HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-10-24 391
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, Gilareast, O'Con-
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.
Com, on Victualler' s License W B. Messer, 1741-1743 Mass Ave
Alcohol License Newcomb & Dailey 34 Bedford St.
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.
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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.
Mrs. Wary A. Welch and Mrs. Anselm C. Mullin came before
the Board inasmuch as they do not believe that they have teen
fairly treated in regard to John Devine's board.
At the last meeting of the Selectmen, they slliwed Me.
Kitchell to make arrangements in the amount of $q'. 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
John 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- alteady 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 statement -
of the board of Mr. Devine and they would take the matter under
consideration.
McCarthy Mr. Mitohell stated that he had received an application
from Mrs. John J. McCarthy, Arlington case, to which he
intended to give some $J. 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. ramp, but he asked if he could not have work on the
water Department.
The Board decided to grant him two days a week, but the
money was to be paid to his sister.
O'Connor In regard to the application of Michael O'Connor, Mr.
MitchellIreported that he had made arrangement to pay his
beard is the amount of $7. per week to Mrs. Latter. The Board
telt, however, teat 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
Checked up with the No. Cambridge Co-op. Bank and they stated
that they would accept $23.75 per month as payments on the house.
8e 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 tha
Liberty Mutual who gets about $10. per week, and he has tee
children in school. He needs assistance in the amount o$ itis
rent, and in this way would also help out Mr. Ross who is in
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need of aid and may not be able to save his home.
It was voted to make this arrangement .
In regard to tie 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 mortgage on their home of $900. and the mother earns $5.
per week.
It was decided not to grant any aid in this case.
In regard to Joseph 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 Trani's store. Stands
The Board discussed the matter of granting any taxi-
cab stands on the avenue in front of store property, and Mr.
O'Connell felt that the property owner was entitled to his
rights to the middle of the street and that ,the Beard would
not have the right to grant taxicab stands in front of this
property.
The Board therefore decided to take the matter 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 atop at Depot Stop.
Square just above Martin's store to avoid congestion at the
traffio 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 to 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.
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Chamberlain Letter was received from Francis Chamberlain of Summit
corn- 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. Chamberlain's
land by the town, but that Mr. Robertson, who owns land in
that vicinity, desired to have some material dumped upon
his land. He also stated that some of the rocks that were
dumped there now were dumped by a private contractor building
a cellar in the vicinity.
It was decided to have the Supt. of Public Works make
an apptintment 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
Mit. 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, Mr. Ganong.
The Chairman explained to Mr. . 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.
Mrs. 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.
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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 the* 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 ',nilding 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 espedially if the bad thunder storm came.
Mrs. Toomey stated that the only change they bad 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)
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396
eamiOrder of Board of Selectmen:
The Board of Selectmen of Lexington, acting under 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 en the
matter at the office of the Selectmdn in the Town Office
Building in Lexington, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, October
24, 1933, at 8:15 o'clock P. M.3 of which due notice was
given to Mary A. Toomey of 25 Winter Street, Cambridge, MAs-
sachusetts, 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 wiser
demolish the same in a manner satisfactory to the buialing
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 CHARLES R. FERGUSON
SELECTMEN DANIEL /. O'CONNELL
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 epideaio
of typhoid, and he felt that something should oe 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 Water Department stated that he under-
stood that Mr. Smith of Mr. Gow' s office was now through
with the plans of the Standpipe and they would them be for-
4 wardr'd to Washington for approval.
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The Board, together with Mr. Ross, Mr. Seaman and
Mr. Cosgrove discussed the matter of changing the schedule of
water rates . The figures were presented showing how the
rate proposed at the last meeting would work out and the
net result was that there would be a loss to the depart-
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
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 $25,000
a year. The Town counsel prepared a letter to be sent to
Senator Russell B. Chase , Chairman of the Recess Committee
to Investigate Claims for Damages Against the Metropolitan
District Commission requesting hir^ to op ose this legis-
lation, and also to Senator Jos R. Cotton.
The Board therefore voted to send the propOsed 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 of the Water Depart- Water,
ment in regard to the March 193 guarter for water rates Adams
at the Adams School amounting to $202 n Mr. Ross reported School
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 w e not so great although t?be same meter w still
in service
It ,va therefore felt that no :ratement of the bill
could be made, a_ ' -t, r . 3ec' ? to so .3_dvl se Mr. Grindle.
In r3`and 1,11. s .rrer oonths during .which The tater
is used for the childrents 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. If 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. ,
398
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 jump of about 25 per cent in the cost of
steel and felt that $6000. to 48000. 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 the fact that they already passe'9 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 give their approval on account of
interference with water rte.
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.
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