USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1932 > Part 7
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WILLIAM A. HANNAFORD, WILLIAM A. CONNELL, EVERETT E. CALLAHAN, JOSEPH CREHAN, HERMAN O. COLLYER,
Selectmen of Weymouth.
76
A true copy, Attest : EDWARD F. BUTLER,
Constable of Weymouth.
RETURN OF SERVICE Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Weymouth, July 12, 1932
Norfolk, ss.
I have this day served the within warrant by posting a true copy attested by me in writing in each of two public places in each voting precinct in said Town of Weymouth seven days before the time of holding said meeting.
EDWARD F. BUTLER, Constable of Weymouth.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING July 10, 1932
Pursuant to the within warrant a special meeting of the inhabitants of Weymouth, represented by its duly elected and qualified Town Meeting Members, was held at the hall of the Weymouth High School, East Weymouth, the twentieth day of July, A. D. 1932. The meeting. was called to order at 7:45 o'clock, P. M. by George L. Barnes, an- nual Moderator, who requested the Town Clerk to read the warrant, after reading the call for the meeting, on motion of Melville F. Cate, it was voted, that the further reading of the warrant be omitted. The Town Clerk then read the last three paragraphs of the warrant and the attesttation of the constable who served he warrant.
The moderator then requested Rev. Stanley Marple, pastor of the `First Church in Weymouth, to invoke Divine Blessing upon the de- liberations of this meeting.
Police stationed at the doors reported 195 Town Meeting Members as being present out of 278 eligible.
Before proceeding to the business of the evening the following were sworn in as Town Meeting Members: Bartholomew Coughlan, John H. Reidy, Matthew O'Down, Kenneth L. Nash, Ernest A. Smith and David A. Tobin.
Article 1. John W. Heffernan, Sec'y. of the Appropriation Com- mittee, moved as follows: To provide for salaries, operations and expenses during the remainder of the fiscal year of the following Town Departments and activities, for certain improvements and to meet certain requirements of law, the several sums hereinafter set forth are hereby appropriated and subject to the conditions and limitations hereinafter set forth, all such sums to be raised by taxa- tion in the levy of the current year, and to be in addition to such sums as have heretofore been appropriated for said purpose, to wit: Mr. Heffernan moved and so voted : That the article be taken up by items.
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Item 1. For Charities.
(a) $22,000.00 for Relief to be given by the Town of Weymouth to persons having a legal settlement in said town.
Mr. Francis A. Gunn presented the following motion :
We would ask for unanimous consent that before we take up the consideration of the articles of the warrant, and without debate, we hear from the following Department Heads, in the order named :
Chairman of the Selectmen and Public Welfare
Chief of the Fire Department
Chief of the Police Department
Sup't. of the Street Department
Sup't. of Schools
Sup't. of Water Department
Chairman of the Board of Assessors
and request that they advise us what amounts they can release for transfer to Public Welfare from the Unexpended Appropriations for their own department, or any other suggestions they might have to relieve the appropriations asked for Public Welfare. This motion was put before the meeting and was so voted.
The Chairman of the Selectmen, Chief of Police Department, Sup't. of Schools, Sup't. of Streets, Chairman of the Assessors gave their views as follows :
That the only amounts that could be released or transferred would be a part designed for salaries.
Mr. Peter A. Gallant moved as a substitute motion :
That the Board of Selectmen with the Board of Welfare be au- thorized to draw from the reserve fund the sum of $22,000.00 for re- lief to be given by the Town of Weymouth to persons having a legal settlement in said town.
Mr. Francis A. Gunn moved as an amendment that the follow- ing amounts be transferred from the accounts of the various depart- ments named below :
Selectmen
1,004.55
Treasurer
570.00
Assessors
1,398.38
Town Clerk
535.13
Engineering Department
431.22
Fire Department
7,364.99
Highways
9,560.85
Sidewalks
985.00
Tufts Library
2,979.05
Care of Old Cemeteries
150.00
Building Inspector
1,636.49
Parks & Playgrounds
3,178.10
Care of Soldiers Graves
1,118.31
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Sealer of Weights & Measures
529.33
Town Accountant
750.55
Collector of Taxes
1,725.46
Legal Department
700.39
Elections
706.11
Police Department
9,364.20
Nurses
291.50
Snow & Ice Removal
552.26
Schools
50,967.43
Planning Board
300.00
Harbor Master
275.00
Abatement of Oil Nuisance
822.00
Survey of Cemeteries 302.09
a total of $98,198.29 and the total apportioned as follows :
Item 1. (a) 22,000.00
(b)
15,000.00
(c)
40,000.00
Item 2.
15,000.00
Item 3.
650.00
Item 4.
75.00
Item 5. (a) (d)
15,000.00
4,450.00
and raise and appropriate $13,966.61 in additional monies.
Mr. Gunn presented a petition signed by himself and 330 others reading as follows :
"In consideration of the fact that our form of local government, the authority and responsibility of public appropriations is held solely by the Representative Committee, we, the undersigned tax-payers of the Town of Weymouth respectfully petition the Town Meeting Committee individually and collectively, to do all in their power at the town meeting called for July 20th to materially reduce the tax rate for the year of 1932, and under no condition to allow it to exceed the 1931 rate of $24.50 per $1,000.00
The signers are as follows : Francis A. Gunn 54 Union St. A. L. McGrory, 15 Central Av. Roy H. Rosewell, 31 Elinor Rd. Theron L. Tirrell, 544 Main St. 100 Union St.
Simon R. Gallant,
William L. Doty, 28 Pleasant St.
William S. Simmons, Roy V. Nelson, 143 Central St.
18 Oakden Av.
William H. Greeley, 93 Pond St.
Mary L. Greeley, 32 Randolph St.
Clarence H. Cushing, 1625 Main St.
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Kenneth L. Davis,
Spencer S. Howe,
Charles Davis,
Herbert Blenis,
Sidney DeBoer
William J. Perry,
31 Union St.
J. W. Field,
15 Bates Av.
J. Frank Green,
30 Park Rd.
F. T. Rago,
99 Park Av.
Wallace W. Lyon,
1012 Main St.
George DeRusha,
96 West St.
Nicola Nocera,
573 Broad St.
Silas W. Newcomb,
1059 Washington St.
Thomas J. Cuthbert,
52 Rockcroft Rd. 20 off Lake
Ferdinand Goslin,
19 Rockcroft Rd. 547 Pleasant St.
Harry A. Mattson,
28 Ashmont St. 25 Rockcroft Rd.
Francesco S. Salemme,
21 Maple St.
John F. Flynn,
Sumner P. Bowker,
1202 Main St. 19 Bates Av. 41 Glendale Rd.
William F. Shields,
196 Columbian St.
Herbert C. Torrey,
291 Pleasant St.
E. Everett Frost,
541 Pleasant St.
Ralph D'Allesandro,
40 off Lake St.
Harold F. Davis,
463 Pleasant St.
Chester H. Williams,
Nathaniel A. Thomas,
William E. Levangie,
41 Myrtle St.
Nicola Oliva
11 Birchbrow Av. 1009 Front St.
Stanley Heald,
68 Fogg Rd.
Clarence P. Whittle, Jr.,
Edward R. Jones,
26 Summer St. 450 Main St. 85 Mill St.
J. Arnold Bailey,
19 Pleasant St.
Margaret M. Bailey,
19 Pleasant St. 23 Curtis Av.
John D. Walsh,
153 Central St.
Frank H. Cook,
154 Central St.
Lizzie A. Cook,
154 Central St.
Pauletta K. Walsh,
153 Central St.
Mrs. Julia Sullivan,
22 Hunt Av.
Charles F. Gilligan,
20 Elinor Rd.
Mrs. Charles F. Gilligan,
20 Elinor Rd.
James J. Challoner,
16 Elinor Rd.
Olga S. Challoner, Gerald Galiano,
11 Elinor Rd.
Leslie E. Hodder, Lena Hodder,
15 Elinor Rd.
H. R. Hartshorn,
34 Elinor Rd.
Roy Hartshorn,
34 Elinor Rd.
Lydia Hartshorn,
34 Elinor Rd.
Margaret M. Hartshorn,
44 Elinor Rd.
261 Randolph St. 494 Main St. 135 Randolph St. 110 Mill St. 39 Mill St.
Luigi Santacroce,
Burleigh W. French,
Lincoln E. Fulton,
Henry S. Stowers,
484 Pleasant St. 1033 Main St.
Calvin F. Veazie,
Everett E. Callahan,
Rosa E. H. Holbrook,
16 Elinor Rd.
15 Elinor Rd.
80
Mr. & Mrs. F. L. Robinson,
44 Elinor Rd.
Viola E. Walsh,
159 Central St.
Richard J. Walsh,
159 Central St.
Mary J. Walsh,
153 Central St.
Mary E. Walsh,
153 Central St.
Ellen .Cummings,
Ralph Talbot St.
William Nolan, Elinor Rd.
Fannie T. Hollis,
30 Lakewood Rd.
Minot E. Hollis,
30 Lakewood Rd.
Marion F. Davison,
12 Oakcrest Rd.
S. M. Davidson,
12 Oakcrest Rd.
Howard H. Gaskill,
19 Pine Circle
Peter E. Burns,
28 Pleasant St.
Nellie F. Hollis,
28 Pleasant St.
Lillian G. Whitaker,
32 Pleasant St.
Thomas W. Whitaker,
32 Pleasant St.
A. E. Roberts,
1805 Commercial St. 418 Pond St.
Charles J. Descalzo,
Nellie Descalzo (her mark)
418 Pond St.
Evelyn G. Dunn,
18 Lakewood Rd.
Frank E. Dunn,
18 Lakewood Rd.
Susan M. Greeley,
18 Lakewood Rd.
Marion A. Donley,
19 Lakewood Rd.
George P. Neil,
27 Oakcrest Rd.
Edward Shepard,
51 Lakewood Rd.
Arthur H. Rathget,
55 Lakewood Rd.
Quintin N. Candy,
35 Lakewood Rd. 48 Pine Circle
Maude A. : Candy,
35 Lakewood Rd.
Herbert A. Simpson,
65 Lakewood Rd.
Marielle E. Simpson
65 Lakewood Rd.
Warren .E. Brewer,
88 Lakewood Rd.
Anna .C. Buitemhuys,
66 Lakewood Rd.
Bernard. Buitenhuys,
66 Lakewood Rd.
Mabel B. Hodgdon,
62 Lakewood Rd. 406 Union St.
L. E. ; Hayden,
28 Park Av.
Charles E. Holbrook,
406 Union St.
Fred J .. Allen,
418 Union St.
Addie E. Purcell,
407 Union St.
Mrs. Alice W. Poole,
296 Pine St.
Mrs. Esther A. Butterfield,
487 Pine St.
Margaret T. Flynn,
528 Union St.
Mary E. Flynn,
528 Union St.
Bridget A. Flynn,
528 Union St.
Mrs. Margaret Flynn,
528 Union St.
Bridget: Kearney,
549 Union St.
Mrs., Lewis ; Cushing,
9 Curtis Av.
Wm. A. Ferguson,
1065 Washington St.
John. F. Pierce,
24 Bayley Ter.
H. W. Barnes,
22 Bayley Ter.
William H. Pratt, Jr., 15 Trafalgar Ct. K. P., Olive; ยท9 Park Rd. 19 Phillips St.
J. Vartanian,
Matthew, O'Dowd, 26 Reed Av. Mrs. A. Galiano, (signed twice) 11 Elinor Rd.
Albert N. Stebbins,
Frank E. Loud,
81
J. F. Sullivan,
W. A. Dean,
15 Pond St. 28 Central St. 61 Thicket St.
H. B. Ruppert,
Edward E. Rich,
768 Main St.
Howard T. Chandler,
1083 Main St.
N. G. Swan,
17 Burton Ter.
Dr. W. C. Brayshaw,
120 Thicket St.
J. S. Parson,
34 Adams Pl.
Harry Sloat,
21 May Ter.
Harold B. Bailey,
745 Main St.
James B. Tirrell,
745 Main St.
Charles W. Stone,
768 Main St.
Arthur C. Gerstley,
50 Bates Av.
Harold C. Loud,
182 Pond St.
Harold Breach,
John Griffin,
Paul A. Newsome,
F. A. Prescott,
Frances E. Crane,
Myer Edelstein,
Harold A. Trufant,
Alice E. Menchin
Henry C. Prescott,
Albert Wilcox,
22 Robinhood Rd.
James Farrington,
40 Ridge Rd.
Mrs. Ella A. Tracy,
40 Ridge Rd. 323 Pond St.
E. J. Anderson,
50 Kirkland Rd. 1073 Main St. 60 Swan Av.
A. G. Benson,
1050 Main St.
A. C. Vinson,
1050 Main St.
C. F. Vinson,
1050 Main St.
Ralph E. Taylor,
347 Pond St.
Anna L. Quinlan,
21 White Pk.
Harrison O. Quinlan,
21 White Pk.
Lillian B. Goodwin,
25 Bayley Ter.
Thomas H. Daw,
40 Harding Av.
Mary F. Blanchard,
717 Main St.
W. L. Stowell,
716 Main St.
Bertram L. Loud,
725 Main St.
Frederick H. Andrews,
134. West St.
Gertrude C. Andrews,
134 West St.
Mabel B. Pierce,
716 Main St.
Louise B. Stetson,
808 Main St.
John Halloran,
435 Main St.
Cecilia M. Bainton,
51 Intervale Rd.
Mrs. A. C. Betteley,
50 Intervale Rd.
Marguerite E. Dobson,
141 Lake Sh. Dr.
Doris C. Dowling,
Lillian N. Campbell
Gertrude Weathersby,
Ida M. Hern,,
45 Intervale Rd. 41 Glen Rd. 50 Pine Ridge Rd. 165 Lake Sh. Dr.
Marguerite F. Ward,
Esther B. Slamey,
161 Lake Sh. Dr. 166 Lake Sh. Dr.
30 Central St. 21 Fore River Av. 14 James Rd. 18 Station St.
917 Commercial St. 307 North St. 53 Park Av. 403 North 50 Robinhood Rd. 40 Robinhood Rd.
F. Joseph Powers,
Joseph Jannell,
Daniel L. Sullivan,
R. F. Vinson,
82
N. L. Davis,
Lydia Walker,
Agnes V. Sheehan,
Robert S. Sutton,
G. F. Johnson,
Mary J. Hiltz,
William Hiltz,
Mary G. Barrett,
15 Pine Ridge Rd.
John R. Barrett,
15 Pine Ridge Rd.
Henry Boucher,
19 Lake Sh. Dr.
Emma Boucher,
19 Lake Sh. Dr.
Mrs. Wm. Grounds,
1 Lake Sh. Dr.
Mrs. G. F. Dyer,
6 Lake Sh. Dr.
Mrs. H. Larson,
548 Middle St. 30 Essex St.
Mrs. A. L. Andrews,
42 Lake Sh. Dr.
Mrs. Myron Peabody,
54 Lake Sh. Dr.
Mrs. Arthur Willis,
84 Lake Sh. Dr.
Martha T. Oakes,
110 Lake Sh. Dr.
W. J. Leitch,
116 Lake Sh. Dr.
Mrs. Helen R. Sylvester,
68 Intervale Rd. 30 High St. P1. 9 High St.
Cemira A. Raymond,
Mr. & Mrs. Sumner E. Fearing, 38 Water St.
Mrs. Annie Tirrell,
17 Cedar St.
Wm. W. Wilder,
24 Cedar St.
Howard A. Thompson,
49 High St.
John H. Clarke,
34 High St.
Lucy E. Clarke,
.34 High St.
Lewis C. Strang,
off Green St. off Green St.
W. J. Henley,
817 Commercial St.
Isla E. Henley,
817 Commercial St.
Aino A. Rissanen,
752 Pleaasnt St.
Alina Leononen,
71 Pearl St.
Mary A. Mahoney,
59 Pearl St.
Harry Grogan,
55 Pearl St.
Mrs. Harry Grogan,
55 Pearl St.
Mrs. Walter S. Jordan,
11 Colonial Rd. 88 Pearl St.
Joseph E. Walker,
103 Pearl St.
James Ewing,
157 Pearl St.
Katharine B. Garrity,
8 Stratford Rd.
William P. Donahue,
186 Evans St.
Katheryn H. Donahue,
186 Evans St.
Alfred Roughtean,
196 Evans St.
Helen Roughtean,
196 Evans St.
Verna M. Schwab,
199 Evans St.
Celia C. Jones, Sophia Melanson,
213 Evans St.
Bertha S. Caldwell,
22 Delorey Av.
Evelyn A. Woodworth,
A. D. MacDonnell,
Melvena MacDonnell, Jean Fraser,
Greta Paulman,
190 Lake Sh. Dr. 175 Lake Sh. Dr. 195 Lake Sh. Dr. 32 Glen Rd.
29 Glen Rd. 5 Glen Rd. 5 Glen Rd.
Wm. E. Lynch,
Albert B. Smith,
Martha L. Strang,
Mr. J. P. Hagerty,
207 Evans St.
12 Delorey Av. 16 Stratford Rd. 16 Stratford Rd. 22 Stratford Rd.
83
Leah M. Rand,
H. Earl Rand,
Ida M. Murray,
Robert B. Murray,
Jessie B. Delorey,
Mrs. R. J. Thornley,
Mrs. Thomas E. Barry,
G. L. Aikine,
Mabel E. Beedy,
52 Wachusett Rd. 44 Wachusett Rd.
Matilda Roulston,
Helen W. Gray,
48 Wachusett Rd.
Mrs. A. Lynds,
36 Wachusett Rd.
Herbert E. Slocumb,
64 Wessagussett Rd. 97 Evans St.
M. J. L. Kennedy,
89 Evans St.
Elizabeth C. Kennedy,
89 Evans St.
Bertha R. Joslin,
85 Evans St.
Marjorie W. Heald,
68 Fogg Rd.
Marion M. Cate,
918 Main St.
Lyman B. Wing,
4 Green Acre
Suzanne W. Wing,
4 Green Acre
A. L. Gardner,
5 Green Acre
Alex N. Morrisey,
928 Main St.
Elmer E. Sargent,
930 Main St.
Evy S. Sargent,
930 Main St.
Lizzie H. Denbroeder,
309 Pond St.
W. F. Barnard,
937 Main St.
Fred L. Bayley,
911 Main St.
Sara S. Bayley,
911 Main St.
Ann F. Pratt,
911 Main St.
Elna S. Bergstrom,
131 Columbian St.
Harriet W. Simpson,
912 Main St.
889 Main St.
889 Main St.
879 Main St.
Warren L. Tapley, Albert Vinal,
197 Columbian St. 67 Fogg Rd.
Jessie K. Newbert,
Gladys L. Rogerson,
26 Kirkland Rd. 71 Columbian St.
Herbert F. Vining,
76 Columbian St.
Mabel S. Vining,
71 Columbian St.
Geo. N. Eck,
903 Main St.
Marjorie Wentworth,
799 Main St.
James F. Fitzpatrick,
42 Crescent Rd. 52 Pearl St.
Mrs. Dora N. Spear,
41 Pearl St.
Mrs. Horace W. Walker,
27 Pearl St.
Mrs. Sarah W. Comstock,
21 Pearl St.
Mr. & Mrs. D. J. Peterson,
24 Pearl St.
Charles A. O'Brien,
16 Pearl St.
Mrs. Joseph J. Lesenchal,
12 Pearl St.
Henry E. Paginton,
81 Sea St.
Mr. & Mrs. J. A. Mathewson,
63 Sea St.
Mrs. Martha Brayshaw,
45 Sea St.
Mrs. Alice Ames,
41 Sea St.
W. B. Mathewson,
40 Sea St.
Otto Saarinen,
39 Glendale Rd. 35 Glendale Rd. 26 Glendale Rd. 26 Glendale Rd. 195 Evans St. 25 Woronoco Rd. 50 Stratford Rd. 163 Evans St.
Albert H. Reed,
Helen Reed,
Minnie M. Heald,
Mrs. John Kataja,
84
Mrs. A. E. Beals
32 Sea St.
Helga E. Hanson,
73 Pecksuot Rd. 22 Sea St.
James F. Thomas,
Annie A. Collyer,
18 Sea St.
Ella M. Spinney,
274 North St.
Thomas R. McKenny,
45 Pearl St.
Lenna A. Palmer,
63 Pearl St.
Lillian J. Trussell for
11 Sea St.
Mrs. Emily M. Trussell
19 Sea St.
Joshua H. Shaw,
25 Sea St.
Henry A. Farrington,
31 Sea St.
I. Greez,
52 Sea St.
Mr. & Mrs. F. Horn,
15 Crescent Rd.
Rose Winkfield,
30 Crescent Rd.
Louise E. Ewing,
27 Saunders St.
Peter Peterson,
11 Beals St.
Mr. & Mrs. J. V. Donovan,
19 Beals St.
Mrs. Sarah J. McCue,
24 Beals St.
Mrs. W. E. Kezer,
77 Beals St.
Oren A. Cobb,
57 Beals St.
Mrs. H. Hansen,
61 Beals St.
Mrs. R. L. Chamberlain,
86 Norton St.
Mrs. P. B. Delorey,
80 Norton St.
Mrs. Richard McMullin,
72 Norton St.
Mrs. Ernest Newcomb,
63 Norton St.
Mrs. James Crawford,
51 Norton St.
Mrs. Rebecca J. Cadman,
48 Norton St.
W. M. Rand,
41 Norton St.
Geo. Crawford,
42 Norton St.
Annie J. O'Brien,
35 Norton St.
Mrs. Frank E. Baker,
36 Pearl St.
After quite a long discussion on the question by Mr. Gunn, his time for debate having expired, on motion of Mr. Matthias Doyle he was granted further time. After finishing, Mr. William D. Parker moved as follows:
That the salaries of all town employees receiving $1,500.00 being single and $2,000.00 married be cut 5% and 21/2 % more for each $500.00 additional salary received, the money to be used to replace the money voted paid out by this town meeting.
Mr. Robert H. Buchan moved as follows :
"To adjourn this meeting until two weeks from to-night at which time there will be a report made by a committee of 7 appointed by the Moderator within 48 hours to meet with Mr. Gunn and four of the petitioners and the heads of the Departments and the Appro- priation Committee to look into the matter of reduction of salaries, expenditures of unexpended balances, or any other matters that will tend to give poor relief but not to raise the tax rate." The Modera- tor declared the motion lost.
More than seven members having doubted the vote a recount was ordered.
Mary W. Cushing,
62 Beals St.
A. L. Wise,
85
The Moderator appointed John E. Horace, Albert H. Silvester and Charles S. Bicknell as tellers, and they were sworn to the faithful performance of this duty.
On the recount 127 voted in the affirmative and 18 voted in the negative.
Mr. Alfred Sheehy moved that the time be extended to three weeks instead of two weeks. So voted.
Mr. Francis A. Gunn moved: That the Chairman of the Appro- priation Committee call the meeting of this committee within one week's time. So voted.
Mr. Alfred C. Sheehy moved and it was so voted : That the re- port of the Committee be sent to each Town Meeting Member at least 5 days before the date of the adjourned meeting.
Mr. Alfred C. Sheehy moved and so voted: That this meeting do now now adjourn to Wednesday evening, August 10, 1932.
Meeting adjourned at 9:40 P. M.
CLAYTON B. MERCHANT,
Town Clerk.
ADJOURNED SPECIAL TOWN MEETING COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Norfolk, ss.
To the Town Members of the Town of Weymouth, GREETING:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby notified that the Special Town Meeting held on Wednesday, July 20, 1932, was adjourned to meet at the Weymouth High School on Wednesday, the tenth day of August, 1932, at seven o'clock and forty-five minutes in the evening, then and there to hear the report of the committee appointed July 20 and continue the articles in the warrant for said meeting.
Given under my hand at Weymouth, this first day of August, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and thirty-two.
CLAYTON B. MERCHANT, Town Clerk.
Weymouth, Mass.
August 10, 1932.
Pursuant to the vote taken at the special town meeting held on July 20, 1932, the adjourned town meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Weymouth, represented by its duly elected and qualified town meeting members was held at the hall of the Weymouth High School, East Weymouth, this Wednesday evening, August 10, 1932.
The meeting was called to order at 8 o'clock by George L. Barnes, Annual Moderator. 178 Town Meeting Members names being checked by police at the doors.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Stanley Marple, pastor of the First Church, Weymouth Heights.
86
The first business of the evening was the report of the committee of seven (7) appointed at the meeting held July 20, 1932, to meet with Mr. Francis A. Gunn and four members of the petitioners (of a petition presented by Mr. Gunn, at the meeting July 20,) and the heads of the Departments and the Appropriation Committee, to look into the matter of reduction of salaries, expenditures of unexpended balances, and any other matters that will tend to give poor relief but not raise the tax rate.
Mr. Allan C. Emery, chairman of the committee of seven stated as each town meeting member had mailed to him a copy of the report, unanimously adopted by said committee, he would not read the same.
Voted: That the report of the committee be received and the thanks of the town be extended to said committee, and that the com- mittee be hereby discharged.
REPORT
To the Town Meeting Members of the Town of Weymouth:
Report and Recommendations of the Committee of seven appointed by the Moderator in carrying out the vote as passed at the Special Town Meeting held on July 20, 1932, as follows:
"To adjourn this meeting until three weeks from tonight, at which time there will be a report made by a committee of seven appointed by the Moderator within forty-eight hours, to meet with Mr. Francis A. Gunn and four of the petitioners appointed by Mr. Gunn and the Heads of the Departments and the Appropriation Committee to look into the matter of reduction of salaries, expenditures of unexpended balances, or any other matters that will tend to give poor relief but not raise the tax rate".
The Committee of seven had three meetings during which the Appropriation Committee and Mr. Gunn's Committee were present. At one of these meetings all Department Heads were present. Mr. Gunn's Committee entered freely into all discussions and deliberations. The fourth and final meeting when the following recommendations were adopted, the committee of seven met alone.
The fullest opportunity was given for frank and informal dis- cussion of the entire problem. That we might know our position as to just how far the proposal of Mr. Gunn could be carried out, the Town Counsel was consulted and on two occasions assisted the Com- mittee in its deliberations.
After the first meeting, when the committee had the opportunity to think through the problem and to make personal investigations, it appeared apparent to all that it would be a breach of good faith and the town would very likely be involved in certain legal entanglementa, if a plan was put into effect at this time of the year to reduce ex- penditures that were authorized at the regular town meeting last March.
The Committee recognized the fact that the Appropriation Com- mittee went into this subject carefully and at the expense of much time and thought before the last Annual Town Meeting. When they
87
submitted their recommendations it was not until they had made drastic reductions in the operating expenses of the various depart- ments, aggregating $143,000. less than last year, 1931, as finally voted by the Town Meeting.
Your committee recognized that when the Town of Weymouth appropriated this money last March for the use of the various depart- ments, it was naturally understood by the Department Heads that they had this money to use during the ensuing year and they have made their plans accordingly and have contracted for the greater portion of the year's expenditures. For them to be deprived of any part of this money now, the Committee feels would prove a serious handicap resulting in more harm than good in that the Town is already obligated for the bulk of this year's purchases. The Com- mittee therefore recommends that no reductions be made in the apropriations made at the last annual Town Meeting.
There is, however, nothing to prevent the several town officials and employees from making such voluntary contributions as are fair and reasonable.
If conditions do not greatly improve next year your committee urges that the Appropriation Committee prior to the Annual Town Meeting next March consider further economies and reductions in- cluding the wages of the Town Officials and employees. It is natural for those of our citizens who have suffered reductions in their wages as well as other citizens who have suffered serious curtailments of their income to feel that it is hardly fair for Town Officials and Employees to be the only ones immune from wage reduction. It should, however, be remembered that in periods of high wages no commensurate increase was given the Town Officials and Employees.
The fullest and freest discussion was entered into pertaining to the amount of money expended for public welfare. The committee be- lieves that no one living in the Town of Weymouth should be in want and that every effort should be made to prevent suffering and privation. At the same time the committee recognizes the great difficulties in the way of giving so large an amount to so many people either in the form of cash or order on the various stores or paying for work that might not otherwise be thought necessary.
The amount of money thus far appropriated this year for public welfare is $205,853. which amounts to $3,700. more than was expended by the town during the entire year 1931. This does not include the $92,000. presented for consideration at this special town meeting. This is a serious situation and demands the most careful consideration. In the judgment of the committee this is where the town should focus its attention at the present time.
In the first place no one should ask for aid until he or she has exhausted all efforts to obtain work and continues to do so. No family should permit any relative to ask aid of the town before exhaust- ing every effort to aid that person in need. There was a time when it was thought a disgrace to allow a relative to obtain aid from a town or city, if there was any way possible to be of assistance. Of late there appears to be a departure in many cases from those finer virtues. The spirit of sacrifice so freely made on behalf of a near or even distant relative appears in many cases to have reached the vaninshing point.
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