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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1932-04-12 372 ' ' SELECTMEN 'S MEETING APRIL 12, 1932. A regular meeting of the Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 7:30 P.M. Messrs . Trask, Custance, Gilcreast, Ferguson and O 'Connell were present. The Supt . of Public Works and the Clerk were also present . Mr. Alfred E. Haynes came before the Board. He was not satisfied with the way that his property has been left and felt that he should have some more filling put Haynes in on his place inasmuch as the street was built higher- property. than it originally was and left his property in a low spot . He would like to have the place cleaned up and finished so that it would be in good shape. He felt that the loam that was left there could be thrown back, possibly by the unemployed. The Board informed him that they intended to fix the place up and it would probably be done before he goes away the first of July. Mr. Benjamin Santosuosso of 91 Bow Street came before the Board, he having received notice that after this week there would not beany further work for the unemployed. He stated that he had lived in the Town for 26 years Unemploy- and he felt he should be given some work. He had five in ment his family. He had a son 23 years old who could not get Relief. a job . He had one girl in the family working. The youngest child was 13 years old. The Board informed him that the funds of the Water Dept. were not sufficient to put on extra help this year, and the funds of the Unemployment Relief Committee were exhausted. Mr. James McKinney came before the Board and stated that he desired to obtain work four days a week if possible inasmuch as he had a wife who was ill and he needed the work at the present time . He had been looking for work for some time . He was a dairy mechanic and he was not at all satisfied with the four days a week, but he felt h.atiust have it in order to get along. He had one child three years old and expected an increase in the family. Mr. Wm. LeGoff of 74 Cliffe Avenue came before the board and asked if he could possibly be he14d by having four days a week work. He had three in his family. He paid $40. per month rent and with the gas and the electric lights he was just able to get along and pay $20. a month twward has rent . He was assisted by the Welfare Dept . for $20 toward his rent. The house is owned by Mrs. Mary Murphy. He became ill last year with Scarlet Fever and at that time he lost his position. When he was ready to go back he was not taken back, and at that time he became in arrears for his rent . He stated that his work was in the chain store line and that he heard of some prospect, but just at present nothing had materialized. He had a boy 16 years old who .was ambitious to attend school and desires to go to College. He is anxious to have 373 his boy finish school here and did not want to move from Lexington. He stated that he had an automobile; that his cousin, a school teacher in Arlington, gives him an allowance of gas each week to look for a job , and has also paid for his insurance. Mr. Sebastiano Collentropo came before the Board and felt that there was need for an electric Light on Cottage Street near his house and asked that the Board give the Street matter further consideration. Light. The Board informed him that they would go down there and look the situation over. Mr. Ernest K. Ballard came before the Board at the Chairman 's request. The Chairman read to him the report of the Health Officer on the condition of his premises . Mr. Prentiss was also present. Mr. Ballard stated that he was aware that some of the people that came up in that section complained, and he called attention to the fact that when Mr. Murray came up there he and Mr. Fenn complained about the piggery. Mr. Allen also complained . Now those persons have all left the territory. He did not know who was complaining now. He stated that when the territory is in the market for development , he would be willing to give up his piggery, but there has not been any development there and probably will not be any for some time. He stated that he might make $500. on his hogs or he might make $1000. , ' and the way he figured it was that if $500 . or $1000. was taken off his income , there would be so much less and felt that anyone would realize having this taken out of their income . Mr. Brogna comes up there in the summer time and his children nlay around his farm and he has never had any complaint from him. He realized that there were times when there was an odor, but there would also be an odor to any farm where there was pig manure. He purchases pig manure from Connors an, has it put down on his place and he plows it into the ground as soon as possible inasmuch as there Ballard is in it then the availAble nitrogen that is needed piggery. in ghe ground. It is to his advantage therefor to plow the manure into the ground as soon as possible and he always does so. He has lived in Lexington for 51 years and has been farming for 45 years. Last year he made $650. out of the farm. He stated that he hoped the Board would give him a permit to continue business and he would keep the place just as clean as possible and that he always did try to keep the place clean, but he felt that it was not the pigs that the odor was coming from, but the manure that was brought there to be plowed into the ground. The Chairman informed him that if further complaints are made , they will ask him to come down and state the conditions to the complaintants. ' Complaint has been received from Miss Syer . The Health Inspector stated that he believed many of the odors received by her were from Connors piggery in Lincoln inasmuch as this piggery is in very bad condition. The Chairman reported having talked with the Board of Health in Lincoln and find that they have not granted 374 col Mr. Connors a permit . They are simply allowing him to , continue doing business without bothering him. Vito Viddtte of Bow St . came before the Board and stated that he had been working for the Water Department for five years and he did not see why he could not get a position. The Chairman informed him of the reduced amount of money in the Water Dept. available for work and he felt that he would have to look elsewhere for work. Mr. Vidette stated that when college graduates could not find work, he did not see how he could . He also felt that there are some people who have not been in the Town five years and some non-citizens who were working on the Highway Department that Should not be given work in preference to citizens. the Board informed him that he would have to look for work and if he could not obtain work, he could report again in two weeks. Mr. Joseph Vitale came before the Board and stated that he had been receiving three day's a week work and he lived on Bow Street for 16 years. His father always drank and that is why his mother needs supporti-tOdyy. He has been married for three years. His sister is married and gives him $3. a week toward the support of the house. Her husband works for himself , but his business has been very poor. He had been out of school since he was 13 years old endeavoring to earn enough to support the family. He still owes money on 1tld ;' taxes. He had a Christmas Club and paid part of the taxds with that and repaid his brother who lives on Denver Street money he had borrowed from him. Letter was received from the city of Melrose in which they enclosed section 1, Chapter 34 of the General Laws which was a text of the proposed bill that they desired to have adopted by the Legislature. They stated that a hearing would be held on Wednesday, April 13th, at 11 A.M. on this bill . 1'he Chairman stated that he would attend the hearing. The Board viewed in the Engineering Office, the plans of Allen Street and Blossom Street with the suggested lines for the relocation. The Board decided to hold an informal hearing on April 26th at which time the residents of this vicinity would be given an opportunity to view the plans of the proposed relocation of these streets. The Board voted to grant the following licenses Alcohol Herbert M. Lawrence 1771 Mass . Ave. Colonial Garage 1668 Mass . Ave. Arthur B. Field 851 " Waverley Hardware 1756 " Calvin Childs 409 Mass. Ave. Colonial Garage 34 Bedford St. 375 COMMON VICTUALLER 'S Sidney B. & Margaret W. Heywood (The Old House) Marrett Rd. Joseph Breck & Sons Corp. Rear Munroe Station Mrs. Philomena Pero' 12 Waltham St.Charlott C. Cullen & Charles L Cox 420 Marrett Rd. Arthur L. & Grace M. Smith 273 Bedford St. Mike & Christy Hallos (Minute Man Cafe) 1761 Mass. Ave. GARBAGE John N. Connors Lincoln, Mass . Licenses. HAIRDRESSER 'S M. A. Quirk 1841 Mass.Ave. Hazel Thompson ft n If SUNDAY SALES LICENSE Fid B. Bartlett Bedford St. UNDERTAKER ' S Thomas Montague 21 Bedford St. Abatement in the amount of $902.35, $719. being the Abatement. assessment of the 1926 Building Line committed June 29, 1926 and $183.35 being the interest on this charge against Caroline A. Herrington, was signed. Letter was received from the Town Clerk giving the Bd. of information that Mr. George H. Lowe has been elected as registrars, Chairmanhairan of the Board of Registrars of Voters for the Chairman. ensuing year . Letter was received from the Joint Committee on Municipal Finance of the Boston Chamber of ' ommerce and the Boston Real Estate Exchange enclosing a table Assessments . with the probable assessments on account of the Metropolitan Parks and Sewerage Districts; also enclosing a summary of bills contemplating additional assessments on the Metropolitan districts. v Bond of John C. Russell as Constable was approved Constables by the Board. Bond. Letter was received from the Acme Exterminating Co. of 9 Hancock Street, Boston in which they gave the price of $60. for exterminating the rats in the Town Dumps . Extermination In September, 1929, the charge for this work was $150. of rats. The Board decided that in view of the fact that they had not had any complaints about the rats, they would not have this work done at present . License was approved for Warren S. Grant, Farmcrest License. Avenue, to peddle ice in the Town of Lexington. Letter was received from the Near East Foundation, Near East 632 Little Building, Beaton, asking that the Board issue a statement to the people calling attention to Relief. the drive for the Near East Relief. 376 The Board decided that there might be many people that would give tbethe Near East Relief that would not give to local welfare department and therefor voted to �. cooperate by sending their notice to the papers. K' Notice was rdceived from Allen Brooks, Administrative Secretary of the State Dept. of Public Utilities, informing Lovell the Board of a hearing on Wednesday April 1.7, at 10: 30 A.M. Bus In. Room 166, State house, upon the application of the Lovell hearing. Bus Lines Inc. for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the operation of motor vehicles for the carriage of passengers for hire between LeFington and Rillerica, passing through Lexington, Burlington, Billerica and Bedford. The Chairman of the Board was requested to attend the hearing, Ryder The health Inspector reported in regard to the nyder piggery. piggery on Maple Street. No further action was taken except to file the report . The Clerk was instructed to write to Mr. Griswold Winter requesting him to present the plans of Winter Street Street. for approval at an early date. Letter was received from Mrs. Norman Stockhaus representing the American Legion Auxiliary, asking Legion permission to erect and epowete a stand similar to stand, the one the Legion had last year on Depot Square on April 19th. They plan to sell tonic, ice cream and hot dogs. She Beard voted to grant permission to operate the stand provided they provide liability insurance protecting the Town for any claim for injuries as a result of the erection of this stand. Letter was received from William P. Bailey, 276 West Street, Needham relative to the Town of Lexington shutting Street the lights off at one o'clock in the morning. He stated lights. that the voters at the Town Meeting voted to have the lights shut off at one o'clock, but that the Selectmen have not carried out the action. rie desired to know the result of shutting off thelligbts in Lexington. The Chairman replied to the letter. Letter was received from Charles E. Hadley, Sealer ean of Weights and M , sures , asking that his son Frank . Sealer of Hadley be appointed Sealer of Weights and Measures and Weights as Special Police officer during hie absence while he goes to California. He stated that he talked with Measures. Mr. Meredith of the Bureau of Standards at the State House and he stated that this would be satisfactory to him. The Board voted to appoint Frank R. Hadley in place of his father as Sealer of Weights and Measures and also as Special Police. Letter was revolved from Fletcher W. Taft, Clerk April 19th of the April 19th Celebration Committee, intng the Committee. Board of Selectmen to view the parade in front of the Cary Memorial Building. The parade will start from The Adams School at 10 o'clock, A. M, 377 Letter was received from r". D. Sabin, District Highway Engineer, calling attention to the fact that traffic markers should be painted to conform with the Traffic traffic bulletin #3. This letter was turned over markers. to the 'Supt. of Public Works for his attention. Letter was received from Timothy Kinneen of 156 Vine Street in which he applied for position of Plumbing Inspector. The matter was laid on the table Plumbing until such time as an opportunity was given to take the Inspector. examines ton for this position. Application for Board of Survey approval of plans of the Roberts property off Allen Street was made by C. Ross Morash of 40 Manning Road, Waltham. Board of The Board decided not to hold this hearing 'Until Survey. after the informal hearing on the relocation of Allen And Blossom Streets. It was decided to refer this matter to the Planning Bd. for their approval. Letter was redeived from Robert C. Merriam in which he requested that a street sign be placed at the corner Street of Oakmount Circle and 'eriam Street designating Oakmount Signs. Circle. The Supt. of Public Works was requested to attend to the matter. Mr. Custance reported that he understood Mr. Neil McIntosh was going to come before She Board with reference to the water gussantees, as he was not satisfied about McIntosh the charges. Mr. McIntosh did not appear, tI: water but Mr. Custance recommended that he get a reduction on gu�evantees. Lincoln Street and requested the Supt. of Public Works to have the abatement ready for the next meeting, Monday evening. The Chairman presented specifications for 1:50 trees to be divided fifty each of Red, Rock and Norway Maples. The proposal's are to be in the office of the Shade trees. Selectmen not later than April 18th at 5 P. M. It was decided to request bids from the following: New England Nurseries; Old Town Nurseries, Ferri's Nursery; Bruck-Robinsons 's ; Russell Bray. It was decided to request Mr. Custance to budld a reviewing stand for the Select-en to review the April 19th parade at a cost not exceeding X15. , same to be charged to the Unclassified Account. hpril 19th. It was also decided to invite Ar. John N. Morse of the Grand Army to review the parade with the Selectmen from the reviewing stand. Mr. Trask called attention to the automobile light signal located at Mass. Avenue and Clarke Street and stated that this blinker had been a source of annoyance to Miss Harrington who lives opposite the light, and II during her mother's illness it was decided to shut off the light at night and after considering the matter, the Board felt thatit was not necessary to have the light Traffic turned on. It was therefor voted to eliminate the \ signals. blinkers at Waltham Street , Clarke Street and Elm Avenge ' at 11 o'clock. 378 Presidential 1e Board signed the Warrant for the Presidential �7 Primaries. Primaries to be held April 26th, end decided that the polls be open from four until eight P.M. Letter was received from the Planning Board in ' which they quoted a vote as follows: "That the Planning Board recommends to the Selectmen, that subject to the approval of limiters. Stephen Hamblin, Edward Ballard and Edward Wood , an area about the old Reservoir, and .Bowman Park be set agtde as town forests and planted with Red Pine secured from the State, and that a planting of Spruce be made in the back area of the Westview Cemetery tract with a view of Trees. transplanting a part of these at some future date if it is found desirable." The Board dsucassed the matter and Mr. Custance suggested that if any planting is done on Bowman Park that only a few trees be put in inasmuch as an effort has been made in the past years to clean the park up. The Board decided that they were in sympathy with the project of planting trees, but felt that the matter should be left in the hands of the Chairman of the Board and the Supt. of the Park Dept. , and the Planning Board were to be so- advised. Meady In regard to the damages to the property of property. W. B. C. Meady, it was decided to ask Mr. Meady to give the Board his claim in writing and the Board would then decide what action they would take. ' In .regard to Y $ofgpe's property, Mr. O'C'onnell presented views taken of the property showing gravel Folger that was put in there by the Town. He stated that he property. talked with Mr. Folger and asked him if it was not that he wanted the Town to. grade his lot, and it rather looked to him from• looking over the situation that that w►stwhat was wanted. The Board instructed the Supt. of Public Works to have the drain in Tucker Avenue filled in and also to have the fill that was put in in front of Mr. Folger s property on Tucker Avenue removed , this work to be done at once. In regard to the claim of the Lexington Co-operative Bank that the street drainage was the cause of water being in the cellar of the Meany house, it was decided Shade St. to notify the Co-operative Bank that the Board did not drain. believe that the water in the cellar was caused by the drainage turned in there by the Town. In regard to the clerks in the office having Vacation, their three weeks vemition, the Board decided to reduce the vacatioa to two weeks for all Town employees. License to The Board signed the license of Marion E. Hankered- License oard of 6 Garfield Stree to board two infants at her home. boardts. The Clerk reportedhaving visi#ed this woman and found isondlttlins in her home very satisfactory. Permit was granted to the E. E. T. Co. and the N.B. Pole location. Tel. & Tel. Co. for a joint attachment on one pole on Pleasant Street. After making the appointment of Mr. Samuel Zeitlen " of the Engineering Dept. , the Town Counsel ruled that he did not believe it would be wise to appoint a man from out- of-town as Asst Assessor. It was therefor necessary Ass t to appoint someone else in his place and the Chairman Assessor. appointed George V. Morse of Vine Brook hoed. the Board approved the appointment. Ii, regard to the salary of William Paxton, Ass't Supt . appointed Ass ' t Supt. of Streets, it was voted that of streets . his salary be raised to $P5. per week beginning May 1st, 1932. The copies of the deeds of the East Lexington Meadows were turned over to Mr. O'Connell to go over. Deeds. Mr. O'Connell stated that he would report in one week in regard to a form of water guarantee bond to Bond. be filed as a lien against the property. L The Supt.of Public Works presented a telegram with confirmation from the J. B. Filleul Co . authorizing Tractor . him to use the tractor on any job desired. Mr. O'Connell reported that the Highland Trust Go. held the second mortgage on the Shea property in East Old Paint Lexington and he expects that the directors of the bank Shopt. will assent to the removing of the building at 497 Mass. Avenue. Attention of the Supt. of Public Works was called to the fact that the sign board on Bedford Street Traffic near the house of Mr. Jos . Swan has been knocked out sign. of place and should be attended to. The Board viewed the plan the Supt . of public Works had prepared by the Aown Engineer at the request of the Board to have a plan drawn showing the necessary drainage in ellen Street. Allen St. Mr. Ferguson was not satisfied with the plan and drainage. felt that the Engineer should make a study of this territory and make his recommendations as to the size of the pipe necessary. he felt that the ordinary layman, although they did have an opinion would not know definitely what the proper size of the p1pp was or if any drainage Wasr_aeeessary. It was therefor decided to request the Town $ngineer to make a study of the plan and report to the Board. Mr, Lilcreast called attention to the fact that the Supt. of Public Works did not comply with the request Of the Board made recently that he give information on Supt. expendi*tres of the various departments for the week reports. following. Supt. was requested to give a better report next week. Mr. Custance brought up the decision of the Town Counsel on the application of Richard Whittemore to build a store with a single dwelling over it of second class construction in a C.1 district.. 380 The Building Inspector inquired of the Town tPlk Counsel whetherx ' not he would consider this a t=1 detached dwelling. The Building Inspector stated that in his opinion that the intention of the Zoning Law:'was Om< not to prevent a dwelling over a store in a C. L district, but he desired to have th2 opinion of the Town Counsel on the detached building. Who Town Counsel stated that literally the language of the Zoning Law does not cover that kind of structure in any of the districts; that it seemed to him a case where the Board of Appeals might act, The 4oard considered the matter and decided that they did not believe that a dwelling and a store as one unit would be considered a detached dwelling after viewing the plans, and decided to notify the Building Inspector. The meeting adjourned at 11:30 P.M. A true record, Attest: Clerk.