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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1935-01-29L C 1 SELECTMENIS MEETING JANUARY 29, 1935. A regular meeting of the Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 7:30 P. M. Messrs. Trask, Gilcreast, Ferguson, O'Connell and Lyons were present. The Clerk was also present. The Building Inspector came before the Board and re- ported that he had wb±tten in a letter to Angus McDonald 98 Newhall Street, Lynn, requesting him in accordance with the Court decree to demolish the shack owned by him and located on Fremont Street, Lexington. The letter was re- turned to him. He then went to Somerville to the last known address of said McDonald and was unable to find him there and upon inquiry, the neighbors indormed him that they did not know his whereabouts. The Building Inspector sug- gested the town might demolish the building. Mr. O'Connell, however, called attention to the fact that if the decree of the Court did not permit trespasning 6nuthelpvapert7, that the Town Counsel should have the decree amended. The Board therefor voted to instruct the Town Counsel on account of lack of service, to amend the bill of equity to tear down the building and to incorporate the provision for trespassing. pm McDonald Court Case. Letter was received from the Town Counsel requesting further instructions from the Board relative to the order to Fred L. Avery to demolish the building in which he is liv- Ing on Cushing Street. Counsel stated that the Attorney for Mr. Warren C. Griswold who still owns deed to the land upon which the shack is located, is willing t6 tear down the shack if he gives instructions to do so, but it was his understanding that Mrs. Avery was under doctor's orders not to go out and that Avery is destitute and that if the build- ing was torn down they would have nowhere to go -unless the frown would provide another place for them. .He hesitated to Avery proceed further without definite instructions from the Shack. Board as to what should be done. The Building Inspector reported that after talking with Mr. Mitchell, Public Welfare Agent, he found that Mr. Avery informed him In his application for E. R. _A& that his wife owned a house in Malden and that 'it was about to be taken on by the bank and he applied to the Home Loan and later he reported that the Home Loan accepted the mortgage on the property. Avery stated to Mr. Mitchell that he endeavored to rent or sell_ the property. The Board felt that the Town -Counsel should check up on these facts and if found to be true, the man is there- for not destitute and has a house in Malden that he could go to. P7 C7d Mr. Longbottom reported that the woman is really ill and that although there are three windows in the building, there is no chance for air as the windows cannot be opened and the only means of heating they have is an oil stove. He felt that the place was unfit for anyone to live in. There is no outside privy. The Board considered the matter, not only a vioaltion of the Building Law, but the Health Law and voted to in- struct the Town Counsel to proceed against Avery for the violation of the Building Laws, and also to proceed against him under the Health Laws inasmuch as the building is un- suitable and unfit for human habitation and a menace to the health, and instructed the Town Counsel to have them removed from.the building and to demolish the shack. State Aid pay roll in the amount of $6. for State Aid State Aid. to Mrs. Isabella Wright for the month of January was ap- proved. Petition for joint pole relocation of the New England Pole Tel. and Te. and Edison Electric Ill. Co, to remove one Location. pole from approximately 650 feet northerly from Woburn St. and set one pole approximately 633 feet from Woburn St'. on Fletcher Avenue was granted by the Board. Copy of House Bill 3610 relative to the sale of alco-. . holic beverages on Sunday was received from Representative House Hollis Gott. He stated that he would inform. the Board of Bills, the date of hearing on the bill. He also called attention to the fact that Mr. Edward G. Wheaton was filing a bill to be reimbursed for taxes.illegally assessed. Garbage It was voted to grant a Transportation of Garbage Li - License, cense to the Independent Tallow Co., 34 Merehands Row, Boston. The following reports were approved fvr printing in Reports. the Annual Town Report: Trustees of Public Trusts; Trus- tees of Bridge Chatitable Fund; Report of the Local Admin-' i strator. Commitment of water liens against the following persons.- ersons:Water Water was signed by the Board: Liens, Mabel E. Williams et al, Reed St. - $16,96 Stephen & Margaret H. Deveau, Fremont St. - 20.37 II' Benjamin Delfino, Sandpit Road. - 27.35 Lowe Case. Bill of the Town Counsel for services in the case of Mary E. Lowe, violation of the Building Law, was ipproved in the amount of $118.10. Public Letter was received from the Federal Emergency Adminp Works, istration of Public Works stating that they had sent forms to the Supt. of Schools and the Planning Board to stimulate 1 u 287 preliminary planning with respect to inventory of public works. Letter was received from the County Commissioners in Middlesex Co. which they stated that the Town's share for the care and Tuberculosis maintenance of the Middlesex Co. Tuberculosis Hospital Hospital. is 2566.57. Estimates were presented for the .payment by various of their proportionate share for the cost of construct- ing Blake Road and also estimates for payment of their proportionate share for the cost of extending the water Blake Rd. main. It was voted to forward both estimates to Mr. James'Little of the Lexington Manor who made the request for the construction of the_ street and the extension of the water main. Letter was received from the Planning Board in which they recommended that the Board purchase the Hatch Pond on Pleasant Street for a skating rink together with some Hatch of the land around the pond and adjacent to Bowman Park. Pond. The Board felt that the recommendation by them in- cluded more of an area than was necessary to purchase, but .they were in sympathy with the idea of purchasing the pond. , The Chairman reported that Mr. Garrity was anxious that the Town purchase the land of Peter Kineen which was recently flooded for. skating. The Chairman stated that the Ki.nneen property mortgage was held by the Farm Loan. The Board requested the Chairman to communicate with Mrs. Mary D. Hatch and Peter Kinneen to obtain an idea of what they felt the property was worth to sell to the Town for skating purposes. Application was received from George W. Blume, 19 Percy Road, applying for a position at the swimming pool at the playground this summer. It was decided,to lay the matter on the table until such time an other applications for positions at the playground are considered. Report was received from the Health Inspector in re- ference to his investigation of the complaint from Peter VanGemert, 85 Baker Avenue, relative to overflowing cess- pools. an account of the snow being on the ground, he was unable to find any cesspools_ overflowing. It was decided, therefor, to lay the matter on the table until such time as the snow was off the ground and request the,inspector to make another report. Mr. Albert A. Ross came before the. Board and present- ed the estimate of the Water Maintenance Dept. revised. Playground Position. VanGemert Complaint. Water and Sewer Estimates. Water Department. Insurance. He stated that he divided the labor payroll by taking out the salary of the men such as Joseph Ross and George Har- rington who are regularly employed and classified them as clerks. He also took out the vacation payrolls -and there.- for here-for reducing the labor item to $10,000. The Board voted to approve the water Maintenance ap- propriation in the amount of $67,199.40. The Board also voted to approve a stock account ap= propriation of $4500, for the Water Department and a Water Construction Account of services and meters of $3721. The 1935 Water Construction program was ap-roved as follows 16" main in Mass. Avenue from"Childs► - $110295.00 Garage to Pleasant Street. 12" main in Bedford Street from Elm 8,121000 Avenue to Tewksbury Street. $19,416.00 It was also voted to approve a Sewer Dept. Stock Ac- count in the amount of $900.00. Mr. Ross explained that the 12 ton Chevrolet truck should be.replaced with a new chassis and that Frederick K. Johnson offered $160. for the old chassis against the furnishing of a new one for $641.30. At the present time Mr. Ross stated that the truck was laid up and the trans- mission being taken off and that now was the proper time to have the work done of putting on the new chassis.. The Board authorized Mr. Ross to have this done. Mr. Ross also called attention to the fact that on the old 1930 Chevrolet coupe that was being used b O'Con- nor who reads meters, would bring an allowance 'of 1100: and the net cost to the Town for a new pick -u body truck to replace this old Chevrolet coupe would be445.05. Mr. Ross suggested that a new coupe might be bought for him and the old coupe might be given to the men to replace the old 1930 coupe, but Mr. Trask felt that the cheapest type of car could be given to the men where they rack a car around. It was voted, however, to authorize Mr. Ross to pur- chase a small Chevrolet Coupe to ppplace the 1930 coupe at a net cost to the town of $465.05. Mr. Robert Whitney came before the Board and present- ed statement worked out by him to show the Board that they could inerdase the co-insurance to 90 per cent rather than 80,per cent now carried and be getting more insurance for the money expended at less cost. He explained the state- ment presented by him and stated that upon talking with the New England Insurance Exchange, they informed him that several of the towns were making reductions in the valua- tion of buildings, approximately of 5% at least. He himself checked up with the Town of Arlington and they informed him C'� In reference to the renewal of 11,100. insurance ' expiring through the office of A. A. Marshall & Son on Renewal of February 8th, it was voted to place the renewal of this Insurance. insurance through the office of Mr. Robert Whitney. Mr. Cresenzio 6perandio of Webb Street came before the 289 ' that they were making a 121,,% reduction in the value of service;oming to the fact that Mr. Wood, who does,.the plow- the buildings. He talked also with his father, who is a ing dna that section,; works down from his own house and does building appraiser and his father informed him that 124 not go back up on Webb Street by Mr. Sperandio's house." reduction *as`a"--fair reduction to make. He stated, how- The Board informed him that they would look into ever, that of course in appraising it is one manes opin- the matter and remedy the condition. ion against another's. He felt, however, that in making Mr. Edward W. Taylor, Chief of the Fire Department came the reduction in the valuation of the buildings and in- before the Board and presented figures dividing the Fire creasing the co-insuranoe to 90 per cent that the Town Ddpt. budget in the manner to which the Town Accountant de- would benefit. He also called attention to the fact that sired to have it divided. He reported having a bilance in-;no,other line of insurance but town fire insurance do of $18.17 in the account last year. He stated that on ac- the contents take the same rate as the building and they count of the unusual amount of snow, he would like to received the benefit on the contents as well. He stated have $450. additional added to his appropriation, and the further that although the Chief of the Fire Dept. probably Insurance. Board voted to approve the additional $450. to the Fire would.not agree with him, he felt that the building of Dept. estimate. the town were of the older type with the exception of the He also explained that this year he should buy two new ones, and that they probably would be entirely 500 feet of hose. burned out or at least suffer extreme damage if a. good He called attention to the fact that there was an fire got started in any one of these buildings, and there- increase in the cost of telephone service from $300. for he felt that with the 90 per cent clause, the Board last year to $400. and that was on account of the trunk would get back more insurance on the value of the build- line being added to the system and a new system being ings. However, he agreed that whatever amount of insure-- ance was carried, the Town would receive that amount in case of a fire destroying the entire building* In reference to the renewal of 11,100. insurance ' expiring through the office of A. A. Marshall & Son on Renewal of February 8th, it was voted to place the renewal of this Insurance. insurance through the office of Mr. Robert Whitney. Mr. Cresenzio 6perandio of Webb Street came before the Board and complained that he did not get any snow plow Snow service;oming to the fact that Mr. Wood, who does,.the plow- Plow ing dna that section,; works down from his own house and does Service, not go back up on Webb Street by Mr. Sperandio's house." The Board informed him that they would look into the matter and remedy the condition. Mr. Edward W. Taylor, Chief of the Fire Department came before the Board and presented figures dividing the Fire Ddpt. budget in the manner to which the Town Accountant de- sired to have it divided. He reported having a bilance of $18.17 in the account last year. He stated that on ac- Estimates, count of the unusual amount of snow, he would like to have $450. additional added to his appropriation, and the Board voted to approve the additional $450. to the Fire Dept. estimate. He also explained that this year he should buy 500 feet of hose. He called attention to the fact that there was an increase in the cost of telephone service from $300. last year to $400. and that was on account of the trunk line being added to the system and a new system being 290 Estimates. ,Dog installed so that they could get a light signal at the switchboard. He stated that there were now five officers in the Dept. and five privates. The Chief called atten- tion to the fact that he would like to have an increase in his pay owing to the fact that he had to get a new car this year as his other ear was badly worn out. It was voted to grant him an increase in pay to $1200. He presented figures showing the cost of the increase of the Fire Dept. since 1920. He called attention to the fact that the only year they ran overtheir appropriation was 1933. The Board voted to approve the total appropriation for the Fire Department in the amount of $37,389.00. It was also voted to approve the fire alarm box appropriat ioo of $2500. and Forest Fires Account in the amount of $1075. The following other estimates were approved by the Board to be handed to the Appropriation Committee; Memorial Day 250.00 Fire Pensions 1107.81 Police Pensions 1095.00 Insurance 12000.00 The Highway Maintenance estimate was left over until the Supt. of Highways and Supt. cf Public Works could come before the Board in regard to the estimate. It was decided to lay over the estimate of the Town Office Building and Cary Memorial Building so that Mr. Ferguson could view the buildings with an idea of estima- ting the repairs. The Board voted to appoint Frank Neal,,Police Officer, as Dog Officer of the Town to date from Jan. lat.. inasmuch as Officer Neal has been looking after the quarantine of Officer. dogs and unless he is appointed dog officer, he is not en- titled to the fee of $1.00 for the dogs that have been quar- antined by him. This appointment is made in aocordan ce. with Section 151, Chapter 140 of the General Laws and amend- ments and must be renewed on May lat. Dr. James J. Walsh.and Dr. Norman Ellard, Charles. L. Parker, Malcolm Cliff ord, Roland Garmon, Joseph Trani, Edward L. Child and Julius Seltzer representing the Amer- ican Legion, Veterans of Foredgn Wars, Sons of Veterans, G. A. R.J. Minute -Man, Mass. State Guard and Veterans .of April 19th Spanish War came before the Board and presented the petition Celebration.requesting that an article be inserted in .the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting asking for an appropriation of $750, for the. celebration of April 19th to be expended by a Commit- tee to be appointed by the Selectmen, of the Lexington Allied Vcterans Council, Dr. Walsh explained that this com- m-i_tte is composed of the male members of all veterans or. ganizations in the own to be known as the Lexington Allied Veterans Council. a stated that this group decided to form themselves into a Council to further and continue the pat - 1 291 riotic interests and it had been successfully carried out ' in other towns. He called attention to the editorial in the Lexington Minute -Man suggesting that the April 19th celebration be done away with except for a larger celebration every five or ten years. Their Organization felt that this editorial;, whether meant to ° be or not was unkmerican and'7they- felt that the patriotic interests of the chilclen in the Town should be stimulated by having before them 'a each #pril 19th,celebration that would keep in their minds the patriotism.that they should have, especially in times like these when there is so much unAmerican literature being circulated. He stated further that the colleges even go so far as to have the students agree that they will never bear arms. This group of citizens he felt were opposed to such ideas and felt that the children should have before them as much as possible the spirit of the April 19th cele- bration. He stated that this happens to be the 160th an- niversary of the battle and the 25th anniversary of the or- ganization of the organization of the Lexington Minute -Men and that the Minute -Men were looking forward especially to this year as year of celebration. The Committee felt that this year something should be done about the 160th anniver- April 19 sary and they would like to invite the organization of 23 Celebra- different towns to participate in the parade and they would tion. also like to have other Minute -Men troups in the parade and they would hay=e to provide a lunch for them, this to be held in the Congregational Church. He presented estimate of the proposed expenditures as follows; April 19th, 1935. Minute Men Feeding Visiting Delegations $150 to $200. Legion and V.F.W. Musical Units 150 to 200. Lexington Drum Corps 50. Lexington Band 50. National Guard Company 50. Sons of Union Veterans 50. Paul Revere and Dawes 25.to 50. State Guard 50. Program 50. Early Morning Parade 35, Miscellaneous ? He explained that there were other necessary items that they did not account for, and which sums would have to be spent and they felt that an appropriation of. $750, was as low as they could feel they could possibly have a celebration for with the ideas that they had in mind. In way they hoped to have a permanent committee of the Allied Council who would each year care for the celebra- ethis tion under the direction of the Selectmen as far as expend- itures aid pay rolls of the town were concer ned. Their 292 recommendation was to have the marshall of the parade each year have an assistant and the following year the assistant would have the experience of taking care of the parade and he would,then have charge the following year, The Chairman called attention to the fact that he was not satisfied with the manner in which Memorial Day cele- bration was handled and he would be glad if a committees of this kind would take rover the Memorial Day celebration also. Dr. Walsh p6 lained that while the remaining member of the G.A.R. lives, the Committee would not take over the celebration. As the Sons of Veterans are a part of the organization, they would be glad to take it over latero The Board considered the matter and voted to insert an article in the Warrant for the annual Town Meeting and also to approve of the expenditure of $750.00 for the April 19th celebration. Roland Garmon called attention tot he fact that the Stone Building is badly leaking and in in need of atten- STone tion. He was informed that the water is probably backing Building. in from the gutters. Mr..Garmon felt that the building should be shingled and someone should view the conditions at the present time to know where the leaks are. 1 1 It was voted to enroll in the 1935 contest of the Safety National Safety Council and the blank for enrollment was Content. signed by the Chairman. The Clerk reported that Peter Canessa stated that he did not keep account of all of the cesspools that he Cesspools. cleaned last year but that he estimated about a dozen. He stated that he did not get enough out of the job to register his car to do the work. The Board decided to consider the matter, and voted to insert an article in the Warrant providing an appropriation for the cleaning of cesspools, the area to be designated by the Town Engineer. The Board voted to send notice of intention to lay Farmcrest out Farmerest Avenue for its entire length and Kendall Ave. and Road from Marrett 'Road to Farmerest Avenue, to the owners of Kendall Rd. land abutting thereon, Mr. Randall Richards reported to the Selectmen that he was fast obtaining a majority of the signatures for the acceptance of these highways. Skating The Chairman presented a plan showing the proposed Rink, skating rink on the playggd and stated that this rink would be considered under an E.R,A. project. The Chairman read his report as Local Administrator E.R.A. of E.R.A. The Board suggested that he include therein. Report, the largest number of men employed in apy one week and the smallest number in addition to the average number of men employed. 1 1 293 The Chairman stated that he felt that the Board should consider some of the drainage projects in the town and so some specific projects under a program each year Inasmuch as nothing had been done in this line for the last couple of years. The most important projects considered to be done were the drainage on Hancock Street, Hancock Avenue, Ledgelawn Ave. and Lowell Street. The Supt. of Public Works stated that he did not believe that Dr. Crawford would desire to have the drainage, continued on her property down to the brook inasmuch as she has been Annby6d with the present drainage that is there although the drainage that is there now is inadequate and it could be carried to the brook. In order to carry the drainage down Hancock Street and into Hancock Avenue, which is now not drained, at least an appropriation of about $4000. would be necessary. This would carry all the water that comes down from Hayes Avenue and Meriam Hill into the brook. Drainage. He stated that at some future date Hancock Avenue would have to be drained and that to do the job in the back of Dr. Crawford's property it would cost approximately $1000. It was therefor felt that if this drainage was put in Han- cock Street and carried through Hancock Avenue, it would save $1000. although the present expenditure would be more than might be necessary at this time. The drainage in Reed Street was also considered and it was felt that this porposition would cost at least $12,000* and it was felt that that was considerable to be dpent' at this time. The drainage in Hancock Street and Ledgelawn Avenue should also be done inasmuch as the drainage comes from Blake Road into this section and has been complained of considerably by Mr. Nichols. Mr. Scamman stated that it would cost about $4500. to do this work The work on Lowell Street near the Busaproperty would prohably cost about $6000. The Board voted to insert an article in the Warrant to do the drainage work on Lowell Street; also to do the drainage work in Hanock Street and to appropriate money to furnish the drainage work on Mill Brook. It was voted to appropriate money for the resurfac Oakland ing of Oakland Street at a cost of approximately $8500. Street. including the drainage. It was also voted to insert an article in the war- rant calling for the construction of Blake Road, and for the construction of the balance of Pleasant and Water- Highways. town Streets, and for the construction of 1500 feet of Maple Street, which would cost approximately $12,000. The Chairman explained that he felt the Board should not ask for the money for the construction of the entire 294 Salaries, Devine Case. portion of Lincoln Street, but they should request money for the construction from the Five Forks to the Child property and this would include all the preliminary con struction and curves that were removed by the E.R.A. He stated that the Supt. of Streets suggested that the Board do some construction work on Waltham Street from Concord Avenue to Allen Street inasmuch as this has not been done since 1908. The Chairman called attention to the meeting to be held Thursday night with the Appropriation Committee and School Committee,to discuss the matter of salaries. He felt that the• Board should take some stand on their posi- tion in.regard to salaries. He stated that the Appropria- tion Committee intended to offer suggestive rates to be' made for the various Departments, having in mind that the 15 per cent cut will not be again reached. The Board discussed the matter and felt that the 15% out was only a temporary measure and that a promise had been made to the employees that their salaries would be returned and establishing a wage, and voted to recommend to the Appropriation_ Committee that 71,,% of the salaries` which had been reduced by the 15% cut be restored. Mr. Mitchell came before the Board and reported that he received a bill for Mrs. Mullen for addibibnal money for nursing care for the last two weekys and a half that John Devine was with her before he went to the hospital. The regular rate for board was authorized at $7. per webk and Mrs. Mullen requested the additional_ amount for the nursing during this period of time. Mr. Mitchell was authorized to pay the bill providing he obtained a re- lease of all further claims for care of John Devine from Mrs. Mullen. Mr. Mitchell reported having had an application from Thomas Schena of James Street for assistance. The man has 'Schena six children, himself and wife and was not paid sufficient Case. under E.R.A. to cover the budget required. The case is settled in Woburn and Mr.:Mitchell was authorized to grant aid necessary. The meeting adjourned at 11:40 P. M. A true record, Attest; Clerk.