USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1944 > Part 5
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No increase in compensation 'shall for any purpose of Chapter 32 of the General Laws or for any other provision of law providing for pensions, annuities, or retirement allowances for officers or employees of towns be- deemed or construed to be a portion of the regular compensation of any officer or employees now or formerly in the service of the Town.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane was. unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 3. Moved: That the sum of $2575.00 be appropriated from existing balance of the Committee on Public Safety for the use of this committee. $2,575.00
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 4. Moved: That all committees who have not rendered a final report be continued until the work under their charge is completed.
REPORT TO THE WEYMOUTH TOWN MEETING
The Committee appointed by the Moderator at the special town meeting held on November 30th, 1942 herewith makes their final report on the widening of Derby Street at the junction with Pond Street, and also the construction of the parking area on Derby Street opposite same ..
This committee, not having been discharged after its report at the. last regular town meeting, felt you would be interested to know the result of your vote to go ahead with these projects.
We are glad to inform you that the vacant building at this junction has been removed, Derby Street widened and hairpin turn eliminated. It is now a safe intersection, the entire area much improved in appearance, and congestion relieved.
We have received a letter from the bus company expressing their appreciation-the drivers reporting it much safer and saves much time making a get-away from the station.
The Street Department have cooperated with us and have completed a real parking area, easy of entrance and exit. Over thirty-five cars have been counted at one time parked therein. The "no parking" signs on Pond Street at this point have made the job complete, and the snow plow can now finish its job without hindrance.
The committee believe that it is a good job well done and hope you will feel the money appropriated has been well spent.
We move this report be accepted and the Committee discharged.
Arthur Negus, Chairman
John William O'Donnell William B. Park
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REPORT OF ELECTRIC LIGHTING COMMITTEE
December 31, 1943 Weymouth, Mass.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
This year, the same as last year, the activities of this committee have been curtailed by an order of the War Production Board preventing any extension of street lighting service except in especially dangerous locations. Therefore, the regular service has been maintained. In addition, on Decem- ber 1, fourteen new 600 C. P. lights were added at the Back River Bridge, the wiring and the fixtures having been furnished by the Navy Department.
For 1944 we are asking for $38,657.16, which will maintain the present service and allow us to increase the lighting, which has been requested by the Massachusetts Department of Public Works, on Bridge Street between Neck Street and the Back River Bridge.
If the restriction on the extension of lines is released during 1944, it will be necessary to ask the Appropriation Committee for additional funds before any new lights can be installed.
The War Department has released slightly the dim-out restrictions, which we expect will allow the Black-out Officer to remove the shades from a few lights in the most hazardous places.
Respectfully submitted, Joseph Kelley, Chairman
Alfred S. Tirrell Walter R. Field
Olindo Garofalo J. Herbert Libbey, Clerk Electric Lighting Committee
WEYMOUTH COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
Report for the year 1943
During the year 1943 your Committee on Public Safety has functioned again under the direction of the Office of Civilian Defense at Washington and the Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety.
Our trained personnel showed a substantial increase during the early part of the year when training programs remained in force, until we reached a maximum enrollment in our own and affiliated branches of 3099 persons, each of whom had completed the training necessary for his or her particular branch of service, and had subscribed to the regu- lation oath of office.
Our courses of training were supplemented with and later supplanted by field exercises in which the various branches coped with "incidents" which presupposed disaster attended by casualties and property damage, threat to safety and other dangers that might accompany a bombing or other enemy action.
Many of these incidents were very complicated and called for in- genious reasoning and application of the lessons gathered from training sessions, 'but on the whole the personnel and those having the responsi- bility of its direction gave an excellent acquittal of themselves, leaving no fear or doubt but that if a real danger was encountered they were prepared to meet it.
On one occasion when serious tragedy visited our town, our emergency hospital at the High School was promptly pressed into service and its personnel met every requirement the occasion called for, providing emer- gency care and prompt medical and surgical treatment until such time as the victims could be absorbed into nearby hospitals. This occasion alone was enough to justify the maintenance of that particular emergency hospital.
This was one instance where our services were made available to the local Red Cross under an efficient working arrangement which we have with that organization.
We greatly appreciate the cooperation of the local Red Cross Chapter and its valued contribution to our general program.
Our State Guard Company has attained a high standing for its training and efficiency. In the organizing of this unit the Town expended
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substantial sums for equipment, uniforms, arms, protective clothing and other necessary properties. We are pleased to report that the Common- wealth of Massachusetts has reimbursed the Town to the extent of $2763.24 to offset this expenditure.
We are justly proud of our two uniformed companies of the Massa- chusetts Woman's Defense Corps, one of which has been a mobile unit and the other a security unit. Their training and efficiency has caused both to stand out effectively, and their , instant readiness for duty has proved a dependable guarantee of service to the people of Weymouth.
Toward the latter part of the year operation of the Spotter's Tower was suspended. This had been carried on since the outbreak of hostilities under the able direction of the members of Weymouth Post No. 79 of the American Legion.
We acknowledged with gratitude the services of the Boy Scout organ- izations, many of whose members are enrolled as Couriers and all of whom have been available during our test exercises and for assistance in the Report Centre.
Much material from the Office of Civilian Defense has been made available. This consisted mainly of protective helmets, protective clothing for fire fighting forces and decontamination units, trailer pumps, skid- pumps and a front-end pump for the auxiliary fire forces, hose couplings, ladders, hooks, axes and other incidentals for fire fighting, gas masks, booster hose, hand pumps, brassards and assorted equipment. This is of good quality and is of distinct help to our forces. Much of it, we hope, will be allowed to remain permanently in our possession.
Expenditures during . the calendar year of 1943 were confined for the most part to maintenance of service and equipment, with little expenditure for capital investment. With the current success of our armed forces in all theatres, the present likelihood of bombing or enemy action seems remote; but we have a trained organization equipped to meet any emer- gency that may arise, and our general policy will be to maintain it with a view of protecting ourselves in the event of any unforseen disaster or casualty.
Again, the thanks of the Committee go out profusely to the many town officials, committee members and loyal citizens of Weymouth' whose sacrifice in time, energy and material has contributed so whole-heartedly to this most important war responsibility.
Respectfully submitted, ALFRED C. SHEEHY, Chairman HERBERT W. CAUSER, Vice-Chairman HELEN J. HUNT, Secretary
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 5. Moved: That the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen be and hereby is authorized on and after January 1, 1945 to borrow such money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the fiscal year beginning January 1, 1945 and to issue a note or notes therefore payable within one year from the date of issue, and that any debt or debts incurred under this vote be paid from the revenue of the fiscal year in which they were contracted.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 6. Moved: No action.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 7. Moved: That the Selectmen be authorized to or otherwise dispose of personal property and any real estate of which the Town has possession or title including all property taken for non- payment of taxes, all such cases of sale to be made by public auction or private sale as the Selectmen may deem for the best interest of the Town and that the Board or Office in charge of any other Town Depart-
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ment may with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, sell at public auction or private sale as the Board of Selectmen may approve, any personal property belonging to said Department which in the opinion of the Officer or Board in charge of the Department is no longer needed by the Town and which in the opinion of the Selectmen is not needed by any other Town Department.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 8. Moved: That the Board of Selectmen be authorized to accept conveyances or mortgages of any real or personal property be- longing to persons receiving relief from the Town and to dispose of said property under the provisions of Article 7 of this warrant in such manner as they may judge for the best interest of the Town and where said property is subject to any encumbrances if they consider it for the best interest of the Town to discharge said encumbrances, they are hereby authorized to do so.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 9. Moved : That the Town accept the report of the Selectmen laying out the following ways, to wit:
Brewster Road
Raleigh Road
Rucille Avenue
Raycroft Avenue
Edgeworth Street Extension from Section 28-50
Hitchings Street from Homestead Avenue to dead end Kingman Street Extension to Front Street
and that the Board of Selectmen be authorized to acquire by gift of purchase or take by right of eminent domain in fee or otherwise for all purposes of a public street or highway in and over said street or streets as so laid out and accepted and that the sum of $8625.00 be raised and appropriated for materials and the acquisition of the foregoing taking, gift, or purchase including all damages; provided further that they may build bridges, drains or conduits and secure any easements which may be necessary and the Board of Selectmen are hereby authorized to accept deeds of any reservations strips existing in connection with any of said streets; and provided further that no work shall be done on any of these streets until at least 90% of the abutters, or 100%, if in the opinion of the Town Counsel that becomes necessary, have signed, executed and delivered to the Town Counsel proper releases. Provided further that the final naming of those streets when accepted must meet with the approval of the Planning Board, and the work on these streets shall be performed under the direction of the Supt. of Streets.
Mr. Norris moved to amend the motion of the Appropriation Commit- tee as follows: By adding to this list of streets Clematis Ave. from Pleasantview Ave. Easterly to Idlewell Boulevard.
Upon vote, Mr. Norris' amendment was declared lost by the Moderator. The vote was doubted. More than seven having doubted, the moder- ator called upon tellers Clark, Watson and Field to tabulate by a showing of hands.
Tellers report as follows: Affirmative 32, Negative 57.
Mr. Basil Warren moved: To amend to include Judson Road on the list of streets to be accepted and that the sum of $2165.00 be added, making the total appropriation $10,790.00. $10,790.00
Mr. Kelly at this time stated that Judson Road was ready for accept- ance.
Mr .Warren's amendment, upon vote, was declared so voted.
Mr. Norris moved reconsideration of the action taken on Clematis Avenue.
Upon vote, the moderator declared reconsideration denied.
The vote was doubted. More than seven having doubted, the Moder- ator called upon tellers Clark, Watson and Field to tabulate by a showing
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of hands.
Tellers reported as follows: Affirmative 58, Negative 49. Reconsideration prevailed.
The Moderator then called for the question on the amendment to include Clematis Avenue with the list of streets to be accepted.
The amendment was declared lost by the Moderator.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane and thus amended by Mr. Warren, was unanimously voted.
ARTICLE 10. Moved: That the sum of $1000.00 is hereby raised and appropriated for the work on Commercial Street, from Middle Street to Commercial Square, Front Street, from Washington Street to Federal Street, and Pleasant Street, from Washington Street to Pine Street pro- vided that the State or County under Genral Laws (Ter. Ed.) Chapter 90 will pay a sum of money proportionate to the costunder the provision of said Chapter; provided that this work shall be performed by the Street Department; and provided that the Board of Selectmen is authorized to acquire by gift or purchase or take by right of eminent domain in fee or otherwise for all purposes of a public street or highway in and over said streets and that authority is hereby given for building any bridges, drains or conduits, or securing easements which may be necessary and that the Board of Selectmen is authorized to accept deeds or any reservation strips existing in connection with said streets; and provided further that all damages resulting or occasioned by the construction shall be a charge against the sum appropriated.
Mr. Lane moved to amend the original recommendation of the Appro- priation Committee to include after the words PINE STREET, the words "and any other streets." Amendment unanimously voted.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane and thus amended was so voted unanimously.
At this time a motion was made to adjourn to Wednesday night. The motion was lost.
ARTICLE 11. Moved .: That the committee on the widening of Broad Street be continued.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 12. Moved: No action.
Mr. Wm. B. Chalke, Jr. moved a substitute motion as follows: To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Moderator to appoint a committee of three to petition the General Court for an amendment to Chapter 61, Acts of 1921 as amended by striking out in Section three, wherever it occurs, the words "Members of the Appropriation Committee" and in- serting therefor the words, "The Chairman of the Appropriation Com- mittee."
Mr. Chalke's motion was declared lost.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 13. Moved: That the Town amend its bylaws by striking out Section 303 of Article III and inserting in place thereof the following:
"Sec. 303-The Planning Board is hereby re-established under the pro- visions of General Laws (Ter. Ed.) Chapter 41, Section 81A to 81J in- clusive. The Board shall consist of seven members. At the next annual meeting after this amendment to the by-laws has become effective, two members shall be elected for five years, two for four years and one member each for three, two and one years respectively. At each annual meeting thereafter the terms expiring shall be filled for a term of five years."
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 14. Moved: That the Town adopt the following by-law:
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Section 613-Noperson shall ride any animal or drive any coach, cart, wagon or vehicle upon any sidewalk in the Town. Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall forfeit and pay a sum not less than one dollar nor more than ten dollars for each offense.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 15. Moved: That the Town amend Section 703 of the By-Laws so as to read as follows:
Section 703-The inspector of Buildings, shall grant permits for the erection, or alteration, removal or tearing down of buildings, and no structure or foundation shall be built, altered, or torn down without such a permit, but no such permit shall be issued until the inspector has care- fully examined the plans and specifications of the proposed building or alteration, and ascertained that the building has sufficient strength, that the means of ingress and egress are sufficient and the building conforms to the requirements of these by-laws.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 16. Moved: That the Town amend section 798 of the by-laws so as to read as follows:
Section 798 Permits for alterations, substantial repairs, tearing down of buildings, which require a permit, the erection of sheds, poultry-house and like small buildings valued at not exceeding one thousand dollars and not intended or used for human habitation $1.00.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane was so voted.
ARTICLE 17. Moved: That the Town instruct the Board of Select- men to transfer to the control and supervision of the Weymouth School Committee whatever interest the town has in Lot 234 (on Lochmere Avenue Town of Weymouth tax title containing 7308 square feet).
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 18. Moved: That the Town authorize the Board of Select- men on its behalf to accept as a gift from Mary Fifield King two steel engravings to be placed in the Town Hall and that they impart to the donor in behalf of the Town its appreciation of her generosity.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 19. Moved: That the Board of Selectmen be authorized to accept a bill of sale from the Steel Recovery Corporation, reconveying to the Town of Weymouth approximately six hundred (600) lineal feet of rail, together with track fastenings and other metallic track material appurtenant thereto, which will be left undisturbed in Washington Square, Weymouth in accordance with agreement submitted by the War Materials Incorporated to the Board of Selectmen.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 20. Moved: That the sum of $2000.00 be raised and ap- propriated for an honor roll for the men and women enrolled in the present World War II and that the Committee be continued.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane was unanimously adopted.
Mr. Prince Tirrell read the report of the Honor Roll Committee which appears as follows:
To the Town Moderator and Town Meeting Members:
The Honor Roll Committee appointed by the Town Moderator has met regularly.
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The first problem before the Committee was to obtain the names of all those in the service of their Country. By various sources the Committee now has cards representing approximately 1900 persons. It is the desire of this Committee that a printed list of these persons be made, distributed throughout the town and additional names be added where omissions are noted.
The next problem was the Honor Roll itself. Plans have been submit- ted, approved by the Committee and are to be presented to the Town Meeting on Monday, March 6, 1944.
Very little money appropriated for this Committee has been expended to date.
This Committee sincerely hopes that plans submitted tonight will be approved by the Town Meeting Members and that work may be started as soon as possible on the Honor Roll so that Weymouth can show these Service Men and Women that we are proud of each and every one of them.
Submitted by : John Heffernan, Chairman Beatrice Bicknell, Clerk . Prince Tirrell Roland Haviland Oberlin Clark
Question then came on the acceptance of the Committee's report. The Moderator then declared the report as accepted.
ARTICLE 21. Moved: That the sum of $6100.00 be raised and ap- propriated for the erection of a section of a sea wall along Wessagusset Beach, between station 0x0 and 4x0 as shown by plans of Russell H. Whiting, Town Engineer, and dated September 23, 1935, entitled "Plan and Profile for proposed Sea and Retaining Wall." $6100.00 Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 22. Moved: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $350.00 for the observance of Armistice Day to be expended under the direction of a committee of three (3) to be appointed by the Moderator chosen from the several veteran and hereditary organizations in accordance with the provisions of General Laws (Ter. Ed.) Chapter 40, Section 5, clause 12 as amended. $350.00
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 23. Moved: That the sum of $360.00 be raised and appro- priated for the rental of Legion Hall Basement for use and occupancy of the 13th Company, 26 Infantry of the Massachusetts State Guard during the year 1944 and the Board of Selectmen are instructed to contract with American Legion Post No. 79 for this purpose. And that there be further raised and appropriated the sum of $165.00 for payment to Weymouth American Legion Post No. 79 for closets and cabinets provided for the use of the State Guard. $525.00
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 24. Moved: That there be appropriated from Surplus Revenue of the Town the sum of $150,000.00 for the purchase of United States Treasury Bonds in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 5 of the Acts of 1943.
That the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Select- men be authorized and instructed to purchase these bonds at a value not exceeding par.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee' as offered by Mr. Lane was unanimously adopted.
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ARTICLE 25. Moved: That the sum of $7500.00 be raised and appropriated for the use of the POST WAR Planning Committee. $5000.00 of this sum shall be used to complete plans for the construction of a sewerage system throughout the town and $2500.00 may be used for further study of the recommendations made to the Board of Selectmen or any and all problems resulting from the present crisis. Provided further that the present POST WAR Planning Committee be continued and that its membership be increased to fifteen, appointments to be made by the present committee; and that said committee be further granted the authority to appoint special committees to study specific needs at their discretion. $7500.00 ยท Mr. Field moved an amendment to the recommendation of the Appropriation Committee as follows: That $5000.00 be used to complete plans for the construction of a sewerage system throughout the town and put the period there.
The Moderator asked if he was correct in understanding that Mr. Field wanted the period to come after the word "town" and the next word "and" to begin with a capital A.
Mr. Field replied that that was right.
Mr. Field's amendment was so voted unanimously, after being read together with the motion of the Appropriation Committee by the Moder- ator. Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as offered by Mr. Lane and thus amended by Mr. Field was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 26. Action taken under Article 1, Item 30.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Lane was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 27. Moved: That the Moderator appoint a committee of five (5) to petition the General Court at the next session for legislation to enable the Town to lay out, construct and maintain a system or systems of mains, drains and common sewers for the disposal of sewage, and to issue notes or bonds for the purpose of defraying the expense thereof.
Further: For the purpose of submission to the voters of said town. This act shall take effect upon its passage and it shall take full effect upon its acceptance by the majority of the legal voters of said town, present and voting thereon by ballot in their respective precincts at a town meet- ing called for the purpose within five years after its passage. At such meeting there shall be placed upon the ballot the following question: "Shall an act passed by the General Court entitled "An Act authorizing the Town of Weymouth to construct and operate a system of sewers, be accepted ?"
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