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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1934-04-17584 SELECTMEN'S MEETING APRIL 17, 1934. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at the Selectmen's Room, Town Office, Building, on Tuesday, April 17, 1934 at 7:30 P. M. Messrs. Trask, Gilcreast, Ferguson, Lyons and O'Connell were present at the meeting. The Clerk was also present. Peddler's License was signed for Patrick Manning of 79 Lexington Street, Belmont, who is employed by the Weston Bakery Co. and who has been recommended by two -Lexington men. Notice was received from E. A. Lord & Co. informing of the expiration of 30.,000. fire insurance under the blanket form of May 21st. It was voted to lay the matter on the table for one week. Estimate of the damage done to the house of Eugene cart- ridge at 2 Shirley Street by blasting during the sewer construc- tion in that section was received from the Assistant Town Engin- eer. It was voted to request bids from P. F. Dacey and P. H. Tobin on the items. It was voted to sign the license of the Minute Man Golf Club for permission to sell beer and wine at the Club House located at the corner of Concord Avenue and Pleasant Street, the same to behanded to them when the copy of the vote of the members of the club authorizing the application is filed with the Board. It was voted to grant the following licenses: Common Victualler's Licenses: Overhanging Signs: Smith Bell Farm Stores, Inc. 273 Bedford Street Joseph Breck &: Sons Corp. Mass. Ave. at Monroe Station Country Side Inc. Cor. Woburn & Lowell Sts. Marshall L. Tibbetts 354 Waltham St. Hattie E. A. Peckham 37 Hancock St. Liggett Drug Store. 1721 Mass. Ave. Edgar J. Thivierge 1752 Mass. Ave. Waverley Hardware Co. 1756 Mass. Ave. 1 u 585 - Mr. Harry Johnson of 1070 Mass. Avenue, Arlington did not appear,therefore no action was taken in reference to his garage applications. Bill in the amount of t30. for the services of the Town Counsel in the Amy Taylor tax appeal case was approved by•the Board. Abatement of Water Liens in the amount of $36.50 was signed the same being against the property of Isabella Fardy and Chester H. Lothrop. The Supt. of Public Works reported in regard to the traffic count made on Forest Street of trucks travelling on that street, al'eged to be turning there to.avoid traffic lights at Waltham Street. & Mass. Avenue, -that mostly all trucks were local delivery trucks. His letter gave the tabulation of the trucks using the street. It was decided before informing the residents that were complaining about the situation, that another count should be made on Monday next. Mr. Ross has not yet furnished the information needed to make a decision in reference to the claim for damages by Mrs. Huphemia Brown of 57 Bedford Street. ' Further information was to be obtained in reference to the time of blasting from Mr. Ross. Letter was received from the Town Counsel in which he en- closed a release to be used in the case of Mr. and Mrs. Thayer. After going over the form of release Mr. Lyons and Mr. O'Connell offered suggestions to change the form to read to the heirs and assigns, not to mention the kind of pipe to be used and hr•t to insert the section requiring the main- tenance of the pipe by the Town. It was decided to forward these suggestions to the Town Counsel to change the release. Letter was received from the Town Engineer in which he estimated the cost of constructing the sewer in Bow Street from its present end at Cliffe Avenue, to take in Rawson Avenue. He stated that it would be necessary to tunnel for a distance of 300 feet at a depth of 28 2 feet. Also that the open cut at either end of the tunnel would be 20 feet deep and the average cut for 500 feet would be 15 feet. He stated that the sewer could be constructed at a saving of $12,000. and the sewer could be designed at a normal depth at a saving of $12,000. if constructed from a trunk line sewer on the Lowell Street side. It was decided to inform Mr. Aquaro that it would not be feasible to construct the sewer in Bow Street at this time owing to the excessive cost. 586 1 29 c� l The Board signed the order for the installation of a•sewer in Woburn Street to the house of Bridget Leary. In this case letter was received from the Town Counsel advising the method of assessment on the property affected by this sewer. Letter was received from the Committee on Public Utility Rates of the `Town of Framingham calling attention to a meeting at Framingham relative to lower utility rates. Letter was received from A. C. Mortimer, Jr. of 14 Dexter Road in which he asked that estimate of the cost of construct- ing Gleason Road from Fuller Road to Simonds Road be given. The Town Engineer was requested to furnish the Board with the estimate of the cost. The Chairman reported that he talked with Mr. Mara in re- gard to the bill that he presented and he found that the stock that he had in the cellar was Christmas stock that he put away to be sold the following year. He informed him that he thought he should present his invoices to the Selectmen to prove the purchase of the stock, and until such time as this was done, no action would be taken in regard to the matter. The Chairman reported that he, the Town Engineer and Ray- mond of Metcalf and Eddy, had a conference with Commissioner of Public Works in regard to the drainage suggested by Met- calf and Eddy under the new Concord Avenue highway: The Commissioner informed them that after letting the contract for the construction of the highway, they would have left only $3000. and they felt with the size of the contract that they needed that amount to come and go with. They however, did not cor6pletel7 turn the idea down and they asked for a report from Mr. Pillsbury, the State Engineer. The Public Works Commissioner seemed to think that a six foot culvert would be sufficient to take care of all the drain- age in that section, while Metcalf and Eddy recommended a 17 foot drain, and they are taking into consideration the com- plete development of that entire territory. The Chairman reported also that incidentally he found that the County Commissioners had filed no request for an ap- propriation for the Town of Lexington for the construction of highways this year. The Chairman reported also that he had a conference with Mr. Keniston of the Metropolitan Sewer Division and was inform- ed by him that when the town wants to make use of the present trunk line sewer a bill must be presented to the Legislature to get permission to enter and the cost to the town will be an additional assessment of approximately $2000. per year. It was therefore decided to communicate with Senator 1 1 1 Cotton in an endeavor to get a bill before the Legislature for permission to enter the sewer. In response to the Board's request the Chief of Police came before the Board to talk about the operation of the traffic signals at the corner of Waltham Street and Massachu- setts Avenue and the direction of traffic b�r the officers at that point. Suggestion was made to the Chief that the lights be turned off during the day and the officers direct traffic Inasmuch as the officers do practically nothing during the da-+.. Another suggestion was made that during the rush hours the lights be shut off and traffic directed by the officer. The Chief stated that on Sunday afternoon when there is a great deal of traffic the lights are turned off and the officers directs the traffic, but he did not believe that there should be a continual change In shutting off the lights when people get used to the lights being there. He stated that on Washington St. in Boston and Tremont St. the lights operated and the officer stands to the side directing traffic and assisting people to cross the street. He felt that there is some danger to an officer standing continuously in the middle of the street directing traffic. He also stated that he recommended five years ago that the green arrow be placed to let the Waltham St. traffic go in before the Yas:. Ave. traffic goes un the avenue. The Supt. of Public Works stated that he recommended this sam� change, but the lights as they are now installed have been arproved by the Dept. of Public Works. It was decided to leave the matter to the Chief of Police to work out some plan of improvement. Bids were received for furnishing trees as follows: New England Nurseries Co., Bedford 75 Red Maples 1 30" not less than 10' @ J1.25 93.25 75 Rock Maples " " it It 2.50 187.50 Kirkeoaard's Nurseries, Bedford 75 Red Maples 75 flock Maples Little Tree Farms, Framingham Centre 75 Rork Maples, 12 to 15 feet, 1 3/4 to 2" in caliper, $10.00 for delivery charge. Joseph Breck & Sons, Lexington 75 Red Maples 10.to 12 ft. 75 Sugar Maples (Rock) B-10 ft. 10-12 " 4226.60 Delivered 167.50 " 225.00 ja . 90 1.75 2.75 Tt was voted to purchase the trees of the Breck Robinson 587 one Nursery Co. and for Mr. Garrity to make the arrangements. Letter was received from the Dept. of Agriculture in which it was stated that 500 C. W. A. men were employed on corn borer work for a period of ten weeks and the gardens and fields were cleaned up. Owing to the fact that the stubble could not be burned, Nr. Gilcreast requested that Welfare men be re- quested to do this work. It was felt that the owners of property upon which the stubble was cleaned should be willing to burn the material, therefore no action was taken as the Board was unaware of any piles of stubble about the town. Letter was received from the Masw. Forest and Park Asso- ciation in which they called attention to their letter of Jan- uary 10th asking that a comp~ittee be afpointed for the inves- tigation of Dutch Elm Disease. In replying to their original letter the matter was refer- red to the Lexington Field and Garden Club, and the Chairman stated that he would inquire if they were doing anything about the matter. Letter was received from the Town Counsel acknowledging the claim of John Cleverly, father of Fay Ruth Cleverly who was cut on the wrists by a broken soap dish at the Adams School on April 2nd, 1934. Letter was received from Chester A. Neilsen thanking the Board for the use of the Cary Memorial Hall at the reduced rate os $15. for the Teachers Club. The plan of the Sherman Street bridge prepared by the Town Engineer was presented by the Supt. of Public Works. The Town Engineer estimated that it would cost less than the appropriation made of 61.00. Mr. Ferguson stated that there were State standards for this kind of construction and he thought the Supt. of Public Works should find out what they are to check whether or nbt this plan is properly drawn. The Supt. stated that it would be some time before the work could be done inFsmuch as the brook is quite high. Bids were received from the following on the furnishing of gasoline for the town's requirements for one near. The Supt. of tublic Works stated that all bids were on the same basis in accordance with the government code and amount to 12j� a gallon: Shell Eastern Petroleum American Oil Company Standard Oil Company Gulf -Refining Company Lincoln Oil Company Maynard & Acton Oil Co. Richard Whittemore Cities Service Products, Inc. Inc. fl 1 1 e -e NIP 6� C> C 7F >\ Cr -06�Z/ As /Yo ,,cl Ot'l 4c/ 0// WA To- F-470 la.44¢ C. 4 d -,OA 171t f 47 e 9X44' 9470 F lef 4� ol A. 0.-3 v! po Seco ar Go to lennt�lnfior� 4.7 hi 1� n /CZ7 C' 6-17tl� 'I , Ca X, f, j d 47 r 21 --,OC7"f11C1;77 rahl R6?4e�7/- -z r holim Ro a C,947 9 941 e -06�Z/ As /Yo ,,cl Ot'l /of9c- WA To- 10fi,2 It la.44¢ C. 4 d -,OA 171t ali D lo.3 7-44 r Y' 4 A. 0.-3 v! po Seco ar Go to lennt�lnfior� 4.7 hi 1� n /CZ7 C' 6-17tl� 'I , Ca X, j d (Ca/os W --,OC7"f11C1;77 rahl R6?4e�7/- 0 , f, 41 1110,44 1,/ /49, ¢ 11,94 e14, 113,4 /1. 4 5- J4.4f 14. f:s- 14, Ae.7-f 12.89E Q WA To- -C -Bal-l-er ali D po Seco ar Go to lennt�lnfior� 4.7 Ca X, (Ca/os W ,,A,040/t The Supt. of Public Works explained that the Cities Ser- vice Regining Co. offered an Xray service for J'1.00 a cylinder and which would cc;st the town about 4100. to have the cars owned by the town Xrayed. he tried it out on his own car and he was getting only eight miles on a gallon of gasoline and when.his car was Xrayed the spark plugs needed adjustment and he is now getting twelve miles on a gallon. The Supt. recommended that the Cities Service gasoline be purchased inasmuch as they have this service to offer and no other company has this service. The Board therefore voted to award the contract to the Cities Service Refining Co. at the price of 12Q4 per gallon for the gasoline furnished to the town for the period of one year. In reference to the bids received for oils, kerosene etc. the Supt. of Public Works was requested to work out the bids and report to the Board at the next meeting his recom- mendations. Bids were received on road -oils as follows: See Page 5892 1 1 an 590 G �C The Supt. of Public Works stated that he would use about 40,000 gallons. of road oil during the next year. In regard to Bermudez Asphaltum, used on new construction, ' the Supt, reported that it is used in Peabody, Linn, Beverley, Salem and Boston. The Board desired to have more information in regard to road oils and the kind used in other towns and cities and voted to lay the matter on the table for one week. The Clerkcalled attention to the editorial in the local paper in reference to Depott: Park being used as a playground. The grass is being worn down on account of this practise. It was voted to notify the Police to see that this practise is stopped and to have the park posted. Mr. Mitchell presented the application of Leonard Meek, son-in-law of Philip Leaf, Assistant Janitor of the Town Hall, and the Chairman inquired whether or not he had registered on C. W. A. The Chairman stated that he would endeavor to get some emplo-j-nent for Mr. Meek on the E. R. A. if he has register- ed. In regard to Thomas F. Costello, Mr. Mitchell reported that Miss Harrington, the social worker, called upon Mr. Cost- ello and found that the mortgage he stated he had on his pro- perty held by his wife's sister was not a recorded mortgage. Therefore the property was free and clear. ' It was therefore voted not to pay any bills for Mr. Cost - Mr. Mitchell reported that Carl Jones, corner of Woburn and Lowell Street, came to him about his water bill and Mr. Trask stated that if Mr. Jones were registered on the E. R. A. list he would endeavor to get employment for him. In regard to the case of George Balduf, a family of seven, who live on Marrett Road, and the man has been aided for some time as a State case, the State has authorized t11. a week. Be now owes a water bill of $12.03 and Mr. Mitchell was going to endeavor to find out whether or not the State would pay this bill. The Chairman reported that he had received a letter from the Commissioner of Public Welfare suggesting that assigned social workers might be applied for under F. E. R. A. and owing to the fact that Miss Harrington who has been a social worker under C. W. A. has done such good work in the Town, he has made application for her assistance on E. R. A. A report of the condition of the Swenson Brothers premises and Carroll, Bros. premises was received from the Health In- ' spector. From the report it did not appear that anything ob- jectionable existed as stated in Mr. Calderwood's letter. It was therefore decided to notify Mr. and Mrs. Calder- wood that the probable cause of nuisance to them came from the 591 ' spreading of manure inasmuch a there was no evidence from the report of the Health Inspector that would warrant their com- plaint. The Health Inspector also reported in regard to the con- dition of the Fogg piggery that the premises were fairly clean and that he was doing more work to clean up the premises. Mr. Gilcreast called attention to the fact that it was voted to allow Mr. Fogg only one year to 1934 to keep pigs and he was then to do away with his pigs. It was therefore diecided to notify Mr. Fogg that the Board expected that he would get rid of his pigs on Mat* 1st, 1934. Letter was received from Irving hall giving the tran- sportation fares to Washington for the persons who desired to go to Washington to carry Lexington's message to Congress. None of the members of the Board felt that they would go at this time. The Board also discussed the letter of Archie Giroux of the Citizens Committee of Lexington asking that the Select- men send a representative with the Committee to Washington. The Chairman stated that the Citizens Committee has asked him to read the petition to Congress on the Common as has been done in the past. Some of the members of the Board were not in accord with the Chairman doing this as represent- ing the people in his official capacity as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. However, there was no objection to his doing it as a private citizen. The other members of the Board who so desired were asked to attend the reading of the address on the Common on April 19th. On recommendation of Mr. Gilcreast, it was voted to grant Old Age Assistance in the amount of t5. per week to Mr. Robert Bradley, 25 Outlook Drive. The Clerk was also authorized to pay for 4 ton of coal for Mrs. Sarah Makechnie but to hold out $3.75 from her Old Age Assistance to pay for the coal that she now owes to the Lexington Coal Co. Inasmuch as no reply had been received to the Chairman's letter under date of February lst to the Boston and Maine Railroad, he again wrote and as a result, Mr. Keay, Supervis- or of crossings, called at the office and apoligized for not having replied to the first letter inasmuch as he thought the matter had been taken care of. However, in the meantime, he had an engineer figure the cost of installing the Bow Street crossing and had had plans made for doing the work, and the ' Board of Directors of the railroad have already approved the appropriation of the funds to complete the installation of the signals. When he last visited the location, however, the trunk line sewer was being installed and therefore they had 592 Cn W not started the construction work installing the signals, but , he assured that it would be installed at an early date. He stated that having promised the signals to Mr. Custance, former Selectman, he felt a moral obligation to have them installed. In regard to installing signals at Fletcher Avenue, how- ever, he stated that even though the Town voted to lay out the street as a public highway, the railroad right of way still re- mained a private way unless petition was made to the Dept. of Public Utilities by the Selectmen for permission ,to lay out a public way over their tracks. he stated that he did not know wrat position the Company would take, whether they would oppose the position to the Dept. of Public Utilities or not. The Com- pany were not anxious to expend money on traffic signals es- pecially in a Town where there wes very little train traffic. The Board, however, discussed the matter and voted to petition the Dept of Public Utilities for permission to lay out the street over the B. & M. crossing at Fletcher Avenue. The meeting ad°ourned at 10:41 P. M.. A true record, Attest: Clerk. J 1