Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1932-06-07 439 SELECTMEN' S MEETING JUNE 7, 1932. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, at 7: 30 P.M. Messrs. Trask, Custance , Gilcreast, OtConnell, and Ferguson were present. The Supt. of Public Works and the Clerk were also present. Mr. Fred Longbottom, Building Inspector came before the Board and retorted that Mr . Bougie on School Street sent his little girl down to him for a permit for a build. ng. When he went up to the property, he found that the buildirg was not as stated And he therefor gave them back their 2. and tore up the permit. They also were pu'-ting in plumbing in the building without a permit from the Plumbing Inspector . Mr. Edward McNamara was the plumber. He desired to know what the Board wanted done about it. he felt that he should be given orders to tear the building down. He also reported a condition of a shack being built on Mass. Avenue opposite Sullivan's house. He did not know the owner of the property, but he went up there and pu+ up a notice and the next time he went up there the notice was torn down. He put a second notice up, and the next Building time he went up the notice was torn down and the building Law,viola- was completed, and padlocked, and apparently someone had tions. been living in there . He had located the former owner of the property and stated that he would get the address of the new owner frnnr_him. It was his opinion that the building should be ordered torn down and the property put in condition it was in before the building was built. He also reported another violation on Winter Street on the property of Victor Erickson who lives alone. He was rather doubtful about the status of this particular property inasmuch as three permits were taken out for that particular job. Mr. Custance went up there and viewed the property with Mr. Longbottom and he felt that Mr. Erickson could be ordered to demolsib the front of the building inasmuch as it was not done in accordance with the Building Laws owing to the fact th.t the work was done very poorly. The Bldg. Inspector wondered if the front of the building were taken down, it would be left looking in a worse condition. Mr. Custance felt that it would not be as bad as it is a' the present time. After considering the matters, the Board voted to instruct the Building Inspector to take tmmediate action for violation of the Building Law against Mr. Bougie and the owner of the property opposite Sullivants place. It was suggested that both of these cases might be taken up in Court on the same day to save time., It was also voted that the Bldg. Inspector be instructed to notify Mr. Victor Erickson, advising him to tear down that part of the building which does not comply with the Building Law within thirty days . , Mr. O'Connell called attention to a building back of Semonian's store which should be looked into by the Bldg. Inspector. He felt that it was in poor condition. I - 1440 4:k, C Attention was also called to the use of the property at ' the corner of Lowell and Woburn Streets by the Countryside ow' Filling Station for amusements and parking . The business section does not extend up into the territory which is being. used for this entertainment where swings are located, and it has been annoyingto the neighbors. The Building Inspector was reouested to go around and Roadside check the roadside stands that were operating without a stands. permit . He stated that he did not know whether or not these stands were operating before the Zoning Laws. Mr. Elvin E. Baker came before the Board with a delegation of other residents of the vicinity of Curve Street in regard to the drain pipe that was recently installed in Curve Street. He had a plan before him and explained that from his figures t+,e drain pipe was not low enough to carry off the flow of water. He stited that in the property in that vicinity there were springs in the cellars and therefor it is bard to carry away all the water that accumulates in that section. He felt that the brook should be established to the grade that it was in 1919 and 1920. He felt that the dra n pipe should Serve St. take care of a flnod and not just ordinary surface drainage. He felt that when the pipe was put in through the McNamara property that it was not installed to the level it bhould' be. Beyond that property there a plenty of drop and for this reason he felt that the pipe should be taken up and lowered. The Town Engineer was present and stated the grade of this street was established a long while ago and the figures do not agree with Mr. Baker's figures. However he would check them and give the matter further study. He stated that the pipe was ample in size for the drainage of that; territory. Mention was made of the drain coming down across Independence Avenue underneath the stores bfePithette & Ahern . The Town Engineer stated that it might be possible that this drain might be cut off and taken in to Mass. Ave. instead of across into Curve Street. The Town Engineer was requested to bring in cross sections showing the land in the vicinity of Curve Street where the brook is located. Mr. Baker also called attention to the road oil that was put in on Curve Street without any sand covering it . ir. Scamman informed him that this particular kind of 45 per cent oil does not require sanding. However, they objected to the puddles of oil being left and Mr. Scamman stated that he would 'check up with the Oil Company to find out why they left any puddles of oil in the street. Mt. Baker also stated that some time a ;o there was some talk of putting in a catch basin to take care of Curve Street and he thouLht that the catch basin, if put in, should be in front of the Kew property inasmuch as it would take care of the water better at that point than it would if it were in I front of the Wellington property. Mr. Edward Rogers came before the Board and stated that Employ- he desired to get some work. He is a plumber by trade and has ment. not been able to get any work since he was laid off the Town . He stated that he lives alone on Grapevine Avenue in a 4 4 seven room house, but he could not rent it unless about $100. was spent on the house to fix it up. He kept his payments up on the house, and this is the first year that he slipped up on the payments in twelve years. He had a notice that the place would be put up for sale for taxes, but the bank was not pushing the matter. He had three lots of land *ith the house. One lot of land he has free and clear is back of the Jenney Oil Station on Marrett Road. He felt that this lot was worth about $1500. but he could not raise any money on it, The 4'oard advised him to endeavor to secure money to fix up his house to rent and also stated that they would give him two days a week work. Public Carriage License was gradted to James F. Cavanaugh. The Board signed an order for the layout of Outlook Drive from Wachusett Drive southwesterly to its present. ' terminus approaitately 1110 feet. The Board signed an order for the 'layout of Downing Road from M€irrett Road to Outlook Drive, 1050 feet. The Board voted to mss the following orders for •idewalk 'eonstruction workt Lexington Savings Bank, Edwin B. Worthen, Treas., ' 1772.1776 Mass. Ave. $55. Anstiss S. Hunt et al, 1-5 Waltham! St. 45. Anstiss S. Hunt et al, 1752+1766 Mass. Ave. 105. Olive G. Myers, 11•13 Muzzey Street. 50. James ,J,. & Florence C. Carroll, 17 Muzzey St. 45. Sidewalks, Emil Fellmari, 10 H hland Ave. 50. Madeline Wglker, 10$ Bedford .St. 40. Minnie E. Smith, 96 -Bedford Street 35. Annie F. Shepard, 1386 Mass. Ave. 35. George J. Bailey, et al, 19 Muzzey St. 45. William E. Denham, 9 Muzzey St. 50.0 Daniel A. Gorman, Jr., 100 Bedford St. 40. State Aid payroll in the amount of $22. was signed by State Aid. the Board. In regard to the release and payment to Mr. 'Edward Gavin for the land on Mass. Avenue, the Clerk was requested to Gavin 4ompiate the negotiations with Mr. Gavin provided the Holmes property. property was taken care of. -. Letter Sas received from P. N. Meaty in he stated ' that he did not e the article on Oak S£ree�ening Oak St. inserted in *he Wa 'rant for the Town Meeting inasmuch as he would not be in Town to take up the ar'tiele at the Town Meeting. Notice was received from the Attorney General that~he disapproved of the By-law on water mains which was accepted by the Town at the Town Meeting. Letter was res W.1pm the Town Counsel in which he enclosed a new article fr an amendment to the By-law which he thougbt would overeadet —__, the objection of the Attorpey General.. 42 It was voted to insert this article in the Warrant . <w� Notice was received from the Dept. of Public Works, State House, in 'regard to advertising signs in the Town and asking whether or not the Board approved the locations, In regard to permit #831 sign 8 x 8, Lexington Lumber Company, located on the south side of Marrett Road,3/4 of a mile west of Lincoln Street on land of Wm. P. Martin, the Board voted to approve; in regard to permit #9769 sign 50 x 12 of John Donelly & Sons, located at 11 to 19 Mass. Ave. , , the Board voted to dfprove; in r egdrd to permit #11064 sign 4 x 6 of Anselm C. Mullen and located on the south side of Route 2, Marrett Road 250 feet west of Wm. Dailey's house, the Board voted to approve; in regard to permit #11352 sign 25 x 12 filed by John Donnelly and 'Sons on the south of Mass. Avenue, nes* route two, opposite and across new cutoff, the Board voted to. disapprove. . The matter of the salary of Joseph Ross wasconsidered. Mr. Trask reported that when the salaries were cut in tke Water Dept. , Mr. Jos. Ross was receiving $.7; an hour and was given a cut of $.08. This was in the winter time when there was less work done by the Department. Mr. Ross felt that now-that more Mork was being done in the Department he should be given the $.08 again. Mr. O'Connell wondered what the duties of Mr. Ross were and felt that he was receiving enough pay for the work that he did, Suptf 'of Public Works 'was requested to get a list of the ' duties se Mr. Ross for Mr, O'Connell. The Board dlieid8d not to graft the increase. Jap(. of (*lie Works presented to the Board figures in regard to the expenditures of the Water Dept . for the ' past the years. This information was not suffteient for tk.e board and he was requested to bring in more information at the next meeting as to why the Water .rates have 'to be as ' high as they are. Mr. Gilcreast reported 'that three taxpayera 'within three minutes walk from the 'fire station asked him what as going on in front of the fire station. It appears that some of the firemen areeout and playing some sort of a game in bathing suits and the hose is being used in this game. Supt. of Public Works was requested to find out from the Fire Dept. 'Mat is going on. Mr, Custance brought in bide* on tractors as follows: Dyer Sales & Eastern Tract. Fiske-Alden Co.. Mach. Co.. or Co.- Fordson Tractor . McCormick. Allis-Chalmers Wheel type Deering Trac- tractor pneumatic for-wheel wheel type type pneumatic. pneumatic I Dual Wheels agml&a is aw. 1701.00 1750.00 1800.00 e l t �eheafl aron Saler MOO 800.00 652.00 bs r!gei$gt12- 400.00 376.00 445.00 Dyar Sales & - Eastern Tract- Fiske-Alden 443 Math. Co.. or Co.- Co.- McCormick- Allis-Chalmers Fordson Tra- Deering Trac- tractor ctor. Wheel for-wheel wheel type type pneum- type pneumat- pneumatic tic is 48" Sidewalk Plow 250.00 275.00 300.00 Power take off rear side 60.00 R ^' 35.00 R Equipped 40.00 S 32.00 S side & rear Total 3146.00 3268.00 3197..00 P. I. Per- H. F. Davis Tra- H. F. Davis kins Co.- ctor Co. cletrac Tractor Co. Caterpillar "15" crawler type cletrac "25" Tractor, crawler type ,Model 10, Crawler type. dual _Whel;s Tractor 1020.00 1750.00 2265:00 Crane,, 1 tom White- he dp baler 935.00 1875.00 1975.00 Street Sweep- (6 ft. ) (8ft, ) er - Detroit 465.00 425.00 500.00 48" Sidewalk Plow 290.00 250.00 250.00 Power bake off rear side 2723.00 4400.00 4990.00 The Solt. If Public Works was requested to make a study of tractors to see what kind he would r ecommend for the Town. In regard to obtaining money for the pupae's of the tractor, it was felt that it might he possible thatthho Tractor. charge might be divided between the Water, Sewer, Park, Highway, Moth and Snow Departments. I Mr. Cuetanee suggested that trees might be planted along the outbids borders in front of the Buckman Tavern property. The Chairman felt that inasmuch as we were advocating trees to be placed inside the sidewalk, it would be much better to place them there rather than between the curbing Trees and the sidewalk. 444 ►P The Board discussed the matter of having the water main trench on North Street dug by hand inasmuch as the digging is so eastly done at that particular location. Estimate was received from A. A. Ross that the excavating and bacafilling from Hear the Anderson property to Adams Street.,_ a distance of 900 feet would be $550, over and above Water the cost of doing it by machine. Mr. Ferguson felt that mains. it would not cost this much to do the work. It was felt that if the work was done by hand, it would help the regular employees of the Water Dept. and the majority of the_ Board voted in favor of doing the work by hand labor. Mr. Custance wanted to be recorded against doing it in this mariner inasmuch as he felt that the Board would _ obtain move benefit by doing more work by machinery and the men still would be getting more work and the Town would be getting the benefit by having the mains extended. He felt that the actual cost of doing the work by hand labor would be $1500. Mr. Custance recommended that water mains be installed in Grant Street from the end of the present main to East Street, ti and that water mains should be installed in East Street to the Crowley property. He felt that this was something that should be done to tie up the dead ends and increase the flow of the water in this section. The Board, after discussing the matter, decided to insert an artice in the ►rrant calling_ for the mtructicn of the water mains in both of these streets. • Mr. Giloreast Balled attention to the brI4$e, AD_.rSkei'mian Street, and Mr. Seaman stated that this bridge had been Sherman reparied a great many times and would cost $700. to rebuild, St. and if the work was done on Vine Brook all the expendifl bridge. of the $600. or $700. would be lost. Mr. Gilcreast questioned whether or not soteth;pgpgld be done about the left hand turn into Waltham Street from lass. Avenue. He wondered whether or not the Chief of Police Traffic could instruct his officers to let the traffic turn in there lights. before the other traffic toes ahead inasmuch as whe e__lbOy wait for the other traffic to come down by the light, it changes and they cannot make the turn. Mr. -Custance stated that Mr. Taylor of the Dept . of Public Safety was making a study of the coX 1i14ons heart [yid he felt that if Mr. Gilcriast went in to see him and talk the matter over, something might be done. Supt. of Public Works was requested to have the weeds Weeds. mowed at the corner of Waltham Street near the Park Road. Mr. Custance called attention to dumping along the highways andsundered if the Town By-law should not provide a fine Dumping for dumping, The -General By-law calls for a fine of $20. for any violation. It was deejded to discuss the matter of dumping next week. Supt. was asked Why he did not put a curbing in front Curbing. of the Shepard place on Massachusetts Avenue. He stated that it was his intention to do this at a later date. 445 Attention of Mr. O'Connell was called to the fact that the buildings at the Town Farm should not be removed by Mr. Curra until the Town has made provision for the storage of their property at the Public Works Dept. He stated that Town Farm Mr. Curra was willing to have the buildings remain there buildings4 until the Town ceases to have any use for them. The Clerk was requested to check up the Common Countryside Victualls is Entertainment License in einnection with license. the Countryside Filling station. Mr. Custance reported that Mr. Ryan, who was employed in the Water Dept. , came to work drunk to day,and he was called to go to the Dept. and interview Ryan. After seeing him Mr. Custance suspended him for one day without pay. Mr. Trask also reported a case of intoxication of John Wood on the Highway Dept. Supt. of Public Works made a report in regard to Wood. He stated that Wood went to w ork Friday morning after suffering all night with a toothache. At 11 o'clock the men went to East Lexington Highway to is&dan up Ma;s. Avenue and other streets in'"the vicinity employees, of Bow Street and Sylvia Street. Just before he had his dinner, he was given a bottle of home-made beer. After dinner, he suffered from the toothache and about three o'clock the same friend gave him a drink of wine that he claims made him sick and weak. He did not want to name the person who have him the beer and wine because it might cause trouble for the friend, who is also an employee of the Highway Dept. He denies that he bought .the liquor at ally a tore and on a checkup, he also had the tooth removed that night by Dr.Cosgrove. The Board felt that the Supt. should reprimand Wood and give him one more chance. Mr. Custance reported that the Public Works Dept, mechanic does not have any materials to work with. He therefor made up a schedule of bolts, washers, rivets, chain 1ikks and screw heads and submitted the list to various companies for bids. He received bitds on the total quantity from the following companies in the following amounts: Butts and Ordway Co. , 44 Stanhope St. , Boston $69.04 J Herbert M. Lawrence, Ie xington 113.34 Chase, Parker & Company, Inc. , Boston 84.93 Waverley Hardware Company, Inc., Lexington 82.67 The Board decided it would be very good economy to purchase this material inasmuch as there is considerable cost to a man going to the store every time he needs a bolt. It was therefor decided to award the bid to Butts and Ordway 044 44 Stanhope St., Boston at their bid of $69.04, and to divide the charge up amont the different departments. The weekly report of the Supt. of Public Works was received. The meeting adJourned at 12,55. A true record, Attest: Clerk.