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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1951-04-09-min cc 424 c7 SELECTMEN'S MEETING April 9, 1951 1 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, April 9th at 7:00 P.M. Chairman Nickerson, Messrs. Emery, Gay, Driscoll and Hoyt were present. Mr. Burns, Supt. of Public Works, and the Clerk were also present. Mr. Burns reported that he had received two prices of *21.84 and .21.00 for water meters and would like Water permission to place an order for 100 now and at least meters tentatively talk about purchasing another 100 meters within two months. He explained that the quotation is for a Neptune meter, the type now being used by the Town. The Chairman inquired as to how many meters are now on hand and Mr. Burns said that he has only five and ex- pects delivery in thirty days. Up to date, over 100 water services have been installed. Upon motion of Mr. Drsicoll, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to authorize the Superintendent of Public Works to use his discretion in the purchase of meters. Mr. Burns informed the Board that Justin Shea called him last week and requested• him to look at his property relative to a drainage problem. Mr. Bians in- Justin Shea spected the entire drainage line and in some places drainage there is only two or three inches of covering. The complaint water from the street pours down the driveway and not only tears up the driveway, but washes debris all over the lawn. Mr. Burns stated that he explained to Mr. Shea that anything he could do would not necessarily correct the situation, but it would be an improvement and might help. Mr. Burns suggested relaying the curbstone, about 200 feet, starting somewhere near the middle of the house and building up the sidewalk. He also suggested that j the line be dug up from the barn to the brook, joints put in and cemented. He said that two or three feet of fill should be put over the pipe to make it safe to walk on. The brook should also be cleaned from where the pipe runs in to it to where it goes under the railroad track. This project would cost between *1300 end *1400. He stated that he did not make any promise to Mr. Shea that the work would b e done. The Chairman said that a release should b e obtained and Mr. Burns stated that there must have been an easement and if not, one should be obtained. Mr. Emery asked if the water flowing into Mr. Shea's driveway is town water and Mr. Burns replied that there is no question about it. 425 Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Emery, it was voted to authorize the Superintendent of Pub- lie Works to make the suggested repairs on Massachu- setts Avenue and to clean out the brook. Mr. Burns presented a drawing of Reed Street showing property owned by Weisinger and Kuipers in relation to the water main recently installed. The old main had apparently been extended further than Water shown on the original plan and both these people Assessment were serviced and had water prior to the recent in- Abatements stallation. He explained that their property had not, therefore, been benefited andirecommended that the betterment assessments be abatred . Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to abate the water betterment assess- ments levied against the Wessinger and Kuipers prop- erty on Reed Street. Mr. Burns requested authorizati $ prepare an abatement of Mrs. Alfred I. Short 's/ ll. He explained that she lives at the end of Waltham Street, at the Short Waltham Line. There is a pit meter out in the street. Water bill A leak occurred last Pall and ran up until January before the Town fixed it. She reported a high bill in September. The meter was read and there was nothing wrong with the reading. From 1946 to 1950 she has con- sumed $7.40 worth of water, or less than 100 feet per quarter. She paid $48.00 for water and used $7.50 worth which makes $40.50 over paid. Mr. Burns requested an abatement for the water charged during the period of the leak. Mr. Emery moved that the Superintendent of Pub- lic Works be authorized to prepare abetment sheets for this water bill. Mr. gay seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Burns presented blueprints, which he obtained from the County Commissioners, cf the proposed relocation Paul of Paul Revere Road. He explained that there are some Revere trees and driveways that will be affected. Road Mr. Every said that he thought the Board should obtain easements from all of the abutters before any vote is passed. Mr,. Every then moved that if and when the work is undertaken that the project be started at Cedar Street. Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Petition and letter relative to the drainage of Clematis Brook was held over until the next meeting of time board. The Chairman reported that he and Mr. Thomas had looked at the dressing room in Cary Building which Mr. Thomas would like to use as a Rbport Center and Communications Office. 46 an He agreed to confer with Fred Newhall and endeavor Report to secure morainformation as to what equipment will be Center needed and what changes he might want to make in the room and report at the next meeting. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, met with the Board at 8:15 P.M. and presented an original and two copies of the proposed garbage contract between the Town and Stanley Roketen tz. Mr. Roketenetz intends to use only one truck and it was the understandingof the Board that he would Garbage rba e Contract use two trucks. The subject was discussed at length and Mr. Stevens was instructed to telephone Mr. Nolan, the insurance broker, and inform him that the Selectmen want two trucks put on the road for garbage collection. Mr. Nolan told Mr. Stevens that the contractor was not in favor of using two trucks but had agreed to think it over and call him in the morning. He in turn will then contact Mr. Stevens. Mr. Burns retired at 8:50 P.M. Upon motion of Mr. Finery, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was Bond voted to approve Surety Bond #F-101164 in the sum of $54,000 on behalf of James J. Carroll as Town Treasurer. Mr. Leonard Jellis, Sr. met with the Board. He explained that he had received a bill for water betterment assessment on Reed Street and showed the Board a plan of the lot he owns and upon which he built his house. He said that there was a six inch main thirty-five feet in front of his lot line. He said that he believed it is the policy of the Town to bring the water to the lot line without any cost to the Jellis abutter. He said that it cost him over $100 to lay water water pipe from the flew layout of Reed Street to his lot line assessment across the original Reed Street. He said that he dees not feel that he should pay tat and also the water betterment assessment and that the town should reimburse him for laying the water line to his lot. He said that he was willing to lay the water line because he wanted water. Mr. Stevens said that, as he recalls the situation, there was the difficulty of determining who owned the triarlkle. He said that land does not become abandoned and that it is still owned by someone whether they know it or not. He said that it would have been a task to go back over the records to find who owned the property and he could not advise the town to dig up a piece of 4Iind unless the owner werelknown. The alternative was for Mr. Jellis to do the work and now if the town reimburses him it would negative the original purpose, and the town might just as well have installed the the pipe in the first place. He said the reason Mr. Jellis did the work was so that the town would not get into any litigation and he agreed to do it to get water. 4t2 i The Chairman explained that when Mr. Dellis built his house he wanted water and the Board did everything in its power to help him. The Board now feels that he should be satisfied with the re- sult and not as$_ for abatement of the assessment. Mr. Jellis said that the Board did co-operate with him but he still believes the town should re- imburse him for the fifty foot width of Reed Street. The Chairman said that the Board would discuss the subject. After Mr. Jellis left the meeting Mr. Hoyt moved that he be advised that the Selectmen do not feel justified in granting his request for an abatement. Mr. Emery seconded the motion, and itwas so voted. M . Jellis said that he would like some informa- tion relative to closing the railroad crossing on Valley Road. He said that the State has closed the Closed crossing and referred to Book 1, page 16. He stated R. R. that he feels the loss of the crossing because it was Crossing a short cut. The Chairman said that the Board would look in- to the matter and try to find out if anything could be done. Mr. Jellis retired at 9:00 P.M. It was agreed to advise him that the Town Counsel would check the status of the closed crossing. Mr. Burns returned to the meeting at 9:15 P.M. Mr. Hoyt reported that he and Mr. Driscoll went Street Sign over to Walnut Street in connection with the petition Walnut St, reeeived for two "Children - Go Slow" signs. He stated that there did not seem to be very much traffic on Wal- nut Street but most of the cars were on Concord Avenue. Mr. Burns said that the signs cost $15 or $20 and the post cost $3. However, to stencil the street would cost about $5 or $10. Upon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to authorize the Superintendent of Public Works to have two signs stencilled on Concord Avenue at Walnut Street - one each way. Letter was received from the Lexington Town Bnployeest Union requesting a formal recognition of the Union or a definite refusal to recognize it. Town Counsel is to give the Board a reply to this communication. Messrs. Burns and Stevens retired at 9:35 P.M. Mr. Harvey A. Smith Sr. , 36 Outlook Drive met with the Board relative to an ambulance bill. He explained that his son was hurt in an accident. When the ambulance j arrive he was conscious and asked to betaken to the Massachusetts General Hospital. 428 However, he was taken to Symmes Hospital. Dr. Harrington happened to be at the hospital at the time and had the boy discharged to Massachusetts General Ambulance Hospital. Mr. Smith complained about the fact that Complaint there was no compress put on his son and he under-stood the ambulance attendants were supposed to have had first aid. The Chairman said that the ambulance drivers have definite rules to be followed. However, Mr. Smith could rely upon the Board to look into the situation. Mr. Smith retired at 9:45 P.M. Com- Pole Petition was received from the Boston Edison Com- pany and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company Location for joint pole locations on Woburn S rest. Mr. Burns, Supt. of rublie Works, had approved the proposed locations. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Beery, it was voted to approve the petition and sign the order for the following pole locationsi Woburn Street, easterly f rom Lowell Street - nine poles (Nine existing telephone poles to be removed). Letter was received from Mr. Palladino, 201 Massachusetts Palladino Avenue, requesting permission to store and sell loam. stripping The Chairman informed the Board that Mr. Lindstrom caught loam Palladino stripping loam and loading it last Saturday and ordered him to stop, and explained to him that he could not remove and sell loam. The Chairman suggested, and the Board agreed, that the letter be referred to Mr. Lindstrom. Letter was received from the Salvation A,,,my with ref- erence to a proposed Rally on Saturday, May 5th, which would Salvation consist of a parade and floats. It was decided to have the Army Chairman contact Mr. Frothingham and find out whether or not Army Ry he would be willing to take charge of the program and neces- sary arrangements. Food stand Letter was received from Miss Charlotte T. Colby, of April 19th the Woddbine House, requesting permission to conduct a food stand on her property pril 19th. The board had no objection. Stands on Letter was received from Joseph A. Belcastro, on behalf Finery Park of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, requesting permission to e- rect a popcorn stand on Beery Park April 19th. Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted that no permits be granted fel, the erection or op- eration of stands on Finery Park. The Chairman agreed to confer with the Chief of Police relative to some alternate location. 429 1Letter was received from Mrs. Rich, Accounting Department, relative to the hourly rate of pay for Part-time 111p ime clerks. C]e rical 4Jpon motion of Mr. Hoyt, seconded by Mr. Dris- coll, it was voted to retain the rate of 85¢ per hour for the part-time clerk in the Accounting De- partment. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to approve Surety Bond #632130 on behalf Bond of the Clerk of the Board, in the amount of $1,000 for a period of one year from April 1, 1951. Letter was received from Ira A. Rix for renewal Permit of permit to sell popcorn at the corner of Wal.tham Street and Marrett Road. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to grant Mr. Rix permission to sell popcorn bars at this locttion. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Hoyt, it was voted to renew the following licenses : Marcia Dane 1736 Mass. Ave. Intell. Off. "'%., John W. Leary 45 Waltham St. Public Carr. The Salvation Army 87 Vernon St. Boston Junk Collector Lexington Theatre 1794 Mass. Ave. Sunday Movies IICountryside Associates Lowell St. Sunday Golf Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk, left the Jury box with Juror the Board, with the request that one juror be drawn for the Jury Pool, Superior Court, beginning May 7, 1951. Mr. John H. Dacey, mason, 4 Muzzey Street, was drawn. The meeting adjourned at 10:25 P.M. 4 (ad , l A true record, Attest: / After the Clerk had left the meeting the Board voted to authorize the Chairman to contact Messrs. Roeder, Fitz- gerald and Sheldon as appointees to the Board of Fire En- gineers; the terms of the present Board expiring on May 1, 1951. I