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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1934-02-27 526 3 Cowd Ommc SELECTMEN 'S MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 1934. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Tuesday February 27, 1934, at 7:30 P.M Messrs Trask, Gilcreast, Ferguson, and O 'Connell were present . The Clerk was also present . Mr Albert A Ross came befo? e the Board to discuss Trunk line the matter of ack filling on the trunk line sewer job. sewer Mr. Ross suggested that this work 1e done by the unemploy- ed men in the town and that some of the work be done by machinery He stu'-ed that we would hare to apply for an additional loan on this project as it is not in the con- tract . It is, however, included in the grant, and request would have to he made that the matter of hack fill be taken from the request of the grant The Board therefore voted that the ?-ac's fill to be taken from the grant, request , and the St:-,te Engi_ieer be notified on the matter. Silt stop, McClintic Marshall Corp celled the attention of Mr. Ross to the fact that the standpipe is constructed so that standpipe there may be a silt stop if the Board sees fit to put one in This will give opportunity to clean the standpipe if necessary. Mr. Ross presented letter relative to an agreement of Morang William F. Morang to pay $5 per month on is w ,ier 1311. Mr. Morang paid one installment on his water bill, and the water Board agreed that he should continue monthly payments , but if he does not continue the Board gave authority to Mr Ross to shut off the water without coming befo .e the Board again in regard to the matter. 'dept. Ross presented furter details in reference to Water the time the men on the Water Department worked during the time freeze ups . The Board, however, d cid-d to lay the -latter of paying extra pay for this work on the table until Mr. Lyons was nresent. Mr. Ross presented report In reference to the viola- tion of the thirty hour rule on the se-er contract, and it PWA appears that the violations made were approved by the In- violations spentor, Mr. Barstow, exnent 1:1 one c se where there err=s an error on the part of the timeveeper At 8 OS P M the bids we' e opened on the proposal for Sids stand- erecting a concrete foundation for a steel standpipe in Lex- ' i.ngton in ac, ordance with the notice to contractors published pipe founda- three times in the Lexington Times Minute-Man, and specifi- tion cations furnished by the Board of Selectmen. 527 Bids were received as follows Patrick F Dacey, 18 Muu.zs ev St , Lexington $2298.00 Patrick Ross, 55 Park Avenue Ext , Arlington 2420.00 Simpson Bros Corn 193 Hanover St , Boston 2690.00 Arcese Crnstructinn Co , 132 Adams St , Newton 4750.00 Williams & King, 14 Jerome St . , Do Chester 3423.00 John MacDonald Construct on C 215 Calif StNewton3945.00 Chandler Constructirn Co Inc 45 Newbury St " 3290.00 James Cheserone, 915 Chestnut St. , 'Weban 2850.00 E C Blanchard & Son, 50 Pick-,ing St. Danvers 3774.00 Bond Bros , Everett , Mass . 3243.00 Certifi, ate of compliance was signed in all cases ex- cept in c_se of Patrick Ross Mr. Ross was present and thought that he had signed what was necessary, and was willing to sign if he received the bid. Certified checks were also received , n all c: sos The Board voted to accept the bid of the lowest bid- der, Patrick- F Dace-, of 18 Muzze-r Street , Lexington at his bid of $2298.00 Water Liens against the following properties for the following amounts were signed as follows . Louise Edgar Mass Avenue $17.53 Chis G Camouges 68 Cliffe Ave . 12.33 Water liens Mary Murphy 74 Cliffe Ave 15.33 Willens McDonald Moreland Ave. 13.50 Lillian N. Wil' ins Pollen Brad 18.96 John P Dailey Marrett Road 16 55 Anna E O ' Connell & Mary J . Marshall Marrett Road 7.50 Ernest Foley School Street 30.38 Helen B Sarano Lincoln St 22.86 Helen B Sarano Merrett Road 45.96 Roger W Brown Outlook Drive 21.60 It was voted to rebate to Mrs . Philomena Pero of Beer 3.2 12 Waltham Street the sum of $20 due her for two months license on the 3.2 beer license which she held and which the Board voted to cancel on Mach 1st . Circular letter was eceived from the Town of Pram- Public utili- ingham ? lativc to public Utility Rates No action was ties taken on the matter. Letter was received from the Suet of Pullic Works in which he stated that he commrunicated with the Arlington Gas leaks, Gas Co relative to the possibil' ty of having further leaks Coolidge on Coolidge Ave as comp '' a _ned of by Mr. Tinkham, and was Ave. informed by them that the two le 1s mentioned were caused by a broken standpipe, and Wien the frost is out of the ground, permanent repairs v711 be made so that there will be no further trouble . 528 0.1 C4 Ca) The Chairman reported that the District Nurse talked with him in regard to the report of the Town Phi*sician, in which he stated th, t there should be mole nursing done. Nursing The district nurse felt that he would give a more definite statement as to what work he felt was necess-ry. The Dis- trict Nurse has felt for some time that there should be another nurse employed and the Chairman agreed to get a further statement from the Town Phy, ician to find out how much work he felt should be done in addition to what is now being done. The Building Inspector came before the Board and st ted that he had notified some of the persons violating the Zoning Law and the following action had been taken Mr C . B Daniels , 881 Mass Ave . removed his sign; Frank Gibson, 812 Mass . Ave. , removed real estate sign at Lockwood Road. Zoning Dr Ivan G. Pyle, 11 Muzzey St , Dr. Robert H Wells , 1430 ' violations Mass Ave. & Dr C Reginald Hardcattle , 57 Waltham St. applied for hearings before the Board of Appeals for permission to maintain physician' s offices. Dr N. Ellard 1355 Mass . Ave . has removed his dentists sign; Robbins & Smith are maintaining a real estate sign on Mass Ave. and have applied for Board of Appeals hearing. Mr Scott of Grove St has removed is sign advertising si_. nnizing. Mrs Jos Swan, 23 Bedford St , has removed real estate sign, Walter E. Jones of Winter Street removed his sign main- tained advertising dog kennels . The ease of Malcolm W Hampton of 26 Parker. St , who main- tains a shop on the Bean premises, and the sign maintained by Thomas Montague at 21 Bedford St , were referred by the Building Inspector to the Town Counsel. Mr. Longbottom inquired of the bard whether or not they desired to have him proceed against the four plumbers who are operating plumber's shops from their homes , namely Lester Andrews , Robert Watt, Joseph Buckley and Cha: Collins. Mr. O'Connell suggested that if procedure is made again- st any it should be made against all or to leave the persons alone who are endeavoring to make a living The Board discussed the matter as to whether or not they would proceed against any of these parties , and it was decided to lay the matter ever until all the members of the Board were present to discuss the matter. Hearing was called at 8:30 o' clock on the Board' s not- ice of intention to lay out Blake Road, from Simonds Road 529 to Eaton Road a distance of approximately 210 feet, Eaton Road from Bertwell Road to Blake Road a distance of approxi- mately 792 feet , and Gleason Road from Simonds Road to Wil- liams Road a distance of approximately 658 feet. Owing to the fact that there were lot very many present, the hearing Hearin was called on the three streets together Blake Eaton Mr. Little presented signatures of almost 75% of all & Gleason the properties represented agreeing to nay their proport- Roads ionate share of the highway betterment tax on these streets and stated that he would get one more signatu -e before Fri- day next that would bring the amount over 75% The Town Engineer was present to answer any questions in regard to the proposed construction of the streets. The Chairman explained *hat the cost of it ✓as reduced to the minimum amount by making the travelled roadway only 24 feet instead of 27 feet, the t-a"elled width of Harding Road The Town Engineer explained that they intend to have two five foot sidewalks of G ave]_ on either side of the street ; also that there had been nn change in the layout which was made seTreral vr .ers ago and that the grade is the same as the existing grdde Mr Hazen Hamlin inquired whether or not there will be anything done in regard to fixing the property where they ' cut the edges and the Town Engineer stated that there will be nothing done nn the properties . Mr. Nickerson was pre- sent and inquired whether the grade would he changed or not . Mr. Wells inquired whether or not the storm surface water would be taken care of The Town Engineer informed him that he thought there was only a small amount of drainaaae there to be taken care of Mr. Little explained that there had never been any trouble with drainage in that section except at one time when the drain in Gleason Road was plug ed up and flooded into the cellars . He stated that Mr Blake had some men put in there and they found that the d 'ain pipe had been plugged up by roots of a willow tree which had blocked the pipes up and after this was dug out and fixed and the water flowed, there was no Wore trouble. Mr. Parker was present and stated that he would like to have Bertwell Road accepted inasmuch as he lived on the corner of Eaton Road and his house faced nn Bertwell Road. He felt that if that small sec-ion of Bertwell Road could be accepted to Simonds Road, that it should be done. Mr. Little stated that ne found that there were now several people on Bertwell Road thkt would like to have Bertwell Road accepted and that he would be verzr glad to see what could be done about putting through this proposition. Mr Parker felt , however, that if anything happened that they could not obtain the signatures of sufficient personsson Bertwell Road to put the street through, that the small section that spoke of should be nut through. 53Q ►-c The Board informed him that there would prcta1-ly be a Town Meeting sometime during June, and the Board would endeavor to see what col id be done about accepting that section of the street. The hearings were declared closed and the Board voted to sign an order for the layout of Blake Road to Simonds Road to Eaton Road a distance of approximately 210 feet, for the layout of Gleason Road from Simonds Road to Wil- liams Road a distance of approximately 658 feet, and for Eaten Road a distance of approximately 658 feet, and for Eaton Road from Bertwell Road to Blake Road a distance of approximately 792 feet The Town Engineer and the Supt. of the Water & Sewer Department we e before the Board and the Chairman read the report of Metcalf & Eddy on drainage in the vicinity of the Shea property in East Lexington. Drainage After reading the report the Board discussed whether or not they wound ask the Town for $24,000 which would be the cost of doing the drainage work to relieve the Shea pro- perty for which an award of damages had already been made in the amount of ap,roximately $9000 to Mr. Shea for the water run into his property or -hother P---rend 810,000 as they had estimated prior to receiving this re- port and complete the work next year. Ware resi- Report was received from the Health Inspector in ref- demee erence to the condition of the house in which Mrs . Flora Ware, recipient of Old Age Assistance, lives . This was referred to him for inspection owing to the fact that the visitor from the State House objected to the conditions at the house. The Inspector reported that he found that Mrs . Ware lived upstairs and was unable to come downstairs and while the odor of dogs was noticeable, he did not think it was objectionable and he found that they raise one litter of dogs each year and they are only kept in the house in the extreme cold weather as they provide a yard for them out- side. Mr. Gilcreast felt that when he went there, that the odor of dogs was very obj-ctionable, ,ut it was voted to leave the matter with the Clerk to take up with the visitor from the State Dept. of Old Age Assistance to find out what they desire to have done in regard to the matter Letter was received from the British Military and Naval Parade Veterans Association in which they requested permission to have their usual parade and exercises on the Battle Green on Sunday, May 27th It was voted to grant this permission. She]. 1In regard to the divislnn to he placed on the insur- es house ance on the Shelales house on the barn and the house, it was decided to place $300 on the born and $1700 on the house 531 , r The Chairman reported trent Chief Taylor informed him that he was able to -et the boiler at the Central Fire Sta- tion inspected and it was therefore voted to ha-e this Boiler boi .er insured under the blanket insurance policy carried through the office of Elmer A. Lord & Co. Letter was eceived from the Rutland State Sanatorium in which they stated that Nelson S Dwyer , formerly of Cedar Street, Lexington, was diagnosed as second stage case of pulmonary tuberculosis ano that they considered the disease Dwyer TB quiescent and the elope he was not in need of hospitalisa- Case tion at Rutland. They as1-ed that snmet'^ihg be done about his removal . It was decided ,o make an effort to locate some of his family and to see whether or not they would take him before making any arrangements for his removal. It was voted tc grant a First Class Agent ' s License License to the Lexington Automobile Co , William G Murphy, to do business at 97 Mass Avenue, at the sales room at that lo- cation Circular letter was received from Dr. Henry D. Chadwick relative to provelance of measles and deaths caused by Measles IIthis disease and sug •ested that every effort be made to provide adequate medical care and nursing care for children when exposed to measles It was voted to lair over the matter of aopointment of April 19th the April 19th Committee until the next meeting of the Committee Boa{'d. 4:-8 Mr. Trask felt that they should start the proposition by putting in a steam shovel and perhaps get as far as Fot- tler Avenue this year and ask for the balenee of the appro- priation this year. He felt that owing to the fact that the Appropriation Commit ee are against bonding the Town, that they would not cooperate with the Board on an issue of bonds for this proposition. Mr. Ferguson felt that if part of the work is done this year, that we would still have the same condition ex- isting as we had previously for which the Town had been sued and he felt that the job should be completed. The Board decided to lay the matter over for one week for further discussion The Chairman reported in regard to the hearing on Ple sant Street that he and the Town Engineer attended the Pleasant pea ing and Mr. Custance was also there reperesenting the II Hatch property. Street The proposition presented apparently was agreeable to the County Commissioners, ut Mr. Kendall, County Engineer sta-ed that he did not like the grade of the street where it Would meet the proposed concord avenue highway He thought that the layout of the old road was good enough. 532 C *c Mr. Trask, howe,-er, called attention to the curves in the present highway, and finally the matter was left with that the Chairman of the Board and the Town Engineer to try to eget them to change the grade of the new state high- way. Letter was received from Mr. Ross in which he stated that he communicated with the Metropolitan Sewer Commis- Cesspool sioners in regard to disposal of cesspool material in the material trunk line sewer and they objected to the material being dumped into the sewer unless the material is diluted. Mr Ross suggested that a special manhole be constructed with a trap and a flush valve in order that the material may be diluted. This manhole would have to be constructed , adjacent to a manhole in the trunk line sewer This would cost approximately $300. The Board felt that this was a large sum to expend for this proposition and felt that the Town was still a rural Town and that thele could be some places found for dumping the material that would not be objectionable. Letter was received from the Town Accountant in which Snow removal he called attention to the fact that the exeenditutes in & watermain.�the Snow Removal Account and Water Maintenance Account ex- accounts seeded the amount allowed and it wns therefore necessary to declare an emergency in both of these accounts , and it is 11 therefore voted, under authority of Chapter 44 of the Gen- eral Laws , to declare an emergency in the Removal of Snow Account on account of the excessive arrow storms recently, and in the Water Maintenance Account on account of the freeze-up in the water mains caused by the intensive cold weather. Mr. Gilcreast reported that he had made an investi- gation of the light situation in that section of Waltham Waltham t, Street between Allen St , and Blossom Street and he felt whereas he had also talked with Miss Carroll in regard to the matter, and he gathered from her that altl-ough she did not actually want that , but she really wants a light at the foot of her steps although she did not admit it. The Board formerly informed her that if she desired to have this light near her steps , she could have it upon payment, of $10 for -.loving the pole. He stated that Miss Carroll also called attention to the fact that there cars parking along there in the summertime that were disturbing. Mr Gilcreast felt that he could not recommend that additional lights he put in inasmuch as there was sufficient light in this section, but ho felt that the matter of parking cou d be viewed in the summertime to see whether or not there was anything objectionable that would warrant the change of any of the street lights in this section. 533 Mr Gilcreast reported in regard of the application of Henrietta Dow th. t h- would eenom' end $5. per week in this case . The Board therefore voted to grant $5. per week Old Age Assistance in this case The Clerk reported that the Government coal allotment to the Town °'as no.7 vi-thdrawn and upon the approval of Mr. Gilcreast one half ton of nu'_ coal was granted to Mr Henry Walker on Feb . 24th Mr. Walker had previously had one ton of Government coal on Jan 9th Old Age In the case of Michael C ,rdillo, he received one ton case Coal of Governemt Coal on Jan 5t} , and he was formerly given ' an nc»ease of $2 a ,geek for fuel. It was decided, there- fore, to now grant him $1.00 a week increase to provide for his fuel In regard to the case of Mrs. George W Makechnie, it was decided to give her $2 a week extra to Mas- 1st to pro- vide for her coal. Also, in the case of Mrs . Sarah Devine $2 a week extra was allowed for coal. It was decided not to make any additional allowance in the case of Mrs . Flor- ence Mann. The Chairman reported that he had put in considerable time on the holiday and all Friday morning getting ready the applications for the Civil Works Projects in the pro- per forms . He also stated that telegram requesting that Civil Works ten per cent of the men be laid off was received, so that the applications had to be changed to meet this new re- quirements . Telegram was also received stating that they were ready to grant new projects where necessary, and there- fore he attached the statement to the applications that the Board would agree that their would supply materials on the projects out of Town Funds in accordance with the projects formerly discussed before the Board. Mr Mitchell reported that application was received from Robert Morrison Tho lives in one of George Bailey' s houses . The man has a niece who lives With him eeping Morrison house and was a watch repairer. He has lived in Lexington case for many yea s and has .a settlement here. The Board voted t'o grant $9 a week in this ease Application was received from Roy Peterson of Blossom Peterson Street, who has been on the C W A The man has a wife and ease one child, and lives in house owned by his mother. He has a settlement in Waltham. No aid was granted as yet in this case . Mr. Mitchell. called at -ention to the fact that Mr. G W Stygles of Oak Street who has a wife and six children Stygles at home has been laid off the C W.A work on the Moth De- case partment. His son George also was sent home from the Citi- zens Camp The Chairman stated th .t he would place him back on the C W A work. 534 +1c Application was received from Esther Marie Wright, who ' s a sister of Mr. Johanson, who lives on Sylvia Street. She is divorced from her husband and has one child who is Wright with her grandmother in Bedford. At the present time the Case woman has a settlement through her husband in Somerville. The Board felt that inasmuch as the woman was only 22 years old, that aid should not be granted in this case at tine present tine, inasmuch as the woman formerly worked and it was felt that she might secure a position again Mr O'Connell reported that when she obtained her divorce , she did not request any alimony The Chairman reported that the Chef of the Fire De- partment informed him that he felt that he would hare to re- sign his position as Chief of the Fire Dept as it was taking Chief,Fire up too much of his time for the , ompensation he received. Dept. He is now receiving $500 per year salary and $200 for the use of his car. Mr. Taylor has been in that office since 1913 and it was felt that the Town has for a long time had his services at a very low rae and it was therefore voted to increase his salary to $1200 a rear and not to make any allowance for the use of his car. This amount was to be subject to the approval of the Appropriation Committee. The matter of recognition of the services of Robert H. White as Supt of Streets for the past fifty Years was dis - cussed and it was felt that due to the fact that Mr. White Mr.White will still be consulted by the Supt of the Highways , that at this time, the Chairman should write him a letter of ap- preciation of his service to the Town Letter of appreciation was received from the Lovell Bus Lines, Inc . on the assistance rendered them by snow plow service of the Town, to enable them to keep their bus sche- duled. Notice was receivo-i from the Dept of Education of the State in which they stated that they approved the application oftra Sibley m of 14 Forest Street, for admittance to the Cambridge Evening Industrial School. The Meeting adjourned at 9 30 P M A true record, Attest - Clerk.