HomeMy WebLinkAbout1944-05-29SFLFCTMEN a 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
the opening of bids for a new flagnole to replace the
old pole on Lexington Green. Sealed bids were received
as follows: •
Pigeon Hollow Spar Company, 131 Coleridge Street,
East Boston, Mass.
$3,410.00 for new top mastflagpole as per specifi-
cations.
Roy 0. Leonard, 230 Waverer Street, Framingham, Mass.
.$3,360.00 for new top mast flagpole as per specific -
cations.
C. B. Hamblen & Son
P3,475.00 for new top
503
Bids on
Flagpole
mast flagpole as per specifications.
Mr. Copp said that he understood the
pole at East Boston was $1,950.00, and he
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 advisetthaam
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-
sideration.
The matter was held over for two weeks.
quotation for the
was of the opinion
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.
Held Over
504
Latter
Prop.
Welfar e
Bd. Health
Matter
Drainage
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
at Marrett Road. Mr. Stevenson said that he talked with
her and she agreed to have him sell the property;
the proceeds of which was to be used for her care. Mr.
Stevenson had a prospective buyer for the property, and
took an agreement over to Mrs. Latter for her signature.
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 Mn. 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
itT 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 rcn John H. Devine, commenting
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, Sualty, 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.
Mn. 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.
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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.
Tie 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 cheek 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
and Concord. Mr. Cosgrove was also present+:at the hearing.
The Commissioners did not take up the proposed location in
Lexington or the apportionment of cost. Mr. Wrightington
said that he had been assured that Lexington would be
given an opportunity on both of these points. He further
stated that he was sending a copy of this letter to the
Planning Board.
Mr. Paxton said that he had talked with Mr. Cosgrove
who informed him that the State is planning to construct
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 ask them to keep the Board informed of any developments
in the question of the use of Wood Street to the Bedford
Airport.
505
Re -
Location
Virginia
Road in
Lincoln
Concord
Route
128
JO6
Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sarano,
it was voted to approve the following pole locations.
Lincoln Street
Waltham Street
Allen Street
Lowell Street
Massachusetts Ave.
Massachusetts Ave.
Baker Avenue
Bennett Avenue
Chase Avenue
Oak Street
Cliffe Avenue
Cliffe Avenue
Locust Avenue
Robbins Road
Summit Road
Taft Avenue
Franklin Road
Prospect Hill Road
n n n
Forest Street
& Waltham Street
From Marrett Road easterly One (. _mulor.unm�tterly
From Cambridge- Concord Highway ne
(1) pole
From Blossom Street northerly Six
(6) poles
From approximately 570' northwest of
Haskell Street northwesterly Six (6)
poles
229' northerly from Curve Street in
existing conduit One (1) manhole 54/24A
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 book`_ll,
page 180
Approximately 98.5' southwesterly from
Taft Avenue. One (1) pole
From Chase Avenue northwesterly Two (2)
poles
From a point approximately 102' southwest
of Taft Avenue southwesterly Three (3)
poles
From a point approximately 115' northwest
of Baker Avenue northwesterly Five (5) pthles
Between Theresa Avenue and Cummings Ave.
Five (5) poles
Between Bow Street and Theresa Ave.
Four (4) poles
Between Lexington Avenue and Tower Road
Nine (9) poles
From Locust Avenue southerly and westerly
Nine (9) poles
From Fallen Road southerly and southwesterly
Eight (8) poles
From Massachusetts Avenue southwesterly
Twelve (12) poles
From a point approximately 1221
southaasteof-'Somerset Road southeasterly
Two (2) poles
From Outlook Drive southeasterly
Two (2) poles
Approximately 344' southeasterly from
Outlook Drive. One (1) pole
Forest St. at Waltham Street
One (1) Manhole54/72
From manhole 54/72 southeasterly to
property line 51 51 U. G. 8onnecti on.
From manhole 54 72 northwesterly to
present conduit 32.2' U. G. conduit.
Remove approximately 22' U. G. conduct
approximately 201 U. G. connection and
one (1) manhole
Original locations granted 1-17-13
okkj
1
1
507
Patriots Drive
a rr
n n
rr n
rr n
From Merriam Street. northwesterly and
northeasterly 6611 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
From manhole 54/47 easterly 131
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 (32) poles
Massachusetts Ave. From Percy Road northwesterly
Six (6) poles
From Percy Road southeasterly
Three (3) poles
" 'r From Woburn Street southeasterly
Six (6) poles
rr " From Forest Street westerly
Five (5) poles
" From a point approximately 112' northwest
of Bloomfield St. northwesterly
Two (2) poles
" " • From Bloomfield Street southeasterly
Three (3) poles
It n From Audubon Road westerly
Five (5) poles
• From Audubon Road easterly
• 0ne(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 1081
Relocate one (1) pole
Woburn Street From a point approximately 3741 northeast
of Webb Street northeasterly
Set four (4) poles
Remove four (4) poles
508
Skeleton
Crews
Lots 24 &
25
Bertwell
Road
Junk
License
Woburn Street
n
n
tr
rt
rr n
rt n
It rr
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 344' 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
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 crews working Saturday mornings during the summer
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.
Letter was received from Pierre A. Northrup, stating
that Mrs. John F. Daniels has consulted him with reference
to the purchase of Lots 24 and 25, Block 20 on Bertwell
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 License, expired on April 30, 1944, had not made
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.
1
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.
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 Statesof $175.00 for the spur track
taking at the Bedford Airport.
Mr. Wrightington said that a 15 foot right of way
across the track location meets with the approval of
Mr. Cosgrove, and the necessary papers have been filed
in the United States District Court. It is now in order
for the Board of Selectmen to sign the Stupulation to
be returned to Mr. Wrightington.
Mr. Sarano moved that the 'Stipulation be signed and
returned to Mr. Wrightington, Mr. Sheldon seconded the
motion, and it was so voted.
Application was received from John DeVincent, 610
Trapelo Road, Waltham, for a Second Class Dealer's
License; his business to be located at 97 Massachusetts
Avenue, Lexington. A satisfactory character reference
was received from the Chief of Police.
Mr. Potter moved that the application be approved,
and the license granted. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion,
and it was so voted.
Application for the use of Estabrook Hall on Saturday
morning, June 3, 1944, from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. for the
Children's museum, was received from Mr. Grindle.
Mr. Sarano moved that the use of the hall be granted,
free of charge. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it
was so voted.
Application was received from William P. Fitzgerald,
for the use of Estabrook Hall on :Tuesday,."June 6, 1944,.
at 8• P.Mt.' by' 'the ie ing+ton Athletic Booster Club.
.$ar'ano ino'ed' that'' , the use of :the
Mr`
e hall be granted,
free 'df char e`; subject 'to the rep'uired
-he1don seconded the motion, and it was voted.
509
2nd Class
Dealer's
License
Use
of
Hall
Use
of
Hall
510
Police
Officers
Held
Over
Trailer
Permit
Application was received from John Lamont
use of Estabrook Hall on June 1, 1944, from 8
10 P.M. to conduct a meeting of the Boy Scouts
planning a waste paper drive.
Mr. Sarano moved that the use of the hall
free of charge. Mr. Sheldon seconded the moti
was so voted.
, for the
P.M. to
in
be granted,
on, and it
The Chairman reminded the Board that the matter of
police officers working outside the confines of
their regular duties was to be considered this evening.
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,
relative to the unsightly gasoline stations adjoining
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 theB.oard at the
next meeting.
The Chairman informed the Board that a Board of.
Appeals application had been filed by one William •J. Endres,
for permission to live in at railer at 20 Oakland Avenue
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:
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