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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1935-11-26SELECTMEN'S MEETING NOV, 26th, 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, Giroux and Clark were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 P.M.,"Mr. Ralph I. Dale of Hancock Street appeared before the Board to discuss the possibility of having the Lexington Police Department become a member of the New England Police Revolver League. He stated that the Lexington Dept. has been inactive due to the f act•that it has not' the facilities for shooting and that in order for a Police Dept. to operate 100% efficiently, it is necessary to be good at shooting. Mr. Dale attended a meeting of the League last week and realized that Lexington should have a place to shoot and money for amunit ion, and he thought that an appropriation should be made to take care of the matter. He thought that the Public Works Building would be•'an ideal place for the shooting gallery. There are five men on a team and they practice one.afternoon and one night each week, and Mr. Dale statdd that he would be very glad to give up this time to the Town of Lexington. Mr. Dale has been made official scorer ' for the Lexington Police. The scores are recorded and entered by Saturday night. This gives the Police an opportunity to qualify for different forms of marlmanship. He stated that the N.E. Revolver League uses two guns, the service gun and the 22 calibre gun. Mr. Dale stated that Belmont, Weston, Arlington and Concord are members of the League. The cost of having the men practice Mould be approximately $28.00 per month for the 15 men, or $1.85 per man. This would cover all expenses. He stated that the Department now owns one 22 calibre revolver but he would prefer to see one more of the same calibre purchased. Mr. Giroux asked in what length of time the equipment would have to be replaced if the service revolvers were used 15 rounds per week, and Mr. Dale stated that using the equipment this much would not shorten its life. Mr. Clark asked what would be needed for a gallery and Mr. Dale stated that it either could be very little or very much. It would be necessary to have sufficient lighting,, a back, stop, table and chairs, etc. He thought that the officers themselves could do a great deal of the work of constructing the gallery and that perhaps the sum of $100. would be sufficient to cover the expenses. Mr. Dale thought that $350.00 would be sufficient to ask for 1936 to carry out the idea. He stated that the indoor range was used only during the winter months and he felt that perhaps ✓ the Sprotsman's Club would allow the Police to use its range in the summer. Mr. Dale stated that banks also belonged to the League, and Mr. Giroux suggested that the 161 Police Shooting gallery. 162 At 8 P.M., Mrs. Emma W. Hutchinson of Arlington, who y pike from the present Watertown Street to Appleton Street and a section on the southerly side, appeared before the Lexington banks be approached to see what percentage of =A the cost of maintaining the project they would be willing a high class development on the northerly side of the to share. Mr. Dale stated that the Town could purchase new highway and that she had made application for a change its amunition from the Munitions Factory and that the ' 10% Government tax would be avoided, and that it would town Street. cost the town just one-half of the retail price, and The Chairman asked her if the abandoning of Bowman that the banks could not purchase the amunition for this Street would benefit her, and she stated that she thought ' same price. that it would as she would then be given half. of the road. The Chairman suggested that if the other members of She would close up the Watertown Street and entirely and the Board agreed, the Chief be asked to include the $350, make an entrance to her development at the other end. estimated cost in his budget for 1936. She stated that Bowman Street had always been a nuisance Mr. Clark suggested that Mr. Dale make a resume of as everybody parked there and her land was used as a the information given to the Board tonight so that the dumping place for all sorts of refuse. Mrs. Hutchinson same might be shown to the Appropriation Committee. stated that she thought there was a great need of a Mr. Dale agreed to do this and left a.copy of the report business zone on the new highway and asked the Chairman of the New England Police Revolver League. what he thought her chances were of getting the zone At 8 P.M., Mrs. Emma W. Hutchinson of Arlington, who owns property on the northerly side of the Concord Turn- pike from the present Watertown Street to Appleton Street and a section on the southerly side, appeared before the Board. Mrs. Hutchinson stated that she hoped to start a high class development on the northerly side of the new highway and that she had made application for a change to a business zone of a part of her property neer Water - Hutchinson town Street. property The Chairman asked her if the abandoning of Bowman and Street would benefit her, and she stated that she thought ' Bowman St, that it would as she would then be given half. of the road. She would close up the Watertown Street and entirely and make an entrance to her development at the other end. She stated that Bowman Street had always been a nuisance as everybody parked there and her land was used as a dumping place for all sorts of refuse. Mrs. Hutchinson stated that she thought there was a great need of a business zone on the new highway and asked the Chairman what he thought her chances were of getting the zone changed and he advised her that he did not think that her chances would be very good. Mr. Clark stated that he thought that the Arlmont Country Club would object very much to having a business zone near its property. He also thought that if she were going to develop a high class property, that the type of people who would build high class homes would object to the construction of stores andg asoline stations and would not object to going some distance to a store, Mrs. Hutchinson stated that it was her idea to erect a group of stores such as were erected in the Lexington Manor Development. Mr. Giroux stated that the stores in the Manor Development had been anything but a success and that the people in North Lexington evidently preferred to come down town to do their shopping. He asked Mrs. , Huthhinson if she planned to develop the property herself or to have someone else do it. She stated that she had been thinking of consulting Mr. Edward Sears Reed of ' Cambridge who has developed several large tracts of land in the State, but that her family would prefer to do the work themselves. Mrs. Hutchinson retired and the Board voted to hold the matter over for one week. The Supt. of Public Works and the Town Counsel appeared before the Board. Mr. Trask reported that the Water Dept. was lowering the main in Baker Avenue and that the water was shut off and the people were not notified. As a result of this, a boiler in the house owned by Mr. John Hilton on Baker Avenue collapsed. The boiler did not have a safety valve. It does not leak but the man expects to collect for a new boiler. The Town Counsel stated that he thought it would be a good plan to see if the owner had been given a permit to install the boiler and if the permit stated whether or not a safety valve had been installed. Mr. Trask retired. 163 Boiler collapse, Baker Avenue. Ryder Tax Title case Mr. Wrightington then discussed the matter of the Ryder Tax titles with the Board. He stated that in 1930 the Ryders stopped paying taxes and in 1931, Mr. Earle sold 14 parcels. After two years, these 14 parcels got to the Town Treasurer whose duty it was to ' file petitions for foreclosure proceedings. Ryder got in touch with the Tax Commissioner who asked the Town Treas- urer to give Ryder some time and this was done and the thing went along for one and a half years. Ryder paid some money to the Town at different intervals and this was all credited to the Aldrich property. Last September, Town Treasurer Carroll sent the Tax Title petitions to the Town Counsel and he filed 13 out of the 14 sent in. One of the 14 was a bad title. The matter then came up before a judge and a hearing was held. Mr. Wrightington stated that the Ryders did not want a hearing but he rushed the thing along and the hearing was held, last Friday. Ryder filed specifications at the hearing and the Judge took the whole matter under advisement. The Town Counsel stated that the net result was that six out of the fourteen petitions filed were bad due to errors made by the Assessors and Mr. Earle either in the original assessment or in the -tax sale. He stated that it is the practice to describe property in a tax sale by referring to the deed which contains the description of the property which is all right until a piece of the property is sold and then it is necessary to state 'ttexcept such and such a parcel which was sold to etc.". This Mr. Earle neglected to do. Mr. Wrightington stated that the unfortunate part of the whole thing was that the ones that were bad were the largest of the lot. He stated that when the town sells taxes to a private purchaser, he must pay within twenty days or the property reverts back to the Town, and Mr., Earle 163 Boiler collapse, Baker Avenue. Ryder Tax Title case 164 Ryder Tax Title case, did not make out the deeds for the sale until the 21st day. HowwVer, _ Mr. Wrightington: thought thW it , wab possible `that'the Judge might consider the fact that they may have been filed at the last minute on the 20th day and not recorded until the 21wt day. He stated that if a tax sale is defective, the Law requires the Collector to disclaim and the Assessors to re -assess, as long as the property has not been transferred, but the Ryders changed title on seven parcels including three that are bad. Mr. Wrightington stated that the Town can collect only for the 1934 and 1935 taxes. The total amount due on the fourteen parcels including 1935 taxes is $24,629.24. The amount due for the 1934 and 1935 taxes including interest and penalties is $19,779.41. Mr. Wrightington stated that after the hearing Ryder and he talked the matter over and Wrightington suggested that Ryder make a proposition of settlement to the Town as he had no doubt that if the Town continued to fight the case, that Ryder would take the matter to the Supreme Court. Ryder stated that he would like to go over the matter with the Town officials to make some sort of a settlement. Mr. Wright- ington stated that what Ryder wanted was the eligiination of the interest and the penalites, a reduction of the assessed valuation of his properties and the abatement of the tax on the Mohawk Club and one other parcel -of prop- erty, the location of which he could not recall. Mr. Wrightington stated that the Board. had no authority to settle the matter, that it would be necessary for Mr. Scamman to disclaim the tax titles and for the Assessors to determine what taxes they will abate; (it will be necessary for the assessors to get the approval of the State for said abatements); and then for Mr. Carroll to stop litigation. Mr, Wrightington asked if the Board wished to hold a conference with the Assessors, Mr. Scamman, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Ryder and his lawyer, Mr. Skelton, and himself. He suggested that the Board get together with the other Town officials before such a meeting so that they could come to a decision on the matter. He stated that although Ryder is anxious to hold up the matter, he had agreed to attend such a meeting next week. Mr. Clark asked what the town's alternative was. Mr. Wrightington stated that it was to wait for the decision of Judge Davis of the Land Court and that if he found in the town's favor, no doubt Ryder would appeal further. Mr. Giroux asked if the mattdr was settled now if the same thing would not happen again. Mr. Wrightington stated that it was up to the Assessors as you could not bind them if there were a rising real estate market and you could not tell whether or not Ryder would be able to pay in future years. Mr. Clark asked the Town Counsel if he thought Ryder had resources to pay if a settlement were made, and Mr. Wrightington stated that Ryder would have a lot of talk but would have no real money. 11 1 1 L Mr. Clark inquired - assuming that the Judge did not find in the Townts favor, - what the townts next step would be. Mr. Wrightington stated that it would be to disclaim, re -assess and then try to collect the 1934 and 1935 taxes. Mr. Giroux asked Mr. Wrightington what he thought the Town should do. He replied that the largest part of the tax titles were bad and that the Town can collect the 1934 and 1935 taxes and that he recommended that the Town hold the joint hearing and try to settle with Ryder. He stated that the amount due for 1934 and 1935 taxes, including penalties and interest was just about $20,000. but he thought that Ryder would never pay that amount, but he thought that Ryder would jump at a settlement of $15,000 Mr. Clark asked what evidence Mr. Wrightington had that Ryder would pay $15,000. and Mr. Wrightington stated that he had none but that the mortgagees were anxious to settle and he thought that they would settle for $15,000. Mr. Clark asked Mr. Wrightington what the Town was sure of getting through the mortgagees and he replied that it was in the vicinity of 16,000. Mr. Giroux asked if the Court would take into consideration the fact that Ryder was attempting to evade payment of his taxes, and Mr. Wright- ington replied that the Court had to go by the Statute. Cdr. Giroux inquired how it would sound to the taxpayer who paid all of his own taxes and knew that the Town had settled with Ryder for half of what was due. Mr. Wright- ington replied that if the taxpayer knew all the facts, he would realize that the Board was not to blame and that the Assessors and Tax Collector were. Mr. Wrightington stated that Mr. Earle was under bond and that the bond bound him for errors as well as defalcations and that the Town could put in a claim on Mr. Earlets estate but would -have to prove the errors. Mr. Giroux asked what the Board's duty was. Mr. Wrightington replied that if such a claim were to be madd, the titles would have to be sorted out and the errors allocated to the proper person. Mr. Giroux recommended that the Board weigh the matter very carefully and that nothing be done in haste but that the Board carry the case through to a finish. Mr. Wrightington stated that there was no reason for haste except that Ryder might make more conveyances, but he doubted that he would do this as long as there was a possibility of settlement. He suggested that the Board talk over the matter with the two absent members and then talk with. the Assessors. Mr. Giroux suggested that a meeting of the full Board be held some other night and have Mr. Wrightington present to go over the whole matter and he suggested that the meeting bd held on Friday night. The Chairman stated that he could not be present on Friday and suggested that the Board meet early on next Tuesday evening to discuss the matter. Mr. Giroux made a motion that the matter be talked over next Tuesday evening and that the other members be 165 Ryder Tax Title case. 166 Member of Planning Board appointed* requested to be present at 7 P.M. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Wrightington stated that he would be present at that time. At 8:50 P.M.J. a joint meeting of the Planning Board and Board of Selectmen was held to appoint the successor to Mr. Roland B. Greeley, Secretary of the Planning Board who resigned. The members of the Planning Board who were present are as follows: Mr. J. Henry Duffy, Mr. Sheldon Robinson, Mr. Edward W. Kimball and Mr. Lester F. Ellis. Mr. Duffy stated that he would like to nominate Mr. Neil H. Borden of Watertown Street to fill the vacancy. Mr. Borden is a professor at the Harvard Business School and has been quite interested in Planning Board work, and when approached on the subject, he stated that he would be very glad to serve on the Board. Mr. Giroux stated that he thought that Mr. Borden would be an excellent man to fill the vacancy and made a motion that Mr. Borden be appointed a member of the Planning Board to serve until March, 1936. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Planning Board retired at 8:55 P.M. Letter was received from Maurice A. Page which Page Claim stated that he was willing to let his land damage slide for but he believed he should redeive damages for the damages. buildings removed from his property in East Lexington. He stated that the hard pine from the buildings had been sold for over $1000. and as he had put in a bill for only $600, for the same, he believed that the bill should be paid without further argument. No action was taken on the matter. Letter was received from the Supt. of Schools which stated that the School Committee had requested that he write the Board asking it to do whatever possible to provide an enclosed playground which would be available for the High School athletic teams. The letter stated Enclosed that various rumors had been circulated concerning a Athletic proposition now being considered by the Board and if such Field. was the case, the School Committee would appreciate seeing an outline of the proposed plan. The Chairman stated that he knew nothing about such a plan. Mr. Giroux recommended that at some later dat e a committee be appointed to look into the matter and stated that it might be poss$ble to get some private individuals to finance the work if they might be paid back from the revBnue later on It was decided to hold the matter over for one week. Letter was received from the Town Counsel which stated that he understood that he was to take legal 01 1-3 OMI ZL 1 L 1 1 1 proceedings to the washing of Waltham Street and that he was matter further me a endeavor to prevent the carrying on of garbage cans on the Ryder property on Ryder as a violation of the Zoning By-laws boning writing Mr. Ryder and would give the Violatio3 attention as soon as he had an opportunity. setter was received from the Town Counsel acknowledg- ing receipt of the petition against the Boynton junk yard on Sylvia Street. Mr. Wrightington stated that he was writing Mr. Roberts but would be unable --to take up the matter immediate) y owing to the Ryder Drainage Case, but that he would give the matter his attention as soon as he was through. Letter was received from Roy D. Halloran, M.D., Supt. of the Metropolitan State Hospital which requested the appointment of Mr. William Davis, an employee at the hospital, as Special Police Officer for duty at the Met. State Hospital, his salary to be paid by the hos- pital. The letter stated that Mr. Davis was a veteran, a resident in Massachusetts, had been in the State's employ since September 1935, and seemed to qualify to fill the position. Mr. Clark made a motion that the request for, Mr. Davis's appointment be approved, Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Water guaranty abatements in the amount of $433.50 were approved by the Board. Recommitments of the following accounts receivable were signed by the Board; Sewer Rentals, etc. Water connections Sewer connections The following water liens were Joseph Las sof Pauline H. Claire Gladys Carolyn Anderson John F. & Alice J. Heaney John A. Sellars John A. Sellars E. Christine Fowler Giovanni Ricci $1299.65 98.53 95.28 signed by the Board; $28.16 12.75 15.00 15.27 236.30 24.73 41.25 161.29 Letter was received from Tony Waters of Hill Avenue which stated that he was interested in buying lots 76 and 77 which were foreclosed by the Town and lots 70, 715, 72, 790 802 81 and 82 in Grandview Terrace, which are now tax titled to the Town. The Board felt that Waters should be notified to make an offer for lots 76 and 77 which had been fore- closed and that he should be instructed that the Town is unable to sell the other lots until they have been foreclosed. Boynton junk yard. Special Police Abatements Recommit- ments. Water Liens. Lots in Grandview Terrace. 168 H Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works' Gypsy calling the Board's attention to Chapter 87 of the Acts Moth Supt. of 1935 which is an amendment to Chapter 132 of the ' appointment.General Laws, which provides.that the appointment of Gypsy Moth Superintendents in towns shall be made annually within ten days after the organization of the Board of Selectmen instead of in January as in previous years No action was taken on the matter, The following permits were granted: Licenses. Frank Ready - 1760 Massa Avenue - Overhanging Sign. v' Anselm C. Mullin - 301 Mass. Ave. - Denature Alcohol. Mr. Clark moved that the appointment of a Committee Welfare of five to investigate Public Welfare in the Town be held Committee over for one week. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Clark moved that the appointment of a Chairman Cbairman, for the Bureau of Old Age Assistance be held over for Bur. of Old one week. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was Age Assist. so voted. Letter was received from Francis E. Burke which stated that .he would lite to hear from the Board on Mr. Shanahants offer of compromise on the matter of land Shanahan damages on Pleasant Street, as he was holding two orders Land of notice issued by order of the County Commissioners on Damages, which he was to bring petitions for assessment of damages unless the matter could be settled. Mr. Trask reported that he had talked with Mr. Shanahan who insisted that he would not take less than ' (500.00. The Chairman stated that he did not see how the Town would be justified in paying Shanahan this amount Letter was received from the Town Accountant which stated that Miss Avis Weldon, who had been working two and one half days in the Accounting Department.and the balance of the time in the Park Department, had proved unsatisfac- Clerk in tory and Mr. Russell stated that he had been informed by. Accounting Mr. Trask that Miss Elsie Comeau had been engaged to take Department. the place of Miss Weldon beginning December 9th. Miss Weldon is to be carried on the payroll until December 14th to allow for a vacation of one week. Mr. Russell wished it understood that Miss Comeau's services in the Account- ing Department are to be on.a temporary basis until he can determine whether or not she is satisfactory. Mr. Russell wished to call the attention of the Board to the fact that the work in the Accounting Department had increased so that he felt that it warranted the full,time services of a clerk and he requested that the Board authorize this beginning Jan. lst. ' No action was taken on the matter. The following permits were granted: Licenses. Frank Ready - 1760 Massa Avenue - Overhanging Sign. v' Anselm C. Mullin - 301 Mass. Ave. - Denature Alcohol. Mr. Clark moved that the appointment of a Committee Welfare of five to investigate Public Welfare in the Town be held Committee over for one week. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Clark moved that the appointment of a Chairman Cbairman, for the Bureau of Old Age Assistance be held over for Bur. of Old one week. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was Age Assist. so voted. Letter was received from Francis E. Burke which stated that .he would lite to hear from the Board on Mr. Shanahants offer of compromise on the matter of land Shanahan damages on Pleasant Street, as he was holding two orders Land of notice issued by order of the County Commissioners on Damages, which he was to bring petitions for assessment of damages unless the matter could be settled. Mr. Trask reported that he had talked with Mr. Shanahan who insisted that he would not take less than ' (500.00. The Chairman stated that he did not see how the Town would be justified in paying Shanahan this amount inasmuch as J. A. Wilson had been paid only $200. for ' almost the same amount of land. Mr. Trask stated that Mr. Shanahan's property was not improved to the extent of a retaining wall as Wilson's had been although Mr. Shanahan had the same privilege but was willing to waive bhe right if the Town would erect a stock fence which cost about half as much. He also had the privilege of a stone wall in front of his house, but had agreed to waive this if the Town would grade his lawn. Mr. Shanahan claimed that having relieved the Town of the expense of building the walls, he was entitled to $500.00 as it would have cost between $400. and $500. to build the walls. The Board discussed the matter of making cuts in a person?s property on account of the construction of streets and Mr. Wrightington, who was present at the time, stated that if, by any street construction, a iman's property is harmed,- the Town has to take care of it. Mr. Clark moved that the entire matter be reconsidered at the next meeting. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Supt. of Public Works reported that Officer Buckley had been sick for three or four weeks and he was still out. He stated that the Selectmen havd never Sick made a regulation regarding sick leave and that in the leave, past when he was on the Board, two girl clerks were out Buckley. sick and they were paid for two weeks only and he suggested that in the future employees who are out sick be paid for two weeks only. The Board felt that each case should be considered as it comes up and that the length of time the person has been employed by the Town should be taken into consideration. Mr. Trask was instructed to find out what the Police Benefit Assoc. paid Buckley and to bring up the case again next week before the full Board. Mr. Trask reported that the dump on Rindge Avenue was on property owned by two persons, one of whom was dead and Dump.. the other who lived directly opposite the dump. Mr. Rind e Trask stated that he would cover the dump over and let Avenue. it go at that. The Supt. of Public Works reported that a fire insurance policy in the amount of $20,000. under blanket schedule which had been placed through the office of Insuran ce. A.A. Marshall & Son expires on December 5th. The Board voted to hold the matter over for one week. The Supt. of Public Works reported that he had had some men working on the water main which ran from the ' pumping station to the Reservoir and that leaks had been found. He recommended again that this old pipe be dug up and that an extension be made in Middleby Road. The Board felt that it would not be justified in going to the expense of extending the water main in Middleby Road to take care of one house and no action was taken on the matter. Water mair Middleby Road. 170 Heater at Stone Building, The Supt. of Public Works reported that the Spencer Heater at the Stone Building has no draft and they have been burning about twice as much coal in the building as they should. Aman from the Spencer Heating Co. came out with his expert and found that there was no draft and that the four flues on the inside of the chimney were broken down so that there was no circulation, and also found that the chimney was full of holes. Mr. Trask talked with Jack Dacey, whom he had inspect the chimney. He stated that he was going down again the first of next week to look it over again as he thought that there was a stoppage in the chimney. The man from the Spencer Heater Co. thought that the heater was not large enough to heat the building. He stated that his company had not been consulted when the heater was purchased. The heater was installed by the Lexington Plumbing & Heating Co., and the estimates -were made up by Clyde Steeves. The Spencer Heating Co. had recommended that a new chimney be built. The Supt. of Public Works reported that he was willing to Forget the employment of a W.P.A. Supervisor and he recommended that the work be divided between W.P.A. Mr. Ross, Mr. Garrity and Mr. O'Connor. There are now only three projects being carried on. He stated that the W.P.A. payroll is being handled by the Boston Office and there is no local office. He stat ed that an E.R.A. project was still being conducted at the Watertown Arsenal and that all the men in Lexington who were on E.R.A. are now on Mill Brook and Lincoln Street. Mr. Trask stated that the first W.P.A. project that he would like to do was the center playground skating rink. The Chairman suggested that the Clematis Brook project and the bridge at Pleasant Street be finished first. The Supt, of Public Works reported that he had talked Page with the Town Counsel of Arlington with regard to the Claim. easement taken for the Mill Brook drainage through the Town of Arlington's land which Maurice Page claimed. The Town Counsel stated that he was of the opinion that Page had the wrong piece of land in mind. The Chairman stated that at the last meeting of the 1936 Appropriation Committee; a request had been made that Projects. any requests for major projects the Town is going to ask for in 1936 be considered now and that the projects be listed immediately so that the Appropriation Committee would have an opportunity to study them. The Chairman requested the Supt. of Public Works to list the Water, Sewer and Highway projects which are to be asked for in 1936 and to submit it to the Board on next Tuesday evening. He also requested that the Supt. submit a list of 1 1 v the W.P.A. projects which the Town has requexted and ' which have been approved. The Supt. of Public Works stated that he would like to purchase a grader for the Highway Department in 1936. The following persons submitted applications for the. position as W.P.A. Supervisor: John F. McKearney, Jr., 125 Grant Street, Lexington,; Bartlett J. Harrington, 11 Curve Street, Lexington. Inasmuch " It_was voted not to appoint a supervisor at the present time, the letters were placed on file for future reference. The Supt. of Public Works report for the week ending November 23rd was received and approved. The Welfare Agent reported that he had gone to Court on Monday on a charge of neglect of children Against Anthony Carr, but the Judge could not find that it was a case of neglect. He stated that the Home for Destitute Catholic Children had taken two of the children for a period of three or four weeks. The rest of the family are still being boarded in Malden. It is a State case, but the State does not want to pay for their board any longer than they absolutely have to. Mr. Mitchell stated that Carr has ulcers of the stomach and that Mrs. Carr has a mentality of about 54% normal. No action was taken on the matter. Mr. Mitchell stated that he had made arrangements with Mrs. Leary to board Donald Timothy of Kendall Road for $7.00 per week, this amount to be paid direct to her, and Timothy has been given a card to work out his aid. When his mother heard that he was being boarded by the Town she called and wanted to know why she could not get the money, but the Agent told her that the Town could not aid.Donald while he was living at home. Mr. Mitchell discussed the case -of William McCormick who lives in the Central House. Mr. McCormick worked for the Water Department for about thirteen years and was hit by a street car last summer and has been disabled since. Mr. Ross doubted if he could ever work again. He and his son John, who is mentally deficient, have no money whatsoever. They pay $5.00 per week rent. Mr. Mitchell recommended that Mr. McCormick and his son be aided in the amount of $10.00 per week. Mr. Clark moved that the recommendation be approved! Xr. Giroux seconded the motion, and it was so voted. ' The Welfare Agent discussed the• ease of Alanson A. Barker who has been receiving Old Age Assistance. He has been receiving $7.00 per week, has been rooming with 171 W.P.A. Supervisor Report. Carr family. Timothy case. McCormick case. 172 Mrs. Thivierge paying her $4. per week, and has been Barker getting his own meals. The Bureau of Old Age case. Assistance recommended that his aid be increased to $8.00 per week and Mr. Mitchell so recommended. Mr. Clark moved that the recommendation be approved, Mr. Giroux seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 1 J 1 The Welfare Agent discussed the John E. Barnes case. Mrs. Barnes is in the Waltham Hospital and is on Barnes the danger list. Because of this fact, the boy came casee down from New Hampshire and will probably return this week. Mr. Mitchell told the H.O.L.C* that the interest of $19.96 would be paid to them directly by the Welfare Department. Mr. Mitchell stated that he would see Barnes the next day to see if the boy might contribute something toward his parent's support. Mr. Mitchell stated that he had received an application for Old Age Assistance from Mr. Andrew Haskell of 4 Brandon Street, age 73. On account of red tape, Mr. Mitchell had Haskell make out an application for Welfare. This is a Lexington settled case. Mr. Haskell has heart trouble and will never be able to do Haskell any more work. Mr. Haskell was trying to get his house case. in the H.G.L.C. but that corporation refused to take the mortgage. The Shannon's from Woburn hold the mortgage in the amount of $3000. of which $500. has been paid off and the Shannon's have paid the taxes for the past two years. The interest on the mortgage amounts to $43.15 every three months and Haskell is back three months on his interest. Mrs. Haskell works part time at the Rest Inn so they get some food. Mr. Haskell was divorced from his first wife and at the time the children were all minors, and were awarded to their mother. Haskell nevdr sees them and does not know where they are and there is a question if they are in any way responsible for their father. Mr. Mitchell recommended that Mr. & Mrs. Haskell be aided in an amount not to exceed $10, per week, and Mr. Clark moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. George V. Morse appeared before the Board to Special discuss the position of a Welfare Investigator. He Investigabor stated that he could not determine anything satisfactory employed.. as to his status on the W.P.A. He thought that the position here offered more permanence than the job on which he is now working. He stated that he was trying to figure out how he could pay his debts, but he did not think that he could get along any better working for -the Town at $25.00 per -week than in his present position. He owes about $400, to the Town for taxes and about the same amount to the H.O.L.C. He stated, however, that 1 J 1 173 he was willing to take the position as Investigator for ' the Public Welfare Department if the Board wished to give it to him. Mr. Morse then retired. Mr. Clark made a motion that Mr. George V. Morse be appointed as a Special Investigator in the Public Welfare Department at a salary of $25.00 per week. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. The meeting adjourned at 11:35 P.M. A true record, Attest: Clerk. 1 1