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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1950-02-06-min 535 SELECTMEN'S MEETING February 6, 1950 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening, February 6, 1950 at 7:00 P. M. Chairman Emery, Messrs. Gay, Driscoll, Nickerson and Hoyt were present. The Clerk was also present. Messrs. Littlejohn and Lewis, radio engineers, met with the Board and the Chairman explained that Mr. Paul Hannah, Raytheon Manufacturing Company, had requested an appointment with the Board . Messrs. Hannah and Stewart met with the Board. Mr. Hannah said that he understood Raytheon was the low bidder on the bids submitted so far for two-way radio equip- ment for the Town of Lexington, and that his company could meet the requirements of Chief Rycroft on delivery. He also stated that he believed his company' s equipment has been recommended as suitable for Lexington. He said that the equipment now being built by Ryatheon in much better than the equipment they had up to the present time. He explained that his company was making a special price for the Town of Lexington which is much lower than can be offered later. The reason for this is that Raytheon wants the prestige of having equipment in the communities next to Waltham. Mr. Hannah explained in detail the period of time his Company has been in business, operations during the war, Two-way number of personnel and net worth. radio The Chairman esked if there were any questions. Mr. Gay asked if the set Raytheon had bid on was their new set and Mr. Hannah replied that his Company had bid on both, but recommend the new one which has been tried experimentally. He said that it has not been built in the production sense. Mr. Stevens said that only preproduction models have been built and none of them have been sold. Messrs. Hannah and Stevens retired at 7:15 P. M. Mr. Lewis told the Board that there are a number of reasons' why he and Mr. Littlejohn believe the equipment they have recommended is better than what Raytheon has to offer. The Chairman asked if Mr. Lewis and Mr. Littlejohn recommended the Link equipment and both men repTted in the affirmative. Mr. Lewis asked if the money left over after the con- tract has been awarded would be available and the Chairman replied that it would unless it was transferred. Mr. Lewis said that Mr. Roeder and Chief Cook mentioned the fact that they might want a demonstration. He said that he would like to know what they intend to do before the money is turned back because it may be necessary to purchase some speakers. 536 nrjMr. Lewis said that he thought the Board has no choi6e now but to accept Link 's bid as it is set up, but there should be money enough appropriated for ad- ditional speakers that might be necessary. Mr. Gay asked if Mr. Lewis would have any fear of a Raytheon demonstration and Mr. Lewis replied in the negative. He said that the reason he feels the equipment demonstrated is a better buy for the Town is because it has more selectivity and the new receiver will be more reliable. He said this cannot be proven but Ahat is his opinion. He said that he thought Raytheon equip- ment would require more servicing. Messrs . Lewis and Littlejohn retired at 7:30 P. M. it was voted to award the contract to the Link Radio Coiporation, accepting their bid #2 in the amount of $3947. At 7:35 P. M. Mr. Harold Stevens, Town Counsel, and Mr. Warren Breslin met with the Board. Breslin Mr. Breslin explained that he purchased a parcel property of land located between old and new Massachusetts Avenue in Colonial Heights. In having the title looked up he found that in 1932 the land was in some way given to the Town. Mr. Stevens agreed to investigate the matter and report further on it. Mr. Breslin retired at 7:45 P. M. Mr. DeFoe, Supt of Public Works and Mr. Lindstrom, Building Inspector, met with the Board with reference to Mr. Lindstrom's letter dated January 20, 1950 in regard to an addition attached to the garage and salesroom of the Bradford Motors, 34 Bedford Street. Mr. Stevens, in a letter to the Board, stated that he Violation has reviewed both the Building and Zoning By-laws of the of Building Town and it is his opinion that the addition violates both & Zoning these by-laws. By-laws . Mr. Lindstrom reported that he has made a preliminary estimate of the worth of the building and as he figures it it is $260.84 without any profit. Mr. Douglas, the builder, claims to have billed Mr. Viano in the amount of $191.00. Mr. Douglas told Mr. Lindstrom that he would take the addi- tion down and that Mr. Viano has plans for enlarging the building. This was a temporary measure for storing oil cans, etc. The Chairman asked Mr. Lindstrom what could be done to make the addition less of a fire hazard and he replied that it would be too expensive to do anything. The Board was unanimous in the opinion that the addition is a violation and should be taken down. Mr. Mndstrom retired at 8:00 P. M. L___ X37 Mr. Stevens reported on the progress of the Parking Meter contract. Mr. Kochis, 468 Marrett Road and four other individuals met with the Board relative to the drainage between Spring Drainage and Middle Streets. The Chairman agreed to have the Sup+t. of Public Works and the Town Engineer check further on this subject and also to write Mr. Sabin, State Engineer, in an effort to correct the condition. The group, including Mr. Stevens, retired at 8:30 P. M. Messrs. Deeley, Turner and one other representative of the Middlesex and Boston StrettIaillway Company met with the Board, at the Chairman's invitation, relative to the proposed bus route over Oak Street, Baker and Taft Avenues. Oak Street The .Chairman explained that the Planning Board is not bus x+oute very enthusiastic about the proposed route and is some,mhat concerned about the width of the streets. However, the Selectmen have been over the route and they do not think it is too bad . He explained that it is possible that the individual who owns the land on one side of Oak Street may give the Town a ten foot strip, but his- proposition may not be concluded for possibly six months . He asked if the Company considered hills a major hazard. Mr. Turner explained that the buses are heavy vehicles and when they start to glide it is not easy to stop them. He said that he thought there might be times when Oak Street could be very hazardous. He said that if this run were operated as a trial, by the time the rail was actually in operation the ice hazard for 1950 would be over. He explained that the request for bus service in this area was filed by residents. The Chairman inquired as to the service and Mr. Turner said that they would probably try hourly service. Once an hour they would by-pass Massachusetts Avenue from Oak Street to Taft Avenue. The Chairman asked if, after a trial period the Company did not feel this to be a worthwhile route, they would re- linquish their franchise. Mr. Turner said that he supposed if the trial proved unsatisfactory they would cease to operate. The Chairman said that, from the Board's point of view, it would not like to have franchises in effect if they are_ not going to be used. The Chairman explained to the group that the Board may not take any action on this proposed route for two or three weeks . The group retired at 8:45 P. M. Letter was received from Custom Built Homes, Inc. re- questing the installation of a water main in Hudson Road due to the fact that the houses on this road will be com- pleted within two or three weeks. 538 Request The Chairman agreed to advise 'the corporation that for this particular project has never been included in any Water, water main appropriation and due to pressure of immediate Hudson Road commitments, the request cannot be considered before the first of April. Mr. DeFoe retired at 9:00 P. M. and Mr. Philip P. Spencer met with the Board . Mr. Spencer had previously submitted an offer to pur- chase a parcel of land on Valley Road for which the Board entertained an offer of $1400. Mr. Spencer said that Paul McCormack told him this land would have to be put through Tax Title Land Court and it will cost between $300 and $400. He said that he cannot pay $1400 plus this additional expense and asked if the Board would consider reducing the price of the land. The Chairman suggested that Mr. Spencer explain the situation to the Board in writing and submit the best offer he can. Mr. Spencer retired at 9:05 P. M. The Appropriation Committee met with the Selectmen and budgets were considered until 11:15 P. M. It was agreed to meet again on Saturday morning at 9:30. Application was received from Donald J. Gillespie, Jr. of the Lexington High School, requesting permission to con- duct a concert of instrumental music in Cary Hall on Friday evening, May 12, 1950 from 8:00 P. M. until 10:00 P. M. Mr. Nickerson moved that the use of the hall be granted, subject to a charge of $35.00. Mr. Hoyt seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Application was received from the Lexington Choral Use of Society for permission to conduct a rehearsal and concert Hall in Cary Hall on March 18 and 19 from 7:30 P. M. until 11:00. The concert is open to the public and no admission is to be charged. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to -/ Ito grant the use of the hail free of charge. ' Application was received from Anthony DePaolo request- "Pool ing permission to transfer his license to operate a pool room room from 1804 Mass. Avenue to 3 Bow Street. license The Clerk was instructed to contact the Chief of Police and obtain a statement from hi*. Application was received from Robert B. Keene, 49 School License Street requesting the renewal of his Peddler 's License. Mr. Gay moved that the application be approved and the license signed. Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion, and it was so voted. 539 Application was received from Bernard Hart, 54 Spring Street requesting a Peddler's license. Satisfactory character reference was received from the Chief of Police. License Mr. Nickerson moved that the application be approved and the license signed. Mr. Gay seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman read a letter from Town Counsel with ref erence to Mr. Boynton's request for a permit to operate License a Pin Ball Machine in his gasoline station at 27 Massachusetts Avenue. Mr. Stevens stated that, in his opinion , a machine that gives only free games as prizes is nevertheless a lottery and is illegal. Mr. Hoyt moved that Mr. Boynton's application be denied. Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The meeting adjourned at 11:30 P. M. A true record, attest: 1 , S ectmen. L