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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-05-09262 Porter, Board of Appeals applica- tion. SELECTMENIS MEETING MAY 9, 1933. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at the Selectmen's Office, Town Office Building, on Tuesday, May 9, 19330 at 7:30 P.M. Messrs. Trask, Ferguson, Gilcreast, O'Connell and Lyons were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. Fred Longbottom, Building Inspector, came before the Board in regard to his decision relative to Section 7 B of Area Regulations in connection with the application of Robert A. Porter of Lowell Street to build a house on lot of land not fronting on a street. He advised Mr. Porber to apply to the Board of Appeals, but the Town Engineer advised that Mr. Leonard Dunham who sold the property to' Mr. Porter intended to ask for a Board of Survey hearing for the approval of street upon which Mr. Porter's lot will face when laid out. Mr. Longbottom fdlt that even though a Board of Survey hearing was held that the Zoning Law called for a hearing before the Board of Appeals and he con- sulted the Town Counsel and he agreed that he was right. The Board, however, did not believe that it was necessary to have a Board of Appeals hearing provided the street was approved by the Board of Survey, and so advised Mr. Longbqttom. He was also advised to communicate with Mr. Dunham in regard to whether or not he intended to file his application for Board of Survey approval of plans of the layout. It was understood that he intends to sell other lots in this section of his land. Hearing was declared open upon the application of Michael J. Bresnahan for permission to maintain a two car garage of wooden construction at Lots 206 and 207 Bresnahan Rosemont Section of Lowell Street. Garage Mr. Alger appeared to represent Mr. Bresnahan and presented plans of the proposed garage. No persons appeared to object and it was voted to grant the permit subject to the approval of the Building Inspector. Application for the admission of Flora B. Day of Ward Street 0 the Middlesex County Sanatorium was approved. In regard to the payment of iter board, the Chairman agreed to see Mr. Day who is employed on the highway department, and endeavor to make some arrangement for hiij to pay for his wife's care. Letter was received from William D. Hagerty in which he enclosed bill in the amount of $24.67 for damage to his car which he alleged was caused by the condition that the Hagerty sewer department left Bedford Street in while the sewer claim has been constructed. He stated that since wtiting his letter calling attention to the condition that no effort had been made to improve the condition for travelling. Since Mr. Hagerty had been travelling over this street all during the installation of the sewer he knew of the n 0.11 1 1 1 263 conditions and the Board therefor felt that they should deny all responsibility for the da+nage to his car. Letter was received from Mike and Christy Hallba in which they requested permission to sell beer on Sundays after 12 o'clock noon. They stated that surrounding towns Sunday enjoyed this privilege and asked for consideration. Beer The Board decided that they would take no action on this matter until after the town had an opportunity to vote on June 13 relative to the sale of beer in the town. Letter was received from the East Lexington Pastor of the Sacred Heart Church in which he called attention to an over -flowing spring between Pollen Road and Bridle Path that has caused considerable damage to the Church and other cellars in the neighborhood. He inquired if the water could be diverted. Pollen The Supt. of Public Works reported that he investigated Road the conditions and could not sbe any spring or water coming Drainage. from the hill. He felt that it might be -caused from heavy rain or ground water in the ledge, but being on private property he did not see how the town could be called upon to do any work on drainage. It was decided to inform Rev. W. A. Connor the report of the Supt's. investigation. Bids on painting the exterior of the Cary Memorial Building were received as follows: Cary Memorial Edward H. Mara $297.20 Building Frank H. Tobin 248._00 painting. H. N. Dearborn 365.00 William Jones 375.00 Certified checks for $100 were not enclosed with the bids of Dearborn or Jones. Jones, however, stated that there was one hundred dollars at the Lexington Savings Bang. The bids did not state the number of doors that were to be stripped, and it was therefor decided that the Chairman should find out the number of doors that each of the lowest bidders, Mr. Mara and Mr. Tobin, intended to strip before deciding upon the award of the bid. A letter of thanks was received from Miss Muriel Playgroun Danills for her appointment to.the position at the Asst. Playground. Letter was received from George H. Gibson of 59 Waltham Street calling attention to the condition of some Trees of the trees in front of hks home, which were considered killed ' by the late Mr.�-Gorman to be killed by gas, by gas. The Chairman replied that he would take up the matter. .with the Lexington Gas Co. 264 Inquiry was received from Leande C. LeBlanc Beer whether or not he would be allowed to sell beer License golf course on Bedford Street provided he built place where food can be served. The Board decided that they would not take in granting such a permit. as to at the an eating any action The following licenses were granteds Alcohol License - Jenney Mfg. Co. - Marrett Rd. & Waltham St, Licenses Garbage - Jos. S. Douglass - Crosby Rd., Bedford Sunday Sales - Shell East. Pet. Prod. Inc. - Mass. Ave. & Maple Streets, Anna A. Hanford - Marrett Road (Charity) Letter was received from Claude A. Butterfield of Complaint Hancock Street in which he complained of the treatment given him by the Deputy Collector J. D. Hayes for non-payment of excise taxes on his and his daughter's car. He also complained of the assessment on his property. This latter matter he was informed should be referred to the Board of Assessors. Letter was received from the Health Inspector in which E he stated that he inspected the piggeries and found that all the piggeries had been whitewashed except Moran's piggery and that of Mr. William Potter. Piggeries It was therefor decided to grant a permit to the Ryder Stock Farm Inc.• to maintain a piggery at rear. of 40 Maple Street and to keep 1000 pigs. The Inspector also reported that he found a low place in the yard where the water runs down from the platform at the Ryder piggery and he suggested that a drain be dug to Xet the water run out under the road. This work was promised to be completed this week. Complaint was received from residents of Old Colony Road relative to odors from a piggery. Complaint, This complaint was investigated by the Health Busa Inspector lmd he reported that he could not find any property piggery from Woburn Street over Vine Street, but found that the odor was coming from manure being spread on the Bousa Farm on Grant Street. The complaintants were informed of the result of the investigation, and that in all probability the odors will, cease within the next two weeks after the manure has been plowed in, Health The Chairman reported that the Health.Regulations were Regulations, about to be printed in book form and he was awaiting figures on the cost. It was decided to have 1000 copies printed. At the Board's request of an investigation relative ' to rumors of sales of .liquor and keeping a house of ill fame at the Mary Alice Tea Room, 259 Bedford Street, the Acting Sergeant made a report of a visit there with his wife, and stated that he did not see any signs of liquor being .served and could not purchase any. He did see, however, three parties come in and they were taken to separate dining rooms, and he felt that the place should be kept under observation. The Board agreed that the place should be kept under observation and decided to request the Chief -to continue to make observations. 1 265 Ma Alice Tea Room. Letter was received from Willard C. Hill in which he stated that he applied to the New England Insurance Exchange to have them give permission to remove the Watchman Warranty at the Public Works Bldg. without charge, and he was quite certain that they would grant permission. The Supt. of Public Works came before the Board and reported that he had changed the hours of the men at the Public public works department so that there will be some one on Works duty at all times. He reduced the hours and pay of the Building# regular watchman to $18. from $28. and in this way was able to make the change with an additional cost of $6, per week. There will now be a man to shut off the water Incase of any trouble. Work can also be done on cleaning the trucks in the highway department as they have not been kept clean. The Supt. of Public Works reported that the crew working Follen Follan Road are nearly through and they would then be sant Road to Ledgelawn Avenue to do some drainage work. The Supt. reported that i&. Cain .bn Follen Road fells Cain that the entrance to his steps should be widened. No action propert; wastaken on the matter. The Supt. of Public Works presented bids on tires from the following: F. K. Johnson, Master Service Station, Colonial Garage, Calvin W. Childs. All prices presented appeared to be based upon the price lists as of the date of purchase. It was decided to request further bids requesting prices at the present time. Report was received from the Supto of the Water & Sewer Department in which he called attention to the fact that on Sunday morning at 5;45 A.M. a hydrant was broken off directly opposite the Wellington Farm on Mass. Avenue. The gate at the corner of School Stbeet and Mass. Avenue had to be shut off to stop the flow of water so that the hydrant could be shut off. The Chief of Police finally located the ear which had been damaged by the contact with the hydrant and it was owned by Daniel E. ahea of Arlington. Several people in various parts of the town complained of Bids on tires Broken hydrant 266 the muddy condition of the water and the system was then flushed out to clear the water. Mr. Ross estimated 220,000 gallons of water were wasted and the estimated cost would be $88. The cost of replacing the hydrant would be $120* pilus the services of the three men on duty Sunday. Mr. Ross suggested that the costs be collected from Mr. Shea, Mr. OtConnell suggested that the name of the insurance company be obtained and thathe be sent a bill and if he does not take care of it, to bring suit against him. The Supt. of Public Works presented bids on the filter system at the swimming pool. The lowBst bid was from the Filter Lakeside Engineering Co. of Ghicago whose bid was $1030. for There appears to be come question as to whether there swimming is pressure enough from the pump which pumps the water from pool, the wells into the swimming pool, to operate the filter plant, and the Supt. of Public Works was therefor requested to find out about the pump before any action is taken relative to the bids. Mr. Qiloreast reported that on Saturday afternoon he visited .the Fogg piggery again and although the piggery had been cleaned up and -white -washed since he was there before, he was still of the opinion that it was not a Fogg proper place to keep pigs as it is so close to the main piggery street and to other houses. After discussing the matter it was voted to grant Mr. Fogg a permit for one year expiring May 1, 1934 and to give him notice that he will not be granted a permit in 1934 and that he should be prepared to close out the pig business. The Town Engineer and Supt, of the Water and Sewer Department and Supt. of Public Works were before the Board to discuss the matter of installation of the trunk line sewer from the Arlington line to Bow Street. The Supt. of Public Works stated that although he had been instructed to purchase the pipe for the sewer and he had ordered it, he cancelled the order owing to the information Mr. Ross had in the meantime obtained from the Metropolitan District Commission, Mr, Smithts Office. Mr. Ross asked the type of sewer construction Mr. Smith would redommend and he recommended a complete concrete sewer. He wonsidered the vitrified clay pipe would not be satisfactory if a road was to be built uponiit. Mr. Ross called Metcalf and Eddy and they stated that they could not give any recommendation without mak#ng some study. Mr. Ross could not give them any authority to make the study. Mr. Smith felt that if vitrified pipe wEre used that it should be entirely encased in concrete. However, Mr. Ross felt that he would recommend using vitrified clay pipe with concrete cradle. He also called Mr. F. A. Barbour's Office to obtain advice as this office is supposed to specialize in the construction of sewers. He did not heattate to recommend a vitrified clay pipe sewer with concrete cradle. 1 1 1 P% Complal-A re Off icer Lima Mr. Harbour's office, however, recommended that the extra ' heavy pipe be used. Mr. Ross stated that the average cost of constructing concrete sewer in 1932 was $10. a cu. ft. The price for heavy pipe is $3.181 per foot for 1150 feet, or $3900. The concrete pipe would be less expensive than the vitrified clay pipe. The Town Rhgineer stated that the Metropolitan Sewer Commission would not recommend reinforced concrete pipe. The Supt. of Public Works stated that the concrete sewer would cost less than the vitrified clay pipe. The Supt. of Public Works stated that the concrete sewer would cost less than the vitrified clay pipe. Mr. Ross •felt that if a concrete sewer were built that the concrete should be purchased ready mixed. The question of the size of the pipe was next considered. The Town Engineer stated that the size is arrited at by the estimate of the population of the town. The staimate of the Metropolitan Sewer Commission is 23,000 in 1965 and 60,000 in 1981 is the estimate of Metcalf and Eddy. It was decided to give the matter further study in regard to the size of the pipe and Mr. Ross was requested to talk with other Superintendents to get their ideas. The Supt. of Public Works was also requested to put in his bid for double strengbh pipe, vitrified clay, subject to definite information as to size at a later date. Officer Lima came before the Board at their request relative to the report made to them two weeks ago by Mrs. Hilda Rushton of Grant Place. ' Officer Lima told the story that he was up around the depot and came down the railroad track about two o'clock in the morning and just as he came around the corner where there is a path that crosses the track he saw this person and grabbed hold of her. He put the flash light on her and then recognized her voice. She told him she was going home and he asked her where she had come from. She told him that she had to talk home from her sisters house. In grabbing hold of her he ripped a few stitches in her coat and he told her he was sorry and if she got it fixed he would pay for it. That was all the conversation he had with her. The Chairman informed Mr. Lima that she (Mrs. Rushton) said that she smelled liquor on him. Mr. Lima stated that he did not have any liquor on him that night; he also said that he was not a drinking man. He did not mean, however, that he did not take a drink. The Chairman inquired if he thought it necessary to grab hold of the girl, and Mr. Lima stated that he felt that it was his legal right to do so at that time in the morning when it was very dark to find someone come from behind the stores. As far as her coat was concerned, he stated that he only tore a few stitches in it. He also stated that he did not make any advances toward the girl. In regard to the case reported to the Board by Mr. Hanna ' the Chairman inquired as to Mr. Lima's story. Mr. Lima statdd that ever since the bank holiday he was asked by Mrs. Willard to come there at closing time because she had a scare one night. He went through the store and P% Complal-A re Off icer Lima Me! Vine Brook and clematis Brook. looked through the back yard and he went there every night. This particular night in question Mrs. Hanna was there and offered him some kisses she had there and he asked her if that was the best she had to offer. He stated that both she and Mrs. Willard were in the habit of giving him candy, and had done it before. Mrs. Hanna's answer to his 5uestion as to whether that was the best she had to offer was I don't know". As he was fooling with her and it was all in a joking manner, he came in contact with her arm and scratched it. He asked if she had some iodine and offered to get some and told her he was sorry. She had no intention of making any complaint against him, he said. She was not mad with him and is still friendly. When asked whether or not he knew about Mrs. Willar and Mrs. Hanna getting through at Friends' Store on account of this affair, he stated that this was the first he knew of that. He did know that Mrs. Hanna was at the A.& P. Store now. The Board considered the complaints of Mrs. Rushton and Mrs. Hanna and the statements of Mr. Lima and voted not to take any action on the matter. The Chairman reportdd that he talked with Mr. Burnham about doing the work on Vine Brook and after going into the matter he found thmt there would be considerable cost to doing the work on the lower end of Vine Brook toward the Butl1ngton line, and then there would have- to be takings made at the Town meeting if the work was to be done on. Vine Brook. If this end of the brook were widened it would not help those persons who are now complaining in the Vine Brook Road section. If the work was done on Clematis Brook where many tax payers have been complaining for many years, and there would probably be relief to more persons. He therefor felt that the unemployed should be put to work on Clematis Brook beyond the Moran property and work this way. The Town Engineer prepared a profile of Clematis Brook so that the Board could view the same. The Board voted to accept the recommendation of the Chairman and the Town Engineer on this project. The Chairman stated that Mr. Roland Baldry had fixed the Old Harrington Elm each year but this year he did not Harrington feel that he could afford to stand the entire expense and Elm. thought that the town should contribute. The Board felt that possibly the Field and Garden Club might make some contribution, but that the tree being on private property, the town should not pay any of the cost. The Chairman reported that William L. Jackson of 40 Hancock Street desired to have a curbing in front of his house on account of the sight seeing busses that tsurn Sidewalk, in front of his property and park along sideof the grass Hancock border and after viewing the property he and the Town Street Engineer felt that he was entitled to have it. The total cost of the sidewalk an d curbing would be $456.10 and although the curbing charge is usually born by abuttors, it was felt that in this case, one half of the cost could be borne by the Town, and the Board therefore voted to place this proposition before Mr. Jackson for his acceptance. CEO n D 1 1 269 Mr. Gilerwmt reported that he consulted with Mr. Hunt, landlord of Mair�4akechnie and he agreed to ae-ept $20 per Makeenhie ' montU rent, It was therefor voted to increase the Old Age Assistance to Mr. Makechnie $3. each week and Mrs. Makechnie $2* each week so that they may pay the. rent. Mr. Mitchell reported in regard to the case of Arthur N. .Lee of Ward Street that he had seen the receipt for the Lee. returned number plates. He talked with Mr. Collier and Leaonrd Jellis, neighbor and both felt that the case was worthy. Mr.' Mitchell recommended three days in this case and it was voted. In regard to the case of Anthony Nicosia of 2 Ivan Street, family receives $9. per week and $8, froip one girl working at the Hood Rubber Co. The Waverly Cooperative Bank have carried the house for him as long as thef feel they can and feel that something should be paid.. They Nicosia have reduce the payments to $35.75. There are'hine in the family. Mr. Mitchell inquired if the Board desired to help him savd his house by paying the inrterest. The Board decided to tape no action in the matter. Mr. Mitchell was requested to communicate with Mr. Devine Wrightington in regard to the case of John Devine. In regard to the case of Alberta Green, confinement case, Dr. Hardeastle advised that with eleven in the family, Green that the woman should be sent to the hospital. The Board therefore authorized arrang ments to be made at the Evangeline Booth Hospital at the rate of $40* for the case. Mr. Mitchell was requested to bring in information Single on the cases of sif%gle men on the list at the next meeting. men The Agent reported that there were 93 cases representing 371 persons on the Welfare Department against 129 cases and 539 persons April lst, and 40 cases on the unemployed and 134 persons against 66 cases and 248 persons on April 1st. Number In regard to reducing the appropriations for welfare of and unemployment relief, Mr. Mitchell reported that in some cases* other towns the pay is at the rate of $2.50 per day, Winchester at 30� per hour. He reported also that'at least 40% of the cases were out of town or State settlements. The meeting adjourned.at 11;15 P.M. A true record, Attest; 1 Clerk.