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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-01-17 137 SELECTMEN'S MEETING JANUARY 17, 1933. 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, Custanee, Gilcreast, Ferguson and O'Connell were present. The Supt . of Public Works and the Clerk were also present. Pasteurization of Milk Licenses were granted to Haskell Past . of Reed of Lowell Street and to Swenson Brothers to operate the Milk plant at 210 Marrett Road. Both licenses having expired, it Licenses was voted to grant the permits without inspection. The matter of abating the water guarantee of William G Potter of Walnut Street was considered and inasmuch as Water another main to the Middlesex County Tuberculosis Hospital abatemen was put in in that section that more than takes care of the guarantee it was voted to abate the guarantee, and to so notify Mr. Potter. Approval of the appointment of Edward W. Taylor as Forest Warden for the ensuing year was received from the Forest State Forester. It was therefore voted to appoint Mr. Taylor Warden as Forest Warden for one year from date. Application for the rental of Cary Memorial Hall for February 27, 1933 at the reduced rates was received from Cary Mem Rev. Wm. J. McCarthy. The Hall was to be used for the rental Catholic Church Rau/lion. It was voted to allow the hall at the reduced rate of $25. Notice was received from the Town Clerk that the Committee appointed by the Moderator to revise the Plumbing Plumbing By-laws is as follows: Charles E. Ferguson, Edward W. By-Laws, Sibley, Vernon C. Page, Lester L. Andrews, and M. Bowman Judkins . Letter was received from Patrick Cronin of Utic St. in which he requested that an electric light be installed Street on Utica Street to serve the fourteen families on that Light, street. Utica It was ddcided to insert an article in the Warrant Street. relative to the light. The Chairman reported that he talked with Mr. Viano relative to having so many signs on his premises, and he agreed that he did have too many and in fact he stated that Viano he already had taken some of them down. He did, however,' Overhang- want permission to put up this particular sign applied for ing sign. inasmuch as other signs would be taken down but he would replace them by this sign. It was voted to grant this permit with the understand- ing that he would take down some of the other signs as promised. 138 01 *c Rudd, In regard to the application of John Rudd of Old Age 111 Woburn Street for Old Age Assistance, Mr. Gilordast reported that he would recommend that Mr. Rudd be put on Old Age Assistance in the amount of $8. per week and the Board so voted. The Chairman reported that he wrote to Mr. Cort of Milk the Dairy Division of the State and asked whether or not Inspector. certain qualifications were necessary to fillthe position of Milk Inspector. Mr. Cort did not reply but stated that he would be glad to talk with Mr. Trask. Be therefore had an appointment to meet with him and talk the situation over. Applications for the position of Milk Inspector or Health Inspector were received from the following: Donald Love, 6 Forest Street, Matthew Stevenson, and Leonard Jellis. Notice was received from the Department of Public Utilities in which was stated that a hearing will be held Hearing on the petition of Ryders Stock Farm, Inc. for an invest- on B.& M. igation of a tariff filed by the Boston and Main R.R. Tariff. effective January 1, 1933. The hearing is to be held Jan. 23, 1933 at 2:15 P.M. The Selectmen felt that if the delivery service was dropped on account of not making money enough to keep up the service, that the Board should not urge them to continue, and therefore decided not to take any action on the matter. In regard to the decision on the application of Wm. L. Burrill of 127 Bedford Street for a gasoline permit, Mr. Wrightington rendered an opinion that both the Board of Gasoline Selectmen and Board of Appeals should act upon the Permit, application, and if both Boards did not vote to grant the Burrill permit the Building Inspector could not grant the permit for the building. Mr. O'Connell agreed to bring the opinion of Choate, Hall and Stuart in before the Board next Tuesday night. The following reports were reviewed by the Board and approved for printing in the Town Report: Town Trustees Cary Memorial Library Report. Town Clerk and Town Treasurer Sealer of Weights & Measures Assessors Inspector of Animals Trustees of Public Trusts Town Physician Hilalth Officer Libraries. The following estimates were approved by the Board: , Town Clerk $1925. Town Treasurer 1240. 139 Sealer of Weights & Measures $520. Cemetery Commissioners: Estimates Munroe Cemetery 1600. Westview Cemetery 1000. Mr. Gilcreast reported in regard to the investigation relative to the street lights having been reduced in Needham that he talked with the Needham Town Engineer and intended to talk with Mr. Cosgrove, but owing to his illness he was unable to talk with him. He recommended, however, that he Street and the Town Engineer and one other citizen be assigned the lights. work of viewing the lights in the town, and that the expense of gasoline or other expense be horned by the Town. The Chairman was to appoint the other citizen. The Board approved of this arrangement and voted that Mr. Gilcreast's recommendation be carried out as suggested by him. The Building Inspector came before the Board relative to the application of Mr. O'Connell to change over the second story of his building at 1775 Mass. Avenue. He stated that he received opinion from the Town Counsel that the proposed changes were not structural changes. He also read former opinion received from the Town Counsel in regard to detached dwellings . He stated also that the building O'Connel. was strong enough in his mind to stand making the change block. S inasmuch as in times past there were a large number of people in the rooms when it was used as a hall. Mr. Ferguson stated in his mind he considered this a structural change. He also felt that if partitions are put in they should require additional strength. He felt that twenty pounds to a square foot of strength should be required. The Building Inspector stated that he would grant the permit as far as the Building Laws were concerned if the Board decided that this is not a structural change. Mr. Gilereast felt that it was not a structural change and suggested that the Board vote to instruct the Building Inspector that the Board did not condider this request for a change in the 2nd floor of the building at 1775 Mass. Avenue a structural change. Edward W. Taylor, Chief of the Fire Department, came before the Board relative to his appropriation for 1933. He presented estimate of 839,002.00 for the maintenance of the department. He explained that he would like to put on Fire additional men inasmuch as the department is short handed, but Dept. knowing that he must keep expenses down he added on enough estimate to take card of eight additional call men which would bring the crew back to the regular number. There were also three other projects which he felt . should be attended to, namely installing underground cable from Box 212 at the Russell House at the end of the present underground to the East Lexington Fire Station. The cable was estimated to cost $2700. by Mr. L. W. Bills. It was felt, however, that $500. being labor, could be done by the Unemployed therefore making the cost $2200. An'additional 140 c., estimate of $900.00 was received to extend the cable to the Arlington line from the East Lexington Engine House. He also suggested installing ten new fire alarm boxes to replace the old ones now in operation, estimated cost of which would be $1250. He suggested changing the whistel from therear of Fire Dept the Town Hall Building to the Fire Station is it is Budget intended that there will not be a new central fire station for some time to come. He stated that the whistle now freezes up, and owing to the fact that they must depend on call men they must have a whistle to call the men when they are at work in different parts of the Town. He stated that of the three projects that the least important was the whistle. There has been nothing done relative to installing new boxes for some time and he felt that the work should be started. In regard to the cables he felt that when this work is done there would be a considerable saving in the maintenance of the fire alarm wires. The Board voted to approve the appropriation of $39,000 for the department, and to lay the other matters over for one week. The Chairman reported that Mr. Hayward of Oak St. consulted with him in regard to the work and he is now Eng. Dept. at work with a crew on the territory between Maple and Lowell Streets. Roger Williams and he are to work four days each week to be paid from the Unemployment Relief Fund. The Chairman called attention to the fact that if the bill of R. H. Stevens on the Wood Street account Stevens is paid there will not be but $40. left. It was there- bill fore decided to hold out the bill until some of the money comes in. Bill amounted to $300. Mr. Gilcreast reported that he would visit Mr. Howard of the Old Age Assistance Bureau at the State House to Insurance, endeavor to find out what the policy of that department old age will be in regard to cases like the case of Mr. and Mrs. cases Meehan where the amount paid for insurance is 55j and 600 respectively. The amount of insurance is small and would be hardly enough for burial of each of these persons, although the amount being paid by them exceeds 50j per week allowed for insurance. The Chairman reported that Mr. Cain of Follen Road stated that he intended to come before the Board, but Mr. Cain, decided later not to, to complain about the work the town Follen Rd. was doing on Follen Road in building the wall. well. He stated that he felt that the Town was taking his land, that he did not want the wall, he wanted the place to look country like, and he felt that the town was creating a damage. He wanted the wall taken down and II the work held up until next spring. 141 Attention was called to the many accidents that occur on Waltham Street near Ryder's place. It was felt Waltham that some investigation should be made as to the condition Street of the road. The Chairman reported that owing to the illness of the Town Engineer and the Supt. of the Water and Sewer Sewer Dept. he called off the meeting with the Town Couhsel District and Senator Cotton, to discuss the bill relative to extension of the sewer district in the town. Mr. Mitchell reported that Miss Kirkland, the Librarian, complained about the fact that Mr. Tebbetts on the unemployed Man for who was assigned to her, is not neat enough and she would Library. prefer to have someone else put in his place. Last summer she was pleased with the work done by Mr. Samih.el Wellington and it was decided to change and put in Mr. Wellington at the Library. Application was received from Carl B. Jones, corner of Maple and Lowell Streets. Mr. Jones has previously Jones received aid from the Town. He was a soldier and entitled to Soldiers ' Relief. He has not paid his rent of $10;00 per month to Howard Munroe, landlord, for one year. He has not registered his car. It was decided to give him three days on the unemploy- ment relief rather than give him Soldiers ' Relief. Application was received from Bruno Doiron of Webb Street. His rent is $20. per month. He has one daughter who receives an average of $10. per week and another daughter Dolton who works in McLellan's. Mr. O 'Connell stated that the man was very worthy, but it was felt on account of the man 's age and condition that his son should work two days a week for him and the money to be given to his father. Mrs. Mulvey desired to have the rent for William J. Hanna paid for the house at 18 Vine Street. The rent is Hanna $20. It was decided to allow $6. for food and to pay $5. Toward the rent. Mr. Mitchell reported having visited Mr. Joseph Iovino of James Street . He found that the man did not have any hens. The hens were kept by his son. However, Iovino he received a report from Mr. Burnham as to the earnings of the couple, but not being able to understand the man he asked him to come down to the office and talk with him. Mr. Iovino has not as yet done so. Therefore it was decided to pass up the application. In regard to the application of Mr. MacDougall, the Agent checked up with A. G. Davis Ice Co. and they stated MacDougall that they would call Mr. MacDougall back as soon as they had any work for him to do. The last rent receipt showed that he paid $9. onthe October rent. He came to Lexington 142 01 because he had a job here and not because he was looking for work here. The case has a Boston settlement. It was decided to give him four days a week work. The Agent visited the Ingram family and the man is Ingram now at home but in very poor condition. He arranged with Mr. Manley to pay the rent and also to give the family food, but he finds now that the man has been put on a strict diet and will need extra food. In regard to the application of Henry Fisher, further information was supplied that the money which was paid to Mrs. Fisher for an accident was paid three years ago and Fisher the greater part of it was spent for hospital and doctor's bills. The man' s car is registered up to March 1st. He worked for the Ellis Co. and desired to have his car available if called for work. He pays $45. per month rent and his daughter is paying $15. per month rent and taking care of her own food. It was felt that the man should endeavor to get cheaper rent and also that he should not have his car registered. In regard to Alexander Petit, the Agent reported that Petit he rents two roams and pays $3. per week for the rooms. It was felt that one day would take care of his food and he might earn enough to pay the rent from himself. Mr. Manuel Moniz requested an additional day and it Moniz was decided not to grant the request. Application was received from Oilver J. McLean who now lives at the corner of Lowell and North Streets with his sister, Mrs. Thompson. There is a wife and three McLean children in the family and from all evidence it appeared to be a Medford or a Woburn case. He was only able to pick up a few small jobs from Mr. Ryder. This application was laid over for one week. In regard to the application of Alfred J. Lee, 5 Lake Street, he is married and has his wife living with him at Lee his father's house. There are two others in the family besides the father, one daughter earning $18. per week at the Loose Wiles Biscuit Co. It was decided to give him two days on the Welfare Dept . George F. Cogswell of Hibbert Street requested an Cogswell additional day but it was decided not to grant the same. Donato Pierro requested an additional day inasmuch Pierro as he stated that he was now deprived of $5. per week from one of his daughters. He has a wife and five children. It was decided not to take any action on this case. In regard to the application of Simon Latter for LattQ, one day, Mr. Latter stated that Daniel Buckley who formerly boarded with him has now left him and he felt that he needed an extra day. It was decided to give him three days instead of two. 143 The Agent reported that he received application from the Cole family who live across from the Ingram family. Mrs. Cole 's daughter works at the Lawrence ' s Hardware Cole Store and one daughter is a telephone operator. There are three boys out of work. Upon investigation, however, Mrs. Cole stated that she did not want any assistance at this time. Application was received from Onel Defelice, Hinchey Defelice Road. No aid was given. In regard to the application of Gustaf Julin, Mr. Mitchell informed him that he would have to make arrangements Julin with the Co-operative Bank to have his payments reduced before he could be given any assistance. Application was received from Edward L. Waite of Waite 68 Bow Street which has not been investigated. Warren Burgess who is now living with the William Hawley family on Cedar Street, has now applied for assist- Burgess anee. He has been living with his father, in Hopkington, who is being aided by the Welfare Dept . there. It was decided not to give any aid at the present time believing that he might go to live with his father. In regard to the application of Joseph R. Walker who lives at Nickerson' s on Forest Street, the Agent was Walker requested to consult with Mr. Hallie C. Blake as to why the man got through working for him after he had been employed there seven years. Mr. Mitchell reported that Mr. Joseph Perry who was Perry aided in August and lived at Hugh Maguire's on Wood Street, it now off the list. Mr. William Aquaro came before the Board. He now is working three drys and he was informed he would have to get rid of his car. He stated that the car has only cost him $3. for the registration; that a man by the name of Mr. Ellis in Belmont has taken care of the insurance for him and has not charged him for it as yet. He stated that last year he paid his insurance in installments to Mr. Willard Hill. Upon questionin., it was found that Mr. Aquaro earns about .15. per month from his tailoring Aquaro business. He stated that if he did not base the car he would probably loose these customers. He stated that there were other people who were operating cars and receiving aid from the Town and he felt that he was only asking for a fair proposition. Furthermore, he would not come to the Town for work if he could earn money enough from his own profession. His son who is now of age, is only earning about $2.50 per week and he felt that he was at least entitled to $.50 for himself. He stated that he was supposed to receive $30. per month rent for his upstairs apartment, but the man who lives in the house 144 U' C, has been reduced to about $15. or $15. per week and he has not been able to pay the rent. His daughter is not now earning anything. His payments at the bank have been reduced to $33. per month. After Mr. %quern retired, the matter was discussed and it was decided to notify him in writing that he would have to get rid of his car before further aid could be granted to him. The meeting adjourned at 11:25 P.M. A true record, Attest: Clerk. I