HomeMy WebLinkAbout1937-08-17558
SELECTMENTS MEETING
AUG. 17th, 1937 '
A regular meetinj� of the Board of Selectmen was
held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at
3:30 P.M. Chairman Ferguson, Messrs. Potter, Giroux and'
Ross were present. The Clerk was also present.
Mr. R. L. Ryder appeared before the Board relative
to the proposed agreement in settlement of the various
Ryder Ryder drainage cases. The agreement was dtawn up by
agreement the Town Counsel and Mr. Ryder said that he had no
material objections other than the eighth and ninth
paragraphs. After discussing the matter, Mr. Ryder
agreed to make the changes suggested by him and include
in paragraphs eight and nine phrases which would satisfy
him and submit the revised agreement to the Board for its
consideration.
Mr. Raymond informed the Board, that he, as the
W.P.A. Sponsor's Agent, was requested to sign a W.P.A. form
forms #4516 on the following projects: Water meters; moth;
topo survey; and Town records. This form states that
the Town will pay that part of the cost of the projects
not paid from Federal funds. Mr. Giroux moved that the
forms be signed by Mr. Raymond provided he receives the '
approval of the Town Counsel. Mr. Ross seconded the
motion and it was so voted.
Pub.Works Mr. Rayymmond informed the Board that the balance in
Labor & the Public Works Labor and Materials appropriation
Materials would be less than $3,000.00 by the end of this
appropriati6 m month. The sum of $3,000. was included in the approp-
riation for the Vine Brook culverts and the work has
-not been done to date.
Mr. Raymond informed the Board that although the
Selectmen requested approval -to use penolithic type
pavement on Waltham Street, the request had been
Waltham refused. Type I pavement has been recommended. Mr.
Street Paxton does not believe that this should be used as
Pavement. the rest of Waltham Street was done with the penolithic
type of pavement. It Bill look differently and ride
differently. Mr. Raymond said that when the estimates
were presented, round figures were used and they are going
to have a hard time to complete the job with the funds
available if they do it with a penetration. Mr. Paxton
talked with the Division Engineer and told him why the
Town did not want the Type I, and it was taken up with
the Commissioners and again refused. Mr. Raymond '
suggested that the Chapter 90 engineer be told that the
matter would be taken up with the Senator and Rep-
resentatives and see what could be accomplished that
way. Mr. Ross moved that the Supt. of Public Works
inforcq the engineer that the Senator and Representatives
would be approached. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion
and iti, was so voted.
had 4r -Raymond informed the Board that T. A. Custance
quested that they do some grading on Follen Road
out of the Highway Maintenance appropriation. He is
building a house near the junction of Lexington Avenue
and the shoulders have never been brought down to grade.
Mr. R mond said that the work was important and that
Custance was in a hurry for the work, but he did not see
where they would get the funds to do it. Mr. Raymond
said that this was only part of the job that should be
done on Follen Road as it should be cut down to grade on
both slides. He estimated that it would cost $250.00 to
do the work in front of the Custance house alone. The
Chairman suggested that if it could be done, it would be
better to wait until after the Town Meeting and get a
special appropriation for it.
Mr. Ross moved that an article be inserted in the
Warrant for the special Town Meeting to take care of the
situation and that the Supt. of Public Works prepare an
estimate of the cost of the work. Mr. Giroux seconded
the motion and it was so voted.
I Mr. Raymond said that he followed the Board's
instructions to put loam on Independence Avenue and when
he investigated the matter, he was very much surprised
to see what kind of loam had been put in there. It was .
very sandy so he held up the bill in the amount of
$160. 0. The loam was purchased through the Modern
Constrjuction Co., which concern buys it from Akeson in
Bedfo d at $.75 a yard and the Town pays $1.30 a yard
deliv red on the job. The first delivered was very good
but t e latter part was not so good. Mr. Raymond did not
think 'he wanted to buy any more of it bedause it is
impossible to regulate the character of the loam. How-
ever,,he believed that the -contractor did not intend to
giveim poor loam so he now approved payment of the bill.
r. Ross moved that the bill be approved. Mr.
Potter, seconded the motion and it 4as so voted.
contract for maintenance of Chapter 90 roads
was sthe
gned by the Board.
Bir. Raymond discussed the signs indicating children
suggested by the West Lex. Civic Improvement Assoc. and
said that he approved their erection and he thought one
should be set on Middle Street at the curve coming up the
I hill from Lincoln Street.
Mr. Giroux moved that the signs indicating children
be approved as follows: Concord Avenue, in the vicinity
of the Teeter house; Lincoln Street near the Marrett
559
Grading on
Follen Rd.
Bill for
loam on
Independ-
ence Ave.
Contract
Signs
indicating
children.
560
c�
ac
Road end; Shade Street; Middle Street, at the curve
coming up the hill from Lincoln Street. Mr. Potter
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Potter recommended that a "Stop" sign be set
"Stop" sign. at the junction of Clarke and Forest Streets, but no
action was taken on the matter.
Mr. Raymond asked if the Board would approve his
contacting private owners and telling them that the
Granolithic Town had a very desirable price on granolithic side -
sidewalks. walks and asking if they were interested in having the
work done. Mr. Giroux moved that Mr. Raymond be author-
ized to contact private owners in this respect. Mr.
Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Raymond said that there was a lot of work to
be done in connection with the heating system and he
Work on wondered if the Board would suggest the name of a
heating steamfitter to do the work. The Chairman suggested
system. Clydd Steeves, and the Supt. of Public Works questioned
whether or not he could do the work inasmuch as he was
an Assessor. The Chairman said that Mr. Steeves could,
inasmuch as he was not approving the bills. Mr. Ross
suggested the name of Henry Meade, but it was decided
to allow Mr. Raymond to use his own judgment.
Mr. Raymond said that the Water Dept. had purchased
208 feet of eight inch water pipe from the Warren Pipe
Water Dept. and Foundry Co. and the price was $1.35 per foot which
pipe. might be an error. The pipe was for Sherburne Road, and
the Accountant questioned the bill because earlier in
the year the pipe was $1.32 per foot. It was Mr. Raymond's
recollection that he was told then that there would be
an increase in price later on. He asked if the Board
would approve payment of the bill if it was found that
this was the present price. Mr. Giroux moved that the
bill be approved. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it
was so voted.
Mr. Raymond said that William French, employed by
the Highway Department, was injured last week in an
French automobile accident. He worked for four days before
salary. the accident and his salary was put through for a full
week when he actually did not work Friday and Saturday.
He asked if the Board wanted to pay him for these
days or not. The Board ":thought that French should be
paid for the four days pending the Court decision on
the accident:
Pole The Chairman informed the Board that the Boston
location - Edison Co. and the Telephone Company had applied for '
School St. approval of a pole location on School Street in front
of a house being built by a Mr. Smith. The hearing will
be held in two weeks, but Smith is very anxious to move
' into his house and asked for verbal approval of the
location. Mr. Potter moved that verbal approval be
given. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted.
n
J
Mr. Raymond read a letter from W. C. Paxton request-
ing an; increase in the car allowance for John O'Connor.
He is now receiving $20.00 per month car allowance and
averages 200 miles per week. The letter said that the
allowance did not cover the operating cost, let alone the
upkeep of the car. Paxton recommended that the rate be
increased from $20.00 to $30.00 per month. Mr. Raymond
said that the salary O'Connor receives in relation to that
which some of the other men in the Highway Department
receive, is very low. The Chairman said he thought that
this allowance should be compared with that made other
employees and the mileage compared and decide whether or
not it would be better to have a town car.
Mr. Ross moved that the matter be left on the table.
Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Raymond said that on July 16th, John McAvoy
parked his car on Mass. Avenue where the Highway Dept.
was working and Ernest Williams backed his truck into
the car damaging it. The cost of repairing the car
was $16.50 which McAvoy paid but he thought that the
Town should reimburse him for at least part. of the bill.
Mr. Raymond said that he would like to discourage the
men from bringing their cars to work. He stated that
the accident was due to negligence on the part of
Williams. Mr. Giroux moved that one-half of the bill
be paid subject to the receipt of a release from McAvoy.
Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted.
561
O'Connor
car
allowance
McAvoy
accident
Commitment of water liens in the amount of $60.97 Commitment
was signed by the Board.
Better was received from Stanley Doucette of
Charles Street offering to purchase lots 33 and 34 on
that street for the sum of $100.00. Mr. Potter said
that he would like to view these lots, and moved that
the matter be held over for two weeks. Mr. Gir6ux
peconded the motion and it was so voted.
Lots on
Charles St.
Letter Was received from the Health Inspector re-
garding the odor from garbage trucks. He suggested Odor from
that the garbage collector use a slanting roof with garbage
sliding doors on the truck. Mr. Potter thought it would trucks.
be a hardship to request the contractor to do this as it
would cost about $1,000.00. Ir. Giroux moved that the
Chairman write the contractor and request him to keep
the garbage truck covered at all times. Mr. Ross seconded
the motion and it was so voted.
562
# Mr. Giroux moved that the Supt. of Public Forks
Town establish rules and regulations regarding the parking
employeest of cars owned by Town employees. Mr. Potter seconded
cars. the motion and it was so voted.
Red Gross Mrs. F. R. Kimball requested that the Red Cross
Use of be allowed to use Estabrook Hall on the evening of
Hall. Sept. 22nd for the purpose of holding a meeting. Mr. ,
Giroux moved that the use of the hall be granted free
of charge. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was
so voted.
Letter was received from Mr. Garrity stating that
the last public exhibition of the playground activities
Playground will be held on August 29th at 2.30 P:M. and he requested
awards that a member of the Board address the audience and
award the prizes. Mr. Giroux moved that the Chairman be
present. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted.
A request was received from John W. Leary for per -
Leary re mission to use one of the taxi stgnds on Mass. Avenue
taxi stand. at DeDot Square. Mr. Ross moved that Leary be granted
the privilege of using a stand, but that he was not to
have exclubive rights to any one stand. Mr. Potter
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from the Arlington Gas Light Co.
requesting the use of Estabrook Hall on Sept.. 23rd, 30th
Use of Hall. October 7th and 14th, from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. for
the purpose of conducting cooking classes. They re-
quested that the rate be set as low as possible. Mr.
Potter moved that the use of the hall be granted on these '
dates at the rate of $5.00 per afternoon. Mr. Ross
seconded the motion and it was so voted
Board of Appeals findings granting the petition
Board of
of Guiseppa Cacciola to maintain a roadside stand at
Appeals
708 Marrett Road and dezjring the petition of the Medford
orders.
Trust Co. to allow dancing at the stand at the corner
of Marrett Road and Waltham Street, were received.
Letter was received from the Boston Municipal
Research Bureau to which were attached five copies of
a bulletin discussing the Quabbin extension of the
Metropolitan
Metropolitan Water System. The Bureau recommended a
Water
retarded completion program to reduce assessments
System.
markedly as large blocks of water bonds mature during
the next five years; a vigorous effort to increase the
membership and consumption of the district; giving
localities veto powers over all future Metropolitan
projects. The letter urged that the Board's views be
submitted to the Governor or to Metropolitan officials
or the press. No action 'was taken on the matter.
Red Gross Mrs. F. R. Kimball requested that the Red Cross
Use of be allowed to use Estabrook Hall on the evening of
Hall. Sept. 22nd for the purpose of holding a meeting. Mr. ,
Giroux moved that the use of the hall be granted free
of charge. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was
so voted.
Letter was received from Mr. Garrity stating that
the last public exhibition of the playground activities
Playground will be held on August 29th at 2.30 P:M. and he requested
awards that a member of the Board address the audience and
award the prizes. Mr. Giroux moved that the Chairman be
present. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted.
A request was received from John W. Leary for per -
Leary re mission to use one of the taxi stgnds on Mass. Avenue
taxi stand. at DeDot Square. Mr. Ross moved that Leary be granted
the privilege of using a stand, but that he was not to
have exclubive rights to any one stand. Mr. Potter
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from the Arlington Gas Light Co.
requesting the use of Estabrook Hall on Sept.. 23rd, 30th
Use of Hall. October 7th and 14th, from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. for
the purpose of conducting cooking classes. They re-
quested that the rate be set as low as possible. Mr.
Potter moved that the use of the hall be granted on these '
dates at the rate of $5.00 per afternoon. Mr. Ross
seconded the motion and it was so voted
L
1
The Clerk reported that the t'Welcome to Lexington"
signs were owned by the Board of Trade and the Chairman
said that in view of this, the Town could not maintain
them. Mr. Giroux moved that an article be inserted in
the warrant to request the Town to take over these signs.
Mr: Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted.
563
"Welcome to.
Lexington
Signs".
The Chairman asked if the Board wished to do anything
furthler on the Barnes property. Mr. Giroux moved that Barnes
the Chairman write Judge Northrup asking the lowest property
figure that the heirs would accept for the property.
Mr. Potter seconded the motion and,it was so voted.
Mr. Giroux moved that the Building Inspector make
a report on the Barnes property and its present use.
Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Application was received from P. Palmariello;£or
permission to keep 200 ducks on Vallevfield Street. Permit to
The Health Inspector recommended that the permit be keep ducks
granted. Mr. Potter moved that the permit be granted.
Mr. Ross seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
the Chairman said that the Appropriation.Committee
had requested the Vine Brook Drainage Committee to meet
with them next week and Chairman Ballard wanted the
approval of the Selectmen before he agreed to the
meeting. Mr. Potter moved that the Selectmen approve
the Vine Brook Drainage Committee meeting with the
Appropriation Committee. Mr. Ross seconded the motion
and it was so voted.
The Chairman reminded the Board that no definite
action had been taken with regard to the letters
redel'Fed from Willard C. Hill and Robert Whitney re-
garding the insurance appraisal. Mr. Ross moved that
the matter be placed on the table for the time being
and that an article be placed in the warrant for the
next annual meeting to see if the Town would appropriate
money to pay for the work. Mr. Giroux seconded the
motion and it was so voted.
The meeting adjourned at 5:25 P.M.
'A true record, Attest:
Clerk.
Meeting.
Insurance
appraisal.
564
SELECTMENIS MEETING
AUG. 17, 1937
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,
Ross and Clark were present. The Clerk was also present.
The Chairman reminded the Board that no definite
Richards
action had been taken with regard to Mrs. Charles
case.
Richards' statement that she could not pay anything
toward the care of her daughter at the Middlesex County
Sanatorium. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. and Mrs. Richards
be billed for the entire care of their daughter Agnes
during her stay in the hospital. Mr. Giroux seconded
the motion and it was so voted. ,
At 8:00 P.M. hearing was declared open upon the
application of John Baskin for permission to maintain a
Baskin
two dar garage of brick construction at 45 Adams
case.
Street. Mr. Baskin appeared in favor of the application.
No persons appeared in opposition. Mr. Ross rioved that
the permit be granted subject to the approval of the
Building Inspector. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and
it was so voted.
At 8:02 P.M. hearing was declared open upon the
,
Pole
petition of the Boston Edison Co. and the New Eng. Tel.
location
& Tel. Co. for permission to locate one pole on
hearing.
Oakmount Circle, approximately 465 feet southeast of
York Street. No persons appeared in favor or in
opposition. Mr. Ross moved that the permit be granted.
Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted.
At 8:04 P.M. hearing was dedlared open upon the
Shaw application of Anna Shaw,for permission to maintain a
garage one car garage of wooden construction at 11 Hamblen
.hearing. Street. Mr. & Mrs. Shaw appeared and presented plan
of the proposed garage. No persons appeared in
opposition. Mr. Ross 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 Supt. of Public Works
in which he stated that he had investigated the cost
Water rate of installing six inch water mains during the past
assessment five years to determine the advisability of making a
change in the assessment rate in accordance with the
Boardfs instructions. Using the same method of
arriving at the assessment figure as used in the past, ,
the assessment rate based on the extension costs for
the past five years would be $.94 per four. Mr.
Raymond did not recommend a change in the assessment for
1
L
water Mains for the coming year. Mr. Giroux moved
that no change be made in the assessment rate. Mr.
Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from the Supt. of Public
Works containing the result of his investigation into
the nedessity of stop signs at various locations in town.
In determining thexe locations, Mr. Raymond took into
account the visibility, the amount of traffic and
entering traffic, and whether or not the traffic would
be local or a combination of local and out of Town traffic.
He listed the streets he thought should have stop signs.
The Chairman suggested that a copy of the letter be sent
to theChief of Police and his recommendation received.
Mr. Giroux moved that the Chairman's suggestion be
followed. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so
voted. N
The Board considered the property which the Town
has acquired through foreclosure of tax titles. Mr.
Potter moved that the Town Engineer be requested to
check up on the lines of the thirty-four acres which
were formerly owned by O'Riorden, et als; in the back
of the sand pit near Westview Street to determine whether
or not the Lexington Sand and Gravel Co. was excavating
in Town land. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was
so voted.
565
Stop
signs.
Tax Title
property
Mr. Giroux moved that a Town Meetirig be held on
Town
September 27th 1937. Mr. Ross seconded the motion, and
Meeting
it was so voted.
Mr. Giroux moved that the Welfare Department
Unemploy-
establish an unemployment bureau and secure adequate
meat Bureau
publicity in the local paper regarding it. Mr. Ross
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from the Chief of Police stating
that he had been informed by the State Police that
Patrolman Henry H. Harvey had been arrested on August
Police
13, 19$71.for being drunk and operating an automobile
Officer
while tinder the influence of intoxicating liquor. The
suspended.
Board discussed the matter with the Chief of Police, who
said that the case had not come up as yet but would
come up on Thursday, August 19th. Mr. Giroux moved that
Officer) Harvey be suspended immediately until further
noticeiin view of the charges preferred against hiza
by the 'State Police. Mr. Clark seconded the motion
and it 'was so voted.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 P. M.
A,true record, Attest:
Clerk.