HomeMy WebLinkAbout1944-05-22497
SELECTMEN'S MEEsTING
May 22, 1944
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.M. Chairman Locke, Messrs.
Potter, Rowse and Sarano were present. The Clerk west:4 18o
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
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 Tewer 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
Hen
Permit
r
Middlesex, ss.
0.4
Lexington, Mass. May 24, 1944
By virtue of this notice, I this day sent by Registered
Metter to Mrs. Eunice Stuart, 130 Newbury Street, Boston, Mass..
a copy of this notice.
/s/ John C. Russell
Constable of Lexington
Mr. George E. Woodbury's request to. keep hens at
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
Elm Harrington Elm.
British
Assoc.
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, make
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 time
capable of doing this type of work.
Invitation was received from the British Naval and
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.
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The Board gave further considerati
Corsi's offer of $125.00 for Lots 8, 9,
Block 18, Reed Street.
Mr. Potter informed the Board that
these lots and would recommend selling
than $200.00.
Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Corsi be
lowest amount acceptable for the above
$200.00. Mr. Sarano seconded the motto
voted.
on to Mr. Joseph
10, 11 and 12,
he had inspected
them for not less
advised that the
mentioned lots is
n, and it was so
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
of Minnie M. Ryder, off Maple Street in East Lexington.
Chief Rycroft said that he assigned Sgt. Russell to
investigate, and he found that a Mr. Simeone of the
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' Affairs stating that the Agents of Veterans'
Benefits would hold a meeting on 'Wednesday, June 7, 1944,
at 8 P.I., 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
Alexander Armour, Special Health Agent, has resigned.
Dr. Gaebler stated that Howard Carley, a former Special
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.
499
Tax Title
Offer
Loam Strip-
ping
Veterans
Benefit
Meeting
Special
Health
Agent
500
Petition
for Sep.
Bd. Health
School
Committee
Articles
Warrant
Mulliken
Property
Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sarano,
it was voted to sign the petition to the Honorable
Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts for Legislation authorizing
the Selectmen oftbeeTown of Lexington to appoint a
Board of Health.
At 8:10 P.M. Chairman Tracy W. Ames and Messrs.
Thomas S. Grindle and Webster Thomas of the School Committee
appeared before the Board.
The Chairman stated that the purpose of inviting this
group to attend the Selectmen's Meeting was merely to
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 Boards have carefully studied the Town for school
sites, and while many places have been considered, the
consensus of the opinion is that the Mulliken property on
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 stillin theProbate
Court, and until there is a definite buyer, the Court can
not be approoched-J 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
obj
1
501
property was that the Town would put up a fence from Russell
Massaehusejdss Avenue back to the railroad tracks. Mr. Property
Thomas said the Committee estimated the cost of a fence Schhol
approximately $500.00. This land is assessed for $800.00 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 landvby 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 In 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 itsterferre 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 be would like to have the line completed
bymiddle of December, and he would be agreeable to lay it
wherever the Town would Allow 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 haveMr. Wrightington phrase an
Article to be inserted in the Warrant this evening for the
purpose of laying the proposed pipe under a part of the
Adams Schomllnayaround.
Mr. Rowse returaed to the meeting, and Mr. Cushman
retired at 9:15 P.M.
502
Postwar
Held Over
Licenses
Bids for
Printthg
Rules &
Regulations
Police
Department
Board
Meetings
Police
Held
Over
Mr. Rowse questioned Mr. Paxton relative to postwar
work and after a short discussion, it was decided to hold
this over for two weeks.
Mr. Paxton retired at 9:30 P.M.
Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sarano,
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
Rules and Regulations of the Police Department.
Hancock Press - 500 copies as per specifications $87.00;
500 copies with a stronger text Sheet $87.00,
plus $2.50 additional for the better grade
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.
It was decided to hold a regular meeting of the Board
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.
The Chairman stated that the question had been raised
pertaining to members of the Police Department working on
jobs outside the confines of their regular duties.
It was decided to have, the Chairman contact Chief
Ryeroft relative to this matter.
The meeting adjourned at 10:20 P.M.
A true record, Attest:
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