HomeMy WebLinkAbout1950-06-05-min 96
SELECTMEN'S MEETING
JUNE 5, 1950 ,
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was
held in the Selectmen's Office on Monday evening,
June 5, 1950 at 7:00 P. M. Chairman .Emery, Messrs.
Gay, Nickerson and Hoyt were present. The Clerk
was also present. Mr. Driscoll arrived at 7:30 P. M.
Mr. Joseph H. DeFoe, Supt. of Public Works,
and Mr. William Burns, Town Engineer, met with the
Board.
Mr. DeFoe presented a sketch of the veterans lots
on Hill and Cedar Street. He explained that his
Drainage Department has not had time to make a detailed study,
for Vet- but indications are that it will be necessary to have
erans lot a drain installed and he recommended laying it on the
line of a proposed lot in the rear of #12. He explained
that this project will cost between $300 and $400.
Following some discussion, Mr. Nickerson moved
that the Superintendent of Public Works be authorized
to proceed as outlined by him to ease the drainage
problem on veterans lots 11, 12 and 13 on Cedar Street.
Mr. Hoyt seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting at 7:15 P. M.
Mr. DeFoe reported further on the drainage pro-
blem in the vicinity of Mr. Kingsley's house on Franklin
Road. _ He presented a sketch of the area and explained
that upon inspection of the line going through Mr.
Baskin's property end coming out to the culvert, it
Franklin Rd. was found that a discrepancy of about one foot existed.
Drainage Mr. Baskin has consented to re-lay approximately 140
feet of pipe on his property, at no cost to the Town,
which leaves about 150 feet to be re-layed by the Town.
Mr. DeFoe explained three possible ways to solve
the drainage problem and upon motion of Mr. Gay,
seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to approve proposal
#2. This includes a pair of catch basins in front of Mr.
Kingsley's house with the drain extended to the corner
of Franklin and Somerset Road, and extended from a man-
hole at this location to take two catch basins a short
distance up Somerset Road toward Meriam Street, and
also extended along Somerset Road toward Hancock Avenue
to connect with the existing drain. This project is
to be placed on the waiting list and undertaken when
the Department of Public Works has the time.
Authorization was also given Mr. DeFoe to re-lay
the pipe, approximately 150 feet in length, and at the
same time it is understood that Mr. Baskin will re-lay
approximately 140 feet of pipe in his property, starting
at Somerset Road, at no cost to the Town.
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The latter project, to be done at this time, is
to correct the drain that was installed at an im-
proper grade.
Mr. DeFoe inquired as to what account inspection
of Board of Survey .developments is to be charged.
He explained that the inspectors will watch the
construction of the road, installation of drains and
water mains.
Mr. Burns explained that work on developments
will be intermittent, but the man hired will have Inspection
to be kept on full time and there is enough work in Board of
the Department to keep him busy. Survey de-
The Chairman asked how inspections have been velopments
handled before and Mr. Burns replied that he has been
doing the inspection himself but he cannot continue
because he has too much to do. Furthermore, the re-
quirements of the new Board of Survey rules and re-
gulations are comparable to the Town's street speci-
fictions. He explained on Town street constuction
he has required full inspections and he thought the
Board of Survey would require the same on development
streets. He said that he would not be responsible
for such streets on the same bases as he has in the
past. He said that the new streets will be bituminous
concrets with a surface that will be on for ten or twelve
years before anything will be done and he does not want
to be responsible for spot checking because when the
streets are completed they can be accepted by the Town.
He said that the inspector 's time and the water mains
could be charged against the Water Construction Account
and when the inspector is not working, on water construction
he can use him in other work. He further stated that
he thought the drainage inspection could be charged to
the Drainage Acoount.
The Chairman mentioned charging the time to Highway
Maintenance and asked if an inspector would be hired
before next week.
Mr. Burns said that an inspector would have to
be hired whenever the developers bond is straightened
out.
It was agreed to charge the inspector 's time on
water and drainage to the Water Construction and Drainage
Accounts and of consider further next week the matter
of street construction inspection.
Mr. DeFoe asked if he could purchase the gates,
hydrants, etc. as soon as the agreement is signed and
the Board was in agreement.
The Chairman instructed Mr. Burns to advise the
' Planning Board that Mr. Larsen has offered to give the
Town the extra footage on Oak Street, pay for the water,
dedicate the out through, but will not pay any better-
ments on the streets. He said that before the Board
advises Mr. Larsen what it thinks, the Selectmen would
like to know how the Planning Board feels.
Mr. Burns retired at 7:45 P. M.
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He returned later in the evening and reported that
the Planning Board is still of the opinion that Mr.
Larsen Larsen would have to pay betterments on the proposed
Oak Street street, if, as and when it is constructed.
The Chairman said that it was not presumed that
the Torn will take the initiative to construct the
street, and Mr. Stevens saidthat the water is supposed
to go in the street, but no time was set for con-
structing the street.
Letter was received from Mrs. Przyjemski stating
Zoar that the Selectmen had informed 1Lar that the sti'Pcture
Avenue on Zoar Avenue was to be torn down by the first of June,
but there is no evidence of it being removed and there
is sonatant repairing being done.
No action was taken.
Mr. Gay said that the residents in the Pleasant
Bus Stop Street area had petitionedFthe D. P. U. for a bus stop
and the matter had been referredback to the Selectmen.
The correspondence which he had was given to the Town
Counsel.
Mr. Stevens retired at 8;15 P. M.
li Mr. William Brenchick, 46 Lincoln Street met with
the Board, at his own request, to discuss transits
pipe.
He gave each member of the Board a history of
Transite Asbestos-Cement Pipe, manufactured by Johns-
Transite Manville Corporation and explained that the product
pipe has been used throughout the world for about forty years
and in the United States for about twenty years. He
also said that the pipe carries the Underwriters ' approval,
and every length of pbpe is tested at four times its
rated working pressure. The installation cost is low,
cost of the pipe is low, delivery stays high and keeps
the pumping costs down. He also explained that there
would not be any loss of water because of leaky joints,
and that the cost of installation is 10% lower than
that of cast iron pipe.
Mr. Brenchick said that sewer pipe was put on the
market at the same time but the sales efforts have
been on water pipe. He explained that the installation
cost is less due to the fact that the pipe ill in thirteen
foot lengths against two foot lengths of tile and it
goes toghether very rapidly. He said that there is no
joining compound to buy because that is included with
the cost of the material. Due to the strength of the
pipe, in many cases oradling is eliminated.
Mr. DeFoe asked if there were any disadvantages
at all compared with cast iron pipe and Mr. Brenchick
said that it does not have the strength of cast iron pipe,
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II but it does have enough strength to take care of
anyting that will be demanded of a water line. In
this pipe there is nothing to corrode, therefore
the strength is not required. He also said that
the pipe cannot be thawed out .with electricity.
Steam or hot water must be used.
Mr. DeFoe asked how long the rubber gaskets would
last and Mr. Brenchiek replied indefinitely.
Mr. Hoyt asked what would be involved in making
the changeover and if there would be any effect on the
pipe that is in the ground at the present time.
Mr. Brencht$k replied that there would be no
'feet Whatsoever.
He explained that at the present time deliveries
are not good as they are back to October.
He retired at 8;40 P. M.
Mr. John Baskin met with the Board and requested
that the sewer be brought along Somerset Road from Hayes Sewer,
Avenue to Lot 5, a distance of about 300 feet. Somerset
?he Chairman asked him if he would sign up for one Road
side and he replied in the affirmative.
The Chairman explained that the Board would have
to review the situation and see how much is ahead of it.
Mr. Baskin explained that a house will be constructed
here, to be completed in November, and he would like to
have the sewer extended to serve it.
The Chairman said that the Board would request Mr.
DeFoe to submit a report on this subject for next Monday's
meeting.
Mr. Baskin retired at 8:05 P. M.
Mr. Leonard Jellis, Jr. met with the Board, at his
own request, relative to the drainage problem on Lot 12,
Cedar Street.
• The Chairman explained that the Board had already
voted to authorize the Supt. of Public Works to proceed
to ease the drainage problem on lots 11, 12 and 13.
Mr. DeFoe informed Mr. Jellis that he did not
intend to slope all the lend, but would put in a drain
at the most advantageous spot, and that no grading would
be done.
Mr. Jellis retired at 9:00 P. M.
Letter was received from Mr. Leonard Jellis, Sr.
requesting the extension of a water main to service $115
Reed Street. Water Reed
Mr. DeFoe reported that he has already asked Mr. Street
Burns to have a sketch made and will report further next
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week.
Letter was received from Leland McConchie requesting
an extension of the water main to service a house at 152 Adams
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Water Street. The Clerk was instructed to give a copy of the
Adams St. letter to the Supt. of Public Works and request a
report for the next meeting of the Board.
Mr. DeFge presented the members of the Board with
estimates, received from Custance and Phalen on pro-
posed repairs to the Barnes property.
Mr. Nickerson suggested that he contact Mr. Cus•
Barnes tance and ask him if he would accept the job at a price
Property not to exceed the figure he has gU,oted and if he would
be willing to write a letter to that effect.
Mr. DeFoe agreed and it was decided to obtain
specifications and then decide whether or not the
bidding is to be open of closed.
Liberty- Mr. DeFoe presented a sketch of the proposed
Ledgelawn sewer in Liberty and Ledgelawn Avenues and explained
sewer that the only individual interested in signing for
the sewer is Mr. Mo0onchie, owner of lot 126. He
said that Mr. Crandall and his son do not want the
sewer, but will go along if they are the only ones not
in favor.
No action was taken on the matter.
Mr. DeFoe retired at 9:35 P. M.
Letter was received from Carl G. Vienot recommending
that the spot light be turned on again on the Minute Man
Lighting Statue.
Minute Man Mr. Nickerson said that if it were a matter of $50
Statue of 075 he thought it would be money well spent.
The Chairman was authorized to make whatever:
arrangements are necessary and charge the cost to the
Park Department,
Letter was received from Elbert Fisher, 197 Woburn
Tax Title Street, Lexington, offering *100 per lot for lots 35
property and 36, Hillcrest Street, Park Heights.
The Clerk reported that Mr. Potter recommends a
price of *200 per lot inasmuch as the street is finished
and has water.
The members of the Board agreed to look at the
lots and hold any decision over until the next meeting
of the Board.
Application was received from Miss Helen Merrill
Use of requesting permission to conduct a dance recital rehearsal in
Hall Cary Hall on the afternoons of June 12th and 13th from 1:00
until 5:00.
The Clerk was instructed to find out whether or
not Miss Merrill was reimbursed for her services in con-
nection with the 19th of April celebration and if not,
both uses were to be granted free of charge. If, how-
ever, she was paid for her services, a charge of 05 is
to be made for one rehearsal, the other use being granted
free of charge.
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Application was received from Richard F. Jackson, Use of
on behalf of the 4-H Club, for permission to conduct hall
a meeting in a conference room on Tuesday, June 13th.
Mr. Gay moved that the use of the room be granted
free of charge. Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion, and
it was so voted.
The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. Doris G. Works,
on behalf of the Pre-School P.T.A. , with reference to
the charge made for the use of Estabrook Hall on June Use of hall
3rd and 10th. Mrs. Works stated in her letter that the
money received from the movies to be conducted on these
two dates is to be used for the Dental Fund for all
Lexington children of pre-school age, and asked if the
uses could be granted free of charge.
The Chairman suggested, and the Board agreed,
that Mrs . Works be advised that it has become an established
practice to charge a fee when admission to activities
In the Cary Building is charged. However, the Board
would be willing to grant both uses for $10 instead
of $10 for each use.
The Cleft informed the Boaed that the Chief of
Police had received a request from M.I.T. for the
11 appointment of nine Special Police Officers who will
be working as guards at the Institute 's Lexington Special
Field Station. All the individuals recommended Police
by M.I.T. were approved by the Chief.
Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Gay,
it was voted to appoint the following persons as Special
Police Officers in the Town of Lexington for terms ex-
piring March 31, 1951.
Ivers J. Rutherford Donald Tucker
William S. Thompson Lancelot B. Cooper
John G. Bohn Earl A. Turner
Warren Wilder Malcolm Stevens
George ,E. Richardson
Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll,
it was voted to grant the following licenses :
Countryside Associates Lowell Street Sunday Golf
Lexington Theatre Mass. Avenue " Movies
Francis D. Flanage, Jr. 4 Aerial Street Peddler
Dr. Foley, Chairman of the Recreation Committee, met
with the Board and reported that his Committee had received
a request from Mr. Thwyng on Marrett Road, to have the Town
mow the field adjacent to his house so that the children
in the neighborhood could use it as a ballfield. He said
that he had 'discussed this with Mr. Garrity and was told
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that the Selectmen would have to determine whether or not '
Town equipment could be used for this purpose.
The Chairman agreed to discuss the request with
Mr. Garrity.
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 P. M.
A true record, Attest:
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