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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1937-05-25 474 SELECTMEN' S MEETING MAY 25, 1937 . A regular meeting of the Selectmen was held in the Selectmen /8 Room, Town Office Building, at 7:30 P.M. Messrs. Potter, Giroux and Clark were present at the meeting. Mr. Potter acted as Chairman in the absence of Mr. Ferguson, The Clerk was also present. At 8:00 P.M. hearing was declared open on the Kramer application of Robert and Eva Kramer to maintain a one garage car garage at 35 Preston Road. Mr. and Mrs. Kramer hearing. appeared and presented plan of the proposed garage. No persons appeared in opposition. Mr. Clark moved that the permit be granted subject to the approval of the Building Inspector. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. At 8:05 P.M. hearing was declared open on the Preston application of Mrs. Louis Preston for permission to main- garage taro a one car garage at Fair Oaks Drive. Mr. and Mrs. hearing. Preston and the builder appeared and presented plan of the proposed garage. No persons appeared in opposition. Mr. Clark moved that the permit be granted subject to the approval of the Building Inspector. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. At 8:10 P.M. hearing was declared open on the appli- Johnson cation of Harry E. Johnson for permission to maintain a garage one car garage at lot #12 Daniels Street. No persons hearing appeared either in favor or in opposition. Mr. Clark moved that the permit be granted subject to the approval of the Building Inspector. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. At 8:15 P.M. hearing was declared open on the appli- Nelson cation of Sverre Melvin Nelson for permission to maintain Garage a one car garage at 41 Outlook Drive. No persons hearing. appeared either in favor or in opposition. Mr. Clark moved that the permit be granted subject to the approval of the Building Inspector. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Building Inspector Bo ton advising that Mr. Leo Boynton was storing magazines and storm raga in the barn owned by his aunt, Annie Bornstein, in j g the rear of 5 Hibbert Street . Mr. Boynton informed Mr. Longbottom that he never stored junk in his aunt 's barn until recently. ' 475 Mr. Clark moved that bond #7287401, dated April 1, in the sum of $1000. executed on behalf of Andrew T. Bain, Plumbing Inspector, and bond #7287393 dated April Bonds 1, in the sum of $500. executed on behalf of Fred Longbottom, Building Inspector, be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Health Inspector advising that he had investigated Mr. Hagerty's complaint relative to the rats on Lincoln Street which he believed were coming from the dump on that street. The Health Inspector talked to Mr. Hagerty, who said that his boys Complaint had seen a few rats at the dump. Mr. Stevenson did not re rats think that the rats would go so far when they could pick up food nearer the dump. He called on the people in the vicinity of Stratham Road and asked if they were troubled with rats and found only one that did have some in the cellar. He investigated the brook that rums through the meadow and saw holes that looked like rat holes. Letter was received from the Middlesex County Ex- tension Service recommending a rat poison to be used to exterminate rats in a field. The Clerk was instructed to send a copy of the latter letter to Mr. Hagerty. Application was signed for the admission of Lucy T.B. case. Ann Kelley, age 22, of 40 Woburn Street, to the Middlesex County Sanatorium. Letter was received from the Commissioner of Public Safety addressed to the Chief of the Fire Department Garage at advising that an application had been filed by the High- 581 Marrett land Trust Co. of West Somerville for the Ye instatement Road of the license covering the garage at 581 Marrett Road, Lexington. The letter requested that an inspection of the premises be made. It was decided to hold the matter over for one week and request the Chief of the Fire Department to report on his investigation. At 8:20 P.M. the Planning Board appeared before the Board. Mr. Kimball, the clerk, said that it was the Appointment purpose of the Planning Board to meet with the Selectmen to Planing to appoint a new member to the Planning Board. Mr. Board Kimball said that that Board would suggest the name of William Roger Greeley to serve until March, 1938, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Neil H. Borden. Mr. Giroux moved that the suggestion of the Planning Board be approved by the Selectmen. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Town Clerk advising Board of that Leon H. Truesdell was elected Chairman of the Board Registrars of Registrars for the ensuing year. 476 >c Letter was received from Dr. Crumb to which was attached a letter from the State Director of Public Welfare advising that Mrs. Mary Yodwish might be admitted to the T.B. Infirmary at Tewksbury and a letter from the Yodwish State Director of Public Health recommending that Mrs. case. Yodwish be hospitalized. Dr. Crumb also recommended that Mrs. Yodwish be hospitalized. The Clerk explained that Mrs. Yodwish was in Court last week for violation of her quarantine and that the Judge continued the case until October 15th and informed Mrs. Yodwish that if she was found violating the quarantine again, he would send her away. The Clerk was instructed to take the letters to the Concord Court and discuss the matter with the Clerk of Courts to see what he would advise doing. Mr. Clark moved that the meetings be held every two Summer weeks during the months of June, July and August unless meetings business required additional meetings, it being under- stood that the next meeting was to be held June 8th, 1937 . Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Upon motion of Mr. Giroux, seconded by Mr. Clark, it was voted to grant the following licenses: Alfonso Ruzziero, 1776 Mass. Ave. , Overhanging Sign Frank H. Ready, 1760 Mass. Ave., Forrest E. King, 1788 Mass. Ave. Town Paint & Supply Co., 1749 Mass . Ave. " " Burbrec Nurseries, Inc. , Off Mass. Ave. ,Common Victuallers Walter J. Rose, 6 Tewksbury St. Public Carriage James T. McGann, 156 Woburn Street, John E. Timothy, 442 Waltham Street, " Application was received from the Lafayette Club Use of for permission to use Estabrook Hall on Monday evening, Estabrook June 7th, for the purpose of holding a Mother's Night. Hall. Mr. Giroux moved that the use of the hall be granted subject to a fee of $5.00. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. At 8t30 P.M. , Mrs. Cheater Cook, Mrs. C. E. Glynn, Mr. C. H. Ferguson and Mr. Stephen Hamblin of the Lexington Field and Garden Club appeared before the Depot Park Board to discuss the Depot Park beautification project. Beautifies- The Chairman Pro-tem asked how far the organization tion Project.bad got with moving the posts from Munroe Cemetery. Mrs . Cook said that Mr. Garrity and Mr. Raymond told her it would cost almost $300.00 to move the posts but they obtained another figure bf $150.00 from a contractor for moving them. Mr. Hamblin said that they were not figuring on spending muoh money on planting this summer. Mrs. Glynn said that she thought that when Mr. Raymond first figured on moving the posts, he planned on using W.P.A. 417 labor but when he submitted the figure, it was based on using regular Town labor. She said that Mr. Marshall told her that many of the posts were in the driveway to the cemetery and that it would be a simple matter to take them out. Mr. Hamblin said that there was no great hurry but that the posts should be set before the place was seeded which would not be until the latter part of August. Mr. Ferguson said he heard there were some posts fast lying in a field in Concord that probably might be used. Mrs. Cook asked if by August Town labor might not be so busy and Mr. Potter Said that he was skeptical of having the men do the moving because of the nature of the work which he thought was hazardous. He said he would prefer to have a contractor do it. Mrs. Glynn asked if the Town would object to paying the money to an outside contractor, and Mr. Potter said he saw no reason why it should not be done. He said it probablywould be cheaper to have a contractor do it as he woulbe covered by insurance. Mr. Hamblin asked if it would be necessary to have the approval of the Board before hiring a contractor and Mr. Potter said he did not believe so. Mrs. Cook asked if they could have W.P.A. labor for seeding and learning the park and Mr. Potter said he thought the Board would approve that. Mr. Ferguson said that there was one other thing to be discussed and that was the naming of the park. He said that nothing had actually been done about changing the name as yet and Mr. Potter informed him that an article would have to be inserted in the Warrant to chaig a the name. Mr. Ferguson said that Mr. Frederick H. Emery had done a great deal for the Town and it was through his efforts that the Town acquired Depot Park, and for that reason they wanted to re-name it Emery Park. Mr. Hamblin said that a stone tablet was to be placed on the Park and he said that the matter of the bronze plate to be placed on the marker would be dis- cussed with the Selectmen before it was placed. They retired, Mr Raymond informed the Board that $1000. was included. in the budget for repairs to the Town Office and Cary Memorial Buildings. Michael Shea made an Repairs to estimate of the work that should be done and the first Town Office estimate was cut down from $2000. to $1200. or $1300. and Cary Mr. Raymond asked if the Board had something special Mem.Bldgs. in mind, and Mr. Giroux said that the $1000. was merely an arbitrary figure. Mr. Giroux moved that the Board authorize Mr. Raymond to go ahead and make such repairs as he saw fit to the extei t of the money available. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond read a letter received from Mr. Paxton relative to the Austin-Western sweeper. In 1936 a new broom was purchased and the old one was replaced at a Sweeper. total cost of $80.00. Immediately following this wolk, the sweeper broke down and it could not be repaired sat- isfactorily. The Dyar Sales Co. offered to purchase the 478 old sweeper and two brooms for $70.00, which was con- siderably more than any other company offered. Mr. Paxton accepted the offer subject to the approval of the Board of Selectmen . Mr. Clark moved that Mr. R ermond be given the privilege of selling the equipment or trading it for $70.00 or better. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond recommended that two lights be placed on Street Shade Street, one nearly opposite Cary Avenue and one on lights . a new pole to be located further out an the road near the Andresen property. Mr. Clark moved that the in- dtallation of the two lights be approved. 1Mr. Giroux Sidewalk seconded the motion and it was so voted. on Waltham With reference to the Waltham Street sidewalk, Mr. Street Raymond said that he hoped to get that work done out of Chapter 90 Maintenance Funds. He has estimated the coat of providing a stone dust surface sidewalk from Marrett Road to Forest Street at $800.00, about one-half of which would be for materials. If this work is done right away he thought that it would be proper to charge the materials to the W.P.A. Labor and Materials account as the sidewalk was a W.P.A. project which was not completed. Mr. Giroux thought it would be best to have the work done under Chapter 90 maintenance if possible and he so moved. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond said that every once and a while he has a request to sell some stone. They have quite a lot of '11 Sale of it on hand now and be thought probably it would be a good stone. idea to sell some if he got a good offer. Mr. Giroux moved that Mr. Raymond be authorized to sell the stone at a price which would be most advantageous to the Town. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond reported that Frank E. and Jenny Tucker had accepted the offer of $53.75 to settle their claim Tucker claim for blasting damages and had signed a release. He j for asked approval of paying the claim. Mr. Giroux moved damages. that the settlement of the olaim be approved. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond said that the Town Accountant told him that it was all right to settle these claims provided they were approved by the Town Counsel. Mr. Giroux suggested that Mr. Raymond get a letter of approval from the Town Counsel on the settlement of the Tucker claim. Mr. Raymond reported that Mrs. C. S. Ryan of 10 Bedford Street has requested a granolithic sidewalk in front of her house and LeRoy Brown has requested 479 that a granolithic drive be constructed at his right of way between Ryan's and Tobints. Mr. Clark moved that Sidewalks the work be approved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond said that he had received a letter asking whether or not the Town would buy all or some of Materials the materials for the sewing project. The materials for sewing cost between $490. and $500. per month. He said that project the finished products go to Watertown for distribution. Mr. Potter said that he would like to have some more information on the matter before he acted on It and it was therefor decided to hold the matter over until the next muting. Mr. Raymond said that he would like to use Miner grates and frames for Independence Avenue and Reed Purchase of Street rather than those manufactured by the Dept. of grates & Correction. These would cost something over $300.00. frames. Mr. Giroux moved that the purchase of the Miner grates and frames be approved. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond reported that he had received a letter from Mr. Stevens of the Edison Co. stating that he had made estimates by which he arrived at the conclusion that the improvements in the lighting system on Mass. Street Avenue as of July 1st could come within the appropriation lighting. made for this year . Mr. Raymond thought that Mr. Stevens had figured too close but he thought that the improve- ments could be made as of Sept. 1st and still come within the appropriation. He thought that the matter should be brought before the Town Meeting as the in- creased cost for lighting in 1938 would be approximately $600.00. Mr. Giroux moved that the matter be laid on the table until it has been definitely decided when a Town Meeting is to be held. Mr. Raymond informed the Board that the Town Accountant had questioned the authority of the Town to pay public liability insurance. Mr. Clark moved that Insurance the matter be referred to the Town Counsel for investi- gation. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond informed the Board that an insurance policy in the amount of $13, 000. under blanket schedule expired on May 23rd through the office of Jay 0. Richards. Mr. Richards did not send in a notice of expiration. Mr. Insurance Clark moved that the policy be renewed through the same office for a period of five years. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. 480 n1 Mr. Raymond said that Harry Johnson had not ful- Johnson filled his part of the agreement on which the bond Bond was filed. The matter was held over until the next meeting. Mr. Raymond said that he had to buy some rubber boots for welfare workers and probably would have to Rubber buy some for W.P.A. workers. The lowest price he boots. received was $2.80 from the Gold Seal Rubber Co. which has a Boston office but whose factory is in Middletown, Connecticut. He said that he had obtained prices from various concerns. The Board suggested that Michelsopis Shoe Store be given a chance to bid. He received a price of $2.93 from the Hood Rubber Co. The Board instructed Mr. Raymond to purchase the boots from the Hood Rubber Co. unless Michelson bid lower. Letter was received from the Town Counsel regarding the water main extension in Shade Street. Mr. Wright- ington said he thought the Town could authorize an agreement with Hayden by which, in consideration of his agreeing to pay without contest the betterment on the present extension, the Town would agree not to assess or abate any assessment which would otherwise be required when the main is extended past the balance of Water main his property. Without such an agreement, he doubted in Shade if one Town Meeting could bind another Town Meeting. Street. He included in his letter an article to be inserted in the warrant providing the extension was requested. The Clerk informed the Board that Mr. Hayden told her that he would not object to the extension being made from Weston Street inasmuch as it would help Mr. Linney who had previously requested the extension. Mr. Giroux asked if she understood that Hayden was agreeing tothis and also to paying the $1000. assessment, or If he was agreeing to it ids he would be ha 1500. aasesment . she Bald that She dd not knoow.--nr.the said }at G�1`1ouaul e iim�S�iad ides PiinaAeMh 3n�er ed in the warrant for the extension of the water main in Shade Street from Weston Street under the provisions as set forth in the letter from the Town Counsel and sub- ject to Mr. Haydents approval. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Town Counsel relative Opinion re to Mrs. Cutlerts request for information as to what Mrs. Cutlerts would happen if she terminated her milk business business. temporarily. Mr. Wrightington said that this question was raised chiefly with respect to the Zoning Law which would not be applicable to her because she is entitled to conduct a farm in a residence district. Mrs . Cutler has to get a Lexington milk license, he understands, 481 and also two State licenses in order to sell in Lexington. All these licenses are annual, subject to revocation and there is no assurance at any time that any of them will be renewed. He said that Mrs. Cutler should be informed that it is not the Irovince of the Town or its officials to give her legal advice and that she would have to satisfy herself as to ang effect interruption of her business would have. The Clerk was instructed to notify Mrs . Cutler of the Town Counsel's opinions . Letter was received from the Town Counsel stating that as authorized by a majority of the Board,he had agreed to a settlement in the case of Meady vs. Lexington Meady for $500. contingent upon a favorable Town Meeting vote case. making the necessary appropriation. He enclosed a form of agreement which he asked the Board to sign, and the Town Treasurer to countersign. The members present signed the agreement. The Clerk informed the Board that the typewriter Typewriter purchased for the Welfare Dept. cost $94.73 rather than the $80. or $85. previously apprdved. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted.. Commitment of water rates in the amount of $5106 .99 Commitment was signed by the Board. The Welfare Agent discussed welfare matters with the Board. Welfare The meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M. A true record, Attest: Clerk. 1