USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1926 > Part 2
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Under Article 6, the Finance Committee recommends that the town raise and appropriate $5000.00 and in addition raise by a fifteen-year issue of bonds (inside the debt limit) the sum of $125,000.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 5.
On motion by A. H. Boardman
Voted :. That there be raised and appropriated to provide funds for the purposes set forth in Article 5 of the Warrant the sum of $130,000.00,
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
and that to meet said appropriation there be raised in the tax levy of the current year the sum of $5000; and the treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and is hereby authorized to borrow the sum of $125,- 000.00, and to issue notes of the town therefor, said notes to be payable in accordance with the provisions of Section 19, Chapter 44 of the General Laws, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than fifteen years from the date of issue of the first note, or at such earlier dates as the Treasurer and Selectmen may determine. Unanimous vote.
Article 7. To see if the town will authorize the Water and Sewerage Board to construct sewers in Water Street from Valley Street to Wake- field Avenue so-called; in Wakefield Avenue from Water St., to Richard- son Street; in Columbia Road from Water Street to Bancroft Avenue and raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money therefor or authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Selectmen to borrow and issue the notes or bonds therefor for a sufficient sum therefor .- Board of Health by Wesley S. Goodwin, Secretary.
Finance Committee recommends that the Water and Sewerage Board be authorized to construct sewers as proposed under Article 7 and that the town raise by a ten-year issue of bonds (inside the debt limit) the sum of $19,000.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 7.
On motion by A. H. Boardman
Voted : That the water and sewerage board is hereby authorized to construct the sewers described in Article 7 of the warrant and to provide funds therefor there be raised and appropriated the sum of $19,- 000, and the Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow said sum of $19,000, and to issue the notes of the town therefor, said notes to be payable in accordance with the provisions of Section 19, Chapter 44 of the General Laws, so that the whole; loan shall be paid in not more than ten years from the date of issue of the first note or at such earlier dates as the Treasurer and Selectmen may determine. Unanimous vote.
Article 9. To see if the town will accept and allow a report of the Selectmen laying out a town way in substantially the location of the private way now known as Columbia Road extending southerly from Water Street, and raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for the construction thereof .- Board of Selectmen.
On motion by Finance Committee
Voted: That the town accept and allow a report of the Selectmen laying out a town way in substantially the location of the private way
22
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
now known as Columbia Road, and raise and appropriate the sum of $2000.00 for the construction thereof.
Article 11. To see of the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $5000 for the erection of a Hiker Monument in recognition of the services of the men from Wakefield, who served in the Spanish-American War from 1898 to 1902 .- Edward J. Gihon and others.
Motion by Finance Committee
That the subject matter of Article 11 be referred to a committee of five for investigation to report to the town at the next annual meeting. Amendment by E. J. Gihon
That the committee report at an adjournment of this meeting. Amend- ment accepted and original motion as amended voted.
Article 12. To see if the town will authorize the transfer of the War Memorial tablets in the Town Hall to another location therein, and raise and appropriate $1500.00 therefor, to be spent under the direction of the Board of Selectmen. Board of Selectmen.
On motion by Finance Committee as amended by C. F. Young
Voted: That the subject matter of this article be referred to the committee appointed under Article 11, to report at an adjournment of this meeting.
Committee: Edward J. Gihon, John J. Round, Arthur L. Evans, J. Warren Poland, Edward J. Connelly.
Article 13. To see if the town will raise and appropriate $455 to indemnify Police Officer Eugene P. McDonnell for expenses and damages incurred by him in the performance of his duty as such police officer .- Board of Selectmen.
On motion by Finance Committee
Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $455.00, to carry out the purposes of this article.
Article 14. To see if the town will amend the Zoning Ordinance and maps, by substituting for the business area shown on said zoning map near the intersection of Gould Street and of Jordan Avenue with Albion Street, a general residence district .- Town Planning Board.
On motion by Mr. Bridge for the Planning Board
(
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
Voted: That the Zoning By-Law be amended as follows: That the business district on Albion Street, near Jordan Avenue and Gould Street, be reduced in area, retaining in said business district the western portion on both sides of Albion Street from the center line of Jordan Avenue to a line 120 feet east and at right angles to Albion Street. The balance of the present above mentioned business district to become a part of the general residence district.
Article 15. To hear and act upon the report of a committee ap- pointed under Article 17 of the warrant of March 9, 1925, to secure op- tions and recommend the purchase of land on the watershed of Crystal Lake .- Reforesting Committee, Donald White, Chairman.
Mr. Donald White reported for the committee and it was voted that the report be accepted and adopted.
Article 16. To see if the town will vote to purchase land on the west side of Merriam Street now or formerly the property of James N. Worthley and comprising about 16,350 square feet and raise and appro- priate a sufficient sum of money therefor for the protection of the water supply .- Reforesting Committee, Donald' White, Chairman.
On motion by Finance Committee
Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $300.00 to purchase land as named in Article 16 plus assessments and unpaid taxes.
Article 17. To see if the town will vote to purchase the land on the west side of Merriam Street now or formerly the property of Charles P. Stockwell and comprising about 17,100 square feet and raise and ap- propriate a sufficient sum of money therefor for the protection of the water supply .- Reforesting Committee, Donald White, Chairman.
On motion by Finance Committee
Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $250.00 to purchase land as named in Article 17, plus assessments and unpaid taxes.
Article 18. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $1000.00 to be spent by the Water Board for the purchase and setting out of trees to continue the present policy on the land already owned by the town on the watershed of Crystal Lake .- Reforesting Committee, Donald White, Chairman.
On motion of Finance Committee
Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $1000.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 18.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Article 19. To see if the town will authorize and instruct the Water Board to obtain the services of an engineer to investigate, and to advise the town as to the land which it is most necessary for the town to own on the watershed of Crystal Lake to protect the water supply, and pre- pare plans and indicate thereon which areas should be acquired, and further to instruct said board to obtain the names of owners of said areas; and raise and appropriate the sum of $1500.00 for these purposes. -Reforesting Committee, Donald White, Chairman.
On motion of Finance Committee
Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $1500.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 19.
Article 20. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $250.00 to be expended by H. M. Warren Post G. A. R., for the proper observance of Memorial Day, May 30th, 1926 .- J. Warren Poland and others.
On motion of Finance Committee
Voted : That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $250.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 20.
Article 21. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $150.00 for Memorial Day purposes, for the use of the United Spanish War Veterans .- Edward J. Gihon and others.
On motion of Finance Committee
Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $150.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 21.
Article 22. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $250.00 to cover expenses of Corporal Harry E. Nelson Post No. 63 American Legion, incurred in the observance of Memorial Day or what they will do about it .- Charles E. Campbell and others.
On motion of Finance Committee
Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $250.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 22.
Article 23. To see if the town will authorize the Selectmen to lease for Corporal Charles F. Parker Camp 39, United Spanish War Veterans suitable quarters, and raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money therefor .- Edward J. Gihon and others.
On motion of Finance Committee
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $120.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 23.
Article 24. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $1000.00 to maintain quarters for Corporal Harry E. Nelson Post No. 63, American Legion, or what they will do about it .- Charles E. Campbell and others.
On motion by Finance Committee
Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $1000.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 24.
Article 25. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $750.00, to establish a dental clinic for the children of Wakefield .-- Visiting Nurse Association.
On motion by Finance Committee
Voted: That the subject matter of this article be indefinitely post- poned.
Article 26. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to extend the Police Signal System .- Board of Selectmen.
On motion by Finance Committee
Voted : That the subject matter of this article be indefinitely post- poned.
Article 27. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of purchasing and erecting a fence around the athletic field on the High School Grounds .- John B. Sawyer, Chair- man School Committee.
On motion by Finance Committee
Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $4500.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 27.
On motion by Frank J. Henkel
Voted: That this meeting stand adjourned to Monday evening, March 22nd at 7:30 o'clock. Adjourned at 10:05 o'clock. Attendance 425.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, MARCH 15, 1926
Meeting called to order at 7:30 o'clock P. M. by Moderator Eaton
Mr. Clemons offered the following Resolution which was unanimously adopted.
That the Moderator appoint a committee of three to retire and pre- pare memorial resolutions upon the death of Congressman Harry I. Thayer. Chair appointed Maynard E. S. Clemons, Harris M. Dolbeare and J. Theodore Witney.
ARTICLE 2.
On motion by Edgar J. Peterson
Voted: That Article 2 be taken up.
Mr. Peterson reported for the committee and placed the following in nomination for town officers not chosen by ballot.
Planning Board: Dr. T. Fulton Parks for the usual term of three years. William G. Roberts to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Philip. W. Foster for term expiring March 1927.
Field Drivers: Carroll Robey, Palmer Corbett, Ernest Goldsmith.
Fence Viewers: Henry A. Feindel, J. Fred Ronan, Augustus M. Baxter.
Surveyors of Lumber: L. E. Bennett, H. A. Feindel, A. T. Locke, F. E. Cutler, E. E. Prescott, W. E. Knox.
Recreation Commission: Lawrence W. Churchill, Thomas G. Dig- nan, Adelaide W. Boynton, Mabel Greenough, Adelaide A. Shedd, James J. Lowe, A. Philip Knight.
No more nominations being made the above named persons were unanimously elected to the various offices.
Article 28. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $5000.00 and pay that amount to James R. Reid for loss sustained by him on account of the failure of the town to license the operation of a slaughter house owned by James R. Reid .- James R. Reid and others.
Motion by Mr. Jones for Finance Committee that the subject matter of this article be indefinitely postponed.
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
Motion by Perley Walton.
That the subject matter of this article be referred to a committee of. three, appointed from the floor, to investigate and report at an adjourn- ment of this meeting or the first meeting held after this one.
Amendment by E. J. Peterson
That the Committee be appointed by the chair.
Amendment was carried and original motion to refer as amended was then voted.
Committee : P. Joseph Daley, Ernest Heywood, Timothy J. Mc- Auliffe.
ARTICLES 11 AND 12
On motion by E. J. Gihon
Voted: That articles 11 and 12 be taken up.
ARTICLE 11
Mr. Gihon reported for the committee and the report was accepted and adopted.
On motion by Mr. Gihon
Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $5000.00 for the purpose of purchasing, erecting and dedicating to the men of Wakefield who served in the Spanish-American War, the so-called Hiker Monument by Theodore Kitson at the junction of Common and Main . Streets, on land known as the Rockery, and that a committee of five be appointed by the town to carry out the provisions of this vote.
Voted: That the same committee reporting under this article be appointed to carry out the provisions of this vote.
ARTICLE 12.
Colonel Gihon reported for the committee and the report was ac- cepted and adopted.
On motion by Colonel Gihon
Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $1500.00 to carry out the recommendations of the committee.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Article 29. To hear and act upon a report of the Committee ap- pointed having in charge the building of an addition to the Greenwood School House .- John T. Cooper, Chairman.
Mr. John T. Cooper reported for the committee.
On motion by Wesley S. Goodwin
Voted: That the report be accepted and committee discharged.
Report of committee on Resolutions
Mr. Clemons for the committee presented the following resolution:
Whereas Honorable Harry I. Thayer, for many years a prominent resident of Wakefield, died March 10, 1926.
Be It Resolved, that the town of Wakefield with sorrow records the death of Harry I. Thayer, a member of Congress, which occurred March 10, 1926, and gratefully spreads upon the records of the town its appre- ciation of the sterling qualities which made him our eminent, honorable citizen, who brought honor to our town and furnished us with a lasting example of American citizenship for our youths to follow. Our sympathy goes to his family and we acknowledge our public loss.
On motion of Gardner E. Campbell it was voted unanimously that the Resolutions be adopted and spread upon the records.
ARTICLE 10.
Eight o'clock having arrived, Article 10 became the business before the meeting.
On motion by T. G. O'Connell
Voted: That Article 31 be taken up jointly with Article 10.
Motion by Finance Committee
That the Municipal Light Board be authorized on behalf of the town to make a contract for the purchase of gas.
The discussion under this article lasted until about 11:15 and was participated in by, Marcus Beebe, Thomas G. O'Connell, Edward N. Pike, Charles F. Young, P. J. Daley, Arthur L. Evans and others.
Motion by Thomas G. O'Connell
€
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
That a committee of seven be appointed to investigate the entire sub- ject, said committee to consist of Chairman of the Board of Selectmen (J. Theodore Whitney), Chairman of the Light Board (Marcus Beebe 2nd), Chairman of the Finance Committe (Howard A. Jones), the re- maining four members to be nominated from the floor, and to report at an adjournment of this meeting three weeks from tonight. Pending this report no action to be taken upon the referendum.
The following named persons to serve on above committee were nominated: Thomas G. O'Connell, P. Joseph Daley, Edward J. Connelly, Charles F. Young, William P. Shepard, Maynard E. S. Clemons, Edward N. Pike, Arthur George.
On motion by C. F. Young
Voted: That nominations be closed.
Various methods were suggested as to method of selecting the four members from nominations and a motion by E. J. Gihon to proceed to ballot was lost.
Amendment by G. E. Campbell
That the number of the committee be increased to eleven and that the members consist of the persons as named.
This amendment was carried and the original motion as amended was then voted.
Voted : That this meeting stand adjourned to Monday evening March 22, at 7:30 o'clock.
Attendance 450. Adjourned at 11:38 o'clock.
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING MARCH 22, 1926.
Meeting called to order at 7:32 o'clock P. M. Article 30 being the first business before the meeting.
Article 30. To see if the town will authorize the Municipal Light Department to transfer from its operation to its construction fund the sum of $37,798.77 which was the cash balance in the operation fund as of December 31,1925 .- Municipal Light Commissioners.
On motion of Mr. Jones for he Finance Committee
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Voted: That the town authorize the Municipal Light Department to transfer from its operating account to its Construction Account the sum of $37,798.77.
Article 32. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to install a hydrant in the rear of the high school and the necessary main to connect the same with the water system in Armory Street .- John J. Round.
On motion of Mr. Jones for the Finance Committee
Voted : That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $800.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 32.
Article 33. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to pay and settle claims for damages ensuing from the relocation and layout of Merriam Street, and the taking of land therefor. -Board of Selectmen.
On motion of Mr. Jones for the Finance Committee
Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $700.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 33.
Article 34. To raise and appropriate $800.00 the same to be used for Fourth of July celebration .- Daniel H. Regan and others.
On motion of Mr. Jones
Committee, as amended by Mr. Clemons.
Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $800.00 and that a committee of five be appointed to carry out the purposes of Article 34.
Article 35. To see if the town will authorize the Water and Sewer- age Board to lay a water main in Montrose Avenue, 1000 feet southerly from Salem Street and appropriate for the aforesaid purpose the unex- pended balance of the 1925 Water Construction Account .- Water and Sewerage Board.
On motion of Mr. Jones for Finance Committee
Voted: That the town authorize the Water and Sewerage Board to lay water mains as proposed under Article 35 and that the town appropri-
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
ate the unexpended balance of $2,576.83 of the 1925 Water Construction Account to carry out the purposes of Article 35.
On motion of M. E. S. Clemens
Voted: That this meeting stand adjourned to Monday evening April 5 at 7:30 o'clock.
Adjourned at 7:40. Attendance 60.
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING APRIL 5, 1926
Meeting called to order at 7:30 o'clock by Moderator Eaton.
ARTICLE 34.
Moderator appointed the following committee under Article 34: Daniel H. Regan, Ernest Heywood, William H. Sullivan, Frank N. Mc- Intyre, Severino Nasella.
ARTICLE 28.
On motion by P. J. Daley.
Voted: That Article 28 be taken up.
Mr. Daley reported for the committee.
. On motion by George F. Gardner
Voted: That report of committee be accepted and committee dis- charged.
A motion by J. R. Reid that the town raise and appropriate the sum of $5000.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 28 was lost.
ARTICLE 12.
On motion by Mr. Round.
Voted: That Article 12 be taken up.
On motion by Mr. Round
Voted: That the vote whereby the town voted to raise and appro- priate the sum of $1500.00 to carry out the recommendations of the com-
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
mittee be reconsidered and the entire matter referred to the original committee, to report at the next town meeting.
ARTICLE 10.
Mr. J. Theodore Whitney presented a majority report signed by seven members of the committee and Mr. Thomas G. O'Connell presented a minority report signed by four members of the committee.
On motion by Mr. Henkel
Voted : That both the majority report and the minority report be accepted and the committee discharged.
Voted: That when this meeting adjourns it be to Monday, April 12 at 4 P. M., when a vote shall be taken by precinct voting in accordance with Chapter 80 of the Acts of 1926 authorizing a referendum on the question of purchasing gas; that the Australian system of balloting shall be used and the polls open from 4 to 9 P. M. At the conclusion of the count a further adjournment of the meeting shall be made to Thursday, April 15, at 7:30 o'clock P. M.
On motion by Mr. Henkel
Voted: That this meeting stand adjourned.
Adjourned at 9:25. Attendance 500.
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING APRIL 15, 1926
Meeting called to order at 7:40 o'clock P. M. by Moderator Eaton.
The Moderator announced the result of the Referendum vote of April 12th as follows:
Yes
No
Precinct 1
796
94
Precinct 2
373
127
Precinct 3
442
539
Total
1611
1609
And declared the vote as being carried in the affirmative.
Motion by Thomas G. O'Connell
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
That a recount and a verification be taken of the votes cast at the adjourned town meeting held on Monday, April 12th, 1926 when a vote was taken by ballot upon the following question:
"Shall the Municipal Light Board of the Town of Wakefield ce authorized to contract on behalf of the town for the purchase of gas for the use of its inhabitants?
Said recount to be held at the Town Hall on Friday, April 16, at 8 P. M.
Amendment by M. E. S. Clemons
That the recount be taken by the Board of Registrars under the di- lection of the Moderator.
Amendment accepted by Mr. O'Connell and original motion as amended was then voted.
On motion by C. F. Young
Voted: That when this meeting adjourns it be to Monday April 26, at 7:30 o'clock P. M.
On motion by Mr. O'Connell
Voted: That the matter of the proper procedure for the town to take for a, recount of the votes cast at the adjourned town meeting 1 ._ Id on Monday, April 12, 1926, when a vote was taken by ballot upon the following question :
"Shall the Municipal Light Board of the Town of Wakefield be authorized to contract on behalf of the town for the purchase of gas for the use of its inhabitants"? be referred to the Town Counsel for a written opinion to be given at the adjourned town meeting to be held April 26, 1926.
Voted: That this meeting stand adjourned to Monday, April 26, at 7:30 o'clock P. M.
1 Adjourned at 8:25. Attendance 350.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
APRIL 16, 1926
Recount of referendum vote of April 12, 1926.
Pursuant to vote of town under date of April 15, a recount was held under the direction of Moderator Eaton, the counting being done by Patrick J. Kelly and James F. Curley, of the Board of Registrars, assisted by Milan F. Hatch and William H. Sullivan. The "Yes" side was represented by J. Theodore Whitney with George M. Poland as counsel. The "No" side represented by Thomas G. O'Connell with Charles F. Young as counsel.
Result of recount is as follows:
Yes
No
Blank
Precinct 1
796
945
11
Precinct 2
374
127
1
Precinct 3
442
539
3
Total
1612
1611
15
Included in this count were 35 irregular ballots which were ruled upon by Moderator Eaton, of which number 15 were counted under pro- test by Mr. O'Connell, 9 were protested by Mr. Poland and 11 on which no protest was issued. Fourteen of these ballots were counted as "Yes" ballots, 6 were counted as "No" ballots and 15 were counted as blanks. Count was tabulated by the town clerk. Statement was made by repre- sentatives that written notice of recount was waived, oral notice having been given both sides by the town clerk. A protest was entered by Mr. O'Connell that on original tally sheet of Precinct 1 no count was made of blanks.
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, APRIL 26, 1926
Meeting called to order at 7:45 o'clock P. M. by Moderator Eaton. The following statement and ruling made by Moderator Eaton :
The result of the recount and verification of the balloting on the Referendum which was held April 12, 1926 is as follows: The vote which was first returned to me by the officers in the three precincts stood, "Yes" 1611, "No" 1609.
A recount and re-examination of the ballots was made on Friday evening, April 16th., 1926, by the Registrars of Voters under the direc- tion of the Moderator and with the assistance of two of the election officers.
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
Each ballot was examined by those in charge and two representatives of those interested on opposite sides of the question were present.
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