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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-02-21 178 C) SELECTMEN'S MEETING 1-11 FEBRUARY 21, 1933 ' A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on February 21, 1933 at 7:30 P.M. Messrs. Trask, Cu3tance, Gilcreast, Ferguson and O'Connell were present. The Supt. of Public Works and the Clerk were also present. Some time ago the American Legion made request for the use of Estabrook Hall for their meetings. Informally the Chairman was informed that they intended to have their Legion - meetings at the Catholic Club, therefore no further action Estabrook was taken. They now have started to use Estabrook Hall, Hall. and claimed that the Town voted to allow them the use of this hail free of charge. There is no record that the town voted this, and the Board therefore considered what charge should be made and also whether or not there should be any smoking. After discussing the matter, it was voted to make a charge of $3.00 each evening the hall is used and also not to allow smoking except in the smoking room. Hearing was declared open upon the Board's notice to lay out Winter Street from Bedford Street a distance of Winter St. approximately 360 feet over land of Henry J. Wood, et al. Lay Out. Mr. Wood being a resident of California, did not appear. 'No other persons appeared. The Town Engineer_ presented plan showing the lay out and the Board voted to pass an order to lay out the street. At 7:55 P.M. hearing was declared open upon the application of Constantino Alberto for permission to erect a two car garage at the corner of Simonds Road and Alberto Harding Road. Letter was received from Grace M. Flan. Garage Steenburgh of 45 Harding Road stating that she had no objection. Mr. Alberto appeared but did not present sufficient plans. He was informed that he should consult with the Building Inspector relative to the proper plans before the Board would grant the permit. The Clerk reported that Mr. Alanson A. Barker made Barker, application for additional Old Age Assistance. He felt Old Age. that he should have at least $1.00 more. He pays $3. for his board and when he pays for his laundry he has only about $2. for himself. The Board, after considering the request, decided not to grant any increase. Pasteurization of milk license was granted to Patrick Milk Shanahan of 60 Pleasant Street. The Inspector reported icense. the place in clean condition and in compliance with the law. Garbage Transportation of garbage permits were granted to licenses George S. Neville of Wood Street and Dennis J. Kelley of Bedford, Mass. r 179 Bill of $29.80 of Walter G. Black for work done on II house of Andrew Bacigaloupo of Wood Street was presented to the Board.. The Supt. of Public Works sent this bill Baciga- back to Mr. Andrew Bacigaloupo and denied any responsibility loupo on account of the broken glass because the house was too bill - far away from the place of blasting. Mr. Black sent the Walter bill to the Board. The Supt. was to inform him that it Black. was not a tier for the town to attend to. Notice of a hearing on proposed amendments to Section Civil Ser- 3 of Civil ervice Rule 7 was received by the Board. vice hear- ing, The C irman reported that the Chief of the Fire Department nformBd him that Capt. Solon A. Cook was ill Fire and had a h art ailment that his physician states will Pension, prevent him from returning to active duty, and the Chief Cook. asked that . Cook be pensioned on half pay. The Bo d agreed to place Mr. Cook on a pension provided a medical certificate by a physician appointed by the Chairmar, is filed to the effect that Mr. Cook is dis- abled. The Bo rd discussed the matter of applicants for the position of Moth Superintendent and whether or not they would conso idate the position and have the work done by the Park De artment. It was finally voted that the duties II formerly pe formed by the Tree Warden and the Moth Dept. be performe by the Park Department. The matter of compensatio to the Supt. of the Park Department for the Moth additional ork was also discussed. Mr. Custance made Supt. the suggest on that $250. additional be paid. Mr. Garrity also gets $ 25. as call man of the fire department. -ie-- (A- was suggest d that he might give up his position as call man. The tter was left with the Chairman to take up with Mr. Ga city and report to the Board in one week. The Supt. o Public Works was also requested to check up on whether r not the town pays for the light, telephone and water f r Mr. Garrity. In regard to the Vine Brook Drainage proposition, Mr. Custanee suggested that he might have a land-scape Vine architect work with him on the propesition. Mr. Trask Brook. suggested that Mr. Roger Greeley's son might be willing to serve, b t he felt that the general plan should be made first and presented to the Board before the landscape man is requested to do any work. Mr. Ferguson inquired whether or not the bids for Gravel gravel and sand have as yet been requested. The Supt. and sand. stated that he does not request the bids until March. IIThe Chairman of the Board of Appeals reported that their Board made a decision not to grant the petition of Burrill William L. Burrill for permission to have a service station, gasoline tanks, and range oil at 127 Bedford St. , Lexington. 1 184 The Board considered the Health Regulations which Health were revised and drawn up by the Committee appointed by the Regula- Board and voted to adopt the regulations and have the same tions printed after the approval of the Town Cousal is received. The matter of whether or not the Board grants the right to install gasoline tanks was discussed. Mr. Ferguson read sections of the regulations of the Fire Gasoline Prevention Commission relative to gasoline permits. It Tanks. was then decided to write the Town Counsel to ask whether or not the exercise of the power is in granting a permit for a filling station or installing tanks independent of the building inspector. Mr. Benjamin Santosuosso, Jr. came before the Board. Santosuosso He stated that he would like to get some work; that his case. fathbr-informed him that he could not stay in the house unless he paid board and he had been everywhere and bad not been able to obtain any work. The Board informed him that there was no work on the Town Departments, but if aid was necessary it was given to the head of the family. The Board informed him that they had taken up with his father the matter of aid to the family and they had made their decision according to what they felt was proper for the family. No further action was taken. Mr. Mitchell stated that he desired to lay over the applications of Clarence W. Burgess and William J. Hall for Burgess Soldiers Relief until he had an opportunity to get the schedule from the City of Medford as to the amount paid for Soldiers Relief. In regard to the application of Joseph S. Harris Of Harris Concord Avenue, Mr. Mitchell reported a Somerville settle- ment. He recommended that Mr. Harris be given another day and it was so voted. He is now getting $9. a week. Alfred J. Lee of Lake Street who has a wife and one child and is now getting two days a week, asked for another day inasmuch as he stated that he would be put out of the house if he did not pay more money in. Lee It was felt that he was a part owner in the home and that he could not be put out and no further action was taken to give him any $ore time inasmuch as he has a sister who is working full time. In regard to the application of Frank Johansen who Johansen. lives in the Mulvey block and who is being aided to *6. a week, Mr. Mitchell reported it as a Bedford case and felt that he needed additional aid to take care of his rent. It was voted to give him three days,. 181 Application was received from Paul L. Callahan, who formerly worked for the Water Department. He is married and has two children and lives upstairs in the house of his father. At one time he worked for the National Meter Callahan Co. which is now shut down. He has no car and he does not know wh n he will return to work. He owes a milk and grocery bill. The ma Is father is a foreman on the Water Dept. and Mr. Mitchel was instructed to investigate further and report to t e Board. In reg rd to Felix Blume of 12 Fern Street, 'he has been out of work for 8 months. He has lived in Lexington for 13 year and is a United States citizens The house is Blume mortgaged d he pays $25. a month interest and principal. This has be n cut down to $1300 at the present time. He went there o call, but found no one home. The family consists of wife and one child, 11 years old. Mr. Mi chell recommended three days and it was so voted. Applic tion was received from Hedley M. Maxner of 20 Muzzey S reet. The father has his first papers out. One son wor ing turns in $12. a week. They are two months Magner back in their rent. It was decided to let the father make application for the family. Application for assistance was received from Mrs. Mary III Ferry, 20 C dar Street. She has a house mortgaged in the Lexington S vings Bank for $700. Her daughter gets $.80 a day worki for her sister, Mrs. Frank Perkins, taking care of the children. Another daughter, Mrs. O'Dowd, lives Ferry with her an her husband is living with his father in Bedford. he neighbors have been very kind to her and have given r food. The Cl rk suggested it might be that there are sufficient funds in th Bridge Fund to assist her. It was decided to look into t is matter. Applic tion was received from John Bass, who had been injured by stabbing affray near the corner of Bow Street, some time a o. Mr. Of onnell stated that he offered to settle with Mr. Bass fo the hospital and medical bills amounting to Bass approximate_y $1000. so that Vido Vidette might not be in prison f >r a year, but Baas refused to make a settlement. It was decided that if the family needed any assistance application should be made through the father. In reg rd to the application of Sidney S. Jones of Lowell Stre t, Mr. Mitchell reported that he was obtaining Jones sufficient _ ent from his house and that one of his sons was working so that no assistance could be rendered to him. 182 Application was received from George W. Wilkinson, Wilkinson who lives with his brother-in-law, Jesse Meadows. The man is single, 23 years old. It was decided that if the father needed assistance, that he should apply and the boy might be able to work out the aid given to the family. In regard to John F. Heaney, the bank has agreed to revise the payments for him, but Mr. Mitchell felt that he Heaney would lose his property, however. He has been using the money which he got from rent from the second house to provide himself with food. He has a family of wife, himself, and three children. Mr. Mitchell recommended three days and it was so voted. In regard to Peter Palermo who again applied for Palermo assistance, Mr. Mitchell was to aee his father-in-law Mr. Dattoli, and find out what -the situation was in the home. Application was received from William William McLean, McLean Lowell Street, who was a carpenter and a single man, who owns a car. No action was taken. Howes Application was received from Allen George Howes of 11 Fletcher Avenue. Mr. Mitchell was to investigate the case further. Mr. Mitchell reported that Kenneth Littlewood has not Littlewood been paying his rent out of the allowance given him. Neighter had he been working full time for his allowance. Therefore, the allowance was cut down and he only received money for the time which he worked. In regard to Alexiva Smith who has been put on the Smith pay roll again, it was felt that as long as Mr. Lacey, who is living at his home and is a single man, is receiving two days, Mr. Smith should be given two days instead of three. Joint hearing of the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Appeals was declared open on the application of William L. Burrill for a permit for a gasoline station and service garage and to install two tanks of 2000 gallon capacity each for gasoline and 1000 gallon tank for range oil on his property at 127 Bedford Street. Mr. Baldrey, Clerk of the Board of Appeals, read the notice of the Board of Appeals hearing. The Chairman read the notice of the hearing of the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Bur#i11 stated that this was a return engagement of the hearing of January 10th, after which hearing he interviewed the Board and was informed that the Board did not come to a vote. He requestedthat the petition filed at the previous hearing be read, and the Chairman read the heading and was requested by Mr. Roy Ferguson to read I 183 the names of the persons who signed it. He stated that II his purpose was to-emphasize the fact that a great many of the people who live on both sides of the station and within close proximity of the proposed station are without question in favor of the proposition, and he did not think that at the last hearing that fact was emphasized. W. Burrill stated that there is no place where a man could run his car in and obtain service for small repairs and that they could if a two-car garage was located in the vicinity. He also stated that he felt that those who signed the petition were not "yes" or "no" men. He called attention tp such signers as Robert H. White, Supt. of Streets in the Town for the past thirty years, the Chief of the Fire Dept., Edward W. Taylor, and several others who have signed his application. As far as the status of the neighborhood was concerned, he did not see how it could be impaired when across the street they have a coal yard. On the north side there is a brook around which has grown up brush an weeds and on the south side is the public Works property. He explained that he knew something about the development of North Lexington because he was instrumental in holding rid selling the property which is now the Lexington Manor prope ty, and he felt the development would have been a better de elopment if they had had the right trustee. Mr. Ma dison inquired as to what would be done at the propose station that could not be done at the other I station. Burrill Mr. Burrill explained that they had this service in the Garage various ends of the Town where a person could drive In under Hearing. cover and this building would allow them to drive in under cover while repairs were being done and this they could not to at the station at North Lexington. This building would be set back at least 46 feet from the street, and he felt that the citizens were entitled to service that they requested. As far as the status of the neighborhood is concerned, they have manure unloaded across the street from the propeae3 station and he felt that if this were allowed, that certainly a gasoline station would not impair the stabs of the neighborhood. He explained at length about his connection with the Board of Health and the handling of manure in tie Town, also court decision in regard to the handling of manure. Mr. Maddison read a letter that he received from the Home Finance Co. in which they stated that they had no objection to granting Mr. Burrill a permit. Mk.. rill stated that the citizens knew that he would not erect hang on his premises that would be objectionable to gnybody4 He felt, also, that the street would be lighted up better a this point if the filling station were in there and he 41so called attention to the fact that he had trees on his Pro rty that when leaved out, you could not see the II houses in b e back. Mr. ons stated that he wanted to call attention to the fact t t the majority of the citizens in the Manor development wanted service that they could get now, and were in favor of the permit. 184 Mr. Abbott stated that when the majority of the citizens in the section wanted thi permit granted, he did not see why the permit should be denied. It was stated that the petition represented about 80 or 90 per cent of the people in that section. Mr. Joseph A. Kelley called attention to the fact that the number of persons in favor of the petition ran"frem the railroad up to the Manor. Mr. Kelley also called attention to the fact that some men would be put to work if this build- ing were erected and two men would be put to work permanently within the next six months, and if everybody in the Town put two men to work there would be no unemployed. Mr. Norman Hooper stated that he had known Mr. Burrill since he came to Town and that he has always had the welfare of the Town at heart, and he felt that Mr. Burrill should be givdn an opportunity to make a sale or rental of his property. He called attention to the service of Mr. Burrill on the Board of Health and that he has tried to help the Town, and he should be compensated. He stated that he was in favor of the permit, as were the majority of citizens in the vicinity and he felt that they should get the service that they could get. Mr. Burrill called attention to his purchase of the land from the Town in the transaction which Mr. Custance carried out the layout of the street over the Dix property. Mr. Maddison inquired if they had any idea how many persons would have signed the petition if they thought that the Beacon Oil Co. or some other Oil Co. had asked them to sign it. Mr. Burrill called attention to the fact that he did not believe that the brick building at the Lexington Manor was a suitable place for a filling station and stated that he so felt when the building was being built and expressed his views. He also called attention to the type of development which he encouraged on Bedford and Hancock Streets which is an improvdment to this section, and he had no help from anyone in Town except Mr. William H. Ballard. Mr. Maddison stated at the previous hearing a great deal was said about the two men who would be put to work. Mr. Burrill stated that with him this was a burliness proposition and he bought the land mnd wanted to do some- thing with it, and if he could hire these two competent men to run the place, he would consider that he was lucky to get them inasmuch as everybody likes them. Mr. Emmons stated that he did think the two men were competent and that there was a real loss of service because the present employees are not allowed to give the service that these men used to give. Minor repairs were done for them prior to this time. Mr. Burbidge Itated that in regard to the service, he would often want somebody to come to the house and do some minor work on the car, and a station of this kind would give that service. He also felt that a station at this point would tend to slow up traffic which he felt was necessary I 185 at a place where a police officer was not kept so that the station might be a benefit to the section. He also II felt that t would not be objectionable in the neighborhood. Mr. E E. Taylor stated that he failed to see any objection o the service station there. He owns the prop- erty oppos'_'te and adjoining the Coal Company and while he did object to a filling station being located at the Smith property, he felt that this was a dangerous corner, but he did not feel that this location would be dangerous. He also called attention to the fact that he is away a great deal and felt satisfied that his wife would be- able to have the s rvice of the men at this station to start the car or do what ver was necessary. He understood that the proposed s ation would be approximately opposite the Coal Co. Office and he lived about 175 to 200 feet from the brook. Mr. Eugene Viano opposed the location of the station in this se tion, speaking for his father, Felix Viano, and felt that he Town had ample fillingstations and arses P g g to take ca e of the needs of the Town. He also called attention o the fact that no one signed the petition except Mr. White who lived on this side of Bedford Street and the ra lroad track and there are a great many names on the petition that did not abut on the property. He also called attention to the danger of the children and theta station would not add anything to the safety of the road. II He also called attention to the fact that the service given by a company owned station is better than that given by privately Owned persons. Mr. MCCormack stated that he was not in favor of the proposed station inasmuch as there is a station within Burrill 600 feet of the proposed station. He stated that from the rear of his house he could see the station and he did not Garage know of any trees that would hide it from view of his Hearing. rear windows and he felt that it would be an eyesore. He also stated t ted that about 90 per cent of the people who signed the petition were residents of Lexington Manor; also that this place would be open into the late hours of the night and he believed that if it were some Oil Co. that they would not get the signatures of these people. Mr, Brigham of Hillside Terrace stated that he lived back of where the station was proposed, and he came to Lexington with the idea of getting away from gasoline stations and he did not propose to be near any noise. He was unable to come to the previous hearing, but he wished tocsin. attention to the fact that on account of the traffic lights in the center of the Town, traffic is jammed on holiday$ in this location and he felt that a gasoline station would cause a great deal of congestion and a great deal of noise. He felt that the gasoline stations in East Lexington and Bedford were eyesores. II Mrs. McCormack spoke against the permit being granted. Mr. Harrill stated that Mr. McCormack lives on No. ck Street opposite Judge Northrup's house. He stated that he did havd a lot of trees in back of his property that would hide the station from the view of Mr, McCormack's place. 186 01 C) Mr. McCormack stated that he lived about 450 feet from the proposed station and he certainly did not see how the proposed gasoline station- would beautify the scenery. The hearing adjourned at nine o'clock. After considering the matter, Mr. Custance offered thee- motion that the permit be granted to William L. Burrill as far as the authority of the Selectmen goes. Mr. Gilcreast offered the motion that the matter be indefinitely postponed. Mr. Custances' motion was seconded and the Board voted on the motion, Mr. Custance and Mr. O'Connell voting in favor, and Mr. Gilcreast, Mr. Trask and Mr. Ferguson against the granting of the permit. The meeting adjourned at 11:15 P.M. A true record, Attest: Clerk. 1