USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1925 > Part 4
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Settlement was made with the United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company on account of its obligation to the town on the several bonds of former Tax Collector Hawkes. The report of the audit of the Tax Collector's account made in connection with the audit of all town accounts made by the Director of accounts, submitted to the town under date of April 24, 1922, showed outstanding on March 15, 1922.
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on account of the levies of 1913 to 1917 the sum of $5,793.74. The Town Counsel and a representative of the surety com- pany made a very careful examination of the books for the several years and found that many abatements should fairly be granted which had never been legally asked for by the collector. In past years abatements have run from: $2,000.00 to $3,000.00 per year. In all but one of the years of Mr. Hawkes' term the abatements asked for and allowed did not exceed $1,006.00 and in 1917, his last year, abate- ments of only $67.70 were asked for and allowed. Taking into consideration the abatements which in the judgement of the Town Counsel and the Board should have been made, and which were later authorized by the Tax Commissioner, upon the recommendation of the Director of Accounts, Mr. Waddell, it was deemed to be for the best interests of the town to accept an offer of $2,150.00 which was made by the surety company. Settlement was made accordingly and the sum of $2,150.00 received. The Board wishes to express its appreciation of the helpful assistance of the representative of the surety company, Mr. Russell, during the negotiation of the settlement.
The whole town was saddened on the morning of November 3d last to hear of the sudden death of its be- loved Town Clerk, John F. Foley. For many years he had. served most efficiently and courteously in the important office of Clerk of the Town of Palmer. No man stood higher in our town than Mr. Foley and his loss has been and will be keenly felt. The Board has asked Mr. David L. Bodfish to prepare and present at the appropriation meeting suitable resolutions upon Mr. Foley's death. Robert L. McDonald, Town Treasurer, was appointed Town Clerk to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Foley until the annual town meeting. He was obliged to assume the duties of the office at a particularly hard time and has per- formed the same with much credit.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
Statement of Recommendations for the year 1926 Election and Registration, $1,200.00
Premium Workmen's Compensation Insurance, 950.00
Auditing and Accounting, 1,490.00
Selectmen's Other Expenses,
500.00
Selectmen's Contingent Expenses,
1,800.00
Special Police,
1,000.00
Printing and Distribution of Town Reports,
1,200.00
Salaries of Selectmen,
1,000.00
Law and Claim Department,
1,500.00
Insurance,
300.00
Soldiers' Relief,
1,600.00
WILLIAM B. KERIGAN
FRANK G. ROGERS,
CHARLES A. CALLAHAN
Board of Selectmen
Report of Young Men's Library Association
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN YEAR ENDING, DECEMBER 31, 1925
To the Members of the Young Men's Library Association :
I herewith submit my fifteenth annual report as Librarian of your Association. The report will be brief.
CIRCULATION
The total circulation for the year was 62,369, divided as follows :- Main Library, 34,279; Three Rivers Branch, 15,114; Bondsville Branch, 6,770; Thorndike Branch, 6,206.
The decrease over that of last years is 89. The de- crease is far less than I feared it might be. The causes of the decrease are well known to us. I shall not enlarge upon them. Last year I dwelt upon these causes to some extent.
The causes being known, it is "up" to us to find the remedy. We have several under contemplation. Our chief hope lies, I believe, in the State Library Reading Plan. This plan has been working to some extent during the last year. Plans has been completed whereby it can be put into full operation. When it is "gotten under full sail," it will make a marked increase in our circulation. Better still, it will produce "feeders" for the Library in years to come.
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This plan is a co-operative one between the Library and the public schools. A most excellent list of books, carefully graded, has been gotten out. Certificates are offered for the reading of five books and an honor certifi- cate is issued for the reading of twenty books. The plan will entail considerable work upon the part of the librarians and the teachers. The plan is sufficiently strong, never- theless, in purpose to warrant such effort. The ultimate aim is the inculcation of the habit of reading good books by school children. This is our chief interest rather than that of increase of circulation.
AIM
It is the aim of the Association to meet every desir- able need in the way of library facilities that exists. We are supplying these needs to a considerable extent in the maintaining of a branch in each of the villages. It is our desire that, whenever we fail to meet just demands, those who recognize our failure shall inform us. We welcome criticism at any time. Often times, those "on the outside" can see difficulties which those "on the inside" can not see. In all public matters, it is the duty of the "outsider" to tell the "insider" what he believes are shortcomings. If told in a gentlemanly manner, no one should resent criti- cism. We will accept with good grace any criticism which may be leveled at us-constructive or destructive: court- eous or discourteous. We desire to be of the utmost ser- vice to all. No one will regret our failure to be of such service more than we. It is "up" to the public to com- mand. It is "up" to us to obey.
STATISTICS
CIRCULATION The following statistics are given : Books and Magazines Main Library, 34,279
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Three Rivers Branch,
15,114
Thorndike Branch,
6,206
Bondsville Branch,
6,770
Total,
62,369
Last Year
62,458
Decrease,
89
Books on hand, January 1, 1925,
16,980
Purchased during the year,
736
Received by Gift,
23
Books on hand, January 1, 1926
17,738
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFTON H. HOBSON,
Librarian
REPORT OF THE TREASURER
Receipts
Cash on hand, January 1, 1925 $ 4.47
Received from Town of Palmer,
4,600.00
Fines, etc.,
219.16
Withdrawn from Palmer Savings Bank,
300.00
$5,123.63
Disbursements
May Robinson, Attendant, Palmer $ 849.96
Ruth Davis, Assistant, Palmer 641.63
Ethel Jenks, Assistant, Palmer 100.00
E. Spaulding, Janitor
308.04
Three Rivers, Branch
399.96
Thorndike Branch 312.00
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Bondsville Branch
192.00
Fuel and Light Telephone
574.08
22.81
Supplies
45.18
Books and Magazines
1,547.11
Miscellaneous Expenses
75.36
$5,068.13
Balance
$ 55.50
FRANK S. KEITH
Treasurer
Town Warrant
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
County of Hampden, ss.
Town of Palmer
To either of the Constables of the Town of Palmer, in said County,
GREETING :-
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn all the inhabi- tants of the Town of Palmer, qualified to vote in the elec- tions of town officers, to meet at the several poiling places in said Palmer, designated by the Selectmen to wit: In Precinct A, at Holbrook Hall in the Holbrook Building on Main Street in the Depot Village; in Precinct B, at Recreation Building (room on the street floor) on Com- mercial Street in Thorndike; in Precinct C, at Saint Stanis- laus Polish Lyceum Building (hall on the second floor) on East Main Street in Three Rivers; and in Precinct D, at Boston Duck Company's Hall on Main Street, in Bonds- ville, on Monday, the first day of February, A. D., 1926, at six o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to give in their votes on one ballot to precinct officers of the several voting precincts of said town, for the following town officers to wit: Three Selectmen, a Town Treasurer, a Tax Col- lector, three Auditors, five Constables, three License Com- missioners, and a Tree Warden, all for the term of one
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year ; a Town Clerk (to fill a vacancy) for the term of one year ; one Road Commissioner (to fill a vacancy) for the term of one year; one member of the School Committee (to fill a vacancy) for the term of one year; one Assessor, one Overseer of the Poor, one Road Commissioner, two members of the School Committee, one member of the Board of Health, and one Cemetery Commissioner, all for the term of three years.
The polls will be open at six o'clock in the forenoon and will be closed at three-thirty o'clock in the afternoon.
And you are further hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Palmer, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at the Town House at Four Corners, in said Palmer, on Monday, the eighth day of February, A. D. 1926, at seven o'clock in the evening, then and there to act on the following articles, viz :
ARTICLE 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
ARTICLE 2. To choose all other usual town officers.
ARTICLE 3. To act on the reports of the Town Officers.
ARTICLE 4. To raise money and make appropria- tions to defray expenses of the town for the ensuing year.
ARTICLE 5. To see if the Town will authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to
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borrow during the ensuing financial year, in anticipation of the revenue of said year, such sums of money as may be necessary for current expenses of the town, but not ex- ceeding in the aggregate the amount permitted by law, giving the note or notes of the town therefore, payable within one year from the date thereof; all debts incurred under authority of this vote to be paid from revenue of the said financial year.
ARTICLE 6. To hear and act on the reports of Com- mittees.
ARTICLE 7. To choose Committees and give them instructions.
ARTICLE 8. To determine the manner and state the terms and conditions of collecting the taxes for the ensu- ing year, and fix the compensation of the collector of taxes.
ARTICLE 9. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate money to suppress the illegal sale of intoxicating liquors.
ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate money for the Young Men's Library Associa- tion, or take any action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will raise money to convey pupils to and from public schools, and instruct the school committee as to the manner of letting the contract for such conveyance.
ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise money for the observance of Memorial Day.
ARTICLE 13. To see what action the town will take in relation to sewers.
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ARTICLE 14. To see what action the Town will take in respect to lighting the streets and whether it will authorize the Selectmen to make contract therefor, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
ARTICLE 15. To see what action the Town will take in reference to the planting and preservation of shade trees.
ARTICLE 16. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate money for the improvement of cemeteries.
ARTICLE 17. To see what action the Town will take in regard to sidewalks and curbing.
ARTICLE 18. To see if the Town will appropriate money for the suppression of gypsy and brown-tail moths and elm tree beetles.
ARTICLE 19. To' see what action the Town will take relative to suits and claims now pending against the Town.
ARTICLE 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate money for the insurance and maintenance of the auto fire trucks for the ensuing year, or see what action it will take relative thereto.
ARTICLE 21. To see if the town will appropriate money for defraying the town's share of the support of the District Court.
ARTICLE 22. To see if the Town will appropriate such sum of money as may be necessary to defray the cost of the rent, janitor service and maintenance of the town offices in the Holbrook Building.
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ARTICLE 23. To see if the town will vote to sprinkle or spread upon its public ways, or parts thereof, water or any liquid or material suitable for laying or pre- venting dust and preserving the surface of such ways and for sanitary purposes, the cost thereof to be assessed upon abutting estates, or take any action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 24. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate any sum of money to be paid to the Wing Memorial Hospial Association for the charitable purposes of said Association in this town, or for the care and sup- port in said hospital of persons wholly or in part unable to support or care for themselves, or take any action rela- tive thereto.
ARTICLE 25. To see if the Town will make pro- vision for reimbursing the police officers for expenses in- curred in the investigation of cases and otherwise in the discharge of their duties.
ARTICLE 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 to help defray the cost of maintaining the District Nurse.
ARTICLE 27. To see if the Town will vote to main- tain police in the several villages, authorize the Select- men to employ and appoint in addition a Chief of Police, and to make rules and regulations for the government of all the police officers of the Town, and raise and appro- priate money for the same.
ARTICLE 28. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate money to meet the town's share of the cost to the County of Hampden for providing adequate hospital care for consumptives under the provisions of Chapter III of the General Laws.
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ARTICLE 29. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars, or any sum, to be expended within the town under the direction of the Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture for the promotion of boys' and girls' work in agriculture, home making and country life in the town, including agricultural demon- stration work on land owned by the town, or owned by any resident of the town, in accordance with the provisions of Section 45 of Chapter 128 of the General Laws.
ARTICLE 30. To see if the Town will vote to in- crease the salaries of any Town Officers.
ARTICLE 31. To see if the Town w'11 appropriate money under the authority of Section 22 of Chapter 115 of the General Laws for the care of graves of persons who served in the Army, Navy or Marine Corps of the United States in time of war or insurrection and were honorably discharged from such service.
ARTICLE 32. To see if the Town will vote to in- struct the Selectmen to oppose the taking of the waters of the Swift and Ware Rivers for the uses of the Metropoli- tan Water District, study proposed legislation and employ counsel for these purposes, and raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 for necessary expenses.
ARTICLE 33. To see if the Town will appropriate money, to be expended in the discretion and under the direction of the Selectmen, for the repair and maintenance of the clock in the Universalist Church tower in the Depot Village, or taken any action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 34. To see if the town will vote to acquire by purchase any part of the H. D. Converse land situate adjacent to the High School Building in the Depot Vil-
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lage for the purposes of an athletic field and playground, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
ARTICLE 35. To see what appropriation the Town will make of the sum of $5,045.11, returned to it by the Commonwealth as its share of certain surplus funds col- lected to provide suitable recognition of those residents of Massachusetts who served in the Army and Navy of the United States during the war with Germany under the provisions of Chapter 480 of the Acts of 1924, and now held as a special fund as permitted by said chapter.
ARTICLE 36. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,303.26 to pay overdrafts made by the several departments of the Town during the year 1925, or take any action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 37. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate such sum of money as may be necessary to pay the Estate of Thomas W. Kenefick for services ren- dered and expenses incurred by the late Judge Kenefick as Town Counsel from January 1st to August 25th, 1923, and for services rendered and expenses incurred by him in the matter of the case of James H. Murphy against the Town of Palmer.
ARTICLE 38. To see if the Town will vote to make any repairs, alterations or additions in and to the Engine House situate on Park Street in the Depot Village, raise and appropriate money for the same, or take any action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 39. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate money for new sidewalks, as follows :- (a) sidewalk with curbing on the westerly side of Park Street in the Depot Village, from Pinney Street to State Highway
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leading from Park Street to South Main Street; (b) cement sidewalk, with cement curbing, on the southerly side of Pleasant Street, Three Rivers, from its intersection with Bourne Street to its interesection with Main Street; (c) cement curbing along sidewalk on Bourne Street, Three Rivers, with necessary repairs to said walk; (d) sidewalks, with curbing, on the northerly and southerly sides of North Main Street in the Depot Village, from the Point of Rocks to Shearer's Corner ; (e) cement walk, with granite curbing, on the northerly side of North Main Street, in the Depot Village, from Squier Street to the Point of Rocks.
ARTICLE 40. To see if the Town will vote to set the curbing on Main and Church Streets in the Depot Village, near their intersection, back about 3 feet, remove three large trees, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
ARTICLE 41. To see if Town will raise and appro- priate money for the improvement of highways as follows: (a) Improve and harden Rockview Street in the Depot Village with gravel or other suitable material; (b) Im- prove North Street, Three Rivers from its intersection with Bridge Street to a point opposite Pytka's bakery; (c) Improve and harden the Belchertown Road, Three Rivers, from the Boston & Abany Railroad crossing to the Belcher- town line; (d) Construct cement concrete road from curb to curb in East Main Street, Three Rivers from end of present cement road to its intersection with Charles Street ; (e) Improve and harden Oak Street, Three Rivers; (f) Impurove and harden Griffin Street, Bondsville, with gravel or other suitable material, from its intersection with High Street to a point within 50 feet of the Boston & Maine Railroad crossing; (g) Improve and harden Pine Street, Bondsville, with gravel or other suitable material, from
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its intersection with South Main Street to a point opposite property of Frank Lamb; (h) Improve Forest Lake Road, Bondsville, from Pleasant Street easterly.
ARTICLE 42. To see if the Town will vote to con- struct a heavy wire fence on concrete retaining wall on the westerly side of Main Street, Bondsville, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
ARTICLE 43. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate money for the construction of sewers as fol- lows :- (a) sewer, with suitable catch basins, on Oak Street in Three Rivers; (b) sewer, with suitable catch basins, on Old Center Road, so-called, Thorndike, from corner of George Fortune's property, through Gay avenue and the Ware Road to the Ware River; (c) sewer, with suitable catch basins, in Pinney Street in the Depot Vil- lage, from its intersection with Breckenridge Street to house of Ed Spaulding; (d) sewer, with suitable catch basins in Shearer Street, in the Depot Village, from the present terminus of the sewer in said streets northeasterly to house of Leander Milde; (c) sewer, with suitable man- holes and catch basins, in High Street, Bondsville, from a point approximately 75 feet north of Polish Society Hall southerly to State Street; (f) catch basin on Pleasant Street, Three Rivers, opposite property of Albert Senecal.
ARTICLE 44. To see if the Town will vote to in- stall and maintain additional electric lights as follows :- (a) suitable lights on Converse Street in the Depot Vil- lage, between Thorndike Street and the new high school; (b) 2 lights on Belchertown Road, Three Rivers; (c) 1 light on the southerly side of Walnut Street in the Depot Village, about midway between Pleasant and Park Streets; (d) I light at the corner of Pinney and Park Streets in the Depot Village; (e) I light on the Monson Road in Ten-
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neyville in from of property of Frank O'Rourke; (f) 1 light on Main Street in Three Rivers, at the Central Ver- month Railroad crossing; (g) 1 light on Pleasant Street, Three Rivers, opposite property of Eugene Graveline; (h) 1 light at the Corner of High and Willow Streets in the Depot Village; (i) 2 lights on Randall Street in the Depot Village; (j) 1 large street light at Shearer's Corner, at the intersection of North Main Street, Wilbraham Street and Three Rivers Road; (k) 1 additional light at the corner of High and State Streets and relocate present light near corner of South High and State Streets, in Bondsville ; (1) suitable lights at the corner of South Main and Craw- ford Streets and relocate present lights on Crawford Street, Bondsville; (m) 1 light in Bondsville, on the road leading from Bondsville to Four Corners, opposite gas station of George Roberts; (n) 1 light on Summer Street, Thorndike, near the lane leading to property of one Smigel; (o) 4 lights on the highway leading from Four Corners to Bondsville, between Four Corners and the Hamp- den Railroad underpass; (p) 1 light at the northeast cor- ner of Main and State Streets in Bondsville; (q) 1 light on Thorndike Street in Depot Village near driveway to residence of A. W. Holbrook.
ARTICLE 45. To see if the town will vote to pro- vide additional school accommodations, by acquiring land for, and constructing, equipping and furnishing any build- ing or buildings to be used for a public school or schools, and raise money for the same by taxation or by an issue of bonds, notes or script, under authority of Chapter 226 of the Acts of 1920, entitled, "An Act to authorize the Town of Palmer to incur indebtedness for additional school accommodations," or under any provisions of General Laws, and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary for such purposes, or take any action relative thereto.
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ARTICLE 46. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Section 44 of Chapter 32 of the General Laws providing for the retirement of, and the payment of pensions to, certain school janitors.
ARTICLE 47. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to petition the proper authority for an alteration at the crossing of the Springfield Road and the tracks of the Ware River Branch of the Boston & Albany Railroad and the Central Vermont Railway, known as the Wire Mill Underpass, so as to provide a safe and suitable passageway for pedestrians at said crossing, or take any other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 48. To see what action the Town will take with reference to the establishment and maintenance of public playgrounds.
And you are hereby directed to serve this warrant by posting up attested copies thereof in some one public place in each of the four villages of the Town known as the Depot Village, Thorndike, Three Rivers and Bondsville, seven days at least before the holding of said meeting, and by publishing an attested copy thereof in at least two issues of The Journal-Register, a newspaper published in said Palmer, the first publication to be not less than seven days before the holding of said meeting.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at or before the holding of said meeting.
Given under our hands this twentieth day of January, A. D. 1926.
WILLIAM B. KERIGAN, FRANK G. ROGERS, CHARLES A. CALLAHAN, Selectmen of Palmer.
A true copy, Attest : MICHAEL COLLINS,
Constable of the Town of Palmer.
Auditors' Report
We have examined the books and accounts of the Treasurer, Tax Collector, Town Clerk, Sealer of Weights and Measures, and Secretary of the Cemetery Commis- sioners for the year 1925, and beg to submit the fol- lowing :
TREASURER'S ACCOUNT
RECEIPTS
Balance on hand, January 1, 1925
$130,137.82
John T. Brown, Tax Coll., taxes 1922
$ 121.76
John T. Brown, Tax Coll., taxes 1923
1,870.96
John T. Brown, Tax Coll., taxes 1924 32,013.46
John T. Brown, Tax Coll., taxes 1925 283,246.59
John T. Brown, Tax Coll., Interest 1922-1925
1,316.29
Anticipation of Revenue Loans
225,000.00
Commonwealth, taxes reimbursements etc. 89,327.84
All other sources
19,876.76
652,773.66
$782,913.48
DISBURSEMENTS
Paid out on Town Warrants
$718,799.65
Balance, December 31, 1925
64,113.83
$782,913.48
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TOWN CLERK'S ACCOUNT
DOG LICENSES
Licenses issued :
570
Males
451 @ $2.00
$ 902.00
Spayed Females
46 @ 2.00
92.00
Females
73 @
5.00
365.00
Payments to County Treasurer :
June 2, 1925
$1,163.40
December 1, 1923
81.60
$1,245.00
Fees deducted
114.00
$1359.00
TAX COLLECTOR'S ACCOUNT
JOHN T. BROWN, Tax Collector
ACCOUNT OF 1921
Outstanding January 1, 1925
$22.64
Added Assessment (1-28-'22)
' 13.00
$37.64
Amount added as "paid and abated" on 1923 report through error
1.41
Abatements
36.23
$37.64
ACCOUNT OF 1929
Outstanding January 1, 1925
134.76
Added Assessment (12-22-'25)
30.47
Interest
8.87
174.10
Paid Treasurer
130.63
Abatements
43.47
174.10
$1359.00
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