USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1941 > Part 2
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Mr. Freeman S. Cornish moved to amend by substitut- ing the following motion: To see if the Town will approve of the appointment of a committee of fifteen to be named by the Moderator to determine the feasibility of a muni- cipally owned and operated electric light plant for the Town of Plymouth and appropriate the sum of twenty- five hundred (2,500) dollars to cover the cost of the in- vestigation, and the motion was carried.
The motion of Mr. Mulcahy, as amended by Mr. Corn- ish, was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article Fifty-five:
To see if the Town will ask the General Court for authority to bond the Town for $100,000.00 to build a Municipal Electric Light Plant and the Moderator to appoint a committee of five for the same.
(By petition of Freeman S. Cornish et als.)
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 55.
Article Fifty-six:
Mr. Daniel F. Mulcahy moved: That the Town take no action under Article 56.
Mr. Arthur W. Weston moved to substitute the follow- ing: To appropriate the sum of Two Hundred and Twenty-five (225) dollars for the purpose of reimbursing
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former Forest Fire Warden, Arthur W. Weston, for the loss of his truck, which was destroyed while in the per- formance of his duty, and the motion was carried.
Mr. Mulcahy's motion, as substituted by that of Mr. Weston, was then put before the meeting and carried. Article Fifty-seven:
To see if the Town will authorize the Honorable Board of Selectmen for the Town of Plymouth to construct, ac- cording to the plans of the Town Engineer, a so-called Fish Way or Herring Run through the so-called Town Brook or adjacent lands or through the dam at the so- called Bradford and Kyle factory into the so-called Poor House Pond and to acquire by purchase, gift or eminent domain the lands and easements necessary therefor and will appropriate the sum of sixteen hundred (1,600) dol- lars for the expenses necessary therefor and for the bal- ance of the plans of the Town Engineer for so-called Her- ring Runs or Fishways in so-called Town Brook the Hon- orable Board of Selectmen for the Town of Plymouth are hereby authorized to construct through W.P.A. or other so-called relief projects, etc., said Herring Runs or Fishways.
(By petition of Philip Jackson et als.)
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 57.
Article Fifty-eight:
Will the Town adopt a By-Law on Competitive Bidding to read,
Section A
No contract for construction work whether for repairs or original construction or for the purchase of apparatus, supplies or materials, the estimated cost of which amounts to fifty (50) dollars or more, except in cases of special emergency involving the health or safety of the people or their property, shall be awarded unless proposals for the same have been invited by the officer, board or com- mittee authorized by the Town to make the contract.
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Section B.
The officer, board or committee may exempt a pur- chase or contract from any or all of the provisions of the preceding section when, in their opinion, an emer- gency exists requiring immediate action on such purchase or contract to protect the health and safety of persons or property, or when no reasonable substitute can be ob- tained for the article or service to be purchased or con- tracted for. Evidence indicating that such an emergency exists or that no reasonable substitute for a purchase or service can be obtained shall be furnished to the Selectmen in writing by the officer, board or committee making such purchase or contract and shall be kept on file with other records of such transactions.
(By petition of William H. Barrett et als)
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 58.
Article Fifty-nine:
Will the Town approve that all appropriations voted on at town meetings amounting to five thousand (5,000) dollars or more must be voted on by ballot, this vote or ruling to take effect on its passage.
(By petition of William H. Barrett et als.)
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 59.
Article Sixty:
Will the Town adopt and improve of a bylaw to ap- propriate five hundred (500) dollars for a free bed at the Jordan Hospital, as applied in Chapter 111, Section 74, Volume 1, Ter. Ed. of 1932.
By petition of William H. Barrett et als.)
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 60.
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Article Sixty-one:
Will the Town adopt and approve of Chapter 115, Sec- tion 22, Vol. 1, Ter. Ed. of 1932 of the General Laws, that gives the right to the Selectmen to appoint annually caretakers for all veterans' graves in the Town of Ply- mouth that are neglected by next of kin's or guardian's who are financially unable to assume this responsibility and appropriate a sum of money not to exceed fifteen hundred (1,500) dollars annually.
(By petition of William H. Barrett et als.)
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 61.
Article Sixty-two:
To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money not to exceed five hundred (500) dollars to provide eye glasses or spectacles for public school children eighteen (18) years of age or under who are in need thereof and whose parents or guardians are financially unable to furnish the same, said appropriation to be expended by the School Committee
(By petition of William H. Barrett et als.)
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 62.
Article Sixty-three:
To see if it is the sentiment of the Town that the Ply- mouth School Committee and the faculty of all the Ply- mouth Schools, direct when possible or otherwise suggest that students purchase class pins, class photographs, musical instruments and such other material as may be directly purchased with other than town funds for stu- dents use, be purchased from Plymouth business men.
(By petition of William R. LaRocque et als.)
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 63.
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Article Sixty-four:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $300.00 for providing proper facil- ities for the holding of conventions and the reception of distinguished guests. Said appropriation to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
Article Sixty-five:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town approve the adoption of the stamp plan, so-called, for the distribution of surplus commodities, and author- ize the Board of Selectmen to enter into all necessary contracts and agreements therefor, and to cooperate to the fullest extent with the State Department of Public Welfare and the Surplus Marketing Administration of the Department of Agriculture of the United States of America.
On motion of James A. White, Voted: To adjourn.
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING JULY 14, 1941
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 o'clock. As there was not a quorum present, on motion of Alfred P. Richards, it was voted: That the meeting stand ad- journed until 7:45 P. M.
The time having arrived and as there was still an insufficient number to make a quorum, on motion of John A. Armstrong, it was voted: That the meeting be adjourned until 8 P. M.
At eight o'clock, there still not being a quorum present, Mr. Freeman Cornish moved: That the meeting stand adjourned until next Monday night, but the motion was lost. As the vote was doubted, a count was taken by a show of hands, the outcome of which appeared to be 29 voting in the affirmative and 155 in the negative, and Mr. Cornish's motion was lost.
Mr. Ralph H. Gilbert moved: That this Special Town Meeting be adjourned until two weeks from tonight, but the motion was lost.
Mr. James A. White moved: That this town meeting stand adjourned, and the motion was carried.
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REPORT OF ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE ON THE ARTICLES IN THE TOWN WARRANT
March 22, 1941
This Committee has held a series of ten meetings begin- ning the last week in January and ending on March 11. Average attendance has been twelve members. As two or three of the members were engaged in work that necessi- tated absence from town during a considerable part of the time, the attendance of the others has been practically 100%, although some of the meeting nights were in very stormy weather. As in the last two years, the meetings held before the publishing of the town meeting warrant were given up to the consideration of regular department budgets while the later meetings were devoted to special articles.
No attempt has been made to figure the tax rate as the State and County assessments are not yet known.
The total sum recommended for appropriation is more than was recommended last year. There are several reasons why this should be. Among them are:
a. Provisions for full year salary for police officers, firemen, and those school teachers who were under reduced pay until after the last annual town meet- ing, and of the Town Clerk and Collector of Taxes whose salaries were changed on July 1, 1940.
b. Increase of pay for Highway Dept. labor. $3,450.00 c. Special appropriations for repairs of Town House, Infirmary and Highway Dept. buildings.
d. Increased appropriation for Retirement System.
5
4
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For the purpose of comparison with the Committee's recommendation, for this warrant, of appropriations amounting to $957,014.67 we print the following last year's figures:
1940 Total on warrant $986,668.48
1940 Committee's recommendations 930,193.36
1940 Appropriations voted 961,193.36
1940 Tax Rate, $32.80
The vote of the Town passed at the last annual meet- ing, relative to the setting up of a "Segregated Budget" has been complied with. In order to avoid any confusion that might occur through amendments offered from the floor to change the amounts of regular department appro- priations, we give the full text of the vote.
"The Town instructs the Advisory and Finance Com- mittee to prepare and submit to the Town, in the printed reports for the 1941 and all subsequent annual town meet- ings, a list of the regular annual appropriations, so ar- ranged 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 depart- mental expenses, including labor payrolls. No transfers to be allowed from one of these appropriations to the other. Also that any contemplated outlay for depart- mental equipment in the amount of four hundred (400) dollars to one thousand (1,000) dollars shall be set forth in the list of appropriations and subject to a separate vote."
As has been explained in the local newspapers, no legal action can be taken at this meeting on Articles 34-35-37 and 44, because the necessary enabling Acts had not been passed prior to the publication of the warrant. It is understood that these subjects will come before the Town at a special meeting later.
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Article 5. To see what action the Town will take with regard to fixing the salaries of elected town officers.
The Committee recommends that the salary of the Chairman of the Selectmen be fixed at $600.00; that the salary of the other Selectmen be fixed at $300.00 (each) and that the salaries of other elected town officers remain as they are now fixed:
Viz. Chairman of Assessors $1,960.00
Other Assessors (each)
1,600.00
Town Clerk
1,700.00
Town Treasurer
1,700.00
Collector of Taxes
2,500.00
Note: The change in the salaries of the Selectmen was proposed by the Selectmen and has the unanimous ap- proval of the Board. The appropriation for the salaries of the Selectmen collectively is not affected.
Article 6. 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 by Departments Recommended by Committee Salaries or Salaries or Personal Other Expenses Services Personal Services
Selectmen's Dept.
$3,907.00
$950.00
$3,907.00
$950.00
Accounting Dept.
3,280.00
300.00
3,280.00
300.00
Treasury Dept.
2,471.00
879.00
2,471.00
879.00
Tax Collector's Dept
3,300.00
1,500.00
3,300.00
1,500.00
Assessors' Dept.
6,356.60
343.40
6,356.60
343.40
Law Department
1,300.00
200.00
1,300.00
200.00
Town Clerk's Dept.
2,471.00
127.00
2,471.00
127.00
Engineering Dept.
850.00
50.00
850.00
50.00
Planning Board
150.00
50.00
150.00
50.00
Election and Registration
1,150.00
650.00
1,150.00
650.00
Maintenance of Town House
800.00
1,505.00
800.00
1,505.00
Maintenance of Town Hall
3,120.00
3,885.00
3,120.00
3,380.00
Police Department
31,957.67
5,005.00
31,957.67
5,005.00
Police Department, Replace 2 Cars
1,000.00
1,000.00
Fire Department
38,747.00
7,620.00
38,722.00
7,645.00
Inspection of Buildings
156.00
29.00
156.00
29.00
Sealing Weights and Measures
1,400.00
200.00
1,400.00
200.00
Moth Suppression
1,400.00
4,200.00
1,400.00
4,200.00
Tree Warden's Department
680.00
2,320.00
680.00
2,320.00
Forest Warden's Dept.
800.00
1,201.00
800.00
1,400.00
Forest Warden's Dept., Forest Fire Payrolls
1,800.00
1,800.00
Inland Fisheries
300.00
300.00
Plymouth County Hospital Maintenance
12,745.60
12,745.60
Health Department
6,216.00
12,446.20
6,116.00
12,346.20
Piggery Maintenance and Garbage Collection
442.00
7,542.60
442.00
7,542.60
Other Expenses
Recommended by Departments Recommended by Committee Salaries or Personal Other Expenses Other Expenses Services
New Chassis for Garbage Truck
1,570.00
1,150.00
Inspector of Animals
350.00
237.50
Public Sanitaries
2,135.00
300.00
2,135.00
300.00
Sewers
3,150.00
3,150.00
Street Cleaning
4,800.00
4,300.00
Roads and Bridges
5,360.00
38,140.00
5,360.00
38,140.00
Repairs to Highway Garage and Office
850.00
850.00
Repairs to Town Barn (In rear of Infirmary)
600.00
Highway Construction and Reconstruction
19,500.00
19,825.00
Hard Surfacing Streets
4,725.00
4,725.00
Gurnet Bridge Tax
909.94
909.94
Sidewalks
5,150.00
5,150.00
Granolithic Sidewalks and Curbing
1,000.00
Snow and Ice Removal
10,600.00
10,000.00
Street Sprinkling
2,200.00
2,200.00
Street Lighting
20,500.00
20,000.00
Traffic Lights
300.00
300.00
Harbor Master
400.00
400.00
Public Welfare Department
9,048.00
76,642.00
8,298.00
66,980.00
Repairs to Infirmary
1,500.00
1,500.00
Aid to Dependent Children
350.00
22,600.00
17,700.00
Old Age Assistance
2,120.00
82,000.00
1,745.00
82,000.00
Soldiers' Benefits
360.00
14,640.00
360.00
14,640.00
School Department
180,475.00
46,750.00
180,475.00
46,750.00
Maint. of Old High School (Portion used by Town Depts.) ..
1,350.00
955.00
1,350.00
955.00
Salaries Personal Services
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Recommended by Departments Recommended by Committee Salaries or Salaries or Other Expenses Personal Services Personal Other Expenses Services
Park Department
4,673.00
6,487.00
4,673.00
5,027.00
Recreation Room, Nelson St. Camp
500.00
500.00
Snow Plow for Park Department Truck
300.00
Maintenance and Planting of Shade Trees by Park Dept ...
500.00
500.00
Pensions for Town Laborers
1,676.00
1,676.00
Insurance of Town Property (Fire)
3,841.46
3,841.46
Insurance of Town Property (Boiler)
275.00
275.00
Contributory Retirement System
Pension Fund
15,602.32
15,612.32
Expense Fund
200.00
200.00
2,625.00
Water Department Maintenance
550.00
550.00
Water Department Construction
858.00
100.00
858.00
100.00
Town Forest Maintenance
150.00
850.00
150.00
850.00
Oak Grove and Vine Hill Cemetery
2,164.00
7,836.00
2,164.00
7,336.00
Burial Hill Cemetery
1,500.00
1,500.00
Protecting Old Headstones
300.00
300.00
Chiltonville, Manomet, Cedarville and South Pond Ceme-
800.00
700.00
Town Debt and Interest
46,500.00
46,500.00
$335,973.27
$532,947.52
$334,260.77
$512,359.52
Total Article 6
$868,920.79
$846,620.29
Sexton
Miscellaneous Account
12,900.00
12,100.00
12,900.00
12,100.00
Water Department Replace Car
5,700.00
5,700.00
Town Wharf Maintenance
350.00
350.00
450.00
2,625.00
450.00
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teries
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SPECIAL ARTICLES
Requested Recommended
7. Plymouth Public Library
$8,850.00*
$8,850.00
8. Loring Library
3,000.00
3,000.00
9. Manomet Library
1,000.00
1,000.00
10. Memorial Day
400.00
400.00
11. Armistice Day
250.00
250.00
12. July Fourth
500.00
500.00
13. Old Home Day, November 27th
200.00
200.00
14. Mosquito Control Works
500.00
500.00
Protection; Salary $1,300, Expenses $150
1,450.00
1,450.00
13. District Nurses
2,000.00
2,000.00
18. Samoset Street, Chapter 90
3,750.00
3,750.00
19. South Meadow Road, Chapter 90
3,000.00
20. Town House Repairs
3,600.00
2,500.00
21. Unemployment Relief, W. P. A.
60,000.00
45,000.00
22. Municipal Advertising
1,100.00
1,100.00
23. Christmas Lighting
500.00
24. Special Police Officers
5,000.00
5,000.00
25.
New Car for Police Dept.
950.00
950.00
25.
Traffic Light Motor Replacements
1,500.00
1,500.00
27.
New Traffic Lights
2,850.00
28.
Changes at Police Station
3,000.00
3,000.00
29.
Dredging Channel at Town Wharf
5,000.00
5,000.00
30. Dog Officer
600.00
..
.......
31. Addressograph for Treasurer and Wel- fare Dept.
800.00
800.00
32. Recreational Building, at Fresh Pond Camp
33. Concrete Bridge at Great Herring Pond
2,594.38*
2,594.38
34. Vocational School (Including bond issue $42,500.00)
48,000.00*
35. Vocational School Operation: Salaries $5,900.00, Expenses $1,600.00
7,500.00
36. Hard-Surfacing Roads in Cemetery
750.00
750.00
38. New Combination Fire Truck
6,500.00
6,500.00
40. Water Dept. for Purchase of Land and Right of Way for Pipes, near Fresh Pond
500.00
500.00
41. Construction of Auxiliary Water Supply
7,000.00
7,000.00
42. Town Infirmary Repairs and Alterations 43. Committee on New Building for Town Offices
15,000.00*
..
800.00
..
44. Harbor Improvement: (Including bond issue of $25,000.00)
32,500.00*
..
1,000.00
1,000.00
17. County Aid to Agriculture
100.00
15. Shellfish Cultivation, Propagation and
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Requested Recommended
46. Knapp Terrace, as a Town Way
100.00
100.00
47. Savery Ave. Terrace as a Town Way
100.00
100.00
48. Margerie Street, as a Town Way
100.00
100.00
49. Ocean View Avenue, as a Town Way.
100.00
100.00
50. Cordage Terrace, as a Town Way
100.00
100.00
52. Purchase of Game to be liberated
200.00
53. Public Airport, W.P.A.
24,500.00
54. Survey on Municipal Lighting Plant
4,500.00
4,500.00
56. Reimburse for Loss of Truck of former Forest Fire Warden
225.00
57. Fishway to Poor House Pond
1,600.00
60. Free Bed in Jordan Hospital
500.00
61. Care of Neglected Veterans Graves
1,500.00
62. Eye Glasses for School Children
500.00
64. Conventions
300.00
300.00
Total of Special Articles
$266,369.38
$110,394.38
Less:
From Bonds or Notes
$67,500.00
From Excess and Def.
20,500.00
From Other Sources
5,086.48
93,086.48
5,086.48
Amount of Special Articles from Tax Levy. ...
$173,282.90
$105,307.90
Add: Article 6 from Tax Levy
868,920.79
846,620.29
Total Appropriation from Tax Levy
1,042,203.69
$951,928.19
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Article 7. 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 1940 amounting to $1,742.10.
Article 8. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of three thousand (3,000) dollars, to be expended by the Plymouth Public Library for the Loring Library.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $3,000.00.
Article 9. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding one thousand (1,000) dollars in aid of the Manomet Public Library.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $1,000.00.
Article 10. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding four hundred (400) dollars for the Observance of Memorial Day, said appropriation to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $400.00
Article 11. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding two hundred and fifty (250) dollars for the Observance of Armistice Day, said appropriation to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $250.00.
Article 12. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of five hundred (500) dollars for the Observance of July Fourth, said appropriation to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $500.00.
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Article 13. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding two hundred (200) dollars for the Observance of Old Home Day, November 27, 1941, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $200.00.
Article 14. 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 15. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of 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 of which $1,300.00 is to be for salary of the Supervisor and $150.00 for expenses.
Article 16. 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 expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $2,000.00.
Article 17. 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
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45, Revised Chapter 128 of the General Laws, and act thereon.
The committee recommends that the Town make no appropriation.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of three thousand seven hundred and fifty (3,750) dollars for the improvement of Samoset Street, said money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County, or both, for this purpose.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $3,750.00.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of three thousand (3,000) dollars for the improvement of South Meadow Road, said money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County, or both, for this purpose.
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 20. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of three thousand six hundred (3,600) dollars for repairs to the Town House.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $2,500.00
Article 21. To see if the Town will provide coopera- tion with the Federal Government in unemployment re- lief 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 subject to transfers only on orders of the Board of Select- men for the several projects and for necessary local ad- ministration,
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The Committee recommends the appropriation of $45,000.00 to be used in continuing the projects now work- ing, in the order as listed herewith :-
1. Administration:
Estimated
Salary (Sponsor's Agent)
$1,560.00
Mileage (Sponsor's Agent) 350.00
Engineering Services 460.00
Telephones (3)
75.00
First Aid
175.00
Supervision of NYA Painting
685.00
Bus transportation for Defense Project
7,000.00
$10,305.00
2. School Lunch
3,600.00
3. Women's Sewing
1,800.00
4. Household Aids (Mileage)
150.00
5. Construction of Water Mains
1,000.00
6. Recreation
300.00
7. Historical Records and Music
500.00
8. Improvement of Secondary Roads and Structures 25,000.00
9. Intercepting Sewer 15,600.00
$58,255.00
Article 22. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding eleven hundred (1,100) dollars, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen, under Section 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 23. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of five hundred (500) dollars for Christmas lighting.
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
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Article 24. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of five thousand (5,000) dollars for special police officers.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $5.000.00.
Article 25. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of nine hundred and fifty (950) dollars for a new automobile for the Police Department.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $950.00.
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