Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1942-10-261 SELECTMEN'S MEETING October 26,1942 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room on Monday evening, October 26, 1942 at 7:30 P.M. Messrs. Potter, Rowse, Locke, and Sarano were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. Potter acted as Chairman pro -tem. At 7:30 P.M. hearing was declared open upon the peti- tion of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Tele- phone and Telegraph Company for joint location of three poles on Shirley Street, southwesterly from a point approxi- mately eighty-five feet southwest of Bedford Street. No persons appeared in favor or in opposition. Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted to grant the petition, and sign the order. At 7:31 P.M. hearing was declared open upon the peti- tion of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Tele- phone and Telegraph Company for joint location of two poles on Park Street, northeasterly from a point approximately forty feet northeast of Reed Street. No persons appeared in favor or in opposition. Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order. At 7:32 P.M. hearing was declared open upon the petition of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph /Company for joint location of four poles on Stetson Street, northwesterly from a point approximately sixty feet northwest of Oakland Street. Mr. Everett S. Emery and Mr. Robert C. Merriam appeared at the hearing. They said they had no objection provided no additional poles were to be placed. The Chairman told them that no additional poles were to be erected. Messrs. Emery and Merriam retired. Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order. At 7:33 P.M. hearing was declared open upon the peti- tion of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone -and Telegraph Company for joint location of four poles on Independence Avenue, westerly from a point approxi- mately seventy feet west of Massachusetts Avenue. Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order. 55 Pole location Pole location Pole location Pole location MIJ Pole location Street light Flags Curbings 'Article 'Curbings Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted to grant the petition of the Boston Edison Com- pany and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for the following joint pole locations: From pole located in Robinson Road, approximately 550 feet northeast of Grove Street, - install guy wire and anchor; Robinson Road, northeasterly from Grove Street, - 17 poles; Grove Street, approximately 2,330 feet northwest of Robinson Road, - 1 pole. At 7:35 P.M. Mr. Theddore A. Custance and Mr. Leon A. Bateman, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, ap- peared before the Board. The Clerk read a letter from the Chamber of Commerce expressing its appreciation for the new parking space on the railroad property in Lexington center. The Chamber requested that a pole and light be installed at the park- ing space. The letter also requested that flags be pur- chased to be added to the Shenandoah System and located on Massachusetts Avenue from Waltham Street to the Colonial Garage, 9nd from Partridge's Food Shop to the Town Office Building. The letter further requested that corner curb- ings on streets be painted white so as to be more visible to traffic at night. Mr. Custance wondered if it would be possible for the Town to authorize a pole to be placed on private property. The Chairman said he thought that permission would have to be obtained from the railroad first and that an article would then have to be placed in the warrant. Mr. Custance said he understood that the railroad would be very glad to allow the Town to place a light on its property and he said that he would contact the railroad to obtain the necessary permission. He will then have the Chamber of Commerce sub- mit a request that an article be inserted in the warrant for the next Town Meeting for the installation of this light. The Chairman told the two men that it would be necessary to have an article in the warrant to appropriate money for the purchase of flags as requested and that the Board would discuss the matter further. On the matter of painting turbings white, the Chair- man asked how far the Chamber wished the Board to go on this. Mr. Custance said that they would like to have the curbings in the center and on the streets off Massachusetts Avenue in the center painted white. Winchester has already done this. They thought a strip eight to ten feet would be adequate. The Chairman told them that the Board would discuss the request further. Mr. Bateman said that there was a great deal of damage done on Halloween every year and the Chamber .of 1 57 1 Commerce.thought that the Auxiliary Police could help a great deal on that evening. Mr. Potter said he under- stood that the Auxiliary Police were going to offer their Halloween services to the Police Department and he assumed that the Chief would accept the offer. Mr. Bateman wondered if the damage was done by the very young children and it was the feeling that the greater part of it was done by the High School boys. Mr. Potter said that he would talk to the Chief and ask if the offer of helping had been made and if he was going to accept it. Mr. Custance and Mr. Bateman retired at 7:50 P.M. The Chairman told the Board that the manager of the Lexington Theatre was waiting to see the Board. Last week it was voted to hold the question of Sunday movies Sunday over for two weeks. He said that Mr. Giroux had in- movies formed Miss Lowe that he was in favor of granting the permit for Sunday movies immediately, and Mr. Potter asked how the rest of the Board felt about it. Mr. Sarano moved that Sunday movies be allowed beginning on November 1, 1942. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Ernest Zuretti appeared before the Board at 8:00 P.M. He said he had requested an appointment to see if the Board would allow the Lexington Theatre to start Sunday movies next Sunday. The Chairman told him that the Board had already voted in favor of this. Mr. Zuretti said that he was the manager of the theatre. He presented the application and license forms for Lord's Day Entertainment, which forms are issued by the State. The Chairman said that these forms would have to be submitted and acted upon each week. The Chairman told Mr. Zuretti that the Board had voted previously to allow the theatre to show pictures not before e:00 P.M. and Mr. Zuretti said that the time limit was 11:00 P.M. but actually the show would be over at 10:30 P.M. or 10:45 P.M. Mr. Zuretti retired at 8:07 P.M. The forms which Mr. Zuretti left showed that the following pictures are to be shown on Sunday, November 1, 1942: "Sergeant York", "Catalcade of Aviation", ',ships off the Old Block", and a newsreel. Mr. Rowse moved that the pictures to be shown be approved and that the Board sign the license; the municipal fee to be $5.00 per week plus the State fee of $2.00 per week. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Deeds transferring property to Robert C.Cady, Hamden B. Blodgett, and William H. Melody were received. Tax title ' Mr. Locke moved that the deeds be signed and the property lots sold and conveyed. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 58 Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board at 8:15 P.M. , He said that the American Legion Auxiliary had re- quested the use of Cary Hall on Tuesday, November 17, 1942 for a bridge and whist. This would be one of the Auxiliary's regular free uses. Uses of Mr. Rowse moved that the use of the hall be granted. halls Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that the Lexington Field and Garden Club had requested the use of Estabrook Hall on February 8, 1943 from 7:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. for a lecture. Mr. Sarano moved that the use of the hall be granted free.of charge. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that the War Price and Rationing Board had requested the use of a conference room on the second floor of Cary Hall on November 2, 3, and 4 for computing fuel oil rationing. Mr. Locke moved that the use of the room be granted free of charge. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that Mr. Cosgrove had checked com- pletely on Mr. VanGemert's sewer betterment assessment. The limit of assessment in that district was ninety feet back of the front property line and there is no way of refiguring the assessment so that Mr. VanGemert will not VanGemert be assessed the $70.00 he questions. He said therefore, assess- it was up to the Board as to whether or not they wished ment to abate the assessment. Mr. Potter asked if the lot was not bettered by it and Mr. Paxton said that it was, in his estimation. Mr. VanGemert claimed that the lot in the corner of Baker and Butler Avenue could not be serviced by that line and would have to be left until there was a sewer in Butler Avenue. Mr. Paxton checked this however, and reported that the house could be serviced by the sewer in Baker Avenue. Mr. VanGemert objects to his assessment on Baker Avenue primarily on account of the use to which he is putting the lot. Mr. VanGemert told the Board that Mr. Cosgrove told him that he would not have to pay the assessment but when Mr. Cosgrove talked to the man, Mr. VanGemert asked him about the Nichols' betterment on Oak Street. Mr. Cosgrove told him about the deffered betterment assessment and apparently Mr. VanGemert misunderstood and believed that his assessment would be handled in the same way. Mr. Rowse remarked that even though the property was not built upon at the present time, it could be built upon. ' ' Mr. Rowse moved that VanGemert's request for abatement of his sewer betterment assessment on Baker Avenue amountink to $70.00 be denied because the Board could find no reason for authorising the abatement. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 1 Mr. Paxton reported.to the Board that that portion of Old Shade Street referred to by Mr. McIntosh last week had never been abandoned by the County. He thought that if the Board so desired, Mr. Wrightington should be requested to take whatever steps necessary to have that small strip abandoned. Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Paxton's recommendation be approved. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that he would write Mr. 7-'rightington on the subject. On the matter of the lot which Mr, McIntosh wished filled, Mr. Paxton checked and found that it would take about 500 yards of material to accomplish what McIntosh would like. They will get 100 to 115 yards of material from the Bettencourt lot and they could put that material on the McIntosh lot. Mr. Rowse asked if this would satisfy Mr. McIntosh and Mr. Paxton said he didn't know. Mr. Rowse moved that the Supt. of Public }"locks be authorized to take the fill excavated from the Bettencourt lot and place it in the McIntosh lot. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that he talked with Mr. Amos Brown, of the War Production Board, relative to the removal of car tracks and they are going to send out a Mr. Gaffney to discuss the matter. Mr. Paxton told Mr. Brown that we had only sixty to eighty tons of metal and that our streets were in good condition now and that if the rails were removed, the Town would want the streets put back into as good condition as they are now. He told him the streets couldn't be repaired this fall because of approach- ing winter.Mr. Brown said that they had very much larger projects in other cities and he seemed to agree with Mr. Paxton that the work should not be done in Lexington now. Mr. Paxton will report to the Board after he discusses the subject with Mr. Gaffney. Mr. Paxton read a letter from the Employers Liability Corporation, Ltd. to which were attached endorsements stating that our present policy does not cover sabotage, civil commotion, or any damage which may be caused by 59 Old Shade Street McIntosh lot to be filled Car tracks Insurance 60 acres of land off Westview Street. This was originally a sand pit but the gravel has all been taken out. It was (Taking originally assessed for $3,000.00 but there is very little by U.S. ' value to it now. The United States Government has already Gov't. taken a strip 3.2 acres in area for a spur track and this piece goes approximately through the center of the parcel. The Government has offered to pay the Town $175.00 for the strip and left some forms for the Board to sign. The Board military action. However, we are amply covered with war , damage insurance. He asked if the Board approved his however, to write the Town Counsel to see if he approved signing the endorsement and there was no objection. signing the papers and.the matter is to be discussed again Mr. Paxton said that Chief Taylor had not yet been Mr. Paxton retired at 8:40 P.M. billed for his automobile insurance. The Board told him Letter was received from Mr. John A. May of 77 Valley to bill the Chief immediately. 'Tax title Block 73, Meagher. The Chairman said that a sitilar offer The Chairman asked Mr. Paxton if he thought it from Mr. May had been refused previously because of the un- practical to paint the curbings white as requested by the no lots should be sold until the location of Route 128 was Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Paxton said that he thought the decided, and for that reason upon motion of Mr. Locke, Curbings matter should be discussed with the State Department of offer. Public tiWorks before anything was done. The Board re- quested him to check with the State and report at the next meeting. Notice was received from the State and County of a Ch. 90 hearing to be held on Thursday, October 29, 1942 at 10:30 hearing A.M. at the Court House, East Cambridge, to discuss.Chapter 90 maintenance for 1943. The Chairman told the Board that the Town owned 34 1 acres of land off Westview Street. This was originally a sand pit but the gravel has all been taken out. It was (Taking originally assessed for $3,000.00 but there is very little by U.S. ' value to it now. The United States Government has already Gov't. taken a strip 3.2 acres in area for a spur track and this piece goes approximately through the center of the parcel. The Government has offered to pay the Town $175.00 for the strip and left some forms for the Board to sign. The Board felt that inasmuch as the Government had offered only $175.00 it was useless to ask for more. The Clerk was instructed, however, to write the Town Counsel to see if he approved signing the papers and.the matter is to be discussed again next week. Mr. Paxton retired at 8:40 P.M. Letter was received from Mr. John A. May of 77 Valley Road offering to pay $75.00 each for lots 1, 3, and 4 in 'Tax title Block 73, Meagher. The Chairman said that a sitilar offer offer from Mr. May had been refused previously because of the un- certainty of the location of Route 128. The Board felt that no lots should be sold until the location of Route 128 was decided, and for that reason upon motion of Mr. Locke, seconded by Mr. Rowse, it was voted to refuse Mr. May's offer. 1 ' Letter.was received from Andrew Cupp offering to pay the sum of 4800.00 for the land on `Woburn Street foreclosed on the Ryders. The Clerk reminded the Board that last March the Selectmen told a broker up town that the sale price would be $1651.20. Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Cupp's offer be refused be- cause it was too low. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Committee on Public Safety advising that at a meeting held on October 20, 1942 it was voted to approve the forming of a State Guard unit in Lexington. The Committee appointed three of its members to submit names to the Selectmen for appointment as Command- ing Officer. It was decided to hold the matter over for one week. Mr. Morse appeared before the Board at 9:05 P.M. to discuss welfare matters and retired at 9:20 P.M. The Clerk informed the Board that the Public Relations man for the Animal Rescue League had requested that the Selectmen appoint a representative to F, a mascot (an Irish setter) to the aircraft carrier 'Lexington". The ' Board felt that it would prefer to have some one other than a representative of the Town of Lexington make the presenta- tion. Application for a license to maintain a Boarding Home for Aged Persons at 73 Waltham Street was received from Miss Bessie 0. Withrow of 43 Marrett Street, Lexington. A satisfactory statement of character having been received, upon motion of Mr. Locke, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted to approve the application and to authorize the Chair- man to sign it. The following abatements were approved: Selectmen's Department, $20.00; Highway Department, $51.00. Commitment of water liens in the amount of $268.38 were signed. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 P.M. A true record, Attest: f] Clerk W Tax title off er State Guard "Lexington" mascot Home for Aged Persons