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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1939-03-27 238 to SELECTMEN'S MEETING MARCH 27th, 1939 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Seledtmen' s Room, Town Office Building, at 7 :30 P.M. Chairman Giroux, Messrs. Potter, Rowse, Locke and Sarano were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. Longbottom appeared before the Board. The Chair- man told him that Frank Canessa wanted to apply for a third class agent 's license and wanted to know whether or not he Canessa - could be granted one. Mr. Canessa had submitted a statement Agent 's signed by several residents to the effect that they had license. knowledge that Canessa carried on the business covered by a third class agent 's license prior to the enactment of the Zoning Law. Mr. Longbottom asked him if he had any bills or receipts proving that he was there prior to the Zoning Laws and Canessa said he would see if he did. The Town Counsel has ruled previously that a two year lapse of time was all right for a building, and that it was not all right for land. Mr. Longbottom said that this did not alter the matter in his mind and in his opinion, this was a matter for the Board of Appeals to act on. Mr. Potter moved that based on the recommendation of i the Building Inspector, that Mr. Canessa be advised to 1 submit his request to the Board of Appeals. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted. The following bids were received on the tearing down of the buildings at 20 Lincoln Street: Hub Building Wrecking Co. , Inc. - Certified check for $100. submitted; proposed to do the job and charge the Aldrich Town of Lexington $300.00; property. Mystic Building Wrecking Co. - Certified check in the amount of $100. submitted; proposed to do the job and pay the 1 Town of Lexington $101.00; American Building Wrecking Co. - Certified check in the amount of $100. submitted; proposed to do the job and Charge the Town $475.00; The Mass. Building Wrecking Co. - Certified check in the amount of $100. submitted; proposed to do the job and pay the town $150.00. Mr. Potter moved that the Mass. Building Wrecking Co. be awarded the contract. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond reported that the American Red Cross had Use of requested the use of Estabrook Hall on April 26th in the Hall. afternoon and evening in connection with their nutrition work. The Arlington Gas Company will give a demonstration 239 in the afternoon and there will be a speaker in the evening. Mr. Potter moved that the use of the hall be granted free Use of of charge. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so Hall. voted. Mr. Giroux stated that he had signed a letter to the P.W.A. regarding Project #74 stating that the Town would maintain the project, etc. Mr. Potter moved that the Chair- man's action be approved. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond stated that he had requested proposals on the combination of the meters at the Cary Memorial Building Meter from Edward B. O 'Connor and John Moakley. He did not re- combination ceive a bid from Mr. Moakley, but O'Connor proposed to do the work for $215.00. He believed that the proposal covered everything called for and the price was within the amount of money available. He recommended that the work be given to Mr. O'Connor. Mr. Potter moved that the work be awarded to Mr. O 'Connor. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Chairman read a notice received from the Middlesex County Selectmen' s Association advising of a meeting and ladies ' night to be held on May 16th in the Cary Memorial Meeting. Building. Mr. Potter moved that the use of the hall be granted on that evening free of charge. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted.. Mr. Raymond asked if the Board thought it was in order to make an order of taking on the eighth of April on the Louisa G. T. Bean et al property and othersin connection Sewer with the North Lexington Sewer Project. Mr. Potter moved Project that Mr. Raymond make up the order as of April 8th. Mr. Rowse sedonded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond said that he had received a, call on the condition of the unaccepted portion of Grant Street. He said he went over the street last fall and had asked the P.W.A. Resident Engineer Inspector how it looked to him Grant St. now as compared with what it was last fall. Mr. Street said that he believed it was not any worse now than then and .Mr. Alden, Metcalf & Eddy's man says the same thing. Mr. Raymond asked if the Board would approve taking out the extension telephone in the Cary Memorial Building. Telephone- The cost of the telephone is nearly $6. a month whether Cary Mem. or not it is used. Mr. Rowse moved that the telephone be Bldg. removed and that a coin box be installed if Mr. Raymond finds it is practical. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Z44) a' Mr. Raymond read a letter addressed to Mr. Sarano by Louise M. Hannaford of Middleby Road requesting that a street light be installed in front of her property. She said that a great many accidents had occurred in front of her house because there was no street light. Mr. Raymond Street reported that an exaimination of the Police records showed Light. no report of accidents at this iodation. He did not believe that there was enough traffic on the street to warrant a street light. Mr. Rowse moved that Miss Hannaford be ad- vised that the use of the street did not warrant the in- stallation of a street light . Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond said he would like approval to include in the specifications for Contract 2 on Vine Brook, that the contractor might use any stone that was available for paving at the Lincoln Street dump where we have stored ledge and boulders from town work. This would reduce the Vine Brook cost of the job and would also get rid of the rock. The Project. Chairman said that he had had people speak to him about having it removed because of its unsightmiess. The Board had no objection to Mr. Raymond including this in the specifications. He asked how the Board felt about letting the con- tractor pick up stones on some of the outlyi;ig roads that were not performing any useful duty. They would have to get permission of the Supt. of Highways or the Town Engineer before doing it. The Board had no objection to this either. Mr. Raymond said that the Town could place 25 to 28 W.P.A. men on State-wide fire prevention projects in Acton if they Project. would provide transportation. Busses will cost about $16. a day, but the ratio will be about six to one in the town's favor. Mr. Rowse moved that the Board approve the hiring of the busses Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted. A letter was received from Mr. F. E. King requesting Use of the use of Estabrook Hall for the Church of Our Redeemer Hall. Men's Club on April 20th. Mr. Rowse moved that the use of the hall be granted subject to a fee of $8.00. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Safety Letter was received from the Supt. of Schools advising valve at that a safety valve had been put on the boiler at the High High School in accordance with the recommendation of the Plumbing School Inspector. Surety bond in the amount of $1,000.00 for Patrick J. Bond Maguire as Constable was received. Mr. Rowse moved that the bond be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. 241 The Town Accountant submitted a bond on which William S. Scamman was principal and the American Employers ' Ins. Co . was surety in the penal sum of $47,700. Mr. Rowse moved that the bond be approved. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Town Accountant submitted a bond in the amount of Bonds $1,000. on which Clarence S. Walker was principal and the American Surety Co. of N.Y. was surety, covering the position of Chairman of the Trustees of Public Trusts. Mr. Rowse moved that the bond be approved. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. Certificate of character on Carl B Jones et als was received from the Secretary of State upon which he requested the approval of the Board. Letter was received from Chief Sullivan stating that all of the persons mentioned in the Cert. of certificate were known to him and were of good character. character Mr. Potter moved that the certificate be signed. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from Harold B. Needham of Fern Street requesting an interpretation of G. L. Chapter 84, Fern St. Section 25. Mr. Rowse moved that the Town Counsel be Legal requested to answer Mr. Needhamts letter. Mr. Locke opinion seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Civil Service Commission advising that the full Board of Commissioners would decide Sealer whether or not Ralph Chadwick could be appointed as part- time sealer at a meeting to be held on March 29th. Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Rowse , it was voted to appoint the following as Special Police Officers for a period beginning April 1st, 1939 and ending March 31st, 1940 : Ralph H. Marshall Supt. , Cemetery Dept. Arthur J. Rocque Janitor, High School Special Edward J. Hogan Cambridge Water Basin Police George A. Knight Middlesex Co . Sanatorium Frank Peters Chester Neal " " " Robert E. Hannaford Caretaker of dumps . Alex Ohlson Lexington Golf Club John J. Garrity Supt. , Park Dept . John Campbell Boston Edison Co. Charles A.Manley Munroe School Janitor Jacob Haid Minute-Man Golf Club Charles M. Blake Call fireman John Fopiano Lexington Theater Leonard Jellis Telephone Company Edward W. Taylor Chief, Fire Department John W. Alexander Met. State Hosp. Edward F. Meany " " " 242 1.4 Charles E. Moloy Town Office Bldg. John Murray " n " Roland E Garmon stone Building Charles Brenton Park Department Ralph I. Dale Hancock Street Arthur N. Maddison Chrm. , Board of Appeals Archibald R. Giroux selectman William G. Potter " A. Edward Rowse, Jr. t' Errol H. Locke " George W. Sarano " John W. Raymond, Jr. Supt. of Public Works Michael E. McDonnell Janitor, Cary Library Charles A. Tracey Supt. , Post Office Arthur N. Lee Janitor, Parker School George E. Pray Janitor, Hunt Building Clyde Witham Caretaker, Hayden Estate Letter was received from the Town Accountant advising that he had received a bill in the amount of $344.38 rendered by Louis W. Bills for repair of fire alarm signal lines damaged in the hurricane of September 1938. Mr. Russell said that he was advised under date of January 23rd that the Fire Dept. was to be requested to submit an article for the Annual Town Meeting requesting an approp- Storm riation of money to pay for the work remaining to be done Emergency in that Department on storm emergency. Inasmuch as there Bill. was no article in the warrant for this, Mr. Russell asked what the Board' s wishes were in the matter. Mr. Potter moved that the bill be paid from the Storm Emergency account and the Town Accouhtant advise Mr. Raymond of the balance left in the Storm Emergency appropriation so that he would know the amount available for his departments. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from A. B. Tenney stating that Moth Charles Briggs, Clarence E. Sprague and himself would be Committee. pleased to serve as members of a permanent moth committee. The Clerk was requested to acknowledge the letter with thanks. Letter was received from H. F. Thayer, commending Letter re Chief Sullivan's actions at the time of a recent accident Chief. on the Concord Turnpike in which Mr. Thayer was involved. The Clerk was requested to thank Mr. Thayer and to send a copy of the letter to Chief Sullivan. Board of Appeals order granting permission to Jenney Board of M. Partridge to use the premises in the rear of 316 Marrett Appeals. Road for the storage of automobiles and trucks and the reconditioning of same, was received. 243 Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Potter, it was voted to grant the following licenses : Cecil R. March - 52 Bellflower Street- Peddler' s James Phillips - 1802 Mass. Ave. - Common Victualler Licenses Frederic B. Hubley - 1 Winthrop ,Rd. - Auctioneer Harriet L. Childs - 1775 Mass. Ave . - Overhanging sign Western Union - 1736 Mass. Ave. - Liggett Drug Co. - 1721 Mass. Ave. p It was decided to meet at 7 :00 P.M. on Monday, April 3rd. Meeting Mr. Giroux informed the Board that Edward C. Maguire had informed him that the American Legion was considering a drive to raise money for an ambulance, - an ambulance not as large as the McCarthy one, but something that would be Ambulancd less costly to operate and which would fill the town's needs. The Legion would like to know if the Board would be filling to recommend the town's acceptance of the ambulance and of maintaining it. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Maguire be informed that the Selectmen would be pleased to request the town to accept and maintain the ambulance. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. Commitment of water guarantees in the amount of $1000.56 and Water Liens in the amount of $159.57 were Commitment signed by the Board. At 9 :00 P.M. Mr. Al Reid, Mr. Garrity and Mr. Frank Ready appeared before the Board. Mr. Reid said that he had been a professional tennis teacher for eight or ten years and had worked in practically all parts of the country. He moved to Lexington 18 months ago and went into a small business here, but it did not go very well and Request he would like to get back into tennis. He played here for use last year and felt that the youngsters needed some in- of tennis struction. He said he would like permission to use at courts. least two of the Town courts either at the center or at North Lexington so that he could give group lessons. He had in mind starting a child in at age eight or nine. He thought a reasonable price for group lessons would be fifty cents apiece for each lesson. In return for the use of the courts, he would be more than willing to compensate in some other way such as coaching the high school tennis team. He would like to use two courts as much as possible and would like to create a desire among children to take lessons. Mr. Garrity said that there were twelve courts in town and if two were reserved for Mr. Reid, the length of time he could have them would have to be limited. The Chairman asked what limitation Mr. Garrity thought should be put on them, and Mr. Garrity said he thought it should be limited to one hour a day, preferably in the morning. 244 , tV The Chairman suggested that the matter be left with Mr. Garrity to work out and that he take it up with the Town Counsel to see if it was legal. Mr. Rowse suggested that it might be better for Mr. Reid to get private courts such as Mr. E. C. Stone ' s or those that belonged to the Belfry Club. It was thought that Mr. Reid might be able to get private courts and no further action was taken on the matter. At 9 :15 P.M. Messrs. John McKearney, Angelo Busa, James Cavanaugh senior and James Cavanaugh, Jr. and Edson Mabey appeared before the Board. Mr. McKearney presented a petition signed by thirteen property owners in the neighborhood requesting that action be taken to relieve the condition of travel on the un- accepted portion of Grant Street. The petition stated that the- advent of sewer construction adjacent to Grant Street had increased the travel and the hazardous condition of the street. Mr.McKearney said the street was in very poor dondition Grant and although he thought a truck could get through, a passenger Street . car had no chance at all. He requested that the Town do something to relieve the situation. The Chairman read G.L. Chapter 84, section 23, and said that the reason the Town had not done work on private streets was simply because it was living up to the law. Mr. McKearney said as far as he knew the street had never been closed up and he understood that a street be- came a public way if it was not closed up once every seven years. The Chairman said that that might be so , but it still was not an accepted street. Mr. McKearney said that three or four years ago, the Town had put in a scraper and a few loads of gravel fill which helped a great deal. The Chairman said that last year the Board told the people that they might rent the scraper and pay for the rental, but they did not do it. Mr. McKearney asked if the last con- struction job done on Grant Street between Sherman Street and Hayes Lane was done under the Betterment Act, and the Chairman said he did not know. Mr. McKearney said he understood it was not, and if so, he wondered why the rest of the street to Bowser Road had not been done. Mr. Busa said that he was a farmer and did business with John Chiesa, and had to haul manure from that farm to his and he could not get through now. Mr. Cavanaugh said that he now parked his car in the driveway because of the condition of the street, but he understood that the driveway was to be taken up in connection with the sewer project and he did not know what he was going to do then. The Chairman asked if he was to understand that the group was making claim based on the belief that the con- dition of the street was due to the heavy transportation 245 going through there in connection with the Vine Brook project. Mr. McKearney said he believed that that was a very contributory cause of the condition of the street and asked the others if they agreed, and they did. Mr. Mabey said that last year he put fifteen loads of fill in and it was all right until the contractor started going through with his trucks. Mr. McKearney asked if it might not be possible that the sand collected from the streets could not be put in Grant Street. The Chairman informed him that that sand was too pulverized to be any good for such a purpose. Mr. Cavanaugh said that when Mr. Scamman was Supt . of Public Works, he gave him the ashes from the schools and that helped a good deal, but when Mr. Trask went into that position, he stopped it . Mr. Rowse asked if it was possible that the abutters would be willing to pay a small amount to have the street fixed up. Mr. McKearney said he believed that they might be able to get together and do something on it if they could get an idea of what it would cost each one. The Chairman informed the group that the Board would endeavor to get the contractor to fix up the street and if unsuccess- ful, the Supt. of Public Works would furnish the abutters with an estimate of what it would cost each one to rent the grader for a little while to put the street in a passable condition. The group retired at 9 :47 P. M. 1 Dr. Victor N. Rochette appeared before the Board. The Chairman said that the Board had made some inquiries about Dr. Rochette and requested him to outline his experience. Dr. Rochette said that he attended the Boston College of Physicians and Surgeons and had been out of school eleven years. He served two years general internship at the Town Chelsea Naval Hospital and spent eight years at a hospital Physician in Vermont. He decided to go back to general practice and and last summer he went into a women's General Hospital to Health brush up. Most of his work in Vermont was surgical. The Officer Chairman asked if Dr. Rochette would need headquarters down town if he was appointed Town Physician, and he replied in the negative. He said that his home was one and two- tenths miles from Lexington Center. Mr. Rowse said that he did not know much about the college Dr. Rochette graduated from, and Dr. Rochette said that it was an old school and that Tufts Medical sprang from it. He retired. Mr. Potter moved that Dr. Victor N. Rochette be appointed Town Physician and Health Officer to serve for one year from April 1st,' 1939. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. A petition and several letters were received protest- Sewers - IIing the extension of sewers in North Hancock Street, No. Hancoc: Bertwell Road and Hillside Terrace. It was decided to St. , Etc. take no action oh the matter until the question of the construction of sewers in these streets arose. 246 :C7 Omit CC Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Morse appeared before the Board Welfare relative to Welfare matters. Request was received from Mrs. Annie Bornstein for an abatement of her /Feb. 6th water bill. The Clerk explained that a welfare recipient living in Mrs. Bornstein' s house Bornstein had a broken pipe and would not allow a plumber in the abatement. house to repair it. Therefor Mrs. Bornstein was unable to have the leak repaired, although she had endeavored to do so. Mr. Potter moved that the sum of $7.44 be abated and that the Water Dept. be requested to render an adjusted bill in the amount of $9. to Mrs . Bornstein. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted The Board voted to make the Following appointments for the ensuing years, the terms to expire on March 31st, 1940, except as otherwise noted:-- ; Assessors Leland M'LEider7 (MAr.31/42) William H. Shannahan " Board of Appeals Arthur N. Maddison (Mar.31/44) Board of Health, Agent Eleanor M. Lowe Building Inspector Fred W. Longbottom Burial Agents Ralph H. Marshall Alice M. McCarthy Clerk, Selectmen Eleanor M. Lowe Asst. Clerk, Selectmen Elinor Moakley Constables Charles E. Moloy Roland E. Garmon Dental Clinic Committee Mrs. Frederick B. James Mrs. Frank Hudson Mr. Thomas S. Grindle Fence Viewers Frank P. Cutter Appointments Bartlett J. Harrington Field Drivers Edward C. Maguire eohn C. Russell Fire Engineers Edward W. Taylor (May 1/40 ) Norman C. Hooper Edward F. Buttrick " Health Officer Victor N. Rochette, M.D. Lockup Keeper James J. Sullivan Measurer of Grain Albert Bieren Measurer of Wood, Bark and Jacob Bierenbroodspot Manure Harold I. Wellington Moth Dept. , Superintendent John J. Garrity Odorless Cart, Charge of Peter Canessa Old Age Assistance Bur, Agent Lawrence G. Mitchell - Oct.l/39 Park Superintendent John J. Garrity Plumbing Inspector Ernest A. Lindstrom Posture Clinic Committee Mrs. Steele Lindsay Mrs. Robert Moore Mrs. Edith M. Kelley Miss Margaret Kettell Miss Margaret Noyes 248A Supt. of Streets William C. Paxton, Jr. Supt. of Streets, Ass+t. John F. O ' Connor Supt. Water & Sewer Dept . Joseph A. Rows Town Counsel Sydney R. Wrightington Town Engineer John T. Cosgrove Town Physician Victor N. Rochette, M.D. Wire Inspector Louis W. Bills . Gammel Legacy Income Trustees Mrs. Kenneth P. Blake (Acting with Dept. of Lawrence G. Mitchell - Oct.l/39 Public Welfare) Public Welfare Agent Lawrence G. Mitchell - Oct.l/59. Board of Appeals, Associ to Member Erroll. Locke + eighers, Public William E. A. Mulliken Jacob Bierenb roodspot Harold I. Wellington Albert Bieren Leo Dumas Paul M. Wagner The meeting adjourned at 12 :30 P. M. A true record, Attest: Clerk. 1