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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1935-09-03SELECTMEN'S MEETING ' SEPT. 3rd, 1935. Letter was received from Mr. Frank H. Foy, State Director of the National Emergency Council inviting the Board to use the facilities of his office for the obtaining of such information as the Board might require in connection with the Federal Works Program. The letter stated that the Council was a coordinating and informative body and was in a position to provide information regarding the Federal Relief Agencies. Mr. Foy urged a prompt ' filing of applications for projects with the Works Progress Administration and the Public Works Administration, 31 John J. Rudd on parallel parking. Letter re: informati cr. on Federal Works Program. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held In the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, Lexington, at 7:30 P.M. Messrs. Ferguson, Gilcreast, Lyons, and Potter were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. John J. Rudd, proprietor of Rudd's Market, Mass. Ave., appeared before the Board with reference to a chsnge from parallel parking to 450 parking in front of his store. His chief objection to parallel parking was that his customers were complaining that they were having difficulty in getting their cars in and out of small parking spaces, and when the cars were parked, that others formed a double line and it was impossible to get out. Most of his customers are women, and most of them had a hard time parking parallel, but had no trouble parking at a 450 angle. Mr. Rudd has occupied the same store.for seven gears and had never heard of or seen an accident at the corner of Meriam Street and Mass. Avenlie, Mr. Potter asked Mr. Rudd if he saw many people parking for any great length of time, and Mr. Rudd stated that he ' did only on Saturday nights, and that the average parking time was thirty minutes. The Chairman asked Mr. Hudd ifthe chief offenders with regard to double parking were trucks, and Mr. Rudd stated that they were not. The only time that trucks are parked there is at five o'clock (P.M.). Mr. Rudd stated that at the present time the parking was neither at a 450 angle nor parallel. He stated that if the street were narrow, that he would have no objection, but he thought that the street was wide enough to allow angle parking. He thought that the parallel parking was hurting his business a great deal. Mr. Rudd retired and the Board gave ebnsideration to his request. The motion was duly made and seconded that the traffic regulations he amended so that there will be 450 angle parking on the easterly side of Massachusetts Avenue from Depot Square to Meriam Street, and it was so voted. Letter was received from Mr. Frank H. Foy, State Director of the National Emergency Council inviting the Board to use the facilities of his office for the obtaining of such information as the Board might require in connection with the Federal Works Program. The letter stated that the Council was a coordinating and informative body and was in a position to provide information regarding the Federal Relief Agencies. Mr. Foy urged a prompt ' filing of applications for projects with the Works Progress Administration and the Public Works Administration, 31 John J. Rudd on parallel parking. Letter re: informati cr. on Federal Works Program. 32 1 Discharge Letter was redeived from the Middlesex County Sanatorium stating that Norman J. Pero, age 26, of ' of Norman 111 Grant Street, who had been re -admitted to that J. Pero, institution on Sept. 10, 1934 with a diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis had been discharged on August 28, 1935 to 12 Waltham Street. Pero's condition on dis- charge was improved and his sputum was negative to tubercle bacilli. At 7:45 P.M. bids were opened on the loan of $150,000. in anticipation of revenue. The bids submitted were as follows: Firm Discount Second Nat onal Bank 5 Whiting, Weeks & Knowles .35 Merchants National Bank .32 Loan First National Bank of Boston .545 Faxon Gade Co. .63 New England Trust Co. .29 First Corporation .515 Leavitt & Co..47 plus $3.00 Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Co. .33 Lexington Trust Co. .33 R. L. Day .46 It was voted that the Second National Bank be awarded the loan in the amount of $150,000., to be dated September 4th, 1935 and payable as follows: $75,000. January 30, 1936; $75,000. March 26,1936. At 7:50 P.M. Mr. Harry W. Pierce of Farmcrest Avenue appeared before the Board to discuss the collapse of his Pierce boiler as a result of the water being shut off. Mr. boiler Pierce has a pressure system, and when the water was shut dollapse. off the water was sucked back through the meter and the boiler collapsed. It was a comparatively new boiler, being only three years old, and had a pressure relief valve. A steam shovel was working in Farmcrest Avenue, and the water gate was within fifteen feet of the shovel, but the water main was ripped up just the same, and Mr. Pierce felt that this was due to some negligence on the Town's part. He believed that he was entitled to a new boiler. The Chairman advised Mr. Pierce that the matter would be given consideration, and Mr. Pierce re- tired. After due consideration, it was voted that the matter be laid on the table for one week and in the meantime it was to be investigated more thoroughly. At 8:00 P.M. hearing was declared open upon the Glynn application of Mr. C. Edward Glynn to maintain a two car ' Garage arage of wooden frame construction upon the premises at Hearing 56 Hancock Street. Mr. Glynn appeared and presented a plan showing the intended location of the garage. No persons appeared in opposition. Mr. Glynn stated that u 1 L 33 rock lathe was to be used inside instead of celotex lathe, at the suggestion of the Building Inspector. It was voted to grant the permit subject to the approval of the Building Inspector. Letter was received from the State Board of Health relative to the State infantile paralysis consultation service. The purpose of the diagnostic service is to assist Infantile physicians in the early recognition of preparalytic cases, paralysis a diagnosis which cannot usually be made without resort to Consulta- lumbar punbture. The Departpent is equipped with consultants tion able to perform a lumbar puncture and examine, the spinal Service. fluid at the bedside. They are also prepared, if it seems advisable, to administer serum to preparalyzed cases. This consultation service is restricted to those cases showing no paralysis or weakness. The consultation service is offered only upon direct request of the physician. Hereafter the Department insists that the physician communicate directly with the State Department. The Clerk was instructed to send copies of the letter to local doctors. At 8.05 P.M. hearing was declared open upon the application of Mrs. George E. Briggs for permission to maintain a one car garage of concrete block construction upon Lot "C", Fair Oaks Drive. Mrs. Briggs and Mr. M. B. Judkins, the builder, appeared and presented a plan of the garage. No persons appeared in opposition, and it was voted to grant the permit subject to the approval of the Building Inspector. At 8:10 P.M. hearing was declared open upon the application of the Edison Electric Ill. Co. for permission to erect and maintain one guy wire and anchor from a pole on the Cambridge -Concord Highway at a point approximately 720 feet west of Wellington Lane. No persons appeared in opposition, and it was voted to grant the permit. Letter was received from the State Dept. of Public Health with regard to delay in opening schools due to the current incidence of infantile paralysis. Through .August 27th of this year there have been 447 cases of the disease eondentrated in the eastern third of the State. On many occasionspreviously, attempts have been made to shorten an outbreak of infantile paralysis by postponing the opening of schools, but there is no instance on record in which such action has in any way affected the incidence of the.disease. In some cases, in some communities that did open schools the disease has fallen off faster than in neighboring communities that delayed the opening. It is obvious that with the schools open the children will, during the greater part of the day, be separated from one another at their desks, but with the schools closed, the children will be in contact with one another on playgrounds, etc. The Department s#rongly urged that the Board of Health plan to open the schools on time. Br iggs Garage Hearing. Ed. Eled. Ill. Co. hearing. Delay in opening of schools a/c infan- tile para- lysis. 34 (Deutschman offer for lots on Coolidge Ave. WPA projects. Letter was received from A. L. Deutschman asking how much the Town expected to get for Lots #1 and #2, on Coolidge Avenue, formerly in tha name of Giovan Cucinotta. Inasmuch as these are the two lots which Mr. Hamlin is interested in, the Board voted to inform Mr. Deutschman that other arrangements have been madd with regard to their dale. Letter was received from the State Reclaimtion Board giving certain information with regard to WPA DRAINAGE PROJECTS. The Board voted to refer the matter to the Supt. of Public Works. H Letter was received from one Joseph Fine, attorney for Philip K. Pearson of 48 Trapelo Road, Waltham. Mr. Fine had been engaged tar examine the title to land Pitle to situated on Grove Street which the Town had agreed to 'land pur- sell to Pearson. Mr. Fine.stated that in his examination chased by the title to this property was obtained by the Town by a Pearson. foreclosure of a tax lien in the Land Court. He had advised Mr. Pearson that there was always a question whether or not title obtained by a foreclosure of a tax lien is good and marketable, and that in all probability he would be unable to obtain a loan from a banking institution because the attorney for the bank would not certify a good record title. Mr. Fine had recommended to Mr. Pearson that the title to this property be registered in the Land Court in order to avoid all questions of title. The Board voted to notify Mr. Fine that the Town would register the land and pay the cost of registering same, and If the cost to the Town did not exceed his offer, the deal would go through at the agreed price, $840,00. Registering It was the understanding of this Board that all of all land land taken by the Town by foreclosure of a tax lien should sold by the be registered in the Land Court if a fair offer were Town. received. Letter was received from Hazen Hamlin in reply to the Board's letter offering to sell the two lots on Hamlin Coolidge Avenue to him for the sum of $1,000. in which purchase of Hamlin requested the Board to prepare and present formal lots on agreements. He stated that to get a marketable title Coolidge it would be necessary to have the property registered Avenue, in the Land Court and he understood that the Town was to bear the expense of this, and he requested that pro- ceedings be started as soon as possible. The Chairman stated that the houses on this street were all rather valuable houses, and he wondered whether or not the Board should place some restrictions on the property. It was voted to leave the matter with the Chairman to straighten out with Mr. Hamlin, and to authorize him to sell the two lots for $1,000. provided Hamlin would erect a house to conform to the value of the others in that community. (Deutschman offer for lots on Coolidge Ave. WPA projects. Letter was received from A. L. Deutschman asking how much the Town expected to get for Lots #1 and #2, on Coolidge Avenue, formerly in tha name of Giovan Cucinotta. Inasmuch as these are the two lots which Mr. Hamlin is interested in, the Board voted to inform Mr. Deutschman that other arrangements have been madd with regard to their dale. Letter was received from the State Reclaimtion Board giving certain information with regard to WPA DRAINAGE PROJECTS. The Board voted to refer the matter to the Supt. of Public Works. H The Supt. of Public Works appeared before the Board to discuss PWA projects. Mr. Trask stated that he was preparing a project for a sanitary sewer and storm water drainage from Hayes Lane to Vine Brook Road. It was the opinion of the Board that this project should not stop at Vine Brook Road, but should continue to Grapevine Corner, at the junction of Waltham Street and Marrett Road, The Board then voted to adopt the following resolution: APPLICATION RESOLUTION Resolution. No, 1. A resolution authorizing the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts to file an application to the United States of America through the Federal 'Emergency Administration.of Public Works for a grant to aid in financing the construction of a sanitary sewer and storm drain and designating Robert P. Trask to furnish such information as the Government may request. Be it resolved by the Board of Selectmen: Section 1, That Robert P. Trask, be and he is hereby authorized to execute and file an application on behalf of the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts, to the United States of America for a gra nt to aid in financing the construction of a sanitary sewer and storm drain. Section 2. That Robert P. Trask, be and he is hereby authorized and directed to furnish such information as the United States of America through the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works may reasonably request in connection with the application which is herein authorized to be filed. PWA Sewer and Drainage job. Resolution on PWA sewer and drainage project. The Board asked Mr. Trask if he had prepared a PWA project for the construction of a new High School. Mr. Trask replied that he had not, that he had talked with PWA High the Supt. of Schools, and had been informed that neither School he nor the School Committee was interested in applying Project, for a project. The Board felt that inasmuch as this would be the last opportunity to apply for a project, that a High School project should be submitted. The ' Board instructed Mr. Trask to prepare a project for the construction of a new High School, and to submit it before 5:00 P.M. the next day. The Board than voted to adopt the following resaliktion:+ 36 y APPLICATION RESOLUTION. � Resolution No, 2. A resolution authorizing the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts, to file an application to the Resolution United States of America through the Federal on PWA Emergency Administration of Public Works for a high school grant to aid in financing project. the construction of a High School Building and designating Robert P. Trask to furnish such information as the Government may request* Be it resolved by the Board of Selectmen: Section 1. That Robert P. Trask, be and he',is hereby authorized to execute and file an application on behalf of the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts, to the United States of Americanfor a grant to aid in financing the construction -of a High School Building. Section 2, That Robert P. Trask, be and he is hereby authorized and directed to furnish such information as the United States of America through the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works may reasonably request in connection with the application which is herein authorized to be filed. Mr. Gilcreast asked the Supt. of Public Works if WPA the Town would have'to finish the old ERA projects.. Projects. Mr'. Trask stated that the WPA.would comple to th® projects before July l 1936. It is planned to complete the following projects: Clematis Brook; Mill Brook; Lincoln Street-; Waltham Street; and the skating rink; before starting.any new projects. Letter was received from the State Commissioner of Public Public Works stating that that department had been Works authorized to carry out certain highway projects, among Program, which is the construction of sidewalks bordering Stabe Sidewalks Highways. Under the terms of the Act authorizing this work, the Commissioner is authorized to select the projects to be carried out, including the determination of locations for the construction of such sidewalks. ' Before any of this work may be undertaken, proper officials must execute a certificate to the effect that the Town will assume the full responsibility for the maintenance of said sidewalks and for the removal of snow ' therefrom. The form of certificate was enclosed, and the Board voted to sign same. Letter was received from the Secretary of the South Acton Athletic Association requesting permission to use Permissim certain roads in Lexington included in the route listed for below, for a road race to be run on Saturday afternoon, road race September 21, at about 2 P.M. The race will start on Mass. Avenue' Arlington Center to the Lexington Common, then left at the Common to Lincoln Street, to Arlington Road, and then to Concord Center, via Route 2A to Acton Center. The Board voted to grant the request. Letter was received from the Health Inspector stating that he had investigated the Commeriero property on Report on Summer Street Extension and that he could not find any Commeriero pigs and Comrs riero said that he Bever had kept pigs, dogs & pigs Mr. Stevenson reported that he had one dog which was licensed. The Dog Officer reported that Commeriero had one dog which was licensed. At the present time there are two other dogs there which belong to his daughter in Somerville, and these are to be sent back there at once. ' The Board again discussed the application of Leo A. Boynton for a Junk Collector's License, The Chairman Boynton read the report of the Chief of Police on Boynton's application character which stated that he bore a very good reputation. for The Chief stated that his Department had never had any junk trouble with phis member of the Bornstein family, license. The motion was duly made and seconded that no action be taken on the matter, and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Health Inspector Brown, stating that he had called again at the Brown property 450 Wal - at 450 Waltham Street. He recommended that the Board tham St. refuse to grant Brown a license to keep pigeons inasmuch Pigeons* as they were a nuisance to the neighbors. The Board voted to advise Brown that the pigeons were a nuisance and to instruct him to abate the nuisance. Mr. Potter stated that the traffic light on Concord Blinker, Turnpike at Pleasant Street was always red due to the Pleas. St, fact that Pheasant Street on the easterly side of the & new new road is closed, and he wanted to know whether or turnpike, not the light might be charged to a blinker. The Board voted to instruct the Supt. of Public Works to have the traffic light changed to a blinker. ' The Board voted to instruct the Supt. of Public Blinker, Works to have the traffic light at the corner of Bedford Bedford St: Street and 91m Avenue changed to a blinker. * Elm Ave. 38 cn y Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works in reply to the Boardts letter requesting him to have ' New the Town Engineer proceed with plans showing necessary Route #128. information in regard to the location of the proposed new )Route 128 in Lexington. The letter stated that the Engineering force was exceedingly busy with plans and specifications for various WPA projects in addition to the regular work. Mr. Trask stated that he believed that nothing could be done on the new Route #128 until the first of December. Report on The Health Inspectorts report on the property at #47 Lincoln #47 Lincoln Street was read by the Chairman. The report Street. stated that Mr. Harold Conant lived at that address and kept three hounds. One hound howled every time he heard a train and they all howled when they heard anyone approaching the place. The motion was duly made and seconded that the matter be passed, and it was so voted. Rats from The Chairman stated that he had received two or Dump, three complaints that the rats from the dump on Lincoln Lincoln St. Street were invading the houses in that vicinity. The Board instructed the Supt. of Public Works to do every- thing possible to exterminate the rats. Letter was received from the State Degartnent .of ' Public Health stating that Miss Catherine Kinneen of Kinneen 136 Vine Street had called at that office regarding a complaint nuisance caused by a cesspool overflowing onto land to State, owned by her mother at the same address and coming from a two-family house owned by the heirs of Timothy J. Leary. That Department informed Miss Kinneen that such a matter was under the sole jurisdiction of the Lexington Board of Health, with appeal only to the County Commissioners, but that it was within the power of the local Board, if the owner of the property failed to abate the nuisance, to abate the same and charge all costs to the property owner under the provisions of Chapter 111, Section 125. I'Emergeney The Supt. of Public Works reported that Mrs. Leary now thought that it would not do any good to build sewer ex- another cesspool, and desired to be connected with the 'tention, sewer. Vine St. The Board voted to declare an emergency health measure and to extend the sewer in Vine Street for a distance far enough to take care of the property at #136 Vine Street owned by Mrs. Leary to abate the nuisance caused by an overflowing cesspool. The Board again discussed the letter received from ' Division the State Division of the Blind which requested that that of the Department be advised as to the number of mattresses and Blind, pianos used by the various departments of the town, and instructed the Supt. of Public Works to procure the information and report same to the State Division. M6 Letter was received from the Erpi Picture Consultants Motion advertising the motion picture "Life Begins", and the Picture. ' . Board voted that the matter be passed. The ERA report of active projects for the week ending August 29, 1935, was received. Letter was received from the Town Accountant calling the attention of the Board to a warrant which he was Pleasant submitting and which was undated. On this warrant he I& Water - had listed several vouchers payable from the appropriations town Sts. for Highway Construction, Pleasant and Wt ertown Streets. account The loan of $12,000. in anticipation of revenue has not yet been received and therefore is not available. For that reason the Accountant had prepared a special warrant on which were listed the unpaid vouchers, and the warrant will be released to the Town Treasurer as'soon as the . $12,000. loan is negotiated. The Board voted to sign the warrant. The Supt. of Public Works reported that the new New rate rate on insurance would be 291 a reduction of 3 cents on in the rate, insurance. The Board discussed the matter of sprinkler leakage insurance with the Supt, of Public Works. Mr. Trask recommended that only 10,% sprinkler leakage insurance Sprinkler ' be carried. The Board felt that 10% sprinkler insurance leakage on the Gary Memorial Building would not be sufficient. insurance Mr. Trask stated that there was agong connected with the sprinkler system at the Cary Memorial Building which w33 d ri the ggglice Station should gngthing happen to �tR HV 9i;s#SWld have Mr. William R. Greeley go over the building with him and give him an approximate value of the walls, ceilings, etc., and report at the next meeting of the Board. The Supt. of Public Works reported that the Assessors had requested a WPA project for the listing of all tax Assessors payers on a card index by streets. The Board voted to WPA Pro - approve the project. ject, _ The Supt. of Public Works reported that final Final payment on the Standpipe, Docket #2263, had been received. payment on It amounted to $393.93. standpipe. The Supt. of Public Works reported that he had received a letter from the B.& M. railroad stating that B.&. M. the railroad was agreeable that the Town proceed with agreement, the installation of an 8" drain and construction of drain & sidewalk with the understanding that prior to the next sidewalk. ' annual meeting, their Mr. Chapman was to contact the Depot Sq. Selectmen for the purpose of effecting a permanett arrangement relative to the use of their driveway for highway purposes. An indemnity form agreement was 40 CA y attached. The railroad requested that the agreement be signed before work was started. The Board voted to I have Mr. Wrightington approve the agreement before sign- ing it. Removal of The Supt. of Public Works reported that the ERA ERA file, authorities had requested that the local ERA file be moved to 49 Federal Street, Boston, and upon advise of the Town Counsel, he was asking the Board's approval before having the file moved. The Board voted to authorize the removal of the file, Water main The Supt.:of Public Works reported that he had extension, talked with Mr. Hallie C. Blake relative to the Wadman extension of a 6" water main in Wadman Circle, and Circle. Mr. Blake had stated that he would take the matter under advisement. A"tement. Water lien abatement in the amount of $22.43 was certified by the Board. The following commitments were signed by the Board: Commitments. Water rates, $6876.18; Water lian, $23.00. The Board certified to a list of water liens in the amount of $161.73. Report. The report of the Supt. of Public Works for the week , ending August 31, 1935 was received. Old Age The Welfare Agent reported that the Old Age Assistanct. Assistance rules had been amended so that the number of years residence in Massachusetts now required is five out of nine, and the last years' residence must be absolutely proven. Locke The Welfare Agent reported that Winthrop Locke, it case. Soldier's Relief case, was living in Weymouth. Mr. Mitchell had mailed him a check for $9.00 to take care of a $9.00 credit which had been supplied him by the Town of Weymouth. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 P.M. A true copy, Attest: Clerk.