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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1932-03-29356 Old ,Paint Shop. Pool Roan License. Assessors Department. SELECTMEN'S MEETING MARCH 29, 1932. - A pegular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 7:30 P.M. Messrs. _Trask, _Custance, Gilcreast, Ferguson and OPConnell were present. j r; Mr. O'Connell reported in regard to the Shea property in East Lexington known as the Old Paint Shop*He presented copies of the title references to the Board. The Board requested Mr. O'Connell to communicate with the owner requesting him to tear down the Old Paint Shop building. Mr. John A. Murray of 19 Theresa Avenue came before the Board and stated that he understood an application had been made by Max Bluestein for a pool room at #2 Bow Street. He stated that there were at least fifteen persons in the neighborhood who would come up and object to sn y pool room license being granted end he felt that if the Board was to take any action on this application it should be delayed until sucin_time as the persons in the nei s_rhbor- hood could be given a hearing. The Chief of Police reported as not being in favor of the grantin of a permit to Max Bluestein to operate a pool room at�2 Bow Street and in view of the Chiefts report and ,the objection,_ the Board voted not to grant the permit, The new Board of Assessors came before the Board at the Selectmen's request. Dir. Trask informed them that inasmuch as they had an entirely new board that the Board of Selectmen f elt that they sould talk with them to convey some ideas that the Selectmen had about the Assessing Department. He explained tb them that the Board desired to come as near as possible to the tax rate of $30. as suggested by the Appropriation Committee report, and that they felt that if the Board should see fit to reduce the assistants in the Board of Assessors Office, they might do so. After they had discussed the matter, the Selectmen desired to know whether or not they felt another assistant assessor should be appointed. The suggestion was made to the Board that theres-.Wiould be two men on each side of the Street. Othersise the two_men.would be waiting for one on the otherside of the street and the cost would not be any more expensive but the duties would be completed mush faster. Mr. Ferguson felt that the matter of personal property assess- ments could be gLven special attention and also called attention to the Ryder suit and the Swenson suit which will come up this year for trial. The question of lowering valuations was discussed, and the Selectmen felt that if any drastic lowering was considered by the Board of Assessors., that it should be considered by the Selectmen also. Mr. OtConnell felt that the Board should. give consideration to the reduction of the salary of the present assestant assessor. He compared this work with the work of the Town Clerk and Town Treasorerts Dept. U 1 357 which did not pay as much salary. He felt that the job was not worth more than $40, a week. He also felt that the Clerk in the department who was receiving 28. per week should be reduced to a regular stenographers' pay inasmuch as he felt that the office work was nothing but copy work and did not require any particular skill. He felt that the c;^iticism of this department was quite general and that if this Board did do something along this line that it would meet with accord. He felt that the salaries paid for the work done was entirely out of reason. Mr. Buckley stated that he informally considered this matter with some of the members of the Board and they wondered just how this could be brought about owing to the statement made in Town Meeting by the Chairman of the Selectmen that there would be no reductions in salaries. They felt however that the department could get along with less assistance and that the persons working could be made to earn the salary received. kids were received on a temporary loan of $150,000 dated March 31st and payable November 13th as follows: State Street Trust Co. -5.17 dis. Lexington Trust Co. -5.47 dis. Temporary Faxon Gade Co. -4.95 dis. plus $I. loan. Waite Brothers -5.34 addition premium, $2.75 It was voted to award the bid to Faxon Gade Company provided they confirm their bid by letter. Hearing was declared open on the application of Paul Bowser for permission to erect a gara,Te on Grant Street having an area of.less than 800 square feet. Mr. Dunn, represent'ng Mr. ?dowser, appeared before Bowser the Board and presented. the plans of the building. garage Mr. Dunn was informed that he wo,zld have to file a hearing. plot plan of the property owned by Mr. Bowser before a permit could be granted. The Board voted to grant the permit providing this plot plan was filed with the Building Inspector. Applications for Old Age Assistance of Frank Canisius Old Age— of Ward Street aid William A. Kendall of Bedford Street Assist - ware referred to Mr. Gilcreast. an ce. Mr. O'Connell reported in regard to the By-law of the Town of *Inthrop which was referred to him relative to the sale of 'personal property of the Town, that he was conferring with the Attorney General's office, and there seemed to he some difference of opinion as to whether or not it was necessary to have a fay -law covering this matte-. At 8:30 P.M. informal hearin:r was held on the petition of the residents of Oak Street and vicinity to widen Oak Street from Mass. Avenue to Ellis Street. ' Dir. P. J. Neary was spokesman for the meeting. He felt that the Selectmen knew the condition of Oak Street as well as he did and that it was too na»row for the traffic upon the street. For a,great many years there has been no chance in this street, yet there have been three accjdents this last winter, one very serious accident. He hao `,'-ie mud guards taken from his car recently in an accident on 358 Oast Street widening, hearing. this street and he had driven just as close to the trees as possible to 7,et away from the other car. He was told there was to be some development and the residents would get the street widened. He was told at the last Town Meeting to wait a little while and they would ge=t the street widened. He felt that something would happen if this street was let go any longer. Mr. Francis Toye felt that he did not have very much to add to iA at Mr. Neary said but he felt the Selectmen should do sanething as soon as possible. Mrs. Golder Ware stated that she wanted to speak for the mothers and the children. She drives a car herself and a great many times when she is doing down the hill when she blows her horn at the children, they go on both sides of the street. She herself is a careful driver but she considers the welfare of the children in connection with the trucks and delivery wagons that mo up aid down that are travelling fast. Mr. Arthur (. Folper stated that the street is from wall to wall 33 feet at the widest point and that half way up there is a curve there and the street at the na^rowest point narrows down to fifteen feet six inches. There are a number of cars sometimes parked on this street long into the evening leaving a distance of about twelve feet available for t} e traffic. At the Mass. Avenue entrance it is 27 feet wide. He felt that the Board would aree that the street was too narrown, especially where so many school children travel on the street. There are approximately 125 school dbAldren travelling up and down this street, the majority of them four times a day and there are forty automobiles that use that street twice a day and there are 82 delivery trucks and automobiles and residents cars. This, was from a count takrBnfor.two days from seven O'clock in the morning until 4:15 in the afternoon. The e are several provision store trucks that ao up and down at a high rate of speed and with 125 children in the neighborhood, he felt something should be done about widening the street. lie stated that of course the widening would mean the taking of some land, but that the land could not be had for a lower cost than at the present time. He spoke of a recent accident to Mrs. Buckett t -at occasioned her to Y)e confined to the hospital. He felt that it was for the interest of the women and children that this street be widened. Mr. Custance explained that before putting the street in condition, the sewer and the water should first be installed and that the cost of doing all the work would be approximately 25,000. He felt that it would not be wine to construct the street witho,it installing these utilities first. He also called attention to the gutter which is now paved and if the street is widened out from wall to wall, he still felt that the public utilities should be put in. Mr. Anderson stated that in the winter time on account of the icy condition of Charles Street, the people in that section used Oak Street. He explained accidents which had happened on account of the delivery trucks driving so fast as to endanger the lives of the little children. He felt that if a smaller job could be done to widen the street out for safety that this n 1 L 359 might be sufficient to last for sane time. Attention was also called to the fact that there are ten trees on the right hand side going up a -i d also s-evera.l trees on the left hand side that make it dangerous. Mrs. Herbert Flint felt that there might he a sidewalk left on the right hand side for the children to walk on so they would have some place to Mo for protection from the vehicles. Mr.. Dahlstrom felt that the expenditure of $5000. now to widen the street out would be money thrown away if in two or three years from now the Town had to expend $25,000. to do a -ood ,job on the street. If it is to be done, a good joie should be done. Mr. Toye felt that Mrs. Flint's point was well taken and. that there who.ald be some place provided for the children. Mr. Trask explained that there was a very good sidewalk put in on Mass. Ave. with a sub -base and people did not use it; they will only use a granolithic walk. Mr. Clifford and Mr. Kydd also spoke inf avor of widening Oak Street. The Board decided to have the Engineers submit figures and to make further recommend�a.tions relative to what mi,: -ht be done to remedy the condi tions, and. Mr. Custance was requested to see that the studies were made. Mr. Collins, Attorney for Mr. Sperandeo, came before the Board again to see what could b.- done. He felt that Mr. Sperandeo should be riven a chance and thought there was not any sense in hav"n r him tear down the structure which was now on his premises which was built in 1916 and then have him apply for a new perrii_t. He felt also that the Board could decide this matter and there was no need of its going, any furti,,er into Court. Sperandeo He felt that an agreement could be arrived at that Mr. case. Sp randeo woi ld not use the b-aild ng for anything but farm purposes and. that that would eliminate en y further Court proceedings. He felt that it vould not be an imposition to allow the building to remain there inasmuch as all the nei,rhbors in the vicinity have shacks of a s3lar ngture. He admitted that Mr. Sperandeo stayed in the place on Saturdays and Sundays but he did not live there during the week. The Board informed Mr. Collins that they understood Mr. _Sperandeo did live there and went to work from there every day. They inquired whether or not he would remove the stove and thetable that were now in the building. Mr. Collins stated that he would be willing to do anything that was agreeable to the Board. The Board left the matter with Mr. O'Connell to communicate with Mr. Collins and draw up an agreement. Mr. Emery, Mr. Duffy as d Mr. Milne of the Planning Board came before the Board. Mr.- Emery desired to have the letter read that he wrote to the Board and noted that he did not explain as clearly as he meant to in regard to providing roads for the viewer extension to be put through the East 360 Lexington Meadows- area. He -felt- that Mr. Duffy .was- more familiar with-the..situation having livi=d in the neighborhood and he-requested him to make-some statements in-regard-to-the situation.- _.. Mr.-Duffy explained that the situation had been under discussion for ssveral years and ue felt that. the project contemplated of 137ing the sewer in the future should be studied so that the se,.Fer might be laid in the proposed location of roads through this area." Usually an easement is taken in connection with such a project. He felt.that there we:—_ many uses to which this area might be put and that the stratus of the so-called water area should be det , misled. He felt that the Town might in_uire of the development of the Town of Arlington and see if, &4yf ?laps could be a ranged that might harmonize with their plans. He felt that the first thing to 4scertain was the legal status of the large area adjoining Maple Street, Lowell Street and the railroad. Mr. Emery stated thbt the Town Engineer informed them that a trunk sewer would have to be provided there within the next few years. Mr. Duffy called attention to the Metcalf and Eddy report which outlined the sewer to be located in 3lois area. Mr. Duffy felt that the Arlington Board of Selectmen would be willing to cooperate to straighten out the vithation of water rights. Mr. Emery explained that the Town Engineer has laid but plans and has some topography of the tbrritory between Lowell Street and the Winchester line and has some suggestion of the layout of Row Street. The Planning 8oafld also have had some discussion as to future arteries or thro u h ways, and considered a st-est coming down through Sickle T3rook and connecting up toward. Winchester. These things had been discussed only generally. Mr. Emery explained that the matter had been broup41t up by Mr. Cosgrove who expected to be called upon to lay( out the trunk lines for wewer. Mr. O'Connell felt that if it . we-e a ,question of determiain.i the boundary lines that they should be described in some conveyance. As he understood it, the Town of Arlington took the entire area by Eminent Domain and supplemented it by deeds and there is some question as to the present stat-is of these deeds and he felt that it must be a matter of record in both Cambridge and Arlington. It was understood that the water used in various places in Arlington comes from the res ervbir. The Planning Board felt that as soon as the legal status of the Meadows was dettled, the Meadows might be used for playground purposes or some other puroose, but the question now is to-determine the control of the property itself. The Clerk was requested to look up the correspondence to see if any correspondence had been had with,the Town of Arlington in retard to the East Lexington Meadows. , Mr. O'Connell felt that rather than have the Town Counsels get together, that communication should be directed from the Board of Selectmen to the Board of Selectmen 89 Wincton d in his a� the Bollards codultd Set tortger prdposi ion. a Cle k w�1s irecte o ett ou e correspondence relative to the East Lexington Meadows. ' The Board discussed the appointment of the Plumbing Inspector and the letter written by the Civil Service Commission, in which they stated that any person appointed to the office of Plumbino, Inspector of the Town of Lexington would have to be under Civil Service, but that they were only under. the Civil Service for the tsnure of their office. It has been customary to appoint Mr. Bain annually and therefor it was felt that his tenure of ofrice ceased at the end of the appointment, March 31st. Suggestion was made of the appointment of Edward McNamara of School Street who is a World War Veteran getting some compensation from the Government, and who plumbing has been out of employment for some time. Inspector. The Board discussed whether or not it was fair to Mr. }Bain to discharge him _after 18 years of service without ;ivin„ him a chance to be informed that it was intended to appoint someone b1se in his stead. The Board voted to appoint Mr. Bain, Plumbing Inspector and after discussing the matter again, vot=ed to reconsider the appointment. Letter was received from the "card of Assessors, who had organized and discussed the matter of appointment of another assistant assessor, advising the Board that they felt another assistant assessor should be appointed. Assistant ' It was voted to appoint Samuel Zeitlen of the Assessor Engineering Dept. as the other assistant assessor . Mr. Custanee presented specifications which he had drawn up for the painting of the Public Works Building. Mr. Ferguson offered a suggestion that another para- graph be added to the specifications calling attention to the f act that it was the intention of the specifications to cover a complete job of pa_ntin,- the outside of the Bids for building. painting. The Board a,)proved the specifications with this correction, the same to be sent to the local painters for bids. Letter was received from Mr. John E. Gilereast in which he sz ggested that the time be _-riven. to the spending of the'Town's money prior to the time that it is expended. Town's It was suggested therefor that the Supt. of Public expenditure: Works advise the 3oard in advance and not in arrears, of the work that was intended to be done each }meek, giving the amount to he expended. and any purchases that were to be made amounting to over $300., the Boa -d should be advised of, and should know of whom the purchases are to be made, of what they are to consist and if they are to be purchased by competitive bids or otherwise. ' . Mr. Trask called attention to the fact that Mr. Seamnan had been requested prior to thibs.time to give a report t© the Board of what was intended to be done each week, but that this report has not been given. The Supt. of Public Works was therefor requested to brio; in a report eat week of what was intended to ne done the following week in the various departments under his supervision. 362 Mr. Scamman called attention to the fact teat he desired to have the Board view the Continental Motor Tractor which was now on display tit tqe Public Works Dept. Buildin?. The cost is $1600. He would get An allowance on the old Fordson Tractor. This tractor would Tractor. be used for the broom for cleaning the streets. It could also be used on the sidewalks in the winter time for plowing snow, The Board susrgested considering a Fordson Tractor. However, they decided to view the tractor on display at present. Mr. Gilcreast reported in regard to the bill of the City of Melrose. They passed a resolution relative to Resolution, the aoproval of towns of expenditures by the County for buildings to be built in the County. lie communicated with Melf'ose and found that the bill was not yet drawn, but when it was, drawn, copies would be sent to the Selectmen's Office. In regard to the $20,000. water notes to be issued, Mr. Gilcreast reported that he felt money matters vwuld be better within a short time, and the Board therefor voted to authorize the Chairman to authorize the Water Treasurer to advertise for bids whenever Mr. Gilcreast Notess, feels that the condition of money rates Would warrant it. Mr. Custance offered the suggestion that the notes be written for five years. Oakland St. It was voted to authorize the Supt. of Public Work's Sewer. to start the sewer job in Oakland Street. Mr. Custance reported on North Street water North St. installation that Mr. Harvey Wheeler did not want Watere, to sign the guarantee. Mr. Custance stated. that 1115 Would Seto: &,,lettev written by Mr. Wheeler stateing that he would pay the amount of t1be bill when rendered to him. Assistant It was voted to appoint William C. Paxton, Jr. as Supt.of assistant_ Supt. of Streets the same,to take effect April `?treets, 1st, 1930. In regard to the request of Mr. Commeriere that the Town put some men in on his property and cleanout the brook, Commeriere. Mr. Scamman reported that he investigated the conditions and he did not believe that it was a matter for the Town to go in and do any work on Mr. Commeriere's land. General discussion was had of the legal cases before the Town Counsel in connection with the Board Legal of Assessors Dept. Mr. Custance called attention to caseso the fact that the case for which the Town Counsel charged $289., the same being the Ryder appeal for the aba'teilent'• of taxes, was settled with an abatement of $500, ^n and the Town paid back $17.to Mr. Ryder. He felt that on this basis the appeals were costing.the Town considerable money and that in order to pay a bill of $289., considerable property would have to be assessed, lie felt therefor, that it was a costly proposition to take these matters to Court. y 1 t_: t= 11 1 u Application of Mrs. C. B. .Reed, 5 Wadman Circle for Boardij 6 3 Infants was approved by the Board, this having been a renewal. Auctioneerrs license was granted to Leslie J. Woocl, Webb Street. Water Commitment in the amount of $7576.85 was signed by the Board. The Clerk reported having communicated with the Dept. of Public Safety, State Hol_ise, and they did not have any regulations covering the peddling of petroleum products m d the Chief of the Fire Dept. also reported that he could not find anything in the regulations requiring any special permission to peddle kerosene or other petroleum products. The Board therefor voted to grint a license to George W. Porter, 39 Theresa Avenue to peddle petroleum products. The attention of the Board was called to the fact that they promised the residents of Baker Avenue that they would consider the widening of Baker Avenue in the Spring. The Board decided, however, to lky. the matter on the table again. The Board signed the duplicate agreement, together with the signature of Caroline A. Barrington, in coneection with the payment of the damages of $35m) t) Mrs. Harrington for the establishment of a Building Line across her property in 1926. In re?ard to the matter of the Center Engine House Committee, Mr. Custance suggested, that this Committee be revised, but at the present time no action is necessary. Mr. Benjamin W. C. Meady came before the Board and stated that his object in coming before the Board was to find out just exactly what the Board proposed to do to relieve his distress of the great quantity of water being turned in on his property from Reed Street t6 Du.nnyknoll Avenue.' Mr. Custance inquired if this was through ttie brook that comes down through the Golf Club. Mr. Meady stated that It was and that this is the main tributary. He was akked why he felt that the Town was responsible. tie stated that thit was a long story and of course Mr. Custance w•is familiar with it. The first time he had trouble was some time in 1928 and if his memory served him correctly, a plan was made and an agreement was` drawn to relieve thea',_ condition, and if his memory served him correctly, he signed the agreezien6t: that was drawn up by the Town Counsel and given to the Town. Mr. Custance inquired if the easement was from Reed Street down between the two houses to take care of the water -that came down from the brook to the adjacent property and the water on, Reed Street. Mr. Custance presented a plan .and Mr. Meady pointed out on the plan where he felt the water was coming from that was .causing trouble for him. he expltt ned where the main..brook emptied, and he -believed, that it was clogged and that it had been clogged for twenty-five years. I3e pointed out on the map whe-e he felt it was clogged. 364 He explained where the main brook was feedin: into the branch. He stated that he thought the plan before hi3A was made for the easement that was drawn sn d it showed thereon:Uais originally plotted plan upon which there were eight lots. Mr. Meady stated that he was not an engineer, but he felt that the completion of Vaille Avenue and the improvements in Vaille Avenue increased the surface drainage there, aryl in 1928 he had water in his cellar and he nwver had any trouble before. Fie stated that in Sunnyknoll Avenue the water accumulates and comes dawn into this section. There is a 15 inch pipeunder Sunnyknoll Avenue and this drainage causes him _a great deal of distress not only financially but also physically and he would like to have some sort of rUief. The Board inquired whether or not openin,c up the ditch would relieve the situation. He stated that there are six inches of water showing at the exit of this 15 inch pipe, and it could not help but Sill up because it is on the level with the back 1+-tnd. The pipe is ample, but there is something that clots it up and he felt that the conditid)n here could be improved a great deal. lie dtated that the water in his cellar this morning was 24 inches deep. The house was built in 1928 and the first indication of water in the cellar vias ScAetime in the following S:)ring. The house was started in April or May and it was the following April that he first had the water and at that time he talked over giving an easement. Mr. Meady explained that the house with the drain under it is absolutely dry. asked whether or not the Town had ,done a1 ything on his land since he-Gvrhed it, he stated that they had not. The Board inquire4whether or not the -^e was a piece of land that was lower than the surrounding land and whether or not his problem could be called a grading problem. He stated that he did not believe this could be called _a grading problem. He stated that the property had been a total loss and that it stood him approximately $11,000. and he stated that he would be entirely reasonable with the Board in doing something to relieve the conditions that caused him so much distress. He felt that the Board should relieve the condition and find him a customer for the house, inasmuch as he felt that he suffered a serious dan age. The Board decided to meetco-n Sunday at 2:15 to view the premises and also to view the premises of Mr. Gorman to see what could be done to reliave the conditions there. The meetinT adjourned at 12:40 P.M. A true record, Attest:. Clerk. 1