HomeMy WebLinkAbout1941-09-190 SELECTMEN'S MEETING
September 19, 1941
A special meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held
In the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 4:30 P.M.
The Chairman telephoned the Clerk this morning and said to
call the meeting for 4:30, that Mr. Rowse was out of Town,
and to telephone the other members. Accordingly, the Clerk
telephoned Messrs. Locke, _Potter, and Sarano and left work
that the meeting would be at 4; 30 P. M.
Messrs. Potter, Locke, and Sarano were present, and
the Clerk was also present. Mr. Giroux arrived at 4:45 P.M.
Mr. Barnes of the firm of Barnes & Champney, architects,
appeared before the Board. He said he was appealing to the
Board to be permitted to build a small house with a found-
ation which is acceptable in every Town around Boston, in-
cluding Newton. The Building Inspector is insisting on a
different type of foundation. He says that a wall of extra-
ordinary strength and one difficult to build is required in
this particular location (Follen Hill). Mr. Barnes said that
such a wall was,needed where there was a steep grade, but
there was no such condition on the lot he is building on.
Mr. James P. McCarthy of Cambridge, the owner of the
house, appeared before the Board. He said that Mr. Cann
had stopped the work, saying that the wall was not satis-
factory. The builder had started laying the wall, believ-
ing he was proceeding as he was permitted to proceed. Mr.
Barnes talked with Mr. Cann the day before yesterday, and
found that Leigh Farnham, in writing out the permit, had
described the foundation as being poured concrete, and had
made that note on the permit. The builder did not notice
it, and signed the plans. Mr. Barnes explained to Cann that
it was a mistake, and asked for a change to the original
wall design, but that was refused. Mr. Cann gave him no
good reason for doing this. Barnes said that there was no
reference to footings in the Building Law. He said that
he was building a house for Mr. McCarthy which had to be
economical, and he protested Cann's action, because he
thought it was imposing a hardship on them. Barnes took
an engineer to the lot :today and asked his opinion. The
engineer substantiated everything Barnes himself believed.
Cann's reasons are that they have considerable depth
of excavation. At one high point, it does measure eight
feet, and that will be cut in the finished grade. The
maximum height of the wall is seven feet, and the back':wall
is more than strong enough for that. Cann says that the
lot is a mud hole in the spring. Two-thirds of the cut is
solid boulder clay and absolutely impervious to water.
• There is no possible danger.
It would cost an additional $300.00 to build the wall as
Mr. Cann wants it.
Mr. McCarthy said that Mr. Barnes was a member of the
American Institute of Architects, and he would not put up
a building which was not all right. The two men retired
at 4:50 P. M.
Mr. Leigh Farnham appeared before the Board. The Chair-
man asked him where the Building Laws specified that a re-
taining wall had to be built, and Farnham said that the only
reference to foundations was in the section marked "Founda-
tions". He retired at 5:00 P. M.
Mr. Sarano left the meeting at 5:00 P. M.
Mr. Wrightington appeared at 5:07 P. M. and discussed
with the Board the order of the votes for the September 22nd
Town Meeting.
The Chairman informed the Board that Mr. Paxton had
suggested that money be borrowed for the Spring Street con-
struction. Mr. Potter moved that the Town Treasurer be
requested to borrow the sum of $15,000.00 for one year, in
anticipation of reimbursement by the State and County. Mr.
Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted.
The meeting adjourned at 6:00 P. M.
A true record, Attest:
Clerk
•
•
•