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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1945-06-04190 Justin Shea Gasoline Hearing SELECTMEN'S MEETING June 4, 1945 A regular meeting of the hoard of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, June 4, 1945 at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Locke, Messrs. Potted Rowse, Sarano and Sheldon were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 P.M. hearing was declared open upon the petition of Justin Shea for permission to store six thousand gallons of gasoline in two underground tanks at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Sylvia Street, Lexington. There were fifteen persons present at the hearing. Notice of the hearing was read by the Chairman. Mr. Shea said that he expected his attorney to be present at the hearing and present the facts to the board. Mr. Shea showed the Board blueprints which were submitted by the Jenny people of a proposed gasoline station to be erected on the property in question. At 7:35 P.M. Mr. Daniel A. Lynch, 5 Goodwin Road, appeared before the Hoard. He said that he came into the case yesterday for the first time, and that he has not even seen the petition. He said that he understood that the Board would like to have a blueprint of the proposed building. The Chairman said that apparently there were two questions involved, one is the granting of the gasoline permit, and the other is the matter of zoning which comes before the Board of Appeals. Mr. Lynch said that the property had been in the name of Shea or his family for about fifteen years, and that it is zoned for business. Mr. Lynch said that Mr. Shea proposes to build a station that is entirely colonial in design and will definitely improve the appearance of the neighborhood. Mr. Lynch said that from Lexington Center towards Arlington there is one station in Lexington Center, that is the Colonial Garage, and he knew of no other station on that side of Massachusetts Avenue. He said, however, that there were four or five stations on the left hand side of the Avenue going towards Boston. The Chairman asked how many stations there were in the section under discussion, and Mr. Shea replied that there were four, including Childs. The Chairmanasked if anyone present wished to speak in favor of granting the application. No persons appeared in favor. 1 Mr. Henry L. Bettencourt, 2 Taft Avenue, said that the proposed station would be close to his property, and he feels that there are too many stations in the vicinity now. He said that from his house to Park Avenue, which is only a quarter of a mile, there are five stations. He said that he, personally, was not in favor of the license because the Shea property joins his property. Mrs. Robert F. Carpenter, 5 Sylvia Street, stated that she opposed granting of the license because of the fact that she has two children, and she believed that, a station in the neighborhood would be dangerous. Mr. James E. Rogers, 104 Massachusetts Avenue, stated that he was opposed to the license being granted. Mrs. Evelyn M. McVetty, 4 Taft Avenue, said that she opposed the license because the property in question was near her land, and -would decrease the valuation. She said that she thought the area should be residential. Mr. Horace Mountain, 7 Sylvia Street, said that he felt that there were enough gasoline stations in this locality now. Mr. Edberg said that he was the owner of the property at 11 Taft Avenue, and he believed that there were enough filling stations in that vicinity now. Mr. 'actor Ericson, 5 Taft Avenue, said that he opposed granting of the permit for the same reasons expressed by the others present. Mr. Edwin A. Lagg, 120 Massachusetts Avenue, said that he was opposed to the granting of the license because he felt that there were enough stations in the vicinity. Yrs. Max Bluestein, 8 Sylvia Street, said that she was opposed to granting the permit. The Chairman asked if there were any present who had not spoken, but who would like to be recorded in opposition. The following persons said that they were opposed to the granting of the permit: Mrs. Ida P. Ericson, Mrs. Edberg, Mr. R. F. Carpenter, 5 Sylvia Street; Mrs. Helen Bluestein, 10 Sylvia Street. Mr. Rowse asked if there were need for another station in this locality, and Mr. Lynch said that onlythe future could tell. Mr. Sheldon asked if the Jenney Gasoline Company had made a traffic count to determine the volume of business. Mr. Shea replied in the negative. The group retired at 8:06 P.M. At 8:07 hearing was declared open upon the petition of Howard M. Munroe for permission t ostore five hundred gallons of gasoline in one underground tank on his property at Lowell Street. Mr. James CAtaldo, 47 Rindge Avenue, was the only person present at the hearing. Mr. Cataldo operates a market garden on the property owned by Mr. Munroe and advised the Board that he would like to have an unle round -talk there to supply gasoline for his tractors an used on the farm. 191 Howard Munroe Gas Nearing one Tank 192 Mr. Rucker on Maffeo T.B. case of settle- ment. V.F.W. Granted Use of Barnes Property Mr. Sheldon asked if he proposed to sell the gasoline, and Mr. Cataldo replied in the negative. The Chairman asked where the tank would be located, and Mr. Cataldo said th€t it would be fifty feet from the house on the left hand side between the house and Maple Street. Mr. Cataldo retired at 8:10 P.M. Mr. Allen W. Rucker appeared before the Board. Mr. Rucker explained that he had requested an appoint- ment with the Board pertaining to Miss Florence Maffeo, a patient at. the Middlesex Hospital with a Fitchburg settlement. Mr. Rucker said that unlees something is done, Miss Maffeo would be transferred to Fitchburg and would be under the care of the doctor who apparently misadvised her as`to her condition. Mr. Rucker said that he would defray any expenses incurred. He said that he had talked with Mr. Bidwell who suggested that the Board of Health write Dr. Dawson, dating the letter prior to June 1, 1945. Mr. Rucker presented a letter which he had composed, addressed to Dr. Dawson, to be signed by the Board of Health advising the hospital that the Town would be responsible for any expenses incurred. Mr. Rucker said that he had asked Dr. Dawson to permit Miss Maffeo to remain at the hospital until after June 5, 1945 at which time the Trustees would meet to determine whether or not she could be accepted as a patient. Mr. Rucker retired at 8:25 P.M. At 8:27 P.M. Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board. He stated that he and three Veterans of the Foreign Wars had looked over the Barnes Property, and the portion of the building which would cause the least difficulty to prepare for them is the main part of the building, rather than the wing. He said that in the main part of the build- ing there is a living room, dining room and kitchen on the lower floor, and the only partition which would have to be removed is a temporary partition which was erected during the time of the Food Stamp Plan. Mr. Paxton said that the V.F.W. would like a large room downstairs to hold their meetings. They are interested in the downstairs part of the mainbuilding, but will take any portion of the building which the Board wants to let them use. Mr. Paxton said that it would only take two men four hours to clean the place up and have it ready for the Veterans. They in turn will assume the maintenance of the building after that. The Chairman asked about heating the building, and Mr. Paxton replied that the V.F.W. would take care of the heating, lighting, water, etc. o0 a 1 The Board discussed the matter in detail, and upon motion of Mr. potter. seconded by Mr. Sheldon, it was voted to advise the V.F.W. that the Board of Selectmen approved the use of the lower floor in the main building of the Barnes Property, but there was no guarantee that the building could be permanently used for the Veterans, and that the use had been approved only until October 1, 1945; that the Veterans should be prepared to move at any time the Town has any use for the building; that the rent shall be $25.00 per month; and that all util- ities, including gas, water, electricity and fuel, shall be paid by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The Chairman read a letter from Arthur W. Richard son, 1 Rockville Avenue, Lexington stating that he has been unable to obtain any action through the Town Offices relative to having his garbage collected. Mr. Rowse asked Mr. Paxton if there was any reason why the garbage should not be collected, and Mr. Paxton replied in the negative. The Chairman read a letter from Robert C. Merriam stating that Fireman's Fund Policy, #264566 would expire on July 1, 1945. Mr. Sheldon moved that Mr. Paxton be authorized to renew.the_policy through the office of Robert C. Merriam. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from the Lexington Rain- bow Assembly requesting permission to block off Harring- ton Street to hold a street dance on July 3,,1945, between the hours of 8:00 P.M. and 11:00 P.M. They also requested permission to hang a sheet across the street announcing the Mardi Gras. Mr. Sheldon moved that the Lexington Rainbow Assembly be granted permission to block off Harrington Road between Bedford and Hancock Streets, but that permission to hang a sheet be denied. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton retired at 8:45 P.M. The Chairman reported that he had talked with Mr. Hugh McLellan relative to the possibility of his serving as an Associate Member of the Board of Appeals. Mr. McLellan said that it would not be possible for him to act in this capacity. Mr. Rowse moved that Robert L. Ryder be appointed an Associate Member of the Board of Appeals, acting under the Building and Zoning By-laws, for a period ending March 31, 1946. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 193 Garbage Complaint Insurance Expiring Associate Member of Board of Appeals Robert L. Ryder 194 Shea Gasoline License Denied Munroe Gasoline License Granted Letter Re: Maffeo T.B. Case Approve Transfer Assessor Dept. Brown Offer Lot B Plymouth Road Accepted Dr. Shannon Offer Lot 73 Farmerest Avenue Accepted The Board considered the application of Mr. Shea for permission to install two underground tanks at the corner of Sylvia Street and Massachusetts Avenue. Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr, Rowse, it was voted that the application be denied. The Board then considered the application of Howard M. Munroe for permission to install one underground tank for the storage of five hundred gallons of gasoline on his property at Lowell Street. Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted that the application be approved; subject to the approval of the Board of Fire Engineers. Mr. Rucker's request that the Board write to•Dr. Dawson, Middlesex County Sanitarium, relative to Miss Maffeo was discussed by the Board. Mr. Rowse moved that the Chairman dictate a letter requesting that Miss Maffeo be allowed to remain at the Middlesex. County if possible. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from the Appropriation Committee advising that the Selectmen's request for a transfer of $100.00 from the Reserve Fund to the Assessor's Department - Expenses Account, increasing the item for automobile allowance from $150.00 to $200. had been approved for the year 1945 only. The Board gave further consideration to Mr. J. Milton Brown's offer of $150.00 for Lot 8, Plymouth Road, Lexington. A proposal to sell this lot was advertised in the May 30, 1945 issue of the Lexington Minute -Man. No persons contacted the Selectmen's Office as a result_ of the advertisement. Mr.Sheldan moved that the offer be accepted, and that Lot B, Plymouth Road, Lexington, be sold and conveyed to Mr. J. Milton Brown. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Board gave further consideration to Dr. Clarence Shannon's offer of $150.00 for Lot #73, Farmcrest Avenue, Lexington. A proposal to sell this lot was advertised in the May 30, 1945 issue of the Lexington Minute -Man. No persons contacted the Selectmen's Office as a result of the advertisement. Mr. Sarano moved that the offer be accepted, and that Lot #73 Farmcrest Avenue, Lexington, be sold and conveyed to Dr. Clarence Shannon. 00 ori 1 The Board gave further consideration to Mr. Otis Conner's and Capt. Burton A. Murray's offers to purchase Lot 134, Wachusett Drive, Lexington. A proposal to sell this lot was advertised in the May 30, 1945 issue of the Lexington Minute -Ian. Mr. Sheldon moved that the highest offer, which was made by Mr. Conner, be accepted and that Lot 134, Wachusett Drive, Lexington, be sold and conveyed to Mr. Otis J. Conner. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Clerk was instructed to notify Capt. Murray that a higher bid than the one submitted by him had been accepted. A letter was received from D. F. Ross offering $100. for Lot 35, Robbins Aoad, Lexington. Mr. Sarano moved that a propoeal to sell the lot be advertised in the Lexington Minute -Man, and that further consideration be given the offer at the next meeting of the Joard. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A letter was received from Mr. S. R. Wrightington, Town Counsel, together with his bill in the amount of $75.00 for services in collecting from the estate of Johanna Kennedy. Mr. Rowse moved that the bill be approved for payment. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A letter was received from James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, to which was attached a list of names and addresses of owners of dogs who have not been licensed for 1945. Mr. Potter moved that a Warrant be signed instruct- ing.the Dog Officer to catch and confine all unlicensed dogs. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Ralph E. Chadwick stating that he had received an Honorable Discharge from the Unites States Coast Guard on June 2, 1945, and would again resume his position as Sealer of Weights and Measures in the Town of Lexington on June 15, 1945. Mr. Chadwick requested that Mr. John Lamont, Military Substitute, be so notified and instructed to have the books audited. The Clerk was instructed to inform Mr. Lamont that Mr. Chadwick had returned from the service, and to express the Board's appreciation and thanks for the efficient manner in which he has conducted the Office of the Sealer of Weights and Measures. She was further instructed to request Mr. White, Town Accountant, to audit Mr. Lamont's books. 195 Lot 134 Wachusett Drive Sold to Otis J. Conner Ross Offer $100. Lot 35 Robbins Road Legal Bill JoUianna Kennedy Dog Warrant Signed Sealer of Weights and Measur Returned from Armed Forces & Reinstmt 196 Constable Surety gond in the sum of 61,000.00 was received - Bond on behalf of John C. Russell as Constable in the Town of Lexington. Mr. .Sarano moved thet the bond be approved. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. License Upon motion of Mr. Sheldon, seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted to approve the following license: Appt. V -J Day Committee Ralph J. White 60 Woburn Street Junk Collector The Chairman snffgested that possibly the V -E Day Committee should be reappointed a V -J Day Committee. Upon motion of Mr. Sheldon; seconded by Mr. Sarano, it was voted to appoint the'members who served on the V -E Day Committee to the V -J Day Committee. Lend Mr. Sheldon said that Mr. Atkinson, City Manager East Lex- in Cambridge, Massachusetts, rad expressed a desire to ington look over the plans for the proposed fire station in Fire East Lexington . Station Mr. Potter moved that Mr. Sheldon be authorized Plans to submit the plans to Mr. Atkinson for his inspection. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A true record, Attest: tit ;,:zze""4.7 tool C.: 1