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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1934-01-09 466 0-c SET,FCTMEN'S MEETING JANUARY 9, 1934 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Tuesday January 9, 1934, at 7 30 P _4 Messrs . Trask, Ferguson, Gilcreast, O 'Connell and Lyons were present . The Clerk was also present. Mike Hallos , who operates a restaurant at 1761 Mass. Avenue , came before the Board and requested that the Board lower the fee for a beer and wine license for his restaurant He stated that he would lose business inasmuch as beer could be obtained in Bedford, Malden, Woburn and Concord . He stated also that he could afford to pay $200 for the license and he only wanted a license for beer and ale. Mrs. Edison A Pero of 12 Waltham St . who operates a restaurant at that location came before the Board and requested Beer & that the license fee for a beer and wine license be reduced. Wines She stated that she was endeavoring to support her husband who was now in the hospital and had been ill for some time, and to have a license would help her. She could pay a fee of $150 but she thought $1000 was unreasonable. Restau- rants rants The Board on considering the pleas of Mr. Hallos and Mrs . Pero finally decided not to make any change in the fee for the sale of beer and wine in restaurants , but to leave it as originally decided upon, namely $1000. Mr . Edward Berman and his father, Max Berman, who desire to sell all alcoholic beverages at 12 Mass . Avenue came be- fore the Board Mr. Berman stated that he understood from the Alcoholic Beverage Comrrission that the Selectmen could grant five li- censes for all alcoholic beverages if the town had a population of over ten thousand inhabitants . He understood, therefore, that the Board could grant other licenses than the two already issued. The Chairman informed Mr. Merman that according to the 190 census the population was only 9400 and therefore it could not be estimated to be over 10,000. He informed , how- ever, that it was within the province of the Board to grant licenses for bottle goods of beer and wine. Mr. Berman stated that he would therefore, like to have this license if the other was not obtainable. The Board discussed the question of fee for bottle goods of beer and wind and voted to establish the fee at $200. In cases where licenses of 3.2 beer were granted a rebate of $40 would be credited on the $200 fee. It was voted further to grant licenses to sell beer and 467 wine in bottle goods to the following Max Berman 12 Mass Avenue Lexington Fruit Co 1740 Mass . Avenue Edward Ormond No Hancock Street Wm. A Granfield Cor Marrett Rd & Spring St Adolph Labes 17 Woburn Street Mr, Downing, owner of Mel' s Restaurant on Mass . Ave. Beer Lie. whose license to sell 3 2 beer was revoked by the Board, Mel's came before the Board to inquire why the license was re- Restaurant yoked. The Chairman informed him about the list of names of persons who hang around the restaurant that was handed to them by the police, and also of the reports from people who have patronizing the restaurant and those whose still patronize the place, that there were men hanging around in an intoxicated condition. Mr. Downing stated that from all reports that he ob- tained it was evident that the people were protecting the manager He stated that he was there only on Saturday nights and that he had not seen any disturbance, also that when they opened he requested the police to drop in to the place. He desired only to have, however, a rebate on the license and he did not want to continue the sale of beer What he objected mostly to was the fact that the advertising would hurt his other restaurants in Waltham as they are run under the name of Mel ' s Restaurant. After viewing the law, Chap. 120 of the Acts of 1933, it was found that no rebate could be given on a license when it is revoked, and therefore Mr. Downing was to be notified to that effect. The following first class agent ' s licenses were granted 1st Class Calvin W. Childs 409 Mass Avenue Agent s Colonial Garage Inc. 1668 Mass. Ave , License Master Service Station Rear 1709 Mass . Ave F K. Johnson 33-75 Bedford Street Approval of the appointment of John J. Garrity as Moth Moth Supt and of Edward W. Taylor as Forest Warden was received Supt & from the State Conservation Department. Forest Bid was received from Phillips Brothers , Inc for a 1934 Police, Harley Davidson Police motorcycle in the sum of $354 ,40 with Motorcyc] an allowance of $104 .40 for the old motorcycle, making a net cost of $250 was received The Board voted to approve the purchase of this motor- cycle. 468 Cal P-c Mr. Irving Hall of Meriam Street, who had made appli- cation for some of the town' s insurance, came before the Insurance-Board and offered the suggestion of writing the Town insur- ance for a period of three years . His opinion was based upon the cost of borrowing money. He was informed, however, that it did not cost the town 40 to borrow money and also that the benefit of any changes in rates were received on the existing policies . Applications for insurance were received from Irving Insurance G Hal],, John S. Valentine, Mary W. Ferguson and Robert b. Sturtevant. Policy in the amount of $19,400 expiring through the Insurance office of Arthur A. Marshall on Jan. 15 was before the Board for action. It was voted to award this policy to Irving G Hall, Jr. It was also voted to have the renewal of all insurance policies brought before the Board one month before renewal. George H. Lowe was drawn as Juror for the civil session jurors and Charles H. Brenton for the criminal session. Letter was received from Annie T Carroll in which she requested that a street light be placed on the pole in front street of her house on Waltham Street . The matter was referred to the Supt. of Public Works Lights for his attention. Commitment of water liens in the amount of $174.49, com- mitment of miscellaneous water charges in the amount of $41.16, Commit- commitment of damages on sewer constructinn account in the ments amount of $127.54 and commitment of miscellaneous sewer charges in the amount of $87.92, also abatement for water accounts in the amount of $94.22 and in the sewer dept. of $7. 52 were signed by the Board. Letter was received from the State Civil Works adminis- tration in which the Board was informed that it was intended Civil Works that an unemployment census be taken of this Town and asked that the school children be immediately informed so that they could ask their parents to cooperate with the enumerators. Letter was received from P F Dacey in which he gave an estimate on the work to be done at the house of Margaret Noyes, 5 Tewksbury Street, in accordance with the recommendation of Noyes the Asst. Town Engineer as to what he would approve for work house to be done in the house. 46 The estimate amounted to $177 The original statement for work in the house was $300. Letter was also received from Miss Margaret Noyes in which she stated that Mr. Bentley now estimates a charge of $24 instead of $15 for finishing the ceilings . The Board therefore voted to allow the sum of $24 to cover Mr. Bentley' s estimate and the sum of $177 to cover Mr. Dacey' s estimate, and also to receive a release from Margaret Noyes for all claims for damages. The Chief of Police came before the Board and reported that while Patrolman John M Barry was unloading a riot gun at three o' clock in the morning, one shot went off accidentally going through the winter overcoat of George E. Smith, and Smith' s he requested the Board to give their recommendation as to coat whether or not a new coat should be furnished or whether Smith' s Mr. Smith should be given an allowance for the damage done. coat The Board voted to allow Mr Smith a new coat inasmuch as the shot went through the back and also the front of the coat. Grove 5t. The Chairman reported that the work of relocating Grove Street could be done under the Civil Works and that the Grove t. County Commissioners would give an order for the relocation of the street if the Board petitioned for the same. He stated that if the job were not done under Civil Works, the Town employees could later do the work. It was voted to sign the petition to the County Com- missioners for the relocation of Grove Street. The Chairman reported that in regard to the relocation of Lincoln Street, he communicated with Mr. Edgar F. Scheibe , owner of considerable property along one side of Lincoln St Lincoln 't . and Mr. Schiebe is agreeable to the lay out proposed by the Lincoln bt County Commissioners. In regard to the triangle at the cor- ner of Marrett Road, which was formerly intended to be taken for highway purposes, the Chairman reported that Mr Scheibe was not willing to give the entire triangle to the Town for highway purposes . He would, 'however, give the property to the Field and Garden Club but it was felt that the Field and Garden Club would not take care of it . He will, however, give ten feet on each side of the triangle to the Town and agreed to have three trees removed provided he g6t the wood l✓ The Chairman recommended that the Board proceed with the lay out and obtain the order from the County Commissioners for the relocation on this basis , and this recommendation was approved by the Board The Supt . of Public Works reported that he decided to purchase a new truck for the highway Dept . and obtained a New price of $895.60 for a new ford truck He stated that he truck had sufficient funds in the Highway Account of 1933 to pay 470 c co, C, for the truck. He stated that he would like also to fix up the Federal Truck inasmuch as they had fixed the clutch on the truck four times and it does not work. He could re- ceive for the truck the allowance of $65 and it would cost the town $50, to have the truck fixed up with a new engine clutch and he felt it was good business to do this. The Board decided therefore to approve the recommen- dation of the Supt. of Public Works to have this done, and to authorize the purchase of the new truck. A letter was received from the Supt of Public Works In which he stated that the Biggs Boiler Co. requested that standpipe they be allowed to get a bond instead of depositing a check on the standpipe bid. The Board informed the Supt . that there was nothing that could be done to change this inasmuch as the bids are all sent out to the companies on the same basis . Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works in regard to the water meters which were frozen during the cold spell from Dec 28 to Dec. 30, and informing the Board that yvater meters-it has been customary to make a charge for frost damages to persons occupying the houses . On account of the unusual conditions, he recommended that the Water Dept . stand the expense and that these charges be abated. The Board voted to accept the Superintendent' s recom- mendation. Letter was received from the Health Inspector in which he recommended that a letter be sent to Dr. Adams for the VeteranIs Hospital in Bedford, giving appreciation of the Water tests-water tests made at the Veteran' s Hospital The Board agreed to do this State Aid returns for the months of September, October, State Aid November and December were signed by the Board Letter was received from the Building Inspector in which he reported in regard to the sign on the Ducharme pro- perty on Marrett Road that the size of the sign came within Ducharme close requirements of the Zoning Law but that the sign was too sign close to the highway, and Mrs . Ducharme agreed to remove the sign when the freezing weather is over. It was reported to the Board that parties are being held at the Mohawk Club and question as to whether or not Mohawk Club- these parties were public or private arose. It was decided to have the Chief of Police look into the matter and make a report to the Board. Mr. Lyons reported that he had not consulted with Mr. Munroe Holt as yet in regard to the taking of the Munroe land, but land 471 as he viewed the property himself, he felt that it would be unwise to make a taking at that location. The Chairman reported that he had talked with the Chief of the Fire Dept. again in regard to his recommendation for the installation of cable and the Chief informed him that it would be feasable to install underground cable Fire Dept. from the Russell House to the East Lexington Fire Station, Budget but if this were done, that tine repeater would also have to be installed. Mr. Taylor also claimed teat other towns were getting P W A. assistance on this work. The Board voted to approve the installation of under- ground cable from the Russell House to the East Lexington Fire Station at an estimated cost of $3160 for labor and to install the eight circuit repeater at headquarters at a cost of $3000. The Board voted to recommend these expentitures to the Appropriation Committee. In regard to the bid from Mr. Bills , Mr. Taylor stated that he would request bids on this work The Chairman reported that the Supt. of the Water and Standpipe Sewer Dept. had been requested to draw up specifications for foundation the standpipe foundation. The Chairman brought up the matter of Supt . of Streets and stated that he talked with Mr. Robert White in regard to retiring after he had completed his fifty years of service to the Town which will be some time in February. Last year Mr. White agreed that he would retire this year, but he in- formed the Chairman that although he \owned four houses most of them had not brought in any rent and that he felt it nec- essary to obtain some income to live on Therefore he did not feel that he could afford to retire . Mr. White is 76 Supt. of years old, and if there were a retirement system in the town Streets he would be retired prior to this date , but owing to the fact that there was no retirement for any but firemen and police- men and persons who have been in war service, there was no retirement for a pension on the Highway Supt. The Board discussed the matter in view of Mr White ' s financial condition and also in regard to the Town's stand- point and felt that it would be better to establish a posi- tion as Consulting Supt of Highways to which Mr. White would be appointed on March 1st, 1934 , at a salary of $1200 per year. It was voted to appoint William C Paxton who has been Asst Supt. of Streets , as Supt of Streets from March 1st, at a salary of $35. per week. The Chairman reported that he had been very pleased with the results of Mr. Paxton's work in supervising the Civil Works programs and he felt that in placing the responsibility of the job of Supt. of Highways with Mr. Paxton, that the Board would have a better opportu- nity to view his work. 472 C, Letter was received from the Town Counsel in which he Jones stated that he would forward a formal discharge of attach- attachment- ment to Mr. Fred G. Jones in connection with the suit brought by the Town against Mr. Jones for collection of water guar- antee. In regard to the approval of the Attorney-General of the Plumbing Laws, Town Counsel reported that the Asst. At- lumbing torney General informed him that a question had arisen with Laws respect to confining licenses to master plumbers and he was not sure whether by the Bev-Laws it would be approved or not. Town Counsel advised that he had sent a letter to Mrs Laurette Ducharme in regard to the check which she gave to Lucharme the Board of Appeals in the amount of $10. which was not check accepted by the Lexington Trust Company, in which he demanded payment . He suggested that if she does not remit in res- ponse to his letter, that the Police Dept be requested to put the case through the Small Claims procedure in the Con- cord Court. Circular letter was received from Edward A. Filene , N. R . A. Chairman of the Mass . State Recovery Board in regard to the N. R. A: Attention was called to the fact that there were in existence through the office of Elmer A Lord and Co, two policies of $24,600 each the same being for sprinkler leakage insurance on the buildings. Insurance Mr. Ferguson was requested to go over the Cary Memorial Building to see whether or not in his opinion it was nec- essary to carry this much sprinkler leakage insurance. Mr. Mitchell came before the Board and gave a resume of the report that he made to the Emergency Relief Asso- ciation relative to the number of cases of Welfare on hand present time. He reported the expenditures for the month Welfare of December for Public Welfare $3251.45 being a reduction of the previous month of approximately $2000. He reported in regard to the coal being furnished by the Government with a delivery charge of $2 .50 per town that the Government recom- mended that the coal be given to those in need. Therefore he would furnish the coal to the C A. employees and they would pay him the $2.50 delivery charge. He stated that he had already given out 78 orders for coal and the Government had not stated any limit to the amount to be given out. Re also reported that the Government would send 150 dozen cold storage eggs to be delivered to Lexington each week and he would re- ceive 1500 pounds of pork tomorrow Previously he delivered the pork to cases that are now on the C W A and there would be pork for 200 families in one distribution. He was auth- orized to distribute the pork among Welfare and Old Age Assis- tance families and to get one of the men on the Welfare Dept. to make the deliveries rather than a Civil Works employee. 473 Mr. Mitchell reported that he received application for assistance from Raymond L Trbin of Cameron Avenue, Cambridge and that he had granted him a 6 cash assistance. The Board approved the recommendation of $12 a week for Tobin Soldiers Relief in this case. The man was previously aided case. from the Soldier ' s Relief Fund In regard to the rent of the house occupied by Archibald Russell, he reported that he communicated with the bank and Russell they agreed to accept $30 per month for the December rent rent for this family. He reported that Mr Russell hopes to get a position in the Federal Park Construction . The Agent reported having received application made out by Sarah B Kew, 16 Curve Street, for assistance . He was informed by Mr. Barrett and Mr. Needham that aid was needed in this family and thst fuel and food had been rendered to them, and the Agent had given one $5 order of groceries and Kew case 1 ton of coal in this case There is a son 22years old in the family and the Board felt that he should be put to work on the Civil Works Application was received from Andrew J. Pewtherer who was formerly on the Unemployment Relief. Mr Mitchell was Pewtherer requested to check up and find out whether or not there was case . a second mortgage on this property which he stated was held by Harry F. Fair as Mr O 'Connell has known Mr Pewtherer to make statements that there were no mortgages on his property. Therefore it was felt necessary to check this up In regard to the application of Samuel Walson for Soldiers Relief, it was decided to employ him on the C.W Aatson case In regard to the application of James Keefe of Woburn St the Agent reported that the water waa to be shut off by the Keefe Supt . of the Water Dept on Mr Keefe' s houses owing to the case. fact that the water bills were not paid and he called attention to the fact that in two of the houses there were Welfare cases and it was felt that it would be unfortunate if the water were shut off in these houses The Board therefore allowed two days a week to Mr Keefe to work out his water bill. Attention was called to the fact that George Whiting of Waltham Street made application for work on blasting. He Whiting stated that he did not need any food or fuel but he did not have any funds at the present time and he desired to have some work on unemployment relief. 474 ►.c emplThe Board considered the matter of Unemployment Relief Unemployment nand voted not to give any work on that account but that allh ' cases should go on Civil Works or Public Welfare. The Meeting adjourned at 10 55 P M A true record, Attest Cler1 , Selectmen.