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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1936-01-07 229 SELECTMEN'S MEETING JAN. 7th, 1936. 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, Potter and Giroux were present. The Clerk was also present. Letter was received from the Minute Man Sportsman's Club, Inc. , inviting the Board to attend its third annual supper to be held in Cary Memorial Hall on Tuesday, Invitation. January 14th. Mr. Potter moved that the Club be informed that the Board would be very pleased to accept the in- vitttion, and also that the meeting next week be held at 8 P.M. instead of 7:30 P.M. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Potter moved that Edward W. Taylor be appointed Forest Forest Warden for the year 1936. Mr. Giroux seconded Warden the motion and it was so voted. appointed Notice was received from the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission that the following licenses for the Liquor sale of alcoholic beverages for the year 1936 had been Licenses approved: _ approved. John J. Rudd 1845 Mass. Ave. Max Berman 12 Mass. Ave. Letter was received from Walter E. Jones of 44 Winter Street, Lexington, which stated that Mr. Jones struck a rock on Waltham Street near Blossom Street on Damage to December 16, 1935, at 5:20 P.M., and ruined one tire and Jones one tube. Mr. Jones stated that he reported the occurrence tire & to the officer at the Allen Street end of the repairs on tube. Waltham Street and took the tire and tube to the Minute- Man Garage where it was found that they were damaged beyond repair. Mr. Jones stated that the tire and tube had been placed on his machine ten days previously and under the circumstances, he believed the Town should replace them and the cost of doing this would be $8.75. Mr. Potter moved that the Supt. of Public Works be requested to investigate and report on the matter. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. At 8 P.M. Mr. James J. McGann appeared before the Board to discuss the matter of his water guaranty for the extension of water mains in the Lexington Farms McGann Development. Mr. McGann stated that he had received a water letter from Mr. Wrightington and that the surety on the guaranty. bond had also received a letter from Mr. Wrightington. McGann stated that he had not received water service and that it would require an extension of 1000 feet to serve his property and therefor he felt that he would not be justified in paying the bill. He felt that he 230 1-3 son sad was a victim of circumstances and that he thought he was going to get water service when he signed the bond. He stated that he had tried several times to purchase property abutting Balfour Street where the water main is, but that he had been unable to do so. Mr. Giroux asked Mr. McGann if as far as the bond was concerned, he thought that the Town had carried out its contract and McGann answered in the affirmative. Mr. Giroux asked on what grounds McGann would feel that the Town was justified in abating the bill. He replied that he had never paid anything on the bond and inasmuch as he had not, he felt that he was not a party to the bond and further, that he had never received water serdice. The Board informed Mr. McGann that it would discuss the matter further and he retired. It was decided to hold the matter over for one week. Mr. A. Young of Laconia Street appeared before the Board to find out if the Board was going to enforce /bung quarantine at his house due to the fact that Mrs. Eleanor Quarantine Morey, a woman living at the house, had contracted Scarlet Fever. He stated that Mrs. Morey had been re- moved to this hospital and that Dr. Hardcastle has posted a card on the house and informed him that the Health Reg- ulations stated that persons engaged in the handling of food would be under quarantine for one week. Mr. Young stated that Dr. Hardcastle told him that he could not sell any milk but that he could see no reason Why he should not be allowed to continue to sell meat. The Chairman told Mr. Young that the Board of Health Regulations stated that persons engaged in the handling of food were under quarantine for one week but that the matter would be discussed with Dr. Hardcastle and that he would be advised. Mr. Baker of the Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank appeared before the Board relative to the Harrington property at 1661 Mass. Avenue. He stated that the bank was asking $25,000. for the property and that there were about 20,000 square feet of land left after the Mass. Avenue taking. He stated that he thought that Harrington the Town might like to purchase the property inasmuch property as it was next to the Town Offices. The Bank has control of the property and has a deed to it. Mr. Potter inquired if the Bank wanted to sell the property so that it would escape without losing any money or if it wished to make a profit and if so, if said profit would be turned over to Miss Harrington. Mr. Baker replied that the bank merely wished to get out of it what money it had put into it, but if any money were made, it would be turned over to Miss Harrington. The Chairman asked him if $25,000. was the best price the bank could give, and Mr. Baker stated that he thought the Town could do better than that on the price. No further action was taken on the matter. 231 Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works which stated that Officers Knapp, Russell and Day had investigated a party which was in progress at the Mohawk Club on December 31st. Officer Knapp talked to Charles P. Colligan, 5 Royal Street, Watertown, who informed him that he and one Joseph Fitzpatrick also of Watertown, were running the party. The place had been hired from John Lamont. Ninety couples were expected and the charge Mohawk was $4.00 each. The letter stated that the off icers Club. found nothing objectionable in the conduct of the party and received no complaints from neighbors at anV time dur- ing the evening. The Chairman suggested that it might be best to get in touch with Mr. Wrightington and tell him the facts and find out if the Ryders had any right to rent the property and if not, what could be done about it. Mr. Giroux moved that the matter be referred to the Town Counsel for an opinion before any action was taken. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the National Chairman of Birthday the Birthday Balls for the President requesting that a ball. General Chairman for Lexington be appointed. No action was taken on the matter. Letter was received from Lucy D. Walsh, owner of the property at 60 Pleasant Street, East Lexington. Walsh The letter stated that it seemed as though the grade property, of the street was raised in front of Mrs. Walsh's prop- Pleasan erty and also that a trench was dug for installing Street. some pipe which caused• the lawn to sink considerably and that some of the land had been taken. The letter requested that the Board see that justice was done. It was decided to refer the matter to the Supt. of Public Works for investigation and report. Letter was received from Julia A. Syer of Wood Street which stated that because of washouts from the Damage to highway, Mkss Syer's driveway had been washed out over Syer and over again and that a flight of stone steps had been property. washed out. Miss Syer asked that the damage be repaired. It was decided to refer the matter to the Supt. of Public Works for investigation and report. The following licenses were granted: William A. Granfield - 424 Marrett Road - Common Victualler's Marshall L. Tebbetts - 314-316 " " - n " Edward L. Child - 1775 Mass. Avenue - " " Licenses. Patridge's Food Shop -1709 " - " Harriet Matherson - 6 Waltham Street - Hairdressing Mabel Luther Marjorie Fuller Michael S. O'Brien 97 Mass. Avenue - 1st Class Agent's. 232 y gad Mr. Ferguson reported that he had talked with 'James H. Keane, Arlington Town Engineer, to find out Hibbert sow important the acceptance of Hibbert Street was to Street. the Town of Arlington, and Mr. Keane stated that he would take up the matter with his Board and report next week. The Clerk reported that the Supt. of the Metropolitan State Hospital had requested that he be furnished with a book of signed, blank burial permits. The permits were desired due to the fact that most of the patients who Agent, die are removed at night, and that there are quite a Board of few Jewish patients who have to be buried before sun- Health. down. The Clerk had talked with the State Dept. of Public Health on the matter, and it was suggested by that Department that some person in authority at the Hospital be appointed a Special Agent of the Board of Health with authority to sign burial permits. Mr. Giroux moved that Dr. Salmmnn Gagnon, Assft. Supt. of the Metropolitan State Hospital, be appointed a Special Agent of the Board of Health in the Town of Lexington with authority to sign burial permits for those patients who die in Lexington . The Planning Board submitted to the Board for approval a letter addressed to the State Planning Board Proposed with regard to the proposed circumferential highway, circum- calling attention to the important intersection; and ferential making certain recommendations as follows: higheay. At the Concord Turnpike: Overpass. At Weston & Lincoln Streets: Cross at grade. At Marrett Road and Mass. Avenue: Cross at grade with traffic lights . At the railroad: Under or over-pass. At Bedford Street: Cross at grade with traffic lights The Board felt that the proposed road should cross Bedford Street by either an under or an over-pass, and decided to make this suggestion to the Planning Board. The Annual Reports of the following departments were received and approved: Plumbing Inspection Annual Sealer of Weights & Measures Reports. Health Inspection Slaughtering Inspection Milk Inspection Building Inspection Law Department. The Chairman asked the Supt. of Public Works what he thought of putting a white circle and spot Waltham light at the intersection of Mass. Avenue and Waltham Street Street to protect the Police Officers. Mr. Trask stated that he thought the intersection was very well lighted and that when the traffic lights were in operation, he 233 aaw no reason or need of the police officers being out on the street. The Chairman requested that he make a study of the situation and report later. The Chairman asked the Supt. of Public Works why it was that the traffic lights at the intersection of Mass. Avenue and Waltham Street were out of order so Traffic frequently. Mr. Trask stated that they had become lights. frozen. The Chairman suggested that Mr. Trask talk with Mr. Bills to see if the trouble could be eliminated and that if he could not remedy the situation, to talk with some expert on the matter. Mr. Trask submitted several indemnity agreements with the Telephone Company and requested that the Chairman sign them. He stated that the agreements covered the Indemnity police boxes on the telephone poles and that a recent Agreements Act of the Legislature protected the Telephone Company and released it of any responsibility. The Chairman stated that he thought it would be best to find out from the Town Counsel if a representa- tive of the Town should sign the agreements, and if so, who the representative should be. Mr. Trask recommended that a police signal box be installed at the corner of Blossom Street and the Con- cord Turnpike. Mr. Potter moved that the recommendation be approved, Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. This box will cost an additional $5.60 per month which will add about $65. per year to the Police Police Department budget. Mr. Trask stated that all the boxes boxes. originally were wooden, but that now they all are metal boxes with the exception of two. He stated that Louis Bills made an all aluminum box for $30. including installation, and he recommended that three of these boxes be purchased, two to replace the wooden boxes and one for the new box just authorized. Mr. Potter moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Chairman signed a supplementary W.P.A. project W.P.A. for the construction of six sidewalk plows. project Mr. Trask reported that Mr. Riviera of 33 Summit Road had requested that a street light be installed Street near his house. Mr. Giroux moved that an article be light. inserted in the Warrant for the next Town Meeting requesting authorization for the installation on the pole three poles down from the laAt light. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask reported that he found that there was enough money in the Police Department appropriation to pay the entire cost of the construction of the shooting range at the Public Works Building, and suggested that 234 y the Board rescind its vote of December 17th to charge Police one half of the cost of said construction to the Shooting Unclassified Account. Mr. Giroux moved that the range. recommendation of the Supt. of Public Works that the vote of December 17th be rescinded be approved and that the entire cost of the construction be charged to the Police Department. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask reported that Dir. Dale was very anxious that the bank officials be allowed to use the shooting range, but he did not agree with him. The Chairman told Mr. Trask that if he thought the bank officials should Use of not use the range, to say so in the rules and regulations, Shooting and then if the 'bank vfficidls did`went to use it, thEt Range. they could .00nbact"the Board of Selectmen. The Chairman suggested that the Supt. of Public Works be given full control of the shooting range until such time as the regulations have been submitted and approved. Mr. Giroux moved that the suggestion of the Chairman be adopted. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask reported that the American Legion Auxiliary Use of would like to use Cary Hall for the purpose of holding hall. a banquet, and wanted to know what the charge would be. Mr. Giroux moved that the American Legion Auxiliary be granted the use of Cary Hall for a banquet and that the charge be set at $15. for the evening. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Supt. of Public Works asked the Board what it thought of establishing a separate account which would be appropriated each year for resurfacing streets damaged by public utilities. He stated that if this were done, the Highway Maintenance Account would reflect only maintenance charges. The Chairman stated that New patching really was a construction charge and not a Account maintenance charge. When resurfacing work was done, suggested. it would be paid from this appropriation and when the Department was billed for the cost of the work, the bill would be paid, and the money would go into the Excess and Deficiency Account. Mr. Trask stated that while the Town was not in the private contracting business, occasionally they did do some work on private driveways and that when this was done it would be much better to charge the cost of it to the new account. It was the opinion of the Board that it would be best for the Town not to do any work on private property and it was decided to hold the matter over for discussion next week. Mr. Trask stated that the telephone bill for the Town Office Building had been steadily mounting despite the fact that separate telephones at the Public Works Building had been replaced with telephones which are 235 connected through the switchboard. He felt that inasmuch as the Water Dept. was a self-supporting department, it Telephone should pay its own telephone bill, and he thought that bills the W.P.A. office should pay its bills. Mr. Giroux moved that the Water Department and the W.P.A. office be charged for telephone calls. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask reported that Mr. Clark had called him and informed him that someone had driven over Somerset Damage to Park. Mr. Trask reported that an automobile owned by Somerset George E. Smith and operated by James Donnellan was Park. responsible for the damage. When asked about it, Donnellan stated that he realized his mistake when he got half way across the park, but drove -onto the park without thinking, because for so many years there had been a cross-over at this point opposite Franklin Road. Mr. Trask felt that it was entirely probable that Donnellan's statement was correct inasmuch as there was a new coat of snow on the ground. The report of the Supt. of Public Works for the week ending January 4th was received and approved. Report. Mr. Potter moved that the position of Health Officer and Town Physician be divided between two physicians and that Dr. Crumb be given consideration. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Mitchell discussed the case of Samuel A. Moretti, 447 Mass. Avenue who has a wife and one child. The first child was born at the Evangeline Booth Hospitalandas another child is expected soon, Mr. Moretti would like Moretti to send his wife to the same hospital. The charge for case. a two weeks ' case is a flat rate of $40.00. Dr. Hard- castle recommended that the woman be sent to the hospital inasmuch as there are no improvements in the house. Mr. Potter moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Mitchell discussed the case of Mrs. Margaret Ivusick and informed the Board that she was still ill and her child who was six or seven months old, developed Ivusick pneumonia on January 3rd and is now in the Waltham case. Hospital. Mr. Mitchell asked the approval of the Board for the hospitalization of the child. Mr. Potter moved that the approval be granted. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Mitchell discussed the case of Frank T. Neal of Winter Street who has been in the Waltham Hospital Neal for a couple of months and was ready to be discharged case a few days ago. Mr. Mitchell tried to make arrangements at the Somerville City Home for him, but on account of 236 1123 his heart, Mr. Neal cannot go up the stairs and the Home could not take him. He was admitted to the Malden Neal City Home last week. His son who lives in Reading, case. informed Mr. Mitchell yesterday that he was going to take his father to his home with the understanding that he will take care of him. Mr. Mitchell felt that the case should be closed. Mr. Giroux moved that the ease be closed. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Mitchell reported that Thomas F. Ryan of 41 Grant Street had applied for aid. He owns his house Ryan on Grant Street on which there is a mortgage of $3000. case. He is paying $12.50 per month on the principal and receives $27.00 per month for three rooms which he lets. He has a son working for Henry Jackson who pays $10. per week board and the gross income per week including the rent, is $29.50. Mr. Giroux moved that the matter be passed. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Mitchell discussed the case of Daniel McInnis who lives at Mrs. Glenn's house and pays $25.00 per McInnis month rent. McInnis has been ill and has been unable case to pay his rent . Mr. Mitchell asked that the Board authorize enough aid so that Mrs. Glenn could be paid and the family taken care of, and he recommended aid not to exceed $18.00 per week including fuel. Mr. ?otter moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Mitchell reported that Mr. Clark and he had investigated the following Old Age Assistance cases Old Age and the following aid was recommended: cases. Cornelius Murphy, 26 Oakland Avenue - 5.00 per week; Anna A. Hannaford, Middleby Road - 5.00 " Annie P. Mason, 47 Brandon Street - .00 " a Mr. Potter moved that the recommendations be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. The meeting adjourned at 10:55 P.M. A true record, Attest: Clerk. Mr. Mitchell discussed the case of Mrs. Raphael Laconte of Rindge Avenue who has been receiving $2. -Der week cash, plus fuel. Mrs. Laconte had been getting 20. per month rent but the property is now vacant and she is not getting any money. Mr. Mitchell recommended that the aid be increased in the amount of $2. per week. Mr. Potter moved that the recommendation be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted.