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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1932-07-26 487 SELECTMEN' S MEETING JULY 26, 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, Ferguson, and O'Connell were present. The Supt. of Public Works and the Clerk were also present. Hearing was declared open on the application of Ellen G. O'Donnell for permission to maintain a one car garage on her property at the corner of Bernard & Ivan Streets. Garage Mrs. O'Donnell was present and stated that the garage hearing. was to be of cement block construction. No persons appeared to object, and it was voted to grant the license. In regard to the bills for ambulance service in the Police Dept., Mr. O'Connell suggested that the Police Dept. send in to the Selectmen's Office all information in regard to accidents that require ambulance service Ambulance so that the Board may check up and get reimbursement wherever possible for this service. The Board decided to request the Police Dept. to do this in the future. The Chairman reported that the best results are not obtained on the Police motorcycle with the ordinary gasoline, and they should be allowed to purchase the Ethyl gasoline. Police The Board therefor voted to authorize the Police motorcycle. Dept. to purchase the Ethyl gasoline in the future for the motorcycle. In regard to the Police Dept. having the car washed at the Colonial Garage it was decided to notify the Police car. department that this work could be done at the Public Works Dept. Mr. Gurin of Cambridge came before the Board with the Building Inspector in reference to his plot of land on Shade Street. Some time ago Mr. Longbdttom gave him a permit to build a small building in which be definitely set forth restrictions for the use of the building. He was not to put a stove in the building unless he built a chimney. He explained that at one time when Mr. Gurin his son was staying there he put up the stove and stuck re building a stove pipe out through the wall. On having this called permit. to his attention he immediately put up a chimney. He presented a plan showing the 50 foot lot fronting on Shade Street with some acreage in back. He stated that he wanted to place his house on the back acreage and not on tie 50 foot lot on the front. The Building Inspector felt that this was a matter that came under section B. of section 7 of the Zoning Law, and that it should come before the Board of Appeals. Mr. Gurin stated that they stayed there some nights, but he did not think that could be called living there. 488 kp' The Building Inspector stated that he received comm. plaint of the noise made by this family, and understood that t' they were living in this building, which was a violation of the permit. The Board discussed the matter and felt that the matter should come befor the Town Counsel, but that in the mean- time the Building Inspector should notify Mr. Gurin that he should comply with the permit and not violate it any further. The Building Inspector called attention to the fact that Mr. Dwyer of "%Tay Jays" located at the corner of Marrett Rd. and Waltham St. has started to erect a large sign, Sign. he should judge by the posts it would be about 8 x 9 feet. He stated that the Town Counsel ruled that a gasoline pump was a structure and was subject to the Zoning Law in reference to the 20 foot set back. After considering the matter the Board felt that the Building Inspector should notify Mr. Dwyer that this sign would be an obstruction and could not be erected. The Building Inspector reported that Mr. Alteriso tore down his building as instructed. Building Also that Mr. Victor Erickson demolished his Inspector building and cleaned that part of the building that was demolished up very nicely. Report was received from the Health Inspector in regard to the house which Mr. Bougie fixed up some time ago contrary to the Building and Plumbing Laws. He stated that the house located on Eastern Avenue has been Health occupied one Week by J. H. Foster. The hbuee consists Inspector re of two rooms, wired for electricity. The kitchen is pipetd Mr. Bougie for hot and cold water. The waste from the sink is piped to a cesspool four feet deep. This is stone and open on top. A concrete foundation was constructed for a privy, and a wooden building was ready to move on the foundation. The small room that was to be used as a bathroom has been separated from the main building, and was to be moved away. The main building has a shed roof with no cellar and no chimney. Mr. Foster informed him that he was going to buy the place. Mr. Longbottom felt that this was a matter for ishe Helath Dept. to order this place closed for occupancy. After considering the matter, the Board voted to condemn the property for occupancy and notify the owner and occupant. Letter was received from the Edison Electric Ill. E.E.I.Co. Co. in which they stated that their By-laws called for a charge to be made when poles are ordered moved on any highways, and hereafter this charge will have to be made to the Town. Application The Board signed the application of incorporation of incorpor- of Lumowaki Camps, giving the character of Sarah Emily ation Brown, one of the incorporators. r 489 It was voted to grant an Auctioneer 's License to Auctioneer 's Louis J. Reynolds. License. Chairman reported that he attended the hearing on Public Expenditures held on July 13 at the State House. Hearing. Hearing was declared open on the Board's notice to relocate East Street from Adams Street to Lowell Street. Albert H. Burnham stated that he opposed the relocation of East Street inasmuch as he felt that it was not the time to start sly project of this kind. He felt that inasmuch as the State intend to construct a street across the country not far beyond that there was no need of making East Street a wide highway inasmuch as they would the not get as much traffic as they get now. He felt that the street could be made much safer by widen- ing out the curve at Doran's and at Bailey's. The Chairman explained to Mr. Burnham that the Town has voted money for the construction of a water main in Meat Street and the Board felt that the main should be placed in the location proposed and that is why they intedd to make Hearing, the layout of the street. It was not proposed that any East St. construction of the street would be done for many years. relocation. Mr. Doran questioned about the curve in front of his property, and did not believe it was necessary to make such a change. Mr. Hill stated that if this layout was made that there would be about 35 acres of land that would be of less value owing to the fact that it would not be on the highway, and therefor he could see no improvement, and he felt that if the street was widened out that was all the improvement necessary. Mr. O'Brien stated that he spoke to the Town Engineer about starting at Grant Street and swinging over to a larger radius, and he felt that would help Mr. Doran, arxi satisfy Mr. Hill. Mr. Cosgrove stated that the line as laid down would save practically all of the trees, and as Mr. O'Brien suggested it would not save the trees. He stated that he and Mr. Ryan object to any fruit trees being taken. Mr. William Fiske believed that the street should remain as it is now except to widen out the curves, and that any greater widening would be unnecessary expense. The residents of that street did not want a four way street, neither did they want any betterment tax, and he believed that the water pipes could be laid without any change in the highway. Miss Coleman inquired about the radius at the corner of Adams and East Streets, and was informed by the Town Engineer that the amount of land to be taken would be approximately 700 feet. Mr. Carlson stated that as long as the State was going to build a highway that it was not necessary to make a second through street. Mr. Hill stated that if the street was widened out ten feet which would bring it to the stone wall bounds now 490 C4 existing that it would be ample for the travelling public. All of the persons who spoke in regard to the layout arose in objection to the layout. Mrs. Josephine Batley also arose in objection. The Board declared the hearing closed, and discussed the matter. Mr. Custance offered the motion that the Board approve the layout of East Street proposed by the Town Engineer. He later withdrew this motion, inasmuch as it was decided to advertise a Board of Survey hearing on the layout of East Street. The matter of the request of Mr. Paul Bowser that he be allowed to construct a part of Grant Street was again considered. Mr. Custance presented a copy of the Grant specifications for the construction of the street, and he Street. also presented an agreement to be signed by the Selectmen and Mr. Bowser relative to reimbursing Mr. Bowser at a later date for the cost of construction. The Board discussed the matter and felt that they could not sign an agreement at this tirhe to bind future boards or the Town, but felt that the only thing they could do was to tell Mr. Bowser to go ahead and construct the highway, and when the Town constructs the street they would urge that be be reimbursed. It was also voted to proceed to make a Board of Survey layout of Grant Street from Hayes Lane to East St. Water The Supt. of Public Works was advised to place a pipe . cross section rather than a T on the end of the water pipe at Grant and East Streets. Donald and Justin Shea came before the Board to inquire whether or not they could use what was formerly The Old Paint Shop in East Lexington as a general grocery stored They stated that prior to 1924 they had a license to sell motor vehicles on that property. They also sold tires. The Board informed them that the building could only be used for a business of a similar nature, unless they made application to the Board of Appeals. Shea They stated that they had already taken out the office, property. and that they are ready to paint the building and fix it up, and could obtain an income byharing a general grocery store. Mr. O'Connell stated that the Town had a case in Court prohibiting Mr. Bean of Parker Street from using a building that had formerly been used as a blacksmith shop, and later was used as an automobile repair shop, and the Town prohibited Mr. Bean from using the building for this purpose inasmuch as the business was different from that carried on prior to the Zoning Law. He did not think therefor that the Selectmen could allow this building to be used as a general grocery store. They also inquired in regard to the drainage in the 491 rear of their property and of the rocks that were put on their property by the Town. The Board stated that they would investigate in regard to the rocks, but that the drainage has existed for the past thirty years, and was there when they purchased their property. Letter was received from the Arlington Police Dept. in which they called attention to the fact that Arlington is equipped with radio-transmitter, and four cruihing cars equipped with receiving sets. The cars patrol the streets twenty-four hours a day. This system has created a feeling of security among the citizens of the Town. They suggested for the balance of the year, free of charge, that the Town install receiving sets in their car tuned to the Arlington Station, and all messages will be broadcast. Police They will also broadcast everything received over the radio. teletype machine. The cost of a short wave receiver would be $89.90, and they hope to install equipment in Watertown, Belmont, Woburn and Winchester to prevent crim in this district. The Board felt that this was a very good arrangement to have, and requested the Chairman to find out what the cost of operating would be for 1933. The Chairman reported that Ralph Dalrymple of Hill Ralph Street applied for Soldiers Relief. He works for Mr. Baker Dalrymple on Hancock Street and in the summer time when Mr. Baker goes away he does not receive any pay. The Board decided to allow him three days a week work. Henry Mead of Woburn Street who boards with Mrs. Kelly, came before the Board, and stated that if he had the number plates for his car he could have made $3.00 last evening. He took the plates the last of the week, and he madd $8.00. He asked if he could have the number plates inasmuch as he could obtain extra work to enable him to pay his back board to Mrs. Kelley. The Board decided that he should turn in his number plates the same as in any other ease. The Chairman reported that he had sent a number of Unemploy- the unemployed men to the peat bog off Concord Avenue that had ment. been burning for three days, and the Fire Department had been unable to put it out. Mr. Custance called attention to the fact that there are a great many water bills run up to an excessive amount where the Co-operative Bank has a mortgage on the property, Water and he wondered if it would be possible for the Water Dept. bills. to notify the bank in these cases. It was felt that persons owning homes would not like being questioned as to who holds the mortgage on the property. No action was taken on the matter. Mr. Gilast reported that a manhole cover on Waltham Street opposite the Fred Bailey property needs to be sealed. Manhole 492 Mr. O'Connell reported that the water department 0°C' Shutoff. shutoff at Winthrop Road should be fixed where it projects in the sidewalk. B.& M. Supt . of Public Works was requested to take up Track the matter of taking out a section of the track of the B. & M. at Hancock Street. Under- Mr. Ferguson inquired of the Supt. of Public Works drain. whether or not any consideration was given to constructing an under-drain under the wall on Follen Rd. The Chairman explained that he was not quite satisfied with the vote passed in regard to persons operating auto- mobiles who are given Unemployment Relief. He felt that in some instances special consideration might be given Where some member of the family might be allowed to keef the car under certain conditions, and he felt that this vote should be amended that cases of this kind be left to the discretion of the Board. Ryan, In regard to the application for employment of Thomas employment. Ryan it was voted to allow him two days per week work. Mr. Wright of Hillcreast Avenue came before the Board in regard to a hen house that he wanted to put up. He already had some structures put up on the premises under two permits, one issued in the latter part of 1929 and the other some eight or nine months later. The large hen house is 58 feet long by 24 feet wide. .there are nine lots of Wright, land on which the hen house is located. At the present re hen time he had 1600 chickens and he has no place to keep them house. unless he can put up another building. The Building Inspector felt that this was a business in a resident zone and refused the permit. The Board felt that in the location that the property was, being on the outskirts of the Town, that there would be no objection to this building, which later could be torn down when the section was built up. The meeting adjourned at 12 o'clock. A true record, Attest: Clerk. 1