USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > Official reports of the town of Wayland 1945-1947 > Part 2
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As in the previous three articles, the Finance Com- mittee feels that the extension of the water system here requested should be deferred until the study requested in Article 16 has been completed.
The Finance Committee does not, therefore, rec- ommend the approval of this article.
18
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and assess a sum of money necessary to extend, install and main- tain a fire alarm system in the Stonebridge-Riverview Terrace section of Wayland, or do or act.
The present fire alarm system operates only in the Village of Cochituate. The entire remainder of the Town relies solely on telephone communications for the calling of the Fire Department, but since a large proportion of all calls, even within Cochituate itself, originate through the telephone system, the fire alarm system is only supplementary. When extensions to the system are to be made, it would seem logical that they should first be made to the densely populated sections where the largest number of houses can be served.
The Finance Committee does not, therefore, rec- ommend the approval of this article.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate $3,000 yearly for the collection of garbage in the Town of Way- land, or do or act.
This same matter came before the Town Meeting in 1943, at which time $2,500 was recommended by the Finance Committee and voted by the Town for the purpose. There were no contractors at the time who were prepared and qualified to enter into a contract with the Town. The Finance Committee realizes the problem involved and is sympathetic with the purpose of the article. It has had no assurance up to the time of preparing this report that there is any contractor who both wants the business and who can qualify. But if by the time of the Town Meeting, it develops that there would be one who would undertake the job at the price mentioned and who can furnish a bond for the performance of the job for a period of one year with an option for a further period, the Finance Committee is prepared to recommend approval of the article.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a publc Town way, under the Betterment Act, the way known as "Lake Drive" in that part of the Town known as Cochituate, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen and shown on a plan or plans on file with the Town Clerk; to authorize the Board of Select- men to acquire any necessary land by eminent domain, purchase
19
or otherwise and to appropriate and assess a sum of money to cover the acquisition of such land and the construction of said public Town way, or do or act.
There is no better method for the improvement of our unaccepted streets than that provided for under the Betterment Act. The Finance Committee has always felt that, when the residents of any street are prepared to pay their share of the cost of improvement, as pro- vided under the Betterment Act, the Town should join them by matching their contributions. In the request outlined in this article, however, the petitioners have not carried out all the necessary steps precedent to acceptance by the Town.
The Finance Committee feels that the applicants should make a fresh start in the matter with the Plan- ning Board, with a view to bringing it before the next Annual Town Meeting.
The Finance Committee therefore does not rec- ommend the approval of the article at this time.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public Town way under the Betterment Act, the way known as "Alpine Road" as laid out by the Board of Selectmen and shown on a plan or plans on file with the Town Clerk ; to author- ize the Board of Selectmen to acquire any necessary land by eminent domain, purchase or otherwise and to appropriate and assess a sum of money to cover the acquisition of such land and the construction of said public Town way, or do or act.
As in the previous article, the petitioners have not carried out the necessary steps in connection with acceptance under the Betterment Act. The Finance Committee feels that the applicants should take the matter up with the Planning Board promptly so that the matter may be considered at the next Annual Town Meeting.
The Finance Committee does not, therefore, rec- ommend the approval of the article at this time.
Article 25. To see if the Town will designate names for certain public ways not hitherto officially named or for which more than one name may be in use, or do or act.
The Planning Board and the Assessors, in the course
20
of the preparation of Assessors' maps, and in their further work on a Town map, find that there are cer- tain public ways which have not been officially named, or that there is some confusion in the names now being used.
The Finance Committee recommends that the sug- gestions of the Planning Board be followed.
Article 26. To see if the Town will approve and accept an official Town map, or take any action relative thereto.
The Planning Board has, in the current year, con- cluded the preparation of a Town map which, to be- come official, requires a vote of the Town.
The Finance Committee therefore recommends the approval of this article.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to acquire the following parcels of open land, or any rights or easements therein, and make an appropriation therefor: (1) at the inter- section of Training Field Road and Glezen Lane; (2) at the intersection of Glezen Lane and Concord Road; (3) at the intersection of Commonwealth Road, West Plain Street and School Street, or do or act.
These parcels of vacant land are heater pieces at the junction of Town roads. The ownership of parcels one and two is unknown, although there is some pre- sumption that the titles already lie with the Town. The third parcel is owned by an individual. The Planning Board feels that these three pieces, because of their peculiar location, should be kept open for a number of reasons including principally the safety of traffic. It feels that the Town should acquire all three.
The Finance Committee recommends that the Town authorize the Selectmen, upon recommendation of the Planning Board, to acquire by gift, purchase or any legal manner the above-mentioned parcels and ap- propriate and assess therefor the sum of $300.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to transfer Lot 111 in that part of the Town known as "Castle Gate South" and shown on a plan recorded in Middlesex South District Deeds, Plan Book 271, Plan 3, from Tax Titles Account or Tax Title Possessions Account, where it is now held, to the Park Depart-
21
ment to be held with the property in the vicinity acquired by the Town for recreational purposes and used as part of the bathing beach on the shore of Dudley Pond, and under the supervision and control of the Board of Park Commissioners, or will take any other action in regard to the transfer or disposal of the said lot and the interest of the Town therein, or do or act.
The plot of land described in this article has been acquired by the Town for non-payment of taxes. It lies adjacent to other property owned by the Town at the Dudley Pond bathing beach and, because of its location, the Park Board would like to have it included with the bathing beach property rather than resold by the Town. The Finance Committee feels that it is in the interest of the public to retain permanently the ownership of the land.
The Finance Committee therefore recommends the approval of this article.
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to transfer cer- tain property acquired by the Town by foreclosure of tax titles and now held either in the Tax Title Account or Tax Title Possessions Account from such accounts to the Park Depart- ment to be held, together with property in the vicinity acquired by the Town for recreational purposes, said property being situ- ated in that part of the Town known as Riverview Circle, and being shown on plan entitled "Wayland, Mass. Plan of River- view Terrace" May 1924, Edward H. Howard, C. E., recorded with Middlesex South District Deeds, Book 339, Page 41, as lots numbered on said plan as follows: 49-60, 64-71, 107, 213- 215, 226-228, 231-233, 243-250, 253-256, 262-266, 268-276, 279, 280, 282-287, 298, 299, or will take any other action in regard to said lots, or any of them, or do or act.
The purpose of this article is to transfer from the accounts of the Town Treasurer certain properties which have come into the ownership of the Town through failure on the part of the owners to pay taxes. The transfer would be made to the Park Department so that these lots could be held, together with other property in Riverview Terrace which the Town has been purchasing over a period of years. The action here requested is part of a plan voted by the Town several years ago by which land generally unsuitable
22
for residential purposes is being turned over to the Park Department.
The Finance Committee recommends the approval of this article.
Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Public Welfare as a committee on behalf of the Town to sell the land and buildings on Sunset Road, Cochituate, deeded to the Town by Emma M. Jones and Ida G. Jones, being Lots 110 and 111, Wayland Manor, and all as described in Certificate of Title No. 50585 recorded in Middlesex South Registry Dis- trict in Book 338, Page 241, to Maurice A. Elliott or his nom- inee, in accordance with a written agreement (which agreement is in possession of the Welfare Board and will be presented to the Town Meeting for consideration) between the Welfare Board and Maurice A. Elliott, which agreement provides for such sale at a price set forth therein, subject to authorization by the Town, and will vote to authorize the Board of Public Wel- fare as a committee on behalf of the Town, or some one else, to execute and deliver a deed in the name of the Town convey- ing said property to the purchaser, or will otherwise authorize the sale or disposal of the interest of the Town in said property, the net proceeds to be used in reimbursement of expenditures made, or to be made, by the Board of Public Welfare, as pro- vided by statute, or do or act.
In the course of its work, and pursuant to the statutes under which it operates, the Board of Public Welfare from time to time acquires title to, or an inter- est in, various properties. This article and the follow- ing one provide for a sale by the Town of its interest in two such parcels. The Board of Public Welfare has negotiated a sale of the piece named in this article for $2,000 subject to the present mortgage. It would like to be in a position to sell the property mentioned in the following article if circumstances seemed to warrant and without having to return to the Town for further authority.
The Finance Committee feels that, under all the circumstances, the price for the first piece is satisfac- tory and that the request for authority to sell the prop- erty mentioned in the following article is reasonable. It therefore recommends the approval of both articles.
23
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Public Welfare or the Town Treasurer, to sell the interest of the Town in the property on State Road East deeded to the Town for Jennie E. P. Sanderson, et al, subject to cer- tain life estates, at public or private sale at such time and place as seems to the Board of Public Welfare or to the Town Treas- urer best and proper, and will vote to authorize the Board of Public Welfare or the Town Treasurer, as a committee on be- half of the Town, to execute and deliver a deed in the name of the Town conveying said property to the purchaser, the net pro- ceeds to be used in reimbursement of expenditures made or to be made by the Board of Public Welfare as provided by statute, or will vote to take any other action in regard to the disposal of the interest of the Town in said property, or do or act.
The Finance Committee, in line with its reasons given under the previous article, recommends the ap- proval 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 of this Warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk on or before March 6, 1946.
Given under our hands and seal this ninth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and forty- six.
WILLIAM F. HYNES, JOHN W. LEAVITT, WILLIAM A. LOKER, Selectmen of the Town of Wayland.
A true copy, attest :
Constable of the Town of Wayland.
24
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
The citizens and taxpayers of Wayland should be interested in the fact that their Selectmen and department heads conduct their respective departments with the same economy and close supervision that they would if operating their own businesses. Balances which might well have been expended by less careful administration to the amount of $16,700 were turned back into the treasury at the end of the year.
The Finance Committee feels an obligation to the Town to set forth annually in its report an accounting of its custodian- ship of the Reserve Fund. The major transfers during the past year were roughly as follows :
Assessors' Valuation Lists (printing ) $385.00
Police Dept. : Retirement Pension-Chief
330.00
Police Dept. : Expense 300.00
Snow Rmoval
3,850.00
Insurance
100.00
Cemetery Service
150.00
Health 130.00
Schools : Fuel
460.00
Miscellaneous (small amounts together aggregating about 300.00
Last year, the Finance Committee pointed out to the Town that the Water Department had completed a water-use survey, had improved its water collection methods, had reduced accounts receivable to a minimum figure and had constructed a new well, but that the Department was facing the necessity for new pump- ing equipment at the close of the war. The consumption of water has continued to increase and, during the last year, the Department was unable, at peak periods, to pump sufficient amounts to take care of existing users. The present pumping equipment will have to be replaced as soon as new equipment is available. The Department will need to have a firm of com- petent engineers make recommendations with respect to the requirements of pumps, water lines and storage capacity. In
25
addition, a basis for further extensions should be worked out and agreed upon, particularly in view of the residential growth which appears to lie ahead. Obviously, the water supply will have to be increased before additional takers are added to the present lines.
The appropriations suggested in the budget provide further increases in wages and salaries for a substantial portion of those who are employed full-time by the Town and there is again recommended the continuation of the temporary bonus which was initiated a few years ago. The Committee feels that a more thorough revision of salaries and wages should be deferred until the existing uncertain economic conditions straighten out, at which time the whole matter of compensation should be re- viewed, both for those who fill appointive and elective positions.
The steady increase of expenditures and the accompanying increase in the tax rate have brought forcibly to the attention of your Finance Committee the necessity for a thorough study of the assessment procedure within the Town. Over a period of years, changes in the value of real estate have been only par- tially reflected in the assessment base. When the Assessors' maps are completed, as it now appears they will be during the coming year, the Town might well consider the desirability of a complete revaluation. This should result in a correction of some of the distortions which now exist and should make for a more equitable distribution of the cost of local government.
For 1946, the budget, as recommended, of about $249,000 provides for increases of about $14,000 over last year and $34,000 over the year 1944. The principal items of the increase are as follows :
Assessors' Maps
$1,000
Planning Board : Expense
600
Fire Department : New Equipment
400
Welfare
1,000
Aid to Dependent Children
600
Old Age Assistance
6,000
Schools
6,600
Vocational Tuition
500
Library
500
Park Commission
500
$17,700
26
as against which, the only substantial saving is in the reduced budget of the Highway Department-$3,000, due to the fact that a heavy appropriation for Chapter 90 is scheduled for this year.
For 1946, the articles as recommended total about $21,800. Of this, the entire amount may be considered as being of a post war nature: $8,000 for Chapter 90 construction, to be matched by $24,000 from the State and County for work on Old Con- necticut Path; $3,500 for a new roof for the public library ; $2,000 for plans for the civic center building in Cochituate ; $8,000 for the reconstruction of the football field and baseball diamond in the rear of the high school and $300 for the pur- chase of certain small pieces of land:
This is the second year in which the Town has been ear- marking and setting by funds for a post war program, which was originally contemplated would extend over a period of three or four years. In another year it is expected that the Town will be asked to appropriate further for the remaining projects which appear necessary for the continued development of the Town, but the Finance Committee feels that the entire program, which includes a civic center building at Cochituate, additional Chapter 90 highway construction, Town road reconstruction, addition to the Highway Department garage, purchase of additional land for Lakeview Cemetery, new pumps and additions to the water system and further improvement in the school buildings, is entirely dependent upon the orderly fashion in which the Town's finances are handled each year.
The Finance Committee recognizes that its recommenda- tions, if approved by the Town, will result in an increase in the tax rate to a level of about $33.
27
Finance Committee's Budget for 1946
1945
1945 Appropriated Expended
1945 Balance
1946 Recommended
GOVERNMENT
Moderator
$ 10.00
$ 10.00
$ 10.00
Selectmen : Salaries
500.00
500.00
500.00
Expense
350.00
349.91
09
350.00
Accountant & Secretary to
Board of Selectmen :
Salary
1,450.00
1,450.00
1,600.00
Expense
170.00
166.23
3.77
170.00
Treasurer :
Salary
800.00
800.00
800.00
Expense
300.00
295.16
4.84
300.00
Tax Title Sales Expense
550.00
297.88
252.12
350.00
Collector :
Salary
1,900.00
1,865.70
34.30
2,000.00
Expense
700.00
350.50
349.50
500.00
Assessors :
Salary
2,000.00
2,000.00
2,000.00
Expense
400.00
364.49
35.51
475.00
Assessors' Maps: (Town Atlas)
5,000.00
5,000.00
6,000.00
Assessors' Valuation Lists :
From "Reserve"
385.00
385.00
Clerk of Boards: Salary
1,040.00
1,040.00
1,200.00
Finance Committee : Expense
30.00
28.48
1.52
30.00
Town Counsel & Legal Claims
900.00
713.57
186.43
900.00
Town Clerk : Salary
200.00
200.00
200.00
Expense
250.00
219.22
30.78
300.00
28
Planning Board : Expense
600.00
600.00
1,200.00
100.00
100.00
384.00
50.00
30.12
80.12
200.00
Registrars: Salaries :
Registration
100.00
100.00
100.00
Listing
320.00
320.00
320.00
Transportation
75.00
75.00
75.00
Clerical Work
100.00
100.00
100.00
Supplies
300.00
297.59
2.41
300.00
State Census
300.00
From "Reserve"
12.08
312.08
Town Hall : Maintenance, Repairs & Equipment
2,000.00
1,749.14
250.86
2,000.00
PROTECTION
Police Dept. : Salary-Chief
2,000.00
2,000.00
2,000.00
Retirement Pension-Chief From "Reserve"
333.33
255.55
77.78
Transportation-Chief
400.00
400.00
400.00
Expense
800.00
From "Reserve"
300.00
1,086.53
13.47
800.00
Fire Dept. : Expense ( Includes salaries )
2,800.00
1,920.62
879.38
2,800.00
New Equipment : Tires-Bal. 1/1/45
99.40
Appropriation
300.00
399.40
.
29
Elections : Officers Expense From "Reserve"
1945 Appropriated 400.00
1945 Expended 399.00
1945 1946 Balance Recommended
Hose Front-end pump-Trailer pump & Floodlight Station Repairs-Cochituate
1,100.00
150.00
Building Inspection : Salaries Expense
100.00
100.00
300.00
200.00
192.23
7.77
200.00
Zoning Board of Appeals : Expense
25.00
23.57
1.43
25.00
Moth Dept .: Expense (Includes wages) Private work Town work
500.00
500.00
500.00
1,000.00
977.00
23.00
1,000.00
Tree Warden : Expense (Includes wages )
600.00
582.75
17.25
600.00
Pruning & First Aid Work at Private Contract Planting of Trees
400.00
400.00
400.00
200.00
200.00
200.00
Sealer : Salary
125.00
125.00
125.00
Expense
50.00
29.40
20.60
50.00
HEALTH
Health Dept : Board-Salaries
175.00
175.00
175.00
Appropriation
1,200.00
From "Reserve"
138.79
1,338.79
1,200.00
Milk Inspection
25.00
25.00
25.00
Anti-toxin Test
50.00
50.00
50.00
Medical Inspection of Schools
150.00
150.00
150.00
1.00
30
School Dental Clinic
1,000.00
999.30
70
1,000.00
District & School Nurse :
Salary
1,800.00
1,800.00
1,900.00
Transportation
400.00
400.00
400.00
Expense
75.00
73.64
1.36
75.00
Inspection of Animals : Salary
125.00
125.00
125.00
HIGHWAYS
Highway Dept : Appropriation (Includes
salary and wages)
22,000.00
21,978.81
21.19
19,000.00
Snow Removal
8,500.00
From "Reserve"
3,858.92
12,358.92
3,500.00
Care of Town Dumps : Expense
200.00
199.40
.60
200.00
Rental
50.00
Road Machinery Account
300.00
299.99
01
Art. 7
New Equipment
3,000.00
911.50
2,088.50
3,000.00
Highway Lighting
5,650.00
5,453.94
196.06
5,650.00
Chapter 90 Maintenance :
From "Town"
1,350.00
1,000.00
From "State & County"
2,700.00
4,050.00
Street Construction :
Relocation at Bow & Concord Roads Bal. 1/1/45
53.42
51.30
2.12
Relocation at Waltham & Concord Roads
Bal. 1/1/45
59.95
From "Reserve"
42.45
102.40
31
1945
1945 Appropriated Expended
Balance Recommended
WELFARE Public Welfare Board : Salaries : Board
300.00
300.00
300.00
Agent
1,388.00
1,267.10
120.90
1,542.00
Visitor
1,220.00
1,220.00
1,385.00
400.00
294.67
105.33
400.00
Transportation Expense : Rents, etc.
100.00
100.00
100.00
Temporary Aid: Appropriation
11,000.00
7,311.00
3,689.00
12,000.00
Aid to Dependent Children : Appropriation
3,900.00
3,894.29
5.71
4,500.00
Federal Grants : Maintenance
Bal. 1/1/45
1.47
Received 1945
1,046.11
826.23
221.35
Administration
Bal. 1/1/45
8.00
Received 1945
61.85
69.85
Old Age Assistance :
Appropriation Federal Grants : Maintenance
29.000.00
27,725.33
1,274.67
35,000.00
Received 1945
16,962.19
16,636.95
325.24
Administration
Received 1945
565.35
476.68
88.67
1945
1946
32
SOLDIERS' BENEFITS State & Military Aid : State Aid Military Aid World War II-Allowance Soldiers' Relief : Agent : Salary
1,000.00
582.24
417.76
1,000.00
200.00
200.00
200.00
1,500.00
101.00
1,399.00
1,500.00
150.00
150.00
150.00
Expense
100.00
41.40
58.60
100.00
Maintenance
1,000.00
514.40
485.60
1,000.00
EDUCATION
Schools-General Control :
Superintendent : Salary
2,312.50
2,312.50
2,437.50
Other Expense
1,887.50
1,475.95
411.55
2,021.25
Instruction : Teachers-Salaries
50,190.00
47,954.25
2,235.75
54,100.00
Textbooks & Supplies
3,000.00
2,999.77
.23
3,400.00
Operation of School Plant :
Janitors' Salaries & Substitutes
4,850.00
4,635.01
214.99
5,550.00
Fuel & Miscellaneous
4,400.00
From "Reserve"
467.60
4,867.60
4,800.00
Building & Equipment :
Maintenance & Outlays
1,000.00
1,000.00
2,000.00
Auxiliary Agencies :
Transportation
8,100.00
7,945.00
155.00
8,100.00
Health & Physical Education
650.00
650.00
650.00
Libraries
300.00
299.71
29
300.00
Sundries
100.00
81.26
18.74
100.00
33
1945 Appropriated
1945 Expended
1945 1946 Balance Recommended
School Bldgs. & Grounds General Repairs Center Elementary School Bldg. Addition Bal. 1/1/45
15,500.00
9,733.79
5,766.21
6,500.00
6,500.00
School-Hall Rental Account
200.00
25.00
175.00
75.00
Vocational Tuition
1,000.00
From "Reserve"
1.94
1,001.94
1,500.00
Fund : High School Flag Pole Gifts from Donation Fund Income
16.70
10.20
6.50
Library & Reading Room : Appropriation
3,800.00
4,300.00
From "Dog Licenses"
819.06
4,112.48
506.58
Art. 3
Library Funds' Income
Bal. 1/1/45 Received 1945
208.83
1,089.62
1,253.36
45.09
Library Bldg. : Heating & Insulating
6,100.00
1,328.49
4,771.51
General Repairs
1,800.00
1,800.00
RECREATION
Park Commission : Expense
1,000.00
From "Reserve"
60.83
1,060.83
1,500.00
Life Guard-Dudley Pond
300.00
297.66
2.34
300.00
Baldwin's Pond
300.00
300.00
300.00
UNCLASSIFIED Reserve Fund
8,000.00
5,905.69
2,094.31
8,000.00
44.00
44.00
34
Memorial Day Town Clocks :
400.00
394.63
5.37
400.00
90.00
From "Reserve"
20.00
110.00
150.00
650.00
629.00
21.00
650.00
400.00
347.00
53.00
450.00
2,850.00
From "Reserve" Refund
100.00
3,014.97
39.66
2,500.00
Notices of Meetings
100.00
100.00
Legion Post Quarters : Rent
600.00
600.00
600.00
Honor Rolls: Bal. 1/1/45
1,300.00
Expense
100.00
1,399.36
64
100.00
Temporary Bonus
3,287.00
2,826.37
460.63
3,500.00
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