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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-11-14412 SELECTMENtS MEEETING ' NOVEMBER 14, 1933 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Tuesday, November I4, 1933 at 7:30 P. M. Messrs, Trask, Ferguson, Gilcreast, and OtConnell were present. The clerk was also present. Certi- Certificate of incorporation of the White Mountain Ski ficate Runners, of which Helen V. Emery is an incorporator, was of signed by the Board. Incor. Abatements of the Water Department in the amount of $267.69 on accounts and $2.70 on Water Lien was signed; Abate- also abatements of the Sewer Department in the amount of ments $323.01, were signed. Letter was received from the Federal Emergency Admin- istration of Public Works, Major R. W. Crawford, in which he advised that work should not be started on our standpipe or sewer project until notice is received of the approval of the applications for loans or grants. Smith Hearing was declared open upon the application of Helen Garage ' T. Smith of 154 Highland Avenue, Arlington, for permission to erect a two car garage of third class construction. Mr. Smith appeared and presented plan of the proposed garage. No persons appeared against,the petition, and it was voted to grant a permit subject to the approval of the Building In- spector. Oak Letter was received from P. J. Neary of 9 Bennett Ave. Street in which he called attention to the condition of Oak Street. He stated that on Saturday last, he was unable to pass the four cars that were stuck on the street because the street is too narrow. He also called attention to the unprotected wall at the bottom of Oak Street, and asked that something be done to remedy the conditions. The Board decided to view the conditions and take the matter up at the next meeting, Bus Stop The Board voted to adopt the following regulation Change changing the Bus Stop from in front of Trani's store to the location in front of Martin's Drug Store. ( Quote Regulation) Acting under the provisions of Chapter 40, section 22, of the General Laws, the Board of Selectmen hereby repeal that section of the Traffic Regulations adopted by the Board of Selectmen under date of July 7, 1931, relating to the ' bus stop at the easterly side of Massachusetts Avenue just northerly of cross wally oppo6site Waltham Street, and hereby 1 413 amend said Regulations to read as follows: BUS STOP "Easterly side of Massachusetts Avenue in front of Martin's Drug Store." (signed) BOARD OF SELECTMEN It was decided to lay over for one week the filling Vacancy of the vacancy in Prec. I. of Viola Harkins as Teller. Applications were received from James McGann, Walter Taxi J, Rose and John E. Timothy for taxi stands in the space Stands provided near Depot Park. The Chairman reported that four spaces were provided and these were not in use all the time, and he questioned the necessity of giving any more spaces. He also called attention to the fact that these three applicants have been operating from their homes, and he wondered how they were to arrange with the taxi up town and the telephone at home. The Chairman suggested that the applicants be requested to come before the Board next Tuesday and talk the matter over. The Chairman reported that Nelson Crosby, Representa- tive from this district, requested him to give his opinion relative to the proposed liquor legislation, and he therefor wrote him giving the opinion that he thought there should be licensed taverns where persons could drink in public if they so desired. This seemed also to be the concensus of opinion of the other members of the Board. Stanley Higgins, Asstt Town Engineer, and A. A. Ross, Supt. of the Water and Sewer Department came before the Board relative to the damage done by blasting in the Shirley Street section when the sewer was installed. Mr. Higgins had a list of the fourteen houses damaged by blasting and explained that he made his first visit on December 16, 1932 just after the blasting was started. In two instances they claimed some damage prior to this visit. He left with the Board a complete report of the damage found at each home, and gave an explanation of the damage. This information was requested in case of request for damage from the various owners. Liquor Control Blasting, Shirley Street Section Mr. Ross presented estimates of water extensions in Mass. Hill Avenue, Bow St., Hill St., Bedford St., East St., and Oak St. Street The Chairman explained that $6000 remained in the unem- Water ployment appropriation for labor and materials and he would Main recommend that this money be used to install a twelve inch main in Hill Street from the Lexington Golf Club to Sargent Street, then the circuit would be completed with a twelve inch main from the standpipe to the Bedford St. section. At 414 r� �c present there is a six inch pipe in that section of the ' town. Mr. Ross stated that for several years the fire insurance exchange have recommended this connection and it is also a part of the Metcalf and Eddy program. He stated also that it would provide six or eight weeks work for the men. The Board considered the matter and voted to in- struct Mr. Ross to proceed with the construction work of installing a twelve inch water main in Hill Street from the Lexington Golf Club to Sargent Street at his esti- mated cost of $5600. Federal In connection with the other estimates presented by Aid Mr. Ross the Chairman brought up the matter of consid- Projects. ering another request for fed-ral aid and whether or not the Board would feel justified in calling another town meeting to discuss the matter. The total of the six in- stallations presented by Mr. Ross amount to 47,500. Mr. Ross explained the present connections at the Arlington line and strongly remommended that the sixteen inch main be installed in Mass. Avenue. It was believed that the work could be done now at a more reasonable price than at any time 3n the future. The drainage project was also considered, and the Chairman stated that he would endeavor to get an estimate from Metcalf and Eddy on the drainage in the lower section ' of the town that is now being studied by them. It was also felt that the members of the Board should all think of whatever projects that might be done under Federal Aid and consider them at the next meeting of the Boar. -I. The Vine Brook Drainage project was also mentioned. Dumps & Mr. Maurice Page of 15 Independence Avenue came be - Ashes fore the Board to inform them that he would be willing to care for the ashes and dumps of the 'town at the same price the town is now paying, namely $2200. The Board informed him that unless he could show the town a saving there would be no object in making a change. Welcome Sarah Eddy Holmes of Arlington, through Mr. Edward W. to Taylor, made the request that the Welcome to Lexington signs Lex. that she gave to the Town at the time of the 1925 celebra- Signs. tion be accepted by the Selectmen of the Town. These five signs have been maintained by the Town Board of Trade at considerable expense. The Board, however, voted to accept the signs and main- tain them in the future. Vine The Chairman called attention to the fact that the sewer I Brook back of Vine Brook had to be dug up and replaced owing to the Sewer. fact that it did not operate properly. The Supt..of Public C C 1 Works stated that it was found that the pipe originally put in, although purchased by the town, was not of good grade and the land being muddy the stones on the top of the sewer worked down on to the pipe and the pressure of the stones broke the pipe. The cost of this replacement was between $1000 and 1200, and it was therefore decided to request the Appropriation Committee to make a transfer of $1000 from the Reserve Fund to the Sewer Maintenance Account to replace the money expended for this work which 'had not been contemplated when the appropriation was re- quested in March. The Supt. of Public Works stated that he received a call from the Emergency Relief asking whether or not there were any drainage problems in Lexington for which the town needed money inasmuch as they received from Washington a request for this information. He informed them that there was a drainage project in East Lexington where about $8000 could be spent that would put unemployed to work. It may be possible that this money may be forthcoming to the town. 415 $ 8000 Drainage. The Supt, of Public Works was requested to get an es- Grove St. timate on the cost of building Grove Street. The Supt, of Public Works was requested to estimate Sidewalks. the cost of fixing the sidewalk from the Barber Shop on Waltham Street to Forest Street. The Chairman and the Supt, of Public Works were to look over the sidewalks in town to secure estimates for work for 1934. The Supt. of Public Wor'-s was requested to see that the Traffic traffic lights at Waltham Street was installed. Lights. The Board discussed whether or not coal should be given Old Age In Old Age cases in addition to cash. The Board decided to Coal. await the inlr-�stigation by the Old Age Visitor on these cases. The Chairman and Supt. of Public Works presented ten- Esti- tative estimates of various accounts for 1934 appropriations mates. and the Board viewed them discussing the various items at some length. Nn definite action was taken relative to pre- senting these estimates to the Appropriation Committee. Mr. Mitchell came before the Board and reported that Doherty Mr. Thomas Doherty had been cut down. He formerly was given Case. five days when his wife wns ill and after she died he was cut down to three days. Mr. Doherty, himself, came before the Board and stated that he had applied to the Home Loan requesting them to take over the mortgage on his house and he hoped to b9 able to save his home if they would take over the mortgage of $5700., 416 c� �c Henry In regard to the application of Henry A. Speare for an Speare. additional day, report came back that the house owned by him was free and clear. Mr. Trask stated that the house was built by his father -in; -law who has never received pay for the house and he has a claim against the property. Therefore no mortgage can be obtained. It was therefore decided to give Henry A. Speare four days. Manual In regard to the application of Manual F. Mederios, Jr. Mederioswhose father runs a fish market at Arlington Heights, the man did not reinlist in the Citizens Training Camp thereby losing $25. a month. It was therefore decided not to grant any aid in this case. Geo. In regard to the application of George E. Jones, 1847 Jones Mass. Avenue, who has a wife and two children and recently was working for a transportation company., Mr. Mitchell re- ' commended three days be given to him and it was so voted. He receives from the board of Walter Burke, his father-in- law, $5. or $6. a week. and he requested that he be given another day so that he ' might be able to save his home. The Board informed him that the loan probably would be at the rate of 5% interest and with the interest and taxes, it would cost him $465. a year which he would not bd able to pay and take- care of his food even if they gave him seven days a week at $3. per day. He state,9 that he put $4500 into the house and did not want to lose it. The Board informed him that they did not see how they possibly could give him enough time so that he could save his home. James Mr. Mitchell again took up the application of James Keefe. Keefe owing to the fact that the Arlington Co-op. Bank in- formed him that there were three water bills on the three houses that were overdue and if they pay these bills there will have to be a charge of $18. against the account of Mr. Keefe and they wondered if something could not be done to help out. The Board still Felt that owing to the fact that the man owned three houses that they could not grant him any assistance. Thomas Application was received from Thomas Curley, Sr., 171 Curley. Mass. Avenue for aid. His son, Thomas Curley, had been given three days a week aid and Mr. Mitchell would recom- ' mend giving him an additional day. The family consists of the mother and father, one brother, age 27, who has heart trouble, and a sister. Mr. Mitchell was requested to check up and find out whether or not the sister was working and also whether or not the married sister was now living in the house. Henry In regard to the application of Henry A. Speare for an Speare. additional day, report came back that the house owned by him was free and clear. Mr. Trask stated that the house was built by his father -in; -law who has never received pay for the house and he has a claim against the property. Therefore no mortgage can be obtained. It was therefore decided to give Henry A. Speare four days. Manual In regard to the application of Manual F. Mederios, Jr. Mederioswhose father runs a fish market at Arlington Heights, the man did not reinlist in the Citizens Training Camp thereby losing $25. a month. It was therefore decided not to grant any aid in this case. Geo. In regard to the application of George E. Jones, 1847 Jones Mass. Avenue, who has a wife and two children and recently was working for a transportation company., Mr. Mitchell re- ' commended three days be given to him and it was so voted. He receives from the board of Walter Burke, his father-in- law, $5. or $6. a week. 417 In regard to the application of Dennis Reardon of Vine Reardon. Street, it was voted to grant $6. per week aid to be paid to his sister. Mr. Mitchell reported having received application from Mrs. Peter Cannessa of 904 Mass. Avenue for assistance, and he advised her tO have a warrant served on her husband for non-support inasmuch as he was living on a farm in Bur- lington. Mr. Mitchell reported having had to send in an appli- Unemploy- eation for each of the unemployment relief cases every day ment to the Emergency Relief Board; also that blankets and Relief. clothing were to be furnished wherever needed and that*1500 pounds of pork war to be allotted to the Town of Lexington for needy families. Circular letter wag received from Alvan T. Fuller, Chairman of the Mass. Federal State Advisory Board, in which he strongly urged all municipalities throughout the State to give prompt consideration to the opportunity presented to them for securing their allottment from the Public Works Fund before it is exhausted. The meeting adjourned at 10:55 P. M. A true record, Attest: Clerk. u