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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1936-05-05468 al oil SELECTMEN'S MEET-ING MAY 51 1936. ' A regular meeting of the Board of.Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Ferguson, Messrs. Potter, Giroux, Clark and Ross were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. Trask stated that the material being excavated from Tower Road was being used to cover the dump at Dumps. Pleasant Street and that a fence was going to be erected across the front of the dump so that there would be no more dumping on the property. Mr. Trask stated that he did not know where the Town might find a new dump, that all it had now was the one on Lincoln Street and the one at the Public Works Building. Mr. Trask reported with regard to the traffic Lights at lights at Pleasant Street, and stated that the State Pleasant Dept: of Public Works would not put in anything but Street. the same type of light as we have every place else, that is either blinkers or trip lights. The State feels that it is best to leave the lights as they are now until the street is completed. Letter was received from Mr. A. B. Tenney calling the Board's attention to the traffic signals at the ' intersection of Watertown Street and the Concord Turnpike. Mr. Tenney said that two or three times there had almost been serious accidents due to the fact that the lights on either side of the State Road on Lights at Watertown Street are in synchronism so that when a car Watertown approaches Lexington at the same time one is driving Street. toward Boston on the green lights which operate simultaneously, the car going toward Boston is making 'the a left hand turn onto State Road is very apt to be in collision with the car coming from Belmont. He thought that either of the two signals should be delayed. Mr. Clark stated that the timing of the light at Watertown Street had been changed and he t hoigght that they now operated too slowly. Mr. Trask stated that he would check up with the State to see what they could do about the matter. Mr. Trask stated that the minimizing of the mosquito pest menace at the Winning Farm could be done Mosquito as a State project. The present District Engineer who menace at has Lexington territory, has found that there are some Winning Farm.State Funds left over from last Fall that can be used ' for such projects. Mr. Trask said that it was a question of how much of a project the Board wanted to make of it. He said it was a question of draining a ' small swamp of about one-half an acre. The reason this swamp does not drain is that the owners have built a country road across it and the water cannot drain. A culvert could be laid or a ditch could be cut through the road. Such a project would cost about $1000. but if the whole area was to be drained, it would cost about The Chairman read a letter received from Mr. Everett S. Emery stating that the managers of the Winning Farm thought it would not be necessary to drain the whole area and that if a portion of the project were completed, it would be satisfactory. The Chairman stated that he thought it would be a good idea to drain the small portion and if requests were received from other parts of the Town, the Board could see what might be done about them. Mr. Trask stated that the town would haue,to con- tribute the materials and suggested that the Winning Farm might be willing to furnish them. The Chairman suggested that Mr. Trask get in touch with Mr. Emery to see if the Trustees would furnish the materials and tools. Mr. Giroux moved that the Board approve the drain- age of the small portion of the Farm, provided the Trustees of the Winning Farm furnish the materials and ' tools. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Giroux said that other people might apply for like projects and if they did, they could be advised that the Town would be glad to submit them to the State if they would be willing to furnish the materials. Letter was received from Miss Julia Syer of Wood Street stating that Mr. Paxton had succeded in diverting the water before it could reach her driveway so no further damage could result. She said that there was an embankment in front of a retaining wall that had been badly washed out and she requested tIm t the Board authorize Mr. Paxton to have this filled in and topped with loam. Mr. Trask stated that the Town had given her a semi- circular driveway and had reseeded the lawn. What Syer she wants now is for the Town to do down into the Complaint back yard and do the same thing there. The Chairman asked if what she was asking for in the back was due to the water from Wood Street. Mr. Trask said that the water always came down onto her property from Wood Street. He thought that the Town had done everything that she could possibly expect and that the place was in better condition now than before the construction of the street. Mr. Ross moved that Miss Syer be advised that the Supt. of Public Works had ififormed the Board that her property was in better condition now t -ban before the construction of the street and that he recommended that no further work be done. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. 1470 Mr. Trask submitted a letter rdeeived from Edith Nourse Rogers stating that the Lincoln Street drainage Lincoln project was delayed in the office of the Comptroller Street General. She was to have information in two or three project, days that it had been approved and when she had this, would wire Mr. Trask, Mr. Giroux moved that a copy of the letter be sent to the local paper. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. she u Mr. Trask stated that he thought a street light was not needed on Ames Avenue, that the only place one Street could be placed was on a pole which would lilght only Lights, a swampy area. Mr. Clark asked him if he thought that Ames Ave. a light was imperative and he replied that he did not and that the street was a private way and that it would not do the neighbors any good. Mr. Ross moved that the Liberty Heights Community Club be advised that the Supt. of Public. Works had reported that street lights were not needed on the street. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Trask stated that the Town was getting in pretty deep with regard to the expense of constructing Farm Crest Avenue and Kendall Road and that the side- walks were going to cost $1500. The Chairman stated that the Clerk had talked to Mr. Wrightington relative to building a wall for Mr. Farm Crest Hunt on Farm Crest Avenue. Mr. Wrightington said that inasmuch as betterments had been assessed it was a Kendalland. question of the relative w lue of the betterment and damages. the damage. He thought that there was probably no doubt that there w as a definite claim for damages as a result of the elevation of the road and the elevation was the element to take into account. Mr. Hunt might refuse to pay his assessment on the grounds that his property was damaged and not bettered, He thought that the Town had better build the. wall as it probably would be cheaper. Before doing this, however, it would be necessary to get figures on the cost and to get a release of all damages and an agreement to pay the betterment. The Board should look over the roads and determine whether or not other property owners were in the same fix that Mr. Hunt is and figure what building a wall for others might cost. Mr. Wrightington thought that takings should include an easement of slope. Mr. Trask stated that he thought that in future takings, releases should be obtained before the work was done. Both he and the Selectmen thought there was nothing that the Town could do but build the wall for Mr. Hunt. Mr. Trask stated that it had never been the practice of the Town to build sidewalks and plant u 471 trees, but the people in this section are asking for everything. The Chairman stated that they claimed that at the hearing, they were given to understand that they would be given the travelled way, grass plots and rough graded sidewalks. The Chairman stated that at the hearing sidewalks were discussed and he thought that Mr. Cosgrove mentioned building them. Mr. Potter moved that the Supt. of Public Works be authorized to construct gravel sidewalks on both sides of Farm Crest Avenue and Kendall Road and to build a retaining wall for Mr. George V. Hunt at 58 Farm Crest Avenue and to charge the expense in- curred to Highway Maintenance. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. ' Mr. Trask was instructed to have Mr. Wrightington draw up a release of damages and an agreement to pay the betterment and have Mr. Hunt sign it before the work was done. Mr. Clark said that if Mr. Cosgrove told the people that' -they were to have sidewalks, he should have included that cost in his estimate. Mr. Giroux suggested that the Chairman dictate to the Clerk a letter instructing the Engineering Dept. as to how the Board wished all construction work to be handled. The Chairman thought that this was up to the ' new Supt. of Public Works and that the Board would have these things in mind when new construction is being considered. Mr. Giroux said that if the Board kept asking the Appropriation Committee for additional funds, the Town Meeting Members would criticize the Selectmen severely. He thought that the Engineering Dept. was not figuring these projects intelligently and it was about time that things were done correctly. Mr. Ross stated t hat the Department did not go out and look over the projects and•see what things should be done. Mr. Ross asked Mr. Trask if loam had not been spread before the sidewalks were started and he replied that it had been when they got the orders to build the walks and that it had to be removed. The Chairman and Mr. Ross thought that sidewalks should be part of the job, Letter was received from William E. Anderson stating that the Town had found it necessary to take a small piece of his land to complete the Mill Brook project. It is only a very small piece, but he thought that the Anderson Town should say something about taking it. He requested property. that the matter be investigated. Mr. Trask said that Mr. Anderson's land comes ' down to a point and the retAining wall went across the point of bis land and he thought that the Town had taken about four square feet. He talked to Mr. Anderson who 472 01 Ind said he was not complaining about the land taken but ' he thought that the people would walk down the wall and step on his property, Mr. Trask assured him that the people would be restrained from walking on his property. Got for Mr. Trask reported that the Washington authorities W.P.A. sew- stated that it would be necessary to install a cot for ing project. the women working on the Sewing Project.' Mr. Potter moved that the cot' be supplied. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted, Letter was received from the Town Accountant stating that if the expenditures made from the Labor and Materials Account were as heavy in May as in April, W.P.A. the account would not carry through the month of June. Labor and On January 1st there was a balance of $1659.86 and Material $5000. was appro�r sated. On May lst, $4311.82 had Account* been expended, leaving a balance of 2347.94. The Chairman asked Mr. Trask if this amount would last until July 1st and he replied that it would if the Lincoln Street project came through. The Chairman Mr. Trask stated that he started filling in some Lincoln holes on Lincoln Street when it was necessary for the Street. Highway Department to use the grader and it was taken away but it is going'to be put back on Lincoln Street and the job of filling in the holes will be completed in two or three days. Report. The report of the Supt. of Public Works for the week ending May 2nd, 1936 was received. Bids on Mr. Track submitted the bids on tires and the tires. Board voted to instruct him to make a canvas of the bids and to present them at the next meeting. . Mr. Trask submitted'a W.P.A. project for the broadening of the Moth Suppression to include tree: W.P.A. pruning and cutting, etc. in about fifteen miles of Project. streets in the Town, at a total cost of $15,594, of which the Town contributes $329. fort rucks, $111. for materials and about $200. for necessary tools. Mr. Giroux moved that the project be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. ' The W.P.A. Field Supervisor submitted a project for the continuance of the Mill Brook Project between Bow Street and the Arlington Line. Considerable Town W.P.A. funds are required for this project and the labor and Project. materials appropriation is diminishing very fast. However; the work already done on Mill Brook is ofno avail without doing this part of the job. It is absolutely necessary that this project be submitted. Mr. Giroux moved that the project be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted.. Got for Mr. Trask reported that the Washington authorities W.P.A. sew- stated that it would be necessary to install a cot for ing project. the women working on the Sewing Project.' Mr. Potter moved that the cot' be supplied. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted, Letter was received from the Town Accountant stating that if the expenditures made from the Labor and Materials Account were as heavy in May as in April, W.P.A. the account would not carry through the month of June. Labor and On January 1st there was a balance of $1659.86 and Material $5000. was appro�r sated. On May lst, $4311.82 had Account* been expended, leaving a balance of 2347.94. The Chairman asked Mr. Trask if this amount would last until July 1st and he replied that it would if the Lincoln Street project came through. The Chairman stated that there probably would not be any money available in the Excess and Deficiency Account until fall as it ' is now down to about $58,000.00. It might be necessary to have a Special Town Meeting before the tax rate is announced. Mr. Trask said that he thought the balance in the Labor and Materials Account would carry through until the middle of July. 1 C Mr. Albert W. Emmons of 7 Dexter Road appeared before the Board and stated that during the flood period,'he had about 16 inches of water in his cellar, had to pump it out several times and bought a new motor and transformer, so that the whole thing cost him at least $100. Mr. Emmons stated that the drain was an eight inch pipe and had about four inches of silt in it. The Chairman asked Mr. Emmons if the drain from his cellar was connected with the street drain and he said that it was. The Chairman asked him who tied it in and he said the Town did. The Chairman asked him if the sand was above the pipe and he slid it was not, that it was about level with the pipe. The Town was sup- posed to have cleaned out the drain but it was not done. He thought the water was backing up from the street into his cellar and this is the first time that this has happened in eight years. He thought that the Lexington Building Trust put in the drain and when the street was constructed, that they found several sections broken and the Town had to replace about one-third of the drain. He was interested now in having the drain thoroughly cleaned out. The,Chairman stated that the Board would have the drain cleaned out and see that it was'kept cleaned out. The -Chairman stated that there should be a catch basin where his drain is tapped onto the street drain. Im Emmons, re drain. At 8:30 P.M., Mr. Birdsill B. McIntyre of Houlton, APPlicsation Maine appeared before the Board to present his qualifica- for tions for the position of Supt. of Public Works. position. At 9:00 P.M., Mr. John W. Raymond, Jr., appeared before the Board. Mr. Raymond stated that when he appeared before the Board last week and said that he was asking a salary of $4500.00, he did not realize that the Town would supply a car and that if a car were supplied, he would reduce the salary requested to $4200.00. The Chairman asked Mr. Raymond if he would consider acceptin the position at the present rate of salary, that is 3300. per annum, for a trial period of six months with the understanding that the Selectmen would then -go before the Town and ask that the salary be increased to $4200.00. Mr. Raymond said that he would consider such a proposition if the Board was unanimous in voting to appoint him and would stand back of him. The Chairman asked him if he might get a six months leave of absence from Metcalf & Eddy, his present employers, or make some arrangement whereby he might Appointment of Supt. of Public Works 474 � oil work for the Town for the six months' period and he said that he could. Mr. Giroux asked Mr.' Raymond if he would like to ' have Mr. Trask remain for a week or so to acquaint him with the duties of his office and he replied that he would. Mr. Raymond then retired. Mr. Giroux moved that John W. Raymond, Jr., be appointed Supt. of Public Works for the Town of Lexington for a period of six months at a salary of $3300.per annum, this appointment to take effect Monday, May 11, 1936, with the understanding tis t if Mr. Raymond iff found satisfactory, that this Board will request the Town at a future Town Meeting to approve a salary of $4200. per annum, and further that Mr. Raymond be fur- nished a car allowance of six cents per mile to cover transportation from Beverly to Lexington and return daily during the trial period of six months, the expense to be charged to the Supt. of Public Works Office Expenses Account, and that this Board will request the Appropriation Committee to transfer said expenses incurred from the Reserve Fund, Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted unanimously. Mr. Giroux moved that'Robert P. Trask be appointed Supervisor of the W.P.A. for one week Trask beginning Monday, May 11th, at his present salary of ' appointment. $3300.00 per annum, for the purpose of turning over the duties of his former office to the new Supt. of Public Works. Mr. Ross seeonded'the motion and it was unanimously voted. The Chief of Police informed the Board that the Radio for radio in the new car was all right around the center of Police car. the Town but on the back roads it was no good. This particular radio was. never any good. Mr. Clark asked him what a new radio would cost and the Chief said that he would know in three days. The Chairman suggested that he get the information and advise the Board next Tuesday evening. The Chairman stated that the Board of Assessors were ready to announce the'tax rate and had delayed announcing it at his request. He stated that the Board could call a Town Meeting and appropriate up to $10,000 for Labor and Materials and Welfare and keep the tax rate at $33.00; otherwise it would be cut to $32.50. Town Ifa Town Meeting was called the Board would have to Meeting ? take a change on having money in the Excess and Deficiency Account available for transfer later on. He stated that $26,000. had been spent to date on Public Welfare and $50,000.'was appropriated. That is, ' in one-third of the year, one-half of the appropriation has been spent. The Excess and Deficiency Account is 475 small on account of the Tax Titles, and Mr. Scamman has not sent out his demands. Mr. Clark suggested that the Assessors be requested not to annouce the Tax rate for another week so that the Board could see what was going to'hoppen on the Lincoln Street W.P.A. job. It was the consensus of opinion that the Board did not want to call a Town Meeting only two months after the Annual Meeting. The Town Counsel submitted an agreement to be signed by the Boston and Maine Railroad relative to the Fletcher keeping open of the crossing at Fls tcher Avenue. Mr. Avenue Potter moved that the agreement be approved and signed. Agreement. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Abatement of $2.00 charge made to the D.A.R. f or the use of Estabrook Hall was signed by the Board. . Letter was received from the D.A.R. thanking the Board for abating the charge. Letter was received from Mr. Walter Rowse stating that the report of the Health Inspector to the effect that there was no objectionable and unhealthfu 1 odor. arising from the Roberts'henyard was of no monent as it was made at a season when no hens were yarded there. He stated that there were two issues. In winter, noise ' all night and in summer, noise plus odor, flies., etc. He stated that Mr. Roberts presumably owned land upon whlDh poultry could be housed and the location of which would not be offensive to anyone. He stated that what- ever the lacation, serious objection would continue to be made if the nuisance continued. Moving the henhouse to another location would not solve the problem of odor. Mr. Rowse stated that if hens were again yarded next to his fine residential property at the northeast corner of Adams Street and Coolidge Avenue, he proposed to take aggressive action. No action was taken on the matter. Abatement Roberts' poultw * Letter was received fftom R. W. Sparling advertising Advertise - the Sparling main light meter. No action was taken on the meat. matter. Letter was received from the Town Accountant stating that he had transferred $222.50 from the Reserve Fund to a new account called Highway Construction, Tower Road Extension, and that this money was now available for the use of the Highway Department.. If further money is needed, Mr. Russell will make additional transfers to a total amount not exceeding $425.00. Tower Rd, The En Ka Society of Winchester asked permission ' to operate a radio sound car in Lexington from the period 9 A.M. to 12 noon on May 16th to advertise a Sound car. street fair in Winchester. The proceeds of the Fair are to be used for charity, in particular for the Nurse's 476 M Home. The request was made by Mrs. I. W. Moffatt of 3 Herrick Street, Winchester. Mr. Potter moved that the I request be denied. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Edward 1, Hart of 17 Sherman Street requested that Special he be appointed a Special Police Officer. He works Police, for the Boston and Maine Railroad at the Woburn Street crossing. Mr. Potter moved that the request be denied. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was�so voted. The Clerk reported that in June 1934, the Town voted to allow the Veterans of Foreign Wars to use the Cary Memorial Hall three nights during the balance of the year free of charge and it was intended to put an article in the March 1935 Warrant to see if the Town Use of Hall would v ote to allow the organization to use the hall by V.F.W, six nights a year, but it was accidentally left out of the Warrant. Last year the Veterans of Foreign Wars were not charged for the use of the hall. Mr. Potter moved that the vote of last week to charge $25.00 for the use of the hall on May 220 1935, to the Veterans of Foreign Wars be rescinded. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Potter moved that the Veterans of Foreign Mars be allowed to use the hall on that date free of ' charge. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Giroux moved that an article be placed in the Article Warrant for the next Annual Town Meeting to see if the for Town will vote to allow the Veterans of Foreign Wars to Warrant. use Cary Memorial Hall six nights a year free of .charge. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from A. F. Bullock, Chief of Police of Arlington, stating that on May 25, 1932, Theodore Sheffres was arrested for drunkenness,was Sheffres brought to the Third District Court and the case was Junk placed on file. Mr. Sheffres is now applying fof a License. Junk Collector's License. The Clerk reported that Sergeant Russell said that Weiss met him today and said that his case against Sheffres came up today and Sheffres was restrained from selling junk for five years. It was decided to hold the matter over for one week. Mr. John A. Murray, machinist, of 23 Theresa Ave. Juror. was the juror drawn for the transaction of Civil Business at Cambridge on Monday, May 18, 1936. Letter was received from Allen W. Rucker stating Welfare that the Committee appointed to investigate welfare Committee, conditions in the Town had hopes of giving a•preliminary , report during the month of May and a further report before June lst. Letter was received from giving a list of the personnel of 1936 at the playgrounds. He appointments be made as soon as The Clerk was i ns truc to d to appear before the Board next cuss the matter. the Supt. of Parks required for the summer recommended that the possible, to request Mr. Garrity Tuesday evening to dis- Notice was received from the W.P.A. authorities regarding the extension of the W.P.A. in the fiscal year 1937. No Action was taken on the various applications for the position of Supt, of Public Works, Upon motion of Mr. Clark seconded the following licenses were granted,- Thomas ranted:Thomas M. Montague, 1844 Mass. Ave. - n n tt tt rt n Johh F. McGrath, John H. McCarthy, Marie A. Miller, Hugh McIntosh, Mario Zare lla, Frank Mara, Mary Augustine, ' John Sullivan, Arey Greenblott, Burlington n Marrett Road 442 Marrett Road 86 Mass.Avenue 836 Mass. Ave. 4 Bow Street 2407 Mass. Ave. Waltham by Mr. Potter, Undertakers Public Carriage Garbage n Sunday Sales _ n x - Keeing of swine. - Junk Collector 477 Park sp pointments W.P.A. Applications Licenses. The Chairman reported that the Town Counsel had called him and stated that he had received a judgment Shea case, of $100* or more in the Shea case and he was trying to get the Sheats to pay. He was unable to do anything with them but they agreed to give $25. and $25. per week. Mr. Ross stated that the Assessors had requested that the dog kennels be moved to the Public Works Building. It was decided to refer this matter to the Chief of Police before anything further was done. Mr. Ross reported that the Assessors requested that they be moved to the Supt. of Public Works ► Office. Mr. Potter stated that their argument was that they did not have room enough for people that came in when the Board, was in session. The Board felt that it was better to leave the Assessors where they were as they had more to do with the Tax Collector and Town Clerk than they had to do with the people upstairs. ' Mr. Ross stated that Leonard Jellis had spoken to him and requested the reconstruction of Reed Street, The Chairman stated that the construction of Reed Street had been submitted to the Appropriation Committee for the past three years and had been turned down. Mr. Ross moved that the Supt. of Public Works be Dog Kennels. Assessors Office, Reed St. 478 H requested to bring in information regarding the re- construction of the street as to the advisability of ' doing it as a W.P.A. project. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Water Miscellaneous Commitment in the amount of Commitment. $119.18 was signed by the Board. Military Aid return in the amount of $20.00 was Returns. signed by the Board and State Aid return in the amount of $22* was also signed by the Board. The Welfare Agent reported that he had talked with Kelley John and Mary Kelley regarding Mrs. Margaret E. Kelley. case Mrs. Kelley has an Arlington settlement so Lexington cannot help her. Mr. Mitchell reported that the Lexington quota of C.C.C. the April lst enrollment of the C.C.C. was two and this had been extended to May 15th. Only one man from Lexington, (Hadley), has been sent. Mr. Mitchell stated that Angelo Mercadante died Mercadante at the Waltham Hospital on Monday. He had authorized case. Mr. McCarthy to take care of the body at an expense of not more than $50.00. , Mr. Mitchell asked the Board's approval of the hospitalization of the Johnson child who was rushed Johnson. to the hospital with a bad out in his leg. Mr. Clark moved that the approval be granted. Mr. Ross . seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Mitchell reported that one of the Umbrello children, age five years, fell down and broke his hip Umbrello and was sent to the Waltham Hospital. He asked cases apW oval of this expenditure. Mr. Clark moved.that the approval be granted. Mr. Potter seconded the motion'and it was so voted. Mr. Mitchell stated that he had checked the Mitchell mileage on his car and in the past ten days it had been car used an average of 10J miles per day. Mr. Clark said allowance. that he had checked with different salesmen and half of them got four cents and some of them got five cents a mile. The Chairman suggested that 03.00 per week might be satisfactory to Mr. Mitchell for a car allowande. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Mitchell §e granted $150* per year for the use of his car by the Welfare De -,m rtment, to becone�effective May 1, 1936. Mr. Giroux seconded ' the motion and it was so voted. The meeting adjourned at 11:15 P.M. A true. record, Attest: Clerk.