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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1944-05-22 497 SELECTMEN' S MEETING May 22, 1944 I A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, May 22, 1944, at 7 :30 P.N . Chairman Locke , Messrs. Potter, Rowse and Sarano were present. The Clerk was. also present. Memorandum of Agreement between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by the Department of Public Works , and the Town of Lexington, by its Board of Selectmen, was received Ch. 90 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts relative to the maintenance of certain highways in Lexington under the provisions of Section 34, Chapter 90. Mr. Rowse moved that the Agreement be signed. Mr. Potter seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Lamont, Health Inspectbr, reporting an overflowing cesspool at 19 Pine Health Knoll Road, Lexington. This property is owned by one Complaint Eunice Stuart of 130 Newbury Street, Boston, Massachusetts ., Mr. Lamont stated that he made an inspection of the II premises on May 3, 1944 and wrote to Mrs. Stuart requesting that the nuisance be abated within one week. He again visited the premises on May 18, 1944 and on May 22, 1944, and found the condition unchanged. Mr. Lamont recommended that the Board of Health order the condition abated immediately. Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted to adopt the following Order: Lexington, Mass. May 22, 1944 The Board of Selectmen of Lexington, acting as a Board of Health, after receiving a report from Mr John Lamont, Health Inspector, as to the condition of the premises located at 19 Pine Knoll Road, Lexington, find that the overflowing cesspool located on said premises is a menace to the public health and a nuisance by reason of its filthy condition, and therefore, the Board adopts the following Order under the authority of G.L. Ch. 111, Sec. 123 and every other Teener enabling it to do so . ORDERED that Eunice Stuart of 130 Newbury Street, Boston, Mass- achusetts, in the County of Suffolk, the owner of theproperty at 19 Pine Knoll Road, Lexington, Massachusetts, at her own expense remove the nuisance and source of filth thereon consisting of an overflowing cespool, within five days from the date of the service of this Order. /s/ Errol H. Locke Selectmen /s/ William G. Potter of /s/ A. Edward Rowse Lexington /s/ George W. Sarano 498 -4 Middlesex, ss . Lexington, Mass. May 24, 1944 = By virtue of this notice, I this day sent by Registered 111 letter to Mrs. Eunice Stuart, 130 Newbury Street, Boston, Mass . a copy of this notice. /s/ John C. Russell Constable of Lexington $en Mr. George E. Woodbury' s request to keep hens at Permit 17 Fuller Road, Lexington, was held over from last week pending an investigation by Mr. Sarano. Mr. Sarano reported that he had talked with Mr. Langton who had previously objected to any permit being issued allowing chickens at this locality. Mr. Sarano said that Mr. Langton had now withdrawn his objection. Mrs. Woodbury intends to build a small coop with a yard and eliminate the present structure, and Mr. Langton informed Mr. Sarano that he would have no objection whatso- ever. Mr. Rowse moved that the permit be granted, providing the requirements are fulfilled. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Herring- The Chairman read a letter from Mr. (�}rrity, Supt, of Parks & Playgrounds, relative to the so-called Jonathan ton Harrington Elm. Elm Mr. Garrity reported that in 1912, in appreciation of the historical value of the tree, the Town did some work on it. In 1934 a project was set up under the Federal Government and a large job was done on the tree. Mr. Garrity said that he thought some of the limbs should be removed so as to relieve some of the weight and, in this way, wake it less dangerous . He further stated that he had made this recommendation to Mr Hargreaves in a letter on September 11, 1943 Mr. Garrity does not advise doing any major work on this tree and, as far as responsibility is concerned, he believes that it is up to the owner to do the work. The Clerk was instructed to write Mr. Hargreaves that the Supt. of Parks and Shade Trees felt that one or two of the limbs should be removed to relieve some of the weight, but he has no one in his Department at the present times capable of doing this type of work. British Invitation was received from the British Naval and Assoc . Military Veterans ' Association inviting the Board of Selectmen to attend their Annual Pilgrimage to Lexington 6n .Sunday, June 4, 1944. No action was taken on the matter. 499 The Board gave further consideration to Mr. Joseph Corsi' s offer of $125.00 for Lots 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, Block 18, Reed Street. Tax Title Mr. Potter informed the Board that he had inspected Offer these lots and would recommend selling them for not less than $200.00. Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Corsi be advised that the lowest amount acceptable for the above mentioned lots is $200.00. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from Chief John W. Rycroft calling the Board' s attention to the fact that loam was being removed from a parcel of land listed under the name Loam Strip- of Minnie M. Ryder, off Maple Street in East Lexington. ping Chief Rycroft said that he assigned Sgt. Russell to investigate, and he found that a Mr. Simeone of the B. A. Simeone, Inc. 74 Mystic Avenue, Medford, was using his equipment to strip loam. Mr. Simeone stated that he had purchased this material from Rupert Stevens of Lexington. Mr. Potter informed the Board that this loam was being taken out of a sand pit that did belong to Ryder. However, there has been a tax lien on the land for four years, and it should have been foreclosed. The land is still in the name of Ryder, with the lien on it. If this property had been on tax title, this loam stripping would not have happened. It was decided to have the Chairman contact Mr. Carroll with the request that this property be registered immediately. The Chairman read a letter from the Bureau of Veterans Veterans' Affairs stating that the Agents of Veterans' Benefit Benefits would hold a meeting on Wednesday, June 7, 1944, Meeting at 8 P.N., at the Administration Building, Main Street, Watertown, relative to the rehabilitation program for the benefit of the returning veteran. the Clerk was instructed to send a copy of this letter to Mr. John A. Lyons, Chairman of the Board of Public ' elfare , and ask him if he will designate some member of his Board to attend. A letter was received from Dr. William C . Gaebler, Supt. of the Metropolitan State Hospital, advising that Special Alexander Armour, Special Health Agent, has resigned. Health Dr Gaebler stated that Howard Carley, a former Special Agent Health Agent, had returned from Military Service and Dr Gaebler requested that he be appointed a Special Health Agent to replace Alexander Armour. Mr. Potter moved that the request be approved and that Howard Carley be appointed a Special Health Agent for a period ending March 31, 1945. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A 500 Petition Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sarano, for Sep. it was voted to sign the petition to the Honorable Bd. Health Senate and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for Legislation authorizing the Selectmen of tte,Town of Lexington to appoint a Board of Health. At 8:10 P .M . Chairman Tracy W. Ames and Messrs. Thomas S. Grindle and Webster Thongs of the School Committee School appeared before the Board. Committee The Chairman stated that the purpose of inviting this Articles group to attend the Selectmen' s Meeting was merely to Warrant determine what the School Committee is requesting under Articles 3 and 4, and how they expect to handle the Articles in Town Meeting. Mr. Ames said that over a period of years a good many- Planning anyPlanning Boards have carefully studied the Town for school sites , and while many places have been considered, the Mulliken consensus of the opinion is that the Mulliken property on Property Waltham Street would be an ideal location. When this property became available, the Planning Board notified the School Committee and they feel very strongly that now is the best time to buy real estate. He stated that they had no way of telling when a new high school will be needed, but if this centrally located property can be purchased at a price, the Committee believes that now is the time to buy it . Mr. Rowse asked if the Committee was considering the entire Mulliken property, and Mr. Ames replied that they were not considering the land on which the Mulliken house now stands. Mr. Ames stated that borings had been made six or eight years ago, which would indicate a substantial foundation about four, five or six feet down. He said that Attorney Bicknell„representing Otis Mulliken as Executor, has talked with the Town Counsel . The price for eight acres is $5,000.00, which includes a ninety-nine foot frontage on Waltham Street. The property involved is assessed for $2,500.00. The front land is assessed for $1,500.00. Mr. Ames said that it was not possible to obtain an option because the estate is still in theProbate Court, and until there is a definite buyer, the Court can not be approochbdd He said that if he received a letter from Otis Mulliken, as Executor, stating that he was willing to sell for $5,000.00, and his brother and sister concurred, it would be sufficient for Town Meeting. The Chairman asked if Mr. Ames will be prepared to handle this at Town Meeting, and he replied in the affirmative. Mr. Ames then discussed Article 4 relative to the Russell Property. He said this piece of land would make a very nice playground. Mr. Ames said the Committee had talked with Mr. Russell, who would not discuss the price. He said that they had also tried to lease the land for Athletic Training. Mr. Thomas said that Mr. Russell stated that one of the conditions under which he would sell the a 501 property was that the Town would put up a fence from Russell Massachuseljss Avenue back to the railroad tracks. Mr. Thomas said the Committee estimated the cost of a fence Property approximately $500. 00. This land is assessed for 6800.00 Playground and a tentative offer was made of $1,500.00. Mr. Russell wants $4,800.00, plus the fence. Mr. Ames said the next thing to do was to take the landyby Eminent Domain. However, Mr. Wrightington advised that in order to take it by Eminent Domain, a more complete description would have to be drawn up thaa is now in the present Warrant. It was decided to leave the Article in the Warrant, and move for indefinite postponement . The group retired at 8 :45 P.N. Mr. Paxton and Mr. Cushman of the Colonial Beacon Oil Oil Line Company, appeared before the Board. Mr. Paxton said that Mr. Cushman was working to obtain easements and rights of way for the construction of a four- inch oil line to run from Waverly Oaks to Lawrence, Massachusetts and, at present, he is working to Lexington. He had asked the Town of Arlington for permission to go through the Great Meadows, but was refused because of the difficulty it would involve in straightening out titles. He then wanted to run the line up the Boston and Maine Railroad, but the railroad felt that that might ihterfere with future freight business. Mr. Paxton said that this left Mr. Cushman with the possibility of running the line up Massachusetts Avenue from Sickles Brook to Maple Street, and he wanted to know if the Board would have any objection to granting him space within the Town limits. Mr. Cushman said that Chapter 678 of the Acts of 1941, Section 2, authorizes the Selectmen to grant such a permit. Mr. Cushman said that he would like to have the line completed bylftvsdddle of December, and he would be agreeable to lay it wherever the Town would Bellow it . He said that his company would conform to any reasonable restrictions the Town would make . This line is designed to carry fuel oil, kerosene, gasoline,_ etc. Mr. Cushman said that his object in meeting with the Board tonight was to talk it over informally, and he would appear later with a petition, He said there is very little chance of disturbing this pipe . In following either of the proposed routes, it would be neceesary to cross the playground at the Adams School. Mr. Paxton checked with Mr. Wrightington and was advised that it would be impossible to obtain an easement from the Town without a Town Meeting. Mr. Rowse left the meeting to call Mr. Wrightington. It was decided to have Mr. Wrightington phrase an Article to be inserted in the Warrant this evening for the IIpurpose of laying the proposed pipe under a part of the Adams Schoml Paaytround. Mr. Rowse returaed to the meeting, and Mr. Cushman retired at 9:15 P.M. 502 Mr. Rowse questioned Mr. Paxton relative to postwar Postwar work and after a short discussion, it was decided to hold Qp Held Over this over for two weeks. Mr. Paxton retired at 9:30 P.M. Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sarano, Licenses it was voted to approve the following licenses : Charles H. Williams, 60 Tarbell Avenue Peddler' s License William Viano, 1794 Massachusetts Avenue Sunday Movies The following bids were received on printing the Bids for Rules and Regulations of the Police Department. Printtag Rules & Hancock Press - 500 copies as per specifications $87 .00; Regulations 500 copies with a stronger text Sheet $87.00, Police plus $2.50 additional for the better grade Department paper, making a total of $89. 50 for the completed work delivered at the Selectmen's Office. Adams Press, Inc. - 500 copies as per specifications, including cover of different stock and color $105.00. 500 copies including self-cover $95.00. Fleming & Son - $3.20 per page, approximately 32 pages, dr a total of $102.40. Mr. Rowse moved that the bid be awarded to the Hancock Press at their quotation of $89.50, using a sample "B" text sheet. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Board It was decided to hold a regular meeting of the Board Meetings on June 5, 1944, omit the major part of the items on June 12, 1944 (Town Meeting Night and then to commence the summer schedule with a meeting on June 19, 1944. Police The Chairman stated that the question had been raised Held pertaining to members of the Police Department working on Over jobs outside the confines of their regular duties. It was decided to have, the Chairman contact Chief Rycroft relative to this matter. The meeting adjourned at 10:20 P.M. A true record, Attest : Clerk tir 1 .