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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1940-09-23SELECTMEN'S MEETING ' September 23, 1940. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectments Room, Town Office Building, at 7:30 P. M. All members were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 P. M. Mr. Peter VanGemert of 67 Baker Avenue appeared before the Board. He said that he wished to discuss the matter of sewer betterment assessments on Baker and Ames Avenue. He said that he owned lots on both Baker and Ames Avenue. He could not see why he had to - pay betterment assessments on two of his lots on Baker Avenue which adjoin his house, as to his mind, they are valueless. He said he kept them for privacy only. The Chairman told Mr. VanGemert that the Board would discuss the matter with Mr. Paxton and Mr. Raymond, and he retired. Mr. Wrightington appeared before the Board at 8:00 P. M. to discuss various cases. He retired at 8:20 P. M. Messrs. Albert H. Burnham, William Be Porter, and Eugene J. Viano appeared before the Board (separately) to ' discuss informally their claims against the Town. The Clerk left the room. When she returned, the Chairman dic- tated the following to hers The Board has given Mr. Porter until Thursday of this week to advise them if he will change his figure of $15D0. The Board has advised Mr. Wrightington that he may advance the date of the Porter trial from October lst if he so desires. Mr. Viano has submitted a figure of $3500,, made up of $1,000, for the temporary easement, and $2500, for the permanent easement. The Board has requested Mr. Wright- ington to eonsult with Mr. Bidwell to try to effect a compromise. After conference with Albert H. Burnham at which he submitted figures of damages to his propebty by reason of the taking by eminent domain for the Vine Brook improvement, it was, VO'BEDs that the petition of Albert H. Burnham for assessment of damages caused by the taking by eminent domain of rights in his land incident to the Vine Brook improvement project, by compromised by a payment to him of $3500.- in exchange for a release of all demands and an agreement for judgment for the defendant in the said ' petition. 363 VanGemert lots Various claims Burnham cla13A U-4 Pichette claim Complaint ret Oak Street Sewer Bullock com- plaint res lot Request for layout of street, Mass. Ave. to Wal. St. Mr. Rapmond appeared before the Board. He said that he talked with Mr. Pichette about his claim, and Pichette will settle for $300. if the Town will take care of the drainage. Mr. Pichette said that a paved gutter along the edge of his bank will suit' him all right. Mr. Raymond recommended settling. The expense will be charged to the Vine Brook Project, Mr. Potter moved that the claim be settled for $300.., and that the drainage be taken care of, Mr. Pichette to provide a suitable release. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman said that there had been some com- plaints about the Oak Street sewer because of the depth. Mr. T. A. Custance is complaining about it, and says that we should have gone across the fields, in accord- ance with a plan made up some years ago. He said it was unnecessary to go through all the ledge. Mr. Ray- mond said that they had estimates prepared both ways. They assumed a fairly high figure on ledge. The project they had laid out to compare with this one called for a sewer to leave Oak Street somewhere near the Nichols house, and run to the south until it got opposite one of the low streets, and then to go up towards that low street. That project would figure cheaper in con- struction costs, but there would be a right of way . charge, and there would be less assessable area, so it was decided the better course to do it the way it is being done. The Chairman said that Chief Bullock of Arlington spoke to him about his father's lot on Sheridan Street, and complained of the drainage. Mr. Raymond said that the Town took a temporary easement on that land and allowed the contractor to use it, and he paid for grassing the lot, but it did not come out very good. This past week the contractor had a man come out to the Bullock lot who was supposed to dig it up and plaht it again. They hoped that this would take care of it satisfactorily. The Chairman said that Mr. T. A. Custance thought that the Board should make a layout of the street from Mass. Ave. to Waltham Street, ` He asked Mr. Raymond what he thought of it, and Mr. Raymond said he did not think much of it. He believed that when the new Route. 128 was built, a great deal of traffic would be taken away from the center of the Town. He said that this project was before the Town some time ago, and the Town Meeting members turned it down. At that time there was need of a highway going toward the southerly side of, Boston, but since that the new Route 2 has been built. No action was taken on the matter. 1 1 365 Letter was received from Leslie A. Bull of 83 ' Hancock Street requesting the privilege of having his Hull -deferred serer betterment assessment deferred. It was decided assessment to request Mr. Cosgrove to report on the matter for the next meeting Letter was received from Tracy W. Ames stating that Peter Salvueei paid an additional premium because the original contract price was increased. from 6139,602.50 to $144,272.80 because of additional work. The additional premium was $70.05, and Mt. Tracy requested that the Board allow him the commission on the additional premium. Mr. Comm. on Raymond said that it was up to the contractor to pay the Salvueei additional premium, and that the Town did not pay any bond commission on contractors bonds. The Clerk was instructed to so advise Mr. A4tes. Mr. Raymond retired at 10:25 P. M. Mr. Morse appeared at 10:25 P. M. and retired at 10:52 P. M. Letter was received from the Town Treasurer stating that it would be necessary to borrow $100,000, in anti- cipation of revenue. Mr. Potter moved that the bids be received for approval on Fridayv September 27, at 5:00 Loan ' P.M., the notes to be dated September 289 1940 and pay- able December 6, 1940, Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from Cub Pack 76, Boy Scouts, requesting the use of Cary Hall on November lst and April 4th for meetings of the Pack with parents and Use of hall friends. Mr. Potter moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from the V. F. W. requesting that they be granted the privilege of running a carnival Carnival first in 1941. The Clerk was instructed to acknowledge permit the letter and to place it on file. Letter was received from Mrs. Mary McDonnell of 71 Woburn Street relative to alleged injuries resulting from a fall on the sidewalk at the corner of Mass. Ave. and Joseph Road. Mrs. McDonnell said that she had to spend ten days in bed, and asked for $5,000. in settle- ment of her claim. The Clerk was instructed to furnish the Town Couhsel with a copy of all the correspondence on the matter, and to request him to consult with Mrs. McDonnell McDonnell claim 366 c� Letter was received from the Town Clerk advising ' that Mr. _C. Edward Glynn had resigned. as a member of the Resign. Committee on the Revision of the Building By-laws. The Bldg. By- Clerk was instructed to request the Moderator to appoint law comm. some other person in Mb. Glynn's place Application of Augustus J. Silva of 643 Waltham St. for a Past. of Milk License. Mr. Locke moved that the license be granted. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was voted. The Chairman stated that he thought the Board dhould pass a formal vote on closing the offices for the Legion parade. Mr. Potter moved that the Town Offices be closed at 12=00 noon on Tuesday,,September 24, in order that the employees might be given an opportunity to view the American Legion parade, in Boston. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Spencer requested the Clerk to ask the Selectmen if they would approve one week's vacation with Vacation pay for Mary E. Ormand, who has been working in the .Mary E. Assessor's Office since last December. Mr. Potter moved Ormand that Miss Ormand be granted one week's vacation with pay. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 1 Application of William E. Allen of 468 Waltham App. for Street for a Public Carriage License was received. In Pub:Carriageasmueh as a statement of character had not been received License from the Chief of Police, it was decided to hold the matter over until the next meeting. Sewer orders for Hancock Street and water order Orders for Richard Road were signed, as follows: (Quote Orders) The chairman suggested that Vice -Chairman of the Civilian Defsnse,Committee be appointed, as he felt Civ.Defense that he could not give the work all the time it re- Vice-Chrm. quired, Mr. Rowse moved that Allen W. Rucker and George C. Sheldon be appointed Vice -Chairmen. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. , The Chairman said that Mr. Custance had suggested that the Board set aside a night other than a regular iMeeting meeting night to meet with the Rehabilitation Committee with C.ofC. appointed by the Chamber of Commerce. The Board felt Rehabili- that such a meeting could be arranged on a regular tation meeting night, and the Clerk was instructed to make an (Committee appointment for such a meeting. The Chairman stated that he thought the Board dhould pass a formal vote on closing the offices for the Legion parade. Mr. Potter moved that the Town Offices be closed at 12=00 noon on Tuesday,,September 24, in order that the employees might be given an opportunity to view the American Legion parade, in Boston. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Spencer requested the Clerk to ask the Selectmen if they would approve one week's vacation with Vacation pay for Mary E. Ormand, who has been working in the .Mary E. Assessor's Office since last December. Mr. Potter moved Ormand that Miss Ormand be granted one week's vacation with pay. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 1 367 The Clerk informed the Board that a representative ' of a sign company wanted the Board's opinion on illumi- nated signs with the words "Liquor Store„ or "Package Goods Store" on them. The Board felt that it would object very -much to this type of sign. Mr. Locke said that he had heard that a low-cost developemebt was being planned for the Simonds estate. Simonds estate The Clerk was instructed to ask Mr. Cosgrove to obtain such information as he could on the subject. Request was received from the,Lexington Field and Garden Club for the use of Estabrook Hall on October 1, Estabrook Hal: January 7, March 4, and April.l. Mr. Potter moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Application for approval of the location of a gas main in Richard Road from present end near Robbins Road to Follen Road, and in Valley Road from Bedford Street a distance of 295 feet was received. Mr. Rowse moved that the locations be approved. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Potter said that last January he put his business ' into a Trust, and the name of it is now the Walnut Farms Trust. He requested that his License to keep swine be Change in changed to Read Walnut Farms Trust. Mr. Rowse moved that swine permit the request be granted. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Potter said that J. Bornstein spoke to him about his Junk License which expired on August 24th, Mr. Born- stein said that he would like to have the Junk License continued, but that he had no money at the present time to pay the fee. The Board felt that it could make no exception in his case, and therefore could not continue the license until the fee was paid. Water License were signed. The meeting adjourned at 11:20 P. M. A true record, Attest: Clerk 4k- J.Borns.tein junk license.