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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-10-17385 SELECTMNIS MEETING OCTOBER 17, 1933. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Tuesday, October 17, 1933 at 7:30 P. M. at the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building. Messrs. Trask, Gilereast, Fer- guson, O'Connell and Lyons were present. The Clerk was also present. The Town Counsel came before the Board to discuss the Trunk matter of proceedure relative to assessments for trunk line Line sewer. Counsel stated that when he prepared the agreement Sewer. he prepared for the abuttors on the trunk line sewer to sign he thought that the sewer was going only to Bow Street, and now that the sewer is to be extended to the East Lexington Railroad Station there was a different situation since there are house$ built upon Brandon Street. He felt therefor that the agreement should be signed by those owning properties from the Arlington line to Bow Street. In regard to those properties that had previously been assessed on Fottler Ave- nue, he advised that this assessment now levied should be abated as'it was not possible to assess twice for the same benefits. The Board discussed the matter of leaving the assessments against these properties or abating them. It is assumed that many of the abuttors will request damages. The Chairman reported that Donald and Justin Shea of Mass.Shea Avenue came to him with a request that they be granted a 1i- Drain. cense to sell automobiles at the property formerly known as the Old Plaint Shop, and if this was granted they would consider settling their claim against the town. The board could not grant a permit at this location be- cause of Ithe fact that the building is located in a residence distrjct.l 'theTown Counsel stated that he conferred with Mr. Mc- Laughlin,attorney for the Shea Brothers, and he made a re- commendation of settlement for $7000. and asked for a counter offer. Counsel informed him that until the town gets expert advice in regard to the drainage situation, it would be im- possiblelto say what they would be willing to do. It was felt that the'ease should take its course at present and no offer for settlement made at this time. Hearing was declared open upon the application of Edwin Garage Halvorsen of Arlington, for permission to maintain a one car Halvorsen, wooden garage at 154 Middle Street. Mr.'Halvorsen appeared and presented plans that had been approved by the building'Inspeetor. No persons appeared in opposition and it was voted to grant the permit. 386 cowQ Toomey Mr. O'Connell reported having received message from Mar ' Shack. A. Toomey's representative that Mrs. Toomey was ill and unable to appear before the Board in reference to the Board►s notice to her of a hearing on the demolition of the building owned by her and located at the corner of Ward and CenterStreets, and asked that the hearing be postponed. The Board agreed to post- pone the hearing for one week. Haynes Letter was received from Alfred E. Haynes of Hill.Street Claim. in which he requeste] damages to his garden on account of water Walter Black 2632 running in from the street on to the land leased by him for a garden, in the amount of $17.50. It was decided not to take any rate for the use of the action on the claim. Bond Brothers 2190 Cary Memorial hail to the Minute Man Concrete Bids were received on the construction of a standpipe oon- Standpipe trete base In accordance with the specification of J. R. Wor- Base. tester & Company as follows; loan under the National Industrial Recovery Act for the construe - Punch & Custance Brothers 02476 of $10.for a Punch and Judy Richard White Sons, Inc. 3380 Show in the Cary Memorial Hall, from Mr. F. 0. Harrell of Newton. Walter Black 2632 Show. It was voter not to grant the request. William A. Cann 2593 Sports- Crandall Engineering Co. 2890 rate for the use of the Bond Brothers 2190 Cary Memorial hail to the Minute Man Sportsmants Club for the P. F. Dacey 2224 Show. production of "Henry►s Wedding" to be After considering the bids it was voted to award the bid ' to P. F. Dacey at this time subject to the approval of the loan under the National Industrial Recovery Act for the construe - tion of the standpipe. Charge It was reported that the charge for garage hearings might Garage be reduced from 4. to $2. owing to the fact that it has been Permits found that with a charge of one cent extra above the pottage & the mail can be delivered and a receipt taken from the cost Advertis- office, and the eighteen cents usually charged is not necessary. ing. It was therefor voted to reduce the charge to $2., $1. being for the permit. Palmer' In regard to the name of Peter Canessa who is to be one of Club. the incorporators of the Palmer Club, the Chief of Police stat- ed that he had never been arrested and was a sober, hard work- ing person. The Board decided to sign the certificate required by the State as to Mr. Canessa►s character. Punch & Request was received for a rate of $10.for a Punch and Judy Judy Show in the Cary Memorial Hall, from Mr. F. 0. Harrell of Newton. Show. It was voter not to grant the request. Sports- It was voted to grant a reduced rate for the use of the man's Cary Memorial hail to the Minute Man Sportsmants Club for the ' Show. production of "Henry►s Wedding" to be performed on November,23 t ' and November 24t1i. The rate is to be $25. each evening. 'r Request was received from Mr. Hollis Webster that the Estabrook Field and Garden Club be granted the free use of Estabrook Hall. Hall for the meetings of their organization. It was felt that so many of the local organizations re- quested the use of the hall that a norminal charge should be made and it was voted to charge $2. per night. Letter was received from the American Legion Auxiliary Auxiliary requesting the use of Estabrook Hall for its regular meet- Estabrook ings. It was voted to grant the Auxiliary the use of the hall Hall. at the rate of $2. for each evening. The Board certified to the Board of Assessors the list of sewer assessments in the amount of $1515.31. Mr. John L. Nuttall of 8 Lockwood Road came before the Street Board with his brother-in-law, rolative to the petition Lights, filed with the Board requesting street lights on Lockwood Road and Byron Avenue. They were informed that an article would have to be inserted in the Warrant for the Town Meeting and it was not Intended to have a meeting until next March. Mr. Gilcreast suggested that the Edison Company might transfer some of the lights that should be cancelled over to these streets without charge. It was felt, however, that the Town Counsel should be consulted to find out whether or not this could be done without a vote of the 'Down giving the authorization to put in an unaccepted street. The Board considered the request of Miss Helen Ready that Miss she be paid the balance of what was paid, namely $15. to Miss Helen Spencer, and her own salary of t23. per week while she was Ready. Ill from her duties in the Assessors Office. She has already received two weeks salary and the Board voted to recommend to the Assessors that she get her salary for two weeks sick leave, but not the balance of her salary over the other clerks pay. The Board signed an Order for the Assessment of Better- Fair ments for the extension of -water main In Fair Oaks Drive for a Oaks distance of 175 feet. Drive. The Board agreed on the charge rer foot to be assessed Trunk upon lots where the trunk line sewer its constructed, as $1.5696 Line per square foot inasmuch as the Tgwn `ngineer stated that this Sewer. rate was high and probably would iiot be as high again for some time and would be sufficient for future assessment of the betterment. Notice was received from the State Department of Public ' Health of a hearing to be held on October 23rd at 9:30 A. M. at Room 546, State House at which time that department will 388 R n �-c act upon the Board's petition for the approval of the trunk line sewer plans. The Town of Arlington will at the same time be ' given an opportunity to give their permission to Lexingtonto install the trunk line sewer., in so far as it relates to the Arlington water supply. Water Mr. Edwin B. Worthen and Mr. 'Jambs:G.'Robertson members of Rates. the committee,appointed by the Board to study the water depart- ment rates and report to the Selectmen, came before the Board to discuss the typewritten report made by them in which they recommended a change in the water rates that would benefit the farmer but would not benefit the largest number of water takers. Mr, Worthen explained that he, Mr. Robertson and Mr. Shel- don had made at least forty tables of water rates until they came upon the one recommended and they all agreed that this table was the best. Mr. Worthen felt that 't was worth $15. to any water taker to have the water in his or her house, and Mr. Robertson felt that the farmer or concern using from 35 to 50 gallons of water should be given eonsiderati.on for a reduction inasmuch as it does not cost any more to bring the water to his place than it does to other water takers who do not consume mach more than the minimum. The committee felt that the department could stand a re- duction of $75"0. Mr. Lyons made a motion that the schedule of rates as sub- mitted by the committee be accepted subject to the approval of the Metropolitan Water Commission. The other members of the , Board however, felt that the matter should be discussed further. Mr. Robertson stated that in 1928 when the Selectmen re- vised the rates they went over the matter very carefully and they felt at that time that the department was operating on too small a margin, and bince-::tiaa rates were:;incneased,,bhe?°marg'in was more thaa�necesbany and.if the rates were now cut the depart- ment would still have a fair margin to work on. Mr. Worthen felt that the financial report put out by the Town Accountant was not in good form and he felt that the Board should endeavor to have a re^ort printed in the Town Report si- milar to that put out by the Towns of Arlington, Winchester and Belmont. After the gentlemen adjourned the Board again discussed the rates and the Supt. of Public Works came• before the Board and suggested a new schedule that woul give the largest number of takers an opportunity to benefit by increasing the minimum amount of water allowed on the t12. rate and making the charge 28� per 100 cubic foot for the first 10,000 feet used. The Board discussed establishing a rate of 28y for first 10,000; 23,/ for next 20,000; 19V for next 20,000 and all over 500000 15V. It was decided, however, that the members of the Board should work out the schedules and come prepared to adopt a schedule at the next meeting to be submitted to the committee. Traffic. Mr. Ferguson suggested that Park Drive and Forest Street , be made one way streets or that traffic not be allowed to come out on these streets after the football games. ' The Supt. of Public Works suggested that all the traffic be driven out on to Lincoln Street and it was therefor decided to try this method of handling the traffic to see how it comes out. Attention of the erupt. of Public Works was called to the broken sign at Cedar Street. The Supt. of Public Works suggested that a light be placed on pole #71/12 on North Hancock Street inasmuch as there are four poles without lights and there should be one there. Mr. Gilereast suggested that he get in touch with the Edison Electric Illuminating Company to see if they would transfer one of the lights not needed free of charge to this location. Broken Sign. Light at No. Hancocl Street. The Supt. of Public Works reported that the tree in front Tree of James Russellts house on North Hancock Street should be re- No. �:aricoek moved. Street. It was therefore decided to post the tree and hold a hear- ing at which time objections to the removal of the tree will be heard. It was voted to grant the Mass. Marketing Associations an Estabrook order established for the purpose of deciding matters pertain- Hall. Ing to a new market in Boston, the use of Estabrook Hall for a meeting in October for the sum of $5. It was voted to grant the free use of Cary Memorial Hall Cary to the Farm Bureau for their annual entertainments. Hall. On recommendation of Mr. Gilcreast, it was voted to grant Emma E. Old Age Assistance in the amount of $6. a week to Emma E. Cun- Cunning- ningham of 1787 Mass. Avenue. ham. Harry E. Johnson of Arlington came before the Board re- Johnson lative to getting water supplied and sewer construction in. Water the streets laid out by him on land being developed by him "` off Mass.'Avenue. He presented plans showing a change in Sewer. grade in the street leading from Mass. Avenue to Cary Street showing a change of grade from 102 to 122%, then beyond a 10% grade. The Board informed him that they could not approve any changes until the Town Engineer reported to them on the plan. Mr. Johnson stated than in Belmont he was allowed to in- stall water and sewer and then the Town accept a deed of the pipes when the street is accepted. The Board informed him that they would look into the matter and advise him what arrangement they would be willing to make. The Chairman reported that James Cavanaugn requested that Taxi he be given permission to have a taxi stand for three automo- Stands. biles on Mass. Avenue. 390 The Bo -rd discussed the matter of infringing upon the ' rights of btore..keepers by allowing taxi stands in front of the stores, and it was felt that it w ould not be fair. Per- mission could not be given to stand on the railroad property, and there did not seem to be any available place for taxi stands. The Chairman stated that he would consult the 'Town Counsel in regard to the matter. Speer. Mr. Mitchell came before the Board and reported that Henry A. Speer's house in whien he lives in free of incumbrance. It was therefor decided not to allow any extra time in this case. Ross. Application was received from Albert A. Ross'of Locust Avenue. His son waFi honorably discharged from Reforestration Camp, but did not-reinlist. Boy now in Providence. Man given three days last spring, has two children at home, one 13 and one 6. It was voted to allow three days. Callahan. In regard to extra time for Paul Callahan, it was felt that he would be a good prospect to work on the sewer job, and would get his extra time there. Coolidge. It was voted not to allow work for Roscoe Coolidge. Heaney, Mr. Thomas F. Heaney has made application to the Home Loan , Bank and has not received report. The -.:man is willing to work but Mr. Mitchell recommended that he should come for his grocery order when needed. Devine. The case of John Devine was left with Mr. Mitchell to make arrangements. Mason. The case of Joseph Mason was also left with Mr. Mitchell. Meeting adjourned at 10:25 P. M. A true. record, Attest: Clerk. n