HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-04-26 245
SELECTMEN'S MEETING
APRIL 26, 1933.
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held
at the Town Office Building, Selectmen ' s Room, on Tuesday,
April 25, 1933, at 7:30 P.M. Messrs. Trask, Ferguson,
Gilcreast, O'Connell and Lyons were present. The Clerk
was also present.
Abatements of Water Department in the amount of
$242.05 and the Sewer Department in the amount of $72.43
were signed by the Board.
Eugene J. Viano came before the Board relative to his
application for an overhanging sign to be placed in front
of his garage.
At a previous meeting the Board dedided to request
Mr. Viano to remove the sign advertising Pontiac-Buick
Service which he located very close to the Valentine
property, inasmuch as Mr. Valentine complained that the
sign kept his family awake nights by its illumination.
Mr. Viano stated that he had Mr. Valentine over to hips
property to show him that if he moved the sign away the required
number of feet, namely twenty, that it would be more trouble-
some to him then than in its present location. Mr. Viano
therdfor felt that if it were moved to about the middle of
his garage that it would be less objectionable to the Viano
Valentines and to the people on Vine Brook Road. He stated sign
that the sign should then be placed over the sidewalk to
give the desired results and he also stated that the sign
has already brought him business.
The Chairman informed Mr. Viano that it was the sign
itself that objection was raised to. Mr. Viano felt that
the sign was no larger than the Lexington Theatre sign except
that it had a pendant which made it appear larger than it
really was.
After discussing the matter it was voted to grant a
permit to Mr. Viano to have the sign approximately in the
middle of the garage on the street line and overhanging the
sidewalk.
Mr. Gilcreast and Mr. O'Connell voted against the
granting of the permit.
Bill in the amount of $7.50 was approved for membership Selectmen
in the Middlesex County Selectmen's Association. Assoc.
Letter was received from William D. Hagerty of 183
Bedford Street, Lexington, in which he stated that on
April 22, 1933, he broke an axel of his car on Bedford
Street where the sewer is being put in. He claimed the
amount of damage to his car was due hi*.
The Board discussed the matter and expressed a difference
of opinion as to whether the town was liable or not. The
Supt. of Public Works stated that the street was in passable
condition and was posted properly and he felt that the town
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was not liable. After discussing the matter, it was decided
to ask the opinion of the Town Counsel as to whether of+
not the town is liable.
Mr. Frederick A. Connor came before the Board and
Connor presented a petition signed by residents of the Farmhurst
beer section and vicinity requesting that Mr. Connor be given
lidense. a permit to sell beer. He operates a store for the sale
of groceries and also serves soft drinks. He desired to
sell bottle goods to be delivered to his customers if
necessary. Mr. Herrick also appeared with Mr. Connor
in the interest of obtaining the permit.
The Board voted to grant Mr. Connor a permit to sell
bottle goods, of wine and malt beverages.
Mr. John J. Dwyer came before the Board and requested
that he be given a permit to sell beer at his roadside
Dwyer stand and restaurant at the corner of Waltham Street and
Beer Marrett Road. The Board informed him that they would give
license. consideration to the matter.
It was felt, however, that if a permit were granted
to one roadside stand thatit would have to be granted to
othersand it was therefor voted not to grant Mr. Dwyer
a permit to sell beer.
Mr. William Aquaro of Rindge Avenue came before the
Board to explain about the case when he was recently brought
to Court for selling wine. He stated that there was no
Aquaro evidence presented by Officers Neal and Rycroft at Court
case. that there were any sales of liquor, and no persons had been
seen coming from his house under the influence of liquor.
He was fined $50. but appealed the case. He explained
that he had 26 bottles of beer and two batches of beer
that he was to bottle later. He stated that this was all
for his own use as he like to have the beer set for three
weeks.
No action was taken on the matter.
The Supt. of Public Works came before the Board and
presented letter recommending the purchase of a truck for
the highway department. The Chairman stated that the
Truck, department should have this additional truck so that the
Highway Park Department may have their truck. He stated that a
Dept. 12 ton Federal Truck with dump body would be bought for
$200, and the repairs and tires would cost $150. Mr. Barry
examined the truck and felt that the motor was in good
condition.
The Board authorized the Supt. of Public Works to
purchase the truck mentioned above.
Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works in
which he figured the drainage in Mass. Avenue opposite
Oak Street near and acfoss the Shea property to be $3000.
The cost of the drain near the Munroe Station carrying
surface water to the brook the Breck Property which is
plugged would cost $150 to free of obstructions.
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Estimate of the c st of labor and materials to construct
the drainage or Curve Street was placed at 4,625 by e Supt .
Some time ago the Board prothised to do this work, and it was
therefore felt that the work on the Curve Street proposition
should be authorized. The Board also authorized the Supt. Drainage
to secure permission from the owners of land near the Munroe
station to enter upon their land for the purpose of making
repairs to the drain in that vicinity. It was felt that
the proposition of drainage on Mass. Ave. near Oak Street
should be laid upon the table.
Letter was received from Hallie C. Blake calling attention
to the fact that the catch basin and pipe on Gleason Road
which was installed when Simonds Road was built , was clogged Gleason
up, and the water did not run from the catch basin. As a Road,
result Mr. Abell has a cellar almost filled with water, and drainage
he asked that something be done right away to relieve the
conditions.
As this is a private way, Mr. Blake was notified that
the Town was not responsible.
The Supt. of Public Works reported that considerable
work was being done at the Public Works Department, the sides
were cut and filled with loam, the circle in front was
surrounded with a curb. On the lower sides loam was taken Public
out and filling put in; the banking near Bedford Street was Works
cut down, improving the entrance.
Mr. Ferguson f elt that some of the men should clean
up the dump on the back of the Public Works property.
The Chairman instructed the Supt. of Public Works to Waltham
transfer some of the men who are working on Wood Street to Street
work on the Waltham Street sidewalk cons ruction. Sidewalk.
Mr. Ferguson suggested that the "No Costing" signs be Signs
taken down.
The Chairman read a letter received from the Arlington
Board of Public Works in which it was stated that, the State
Depat. of Public Works had called attention to the lack of Town
town line signs, and after checking up they found that signs Line
were needdd at Lowell Street at the Arlington-Lexington line; Signs
Westminster Avenue, at the Arlington-Lexington line; Appleton
Street at the Arlington-Lexington line and that the sign on
Mass. Avenue at the line is in need of painting. The price
they quoted was $17.50 for the two town signs and post. The
cost of installing would be additional.
The matter was left with the Chairman to make the best
deal possible with Arlington, and if our unemployed may be
used to do the work that would also assist in lowering the
cost. The Chairman was to agree to pay one half the cost.
The Supt. of Public Works reported that the bank line Trunk
sewer is filled with surface water and that water had to be Line
pumped into Vine Brook to keep it from flowing below in the Sewer
sewer. One man-hole cover on Bow Street, which weight abott
200 lbs. was raised up by the water two inches. This
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condition was caused by the excess of surface water down
through the meadows. He therefor felt that the trunk
line would be very necessary at an early date if surface
water donditions continue as at present.
It was voted to grant the following licenses:
Hairdressing - Helen E. Lawson —44 Reed St.
Anita G. Thivierge 1840 Mass. Ave.
Aline M. Thivierge 4 Waltham St.
Alcohol - Herbert M. Lawrence, 1777 Mass. Ave.
Waverly Hardware Do. ,1751 Mass. Ave.
Common Victuallers - Ernest R. & Mary A. Rowland,
Lowell Street
Mary Alice Tea Room, 259 Bedford St.
Licenses Hattie E.A.Peckham, 37 Hancock St.
Sarah Berman 22 Mass. Ave.
Inholders - Battle green Inn, (Annie Cohen)
1556 Mass. Ave.
Sunday Sales - Marie A. Miller (Miller ' s Poultry
Farm, ) Cor.Lincoln St. &
Marrett Road.
Pool Room - Franklin E. Barnard, 1764 Mass.Ave.
Pig Permit - Ernest K. Ballard good Street .
It was voted to lay the application of Saray Berman for
a Common Victuallers License on the table.
Notice of the Forestry Conference to be held May 8 to
Forestry 20th at the Mass. State College was received. The coat
Convention. of attending the conference would be $25. for two weeks.
No action was taken on requesting anyone to attend.
Letter was reeeived from the Town Counsel in which he
( Chap. 99, called attention to Chapter 99 of the Acts of 1933 which
1933. permits the payment of taxes in advance. This Act is
different than most Acts insofar as it becomes effective
upon acceptance by the Board of Selectmen.
The Board considered the Act and voted to accept it.
Letter was received from the Wire Inspector in which
he explained the extensive duties of the department and
Wire stating that he did not feel that a cut in salary of $325.
Inspector. was justified. He explained that the work in new
buildings is only a small part of his work inasmuch as
inspections have to be made for all oil burners, refriger-
ators, electric renages and all other appliances. He stated
also that it would cost about $250 a year to maintain his
automobile for transportation. He also called the attention
of the Chairman to the fact that he had to have clerical
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assistance of a girl for two days a week. In view of these
facts he did not feel that he could accept the position for
$500.
The Board decided that they would not change the amount
of salary to be paid, and if Mr. Bills wanted to resign they
would give him an opportunity to do so.
List of outstanding water rates in Section three was Water
received by the Board. rates
The Chairman reported that the Plumbing Inspector stated
that as the town voted only for a 15% cut, he felt that his Plumbing
salary should not be reduced to $800. a year. Inspector.
The Board decided not to make any change in the salary
established.
The Battle Green Tea Room appliedfor an Innholder's
License to take the place of the Common Victualler 's Innholdex
License now held by her. Mr. O'Connell explained that she license.
had sufficient room in her house and that she intended to
change the name "Tea Room" to "Inn". The Board therefor
decided to grant an Innholder 's License to Mrs. Annie
Cohen, and she will therefore be entitled to sell Beer on
Sundays and holidays.
The Chairman called attention to the fact that when
Stedman Road was accepted by the Town, Mr. Lima agreeed to Stedman
give his land to the town free of charge for the construction Road
of thee-street. The Board at that time agreed to protect fence
the property from the school children by a fence. This
has not been done and Mr. Lima has been bothered by the
children frequenting his orchard. A hedge
of barberry would cost approximately $20. and the Board
voted to authorize Mr. Garrity to install the hedge.
Letters were received from the following requesting
positions as instructors at the playgrounds during t#b
summer: Pla ygrounc
Insikructors
Edward E. Abell William Stevenson
Robert C. Mara Marjorie Hyde
Ruth M. Peabody Sylvia Swett
Muriel JanetDaniels Mae Barnes
Dorothy T. Rudd Katherine E. Brown
Dorothy Cumming.
Letter was received from Mr. Garrity in which he
recommended the appointment of various instructors.
The Board therefor decided to appoint the following
who had served previously. In view of the fact that no
reduction was to be made in salaries it is understood that
the instructors would work two nights a week.
Edward AbellEio per week 9 weeks
Robert C. Mara 22 " 10 "
Dorothy Rudd 20 " 9 "
Sylvia Swett 18 " " 8 "
Dorothy Cumming 6 " n 8 "
Ruth Peabody 16 " " 8 "
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Helen McCarron who served at the East Lexington
Playground Playground last year did not apply for the position this year
Instructors and Ruth M. Peabgdy was appointed in her place to take charge
of the East Lexington Playground.
The appointment of an additional instructor was laid
on the table for one week.
The Chairman reported that the Chief changed the members
of the department around and he had placed John W. Rycroft
in charge of the men, acting as Sergeant on night duty, and
Sergeant, he desired to have the temporary appointment approved by
Police. the Board.
It was voted to appoint John E. Rycroft as Sergeant
pending the holding of an examination for that office.
The term of pre-requisite service of an officer was
also considered, and the Chairman felt that the term
should be five years. It was decided to look into the
matter, however, to see what the regulations required.
The Chairman reported that Mr. Lamont requested that
the Mohawk Club be allowed to hold the meetings of the
Mohawk Board of Trade at the Club. The Board of Trade have been
Club holding the meetings there for the past four or five years
and would like to continue. It was felt that as long as
the Board of Appeals refused to permit the Mohawk Club to
continue in the business of serving meals to the public,
that it would not be proper for the Board to give permission
for the Board of Trade meetings. The matter was left with
the Chairman, however, to find out if there is any other
place where the next meeti ng can be held .
Mr. Gilcreast reported that he and Mr. O'Connell
visited the Fogg piggery on Woburn Street and if this piggery
was a clean piggery he would not want to see a dirty one.
They smelled the odor before they got into the yard, there
was swill, pig manure and everything else around. Mr.
Fogg informed them that he had about 130 pigs, but sold
81 within the last few days so that he had about 50
left. Mr. Gilcreast felt that he should redeive instructions
Fogg to clean up, and he also thought that he should not operate
Piggery a pig business in that location. Mr. O'Connell stated that
there were about a million tin cans and an odor from the
cans, and also garbage. He has put a cement floor in one
small part of one small building, and other cement is broken.
He believed when the weather was warm that it would be
worse. Mr. Fogg also promises to do everything later, but
it does not get done. In reading over the regulations it
appeared that they were violated according to the examination
of the premises by Mr. Gilereast and Mr. O'Connell. Mr.
Fogg keeps pigs also on the Munroe land and has kept them
there for many years. There is a mud hole where they are
kept there.
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Mr. Gilcreast recommended that the Health Inspector
give notice to Mr. Fogg that he should clean up his premises
in tend ays, and it was also voted that Mr. Fogg be notified
that he would be given six months to go out of the pig
business.
The Chairman reported other changes which should be
made in the Health Regulations before final adoption. He
stated that he felt that farmers should not be obliged to
obtain permits to keep hens and cows, and that the regulations
could provide for the keeping of hens and cows in districts
not lotted for houes . After discussing the matter it was Health
decided not to make any exception to certain sections. Regulattrs
The Clerk reported that Mr. Custance made the suggestion
that there should be a requirement that compost heaps should
be 500 feet from the highway. This also was not considered
feasible.
It was decided that the date of requiring all milk to
be pasteurized would be Jan. 1, 1934.
The regulations were again to be placed before the Town
Counsel to view before adoption.
Mr. Gilereast reported that he would bring in the name Street
of the member of the street lighting committee to the next lights
meeting of the Board.
Mrs. Hilda Rushton of 6 Grant Place came before the
' Board together with her mother, Mrs . Archie Wilson. Mrs.
Rushton had a complaint to make that on the night of April
18th she was at her sister 's house to a party (Ai Blossom
Street and she got home about one o 'clock. As she was
walking along she heard foot steps and Officer Lima asked Complaints
her where she was. She told him where she had been. He agaii
walked up side of her and grabbed hold of her and tore her Officer
coat. She smelled liquor on his breath. He asked if she Lima.
had liquor in, and held onto her. She called quite loudly
to let go. After she got away he called for her to come
back. Mrs. Wilson stated that this was the story her
daughter told her the next morning.
It appears that later Mrs. Rushton's brother, George
Wilson and Officer Lima had some trouble, and after that
Mrs. Rushton saw Officer Lima at the corner of Waltham St.
and she asked him if she could speak to him, and she asked
him about her coat. He asked her if she was trying to
frame him and mentioned the fact that her brouther got
twenty days and that he would get more if she did not keep
her mouth shut. Mrs. Rushton also stated that she was
not the only girl that he had trouble with and that Mrs.
Klenig had told her of another girl. He brother-in-law,
William Collins, sawher coat the next morning. She told
her story to Mrs. Koenig, Mrs. Walker and Mr. O'Connell.
Mr. Harold Hanna of 491 Waltham Street came before the
Board and stated that he had a complaint to make against
Officer Lima trying to insult his wife. He stated that his
wife didn't want to come down as she didn't want to have
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any story going around about it as she might lose her job,
but he did not think it was right to let him get away with
it.
The Board informed him that if his wife wanted to come
down and tell her story they would hear her and they could
not take his story against the officer. He stated, however,
that she was scared to come donw and she did not want him
to come donw.
However, his story was that the officer went in to
Friend's Bakery, where his wife works about 9: 30 P.M. ,Closing
time, about three or four weeks ago, and asked if she had
anything to give away to-night. She replied that there were
a few kisses in the bag that he could help himself. He then
went into the back room to have a smoke and she came out to
put things away. When he got ready he said that he would
have that kiss then; he then grabbed her and she started
away and he tried to kiss her and he got her by the arm and
tore a scrathh on her arm. The makk is still on her arm.
Complaints Mr. Hanna was questioned as to why he waited so long
re to tell his story, also whether or not he was friendly with
Officer the Wilson family. He stated that he wanted to tell the
Lima. story but his wife did not want him to. He stated that he
knew George Wilson but never had any dealings with him. He
stated that he told the story to Walter Brenton and only a
few days ago he told the story to another man, whose name
he would not mention. He stated that that man came to him
and asked him about the story and asked him to come and tell
the Selectmen about it.
He stated that he thought his wife might tell each of
the Selectmen individually what happened, but that she would
not come before them. Mr. Hanna stated that he worked in
Lester Smith's store and he only told the story to Walter
Brenton, other than the other man he mentioned. Asked how
the story got around he said he did not know but what Lima
might have told it.
Mr. Hanna was informed that if his wife wanted to come
in the Board would be glad to hear her story.
It was decided to request Mr. Lima and Mrs. Rushton
to come before the Board two weeks from tonight to tell
their stories. Mrs. Hanna was also to be requested to come
if she so desired.
Mr. Mitchell, Welfare Agent, came before the Board and
Conserve- stated that he had a circular on the emergeno# conservation
tion work stating that they had taken the recruits from the larger
work. cities and that later they would call for a list from smaller
towns.
He reported having investigated the condition of John
Bolden, colored, of 113 Spring Street, whom Dr. Barnes
Bolden reported was in need of hospitalization, and the man having
case no settlement whatever was sent to Tewksbury for care. The
man served a term in Billerica for vagrancy and had been
endeavoring to do some work for Mr. Libby on Spring Street
when he became ill.
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Mr. Mitchell was to report further information in regard
to the application of Milda Measham who has moved back to
Lexington from Arlington and who has a Lexington settlement. Meashan
In regard to the application of George D. Freeman of
Concord Avenue, he lives in the same house with the Harris
family who are being aided, and Mr. Mitchell stated that
he would arrange to make different arrangements about the
rent of the house. He talked with Mr. Lamont and Mr. Freeman
Marshall, minister, in regard to Mr. Freeman, and they agreed
that he is very much in need of aid.
It was decided to recommend Mr. Freeman's name to the
State for employment on the State crew that are working in
the vicinity of Concord Avenue.
Application was received from Arlington from Walter J.
Bryant, 107 Bedford Street. The man came to Lexington in
1927, has a mortgage in the Lexington Co-operative Bank, and
appears to be a Lexington settlement upon check-up, and is
entitled to Soldier 's Relief. The man has four small Bryant
children in school and would be entitled to between $66. and
$70. per month.
It was decided to refer the matter to Mr. Mitchell to
settle as to the aid this family should be given.
Ralph Dalrymple of Hill Street requested one additional
day employment and he having five children in his family,
it was voted to grant him five days per week.
Mr. Mitchell stated that he would investigate the
condition of the family of John Rose and his two children
and his sister, Mrs. Nelson, who lives with him with her
two children. The allowance being made at the present time Rose
is $6. per week to John Rose and Mr. Nelson, under Court
order, is supposed to pay his wife $6. per week. Mr. Robert
White, the owner of the house in which Mr. Rose lives stated
that the rent is eleven months Jun arrears.
Mr. Mitchell agreed to inform the Board as to what he
would do with the case at a later date.
M . Mitchell reported that Samuel Wellington had secured
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a position at the Lexington Trust Co. as janitor so that he Welling-
would go off the unemployment relief pay roll. ton
The matter of handling the unemployment relief situation
was discussed and last year letters were sent to all the
unemployed dropping them from the list and re-registering
terse who needed work. Mr. Mitdhell was not in favor of
dropping them off the list inasmuch as he felt that they
would be in need of assistance shortly after.
The matter was 1att with the Chairman to decide what
kind of a letter should go to the unemployed and welfare
men who are now working to endeavor to drop off as many
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as possible so that they might secure employment elsewhere. F�
The weekly report of the Supt. of Public Works was
received.
The meeting adjourned at 11:45 P.M.
A true record, Attest:-
Clerk.
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