USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Littleton > Reports of the town officers of the town of Littleton, Massachusetts, for the year ending 1939 > Part 1
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REPORTS
OF THE TOWN OFFICERS of the
TOWN of LITTLETON
MASSACHUSETTS
NASHO
AH P
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1939
WITH REPORTS OF TRUSTEES AND LIBRARIAN OF REUBEN HOAR LIBRARY AND BOARD OF WATER AND ELECTRIC LIGHT COMMISSIONERS.
1939
182 40 1.42
200 6 =
1200 100 1310.00
86 REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS 56
OF THE
TOWN OF LITTLETON
MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1939
WITH
Reports of Trustees and Librarian of Reuben Hoar Library and Board of Water and Electric Light Commissioners
1714
71
SHOBAH PLANTA
1939
13,00
9100 91.00
82,0040
12 00 40
182 182 2 6%
13.00 9
18
BUCKLAND PRINTING CO. 67 MIDDLE ST., LOWELL
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https://archive.org/details/reportsoftownoff00litt
TOWN OFFICERS
For the Year Ending February 12, 1940
Moderator
Langdon Prouty
Town Clerk
William Channing Brown
Selectmen and Department of Public Welfare
Clarence W. Brown
Walter H. Titcomb
Robert M. Lingham
Term expires 1940 Term expires 1941 Term expires 1942
Assessors
Horace I. Webber
George M. Brown
George M. Hartwell
Term expires 1940 Term expires 1941 Term expires 1942
Board of Water and Electric Light Commissioners
Paul D. Fletcher Term expires 1940
John B. Sibley Term expires 1941 Winthrop H. Kelley, who resigned Sept. 1, 1939. His place was taken by Charles D. Smith, who was appointed for the balance of the year by the Board of Water and Electric Light Commissioners and the Selectmen.
3
Tax Collector
Allen J. Hathaway
Town Treasuerer William Channing Brown
School Committee
Harold N. Caldwell Ernest H. Robinson
Ruth M. Frost
Term expires 1940 Term expires 1941 Term expires 1942
Trustees of Reuben Hoar Library
Fannie A. Sanderson
E. Forster Kimball
Landon Prouty
Clement S. Houghton
Walter H. Titcomb
John H. Wilson
Edward Reighard
Ira J. Martin, 3rd
Term expires 1940 Term expires 1941 Term expires 1942 Non-elective Non-elective Non-elective Non-elective Non-elective
Cemetery Commissioners
Stanly F. Conant George W. Whitcomb Josiah P. Thacher
Term expires 1940 Term expires 1941 Term expires 1942
Tree Warden B. Frank Jacobs
4
4
Park Commissioners
Benjamin F. Jacobs G. Edward Prouty Richard L. Hartwell
Term expires 1940 Term expires 1941 Term expires 1942
Board of Health
James L. McClellan
Term expires 1940
James D. Christie
Term expires 1941
Hugh A. White
Term expires 1942
Board of Commissioners of Trust Funds
G. Edward Prouty Thomas W. Symons
Stanley F. Conant
Term expires 1940 Term expires 1941 Term expires 1942
Officers Chosen by Nomination
Pound Keeper-William L. Pickard.
Fence Viewers-Harry Gerbi and Geo. E. Spurr.
Field Drivers-Arthur S. Barteaux, Clifford P. Hunt, Albert W. Croft, Morton Conant, Theodore Eliades, Wallace E. Van Tassell.
Surveyors of Lumber and Measurers of Wood, Bark, etc .-- George M. Hartwell, Albert W. Hartwell, Elmer W. Fletcher, Josiah P. Thacher, Donald Leighton, Allen J. Hath- away, and James W. Neagle.
Measurers of Grain, Weighers of Grain, Hay, Coal, etc .- Leonard Cote, Charles V. Flagg, Louis J. Gilbert, Charles W. Hunt, William Bouffard and James A. Rowse, Alfred R. Cousins.
5
OFFICERS APPOINTED BY THE SELECTMEN
Chief of Police John A. Sargent
Inspector of Animals and Provisions
Joseph N. Murray, M. D. V.
Burial Agent George W. Whitcomb
Forest Fire Warden
G. Leslie Blood
Inspector of Wires
Alexander H. McDonald
Superintendent of Streets
E. Foster Kimball
Chief of Fire Department
G. Leslie Blood
Dog Officer
John A. Sargent
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Workmen's Compensation Agent
Eliot M. Young
Special Police
Arnold C. Leighton William H. Houde James J. Chapple
Building Inspector
George W. Tooker
Sealer of Weights and Measures
B. Frank Jacobs
Moth Superintendent
H. Flint Furbush
Registrars of Voters
Wm. Channing Brown, Town Clerk Alex. H. McDonald
James W. Neagle Eliot M. Young
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 13, 1939
Pursuant to the warrant and the Constable's return thereon the meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Mr. Langdon Prouty, at 6:30 A. M.
Art. 1. To choose on one ballot the following Town Officers: One Moderator for one year, one Town Clerk for one year, one Selectman for three years, one Member of Board of Public Welfare for three years, one Member of Board of Health for three years, one Assessor for three years, one Collector of Taxes for one year, one Treasurer for one year, one Member of School Committee for three years, one Member of Board of Water Commissioners for three years, one Member of Board of Electric Light Commissioners for three years, one Commissioner of Trust Funds for three years, one Trustee of Reuben Hoar Library for three years, one Cemetery Commissioner for three years, one Tree War- den for one year, one Park Commissioner for three years.
Previous to the meeting the selectmen had appointed as tellers and ballot clerks: Henry G. Bond,, Lyman M. Chase, Kathryn M. Feehan, Sherman C. Frost, Catherine F. Kel- ley, and Priscilla S. Kimball who were all sworn to the faith- ful and impartial performance of their duty.
8
The ballot box, official ballots, specimen ballots, cards of instruction ,tally sheets, total sheets, check lists, etc., were turned over to the Moderator and his receipt taken.
The box was examined and found empty, the index set at zero and the box locked. The polls were opened at 6:30 o'clock A. M. and were closed at 1:30 o'clock P. M. The box reg- istered 210 and 210 ballots were removed therefrom and each check list showed 210 names checked as having voted. The ballots were counted with the following results of which pub- lic announcement was made :
Moderator, one year Votes
Landon Prouty 192
Blanks 18
Town Clerk, one year
W. Channing Brown
192
Blanks 18
Selectman, three years
Robert M. Lingham 189
Harold A. Whitcomb
1
Blanks 20
Deartment of Public Welfare, three years
Robert M. Lingham 183
Blanks 27
9
Assessor, three years
George M. Hartwell 191 Blanks 19
Water Commissioner, three years
Winthrop H. Kelley 185
Frank B. Preist
1
Blanks 24
Electric Light Commissioner, three years
Winthrop H. Kelley 182
Frank B. Priest 1 Blanks 27
Tax Collector, One year
Allen J. Hathaway 190
Blanks 20
Treasurer, one year
W. Channing Brown 191
1 Walter C. Wright Blanks 18
School Committee, three years
Ruth M. Frost 144
Philip B. Litchfield
1
Marion W. Flagg
1
Blanks . 64
- 10
4
Trustee Reuben Hoar Library, three years
Langdon Prouty Blanks 22
188
Cemetery Commissioner, three years
Josiah P. Thacher 190
Blanks 20
Tree Warden, one year
Benjamin F. Jacobs 142
Philip B. Litchfield
63
Blanks 5
Park Commissioner, three years
Richard L. Hartwell
175
Blanks 35
Board of Health, three years
Hugh A. White
184
Blanks 26
Commissioner of Trust Funds, three years
Stanley F. Conant
191
Blanks 19
At 11 o'clock A. M. the meeting for the transaction of business was called to order by Moderator, Mr. Langdon Prouty. Prayer was offered by Rev. Edward Reighard of the Congregational Church. The reading of the warrant was waived.
11
The following officers were chosen by nomination from the floor :
Pound Keeper: William L. Pickard.
Fence-Viewers: Harry Gerbi and George E. Spurr .. ..
Field Drivers: Arthur S. Barteaux, Clifford P. Hunt, Albert W. Croft, Morton Conant, Theodore Eliades and Wal- lace E. Van Tassell.
Surveyors of Lumber and Measurers of Wood, Bark, etc., George M. Hartwell, Albert W. Hartwell, Elmer W. Fletcher, Josiah P. Thacher, Donald Leighton, Allen J. Hath- away, and James W. Neagle.
Measurers of Grain, Weighers of Grain, Hay, Coal, etc., Leonard J. Cote, Charles V. Flagg, Louis J. Gilbert, Charles W. Hunt, William Bouffard, James A. Rowse and Alfred R. Cousins.
Voted, that the polls remain open until 1:30 o'clock P. M.
Art. 2 To hear and act upon reports of Town Officers and Committees.
Some minor mistakes in the Town Report were corrected.
Voted to accept reports of Town Officers and Committees. With such changes that are agreed upon.
Voted that the Town give a rising vote of thanks to Frank B. Priest, to express it's appreciation of 26 years of continuous service as Electric Light and Water Commissioner and that this vote be spread upon the records.
12
Voted, that as each article of the warrant is read the rec- ommendation of the Finance Committee shall be considered as a motion duly made and seconded under said article.
Art. 3. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to bor- row money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1939 and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to re- new any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, Gen- eral Laws. Recommended.
Voted to so authorize the Treasurer and Selectmen.
Art. 4. To see if the Town will direct the Selectmen to petition the Department of Public Work, Division of High- ways, for State Aid on Highways under the provisions of Chapter 81 as amended by Chapter 281 of the Acts of 1922.
Voted to direct the Selectmen to do so.
Art. 5. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate money to repair highways. Recommened $6,300.
Voted to raise and appropriate six thousand three hun- dred dollars ($6,300.) to repair highways.
Art. 6. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate money for a General Highway Fund, this money to be used for sidewalks, railings, snow removal, sanding and other highway expense not chargeable to other specific road funds. Recommended $2,500.
Voted to raise and appropriate two thousand five hun- dred thirty dollars ($2,530.) for this purpose.
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Art. 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money for the improvement of Newtown Road, Foster Street, Taylor Street, Harvard Road, Fort Pond Hill Road and Harwood Avenue, said money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County, or both, for this purpose ; or take any other action in relation thereto. Recommended $2,100.
Voted to raise and appropriate two thousand one hun- dred dollars ($2,100.) for such improvements.
Art. 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money for the improvement of Forge Village Road; said money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County. or both, for this purpose; or take any action in relation thereto. Not recommended.
Voted to pass the article.
Art. 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate money for defraying expenses of the Town Hall. Recommended $1,200.
Voted to raise and appropriate one thousand one hun- dred and sixty dollars ($1,160.)
Art. 10. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate money to pay interest on Town notes. Recommended $1012 .- 50.
Voted to raise and appropriate one thousand twelve dol- lars and fifty cents ($1,012.50) to pay interest on town notes.
Art. 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money for care, maintenance of, and sup- plies for Parks. Recommended $450.
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Voted to raise and appropriate four hundred fifty dollars ($450.) for Parks.
Art. 12. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sum of money for maintenance of Reuben Hoar Library and Hougton Memorial Building. Recommended $1750.
Voted to raise and appropriate one thousand seven hun- dred and thirty dollars ($1730.) or this purpose.
Art. 13. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sum of money for the suppression of the browntail and gypsy moths and elm tree beetles. Recommended $400. $200. Gypsy Moth ; $200. elm tree beetles.
Voted to raise and appropriate four hundred dollars ($400.) apportioned as above printed.
Art. 14. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sum of money for the maintenance of the Fire Department. Recommended $2500.
Voted to raise and appropriate two thousand five hund- dred dollars ($2,500.) for the Fire Department.
Art. 15. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sum of money for Memorial Day. Recommended $100.
Voted to raise and appropriate one hundred dollars ($100.) for Memorial Day.
Art. 16. To see what action the Town will take in re- gard to hiring a Public Health and School Nurse in accordance with provisions of Chapter 71 of the General Laws as amend- ed by Chapter 357 of Act of 1921 and to raise and appropriate a sum of money for same, or to act in any way thereto. Rec- ommended $2,000.
15
Voted to raise and appropriate two thousand dollars ($2,000.) as above set forth for Public Health and School Nurse.
Art. 17. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sum of money to be used by the Board of Health during the ensuing year, or take any action in relation thereto. Rec- ommended $400.
Voted to raise and appropriate four hundred dollars ($400.), for Board of Health purposes.
Art. 18. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sum of money for a reserve fund for the current year. Recommended $2,500. from overlay Reserve.
Voted to appropriate two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.) from overlay Reserve.
Art. 19. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sum of money for Tree Warden. Recommended $200.
Voted to raise and appropriate two hundred dollars ($200.) for Tree Warden.
Art. 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of five hundred and sixty-three dollars ($563.) for electricty used for Street Lighting, and that sum and the income from sales of electricity to private consumers or for electricy supplied to municipal buildings or for mu- nicipal power, and from the sale of appliances and jobbing during the current fiscal year, be appropriated for the mu- nicipal lighting plant, the whole to be expended by the man- ager of municipal lighting under the direction and control of Municipal Light Board for expense of the plant for the fiscal year as defined in section 57 of Chapter 164 of the General
16
Laws, and that if said sum and said income shall exceed said expense for said fiscal year, such part of such excess as the Municipal Light Board may determine shall be transferred to the construction fund of said plant and appropriated for such additions thereto as may hereafter be authorized by the Mu- nicipal Light Board, and the balance of said excess shall be re- turned to the Town Treasurer. Recommended.
Voted to raise and appropriate five hundred sixty-three dollars ($563.) for electricity used for street lighting and balance of article exactly as it reads.
Art. 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate th sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.) for hydrant service. Recommended.
Voted to raise and appropriate one thousand dollars ($1,000.) for hydrant service.
Art. 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of six thousand dollars ($6,000.) to be used by the Board of Water Commissioners for running the Water Department for the ensuing year. Recommended.
Voted to raise and appropriate six thousand dollars ($6,000.) to run Water Department.
Art. 23. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Water Commissioners to erect an elevated steel water tank with necessary foundations and fittings, on land owned by the Town on Cedar Road, Long Lake section, and raise and appropriate the sum of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.) for same.
Appropriate from the surplus water revenue the sum of fifty-five hundred dollars ($5500.) and authorize the Town
17
Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen to borrow the sum of fourteen thousand five hundred dollars ($14,500.) and to issue bonds or notes of the Town thereof. Recommended.
During the consideration of this article, the hour for din ner hour having arrived, the meeting adjourned to reassemble at 1:15 P. M. The very excellent dinner was served by St. Anne's Catholic Church.
Art. 23. Voted by standing. Yes No 96
Total vote 105 9
105
This vote was declared as lost, the same demanding a two thirds majority for adoption.
Art. 24. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Water Commissioners to install a ten inch main with necessary gates, hydrants and fittings on Washington Drive and Cedar Road in the Long Lake section, from the present water mains on Goldsmith Street to the site of the proposed elevated tank to be erected on the land now owned by the Town on Cedar Road.
Appropriate from surplus water revenue the sum of ($4,380.70) four thousand three hundred and eighty dollars and seventy cents, to be used in conjunction with a Federal W. P. A. grant of $5,473.80 for this purpose. Recommended.
Voted to pass the article.
Art. 25. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate, or transfer from the Water Surplus Account, the sum of three thousand one hundred and seventy-five dollars ($3175.) for Old Age Assistance. Recommended $3,150. for O. A. A. and $25. for administration to be raised and appropriated.
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Voted to appropriate from Water Department Surplus Account three thousand one hundred and fifty dollars ($3,150.) for Old Age Assistance, and twenty-five dollars ($25.) for ad- ministration of the same.
Art. 26. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sum of money for the Board of Public Welfare for expenses other than for Old Age, Aid to Dependent Children and Sol- dires' Relief. Recommended $2,500. and $50. for adminis- tration.
Voted to raise and appropriate two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.) for expenses and ($50.) for administration.
Art. 27. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sum of money for Aid to Dependent Children. Recommend- ed $1,400. and $25. for administration.
Voted to raise and appropriate one thousand four hun- dred dollars ($1,400.) and twenty-five dollars ($25.) for ad- ministration.
Art. 28. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sum of money for Soldiers' Relief. Recommended $100.
Voted to raise and appropriate one hundred dollars ($100.) for Soldiers' Relief.
Art. 29. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred dollars ($200.) to be set aside as a fund to furnish service at the Community Hospital in Ayer, for such citizens of Littleton as may need it. This money to be used with the approval of the Selectmen and without pauperizing the citizen. Recommended.
Voted to raise and appropriate two hundred dollars ($200.) for this purpose.
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Art. 30. To raise and appropriate a sum of money for care, maintenance, and support of schools. Recommended $30,000.
Voted to raise and appropriate $30,250.00 for the care, maintenance and support of schools this to include interest on Lydia Johnson High School, John Goldsmith Common School, Bradford Sampson Educational, Lucy Houghton Zappey and Hildreth School Funds, revenue from the Dog Licenses and balance from the Bradford Samson Animal Fund for 1938.
Art. 31. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum sufficient to pay the County of Middlesex, as required by law, the town's share of the net cost of the care, mainten- ance and repair of the Middlesex County Tuberculosis Hos- pital, as assessed in accordance with the provisions of Chap- ter 111 of the General Laws and Acts in amendment thereof and in addition thereto including Chapter 400, Section 25 G (6) (a) of the Acts of 1936 or take any action in relation thereto.
Voted to raise and appropriate seven hundred eighty- eight dollars and fifty-three cents ($788.53) for this purpose.
Art. 32. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sum of money for Police Protection. Recommended $2250.50.
Voted to raise and appropriate two thousand two hun- dred and fifty dollars and fifty cents ($2250.50) for police pro- tection.
Art. 33. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money for the Road Machinery Account for the purpose of purchasing, repairing and operating road machinery. Recommended to raise and appropriate $600. and appropriate $500. from Machinery Fund.
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Voted to raise and appropriate six hundred dollars ($600.) and appropriate five hundred dollars ($500.) from Machinery Fund.
Art. 34. To see if the Town will appropriate the receipts for the care of cemetery lots, construction of foundations, in- terments, the income from perpetual care funds for 1938, $135. from the sale of Lots account and reappropriate the un- expended balance of maintenance and old cemetery accounts for 1938 for the care and maintenance of the cemeteries un- der the direction of the Cemetery Commissioners. Recom- mended.
Voted that the Town appropriate the receipts for the care of cemetery lots, construction of foundations, interments, the income from perpetual care funds, all amounting to $824.81, $135.00 from the Sale of Lots account and reappropriate the unexpended balances of maintenance and old cemetery ac- counts for 1938 amounting to $81.14, the total amounting to $1040.95 for the care and maintenance of the cemeteries under the direction of the Cemetery Commissioners.
Art. 35. To see if the Town will raise and aprpopriate a sum of money to pay for rental of Whitcomb Field for use of school students, or take any action in relation thereto. No recommendation.
Voted to raise and appropriate seventy-five dollars ($75.00) for rental of Whitcomb Field for use of School Stu- dents.
Art. 36. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate sums of money to defray the expenses of various departments for purposes as follows : Selectmen, Treasurer, Tax Collector, Assessors, Town Clerk, Town Accountant, Elections and Reg- istrations, Legal, Moderator, Sealer of Weights and Measures, Building Inspector and for printing Town Reports and War- rants or take any action in relation thereto. Recommended.
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Selectmen
$ 430.00
Treasurer
625.00
Tax Collector
1,125.00
Assessors
750.00
Town Clerk
165.00
Town Accountant
1,450.00
Election and Registrations
125.00
Legal
150.00
Moderator
10.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
118.00
Town Reports 290.00
and appropriate the receipts for building permits to be used as compensation for the services of building inspector.
Voted to raise and appropriate five thousand four hundred fifty-eight dollars ($5.458.) to be allocated as follows :
Selectmen
$ 430.00
Treasurer
625.00
Tax Collector
1,325.00
Assessors
750.00
Town Clerk
165.00
Town Accountant
1,450.00
Election and Registrations
125.00
Legal
150.00
Moderator
10.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
128.00
Town Reports
300.00
$5,458.00
and appropriate the receipts for building permits to be used as compensation for the services of building inspector.
Art. 37. To see if the Town will amend Article 2, Sec- tion 4 of the By-laws relating to the Finance Committee to
22
provide for appointment of the members of said committee for three year terms; to make ineligible for such appoint- ment town officials and members of boards or committees having power to incur expense chargeable against appro- priated funds and to provide for filling vacancies or do any- thing with respect thereto.
After amending a vote submitted by the Finance Com- mittee by inserting a provision that "nothing herein shall make the Town Counsel ineligible for appointment" the fol- lowing amendment to Article 2 Section 4, and to be added thereto, was voted unanimously and is so recorded.
"The members of said Committee shall hold office until the third annual Town Meeting after their respective appoint- ments or until their successors are appointed except that the members first appointed hereunder shall determine by lot one of their number to hold office one year, two for two years and two for three years and shall notify the officers or boards hav- ing the appointing power of their determination.
"No one shall be eligible for appointment to the Finance Committe who at the time of his appointment is an elected officer of the town or an appointed officer with power to incur expense chargeable against appropriated funds, pro- vided however that nothing herein shall make the Town Coun- cil ineligible for such appointment if a member during his term becomes ineligible for appointment to the Finance Com- mittee his place shall become vacant. Vacancies may be filled for the unexpired term by the officer or board whose ap- pointee has ceased to be a member of the Committee.
Art. 38. To see if the Town will authorize the School Committee to dispose of the Union School Building on such terms and in such manner as it may determine, or to reduce transfer, or cancel the fire insurance on said building, or both, or do anything with respect thereto.
23
Voted that the School Committee and the Selectmen be authorized to cancel, transfer or reduce fire insurance on Union School Building, to dispose of the structure and fill in the cellar, also that the grounds be graded before the open- ing of the School year next September.
Art. 39. To see if the Town will vote to accept Section 48 of Chapter 31 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts concerning the application of the Civil Serv- ice Laws to certain Towns.
Art. 40. To see if the Town will vote to accept Section 49 of Chapter 31 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with reference to the application of the Civil Service Laws and Regulations of Chiefs of Police.
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