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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1945-07-09212 Street between Boston Edison an d Partridgds V -J Day Celebration SELECTMEN'S MEETING July 9, 1945 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, Lexington, Mass., on Monday evening, July 9, 1945 at 7:30 p.m. Chairman Locke, Messrs. Potter, Rowse, Sarano, and Sheldon were present. The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 p.m. Mr. Theodore A. Custance, Chairman of the V -J Day Committee appeared before the Board. Mr. Custance said that Mr. Berlinger (Craft Cleaners) has purchased the property in the rear of Partridges Food Shop and Mr. Custance has learned that the name of the street between Partridge's store and the Boston Edison Company is Cary Street. He said that there is a Cary Street in East Lexington and there also is a Cary Avenue in Lexington. Mr. Worthen suggested the name of Sabble or Wichert, families prominent in Lexington a number of -years ago. Mr. Berlinger preferred to have the street known as Craft's Way. Mr. Potter said that he thought the street in question was owned by the Boston Edison Company and before anything definite were done about a name for it, the Boston Edison Company should be consulted. It was decided to have Mr. Potter check to determine the owner of the street. Mr. Custance said that the V -J Committee has held one meeting and a sub -committee has met twice. He said that they had gone as far as they could until they find out if the Board of Selectmen wants to make an appropriation. Mr. Custance said that the Committee has suggested the possibility of a two day celebration with exercises on the Common, a small parade, band concert and a block dance. The celebration of the second day would be athletic events on the playground and a formal meeting in Cary Memorial Hall for adults in the evening. He said that the schools would have their own programs which would be taken care of by the P. T. A. Mr. Custance said that the Committee anticipated spending $280.00 for music and the total amount needed for two days would be approximately $1,000.00. He said that before an orchestra could be engaged or a speaker contracted for, the Committee must know if the money will be available. 1 The Board felt that money for this purpose should be voted on at a Town Meeting and not transferred from the Reserve Fund which is for emergencies. Mr. Sheldon suggested that if a special Town Meeting were held in September or October that an article be included in the warrant asking for an appropriation. The Chairman asked Mr. Custance tosubmit his report when he had it completed and advised him that the Board would find out whether or not a transfer for the proposed celebration could be made. Mr. Custance retired at 7:52 P.M. The Board gave further consideration to Mr. Arthur E. Wheeler's offer of 650.00 each for Lots 2, 7, 10, Block 17, Reed Street. A proposal to sell these lots was advertised in the June 28, 1945 issue of the Lex- ington Minute -Man. No persons contacted the Selectmen's Office as a result of the advertisement. Mr. Sheldon moved that the offer he accepted and that Lots 2, 7, and 10, Block 17, Reed Street, Lexington be sold and conveyed to Arthur E. Wheeler. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Board gave further consideration to Mr. Lincoln C. Grush's offer of 6350.00 for Lot 2A Tower Road, Lex- ington. A proposal to sell this lot was advertised in the June 28th issue of the Lexington Minute -Man. No persons contacted the Selectmen's Office as a result of the advertisement. Mr. Rowse moved that the offer be accepted and that Lot 2A Tower Road, Lexington, be sold and conveyed to Mr. Grush. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Board gave further consideration to fir. Munroe Hamilton's offer of 300.00 for Lots 33 and 34 Robbins Road, Lexington. A proposal to sell these lots was advertised in the June 28th issue of the Lexington Minute -Man. No persons contacted the Selectmen's Office as a result of the advertisement. Mr. Sheldon moved that the offer be accepted and that Lots 33 and 34 Robbins Road, Lexington, be sold and conveyed to Mr. Hamilton. Mr. Sarano seconded the motion, and it was so voted. At 8:00 p.m. Commander Thomas Brown and Messrs. Ballou and Flynn of the Veterans of Foreign Wars appeared before the Board. Mr. Brown said that he had attended a meeting of the War Parents two weeks ago and would like to invite that group to meet with the Veterans in the Barnes property, but some members of the Post felt that the Selectmen would object. He said that he would like to know if the Selectmen would approve having the War parents and 213 Sell Lots 2, 7� 10, Block! 17, Reed Street Lot 2A Tower Rd. sold to Lincoln C. Grush Lots 33 and 34 Robbins Rd. sold to Munroe Hamilton War Parents and V -J Committee Hoint Meeting at Barnes Property 214 U.F.W. Claim for Damages the V -J Day Committee meet The Chairman asked if two groups to have regular he would like to have them at the Barnes Property. it was the intention for these meetings and Mr. Brown said meet there once or twice a year. ¥r. Potter said that he did not believe the Board would have any objection and Mr. Rowse reminded Commander Brown that the hoard had granted the Veterans use of the building only until October 1, 1945. Mr. Brown said that, according to a plumber, the water in the building had not been drawn off during the winter and some pipes had burst with the result that they are not able to draw water into the sink. He said that they have a water meter but have no water. Mr. Brown said that the Ladies Auxiliary would like to meet the same evenings that the Veterans meet and if such a plan is carried out, they would like permission to use the toilet on the second floor. Mr. Brown said that the next item to be considered was the question of rent. He wanted to know when the rent started. Mr. Potter asked when the Veterans began to use the building and Mr. Brown said that they moved in the last of June. Mr. Rowse asked when the first meeting was held and Mr. Flynn replied that he thought it was the third Wednesday in June. The Board decided that the rent should start as of July 1, 1945. Mr. Brown said that the organization had $30.00 or $40.00 worth of curtain material for the windows, but they did not want to have the curtains made if they could not use the building any longer than the first of October. Mr. Rowse explained that one reason the Board limited the use until the first of October was that the Selectmen already committed themselves for the use of the building as a Youth Center which would not be used until fall. He said another reason was the matter of heating the building. Mr. Brown said that the Veterans would heat the building. Mr. Rowse said that the building was given to them until October 1st as temporary quarters until fall so that they would have an opportunity to obtain a location somewhere else. The Chairman said that the water would be taken care of and consideration given to the other matters brought up this evening. The group retired at 8:35 p.m. Mr. Paxton appeared before the Board. The received claiming Chairman read a letter dated July 3, 1945 from G. Webb Rogers, 81 Hancock Street, damages in the amount of $50.00. Mr. Rogers Pri 1 stated that in 1942 when the sewer was beim laid in Hancock Street, the ground was frozen the workmen had to use dynamite. He claimed that as a result of the blasting, the sunporch ceiling in his house cracked and the two coats of plaster began to peel from the rough plaster mixture covering the lathes. Mr. Paxton informed the Board that a number of complaints had been received on both the East Lexington Sewer and the Hancock Street sewer, but that they were postponed until the Work was finished. None of the claims were ever paid. He said that Mr. Stanley Higgins inspected Rogers' sunporch on April 4, as a result of a telephone call from Mr. Rogers. Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. Rogers be advised that in the Board's opinion the Town has no responsibility in the case. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton informed the Board that the insurance policy in the amount of $5,215.00 on sprinkler leakage at the Hancock School would expire, through the office of Elmer A. Lord & Co., on August 6, 1945. Mr. Sheldon moved thatthe policy be renewed through the same office. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from the State Building Inspector, Department of Public Safety, advising that an inspection had been trade at Cary Memorial Hall and that the,following work should be done: a) discontinue storage of chairs on stage; b) repair floor cleats; c) provide globes, mantles, pilot lights and pull chains on all emergency gas lights. Mr. Paxton said that he thoutht the chairs were stored on the stage following the High School graduation exercises. He said that the floor cleats are in poor condition and should be replaced. He informed the Board the last recommendation had been made for several years but no action has ever been taken. He stated that there is not sufficient money to do the work at this time. He further agreed to obtain an estimate of the cost so that an item could be included in next year's budget or to have an article inserted in the warrant if a special Town Meeting were held. The Clerk was instructed to acknowledge the letter and to state that the matter has been taken under advise- ment. Mr. Paxton said that he had received an application from the Arlington Gas Light Co. for a gas location starting at Adams Street, going up Hancock Street, to Blake Road. He said that the plan has been approved by the Town Engineer and also by Mr. Garrity. 2.15 Insurance► Renewed: Hancock School sprinkler leakage. Cary Hall Article Gas Location 216 Road Mach- inery Acc't Tax Title Prope rty Sand pit Westview Street Tax Title Property Tax Title Property Invitation to demon- stration new aerial truck Mr. Rowse moved that the application be approved and that Mr. Paxton write to the Arlington Gas Light Company. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Paxton said that he would like to call the Board's attention to the fact that the Road Machinery Account and the Ashes & Dumps Account may run short. The Clerk was instructed to request the Town Account- ant to submit a statement the first of September show- ing the balance in these two accounts. "The Chairman read a letter from Charles A; Linehan, 10 Myrtle Street, Belmont ffering $800.00 for Lot 34A off Westview Street. This75art of the sand pit near the Bedford Line. Mr. Potter said that the Town might want the fill and if so it might be worth more than $800.00. Mr. Paxton said that if the saftd is worth anything at all it would be worth more than $800.00 for one year's supply. It was decided to have Mr. Paxton and Mr. Potter look at the property and report to the Board whether or not it should be sold. Mr. Paxton retired at 9:15 p.m. A letter was received from William A. Barnes, 20 Outlook Drive, Lexington offering the sum of $150.00 for Lots 110D, 110E, and 110F Fair Oaks Terrace. Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Sheldon it was voted to advise Mr. Barnes that the Selectmen would not entertain an offer of less than $700.00 for these three lots. Letter was received from Louis VenderWoude, 37 Baker Avenue, Lexington, offering $100.00 for Lots 426 and 427 Tucker Avenue. Letter was also received from Henry E. Olson, 41 Baker Avenue, offering $35.00 for the two lots. Mr. Sheldon moved that a proposal to sell the lots be advertised in the Lexington Minute -Man and that further consideration be given the offers at the next meeting of the Board. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Clerk was instructed to advise Mr. Olsen that the lots are being advertised and also' that a higher offer has been received. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. George W. Emery, Chief Engineer of the Board of Fire Engineers, inviting the Board of Selectmen to attend a short demonstration of the new Aerial Ladder Truck on Thurs- day evening, July 12, 1945 at 7:30 p.m. 1 Request was received from the Office of the Secretary of State for a character reference on Mary W. Duffy, 25 Maple Street, Lexington who, with fifteen other persons (not residents of Lex- ington) had filed application for certificate of incorporation. Satisfactory character reference was received from the Chief of Police. Mr. Rowse moved that the form be approved, signed and returend to the Seeretu-ry of State. Mr. Sheldon seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 217 Certificate of Incorp. Mary W. Duffy The Chairman read a letter from Alfred P. Tropeano, offering $900.00 for the parcel of land bounded by Vine Lrook Road, Waltham Street, and Winthrop Road Extension. Mr.. Potter informed the Board that both he and Mr. Spencer felt that it would be unwise for the Town to dispose of this property. Mr. Rowse moved that a letter be written to Mr. Tropeano advising him that the Selectmen do not feel it advisable to sell the property at this time. Mr. Sheldon seconded the. motion, and it was so voted. Upon motion of Mr. Potter, seconded by Mr. Rowse, it was voted to grant the following licenses: Michael W. Aquaro 48 Rindge Ave. Peddler's Lic. William Viano 1794 Mass. Ave. Sunday Movies Mr. Rowse suggested that the Board interview Lt. Col. Henry Barry relative to the possibility that he might temporarily fill the vacancy in the Department of Public Works caused by the resignation of Mr. Paxton as Superintendent. The Board discussed the matter at length and decided to invite Lt. Col Barrr to meet with them on Thursday evening, July 12th at 8:00 p.m. following the demonstration of the aerial ladder truck, scheduled for 7:30 p:m. The Board felt L that if Lt. Col. Barry were engaged, no title should be given as to the position he is to assume. The Clerk asked whether or not the Board desired to set any specific time for receiving applications for the position of Supt. of Public Works. The Board decided to set September 1st as the final date for receiving applications. A true record, Attest: Licenses Vacancy in Public Works Dept. Application: for Supt. of Public Works