USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1926-1929 > Part 4
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Article 17. - To see if the Town will vote to accept the pro- vision of Section 25A of Chapter 41 of the General Laws as enacted by Chapter 14 of the Act of 1921 relative to the appoint- ment of assistant assessors.
Article 18. - To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of not more than $2700.00 for the purchase of an ambulance and necessary equipment to be in charge of the Fire Department, on petition of John F. O'Connell and others.
Article 19. - To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money not in excess of $75,000.00 provided, however, like amounts of money be appropriated by the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts and the County of Essex for certain improvements on North Main Street, Andover, substantially as follows: The con- struction of a cement roadway from Andover Square to and adjoining the cement road at or near Stimpson's Bridge, so called.
That the appropriation cover in addition to the construction of a cement roadway the expenses incident to the replacement of one railroad bridge crossing the tracks of the Boston & Maine and one highway bridge crossing the Shawsheen River on North Main Street, and the construction of necessary retaining walls and land damage, if any, incident to the proper building of this high- way.
That the amount of money appropriated be raised by bond issue, bonds maturing in fifteen years, on petition of Laurence J. Hannon and others.
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Article 20. - To see if the town will accept as a town way, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, a street known as Stonehedge Street, leading from Salem Street through land of Mabel J. Trott, as shown on plan filed with the Town Clerk, on petition of Samuel P. Hulme and others.
Article 21. - To see if the town will authorize the Board of Public Works to extend the water main from its present terminus on Corbett Street along Corbett Street to Corbett Road, thence along Corbett Road north to the intersection of Julian Street, and appropriate the sum of $7000.00 therefor, on petition of Joseph Gagne and others.
Article 22. - To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint an Inspector of Wires and appropriate the sum of $200.00 therefor.
Article 23. - To determine the method of collecting the taxes for the ensuing year.
Article 24. - To authorize the Town Treasurer to hire money for the use of the town in anticipation of the revenue of the current financial year, with the approval of the Selectmen.
Article 25. - To determine what disposition shall be made of unexpended appropriations.
Article 26. - To act upon the report of the Town Officers.
Article 27. - To transact any other business that may legally come before the meeting.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested - copies and publication thereof, seven days at least before the time of said meeting as directed by the By-Laws of the town.
Hereof fail not and make return of this warrant with your doings thereon, at the time and place of said meeting.
Given under our hands this fifteenth day of February, A.D. 1926.
FRANK H. HARDY CHARLES BOWMAN ANDREW McTERNEN Selectmen of Andover
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RECOMMENDATIONS OF FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Finance Committee respectfully presents herewith its report and recommendations. This report and these recommenda- tions are made after conferences held with all department heads and after a careful consideration of every item in the various budgets. In addition, consideration has been given to the industrial and financial situation throughout the town.
Last year the tax-payers voted a budget which resulted in a substantial decrease in the tax rate without any general increase in valuation. While the Finance Committee finds the financial and industrial situation to be practically the same as last year, nevertheless certain departments must expand their activities this year. Furthermore it appears wise to care for some of the most urgent needs of the Town not included in the department budgets. The largest of these is the improvement of the Memo- rial Hall Library, a project which the Finance Committee recom- mends. Under these conditions an increase over last year's appropriation is necessary.
The attention of the tax-payers is especially directed to two items in the list of appropriations, viz. : "State and County Taxes" and "Interest." It is worthy of note that State and County taxes have increased from $41,191 to $80,000 in the last five years. The appropriation for interest is cited for the reason that the average tax-payer gives this item but scant attention. How large a part interest has in town expenses is better appreciated when the bond issue for the construction of the Shawsheen school is examined. The appropriation for this building was $230,000, and the bonds, bearing 414% interest rate, are amortized over a period of twenty years. The interest cost for these bonds will be something over $100,000.
The Finance Committee does not recommend that all im- provements should be paid for from the tax levy of the particular
81
year when the improvements are installed, but the above example is cited in order to emphasize the part that "interest" and "redemption of bonds" has in the annual budget. The situation suggests the advisability of larger initial payments and bond issues running over a shorter period.
The cooperation of the various Town officers, Committees and heads of departments is herewith acknowledged.
Almshouse
8000.00
Almshouse Relief Out
6500.00
Aiding Mothers with Dependent Children 6000.00
Board of Health
4500.00
Brush Fires
1000.00
Elections
2000.00
Essex Hospital
4861.60
This sum is assessed the Town of Andover for
the maintenance of the County Tuberculosis Hospital
Fire Department
29000.00
G. A. R.
200.00
Hay Scales
125.00
Highways
80000.00
This sum is $5000 less than the amount appro- priated last year. One half of this proposed sum is for new construction and one half for upkeep of highways.
Interest
36000.00
Insurance
6000.00
Library
5000.00
Memorial Day
600.00
Parks
3000.00
In addition to the upkeep of the playstead and park on Bartlet street, the Board of Pub- lic Works plans to improve the plot near the B. & M. station.
Amount carried forward
$192786.00
S2
Amount brought forward
$192786.00
Police
23640.00
The increase of $3640.00 in this appropriation is to permit the addition of two officers to the police force.
Pomp's Pond
1500.00
Printing
1500.00
Public Dump
700.00
There is a substantial increase recommended in this item in order that there may be funds to build a fence at the Dump at an expense of $400, and also to increase the wages of the care- taker to $300 per year.
Reserve Fund
3000.00
Retirement of Bonds
68500.00
Retirement of Veterans
300.00
Schools
134200.00
Sewers
5000.00
Soldiers' Relief
2000.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
400.00
Spring Grove Cemetery
5500.00
State Aid
500.00
Street Lighting
14000.00
There is a large increase recommended for street lighting this year in order that the streets may be lighted every night instead of accord- ing to the so-called "moonlight" schedule. In addition the recommended sum includes the amount which will be required to light certain streets in Shawsheen Village provided these streets are accepted.
Town House 4250.00
Amount carried forward
$457776.00
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$457776.00 14000.00
Amount brought forward
Town Officers
An increase of $1000 is recommended to cover the wages of assistant assessors, in the event that the Town votes under a special article to employ such assistants. The wages suggested are $600. The sum of $400 is to be applied to the salary of a stenographer who will be em- ployed for the entire year at a rate of $900 per year and who was employed but part of last year.
Tree Warden 9000.00
It is recommended that this appropriation be $5000 for moth work and $4000 for tree work.
Water Maintenance 30000.00
Water Construction 10000.00
American Legion
1000.00
The Finance Committee recommends the following action regarding the special articles in the Warrant: -
Article 4. - To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $12,000.00 for granolithic walks on both sides of Main Street from Chestnut Street to Chapel Avenue, and do necessary grading, on petition of the Board of Public Works.
(Approved with the recommendation that $6000.00 be appropriated. It is the opinion of the Finance Committee that the Town should now make a yearly appropriation for the improvement of sidewalks.)
Article 5. - To see if the Town will vote to reconsider its action taken at last year's town meeting whereby it was voted that no further extensions of water mains be made unless a return in water rates shall guarantee a return of not less than 4% on the cost of such extensions.
(Not approved. The record of town legislation in the matter of water extension is exceedingly unsatisfactory. Injustices have been done the tax-payer in many instances when the extensions have been made, and possibly in some
84
instances when the asked-for installation was refused. The decision made by the town at the last annual meeting is not satisfactory in its operation, and the proposed change, called for in this article, has likewise some very serious defects. The Finance Committee recommends that the entire matter of water extension be referred to a committee of five citizens, such committee to be appointed by the moderator and instructed to make a thorough investigation of the subject and report with recommendations at the next annual town meeting.)
Article 6. - To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $16,000.00 to make the following extensions to the water sys- tem : laying of a new 6" main on Upland Road from Summer Street to Chestnut Street; laying a new 6" main, Walnut Avenue, from Carmel Road to Elm Street; laying a 10" pipe on Lowell Street from the Pump House to Haggett's Pond Road, a distance of 1100 feet, continuing with an 8" pipe 2000 feet, a total of 3400 feet more or less, on petition of the Board of Public Works.
(This proposition is not approved in this form. If the extensions on Walnut Avenue and Upland Road are part of the general plan to improve the water system, the Finance Committee recommends that these improvements be made and that $6,000.00 be appropriated for this purpose. The Lowell street extension is not approved.)
Article 7. - To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $15,000.00 for the purpose of making improvements on and in connection with the playstead. Said improvements to be carried out in accordance with plans drawn by Philip W. Foster, land- scape architect, on petition of the Board of Public Works.
(Not approved. Reference is made to the action of the voters last year when this proposal was rejected.)
Article 8. - To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $4,299.01 the same being the amount returned to the Town under the provisions of Chapter 480 of the Acts of 1924: " An act providing for the return to the Cities and Towns of certain surplus funds collected 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," for
85
the purpose of acquiring land adjoining the present playstead by purchase or seizure, which is necessary for the development of the said playstead according to plans prepared for the same by Philip W. Foster, landscape architect, on petition of the .. Board of Public Works.
(This sum of money is in the Town treasury and the voters last year approved this article. It is the understanding of the Finance Committee that the land suggested could not be purchased for this sum. If the required land can be purchased for this sum it is recommended that the appro- priation be made.)
Article 9. - To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to purchase all the water mains, with their appurtenances, of the American Woolen Company, constructed and laid in the following named streets in Shawsheen Village, namely,
Argyle Street
Dumbarton Street
Ayer Street
Enmore Street
Arundel Street
Sherbourne Street
Balmoral Street
William Street west of Poor Street
Kenilworth Street
Fletcher Street
Stirling Street
Binney Street
Riverina Road
Shepley Street
Carisbrooke Street
Kensington Street
Carlisle Street
Sutherland Street
York Street north of Haverhill Street
at the rate of $2.10 per foot, in such streets as are or may be accepted as Town Ways, and to appropriate a sum not in excess of $28,000.00 for this purpose, on petition of Raymond S. Bartlett and others.
(Approved. In the event the Town votes to accept certain streets in Shawsheen Village it is recommended that the American Woolen Company be paid the sum which it would have cost the Town to install the water system in these streets. It is the practice of the Town to install the water system when a street is accepted.)
Article 10. - To see if the town will accept as town ways, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, the following named streets
86
in Shawsheen Village, so called, as shown on plans filed with the Town Clerk: Argyle Street from Haverhill Street to Burnham Road, Arundel Street from Balmoral Street to Burnham Road, Ayer Street from Sherbourne Street westerly, a distance of 300 feet, Balmoral Street from York Street to the Boston & Maine Railroad, Binney Street from South Union Street easterly about 500 feet, Carisbrooke Street from Balmoral Street to Burnham Road, Carlisle Street from Filter Bed Road westerly to land of Hamel, Dumbarton Street from Stirling Street westerly to Filter Bed Road, Enmore Street from Haverhill Street southerly to land of Dufton, Fletcher Street from South Union Street . easterly about 545 feet, Kenilworth Street from South Union Street easterly to Riverina Road and from Main Street westerly to Poor Street, Kensington Street from Main Street to Poor Street, Riverina Road from Haverhill Street northerly to Kenil- worth Street, Shepley Street from South Union Street easterly about 375 feet, Sherbourne Street from William Street northerly about 252 feet, Stirling Street from Haverhill Street to northerly side of Sutherland Street, Sutherland Street from Stirling Street westerly to Filter Bed Road, William Street from Poor Street westerly about 1950 feet, York Street from Haverhill Street northerly about 1170 feet, on petition of Raymond S. Bartlett and others.
(This does not require action by the Finance Committee.)
Article 11. - To hear and act on the report of the Trustees of the Memorial Hall Library relative to changes and additions to the present Memorial Hall Building as authorized by the Town at its last annual meeting March 2, 1925. Also to see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $90,000.00 for the purpose of making such changes and equipping the same, $40,000.00 to be a part of the tax levy of the year 1926, and to authorize the Town Treasurer to issue and sell bonds or notes of the town to an amount not exceeding $50,000.00 to pay the balance, said bonds or notes to be payable annually in the years 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930 and 1931 in conformity with Chapter 44 of the General Laws, on petition of Trustees of Memorial Hall Library.
(Approved with the recommendation that $90,000.00 be appropriated, of which sum $40,000.00 be paid from the 1926
87
tax levy and the balance be raised by a bond issue, said bonds to be amortized over a period of five years.)
Article 12. - To see if the town will appropriate a sum not exceeding $13,000.00 for the purpose of installing a motor pump in the Central Fire House, on petition of Charles E. Buchan and others.
(Not approved.)
Article 13. - To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $3,000.00 for the purpose of making a survey and maps for use in the Assessors' Department, on recommendation of the Board of Assessors.
(Approved - It is recommended that steps be taken to secure accurate plans covering the business and residential section of the Town only. It is believed that such maps will make it possible to put into effect a more uniform and equitable system of property assessments; and in addition such maps will be necessary for the work of any planning board.)
Article 14. - To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $2000.00 for the purchase and installation of new scales to replace those in the rear of the Town Hall.
(Approved - The Town has now no public scales and it would appear that public interest requires the installation of a platform scale for the convenience of the sealer of weights and measures and the citizens in general.)
Article 15. - To see if the Town will vote to establish a plan- ning board in accordance with Generals Law, Chapter 41, Sections 70-72, and appropriate a sum of money for the work of same, if deemed necessary.
(Does not require action by the Finance Committee.)
Article 16. - To see if the town will appropriate the sum of one thousand ($1000) dollars to be expended under the direction of the War Memorial Committee for the further study of a War Memorial, on the petition of Joseph L. Burns, and others.
(Approved.)
Article 17. - To see if the Town will vote to accept the pro- vision of Section 25A of Chapter 41 of the General Laws as
88
enacted by Chapter 14 of the Act of 1921 relative to the appoint- ment of assistant assessors.
(Approved.)
Article 18. - To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of not more than $2700.00 for the purchase of an ambulance and necessary equipment to be in charge of the Fire Department, on petition of John F. O'Connell and others.
(Not approved. An ambulance of a satisfactory type cannot be purchased for the suggested appropriation. Fur- thermore, with the ambulance service there should be a skilled attendant. It is understood that this service can now be secured from the Lawrence General Hospital.)
Article 19. - To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money not in excess of $75,000.00 provided, however, like amounts of money be appropriated by the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts and the County of Essex for certain improvements on North Main Street, Andover, substantially as follows: The con- struction of a cement roadway from Andover Square to and adjoining the cement road at or near Stimpson's Bridge, so called.
That the appropriation cover in addition to the construction of a cement roadway the expenses incident to the replacement of one railroad bridge crossing the tracks of the Boston & Maine and one highway bridge crossing the Shawsheen River on North Main Street, and the construction of necessary retaining walls and land damage, if any, incident to the proper building of this high- way.
That the amount of money appropriated be raised by bond 1 issue, bonds maturing in fifteen years, on petition of Laurence J. Hannon and others.
(Not approved. The matter of rebuilding and improving North Main street has had careful consideration by the Board of Public Works and the Board reports that coopera- tion by the County and Commonwealth cannot be secured this year.)
Article 20. - To see if the town will accept as a town way, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, a street known as Stonehedge Street, leading from Salem Street through land of Mabel J.
89
Trott, as shown on plan filed with the Town Clerk, on petition of Samuel P. Hulme and others.
(No recommendation required of the Finance Committee.)
Article 21. - To see if the town will authorize the Board of Public Works to extend the water main from its present terminus on Corbett Street along Corbett Street to Corbett Road, thence along Corbett Road north to the intersection of Julian Street, and appropriate the sum of $7000.00 therefor, on petition of Joseph Gagne and others.
(Not approved.)
Article 22. - To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint an Inspector of Wires and appropriate the sum of $200.00 therefor.
(Approved.)
SUMMARY
Departmental expenditures recommended
$521776.00
Special expenditures recommended
86200.00
$607976.00
State and County Tax (estimated)
80000.00
Total
$687976.00
Receipts (estimated)
$200000.00
Net
$487976.00
VALUATION
1925
1926 (estimated) $18,000,000
$17,528,663
Computation of tax rate for 1926 using these figures
$487976
= 27.+
$18000000
1
Tax rate for 1925, $24.20.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY A. BODWELL, Chairman WALTER M. LAMONT GEORGE L. AVERILL GEORGE H. WINSLOW
CHESTER W. HOLLAND JOHN C. ANGUS
Finance Committee
90
DEPARTMENT APPROPRIATIONS AND EXPENDITURES FOR 1925 AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1926
Department
Appro- priation 1925
Expended 1925
Recom- mended for 1926
Increase
De- crease
Almshouse
$ 7500
$ 7446.64
$ 8000.00
$ 500.00
Relief Out
6000
6542.44
6500.00
500.00
Aiding Mothers
6000
5161.82
6000.00
Board of Health
5000
3985.05
4500.00
$500
Brush Fires
1000
620.60
1000.00
Elections
600
1045.00
2000.00
1400.00
Essex Hospital
2957
2956.72
4861.60
1904.60
Fire Department
*31700
31456.71
29000.00
2700
G. A. R.
100
100.00
200.00
100.00
Hay Scales
125
119.37
125.00
Highways
80000
59636.29
80000 00
Interest
37500
36052.73
36000.00
1500
Insurance
6500
6144.00
6000.00
500
Library
4500
8318.87
5000.00
500.00
Memorial Day
550
550.00
600.00
50.00
Parks
1800
2248.88
3000.00
1200.00
Police
20000
19947.46
23640.00
3640.00
Printing
1600
1158.65
1500.00
100
Public Dump
150
246.41
700.00
550.00
Reserve Fund
3000
3000.00
3000.00
Retirement of Bonds
68500
83500.00
68500.00
Retirement of Veterans
300
300.00
300.00
Schools
130280
130278.18
134200.00
4000.00
Sewer Department
5000
7524.72
5000.00
Soldiers' Relief
2000
1113.03
2000.00
Sealer of Weights
450
302.18
400.00
50
Spring Grove
6000
5998.33
5500.00
500
State Aid
500
230.00
500.00
Street Lighting
11000
10952.95
14000.00
3000.00
Town House
5300
4296.30
4250.00
1050
Town Officers
13000
12554.67
14000.00
1000.00
Tree Warden
Moth
5000
4932.87
5000.00
Tree
4000
3937.13
4000.00
Water Department
Maintenance
31000
30852.65
30000 00
1000
Construction
12000
17793.49
10000.00
2000
American Legion
1000
976.27
1000.00
Pomp's Pond
1500
1500.00
1500.00
Totals
$513412
$513780.41
$521776.60
$18344.60
$9900
*Includes cost of new fire alarm whistle.
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DEBT OF THE TOWN OF ANDOVER IN RELATION TO VALUATION 1917-1925 INCLUSIVE
Net Funded Debt
Valuation*
% of Debt to Valuation
Rank in Statet
1917
325284.99
7817260.00
4.2
.11
1918
291110.71
8017700.00
3.6
16
1919
258094.35
8487400.00
3.
24
1920
269803.51
10090066.00
2.6
29
1921
262124.72
10978620.00
2.4
31
1922
371584.99
11968320.00
3.1
26
1923
732316.00
14824470.00
4.9
8
1924
707000.00
16809242.00
4.2
x
1925
636584.00
17528663.00
3.6
x
* Does not include property owned by the town.
t Among towns of 5000 inhabitants or over.
x Figure not available.
92
TRUSTEES OF MEMORIAL HALL LIBRARY
NATHAN C. HAMBLIN BURTON S. FLAGG
FREDERIC S. BOUTWELL
FREDERICK A. WILSON
ALFRED E. STEARNS
PHILIP F. RIPLEY
CLAUDE M. FUESS
President NATHAN C. HAMBLIN
Secretary and Treasurer FREDERIC S. BOUTWELL
Librarian EDNA A. BROWN
Assistants
JULIA E. TWICHELL EDITH DONALD
In Charge of Ballardvale Branch MARTHA D. BYINGTON
Janitor ARCHIBALD MACLAREN
93
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF MEMORIAL HALL LIBRARY
The essential facts regarding the library situation at present in Andover have been given by the Librarian in her annual re- port, which appears on another page. The meetings of the Trus- tees for the past year have been devoted primarily to considering plans for an enlarged and remodeled building. Believing that a conscientious community will no longer tolerate such crowded and unhealthful conditions as have existed lately in Memorial Hall, the Trustees have regarded it as a duty to suggest a remedy, - not a mere makeshift, but a plan for permanent improvement. The results of their deliberations appear in the proposal which has already been explained to the citizens through the press and which will be submitted to the annual Town Meeting.
It is part of our sound New England tradition that it is poor economy not to provide the best available educational facilities for our people. We have long pursued this policy in our schools, and it is even more important in our libraries. Schools, after all, are intended only for the young, but the library carries its influence both to young and old. It is significant that nearly half of our citizens hold membership cards in our library, use its facilities and enjoy its privileges. These persons are entitled, not only to good literature and intelligent advice, - both of which they can now secure, - but also to comfortable and sanitary reading conditions, which unfortunately do not now exist. A good library is an asset of high importance to any community, for it raises the general average of culture in its vicinity.
94
For these reasons, together with others which are outlined in the Report of the Librarian, we hope that the project for en- larging and remodeling Memorial Hall will be favorably con- sidered by the voters. The situation to-day is almost intolerable, and, unless it is remedied shortly, we are likely to find ourselves far behind other towns of the same general size and importance.
NATHAN C. HAMBLIN, Chairman REV. FREDERICK A. WILSON FREDERIC S. BOUTWELL PHILIP F. RIPLEY ALFRED E. STEARNS BURTON S. FLAGG CLAUDE M. FUESS
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