USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1935 > Part 5
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A careful examination of the Town Charter, so-called, had been made, section by section, and suggestions made for its revision. All disputed suggestions were carefully noted, and further investigation was made to determine the de- sirability of them. Heads of departments affected by any section of the Town Charter were requested to submit re- ports and recommendations, and this was done by them. The information received from investigations and reports had been placed in form to be used by the Committee in its final deliberations which were soon to take place. We felt that care and deliberation were much more essential than a hasty jumping at conclusions.
Even though this Committee held meetings during December, I do not recall any suggestion that speed in the
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preparation of a report was necessary, nor was any pre- liminary report nor the preliminary report published in the last week's issue of the Gazette, submitted to the Com- mittee at any meeting to approve or disapprove, nor has it been submitted to members of the Committee since those meetings for their information or approval. The sub- mission of this preliminary report was unexpected to the other members of the Committee and its contents unknown to them, and I am therefor unable to understand why the two members who signed the preliminary report consider themselves minority members. Reference to my notes also indicates that they have not included as a part of their report several other changes which they suggested and which the Committee was considering. How many reports are to be filed by these members who designate themselves minority members? It is highly desirable to have the entire report on any proposed changes in the charter before the voters for action at one time and not merely sections or minority reports thereof as facts might well indicate there would be no necessity of any such thing as a minority report after due deliberation by the Committee.
As I have stated, most of the investigating and collect- ing of information for the purpose of a report or changes in the charter has been completed. There remain certain questions for the Committee to vote on and the mechanical work of preparing and drafting the report which I believe can be accomplished without undue delay and in such a manner that the result will be much more acceptable to the voters, than the submission of reports by individual members, and much easier to act on.
I would therefor suggest that the so-called preliminary report as submitted, together with the subject matter of the revision of the Town Charter, be recommitted to the
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Committee appointed for that purpose so that at least the voters may have the entire subject matter before them before action is taken.
Respectfully submitted,
K. H. WASHBURN Chairman.
Voted: to take from table the report made at last meet- ing by Thomas and Archer.
Voted: to consider report paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraph 1: Voted to adopt.
Paragraph 2: Voted to adopt with the amendment that finance committee be made up of seven members in- stead of three.
Paragraph 3; Voted that this paragraph be stricken out and to substitute (That the Board of Assessors be elec- ted.)
Paragraph 4; Voted; to approve paragraph 4.
Paragraph 5; Voted; to approve paragraph 5.
Paragraph 6; Voted; to approve paragraph 6.
Article 5: To see if the town will appropriate money to be expended by Post 8, G.A.R., on Memorial Day, and Act thereon.
Voted; the sum of $200.00 under appropriations.
Article 6: To see if the town will appropriate the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty ($250) Dollars, to be expended by Simeon L. Nickerson Post No. 64, American Legion, for their celebration of Armistice Day, November 11th, 1935, and act thereon.
No action taken under this article.
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Article 7: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of Two Hundred ,($200) Dollars to be used to pro- vide quarters for the John Glass Jr., Post, No. 2188, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and act thereon.
Voted; the sum of $200.00 to be used to provide quarters for the John Glass Jr. Post No. 2188.
Article 8: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money not exceeding Five Hundred (500) Dollars, to be paid to St. Luke's Hospital, established in said town, for the establishment and maintenance of a free bed in the hospital for the care and treatment of persons certified by the Selectmen of said town to be residents of the town and unable to pay for such care and treatment, and act thereon.
Voted; the sum of $500.00 under appropriations.
Article 9; To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate for the use of the Plymouth County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture, a sum, not exceeding Three Hundred ($300) Dollars, and choose a town director for one (1) year, as provided in Sections 41 and 45 of Revised Chap- ter 128 of the General Laws, and act thereon.
No action taken under this article.
Article 10: To see if the town will vote to continue the Christmas Lighting; appropriate money for the same; and act thereon.
No action taken under this article.
Article 11: To see if the town will vote to appropriate a sum of money not to exceed four hundred ($400) Dollars, for a Dental Clinic for the School children, and act thereon.
No action taken under this article.
Article 12: To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of five hundred ($500) Dollars, for the employment
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of the District Nurse; same to be spent by the Board of Health under the direction of the Selectmen; and act thereon.
Voted: the sum of $500.00 under appropriations.
Article 13: To see if the town will engage in certain public works projects included in any "comprehensive pro- gram of public works" under Section 202 of Title 11 of the National Industrial Recovery Act, to wit: the work of con- structing, improving or repairing a sewerage system and disposal plant for the town, and also for the purpose of constructing and improving and repairing its Water Works System, subject to the approval by the Board and by the Governor, and also subject to the proper Federal authorities obligating the Federal Government to make a grant there- for for the Federal money under Section 203 of the National Industrial Recovery Act.
No action taken under this article.
Article 14: To see if the town, for the purpose of carry- ing out such said projects, will vote to borrow from the United States of America such sums as may be fixed by the Board as is provided in Chapter 366, Section 2, of Revised Laws and issue bonds, notes, or other forms of written acknow- ledgment of debt for such terms and carry such rates of interest as may be fixed by the Board as is provided in said Chapter 366.
No action taken under this article.
Article 15: To see if the town will vote to accept a portion of Lane Street from LeBaron Avenue southerly, as laid out by the Selectmen, appropriate Five Hundred ($500) Dollars for the repair of the same, and act thereon. Agreeable to the petition of Frank Perkins, et al.
No action taken under this article.
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Article 16: To see if the town will vote to provide new Police Quarters, either by constructing new quarters or otherwise, appropriate money for the same to be raised by Loan or otherwise; and act thereon.
No action taken under this article.
Article 17; To see if the town will appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Four-Hundred Twenty-Five($5,425.00) Dollars for grading, repairing, and placing a tar and asphalt surface on Cedar Street from Plympton Street to the Plymp- ton Town Line; and act thereon. Agreeable to the petition of John O. Wiksteen, et al.
No Action taken under this article.
Article 18: To see if the town will vote to extend the water mains on Center Street from Crowell Street to Taun- ton Street; along Taunton Street to the house now or for- merly owned by the Middleboro Savings Bank, on Cross Street from Taunton Street to Center Street, and on Center Street from Taunton Street to Cross Street, appropriate money for the same to be raised by Loan or otherwise, and act thereon. Agreeable to the petition of William Broad- bent, et al.
No action taken under this article.
Article 19. To see if the town will vote to accept Keith Street as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, appropriate money for the repair of the same; and act thereon. Agree- able to the petition of James E. Houlihan, etal.
No action taken under this article.
Article 20: To see if the town will vote to extend Water Mains on Plymouth Street from the end of the present line near the property of Eli Goodman, a distance of about thirty hundred and thirty-five (3,035) feet, appropriate money for the same to be raised by loan or otherwise and act there- on. Agreeable to the petition of Harmon P. Ward, etal.
No action taken under this article.
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Article 21: To see if the town will appropriate the sum of Fifteen Hundred ($1500.00) Dollars to make a survey of North Middleborough for a water system; and act any- thing thereon.
No action taken under this article.
Article 22: To see if the town will pass a by-law to provide for an appropriation, advisory or finance committee, as required by Chapter 388 of the Acts of 1923, or take any action relative thereto.
Voted: that this article be laid on table.
Article 23: To see if the town will vote to appropriate a sum of money to provide supervision of the playground, swimming pool, and bath house, located on the playground off North Main Street, provided the Emergency Relief Administration will not approve a project for the same, and act thereon.
No action taken under this article.
Article 24: To see if the town will vote to adopt the following By-Law:
On and after May 1, 1935, no Junk Licenses or Third Class Automobile Junk Licenses shall be issued within the area bounded by a circle of one mile radius with the Town House, as a center of the circle. The location of Junk yards or buildings of either of the above classes within the unrestricted area shall first have the approval of the Board of Selectmen.
A violation of the By-Laws of the Town or the State Laws, as either of them relate to the aforenamed licenses, shall be sufficient cause for the suspension or revocation of any license issued under this By-Law.
Voted: to adopt By-Law as stated under article 24 of this warrant.
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Article 25: To see if the town will vote to construct a new school Building to replace the Union Street School, appropriate money for the same. to be raised by loan or' otherwise, and act thereon.
This article was called for but no vote passed on same.
Article 26: To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of Six Thousand ($6,000.00) Dollars, to be spent under the direction of the Selectmen, provided the State or the State and County will assist financially in rebuilding Plympton Street from the end of the road at Eddyville constructed in 1924, to the Plympton line; and act thereon.
No action taken under this article.
Record of Special Town Meeting March 4, 1935
Article 1: To see if the town will appropriate the sum of two hundred and fifty ($250.00) Dollars, to be expended by Simeon L. Nickerson Post No. 64 American Legion, for their celebration of Armistice Day, November 11th, 1935 and act thereon.
Voted: That the sum of $250.00 be appropriated to be expended by Simeon L. Nickerson Post No. 64 American Legion for their celebration of Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1935.
Article 2: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the use of the Plymouth County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture, a sum not exceeding three hundred ($300.00) Dollars, and choose a Town Director for one (1) year, as provided in Sections 41 and 45 of Revised Chapter 128 of the General Laws and act thereon.
Voted: that the town raise and appropriate for the use of the Plymouth County Trustees for aid to agriculture the sum of $300.00 and that H. Arthur Standish be chosen Town Director for one year.
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Article 3: To see if the town will vote to continue the Christmas lighting and appropriate money for the same, and act thereon.
Voted: that the town of Middleboro appropriate the sum of three hundred and fifty ($350.00) Dollars, to cover the expense of the Christmas Lighting.
Article 4: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money not to exceed four hundred ($400.00) Dollars, for a Dental Clinic for the School children, and act thereon.
Voted: that the town of Middleboro appropriate the sum of four hundred ($400.00) Dollars for a Dental Clinic for the school children.
Article 5: To see if the town will vote to accept a por- tion of Lane Street from LeBaron Avenue southerly, as laid out by the Selectmen, appropriate five hundred ($500.00) Dollars for the repair of the same, and act thereon. Agree- able to the petition of Frank Perkins, et al.
Voted: that the town accept a portion of Lane Street from LeBaron Avenue southerly, as laid out by the Select- men, and appropriate the sum of five hundred ($500) Dollars. for the repair of same.
Article 6: To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of five thousand four hundred twenty-five (5425.00) Dollars for grading, repairing and placing a tar and asphalt surface on Cedar Street from Plympton Street to the Plympton Town Line, and act thereon. Agreeable to the petition of John O. Wiksten, etal.
Voted: that this article be laid on table until next annual town meeting.
Article 7: To see if the town will vote to extend the water mains on Center Street from Crowell Street to Taun-
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ton Street along Taunton Street to the house now or former- ly owned by the Middleborough Savings Bank, on Shaw Street from Taunton Street northerly, on Cross Street from Taunton Street to Center Street, and on Center Street from Taunton Street to Cross Street, appropriate money for the same to be raised by loan or otherwise, and act thereon. Agreeable to the petition of William Broadbent, etal.
This vote was lost. Yes 132 No 192.
Article 8: To see if the Town will vote to accept Keith Street as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, appropriate money for the repair of the same, and act thereon. Agree- able to the petition of James E. Houlihan, etal.
Voted: To accept Keith Street as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, appropriate the sum of three hundred ($300) Dollars for the repair of same.
Article 9: To see if the Town will vote to extend Water Mains on Plymouth Street from the end of the present line near the property of Eli Goodman, a distance of about three thousand thirty-five (3,035) feet, appropriate money for the same to be raised by loan or otherwise and act thereon. Agreeable to the petition of Harmon P. Ward, etal.
This vote was lost. Yes 107 No 135.
Article 10: To see if the town will appropriate the sum of fifteen hundred ($1,500.00) Dollars to make a survey of North Middleborough for a water system, and act anything thereon.
Voted: to lay this article on table.
Article 11: To see if the town will vote to appropriate a sum of money to provide supervision of the playground, swimming pool and bath house, located on the playground off North Main Street, provided the Emergency Relief
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Administration will not approve a project for the same, and act thereon.
Voted: that the town of Middleborough appropriate the sum of four hundred ($400.00) Dollars to provide super- vision of the playground, swimming pool and bath house, located on the playground off North Main Street, provided the Emergency Relief Administration will not approve a project for the same.
Article 12: To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of six thousand ($6,000.00) Dollars, to be spent under the direction of the Selectmen, provided the State or the State and County will assist financially in rebuilding Plympton Street from the end of the road at Eddyville constructed in 1924, to the Plympton line, and act thereon.
Voted: to lay this article on table until next annual town meeting.
Record of Special Town Meeting April 8, 1935 .-
Article 1: To hear the report of the Committee ap- pointed February 19th, 1934, on New Police Quarters.
Chief Sisson read the following report :-
Honorable Board of Selectmen and Voters of Middle- borough :
At the annual town meeting held February 11, 1935 your police Station committee recommended that the Selectmen be instructed to call another town meeting as soon as possible and prepare an article for the warrant calling said meeting that would be broad enough to meet present conditions, at which meeting the committee would make a full report. Your committee made this request in order that plans and figures could be presented to you for remodelling the P. H. Peirce Store building, North Main Street, to accommodate
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not only the Police Department, but also the Fourth Dis- trict Court, and in addition provide Comfort Stations for men and women, also providing a garage space for police and court cars. Our first plans were for a new Police Sta- tion only, the cost of which including the lot would amount to about $25,000.00. There would also have to be added to that the operating expenses without any income to offset against that item. In drawing up the plans for the proposed Police Station and Fourth District Court, several meetings have been held with your Selectmen, the County Com- missioners and the Peirce Trustees. The Judges and Clerk of Court have also been consulted and the present plans have received the O.K. of all these interested parties. The estimated cost of remodelling substantially in accord with the plans of Henry B. Sumner, architect, is $22,000, the cost of the land and building $13,000, making a total cost of $35,000, which is only $10,000, more than the cost of the police station considered by the committee. Also we under- stand that the County is ready to execute a twenty year lease at a figure that will practically offset the operating expenses of the building; and also the Peirce Trustees have offered to finance the payment of bonds or notes together with interest as they mature.
Therefore, in consideration of the obvious advantages to the Town of the combined plan over the original plan, your Police Station Committee unanimously recommends that the town take favorable action on the plan prepared by Henry B. Sumner for the remodelling of the P. H. Peirce Store, North Main Street, for a combined Police Station and Fourth District Court building with appurtenances thereto.
ALDEN C. SISSON, Chairman FREDERICK S. WESTON, Clerk A. B. COOMBS W. J. CROMWELL
Voted: to accept report of Committee, that the Com- mittee be thanked and discharged.
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Article 2: To see if the town will vote to purchase from the Trustees under the Will of Thomas S. Peirce, the prop- erty known as the P. H. Peirce Grocery Store located on North Main Street, for the purpose of remodeling the build- ing located thereon, into a Police Station, quarters for the Fourth District Court of Plymouth and for Public Comfort Stations for men and women, in substantial accordance with plans and specifications prepared by Hal B. Sumner, Architect, and to raise and appropriate for the same by loan or otherwise the sum of thirty-five thousand ($35,000.00) Dollars, thirteen thousand ($13,000.00) Dollars of which shall be for the purchase of the property and twenty-two thousand ($22,000.00) Dollars shall be for remodeling the same, in accordance with Chapter 17- of the Acts of 1932, and act thereon.
Voted: that the town purchase the lands and buildings located on North Main Street known as the P. H. Peirce Grocery Store property, from the Trustees under the will of Thomas S. Peirce, and that the said grocery store be remodelled into quarters for a police Station, Fourth District Court of Plymouth, and for Public Comfort Stations for men and women, in substantial accordance with plans and specifications prepared by Hal. B. Sumner, Architect; and for this purpose that the town raise and appropriate the sum of thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000), thirteen thous- and dollars ($13,000) of which shall be used for the purchase of the property and twenty-two thousand dollars ($22,000) shall be used for the remodelling of the same. Of this sum, thirty-five hundred dollars ($3,500) shall be included in the tax levy of the year 1935 and the remainder shall be raised by the issue of bonds or notes of the town, and the Treas- urer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized and empowered to issue bonds or notes of the town therefor in the sum not to exceed thirty-one thousand five hundred dollars ($31,500) payable in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 of Chapter 17 of the Acts of 1932
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in such manner that the whole loan shall be paid off in not more than ten years from the date of the first bond or note, or at such earlier date as the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, shall determine. The Selectmen are directed to request assistance from the Federal Government through the E.R.A. or any substitute or public works pro- gram, and any grant of money received from the Federal Government shall be applied to the cost of the project, the loan to be reduced by the sum so received and applied or to the payment of the loan herein authorized. For the purpose of carrying out the intent of this article, a Building Committee of five shall be appointed by the Moderator with full power to remodel the building within the sum herein appropriated.
The vote was :-- Yes 199 No 1
Article 3: To see if the town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to lease to the County of Plymouth for the use of the Fourth District Court of Plymouth such portion of the premises, as are provided for under Article 2 as they may see fit, upon such terms and conditions as they may agree upon, for a term of twenty (20) years in accordance with the provisions of Section 2, Chapter 17, Acts of 1932.
Voted: that the town authorize the Selectmen to lease to the County of Plymouth for the use of the Fourth Dis- trict Court of Plymouth such portion of the premises, as are provided for under Article 2, as they may see fit, upon terms and conditions as they may agree upon, for a term of twenty (20) years, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2, Chapter 17, Acts of 1932.
Article 4: To see if the town will vote to transfer thirty- five hundred ($3500.00) Dollars from the surplus account of the Gas & Electric Department, for the use of the Board of Assessors for the reduction of tax levy for 1935, and act thereon.
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Voted: that the town transfer thirty five hundred ($3,500) Dollars from the surplus in the Operating account of the Gas & Electric Department, for the use of the Board of Assessors for the reduction of the tax levy for 1935.
Recall Petition Middleboro, Mass., Aug. 13, 1935
I, Joseph A. Picone, a qualified voter of Middleboro in the County of Plymouth, Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts, say that I desire the removal of Lewis F. Harding, Selectman of Middleboro; that the grounds of removal are incompetency.
Joseph A. Picone Middleboro, Mass., Aug. 13, 1935
Subscribed and sworn to on the above named date, before me, 1
ELMER G. ALLAN Notary Public
My commission expires January 10, 1941
A true copy; Attest: Waldo S. Thomas Town Clerk
Record of Special Town Meeting September 3, 1935
Article 1: To hear the report of the Committee ap- pointed at the Special Town Meeting held April 8, 1935, to remodel the P. H. Peirce Grocery Store into a Police Station, quarters for the Fourth District Court of Plymouth and Comfort Stations for men and women, and act thereon.
Mr. Harding made a short report exaplaining reason for calling this meeting.
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Article 2: To see if the town will vote to amend the vote passed under Article 2 of the warrant for the special town meeting held on April 8, 1935 striking out "$35,000" and substituting therefor "$32,000" and by striking out "$22,000" and substituting therefor "$19,000" and by strik- ing out "$31,500" and substituting therefor "$28,500" and by striking out the words "the loan to be reduced by the sum so received and applied" so as to read as follows:
Voted: that the town purchase the lands and buildings located on North Main St. known as the P. H. Peirce Grocery Store property, from the trustees under the will of Thomas S. Peirce, and that the said grocery store be remodelled into quarters for a police station, fourth district court of Plymouth, and for public comfort stations for men and women, in substantial accordance with plans and speci- fications prepared by Hal. B. Sumner, Architect; and for this purpose that the town raise and appropriate the sum of thirty two thousand dollars ($32,000), thirteen thousand dollars ($13,000) of which shall be used for the purchase of the property and nineteen thousand dollars ($19,000) shall be used for the remodeling of the same. Of this sum, thirty- five hundred dollars ($3500) shall be included in the tax levy of the year 1935 and the remainder shall be raised by the issue of bonds or notes of the town, and the treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is author- ized and empowered to issue bonds or notes of the town therefor in the sum not to exceed twenty-eight thousand five hundred dollars ($28,500) payable in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 of Chapter 17 of the Acts of 1932, in such manner that the whole loan shall be paid off in not more than ten years from the date of the first bond or note, or at such earlier date as the treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen, shall determine. The selectmen are directed to request assistance from the Federal Government through the E.R.A. or any substitute of public works pro- gram, and any grant of money received from the Federal
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