USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1937 > Part 2
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The cost of town government has been increasing year- ly and the voter should keep in mind that every $21,000 appropriated this year means a dollar on his tax rate based on $21,000,000 valuation.
We have recommended a larger appropriation for the Board of Health this year because the town has not met for a number of years their legitimate obligation on cases sent to Jordan Hospital by the town as previously agreed.
For years our highway appropriations have covered to great extent maintenance and repairs. We believe the ex- penditure of sums sufficient to provide heavier and more
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permanent construction would ultimately result in sav- ings in highway maintenance.
It is quite evident that Welfare, Mothers' Aid, Soldiers' Relief and Old Age Assistance are of more or less per- manent nature and a fixed obligation of the town. With the reduction we have recommended in the budgets of the Welfare Departments, we believe that certain consoli- dations can be affected resulting in savings and that in- creased efficiency will result. It is anticipated that the amount recommended for Welfare and Old Age Assist- ance may be insufficient to meet the necessary payments in these departments but as the law makes provisions for over-drawing, we believe that any overdrafts may be taken from the excess and deficiency account at a future town meeting.
A petition was received by your Committee signed by various individuals with respect to investigation of cer- tain departments. The duties of the Advisory and Fi- nance Committee are specifically covered by certain sec- tions of the By-Laws adopted by the Town, April 2, 1918. These duties require this Committee "To consider all matters proposed to be acted on at all town meetings" and the By-Law further states that the Committee "Shall have authority at any time to investigate the town ac- counts and management."
Since the report of the Committee "Shall be to the Town" all matters mentioned in said petition were in- vestigated in connection with our regular duties as re- ported to the Town.
Your Advisory and Finance Committee recommends the appropriation of the following monies :
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.
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Recommended Recommended by Department by Committee
Selectmen's Department
$4,190.00
$4,125.00
Accounting Department
2,675.00
2,587.50
Treasury Department
2,850.00
2,800.00
Tax Collector's Department
5,000.00
5,000.00
Assessors' Department
7,380.00
7,000.00
Law Department
1,500.00
1,000.00
Town Clerk's Department
1,600.00
1,600.00
Engineering Department
760.00
730.00
Planning Board
500.00
250.00
Election and Registration
800.00
800.00
Maintenance of Town House
2,454.00
2,400.00
Maintenance of Town Hall
8,040.00
7,900.00
Police Department, 1936 Overdraft
766.43
766.43
Police Department
37,240.44
35,900.00
Fire Department
46,963.25
42,900.00
Inspection of Buildings
300.00
275.00
Sealing of Weights and Measures
2,295.00
1,800.00
Moth Suppression
5,125.00
5,000.00
Tree Warden's Department
3,563.00
3,500.00
Forest Warden's Department
3,000.00
2,500.00
Inland Fisheries
300.00
250.00
Plymouth County Hospital Main- tenance
10,150.56
10,150.56
Health Department
18,417.00
19,500.00
Piggery Maintenance and Garbage Disposal
8,386.77
8,000.00
Inspector of Animals
400.00
380.00
Public Sanitaries
2,883.00
2,600.00
Sewers
4,000.00
4,000.00
Street Cleaning
5,000.00
5,000.00
Roads and Bridges
42,875.00
42,437.50
Hard-Surfacing Streets
4,500.00
4,500.00
Highway Construction and Recon- struction
23,150.00
17,900.00
Highway Department, for Replac- ing Truck
800.00
800.00
Long Pond Road
500.00
500.00
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Recommended Recommended by Department by Committee
Point Road and White Horse
Beach Road
2,500.00
2,500.00
Gurnet Bridge Tax
1,587.81
1,587.81
Sidewalks
6,000.00
6,000.00
Granolithic Sidewalks and Curbing 3,000.00
3,000.00
Snow and Ice Removal
6,000.00
2,000.00
Street Sprinkling
1,000.00
1,000.00
Street Lighting
20,000.00
20,000.00
Traffic Lights
260.00
260.00
Harbor Master
150.00
150.00
Pensions for Town Laborers
1,965.00
1,965.00
Public Welfare Department, In-
cluding Aid to Dependent Chil- dren
87,950.00
70,000.00
Old Age Assistance, 1936 Overdraft
145.05
145.05
Old Age Assistance
60,000.00
50,000.00
Soldiers' Benefits
10,000.00
9,500.00
School Department
231,962.00
225,337.00
Park Department, for Parks,
Playgrounds and Public Camp- ing Places
10,000.00
9,000.00
Sexton
200.00
200.00
Miscellaneous Account
4,000.00
3,500.00
Water Department Maintenance
26,575.00
26,000.00
Water Department Construction
4,000.00
4,000.00
Town Wharf Maintenance
700.00
700.00
Town Forest Maintenance
1,200.00
900.00
Oak Grove and Vine Hills Ceme- teries
10,132.00
10,000.00
Oak Grove and Vine Hills Ceme- teries, for Hard-Surfacing Roads
500.00
500.00
Burial Hill Cemetery
1,500.00
1,500.00
Chiltonville, Manomet, Cedarville and South Pond Cemeteries
800.00
800.00
Town Debt and Interest
54,500.00
54,500.00
Total of Article 5
$804,991.31 $749,896.85
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Recommended Recommended by Department by Committee
Art. 6. Plymouth Public Library 8,850.00
8,850.00
Art. 7. Manomet Public Library
750.00
750.00
Art. 8. Plymouth County Aid to Agriculture
100.00
100.00
Art. 9. Mosquito Control Main- tenance
500.00
500.00
Art. 10.
Rifle Range Expenses
175.00
175.00
Art. 11. Memorial Day
400.00
400.00
Art. 12. Armistice Day
250.00
250.00
Art. 13. Bonfires on Independ- ent Day
150.00
50.00
Art. 14. July Fourth
750.00
500.00
Art. 15. District Nurse
1,500.00
1,500.00
Art. 16. Town Forest, for Addi- tional Land
200.00
Art. 17. Shellfish Protection and Propagation
1,800.00
1,800.00
Art. 18. Dog Officer
600.00
600.00
Art. 23. Fire Department, for
New Ladder Truck
14,500.00
14,500.00
Art. 24. Highway Department,
for New Grader
1,800.00
1,800.00
Art. 25.
Old Sandwich Road
2,000.00
2,000.00
Art. 26. River Street
4,200.00
2,500.00
Art. 27.
Federal Furnace Road
2,500.00
2,500.00
Art. 28. New Fence for South
Street Playground
1,350.00
1,300.00
Art. 31.
Insurance on Town
Property
5,200.00
4,300.00
Art. 33. Stafford Street
100.00
100.00
Art. 34. Birch Avenue
100.00
100.00
Art. 35.
School Department, Pur-
chase of Land
4,500.00
Art. 36. School Department, Heat- ing Plant for Cornish and Burton Schools 16,000.00
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Recommended Recommended by Department by Committee
Art. 41. Old Home Day on Sep- tember 6
500.00
500.00
Art. 42. Public Out-door Band Concerts
500.00
500.00
Art. 43. Advertising the Town's Resources
1,100.00
1,100.00
Art. 44. Water Department, for Changes at the Pump- ing Station
9,000.00
9,000.00
Art. 45. Cherry Street to Nick's Rock Road
150.00
150.00
Art. 46. Savery Avenue
100.00
Art. 48. Reconstruction of Traf- fic Lights
1,200.00
Art. 49. Reserve Account
3,600.00
Total
$889,416.31 $805,721.85
Article 6. To take such action as the Town shall see fit in aid of the Plymouth Public Library.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $8,850.00 including the Dog Tax for 1936 amounting to $1,779.12
Article 7. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding seven hundred and fifty (750) dollars in aid of the Manomet Public Library.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $750.00.
Article 8. To see what amount the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the use of the Plymouth County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture and to choose a Town Director, as provided in Sections 41 and 45 of Re- vised Chapter 128 of the General Laws, and act thereon.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $100.00 and the choosing of a Town Director.
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Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred (500) dollars for the purpose of maintaining, during the ensuing year, the mosquito control works as estimated and certified to by the State Reclamation Board in accordance with the pro- visions of Chapter 112 of the Acts of 1931.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $500.00.
Article 10. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one hundred and seventy-five (175) dollars for Rifle Range Expenses.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $175.00.
Article 11. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding four hundred (400) dollars for the Observ- ance of Memorial Day.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $400.00.
Article 12. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding two hundred and fifty (250) dollars for the Observance of Armistice Day.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $250.00.
Article 13. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one hundred and fifty (150) dollars, to be ex- pended by the Selectmen for two public bonfires in cele- bration of Independence Day, and for such other pur- poses connected with the proper observance of In- dependence Day as they may deem wise. (By Petition.)
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $50.00.
Article 14. To see if the Town will appropriate the
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sum of seven hundred and fifty (750) dollars for the Ob- servance of July Fourth, said money to be expended by the Board of Selectmen.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $500.00.
Article 15. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of fifteen hundred (1,500) dollars to employ a Dis- trict Nurse.
The Committee believes the services performed by the District Nurse to be very commendable and necessary, and that greater service can be rendered with the larger appropriation. We therefore recommend the increase from $1,000.00 to $1,500.00 for this service.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to extend the Town Forest by purchase of adjacent woodland and ap- propriate for that purpose a sum not exceeding two hun- dred (200) dollars, as recommended by the Town Forest Committee.
This request was before the Town last year in a similar article. The Committee sees no immediate necessity and does not recommend the appropriation.
Article 17. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding eighteen hundred (1,800) dollars for the cultivation, propagation and protection of shellfish, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
We are informed that more efficient policing and pro- tection can be given to the shellfish industry by additional supervision. We approve, therefore, of the increase asked for this service over last year and recommend the appropriation of $1,800.
Article 18. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding six hundred (600) dollars for compensa- tion and expenses of the Dog Officer required by Chapter 320 of the Acts of 1934.
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The Committee recommends the appropriation of $600.00.
Article 19. To see what action the Town will take with reference to the salaries of the officers of the Town.
We recommend the restoration of 50% of the salary cut to those officers whose salaries were reduced by vote of the Town on March 26, 1932, namely Town Treasurer, Assessors, and Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to elect a Moderator annually on the official ballot as provided in section 14 of Chapter 39 of the General Laws.
In the opinion of your Committee, the requirements of the Moderator are so exacting and essential to the proper conduct of town meetings that a better selection of can- didates for that office can be obtained after careful thought and consideration, as at present, than by election on the official ballot.
We recommend that the Town take no action under this Article.
Article 21. To see if the Town will establish a Plan- ning Board under the provisions of Chapter 41, Section 81A, of the General Laws (Chapter 211 of the Acts of 1936), and will fix the membership and terms of office thereof, and will determine the method of election of members, and will vest the powers and duties of the Park Commissioners in said Planning Board so established.
(By Petition.)
The law does not require the Town to accept this Act. We are not convinced that the additional powers and duties granted the Planning Board under this Act will result in any saving in cost or increase in efficiency. If the provisions of Chapter 41, Section 81A are adopted by the Town, greater responsibilities are placed on the Plan- ning Board and certain powers are granted them relative
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to zoning to which the Town has previously indicated it was opposed.
The Committee is opposed to the acceptance of this Act and to the consolidation of the Planning Board with the Park Department, and recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vest the powers and duties of the Park Commissioners in the Planning Board. (By Petition.)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no ac- tion.
Article 23. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding fourteen thousand five hundred (14,500) dollars for the purchase of a ladder truck.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $14,500.00 for the purchase of a ladder truck.
Article 24. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding eighteen hundred (1,800) dollars for the purchase of a new grader for the Highway Department.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $1,800.00 for the purchase of a new grader.
Article 25. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding two thousand (2,000) dollars for Hard- Surfacing on the Old Sandwich Road.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $2,000.00.
Article 26. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding forty-two hundred (4,200) dollars for im- provement of River Street, including Hard-Surfacing.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $2,500.00.
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Article 27. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of twenty-five hundred (2,500) dollars to be used in construction on the Federal Furnace Road to Carver, in conjunction with the State Department of Public Works and the Plymouth County Commissioners.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $2,500.00 to be used, with the balance of the Town's ap- propriation of previous years, in construction on the Federal Furnace Road to Carver, in conjunction with the State Department of Public Works and the Plymouth County Commissioners. This is a continuation of work done on this road in the last two years and will com- plete it.
Article 28. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of thirteen hundred and fifty (1,350) dollars for a new fence around the South Street Playground.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $1,300.00.
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote that the Play- ground on Summer Street at Newfields Street be called Holmes Playground.
The committee recommends that this playground be called the Samuel W. Holmes Playground in honor of the last surviving member of Collingwood Post No. 76 Grand Army of the Republic.
Article 30. To see what action the Town will take re- garding the insuring of Town property.
No insurance is now carried on town buildings except the Memorial Building and the Junior and Senior High School. The yearly premium on these two buildings now amounts to $2,745.00. Complete coverage by insurance of forty buildings and contents owned by the Town may be secured for not more than $5,200.00 a year. Your Com-
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mittee believes it to be good business judgment to thor- oughly insure all town buildings and property.
We recommend favorable action.
Article 31. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of fifty-two hundred (5,200) dollars to pay the premiums on insurance policies if authorized to be taken out under the preceding Article 30.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of the sum of $4,300.00 and that a transfer of the sum of $900.00 be authorized to be made from the appropriation for Town Hall Maintenance where provision is made for payment of this year's premium on that building and contents.
Article 32. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Health to lease, at a rental of fifty (50) dollars per annum, and upon such other terms and conditions as they shall determine, a parcel of land on the southerly side of Samoset Street for the purpose of a town dump, the term of said lease not to exceed ten (10) years.
It seems to the Committee that the location of a dump on a main travelled highway near the center of the town is unnecessary and unwise. Ample and suitable space is available elsewhere for this purpose.
We recommend that the Town take no action.
Article 33. To see if the Town will accept and allow as a town way Stafford Street, from the present end of the laid out way on Stafford Street, southwesterly, to land of Jennie E. Chandler, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and make an appropriation not ex- ceeding one hundred (100) dollars for land or property damages and expenses of acquiring titles. (By Petition.)
The Committee recommends favorable action and ap- propriation of $100.00.
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Article 34. To see if the Town will accept and allow as a town way Birch Avenue from Stafford Street, north- westerly, to Newfields Street, as laid out by the Select- men and reported to the Town, and make an appropria- tion not exceeding one hundred (100) dollars for land or property damages and expenses of acquiring titles.
(By Petition.)
The Committee recommends favorable action and ap- propriation of $100.00.
Article 35. To see if the Town will acquire by pur- chase for school purposes, the land known as the Grace A. Pope property lying on the southwesterly side of Union Street and adjoining other land of the Town of Plym- outh, and make an appropriation not exceeding four thousand five hundred (4,500) dollars therefor.
To lay out the Pope property suitable for the purpose intended by the School Department will require the ex- penditure of an additional sum of money for labor and fill. Since no funds are now available for this purpose, the School Committee concur with the recommendation of the Advisory and Finance Committee that the pur- chase of this property be deferred at this time.
We recommend that the Town take no action.
Article 36. To see if the Town will authorize the School Committee to install a central heating plant and to revise the heating system in the Cornish and Burton Schools and raise and appropriate a sum not exceeding sixteen thousand (16,000) dollars for said purpose.
The heating plants at the Cornish and Burton Schools are forty years old and will require some alterations or renewal in the future. We believe a new installation and the expenditure of $16,000.00 might be deferred until some future time.
We recommend that the Town take no action.
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Article 37. To see if the Town will instruct the Board of Selectmen to petition the Legislature for an Act to es- tablish in the Town of Plymouth, a form of Representa- tive Town Government by limited town meetings. (By request of the Committee on Representative Town Gov- ernment).
The Committee makes no recommendation under this Article as it has been referred to a Special Committee ap- pointed for that purpose.
Article 38. To see if the Town will elect a committee of five to study the advisability of employing a Town Manager, and report at the next annual town meeting. (By Petition.)
The Committee recommends that an investigation be made by the Town of the advantages and disadvantages of a Town Manager plan.
Article 39. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Section 49 of Chapter 31 of the General Laws, and Acts amendatory thereto, providing for plac- ing the Chief of Police under Civil Service.
(By petition.)
The Committee at a previous town meeting after care- ful consideration recommended placing the Police Chief under Civil Service. We still believe favorable action on this Article to be for the best interest of the Town, and that it will result in better efficiency in the Police Depart- ment.
We recommend that the Town accept the provisions of Section 49 of Chapter 31 of the General Laws, and Acts amendatory thereto, thereby placing the Chief of Police under Civil Service.
Article 40. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of General Laws Chapter 31 Section 47, there- by placing under Civil Service all of the employees of the Town of Plymouth. (By Petition.)
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The Committee is unanimously opposed to placing all town employees on Civil Service. We believe it to be un- necessary, expensive and unwise. We recommend that the Town take no action.
Article 41. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of five hundred (500) dollars for the observance and celebration of Old Home Day, on September 6, 1937.
(By Petition.)
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $500.00.
Article 42. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding five hundred (500) dollars for the purpose of having public out-door band concerts, said money to be expended by the Board of Selectmen. (By Petition.)
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $500.00.
Article 43. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding eleven hundred (1,100) dollars to be ex- pended under the direction of the Selectmen, under Sec- tion 6-A, Chapter 40 of the General Laws, for the purpose of advertising its resources, advantages and attractions.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $1,100.00, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen, if and when an equal amount shall have been raised by public subscription, or by donation, and paid into the Town Treasury on or before July 1, 1937, to be expended for like purposes.
Article 44. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding nine thousand (9,000) dollars for changes at the Pumping Station as requested by the Water Com- missioners.
The present pumping equipment is very old and should be replaced. If a serious breakdown should now occur it might seriously affect our water supply. A fuel saving of
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about $2,000.00 a year would result from the installation of the new equipment. We recommend the appropriation of $9,000.00.
Article 45. To see if the Town will accept and allow as a town way Cherry Street from the end of the 1912 layout, in a southwesterly direction, to Nick's Rock Road, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and make an appropriation not exceeding one hundred and fifty (150) dollars for land or property damages and expense of acquiring titles. (By Petition.)
The Committee recommends favorable action and ap- propriation of $150.00.
Article 46. To see if the Town will accept and allow as a town way Savery Avenue, from the present laid out way on Savery Avenue, westerly to land of Charles L. Savery, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and make an appropriation not exceeding one hun- dred (100) dollars for land or property damages and ex- pense of acquiring titles. (By Petition.)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no ac- tion.
Article 47. To see if the Town will vote to amend the By-Law relating to quorum at town meetings, by substi- tuting the word "two" for the word "four," so that the By-Law shall read as follows :-
The number of voters necessary to constitute a quor- um at town meetings shall be two hundred provided that a number less than a quorum may from time to time ad- journ the same. This By-Law shall not apply to such parts of meetings as are devoted exclusively to the elec- tion of officers.
The voters have expressed themselves on previous oc- casions as opposed to special town meetings, especially where appropriations of large sums were made by rela-
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tively few voters. We do not believe the continuation of a 400 quorum would seriously affect the conduct of town affairs. We recommend continuance of the By-Law as at present.
We recommend that the Town take no action.
Article 48. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of twelve hundred (1,200) dollars for reconstruction and improvement of the traffic light system.
The Committee recommends that the Town take no ac- tion under this Article, since we are not convinced that such expenditure is necessary. We believe a small sum expended will place the traffic system in good condition.
Article 49. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of thirty-six hundred (3,600) dollars to a Reserve Account in the hands of the Advisory and Finance Com- mittee, and will authorize the transfer of fourteen hun- dred (1,400) dollars from the Reserve from Overlayings of Taxes to said Reserve Account.
Annually since 1924 a transfer has been authorized of $5,000.00 from the Reserve from Overlayings of Taxes to the Reserve Account in the hands of the Advisory and Finance Committee, to be used for extraordinary and un- foreseen expenditures. It so happens that there is now available for such transfer only $1,400.00. The Commit- tee recommends the transfer of this sum only and no ap- propriation from the the tax levy.
Respectfully submitted,
ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH
Ralph L. Drew, Chairman, Joseph S. Contente, Frank A. Mitchell, Warren P. Strong, John F. Taylor, William Anderson, William H. Borghesani, George V. Buttner, Russell W. Harlow, Charles Mackinnon, Daniel W. Besse, John D. Brewer, Alton D. Edes, Thomas S. Fog- arty, George LeRoy Paty.
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