USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1957-1959 > Part 59
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Sixteen Town Meeting Members for District Nine for One, Two and Three Year Terms
Elected and Sworn by Town Clerk and Accountant
Marion Curran Boch had two hundred and seventy-six (276) votes Richard R. Boch had two hundred and fifty-four (254) votes James F. Curran had three hundred and twenty-five (325) votes Doris C. Dauksis had three hundred and thirty-eight (338) votes Gedman C. Dauksis had three hundred and ten (310) votes Robert E. Hemman had three hundred and eighty-three (383) votes John J. Lanzoni had three hundred and twenty (320) votes Ernest W. Paciorkowski had three hundred and eleven (311) votes Robert Rizzo had three hundred and ninety (390) votes Frederick R. Valentine had three hundred and thirteen (313) votes Arthur T. Conley had two hundred and forty-nine (249) votes Robert E. Fitzsimmons had two hundred and twenty-three (223) votes Arthur J. Groh had two hundred and forty-nine (249) votes Ambrose J. Kelly had two hundred and seventy (270) votes John P. O'Connor had two hundred and twenty-four (224) votes Robert E. Wohler had two hundred and eighty-five (285) votes
Not Elected
Clyde M. Adams had one hundred and sixty-six (166) votes Earl K. Bowen had one hundred and eighty-eight (188) votes Thomas Chestna had one hundred and ninety-nine (199) votes Francis J. Donahue had one hundred and sixty-three (163) votes
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
Albert P. Hall had two hundred and seventeen (217) votes Robert L. Jayes had two hundred and four (204) votes Arthur S. Quaglieri had two hundred and eighteen (218) votes Maynard N. Sallet had one hundred and sixty-three (163) votes Alfred A. Sanfilippo had one hundred and eighty-two (182) votes Eugene Smith had one hundred and fifty-four (154) votes Leslie G. Stephens had one hundred and eighty-three (183) votes William I. Strauss had one hundred and sixty-two (162) votes Theodore P. Takacs had two hundred and two (202) votes Arthur J. Vuozzo had one hundred and seventy-two (172) votes Scattering, four (4) votes
Blanks, thirty hundred and seven (3007)
A True Record
Attest: BARTLEY W. CONNOLLY Town Clerk and Accountant
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
March 19, 1959
On a warrant duly issued by the Selectmen under the date of March 3, 1959, and signed by Walter J. Dempsey, Charles L. Rich and John A. Ab- dallah, Selectmen of Norwood, the meeting was called to order by the Mod- erator, Walter J. Gotovich. The proper service of this warrant was duly attested by James E. Quinn, Constable of Norwood. The meeting was opened with a prayer by Rev. Paul Barry, S. J.
All the requirements of the statutes and by-laws relating to the calling of the Town Meeting were complied with. The warrant calling the meeting was read by Town Clerk and Accountant, Bartley W. Connolly. The articles con- tained in the warrant, and the action thereunder being as follows:
ARTICLE 1. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds in the treasury for the purpose of establishing a stabilization fund under authority of Chapter 40, Section 5B of the General Laws. (On petition of the Finance Commission)
VOTED: By transfer from Surplus Revenue, the sum of $25,000.00.
ARTICLE 2. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to lease for a period not exceeding five years a building or parts of building for the purpose of providing suitable headquarters for Amvets, Norwood, Massachusetts, subject to regulations to be made by the Selectmen therefor as provided by law, and to raise and appropriate a sum to provide for the current year, or take any other action in the matter.
VOTED: By taxation, the sum of $720.00.
ARTICLE 3. To see what sum of money, in addition to the sum ap- propriated under Article 4 of the Special Town Meeting held April 28, 1958,
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
the Town will vote to raise by taxation and/or transfer from Surplus Revenue and appropriate for the sealing of the east-west runway at the Norwood Municipal Airport, and for incidental expenses of the Norwood Airport Com- mission. (On petition of the Norwood Airport Commission)
VOTED: The sum of $750.00 be raised by taxation and appropriated to meet the additional expense of sealing the runway at the Norwood Municipal Airport and the sum of $500.00 be raised by taxation and appropriated for the administration expense of the Norwood Municipal Airport Commission.
ARTICLE 4. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or borrow for the installation of automatic sprinklers in the public schools.
VOTED: On amended motion, That the Moderator be instructed to ap- point a Committee of Five to study the need for the installation of automatic sprinklers in the public school buildings, said Committee to report to a future town meeting with its recommendations on or before December 31, 1959.
ARTICLE 5. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate to cover the overdraft for Snow and Ice Removal for the year 1958.
VOTED: By taxation, the sum of $1,866.13.
ARTICLE 6. To see if the Town will vote to name the Traffic Overpass at the intersection of Nahatan Street and the State Highway (Route No. 1) the "James E. Pendergast Overpass," or take any other action in the matter.
VOTED: That the Traffic Overpass at the intersection of Nahatan Street and the State Highway (Route No. 1) be and hereby is named "James E. Pender- gast Overpass."
ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will vote to adopt the following By- Law with respect to the establishment of a Capital Outlay Committee, and further to see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate for the use of the Capital Outlay Committee or take any other action in the matter:
Capital Outlay Committee
Section 1. There shall be a committee organized to be known as the Capital Outlay Committee, consisting of seven members as follows:
(A) One member from each of the following groups, to be designated by such group:
Board of Selectmen Finance Commission Planning Board Board of Assessors School Committee
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
The members designated as above, shall serve until the next annual Town Meeting in January and thereafter such terms shall be for one year to expire on the date of the annual Town Meeting in January of each year.
(B) The remaining two members shall be appointed by the moderator, one to serve until the next annual Town Meeting and the other to serve until the second annual meeting and upon the expiration of each of these terms, the Moderator shall appoint for terms of three years.
Section 2. Whenever any vacancy shall occur in the Committee, it shall be filled by the appointing authority which appointed the member whose position shall have become vacant. Any person appointed to fill a vacancy in the committee shall hold office for the unexpired term of the person whom he succeeds.
Section 3. The General Manager, Town Clerk and Accountant and Town Treasurer and the Librarian, shall be ex-officio members of the Com- mittee. They shall not be entitled to vote on the making of rcommendations to be included in the committee's reports. The Committee shall choose its own officers, and shall serve without compensation.
Section 4. It shall be the duty of the Committee to ascertain annually what capital outlays will be required by the Town during the next six years. In making this determination, it may consult with Town, County and State officials, with other boards and committees of the Town, and with other competent organizations and individuals whom they may choose. It shall publish and distribute to each Town Meeting Member an annual report and such further reports as it deems advisable, and shall include in such reports its estimates of income, operational expenses and tax rates, and its recom- mendations for scheduling and financing Capital Outlays. (On petition of the Capital Outlay Committee)
VOTED: On amended motion, That the By-Law as set out in Article 7 and amended in Section 1 to read nine instead of seven members be and hereby is adopted. And be it further voted that the sum of Nine Hundred ($900) Dollars be raised by taxation and appropriated for the expense of the Capital Outlay Committee.
Meeting dissolved at 9:10 P.M.
A True Record Attest: BARTLEY W. CONNOLLY Town Clerk and Accountant
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
March 19, 1959, adjourned from January 19, 1959
On a warrant duly issued by the Selectmen under the date of January 2, 1959, and signed by Harry B. Butters, Charles L. Rich, James J. Druminey,
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
Walter J. Dempsey and John A. Abdallah, Selectmen of Norwood, the meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Walter J. Gotovich. The proper service of the warrant was duly attested by James E. Quinn, Constable of Norwood.
The articles in the warrant and the action thereunder is as follows:
ARTICLE 2. To hear and act on the reports of Town Officers and Committees.
VOTED: That the report of the Finance Commission and its recommen- dation with respect to appropriation estimates for the year 1959 be received and acted upon.
VOTED: That the 87th Annual Report of the officials of the Town of Norwood be received and accepted as printed.
VOTED: That the report of the Committee appointed by the Moderator to make a study of property valuations in the town of Norwood to determine if there is a need for a re-valuation of all real estate be accepted.
The Report of the Committee is as follows:
Your Committee held several meetings with Representatives of major and reputable concerns whose sole business was the revaluation of towns and cities. After much discussion with them, two facts became increasingly apparent.
1. There were inequalities in our assessments. This fact was not usual in communities that had experienced such rapid growth, in fact it was inevitable.
2. Norwood has an exceptionally good system. This is a factor unique to most towns.
The committee also met with a local group who had done considerable research on their own. They had catalogued the sales of about 200 houses as published in the "Banker and Tradesman" and had compared them with present assessments. This approach is important in that it points up the fact that valu- ations are out of adjustment. This study established a ratio between sales and assessments but it should not be construed as true appraising because it lacks the necessary information that only assessors possess.
This committee also consulted with Mr. Leslie M. Willard, Consultant to the Department of Taxes and Corporations of the State of Massachusetts. Mr. Willard is an expert in this field. He is responsible for the setting up of a state system of assessing and the establishment of a school for training assessors in conjunction with the University of Massachusetts. Last year this school was attended by Assessors from 85% of the cities and towns in the State. The pro- gram which the State has established is available to each community that accepts the State statutes. The Board of Assessors can avail themselves of technical help and supervision from the Bureau of Local Assessments. Aid is available for the following services:
1. Supervision of Equalization program.
2. Supervision of Assessors work.
3. Supervision of Land Equalization.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
It is fitting to remind ourselves of the reason behind tax assessment. Our Town belongs to all of us. Without favor, each should be measured according to the real and personal property we own.
To apply, this is not simple. Remember, there are large homes, small homes, old homes, expensive homes, inexpensive homes - homes in Factory Zones, Homes in Business Zones, Homes in Residential Areas. Homes Central, Homes Urban, and Homes Suburban. Furthermore, all of these classes are subdivided into many other classifications.
Beyond dwelling units are our commercial and industrial properties. These provide salaries, wages and employment. They cannot be misjudged as to tax levee. Commerce and industry must survive competition. Price margins in that competitive market are small. Our interest is best served by providing a favorable tax climate. We must be fair in our tax demands upon them.
Assessors are appointed to apply reasonable standards of value upon which taxes are levied. Those standards must be consistent and equitable.
Since 1945, Norwood has been shaken by that same physical and economic changes as has our country. . . . The world too, for that matter. Since 1945, property transfers, the improvement of vast unimproved woodland areas, con- struction of hundreds of homes, new highways, streets and roads, new shopping centers, new schools, M.D.C. Water, extension of sewer service, additional in- dustrial properties ... in fact, the whole face of our town had been radically altered.
Your Board of Assessors was not large enough to handle this volume. In spite of its pressure of work, our Assessors' staff of one person and the Board Chairman was not reinforced until recently. They preserved their records, current and orderly, and prevented the excess load from bringing confusion. Your com- mittee feels that they succeeded in avoiding chaos - a high complement to their credit. We feel the only disorder which crept in was inequity and because our records are in good order, correction will not be difficult nor excessive in cost.
Your Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Acts of 1955, made expert tax consultants available to cities and towns. These experts were instituted to resolve exact situations as is posed to our town at this time.
By voting to enter our State Assessment System, State Experts will check our Assessors' cards. They will make a thorough preliminary review. They will test their adequacy and accuracy and they will apply current formula of value. From such careful practiced examination, will result specific recommendations. No charge of bias, personalities or emotion can cloud subsequent actions.
If our State Assessment system advocates revaluation and you vote to sup- port them, you will be authorizing expenditure to do the work. The State will provide experienced observers to make certain a complete and accurate equaliza- tion is made. They will make certain Norwood obtains proper work for the money it spends. Again thereafter, from time to time, these same tax consultants will assist our Assessors through spot checks and additional suggestions to keep assessments current.
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
Adjustment of tax assessment is not to increase tax revenue. It could pro- duce revenue, but only by uncovering untaxed property. Strictly applied, it will place properties in proper relation to each other.
Assessments do not determine your ultimate tax bill. Your tax bill is de- termined by those expenditures you authorize or deny in Town Meeting. Your assessment distributes that cost.
It is certain that the people of this community will have to make some choice. We can close our eyes to a problem that will steadily worsen and do nothing, or we can give our assessors the kind and type of assistance that they need. If we choose the first, we are only postponing the inevitable. If we choose the second, it should be done wisely and with thought for what will best serve the community.
To engage a private concern to revaluate the entire town would be ex- tremely expensive and might to a great extent duplicate what we already have. In any case, it would be effective for only a period of five years and would have to be reviewed again. The logical course is to proceed with assistance from the State Bureau of local assessments. They will recommend how to bring up to date our own excellent system. Thereafter, we shall have a continuing program that can be carried on by our own Board of Assessors.
In closing we would like to express our thanks to those who contributed so much to this report, the Board of Assessors, the Forbes Hill Associates, Town Counsel Mr. Walter Gotovich, and Mr. Leslie M. Willard who rendered such valuable service.
WILLIAM G. DUNN JOHN A. ABDALLAH JOHN J. COAKLEY ELLEN A. DIXON WILLIAM J. DALTON JOHN J. MURPHY WARREN L. MILLIKEN
VOTED: That the Committee be dissolved.
VOTED: To instruct the Board of Selectmen to insert an article in the next Special Town Meeting Warrant, on behalf of the Town of Norwood, petitioning the State Tax Commission for the installation of an assessment sys- tem in accordance with the provisions of Section 7D of Chapter 58 of the General Laws or take any action in relation thereto.
VOTED: That the time for the Committee for the new Central Fire Station to make its report be continued until the next annual town meeting.
ARTICLE 3. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Collector of Taxes to use the same means as a Town Treasurer may use when acting as Collector.
VOTED: That the Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes as Collector of Taxes be and hereby is authorized to use all means of collecting taxes which a Town may use, according to law, when acting as Collector of Taxes.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
ARTICLE 4. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treas- urer 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, 1960 and to issue a note or notes therefor, 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, General Laws.
VOTED: To so authorize the Town Treasurer.
ARTICLE 5. To see what disposition the Town will make of money received for Dog Licenses.
VOTED: That this Article be laid upon the table to be taken up and acted upon together with Item 8, Sub-Division D of Article 6. (Library Budget )
ARTICLE 28. To see if the Town will vote to accept Section 17A of General Laws, Chapter 147, providing for certain holidays off for members of the Police Department.
VOTED: To so accept.
ARTICLE 6. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise, borrow, or transfer from available funds in the treasury, and appropriate for the current fiscal year for the following purposes, or take any other action in the matter.
A. General Government
1. Selectmen, (a) Salaries, (b) Incidentals
VOTED: That the Selectmen receive no salaries. (b) By taxation, the sum of $750.00 for the Clerk of the Selectmen and the further sum of $200.00 to be raised by taxation for incidental expense of the Selectmen.
2. Town Clerk and Accountant
(a) Salaries, (b) Incidentals, (c) New Equipment.
VOTED: For salary of the Town Clerk and Accountant the sum of $8,312.85, of which $5,112.85 shall be raised by taxation, and the sum of $2,100.00 shall be taken from the receipts of the Electric Light Department and the sum of $1,100.00 from the receipts of the Water Department.
(b) For incidentals, the sum of $36,212.92 of which amount not more than $33,487.92 shall be available for personal services.
3. Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes
(a) Salary, (b) Incidentals, including premium on suretyship bond, (c) To meet the expense of the foreclosure of tax titles held by the town.
VOTED: (a) $8,312.85 for salary of Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes, of which amount, the sum of $6,212.85 shall be raised by taxation, $1,400.00 shall be taken from the receipts of the Electric Light Department, and $700.00 taken from the receipts of the Water Department. (b) $30,384.62 for incidental expense, of which amount $24,684.62 shall be available for per-
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
sonal services, and with respect to the sum of $30,384.62, the sum of $24,184.62 shall be raised by taxation, and the sum of $4,200.00 shall be taken from the receipts of the Electric Light Department and the sum of $2,000.00 shall be taken from the receipts of the Water Department. (c) By taxation, the sum of $350.00.
4. Assessors, (a) Salaries, (b) Incidentals, (c) New Equipment.
VOTED: By taxation, $9,129.10. (b) By taxation, $12,743.07 of which amount not more than $9,993.97 shall be available for personal services. (c) In- definite postponement.
5. Certification of Bonds and Notes
VOTED: By taxation, $300.00
6. Finance Commission. (a) Incidentals
VOTED: By taxation, $2,175.00.
7. Law (a) Salary, (b and c) Incidentals, including Books for Law Library, (d) Expense of defense of Assessors in proceedings under Chapter 58A General Laws.
VOTED: (a) Salary of Town Counsel, by taxation, $5,000.00, (b and c) By taxation, $1,700.00, (d) Expense of defense of Assessors in proceedings under Chapter 58A, General Laws, by taxation, $500.00.
8. Election and Registration, (a) Salaries, (b) Incidentals.
VOTED: (a) By taxation, $1,500.00. (b) By taxation, $12,546.52.
9. Memorial Municipal Building, (a) Maintenance.
VOTED: (a) The sum of $23,653.51 be appropriated for maintenance of the Municipal Building, of which amount the sum of $21,153.51 shall be raised by taxation, $2,000.00 taken from the receipts of the Electric Light De- partment, and the sum of $500.00 taken from the receipts of the Water Depart- ment, and with respect to said sum of $23,653.51, not more than $10,103.51 shall be available for personal services.
10. General Manager (a) Salary, (b) Incidentals including suretyship bond.
VOTED: The sum of $13,415.22 of which amount $6,715.22 shall be raised by taxation, and the sum of $4,100.00 shall be taken from the receipts of the Water Department. (b) $20,393.31 of which amount $18,043.31 shall be available for personal services; and be it further voted that the sum of $250.00 shall be raised by taxation for new equipment.
11. Engineering, (a) Salaries, (b) Incidentals.
VOTED: (a) By taxation, $9,631.44. (b) By taxation, $34,513.72 of which amount $32,263.72 shall be used for personal services, and the sum of $250.00 for new equipment.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
12. Board of Survey. (a) Incidentals.
VOTED: On amended motion, indefinite postponement.
13. Planning Board
VOTED: By taxation $3,450.00, of which amount the sum of $1,950.00 shall be for personal services.
14. Board of Appeal, (a) Incidentals.
VOTED: By taxation, $275.00.
ARTICLE 6. B. Protection of Persons and Property.
1. Police Department, (a) Salaries, (b and d) Incidentals and Expense of Insurance providing indemnity for or protection to officers or employees as provided in Chapter 40, Section 5, Clause 1. (c) New Equipment.
VOTED: (a) $253,941.74 by taxation, of which amount $210,236.74 for salaries, and $13,960.00 and not more than $2,290.00 shall be available for police uniforms.
2. Incidental expense other than wages of officers, viz., Maintenance of Traffic Signals and Traffic Control, $18,825.00.
c. New Equipment and Replacement of Equipment $4,160.00.
ARTICLE 6. C-2.
VOTED: That Sewer Construction be taken up first.
C-3. Sewer Construction.
VOTED: By taxation, $70,980.00.
C-2. Sewer Maintenance (b) Particular Sewers
VOTED: By taxation, $11,768.75 of which amount $8,268.75 shall be for payroll wages; (b) By taxation, $13,000.00.
4. Construction of Main Drains
VOTED: By taxation, $2,200.00.
ARTICLE 6. E-2. Water Department. (a) Maintenance, (b) Con- struction, (c) New Equipment.
VOTED: $105,395.00 from the current receipts of the Water Depart- ment to be appropriated for the following purposes:
(a) Maintenance and Operation, $90,395.00, of which amount the sum of $45,045.00 shall be for payroll wages, (b) $63,900.00, of which amount the sum of $15,000.00 shall be for payroll wages.
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
VOTED: That this meeting be adjourned to Monday, March 23, 1959 at 7:30 P.M. and further voted that Article 6, Sub-Division B-2 through G-1, Article 6, Sub-Division D through E-1; Sub-Division F, G, H, I and J; Article 7 through Article 27, Article 29 and Article 30 be laid on the table and acted upon at the Adjourned Session of this meeting.
A True Record Attest: BARTLEY W. CONNOLLY Town Clerk and Accountant
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING March 23, 1959, adjourned from March 19, 1959.
On a notice duly attested by the Town Clerk and Accountant, Bartley W. Connolly and dated March 20, 1959, the Adjourned Annual Town Meeting, adjourned from March 19, 1959, was called to order by the Moderator, Walter J. Gotovich. The proper service of this notice was duly attested by James E. Quinn, Constable of Norwood.
The meeting was opened with a prayer by Rev. Jerome Hevey.
The articles in the warrant and the action thereunder is as follows:
ARTICLE 6. B-2. Fire Department, (a) Salaries, (b) Incidentals, (c) New Equipment, (d) Expense of insurance providing indemnity for or protection to officers or employees as provided in Chapter 40, Section 5, Clause 1.
VOTED: (a) By taxation, $271,905.25 by taxation, of which amount $211,112.25 for salaries, (b and d), $14,310.00 of which amount not more than $1,000.00 shall be available for fire uniforms. (c) By taxation, $25,600.00. (e) Annuities to dependents of Firemen whose death was sustained during performance of duties, $5,087.00.
B-3. Maintenance and Extension of Fire Alarm System.
VOTED: By taxation, $5,800.00.
B-4. Hydrant Service.
VOTED: By taxation, $9,996.00.
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