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