USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1954 > Part 2
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ANNUAL REPORT
Voted to raise and appropriate the sum of $4,000.00 to meet the Town's share of the cost of Chapter 90 Highway Maintenance, and that in addition, the sum of eight 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 restored, upon their receipt, to unappropriated funds in the treasury.
Finance Committee approves.
Article 11: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand and 00/100 ($5,000.00) Dollars to meet the Town's share of the cost of Chapter 90 Highway Construction, and that in addition, the sum of Fifteen Thousand ($15,000.00) Dollars be trans- ferred from unappropriated available funds in the treasury to meet the State's and County's shares in the cost of this work, the reimbursements from the State and County to be restored upon their receipts to unappro- priated available funds in the treasury, and act thereon.
Voted 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 in the cost of this work, the reimbursements from the State and County to be restored upon their receipt to unappropriated available funds in the treasury.
Finance Committee approves.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of One Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety-Seven and 67/100 ($1,897.67) Dol- lars from the Road Machinery fund to the Road Machinery account, and act thereon.
Voted to transfer the sum of $1,897.67 from the Road Machinery Fund to the Road Machinery account.
Finance Committee approves.
Article 13: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Thousand Seven Hundred and 00/100 ($3,700.00) Dol- lars for the purpose of repairing Road Machinery, and act thereon.
Voted to raise and appropriate the sum of three thousand seven hundred dollars for the purpose of repairing Road Machinery.
Finance Committee approves.
Article 14: To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Chapter 624 of Acts of 1952 providing for an increase of one hundred ($100.00) Dollars in the annual amounts of certain pensions of Town Employees separated from the service by retirement prior to April 1, 1951, and at the time of such separation from service had at least fifteen years creditable service and fifty-five years of age, and act thereon. (By request).
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ANNUAL REPORT
Voted to accept the provisions of Chapter 624 of Acts of 1952 pro- viding for an increase of one hundred dollars ($100.00) in the annual amounts of certain pensions of Town Employees separated from the service by retirement prior to April 1, 1951, and at the time of such separation from service had at least fifteen years creditable service and fifty-five years of age.
Finance Committee approves.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Six Hundred Fifty and 00/100 ($650.00) Dollars for the celebration of the 4th of July, and act thereon.
Voted to raise and appropriate the sum of six hundred and fifty dollars for the celebration of the Fourth of July.
Finance Committee approves.
Article 16: To see if the Town will vote to accept provisions of Chapter 488 of the Acts of 1952 amending General Laws, Chapter 41, which provides for an annual vacation of three weeks without loss of pay, for Town Employees having five years but less than ten years of con- tinuous service, and four weeks vacation without loss of pay for Town Employees having ten years or more of continuous service, and act thereon. (By request).
No action.
Article 17: To see if the Town will vote to extend the water main and install hydrants and valves from the present terminus on Taunton Street, thence westerly to the intersection of West Grove Street, and thence northerly for the remaining distance on West Grove Street, (also known as Route 28) to a point opposite the Red Coach Grille at the Rotary Traffic Circle, a distance of approximately 1.4 miles, and to raise and appropriate a sum of money or issue bonds for same, and act any- thing thereon. (By request).
Voted to give Arthur Johanson the privilege of the floor. Mr. Johan- sen, Manager of Red Coach Grille spoke in favor of this Article, citing the need of water along this section.
Voted to extend the water main and install hydrants and valves from the present terminus on Taunton Street, thence westerly to the intersection of West Grove Street and thence Northerly for the remain- ing distance on West Grove Street, (also known as route 28) to a point opposite the Red Coach Grille at the Rotary Traffic Circle, a distance of approximately 1.4 miles and to raise and appropriate for this purpose the sum of $37,000.00, and to meet this appropriation the sum of $3,000 be raised by taxation and the Treasurer, with the approval of the Select- men, be and hereby is authorized to borrow $34,000.00 and issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor, payable in not more than five years in ac- cordance with the provisions of Chapter 44 of the General Laws.
Finance Committee recommends no action.
This vote was - Yes 171 No 8.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Moderator to appoint a committee of five property owners in the Town of Middle- boro to make a study and report on the possibility of merging the Police and Fire Departments as a measure of economy in the Town's budget without experiencing any efficiency loss, as has been done successfully in several other communities in the United States, the committee to serve without compensation, and act thereon. (By request).
No action.
Article 19: To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public way the extension of West End Avenue, as laid out by the Selectmen, for a distance of about six hundred forty (640) feet beyond its present ter- minus, and to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of improving the same, and act thereon.
Voted to accept the extension of West End Avenue as laid out by the Selectmen as a public way, said extension being bounded and described as follows:
Beginning at a point in the Westerly side line of West End Avenue, which point is also the Southerly corner of the West Side School House Lot; thence Southerly in a continuation of the present Westerly line of said West End Avenue, 40 feet; across a proposed way known as Vincent Avenue; thence continuing in a same course in line of land of John Maleski, 150 feet; thence continuing in the same course in line of land now or formerly of Frederick Griswold, 150 feet to a proposed way known as Mortimer Avenue; thence con- tinuing in the same course across the said Mortimer Avenue, 40 feet; thence still continuing in the same course in line of land now or formerly of the heirs of D. D. Sullivan, 260 feet to a stake for a corner; thence turning and running at right angles to the course first mentioned, 40 feet to a point; thence turning and running Northerly in a line parallel with and every where 40 feet distant from the described Westerly line, 640 feet, more or less to the point marking the Southerly end of the Easterly line of West End Avenue as now laid out; thence turning and running Westerly 40 feet, more or less, to the point of beginning.
and to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,200 dollars for the purpose of improving the same.
Finance Committee approves.
Article 20: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money, by transfer from free cash in the treasury or otherwise, to be used for the construction of a dam across the Nemasket River, at Star Mill so called, at the site of the present dam, and act thereon.
A motion was made and seconded to raise and appropriate the sum of $12,500 by transfer from Free Cash in the Treasury to be used in conjunction of a like sum from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the construction of a dam across the Nemasket River, at the Star Mill so called, at the site of the present dam.
This motion was lost.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Article 21: To see if the Town will vote to rescind the balance of Twenty-one Thousand and 00/100 ($21,000.00) Dollars remaining of the loan authorized for Water Extension in 1947 and never issued.
Voted to rescind the authority to borrow the balance of twenty-one thousand dollars remaining of the loan authorized for water extension in 1947 and never used.
Article 22: To see if the Town will vote to transfer the balance of Ninety-six ($.96) cents, remaining in the account for Water Ex- tension on South Main and Carpenter Streets, to the Excess and De- ficiency Account.
Voted to transfer the balance of ninety-six cents remaining in the account for water extension on South Main and Carpenter Streets to the Excess and Deficiency Account.
Article 23: To see if the Town will assume the liability in the manner provided by Section 29 of Chapter 91 of the General Laws, as amended by Chapters 516 and 524, Acts of 1950, 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 tidal and non-tidal rivers and streams, harbors, tide- waters, foreshores and shores along a public beach outside of Boston Harbor, including the Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers, in accordance with Section II of Chapter 91 of the General Laws, and authorize the Selectmen to execute and deliver a bond of indemnity therefore to the Commonwealth, and act thereon.
No action.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING April 26, 1954
Article 1: To hear the report of any committees or officers of the Town, to appoint any committee, to appropriate any money for the use of such committee or take any action relative thereto. (By request).
Francis Sylvia read the following report:
To the Voters of Middleborough:
At the annual town meeting on March 9, 1953 this committee was created and instructed by that town meeting to "further study school housing and to bring in plans and specifications for a new school building on North Main Street, and also plans and specifications for a new school building in any other location".
The committee organized with Francis J. Sylvia as chairman and Trafton Mendall as secretary. We then set out to accomplish our assigned task by first requesting and receiving from the School Com- mittee a comprehensive report by them of the housing, curriculum and
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ANNUAL REPORT
special facility needs of our school system. That report was published in all the local newspapers and was used by us as the basis of our planning thereafter. That report made several specific conclusions which we repeat here so that you may have them in mind while you consider the recommendations which we shall make later in this report.
They are: 1. "Any building program should contemplate providing for 52 elementary classrooms by 1960. (We presently have 42 elementary classrooms, 9 of which do not meet the standards of the Department of Public Safety.)"
2. "Any building program should contemplate providing Junior High School facilities for shop and home making courses a physical education program, a cafeteria, and housing to accommodate 680 pupils by 1064 on a three year plan."
3. Any building program should contemplate providing High School facilities for industrial arts and home making courses, an enlarged gym- nasium and cafeteria, and housing to accommodate 660 pupils by 1964 on a three year plan."
We might add here that the school enrollment projection made by the School Committee was verified by a projection made independently by the Massachusetts School Building Assistance Commission. (Mr. Mar- shall's office).
It was suggested that a regional school with such Towns as Lake- ville and Carver might be the answer to our problem. But after a meeting with a representative of the Regional School Planning Board and school officials of several surrounding towns, we rejected the idea of a regional school for the following reasons:
1. The procedural difficulties and time required to organize such a regional school seem to be a prohibitive obstacle to meeting our needs.
2. Control of such a school is divided amongst the participating towns, so that even though Middleborough would have by far more number of pupils in such a school, its vote would have to be shared with that of the other participating towns having far less pupils enrolled.
3. The location of such a school would have to be geographically situated to accommodate all the participating towns rather than ours alone.
4. A regional school does not seem to us to be financially advantag- eous to Middleborough and could quite conceivably be financially more expensive than a new school wholly our own both as to its construction and operation. Because the town has already spent a considerable amount of money for plans for a new high school on North Main Street, we seriously discussed the value of again presenting those plans for your consideration. But since the town's people so over-whelmingly turned them down, we felt that we should seek to present to you some different suggestions for solving our school problem. We do report to you, how- ever, that those plans are still available should you desire to adopt either one of them.
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ANNUAL REPORT
We do not intend to give you the impression that any of the plans which we now offer to you will end our need for new schools indefinitely, for if our population continues to grow we shall undoubtedly need more building at a future time. But we do believe that one of the following suggestions, if adopted, will meet our school needs as outlined by the School Committee at least until 1964.
Although we had no money with which to secure detailed plans and specifications, we were fortunate in securing the services and advice of several architects. The costs outlined in the following plans are, there- fore, reputable architect's estimates based on present building costs and comparisons with similar types of school buildings presently under con- struction.
PLAN A
This plan proposes the following things:
1. Construction of a 20 room Junior High School with shop facilities a cafeteria and combination gym-auditorium on a site off of Mayflower Avenue.
2. Construction of a separate all brick building beside the present High School to house a gym, cafeteria and home economics class rooms.
3. Conversion of the Washburn Unit into a shop.
Location This plan contemplates the taking of the Cornish prop- erty on North Main Street and 30 acre tract of undeveloped land off of Mayflower Avenue.
Estimated Cost for this plan including constructing, architects fees, original equipment, landscaping and land damages $1,020,000.00.
Effect on the Tax Rate The cost of this plan will raise the tax rate approximately $4.10 the first year and in gradually decreasing amounts to approximately $2.40 the twentieth year.
PLAN B.
This plan proposes the following things:
1. Construction of a 21 room Senior High School with a cafeteria and combination gym-auditorium on a site adjoining the present High School and in the rear of the homes along North Main Street.
2. Conversion of the Washburn Unit into a shop.
Location This plan contemplates the taking of the Cornish Prop- erty and land in the rear of the homes on North Main Street.
Estimated Cost of this plan including construction, architects fees, original equipment, landscaping and land damages, $962,000.00.
Effect on Tax Rate The cost of this plan will raise the tax rate approximately $3.85 the first year and in generally decreasing amounts to approximately $2.25 the twentieth year.
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ANNUAL REPORT
PLAN C
This plan proposes the following things:
1. Construction of a separate all brick building beside the present High School to house a gym, cafeteria and home economic class rooms.
2. Construction of a 20 room Junior High School, without a gym or cafeteria on a site in the rear of the homes along North Main Street con- nected by enclosed corridors to the first building mentioned.
3. Conversion of the Washburn Unit into a shop.
Location This plan contemplates the taking of the Cornish Prop- erty and the land in the rear of the homes on North Main Street.
Estimated Cost of this plan including construction, architects fees, original equipment, landscaping and land damages, $838,000.00.
Effect on the Tax Rate The cost of this plan will raise the tax rate approximately $3.40 the first year and in gradually decreasing amounts to approximately $2.00 the twentieth year.
ALL PLANS
Except as indicated, each one of these plans and the cost estimates are for buildings of standard construction using cinder blocks with brick facing and include such necessary incidental rooms as toilets, office, jan- itor's room and storage space.
Without funds it was impossible for us to procure detailed plans and specifications for any of these proposals and Mr. Marshall's office will not determine the exact amount of state aid that will be granted until such time as detailed architect's drawings are presented to him. However, based on the types of plans presented and the experience of previous committees, we believe we can reasonably anticipate state contributions of 50% for any of these proposed plans.
As a committee, we believe that the size, type, location, and cost of a building are the important consideration at this stage of our planning rather than its final outward appearance or detailed floor plan, for all of us will never completely agree what a new school should or shouldn't look like. With this thought in mind and considering the urgency of our need, we are prepared to recommend to you the adoption of one of these plans with the full confidence that any committee charged with the duty to construct a new school would see to it that the architect designed a building which would be structurally sound, functional, attractive and one for which we could be justly proud.
This committee has thought, talked, studied and argued about school building problems at great length with the result that we unanimously favor Plan A as being the most satisfactory. We have now asked for this special town meeting so that you may express your thoughts and can ask any questions which you may have in mind.
We do feel that some definite action should now be taken on school building and for that reason have provided in the warrant the articles
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ANNUAL REPORT
to accomplish such actions as you may desire to take. Article 2 allows the voters to indicate which plan, if any, they prefer without that action being final, and article 3 makes it possible for the voters to adopt any- one of the plans, appoint a committee and appropriate the necessary funds to carry it out.
Likewise, we believe that if any definite action is taken the Town's people ought to have the opportunity to vote by secret ballot if they so desire and for that reason we have provided for ballots to be dis- tributed to you as you entered the meeting.
We have done our best to do the job which you assigned to us and now respectfully ask that this report might be accepted and the com- mittee discharged.
Respectfully submitted, School Building Planning Committee.
FRANCIS J. SYLVIA, Chairman C. TRAFTON MENDALL, Secretary PAUL T. ANDERSON
LORENZO WOOD CLIFTON A. McCRILLIS
HORACE K. ATKINS
RALPH W. MADDIGAN, JR.
JAMES J. MAHONEY CHARLES P. WASHBURN GEORGE A. SHURTLEFF, JR. KENNETH E. ATWOOD
WILLIAM J. MacDOUGALL RHODOLPHUS P. ALGER JOHN A. WASHBURN WALTER J. RUDZIAK
Voted that the report of the School Building Planning Committee be accepted and the Committee be discharged.
Article 2: To see if the sentiment of the Town is in favor of con- structing and originally furnishing and equipping a new school building or buildings in accordance with any of the plans outlined in the report of the School Building Planning Committee appointed March 9, 1953 or in accordance with any other plans. (By request).
Voted that the sentiment of the Town be in favor of the construc- tion and original furnishing and equipping of new school buildings in accordance with Plan A as outlined in the report of the School Building Planning Committee appointed March 9, 1953.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Article 3: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of acquiring by purchase or eminent domain land for a new school building or buildings and for the purpose of constructing and originally furnishing and equipping a new school build- ing or buildings, provide how the money shall be raised, whether by borrowing, by taxation, by transfer from available funds or otherwise, and take any action relative thereto. (By request).
Voted that the vote on the principal motion be taken by Yes and No ballots and that the Town Clerk, with such assistance as he may require, be directed to distribute such ballots for that purpose.
A motion was made to amend this motion as follows: that this meeting after deliberations, be adjourned to April 28th at the Town Hall, at which time article 3 be voted upon by use of the Australian ballot, and that the polls be kept open at the Town Hall from 12 noon to 8 p.m. for this purpose. This motion was lost.
Voted that the sum of $1,020,000.00 be appropriated for acquiring land for and constructing and originally equipping and furnishing new school buildings substantially in accord with Plan A as outlined by the School Building Planning Committee appointed March 9, 1953, and to meet said appropriation, that the sum of $3,000.00 be included in the tax levy for the year 1954 and that the Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen be hereby authorized to issue, not exceeding $1,017,000.00 bonds of the Town, $1,000,000.00 thereof under Chapter 237 of the acts of 1948 as amended by Chapter 374 of the Acts of 1950 and as further amended by Chapter 316 of the Acts of 1954 and $17,000.00 under Chapter 44 of the General Laws (Ter. Ed.).
That the Selectmen be hereby authorized to acquire by gift or purchase or take by eminent domain the following described land for school buildings, the cost thereof to be paid from the appropriation here- tofore made for that purpose:
Beginning at a bound in the easterly line of North Main Street marking the West corner of the present Middleborough High School lot and the North corner of the land of the estate of Alice H. Cornish, said corner bearing northeasterly and being distant one tenth of a foot from a drill hole in said corner bound; thence in line of said Town of Middleborough land South 39° 59' East 298.28 feet to the concrete bound marking the South corner of said Town of Middle- borough land and continuing same course by land of the estate of Thomas S. Peirce 51.78 to a corner bearing South 46° 49' 30" West 0.12 feet from a small drill hole in the Southwest end of a concrete parapet wall; thence still in line of land of said estate of Thomas S. Peirce South 43° 30' 30" West 141.0 feet to a corner; thence North 46° 29' 30" West to an old stone wall marking; the boundary between land of the said estate of Thomas S. Peirce and land of Alonzo D. Dealtry; thence along said old stone wall North 45° 43' East to a corner and land of the said estate of Alice H. Cornish; thence South 39° 59' East by said Cornish land 207.5 feet, more or less, to said Easterly side line of North Main Street; thence by said Easterly side line of North Main Street, Northeasterly 126.26 feet, more or less, to the point of beginning.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Beginning at a point on the Southwesterly side of Mayflower Avenue which point is also the Southeasterly corner of land of Dorothy H. Bonnar; thence Southwesterly by said Bonnar land 135 feet to a corner and land of Elmer Harlow et ux; thence turning and running Northwesterly by said Bonnar land 85 feet to corner which is also the southerly corner of land now or formerly of Frank J. Sheiderick; thence turning and running Southwesterly to a stone post set in the ground which marks the Easterly corner of land of Williams Lumber Co. of Middleboro, Inc .; thence by said Williams land South 49° 45' West 98 feet to a stone post for a corner; thence turning and running South 41° East to land of the estate of Thomas S. Peirce; thence turning and running Southwesterly by said Peirce estate land to the Easterly side line of East Grove street; thence Southeasterly by said Easterly side line of East Grove Street; thence North 42° 15' East 120 feet to a corner; thence South 52° 45' East to land of George H. Shaw Co; thence North 41° 15' East by said
Shaw Co. land to a corner; thence South 52° 30' East 434 feet to a corner; thence turning and running North 37° East to land of said Peirce estate; thence turning and running along said Peirce estate line Southeasterly to the Nemasket river; thence downstream by said Nemasket river to land of the Town of Middleborough; thence Northwesterly by said Town of Middleborough land to the point of beginning.
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