USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1940 > Part 3
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ARTICLES 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
At 8:55 o'clock, Harry Sparks moved to take up Article 21, which article provided for the appointment of a com- mittee of seven to investigate and report on the advisa- bility of building an addition to the High School building.
Amendment by John J. Round:
That Articles 17, 18, 19 and 20 be taken up also and considered concurrently with Article 21.
The hand vote on the amendment being doubted by Leonard H. De Marco, the Moderator called for a count and requested the same tellers to act. Patrick H. Tenney asked to be excused as a teller, being interested in the question. The Moderator appointed Dr. Charles E. Montague to act in the place of Mr. Tenney.
The result of the vote, as counted by the tellers, was: Yes, 213; No, 105.
The Moderator declared the amendment carried.
The original motion, as amended, was then voted, and Articles 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 were before the meeting.
Article 17. To see if the Town will authorize the School Committee under a WPA project to excavate under the present High School building and make other alterations in the basement of said building and raise and appro- priate a sufficient sum of money to carry out the pur- poses of this Article .- School Committee.
Article 18. To see if the Town will authorize the School Committee to erect certain partitions and make other alterations on the second floor of the High School building to convert two locker rooms into two classrooms and to equip these two classrooms, and raise and appro- priate a sufficient sum of money to carry out the pur- poses of this article .- School Committee.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Article 19. To see if the Town will authorize the School Committee to install two stairways at the High School, running from the first floor to the second floor, and make such alterations necessary for the installation of these stairways and raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to carry out the purposes of this article .- School Committee.
Article 20. To see if the Town will authorize the School Committee to replace the present seats in the Wakefield High School auditorium by purchasing new seats and installing same and disposing of seats now in said audi- torium and raise and appropriate a sum of money suffi- cient to carry out the purposes of this article .- School Committee.
Article 21. To see if the Town will appoint a committee of seven to consist of one (1) member of the School Com- mittee, one (1) member of the Finance Committee and five (5) others appointed by the Moderator to investigate and report on the advisability of building an addition to the High School which will provide a full accommoda- tion for all pupils including a seat and desk for each one.
Said Committee to report at an adjourned session of this meeting or a Special Meeting to be called not later than June 10, 1940 .- John J. Round and others.
Motion by Mr. Marshall for the Finance Committee:
That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $10,617 to carry out the purposes of Article 17.
Motion by Mr. Round:
That the Town appoint a committee of seven to consist of one member of the School Committee and six others appointed by the Moderator to investigate and report on the advisability of building an addition to the High School which will provide a home room with a seat and full accommodations for all pupils attending the High School, and the subject matter of Articles 17, 18, 19, and 20 be referred to this committee with instructions to report at a future Town Meeting to be held in season, so if appropriation of money is called, it can be acted upon in time to be included in this year's taxes.
Participating in the debate on these motions were: Messrs. Round, Ramsey, Tenney, Dill, Dr. Montague, Holmes, Keating, and Lee.
At 9:23, Mr. Round having spoken for ten minutes, the Moderator informed the speaker that his time had expired.
Motion by Mr. Tenney :
That the speaker's time be extended.
Motion voted in the affirmative.
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TOWN CLERK
At 9:50 o'clock, Mr. Tenney having spoken for ten minutes, the Moderator informed the speaker his time had expired.
Motion by Mr. Marshall:
That the speaker's time be extended.
Motion voted in the affirmative.
At the conclusion of the debate, the Moderator called for a vote on Mr. Round's motion, and the Moderator declared the motion voted in the affirmative.
Motion by Mr. Dill:
That the meeting be adjourned until 7:30 P. M. on Thursday, March 21.
Dr. Rice reminded the meeting that Thursday, the 21st, would be Holy Thursday, whereupon Mr. Dill withdrew his motion.
On motion by Robert H. Adams:
Voted: That the meeting stand adjourned until Tuesday evening, March 26, at 7:30 o'clock, (The Town Hall was engaged for Monday evening, March 25, for the Firemen's Ball).
Attendance 750.
A True Record Attest:
CHARLES F. YOUNG,
Town Clerk
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT
High School building changes under Article 21, the Moderator appointed the following committee: John J. Round, Helen M. Randall, Dr. Philip L. McAuliffe, Jabez Hollett, Harry I. Reed, Christopher B. Dinan, and James M. Henderson.
ADJOURNED SESSION, ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, MARCH 26, 1940
Meeting called to order at 7:37 P. M., by Moderator Thomas G. O'Connell, Article 30 being in order.
ARTICLE 30
To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Health to execute a contract for the collection of ashes and other refuse, not including garbage, in the Town of Wakefield, and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to pay for the same .- Board of Health.
On motion by Finance Committee:
Voted: That the subject matter of this article be in- definitely postponed.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
ARTICLE 31
To see if the Town will raise and appropriate money to be used by the Welfare Department in the settlement of claims found due other cities and towns in welfare cases. -Board of Public Welfare.
On motion by Finance Committee:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $5,829.50 to carry out the purposes of Article 31.
ARTICLE 32
To see if the Town will raise and appropriate money for the repair or improvement of any town property, and special departmental work, or any public or municipal work or undertaking whereby employment may be afforded those in need thereof, and for any material, supplies, and equipment which may be required in con- nection therewith; all in accordance with and pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 46, of the Acts of 1939, to be disbursed under the direction of a committee composed of the chairmen of the following boards acting ex-officio, namely: Board of Selectmen, Water and Sewer Depart- ment, Board of Health, Board of Public Welfare, Park and Cemetery Department, Finance Committee, or what the Town will do about it .- Harry P. Sparks and others.
On motion by Finance Committee :
Voted: That the subject matter of this article be in- definitely postponed.
ARTICLE 33
To see what sum the Town will appropriate from the proceeds of sales of lots in Forest Glade Cemetery now in the Town Treasury for the care, improvement and embellishment of the cemetery .- Park and Cemetery Commissioners.
On motion by Finance Committee:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $1,800 as provided in Article 33.
ARTICLE 34
To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $500 to construct a new sidewalk on the east side of Lake Avenue from Church Street to the lake; 600 feet in length and 6 feet wide, or what they will do about it .- Park and Cemetery Commissioners.
On motion by Finance Committee:
Voted: That the subject matter of this article be in- definitely postponed.
ARTICLE 35
To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $800 for grading and for driveways around the new
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TOWN CLERK
bath house, also filling in and grading where the old bath house was removed, or what they will do about it .- Park and Cemetery Commissioners.
On motion by Finance Committee:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $500 to carry out the purposes of Article 35.
ARTICLE 36
To see if the Town will appropriate a sum sufficient to pay the County of Middlesex as required by law on ac- count of assessments levied on the Town for its share of the principal of the Middlesex County Tuberculosis Hos- pital Funding Loan, Act of 1932 bonds maturing in 1940, issued in compliance with Chapter 10, Acts of 1932, also for any other indebtedness incurred and outstanding under said Chapter 10, also for the Town's share of the cost and interest on said bonds due in 1940, also for the care, maintenance, and repair of said Hospital for 1939 and including interest on temporary notes issued therefor in accordance with sections of Chapter 111 of the Gen- eral Laws applicable therefor, and for all other expenses in connection therewith, including Chapter 400, Section 25G (6) (a) of the Acts of 1936, determine how the money shall be raised, or in any way act thereon .- Board of Selectmen.
On motion by Finance Committee:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $10,223.06 to carry out the purposes of Article 36.
ARTICLE 37
To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $500 for nursing, the same to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen, as salary , to the nurse em- ployed by the Wakefield Visiting Nurse Association, in aid of its nursing work among the people of Wakefield .- Addie I. Adams and others.
On motion by Finance Committee:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $500 to carry out the purposes of Article 37.
ARTICLE 38
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $750 to be expended by Wakefield Post #2106 Veterans of Foreign Wars; Corp. Charles F. Parker Camp #39, United Spanish War Veterans; Corp. Harry E. Nelson Post #63, American Legion; H. M. Warren Post #12, G. A. R .; for the proper observance of Memorial Day, May 30, 1940 .- Gray B. Brockbank and others.
On motion by Finance Committee:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $750 to carry out the purposes of Article 38.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
ARTICLE 39
To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $75 to be expended by Corp. Harry E. Nelson Post #63, American Legion, for the proper observance of Armistice Day, November 11, 1940 .- John Findlay, Jr., and others.
On motion by Finance Committee:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $50 to carry out the purposes of Article 39.
On motion by John J. Round:
Voted: That Articles 40 and 41 be considered concur- rently.
ARTICLES 40 AND 41
Article 40. To see if the Town will request its rep- resentative from this district in the next General Court, to file a bill in reference to ratification of Town Meeting votes similar to that obtained by the Town of Reading under Chapter 276 of the Acts of 1910 as amended by Chapter 359 of the Acts of 1912, except to recommend that the number of voters required for such a petition for referendum be 200 instead of 50 .- Patrick H. Tenney, Secretary for the Committee.
Article 41. To hear and act upon a report of the com- mittee appointed under Article 35 of the Annual Town Meeting held in March, 1939 .- Patrick H. Tenney, Secre- tary for the Committee.
Patrick H. Tenney, secretary of the committee ap- pointed under Article 35 of the annual Town Meeting of March, 1939, submitted the following report which he read:
REPORT
The citizens of the Town of Wakefield, at the Town Meetings every year, spend nearly $1,000,000.00. This is a very large sum of money and many of the town citizens who attend the meetings do not realize how serious a task they are called upon to perform. The town boards try to do their full duty, and the Finance Committee is vigilant and highly efficient, but it is the town citizens who actually spend the money, and are wholly responsible for finances. They may or may not follow the recom- mendations that are presented to them.
Our investigation discloses that in the group of 25 towns using the old fashioned town meeting form of government only 10 actually use the voting check list for the admission of voters to a town meeting.
In order to use the check list for admission of voters to Wakefield Town Meeting, it would be necessary to have at least six checkers and the expense would be consider-
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TOWN CLERK
able, and it is the opinion of the committee that it would take considerable time for entrance of the voters to the hall.
Therefore, this committee does not recommend the use of the check list for admission of voters to the town meeting at this time.
In view of the fact that we have over 8,000 registered voters in the Town of Wakefield, and the seating capacity of the Town Hall is 1,285, it is the recommendation of the committee that, at all future town meetings, non- voters should be excluded from the hall, except when non- voters receive permission to attend the meeting from the voters through the moderator.
It is also a suggestion of the committee that a copy of the voting list should be in the possession of the Town Clerk or his assistant at the town meeting so that the status of any person could be checked if necessary in order to ascertain whether he or she is a voter.
It is also recommended by the committee that the moderator announce at the beginning of each town meet- ing that no non-voters shall remain in the hall except by permission of the town meeting, granted by the meet- ing through the moderator.
It is also recommended that no votes be counted at a town meeting until all doors are closed. The committee feels that this would simplify the taking of an accurate count.
It is also recommended by the committee that the Town of Wakefield secure legislation in reference to ratification of vote similar to that obtained by the Town of Reading under Chapter 276, Acts of 1910 and amended by Chapter 359, Acts of 1912, except to recommend that the number of voters required for such a petition for referendum be 200 instead of 50.
Signed: JOHN J. ROUND, Chairman PATRICK H. TENNEY, Secretary ARTHUR E. WILSON
On motion by J. Henry Morgan:
Voted: That the report, as submitted, be accepted and adopted.
Mr. Tenney then offered the following motion:
I move that the Town request its representative from this district in the next session of the General Court to introduce a bill in reference to ratification of Town Meeting votes similar to that obtained by the Town of Reading under Chapter 276 of the Acts of 1910 as amended by Chapter 359 of the Acts of 1912, except to recommend
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
that the number of voters required for such a petition for referendum be 200 instead of 50.
An amendment by Mr. Marshall, that Precinct voting be allowed, was accepted by Mr. Tenney.
The motion. as amended, was voted in the affirmative.
ARTICLE 42
To see if the Town will vote to amend its Zoning By- laws by changing from a Single Residence District to a General Residence District, that part of the Town de- scribed as follows: An approximately rectangular area of land 240 feet wide extending easterly 400 feet from the easterly boundary of the existing Business District at Main and Grafton Streets, the center line of Grafton Street being the center line of said area .- Hattie F. Young and others.
On motion by Edward M. Bridge for the Planning Board:
Voted: That the Zoning By-laws be amended by chang- ing from a Single Residence District to a General Residence District, that part of the Town described as follows: An approximately rectangular area of land 240 feet wide extending easterly 400 feet from the easterly boundary of the existing Business District at Main and Grafton Streets, the centre line of Grafton Street being the centre line of said area.
The moderator called for a count of the vote on this motion, and appointed the following tellers to count the vote: Messrs. Dill and Lindsay on the south, De Marco and Nute in the centre, and Round and Morgan in the north.
Result of the Vote: 154 persons voted in the affirmative, and one in the negative, and the Moderator declared the motion carried.
Motion by Leonard De Marco:
That the meeting take up Articles 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, under which a committee of seven was appointed at the March 28th meeting, to consider the advisability of an addition or alterations to the High School building.
A debate followed, participated in by Messrs. De Marco, Round, and Holmes.
Motion by Mr. Holmes:
That the motion be layed on the table.
The vote on this motion was in the negative.
After further debate, participated in by Messrs. Tenney, De Marco, Frankel, Round, Lee, Holmes, Ben- nedetto, Lindsay, Stantial, and Dill, the vote on the motion to take up Articles 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 was taken.
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TOWN CLERK
Result of the Vote: 79 persons voted in the affirmative, and 94 persons voted in the negative, and, not having received the necessary two-thirds vote in the affirmative, the Moderator declared the motion not carried.
ARTICLE 43
To see if the Town will amend the Zoning By-laws by adding to Section 3, General Residence Districts, the following: "Special Case. The Board of Appeals may order the issuance of a permit for the alteration of a dwelling, existing in the year 1939, as a tenement house, provided such alteration is not injurious or detrimental to the neighborhood. Any such alteration shall provide adequate egress, sanitation, light, and ventilation as re- quired by the Tenement House Act for Towns, Gen. Laws, (Ter. Ed.) Ch. 145 as amended. No provision for cooking shall be allowed above the second story thereof and no dwelling house over two and one-half stories in height shall be so altered."-J. Theodore Whitney and others.
On motion by Mr. Bridge for the Planning Board:
Voted: That the Town amend its Zoning By-laws by adding to Section 3, General Residence Districts, the following: "Special Case. The Board of Appeals may order the issuance of a permit for the alteration of a dwelling, existing in the year 1939, as 'a tenement house, provided such alteration is not injurious or detrimental to the neighborhood. Any such alteration shall provide adequate egress, sanitation, light, and ventilation as re- quired by the Tenement House Act for Towns, Gen. Laws, (Ter. Ed.) Ch. 145 as amended. No provision for cooking shall be allowed above the second story thereof, and no dwelling house over two and one-half stories in height shall be so altered."
The Moderator announced that a two-thirds vote would be necessary to adopt the amendment, and requested the tellers to act.
Result of the Vote: 117 persons voted in the affirmative, and 12 persons voted in the negative.
The necessary two-thirds vote having been received in the affirmative, the Moderator declared the motion carried.
On motion by Moses M. Frankel:
Voted: That Articles 44 and 45 be taken up jointly.
ARTICLES 44 AND 45
Article 44. To see if the Town will vote to adopt the following By-law: "A by-law establishing a Planning Board under the provisions of General Laws (Ter. Ed.),
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Chapter 41, Section 81A (Acts of 1936, Chapter 211), with amendments thereof, with all the powers and duties there- in and in any existing By-laws of the Town provided, to consist of five members to be elected by ballot at the next Annual Town Meeting, one member for a term of one year, one member for a term of two years, one member for a term of three years, one member for a term of four years, and one member for a term of five years, and thereafter in accordance with the provisions of the statute," or take any action relative thereto .- William Blanchard and others.
Article 45. To see if the Town will vote to adopt a By-law providing that the existing Board of Appeals under the Building and Zoning By-laws shall be the Board of Appeals under Section 81-I of Chapter 211, Acts of 1936 .- William Blanchard and others.
On motion by Mr. Frankel:
Voted: That the subject matter of Articles 44 and 45 be indefinitely postponed.
On motion by Harry Marshall:
Voted: That Article 1 be taken from the table.
ARTICLE 1
On motion by Mr. Marshall:
Voted: That the reports of Town officers, as published, be accepted.
On motion by Mr. Marshall:
Voted: To take up Article 2.
ARTICLE 2
Mr. Marshall, reporting for the committee appointed under Article 2, submitted the following nominations for Town office:
Field Drivers
Carrol Robie, Harry F. Peck, George A. Bennett.
Surveyors of Lumber
William E. Knox, Henry A. Feindel, Edward G. Bow- ditch, Lyman Prescott, Larkin E. Bennett, Myron Wing.
Planning Board
Edward M. Bridge.
Recreation Committee
Eugene J. Sullivan, William G. Dill, William McKilli- gan, Elizabeth Neary, Dorothy Schlotterbeck, George F. Gardner, John J. Powers.
On motion by Howard Jones:
Voted: That the persons nominated by the committee be declared elected.
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TOWN CLERK
ARTICLE 46
To see if the Town will vote to return to the Town 'Treasury the sum of $20,000, being part of the balance of the operating fund of the Municipal Light Depart- ment as of December 31, 1939, and to authorize the Assessors to use the same in computing the tax rate for 1940; also, to see if the Town will authorize the Municipal Light Department to transfer the sum of $9,565.41 from its operating fund to its construction fund, this sum being the remainder of the balance of its operating fund as of December 31, 1939 .- Municipal Light Commissioners.
On motion by Finance Committee:
Voted: That the sum of $20,000, being part of the balance of the Operating Fund of the Municipal Light Department, as of December 31, 1939, be returned to the 'Town Treasury, and the Assessors be hereby authorized to use the same in computing the tax rate for 1940, and authorize the Municipal Light Department to transfer from its Operating Fund $9,565.41 to its Construction Account, the same being the remainder of the balance in its Operating Fund as of December 31, 1939.
ARTICLE 47
To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Assessors to use such free cash as may be in the Treasury or any part thereof, in computing the tax rate for the current year .- Charles C. Cox, Town Accountant.
On motion by Finance Committee:
That the Board of Assessors be authorized to use the sum of $40,000, Free Cash, now in the Treasury, in computing the tax rate for 1940.
On motion by Charles C. Cox:
Voted: That this meeting be now dissolved.
Meeting dissolved at 9:40 P. M. Attendance 300.
A True Record Attest:
CHARLES F. YOUNG, Town Clerk
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT
Finance Committee
Moderator Thomas G. O'Connell re-appointed the fol- lowing Finance Committee members: Edwin L. Nute, D. Thomas Dinan, Arthur M. Moore, and appointed the following new members: Joseph B. Burke, 18 Prospect Street, and Harold N. Goodspeed, 11 Aborn Avenue.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, APRIL 22, 1940
Meeting called to order at 7:40 P. M. by Moderator Thomas G. O'Connell, who read the call for the meeting. On motion by Patrick H. Tenney :
Voted: That further reading of the warrant, with the exception of the constable's return, be dispensed with. Constable's return read.
ARTICLE 1
To see if the Town will authorize the Water and Sewerage Board to purchase in behalf of the Town, at a price not exceeding $350, the same to be taken and paid from the appropriation of the Water Depart- ment, a certain parcel of land containing about 3.61 acres, situated on Nahant Street and adjoining other land be- longing to the Town of Wakefield, said land being now owned by Benjamin and Jeanette Tropeano .- Water and Sewerage Board.
On motion by Harry Marshall for the Finance Committee:
Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $350.00, and authorize the Water and Sewerage Board to pur- chase, on behalf of the Town, the land mentioned in Article 1, at a price not exceeding $350.00 and that same be taken from the maintenance account of the Water Department, said land being more particularly described as follows: Beginning at a point in the Easterly line of Nahant Street, 65.41 feet Northerly from a stone bound; thence the line runs Northwesterly, upon a curved line on said Nahant Street, 145.27 feet to land of Katharine Landers; thence Northeasterly, by said Land of Katherine Landers, 599.21 feet to the center of the old course of a brook; thence by the center line of the old course of said brook to other land of the Town of Wakefield; thence Southwesterly, by various courses by land of said Town of Wakefield, 582.92 feet to a pipe at other land of Tro- peano; thence Northwesterly, by land of Tropeano, 110 feet to a pipe; thence Westerly, still by other land of Tropeano, 129.19 feet to Nahant Street and point of beginning, containing about 3.61 acres more or less.
ARTICLE 2
To see if the Town will authorize the Municipal Light Board to purchase and install lighting equipment on the playground at the intersection of Church Street and North Avenue for the purpose of illuminating the play- ground, and to use a sum not exceeding $1,000 from its construction account therefor .- Municipal Light Board.
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TOWN CLERK
Motion by Finance Committee:
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