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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1934-05-08SELECTMEN'S MEETING MAY 89 1934. 'A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at the Selectmen's Office, Town Office Building, on Tuesday, May 8th at 7:30 P. M. Messrs. Trask, Gilereast, Ferguson, OtConnell and Lyons were present at the meeting. The Clerk was also present. State Aid return for the month of April was signed by the Board in the amount of $16. State Aid Copy of the new Police Bill Senate No. 306 was Senate No 506 received from Representative Nelson Crosby. Comnitment of miscellaneous sewer charges in the Water & amount, of $192.81 and miscellaneous water charges in Sewer the amount of $190.53 were signed by the Board. Charges Hearing was declared open on the application of the Lexington Cooperative Bank for permission to maintain, a one car garage at 193 Spring Street. Garage Mr. Couette, representing the bank, appeared with the Permit plan of the proposed garege. No persons appeared -to object It was voted to grant the permit subject to the ap- proval, of the Building Inspector. Notice of a meeting at the Massachusetts Reformatory on May 18th at 11 A. M. was received. Reformatory Meeting. Letter was received from the State Department of Public Works in which it was stated that the department Pleasant has allotted.$11250 under Chapter 90, Section 34 of the Street n General Laws, for the construction of Pleasant Street Conttibutio providing the town contributes $7500 and the county $3750. Letter was received from Edwin B. Worthen in which he made a suggestion relative to the lay out of the street at the. junction, of Pleasant Street and Massachusetts Avenue and enclosed sketch showing a gift of land to Alexander Wilson to enable him to have his house in a triangle at the junction of the streets. The Town Engineer was present and presented sketch showing the lay out as proposed to be made and this showed a taking on the Alexander Wilson side of the street. Mr. Wilson's house now,at one corner is right on the edge of the street line. The study, however, is not a final study of the lay out. Pleasant St ' The Board, however, were not in favor of the sugges- Lay Out tion made by Mr. Worthen. It wave voted to authorise the Town Treasurer to secure bids on Temporary Loan of $175,000 to be dated 12 c� May 16, 1934 and payable March 28, 1935t bids to be Temporary* received on Tuesday next at 7:45 P.M. Loan. Letter was received Prom the Town Counsel in which he stated that the hearing on Pletcher Avenue lay out over the railroad crossing would be held on Pletcher Ave. May 22, at 10 A. M. He asked that the Tax Collector Crossing and Town Engineer be present in addition to the Chair- man of the Board. Letter was recelVed from the Planning Board in Milliean Board which-they.acknowledge the Board's letter relative to of Survey the application for a lay out over the Millican property In reference to the park at Somerset Road, im- provements to which were recommended by the Supt. at the last meeting, the vote of the town of December 9, Somerset 1921 showed that this plot was not accepted as a park. Read Park Mr. Lyons stated that he might be able to get some contributions for bushes for the park. It was voted to grant the following licenses: Alcohol Licenses Country Side Inc. Cor. Woburn & Lowell SUS , Colonial Garage Inc. 1668 Mass. Ave,, Lexington Waverly Hardware Co. 1756 Mass. Avenue Auctioneer's Louis J. Reynolds 1736.Mass. Avenue Liee%ses Intelligence Office Florence Crittenton League Arcade Building Overhaneinu Sian Permits Louis J. Reynolds 1736 Mass, Aveaus P. Ferri Corner Bow St. d: Mass. Ave. Pig Permit Se'enson Bros. Allen Street Sunday Sales. , Miller's Poultry Farm Five Forka, Marrett Rd. 13 George E. Smith of 14 grant Street was drawn as Juror for the Criminal Session. Juror It was voted --to grant" a permit to the organiaati+on La Societe Des Qu4rante Hommes Et Huit Chevaux to parade in Lexington on May 17th at 8:30 P. M. from the Cary Wand 8 Memorial Building on Mass. Avenue to the Battle Green and Permit to return to Waltham Street disbanding at the K. of C. Hall. Parade .Invitation was received from the Veterans of Foreign Wars to attend the ceremony of installing its officers to Foreign Wars be held on May 13th at 2:30 P.M. May 13th. Letters were received by the Selectmen individually to visit the Charles Leavitt Edgar Station of the Edison Elec. Ill. 'Co. on May 23, at Weymouth. Edison Co. Some of the members of the -Board decided to attend the meeting. Invitation to the receiption ceremonies on Sunday, May 13th for the welcome home of the U. S. S. Constitution was received by the Board. U.S.S. Con- stitution. Mr. Ferguson reported that there was little danger of cracking and fracturing of sections.of boilers and that it did not happen very often. He stated also that the sections of the boiler similar to that in Cary'Memorial Building would cost about $200 each section. He also stated that in some cases cracks may be welded rather than the section replaced. He did not feel therefor that it was necessary to insure the boilers for crack and fracture Boiler coverage. Insu3�a.nee The Board after considering the matter voted to re- new the boiler insurance through:: E. A. Lord & Co. to be divided among the agents as previously, but to only renew for explosion and not for crack and fracture, and to in- crease'the limits to $25,000 for explosion. The Clerk presented bid of $16 for 12 torte seals.and two electrotypes. It was decided to make another attempt to have the town seal changed so that the,Lexington Minute Town Seal Man will be on the seal rather than the Concord Minute Man, and to insert an article in the next Warrant to request authority to make the'ehange. Mr. Mitchell reported that he received notice in ref- erence to one of the children of William Collins being in the hespital and he talked with Mr. Collins and he informed him that he had not been doing very much business for the Collins Case last four or five months and probably would be unable to ' pay the bill. Mr. Mitchell would investigate the case further, however. Mr. Mitchell reported application had been received from William LeGoff who is now living at Cliffe Avenue. He sent him to see Dr. Hardeastle on account of having put 14 CA W tZ a nail through his foot. ' Mr. LeGoff was aided in Lexington previozzslg and moved to Melrose when he obtained work. Mr. Mitchell LeGoff stated that he is now paying $10. a month rent on Cliffe Case A venue . The case was left with Mr. Mitchell to attend to. Application was received from Herbert E. Stone of 32 Bow Street. The case is a State case and was aided in Hopkinton. The oldest son in the family gets $14 a week, and they requested groceries temporarily until the first pay is received. Stone Mr. Mitchell stated that probably only one or two. Case grocery orders would be needed in this ease. The Board approved his action in granting the assistance to groceries. Mr. Mitchell reported that Mr. MacDougal who lived in the Mereadante house on Rawson Avenue for whom the Board voted to pay the March rent to Mr. Meroadante, has moved to Arlington. The Board authorized the April rent to be paid providing lir. Mitchell sees fit to pay the rent. Mr. Norman Pero of Pleasant Street came before the Board`emd stated that he was dissatisfied with the arrangements made to employ his step -son, Charles Foye, on the F.E.R.A. at $12. per week inasmuch as he felt that the step -son would not give him the money. A previous arrangement was that Mr. Pero was given $7. a week cash aid and his rent, and as he was unable to work, his step -son was put to w0rk for the money which was paid to him. Owing to the fact that no pay has been received on the F.E.R.A. as yet, the Board felt that Mr. Pero was a little previous in making his ac- cusation that his step -son wo41d not'turn over the money inasmuch as his step -son had agreed that he would turn over the money. The Board therefor felt that Mr. Pero should wait until refusal was made to turn over the money before he makes complaint: to the Board. The Chairman reported that notice had been received that the F.E.R.A. noir would not supply funds for an investigator. Previously, he had written asking that Miss Harrington be employed part time to do the ,Inves- tigating owing to the good work that she had done in Lexington under the C.W.A. They now stated that the Welfare Dept. should pay for investigations of this kind. The Chairman felt that investigations had been made of most of the men now employed but that some of the new applicants would have to be investigated and asked that the Board vote to authorize him to employ MiesHarringtona day at a time whenever investigations were necessary, and the Huard so voted. MacDougall Case. Perm Case F,E.R.A, Investigator 1 1 Mr. Wright and his two sons, came before the. Board again in reference to Winter Streqt and stated that they would be able to raise between $300 and $350. toward do- ing the work on the street. The Supt. of Public Works stated that he had re- figured the work to be done on Winter Street and allow- ing for four inches of gravel for a distance of 2700 feet, it would cost $300. for the gravel alone and $300. for the oil. The Board informed the gentlemen that owing to the fact word has not been received from the F.E.R.A. author- ities in reference to whetter or not they would allow work on the street, no definite arrangements could be made until they received this word. Letter was received from Anthony Ross and Sons quoting prices under the Code for the dental of equip - sent such as compressors, Jack hammers, paving breakers, dolls, etc. It will cost the Town additional money now to rent equipment of that kind. The Supt. of Public Works reported that he re- quested bids on printing and that the lowest bids were received from Ball and Ball and The Somerville Printing Company, and he had already awarded some of the work to be done. Letter was received from Vincent Brogna acting as Attorney for his wife who owns a place on Wood Street, complaining that the water in the brook which flows through the premises of Louise M. Brogna 3s be- ing polluted somewhere upstream creating a dangerous condition to the health of the occupants of the prem- ises. It was decided to request the Health Inspector to indestigate the conditions and report to the Board his findings. Letter was received from Hildur Schiorring of 280 Mass. Avenue complaining of the dumping on Mass. Ave. on a vacant lot between numbers 246 and 268 It was decided to refer this complaint to the Health Inspector, also. Reports were received from the Health Inspector Of slaughtering for the year ending May lat. Letter was received from[the Town Counsel in which he gave his opinion in reference to the com- plaint made by Richard Mellen of the alleged violation ' of the Zoning Law by Harrison E. Smith. Town Counsel stated that he thought that a truckman probably had the right to drive home with his truck at night and leave it in his yard until morning as an incident of his residence upon the premises. He also felt that 1.5 Winter Street Rental of equipment Printing Complaint re brook. Dumping Slaughtering 16 Works presented a list of bids on tires and tubes as follows: Colonial Garage 8 n Master Service Stations 8 under existing business conditions, Courts might be Harold B. Needham more sympathetic with property owners than they ' would be under normal conditions, and it any liti- 8 gation is contemplated it would be advisable to wait Ross Stores- until sufficient evidence is accumulated of specific p17s30x5 Tires- 16.88, Tubes -,2,.47 instances of violation. Town Counsel also stated 6 that it is up to the Building Inspector to proceed Master Service Station to enforce the Zoning Laws ;for any violations. Complaint ply,5.25xl7 Tires -10.38, Tubes- 1.69 The Clerk reported that the Building Inspector re 6 stated that there was not sufficient evidence now of zoning viola - Peavy Rubber Co. any violation of the Zoning Law that could be enforced. tion ply,5.50x17 Tires- 9.11, Tubes- 1.51 It was decided to write to Mr. Mellen explaining 6 to him that there was not sufficient evidence and in- Colonial Garage forming him that there would have to be specific evi- p17f4.75x19 dence presented before any action could be taken against 7.37, Mr. Smith. 1.76, Letter was received from Katherine Harrington of 1884 Mass. Avenue in which she made a second request for an abatement on her sewer rental charge on account of water used in her garden. She called attention to the fact that a reduction was made last -year and asked for reconsiderati®n. Abatement The Clerk reported that Dr. Clarence Shannon had also made a request to the Water Department for a re- duction of his sewer rental charger No action was taken on the abatement. The Supt. of Public Works presented a list of bids on tires and tubes as follows: Colonial Garage 8 plyv30X5 Tires- 18.67, tubes- 3.09 Master Service Stations 8 ply,30x5 Tires- 16.88, Tubes- 1.66 Harold B. Needham 8 ply,30x5 Tires- 14.88, Tubes- 2.44 Peavy Rubber Co. 8 pl7,30x5 Tires- 15.23, Tubes-, 2,,17 Ross Stores- 8 p17s30x5 Tires- 16.88, Tubes -,2,.47 Colonial Garage 6 ply,5.25x17 Tires- 8.50, Tubes- 1.95 Master Service Station 6 ply,5.25xl7 Tires -10.38, Tubes- 1.69 Harold B. Needham 6 plg,5.25x17 Tires- 8.38 Peavy Rubber Co. 6 ply,5.50x17 Tires- 9.11, Tubes- 1.51 Rose Stores 6 pl7,5.25xl7 Tires- 7.50, Tubes.- 1.69 Colonial Garage 6 p17,5.25x18 Tires- 8.790 Tubes- 2600 Master Service Station 6 ply,5.25xl8 Tires- 9.68, Tubus- 1.53 Harold B. Needham 6 ply,5.25x18 Tires- 8.54 Peavy Rubber Co. 6 ply,5.25x18 Tires- 8.74, Tubes- 1.27 Ross Stores 6 ply,5.25xl8 Tires- 7.739 Tubes- 1.72 Colonial Garage 6 p17f4.75x19 Tires- 7.37, Tubes- 1.76, Master service Station 6 ply,4.75x19 Tires- 7.95, Tubes- ' 1.54 Harold B. Needham 6 ply,4.75x19 Tires- 7.02 Peavy Rubber Co. 6 ply,4.75x19 Tires- 7.17, Tubes- 1.13 Ross Stores 6 ply,4.75x19 Tires- 6.49, Tubes- 1.69 17 ' The bid of Harold B. Needham apparently was the lowest bid on the 8 ply tires and the bid of Ross Stores Bids on was the lowest bid on 6 ply tires. tires The Board voted to award the bid for all 8 ply tubes tires to Harold B. Needham and the bid for 6 ply tires to Ross Stores. Supt. of Public Works presented a letter from James J. Breen, Jr. of Virginia Road, Concord, in which he claimed damage to his car that slid into the ditch dug .by the Water Dept. The man, however, was on his way to Claim for the house of Mr. Harry Green of 49 Lincoln Street and the damages damage to his car occurred when his truck was passing on the side of the trench excavated for a water main on private property between Lincoln) Street and the standpipe. Owing to the fact that the accident occurred on private property, it was voted to deny all responsibility in this case. William Aquaro, Joseph Vitale and Benjamin Santosuosso, residents of Rawson Avenue and Bow Street, came before the Board to see why they could not get the sewer inasmuch as they stated that the conditions were very bad.' The -Town Engineer was present and stated that it would cost about $12,000. more than it would cost to connect the sewer to a trunk line from the Arlington line,,and stated that he explained the matter to Mr. Aquaro and others that it would be better to wait until another trunk Lind sdwer could be brought around that end He stated also that for a distance of 13100 feet from Cliffe Avenue, it would cost approximately $25,000. for the main outlet of the sewer to be put into Bow Street without figuring in.any lateral sewers. Mr. Santosuosso stated that he had built three cess- pools and that when the family downstairs wash their clothes, the cesspool overflows and that also back up into the plumb- ing. He stated that the same conditions existed at the Moretti's Sewer Mr. Aquaro stated that he.had two cesspools, one being about fifteen feet deep and the other twelve feet deep, and he was badly in seed of the sewer. The Chairman informed the gentlemen that the Board of Selectmen would be glad to recommend to the Town at the next Annual Town Meeting the expenditure of money to install the sewer, but did not feel now that the approptiations had been made that they could make any recommendation this year. Mr. Lyons brought up the question of increasing the pay of the laborers of the various Town deo_artments and suggested'a r; ve cent increase per hour. Supt. Of Public Works reported that if the laborers on all departments' were increased, it would cost the Town $6000. . Lyons felt that the laborers being cut earlier thaM Ye teachers 'and other town employees and owing to the 6t that the cost of living has increased, that some consideration, should be given to them. 18 The Supt. of Public Works agreed to bring in a schedule showing what the increase would mean to the Town at the neat meeting. Pay for Question as to what effect this would haveon the Laborers prevailing wages for laborers was also discussed. Letter was received from the Town Counsel in which he stated that Percy A. Guthrie, Attorney for John Cleverly, stated that his client asked for $5000. on account of the injury to his daughter Fay who out her hand on a broken soap dish at the Adams School April 2nd. - The Attorney stated that he informed the family that the minimum figure for the.settlement would be $1000. Cleverly The Town Counsel also called attention to the case claim of Hill vs Boston, 122 Mass. reports 344, where the city was geld not responsible for injury to a child due to unsafe conditions of a staircase in the schoolhouse. He therefor did not recommend acceptance of the offer as he felt that there was no liability on the part of the Town. The Board voted to notify the Town Counsel that they were net i nterested,in making offer of settlement as they did not believe there was any responsibility on the part of the Town. Mr. Gilereast reported that he desired to have an- , other,week in which to report in regard to the Cardillo case, Old Age Assistance. Mr. Cardillo has been in Cardillo Boston most of the winter and has now returned to his case shack on Albemarle Avenue. In regard to the Old Age Assistance case'of Sarah Devine, Mr. Gilcreast recommended that no further in- Devine crease i?e given in this case and that if aid is necessary Case that her son Lawrence apply for the aid for his own assistance In regard to the Makechnie case, Dr. Hardeastle previously reported to the office that Mrs. Makeehnie was not able to keep house and that her son, on account of his nervous condition, is not able to do anything about the house and they should be cared for somewhere. Arrangements have been made whereby Mrs. Ethel Makeehnie Barker, daughter of Mrs. Makeehnie, would take her mother' case and also her brother to the home of Mr. Fred Jones on Bridge Street where she is keeping house for Mr. Jones, providing their board is paid. It was voted therefor to grant 08. a week Old Ase, Assistance to Mrs. Makee nie and to allow $6. a week-tp Walter Makeehnie from the Public Welfare funds. The meeting adjourned at 9:45 F.M. ' A true record, Attest: Clerk,