Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1948, Part 4

Author: Middleton (Mass.)
Publication date: 1949
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 136

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Twenty-one new trees were planted, two on Washington Street, one on Liberty Street, thirteen on Maple Street, and five on North Main Street. These trees were Norway, Upright and Schedler (Red) Maples. All were nursery grown.

Scouting was done in June for Dutch Elm disease by the United States Department of Agriculture. Eight samples were sent in for test but none proved to be Dutch Elm.3

Six feet was cut off of Christmas tree on library lawn and top was re-shaped.

In closing I wish to express my thanks to the members of the Board of Selectmen and members of all other departments for their cooperation during the past year.

Respectfully submitted, CLARENCE OSGOOD

MOTH DEPARTMENT REPORT

To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of the Town of Middleton.

I hereby submit my report for the Moth Department for the year 1948.

The underbrush and wild cherry on all streets in town were spray- ed early for Tent Caterpillar.

All the elm trees were sprayed twice and considerable spraying was done on private property where Elm Leaf Beetle infection was bad.

All areas were scouted for gypsy and brown-tail moths last fall. Some gypsy moths were found on Forest and Liberty Streets and Perkins Road. No brown-tail moths were found.

It is hoped to have money enough this year to spray trees in- fected with Fall Webb Worm which starts about the middle of August. This insect and the Elm Leaf Beetle are the worst pests in this area at the present time.

Respectfully submitted,

CLARENCE OSGOOD.

PLANNING BOARD'S REPORT

FIRST ANNUAL REPORT, PLANNING BOARD

Town of Middleton, Mass.

The Town Planning Board, authorized by vote of the Town on March 11, 1947, and elected at the annual Town Meeting of March 17, 1948, held its first meeting at the Town Hall, and organized for the ensuing year as follows:

Roger F. Clapp, Chairman

Alton W. Hubbard, Secretary

Eben L. Jewett

Harold I. Nash, Members Louis G. Wright

Meeting's were held with the School Committee, Town Clerk, Chief of the Fire Department, Chief of the Police Department, the Highway Surveyor, and a joint meeting with the representa- tives of the Finance Committee, Assessors and Town Treasurer.

At the department meetings, the needs of each particular department as to the adequacy of the present facilities and im- mediate and long range needs as to housing of each department were discussed. The meeting with the finance group was for the purpose of determining the financial condition of the Town. It was the unanimous opinion of the Board that the most pressing need of the Town, and one that immediate steps should be taken to meet was the making available of additional class room facilities in the Howe-Manning School not later than the opening of school in the fall of 1950. It was felt that this could best be done by converting the present assembly hall into two class rooms and continuing the corridor through the building. It was felt that serious consideration should be given in making provisions for a new assembly hall, by the addition of a suitable wing to the building, of which the lower (ground level) section should be built at the present time. At some later period when construction costs will probably be lower, the upper floor, or floors, could be added as the need for additional class room developed, and the assembly hall could then be moved to the second (street level floor) and the lower sections be used as an addition to the cafeteria.

It is recommended that the selectmen appoint a building com- mittee of seven members, consisting of a representative of the School Committee, the Planning Board, the Selectmen and four other qualified citizens of the town with authority to study this proposal. After consultation with such architectural and construc- tion firms as the committee deems necessary to determine costs,

PLANNING BOARD'S REPORT

etc., they shall submit to the town not later than September 30, 1949, a definite plan that will best meet the need of the Town within its financial ability. A sum of money to meet the expenses of this committee for such items as consultation fees, travel, plans, etc., should be made available.

The Planning Board discussed with the School Committee the present arrangement with Danvers for high school pupils. While it did not appear that any change would have to be made in the immediate future it was deemed imperative that further study should be given to the situation, and that the possibility of Middle- ton's participation in a regional high school with adjacent towns having a similar problem be investigated.

The Board after meeting with the Fire, Police and Highway departments, was of the opinion that the town will have to con- sider suitable quarters for all three departments within the next two years. It was felt that the present facilities, while far from adequate, could be made to serve at least through the coming year, but that further study should be made by the Planning Board how best to meet the present housing problems of these three departments, and that definite recommendation will be sub- mitted to the town at the annual meeting of 1950.

As a result of the difficulty which developed from the whole- sale removal of gravel from various parts of the town, and the questions of enforcibility of the present town by-laws, the Plan- ning Board has in consultation with; and the cooperation of the Town Counsel and the Selectmen, reviewed all the by-laws adopted heretofore by the town with the exception of the Building Laws adopted by the town, March 12, 1946, and which appear to be adequate. The proposed by-laws have been consolidated and sim- plified by omitting such matters as are covered specifically by State legislation. The Planning Board is presenting these to the town with recommendation for immediate adoption as a step in removing any questions as to the validity of the present by-laws.

This report was adopted at a special meeting of the Planning Board held January 26, 1949.

ALTON W. HUBBARD,

Secretary.

TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT

Year of Tax

Balance Jan. 1, 1948

1948 Commitment

Tax Collected

Interest Fees Collected Collected

Abate- ments

Balance Refunds Tax Titles Dec. 31, '48

REAL ESTATE

Tax Titles Disclaimed

35-47

$ 538 70

$ 34 13

$504 57

1947

$7,259 51

$ 7,212 87

$205 05

38 16

38*

8 86

1948

87,231 67 76,484 58

16 21

1,328 40

246 00

486 45 $8,932 24

EXCISE

1947

384 35

370 42

5 62

13 93

3 32

23*

1948

6,741 94

6,179 08

10 61

141 42

103 77

421 67

POLL

1947

68 00

58 00

$ 9 10

10 00

1948

1,466 00

1,302 00

36 40

128 00

2 00

36 00

PERSONAL PROPERTY

1947

151 02

2 65

1948

5,055 05

3,818 83

17 55

- 4 92

1,231 30

* Refunds for over payments.

TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT

COMPARISON 1945-1948

Commitment (1945)

Commitment (1948)

Increase in Amount of Commitment

Amount Collected (1945)

Amount Collected (1948)

Increase in Amount Collected

Real Estate Tax

$59,454.90

$87,231.67

$27,776.77

Real Estate Taxes

$58,446.18

$83,918.71

$25,472.53

Excise Tax

1,967.98

6,741.94

4,733.96

Excise Taxes

1,898.29

6,565.73

4,667.44

Poll Tax

1,318.00

1,466.00

148.00

Poll Taxes

988.40

1,406.23

417.83

Per. Property Tax

4,113.87

5,055.55

941.18

Per. Property Taxes

3,904.03

3,990.05

86.02

$66,854.75

$100,494.66 $33,639.91

$65,236.90

$95,880.72

$30,643.82

TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT

The increase in the amount of tax commitments over a three year period has been $33,639.91 with a corresponding increase in cash collected of $30,643.82 The total increase in the number of accounts during the same period has been 458. The total number of tax accounts billed during 1948 was 2,773.

Respectfully submitted,

HAROLD E. TYLER, Tax Collector.

BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE

BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE REPORT BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE REPORT

The Board submits the following for the year ending December 31, 1948.

There was a considerable increase in the money spent in all cate- gories of aid over 1947, due to increases in the State Standards of Assistance and increased case loads.

The case load on General Relief and Aid to Dependent Children being much greater this year show approximately fifty percent in- crease over 1947.

The case load on Old Age Assistance remaining about the same as 1947.

GENERAL RELIEF:

Unsettled State

6 cases 13 persons

Outside Cities and Towns

11 cases 32 persons

Middleton

5 cases

12 persons

AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN: (No settlement laws in A. D. C. Middleton 6 cases 13 persons

OLD AGE ASSISTANCE: (Each case represents one person)

Unsettled State 12 cases

Outside Cities and Towns 13 cases Middleton 34 cases

The Department of Public Welfare takes this opportunity to thank the various Town Departments and other Organizations for their cooperation and support.

Respectfully submitted, ALEXANDER FRASER, Chairman, ROBERT T. POOLE, LESLIE E. MERRIFIELD, Agent.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON REMODELING OLD SCHOOL 93

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON REMODELING OLD SCHOOL BUILDING

December 31, 1948

The Board of Selectmen,

Mr. George B. Ogden, Chairman,

Middleton, Mass. Gentlemen:

After numerous consultations with heating engineers and other qualified parties, it was decided to abandon plans for restor- ing the old coal burning boiler.

Taking into account the age of the boiler (over 20 years, neglected and in disuse 10 years), the risks involved in under- taking extensive and costly repairs, conversion from coal to oil, with little assurance of continued or satisfactory performance, it was the judgment of the committee that a new installation was the wisest course to follow.

Plans and specifications were drawn up, competitive bids invited, and the heating and ventilating contract was awarded to the low bidder.

A new steam boiler (Capitol Red Top, No. B13, capacity 3300, direct radiator load 1845), was installed and equipped with a Timken Model "C" Rotary Burner. All existing radiation was reconditioned and restored to active service. 276 square feet of additional radiation was installed.

A new all-bronze automatic sump pump was installed in the boiler pit.

This heating system was designed to furnish all heating needs for the entire building and has already proven its capacity under a variety of conditions of weather and occupancy.

The ventilating needs for the auditorium planned on the second floor have been installed.

The work remaining to be done has to do largely with remodel- ing the second floor. The plans call for an auditorium, with kitchen, cloak room, and toilet facilities, and fireproof stair halls. This will require considerable re-plastering, carpentry, plumbing and electrical work, which is being undertaken within the limits of the funds available.

94 REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON REMODELING OLD SCHOOL

The town has already availed itself of permanent office space in the building for the Assessors and Welfare departments, in addition to the Electric Light and Veterans occupancy. Custodian- ship, limited to responsibility for the heating system, has already been provided.

It seems advisable at this time to call attention to the more urgent needs for preserving the exterior surfaces of the building.

All outside window sash and casings were painted (one coat) in the Fall of 1947. The front side of the main building was painted several years ago, but the north, east and south outside surfaces have not been painted for many years.

Those surfaces exposed to the south are so badly weathered that further delay could cause permanent damage. All three sides should be painted in the Spring of this year.

At the suggestion of this committee, two articles appear in the annual meeting warrant for consideration by the townspeople. In this connection, it is not the intent or purpose of this committee to influence action on these articles, but simply to provide the necessary procedure in the event such a course is considered advis- able in order to provide the additional funds necessary to com- pletely restore the building.

In view of the fact that the additional funds involved were originally appropriated, with certain restrictions, for the benefit of the veterans of World War 2, and further that the building houses veterans' quarters, this would seem to be a question largely to be resolved by them.

Respectfully submitted,

C. K. MASSE H. Y. SMITH W. G. BIRCH C. S. CLINCH, JR. E. O. CAMPBELL, JR.

MUNICIPAL AUDIT

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Department of Corporations and Taxation State House, Boston, 33

March 1, 1948

To the Board of Selectmen,

Mr. Clarence Osgood, Jr., Chairman

Gentlemen:

I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the Town of Middleton for the period from May 29, 1945 to September 25, 1947, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Herman B. Dine, Assistant Director of Accounts.

Very truly yours, FRANCIS X. LANG, Director of Accounts.

Mr. Francis X. Lang Director of Accounts Department of Corporations and Taxation

State House, Boston Sir:

In accordance with your instructions. I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the Town of Middleton for the period from May 29, 1945, the date of the previous audit, to September 25, 1947, the following report being submitted thereon:

An examination was made of the recorded financial trans- actions of the various departments receiving or disbursing money for the town.

The town accountant's books were examined and compared with the records of the several departments. The payments, as recorded in the ledger, were verified by comparison with the war- rants of the selectmen authorizing the disbursement of town funds, and the receipts were checked with the treasurer's records.

An analysis was made of the ledger accounts and the appro- priation accounts were checked to the town clerk's record of appro- priations and loans authorized by vote of the town. The transfers from the reserve fund were checked with the finance committee's records.

MUNICIPAL AUDIT

A trial balance was drawn off proving the ledger accounts to be in balance, and a balance sheet, showing the financial condition of the town on September 25, 1947, was prepared and is appended herewith.

The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked in detail. The receipts as recorded were analyzed and checked with the records of departmental payments to the treasurer and with other sources from which the town received money, while the recorded payments were checked with the select- men's warrants authorizing the disbursement of town funds and with the books of the town accountant.

The cash balance on September 25, 1947 was proved by recon- ciliation of the bank balance with a statement furnished by the bank of deposit, by examination of the savings bank book and a United States Savings Bond constituting a portion of the cash, and by actual count of the cash in the office.

The debt and interest payments were verified by comparison with the amounts falling due and with the cancelled securities and coupons on file.

The transactions of the several trust and investment funds in the custody of the town treasurer, the library trustees, and the Naumkeag Trust Company were verified, the securities and sav- ings bank books representing the investment of these funds being examined and listed.

The records of tax titles held by the town were examined. The additions to the tax title account were checked with the tax collector's records, the redemptions were compared with the treas- urer's cash book, and the tax titles on hand were listed and com- pared with the records at the Registry of Deeds.

The records of payroll deductions on account of federal taxes were examined and reconciled with the treasurer's and the accoun- tant's books.

The assessors' records of abatements granted were reconciled with the tax collector's and the town accountant's books. The assessors' warrants for the commitment of taxes and motor vehicle and trailer excise were examined and checked to the detailed lists.

The books and accounts of the tax collector were examined and checked in detail. The commitment lists of polls and property taxes, and motor vehicle and trailer excise were analyzed and the totals were proved with the assessors' warrants authorizing their collection. The accounts outstanding at the time of the previous

MUNICIPAL AUDIT

examination were also audited, the payments to the treasurer, the abatements, and the additions to the tax title account being veri- fied, and the outstanding accounts being listed and proved.

Verification notices were mailed to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town for taxes, excise, or departmental accounts receivable, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.

The town clerk's records of receipts on account of dog and sporting licenses issued were examined and checked, the payments to the treasurer and to the Division of Fisheries and Game being verified.

The records of all other departments collecting money for the town or committing bills for collection, including those of the sealer of weights and measures, of the police, health, public wel- fare, school, electric light, and cemetery departments, were exam- ined and checked by comparison with the treasurer's and the town accountant's books.

The surety bonds furnished by the several officials were examined and found to be in proper form.

Appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, are tables showing a reconciliation of the treasurer's and the tax col- lector's cash, summaries of the tax, motor vehicle and trailer excise, electric light, and departmental accounts, as well as tables showing the transactions and condition of the trust and investment funds.

During the progress of the audit, cooperation was received from all town officials, for which I wish, on behalf of my assistants and for myself to express appreciation.

Respectfully submitted,

HERMAN B. DINE,

Assistant Director of Accounts.

RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE

Report of the Finance Committee For the Town of Middleton Upon the Warrant For the Annual Meeting to be held March 15, 1949 TO THE VOTERS OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLETON:

To the Voters of the Town of Middleton:

Your Finance and Advisory Committee has held twelve meet- ings with all of the various department heads and also an open meeting with the voters of the town on February 10, 1949, for the purpose of discussing the budget for this year. After con- siderable open discussion and individual investigation into all of the budget requests, we have arrived at the following set of recom- mendations.

Specifically; on the recommendation of the Planning Board, Article 3, we believe that immediate action should be taken to appoint a committee charged with the duty of investigating the cost, etc., of changing the present assembly hall at the Howe- Manning School into suitable class rooms. This work to follow the plans and specifications already in existence.

Under Article 9, the sum of $492.80 referred to is a debt which unfortunately must be paid now. At the time of purchase of the new Police car, the Finance Committee transferred the sum of $1,224.88 toward payment of this car; we were unaware at that time of the existence of this unpaid bill.

The rest of this report we believe is self-explanatory, but again as in years past, we would like to remind you that it is the duty and privilege of each voter to follow closely all recommen- dations and expenditures. By this procedure we can to a great extent regulate our taxes.

We wish to express our thanks to the various department heads for their cooperation in discussing their budget requests.

Respectfully submitted,

H. M. RICHARDSON, Chairman

R. T. SPERRY

H. Y. SMITH E. MCINTYRE W. G. BIRCH, Clerk

RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE

ARTICLE I. To authorize the Selectmen to appoint such other Town Officers as are required to be chosen annually.

No recommendation required.

ARTICLE 2. To hear and act on Committee reports.

No recommendation required.

ARTICLE 3. To see what action the town wishes to take on the recommendation of the Planning Board regarding school facilities.

We recommend that the sum of $250.00 be raised and appropriated for the necessary expenses of a committee ap- pointed by the Moderator as follows: one member each of the Selectmen, Planning Board, Finance and School Committee, and three citizens of the town. To act on the recommenda- tions of the Planning Board. The findings of this committee to be reported to the voters of the town, and action taken, at a special Town Meeting to be held during the month of September, 1949.

ARTICLE 4. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1949, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew such note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance, with Section 17, Chapter 44, of the General Laws.