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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1932-10-1117 SELECTMEN t S M IRTING OCTOBER 11, 19311. A regular meeting 'of the Board of Selectmen was held at the Selectmen's Office, Town Office Building on October 119 1932 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. Letter was received from Frederick L. Emery in reply to the letter of the Chairman enclosing Mr. Robinson's report on the trimming of shrubs. Mr. Emery wished to have it Pruning impressed upon the Supte of the Park Department that all Shrubs shrubs should not be pruned alike. Application for boarding infants was signed for Infants Mrs. 'Elizabeth Burton of Francis Street. This is a renewal. Application for admittance of James Callahan of 5 Cedar Street to the Middlesex County Sanatorium was received from Dr. Shea, The Clerk reported that Margaret Callahan stated that her salary was $18. per week and her rent $25, per month. She had already spent $150, for his care and she could not Callahan ' keep up caring for him as her money would be gone. T.B.case, Mr. O'Connell felt that there was an estate inherited by Mr. Callahan and he stated that he would make a report on the sum. In the meantime it was decided to send the application to the Sanatorium. Letter of thanks was received from F, J. Stephens of Stephens 35 Cary Avenue for the consideration given to the letter. application for admittance of his wife to the Middlesex Sanatorium. The Clerk reported that Dr. Remick stated that Lexington has more of the cases where the persons admitted to the Sanatorium have not settled in the State long enough to T.B. have a legal settlement. He feared the other towns in the oases. County might complain, He suggested that these cases could go to Rutland. Application for Old Age Assistance was received from John J. Mann of North Street, and was referred to Mr: Gilcreast for his attention. Mr. Gilcreast reported Old Age Assistance application having been received from John Lyons of Cottage Street. According to the records when Mr. Lyons was married and when he first registered as a voter, he is now 68 years of age. Mr. Gilcreast felt that in addition to this fact that he had sufficient income so that his case would not be one for Old Age Assistaiee. Mann, Old Age Assistance Lyons, Old Age Assist. 18 ac c� Morash, At 8 P.M. hearing was declared open on the application Bd, of of C. Ross Morash for approval of plans showing layout ' Survey, of development off Allen Street. The Board decided to adjourn the hearing for one week at which time Mr. Morash will be ready to present his plans. The Board voted to pass the following regulation as Traffic an amendment to the Traffic Regulations to cover the Regulation, parking in front of the High School Building: AMENDMENT TO TRAFFIC REGULATIONS Acting under the.provivions of Chapter 40, section 22 of the General Laws, the Traffic Regulations adopted by the Board of Selectmen under date of July T. 1931 and amended Sept. 80 19312 be and hereby are further amended as follows: MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE No parking on the east side from a point beginning opposite the northerly corner of Slocum Road and running northerly to a point 170 feet distant and on the west ' side from a point 50 feet south of the southerly corner of Letter was received from Mr, Frank Cronin of 52 Slocum Police at Road requesting the services of the police at the Parker games, Field at the games, The Board decided to reply that they would endeavor to give some service at the games, Mr, Custance reported having attended the meeting at the County Commissioners Office and presented the request of the Board for aid on Woburn Street and Pleasant Street. Wood St,, Mr, Custance also presented copy of letter written County to the Dept. of Public Works by the County Commissioners Aid* in which the Commissioners stated that they were prepared to contribute #3000 for repairs on wood Street, They based their figure on one-third the cost of a gravel road 8100 feet in length costing about $18,000, They would also contribute $3000. in 1933. Mr, Custance was to interview the State Dept* relative to their contribution. Letter was received from the Town Counsel in which he Town enclosed bill of 135, for his services in the Gorberg , Counsel case. Bill of 50, for his services in the Holmes bills Gavin property was also received. Both bills were approved by the Board, Drainage, Letter was received from the Town Counsel enclosing Ledgels=W article fot the town warrant for the drainage in Ledgelawn Ave. Avenue. The Board voted to pass the following regulation as Traffic an amendment to the Traffic Regulations to cover the Regulation, parking in front of the High School Building: AMENDMENT TO TRAFFIC REGULATIONS Acting under the.provivions of Chapter 40, section 22 of the General Laws, the Traffic Regulations adopted by the Board of Selectmen under date of July T. 1931 and amended Sept. 80 19312 be and hereby are further amended as follows: MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE No parking on the east side from a point beginning opposite the northerly corner of Slocum Road and running northerly to a point 170 feet distant and on the west ' side from a point 50 feet south of the southerly corner of f 'f L 1 1 of Hunt Road to a point 50 feet south. Robert P. Trask Charles E. Ferguson Daniel J. O'Connell John E. Gilereast Theodore'A, Custance Selectmen of Lexington. 19 . Letter was received from Sebastian N. Tangusso Attorney of 427 Broadway, Chelsea, inquiring why Mr. Charles Fine was not being paid his pension that wasstopped about eleven months ago. Letter was written explaining that Mr. Fine never received a pension inasmuch as thk Town has not accepted Charles the Act to pay laborers pensions. Mr. Fine had only Fine. been placed on part pay for the information he gave to the Water and Sewer Departments, and he was paid long after he ceased to be of any value. He was then placed upon the Old Age Assistance pay roll.when the Act was passed allowing these payments. Letter was received from Patrick J. Maguire, Deputy Chief of Police, in which he stated that he desired to be retired from active service on November 1, 1932 inasmuch as he would then have completer thirty three years of service. Inasmuch as there were no funds in the Police Pension Account it was decided to grant Mr. Maguire's request for retirement on November 1, but to have him remain on active duty until Jan. 1, 1933. In connection with the retirement of Mr. Maguire, inquiries were made relative to the Civil Service Dept* holding another examinAtion for the Lexington Police Dept. At the present time there are two men on the list available, namely, Winslow H. Pierce, 77 Wachusett Drive, 31 years; George W. Hall, 23 years. It was decided to write to the Civil Service Commissioner requesting him to hold another examination. Maguire retirement, Police examinatiox Abatements of the Water Department in the amount of Abatement $307.06 and of the Sewer Department it tyle amount of $2.88 were signed by the Board. Mr. Trask reported that he had a conference with the representative of the Lexington Gas Co. in reference to the rates. The Company expressed the desire to keep the Gas Lexington residents satisfied for the reason that they rates. hope to maintain their business here and increase it. He explained that they are competing with the Edison Co. and they have to extend their lines so that they may be able to furnish gas before people put in electricity. They have the same situation that our Water Department has in that extensions are made over a large territory and it will not be until the territory is thickly settled that the town will reap the benefit of the extensions. 20 It was decided to send the figures to Arthur Earle to show how it was considered that the rates now charged were not unreasonable under the circumstances. , Downing 'The Supt. of Public Works was requested to bring in Rd, and another report relative to the construction of Downing Outlook Road and Outlook Drive, Dr. Report was received from the Supt. of Public Works in Highway which he stated that the pay roll of the Highway Depart - Dept. ment for 1933 on a five day week basis would be $260832. Pay Roll but allowing for rainy days he would estimate the payroll at $20,124. The Supt, was requested to bring in the cost of materials and other running expenses of this department also. A letter signed "Citizens Committee of Lexington" complaining of the manner in which the Chief of Police carries out his duties was received. Police Mr. O'Connell reported other affairs of the Police Dept. Department, namely that of one of the officers being brought into Montague's taxi office under the influence of liquor. It was suggested that the officers might be changed around. It was decided to talk with the Chief of Police next Tuesday relative to his department. Mr. Gilcreast reported in regard to the application of Catherine Hoy for Old Age Assistance that he found that ' Miss Hoy had lived on the place at Ward Street since June, 1913. She had six lots of land, three located on Ward Hoy, Street and three on Earle Street. She pays $25.60 a month Old Age to the Co-operative Bank on a mortgage which she stated Assist- originally was $4000. She had only $50. in the bank and antee no insurance. He felt that if Old Age Assistance were granted her in the amount of $7. a week, that it would not do her any good; that it would not do much more than pay the payments to the Co-operative Bank. It was decided to lay the matter on the table for one week until further information was obtained about the mortgage. The Chairman reported that Mr. Frank Faulkner of Winter Frank Street, who has been assisted on the unemployed, reported Faulkner to him that he would have four or five weekswork is he care could register his car. The Board voted to allow him to register the car under the circumstances. A delegation of residents of the vicinity of Shirley Street came before the Board relative to the installation of sewer in Shirley Street section. The Chairman explained to them that the Board had had the survey made and it appeared that some of the residents ' of the vicinity were interested in having the sewer connected, and he thought it would be well to invite them in and get their opinion so that if they were sufficiently interested, an article could be inserted in the Warrant for the next Town Meeting. 21 Xr, Patrick J. Maguire inquired what the assessment would be to him on Bedford Street. The individual ' figures were not presented to the Board by the Town Engineer, Mr. Custanoe informed him that the sewer assessments on Bedford Street would be approximately $18.0. He would then have to connect the sewer with his plumbing in addition to that. Mr. Howard Custanfie was present and stated that he had considerable trouble with his cesspool and finally had to build an overrlow which runs onto his neighbor's property. The cesspool is on a ledge, and the only way he could receive any relief would be to have the sewer. Mr. Piccariello stated that he was in Azed of the sewer and he had already dug many holes in his,yard for sewerage and he did not know how he could dig any more, Francis Burke stated that he would be willing to have the connection made to his house inasmuch as he had more or less trouble and would also connect with his . father's house on Shirley Street. He also stated that the Kerrigan's on Shirley Street would connect. He Inquired about the method of payment and was informed that all persons would be allowed to spread the payments over a period of ten years, but that the assessment for the sewer from the houses to the street was a cash proposition. Mr. Walter Spellman stated that in the neighborhood there were fourteen houses with ninety-five people in Sewer, them and twenty-five families. He had a lot with 55- Shirley ' foot frontage on Shirley Street and 108 feet on Sargent Street Street on the corner. He desired to know whether or not vicinity. he would have to pay on the 108 foot frontage or on the 55 foot. He was informed that he would have to pay for a depth of 125 feet and he having only 108 feet would have to pay for the full depth of -the lot. He also objected to six per cent interest being paid. He stated that there were other towns that did not make a charge of six per cent, and he would endeavor to get a list of these towns. Mr. Michael Duffy stated that he owned a lot with 75 Beet frontage on Tewksbury Street and 114 feet on Sargent Street and he did not see why the sewer did not go down Bedford Street instead of in Sargent and Tewksbury Streets. He felt that he should refuse to pay any betterment assessment. The Town Engineer was called in and explained that the sewer proposition had been figured out so that it would cost less to install the sewer in Tewksbury and Sargent Streets than it would to come down:Bedford Street owing to the excessive depth that would have be be excavated on Bedford Street, Cdr. William C. O'Leary stated that he was in favor of the sdwer being installed and also asked that something be dons in regard to surface drainage. ' 11r. Custance informed him that this was a separate proposition, but he felt that the installation of the sewer would help the drainage problem somewhat. 22 1 �C Mrs. Walter Rose stated that she would be glad to have the sewer in Bedford Street. Mr. Custance reported that Mr. Bell, Trustee of the ' Patten Estate, was also in favor of the sewer, and Mr. Eugene Partridge stated that he would be in favor of it although he had never had any trouble himself as he felt that it would help other people in the neighborhood. Mr. John Hossffiibld iftquired how much it would cost him. The Town Engineer stated that it would not cost him more than $100. He therefor was in favor. The Chairman stated that the persons present appear at the Town Meeting and even though they: might not be Town Meeting Members, that they give a statement to the citizens of the conditions so that the proposition might be,voted upon favorably. Judge Pierre Northrup and Town Counsel.9 S. R. Wrighting- ton, came before the Board in regard to the VanderlKaude proposition. The Chairman stated to Mr. Northrup that he understood the proposition was that the VanderWoude land was damaged and that all the betterments should be withdrawn and that they were entitled to some cash payment besides. Mr. Northrup was asked the amount of damages, and he stated that he would set forth his proposition. He stated that there was an assessment of $350. on this land and his client refuses to pay any betterment assessments on his lots. He stated that he felt Mr. Wrightington would agree Vander. with him that there was no personallliability on the part ' 'Houde of the owner, and if the Town assessed the betterments and case, if these petitions should be decided adversely to his clients, the Town could have the lots. However, they will not pay the $350, and the Town can have the lots and take them for the assessed betterment. He wished to make himself clear on that point, and if the Town intends to get anything out of it, this is the ohly way the? will get anything. He stated that the lots were valued at 350. each prior to the assessment, and that his contention is that there is a decided change in the grade. He did not desire to go to the expense of obtaining engineering services unless it was absolutely necessary, but he felt that there was a decided change in the grade and there was a decided change in the road. He thought that Mr. VanderWoude paid $250, each for the lots when he purchased them. He stated that if the Board decides no damages are to be awarded, then he intended to file a pet- ition for an assessment of damages and for abatdmbnb of the assessed betterments in the Middlesex Court. He stated that If the jury then found that there is any betterment, the Town would have the lots on their hands. He was going to try the case out anyway. He fell- that at the present time the lots were worthless and his cleint put no value on the lots at all. He stated that Mr. VanderWoude sold that property and took back a second mortgage and as second mort- gagee he was protecting his interest. At all times up to the present time, he was second mortgagee of the property. In reply to Mr. Trask's question as to whether or not if the 23 Board decided to abate the betterment they would avoid the matter going to Court, he stated that it would not as the lots were absolutely worthless even if the HighwVy betterment ' were abated. He felt, however, that the lots were worth something before the road went there. He understood, also, that Mr. VanderWoude intended to build some houses on the lots. ,,r Mr. Custanee inquired how many houses he intended to put on the lots and he stst ed that he did not know. He also stated that Mr. VanderWoude owns other property in that section. In other words, Mr. Northrup stated that he felt the` -.original value of the property was entirely wiped out; '-His propodition, therefor, was first to agree with the Board on principal that the assessment should be wiped out; then that damages should be paid and then when they reach that situation it is time to talk figures. He stated that he had no arbitrary figure. He thought first that $500. was a fair value. The Board informed Mr. Northrup that they would take the matter under consideration, and they requested the Town Counsel to get information on the value of other lots in the vicinity and the value of property in that territory. They did not expect him, however, to run down the titles on the property, but he could go back as far as 1929, Town Counsel informed the Board that the Shea case, which was a -suit against the Town for damages on the drainage situation in East Lexington, was listed for trial on Thursday. He stated that he would like to have the services of a ' stenographer in the case, and the Board approved his having a stenographer on all cases where a stenographerts services should -be needed. He stated that he consulted with Mr. Hadley, Sr., who Shea knows something about the conditions, and the Board requested case, him to consult with Mr. Cummings, also with Mr. Frederick Spencer, who was familiar with that territory several years ago; also to check up with Mr. Ross of the Water and Sewer Dept. in regard to dumping rock's in that section. In regard to the Benjamin C. Meady case, it was suggested to Mr. Wrightington that he talk with Mr. Osborne Gorman and Meady Mr. Ernest MacPhee of Vaille Avenue who could give hims ome case* information in rdgard to the drainage in that territory; also to. Mr. Daniel Gorman, Sr. The following employees of the Water Department came before the Board: Messrs. Iodice, Iovino, McKenzie, Ryeroft and Harrington._ They stated that they had been laid off the second time from the Water Department and they wanted to know the reason why inasmuch as they felt that other men have been kept on the Department who.were employed after 1928. They stated that Water Thomas Rudd, Cuceinello, Mason, Mullaney, Brucchi and Cecere Dept. (and possibly Timothy O'Leary, who is now ill) who were now Employees, ' working, had,.r'been employed after 1928. Mr. Harrington stated that he had been employed since 1926. Mr. Iodice stated that he had been employed for three >4 years. He also called attention to unnaturalized citizens, Joseph Cassella and Charles Lembo. Mr. Trask explained to La frg 24 him that this matter had been taken up with the State and they were agreeable to Mr. Cassella and Mr. Lembo being left on the Department. , Mr. Iovino stated that he had been on thirteen years. Mr. McKenzie stated that he had been on since 1928 and Mr. Rycroft since 1926. The Board stated that they would look into the matter and check up on the dates. Mr. Mitchell came before the Board and reported that he had an application for Unemployment Relief from William J. Rogerson of Homestead Street, who had been in the Town for the past four years. He had a house that he was paying for in the Co-operative Bank, and he had given him some groceries on the Welfare Department. The mother of Roger Williams of Tarbell Avenue, came in to see him in regard to employment for her son. He informed her that she would have to apply for aid for herself and as yet he had not heard from her. He reported having given medical aid to Benjamin Santosuosso's Son who had substituted for his father on the unemployed. Mr. Santosuosso's son wanted some employment. Atthe present time he was living with his girl in Cambridge inasmuch as he has no money to contribute at home. He stated Unemployment -that the father also asked for another day, and it was suggested Relief and that he take up the matter of his payments to the Arlington Welfare, Co-operative Bank to see if they would reduce thepayments and thereby help him. ' Application was received from Edward I. Hart of Jackson Court who has been out of employment for four months. He formerly worked at the Merriam factory. He nays $25, a month rent. His father pays him $10. per week and he has two children at school. It was decided to give him two days a week work. In regard to Mr. Sgrosso, he brought in registration of the car which he operates which proved to be in the name of Mrs. DeFelice. However, he did not give any further information in regard to his expenditure of money. No action was taken on the matter. Joseph Henry Thornton of Bowker Street, who has been out of work since June, 1932, applied for work. He is not living with his wife. He has a housekeeper and three boys, nine, six, and four yearsof age, who were in school. His housekeeper has two children, one boy eighteen years of age tho contributes $5, a week to the household. The rent was $30. a month. It was decided to lay this application over for one week. Mrs. Willena MacDonald of Oakland Avenue is back in her payments of interest at the Lexington Savings Bank and she asked if she could have one more day for her son. It was decided to give her food when needed. Mr. Mitchell reported the Alphonse Munroe family having secured an apartment for $18. per month rent, he felt that ' they should be given $6. cash per week and rent and fuel furnished. John Cotter applied for an extra days work. He has one boy who gives him $8, a week, and he has been receiving three 90 25 days work with the Town. His outside work has now been practically closed out. It was decided to give him one extra day. ' In regard to the application of Peter Leary, Mr. Mitchell agreed to give him two days per week work�,providing he pay the amount over to his sister. There seemed to be a question in the Board's mind whether or not he would remain with his sister any length of time. Mr. Mitchell reported that Joseph Nevins had been sent to Tewksbury. The Chairman brought up the matter of salaries of Town Employees and felt that if the Boarddid not insert an article in the Warrant for Town Meeting relative to salaries, that Salaries some of the Town citizens would insitt upon it being done. No action was taken. The Board discussed the matter of the construction of Follen Road wall by Mr. B. J. Harrington. The Supt. reported that Mr. Harrington had eight men working with him. It was felt that the work was not going along fast enough, Und Mr. Harrington had been previously Follen Rd, warned that the work would have to be speeded up. wall. Mr. Custance felt that the lower end of the wall should be closed up and it was finally decided that as far as Mr. Harring#on was concerned, his work should be closed up this week and the Board could make arrangements later in regard to finishing the wall. The Supt. of Public Works was requested to bring in the cost of the wall to date for the next meeting of the Board. Mr. Custance reported that he would like to begin the construction of this end of Wood Street next Monday if possible. Wood St. I" The weekly report of the Supt. of Public Works was received. Application for Board of Survey approval of plans of thbi Lexington Brick Village, formerly the Curran property on Survey, Massachusetts Avenue at the Arlington line, was received and Curran referred to the Planning Board for study. property Application for the use of Cary Memorial Hall on Oct. 31 Cary for a barn dance for the Sacred Heart Parish was received. Hall. The Board decided that they would hold a Town Meeting on thlbedate, and Mr. Dennis J. Healy was therefore notified that if he wishes to make application for the use of the hall Town on some other date they will gladly consider his application Meetng, and grant the reduced rate of $25. It was decided to call the meeting of the Committee on Fire Station Sites together again next Tuesday evening. Mr. Fire Custance stated that he would have some information on the type of building. Station, Letter was received from F. L. Emery inquiring whether or not it was the unanimous opinion of the Selectmen and Committee on fire headquarters site that the property at the F � 26 Fire junction of Woburn Street and Fletcher Avenue -owned by Sites. D. J. OfConnell was not large enough to meet the require- ments of the Fire Headquarters building and for land ' necessary for the outside activities of the Department. The Chairmanreplied that this was the unanimous opinion of the Committee and the Board that the area was not suitable. In reference to the election officers of Precinct 1, Election it was decided to drop Edward D. Hoitt off the list instead Officers. of Arthur W. Hughes inasmuch as Mr. Hughes had already served. Application for the use of the Cary Memorial Hall for the Minute Boys for November 18th was received. It was decided to grant them the use of the hall at the reduced rate of $25. The meeting adjounred at 11:55 P.M. A true record, Attest: Clerk. 1