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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1932-08-090 SELECTMEN+S OFFICE AUGUST 9, 1932. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmenâ–şs 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. Abatement in the amount of 036.50 for the Public Welfare Dept. was signed by the Board. This was for $4.50 Abatement. on the Everett J. French case and $32. on the Paulo Barbara case which was not approved by the State. Permission was granted to the E. E. I. Co. and the N. E. T. & T. Co. to take over the three poles on Allen Allen_St. Street inasmuch as this street is now an accepted street. Permission was granted to the E. E. I. Co. and the Pole N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co. for a joint location of 14 poles location. on Dexter Road between Williams and Fuller Roads, Dr, Hardeastle, Town Physician, reported that he felt ., that there being quite a few dog bites, the dogs should be quarantined. Dr. Blakely's opinion was asked and he directed a communication to the Board in which he advised that Dog although the dog bites have been numberous, there have Quarantine. not been many cases of rabies. Therefor he did not see any reason why the dogs should be quarantined. The Board therefor did not feel that they should issue a warrant for the quarantine of dogs at the present time. The Dog Warrant was signed to be given to the Dog Dog, Officer to collect all the licenses which have not been Warrant paid to date. The Appropriation Committee advised that the $100000 free cash could be used by the Board of Assessors in figuring the Tax Rate. Upon presentation of the balance sheet to the State Dept. of Corporations and Taxation, they advised Free that there was no free cash available for use and a Town cash. Meeting should be called and the funds appropriated and the appropriations raised by the AssessorsInthe 1932 tax levy. The Chairman reported on the list of outstanding Water water rates that *ere handed to William Carpenter to bills. collect, that he had a statement on all of the accounts. It was decided to notify Mrs. Emma N. Cox of Blossom Street that the Board felt that her pension from the State Aid. Government in the amount of $40. a month should be sufficient for her without Soldiers Relief & State Aid. The Board approved bill for the dues of the five members of the Board of Selectmen in the amount of $7,50,, Dues the same to be chargeable to the Selectments Account, for membership to the SelectmenIs Association. Action of tort against the Town of Lexington by W. bleady., Benjamin C. Meady was received by -the Board. Mr. O'Connell action of suggested that the Board get a declaration of the case -so tort. that they may know the facts before proceeding. I TMitham hearing. At 7-50 P.M. hearing was declared open on the application of Arthur'R. Witham for permission to maintain a repair shop at the rear of 317 Marrett Road. The Chairman of the Seledtmen read the notice of the hearing. The Clerk of the Board of Appeals also read the notice of the Board of Appeals hearing which was held jointly with the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Witham stated that it was a t1-ree car garage located in the rear of the stores formerly occupied by the Canfield Hatchery and also back of the Jenne7 station. He stated that he did not intend to have -any gas inasmuch as he could step across to either of the two gas stations and obtain whatever gas necessary. He did have some oil on hand, joist enough to use in repairing the cars. He' did not, however, intend to store gas or have any sales of gas. He stated that he has been located at the garage since the fourth of January and because he did not know he had to have a permit, he did not apply. Mr. Witham do stated that he had changed over the heating in the building so that it would comply with the fire laws. The owner., Miss Marshall was present and stated that she also represented bliss sideline Yarshall. She stated that this building was built for a private garage and she was informed that it could be used for almost anything and she did not know that it could not be used without a permit. As far as she could see, there was nothing objectionable about it and would like to see the man endeavor to make a living there. The garage is probably .bout fifty feet back from Marrett Road. She is also owner of the Canfield Hatchery property. Mr. Joseph Swanson of 449 Waltham Street stated that he had done business with Mr. Witham and found it a great convenience, that he was a good mechanic; and he felt he should be allowed to do busihess at this location. Mr. Albert Spencer of Middle Street stated that Mr. Witham had done quite a little work for him and inasmuch .as there was no other repair shop in the vicinity, he thought he should be allowed to keep the place. Mr. Thomas Whiting stated that Mr. Witham was a good mechanic and he thought he should be given a permit* Mr. Marshall L. Tibbetts of 354 Waltham Street stated that he had no objection to Mr. Witham operating this repair shop. He stated'also that he could' -look out from the back of his place and could see the repair shop L' I I i 503 Hearing was declared open at 8:30 P.M. on the application of Charles Huntington of Arlington for permission to maintain Garage a one car wooden garage at his premises at 18 Prospect Hill hearing Road. Mr. Huntington appeared and presented the plan of the garage and no persons appeared to object. Therefor,the Board voted to grant the permit. and it was kept very clean and there was no unnecessary noise and he did not think any work was done there at night, at least he was not disturbed by anything that might have been done. Mr. Edward Crouch stated that the garage was within twenty-five feet of his house and that at times there were as many a3s nine trucks in the driveway and that they were parking within five feet of his fence. He stated that there was constant noise from the garage and there were swill trucks that came in therefor repairs and the .tench was very bad and went through his house. In case of fire he thought these cars in the drive would cause an obstruction to the Fire Department. He stated that Mr. Tibbetts was the nearest neighbor and he lived about 500 yards away and on Walthmm Street, and there was no one who spoke in favor of the permit who lived close to the garage. He stated that Mr. Swanson lived way up on Waltham Street and the garage would not interfere with him, but that it does interfere with his sleeping quarters inasmuch as his house is close to the garage and with the windows_ open at night there is considerable noise. He stated that then the garage was first built, Miss Marshall stated at the hearing that the garage was to be used for stoarage for the three stores in front of It. He stated that there were old junk cars piled up between the street and the garage. He stated that the time that thehatchery caught fire, the whole side of his house was blistered from the fire. He stated that business goes on in the garage at all hours of the night and also on Sundays. Air, Edward Rogers stated that he owned the lot next to the garage. Part of the lot was in the resident zone and part in the business zone and he objected to the use of the building as a repair shop. Miss Marshall inauired of Mr. Crouch if he had so much objection what he constructed a fence and put a gate in it so that he could go through her property making use of her property to cross over to Grar.evine Avenue. She stated that there was no right of way there and she did not know how the Fire Depto could be interfered with inasmuch as there were no connections between her property and Grapevine. Avenue. Mr. Whiting stated that there was a hydrant within fifty feet of Mr. Crouch's house and he did not believe but. what if there was afire, the Fire Department could take care of it. He also be ay and felt that everyone s ou be given a chance to do business. The Board ddcided to lay the matter on the table for one week until they had an opportunity to view the premises. Hearing was declared open at 8:30 P.M. on the application of Charles Huntington of Arlington for permission to maintain Garage a one car wooden garage at his premises at 18 Prospect Hill hearing Road. Mr. Huntington appeared and presented the plan of the garage and no persons appeared to object. Therefor,the Board voted to grant the permit. 504 Letter was received to the Chairman's letter Relief situation. from Edetard W. Taylor in reply relative to the Unemployment Letter was received from Harold'B. Lamont in.regard to rdducing the laborer's wages. The Chairman replied that the laborers had already Salaries. been reduced considerably and the Town Employees were contribution to the Unemployment Relief and that the Board and the Appropriation Committee were considering reduction of salaries at a later date. Abatement of sewer tax on the property of Marjory Bluitt in the amount of :204.36 was presented to the Board together with a recommittment, The explanation of the Supt. of Public Works was that Abatement the original lot was divided into three parts and two were sold prior to April 1st, 1931 and the assessors had no record of transfers and therefor assessments were made to the original owner. Mr. O'Connell desired to have more information relative to who made the error and the matter was therefor laid upon the table for one week. Dr. Hardeastle reported that he felt that hospital treatment should be given'Lto Mrs. James McKinney of McKinney Oakland Avenue for her confinement inasmuch as they lived confine- in such a remote district that he would be unable to ment. secure any assistance if necessary The Board felt that Dr. Hardeastle would be able to handle the case and therefor decided to have him take care of the case at home. The Clerk brought up the case of Charles Stevens of 12 Morris Street, Lexington, who is now being aided by the Town to the extdnt of groceries each week. The State authorized the payment of $24. per mnnth rent. Mr. Stevens is not a citizen and is ill with Tuberculosis. The Stevens Waltham Co-operative Bank foreclosed on the property and case* have given him notice to move on Friday. The Canadian Veteran's Bureau offered to take him to St. John's and place him in a hospital there for treatment. The Board felt that inasmuch as they had to remove themselves from the house and that they were Canadian subjects, both Mr. & Mrs. Stevens should go to Canada. . The Town Engineer presented a plan of Grant Street showing the grades of the Street. Grant The Board also viewed the specifications and after Street making several changes decided to present the specifications to Mr. Bowser bo that he could have the Street constructed. The Board felt that it should include in the specifications that the entire construction should be subject to the approval of the Town Engineer. Town Counsel and the Building Inspector came before the Board in regard to the application of Daniel J. O'Connell F1 fi to make changes in the building formerly known as -the Co-operative Bank Building. The Building Inspector stated that since the suit against .the Town, that he was instructed not to grant any further permits on this property until they were approved by the Board>of Selectmen, Some of the members of the Board felt that the application and plan presented were not sufficidnt to show just what changes were to be made. They therefor felt that specifications should be presented so that it could be seen just exactly what changes were to be made. Report was received from Russell I. Prentiss in regard to the swimming pool and wading pool which were both found to be satisfactory. He also enclosed analysis of the reservoir which proved very unsatisfactory and he recommended that the reservoir be closed for bathing. The Chairman stated that in view of the fact that he had received this report, he ordered the water let out of the reservoir so that it would discourage any bathing. The Health Inspector stated that he inspected the condition at the rear of the First National Store and found it 1 -n -a very satisfactory condition. He felt however that there was a break where the sewage was flowing underground along the foundation of the OtGonnell property causing an unsanitary condition and an odor. He recommended that the pipes be dug up to find out where the leaks were ' inagmach as he felt that an outside examination was not sufficient. Mr. O'Connell reported that the Sower Department had dug up some of this territory and did not seem to find the leak. The Supt, of Public Works was requested to have the Sewer Dept. look into the matter to see if they could find what the cause of the odor was. Report was received from the Health inspector in regard to the complaint received relative to the Ballard piggery, that he found the general condition of the piggery normal but that Mr. Ballard was spreading manure which would be plowed into the ground at an early date. Report was received from the Building Inspector in regard to #20 Woburn Street owned by Mrs. Mulvey. Mr. OtConnell stated that Mr. Walker was moving out of the house and informed him that he had to prop up the main tirber in the house and that it was not safe for any one to move into it with heavy furniture. The Building Inspector was requested to take the matter up with Mrs. Mulvey and to see that the conditions were corrected. O'Connell applicatiox Health reports. Ballard piggery. Mulvdy property. The Clerk reported that Dr. Piper called attention to the stone on Hayes Fountain on which the statuer,of Captain Statue. Parker stands was again cracked. Supt, of Public Works was requested to view the conditions and report to the Board. Mr. O'Connell reported.that Mrs. Goodrich of Lincoln Street would like to have thetree in front of her property taken down. "Supt. of Public Works was requested to look into the matter to see how much it would cost to have the tree removed. Town Engineer presented the sketch showing the study of the drainage connected with Ledgelawn Avenue. Ledgelawn After viewing the plan, the Board, authorized that the Avenue work be done inasmuch as the cost of the materials would drainage. be $285.and the balance of the cost would be done by the unemployed labor. The Clerk reported that Carl Swenson wro had been on Swenson the Welfare Dept. had now paid up his taxes and the Board work. therefor decided to lay him off the Welfare payroll until a later date. Flection The Board viewed the list of Election Officers and Officers, decided to consider new names on Tuesday evening.' 1 1 1 The Town Engineer presented a letter directedto Mr. Frederick Smith, Chief Sewerage Engineer of the Metropolitan District Commission, relative to the visit from Mr. Everit of that Dept, to consider the sewerage Sewerage conditions in the Town of Lexington. He informed the Commission that Metcalf and Eddy had recently made a general plan for sewerage in the entire Town based on discharging all sewers into the North Metropolitan Sewers. He explained that the Metropolitan Oommission is making a study to be presented to extend the sewerage district in the Town of Lexington. The Town Engineer stated that Mr. Bradley informeg3 him that the residents of Outlook Drive and Downing Road could Outlook Dr. get the work of constructing the streets done for much less s Downing than the Town of Lexington proposed to do it for and they Road, asked for the grades and lines of the streets. The Board informed the Town Engineer that he should not furnish the grades and lines unless the construction was to be done in accordance with the specifications of the Town. Mr. O'Connell again called attention to the f ---.tet that P,Ianhole to the manhole on Woburn Street in front of Johnson Armstrong's be fixed house was not yet fixed. The Chairman of the Board was requested to ask the Chief of Police to see that the badge held by George E. Pekins, Pekins was turned into the office inasmuch as Mr. Pekins is Special impersonating a police officer when he is not one. Police. Samuel Wellington who was formerly employed at the Employment.Jefferson Union., applied for an additional day's work. He is paying $35 a month rent and is back considerably in the rent. The Board felt that Mr. Wellington should make an 1 1 1 F'ms' 5.4 effort to get a cheaper tenement and decided to give him En extra day but to inform him that this was the attitude of the Board. Mr. Ferguson inquired whether or not service charge for the block being built by Mr. Marshall was made or if a meter was installed. Supt. of Public Works stated that sometimes a meter is installed and sometimes a service charge was made, and the Board felt that it should be done either one way or the other.on construction jobs. The Supt. of Public Works stated that he would attend to the matter. The weekly report of the Supt. of Public Works was received. The meeting adjourned at 11:15 P. M. A true record.. Attest; Clerk.