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372 SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 7, 1946 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, January 7, 1946 at 7:30 P. M.. Chairman Locke, Messrs. Potter, Rowse and Sarano were present. The Clerk was also present. A discussion was held pertaining to the unpaid bills incurred as a result of the testimonial dinner tendered to the volunteer members of the Rationing and Selective Service Boards. A decision as to the disposition of the bills was held over until the next meeting of the Board. At 7:50 P. M. Colonel Henry B. Barry and Mr. Frederick Gay appeared before the Board. Mr. Gay said that he did not think that the Board of Selectmen had all the facts pertaining to the overcharges on his water bills. He said that his family has not changed since he moved to Lexington. On October 15, 1938 the first meter was put in the house. On April 9, 1939 Mr. Gay complained; the meter was checked and there were no leaks. He said that the charges still ran over, and he complained two or three times. The Chairman asked if the meter had ever been tested, and Mr. Gay said that he couldn't tell whether or not it had been. He said that on May 16, 1945 a Town employee came down without being requested to by Mr. Gay, and put in a meter because the meter at that time was slowing down and finally stopped. He said that this meter ran for 2,000 feet and stopped. It was then taken out and on August 20, 1945 the meter was again changed, and from that time on, there has not been any overage. Mr. Gay said that on December 11, 1945 he telephoned and asked to have the meter checked, and was told that the meter tested correctly. Mr. Gay said that the total overage amounts to $79.71. The Chairman asked Mr. Gay the number of years he had been receiving bills for overage, and Mr. Gay replied from August 15 1938 to May, 1945, and the overage was running from $3.50 to $4.00 each quarter. Mr. Potter asked about the overage in an average family, and Colonel Barry said that a good many run over. Colonel Barry stated that the record appeared to him to be very strange. In February, 1945 Mr. Gay was away and there was no reading. The next reading was in May, and an average charge was made because the meter was not working. Then there was a charge for two quarters and Mr. Gay was allowed twice $12.50 for $25 for the consumption of the two quarters. From August until November, the total consumption was only 630 cubic feet, less than one-half of the allowance. 1