USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > Official reports of the town of Wayland 1939-1941 > Part 2
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At the time the original appropriation of $3,500.00 was voted by the Town, it was thought that the entire amount would be needed to settle the City of Boston's claim against Wayland, even though Wayland had a substantial counter-claim against Boston. Certain settlements have been made by way of compromise and off-set, and since 1937 additional claims have develop- ed against the Town of Boston and other cities and towns. In order that the amount originally appro- priated for this general purpose may therefore now be available to settle the welfare claims of Boston and and other cities and towns, it appears desirable that the full amount shall be made available through a vote under this article.
The Finance Committee therefore recommends the approval of this article.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer as Custodian of property acquired by the Town through foreclosure of tax titles to demolish, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, any buildings or other structures thereon.
The authorization here requested was voted by the Town at the last Annual Town Meeting. It is
20
necessary for the proper handling of foreclosed prop- erty, and is similar to that granted in other communi- ties.
The Finance Committee therefore recommends the approval of this article.
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Treasurer, subject to the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to sell, after first giving notice of the time and place of sale by posting such notice of sale in some convenient and public place in Town fourteen days at least before the sale, property now owned by the Town through the foreclosure of tax titles held by the Town, provided the Treasurer, subject to the approval of the Board of Selectmen, may reject any bid which he may deem inadequate, or take any action relative thereto.
This request to give the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, power to sell property acquired by the Town through tax title fore- closure represents, in the opinion of the Finance Com- mittee, a proper delegation of authority in view of the type of such property which the Town now holds.
The Finance Committee therefore recommends the approval of this article.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer to sell any land owned by the Town as a result of tax takings or tax titles foreclosed to the Commonwealth, acting through the Metropolitan District Commission, and give a deed or deeds therefor in connection with the property adja- cent to the new aqueduct being constructed by said Commission or take any other action in connection with such lands, or do or act.
This request differs from that of the preceding article in that it is designed to cover only the sale of property to the Commonwealth in connection with. properties, adjacent to the new Metropolitan Aqueduct. The granting of this authority will facilitate straight- ening out and connection of what would otherwise be dead-end roads.
The Finance Committee therefore recommends the approval of this article.
Article 27. To see if the Town will accept any or all of the following conveyances to the Town :
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(1) Conveyance of easement and right of way by Thomas E. Wentworth, dated November 15, 1939.
(2) Conveyance of easement by Daniel Brackett, dated February, 1940.
(3) Conveyance of easement by Doris I. Hobbs in cer- tain land on or near the aqueduct taking in that part of the Town known as Cochituate, as more fully described at the Meeting, or do or act.
The Finance Committee is advised that the accept- ance of conveyances here requested is essential to :
(1) The preservation of proper width of Plain Road at a point where a number of lots have been laid out and are now in the process of being developed and to furnish a right of way to town-owned land located in the rear of the development.
(2 and 3) The acquisition of sufficient land to lay out roads as connecting links between roads which would otherwise stub-end on the north side of the Met- ropolitan Aqueduct.
The Finance Committee therefore recommends the approval of this article.
Article 28. To see if the Town will appropriate and as- sess a sum of money to put a six-inch water main in Lake Path for a distance of about 320 feet and lower the water main in a portion of Pine Ridge Road and Woodland Road, or do or act.
This article should be considered together with Article 29, for the work requested in one should be done only at the same time as the work requested in the other. The suggested water line on Lake Path of 320 feet would afford a principal connecting link by which the Woodland Park section on the west side of Dudley Pond would obtain its water supply through a six-inch main and thereby give improved fire protec- .tion. The pipe and its installation would cost about $500.00. No new takings are involved. The water pipe now in Pine Ridge Road is about 330 feet of six- inch pipe, and in Woodland Road is about 315 feet of four-inch pipe. The re-grading of these roads as a part of their acceptance would involve a lowering of the pipe to a uniform depth below the new surface, and would cost about $700.00. The total job, therefore, would cost the Town about $1,200.00. Inasmuch as the necessary steps have been taken to carry out the
22
work listed under Article 29, the Finance Committee feels that the work here requested should be done at this time as well.
The Finance Committee therefore recommends that there be appropriated and assessed the sum of $1,200.00 for the installation of a six-inch water main in Lake Path for about 320 feet and for the lowering of the present water line in that portion of Pine Ridge Road and Woodland Road mentioned under Article 29
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to accept as pub- lic town ways under the Betterment Act, Pine Ridge Road, Pine Ridge Road Extension and Lake Path from the latter way to its intersection of Hemlock Road, or portion thereof, all said ways being situated within or adjacent to Woodland Park De- velopment, so called, in that part of the Town known as Co- chituate, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, and shown on a plan of plans on file with the Town Clerk; to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire any necessary land by eminent domain, purchase or otherwise; and to appropriate a sum of money to cover the acquisition of such land and the construction of said public town ways or any part thereof, or do or act.
This article has come before the Town in some- what different form several times previously, and was last considered at the Annual Town Meeting in 1938. Since then, the Metropolitan District Commission has built the pressure aqueduct, and in so doing, has ac- quired title to a strip of land directly connecting Pine Ridge Road to Old Connecticut Path. The Finance Committee is advised that the M. D. C. in considera- tion of its having cut off the principal access to the district surrounding Pine Ridge Road and beyond, is planning, after laying a bleeder drain, to build a 24- foot roadway over the strip so acquired. The prin- cipal previous objections have thereby been removed, since there will be no damages or land takings and since the cost of construction of the connecting link, a major item, is to be taken care of by the M. D. C. The estimate furnished the Finance Committee is $2,800.00, of which, $2,600.00 would be for Pine Ridge Road and Lake Path and $200.00 for Pine Ridge Road Extension. One-half of this amount would be returned to the Town over a period of years
23
in receipts from betterment taxes. The Finance Committee is advised that the necessary hearings have been held and legal requirements met for the accept- ance of the roads under the Betterment Act. In the opinion of the Finance Committee, this project will be of benefit to a substantially larger area than that owned by the abutters and together with the water line pro- posed in Article 28, constitutes a necessary link in the general development in the area west of Dudley Pond. The Finance Committee feels that, with the abutting owners having signified their willingness to pay their portion of the work and since all other obstacles have been removed, the project should be carried out this year.
The Finance Committee therefore recommends the approval of this article.
Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and assess a sum of money to put in curbing and sidewalk from the Gerald Store to Damon Street, or do or act.
It was contemplated that the work here requested would be done under a Chapter 90 new construction job, which would include both roadway drainage, curbing and sidewalks. Due to the omission of Chap- ter 90 new construction for 1939 and 1940, the work cannot be so done this year. The frontage is in the main business section of Cochituate. The figures sup- plied to the Finance Committee indicate that a proper curbing, which the Town will ultimately have to buy, in any case, can be purchased and installed for about $300.00, and that the expenditure so made will not be wasted when the Chapter 90 job is ultimatetly done.
The Finance Committee therefore recommends that there be appropriated and assessed the sum of $300.00 to install curbing on Main Street from Gerald Store to Damon Street, and that the work be done under the supervision of the Highway Surveyor on grades laid out by the State Highway Department.
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to abolish the office of Highway Surveyor, and authorize the Board of Select- men to appoint a Superintendent of Streets, or create a Board of Public Works, or do or act.
A somewhat similar article was considered by the
24
Town at a special meeting a little over a year ago and rejected. The Finance Committee nevertheless con- tinues to feel that the basis on which a highway sur- veyor holds office is not satisfactory and that if the first arrangement suggested in this article is not ac- ceptable to the Town, it might well consider at some future time the election of three road commissioners who would in turn appoint a superintendent of streets. The present article does not give the Town an oppor- tunity to express a preference between the various al- ternatives.
The Finance Committee does not, therefore, rec- ommend the approval of this article.
Article 32. To see what sum, if any, the Town will vote to transfer from available funds to meet any of the appropria- tions made under the foregoing articles.
The Finance Committee recommends the approval of such action as may be suggested by the Town Treas- urer.
And you are required to serve this Warrant by posting copies thereof, attested by you, at the Town Hall, at each Post Office in Town, and at the Legion Hall, at Cochituate, seven days, at least, before the time of holding said election.
Hereof fail not and make due return to this Warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk on or before March 4, 1940.
Given under our hands and seal this the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and forty.
CHESTER H. HOBBS, HERMAN F. ALLEN, J. FRED WHEELER, Selectmen of the Town of Wayland.
A true copy, attest :
Constable of the Town of Wayland.
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REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
The money which must ultimately be raised in taxes is ap- propriated under but two general headings: (1) articles and (2) budget.
The variation in our total appropriations normally comes only in the articles. It is highly important, therefore, that at a time when the Town is under an extraordinary burden for va- rious forms of relief, the voters continue to refrain from in- serting articles in the Warrant calling for expenditures not of immediate necessity or importance to the community as a whole and not do so without first consulting the department heads under whose general supervision a proposed project may lie. This year, the articles recommended for aproval by the Finance Committee call for an expenditure of approximately the same amount of money as last year.
The appropriations set up under the budget have increased this year about $7,700.00, of this, $4,300.00 is represented in the accounts covering various forms of relief. The growth of the school population, with resultant additional staff and other expenses, has added $2,800.00. The Finance Committee has been reluctant to have to approve increases in the regular bud- get, realizing full well the tendency of such increases to become permanent, but those here recommended have been closely checked and are felt to be necessary.
There is one item of expense over which a town has no control-County and State taxes. Due to economy measures by both, and to new sources of State revenues, there will be a reduction as against last year of over $11,000.00 in the net amount required of the Town by the State, or about $2.00 on the local tax rate. This saving will offset the increased budget total and may result in a slight reduction of the tax rate.
The Finance Committee feels that there are a number of matters which should be reported to the Town. The work of the District Nurse has for some time been supported partially by private contributions. Her appointment has been by the Se- lectmen and her work has been in the field of School, Health
26
and Welfare Departments. Beginning this year, her entire ex- pense is to be borne by the Town. After consulting all interest- ed parties, the Finance Committee recommends that the School Committee be charged with the appointment and supervision of the District Nurse, together with the appropriations set up un- der her department. The increase in salary budgeted for the position of Town Accountant is due to the increased amount of work required over recent years. The position is the central point of tie-in for all Town departments, and requires the ser- vices of a fully competent person with special training. After consulting with the Selectmen, the Finance Committee recom- mends that in consideration of the increase in salary, the job be placed on a full-time basis, that it include the secretaryship to the Board of Selectmen, and that the Selectmen designate office hours in the Town Hall for the position. Recognizing a general feeling in the Town that dumps should be better regulated and maintained, the Finance Committee has recommended an allow- ance for this work to be done under the supervision of the Board of Public Health. The appropriation for street lighting con- tinues to steadily increase. The Finance Committee feels that an immediate canvass of the situation should be made by the Selectmen, feeling confident that a saving could be made by the elimination of lights in sections where there are no residences or businesses. Both the Welfare and the Water Board deserve, in the opinion of the Finance Committee, commendation for their fine showing in the matter of collections effected in the past year. The High School football field is in need of grad- ing and re-seeding, but in view of the size of the job, the Fi- nance Committee recommends that a W. P. A. project be pre- pared by the Park Board for the carrying out of the work.
The Finance Committee budget for the year 1940 is as follows :
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Finance Committee's Budget for 1940
1939 1939 Appropriated Expended
1939 Balance
1940 Recommended
GOVERNMENT
Reserve
$4,500.00
$4,491.92
$8.08
$4,500.00
Moderator
9.00
9.00
9.00
Selectmen :
Salaries
450.00
450.00
450.00
Expense
300.00
292.91
7.09
200.00
Expense-printing traffic rules Balance 1/1/39
81.75
68.00
13.75
Accountant and Secretary
to Board of Selectmen :
Salary
750.00
750.00
1,350.00
Expense
160.00
160.00
160.00
Treasurer :
Salary
750.00
750.00
750.00
Expense
225.00
203.10
21.90
225.00
Tax Title Sales Expense
600.00
586.75
13.25
600.00
Collector :
Salary
1,600.00
1,600.00
1,700.00
Expense
700.00
700.00
700.00
Assessors :
Salaries
1,620.00
1,620.00
1,620.00
Expense
350.00
350.00
350.00
Clerk :
Salary
180.00
180.00
180.00
Expense
185.00
183.83
1.17
185.00
Planning Board : Expense
500.00
359.39
140.61
400.00
28
Finance Committee : Expense
20.00
17.45
2.55
30.00
Zoning Board of Appeals: Expense
25.00
22.95
2.05
25.00
Legal Claims
1,200.00
977.52
222.48
1,200.00
Certification of Notes
26.00
18.00
8.00
20.00
Elections :
Officers
86.40
86.40
345.60
Expense
75.00
From "Reserve"
10.00
76.60
8.40
200.00
Registrars :
Salaries
520.00
410.00
110.00
410.00
Transportation
75.00
75.00
75.00
Supplies
320.00
310.80
9.20
320.00
Clerical Expense
100.00
100.00
100.00
Town Hall :
Maintenance
600.00
From "Reserve"
420.00
1,015.16
4.84
800.00
Repairs
200.00
From "Reserve"
250.00
425.24
24.76
300.00
Vault and Office Equipment
150.00
150.00
200.00
PROTECTION
Police Department :
Salary-Chief Expense
1,620.00
1,620.00
1,620.00
1,000.00
From "Reserve"
133.25
Voted 10/25/39
150.00
1,283.25
1,100.00
'Transportation
400.00
400.00
-
400.00
29
Fire Department :
Maintenance (includes
Salaries )
2,400.00
From "Reserve"
232.48
2,632.48
2,400.00
Equipment, Hose Gas Masks
500.00
500.00
500.00
100.00
Moth Extermination Department :
Town Work
1,100.00
1,100.00
1,000.00
Private Work
300.00
232.44
67.56
300.00
Elm Leaf Beetle Spraying
200.00
173.06
26.94
200.00
Tree Warden's Department :
500.00
From "Reserve"
200.00
698.83
1.17
500.00
Sealer :
Salary
100.00
100.00
100.00
Expense
50.00
49.44
.56
50.00
HEALTH
Board of Health :
Salaries
157.50
157.50
157.50
Maintenance
1,000.00
Voted 10/25/39
400.00
1,396.27
3.73
1,600.00
Dump Maintenance
200.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
Milk Inspection Anti-toxin Test
100.00
100.00
50.00
Inspection of Animals
125.00
125.00
100.00
Medical Inspection of Schools
135.00
135.00
135.00
1939 1939 Appropriated Expended
1939 Balance
1940 Recommended
30
HIGHWAYS
Surveyor : Salary
1,620.00
1,620.00
1,620.00
Highways and Bridges
4,500.00
Voted 10/25/39
500.00
4,977.81
22.19
4,500.00
Oiling
From "Reserve"
1,500.00
5,996.12
3.88
7,000.00
Chapter 90 Maintenance :
From Town,
2,000.00
1,500.00
From State and County
4,112.50
From "Reserve"
37.50
5,106.65
1,043.35
Chapter 90 Construction :
Re-voted 10/25/39
3,500.00
3,500.00
Sidewalks
300.00
291.06
8.94
300.00
Railings
300.00
298.08
1.92
300.00
Snow Removal :
6,000.00
500.00
Voted 10/25/39 From "Reserve"
321.69
6,821.69
3,500.00
Highway Garage Maintenance :
300.00
From "Reserve"
200.00
500.00
300.00
Road Machinery Account
800.00
558.64
241.36
Art. 13
Street Lighting
6,400.00
6,400.00
6,400.00
Removal of Stumps from Highways: Balance 1/1/39
1,000.00
From "Reserve"
250.00
1,250.00
4,500.00
(thru note discount)
31
1939 Appropriated
1939 Expended
1939
1940
Balance Recommended
Highway Construction : Lake Road Highway Construction High St. and Brackett Rd.
2,500.00
936.31
1,563.69
1,700.00
1,699.65
35
CHARITIES Public Welfare Board :
Salaries
200.00
200.00
200.00
Investigation and Clerical Expense
600.00
455.15
144.85
600.00
Maintenance
11,000.00
Voted 10/25/39
2,000.00
12,999.68
.32
11,000.00
Maintenance Other towns and cities
1,500.00
Aid to Dependent Children :
Appropriation
1,200.00
1,085.00
115.00
2,000.00
Federal Grants : Maintenance :
Balance 1/1/39
79.42
Received 1939
296.18
231.00
144.60
Administration : Received 1939
12.44
12.44
Old Age Assistance :
Appropriation
12,000.00
Voted 10/25/39
1,500.00
13,416.39
83.61
14,000.00
32
Federal Grants : Maintenance : Balance 1/1/39 Received 1939 Administration : Balance 1/1/39
5.69 9,644.77
8,144.33
1,506.13
28.65
Received 1939
321.45
340.64
9.46
Welfare :
Gift Fund
4.57
4.57
Unpaid Bills
Voted 3/4/36
384.66
384.66
Unpaid Bills
Voted 3/9/38
3,500.00
3,500.00
Art. 23
State Aid :
700.00
Voted 10/25/39
300.00
845.00
155.00
700.00
Soldiers' Relief :
Salary-Agent
150.00
150.00
150.00
Expense-Agent
100.00
75.00
25.00
100.00
Expense
3,500.00
2,495.76
1,004.24
3,500.00
EDUCATION
Schools :
Expense
56,100.00
58,350.00
From Dog Licenses
332.42
From Donation Fund
6.26
From "Reserve"
500.00
56,937.25
1.43
Vocational Tuition School Dental Clinic
1,200.00
1,048.53
151.47
1,200.00
350.00
350.00
350.00
33
District Nurse : Salary Expense Transportation
75.00
200.00
200.00
300.00
Donations for High School Flag
44.00
44.00
Committee on Junior High School : Expense Cochituate School-Sewage Disposal : Balance 1/1/39
200.00
200.00
93.38
93.38
Cochituate School-Basement Repairs
6,000.00
5,731.31
269.69
Library and Reading Room
3,200.00
From Dog Licenses
332.42
3,479.22
53.20
UNCLASSIFIED Park Commission :
Expense
600.00
From "Reserve"
125.00
723.08
1.92
600.00
Life Guard at Dudley Pond
200.00
200.00
200.00
Life Guard at Baldwin's Pond
200.00
200.00
200.00
Memorial Day
400.00
383.49
16.51
400.00
Town Clocks : Care, repair and tower rental
90.00
90.00
90.00
Town Reports
501.24
501.24
550.00
Surety Bonds
400.00
From "Reserve"
37.00
437.00
450.00
3,100.00
34
1939 Appropriated 1,080.00
1939 Expended 1,080.00 75.00
1939 1940 Balance Recommended
1,620.00 75.00
Insurance Notices of Meetings W. P. A. Expense From "Reeves Hill Road
3,100.00
2,376.43
723.57
2,400.00
100.00
69.50
30.50
100.00
16,000.00
Account"
896.65
11,510.29
5,386.36
Art. 14
ENTERPRISES Water Department :
Salaries :
Commissioners
135.00
135.00
135.00
Clerk
300.00
300.00
300.00
Assistant Clerk
100.00
100.00
100.00
Maintenance :
Hydrants
3,000.00
3,000.00
From "Water Surplus"
5,554.34
7,164.63
1,389.71
Art. 10
Pumping Station 18-inch Well :
Balance 1/1/39
624.70
624.70
Cemeteries :
Salaries : Clerk
100.00
Expense
1,900.00
Voted 10/25/39
350.00
From "Reserve"
200.00
2,449.70
.30
1,900.00
Cemetery Service :
Expense
900.00
From "Reserve"
75.00
975.00
1,000.00
35
1939 Appropriated
1939 Expended
1939 Balance
1940 Recommended
Cemetery General Improvement
From "Sale of Lots, 1938"
125.00
124.87
.13
Art. 7
North Cemetery-fence
250.00
249.80
20
FINANCIAL
Interest :
High School Notes
2,070.00
2,070.00
1,920.00
Miscellaneous
430.00
187.19
242.81
280.00
Water Main Extension Notes
965.00
965.00
Art. 9
Water Dept. Equipment Notes
37.50
37.50
Art. 9
36
Maturing Debt :
High School Notes
4,975.43
4,975.43
5,000.00
Water Main Extension Notes
4,500.00
4,500.00
Art. 8
Water Dept. Equipment Notes
1,500.00
1,500.00
Art. 8
$170,832.10
TRUST FUNDS' INCOME REPORT FOR 1939 Charity Funds : Balance 1/1/39 Received 1939
$326.11 425.15
751.26
$393.01
$358.25
Library Funds : Balance 1/1/39
$ 162.02
Received 1939
1,247.13
1,409.15
1,222.67
186.48
Cemetery Funds : Balance 1/1/39
$705.61
Received 1939
591.37
1,296.98
585.93
711.05
Parmenter Cemetery Fund : Balance 1/1/39 Received 1939
$186.03
175.10
361.13
194.70
166.43
37
The Finance Committee further recommends :
That the money received from the dog taxes be divided : one-half to the Schools Expense account and one-half to the Library Expense account.
That all expense due to the collection of the dog taxes and care of unlicensed dogs be paid from the Police Department Expense account.
That the $200.00 provided in the Park Department budget for life guard at Baldwin's Pond be ued to pay the salary of the life guard maintained at Baldwin's Pond by the Wayland Chap- ter of the American Red Cross.
That the unexpended balances in the following accounts be transferred to the Excess and Deficiency account :
Selectmen-Expense, Printing Traffic
Rules $13.75
Highway Construction-High Street and
Brackett Road .35
Unpaid bills-Voted 3/4/36 384.66
North Cemetery-Fence .20
The Finance Committee finds that sincere effort is being made by most of the various departments to keep within their budget appropriations, but would like to call particular atten- tion to the fact that several of the departments have gone fur- ther and have operated in such fashion as to refund substantial balances. The Selectmen and the heads of all departments have been very cooperative in assisting in the preparation of the bud- get and the articles, and the Finance Committee would like to express its appreciation for the help thus given.
Respectfully submitted,
RONALD S. CAMPBELL, JOHN W. LEAVITT, THOMAS F. McMANUS, ROBERT M. MORGAN, Finance Committee, Town of Wayland.
February 13, 1940.
38
VOTES ENACTED AT THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, MARCH 8, 1939
Town Clerk's Office, Wayland, Massachusetts. March 8, 1939.
Howard S. Russell, Moderator :
Pursuant to the following warrant the inhabitants of the Town of Wayland met this day and did the following business.
Article 1. To hear reports of the Town officers, agents and committees, and act thereon.
Mrs. Dorothy Small Damon, Chairman of the Committee to investigate and report on the matter of a further addition to the Cochituate School and the matter of the purchase of Haw- thorn Lodge for school purposes, read a report of this commit- tee which was accepted and placed on file.
Mr. Chester H. Hobbs requested more time for the Com- mittee investigating the advisability of a Town Collector and an extension of time was voted.
Mr. Chester H. Hobbs, in behalf of the Building Law Committee, stated that the time had not been sufficient to draft a set of Building Laws. The present committee of Theodore H. Harrington, Gilbert Small and Chester H. Hobbs requested the addition of Mr. Sidney Stone and one other to be chosen by the four to make a committee of five. The Town voted this committee and extended the time.
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