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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TOWN OFFICERS OF THE
TOWNof MERRIMAC
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1956
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TOWN OFFICERS OF THE
TOWNof MERRIMAC
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1956
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3
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
DIRECTORY OF TOWN OFFICERS
Elected Officers
Moderator
Robert L. Eckert
Selectmen
George E. Lay Ralph L. Buzzell George J. P. Stevens Board of Public Welfare
J. Arthur Ollis Hazen M. Emery Jean S. Stuart
Assessors
Frank M. Hargraves Term expires 1957
Alvin F. Heath Term expires 1958
E. Palmer Sargent Term expires 1959
Town Clerk C. Howard Phillips
Tax Collector
Wilfred G. Journeay ...... Term expires 1958
Town Treasurer
Roy C. Journeay
4
ANNUAL REPORT
Municipal Light Commissioners
Ray Wallace Term expires 1957 J. Arthur Ollis Term expires 1958
Ulysses N. Corson Term expires 1959
Municipal Water Commissioners
Ray Wallace ..... Term expires 1957
J. Arthur Ollis Term expires 1958
Ulysses N. Corson Term expires 1959
School Committee
Frederick N. Sweetsir ...... ..... Term expires 1957
Kenneth G. Fowle
Term expires 1957
Irving G. Blake Term expires 1953
Virginia H. Webster Term expires 1959
Carl G. Olson Term expires 1959
Trustees of Cemetery
Arthur R. Clark Term expires 1957
Henry D. Lay Term expires 1958
Merrill B. Smith Term expires 1959
Trustees of Public Library
Olive S. Wilde ..... Term expires 1957
Burnell S. O'Brien Term expires 1957
Alvin F. Heath Term expires 1958
Robert L. Eckert Term expires 1958
Barbara N. Adams Term expires 1959
Charles M. Tibbetts ......... Term expires 1959
TOWN OF MERRIMAC 5
Trustees of Kimball Park
Cecil L. Dressler
Term expires 1957
Henry D. Lay
Term expires 1958
*Bernard C. Bickum Term expires 1959
*To fill vacancy caused by resignation of Donald J. Selby
Playground Commission
George D. Currier .... Term expires 1957
George J. P. Stevens
Term expires 1958
Merrill B. Smith
Term expires 1959
Henry D. Lay Term expires 1960
Arthur R. Cloyd
Term expires 1961
Constables
Albert W. Lord
George R. Buzzell
Ronald C. Sarasin
Surveyors of Lumber and Measures of Wood and Bark
Robert K. Silvia
Richard E. Sargent
Robert L. Eckert
Tree Warden
Harold K. Joralmon
Civil Service Tenure Chief of Police
* Alexander M. Sullivan
*Tenure of office for incumbent.
.
6
ANNUAL REPORT
Planning Board
Milton E. Webster Term expires 1957
Edgar P. Sargent .... Term expires 1958
Russell E. Kershaw Term expires 1959
Henry D. Lay ...... Term expires 1960
Allan B. MacGregor ...... Term expires 1961
OFFICERS APPOINTED BY SELECTMEN
Night Watchman Fred A. Smith, Constable
Special Police Officers
Alexander M. Sullivan Thomas Chaff
Clarence O. Libby (Honorary) Leon L. Dow
Ronald C. Sarasin George R. Buzzell
John F. McCarron James L. Howe (Grange Hall)
Harold M. Waterhouse (Cattle Crossing) Albert W. Lord
George J. P. Stevens Merrill B. Smith
John P. Gilmore (Pumping Station)
Harold Mooney (Light & Water Dept.)
Kenneth E. Haskell (School)
George Keller (Light & Water Dept.)
7
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Robert K. Silvia
William J. Burns
Beulah M. Mitchell
Richard G. Noone
Harlan M. Haight (Cemeteries)
Gordon J. Roberts Raymond P. David
Mrs. Frances N. Frazier
Mrs. Gertrude C. Kopanski
Joseph Gilmore (School Crossing)
Harold Joralmon (Tree Work)
Robert H. Adams
Carl G. Olson Francis J. Mathews (Dog Officer)
Sworn Weighers
Byron Sargent George L. Sargent
Ralph L. Buzzell Eleanor Eckert
Mrs. Isobel Knight John A. Hutchins David Stewart Wallace Spencer
Robert L. Eckert
Fence Viewers
E. Palmer Sargent William J. Battis
Inspectors of Milk, Animals and Slaughtering
John A. Hutchins
Inspector of Wiring Ulysses N. Corson
Moth Superintendent
Harold Joralmon
Burial Agent
Charles J. Vincent
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ANNUAL REPORT
Veterans Service Officer Charles J. Vincent
Town Forest Committee
Harold C. Lamb
Term expires 1957
Harold Joralmon Term expires 1958
S. C. Doust Term expires 1959
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
W. Harold Whiting
Superintendent of Streets Albert W. Lord
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Merrill B. Smith
Dog Officer
Francis J. Mathews
Health Nurse
Cecile Sargent
9
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Town Accountant W. Harold Whiting
Director of Civil Defense Parker T. Walton *Russell C. Harrington *Fill vacancy caused by death of Mr. Walton
Forest Fire Warden George R. Buzzell
Engineers of Fire Department
George R. Buzzell
John H. Hughes
Richard J. Powers
Election Officers
Mary D. Flynn
Mary E. Flynn
Mary F. Casazza
Elaine Noone
Mable Dressler
Nora Dwyer
Bonelle M. Gardt
Bertha R. Clark
Mary Cheney
Rita E. Kimball Mellisa Buzzell Marjorie Staples Alfreda Lovell Grace Clark Edna Harrington Helen M. Journeay Irene M. Hamel Marie A. Kelly
MERRIMAC FIRE ALARM
Emergency fire alarm telephone number 6-2211
Emergency phone 6-2211 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.
10
ANNUAL REPORT
3-3 Chief's Call.
4 Mass. N. E. Bus Garage, East Main St.
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
11
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
No Box - Call 6-2211
2 Recall - All Out - Also All Clear Air Raid
NO SCHOOL SIGNAL
NO SCHOOL announcements will be made over Station WBZ and WHAV after 7 o'clock in the morning.
6:30 A. M. 11-11-11- No school all day. 11:30 A. M. 11-11-11 No school in grades seven and eight.
Air Raid Warning
YELLOW ALERT (Warning) 7 RED ALERT (Take Cover) 7 - 7 WHITE ALERT (All Clear) 1 - 1
CD Instructions and All Clear will also be broadcast over Conelrad 640 and 1240 on your radio dial.
Merrimac is located in Area 1, Sector 1G.
JURY LIST
The following Jury List for the calendar year be- ginning July 1, 1956 has been prepared by the Merrimac Selectmen in compliance with Chapter 234, Section 4 of the General Laws and adopted June 25, 1956.
Wardell E. Acheson Emery St. Boxboard
Haverhill Boxboard Co., Haverhill, Mass. Wilfred A. Allen Lake Attitash Cutter
Engel-Lewis Co., Merrimac, Mass.
Andrew Anderson 17 West Main St. Western Electric Western Electric, No. Andover, Mass. Howard E. Anderson 1 Billings Rd. Machinist Clayman Shoe, Haverhill, Mass.
10
ANNUAL REPORT
3-3 Chief's Call.
4 Mass. N. E. Bus Garage, East Main St.
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
11
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
No Box - Call 6-2211
2 Recall - All Out - Also All Clear Air Raid
NO SCHOOL SIGNAL
NO SCHOOL announcements will be made over Station WBZ and WHAV after 7 o'clock in the morning.
6:30 A. M. 11-11-11- No school all day. 11:30 A. M. 11-11-11 No school in grades seven and eight.
Air Raid Warning
YELLOW ALERT (Warning) 7 RED ALERT (Take Cover) 7 - 7
WHITE ALERT (All Clear) 1 - 1 CD Instructions and All Clear will also be broadcast over
Conelrad 640 and 1240 on your radio dial.
Merrimac is located in Area 1, Sector 1G.
JURY LIST
The following Jury List for the calendar year be- ginning July 1, 1956 has been prepared by the Merrimac Selectmen in compliance with Chapter 234, Section 4 of the General Laws and adopted June 25, 1956.
Wardell E. Acheson Emery St. Boxboard Haverhill Boxboard Co., Haverhill, Mass.
Wilfred A. Allen Lake Attitash Cutter
Engel-Lewis Co., Merrimac, Mass.
Andrew Anderson 17 West Main St. Western Electric Western Electric, No. Andover, Mass. Howard E. Anderson 1 Billings Rd. Machinist
Clayman Shoe, Haverhill, Mass.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Frank D. Atwood 32 Summer St. Television Tech. Self Employed, Merrimac, Mass.
Alfred M. Bailey 13 West Main St. Machinist Portsmouth Navy Yard
John W. Baird 30 School St. Towle's Newburyport, Mass.
Avon J. Beauvais 10 Prospect Hill Woodheeler Russell Wood Heel, Plaistow, N. H.
Richard S. Beckford 35 West Main St. Electrician Self Employed
Richard V. Beebe Highland Rd. Molder Engle-Lewis Co., Merrimac, Mass.
Henry J. Bertram Bear Hill Rd. Transportation Mgr. Haverhill, Mass.
William Bickford 24 Union St. Diamond Match Merrimac, Mass.
Bernard C. Bickum 18 Church St. Foreman Hamel Leather Co., Haverhill, Mass.
Armand Bisson Burnside Lane Shoe Worker Amesbury, Mass.
Walter L. Boxell Trailer Park Carpenter Self Employed, Merrimac, Mass.
Irvine G. Burbeck 21 East Main St. Electrician Self Employed, Merrimac, Mass.
Lester D. Chipman 63 Church St. Wood Heeler
N. E. Wood Heel Co., Amesbury, Mass.
Alva W. Clark 110 River Rd. Layout Operator Western Electric, Haverhill, Mass.
John H. O'Brien, Jr. 99 River Rd. Wool Dealer
Boston, Mass.
Walter I. Tabor 43 East Main St. Insurance Consultant Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., Haverhill, Mass. John C. Wolley 14 Adams St. Bus Driver North Trans. Co., Merrimac, Mass.
Harry Sanborn Emery St. Mill Worker
Engle Industries, Merrimac, Mass.
15
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
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 410.00
Assessors, Clerk
385.00
Assessors, Other Member
335.00
Tax Collector
2,200.00
Tree Warden Department
1,400.00
Municipal Light Commissioners three @ $50.00 each
150.00
Municipal Water Commissioners three @ $50.00 each
150.00
Treasurer
750.00
Article 4 - Expenses
Selectmen's Departmental Expenses
400.00
Town Accountant Salary
3,380.00
Town Accountant Expenses
725.00
Treasurer Expenses
500.00
Tax Collector Expenses
600.00
Assessors Expenses
800.00
Town Clerk Expenses
300.00
Registrars of Voters, Chairman Salary
100.00
Registrars of Voters, three 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
Election Officers
500.00
Police Department
9,343.00
Fire Engineers, Salary, Chief
300.00
Fire Engineers, Salary, Clerk
200.00
Fire Engineers, Salary, Other Member
150.00
Fire Department
4,400.00
16
ANNUAL REPORT
Sealer Weights and Measures, Salary
150.00
Sealer Weights and Measures, Expense 35.00
Inspector Wiring, Salary
90.00
Inspector Wiring, Expense
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 and Expense
1,900.00
Inspector of Animals, Salary
100.00
Inspector of Animals, Expense
5.00
Inspector of Slaughtering, Salary
20.00
Inspector of Slaughtering, Expense
5.00
Inspector of Milk, Salary
20.00
Inspector of Milk, Expense
5.00
Snow and Washouts
7,500.00
Sidewalks, Railings and Bridges
600.00
Rocks Bridge
1,100.00
Street Lights
6,513.42
Public Welfare
5,000.00
Soldiers Benefits
3,500.00
Aid to Dependent Children
8,000.00
Old Age Assistance
35,000.00
Disability Assistance
4,000.00
School Department
116,700.52
Public Library
1,500.00
Memorial Day
400.00
Vocational Aid
3,000.00
Lighting Town Buildings
1,098.31
Insurance
5,000.00
Reserve Fund
1,000.00
Interest
10,000.00
Cemeteries
3,000.00
Vital Statistics
250.00
Water in Town Buildings
585.00
17
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Printing Town Reports
638.40
Total $251,544.65
Article 7 Playground $ 1,500.00
Article 9 Tax Title Possessions, Repairs 100.00
Article 10 Highways, Thickly settled
1,000.00
Article 11 Registrars Expense, Chapter
427 and 440
650.00
Article 13 Legal Suits Expenses
400.00
Article 14 Chapter 90, Highways
2,000.00
Article 15 Town Hall Repairs
1,000.00
Article 17 Chapter 81, Highways
5,450.00
Article 18 Veterans Service Officer, Salary
500.00
Article 19 Veterans Service Officer,
Expenses
250.00
Article 20
Essex County Retirement Board
5,015.44
Article 21
Water Maintenance and
Operation
24,000.00
Article 22
Welfare Agent Salary
1,920.00
Article · 23
Legion Quarters rental 300.00
Article 24 Dutch Elm Disease
1,400.00
Article 25 School Construction, Notes
17,000.00
Article 26 Dog Officer, Salary
100.00
Article 27 Civil Defense
1,800.00
Article 28 Instructors Supervised Play,
Salaries
675.00
Article 29 ' Install Water Main on Abbott Street 4,742.00
Article 32 Christmas Lighting, Parade and Other Expense 300.00
Article 34 Merrimac Portion Pentucket
Regional School District Budget for 1956 3,993.50
Article 36 Install 4 Catch Basins on Hillside Avenue 1,500.00
Article 37 New Truck for Highway Department 5,100.00
Article 38 Chapter 90, Maintenance 1,000.00
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ANNUAL REPORT
Article 40 Install Tennis Courts, Playground
2,500.00
Article 42 Extend Water Main on Woodland
Street
2,250.00
Article 43 Compressor and Motor, Fire
Alarm System and Repairs
1,000.00
Article 44 Two Fire Alarm Boxes
500.00
Article 45 Hose for Fire Department
500.00
Article 48 Four New Hydrants
1,185.00
Article 49 Ten New Wells to Water System
3,500.00
Article 51 Planning Board Expenses 300.00
Total Money Appropriated $344,975.59
Respectfully submitted, C. HOWARD PHILLIPS
Town Clerk
Special Town Meeting
April 18, 1956
Gentlemen :
I submit the following list of appropriations made at the Special Town Meeting of the Town of Merrimac held April 18, 1956 :
Article 2 Highway and Chapter 81 $ 2,427.40
Article 3 Snow and Washouts 2,500.00
Article 4 Highway Thickly Settled Roads 792.35
Article 5 Calculator for Assessors
Department 200.00
Total Appropriations $ 5,919.75
Total 1956
$350,895.34
Respectfully submitted, C. HOWARD PHILLIPS
Town Clerk
19
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen:
As Chief of the Police Department of the Town of Merrimac, I herein submit my annual report of the Depart- ment for the year 1956.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
Complaints Investigated 509
Messages Delivered 157
Accidents, Automobile and Home 114
Articles and Animals Lost
70
Missing Persons Reported
36
Assistance to Other Departments 14
74
Assistance to Ill or Injured
Ambulance Assistance 35
!
Funeral Escorts 26
Doors and Windows found open and secured
97
Poles or Wires down, reported
21
Lights left burning, Stores and Public Buildings, Reported 41
Fire reports investigated and Alarms answered 45
Number of assignments to Officers 291
Summonses served for other Departments
39
Days at District Court (Chief) 33
4
Days at District Court (Officers) 16
4
NUMBER OF ARRESTS FOR YEAR 1956
Male -- Resident 12
1
Female -- Resident
47
Male -- Non-Resident
For other Police Departments 39
Total 99
Days at Superior Court (Chief)
Days at Superior Court (Officers)
20
ANNUAL REPORT
A total of $202.68 was paid for Restitution, in prop- erty damages cases, as a result of Juvenile Vandalism, without Arrests.
I desire to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen, His Honor, Judge Martin F. Connelly, the Associate Jus- tices, the Clerk of Court, the Probation Officer, Officers of the Department, and Auxilliary Police, Superintendents of the Light, Water and Street Departments, and the Citizens of the Town for their Co-operation during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
ALEXANDER M. SULLIVAN
Chief of Police
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and citizens of the Town of Merrimac:
The Board of Fire Engineers submit the following report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1956.
Number of alarms 52
Fire loss $3,788.75
We wish to thank all Town Officials and citizens for their cooperation and support.
We recommend that the sum of Four Thousand, Eight Hundred Dollars ($4,800.00) be appropriated for the salaries and general maintenance of the Department.
We also recommend that the sum of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) be raised and appropriated to repair the roof of the Central Fire Station.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE R. BUZZELL, Sr. JOHN H. HUGHES RICHARD J. POWERS
Fire Engineers
21
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
To the Selectmen and Citizens of the Town of Merrimac:
The Planning Board met twice a month during the past year and various sub-boards met many times and their members were unstinting of their time in working on the Town Zoning Ordinance.
In addition to the major effort of preparing and sub- mitting the zoning by-law to the Town Meeting the Board made recommendations to the Selectmen on two other matters and after many meetings and a public hearing conditionally approved a seventy lot housing sub-division at Emery St. and Middle Road.
The Town Zoning by-law along with other required documents is presently being readied for submission to the Attorney General of the Commonwealth for his approval. Once his approval is obtained the by-law will be in effect as of the date of its adoption by the Town Meeting. It is presently intended, if possible, to have the entire zoning by-law printed in next years Town Report, but until then copies of it will be available at the office of the Town Clerk and the Planning Board.
Respectfully submitted, A. BRUCE MacGREGOR Chairman
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES 1956
Town of Merrimac:
Merrimac, Mass.
To the Selectmen and Citizens of the Town of Merrimac: I hereby submit my report for the year 1956.
Inspection of Entrance Changes 25
Resident Inspection 40
22
ANNUAL REPORT
New Service Inspection 54
Out Door Signs 4
Oil Burner Inspection 25
I wish to thank Mr. Harold Mooney, Manager Electric Light Dept. and Fire Chief Mr. George Buzzell, with the Citizens of the Town for their co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
ULYSSES I. CORSON
Inspector of Wires
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
The Board of Assessors respectfully submit the following report for the year 1956.
The Board was organized this year as follows :
Chairman, Frank M. Hargraves
Clerk, Alvin F. Heath Member, Edgar P. Sargent
The following is a recapitulation of appropriations and estimated income of the town which was used in com- puting the 1956 tax rate of $39.00.
1956 RECAPITULATION
Total Appropriations $379,121.57
Overlay Deficits
899.63
State Parks & Reservations
348.09
State Audit of Accounts
1,925.04
County Tax
6,583.64
T. B. Hospital Assessment
3,332.55
Underestimates for 1955
147.84
Overlay for 1956
21,043.69
Total amount to be raised
$413,402.05
23
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS
Income Tax
$ 32,410.96
Corporation Taxes
9,378.35
Old Age Tax (Meals)
1,455.32
Motor Vehicle Excise
26,000.00
Licenses
2,711.50
Fines
200.00
General Government
900.00
Protection of Persons & Property
70.00
Health & Sanitation
100.00
Charities
5,000.00
Old Age Assistance
23,000.00
Veteran's Services
500.00
Schools
11,000.00
Libraries
100.00
Public Service Enterprise
19,797.86
Cemeteries
600.00
State Assistance for School Const.
10,992.71
Available Funds
63,226.23
Interest
1,000.00
Overestimates for 1955
127.50
TOTAL ESTIMATED RECEIPTS $208,570.43
TAX RATE: $39.00 per M
Amount to be Raised by Taxation $204,831.62 Poll Taxes
1,482.00
Personal Property Taxes 11,507.84
Real Estate Taxes
191,841.78
TOTAL TAXES ASSESSED
$204,831.62
TABLE OF AGGREGATES
Value of Real Estate $4,919,020.00
Value of Personal Property 295,073.00
Number of Polls 741
Value of Automobiles
662,050.00
Number of Automobiles 1347
Number of Horses 15
24
ANNUAL REPORT
Number of Cows
201
Number of other animals
155
Number of Fowls
3,550
Number of Houses
905
Number of acres of Land
4,107
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK M. HARGRAVES ALVIN F. HEATH
EDGAR P. SARGENT
Board of Assessors
This has been a very trying and difficult year, both for the taxpayers and this board. As of a vote of the Town at the annual meeting in March, 1955, a revaluation of the Real property has been completed, and as is expected when a radical change is made in any enterprise, there are several problems to be overcome.
We feel that the revaluation program will, in the years to come, prove its desirability. One of its many good points is the duplex card system of ascertaining real values by an accepted and proven system, rather than assessing by the personal opinion of three men who, by the laws of human nature, might be influenced and biased.
The maps of the Town are now in better condition than ever before and are invaluable not only as tools of fair assessments but also for reference by city, state, county and private individuals seeking information as to areas, bounds, etc.
Hardly a week goes by that we do not receive requests that require reference to these maps, which brings up the problem of keeping them up-to-date at all times. As the town grows with more and more building being done each year and so much property changing ownership, so many changes must be accomplished to keep accurate records, it is conceivable that in the not-too-distant future a clerk who may or may not be an assessor, will be required for
25
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
full time employment. However, we are not asking this for the year 1957, but it must ultimately be considered.
Respectfully submitted, FRANK M. HARGRAVES, Chairman ALVIN F. HEATH EDGAR P. SARGENT 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, 1956.
I wish to thank the various officials and citizens for their co-operation during the past year.
1954 Personal
1-1-56
Cash
$ 1,288.74
Outstanding $ 2,838.77
Abatements
564.25
Outstanding
985.78
$ 2,838.77
$ 2,838.77
1954 Real Estate
1-1-56
Cash
$ 6,298.02
Outstanding
$ 7,114.19
Abatements
81.28
Refunds
25.80
Tax Titles Outstanding
270.81
489.88
$ 7,139.99
$ 7,139.99
1955 Poll
1-1-56
Cash
$ 40.00
Outstanding
$
84.00
Abatements
34.00
Outstanding
10.00
$ 84.00
$ 84.00
26
ANNUAL REPORT
1955 Real Estate
1-1-56
Cash
$ 16,896.16 385.20
Outstanding Refunds
$ 24,096.56
Abatements
15.00
Outstanding
6,665.01
129.60
Tax Title
294.79
$ 24,241.16
$ 24,241.16
1955 Personal
1-1-56
Cash
$ 2,649.24
Outstanding $ 4,767.48
Abatements
23.76
Refund
10.80
Outstanding
2,105.28
$ 4,778.28
$ 4,778.28
1954 Excise
1-1-56
Cash
$ 487.60
Outstanding $ 1,320.10
Abatement
343.62
Outstanding
488.88
$ 1,320.10
$ 1,320.10
1955 Excise
1-1-56
Cash
$ 5,934.22
Outstanding
$ 310.84
Abatement
3,041.77
Commitment
Outstanding
1,194.21
in 1956
9,209.68
Journal
485.31
Refunds
164.37
$ 10,170.20
$ 10,170.20
1956 Excise
Commitment
$ 25,648.97
Cash
$ 22,150.10
982.08
Abatements
2,041.55
Outstanding
2,439.40
$ 26,631.05
$ 26,631.05
27
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
1956 Poll
Commitment $ 1,842.00
Cash
$ 1,382.00
Over 65 Exempt
332.00
Servicemen 28.00
Outstanding
100.00
$ 1,842.00
$ 1,842.00
1956 Personal
Commitment
$ 11,514.86
Cash
$ 9,500.12
Abatement
850.04
Outstanding
1,164.70
$ 11,514.86
$ 11,514.86
1956 Real Estate
Commitment
$191,841.78
Cash
$157,661.44
Refunds
7,158.15
Abatements
14,698.94
Tax Title
856.16
Outstanding
25,783.39
$198,999.93
$198,999.93
Respectfully submitted,
WILFRED G. JOURNEAY
Tax Collector
REPORT OF THE PLAYGROUND COMMISSION FOR THE YEAR 1956
To the Citizens of the Town of Merrimac:
The Playground Commission wishes to make the following report for the year of 1956.
The land for the tennis court was cleared, graded and filled with 800 yards of gravel hauled from Sargent's pit
28
ANNUAL REPORT
on Bear Hill Road and rolled. It was hot-topped by Rock Asphalt Corp. of Haverhill. The drain had to be put in for about 100 ft. with 128 reinforced cement pipes. The courts are now ready for a fence around them and lines to be painted on them and the nets to be put up.
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