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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1941-09-08`208 SELECTMEN'S MEETING, September 8, 1941 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, Monday even- ing, September 8, 1941 at 7:30 P. M. Chairman Giroux, Messrs. Potter, Locke and Sarano were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 P. M. hearing was declared open upon the ap- plication of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for permission to erect Pole two poles on the Cambridge -Concords �� ike, on the south - location erly side, westerly from Blossom. ens on. No persons appeared in favor or in opposition. 'Mr. Locke moved that the locations be approved and that the Order be signed. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted. Scott plans ,/ Terms of agreement At 7:35 P. M. Messrs. Wrightington, Cann and Russell appeared before the Board. The Chairman said that Mr. T. A. Custance filed new plans for a building to be erected on the Central Block site. He asked Mr. Cann if these plans were in order and Mr. Cann said he believed that they were. Mr. Wrightington said he believed that Mr. Scott should be held to plans that are substantially in accordance with the plans filed today. He said that if they were satisfactory to the Building Inspector, he would like to know what the plan title was. Mr. Cann said that the plans filed today by Mr. Custance were for Mr. George Scott of 552 Mass. Ave. Cambridge and that the plans were entitled "Store Building at 1835-53 Mass. Avenue, Lexington, Mass. for Mr. George Scott, George R. Mitchell, architect, Lexington, Mass. Date Sept. 3, 1941." He said that the drawings were nunbered 1 to 8 inclusive and were all dated Sept. 8,1941. Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Locke it was unanimuously voted: That it seems to the Selectmen and they hereby determine that the public interest demands that the time within which the Building Inspector shall ap- prove or reject the plans filed with him on September 8, 1941 for the erection of a new building on land of George Scott in place of the present Central Block, so-called, fronting upon the present street line of Massachusetts Avenue, be extended to and including October 1, 1941. The terms of the agreement to be required of Mr.Scott were discussed. If the Town Meeting votes to pay him the $182000.00, it was decided to require that he start the building within 60 days and finish within one year. It was also decided to recommend transferring 16,000. • • 0 CIA from the E. & D. Account and ponding w12,000.00 for six years, and to defer paying the money until the building is demolished. The warrant for the Town Meeting to be held on September 22, 1941 was discussed. Chief Edward W. Taylor and Norman Hooper appeared be- fore the Board at 8:22 P. M. The Chairman asked Chief Taylor if he was sure that 45,000.00 would be sufficient to provide for the temporary location of the fire apparatus, etc. in the Barnes' pro- Transfer perty and he said that he was. It was decided to recom- mend transferring this sum from E. & D. Chief Taylor and Mr. Hooper retired at 8:28 P. M. The Chairman said that there was sufficient money in the Chapter 90 Maintenance Account to provide the $1,000.00 for the Committee on Public Safety and it was Transfer decided to recommend that this amount be transferred from that account. Mr. Russell informed the Board that the 61500.00 for the Durchase of lots at the corner of Park Drive and Waltham Street could be transferred from the Sale Transfer of Real Estate Fund so it was decided to do this. Mr. Russell said that the Sidewalk Construction Account was going to be short w200.00 and it was decided Transfer to recommend transferring this amount from E. & D. Mr. Russell said that Mr. Paxton had had requests Article for street lights on Paul Revere Road and Hillcrest Ave. Street and that no additional money would be needed if they lights were installed. Mr. Locke moved that an article be inserted to cover this matter. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Ralph Marshall appeared before the Board and said that the Cemetery Commissioners felt that some work should be done on the driveways at Westview Cemetery and that the estimated cost was 01,000.00. Mr. Russell said Driveways that this sum could be transferred from the Westview Westview Cemetery Sale of Lots Fund and it was decided to recom- mend doing this. Mr. Russell said that the School Committee felt that some additional funds might be needed in the Ess.- Article pense Account and he would request that an article be Sch. Comm, inserted to cover this. The article was included in the warrant. The Board then signed the warrant. Mr. Russell retired at 9:00 P. M. A letter was received from Mr. F. W. Coleman stat- • McConchie ing that, because of the delay in straightening out the deposit title to the land on Woburn Street which McConchie and returned Plowman wished to purchase, they were no longer interes- ted. He requested that the $100.00 deposit be returned. Mr. Potter moved that the money be refunded. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Wrightington said that he had received a letter Syer water from Julia Syer who owes over $500.00 for a water guaranty guaranty on Wood Street, stating that all she could possibly pay was $300.00. She will be willing to settle for this amount. Mr. Potter moved that the $300.00 be accepted in full payment. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Morse appeared before the Board at 9:25 P. M. and retired at 9:45 P. M. The Chairman informed the Board that on Wednesday, September 17, 1941 a large group of persons attending the Postmasters' Convention in Boston would visit Lexington. Mr. Tracy, the Lexington postmaster, requested that ell flags be flown on that day. Mr. Potter moved that the request be granted. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board at 10:00 P. M. He said that the Minute -Men requested that the use of the hall granted them for September 26, 1941 be changed Use of to October 31, 1941, Hall Mr. Sarano moved that the request be granted. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that the Lions Club wanted to con- duct a motion picture show on the afternoon of September 25th and the evenings of September 25th and 26th. The admission will be 35� and the proceeds are for charity. Mr. Locke moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that the American Legion Auxiliary had requested the use of Cary Hall on November 7th for a Whist and Bridge, the admission to be 50/. They re- quested that this be considered one of the American Legion free uses. Mr. Potter moved that the request be granted. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. • • 0 Mr. Paxton said that the V. F. W. requested the use of Cary Hall on November 25th. Mr. Sarano moved that the use of the hall be granted. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton informed the Board that the V. F. W. had requested the use of Cary Hall on October 10th for a dance, the admission to be 40�. Mr. Potter moved that the request be granted and that this be considered one of their free uses. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton read a letter which he had received from Mr. Hill giving the rates and costs of sprinkler leakage insurance on the High School. Mr. Hill recommended that at least 25% be carried at the present time. . ?Pcke m $� a 2e5 carried at the present time. i� Pit c&Kd�� t 0 96tion, and it was so voted. t ryt Us a of Halls Sprinkler leakage ins. High School Mr. Paxton said that it was customary to bill Chief Taylor for an amount equivalent to what his property damage and public liability is. The amount due for this year is Insurance $45.70. Mr. Potter moved that he be billed for this amount. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that because of the defense program, it seemed impossible to get 6" or 8" cast iron pipe. Mr. Ross and Mr. Paxton discussed the matter and wondered if the Board would consider trying Transite pipe. It is made by the Johns:Manville Company. Transite has been used quite extensively in surrounding communities, but Lexington has never tried it. Mr. Ross thought the Board might allow him to use it if he was unable to get the cast iron pipe,as he had requests for extensions in Paul Revere Road and the Marvin Development. However, this afternoon he received a call from the Warren Pipe Company and was told that he could have 1000' of- 6" and 10001 of 8" cast iron pipe so it will not be necessary to use the Transite. Mr. Paxton wondered however, if the Board would give him permission to try out the Transite pipe sometime. The Board had no objection. Mr. Paxton told the Board that Miss Edith Willard had a summer house on the left side of North Street which she would like to move to the rear of her home. He told her she would have to have a Building Permit and a permit from the Board of Selectmen to obstruct the street. Mr. Potter moved that Miss Willard be given a permit to obstruct the street while the summer house is being moved, and that no bond be required. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Cast iron pipe Permit to obstruct street 212 Mr. Paxton said that Mr. Eugene Viano spoke to him about 300 parking in front of the new block. Mr. Paxton, told him he did not approve of it and would not recommend Parking it to the Board. He said he didn't like it beeause at the at new present time there is parallel parking on that side of the block street and he thought it should be continued down past the Block. He thought angle parking would narrow down the street too much and also the Block is quite near the traffic lights. He said that Mr. Viano might write to the Board. Mr. Paxton said he checked with the State engineers on Traffic the matter of traffic lights at Waltham Street and Marrett lights Road and was told that they had been so busy they had not done the work, but they would undoubtedly get at it this fall. A letter was received from the State Department of Public Works suggesting that they send out a man to discuss with the Traffic Board, the Lexington Traffic Rules and Regulations. The Rules Clerk was instructed to request the State to send a man out to confer with Mr. Paxton. The Chairman reminded the Board that.it was planned to discuss the matter of laborer's wages in view of the in- creasing cost of living. He thought that primarily the per- sons that should be considered were those men in the Public Laborers Works Department who have families. He said he discussed wages this matter with Mr. Paxton and a 21¢ per hour increase was suggested. This would give the laborers an increase of $1.00 per week for forty hour week and $1.20 for a forty-eight hour week. They thought the men earning $30.00 per week or less were the ones to be considered. Mr. Paxton said that the difficulty in setting this limit, or any limit, in the past the men that were of value to the Town were the ones who were given the increases. Now the men in the lower bracket will be the ones who will get the increases and he said he was afraid that the Board would run into diffi- culties. The Chairman asked him how long he thought he would keep the extra men on and he said that they would be on for a couple of months. It was decided to wait until the extra laborers are laid off before granting any in- creases. The Chairman requested Mr. Paxton to let him know when this had been done. Mr. Paxton retired at 10:40 P. M. The Chairman requested the Clerk to ask Chief Sullivan if all of his men'had the necessary permit to operate the two-way radio system. A letter was received from the V. F. W. requesting that Complaint something be done to remedy the lack of sanitary facilities sanitary at the Parker playground: The letter also requested that provisions be made for a comfort station in Lexington cen- ter. It was decided to consider both of these items in the budgets for 1942. • • • • • 0 A letter was received from Mrs. J. Anderson offering the sum of $150.00 for Lot 33, Shade Street. It was de- cided to hold the matter over for one week so that Mr. Potter could investigate it. A letter was received from Nelson F. Fleming offer- ing the sum of 010.00 for Lot 19, Block 29, Meagher. Mr. Spencer sugested that Mr. Fleming buy Lots 18 and 19 for the sum of 920.00 and he agreed to do this, so the Board decided to sell the lots to him. A payroll amounting to $4.60 for witness fees was re- ceived from the Police Department. Mr. Potter moved that the bill -be charged to the Law Department -Expenses Account. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chapter 90 contract for Spring Street was received from the State. Mr. Potter moved that the contract be signed. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Locke moved that the following Sewer Order be adopted. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss. Town of Lexington WHEREAS, The Town of Lexington at a Town Meeting duly called and held on March 31, 1941 and adjourned to April 7 1941 adopted under Article 13 of the Warrant the following vote: "Voted: That the Selectmen be authorized to install sewer mains in such accepted or unaccepted streets as may be applied for during the year 1941 in accordance with Statute 18971, Chapter 504, as amended, or otherwise, and to take by eminent domain any necessary easements there- for, and for the purpose of said installation the sum of $8,000.00 be appropriated, and that the Town Treasurer be and hereby is authorized to sell under the direction of and with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, bonds or notes of the Town issued and payable in accordance with the law for a period not exceeding eight years." Offer Sale of lots Witness fees Ch. 90 Spring St Oak Street Sewer Order At a meeting of the Board of Selectmen held on Sept- ember 8, 19410 it was voted to authorize the extension of the sewer in Oak Street, beginning at a point in the center line of Oak Street, said point being southeasterly of and distant about 248 feet from the centerline of Carville Avenue, thence southeasterly distant about 160 feet, under the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 80, Voted: By the Selectmen, acting as a Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners under the authority conferred b Statute 1897, Chapter 504 and';Acts in amendment thereof and in addition thereto, and of votes of the Town of Lexington pursuant thereto, that a sewer be constructed in Oak Street beginning at a point in the centerline of Oak Street, said point being southeasterly of and distant about 248 feet from the centerline of Carville Avenue, thence southeasterly distant about 160 feet, substantially in accordance with plan made by John T. Cosgrove, Town Engineer, dated August 27, 1941 and entitled "Plan of Proposed Sewer in Oak Street, Lexington, Mass. Scale 1 in. = 40 ft. Aug. 27, 1941, John T. Cosgrove, Town Engineer." Betterments will be assessed for this improvement in ac- cordance with the provisions of Chapter 221 of the acts of 1926. The area which it is expected will receive benefit or advantage other than the general advantage to the community from such improvement is described as follows: That portion of those properties on both sides of Oak Street from a point about 248 feet from the centerline of Carville Avenue, thence southeasterly distant about 160 feet. The said area comprises the several lots shown upon the plan hereinbefore referred to which are designated in the schedule hereto annexed and made a part hereof. We estimate the betterments that will be assessed upon each parcel of land to be as shown in the schedule which is hereto annexed and made a part hereof. Witness our hands at Lexington aforesaid this eighth day of September 1941. Archibald R. Giroux Selectmen Errol H. Lockeof George W. Sarano Lexington 0 r, J 0 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss. Lexington, Mass. September 8, 1941 Then personally appeared the above named Archibald R. Giroux, Errol H. Lonke, and George W. Sarano, and severally acknowledged the foregoing instrument and statement by them subscribed to be their free act and deed and the free act and deed of the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners of the Town of Lexington, before me, Eleanor M. Lowe Notary Public SCHEDULE OF ESTIMATED BETTERMENTS REFERRED TO IN THE FOREGOING ORDER. OAK STREET (From the present end, a distance of approximately 160 feet in a southeasterly direction) Owner as of January 1, 1941 Elizabeth M. Schwarz Clarence E. MacPhee Mr. Potter moved that 2nd Selectmen's records be proved. Mr. Locke seconded voted. Lot No. Assessment 394-398 incl. $174.00 387,pt. 388 68.00 the reading of the September waived and that they be ap- d the motion, and it was so A letter was received from William A. Cann offering his resignation as Acting Building Inspector for the reason that he was not getting sufficient money. It was Bldg. Insp decided to hold the matter over until Wednesday night Resignatior. and discuss it with the Appropriation Committee. A letter was received from Mrs. Emma Nash of 12 Theresa Avenue complaining of the abundance of flies in the neighborhood. A report was received from the Health Complaint Inspector stating that he had investigated and was unable flies to find the cause of the nuisance and had a man from the State Department of Public Health to help him. They were unsuccessful however in finding the source of the nui#anne. The Clerk was instructed to send a copy of the State's report to Mrs. Nash when the report is received. A letter was received from Chief Taylor stating that the total cost for the repairs to the East Lexington Fire Article Station was $1,584.96. The amount allowed for this work was $1,000.00 so it was decided to insert an article in the warrant to appropriate the balance needed. The meeting adjourned at 11:07 P. M. A true record, Attest: Clerk • •