HomeMy WebLinkAbout1937-09-14586
x
SELECTMEN'S MEETING
SEPT. 14th, 1937. '
A regular meeting of the Selectmen was held in the
Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 6:30 P. M.
Chairman Ferguson, Messrs. Potter, Clark, Giroux and Ross
were present. The Clerk was'also present.
The Supt. of Public Works appeared before the Board.
He stated that the Town was paying a very high fee from
Use of A. Ross time to time for the rental of a trailer which had to be
& Son's equip- rented out of town and also had to pay for the trip to
ment. Amend- Lexington and return. If the steam shovel breaks down,
ment to By-law.it is necessary to hire one out of town. He said that
during the coming winter, the Town would be greatly handi-
capped if it was unable to hire A. Ross & Sonts large
truck for snow work and for these various reasons, he
would like to have an article inserted in the warrant to
amend the By-laws of the town so that they would not
prevent the rental of equipment for the use of the town
from a member of the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Ross said that as far as he was concerned, he
did not care whether the article went in or not, but Mr.
Raymond had told him that he was anxious to have the By-
laws amended so that A. Ross & Son equipment could be '
used.
Mr. Raymond said he did not talk to the Town Counsel
about it, but would do so and advise the Board.
Mr. Raymond reported that William J. Haley of
Bacon Street had some wells near Clematis Brook. Haley .
pumps water from these wells to an overhead tank. He
had a 14 inch pipe which has been in service some eight
or ten years. Haley claims that following several heavy
Damage to
blasts, he was unable to get water and found that the
Haley's water
pipe was leaking in several places. He attributes the
pipe.
trouble to the blasts. Mr. Raymond examined the pipe
with Mr. Joseph Ross and it was their opinion that the
pipe was about ready to go. Mr. Raymond said, however,
that it was entirely possible that the blast aggravated
the worn places. He thought that the pipe might have been
good for a couple of years longer. Haley put in new pipe
for the entire distance at a total cost of $58.33, of
which $18.00 was For labor. Mr. Raymond said that if the
Town admitted that it had reduced the life of the old
pipe, he thought the value was about $9.00 and he thought
that if the Town paid this and gave Haley something for
consideration, a settlement of 18.00 would be fair.
Mr. Ross moved that the claim be settled for $18.00 and
charged to the Public Works, Labor and Materials approp- '
riation, subject to the Town Counsel's approval. Mr.
Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted.
1
u
Mr. Raymond reported that there was $4111,96 in the
Water Dept. Available Surplus Account and $620.47 in the
Water Assessment Fund.
Mr. Ross informed the Board that he had received a
verbal request from Father McCarthy that the overhead
wires from Elm Avenue to just beyond Forest Street be put
underground. He said that he had talked with Mr. Randall
of the Edison Co. and had written the Telephone Company
about.it and he wondered if the Board had any objection
to his determining if these companies would do the work.
The Board had no objection to Mr. Ross's proceeding to
see what he could do.
Mr. Ross said that Father McCarthy also wanted two
new elegtric light poles of the concrete type with
goose -necks and 600 watt lamps in front of the church.
Mr. Raymond said that there was enough money in the
Street Lighting appropriation to pay for the power used
for these lamps. It was decided to hold the matter over
until the next meeting.
Mr. Raymond said that he had a number of requests to
do work in front of new houses on accepted streets where
there were no sidewalks and no shoulders. He received
a request from John Baskin of Adams Street, Ross on Mass.
Avenue and Vanderwoude on Baker Avenue, Mr. Raymond
said that now when they accept a street, the Town does
all the work so that it is a finished street.. That was
not done on Baker Avenue. The pavement actually built
varies from 17 feet to 21 feet and Mr. Vanderwoude, who
paid over $500* for betterment assessments, states that
the -specifications called for a 24 foot pavement. Mr.
Raymond said that VanderWoude had paid enough.for a
betterment street but actually did not get one and he
felt that the Town should fix up the gutters and shoulders
and put in a gravel sidewalk. Mr. Baskin was concerned
.about the water and Mr. Raymond told him to go ahead and
loam and grass his lawn and if the water washed it off,
the Town.would put in a bituminous gutter. In regard to
the Ross house on Mass. Avenue, Mr. Raymond thought that
the gutter should be loamed and grassed. The first house
has a ledge that sticks out in the sidewalk about three
feet and there are probably twenty yards of ledge in the
piece. To fix up the loam strip would cost about $250.
Mr. Raymond said that there were a number of cases where
such work had not been done but he thought that the Town
should find funds somewhere to do things like this on
accepted streets. Mr. Giroux moved that Mr. Raymond be
authorized to do such work in each case as he deemed
necessary. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was
so voted.
nee
Funds.
Wires -
Elm
Avenue.
Street
Lights.
Work on
accepted
streets.
Mr. Raymond reported that he had received applica-
tions from Messrs. Morse, Hynes and White on Locust
Sidewalk Avenue for sidewalks. The contract price for con -
works structing these three sidewalks is $350.00, exclusive of
ledge, and he thought that at least $500* should be
appropriated and transferred at the next town meeting.
He said that this was almost an emergency as the town
had to replace ,the stone dust twice this summer as it
was washed away from the sidewalk. Mr. Ross moved that
such an article be inserted in the warrant. Mr. Giroux
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Raymond said that he had worked up=projects to
be done in 1938 under the provisions of Chapter 90 as
follows:
Watertown Street, from end of present work to the Belmont
Line - ;12.90000 0:- Mr. Raymond said that the street in
Lexington was in a much better shape than in Belmont, but
he thought that Belmont was going ahead and rebuild it
next year. He thought, however, that there were other
projects that were much more important.
Pleasant Street, between Concord Avenue and the new Turn-
pke - 0.00:- It will require a taking to provide
a thirty foot pavement and a fifty foot right of way.
Chapter 90 This figure includes drainage, but $2500. more will be
Work. needed for a drain parallel to the Concord Turnpike to
the brook.
Bedford Street, from Tewksbury Street to the Railroad -
This figure includes curbing, drainage and
Class I pavement.
Woburn Street, from Mass. Avenue to Utica Street -
425,630.00:- This includes curbing on•both sides and
,drainage in accordance with Metcalfr& Eddy's plan.
Mr. Paxton thinks that Watertown'. Pleasant and
Walnut Streets should be done in one year but that
Bedford and Woburn Streets should be done in two years.
The drainage and curbing could be put in in one year and
the pavement the next year. Everything over $15,000.00
has to be done by unit price and for that reason Mr.
Raymond thought that Paxtonts idea had merit. He said
that he was not ready yet to make any specific recommend-
ations, but he thought it would be fAir for the Town to
appropriate about $30,000. for Chapter 90 work.
Mr. Ross asked whether or not Mr. Raymond had given
any consideration to asking for bids on any of this work,
and he said that he had not and that if it was let -out
for bids, the State would handle it entirely. Mr. Ross
said that Belmont and Arlington laid their own drainage
and set the curb and let the pavement work to a contractor.
It was decided to take no action on the matter until the
next meeting*
lJ
1
1
' Mr. Raymond said that he asked five dealers for bids
on supplying coal to the Town Offices and Cary Memorial
Building and Public Works Building, the same five dealers
that gave him the bids last year. He received only one
bid and that was from the Lexington Coal Company. They
cannot bid on coal to be supplied in January and he
supposed that -that was the reason none of the other
dealers bid on it. The bid of the Lexington Coal Co.
is a little higher than what was bid last year. Mr.
Giroux moved that Mr. Raymond be authorized to place his
order'for coal for the amount he needs and when he sees
fit, Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted.
1
1
Mr, Raymond reported that there was a silver maple
24 inches in diameter right in the center of Sherburne
Road on the Vine Brook Road loam strip. He suggested
that it be posted for removal. Mr. Ross moved that the
suggestion be carried out. Mr. Giroux seconded the
motion and it was so voted.
At the last meeting the Board instructed Mr. Raymond
to make tests in the O'Riordan property. He was thinking
of using Park Department men and the spraying device to
do this, but he thought afterward that perhaps the Board
wanted to have the work done with Welfare labor. He did
not think that that was practicable. He said that there
were no funds available for wash borings. Mr. Ross said
that what he had in mind was merely to make test holes
and see if there was anything that could be used for
filling or could be sold. Mr. Raymond said that it would
be necessary to build a road into the property before
anything at all could be done. There was some question
as to the exact location of the property and it was
decided to do nothing further on the matter until the
locus was determined exactly.
Mr. Raymond reported that Mr, Custance was not in
any hurry to have his bill paid for work on Follen Road
as he has not even sent in the bill.
Bids on
coal.
Tree in
Sherburne
Road.
OtRiordan
property.
Follen Road,
work.
Mr. Raymond brought up the question of erecting Signs on
signs on private streets leading off private streets. private
He said he did not think it was up to the Town to do Streets
this. He has had a number of requests for signs on
such streets and received one today from Mr. Trebino
of Dunham Street. He has refused to erect such signs
and asked the Board's approval of his action. Mr. Ross
moved that his action be approved and that the policy be
continued. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was
so voted.
Mr. Raymond said that he received a request from
William Devine to put some fill in Brookside Avenue and
he told Devine that the Board would probably approve
ME,
putting it in at $2.00 a load. Mr. Potter
Request for he would not be getting into trouble doing
filling Chairman said he thought the policy of not
material. filling material should be continued. Mr.
that Mr. Devine's request be refused. Mr,
seconded the motion and it was so voted,
wondered if '
this and the
selling
Giroux moved
Potter
Mr. Giroux said that the same people who wanted
the "Stop" signals at Merriam Street now wanted some
"Go Slow" signs at the three approaches to Mass. Avenue.
Traffic Mr. Raymond said that the Town was having too many signs
signs. now and the answer would be up-to-date traffic signals.
The signals at Clark Street are not working and Mr.
Raymond said that the signals at Waltham Street would
not last the winter. The Chairman suggested that Louis
Bills be requested to report to the Selectmen on the
condition of the traffic signals in the center of the
Town. Mr. Raymond said that he would request such a
report from Bills.
Letter was received f oon Treasurer advising
that he had received a bid OT"
a loan of X10,600.
for Waltham Street which is to be constructed under
Loan. Chapter 90 in anticipation of reimbursement from the
State 'and County and on $5,100. for maintenance of
various roads under Chapter 90 in anticipation of re-
imbursement. Mr. Potter moved that the Town Treasurer
be authorized to accept the bid. Mr. Ross seconded
the motion and it was so voted.
At 8:00 P.M. hearing was declared open on the
Overly application of Charles H. Overly for permission to
garage maintain a one car garage at 29 Colony Road. No
hearing. persons appeared in favor or in opposition. Mr. Potter
moved that the permit be granted subject to the approval
of the Building Inspector. Mr. Ross seconded the
motion and it was so voted.
At 8:02 P.M. hearing was dedlared open upon the
Ross application of Albert A. Ross for permission to maintain
garage a two car garage at 2652 Mass. Avenue. Mr. Ross being
hearing. present at the meeting, presented plan of the proposed
garage. No persons appeared in opposition. Mr. Potter
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 8:04 P.M. hearing was declared open upon the
Barry application of Hazel M. Barry for permission to maintain
garage a two car garage at Sherburne Road, Mr. Barry appeared
hearingo and presented plan of the proposed garage. No persons
appeared in opposition. Mr. Potter moved that the
permit be granted subject to the approval of the Building
Inspector, Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so
voted.
1
1
U
1
r
�n
At 8:06 P.M. hearing was declared open upon the
application of Gustaf S. Julin for permission to main-
tain a two car garage at 87 Cliffe Avenue. Mr. Julin Julin
appeared and presented plan of the proposed garage. No garage
persons appeared in opposition. Mr. Potter moved that hearing.
the permit be granted subject to the approval of the
Building Inspector. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and
it was so voted.
At 8:10 P.M. hearing was declared open before the
Board of Appeals and the Board of Selectmen upon the
petition of Jennie M. Partridge for permission to main-
tain two underground tanks for the storage of gasoline
in the capacity of 1000 gallons each on the premises
at 400 Waltham Street.
Chairman Maddison and Mr. Robbins and Associate
Member John A. Lyons were present as members of the
Board of Appeals; also Mr. Ferguson,, being a member of
both Boards.
Notice of the hearing before the Selectmen was read
by Chairman Ferguson, and notice of the hearing before
the Board of Appeals was read by Mr. Robbins.
Several persons were present -at the hearing, in-
cluding Mr. R. L. Ryder, counsel for the petitioner.
Mr. Ryder said that he filed the application for Mrs.
Partridge. The property is leased to the Morris Motors,
represented by Mr. Morris Bloomberg, who has been in
business for himself at this location for a little less
than two years. In October 1935, the Board of Appeals
granted a permit for a service station and show room at Partridge
this location and it has been operated as such since that Joint
time. It has been determined that the sale of gasoline Hearing.
and oil is going to be necessary if Mr. Bloomberg is
going to succeed and do more than pay his rent. Mr.
Ryder said he thought the property was ideally located
for this purpose. He thought that probably the Jenney
Mfg. Co. and the Standard Oil Co. would be represented
to oppose the petition. Mr. Ryder said that if the Bbard
was going to give a man the privilege of conducting a
garage and service station, he should be given the right
to sell gasoline. He has tried to operate without it and
finds that it is a great handicap to his business. The
gasoline and oil he would sell would be to his own customers
and people who come to have work done on their automobiles.
Ryder did not think it would harm the business of the
other two gasbline companies. He thought it was only
proper that Mr. Bloomberg should have the privilege of
selling gasoline and said that it would enable him to
make a better thing of what he started out to do.
Chairman Maddison stated that the permit from the
Board of Appeals stated specifically that there should
not be any sale of gasoline. Mr. Ryder replied that he
was not at the hearing and did not know that but he
thought that the business required it and he did not see
why the permit was not granted before.
592
Chairman Maddison asked where:Mr. Bloomberg planned
to place the pumps and Mr. Ryder presented a plan show- '
ing the proposed location.
Wo other persons wished to be heard in favor.
Mr. John F. Rogers of 23 Haskell Street, the lessee
of the u.��} al�'l�,,? 1 s that he had
been inIi�ge`athtsaio$rIire or four years.
He said that he objected to t e granting of the petition
because there was not enough business on the corner for
another station. Mr. Rogers said that there was a pump
in back of Mr. Bloomberg's garage which Mr. Partridge
used and he said that Bloomberg use it and if he merely
wanted the privilege of selling gasoline to take care of
his own business, the pump in the rear would take care
of that. He said that there were two stations at the
corner now and he thought they had and would take care
of the business ably. He said that When Marrettaftad
was Route 2, there was a great deal of traffic going
through but that the traffic had decreased greatly since
the construction of the Concord Turnpike. Most of the
traffic now is along Route 128, and if Bloomberg was
granted this permit, his pumps would be on Route 128.
Charles McDonald of 14 Grapevine Avenue said that
he' had worked with Mr. Rogers as an attendant at the
station and that they were not very busy. There are
ten pumps on the corner now. He said he believed that
at the present time Morris Motors is selling oil but he
did not know about gasoline.
Mr. Robert H. Eldridge of 495 Waltham Street said
that he could not see how Mrs. Partridge would make any-
thing by having this permit granted. He did not believe
that the property was in A.1 shape now and said that from
a pedestrians standpoint, the sidewalk was not very good.
There are trees in front of the garage and the street is
rather narrow and he thought that gasoline pumps would
increase the danger to children going'to the stores at
the corner. He thought that the two stations now es-
tablished were sufficient 'and he said that they were kept
in good condition.
Mrs. Robert H. Eldridge of 495 Waltham Street said
that if the pumps were put in there, the cars would have
to be on the sidewalk, so-called, bedause the building
was close to the street. She thought that this would be
very dangerous.
Chairman Maddison stated that there would be twelve
feet between the property line and the pumps.
Mrs. Eldridge stated that she wished to be recorded
in opposition.
Mr. Ryder said that the gasoline pump Rogers men-
tioned was easily fifty feet from the property in question
and had nothing to do with it. That pump is connected '
with the store that faces on Marrett Road and Mr. Bloom-
berg does not use it. He said that therd was just one
tree and that was on the exact division line between the
Socony station and this property and he thought that it
was dying now. The property has a frontage of approx-
imately 100 feet and the pumps would be loeeted twelve
feet from the line, the same distance back as those of
the Standard Oil Co.
Mr. Rogers said that he wished the Board to know that
the Morris Motors had been given permission by the owner
to use the pump in the rear and that company had had
gasoline delivered to the pump.
No other persons wished to speak in opposition and
the hearing was declared closed at 8:30 P.M.
Mr. Lyons moved that the Board of Appeals reserve
its decision until the next meeting which will be held
on Sept. 24th, 1937. Mr. Robbins seconded the motion and
it was so voted.
Mr. Giroux moved that the Selectmen reserve their
decision until the Board of Appeals has acted on the
petition. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so
voted.
Mr. Robert Whitney appeared before the Board to dis-
cuss insurance. He said that building costs had gone up
since the appraisal and at the present time, all town
buildings were under -insured.
' The Chairman asked how serious that was. He said
that most of our buildings were insured for about 100%
at the time of the last appraisal. Mr. Whitney replied
that the buildings were insured to about 90% of the then
value and they are now ten or fifteen percent lower. The
Chairman asked if the only way we could find out how
much we are under -insured would be by having an appraisal.
Mr. Whitney replied that the Board could go by the National
Appraisal Company's figures. The Chairman said that at
the present time there were no funds available and asked
if Mr. Whitney thought it would be serious if the matter
was let go until next March. Mr. Whitney said that it
might very probably be serious. The Chairman asked if
contents had gone up and Mr. Whitney replied that he
believed so. He suggested that the Board recognize the
increase in building costs by adopting some arbitrary
figure until an appropriation is available. He said that
by increasing the valuation, the rates would not be
increased if all valuations were increased by the same
percentage. Mr. Giroux said that if valuations were in-
creased proportionately, there would still be the problem
of securing funds. Mr. Whitney said that building costs
had increased more than 10%,
It was decided to do nothing on the matter at this
meeting. The Clerk was instructed to find out before
I
the next meeting how the Insurance appropriation stands.
593
Insurance
594
Copy of letter from the Building Inspector to the
Town Counsel was read, The Building Inspector reported
Brown that the property on Marrett Road occupied by Roger Brown
property. was inspected on Sept, 10th and he found that Brown was
not obeying the injunction as there were about twelve
loads of brick stored on both sides of the garage and
about 280 bags of cement stored inside the garage.
Letter was received from the Secretary of the Board
Funds for of Retirement advising that the sum of $1500, should be
Retirement provided at the next Town Meeting for the Pension
Board. Accumulation Fund and that 0250.00 should be provided
to cover expenses until the annual meeting in 1938.
Letter was received from the Board of Retirement
advising that Robert H, White, Consulting Supt. of the
White -
Highway Dept., had requested to be admitted into member -
Retirement.
ship in the Contributory Retirement System and that the
Board had admitted Mr, White. The Board also received a
request from Mr. White that he be continued in service
for a period of two years, The Retirement Board rdquested
that the Selectmen give that Board its recommendation with
regard to Mr. White being continued in service for the
period requested.
Letter was received from the Board of Retirement
Collins -
advising that John J. Collins of the Highway Department
Retirement
had requested that he be admitted into membership in
the Contributory Retirement System. The Board admitted
Mr' Collins into membership on Sept. 9th. Mr. Collins
had also requested that he be continued in service for
a period of two years. The Retirement Board requested
that the Selectmen give that Board its recommendation
with reference to Mr. Collin's request,
Letter was received from the Board of Retirement
Hadley -
relative to Mr. Charles E. Hadley, who became age 70
Retirement.
on August 24th, 1935. Mr. Hadley has signified his
desire to become a member of the Retirement System and
had also filed a request for continuation in service for
a period of two years. His case will be decided by the
Board of Retirement very soon and if it is decided that
the man is eligible for membership, his request for con-
tinuation in service will be referred to the Selectmen
for recommendation,
The Board of Retirement appeared before the Select -
Discussion
men. The Chairman asked what the policy of the Retirement
re Retire-
Board was going to be on these sort of requests. Mr,
ment cases.
Russell stated that there would be only these cases which
were being discussed now, as those reaching age 70 after
July lst, 1937 who are members of the System will have to
be retired. There are only six cases which are now
pending.
Mr. Walker stated that it seemed to his Board that
where Mr. Whitens salary is appropriated up to Dec. 31st,
595
1937, it would be proper to retire him as of that date
inasmuch as he was not giving the town service. The
Chairman asked if Mr. White were retired as of Dec. 310
1937 and assuming that there was enough agitation to
continue him for two years, if he would be reimbursed for
the difference between his pension and what he would get
from direct appropriation. Mr. Walker said he thought
that he would. Mr. Russell said that the Statute says
that any person who is receiving a pension in a city or
town shall receive no other remuneration from that city
or town unless it is from a position to which he is elected
by vote of the people. The Town Accountant said that the
town could not appropriate a salary that would carry over
December 31st, but that the Selectmen could recommend that
Mr. White be retired as of some time next year, then an
article could be inserted in the warrant to see if the
Town was in favor of Mr. White being continued in service
for the two years. It was decided to request the Supt.
of Public Works to give the Board his recommendation
relative to the continuance of employment of Mr. John D.
Collins.
It was decided to defer decision on all the cases
until the next meeting.
Letter was received from the Field and Garden Club
requesting the use of Estabrook Hall for meetings on the Use of
following dates; October 25, November 29, January 31, Hall,
1938, February 28, March 28, and April 25. Mr. Giroux
moved that the use of the hall be granted on these dates
free of charge. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it
was so voted.
Mr. Arthur J. Wellington and the Town Counsel appeared
before the Board relative to the so-called Harrington
property. Mr. Wellington said that everything relative
to the sale of the property had been straightened out but
the brook and the strip of land adjoining the same. At
the present time the Town has an easement for the purpose
of cleaning out the brook and it has been suggested that
it would be agreeable to the Town if it could have a Harrington
conveyance of five feet from the thread of the brook and property
a" discharge of any easement beyond the five foot line.
He said that the matter had been submitted to the Dept.
of Justice and that he had received no reply at all on
it. It then had to go to the Treasury Dept. and ten
days ago he received a reply and apparently that Depart-
ment was agreeable but wanted to go through the formula
of giving an exact description of any easement that would
have to be given and a proposal containing the exact
description. Mr. Wellington said that the plans of the
building had been made and it was not planned to put any
part of the building on the five foot strip. The width
of the brook is 4.6 and they wanted to take the line five
596
�c
feet from the thread. He suggested that the warrant
for the next town meeting carry an article for the
Selectmen to release all easements now owned by the
Town on that side of the road in exchange for a strip
of land for whatever width it is.
Article ''he Town Counsel said that he would draw up such
for an article and Mr. Giroux moved that it be included in
warrant. the warrant. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was
so voted.
Mr. Wellington then_ said he had another case which
he would like to discuss and that was the case of Scheibe
vs. Lexington. He said that during the construction of
Lincoln Street, trees were out down on Mr. Scheibe'sland
and he was not consulted. Scheibe was very much upset
Scheibe and there are now two or three suits growing out of the
case. cutting down of these trees. Mr. Scheibe has passed away
and his family wanted to get the matter straightened out.
Mr. Wellington is now dealing with Scheibe's brother and
widow. There is some legal expense involved, but Mr.
Wellington has got the Scheibes to say that they will
settle for $750.00.
The Board told Mr. Wellington the matter would be
discussed and he retired.
Mr. Ross moved that no action be taken on the
matter until the December Town Meeting. Mr. Potter '
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
It was decided that the Board should think the
matter over and make Scheibe a counter-offer.
The Town Counsel said he would like to discuss the
case of the Colonial Garage vs. the Town of Lexington.
Mr. James Gleason of Winchester, a real estate' man,
says the damage to the property is $9.4630.00. His way
Colonial is to figure not only the value of the land, but also
Garage the effect of the taking on Viano's business. He takes
Suit. the land on which the garage stands as well as the land
between the garage and the brook. Viano says that by
reason of this taking, he is prevented from enlarging
his sales and show room. Mr. Eugene Viano has said
that if the Board did not want to pay him the X9,630.00
he would like to have a hearing before the Board. Mr.
Wrightington suggested that an expert be hired to offer
counter -testimony to Gleason's. Mr. Giroux moved that
Mr. Wrightington be authorized to secure the services
of an expert to testify in the case. Mr. Potter seconded
the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Wrightington discussed the case of Theresa B.
Cummings Cummings vs. the Town of Lexington, which case grew out
case* of the deepening and widening of Brown's Brook. He said
that he would tell Mrs. Cummings that the next step would
be for her to have a hearing before the Selectmen.
Mr. Wrightington discussed the Ryder cases and he
1 said that he went over the proposed agreement with R. L.
Ryder. Mr. Wrightington presented a letter which he
proposed to send to the Board, and he sent Ryder a copy
of it. He had just received his reply today. The Chairman
said that it was planned to submit the Drainage Report to
the next Town Meeting ai3d ask for funds for the engineering.
He thought that a copy of the agreement should be mailed''',to
the Town Meeting Members and to ask for what money is needed
at the December meeting. The Town Counsel said that right
along it has been understood that Ryder would settle the
cases only if the drainage project was going through.
The Board discussed the matter of the purchase of
the Barnes property. Mr. Potter moved that an article
for the, purchase of the property be inserted in the
warrant.provided Judge Northrup or some other individual
requested it. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so
voted. Mr. Clark wished to be recorded in opposition.
Letter was received from the Town Counsel relative
to the unexpected incrdase in the number of claims for
personal injuries due to defective streets. Attached to
this letter was a copy of a letter addressed to the Chief
of Police requesting that immediately after an accident,
a report should be made in considdrable detail.
Letter was received from the Town Counsel advising
that there was nothing specific in the Building or Zoning
By-laws relative to the erection of markers on the Green
' by the Lexington Historical Society. In his opinion, the
Building Law is not applicable to such historical markers
and there is nothing in the Zoning Laws which affect their
erection because such markers are appropriate for the
597
Ryder
cases.
Article re
Barnes
property.
Soar case
Emery
Will
Claims.
Historical
markers.
Letter was received from the Town Counsel advising
that he had been unsuccessful in securing an expert who
would be accepted in Court as qualified to express an
opinion on the effect of surface conditions on Waltham
Street on fast and slow driving. This referred to the
case of Soar et als vs. the Town of Lexington. He said
the best he could do was to have Mr. F. K. Johnson look
at the road and to rely on Mr. Raymond's ability to give
a --technical description of it if that should become ad-
visable later.
Letter was received from the Town Counsel relative
to the proper disposition of the funds aecrueing under the
will of the late Frederick L. Emery. Mr. Wrightington
thought that the $5000. in the fund should be turned over
to the Town to be administered by the Trustees of Public
Trusts. They would then invest the money and pay over
the income to the Field and Garden Club and see that that
Club applied the income in accordance with the limitations
of the Will.
Letter was received from the Town Counsel relative
to the unexpected incrdase in the number of claims for
personal injuries due to defective streets. Attached to
this letter was a copy of a letter addressed to the Chief
of Police requesting that immediately after an accident,
a report should be made in considdrable detail.
Letter was received from the Town Counsel advising
that there was nothing specific in the Building or Zoning
By-laws relative to the erection of markers on the Green
' by the Lexington Historical Society. In his opinion, the
Building Law is not applicable to such historical markers
and there is nothing in the Zoning Laws which affect their
erection because such markers are appropriate for the
597
Ryder
cases.
Article re
Barnes
property.
Soar case
Emery
Will
Claims.
Historical
markers.
598
x
use of the land for a public common and such use by the
Town does not require consideration by the Board of
Appeals. In his opinion, the Town might erect such
markers on the Green and the Selectmen can, if they
choose, authorize the Historical Society to do the work
for the Town.
Mr. Ross moved that the Historical Society be
authorized to erect historical markers on the Common and
in front of the Buckman Tavern. Mr. Clark sedonded the
motion and it was so voted.
Flags for Letter was received from the Chief Marshal of the
celebrktion. State Committee on the Celebration of the U.S. Constitu-
tion Sesquicentennial requesting permission to use the
thirteen flags of the thirteen original states for the
parade to be held on Fridays September 17th. Mr. Clark
moved that the use of the flags be granted. Mr. Potter
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received fDom the Tax Collector advising
Article re: that he had received a counterfeit $10.00 bill and request -
Tax Collector-ing that an article be placed in the warrant so that he
reimbursement.might be reimbursed in that amount.
Letter was received from. Theodore N. Waddell, Director
of .Accounts, on the matter. Mr. Waddell said that he knew
of no Statutory provision .for a thing such as this but
that quite frequently cities and towns did vote to cover '
"overs" and "shorts" occasioned bt the receipt of counter-
feit money and other causes, and if the Town should vote
an appropriation to reimburse the Collector fot this
counterfeit bill, he did not believe that anyone would
question the right to do so. Mr. Waddell suggested that
an article be placed in the warrant for the special Town
Meeting for the Town to act -on it.
Letter was received from the Lexington High School
Use of Football Injuries Committee requesting the use of Cary
Hall. Memorial Hall on Friday evening, November 26th, from
8:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M. for the purpose of holding a dance.
Mr. Potter moved that the use of the hall be granted free
of charge. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so
voted.
The application of the Middlesex County Sanatorium
Permit to for permission to keep from 75 to 200 swine on Boa Street
keep swine. (Waltham) was received. Mr. Potter moved that the permit
be granted. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so
voted.
Mr. Stanley Doucette's offer of $100.00 for lots
33 and 34 Charles Street was discussed. Mr. Potter said
that he had look at these lots and the two of them
contained less than 5,000 feet. He thought that the lots
599
were worth more than $100. and he moved that the two lots Sale of
be offered to Mr. Doucette for $150.00. Mr. Ross seconded lots.
t -he motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from the Lexington Lions Club
requesting the use of Cary Memorial Hall on October 21, Use of
1937, for the purpose of holding a penny sale. Mr. Potter Hall.
moved that the use of the hall be granted.subject to a fee
of $15.00. Mr. Clark secor4dd tie inotior. and it was so
voted. -
Commitment of Water and Sewer House Connections in
the amount of $88.01 was signed by the Board.
The Board discussed the articles for the Warrant.
Mr. Ross moved that the vote of last week to extend the
water main in Shade Street from the Andresen property to
the Hayden driveway be rescinded. Mr. Potter seconded
the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Ross moved that the
water main be extended in Shade Street from Weston
Street to the Hayden drive. Mr. Potter seconded the
motion and it was so voted.
Commitment
Article re
water in
Shade St.
The Board signed the warrant for the Town Meeting to
be held on September 27th, 1937. Warrant.
The meeting adjourned at 11:20 P.M.
A true record, Attest:
Clerk.