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ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OF OAKHAM
1957
COVER SKETCH - MEMORIAL HALL
Memorial Hall was chosen as the subject for this year's cover sketch because it is the center of many of the activities of the town and also because of its historical interest.
The building was erected in 1874 by the Soldiers Union and the citizens of Oakham as a memorial to the soldiers who lost their lives in the Civil War. The initial cost of construction was less than $5,000 and was shared equally by the Soldiers Union and the town.
The original building consisted of a selectmen's room and two school rooms on the first floor and a hall called Memorial Hall on the second floor. This was and still is used for town meetings, public events and entertainments of all kinds.
An addition to house another school room was built by the town in 1951.
We are again indebted to William A. Sampson of New Braintree Road for a very excellent sketch.
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICIALS
OF THE
TOWN OF OAKHAM
Massachusetts
AM
000
1775
ETTS
MASSACHUS
For the Fiscal Year Ending DECEMBER 31, 1957
The Barre Publishing Company, Inc. Barre, Massachusetts
3
ANNUAL REPORT
Annual Report
The Board of Selectmen takes pleasure in submitting to the citizens of Oakham the following reports of the vari- ous departments, committees and officers of the town toge- ther with a complete report of the finances of the town for the year ending December 31, 1957.
The Board take this opportunity to express its thanks to the members of all departments and committees and to all town officials and also to the various organizations in the town for their interest and cooperation during the year.
JOHN F. O'DONNELL ROGER H. LONERGAN WALTER W. NELSON
Board of Selectmen
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ANNUAL REPORT
Town Officers for 1957
Three Year Terms
Town Clerk
DOROTHY P. DAY
Term expires 1958
Selectmen
JOHN P. O'DONNELL
Term expires 1958
ROGER H. LONERGAN, Chairman
WALTER W. NELSON
Term expires 1959 Term expires 1960
Assessors
LUDWICK SZCZUKA
Term expires 1958
W. FRANCIS BRENNAN
CHESTER M. ROOD, Chairman
Term expires 1959 Term expires 1960
Board of Public Welfare and Board of Health
JOHN P. O'DONNELL Term expires 1958 ROGER H. LONERGAN, Chairman Board of Public Welfare Term expires 1959
WALTER W. NELSON, Chairman, Board of Health Term expires 1960
School Committee
MARY H. PARSONS, Clerk
PHILIP E. DWELLY
WILLARD C. RUTHERFORD, Ch'man
Term expires 1960
Library Trustees
MALCOLM A. FOSS
Term expires 1958
WINIFRED B. LANE, Chairman
RAYMOND H. FIELD
Term expires 1959 Term expires 1960
Cemetery Committee
NELSON E. MAYO
FREDERICK G. STONE
ARTHUD WEBB, Chairman
Term expires 1958 Term expires 1959 Term expires 1960
Term expires 1958 Term expires 1959
5
ANNUAL REPORT
One Year Terms
Moderator FREDERICK H. LANE
Tax Collector WALTER G. CHAPMAN
Treasurer WALTER G. CHAPMAN
Auditor
O. HAROLD ERICKSON
Tree Warden RALPH T. YOUNG, JR.
Fence Viewers
DONALD C. AGAR WALTER W. NELSON VERNO S. TUCKER
Constables
O. HAROLD ERICKSON EDWARD J. ZYSK GEORGE H. PARKMAN
LEONARD A. HARDY
WALTER W. NELSON WALTER E. COLE
Measurers of Wood and Bark
ALFRED B. MORSE WALTER A. WOODIS CHARLES R. DEAN
Measurers of Lumber
ALFRED B. MORSE WALTER A. WOODIS CHARLES R. DEAN
Field Drivers
JEROME D. MURPHY FREDERICK G. STONE EDWARD J. YOUNG
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ANNUAL REPORT
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Reports of the
TOWN CLERK
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TOWN TREASURER
TAX COLLECTOR
TOWN AUDITOR
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK
Vital Records of 1957
Births
March
3-Olen Charles Muir, son of William J. and Betty R. (Cole) Muir.
May
26-Robin Cheryl Dwelly, daughter of Wesley and Carol (Keddy) Dwelly.
July
4-Brooke Elizabeth Hayes, daughter of Harry J. and Lorraine E. (Bean) Hayes, Jr.
9-Raymond Alan Crawford, son of Henry R. and Cecile A. (Courteau) Crawford.
August
11-Marie Black, daughter of Harold E. and Carol (Davis) Black, Jr.
December
4-Barbara Ann Zelnia, daughter of Joseph P. and Anna (Savoie) Zelnia.
19-Gerald Lee Hatch, son of Rev. Dale J. and Retha J. (Waggoner) Hatch.
Marriages
February
16-Kenneth R. Sheeran, Worcester and Gail E. Wells, Oakham.
March
2-Roger E. Armstrong, Jefferson and Beverly A. Gallant, Oakham.
APRIL
27-Robert H. Eisenhart III, New York City and Junice A. Dean, Oakham.
June
8-Charles L. Atchue, North Grafton and Grace E. Wells, Oakham.
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ANNUAL REPORT
August
24-John Beaulier, Oakham and Helen G. Wells, Westboro.
September
7-Walter R. Derrick, North Brookfield and Patricia E. Foley, Oakham.
Deaths
July 17-Patricia Ann Bullard
Y
M
D
3
5
14
November
3-Alice M. (Bullard) Reed
67
2
3
7-Charles H. Wilder
76
0
5
Non-Residents Buried in Town
February
7-Brian Keith Wilbur, Millbury
0 0 2
March
9-Alice A. (Sanderson) Ferrin, Cherry Valley
51
6
24
May
29-Jennie E. Ross, Oakland, California
76
9
4
Dog Licenses
75 Males @ $2.00
$150.00
23 Females @ $5.00
115.00
29 Spays @ $2.00
58.00
127 dogs licensed
$323.00
2 transfers issued
Fees retained
79 @ $.20 before May 7
$ 15.80
48 @ $.25 after May 7
12.00
$ 27.80
Net Return
$295.20
One more dog was licensed this year than last. In order that dogs be licensed at all times, owners are urged to renew licenses as soon as possible after March 20. Old licenses expire each year on March 31. Dogs must be licensed when they become three months old. On receipt of the fee and a stamped addressed envelope, the clerk will mail the new license and tag. Information for writ-
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ANNUAL REPORT
ing the license includes name of dog, breed, age, color, and name of owner or keeper. This data is not needed for renewals as the clerk has duplicates from the preceding year.
A person who becomes the owner of a dog already licensed for the year within the state should, within 30 days secure a transfer license. The charge is 25 cents.
The owner or keeper is responsible for seeing that his dog wears around its neck or body a collar or a harness to which should be attached the tag. The tag number is a help to a person seeking to identify a stray dog and re- turn it to its owner. If a tag becomes lost or unusable, a duplicate may be obtained for 10 cents.
Sporting Licenses
28 Fishing @ $3.25 $ 91.00
24 Hunting @ $3.25 78 00
39 Sporting @ $5.25 204 75
8 Minor Fishing @ $1.25 10 00
1 Non-Resident Fishing (3-day)
2 75
1 Duplicate @ $.50
50
7 Sporting and Trapping - free to citizens over 70 years of age 00
1 Old Age Assistance Fishing - free
00
109 licenses issued $387 00
Fees retained, 25 cents each except duplicate and free $25 00
Net Return $362 00
13 fewer sporting licenses were issued than in 1956. Prices for licenses are the same as last year. Sportsmen should display the license in the plastic holder provided, on the outer clothing at all times while fishing, hunting, or trapping.
Except for a duplicate license, it is not necessary to apply in person for a license, provided the information needed for writing the license is sent. Licenses will be mailed upon request.
The town clerk will be glad to explain the special requirements for persons 15 to 18 years of age wishing a hunting license.
The pamphlet "Massachusetts Fish and Game Laws" is given to each person buying a license, and to any other person requesting it.
Recorded
21 personal property mortgages.
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ANNUAL REPORT
ACTION TAKEN AT TOWN MEETINGS DURING 1957
Annual Town Meeting March 4, 1957
Votes on election of officers and routine articles have been omitted. See department reports for appropriations. IT WAS VOTED
Article 1
That the annual reports of the several town officers be accepted as printed.
Article 9
That the sum of $1,100 be raised and appropriated to meet the Town's share of the cost of Chapter 81 High- way Maintenance, and that, in addition, the sum of $12,100 be transferred from unappropriated available funds in the treasury to meet the state's share of the cost of the work, reimbursements to be restored, upon their receipt, to surplus revenue.
Article 10
That the sum of $1,600 be raised and appropriated to meet the Town's share of the cost of Chapter 90 High- way Maintenance, these funds to be used in conjunc- tion with state and county allotments.
Article 11
That the sum of $3,000 be raised and appropriated to meet the Town's share of the cost of Chapter 90 High- way Construction, these funds to be used in con- junction with state and county allotments.
Article 12
That the sum of $600 be raised and appropriated to make certain improvements to Stone Road.
Article 16
That the sum of $500 be raised and appropriated to make repairs and improvements to Henry Wright Ball Park.
Article 17
That the sum of $600 be raised and appropriated to paint the Town Clock and the clock deck.
Article 18
That the sum of $1,000 be appropriated from the Over- lay Surplus for the purposes of a Reserve Fund.
Article 19
That the sum of $7,684.77 be appropriated from avail-
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ANNUAL REPORT
able funds in the treasury, if and when this amount is received from the State, and that these funds be used for the permanent repair of Barre Road from Maple street to Adams Road.
Article 20
That the sum of $2,500 be transferred from the High- way Machinery Fund to the Highway Machinery Ac- count.
Article 21
That the Board of Assessors be authorized and in- structed to take the sum of $8,000 from available funds for the purpose of reducing the tax levy for the current year.
Article 22
That the trust fund of $300 received from William A. Fobes for the perpetual care of the Fobes Lot in Green Hollow Cemetery be accepted.
Article 23
That the town hear the report of the committee ap- pointed to study the advisability of having zoning regulations for the Town of Oakham. Malcolm Foss presented the following report which he read.
"Committee Report on Zoning"
Members: W. Francis Brennan
Walter E. Cole Malcolm Foss, Chairman
The Report
Planning is necessary in a community to protect the present and future land owners. A planned community invites better homes, and businesses because of the pro- tection offered through basic regulations. Certain mini- mum requirements are as necessary for the protection of our homes and neighborhood as are automobile regu- lations necessary for our protection on the highways. Town planning and automobile regulations are similar also in that they do not affect anyone in the least until a person jeopardizes the well-being of others. A person wanting to erect a good home on a large enough lot is welcome everywhere. Only persons, or businesses want- ing to build sub-standard, or objectionable buildings, or planning improper use of land, would be affected.
Mr. Hazeltine of the Massachusetts Department of Commerce was in Oakham to discuss the problems of our town. He said that a number of very desirable
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ANNUAL REPORT
small businesses are always looking for towns with no competitive labor market and with reasonable taxes. In such a town, housewives, as well as the men, form the basic work force when work is available without excessive transportation problems. Mr. Hazeltine said that these high paying industries refuse to consider communities without protective regulations.
Electronic equipment assembly is one example of the kind of business that consider the stable labor mar- ket and good clean working conditions reason enough to locate in an area without the usual business and transportation facilities. Even a business employing twenty or thirty people would help this town in a num- ber of ways. Besides helping with the taxes, it would allow enough men to stay in town to cope with fires and other emergencies, and provide work without tra- veling long distances.
It would seem that these ideas should be kept in mind and be given careful consideration when the time comes to vote on such measures.
At this meeting the only step to be considered is the formation of a planning board to look into these matters with greater care."
The motion was made that the town vote to accept the report, and to instruct the selectmen to take the neces- sary action to have a planning board established in the town. An amendment was then offered that the plan- ning board (study committee) be continued for another year, and its members increased from three to five, these five members to be elected from the floor. It was voted to accept the amendment. The motion as amended was accepted and the following persons were elected to serve on the committee:
Philip E. Dwelly Doris J. Lonergan LeRoy C. Spinney Robert P. Wile Richard G. Riley
Article 24
That the Town give the Board of Selectmen authority to appoint one of its members Chief of Police, and to set the rate of pay for said work.
Article 25
That the sum of $50 be appropriated from the Ceme- tery Sale of Lots Account for use by the Cemetery Committee for providing new lots.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Total amount to be raised and appropriated-$72,601.15, which is $2,190.08 more than was voted at the annual meeting on March 5, 1956.
Seventy-seven voters attended the meeting.
Special Town Meeting October 10, 1957
Article 1
That the sum of $1,500 be transferred from the High- way Machinery Fund to the Highway Machinery Ac- count.
Article 2
That the sum of $300 be transferred from available funds in the treasury to the Fire Department Account.
Article 3
Mr. Riley read the following report of the Planning Board Study Committee:
"A Progress Report of the Planning Board Study Committee"
The Planning Board Study Committee, elected at the last Annual Town Meeting, organized as follows:
Philip E. Dwelly, Chairman Mrs. Roger H. Lonergan, Clerk Robert P. Wile LeRoy C. Spinney Richard G. Riley
Since that time, several meetings have been held to study the by-law changes made in the towns of Holden, Rutland, Princeton, Leicester and Paxton. After due consideration, the Committee decided to investigate the Planning Board organization in Princeton, since our study indicated that the by-law changes made in this town could be applied to almost any small town inte- rested in a planning board. We attended a Princeton board meeting, and used this opportunity to clarify some parts of their by-laws which we did not understand. There are two points which this committee wishes to emphasize:
1. There are certain rules and regulations govern- ing the type of dwelling, and certain restrictions placed on the use of land in a town which adopts a Planning Board set-up. However, any dwelling or land, which is in use before any plan is adopted which does not con-
15
ANNUAL REPORT
form to these regulations, will not be affected by these rules.
2. If a Planning Board is to be considered; the fol- lowing steps should be taken: (a) a special Town Meet- ing is held to vote on the question; (b) if it is voted to have a planning board, members are nominated at the annual caucus; (c) board members are elected at the annual town election; (d) this committee recommends that a discussion hearing be held before the special town meeting.
We are in favor of a planning board being established in the town of Oakham. We believe that the town by-laws should be amended to include the following:
1. The Town of Oakham should continue as a Resi- dential-Agricultural District. The citizens should have the right, through their Planning Board and its Board of Appeals, to choose the type and location of any new industry or business that may come to Oakham at some future date.
2. We are in favor of one single-family dwelling per lot.
3. Advertising and display signs should be regu- lated as to size, type of illumination and location.
4. We favor a minimum lot size of 40,000 sq. ft. and a minimum frontage on a street of 175 feet.
5. Each new dwelling should be placed on a lot so as to provide adequate yard area, and not infringe on the privacy of a neighbor.
6. We believe that nothing in these proposed by- law changes shall prevent the continuation of a non- conforming use of a structure or a lot of land either by the present or a subsequent owner.
7. We believe that the use of new trailer homes and new cellar homes should be regulated. In conclusion, the Planning Board Study Committee recommends that the Selectmen take the necessary steps to establish a Planning Board in the Town of Oakham, the members to be elected at the next annual town meeting."
It was voted that the report of the Planning Board Study Committee be accepted as a report of progress, and that the Selectmen be instructed to take any steps necessary to establish a Planning Board in the Town of Oakham to be elected at the next annual town meet- ing.
Article 4
That the gift of $80.43 received from the Village Im-
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ANNUAL REPORT
provement Society be accepted and that a vote of thanks be extended to the members of the society.
Twenty-six voters were present.
Special Town Meeting December 27, 1957
Article 1
That the sum of $75 be transferred from the Public Assistance and Administration Account to the Police Account.
Article 2
That the sum of $600 be transferred from the Public Assistance and Administration Account to the Snow Removal and Sanding Account.
Article 3
That the sum of $150 be transferred from the Public Assistance and Administration Account to the Miscel- laneous Account.
Thirteen voters were present.
Special Town Meeting December 31, 1957
Article 1
That the sum of $1,050 be transferred from the Pub- lic Assistance and Administration Account to the School Account.
Fourteen voters were present.
DOROTHY P. DAY, Clerk
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Appointments
Chief of Police
Fire Warden
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Moth Superintendent
Wire Inspector
Dog Officer
Civilian Defense Director
Inspector of Animals
Inspector of Slaughtering
Veterans Agent
Superintendent of Streets
Burial Agent
Janitor of Town Hall January to June 30 July 1 to December 31
Town Counsel
Walter W. Nelson Ralph L. Downer Frederick G. Stone Roscoe Crawford Ralph L. Downer Waclaw Smichinski W. Francis Brennan W. Francis Brennan W. Francis Brennan Anthony A. Lupa Ralph T. Young, Jr. Arthur Webb
Mrs. Lillian Black William N. Wareing Ralph W. Igoe
Special Police Officers
Harold E. Black, Jr.
Frederick G. Stone
Walter E. Cole
O. Harold Erickson Leonard A. Hardy William A. Wareing
Jury List
*Arthur F. Bealand *Channing M. Billings
*Verno S. Tucker W. Francis Brennan Doris Erickson Ludwick Szczuka William Zukus
Guard Supervisor, Dept. Mental Health Foundry Foreman Farmer
Factory Accountant
Farmer Farmer
*Served on jury during 1957.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The Board of Selectmen was organized with Roger H. Lonergan, Chairman and Clerk, Walter W. Nelson Chair- man of the Board of Health and Roger H. Lonergan, Wel- fare Prudential Committee Member.
The regular duties of town government were carried on as usual throughout the year. The streets and highways of the town were maintained under the provisions of Chap- ter 81 and 90 of the General Laws. Work done under Chapter 81 consisted of general maintenance of all accepted ways in the town and was done by the town's highway de- partment and financed by the town. Upon satisfactory completion of the work the state reimburses the town in the amount of $275 for each mile of road maintained, leaving a net cost to the town of $25 per mile.
Maintenance under Chapter 90 consisted of maintenance of road surface and drainage of ways constructed under the provisions of Chapter 90 Construction and is also fin- anced by the town with the state and the county each reim- bursing the town for one third of the cost of the work done.
New highway construction during the year included completion of sections of South and Spencer Road started in 1955 and 1956 and constructing the subgrade of about 800 feet of South Road under Chapter 90 Construction, and also the construction of a section of Barre Road under the provisions of Chapter 718.
The cost of work done under Chapter 90 Construction is financed by the town with the state reimbursing one half and the county one quarter of the cost while the state pro- vided all of the funds for work done under Chapter 718.
Work was continued on Wright Memorial ball field. The subgrade of the field was final graded and the drain- age improved so that it was possible to use the field for both little league and softball games.
After the end of the softball season sufficient loam was brought in to surface the field and was left until spring to be spread and seeded.
The funds used for this work consisted of $1,000 appro- priated by the town and $80.43 received from the Village Improvement Society.
19
ANNUAL REPORT
Fire Station During Construction.
Fire Station at End of Year.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The construction of a fire station as provided for by the vote of the town at a special town meeting in 1956 was started and carried on during the year and by the end of the year was complete except for wiring and by the end of the erection of the building was done by members of the fire department in order to reduce the cost of construction.
In addition to the annual town meeting the Board called special town meetings on October 10, December 27 and 31st and held a special hearing to discuss the merits of establishing a Planning Board on December 10th.
The Board approved a total of twenty four selectmen's warrants authorizing the payment of $157,500.42. The fol- lowing is a breakdown of these payments:
Ordinary Operating Expenses $138,876 00
Payments of Federal Withholding Taxes,
Worcester County Retirement payments,
dog tax deposits, tax refunds, etc.
6,424 42
Deposits of bequests, cemetery perpetual care funds, etc.
200 00
Repayment of temporary loans
12,000 00
Total
$157,500 42
Distribution of Operating Expenses
Classification
Total Expended
Percent Of Total
General Government
$ 4,116 59
3.0.
Protection to Persons & Property
3,073 62
2.2
Health and Sanitation
283 00
0.2
Streets and Highways
46,700 45
33.6
Welfare and Charities
12,459 41
9.0
Schools and Education
45,092 08
32.5
Cemeteries
1,517 35
1.1
State charges, assessments etc.
5,233 41
3.8
Debts and Interest
2,537 50
1.8
Unclassified
17,862 59*
12.8
Totals
$ 138,876 00
100.0
*Includes Fire Station Construction
Charts showing a comparison of these expenses are shown on the following pages.
TOTAL EXPENDITURES - SCHOOLS, HIGHWAYS,WELFARE 1947-1957
$60,000
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
50,000
40,000
Streets
30,000
Schools
20,000
Welfare
$10,000
1947 48 49
1950 5: 52 '53
54 55 56 1957
FINANCIAL CHART - 1957 SOURCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF TOWN FUNDS
INCOME
EXPENSE
Total 8160.538.31
Unclassified
Protection to Pers. & Prop.
General Government
State Charges & Assessments
State Income & Corp. Taxes
Temporory Loons
Unclassified
Welfare 8 Charities
Withholding Payments etc.
Fire Station Construction
Trust Funds. Bequests,etc.
Temporary Loans
Schools & Education
Welfare & Charities
Fire Station Loan
Schools & Education
Streets & Highways
Streets & Highways
Total $157,500.42
Real Estate, Personal Property and Poll Taxes
Withholding Payments etc.
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ANNUAL REPORT
LICENSES, PERMITS AND RECEIPTS
The following is a summary of the licenses and permits issued and the payments received by the Board of Select- men during the year :
Licenses and Permits Issued
Pistol Permits 8
Permit to Purchase Firearms 2
Common Victuallers License 1
License to sell ice cream, candy, tonic and fruit on Sunday 2
Payments Received
Received for
Amounts $ 1.00
Use of Memorial Hall
Pistol Permits 4 00
Permits to purchase firearms 1 00
Sale of surplus materials
37 50
Common Victuallers License
50
License to sell ice cream, candy, tonic
and fruit on Sunday 1 00
Total received and turned over to treasurer $ 45 00
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN P. O'DONNELL
ROGER H. LONERGAN
WALTER W. NELSON
Board of Selectmen
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE TOWN TREASURER
Cash on hand January 1, 1957
Received from all sources
Paid on Selectmen's Warrants
157,500 42
Cash on hand December 31st, 1957
54,269 03
$ 211,769 45 $ 211,769 45
Trust Funds
Balance on hand January 1st, 1957 $ 43,004 69
Mass. Inv. Tr. Stock Dividend 161 70
State Auditors Price Adjustment 1,426 28
Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund 200 00
Interest on P. W. Rehab. Fund 10 13
Interest on Library Trust Funds
406 20
Interest on Wright Park Trust Funds 5 70
Interest on Cemetery Perpetual Care
211 19
Withdrawal Cemetery Trust Funds
967 35
Withdrawal of Library Funds
541 81
Trans. W. H. Reh. fund to Fire Sta. Acct.
1,000 00
Balance on hand, December 31st, 1957
42,916 73
$ 45,425 89 $ 45,425 89
Summary of Town Treasurer's Receipts
ALDEN FUND
Dividends and bank interest $ 858 30
Dept. Pub. Health Subsidy (Lupa) 145 00 $
1,003 30
CEMETERIES
Annual Care
$ 79 05
Perpetual Care Funds
200 00
Sale of Lots
30 00
Withdrawn from Trust Funds
967 35
$
1,276 40
COUNTY TREASURER
Dog Tax Refund $ 229 68
Refund for Dog Officer 13 00
Aid to Highways
5,103 36
Reimbursement Dutch Elm Disease 63 00
$ 5,409 04
CENTRAL DISTRICT COURT
Fines remitted to Town $ 30 00
$ 30 00
$ 51,231 14
160,538 31
25
ANNUAL REPORT
FIRE DEPARTMENT Fees and permits
$ 6 25
$ 6 25
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Machinery Rental Funds
$ 3,033 80 $ 3,033 80
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