USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1957 > Part 6
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The original motion was put before the Meeting and voted.
Article 108. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $6,250 to be spent in conjunction with sums to be provided by the State or County, or both, for the construction of waterfront protection at Manomet Bluffs and that to meet said appropriation the sum of $3,125 be appro- priated from the tax levy of the current year and $3,125 from money in the Town Treasury received from abutters; the Town to assume liability as provided by Section 29, Chapter 91 of the General Laws, as amended, for all damages incurred hereunder.
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $6,250, pro- vided $3,125 of this appropriation is deposited with the Town Treasurer by the abutters before town meeting. The total estimated cost of this project is $25,000, $12,500 to be allotted by the Commonwealth and $6,250 by the County.
Mr. Paul Whipple moved that the Town take no action under Article 108.
Mr. James Frazier moved to amend the motion of Mr. Whipple by substituting the following: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $2,084, to be spent in conjunction with funds to be provided by the State or County, or both, for the construction of waterfront protection at Manomet Bluffs and that to meet said appropriation the sum of $1,042 be appropriated from the tax levy of the current year and $1,042 from money in the Town Treasury received from abut- ters; the Town to assume liability as provided by Section 29, Chapter 91 of the General Laws, as amended, for all damages incurred hereunder. The estimated total cost of this project is $8,333 of which $4,166 is to be allotted by the Common-
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wealth and $2,084 by the County, but the motion to amend was lost.
The original motion was put before the Meeting and voted.
Article 109. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,500 to be spent in conjunction with sums to be provided by the State or County, or both, for the construction of waterfront protection at White Horse Beach and that to meet said appropriation the sum of $750 be appro- priated from the tax levy of the current year and $750 from money in the Town Treasury received from the abutters; the Town to assume liability as provided by Section 29, Chapter 91 of the General Laws, as amended, for all damages incurred hereunder.
The Committee recommends no action.
Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 109.
Article 110. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $625 to be spent in conjunction with sums to be provided by the State or County, or both, for the construction of stone mounds or riprap on both sides of Bart- lett Brook easterly from the 1956 work; the Town to assume liability as provided by Section 29, Chapter 91, as amended, for damages incurred hereunder.
The Committee recommends no action.
Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 110.
Article 111. To see if the Town will assume liability in the manner provided by Section 29 of Chapter 91 of the Gen- eral Laws, as amended by Chapter 516 and 524, Acts of 1950, for all damages that may be incurred by work to be performed by the Department of Public Works of Massachusetts, for the improvement, development, maintenance and protection of tidal and non-tidal rivers and streams, harbors, tidewaters, foreshores and shores along a public beach outside of Boston Harbor, including the Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers, in accordance with Section 11 of Chapter 91 of the General Laws, and to authorize the Selectmen to execute and deliver a bond of indemnity therefor to the Commonwealth.
The Committee recommends favorable action.
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Voted: That the Town assume liability in the manner provided by Section 29 of Chapter 91 of the General Laws, as amended by Chapters 516 and 524, Acts of 1950, for all dam- ages that may be incurred by work to be performed by the Department of Public Works of Massachusetts, for the im- provement, development, maintenance and protection of tidal and non-tidal rivers and streams, harbors, tidewaters, fore- shores and shores along a public beach outside of Boston Harbor, including the Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers, in accordance with Section 11 of Chapter 91 of the General Laws, and to authorize the Selectmen to execute and deliver a bond of indemnity therefor to the Commonwealth.
Article 112. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $25,000 to dredge and install 100 new moorings in Plymouth Harbor; $5,000 of this to be used for the building and installation of the moorings; the dredging to be accomplished with State or Federal assistance, or both. (By Petition)
The Committee recommends no action.
Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 112.
Article 113. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000 for the purchase of the float, gangway, moorings, mooring chains and self-bailing auto- matic sump pump now owned and heretofore used by Gordon Howland at the Town Wharf; the terms and conditions of said purchase relative to launching, storage etcetera to be fixed by the Selectmen.
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,000.
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000 for the purchase of the float, gangway, moorings, moor- ing chains and self-bailing automatic sump pump, now owned and heretofore used by Gordon Howland at the Town Wharf, upon such terms and conditions as the Selectmen may determine.
Article 114. To see if the Town will authorize the Select- men to purchase from the Estate of Fannie Seymour, Lot 108, Plat 27 of the Assessors' Plans located on Billington Street for municipal purposes and appropriate the sum of $450 therefor.
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $450. Planning Board has approved.
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Voted: That the Town acquire by purchase for public purposes from the estate of Fannie Seymour a parcel of land, located on Billington Street and shown as Lot 108 of Plat 27 of the Assessors' Plans, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $450 therefor.
Article 115. To see if the Town will vote to rename the way from Liberty Street to Billington Street known as "West- erly Route" to "Westerly Road."
The Committee recommends favorable action.
Voted: That the Town rename the way from Liberty to Billington Street now known as "Westerly Route," to "West- erly Road."
Article 116. To see what action the Town will take on the report and recommendations of the Special Committee authorized by Article 12 of the Special Town Meeting of Sep- tember 26, 1955, relative to the consolidation of public services and other proposed administrative changes in the Town Gov- ernment including changes in elective offices and the terms thereof.
The Committee recommends the appointment by the Moder- ator of a committee of five, including at least three members of the present committee, to complete the work necessary to enable the town to vote on the adoption of the recom- mendations of the present committee.
Mr. Paul Whipple moved that the Town adopt the recom -. mendations of the committee established under Article 12 of the September 1955 Special Town Meeting and the Moderator appoint a committee of five members, three of which are to be members of the original committee; said committee of five to prepare and introduce any special articles or referenda in Town Business Meetings and also to submit to the General Court the legislation to substantially put into effect the adopted recommendations or to implement them if necessary; and that the Town further vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500 for the expenses of said committee, but the motion was lost.
Mr. William Barrett moved to amend Mr. Whipple's mo- tion by voting by a count of hands, 69 in the affirmative, 77 in the negative, that the committee postpone the adoption of the recommendations of the committee established under Article 12 of the September 1955 Special Town Meeting, but the motion was lost.
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Mr. Edward Chase moved to amend Mr. Whipple's motion by adding: "That the recommendations of the Special Com- mittee with regard to a Board of Resources and Services NOT be adopted," but the motion was lost.
The original motion was put before the Meeting but was rejected.
Article 117. To see if the Town will terminate the com- mittee and authority, authorized under Article 100 at the annual town meeting of March, 1952, relating to a "Committee to Study Plymouth Harbor and Waterfront Facilities" and will authorize the transfer of the unexpended appropriation to E. & D., or take any action thereon.
The Committee recommends favorable action.
Voted: That the Town terminate the committee and au- thority, authorized under Article 100 at the Annual Town Meeting of March, 1952, relating to a "Committee to Study Plymouth Harbor and Waterfront Facilities" and to authorize the transfer of the unexpended appropriation to Excess and Deficiency; and that the Town further instruct the Moderator to appoint a committee of three to determine the advisability of establishing a permanent harbor committee or commission, said committee to report to the Town at the next Annual Town Meeting, together with their recommendations for action by the Town.
Article 118. To see if the Town will vote to give to the Department of Natural Resources of the Commonwealth, the unused fire tower located in the Town Forest.
The Committee recommends favorable action.
Voted: That the Town give to the Department of Natural Resources of the Commonwealth the unused fire tower lo- cated in the Town Forest.
Article 119. To see if the Town will vote to accept Sec- tion 65 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws, an Act relative to advances of vacation pay to officers and employees of the Town.
The Committee recommends favorable action.
Voted: That the Town accept Section 65 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws, "An Act relative to advances of vacation pay to officers and employees of the Town."
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Article 120. To see if the Town will vote, in accordance with Section 110A of Chapter 41 of the General Laws, to close the Town Offices on Saturday provided the weekly hours are adjusted to conform with those set by the Personnel Board. (By Petition)
The Committee recommends no action.
Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 120.
Article 121. To see if the Town will authorize the ap- pointment of a special committee to study the by-laws and report thereon with its recommendations for their revision and compilation and make an appropriation therefor. (By Petition)
The Committee recommends the appointment by the Moder- ator of a committee of three to prepare a revision of the general by-laws of the town for acceptance by the town, omitting from their deliberations the Plumbing, Building, Finance Committee and Zoning By-Laws which are currently available in separate booklet form, but including an updating of the list of special acts accepted by the town.
Voted: That the Town instruct the Moderator to appoint a committee of three to prepare, for acceptance by the Town, a revision of the general by-laws of the Town, omitting from their deliberations the Plumbing, Building, Finance Com- mittee and Zoning By-Laws which are currently available in separate booklet form, but including an updating of the list of special acts accepted by the Town.
Article 122. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the insurance coverage of town employees in accordance with Chapter 32B of the Gen- eral Laws.
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $15,000.
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $15,000 for the insurance coverage of Town employees, in accordance with Chapter 32B of the General Laws, accepted by the Town on March 2, 1957.
Article 123. To see if the Town will vote to have the Board of Selectmen appoint its constables beginning with March 1958 and each year thereafter as provided in Section 91A of Chapter 41 of the General Laws.
The Committee recommends favorable action.
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Mr. Paul Whipple moved that the Town have the Board of Selectmen appoint its constables, beginning with March 1958 and each year thereafter, as provided in Section 91A of Chapter 41 of the General Laws.
Taken by a count of hands, 37 in the affirmative, 94 in the negative, the motion was lost.
Article 124. Will the Town approve of instructing the Moderator to appoint a committee of five members, one from the Board of Selectmen, one from the Planning Board and three other citizens not connected with any town board or department to look into the advisability of changing the present form of town government to a city form of govern- ment with a mayor and city council and report its findings and recommendations to the Town at its next regular or special town meeting and make an appropriation of $500 to defray the expenses of said committee. (By Petition)
The Committee recommends no action.
Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 124.
Total Appropriations $3,058,612.52
Less: Art. 7 Floodlights
$2,000.00
10 Reserve Overlay 10,000.00
16 Parking Meter Receipts 1,075.00
25 Chapter 90 Work
54,300.00
26 Streets
70,000.00
28 Street Construction
65,382.30
57 Dwight Ave. and Bunker Hill Rd. 3,480.00
58 Jacob's Ladder Road
2,100.00
59 Winding Way
3,810.00
91
Parking Meter Rec. for Off-Street Parking 11,500.00
103 Development and
Industrial Committee 2,000.00
105
High Cliff
1,500.00
$227,147.30 $2,831,465.22
Less: Art. 11 and 12 Excess and Deficiency $100,000.00
$2,731,465.22
March 25, 1957, on motion of Mr. Herbert K. Bartlett voted to adjourn at 11:10 p.m.
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FINAL REPORT School Study and Site Committee
At the last Town Meeting, held on March 24, 1956, a report of progress was made by the School Study and Site Com- mittee. In that report it was recommended that two parcels of land totaling 75 acres in the Stafford Street, South Street, By-Pass area, be purchased for school purposes. Article No. 81 of last year's Town Warrant was voted by a large majority. During the past year, a great deal of work has been done by the School Study and Site Committee in preparing the way for the Selectmen to make the actual purchases of the various plots in these areas. We believe we have accomplished all we can, within the limits of our authority, and have made a final report to the Selectmen. The School Study and Site Com- mittee has no power to purchase property, this duty lying solely in the hands of the Selectmen.
There has been one change in the Committee with the appointment of Mr. Harold G. Roberts to replace Mr. Walter H. Neaves who resigned. The Committee has held 48 meetings during the past two years. Two independent appraisers were retained to place values on each of the 14 different properties. The first step was to have the local firm of Delano and Keith survey the property and draw an accurate map of both parcels, showing the details of each individual plot. The appraisers then went over each plot in detail and inde- pendently submitted to us their findings together with argu- ments to support the appraisals made. The Committee visited the sites on several occasions and a sub-committee contacted each owner at least once and in some cases several times. These visits were for the purpose of negotiating agreements as to purchase prices.
Parcel "A" contains about 50 acres between Braley Lane, South Street, and Stafford Street, and has been selected as the site of a secondary school together with all the necessary athletic fields. The second and smaller Parcel "B" of 17 acres lying between Braley Lane, South Pond Road, and the By- Pass was thought to be the proper place for a replacement of the Cornish-Burton Schools.
In Parcel "A" the Committee was able to agree with the owners of five parcels on fair prices for their properties. The prices for four plots in this area could not be agreed upon with their owners but in all four cases the discrepancy be- tween offered price and the owner's price was not so great but what we think the Selectmen can negotiate between these
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limits and come to an agreement on these properties. There are two plots, each of approximately 6 acres, on which the prices set by the land owners are so high that in our opinion only eminent domain proceedings can settle the problem.
The second and smaller Parcel "B" presented more diffi- culties as one family thought that the taking of the land would not leave them enough to maintain the home they wished and they therefore would rather have the Town take both the house and the land. Our thought was to take enough sur- rounding land to fill out the school plot and still leave enough for the dwelling house.
After studying the situation for a considerable length of time, we have come up with a little different idea on this second parcel of land and this is tied in with Article No. 36 of this year's Warrant. We are suggesting that a Regional School Planning Board be appointed to investigate the advis- ability of erecting a four-year regional high school on our large Parcel "A." If this committee is appointed and if, through their investigations, they find it desirable to advise the Town to enter into such a four-year regional high school with the Town of Carver, then we would say it would be unnecessary to purchase the smaller Parcel "B," and only Par- cel "A" would be needed. In the event that a four-year regional high school is not approved by the Town, this Com- mittee recommends that the Town build its own four-year high school.
If either plan is accepted, we would then advise that the present Junior-Senior High School buildings be remodeled to the extent of improved lighting, flooring, furniture, etc., and be used for Grades 5, 6, 7, and 8. The first four grades would be housed in our elementary schools with the exception of the Cornish-Burton buildings which would be demolished and not have to be replaced.
This, of course, is a long-range plan and would depend upon what the Regional School Planning Board recommended to the Town, and what the Town voted. With this in mind, we have written the Selectmen a final report informing them of the details of our negotiations and making available to them all of our information as to maps, appraised values and ex- planations, the Committee's suggested purchase prices and all other data which we have assembled. Our responsibilities and authority cease at this point and we have ventured to suggest to the Selectmen that they proceed with the purchase of the plots in Parcel "A." This would seem simply to call
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for the purchase of the five agreed upon plots, some negoti- ation for four other plots and the taking of two to the courts through eminent domain proceedings. We believe that the total sum of Parcel "A" will be well below the amount appro- priated by the Town. By the time negotiations have been completed on Parcel "A," we should know whether or not a four-year high school is approved by the Town.
If a four-year high school is not built, we would need to purchase Parcel "B" for the replacement of the Cornish- Burton Schools. Further plans for a secondary school on Parcel "A" would have to be made.
To make this report complete, we are listing below the schools in the system together with dates of construction, number of rooms, and suggested disposition.
School
Date of Construction and Additions, if any
No. of Rooms
Cornish
1840, 1904
7
Burton
1896
4
Oak Street 1902
2
Suggested Disposition If a four-year local or re- gional high school is built, the Cornish and Burton buildings could be demol- ished and the Oak Street School disposed of
Mt. Pleasant 1905
6
Replacement within 20 to 25 years
Hedge 1910, 1913, 1924
12 Maintain for continued use
Cold Spring 1951, 1955
13
Excellent condition for many years
Manomet 1952
6 Excellent condition for many years
Junior High 1913
22) If a new high school is built, these buildings to be reno-
Senior High 1936
18] vated for grades 5 through 8
Elementary Rooms - 50
Junior and Senior High School Rooms - 40
The Plymouth birth records do not indicate any serious crowding in the elementary schools in the immediate future. There are enough classrooms to take care of pupils reasonably well with the present program. The immediate problem in the elementary schools is the replacement of or substitution
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for the obsolete buildings which include the Cornish-Burton buildings and the small Oak Street School. A new four-year high school would do away with the necessity for replacing the Cornish-Burton-Oak Street schools as the pupils would be absorbed in the other elementary schools and in the Junior- Senior High School building.
Statistics prepared by the Massachusetts School Building Assistance Commission from birth records and by grade sur- vival data show the need for increased room space for secondary school pupils. The situation will be critical in the Junior High School by 1959 and will continue to grow worse through 1964 in the Junior and Senior High School grades. Studies by the Plymouth Junior-Senior High School faculty, a visiting committee composed of educators from other com- munities in the Commonwealth, an advisory council composed of both teachers and interested citizens, business leaders in the community, and the answers to questionnaires sent to recent Plymouth High School graduates, show the need for expanding the secondary school curriculum as well as enrich- ing courses now offered. Changes will require additional classroom space. Much improvement should be carried on in the following areas: Industrial Arts, Business Education, Sci- ence, Physical Education, Music, and Libraries.
It is therefore recommended that:
1. Every effort should be made by the Selectmen to acquire the land recommended by this Committee, the pur- chase of which was approved by the Town in March, 1956.
The suggested procedure would be to immediately acquire the 50 acres in Parcel "A" and then review the financial situ- ation and the recommended school program before proceeding with the small Parcel "B."
2. On the basis of future school enrollment problems, curriculum changes needed in the secondary schools, and the need for abandoning the Cornish-Burton-Oak Street schools, this committee recommends that a new four-year high school be built on the site between Braley Lane and Stafford Street. It further recommends that the Junior-Senior High School buildings be renovated to serve as an intermediate school for Grades 5 through 8, with Hedge, Mt. Pleasant, and Cold Spring Schools serving Grades 1 through 4. The Manomet School would continue to house Grades 1 through 6, that being a local situation.
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3. In addition to planning for renovations to the Junior- Senior High School for use of Grades 5 through 8, the follow- ing anticipated school changes should be considered:
a. Efforts should be continued on an annual basis to keep improving the Hedge School which will serve the Town for many years.
b. A classroom at the Mt. Pleasant School should be changed for use as an all-purpose room. This school will probably serve the Town for another 20 to 25 years.
c. Continued population growth in the Manomet School district will probably necessitate an addition to the Manomet Elementary within the next 10 to 15 years.
4. A Regional Planning Committee be appointed, as pro- posed in Article No. 36 of this year's Warrant to study the advisability of making the new high school a four-year region- al high school in cooperation with the Town of Carver. It would cost the Town of Plymouth less to build this high school in conjunction with another town and it would cost considerably less to operate it.
5. The Town plan to hold a special Town Meeting next fall to receive the report of the Regional School Planning Board and to make a decision on the type of secondary school to be constructed.
6. The Town accept this report as the final report of the School Study and Site Committee.
MR. ENZO L. BONGIOVANNI, MR. JOSEPH S. CONTENTE, MRS. GLORIA HEY,
DR. WILLIAM A. POTTER, JR.,
MRS. HELENE M. RAGONETTI,
MR. HAROLD G. ROBERTS,
MR. RALPH C. WEAVER, Chairman, School Study and Site Committee.
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Town Clerk's Receipts for 1957
Issuing Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates
$577.00
Voters' Certificates
750.00
Marriage Intentions
290.00
Recording Mortgages
1,682.50
Recording Pole Locations
176.75
Cemetery Transfers
6.00
Miscellaneous
3.00
$2,742.75
Births Recorded 1957
Residents born in Plymouth 266
Residents born outside of Plymouth
20
Non-Residents born in Plymouth
220
Total
506
Marriages Recorded 1957
Residents married in Plymouth 104
Residents married outside of Plymouth
44
Non-Residents married in Plymouth 13
Total
161
Deaths Recorded 1957
Residents died in Plymouth 151
Residents died outside of Plymouth
30
Non-Residents died in Plymouth
69
Non-Residents died outside of Plymouth
but buried in Plymouth
6
Total 256
.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Town Accountant
OF THE
Town of Plymouth
1620.
.....
CHE
SE
MOJ
SI
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
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