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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1944-05-29 503 SFLFCTMEN'S MEETING May 29 , 1944 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, May 29, 1944, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Locke, Messrs. Potter, Rowse, Sheldon and Sarano were present . The Clerk was also present. Mr. Francis W. Copp, a member of the Flag Pole Committee, appeared before the Board at 7:30 P.M. for Bids on the opening of bids for a new flagpole to replace the Flagpole old pole on Lexington Green. Sealed bids were received as follows : Pigeon Hollow Spar Company, 131 Coleridge Street, East Boston, Mass. 63,410.00 for new top mastflagpole as per specifi- cations . Roy 0. Leonard, 230 Waverly* Street, Framingham, Mass. $3,360.00 for new top mast flagpole as per specific- cations . C. B. Hamblen & Son 43,475.00 for new top mast flagpole as per specifications. Mr. Copp said that he understood the quotation for the pole at East Boston was $1,950.00 , and he was of the opinion that these bids were exorbitant . Mr. Copp retired at 7:40 P.M. The Chairman said that he would write the Town of Concord and any surrounding Towns where a similar flagpole had been recently installed, inquiring as to the price and the name of the contractor. In the event that any of the bidders called for information, the Clerk was instructed to advise them that the pole was not going to be erected within a specified period of time, and no action was taken on the bids inas- much as the Board wants to give the subject further con- Held Over sideration. The matter was held over for two weeks. At 8:50 P. A. Mr. Matthew Stevenson of the Board of Public Welfare appeared before the Board. Mr. Stevenson said that he wished to bring to the Board's. attention the case of Mrs . Simon W. Latter, widow, now on relief. 504 Mrs. Latter owns the property at 147 Woburn Street, and has a nephew- who has been trying to have the property turned over to him, promising that he would take care of her for the rest of her life. Mrs. Latter has been on relief since March; has been in the hospital and has been operated on for cancer; and is now in the Farnham Home Latter at Marrett Road. Mr. Stevenson said that he talked with Prop. her and she agreed to have him sell the property; Welfare the proceeds of which was to be used for her care. Mr. & Stevenson had a prospective buyer for the property, and Bd. Health took an agreement over to Mrs. Latter for her signature. Matter However, her nephew had been talking with her, and she refused to sign the agreement. At 7 :55 P.M. the Chairman and Mr. Stevenson retired to contact Mr. Lyons , Chairman of the Board of Public Welfare, and Mr. Wrightington, Town Counsel. Mr. Locke returned to the meeting at 8 P.M. and stated that Mr. Lyons had talked with Mr. Wrightington and has also checked the law as to the proper procedure in placing an attachment on the property for the amount of the aid received by Mrs. Latter . It is up to the Board of Public Welfare to request Mr. Wrightington to proceed to take action on the matter. Mr. Lyons said that the Board of Selectmen would not need to act on its: and that it would be handled by the Board of Public Welfare. Mr. Stevenson said that the condition of the house is filthy and extremely unsanitary. He retired at 8:10 P.M. The Clerk was instructed to request Mr. Lamont to investigate the condition of the Latter house and submit a report to the Board. A letter was received f rcm John H. Devine, commenting Drainage further on the drainage condition which he claims to be a health menace in his neighborhood. No action was taken on the matter, and the Clerk was instructed to send a copy of Mr. Devine's letter to Mr. Wrightington inasmuch as he has copies of all correspondence on this subject. At 8:10 P.M. Mr. William C. Paxton, Sept', of Public Works , and Mr. Cushman of the Colonia], Beacon Oil Com- Oil pany, appeared before the Board. Line Mr. Cushman presented a map showing the proposed route in which the four-inch pipe, being layed from Waverly Oaks to Lawrence Massachusetts, is going to be run. Mr. Rowse asked him what the hazards would be in putting this pipe near a school, and Mr. Cushman replied that oil lines are even put in main streets, but this will be 300 or 400 feet away from the school building. 505 The pipe will be tested up to 1,000 pounds per square inch, and he stated that there would be no hazard. Mr. Paxton stated that Maple Street is a State Highway and permission to open this street will have to be obtained from the State. However, the Town will have to grant street opening permits similar to those granted the Gas , Telephone and Edison Company. Mr. Cushman said that it was not possible to do anything on paper with the various abutters until after Town Meeting, at which time a formal request will be presented to the Town. The Chairman said he thought someone should be present at Town Meeting to answer any questions that might be asked. Mr. Cushman said he would be very glad to attend the Town Meeting and be prepared to answer any questions. The Chairman asked Mr. Paxton to have a map ready for Town Meeting, and also to have complete information for the Board next Monday evening. Mr. Cushman said the Board might be considering whether or not the Town will make any charge for crossing the playground. He said he hoped to keep the cost down to 50i a linear foot on private property. Mr. Rowse asked Mr. Cushman what the usual procedure was relative to charges and Mr. Cushman said that there has not been any usual procedure , inasmuch as this is the first line the company has built in this part of the country. He said that he was asking for a 30 foot taking. ' Mr. Cushman retired at 8:25 P.M. The Chairman requested Mr. Paxton to check with Watertown, Newton and any other Town through which the pipe may run relative to charges . The Chairman read a letter received from Mr. Wrightington stating that he had attended a hearing before the County Commissioners on the relocation of Virginia Road in Lincoln Re- and Concord. Mr. Cosgrove was also presentrat the hearing. Location The Commissioners did not take up the proposed location in Virginia Lexington or the apportionment of cost. Mr. Wrightington Road in said that he had been assured that Lexington would be Lincoln given an opportunity on both of these points. He further & stated that he was sending a copy of this letter to the Concord Planning Board. Mr. Paxton said that he had talked with Mr. Cosgrove Route who informed him that the State is planning to construct 128 a section of Route 128 from the present Concord Turnpike over to Massachusetts Avenue. They will then go up Massachusetts Avenue and construct a new road up by the Lincoln Line to the Bedford Airport. Mr. Cosgrove thinks it would be to the advantage of the Town to continue Route 128 across Massachusetts. Avenue to Wood Street. The Clerk was instructed to write the Planning Board and aak them to keep the Board informed of any developments in the question of the use of Wood Street to the Bedford Airport. 506 Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted to approve the following pole locations. PO Lincoln Street From Marrett Road easterly One (bLi_moor-unittterly Waltham Street From Cambridge., Concord Highway ne (1) pole Allen Street From Blossom Street northerly Six (6) poles Lowell Street From approximately 570' northwest of Haskell Street northwesterly Six (6) poles Massachusetts Ave. 229' northerly from Curve Street in existing conduit One (1) manhole 54/24A Massachusetts Ave. 8' northerly from Slocum Road in existing conduit One (1) manhible 54/7A Existing conduit validated under chapter 491 acts of 1911 and recorded in bookll, page 180 Baker Avenue Approximately 98.5' southwesterly from Taft Avenue. One (1) pole Bennett Avenue From Chase Avenue northwesterly Two (2) poles Chase Avenue From a point approximately 102' southwest of Taft Avenue southwesterly Three (3) poles Oak Street From a point approximately 115' northwest of Baker Avenue northwesterly Five (5) pthles Cliffe Avenue Between Theresa Avenue and Cummings Ave. Five (5) poles Cliffe Avenue Between Bow Street and Theresa Ave. Four (4) poles Locust Avenue Between Lexington Avenue and Tower Road Nine (9) pales Robbins Road From Locust Avenue southerly and westerly Nine (9) poles Summit Road From Fallen Road southerly and southwesterly Eight (8) poles Taft Avenue From Massachusetts Avenue southwesterly Twelve (12) poles Franklin Road From a point approximately 1221 southaasteof-•Somerset Road southeasterly Two (2) poles Prospect Hill Road From Outlook Drive southeasterly Two (2) poles " " Approximately 344' southeasterly from Outlook Drive. One (1) pole Forest Street & Waltham Street Forest St. at Waltham Street One (1) Manhole 54/72 From manhole 54/72 southeasterly to property line 51 51 U. G. rdonnecti on. From manhole 54 72 northwesterly to present conduit 32.2 ' U. G. conduit. Remove approximately 22' U. G. conduit approximately 20' U. G. connection and one (1) manhole Original locations granted 1-17-13 507 Patriots Drive From Merriam Street. northwesterly and IInortheasterly 661' of buried cable and Three (3) manholes #54/45, 54/46 & 54/47 " " From manhole 54/45 southeasterly 12.7' underground connection " " From manhole 54/45 northwesterly 27.3 ' underground connection " " From manhole 54/46 northeasterly 15' underground connection " " From manhole 54/46 northwesterly 27' underground connection re " From manhole 54/47 easterly 13' underground connection " " From manhole 54/47 westerly 27' underground connection Wood Street From Massachusetts Avenue northerly Relocate three (3) poles Adams Street Between Hancock Street and North St. Forty-two (42) poles rr " From North Street northeasterly One (1) pole East Street From Adams Street easterly Thirty-two (321 poles Massachusetts Ave. From Percy Road northwesterly II " Six (6) poles It Percy Road southeasterly Three (3) poles ftftFrom Woburn Street southeasterly Six (6) poles rr " From Forest Street westerly F Five (5) poles " " From a point approximately 112' northwest of Bloomfield St. northwesterly Two (2) poles ft " From Bloomfield Street southeasterly Three (3) poles It " From Audubon Road westerly Five (5) poles " " From Audubon Road easterly " " One (1) pole " " From Summit Avenue southeasterly Two (2) poles " " From Wood Street southeasterly Four (4) poles Oak Street Between Massachusetts Avenue and Ellis Street Ten (10) poles Massachusetts Ave. From Forest Street westerly approximately 108' Relocate one (1) pole II Woburn Street From a point approximately 3741 northeast of Webb Street northeasterly Set four (4) poles Remove four (4) poles 508 Woburn Street From a point approximately 958' northeast of Webb Street northeasterly Set four (4) poles Remove four (4) poles " " From a point approximately 16 ' southwest of Laconia Street southwesterly *Set two (2) poles " " From a point approximately 3441 southwest of Laconia Street southwesterly Set three (3) poles Remove three (3) poles From a point -approximately 160' southwest of Webb Street southwesterly Set three (3) poles Remove three (3) poles n n From approximately 839' southwest of Webb Street Set one (1) pole Remove one (1) pole At the corner of Utica Street Set one (1) pole Remove one (1) pole Mr. Victerino, a representative of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, stated that theses, orders weremerel,y to bring the records of that company up to date, to meet the requirements of the legal department. No actual work is to be done. Both Mr. Paxton and Mr. Cosgrove checked the plans and approved them. The Chairman reminded the Board that the question of Skeleton skeleton crews working Saturday mornings during the summer Crews months was to be considered. Mr. Paxton stated that the summer months were his busiest months and he preferred to have his three girls work every Saturday morning. It was decided to invite the heads of all Departments to meet with the Board to discuss the matter. Mr. Paxton retired at 8:50 P.M. Lots 24 & Letter was received from Pierre A. Northrup, stating 25 that Mrs. John F. Daniels has consulted him with reference Bertwell to the purchase of Lots 24 and 25, Block 20 on Bertwell Road Road. The Clerk was instructed to acknowledge Mr. Northr$p's letter and advise him that it had been referred to Mr. Wrightington. The Clerk informed the Board that Ralph J. White , whose Junk Junk License expired on April 30, 1944, had not made License application for the renewal of this license. Two letters have been sent to Mr. White requesting him to make application for same but to date no reply has been re- ceived and he is still operating as a Junk Collector. Mr. Rowse said that he would check with Mr. White and report. The matter was held over for one week. *Remove two (2) poles. 509 The Board gave further consideration to Mr. Joseph Corsi's offer of $200.00 for Lots 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, Block 18, Reed Street. I II Mr. Sarano 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. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Clerk informed the Board that Mr. Cochrane, who has agreed to purchase Lots 30 and 31, Farmcrest Avenue, (Farmhurst, Section 3) as soon as the title is clear would like to know whether or not he can use this land for a garden. Mr. Potter moved that a letter be written to Mr. Cochrane stating that in view of the fact that he has agreed to purchase the property as soon as the title is clear, the Board would have no objection to his using the land for a garden. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Letter was received from Mr. Wrightington, together with a receipt and a Stipulation, with reference to the payment by the United States of $175.00 for the spur track A taking at the Bedford Airport . Mr. Wrightington said that a 15 foot right of way across the track location meets with the approval of Mr. Cosgrove, and the necessary papers have been filed in the United States District Court. It is now in order for the Board of Selectmen to sign the Stupulation to be returned to Mr. Wrightington. Mr. Sarano moved that the Stipulation be signed and returned to Mr. Wrightington, Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Application was received from John DeVincent , 610 2nd Class Trapelo Road, Waltham, for a Second Class Dealer 's Dealer's License; his business to be located at 97 Massachusetts License Avenue, Lexington. A satisfactory character reference was received from the Chief of Police. Mr. Potter moved that the application be approved, and the license granted. Mr . Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Application for the use of Estabrook Hall on Saturday Use morning, June 3, 1944 , from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. for the of Children's museum, was received from Mr. Grindle. Hall Mr. Sarano moved that the use of the hall be granted, free of charge. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Application was received from William P. Fitzgerald, Use for the use of Estabrook Hall on Tuesday, June 6, 1944, of at 8 P.Mt. by' the teiing+ton Athletic Booster Club. Hall gamano Molted that the use of the hall be granted, free df° charge•; Subject to the required deposit, M . -hsldon seconded the motion, and it was voted. 510 Application was received from John Lamont, for the use of Estabrook Hall on June 1, 1944, from 8 P.M. to 10 P.M. to conduct a meeting of the Boy Scouts in planning a waste paper drive. Mr. Sarano moved that the use of the hall be granted, free of charge. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman reminded the Board that the matter of police officers working outside the confines of Police their regular duties was to be considered this evening. Officers However, inasmuch as Mr. Potter and Mr. Rowse were leaving the meeting to attend a Reception in Cary Hall for Father Desmond, it was decided to hold this matter over for one week, at which time Chief Rycroft would be present. Mr. Rowse and Mr. Potter retired at 9 :15 P.M. The Chairman read a letter received from Leon W. Bateman, Secretary of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce, Held relative to the unsightly gasoline stations adjoining Over the railroad. The Chamber of Commerce voted to request the Board of Selectmen to withhold renewal of permits to sell gasoline until the proprietors of gasoline stations had cleaned their properties. The Clerk informed the Board that renewal permits to sell gasoline were issued by the Town Clerk. The Chairman requested Mr. Sarano to check with Mr. Bateman to determine what stations the Chamber of Commerce had in mind. Mr. Sarano agreed to report to theBoard at the next meeting. The Chairman informed the Board that a Board of Appeals application had been filed by one William J. Endres, Trailer for permission to live in at railer at 20 Oakland Avenue Permit in Lexington. He stated that Mr. Lamont recommended that the Board of Health prohibit such use, inasmuch as there are no sanitary facilities. The Clerk was instructed to write Mr. Endres advising him that from a Board of Health angle, it would not be possible to occupy a trailer in Lexington without proper sanitary facilities, and under these circumstances , this would not be a matter to come under the Board of Appeals. His deposit of $5.00 was, therefore, being returned. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M. A true record, Attest : Clerk � � �