USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1954 > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TOWN OFFICERS OF THE
TOWNof MERRIMAC
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1954
MERI
OF
TOWN
MASS
INCO
1876
RI
The WOOD PRESS, INC. PLAISTOW, N. H.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TOWN OFFICERS OF THE
TOWNof MERRIMAC
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
1954
MERR
OF
TOWN
MASS
INCO
1876
50000
200000
The WOOD PRESS, INC. PLAISTOW, N. H.
K
3
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
DIRECTORY OF TOWN OFFICERS
Elected Officers
Moderator
Robert L. Eckert
Selectmen
George E. Lay Ralph L. Buzzell Frank M. Hargraves
Board of Public Welfare
J. Arthur Ollis Hazen M. Emery Ellen M.Wallace
Assessors
Clifford R. Howe, Jr. .... Term expires 1957
E. Palmer Sargent ...... Term expires 1956
Alvin F. Heath Term expires 1955
Town Clerk C. Howard Phillips
Tax Collector
Wilfred G. Journeay
Term expires 1955
Town Treasurer
Roy C. Journeay
4
ANNUAL REPORT
Municipal Light Commissioners
Ray Wallace
Term expires 1957
Ulysses N. Corson
Term expires 1956
Robert C. Young
Term expires 1955
Municipal Water Commissioners
Ray Wallace Term expires 1957
Ulysses N. Corson
Term expires 1956
Robert C. Young
Term expires 1955
School Committee
Frederick N. Sweetsir Term expires 1957
Virginia H. Webster
Term expires 1956
Irving G. Blake
Term expires 1955
Trustees of Cemetery
Arthur R. Clark ...... Term expires 1957
Clifton V. Bixby
Term expires 1956
Henry D. Lay Term expires 1955
Everett Haight Term expires 1955 Appointed in 1954 to fill vacancy on resignation of Mr. Bixby.
Trustees of Public Library
Olive S. Wilde Term expires 1957
Burnell S. O'Brien
Term expires 1957
Barbara N. Adams Term expires 1956
Charles M. Tibbetts Term expires 1956
Alvin F. Heath Term expires 1955
Robert L. Eckert
Term expires 1955
5
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Trustees of Kimball Park
Cecil L. Dressler
Term expires 1957
Donald J. Selby
Term expires 1956
Henry D. Lay ..... Term expires 1955
Playground Commission
Merrill B. Smith
Term expires 1959
George J. P. Stevens ...... Term expires 1958
George D. Currier Term expires 1957
Alexander M. Sullivan Term expires 1956
Henry D. Lay
Term expires 1955
Constables
Alexander M. Sullivan George R. Buzzell
Ronald C. Sarasin
Surveyors of Lumber and Measures of Wood and Bark
Gordon Roberts Richard E. Sargent
Robert L. Eckert
Tree Warden
Harold C. Lamb
Civil Service Tenure Chief of Police
Maurice Carey, Constable
6
ANNUAL REPORT
Planning Board
Russell E. Kershaw
Term expires 1959
Edgar P. Sargent
Term expires 1958
Milton E. Webster
Term expires 1957
Allan B. MacGregor
Term expires 1956
Henry D. Lay
Term expires 1955
OFFICERS APPOINTED BY SELECTMEN
Night Watchman
Fred A. Smith, Constable
Special Police Officers
Alexander M. Sullivan Thomas Chaff
Clarence O. Libby (Honorary)
Herman Currier Ronald C. Sarasin
Leon L. Dow
George R. Buzzell John F. McCarron
James L. Howe (Grange Hall) George J. P. Stevens
Harold M. Waterhouse (Cattle Crossing)
John P. Gilmore (Pumping Station) Albert W. Lord
Irvine G. Burbeck (Light & Water Dept.)
Merrill B. Smith
Harold Mooney (Light & Water Dept.)
Kenneth E. Haskell (School)
George Keller (Light & Water Dept.)
Harlan M. Haight (Cemeteries)
Gordon G. Roberts Raymond P. David Mrs. Frances N. Frazier Mrs. Gertrude L. Kopanski
7
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Sworn Weighers
Byron Sargent George L. Sargent Ralph L. Buzzell
Mrs. Isobel Knight John A. Hutchins David Stewart
Robert L. Eckert
Fence Viewers
E. Palmer Sargent William J. Battis
Inspector of Milk, Animals and Slaughtering John A. Hutchins
Inspector of Wiring Ulysses N. Corson
Moth Superintendent
Harold C. Lamb
Burial Agent
Charles J. Vincent
Veterans Service Officer
Charles J. Vincent
Town Forest Committee
Harold C. Lamb ...... Term expires 1957
S. C. Doust Term expires 1956
Russell B. Kelly
Term expires 1955
8
ANNUAL REPORT
Registrars of Voters
C. Howard Phillips
James P. Flynn
George Gulezian
Bernard Hume
Janitor of Town Hall Guy Sheldon
Veterans Agent George E. Lay
Agent of the Board of Health Norman E. Taylor *W. Harold Whiting appointed to fill vacancy caused by resignation of Norman E. Taylor
Superintendent of Streets Albert W. Lord
Sealer of Weights and Measure Merrill B. Smith
Dog Officer
Harold C. Lamb
Health Nurse
Cecile Sargent
Town Accountant Norman E. Taylor *W. Harold Whiting appoinetd to fill vacancy caused by resignation of Norman E. Taylor
9
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Director of Civil Defense Parker T. Walton
Forest Fire Warden George R. Buzzell
Engineers of Fire Department
George R. Buzzell
John H. Hughes
Glen I. Blackden
Election Officers
Stanley E. Whiting
Mary D. Flynn
Mary E. Flynn
Mary F. Casazza
Yvonne Donahue
Elaine Noone
Mable Dressler
Nora Dwyer
Rita E. Kimball
Mellisa Buzzell Marjorie Staples Alfreda Lovell Grace Clark Edna Harrington Bonelle M. Gardt
MERRIMAC FIRE ALARM
Emergency fire alarm telephone number 2211.
Emergency phone 2211 should be used for fire calls only. If for any reason line is out of order, dial operator and ask for EMERGENCY OPERATOR.
In all cases give your name and exact location of fire.
3-3 Chief's Call.
4 Mass. N. E. Bus Garage, East Main St.
10
ANNUAL REPORT
5 Merrimac Square.
12 Locust St., corner of Green St.
13 Main St., Opposite Forrest St.
14 Main St., near residence of William H. Franklin.
15 Birch Meadow Rd. and Main St., to Haverhill-Mer- rimac line.
16 Woodland and Grove Sts.
17 School and Pleasant Sts.
18 School and Mill Sts.
21 East Main St., opposite Skip's Snack Bar.
23 East Main St., near residence of John P. Gilmore.
24 Church St., opposite Maple St.
25 Liberty and Mechanic Sts.
26 Summer and Prospect Sts.
27 Church St., near residence of Richard Powers.
28 Sawyer and Nichols Sts.
31 Pleasant St., Merrimacport.
32 Merrimac St., near Middle Rd.
34 Merrimac St., Merrimacport.
35 High St., Merrimacport, near Merrimac Brass Foun- dry.
36 Merrimac and Broad Sts., Merrimacport.
41 Lower East Main St., Lake Attitash entrance.
42 Lake Attitash Park at Fern Ave.
51 Locust and Walnut Sts.
52 Lower Locust St., to Merrimac-Haverhill Line.
62 Birch Meadow Rd., and Hadley District. Tel. No. Box
71 Bear Hill Rd. to Newton, N. H. Line Tel. No. Box
72 West Shore, Lake Attitash. Tel. No. Box.
74 Dance Hall, Lake Attitash. Tel. No. Box. No. Box - Call 2211
2 Recall-all out-also All Clear Air Raid.
No School Signals
7:15 A. M. 11-11-long pause-1. No school in grades .only. 7:15 A. M. 11-11-11. No school inhigh and grade schools ... 11:20 A. M. Same signals. One session.
11
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
12:30 P. M. Same signals. No school in afternoon. Police Call 1-1-1. Boy Scouts-10 Blasts. Red Alert for Air Raids-7-7-7. All Clear 7-1-1.
JURY LIST
The following Jury List for the calendar year begin- ning July 1, 1954 has been prepared by the Merrimac Selectmen in compliance with Chapter 234, Section 4 of the General Laws and adoptd June 28, 1954.
William F. Acorn, 51 East Main St., Painter Arthur F. Allen, River Road, Salesman Howard DeLong, 7 Pine St., Mechanic Everett P. Dwinnells, Huse Road, Auto Mechanic Jesse E. Gleed, 74 West Main St., Gas Station Michael J. Gilmore, 17 Locust St., Shoe Worker Harold J. Kramer, 25 Pleasant St., Shoe Worker Winthrop W. Litchfield, 5 Summer St., Retired James McMasters, River Road, Mill Worker George S. Nelson, 46 West Main St., Painter Elwin E. Rollins, 6 Union St., Real Estate Robert C. Fryer, 31 Main St., Salesman Arnold F. Hargraves, Maple St., Wood Heel Forrest M. Lavalley, School St., Clerk Fred L. Spencer, Abbott St., Blacksmith Edward H. Worcester, Winter St., Carpenter Phillip E. Rodier, 4 Adams St., Bus Driver Cecil E. Welch, 19 Middle St., Foreman Ernest E. Hewson, 10 Woodland St., Bus Driver Frank W. Hoyt, 70 Church St., Painter Bernard A. Hume, 10 Lincoln St., Machine Oper. John Fyfe Jr., 11 Green St., Laborer George P. Hanson, 123 E. Main St., Gas Station Shirley G. Condon, Grove St., Machine Oper.
12
ANNUAL REPORT
Homer H. Reynolds, Locust St., Laborer Joseph W. Bray, 10812 E. Main St., Retired Samuel F. Barr, 40 E. Main St., Salesman Henry S. Lay, 22 Prospect St., Mgr. W. Pearce Titter, Jr., River Road, Salesman Bernard C. Bickum, 18 Church St., Leather Worker John H. Chipman, 10 High St., Office Worker Frederick C. Chase, Middle Road, Bus Driver George M. Martin, 12 Green St., Bus Driver George E. Lay Ralph L. Buzzell
Frank M. Hargraves
Selectmen of Merrimac.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT
To the Citizens of the Town of Merrimac:
The seventy-ninth annual report of the Town of Merrimac is herewith presented for your consideration in accordance with Chapter 40, Section 49, of the General Laws of Massachusetts.
The Board organized for the year 1954 as follows:
Chairman .... George E. Lay
Clerk
Ralph L. Buzzell
Member Frank M. Hargraves
The Board organized with the same officers as a Board of Health, and Veterans Benefits, with Norman E. Taylor being appointed Agent of the Board of Health and Mr. Lay being appointed as Veteran's Agent. Mr.
13
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Taylor resigned in November and W. Harold Whiting was appointed for three years as Town Accountant, and Agent of the Board of Health.
During the past year, as you all know, we have ex- perienced two bad hurricanes which we have tried to take care of to the best financial interests of the town. We also have tried to spend money for other appropria- tions which come under our direct supervision to the best interests of all.
We wish to thank the Department of Coperations and Taxation, and the Division of Accounts, for all their help in the past year, also the heads of departments for their cooperation and to both Town Accountants for their help and assistance.
Respectfully submitted, George E. Lay Frank M. Hargraves Ralph L. Buzzell Selectmen of the Town of Merrimac
APPROPRIATIONS MADE IN 1954
March 2, 1954
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Merrimac, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I submit the following list of appropriations made at the Annual Town Meeting of the Town of Merrimac, for the year 1954, held on March 1, 1954:
14
ANNUAL REPORT
Article 3 Elective Officers
Moderator
$
12.00
Town Clerk
450.00
Selectmen, Chairman
325.00
Selectmen, Clerk
200.00
Selectmen, Other Member
150.00
Board of Public Welfare, Chairman
200.00
Board of Public Welfare, Clerk
200.00
Board of Public Welfare, Other Member
100.00
Assessors, Chairman
600.00
Assessors, Clerk
280.00
Assessors, Other Member
250.00
School Committee, Chairman
50.00
School Committee, Clerk
75.00
School Committee, Other Member
50.00
Tax Collector
2,200.00
Tree Warden
1,300.00
Municipal Light Commissioners, 3 @ $50.00 each
150.00
Municipal Water Commissioners, 3 @ $50.00 each
150.00
Treasurer
750.00
Article 4 Expenses
Selectmen, Departmental Expenses
400.00
Town Accountant, Salary
3,380.00
Town Accountant, Expenses
125.00
Treasurer, Expenses
500.00
Tax Collector, Expenses
600.00
Assessors, Expenses
800.00
Town Clerk, Expenses
200.00
Registrars of Voters, Chairman
100.00
Registrars of Voters, 3 Other Members $50.00 each
@
150.00
Janitor, Town Hall, Salary
240.00
Town Hall, Maintenance
1,500.00
Town Hall, Repairs
200.00
Bonding Town Officers
500.00
15
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Election Officers
500.00
Police Department
8,733.00
Fire Engineers, Salaries, Chief
300.00
Fire Engineers, Clerk
200.00
Fire Engineers, Other Member
150.00
Fire Department
4,400.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures, Salary
150.00
Sealers of Weights and Measures, Expenses
35.00
Inspector of Wiring, Salary
90.00
Inspector of Wiring, Expenses
5.00
Dog Officer, Fees
150.00
Moth Department
869.00
Town Forest
400.00
Forest Fire Warden
200.00
Board of Health
1,500.00
Health Nurse, Salary & Expenses
1,300.00
Inspector of Animals, Salary
100.00
Inspector of Animals, Expenses
5.00
Inspector of Slaughtering, Salary
20.00
Inspector of Slaughtering, Expenses
5.00
Inspector of Milk, Salary
20.00
Inspector of Milk, Expenses
5.00
Snow and Washouts
3,500.00
Sidewalks, Railings and Bridges
100.00
Rocks Bridge
6,375.00
Street Lights
7,594.00
Public Welfare
5,000.00
Soldiers Benefits
3,500.00
Aid to Dependent Children
8,000.00
Old Age Assistance
40,000.00
Disability Assistance
4,000.00
School Department
107,947.00
Public. Library
1,500.00
Memorial Day
275.00
Vocational Aid
2,000.00
Lighting Town Buildings
1,509.56
Insurance
5,000.00
16
ANNUAL REPORT
Reserve Fund
1,000.00
Interest
9,222.50
Cemeteries
3,000.00
Vital Statistics
250.00
Water in Town Buildings
514.44
Printing Town Reports
594.00
$246,205.50
Article 7 Playground
1,325.00
Article 9 Repairs Tax Possessions
100.00
Article 10
Highways, Thickly Settled
1,000.00
Article 11
Registrars Expense
650.00
Article 13 Legal Expenses
100.00
Article 14
Chapter 90, Highways
2,500.00
Article 15 Repairs on Town Hall
3,600.00
Article 17 Highways, Chapter 81
5,300.00
Article 18
Veterans Service Officer, Salary
250.00
Article 19
Veterans Service Officer, Ex-
penses
250.00
Article 20 Essex County Retirement Board
4,548.49
Article 21 Water
24,000.00
Article 22
Welfare Agent, Salary
2,640.00
Article 23 Dutch Elm
2,100.00
Article 24 Rental, Legion Quarters
300.00
Article 25 School Bond Payment
17,000.00
Article 26 Dog Officer, Salary
100.00
Article 27
Civil Defense
1,800.00
Article 28
Salaries, Instructors Supervised
Play
675.00
Article 30 Water Extension (Ridgefield
Road)
3,000.00
Article 31
Water Extension (Belmore
Road)
4,000.00
17
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Article 39 Street Light Extension (Hadley
Road)
1,277.00
Article 46 Flexible Rod Drain Cleaning Kit 920.00
$323,640.99
Respectfully submitted,
C. HOWARD PHILLIPS
Town Clerk
REPORT OF FINANCE BOARD
Department
Appropriated 1954
Recommended by Finance Board in 1955
Moderator
$
12.00
$ 12.00
Town Clerk
450.00
450.00
Selectmen, Chairman
325.00
325.00
Selectmen, Clerk
200.00
200.00
Selectmen, Other Member
150.00
150.00
Welfare, Chairman
200.00
200.00
Welfare, Clerk
200.00
200.00
Welfare, Other Member
100.00
100.00
Assessors, Chairman
600.00
600.00
Assessors, Clerk
280.00
280.00
Assessors, Other Member
250.00
250.00
Sch. Committee, Chair.
50.00
No Sal. '55
Sch. Committee, Clerk
75.00
No Sal. '55
Sch. Committee, Other Member
50.00
No Sal. '55
Tax Collector
2,200.00
2,200.00
Tree Warden
1,300.00
2,300.00
Light Com., 3 at $50.00 each
150.00
150.00
Water Com., 3 at $50.00 each
150.00
150.00
18
ANNUAL REPORT
Treasurer
750.00
750.00
Selectmen, Dept., Expenses
400.00
400.00
Town Accountant, Salary
3,380.00
3,380.00
Town Accountant, Sxpenses
125.00
125.00
Treasurer, Expenses
500.00
500.00
Tax Collector's Expenses
600.00
600.00
Assessors' Expenses
800.00
800.00
Town Clerk, Expenses
200.00
300.00
Reg. of Voters, Chairman
100.00
100.00
Reg. of Voters, 3 at $50.00 each
150.00
150.00
Janitor Town Hall, Salary
240.00
240.00
Town Hall Maintenance
1,500.00
1,500.00
Town Hall Repairs
200.00
200.00
Bonding Town Officers
500.00
500.00
Election Officers
500.00
150.00
Police Department
8,733.00
9,298.00
Fire Engineers' Salary, Chief
300.00
300.00
Fire Engineers' Salary, Clerk
200.00
200.00
Fire Engineers' Salary, Member
150.00
150.00
Fire Department
4,400.00
4,400.00
Sealer of W'ghts. & Meas., Sal.
150.00
150.00
Sealer's Expenses
35.00
35.00
Insp. of Wiring, Salary
90.00
90.00
Insp. of Wiring, Expenses
5.00
5.00
Dog Officer Fees
150.00
150.00
Moth Department
869.00
869.00
Town Forest
400.00
400.00
Forest Fire Warden
200.00
200.00
Board of Health
1,500.00
1,500.00
Health Nurse, Sal. and Exp.
1,300.00
1,300.00
Insp. of Animals, Salary
100.00
100.00
Insp. of Animals, Expenses
5.00
5.00
Insp. of Slaughtering, Salary
20.00
20.00
Insp. of Slaughtering, Expenses
5.00
5.00
Insp. of Milk, Salary
20.00
20.00
Insp. of Milk, Expenses
5.00
5.00
Snow and Washouts
3,500.00
3,500.00
19
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Sidewalks, Railings & Bridges
100.00
100.00
Rocks Bridge
......
6,375.00
6,375.00
Street Lights
7,594.00
6,737.38
Public Welfare
5,000.00
5,000.00
Soldiers' Benefits
3,500.00
3,500.00
Aid to Dependent Children
8,000.00
8,000.00
Old Age Assistance
40,000.00
40,000.00
Disability Assistance
4,000.00
4,000.00
School Department
107,947.00
115,978.00
Public Library
1,500.00
1,500.00
Memorial Day
275.00
275.00
Vocational Aid
2,000.00
2,000.00
Lighting Town Buildings
1,509.56
997.41
Insurance
5,000.00
5,000.00
Reserve Fund
1,000.00
1,000.00
Interest
9,222.50
10,000.00
Cemeteries
3,000.00
3,000.00
Vital Statistics
250.00
250.00
Water in Town Buildings
514.44
575.00
Printing Town Reports
594.00
594.00
Totals
$246,205.50
$254,845.79
Respectfully submitted,
RAY T. WALLACE
MILLARD B. HILLS
EDWARD C. GIBBONS JAMES P. DONAHUE CLIFFORD R. HOWE
Merrimac Finance Board
20
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
As Chief of Police for the Town of Merrimac, I hereby submit the annual report of the Police Dept. for the year 1954.
The report follows:
1953 1954
Number of Arrest for Crimes against the person 2 8
Number of Arrest for Crimes against property 2 14
Number of Arrest for Crimes against public order 66 119
ARREST AND COURT ACTION TAKEN ON THE FOLLOWING CRIMES
Adultery
1
Assault and Battery
4
Assist other Departments 17
Disturbance of the Peace
1
Driving without License
2
Driving unregistered car
1
Driving uninsured car
1
Driving to endanger
7
Drunks
9
Exposure of person
1
Insane committed to Danvers State Hospital 3
Larceny 19
Left of Way Driving
18
Lewd & Lascivious in speech & behavior
1
Neglect of minor children
2
Neglected children
6
None Support
3
Statutory Rape
4
Summons served
33
21
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Summons to Parent 7
Subpoenas Served 7 Speeding 19
DELINQUENT CHILDREN BY REASON OF THE FOLLOWING:
False Alarms 2
Indecent Assault 1
Breaking and Entering 12
Larceny in a Building 14
Carrying a Dangerous Weapon
5
(Note) Juvenile Delinquency will prevail just so long as the Parent continues to leave the bringing up of their children to the Teacher, the Clergy and the Police.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
Accidents 29
Ambulance Service and assistance 20
Fatal Accidents 3
Funeral Escorts 15
Runaways Returned (2 from Boston, 1 from N. Y.) 3
Suicide 1
In order to make the Police Department more effi- cient in carrying out its duties, the Police Department is asking the backing of the voters to purchase a car for the Department.
This car, if purchased, will be on duty 24 hours a day for your benefit in case of any emergency which you might call for such as: Locating a doctor when one cannot be reached by telephone, delivering a message from relatives who are sick or dying, rushing to your home when you are in need of an officer in a hurry.
A car is needed for traffic duty, investigations, com- plaints, to rush to accidents either in the home or on the highway, to take criminals to jail or court, to pick up
22
ANNUAL REPORT
drunks or others who are creating a disturbance, to take your sick or injured child to a doctor or hospital, to es- cort funerals, serve summons and numerous other things to carry on the duties of the Police Department.
A car is very necessary and is your best insurance policy.
Another article to be voted on for the Police Depart- ment is to accept Chap. 41, Sec. 97A of the General Laws.
This chapter makes the chief responsible for all town property of his department and allows him to make up rules and regulations governing the men in the depart- ment. These rules and regulations are subject to the ap- proval of the Selectmen.
I desire to thank His Honor, Judge Martin F. Con- nally, the Associate Justices, Clerk of Court, the Proba- tion Officers, the District Attorney, the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the Principals of the Merri- mac Schools, the Superintendents of the Streets, Light and Water Departments and the Citizens of the Town for their kindly cooperation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
MAURICE CAREY
Chief of Police
REPORT OF THE FIRE ENGINEERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of the Town of Merrimac:
The Board of Fire Engineers submit the following re- port for the year ending December 31, 1954.
Number of alarms 47
23
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Fire Loss $1,375.00
The Department's portable generator and flood lights were put to very good use during the hurricane disaster to run food freezers, milking machines, etc.
We wish to thank all Town Officials and citizens for their cooperation and support.
We recommend that the sum of Four Thousand, Four Hundred Dollars ($4,400.00) be appropriated for the salaries and general maintenance of the Department.
We also recommend that the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) be raised and appropriated for the purchase of fire hose.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE R. BUZZELL, Sr. GLEN I. BLACKDEN JOHN H. HUGHES
Board of Fire Engineers
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
To the Citizens of the Town of Merrimac:
The balances, receipts and disbursements for the year 1954 were as follows:
Balance, January 1, 1954 $126,359.83
Receipts to January 1, 1955 526,595.37
$652,955.20 -
Payments on warrants 1954 $545,822.06
Balance, January 1, 1955 107,133.14
$652,955.20
Respectfully Submitted,
Roy C. Journeay
Town Treasurer
24
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
The Board of Assessors respectfully submit the fol- lowing report for the year 1954.
The Board was organized this year as follows:
Chairman, Clifford R. Howe Clerk, Edgar P. Sargent Member, Alvin F. Heath
The following is a recapitulation of appropriations and estimated income of the town which was used in com- puting the 1954 tax rate of $74.00.
1954 RECAPITULATION
Total Appropriations
$354,940.99
Overlay Deficits
1,345.56
State Parks & Reservations
503.09
State Audit of Accounts
1,244.93
County Tax
6,275.54
T. B. Hospital Assessment
3,302.28
Underestimates for 1953
774.42
Overlay for 1954
9,330.48
Total Amount to be Raised
$377,717.29
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS
Income Tax
$ 28,685.06
Corporation Taxes
10,153.35
Old Age Tax (Meals)
1,505.89
Motor Vehicle Excise
19,739.33
Licenses
1,287.00
Fines
82.00
General Government
948.00
Protection of Persons & Property
66.20
Health & Sanitation
183.50
Charities
6,966.56
25
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Old Age Assistance
25,113.55
Veterans Services
1,026.44
Schools
3,153.41
Libraries
143.50
Public Service Enterprises
14,946.27
Cemeteries
736.00
State Assistance School Const.
10,992.71
Overestimates for 1953
151.00
Available Funds
61,300.00
Total Estimated Receipts
-$187,179.77
Amount to be Raised by Taxation $190,537.52
Poll Taxes
$ 1,802.00
Personal Property Taxes
17,851.02
Real Estate Taxes
170,884.50
TOTAL TAXES ASSESSED
$190,537.52
TAX RATE $74.00 per M
TABLE OF AGGREGATES
Value of Real Estate
$1,893,690
Value of Personal Prop.
241,230
Number of Polls
901
Value of Automobiles
566,200
Number of Automobiles
1,356
Number of Horses
20
Number of Cows
219
Number of other animals
50
Number of Fowl
6,980
Number of Houses
801
Number of Acres of Land
4,468
We wish at this time to direct your attention to the special article in the 1955 warrant requesting an appro- priation for a complete revaluation of all taxable real estate in the town.
We feel that with the yearly increasing costs of gov- ernment, the assurance of a fair and equalized base for
26
ANNUAL REPORT
taxation is becoming more and more necessary. The Board is in complete agreement as to the very great need for the project and we approve of this article unanimously.
We earnestly hope that the voters of Merrimac will consider this expenditure worthy of their support.
Respectfully submitted, CLIFFORD R. HOWE
EDGAR P. SARGENT ALVIN F. HEATH
Board of Assessors
REPORT OF COLLECTOR OF TAXES
To the Citizens of the Town of Merrimac:
I submit herewith my report as Collector of Taxes for the year ending December 31, 1954.
I wish to thank the various officials and citizens for their co-operation during the past year.
1951 Personal
1-1-54
Cash
$ 51.20
Outstanding $ 64.00
Abatements 12.80
$ 64.00
$ 64.00
1952 Personal
1-1-54
Cash
$2,043.04
Outstanding
$3,681.44
Journal Credit
17.44
Abatements 349.60
27
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Outstanding
1,271.36
$3,681.44
$3,681.44
1952 Real Estate
1-1-54
Cash
$5,161.33
Outstanding
$5,417.25
Abatements
419.52
Refunds
153.00
Journal Debit
10.60
$5,680.85
$5,680.85
1953 Poll
1-1-54
Cash
$ 66.00
Outstanding
$ 98.00
Abatements
22.00
Outstanding
10.00
$ 98.00
$ 98.00
1953 Personal
1-1-54
Cash
$ 741.75
Outstanding
$4,235.00
Abatements
140.00
Outstanding
3,353.25
$4,235.00
$4,235.00
1953 Real Estate
1-1-54
Cash
$15,534.31
Outstanding
$23,857.25
Abatements
997.65
Journal Debit
63.10
Tax Title
208.60
Refunds
154.00
Outstanding
7,333.79
$24,074.35
$24,074.35
1954 Poll
Commitment
$1,714.00
Cash
$1,170.00
Late Comm.
88.00
Abatements
96.00
28
ANNUAL REPORT
To be refunded
2.00
Over 65 Exempt 268.00
Outstanding
270.00
$1,804.00
$1,804.00
1953 Excise
1-1-54
Cash
$7,314.93
Outstanding
$3,927.73
Abatements
2,072.66
Refunds
168.91
Outstanding
859.72
'53 Comm. made in 1954
6,140.67
Journal Debit
10.00
$10,247.31
$10,247.31
1954 Excise
Seven Commit.
$20,402.85
Cash
$17,540.72
Refunds
300.15
Abatements
705.02
Outstanding
2,457.26
$20,703.00
$20,703.00
Respectfully submitted,
WILFRED G. JOURNEAY,
Tax Collector
REPORT OF THE PLAYGROUND COMMISSION FOR THE YEAR 1954
To the Citizens of the Town of Merrimac:
The Playground Commission wishes to make this re- port for the year of 1954.
Supervised play was conducted at the playground for the first time this year with much success, there was a
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.