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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1950-10-02-min 227 b1.Lr.V`'L&i i '.5 J1ut.t+1'l1VG botober 2, 1950 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, October 2, 1950, at 7 :00 P.M. Chairman Emery, Messrs. Gay, Driscoll, Nickerson and Hoyt were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. Burns,Sup+t . of Public Works, met with the Board and requested permission to rebuild the steps Rebuild at Spencer's property on Waltham Street. He explained Steps that the steps were not properly spaced in the beginning Spencer and Mr. Spencer has been asking to have them corrected property for the past six months. Mr. Burns stated that the job Waltham should be corrected and he received a quotation from Street Custance Bros. of $100. Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was voted to authorize the Supt . of Public Works to have the steps at the Spencer property on Waltham Street rebuilt. Mr. Burns requested permission to advertise contracts for sidewalk construction. He mentioned requests received from a Mr. Cox, the Christian Science Sidewalk Church and Mr. Grindle, and explained that he would like Construction to advertise this week and do as many sidewalks as Advertise- possible this Fall, finishing in the Spring. If he ment advertises now the $6,000 appropriated will carry over. Mr. Gay moved that the Supt. of Public Works be authorized to advertise contracts for sidewalk construc- tion. Mr. Nickerson seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Burns requested permission to purchase two car- loads of 6" V. C. pipe, and recommeded purchasing one carload from the Lexington Lumber Company and one from Waldo Bros. He explained that he has no pipe now and Order for can secure it out of stock, but not enough to meet his 6° V.C. needs. It was his opinion that it would be well to have pipe two concerns trying to secure the pipe. Mr. Gay moved that the Supt of Public Works be authorized to purchase two carloads of 6"' V. C. pipe; one carload from the Lexington Lumber Company and one from Waldo Bros. Mr. Nickerson seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter from the School Committee with reference to the maintenance of the driveway to the Fiske School and grading the playground area at the school was held offer from last week. 228 Mr. Burns presented a recommendation, including seven items, with reference to a uniform policy of Fiske maintenance of all grounds and driveways surroundire School all public buildings. The Clerk was instructed to Driveway .mail copies to each member of the Board, and place the School Committee's letter on the agenda for the next meeting of the Board. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, and Mr. Lindstrom, Plumbing Inspector, met with the Board at 7:23 P.M. Mr. Stevens said that last Tuesday Mr. Lindstrom called him and reported that Luke May was taking grave] out of a wide area down on toburn Street. He said that he had checked with Mr. Spencer and was told that no gravel had been taken out of this area for twenty years. Mr. Stevens dictated, and Mr. Lindstrom served on Mr. May a notice that the re- moval of gravel was a violation of the Zoning By-Laws and he must cease immediately. Mr. May called Mr. Stevens and said that this area had been used as a May gravel pit all along; by Break when owned by them Gravel Pit and by him since he purchased the property. Mr. Stevens advised him to cease operations until the matter was straightened out, but Mr. May was not willing. Mr. Stevens then called Mr. Lindstrom and told him that he should try and ascertain the facts. He said that if May has been selling gravel out of there for several years, it could possibly be a non- conforming use. Mr. Stevens said that there is also some question in his mind as to whether May is going tp continue. He reported he then called the Chair- man and told him the situation, and it was decided to obtain more information from Mr. Lindstrom before proceeding further. Mr. Stevens and the Chairman inspected the area Sunday and there is a large hole there. Mr. May said that he was improving his land which had gravel in it and would not hold water. Therefore, he is unable to grow anything in it. He said that he was, taking out gravel, bringing the land down to grade and spreading loam on it. The Chairman said that he had asked Mr. Lindstrom to interview three people, if he could, who would have some knowledge as to whether or not this pit had been used during the last few years. Mr. Lindstrom reported that the land has been cut away now so that it is about 100 feet from the road. There is a bulldozer coming in from Woburn Street and they seem to be pushing from Woburn Street back toward the sand pit and if a car were driven in from the road it would drop about fifteen feet. Mr Spencer informed Mr. Lindstrom that gravel has not been taken out of this pit for thirty years. 229 Mr. O'Connor, who used to live in the area, said it was between fifteen and twenty years and Mr. Cronin, who played in the area when he was a youngster, said that nothing has been taken out for thirty-two years. Mr. Lindstrom said that May told him he had taken gravel four years ago. Mr. Burns reported that, to his knowledge, May has been hauling out of ti_is pit for two years and has had trucks there all year in back of the nursery. The Chairman asked if Mr. Burns meant the were hauling out of Woburn Street and he replied that they were using Woburn Street as a way to get in and out. Mr. Stevens said that if this pit was being used in 1924, when the Zonirg By-law was adopted and also since then, he could continue. He also suggested that he and Mr. Lindstrom confer with Mr. May . Mr. Driscoll agreed to discuss the subject with one of the former executives of Breck Robinson Company in an endeavor to obtain further information. Mr. Lindstrom at 7:55 p.M. Mr. Johnson, representative of the Lovell Bus Lines met with the Board at 8:00 P.M. £he Chairman explained that the Selectmen were trying to re-activate the proposed bus route over Grant Street, to East, over East Street to Adams Street, etc. Mr. Johnson presented a letter from his company stating that, in its opinion, it will be agreeable to use as a suitable turn around any street leading off Simonds Road and returning to Simonds Road. Under North the Department of Public Utilities rules and regula- Lexington tions, they are not allowed to make use of a back Bus Route around turn around. The letter further stated that if tie Selectmen will advise what street they prefer, the Lovell Bus Co. will make formal application for a permit immediately and providing a satisfactory certificate in received from the Department, will establish service over the new route on a 60 day trial basis. Inasmuch as the Board can not issue a license for buses to travel over unaccepted streets, Mr. Burns was of the opinion that the only loop available would be up Bertwell, Eaton and Blake Roads. Mr. Johnson explained that his Company could travel OR Bedford Street, but there would be re- striction of almost 1,000 feet. The members of the Board decided to ride over the area Saturday morning and Mr. Johnson agreed to write a letter outlining the schedule of operation. Mr. Johnson retired at 8:10 P.M. 230 an cn Mr. Burns also retired. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. W.H. Ballard with reference to the Scott matter and also the Edison Way matter. The Clerk was instructed to make a copy for the Town Counsel. Mr. Stevens retired a 8:35 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from D.S. Robertson on Crouch behalf of Mrs. Edward Crouch, requesting the Board to Sewer defer the sewer betterment assessment levied against Assessment Lot 76 Grapevine Avenue which, she claims, is not benefitted by the sewer. The Clerk was instructed to obtain a sketch of the property from Mr. Burns and the members of the Board agreed to look at the area on Saturday morning. Rich The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. Ethel U. Riad Betterment requesting the Board to defer, without interest, the Assessment sewer betterment assessment levied against a corner lot, owned by her, on Kendall Road. It was the opinion of the Board that this is not a case to which deferment under Chapter 159 of the Actsof 1950 would be justified. Willard The Chairman read a letter from Miss Edith W. Betterment Willard requesting a extension or abatement, with- Assessment out interest, of the water better assessment levied against her property on North Street identified as Lot C. The members of the Board, having vim this property some time ago, were familiar with its condition. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to extend the time for payment of the betterment assessment of 095.66 assessed upon the Willard land, consisting of about 316.53 feet and situated on North Street, without interest, until said land or any part thereof is built upon or sold or until the expiration of three years from the date hereof, whichever event occurs first; provided, however, that this extension of time shall terminate immediately if the facilities of the water main are used for said land or any part thereof. Permit Letter was received from a Mr. Colin M. Ramsay for Loud relative to the 24th Annual State DeMolay Conclave Speakers to be held in Lexington o8 Friday, October 13th. Mr. Ramsay requested perthission to use loud speakers in the campaign and also to set up signs at Cary Memorial Building. Both requests were approved by the Board. 231 The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Garrity, Sup't. , Shade Tree Division, with reference to a tree at 81 North Hancock Street. The owner of the property Removal of plans to do some grading and inasmuch as there are a Tree number of surface roots that may be severely damaged by the use of a bulldozer, Mr. Garrity recommended that the tree be removed. Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr.Hoyt, it was voted to authorize Mr. Garrity to post the tree for removal. The Chairman read a letter from Joseph E. Casey, Tax Title 343 Mass. Avenue, Lexington, offering $1,200 for a properyy parcel of tax title property on Valley Road formerly owned by Burr. The Clerk was instructed to inform Mr. Casey that the Board will entertain an offer of $1,400. Letter was received from Norman J. Beckett, 48 Valley Road, Lexington, stating that he is willing Tax Title to pay $75 for Lots 1 and 2, Block 69, Valley Road; property theprice having been entertained by the Board. L'. Gay moved that a proposal to sell the lots be advertised in the Lexington Minute Man and that further consideration be given the offer at the next meeting of the Board. Mx Nickerson seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Chapin, Veterans ' Agent, requesting a transfer of $800 to meet Transfer the requirements of his Department for the balance of the year. Mr. Nickerson moved that the Appropriation Commit- tee be requested to transfer the sum of $400 from the Reserve Fund to carry this account through November, inasmuch as further funds may be appropriated at the Special TownMeeting. Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Clerk informed the Board that Mr. Ralph L. Santos Santos had called at the Selectmen's Office relative Betterment to a swwer betterment assessment levied against Lot 72, Assessment Grapevine Avenue, in the amount of $146.67. his parcel of land was purchased by vote of Town Meeting for a trunk line sewer. Upon the motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Drisooll,it was voted to abate the assessment. Further consideration was given to the continuation of skeleton forces on Saturdays throughout the year. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Saturdays Driscoll, it was voted to authorize continuation of skeleton forces on Saturdays throughout the year, at 232 an the discretion of the Department heads; it being understood that sufficient personnel will be in all Departments to take care of the public interest of as the pressure of business may require. Application was received from the Lexington Use of Committee for the United Nations for permission to Hallconduct a meeting in Cary Hall on Monday , October 23d from 8:00 until 10;00P.M. Mr. Gay moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Nickerson seconded the motion and it was so voted. Use of Application was received from the Battle Green Hall Chapter DeMolay requesting permission to conduct a play in Cary Hall on November 17th from 6:00 P.M. until 11:30 P.M. and a rehearsal on November 16th from 7:00 P.M. until midnight. Mr. Hoyt moved that the use of the hall for a play be granted subject to a charge of $35 and the use of the hall for a rehearsal be granted free of charge. License Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Hoyt,it was voted to grant the Lexington Theatre Sunday Movie License. Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, Sewer it was voted to sign an order for the installation of Order a sewer in Somerset Road from Hayes Avenue 540' southerly. (Copy of Order in Selectmen's Files- Sewer Orders 1950 ) Letter was received from the Lexington Chamber of Commerce stating the organization would like to go on record as being in favor of the proposed bus route service on Oak Street. The Board agreed to go over the route again Saturday Morning and make some dicision next meeting. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 P.M. and the Clerk left. Cl k The next regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen will be held an Monday, October 9, 1950, at 7:00 P.M. 233 IIMr. Patterson, Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, and Mr. Walker, Town Accountant (now on military leave) met with the Board. The following information was dictated to the Clerk by the Chairman. The Board voted to increase Mrs. Ethel U. Rich's salary to 50 a week and to increase Mrs. Emma Locketa salary to 41.80,both retroactive to September 15th which is the date on which Mr. Walker officially left on Military Leave. It was also voted to authorize Mrs. Rieh to hire another girl for the Accounting Department, preferably on a part-time basis and at a salary that would be in line with what other Junior Clerks in the Town Office Building are being paid.