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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-10-24391 SELECTMEN'S MEETING October 24, 1933. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Tuesday, October 24, 1933 at 7:30 P. M. Messrs. Trask, Ferguson, Gilcreast, OtCon- nell and Lyons were present at the meeting. The clerk was also present. " Certificate of character of Robert C. Merriam as one of the Shoe incorporators of The National Association of Coated Shoe Tape Tape Manufacturers, Inc, was s'gned by the Board. Manf: It was voted to grant the following licenses: Licenses Overhanging Sign L. J. Reynolds, 1736 Mass. Ave. Comr,on Victualler's License W. B. Messer, 1741-1743 Mass. Ave. Alcohol License Newcomb & Dailey 34 Bedford St. 11 it M. J. Aruda, X29 Mass. Ave. The Board confirmed abatement of Sewer Assessment charges Sewer on the property of Mary L. Jackson in the amount of $458.24 and Abate - ori the Property of Mary C. Bliss in the amount of $474.86 owing ment. ' to the fact that the grade on Oakland Street is such that these properties cannot be entered to the sewer. Letter was received from the Emergency Finance Board in Federal which it was stated that the loans for the Standpipe and the Loans. Trunk Line sewer had been approved by their Board and the Governor and had been turned over to the Federal State Board for consideration. Hearing was declared open upon the application of Quintin Boselli of 23 Byron Avenue for permission to erect a one car Boselli garage of cement block construction at 23 Byron Avenue. Garage. Mr. Boselli appeared and presented plans which had been approved by the Building Inspector. No persons appeared to object and it was voted to grant the permit. Letter of thanks was received from the Minute Man Sportman's Club for reducing the rate to them for the evenings of Nov. 23 and 24th. Cary Memorial The Chairman also reported a letter of thanks received from -Hall. the Field and Garden Club for the rental of Estabrook Hall at a reduced charge. Letter was received from Edwin B. Worthen, Treasurer of the Savings Bank, in which he gave a statement of the Cemetery Funds in the bank under the control of the Trustees of Public Trusts Cemetery as of $20,235.00 representing 154 accounts. Funds. 392 Hearing was declared open upon the application of Harry A. Johnson Johnson of 1070 Mass. Ave. Arlington for permission to maintain Garage a one car garage of fireproof construction at 43 Taft Avenue. Mr. Johnson appeared, but did not present any plan, there- for the matter was laid on the table for one week. Yrs. Mary A. Welch and Mrs. Anselm C. Mullin came before the Board inasmuch as they do not believe that they have ban fairly treated in regard to John Devine's board. At the last meeting of the Selectmen, they wed Ke. Mitchell to make arrangements in the amount or $No per week for Mr. Devine's Board, but this would not go back to take in all the money he owed them which he continuously promised them. Hb received Old Age Assistance -from the Town in the amount of $10 per week amounting to $450, and they received almost nothing :Vhn for his board during this time. In regard to the house owned by Devine Mr. Devine on Utica Street, they filed an attachment, but the case town had-alksady filed an attachment before them so that there would probably be nothing coming to them from that. Mr. Devine made continuous promises that he would see that they were taken care of out of his property, but as nothing was forthcoming, they felt that the matter should be taken up and they had continually taken the matter up without any satisfaction as to the payment of the bill. The Board requested them to place before them an statomeiit• of the board of Mr. Devine and they would take the matter under consideration. McCarthy Kr. Mitchell stated that he had received an application from Mrs. John J. McCarthy, Arlington case, to which he intended to give some $#. to $4, a week. This was approved by the Board inasmuch as her husband is in the Middlesex Co. Sanatorium and there is one child in the family. Coolidge Further application was received from Roscoe L. Coolidge and the Chairman stated that he had been to him and informed him that his arm*was injured and therefore, he could not go to the C. C.C. vamp, but he asked if he could -Trot -have work on the water Deparlment. ' The Board decided to grant him two days a week, but the money was to be paid to his sister. OsConnor In rggord to the application of Michael OrConnor, Mr. Kitchell -.reported that he had made arrangement to pay his board In'the amount of $7, per week to Mrs. Latter. The Board ,felt, however, ti -at he should be sent back to Bridgewater again. Smith In regard to the application of DeTrafford Smith, who lives in the house of Mr. Albert Ross on Locust Avenue, Mr. Mitchell *hocked up'with the No. Cambridge Co-op. Bank and they stated that they would accept $23.75 per month as payments -on the house. Mo felt, therefore, that rent should be paid for"Mr. Smith in that amount and charged to the Town of Arlington, which is the place of settlement. Mr. Smith hes one boy'working at t Liberty Mutual who'gets about $10. per week, and he has t. children in school. He needs assistance in the amount at 'tis rent, and in this way would also help out Mr. Ross who is in 1 393 ' need of aid and may not be able to save his home. It was voted to make this arrangement. In regard to the application of Cornelius Lyons of Lyons Cottage Street,, the Agent reported that he had talked with Mr. Blake and he informed him that he had paid $22. a week regularly to Cornelius Lyons employed by him and he felt that he should be able to help out his parents. There is' a "rtgage on their home of $800* and the mother earns $S, per week. ' It was decided not to grant any aid in this case. In regard to Zeseph Keefe, it was felt that no aid Keefe should be granted at the present time in this ease. In regard to the request of George Fuller for street Street lights on Laconia Street, the record showing the water lights, guarantees outstanding was presented to the Board owing Laconia St, to the fact that lights were requested on this street pre- viously and the Board refused to have any further public utilities installed until the water guarantees were paid. At the present time almost $1000. is still outstanding in guarantees. The Board therefore decided not to install street lights. ' Letter was received from Thomas M. Montague requesting Taxi a taxi stand on Mass. Ave. in front of Tranits store. Stands The Board discussed the matter of granting any'taxi- ' cab stands on the avenue in front of store property, and Mr. ©'Connell felt that the property owner was entitled to his rights to the middle of the street and thit,the Beard would not have the right to grant taxicab stands in front of this property. The Board therefore decided to take the natter up with the Town Counsel to get an opinion on the matter. .It was also felt that the bus location at this point Bus should possibly be changed to have the bus stop at Depot Stop. Square just above Martints store to avoid congestion at the traffic light and the intersection of Mass. Ave. and Waltham Street. The Board decided to take action on this matter next week. Letter was received from Ronald D. Brown of 27 Edge - wood Rd* in which he called attention tc the fact that at the entrance to his driveway was an impression which should be fixed. Brown The Supt, of Public Works viewed the condition and driveway stated that he would have the gutter raised this week so ' that there would be no further trouble. 394 Chamberlain Letter was received from Francis Chamberlain of Summit com- Rd, in which he claimed that the Supt. of Public Works had plaint dumped rocks and debris upon his land and has never removed them as agreed upon. The Supt. of Public Works reported by letter to the Board that the rocks were not dumped upon Mr. Chamberlaints land by the town, but that Mr. Robertson, who owns land in that vicinity, desired to have some material dumpad upon his land. He also stated that some of the rocks that were dumped there now -were duped by a private contractor building a cellar in the vicinity, It was decided to'have the Supt. of Public Works make an appointment with Mr. Chamberlain and go over the matter with him. Johnson Mr. Harry Johnson of Arlington appeared before the development Board and presented a proposed plan by which he would agree to bear all expenses incidental to the digging of trench, provided the Town would furnish the sewer pipe, water pipe, leadite, and all fittings pertaining to the water and sewer for this development and bear the cost of same. The Board informed Mr. Johnson that this was not the proposition that he made at the last meeting. He at that time suggested that he would pay for all the materials and Install the pipes and then deed them to the town, if the town would give him the water. The Board discussed the matter and decided that they would not enter into a proposition such as was offered by MR. Johnson, but that either he or the town should do the whole of the work. Mr. Ross presented figures of the cost of extension of 650 feet of water main in Taft Avenue of $941.16 and of the extension of the sewer in the amount of $326.88, this being for materials only, and he stated that the cost of labor would be as much again. The Chairman reported in regard to the grade that was changed by Mr. Harry Johnson in his development that the Town Engineer stated that this was an improvement and would make a better looking street. Toomey Mrs. Mary Toomey who was requested to come before the Building Board to be given a hearing on the demolition of the build- ing at Corner of Ward and Center Streets owned by her, ap- peared at 8:15 P. M. together with Mr. Toomey and her attor- ney, Kr. Ganong. The Chairman explained to Mrs. Toomey the reason of the notice of the Board of this hearing owing to the fact that' she did not demolish the building when ordered by the Build- ing Inspector. Kra. Toomey stated that she would be willing to make necessary repairs if the town would give her reasonable time. Mr. Longbottom stated that she would be unwise to make repairs because she would have to have a cellar and at least one toilet, and in his opinion the building was not worth remodelling. 1 1 395 ' Mr. Toomey stated that they intended to use the foun- dation next to the building to build upon but owing to con- ditions they were unable to do so as they did not have any money. He stated that they stay there just for July and August and that it was :only a summer camp. The Chairman explained that the action of the Board was a result of several complaints and upon investigation it was found that the building was unfit for a family'es- pecially as large as the family thug had living there, and it was unfit for anybody to live in. Mr. Ganong inquired if the Board would allow them a reasonable time to make reasonable repairs if they agreed to not let anyone in there until this was done. - The Chairman stated that the 'wilding was a violation of the building and health laws of the Town and they could not agree to let it remain any longer. Mrs* Toomey stated that the neighbors making the com- plaint are the ones that are wrecking the place. They always board the place up and every summer they put in new windows that are to replace the broken ones, and they put new paper on the roof. She only wanted the neighbors to keep away from the building. They had no money and until we get some money we cannot do any repair work. Mr. Longbottom stated that the building would, at the most, not last three years as the posts are in very bad con- dition, and he felt that the building would be very much bet- ter if taken down altogether. The salvage to be used toward another building. He stated further that without measuring that under one room about 12 square feet there is only one floor timber and the floor of that room has settled at least six inches. He felt that the people were liable to go through the floor at any time especially if the bad thunder storm came. Mrs. Toomey stated that the only change they had Made was to build on a piazza, but the rest of the house was the way they went to live in it. Mr. Longbottom stated that when he went there there were four or five girls in the one room. Mrs. Toomey stated that she would not let anybody into the building unless something was done. She stated also that the fire insurance ran out on the building, which was assessed for about $400, and she did not renew it. It was insured for $500. The Chairman informed them that if they did not take the building down the town would have to tear it down and charge the cost to them. Mr. Gangong felt that the Board should allow the build- ing to remain there until summer when something could he done on it inasmuch as there would not be anybody in there this winter and the building was quite a ways into the woods. Mr. Longbottom informed the Board that these people ' have owned this place for four years. After discussing the matter the Board, in private ses- sion, voted to adopt the following order allowing them until November 15th to abate the nuisance. (Quote Order) 396 �c Order of Board of Selectmen: ' The Board of Selectmen of Lexington, acting unddr Gen- eral Laws, Chapter 13.9, sections 1-3, and acting as a Board of Health under Chapter 111, section 122, and every other power them thereto enabling, having held a hearing on the matter at the office of the Selectmen in the Town Office Building in Lexington, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, October 240 1933, at 8:15 o'clock P. M•T of which due notice was given to Mary A. Toomey of 25 Winter Street, Cambridge, MAs- saohusetts, the owner of the premises in question, hereby adjudge that the building or buildings owned by the said Mary A. Toomey at the corner of Ward and Center Streets in the said Lexington are a nuisance to the neighborhood and dangerous, and furt'er acting as a Board of Health are of the opinion that the said building and outhouse adjacent thereto are a nuisance, source of filth and cause of sickness which may be injurious to the public health, and order that the aw"r demolish the same in a manner satisfactory to the balUing Inspector of Lexington on or before November 15; 1933: WITNESS our hands this 24th day of October, 1933, ROBERT P. TRASK BOARD JOHN E. GILCREAST OF CHARLPS 'S. FBRGUSON I SPLECTMEN DANIM g. 01CONNELL JOHN LYONS Cesspool Mr. Papen of 23 Hill Top Avenue came before the Board and stated that several complaints have been given about the condition of the cesspool at the home of Mr. Plummer on Hill Top Avenue. The cesspool runs over on to the street and children, of which there are seventeen on the street, play in that filth and the neighbors were afraid of an epidemis of typhoid, and he felt that something should be done immediate- ly. He would be even willing to pay part of the charge of building a cesspool to remedy the condition, although he could not offer direct charity. The Board informed him that they would look into the matter although it is very hard to do anything with the land in that section inasmuch as the nature of the soil is such that it will not absorb the water and the same condition exists all through that section. They also informed him that it would cost about $500,000 to sewer that section. The Town Engineer reported that the engineer repre- senting the State has approved the expenditure of $46,,000 for the trunk line sewer and has forwarded the application to Washington. The Supt. of the 'Nater Department stated that he unddr- ' stood that Mr. Smith of Mr. Gowns office was now through with the plans of the Standpipe and they would them be for- ward�d to Washington for approval. 397 The Board therefore voted to send the prop®sed schedule of rates to the Committee and ask them to view them to see if they could concur with the Board of Selectmen so that the schedule might be sent to the metropolitan Water Com- mission for approval from the Selectmen and the Committee jointly. The Board, together with Mr. Ross, Mr. Scamman and Water, Mr. Cosgrove discussed the matter of changing the schedule of ment in regard to the March 193: uarter for water rates at the Adams School amounting to 9202.32. Mr. Ross reported water rates. The figures were presented showing how the rate proposed at the last meeting would Bork out and the net result was that there would be a loss to the depart- rectly and that they found flush closets leaking and the ment of $8453.00. This amount would be $900 more than the reduction recommended by the Committee and it was felt by the Supt, of the Water Department that the Department could water was- not so great although t?ie same met -3r w. still stand this loss if the proposed change which is included in House Bills #267 and #709 were not passed. These bills call for an assessment against Towns of from $15,000 to $259000. It ova:. therefore felt that no aratement of the bill a year. The Town Uounsel prepared a letter to be sent to Senator Russell B. Chase, Chairman of the Recess Committee to Investigate Claims for Damages Against the Metropolitan In r3"ard I o L' s_.ri er .months during; :ihich the water District Commission, requesting hir to oppose this legis- lation, and also to Senator Jos. R. Cotton. The Board therefore voted to send the prop®sed schedule of rates to the Committee and ask them to view them to see if they could concur with the Board of Selectmen so that the schedule might be sent to the metropolitan Water Com- mission for approval from the Selectmen and the Committee jointly. Letter was received from the Supt. ofthe Water Depart- Water, ' ment in regard to the March 193: uarter for water rates at the Adams School amounting to 9202.32. Mr. Ross reported Adams Sc ool that the heater had been tested and found registering cor- rectly and that they found flush closets leaking and the janitor was- notified of the leak. After this, the flow of water was- not so great although t?ie same met -3r w. still in service. It ova:. therefore felt that no aratement of the bill could be made, Li_." _i, waz, to so advise Mr. Gr5_ndle, In r3"ard I o L' s_.ri er .months during; :ihich the water is used for the children's playground, the Board decided to inform the school Department that if they desired to render a reasonable bill to the Park Department, it w ould be paid. Mr. Ross reported that there had been a leak in Mass. Ave. opposite Clarke Street for about eight months and they had been unavle to locate the leak. The Telephone Company, however, stated that a leak existed and inasmuch as the water was going into their cables they requested that something be done about the matter. It was therefore decided to get the man from the Pitometer Company at the rate of $60 a day, and he came to Lexington and located the leak. Mr. Ross presented a picture showing the flow of water through the manhold. The bill for his services would be $140 to $150., m but it was judged that the leakage was running about 15,000 gallons a day. Mr.,Ross stated that the Water Department located within about three feet of the leak, but could not get the definite location. On account of so much leakage, it was felt that the money was well spent. Standpipe The Board viewed the specifications for the standpipe prepared by J. R. Worcester & Co, and Mr. Ross stated that Mr. Smith felt that the request for bids should not be made at this time. The Clerk reported that Mr. Ellis stated there would be a jum of about 25 per cent in the cost of steel and felt that 6000. to $8000. might be saved by sending out the bids at the present time. The Board, however, decided not to request the bids until word was received that the money is forthcoming from Washington. Letter was received -from the Supt. of Public Works in which he recommended that a larger standpipe be built in- creasing from 45 feet in diameter to 50 feet in diameter inasmuch as he felt that for fire purposes the supply to Westminster Avenue would not be sufficient without pumping at Arlington. The Board felt that this recommendation was little late owing to thefact that they already passer9 a vote requesting an appropriation for a standpipe of 1,000,000 gallon capacity. Street Supt, of Public Works stated that there were two more Lights houses in the Robbins and Smith Development and therefore electric lights should be installed on the street and Mr. Gilcreast agreed to inform Mr. Scamman the lights to be transferred to this location. Street Mr. Gilcreast stated that he had talked with Mr. Stevens Lights of the Edison Company and he informed him that thirty lights in the Town could be transferred to an adjacent neighborhood at a cost of $10. a light and that there would be no charge for the installation of new lights except the regular main- tenance charge and if the Board cancelled any of the lights now upon -schedule, this agreement will be null. Complaint Letter was received from Charlotte Murphy, 299 Marrett Road, complaining of the noise of boys playing baseball on the land adjacent to her property. The Board informed her that they had no jurisdiction over the property and referred her to the owner. Trunk The Chairman reported that hearing was held at the State Line House before the State Board of Health to approve of the Sewer change in the location of the trunk line sewer as required by law from the McClintock and Woodfall plans to the plans of Metcalf and Eddy, and the Town of Arlington was invited to appear at the hearing owing to the fact that the law required that the Town of Arlington ive their approval on account of interference with ,mater rite. 1 1 n 399 ' The Town Counsel of Arlington and two water commis- sioners were at the hearing, but they declined to give their approval until they found out more about the matter. The Chairman therefore wrote a letter explaining to them that the betterment assessments against the Town of Arlington would be abated if they could prove no better- ment and the Town Engineer reported that they would take the matter up at the next meeting and felt certain that they would then give their approval. Letter was received from Pierre A. Northrup, as At- torney for Mary A. Whelan, requesting that an article be inserted in the Warrant to change the zone of the property of Mrs. Whelan so that she may be permitted to have a tea room. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 P. M. A true record, Attest: Clerk. 1 1