USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1929 > Part 4
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John Cole Joseph Pastuszak William Potvin John Fogarty
Everett Nelson Frank J. Roche Joseph Berthiaume Dennis F. Coughlin George Keith Leon Henrichon Howard W. Banks John Bradley Arthur D. Bramble Oscar S. Cady
Herbert L. Capen Thos. J. Moran Stanley Mastalerz
Anderson Ave., Three Rivers Main Street, Three Rivers Charles Street, Three Rivers Bourne Street, Three Rivers Maple Street, Palmer School Street, Palmer S. Main Street, Palmer Maple Street, Palmer Main Street, Thorndike Springfield Street, Three Rivers Walnut Street, Palmer Tennyville, Palmer Park Street, Palmer Walnut Street, Palmer Knox Street, Palmer Pearl Street, Palmer Pleasant Street, Thorndike
LUDWIK MARHELEWICZ CHARLES A. CALLAHAN WILLIAM B. KERIGAN
Selectmen
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Report of Selectmen
The Selectmen respectfully submit the following re- port :
ORGANIZATION :
The Board organized with the choice of Ludwik Mar- helewicz as Chairman and Charles A. Callahan as Clerk.
APPOINTMENTS :
Ernest E. Hobson was appointed Town Counsel, Har- riette Paine, bookkeeper, Louis E. Chandler, burial agent, David L. Bodfish, Superintendent of Graves, M. Scott French, Chief Engineer, Fred H. Smith and Michael H. Davitt, Inspectors of Animals.
ELIMINATION OF UNDERPASSES NEAR
ELECTRIC LIGHT STATION :
During the year the work of eliminating the under- passes near the electric light station was completed. The Board has been in conference with the parties who have claims against the town for land which was taken, and the various claims are in process of adjustment. In the opinion of the Board the claims can be adjusted for ap- proximately $1500.00, and it is recommended that the sum of $1500.00 additional be appropriated for the ac- count of the Law and Claim Department for this purpose.
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SIDEWALK AT WIRE MILL UNDERPASS:
The Selectmen have co-operated with the Board of Road Commissioners in securing the construction of a sidewalk at the underpass and the widening of the road at that place. When the work was originally planned the Department of Public Works recommended that an iron railing be placed along the sidewalk. During the progress of the work some question arose as to whether or not it would be advisable to have an iron railing or a rein- forced concrete curb railing about a foot high. As soon as this matter is definitely decided upon, one or the other of these guards will be placed along the wall.
PURCHASE OF SPRINGFIELD STREET RAILWAY RIGHT OF WAY:
As instructed by the town, the Board has completed the purchase of the right of way of the Springfield Street Railway Company from Whipple's Crossing northerly to the highway near the Forest Lake schoolhouse, paying therefor the sum of $800.00, the amount appropriated by the town.
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND RAILROAD :
On the evening of December 27th the Selectmen at- tended a meeting in Southbridge, called by the Merchants and Manufacturers Association of that town, for the pur- pose of having the officials and citizens of the various towns through which the right of way of the Southern New England Railroad Corporation from Palmer to Rhode Island State Line passes, confer with officials of the City of Providence Chamber of Commerce relative to the ex- tension of the charter rights and privileges of said Rail- road Corporation. The completion of this road would be
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of considerable advantage to the Town of Palmer, and the Selectmen expressed their willingness to co-operate in every legitimate way, provided that immediate steps were taken to place in repair the several highway bridges which the Railroad Corporation is by law obliged to take care of. This was the expressed feeling of all the town officials and citizens attending the conference. A bill has been filed in the Massachusetts Legislature providing for the extension of the time for completing the railroad and the parties in Providence who are interested feel confident that they can push the project through to com- pletion if the bill is passed.
Respectfully submitted,
LUDWIK MARHELEWICZ, CHARLES A. CALLAHAN, WILLIAM B. KERIGAN,
Selectmen
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Report of License Commissioners
The Board of License Commissioners met and or- ganized March 25, and elected Chairman and Clerk. It was also voted to have the fees for licenses the same as the previous year. The following licenses were granted :
Sunday 52
Common Victuallers
28
Innholders 7
Third Class (Druggists) 2
Lodging House
3
MICHAEL J. SULLIVAN, (Chairman)
NEIL McDONALD, (Clerk) OSCAR BRESSETTE
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Report of Young Men's Library Association
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN Year Ending December 31, 1929
To the Members of the Young Men's Library Association :
I herewith submit my nineteenth annual report as Librarian of your Association.
CIRCULATION
The total circulation for the year was 71,038, divided as follows :- Main Library, 38,805; Three Rivers Branch, 14,887; Thorndike Branch, 6,506; Bondsville Branch, 10,840.
A year ago, our banner year from the circulation standpoint, 71,254 books were loaned. This year, there is a decrease of 216. While negligible, it is, nevertheless, a decrease, and it indicates that the wind is coming from the wrong quarter. There are several plausible explan- ations that can be given for this decrease. We shall not give them. It is our business to change the direction of the wind. That is our task this year. Let us get about our business.
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STATE READING PLAN
This plan has been used in the local schools for five years. Through the co-operation of the teachers in Grades 4 to 9, both inclusive, where it is in operation, most excellent results have been secured.
In the school year of 1928-1929, the best results thus far were obtained. With an enrollment of 1,043 pupils in these grades, 1,074 certificates were issued, or 102.79%. To get this certificate, five books must be read and reported upon, these being selected from a list de- signed for the particular grade the pupil is in. Rather than allowing an unbridled and unwise use of these books for the mere purpose of obtaining certificates, we limit a pupil to one certificate a year. In four years by gaining a certificate per year, a pupil earns an honor certificate. The only exceptions to securing only one certificate a year are where a new pupil who has entered our system, or where one of our own who has not pre- viously availed himself of this opportunity and now de- sires to do so, is allowed to read books in other grades so that he may earn an honor certificate. In brief, the emphasis is placed upon thorough, judicious reading rather than upon indiscrimate reading. It is the inculca- tion of the habit of right reading-not the number of certificates per year-that we seek.
In addition, 81 certificates were awarded pupils in St. Peter and St. Paul School and 30 in the Special Class- a total of 1,185 certificates.
There were 21 honor certificates awarded.
PHYSICAL CHANGES
The time is more than ripe for some interior im- provements in the library. These things need to be done :- (1) New Ceiling; (2) Re-decoration; (3) New Lighting; (4) New Furniture.
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The first three should be done by the Town inasmuch as the repairs of the buildings are in their hands. Prices have been secured for such work. The matter has been discussed with the Selectmen who feel that the Library, interiorly and exteriorly, should be put in ex- cellent condition, as it needs it and is, outside of the schools, practically the only public building in town.
The furniture can be secured from interest on funds in the name of the Association.
I suggest that a Committee be appointed to talk with the Selectmen, to see that a special article be placed in the Town Meeting Warrant, and to appear before the Finance Committee.
This is an urgent matter and cannot well be de- layed.
If these improvements are made, the Library will be a most enticing and inviting spot, as it should be. Personally, I should like to see it a place of attraction, cheer, and comfort-with a taste of decoration, with neatness of appearance, with, in winter a fire in the fire- place, with softness of light, etc.
AIM
Our aim is to give the most service at the lowest pos- sible cost. Economy, not parsimony, is our motto. We want to give all the library facilities a town of our size should. It is essential that any town wishing to grow shall furnish every privilege-educationally, morally, recreationally, and spiritually-to her people. She will hold those who are residents and will attract those who are not. In any such consideration of privileges, a real library is of great moment.
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STATISTICS
Circulation
Main Library
38,805
Three Rivers Branch
14,887
Thorndike Branch
6,506
Bondsville Branch
10,840
Total
71,038
Last Year
71,254
Decrease
216
Books
Books on hand, January 1, 1929
19,600
Purchased during the year
624
Received by gift
5
Books on hand, January 1, 1930 20,229
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFTON H. HOBSON,
Librarian
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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 in- habitants of the Town of Palmer, qualified to vote in elections of town officers, to meet at the several polling 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- inercial Street in Thorndike; in Precinct C, at Polish National Home 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 Bondsville, on Monday, the third day of February, A. D. 1930, 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 pre- cincts of said town, for the following officers, to wit: Three
1
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Selectmen, a Town Treasurer, a Collector of Taxes, 3 Aud- itors, five Constables, three License Commissioners, and a Tree Warden, all for the term of one year; one Member of the School Committee (to fill vacancy) for the term of one year, one Cemetery Commissioner (to fill vacancy) for the term of one year ; a Town Clerk, one Member of the Board of Public Welfare, one Assessor, one Member of the Board of Health, one Cemetery Commissioner, two Members of the School Committee and two Members of the Planning Board, 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 tenth day of February, A. D. 1930, 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 appropriations 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 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 exceed-
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ing in the aggregate the amount permitted by law, giving the note or notes of the town therefor, payable within one year from the date thereof, all debts incurred under author- ity of this vote to be paid from the 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 in- structions.
Article 8. To determine the manner and state the terms and conditions of collecting the taxes for the ensuing year, and fix the compensation of the collector of taxes.
Article 9. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate 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 10. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate money for the Young Men's Library Association, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 11. To see if the town will vote to raise money for the observance of Memorial Day.
Article 12. 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.
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Article 13. To see what action the town will take in reference to the planting and preservation of shade trees.
Article 14. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate money for the improvement of cemeteries.
Article 15. To see if the town will appropriate money for the suppression of gypsy, brown-tail and satin moths and elm tree beetles, and other insect pests.
Article 16. To see what action the town will take relative to suits and claims now pending against the town.
Article 17. 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 take any action relative thereto.
Article 18. To see if the town will appropriate such sum of money as may be necessary to defray the cost of rent, janitor service and maintenance of the town offices in the Holbrook Building.
Article 19. 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 preventing dust and preserving the surface of such ways for sanitary pur- poses, the cost thereof to be assessed upon abutting estates, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 20. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1000.00 to help defray the cost of maintaining the District Nurse.
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Article 21. To see if the town will vote to maintain police in the several villages, authorize the selectmen to make rules and regulations for the government of all the police officers of the town, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Article 22. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate money to meet the town's share of the cost of the County of Hampden for providing adequate hospital care for consumptives under the provisions of Chapter III of the General Laws.
Article 23. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $500.00, 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 demonstration 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 24. To see if the town will 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 dis- charged from such service.
Article 25. 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 take any action relative thereto.
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Article 26. To see what action the town will take in relation to sewers.
Article 27. To see what action the town will take in regard to sidewalks and curbing.
Article 28. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate any sum of money to be paid to the Wing Memorial Hospital Association for the charitable purposes of said association in this town, or for the care and support in said hospital of persons wholly or in part unable to support or care for themselves, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 29. To see if the town will vote to improve the whole or any part of the highway extending from the junction of Old Center Road and High Street in the Village of Thorndike along the River Road, so-called, to Whipple's Crossing, and thence following the right of way purchased by the town from the Springfield Street Railway Company to the highway near the Forest Lake Schoolhouse, and thence along said highway to its intersection with the present state highway leading from Palmer to Ware, appro- priate $10,000.00, or any sum of money, therefor and raise said sum by taxation or otherwise, or take any action rela- tive thereto.
Article 30. To see if the town will appropriate a sum of money to repair the sidewalk in the Village of Thorndike extendig from the corner of Commercial and High Streets to the Old Center Road.
Article 31. To see if the town will vote to complete the building of an improved highway in the Ludlow or Red Bridge Road, from the end of the present improved road easterly to the present macadam road in Springfield Street in the village of Three Rivers, appropriate any sum of
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money therefor, and raise said sum by taxation or other- wise, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 32. To see if the town will vote to purchase from the Wickwire Spencer Steel Company its sewer run- ning from Searle Street northerly in the Three Rivers Road to the southerly property line of land formerly of one Burgess, and thence westerly through land of said company to the Quaboag River, with incidental rights of way, raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 33. To see if the town will vote to appoint a committee to investigate the matter of the purchase by the town of the sewers now belonging to the Otis Company laid and constructed in public streets in the Village of Three Rivers.
Article 34. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate money for the construction of sewers as follows: (a) Sewer in State Street, Bondsville, from the residence of Father McGrath to a point near the residence of Adam Broton; (b) Sewer in Oak Street, Three Rivers, from Charles Street westerly to Ruggles Street, southerly in Ruggles Street to Riverview Avenue and through River- view Avenue to the river ; (c) Sewer, with catch basins, on the southerly side of North Main Street in the Depot Village, from a point opposite King Street to the present sewer system on the southerly side of said street near the property of one Truesdell; (d) Sewer in South Main Street in the Depot Village, beginning at a point near the residence of John Bradley and running westerly to connect with the Carpet Mill sewer crossing said street; (e) Catch basin in front of property of Medric and Matilda Bouthellier on Main Street in the Village of Thorndike to connect with the sewer in said street; (f) New sewer or improvement of the present sewer in Hill Street, Thorndike.
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Article 35. To see if the town will vote to install and maintain additional electric lights as follows: (a) 1 light at each end of Dutton's Bridge on the highway leading from Bondsville to Four Corners; (b) 1 light on the highway leading from Three Rivers to Thorndike at the Ware River Railroad Crossing; (c) 1 light at the corner of Converse and Thorndike Streets in the Depot Village; (d) 2 lights on State Street, Bondsville, between the Boston & Maine railroad bridge and the house formerly of one Carmody.
Article 36. To see if the town will vote to extend the lighting system known as the "White Way Lights" on North Main Street in the Depot Village, from Knox Street to the Point of Rocks, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 37. To see if the town will vote to increase the salaries of the members of the Board of Selectmen.
Article 38. To see if the town will vote to provide for the appointment by the Selectmen of the Inspector of Wires under the provisions of Section 32, Chapter 166 of the General Laws, establish the salary of such officer and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor.
Article 39. To see if the town will vote to erect a building for the storage of road machinery and other property of the town on the Town House Lot at Four Cor- ners, raise and appropriate money therefor, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 40. To see if the town will vote to paint the outside of the Town House at Four Corners and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor.
Article 41. To see if the town will authorize the Selectmen to consider the matter of purchasing a new site
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for a town dump and disposing of the present dump, and report at a future meeting of the town.
Article 42. To see if the town will vote to purchase a gasoline operated shovel, a tractor, a 21/2 ton truck and a scraper for the use of the highway department, raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 43. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate any sum of money for the purchase and erection of street signs, or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 44. To see if the town will vote to grade or ctherwise improve the plot of land in Palmer Center known as The Common, provide for its care and preservation, and raise any sum of money therefor.
Article 45. To see what action the town will take relative to traffic controls and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor.
Article 46. To see if the town will appoint a com- mittee to investigate the several forms of town government and report thereon at a future meeting, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 47. To see if the town will vote to install a new heating system in the Thorndike Grammar School and raise and appropriate money therefor.
Article 48. To see if the town will authorize the School Committee to install such sewers and conduits and do such work as may be necessary to prevent the flooding
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of the High School basement by water and raise and appro- priate any sum of money therefor.
Article 49. To see if the town will vote to repair and improve the building known as the Memorial Hall and Library on Central Street in the Depot Village and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 50. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate money for the improvement of highways as follows: (a) Gravel or otherwise improve and harden the Mount Dumplin Road, so-called, running from the Thorndike Road, past the farmhouse of one Coulter, to the Three Rivers Road near Burleigh's Bridge; (b) Macadamize or otherwise improve Bridge Street in the Depot Village from Water Street to Main Street; (c) Complete the improve- ment and harden with gravel or other suitable material Pleasant Street in the Village of Thorndike from the north- erly end of the present improvement to the road leading from the Village of Bondsville to Four Corners; (d) Im- prove and harden with gravel or other suitable material Harvey Avenue in the Village of Thorndike; (e) Improve and harden with gravel or other suitable material Charles Street in the Village of Three Rivers; (f) Improve and harden with gravel or other suitable material the Baptist Hill Road, so-called, from the Springfield Road to the property of R. C. Newell; (g) Improve and harden with cement or other suitable material East Main Street in the Village of Three Rivers from the easterly end of the present cement road to Charles Street; (h) Harden or otherwise improve the Enfield Road, so-called, from a point near the farm formerly owned by John Foster to the Enfield-Palmer town line; (i) Harden or otherwise improve Hill Street in the Village of Thorndike; (j) Improve or otherwise harden Gay Avenue in the Village of Thorndike; (k) Improve and
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harden Old Center Road in the Village of Thorndike; (1) Improve and harden the surface between the curb and the concrete roadway on the southerly side of North Main Street in the Depot Village from a point opposite King Street to the brick paving on Main Street and on the north- erly side of said North Main Street from Thorndike Street to Squier Street; (m) Harden or otherwise improve the high- way leading from the Boston Road, near the electric light station, northeasterly to the house of V. V. McNitt; (n) Gravel and oil Pleasant Street in the Village of Bondsville.
Article 51. To see if the town will vote to rebuild or otherwise improve Thorndike Street and the Thorndike Road, so-called, from Park Street, in the Depot Village, to the state highway leading to Ware near St. Thomas' Ceme- tery, appropriate any sum of money therefor and raise said sum by taxation or otherwise, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 52. To see if the town will vote to rebuild or otherwise improve the Palmer-Thorndike Road, from Lake Junction in Thorndike to the state highway leading to Ware, near St. Thomas' Cemetery, appropriate any sum of money therefor and raise said sum by taxation or other- wise, or take any action relative thereto.
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