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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1935-01-08256 c� n SELECTMENIS MEETING ' JANUARY S, 1935. A regular meeting of the Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Buildingi at 7:30 P1 M. Messrs. Trask, Gilcreast, Ferguson, OfConnell 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 good and brick Garage, veneer at the corner of Eaton Rodd and Blake Road, heatring 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 mainta7n 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 appointment of Ednaard.W. Taylor as Warden. Forest Warden for the year 1935 was received from the State Forester. L Letter was receivdd from Edwin B. Worthen in whish 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. Malloek of 15 Bowker Street and the Board signed the application. ' Application was received fo-o the use of Estabrook Hall from Otto Kiessling of the University Extension Dept. of Education, Stats 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 cover the cost of taking the course and that there would be people from.the various towns around who desired to 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 .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 1983 previous to the out. 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 ftking 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- eommendso-that the budgets could be made accordingly. The Chairman also stated that the Committee was also in favor of having part of the salary out 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- gulations for the approval of the Board. 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 257 Use of Estabrook Hall, Salaries, Traffic Regulation. 258 u, parking owing to the fact that the steet was narrow at I 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 staged that the building in which he was living was the only h ome 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 Augusta It is a shack about 9 x 101, has doable windows and a door on it .Avery';-, and he uses an oil burner. a said the place was neat Shaeko r, 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 Asaes- 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 t& Mr, Griswold. The price of the lot was $225. and he had paid him about -$1750 'The Board discussed the matter and felt that the man would have nothing to lose if he was ordered to demolish the shack inasmuch as he would probably go beak 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 to the request bf the residents of >Lineoln-'Street that the Board of Selectmen sign. a 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 6ounsel 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 the restriction reduced were persons applying for the Home Loan and the Home Loan authorities informed them thatihey 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 obts ned 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. 259 Lincoln Street Restriction. Town Report Award of Bid. Letter was received from the Regional Administrative Agency, 211 Congress Street, Boston, in -which they called att6tibi6n 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 would appear that the Board would be in danger of losing any relief funds if they did not deal with a printer live 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 his 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. 121, 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. 259 Lincoln Street Restriction. Town Report Award of Bid. 260 Request for application for the incorporation of Stanley Hill Post, the American Ugion, 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 19213, 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 $85.66 and water rates in the amount of $84.31 were signed by the Board. AT)p-olication for a Peddler,Is License was received from Daniel . Coughlin of 409 Bedford Street, Lexington, Peddlerts 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 applioa 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 893.41 net. Letter was received from the Colonial Garage, Inc. 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. Bid on Truck. 'Licenses. The following licenses were granted by the Board: Denatured Alcohol: Wood Alcohol: Agent's License Common Victuall- ers: (Subject to filing quired by Law). Waverley Hardware Co. Colonial Garage Colonial Garage F. K. Johnson E. L. Child of $200o bond re - 1756 Mass. Ave. - 1668 1668 " 33-35 Bedford St, 1775 Mass. Ave, 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. 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 should be placed on the street, 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 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 for the various organizations of the Town for the Art 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 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- vised that it be replaced with a new spreader and he re- 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 lst and the remaining half on October 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 261 Street Lights.. - Census. Use of Hall, Reports, Sand Spreaders, Taxes. 262 Richards Bill Trunk 'Line Sewer. be possible to make appropriations beyond the time the tax rate is f fixed. 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 the amount be deducted from any insurance that might be 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 k. Roes 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 15% and was withheld under the contract. He stated that under the P*W,Ae rules, the Contractor receives a copy 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 the voted to allow him the payment of one- half of the 157provided 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 informa- Engineerts 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 streetlights 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 - $585.00 'Bids. F. K. Johnson - 1935 Standard Model Chevrolet 507.50 Coach. The Board discussed the matter and some membersof the 1 rl 1 ' 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 trunks 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 tharefor 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, L The Chairman explained that some time ago Capt. 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 Bail 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 E. R. A., informed him that they were rather anxious to form a social organization and presented to him a peti- 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.bn 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 cards to every family.in 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 reeom- mended a decrease of $1.00 for Edgar G. McLalan. The Clerk reported that Mr. Custance stated that he wanted to' take the matter up with the State Dept. of Old Age Assis- tanee. No action was taken on the matter. 263 Use of Estabrook Hall* Lectures, Old Age McLalan. Mr. Gilereast 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 Slade Case, LeGoff Case. 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 thatihe was too old to be working on E.R.A. Mr. Mitchell felt that he was .a case that should have Old Age Assistance being over seventy gears 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 authoriaated 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 Sto one icy morning recently and broke his leg and remained there for about one hour before rece'ving medical atten- tion. They finally took him home and are now afraid of 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 ther was no compensation provided for him. The oard aut horixed 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 & Sen but was now on E.R.A. Mr. Mitchell recommended $6. per week supplementary aid and it w -as 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 presenteds. 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, 1 1