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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1948-01-12c� ✓ 205 SELE CTMEN' S MEETING January 12, 1948 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, on Monaay evening, January 12, 1948 at 7:30 P.P.Q. There r.er present: Chairman Paxton, Messrs. Locke, Emery, Gay and Driscoll. The Clerk was also present. At 7:30 P.M. Mr. Joseph H. DeFoe, Sup't. of Public Works, and Mr. Luke May of the Lexington Nurseries met with the Board. Mr. May stated that he had received a bill in the amount of ,$p268.00 for the installation of the sewer on Woburn Street and he doesn't think he should pay for it. He said he will not receive any benefit at all from this sewer. The Chairman asked him if there is a right of way in the deed to his property and he replied in the negative. The Chairman inquired as to the areas upon which Mr. May's assessment was based and Mr. DeFoe informed him that there were 12,700 feet. The Chairman asked Mr. May if he would be agreeable to pay any portion of the charge, possibly 50%, and Mr. May replied in the negative. The Chairman asked him if he were requesting 100% abatement and Mr. May replied in the affirmative. He stated that he never hopes to develop the land. The Chairman said that even though the sewer may not be of any benefit at the present moment it has a potential benefit. Mr. May asked if he paid 50% of the cost would the town wait for the balance until such time, if and when the Lexington Nurseries received any benefit. The Chairman asked him if he would be willing to sign a statement that he will pay the full better- ment assessment if and when he sells any or all of the land, and if or when he utilizes the sewer in that particular location. Mr. May said that he would be glad to do that. The Chairman asked if the Board had any questions. Mr. Locke asked when the land was laid out and the Chairman replied that it has never been laid out. Mr. Locke said assuming that a survey was made out before 1927 wouldn't it go back to the old 50 foot frontage, for one lot on Woburn Street. He explained that it would not be necessary to have a sub -division to build on the lot 206 DeSonie Claim for Excessive Water charge Mosquito Control Armstrong & Garrity MO Oa facing Woburn Street. Mr. May said that in the event the town does install another sewer in nis property the easement should be worth something. The Chairman suggested that Mr. May give the Board an opportunity to discuss this matter and when a decision has been made he will be so notified. Mr. May retired at 7:55 P.M. Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that he has used the meter - master at 90 Spring Street inasmuch as the Board had received a letter from Mr. DeSonie claiming excessive water charges. Mr. DeFoe said that there was noindicati on of any leaks. He discussed the matter with Mrs. DeSonie and informed her that there was no leak. She agreed that probably they had used the water for which they were charged. Mr. DeFoe reviewed the DeSonie's water bills for the Board. Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to write Mr. DeSonie that the Sup't. of Public Works has investigated the lomplaint and also talked with Mrs. DeSonie. n view of the Superintendent's report the Selectmen are of the opinion that the water • meter registered correctly, but it will becare- fully supertised for the next few months. Mr. DeFoe left the meeting. At 8:20 P.M. Mr. Armstrong, Sup't. of the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project, and Mr. Garrity, Supt. of Parks and Playgrounds, met with the, Board. The Chairman informed Mr. Arms- trong that the Board had invited him for a dis- ucssion of mosquito control because the town is faced with a very heavy budget this year and there has been some question as to the value of mosquito control, in Lexington. Mr. Armstrong said that if the Town of Lexington did dis- continue the program now, depending on the weather conditions it might not make any notice- able increase in the number of mosquitoes. If however, the season was favorable for the development of mosquitoes the increasswould be noticed. He said at the present time the work is very small and if Lexington discontinued it would not make a tremendous increase in mosquitoes but it would make a difference through the center of the town. He said that the project has not 207 done very much drainage but it has done a lot of spraying in the central belt. He explained that they have not tried to confine the drainage work close to the center of the town. Most of the places near the center are small and lend them- selves to spraying. He said the Board would notice from his report that they have emphasized the drain- age because it is impossible to try and control Los uittoes b temporarymeasure He said that exington has tremendous mosquito breeing, territory and it will be years before they reach what is called a maintenance status. The Chairman asked if the Town of Lexington dropped out of the project this year, and felt in three years it would be to the advantage of the town to go back into the project, would there be any difficulty. Mr. Armstrong said that if any town discontinued the project it might jeopardize the project as a whole. The Chair- man asked Mr. Garrity if he wanted to express any opinion. Mr. Garrity said he would not like to see the project discontinued because they have done an excellent job, but he said if there was any thought of dropping out now would be a good time. The Chair- man asked if the town continues the appropriation, how long would it be before they would notice a change in the number of mosquitoes. Mr. Armstrong said that possibly in two years there would be a noticeable difference. Mr. Emery asked if there was any alternative method of assessing the cost. Mr. Armstrong replied that it is all on a county wide basis and they do Planning not have to account to each town how the money is Board spent. Mr. Armstrong said he thought that it would be better to decrease the appropriation rather than Report to drop out entirely. He explained that the labor and materials used in the town are charged directly to that town and what they call their overhead items are charged to the various town on a percentage basis. Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Garrity retired at 8:50 P.M., and the following members of the Planning Board met with the Selectmen: Chairman Edwin B. WandtRudd.arMr.rWorthenCsaidethatltheuPlanningdBoard would like to review part of the work they under- took last year and to present for the Board's con- sideration the results of this work. One is possible amendments to the Zoning By-laws for which 208 Planning Board Report Ester Nicoli re: assessment for water an article will be inserted in the warrant and Twa is a possible program for continuing their studies which involves an increase over what they have requested for their budget. Mr. Worthen submitted to each member of. the Board a special report of the Planning Board to the Board of Selectmen dated January 12, 1948. He also sub- mitted a municipal planning act of 1947, Copy of Chapter 340 of the Acts of 1947, and a report from John T. Blackwell of an examination for the Planning Board of the Lexington Zoning and Subdivision regulations. The Chairman suggested that the Selectmen discuss with the Planning Board the first four items of the report and recommended articles for town meeting next Monday night. The Planning Board retired at IE: 10:12 P.M. and Mr. DeFoe retfrned to the. meeting. The Chairman read a letter from Esther Nicoli, 211 Holland Street, West Somerville, regarding the water betterment assessed on her property on Cummings Avenue. Mrs. Nicoli stated that she did not sign any petition. lir.. DeFoe informed the Board that there are only two abutters to be assessed on that street and the other abutter signed the petition for the water. The Clerk was instructed to advise ors. Nicoli that the matter has -been investigated and discussed and the Select- men are of the opinion that a proper charge has been made against the property. The Chairman read a letter from the Leeland Construction Co. requesting the extension of a water main on Ledgelawn Avenue to serve two new houses. Mr. Dena said that this request came in after he had placed his order for pipe, and even though he had included this the order isn't here yet. He said that the town has installed water on Ledgelawn Avenue at Mr. McConchie's request and this is for an extension. He said that he did not believe that he was entitled to water this year but he thought he could give it to them inasmuch as a load of pipe arrived 24 during the snow storm. The Clerk was instructed to advise the Leeland Construction Co. that the installation will be made 'BB soon as possible, Water on consistent with the other requests that have Ledgelawn priority over this one. Avenue The Chairman read a letter from the County Commissioners to which was attached a copy of a subpoena served on the Commissioners for assess- ment of damages by Owen, Charles Pa, William J. Alice F. and Anna E. McDevitt on account of land takings on Grove Street, Lexington. Lir. Gay moved that the comraunicEtion be referred to the Town Counsel and that he be requetted to enter an appearance on behalf of the town and the county. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from Eugene B. Hamilton requesting the Board to consider placing a street light at the junction of Liberty Avenue and Braemore Terrace. The Clerk was instructed to advise Mr. Hamilton that his request will be placed on file until July first at which time all requests for street lights will be considered. The Board considered the following Budgets: Trunk Sewers, Capital Outlay; This budget includes North Branch, Vine Brook; South Branch Vine Brook; Millbrook to Rangeway. The Chairman said that his thought was to let the Town Meeting members or the Taxpayer's Association take the burden and include an article in the warrant for each trunk sewer. The budget was approved inthe amount of $248,000. Highway Construction under the Betterment Act: The Sup't of PublicWorks informed theBoard that Blake Road and Preston Road are to be eliminated and that he has talked with Mr. Richey and ex- plained to him that it is the policy of the Board not to recommend for acceptance under the better- ment act any street not connected with another accepted street, and from his conversation he believes that Mr. Richey at the present time is Subpoena Grove St. Takings Street Lights Budgets 210 ,Car allowance for Mr. Burns No article traffic lighb at Woburn & Lowell Sts. Murphy Claim re: land takings Tree Removal not interested in having Rangeway Road accepted. Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that he would like authorization to continue to pay kr. Burns car allowance. IIr. Gay moved that the Supt. of Public Works be authorized to pay Kr. William Burns car allowance in the amount of $33.00 a month until such time as the town of Lexington supplies him with transportation. ter. Emery sec- onded the motion, and it was so voted. Highway De3artment, Road Machinery Capi tal Outlay • Mr. DeFoe informed the Board that like to include an item in this budget urchase of a cletrac. It was decided $3,300 and the total budget was approve amount of $23,000. Mr. DeFoe retired at' 11:00 P.M. he would for the to include d in the Further consideration was given to the the letter from the State Department of Public Works relative to the installation of a semi - actuated traffic signal at the intersection of Lowell Street and Woburn Street. It was declared. not to include an article in the warrant. The Chairman read a letter from Alfred P. Tropeano acknowledging the Board's offer to settle the claim of James J. Murphy et al. Mr. Tropeano said he feels the offer to be inadequate but thought if he had another conference with the Board an amicable figure could be reached. He said that he would be out of town until January 27th and if the Board finds it necessary to send the warrant to the printers he would' suggest the insertion of an article to obtain authority to settle the claim. The Chairman read a letter from Lorne R. Sutherland stating that the remainder of a tree will partly obstruct the proposed con- struction of a driveway entrance which he intends to build. The Clerk informed the Board that Mr. Garrity recommends removal 211 of the tree which in is opinio will of reauire $ostint Mr ocke move that mr. Garrity e au orized o remove he tree. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. V. F. W. to vacate The Chairman read a letter from the V. Barnes F. W. informing the Board that they intend to vacate proper - the Barnes property on or before February first. ty The Chairman read a letter from the Lexington Chamber of Commerce relative to a proposed bus service in North Lexington over Simonds Road, Burlington Street, and Hancock Street. The Chamber of Commerce wished to be recorded favorably to the petition and when it is acted upn they would like to be notified. The Chairman read a letter from Gertrude E. Briggs offering to redeem Lot 5 on Spring Street for the back taxes and interest due. Mr. Driecoll moved that Mrs. Briggs be informed that the Board of Selectmen will entertain an offer of $350. Mr. Locke seconded the notion, and it was so voted. Proposed bus ser- vice Lot #5 Spring St. The Chairman read a letter from the Fire Department stating that an inspection of the Fire Report premises at 172 Middleby Road has been made and the conditions do not constitute a serious fire hazard. A letter was received from the Department of Civil Service informing the Board that as a result of the examination for two permanent sergeants held on October 25, 1941, only one person has become eligible: George E. Smith received a rating of 9341%. It was decided to invite the Chief of Police and Lieutenant Neal to meet with the Board to discuss this subject. The Chairman read a letter from the Chief of Police with reference to coasting on Suther- land Road. The Chief stated that he has checked this location on two occasions during the past two days and he is of the opinion that coasting on this street would be extremely dangerous. Streets for Coasting j 212 He explained that the street is very narrow with slightly more than room enough for one car to proceed at a time, and there are also three cross streets. He stated that he does not believe it is a good coasting street insofar as the safety factor is concerned. The Clerk was instructed to request the Chief to recommend a street in East Lexington which might be good for coasting. An application was received from Simon W. Robinson Lodge for permission to conduct a ban- quet and dance in Cary Memorial Hall on the even- ing of April 24, 1948. Mr. Driscoll moved that the use of the hall be granted subject to a charge of 035. Mr. Locke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. An application was received from the Cedar Hill Association requesting permission to use a Conference Room on Sunday evening, January 18th, from $ to 10 P.M. Mr. Locke moved that the use of the Conference Room be granted free of charge. Mr. Emery seconded the motion, and it was so voted. An application was received from Marcia Dane for permission to maintain an intelligence office at 1736 Massachusetts Avenue. Mr. Emery moved that the application be approved and the license issued. Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Clerk was instructed to forward the Town Counsel a copy of the agreement for the garbage contract now being used to determine whether or not it meets with his approval. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to appoint Mr. Frank D. Walker to the position of Town Accountantt for a three year term expiting December 31,:1950. Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to appoint James E. Collins as Fuel Administrator in compliance with Gov- ernor Bradford's request of December 23d. The meeting adjourned at 12:20 P.M. A true record, Attest: