USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1961 > Part 4
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In conjunction with Fire Prevention Week, the Department sponsored a poster contest at the Howe-Manning School. The posters submitted by the children indicated a keen interest in fire prevention. Prizes were awarded to three winners in each grade. It is hoped that this coming year we will again sponsor, and broaden, this program. We also had open house at Fire Headquarters which was attended by many residents of the town.
I again urge the citizens to familiarize themselves in the proper way to call the Fire Department in case of an emergency. If you live near a street box, use it; if not Dial SP 4-2211. Do not call the operator as many times the operator will call the Danvers Fire Department because we are on the same exchange. This can cause a serious delay.
I am grateful to the Board of Fire Engineers, to the citizens of the Town for their cooperation.
To the officers, and men of the Department for their cooperation, and devotion to duty, without which no department can operate efficiently, many, many thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD F. PURDY
79
PLANNING BOARD REPORT
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the
Citizens of Middleton
The Planning Board herewith submits its report for the year 1961. At the first meeting the following Officers were re-elected :- Louis Barett, Chairman; and Gilbert Sanders, Clerk.
The past year has been a busy one; in addition to the 12 regular monthly meetings more than 25 special meetings were held to expedite decisions and actions on numerous proposals and applications subject to the Zoning By-Laws which were brought before the Board.
On April 27, 1961 a Public Hearing was held to consider the definitive plans for the proposed Middleton Farms business center and residential sub-division on South Main Street. The hearing was well attended and brought forth much constructive discussion which led to a better understanding of the overall project by those present. Of special interest to residents should be the agreement between Middleton Realty Corporation (builders) and the Planning Board, which called for the deeding to the Town of two sections of land within the proposed sub-division. One is a choice parcel of 11 acres near South Main Street to be set aside as a future school site; the other, a 10 acre parcel designated as a park or recreational area. We are pleased to report that both properties have since been conveyed to the Town for the sum of $1.00 each, as specified in the agreement. With the inevitable growth of the Town's population, and the accom- panying need for the expansion of our school facilities the financial benefit which taxpayers will eventually realize through this acquisi- tion of land should indeed be most welcome. Residents will also be pleased to know that, after lengthy negotiations, the Middleton Realty Corporation agreed to bear the full cost of replacing the existing inadequate water main running from the corner of Boston Street to the proposed development site with a 8 inch pipe, in order to meet future water requirements of this area.
A matter in which your Board is deeply interested concerns the advisability of developing a Master Plan for Middleton. A number of informal meetings with the Planning Board Members of adjacent
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PLANNING BOARD REPORT
communities have been held in recent months in an effort to determine what preliminary steps should be taken, and in what areas proper guidance and experienced counsel should be sought to aid in such an undertaking. We believe that such a long range plan will help immeasurably as an effective control to insure the orderly growth and expansion of both residential and business areas. It could result in significant benefits to our community in such matters as water sources, traffic flow, municipal services, population distribution, etc.
We wish to extend our sincere thanks to the Board of Selectmen, the Building Inspector, the Board of Health, the Board of Appeals and the Finance Committee for their splendid co-operation, as well as that shown by all the Citizens of Middleton.
Respectfully submitted,
LOUIS BARETT, Chairman GILBERT SANDERS, Clerk LIONEL BARROWS FRANK CONNOR HENRY SAWYER
81
PUBLIC WELFARE AND OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Middleton:
Report for the year ending December 31, 1961
The following categories of assistance are reimbursed according to formula by federal and state funds with the town paying the balance. Investigations of eligibility are made by the Central Essex Welfare District, approved by the Board of Public Welfare, and administered by the District.
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
No settlement laws in ADC
8 cases
14 persons
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
No settlement laws in DA
3 cases
3 persons
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Unsettled cases (State)
5 cases
5 persons
Outside cities and towns
5 cases
5 persons
Middleton settled
26 cases
26 persons
MEDICAL AID FOR THE AGES
No settlement laws in MAA
13 cases
13 persons General Relief is a temporary aid program in which investiga- tions, and administration are directly by the Board of Public Welfare.
GENERAL RELIEF
Unsettled cases (State)
Outside cities and towns
4 cases
7 persons
Middleton settled
6 cases 7 persons
Middleton settled and aided in other cities and towns 7 cases
19 persons
The Board of Public Welfare wishes to thank the Board of Selectmen and the various departments of the Town and the Com- munity Nurse for their cooperation throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
LESLIE E. MERRIFIELD, Chr. ROGER M. PEABODY LEYLAND A. PHILLIPS, Clerk
82
WATER BOARD REPORT
REPORT OF WATER BOARD
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Middleton
Gentlemen :
Herewith is submitted our annual report as your water board.
The Board has had a fairly busy year, we have had numerous meetings with Danvers Water Board, Selectmen and Town Manager on the question of having some revenue from the Town of Danvers from sale of Water in Middleton. About the end of the year the Town of Danvers agreed to give to the Town of Middleton 25% of all money collected in the Town of Middleton. This contract to run for five (5) years. This revenue will help a great deal to keep our system operating.
The money so collected from the Town of Danvers has to be used exclusively by the Water Department for water main extension or maintenance.
Recently we had three (3) hydrants leaking that had to be re- paired or replaced. These hydrants have been in service since 1927.
Money has been appropriated to replace line from Memorial Hall to new housing development on South Main Street. This job will probably be done in the spring when frost is out of the ground. Job will be done in cooperation with the Haley Greystone Corp. who will furnish part of funds.
A bill is pending in the State Legislature to have delinquent water bills placed on annual real estate tax bills as per agreement with the Town of Danvers. Money collected in this way will be sent to the Town of Danvers on the first February of each year from the previous year.
The Water Board has an article in the Warrant pertaining to a Betterment program. This will also be a help to getting water pipe extended as needed.
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WATER BOARD REPORT
The Water Board would like to take this opportunity to call to the attention of all users of water that from now on if any trouble develops in their water system outside the building, that they should contact some member of the Middleton Water Board and not the Town of Danvers as Middleton will be responsible for all repairs from now on.
The Water Board wishes to take this opportunity to thank the other Town Departments for their cooperation throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS Benjamin Richardson, Chairman George W. Nash Roger M. Peabody, Clerk
84
HIGHWAY SURVEYOR REPORT
REPORT OF HIGHWAY SURVEYOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the
Citizens of Middleton
I hereby submit my report for the year of 1961.
Snow Removal
1961 was probably the worst year we have had for a long time. January, February and March brought us an abundance of snow. December followed in the same manner.
Chapter 81
The following sreets were graveled:
Lake Street
.12 miles
Lake View Road
.10 miles
Liberty Street .55 miles
Coppermine Road
.14 miles
The usual patching and drainage work was done. Guard rails were constructed on Boston Street and River Street.
The following streets were resurfaced:
Essex Street 1.00 miles
Liberty Street .90 miles
Peabody Street .40 miles
School Street .83 miles
Lake View Avenue .28 miles
Perkins Road .25 miles
Beetle Road
.20 miles
Chapter 90 Construction
Thirteen hundred feet of construction were completed on Forest Street.
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HIGHWAY SURVEYOR REPORT
Chapter 90 Maintenance
Forest Street was resurfaced for .25 miles. Essex Street was resurfaced for a distance of .80 miles. East Street was also sealcoated for .55 miles.
Storm Drains
One catch basin and drainage was constructed on Phaneuf Street. Drains were extended on Maple Street and East Street.
General Highway
General Highway work consisted of cleaning streets, mowing roadsides, cutting brush, patching, drainage, and spraying brush in cooperation with the Tree Department. A new cesspool and leach bed was constructed at the Highway Garage.
Respectfully submitted,
ALLAN G. MARSHALL
Highway Surveyor
86
SELECTMEN'S REPORT
SELECTMEN'S REPORT
To the Citizens of Middleton:
The Board of Selectmen respectfully submit their annual report for the year ending December 31, 1961.
Regular meetings of this Board have been held every Tuesday at 8 P.M. in Memorial Hall.
In its capacity as a Board of Selectmen, Board of Health and Licensing Authority, the Board has had a busy and productive year.
In addition to the regular Town Meeting, two Special Town Meetings on June 20, 1961 and November 14, 1961 were held.
During the past year the Board supervised, in addition to normal expenditures, the following items: Purchase of a new police car, purchase of a new highway sander, printing of Town Reports, and printing and distribution of the re-evaluation booklet.
The last item, which had a $600.00 appropriation, was completed with a total outlay of $270.00, of which approximately $200.00 will be returned to the Town due to the sale of the books.
The Board held numerous public hearings during the year.
Many complaints were received and were handled in a judicious manner, with the hope that matters were settled to the satisfaction of all concerned.
The Forest Street land-taking was completed and checks were distributed.
Acting in its capacity as trustees of the Mansfield Fund, the Board underwrote the expenses of a band concert during June at the St. Agnes Church Bazaar; and a very successful and enjoyable picnic was held for the children of the Town at Pine Island Park during the month of August.
The following special appointments were made: George Nash, Water Commissioner, replacing Donald Aylward who resigned; Roy J. Schneider appointed to the Board of Appeals to replace Donald Aylward who resigned. In conjunction with the School Committee, Robert Brown was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Katherine Fairbanks who resigned. Harold Moore was appointed as Dog Officer to fill the unexpired term of James Wentworth who resigned. Nathan
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
Hayward was appointed to the Board of Appeals to fill the unexpired term of William Sanborn. Donald Aylward was appointed as alternate to the Board of Appeals to replace Nathan Hayward who was made a regular member.
As directed by the June Special Town Meeting, the Board acquired by deed two parcels of land from the Middleton Development Corporation: Parcel (1) for a School Site, and Parcel (2) reserved for a Playground Site, on a plan entitled "Subdivision Plan, Middleton Farms, dated February 1, 1961." These two acquisitions were made possible by the efforts of the Middleton Planning Board in their dealings with the Middleton Development Corporation. These parcels have now been acquired and the deeds recorded.
Acting as a Board of Health on the above subdivision plan forty-five lots were approved for home construction. All other lots were disapproved pending correction of drainage problems.
A representative of the Board appeared in favor at a public hearing on November 2, 1961 at the State House on the petition of the North Shore Gas Company for authority to carry on its business of making, purchasing, selling and distributing gas in the Town of Middleton. As of December 31, 1961 the gas lines have been extended approximately one-half a mile along Boston Street. It is a require- ment, stipulated by the Selectmen and approved by the State, that the gas main be extended to Middleton Square within one year of the November 15th date of the order.
The Board is very grateful to the Town Counsel, Daniel Donovan, for his able assistance given during the past year.
The Board wishes to express its deep appreciation for the assistance, cooperation and devotion to public service given so generously by the department heads, by the members, officers and citizens of the Town.
Respectfully submitted, BOARD OF SELECTMEN Wilbur C. Rundlett, Jr., Chairman Robert G. Gowen, Clerk Frank T. LeColst
88
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Town of Middleton REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
TO THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING MARCH 13, 1962
The Finance Committee is charged with the responsibility of making recommendations to the town on all items of the Budget as well as all articles of the warrant which involve the appropriation of money. In order to discharge this duty, meetings have been held with all Department Heads to discuss the requested amounts. In addi- tion a public meeting was held on February 12, 1962 to solicit further information.
In developing the recommendations, the committee has kept three important factors in mind :
1. Is the item desirable and beneficial to the town as a whole?
2. Is the amount of money requested proper for the job to insure an adequate value for the money supplied?
3. Is the expenditure too expensive for the town's ability to pay?
All proposed expenditures have been weighed against these three factors and the attached Budget is the result.
The recommended Budget totals over $39,000.00 more than the amounts voted at last year's Town Meeting. In addition, special articles call for the expenditure of $42,484.50. If the recommendations of the Committee are followed the expenditure will be reduced to $33,700.00. With the adoption of articles four and five this figure will be reduced by $19,650.00. However, it is apparent that in any event a total increase in appropriations for all purposes of over $50,000.00 is likely.
In order to hold the anticipated tax increase to a minimum all departments have been cooperative in holding expenditure increases to bare essentials. In addition all town officials have been asked to forego salary increases for this year.
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RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Committee would like to express its appreciation to the Board of Selectmen and all Department Heads for their time and cooperation in the preparation of the 1962 Budget.
Respectfully submitted,
J. RUSSELL WALLEN, Chairman LAURA M. DANSEREAU, Clerk RICHARD J. FITZPATRICK STANLEY W. KLOSOWSKI
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RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
ANNUAL TOWN WARRANT
March 13, 1962
ARTICLE 1. To hear and Act on Committee Reports.
ARTICLE 2. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1962, 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 Chapter 44, Section 17 of the General Laws.
Recommended
ARTICLE 3. To fix the compensation of elected officers, provide for a Reserve Fund, and to determine what sums of money the Town will raise and appropriate, including appropriations from available funds, to defray charges and expenses of the Town, including debt and interest, for the ensuing year.
Committee recommendation set forth in Schedule "A".
ARTICLE 4. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Assessors to use $12,000.00 from available funds to reduce the tax rate.
Recommended
ARTICLE 5. On petition of the Electric Light Commissioners, to see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $7,650.00 from the Maintenance and Expense Fund of the Municipal Light Department to the General Fund of the Town, said sum to be used for the reduction of taxes.
Recommended
ARTICLE 6. On petition of the Fire Chief to see if the Town will raise and Appropriate the sum of $8,284.50 to supplement the Fire Department budget, to employ three (3) permanent men, working 56-hour shifts, providing 24-hour coverage.
Not Recommended
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RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
ARTICLE 7. On petition of the Fire Chief to see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Chapter 48, Sections 42, 43, and 44, of the General Laws of Massachusetts, Ter. Ed.
ARTICLE 8. On petition of the Water Commissioners to see if the Town will accept Chapter 40, Section 42G, 42H, and 42I, of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, relative to levy of a special assessment to meet the whole or part of the cost thereafter incurred of laying pipes for the conveyance or distribu- tion of water to its inhabitants.
Recommended
ARTICLE 9. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the present School Building Committee, created by Article 3 of the Special Town Meeting of June 20, 1961, to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000.00 for the purpose of defraying costs for preliminary plan- ning and the engaging of an architect for a ten-classroom elementary school with core facilities for expansion to twenty rooms, and to do any other acts or take any other action necessary and proper.
Recommended
ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will vote to accept public law 560, 83rd Congress, as amended, and that the Board of Water Com- missioners be authorized to enter into negotiations with the Admin- istrator of the Housing and Finance Agency to apply for Federal funds and the Board of Water Commissioners be authorized to expend the same for surveys, plans and reports with estimates of cost of a Town Water System, in all its various phases, with the understanding that the Town will reimburse the Federal Govern- ment for that part of the cost of the surveys allocated to a particular water project, if and when that particular water project is subsequently voted by the Town, said survey to be made by an engineer approved by the Administrator, and that the Town authorizes the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow from the United States Government under the terms of Public Law 560, as amended, for the purpose of making said survey for the Town of Middleton, Massachusetts.
ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury, a sum not exceeding $25,000 for the purpose of providing the Town's share of the cost of the Regional District School Committee to pay
92
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
for an architect, or other professional services, to draw plans and specifications for a regional junior high school to be erected on land already owned by the Regional School District, in accordance with the original agreement with the towns of Boxford and Topsfield establishing the Regional District as amended by vote of the member towns in 1961, and to direct the Town Treasurer to pay over said sum to the Regional District School Committee to be used only in conjunction with funds appropriated by the other two member towns for this purpose.
"Finance Committee will make a recommendation at the Town Meeting".
ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will vote to establish the charges of the Wire Inspector for permits as follows: Temporary service, 5 months, $1.00; extension, 2 months, $1.00; oil burner permit, $1.00; one to six outlets, $.75; over six outlets $1.50; said sums to be collected by the wire inspector and to be paid to the Town Treasurer.
Recommended
ARTICLE 13. On petition of the Highway Surveyor to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $4,500.00 to be expended for the purchase of a new International Dump Truck, in accordance with specifications set forth by the Highway Surveyor; $1,000 to be taken from road machinery fund and $3,500 to be raised by taxation, or take any other action thereto.
Recommended
ARTICLE 14. On petition of Donald H. Hall and others, to see if the Town will vote to appropriate and expend the sum of $500.00 for the purpose of numbering the street lots in the Town.
Not Recommended
ARTICLE 15. On petition of Clarence Osgood, Jr., to see if the Town will vote to amend the By-Laws as adopted March 15, 1959, by striking out Part 2, Prudential Affairs and Internal Police, I, Paragraph 2, and substituting therefor: "No person shall fire or discharge any firearms or explosives of any kind within the limits of any highway, park or other public property except with the permission of the Board of Selectmen; or on any private property, except with the consent of the owner or legal occupant thereof;
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RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
provided, however, that this by-law shall not apply to the lawful defense of life or property, nor to any law enforcement officer acting in the discharge of his duties."
ARTICLE 16. On petition of Richard J. Nally, Jr. and Franklin P. Pomroy, and others, to see if the Town will vote to put out for bid the total amount of gasoline and oil used on a yearly basis for vehicle and equipment. The gasoline delivered may be regularly and continually sampled and a minimum rating of 90 Octane maintain- ed. Parts thereof may be sampled by State Inspectors, or as the Selectmen may elect. Samples shall be collected, prepared and analyzed by representatives of the Town, in accordance with methods adopted by the American Society for Testing Materials. Bidders shall enclosed Approximate Typical Specification Data of the products they plan to furnish under this proposal. All products are to meet the specification of the U. S. Bureau of Standards.
ARTICLE 17. On petition of Stanley W. Klosowski and others, to see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Moderator to appoint a Committee of five citizens of the Town of Middleton to investigate the advisability of adopting the Town Manager form of government. The Committee shall be composed of the Town Clerk and four other citizens. This committee shall bring in a recommend- ed town charter for action at the next Annual Meeting.
ARTICLE 18. To see if the Town will vote to discontinue the general distribution of Town Reports from door to door, and to make the same available at the office of the Town Clerk, Tax Collector and Selectmen's Office upon request of a citizen of the Town, or take any other action thereto.
ARTICLE 18. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Chapter 40, Section 8C of the General Laws, Ter. Ed., by establishing a Conservation Commission for the promotion and development of natural resources, and for the protection of watershed resources. Said commission to consist of three members appointed by the Selectmen; the terms of the respective members to be 1, 2 and 3 years, and their successors to be appointed for a term of three years respectively, or take any other action thereto.
ARTICLE 20. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Chapter 40, Section 8A of the General Laws, Ter. Ed. and establish a Development and Industrial Commission for the promo-
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RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
tion and development of the industrial resources of the Town. Said Commission to consist of five members to be appointed by the Selectmen; the terms of the members of the Commission to be so arranged that one member's term expires each year and the successor to be appointed for a term of five years, or take any other action thereto.
Recommended
ARTICLE 21. On petition of the Board of Selectmen to see if the Town will vote to amend the By-Laws, Part Two, entitled Prudential Affairs and Internal Police, by adding the following section : "VI - Gas Inspector - The Selectmen shall on May 1st of each year appoint an Inspector of Gas Pipes and Gas Appliances in building, whose duties shall be the enforcement of rules and regulations established by the Board of Health." or take any other action thereto.
ARTICLE 22. On petition of the Board of Selectmen to see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $100.00 for the salary and $100.00 for expenses, (Total $200.00) for the Plumbing and Gas Inspector, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Recommended
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RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
SCHEDULE "A" - 1962 BUDGET
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