USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1930-1931 > Part 20
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54
TOWN
OF PLYMOUTH
1620.
SA
L
S
REPORT OF THE TOWN OFFICERS FOR - THE YEAR 1931
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Town Officers
OF THE
Town of Plymouth
For the Year Ending December 31
1931
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1020.
WN
4
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Linotyped, Printed and Bound by The Memorial Press Plymouth, Mass.
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Town Officers, 1931
Selectmen-William T. Eldridge, William Anderson, Jr., Herbert K. Bartlett, Andrew J. Carr and James A. White.
Town Clerk-George B. Howland.
Town Treasurer-George B. Howland.
Collector of Taxes-Herbert W. Bartlett.
Town Accountant-Elmer R. Harlow.
Assessors-Nathaniel G. Lanman, chosen 1929 for three years; Charles H. Sherman, chosen 1930 for three years; Thomas L. Cassidy, chosen 1931 for three years.
Overseers of the Public Welfare-William T. Eldridge, chosen 1929 for three years; Herbert W. Bartlett, chosen 1930 for three years (Resigned June 1, 1931) ; George L. Gooding, chosen 1931 for three years.
Water Commissioners-William R. Morton and Rich- ard T. Eldridge, chosen 1929 for three years; Frank D. Bartlett and John L. Morton, chosen 1930 for three years; John H. Damon, chosen 1931 for three years.
School Committee-Harry W. Burns and Albert L. Mellor, chosen 1929 for three years; Fannie T. Rowell and E. Harold Donovan, chosen 1930 for three years; Edward W. Bradford and Edward A. Buttner, chosen 1931 for three years.
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Cemetery Commissioners-Horace M. Saunders, chos- en 1929 for three years; Arthur E. Blackmer, chosen 1930 for three years; Richard T. Eldridge, chosen 1931 for three years.
Burial Hill Committee-Cemetery Commissioners.
Agawam and Halfway Pond Herring Fishery Commit- tee-Elmer P. Boutin, Charles F. Haire, Jr., and Paul H. Manion.
Park Commissioners-James T. Frazier, chosen 1929 for three years; Ernest C. Dunham, chosen 1930 for three years; Myron L. Smith, chosen 1931 for three years.
Board of Health-Herbert S. Maxwell, chosen 1929 for three years; Walter D. Shurtleff, chosen 1930 for three years; Andrew J. Carr, chosen 1931 for three years.
Surveyors and Measurers of Lumber-Warren S. Bum- pus and Alvin A. Hall.
Surveyor of Wood and Bark-Daniel J. Sullivan.
Town Director to County Aid to Agriculture-Porter T. Harlow.
Planning Board-Arthur E. Blackmer, Ellis W. Brews- ter, Harry B. Davis, George L. Gooding and Francis C. Holmes.
Field Drivers and Fence Viewers-Norman L. Hale, Lewis F. Smith and Chester A. Torrance.
Sexton-Edward G. Ellis. .
Pound Keeper-Russell L. Dickson.
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Committee on Inland Fisheries-Warren S. Gale, Geof- frey D. Perrior and Michael D. Welsh.
Sealer of Weights and Measures-Daniel J. Sullivan.
Milk Inspector-Daniel J. Sullivan.
Beach Committee-Selectmen.
Superintendent of Streets-Daniel M. Crockett.
Superintendent of Water Works-Arthur E. Blackmer.
Collector of Water Rates-George B. Howland.
Committee on Town Forest-George R. Briggs (de- ceased July 30, 1931), Abbott A. Raymond and Charles T. Stevens.
Harbor Master-Orrin C. Bartlett.
Board of Registration-William F. Goodwin, appointed 1930 for one year; J. Ernest Beauregard, appointed 1930 for three years ; Asa H. Burgess, appointed 1931 for three years.
Superintendent of Oak Grove and Vine Hills Ceme- teries and Burial Hill-Alexander H. P. Besse.
Superintendent of Chiltonville Cemetery-Charles B. Howland.
Superintendent of Manomet Cemetery - Edwin P. Bartlett.
Superintendent of Cedarville Cemetery-Alberto M. Haskell.
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Superintendent of Infirmary-Russell L. Dickson. Fire Commissioner-Henry Walton.
Town Engineer-Arthur E. Blackmer.
Chief of Police-Russell P. Dearborn. Tree Warden-Abbott A. Raymond.
Forest Warden-Ira C. Ward. Local Moth Superintendent-Abbott A. Raymond. Building Inspector-Thomas A. Bodell.
Committee on Sewers-Selectmen.
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Abstracts of Records of 1931
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, JAN. 5, 1931
FRANK C. SMITH, Moderator
Mr. Harold G. Roberts moved: That Article 13 be taken up next for consideration, and the motion was car- ried.
Article Thirteen :
To see if the Town will appropriate, for the aid of the unemployed in the Town of Plymouth, as per the plan and advice of the very able Committee on the Unemploy- ment Situation as given at the last town meeting, the following sums of money :
For the Cemetery Dept., $2,000.00
For the School Dept., 2,000.00
For the Forest Warden's Dept., 4,000.00
For the Park Dept., 3,500.00
For the Tree Warden's Dept.,
1,500.00
For the Highway Dept.,
21,000.00
For the Public Welfare Dept., 1,000.00
(By Petition.)
O'n motion of Harold G. Roberts, Voted: That action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article Two:
Mr. Harold G. Roberts moved: That the Town appro- priate the sum of fifteen hundred (1,500) dollars for the Park Department to be used for providing additional parking place at Beach Park. Two hundred ninety-four voting in the affirmative, and eighty-six voting in the negative, the motion was carried.
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Article Three:
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of fifteen hundred (1,500) dollars for the Park Department to be expended for labor in Morton Park, approximately one-half to be used for cutting and piling wood.
Article Four :
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of five hundred (500) dollars for the Public Playgrounds to be used for the purpose of filling in the swamp on the Nelson Street Playground.
Article Five:
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of one thousand (1,000) dollars for the Health Department to be used in making a road around the public dump at Standish Avenue, and in cleaning up rubbish from the Nook Road.
Article Six :
Mr. Elmer L. Berg moved: That the result of the re- maining articles in the warrant be taken by ballot, but the motion was lost.
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of four thousand (4,000.00) dollars for the Tree Warden's Department.
Article Seven :
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, Voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of one thousand (1,000) dollars for the Moth Department.
Article Eight:
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of eighty-five hundred (8,- 500) dollars for the Forest Warden's Department.
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Article Nine :
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, Voted: That the Town vote to transfer an unexpended balance of one thousand, twenty-three and 14/100 (1,023.14) dollars from the Water Department New High Service to Water Department Construction.
Article Ten :
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of two thousand (2,000) dol- lars for the Water Department for relaying water pipe on Cherry Street.
Article Eleven :
Mr. Harold G. Roberts moved: That the Town appro- priate the sum of fourteen thousand (14,000) dollars for the Highway Department.
Mr. Samuel E. Franc moved to amend: That the Town appropriate the sum of fourteen thousand (14,000) dol- lars for the Highway Department, twenty-five hundred (2,500) dollars of which shall be expended in the im- provement of the Camp Child's road connecting the old stage road with the new state road to Sandwich, but the motion was lost.
The motion of Mr. Roberts was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article Twelve
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of one thousand (1,000) dol- lars for the Public Welfare Department.
Article Fourteen :
To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceed- ing seven thousand (7,000) dollars for the purchase of land for an airport. (By request.)
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 14.
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Article Fifteen :
To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not ex- ceeding eight thousand (8,000) dollars for clearing and grading on land purchased for airport. (By Request.)
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 15.
On motion of George B. Howland, Voted: That the sum of $35,000.00 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.
On motion of George B. Howland, Voted: To adourn.
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REPORT OF ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
ON THE WARRANT FOR SPECIAL TOWN MEETING JANUARY 5, 1931
At a Special Town Meeting, on October 7, money was appropriated for various Departments with the intent and understanding that it be used as far as possible in connection with relief of the unemployed.
On or about December 5th the Advisory and Finance Committee were informed that the appropriations made in October were about exhausted, and transfers were made from funds remaining in the hands of the Advisory and Finance Committee, to make possible a continuance of this same relief work to January 1, 1931. At the same time the Committee were asked to consider just what, in their opinion, should be done in connection with this same relief work after January 1st.
Following the recommendation of the Advisory and Finance Committee, the Selectmen conferred with the several Departments of the Town to learn just what work these Departments had that could be done between January 1st and the Annual Town Meeting in March. These Departments promptly responded so that on De- cember 12 the Advisory and Finance Committee consid- ered, with the Selectmen and Department heads, tentative articles to be presented to the Town at a Special Town Meeting as soon after January 1st as possible.
It was carefully and satisfactorily determined that the sum of $35,000.00 would probably be needed to carry on this relief work between January 1st and the Annual Town Meeting, and Articles 2 to 12, inclusive, are your
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Committee's best recommendations of appropriations to the various Departments.
Article 13 is in the warrant "By petition" and was duly and formally presented to the Selectmen. It appears to the Committee that the petitioners intended to provide substantially what the Selectmen arranged and have pro- vided in Articles 2 to 12, inclusive, so that it is evident that either Articles 2 to 12, inclusive, should be voted by the Town, or Article 13, - that the acceptance of all would be duplication.
Articles 14 and 15, having to do with the purchase of land for an Airport, and clearing and grading on such land, the Committee does not recommend at this time. We feel that this is a matter that should be presented to the Town at an Annual Town Meeting.
Our recommendations in connection with Articles 2 to 12, inclusive, imply that the funds provided thereunder for the several Departments shall be used, as far as pos- sible and practical, for the purpose of continuing under the recommendations of the Emergency Employment Committee in their report of September 5, 1930.
Article 2. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of fifteen hundred (1,500) dollars for the Park Depart- ment to be used for providing additional parking place at Beach Park.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropriate the sum of fifteen hundred (1,500) dollars for the Park Department to be used for providing additional parking place at Beach Park.
Article 3. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of fifteen hundred (1,500) dollars for the Park Depart- ment to be expended for labor in Morton Park, approxi- mately one-half to be used for cutting and piling wood.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropri- ate the sum of fifteen hundred (1,500) dollars for the
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Park Department to be expended for labor in Morton Park, approximately one-half to be used for cutting and piling wood.
Article 4. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of five hundred (500) dollars for the Public Playgrounds to be used for the purpose of filling in the swamp on the Nelson Street Playground.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropriate the sum of five hundred (500) dollars for the Public Play- grounds to be used for the purpose of filling in the swamp on the Nelson Street Playground.
Article 5. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one thousand (1,000) dollars for the Health Depart- ment to be used in making a road around the public dump at Standish Avenue, and in cleaning up rubbish from the Nook Road.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropri- ate the sum of one thousand (1,000) dollars for the Health Department to be used in making a road around the public dump at Standish Avenue, and in cleaning up rubbish from the Nook Road.
Article 6. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of four thousand (4,000) dollars for the Tree Warden's Department.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropri- ate the sum of four thousand (4,000) dollars for the Tree Warden's Department.
Article 7. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one thousand (1,000) dollars for the Moth Department.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropri- ate the sum of one thousand (1,000) dollars for the Moth Department.
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Article 8. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of eighty-five hundred (8,500) dollars for the Forest Warden's Department.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropri- ate the sum of eighty-five hundred (8,500) dollars for the Forest Warden's Department.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to transfer an unexpended balance of one thousand, twenty-three and 14/100 (1,023.14) dollars from Water Department New High Service to Water Department Construction.
The Committee recommends that the Town vote to transfer an unexpended balance of one thousand, twenty- three and 14/100 (1,023.14) dollars from Water Depart- ment New High Service to Water Department 'Con- struction.
Article 10. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of two thousand (2,000) dollars for the Water De- partment for relaying water pipe on Cherry Street.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropri- ate the sum of two thousand (2,000) dollars for the Water Department for relaying water pipe on Cherry Street.
Article 11. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of fourteen thousand (14,000) dollars for the High- way Department.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropri- ate the sum of fourteen thousand (14,000) dollars for the Highway Department.
Article 12. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one thousand (1,000) dollars for the Public Wel- fare Department.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropriate the sum of one thousand (1,000) dollars for the Public Welfare Department.
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Article 13. To see if the Town will appropriate, for the aid of the unemployed in the Town of Plymouth, as per the plan and advice of the very able Committee on the Unemployment Situation as given at the last Town Meeting, the following sums of money :-
For the Cemetery Department $2,000.00
For the School Department 2,000.00
For the Forest Warden's Department 4,000.00
For the Park Department 3,500.00
For the Tree Warden's Department . 1,500.00
For the Highway Department . 21,000.00
For the Public Welfare Department 1,000.00
(By petition)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action under Article 13.
Article 14. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding seven thousand (7,000) dollars for the purchase of land for an airport. (By request)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action under Article 14.
Article 15. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding eight thousand (8,000) dollars for clear- ing and grading on land purchased for airport.
(By request)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action under Article 15.
Respectfully submitted,
ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE, TOWN OF PLYMOUTH.
Harold G. Roberts, Chairman; William J. Berg, David A. Cappannari, Morton Collingwood, Henry O. Davis, William M. Douglass, Aldo Giovanetti, Knowlton B. Holmes, Louis D. Maynard, William J. Sharkey. Attested : Elmer R. Harlow, Secretary.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, March 28, 1931
FRANK C. SMITH, Moderator
Article Three:
On motion of George B. Howland, Voted: That the reports of the several boards of officers and commit- tees of the Town be accepted and placed on file.
Article Four :
On motion of George B. Howland, Voted: That the Town authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen or a majority thereof, to borrow dur- ing the financial year beginning January 1, 1932, in anticipation of the revenue of said year, such sums of money as may be necessary for the current expenses of the Town, giving the notes of the Town therefor, pay- able within one year from the dates thereof. All debts incurred under the authority of this vote shall be paid from the revenue of said financial year.
Article Six :
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, it was unanimously voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $9,500.00, including the dog tax for 1930, amounting to $1,743.16 in aid of the Plymouth Public Library.
Article Seven :
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, it was unanimously voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $750.00 in aid of the Manomet Public Libaray.
Article Eight :
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, it was unanimously voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $250.00 for the use of the Plymouth County Trustees for Coun- ty Aid to Agriculture, and choose a Town Director.
Mr. George B. Howland nominated Mr. Porter T. Har- low for Town Director and he was elected.
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Article Nine :
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $225.00 for Rifle Range expenses.
Article Ten :
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $750.00 for the observance of Memorial Day and Armistice Day, $50.00 of this to be apportioned to the United Spanish War Veterans, all to be expended under the direction of the Board of Se- lectmen.
Article Eleven :
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, Voted: That the sum of $1,250.00 be appropriated by the Town for the observ- ance of July Fourth and Forefather's Day, to be expend- ed under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
Article Twelve
To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceed- ing four thousand (4,000) dollars for new ambulance for the Police Department.
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 12.
Article Thirteen :
Mr. Harold G. Roberts moved: That the Town empow- er the Board of Public Welfare to hire and maintain an office with a secretary or agent with full time to devote to the business of the Board, the salary of said secretary or agent to be fixed by the Board.
Mr. Philip Jackson moved to amend by adding: That this apply for one year only, but the motion to amend was lost.
The motion of Mr. Roberts was then put before the meeting, two hundred sixty-five voting in the affirmative, and three hundred and sixteen voting in the negative, the motion was lost.
Plymouth Two
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Article Fourteen
To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Select- men to appoint an Inspector of Wires and fix his salary.
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, Voted That the Town take no action under Article 14.
Article Fifteen:
To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceed- ing one thousand (1,000) dollars for salary of an Inspec- tor of Wires and to defray the expenses of that office.
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 15.
Article Sixteen :
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $550.00 to defray the ex- pense of maintenance of the Town Wharf, including the pay of caretaker.
Mr. Philip Jackson moved that the consideration of Article twenty-eight be taken up next, but the motion was lost.
Article Seventeen:
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $22,600 to be used in new construction and general reconstruction beyond ordinary repairs on streets, as recommended by the Superinten- dent of Streets, and listed in the budget of the Highway Department. Such reconstruction to include seal coat of asphalt where necessary, and new cement curbing on parts of some streets.
Article Eighteen:
Mr. Harold G. Roberts moved: That the Board of Se- lectmen are hereby authorized to purchase all the pro- perty of the Plymouth Mills at an amount not exceeding $8,000.00, for the purpose of providing headquarters for
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the Highway Department, or other departments; and that the Town appropriate the sum of $8,000.00 there- for. Eight hundred eighty-one voting in the affirmative, and two hundred sixty-two in the negative, the motion was carried.
Article Nineteen:
Mr. Harold G. Roberts moved: That the Town accept and allow as a town way Russell Avenue, from Court Street easterly to the land of the Old Colony Railroad Company, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and appropriate the sum of $4,000.00 for land damages and construction on said way. Six hundred and fifty voting in the affirmative and two in the negative, the motion was carried.
Article Twenty :
Mr. Harold G. Roberts moved: That the Town appro- priate the sum of $5,000.00 for the purpose of providing proper facilities for public entertainment at the time of the State Convention of the American Legion to be held in Plymouth during the current year, and of paying ex- penses incidental to such entertainment. The money so appropriated to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen.
Mr. Charles H. Raymond moved: That the result of this vote be determined by ballot, but the motion was lost.
The motion of Mr. Roberts was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article Twenty-one:
To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one hun- dred and sixty-two thousand (162,000) dollars to install a water supply system in Manomet, including the pur- chase or taking by eminent domain of land therefor, the work to be carried out under direction of the Board of Water Commissioners in accordance with "Report on Pro-
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posed Water System for Manomet" or take any action relative thereto and authorize the issuance of notes or bonds of the Town therefor. (By Petition.)
On motion of Morton Collingwood, it was voted: That action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article Twenty-two:
Mr. Morton Collingwood moved: That the Board of Water Commissioners be and hereby is authorized to extend the present water system to that portion of the Town, known as Manomet and the adjoining area by laying of mains of not less than six (6) inches in diam- eter, constructing a reservoir and buildings for pumping station and to take by purchase or otherwise, land or easements necessary therefor and for said purpose that there be raised and appropriated the sum of One Hun- dred Sixty-six Thousand Dollars ($166,000).
Mr. Harry B. Davis moved: That Mr. Neil McIntosh, who was not a voter, be permitted to address the meet- ing, and it was unanimously carried.
The motion of Mr. Collingwood was then put before the meeting. Six hundred thirty-four voting in the affirma- tive, and four hundred ninety-eight in the negative, the necessary two-thirds not having voted in the affirmative, the motion was lost.
Article Twenty-three:
To see if the Town will authorize the issue of bonds or notes of the Town to provide funds to carry out the action of the Town under the preceding article. (By Pe- tition.)
On motion of Harold G. Roberts, Voted: That action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article Twenty-four :
Mr. Harold G. Roberts moved: That the Town erect and equip an addition to the Junior High School building consisting of a central heating plant and that section of
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classrooms and special rooms adjacent to the Junior High School and substantially as shown on a plan submitted by the Frank Irving Cooper Corporation for a Junior and Senior High School, and appropriate therefor the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand (150,000) dol- lars. To meet the appropriation there be raised under the tax levy of the present year the sum of seven thous- and (7,000) dollars and that the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, be authorized to bor- row a sum not exceeding one hundred forty-three thous- and (143,000) dollars and to issue therefor bonds or notes of the Town to be payable in accordance with Sec. 19 of Ch. 44 of the G. L. so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than twenty years after the date of issuance of the first bond or note or at such earlier date as the treasurer and selectmen may determine, the erec- tion of said new building to be under the direction of the School Committee and said committee is hereby au- thorized to contract for the erection and equipment of said addition in the name of the town.
Mr. Charles H. Raymond moved: That action under Articles 24, 25, and 26 be indefinitely postponed. One hundred and nineteen voting in the affirmative and five hundred and sixty voting in the negative, the motion was lost.
The motion of Mr. Roberts was then put before the meeting. Six hundred thirty-seven voting in the affirm- ative, and four hundred forty-one voting in the negative, the necessary two-thirds not having voted in the affirma- tive, the motion was lost.
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