USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1932-1933 > Part 18
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The Committee recommends that the Town amend Section 13 of the By-Laws of the Town of Plymouth referred to in this Article by adding thereto the sub- sections referred to in said article.
Article 19. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding seven hundred (700) dollars to defray the expense of maintenance of the Town Wharf, including pay of caretaker.
The Committee recommends that the Town appro- priate the sum of seven hundred (700) dollars to defray the expense of the maintenance of the Town Wharf including pay of the caretaker.
Article 20. To see if the Town will accept the provisions of the Act of the Legislature of 1933 en- titled: "An Act to Authorize the Town of Plym- outh, by its Board of Health, to Operate and Main- tain a Piggery in Connection with the Disposal of Garbage and to Sell the Product Therefrom and Make the Necessary Appropriation Therefor."
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Article 21. To see if the Town will appropriate ten thousand (10,000) dollars for the maintenance and operation, by its Board of Health, of a piggery in connection with the disposal of garbage and for the collection of garbage.
Article 22. To see if the Town will lease for a period of not exceeding five (5) years with the privi- lege of renewing, from the County Commissioners of and for the County of Plymouth, the buildings now used by the County of Plymouth as a piggery with such adjacent land and under such conditions as may be mutually agreed upon by and between the Board of Health and said County Commissioners, and will authorize the Board of Health to execute such lease.
The Committee recommends no action be taken under this Article and Articles 21 and 22 at this time.
The Town is faced with a serious problem with reference to the disposal of garbage due to the pro- posed discontinuance of the collection of the Town garbage by the County Farm authorities. If favor- able action is taken under these articles the Town is committed to enter into the business of collecting garbage and conducting a piggery. The Committee believe that an alternative plan should be presented before the Town undertakes to carry on the burden of this business. The amount involved is substantial and in the absence of a further proposal and estimates as to costs of having the work undertaken privately, the Committee recommends that no action be taken at this time.
Article 23. To see if the Town will accept and allow as a Town way a portion of Prince Street, two hundred and forty (240) feet in length, running easterly from the end of the street as accepted by the Town on March 26, 1927.
The Committee recommends favorable action un- der Article 23.
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Article 24. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding one thousand (1,000) dollars for building curbing and hard-surfacing the shoulders of the road on Prince Street. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends no action be taken under Article 24.
Article 25. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money for surfacing Robbins Hill Road and Priscilla Road with suitable material. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends that no action be taken under Article 25.
Article 26. To see what action the Town will take with reference to appropriating a sum not exceeding two thousand (2,000) dollars to provide for laying a water pipe from Summer Street across land of Alton A. Burgess for the purpose of supplying water to a proposed development of said Alton A. Burgess along the shores of Little Pond, including authority of the Board of Water Commissioners to execute an agree- ment to the owner of the land and his executors and administrators, guaranteeing to the Town interest at the rate of 6% per annum on the amount expended by the Town less such sums as shall be received for water rates from property owners served from said proposed water pipe, and until such users pay an- nually a sum equivalent to or exceeding 6% annual interest on the cost of laying said water pipe. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends that no action be taken under Article 26.
Article 27. To see what action the Town will take in regard to requesting the Selectmen to petition the Massachusetts Legislature for authority for the Town to vote at a subsequent meeting on the question of whether or not the Town will rescind its vote adopting the statute providing for a two platoon system in the Fire Department. (By petition.)
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The Committee recommends that no action be taken under Article 27.
Article 28. To see what action the Town will take with reference to requesting the Selectmen to peti- tion the Legislature of Massachusetts for authority of the Town, at a subsequent meeting, to vote on the question of whether or not the Town will rescind its vote with reference to placing the members of the Police Department and Fire Department under the Civil Service. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends that no action be taken under Article 28.
Article 29. To see what action the Town will take with reference to fixing the salaries of Town Em- ployees for the year 1933. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends that no action be taken under Article 29 as the matter of salaries is covered in the action of the Town under Article 5.
Article 30. To see what action the Town will take with reference to fixing the rate per hour to be paid to Town laborers. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends that all previous votes of the Town fixing the minimum rate per hour to be paid Town laborers be rescinded.
Article 31. To see what action the Town will take with reference to authorizing the Selectmen to ex- pend the sum of Two thousand five hundred (2,500) dollars, previously appropriated by the Town as a contribution to the construction of a break-water in Warren's Cove, so-called. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends that the Selectmen be authorized to expend the sum of two thousand five hundred (2500) dollars previously appropriated by the Town as a contribution to the construction of a break-water in Warren's Cove, so-called. The Com- mittee is advised that said sum has previously been
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appropriated and that action under this Article will not increase the tax levy for the current year.
Article 32. To see what action the Town will take with reference to making an appropriation not to ex- ceed Twenty thousand (20,000) dollars, said sum to be expended under the authority of the Selectmen in the employment of men not now being assisted by the Town, in the construction of the Manomet Water System, so-called, including authority to limit the rate of pay and the amount of employment furnished to individuals and authority to issue bonds and notes of the Town therefor. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends that no action be tak- en under Article 32.
Article 33. To see what action the Town will take with reference to making an appropriation for the repair of the Town Wharf, so-called. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends that no action be taken under Article 33.
Article 34. To see if the Town will appoint a com- mission of three members to consider the matter of constructing an over-pass or under-pass over the railroad lying west of Water Street for the purpose of providing an alternative route for through traffic going north or south of Plymouth, including author- ity to consider changes in the layout of Water Street and including the cost thereof. Said commission to report to the Town at a subsequent meeting. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends that a commission of three members be appointed by the Moderator to consider the matters referred to in Article 34.
Article 35. To see if the Town will authorize the transfer of a sum not exceeding five thousand (5,000)
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dollars from the Reserve from Overlayings of Taxes to the Reserve Account in the hands of the Advisory and Finance Committee.
The Committee recommends favorable action under Article 35.
Messrs. Edes, Miller, White and Maynard desire to be recorded as against the proposed salary cuts.
Mr. Collingwood desires to be recorded as opposed to the recommendations of the Committee with ref- erence to Articles 26, 27 and 28.
Respectfully submitted,
ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITEE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH
Morton Collingwood, Chairman, William M. Doug- lass, Arthur K. Finney, Knowlton B. Holmes, Louis D. Maynard, Henry W. Barnes, Jr., Alton D. Edes, Walter L. Manter, Amedio V. Sgarzi, Arthur N. Wood, Domero Cortelli, Harry A. Holmes, Morton Kyle, Dallas E. White, J. Frankland Miller.
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REPORT OF ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE ON THE ARTICLES IN THE WARRANT FOR SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 1933
The Advisory and Finance Committee herewith submits its report to the Town on the articles con- tained in the warrant for this Special Town Meeting.
Article 2. To see if the Town will appropriate from money in the Treasury not otherwise appropri- ated a sum not exceeding fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500) for the Forest Warden's Department.
The Committee recommends that the Town appro- priate from money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated the sum of fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500) for the Forest Warden's Department.
(Note. This appropriation is already overdrawn $900.)
Article 3. To see if the Town will appropriate from money in the Treasury not otherwise appropri- ated a sum not exceeding six hundred dollars ($600) for construction of curbing and sidewalk on the southerly side of Russell Avenue.
The Committee recommends that the Town appro- priate from money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated the sum of six hundred dollars ($600) for construction of curbing and sidewalk on the southerly side of Russell Avenue.
Article 4. To see if the Town will appropriate from money in the Treasury not otherwise appropri-
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ated a sum not exceeding twenty-eight hundred dol- lars ($2,800) for payment of bills of the Public Welfare Department for years 1931 and 1932.
The Committee recommends that the Town appro- priate from money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated the sum of twenty-eight hundred dollars ($2,800) for payment of bills of the Public Welfare Department for years 1931 and 1932.
(Note. These are bills from other cities and towns for relief furnished to families whose settlement is in the Town of Plymouth.)
Article 5. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to make application to the Emer- gency Finance Board under chapter 366 of the Acts of 1933, and to the proper Federal authorities, for financial assistance under Title II of the National Industrial Recovery Act, for the construction of a new building on Lincoln Street to provide further accom- modations for the Junior and Senior High Schools substantially in accordance with the plans and speci- fications already prepared, approved and submitted herewith by the School Committee, and raise and appropriate money for said erection and authorize the issuance of notes and bonds of the Town therefor.
(By Petition.)
The Committee recommends favorable action on Article 5.
Respectfully submitted,
ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH
J. Frankland Miller, Chairman; Henry W. Barnes, Jr., Alton D. Edes, Walter L. Manter, Amedio V. Sgarzi, Arthur N. Wood, Harry A. Holmes, Morton Kyle, Dallas E. White, John B. Finney, Harold F. Golden, Franklin A. Hebard, Edward W. Jones, Paul W. Viets.
Attested: Elmer R. Harlow, Secretary.
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REPORT OF AN AUDIT OF THE ACCOUNTS OF THE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF CORPORATIONS AND TAXATION DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
State House, Boston, May 24, 1933
To the Board of Selectmen,
Mr. James A. White, Chairman,
Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my report of an adult of the books and accounts of the town of Plymouth for the period from January 1, 1932, to April 17, 1933, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44 of the General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Edward H. Fenton, Chief Account- ant of this Division.
Very truly yours,
THEODORE N. WADDELL,
Director of Accounts.
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Mr. Theodore N. Waddell,
Director of Accounts,
Department of Corporations and Taxation,
State House, Boston.
Sir :
As directed by you, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Plymouth for the period from January 1, 1932, to April 17, 1933, and submit the following report thereon :
The financial transactions of the town, as recorded on the books of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town or committing bills for collection, were examined for the period of the audit.
The books and accounts in the accountant's office were examined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts were compared with the treasurer's cash book and checked with the several departments col- lecting money for the town. The records of dis- bursements were checked with the treasury warrants and with the payments as recorded on the treasurer's cash book.
The town accountant's ledger was analyzed, all necessary adjustments were made, a trial balance was taken off, and a balance sheet showing the fi- nancial condition of the town as of December 31, 1932, was prepared and is appended to this report.
The appropriations, loans authorized, and transfers as recorded in the ledger were checked with the town clerk's record of financial votes.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked in detail. The re- corded receipts were compared with the records in the several departments in which money was col- lected for the town and with other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury, while
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the payments were checked with the warrants au- thorizing the treasurer to disburse town funds and with the accountant's books.
The cash book was footed, the cash on hand was verified by an actual count, and the bank balances were reconciled with statements furnished by the banks of deposit.
The payments on account of debt and interest were proved with the amounts falling due and with the cancelled securities and coupons on file.
The savings bank books representing the invest- ments of the several trust funds in the custody of the town treasurer were examined and listed. The income was proved and the expenditures were veri- fied.
Appended to this report are schedules showing a re- conciliation of the treasurer's cash and summaries of the transactions and condition of the trust funds.
The books and accounts of the collector of taxes were examined and checked in detail. The commit- ments of taxes, including motor vehicle excise taxes, were analyzed and proved to the assessors' warrants. The collections were verified by a comparison with the payments to the treasurer as shown in the treas- urer's cash book and the accountant's ledger.
The abatements were checked with the assessors' record of abatements granted, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved to the accountant's ledger.
The outstanding accounts were further verified by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, and from the replies received it appears that the ac- counts, as listed, are correct.
The collector's cash balance on April 17, 1933, was verified by an actual count of the cash in the office.
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Summary schedules showing the condition of the several tax levies and a reconciliation of the collec- tor's cash are appended to this report.
The town clerk's records of sporting and dog li- censes issued were examined and checked. The pay- ments to the State and county were verified, and the cash on hand was proved by an actual count.
The selectmen's record of licenses issued was com- pared with the payments to the treasurer as record- ed in the treasurer's cash book.
The books of the sealer of weights and measures were examined and checked, and the payments to the treasurer were verified.
The records of the health department were ex- amined and checked. The recorded receipts were compared with the treasurer's cash book, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved to the accountant's ledger.
The commitment of charges of the public welfare department were examined and checked in detail. The payments to the treasurer were compared with the treasurer's and the accountant's books, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved.
The commitment of water rates and of charges for labor and material were examined and checked in detail. The commitments were analyzed, the abate- ments were checked, the collections were compared with the payments to the treasurer as recorded on the treasurer's and the accountant's books and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved with the accountant's ledger. The water accounts receiv- able in the treasurer's office were found to have been accurately kept.
In listing the outstanding water accounts, it was noted that many of them are several years old. It is recommended that steps be taken to collect these old accounts and to abate those which are determined to be uncollectable.
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Schedules showing a summary of the various wa- ter accounts are appended to this report.
The books and records of the cemetery department for the sale and care of lots were examined. The commitments were analyzed, the collections were checked with the payments to the treasurer, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved.
In addition to the departments and accounts men- tioned, the books and accounts of all other depart- ments receiving money for the town or committing bills for collection were examined and checked in de- tail.
In order that the condition of the departmental accounts receivable may be known at all times and so that the collection of these accounts may be more closely followed up, schedules of departmental bills receivable were installed at the completion of the audit.
The surety bonds furnished by the officials for the faithful performance of their duties were examined and found to be in proper form.
For the co-operation of the various town officials during the progress of the audit, I wish, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted, EDW. H. FENTON,
Chief Accountant.
TOWN OF PLYMOUTH BALANCE SHEET-DECEMBER 31, 1932 REVENUE ACCOUNTS
ASSETS
LIABILITIES AND RESERVES
Revenue Cash: In Banks and Office,
$9,005.91
Temporary Loans: In Anticipation of Revenue,
$110,000.00
Accounts Receivable : Taxes:
Income from Investment Fund,
575.00
Levy of 1931,
$15,648.90
Dog Fund,
1,649.55
Levy of 1932,
154,000.71
Unexpended Appropriation Balances,
100.00
169,649.61
Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus,
9,437.90
Old Age Assistance Taxes :
Levy of 1932,
316.00
Overlays Reserved for Abatements: Levy of 1931, $842.84
Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes : Levy of 1931,
$577.23
Levy of 1932,
2,374.81
Revenue Reserved Until Collected :
2,952.04
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax,
$2,952.04
Tax Titles,
2,842.31
Departmental:
Health,
$1,358.76
Sewer,
72.47
Highway,
41.00
Public Welfare,
2,608.90
Soldiers' Relief,
152.00
School,
31.20
Park,
48.00
Cemetery,
2,320.17
6,632.50
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Tax Title, 2,842.31
Water,
13,432.98
Departmental, 6,632.50
25,859.83 92,376.13
Surplus Revenue,
Levy of 1932, 4,495.31
5,338.15
Accounts Payable, 100.00
Water:
Rates, 1929,
$37.65
Rates, 1930,
662.05
Rates, 1931,
2,267.96
Rates, 1932,
10,411.82
Labor and Material, 1930,
2.00
Labor and Material, 1931,
8.00
Labor and Material, 1932,
43.50
13,132.98
Overdrawn Accounts:
Collector,
$16.93
Public Welfare,
32,376.69
Soldiers' Relief,
8,211.59
40,605.21
$245,436.56
$245,436.56
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NON-REVENUE ACCOUNTS
Non-Revenue Cash : In Banks and Office, $87,558.83 Unexpended Appropriation Balances, $87,558.83
DEBT ACCOUNTS
Net Funded or Fixed Debt,
$306,666.66 Memorial Town Hall Loan,
$174,000.00
Town Hall Lot Loan,
7,000.00
New Schoolhouse Loan,
11,000.00
Public Landing Loan,
24,000.00
Water Loans,
90,666.66
$306,666.66
$306,666.66
TRUST AND INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS
Trust and Investment Funds: Cash and Securities,
$114,049.10
Francis LeBaron Poor Fund,
$1,350.00
Charles E. Holmes, Poor Fund,
500.00
Julia P. Robinson Poor Fund,
300.00
Murdock Poor and School Fund,
730.00
Nathaniel Morton Park Fund,
2,000.00
Marcia E. Jackson Gates Library Fund,
2,000.00
Warren Burial Hill Cemetery Fund,
1,998.73
St. Joseph's Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund,
108.11
Phoebe R. Clifford Perpetual Care Fund, (State Treasurer) Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds,
200.00
99,862.26
Investment Fund, 5,000.00
$114,049.10
$114,049.10
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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Town of Plymouth
For the Year Ending December 31,
1933
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
The Selectmen's report for the year 1933 is far different than we had hoped to be able to make it when the year started. The policy of the Board has been to keep down expenses, especially bond issues, but the unemployed has increased to such a volume that the increase in welfare and soldier's relief greatly exceeded our estimates. A very lengthy re- port might be made on this subject but we feel that you are all very well acquainted with conditions. The Board has given a great deal of time to the liquor question and believe that it is being conducted very satisfactory. The revenues to the Town from all liquors was about $11,000. The usual amount of work was performed by the Highway Department in spite of the reduced budget. This work could not have been done with the money allowed if labor had not been secured from the Welfare and Soldier's Relief Department. Too much cannot be said in regard to CWA. The relief this brought to the Town cannot be estimated by any individual. To estimate the financial value would be a simple matter, but the moral value is beyond that of humans. Up to this date the Town has been allowed $90,000 of which 95% was labor. In the projects that were submitted the Board tried to do what they thought was the most neces- sary. In order to receive this money it was neces- sary for several of the departments to spend more money in the month of December than usual and in order to prevent the departments from overdrawing their accounts a special meeting was called in Feb- ruary, 1933, asking the Town to appropriate $50,000 to cooperate with the Federal Government on CWA projects.
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The Police Department has been conducted in the usual efficient manner and the reports of their doings submitted to the Selectmen each month.
The report of the Fire Department will be found on another page and great credit should be given to the Commissioner for his untiring efforts to make his department the most efficient in the State.
The individual members of the Board have made frequent visits to the various departments and found them to be clean, orderly and in good repair.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES A. WHITE, WILLIAM H. ARMSTRONG, HERBERT K. BARTLETT, ANDREW J. CARR, CHARLES MONING, Selectmen of Plymouth.
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS AND SEWERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit a report of the work done in the Street and Sewer Departments from May 1st, 1933, to January 1st, 1934.
SEWERS
The following Sewer Extensions have been put in this year : Grey Avenue, 30'-6" vitrified pipe was laid, Liberty Street, 1500'-8" vitrified pipe and 10-6x8 Y's have been laid on this street. This is one of the C.W.A. projects that was taken up with the help of the Federal Government. The town paid for the pipe and cement at a cost of $460.50, and the Federal Gov- ernment contributed $2,250.00 for labor.
A large number of sewer manholes have been brought to surface on streets where the mains have given considerable trouble to the department from tree roots. It is probable that several extensions will be asked for this coming year with many sewer mains to be cleared where tree roots have bothered the flow of sewerage this last year and I recommend $5,000.00 to be appropriated for this work.
STREET CLEANING
The usual work of cleaning streets has been carried out this year. There has been one truck with five men
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doing this work during the summer months to keep the streets free from unsightly debris and removing the leaves as they fall from the trees in the fall of the year.
DRAINS
The following drains have been laid this year : South side of Cliff Street, 194'-8" vitrified pipe, one basin.
White Horse Beach, 24'-10" vitrified pipe was laid to the shore to take care of drainage water from the main road.
Half Way Pond, west side, 30'-8" vitrified pipe was laid.
Corner Allerton Street and Alden Street, 50'-8" vitrified pipe was laid to take care of the surplus water that could not be taken care of by the present drains.
Corner Robinson Street and Mayflower Street, 36'-12" corrugated pipe was laid to prevent a bad entrance to the property located west of Robinson Street.
ASPHALT SIDEWALKS
Approxiately 8,553 sq. yds. of the hot mixed surface has been completed this year. The following side- walks were surfaced: Sandwich Street 1,550 sq. yds., west side from Main Street Extension to Nook Road; Leyden Street 436 sq. yds. from Main Street to Water Street, north and south sides, North Street 532 sq. yds., north and south sides from Main Street to Water Street, Middle Street 43 sq. yds. on the east side, Water St. 372 sq. yds., west side from North Street to Leyden Street, Court Street 1,082 sq. yds., east side from North Park Avenue to Murray Street, west side from Cushman Street to Nelson Street, Howland Street 190 sq. yds., south side from Court Street to
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