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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1935-01-08 256 CA to n SELECTMEN'S MEETING JANUARY 8, 1935. A regular meeting of the Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building,. at '7:30 P1 M. Messrs. Trask, Gilcreast, Ferguson, O'Connell and Lyons were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. William E. R. Coulton and Mr. William A. Pride appeared in reference to the application of Mr. Coulton Coulton for permission to locate a two car garage of wood and brick. Garage. veneer at the corner of Eaton Road and Blake Road, hearing of which was advertised to be held last week. They pre- sented plan of the garage to be erected. It was voted to grant the permit to mainta n the garage subject to the approval of the Building Inspector. Mr. William E. Chamberlain of 14 Eliot Road was Juror. drawn as a juror for a Special Civil Session to be held at Cambridge. Approval of the appointment of John J. Garrity as Moth Moth Supt. for the year 1935 was received from the State Supt. Dept. of Conservation. Forest Approval of the a rpointment of Edward.W. Taylor as Warden. Forest Warden for the year 1935 was received from the State Forester. Letter was receivdd from Edwin B. Worthen in whisk Cary Mem. he requested that the Board include in the budget for Building the Cary Memorial Building for 1935, $50.00 additional Budget, to cover the expense of cleaning and varnishing the picture of the *Dawn of Liberty." It was voted to make this inclusion in the estimate for 1935. Letter was received from Norman I. Adams expressing Eliot Rd. the thanks of the residents of Eliot Road due to the fact that the Board decided not to renumber the residence on this street, Street Letter of thanks was received from John J. Donovan Light. for the installation of a street light on Bow Street re- cently. Application for Peddler's License to peddle bakery License. products was received from Ernest M. Mallock of 15 Bowker Street and the Board signed the application. 257 IIApplication was received nrr the use of Estabrook Hall from Otto Kiessling of the University Extension Dept. of Education, State House. He stated that there was to be a course in Market Gardening for a period of eight weeks and there would be a fee charged of $5. to Use of cover the cost of taking the course and that there would Estabrook be people from the various towns around who desired to Hall. take the course and they wanted a central location and they felt that Lexington would be the proper place. The Board considered granting the use of Estabrook Hall and voted to grant the use of Estabrook Hall free of charge on the first night of the lecture and after that if the attendance watttanted the use of a hall as large as that and if not they could then be granted one of the small rooms or Cary Memorial Library. Letter was received from Edward W. Taylor, Chief of the Fire Department in which he stated that at this Salaries. time the men on the Fire Depart. desired to call the attention of the Board to the fact that they believed that the pay cut should be restored to what it was in 1933 previous to the cut. The Chairman reported that he consulted with the Appropriation Committee at their meeting last night in regard to restoration of salaries and he felt that some of the members of the Appropriation Committee were in favor of thking some sort of a return on a part of the pay cut. He stated that the Chairman of the Appropria- tion Committee was in favor of it and he informed them that he though they should get together with the Board of Selectmen and decide upon what they desired to re- commendso-that the budgets could be made accordingly. The Chairman also stated that the Committee was also in favor of having part of the salary cut restored. At the last meeting of the Board, the matter of parking regulations on Mass. Avenue, Forest Street and Bedford and Hancock Streets was discussed, and the Clerk having found that the regulations had not been brought up to date for some time, revised all the re- Traffic gulations for the approval of the Board. Regulation. They discussed the matter of changing the regula- tions on Mass. Avenue from diagonal parking from Grant Street to the passageway near the Edison Co. and voted to change that regulation having the diagonal parking start near the passageway instead of at Grant Street. On Forest Street, it was decided to make the stopping point for no parking at Belfry Terrace. It was decided to remove the regulation for diagonal parking in front of the park where the taxi stand exists. It was also voted to change the diagonal parking in that section in front of the Central Block from diagonal parking toparallel 258 00 co parking owing to the fact that the steet was narrow at that point, and to change the regulations on Mass. Ave. from Rowland Avenue to Hunt Road. These changes were to be made and the regulations brought before the Board again for approval. Mr. Fred. L. Avery of Cushing Street came before the Board to ask that the Board allow him to remain in the house on Cushing Street owing to the fact that he stated that the building in which he was living was the only home he had, having lost his home in Malden. He bought the land in 1927 as a camp lot. The building which he now has on the lot was erected on another lot and he did not know who erected the building or how long it was built before 1927. He and another man moved the house from another lot across the street and he put three win- dows and a door and tar paper on it . Two years ago he lost his homein Malden and got rid of his furniture and went to this camp to live a year ago last August. It is a shack about 9 x 10, has double windows and a door on it Avery and he uses an oil burner. a said the place was neat ghaek. and clean and was not a health menace. He stated that there was an outside toilet as of course he could hot have a flush toilet in the house as there was no water in the house and he carried the water from one of his neigh- bors. He stated that there have been eight houses built up there since he was using this place to live in and there have been no complaints from the neighbors. This fall he built a shed to store a refrigerator and a few other things in. He stated that he was married and he and his wife live there. He had three children, the youngest being 26, and the oldest 30, and he did not know where any of the children are. The last thing he heard of his daughter she was in San Fransisco and one of his boys he heard was on C.C.C. He was working for the E.R.A. He stated that Mr. Tibbetts, the former Building Inspec- tor, informed him that his house was all right. He had never head any complaints until after the Board of Asses- sors were up there and left him a notice of the number of the street. The place is located among a cluster of oak trees and he did not feel that it was objectionable. He pays taxes on the land tat Mr. Griswold. The price of the lot was $225. and he had paid him about $175. The Board discussed the matter and felt that the man would have nothing to lose if he was ordered to demolish 1 the shack inasmuch as he would probably go back to Malden where he come from and he has not a legal settlement in Lexington. He would have better living quarters and he would be taken care of by the City of Malden. It was therefor voted to request him to comply with the order of the Building Inspector. Letter was received from the Town Counsel in reference 259 IIto the request bf the residents of Lincoln 'Street that the Board of Selectmen signa paper, which was forward- ed to him, agreeing to reduce the building construction on property on Lincoln Street formerly belonging to Neil McIntosh. The Town Counsel advised that if the Town has ac- quired title to any of the land in question, he did not believe the Selectmen had authority to release or modify restrictions upon it without authority from the Town. The Clerk reported that the persons desiring to have Lincoln the restriction reduced were persons applying for the Street Home Loan and the Home Loan authorities informed them Restriction that they could not grant a loan unless the restrictions which were formerly on the property owned by Neil Mc- Intosh were reduced and these restrictions required a building to have a value of not less $6000. and they de- sired to have the restrictions reduced to $4000. Certain information was to be obtained from the Town Treasurer as to whether or not the Town acquired any property on tax title and this would be forwarded to the Town Counsel. Letter was received from the Regional Administrative ` Agency, 211 Congress Street, Boston, in- which they called attention to the fact that the awarding of the bid fbr the printing of the Town Report at $1.50 per page to the Som- erville Printing Company was called to their attention and after an inspection of the 1933 report they felt that it indicated that the quotation did not conform to the requirements of the graphic arts Code. They also called attention to the fact that under the National Recovery Act under the grants of funds for Federal relief projects, the President in his statements has indicated that bene - ficiaries of such relief funds are expected to cooperate by dealing with parties complying with their Codes. It Town Report would appear that the Board would be in danger of losing Award of any relief funds if they did not deal with a printer 11v. Bid. ing up to the Code. Mr. Sullivan of the Somerville Printing Co. was re- quested to appear before the Board and inform them wheth- er or not he was living up to the Code, but he stated in a letter that he was unable to appear this evening but stated that his price of $1.50 per page was not below cost. The Board felt however that he should give suf- ficient proof to the Regional Administrative Agency and voted to request him to have such proof from them in the hands of the Board of Selectmen on or before Jan. 12, proving that he was acting in compliance with the. Code, otherwise they would have to cancel his contract. If the Somerville Printing Co. cannot prove that they are complying with the Code, the Board voted to award the bid to the Lexington Townsman at their bid of $2.50 per page. 26Q tn to Request for application for the incorporation of Stanley Hill Post, the American Legion, was received and Stanley Hill owing to the fact that Joseph Trani, Commander of the Post Post Incorp- was the applicant for incorporation and he having had a oration. record for keeping and exposing liquor for sale in 1920, the Board postponed taking any action on the application. Commitment of sewer miscellaneous charges in the amount Commitments. of $68.19, water miscellaneous in the amount of p85.66 and water rates In the amount of $84.31 were signed by the Board. Application for a Peddler's License was received from Daniel 2 . Coughlin of 409 Bedford Street, Lexington, Peddler's for permission to peddle food products. Inasmuch as the License. Board has to sign that he is of good repute for morals and integrity the Board decided not to sign the applica- tion. Letter was received from F. K. Johnson, 35 Bedford Street quoting the price of a 1934 General Motors T-18 truck equipped with 32 x 6 heavy duty, dual tires and Anthony #75 Steel Dump Body at t893.41 net. Bid on Letter was received from the Colonial Garage, Inc. Truck. in which they requested permission to bid on automobiles inasmuch as the new Pontiac Six is a car priced very close to the lowest. No action was taken on either letter. The following licenses were granted by the Board: Denatured Alcohol: (Subject to filing of $200, bond re- quired by Law) . Licenses. Waverley Hardware Co. - 1756 Mass. Ave. Colonial Garage - 1668 " Wood Alcohol: Colonial Garage - 1668 " Agent 's License F. K. Johnson - 33-35 Bedford St. Common Victuall- E. L. Child - 1775 Mass . Ave. era: Letter was received from the State Dept. of Health Health calling attention to the recent epidemic of Dysentery in Regulations. the City of Chicago and recommending that certain regula- tions be adopted by the Board and included in the Plumb- ing Regulations. Letter was received from the State Dept. of Public Rabies. Health calling attention to the imperative anti-rabic treat- ment required under the provisions of Chapter 320 of the Act of 1934. Invitation was received to attend the meeting of the Meeting. South Middlesex Health Association to be held at North Reading Sanatorium on January 15, at 6: 30 P. M. 261 Letter was received from the Supt.of Public Works in which he stated that Pine Knoll Road could be lighted by three street lights but to properly light it, four lights Street should be placed on the street. Lights. The Board decided to insert an article in the warrant asking for the installation of street lights on this street. Certificate to be signed under oath that the enumer- ation of the inhabitants of the Town had been duly and thoughtfully made was received by the Board from the Census. Secretary of the Commonwealth. The census is now being taken by the Board of Assessors and the Clerk called at- tention to the fact that the Secretary of State has ad- vised that the census cards be checked over by the Board of Selectmen before signing this statement under oath. Letter of thanks was received from A. R. Giroux for allowing the use of Cary Memorial Hall free of charge Use of for the various organizations of the Town for the Art Hall. Exhibit held on December 29th. The following reports were received and reviewed by the Board and approved for publication in the Town Report: Cemetery Commissioners Town Physician Reports. Town Engineer Assessors Plumbing Inspector Health Officer Library Trustees Police. Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works in which he stated that one of the sand spreaders in the Snow Removal Department has failed to work and ad- Sand vised that it be replaced with a new spreader and he re- Spreaders. quested that the Board authorize the purchase of two sand spreaders at the cost of $375. each. The Board voted to authorize the Supt. to purchase the two spreaders necessary as recommended. Letter was received from Henry F. Long, Commissioner of Corporations and Taxation, in which he advised that the tax bills for 1935 must be in the hands of the tax payers on or before June 14, 1935 and one-half of the tax is due on July 1st and the remaining half on October Taxes. 1st, and as the Assessors will be required to determine the tax rate some time in April in order to allow the nec- essary time for commitment of taxes, the appropriations made at the Town Meeting must call for sufficient money to carry the departments through the year as it will not 262 c� be possible to make appropriations beyond the time the tax rate is f ixed. Letter was received from Alber A. Ross, Supt. of the Water and Sewer Dept., in which he called attention to the fact that Jay 0. Richards still owes the depart- ment *179.18 for a sewer service and he suggested that Richards the amount be deducted from any insurance that might be Bill. payable to Mr. Richards. It will not be possible to make a deduction from the insurance due, but the Board felt that if Mr. Richards desires to do further insurance busi- ness with the Town, that they should require him to pay this bill. Supt. of the Water and Sewer Dept. , Albert A. Rosa came before the Board and explained that there was approxi- mately *4000. due Anthony Ross and Son on their contract for the construction of the trunk line sewer, this being Trunk 15% and was withheld under the contract . He stated that Line under the P.W.A. rules, the Contractor receives a copy Sewer. of paid vouchers every month and Anthony Ross & Son are desirous of obtaining part of the money and feel that one-half of this amount, namely *2000. should be suf- ficient to protect the Town. Mr. Ross stated that there was only one manhole cover thatwas being held up and that other than that, the contract is complete. He stated that he felt that he could get the approval of the P.W.A. authorities on the payment of this amount. The Board felt that Mr. Ross had had considerable trouble in completing the contract owing to the soild con- ditions and the5 voted to allow him the payment of one- half of the 15% provided the Supt. of the Department ob- tain a letter from the P.W.A. approving the action. The Town Engineer came before the Board to see whether or not the Board desired to discuss any informs- Engineer's tion desired in connection with his report for the Town Report. Report. The Beard requested one correction to be made in that John O'Connor was transferred from the Engineering Dept. to the Highway Department as Assistant Supt. of Streets. Grant St. The Supt. of Public Works was requested to look into Lights. the matter of street lights on Grant Street inasmuch as Paul Bowser states that he did not receive the street lights that he thought were voted for Grant Street. Bids were received on furnishing a second automobile for the Police Department as follows: Police Car Calvin W. Childs - 1935 Ford Tudor Sedan - 41585.00 fids, F. K. Johnson - 1935 Standard Model Chevrolet 507.50 Coach. The Board discussed the matter and some members of the 263 Board felt that the new Ford car was a faster and .better model than the Chevrolet Standard, and the Chairman stated that there would be two Ford trucks purchased at a later date and the Supt. of Public Works agreed that he would like the Ford trucks better than the Chevrolet trucks and it was therefor voted to purchase the Chevrolet Coach at the price of $507.50 for the Police Department and to later purchase a Ford Truck from Calvin W. Childs. The Board discussed the matter of having a heater installed and it was voted to authorize F. K. Johnson to install ,a heater in both police cars and also a radio in the new car. In view of the fact that the Board is providing an additional car for the Police Dept., it was voted to re- quest the Chief to withdraw his own car from use in the Dept. inasmuch as no further compensation would be paid him for the use of his car. The Chairman explained Capt. ined that some time ago C pt. Bumps was anxious to have a meeting of the E.R.A. workers and as the Board was aware, the meeting was not held inasmuch as they were denied the use of Cary Memorial Hall and the High School hall for this purpose. Mr. Trask explained that Mr. William Farnham, who was working on street numbering and some of the intelligent men on the Use of E. R. A. , informed him that they were rather anxious to Estabrook form a social organization and presented to him a peti- Hall. tion for the use of Estabrook Hall and requested him to be present as Administrator to inform them of the E.R.A. activities. Under the circumstances, it was felt that the use of the hall could be granted to them free of charge on Tan. 14th, and Mr. Trask requested the members of the Board to be present. Attention was called to the fact that many outsiders attend the Cary Lectures given in Cary Hall and the Board decided to request the Chairman to ask Mr. Holt to issue Lectures. cards to every family An Town when the program was sent out, these cards to be presented at the door to prevent outsiders from coming in. Letter was received from the Bureau of Old Age Assis- tance of the State in wh ich they advised that they recom- mended a decrease of $1.00 for Edgar G. MoLalan. The Old Age Clerk reported that Mr. Custance stated that he wanted to McLalaza take the matter up with the State Dept. of Old Age Assis- tanee. No action was taken on the matter. Mr. Gilcreast requested that Old Age Assistance be granted to Harry W. Cobb of 6 Carville Avenue in the Cobb amount of $5. per week and it was so voted. Old Age. 264 con to Mr. Mitchell came before the Board and stated that William Slade of 24 Forest Street, who was on the E.R.A., receiving $12, per week, collapsed and needed medical care and the doctor stated that 'he was too old to be working Slade Case. on E.R.A. Mr. Mitchell felt that he was a case that should have Old Age Assistance being over seventy years old and endeavored to get as much information as possible in reference to his application. The application was turned over to Mr. Gilcreast for investigation and in the meantime, Mr. Mitchell was authorizated to grant any aid necessary for Mr. Slade for the maintenance of his wife and himself. The Agent reported that William LeGoff, who had been working for John Sellars, ran into a tree on Pleasant St. one icy morning recently and broke his leg and remained there for about one hour before rece ving medical atten- LeGoff tion. They finally took him home and are now afraid of Case. pneumonia setting in. He consulted with Mr. Sellars and Mr. Sellars stated that he was through with him Saturday night prior to the time he had the acciddnt and although he did his work well he was a careless driver and he could not keep him for that reason. Mr. Sellars stated that there was no compensation provided for him. The oard authorixed Mr. Mitchell to grant aid in this case if necessary. Application was received from Frank Cuccinello of Cuccinello Hinchey Road for aid. The man has a wife and six child- Case. ren, the youngest three months old and the oldest 13 years. The man had been working for Anthony Ross & Son but was now on E.R.A. Mr. Mitchell recommended $6. per week supplementary aid and it was voted to grant the same. Mr. Mitchell reported that Mrs. Bridget Leary came to him in regard to paying the rent for the Makenzie Makenzie family and presented a bill of $110. back rent. He in- Case. formed her that the Board would not pay back rent for a family this size getting as much income as they are getting. The meeting adjourned at 11:05 P. M. A true record, Attest: Clerk.