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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1932-08-30 SELECTMEN'S MEETING AUGUST 30, 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, Gilcreast, Gustance, O'Connell and Ferguson were present. The Supt. of Public Works and Elinor Moakley, Acting Clerk, were also present. Mrs. Helen C. Whittemore appeared before the Board. Mrs. Whittemore is Clerk of the Board of Selectmen, and until August 24th was also Clerk of the Board of Public Welfare. Mrs. Whittemore stated that she felt that the Board did not give her due consideration in the matter, as she was not informed that a new appointment was to be made and went on her vacation assured that the Board was in back of her in regard to the Stevens case, which has received so much publicity and about which the Board held a private hearing at their last meeting . Mr. Trask informed her that the Stevens ease had nothing to do with the appointment of an agent of the Board, as the Selectmen had felt for some time that this should be separated Welfare from the Selectmen' s Department, and considered the matter Dept. at their last meeting and agreed that the present was a good time to make the change. Mrs. Whittemore stated that she felt the Welfare work could be handled very easily in connection with the Selectmen' s work if Unemployment Relief was put under a separate department. She felt that as the Town was trying to economise, it was not necessary to pay additional for a new Public Welfare Agent, and that someone could be hired to do the Unemployment Relief work at a very reasonable price. Mrs. Whittemore also stated in regard to the Stevens case, that Mr. and Mrs. Stevens were having boarders in their home and receiving that additional income and felt that the matter shou4d be looked into. Hearing was held on the application of Edwin B. Ide for permission to maintain a one car garage of concrete construction at lot #31, corner of Summit Road and Pinewood Street. Mr. William A. Pride appeared for the applicant and Ide explained the plans. This garage is to be under the house garage and will be finished on the outside exactly as the house is. hearing. Letter was received from Mr. Lloyd Hendrick objecting to the construction of the garage of concrete block. The Chairman felt that Mr. Hendrick was not fully aware of the actual plans for the garage and felt that Mr. Hendrick would no doubt withdraw his objection when he was informed. The Board therefor voted to grant the permit. The Supt. of Public Works reported that Mr. Pride has made a request for the sewer in that district. Mr. Pride explained that he understood it would inconvenience several other residents of the vicinity to have the sewer extended, and he therefor had made arrangements 5 � 2 for a septic tank. He stated he would not instist upon any Sewer, immediate action. Summit Mr. Custance was of the opinion that the matter should Rd. be brought before the Town. Mr. Max Bluestein of Sylvia Street came before the Board in regard to his water bill. He stated he has lived in Lexington for twenty years and has owned property for the last sixteen or seventeen years. He stated that his water bill was never more than $S. or $4. However, they were troubled with the pressure and found it hard to get water to they installed a new meter. The first reading on the new meter was $13. He stated that the house was empty two months . He stated that he had work done on the pipes and also he had someone look for leaks. However, the next quarter he received a bill for $15. He stated that he had not paid the bills, and his water was to be turned off Bluestein on Thursday ung€ss the bill were paid. He felt that there water must be some reason for this exhorbitant charge and asked bill. the Board if they would look into the matter. The Board decided to inform the Water Dept. not to turn off the water and to have Mr. Ross look into the matter. Report was received from the Police Dept. of an accident in which the Police car was involved. While it was stopped on the left side of Marrett Road about three A. M. on the morning of August 26th to question a man, it Accident, was hit by a Ford Roadster driven by Thomas Welsh of Police Chicago, Ill. and owned by John Manley, Parker Street, car. Lexington. The damages amounted to $16.60. Mr. Trask presented a letter written to Mr. Manley requesting him to pay the amount which the Board approved. The Chairman was aleo requested to report at the next meeting whether or not the bill had been 'paid. Letter was received from Police Officer James Lima in regard to complaints receiyed df the conduct of persons Complaint who congregate about the taxi-office of James F. Cavanaugh. re Cav- He stated that the place was becoming a public nuisance and anaugh taxi asked that the Board give the matter their attention. stand. The Chairman presented a letter written to Mr. Cavanaugh requesting him to prohibit the objectionable actions at the office or it would be necessary for the Board to take some drastic action in the matter, and the letter was approved by the Board. Letter was received from Mr. Walter E. Jones in which Stevens he requested another hearing in regard to the Stevens case. case. The Chairman reported that he had settled the matter satisfactorily with Mr. Stevens and there would be no need of another bearing . Public Carriage License was granted to Thos. M. License. Montague to operate two Dodge Sedans. Resignation was received from Lawrence G. Mitchell as a member of the Appropriation Committee owing to his appointment as Agent^of the Board of Public Welfare. The Board accepted the resignation. ; Y 5 3 Mr. Albert H. Burnham requested that the polls be Opening opened for primaries at 12 o' clock rather than two o'clock, of polls. and the Board voted to grant this request. Letter was received from Francis E. Burke in which he called attention to the dangerous condition of Vine Street at the turn of the road near the home of Mr. James P. Kinneen, 136 Vine Street, owing to the bushes at that point. Vine The Supt. of Public Works reported that the lilac Street. bushes oh the property of Thomas Bucklery were what was obstructing the view. He stated that these had been here for a good many years and as they are on private property, the Town has no right to cut them. The Supt. of Public Works was requested to coiimunicate with Mr. Buckley in regard to cutting back the shrubs to eliminate danger at this point. Letter was received from Eugene B. Hamilton, Trustee of the Home Finance Co. giving the Town permission to pass over their property with drainage. Drainage. The Board felt that an easement should be taken over this property and the Chairman was requested to secure the necessary papers from the Town Counsel The Board signed Sunday Golf Licenses of James Irwin, Jr. and George W. Bean. Licenses. Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works in which he stated that he talked with Mr. Session in Capt. rebard to the cracked stone base of the Captain Parker Parker monument and was informed that the Western'Waterproofing Co. , Statue. of which Mr. Hessian is President, would fill the cracks free of charge to the Town. Letter was received from the Boston Sc Maine R.R. in which they asked that the Board take up the matter of the Arlington dump with the proper authorities so as to prevent any dumping on the right of way belonging to the railroad. Tti;g411 Dump. stated that there was considerable rubbish and papers bla on to their right of way. The matter was referred to the Chairman. r The Supt. of Public Works presehted an abatement of the sewer assessment in the name of Arthur W. Hughes amounting to $54.24 plus interest of $2.09 which was signed by the Board. Abatement. He also presented a committment of the same charge which was also signed by the Board. This abatement and re-committment was made due to the fact that Mr. Hughes wrote to the Tax Collector requesting that the assessment be apportioned and notification of his request was not received by the Assessors. The Chairman reported that the list of outstanding water rates presented to the Board two weeks ago were all either Water paid in full or a substantial amount had been paid on account. rates. 524 Bus fetter- wae received from the Lovell Bus Lines Inc. service. informiti the Board of the discontinuation of service on the Nuttings ,Lake Line for the fall and winter months. This service will be reinstated on or about June 1st of 1933. Mr. Albert A. Ross came before the Board to explain why founr of his employees, namely, Callahan, Harrington, Ross and O'Connor were not put on a four day basis as were the rest of the employees in the Department. Mr. Ross explained that these men were the main persons in his organization and were needed every day. He stated that he considered them as he would an office force and did not feel that the Department could function properly if they were to be cut down. Mr. Trask stated that he was not present when it was voted that all the_3nployees be put on a four day basis. He stated that he would prefer to give the older employees a precedence over the newer men, and felt that the matter should be studied and reconsidered. Mr. Ross agreed to make up a complete schedule of the men in his department for -the Board to consider. Mr. Lawrende G. Mitchell, Agent of the Board of Public Welfare, came before the Board to report on the Unemployment Relief and Welfare cases of the week. He explained the application of Alexius Smith, stating that there were several people at Mr. Smith' s house -whom^ he needed more information on. The Board decided to give Mr. Smith three days next week and Mr. Mitchell was to find out more information about him. Mr. Mitchell stated in regard to the application of Henry A. Speer of Ward Street, that he felt he was a worthy case. Mr. Speer owns a house which is not mortgaged. Hill wife' s father who lives next door has been helping the family which consists of Mr. and Mrs. Speer and five children. 1 Unemploy- . - It was voted to give Mr. Speer three days work a week. merit an* ' In regard to the application of Frederick Mahoney, it Welfare- was felt that this man should receive employment from his casesi brother and no action was taken on his application. Mr. Mitchell reported that he received application from William J. Dalrymple of Hayes Lane. Mr. Custance l§tated that if he sent BY. Dalrymple to him he would give him a few days employment. The application of Gustaf Julin was discussed. Mr. Mitchell stated that there were two people boarding at Mr. Julin' s for which re received $15. a week. The Board therefor felt that they could not give Mr. Julin further assistance. Mr. Mitchell explained the case of Walter Burke, a welfare case. Mr. Burke is blind and lives with his daughter. He feels he is a burden upon them as they have two young children. It was voted to give Mr. Burke $3. per week from the Welfare Dept. Mr. Charles Maloney' s application was presented. Mr. Mahoney had been in an accident and stated that the case was still pending. Mr. O'Connell stated that as this was a case that was before the Industrial Accident Board they would have either given him a temporary compensation at the end of 5 three weeks or declared the case closed. Mr. Mitchell was 111 to investigate the case further. Mr. Mitchell stated that he was still investigating the case of Constantino Alberto, War Veteran, with the hope of proving a Soldiers Relief settlement in Somerville. It was decided not to give any work to William Collins inasmuch as two members of the family are working and bring in sufficient income. In regard to the apication of James Keefe, 81 Woburn Street, it was felt that r. Keefe owned three houses and his wife was receiving work, no aidcauld be given him. Ma. Mitchell stated that he investigated the case of Walter Lufkin. It was reported that Mrs. Lufkin was working in a restaurant. Mr. Mitchell stated that she was working knd received $7. a week. However, out of this she paid for her aprons and for someone to care for the baby. This left about $3., which was the equivalent to one day' s pay for Mr. Lufkin. The Board decided that they would not take any action on this matter. The Board voted to pay the fare for the Munroe family to go to California. Mr. Mitchell was therefor authorized to make arrangements to send them. Mr. Mitchell reported on the case of Arthur Silva, blind boy whom Dr. Harrington suggested be sent to Tewksbury, He stated that he conferred with people from the State about the Case and they felt that he should not be sent to Tewksbury. He also reported in regard to Joseph Perry, also a case that was requested to be sent to Tewksbury. He stated that he had talked with State authorities in regard to the case and they authorized the payment of $7. a week for a few weeks rather than send him to Tewksbury. The Board approved Mr. Mitchell' s action in these two cases. Mr. O'Connell reported that a woman by the name of McLaughlin was working in a restaurant and receiving $15. per week. As there was a McLaughlin family on the Welfare Department, Mr. Mitchell was requested to look into the «p matter. Letter was received from the State Dept. of Public He'tlth in which they quoted Chapter 289, Section 3 of the General Laws of 1932 which states that the town shall be reimbursed by the county for the cost of anti-rabic vaccine. The Board voted that an abatement of $114.38 for sewer betterment charged to the Oakland St. Foot Bridge Trustees be allowed. Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Forks in which he stated that the work on the retaining wall ixr Pollen Road is advanced far enough to allow the work to be finished with the unemployed labor. He recom.aended that Mr. B. J. Harrington be notified to this effect and that he will not be employed on the work after Sept . 2nd. The ward voted to so notify Mr. Harrington? Mr. O'Connell presented a revised list of Election b. F Officers. The Board agreed to study the list and consider the matter at their next meeting. The Chairman presented stipulation drawn up by the Town 1 Counsel to be signed by Mr. O'Connell in regard to damages to the altered part of his building on Mass. Avenue where a building line exists. Mr. O'Connell stated that he would look the agreement over. Chairman also presented a letter from the Town Counsel in which he advised that this was a matter which should be decided upon at Town Meeting. Request was received that the Child Study Class of the Mass. Extension Service have the use of Emerson Bail the third Tuesday of each month. The Board voted to grant the request. Mr. Gilcreast reported on the Old Age Assistance application of Sarah Devine, 114 Woburn Street, that he recommended payment of $6. per week and the Board so voted. The application of John Rudd for Old Age_.4ssistance was indefinitely postponed. The matter of investigating grocery orders given to the Welfare Department was referred to the Chairman. The Board considered the statements made by Mrs. Helen C. Whittemore, but decided no further action could be taken in regard to the matter. The matter of salaries of clerks in the Selectmen's office was discussed , and it was decided to lay the matter over for two weeks. The Chairman was requested to get a report from the Plumbing Inspector of the work done on the Mulvey property - on Woburn and Vine Streets. The Chairman was also requested to have the Building Inspector report on whether or not the tenement on Woburn Street recently occupied by Robert Walker is safe for occupancy. The Chairman reported that he talked with Mr. Prentiss in regard tc the complaint made of the piggeries on Laconia Street, and Mr. Prentiss stated that he would investigate further and report to the Board next week on the matter. Committment of water rates for the first section in the amount of $9309.69 was signed by the Board. The Board voted to pay the water bill of Caroline Bowker from the Public Welfare Dept. fund. The meeting adjourned at 11:35 P.M. A true record, Attest: q+z- ,i` Acting - Clerk, tmen.