USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1949 > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18
Of this sum not exceeding $8,810. shall be for all administrative ex- penses and not exceeding $7,310 shall be for personal services of the de- partment.
Discussion followed. Comes the question on Mr. Cicchese' amend- ment. The Chair doubting the vote, the count was ordered.
Tellers reported
Ayes
109
Nays
38
and the motion is CARRIED.
As amended under the blanket motion of the Appropriation Committee presented to the adjourned meeting held Wednesday, March 9, 1949, the sum of $53,810 shall read $54,198 and the sum of $7,310 shall read $7,698.00. $54,198.00
SO VOTED
35
Item 31. For Highway Department $211,600.00
Of this sum, not exceeding $54,950.00 shall be for salaried employees and $92,000.00 shall be for services of other than salaried employees.
For purchase of supplies, materials and equipment including motor vehicles and for the disposal of equipment, provided a committee of three (3) one of whom shall be the Superintendent of Highways, shall be ap- pointed by the Annual Moderator, for these purposes the sum of $44,500.00 is provided.
Of this latter sum there shall be appropriated from available funds (Excess and Deficiency Fund) the sum of $30,500.00.
For all other expense of the Department, the sum of $20,150.00.
MR. JOHN CICCHESE MOVED THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENT:
Item 31. For Highway Department $227,650.00
Of this sum, not exceeding $62,000.00 shall be for salaried employees and $101,000 shall be for the services of other than salaried employees.
For purchase of supplies, materials and equipment including motor vehicles and for the disposal of equipment, provided a committee of three (3) one of whom shall be the Superintendent of Highways, shall be ap- pointed by the Annual Moderator, for these purposes the sum of $44,500 is provided.
Of the latter sum there shall be appropriated from available funds (Excess and Deficiency Fund) the sum of $30,500.00.
For all other purposes and expense of the Department, the sum of $20,150.00.
SO VOTED.
Comes now the question on the motion by the Appropriation Com- mittee as thus amended.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
Item 32. For the support of Public Schools $951,410.69
Provided that $12,000.00 of this sum shall be appropriated from available funds (Excess and Deficiency Fund) for the purchase of new equipment for the Department. In addition there is appropriated for the support of public schools the amount received from the County by way of statutory distribution of the dog tax in the sum of $3,642.35.
The Department shall have authority to purchase any automotive equipment provided for in the above sums.
MR. MAHONEY FOR THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OFFERED THE FOL- LOWING SUBSTITUTE MOTION:
Item 32. For the support of Public Schools $996,210.69
Provided that $12,000 of this sum shall be appropriated from available funds (Excess and Deficiency Fund) for the purchase of new equipment for the Department. In addition, there is appropriated for the support of public schools the amount received from the County by the way of statu- tory distribution of the dog tax in the sum of $3,642.35.
The Department shall have authority to purchase any automotive equip- ment provided for in the above sums.
Judge Nash ruled addition of the following clause to the last para- graph of Mr. Mahoney's substitute motion:
"and to dispose of such automotive equipment for which it has no longer use."
SO VOTED.
36
Comes now the question on Mr. Mahoney's substitute motion as thus amended. The ayes have it and it is
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
As amended under the blanket motion of the Appropriation Committee presented to the adjourned meeting held Wednesday, March 9, 1949, the sum of $996,210.69 shall read $1,000,548.17. $1,004,190.52 SO VOTED.
Item 33. For the Tufts Library and its branches and other library purposes
$49,804.10 Of this sum $4,000.00 is provided for the Reading Room at the Fogg Library.
Not exceeding $50.00 may be used for expense incurred in travel outside the Commonwealth securing information that may tend to improve the service for the library.
Mr. Cain asked an amendment under Item 33 as no increase had been provided for Tufts Library employees. Mr. Jones for the Library Trustees advised the matter would be taken under advisement. Chair asked if Library Trustees request postponement of Item 33 until figures are avail- able.
MR. LANE FOR THE APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE MOVED AMEND- ING ITEM 33 as follows:
Item 33. For the Tufts Library and its branches and other library purposes
$52,804.10
Of this sum $4,000.00 is provided for the Reading Room at the Fogg Library.
Not exceeding $50.00 may be used for expense incurred in travel outside the Commonwealth securing information that may tend to improve the service of the library.
Comes now the question on the Appropriation Committee recommenda- tion as amended. The ayes have it and it is
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
As amended under the blanket motion of the Appropriation Committee presented to the adjourned meeting held Wednesday, March 9, 1949, the sum of $52,804.10 shall read $53,554.10. $53,554.10 SO VOTED.
Item 34. For the observance of Memorial Day $1,600.00
The total sum appropriated is to be expended under the direction of a committee to be appointed by the Annual Moderator, who shall designate the Chairman, one from each veteran and hereditary organization in ac- cordance with the provisions of General Laws (Ter.Ed.) Chapter 40, Sec- tion 5, Clause 12 as amended; said amount to be available only in case evi- dence shall be filed with the Town Accountant that the known graves of the deceased veterans of all wars have been decorated without discrimina- tion.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
Item 35. For parks and playgrounds $19,084.24
Of this sum, not exceeding $12,909.24 shall be for salaries and labor of all employees of the Department.
The salaries of the Park Commissioners are hereby fixed at $200.00 each for three (3) members.
Mr. McIntosh for the Park Department offered an amendment to add $600.00 to this Item so two permanent employees will each receive a $300 increase, reading thus:
37
Item 35. For Parks and Playgrounds $19,684.24
Of this sum, not exceeding $13,509.24 shall be for salaries and labor of all employees of the Department.
The salaries of the Park Commissioners are hereby fixed at $200.00 each for three (3) members.
Comes now the question on the Appropriation Committee's recom- mendation as thus amended.
The ayes have it and it is
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
Item 36. For miscellaneous expense $6,597.00
MR. LANE FOR THE APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE MOVED:
That the sum of $6,597.00 be changed to $6,282.92 $6,282.92
Comes the question on the Appropriation Committee's recommendation as thus amended.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
Item 37. For Unpaid Bills 0
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
Item 38. For overdrafts 0
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
Item 39. For necessary charges and administration of the Contributory Retirement System $32,489.00
Of this amount $1,575.00 is appropriated to the expense fund of which not exceeding $1,300 shall be for personal services.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
Item 40. For the Water Department $216,287.00
Of this sum, $191,287.00 is to be provided from current revenue and $25,- 000.00 from suplus revenue of the Department for private work, payment for such work to revert to the General Fund of the Water Department.
Of the total sum appropriated, not exceeding $101,679.00 shall be for personal services of the Department and no sums shall be transferred to the Accountant's or Treasurer's Offices for expenses or services rendered to the Water Department.
The salaries of the Water Commissioners are hereby fixed at $115.00 for the Chairman and $86.25 for four (4) other members and $28.75 ad- ditional for the clerk who may be a member thereof.
Of the total appropriation not more than $150.00 may be used for expense incurred in travel outside the Commonwealth while securing in- formation that may tend to improve the service of the Department.
The Water Commissioners are hereby authorized to purchase, dispose of, or replace automotive equipment provided for in the funds herein ap- propriated.
MR. LANE FOR THE APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE OFFERED THE FOLLOWING SUBSTITUTE MOTION:
Item 40. For the Water Department $224,499.00
Of this sum, $199,499 is to be provided from current revenue and $20,- 000.00 from surplus revenue of the Department for private work, payment for such work to revert to the General Fund of the Water Department, and $5,000.00 from surplus to increase the stock purchase account.
38
Of the total sum appropriated, not exceeding $109,891.00 shall be for personal services of the Department, $8,212.00 of which is to provide for increased rates of wages and salaries in the Department as of April 1, 1949, and no sums shall be transferred to the Accountant's or Treasurer's Offices for expenses or services rendered the Water Department.
The salaries of the Water Commissioners are hereby fixed at $115.00 for the Chairman, and $86.25 for four (4) other members, and $28.75 ad- ditional for the clerks who may be a member hereof.
Of the total appropriation not more than $150.00 may be used for expense incurred in travel outside the Commonwealth while securing in- formation that may tend to improve the service of the Department and also not more than $100.00 may be used for additional expenses incurred in the acquisition of land off Roosevelt Road.
The Water Commissioners are hereby authorized to purchase, dispose of, or replace automotive equipment provided for in the funds herein ap- propriated.
Comes now the question on the Appropriation Committee's substitute motion :
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
As amended under the blanket motion of the Appropriation Committee presented to the adjourned meeting held Wednesday, March 9, 1949, the sum of $224,499.00 shall read $226,687.00. $226,687.00 SO VOTED.
Item 41. For the Sewerage Department to be expended under the direction of the Sewerage Commissioners $267,000.00
Of this sum $170,000.00 shall be made available from the Post War Fund established in accordance with Chapter 5 of the Acts of 1943, and $14,450.00 shall be appropriated from the Excess and Deficiency Fund for the purchase of new equipment. Of the total sums appropriated not exceeding $8,996.00 shall be for personal services of the Department and $7,000.00 for depart- mental labor. The salaries of the Sewerage Commissioners are hereby fixed at $500.00 each for three (3) members. Permission is hereby granted to the Sewerage Commissioners for the purchase of automotive equipment provided for in funds appropriated herein.
MR. FIELD FOR THE SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT OFFERED THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENT:
Item 41. For the Sewerage Department including sewer construction and appurtenances $267,000.00 to be expended under the direction of the Sewer Commission.
Of this sum, $170,000 shall be appropriated from the Post War Fund established under Chap. 5, Acts of 1943 and $14,450 shall be appropriated from the Excess and Deficiency Fund for the purchase of new equipment.
$20,000 may be expended for labor and materials used in private property for which the Town shall be reimbursed.
The salaries of the three Sewer Commissioners are hereby fixed at $500 each. A sum not exceeding $6,014 shall be for the services of existing personnel as of January 1, 1949. The Commissioners are hereby authorized to purchase automotive equipment provided for in funds herein appro- priated.
39
MR. FIELD OFFERED AMENDMENT AS FOLLOWS:
That the sum of $6,014 be changed to $6,364.
Comes the question on the Appropriation Committee's recommendation as amended by Mr. Field.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
As amended under the blanket motion of the Appropriation Committee presented to the adjourned meeting held Wednesday, March 9, 1949, the sum of $267,000.00 shall read $267,350.00 and the sum of $6,364 shall read $6,714.00. $267,350.00 SO VOTED.
Item 42. For operation of Alewife Fishery $450.00
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
Item 43. For care of Soldiers' Graves under General Laws (Ter.Ed.) Chapter 115, Section 22, including the placing of new markers and re- placing old markers.
The care of the graves markers is hereby given to the Custodian of soldiers' graves. $1,700.00 UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
Item 44. For care of Old Cemeteries under General Laws (Ter.Ed.) Chapter 44, Section 16 and 18 $300.00
Provided that the Town instruct the Board of Selectmen to contract with the Wessagusset Post, No. 1399 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States for the care and maintenance of Old Cemetery opposite Fairmount Cemetery on Pleasant Street; Old Cemetery off Park Avenue; one off Randolph Street; one off Pleasant near Pine and the Ashwood Cemetery on Front Street.
Mr. Cadman advised there are now 5 old cemeteries to be serviced and moved the following amendment to Item 44:
That an additional $175 be appropriated for the servicing of Old Cemeteries. changing the sum of $300 to $475. $475.00 UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
Item 45. For interest and discount $6,043.37 UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
Item 46. For the retirement of bonds and notes due in 1949 $39,949.78
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
Item 47. For the Municipal Fire Insurance Fund $1.00
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
Item 48. For fire and other insurance $6,342.97 Provided that the Board of Selectmen are hereby instructed to place 40 percent of the present fire insurance with Direct Writers Insurance Companies.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
Item 49. For a Reserve Fund from Overlay Reserve $25,000.00
Provided that no monies hereinbefore appropriated shall be expended for telephone service in private homes of any Town official except those of the Chiefs of Police and Fire Deprtments and the Harbor Master.
40
Provided further, no monies hereinbefore appropriated shall be used for the purchase of motor vehicles except as otherwise specified in this article.
Provided further that no monies appropriated, excepting the amounts supplied under Article 1, Item 2, of this warrant, shall be paid directly or indirectly as remuneration, compensation, or otherwise to any currently elected members of the Board of Selectmen for expenses or services ren- dered the Town in any capacity.
(The preface incorporated in its beginning and the rider ending Ar- ticle 1 apply in toto to Article 1.)
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
The Chair asked that Article 1 to be voted in toto, Items 1 to 49, in- clusive as amended and adopted.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
Mr. Field moved for reconsideration of Article 1.
The Chair requested that he withdraw his motion to permit the Ap- propriation Committee Secretary to check over the figures. Motion with- drawn.
MR. GUNN MOVED THAT THIS MEETING ADJOURN
SO VOTED UNANIMOUSLY at 11:35 P.M.
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING March 9, 1949
The Adjourned Annual Town Meeting was called to order at 8:47 o'clock by Mr. Daniel L. O'Donnell, Annual Moderator.
There were 162 Town Meeting Members present.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Ernest D. Sillers, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, South Weymouth.
MR. DIZER MOVED FOR RECONSIDERATION OF ARTICLE 1. SO VOTED.
MR. LANE FOR THE APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE OFFERED THE FOLLOWING MOTION:
That the sum of $18,927.48 be raised and appropriated to provide an increase in compensation not exceeding $300.00 for certain employees of the Town whose pay was not so increased by the meeting.
Such sum to be allocated as follows:
Item 2 For the Selectmens' Department $ 300.00
Item 3 For the Town Accountant's Department 327.00
Item 4 For the Town Treasurer's Department 900.00
Item 5 For the Tax Collector's Department 700.00
Item 6 For the Assessor's Department
1,200.00
Item 9 For the Town Clerk's Department
600.00
Item 10 For Registration of Voters Department
300.00
Item 13 For Maintenance of Town Hall
900.00
Item 15 For the Police Department
3,550.00
Item 17 For the Building Inspector's Department
600.00
Item 17A For the Wiring Inspector's Department
300.00
41
Item 22 For the Harbor Master's Department
300.00
Item 23 For the Health Department 825.00
Item 27 For the Public Welfare Department 900.00
Item 28 For Old Age Assistance Department
900.00
Item 30 For Veterans' Service Department
388.00
Item 32 For the School Department
4,337.48
Item 41 For the Sewerage Department
350.00
Item 33 For Tufts Library and Branches
750.00
Item 16 For Fire Department 500.00
$18,927.48
These sums shall be added to the amounts designated under the several items for personal services.
Where the salaries of elected officials are involved the designated amount shall be increased by $300.00.
And that there be further appropriated from the current revenue of the Water Department under Item 40, the sum of $2,188.00 to provide an adjustment in the compensation of the employees of that Department similar to that designated above.
After some discussion, Mrs. Chance asked the Chair if there was any way to make this a temporary increase. The Chair ruled that any motion directed towards Article 1 which states salary increases are temporary would be in order.
MRS. CHANCE THEREFORE MOVED AS FOLLOWS:
That all raises in Article 1 be on a temporary basis.
Now comes the question on the motion of the Appropriation Committee. The ayes have it and it is
VOTED.
(NOTE: All sums in the Appropriation Committee's motion as voted have been added to the amounts designated under the various items for per- sonal services in Article 1.)
Now comes the question on Mrs. Chance's motion that raises in Article 1 voted Monday night and tonight be temporary.
More than 7 doubting the vote the Chair called the tellers. Mr. Howe being duly sworn replaced Mr. Bond in the 2nd Div. The tellers reported:
Ayes 80
Nays 68
and the motion is
CARRIED.
Mr. Peterson asked reconsideration of Item 26 and offered the fol- lowing amendment:
That the collector of garbage be given a three year contract.
The noes have it and the motion is
LOST.
Vote taken on Article 1 as amended and adopted throughout Monday and tonight's meeting.
SO VOTED.
ARTICLE 2. Mr. Gunn offered a further report on the Committee for Memorial to World War II Veterans.
42
MR. LANE MOVED (with Mr. Gunn's consent) TO TAKE UP ARTICLE 49 AT THIS TIME.
SO VOTED.
Mr. Gunn submitted the following report of the Committee:
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON MEMORIAL FOR WORLD WAR II VETERANS - FOR TOWN MEETING OF MARCH, 1949 PROPOSED MEMORIAL FOR THE WEYMOUTH WORLD WAR II VETERANS
While this project started out as a simple memorial to the veterans of the last war, the size of the memorial roster was so extensive due to the large number of veterans involved that it required the construction of a building, because there was no public building in the Town of Wey- mouth large enough to house it. The additional responsibility put upon this committee of combining in the memorial project a building sufficiently large to provide quarters for all of the veterans' organizations in town extended the original plans tremendously, both in the size of the building and its resulting cost of construction. The selection of an auditorium building was a natural development in working out a joint solution to these two needs, particularly because for many years now the people of the town have lacked an auditorium of sufficient size to accommodate large gather- ings. The present proposal, therefore, makes provision for all of these things.
The memorial roster will be mounted in the lobby of the auditorium. The auditorium provides a seating capacity for one thousand twenty people, or seven hundred sixty people seated at a banquet, and every modern con- venience has been worked into it to accommodate the servicing of affairs involving such sized assemblies. These two parts of the building will be on the ground floor, and due to the topography of the land of the chosen site, it makes it possible to provide adequate quarters for the veterans' organizations in the basement, a large part of which will be above grade. This of itself is quite an accomplishment, because there are nine different organizations, each one of which wants a separate headquarters or room and ample meeting space for their periodic meetings. The proposed build- ing provides ten staff rooms as headquarters, two meeting halls of suffi- cient size to accommodate the ordinary business meeting, a recreation room, and a vault wherein each organization may have its own separate file. The arrangements for the veterans' organizations were carried out by the architect in the proposed building in accordance with their own specifications. The over-all plan, therefore, quite completely solves the three different needs in the one building.
The choice of a site was thoroughly canvassed over a considerable period of time. It was determined that there were two requirements for the building visualized, namely that it should be centrally located, and that it be in a prominent position so that it might be seen and utilized to its greatest benefit. It was the committee's judgment that the site selected did this better than any other available site, namely at the corner of Washington Street (Route 3) and Middle Street. This is the old Town House site, occupied for the last fifteen years by the School Department for portable primary school buildings. It has been found possible to make other arrangements to take care of the School Department's need of this location if the town decides to use it for the War Memorial Auditorium Building.
It is estimated that the over-all cost of this project will be $425,000, which at first consideration seems to be a large amount of money, but when it is considered that it is going to have continuous, everyday use
43
over a period of probably fifty to one hundred years and that it will serve every part of the populace at some time or other, the amount of cost is not unreasonable. If the plans of the committee are followed, the cost of this construction will be carried by the town over a long period of time by being financed by twenty-year bonds for the limit allowed by law, and the annual effect on the tax rate would be approximately fifty cents per $1000 of assessed valuation a year, and would have the advantage to the people of the town of use of the property while they are paying for it.
The committee in no way assumes responsibility for putting upon the town the expense or cost of this construction. They were appointed to the task without solicitation by themselves. No one on the committee was in any way connected with the proposals. The problems they were asked to solve by making a definite recommendation to the Town Meeting and the townspeople were problems that arose from the needs and desires of the people themselves. The problems and the suggestion for the solution are nothing new. For many years the Town of Weymouth has needed an audi- torium of the size and type proposed, and the demand for veterans' quar- ters have been constant ever since World War I.
The committee's work has been over a three-year period, and they have reported progressively on it each year of that time to the Town Meet- ing, and each year they were authorized to proceed with the developing plans, and they feel now that insofar as the financial situation of the town is concerned, they have obtained the best result possible, and that the present time is the best time to carry out this project. Insofar as the Memorial to the World War II Veterans is concerned, it is their convic- tion that it will be done either now or never.
Reported by and signed for the committee by FRANCIS A. GUNN, Chairman
COMMITTEE FOR MEMORIAL FOR WORLD WAR II VETERANS
MR. GUNN OFFERED THE FOLLOWING MOTION:
That the sum of $25,000 be raised from the tax levy of the current year and be appropriated and the additional sum of $400,000 be appro- priated and both such sums shall be used for the construction of a Memo- rial Building as recommended in the report of the "Committee for a Memorial to the World War II Veterans" and that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, be and is hereby authorized to borrow the said sum of $400,000 and to issue bonds or notes bearing on the face the words "Town of Weymouth War Memorial Loan 1949" and to be payable in accordance with Section 19 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than twenty years from the date of the issue of the first bond or note, or such earlier date as the Treasurer or Board of Selectmen may determine.
Followed an involved, prolonged and controversial discussion with strong appeals for and against the project as to the site chosen, the cost involved and the design.
MR. LANE MOVED THAT
The present Committte be instructed to continue the study or the Moderator be empowered to appoint a new Committee to report to a future Town Meeting.
The noes have it and the motion LOST
44
MR. GUNN OFFERED THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENT TO HIS MOTION :
That the words "except site" be inserted after the phrase "Committee for a Memorial to the World War II Veterans".
Comes now the question on Mr. Gunn's motion, as amended. The vote being doubted the tellers took the count and reported
Ayes 22
Nays 103
and the motion is
LOST.
Followed further discussions and Mr. Cunniff moved the following substitute motion :
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.