Co . in the amount of $77.10 for the Town 's share of the lights erected outside of the Trust Company in accordance with the agreement entered into with the Trust Company. Electric In explanation, Mr. Walker explained that one street lights, light at the corner of Mass. Avenue and Muzzey Street for which the Edison Co . received approximately $70. per year, was located there prior to occupying the bank quarters. They obtained permission to remove the one light and install three lights. The bank agreed that they would supply street lighting from dark until 10:30 P.M. at no expense to the Town w oviding they would be reimbursed for the current consumed from 10:30 P. M. until dawn. In checking with the Edison Company they were advised that the three lights burned 1027 K.W. hours figured on a 360 day a year basis and at $.75 per K.W. hour would amount to $77.10. Mr. O'Connell objected to the payment of all this bill inasmuch as he felt that the bank had no right to enter into any contract of this kind furnishing service to the Town. He wished to be recorded against paying the bill. The Board felt that inasmuch as they had made this agreement they should pay the bill. The Chairmai was also requested to communicate with the Edison Co. to have them render a bill for the service to the Town in the future. Mr. Silvio Commeriere requested that the Town put some of the unemployment men in to clean out the brook that dumps water on his property in the vicinity of Summer Street extension. He stated that the T own of Complaint re Arlington clean d out their end of the brook acid he felt brook. that Lexington should clean out their end and remedy the conditions . The Supt. of Public Works was requested to look into the matter. Copy of Chapter 94 of the Acts of 1932, the same being an act to allow Towns to collect taxes in a dvance, was Act . presented to the Board. The Board felt that theywere not interested in having this Act accepted by the Town and no action was taken. In regard to the request of Miss Louise Hannaford, for the extension of water main to her house on Middleby Water Road, Mr. O'Connell agreed to sign the guarantee 'bond main. which would cost approximately $30. a year, providing her brother did the excavating and refilling of the trench. The Board voted to install the water main under these conditions. 353 Mr. Custance suggested that rather than a six inch main, an eight inch pipe be laid and the Supt. of Public Works was requested to look into the matter. Letter was received from D. J. O' Connell as Attorney for Mr. Charles A. Cummings in which he stated that Mr. Cummings had a claim of $206. for a milk bill against the estate of Michael Cardillo. The Clerk was informed by the Insurance Co. that they would not make payment over to the Town although Mrs. Cardillo had assigned the payment, but that an administrator would have to be appointed. The Board voted to appoint Mr. Trask ad administrator and Mr. O'Connell offered to do the legal work without charge to the Town. The Board voted to grant a relocation of one pole and set another pole on Lincoln Street n€ar the corner of Marrett Road along the Sarano property, the Supt. of Public Works having recommended the change. The following appointments were made: Fence Viewers :- B. J. Harrington and Frank P. Cutter. Health Officer and Town Physician, Dr. Charles R. Hardcastle. Mr. Trask reported that Dr. Hardcastle had served in two New York Hospitals as resident physician and had done considerable settlement work and was well fitted for the position. He was willing to serve for the sum. of $200. per year. In regard to the Health Officer, it was decided Appointmentsto request Dr. Hardcas:tle to charge at the rate of $3. per visittl The visits in the past have been at the rate of $4. pe visit . It was voted to appoint S. R. Wrightington as Town Counsel. Mr. O'Connell suggested that some of the cases that are referred to the Town Counsel might be settled by the Board of Selectmen and the Board therefor voted to advise the Town Treasurer to turn over all claims against the Town to the Selectmen and they would turn them over to the Town Counsel as they saw fit. It was decided to hold over for one week the appointment of filling the vacancy on the Dental Clinic Committee ,also the appointment of the plumbing inspector aril the asst Supt. of' streets. Mr. Custance was requested to bring in information in regard to the latter appointment. The following were appointed as a Board of Assessors : Donald lUls cn,, Fred B. Bartlett, Eugene T. Buckley, Wm. G. Potter and Curlys L. Slocum. It was voted to appoint John F. O'Connor and Paul McDonnell, 28 Vine St. as Asst Assessors . Mr. O'Conne1.l._ sen$eil`a ldttet :ih regard to the gialifications of Mr. Chas . H. Marsolais. The Board appointed Mr. Slocum in the place of Mr. Marsolaid, however. Mr. O' Connell called the attentioh of the Supt. of Public Works to the fact that there was no, tail board on the Trucks. Water Dept . truck driven by Mr. Cataldo and that the sand 354 con to was dropping from the truck. ,. Mr. Trask called attention to the fact that there had been some criticism of Mr. R. H. Stevens ' supplying the sand and gravel for the. Town. He therefor requested the Supt. of Public Works to get bids on prices. The bids are as follows : PRI CES SUBMITTED FOR SAN?) AND GRAVEL 1932 DEALERS Pine Sand Coarse Sand #2 Cr.Stone Boston Sand & Gravel Co. 41.40 ton 1.30 ton 1.75 ton 1.75 cu.yd. 1.82 cu.yd. 2.45 cu.yd. DEALER Find Sand Coarse Sand # 2 Cr. Stone Hig.nland sans & Gravel co. 1.ou ton 1.20 ton l.bb- ton 1.63 cu.yd.1.68 cu.yd. 2.31 cu.yd. #1 Cr. Stone Cr.Bank Gravel Rough Bank Gravel Pea Stone 1.65 ton 1.25 ton .90 ton 2.10 ton 2.31 cu.vd. 1.87* cu.yd. 1.35 cu.yd. 3.15 cu.yd. DEALER Fine Sand Coarse Sand #2 Cr.Stone George H. Noone Sand 1.50 ton 1.50 ton 1.85 #ton & Gravel Company 1.87* cu.yd. 2.10 cuiyd. 2.59 cu.yd. #1 Cr.Stone Cr.Bank Gravel Rough Bank Gravel Pea Stone 1.85 ton -14.-ttr''toh 1.50 ton 2.25 ton 2.59 cu.yd. 2.25 cu.yd. 2.25 cu.yd. 3.37* cu.yd. DEALER Fine Sand Coarse Sand. #2 Cr. Stone John H. McNamara Co. 1.45 ton 1.35 toff 1:75 °tbi 1.81 cu.yd. 1.89 cu.7d. 2.45 cu.yd. #1 Cr.Stone Cr.Bank Gravel Hough Bank Gravel Pea Stone 1.75 ton 1.05 ton 2.25 ton 2 .45 cu.yd. 1.57* cu.yd. 3.371 cu.yd. DEALER Fine Sand Coarse Sand #2 Cr.Stone ton Sand & 1.25 ton 1.15 t n 160 ton Gravel Company 1.56 cu.yd. 1.61 cu.vd. 2.24 cu.yd. #1 Cr.Stone Cr.Bank Gravel Rarugh Bank Gravel Pea Stone 1.60 ton 2.05 ton 2.24 cu .yd. 3.07* cu.yd. DEALER Fine Sand Coarse Sand #2 Cr.Sone R. H. Stevens 1.40 cu.yd. 1.40 cu.yd. 2.00 cu.yd. 1.12 ton 1.00 ton 1.43 ton II #1 Cr.Stone Cr.Bank Gravel Rough Bank -Gravel Pea Stone 2.00 cu.yd. 1.00 cu.yd. 1.25 cu.yd. 2.75 cu.yd. 1.43 ton 1.07 ton ,gra ton 1.84 ton - 355 It was evident that the bids submitted by R. H. Stevens were lower than the other bids and the Board voted to accept his bid. There also appeared to be some criticism of Mr. Anthony Ross getting work from the Town. The Board Rids . therefor requested bids on the installation of sewers and received the following bids x A. G. Tomasello t Son, Inc. - $1.25 per cubic yard James J. Coughlan & Sons Inc.-$ 1.50 per cubic yard Anthony Ross & Son - $.75 per cubic yard. Anthony Ross and Son being the lowest bidder, it was voted to accept his bid for sewer installation. The Chairman of the Board was authorized to publish the situation so that there would not be any further criticism on the part of the people in the Town, as to the awarding of contracts to these two men. It was voted to raise the pay of Mr. Wm. G. French who is a street Dept. worker, $4. a day, the same being the regular pay. Considerable discussion was had in regard to the Board of Assessors Dept . Mr. O'Connell felt that the salaries paid both to the Asstt Assessor and the clerk were excessive for the amount of work done. He felt that some change should be made in this department. The Board therefor decided to have a talk with the newly appointed Board of Assessors next Tuesday evening. The Board discussed the laborers in the Highway Dept. and felt that some of the laborers such as Timothy Harrington, Michael Powers , George Trembell and Charles Higgins might be put on part time. Mr. Custance requested that the ages of these men be brought in so that the Board could discuss what should be done about them. T. Harrington, age 64 - Michael Powers, not known, George Trembell, unknown, George Thomas , 64, Charles Higgins ,69. The meeting adjourned at 11:25 P.M. A true record Attest : Clerk.