HomeMy WebLinkAbout1935-01-29 285
SELECTMEN'S 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 wLttten in a letter to Angus McDonald
98 Newhall Street, Lynn, requesting him in ac cordance with McDonald
the Court decree to demolish the shack owned by him and Court
located on Fremont Street, Lexington. The letter was re- Case.
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 thespanaing
6nuthelpen ert that the Town Counsel should have the
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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.
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 to 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
town 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.
I 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.
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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 alto 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 Role relocation of the New England
Pole Tel. and Te. and Edison tIlectric 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 3619 relative to the sale of oleo..
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 Merchands Row,
Boston.
The following reports were approved for printing in
Reports . the Annual Town Report: Trustees of Public Trusts; Trus-
tees of Bridge Cha1itable Fund; Report of the Local Admin-
istrator.
Commitment of water liens against the following persons:
Water was signed by the Board
Liens. Mabel E. Williams et al, Reed St. - $15.96
Stephen & Margaret H. Deveau, Fremont St. - 20.37
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 ;proved
in the amount of $118.10.
Public Letter was received from the Federal Emergency Admin
Works. istration of Public Works stating that they had sent forma
to the Supt. of Schools and the Planning Board to stimulate
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preliminary planning with resect 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 Kinneen 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 Playground
Percy Road, applying for a position At the swimming pool Position.
at the playground this summer.
It was decided to lay the matter on the table until
such time as 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
VanGemert, 85 Baker Avenue , relative to overflowing cess- Complaint.
pools. On 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. 41bert A. Ross came before the Board and present-
ed the estimate of the Water Maintenance Dept. revised.
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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 reducing the labor item to $10,000.
The Board voted to approve the water Maintenance ap-
propriation in the amount of $67,1D9.40.
The Board also voted to approve a stock account ap-
propriation of $4500. for the Water Department and a
Water and Water Construction Account of services and meters of
Sewer $3721.
Estimates. The 1935 Water Construction program was aprroved as
follows:
16" main in Mass. Avenue from Childs ' - $11,295.00
Garage to Pleasant Street.
12" main in Bedford Street from Elm 8,121.00
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
Water to have the work done of putting on the new chassis.
Department. 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 by O'Con-
nor who reads meters, would bring an allowance of $100.
and the net cost to the Town for a new piek-up body truck
to replace this old Chevrolet coupe would be $445.05. 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 replace 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 inordase the co-insurance to 90 per cent rather than
80 per cent now carried and be getting more insurance for
Insurance. the money expended at less cost. He explainedthe 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
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that they were making a 12Q% reduction in the value of
the buildings. He talked also with his father, who is a
building appraiser and his father informed him that 124
reduction tas`a-fair reduction to make . He stated, how-
ever, that of course in appraising it is one man's opin-
ion against another's. He felt, however, that in making
the reduction in the valuation of the buildings and in-
creasing the co-insurance to 90 per cent that the Town
would benefit. He also called attention to the fact that
in mo other line of insurance but town fire insurance do
the contents take the same rate as the building and they
received the benefit on the contents as well. He stated
further that although the Chief of the Fire Dept. probably Insurance.
would not agree with him, he felt that the building of
the town were of the older type with the exception of the
two new ones, and that they probably would be entirely
burned out or at least suffer extreme damage if a good
fire got stated in any one of these buildings, and there -
for he felt that with the 90 per cent clause, the Board
would get back more insurance on the value of the build-
ings. However, he agreed that whatever amount of insur-
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 owing to the fact that Mr. Wood, who does the plow- Plow
ing an: 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 un which the Town Accountant de-
sired to have it divided. He reported having a balance
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
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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 at-ten-
' 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 over their 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 appropriation
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:
Estimates. 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. of 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. 1st, inasmuch
as Officer Neal has been looking after the quarantine of
Dog 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 quer-
antined by him. This appointment is made in accordance.
with Section 151, Chapter 140 of the General Laws and amend-
ments and must be renewed on May 1st.
Dr. James J. Walsh and Dr. Norman Ellard, Charles L.
Parker, Malcolm Clifford, Roland Garmon, Joseph Trani,
Edward L. Child and Julius Seltzer representing the Amer-
ican Legion, Veterans of Fordgn Wars, Sons of Veterans,
G. A R. , 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 Werans Council. Dr. Walsh explained that this com-
m-itte is composed of the male members of all veterans or-
ganizations in the town to be known as the Lexington Allied
Veterans Council. 1.1e stated that this group decided to form
themselves into a Council to further and continue the pat-
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 unemerican
and 'they felt that the patriotic interests of the children
in the Town should be stimulated by having before them
each ¢pril 19th, a 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 orposed
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 yea/• 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
this way they hoped to have a permanent committee of the
Allied Council who would each year care for the celebra-
tion under the direction of the Selectmen as far as expend-
itures aid pay rolls of the town were concer ned. Their
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recommendation was to have the marshal' of the parade each 111year 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 committee of
this kind would take -lover the Memorial Day celebration
also. Dr. Walsh efplained 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 later.
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 to the fact that the
Stone Building is badly leaking and is 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 .
It was voted to enroll in the 1935 contest of the
Safety National Safety Council and the blank for enrollment was
Contest. signed by the Chairman.
The Clerk reported that Peter Canessa stated that be
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 Farmcrest Avenue for its entire length and Kendall
Ave. and Road from Marrett Road to Farmcrest 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 playgd 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 any one week and the
smallest number in addition to the average number of men
employed.
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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 Annoyed 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
spent 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. Seaman stated that it
would cost about $4500. to do this work.
The work on Lowell Street near the Busaproperty would
probably 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.
II The Chairman explained that he felt the Board should
not ask for the money for the construction of the entire
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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%
Salaries. cut 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 72`%0 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 additional money
for nursing care for the last two week's and a half that
Devine John Devine was with her before he went to the hospital.
Case. The regular rate for board was authorized at $7. per week
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.
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