USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oakham > Town annual reports of the officials of the town of Oakham, Massachusetts 1960 > 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
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OF OAKHAM
MASSACHUSETTS
CONANT
anne
Conant's Store
1960
Conant's Store
( Cover sketch by William A. Sampson)
In the mid 1800's , John Parker, a tailor, lived in, and had a shop in the basement of the house which is now the home of the Misses Mabel and Mary Conant. During the same period, James K. Harvey ran a store in the building which is now the residence of Mrs. Edward H. Kennan. In September, 1851 Mr. Parker moved to a position east of his home the "annex" previously attached to Mr. Harvey's store and used as a storage room. It became the front part of what in later years became known as Conant's Store. Mr. Parker used it as a tailor shop making men's clothing in it for five years prior to moving with his family, first to New York City, then to California.
In 1856 Lewis Dean, who had learned the wire business at the wire factory (now Dean's shop) in Linconville, bought the house and shop from Mr. Parker, built an addition to the shop, and began making wire goods. He also opened a general store, which he ran until 1872 when George F. Conant bought the house and business. Three years later Mr. Conant's son Frank opened a clock and watch repair shop and jew- elry store on the west side of the building. When his father died in 1888, Frank S. Conant took over the store combining it with his jewelry business. Eventually he dropped the sale of groceries and sold hard- ware, candy, and newspapers.
Mr. Conant and Clarence H. Parker, operator of a general store at Coldbrook Springs, decided, in 1893, to connect the two communities with a telephone line. In 1898 they organized the Conant and Parker Telephone Company. By 1903 the number of telephone subscribers had increased to such an extent that a switchboard had been set up in each of the two stores to handle calls, trunk lines were used between the two boards, and toll lines connected Oakham with Barre and Wor- cester.
The two boards remained in operation until the early 1920's when business pressure forced Mr. Parker to give up operation of the Cold- brook switchboard, and from that time on all telephone calls originated in Oakham.
After the death of Frank Conant in 1926, his daughters the Misses Mabel and Mary Conant ran the telephone business and store until 1955, when the company, the oldest of its kind in Massachusetts, was taken over by the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, which installed a dial system in the town.
ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE
TOWN OFFICIALS
OF THE
TOWN OF OAKHAM
Massachusetts
JAKHAM
Y
1762
ETTS
MASSACHUS
Year Ending December 31, 1960
Barre Gazette Barre, Mass.
POPULATION
TOWN OF OAKHAM 1860 to 1960 inclusive
Year
Population
1960
523
1950
455
1940
423
1930
502
1920
477
1910
552
1900
588
1890
738
1860
959
To the citizens of Oakham:
We are pleased to submit for your information and approval the reports of the various town officials for the year ending December 31, 1960.
We would like to express our appreciation to all of the organizations, officials and people of the town for their fine spirit of cooperation and endeavor throughout the year.
Respectfully
JOHN P. O'DONNELL ROGER H. LONERGAN WALTER W. NELSON
Board of Selectmen
4
ANNUAL REPORTS
Town Officers for 1960
THREE YEAR TERMS
Town Clerk
DOROTHY P. DAY
Term expires 1961
Selectmen
JOHN P. O'DONNELL
Term expires 1961
ROGER H. LONERGAN, Chairman
Term expires 1962
WALTER W. NELSON
Term expires 1963
Assessors
LUDWICK SZCZUKA Term expires 1961
W. FRANCIS BRENNAN
CHESTER M. ROOD, Chairman
Term expires 1962 Term expires 1963
Board of Public Welfare and Board of Health
JOHN P. O'DONNELL
Term expires 1961
ROGER H. LONERGAN, Chairman, Board of Public Welfare
Term expires 1962
WALTER W. NELSON, Chairman, Board of Health
Term expires 1963
School Committee
MARY H. PARSONS, Clerk Term expires 1961 FREDERICK G. STONE Term expires 1962 ~
WILLARD C. RUTHERFORD, Chairman Term expires 1963
Library Trustees
ELEANOR T. MAYO Term expires 1961
FANNIE B. M. TUCKER Term expires 1962-
NORMAN L. DROLET, Chairman
Term expires 1963
Cemetery Committee
NELSON E. MAYO Term expires 1961
FREDERICK G. STONE, Chairman Term expires 1962 THEODORE F. MURPHY Term expires 1963
5
ANNUAL REPORTS
FIVE YEAR TERMS Planning Board
CHESTER M. ROOD ROBERT P. WILE
RICHARD G. RILEY, Clerk RUSSELL E. CROMBIE
W. FRANCIS BRENNAN, Chairman
Term expires 1961
Term expires 1962
Term expires 1963
Term expires 1964
Term expires 1965
ONE YEAR TERMS
Moderator FREDERICK H. LANE
Tax Collector MAUDE M. STONE
Treasurer MAX H. KUHNER
Auditor CHANNING M. BILLINGS -
Tree Warden H. ROSCOE CRAWFORD ยท
Fence Viewers DONALD C. AGAR
WALTER W. NELSON VERNO S. TUCKER
Constables /
WALTER E. COLE O. HAROLD ERICKSON GEORGE H. PARKMAN FREDERICK G. STONE
ROGER H. LONERGAN
LEONARD A. HARDY
Measurers of Wood and Bark ALFRED B. MORSE
CHARLES R. DEAN WALTER A. WOODIS
Measurers of Lumber ALFRED B. MORSE
CHARLES R. DEAN WALTER A. WOODIS
Field Drivers NORMAN L. DROLET GORDON W. LOWELL WILLIAM A. SAMPSON
6
ANNUAL REPORTS
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
4.1
5.4
4.8
'58
'59
'60
Reports of the
Town Clerk
Board of Selectmen
School Study Committee
Town Treasurer Tax Collector
Planning Board
Accounting Officer
Bicentennial Celebration Committee
Note: Graphs on this and following pages show gross expenses in thousands of dollars.
7
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK
Vital Records of 1960
Birth 1959 - Late Return
December
1-Janet Mary Edwards, daughter of George L. and Hannah S. (Horstman) Edwards.
Births - 1960
February
2-Diane Marie Boucher, daughter of Emile O. and Estelle M. (L'Heureux) Boucher.
March
26-Vikki Ann Nelson, daughter of Carl R. and Elizabeth A. (Hardy) Nelson.
April
14-Gregory Scott Dwelly, son of Wesley and Carol (Keddy) Dwelly.
May
20-Craig Alden Stone, son of Frederick G. and Maude M. (Nimtz) Stone.
August
28-Edward Michael Salminen, son of William F. and Frances M. (Bechan) Salminen.
October
13-Donald Robert Hardy, Jr., son of Donald R. and Tamara S. (Maxwell) Hardy.
Marriage 1959 - Late Return
June 27-Roy B. Billings, Oakham and Ruth R. Whitmarsh, Brookfield.
Marriages 1960
February
13-William Bechan, Oakham, and Marie I. Cloutier, Spencer.
April
9-Donald R. Hardy, Oakham, and Tamara S. Maxwell, Oakham.
8
ANNUAL REPORTS
June
18-Roger L. Caisse, New Braintree, and Joan A. Nahkala, Oakham.
November
3-Carroll L. Ballou, North Brookfield, and Elizabeth A. Black, Oakham.
December
28-John A. Dod, Jr., Oakham, and Jackie E. Narrow, Oakham.
Death 1959 - Late Return
December
Y
M
D
15-Charles William Grime
66
11 5
Deaths 1960
January
29-George H. Boschert
66
-
April
20-Patrick Ryan
83
7
16
August
3-John E. Leno
62
5
20
15-Thomas G. Sanderson
33
8
14
October
12-Mary M. (Chestna) Miller
50
9
22
31-Kate M. (Woodis) Gueley
95
9
4
Non-Residents Buried in Town
Date of Death
February
25-Effie T. Swindell, Orlando, Florida
85
1 24
July
12-Robert Lovatt, Cranford, New Jersey
58
10
0
December
9-George H. Hallowell, Worcester, Mass. Dog Licenses
75
67 Males at $2.00
$134.00
20 Females at $5.00
100.00
41 Spayed Females at $2.00
82.00
128
$316.00
Fees retained, $.25 each
32.00
Net Return
$284.00
9
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Statistics on dog licensing for the past decade show that the dog population has varied little from year to year. In 1950, 130 dogs were licensed and in the intervening years, the number has ranged from 120 to 130.
Present licenses expire on March 31. New ones will be available after March 20 and may be obtained in person or by mail. The tag should be attached to the dog's collar or harness. If tags are lost or become damaged, duplicates at 10 cents each may be ordered. The law requires that dogs be licensed when they become three months old.
Sporting Licenses
37 Fishing at $4.25
$157.25
38 Hunting at $4.25 161.50
34 Sporting at $7.25
246.50
8 Minor Fishing at $2.25
18.00
8 Female Fishing at $3.25
26.00
1 Non-Resident Fishing at $8.75
8.75
3 Duplicate at $.50
1.50
6 Sporting (free)
.00
135 $619.50
Fees retained, $.25 each except duplicate and free 31.50
Net Return $588.00
During four of the last ten years the number of licenses sold was less than 100. Over 120 were sold in each of five years, the largest number being 142 in 1951.
An alien may now obtain a hunting license by applying to the Director, Division of Fisheries and Game. There will be a delay of about a week before receiving it as the applica- tion must first be cleared by the Division of Law Enforce- ment. The cost of the license is $15.25.
This year the Quabbin Reservoir will be open to shore and boat fishing from the third Saturday in April to the third Saturday in October only. These dates correspond to the open season on trout. The ban on shore fishing at the Quab- bin, except for the above dates, became effective January 1.
The Division recommends that hunters wear fluorescent blaze-orange, the color proved safest by field tests.
Archery Deer Season stamps, which are required for hunting deer with bow and arrow during the archery deer
10
ANNUAL REPORTS
season, November 14 through November 27, may be obtained after July 1 from town clerks at a cost of $1.10.
Filed
In accordance with the Uniform Commercial Code, 25 Financing Statements and 10 Termination Statements.
ACTION TAKEN AT TOWN MEETINGS DURING 1960
Annual Town Meeting March 7
Votes on election of officers and on routine articles have been omitted. For appropriations not included, see department reports and the statement of accounts prepared by the ac- counting officer.
IT WAS VOTED:
Article 1
That the annual reports of the several town officers be accepted as printed.
Article 8
That the sum of $1,100 be raised and appropriated to meet the town's share of the cost of Chapter 81 Highway Main- tenance, and-, that, in addition, the sum of $12,100 be trans- ferred from unappropriated available funds in the treas- ury to meet the state's share of the cost of the work, re- imbursements to be restored, upon their receipt, to surplus revenue.
Article 9
That the sum of $1,600 be raised and appropriated to meet the town's share of the cost of Chapter 90 Highway Main- tenance and that, in addition, the sum of $3,200 be appro- priated from unappropriated available funds in the treas- ury to meet the state's and county's share of the cost of the work, reimbursements to be restored, upon their re- ceipt, to surplus revenue.
Article 10
That the sum of $3,000 be raised and appropriated to meet the town's share of the cost of Chapter 90 Highway Construction, these funds to be used in conjunction with state and county allotments for improvements of Spencer and New Braintree Roads.
11
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Article 11
That the sum of $1,000 be appropriated from the Overlay Surplus for the purpose of a Reserve Fund.
Article 12
That the sum of $1,700 be transferred from the Highway Machinery Fund to the Highway Machinery Account.
Article 13
That the Board of Assessors be authorized and instructed to appropriate the sum of $8,000 from unappropriated available funds in the treasury for the purpose of reduc- ing the tax levy for the current year.
Article 14
That the following trust funds left to the town be accepted:
1. The trust fund of $100 received from Arthur W. Harvey for perpetual care of Lot No. 66 in Pine Grove Cemetery.
2. The trust fund of $200 from Stanley A. Drolette for perpetual care of Lot No. 25 in Pine Grove Cemetery. 3. The trust fund of $100 from Effie T. Swindell for perpetual care of Lot No. 4 in Center Cemetery.
Article 15
That the report of the Oakham Bicentennial Celebration Committee as printed on page 24 of the 1959 Annual Report of the Town of Oakham viz:
"The Oakham Bicentennial Committee is a nucleus for other committees which are to be formed within the next three years in preparation for the Town's 200th Anniversary. The committee has held three meetings during this past year and has discussed numerous possibilities of ways to celebrate the event. However, since this is an anniversary for all, it is hoped that any or everyone will feel free to offer suggestions.
Respectfully submitted,
LeRoy C. Spinney, Chairman Willard C. Rutherford John Robinson Robert P. Wile Howard S. Dean"
be accepted as a report of progress and that a fund to be known as the Oakham Bicentennial Celebration Fund and
12
ANNUAL REPORTS
to be administered by the Oakham Bicentennial Celebra- tion Committee be established and that sums of money be raised and appropriated or transferred for the purpose of this fund at future town meetings; also to accept any donations from private sources.
Article 16
The motion was made that the town create a Board of Health, separate and distinct from all existing boards and committees. After a twenty-five minute discussion, the vote was taken by written ballot in accordance with the vote of the assembly. 56 votes were negatives; 16 were affirmative. The moderator declared the motion lost.
Article 17
The motion was made that the town request the Board of Health to draw up a set of by-laws to include rules and regulations governing the use of the town dump, design standards for the installation of septic tanks and drainage fields, and any other health problems, existing or foreseeable.
An amendment was offered that the second part of the motion "design standards for the installation of septic tanks and drainage fields" be deleted. The amendment was accepted by a vote of 27 to 11. The vote on the main motion was that the town request the Board of Health to draw up a set of by-laws to include rules and regula- tions governing the use of the town dump, and any other health problems, existing or foreseeable.
Article 18
The motion was made that the town make an amendment to the Town By-Laws for the purpose of establishing a budget and finance committee.
By vote of the assembly following a half hour's discus- sion the question was decided by written ballot. 37 votes were negative; 24 were affirmative. The moderator de- clared the motion lost.
Article 19
The motion was made that the town vote to instruct the moderator, and/or the selectmen to issue the call for the Discussion Meeting, the Caucus, and the Annual Town Meeting in the above sequence. The motion "to instruct" shall include: "and instruct the selectmen to
13
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
have in the hands of the voters at said Discussion Meeting a mimeographed copy of the articles to be presented at the Annual Town Meeting."
The vote was by show of hands. 27 were negative; 11 were affirmative. The moderator declared the motion lost.
Article 20
It was voted that the sum of $300 be raised and appropri- ated to provide recreational facilities at Wright Park.
72 voters attended the meeting; 130 cast ballots in the election. Except as stated votes were unanimous. At 11:05 P.M. it was voted to adjourn the meeting.
Total amount to be raised and appropriated - $101,203.78, which is $10,878.52 more than was voted at the annual meeting of 1959.
Special Town Meeting July 20, 1960
IT WAS VOTED
Article 1
That the sum of $1,500 be transferred from the Highway Machinery Fund to the Highway Machinery Account.
Article 2
That the sum of $350 be appropriated from available funds in the treasury for use to defray charges incurred for Veterans' Services.
Article 3
That the moderator be authorized and instructed to ap- point a committee of five members whose purpose shall be to make a study of the future needs of the town for school purposes and to make a report of its findings at the next annual town meeting.
Article 4
That the sum of $100 be appropriated from available funds in the treasury for use to defray charges incurred by the Oakham Bicentennial Committee during the year. Article 5
That the Board of Selectmen be authorized to purchase a new fire engine completely equipped, and that the sum of $8,500 be appropriated therefor, $2,500 to be appropriated from the 1961 tax levy, and the balance to be borrowed
14
ANNUAL REPORTS
under the authority of Chapter 44 of the General Laws, notes of the town to be paid as they come due.
During the discussion of the motion, the assembly voted to allow Axel W. Krusell, president of the Krusell Insur- ance Agency, Inc., North Brookfield, to address the meet- ing. Mr. Krusell explained the effect a new fire truck, meeting certain specifications, would have on fire insur- ance rates in the town. The vote on the main motion was taken by written ballot. 50 voted "yes"; 12 voted "no". Total 62.
It was voted to adjourn. Except as indicated, votes were unanimous.
Moderator Frederick H. Lane appointed to the committee to study school needs, Roger H. Lonergan, Willard C. Rutherford, Max H. Kuhner, Norman L. Drolet, and Doro- thy V. Lupa.
Special Town Meeting October 21, 1960
The meeting was called to order by the clerk. In the absence of Moderator Frederick H. Lane, LeRoy C. Spin- ney was chosen to act as temporary moderator.
IT WAS VOTED
Article 1
That Moderator Frederick H. Lane be authorized and instructed to appoint a committee of three members to serve as a "Regional School District Planning Committee" in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 71 of the General Laws as amended, and that the sum of $50 be appropriated from unappropriated available funds in the treasury to defray the expenses of this committee.
Article 2
That the sum of $600 be appropriated from unappropriated available funds in the treasury to pay the cost of tuition and transportation for certain residents of the town at- tending vocational education schools. There were many opposing votes.
Article 3
That the sum of $1,000 be transferred from the Highway Machinery Fund to the Highway Machinery Account.
15
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
It was voted to adjourn. 20 voters were present. Except as indicated, votes were unanimous.
Moderator Frederick H. Lane made the following appoint- ments to the Regional School District Planning Commit- tee: Willard C. Rutherford, Roger H. Lonergan, Max H. Kuhner.
DOROTHY P. DAY, Clerk
16
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Appointments
Chief of Police
Fire Warden
Civilian Defense Director
Dog Officer
Wire Inspector Sealer of Weights and Measures
Inspector of Animals Inspector of Slaughtering
Veterans' Agent
Superintendent of Streets January 1 to October 31 February 1 to December 31
Burial Agent
Custodian of Town Hall
Town Counsel
Accounting Officer
Walter E. Cole Elwin H. Whitman Elwin H. Whitman Waclaw Smichinski Leroy C. Spinney Frederick H. Stone Roscoe Crawford Henry W. Stone, Jr. Henry W. Stone, Jr. Anthony A. Lupa
Ralph T. Young, Jr. Stanley Jamara Frederick H. Stone Charles Casault Ralph W. Igoe Roger F. Langley
Police Officers
Frederick H. Stone
Harold E. Black, Jr.
Walter W. Nelson Howard S. Dean
Norman Drolet
Special Police Officers
Leonard A. Hardy
O. Harold Erickson
Jury List
Stephen L. Barr Alice V. Foley Anthony A. Lupa
Archie J. Mann Howard F. Kemp Russell E. Crombie
Robert P. Wile
Board of Appeals
Lewis A. Hodgkinson Stanley Jamara
Raymond H. Field
Board of Registrars
Dorothy P. Day Leone Daniels
Leroy C. Spinney Arthur F. Bealand
17
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Finances
A total of 26 Treasury Warrants were approved during the year authorizing the payment of $172,208.85. This repre- sents an increase of $13,208.54 over the payments made in 1959.
The breakdown of total payments and the distribution of operating expenditures are as follows:
Breakdown of Total Payments
Operating Expenditures
$142,897.99
Retirement and Withholding payments,
refunds, etc.
5,009.86
Deposits of bequests, interest, perpetual care funds, etc.
800.00
Repayment of temporary loans
22,800.00
Alden Fund payments
701.00
Total
$173,208.85
Distribution of Operating Expenditures
Classification
Total Expended $ 4,793.10
Percent of Total
General Government
3.4
Public Safety
4,829.23
3.4
Health and Sanitation
2,018.83
1.4
Streets and Highways
38,865.57
27.0
Public Assistance
16,156.50
11.3
Schools and Education
65,303.65
45.8
Recreation and Unclassified
4,520.55
3.2
Cemeteries
1,719.38
1.2
Interest and Maturing Debt
4,691.18
3.3
Totals
$142,897.99 100.0
An audit of the general accounts of the town for the period from May 1, 1958, and of the accounts of the tax collector from March 13, 1959, to March 24, 1960 was made by the Depart- ment of Corporations and Taxation, Bureau of Accounts, in accordance with Chapter 44 of the General Laws. The final report of this audit was received in October, 1960, and indi- cated that all accounts were in good order.
The Balance Sheet showing the condition of the various accounts of the town as of March 24, 1960 is included in the financial section of this report.
18
ANNUAL REPORTS
Considerable consideration has been given to the advis- ability of establishing a stabilization fund to meet the cost of future capital outlay programs, and in view of the apparent need for more school facilities in the near future it appears that it would be to the advantage of the town to establish such a fund in 1961.
A chart showing the amount of payments being made on capital outlays at present and the amounts that we are com- mitted to pay in future, together with the proposed payments to the stabilization fund, appears on the following page.
Streets and Highways
Work on the final section of Spencer Road was substan- tially completed by the end of the year with only minor items of cleaning up remaining.
Preliminary studies and plans of the new layout of New Braintree Road have been made by the Department of Public Works but the final layout had not been completed and made avaliable by the end of the year.
General mintenance of all roads and streets was continued under Chapter 81 and 90 Maintenance programs.
General
Although no new construction work was done at Wright Park this year the field was maintained and improved and some new playground equipment purchased.
Improvements to the Center Cemetery were continued under the direction of the Cemetry Committee and the final section should be completed in 1961.
The program of maintenance and improvement of the town dump was continued during the year. A set of rules and regulations governing the use of the dump was drawn up and published, extension of the face of the dump was con- tinued so that the wet areas will be filled in, a program of rodent control was started and the dump was burned over periodically by the fire department.
Members of the Board have met periodically with the Oakham Bicentennial Committee throughout the year.
19
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Licenses and Permits Issued
2 Auctioneer's Licenses
Receipts
Auctioneers License $2.00
Sale of Surplus Materials 1.00
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN P. O'DONNELL ROGER H. LONERGAN WALTER W. NELSON
CAPITAL OUTLAY PROGRAM PAYMENTS DUE ON EXISTING DEBTS AND PROPOSED FUTURE PROGRAM
$10,000
1$10,000
Proposed Future Payments
-Payments on Existing Debts
$ 5,000
$5,000
Fire
Truck
Loan
STABILIZATION FUND
:Fire
AND NEW SCHOOL BUILDING
Station :
Loan
PAYMENTS
School Building Remodeling Loon
Z
1960
'61
62
63
1965
67
68
69
1970
'71
21
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL STUDY COMMITTEE
The members of the Oakham School Study Committee met frequently for discussions of problems arising from the natural growth of the Oakham School population within the foreseeable future. Meetings were held with Dr. Bowlby, Superintendent of Schools, and Mr. Carey, Assistant Super- intendent, to obtain their expert advice. Rutland invited the Study Committee to attend the Rutland Planning Board's Meeting and to discuss in a preliminary way the consideration of joining with Rutland and possibly one other town in provid- ing facilities for Junior High School students on a regional basis.
The Oakham Elementary School enrollment was 60 pupils in 1950 and 108 pupils in the fall of 1960. The trend in popula- tion shift from larger cities to rural areas, brought about by improved roads and transportation, will certainly be felt by our Town. It is possible that our Elementary School enroll- ment will double during the next 10 years.
The Study Committee concludes that serious considera- tion must be given to the strong possibility that a new Ele- mentary School of at least double the capacity of our present school will be required in 1965 or 1966. The Committee recom- mends the immediate establishment of a stabilization fund to aggregate approximately $25,000 in the year 1965 by setting aside a yearly amount of not less than $4000. With this fund available at the time new school construction must start the State Government will assist with an equal amount so that the cost of financing the new school construction, and which must be borne by the Town, remains reasonable.
To prevent over-crowding of the Town's available Ele- mentary School facilities within the immediate future the Committee recommends that serious consideration be given to a plan of joining one or two other Towns in the construction of Regional Junior High School facilities which would permit having the 7th and 8th Grade pupils transferred from the Oakham Elementary School to a new Junior High School. The space presently occupied by 7th and 8th Grades would thus become available for the anticipated larger enrollment of the 1st to 6th Grades.
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.