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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1935-02-05 r 295 00 C) n SELECTMEN'S MEETING FEBRUARY 5, 1935. A regular meeting of the Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room TownOff ice Building, at 7:30 P. M. Messrs. Trask, Gilcreast, Ferguson, O'Connell and Lyons, were present. Elinor Moakley, Clerk Pro-tem, was also present. Mr. Lawrence G. Mitchell came before the Board and re- ported that he had received an application for Soldier' s Relief from Warren Hayes of Hill Street a World War Vet- Warren Hayes eran. He recommended that he be given $6. per week Sold- Soldiers ' iers ' Relief and askedto work two days . The Board voted Relief. to approve the recommendation. Mr. Mitchell also reported in regard to the case of Marie Iovino, James Street . Her son Domonic works for the Water Dept. and has six children. There is a mortgage Iovino on the house of $800. which cost about $15. per month. Case. Her husband recently died and the $275. received forfun- eral expenses. Mr. Mitchell felt that they needed a lit- ' tle aid for food and recommended $3. per week. The Board voted to approve the recommendation. Mr. Fred Longbottom came before the Board with Mr. George Sonberg. Mr. Longbottom explained that Mr. Son- berg owns property on James Street and he has built a building without a permit which is an accessory building. He has no house on the lot but intends to use this build- ing as a garage when he constructs a house . He has already built one good house on another lot in which his son is now living and he desired to be allowed to finish the work. Mr. Longbottom stated that he could not give him a permit for an accessory building but he has already start- Sonberg ed the building without a permit and desired to *ark the Garage. Board to allow him to continue and finish constructing the garage. Mr. Sonberg stated that he intended to build a house on this lot but did not have the money at this time so he stetted building the garage. He intended to get a permit bud did not do so. He stated that he would not put any car in the garage until after he had constructed the house; but would only use the building to store tools and would never use it as a dwelling or anything of that sort. He stated that he did not like to have to demolish the build- ing, nor did he desire to leave it in its present unfin- ished state, but asked that the Board allow him to finish constructing the garage. The Board considered the matter and decided that they had no legal right to allow him to continue building on the 296 CD garage. However, they felt that they would not issue an order to demolish the building, but that it should remain as it is until application is properly before the Board for their action. Mr. Albert A. Ross came before the Board in regard to his appropriations. He stated that he would need $2000. more in the Trunk Line Sewer Account to complete the job. $46,000. was the original estimate . He explained the rea- sons for the increase, stating that in the original set up in the application.to the Government for the grant, no provision was made to pay interest on the $46,000. as it was expected the Government would give the town cash. It so happened that all of the $46,000. had to beborrowed which made an increase of $963.72 for interest. The Gov- ernment also insisted upon a watchman being hired at an expense of 2750. inasmuch as pipe was being broken by , children. pother additional cost was the construction of Trunk Line three extra manholes which was $245. Then the railroad Sewer: insisted a fence be erected from Arlington-Lexington line through to Bottler Avenue and this cost $212.74. There was another cost of $175. to install two corrugated iron culverts to take care of a brook just south of Bow St. This was put in at this time as it was cheaper to do the work now than later and at some future time it would be necessary to lower the channel of Sickle Brook. In re- gard to excavation, 300 yards wasrovided for but actual- ly 444 yeards was removed costing $691.20. There was also a wall built on the southerly side of Bow Street gone by town labor but charged to the project, $112.92. mother item was the increase in the inspector's salary of $600. due to additional time. Damage for pipe in transit from the railroad yard to the site of the work, the Government Will not allow claim of $337.23. The job is practically completed --here being only about 60 feet left to finish and $2000. would be enough to complete the job. Mr. Ross stated that the area in back of Bow St. where they dumped material needed to be graded, but it was felt that this might be done under an 'E.R.A. project. Mr. Ross stated that $5000. more would be needed to complete the drainage channel job. There was an appro- priation for this of $24,000. and they would have complet- ed the job for this if they carried it along according to the Metcalf and Eddy Plans, but they did more than they Drainage proposed to do and they have had frost conditions to con- Job. tend with. They built retaining walls and graded the land and put a culvert in Bow Street. The hoard felt that there would be cri.tisicm of the fact that this money stated that there were about fifty men going along fine and they ran into ledge. He had to bring them back and work in that area below the ledge. They also ran into quicksand. About 800 yards will have to be removed to pre- 297 pare a foundation. There is approximately 4000 yards of earth to move yet, and there is two feet of frost now. He figured it would cost $1.00 per yard to remove the quicksand, 800 yards being $600.00. Back fill would be $1.50 per yard, $1350. The repairs to the Bow Street culvert cost $593.25 They have removed 538 yards of ledge. There was 300 or 400 yards of backfill for the trunk line sewer and the Board felt Mr. Ross should bring in figures of what was placed in the trunk line sewer so that it could be charged to that account and the money requested from the Town Meeting for that purpose. Mr. Ross stated that there was 80 feet of culvert pipe, exca- vation and tunnelling under the tracks and wall, and re- moving the quicksand which would cost $5417.00. In regard to Water Stock Account approved at a pre- vious meeting, an additional $3000. was being requested. Water This was to start a new system of checking all the stock Dept. used so they would know where it was being used. This Stock would be a revolving stock account as-they would have the Aeeou#t. stock and it would be charged to the job for which it was used and credited to stock account. It was voted to ap- prove $7500. to establish the Water Dept. Stock Account. It was voted to approve $6000. for the construction of an 8 inch water main in Blake Road for a distance of Blake Rd. 1460 feet on request of the owners of the property and to Water. insert an article in the warrant requesting this amount. It was voted to approve the following amounts for sewer construction: Sewer Wadman Circle - $1750. Accounts. Blake Avenue - 3665. It was voted to approve the Water Dept. Sundry Ex- Water. tensions Account in the amount of $7000. The Board considered the abatement of a bill owed by Custance Bros to the Water Dept . in the amount of $143.36 for services and stock. Mr. Ross explained that he under- Custanee stood that Custance Brothers had gone into bankruptcy. Bill. The Board did not vote to grant this abatement inas- much as they were of the opinion that there had been no liquidation and there may be a dividend paid. Mr. Edward W. Taylor came before the Board in refer- ence to the Fire Department appropriation. The Board had previously approved an item of $1685. for separating the Fire tapper circuits from box circuits and Mrl Taylor explained Dept. that there should have been an item of $989.50 included in this estimate to complete the estimate. The Board discussed with Mr. Taylor in detail the advantages of making these improvements at this time. Mr. 298 Ct CD Taylor eXplained that it Would be a saving to install the underground cable in Mass. Avenue from Woburn Street to East Lexington Fire Station and separate the tapper cir- cuits from the box circuits at the same time and would recommend that it be made on the $2500. appropriation for new boxes. The Board decided to approve this additional item. Mr. Williari C. Hill came before the Board at the Board's request in regard to insurance. The Board de- sired his advice in connection with the suggestions made by Mr. Robert Whitney at the last meeting of the Board. Insurance. Mr. Hill explained in detail the present method of hand- ling the town's insurance and advised the Board that he felt it would be unwise to make a change at the present time due to the fact that changes would require prepara- tion of a new schedule which might involve the additional rates which are included in the schedules of 1932 and 1934. The Board thanked Mr. Hill for appearing before them, and after considering the matter decided not to make any change in the present schedule of insurance. Mr. William G. Paxton, Jr., Supt. of Streets, and William S. Seaman, Supt. of Public Works came before the Board in regard to appropriations for the Highway Dept. Mr. Paxton presented the budget for the Highway Main- Highway tenance Account and explained to the Board the work he Department. intended to do in this department during the coming year. The Board voted to approve the Highway Maintenance Appro- priation in the amount of $51,490. It was decided to approve an appropriation of $9000. for Watertown Street to be constructed under Chapter 90, and $12,000. for Lincoln St. , also to be constructed under Chapter 90. The Board considered the appropriations for drainage Drainage. and voted to approve $3800. for drainage in Hancock St. and Hancock Avenue and $4000. for drainage in Loweill St. Farm Crest It was voted to ask for an appropriation of $10,000. Ave. and for the construction of Farm Crest Avenue and Kendall Rd. Kendall Rd. under the Betterment Act. The following appropriations were also approved: Appropria- Oakland Street resurfacing (including drainage)- $8100. tions. Reed Street resurfacing. - 10000. North Hancock Street Drainage - 3500. Pub. Works It was voted to approve the appropriation for the Bldg. Oper- Public Works building Operation Account in the amount of ation Acc' t.$7000. this to include the salary of the blacksmith form- erly paid by the Water Dept. 299 It was voted to approve the appropriation for the Town Office Town Office and Cary Memorial Building Account in the amount &, of $9500.00. Cary Bldg. The Supt. of Public Works reported in regard to the truck that was burned that it would cost $160. to repair it. The Board felt that it might be better to purchase Truck. a new body for the truck and requested the Supt. to bring in prices for a new body.for this truck at the next meet- ing. The Supt. of Public Works was asked to investigate the traffic lights on Waltham Street and Marrett Road to Lights. find out why they were not turned on. They had been turned off during the heavy snowstorm, but it was felt that they should be turned on again as this is a dangerous location. The Supt. of Public Works was also requested to see whether or not the street lights were now being turned off at one o'clock again, they having been left on all Street night during the snowstorm. Lights . The Supt. stated that the lights were now being turned off at one Otclock. The Chairman reported in regard to purchasing Hatchts Pond on Watertown Street for a skating rink that he was to have an appointment with Mrs . Hatch to find out what price she would ask for this property. Mr. Pond Gilereast suggested that pictures be taken of the pond for in its present condition. Skating. In regard to the Kinneen Pond on Burlington Street, the Chairman reported that this pond is now being used by about 150 to 300 citizens . He stated that the area to be considered consisted of 4* acres going back to include the crest of the hill for tobaggan slides, etc. He stated that he believed Mr. Kinneen might be anxious to sell this piece of property to cut down on his mort- gage and asked that the various members of the Board view the property before the next meeting and advise him what offer they felt should be made. It was felt that $1000. might be a fair offer. The matter was thetefor laid on the table for one week. Commit%went of water liens was signed as follows: Water Liens. Rose Delfino, Hinchey Road $29.35 Stephen & Margaret A. Deveau, 22.37 Lexington Farms 11 It was voted to grant the use of Cary Memorial Hall Cary Hall. to St. Brigidts Parish for their annual reunion on March 5th at the reduced rate of $25.00. Soo DO CD Upon request of Frederick Spencer and other, it was Warrant . voted to insert in the warrant for the Annual Town Meet- ing, a question in regard to the use of steel traps. Letter was received from the Town Olerk enclosing Warrant. article prepared by Theodore N. Waddell re: borrowing money to be inserted in the warrant. Letter was received from Mass. State Guard Veterans calling attention to the coincidence of the 19th of April 19th. April falling on Good Friday this year and asking that the Town cooperate-and have the celebration on Saturday, the 20th of April. The letter was referred to the Lexington Allied Vet- erans for their attention. Signed agreement 'was received from Mr. and Mrs. Law- Lecain ranee Lecain in which they stated that they would demol- Shack. ish the building in which they are now living on or be- fore June 1, 1935. Letter was received from the Waltham Co-opt. Bank in regard to the petition for the modification of restric- tions on the Lincoln Street area developed by Neil McIn- Ltnoln tosh in which they asked that the Selectmen give their St. restr- assent to this petition. fictions. The Chairman reported that the Town Counsel felt that any action on the part of the Board would not be binding without a vote of the Town Meeting. However, the Board voted to go an record as in favor of the mod- ification of the restrictions. Report was received from Matthew Stevenson, Health Inspector in regard to the property owned by Mary Iovino, Iovino James Street, in which he stated that he inspected the Property. property and found it to be in fairly good condition, clean, and not unfit to live in. Letter was received from H. A. Williams, 46 Wood- land Road, in which he complained of the zoning viola- tion by V. W. Mason who raises dogs for sale on his Mason property at 38 Woodland Road which is in a residential Dogs . district . Mr. Williams stated that he had seen nine dogs on the premises and they were a nuisance to him. It was voted to refer the matter to the Building Inspector for his attention. Letter was received from Barry Mead in regard to Mead aIledLdamage to his car as a result of a hole on Bedford Claim. Street, in which he stated that he would be willing to settle the case for ten dollars; otherwise he would take it to Court. No action was taken on the matter. 301 Letter was received from the County Commissioners calling attention to Chapter 140, G.L. as amended by Dogs. Chapter 289, of the Acts of 1932 and Chapter 320 of the Acts of 1934, relative to damage by dogs. Letter was received from the Detex Watchc lock Cor- poration in which they stated that it has been two years since the portable watchman's clock has been cleaned and Clock. asking if the Board wished to have the repaiv* estimated. No action was taken on the matter. Copies of the Radio Q'ontract for the year 1935 were Radio received from the Chief of Police of Arlington. These Contract. were signed by the Board. The Chairman signed statement relative to accounts Nichols of Howard S. 0. Nichols in connection with his bond as Trustee, Trustee of Public Trusts . Report was received from the Governor's Committee on Street and Highway Safety of recommendations made by Route #2 them in connection with traffic conditions at New Route #2 and Watertown Street. Letter was received from Representative Hollis M. Zoning of Gott in which he stated that he would support the bill Concord relative to the zoning of Concord Ave. turnpike. He Avenue. also stated in regard to bill #610 re: the sale of alcoho- lic beverages on Sunday, hearing would be held Feb. 10, Room 249, State House at 10:30, The date for the hear- ing on the petition of Edward G. Wheaton had not been set. Letter was received from the League of Massachusetts Municipalities asking that the Board support House Bill Bill #799 #799, being a request for appropriations for the League, whose purpose is to promote sound municipal government. The Board did not take any action on the matter. Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works in which he stated that the cost of a new door at the Public Works Building to replace the one which was par- Door at tially destroyed by fire would be $270.48 and an allowance Public Wks. of $30.00 will be made for the old tracks. Building. The Board discussed the matter and felt that the Supt. should request bids from some other companies to see if a better price could not be obtained inasmuch as they felt that this was an excessive price. Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works in whibh he suggested that the Board declare an emergency Snow in the Snow Removal Account, in order to make payments Removal. legal. 302 to Snow Re- The Board therefor voted to instruct the Town Account- moval. ant that an emergency was declared in the Snow Removal Ac- count. Letter was received from the State Bureau of Old Age Old Age. Assistance in which they recommended that Mrs. Rose. A. Malloy be increased from $4.00 per week to $6. per week, Old Age Assistance, and the Board so voted. The Chairman reported that the Appropriation Commit tee had voted to approve the appointment of two new police officers. He stated that the Civil Service eligible list Police. expired on March 10th. The Board therefor instrucjed the Chairman to see if the time can be extended until April 1st on the eligible list and if so that the request be made. The Chairman reported that he talked with Dr. Blake- ly in regard to establishing a dog clinic, and Dr. Blake- ly informed him that figuring on 800 dogs, he would be Dog willing to do the job for $25. a day, handling about 150 Clinic. dogs per day. He would also have to have assistants, but he felt that $600. would do the job and he is willing to undertake it and make the arrangements for this amount of money. Report of the Supt . of the Moth Dept. and Tree War- Report. den and Supt. of the Park Department was received and ap- proved for publication in the annual Town Report. *The Board discussed the matter of controlling dogs that had not beeiinoculated and tagged and considered passing a regulation of some sort to take care of this Dog Clinic. question but no action was taken. It was voted to insert an article in the warrant requesting $800. for a free dog clinic. A Mr. Gallagher came before the Board and stated that once before he appeared arid requested that an article be placed .in the Warrant asking to have portraits made of soldiers in the form of permanent tablets and this sugges- Warrant. tion was endorsed by the Legion. He left the article signed by some of the Legionaires in the Selectmen's Of- fice, and asked that an article be placed in the annual Town Warrant. The Board informed him that if the request had been filed in proper form, they would place the article in the Warrant, but that he should have someone present at the meeting to present the vote. Letter was received from the Wire Inspector in which Wire In- he requested that he was asking for an appropriation of spector. $835.00, $600. for salary, $200. for use of car and $35. for incidentals. The Board considered the appropriation and voted to 303 II approve $635. for the Wire Inspector's Account, $600 for salary and $35. for expenses. It was voted to approve the estimate for the Middle- sex County Tuberculosis Hospital in the amount of $2566.57. The Chairman reported that he attended a meeting with the Appropriation Committee and School Committee and they passed an unanimous vote to recommend that 72% per cent of the salary cut made in 1933 be returned to the town em- ployees. 4.The Selectmen considered the salaries of employees and voted to make the following increases: James H. Russell 7„24, returned. Mary J. Spencer increase to S15. wk. Frederick J. Spencer increase Of 5100. yr. Helen Ready increase to $24. wk. Fred Longbottom, Bldg. , Inspector 7� returned. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk Byron Earle, Tax Collector n n Mildred Thompson increase to X18. wk. Mary Fitzgerald Remain $20. a wk. Dental Clinic employees 71% returned. Town Engineer increase of $100. yr. Stanley Higgins 7� teturned. Bruce ewis " n Albeit Miller Increase previously made. Fire Dept. employees 72% returned. William C. Paxton Increase to $40. wk. John O'Connor Increase previously made. S. R. Wrightington, Town (''ounsel 7K% returned. Library employees n John J. Garrity Remain as is. Andrew Bain !1 n n P&ldeeDDepartment 7 returned. Lawrence Mitchell $32. per wk. including car. Helen Spencer Increase $1. wk. William S. Seaman $3400. per yr. Cecilia Maguire Increase $1. wk. Frank Barry 71% Helen Whittemore Increasereturned. to 829. wk. Elinor Moakley Increase of 81. wk. Charles Moloy Increase to 835. wk. Philip Leaf Increase to S23. wk. Albert A. Ross E3100. per week. Doris Dalrymple 815. per week. Eleanor Lowe §26. per week. Byron Earle 71% returned, for water II collections. $6 Wire Inspector 00. per yr. 305- The Board discussed the matter of complying with the new By-law by keeping the Town Office uilding open for four hours on Saturday morning:, and voted that the build- ing should be open from 9 A. M. to 1 P. M. on Saturdays, Hours of each office to be properly manned, so that the employees Office on ooulda alternate in keeping the various offices open and Saturday. therefor it would not be necessary for every employee to stay until one every Saturday. The Board signed notice of intention to lay out Farm Crest Avenue from Waltham Street to Stedman Road approxi- Layout of mately 1425 Feet, and also layout of Kendall Road from Farm Crest Farmc.Crest Avenue to Marrett Road approximately 266 feet, Avenue. and also Kendall Road from Farm Crest Avenue to Hill Top Avenue approximately 325 feet. The meeting adjourned at 12:04 A. M. A tiUe record, Attest: Clerk, Pro-tem.