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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-12-1243 I SELECTMEN'S MEETING DECEMBER 22, 1933 A regular meeting of the Selectmen was held in the Town Office Building, Selectmen's Room, at 7:30 P.M. Messrs. Trask, Gilcreast, Ferguson, O'Connell, and Lyons were present. The Clerk was also present. The Board signed a statement recommending $10. a Wheeler month State Aid for Mr. Arthur E. Wheeler of Valley Road. State Mr. Wheeler's Spanish War compensation had been reduced Aid from $72. a month to $30. a month, therefore necessitating action in granting the State Aid. The Town Treasurer presented bids on serial notes for the construction of a trunk line sewer in the amoimt of $25,000 payable $3000 in the years 1934 to 1938 and $2000 in the ,years 1939 to 1943. RB'ids were received as follows: Tyler, Buttrick Co. - 100.345 Lee Higginson Co. - 100.77 - 4% )fids F. A. Moseley - 100.27 - 4 On Notes. R. L. Day - 100.09 - 4 First Corp, of Boston - 100.09 - 4% Newton Abbey - 100.68 - 4-�'-% ' It was voted to award the bid to Lee Higginson & Co. Hearing was declared open on the application of James R. Smith for permission to maintain a two car garage at lot #12, Plymouth Road. Smith Mr. Smith appeared before the Hoard and presented plans Garage. of the garage. No persons appeared to object, and it was voted to grant the permit subject to the approval of the Suilding Inspector. The Board approved the application for admittance to McNamara, the Middlesex Co. Sanatorium of George D. McNamara of 2377 T. B. Mass. Avenue. The Board signed the statement for the Dept. of Public Wood Works of the State giving expenditures on Wood Street so Street. that the final payment by the State may be received. Letter was received from the Rev. Wm. McCarthy, Pastor of St. Br3dgid's Rectory, requesting that the lights be ex- tended on Christmas morning until two A. M. owing to the Street midnight mass held at both churches. Lights The Board decided not only to extend the lights on until Christman morning, but also to extend them on New Year's 2 A.M. ' morning until two A.M. 440 1 c� �c Mr. Patrick J. Maguire came before the Board in ref- erence to the ceilings in his house. He stated that the kitchen ceiling was almost down and that the dining room Maguire ceiling was very well shaken during the blasting done by Ceilings. the Town in that section. The Board informe(' him that he should get a figure on the cost of fixing the ceilings and present it to them and they would then take action on the matter. Town Counsel, S. R. Wrightington, came before the Board to advise the Board in regard to the rights under Chapter 376 of the Acts of 1933, the same being an Act regulating the manufacture, transportation, sale, import- ation and exportation of alcoholic beverages and alcohol, and also under Chapter 373 of the Acts of 1933 being an Act providing for the exercising of local option relative to the licensing of sales of alcoholic beverages and conferring certain powers on Licensing authorities in anticipation of the enactment of further legislation regulating such licenses and sales. He explained that he considered that under these chap- ters the Board had a right to grant permits for the sale of alcoholic beverages excdpt in taverns if they so desired. Applications were received from the following for lic- enses: Ernest C. Martin and Edgar J. Thivierge, or,,ners of drug stores; Lexington Inn, Mel's Restaurant; and for pack- age goods Edward Berman, Lexington Fruit Co. and Jos. Trani. The Board discussed the matter as to whether or not they should grant licenses, and Mr. Lyons expressed the opinion that he did not think licenses should be granted in the Town until the voters had an opportunity to vote on the question at the March Town Meeting. Mr. O'Connell expressed the opinion that he felt that the licenses should be granted and tried out and have the legal sale of liquor in the Town inasmuch as the Board has never had the opportunity of trying out the legal sale of liquor in the Town and he felt that the Town should get the revenue rather than have some other towns have all the sales. The question of allowing a petition to be filed B7 the Persdps interested was also discussed by the Board, and it was finally decided that the Board would call a special elec- tion at which time the voters would be given an opportunity to state whether or not they desired to have licenses issued in the Town and to have the election held on December 22nd from three P.M. to eight P.T.J. The report was given that the Town of Concord had granted licenses to several, includ'ng druggists, restaurants and stores under authority of the Acts above mentioned and without the Town voting upon the question. It was understood that the town of Wakefield had voted on a ballot. Circular letter was received from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission in which they called attention to Section 67 of Chapter 376 of the Acts of 1933 which states that from Liquor Licenses 1 J applicants who have been refused licenses have but five days from the time they receive notice of the Board's decision in which to file an appeal with the Alcoholic Beverage Commission. They requested that written notice be given to each applicant and that they be informed that they have only five days to make appeal. Mr. Wrightington went over the agreement sent by the Federal Government, five copies of which were to be executed by the Board and returned to them as soon as possible. He explained that in this agreement, the governing body, he would rule, would be the Town and that the Town should adopt the resolution describing the agreement and approving the same and authorizing the execution and that the extracts of the minutes of the meeting; of the governing body should be attached to the agreement including the certified copy of the resolution. Mr. Wrightington explained that he took the matter up with Col. Gowls office owing to the fact that the Town of Lexington had already voted on the matter of author- izing the trunk line sewer, and he was informed that the Town had acted too quickly in voting upon the construction of the trun'r line sewer. Town Counsel advised, however., that he felt the Board should send copies oft he records of the Town Meeting with this agreement and if necessary, when the ' payment is to be made in February, that a resolution might be passed at that time if this was not satisfactory. He ex- plained further that the agreement called for a separate bank account for the funds to be kept in the bank separately from other town funds. A letter was received from John B. Sawyer, Attorney for the Boston & Maine Railroad, in which he stated that they would provid- a formal document consenting to the taking of an easement under and across the right of way owned by them at the Arlington Town Line for the consideration of $100 and also that they would consent to the usual provisions of the work on the right of' way to be done and?r their supervision and in a manner satisfactory to their engineers and also that the Town should reimburse the railroad for any costs that they are put to by reason of such work. The Board felt that they would have to accept the provisions of the Boston & Maine Railroad and therefore de- cided to inform that the Town Counsel to follow up the matter to see that the formal document is received. In reference to the bill for $28, for services of Dr. Talty in the case of dog bite to the Stymest boy, the Board decided not to pay the bill. The family were informed over the telephone when this dog bite occurred that the Board of ' Health would furnish the anti -rabic serum ifthey could not afford to purchase it and t he Board of Health physician would give the treatment if they desired to have the treatment given by the Town. Otherwise they could employ their own physician. 441 Trunk Line Sewer. B.&M. RR easement, Trunk Line Sewer. 442 They chose to employ their own physician and therefore the Board did not feel liable in this case. Street Letter was received from D. W. Tucker of Grant Street Lights. requesting additional street lights on Grant Street, also calling attention to the fact that bushes and brush on the side of the street were sticking out into the road and should be removed. The recent vote of the Town Meeting wes,for street lights on the unaccepted part of Grant Street voted by the Town and stated that(Mr. Tucker was so adviedd and the Com- mittee for street lighting did notadvise additional lights in this location. Therefore no action was taken to install additional lights. Grant Supt, of Public Works reported that Mr. Bowser called Street him in regard to the lights on Grant Street voted by the Lights Town and stated that he desited to have the lights on poles #117/15 and 117/21, the same being 600 feet apart. Mr. Gilcreast stated that he had been endeavoring to communicate with Mr. Bowser and had been unable to do so, but he would view the poles and advise later whether or not he Telt the lights should be placed on the poles men- tioned. Oak St. The Board discussed the matter of doing some work on Oak Street as all the members of the Board viewed the con- ditions since the last meeting, and it was voted to fix the sidewalk so that the school children could travel on the sidewalk and also to fix the stone wall, and the Supt. of Public Works was instructed to do this work with the regullr highway crew. Pelham The Board discussed the matter of doing some work on the Road entrance of Pelham Road to Mass. Avenue, and decided to find- out ineout how much of the land at the corner was owned by the Town. Follen Rd. Mr. Ferguson again mentioned the fact that he felt the Follen Road jobs should be finished up and it might be done under Civil Works. Trees The Chairman reported that the F. A. Bartlett Tree Ex - Under pert Co. succeeded in getting the approval of the Civil Works Civil Administrator on setting a crew to work under their direction Works. as teachers of pruning trees, they to be paid 6% of the total cost of the project of teaching the unemployed how to trim trees and they were allowed one man out of a group of filne. The Board approved the presentation of the project for repairing trees at a cost of $2100, same to be presented by the Supt. of Public Works to the Civil Works Administrator for approval. In this connection Mr. Garrity desired to have a survey made of all the trees in the Town and that the trees be located on a map, which could be done by a white collar man who is a draftsman then the map could be kept up and the history of all the trees noted thereon. n 1 1 ' Suggestion was made that Mr. Waldo G. Proctor might be the man to make the survey, and it was voted to approve the project for the survey of trees. Mr. Ferguson reported that he had done some work in Skating regand,to locating a place for a skating rink. He stated Rink. that Mr. Garrity had made some tests holes in Tower Park, but is not ready to rdport definitely yet whether this location would be suitable for a skating rink. Supt, of Public Works called attention to the fact that a drain which runs across Tower ParLr would back up onto Mass. Avenue if it were blocked up. Mr. Lyons called attention to the fact that Rockwell C. Trees Tenney desired to have the two Chestnut trees in front of his house removed. It was decided to instruct Mr. Garrity to remove these trees in accordance with the request. The Chairman reported that he would have a conference East with Mr. Doran in regard to widening East Street over a part Street of his property and endeavor to obtain his permission. The Board discussed the matter of whether or not the Civil Works programs will be extended beyond Feb. 15th, and ' it was felt that in all probability the programs would be extended, and the matter of constructing a new fire house was considered and thought to be an important project that should be considered and at this time. It was decided that the Board of Selectmen act as a Committee to investigate the possibilities for a location for a fire station with the eXpectation of getting aid from the Civil Works for the construction of the building. Letter was received from John Yudis of Wellington Lane Yudis Avenue in which he requested that the rocks on his premises Rocks be removed at an early date. The Board informed him that as soon as the ground was hard enough for the rocks to be removed by truck, that the Supt, of Public Works would have them removed. Letter was received from the Town Counsel in regard to Barnes the project of Dr. Barnes that the Board assist in the ex- property pense of constructing a bridge over Vine Brook at Sheridan on Street, in which the Counsel advised the Board of Selectmen Sheridan that legally they did not have any authority to expend any Street money for labor or material for the construction of a bridge over a private way and advised that the only alternative would be to have Dr. Barnes request the acceptance of Sheridan Street beyond the bridge. ' The Board decided to inform Dr. Barnes of the advice of the Town Counsel in regard to the matter. 444 n ►-c Standpipe Mr. Ferguson reported that he was not ready to report ' in regard to the bids on the standpipe as yet. Bur'gidge Mr. Trask reported that the Public Health Association had been paying for the board of John Burbidge at the Good Samaritan Hospital and they did not have funds to continue the payment inasmuch as it was found that the case is going to be a prolonged case. The Board therefore voted to ap- prove a bill of $20. for his board for the month of Novem- ber to be paid out of one of the Trust Funds and hereafter the hospital will have to look elsewhere for the funds. Dairy Letter was received from the Health Inspector in which Farms he stated that he visited the dairy farms in the Town with Mr. Love and found them in good condition and in bdtter con- dition than the dairy farms in Essex County. He stated that Mr. Love signed up some of the dairy owners to put men to work touching up the premises, to put them in perfect sani- tary condition. He also called attention to the fact that the dairy farm of John J. Fitzgerald on Hancock Street was in very poor condition and that he had asked him several times to do something to clean up and Mr. Love also asked him to clean up, but he refused to do anything. He recommedded that the Board of Health investigate the condition of the premises. The Board considered the matter and voted to notify , Mr. Fitzgerald that unless he cleaned up his premises before January 1st, 1934, that his license to sell milk would be revoked. Letter of appreciation was received from Mrs. Catherine L. Ready of 33 Parker Street for the removal of the old Elm tree in front of her property at 2261 Mass. Avenue. Assessors Letter was received from the Town Accountant in Which Account he called attention to the fact that there is insufficient money in the Assessors Department to cover salaries for the balance of the ,year, and listed the expenditures to date for that Department. It was decided to request the Chairman of the Board of Assessors tocome before the Board at the next meeting to explain why the expenditures for the Assessors Department will exceed the appropriation for 1933. Public Letter was also received from the Town Accountant in Welfare which he called attention to the fact that the Public Wel- Acct, fare Dept. balance amounted to $1747.04 and he had bills on hand of $2203.51. The Board therefore voted to declare an emergency in the Public Welfare Dept. and expend such moneys as are necessary to carry on the Dept. Old Age The Accountant also called attention to the fact that ' Assistance there will not be sufficient on hand in the Old Age Assistance Acct. Account to take care of the pay rolls for the balance of the year. The Board therefore voted to request the Appro- priation Committee to transfer the sum necessary to carry on this Department for the balance of the ,year from the Re- serve Fund. It was also voted to request the Appropriation Com- mittee to transfer a sufficient sum to take care of the Soldiers Relief Account, which will over -run the appropriation made for 1933. Letter was also received from the Accountant in which he gave the status of the Interest Account and advised that the 0800 that vraBovoted to be transferred from the Reserve Fund to that account apparently would not be necessary. This will therefore allow the making of transfers for almost all of the Departments in need of extra assistance. It was also voted to request. the Approptiation Com- mittee to make a transfer df $ 12.50 to the Wire Inspector's Dept. from the Reserve Fund. Letter was received from the Federal Emergency Relief Administration of Public Works confirming the telegram that ' the Town of Lexington had been awarded $11,000 grant for the construction of the one million gallon steel standpipe. Owing to the fact that the Chief of the Fire Dept. was called out on a rescue call, he did not appear before the Board with his estimate. The Chairman reported that the Chief was requestjng $1000 additional, more than he did last year on the mire Dept. appropriation. He also was requesting that the Fire Dept. whistle now locate9 in the rear of the Old Town Hall lot be moved permanently to the headquarters on Meriam Street. This would call for about $1700. He also requested that underground cables be put in on Mass. Avenue and also that new alarm boxes be installed. The Chairman stated that when the Committee on Investigation of the Fire Dept. made their report, they recommended that ten fire alarm boxes be replaced and ten new ones installed each year until the De- partment was completely equipped. This was carried on for two years and then dropped and the Chief felt that the matter should be taken up again this year. He also felt that they should purchase a new repeator for the sum of $3500. and turn in the old one for approximately $500. He also recom- mended a new ladder truck be purchased and one additional call man put on. No action was taken on the matters. The Meeting adjourned at 10 o'clock P.M. A true record, Attest: - Clerk. 445 Soldiers Relief Acct. Reserve Fund Fire Dept.