USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1955 > Part 1
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Annual Reports
FOR THE YEAR 1955
RATED
SEAL O
1/
HARWICH
ADOPTED SEPT.
TOWN OF HARWICH
1955 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF
HARWICH
THE ORATED SEPT
F
SEAL OF T INCORPO
1694
HARWICH
ADOPTED SEPT. 4.1897
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1955
PRINTED BY KENDALL PRINTING CO. FALMOUTH, MASS.
3
Town Officers - 1955
Selectmen, Overseers Public Welfare and Board of Health
Alton E. Walker Emulous E. Hall
Stephen Weekes
Term Expires February 1958 Term Expires February 1957 Term Expires February 1956
Assessors
Alton E. Walker
Emulous E. Hall
Stephen Weekes
Term Expires February 1958 Term Expires February 1957 Term Expires February 1956
Town Clerk
Term Expires February 1956
Town Treasurer
Henry K. Bearse
Term Expires February 1956
Collector of Taxes
Leslie V. Nickerson
Term Expires February 1956
Surveyor of Highways
.
Alton P. Hall
Term Expires February 1958
Tree Warden Term Expires February 1956
Walter E. Cahoon
Moderator
John H. Paine
Term Expires February 1956
School Committee
Margaret Leonard H. William Morey Ephraim G. Nickerson
Term Expires February 1958 Term Expires February 1957 Term Expires February 1956
Constables
C. Conrad Nickerson Charles S. Hartig Horace F. Wixon
Term Expires February 1956 Term Expires February 1956 Term Expires February 1956
Henry K. Bearse
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Park Commissioners
Reginald P. Kendall William C. Chase
Emulous E. Hall, Jr.
Term Expires February 1958 Term Expires February 1957 Term Expires February 1956
Water Commissioners
Francis J. Hibbert
Harold Thompson
Norman O. Nickerson
Term Expires February 1958 Term Expires February 1957 Term Expires February 1956
Cemetery Commissioners
Rodney O'Brien John R. S. Handren
Henry F. Smith
Term Expires February 1958 Term Expires February 1957 Term Expires February 1956
Trustees Broadbrooks Free Library
Hilliary M. LeClaire
Charlotte P. Sims
Mildred B. Paine
Term Expires February 1958 Term Expires February 1957 Term Expires February 1956
Planning Board
C. William Johnson Esther A. Stidstone
Roswell H. Nye
Edwin W. Dybing
Ralph B. Snow
Term Expires February 1960 Term Expires February 1959 Term Expires February 1958 Term Expires February 1957 Term Expires February 1956
Recreation Commissioners
Alice C. Morris H. Morrison Mitchell
Raymond H. Grayson Virginia S. Doane
Earle F. Bassett
Term Expires February 1960 Term Expires February 1959 Term Expires February 1958 Term Expires February 1957 Term Expires February 1956
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APPOINTED OFFICERS Finance Committee
Henry Higgins Wilfred Adams Thomas Wright
Asahel E. Drake
George C. Baldwin
Amos Bartlett (resigned)
Robert S. Stearns Alfred Carter Irvin Phipps
Term Expires February 1958 Term Expires February 1958 Term Expires February 1958 Term Expires February 1957 Term Expires February 1957 Term Expires February 1957 Term Expires February 1956 Term Expires February 1956 Term Expires February 1956
Registrars of Voters
Joseph V. Gavin
Helena T. Maguire
Cleon S. Crowell
Term Expires February 1958 Term Expires February 1957 Term Expires February 1956
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Victor S. Ryder Term Expires February 1956
Superintendent Moth Department
Walter E. Cahoon Term Expires February 1956
Inspector of Animals
Hilliard E. Hopkins Term Expires February 1956
Inspector of Slaughtering
Hilliard E. Hopkins Term Expires February 1956
Surveyor of Wood and Lumber
Roswell H. Nye
Term Expires February 1956
Wire Inspector
Bradford L. Barrett Term Expires February 1956
Building Inspector
Winslow B. Sawyer Term Expires February 1956
Plumbing Inspector
Courtenay N. Chase Term Expires February 1956
Field Drivers and Fence Viewers
C. Conrad Nickerson Charles S. Hartig Horace F. Wixon
Term Expires February 1956 Term Expires February 1956 Term Expires February 1956
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Protective By-Law Board of Appeals
Pleasant Lake: Member Associate Member
Term Expires 1962 Donald T. Bates Wilbur Crowell
East Harwich: Member Associate Member
Term Expires 1961 Leland H. McKenney Charles W. Chase
Harwich Port Member Associate Member
Term Expires 1960 (Chairman) Peter Barber Raymond H. Grayson
Harwich Center Member Associate Member
Term Expires 1959 Charlotte P. Sims C. Earl Chase
South Harwich Member Associate Member
Term Expires 1958 Herbert R. Morse Amadee S. Mazzur
North Harwich Member Associate Member
Term Expires 1957 John S. Raneo William L. Chandler
West Harwich Member Associate Member
Term Expires 1956 Robert O. Cummings Robert Joy
Veterans' Agent
Harry B. Albro Term Expires February 1956
Shellfish Warden
Roger W. Munsey Term Expires February 1956
Harbor Masters
Watson J. Small- Wytchmere Harbor Term Expires February 1956
Rupert P. Nichols- Allen's Harbor Term Expires February 1956 Term Expires February 1956
Roger W. Munsey-Town
Chief of Police
C. Conrad Nickerson Term Expires February 1956
Fire Chief and Forest Warden
Charles A. Hall Term Expires February 1956
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Town Accountant
Althea M. Chase (resigned) Douglas B. Sawyer Term Expires February 1956
Civil Defense Director
Charles S. Hartig Term Expires February 1956
Town Counsel
Oscar J. Cahoon Term Expires February 1956
Secretary to Selectmen and Assessors
Charlotte W. Morey Term Expires February 1956
Dog Officer Term Expires February 1956
Hilliard E. Hopkins
Health Officer
Dr. F. L. Moore Term Expires February 1956
Sanitary Inspector and Collector of Milk Samples Ernest C. Eldredge Term Expires February 1956
Wharfinger
Roger W. Munsey Term Expires February 1956
Welfare Agent Olive L. Williams
Social Worker Madeline M. Galeckie
Junior Clerk & Typist Mary L. Snow
Registered Land Surveyor Benjamin P. Chase
Town Nurse Adelyn J. Peabody
Trustees Caleb Chase Fund
Norman O. Nickerson Henry F. Smith Milton Cahoon
Term Expires 1958 Term Expires 1957 Term Expires 1956
Custodian Town Office Buildings Sula A. Jussila
Town Forest Committee
Donald T. Bates Joseph E. Craffey Doris Doane
Term Expires 1958 ยท Term Expires 1957 Term Expires 1956
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Report of the Selectmen
In accordance with instructions of the townspeople the Selectmen directed the following projects during the year:
Purchase of the new Police Cruiser was put out to public bid. Contract was awarded to the low bidder, Dennisport Hudson Inc.
Purchase of a ranch wagon for the Fire Department was put out to bid. Contract was awarded to the low bidder, Newton Motor Sales.
A Committee of five persons was appointed to study the possibilities of relocating the Town Dump. The results of their investigation appear elsewhere in this Report.
Approximately seventy three acres of woodland were taken by Eminent Domain for use as well land by the Water Department.
The $3000 raised to advertise the advantages and re- sources of the Town was expended in cooperation with the Harwich Chamber of Commerce in the following manner:
7300 Pictorial and Instructive Street Maps $1,325.00
25,000 Chamber-Town Promotion Circulars 440.80
Cape Cod Standard Times Invitational Ad 132.00
Boston Globe Vacation Section Ad
380.00
Cranberry Harvest Days
650.00
Miscellaneous
27.60
Total Expenditures $2,955.40
Balance to 1956
44.60
Total Appropriated $3,000.00
Four Concerts were given by the Chatham Band at Brooks Park during the summer months. These concerts now cost the Town $150 apiece.
A Committee was appointed to determine the most satis- factory method of expending the $1000 appropriated for the celebration of July 4, 1956. A summary of the work of this Committee appears elsewhere in this Report.
The westerly jetty at the entrance to Allen Harbor was repaired, reinforced, and extended. The outermost section of the Allen Harbor channel was dredged.
Contracts have been awarded for the construction of two additional jetties and the placing of sand fill at the Red River
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Beach in South Harwich. When completed, this work will carry improvements to the Chatham Line. Fill and harden- ing was brought in and placed at the rear of the beach be- tween Deep Hole and Uncle Venies Roads to provide an area for parking.
Alternate members were appointed to the Board of Ap- peals from each section of the Town. A list of these Alter- nates is given under the roll of Town Officers.
It was found that the main floor hearing room at the Town Office was inadequate on several occasions and repairs were made on the larger hearing room downstairs. The new hearing room will seat approximately 100 persons.
The Water Loan voted at the Annual Town Meeting was combined with that voted at the Special Meeting in June, a total of $586,000, and put to bid through the Second Bank and State Street Trust, Boston. Bonds were awarded to the low bidder, The First Boston Corporation, at 21/4%.
The Selectmen asked each Department to include the cost of its building repairs and its insurance (except that on Town Buildings) in the Departmental budget for the coming year. Formerly the Selectmen had handled these items, but it was felt that a better cost picture would be provided the townspeople and a more satisfactory knowledge of the policies and repairs would be provided the department head with the new system.
The Selectmen feel that efforts should be made by the Town to improve the boating facilities, specifically the avail- able anchorage. This year's warrant offers an opportunity to come to some decision in this regard. Also in the Warrant is an article which proposes a study of the Town Buildings for the purpose of setting up a comprehensive course of action for future building. The townspeople will have to face sev- eral important building decisions and rather than handle each one as an individual problem, it can then be treated as a part of an overall plan which takes into consideration the needs of all town functions.
Permits and Licenses issued during the year:
Physiotheraphy & Swedish Massage 1
Carnival 1
Bowling Alleys 1
Agent's or Seller's Class I 1
Respectfully submitted,
ALTON E. WALKER, Chm. STEPHEN WEEKES
EMULOUS E. HALL Selectmen of Harwich
10
Report of the Assessors
Valuation of the Town-Dec. 31, 1955
$14,192,350.00
Valuation of the Town-Dec. 31, 1954
13,945,610.00
Increase in Valuation $246,740.00
Valuation of land exclusive of buildings
$2,699,800.00
Valuation of buildings exclusive of land
10,434,590.00
Total valuation of land & buildings
$13,134,390.00
Valuation of Personal Estate:
Stock in Trade
$57,800.00
Machinery
410,700.00
Live Stock
1,440.00
All other Tangible Property
588,020.00
$14,192,350.00
Taxes Levied:
Tax on Real Estate
$512,241.21
Tax on Personal Property
41,260.44
Tax on Polls
2,304.00
$555,805.65
Tax Rate-$39.00 per Thousand
Added valuation-Real Estate
$10,020.00
taxes $390.78
Personal Property 900.00
35.10
$10,920.00
$425.88
Number of livestock assessed:
Cows
3
Horses
2
Swine
42
Fowl
400
Goats
12
Number of Acres of Land Assessed
9,038.24
Number of Dwellings Assessed
2,944
Recapitulation
Total appropriation as certified by the Town Clerk
$720,361.80
Amount used from Available Funds
89,120.33
Overlay Deficits
4,440.28
County Retirement
3,957.54
Hurricane Deficit
2,907.47
State Parks & Reservations
917.80
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State Audit of Municipal Accounts
923.06
4,866.01
Mosquito Control County Tax Overlay of Current Year
52,456.00
9,000.00
Gross Amount to be Raised
$897,450.00
Estimated Receipts and Available Funds
Income Tax
$36,408.37
Corporation Taxes
29,752.20
Old Age Tax (Meals)
1,923.42
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
35,340.00
Licenses
5,000.00
General Government
5,000.00
Charities (other than Federal Grants)
9,000.00
Old Age Assistance (other than Federal Grants)
33,000.00
Veterans Services
4,000.00
Schools (Funds from Income Tax
not to be included)
8,288.66
Public Services (water)
58,000.00
Court House Rent
1,250.00
Hurricane Reimbursement
2,749.32
Total estimated receipts
$229,711.97
Overestimates of previous year :
County Tax
$12,808.24
State Parks
4.09
Mosquito Control
.01
Amounts taken from
Available Funds
99,120.33
$111,932.67
Total amount to be raised
$897,450.00
Total estimated receipts
and available funds
341,644.64
Total amount to be raised by taxation $555,805.65
Tax on Polls
$2,304.00
Tax on Personal
41,260.44
Tax on Real Estate
512,241.21
$555,805.65
EMULOUS E. HALL, Chm. ALTON E. WALKER STEPHEN WEEKES
Assessors of Harwich
1
$341,644.64
12
TOWN OF HARWICH ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT
FEBRUARY 13, 1956
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Barnstable, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Harwich in said County, Greetings:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Town qualified to vote in elections and town affairs to meet in the High School Building in said Town on Monday, February 13, 1956 at 12 noon then and there to act on Article 1 and afterwards on the following day, Tuesday, February 14, 1956 at 7:30 p.m. to meet in Exchange Hall to act on the remaining articles.
Polls will be open at 12 noon and will close at 8:00 p.m.
Article 1. To choose on one ballot the following Town Officers and Committees: Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, Col- lector of Taxes for one year; one Selectman, Overseer of Public Welfare and Board of Health for three years; one Assessor for three years; one Recreation Committee for five years; three Constables for one year; one Trustee of Brooks Library for three years; one Cemetery Commissioner for three years; one Tree Warden for one year; one Moderator for one year; one School Committee for three years; one School Committee for two years; one School Committee for one year; one Park Commissioner for three years; one Water Commissioner for three years and one Planning Board Mem- ber for five years.
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Article 2. To choose all other Town Officers and Com- mittees.
Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1956 and to issue a note or notes therefore payable within one year and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17 Chapter 44 of the General Laws.
Article 4. To hear the report of all Town Officers and Committees for the year of 1955.
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate such sums of money as may be required to defray Town charges for the calendar year 1956 and to act fully thereon.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 90, Highway Maintenance, or take any action in relation thereon.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money to be used with whatever State and County funds are available under Chapter 90, Road Con- struction and to act fully thereon.
Article 8. To see what action the Town will take in re- gard to the Herring Fisheries for the year of 1956 and to act fully thereon.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate or transfer from unappropriated available funds the sum of three thousand dollars ($3,000) to reimburse the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for money advanced for certain Chapter 90 work at the Allen Harbor Bridge and to act fully thereon.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sufficient amount of money for the purpose of holding Band Concerts in the summer of 1956 and to act fully thereon.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sufficient amount of money to be used under the direction of the Board of Selectmen to properly celebrate and observe July 4, 1956 and to act fully thereon.
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Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of sixteen hundred dollars ($1,600) to be used for painting and repairs of Brooks Block and to act fully thereon.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to expend the refunded dog tax for the support of Brooks Free Library and to act fully thereon.
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum not to exceed nine hundred dollars ($900) to meet the cost of the proportionate share of the costs and ex- penses of the Cape Cod Regional Planning District Commis- sion, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500) to pur- chase a new Police Cruiser and equipment and to authorize the Selectmen to trade the 1955 Hudson cruiser now owned by the Town, the sum received from said trade to be used toward the purchase of the new car and to act fully thereon.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of thirteen hundred dollars ($1,300) to pur- chase a new Police cruiser and equipment and to authorize the Selectmen to trade the 1954 Chevrolet cruiser now owned by the Town, the sum received from said trade to be used to- ward the purchase of the new car and to act fully thereon.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of nine hundred dollars ($900) for the pur- chase of 500 feet of 11/2-inch double jacket fire hose and 250 feet of 3/4-inch booster hose and to act fully thereon.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of two thousand dollars ($2,000) for resur- facing and extending the present driveway and parking area adjacent to the Fire Station and to act fully thereon.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of sixteen hundred dollars ($1,600) to pur- chase a suitable auxiliary generator to operate all electrical equipment at Fire Headquarters in case of power failure and to act fully thereon.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of sixty-five hundred and sixty-five dollars ($6,565) to be used to construct a new drive connecting South Street and the paved area north of the elementary school and elementary school parking areas and the drive from South Street to Sisson Road and to act fully thereon.
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Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of sixteen hundred dollars ($1,600) to purchase and install an emergency power unit at the elemen- tary school and to act fully thereon.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of five hundred dollars ($500) to be used in planting shade trees along Town accepted ways under Chapter 87 and to act fully thereon.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sufficient amount of money to build a tool shed and shelter for the use of the custodian of the Town Dump and to act fully thereon.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars ($2,500) for the purpose of parking improvements at the Red River Beach in South Harwich and to act fully thereon.
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for the purpose of reimbursing Bernard Kendrick for land taken by the Town of Harwich for beach purposes at Red River Beach in South Harwich and to act fully thereon.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to purchase for the Tree Warden and Moth Department one new four hundred (400) gallon spraying machine and to authorize the Selectmen to sell or trade the two old spraying machines and to apply the money towards the purchase of the new machine and to act fully thereon.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient amount of money to purchase or take by eminent domain the following described parcel of land in Harwich Center: northerly by Alfred H. Paine et ux, westerly by the Town of Harwich, southerly by a County Way (Route #39), and easterly by Gersham D. Hall according to a plan drawn by Benjamin P. Chase, dated January 27, 1956, and filed with the Selectmen, and being a part of the land owned by Gersham D. Hall under Book 711, page 423, and to act fully thereon.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to purchase or take by eminent domain for the purpose of a town dump and disposal area the following parcel of land situated in the Town of Harwich and bounded and described as follows: southerly by owners unknown 656 feet; westerly by owners unknown 1,158 feet; northerly by Coy
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Brook, easterly by Lothrop Avenue, a Town Way 1,520 feet; according to a plan drawn by Benjamin P. Chase, dated Janu- ary 27, 1956 and filed with the Board of Selectmen and to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for this purpose and to act fully thereon.
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to negotiate for the purchase of the low lands, lands of low value, and, where it is necessary for access pur- poses, the immediate uplands in the vicinity of the Allen Harbor Creek north of Lower County Road for the purposes of protecting the Public Health and planning for the future provision of recreation faciilties, and to report their findings to the Annual Town Meeting of 1957, and to act fully thereon.
Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to negotiate for the purchase of the low lands, lands of low value, and, where it is necessary for access pur- poses, the immediate uplands in the vicinity of the Andrews River, south of Rte #28 for the purposes of protecting the Public Health and planning for the future provision of recre- ational facilities, and to report their findings to the Annual Town Meeting of 1957, and to act fully thereon.
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to negotiate for the purchase of the low lands, lands of low value, and, where it is necessary for access pur- poses, the immediate uplands in the vicinity of Red River Beach in South Harwich for the purposes of protecting the Public Health and planning for the future provision of recre- ation facilities, and to report their findings to the Annual Town Meeting of 1957 and to act fully thereon.
Article 32. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to purchase or take by eminent domain certain swampland, low land and land of low value, and where it is necessary for access purposes, the immediate upland and in the vicinity of Allen Harbor Creek, and north of Lower County Road, for the purpose of protecting the public health and for recreational purposes, said lands being more particularly bounded and described as follows: beginning at a point in the northerly side line of Lower County Road, which point is 350 feet more or less easterly from the easterly sideline of Nehoiden Road so-called, thence running northwesterly 725 feet more or less by lands of Whitehouse Properties Inc. and owners unknown to a point; thence running northeasterly 350 feet more or less by land of owner unknown and land of one Trainer to a point; thence running southeasterly 900 feet more or less by lands of said Trainer, Louis Handler et ux and Frederick Crowell to a point; thence running souther-
17
ly 500 feet more or less by land of said Crowell and land of A. B. Stewart et ux, to a point; thence running westerly by land of said Stewart et ux 250 feet more or less to a point; thence running northwesterly by lands of said Stewart et ux 275 feet more or less to a point; thence running southwesterly 550 feet more or less by land of said Stewart et ux, to Lower County Road; thence running westerly by Lower County Road 200 feet more or less to the point of beginning and to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for this pur- pose and to act fully thereon.
Article 33. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of nine thousand dollars ($9,000) for the purpose of repairing, dredging, and/or extending the jetty on the westerly side of Herring River, being 25% of the cost, provided the County contributes 25% and the State 50% under Chapter 90 or any amendments thereto and to act fully thereon.
Article 34. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to purchase or take by eminent domain for road purposes the following described parcel of land in Harwich Center: that portion of the railroad layout formerly owned by the Chatham Railroad Company and not now in use which lies between Pleasant Lake Avenue (Rte #24) and Oak Street, being a part of the land owned by Edward Ziskind et al (Thomas McDermott), deed recorded in Barnstable County Registry of Deeds, Book 569-page 149, and to raise and ap- propriate a sufficient amount of money for this purpose and to act fully thereon.
Article 35. To see if the Town will vote to purchase or take by eminent domain the triangular piece of property at the junction of Chase Street and Rte #28 for the purpose of a Memorial Square and to act fully thereon.
Article 36. To see if the Town will vote to purchase or take by eminent domain the triangular piece of property at the junction of Chase Street and Lower County Road for the purpose of a Memorial Square and to act fully thereon.
Article 37. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sufficient sum of money to clear the north end of the schoolhouse parking lot and resurface it with oil and to act fully thereon.
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