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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1937-02-160000 Waltham Street SPECIAL MEETING FEBRUARY 16th, 1937. A special meeting of the Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 3:30 P.M. Chairman Ferguson, Messrs. Potter, Giroux, and Ross were present. The Clerk was also present. The Supt. of Public Works appeared before the Board. The Chairman asked Mr. Raymond how much would have to be spent on Waltham Street if it was not rebuilt under Chapter 90, and he replied that it would bave=to be honed, which would cost approximately $1400.00 and would not last very long. . Mr. Raymond said that the Mass..Avenue drainage job C�7 1 1 between Elm Avenue and Stratham Road would cost approx- Mass. Ave. imately $1600.00 without curbing. He thought that Drainage. $3,000. for Miscellaneous Drainage would take care of the requirements until the middle of the year. Mr. Giroux moved that the appropriation for Miscellaneous Drainage be decreased by $3,000. and of the $3,000. left, it was to be understood that the sum of $1600. would be expended on drainage in Mass. Avenue between Elm Avenue and Stratham Road. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond stated that it would cost $1200. for fixing up the gutters. 1000 feet of curbing would cost Curbing about $1200. Mr. Giroux moved that the curbing appropriation be Increased from $1200. to $1260. with the understanding that this money would be expended on Mass. Avenue. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond stated that he had to re -write the enclosed field project as if it were going to be fin- ished by June. He said that it would take three or four thousand dollars for the town's share of the expense, W.P.A. and that only $6,000. was being allowed for W.P.A. Labor Labor & & Materials, and this did not include anything for the Materials enclosed field. He said that at least $3,000. should and be provided until June lst. He said that there was a Welfare. great deal of material to be purchased for the enclosed field. Mr. Potter suggested that the amount of money. needed could be taken off welfare and a special approp- riation made. The Chairman asked when they would be able to get started on the project, and Mr. Raymond said that work C�7 1 1 301 could be started now excavating for the baseball paths and drainage, etc. ' The Chairman read a letter which Mr. Beach had received fromlLnehester regarding funds appropriated_. for Welfare recipients' work. Mr. Giroux moved that the vote of February 12th approving the sum of $50,000. for Public Welfare be rescinded. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Giroux then moved that the sum of $45,000. be approved for Public Welfare. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Giroux moved that the sum of $5,000. be approved for materials and expenses and wages of superintendence under an article to be inserted in the Warrant to create work to be done by welfare recipients. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was 90 voted. Mr. Raymong stated that he had fifty-five men asking for work, out of which forty or forty-five were .able to do work and about•forty of them had left the W.P.A. for private employment and now could not get back. The Board discussed the welfare situation further, and Messrs. Potter and Ross stated that they thought the Town was cutting down the bonded debt too fast and they felt that some of the capital expenditures should be bonded. ' Mr. Ross moved that the article approving of the ex- tension of u water main in Percy Road be omitted.from the Water Warrant. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so Extensions voted. Mr. Ross then moved that an article be inserted in the Warrant for the extension of an eight inch water main in Sherman Street from Grant Street to Fletcher Avenue at an estimated cost of $3660.00. Mr. Ross moved that.the folldwing salary restorations be made as of July, Lat, 1937: Salary basis Dept. Name (With restoration) Town Counsel - S. R. Wrightington - $962.50 per year Salaries Bldg. Inspector - Fred Longbottom - 1072.50 " " Mechanic - Frsnk Barry - 35.001, " week Janitor - Charles Moloy - 37.00 " Engineering - J. Bruce Lewis - 34.00 The meeting adjourned at 5:15 P.M. A true record, Attest: �7 \ Clerk. 302 x SELECTMEN'S MEETING FEB. 16, 1937. A regular meeting of the Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Ferguson, Messrs. Potter, Giroux, Clark and Rose were present. The Clerk was also present. At 8:00 P.M. hearing was declared open on the appli- Reed - cation of %1liam W. Reed for permission to increase the garage capacity of underground gasoline tank to five hundred hearing gallons on the premises located at 57 Merriam Street. Thr. Reed appeared in favor of the application. Mr. Ross moved that the permit be granted. Mr. Giroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. At 8:10 P.M. hearing was declared open on the appli- Barry cation of Hazel M. Barry for permission to maintain a two garage car garage at 26 Oakland Street. Mr. Barry appeared•and hearing presented plan of the proposed garage. No persons appeared in opposition Mr. Ross moved that the permit be granted subject to the approval of the Building Inspector. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. At 8:15 P.M. hearing was declared open on the Board's intention to lay out Robbins Road as a Town way from Locust Avenue to Lexington Avenue. A Mr. Galt asked if, during the construction of the Robbins street, the road would be finished across Lexington Ave. Road and the Chairman informed him that the street would be Hearing constructed to the line of Lexington Avenue only. Douglas F. Gleason asked if the abutters paid the full cost and the Chairman replied in the affirmative. He said that the money would have to .be taken out of the tax levy this year. Mr. Gleason asked how long after the money was appropriated it would be before the work was started, and the Chairman said that it probably would be started some time in May. Mr. Galt asked if sidewalks were figured in on the estimate and the Chairman stated that only rough sidewalks were figured. Mrs. Steele Lindsay, Mr. andMrs. Gleason and Mr. Galt wished to be recorded in favor of the construction and acceptance of the street. Mr. Benjamin J. Mego,Jr. telephoned and;gtated that he wished to be recorded in favor also. No persons appearing in opposition, the hearing was declared closed.at 8:25 P.M. The Board signed the order of layout as follows: COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss. Lexington, Hass.Feb.16,1937 Town of Lexington, Selectmen's Room. At a meeting of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Lexington, after having given due written.notice of the $03 intention of said Board, as required by law, to lay out ' as a town way the way known as Robbins Road, from Locust Avenue to Lexington Avenue, approximately 790 feet, all as hereinafter more fully appears, and after public hear- ing thereon held on February 16th, 1937: Ncwupon consideration of the matter, it is ORDERED: that this Board of Selectmen is of the opinion that public necessity and convenience require that said Robbins Road be laid out and established as a public town way, and that the same hereby is laid out and.l established as a public town way respectively, as follows: The easterly line of Robbins Road begins at a point in the southerly line of Locust Avenue, said point being Said Robbins Road is hereby laid out and established as shown on a plan entitled "Plan and Profile of Robbins Road, Lexington, Mass., Scale Hor. 1 in. - 40 ft., Vert. 1 in. - 10 ft., January 16, 1937, John T., Cosgrove, Town Engineer", which plan is on file in the Town Clerk's Office in the Town Office Building and a copy of which ' will be recorded -with Middlesex Routh District Deeds with a copy of this order. westerly and distant 101.59 feet from an angle point in said southerly line of Locust Avenue, thence bearing to the left with a curve of 25.00 feet radius distant 32.84 feet to a point of tangency, thence S 20 26' 33" W dis- tant 342.77 feet to a point of curvature, thence bearing to the right with a curve of 214.31 feet radius distant 281.55 feet to a point of tangency, thence S 770 42' 50" W distant 164.97'feet to a point of curvature, thence bearing to the left with a curve of 25.00 radius distant 32.84 feet to a point in the easterly line of Lexington Avenue. The westerly line of Robbins Road begins at a point in the southerly line of Locust Avenue, thence bearing to the right with a curve of 25.00 feet radius distant 45.70 feet to a.point of tangency, thence 8 20 26'-33" W distant 319.14 feet to a point of curvature, thence bearing to the right with a curve of 174.31 feet radius distant 229.00 feet to a point of tangency, thence S 770 42' 50" W distant 141.31 feet to a point of curvature, thence bearing to the right with a curve of 25.-00 feet radius distant 45.70 feet to a point in the easterly line of Lexington Avenue. The above described lines are parallel with and distant 40.00 feet from each other with the exception of the curved intersections at Locust Avenue and Lexington Avenue. Said Robbins Road is hereby laid out and established as shown on a plan entitled "Plan and Profile of Robbins Road, Lexington, Mass., Scale Hor. 1 in. - 40 ft., Vert. 1 in. - 10 ft., January 16, 1937, John T., Cosgrove, Town Engineer", which plan is on file in the Town Clerk's Office in the Town Office Building and a copy of which ' will be recorded -with Middlesex Routh District Deeds with a copy of this order. 504 And said Board having considered the question of damages sustained by the owners of lands across and , through which said ways have been laid out and established as aforesaid, hereby determines that no damages are sus- tained and no damages are awarded, and said Board hereby declares that all acts herein are done under the pro- visions of law authorizing the assessment of betterments. Charles E. Ferguson Philip M. Clark Board Archibald R. Giroux of .- Albert A. Ross Selectmen William G. Potter 'At 8:30•P.M. hearing was declared open on the appli- cation of Roy C. Peterson for permission to maintain a Peterson gasoline filling.station with three underground tanks Gasoline with a capacity of 4,000 gallons, at the premises located hearing. e g. 7 at 2 Blossom Street and the Cambridge -,Concord Turnpike. Mr. Peterson appeared and presented plan of the property showing the loeation'of the proposed gasoline tanks. No persons appeared in opposition. 4 Mr. Clark moved that the permit be granted subject to the issuance of the Board of Appeals permit to con- struct and maintain a gasoline station. Mr. Qroux seconded the motion and it was so voted. ' Letter was received from the Town Accountant stating that on or before July ls.t, a system'to cover the work Space for involved by the Contributary Retirement Act would have, Town to be set up. Files, books, etc. would have to be kept Accountant. and another clerk would have to be hired. The Town Accountant requested that the Board give consideration to the matter of providing additional office space for , him, and he assumed that any expense incurred would have to be provided for'in the Town Office Building Account. l Mr. Giroux moved that the matter be referred to Mr. Raymond for investigation and report. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from John A. May of 15 Taft Purchase Avenue stating that he wished to purchase from the Town of lots lots 1, 3 and 4, Block 73 Meagher Development. The Clerk reported that these lots were located approximately where it was proposed to lay out the new Route #128. Mr. Giroux moved that Mr. May be advised that the Town did not wish to sell the property at this time. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Invitation was received from the Lexington Council , Invitation P.T.A. to attend the Founders'.Day celebration to be held at the High School on Thursday, February 18th. The Clerk was instructed to write a letter of thanks. ' Letter was received from the Planning Board stating that through inadvertence, nomination papers were not taken out to cover the expiration on March lst of Mr. Lester F. Ellis's term as a member of the Planning Board. The Planning Board therefor requested that it meet with the Selectmen on Tuesday, March 2nd for the purpose of appointing Mr. Ellis as a member of the Planning Board until Larch 7, 1938. The Chairman stated that ter. Kraetzer was appointed on Feb 2nd to fill the unexpired term of,John Sellars until March'lst, and according to the Statute, a member would have to be elected on that date to fill the vacancy. He said that he thought the, Board had no alternative but to provide for the election of such a person in the Warrant and on the ballot. Mr. i�eoX d that provision be made for the election of he anniing Board to serve for the period.of one year. Mr.. Ross segonded the motion and it was so voted. . Letter was received from the Town Counsel to which was attached a check in the amount of (87.65 in pay- ment of ah execution for costs due the Town in the case brought against Leo Boynton, or Bornstein, to enforce the Zoning By -Law. Mr. Wrightington said that because Boynton's attorney had been having difficulty in find - ir* another location for the junk yard, he had asked ' for a little more time. The Town Counsel recommended that the request be granted. He said further that he intended to render his bill for services with a balance of the disbursements when he had succeeded in getting Boynton out of the junk yard. Letter was received from the Town Counsel stating that it would not be practicable to have a conference with Robert L. Ryder and his attorney until Tuesday, 14arch 2nd. The Clerk was instructed to make an appointment with Mr. Ryder for that date. C 305 Planning Board Member. Boynton case. Ryder case Letter was received from the Town Counsel to which was attached petition and notice for the registration Old Adams of title to the Old Adams Schoolhouse lot. The Board School signed the petition. Request was received from the Allied Veterans Council for the use of Cary Hill on April 19th from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. in conjunction with the 19th of April Committee. Mr. Ross moved that the request be granted subject to the proper arrangements being made with the janitor so that the use of the hall in the daytime would not interfere with the evening activities. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from Allen W. Rucker declining the Board's invitation to become a member of the Welfare Committee. Use of Hall Welfare Committee 306 x The Supt. of Public Works informed the Board that Use of the Lexington Dram Corps would like to use the dressing , dressing room in the Cary Memorial Hall on Thursday nights until room. April 191th. Mr. Ross mored that the use of the dressing room be granted. Mr. Clark seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond asked when John -O'Connor could be put back on the Highway Department. He said that he had been considering the matter and whom they would get to take Mr. Beach's place if he was given OtConnor's job. He had an application from James Collins of Mass. Avenue near OtConnor on Curve Street, age 29. Mr. Collins is at the present Highway time employed in the W.P.A. office in Boston. Mr. Raymond Dept. thought that his familiarity with W.P.A. procedure would be valuable. Mr. O'Connor asked him if he would be interested in the, job at $25.00 per -week and he was interested enough to.come in and talk with Mr. Raymond. Mr. Raymond recommended hib appointment. Mr. Ross mored that James Collins be employed as W.P.A. Supervieor when Mr. Raymond felt that he needed him at a salary of $25.00 per week. Mr. Giroux seconded -the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond informed the Board that he had re - Sidewalk ceived an application for a sidewalk and curbstone from M. Berman on Mass. Avenue near the Arlington line. No I action was taken on the matter. Mr. Raymond reported that Mr. Garrity had been Insect looking over the list of Welfare men with a view toward work. employing some on insect work. He has decided to let George Freeman go out in certain districts where, there are a lot of tant caterpillars and ask the people for permission to go in on their property. Mr. Ross moved that this procedure be approved. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond informed the Board that a saving of $19.57 could be effected if the policy covering hold-up insurance was written for three years rather than for Insurance one year. He suggested that if it was decided to do this, that $100. be added to the Insurance appropriation. Mr. Rossmovedthat the hold-up policy be written for three years and that the insurance appropriation be ,j increased by $100.00. f Mr. Raymond said that they had been sweeping up Street the sand spread on slippery days by hand and he wanted Sweeper to know if the Board would approve the purchase of a street sweeper at this time. The Board denied the request. He asked if the Board would approve charging , the expense to Snow Removal and the members said that they would. ' Mr. Raymond said that he would like to spend about $250.00 on North Street, taking out the ledge and im- proving the surface of the road. Mr. Giroux moved that the work be approved. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond asked the Board when the payment of wages from W.P.A. Labor and Materials to Roland Garmon was to start. The Chairman told him that it could go into effect the week of February 22nd. Mr. Raymond submitted a list of streets, the names of which he recommended to be changed. No action was taken on the matter. Mr. Raymond asked the Board's approval for the use of Higgins, Farnham and whomever else he needed to work evenings and outside of office pours on making the sewer study of North Lexington and paying the men straight time. Mr. Giroux moved that the approval be granted. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond informed the Board that he had purchased two lengths of 48 inch corrugated iron pipe to replace the culvert at the Groot property near Vine Brook Road ' at a cost of $159.00. Mr. Giroux moved that his action be approved. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Raymond reported that Peter Canessa had had some trouble with his tank but was having it repaired. Mr. Raymond stated that he estimated it would cost approximately $3,000. to construct gravel sidewalks on Lincoln Street. He said that it would not be practicable to build a footpath as the sidewalk would have to be wide enough for snow plow service. Mr. Giroux moved that Mrs. Sarano be advised that the Board did not deem it advisable at this time to expend $3,000. for a sidewalk on Lincoln Street. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. Letter was received from the Supt. of Public Works stating that it would cost about X3300. for installing a boarded ceiling at the Public Works Building in order to save on the cost of heating the building. He said that by doing this, the heated space could be reduced about thirty percent. As the annual cost for heating the building is $600.00 per year this would show a saving of approximately $180.00 per year and would ' therefor take about eighteen years to save the cost of providing the boarded ceiling and installing necessary sprinklers. Mr. Raymond did not feel that the ex- penditure was justified. No action was taken on the matter. 307 North Street. Garmon's wages. Names of Streets Engineers - Sewer Project Purchase of Pipe. Canessa's Trudk Sidewalk Lincoln Street. Heating Pub. Works Building Letter was received from R. L. Seth of Jackson Court stating that on behalf of all the abutters on Jack - Jackson son Court, he had been requested to inform the Board that Court the estimated cost of the construction of the street was far in excess of that which the abutters could afford. They therefor requested that they be released from any obligation to the Town for the proposed installation. Mr. Seth said that the abutters planned to improve'the condition of the street under contract. Commitment cf Water and Sewer Connections in the -am - Commitment ount of $66.53 was signed by the Board. Commitment of Water Miscellaneous Charges in the Commitment. amount of $8.00 was signed by the Board. Mr. Harold Needham, Mr. Fred Johnson, Mr. D. F. Ross and Mr. Eugene J. Viano appeared before the Board to discuss the tire question. The Chairman read a letter submitted by Mr. Raymond giving the data on the different types and makes of tire. Mr. Needham stated that the Firestone Standard tire was not a #1 tire but was 10% lower in cost and make up and that it was a Group "Bu tire. Mr. Johnson stated that the Firestone Co. claimed that it was as good a tire as any of the others. Mr. Ross said that the Goodyear man told him that no truck company and no taxi company would consider using a Diamond tire. Mr. Needham said that the Goodyear All-weather Tread and the Diamond Super were listed at 100% tires. Mr. Johnson said that he was willing to match a Firestone tire with anything on the market. Mr. Needham said that the U.S. Government Engineer rated it as a 90* tire. Mr. Viano stated that he wanted to bring out the fact that the Town had more than specifications to consider. It should consider treads and other differences. Mr. A. A. Ross told Mr. Raymond that Diamond tires were used here a few years ago and asked him if he had any re- cords showing how the tires stood up. Mr. Raymond replied that no records were kept but that he had been informed by departmental heads that they had some trouble with Diamond tires because of side walls collapsing. Mr. Needham said that he never heard the Town had any trouble with side walls. Mr. Viano said that he had made as good an investigation as possible at this time by asking the departmental heads how Diamond tires wore and in every case, the information that he received was practically the same as stated by Mr. Raymond. He said that he was'told that several other make of tires had been used and the other tires showed much better wear than the Diamond. Mr. Viano called the Board's attention to the Selectmen's Records of a year ago which stated that the mechanic, Mr. Barry,.said that he had 1 309 had a great', deal of trouble with sidewalls on Diamond ' tires. Mr. Neddham said that in fairness to the tire being discussed, they should not be condemned on account of side"vall trouble without a record of the tires. Mr. A.A. Ross asked if his company considered the Diamond a first class tire, and Needham said that they absolutely did. Mr. Clark asked that in case Mr. Needham should Tires happen to get the contract and in case the town should happen to get in trouble if the Town would be protected, and he replied in the affirmative. He said that the guarantee given with his bid was perfectly legitimate but the other bidders did not have a right.to give such . a guarantee. Mr. D. F. Ross asked Mr. Needham if he could furnish all the sized in tires, and he said that he could. Mr. A. A. Ross asked what the difference was in the low bid and the next lowest, and Mr. Raymond said that it amounted to about $80.00. Mr. Needham presented a code giving prices and qualities of tires which he said was printed by the U.S. Government, and Mr. Viano said that the paper was worth- less. Needham said that in November, 1936, the U. S. Government made a test of 300 tires and Diamond gale a 27.,000 mile test. Mr. Viano asked where Goodrich tires stood on the list presented by Mr. Needham and he said that it stood 6th. Mr. Viano asked Mr. Needham if he had not stated previously that the Goodrich tire was exactly the same as the Diamond and he said that he had but that this test just showed that the Diamond was a batter tire. Viano said that if it was identical, why wouldntt the Goodrich give the same test. Mr. Needham said there was a difference in every two tires of the same make the same as there was in automobiles. Mr. Viano asked that his bid be withdrawn so that it would not influence what he had to say. He said that the Lexington ddalers represented here were handling reputable products and that the products did not need any defence. The mere fact that the biggest companies in the country used their products proved their worth. He asked that the Board take that fact into consideration when it decided what tire was the cheapest for the Town to buy and use. The Selectments Records of last year showed Barryts statement as to what he found out about the Diamond tire and he said that the Board had Mr. Raymond's statement of what the Department heads thought of it. He said that Mr. Johnson, Mr. Ross and himself were Lexington business men and he'thought that the fact that they paid taxes on the tires they carry should be taken into con- sideration. He said that Mr. Needham was a Lexington resident and he thought that he should be given second consideration but he did not think that his company should be considered at all. He said that Mr. Ross had submitted a price on tires that was entirely too low and he did not 310 see how he could do it, but he was giving the.Town a good break. He said that he thought that the business ' should be left in Lexington. Mr. Johnson said that tire tests did not mean a thing to him as he had seen so many of them and automobile tests and.me company gets out one set of figures and an- other company gets out another set and there is no compar- ison'between the two. He said that he wanted to point out that in his bid, for instance, the price quoted included the mounting of tires'and that cost him money. He would mount the tires and follow up his guarantee. He felt that -anyone of the three Lexington dealers were in a position to give the Town value. He said that his product was sound and he felt that it was a question of the town's getting value for what it paid. He thought that the mounting should be given consideration in the letting of the bid. Mr. Ross said that the only tire business he got from the Town mas when the Fire•Dept. wanted a tire changed. Two of his men worked seven hours one day removing two tires for the Fire Department and the Town never paid a thing for the service. Mr. Needham said that the tires were bid by him personally and would be billed by him and not by the Webster Thomas Co. He said that if all the dealers lived up to the code there would not be one cent of difference in the prices submitted. He said that the ' paper he was quoting figures from was the Consumers Research Report. Mr. D. F. Ross asked why the Fire Department tires were not included in the bid and the Chairman said that the Fire Department came under the jurisdiction of the Fire Engineers. Mr. Needham said that on January 30 the tire bids were opened and on February 2nd they came before the Selectmen who approved letting the contract to him subject to Mr. Raymond's approval. On Feb. 3rd a call came from Akron, Ohio, wanting to know why Diamond tires were being quoted below the code price. On February 8th the contract was awarded for Diamond tires. Later on in the week he received a letter to the effect that a demon- stration of tires would be held on Febtuary 17th. Last Saturday, Mr. Raymond called him and asked him to bring in his tires which he did. When he reached the office, he found that the other three dealers were already in the office with their tires. He said that his Trice averaged about 222% lower than the next bidder. He said that he did have an opportunity to offer the Town that Braving but that these three men had kicked on the question of the code and he now could not offer tires at the same price. He said that he would make it well known in town that the Selectmen had an opportunity to effect a saving ' of 22221o' on tires and did not take advantage of it. 311 ' Mr. Johnson stated that hisrice was submitted b A y the Firestone people according to the city and town lists and Mr. Ross said that his bid was submitted qn the same basis. Mr. Ross asked if any members of the Board ever used Diamond tires and they declined to answer. Mr. Giroux asked Mr. Needham if he was withdrawing his original bid and was now submitting a code bid. Mr. D. F. Rossasked if he was obliged to do this and he said that he was not. Mr. Ross said that he understood that the Goodrich Co. forced him to change his bid, and Mr. Needham said that he was merely doing it out of courtesy to the B. F. Goodrich Co. Mr. Clark said that when the tire subject was originally brought up, con-' sideration was not given to mounting, that it was not discussed at all. He said he could now see that it should have been discussed. He said that the contract was given to the lowest bidder. There was a saving to the town. He said that he felt morally bound to stick to the orignal contract if the price was still the same. He said that next year the question of mounting tires would be con- sidered more fully. Mr. Raymond said that there was between 70 and 80 tires to be purchased and there was a difference of about $80.00 between the lowest and next lowest bids. The total ' amount of the order would be about $1300.00. Mr. Viano said he thought it would be a good idea to straighten out the question of first line and first quality tire's. A first line tire is considered the premier product of a company and a company could manufacture five qualities of tires. Mr. Needham asked the Chairman if the tire contract was awarded to him on February Sth and the Chairman stated that on February 2nd the Board voted to award the contract to him subject to Mr. Raymond's ap:,roval. Mr. Viano suggested that the business be split up this year and a test be made. The Chairman said that on February 2nd, the Board voted to give the contract to Mr. Needham subject to Mr. Raymond's figures being correct and on Feb. 8th, the Board voted to allow Mr. Ray mond to have the police tires mounted here in town. The Chairman asked Mr. Needham if the Board was to understand that his original bid was with- drawn and Needham replied in the affirmative, stating that it was withdrawn out of courtesy to the Goodrich Co. Mr. D. F. Ross asked why Mr. Needham would not have to live up to the code when everybody else did. The Chairman said that as far as the Selectmen were concerned, it was their duty to award the contract to the lowest bidder, which they did not knowing anything about codes. He said that if the low bid was being withdrawn, it was up to the Board to reconsider the whole matter. Mr. Needham said that on Feb. 9th he asked Mr. Rsy mond for the contract but he did not receive it. They J3etired. 312 c� Mr. Raymond said that the only way to make a test would be to use the different tires on the dual wheels. The Chairman said that a tire record could be kept. Mr. Giroux moved that the vote of February 2nd awarding the contract for the purchase of tires to Mr. Needham be rescinded. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Giroux moved that the question of the purchase of tires be left in the hands of the Supt. of Publid Works with the suggestion that he split the order among the five bidders within his discretion, with the idea that he make tests of the various tires, in the coming year. Mr. Ross seconded the motion and it was so voted. The meeting adjourned.at 11:00 P.M. A true,record, Attest: Clerk. 1