USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1940 > Part 3
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The Advisory and Finance Committee makes no recom- mendation under this article, in accordance with the Town By-Law, as the matter is in the hands of a special com- mittee. (The omission of any appropriation for this pur- pose in the list as submitted on a previous page is for this same reason.)
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of four thousand five hundred (4,500)
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dollars to install a new toilet system at the Cornish School and to make such renovations in heat, light and ventilation as are necessary, the said appropriation to be spent under the direction of the School Committee.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $4,500.00.
Article 24. 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 mos- quito control works constructed in the Town of Plymouth, as estimated and certified to by the State Reclamation Board in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 112, Acts of 1931.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $500.00.
Article 25. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding fourteen hundred and fifty (1,450) dollars for the cultivation, propagation and protection of shellfish, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Select- men.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $1,450.00.
Article 26. 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 chose a Town Director, as provided in Sections 41 and 45, Revised Chapter 128 of the General Laws, and act thereon.
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 27. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of fifteen hundred (1,500) dollars to be used for highway maintenance on Federal Furnace Road, in conjunction with the State Department of Public Works and the Plym- outh County Commissioners.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $1,500.00.
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Article 28. To see if the Town will provide co-opera- tion with the Federal Government in unemployment relief and other projects, of direct and indirect benefit to the Town or its inhabitants, and appropriate the sum of sixty thousand (60,000) dollars. Said appropriation to be sub- ject to transfers only on orders of the Board of Selectmen for the several projects and for necessary local adminis- tration.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $50,- 000.00 to be used for the purposes and in the manner set forth in the article.
We also recommend that all articles in subsequent town meeting warrants, to appropriate money for this purpose, shall include a complete list of all projects contemplated and the approximate cost to the Town of each, to the end that the Town shall determine the projects to be under- taken.
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to sell, after first giving notice of the time and place of sale by posting such notice of sale in some convenient and public place in the Town fourteen (14) days at least before the sale, property taken by the Town under tax title procedure, provided that the Selectmen or whomsoever they may authorize to hold such public auction may reject any bid which they deem inadequate, or take any action relative thereto.
The Committee recommends favorable action by the Town.
Article 30. To see if the Town will authorize the trans- fer of a sum not exceeding five thousand (5,000) dollars from the Reserve from Overlayings of Taxes to the Re- serve Account in the hands of the Advisory and Finance Committee.
The Committee recommends that the Town authorize the transfer of $5,000.00 from the Reserve from Overlay- ings of Taxes to the Reserve Account in the hands of the Advisory and Finance Committee.
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Article 31. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of two thousand (2,000) dollars for the employment of one or more district nurses. Said appropriation to be expend- ed under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $2,000.00.
Article 32. 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 6A, 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, to be used for like purposes.
Article 33. To see if the Town will purchase from James Spooner a small lot of land, to be used for park purposes, situated on the westerly side of Market Street, bounded southerly by Bass Alley, westerly, northerly and westerly by land now or formerly of the heirs of Nellie Wood; northerly by Town Brook and land of Ichabod Morton and Company and easterly by Market Street, for a price not to exceed three hundred (300) dollars, and will make the necessary appropriation therefor.
The Committee recommends favorable action and the appropriation of $300.00.
Article 34. To see if the Town will accept a gift of five hundred (500) dollars from the Executor of the will of the late Anna Spooner, to be expended for the planting and beautification of the land to be purchased from James Spooner and situated on the westerly side of Market Street.
The Committee recommends favorable action by the Town.
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Article 35. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one thousand (1,000) dollars to be used for purchasing and erecting a chain link fence around the Veterans' Field as recommended by the Park Commissioners.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $1,000.00.
Article 36. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding twelve hundred (1,200) dollars for repairs to the Town Wharf.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $1,200.00.
Article 37. To see if the Town will authorize the Ceme- tery Commissioners to purchase in the name and on the behalf of the Town as an addition to Vine Hills Cemetery a six acre parcel of land bounded on the east by Vine Hills Cemetery, on the north by Samoset Street, on the west by land of Doyle and Blenn and on the south by Saint Joseph's Cemetery, said land to be used for cemetery purposes, and will appropriate the sum of two thousand five hundred (2,500) dollars therefor, from the proceeds from the sale of cemetery lots and graves.
The Committee recommends that the Town authorize the purchase of the land as set forth in this article and appropriate $2,500.00 therefor from the proceeds of sales of cemetery lots and graves.
Article 38. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of five hundred (500) dollars from the proceeds from the sale of cemetery lots and graves, to be expended by the Cemetery Commissioners for the improvement and em- bellishment of the addition, to Vine Hills Cemetery.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $500.00, for the purposes mentioned, from the proceeds of sales of cemetery lots and graves, provided that the appro- priation for purchase of the land is made under Article 37.
Article 39. To see if the Town will vote to accept Chap- ter 468 of the Acts of 1939, an act providing for the in-
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clusion within the provisions of the Workmen's Compen- sation Law of certain employees of cities and towns en- gaged in work being done under a contract with the State Department of Public Works.
The Committee recommends that the Town vote to ac- cept Chapter 435 of the Acts of 1939, as amended by Chap- ter 468 of the Acts of 1939, insofar only that all employees of the Town, except members of the police or fire force, who are engaged in work being done under a contract with the State Department of Public Works, shall be in- cluded within the provisions of the Workmen's Compen- sation Law.
Article 40. To see what action the Town will take with reference to authorizing the Selectmen to sell a certain parcel of land on the westerly side of Court Street, form- erly a part of the Alden Street School lot. (By petition)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 41. To see what action the Town will take with reference to authorizing the Selectmen to sell a certain parcel of land on the easterly side of Water Street, adjoin- ing on the south the land owned by the Colley Cranberry Company, containing approximately 67,930 square feet, and shown as lot No. 46A on Plan No. 12, said plan being on file at the Assessors' Office, Plymouth.
The Committee recommends favorable action by the Town.
Article 42. To see if the Town will accept as a gift from the Plymouth Cordage Company a parcel of land on the southerly side of Liberty Street and the westerly side of Ocean View Avenue and Standish Avenue, said land to be used for park or playground purposes only.
The Committee recommends favorable action by the Town.
Article 43. To see if the Town will accept and allow as a town way, Nick's Rock Road, from the end of the 1932
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layout of Nick's Rock Road to the northerly line of the rail- road righ of way, as laid out by the Selectmen and report- ed to the Town, and appropriate the sum of one hundred (100) dollars for land and property damages and expense of acquiring titles.
(By petition)
The Committee recommends favorable action and the appropriation of $100.00.
Article 44. To see if the Town will accept and allow as a town way Beaver Dam Road, from the end of the 1913 layout of Beaver Dam Road, approximately 400 feet to land of George M. Delancey, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and appropriate the sum of one hundred (100) dollars for land and property damages and expense of acquiring titles.
The Committee recommends favorable action and the appropriation of $100.00.
Article 45. To see if the Town will accept and allow as a town way, Hall Street, from the end of the 1893 layout of Hall Street, over land of the Plymouth Cordage Com- pany, to Standish Avenue, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and appropriate the sum of one hundred (100) dollars for land and property damages and expense of acquiring titles.
The Committee recommends favorable action and the appropriation of $100.00.
Article 46. To see if the Town will accept and allow as a town way, John Alden Road, from the end of Priscilla Road, northwesterly and northerly to the northerly line of the easterly end of a way known as Warrendale Road, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and appropriate the sum of one hundred (100) dollars for land and property damages and expense of acquiring titles.
(By petition)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
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Article 47. To see if the Town will accept and allow as a town way, Warrendale Road, from Warren Avenue, easterly to way known as John Alden Road, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and appropriate the sum of one hundred (100) dollars for land and prop- erty damages and expense of acquiring titles.
(By petition)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 48. To see if the town will accept and allow as a town way, Cotton Street, from Standish Avenue west- erly, approximately 295 feet, to the easterly line of a pri- vate way, known as Braunecker Road, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and appropriate the sum of one hundred (100) dollars for land and property damages and expense of acquiring titles. (By petition)
The Committee recommends favorable action and the appropriation of $100.00.
Article 49. To see if the Town will accept as a gift from Annie Baumgartner a parcel of land, containing approxi- mately 11,480 square feet on Taylor Avenue, in that part of Plymouth known as Manomet, and shown as Lot No. 151 on a plan by Delano and Keith, dated November 25, 1931, and filed at the Assessors' Office, Plymouth, as Plan No. 4804A3, to be used for a public parking space.
The Committee recommends favorable action by the Town.
Article 50. To see if the Town will appropriate and place in the hands of the Selectmen the sum of three thou- sand (3,000) dollars, as its contribution toward the build- ing of 450 feet of riprap at Warren's Cove by the State Department of Public Works, if and when the abutters contribute three thousand (3,000) dollars and the State six thousand (6,000) dollars.
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
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Article 51. To see what action the Town will take with reference to renaming, as Stephens Lane, the lower part of Fremont Street, from the intersection of Union Street.
(By request)
The Committee recommends that the lower part of Fre- mont Street, from the intersection of Union Street, be re- named as Stephens Lane.
Article 52. To see what action the Town will take with reference to renaming that section of Warren Avenue, leaving the State Highway opposite the Golf Links and running to the White Horse Road. (By request)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action. (This road was laid out by the Plymouth County Commissioners in 1874 and 1876 as Rocky Hill Road. We have no record that the name has ever been changed.)
Article 53. To see what action the Town will take with reference to renaming that section of Warren Avenue, from the junction of White Horse Road and Warren Av- enue to the State Highway at Manomet Four Corners.
The Committee recommends that the section of road mentioned in this article be renamed White Horse Road.
Article 54. To see if the Town will accept as a gift from Neil McIntosh a small triangular parcel of land, lying at the intersection of Robbins Hill Road and White Horse Road, in that part of Plymouth known as Manomet, be- ing on the southeasterly side of Robbins Hill Road and the northerly side of White Horse Road.
The Committee recommends that the Town accept this land as a gift, for highway purposes, as it has already been made a part of the two roads named by rounding off the corner at the intersection.
Article 55. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Health to lease or purchase, in the name and behalf of the Town, land for a dump and make an appropriation therefor.
The land which the Board of Health has in view is the
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property of Plymouth County and lies westerly of the County Farm in the vicinity of the Wethers place. The Committee has been given to understand that it can be purchased for a very low price and that there are no objections to its use as a public dump. We recommend favorable action and the appropriation of $100.00.
Article 56. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one thousand (1,000) dollars, to be used by a committee consisting of the members of the town planning board and five additional members to be appointed by the Town Moderator, for the purpose of making a complete eco- nomic study of the town, said committee to report its find- ings and recommendations at the next annual town meet- ing, with a view of improving general economic conditions of the town.
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 57. To see what action the Town will take with reference to adopting a Zoning Law for the Town.
The Committee recommends that the Town adopt some form of zoning by-law. We are not conversant with nor have we been asked to consider or recommend on any particular plans or regulations.
Article 58. . To see if the Town will amend the By-Laws by adding to the Building Regulations thereof the follow- ing new section :
"Section 29A. Glass Dead Eyes. The first floor of every mercantile establishment and store shall be equipped with glass dead eyes in the location and of the type determined by the Fire Commissioner of the Town of Plymouth, to be installed in a manner satisfactory to the building in- spector. This section shall not apply to existing buildings until after the expiration of six months from the date upon which it takes effect."
The Committee recommends that the proposed Section 29A be adopted by the Town.
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Article 59. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of two hundred (200) dollars for erecting markers on un- marked historical points about the town, said money to be expended by the Selectmen.
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action under this article. We approve the purpose but understand it will be taken care of without this appro- priation being made.
Article 60. To see if the Town will instruct the Ad- visory and Finance Committee to prepare and submit to the Town, in the printed reports for the 1941 and all subse- quent annual town meetings, a list of the regular annual apropriations, so arranged that there shall be two separate appropriations for each department or office. The first to be for the total of all salaries or personal services, other than labor payrolls, and the second for the total of all other departmental expenses, including labor payrolls. No transfers to be allowed from one of these appropria- tions to the other. Also that any contemplated outlay for departmental equipment in the amount of four hundred (400) dollars or more shall be set forth in the list of appropriations and subject to a separate vote.
The Committee recommends favorable action on this article which was inserted in the warrant on our request.
To save time in the town meeting we present the reasons for this article and something in the way of explanation.
It is evident from the various articles that have appear- ed on petitions in the warrants for two or three years that there is an increasing determination for more control by the voters over the salaries paid to town officers and employees. Our town naturally is not alone in this.
Through a questionnaire sent to about twenty Massa- chusetts towns approximating our population, we find that nearly two-thirds of them are using this method, which is generally termed "Segregated Budget." Many of these same towns also have representative town government
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which would tend to expedite the voting on the consider- ably increased number of regular department appropria- tions. There are, however, several towns where divided appropriations have been voted on in open town meetings for many years.
With a single appropriation for each department as at present, a reduction made in town meeting may be ab- sorbed in several ways. By reducing salaries (except those of elected officers as fixed by vote of the Town)- by re- ducing labor payrolls-by neglecting or postponing re- pairs and replacements-or such combinations of any of these as may be determined by the board or officer in con- trol of the appropriation.
With separate appropriations, as provided for in the article, any reduction voted must be taken care of in the appropriation at which it is directed and cannot be divert- ed. In those departments where the employed force is numerous, the compensation of individuals will still re- main in the control of the board elected for that purpose, as provided by law.
Article 61. Will the Town approve and instruct all heads of all town departments to insert yearly in the annual town report a complete list of all town employees under their jurisdiction with their yearly compensation.
(By petition)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 62. To see what action the Town will take with reference to the compensation of Town Laborers.
(By petition)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 63. Will the Town approve and instruct the various town boards and the heads of all town depart- ments that in the future all purchases amounting to $50.00 or over must be put out on a competitive bid basis except
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in an emergency. Order must be given to the lowest bid- der.
(By petition)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 64. To see what action the Town will take re- garding the following buildings and land formerly used for school purposes and at the present time vacant:
1. Knapp School and lot of land.
2. Old High School and lot of land.
3. Oak Street School and lot of land.
4. Wellingsley School and lot of land. (By petition)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 65. Will the Town approve and direct the fol- lowing Boards: Board of Selectmen; Board of Public Wel- fare; and the Planning Board; to get all of the necessary facts and figures available from the Federal Government pertaining to a low cost Federal Housing plan for the Town of Plymouth and report its findings and recom- mendations to the voters at the next annual town meeting. (By petition)
The Committee recommends favorable action.
Article 66. Will the Town approve of a medical clinic to be located at the Old High School Building on Lincoln Street for the purpose of caring for all relief cases in the Town of Plymouth and authorize and empower the Board of Health, Board of Selectmen and the Board of Public Welfare to regulate and supervise as a joint board this clinic and appropriate the sum of five thousand (5,000) dollars to operate the same for one year? (By petition)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 67. Will the Town instruct the Board of Health and the School Department to move their present rooms in the Governor Bradford Building to the Old High School
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Building on Lincoln Street and also request the Supt. of Schools to move his present office in Town Square to a room in the new High School. (By petition)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 68. To see if the Town will vote to amend the By-Laws of the Town of Plymouth by inserting the fol- lowing new section:
That in the future all Town Officers shall pay all fees received by them by virtue of their office into the Town Treasury as according to Section 21, Number 13, Ordi- nances By-Laws and Regulations General Laws of Massa- chusetts, Chapter 40.
(By petition)
The Committee recommends favorable action by the Town.
Article 69. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of fifteen thousand (15,000) dollars, to be added to money already appropriated and to be paid, together with money which may hereafter be appropriated, to the State Treas- urer, all of said moneys to be expended for the improve- ment of Plymouth Harbor, only in the event that the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts makes available for such purpose a sum, at least equal to the total contribution of the Town, and the United States of America makes available for such purpose a sum, at least equal to the total contributions of the Town of Plymouth and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (By petition)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 70. To see if the Town will instruct the Board of Selectmen to have enacted legislation to provide for a Public Safety Commissioner for the Town of Plymouth to be appointed by the Board of Selectmen for a term of (3) years at an annual salary not to exceed ($5,000.00) Five Thousand dollars. (By petition)
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The Committee recommends favorable action by the Town. To avoid confusion in the minds of the voters, we call attention to the wording of both Articles 70 and 71. Neither of these articles provides, nor could provide, for the acceptance of its policy at this time. They present conflicting plans both of which require the enactment of special legislation and the acceptance of either one would, we assume, be submitted in the form of a question on the ballot at a subsequent town election. We see no incon- sistency in our recommendation for favorable action on both articles at this time.
Article 71. To see if the Town will instruct the Moder- ator to appoint a committee of five to investigate and re- port to a special town meeting to be called not later than October 1, 1940, on the advisability of establishing in the town an unpaid Public Safety Commission of three mem- bers, one of whom is to be appointed by, the Selectmen, the remaining members to be appointed as the committee may determine. Said commission shall have all powers of appointment and removal of the Fire Commissioner, Police Commissioner or Chief of Police, as the case may be. The Committee shall report its recommendations to the end that legislation be sought to accomplish such pur- pose. (By petition)
The Committee recommends favorable action by the Town.
Article 72. To see if the Town will vote that a Com- mittee to consist of the Chairman of the Plymouth School Committee and fourteen other citizens to be appointed by the Moderator, shall hereby be authorized and request- ed to make a thorough study of the value, etc., to the Town of Plymouth of a so-called Vocational School, also the future use of the so-called Old High School House by the Town and to report their findings and suggestions to the Town not later than the next Annual Town Meeting.
(By petition)
The Committee recommends favorable action by the Town.
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