Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1956, Part 11

Author: Milford (Mass.)
Publication date: 1956
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 314


USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1956 > Part 11


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Miss Regina Bianchi from High School Building, Grade V to South Grammar School, Grade V.


Mrs. Rita Cleary from South Grammar School, Pre- Primary class to High School Building, Pre-Primary class.


NEW ASSIGNMENTS


Miss Barbara Seaver was appointed acting principal at the Plains School.


Miss Margaret Cochran was appointed principal at the Spruce Street School.


It is with sincere regret that resignations of several teachers were accepted. Sincere appreciation is extended to all listed below, especially those who devoted many years to the training of the children of our community.


Miss Barbara Burns, teacher of Grade V, High School building, to accept teaching position in Alexandria, Vir- ginia.


Miss Evelyn Curran, principal of Oliver Street School.


Miss Irene Gallagher, principal of Spruce Street School.


Mr. Philip Lucier, teacher of Grade VII, Stacy Jr. High School, to accept teaching position in Natick, Massa- chusetts.


Miss Gertrude Wallace, principal of Plains School.


[225]


SALARY SCHEDULES AND RATES IN EFFECT DURING 1956


The following rates are paid to the four administrative positions as follows:


Superintendent of Schools $6950.


High School Principal 5850.


Assistant Principal of High School 5400.


Junior High School Principal 4900.


The single salary schedule for teachers has a minimum of $3000 and a maximum of $4000 for non-degree teachers and teachers with a bachelor's degree. Teachers holding a master's degree receive a $200 increment above the bache- lor's rate, and those holding a doctor's degree receive a $200 increment above the master's rate.


Teachers entering the system without experience start at the minimum salary and in a period of ten years they may reach their maximum through a combination of pro- fessional study of twelve semester hours, and by means of automatic annual increments.


Department heads are given an increment of $500 above the schedule.


Elementary school principals receive an increment of $50, plus $10 per classroom in the school of which they are the principal.


The salary of the School Nurse is $3450 per year.


The salary of the Attendance Supervisor is $3600 per year.


The salary of the School Physicians is $800 per year.


The salary of the clerks in the offices of the Super- intendent of Schools and High School Principal is $2910 per year.


[226]


The rates of full time permanent custodians are $65.89 per week minimum and $75.89 per week maximum. The difference between the minimum and maximum is reached by automatic increases of $100 per year for 5 years.


Part time custodians are paid at the rate of $15.97 per week.


The Cafeteria Director is paid at the rate of $45.00 per week (for 40 weeks) and the cooks are paid at the rate of $37.50 per week for each week they work.


MILFORD TEACHERS ASSOCIATION


The officers of the Milford Teachers Association are: Mr. Nello Allegrezza, President; Mr. J. Gerard Sweeney, Vice-President; Miss Regina Bianchi, Secretary and Miss Dorcas Magurn, Treasurer.


ยท Respectfully submitted,


DAVID I. DAVOREN, Superintendent of Schools.


COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM Wednesday Evening, June 20, 1956 at Eight O'Clock PROGRAM


Processional. Marche Pontificale Gounod Milford High School Orchestra Mr. Ben C. Lancisi, Director


America, the Beautiful Ward Senior Class


Under the direction of Mr. Alex diGiannantonio Supervisor of Music


[227]


Essay: Our Defense Against Communism: Inside America Rose Mary McDonough


It's a Grand Night for Singing Rodgers Senior Class


Essay: Our Defense Against Communism: Outside America Thomas Birmingham


He


Richards


Senior Class


Presentation of Diplomas Mr. Joseph J. Tosches, Principal


Awarding of Diplomas Mr. John P. Pyne Chairman of the School Committee


Remarks by the Chairman of the School Committee


Presentation of Prize Awards


Mr. David I. Davoren Superintendent of Schools


Song of Farewell


Kountz


Class Ode


Senior Class


Recessional


[228]


CLASS ODE


Tune: Auld Lang Syne


The time has come to say farewell To a dearly cherished friend;


Four happy years of pleasant toil Now draw to a speedy end.


On this sad night close friends must part In sadness and in tears,


But mem'ries of our high school days Will linger through the years.


Chorus


Within thy hallowed halls we've learned An adage old and wise: With dauntless heart keep faith in God; In ourselves our future lies.


Thomas Birmingham, '56


CLASS OFFICERS


President: Edward Michael Ruscitti


Vice President: Mary Isabell Moore Secretary: Rose Mary McDonough Treasurer: Harold Thomas Williams


CLASS OF 1956


Janice Marilyn Adams Patricia Helen Alberta Virginia Laura Ann Alberto Eleanor Marie Annantuonio John Anthony Areano Francis David Atherton Barbara Ann Marie Bartera Paul Domenic Bozzini Carol Ann Belforti Robert Edward Brown


Regina Louise Bianchi David Taylor Bird Thomas Joseph Birmingham Rosemary Palma Blascio Lawrence Frank Bonetti Gaetano Joseph Bonina


[229]


Sally Ann Cahill James V. Lancia, Jr. Nicholas Joseph Lanzetta Charles John Laquidara Josephine Ann Loice Janice Marie Lombardi Frederick John Lucier, Jr. Thomas M. Maloof Anthony Francis Manzola Marie Anita Mazzarelli Rose Mary McDonough Michael Meldonian, Jr. Ann Marie Mele Craig Alfred Middough Mary Isabell Moore Sally Mary Mowatt Wayne Sibson Morey Barry Robert Newmark Valerie Ann Nixon William Paul Nixon Arthur F. O'Keefe Richard John Palanzi Arlene Patricia Pederzoli Eleanor Rose Petrilli John Anthony Pilla Lowell Pinkham Joseph Louis Capece Louise Marie Capece Geno Nino Carrachino Jean Marie Celozzi Dolores Ann Cenedella Donna Mae Cimino Charles Buddy Clarke John Peter Cocchiarella Carole Ann Elizabeth Colabello Richard Louis Colabello June Ann Costantino Grace Marie Criasia Patricia Ann Cugini Rachel Ann D'Agnese Patricia Anne Dalio Elaine Elizabeth D'Amico William Joseph Dalton, Jr. Michael John DeSalvia Jeanne Frances DiBattista Anthony P. D'Onofrio Doris Marion Dwyer Patricia Lucille Edmands Jeanne Francis Elliott Donna Phyllis Farese Frederick James Pironti Paul A. Ferretti Nicholas Joseph Pisarro John Pizzillo Leonard R. Fontecchio Lena Marie Giacomuzzi Ruth Norma Purdy Sandra Carolyn Glatky Mary S. Ricci Norma Janet Gouveia Edwin Howard Roy John Arthur Griffith Edward Michael Ruscitti Rosemary Ann Guido Dorothy Ann Sanborn Nicholas A. Santoro Beverly Ann Saracino Marie Louise Schiappucci Joanne Francis Stoico Walter William Swift Richard Ralph Guidotti Beverly Ann Hewson Gloria May Hoilo A. Milton Jenkins Elizabeth E. Karle Lawrence Edward Kurlansky Anthony Augustine Texeira Miriam Helen LaBrie


James Edward Till


[230]


Arlene Marie Tocci Betty Louise Tognazzi Alfred Ernest Vesperi Ben Vitalini


Richard D. Wallace Robert M. Wallace Grace Marie Watson Harold T. Williams


Ann Marie Zampino


STUDENTS WHO ACHIEVED THE TEN HIGHEST AVERAGES DURING THEIR FOUR YEARS


Thomas J. Birmingham Patricia A. Alberta


Rose Mary McDonough


Regina L. Bianchi


Richard D. Wallace


John P. Cocchiarella


Donna Mae Cimino


Patricia L. Edmands


Dolores A. Cenedella


Robert M. Wallace


Class Motto: "In Ourselves Our Future Lies."


Class Colors: Red and White Pianist: Michael Dewart


Secretary's Report


Books and Supplies:


All States Freight, Inc.


$ 4.83


Allyn and Bacon


375.14


Americana Corporation


10.00


American Book Company


601.72


American Fire Equipment, Inc.


8.25


American Heritage


17.70


Appliance Center, The


5.00


Architectural Forum


8.50


Barnard, F. J. and Co., Inc.


116.85


Beckley-Cardy Company


404.84


Bryant, Carl E.


80.80


Cahill's News Agency


37.02


California Test Bureau


200.60


Chronicle Guidance Publications


30.00


[231]


Civic Education Center


11.28


Clarke Printing Company


406.65


Coe-Palm Biological Supply House


40.44


College Bindery, The


2.75


College Entrance Book Company


12.93


Compton, F. E. and Co.


124.40


Continental Press, The


32.36


Cooney, Charles E. Store, Inc.


8.75


Cooperative Test Division


32.79


Costello, Walter F.


5.00


Croft, Arthur C. Publications


38.42


Davidson, J. E. Company


132.20


Davoren's Drive-In Pharmacy


80.04


Denoyer-Geppert Company


89.32


Ditto, Harrison


8.94


Dura Binding Company


113.65


Educator's Publishing Company


5.31


Encyclopedia Britannica


256.47


Fair Grain Company


33.00


Farese, Rose A.


32.00


Fischer, Carl, Inc.


22.89


Ginn and Company


161.76


Gledhill Brothers, Inc.


28.42


Globe Book Company, Inc.


104.23


Greater Boston Distributors


15.14


Grolier Society, Inc., The


3.95


Hall and McCreary Company


33.34


Hammett, J. L. Company


2,897.57


Hammond, C. S. and Company


127.92


Harcourt Brace and Company


107.17


Harper and Brothers


11.23


Hearne Brothers


75.00


Heath, D. C. and Company


805.87


Holt, Henry and Company


266.04


International Business Machines


8.55


Iroquois Publishing Company


7.27


Janes, H. T. and Son


51.30


Journal of Education


3 00


Junior Scholastic


40.00


[232]


Ladd Visual Service


3.46


Larson, B. A. and Company


142.80


Lindner, Harold


19.96


Lyon Metal Products


21.80


Macmillan Company, The


409.29


Mainco Trading Company


3,237.97


Major Printing Company


19.75


Marchant Calculations


9.30


Martin and Murray Company


71.40


Massachusetts Correctional Institutions


48.43


McCausland, Ray


106.37


McCormick-Mathers Publishing Company


4.92


McGraw-Hill Book Company


117.32


Mentzer-Bush and Company


96.61


Millward, James, Jr.


145.47


Milton Bradley Company


10.65


Mimeograph Disributors, Inc.


1,010.44


Morin's Photographic Studios


13.85


National Catholic Welfare Conference


4.08


National Education Association, The


16.44


National Forum, The


5.05


National School Public Relations Association


4.62


Neilan's Drug Store


23.94


New England Paper Company, The


285.18


New England School Development Council


6.16


New York Times Company, The


15.00


Norm's Office Equipment Service


14.00


Oakland Educational Press


3.18


Office Equipment, Inc.


67.59


Oxford Book Company


1.77


Palmer Company, The


55.11


Parker Publishing Company


5.22


Perkins, M. N. Company


143.10


Porter Sargent


14.50


Presser, Theodore Company


3.79


Prospect Union Educational Exchange


2.00


Railway Express, Inc.


2.58


Remington Rand, Inc.


17.94


Rinehart Writing System


260.00


[233]


Rice, J. Allen


16.31


Riverside Transportation Company


112.72


Row, Peterson and Company


769.88


Rowe, H. M. Company


6.88


Royal Typewriter Company


68.77


Rubenstein Electrical Supply Company


1.08


Science Filmstrip-of-the-Month Club


30.00


Science Kit


11.65


Science Publications


40.34


Scott, Foresman and Company


655.91


Scribner, Charles' Sons


54.20


Seaver's Express


5.39


Silver Burdett Company


67.40


Smith, L. C. and Corona Co.


23.80


Smith, Richard R. Publishing Co.


5.36


South Dakota Press


25.13


South Western Publishing Company


375.73


Standard Auto Gear


6.60


Temple Flowers


3.00


Toothaker, O. H.


84.24


University of Chicago Press


4.50


Van Nostrand Company


2.34


Visual Educational Service, Inc.


355.85


Webster Publishing Company


270.36


Welch, W. M. Mfg. Company


342.32


Winston, The John C. Company


70.79


Wolkins, Henry S. Company


289.89


World Book Company


375.18


$18,655.26


Transportation:


Abbiuso, Louis


$ 3,861.95


Bianchi, John


54.40


Butren, Charles, Jr.


121.00


Carlstrom Bus Lines, Inc.


1,693.40


Davoren, David I.


200.00


Gandolphi, Charles


56.80


Hayes, Joseph


47.20


[234]


Johnson Bus Lines


597.87


Larry's Taxi


259.05


Luchini, Robert


117.80


Lucier, Paul


121.00


Milford Red Cab


1,327.50


Morelli, Rocco


33.40


O'Brien and Rizoli


6,616.20


Plains Taxi


182.27


Plante, Leo


100.20


Rosenfeld's Garage


2.45


Smith, Joan T.


260.00


Stewart, George O.


5,650.70


Ted's Taxi


620.60


Town Taxi


524.15


$22,447.94


Tuition:


Framingham, Town of


$ 254.01


Marlborough, City of


55.80


Newton, City of


155.40


Norfolk County Agricultural School


140.00


Worcester, City of


5,197.28


$ 5,802.49


Athletic Equipment:


Holland, E. F. and Company, Inc.


$ 60.44


Horace Partridge


2,330.27


$ 2,390.71


New Equipment:


Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company


$ 47.76


Community Appliance Center


497.19


Electro Sound Corporation


1,065.00


International Business Machines


295.00


Mainco Trading Company


2,139.12


[235]


New England Paper Company


67.00


Office Equipment Company


463.50


Remington Rand, Inc.


174.35


Royal Typewriter Company


300.00


Science Kit


531.00


Smith-Corona


300.00


Stimpson's


535.00


Werber and Rose, Inc.


223.40


$ 6,638.32


Repairs:


Beltramini, Louis, Jr.


$ 400.24


Bradbury-Locke Company


22.20


Casey, William H. Store, Inc.


399.26


Chilson Radio and T.V. Service


9.05


Connell, W. J. Company


24.80


Consigli Construction Co.


922.00


Curtiss, H. M. Coal Company


56.76


DiPietro's Paint and Hardware


64.96


Eastman and Corbett Company


237.00


Ernie's Radio and T.V.


15.65


Flagg, George A. Company, Inc.


104.00


Frieswick, Oliver


91.45


Jaques, L. N. and Sons


196.61


Lou's Radio and T.V.


7.00


MacDonald Sprague Roofing Company


1,583.00


Milford Locksmith


119.10


Milford Welding


15.00


Modern Wall Cleaning Co.


12.00


Morse, T. E. Co.


286.88


Niro and Niro


7,691.11


Ozella Brothers


6,500.00


Pantano, A. M.


265.00


Parente's


13.60


Petnov Radio and T.V.


1.50


Power, Bill


18.50


Power, Edward T., Jr.


150.00


Power, John F. and Sons


285.70


[236]


Rolen Construction Company


7,429.48


Rose Machine Shop


41.00


Sprague, George L., Jr.


105.81


9.93


Stimpson's Williams, W. J. Zocchi, Leon


880.91


1,218.51


$29,178.01


Miscellaneous


Aborn Chemical Industries


$ 98.90


Ahearn's Amoco Station


1.65


American School Board Journal


3.50


Bright, Karl A. Insurance Agency


719.00


Brulin and Company


896.95


Casey, William H. Store, Inc.


42.43


Central Landscaping Service


19.00


Charlie's Amoco Station


7.65


Clarke Printing Company, The


54.75


Clougherty, Charles H. Company


3.80


College Bindery, The


7.00


Cook, Stephen


15.00


Croft, Arthur C. Publications


12.22


Curley, James


5.00


Curtiss, H. M. Coal Company


1.29


Dodge Books


12.99


Drew, E. F. and Company


20.09


Economy Cleaners


8.64


Electric Time Company, Inc.


32.75


Electrolux Corporation


27.41


Fair Grain Company


33.00


Hickey, Bernard


5.00


Hickey, J. F. Insurance Agency


123.63


Holcomb, J. I. Manufacturing Company


86.75


Home Laundry


8.38


Kelly Leather Products


22.87


Kunz, David C.


8.00


Ladd Visual Service


2.42


Lyman, John R. Company


53.90


[237]


Massachusetts Association of School Commit-


tees, Inc.


50.00


Milford Daily News


179.16


Milford Exterminating Service


20.00


Milford Water Company


1,385.34


Murray, Leona


11.34


New England Telephone and Telegraph Co.


1,658.92


Office Equipment Company


15.80


Perron, Samuel H.


8.00


Petty Cash


275.00


Purex Corporation, Ltd.


12.00


Remington Rand, Inc.


17.10


Rinehart Writing System


1,560.00


Rochester Germicide Company


298.37


Rosenfeld's Garage


55.05


Royal Typewriter Company


5.00


Ryan Motor Sales


189.96


Sani-Mist, Inc.


67.50


Sanipro Chemicals of New England


26.80


Standard Electric Time Company


30.00


Stetson, M. D. Company


1,133.32


Tosches, Nick J.


2.00


Town Hall Service Station


1.60


Visconti, Warren


8.00


Volpe, Joseph L.


151.00


Werber and Rose, Inc.


7.00


Worcester County Electric Company


3,744.07


Worcester Gas Light Company


587.79


Zocchi, Leon


170.50


$14,004.59


[238]


Annual Report of the Board of Selectmen


On March 6, 1956, the day following the re-election of Marco A. Balzarini Atty. William V. Bellantonio, and Atty. Michael P. Visconti to the Board of Selectmen, your Board met and organized by choosing Mr. Visconti as its Chairman.


Last year we reported to you that there was in prog- ress the construction of two factories with the prospect of more being constructed in the near future. We are pleased to report at this time that many local citizens are now gainfully employed in these factories. While on the subject of industrial expansion we are also pleased to re- port that the Fitzgibbons Co. has expanded its facilities and that a branch of the company is now in operation at its former location in Milford. Also, the Richard Hat Co. is in the process of expanding and the Lish Hat Company of Framingham has established a branch factory in town. Continued efforts are being made to induce other indus- tries to locate here and we feel that the chances of still greater industrial expansion is very favorable indeed.


In the matter of Flood Control, we would like to re- port that a bill was enacted into law by the legislature this past year providing for the elimination of future serious damage to property caused by flood waters. Under this law, the town is asked to contribute 15% of the total cost, the county is asked to contribute a similar amount and the Commonwealth will contribute 70% of the entire cost. We have officially asked the County Commissioners to include in their budget the sum of $115,000.00. When this budget is presented to the legislature for approval we are certain our two local Representatives and our Senator will exert every effort to gain the necessary approval. If suc- cessful, our town will have taken one big step toward the solution of our periodical floods.


[239]


Once again we call attention to the urgent need of parking areas being established in the business section of Milford. We are very pleased by the action taken by some of our local merchants who made parking areas behind their places of business. They are to be highly commended for their initiative in taking such a step toward solving the parking problem.


On the subject of parking we can report that meetings have been held with the Chamber of Commerce and others with a view toward taking steps to eliminate the problem. As a result, our two local Representatives in the legislature have filed a bill calling for the establishment of a so-called "Parking Authority". If this bill is successfully passed by the legislature it will be presented at the town meeting for either approval or disapproval.


We are happy to report that during the past year a radio station has been set up in our town. All will agree, no doubt, that such a station is a great and valuable asset to any community as it can be the media by which many public services can be rendered without any cost to the town whatsoever. We feel that we played an important role in connection with the establishment of this station here. We wish continued success to the operators of radio station WMOO.


During 1955, a new "White Way" so-called, was in- stalled on Main Street. It met with such unanimous ap- proval by the townspeople that what we anticipated has now become a reality, i.e. an enthusiastic demand for more and better lighting throughout the town. While such light- ing is highly desirable, we call your attention to the fact that our light costs are rising annually. Our present costs approximate $30,000.00. This year arrangements have been made for the installation of better lighting on South Main and Jefferson streets. It is expected that other trouble spots will be surveyed shortly and, if such a survey indicates a definite need for improved lighting, steps will be taken to make the necessary installations.


[240]


Again we urge the necessity of taking care of our trees, especially those in the Town Park area. The devas- tating effect of the hurricanes in recent years is beginning to show more and more as time passes. We feel that steps should be taken in the direction of ridding the town of use- less trees and in their stead new ones planted. Our Tree Warden should be encouraged by all citizens to carry out this task.


As in past years, weekly meetings and many special meetings have been held by us during the past year. Legis- lative hearings were attended by us, also, and conferences were held with various State Departments on matters af- fecting the interest of our town.


In closing, we wish to extend our thanks to all the departments and department heads who so graciously co- operated with us in carrying out our responsibilities and discharging our duties. We trust that our service has aided, in some measure, in making our town a better place in which to live.


MICHAEL P. VISCONTI, Chairman MARCO A. BALZARINI WILLIAM V. BELLANTONIO


[241]


Memorial Hall Department, 1956


Building Repairs


General Appropriation


$ 475.00


Frank's Electric's


$ 107.25


Lemeroux & Volpecelli, Painting


68.50


Arthur DiVitto


50.00


Daniel Visconti


50.00


Olson's Woodworking Co.


30.00


Casey's Hardware


43.02


Bill Power's Plumbing


15.15


$ 363.92


Balance


$


111.08


Salary Appropriation


$1,900.77


Vincent Dagnese


$1,900.77


General Appropriation


Expenditures


$1,750.00


Cattani Oil Co.


$1,493.75


Milford Water Co.


64.41


Worcester Gas Co.


50.51


Leon Zocchi


28.43


Bill Powers Plumbing


27.95


Milford Hardware Co.


19.07


Aldrich Lawn Mowing Co.


12.00


Casey Hardware Co.


9.80


Olson Woodworking Co.


3.25


Plains Pharmacy


3.00


Central Supply


2.16


Milford Locksmith


2.00


Balance


$1,716.33 $ 33.67


Respectfully submitted,


VINCENT DAGNESE, Custodian.


[242]


Town Counsel's Report


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen:


Upon assuming the duties of Town Counsel for the year 1956, I found five actions of law pending against the Town; four of the five were for personal injuries received by claimants. The other was for welfare aid given by the City of Worcester to a recipient whose legal residence was Milford. The cases of the City of Worcester against the Town of Milford have been settled and the City of Wor- cester has reimbursed the Town of Milford for aid given to one of Worcester's residents.


During the past year one of the cases went to final judgment in the amount of $1,018 which sum was paid out of available funds in the Treasury.


Outstanding against the Town at this time are eight claims for both personal injuries and property damage sus- tained by the claimants due to alleged defects in the walks and streets of the Town of Milford or to alleged negligence in the operation of motor vehicles by personnel of the Town departments.


With respect to claims for personal injuries filed against the Town during the year 1956, I have settled all but three of them.


When I assumed office last March, there was in the Damage to Persons and Property Account the sum of $1,500.00. There now remains a balance of $25.30.


I list herewith an account of the items of expenditures out of this fund.


[243]


For property damage, paid out April 28, 1956 $ 27.10


For property damage, paid out May 4, 1956 75.85


For property damage, paid out May 5, 1956 76.00


For property damage, paid out June 7, 1956


15.00


For property damage, paid out July 24, 1956


45.80


For personal injuries, paid out Dec. 14, 1956 276.00


For personal injuries, paid out Dec. 14, 1956 150.00


For personal injuries, paid out Dec. 14, 1956


300.00


For personal injuries, paid out Dec. 15, 1956 438.00


For property damage, paid out Dec. 18, 1956


70.00


Total


$1,474.70


Many conferences were held with various town offi- cials and many opinions, both written and oral, were given to the Selectmen and other officials of the Town. Many instruments affecting the Town were drawn and recorded. Many trips to Boston and Worcester in connection with the Town's business, and in some instances involving and affecting the property rights of worthy citizens, were made by me at my own expense.


I have made every effort to be courteous to both of- ficials and citizens who called on me for help, advice and assistance during the year. Many times, as in the past, I went beyond the requirements of my duties to assist and advise those of our citizens who sought my help.


During the past year, there was created a vacancy in the Welfare Department due to the resignation of one of its three members. This evoked extended discussion and much controversy among our townspeople. By implication and innuendo, there have been attempts to fix the respon- sibility on your Honorable Board for filling the vacancy. In spite of the clear statements made by me to the press, the members of your Board and to interested citizens to the effect that the law required the remaining members of the Welfare Department to notify the Selectmen in writ- ing that a vacancy existed on the Board of Public Welfare,


[244]


certain elements, for reasons best known to themselves, persisted in making statements and engaging in efforts de- signed and intended to mislead our townspeople. I am shocked and appalled by such efforts and can only con- clude that those who persist in such tactics are motivated by malice or are acting in sheer ignorance of the law.


Everyone knows or should know, in view of the numer- ous times the law has been quoted in our daily press, that - the members of the Board of Selectmen are powerless and absolutely without authority to fill the vacancy existing in the Welfare Department.


For the edification of those who may want to know the law on the subject above mentioned, I quote: "If there is a vacancy in a board consisting of two or more members, except a board whose members have been elected by pro- portional representation under chapter fifty-four A, the remaining members shall give written notice thereof to the selectmen, who, with the remaining members of such board shall, after one week's notice fill such vacancy by ballot. A majority of the ballots of the officers entitled to vote shall be necessary to such election."


(General Laws, Chap. 41, section 11.)


In conclusion, I want to express my sincere thanks to your Honorable Board for affording me the opportunity to serve the Town in the capacity of Town Counsel; and I hereby convey to all department heads, boards, committees and all town officers my thanks for their assistance, and for all the courtesies extended to me during the past year.




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