USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Abington > Town annual report of the officers and committees, 1948 > Part 2
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Voted, To transfer from the E. & D. account the sum of $20,000.00 to be used by the Assessors for lowering the Tax Rate for the current year.
Voted, To pass over the article on the purchase of snow removal equipment.
Voted, That the sum of $3,000.00 be taken from the E. & D. fund for the completion of the Memorial Project.
Voted, To authorize the Memorial Trustees to use the unexpended balance in the heater account for the Memor- ial Building for the repair of the hot water heating system.
Voted, To authorize the Memorial Trustees to use the unexpended balance in the housing account for the Veter- ans of Foreign Wars for purchase of equipment for Mem- orial Building.
Voted, To pay laborers a minimum of $1.00 per hour between the present time and the next Annual Town Meet- ing.
Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $1,151.35 for the purpose of purchasing a truck for the use of the Highway Department, and that this be put out at bid.
Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $1,825.00 for the construction of a culvert on Groveland Street at the Abington and Brockton Line in conjunction with the City of Brockton.
Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $300.00 for the purpose of rebuilding a culvert on Ashland Street.
Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 to be used for the construction of 1,100 feet of drainage on Lincoln Street.
Voted, To raise and appropriate $350.00 for the pur- pose of extending Davis Street 250 feet to the Whitman Line.
Voted, To raise and appropriate $2,500.00 for recon- struction and drainage on Wales Street, east from Adams to Railroad Street, north to Jefferson Street.
Voted, To authorize the Selectmen to allow the Super- intendent of Streets to extend Linwood Street to the Pre- cinct Line, a distance of 400 feet and width of 161% feet of hard surface, the entire cost to be paid by the Pere- grine White Sanctuary, Inc.
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Voted, To build a drain from 96 Railroad Street, South, to connect with the drain in front of the Capitol Theatre, a distance of 175 feet, and that the sum of $175.00 be taken from the Highway Account for the purpose of this article.
Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $1,500.00 to widen and drain Shaw Avenue Extension from Bedford Street, a distance of 800 feet.
Voted, To pass over the article on the construction of a sidewalk on the north side of Ashland Street.
Voted, To construct a sidewalk on the westerly side of Walnut Street to Summer Street, from the entrance of the Center Grade School, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $450.00 for the same.
Voted, To pass over the article on the construction of a sidewalk on Summer Street from Walnut Street to Washington Street.
Voted, To construct a sidewalk on the east side of Dunbar Street, from Thaxter Avenue to Bank Street, and that the sum of $200.00 be taken from the Highway Ac- count for the purpose of this article.
Voted, To pass over the article on the construction of a sidewalk on the east side of Plymouth Street from the Baptist Church property to the residence of Mrs. Leo Don- ovan, and on the west side of Plymouth abutting school grounds to Birch Street, and that this article be given prior consideration at the meeting next year.
Voted, To authorize the Selectmen to enter into nego- tiations with the owner for the purchase of frontage on one or both sides of Lincoln Boulevard for the purpose of further Town development.
Voted, That this article on the acceptance of a code of Building Laws be referred to the Planning Board and that a committee of six citizens be appointed to work in conjunction with the Board to give it further study and report at the next Annual Town Meeting. The Moderator named the following persons: Amilian N. Pastuszak, Elwyn B. Shurtleff, Louise Sanderson, George H. Tower, Arthur M. Clarke and Helen Hohman.
Voted, To pass over the article to establish a salary for the Board of Public Welfare.
24
Voted, To accept Chapter 276, Acts of 1947, which provides that Veterans in offices or positions other than elective or administration shall not be involuntarily sepa- - rated from their employ after five years.
Voted, To transfer from the Welcome Home Account to the Veterans' Account the sum of $1,000.00.
Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $630.00 for a two-way Radio for the Police Car.
Voted, To pass over the article on the appointment of two additional permanent Policemen.
Voted, To transfer the sum of $5,000.00 from Water Reserve for Water Extensions.
Voted, To amend Section 25 of the By-Laws by adding the following: "and no motion to reconsider a vote shall be in order after the meeting has been adjourned for any period of time subsequent to the passing of the vote which is sought to be reconsidered."
Voted, To amend Section 29 of the By-Laws by strik- ing out the present section and substituting the following : "The quorum of any Annual or Special Town Meeting shall be five per cent of the registered voters of the Town."
Voted, To create Section 31 of the By-Laws to read as follows: "The Superintendent of Streets, for the purpose of removing or plowing snow, or removing ice from any way, may remove or cause to be removed to some conveni- ent place, including in such term a public garage, any vehicle interfering with such work, and the owner of such vehicle shall thereupon become liable for the cost of such removal and of the storage charge, if any, resulting there- from.
Voted, To accept a layout made by the Selectmen on the 27th day of January, 1948, for a private way known as King Avenue as a public way.
Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $800.00 for the purpose of constructing King Avenue.
Voted, To accept a layout made by the Selectmen on the 27th day of January, 1948, for a private way known as Highland Road as a public way.
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Voted, The sum of $1,000.00 be transferred from the E. & D. fund for the purpose of constructing Highland Road.
Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 to install new overhead apparatus doors at the North Ab- ington Fire Station, and that the Fire Department first get bids from three different contractors and that it be given to the lowest bidder.
Voted, To authorize any department, with the approv- al of the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee, to dispose of obsolete and any unusable material by public auction.
Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $325.00 for the purchase of two fire alarm boxes.
Voted, To pass over the article to sell the Pumping Engine.
Voted, To pass over the article on the construction of bleachers on the High School Athletic Field.
Voted, To pass over the article to place a tarvia top on the area in the rear of the High School.
Voted, To authorize the Moderator to appoint a com- mittee of five persons, of whom shall be in no way con- nected with the school system, to investigate the possible necessity of increasing the seating capacity of our schools, and to report at the next Annual Town Meeting. The Mod- erator named: Russell H. Wheatley, Donald D. Wyman, Ella E. Sanderson, Annie T. Waters, Harold G. Chapman.
Voted, To accept the gift from the Abington Rotary Club of a Chestpirator Model, Portable Iron Lung, to be used for rescue work in cases of drowning, gas poisoning, electric shock, or other cases of respiratory failure. The same having been provided for through public subscription and support and will be maintained free of expense to the Town. To be located for emergency use in care of the Fire Chief at the permanent headquarters of the Fire Depart- ment. The Town Clerk was instructed to forward a letter of thanks to the Rotary Club.
Voted, To amend the By-Laws by adding the follow- ing section: "At the Annual and Special Town Meetings the Board of Selectmen shall be directed to use a check list for the admission of all persons to said meetings."
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Voted, To transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Account the sum of $2,000.00 for Chapter 90 Maintenance and $9,000.00 for Chapter 90 Construction, to meet the State and County share of the cost. When reimbursements are forthcoming from these sources they will go back into Excess and Deficiency Account.
Voted, To appoint a committee of five to study the possibility of joint use by the various Town Departments of town equipment, and to investigate the possibility of better co-operation between the Town Departments. The Moderator named: John L. Doherty, George H. Rounds, Charles F. Loud, Charles F. Whitman, Jr., and Alton Merrill.
The Moderator named as a member of the Finance Committee to take the place of Edward Rourke, Norman Collingwood, whose term will expire March 1949.
The moderator named as a member of the Finance Committee to take the place of Vinson Blanchard, Joseph C. Belcher, whose term will expire March 1950.
The Moderator named as members of the Finance Committee for three years, Allen P. Hoyt, Leo F. Meady, Harold T. MacPhelemy, terms to expire March 1951.
The Moderator named as a member of the Finance Committee Harry D. Robinson to take the place of Leo F. Meady.
Voted, that a rising vote of thanks be given to the Finance Committee.
VOTE OF THE TOWN OF ABINGTON AT TOWN ELECTION, MARCH 6, 1948
Number of Votes Cast 1,926
In Precinct 1 848
In Precinct 2 1,078
MODERATOR (for one year)
John R. Wheatley 1,550
Scattering 3
27
TOWN CLERK (for one year)
Kathaleen R. Coughlan
1,689
TOWN TREASURER (for one year)
Francis S. Murphy 1,651
SELECTMAN (for three years)
Vinson Blanchard
710
John W. Coleman
380
James W. Dunn 106
Warren A. Greenfield
43
Leo G. Mattila
97
Leo F. Meady
363
Leo J. Mckeown
164
Scattering
1
ASSESSOR (for three years)
Herbert D. Sampson 1,463
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE (for three years)
Merrill D. Haskins
1,447
BOARD OF HEALTH (for three years)
Raymond J. Lirosi
1,252
SCHOOL COMMITTEE (for three years)
H. Palmer Blake
823
Harold G. Chapman
656
George F. Garrity
1,048
Roy C. Lucas
642
PARK COMMISSIONERS (for one year)
Fred Curtis
1,167
Melvin Libby
1,224
John R. Mellish
642
Walton G. Wyman
1,189
WATER COMMISSIONERS (for three years)
Edward A. Gobeille
334
Frank L. Merrill
1,019
Robert H. Stocker
387
28
TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY (for three years)
Louise Sanderson Mary T. Sweeney Grace H. Wright Scattering
1,316
1,363
1,337
1
TREE WARDEN (for one year)
Arthur H. Gillis
368
Joseph J. Kelliher
455
James J. Rogers 402
William J. Wright, Jr.
588
MEMORIAL TRUSTEES
Raphael F. Mckeown
1,404
Burton E. Thompson
1,388
Scattering
1
CONSTABLES (for one year)
John A. Litchfield 1,338
John H. Manley
1,351
Walter Milewski
1,221
Scattering
114
PLANNING BOARD (for five years)
Donald W. Smith
1,296
Scattering 7
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, APRIL 15, 1948
Voted, To pass over the article to see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 for the purpose of planting trees, this sum to be transferred from Excess and Deficiency fund, or take any other action thereto.
Voted, To pass over the article to see if the town will vote to add the following section to the by-laws: "The warrant for the Annual Town Meeting shall be closed on the 10th day of January immediately preceding said meeting, and that articles filed at a later date shall be
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included in the warrant only upon application to the Finance Committee and with their approval."
Voted, To raise and appropriate a sum not to exceed $87.50 for the purchase of a typewriter for the use of the Finance Committee Secretary.
Voted, To pass over the article to see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $226.65 for unpaid bills of the Tree Department for 1947 and transfer same from the Excess and Deficiency fund, or take any other action thereto.
Voted, To increase the salary of the Town Clerk from $880.00 to $1,000.00 per year and to raise and appropriate the sum of $120.00 for the purpose of the article.
Voted, To increase the salary of the Town Accountant from $880.00 to $1,000.00 per year and to raise and appro- priate the sum of $120.00 for the purpose of the increase.
Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $5,328.00 for teachers' salaries ; this amount to be in addition to the amount which was raised and appropriated at the Annual Town Meeting for teachers' salaries.
VOTE OF THE TOWN OF ABINGTON AT THE PRESIDENTIAL AND STATE ELECTION, NOVEMBER 2, 1948
Number of Votes Cast
3,290
In Precinct 1
1,537
In Precinct 2 1,753
FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT
Dewey and Warren, Republican Party 1,888
Teichert and Emery, Socialist-Labor Party 5
Truman and Barkley, Democratic Party 1,311
Wallace and Taylor, Progressive Party 27
Watson and Learn, Prohibition Party 2
McArthur and Warren 1
30
FOR GOVERNOR
Robert F. Bradford, Republican Party 1,739
Paul A. Dever, Democratic Party 1,503
Horace I. Hillis, Socialist Party 5
Mark R. Shaw, Prohibition Party
2
FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Arthur W. Coolidge, Republican Party 1,832
Charles F. Jeff Sullivan, Democratic Party 1,337
Lawrence Gilfedder, Socialist Party 15
Guy S. Williams, Prohibition Party
3
SECRETARY
Frederic W. Cook, Republican Party 2,027
Edward J. Cronin, Democratic Party 1,117
Gote E. Palmquist, Socialist Labor Party 14
TREASURER
Laurence Curtis, Republican Party 1,869
John E. Hurley, Democratic Party 1,269
Harold J. Ireland, Prohibition Party
9
Malcolm T. Rowe, Socialist Labor
15
AUDITOR
Thomas J. Buckley, Democratic Party
1,623
Russell A. Wood, Republican Party
1,533
Robert A. Simmons, Prohibition Party
10
Francis A. Votano, Socialist Labor
11
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Clarence A. Barnes, Republican Party
1,894
Francis E. Kelly, Democratic Party 1,241
Anthony Martin, Socialist Party
18
SENATOR IN CONGRESS
Leverett Saltonstall, Republican Party 2,108 John I. Fitzgerald, Democratic Party 1,075
Henning A. Blomen, Socialist-Labor Party 13
E. Tallmadge Root, Prohibition Party
2
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CONGRESSMAN
Donald W. Nicholson, Republican Party 1,963
Jacinto F. Diniz, Democratic Party 1,115
COUNCILLOR
Clayton L. Havey, Republican Party 1,858
- Samuel G. Thorner, Democratic Party 1,144
SENATOR
Newland H. Holmes 2,341
REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT
Dana S. Collins, Republican Party 1,875
John J. Buckley, Democratic Party 1,253
REGISTER OF PROBATE AND INSOLVENCY
Walter H. Gilday, Republican Party 2,334
COUNTY COMMISSIONER
Frederick T. Bailey, Republican Party 2,015
Elva Bent, Republican Party 1,888
COUNTY TREASURER
Avis A. Ewell, Republican Party 2,278
QUESTION NO. 1
Do you approve of the adoption of an amendment to the constitution summarized below which was approved by the General Court in a joint session of the two branches held June 28, 1945, received 227 votes in the affirmative and 0 in the negative, and in a joint session of the two branches held June 9, 1947, received 232 votes in the affirmative and 8 in the negative ?
SUMMARY
This proposed amendment to the Constitution adds to the declaration of the rights of the inhabitants, as now set forth in the Constitution, the following: "The right of free speech shall not be abridged."
Yes 2,189 No 281
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QUESTION NO. 2
Do you approve of the adoption of an amendment to the constitution summarized below which was approved by the General Court in a joint session of the two branches held June 6, 1946, received 220 votes in the affirmative and 28 in the negative, and in a joint session of the two branches held June 9, 1947, received 228 votes in the affirmative and 5 in the negative ?
SUMMARY
This proposed amendment to the Constitution pro- vides that the use of revenue from fees, duties, excises or license taxes relating to the registration, operation or use of vehicles on public highways or to fuels used for propell- ing such vehicles, except revenue from any excise tax imposed for the privilege of registering such vehicles in lieu of local property taxes, shall be for highway purposes only.
Yes
2,194 No 300
QUESTION NO. 3
Do you approve of the adoption of an amendment to the constitution summarized below which was approved by the General Court in a joint session of the two branches held June 6, 1946, received 243 votes in the affirmative and 0 in the negative, and in a joint session of the two branches held June 3, 1948, received 231 votes in the affirmative and 9 in the negative ?
SUMMARY
This is an amendment to Article XVII of the Amend- ments to the Constitution. It provides that in case of a failure to elect the secretary, treasurer and receiver gen- eral, auditor or attorney general of the Commonwealth, or in case of the death of a person elected to any of such offices between the day of election and the third Wed- nesday of the following January, such an officer shall be chosen by a joint ballot of the senators and representa- tives from the people at large, instead of from the two persons who had the highest number of votes at the election as is now required. It also provides that if there is a vacancy in any of such offices during a session of the
33
Legislature the vacancy shall be filled in like manner by choice from the people at large, but if the vacancy occurs at any other time it shall be filled by appointment by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Council.
Yes
1,939 No 293
QUESTION NO. 4
Do you approve of a law summarized below which disapproved in the House of Representatives by a vote of 15 in the affirmative and 22 in the negative ?
SUMMARY
This measure by amending General Laws (Ter. Ed.), Chapter 272, Section 21 provides that the provisions of Sections 20 of said Chapter 272 which make it an offense to advertise or give information as to the procurement of means for the prevention of pregnancy or conception shall not apply to treatment or prescription given to married women by registered physicians for protection of life or health.
Yes
1,527 No 1.318
QUESTION NO. 5
Do you approve of a law summarized below which was disapproved in the House of Representatives by a vote of 5 in the affirmative and 203 in the negative and in the Senate by a vote of 0 in the affirmative and 36 in the negative ?
SUMMARY
This measure prohibits the denial of the opportunity to obtain or retain employment because of membership or non-membership in a labor organization and prohibits agreements which exclude any person from employment because of membership or non-membership in a labor organization. Violation of the provisions of the measure is made an offense punishable by fine or imprisonment or both.
Yes
904
No 1,710
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QUESTION NO. 6
Do you approve of a law summarized below which was disapproved in the House of Representatives by a vote of 82 in the affirmative and 126 in the negative and in the Senate by a vote of 13 in the affirmative and 20 in the negative ?
SUMMARY
This measure requires that elections of officers of labor organizations shall be held at least annually. Sixty days' notice of a regular election and twenty days' notice of an election to fill one or more vacancies are required to be given by public announcement at a regular meeting, by notice in writing to each member, or in any other adequate manner. Candidates to be voted for must be nominated by a paper signed by ten members filed at least thirty days before a regular election and at least ten days before an election to fill a vacancy.
The voting at such an election must be by secret written or printed ballot. Watchers appointed by nomi- nating members and by union officers may be present during the voting and counting of ballots.
Coercion and intimidation of members in connection with an election is prohibited, and violations of the pro- visions of the measure are made punishable by fine of not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than two hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days or both.
Yes
1,218 No 1,360
QUESTION NO. 7
Do you approve of a law summarized below which was disapproved in the House of Representatives by a vote of 95 in the affirmative and 110 in the negative and in the Senate by a vote of 14 in the affirmative and 18 in the negative ?
SUMMARY
This measure prohibits the calling of a strike by a labor organization in any business or plant or unit thereof. except when authorized by the vote of the majority of all the members of the organization employed in the business,
35
plant or unit thereof. Such authorization is to be expressed by a secret written or printed ballot at a meeting called for that purpose. .
The Labor Relations Commission is authorized to make rules for the conduct of the voting. Within twenty- four hours after the voting the labor organization con- - ducting it shall make a written report of the result to the commission, which shall be a permanent public record. If no report is filed the vote taken shall be void and a person making a false report shall be guilty of perjury.
Coercion and intimidation of members of a labor organization in connection with such voting is made a penal offense.
Yes
1,241 No 1,336
QUESTION NO. 8
Is it desirable that the proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States,-
"ARTICLE-
"SECTION 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed to the Congress, and shall not pre- vent any person who may be holding the office of Presi- dent, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.
"SECTION 2. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Consti- tution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress,"-be ratified by the general court ?
Yes
1,652 No 703
36
QUESTION NO. 9
Shall licenses be granted in this city (or town, for the sale therein of all alcoholic beverages (whisky, rum, gin, malt beverages, wines and all other alcoholic beverages) ?
Yes
1,950 No 824
B. Shall licenses be granted in this city (or town) for the sale therein of wines and malt beverages (wines and beer, ale and all other malt beverages) ?
Yes
1,894 No 770
C. Shall licenses be granted in this city (or town) for the sale therein of all alcoholic beverages in packages, so called, not to be drunk on the premises ?
Yes 2,094 No 629
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, NOVEMBER 16, 1948
Voted, To transfer from the E. & D. account the sum of $3,508.00 to be used for General Relief purposes.
Voted, To transfer from the E. & D. account the sum of $1,000.00 to be used for Old Age Assistance ex- penses.
Voted, To transfer from the E. & D. account the sum of $2,500.00 for the general expense of the School Depart- ment.
Voted, To appropriate from water revenue the sum of $2,000.00 for the purpose of joint works expense.
Between Articles 4 and 5 the question of a quorum was raised. A count was taken and only 162 voters were present. There being no quorum the meeting was ad- journed for ten minutes, or until 17 minutes before 10 o'clock. At this time no quorum being present, the meet- ing was adjourned sine die.
Respectfully submitted,
KATHALEEN R. COUGHLAN,
Town Clerk.
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REPORT OF THE STATE AUDITOR The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Department of Corporations and Taxation Division of Accounts State House, Boston 33
March 2. 1948
To the Board of Selectmen
Mr. Howard W. Belcher, Chairman Abington, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Abington for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1947, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Herman B. Dine, Assistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours,
FRANCIS X. LANG.
Director of Accounts.
FXL:JRB Mr. Francis X. Lang
Director of Accounts
Department of Corporations and Taxation
State House. Boston Sir:
In accordance with your instructions, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Abington for the fiscal year ending December 31. 1947. and submit the following report thereon :
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The financial transactions, as recorded on the books of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town or committing bills for collection, were ex- amined and reconciled with the reports and records of the town accountant and the town treasurer.
The books and accounts in the town accountant's of- fice were examined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts were compared with the records of the several de- partments collecting money for the town and with the town treasurer's books, while the recorded disbursements were checked with the selectmen's warrants authorizing such payments and with the treasurer's cash book.
An analysis of the town accountant's ledger was made, the appropriations, loan authorizations, and trans- fers being checked with the town clerk's records of town meetings and with the records of the finance committee. A trial balance was taken off proving the accounts to be in balance, the adjustments resulting from the audit were made, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this re- port, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on December 31, 1947. An examination of this bal- ance sheet indicates that the financial condition of the town is very good.
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