USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1922-1923 > Part 2
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I move that the votes passed under said Article Seven be amended by striking out the words "With Town Offices" wherever the same may appear in said votes so that said votes read as follows :
"Voted: That the Town erect a suitable Town Hall as a Memorial Building."
"Voted: That the sum of three hundred thousand dollars be hereby appropriated for the construction of a Town Hall, and that to provide money for said purpose, the Selectmen be and are hereby authorized to issue bonds or notes of the Town to the amount of three hundred thousand dollars, principal payable fifteen thousand dollars at the expiration of each year from date of issue for twenty years, bearing interest at a rate not exceeding five per centum per annum payable semi-annually, such bonds or notes to be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by a majority of the Select- men. The Selectmen are hereby authorized to sell said bonds or notes at public or private sale, upon such terms and conditions as they think proper provided that such bonds or notes shall not be sold for less than par value."
Mr. John D. Brewer moved to amend by inserting after the words "Memorial Building", the words, "To the Sol- diers, Sailors and Marines of Plymouth in all wars that our country has been engaged in." And the motion to amend was carried.
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On motion of William T. Eldridge, Voted: That the vote on this article be taken by ballot.
The motion of Mr. Richards as amended was then put be- fore the meeting, and two hundred and thirteen voting in the affirmative, and one hundred and fifty-two in the nega- tive, the motion was carried.
Article Seven :
On motion of William T. Eldridge, Voted: That the vote on this and the next two articles be taken by ballot.
Mr. Alfred P. Richards moved that the Town authorize the Town Hall Committee to erect a Town Hall as a Memo- rial Building substantially in accordance with the plans submitted to the Town.
Mr. Henry Walton moved to amend by inserting after the words "Memorial Building," the words, "To the Soldiers, Sailors and Marines of Plymouth in all the wars that our country has been engaged in." And the motion to amend was carried.
The motion of Mr. Richards as amended was then put before the meeting and one hundred ninety-one voted in the affirmative, and one hundred and eighty-nine in the nega- tive, the motion was carried.
Article Eight :
To see if the Town will vote to rescind the vote passed under Article Twelve (12) at the Town Meeting held March 25, 1922, appropriating sixty thousand dollars for the con- struction of a Memorial Building.
On motion of Henry Walton, Voted: That action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article Nine :
To see if the Town will vote to rescind the vote passed under Article Fourteen at the Town Meeting held March 25, 1922, appropriating one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars for a Municipal Auditorium.
Mr. Harry B. Davis moved : That action under this article
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be indefinitely postponed. Two hundred voting in the affirm- ative and one hundred and forty in the negative, the mo- tion was carried.
Article Ten :
On motion of Alfred P. Richards, Voted: That the Town authorize the Selectmen to sell the old engine house and lot on Franklin Street.
On motion of George B. Howland, Voted: That the sum of $2,700.00 be raised and assessed upon the polls and estates of the inhabitants of the Town of Plymouth, and upon the estates of the non-residents, to defray the expenses of the Town for the ensuing year.
Voted : To adjourn.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, NOV. 25, 1922.
ARTHUR LORD, Moderator.
Article Two :
On motion of Alfred P. Richards, Voted : That the Town appropriate from money in the Treasury, not otherwise ap- propriated, the sum of twenty-five hundred (2500) dollars for the Police Department.
Article Three :
On motion of Alfred P. Richards, Voted: That the Town appropriate from money in the Treasury, not otherwise ap- propriated, the sum of fifteen hundred (1500) dollars for the Fire Department.
Article Four :
On motion of Alfred P. Richards, Voted: That the Town appropriate from money in the Treasury, not otherwise ap- propriated, the sum of six hundred (600) dollars for the For- est Warden's Department.
.
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Article Five :
On motion of Alfred P. Richards, Voted: That the Town appropriate from money in the Treasury, not otherwise ap- propriated, the sum of twenty-four hundred (2400) dollars, for the Health Department.
Article Six :
On motion of Alfred P. Richards, Voted: That the Town appropriate from money in the Treasury, not otherwise ap- propriated, the sum of four hundred (400) dollars for Sew- ers.
Article Seven :
On motion of Alfred P. Richards, Voted: That the Town appropriate from money in the Treasury, not otherwise ap- propriated, a sum of eight hundred (800) dollars for the Water Department.
Article Eight :
On motion of William T. Eldridge, Voted: That the Town appropriate from money in the Treasury, not otherwise ap- propriated, a sum not exceeding four hundred (400) dollars for Granolithic Sidewalks.
Article Nine :
On motion of Alfred P. Richards, Voted: That the Town appropriate from money in the Treasury, not otherwise ap- propriated, the sum of two hundred (200) dollars for use of the Park Commissioners in preparing plans and estimates for acquiring land on both sides of Town Brook for Park Purposes.
Article Ten :
On motion of Alfred P. Richards, Voted : That the Town authorize the sale of a lot of land situated on the south side of Wenham Street in East Carver, containing one-half acre more or less, acquired by the Town through the Over- seers of the Poor as reimbursement for aid rendered.
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Article Eleven :
Mr. Alfred P. Richards then moved : That the Town amend the votes passed at the Special Town Meeting, held October 11, 1919, under Article Seven of the Warrant of said meeting, so that the votes shall read as follows:
Voted: That the Town erect a suitable Town Hall as a Memorial Building."
"Voted: That the sum of three hundred thousand dollars be and hereby is appropriated for the construction of a Town Hall, and to provide necessary funds for said pur- pose, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to issue bonds or notes of the Town to the amount of three hundred thousand dollars, principal payable fifteen thousand dollars at the expiration of each year from date of issue, for twenty years, bearing interest at a rate not exceeding five per centum per annum, payable semi-annually. Any action taken by the Town re- lating to the borrowing for Town Hall purposes, inconsistent herewith is hereby rescinded."
Upon a canvass of the votes brought in by the tellers, it was found that one hundred ninety-one had voted in the affirmative and two hundred sixty-six in the negative, and the motion was lost.
Article Twelve :
To see if the Town will authorize the Town Hall Commit- tee to erect a Town Hall as a Memorial Building substan- tially in accordance with the plans submitted to the Town.
No action taken under this article.
Article Thirteen :
To see if the Town will vote to rescind the vote passed under Article Twelve at the Town Meeting held March 25, 1922, appropriating sixty thousand dollars for the construc- tion of a Memorial Building.
On motion of Andrew J. Carr, Voted: That no action be taken under this article.
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Article Fourteen :
To see if the Town will vote to rescind the vote passed under Article Fourteen at the Town Meeting held March 25, 1922, appropriating one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars for a Municipal Auditorium.
On motion of Harry B. Davis, Voted: That no action be taken under this article.
On motion of Alfred S. Burns, Voted : To adjourn.
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REPORT OF ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE.
FOR ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, TO BE HELD MARCH 25, 1922.
NOTE :- The Advisory and Finance Committee is a body of 15 men appointed by the Moderator of the Annual Town Meeting, under a statute of the Commonwealth adopted by the Town some twenty years ago. Its personnel changes annually and the members serve without pay. Perhaps the principal value of the committee to the Town lies in the fact that it places a group of authorized citizens in a position to investigate and analyze projects and appropriations pro- posed for the Town's action, and to conduct hearings there- on, in a thorough manner usually impossible in town meet- ings. The recommendations submitted are generally those that might be expected from any like number of interested citizens seriously deliberating on the facts presented.
At this particular time when the incomes of every wage- earner, merchant and manufacturer have been so seriously curtailed by business conditions, the Committee feels that it is but interpreting the wishes of the citizens in recommending that the tax burden be kept as light as possible, compatible with the Town's best welfare. Let this be accomplished by effecting every sensible economy, eliminating unnecessary expenditure, by a general scaling downward of the costs of each and every department's work and reducing appropria- tions where such action will not disadvantageously effect needful service.
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In other words, we feel the Town should lower the cost of carrying on its affairs to meet the inevitably lowered earnings of its citizens.
In this spirit the Committee submits its recommendations for the Town's consideration.
Article 5. To make the necessary appropriations to defray the expenses of the Town, and for other purposes, and to raise such sums of money as the Town shall deem expedient.
DEPARTMENT EXPENSES.
In view of the large total of the appropriations asked for, and the consequent high tax rate for the Town, and consid- ering that, because of widespread depression, many of our townspeople are unemployed, that wages have been reduced, and that business in general is being conducted with little or no profit, all of which reduces the ability of our citizens to pay their tax bills, the Committee recommends that the Town adopt the following resolution :
"That the Town does hereby notify all its departments of its desire that all possible economies be effected, both in reduction of wages and expenses, and furthermore expresses serious desire that, as far as possible, all departments make their requirements come within their appropriations."
ELECTRIC LIGHTING.
As a result of a conference with officials of the Plymouth Electric Light Co., the Committee recommends adoption of the following resolution :
"That a Committee of three be appointed by the Mod- erator to investigate the subject of furnishing light for the Town, and report to the Town at a special meeting, and that the sum of $10,000.00 be appropriated for light- ing pending a report of said committee."
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CARE OF SHELL FISH; INSPECTOR OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH; TRUANT OFFICER OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
As a matter of reducing expense and curtailing number of offices, the Committee recommends adoption of the follow- ing resolution :
"That the duties involved in the care of Shell Fish, in Inspector of the Board of Health and in the Truant Officer of the School Department shall be performed by the appointment of one or more of the regular Police Officers of the Town of Plymouth acting in the course of their regular duties."
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
The Committee views with concern the rapid increase in School Department expenditures in recent years, as indicated by the approximate appropriations shown in the following list :
1912 School Appropriation, $64,454 64
1914 School Appropriation, 71,018 48
1916 School Appropriation, 87,018 47
1918 School Appropriation, 120,716 60
1919 School Appropriation, 140,618 46
1920 School Appropriation, 179,728 47
1921 School Appropriation, 211,168 67
It is understood that in the last ten years the net increase in the school population is about 364 pupils. The appropria- tion asked for 1922 ($214,635), almost equals the Assessors' total Warrant for as recent a year as 1914, which amounted to $215,244.32.
The Committee earnestly urges a drastic curtailment in expenses, with a policy of consolidation, and elimination of dispensible features, especially as affects the High School,
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without interfering with the essential and fundamental edu- cational training of the Town's youth.
The Committee recommends the following appropriations for the various departments :
Asked for
Recommended by Finance Committee
Selectmen's Department,
$2,200 00
$2,200 00
Accounting Department,
1,700 00
1,700 00
Treasury Department,
1,500 00
1,500 00
Tax Collector's Department,
2,150 00
2,150 00
Assessors' Department,
5,200 00
5,200 00
Law Department,
800 00
800 00
Town Clerk's Department,
1,450 00
1,450 00
Engineering Department,
900 00
900 00
Street Line Survey,
150 00
50 00
Planning Board,
100 00
100 00
Election and Registration,
1,200 00
1,200 00
Maintenance of Town House,
2,100 00
1,800 00
Police Department,
17,000 00
15,000 00
Police Department for Signal System,
12,000 00
Fire Department,
28,139 00
24,700 00
Fire Department for New Pump,
1,800 00
1,800 00
Sealing Weights and Measures,
2,700 00
2,200 00
Moth Suppression,
6,000 00
5,400 00
Tree Warden's Department,
2,500 00
2,250 00
Tree Warden's Department, Planting Shade Trees,
500 00
150 00
Forest Warden's Department,
3,000 00
2,000 00
Shell Fish Department,
600 00
Inland Fisheries,
200 00
100 00
Plymouth County Farm Bureau,
250 00
...
Plymouth County Hospital Main- tenance,
7,817 03
7,817 03
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Health Department,
15,000 00
14,000 00
Health Department for 1921 Bills,
858 91
858 91
Community Nurse,
500 00
Public Sanitaries,
2,000 00
1,800 00
Sewers,
3,000 00
3,000 00
New Outlet for Main Sewer,
5,000 00
5,000 00
Roads and Bridges, .
40,000 00
40,000 00
Lincoln and Union Street Macadam,
5,000 00
Resurfacing Court Street,
5,000 00
5,000 00
Resurfacing Water Street,
3,000 00
3,000 00
White Horse Road,
3,500 00
. .....
Bournedale Road,
16,000 00
Eel River Bridge,
5,500 00
5,500 00
Sidewalks,
3,500 00
3,500 00
Sidewalks, Granolithic,
3,000 00
2,000 00
Sidewalks on Cliff Street,. |
750 00
750 00
Snow and Ice Removal,
2,000 00
2,000 00
Street Sprinkling,
4,500 00
4,000 00
Street Lighting,
14,000 00
10,000 00
Harbor Master,
150 00
150 00
Poor Department,
17,000 00
17,000 00
Mothers' Aid,
3,500 00
3,500 00
Military Aid,
92 50
92 50
Soldiers' Relief,
6,161 16
6,161 16
Providing Employment for Soldiers and Others,
5,000 00
School Department,
214,635 00
202,635 00
School Department for 1921 Bills,
3,351 14
3,351 14
Plymouth Public Library (includ- ing Dog Tax, $1,355.99),
4,500 00
5,000 00
Manomet Public Library,
500 00
500 00
Park Department,
4,200 00
3,300 00
Park Department, for Cutting Wood in Park,
300 00
300 00
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Training Green,
300 00
300 00
Stephens Field, 1 1,800 00
800 00
Stephens Field for Cement Retain- ing Wall,
3,000 00
500 00
Stephens Field for Purchase of Land, 800 00
800 00
Public Camping Places,
700 00
. .....
Providing Headquarters for Plym-
outh Post No. 40, American Legion, 1,500 00
400 00
Providing Headquarters for United Spanish War Veterans,
150 00
150 00
Sexton,
150 00
150 00
Memorial Day,
275 00
275 00
Miscellaneous Account,
3,500 00
3,500 00
Landing Floats,
700 00
.... ยท
Reserve Account (from Reserve Overlay),
5,000 00
5,000 00
Water Department; Maintenance,
19,000 00
19,000 00
Water Department; Construction,
6,000 00
6,000 00
Oak Grove and Vine Hills Ceme- teries,
10,000
9,000 00
Burial Hill Cemetery,
1,700 00
1,700 00
Chiltonville, Manomet, Cedarville
0
and South Pond Cemeteries,
300 00
300 00
Town Debt and Interest,
48,000 00.
48,000 00
$596,329 74 $518,740 74
Article 6. To take such action as the Town may see fit in aid of the Plymouth Public Library.
The Committee recommends that the sum of $5,000.00, including the Dog Tax of 1921, amounting to $1,355.99, be appropriated for the maintenance of Plymouth Public Li- brary.
Article 7. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not
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exceeding five hundred (500) dollars in aid of the Manomet Public Library.
The Committee recommends that the sum of $500.00 be appropriated in aid of the Manomet Public Library.
Article 8. To see what appropriation the Town will make for the care and improvement of the various parks and of the Training Green.
The Committee recommends the following appropriations : Park Department, $3,300.00; cutting wood in Parks, $300.00; Training Green, $300.00.
Article 9 .. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding eighteen hundred (1800) dollars for maintenance and improvement of the Stephens Field Playground.
The Committee recommends that the sum of $800.00 be appropriated for the maintenance and improvement of the Stephens Field Playground.
Article 10. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding two hundred and seventy-five (275) dollars to pay the expenses of the observance of Memorial Day.
The Committee recommends that the sum of $275.00 be ap- propriated for defraying the expenses of the observance of Memorial Day.
Article 11. To see if the Town will appropriate for the use of the Plymouth County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture a sum not exceeding two hundred and fifty (250) dollars, and choose a Town Director.
The Committee recommends that no action be taken under this article.
Article 12. To see what action the Town will take under authority granted under clause 12, section 5, chapter 40, of the General Laws of Massachusetts in regard to purchasing and equipping a building or providing a suitable location and erecting and equipping a building commemorating the services and sacrifices of the soldiers, sailors and marines who
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have served the Country in war; to make an appropriation therefor and to authorize the issue of notes or bonds of the Town for said purpose.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to rescind the vote passed under Article 7, at a Special Town Meeting on the eleventh day of October, 1919, providing for the erection of a Town Hall as a Memorial Building, and making an ap- propriation of three hundred thousand (300,000) dollars therefor. By petition.
Article 14. To see what action the Town will take for the erection of a municipal auditorium, and to make an appro- priation therefor, and to authorize the issue of notes or bonds of the Town for said purpose. By petition.
The situation produced as a result of the proposals of Articles 12, 13, and 14 is rather complex. The Town has voted to erect a Memorial Town Hall, with offices, on the Loth- rop lot which was acquired as a "Town Hall Lot." The Town is now being asked, by these Articles, to rescind that vote and on this lot to erect a War Veterans Memorial Build- ing, and to erect a Municipal Auditorium.
This Committee feels that all or some of these things may be desirable; that the Town owes obligation to its War Veterans; that a gathering place for the Town has a great deal to recommend it; that there may be a moral obligation on the part of the Town in connection with its share of the Tercentenary Observation; but the, committee also feels that it and the Town have had insufficient time to consider the subject, for all these proposals are inextricably tied together. One cannot be considered without considering the others.
Further, there is proposed a building or group of buildings in a conspicuous location, the architectural development of which should be carefully considered, and as a whole.
The Committee therefore recommends that the following action be taken under Articles 12, 13, and 14 :
Plymouth Three
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"That the Moderator appoint a Committee of Five to consider the questions as they now present themselves of quarters for War Veterans and a Town Hall or Audi- torium and their connection with the development of the Lothrop Lot. This committee to report to the Town with necessary plans and estimates at a special meeting at as early a date as possible."
Article 15. To see if the Town will accept and allow the layout of Edes Street, as laid out by the Selectmen and and reported to the Town.
The Committee recommends that the Town accept and authorize the layout of Edes Street as reported by the Se- lectmen.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to erect a new bridge on the State Highway on Warren Avenue over Eel River, in co-operation with the Commonwealth and Plymouth County, and to make an appropriation therefor not exceed- ing fifty-five hundred (5500) dollars.
The Committee recommends that the Town co-operate with the Commonwealth and Plymouth County in erecting a new bridge over Eel River, on Warren Avenue, and appropriate therefor a sum not exceeding $5,500.00.
Article 17. To see if the Town will authorize the Select- men to stipulate in writing to indemnify and save harmless the Commonwealth against all claims and demands for dam- ages which may be sustained by any person or persons whose property may be affected by the alteration and reconstruc- tion by the Commonwealth of a portion of the highway lead- ing from Plymouth to Bourne.
The Committee recommends that the Town authorize the Selectmen to act according to the provisions of this article.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to surface with asphalt and sand that part of the Bournedale Road between Costello's Corner and the portion of State Highway northerly
1
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of the Bourne-Plymouth line near Great Herring Pond, in co-operation with the Commonwealth and Plymouth County, and to make an appropriation therefor not exceeding sixteen thousand (16,000) dollars.
Inasmuch as the expediency of carrying out the provisions of this article depends upon favorable action to be taken by the Commonwealth, and by Barnstable County and communi- ties therein, as well as by Plymouth County, the Committee recommends postponement until the Town can be assured of united, favorable action by the other communities interested.
Article 19. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of thirty-five hundred (3500) dollars to be expended surfac- ing the White Horse Road. By petition.
The Committee recommends that no action be taken under this article.
Article 20. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of seven hundred and fifty (750) dollars to be expended in laying a sidewalk on the southerly side of Cliff Street. By petition.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropriate a : sum not exceeding $750.00 for laying a sidewalk on the southerly side of Cliff Street.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to increase the number of members of the School Committee. By petition.
The Committee recommends favorable action under this article.
Article 22. To see if the Town will accept the provisions of sections 132 to 136 of chapter 140, General Laws, relative to the abatement of the smoke nuisance.
The Committee recommends favorable action under this article.
Article 23. To see if the Town will adopt a By-Law, under : section 21 of chapter 40 of the General Laws, requiring and regulating the numbering of buildings on the line of public
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ways, and prescribing by whom and the method in which it shall be done.
That the Town accept the following By-Law under Ar- ticle 23.
Article 1. Owners of buildings along the line of pub- lic ways shall have such buildings numbered in accord- ance with plans approved by the Board of Selectmen and in a manner acceptable to said Board.
Article 2. The owner or owners of a building which is not numbered in accordance with the foregoing pro- visions and who shall fail to have same properly num- bered within thirty days after being notified in writing, shall be punished by a fine of not more than twenty dol- lars.
Article 24. To see if the Town will appropriate for the purpose of providing headquarters for Post 40, American Legion a sum not exceeding fifteen hundred (1500) dollars, as provided in section 9, chapter 40 of the General Laws.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropriate a sum not exceeding $400.00 for providing suitable head- quarters for Post 40, American Legion, according to pro- visions of Statute.
Article 25. To see if the Town will appropriate for the purpose of providing headquarters for United Spanish War Veterans a sum not exceeding one hundred and fifty (150) dollars, as provided in chapter 227, Acts of 1921.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropriate a sum not exceeding $150.00 for providing suitable head- quarters for United Spanish War Veterans, according to provisions in chapter 227, Acts of 1921.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to purchase, for the purpose of enlarging the Stephens Field Playground, a lot of land now owned by Edward B. Stephens, Mary S. Baker, et al., containing 29,000 square feet more or less, bounded on the east and south by land of the Town of Plym-
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outh, on the west by land of Jennie H. Chase and Mary A. Sampson and on the north by land of George A. Nickerson, and to make an appropriation therefor of a sum not exceed- ing eight hundred (800) dollars.
The Committee recommends that the Selectmen be author- ized to purchase parcel of land described in this article, for the purpose of enlarging Stephens Field Playground, and that the Town appropriate a sum not exceeding $800.00 therefor.
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