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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1948-04-12334 Curbing SELECTMEN'S MEETING April 12, 1948 A regular•meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening, April 12, 1948 at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Paxton, Messrs. Emery, Gay add Driscoll and Nickerson were present. The Clerk was also present. The Chairman read a letter from ReV. William J. McCarthy stating that he would like to have a curbing placed along the property of St. Brigid•'a Church. The Chairman explained to the Board that this has been a complaint over a long period of time, but this is the first time, to his knowledge, that,the complaint has been received from Rev. McCarthy. He also stated that no provision has been made in the budget for this year to cover the cost of curbing in this area, and he does not believe the request can be grant- ed,unless the Board asks the Appropriation Commlttee for a transfer. Mr. .6mery inquired as to the cost and the Chairman said that it would be about $2.70 per foot, and if it is undertaken, the curbing should start at the Unitarian Church and continue up to the Ballard property. Mr. Emery said that from an esthetic point of view he thought it would be too bad to put in any curbing. The Chairman asked. the Board what the decision was to be and Mr. Driscoll said that he would explain to Father McC rthy that no funds have been included in the budget to take care of this project in 1948. Letter was received from Dr. Adams, Veterans Administration, Bedford, Mass., relative to the water supply problem of the Bedford Hospital. Dr. Adams expressed the desire to discuss his problem with the Board. The Chairman stated that one of the large assetd that Town has had has been large consumers. He said cad 1 1 335 that he assumed the hospital would consume a_large quantity of water and any additional targe would be Water for of help to the Town in paying off water bonds. Bedford Upon motion of Mr. Emery, seconded by Mr. Hospital Driscoll it was voted to invite Dr. Adams to meet with the Board. At 7;45 P.M. hearing was declared open upon Gasoline the application of Kieran J. Lowry for permission to Hearing increase the capacity of underground tanks for the storage of gasoline from 3,000 gallons to 6,000 gallons at 286 Lincoln Street. The petitioner and four other persons were present at the hearing. Notice of the hearing, which was advertised in the April 1, 1948 issue of the Lexington Minute -Man, was read by the Chairman. Mr. Lowry explained to the Board that the Shell Gasoline Company, with whom he will do business, has no thousand gallon tanks available and that is the reason for his request. The Chairman asked if any present were in favor and there were none. Mr. Melville Webb, 266 Lincoln Street said that Mr. Lowry now has a permit for 3,000 gallons and he persoaa.ly thought 3,000 gallonswouldbe sufficient to take care of the station. The Chairman asked. if Mr. Webb thought it would be detrimental to his property and he replied in the affirma- tive. The Chairman asked in what respects it would be detrimental and Mr. Webb said that being next door he did not think it would be Very favorable to his property. Mr. Winston H. Johnson, 263 Lincoln Street said that he does not think the increase is necessary. Mr. Lowry explained again that the Shell people told him that it is not possible to obtain any thousand gallon tanks. He said that the company expects to start digging next week and there will be three pumps; one for regular and two for high test. Mr. Emery asked how many pumps there were at this location before and Mr. Lowry replied that there were three. The Chairman explained that the application has been approved by Deputy Chief Cook. Mr. Webb said that he Mould understand that Mr. Lowry might have to have larger tanks due to a shortage. 336 Mdsx. Bus Hearing The Chairman asked if there would be any serious objection if the permit were granted. Mr. Johnson replied in the negative. Mr. Webb said that he has no serious objection but just thought 3,000 gallons would be sufficient. Mr. Emery asked if Mr. Webb were formally protesting and he replied that if the thousand gallon tanks cannot be obtained he would not be too much oppoeed. Mr. Emery moved that the application be approved and that the permit be granted. Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The group retired at 7:55 -P.M. At 8:00 P.M. hearing was declared open upon the petition dB the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway Company for a license to operate motor vehicles in the Town of Lexington on Simonds Road, Burlington Street and Hancock Street. Notice of the hearing was read by the Chairman. There were fifty seven persons present. Mr. Theodore A. Custance, Chairman of the Trans- portation Committee of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce, spoke in favor of granting the license. Mr. Samuel F. Parker, President of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce, spoke at length in favor and presented petitions, signed by residents in that areain question, also in favor. Mr. Howard Patterson, 123 Blake Road, Mr. Grant Cole, 97 Blake Road and Mrs. William Irwin, 30 Grove Street spoke in favor of the license. Nb persons appeared in opposition. . Mr. F. B. Turner, 53 State Street, Boston, counsel for the petitioner said that if the Board of Selectmen grant the license, his company is ready to furnish the service. He said that itwould be on a tris.I basis and it is his opinion that for the present a great deal of service would not be warranted. He said they would put on so much service as they thought would approach the cost of operation. He said there might be a bus in the morning, middle of the day and one at night. The Chairman explained that the subject had been referred to the planning Board send the Selectmen denied the permit on the basis of a report from that Board. He said, however, that the Board would consider the petition again. He explained that last year when the heavy trucking was detoured, because .of sewer constr- 1-4 1 1 1 337 uction, many complaints were registered because of the traffic over Burlington Street. He explained that if the permit is granted, the town will, in the very near future, have to ask the owners of property to spend money for the widening of Burlington Street. Be said that it has been found that a street twenty-four feet wide is not wide enough to take care of bus service. He said that if the permit is granted he assumes the people will support the widening of Burlington Street. The Chairman asked Mr. Turner if the permit is granted could the company increase their schedule at any time. Mr. Turner stated that they will run as much service as the riding will warrant. He explained that if they go in on a trial basis it will be vi th the hope that the trial will be permanent. The Chairman asked if there is a temporary approval. Mr. Turner slid that when the Town has granted the permit and the certification has been issued ffom the Department of Public Utilities, the Company then has a fully licensed route and the licensecannot be revoked without cause. The group with the exception of the representatives from the Middlesex and Boston Street, Railway Company retired at 8:45 P.M. Mr. Emery asked where this request for bus service originated and Mr. Turner said that it came fromt he Lex- ington Chamber of Commerce. He said that the Company did not particularly want to try it. Mr. Nickerson asked if it is possible to make a trial without obtaining a franchise and Mr. Turner replied in the negative. The Chairman asked if Mr. Turner would look up the statute on abandonment, in the event they should at some time decide to discontinue the service, and write the Board. Mr. Turner agreed and the representatives retired at 9;05 P.M. Chairman Brucchi, Messrs. Foster, Frothingham and Ervine of the Patriots? Day Committee met with the Board. Plans for the 19th of April Parade were outlined briefly and the group retired at 9:20 P.M. 338 Water Orders Mr. DeFoe met with the Board. He requested the Board to have water orders prepared for Carley Road, Merriam and Reed Streets. He has obtained signatures as follows: Carley Road, 67%; Merriam Street, 87.9% and Reed Street, 82%. Upon motion of Mr. Gay, seconded by Mr. Driscoll, it was voted to have the orders prepared for signature. Mr. DeFoe gave the Board a brief resume of an application received for the position of Transitman in the Engineering Department. He recommended employing Mr. Robert G. McGlone of Brockton. Transit The Chairman asked if an advertisement for this Man position had been•inserted in the Lexington Minute - Man and Mr. DeFoe replied in the affirmative. He said that he received no applications from anyone living in Lexington. He said that he would employ him with the understanding that unless he proved to be satisfactory in three or four weeks he would be told that his services are no longer required. Mr. Emery asked if this man w ould be of any value without a second man and Mr. DeFoe replied in the affirmative. Mr. Gay moved that the Superintendent of Public Works be authorized to employ Robert G. McGlone, Box 304, Brockton, Mass. as a transitman- in the Engineering Department at a salary of •2600 per year. Mr. Emer?y seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. DeFoe repdrted on the proposed contract for Engineering Services with Metcalf and Eddy for future sewer projects. It was decided to have Mr. DeFoe submit the form of contract to the Towwi. Counsel for his approval after which the Board will sign. Mr. Delbereported to the Board that Mr. Mabey of Forsythe and Mabey has complained because the dump on Lincoln Street is now closed at 4:30 P.M. and claims that this is a•hardship on him, his business being collecting rubbish. The Board felt that Mr. Mabey has a justified complaint and the Board approved the following hours for regulating dumping: $:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. on week days and from 9:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. on Sundays. Dumping Hours 1 1 339 Communication was received, signed by residents of Charles, Cary and Cherry Streets, claiming damages sustained by excess flow of water in cellars caused by a drain or drains which w ere closed at the time he streets were constructed last fall. DeFoe presented a sketch to the Board showing Claim the val,ious properties in question and explained the cellar levels. The Board was of the opinion that this matter shou]d be referred to the Town Coin el. Mr. DeFoe retired at 10:15 P.M. Damage Letter was received from the County Commissioners East together with copies of subpoenas served on the County, Street being petitions for assessment of damages on account of land takings on East Street. The Clerk was instructed to forward copies of the communication and subpoenas to the Town Counsel. Letter was received from the Town Counsel with reference to Castle Road. It is his opinion that any revision or extension of time of the original Board of Survey agreement rests solely within the discretion and jurisdiction of the new Planning Board. Letter was received from the V. F. W. requesting permission to operate a stand April 19th at the old Permit Fire Station on Meriam Street. Mr. Nickerson moved that the request be granted. Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Application was received from the Middlesex County Use Extension Service for permission to conduct a Home- of maker's Day in Cary Hall on the afternoon of June Hd]I 2, 1948. Castle Road Mr. Emery moved that the use of the hall be granted, subject to a charge of $35.00. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Application was received from the Lexington Pre -School P.T.A. for permission to conduct a meeting in Estabrook Hall on the evening of April 28, 1948. Mr. Emery moved that the use of the hall be grant- ed free of charge. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 340 Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Nickerson it was voted to grant the following licenses: William Viano 1794 Countryside Associates Lexington Cab Company (they now have three Man-A-Minnit Golf It II a It David Buttrick Company George E. Strom Abatements Mass. Avenue Lowell Street Depot Square cabs and want to put Concord Avenue tt n 384 Bedford Street 1847 Mass. Avenue Sunday Movies Sunday Golf Public Carriage on three more) Common Victualler Sunday Sales Sunday Sales Peddler's License (new) Letter was received from the Town Accountant, together with abatement sheets for abatement of 1942- 1946 water rates, 1941-1946 water miscellaneous charges, 1941-1946 water house connections and 1941- 1946 sewer house connections. The accounts have been verified with the State Accountants and Mr. Walker recommended abatement inasmuch as there is no activity in these accounts. Mr. Gay moved that the accounts listed by the Accountant be abated. Mr. Nickerson seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The meeting adjourned at 11:12 P.M. A true record, Attest: lectmen.r g v CIA 1 1