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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1939-02-06SELECTMENIS MEETING FEB. 6th, 1939. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Seleetments Room, Town Office Building, at 7;00 P.M. Chairman Giroux, Messrs. Potter, Rowse and Clark were present. The Acting Clerk, Elinor Moakley, was also present. Messrs. Mitchell and Morse appeared before the Board relative to Welfare matters. Welfare Mr. Raymond appeared before the Board. He stated that he had been in touch with Mr. Wrightington in regard to the check deposited by the Layne -Bowler New England Co. in Westview connection with the construction of Westview Street, and Street Mr. Wrightington said that the check should not be deposited until the town was ready to start construction and then the check should be applied toward the cost of construction. Mr. Raymond said that the check was made out to the Town. of Lexington, and further, that he understood it was nec- essary that the money for the construction be appropriated by the Town. After discussing the matter, it was decided to have Mr. Raymond contact Mr. Russell and report next week how the situation should be handled. 1 Mr. Raymond discussed salaries with the Board at length. Mr. Raymond reported that he had received a request for street lights on Oakmount Circle from Mrs. Blake. He stated that part of this street was accepted and part was unaccepted. The Board discussed the matter, and Mr. Rowse moved that an article be inserted in the warrant to see if the town would vote to place two street lights on the un- accepted portion of Oakmount Circle in accordance with Mrs. Blake's request. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond stated that he had received a letter from Elmer A. Lord & Co. wanting to know if the Board wished to put smoke damage insurance on the Barnes house on account of the oil burner. The policy would cost $6. or $7. for a five year period. Mr. Clark moved that no action be taken on the matter. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond stated that the Briggs Class desired to use Cary Memorial Hall on March 29th for a variety show and also wanted to use it the evening before that for a rehears- al. Mr. Rowse moved that they be allowed to use the hall on ' March 28th for a rehearsal, subject to a fee of $10.00, and on March 29th subject to a fee of 025.00. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Salaries Street lights Arti cl e. Insurance, Barnes house Use of Hall N Mosquito project Mr. Raymond stated that he had received a Mosquito Drainage report from the State Reclamation Board. They advised Mr. Raymond that if the town would prepare a project, they would assist in getting the approval of th e W.P.A. for it. Mr. Raymond felt it would be advisable to write up a project for Area #1, which is the south branch of Vine Brook, and Area #6, in the Valleyfield Street area, and Area #3, the North Lexington Brook area from the railroad to Stratham Road. Mr. Raymond felt these were the three major projects, and should be done in the order of their importance, as listed. They are all quite near heavily populated areas. Mr. Rowse asked if the new Vine Brook Drainage project would dry up a lot of the mosquito -breeding areas and Mr. Raymond said it would at the playground and near the Town Office Building, but would not take care of the south branch unless this work is done. Mr. Clark moved that the projects be submitted. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Rowse voted in opposition because of the desire of the Approp- riation Committee to put these projects up for approval before Town Meeting and also because of the fact that we are going to have less W.P.A. workers. Mr. Rowse also felt that the Vine Brook Drainage project would drain several of the areas in the town. Mr. Raymond said that it would be necessary for the Board to adopt a vote to layout Eliot Road in accordance Eliot with the plan of the Town Engineer. The records are im- Road. perfect and do not show that the street is accepted in the Town Clerk's records. Mr. Clark moved that the Board lay out Eliot Road in accordance With the new plan. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond stated that notice had been received that Chap. 90 the State and County would each spend 2,000. for Chapter work. 90 maintenance in 1939. Mr. Raymond suggested that the town appropriate $2,000. as its share of this work. The Chairman said that the Board had already voted to approve $2,000, for Chapter 90 Maintenance, Mr. Raymond read a letter addressed to the Board of Selectmen from the County Commissioners in regard to Senate Bill #59 which provides for the transfer from the Counties to the State Department of Public Works, the control and supervision of all public highways. Mr. Raymond stated that Senate Bill both the Town Engineer and the Supt. of Highways were #59. opposed to this bill. He stated that he did not know much about it, but felt that if the Chapter 90 funds were given up for ten years, Route 128 might be put through, and he thought that would be a good thing. The Board considered thb matter, and Mr. Potter moved that the Board go on record as being opposed to the bill and that Mr. Raymond represent the Board at the hearing to be held on Thursday, Febx^aary 9 at the State douse. Mr. Rowse seconded, the motion and it was so voted. 1 1 165 Mr. Raymond said that if the Board wanted to have ' Weston Street constructed under Chapter 90, it would be necessary to write to the State and County on the matter Weston right away and have it substituted for Woburn Street, which Street. both the State and County have already approved. The matter was held over for one week. Mr. Raymond read a letter from the Regional Engineer of the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works, advising of the following conditions in regard to Docket Mass. 1464-F- "1. That regarding "Compensation for Field Staff", the Public Works Administration will include in the project costs upon which Government funds are expended, in addition to.the specified basic fee, a reasonable and adequate amount not to exceed 2Qo of the construction cost. Docket 2. That any payments in connection with abandoned or un- 1464-F executed work, referred to under the heading "Delay in Completion of Construction" and "Abandonment of the Works", will not be considered for inclusion in the project costs_ upon which Government funds are expended. The Chairman read a letter redeived from the Town Counsel stating that he had completed his examination bf title to the land of Ethel F. Bean for the No. Lexington No. Lexington Sewer Pumping Station and that he approved the title Sewer subject to clearing a tax sale which will be done at the project. time papers are passed. He stated it would now be in order to arrange for a check for the consideration to the order of Ethel F. Bean. The Acting Clerk was instructed to send a copy of the letter to Mr. Raymond. I Mr. Raymond retired. 3. That in regard to Extra Services and Special Cases.,, referred to under the heading "litigation", such services are covered by the basic fee."_ ' Mr. Raymond said that a copy of the letter had been sent to Metcalf & Eddy and they were writing to New York to.see if they could get some explanation of the action. Mr. Ra and said that the understanding of the letter is that only.2 would be allowed for field engineering and inspec- tion, and he stated that it would be absolutely impossible to do an adequate job of inspection under the contracts for that amount of money. Mr. Raymond asked authority to write the regional Engineer and state that the town could not accept the proposition inasmuch as the work could not be done under those conditions. Mr. Clark moved that Mr. Raymond be given this authority. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter redeived from the Town Counsel stating that he had completed his examination bf title to the land of Ethel F. Bean for the No. Lexington No. Lexington Sewer Pumping Station and that he approved the title Sewer subject to clearing a tax sale which will be done at the project. time papers are passed. He stated it would now be in order to arrange for a check for the consideration to the order of Ethel F. Bean. The Acting Clerk was instructed to send a copy of the letter to Mr. Raymond. I Mr. Raymond retired. 166 Letter wra received from George IV% Bone protesting Complaint against the order passed by the Board to the effect that re non -accepted streets were not to be cleared of snow unless ' plowing. there was six inches of snow or more. The letter stated that he felt persons living on unaccepted streets were entitled to the same privileges as persons living on accepted streets. The Chairman stated that he would answer Mr. Boners letter. The Chairman stated that Mrs. John J. Fitzgerald had Insurance requested that the Selectmen continue to place the insurance carried by her late husband with her, inasmuch as she was going to continue the business. Letter was received from Anthony Ross and Son, Inc. requesting that.they be given consideration vhen outside trucks are hired for snow plow service. Mr. Ross stated Snow plow that he discussed the matter with the Supt. of Public Wcrk s equipment. and was advised by him that inasmuch as the schedule of snow plowing was all made up, the Supt. of Streets did not wish to change it. Mr. Ross stated in his letter that if there was expense involved in changing over the equipment, he would be willing to do it at his own expense, and he re- quested that the Board give the matter serious consideration. It was decided to give Mr. Raymond a copy of the letter and request him to make an investigation of the matter and report next week. ' At 7:30 P. M. hearing was declared open on the appli- cation of the Boston Edison Co. and the New England Tel. & Pole Tel. Co. for permission to maintain a guy pole on Mass. location. Avenue. No persons appeared in favor or in opposition. Mr. Rowse moved that the permit be granted. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Potter moved that Alice M. McCarthy be appointed Burial a Burial Agent in the Town of Lexington for the period Agents. ending March 31, 1939. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Bond in the amount of $1,000. from the Somerville Bond. Printing Co. for the faithful performance of its contract with regard to printing the 1938 Town Report was received. Letter was received from Chief Sullivan stating that Police. Mr. Richard McCormack, the new police officer, has been very satisfactory. Slaughter The report of the Slaughtering Inspector for the Report. month of January tilos received. At 9:00 P. M. a conference to consider the advisability , and practicability of amending the laws of the town so as to permit the erection of apartment houses in various 0 ' sections of the town was held, with the following committees and persons: Appropriation Committee, Planning Board, Board of Appeals, the Building Inspector, Mr. Raymond, the Town Counsel and the Board of Assessors. The Chairman stated that this joint meeting had been called at the request of the Board of Assessors, and he turned the meeting over to Mr. Clyde Steeves, Chairman of that Board. Mr. Steeves said that the Assessors had been trying to find some way to reduce the tax rate. He stated that that Board felt it might be a good idea to get the various committees in the town together and try to figure out some way whereby some suggestion could be brought before the town to increase the valuations. Mr. Steeves stated that under the Law, the Assessors must make certain abatements and he gave the meeting figures of the abatements that were made last year. Mr. Steeves also gave figires of the val- uation of new buildings, less the total abatements for the year and the property foreclosed by tax title, which left Meeting re the net gain to the town for new buildings a valuation of Apartment $11,425. He stated that the Board felt there might be some houses. solution to this problem of increasing the town's valuations and that was the reason for this meeting. Mr. Steeves moved that Mr. Giroux be elected Chairman of the meeting. Mr. Wrightington seconded the motion and it was so voted. ' The Chairman then declared the meeting open for general discussion. The Chairman asked Mr. Steeves if he had any specific plan to put before the meeting. Mr. Steeves said that he and Mr. Spencer looked into the matter and talked it over with the AssessDrs in other towns, including Arlington and Winchester. He called attention to the property on Muzzey Street, consisting of four houses on the left hand side, which is valued at $17,000•. He said that people in this vicinity were looking for abate- ments on their property. Mr. Steeves said that it seemed to the Assessors that there was a good chance on Muzzey Street for a nice apartment house. He stated that Arlington and Winchester have apartment houses and they felt that they were their best pieces of property. Their big argument is that young couples getting married, move out of town if there are no apartments for them to rent in the town in which they live. Mr. Steeves said that the Assessors felt that there were quite a few pieces of property in town that could be zoned to allow apartment houses. Mr. Steeves said that the matter was taken up with the Banks to get their ideas, and they were heartily in favor of it and since the matter was first considered, they have found that there is a party in town who is interested in building an apartment house and is working on plans. Mr. Steeves found this was true and ' the man told him that he was going to place these plans before the Planning Board and Board of Appeals. Mr. Steeves felt that if apartment houses were built, this might offset 168 some of the town's losses, and this was the suggestion they ' had to make to the meeting. The Chairman asked if any other members of the Board of Assessors would like to express any opinion on the matter, and Mr. Shanahan said that Mr. Steeves had expressed the opinion of the Board as a whole. The Chairman asked if the Assessors were taking any stand about allowing single houses to be divided into two family houses, and Mr. Steeves replied in the negative. Mr. Greeley, Chairman of the Planning Board, asked Mr. Steeves if he meant by saying that the Epartments were profitable in Winchester, that they were profitable to the town. Mr. Steeves replied in the affirmative. Mr. Steeves said that the Board of Assessors felt that if there were apartment houses in the town, it would keep young married people in the town. Mr. Greeley stated that that depended on the class of apartment that was built. He stated that he felt as the last speaker, that there was a need for apartments and ten years ago, we nearly had one on Merriam Street, but there was decided opposition.on the part of the neighbors and the proposi-tion was dropped. He stated in 1933 there was another proposition to have an apartment house in back of the Library and the Planning Board thought it was a desirable thing and drew up a special amendment to the Zoning Laws providing for an apartment zone which would be adapted to Lexington and , would not leave any loopholes for bad or non -conforming construction. However, this was not presented to the Town meeting because the people who were interested in it could not get the necessary money to finance it. It was tried again in 1936, but they were unable to finance it on a proper basis for a proper site. Mr. Greeley thought it was very important that we have some such place in the town. Mr. Steeves said that the Assessors gave Muzzey Street as an example because there are four houses there with a total valuation of X17,000. and if an apartment house were built there, the valuation would be about 6275,000.00. Mr. Spencer said he felt the idea was a good one. Mr. Clark said he was surprised to hear that anyone would be interested in investing capital in Lexington with the tax rate increasing each year. He wondered if Mr. Steeves knew how much the gentleman who was drawing up plans intended to invest. Mr. Steeves said that he was advised that Mr. Viano was interested in the Valentine property and he understood, that he wanted to tear down the old barn and house and build an apartment house with stores fronting on the street. Mr. Clark asked Mr. Steeves if the Board felt that any real amount of capital would come into the town on account of this, and Mr. Steeves replied in the Affirmative. Mr. Steeves said that Mr. Caouette said he had three ' or four clients that would come in and put up apartments to make money on them. Mr. Shanahan said that the real estate agents discourage people from coming in to build apartments as they feel that the town is opposed to them. ' The Chairman asked Mr. Wri ghtington if the Tenement Laws in the town in any way affect the zoning laws in rela- tion to thio. Mr. Wrightington said that they did not affect the zoning question, but would apply to an apartment building and there are restrictions in the Tenement House Laws that makes the construction of such buildings more expensive. The Chairman asked if they would be so restric- tive that there would be a question if the buildings would pay. Mr. Greeley said that the requirement is for high class construction and therefor more expensive and naturally it would make it less profitable than if the laws were more liberal. Mr. Greeley said that the apartments would last longer if built better, however, and therefor would be more profitable in that sense. Mr. Merriam asked if the laws called. for first class construction, and Mr. Greeley said that they did. He wondered if it would be possible to build an apartment house of first class construction and have it practicable from a financial standpoint in Lexington. Mr. Greeley said it was difficult to say whether any apartment house would be profitable or not as it would depend on the location, etc. Mr. Merriam said that apartments here could not rent for so much on account of the carfare rate to Boston. Mr. Leland Emery inquired whether or notaerson could afford to rent an apartment for less than 060. a month and make a go of it. If not, the young people would not be ' able to afford to rent one. Mr. Steeves said that he under- stood Mr. Viano's apartments would rent from between $40, to $60. a month. Mr. Greeley said that the Planning Board had been spending a great deal of time studying the question of town development. He said that in Reading, a booklet was pub- lished showing the benefits of the town, and the Planning Board was trying to get out a book to help the situation in Lexington. Mr. Ferguson thought it was a problem of investment rather than a question of whether or not someone would build it or anybody would fill it; in other words, he felt the problem was to get some one to finance it. Mr. Merriam felt that the laws were prohibitive, but Mr. Greeley said that the law was not framed to prohibit apartments but to prevent so-called three -deckers. The Chairman said he thought the thing to do was to get the sense of this meeting as to whether a large pro- portion of it favors the erection of apartment buildings in the town; if a larger part of the group does not favor the idea, it would seem that there was sufficient opposition to prevent any move being made, but'if a sufficient number does favor it, the next question would be what action to take to go into the situation further. Mr. Glynn said it would make a difference what sort of apartments there would be. He said no one wanted to see three -deckers built here. He said he was a member of the Planning Board when the question came up before and a 174 o� great deal of time had been spent on the matter. He felt the demand for an apartment in this town would originate with the people in the town, inasmuch as few people would want to come into it as the transportation facilities are , so poor. He said he would not like to see apartment houses spotted around in residential zones. The Chairman said he felt the group was considering the same thing, that is, a type of apartment in keeping with the town in quality and appearance. Mr. Longbottom brought .up the question of garaging. He thought this phase of the matter should .not be for- gotten. Mr. Clark said he was still skeptical about getting any capital to build an apartment house. After considerable more discussion on the matter, Mr. Glynn moved that the group express the sentiment of the meeting as being sufficiently in sympathy with a limited and orderly development of apartments to ask the Planning Board to consider the matter specifically and bring back to a future meting of these boards, some definite recommend- ations that they can adopt or otherwise. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was unanimously voted. Mr. Greeley stated that the Planning Board would attempt to consider the matter and bring in a report within two weeks. It was decided to hold the next meeting of these Boardson Thursday, February 16th, at 7:30 P. M. The Chairmanstated that he would like to get the sense House Bill of the meeting relative to House Bill #491, which concerns #491. the extension of the rapid transit from Lechemere Square through Davis "Square in Somerville to Arlington and Lex- ington. The meeting did not favor the bill. Mr. Dickerson, Clerk of the Planning Board, stated Bill re that he had been requested to inform the Selectmen of a extension hearing at the State House tomorrow relative to the ex - of tension of the Concord Highway. Some discussion was held Highway. on this matter, and the meeting did not favor this bill, either. The group retired. It was decided to hold a joint meeting with the Meeting. Appropriation Committee on Thursday evening, at 9:00 P.M. Mr. Wrightington stated that the matter of the bills Wills building violation had been referred to him and he would building like authority to proceed with the suit. Mr. Potter moved violation that the Town Counsel proceed with the suit. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Wrightington stated that he would also like Whouley authority to proceed against Mr. Whouley, who has a sign sign in violation of the zoning laws on Marrett Road. Mr. ' violation. Potter moved that Mr. Wrightington be granted this author- ity. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. 171 Letter was received from P. F. Collier & Bon calling ' the Boards attention a bill owed them by Officer Henry H. Harvey who purchased $69. worth of books from them on August 24, 1937 and after paying $4.00, has refused to pay Harvey any more or return the books. They asked the Board's bill. cooperation in the matter. Mr. Wrightington suggested that the company be referred to Mr. George A. Yeo, the Trustee in bankruptcy for Mr. Harvey. The following commitments were signed: Commitment of Water Liens - $$84.38 Water Connections - 29.05 Commitmenti n " Sewer Connections - 127.96 The meeting adjourned at 11:05 F. M. A true record, Attest: 1 I -- L Ulnen C Acting clerk�