HomeMy WebLinkAbout1936-04-21SELECTMENIS MEETING
' APRIL 21, 1936,
A regular meeting of the Selectmen was held in the
Town Office Building, Selectmen's Room, at 7:30 P,X,
Chairman Ferguson, Messrs. Patter, GGiroux, :Clark an&Ross
pore present. The Clerk was also present.
The Building Inspector appeared before the Board
to discuss with the Board the statement made by Miss
Katherine Harrington that he had refused to grant her
a permit to build a garage under the house and told
her to put it in the rear of the property. Mr. Giroux
stated that Miss Harrington bad spoken to Mr. Maddison
who talked with Longbottom, and was advised that she coulU
have put the garage under her cellar. Miss Harrington
stated that it cost her $200, to excavate the bank and that
it would cost her $50.00 to fill .in the hole and to put -back
the stone wall. Mr. Longbottom said that Miss Harrington
had been wanting to put up a garage for two years but
could not decide where to put it. She talked with Mr.
Maddison, Willard Brown and various other people about Complaint
it. She requested him to go up there and advise her. of Miss
He told her that if it was his, he would put the garage Harrington
in the bank and he thought it would be cheaper even though re garage.
she did hit ledge. If she put the garage under the house
she would have to out into the bank, out through the
Nall, etc. She has never applied for a permit but had
a hearing on April 17, 1935, for permission to maintain
the garage which the Selectmen granted. This was for
a garage under the house. She has no permit at the
present time.
Mr. Giroux stated that Miss Harrington thought she
should be reimbursed as she was wrongly advised by a Town
Official. Mr. Longbottom stated again that he had never
refused to give her a permit to build the garage either
place.
Mr. Giroux suggested that Mr. Longbottom talk with
Miss Harrington and try to straighten the matter out
and advise her that if she is still dissatisfied, she
may appear before the Board. next Tuesday evening, and
Mr. Longbottom agreed to do this.
At 8:00 P.M. hearing was declared open on the
application of Alice E. & Louis C. Marietta for per- Marietta
mission to maintain a one car garage of metal construction Garage
at 32 Hillcrest Avenue. Mr. Marietta appeared and pres- Hearing,
ented plan of the proposed garage. No persons appeared
in opposition. Mr. Clark moved that the garage permit
be granted subject to the approval of the Building
' Inspector. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was
so voted*
440
C71
At 8.15 P.M., Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board
to discuss the purchase of a grader for the Highway
Department. Mr. Ross asked Paxton if it was a real
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necessity that the Highway Department purchase a grader
and Paxton stated that it was. Mr. Ross asked if he
could get along with a scraper and tow it around. Mr.
Paxton stated that he could not, that if they were to
put in all the streets by contract, perhaps they could.
Mr. Ross asked him if he had his choice between a grader
and a five ton truck which he would choose, and Mr.
Paxton replied that he would choose the grader. Mr.
Paxton stated that he had to do construction work on
Fust Street, Westminster Ave., Middle Street, Lincoln
Street, Spring.Street, Chapter 90 work and the Betterment
Streets. Mr. Giroux asked Paxton how many days he
thought he might use such a machine this year. He replied
that he would use it approximately 20 days a month for
about eight months and it would cost about $15. a -lay
to rent a machine. Mr. Ross asked if he would prefer
that machine to,a six or seven ton roller equipped with
a scarifier and he stated that he would. Mr. Potter
inquired what the life of the machine would be with a
"fair break". Paxton replied that Lowell had a.machine
for. 8 years and we have had our old one for 7years, -
Mr. Clark asked if he had tried out all of these machines
and he replied that he had tried the Warco and Galion, the
Austin -Western and the Caterpillar. Mr. Paxton stated
that he did not care .for mechanical control such as the
'
Adams has. Mr. Giroux asked if one would not be bound
to have a lot of trouble if he depended on tubes on
account of the vibrating, etc. and Mr. Paxton said that
he did not think so. Mr. Giroux said that in his
experiences with machine guns and airplanes, he found
that the pressure carried through the tubes caused a
lot of trouble. Mr. Paxton stated that he had no fear
of hydraulic control such as the Austin -Western has and
the blade seems to operate at the same speed as the other.
Mr. Ross stated that James Robertson handled the Cater-
pillar and Eugene Swenson would get the commission if an
Adams were purchased. Mr. Paxton said that excellent
service is received on the International and could have
the power increased if desired*, The Galion guarantees
24 hour service on their -case parts. Mr. Giroux asked
Paxton which machine he preferred. He said that he
would recommend a rear control machine for the Town and
would buy an Austin -Western if he were buying it. The
cost of this machine is $4400, complete, delivered in
Lexington. It is a rear controlled, hydraulic equipped
machine with a scarifier. Paxton stated that the Sterling
Truck factory maintains that they can give excellent
service on small parts but would have to send to Harvey,
Ill. by telephone for large parts and would have them
sent out by air mail. He thought service very important
'
but that the Town "would not need very many parts for at
least three years. He said that the salesman for the
441
Purchase
of
Highway
Grader.
Adams grader informed him that he would have a grader
in Albany soon and Paxton told him that he would be glad
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to go out there to see it. This is a new machine which
the company has been working on for two and a half years
and in that time only three machines have been put out.
Paxton stated that the main objection to the Caterpillar
was the chain drive used., iri oil. Paxton stated that
of all the companies concerned, he would prefer to do
business with the Good Roads Machinery Co., manufacturers
of the Austin -Western. Mr. Clark asked just what the
trouble was with the Caterpillar and Mr. Paxton stated
that it was a mechanical machine and one cannot see the
blade while he is sitting down and onehas to sit down
to work the machine. He said that both of his operators
liked the Austin -Western machine best and he recommenddd
that if this were purchased, that factory delivery be
fiequested. Mr. Ross asked what make of tire this machine
was equipped with and he replied that he did not know
but that they were 40 x 8 tires. Mr. Clark asked if the
machine had a year's guaranty, and Pur. Paxton said that
he had not checked it but he thought so. He saidt;that
the Galion Co. guarantees everything. They have done a
great deal of business in the West and are now trying to
push their product here in the East. Paxton felt that
this grader would be very valuable in the winter for snow
work when a "U" type plow could be attached. Mr. Ross
said that he thought the Board would be criticised for
not purchasing the grader from a local salesman. Mr.
Paxton stated that he had already told Swenson and
Robertson the machine he preferred.
Two representatives of the Galion Co. appeared
before the Board. One man said that he had offered two
machines the I-30 whi h s been u here around two months
and vin a ratite� o a ho aepower and rwQ weeks`pgrgo
�� 5 -increase
5•Iu ins Ytminuv e. He s a�iPc hat'tie could
the horsepower so that one could get either 66 or 80
horsepower. The slower the motor the longer the life
of the machine. He said that he had permission tothrow
in a ##6 maintainer and he thought that he had given
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the Town a very good price. They have a "" type
scarifier which only one other dealer has and it was
shown for the first time at the Road Show, Mr. Clark
asked what neighboring towns bad his machine. Chelmsford
has one, Lowell bought one eight or nine years ago and
two gears ago purchased three more. Coleman Bros. used
their machine on the Worcester Turnpike. Pandolf, the
contractor, has one. The Lane Construction Co. in
Connecticut has 12 and the State of Connecticut has 200.
The drive in the rear consists of five gears and there
has been some talk that the teeth might break off but the
company guaranties the life of thehydraulia system.
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Mr. Clark asked where the service station was and he
replied that it was at 15 No, Beacon Street, Watertown,
and they retired.
Mr. Giroux moved that the Board approve the purchase
of an Austin -Western machine, #SR -77, at a cost of $4400.
441
Purchase
of
Highway
Grader.
442
Mr, Rowee:
Welf are
Situat ion,
complete, direct delivery from the factory to Lexington
with the understanding that the company was to furnish a
grader until delivery of the new one. Mr. Potter
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Rowse, Chairman of the Appropriation Committee,
appeared before the Board and stated that he wanted to
explain the reason that their Committee was checking
up on the vouchers each month as one member had stated
that he had an idea that there was a feeling that the
Appropriation Committee was trying to cause trouble. He
stated that they were merely going to check the vouchers
and bring any questionable things to the attention of
the Board.
He wondered if something could not be done about
the Welfare Department, not to cut down in cash, but for
instanbey tbr,require each recipient to plant his own
vegetable garddn as a requisite to get money. He
thought that the people receiving aid should be willing
to do a little something for the money they received.
Mr. Giroux stated that it would have to be limited,
as a person who had no land or a widow with children,
could not do it. Mr. Rowse stated that he knew there was
a limit to every rule-. He stated that he thought the
Welfare situation was becoming very serious and thought
that this might be a step in the right direction. He
thought that if somebody took an interest in the welfare
people and got them to do something for themselves,
it would build up their pride. Mr. Clark asked if the
people were not living where they could farm, if he
would suggest supplying property from some which the Town
owned.
The Chairman stated that there were very few people
on Welfare who were physically fit to farm as all the
able-bodied workers were on the W.P.A. He did not
believe that the Welfare recipients could be compelled
to have a garden as the Law stated that the People
must be fed and housed. The Chairman stated that a
Committee had been appointed to study the Welfare sit-
uation but that no report had been received.
Ross asked if Mr. Rowse would suggest plowing
the Town farm and allocating plots to the different
people. Mr. Potter stated that Waltham tried this plan
and supplied the seed, The Chairman thought that the
State could handle such a plan better than the towns.
He said that it would be necessary to supply seed and
fertilizer, plow the land and have someone check up on
the people and supply Police protection, etc. He
thought it would be better if the Town plowed a piece
of land, took the ones who could farm from the Welfare
Department and had them work it and then give away the
vegetables to the Welfare recipients.
Mr. Giroux suggested that the Committee to
investigate the Welfare situation be advised of Mr.
Rowse's suggestion.
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At 8:30 P.M., the Chief of Police appeared before
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the Board. The Chairman told him that he had been
invited to appear before the Board to talk over the Police
situation. He said that previous to the Chief's going
on the leave of absence, therd was considerable criticism
from the citizens on the lack of enforcement of the Parking
Regulations and the speeding, and the Board had attempted
to see that something was done about it. He said that
during the Chief's absence there was quite a lot of{-tulk
about the enforcement of the regulations and since his
return there had been some rumors that he had issued
orders that there should be no more tagging in the center
of the Totem.
The Chief said that this was not so and that the
Parking Regulations were not being enforced to satisfy
the citizens of the Town but to put something over on him.
He stated that the Police once tagged cars in the center
but did not tag them with three feet of snow on the ground
when they could not get near the curb. He felt that the
enforcement of the parking and speed regulations
immediately after his leave of absence began was a lot
of grandstand play. The Chief stated that the wag the
Acting Chief had officiated was merely grandstand play
and he did not feel that he was alone in the matter.
The Chief said that he could enforce parking regulations
and that three years ago when he was ordered to do so by
the Board, he had a drive on speeding in East Lexington,
He did not believe in tagging 40 people and putting in
only ten of the tickets. Mr. Giroux stated that when the
enforcement of the ]a ws on parking and speeding went
into ei'fect, all of the members of the Board agreed to 740110e
do nothing to try and "fix it up". He stated that he Department*
since had.heard a great deal of complaint about speeding
and he felt that the only way to stop it was to be
drastic. Mr. Giroux's sister was arrested, but he did
not try to "fix it up". He stated that there had been
a great deal of speeding by his house. Chief Sullivan
stated that he could not convict a man for speeding down
Concord Hill as in a case like this you have to show
condition such as houses being on either side of the
street, etc., and there are fields on either side of
this street. The Chief stated that he gave orders to-
night at 5:45 to start in immediately to check on all
speeding.
Mr. Giroux asked if it was the Law that the Supt.
of Public Works shall be over the Police Department. The
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Chairman stated that it was up to the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Giroux asked the Chief if he would prefer to deal
with the Supt. of Public Works or direct with the Board
of Sete etmen, and he replied that he would Lr efer to
deal with the Board of Selectmen and he thought that
he should be given the privilege of spending his own
'
appropriation. He thought that a citizen should not
be telling a Policeman how to run his Department. The
Chairman stated that the reason the purchasing was
allocated to the Supt. of Public Works was that he was
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in Town all the time and that he, the Chairman, was apt
to be out of town two or three days at a time. ,
Mr. .Giroux stated that there had been complaints
and he thought that the Chief should be told so frankly
and snap the Department up to where it ought to be.
In the last year and a half or so, the Chief has not
been able to take care of it on account of his health,
The Chairman stated that with the Board of Selectmen
changing every year or two you get a change of ideas
and of opinion and with the Supt. of Public 'Works.. you
have the same man for 'yea rs on and. Mr. Giroux thought
that the change of the Board might be a good thing as
a new member would get the trend of feeling of the towns-
people. He suggested that the Chief deal directly with
the Board and that he come before them when he had ai*-
thing to talk over or when the Board wanted to talk to
him.
Mr, Ross asked the Chief if for a time he had
appeared before the Board each Tuesday evening, and he
replied in the negative but said that he would be glad
to do so.
Mr. Ross asked himifhe would give the reasons for
the shifts that he had made. The Chief replied that he
had put Sergeant Rycroft on the last half and Buckley
on the first half at night and that he changed them all
around. Some of the men had asked to be changed,
Mr. Ross asked if he felt that Rycroft was of more benefit
to him on the last half than during the day. The Chief
replied that he was taking over the Department to run
and was not turning it over to anybody else. He sdid
that Ryerof t had been on the force for nine years and
Buckley has been on for twenty-seven years, The Chair-
man asked him who was going to handle the Court work
inasmuch as Rycroft had done it for one and a half years,
The Chief replied that he felt capable of doing the Court
work now. Mr. Clark asked if Rycroft had done a good job.
The Chief replied that he had done very well and that he
was a smart fellow, Mr. Clark asked him when he was going
to get after the speeding and he stated that he was going
to start tomorrow. Mr, Clark asked the Chief if he had
the impression that a great many of the tags were torn
up during the drive, and he replied in the negative..
The Chief then retired,
The Hibbert Street order was signed as follows:
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss. Town of Lexington.
At a meeting of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of
Lexington held on the 21st day of April, 1936, it is
ORDERED: Whereas the Board of Selectmen of the town
of Lexington, having determined and adjudged that common
convenience and necessity require that a town way be'
laid out in the location hereinafter described and having
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complied with the requirements of law relating to notice,
did on the 3rd day of March, 1936, lay out as a Town way
' the way known as Hibbert Street, from Massachusetts
Avenue southwesterly a distance of approximately 230
feet, accordingly and duly filed their report of such
laying oft with the boundaries and the measurements of
the same in the office of the Town Clerk on the 10th day
of March, 1936, and whereas at a town meeting duly called
warned and held on the 16th day of March, 1936, and
adjourned to the 23rd day of March, 1936, in accordance
with the provisions of law applicable thereto, it was
VOTED: That the town accept the layout as a Town
wary of Hibbert Street, from Massachusetts Ave. southwest-
erly, a distance of approximately 230 feet, as laid out
by', -the Selectmen, under the Betterment Act, and shown
upon a plan on file in the office of the Town Clerk,
dated February 10, 1936, and to take by eminent domain
the necessary easement therefor, and for the purpose of
constructing said street the sum of $2,000. be appropriated
and assessed.
NOW, THEREFOR, we the undersigned, being a majority
of the Board of Selectmen of the s aid . Town of Lexington,
duly elected, qualified and acting as such, do hereby
under and by virtue of the provisions of Chapter 79 of
the General Laws and of any and every other power and
' authority us hereto in any way enabling, take the right
or easement to use for all the purposes of a town way
for the use of said town'of Lexington, the land in said
town bbmnded and described as follows:
The 'westerly line of Hibbert Street begins at a
point in the southerly line of Massachusetts Avenue, said
point being easterly and distant 253.65 feet from the
point of curvature of a curve of 1337.53 feet radius in
*aid southerly line of Massachusetts Avenue, thence
S 140 511 39" W distant 267.74 feet to a point on the
Arlington -Lexington town line.
The easterly line of Hibbert Street begins at a
point in the southerly line of Massachusetts Avenue,
thence.S 140 51, 39" W distant 180.31 feet to a point
on the Arlington -Lexington town line.
The above described lines are"parallel with and
distant 40.00 feet from each other.
The above description is intended to conform: to
a plan entitled "Flan of Hibbert Street; Lexington,"
Mass., Scale 1 inch - 40 ft., -Feb. 15, 1936, Sohn T.
Cosgrove, Town Engineer", which plan is on file in the
' Town Clerkts Office in said Lexington and a copy of
which will be recorded with the Middlesex South District
Registry of Deeds with a copy of this order.
go
Hibbert
Street
Order.
446 01
All tress, if any,, -upon the land taken are
included in this taking.
Betterments are to be assessddrf 6rLthis improvement.
The area which it is expected will receive benefit
or advantage other than the general advantage to the
community from such improvement is described as follows.-
The
ollows:
The same being lands now or formerly of Annie
Bornstein, Esther Berman, Hugh Wyllie and Anna Hellman,
as shown on a plan entitled, "Plan of Hibbert Street,
Lexington, Mass., Scale 1 inch - 40 ft., Feb. 75 , 1936,
John T. Cosgrove, Town 'Engineer".
The said area comprises the several lots shown
upon the plan hereinbefore referred to, which are des-
ignated in the schedule hereto annexed and made a part
hereof.
We estimate the betterments that will be assdssed
upon each parcel of land to be as shown in the schedule
which is hereto annexed and madd a part hereof.
We determine that no damages have been sustained
and none are awarded.
WITNESS our hands at Lexington aforesaid this '
twenty-first day of April, 1936,
Charles E. Ferguson Selectmen
Albert A,'Ross of the
William G. Potter Town of
Philip M. Clark Lexington
Archibald R. Giroux,
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss. Lexington, Mass. Apr.21,19 36.
Then personally appeared the above named Charles Be
Ferguson, William G, Potter, Archibald R. Giroux, Philip
M. Clark and Albert A. Ross and severally acknowledged
the foregoing instrument and statement by them subscribed
to be their free act and deed and the free act and deed
of the Board of Selectmen and Public Works of the Townof
Lexington, before me,
James J. Carroll,
Notary Public,
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SCHEDULEOF ESTIMATED BETTERMENTS
REFERRED TO IN THE FOREGOING ORDMR.
HIBBERT STREET.
Owner as of Jan. 1, 1936
Annie Bornstein
Annie Bornstein
Annie Bornstein
Hugh Wyllie
Anna Hellman
Anna Hellman
Esther Berman
Esther Berman
Reg.Land Cert.20499
Approximate
Assessment.
$249.70
231:20
231:20
231.20
231:20
144: 50
249;70
412.52
Dir. Ross moved that the Supt. of Public Works, the
Supt. of the Hig1way Division and the Town Engineer be Hibbert
advised that no work was to be started on Hibbert Street Street.
until such time as Arlington starts construction. Mr.
Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted.
The Chairman stated that he bad talked with the
Chairman of the Appropriation Committee about the bill
for the bit grinder and John Moakley's bill for electrical
work at the Public Works Department, and they agreed
that the bills should be paid and a transfer requested
later on if needed.
Mr. Ross moved that John Moakley's bill in the amount
of $372.17 and the Public Works Supply Co. bill in the
amount of $450.00 be paid from the Public Works Building,
Operation, Account,
The Chairman stated that last week the Board had
voted to charge Partridges' bill of $20.65 for furnishing
food to the Election Officers to the Unclassified Account
and that there was no doubt that this should be paid from
the Elections and Registrations Account and that the
Board should approve it inasmuch as the Selectmen control
elections.
Mr. Giroux moved that the vote of last week approving
payment of the bill from the Unclassified Account be
rescinded and that the bill be paid from the Elections
and Registrations Account, it being regarded as extra
compensation for the Election Officers. Mr. Clark
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from the Town Counsel with
reference to the Neil H. Borden water guaranty. He had
been delayed in this because he had difficulty in
locating the deed and suggested that in the future the
Board furnishhim with the title reference from the
Assessor's records when information from the Registry was
wanted. Mr. Borden acquired his title by two deeds and
the title has now been registered by the Land Court.
Bills for
bit grinder
and elec-
trical wort
Bill for
food for
Election
Officers.
Borden
water
guaranty,
Hat eh
claims.
There was nothing in either of the deeds or the
certificate of title which obligates him to pay the
personal obligation of Fitzpatrick on a Water Guaranty
Bond. When money is paid by mistake and an effort is
made to recover, the Courts make a distinction between
a mistake of Law and a mistake of fact, allowing
reeovery in the latter ease only. Since the Town
sent bills to Borden claiming that he owed the Town
money, .which he paid, Mr. Wrightington thought it fair
to treat the payment as being made under mistake of fact
and to'refund the money and to seek the remedy from
Fitzpatrick. Mr. Giroux moved that the totalamount
paid by Reil H. Borden on the Fitzpatrick water guaranty
for Watertown Street be refunded, the money to be paid
from the Water Dept. Available Surplus Account. Mr. Ross
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from the Tax Collector stating
that Mrs. Mary D. Hatch of 33 Watertown Street claimed
that because the Town held up payment of land damages,
interest in the amount of $9.38 accummulated on her real
estate tax. She also claimed that the men have used
the water at her house during the time work has been
in progress on Clematis Brook and that considerable wood
has been taken from the property. Mr. Scamman stated
that if the Board saw fit to authorize the Assessors to
abate the amount of interest on the tax, he thought
that it would be justified in doing so if the claims
were true. He suggested that if the Board did not wish
to abate the interest charge against the property, a
charge against the Clematis Brook construction of $9.38
bould be made out and that amount then ored.ited on the
interest charge.
Mr. Potter moved that the matter of using the water
and wood be referred to the Supt. of Public Works for
investigation and: report and that no action be taken
on the matter of abatement of interest on the real estate
tax. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted,
Letter was received from Joseph Fine stating that
he had filed on behalf of Toros H. Bashian, a petition
Bashian for probate of the will of Bedros H. Bashian. He
will, enclosed a copy of citation relating to it as the Town
was named as one of the legatees under the will. Mr.
Potter moved that the matter be turned over to the Town
Counsel, Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee
Tower advising that that Board had voted to make the sum of
Road $445.00 available from the Reserve Fund for Highway
Construction, Tower Road, and to allow the money to be
transferred as needed.
Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee
asking why the expenditure of $377, for the purchase of
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a Ford dhassis from Calvin W. Childs was not included
in the dater Maintenance budget for 1936. The Chairman
stated tAat J)e t4pdglit the need for a new chassis was
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not discovered until after the budget had been made up,
and asked Mr. Ross what he knew about it. Mr. Ross re-
plied that he made up the budget for 1936 and did not
include this item. Someone made the mistake of hawing
special wheels made and putting tires on 'them and putting
Purchase
them on the chassis on which the compressor was mounted*
of new
This cost $94. and it was decided to change the compressor
chassis,
to the chassis purchased from Childs. He thought that
the Highway Dept, should reimburse the Water Dept. for
the money expended. The Chairman stated that as he _
recalled it, the Supt. of Public Works advised the'Board
that the Water Dept. would have to spend a lot of money
fixing up the old true and thought that the purchase of
a new chassis was an emergency.
Mr. Giroux moved that the matter be referred to the
Supt. of Public Works for report. Mr. Potter seconded
the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from the Appropriation Committee
with reference to the purchase of snowshoes and sandals
by the Engineering Dept. at an expense of $27.60. That
Snowshoes
Committee wished to be advised of the use made of the
for
snowshoes and sandals. Mr. Giroux moved that the matter
EngineerinE
be referred to the Supt. of Public Works for investigation
Dept*
and report. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so
voted.
Letter was received f rom the Appropriation Committee
stating that the purchase orders issued by the Supt. of
Public Works did not contain sufficient detail as to
total costs, per unit costs, or quantity involved. That
Committee called the Board's attention to the fest that
tires had been purchased, purchases have been made from Purchase
the Middlesex County Farm Bureau, and purchases have been Orders,
made of many minor items without having the prices given
on the purchase orders. The Appropriation Committee
noted that sand and gravel was sometimes purchased by
the. yard and mcr a often by the ton and that in this connection
purchase orders are not given until the job was complete.
They asked if any method was used to check the amount of
sand which the Town received and whether there was an
allowance fort -moisture where sand was purchased by the ton.
Mr. Giroux moved that the matter be Deferred to the
Supt. of Public Works for investigation and report. Mr.
Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from the Lexington Trust Co.
stating that it was agreeable to paying $222.50 for its
proportionate share of constructing Tower Road in front
' of the house owned by the Bank. The Bank would be
pleased to forward its check when desired.
The Clerk was instructed to advise the Trust Co.
when work was started to that the check might be mailed.
Tower Road
450
Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works
01
Toole
W.P.A. project was broken and about $40, worth of tools
stolen on
were stolen, most of which belonged to one carpenter and
'W.P.A,
one mason employed on the project. Mr. Trask stated
� Projest,
that he did not think the owners of the se tools should
be made to stand the loss but he was not sure the
Oil
Letter was
received from John T. Cosgrove agreeing
replaced at the expense of the Town. The Chairman
Tower
to pay the sum
of $222.50 for the additional improvement
men and tools are stolen, it is the practice7:for the
Road.
of Tower Road.
He requested that the Board allow him
'
the tools be replaced at the Town's expense. Mr.
until May 21st
to make this payment in full. Mr. Ross
'
moved that Mr.
Cosgrove's request be granted. Mr. Potter
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from the Supt. of Parks
Playground suggesting that a questionnaire be sent to the applicants
positions* for playground positions. Mr. Clark moved.that the
questionnaire submitted be approved and forwarded to the
applicants. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was
so voted,
The Chairman stated that he had received a request
Use of from the Lexington Field and Garden Club for permission
Cary Hall* to use Cary Memorial Hall.on June 9th and 10th for the
purpose of holding a flower show. Mr. Giroux moved
that the request be granted. Mr. Potter seconded the
motion and it was so voted,
Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works
stating that in' -his opinion the cost tothe town in
allowing the Lexington Taxpayers Assoc. to use one of
the small conference rooms in Cary Memorial Hall would
be neglligable. He stated that when it was necessary
to heat the room over the one occupied by the Welfare
Use of room Dept., it could be heated at no extra coat as it is on '
in Cary Hall,the same circuit as the Town Office Building. The.cost
for lighting would be only a few cents each night. The
only question would be in regard to the establishing of
a precedent which might involve a great deal of similar
requests and would be a hardship on the janitors who
are already very much over-worked nights.
Mr. Potter moved that the Lexington Taxpayers Assoc.
be allowed to use one of the small conference rooms in
Cary MemorialHall the third Monday of each month and
oftener if desired, at no charge. Mr. Giroux seconded
the motion and it was so voted,
Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works
advising that during the week -end, the tool box on the
Toole
W.P.A. project was broken and about $40, worth of tools
stolen on
were stolen, most of which belonged to one carpenter and
'W.P.A,
one mason employed on the project. Mr. Trask stated
� Projest,
that he did not think the owners of the se tools should
be made to stand the loss but he was not sure the
Town was responsible for them. He requested that he be
advised if it was the Board's desire that the tools be
replaced at the expense of the Town. The Chairman
stated that if a contractor provided a locker for the
men and tools are stolen, it is the practice7:for the
contractor to replace them.. Mr. Potter moved that
'
the tools be replaced at the Town's expense. Mr.
Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted.
1
1
1
The report of the Supt. of Public Works for the
week ending April 18th was received.
451
Report.
Letter was'received from J. E. Hoover of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation stating that he would be g]a d to Police
furnish the Board with a copy of a guide for preparing Reports.
annual Police Reports if desired. No action was taken
on the matter.
Letter was received from Rev. Crawford 0. Smith
thanking the Board for the use of Cary Memorial Hall for
the patriotic meeting held Rai Sunday, April 19th.
Letter was received from Frederick W. Mansfield,
Mayor of Boston, stating that that city wished to join
with the Town in commemorating the 161st anniversary of
the historical ride of Paul Revere.
Notice was received from George W. Taylor & Son
to the effect that a fire insurance policy in the amount
of $5000. under blanket schedule expired on May 4th.
Mr. Potter moved that the policy be rexmwed through the
same office. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so
voted.
Notice was received from Jasper A. Lane to the
effect that 'a fire insurance policy under blanket
sebedule in the amount of $5000, expired on May 3rd. Mr.
Clark moved that the insurance be renewed through the
office of Richard Sherburne and then withdrew his motion.
Mr. Potter moved that the policy be renewed through the
office of Jasper A. Lane, Mr. Ross seconded the motion
and it was so voted.
The Chairman informed the Board that the Clerk had
sent two children living at 52 Percy Road to the
Contagious hospital as they were ill with Scarlet Fever
and there were several children boarding in the house.
He stated that the Statute compels the Board of Health
to provide a proper place to house contagious diseases.
It was up to .the Board to use its judgment in sending
these people to the hospital and if a person were able
to, the Board could compel him to assume the expense.
Letter was received from Everett S. Emery stating
that a survey had already been made by the S.R:A. State
authorities with regard to the minimizing of then mosquito
pest menace at the Winning Farm. A blue print of the
engineers' estimate of what should be done to remedy
the trouble was left with the Selectmen last summer.
He thought that there should not be any need of a further
survey of the matter but that it should be merely a
question of whether the necessary authorities would
approve bhe project. He asked if there was any other
organization than the W.P.A. that might have funds and
be authorized to do this work.
The Chairman stated that the Supt. of Public Works
thought that the Board would be criticised for doing work
Letter of
thanks
Letter re
April 19
Insurance
Board of
Health
cases.
Mosquito
Pest
Menace.
452 CYI
in this section and not doing the same in other parts
of the Town. Mr, Giroux suggested that the Chairman '
write Mr. Emerg to clarify the situation.
The Welfare Agent reported that he had received
an application for aid from Waldo A. Bowen of 10 Vine
Street who has a wife and four children. The man has '
Bowen contacts where he might get work but has nothing now.
case. The Welfare Agent asked approval for $14.00 worth of
groceries already furnished and recommended aid not
to exceed $15, per week. The State.Viedtor has
already visited the family. Mr. Potter moved that the
recommendation be approved. Mr. Clark seconded tYe
motion and it was so voted,
The Welfare Agent discussed the case of William
G. Wright, wife and three children, of 26 Butler Avenue,
a Lexington settled case, On April 13th, Dr. Hardeastle
Wright sent Mrs, Wright, who expects another child, to the
casee hospital and she was there for five days. He thought
that she w as going to die as she was having convulsions.
Mr, Mitchell asked the Boards approval of the
hospitalization. Mr, Clark moved that the approval
be granted. Mr, Potter seconded the motion and it was
so voted.
The Welfare.Agent discussed the case of the
Mercadantes on Lowell Street. Mrs. Mereadante has been
operated on and is in the Waltham Hospital. Mr.
Mereadante, the father of Anthony, is in the Wd. tham
Mercadante Hospital in a very bad condition with cancer of the '
case. tongue. Mr. Mitchell has sent an application to Pond
ville and asked the Boardts approval for the hospitalisa-
tion at Waltham, Mr, Clark, moved that the approval be
granted. Mr, Potter seconded the motion and it was so
voted,
.Upon motion of Mr, Clark, seconded by Mr. Giroux,
the following licenses were granted:
Licenses
John S. Leary - 45 Waltham Street - Public Carriage
Walter J. Rose - 6 Tewksbury St, -
William G. Potter- Walnut Street . Trans.of Garbage
M, Fitzpatrick & Son -'Cambridge
John A. Janse, - Newton"Center -
k.
William-Viano - 1994 Mass. Ave. - Theatre (3 mos,)
Mr. Potter stated that Miss Newell had asked him
if the Committee on the beautification of Depot Park
might use a room in the Town Office Building on Friday
Committee
evening neat and if there was any money available that
.on Depot
could be used in the starting of the work on the Park..
Park.
Mr. Giroux moved that the Committee be allowed to -.,use
the Selectmen's Room. Mr. Clark seconded the motion
and it was so voted,
No action was taken on the request for money as
there was no account from which the money might be.taken,
The Welfare Agent reported that he had received
an application for aid from Waldo A. Bowen of 10 Vine
Street who has a wife and four children. The man has '
Bowen contacts where he might get work but has nothing now.
case. The Welfare Agent asked approval for $14.00 worth of
groceries already furnished and recommended aid not
to exceed $15, per week. The State.Viedtor has
already visited the family. Mr. Potter moved that the
recommendation be approved. Mr. Clark seconded tYe
motion and it was so voted,
The Welfare Agent discussed the case of William
G. Wright, wife and three children, of 26 Butler Avenue,
a Lexington settled case, On April 13th, Dr. Hardeastle
Wright sent Mrs, Wright, who expects another child, to the
casee hospital and she was there for five days. He thought
that she w as going to die as she was having convulsions.
Mr, Mitchell asked the Boards approval of the
hospitalization. Mr, Clark moved that the approval
be granted. Mr, Potter seconded the motion and it was
so voted.
The Welfare.Agent discussed the case of the
Mercadantes on Lowell Street. Mrs. Mereadante has been
operated on and is in the Waltham Hospital. Mr.
Mereadante, the father of Anthony, is in the Wd. tham
Mercadante Hospital in a very bad condition with cancer of the '
case. tongue. Mr. Mitchell has sent an application to Pond
ville and asked the Boardts approval for the hospitalisa-
tion at Waltham, Mr, Clark, moved that the approval be
granted. Mr, Potter seconded the motion and it was so
voted,
The Welfare Agent discussed the case of A. Rodofsky,
32 Clelland Road. This man was a tailor. He has two
boys, one who is serving in New York as an interne receiving
board and room but no money. The other boy is being
eucated from the Cary Educational Fund. Five or six years
ago one of the children was killed in an automobile accident
and since that time, Mrs. Rodofsky has been mentally
deficient. The house is mortgaged for only $600. but is
owned jointly. The taxes and interest are probably less
than $10. per month. Mr. Mitchell asked approval of
temporary aid not to exceed $10. per week. Mr. Potter
moved that the approval be granted. Mr. Clarkoseconded
the motion and it was so voted.
Im
Rodofsky
case.
Mr. Clark stated that he had received a letter from
Edward L. Kelley stating that his mother had had another Kelley
shock and that his sister Mary was unable to take care of casee
her and he wondered if the Town might hospitalize her. The
matter was turned over to Mr. Mitchell for investigation
and report.
Mr. Mitchell stated that he had been using his car
all day for some time and he asked that the Board consider
reimbursing him for it. Mr. Clark asked him about how
many miles a day he drove the car and he stated that he did
not know. He checked it one day when they were especially
' busy and found that he had gone about thirty miles. Mr.
Clark suggested that he make a test of one week and report
his mileage and he stated that he would do this. Mr.
Potter asked Mr. Mitchell what he thought a fair allowance
would be and he said that he thought an'allowance the same
as the Building Inspector receives, that is $100* per year,
would be satisfactory. Mr. Mitchell will report on the
matter next Tuesday.
The meeting adjourned at 11:10 P.M.
A true record, Attest:
`- C rk
Use of
car by
Welfare
Agent.