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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-02-28 187 SELECTMEN'S MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 1933. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at the Selectman's Office, Town Office Building, at 7:30 P.M., February 28, 1933. Messrs. Trask, Custance, Gilcreast, Ferguson and O'Connell were present. The Supt. of Public Works and the Clerk were also present. The Chairman explained that some of the local then desired toform a fish and game association in the town Estabrook and requested the ,use of Estabrook Hall on Monday, March 6, Hall. 1933 at 8 P.M. It was voted to grant the use of the hail for this purpose. Request was received from the Girl Scouts for permission Girl to use Cary Memorial Hall on March 24th at the reduced rate. Scouts It was voted to grant them the use of the Hall for $15, the minimum charge. It was voted to lay the matter of decision on the Fogg Fogg Piggery on the table for one week. Piggery The Board signed the order for the layout of Winter Winter Street from Bedford Street a distance of 360 feet. Street ' The Chairman reported that Mr. James Trtaran living at the corner of Mass. Avenue and Tower Street Called him in reference to the Board's offer bf settlement of $35. for Truran ceilings alleged to have been cracked by the blasting on ceilings Tower Street when the sewer was installed in that street. He stated that he tried to find someone who would repair the ceilings for $35. and was unable to do so, and asked that the Board reconsider their offer. The Board reconsidered their previous offer, and decided to let the matter remain as previously decided. Mrs. J. Odin Tilton made request that a shade be placed on the electric light located on Massachusetts Avenue Street opposite the Glidden house. It was voted to authorize the light, Supt. of Public Works to have the shade placed on this light. shade. Notice was received from the State Department of Health in which they stated that pasteurized milk has as much food Raw value as raw milk. They also enclosed circular giving Milk further information in regard to the matter. The Clefrk reported that no report has been received Road from the Planning Board relative to the proposed road from from Winchester to Lexington. It was decided to request the Winchester Planning Board to make their report as soon as possible so that the lines of the road might be laid down. 188 al Cgml Can Hearing was declared open upon the application of Garage Roy MacLaggan for permission to maintain a garage on lots hearing 42 and 43 Gleason Road. Mr. Z. E. Cliffe was present and explained where he intended to place the garage. No persons were present and it was voted to grant the permit. The Chairman brought up the question as to Whether or not a release should be taken from Mr. Wood, owner of Winter the land where Winter Street is to be relocated. It was Street felt that this perhaps should be handled in the same manner than any other street acceptance is handled, and should be explained to the town meeting that no damages are awarded and no betterments assessed. Letter was received from Dr. Hardcastle, Town Physician, in which he stated he did not believe that Selon A. Cook • Mr. Cook, would be able to return to active duty on the Fire Depart- Pension ment. When he !Wade the examination Mr. Cook was very ill and he could only make a superficial examination. It was therefore voted to place Mr. Cook on a pension from active duty of the Fire Department. Letter waa received from the Supt. of Public Works in Moth which he stated that the water and telephone at the Park Supt. Department Cottage occupied by the Supt. were paid for by the Town, and the electric light bill for the cottage was paid by Mr. Garrity. The Chairman reported that he talked with Mr. Garrity about accepting the position of Supt. Moth Department and he was willing to accept the position. If, however, he gave up the money he received as call man of the Fire Dept. he would only have a gain of $100. if he was given $250. for the position of Moth Supt. He also called attention to the fact that although it was possible to improve the cottage thiw past year, for fifteen years it was hardly livable. Also his wife, without extra charge, takes care of the toilet facilities provided on the park grounds for the public. The-Chairman therefore recommended that Mr. Garrity be paid $250. in addition to the pay for call fireman, and that he be paid at the rate of $300.per year for the position of Moth Supt. At 8 P.M. hearing was declared open by the Board, acting as a Board of Survey, on the application of Halite Bd. of C. Blake and the First National Bank of Boston for approval Survey of plans showing rights of way on plan entitled "Plan of approval. Land at Lexington Park, Lexington, Mass. ,dtttdd. February 7, 1933, made by Ernest W. Branch, C. E.", No one appeared in favor of the application. No one appeared against. The Town Engineer presented plan which included the changes suggested by him, and reported that the Planning Board approved this plan. The Board therefor voted to approve the plan entitled, "Plan and Profile of Proposed Street, Lexington, Mass. Vertical Scale - 4 feet to an inch, Horizontal scale - 40 feet to an inch, Feb. Z, 1933, ErnestW. Branch, Civil Engineer, 11 Adams Building, Quincy." 189 Plan of Highway Takings and list of names from whom Concord land is to be taken"for the lay out of Concord Avenue was Avenue received from the Town Clerk's Office. List of Outstanding Water rates was presented to the Board. Some of the persons owing money for water rates ire on the Ux emplOyed and Welfare Listand it was decided to allow these persons to work extra time to work out the Water water bills, 'Ibut the money is to be paid direct to the Rates Water Departfent. In regard to the other delinquents, it was decided to .request Mr. Ross to have personal calls madeat this time when the members of the department are f*t particularly busy, and to have the calls repeated each weak until the bills are cleaned up. Tie_ Tow Engineer and Supt. of Water and Sewer Depart- ment came before the Board to discuss the matter of sewer rentals. Mr. Rosa previously presented list of towns that had a sewer rental charge. Mr. Custance stated that Sewer he felt that a rental charge should be made inasmuch as Rentals. it would be a great many years before the Town would be sewered sufficiently to bring in revenue to maintain the sewers. He did not believe that the charge was such a difficult thing to collect. Figures were reviewed on the cost of the maintenance of the sewers and the return from rental. The question as to whether the rental charge should be changed was discussed, and it was suggested that a payment of $100. sewer rental charge might be made before the work was done of entering the sewer. Mr. Rosa called attention to the charge to Mrs. Wilson, owner of the brick block on Mass. Avenue, where the Partridge Food Shop and other stores are located, of $88. for six• months for sewer rental inasmuch as it is based upon the charge of 25% of the water bytes. In cases of this kind this did not seem ,just. Mr. Cosgrove suggested that the Planning Bow-id in discussing the matter figured out that a charge of about $13. on each house should be made. He suggested that it might be figured the same way highway construction is figured. After the discussion, Mr. Custance offered a motion that the Board proceed to establish a flat rate for sewer rentals. Later his motion was withdrawn and the motion of Mr. Ferguson that further 'investigation of flat rate and other methods of sewer rentals be made, was passed. After discussing this matter, the subject of trunk line sewer was discussed. The appropriation Committee did not Trunk approve of the appropriation to make a start on the sewer from line the Arlington line to Bow Street. After discussion of the sewer matter it was decided that the Board would ask the town to appropriate $20,000. for sewer construction so that the work on the trunk line sewer could be started. 190 01 v can 1-c Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works in which he called attention to the accident to hydrant on Bedford Street opposite the Johnson's garage which was run Watt into by Doris Watt, daughter of Robert Watt: Mr. Watt Hydrant reported to the Supt. that he was unable to pay for same as Accident he carries no property damage insurange. His car was also wrecked byond repair. After discussing the matter it was decided to notify Mr. Watt that the Board' felt he should pay for the damage to the town hydrant amounting to $48.65. Letter was also received from the Supt. of Public Works in which he called attention to the accident to hydrant opposite Pleasant Street in Mass. Avenue broken by an 011sen automobile driven by Dana 011sen of Arlington. He also Hydrant quoted letter of the Town Counsel relative to his talk accident with the Globe Indemnity Ins . Co. who offered to settle on a 50% basis. After considering the matter the Board felt that they should bring suit against the Globe Indemnity Co. to recover the damages, and so instructed the Supt. of Public Works. The Supt. of Public Works presented report of Garbiel Bruce' relative to the lights of glass that were broken by the blasting near the house of Mr. Baoigaloupo on Wood Street. Blasting The matter was discussed in connection with the bill of damages. Walter G. Black in the amount of $29.80 for replacing these and other lights of glassin the house. It was decided to notify Mr. Bacigiloupo that the Board would pay for the five lights broken by the Town, and to ask Mr. Black to send in bill for the five lights. The Chairman reported that he did not believe that the various departments could run on their appropriations if some curtailment was not made and he suggested placing ill Four Day the laborers on a four day basis from now until. April 1st. Week. It was therefor voted that the laborers on the water, sewer, highway, park and moth departments be placed on a four day week basis, until April 1st. Mr. Custance felt that a study should be made of the older men on the depart- ments who were now practically unable to work. The Supt. of Public Works reported that it would .net cost a great deal to make the changes necessary on the pole in front of Miss Katherine Harrington!s house to place the Poles on Edison wires underground on the pole on Clarke Street, but Mass. Ave. it would be costly to change over the wires to the traffic signal lights, and he would not have the funds to do so. It was therefore decided to notify Miss Harrington that it would not be possible to make this change without the funds. The Supt. of Public Works was requested to get further Tractor. information in regard to a tractor for the highway 4iepart- ment. 191 The Chief of Police came before the Board in regard to II the conduct of Officer Knapp. He stated that Officer Knapp has been in the department seven years being appointed on Jan. 5, 1926, the same time officer Lima was appointed. Knapp has been a very capable officer. He would not say that he would not take a drink. Officer Neal informed him that three weeks ago Saturday night they were called down to Knapp's house and they were met at the door by Mrs. Knapp, who had a discolored eye, and she told him that her husband assaulted her. Neal claims that he was not under the influence of liquor. Neal informed her that the proper procedure was for her to make a complaint in Court if she wished to. The Chief stated that he had had no trouble with Knapp. He had to speak to him about the escapade at the Police Old Belfry Club two or three years ago. He also spoke to Officer him about the smoking while on duty in Cary Memorial Hall. Knapp When Knapp came here he was only 21 years old and he felt that he did not have the experience of an older person. He has heard things about Knapp told to him by others, but he had not seen him taking a drink in uniform. The Chief felt that the Board should write him a letter requesting a reprimand of the officer for his conduct at his home. The Chief knew of no other instances relative to Knapp in connection with his neglect of duty. The Chief stated that no report of the incident was recorded in the Journal of the Police Dept. The Chief stated that he understood that $happ's father and mother reprimanded him for his actions. It was voted that the Chairman send a letter to the Chief telling him that complaints have been received in reference to Knapp and requesting him to express to Knapp in very certain terms the feelings of the Board. In regard to the Soldiers ' Relief case of Clarence W. Burgess of 43 Grant Street, Mr. Mitchell reported that he talked with Prank Burke, his landlord, and he agreed to reduce the rent $10. per month. Burgess Mr. Mitchell figures the needs of the family amounted case. to $15. a week. The Board voted to grant an allowance of $15. a week and suggested that Mr. Burgess be requested to work for the amount given. In regard to the application of William J. Hall, no Hall action was taken. The man received $18. per month compensation and he would be entitled to apply for State Aid. Application was received from John Keneally of 373 Mass. Avenue. Some of the members of the Board were of the opinion that this mat had some work and also that he had an auto- Keneally mobile. IIThe Agett was to get further information in regard to the case. 192Cad In regard to William McLean, of North Street, brother of Oliver McLean, Mr. Mitchell talked with John Lamont and McLean was informed by him that he thought as soon as the weather was good, he could put both him and his brother to work. The family is now getting $9. a week assistance. Mr. Mitchell recommended that they be given one more day and it was so voted. In regard to the application of George W. Wilkinson who lived with Jesse Meadows, Mr. Mitchell reported that be had gone back to live with his folks, and application bad Wilkinson been received from Mr. William T. Wilkinson, his father. He checked up on the mortgage of the house and found that there was an Arlington Co-operative Bank mortgage of $3100 which has been refinanced and the assessed value of the property is $3000. The mortgage payments are now in arrears. There are three children and his wife in the family at home. Mr. Mitchell recommended three days and that the son be put to work in place of the father, and it was voted to allow three days in this case. In regard to the application of Jesse Meadows, the man owns a truck but he has not been able to register it this year and what help he has been getting was from his Meadows sister in Arlington whose husband's salary is now reduced so that he cannot get any further help from this source. He lives at 853 Mass. Avenue in a house owned by Pichette and Ahearn, and is supposed to pay $25. a month rent. It was voted to allow three days in this case. Alexander Cameron of 66 Carville Avenue made application to have his name placed on file to be recommended for work Cameron by the State. The application was laid on the table inas- much as the Board did not believe that this family needed assistance at the present time inasmuch as the father is employed. In regard to the application of Paul L. Callahan of Callahan 8 Fletcher Avenue, Mr. Mitchell recommended three days in this case, and it was so voted. In regard to the application of Peter Palermo, who lives with his father-in-law, Leo Dattoli, the Agent reported Palermo having checked up with the Co-operative Bank and found that and the mortgage had been reduced to $2800. Ir originally Was Dattoli $4600. They are two months in arrears in the mortgage payments. Mr. Dattoli's family consists of his wife and himself and one son, 24 years old with whom Peter Palermo, his wife and one child are living . The son, with his wife and four children, live in part of the house and are supposed to pay rent, but are now back in their payments. Mr. Dattoli is now working three days and he is quite feeble. It was therefore decided to have Peter Palermo work four days and that the aid be rendered to Mr. Dattoli. 193 In regard to the application of Domenico Piezi of Westview Street, the man is a naturalized citizen and lives Piezi with D. Nastino, his father-inJ.law, who has a mortgage in his property of *3000. taxes unpaid. He is supposed to pay $15. a month for two rooms. Mr. Mitchell recommended two days in this case, and it wqs so voted. In regard to the application of Hedley M. Maxner, the father now applied for welfare assistance inasmuch as he is not a citizen. Mr. Mitchell tilked with Mr. Partridge, the landlord, in regard to the family, and he stated that they have had good intentions in his experience with them, and Maxner paid their rent when they could, They now, however, are in case arrears in the rent, and Mr. Partridge stated that he could not continue to allow them to live there without the rent being paid. There are five children at home. One boy works at the Jefferson Union, earning $12. a week; another boy works for Collins, the mover, occasionally. The Board here of the opinion'-that there was another son that worked at the Lexington Theatre, and Mr. Mitchell was requested to check up this matter before any action was taken on the ease. The Board informed the Agent that they have voted to Welfare allow persons who owe water bills to work extra time to work water out the water bills, but that the money was to be paid direct bills to the^water department. Mr. Mitchell called attention to the fact that Mr. Elmer A. Cushman worked two days for which he did not get Cushman paid and he desired to have the same credited to his water bill, and the Board agreed to have it credited in that manner. The meeting adjourned at 11:07 P.M. A true record, Attest:- Clerk.