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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-07-25 325 SELECTMEN' S MEETING JULY g5, 1933. A regular meeting of the Selectmen was held inthe Town Office Building, at 7;30 P.M. Messrs. Trask, Gilereast, Ferguson, O'Connell and Lyons were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. Haskell Reed came before the Board in regard to the Town of Arlington cleaning out the brook at the back of his plate. He stated that the ditch that they were digging is about four feet wide and is going to bring the water down onto his land faster after being cleaned out than it came before. He stated that some years ago his father brought suit against the Town of Arlington fo± damages and since that time they apparently have a feeling of not doing anything to assist the situation and that they have never made a taking. His father stated that the reservoir is too high and that it should be lowered and there is less than a three inch fall from the high water mark to the reservoir. He stated that some of the best land cannot be used and that they have lost several crops on account of the water damage. He called the matter to the attention of the authorities of the Town of Arlington and they informed him that the matter had been taken up with the Selectmen of Lexington. Where- fore he felt that the Board might be able to give him some information in regard to the matter. The Chairman informed him that the Town of Arlington were given permission to clean out the brook, but that he Reed did not realize that it caused any damage to any property property and thought that it would be of benefit to the Town. Mr. Reed felt that the Town of Arlington would naturally want to benefit its residents, but he would not think that he should suffer because they desired to ,help the residents of that town. He said that a crew varying from four to twenty-five men would soon get up to a place where he would stop them from going any further and he requested the Board to communicate with the officials of the Town of Arlington to see whether or not they would cooperate and lower the reservoir so that relief could be obtained to his property. He stated that it was not nedessary for them to have the water as high as they have at the present time and it is only used for fountains in the Town Hall. The Board therefore decided to communicate with the Town of Arlington officials to see what could be done. Hearing was declared open on the application of James R. Smith for permission to maintain a two car garage at 13 Plymouth Road. Mr. Smith appeared and presented plot Smith plan showing the location of the garage. Garage. No persons appeared to object and it was voted to grant the permit subject to the approval of the Building Inspector. 326 Hearing was declared open on the application of Patrick h� McLaitgh- and Bridget McLaughlin for permission to maintain a two car lin garage at 1 Sheridan Strdet. gar:l_e Mr. McLaughlin appeared at the hearing andpresented hearing. the plan which had been approved by the Building. Inspector. No persons appeared to object, and it was voted to grant the permit. State Aid. The Board signed the State Aid Pay Roll in the amount of $6. Street Mr. Gilcreast stated that he would report later in Lights regard to the request for street lights on Fottler Avenue. Mr. Gilcreast reported in regard to the application Winslow, for Old Age Assistance of Mrs. Alice M. Winslow of Spring Old Age. Street that he was not as yet satisfied with the evidence presented and desired to get information from references that were given him by Mrs. Winslow. Baseball No action was taken in regard to the meeting held two weeks ago in reference to the use of the baseball diamonds on the playground by the Town-Team and the Minute Boys Team. Cert. of Certificate of Incorporation approving of the character fncorp- of John A. Sellars, Concord Avenue, as one of the incorp- oration. orators of the Independent Milk Dealers Assoc. was signed by the Board. Bids were presented by the Supt. of Public Works on granolithie sidewalk work of the Town as follows:- B. J. Harrington - 25I fer ft. for sidewalks 30d per ft. for ramps. Bids on William A. Cann Co.- 21 per agq.ft.for sidewalks Granolith- 23 e " " " driveways is side- Hervey F. Armington,. Inc. - walks. Granolithic Sidewalks - 18y per. sq.ft. " Driveways - 22 " " Custance Bros - 17j per sq. ft. for sidewalks 22j " " " driveways . Simpston Bros. Corp.- 24j " " " " sidewalks 30j " " " " driveways. Anthony Ross & Son - 200 ft. in front of 14 Grant St. , $1.86 per square yard. 100 +ft. in front of Grant Street, $1.65 per square yard. 181 ft. in front of 27 Edgewood Rd. $1.65 per sq. t8rd. Question arose as to whether or not any guarantee was given to the length of service of the granolithic without cracking, and the Supt. of Public Works stated that the specifications required that the work be replaced if cracked within one year. 327 Mr. Ferguson felt that a guarantee should be given that the work be replaced within five years and that a bond be filed protecting the interests of the Town to that effect. It was therefore decided that the specifications for sidewalks be revised by Mr. Ferguson and that new bids be sent out and that the bids received tonight all ba rejected. It was decided to request bids on the disposal of garbage in the town as follows: Board of Health, Lexington, Mass. Proposals for Collection and Disposal of Garbage The Department will receive proposals for the collection and disposal of garbage. Proposals must be for three years beginning October 1st, 1933. All garbage must be collected from all stores and houses at least twice a week and whete necessary must be collected Garbage every working day. Proposals All vehicles 'used in the collection or transportation of garbage shall be water tight and shall be provided with covers which shalllbe kept closed while they are in motion. IIDisposal shall be outside the Town of Lexington. A bond for the faithful performance of the contract in the amount thereof will be required which may be reduced each year pro-rat a. The Department reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to accept the one most advantageous to the Town. All proposals must be in the office of the Superintendent of Public Works not later than 12:00 o'clock noon, Tuesday, August 29, 1933. William S. Seaman, Supt. of Public Works. The Plumbing Inspector called attention to the f'equirements of the Board of Health Regulations that Cesspools be not' loCated within twenty feet of the street. He felt that it was not practical where many houses are set back not over twenty feet from the street. Cesspools Mr. Ferguson felt that it was not a healthy condition to allow cesspools to be built between the street and the twenty foot line. Therefore, no further action was taken on the matter. 328 1.4C, Letter was received from the Town Counsel in which conduits he called attention to Chapter 251 'ef the Acts of 1933 which require that a hearing be held on the installation of underground conduits. Milk Report of the analyses of milk sold in the Town of Lexington was received from the Milk Inspector. Letter was received from the Central New England Sanatorium suggesting that patients who have recovered Central sufficiently to be able to do part time work might be sent N. E. to them at a reduced cost over the price charged by the Sanatorium. Middlesex Co. Sanatorium for patieretas who are being cared for there. The Board previously took action on this matter and decided that whenever patients were able to be sent there they would be sent. License Letter was received from the Town Counsel in which he advised that the Minute-Man Golf Club did not need a Common Victualler's License. Letter was received from the Town Counsel in which he Shea advised that an award of damages was made in the Shea case case in the amount of *8947.60 and that he had requested a report to the Appellate Division on Questions of Law. The Town Counsel replied in regard to the letter of the Supt. of Public Works relative to fixing the drain on the Shea property suggesting that arrangements be made with the Town of Arlington and the Boston and Maine Railroad to lower the culvert and conduit so that the level of the brook Shea in the rear of the property can be lowered. He also Propertysuggested constructing a new drain replacing the Arlington culvert, at the time of constructing a new sewer in that vicinity. If this arrangement could be made, the Town could then consider taking by eminent domain the right to extend the present drain to the brook. If this cbttld not be artanged, he felt that the extension of the present drain would be futile because the water would flow back on the land from the brook. If the Arlington conduit cannot be lowered,he suggested a new drain in Massachusetts Avenue to the railroad station. Letter was received from Challis Wilson, 47 Bloomfield Street, in which he complained of a monopoly of the tennis courts and also of children under fifteen playing in the Use of evening. Tennis The Chairman stated that he took the matter up with Courts the Superintendnet of Parks and that the courts were being policed somewhat to see if they could remedy the situation. 329 The following licenses were granted: Pasteurization of Milk - Arthur S. Tyler, Rear 27 Maple St. Alcohol Richard Whittemore, (Five Forks Filling Station) Cor. Lincoln Street and Marrett Road. Alcohol - John A. Sellars, Concord Ave. and Waltham St. Licenses Garbage - Lowell Rendering Co. , Lowell Overhanging Sign - Richard Whittemore, Cor. Lincoln St. and Marrett Road Overhanging Sign - P. Ferri, Cor. Bow Street and Mass. Ave. Notice of a hearing on the John Donnelly and Sons Billboard renewal of billboard. permits #9769 and #11352 to be held hearing July 19, at 10:30 A.M. was received. The Town Counsel arranged that the hearing be postponed. In regard to the bill of $59.65 of F. H. Tobin for Tobin extra work on the Cary Memorial Building, Mr. Ferguson and Bill Mr. Trask agreed to report on this later. The Board signed the Warrant for a Town Meeting to be Warrant held August 14th. It was voted to instruct the Chairman to insert whatever articles he deemed proper. In regard to the order issued to Mrs. Mary A. Toomey, 25 Winter Street, Cambridge to vacate the shack at the corner of Ward and Center Streets, Lexington, on or before August 1st, 1933, the Building Inspector stated that he Toomey talked with Mr. Toomey and he was informed by him that he property rdnted his house in Cambridge until Sept. 1st, and he asked for the privilege of staying there until that time and that he would be willing to sign an agreement that he would demolish the structure as soon as he moved to Cambridge. In view of the circumstances, the Board agreed to allow the family to remain in the house until Sept. 1st, provided he sign the agreement. Letter was received from the Town Counsel in which he gave his opinion in regard to contributing to the support Legal of parents by child ren in the family and advised that the opinion parties interested must take the matter to Court so that judgment might be Obtained. Letter was received from the Town Counsel in which he gave his opinion in regard to the removal of a woman with tuberculosis to the Boston Tuberculosis Hospital and enclosed an order to be signed by the Board of Health if necessary. Yodwish This was in connection with the case of Mary Yodwish, corner case. of Hibbert Street and Mass. Avenue, and who refuses to go to Boston to the Tuberculosis Hospital. Letter was also received from the Town Counsel inwhich he gave his opinion that he did not see that the Town could collect from the County aid for the family of a person in 330 prison. He did state, however, that if the person was in Palermo the State Prison some compensation could be received fur case the family but that it is only paid four times a year. This advice was given in connection with the case of Peter Palermo who was arrested for stealing and imprisoned. Fleming In regard to the orddr issued to Mrs. Martin J. Fleming Case. of Ward Street to clean up her premises, the Health Inspector reported that the pile of manure in the yard had been cleaned up, but that he intended to have the premises cleaned up in better bondition. The Supt. of Public Works, Supt. of Water and Sewer Department, and the Town Engineer came before the Board to discuss matters pertaining to projects to ask federal aid for in the Town. The Chairman stated that the Legislature had now acted upon the Federal Loan Act and that the town was now in a • position to call a town meeting to apply for a loan. He stated that the loan will be payable in twenty years at 4% and that 30% of the amount will be a direct grant. It was rumored by some that the government would never get the money back. However, the Chairman felt that the town should make an effort to obtain some of this money and the Board were requested to consider the projects in mind. The first project was to continue the trunk line sewer up to the East Lexington Railroad Station so that it would be of some use to the town next year instead of doing just a part of the sewer which would be a dead end of no use until completed. This would take care of the Brandon Street section and Bow Street section. If the sewer was then extended 1500 feet from the East Lexington Station it would relieve the Smith and Robbins Development. The second project considered was the replacement of the present standpipe. Mr. Ross stated that the present standpipe was in bad condition and should be replaced. He obtained a price of a steel standpipe of one million gallon capacity, 105 feet high and 40 feet in diameter, of 21,000: He did not have any price on the shell. Mr. Ross stated that if anything happened to the standpipe that at least three houses on Meriam Hill and two or three on Bloomfield Hill and two or three on Fair Oaks section would not have water. The fire service would be normal except for a few houses on the hills. The third project considered was the drainage project for which an award of damages was just made to Donald and Justin Shea. I 331 The Town Engineer presented a plan showing how the drainage elevation at Oak St. could be changed and the water carried back into Sickle Brook. He had not figured the cost of this project but felt that it would be around $10, 000. The Board felt that the first two projects should be pre- sented to the town and request for Federal Aid made for the projects. Assess- The Board considered the matter of establishing a ments for rate to be charged fnr water construction and after some Water Main discussion voted; Construct- "That the assessment on water main construction be ion. 50% of the cost of installation of a six inch pipe, the assessment to be based on the average cost per foot for a period of five years and also to include the cost of hydrants." Letter wss received foom Miss Katharine Harrington of 1884 Mass. Avenue complaining about the high water rates and sewer rental charges. The Chairman was requested to reply informing her of the study relative to sewer rental charges and as to the reason for high rates in this town. It was voted to amend the Water Dept. regulations by adding at the end of Section 4 the following: "In accordance with the provisions of General Laws, Chapt- er 40, Sections 42a to 42f inclusive, which was accepted by vote of the Town at a meeting held on April 7, 1927, and filed with the Registry of Deeds on May 10, 1927, a lien may be claimed for the non-payment of water rates, and the delinquent shall pay the interest and costs thereon." Mr. Mitchell reported in regard to the Burbidge case Burbidge that there was no change in the situation and he was there- fore giving the man two days. It was decided to continue allowing two days. Application was received from John Slater, 19 years Slater old, living at Mrs. Hovey' . on Sherman Street. His mother was committed to an insane assylum in 1924 and the other brother works for Mrs. F. L. Emery. It was decided to allow him two days assistance. In regard to the further aplication of Domonic Modoono Modoono, it wls decided to take no action. In regard to the ap lication of Mr. Maxner of Muzzey Maxner Street, Mr. Mitchell recommended giving him thrr,n r'uys a month so that he could pay his rent of $40. a month to Mr. Partridge. Mr. Mitchell felt that he needed to re- ceive $15. a month more income to pay the $40. for rent. It was decided to allow Mr. Maxner three days a month 332 01 C-4 for two months and Mr. Mitchell was to report again at 11 the end of that time. Nicosia. In regard to the Nicosia family of Ivan Street who are now getting $9. a week assistance, the Waverly Co-operation Bank intend to take over the house and are asking $40. a month rent. One daughter turns in $10. 'a week. The food budget amounts to $19. a week. Mr. O'Connell felt that there should be some end to the Town paying rent for people who have lost their houses with- in the last two or three years inasmuch as there are many persons in the Town who have lived here for many Years and many of them have lost their houses and have not requested aid from the Town. It was decided to have Mr. Mitchell talk with the Bank in regard to the case and to bring the matter before the Board at their next meeting. Lee. Arthur J. Lee, who formerly lived on Lake Street, moved into Dave Murphy's house on Forest Street and is paying $15. a month rent. He was getting two days from the Town and has requested more time. Mr. Mitchell recommended that he be given two days, but it was felt that he should not be grant- ed any extra time. Dattoli. In regard to the case of Leo Dattoli whose son-in-law Peter Palermo was arrested and imprisoned for stealing, it was decided not to take any action. Commitment of Public Welfare Charges in the amount of $2947.25 was signed by the Board. The meeting adjourned at 11 ;20 P.M. A true record, Attest: Clerk. 1