Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1932-08-23 51 SELECTEN'S MEETING AUGUST 23, 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 Acting Clerk, Elinor Moakley, were also present. Mr. John T. Cosgrove, Town Engineer, came before the Board and explained the Gavin plans. After discussing the Gavin matter, it was left with the Town Engineer to take up with case. the Town Counsel. Application was received from the St. Vincent DePaul Society for the use of Cary Memorial Hall, Sept. 14, 1932 Cary for a charity card party. It was voted to grant the use Hall. of the hall to the Society free of charge. Supt. of Public Works stated that the Assessors of Lexington would like to invite the Assessors from other cities and towns in the eastern part of the State to Cary Hall Lexington later on in the year and desired to know if they for could have the use of Cary Memorial Hall for that day from' Assessors.ten in the morning to four in the afternoon. The Board voted to grant the use of the hall on the date that the Assessors shall suggest. Hearing was declared open on the application of Anna C. Andresen to maintain a one car garage of cinder block Andresen construction at 233 Shade Street, Lexington. garage Mrs. Andresen appeared before the Board, and as no hearing. persons appeared to object, it was voted to grant the permit. The matter Of Election Officers was lid on the table Election for one week. Officers. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stevens, Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. Jones, Mr. Smith, representative of the Canadian Legion, and Mr. Roy S. Edwards of the Welfare Board of the Canadian Club of Boston, and Dr. Hardcastle, Town Physician, appeared before the Board. Chairman Trask explained that this informal hearing was held on the request of Mrs. Stevens and Mrs. Jones who felt that the Stevens family had not received proper treatment in regard to Welfare aid. Mr. Trask suggested that they come before the Board to discuss the matter. Mr. Trask then asked that Mr. Smith explain his interest in the matter. Mr. Smith stated that his first connection with the case was when he called on Mrs. Whittemore before going to Canada, to see what was being done for Mr. and Mrs. Stevens. She 514 told him that they were having a meeting that night and were going to take up the question of rent. He came back the following day and she told him very definitely that the Board had decided that they could not pay any rent and her idea was that they wanted Mr. Stevens to go to Canada. He stated that he explained to her that he had offered Mr. Stevens a trip to Canada in his car to get some information as they were making an effort to get a pension from the Canadian Government. He went back and talked with Mr. Stevens and Dr. Walsh, and Dr. Walsh stated that Mr. Stevens was in no condition to travel by automobile so they came to the conclusion that he would not go with him. When he came back from Canada he received the information that the . allowance had been cut off. He stated that he met Mr. Edwards at Mr. Stevens' house and Mr. Edwards immediately went to work on the case and he felt that Mr. Edwards should continue the story from then on. Capt. Edwards, Treasurer of the Public Welfare Committee of the Canadian Club of Boston, explained his connection with the case. He stated that he read of the case in the newspaper and as it was his duty as head of the Welfare Board to look into matters of this sort, he went to the house of Mr. Stevens. There he met Mr . Smith. After talking to Mr. Stevens he went to the Waltham Co-op. Bank which had foreclosed on the house. Be stated that the bank officials informed him that they would not evict Mr. and Mrs. Stevens but had to carry through the legal procedures. He found that the difference between the book value of the house and the mortgage was about $246. plus the 1932 taxes to date, so he told them that they Might possibly do something but that he knew too little of the case to say anything definite. Mr. Edwards stated that he was certain that the Canadian Club and the Canadian Legion would co-operate with the Town of Lexington in taking care of any persons who might come under the head of not being fully entitled to a pension who was a citizen of the Town. He felt that if the Board looked into the matter and found the allowance was cut off for no good reason that they would start it again and the Canadian Club and the Canadian Legion would offer their assistance. Mr.,_Edwards also explained that it was very difficult for Mr. Stevens to get a pension inasmuch as the doctor who examined him is dead and they have been unable to get the records. Mr. Smith presented correspondence relative to Mr. Stevens' pension. He also stated at this time that the Canadian Legion was supplying Mr. Stevens with milk and will continue to do so as long as he needs it. Mr. Trask inquired whether or not Mr. Smith was able tq day that anything had been accomplished as yet asfar as the pension was concerned. Mr. Smith stated that he was not able to say that anything had been accomplished. He stated that he did find out, however, that if Mr. Stevens were in the condition he was in in March, they have a hospital in St. John where he could have been put and they would have performed the operation already performed in Boston, but as he is recuperating now and might not be able to work for a 51, 5 year, he felt it was useless to go down there. As Mr. Stevens has a job waiting for him here when he is well, he is against 111 going to St. John. Mr. Smith then described Mr. Stevens! illness. Dr. Hardcastle, Town Physician, was called upon to give a report of Mr. Stevens! physical condition and reported the case in detail. Mr. Jones was then asked if he cared to speak, and read a resort of the case as he understood it to the Board. Mr. Stevens! was then asked to tell his side of the story, which he told in detail. Mrs. Stevens also spoke at some length in regard to the situation. The matter of the ''y• . allowance was discussed at some length, and Mr. Edwards inquired if there was any chance of its being paid again. Mr. Trask stated that of course the Town would assist in the matter, but he desired to know what the Canadian Club proposed to do. Mr. Edwards stated that he felt that the Stevens family was not like an ordinary family inasmuch as they were both ill. He felt that that fact should be taken into consideration. He suggested that if Mr. and Mrs. Stevens would report their actual requirements, something might be done to work it out. He felt that $6. a week should be sufficient where the Legion was buying milk for them. He felt, then, that the question now was the rent. Mr. Trask asked if his organization could do anything Stevens about that, case Mr. Edwards stated that he had looked into the matter, and he did not feel there was much equity in the house. He stated that the Canadian Club of Boston has a Temporary Emergency Fund, but that it has, of course, been drawn heavily upon of late. He felt that if Mr. Stevens were to be sick two years, it would mean that the Canadian Club would have to expend $246. to begin with, the taxes for two years, and $24. each month to the bank which would be a large sum of money to expend from a small emergency fund. He stated, however, that he could say that -they would provide money to reclaim the house providing arrangements could be adde whereby the $24. a month would be paid by someone. They would provide the lump sum. He felt that the title of the house) however, should not be in Mr. Stevens! name. Question arose as to the second mortgage and Mr. Edwards stated that although it still hung over the heads of the Stevens family, it did not affect the house. Mr. 0!Connell stated that if they had signed the second mortgage, the mortgagees could collect the money any time within twenty years. Mrs. Jones was asked if she had anything to add, and she repeated her conversation with Mrs. Whittemore over the te1ephyaa in regard to the Stevens! condition. Mr. Trask asked Mr. Edwards if he-was correct in under- standing that the Canadian gtub may purchase the right to the house to the extent of $246. provided the rent can be taken care of, or if he was making that statement as his opinion and would have to await the decision of the officials. 516 Mr. Smith inquired who would hold the title, and Mr. Edwards replied that he felt some responsible persons might be appointed by the Board of Selectmen. However, Mr. Trask told him that the Board could not be involved in the matter nor could they appoint anyone. He also stated he thought they might rent some place. Mr. Edwards stated that he had tried to make arrangements with the Bank to rent the house, but they did not want to do that as they felt it might interfere with the sale of the house. He informed the bank that they would agree to take care of the rent for a year. Mr. O'Connell then raised the question of where the Stevens? were going to live. He felt that something should be settled about it immediately, as he felt that the proposition 1 about purchasing the house was out of th9 question. He asked Mr. Edwards whether his Club would pay the rent for the next year and Mr. Edwards stated they would if it amounted to no more than $246. Mr. Edwards then stated that he felt the rent and milk question had been decided for one year and wanted to know whether or not the Town of Lexington would advise the State to continue the food allowance. Mr. Smith inquired whether the State authorized the Town to pay the rent, and Mr. Trask stated that they did. He then inquired if Mr. Edwards managed to buy the house, why the Town could not pay the rent, and Mr. Ferguson informed him that they could not pay interest, which was what that would be. Mr. Smith then stated that they had to find a. place for Mr. and Mrs. Stevens and wanted to know if the Town would pay rent up to a certain time. Mr. Oustance stated that he understood Mr. Edwards? organization was willing to pay the rent for one year in the amount of $246. Mr. Smith stated that he would like to press the point 1 that the money would be coming from a small emergency fund and if the State would pay the rent it would not be necessary for the Canadian Club to pay the $246. Mr. Edwards stated that although they started in to save with house with $246. they found that could not be done, but they are willing to do something substantial in this case. Mr. Trask suggested that Mr. Smith and Mr. Edwards might assist the Stevens? to find a home and get them started. Mr. Edwards stated that they would and again inquired what might be expected of the Town.of Lexington. Mr. Trask stated as there was no possibility of their getting aid from Canada, the Town of Lexington would authorize the $6 . a week for food and a reasonable rent . However, they could not help in finding a place to move them into. Mr. Smith agreed to take care of the matter. Mr. Johes stated that he understood Mrs. Whittemore, Clerk of the Board, was to be at the meeting. He felt that the results were very pleasing as far as the Stevens family was concerned, but felt that an explanation was due from the Clerk. kle therefor made formal application for another hearing when the Clerk returned to her dutiers. 5 1 7 Mr. Smith inquired what the Board considered a reasonable 111 rent and Mr. Trask stated he felt that $24. a month was reasonable. Mr. Fred Longbottom, Building Inspector, came before the Board in regard to the case of Mr. Walsh and Mr. Thorogood. Mr. Walsh owns a camp off Cedar Street in which Mr. Thorogood and his family now live. They applied for a permit to make changes in the house, and after looking at it, Mr. Lonbgottom finally gave them a permit. After considering the matter, he asked Mr. Custance to look at the house, and then decided that he should refuse the permit. He stated that the house had no cellar, no sink, no chimney, no plastering in it nor any plumbing. Thorogood Mr. Custance stated that he felt it would be an h°use' injustice to grant the permit and have a family live in the house as he did not feel it was fit for habitation. Mr. Walsh and Mr. Thorogood appeared before the Board„ and it was explained to them why the permit was refused. Mr. Thorogood stated that he intended to build onto the home and improve it. The Board felt that this was a matter that should be taken before the Board of Appeals, and so advised Mr. Walsh and Mr. Thorogood. Mr. Frank Chamberlain of 611 Mass. Avenue came before the Board. Mr. Chamberlain built an additional room on to his house and also a piazza not knowing that hp required a permit to do so. Mr. Longbottom stated that he had Chamber- committed two violations of the Building Law and also that lain the property did not look respectable in its present condition. case. The Board discussed the matter with Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Longbottom and decided to waive the violation of building without a permit as it was not intentional. The matter was then left with the Building Inspector. Mr. Edward Fitch of Outloo4 Drive came before the Board in regard to a building violation. The Building Inspector explained that Mr. Fitch was building a hen house without a permit. He already had a henhouse 20 x 6 feet and he has added 30 feet more to it. This building covers practically all of the back yard and extends beyond the set-back. Mr. Fitch stated that no one in the vicinity objected Fitch to the henhouse. He presented a letter drawn up by his case. layyer 'and signed by him and also a statement signed by the neighbors testing they did not object to the building. It was the opinion of the Building Inspector that Mr. Fitch would be commercializing if he had such a large henhouse. Mr. Fitch was advised that this Board had no jurisdiction over the matter and if he so desired he could appeal the decision of the Building Inspector to the Board of Appeals. Mr. Longbottom also explained the case of Mr. Monnehan who lived on Lowell Street. He was given a permit to build 518 a a sash greenhouse, but the Building Inspector found that he was putting up a very poor and unsightly building and Monnehan revoked the permit. He explained that Mr. Monnehan was not case. putting a proper foundation under the greenhouse, Mr. Monnehan appeared before the Board and stated that he would be 'willing to putthe proper foundation under the new building if he could have the permit. He presented new plans for the Board to view and the Building Inspector felt that if he built the greenhouse according to the plans, he would be willing to grant him the permit. Letter was received from Edward I. Berman in regard to the case of Mrs. John Yodwish. He stated that the woman Yodwish was in need of food and shelter and she and her four children case. were recently burned out of their home and are living in a barn at present. Mrs. Yodwish was present but was advised that the Board would take the matter under consideration. Mr. Joseph Ferry of 50 Ames Avenue came before the Board to find out why he was cut from four to two days on the Unemployment RJief. Mr. Seaman stated that he started in the first week without a slip -and was given four days, but he was advised later that two days was what Mr. Ferry was allowed. Mr. Ferry stated that he and his wife were living with his brother. They were paying him $10. a week board and room. However since he has been cut to 6. he feels that Ferry he and his wife cannot stay with his brother any longer case. as they are an expense. He stated that he was born and brought up in Lexington, living here almost all his life. He felt that he should pay his brother $10. a week for board for his wife and himself and therefor requested four days per week employment. The matter was referred to the Chairman. Mr. Carl Swenson of 34 Albemarls Avenue came before the Board in reference to employment. He stated that he was Swenson working on Unemployment Relief for four days to help pay case. his taxes and as soon as his taxes were paid, he was cut off. He stated that his son could not contribute to his support and he therefor desired to get some work on the unemployment Relief again. The matter was referred to the Chairman. Mr. Daniel J. O'Connell presented plans of alterations which he desires to make ih his building on Mass. Avenue O'Connell over which a building line has been established. The Board matter. viewed the plans and discussed the situation. Mr. O'Connell stated that he would be willing to sign a stipulation to be drawn up by the Town Counsel in regard to the damages to the altered part of his building, and the matter was left with the Chairman to take up with the Town Counsel. The claim of W. Benjamin C. Meady was laid on the table for one week and the Chairman requested to obtain dates when damage occurred. Hearing was declared open on the application of ;lames R. Smith for permission to maintain a two car wooden garage Smith at lot #21 Plymouth Road. Garage Mr. Custance appeared for Mr. Smith and as no one hearing. appeared in opposition it was voted to grant the permit. Letter was received from Mrs. Catherine Hughes regarding her sewer bill. She stated that she wrote to have it Hughes apportioned, but when she received her bill the entire abatement amount was charged. She requested that this matter be adjusted. The Board voted that an abatement should be made and the amount re-assessed, one-tenth to be paid this year and the remainder to be paid over a period of nine years. the Supt. of Public Works was to attend to this matter. Letter was received from the Town Clerk enclosing Reg. corrected list of dates for registration of voters. Hates. The Board discussed the Board of Survey layout over East East Street and decided not to take any action on the Street matter at the present time. Mr. 41Connell called attention to the fact that there is considerable distance on Woburn Street where there is practically no sidewalk and he thought that the unemployed Sidewalks might well be used for the purpose of constructing a gravel sidewalk at this point. It was brought out that there were other locations where similar conditions exist and it was decided that a list should be pilepared by the various members of the Board of such places and discussed at a future meeting. Letter was received from the Civil Service Commissioner Plumbing in regard to Plumbing Inspector. The Chairman was requested Inspector to bring in all correspondence in regard to the matter for consideration at the next meeting. T2e Chairman read a letter received from Mr. H. B. H. B. Lamont in which he stated that he preferred to correspond Lamont. with the Board rather than appear before the Board at their next meeting as suggested. List was received from Mr. Ross, Supt. of the Water Water and Sewer Dept., of the working schedule of the men employed Dept . by the Water Dept. men. Information was received from the assessors in regard 1111 to the property owned by Mr. & Mrs . Louis Vanderwoude of Vanderwoude. Baker avenue who have made a claim against the Town for case damages to their property on Tucker Avenue caused by the laying out of the street. The Chairman was requested to write to Mr. Northrup for further information in regard to the matter. Sewer Sewer Committment in the amount of $4619.92 was signed Com. by the Board. Mr. Ferguson called attention to the drainage Conditions Curve on Curve Street, stating that water was entering the cellars Street of some of the houses on the street . The Supt. stated that he would attend to the matter. Special It was reported that George E. Pekins has not a Police. Police badge as was previously reported. Mr. Seaman stated that he had not as yet been able to ( Statue. get in touch with either Mr. Hessian or Mr. Thompson in regard to the cracks in the stone under the Capt. Parker Statue but would do so at an early date. Mr. Custance requested that the Park Dept. mow the Hastings grass on the highway adjacent to the Fischer property Park opposite Hastings Park as he felt this would improve the appearance of the approach to the Park. Mr. Custance reported that he received a telephone call from Miss Julia dyer, Wood Street, in regard to the Ballard Ballard Piggery. He stated that he went up to Mr. Ballard' s and piggery requested him to clean up his premises. He stated that he believed the cause of the odor at that particular time was manure which was being spread. 111 Attention was called to the condition of the tar sidewalk in front of James J. Walsh' s house on Mass. Avenue at the Sidewalk corner of Winthrop Road. The sidewalk is in very bad condition and should be repaired. The Supt. of Public Works agreed to patch the sidewalk. The Selectmen discussed the management of the Public Welfare Dept. and after due consideration, in which it was agreed that Mrs. Whittemore, as Clerk of the Board was being over-worked due to the increase in demands of the Welfare 'Welfare Dept., it was voted that a Welfare Agent be appointed to Dept. receive a salary of $25. per week, and that Mrs. Whittemore be relieved of all responsibility connected with Public Welfare, Unemployment, Soldiers Relief, State Aid and Old Age Assistance. It was further voted that cotpensation of $25. per month now being paid to Mrs. Whittemore for her work in this capacity should be discontinued. The Chairman suggested Lawrence G . Mitchell as a possible candidate for the new position and by unanimous vote, the Chairman was authorized to interview Mr. Mitchell and employ him at once. 1111 The meeting adjourned at 12:45. A true record, Attest: EIM4oPiz CzkikLy Acting Clerk, Selectmen.