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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1932-12-1393 SELECTMEN I S MEETING DEC71MBER 13, 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. Bids were received on $120,000 revenue loan dated December 16, 1932 and payable June 7, 1933, as follows: Lexington Trust Co. 1.12 Bids Faxon Gade Co. 1.23 disc. Chase Harris Forbes,Ine.1.09 disc. F. S. Mosely Co. 1.32 dice. Second Nat'l Bank 1.25 Plus $2.00 Newton, Abbe & Co. 1.15 Jackson & Curtis•Co. 1.45 disc. It was voted to accept the bid of Chase Harris Forbes, Inc. and to authorizd the Treasurer to complete the negotia- tions. Letter was received from Hallie C. Blake requesting ' a meeting of the committee on fire sites at Dr. Barnes' home on Dec. 15th at 8 P.M. Committee The Board decided to all meet at the time and place to on discuss with Dr. Barnes,the possibility of making nego- fire site tiations relative to the purchase of the property for a fire site for the centre engine house. Mr. Bedros H. Bashian came before the Board and requested that the project of completing the work on his property neer the'historic park be considered before any change is made in the Board of Selectmen. He felt that if new members come on the Board that the premises made to complete the work will be forgotten. He stated that he was the first man to give his -land when the pr&ject of re- locating Mass. Ave. was considered. He was promised fill in Fairview Ave: section of his property at that time, but Bashian he has not received it although there has been a lot property removed from Wood Street, Mr. Custance and Mr. Seamman informed that they did not believe he would want the kind of fill they have been having, but he felt that he could use it not in the park section, but on Fairview Avenue section. He felt also that the wall on Mass. Avenue should be finished and that the ground should be made ready for the trees to be planted. He stated that in consequenteof ' the road being raised, his cellar became flooded and he lost his winter supply. Mr. Custance stated that he'felt that wood Street should be finished first and then stone'should be taken up on Massachusetts Avenue and the wall finished; the banking should be dressed off and made ready for the trees and Mr. Gorman knew about the trees.that were to be planted. 94 cn coo The Board promised Mr. Bashian that they would complete n the project perhaps not doing all that he asked be done, but it would be done when Wood Street is completed. , Letter was received from the Town Counsel in which he enclosed deed of Edward J. Gavin to the Town and partial release of mortgage. This completes the transaction pending since the relocation of Mass. Avenue, Town Counsel, Sydney R. Wrightington came before the Board and stated that he saw no reason why the contract for radio service with the town of Arlington should not be signed by the Board. The Chief of Police appeared before the Board and presented letter in which he stated that Patrolman John M. Barry and Franeis T. Neal, Jr. recently pursued a criminal of note and he was finally captured in Winchester. This would probably clean up two breaks and possibly three. He felt that the men should be given a day off to repay them for their efforts. The Board felt that they should give the men recognition of their deed. The Chief explained that he took the man's finger prints and although the man said he was a laborer, it was found by the prints that he had served time for breaking and larceny in 1921; was at the Mass. Reformatory in 1923, four months in the House of Correction and five to seven years at the State prison, from which he was released in ' 1929. He felt that the break at the Parker School and the one at the Franklin may be done by the same person. He is now being held in $2000. for the Grand Jury. Mr. OtConn®11 felt that the men should not get a day off; that this accomplishment was only something that should be done in their course of duty at all tires. The Chief was also before the Board to discuss the fact that he was over -running his appropriation $400. The Supt. of Public Works presented an analysis of the figures showing why the appropriation was exceeded and the Town Accountant presented the detail.of the expenditures. Installing the radio, and two repair bills, one at Viano's that included the radio installation,, and one at Johnson's overhauling the car were discussed. - The Chief stated that he wanted the car to be in good condition at all times and he had the work done' at Johnson's inasmuch as he had everything to do with. He statedalso that his own car, Mr. Maguires, smd the department car were furnished gas out of his appropriation. New tires had'to be furnished for the department car after about 201,000 miles and now two more tires were needed. Mr. Gilcreast agreed to bring in a report next week on the Police Department expenditures. Mr. OlConnell suggested that a second car be purchased for the Police Department that no further allowance be made for the gasoline for the Chief or Deputy's car. He felt that the first cost would not be very much incomparison with what would be saved and the department would at all times be well equipped and there would be no emergency as to the repair of the cars. Mr. O'Connell objected to the'fact that Chief Sullivan stated that Rycrof t said that the work on the car should be done by Johnson's Garage inasmuch as the Board had given specific orders that no work of a repair nature should be done except at the Public Works Department. He felt that'the-Chief's attention should be specifically called to this fact. It was voted to recommend to the budget of 1933 for the Police Department, the purchase of a second car for the police department. The Supt. of Public Works was requested to bring in the #4mres on the 1933 Budget for 'the Police Department. It was voted to raise the pay of Miss Elinor Moakley from $15. per week to $18. per week, the same':to start January lst, 1933. It was also voted to raise the pay of Miss Celia C. Maguire from $16. per week to $18 per week, the same to start January lst, 1933. The Chairman stated that he felt that Dr. Hardcastle should be given more pay for the amount of work he is dodng., Question as to whether or not confinement cases should be paid for separately was considered. Mr. Custance ' offered a motion that his salary be,made $600, and that he be paid $25. for each confinement case extra. It was decided to lay the matter on the table until the Chairman talks with Dr. Hardeastle, it being fdlt he may not ask for so large a salary. The Supt. of Public Works stated that the Town Farm buildings were not storing any of the town equipment and could be removed., Mr. O'Connell agreed to prepare the bill of sale to Mr. Curra and to get a release of all damages. Albert A. Ross came before the Board relative to the budget of the Water and Sewer Deperibments. After some discussion of the items on the budget, it was voted to approve the Water Maintenance Account for $70,000. Mr. 05tConnell did not approve it. It was also voted to approve the appropriation of $6800 for the Sewer Maintenance Account. Mr. O'Connell also voted against approving this appropriation. Mr. Custance called attention to the fact that within the last seven years the total mileage of water pipe in the town has increased but the cost of maintenance has not increased accordingly. The matter of sewer rental wa.s also discussed. Mr. Ross presented a list of towns and cities, twenty-three in number, out of which onhT three make any charge for sewer rental, namely Reading, Wellesly and Woburn. Most of these cities and towns do hot make any charge for entrance fee. 95 Police Dept . Salaries Town Pyysi- cian's salary. Town Form Budget 96 -10 coon +-c Mr. Custanee suggested that inasmuch as the sewer act and matter of assessment was studied by the Planning Sewer Board prior to the adoption of this act, he felt that the ' rentals, matter should be referred to them for study and recommenda. tion. It was therefore decided to lay the matter on the table until the Planning Board report on the matter. Mr. Harry Johnson, together with his engineer, Mr. Joyce, and Mr. O'Connell of Arlington and another represent- ative, came before the Board relative to the Brick Village Development. Mr. Johnson desired to have the plans approved by Board of t he Board of Survey. Survey, Letter was received from the Planning Board in which Brick they enclosed copy of vote disapproving of the plans Village* submitted by Mr. Johnson. They felt that an entrance should be made not on Mass. Avenue but on Charles or Sylvia Streets. The Board of Survey, after viewing the plan, also informed Mr. Johnson that he would have to present another plan to the Planning Board showing a different entrance to the- property. The Town Engineer presented an alternative plan that was view by the Board. The Town Engineer also presented his budget for the year 1933. He included in this an item for engagement of a rod man amounting to'$532. He explained that he would ' like to get Samuel Zeitlen to return to work here inasmuch as he would turn out a great deal of work for the money spent. The Board discussed the matter of employing engineers from the Engineering Societies who employ men needing assistance and pay $12. per week to them so that they can feed their families. The Planning Board made the suggestion Enginering that these men be engaged and there are now three that come Dept. from Lexington. After considering the matter the Board decided to inform the Planning Board that they were in sympathy with the project and would await their ideas about the work to be done by these men. It was decided therefore to reduce the engineering account as far as that item was concerned and to use these men who would be paid from the Unemployment Relief. It was tbDrefore voted to approve the Engineering budget for $10,000. Mr. O'Connell felt that John ®'Connor and Albert Miller should receive an increase in pay. A motion to increase their pay to $22, per week was voted down, only two members of the Board being in favor. Lincoln The Town Engineer reported that Mr. Scheibe was�now not so much in favor of the lay out of Lincoln Street Street* proposed. The Planning Board are now interested to see ' what will happen about the new circumferential highway. Mr. Custance called attention to the manner of handling the removal of snow. He stated tY,at last year one large storm there were a number of car's stalled inasmuch as the snow was not cleared away soon enough. He felt that the Snow sidewalks should be plowed and that the snow should be Removal. removed from the centre of the town to the sides of the street so that it could be then taken away by the unemployed, and that the time to start removing the snow is before the storm sets in too hard and it would thencost 1esb than after the snow gets trodden down. The Supt. of Public Works stated that he received ' instructions last year not to do any snow work until he was told to and therefore he did,not do any. The Chairman stated that he did not mean to convey that the sidewalks should not be plowed, but he did feel that if we could do less snow work and save the money it should be done. The Supt. 97 Letter was received from the Tax Collector in which he enclosed a budget for his department. The Board considered ' the items and voted to approve all but the item of clerical hire. It was felt that Mr. Earle should not have employed a girl at $24. a week, when his other girl left this year who was receiving that amount of pay. Motion was made to Tax approve $18, to be paid to the clerk, owing to the fact Collector? that two of the clerks who have been employed for some budget time are receiving that amount beginning January 1st. This motion was voted down however owing to the fact that the girl employed by him had previous experience in another office and it was voted to approve $20. per week therefore reducting'the total of this ar.,propviation to $5390. It was therefore voted to send this amount to the Appropriation Committee as having been approved by the Board. Amendment to the order of relocation of Wood Street was Wood received from the County Commissioners, Street The Chairman reported in regard to the garage which William Casey desires to operate that Mr. Longbottom checked up and did not find that the gar ege had ever been used as. Denham a public garqge. Mr. Custance reported that he also garage, found out that the garage had never been used as a public garage. The garage is also located outside the business district. It was therefore felt that no hearing could be held on the use of the building for a public repair shop. ' Letter was received from the Town Counsel in which he Town stated that he felt he would need the same appropriation Counsel, for his department for 1933 as in 1932. Budget The Board discussed the matter of coasting and decided to allow coasting on Highland Avenue, Locust Avenue, York Street and Simonds Road. Coasting Mr. Custance suggested having some of the unemployed men stationed to protect the coasters and users of the streets. No action was taken however. The Supt. was requested to post the streets. Mr. Custance called attention to the manner of handling the removal of snow. He stated tY,at last year one large storm there were a number of car's stalled inasmuch as the snow was not cleared away soon enough. He felt that the Snow sidewalks should be plowed and that the snow should be Removal. removed from the centre of the town to the sides of the street so that it could be then taken away by the unemployed, and that the time to start removing the snow is before the storm sets in too hard and it would thencost 1esb than after the snow gets trodden down. The Supt. of Public Works stated that he received ' instructions last year not to do any snow work until he was told to and therefore he did,not do any. The Chairman stated that he did not mean to convey that the sidewalks should not be plowed, but he did feel that if we could do less snow work and save the money it should be done. The Supt. 98 Health Regulations. Deo jay stated that he had six trucks that he could use for snow work and hired them at the rate of $4.50 an hour. He stated that the State pays $6. an hour for hiring trucks. He pays 509� an hour'fot use of horses and 50e for therimen. Letter was received from the Milk Inspector in which he stated that he would like to explain further in regard to the movie films which the Board stated that they would not approve the bill for. Letter was also received from the Milk Inspector in which he stated that he would have a'representative with him from the State Department of Health to explain various points in refdrenee to the Health Regulations at the next meeting of the Board. He would also have the Regulations as drawn by the Committee and corrected by the Town Counsel ready to present at that meeting. Mr. Prentiss stated that he investigated the complaint in reference to Mr. George F. Davis of North Street spilling manure on the highway and was assured that it would not occur again. The Budget of the Milk Inspector for $650. was approved by the Board. Mr. Mitchell came before the Board in reference to Public Welfare and Unemployment Relief cases. Re: Ellsworth A. Deojay, 1 Sheridan Street, the man lives with his daughter at that address. His children are all girls, one lives in Somerville. The man is a citizen and is out of work. He lost his wife in July 1927 and maintained a home for a number of years. No insurance on his wife. His son-in-law with whom he lives, works for the Middlesex & Boston St. Rwy. Co. It was decided to lags this application on the table for the present. In reference to Francis Monahan who had been in the Monahan hospital for an operation for ulcers of stomach he had now returned to live with his brother and the doctor felt that he needed certain food to build him up. It was decided to allow him $6. per week. In regard to Arthur Silva, Central Block, he reported Silva a possible State or Cambridge settlement, the State authorized $2. additional, $6. for food and $5. for rent and necessary fuel. It was decided to grant the allowance and have him work another day. In regard to John E. Armstrong case, his wife stated Armstrong that the bank wanted her to take over the house and pay $27 er month. She had taken it over; her earnings amount to 8. per week. Elevenin in family, daughter who is married living there is allowed $6. per week. There are nine others in the family. The matter was left with Mr. Mitchell to further report regarding the taking of the house. The rent has previously been paid to the Waverly Co-operative Bank in the sum of $35, per month. fl 1 ' In regard to the Caywood Greening case, Mr. Mitchell stated that he found he got $12* per week last year instead of $9. He stated that he had investigated thefamily and found there were five children in the family and his wife's sister living there. Wife's sister was earning about $5, per week, rent $25. per month. It was decided to give him four days and coal, the man to work out the fuel. It was felt in all eases where fuel was given that it should be worked out. In regard to the case of George Stygles, Sylvia Street, the doctor recommends milk for the children. It was therefore voted to give four days and that groceries be given instead of each, also if Stygles did not work that he should be taken up for non-support of his family. Somerville stated that they would notify Laurie Lauritzen in reference to his application $r Soldiers Relief. In the meantime it was decided to'aid him to four days work. The Lexington Coal Company give him one dayts work. 99 Greening Stygles Lauritzen In regard to George Harold Johnson, Oakland Avenue, the man worked for Ryder Stock Farm and was laid of. He Johnson was married June 1, 1932, and is living with the g rls father. One other daughter lives at home and works at the telephone exchange ih Cambridge. The case appears to be a state case as far as settlement is concerned. It appeared from the • information given that the man was out of work when he got married and it was decided not to give any work at present. Frank 3. Clare, 443B Mass. Avenue again applied for assistance. He had five childrdn, a water bill of $13 to pay; arranged a second mortgage on his property to pay Clare his taxes. It was decided to give him four days. Morris Woodward applied for assistance, but upon Woodward checking up his mother had sufficient work to support the house. Ernest B. Cole of 9 Manley Court desired a chance to work out his poll'tax bill. Cole Gustaf Julin wanted a chance to work out his water bill. It was decided to lay this on the table at present. Julin In regard to James Fullerton who lives in Mr. Mara's block near the Railroad station, Mr. Mara requested that the rent be paid. There are two boarders who pay $14. per Fullerton week and their food bill for their own family amounts to $14. Mr. Fullerton is getting $9. per week. The Board felt that Mr. Mitchell should consult with Mr. Mara relative to reducing the rent and report next week. 100 n It was decided to give Simon Latter two days each week. He has two boarders from which he is supposed to ' get $16 per week but only gets $14. Application was received from Benigto Pierro of 42 Rawson Avenue. He worked for B. Lamson Elec. Co. for 26 years and when they closed out he was out of a job. His house is motgaged for $3600. Hd has one girl averaging 22 days a week, and a boy works getting $7. or $8. per week. It was decided to lay this application on thetable. The Iodice boys, 21 and 23 years of age, applied for work. It was decided not to give any. Application was received from Elmer B. Mason, Brandon Street, who worked at the Electric Insullation Co., 510 Atlantic Avenue. They are now out of business and he out of work. The Merchants Co-operative Bank will not do anything about suspension of dues just at present. Mr. Mitchell was to investigate further in this case. The meting adjourned at 12:15 P.M. A true record, Attest: Clerk. I