HomeMy WebLinkAbout1938-07-05SELECTMENIS MEETING
1 JULY 5, 1938.
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held
in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, .at 7:00 P.M.
Chairman Giroux, Messrs. Potter, Rowse and Clark were
present. The Clerk was also present.
The Health Inspector appeared before the Board. He
stated that Mr. E. W. Harrod had been ordered to install a
toilet at 703 Mass. Avenue and connect with the sewer. The
Harrod
Plumbing Inspector has given Vernon Page a permit to do this
property
work. Mr. Stevenson said the building laws state that a
health
toilet cannot be installed in the cellar of a tenement
menace*
house but this is not a tenement house, and they are putting
this one in the cellar. The cellar is damp. What boards
there are in it are rotted and the tenants do not use it
at all. There are steps leading down into it which in
Mr. Stevenson's opinion, are not safe and the toilet is to
be in talled thirty-six feet from the foot of the stairs.
Mr. Stevenson thought the odor from the toilet might go
into ;the store. There is plenty of room on the second
floor of the house and he thought the toilet should be in-
stalled there. The tenant says she will not use it down-
stairs. Mr. Stevenson thought the proposed location would
be a health menace. Mr. Clark said that it would be an
inconvenience but he did not see how it would be a health
menace. Mr. Rowse said he thought the owner should be told
that in Mr. Stevenson's opinion this was not a proper
location and might develop into a health menace and if so.,
the toilet would have to be condemned. Mr. Stevenson agreed
to do this and said it would be necessary to put in a window
four feet square anyway. He retired.
Mr. Rowse asked what action, if any, had been taken
with regard to the inspection of dairies in the town. The
Dairies
Board felt it would be wise to discuss the matter with Mr.
Stevenson and it was decided to request him to appear at
the next meeting.
Mr. Raymond appeared before the Board. He said he had
received three drainage complaints during the last two heavy
rains, one from Waltham Street beyond Brookside Avenue, the
complaint being that the water reached way across the street
Drainage
and blinded the drivers, the second from Mr. Spencer who
complained of water standing on Lowell Street in front of
his house, and the other from a Mr. Dillman of 472 Waltham
Street. His property is at the corner of Kendall Road.
Mr. Raymond said that there was more than $400. left in the
1937 account for drainage for sundry streets. He would like
to put in two filter basins at Lowell Street as he did not
know of any other way to take care of the water. There is
a possibility that these basins will be ripped out when the
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Mr. Raymond informed the Board that the Assistant
Town Engineer was usually selected by the Town Counsel as
the engineering witness where plans had to be drawn up and
matters discussed in Court. Quite often it is necessary for
turnpike goes through. Mr. Potter thought it would be too
him to carry volumes, etc. back and forth from the Court and
bad to lay out money there if the turnpike was going through.
Mr. Raymond said he would like to try out a similar method
it is most convenient for him to make use of his own car.
on Waltham Street. Mr. Potter said he would be in favor
'
of doing the work on Waltham Street but not on Lowell
his car was being used on this work. Mr. Potter thought that
Street. Mr. Raymond thought it would cost about $300.00
the principal was right as did Mr. Rowse, who thought that
to do the Waltham Street job. Mr. Clark asked if it would
the expense should be charged to the legal department. Mr.
not be feasable to dump the water into a ditch so it could
Rowse moved that in the future when a town employee is re-
be carried away and Mr. Raymond said that one would then
quired by the Tbwn Counsel to'- serve 'as a'witriess o'r'to trans-
have the question of cleaning out the brook.
port documents in connection with legal issues and use his
Mr. Clark moved that no action be taken on the Lowell
personal car, the employee is tobereimbursed in the amount
Street drainage complaint. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion
of five cents per mile, this amount to be charged to the
and it was so voted. Mr. Clark moved that Mr. Raymond be
Law Department Expenses account. Mr. Potter seconded the
authorized to install two filter catch basins on Waltham
motion and it was so voted.
Street at a cost of approximately $300.00. Mr. Rowse
Mr. Raymond said that there was an item in this warrant
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
in the amount of $5.25 for Stanley Higgins' mileage in
Mr. Raymond said that part of Kendall Road and part of
connection with engineering work. Mr. Rowse moved that
Hilltop Avenue were accepted. Mr. Dillman complains that
this bill be approved and charged to Engineering Expenses.
the water from the accepted part of the streets runs down
Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted.
into his driveway. Up to now, Mr. Raymond has taken the
position that the Town was not liable inasmuch as the water
was not taken down by artificial drainage methods. However,
he talked this over with the Town Counsel who thought that
the gutter might be construed to be artificial drainage.
Mr. Raymond thought the town would be justified in going into
the unaccepted portion of Kendall Road and putting in a
bituminous shoulder in front of Dillmants drive and then
have the water run down into the unaccepted portion of the
street. Mr. Rowse moved that no action be taken on the
matter. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Raymond informed the Board that the Assistant
Town Engineer was usually selected by the Town Counsel as
the engineering witness where plans had to be drawn up and
matters discussed in Court. Quite often it is necessary for
him to carry volumes, etc. back and forth from the Court and
it is most convenient for him to make use of his own car.
Milegae for
He recommended that the man be allowed five cents a mile when
use of
his car was being used on this work. Mr. Potter thought that
personal
the principal was right as did Mr. Rowse, who thought that
cars.
the expense should be charged to the legal department. Mr.
Rowse moved that in the future when a town employee is re-
quired by the Tbwn Counsel to'- serve 'as a'witriess o'r'to trans-
port documents in connection with legal issues and use his
personal car, the employee is tobereimbursed in the amount
of five cents per mile, this amount to be charged to the
Law Department Expenses account. Mr. Potter seconded the
motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Raymond said that there was an item in this warrant
in the amount of $5.25 for Stanley Higgins' mileage in
connection with engineering work. Mr. Rowse moved that
this bill be approved and charged to Engineering Expenses.
Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted.
407
Mr. Raymond presented a W.P.A. moth project calling for
the expenditure of 022,500. of Federal funds and $2600.00 of
'
town funds. He said that the personnel of the crew they had
last year was largely increased as they did not come near
doing what they wanted to do last year. The whole project
will have a total of 54 men and will give 366 man months' Moth
of time. He wanted to get the project in early so that it Project.
could be started as early in the fall as possible. The
Chairman said he rode around with Mr. Garrity for two hours
last Sunday looking over various areas and he said it was
amazing to see the difference in the trees where work had
been done and where none had been done.
Mr. Rowse wondered if there was any chance of this W.P.A.
project taking care of the matter so that the increase in
the Moth Dept. appropriation would not have to be used. Mr.
Raymond said that the condition was worse this year and
they needed all the money they had.
Mr. Rowse moved that the project be approved. Mr.
Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Raymond said he called the members of the Board
last week and asked authority to spend $900.00 for
materials needed at the Center Playground for concrete pipe,
500 yards of rough loam and 100 yards of finished loam,
in order to keep the men working to good advantage. How-
ever, with the rainy days we had, he could have left the
matter until tonight. The expenditure was approved by four
'
members and opposed by one. Mr. Raymond said he found
the expenses of the W.P.A. were running along more in line
with the numbers they had on. He is writing up projects as
fast as possible. He was going to ask the W.P.A. to furnish
funds for other than labor costs on the sidewalk project.
He felt quite certain that with this heavy quota, over
thirty to thirty-five more men than estimated, that the W.P.A.
money would run out the first of October. He thought the
playground would take $400. or $500. more than he estimated.
He thought it quite important to get the loam and seed in
this fall.
Mr. Clark said that it was his impression that the men
were to be put on the Center Playground only until other
projects were ready inasmuch as the government and town
contributions were equal. He did not see that they were
taking any men off this project. Mr. Raymond said that
the men could not be taken off as the quota had been in-
creased so much. Mr. Clark said that in view of the in-
creased quota, he thought the men should be placed on
projects where the ratio would be more favorable to the Town.
He said he had been talking about a Vine Brook W.P.A.
project for some time.
The Chairman said that the Town had not been able to
keep the projects ahead of the increased quota. Mr. Clark
said he did notbelieve the Board was conserving its funds
'
the way it should. He thought it would be cheaper for the
town to have single men on welfare rather than on W.P.A.
Mr. Raymond said that in that case, the Selectmen should
408 M
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instruct the Agent not to certify single men for W.P.A. V
Mr. Clark said he thought it would be better to have the
men on welfare rather than W.P.A. where the ratio was '
50-50 or two to one. Mr. Raymond said that both the curb-
ing and center playground projects were included in his
budget and the estimate of $20,000.00 was to carry through
the middle of October.
Mr. Raymond said that last year permission was granted
to the Minute -Man Sportsmans Club to put up a sign at the
corner of Wood Street and Mass. Avenue subject to the
approval of the Supt. of Public Works. He approved a sign
three feet by eighteen inches with the words "Wood Street"and
the line "Minute Man Sportsmans Club, Inc." below it. There
has been a sign with these words and a hand on it but Wood
Street is below the other words and is in small letters.
Sign at Two of the residents have objected to the sign and want it
Wood Street taken down altogether. They claim it is advertising some-
thing not in Lexington. Mr. Raand thought the sign should
be changed so that "Wood Street w' ould be the first thing
noticed. Mr. Rowse asked why the sign "Wood Street" would
have to be combined with the other. Mr. Raymond suggested
leavin� this sign and erecting a new one to read "Wood
Street . Mr. Rowse moved that the Town present the Sports -
mans Club with the cement post and request them to erect a
sign to meet with the approval of Mr. Raymond and further
that Mr. Raymond be authorized to erect a street sign at '
this location. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was
so voted.
Mr. Raymond reported that he had received applications
for two sidewalks on Taft Avenue and in between these two
lots was a lot owned by Harry Johnson. These three lots
are the only ones on that side of Taft Avenue not having
granolithic sidewalks. Johnsonts_lot has a house on it.
He said that the Board could order the sidewalk instal led
if it desired. Mr. Potter moved that the sidewalks be
installed and that betterments be assessed. Mr. Rowse
seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Clark voted
in opposition.
Mr. Raymond said that he had received an application
from Mr. Ballard for a granolithic sidewalk on Glen Road
Sidewalks in front of a vacant lot. The sole reason for the walk is
to improve the appearance of the lot. Mr. Ballard made
this same request last year. Mr. Rowse moved that the
sidewalk be approved. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and
it was so voted.
Mr. Raymond said that he had received another appli-
cation from Frank Serrilla of 51 Baker Avenue for a gran-
olithic sidewalk but it was not in writing. There are no
granolithic sidewalks near this lot and he did not believe
it advisable for the town to put in a walk there but thought '
that funds should be f ound out of HiEhway Maintenance f or
some sort of a gravel walk. He asked what the Board would
do on this so he could have his list of work as close as
IJM
possible when asking for bids. In line with this, he asked
if it would be just as well if he confined the bidders to
Lexington men as P. F. Dacey and William A. Cann were the
only ones that bid last year although Armington did submit
a f igare that could not really be called a bid. Mr. Rowse
thought that outsiders should be asked to bid. Mr. Clark
thought that the three mentioned by Mr. Raymond were enough
to bid. He then moved that the Serrilla walk be approved.
Mr. Potter sedonded the motion and it was so voted.
At 8:30 P.M. hearing was declared open on the appli-
cation of Margaret A. Maloney for.permission to maintain Maloney
a one car garage at 289 Bedford Street. No persons appeared garage
in favor or in opposition. Mr. Potter moved that the hearing.
permit be granted subject to the approval of the BuLlding
Inspector. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted.
At 8:32 P.M. hearing was declared open on the appli-
cation
ppli-cation of Porter Brothers and Wilson for permission to
relocate the present underground tank for the storage of Gasoline
gasoline and to`.increase the capacity to five hundred hearing.
gallons. A Mr. Pillsbury appeared representing Porter
Bros. and Wilson. Mr. Potter moved that the permit be
granted subject to the approval of the Fire Department.
Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted.
' At 8:35 P.M. hearing was declared open on the appli-
cation of Irma Dowling for permission to maintain a one Dowling
car garage at 27 Percy Road. No one appeared in favor or garage
In opposition. Mr. Potter moved that the permit be granted hearing.
subject to the approva 1.of the Building Inspector. Mr.
Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted.
The Chairman read a letter received from the Arlington
Board of Health complaining of an overflowing cesspool at
3 Lowell Street, East Lexington. Mr. Raymond said that he Sewer -
had a copy of a letter written by an agent of the H.O.L.C. Lowell St.
addressed to the Town of Arlington requesting permission
to connect with its sewer and also a letter addressed to
the Lexington Sewer Department asking an estimate of the
cost of the connection. He thought the proper way to handle
it, was to have an agreement between Arlington and Lexington
and to have Lexington build it, assess it and be responsible
for it. Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Raymond take the matter
up with Arlington and settle it as best as possible. Mr.
Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Raymond reported that he received a request from Use of
the American Legion Auxiliary, Post 1138, for permission to Hall.
use Cary Hall on November 4th in the afternoon and evening.
Mr. Rowse moved that the request be granted. Mr. Potter
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Raymond reported that Dir. Lindstrom had talked with
Mr. Poole, the Plumbing Inspector of Newton, and asked him
410M
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if he would serve on the Committee to revise the Plumbing
Plumbing By-laws. Mr. Poole said he had an idea of what was '
Law needed but thought he bhould_be'compensated in the amount
Committee. of $25.00. Mr. Ferguson has agreed to sit on the Committee.
Mr. Potter moved that the Plumbing Inspector of Newton be
compensated 025. for his services in this connection and
that this expense be charged to the Unclassified Account.
Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Raymond presented copies of the Board of Survey
regulations as prepared by the. Planning Board but modified
Chap. 211
in accordance with his ideas and those of the Town Engineer.
of the Acts
In addition to those listed, he thought there should be
of 1936.
included in the Building Laws a condition that a building
permit should be withheld until the approval of the final
plat by the Board of Survey. He also recommended that a'
building permit should be withheld unless the proposed
or established street grade, basement or sill grade as
submitted on the drawing had been approved.
Mr. Raymond reported that the Real Estate Agent of the
Boston & Maine R.R. had taken up the question of giving the
town a right of way for the drain at East Lexington with
the requested payment of damages or an annual 1 ease, and
Work at
he reported that the Board of Directors would not make,an
East Lex.
exception in this case. They required that the Selectmen
drain.
sign an agreement, temporary in nature, before the town will
be allowed to do the work and that the Board find that
,
damages in the amount of $100. had been caused to the rail-
road and that a check for that smount be sent to them
before they will sign the f ina 1 agreement., all this to be
done before the drain is installed. Mr. Potter moved
that the Board approve Mr. Giroux's signing the temporary
agreement with the railroad to permit the construction of
the drain and award damages to the railroad in the amount
of w100. for the permanent easement and proceed to arrange
for the final agreement with the railroad. Mr. Rowse
seconded the motion and it was so voted.
At 8:45 P.M. hearing was declared open on the appli-
cation of Helen A. McCaffrey for the Board 'of Survey
approval of a plan of proposed street to be known as
McCaffrey
"Aaron Road" leading from Jean Road in a westerly direction
Board of
to land of Joanna Conners. Miss Helen McCaffrey and Miss
Survey
Helen Ready appeared in favor of the approval of the plan.
hearing.
Miss McCaffrey stated that when the town took the
right of way to the standpipe she was told the town would
make a new road to the standpipe and Mr. Cosgrove made a
layout of the road and it was an understood fact that the
town would lay out these three streets. Two streets were
approved and she merely wanted this other street, "Aaron
Road", approved. The Chairman asked if there was any
'
question as to the town's obligation other than the approval
of this layout, and Miss McCaffrey replied in the negative.
411
She said that the land had been in the family for 75 years
and they thought it was time something was done with it.
Mr. George M. Fuller of 2210 Mass. Avenue was present
at the hearing.
Mr. Rowse asked if Miss McCaffrey had considered the
advisability of cutting up the land into lots containing
12500 square feet. She said that she had,but her engineer
thought that the 7500 square foot lots would be mucic more
practical way to cut up the property, and the plan had been
on file for so long that it should go through that way.
She has gone to the exp en se of having an engineer lay this
out and she would prefer to have it approved and recorded
as laid out. Miss Ready stated that this layout was approved
in 1931 and they would prefer to have the smaller lots
approved.
The Chairman asked Mr. Fuller if he wished to make any
statements and he said that he would prefer to see the land
cut up into larger lots.
Mr. Rowse asked why the approval of this plan had been
held up and Miss McCaffrey said that it was because of
indifference as since 1929 there had not been any building.
The Chairman told her that the matter would be taken under
advisement and they all retired. The hearing was declared
closed at 9:07 P.L.
It was decided to await the Planning Board's decision ,
before taking any action on the Petition.�l
'
Seventieen residents of the Liberty Heights section
appeared before the Board to discuss the need for a sewer
in that vicinity.
-Mr. P. J. Nary of 5 Bennett Avenue said that 96% of
the houses in the section of Oak Street, Baker, Bennett,
Butler and Ames Avenues had overflowing cesspools. He
said that- most of the people had used up all of their land
so there was no more drainage. He purchased his house in
1920 and there was a well 80 feet deep that he used'for
a cesspool. Two years after he purchased the house, the
well overflowed and he dug another cesspool. Fbur years
later that overflowed. Since then he has built two drains
48 feet long, six feet deep and four feet wide, and filled
them in with rocks, and they are overflowing. He said
that he could not work in the garden because the place was
infested with small black flies which breeded because the
soil was so rotten. Three weeks ago a man started to build
a foundation only ten feet from Mr. Nary's cesspool. One
Sewer
morning when he went ou t,.he found that the cellar was
Vicinity
saturated with matter which had seeped through from the
of Oak
cesspool. He said that there was a brook which crossed
Street.
Oak Street into which three cesspools were emptying at the
present time. This brook eventually reaches Arlington and
is bound to cause trouble.
Mr. Malcolm Clifford said that he had had a similar
experience and that every time it rained his cesspool
overflowed. Mr. James Barnes of 60 Oak Street stated that
he complained of the condition about one month ago. His
412
cesspool is overflowing now and he cannot dig any more as
there is a ledge down about four feet. Mr. John F. Anderson
of 45 Banks Avenue said he had a laundry and toilet in the
cellar and his cesspool always backed up into them. He
has to clean out the cesspool every spring. He said that
it filled up with water from Chase Avenue. Mr. Anderson
said that it was work that was done previously which
caused the water to flow onto his property abd not the work
that was being done now on Charles Street. Mr, C. E.
McIntosh of 60 Chase Avenue said that he had dug so much
he had no room for a garden except a m ck garden. The
condition is very bad at the present time. Mr. Clifford
said that there was no seepage in the ground there, that
most of it was blue gravel,
The following persons wished to be recorded as petition-
ers for sewerage in this section: A. M. Smith, 58 Oak
Street; P. J. Nary, 5 Bennett Avenue; J. S. McKenna, 81 Baker
Avenue; A. C. Pawlowski, 15 Bennett Avenue; John J. Anderson,
65 Bangs Avenue; C. H. Monto, 106 Oak Street; James Barnes,
60 Oak Street; C. H. McIntosh, 60 Chase Avenue; Frank
Serrilla, 61 Baker Avenue; George W. Parsons, 29 Chase Ave;
G. Ware, Carville Ave; Ernest W. Anderson, 26 Ames Ave;
A. W. Heywood, 69 Oak Street; Malcolm H. Clifford, 59 Chase
Avenue; David Kidd, 7 Butler Ave; C. E. McPhee, owning
property on Baker and Ames Avenues.
Mr. Kidd said that he had a septic tank but was
supporting this petition for the benefit of the others.
He said that the group thought this work might be done as
a W.P.A. project.
The Chairman asked if the group understood that they
would have to pay betterments on an extension and Mr, Kidd
replied in the affirmative. He said they understood that
and all agreed to it but they would prefer to have the job
done as a 11I.P.A. project. The Chairman asked Mr. Raymond
to explain how the betterment assessment was arrived at.
He replied that under the present system they pay 50% of
the figure which is based on the average cost of all street
sewers built during the previous five years and the town
pays the other 50%. A sewer might cost $15. a foot on
account of rock but it so happens that the figure today is
$8.50 and the property owner would have to pay one-half
of that or $4.25 per foot. Mr. Raymond said he was not sure
that the town could get a W.P.A. project approved for this
work but he did have some encouragement from the W.P.A.
administrator if the town could show that the streets were
dedicated to public use. Work could be done on accepted
streets but there might be difficulty with unaccepted streets.
The Chairman asked what chances there would be of having
the work done under the P.W.A. Mr. Raymond said he had
a notice from the P.W. A. engineer last week stating that
there was little likelihood that any projects would be con-
sidered unless they were submitted before August lst. He
said it was an impossibility to do the engineering work
necessary for this project and submit it before that date.
Mr. Raymond said that the work should be considered as a
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413
straight town"project or as a W.P.A. project. The Chair-
man said that in any case, it would have to be submitted
to the town and there probably would not be another Town
Meeting until late Fall.
Mr. McIntosh asked if it would not be best to install
the sewer after the street was constructed and accepted
and- Mr. Raymond said that it would. Mr. McIntosh said that
T. A. Custance promised them seven years ago that the sewer
would be installed withih two years.
Mr. Raymond said that at the last Town Meeting, a sewer
project was presented and funds appropriated for that pro-
ject contingent upon the owners of 75/'0' of the property
benefitted agreeing to pay their share of the cost before
the funds were made available, and he thought that the same
restriction would be put on the Liberty Heights Sewer.
Mr. P. J. Nary was appointed the man with whom the
Board could discuss any questions. The group retired at
9;35 P. M.
Mr. Raymond presented the Board with a list of the wage
scales in 17 surrounding cities and towns and said he thought
Lexington was at the bottom of the list as far as labor
and foremen went. He thought that Lexington was at the
bottom with a forty hour week and thought it would be with Forty
a forty-four hour week and said he did not approve of a hour week.
forty-four hour week anyway. The Chairman asked how there
could be efficiency and harmony between departments if the
Highway Department was above other departments in wages.
Mr. Raymond said that it did not make for efficiency and
harmony but the Highway Department was the 'biggest depart-
ment. He said that cutting down the efficiency in the
Highway Department did not help the efficiency in other
departments. The Chairman asked if he thought spreading
the work out would help on welfare and he replied in the
negative.
It was decided to discuss the matter at the next meeting.
The Chairman asked if it would be possible for the
members to attend a spe cia 1 meeting next Tuesday at 7:30
P.M. and they said that it was. Mr. Potter moved that a Meeting
meeting be held at 7:30 on July 12th to discuss various
things that were held over. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion
and it was so voted.
At this time, Mr. Clark left the meeting.
Dir. Thomas S. Keegan of 1454 Mass. Avenue appeared
before the Board and said he was laying out two lots on
his property fronting on Rowland Avenue which is an unt,
finished right of way. He said that at the Mass. Avenue
end, the right of way is 20 feet wide running to thirty-
four feet about 330 feet back. In 1929 or 1930 at a 'town
Meeting it was proposed that Rowland Ave. should be made
a street and run through to Highland Ave. and this was
opposed by abutters on Slocum Road and Highland Avenue.
From the opposition at that -time, it is apparent that
Rowland
Ave. lots
Mr. Maurice Woodward appeared before the Board and
said he came in as a candidate for the position of police
Police officer as he thought it might be advisable to make him -
position. self known. The Chairman told him that the official]ist-
had not yet been received and told the man that t1je three
high men would be invited to appear before the Board.
Mr. Rowse asked the Clerk if Mrs. Charles Richards
had kept up her payments on the Board of Health bill and
Richards she replied that Mrs. Richards telephoned today and said
bill, that she was unable to make a payment last Saturday on
account of illness but would make a payment on Thursday.
Mr. Rowse moved that Mrs. Richards be informed that un- ,
less she paid up the weeks on which she is in arrears by
Friday.. July 8th, the Board would take imediate steps to
collect the bill. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it
was so voted.
Letter was received from the Associated Hospital Ser -
Hospital vice Corp. suggesting that the Lexington employees form a
service. group to be insured in this manner. It was decided to
hold the matter over for one week.
Letter was received from the Building Inspector to
which was attached a letter to Harry E. Johnson ordering
Johnson the removal of an illegal sign. Mr. Longbottom asked the
sign. Board's approval for the enforcement of the Zoning Law.
Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Longbottom be instructed to en-
force the Zoning Law. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and
it was so voted,
Letter was received from the Board of Registrars
Registrars. advising that Malcolm H. Clifford of 54 Chase Avenue had
been elected Chairman of the Board for the year 1938-1939;
Letter was received from the Town Counsel advising
that the case of the Colonial Garage, Inc. a8 inst the
Town for damages for a sewer taking of January 12, 1937 was '
Colonial on trial this week. The jury'.brought in a verdict of
Garage suit. X2608.332 which re resented the amount of their findings
of damages plus 4% interest from the date of the taking.
Rowland Avenue will always be a dead End street. Mr. Keegan
wanted to develop some lots on Rowland Ave. with the idea
that the street could never be a street wide enough to
conform to the present regulations. The Chairman said
that the Board had no right to say what he could or could
riot do. Keegan said it would be impossible to put in a
forty foot street without taking off part of his house.
The Chairman suggested that he talk the matter over With
the Planning Board. Mr. Keegan said that he had a pros-
pective customer who had raised the question as to how he
could be sure that at .sane time Rowland Avenue would not
be made a forty foot street. The Chairman repeated that
it would be a good idea for Mr. Keegan to discuss the matter
with the Planning Board. He retired.
Mr. Maurice Woodward appeared before the Board and
said he came in as a candidate for the position of police
Police officer as he thought it might be advisable to make him -
position. self known. The Chairman told him that the official]ist-
had not yet been received and told the man that t1je three
high men would be invited to appear before the Board.
Mr. Rowse asked the Clerk if Mrs. Charles Richards
had kept up her payments on the Board of Health bill and
Richards she replied that Mrs. Richards telephoned today and said
bill, that she was unable to make a payment last Saturday on
account of illness but would make a payment on Thursday.
Mr. Rowse moved that Mrs. Richards be informed that un- ,
less she paid up the weeks on which she is in arrears by
Friday.. July 8th, the Board would take imediate steps to
collect the bill. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it
was so voted.
Letter was received from the Associated Hospital Ser -
Hospital vice Corp. suggesting that the Lexington employees form a
service. group to be insured in this manner. It was decided to
hold the matter over for one week.
Letter was received from the Building Inspector to
which was attached a letter to Harry E. Johnson ordering
Johnson the removal of an illegal sign. Mr. Longbottom asked the
sign. Board's approval for the enforcement of the Zoning Law.
Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Longbottom be instructed to en-
force the Zoning Law. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and
it was so voted,
Letter was received from the Board of Registrars
Registrars. advising that Malcolm H. Clifford of 54 Chase Avenue had
been elected Chairman of the Board for the year 1938-1939;
Letter was received from the Town Counsel advising
that the case of the Colonial Garage, Inc. a8 inst the
Town for damages for a sewer taking of January 12, 1937 was '
Colonial on trial this week. The jury'.brought in a verdict of
Garage suit. X2608.332 which re resented the amount of their findings
of damages plus 4% interest from the date of the taking.
1
415
He said that the town's expert admitted damages of about
this amount and therefor the result seemed satisfactory.
The Town Counsel's bill in the amount of 0510.00 was re-
ceived. Mr. Potter moved that the bill be approved for
payment. Air. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Potter moved that Edward C. Abuire be appointed
Dog Officer for one year from May 1, 1938, at a salary of Dog
$100.00 per year. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was Officer.
so voted.
The Board discussed the offer of Chester R. Banks to
Purchase lots 56 and 57 on Brandon Street for the sum of Sale of
0150.00. Mr. Potter said that the Committee recommended Lots.
that the offer be accepted with the condition that the
sewer betterment assessment of $90.00 be paid when and if
the property was connected with the sewer. Mr. Potter
moved that the recommendation of the Committee be accepted.
Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from Dr. Newell advising that
$400.00 would be a reasonable amount for expenses and pay- Town
ment for delivery cases. It was decided to hold this Physician.
matter over.
Letter was received from the Civil Service Commission
advising that the eligible list for Lexington Police Police
service would be established on June 30th. Mr. Potter list
moved that the new list be requested and that requisition
be made to appoint an officer. Mr. Rowse seconded the
motion and it was so voted.
Letter was received from the Civil Service Commission
advising that the examination for the promotion to Sergeant Exam. for
in the Police Department would be held on Wednesday, Sergeant
July 27th and would be open to all of the regular patrol-
men* The examiner requested that a suitable room be had
in which to conduct the examination. Mr. Potter moved that
School Committee be requested to allow the use of a room
for this examination. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and
it was so voted.
Letter was received from Joseph Garland, M.D. stating
that entirely without Pers. Lila O'Keefels knowledge and at Letter re
no one f ssolicitation, he was writing to inform the Board Mrs.
of the fine work he thought Mrs. OlKeefe was carrying on O'Keefe
with her nursing home. He felt that the type of work she
was doing fulfilled a great need in the community. Dr.
Garland hoped that the town would find it possible to
allow her to continue her work in Lexington.
Notice was received showing P.W.A. allotment in the P.W.A.
amount of $47,385.00 for a sewer along Vine Brook.
416
Garage Letter was received from the Town Counsel in reply
hearings to an inquiry regarding Chapter 103 of the Statutes of
discontinued.1938 advising that in the future it would not be necessary ,
to hold hearings on garages for not more than three cars.
Collins Letter was received from the Board of Retirement ad
Retirement. wising that it had voted to continue John J. Collins in
service until December 31, 1938.
The Chairman stated that on Saturday morning, he re-
ceived a call at his office from the Veterans of- Foreign
Wars to see if they would be allowed to hold a carnival
this week at East Lexington. He said that he could not
reach the other members of the Board and inasmuch as the
(Carnival. Catholic Church and the American Legion had both been
granted permits to hold a carnival, he told the V.F.W. that
they could hold the carnival. He requested that the Board
approve his action. Mr. Potter moved that the Chairman's
action be approved and that the Chief of Police be requested
to see that all activities at the carnival ceased at 11 p.m.
Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted.
The Clerk was instructed to write the Town of Arling.
Dump. ton and ask what had been done to relieve the situation
at the dump at the Arlington - Lexington line.
Space in The Chairman stated that Mrs. Francis Chamberlain had
Barnes requested office space in the Barnes property for the ,
property. nutritionist to be employed by the Red Cross. It was
decided to take no action on the matter until the Barnes
property was utilized.
The Board signed the' following commitments:
'Commitments. Water Liens - $80.53
Sewer Connections - 92.66
Messrs. Mitchell and Morse appeared before the Board
Welfare. to discuss Welfare matters.
The meeting adjourned at 11:30 P.M.
A true record, Attest:
Clerk.