USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1920 > Part 3
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"He said the trustees preferred that the town should do nothing in the way of raising and appropriating money to keep the service going, for even if the town went its limit allowed by law-$2 on each thousand of valuation-this sum combined with the revenue from operation would, in all probability, not exceed operating ex- penses and depreciation.
"That a most serious feature was the condition of the tracks and to restore them to a condition safe and proper to uperate would require a large expenditure of money. That their engineers had made a careful survey of the physical condition of the road bed and rails and had estimated the amounts required as follows:
For Pleasant St. from Jackson Sq. to Columbian Sq. $36,000 For the Main-Front Street line 21,000
For Braintree-East Weymouth line 5,600
"He said that he did not advise doing anything with the Pleas- ant Street line as the traffic could not justify it, but in the event service should be maintained on all other lines, he thought the com- pany would install omnibus service, taking care of Pleasant Street and making connections with all cars. This service would prob- ably run through to South Weymouth depot.
"That the section of the East Weymouth-Braintree line most in need of repairs was between Washington Square and Braintree depot.
"That this line with one-man operated cars would pay its way. That if all cars in Weymouth were one-man cars it would cut the cost of power to one-half, and the cost of repairs one-half, and the wages 40 %.
"That from the financial standpoint, the trustees hoped the town would do nothing to keep its service, although the trustees were sorry to have a community lose its transportation facilities to which it had so long been accustomed, and which means so much to the inhabitants.
"That if anything should be done by way of raising and appro- priating the required amount, he should advise the appointment of a committee of the citizens to supervise and manage the service;
.
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that the company would furnish the power, equipment and crew but the committee would have a free hand and could run the cars any way they pleased; that they could have less or more frequent service and could charge as fares any sum they pleased, so long as the returns equalled operating expenses and depreciation; that no contributions would be used to pay dividends to stockholders.
"That the situation was a plain, simple, business proposition. If the town could show actual operating expenses and depreciation, the trustees would keep the road going, otherwise, they had no op- tion as the law under which they were appointed and acting re- quired that these two items, at least, should be made certain.
Respectfully submitted,
BRADFORD HAWES,
Chairman."
Voted, "To receive and file the report.'
Voted, On motion of Mr. Herbert C. Bridges, "That Mr. Walter M. Whiting, a resident of Weymouth, but not a registered voter, be given the privilege of the floor." He spoke on the railway situ- ation from a travelling man's standpoint.
The question on Mr. Sheehy's substitute motion was put before the voters and declared not a vote.
Mr. Peter Healy offered the following substitute mnotion: "That the voters of the town meeting March 22, 1920, choose a committee consisting of Mr. Arthur C. Heald, Horace Drinkwater of Edwin Clapp & Son, Inc., and E. M. Bemis of the George E. Keith Co., to consider the question of transportation service in Weymouth, and rest of the committee to be appointed by the Moderator of this meeting, and report one week from tonight.'
The question on Mr. Healey's substitute motion was put before the voters and declared not a vote.
By unanimous consent of the voters present Mr. Edward C. Bar- ker withdrew his amendment offered at the annual town meeting of March 1st, under article 49.
Mr. Edward C. Barker offered the following substitute motion under Article 49:
"Moved that a committee of ten be appointed by the Moderator to make an investigation of the transportation situation in Wey- mouth with a view to determine the kind and character of trans- portation facilities necessary to furnish the citizens of Weymouth with adequate service.
Said committee shall investigate the desirability of establishing transportation service by means of automobile busses and whether such service may be provided by means of capital subscribed locally or otherwise and what measure of control of said service should be reserved to the town through its proper officials and what, if any, guarantee shall be given to a company or companies furnishing such service for transporting the scholars of Weymouth or for any deficit resulting from operations and upon what other terms and conditions such service may be established.
Said committee shall give public hearings upon the subject matter of this order and shall report its findings to special meet- ing of the voters of the town of Weymouth, which special meet- ing the Selectmen are requested to call at a date not later than May 1,1920.
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Mr. John L. Bean moved as an amendment, That this committee consist of five, instead of ten, and to report at a special town meet- ing, not later than April 15, 1920.
The question upon the amendment was put before the voters- and was declared not a vote.
The question upon Mr. Barker's substitute motion was put before the voters and was declared a vote.
The Moderator appointed on the committee as follows: Arthur C. Heald, Joseph Kelly, William A. Hodges, Edward W. Hunt, John W. Hanley, Parker T. Pearson, George E. Cuniff, William L. Swan, Elmer E. Leonard and Stanley T. Torrey.
Article 13. Voted-"To raise and appropriate the sum of $1900 said money to be paid to the trustees of the James Humphrey Schoolhouse Sinking Fund, to be set apart and invested as a sinking fund for the maturity of the James Humphrey School- house bonds.
Article 14. Voted-That the School committee act as a committee to investigate the desirability of requiring land in Ward 1. for additional schoolhouse, they to report their recommendations at the next annual meeting.
Article 15. Voted -- "To raise and appropriate a sum not ex- ceeding $6,000. for the acquisition and equipment of one or two portable schoolhouses for Ward 1. the location of the portable schoolhouses and the expenditure of said sum to be under the direction of the school committee.
Article 16. Voted-"That no action be taken under this article, as it has been taken care of under article 12."
Article 17. Voted-"To raise and appropriate the sum of $600. for the care and maintenance of Parks and Play Grounds, to be expended under the supervision of the Park Commissioners."
Article 18. Voted-"To raise and appropriate the sum of $500. for curbing "Bayley Green" Columbian Square, South Weymouth, said sum to be expended under the supervision of the Park Com- missioners."
Article 19. Voted-"To accept the provisions of Section 20 and 21 of Chapter 25 of the Revised Laws, authorizing Towns to pro- vide public bathing places and establish rates for the use of the same."
Article 20. Mr. Edward C. Barker, secretary of the appropria- tion committee, moved, "To raise and appropriate a sum not exceed- ing $500. for the purchase or acquisition by eminent domain, for Parks or Playground purposes, approximately two and three- quarters acres of land at Lovell's Corner now under lease to the town, said land being now or formerly of Charles H. Lovell.
Mr. Fletcher W. Howe moved as an amendment, "That this matter be referred to the Appropriation Committee, they to report at the next annual town meeting."
This amendment was put before the voters of the town and was declared not a vote.
Mr. Frank N. Clapp moved as an amendment, "That this matter be referred to the Park Commissioners.
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This amendment was put before the voters of the town and was declared not a vote.
Mr. Edward C. Barker moved to amend by adding the words "a part of which is" and after the words "Lovell's Corner" the following words, "and that the Park Commissioners be authorized to carry this vote into effect."
This amendment was put before the voters of the town and was declared a ·vote.
The motion as amended was put before the voters of the town and was declared a vote.
The vote is as follows: "To raise and appropriate the sum of $500. for the purchase or acquisition by eminent domain for Park or Playground purposes approximately two and three quarters acres of land at Lovell's Corner, a part of which is now under lease to the town, said land being now or formerly of Charles H. Lovell, and that the Park Commissioners be authorized to carry this vote into effect. "
Article 21. Mr. Edward C. Barker moved, "That no action be taken under this article."
Mr. Joseph Kelly moved as an amendment, "That the Park Commissioners acquire by purchase or by right of eminent domain, land on Neck and River Streets, owned by W. C. Cherrington and Annie K. Jones, for bathing purposes, and a reappropriation of the sum of five hundred dollars to pay for the same."
This amendment was put before the voters and was declared not vote.
The motion of Mr. Barker was put before the voters and was declared a vote.
Article 22. Voted, "To raise and appropriate the sum of $17,- 000 for the support of the Fire Department."
Article 23, "Voted, "That the town authorize the Board of Fire Engineers to sell the hose wagon and equipment heretofore used by Hose Company No. 6, or any other apparatus for which the town has no further use."
Article 24. Mr. Edward C. Barker moved, "That no action be taken under this article."
Mr. Matthew O'Dowd moved as an amendment, "That the town vote to accept Chapter 19, Section 37, of the Revised Laws of 1901 (An Act to Place the Chauffeurs of the Fire Department Under the Civil Service Rules). Also, that the chauffeurs of the Fire Department shall receive the same rate of salary as paid to the regular patrolmen of the Police Department."
This amendment was put before the voters of the town and was declared not a vote.
The question as offered by Mr. Barker was put before the voters of the town and was declared a vote.
Article 26. Mr. Edward C. Barker moved, "To raise and appro- priate the sum of $13,235 for the support of the Police Depart- ment."
Mr. Arthur H. Pratt moved as an amendment, "That the sum be $15,235 instead of $13,235."
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This amendment was put before the voters of the town and was declared not a vote.
This vote being doubted by seven legal voters of the town, the Moderator appointed Thomas V. Nash, Francis W. Rea and David Crawford as tellers, upon a recount of the vote 266 voted in favor of the amendment and 12 against the amendment.
The motion as amended was put before the voters and was de- clared a vote.
Article 27. Voted, "That the town appropriate from the rev- enue of the Water Works for the current year the sum of $48,955 to be expended for the following purposes, namely :
Superintendence, maintenance and pumping station $22,000
Commissioners, office and current expenses 5,300
Interest on sinking fund, 4% bonds 1,760
Interest on serial 4 1/2 % bonds 3,375
Interest on serial 4% bonds 520
Principal of serial bonds due 1920
9,500
New service, minor extensions and meter installations 6,500
$48,955
Clayton B. Merchant, on a question of privilege, which being granted, moved, "That a committee of three be appionted by the Moderator to prepare a set of resolutions on the death of John A. Raymond, who for over 40 years served as the Town Clerk of Weymouth."
This question was put before the voters and was declared a vote.
The Moderator appointed Bradford Hawes, Albert P. Worthen and Benjamin F. Smith as the above committee.
Article 28. Voted, "That the town authorize the Water Commis- sioners to appropriate, if necessary, from the revenue of the Water Works the current year, and transfer to the Trustees of the sinking fund the sum of $3,000 to be set apart and invested as a sinking fund for the payment at maturity of the 'Weymouth Water Works Bonds'."
Article 29. Voted, "That the town confirm the vote of March 4, 1918, whereby it voted, 'That the town for the further construction of the water system, authorize the issue of bonds to the amount of $5,000 under authority of Chapter 276, Acts of 1913, entitled, An Act to Authorize the Town of Weymouth, to make an additional water loan'."
This article was unanimously voted and a quorum of voters being present.
Article 30. Mr. Edward C. Barker moved "That no action be taken under this article."
Mr. Frank H. Torrey moved as an amendment, "That a commit- tee of five be appointed, one of whom shall be Mr. Fred O. Stevens, to ascertain the cost of connection to the Metropolitan Water Sys- tem."
The amendment was put before the voters and was declared a vote.
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The Moderator appointed on the above committee Fred O. Ste- vens, Russell H. Whiting, Kenneth L. Nash, Prince H. Tirrell and George W. Perry.
Article 31. Voted, "To raise and appropriate the sum of $3,700 for the services and expenses of the Board of Health."
Article 32. Voted, "To raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000 for the employment of district or other nurses, said sum to be ex- pended by the town through its Selectmen or under the direction of the Board of Health, if authorized so to do, by the Selectmen.' '
Article 33. Voted, "To raise and appropriate the sum of $14,025 for the payment of town officers, as follows:"
Selectmen and Overseers of the Poor,
$2,600
Town Clerk,
250
Assessors,
3,000
Town Treasurer,
800
Town Treasurer's Bond,
125
Auditors,
150
Sealer of Weights and Measures,
600
Tree Warden,
100
Registrars of Voters,
450
Town Accountant and general office Clerk,
2,500
Tax Collector,
2,450
Tax Collector's Bond,
250
Appropriation Committee, 50
Expenses of Sealer of Weights and Measures, 200
$14,235
Article 34. Voted, "To raise and appropriate the sum of $2,000 for election expenses."
Article 35. Voted, "To raise and appropriate the sum of $1,475 for rent and expenses of town offices."
Article 36. Voted, "To raise and appropriate the sum of $71,600 for repairs of highways, town ways, bridges, street oiling and for the removal of snow."
Article 37. Voted, "That no action be taken under this article."
Article 38. Voted, "That no action be taken under this article."
Article 39. Voted, "That no action be taken under this article."
Article 40. Voted, "To raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000 in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 719, Acts of 1913 as amended by Chapter 317 of the Acts of 1914, to be expended for macadam pavement or other road material under specifications ap- proved by the Massachusetts Highway Department, provided an equal amount is obtained from the Highway Department of the State of Massachusetts and an equal amount is obtained from the County of Norfolk, said sum to be expended upon Union Street, South Weymouth."
Article 41. Voted unanimously and a legal quorum being pres- ent, "That the sum of $20,000 be raised and appropriated for macadam pavement or other road material under specifications ap- proved by the Massachusetts Highway Commission, to be used for
Town Counsel (this amount not to include trial cases) 500
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the reconstruction of existing ways in the town, and the Treasurer be and hereby is authorized with the approval of the Selectmen to borrow said sum of $20,000 for that purpose and to issue serial notes of the town therefor, payable in equal installments for five years from the date of issue, to bear interest at a rate not to ex- ceed six per cent per annum."
Article 42. Voted, "To raise and appropriate the sum of $500 for working Birchbrow Avenue."
Article 43. Mr. Edward C. Barker moved, "That no action be taken under this article."
Mr. Jacob Denbroeder moved as an amendment, "That the town lay out Oakden Avenue for a distance of nine hundred feet as a town-way and raise and appropriate the sum of $500 for working of the same."
The question upon Mr. Denbroeder's amendment was put before the voters and was declared not a vote.
The question upon Mr. Barker's motion was put before the voters and was declared a vote.' '
Article 44. Voted, "No action be taken under this article."
Article 45. Voted, "No action be taken under this article.
Article 46. Mr. Edward C. Barker moved, "That no action be taken under this article."
Mr. Fletcher W. Howe moved "That the subject matter of this article be indefinitely postponed."
The question on the amendment was put before the voters and was declared not a vote.
Mr. Clement H. C. Gibson moved, "That the town raise and appro- priate the sum of $200 for improving the sidewalk on Lakewood Road."
The question on Mr. Gibson's motion was put before the voters of the town and was declared a vote.
Article 47. Voted, "That no action be taken under this article."
Article 48. Voted, "That no action be taken under this article."
Article 50. Voted, "To raise and appropriate $200 and further to appropriate from any money in the treasury not otherwise ap- propriated the sum of $6,000 for the payment of State Military Aid and for burials under the provisions of Chapter 587 of the Acts of 1914."
Article 51. Voted, "To raise and appropriate the sum of $3,600 for the relief of disabled soldiers and seamen and families of dis- abled soldiers and seamen under Chapter 79 of the Revised Laws and amendments thereof."
Article 52. Voted, "To raise and appropriate the sum of $18,000 for the relief and support of the poor."
Article 53. Voted, "That the Overseers of the Poor are hereby authorized to lease the Town Farm for such a term and under such condition as they deem proper."
Article 54. Voted, "To raise and appropriate the sum of $4,650 and the rentals of the Library Building for the support and main- tenance of Tufts Library and that the income from the A. J.
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Richards, J. E. Trask, Susanna Hunt, C. Q. Tirrell and other funds be used for the purposes designated by the respective donors."
Article 55. Voted, "To raise and appropriate the sum of $750 for the maintenance of a reading room at Fogg Library."
Article 56. Voted, "That the town authorize the Trustees of Tufts Library to lease the store in the Library building for a term not exceeding five years and under such conditions.as they deem proper."
Article 57. Voted, "To raise and appropriate the sum of $15,500 for street lighting and the matter of installing new lights to be left with the Electric Light Committee."
Article 58. Voted, "That no action be taken under this article."
Article 59. Voted, "That no action be taken under this article."
Article 60. Voted, "That no action be taken under this article."
Article 61. Voted, "To raise and appropriate the sum of $1,500 for the maintenance of the town survey, this money to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen."
Article 62. Voted, "That all taxes shall become due and payable on October 15th next as prescribed in Chapter 190 of the General Acts of 1918 and that the salary of the Tax Collector be seven mills on the dollar actually collected."
Article 63. Voted, "To appropriate the overlay for the abate- ment and remittance of taxes.'
Article 64. Voted, "To raise and appropriate the sum of $12,500 for the payment of interest which may become due the cur- rent year."
Article 65. Voted, "To raise and appropriate the sum of $400 for the preservation of shade trees, the same to be expended under the direction of the Tree Warden."
Article 66. Voted, "To raise and appropriate the sum of $4,000 for the suppression of gypsy and brown tail moths.'
Article 67. Voted, "To raise and appropriate the sum of $3,000 for advertising and printing."
Article 68. Voted, "That no action be taken under this article."
Article 69. Voted, "To raise and appropriate the sum of $4,000 for miscellaneous expenses.'
Article 70. Voted, "To raise and appropriate the sum of $400 for Memorial Day."
Article 71. Voted, "That the Selectmen be a committee of the town to conduct the Alewive Fishery."
Article 72. Voted, "That the Selectmen are hereby authorized to take such action as they think necessary to control, regulate or prohibit the digging or taking of clams from the shores and flats of the town."
Article 73. Voted, "That the Selectmen be authorized to com- mence suit for the recovery of any money or property due the town or to prosecute a Bill in Equity or any other proceeding in Court where in their judgment it is expedient to do so."
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The committee on nomination of minor officers other than those elected by ballot reported as follows :
· Public Weighers
C. Lewis French, John J. Lane, John Byrne, Michael Lane, James B. French, John Q. Manuel, F. Cecil Manuel.
Clara Mitchell, Charles T. Leavitt, James D. Bosworth, Loretta Looney, Wallace D. Cowing, Winfred H. Bartlett, Henry W. Burr, Raymond P. E. Vary.
Robert Condrick, Edward I. Loud, Susan R. Worthen, John F. Dwyer, Annie Brennan, Mabel D. Harlow.
Marjorie J. Mace, William H. Mace, Louis Ells, Charles H. Kelly, Rufford A. Balden, Mabel O. McGlone, William G. Codman.
Alvin Hollis, Walter L. Bates, J. Leonard Bicknell, Ernest A. Bowker, James Tirrell, Hattie M. Taylor.
Surveyors of Lumber and Bark
Russell H. Whiting, John J. Lane, John Q. Manuel, F. Cecil Manuel.
George M. Keene, James P. Haddie, Nicholas J. Grant, Raymond P. E. Vary.
Henry N. Willoby, Robert A. Condrick, John F. Dwyer, Russell G. Worster, Edward I. Loud, Annie Brennan.
John L. Maynard, Theron L. Tirrell, Howard V. Pratt, Mabel D. Duncan, William G. Codman, Rufford A. Balden.
J. Leonard Bicknell, Alvin Hollis, James Tirrell, A. Spencer Marsh.
Fence Viewers
Miles P. Keene, H. Frank Holmes, Russell G. Worster, Theron L. Tirrell, George W. Conant, Walter L. Field.
Field Drivers
George W. Nash, Edward F. Butler, James P. Maguire, Charles W. Baker, Willie F. Tirrell, Elbert Ford.
Pound Keeper
Edward P. Condrick
Planning Board
James W. Colgan, Frederick L. Doucet, John B. Whelan, William J. Holbrook, Prince H. Tirrell.
Voted, That the report of the committee on Town Government be taken from the table, and referred to the committee for further consideration and report in print at the next annual meeting.
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REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON TOWN GOVERNMENT, ETC.
At the annual Town Meeting in March, 1919, the following vote was passed:
Voted, That a committee of five be appointed by the Moderator to investigate the subject of City Government, the town of Brookline's manner of town meeting by representation, the Nor- wood town managership plan or any other new form of town gov- ernment and to report at some future meeting but not later than the next annual town meeting.
Subsequently the Moderator appointed
Edward R. Sampson
Edward P. O'Brien Albert P. Worthen Bradford Hawes
Matthew O'Dowd.
The committee organized by the choice of Albert P. Worthen as chairman and Bradford Hawes as secretary.
The committee having investigated the subject as directed under the above vote, report as follows:
CITY GOVERNMENT
The Acts of 1915, Chapter 267, entitled An Act to Simplify the Revision of City Charters, provides four plans, designated re- spectively, A. B. C. and D. This act can be adopted by any city in the State except Boston.
Plan A. provides for a Mayor and a City Council of nine mem- bers, all of whom are elected at large.
The heads of departments and other city officers are appointed by the Mayor without confirmation by the council. They may be removed in like manner.
Plan B. provides for a Mayor, and in cities having seven wards or less, a City Council of eleven members, elected partly at large and partly by districts or wards.
The heads of departments and other officers are appointed by the Mayor, subject however to confirmation by the council, and in like manner they may be removed.
Plan C, provides for a city council of five members consisting of a Mayor, who shall also be commissioner of administration, a commissioner of finance, a commissioner of health, a commissioner of public works and a commissioner of public property. 'The Mayor has a vote but no veto.
Plan D, provides for a city council of five members, the one of whom receives the highest number of votes shall be the Mayor.
The council shall appoint a city manager, who shall be the administrative head of all departments and shall appoint such officers and employees as the council determines to be necessary.
All of the foregoing plans provide for a term of office of two years for the Mayor and city council.
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In all cases the school committee is elected by the voters of the city.
We have conferred with the city authorities of Leominster, Peabody and Methuen the last three towns of the state to adopt city charters and they all seem to think the change to be advan- tageous. The charters of these three cities are in substantial conformity to plan A or plan B, before mentioned.
The charter of Leominster provides for a salary for its Mayor not exceeding $1,000 and for its. city council not exceeding $500 each.
The charter of Peabody makes the salary of the Mayor not to exceed $2,000 and the city council $250 each.
The charter of Methuen limits the salary of the Mayor to $1,500 and the city council to $250 each.
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