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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1935-09-1765 SELECT12N IS RECORDS SEPT. 17, 1935. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 7:30 P.M. Messrs. Ferguson, Gilcreast, Lyons and Potter were present. The Clerk was also present. Five residents of Farm Crest Avenue and Kendall Road appeared before the Board and requested that some of the fill from these streets (which are T-eing built), be given to them. Heretofore, the fill has been taken to Watertown Street. They had spoken to Mr. Trask and Mr. Paxton about the matter and had been informed that they could have the fill if they would pay for it. The people felt that they could not afford to pay anything for the fill and that the Town should give it to them for nothing. The general appearance of the neighborhood would be greatly improved if the low places were filled in. Fill on Mr. Randall Richards reported that his sister-in-law, Farm a Miss Murphy living at 299 Marrett Road, owned a lot side Crest Ave. of his on Farm Crest Avenue and he would like to have and some fill for this lot. Kendall He informed the Chairman that a permit had been taken Road. out four or five years ago for the construction of a garage on the property at 299 Marrett Road and he wanted to know ' if the permit was still good. The Chairman informed him that the permit would be good only for six months and after that a new permit would have to be taken out. The Board advised the representatives that they would give the matter of the fill due consideration, and they retired. In view of the fact that the abutters have to pay the entire cost of the construction of a street, including the removal of fill, the Board felt that they were entitled to receiving some of it free. The motion was duly made and seconded that the fill be given to those abutters who desired it free of -charge, and that it.be distributed as equally as possible, and it was sol voted. Mr. A. D. Emmons, representing the Taxpayers Assoc- iation, appeared before the Board. He stated that early in the summer the Town Accountant explained the kind of a Taxpayers report that he made up each month and Mr. Emmons stated Assoc. that the Association would like to be furnished a copy of request for this report each month. reports. The Chairman advised him that this matter had been discussed by the Board previously and it was felt that the balance sheet contained all the information that the Association should need and that the supplementary report made up for the use of the departmental heads was not ' important to the Association. Mr. Emmons disagreed with this and stated that he thought that the supplementary report would be more enlightening than the balance sheet. The Board advised Mr. Emmons that the matter would be taken under advisement, and he retired. At 8 P.M. hearing was declared open on the application of Colwell Brothers to maintain a two car Colwell garage at the corner of Simonds and Preston Roads. Brothers Mr. Colwell appeared and presented plans of the garage, proposed garage. No persons appeared in opposition, but the Chairman reported that Mr. John E. A. Mulliken had objected to having .the garage so near the lot line as he owned the lot next to this lot. The Board advised Mr. Colwell that they would look the lot over and let him know by Thursday, Sept. 19th, whether or not his application would be granted. At 8:05 P.M. hearing, was declared open upon the Colwell application of Colwell Brothers to maintain a one car Brothers garage at 92 Hancock Street. Mr. Colwell appeared and Garage. presented plans of the garage. No persons appeared to object, and it was voted to grant the license subject to the approval of the Building Inspector. At 8:10 P.M. hearing was declared open on the applica ',McIntosh tion of Neil McIntosh for permission to maintain a one garage, car garage at lot #16 Middle Street. Mr. McIntosh appeared and presented plan of the proposed garage. No persons appeared in opposition and it was voted to grant the permit subject to the approval of the Building Inspector. Mr. E. D. Chapman, Real Estate Agent for the Boston & Depot Maine Railroad, appeared before the Board to discuss the Square, driveway in Depot Square. He stated that in 1922 the Driveway, grass plot area had been conveyed to the Town for a consideration. In 1931 the Town appointed Mr. William H. Ballard its agent to negotiate with the Railroad to see under what conditions the Town could acquire the drivewfLy. 1 The Chairman stated that he had received a telephone call from Mr. Francis J. Kelley, Attorney, of Bedford, regarding a water guaranty in the amount of $112.13 E which Mr. Kelley had paid the Town some time ago on the Arnold property on Bridge Street. Mr. Kelley was represent- ing the He O.L.C. and admitted that he made an error in requesting the "outstanding charges" on the property Payment of instead of the "outstanding liens". The Home Owners Loan Arnold Corp. has refused to reimburse Mr. Kelley for the $112.13 Guaranty. due to the fact that it does -not assume bills which are not or may not become liens. It is now a question of whether Mr. Kelley will be forced to pay the bill out of his own,pocket or if t�ie Town will refund the money. The Board felt that the bill was owed by Mr. Arnold, who was still living on the premises and that Mr. Kelley had paid a bill which did not rightfully belong to.him andhe t y therefor felt Arnold was the one who should pay it. The motion was duly made and seconded that the money be refunded and that the outstanding account -be turned over to the Town Counsel for collection, and it was so voted. Mr. E. D. Chapman, Real Estate Agent for the Boston & Depot Maine Railroad, appeared before the Board to discuss the Square, driveway in Depot Square. He stated that in 1922 the Driveway, grass plot area had been conveyed to the Town for a consideration. In 1931 the Town appointed Mr. William H. Ballard its agent to negotiate with the Railroad to see under what conditions the Town could acquire the drivewfLy. 1 67 Letter was received from the Town Counsel listing the information desired by him for the registration of title Tax Title of the Town to tax title foreclosures. The letter stated foreclos- that ' the percentage of the assessed valuation (one fifth of ores. one per cent) which the Town will have to pay, is divided into two equal parts. Half of it is paid with the filing of the petition and the other half before the final decree is issued. Letter was received from the Town Accountant relative Sidewalk to sidewalk betterment assessments for Ahern & Pichette Betterment in the amount of $153.95 and Lennon and Baker in the Assessments amount of $48.08 outstanding since 1928.. The Board voted to turn the matter over to the Town Counsel to begin suit and obtain judgment if possible. Letter was received from May S. Harrington who owns the property at 54 Bedford Street. The Health Inspector Health ' had reported that the outside privy on the property was nuisance. constituting a nuisance and Miss Harrington was ordered to abate the nuisance either by installation of toilets and connection with the common sewer or by the construction The matter was next taken up by Mr. Trask, present Supt. of Public Works to see if the Town could control the drive- ' way. The permanent arrangement would be as follows: the Town would acquire 23,286 square feet of land for highway purposes based upon the fact that the driveway would be forever kept open for highway purposes; the Town would maintain the sidewalks and driveway, keep both properly lighted and maintained, and have proper drainage installed. Mr. Chapman stated that the property was assessed for approximately twenty-eight cents per square foot, and if the Town was interested, he was willing to recommend that the area be transferred to the Town for one-half of its assessed value. Mr. Chapman stated that if the Lexington station were closed, the railroad would have the right to close Depot Square and all the stores abutting the drive Railroad would be out of luck. If the Town purchased the property, property, it would control the parking area. He stated that the Depot railroad could not give the property to the Town,,,,, -the majcr Square. reason being that there is a blanket mortgage on all railroad property. It has been the policy of the railroad for many years not to make donations such as this and whatever money might be received for'the property would have to be paid tothe mortgagee. Mr. Chapman stated that in January, 1931, he had made a proposal to Mr. W. H. Ballard but it was not as generous as this one. ' The Board advised Mr. Chapman that the matter would be taken under consideration and he retired. The motion was duly made and seconded that the matter be laid on the table for one week,and in the meantime, the Chairman is to confer informally with the Finance Committee and report at the next meeting of the Board, and it. was so voted. Letter was received from the Town Counsel listing the information desired by him for the registration of title Tax Title of the Town to tax title foreclosures. The letter stated foreclos- that ' the percentage of the assessed valuation (one fifth of ores. one per cent) which the Town will have to pay, is divided into two equal parts. Half of it is paid with the filing of the petition and the other half before the final decree is issued. Letter was received from the Town Accountant relative Sidewalk to sidewalk betterment assessments for Ahern & Pichette Betterment in the amount of $153.95 and Lennon and Baker in the Assessments amount of $48.08 outstanding since 1928.. The Board voted to turn the matter over to the Town Counsel to begin suit and obtain judgment if possible. Letter was received from May S. Harrington who owns the property at 54 Bedford Street. The Health Inspector Health ' had reported that the outside privy on the property was nuisance. constituting a nuisance and Miss Harrington was ordered to abate the nuisance either by installation of toilets and connection with the common sewer or by the construction I Me Cal �-3 Oil of proper cesspools. Miss Harrington stated that it was absolutely impossible for her to find the money to do any- ' thing about the matter at the present time as her mother has been ill and she has been under considerable expense for her care. She stated that her tenant was apparently satisfied with existing conditions and had not found them objectionable. She asked if the Board would be willing to let the matter rest for the present. The Board felt that it would be willing to pass the matter for the time being unless complaints were received from neighbors. Butcher Letter was received from the State Dept. of Public application. Health stating that the application of Mrs. Elizabeth Butcher, Ridge Road, to maintain a boarding home for infants had been refused. Letter was received from the Town Accountant calling Outstanding the attention of the Board to the following outstanding Health charges for the Health Departments bills. Nts. William G. Collins - $230900 George McKenzie - 1090,00 Paul Kelley - 121.00 State Dept. of Public Health - 199.50 All of these accounts are several year s old and the Board voted to refer the first three to the Town Counsgl to begin suit and obtain judgment, if possible. The bill outstanding against the State Dept. of Public Health is being investigated. Letter was received from the State Dept. of Public Pleasant, Works stating that the Commissioners had made the follow - Watertown Ing changes in the allotments for Pleasant and Watertown and Streets and for Lincoln Street in Lexington; Lincoln Sts. Pleasant and Watertown Streets - State 15,000, town 810,000.00 and county 15,000. (instead of State 9,562.50, town $6,3'75,00'and county $3 187.50). Lincoln Street - State $109713.50, town 69,200000, Count $4,137.50 (instead of State $16,150.00, town 10,200.00, county 5,950.00). Barry Mead case. Letter was received from the Town Counsel stating that Barry Mead whose claim for property damage in the amount of $15.00 was non -suited last spring, had filed a motion to remove the non -suit but that no notice had been given to Mr. Wrightington's office and Mr. Mead had not marked it for hearing. The last of August, Mr. Wrightington's office was notified that the case had been marked for hearing but he did not attend but filed a brief objecting to allowance of the motion. The judge allowed the motion. Mead's wife appeared in Court and made a pathetic appearance. The hearing of the caswas set for Sept. 11th, and Mr. Wrightington attended., e d, bu't Mead did not appear and again was non -suited. 1 1 ' Letter was received from Mr. Edward W. Taylor, Chief of the Fire Department, stating that the Board of Engineers would like to meet the Board of Selectmen for the purpose of a joint inspection of the engine houses. The Board voted to meet on Tuesday, Sept. 24th, at 6;15 P.M. at the Central Fire Station for the above purpose. Meeting with Fire Engineers The following licenses were granted: George Holman - Slaughtering License - Hill Ave. Licenses Caroline Harrington and Phoebe E.M. Hutchins - transfer of Common Victuallerts License from 1640 to 1661 Mass. Ave. The Clerk reported that Miss Russell of the Middlesex Kelley County T.B. Sanatorium had requested two pairs of pajamas, supplies. one bathrobe and a pair of slippers for Edward L. Kelley. The Board voted to authorize the purchase of the supplies. The Clerk reported that Mrs. Blanche Meadows of P�' Meadows 1798 Mass. Avenue was ill with tuberculosis. Mrs. Meadows T.B. has five children and there is no one at home able to give casee her the proper care. The Town Physician and the District Nurse had recommended that Mrs. Meadows be hospitalized pending her admission to Middlesex. The Channing Home ' has a waiting list and it will be about three weeks before Mrs. Meadows may be admitted tire. The Board voted to approve the hospitalization of Mrs. Meadows at the Channing Home pending her admission to Middlesex. Mr. Mitchell reported that Miss Ellen Fay of 211 Mass. Avenue was the beneficiary under the will of Michael Curran. The Trustee had sold the house in which she lived last Monday. Mr. A. J. Dailey was made trustee under the will but he has declined, and would like Mr. Mitchell to act as trustee. Mr. Mitchell stated he did not want to do so but that he would in order to protect the town inasmuch as Miss Fay has been aided for some time. The amount of money left Miss Fay is unknown but Mr. Mitchell thought that if the money were handled by a trustee the Town might be reimbursed in the amount of $400 or $500. and the balance of the money would take care of her for some time and the Town would be free and clear 'of her. The Board instructed Mr. Mitchell to talk over the matter with the Town Counsel. Mr. Mitchell reported that Louis Cecere of 267 Mass. Avenue, an employee of the Water Dept., had a hernia as a ' result of an accident and the matter of Wcr kments Comp- ensation has not been settled as yet. Mr. Mitchell has furnished Mrs. Cecere with groceries and he has notified the State as the family has not been five years without aid. Ellen Fay case. Cecere case. 70 Cn H S�+ If 8ecere does get compensation and goes back to work for ' the Water Department, he probably will pay something back to the town. Mr. Mitchell recommended that the Board authorize aid until the matter is settled not to exceed $14.00 per week, and the Board voted to approve his recommendation. The Welfare Agent reported that George Freeman of Freeman Blossom Crest had applied for aid. He lives with his case. son, D. George Freeman of Blossom Crest. He is receiving hospital care at the out-patient Dept. at the present time and his daughter has agreed to pay one half of the hospital bill and his son the other half. Mr. Mitchell recommended that Freeman be paid $5.00 per week while he is living with his son and the Board voted to approve the recommendation. The Welfare Agent reported that Mrs. Georgie Saunders Saunders has been boarded by the Town at the Mass. Home for over case, a year and they now want to remove her. A Miss Crawford of Bedford will take Miss Saunders for $1.00 a day pro- vided Mrs. Saunders will do light work. The Board voted to approve sending Mrs. Saunders to Miss Crawford's home in Bedford. Mr. Mitchell reported that Mrs. George F. Cogswell Cogswell of Sylvia Street has been going to the out-patient casedepartment at the Mass. General Hospital for about a year. Mr. Cogswell receives part time employment in the Cemetery Dept. but is unable to pay any hospital bill. Mrs. Cogswell requires a minor operation immediately and Dr. Hardeastle recommends that she be operated on at once. The Board voted to authorize the operation. The Board discussed the matter of Kenneth Dow, a patient at the Middlesex County Sanatorium. Me. Dow is Dow twenty-five years old and has been at the hospital for case. some time. The hospital is now ready to discharge him. Dow has no immediatd relatives and the Board of Health had been requested to do whatever possible to take care of him. Mrs. Pero of Waltham Street is willing to board Dow for the sum of $8.00 per week provided the Town will increase the board of Norman Pero to $7.00 per week. The Board voted to increase the rate of Norman Pero's aid to $7.00 per week and to pay Mrs. Pero $8.00 per week for the board of Kenneth Dow. The Welfare Agent reported that Mrs. Susanna Potter Potter of Waltham Street had made application for Old Age case. Assistance. Her husband has been receiving compensation ' for the past five years but this stopped one month ago. He cannot get any more compensation as he has been receiving $18.00 per ' Mitchell stated that if necessary but he for the time being. recommendation. 1 L week for the past five years. Mro he would furnish food for the couple felt that this would be sufficient The Board voted to approve the The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M. A true record, Attest: Clerk. 71