Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1949-09-12326 Juror SELECTMEN'S MEETING September 12, 1949 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room on Monday evening, September 12, 1949, at 7:20 P. M. There were present; Chairman Emery, Messrs. Nickerson, Driscoll and.Hoyt. The Clerk was also present. At 7:25 P. M. Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, met with the Board for the drawing of one juror. Mr. Elton B. MacCausland, 1 Berwick Road, was drawn to serve on Civil Business, First Session, beginning Monday, October 3, 1949. Mr. Carroll retired. The Chairman read a letter from Daniel A. Lynch, Town Counsel, to which was attached a petition to the Petition Department of Public Utilities with reference to the Meriam Street grade crossing. The Chairman explained that this is a petition to restore the gates and asked if the Board wished to have it filed. Mr. Nickerson moved that the petition, as.submitted by the Town Counsel, be signed and returned to him for filing with the De- partment of Public Utilities. Mr. Hoyt seconded the motion and it was so voted. Sign A request was received from the Lexington Chapter American Red -Cross for permission to erect a sign similar to the thermometer the organization has used in the past, to be erected on Emery Park. The sgin is to be made of wood, long and narrow, and is to be used to publicize the six Lexington Blood Days next year. The organization would like to erect the sign thee days before the so- called Blood Day. Mr. Nickerson moved the request be granted. Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion and it was so voted. The Chairman informed the Board that he had dis- cussed with the Town Counsel the proposed rules and regulations pertaining to the activities of hawkers and peddlers within the town. Hewes advised that the Board can amend the regulations at any time. He ex- plained that the 175th Anniversary Planning Committee would like very much to restrict activities of hawkers and peddlers. Upnn motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was voted that the following rules and regulations be adopted: 1 327A TOWN OF LEXINGTON RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR HAWKERS AND PEDLERS For the purpose of promoting and preserving the public health, safety and convenience, and acting under the authority of General LAWS, Chapter 101, Sections 22, 23 and 24, and all acts in amendment there- of and in addition thereto, the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Lex- ington hereby make and adopt the following rules and regulations for hawkers and pedlers. 1. No person shall act at any time or place in the Town of Lex- ington as a hawker or pedler without first having obtained a:license Under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 2. No person shall act at any time or place in the Town of Lex- ington as a hawker or pedler unless he shall, upon receiving a license from the Director of Standards and Necessaries of Life in the Depart- ment of Labor and Industries, report in person to the Chief of Police of the Town of Lexington and furnish evidence of such license and other information as shall be required by said Chief.. of Police. 3: No hawker or pedler shall permit or cause a vehicle of any kind to stand nor shall he attempt to sell, solicit sales or make any sales within a distance of 250 yards of any church, school or other public building in the Town of Lexington. 4. No hawker or pedler shall permit or cause a vehicle kind to stand nor shall he attempt to sell, solicit 3sales or sales within a distance of 250 yards of any cemetery, public playground or any land or building or structure set aside in of Lexington for historical purposes. 5. No hawker or pedler shall permit or cause a vehicle kind to stand nor shall he attempt to sell, solicit sales or sales on Massachusetts Avenue from the Arlington line to the line nor within a distance of 200 feet of said Massachusetts of any make any park, said Town of any make any Lincoln Avenue. 6. No hawker or pedler shall permit or cause a vehicle of any kind to stand nor shall he attempt to sell, solicit sales or make any sales any place within the Town of Lexington before 11;198 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m. 7. Hawkers and pedlers may make reasonable announcement of the merchandise which they have for sale, but loud outcries, the ringing of bells or cymbals or the making of any mechanical noise will not be permitted at any timeIor place. Made and adopted September 12, 1949 by the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Lexington and_declared effective as of September 12, 1949. William H Driscoll Louis L. Hoyt Donald E. Nickerson Rrederick M. Gay board of -Selectmen The Chairman explained to the Board that he had telephoned Mr. Cowan, General Passenger Agent of the Boston & Maine Railroad, relative to the proposed cur- tailment of service in Lexington, He said that Mr. Cowan was most agreeable to discuss this tonight. The Chairman explained that he also invited the Editor of the paper, Chairman of the Planning Board, a representa- tive of the Chamber of Commerce, and the Selectmen from Bedford. Mr. Ellis Green, who wrote the Board on the subject, was also invited. He explained that he talked to the Secretary from Board of Selectmen in Arlington but they do not propose to do anything about it. At 7:35 P. M. Mr. Cowan, Messrs. Gardner Frost, Alan Adams, Ralph Webster, Guy C. Larcom, Brainerd Noyes Fordinand Smith, 20 School Street, Charles McDonald, R. D. Petrie, 34 Outlook Drive, Ellis Creen, Mr. Clifford from Bedford, and four other individuals met with the Board. The Chairman explained that a member of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Bedford had been invited to be present. Mr. Cowan said he would be very willing to wait until the gentleman arrived. The Chairman said he did not think it would be necessary inasmuch as they know the time the meeting was to be held. The Chairman explained to the group that the Select- men had invited Mr. Cowan to meet with the Board tonight as a result of his letter dated August 23, 1949, in which he notified the Selectmen that the Boston & Maine contem- plated, with the fall change in time, the removal of the 7:30 P. M. train and the one in the morning. Mr. Cowan explained that it is the train leaving Boston at 6:24 and arriving at Lexington at 6:57. There is aldo one leaving Lexington at 5:59 A. M. and 7:33 P. M. and an_early,morning train _ 6: 57 from Boston. The Chairman stated that the Selectmen gave the contents of Mr. Cowan's original letter to the local paper. The Board has had_some -calls on the subject and he thought that Mr. Cowan had received one or two letters. He stated that the Board is more concerned than: the tenor of the one letter would indicate but the Selectmen were waiting until this meeting b efore taking any action. He explained that Mr. Cowan's acceptance in coming out to meet with the Board this evening resulted in the Select- men trying to keep an open mind. He asked if Mr. Cowan would like to discuss the subject informally from his point of view and answer questions afterwards. Mr. Cowan said that he might be able to give those present some idea of the general picture and that he would be very glad to answer any questions. He said that he has found that a great many times feeling of resentment runs very high until one gets down to the root of the matter and finds out that one does not really understand what the basis of the argument is all about. 327 Hearing a B & M trains 328 He said he would like to give those present some cost the Boston & Maine and then ask if it is not a ideal as to what these trains are doing and what they reasonable solution of the Lexington Branch. He ex- plained that this is not an opening wedge towards the Cancellation of the: Lex:ington.Branch service. Heex- platned that the Boston & Maine has a policy that as long as there are enough people on a train to reasonably support the traffic the Bsotn & Maine w ants to continue. He said that they are not going under the assumption that they want to get rid of all the braRhes, merely because they are not main line trains. He explained that some trains here run SOO passengers. The 5:20 train from Boston runs 608 passengers as an average for the first seven months of the yeer. The train arriving in Boston at 8:06 averages 467 passengers. He said that on the face of this the Boston & Maine is not concerned frith taking off those trains. He stated that coming in the morning they plan to take off the train leaving Lexington at 5:49, train #3202. That train is averaging 31 passengers. He explained that the company has been worried about this set of trains and explained that he is quoting figures from April, 1948, to August 13, 1949. He stated that the next train into Boston from Lexington is the 7:33 at night. That train is averaging eight(8) people a night. Mr. Cowan stated that coming out of Boston in the morning there is, as the company calls it, a "deadhead" train, #3203, which leaves Boston at 6:57 averaging 1 1/2 passengers. The other train from Boston, leaving at 6:24 at night, is the heaviest of all averaging 72 passengers. Mr. Cowan said that the total amount of revenue pf those trains on a yearly basis is about. $6,365. He explained that the company is operating at a net annual loss of $27,518.00 a year. In other words, the average. revenue passenger figures about $53.00 for those using that train and it costs the Boston & Maine $224.00 to carry them. He explained that the d ompany could save $53.18335. Mr. Cowan stated that passenger commutation travel is always operated at a loss on any railread in the country. He said that this is a foregone conclussion. It is only a question of how much of a loss at which the company has to operate. Mr. Cowan said that the operation ratio is running now at about $160.00 in passenger operation ratio and that is very, very serious according to railroad economics.. He said that for every $100 in revenue the comoany is taking in they are spending $160.00 to get the $100.00. He stated that the company is spending about $5.00 or $500 for each $100 it takes in. It is this loss they are now trying to solve thereby making a saving of $27,000 a year. Mr. Frost asked if this %500 was for all the trains or just the four to be cancelled. Mr. Cowan said it is just for these four trains. Mr. Frost inquired as to the loss for the whole line. Mr. Cowan replied that he had not analyzed the entire line. Pommel rrj 1 329 He said that the company hopes to strike at the weak trains and that the entire branch will be strong enough to sustain itself; but he explained that if the company were to take these four trips into consider- ation, the over-all branch loss would, of course, be that much greater than it will be if. the company leaves the heavily patronized trains as they are now. He explained that why the company is anxious to do this as a pruning is merely to strengthen the tree. Hestated that there is a total of 121 people, more or less, who will definitely be discommoded by this.can- cellation. He stated that cancelling the first train in the morning and the last train at night givessome people no alternative, but the rest of the branch willbe saved as a result. He explained that the company has not analyzed the total Lexington Branch. That is an exhaustive study and they felt it w as not necessary. He said the company merely took the obvious losses on these four trips and felt that here is a weakness that should be corrected, before the situation becomes any worse in as far as passenger transportation is concerned. Mr. Larcom asked why it is necessary to take off all four trains and why not take off only three. Mr. Cowan explained that if a train goes out it has to come back.. It is not possible to cancel just one way. They must cancel two or four. The. operation is interlocked with equipment, train crews etc. to the extent that they cannot cancel one without the other. Mr. Noyes asked how long the e arly train has been running on the same time. Mr. Cowan replied that he has a September, 1929, timetable and it is on that table. He stated that there has not been a single change for twenty years in Lexing- ton service. Mr. Noyes said that the market is changed now and said that regardless of any change nothing has been done. Mr. Cowan asked if Mr. Noyes didn't think that in twenty years someone should have approached the Boston & Maine to change the service. Mr. Noyes said that possibly the market men have taken too much for granted. Mr. Cowan said that in twenty years the passengers have not mentioned any change and he did not think that they were being quite fair new. Mr. McDonald said that he believed the change in working hours of the market men have been in effect since the war. Mr. Noyes said that if the train were advanced he thought the Boston & Maine might realize more revenue. Mr. Cowan stated that with the company facing a loss of $20,000 they could not afford to gamble. Mr. Noyes said he did not think there has been any more passengers on the early train during the past several years. 330 Mr. Cowan explained that the compantts expenses have gone up so high that they just cannot afford to continue operating this train. Mr. Noyes asked if the problem could be solved if one or two of the trains were changed and Mr. Cowan replied that he did not think so. Mr. Adams asked if any of the trains were ballotted. Mr. Cowan replied that the 4:31 had been, but the company went back because of the protest of so many Lexington people. Mr. Adams asked, with r eference to Mr. Cowan's figures, how long a period they covered. Mr. Cowan replied that it is for a year and a half through all the seasons. Mr. Adams asked what the polidy is on seasonal trains. He stated that the traffic out at night must be very much lighter. Mr. Cowan said that they would be willing to discard because of dropping traffic and stand on any period that the town wanted. Mr. Cowan said that the Boston & Maine thought they were being fair in going back as far as they had to compare reports. Mr..Adams said he thought. the train out, is very well patronized in the fall and winter. Mr. Cowan quoted the following averages on the late train: Week of April 28, 1948 91.4 May 17 89.0 June 28 74.0 August 16 74.0 February 14, 1949 74.0 April 25 78.0 May 25 73.0 May 30 71.0 July 23 52.0 August 1 65.0 August 8 57.0 Mr. Cowan stated that the reading is consistent and slacks off only slightly in the summer months. He said that the count includes every person no matter where they get on the trains. The Chairman asked for the count on the 6:24 train at night during February. Mr. Cowan replied 74.4. Mr. Cowan explained that he also has counts for every single day but the company felt that 3hhese figures give a better picture because they know exactly where each person ;ets on and gets off. He said that if anyone doubteddthese figures he would just as soon go to the other counts. He said the company cannot audit day in and day out. The sample audits have proved for years, on commuter business, that they are average. He said he must be frank to state that that the company has tried to state facts and present a reason- able picture as to what the statusis in Lexington. r C." 1+0,84 PTI S�. 1 1 331 Mr. Webster asked if it would be possible to cancel the two week trains, - the one coming out in the morning and the one going back at night. Mr. Cowan replied that they cannot split the group of four trains. Mr. Larcom said he would like figures for a year and not just eight months. Mr. Cowan stated that these trains are not seasonal. Mr. Larcom said he has been taking the first train for 39 years. Mr. McDonald asked if there was any way the. Boston & Maine could help the individuals who use the first train in the morning. Mr. Cowan replied that the next train carries almost 200 people. alb make any change would be to bring these people in earlier in order to accomodate 50 and he was surprised even at the suggestion because it just will not be possible to ask four people to get up early so that one might take the train. He said as he understood it those present want to make the train, getting into Boston at 7:37, early enough to accomodate those now getting in at 6:20. He explained that if it were a matter of a few minutes the trains could be brought close enough together to take care of the minority but the inconvenience would be to 200 people now using it. He said that, frankly, he thought they would desert the Boston & Mains. He said that for the mutual benefit of all he did not think that any of the trains the Boston & Maine wants to continue should be changed. Mr. Frost asked if the Boston & Maine would like to operate three trains in the morning and three trains St: night and Mr. Cowan replied in the affiamstive. Mr. Frost stated that most people go to work at seven in the morning, eight in. the mDrning or nine I. the morning and he couldn't u39derstand why a schedule could not be worked out whereby three trains would gp in at about these times and three trains come out at a reasonable hour, say 4:30, 5:00, 5:30, or approximately these times. Mr. Cowan said it would be morethan a salesman's job to tell 500 people that they can leave Boston twenty minutes later and likeit or tell 200 people that they can get up 15 minutes earlier and like it. The Chairman asked what time the marketmen wanted to get into Boston. Mr. Webster replied seven o'clock. He said that now they arrive at 6:20 and do not do any business until 7:00. Mt'. Cowan asked how much later they could leave Lexington and still get in at the dead -line. Mr. Larcom said that ten minuted later would be the dead- line. 332 Mr. Cowan said the next train now being discussed carries about 200 people and does not get into Boston Until. 7:37. He said he did not think 200 people could be forced to go'in town early enough to help the market men. Mr. McDonald askpd if there could be a bus to take care of the market meh. Mr. Cowan said that the suggestion was definitely a bus Franchise proposition and something which the railroad cannot get into. Mr. Gay arrived at the meeting at 8:20 P. M. Mr. Adams said he thought the Boston & Maine.has a better market for studying and changing our schedules now than they ever have had. He said tlhat the bus rates were being increased and yet the Boston &.Maine were taking off trains. Mr. Cowan said the first train they tried to change brought the roof.fown over their heads. They had received complaints that the 5:20 was going out loaded, and it was. The company thought that if they had the 4:31 go out at 4:45 there would be people in that time who now have to wait until 5:20, who could make the 4:45. He said that they put in a 4:45 schedule and the heavens opened. They then went back to the schedule they had for twenty years which was the 4:31. Mr. Adams inquired about Diesel cars. Mr. Cowan said that the company has no money with which to purchase equip- ment. If they went to a bank to borrow money for Diesel engines and the bank, upon investigation, found that the branch service was being operated at a loss, it was most certain that a loan would be refused. Mr. Nickerson asked if the company took in as many passengers as they took out. Mr. Cowan replied that they bring out more passengers from Boston than they take into Boston in the morning. Mr. Cowan said that the figures the Auditing Department has are such that the company cannot continue on as it is now. Mr. Green inquired as to how many people come out on the 4:31. Mr. Cowan informed him that 189.7 take the 4:31 out: 608 take the 5:20 out and 302.2 take the 5:43. Mr. Lercom seid he thought some consideration should be given to the market men. He explained that their freight is enormous and is something that would help offset the deficit on the one train for which they are asking. Mr. Cowan said that the company would like to take care of the market men but just can't afford it. Mr. Nickerson asked if Mr. Cowan included overhead in his figures. Mr. Cowan said he was glad that the question was raised. The figures did not include crossing tenders or anything except the exact "out of pocket" costs of running those trains. C. 1 1 333 The Chairman asked if the four trains could be split and Mr. Cowan replied in the negative explain- ing that the reason is because of the crews and equip- ment. The Chairman said he did not think the crews would be out of balance. Mr. Cowan e4plained that the Lexington Branch service is tied in with the rest of their New Hampshire Division service and the crews do not work just on the Lexington Branch. Mr. Gay asked if the company didn't have train men who waited for assignments that could be put on. Mr. Cowan said they have spare train men who fill in for the regulars, Mr. Nickerson asked if the Lexington Branch as a whole made money with the freight and all. Mr. Cowan said that it defini 4y does not and that there is very little shipping. Mr. Ioyt asked if there were any action the people in Lexington could take to the Boston & Maine Railroad at any time 'or is this a closed item. Mr. Cowan replied that if there is any change that the Selectmen want to recommend on these three trains that are remaining the Boston & Maine men will be glad to explore any such recommendations. Mr. Hoyt asked if any further action would come from the Boston & Maine. Mr. Cowan replied in the negative. The Chairman asked if Mr. Hoyt meant the four trains and Mr. Hoyt said he had in mind the market train and the 6:24. The Chairman said t hat Mr. Cowan had been very kind in coming out to Lexington but he would seem to have a closed mind and asked if he wanted to go on record that as far as the Boston & Maine is concerned there is no sense in discussing this any further. Mr. Cowan replied that he has no alternative because he has to cancel the four trains or none at all. They have to operate four and not three trains. The Chairman aaid it seemed difficult to understand considering the resourcefulness of the Boston & Maine, why they cannot take off three trsins instead of four. Mr. Cowan said he had checked that very carefully because he felt in coming out here that the Board might want the market na's train in the mnr ning and the last train at night. He said that the company has to go through this and he wants the Board to see that they have been driven to it. Mr. Frost asked if the population in Lexington should increase in the next two or three years would the Boston & Maine put on more trains. Mr. Cowan said they might if they found the town supporting the trains that are being continued. Mr. Cowan said he would like to leave with the thought that the proposal by the Boston & Maine is just a logical step towards the preservation of the Lexington Branch. He said that if the Company can prune the tree where it will hurt the least they believe that is the thing to do rather than to cancel the entire service. 334 He said the company will not make an analysis of the entire branch if it is not necessary. Mr. Cowan retired at 9:05 P. M. The Chairman said he did not know whether any- thing could be accomplished on this subject but he did not think any further discussion this evening would serve any particular purpose. He said that if those present were interested in any one particular train and cared to distate anything to the Clerk, or meet with the Board again, the Selectmen would be very willing to do anything that they can to help. The group retired at 9:07 P. M. Mrs. Eleanor M. Boyle, 3 Curve Street, met with the Board in as much as she would like the order re- straining her dog removed. The Chairman explained that the members of the Board had not considered this Dog but stated they would do so in the next week or so. Complaint He said he did not know whether the Board would be able to take any definite decision this week but that they would either decide:tonight or a week from tonight. He explained that if Mrs. Boyle did not like the Board's decision she could request another appointment. Mrs. Boyle said she would like a definite answer because of the f act that she has kept the dog tied as the Board asked her to. The Chairman asked if she had any trouble with the dog during the summer. She replied in the negative. She informed the Board that she has had the dog innoculated for rabies by Doctor Holt of Medford. The doctor told her that the dog is not vicious. She licensed said she didn't see any sense in keeping her dog ceased if she could not let him out. She said she had two children and got the dog primarily as a wateh-dog. The Chairman again told her that the Board would have a definite answer either this evening or a wekk from this evening. Mrs. Boyle retired at 9:15'P. M. Mr. Gay agfeed to contact Doctor Holt and the Clerk was instructed to obtain any information possible from the Dog Officer. Mr. William G. Potter met with the Board relative to the acquisition of land for a site for the fire station. Mr. Potter explained that Mr. Matthew A. MacAuley, the owner of Lot 4 Marrett Road, when first approached, asked $3,000 for this parcel of land. However, in thinking it over he has agreed to sell it for just what he paid plus $60 for fill, plus two yeer's taxes, which brings the total pp to $1,800.. Mr. Potter informed the Board that if the Selectmen will agree to insert an article in the warrant he will agree to hold off until such time as the town has an opportunity to act upon it. The Chairman asked if the Planning.Board would support the purchase of this land. Mr. Potter replied in the affirmative and said that the Planning Board would like to continue the road through from Outlook Drive to Marrett Road. emi 1 335 The Chairman asked if the Planning Board was in favor in spite of the fact that the abutters are not Article for in favor of extending this road. Mr. Potter replied Warrant in the affirmative. He said he would like to have the Selectmen contact the Town Counsel and have some kind of an agreement prepared whereby this land would be held until the Town Meeting voted on it. The Chairman Site for Fire asked who would negotiate. Mr. Potter said he thought Station the Selectmen should, possibly through a realtor on the Planning Board. Mr. Potter retired at 9:25 P. M. Chief of Police Rycroft, Deputy. Chief Cook and the following members of the Board of Fire Engineers met with the Selectmen Messrs: Fawcett, Hynes, Roeder, Adams, and Fitzgerald. Chief Rycroft said that when this group met with the Board before with reference to radio he presented what he believed was going to be needed. Errol Locke recommended Radios for two engineers who have had a meeting on the subject of two -"Fire and way radio equipment. At this mee#ing with the engineers it Police developed that the Fire Department now are requesting more Dep'ts. radios so the Chief felt that as long as he had informed the Selectmen that eleven units would be sufficient, at a cost of approximately $8,000., some explgnation should be iven for the request for additional units at a cost of $9,000 or $10,000.- Mr. Roeder said that rather than take up the Boardls time as to what the Department needs he has prepared a written report which he presented to the Chairman. He explained that he has not all the information together and is not sure of what the cost will be. The Chief said that he had an estimate of $8,500. for eleven units and this figure is about as close as they will be able to get. The Chairman asked if they now wanted more than eleven units. Mr. Roeder said that the Engineers feel it would be advisable to secure two more pLeces of equipment which would give them a complete job. The Chairman asked how mapy_pieces of apparatus that would mean to be equipped. Mr. Roeder replied that it would be seven altogether. Chief Rycroft explained that there would be three for the Police Department and three for the Public -Works Depart- ment and seven for the Fire Department, or a total of thirteen instead of eleven as was previously stated. The Chairman asked if those present were .sponsoring the proposal that acquisition of these units be done at a fall town meeting. The Chief replied in the affirmative. The Chairman asked what grounds they would have foreasking for an appropriation for an item such as this at a special town meeting rather than at an annual meeting. The Chief felt that the Police Department might be able to justify the request because of the anticipated celebbation for the lathe of April. 4 336 Mr. Roeder felt if all the units were purchased at a lump sum the town might be able to get a price. The Chairman asked if the specifications would be ready. The Chief said they might not be. He stated that a permit would have to be obtained from the F.C.C. and they w uld also have to get an allocation. He said if it is determined just what is wanted and the money is made available, the specifications and awarding of the contract can come at a later date. Mr. Adams said he thought the Fore Department could also justify the purchase because of the celebration of April 19th. The Chairman reminded the group that normally this would be an annual town meeting project. Mr. Hoyt explained that the money cannot come out of the tax rate and must be taken from the E. & D. Mr. Adams stated that if the money is not appropri- ated until March, possibly it will be another year before the equipment is purchased. The Chairman said if this is considered at a special town meeting some one would have to be prepared to discuss it and give all the reasons why an appropriation should be made. Mr. Roeder said he thought the Fire Engineers could back up their request as to the necessity. He said if April 19th.is going to be what everyone'believes'it will be the Department would be in a bad situation operating 4 from Bedford Street. The Chairman reminded him that the town had a 100th Celebration and also a 150th Celebration. The Chairman said that the Board of Selectmen would confer with the Appropration Committee and advice the Engineers at a later date. Chief Rycroft retired at 9:35 P. M. The Chairman informed the Fire Engineers that the Planning Bo<rd is ready to endorse the purchase of a parcel of land on Marrett Road as a possible site for a fire station. The Fire Engineers retired at 9:40 P. M. Mr. Turner, Attorney for the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway, Mr. Dealy, Supt. and a Mr. Garfield met with the Board with reference to the request for permission for additional bus routes in the town. The Chairman asked if the group were present as tl}e result of the last letter to the Middlesex and Boston Street Rwy. or if they had some more facts to present to the Board. He explained that the Selectmen had asked a specific question in a letter dated August 23d but as jest have received no reply. He said the Board has asked why the Middlesex & Boston thought the interest of the town would be better served if such a license to operate on Pleasant and Water- town Streets, were granted to hhem instead of to the Lovell Bus Lines. Cr) 1 337 Mr. Turner explained that his company has a certificate of necessity coming into Lexington. He explained that the Lovell Bus Line has no certificate to operate on Massachusetts Avenue, between the inter- section of Woburn Street and Marrett Ror.•d. He said his company feels that they could better serve people in Lexington Center and the immediate vicinity. He explained that if a license were granted over Pleasant Street it would probably be operated with the present Waltham -Arlington Heights bus. He said that if the Middlesex has a route right through North Lexington there would be a transfer from that bus to the Park Avenue bus. If an individual came down from Bedford there wouldbe a similar transfer. The Chairman asked if he meant to the Park Avenue bus by way of Pleasant and Watertown Streets and Mr. Turner replied in the affirmative. The Chairman asked if they would operate a bus from Lexington .through to Harvard Square. Mr. Turner said that the Department of Pbulic Utilities would not license them because of the competition of the M. T. A. The Chairman asked if the Lovell Bus Line cquld operate from Lexington to Harvard Squsre and Mr. Turner said he thought not for the same reason. Mr. Turner said he has not travelled over the route but he has been told that if a Berson could go from Lexington Center to•Harvard Square via Park Avenue, it could be done in half an hour. The Chairman asked how often they would operate buses over Pleasant Street and Watertown Street to Park Avenue. Mr. Dealy replied that during peak hours, that is, six to nine in the morning, they would run half hour and hourly up to one o'clock; half hour up to seven and hourly until midnight. The Chairman asked if Mr. Turner would like to distate his reply to the Board's question. Mr. Turner said. that he has been told that the Lovell Bus Line has;no'license or certificate to run on Massachusetts Avenue, between Woburn Street and the end of Marrett Road. The Middlesex and Boston is licensed and has a certificate. He said in that area, at least, the Middlesex and Boston could give a service that the Lovell Bus cannot give. Mr. Turner said that furthermore the Middlesex has buses coming into Lexington Center on three main highways. There would be a transfer pr ,vilege from other lines on to the new line. He said it has not been definitely decided to operate at Pleasant Street on the line going to Waltham, but if that were the plan followed there would be a transfer privilege on that line. He said that individuals would have the same right to ride to Park Avenue that they now have to get to Arlington Heights. They might need a transfer but they would not have to pay for the transfer. He said the Middlesex feel they have more to offer than the Lovell Bus Lines with reference to a route over Pleasant Street. 338 The Chairman rsked if another fare would have to be paid from the corner of Park Avenue and Concord Pike. Proposed Mr. Turner replied in the affirmative. Mr. Dealt' said Bus Routes the M. T. A. fare would be the same as it is from Arlington Heights. It would be five cents from Park Avenue to Harvard Square. Mr. Turner said he did not believe it would cost a person any more going this way and it is much faster, Mr. Dealy explained that the M. T. A. can get to Harvard Square in 17 minutes. Mr. Gay asked if the Middlesex and Boston would plan to connect with the M. T. A. buses. Mr. Turner replisad in the affirmative. Mr. Dealy informed the Board that it takes between 35 and 40 minutes to get to Harvard Square via Massachusetts Avenue. The Chairman asked if Mr. Turner cared to make any comments on the other proposition mentioned in the Middle- sex letter of July 21st. Mr. Turner said he would like to refer that to Mr. Garfield and Mr. Dealy. Mr. Dealy ex- plained that soma time a go there was a hearing held on a demand for bus service on Simonds Road. After the hearing the company applied for a route by way of Simonds Road, Burlington Street and Hancock Street and he said the company given leave to withdraw andthe petition_was... withdrawn. The company was then going to make a study andpresentsomething else. At a later date they made a survey and in order to get on to the west side of the square they proposed Simonds Road, Burlington Street, Adams Street, Meriam Street, coming out Meriam to Massa- chusetts Avenue. They also propose going from Massachu- setts Avenue by Grant Street out to East Street. He said they have been all over the area and the Manor district is well populated. Burlington Street, however, is leaner but some day it will be built up. -At preserittertAx4.n•, no depth. He said that the company would be willing to gives t a try with a certain number of trips per day to find out whether or not they would break even. Mr. Turner said they wanted to be perfectly frank with the Board. There is some building along the highway and there are sections where there is very little con- struction of any kind. He said his guess would be that. it would not support very much bus service. The Chairman said that there is no much depth to Grant Street. He said that from a practical point of view and being perfectly frahk the company has no chance of getting a permit for a bus line over Meriam Street. The Chairman inquired as to why as company asked for these.' Mr. Turner said they would very much like a permit to operate over Pleasant Street. If it it granted the company is willing to try the other operation. L rrj 1 The Chairman asked why they suggested the other two routes as well as Pleasant Street. Mr. Turner re- plied that the route could be operated because there is some lay -over time from Waltham. In order to get the Peasant Street route they will make the trial run and give it a fair trial. He said that the company would work out the details of the trial with the Board as to the number of trips, etc. He said that it might. be that a trial would lead to some solution that might become permanent. He said, frankly, he is skeptical about it but willing to give it a try. Mr. Turner said it did not necessarily mean the length of time but the company has operated trials from thirty days to a year. He said that usually if a route is going to be a complete failure it will be known at the end of thirty days. The company would then sit in with the Board and give them the facts. If it proves to be successful it will probably have six trips a day. The Chairman said that it is so late this evening he felt the Board would probably not arrive at any decision until next week. He said th^t unless the representatives of the Middlesex & Boston had something more to say the Board would close the disucssion. He said if they had any further informatioror if they wanted to confirm what has been said to writing, the Board would be very glad to have them do so. The group retired at 10:10 P. M. Mr. Nickerson also left the meeting. The Chairman suggested that any decision with reference to bus routes be held over for another week. If, at the end of the week, it appears that next Mon- day's achedule is to be hervy, he thought it would be advisable to call a special meeting to discuss the bus routes. The members of the Board agreed. An invitation was received from the American Legion for the installation of officers to be held on September 14th. The Chairman, Messrs. Driscoll and Gay expected to be able to attend. A letter was received from Donald H. Martin with reference to the possiblility of having a pageant for the 175th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington. Mr. Martin also included a proposal of operation. The Chairman said he thought it might be well to hold this over until a new committee is Appointed for the celebration of April 19, 1950. An application was received from the United States Naval Reserve Volunteers for permission to conduct a meet- ing in Estabrook Hall on the evening of October 5, 1949. Mr. Gay moved the use of the hall be granted free of charge Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion and it was so voted. 339 A. Legion 19th of April Comm. Use of hall 340 An application was received from Michael A. O'Gara for a public carriage license. Mr. OtGara intends to operate Ye Towne Taxi at 1722 Massachusetts Avenue. The Clerk informed the Board that this individual had License a public carriage license which expired in 1942 but which he did not renew. Mr. Driscoll moved that the license be granted subject to the approval of the Chief of Police. Mr. Gay seconded the motion and it Hes so voted. Five copies of the contract for reconstructing two tennis cours in East Lexington were left with the Board by Mr. Garrity, Suptt. of Parks and Playgrounds. Sign The contracts had been signed by P. J. Joyce and Son, Contracts the low bidders, and approved by Daniel A. Lynch, Town Counsel. Mr. Gay moved that the contracts be signed. Mr. Hoyt seconded the motion and it was so voted. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 P• A. e eletmen 1