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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-04-26245 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, 19330 at 7:30 P.M. Messrs. Trask, Ferguson, Gilcreast, OTConnell 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 hits 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 hiiA. 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 246 A GOAn was not liable. After discussing the matter, it was decided to ask the opinion of the Town Counsel as to whether ob not the town is liable. ' Mr. Frederick A. Connor came before the Board and Connor presented a petition signed by residents of the F3rmhurst ,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 others, and 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 $2009 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. Estimate f the c st of labor and materials to construct the drainage o Curve Urteet was placed at $625 by the Supt. Some time ago the Board proihised 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. 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 gttent+ion to the fact that the catch basin and pipe on Gleason Road which was installed when Simonds Road was built, was cloggapd up, and the water did not ruri from the catch basin. As a result Mr. Abell has a cellar almost filled with water, and 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 out and filling put in; the banking near Bedford Street was 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 transfer some of the men who are working on Wood Street to work on the Waltham Street sidewalk construction. Mr. Ferguson suggested that the "No Costing" signs be 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 line signs, and after checking up they found that signs were needdd at Lowell Street at the Arlington -Lexington line, 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. 247 Drainage Gleason Road, drainage Public Works Waltham Street Sidewalk. Signs Town Line Signs The Supt. of Public Works reported that the tank 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 abol.t 200 lbs. was raised up by the water two inches. This Licenses 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 - Inholders Sunday Sales Fool Room Pig Permit Ernest R. & Mary A. Rowland, Lowell Street Mary Alice Tea Room, 259 Bedford St. Hattie E.A.Peckham, 37 Hancock St, Sarah Berman 22 Mass. Ave. Battle Breen Inn, (Annie Cohen) 1556 Mass, Ave. Marie A. Miller (Miller's Poultry Farm,) Cor.Lincoln St. & Marrett Road, Franklin E. Barnard, 1764 Mass.Ave. Ernest K. Ballard #ood 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 cost Convention, of attending the conference would be $25. for two weeks. No action was taken on requesting anyone to attend. j Fetter 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 atating 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 t he,fact that he had to have clerical D fl 1 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 $5006 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 received by the Board. The Chairman reported that the Plumbing Inspector stated that as the town voted only for a 15% out, he felt that his salary should not be reduced to $800. a year. 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 License now held by her. Mr. O'Connell explained that she 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. Qnnie Cohen, and she will therefore be entitled to sell Beer on Sundays and holidays. The Chairman called attention to the fact that when =I, Water rates Plumbing Inspector. Innholdex license. 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 the'tstreet. The Board at that time agreed to protect fence *elle 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 thb summer.* Pla yg rouni Insgructors Edward E. Abell William Stevenson Robert C. Mara Marjorie Hyde Ruth M. Peabody Sylvia Swett Muriel Janet.Daniels 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 Abell too Rer week 9 weeks " ' Robert C. Mara 22 " 10 Dorothy Rudd 20 " " 9 " Sylvia Swett 18 " " 8 » Dorothy Cumming S n n 8 n Rgth Peabody 16 n re g n 250 Cmdn Helen McCarron who served at the East Lexington Playground Playgrouhd last year did not apply for the position this year ' Instructors and Ruth M. PeaB-gdy was appointed in her place to take charge of the East Lexington Playground. The appointment -of an additional instructor was laid o n 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. Gamont 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 meets 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 receive 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 relieved 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. Gilcreast 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. 251 : 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 discussin4 the matter it was Health decided not to make any exception to certain sections. Regulati:m 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 C, 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 of Blossom Street and she got home about one o'clock. As she was walking along she heard foot steps and Officer Lima asked Complaint. her where she was. She told him where she had been. He again 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. Rughton 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 252 Complaints re Off icer Lima* 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 gots 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 mahk is still on her arm. Mr. Hanna was questioned as to why he waited so long to tell his story, also whether or not he was friendly with the Wilson family. He stated that he wanted to tell the story biit 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, camb before the Board and Conserva- stated that he had a circular on the emergent# 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. 1 n L 1 1 1 Kr. Kitchell 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. 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. 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 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 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 %n arrears. Mr. Mitchell agreed to inform the Board as to what he would do with the case at a later date. 253 Meashan Freeman Bryant Rose Mr. Kitchell reported that Samuel Wellington had secured 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 tbbse 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 assisten ce shortly after. The matter was Uft 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 254 3 as possible so that they might secure employment elsewhere. F� The weekly report of the Supt. of Public Works was I received. The meeting adjourned at 11:45 P.M. A true record, Attest: - Clerk. S. 1