Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1947, Part 4

Author: Wakefield, Massachusetts
Publication date: 1947
Publisher: Town of Wakefield
Number of Pages: 308


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1947 > Part 4


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Herbert D. Anderson read the report of the committee, signed by Mr. Anderson, Richard M. Davis, William G. Dill, William R. Lindsay, and L.


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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Wallace Sweetser - the 1946 Board of Selectmen. The subject-matter of the investigation by the committee relates to the proposed new street run- ning parallel to and easterly of Main Street, from Water Street to Crescent Street.


The committee reported their opinion that, though it may very well be that in later years the situation will change so as to permit the construc- tion of a greater part, or the whole, of the proposed street, the cost of tak- ing land at present seems unwise, but they do recommend that the town raise and appropriate the amount necessary to purchase or take by eminent domain a strip of land eighty (80) feet wide running from Mechanic Street to Centre Street as described in Article 50. The land so taken would con- form to the lay-out of the proposed new street, should it be extended in either direction at a later date, would tend to relieve parking and traffic congestion on Main Street, and provide an adequate entrance and exit from the location of the new police station.


On motion by Frank P. Wakefield:


Voted: That the report be accepted.


Frederick W. Bliss, for the Finance Committee, recommended favor- able action for the taking of land between Mechanic Street and Centre Street.


On motion by John I. Preston :


Voted: That the town authorize the Board of Selectmen to take by purchase for the purpose of constructing a public way between Mechanic and Centre Streets the following described parcels of land and at the prices not exceeding those within stated:


Lot 1. A strip of land containing approximately 5,400 sq. ft., more or less, bounded Northerly by Centre Street, 48 ft .; Easterly by land of Petrilly, 123.48 ft .; Southerly by land of Henderson and Curley, 40 ft .; Westerly by land of the Universalist General Convention, 123.50 ft., at a price not to exceed $7,000.00.


Lot 2. A parcel of land containing 2,505 sq. ft., more or less, bounded Northerly by land of Petrilly, 38.26 ft .; Easterly by land owned by the Town of Wakefield (Fire Station), 61.30 ft .; Southerly by Me- chanic Street, 36.67 ft .; and Westerly by land of Henderson, 66.45 ft., at a price not to exceed $1,000.


Lot 3. A parcel of land containing approximately 2,206 sq. ft., more or less, bounded Easterly by land of Hodgdon, 66.45 ft .; Southerly by Mechanic Street, 33.33 ft .; Westerly by land of Curley, 65.65 ft .; and Northerly by land of the Universalist General Convention and Petrilly, 33.50 ft., at a price not to exceed $7,000.


Lot 4. A strip of land containing 1,100 sq. ft., more or less, bounded Southerly by Mechanic Street, 14 ft .; Westerly by land of Curley, 65.50 ft .; Northerly by land of the Universalist General Convention, 20 ft .; and Easterly by land of Henderson, 65.65 ft., at a price not to exceed $425.00,


and to pay the cost thereof the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $425.00 and authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen,


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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK


to borrow the sum of $15,000.00 and issue bonds or notes of the town there- for, payable in annual installments within ten years or at such earlier time as the Treasurer and Selectmen may determine.


The moderator called for a count of the vote on Mr. Preston's motion. Result of the Vote: One hundred and sixty-eight persons voted in the affirmative, and eleven (11) persons voted in the negative, and the moderator declared that, having received the necessary two-thirds vote, the motion was carried.


On motion by John Benbow:


Voted: That the meeting be adjourned to Monday evening, March 31, 1947, at 7.30 P. M.


Meeting adjourned at 10.24 P. M.


Attendance, 300


A True Record :


Attest: CHARLES F. YOUNG, Town Clerk


Adjourned Session-March 31, 1947


Meeting called to order at 7.32 P. M., by Moderator Loring P. Jordan, Jr., Articles 50 and 24 still being before the meeting.


The moderator asked if there was anything further to be said under Articles 50 and 24. Hearing nothing, he called for action under Article 51.


At this time R. Francis Shea moved that Article 2 be taken from the table, and the meeting so voted.


ARTICLE 2


Motion by R. Francis Shea :


That the seven persons nominated for Recreation Commission by the committee appointed under Article 2 be declared elected.


Amendment by Patrick H. Tenney:


That the voters present be allowed to vote on the ten names of per- sons nominated for Recreation Commission at the March 17th session.


The moderator at this time requested those persons so nominated, if any were present, to leave the auditorium. Several persons rose and left the hall.


On motion by John J. Round:


Voted: That the names be offered in alphabetical order.


A motion by J. Henry Morgan that the committee be discharged was not carried.


On motion by William J. Lee:


Voted: That those nominees who had been requested to leave the hall be allowed to return, and be present, and to vote if they desired.


The moderator appointed the following tellers to count the vote: Saba-


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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


tino Benedetto and John J. Round, Jr. for the north section, Charles C. Cox and Frederick W. Bliss for the centre, and William Blanchard and Peter Y. Myhre for the south section.


The moderator called for a show of hands as each name was an- nounced by him in the following order, the figures after each name indi- cating the vote for each nominee as reported by the tellers:


William G. Dill


73


Mary Lazzaro


82


Dr. Philip McAuliffe


87


Anna M. McIntire


94


Clarence L. Myette


72


Gladys L. Phinney


66


John Powers


95


S. Morton Sherman


117


Leo V. Walsh


132


Michael J. Zammitti


105


Messrs. Walsh, Sherman, Zammitti, Powers, Dr. McAuliffe, and Mrs. McIntire and Mrs. Lazzaro were then declared to be elected members of the Recreation Commission for the ensuing year.


ARTICLE 51


To see if the town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to take by right of eminent domain, or by purchase, for the purpose of acquiring additional land to be used in connection with and for the purposes stated in Article 49, namely a Police Station, said property being bounded and described as follows:


Northerly by land described in Article 49; Easterly by land of the Town of Wakefield; Southerly by Mechanic Street; and Westerly by land of Hen- derson, said premises now belonging to the Princess Theatre, Inc. - Police Site Committee, by Cyrus M. Dolbeare, Chairman.


On motion by Finance Committee :


Voted: That the subject matter of Article 51 be indefinitely post- poned.


ARTICLE 52


To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,500 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, Col. Kelton Camp Marine Corps League, Wakefield All-Women's Post 376, American Legion, Sons of Union Veter- ans; for the proper observance of Memorial Day, May 30, 1947. - Warren A. Baker and Others,


On motion by Finance Committee:


Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $1,500.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 52.


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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK


ARTICLE 53


To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $100 to be expended by Corporal Harry E. Nelson Post 63, American Legion, for the proper observance of Armistice Day, November 11, 1947. - Warren A. Baker and Others.


On motion by Finance Committee :


Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $100.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 53.


ARTICLE 54


To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $50.00 to be expended by the Wakefield Post 2106 Veterans' of Foreign Wars of the United States, for the proper observance of Armistice Day, November 11, 1947. - Daniel P. Kelliher and Others.


On motion by Finance Committee:


Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $50.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 54.


ARTICLE 55


To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 for nursing, the same to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen, as salary to the nurse employed by the Wakefield Visiting Nurse Association, in aid of its nursing work among the people of Wakefield. - Alma M. Fell and Others.


On motion by Finance Committee:


Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 55.


ARTICLE 56


To see if the town will vote to include under the term Laborers, Work- men and Mechanics as used in Section 69 of Chapter 152, known as the Workmen's Compensation Act, all employees of the town excepting those excluded by the terms of said Act, and those of any department carrying compensation insurance with private insurance companies. - Herbert D. Anderson and Others.


On motion by Finance Committee:


Voted: That the town vote to include, under the term of laborers, workmen and mechanics, as used in Section 69 of Chapter 152, known as Workmen's Compensation Act, all employees of the town excepting those excluded by the terms of said act, and those of any department carrying compensation insurance with private insurance companies.


ARTICLE 57


To see if the town will adopt a By-Law establishing a Planning Board under the provisions of General Laws, (Ter. Ed.), Chapter 41, Section 81A (Acts of 1936, Chapter 211) with all the powers and duties therein and in


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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


any existing By-Laws of the Town provided, to consist of seven members to be elected by ballot at the annual Town Meeting in March 1948, one for a term of one year, one for a term of two years, two for a term of three years, one for a term of four years, and two for a term of five years and thereafter, in accordance with the provisions of the statute. - William Blanchard and Others.


Motion by William Blanchard:


That a Town Planning Board be established under the provisions of General Laws (Ter. Ed.), Chapter 41, Section 81A, to consist of five mem- bers to be elected at the Annual Town Meeting in March, 1948, one to be elected for one year, one for two years, one for three years, one for four years, and one for five years, and thereafter in accordance with the pro- visions of the statute.


Amendment by Patrick H. Tenney:


That the subject matter of Article 57 be referred to a committee of five, to be appointed by the moderator, to report at the next annual town meeting.


The vote on Mr. Tenney's amendment was in the affirmative.


The original motion, as amended, was then voted in the affirmative.


ARTICLE 58


To see if the town will vote to amend the first paragraph of Section 2 of its Zoning By-Laws by striking out the word "Farm" in the sixth line and inserting in place thereof the words "Crop or tree farm," and by chang- ing the period in the eleventh line at the end of this paragraph to a comma and adding thereafter the following clause "nor the keeping of poultry, pigeons, dogs, swine, or other animals except for domestic use," so that the first paragraph of Section 2 as amended shall read as follows:


In a single residence district (a) No building or premises shall be erected, altered, or used for any other purpose than 1, Single family de- tached dwelling; 2, Club, except a club, the chief activity of which, is a service customarily carried on as a business or a club with more than five sleeping rooms; 3, Church; 4, Educational use; 5, Crop or tree farm, gar- den, nursery, or greenhouse; 6, Municipal recreational use; 7, Railroad local passenger station; 8, Accessory use on the same lot with and cus- tomarily incident to any of the above permitted uses and not detrimental to a residential neighborhood. The term "accessory use" in this and the next section shall not include garage space for more than two cars, nor the keeping of poultry, pigeons, dogs, swine, or other animals except for do- mestic use. - Town Planning Board; Fitzroy Willard, Chairman; Kenneth W. Thomson, Secretary.


Fitzroy Willard, chairman of the Wakefield Planning Board, reported that, as required by General Laws (Ter. Ed.), Chapter 40, Section 27, the Planning Board held a public hearing on March 6, 1947, in respect to Article 58 of the warrant for the Town Meeting of March, 1947, and that public notice of the hearing was published in the Wakefield Daily Item on


.


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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK


February 19, 1947. He reported that no objections were raised at the hear- ing, and that, after the hearing, the Planning Board unanimously voted, and hereby recommends that Article 58 be adopted.


Motion by Mr. Willard :


That the town amend the first paragraph of Section 2 of the Zoning By-Laws by striking out the word "Farm" in the sixth line, and inserting in place thereof the words "Crop or Tree Farm," and by changing the period in the eleventh line at the end of this paragraph to a comma, and adding thereafter the following clause: "nor the keeping of poultry, pigeons, dogs, swine, or other animals, except for domestic use," as called for in Article 58.


The moderator called for a count of the vote on Mr. Willard's motion.


Result of the Vote: Ninety-seven persons voted in the affirmative, and 31 persons voted in the negative, and the moderator declared that, having received the necessary two-thirds vote, the motion was carried.


ARTICLE 59


To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to pay the rental for the year 1947 to the Boston & Maine Rail- road for the land occupied as a parking area at Tuttle, Chestnut and Murray Streets. - Board of Selectmen.


On motion by Finance Committee :


Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $125.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 59.


ARTICLE 60


To see if the town will vote to Amend the Town By-Laws by adding to Section two, Chapter three the following: "Said estimates and recom- mendations in so far as they pertain to any subject contained in the War- rant for the Annual Town Meeting shall be in print and made available in printed form at least seven days prior to the consideration of the Town Warrant." - Board of Selectmen.


Motion by Finance Committee:


That the subject matter of Article 60 be indefinitely postponed.


Motion by John J. Round :


That Article 60 be referred to a committee of five, to consist of a mem- ber of the Board of Selectmen, a member of the Finance Committee, and three others to be appointed by the moderator, said committee to report at the next annual town meeting.


Amendment by John Benbow:


Or at an earlier special meeting if such be called.


The vote on Mr. Benbow's amendment was in the affirmative.


Mr. Round's motion, as amended, was then voted in the affirmative.


ARTICLE 61


To see if the town will vote to return to the Town Treasury a sum not exceeding $35,000.00, being part of the balance of the Operating Fund of the Municipal Light Department as of December 31, 1946, and to authorize


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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


the Assessors to use the same in computing the tax rate for 1947, and also to see if the town will authorize the Municipal Light Department to trans- fer the remainder of the balance of its Operating Fund as of December 31, 1946, to the Construction Fund of the Municipal Light Department. - Municipal Light Board.


On motion by Finance Committee :


Voted: That the sum of $35,000., being part of the balance of the Op- erating Fund of the Municipal Light Department as of December 31, 1946, be returned to the Town Treasury, and the Assessors be hereby authorized to use the same in computing the tax rate for 1947; and authorize the Mu- nicipal Light Dept. to transfer from its Operating Fund $30,295.98 to its Construction Fund, this latter sum being the remainder of the balance in its Operating Fund, as of December 31, 1946.


ARTICLE 62


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 comput- ing the tax rate for the current year. - Charles C. Cox, Town Accountant.


On motion by Finance Committee:


Voted: That the Board of Assessors be authorized to use an amount of Free Cash now in the Treasury, not in excess of $100,000.00, in comput- ing the tax rate for 1947.


Frank P. Wakefield requested unanimous consent, and there were no objections, to offer thanks to the Finance Committee for their efficient service in preparing recommendations for this meeting.


Herbert D. Anderson asked unanimous consent, and there were no ob- jections, to present the following resolution which he presented and read. It was seconded by Frederick W. Bliss.


"WHEREAS Howard A. Jones and Maurice F. Walsh have served the Town of Wakefield as members of the Finance Committee for thirty years and nine years respectively, and


"WHEREAS they and each of them have served faithfully and ably, and


"WHEREAS they and each of them have indicated to the Moderator that they now prefer to retire and that they do not choose to be re-ap- pointed.


"NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Wakefield, by its citizens in Town Meeting assembled, does hereby express its appre- ciation to Howard A. Jones and Maurice F. Walsh for the valuable serv- ices rendered during their tenure as members of the Finance Committee, and be it further


"RESOLVED, that Howard A. Jones and Maurice F. Walsh be urged and requested to continue their interest in affairs of the Town of Wake-


49


REPORT OF TOWN CLERK


field during the years to come. It is also the wish of this meeting that the health of these two men will continue to be good in order that they con- tinue their interest in the Town of Wakefield."


On motion by Charles C. Cox:


Voted: That this meeting be now dissolved.


Meeting dissolved at 9.25 P. M.


Attendance, 175


A True Record:


Attest: CHARLES F. YOUNG, Town Clerk


COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS


Finance Committee


Moderator Loring P. Jordan, Jr., announced the appointment of the five following citizens to the Finance Committee to serve for terms to ex- pire in 1950:


Louis J. Bassill, 5 Harrington Court


Moses M. Frankel, 37 Cordis Street


James F. Keating, Coolidge Park


Herbert D. Anderson, 58 West Chestnut Street


James B. Wiswall, 21 Stedman Street


Under Article 46


The following five citizens were appointed to serve as a committee to build the highway department building authorized by that vote:


William H. Allyn, 56 Greenwood Avenue Richard M. Davis, Coolidge Park Christopher B. Dinan, Esq., 44 Emerson Street John T. Stringer, 29 Albion Street Frank R. Wakefield, 36 Park Avenue


Under Article 60


The following five citizens were appointed to serve as a committee to study the proposed amendment to Section 2 of Chapter 3 of the By-Laws:


A. Stanley North, 19 Sheffield Road Herbert D. Anderson, 58 Chestnut Street Howard A. Jones, 70 Greenwood Avenue John J. Kalaher, 149 Broadway Burton F. Whitcomb, 138 Pleasant Street


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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Under Article 57


The following five citizens were appointed to serve as a committee to study the acceptance by the Town of General Laws, Chapter 41, Section 81A, as proposed by said Article :


Willard P. Lombard, 9 Shumway Circle Ervine E. Laughton, 26 Francis Avenue


George H. Stout, 4 Bennett Street Patrick H. Tenney, 14 Emerson Street


Fitzroy Willard, 6 Pratt Street


BOARD OF SELECTMEN


-


May 16, 1947


Charles F. Young, Town Clerk


Dear Sir:


This will serve to inform you that at a joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen and Park and Cemetery Commissioners, held May 15, 1947, Richard B. Dolbeare, 141 Salem Street, Wakefield, was elected as a member of the Park and Cemetery Commissioners to fill the vacancy caused by the death of George W. Abbott, his term expiring in March, 1948.


Yours very truly, CHARLES C. COX, Clerk


Special Town Meeting-June 9, 1947


Meeting called to order at 7.30 P. M., by Moderator Loring P. Jordan, Jr., who read the call for the meeting.


On motion by Harry Marshall:


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 vote to authorize the Board of Health to exe- cute, for a term of not more than three years, a contract for the collection of garbage, the contractor to be under suitable bond for the execution of the contract; said contract to become effective at the expiration of the present contract which expires June 30, 1947, the Board of Health to give public notice by advertising for bids. - Board of Health.


On motion by James Keating, chairman of the Finance Committee, for the committee:


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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK


Voted: That the town authorize the Board of Health to execute a contract for the collection of garbage, said contract not to exceed a term of three years from June 30, 1947 and to be let only after giving public no- tice by advertising for bids.


ARTICLE 2


To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of $78.13 for Water Interest and the sum of $1,181.25 for Interest to provide for payment of in- terest due November 15, 1947, on bonds authorized by the Annual Town Meeting of 1947, such bonds being dated May 15, 1947, the necessary funds therefor to be provided by transfer from the following available balances: Chapter 90 Highway Maintenance for the year 1945 - $623.48; Chapter 90 Highway Maintenance for the year 1946 - $635.90. - John I. Preston, Town Treasurer.


On motion by Finance Committee:


That the town appropriate the sum of $78.13 for Water Interest, and appropriate a further sum of $1,181.25 for Interest, to provide payment of interest due November 15, 1947 on Bonds issued May 15, 1947, the neces- sary funds therefor to be transferred from the following available bal- ances:


Chapter 90 Highway Maintenance for the year 1945 $623.48


Chapter 90 Highway Maintenance for the year 1946 $635.90


The vote in the affirmative was a unanimous vote.


ARTICLE 3


To see if the town will appropriate the sum of $6,000. for sewer con- nections and that the necessary funds for payment thereof be taken from the Excess and Deficiency account. - Water and Sewerage Board.


On motion by Finance Committee :


Voted: That the town appropriate the sum of $6,000. for Sewer Con- nections, the necessary funds for payment thereof to be taken from the Excess and Deficiency Account.


The vote in the affirmative was a unanimous vote.


ARTICLE 4


To see if the town will authorize the Water and Sewerage Board to use the unexpended balance of a loan incurred under authority of Article 16 of the Annual Town Meeting of the year 1946 and the unexpended bal- ance existing under appropriations made under Article 2 of the Special Town Meeting held September 9, 1946, for the laying of water mains of not less than 6" but less than 16" in various streets of the town. - Water and Sewerage Board.


On motion by Finance Committee:


Voted: That the town authorize the Water and Sewerage Board to use the unexpended balance of a loan incurred under authority of Article 16 of the annual town meeting of the year 1946 and the unexpended bal- ance existing under appropriations made under Article 2 of the special


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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


town meeting held September 9, 1946, the total of said funds being $10,- 290.04; for the laying of water mains of not less than 6 inches but less than 16 inches in diameter in various streets of the town.


The vote in the affirmative was a unanimous vote.


ARTICLE 5


To see if the town will authorize the School Committe to purchase, for school purposes, the property at No. 143 Pleasant Street Extension, from the Wakefield Real Estate and Building Association, for a price not to exceed $7,000.00, which property is bounded and described as follows:


EASTERLY by Pleasant Street Extension fifty-six and 50/100 (56.50) feet;


NORTHERLY by land now or formerly of Deacon Brown, Inc., one hundred ten (110) feet;


WESTERLY by land now or formerly of Deacon Brown, Inc., fifty- four (54) feet;


SOUTHERLY by land now or formerly of town of Wakefield one hun- dred ten and 17/100 (110.17) feet.


Containing approximately 6068 square feet.


And to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for said pur- chase, the same to be raised in the tax levy for the year 1948; said com- mittee be authorized to enter into a written agreement with the Wakefield Real Estate and Building Association to purchase said property. - School Committee - William J. Lee, Chairman.


On motion by Finance Committee :


Voted: That the School Committee be authorized to enter into a writ- ten agreement with the Wakefield Real Estate and Building Association to purchase property as described in Article 5 for a price not to exceed $7,000., and that the town appropriate the sum of $7,000. to be raised in the Tax Levy for the year 1948, in payment thereof.


The vote in the affirmative was unanimous.


ARTICLE 6


To see if the town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to re- lease a certain drainage easement in Lot A15 on Armory Street and shown on a plan recorded with Middlesex South District Deeds, end of Book 3350 and owned by Robert L. Barrar and his wife Louise Barrar, tenants by the entirety and accept in exchange therefor a drainage easement in another location in the same lot. - John I. Preston, Town Treasurer.




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