USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1949 > Part 4
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Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. HOCTER,
Highway Surveyor
February 14, 1950
85
TREE DEPARTMENT REPORT
TREE DEPARTMENT REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Middleton.
The following is my report for work done on the Trees in 1949.
Trees pruned 53
Trees removed 12
Trees planted 23
Trees cleared for street lights 2
Trees cabled
1
The department was called out five times for storm damage.
Six new trees died, due to the hot dry summer.
Eight samples were taken from Elm trees and sent to labora- tory to be tested for Dutch Elm Disease. All came back sterile.
Considerable work of lifting low limbs was done on Boston Street.
Many large dead limbs exist in trees throughout the town. This is caused by the hot dry weather we have had in the past two seasons.
Respectfully submitted,
CLARENCE OSGOOD.
86
DOG OFFICER'S REPORT
DOG OFFICER'S REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report as Dog Officer for the year ending December 31, 1949.
Complaints received and investigated 91
Reports of dog bites
14
Dogs restrained 14
Poultry killed by dogs
9
Lost dogs returned to rightful owners
17
Stray dogs disposed of
15
Dogs killed by automobiles
30
Dog taxes collected and turned
over to the Town Clerk
$324 00
In closing I wish to thank the Selectmen and all dog owners for their cooperation and assistance during the year 1949.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES W. WENTWORTH,
Dog Officer.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES REPORT 87
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
January 10, 1950
Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The following is my report as Sealer of Weights and Measures for the Town of Middleton for 1949.
Adjusted
Sealed
Not Sealed
Condemned
Scales and Balances
100 to 5000 lbs.
3
24
0
0
Under 100
10
34
0
0
Weights
10
118
0
0
Capacity Measures Liquid
One gallon and under
2
0
0
Automatic Measuring Devices
Gasoline pumps
4
0
20
0
Kerosene, oil and grease 0
4
0
0
Total Fees $76.00
Adjust. charges 2.25
Total
$78.25
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD F. PURDY,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
e
88
MOTH DEPARTMENT REPORT
MOTH DEPARTMENT REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Middleton.
I hereby submit my report for the Moth Department for the year 1949.
All Elm Trees were sprayed twice, with good results, for Elm Leaf Beetle. The worst condition at the present time exists in the Howe Station area.
An early spray of D.D.T. was applied to all trees.
Some areas were scouted for Gypsy Moths, as at the present time there is a slight increase in this insect.
Four days during the latter part of August were spent in cutting Fall Web Worm nests around Town.
Poison Ivy was sprayed with 2-4-D on the main streets with very good results. It will take about three years to control Poison Ivy with one spraying a year.
Respectfully submitted,
CLARENCE OSGOOD.
89
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE REPORT BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE REPORT
The Board submits the following for the year ending De- cember 31, 1949.
GENERAL RELIEF:
Unsettled State
4 cases
15 persons
Outside Cities and Towns
7 cases
20 persons
Middleton
8 cases
10 persons
Child Guardianship
2 cases
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN:
(No settlement laws in A.D.C.)
Middleton 5 cases 12 persons
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE: (Each case represents one person)
Unsettled State
10 cases
Outside
12 cases
Middleton
39 cases
An increase in expenditures for the year 1949 was necessi- tated by new Standards of Assistance and an increase in the Old Age Assistance case load.
The Board was greatly handicapped during the year by the death of Board Member, Robert T. Poole and the resignation of Agent Leslie Merrifield, due to pressure of personal business.
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 CHARLES PASQUALE LEYLAND A. PHILLIPS, Secretary
90
PLANNING BOARD'S REPORT
SECOND ANNUAL REPORT, PLANNING BOARD
January 18, 1950
To The Selectmen, Town of Middleton:
Second Annual Report of the Planning Board, for the year 1949.
The Town Planning Board organized with Louis G. Wright as chairman and Alton W. Hubbard as secretary.
At the annual town meeting of March 15, 1949 two articles in the Town Warrant were referred to the Planning Board for study and recommendation:
Article 15: To see if the Town will appropriate an amount of money to purchase land along Forest Street near the North Reading line to be used as a play ground for children.
Article 17: To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money to remove one side of the stone abutment of the old railroad right of way, and gravel in the low area on Oak Road.
In regard to the playground proposed on Forest Street, the Board examined the only desirable lot, a portion of the property known as the "Old Hundred Place" owned by Philip Donovan, with Guy Evans, one of the original petitioners. Because Mr. Donovan placed such a high valuation on this lot compared with the amount that Mr. Evans and the Planning Board felt was appropriate to spend for a playground in that area, and not deeming the matter of sufficient emergency to recommend taking by eminent domain, the board felt that no action should be taken at this time. We did feel however that if a lot on Forest Street in the approximate location of the "Old Hundred Place" could be purchased for a nominal sum which would warrant the clear- ing and grading of same, the Town would be justified in meeting the need that does exist for a playground in that area.
In regard to the widening of Oak Road, the Board checked with the owners of the property and received verbal permission to move the abutments and change the location of the pole on the old railroad bed. The Board recommended in a special report to the Selectmen on August 18, 1949 that the Town appropriate
91
PLANNING BOARD'S REPORT
the sum of $300.00 to cut back the west side of the passageway through the old railroad bed widening this portion of Oak Road (a private way) to a sufficient width to accommodate town equipment for emergency servicing of the area. It is our under- standing that the cost of relocating the pole would be borne by the people benefiting by this improvement.
Because of agitation over the water situation, the Board held a public meeting on June 1, 1949 for the purpose of discussing with interested citizens of the Town what the policy of the Town should be as to the maintenance, replacement, and extension of the water mains as a guide to the planning board in its recom- mendations. Approximately one hundred (100) citizens of the town attended this meeting and as a result of the discussion the Board had inserted into the warrant of a special town meeting of September 27, 1949 the following article:
As a result of the interest in the water situation as evi- denced before and at a special meeting of the towns- people in June of this year, and in order that the Plan- ning Board may continue its work on this matter, to see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $500.00 to be used at the discretion of the Planning Board in conduct- ing a survey of the town's water requirements and the formation of a tentative plan for an adequate water system.
The Town voted the Board the sum of $500.00 for the pur- pose of the survey cited above, and the Board has engaged the services of L. C. Wiley of Wenham, a registered civil engineer. Following the receipt of his report which is due the Board not later than June 1, 1950 the Board anticipates making specific recommendations on the water question.
In our last annual report, we called attention to the inade- quacy of the present fire station and the housing of the road and other town equipment. The Board recommends that a special committee be appointed by the Moderator consisting of the Chief of the Fire Department, the Highway Surveyor, the Chief of Police, a Member of the Finance Committee, a Member of the Planning Board and two other qualified impartial voters of the Town, with no department having more than one representative on the committee, to investigate and make specific recommenda-
92
PLANNING BOARD'S REPORT
tions as to the best location, type of building and cost to ade- quately house the fire, police and road equipment, and to report to the Town before September 30, 1950. We further recommend that the sum of $200 be made available to this committee to meet necessary expenses.
Late in the year Mr. Wright resigned and Mr. Albert Murray was appointed to fill the vacancy until the next annual election.
This report was adopted at a regular meeting of the Board held January 18, 1950.
ALTON W. HUBBARD, Secretary
-
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON REMODELING OLD SCHOOL 93
FINAL REPORT COMMITTEE ON REMODELING OLD CENTER SCHOOL BUILDING
The Board of Selectmen, Mr. James H. Coffin, Chairman, Middleton, Mass.
Gentlemen:
Within the limits of appropriations made by the Town, the work of renovating the Old Centre School Building has been accomplished and we wish to submit our final report.
In 1947 the roofing was renewed on the flat deck and all southern exposures. All doors, windows, and other members were restored to good working order.
In 1948 a new boiler was installed and the building's radia- tion reconditioned and expanded to meet current needs. A new sump pump was installed in the boiler pit.
In 1949 the remainder of the renovations planned for the building were carried out.
This work included the removal of the partition between class-rooms on the second floor to provide an auditorium com- plete with hallways, kitchen, cloak-room and toilet facilities. Plastering was renewed where necessary and all areas were re- decorated. Running hotwater was connected to the kitchen and toilets. All windows in these areas have been cleaned and pro- vided with new draw-shades.
Construction requirements for the licensing of the audito- rium under the classification "Miscellaneous Hall" have been met. These include, among other features, proper exits, ventila- tion, fire-stopping and emergency lighting. Authorities advise that such a license can be issued when the hall is properly fur- nished.
New concrete steps have been constructed at the north en- trance. Two coats of lead and oil paint were applied to such outside surfaces as were found to be in the greatest need.
94 REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON REMODELING OLD SCHOOL
The northern four sections of the roof were not yet in need of re-roofing when this work was done in 1947. The low bidder at that time submitted a cost figure of $374.00 to complete these areas. This committee now advises that this work is necessary and can no longer be delayed without risk of damage to the new plastering and interior finish. It is recommended that an article be inserted in the 1950 Town Warrant to cover this item.
Some outside surfaces facing east and north remain un- painted. It is recommended that serious consideration be given to the need for completing the painting of the entire outside surface of the building.
This building is currently furnishing quarters for the town's war veterans and the departments of Electric Light, Welfare and Assessors, and facilities exist for expanded town use.
Now that the Old Centre School Building has been restored both in usefulness and appearance, proper care and maintenance. will be good economy for the Town. We recommend the assign- ment of this important duty to a year-round custodian.
The committee is grateful for the co-operation received from all town officials, employees and citizens while carrying out this assignment.
Respectfully submitted,
CHESTER K. MASSE, Chairman, ELMER O. CAMPBELL, Jr., Clerk, HAROLD Y. SMITH WILLIAM G. BIRCH CHARLES S. CLINCH, Jr.
95
MUNICIPAL AUDIT
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Department of Corporations and Taxation State House, Boston, 33
August 12, 1949
To the Board of Selectmen,
Mr. James H. Coffin, Chairman
Middleton, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the general accounts of the Town of Middleton for the period from September 26, 1947, and of the accounts of the municipal light department from May 1, 1948, to March 15, 1949, 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 Taxations
State House, Boston
Sir:
As directed by you, I have made an audit of the general accounts of the Town of Middleton for the period from September 26, 1947, and of the accounts of the municipal light department from May 1, 1948, the dates of the previous audits, to March 15, 1949, and submit the following report thereon:
The financial transactions, as recorded on the books of the var- ious departments receiving or disbursing money for the town or com- mitting bills for collection, were examined, checked, and verified by comparison with the books of the accountant and the treasurer.
The books and accounts in the town accountant's office were ex- amined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts were checked with the treasurer's cash book and with the records of departmental payments to the treasurer, while the recorded disbursements were checked with the treasury warrants and with the record of payments by the treasurer.
96
MUNICIPAL AUDIT
The appropriations and loan orders as listed from the town clerk's record of town meeting votes were checked to the appropriation ac- counts in the accountant's ledger.
An analysis was made of the ledger accounts, the necessary cor- recting entries resulting from the audit were made, a trial balance was drawn off proving the accounts to be in balance, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on March 15, 1949.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked. The recorded receipts were analyzed and verified with the records of payments to the treasurer by the several town departments and with the other sources paying money to the town, while the re- corded payments were compared with the treasury warrants.
Verification of the cash balance on March 15, 1949 was made by actual count of the cash in the office, by reconciliation of the bank balances with statements furnished by the banks of deposit, and by inspection of the saving bank book and securities.
The payments of maturing debt and interest were proved with the amounts falling due and with the cancelled securities and coupons on file.
The securities and savings bank books representing the invest- ments of the several trust and investment funds in custody of the town treasurer, the library trustees, and the Naumkeag Trust Com- pany were examined and listed, all transactions pertaining thereto be- ing checked and verified.
The deductions from employees' salaries for federal taxes and the retirement fund were listed and reconciled with the amounts due and paid to the federal government and the county retirement system.
The tax titles held by the town were listed from the records of the treasurer and all transactions pertaining thereto were verified, includ- ing a comparison with the records at the Registry of Deeds.
The books and accounts of the tax collector were examined and checked in detail. The taxes and motor vehicle and trailer excise out- standing at the time of the previous examination and all subsequent commitments were audited and proved to the warrants issued for their collection. The recorded receipts were checked with the payments to the treasurer and with the accountant's books, the abatements as recorded were compared with the assessors' record of abatements granted, and the outstanding accounts were listed.
97
MUNICIPAL AUDIT
The financial records of the town clerk were examined and check- ed in detail. The collections on account of dog and sporting licenses issued were verified and compared with the payments to the town treasurer and to the State.
It was noted that the payments to the town treasurer of dog licenses were not made on the first Monday of each month as required by law.
The security bonds filed by the several town officials for the faith- ful performance of their duties were examined and found to be in proper form.
The records of licenses and permits issued by the board of select- men and the building inspector were examined and checked and the payments to the treasurer were verified.
It was noted that no charge was being made for milk licenses is- sued, as required by Section 41, Chapter 94, General Laws.
The books and accounts of the municipal light department were examined and checked. The commitments were analyzed, the pay- ments to the treasurer and the abatements were verified, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved with the accountant's controlling accounts.
The record of consumers' deposits were examined and checked, the deposits and refunds being verified. The deposits on hand were listed and reconciled with the controlling accounts in the ledger.
Verification of the outstanding tax, motor vehicle and trailer ex- cise, departmental and municipal light accounts was made by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
The records of the sealer of weights and measures, of the health, public welfare and cemetery departments, as well as of all other departments collecting money for the town or committing bills for collection were examined and checked. The payments to the town treasurer were verified, and the cash on hand in the several depart- ments were proved by actual count.
In addition to the balance sheet previously mentioned, there are appended to this report tables showing a reconciliation of the treas- urer's and tax collector's cash, summaries of the tax, motor vehicle and trailer excise, tax title, tax possession, departmental and munici- pal light accounts, as well as tables showing the trust and investment fund transactions.
98
MUNICIPAL AUDIT
For the cooperation received from all the town officials during the progress of the audit, I wish, on behalf of my assistants and for my- self, to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
HERMAN B. DINE, Assistant Director of Accounts.
99
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Report of the Finance Committee For the Town of Middleton Upon the Warrant For the Annual Meeting to be held March 14, 1950
TO THE VOTERS OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLETON:
To the Voters of the Town of Middleton:
Your Finance and Advisory Committee has held several meetings with the various department heads and also an open meeting with the voters of the Town on February 7, 1950, for the purpose of dis. cussing the Budget for this year.
Your Finance and Advisory Committee is composed of a group of taxpayers like yourselves. They have spent many hours in detailed study of these budgets. In considering the requested budgets of the several departments, the committee has tried to be guided by the actual needs of the Town as well as what the town can afford.
Upon the voters of the Town rests the final determination of the amounts which will be appropriated and the purposes for which appropriations are to be made. Also upon the voters of the Town, rests the final responsibility of stabilizing the cost of running the various Town Departments; the running of the General Government of the Town will go only as high as the voters permit. Reserve Fund Note:
This year we are asking for a Reserve Fund of $2,500.00, trans- fers from this account may be voted by this committee to cover only extraordinary or unforeseen expenditures. Despite the most careful planning by our department officers, and committees, they are con- fronted with contingencies which arise, and with an ample reserve rund available, much valuable time is saved and the expenses of Special Town Meetings are eliminated
The following amounts were transferred from the Reserve Fund in 1949 and are included in the expenditures of the departments which received them:
100
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
1949 Appropriation-$2,000.00
June 21, '49 Highway Machinery Account ...
$ 20.00
Sept. 26, '49
Accountant-Expense.
12.33
Oct. 8, '49 School Addition Survey Comm ..
500.00
Oct. 8, '49
Town Scales-Expenses
24.32
Dec. 1, '49
Police Dept .- Expenses.
170.00
Dec. 31, '49
Old School-Expenses.
98.04
Board of Health-Expenses .
154.61
Public Welfare-Expenses. ยท
356.70
Vocational Education-Expenses
211.20
School Addition Survey Comm ..
1.00
Insurance-Expenses
7.54
Total
$1,555.74 .
Trans. to Surplus Revenue
$444.26
The following figures regulate your Tax Rate:
Year
Total Assessed Valuation
Raised By Taxation
Tax Rate
1940-
$1,996,812.00
$64,979.99
$32.00
1941-
2,026,932.00
65,999.83
32.00
1942-
2,030,180.00
66,193.78
32.00
1943
2,037,158.00
66,423.45
32.00
1944-
2,104,196.00
64,406.88
30.00
1945-
2,116,034.00
64,789.02
30.00
1946-
2,162,379.00
79,187.66
36.00
1947-
2,196,147.00
80,443.29
36.00
1948-
2,250,869.00
93,746.72
41.00
1949
2,339,039.00
.97,437.63
41.00
1950- -
2,378,239.00
?
?
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. L. McIntire
William G. Birch, Clerk
101
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
ARTICLE I. To authorize the Selectment to appoint such other Town Officers as are required to be chosen annually.
No recommendation required.
ARTICLE II. To hear and act on Committee Reports.
No recommendation required.
ARTICLE III. 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, 1950, 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 ac- cordance with Section 17, Chap. 44, of the General Laws.
Committee recommends approval of this Article.
ARTICLE IV. To see if the Town will vote to form a Public Welfare District, joining with Boxford and Topsfield in accordance with the provisions of Section 44, 45 and 46 of Chapter 117.
Committee recommends approval of this Article (as per recom- mendation of the Board of Public Welfare) it is much to our advantage to do so.
ARTICLE V. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $2600.00 for the purpose of maintaining a common Public Wel- fare Office and employing suitable persons to assist the Board of Public Welfare of Middleton in carrying out provisions of Chap- ter 117, 118, 118A and 122.
Committee recommends approval of this Article (as per recom- mendation of the Board of Public Welfare) and that the sum of $2600.00 be raised and appropriated.
102
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
ARTICLE VI. To see what action the Town will take to defray the Town expenses for the ensuing year.
Committee recommendations are set forth in Schedule A, page 00.
ARTICLE VII. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $2000.00 for Chapter 90 Highway Construction on Essex Street; said funds to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by State and County for this pur- pose.
Committee Recommends approval of this Article, and that the sum of $2000.00 be raised and appropriated to meet the Town's share of the cost of Chapter 90 Highway Construc- tion, on Essex Street, and that in addition, the sum of $6000.00 be transferred from unappropriated available funds in the treasury to meet the State and County's share of the cost of the work. The reimbursement from the State and County to be restored, upon their receipt, to unappropriated funds in the treasury.
ARTICLE VIII. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $2000.00 for Chapter 90 Maintenance: said funds to be used with any money which may be allotted by the State for this purpose.
Committee recommends approval of this Article, and that the sum of $2000.00 be raised and appropriated to meet the Town's share of the cost of Chapter 90 Maintenance, and that, in addition, the sum of $1000.00 be transferred from unappropriated Available Fund in the treasury to meet the State's share of the cost of the work. The reimbursement from the State to be restored, upon receipt to unappropriated Funds in the Treasury.
ARTICLE IX. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $4800.00 for Chapter 81 Highway Maintenance Work: said funds to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State for this purpose.
108
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Committee recommends approval of this Article, and that the sum of $4800.00 be raised and appropriated to meet the Town's share of the cost of Chapter 81 Highway Mainten- ance Work, and that, in addition, the sum of $8800.00 be transferred from Unappropriated Available Funds in the Treasury to meet the State's share of the cost of the work. The reimbursement from the State to be restored, upon receipt, to Unappropriated Funds in the Treasury.
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