USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1952 > Part 7
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The Appropriation Committee MOVED:
That the Town name the new Mosquito Plain Playground the Sarah E. Brassill Playground.
The Chair announced that Miss Brassill had requested that this play- ground not be named for her at this time.
Mr. Roulston of the Appropriation Committee MOVED the following substitute motion:
That the Town temporarily name the new playground the Mosquito Plain Playground.
Comes now the question on the substitute motion.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED
ARTICLE 57. (By Direction of Selectmen.) To see if the Town will appoint a committee of three to co-operate with the Metropolitan District Commission for the purpose of creating a beach along the waterfront in North Weymouth, said committee to report to a future Town Meeting for further action.
Upon motion duly made by the Appropriation Committee, it was unanimously
VOTED: No action.
ARTICLE 58. (At Request of Planning Board.) To see what action the Town will take to appoint a five-man committee, one member of which to be a member of the Planning Board and one a member of the Park Department, to investigate the possibilities of increasing the beach facilities in North Weymouth and along the Fore and Back Rivers, or take any other action in relation thereto.
The Appropriation Committee MOVED:
That the Moderator appoint a committee of five to investigate the pos- sibilties of increasing the beach facilities in North Weymouth and along the Fore and Back Rivers, said committee to make a report at the next Annual Town Meeting.
Mr. Cain MOVED the following amendment:
That the words "and shore" be added after the word "beach."
Comes now the question on the amendnment by Mr. Cain.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED
Comes now the question on the motion by the Appropriation Com- mittee as amended.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED
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ARTICLE 59. (At Request of Wessagusset Post No. 1399, Veterans of Foreign Wars.) To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Board of Selectmen to contract with Wessagusset Post No. 1399 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States for the care and maintenance of Old Cemetery off Park Avenue; Old Cemetery opposite Fairmount Cemetery on Pleasant Street; one located off Randolph Street; and Old Cemetery off Pleasant Street, near Pine Street; Ashwood Cemetery on Broad Street, and raise and appropriate the sum of $475.00 for this purpose, or take any other action in relation thereto.
As the subject matter of this Article has been recommended under Article 1, Item 42, upon motion duly made by the Appropriation Committee, it was unanimously
VOTED: No action.
ARTICLE 60. (At Request of Water Commissioners.) To see if the Town will vote to transfer the following tax title land of the Town of Weymouth to the Water Department, Block 645, Lot 3, Sheet 63, Block 377, Lot 1, Sheet 29 and 33, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Upon motion duly made by the Appropriation Committee, it was unanimously
VOTED: That the Town transfer the tax title land shown on the 1950 Atlas of Town of Weymouth, Block 645, Lot 3, Sheet 63, and Block 377, Lot 1, Sheet 29 and 33, to the Water Department.
ARTICLE 61. (At Request of Water Commissioners.) To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Board of Selectmen to transfer to the Board of Water Commissioners for the purpose of protecting the Town's water supply the custody of those parcels of land lying within or adjacent to the water shed of Great Pond which shall come into the possession of the Town; and certain parcels of land so situated and already owned by the Town, to wit:
1. Buildings and land on Lot 3, Block 645, as shown on Sheet 63, Town of Weymouth Atlas revised to January 1, 1949 containing 938,700 square feet more or less; and
2. Buildings and land on- Lot 6, Block 643, as shown on Sheet 63, Town of Weymouth Atlas revised to January 1, 1949, containing 574,000 square feet more or less; and
3. Buildings and land on Lot 4, Block 644, as shown on Sheet 65, Town of Weymouth Atlas revised to January 1, 1949, containing 620,000 square feet more or less;
or take any other action in relation thereto.
Upon motion duly made by the Appropriation Committee, it was unanimously
VOTED: That the Town instruct the Board of Selectmen to transfer to the Board of Water Commissioners for the purpose of protecting the Town's water supply the custody of those parcels of land lying within or adjacent to the water shed of Great Pond which shall come into the pos- session of the Town; and certain parcels of land so situated and already owned by the Town, to wit:
1. Buildings and land on Lot 3, Block 645, as shown on Sheet 63, Town of Weymouth Atlas revised to January 1, 1949 containing 938,700 square feet more or less; and
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2. Buildings and land on Lot 6, Block 643, as shown on Sheet 63, Town of Weymouth Atlas revised to January 1, 1949, containing 574,000 square feet more or less; and
3. Buildings and land on Lot 4, Block 644, as shown on Sheet 65, Town of Weymouth Atlas revised to January 1, 1949, containing 620,000 square feet more or less.
ARTICLE 62. (At Request of Water Commissioners.) To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate to provide ade- quate water mains and fire hydrant protection on streets accepted in this Town Meeting as public highways, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Upon motion made by the Appropriation Committee, it was unani- mously
VOTED: No action.
ARTICLE 63. (At Request of Everett E. Callahan.) To see if the Town will petition the Metropolitan Water Supply System for permission to enter said system at the earliest possible time.
The Appropriation Committee MOVED:
No action.
Mr. Callahan presented his reasons for sponsoring this Article in the Warrant.
Comes now the question on the motion of the Appropriation Com- mittee.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED
ARTICLE 64. (At Request of Laban Pratt Hospital Trustees.) To see if the Town will vote to reserve a portion of the Town Infirmary Land "so-called" for the site of the Laban Pratt Hospital in accordance with a plan of Russell H. Whiting, Civil Engineer, dated March 24, 1950, or take any other action in relation thereto.
The Appropriation Committee MOVED:
No action.
Mr. Crehan MOVED the following substitute motion:
To see if the Town will vote to reserve a portion of the Town Infirmary Land "so-called" for the site of the Laban Pratt Hospital in accordance with a plan of Russell H. Whiting, Civil Engineer, dated March 24, 1950. Such area designated on the map as being about 10.8 acres, with the fol- lowing boundaries: On the approximate West, the East boundary line of 240 feet designated for the Central Junior High School; on the approxi- mate South by a right of way from Essex Street to Central Junior High School property; on the approximate East by Essex Street; on the ap- proximate North by private property and Town property with lines extend- ing from Essex Street approximately West to Central Junior High School line.
Mr. Roulston requested information regarding the effect this substitute motion would have on the buildings of the Town Infirmary. Mr. Crehan stated that he understood there would be no effect and that this substitute motion would merely earmark a portion of the land.
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Comes now the question on the substitute motion by Mr. Crehan. UNANIMOUSLY VOTED
ARTICLE 65. (At Request of Merchants of Bicknell Square.) To see if the Town will vote to accept from the School Committee a portion of the Bicknell School grounds abutting Sea Street for a public parking space. All in accordance with the plan of Town Engineer, Russell H. Whiting, dated December 30, 1950, or take any other action in relation thereto; and see if the Town will vote and appropriate the sum of $3,000.00 to prepare and black top said parking space.
Upon motion duly made by the Appropriation Committee, it was unanimously
VOTED: That the subject matter of this Article be referred to the committee recommended under Article 42 of this Town Meeting and the committee appointed under Article 4 of the Special Town Meeting of April 16, 1951.
ARTICLE 66. (At Request of Pond Plain Improvement Association.) To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate to increase the auto parking facilities on Derby Street, South Weymouth, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Upon motion duly made by the Appropriation Committee, it was unanimously
VOTED: That a committee of three be appointed by the Moderator to investigate the parking facilities on Derby Street and report at a future Town Meeting.
ARTICLE 67. (At Request of Tree and Moth Department.) To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $17,000.00 for Dutch Elm Disease control work, or take any other action in relation thereto.
The Appropriation Committee MOVED:
That the sum of $5,000.00 be raised and appropriated for Dutch Elm Disease control work, and the Board of Selectmen are instructed to enter into contract to have this work done.
Mr. Hebert read the report of the Dutch Elm Disease Committee. Mr. Hebert then presented the following substitute motion:
That the sum of $17,000.00 be raised and appropriated for Dutch Elm Disease control work, and the Board of Selectmen are instructed to enter into all contracts to have this work done. $17,000.00
There was considerable discussion involving Mr. Hebert, Mr. Roulston, Mr. Causer, Mr. Schofield and the Town Accountant regarding the availa- bility of funds which might have been left over from last year's appropria- tion and the possibility of obtaining funds through the State.
Comes now the question on the substitute motion by Mr. Hebert.
The Chair being in doubt, a teller vote was taken. There being 81 in favor and 41 against, the substitute motion was declared: SO VOTED
ARTICLE 68. (At Request of Tree and Moth Department.) To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,375.00 for aerial
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spraying for the control of mosquitoes and other insect pests, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Upon motion duly made by the Appropriation Committee, it was unanimously
VOTED: That the sum of $2,500.00 be raised and appropriated for aerial spraying, and the Board of Selectmen are instructed to enter into contract to have this work done. $2,500.00
ARTICLE 69. (At Request of Francis A. Gunn and Others.) To see if the Town will vote to authorize the appointment of a committee to make a study of the traffic conditions in Columbian Square, South Weymouth, and to recommend to the next Town Meeting definite measures to improve the handling of traffic in that section of the Town, or take any other action in relation thereto.
The Appropriation Committee MOVED:
That the Moderator appoint a committee of five to make a study of the traffic conditions in Columbian Square and report to the next Annual Town Meeting.
Mr. Gunn MOVED the following amendment:
That the Chief of Police and Superintendent of Streets be included as members of the committee of five.
Comes now the question on the amendment by Mr. Gunn.
SO VOTED
Comes now the question on the motion by the Appropriation Com- mittee as amended.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED
Mr. Lane MOVED unanimous consent to take up Article 75 and Article 70 together at this time, as they are jointly concerned.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED
The Chair ruled that Article 75 would be considered first.
ARTICLE 75. (At Request of Highway Building Committee.) To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the construction of a Highway Department Building in accordance with plans of the Highway Garage Committee, or take any other action in relation thereto.
The Appropriation Committee MOVED:
That the sum of $142,500.00 be appropriated and with the sum of $7,500.00 ($6,000.00 of said sum which was voted under Article 52 of Annual Town Meeting of 1951 and the other $1,500.00 which was voted under Article 56 of the Annual Town Meeting of 1949) shall be used for the construction of a Highway Department Building in accordance with plans as presented by the committee of seven appointed under Article 56 of the Annual Town Meeting of 1949. Of the sum appropriated, $42,500.00 shall be appropriated from the Excess and Deficiency Account, and the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, is hereby authorized to borrow a sum not to exceed $100,000.00 and to issue bonds to be payable in accordance with the General Laws (Ter. Ed.) Chapter 44, so that the entire sum shall be payable in not more than twenty (20) years from the date of issue of the first bond. The sums appropriated shall be expended under the direc-
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tion of the committee of seven appointed in accordance with Article 56 in the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting of 1949.
This was a very controversial matter, and there was considerable dis- cussion involving Messrs. Lane, Roulston, Kunz, and Almquist.
Mr. Lane MOVED the following substitute motion:
That the subject matter be referred back to the Committee of seven appointed in accordance with Article 56 of the Annual Town Meeting of 1949 for a report and plans and estimates at the next Special Town Meeting.
Comes now the question on the substitute motion by Mr. Lane.
The Chair being in doubt, a teller vote was taken. There being 71 in the affirmative and 54 in the negative, the substitute motion was declared SO VOTED
ARTICLE 70. (By Direction of Selectmen.) To see if the Town will vote to appropriate from available funds a sum of money to renovate the second floor of the Town Infirmary Building, to install an adequate heating system, and to enlarge the parking area, said office to be under the super- vision of the Board of Selectmen, or take any other action in relation thereto.
The Appropriation Committee MOVED:
That the sum of $9,000.00 be raised and appropriated to renovate the second floor of the Town Infirmary Building, to install an adequate heating system and to enlarge the parking area, work to be done under the super- vision of the Board of Selectmen; that the vote taken at the Annual Town Meeting of March 7, 1949, under Item 27, Article 1 to transfer the property known as the Town Infirmary to the Board of Sewerage Commissioners for the temporary use of that department be rescinded; and it is further provided that the Town Infirmary Building be under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen and shall be designated as an annex to the Town Hall.
Mr. Lane MOVED the following substitute motion:
That this matter be deferred to the next Special Town Meeting. SO VOTED
ARTICLE 71. (By Direction of Selectmen.) To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $200.00 to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen for the purpose of stocking the ponds and inland waters, located within the Town limits, with fish and of liber- ating game, all in accordance with General Laws (Ter. Ed.) Chapter 40, Section 5, Clause 41, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Upon motion duly made by the Appropriation Committee, it was unanimously
VOTED: That the sum of $200.00 be raised and appropriated to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen for the purpose of stocking the ponds and inland waters, located within the Town limits, with fish and of liberating game, all in accordance with General Laws (Ter. Ed.) Chapter 40, Section 5, Clause 41. $200.00
ARTICLE 72. (At Request of Weymouth Sportsmen's Club, Inc.) To see what action the Town will take relative to rebuilding or replacing the Alewife Fisheries Building.
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The Appropriation Committee MOVED:
That the sum of $1,000.00 be raised and appropriated for the rebuilding of the Alewife Fisheries Building, said work to be done under the juris- diction of the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Almquist explained that the Committee had not estimated on the foundation for the building and the light wiring required, and MOVED the following substitute motion:
That the sum of $1,200.00 be raised and appropriated for the rebuilding of the Alewife Fisheries Building and the electric wiring of the building, said work to be done under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen.
$1,200.00
Comes now the question on the substitute motion by Mr. Almquist.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED
ARTICLE 73. (At Request of Aleta M. Goodwin and Others.) To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Board of Assessors to prepare and have printed in a separate bound report a full and complete list of the individual assessments of all Real and Personal Property that makes up the levy for 1951, as shown in the Valuation List as of January 1st, 1951; and further, that the Board of Assessors shall furnish each resident tax- payer a copy thereof, same to be delivered to his last known Weymouth address, as far as is practicable to so deliver, or take any other action in relation thereto.
The Appropriation Committee MOVED:
No action.
Mr. Gunn moved the following substitute motion:
That the Town vote to request the Board of Assessors to prepare and have printed in a separate bound report, a full and complete list of the individual assessments of all Real and Personal Property that make up the levy for 1951, as shown in the Valuation List as of January 1st, 1951; and further, that the Board of Assessors shall have duplicated one thou- sand (1,000) copies of this report as soon as practicable for distribution at their office in Town Hall; and further, that any resident of the Town may receive a copy by applying for same without fee, and that any other ap- plicant may receive a copy by paying a fee of $3.00; and that for this purpose the sum of Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00) be raised and ap- propriated.
There was lengthy discussion on the substitute motion by Messrs. Gunn, Bearce, and Callahan.
Comes now the question on the substitute motion by Mr. Gunn.
The vote was taken and the substitute motion did not prevail.
Comes now the question on the motion by the Appropriation Com- mittee.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED
ARTICLE 74. (By Direction of Selectmen.) To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 for the purpose of main- taining during the ensuing year, the mosquito control works as estimated and certified to by the State Reclamation Board in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 112, Acts of 1931.
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Upon motion duly made by the Appropriation Committee, it was unanimously
VOTED: That the sum of $500.00 be raised and appropriated for mosquito control work in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 112, Acts of 1931. $500.00
ARTICLE 76. (By Direction of Selectmen.) To see if the Town will make an adjustment in the contract with the Garbage Collector, or take any other action in relation thereto.
The Appropriation Committee MOVED:
That the sum of $3,500.00 be raised and appropriated to make an adjustment in the contract with the Garbage Collector from April 1, 1952 to April 1, 1953.
Mr. Callahan MOVED a substitute motion as follows:
That the sum of $6,000.00 be raised and appropriated to make an adjustment in the contract with the Garbage Collector from April 1, 1952 to April 1, 1953. $6,000.00
Mr. Callahan presented his reasons for this change. Messrs. Roulston, Almquist, Neary and others took part in the general discussion.
Comes now the question on the substitute motion by Mr. Callahan.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED
ARTICLE 77. (At Request of Committee of Herring Run Merchants' Association.) To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to complete the grading, drainage and surfacing of the public parking area in the rear of Broad Street, Shawmut Street and Pleasant Street in the Jackson Square area, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Upon motion duly made by the Appropriation Committee, it was unanimously
VOTED: That the sum of $1,400.00 be raised and appropriated and with the unexpended balance left from sum appropriated under Article 3 of the Special Town Meeting of April 16, 1951, to complete the grading, drainage and surfacing of the public parking area in the rear of Broad Street, Shawmut Street, and Pleasant Street in the Jackson Square area. Work to be done by the Highway Department under the supervision of the Superintendent of the Highways. $1,400.00
ARTICLE 78. (At Request of Columbian Civic Association.) To see if the Town will vote to transfer the plot of land at the beginning of Bald Eagle Road from the Street Department to the Park Deparment in order to prepare said plot of land for dedication in honor of Corporal Arthur Low Adams, late of 229 Pleasant Street, who was killed while serving with the Armed Forces of the United States, and that a sum of money be raised and appropriated for the purpose of necessary work, suitable marker and appropriate dedication.
The Appropriation Committee MOVED:
That a committee of three be appointed by the Moderator to consider the request of the Columbian Civic Association and report at a future Town Meeting.
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Mr. Crehan MOVED an amendment as follows:
That the words "a future Town Meeting" be changed to read, "the next Special Town Meeting."
Comes now the question on the amendment by Mr. Crehan.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED
Comes now the question on the motion by the Appropriation Committee as amended.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED
The Chair offered his thanks to the various committees for their work during the past year. He also thanked the Appropriation Committee for their special efforts and to Mr. Lester Belcher, who has advised that he will not be able to accept reappointment.
Mr. Roulston of the Appropriation Committee offered the thanks of the Appropriation Committee to the various Town Meeting Members and Town Officials for their assistance to the Committee.
Upon motion duly made, it was unanimously
VOTED: That the Annual Town Meeting adjourn at 9:40 P.M.
A true copy. Attest:
HARRY CHRISTENSEN Town Clerk
REPORT OF DUTCH ELM DISEASE COMMITTEE
March 3, 1952.
The Committee on Dutch Elm Disease herewith submits its second annual report.
The purpose of this committee was to make a study of the Dutch Elm Disease problem in Weymouth and to make recommendations for the guidance of the Town Meeting assembled.
A report was submitted at the last Annual Meeting, and a commenda- tion and vote of thanks given to the committee for its excellent work.
The Town Meeting then proceeded to vote- not in accord with the recommendations of its committee report.
As a result of the Town's failure to provide adequate funds to meet the needs of a sound program, it was necessary for our Tree Warden to again request funds for removal of all confirmed Dutch Elm Diseased trees at a later Special Town Meeting. He was advised that any further provision of funds for the year would not be approved by the State Tax Commissioners, as the tax rate had already been set.
He was also advised that reserve fund monies were to meet unforeseen emergencies. His problem could not be considered as unforeseen since due warning had been given, through him, to the Annual Town Meeting.
A transfer of funds by Town Meeting vote from the Tree and Moth budget to the Dutch Elm Disease account partially enabled the program of tree removals to go forward with the removal of all known infected trees in North Weymouth and Weymouth Heights.
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At this date, there remain 27 Dutch Elm trees in Weymouth Landing, 27 trees in South Weymouth and 43 trees in East Weymouth, which have been advertised for contract removal. In addition, there are 46 Dutch Elm trees throughout all the Weymouths which were received after our bid specifications were drawn up. The total removal cost for these several groups of trees will be $6,000.00
The Finance Committee's recommendation of $5,000.00 to carry out the 1952 Dutch Elm program is insufficient even to remove last year's trees.
The deadline for removal of all infected trees is set at April 1st, after which date, with the intermittent warm days that follow, the tiny disease- carrying "Scolytus" beetles emerge by the thousands, fly to nearby elm trees for a bite of tender elm bark in the twig crotches, and leave the disease spores, which are then picked up by the sap system of the tree. Next follows a blocking of the cells in the outer wood, through the disease spores. Water cannot reach the leaves and they turn a sickly yellow color, wilt and drop off. The death of the tree may be very rapid or gradual according to its vigor, but once infected, to date, prompt and complete removal and destruction of all diseased wood is the only means of control.
There is a possibility that in the future the use of atomic isatopes will control this and other tree diseases, but these newest developments are not now available and may not be for years to come. In the meantime, we must use the only means of control at hand-sanitation and elimina- ation of all dead and diseased trees.
It is only by reducing our annual losses of elm trees that the cost of this work will go down.
For the want of $5,000.00 when it was needed in the Spring of 1950, for removal of 54 Dutch Elm infected trees of the previous year, we are now in the predicament of today, and when present removals are completed, we will have lost, to date, a total of 803 elm trees from Dutch Elm Disease alone.
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