HomeMy WebLinkAbout1932-04-26 387
SELECTMEN'S MEETING
APRIL 26, 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, Fetguson and O'Connell
were presnt. The erupt. & Olerk were also present.
The Board of Assessors came before the Board to''diennss
the matter of abatement on the nyder land. They stated that
they had gone over the entire proposition and Mr. R der felt
that he should be allowed an abatement for the land Hyder
included in the roadway which he claimed the Town had taken abatemeht
from Mass. Avenue to Vine Brook woad. He also felt that he
should have an abatement for the land in which the sewer
is located.
The Board informed the Assessors that the roadway has
not been taken and that it is simply a Board of Survey lay
out and they did not feel that that could be considered
any reason for abatement.
In regard to the sewer easement, it was decided to look
up the records.
The Assessors stated that they went over some of the
buildings and ound some of them to be over- assessed and
made a reduction. After going over the entire property,
they made a reduction in cash of $1000. They reduced
the value of the house on Waltham Street from $20,000. to
$15,118O.. They stated that Mr. Ryder felt that the
assessment on the land on Waltham Street should be
entirely abated owing to the fact that Vine Brook has
not been lowered to drain this land.
The Board of Selectmen felt that the reduction
considered by the Board of Assessors was very fair and
it should be agreed upon with Mr hyder that this
reduction should only be made in view of a compromise
to avoid litigation and otherwise the figures should
remain as they are.
The Assessors also reported having made a negotiation Swenson
with Mr. S*enson on the reassessment of his property property.
which was agreeable to Mr. Swenson.
The Chief of Police came before the 'goard in regard
to the application of Eva Bornstein for a Common Victualler's
License. He reported that he was not in favor of granting
this license, that the place is a regular night club.
Some time ago he asked the Selectmen to give orders that
it be closed at 11 o'clock owing to the crowd that came
around. He also stated that he has many times endeavored Bornstein
to convict the Bornstein family of keeping and exposing license.
liquor for sale. Be stated that it was very hard to find
IIliquor but 1* is in the immediate vicinity.
the Board voted hot to grant the license to Eva
Bornstein.
388
The Chairman reported that a man by the name of
Mv. Anderson who was interested in some religious society
came to his house in regard to the treatment given by the Imt
police officers to his representatives.
Chief Sullivan stated that he expected Mr. Bidwell to
be present to give his story about the representatives that
called •at his house, but Mr. Bidwell had an ill attack
Chief of and had to return Mae. The Chief explained, however,
Police re that these parties went to Mr. Bidwell's house and talked
solicitors. with the children and attempted to discourage them from
any teachings of the churches. Two officers told them
that they did not have any business going from house to
house without a permit. They returned again to the
Bidwell house, and the Chief went there himself, and warned
them. Then two or three other men came to him from Arlington
and informed him that these solieitbrs were ill used. Teh
man, however, did not use proper language to the police
officers and the Chief warned them not to solicit in
this Town.
The Board decided to back the Chief up in his actions.
Informal hearing was held on the proposed relocation
of Allen Street and Blossom Street. Several of the
residents were present.
Mr. James Carroll expressed the opinion that he felt
that the old road, now Allen Streets should have some of the
curves taken out and fixed up and that it should remain. He
Informal did not want to see this street abandoned;
'gearing, Mr. Slocum felt that the street should not be used as
Allen and a through thoroughfare. 111
Blossom Mr. Costello was Opposed to the new road. •
Streets. Dar. Morash, who proposed to develope a part of that
section, was present at the hearing and he stated th,it he
app roved the ]a gout made by the Town Engineer. He stated
that probably later on he would do more developing in
that section than what he has now proposed.. Me w.Aio
suggested that it might be proper to move Mr. Carroll's
barn, which is the old Roberts barn, back a short distance
and also suggested straightening the street opposite
Mr. Calderwood' s house, and he felt that if this were
done it vould help the situation on Allen Street and
would serve the purpose for some time to come,
The Town Egineeer explained that the prupose of
getting the proper lay out of the street was for having
water installation and any other public utilities for this
new development in the proper place.
Many of the residents of Waltham Street appeared
before the Board in regard to the drainage conditions
on Waltham Street.
Mr. Lima stated that he owned 20 acres of land there
which was pretty low and he understood that the Town wanted
to drain Allen Street onto his land , andhe had tem much
water there now and did not want any more drained in on him.
Mr. Savage on Valleyfield Street complained that the
ditches had been stopped up and the water came in on their
place like a reservoir, the water that eomes down to the
brook that crosses Waltham Street. He felt that the drain 1389
should be lowered. This property was just beyond Mr.
Bailey' s.
Mr. Hopkins complained that they had the same condition
as Mr. Savage had. Mr. Fred Bailey also felt that the
land in that vicinity assessed for $100. an acre, if it
were properly drained, would probably bring much more
income to the Town.
Mr. McCullough of Concord Avenue also sppke in favor
of having some work done. he stated that the main ditch is
higher than the side ditches and that the wall has knocked
the culvert in, causing a bed of rocks in the ditch.
The Chairman informed the meeting that he had been in
this territory two weeks ago and viewed the situation and
felt that there could be some work done by the unemployed
taking the rocks out of the brooks, and felt that it
certainly would help-the situation.
Mr. Thompson stated that his land is assessed for
$200 an acre and about five or six years ago the Town
promised to open the ditches if they would ply one-
half th? cost to the Torn. He had five acres of land that
could be used if properly drained. He felt that some
of the unemployed could be used in doing this work.
The Chairman explained that at the present time
the men are being used to plant trees , but when this is
done it was the Board's intention to have the men clean
out some bf the brooks.
Mr. Emery of Bridge Street complained about the
drainage from the partridge Ice Cream Plant which
enters the brook that crosses under Waltham Street and
is filled with this material. He stated that the ditch
was dry the first summer he came there wndnwaa dry the
following summer, but the following year there began to
be water in it and now it is filled with this sewage that
has a very bad odor, so much so that they are unable to
sleep. Mrs. Emery also complained that her dog drank
the water f r an this brook and she called a doctcr and
he stated that if there were salt in the ice cream andttthe
dog would have become 111 from drinking this water, and the
dog died as a result of drttlgg the water. She complained
to this office and also the County Commissioner' s Office.
Mr. Arnold also wanted to verify the statement of
Mr. and Mrs . Emery.
Mr. DeVincent of Concord Avenue had eight acres of
land near Mr. Moran's. He stated that he had loet his crops.
He felt something th ould be dres abonS this ditch.
Mr. Swenson stated that he owned fifty acres ol'latzd
for farming and sometimes they do not get any cfops owing
to the ditches being blocked up and therefor they cannot
get any good from the land for which they pay taxes , he
was assessed $200. an acre. It used to $50. an acre
three sears ago.
Mr. Morey to!bther with his Attorney, Mr, Piehl,
came before the Beard in regard to the agreement which
Mr. Custance presented to him relative to the taking of land
390con
on his peopertjr•for the proposed relocation of Burlington
Street.
Mr. Morey said that hh could not be agreeable to any
proposition that would move the corner 100 feet closer to
his house inasmuch as he bought the place with the idea of
'being away from the traffic and he found mince beab*d pnr-
oblised the place that a taking had been made of some of his
land. He stated that if he wanted to sell the property, he
would want to sell it for house lots , but while he purchased
it for a home he did not desire to have any changes made.
He did not see how any changes that the Board offered to do
for him would be of any benefit to him. He also did not
feel that the corner needed to be widened out any further
inasmuch as now anyone could go around there fifty miles
an hour with perfect safety. In regard to putting in trees,
he stated that he did not desire to have any trees placed
nearer the house than he had at the present time.
The Board asked how much drimage he would feelske
suffered from losing 6500 feet thf land and three trees
and he stated that he did not have the slightest idea
in dollars and cents .
Mr. Custance informed him that he felt if he owned
this property he would ccnsider this an improvetiend and
there would not be any damages.
The Chairman stated that there would be a meeting on Monday
evening of the Board to go over the Health Rggul a*ions.
Mr, Wrightington came before the Board to discuss the
matter of the Zoning Law under section six where 75 feet front-
age
and 7500 feet area was required for a lot .
Mr. Custance stated that on Simonds noad there was
a redivision of lots being made, one party having three
lots sold a half of a lot to another party owning Velt
lots so that each party would then have 75 foot frontage in
their lots. The Building Inspector conferred with the
Town Counsel in regard to the matter of granting a permit
for a building and the Town Counsel felt that he was
within his rights to grant a permit for the buildings.
In regard to the one half lot that was divided , Mr.
Wrightington did not want to rule that a building could be
placed on the diYided lot.
Mr. Hobert R. Bradley of Outlook Drive calve before the,
Board in regard to a piece of land owned by Neil McIntosh.
Mf.McIntosh ?fenmed Mr. Trask prior to the meeting that he
would deed this land to the Town. This land is located
at the corner of Marrett load and Downing Hoed betiedi
the Payson property and Downing Road running from Marrett
Road approximately 340 feet.
Mr, Raiph Pomposo came before the Board and stated
that he had been working for the Cemetery Department
and was discharged by them. He complained that there was
a non-citizen working for this Department, and that
he was let. go.
391
The Board informed him that they had nothing to do
with the Cemetery Department but they would look into the
matter of having this department employ a non-citizen.
Mr. Patrick Crosby and Mr. John Donovan of eliffe Ave.
and Theresa Avenue respectively, came before the Board and
stated that they petitioned for a sewer so•,e time ago to take
care of Cliffe Avenue and Theresa Avenue and as yet the
sewer has not been put in.
The Board explained to them that this particular section
cannot be entered into the Bdw Street sewer, and that it Cliffe
runs in the other direction and can only be taken care of Ave.
by a trunk line sewer coming down from Mill Brook. This Sewer.
would be an expense of approximately $13,000. which the
Board did not feel at the present time could be spent.
Mr. John Corcoran of 18 Woburn Street came before the
Board and presented phamplet of the Holland Vacuum Cleaner
system of cleaning chimneys and heating plants. He thought Cleaning
that it might be used on the Town buildings. system.
The Board informed him that they would look into the
matter and advise him whether or not they would take
advaftbage of it.
Mr. Arthur G. Yolger of 36 Tucker Avenue came before
the Board and presented pictures that he had taken of the
condition in front of his house. He stated that when he
came before the Board he was informed that they would go
down there and look the conditions over and instead of
reeeiving any reply,they sent down men to remove the
material which had been dumped in there. his leaves a very
deep hollow and when there is a little rain, the water
accumulates there. ne stated that he did not know whether
he was misunderbtood the last time when he came before the
Board. The fact was that he only wanted a little gravel
filling put in his driveway so that he could get into the
driveway. He stated that there were three -men down there
for six days and a truck and the probable cost of removing
this material was $325. He presented the record of April
13 , of four men and a truck; April 14, three men and a
foreman; April 15, three men and a foreman ; April 16, three
men and a foreman; April 18, three men and a foreman;
April 20, three men and a foreman and truck, all of this
cost for removing the gravel for about thirty-five feet. '
He asked also why that particular part of the street Folger
was not put in last spring when the other part of the property.
street was done.
The Board informed him that at the first hearing,
they understood him to object to the acce'ktance of the
street and when he came to see Mr. Custance it wax- then
too late for the street to be accepted at that particular
Town Meeting. lehe Board now requested him to obtain a
petition and have the petition signed either for his own
property
or for all the additional property on the street.
�!e stated that he would endeavor to get all of the property
o$ners on the street signed up.
392
Mr. George Wood came before the Board and applied for
position of Slaughter Inspector. he stated that he understood
there was a vacancy and he would like to be appointed to the
Applications position. He had had experience slaughtering at Bunzel' s
for for the past five years. Be had lived in Lexington for
Slaughter seven years and has worked here for fourteen years.
Inspector.
Mr. Frank Rvcroft came before the Board and applied for
the position of Slaughter Inspector. He stated that he had
experience at Bunzel ' s place and that he had worked at
Somerville and has been in this business for some time. He
was twenty-five years old and has lived in Lexington all
his life.
Mr. ratrick McDonnell came before the Board in regard
to the st tement which he stated he had heard that he was
asleep on the Park Dept. job.
The Board informed him that there must have been some
misunderstanding about any statement that had been made
to that effect.
Mr. James McKinney came before the Board again and
stated that he had used up all his money and he could not
Unemploy- find any work and he would be pleased to get four days
ment. work if possible.
The Board informed him that they would do what they
could to give him some work.
he also asked whether or not there were any pieces of
broken pipe that could be dumped in for about a distance of
35 feet on Moreland Avenue. The residents of the vicinity _
Moreland would do the work of endeavoring to fix the street if some
hve . of the broken ends could be put in there.
Mr. Cnstance agreed to see what could be done about
getting some pieces of broken pipe.
Mr. Alexander Petit came before the Board to see
if any kind of work could be obtained for him. He stated that
he had no family, but he desired to get a blacksmith' s job
Unemploy- in town if possible, or some other kind of work.
ment. After considering his marital conditions, the Board
decided to inform him that they did not believe he should
get any further assistance.
Mr. S. R. Wrightington presented a decree drawn up for
the Sperandeo case that was satisfactory to the Board. Be
also presented his bill amounting to $55.30 for services in
Sperandeo this case. He called attention to the fact that the Board
case, formerly felt that Mr. Sperandeo should pay the bill for
his services and the Board therefor instructed the Town Counsel
to collect the fee from Mr. Sperandeo.
Letter was received from Dr. William L. Barnes, School
Physician, in which he asked whether or not he was to carry
out the duties of giving the Schick test in the schools as
has been done in the past, aid if the Board would authorise
393
the needles and services necessary to make the Schick test.
It was voted to authorize this work.
Letter was received from the Town of Arlington in which
they. stated that they were interested in the mosquito
eradication and were considering wr.ys and means of draining
the swampy area that lies northeast of the Summer Street poulevard
in Arlington, bordering on the line of Lexington. There are
already several open trenches in this area rvnitmg to a main
outlet trench just beyond Reed Street. This main outlet
extends in an irregular course through private lands in
Lexington and eventually reaches the airlington Reservoir. Mosquito
According to their Engineer, satisfactory results cannot be eradication
obtained by lowering the bed for the several trenches in
Arlington unless the bed of the main outlet trench in
Lexington is lowered. They asked the cooperation of
Lexington in this work of lowering the bed of the main outlet:.
The Board decided to inform them that they did not
have any funds with which to do this work, but they were
perfectly willing to give them permission to enter and do
the work in the town of Lexington.
Mr. Frank Serrilla made verbal request through the
office that an abatement be made against his three lots on
Baker Avenue at the coarser of Tucker Avenue of the highway
assessment of $300. be stated that he had been paying taxes Abatement.
on this land for the past twnety-one years , but this year
finding it hard to obtain work, he could not keep up the
payments.
The Board decided to look at the plan to see whether or
not they would be justified in doing anything about this
assessment.
Abatements amounting to $638.58 for the Water Abatements.
Dept. and $25.83 for the Sewer Dept. were signed by the
Board.
Committment-OfAdseellineous water charges in the
amount of $528.75 waa also signed by the Board. Committemnt Committ-
of Sewer charges in the amount of $23. was signed by the ments.
Beard .
The Board voted to grant the following list of licenses:
Hairdressing
Mary M. Heath 8 Waltham 8t.
Aline M. Thivierge 4 Waltham St.
Anita G. Thivierge 4 Waltham St.
Innholder' s License
Warren B. Russell 1505 Mass. Ave.
George S. MacAlpine 50 Percy Rd.
Common Victualler' s
William A, Granfield `'or. rrett Rd . & Spring St.
Louis $. Liggett Ca. 1721 Mass. lite.
Annie Cohen 1556 mass. Ave.
Alcohol
Anselm C. Mullin 283 Mass. Ave.
394 Undertaker'sCJO
James F. McCarthy 60 Bedford Street L=
Sunday Entertainment �C
Fred B. Bartlett 72 Bedford St.
Licenses. George W. Bean 243-245 Bedford Wt.
Slaughter House
Gustave Himmel East St.
Amos Holman Hill Ave.
Slaughtering
Gustave Bunzel East St .
Amos Holman Hill Ave.
Pig Permit
hyderts Stock Farm Rear of 40 Maple St.
Bill of the Town Counsel, S. R. Wr! ghtington, in the
amount of $1001 for sea'bices in the Caroline A. Harrington
Town Counsel case was approved. Also bill of $20. for services in the
bills . Swenson Tax Appeal case.
Letter was received from the Supt. of the Water *at.
stating that petition was received from Kenneth R. Clark
of Berwick Road for the extension of 200 feet of six inch
Water It
in Simonds Road. The estimated cost would be $600.
It was voted to authorize this extension to be made
Extension. providing the guarantee is properly signed.
Letter was *eceived from the State Dept. of Public
Health stating that they examined the water on the premises
of M. E. Button, Greenwood Street, Lexington, at Mr.
Button' s request and a statement that he intended to sell
Water on the water from the well. The report stated that the
Button well is not safe from which to take water for drinitgg
premises. and other domestic purposes and should not be sold.
Notice was received from the Malate Committee on Ways
and Means relative to a hearing on Wednesday April 27, room
435, State House, at 10:30 A.M. on Senate Bill #362 being
in regard to the construction of a state highway from
hearing. Alewife Brook Parkway through Lexington to Coned.
The Chairman stated that all the members of the Board
were requested to attend this hearing including representatives
and senators , and arrangements had been made for a room at
the State House at 10 o'clock in the morning. He stated
that Mr. Tarbell was in favor of the proposition but that
he was anxious that the ten percent charge to Lincoln and
the twenty percent charge to the Town of Lexington be
taken over by the State, and for this reason desired to get
together and discuss the matter at IO o'clock.
The Chairman reported that he and the Health Inspector
had visited the Partridge Ice Cream Plant and there "limed
Partridge to be no advice that could be obtained to remedy the
Ice Cream conditions. 'mere was a small area of !/Land to work in.
plant. The only suggestion that was made was a series of cesspools;
let one run into another and to put in some chemical that
*nigh take care of the sewage.
395
The Board voted to confirm their tentative appointment
of Reuben W. Meade of Robinson Road as Slaughter Inspector Slaughter
to take the place of George A Warner, deceased. Inspector.
Request was received for shade trees from Elizabeith.
M. Maynard in front of 35 Dexter Road; also from Harold 0.
Bowen asking for two trees in front of lots 17 to 20
Dexter Road.
The applications were referred to the Chairman for
his attention.
The Chairman reported that he and Mr. Scamman went
over the matter of trees on Sunday. Shade Trees.
Mr. O ' Connell requested that some trees be put in on
Woburn Street.
Mr. Custance called attention to the fact that some
work should be done on Follen Road widenfing it out to
a reasonable width along the Murphy wall. Follen Rd.
the Supt, was requested to get estimates on the cost
of the construction of a wall along the Murphy property
and bring them into the Board's ammt,meetix40,r-c 42 P
In regard to Mr. Uollentroppo' s request that the
Board again consider placing a light at the end of Cottage
Street, the toard decided not to grant his request. St. light .
Letter was received from Mr. W. Benjamin C. Meady in
which he stated that he considered the loss and damge to Meady
his property as a result of the drainage situation to bo drainage
$5821. The Board decided to place this letter on file. matter.
Mr. Gilcreast reported that he visited Mrs. Elizabeth
Adams of 433 Marrett Road in regard to her application for Old Age
Old Age Assistance. Mrs. Adams presented a statement Assistance.
to him in regard to having lived in Beverly sufficient
time to prove her twenty year settlement. Ilhere has been,
however, no proof of her birth presented as vet. Therefor
no action was taken on the application.
Letter was received from Mr. Neil McIntosh stating
that he would be satisfied with the abatement of $56.80 on
interest onwater guarantee on Lincoln Street. McIntosh
The Board therefor voted to make this abatement. sabatement.
Letter was received from the Chief of Police in rihich
he stated that he was opposed to granting a license to
Tony Zarella, 2 Bow Street having a C?moron Victualler's Zarella
Lbmince, He stated that Mr. Zarella was convicted at license .
Concord, March, 1930 for keeping and exposing and the
manufacture of intoxicating liquor and was find $50. on
each complaint.
It was therefor voted tot to grant this perml##ion.
The Supt. presented bids on the following cars:
J. L. Douglas - Plymouth - $426.50
C. wilder - Essex 810.00
F.K.Johnson - Chevrolet - 289.00 - Allowance $305. Bids on cars .
Calvin W. Childs - Ford 275.00 - 256.
" " " 8 cylinder - 325.00
396 4'
It was voted to purchase the car of F. K. Johnson t=i
at a net price of $289.
The Supt, of Public Works recommended that the
lop*tion of a manhole on Oakland Street be moved to the
Manhole. line between the Lewis and Hathaway property. This
recommendation was approved by the Board.
Supt. of Public Works reported that a town man
building a sewer manhole built the one that was done
Manhole. as a try-out for $32.88. They have not as yet compared
the one that Mr. Dacey was to build for comparison.
Supt. of Public Works'attentien was called
to a dump on Waltham Street near Allen St. and Kendall Rd .
Lump. He was requested to aisk the Chief of Police to do something
about prohibiting dumping.
Supt. of Public Works was also requested to bring
Sewer. in figures on the cost of a sewer so the the residents
of Theresa and Cliffe Avenues could connect.
In regard to ![r, Iolker's request, the Board decided
not to do anything further except to send him the applications
for acceptance of the balance Of the street.
Mr: Custance stated the he would like to hacTd the
members of the Board view the samples that were put on
the •k'ulplic Works Building for painting. He also called Eit
Public Wrirks attention to the fact that he thought the building should
Building. have a second coat of paint and that Mr. Tobin gave a
bid of $220 for the second„
The Board felt that a further bid should be secured
on the gecond coat inasmuch as the original bid was $484.
It was decided to leave it to the Chairman to order
a second coat done if he felt it was necessary.
Old Age Mr. 811creast reported that Anna E. Bedell and
Assistance. Ella Bedell Rollins of 1 Blossom Street decided that they did
not want to apply for Old Age Assistance.
The meeting adjourned at 12:55 A.M.
A true record, Attest:
Clerk.
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