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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1946-04-08 469 SELECTMEN'S MEETING April 8, 1946 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, April 8, 1946. Chairman poster, Messrs. Locke, Rowse and Paxton were present. The Clerk was also present . At 7:30 P. M. Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, appeared before the Board for the drawing of three factors: Mr. Charles J. Wichert, Recog. Clerk, 12 Fletcher Avenue, Jurors was drawn to serve on Civil Business, First Session, East Cambridge , beginning May 6, 1946. Mr. Robert C. McAnaul, Mechanic, 2261 Massachusetts Avenue, was drawn to serve on Criminal Business, First Session, East Cambridge, beginning the sixth day of May. Mr. Harold S. Stone, Engineer, 40 Harding Road, was drawn to serve on Civil Business, Second Session at East Cambridge, beginning May b. Mr. Carroll retired at 7 35 P. M. , and Mr. Jeseph DeFoe, Supt. of Public Works, appeared before the Board. Mr. I)eFoe said that he had talked with Mr. Cosgrove, Town Complst Engineer, r$lative to an inquiry received from James J. Murphy Re : pertaining to the removal of several large Maple trees Removal contemplated in connection with the widening of Grove Street, Maple The plan for the widening of the street is in the County Court Trees House, and Mr. Cosgrove told Mr. Murphy that it could be seen on there. Mr. Cosgrove believes that by shifting the line the Grove best they can do is to save only one or two of the trees. St. Mr. Paxton said that he thought the trees were in back of Wideninr the wall in which case if they were put within the right of way any actual construction would not effect them because they would be in between the traveled way and the right of way. Mr. DeFoe said he would contact Mr. Howard Hatch, County Engineer, on the matter. Mr. DeFoe reported that he had investigated the complaint received from Martha J. Wilson relative to the brook running Wilson through the Wilson Property on Pleasant Street and also the Complat, complaint pertaining to the retaining wall. He said that there Re are three places where the wall is falling in, and he believes Brook that as soon as the Town obtains a shovel, this situation should & be alleviated. Wall on The Board suggested that Mr. Dena advise the Wilsons Propert; that he expected to be in a position to take care of both matters this year. Mr. DeFoe stated that he had investigated the request Residents received from several residents of Woburn Street for the of extension of the sewerage system. He stated that the Town Woburn to go down Lowell Street to Maple Street or else go down St. Req. through the fields. He said that it would involve a lot of sewer Ext. of Sewer System 1 470 00 Pal beyond the sewer itself on Woburn Street. The Board instructed Mr. DeFoe to advise the petitioner that the Town has no funds or men to do the work this year, but it will be given consideration next year. Sell Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that he had received a bid Old of $250 for the old General shovel. Shovel Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. DeFoe be authorized to accept the bid. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Sell Mr. DeFoe stated that he has received one bid for the two Old old compressors of $700 if both of them are sold. He said Compres- that he expected another offer in the morning. sors Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. DeFoe be authorized to sell the two compressors to the highest bidder. Mr. Paxton. seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. DeFoe stated that he had received a bid from a Mr. Sell Old Tropeano of $15 for the old trailer which the Town formerly Trailer used to carry tools. He said this unit had not been used for years and there are no tires on it. Mr. Paxton moved that Mr. DeFoe be authorized to sell the trailer for $15. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. DeFoe stated that a Mr. Swenson came in to see him about plows . He said that the Town now owns a 10 foot plow Sell Old which is worn out and obsolete. Mr. Swenson will allow $50 ' Plows and for this plow and $35 for another old plow which is never used. To purchase This will enable to the Town to purchase a new 11 foot New Ones plow at a net cost of $200. Mr. Rowse moved that Mr. DeFoe be authorized to purchase one 11 foot plOw at a price not to exceed $200. Mr. Paxton seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. DeFoe retired at 8:25 Pal. and Mr. William Cann Building Inspector, appeared before the Board. The Chairman asked Mr. Cann for an opinion relative to No the erection of pre-fabricated houses. Pre-fab- Mr. Cann replied that the erection of these houses ricated would be in violation of the Building Laws. Houses The Board had requested Mr. Cann to make a report relative to the "Gold Ribbon Packing Plant" being operated on the Processing soccall.ad Harrod Property in East Lexington. Plant in Mr. Cann said that on July 3 , 1945 an application was East Lex. taken out for a store and storage and a permit issued. He stated that according to Page 13, Section 10 of the Zoning Laws, he had the right to issue such a permit. He stated that this location had been used as a store until 1940. Mr. Cann Mr. Cann said that the Cataldo's now have a machine, which takes twelve persons to operate, for washing celery. He said that the celery is washed, packed and then taken to market. 6 471 Mr. Rowse said that the premises are not being used as a store today and Cataldo must discontinue the operation of the processing plant or else have a hearing before the Board of Appeals. Mr. Rowse asked if Mr. Cann had issued a permit to build a garage, and he replied in the affirmative . Mr. Locke asked if the garage is fireproof, and Mr. Cann stated that it isn't finished. The Chairman suggested that before the garage is completed Lr. Cataldo be advised that he is violating the Zoning Laws. Upon motion of Mr. Rowse , seconded by Mr. Paxton, it was voted to instruct Mr. Cann to take whatever action is necessary to have the present use of the property located at 703-705 Massachusetts Avenue discontinued. Mr. Cann retired at 8 45 P.M. and Messrs. Bateman, Couette and Handley of the Chanter of Cor,r:.erce appeared before the Board. The purpose of this appointment was to consider the acute housing shortage in Lexington. Chamber The Ghairmanssaid that the Board would be very sLad to of discuss the problem and receive any suggestions the Commerce Chamber of Commerce might have. Housing Mr. Couette said that the Chamber of Commerce thought Veterans the so-called poor farm located on the corner of Hill and Cedar Streets would be a good site to house veterans. He said that the group present this evening would like to know if they would have the interest of the Board in going forward to get together a definite program, including an outline of eostsy with the idea of seeing to it that a veterans' housing project Would be erected there and dwelling units rented to veterans. He said that the Chamber of Commerce suggests that this be used as an emergency and temporary proposition on a rental basis not to exceed three years. The Chairman said that the first thing that came to his mind was the question as to whether or not there is enough of the boys in the Town who would like to live to this type of unit. Mr. Handley stated that the Town is short 300 units, and he thought many of them would go into reasonably rented quarters. The Chairman reminded the group that insofar as financing such a project is concerned, it would require a vote of the Town, and a vote of the Town would also be necessary to make any change in the present Zoning Laws. Mr. Handley suggested that a committee be appoint8d. by the Board of Selectmen to make a study of the present .need for housing units. Mr. Rowse suggested that a survey of the Town be made by the committee to determine how many rooms may be available in private homes. The Chairman said that the Board would discuss the matter, and let the Chamber of Commerce know what might be done. II The group retired at 9: 25 P.M. 472 171 It was decided to hold any decision over for another week so that each member of the Board might have an oppor- tunity to give some thought as to whom to appoint to serve on such a committee. Mr. Potter agreed to talk with Mr. Couette again before the next meeting. A letter was received from Ira. A. Rix requesting Permit to permission to sell pop corn at the corner of Maarrett Road Sell and Waltham Street. Pop Mr. Rik has had a permit of this type for several years Corn previous to the war. Mr. Rowse moved that the request be granted, and that Mr. Rix be advised that the stand must be located at a reasonable distance from the highway. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. V. F. W. A letter was received from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Poppy Day requesting a permit to conduct their annual "Poppy Day" on May 25, 1946. Mr. Rowse moved that a permit be granted. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Application was received from the Lexington Athletic Boosters Booster Club requesting permission to use Cary Memorial Hall Use of Hall on the evening of Thursday, May 2, 1946, from 6:15 P.M. to 9 00 P.M. for a testimonial dinner. Mr. Rowse moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Application was received from the Sachem Counci1,. Inc. Boy Scouts Boy Scouts of America, requesting the use of Cary Memorial Use of Hall Hall on the evening of May 25, 1946, from 6 3o P.M. to 11.30 P.M. for a Sea Scout Bridge of Honor. Mr. Rowse moved that the use of the hall be granted free of charge. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was -so voted. A.pplicatibn was received from the Lexington Girl Schatz Girl Scouts requesting permission for the use of Cary Memorial Hall on Use of Hall the evening of May 17, 1946, from 7:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. for a rally. Mr. Rowse moved that the use of the hall ge granted free of charge. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Board gave further consideration to Mr. Ralph F. Clark's offer of $200 for Lots 1-4, Colonial Heights, Sell Lots Massachusetts Avenue , Lexington. A proposal to sell these 1-4 lots was advertised in the April 4, 1946 issue of the Lexington Colonial Minute-Man. No persons contacted the Selectmen' s Office as a Hghts result of the advertisement. Mass. Ave. Mr. Locke moved that the offer be accepted, and that Lots 1-4, Colonial Heights, Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, 473 be sold and conveyed to Mr. Ralph F. Clark. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Board gave further consideration to Mr. Matthew Harvey's offer of t75 for Lot 49, Taft Avenue and Charles Street and Lot 59, Taft Avenue and Towle' Street, A ` Sell Let proposal to sell these lots was advertised in the April 4, 49 Taft 1946 issue of the Lexington Minute-Man. Ave. & Mr. Laurence Cafarella submitted an offer of $75 Charles for Lot 50 on the corner of Bowker Street and Taft Avenue . Street Mr. Charles D. McGillivray submitted an offer of Also Lot $60 for Lot 49, Taft Avenue and Charles Street. 50 Bowker Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded by Mr. Locke, it & Taft was voted to accept the offer of $60 for Lot 49, Taft Avenue Avenue and Charles Street and that this lot be sold and conveyed to Mr. McGillivray. Mr. Rowse moved that the offer of 75 be accepted, and that Lot 50, Bowker Street and Taft Avenue be sold and conveyed to Mr. Laurence S. Cafarella. Mr. Paxton seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Board gave further consideration to Mr. Carl 0. Wennberg' s offer of $300 for Lots 110D,1102Z&110F, Fair Oaks Sell Lots Terrace, Lexington. A proposal to sell these lots was 110D, advertised in the April 4, 1946 issue of the Lexington 110E, I Minute-Man. As a result of the advertisement an offer 110F in the amount of $451 was received from William A. Barnes Fair and an offer of $500 was received from Gustave E. Gustayson. Oaks Terr Mr. Rowse moved that the highest bid be accepted, and that Lots 110D, 110E, and 110F, Fair Oaks Terrace, Lexington, be sold and conveyed to Mr. Gustave E. Gustayson. The Chairman informed the Board that Mr. Lawrence Selig, owner of the Lexington Cab Company, had contacted him and stated that he had an opportunity to sell his business to a Sale of resident of Winchester. Taxi The Clerk was instructed to write to Mr. Selig and Business inform him that the Board would not grant a Public Carriage License to anyone who is not a resident of Lexington. It was also decided to request Mr. Selig to advise the Board if, and when, he disposes of his business. Upon motion of Mr. Rowse, seconded the Mr. Paxton, it was voted to request the Planning Board to make a study of the Request area in the vicinity of Waltham and Muzzey Streets, Mass- Planning achusett s Avenue and Forest Street, and to submit recommend- Board to ations to the Board relative to the possibility of increasing Study the business property and parking areas in connection with Parking it. Area The Chairman informed the Board that new typewriters Sell Old were being purchased for the Selectmen's Department, and Typew'ts two of the Clerks would like to purchase the old machines Purchase at the price allowed by the Royal Typewriter Company, i.e. , New Ones $15 for one and $17.50 for the other. 474 00 t7 Mr. Rowse moved that the Clerks be allowed to purchase the two old machines. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. A true record, Attest: �✓ / i // 1 k te 1