USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1952 > Part 2
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For the purpose of enabling the Committee to perform its duties, all Boards, Committees and Officers of the Town shall, on or before the 20th day of January of each year, submit to the Committee in writing a detailed estimate of the appropriations required for the efficient and proper conduct of the departments under their charge during the ensuing fiscal year and of all items of income to be received by such departments during said year and shall at any time, furnish any other information relative thereto in their possession which may be requested in writing by the Committee.
The Committee is hereby authorized to incur such expenses as it may deem necessary, including the cost of the employment of experts and other assistants and the cost of printing its reports; provided, that such expenses shall not exceed, in the aggregate, the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars in any one year; unless a larger amount shall be approp- riated for the purpose by the Town; and expenses so incurred shall be paid by the Town on requisition by the Committee.
Nothing herein shall be construed as limiting the power of the Town to impose additional duties on the Committee, in accordance with section sixteen of Chapter Thirty-nine of the General Laws.
Section 11 .- Amend so it shall read as follows-
Section 11. The Board of Selectmen shall annually, at their first meeting after organization, appoint a Board of three Assessors who shall be chosen for their training, experience and ability in the require- ments of this office. At the time of their appointment they shall have been residents of the Town of Middleborough for at least five years and shall continue as residents during their terms of office.
Nothing in this section shall be deemed to terminate the term of office to which an Assessor may have been previously elected, but upon the expiration of the term for which he was elected, there shall be no further election.
Section 14 .- Amend so it shall read as follows-
Section 14. (a) The Town Manager shall appoint a Chief of Police and shall fix his compensation. He need not be a resident of this town or Commonwealth when appointed, but shall be during his term of office.
(b) The Chief of Police shall appoint such other police officers as may be deemed necessary and shall fix their compensation, such com- pensation, in no case, to be in excess of the'amount appropriated therefor by the Town.
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(c) The tenure of office of the Chief shall, after he has served five continuous years, continue during good behavior, as long as he is able to perform the duties of his office; and he shall not be removed except after hearing by the Selectmen on written charges, a copy of which shall be furnished him prior to the hearing.
(d) The Chief of Police shall be in immediate control of all town property used by the department, and of the police officers who shall obey his orders.
(e) The Chief and other police officers shall suppress and prevent disturbances and disorder. During the night they may examine all per- sons abroad whom they have reason to suspect of unlawful design, and may demand of them their business abroad and whither they are going; may disperse any assembly of three of more persons, and may enter any building to suppress a riot or breach of peace therein. Persons so suspect- ed who do not give satisfactory account of themselves, persons so assembled who do not disperse when so ordered, and persons making, aid- ing or abetting a riot or disturbance, may be arrested by the police, and may thereafter safely be kept by imprisonment or otherwise, unless re- leased in the manner provided by law, and taken before a police, district or municipal court or trial justice for examination or prosecution. They shall have all the powers and duties of constables except those of serving and executing civil process.
(f) The Selectmen may make suitable regulations governing the organization of the police department and the officers thereof.
Section 16 .- Amend so it shall read as follows-
Section 16. The Chief of the Fire Department shall be appointed by the Town Manager and shall receive such salary as the Town Man- ager may from time to time determine, not exceeding the amount annual- ly appropriated therefor. He may be removed at any time after a hearing to be held by the Board of Selectmen. He shall have charge of extinguish- ing fires in the Town and the protection of life and property in case of fire. He shall keep in repair all property and apparatus used for and by the Fire Department. He shall have and exercise all the powers and rights and be subject to all the duties and liabilities conferred or imposed by law upon engineers in Towns, except as herein provided, and shall appoint a Deputy Chief and such officers and firemen as he may think necessary, and may remove the same at any time for cause and after a hearing. He shall have full and absolute authority in the administration of the department, shall make all rules and regulations for its operation shall report to the Town Manager from time to time as he may require, and shall annually report to the Town the condition of the Department with his recommendations thereon. He shall fix the compensation of the permanent and call members of the Fire Department, subject to the approval of the Town Manager. In the expenditure of money, the Chief shall be subject to such further limitations as the Town may from time.to time prescribe.
Section 18 .- Amend so it shall read as follows
Section 18. The Board of Selectmen shall appoint a Town Manager who shall hold office at the will of the Selectmen. He shall be a person especially fitted by education, training, and experience, to perform the
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duties of the office. The Town Manager shall be appointed without regard to his political beliefs. He need not be a resident of the Town or of this Commonwealth when appointed, but shall be a resident of the Town dur- ing his term of office. Before entering upon the duties of his office the Town Manager shall be sworn to the faithful and impartial performance thereof by the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, or by the Town Clerk, or by a Justice of the Peace. He shall execute a bond in favor of the Town for the faithful performance of his duties in such sum and with such surety, or sureties as may be fixed or approved by the Selectmen.
The Town Manager shall be the administrative head of all depart- ments of the Town government, the conduct of which is by the General Laws and by this act placed upon the Selectmen of the Town except as provided in this act. He shall be responsible for the efficient administra- tion of all departments within the scope of his duties. He shall present to the Board of Selectmen all matters requiring their action, unless otherwise provided by law.
Section 19 .- Amend so it shall read as follows-
Section 19. The duties and powers of the Town Manager shall in- clude the following: (a) To organize, continue or discontinue such divi- sions or departments from time to time as may be determined by vote of the Selectmen not inconsistent with the provisions of this act.
(b) To appoint upon merit and fitness alone and, except as otherwise provided herein, to remove all Superintendents or Chiefs of Departments and all subordinate officers and employees in such departments, and to fix all salaries and wages of all subordinates and employees subject to law. The Superintendents or Chiefs of departments shall not be removed by the Town Manager, except on five days notice in writing which shall state the cause of such removal.
(c) To exercise control of all departments or divisions made sub- ject to his supervision.
(d) To attend all regular meetings of the Selectmen, and to recom- mend to the Selectmen for adoption such measures requiring action by them or by the Town as he may deem necessary and expedient.
(e) To keep full and complete records of his office and to render as often as may be required by the Selectmen a full report of all operations during the period reported on: and annually or oftener if required by the Selectmen, to make a synopsis of all the reports for publication.
(f) To keep the Selectmen fully advised as to the needs of the Town within the scope of his duties, and to furnish to the Finance Com- mittee and to the Selectmen, on or before the twentieth day of January of each year, a detailed list, in writing, of the appropriations required during the next ensuing fiscal year for the proper conduct of all depart- ments of the Town under his control.
(g) To keep in repair all the Town buildings.
(h) To purchase all supplies and materials for all departments of the Town except books for schools.
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(i) To administer the health regulations of the Town as required by the by-laws, or by the Selectmen, in addition to those provided by statute, either directly or through a person appointed by him, to be designated as the Health Officer, and under the supervision of the Select- men exercising the powers of a Board of Health.
(j) To perform such other duties, consistent with his office, as may be required of him by the by-laws of the Town or by vote of the Select- men.
A new section to be added to be known as Section 37.
Section 37. The Town Manager shall appoint a Planning Board of five members whose duty it shall be to confer with and advise the Town Manager upon matters of civic interest.
When such Board is first established, its members shall be appointed for terms of such length and so arranged that the term of one member will expire each year and his successor shall be appointed by the Town Manager for a term of five years. Any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term by the Town Manager. Upon the appointment and quali- fication of the members of the Planning Board the term of office of the then existing Planning Board shall terminate.
A new section to be added to be known as Section 38.
Section 38. At each annual town meeting the town shall elect by ballot a town officer to be known as the Moderator. It shall be his duty to preside at all meetings of the Town and to act otherwise in conform- ance with the General Laws.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM J. MacDOUGALL, MANUEL J. SILVA, L. FRANCIS CALLAN, JR., CHARLES V. GIBERTI, ROBERT L. CUSHING, LEWIS F. HARDING, Chairman
It was voted that the report be considered at some subsequent meet- ing and that it be taken up article by article.
Joseph Kunces for the committee appointed to study the west side playground project presented the following report:
Report West Side Playground Study
More recreational facilities and services are needed today than ever before, due to the continued growth and urbanization of the population, increase in the amount of leisure time, improved transportation, higher standards of living, and greater recognition of the values of recreation. Middleboro is in no way exempt from these comments.
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Community recreation in Middleboro is essentially a twentieth cen- tury development. Before the development of the present central play- ground, opportunities for the enjoyment of leisure time were many and varied, but they consisted primarily of commercial amusements, spectator sports, and informal activities. The ways in which people spent their free time was not considered a matter of importance or of public con- cern. Except of the acquisition and development of the central play- ground, Middleboro has paid little attention to providing for future rec- reational facilities.
Such provisions, however, must be made. Decentralization of these facilities should be the keynote of such planning. An adult can readily move to any area in which he will satisfy his desires. On the other hand, the world of the child revolves around his family and his neighborhood. It is at these two points in particular that the play opportunities of the child need to be fostered and protected. The neighborhood playground is one of the foundations of the child's play. Here under trained leaders, the child acquires the feeling of security and individual worth essential to growing up.
The growth of the population in the westerly section of town can best be shown by the enrollment at the West Side School which includes grades one through four.
Table No. 1. Grade IV 25 30
III -
II - 34 I - 32
The significance of these figures does not lie in the totals, but in the steady increase in numbers per grade. In addition, such an area as the westerly section of the town is conducive to more building because of its existing advantages of water, gas and electricity and its nearness to downtown Middleborough.
The factor of safety must not be neglected in the study of future playground sites. The committee appointed to study the possible need of a West Side Playground finds that the westerly section of the town is bounded by Route 28 and bisected by Center Street, a main approach to the town. Consequently, safety becomes a most essential factor in select- ing a play area. Young children, therefore, find conditions hazardous in walking to the central playground. Their only other recourse to play must center in the side streets. Any citizen riding such streets as West, Vine or Lovell will find the roads actively alive with youngsters at play.
Augmenting the outline safety factors, the National Pedestrian Pro- tection Contest for 1950 has this to say regarding safety and play- grounds in Middleborough. "The number of playgrounds kept open during the summer did not meet the standards set by leading cities, which kept at least six open on a per 10,000 population basis. Middleborough had 1.0 playgrounds per 10,000 population. For the number of playgrounds super- vised at least twenty hours weekly, Middleborough, with 1.0 such play- ground per 10,000 population, earned partial credit. Top 'credit went to cities with more than five such playgrounds per 10,000 population."
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Last March, the townspeople authorized the Moderator to appoint a committee of five members to study the need for a playground in the westerly section of the town and to recommend a site which would best fill this need. This committee, after a very careful study, finds that there is a very definite need of a playground for the people of the West Side and makes the following recommendations:
1. That the townspeople vote to accept the gift of the West Side Neighborhood Association, Inc. of approximately 10 acres of land as described in Article 12 of the town warrant. The committee considers this land to be ideal because of its size, its closeness to the West Side School, its central location, its freedom from traffic hazards, its future as regards physical expansion, and its possibilities of continued usage in that it is surrounded by undeveloped houselots.
2. That the townspeople vote to extend and expand the powers of the committee for another year so that they may perform the following functions :
A. The preparation of a topographical survey of this site and thereby incorporate sound planning conditions.
B. The preparation of a plot-plan and scaled model showing the lay-out and recreational features of the playground and thereby make it meaningful to all the citizens of the town.
C. The presentation of plans as to the methods, estimated costs, and means of financing the playground construction.
3. That the townspeople authorize the committee to expend a sum not to exceed $750.00 that it may perform the above duties.
Respectfully submitted,
Joseph C. Kunces, Chairman Arthur D. Benson Frederick Lobl Stephen C. Stanley Michael J. Teceno
West Side Playground Study Committee
It was voted that this report be accepted and that the recommenda- tions be complied with.
Article 4: Voted that a committee of five be chosen by the Moderator to study the union health department laws chapter 662 of the acts of 1949 of the General Laws, and to study the feasibility of Middleboro joining with nearby towns in a union health department and to report at the next annual town meeting.
Committee appointed by Moderator under article 4 :-
Paul T. Anderson Bertram N. Cameron Madeleine Crossley
Sterling A. McLean M.D.
Ila P. Jackson
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Article 4: The following motion was presented to the meeting :- To see if the town will vote to authorize a committee of five namely Arthur Saccocia, James J. Mahoney, C. P. Washburn, James Brennan, and Ralph E. Nourse to further study the school housing problem and prepare preliminary plans and sketches and report at the next annual or special town meeting. This motion was lost.
As an amendment to the motion it was voted that the present com- mittee on school needs or school building be discharged and that the Moderator appoint a committee of fifteen, membership of which shall be as nearly as possible representative of all sections of this town and which shall consider means of relieving any crowded conditions we may have now or expect to have in our schools during the next five or ten years, by additions to our present High School and other existing school buildings and report their recommendation at an adjournment of this meeting or at a special meeting called for that or other purpose within two months.
Committee appointed by the Moderator under article 4 :-
Clifton McCrillis
Darragh Harlow
Charles P. Washburn Leila Allan
N. Dorrance Ryder
Harold Donner
Doris Weaver
Rhodolphus P. Alger
Lawrence Wilbur Alton Kramer Joseph Riley
Wilmoth Waterman
William A. Reynolds
Article 5: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the use of the Plymouth County Trustees for County Aid to Agri- culture, a sum not exceeding two hundred dollars, and choose a Town Director for one year, as provided in Section 41 and 45 of Chapter 128 of the General Laws, or take any action relative thereto.
Voted to raise and appropriate for the use of the Ply- mouth County Trustees, for County Aid to Agriculture, the sum of $200 and choose a Town director, namely Harold C. Gates for one year, as provided in Section 41 and 45 of Chapter 128 of the General Laws. Finance committee recommends favorable action and the sum of $200.
Article 6: To see if the Town will vote that the income from sales of gas and electricity to private consumers and for gas and electricity supplied to municipal buildings and for municipal power and street lights, be appropriated for the Municipal Light Department under the direction and control of the Board of Selectmen for the expense of the Plant for said fiscal year, as defined in section 57, of Chapter 164 of Gen- eral Laws, and act thereon.
Voted to adopt. Voted as an amendment to this motion that the sum of five thousand dollars be transferred from Gas & Electric Fund to the General Revenue Account.
Article 7: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of three thousand dollars to meet the Town's share of the cost of Chapter 90 Highway Maintenance, and that in addition, the sum of six
1
Kenneth Keedwell
Ruth McCrillis
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thousand dollars be transferred from unappropriated available funds in the treasury to meet the State's and County's shares of the cost of the work, the reimbursements from the State and County to be restored upon their receipt, to unappropriated available funds in the treasury, and act thereon.
Voted to adopt.
Article 8: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of five thousand dollars to meet the Town's share of the cost of Chapter 90 Highway Construction, and that in addition, the sum of Fifteen thousand dollars be transferred from unappropriated available funds in the treasury to meet the State's and County's shares of the cost of this work, the reimbursements from the State and County to be re- stored, upon their receipt, to unappropriated available funds in the treasury and act thereon.
Voted to adopt.
Article 9: To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of three thousand thirty-five dollars and fifty-five cents from the Road Machin- ery Fund to the Road Machinery Account, and act thereon.
Voted to adopt.
Article 10: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of two thousand one hundred ninety dollars for the purpose of re- pairing Road Machinery, and act thereon.
Voted to adopt.
Article 11: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars for the celebration of the 4th of July, and act thereon.
Voted to adopt.
Article 12: To see if the Town will vote to accept the gift of about 10.4 acres of land on the East side of West End Avenue from the West Side Neighborhood Associates, Inc., for a public park and playground. Said premises are described in the deed of Hattie B. LeBaron to the Association dated October 23, 1923, and recorded with Plymouth County Registry of Deeds, Book 1456, Page 112, and to appropriate a sum not exceeding $750.00 for its improvement, and act anything thereon.
Voted to adopt.
Article 13: To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to sell at private sale for such price and upon such terms and conditions as the Selectmen may deem best, a certain parcel of land on the Easterly side of Bedford Street containing about 1/4 of an acre conveyed to the Town by deed of Albert F. Reed, dated January 23, 1880 and recorded with Plymouth County Registry of Deeds, Book 503, Page 229, and act anything thereon. (By Request).
Voted to adopt.
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Article 14: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of two thousand seven hundred dollars for the purpose of replacing the present heating system at the West Side School with a single oil- fired forced hot air heater and ducts, and act anything thereon. .
Voted to adopt.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING January 28, 1952
Article 1: To hear the report of any Committee or Committees or Officers of the Town, to appoint any Committee, and take any action relative thereto.
Report of the School Building Committee
To the Voters of Middleborough:
At the Annual Town Meeting of 1951, a School Housing Committee of twenty-one members was voted and subsequently appointed by the Town Moderator. This committee met and studied the school housing needs of the town and recommended to a Special Town Meeting held in June, 1951 that the best solution to the problem of satisfying the edu- cational needs of the community and eliminating the crowded conditions in our schools was the construction of additional classrooms and a new Senior High School to be built adjacent to the present school.
A School Building Committee of five members was appointed to construct and furnish additional classrooms and engage the services of an architect to prepare preliminary plans and sketches of the new high school. The new building committee was voted a sum of $25,000 for the additional classrooms. One room was added to the Rock School and a complete five-room building was constructed near the present High School to serve as temporary classrooms to eliminate the two-platoon system. Your committee, in building this addition, was looking to the future as this building will be converted to a Manual Arts shop when the proposed high school is built, thereby saving the town the cost of a shop. This building has since been named the "Washburn Unit" by the School Committee. During this time, the building committee inter- viewed nine architectural firms and selected the firm of Harry J. Kors- lund, of Norwood, Massachusetts and Leo T. Doherty was selected as Educational Consultant. After numerous studies were made, the present plan was agreed upon as the most practical and economical solution to our School Housing problem.
The location and convenience of the athletic grounds would be too expensive to duplicate on another site. The cafeteria, auditorium, and shops were located next to the present high school to satisfactorily serve both buildings. These major units are so located to lend themselves to community use without interruption of normal educational routines.
These plans have been approved by the Massachusetts School Build- ing Assistance Commission and a 50% grant for construction, furnish- ings, architect's and consultant's fees, and site development have been assured.
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The Committee has attempted to inform the citizens of their plans and progress through the media of "open forums." You have had four committees working on the solution of this problem since 1945 at an expenditure of $26,500 of Town and Federal funds.
Therefore, your committee feels that the time has come for favor- able action on this problem as "stop-gap" measures are always in- adequate and expensive.
Signed: Arthur A. Saccocia, Chairman Ralph E. Nourse James A. Brennan C. P. Washburn James M. Mahoney
At the request of Mr. Saccocia it was voted to grant Mr. Doherty, consultant engineer, the privilege of the floor. The motion was made that the committee's report be accepted and that the committee be dis- charged. The amendment to the motion was that the committee be not discharged. The amendment was carried therefore, the vote stands that the report of the committee be accepted.
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