USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1949 > Part 5
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. If the income proceeds were $10,000,000 more, the new money to Palmer would amount to $38,374. The increase was over $10,000,000; consequently, Palmer's share, as a whole, was $44,280.20 more than in 1948, as shown in this comparison of dis- tribution in 1948 and 1949:
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1948
1949
School Aid-Chapter 70
$10,203.00
$48,577.20
Transportation
5,645.00
7,570.00
Valuation
28,931.00
32,912.00
$44,779.00 $89,059.20
The increase, as a whole, is $44,280.20, divided as follows :- School Aid, $38,374.20; Transportation, $1,925.00; Valuation, $3,981.00. $38,374.20 is due to school-aid basis of distribution, which, coupled with increase of $1,925.00 in State-aid reimburse- ment on Transportation, makes a net school increase to Palmer of $40,299.20 (roughly, $5.00 less in tax rate).
Proof of the correctness of these figures is based upon the following from the Massachusetts Teachers Federation, Research Department:
"Distribution of Income Taxes, 1948 and 1949"
"The amounts received by the respective towns and cities from the income tax proceeds for the calendar years 1948 and 1949 are indicated below. The 1949 data is copied from the official records in the State Department of Corporations and Taxation. The 1948 amounts of School Aid and Transportation Aid are taken from item 42 of the School Returns. The amounts re- ceived on the valuation basis for 1948 were calculated by multi- plying $21,273,150.43 (the total amount distributed on the valua- ion basis) by the respective valuation ratios of the cities. These figures are not identical with the cherry sheet figures because the latter were merely preliminary estimates by the commis- sioner of corporations and taxation. The total amounts distri- buted by the state for the calendar years 1948 and 1948 are as follows:
"a-(1948) Amt. rec'd. according to Chap. 70 as reimbursement on teachers' Salaries.
"a-(1949) Amt. rec'd. according to Chap. 70, revised, as School Aid.
"b-Chap. 71, Sec. 7A, as Transportaion Aid.
"c-Chap. 58, Sec. 18, on the valuation basis.
"1948 1949 $48,577.20 "a-$10,203.00 "b- 5,645.00 7,570.00 "c- 28,931.00 32,912.00
"$44,779.00
$89,059.20"
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ACTUAL RECEIPTS AND REIMBURSEMENTS
Below is a detailed statement of Actual Receipts and Re- imbursements of the School Department in 1949:
State
School Aid-Chaper 70
$48,577.20
Transportation
7,570.00
Vocational-Girls
2,092.74
Trade School Tuition
1,216.87
Adult Civic Education
425.00
Wards
4,745.31
$64,627.12
Federal
George-Deen
$200.00
Smith-Hughes
143.57
$343.57
Other
Tuition
$1,935.00
Receipts (11 months)
433.70
$2,368.70
TOTAL
$67,339.39
Our Total Expenditures were $255,585.36; our Receipts and Reimbursements were $67,339.39, or 26.3 per cent of Total Ex- penditures. Out of every dollar spent on Education in 1949, 73.7 cents came locally and 26.3 cents from other sources. Not bad!
ADITIONAL STATE AID
The Massachusetts Council for Public Schools-an amalga- mation of State School Committee Association, Superintendent of Schools Association, State Teachers Federation, and State Parent-Teacher Association-has introduced in 1950 Legisature a bill, #S. 87, for increasing state aid to schools.
The language is legalistic. Reduced to simple terms, it proposes an addition to state aid granted under Chapter 643 of the Acts of 1948 of about $15,000,000. Each town and city will get an additional amount of money computed, first, by multiply- ing the net average membership of pupils by $26, and then fur- ther multiplying by a fraction representing the local tax rate for schools in relation to the average state tax rate for schools. The Research Department of the Massachusetts Teachers Federation has carefully figured out this formula and they tell us that Palmer would profit to the extent of $42,000. This added to
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$48,577.20, School Aid under Chapter 70, plus $7,570,000, State Reimbursement or Transportation would mean a Total School Aid of $98,147.20.
In addition to this amount, some $12,000.00 more in receipts and reimbursements is received-a Grand Total of $110,147.20.
There is, of course, no certainty of this additional money. The Legisature must speak favorably; otherwise, money will not be forthcoming.
COMMUNITY USE FUND
No one outside of my office realizes the wide and constant use of school buildings by the public out of school hours-espe- cially the high school. The gymnasium in particular is in great demand. In the winter, on cold Saturdays and Sundays, the public wants to use it and not pay enough for heat. The school depart- ment cannot afford to furnish two or three tons of coal to heat it. The entire cost - fuel, light, police, and janitor -- is charged to the school department.
I suggest careful consideration be given to setting up a sepa- rate appropriation to handle such use, the same to be placed un- der charge of school committee, against which an allocated charge can be made for each use. If the Town wants to pay the cost for cold weather use with heat, here is a chance to say so.
I believe in wide use of school buildings. They are our only community centers. The young people are better off in them than on the streets. It is merely a willingness to pay on the part of the citizens. Think it over!
CONCLUSION
I thank every individual and every group of individuals, who and which have aided us in our efforts to make our schools func- tion efficiently, understandingly, and sympathetically -- School Committee, Parent-Teacher Associations, teachers, parents, an l citizens.
Respectfully submitted, CLIFTON H. HOBSON
Superintendent of Schools.
Palmer, Massachusetts
January 9, 1950
The report of the Superintendent of Schools was . unanimously approved and made a part of the Annual Report of the School Committee on January 18, 1950.
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Town Warrant
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
County of Hampden,
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 inhabitants 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, in the High School Gymnasium on Converse Street in the Depot Village; in Precinct B, at the Thorndike Grammar School in Thorndike; in Precinct C, at the Three Rivers Grammar School in Three Rivers, and in Precinct D, at the Bondsville Grammar School in Bondsville, on Monday, the sixth day of February, A. D. 1950, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to give in their votes on one ballot to the town, for the following officers, to wit: 3 Select- men, 5 Constables, 3 License Commissioners, Town Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, 3 Auditors, Three Warden, all for the term of one year; 1 Assessor (to fill vacancy) for a term of two years; 1 Member of the Board of Health, 1 Member of the Board of Public Welfare, 1 Assessor, 1 Cemetery Commissioner, 2 Members of the School Committee, all for the term of three years; and 1 Member of the Planning Board for the term of five years.
The polls will be open at ten o'clock in the forenoon and will be closed at eight o'clock in the evening.
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 thirteenth day of February, A. D. 1950, 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.
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Article 2. To choose all other usual town officers.
Article 3. To act on the reports of the town officers.
Article 4. To see if the town will vote to authorize the town treasurer, with the approval of the selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1950 and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year, in accordance with Section 17 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws.
Article 5. To see if the town will vote to authorize the treasurer, with the approval of the selectmen, to borrow money as permitted by law to meet any appropriations made or expenses incurred under any of the articles of this warrant.
Article 6. To raise money and make appropriations to defray the expenses of the town for the ensuing year.
Article 7. To see if the town will vote to fix the salary and compensation of all elective officers of the town as provided by Section 108 of Chapter 41, General Laws, as amended, viz: Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, 3 Selectmen, 3 Assessors, 3 Members of the Board of Public Welfare, 3 Audi- tors, 3 Members of the Board of Health and Tree Warden and raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor.
Article 8. To hear and act on reports of committees.
Article 9. To choose committees and give them instructions.
Article 10. To determine the manner and state the terms and conditions of collecting taxes for the ensuing year and fix the compensation of the collector of taxes.
Article 11. To see if the town will raise and appropriate 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 raise and appropriate money for the Young Men's Library Association, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 13. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate money for the observance of Memorial Day.
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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 relative to suits and claims now pending against the town.
Article 16. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for the care and improvement of cemeteries.
Article 17. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for the suppression of the gypsy, browntail and satin moths, tent caterpillars, oriental hag moth and elm leaf beetles, and other insect pests.
Article 18. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for the suppression and control of dutch elm disease.
Article 19. To see if the town will raise and appropriate such sums 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 20. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 or any other sum to help defray the cost of maintaining the District Nurse.
Article 21. To see if the town will raise and 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 22. To see what action the town will take in rela- tion to sewers.
Article 23. To see what action the town will take in regard to sidewalks and curbing.
Article 24. To see if the town will raise and appropriate any sum of money to be paid to the Wing Memorial Hospital As- sociation 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 25. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate any sum of money for the granting of adequate assistance
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to deserving citizens of the town in need of relief and support sixty-five years of age or over under the provisions of Chapter 118A of the General Laws, and for expenses to be incurred in connection with the granting of such assistance, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 26. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate any sum of money for the granting of assistance under the provisions of the Massachusetts Aid to Dependent Children Law, Chapter 118 Generals Laws, and for expenses to be incur- red in connection with the granting of such assistance, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 27. To see if the town will vote to pay a salary to members of the Board of Public Welfare chosen to serve in the Division of Old Age Assistance, in addition to the salary received by them as members of said Board of Public Welfare, fix the amount thereof, and raise and appropriate any money for the same, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 28. To see if the town will raise and appropriate any sum of money, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Health, for the purpose of giving to the school children attending parochial or private schools in the town substantially the same medical examinations and tests now afforded to the children attending the public schools.
Article 29. To see if the town will vote to authorize the se- lectmen to sell at public auction, after first giving notice of the time and place of sale by posting such notice of sale in some con- venient and public place in the town fourteen days at least be- fore the sale, property taken by the Town under tax title proce- dure, provided that the selectmen or whomsoever they may au- thorize to hold such auction may reject any bid which they deem inadequate, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 30. To see if the town will vote to authorize the selectmen to sell at public auction, after first giving notice of the time and place of sale by posting such notice of sale in some con- venient and public place in the Town fourteen days at least be- fore the sale, or at private sale, any old and obsolete equipment or personal property, provided that the selectmen or whomsoever they may authorize to hold such auction or sale may reject any bid which they deem inadequate, or take any action relative there- to.
Article 31. To see what action the town will take relative to the care and preservation of the Memorial Approach to the
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High School, the plot of land at Shearer's Corner upon which the General Knox marker is located, and the memorial plots in the several villages of the town.
Article 32. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate any sum of money for the operation and maintenance of Burleigh Park, Legion Field and the Eager Playground in the De- pot Village, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 33. (a) To see what action the town will take with reference to the planting and preservation of shade trees; (b) to see if the town will vote to determine and fix the salary of the tree warden and raise and appropriate money for the same; (c) To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate any sum of money for labor and materials and tools for use in connection with the Department of the Tree Warden.
Article 34. To see if the town will raise and appropriate, or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 90 Highway Maintenance, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 35. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate any sum of money to be expended for the burial of sold- iers or sailors, their wives and dependent children, or other mem- bers of the Armed Forces of the United States under the provi- sions of Chapter 115 of the General Laws.
Article 36. To see if the town will raise and appropriate any sum of money for the maintenance of the Veterans' Service Center.
Article 37. To see if the town will vote to accept the fol- lowing perpetual care funds which have been given to it during the year: Gladis Murphy $150.00; Arthur H. Parker $100.00; Mrs. Thomas McCrindle $100.00; Roy E. Crofton $100.00; Sarah E. Kenyon $100.00.
Article 38. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate any sum of money to be paid to the Treasurer-Custodian of the Hampden County Retirement System to be credited to the town's share of the funds thereof.
Article 39. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $75 to be expended in the Town by the Hamp- den County Trustees for Aid to Agriculture in accordance with provisions of General Laws, Chapter 128, Section 42.
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Article 40. To see if the town will authorize the Board of Health to appoint any member thereof to the office or position of physician to the Board of Health, and determine and fix the salary of any such appointee, under the provisions of Section 4A of Chapter 41 of the General Laws, and raise and appropriate any sum of money for the salary of such appointee.
Article 41. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate any sum of money for the collection and disposal of garbage and rubbish in the several villages of the Town of Palmer and that the selectmen be instructed and they are hereby authorized to prepare specifications, execute a contract or con- tracts and do all things necessary to effect the collection of said garbage and rubbish, or to authorize the selectmen to have said garbage and rubbish collected by a department of the town, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 42. To see if the town will vote to accept the provisions of. Section 128 of Chapter 111 of the General Laws, as amended by Chapter 468 of the Acts of 1943 and Chapter 631 of the Acts of 1947 which provide for the establishment of minimum standard of fitness for human habitation as perscribed by the Department of Public Health, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 43. To see if the town will assume liability in the manner provided by Section 29 of Chapter 91 of the General Laws for all damages that may be incurred by work to be performed by the Department of Public Works of Massachusetts for the improvement, development, maintenance and protection of rivers, harbors, tide waters and foreshores, in accordance with Section 11 of Chapter 91 of the General Laws, and authorize the selectmen to execute and deliver a bond of indemnity therefor to the Commonwealth.
Article 44. To see if the town will vote to authorize the selectmen to appoint a wire inspector as provided in Chapter 529 of the Acts of 1949, raise and appropriate any sum of money for his compensation, expenses, or use, or take any action rela- tive thereto.
Article 45. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $175 for purchase from the estate of David F. Dillon of certain fixtures and furniture now located in the office of the Chief of Police.
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Article 46. To see if the town will vote to accept the sum of $2000 from Camps Mohican & Reena, Inc. in appreciation for the co-operation of the town in providing erosion control work at Round Pond.
Article 47. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate any sum of money for the purchase of one power grader with attachments, and/or one compressor for the Highway Department, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 48. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2699.46 for overdraft on snow removal.
Article 49. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate any sum of money for the printing and distribution of an itemized Assessors' Valuation List as required by law.
Article 50. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate any sum of money for a pension for any veteran entering the service of the town prior to June 30, 1939 who has thirty years service in the aggregate as provided in Sections 58, 58A, 59 and 60 of Chapter 32 of the General Laws, as amended, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 51. To see if the town will vote to prepare and distribute enrolled voters' lists as provided in Chapter 194 of the Acts of 1949 and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 52. To see if the town will vote to appropriate or transfer from the parking meter account any sum of money for (a) police enforcement; (b) constructing, reconstructing, resur- facing, operating and maintaining off street parking areas; (c) a miscellaneous fund under the exclusive control of the selectmen to be used for purposes authorized by law; and to authorize the selectmen to acquire off street parking facilities by lease for a term not exceeding five years as authorized by law.
Article 53. To see if the town will vote to improve Main Street in the Village of Thorndike from a point approximately opposite St. Mary's Church easterly to Commercial Street and Commercial Street southerly to its intersection with High Street and appropriate and raise by taxation or otherwise, or by transfer from available funds, any sum of money therefore, said sum to be used in conjunction with any monies allotted for this purpose by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the County of Hampden, or take any action relative thereto.
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Article 54. To see if the town will vote to widen and improve Old Warren Road from the intersection with Brecken- ridge Street to the residence of Bigda, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefore.
Article 55. To see if the town will vote to improve Rathbone Street in the Depot Village from Converse Street to the upper entrance to Oak Knoll Cemetery, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefore.
Article 56. To see if the town will vote to improve Smith Road and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefore.
Article 57. To see if the town will vote to resurface and improve Squier Street in the Depot Village from Main Street northerly to its terminus, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefore.
Article 58. To see if the town will vote to widen and otherwise improve Bourne Street in the village of Three Rivers from its intersection with Sykes Street to the residence of one Tenczar, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefore.
Article 59. To see if the town will vote to complete improving and widening the roadway in Breckenridge Street from the intersection with the Ware Road at Palmer Center to a point about fifty feet beyond the land of Everett E. and Pearl B. Marshall, and raise and appropriate any sum of money there- fore.
Article 60. To see if the town will vote to improve Baptist Hill Road from the easterly line of Rudnik farm to the Palmer- Wilbraham line, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefore.
Article 61. To see if the town will vote to improve Lathrop Street in the Depot Village from North Main Street westerly a distance of approximately 500 feet, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefore.
Article 62. To see if the town will vote to improve Pine Street in the village of Three Rivers from Charles Street to East Street a distance of approximately 540 feet, and raise and appro- priate any sum of money therefore.
Article 63. To see if the town will vote to complete or fur- ther improve High Street in the village of Bondsville from State
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Street to Griffin Street, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefore.
Article 64. To see if the town will vote to widen and im- prove Pine Street in the village of Thorndike from Church Street to the residence of Lech, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefore.
Article 65. To see if the town will vote to widen and im- prove Pine Street in the village of Bondsville from South Main Street southerly a distance of approximately 400 feet, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefore.
Article 66. To see if the town will vote to improve Oak Street in the Depot Village, from South Main Street, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefore.
Article 67. To see if the town will vote to improve Center Street in the village of Bondsville, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefore.
Article 68. To see if the town will vote to improve Cross Street in the village of Bondsville, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefore.
Article 69. To see if the town will vote to improve Baptist Hill Street in the village of Three Rivers from Springfield Street and continuing a distance of approximately one-half mile, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefore.
Article 70. To see if the town will vote to improve, surface and install surface drains as needed in Brainerd Street in the Depot Village, from Park Street northerly about 360 feet, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefore.
Article 71. To see if the town will vote to improve, surface and install surface drains in Winthrop Street in the Depot Vil- lage, from Park Street northerly approximately 475 feet, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefore.
Article 72. To see if the town will vote to improve, surface and install surface drains in Cabot Street in the Depot Village from Brainerd Street to Winthrop Street, and raise and appro- priate any sum of money therefore.
Article 73. To see if the town will vote to continue improv- ing and widening the roadway on Emery Street, otherwise known
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as Airport Road, from its intersection with Bondsville Road to a point at or near the Metropolitan Airport, and raise and appro- priate any sum of money therefore.
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