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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1940-05-27 214 r tc SELECTMEN'S MEETING May 27, 1940. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Giroux, Messrs. Potter, Locke, Rowse and Sarano were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 P.M. Board of Survey hearing was declared open on the application of Harold P. Symans for approval of a plan of a proposed street to be known as Grey Ledge Road on the northerly side of Concord Avenue approximately 1500 feet east of Waltham Street and running in a northerly direction. Board of The notice of the hearing was read by the Chairman. Survey Mr. Symans and his engineer, Messrs. Eric and Roy Hearing - Peterson were present at the hearing. Symans Mr. Symans said that the preliminary plan had been approved by the Town Engineer and the Planning Board. He said that he owned ten acres of land in the vicinity and at the present time he merely wanted to construct a house for his own occupancy. For the time being, the street will be a dead end until such time as the entire area can be de- veloped. He said that this layout coincided with the general layout approved by the Planning Board for this area. Both of the 'etersons looked at the plan and stated that they had no objection to it . The Chairman read a letter from Percy Grassby of 311 Concord Ave., objecting to the layout. The hearing was declared closed at 8:45 P.M. and the group retired. Mr. Potter moved that the layout be approved subject to the approval of the Town Engineer. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted. At 7:45 P.M. the Town Treasurer appeared before the Board with two bids on a loan of $259000. to be borrowed Loan under the provisions of Chapter 82 of the Acts of 1938, the notes to be dated June 1, 1940 and payable May 31, 1941, as follows: Lexington Trust Co. - .40% Second National Bank - .49% Mr. Potter moved that the bid of the Lexington Trust Co. be approved. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. At 7:50 P.M. Frederick H. Martens of 472 Marrett.Road his don and daughter-in-law appeared before the Board. Mr. Martens said he wanted to discuss the Board's refusal 215 to grant him a permit to keep 70 pigeons on the premises at 472 Marrett Road. Mr. Martens said he had just moved to Lexington and had signed a vearts lease. The Chairman asked if he intended to keep the pigeons for business rea- sons, and he replied in thenegative and said it was merely a hobby. They are all fancy birds and will be kept in at all times. The Chairman said that the Board had trouble with pigeonpermits in the past and that was why it usually was careful in granting permits. Mr. Martens said the house would be set back 350 feet to 375 feet from the street. He said that he had spoken to the abutters on either side of his house and neither one objected. He said that the pigeons ) would not be let out at any time and they would be back so far from the street that there would not be any noise. Mr. Marton$ said he had kept pigeons in Arlington and Cambridge and never had any trouble. He said that his birds had no "homer" in them. The Chairman told him that the matter would be reconsidered and they retired. After discussing the matter, Mr. Potter moved that last weckts vote denying the permit B e rescinded and that the permit be granted. Mr. 5arano seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Rowse moved that an advertisement be inserted in the local paper calling attention of the citizens to the fact that all persons keeping animals should have a permit to do Animal so from the Board of Health. Mr. Locke seconded the permits motion and it wa S so voted. Letter was received from the Chief of Police stating that he had no recommendation to make with reference to the Dog appointment of a dog officer. The Clerk was instructed to Officer tell the Chief to ask all of his officers if they were interested in the position. A bill in the amount of 410.50 for the care of a stray dog at the Lexington Park kennels was received. This dog bit a man in East Lexington and because it was a stray dog had to be guaranteed for fourteen days. Mr. Potter moved that the bill be charged to the Board of Health" account. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted.. Mr. Raymond appeared before the Board. He said that about two weeks ago he requested authority to ask the Federal Works Agency to do some work on the Vine Brook project by Force Account. Among this work was a drain to Vine Brook in Hayes Lane, grassing along the open channel and the installation of pipes. Authority wqs granted Ripon 216 the assumption that the cost would not exceed $5000. In receiving prices from gSalvucci, he thought the cost was Vine Brook quite high and that the Town could do the drain in Hayes project. Lane for about 0300. less than Salvaccil put in the pipe for $500. less and do the grassing for 4500. less. It would mean a net saving to the Town of $500 to $600. assuming that we got 45% of the grant. He said the trouble was that the material would cost more than $1,000. which would mean advertising for bids and formal bpening, etc. which might take the completion date beyond the time limit. He made up individual estimates upon the basis that the Town not do any grassing but put in pipes and do whatever paving necessary around the pipes and then do the Hayes Lane and Grant Street drain by Force Account. Mr. Raymond requested authority to ask the Federal Works Agency to do only the grading in Grant Street and Hayes Lane by Force Account and to do the other work under extra work orders. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Raymond's request be granted. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond said that last winter he recommended the installation of water main in Colony Road to provide water for Mrs. Elizabeth Burton. Assessments were levied against the property to which Mrs. Burton objected and on which she Burton requested an abatement. Mr. Raymond drafted a letter which water he intended to send to Mrs . Burton if the Board approved. Assessment He read the letter. The Chairman suggested that he take the matter up with Mr Wrightington before sending the letter and he agreed to do so. Mr. Raymond said that he had received two bids on the blasting for the W.P.A. sewers in Liberty Heights but he thought both were excessively high. He did not believe that we should accept the bid. Mr. Beach thought they were high W.P.A. also. There are no blasters on W.P.A. and he supposed Mr. blasting Beach proposed to hire the Highway Dept. blaster and have all the liability borne by the Town. Hutchinson is the Highway Dept. blaster and most of the time his work has been satisfactory. Mr. Sarano said that they were going a good job now and Mr. Raymond said they were splitting the rock which was cheaper than the prices bid by the two bidders. Mr. Raymond said he thought the Town should do the blasting. However, if Hutchinson does the work, the Town will not get any Federal grant on his wages. Mr. Sarano moved that the Board accept Mr. Raymond' s recommendation that we have a Town employee do the work of blasting on the W.P.A. sewers in Liberty Heights. Mr Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from Albert H. Burnham advising that it would cost $750. to provide his well with an ade- Burnham quate water supply. Mr. Raymond said that Mr. Burnham had claim been awarded $2300. in the original taking and he presumed that this would be in addition. He thought that someone should find out what Mr. Burnham' s total claim was going 217 to be. Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Raymond see Mr. Burn- ham and determine what his total claim was going to be. Mr. Rowse seoonded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Town Counsel advising that he had received notice that the Court had decided the two cases of the Federal Farm Mortgage Corp. against the Town of Lexington. The total claim of the plaintiff was Federal originally $9000. and at the trial between 05000. and 46000. Farm was claimed by the expert. The Court awarded 42000. in the Mort. case of the permanent easement and 0500. in the case of Claim the temporary easement with interest at 4% from the date Of the takings. Last September the Selectmen authorized a settlement of 62500. Mr. Potter moved that the Town Account- ant be instructed to pay the judgment as soon as funds are available . Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Town Accountant stating that there was available in the Sewer Construction North Lexington project, only 6300. He recommended a borrowing of 44,000 Or 44,500. Mr. Rowse moved that the Town Trea- Loan surer be authorized to borrow 65,000. on the Sewer Construct- ion North Lexington project, Mass. 1464 - F under the pro- visions of Chapter 82 of the Acts of 1938, this loan to be dated June 7, 1940 and payable June 6, 1941, and further that Mr. Carroll be requested to place the loan with the Lexington Trust Co. at the rate of .40% interest which was the bid submitted on the loan approved this evening. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Town Counsel listing certain streets the titles of which were defective. Mr. Defective Rowse moved that the matter be referred to Mr. Raymond street for consultation with the Town Engineer and report. Mr. titles. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Chairman said he understood that R.H. Stevens was going to come in to discuss his suit against the Town but Stevens he had made no appointment yet. The Clerk was instructed suit. to invite Mr. Stevens to come in next Monday evening to discuss the matter informally. Mr. Raymond retired at 9:15 P.M. At 9:16 P.M. Mr. Harold Morgan and Mr. Hersum of the United Mutual Fire Insurance Co. appeared before the Board. They requested that the Board consider placing some of the Insurance townts insurance with their company. The Chairman re- 1 _. i 218 e quested Mr. Morgan to send in a written request to that effect and he agreed to do so. They retired at 9:35 P.M. At 9:40 Mr. Albert I. Carson of the Lumber Mutual Insurance Co. appeared before the Board. Mr. Carson said that his company now had one policy and would appre- Insurance ciate it if they could have more. The Chairman told him that the matter would be given consideration when policies expire in the future and he retired at 9:50 P.M. Mr. Ralph E. Chadwick, Sealer of Weights and Measures, appeared before the Board. He said that the National Conference ofi Weights and Measures would be held at Wash- ington on June 4, 5, 6 and 7. Mr. Chadwick said that this Wgts . & would be an educational conference and that he would like Measures to go. His expense will be $90. of which Belmont will pay Confer- $30. and Mr. Chadwiek will pay X30. He requested that ence. Lexington pay the remaining $30. Mr. Rowse told Mr. Chadwick that all requests for money for out-of-state conventions had been turned down for some years and if this was a convention, the Selectmen would not be justified in granting this request but that if it was an educational affair, it would be a different matter. The Board told Mr. Chadwick that it would consider his request, and he retired. Letter was recevied from the Boy Scouts requesting that the Selectmen allow the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts Use of to hold appropriate flag day exercises on the Common on Common June 14th from 7 to 8 P.M. Mr. Sarano moved that the request for the Common be granted. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Morse appeared before the Board at 9:55 P.M. and retired at 10:30 P.M. A bill in the amount of 010.50 was received from the Bill for Lexington Park Kennels for the care of a stray dog that bit care of a man in East Lexington. Mr. Locke moved that the bill be dog. approved and charged to the Board of Health Account. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Chairman told the Board that the kennels at the Care of Public Works Building were in very poor condition and that Kennels no one was responsible for the feeding and watering of dogs placed in them. He said that there should be some appropriation to take care of food for the dogs and that next year the Board should keep that fact in mind. At the present time however, there are no funds and he suggested that the Appropriation Committee be requested to transfer the sum 219 of $10. from the Reserve Fund to pay for food for the dogs. Mr. Potter moved that the Chairman' s suggestion be adopted. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Clerk was instructed to ask Mr. Ross, who has charge of the Public Works Building, if he would have the watchman there feed and water the dogs and be responsible for them, and also to have the kennels put in good condition. Letter was received from the Town Accountant to which was attached a letter from Tax Commissioner Long urging that communities send their auditors to the conference of Accountant the Municipal Finance Officers Association to be held c nference in Detroit on June 17, 18 and 19. Mr. Russell said that when the budgets were made up the time and place of the conference had not been decided on, so it was impossible to ask for an appropriation at that time as the amount necessary was unknown. Mr. Russell said that the expense in connection with the conference would amount to $100. Mr. Rowse moved that the request be disapproved, but the motion was not seconded, Mr. Potter moved that the Appro- oriation Committee be requested to transfer $30. from the Reserve Fund for the expense of the Sealer of Weights and Measures while attending the conference in Washington and to transfer the sum of k50. from the Reserve Fund for the expenses of the Town Accountant while attending the con- ference in Detroit. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Rowse voted in opposition. Letter was received from the American Legion request- ing that Legionaires be given the day off with pay on Sept. 24th which is the day when the national Convention parade will be held in Boston. Mr. Locke moved that all ex-service men in the employ of the Town be given that day off without Day off loss of pay. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was for so voted. L egio nares Notice was received from the Division of Outdoor Advertising that application for the erection of a Billboard billboard on Waltham Street near Allen Street, had been made. Mr. Potter moved that the Selectmen disapprove the granting of the permit. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Mass. Federation of Plann- ing Boards regarding billboard control. The Clerk was in- structed to refer the matter to the Planning Board. Billboard Request for the use of Estabrook Hall on June 14th for aiano recital from GwendolynB. Johnson. Mr. Sarano P 220 0.4 ca moved that the use of the hall be granted subject to a Use of charge of 410. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was Hall so voted. Upon motion of Mr. Sarano, seconded by Mr. Locke, it was voted to grant the following licenses: Licenses Mrs. Harda Rowe, 69 Blossom St. Boarding of Infants G. H. Luongo, 47 Pleasant St. Peddlers License Ira A. Rix, 503 Waltham St. Sunday Sales Lie. Fred N. Viano, rear 1707 Mass. Ave. Motor Vehicle Clarence E. MacPhee, 14 Baker Ave. Sunday Sales The Chairman told the Board that Max Berman, who was granted a junk license last week for fifteen weeks, had Berman suffered a heart attack and was unable to collect junk. Junk Lies. Mr. Berman returned his license and asked that the $15. be refunded. Mr. Potter moved that the $15. be refunded to Mr. Berman, Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. It was decided to meet on June 3rd and 10th and to kteetings omit the meeting on June 17th and to meet on June 24th and each two weeks thereafter. The Clerk informed the Board than the Arlington Gas Co. wanted to lay a two inch main in Locust Avenue from Gas permit the end of acceptance to Follen Road. Mr. Paxton approved the location. Mr. Potter moved that the Selectmen approve the location also. Mr. Locke seconded the motion and it was so voted. Commitment of Water rates in the amount of $5854.10, commitment of Water Charges in the amount of $10.50 and Commitment Commitment of Water liens in the amount of $199.06 were signed by the Board. The meeting adjourned at 11:03 P.M. A true record, Attest: „/"..4-174.s. Clerk.rk. 1