Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1951, Part 5

Author: Wakefield, Massachusetts
Publication date: 1951
Publisher: Town of Wakefield
Number of Pages: 306


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1951 > Part 5


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53


REPORT OF TOWN CLERK


And said committee is hereby authorized to sell or otherwise dispose of any building or buildings situated on the within described parcels of land.


The vote in the affirmative was Yes 335, No 13, and, having received the necessary two-thirds vote, the moderator declared the motion carried.


ARTICLE 74


To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to complete the installation of public toilets in the basement of the new police station, together with the janitor's room and storage room, nearby, all completely in accordance with the working drawings and specifications of the plans for the building built in 1950 and that a committee be ap- pointed or designated to carry out the provisions of this article .- Cyrus M. Dolbeare and others.


On motion by Finance Committee :


Voted: That action under Article 74 be deferred; that the subject mat- ter of the article be referred to the Board of Public Works for study, said board to report as to a complete cost, including all possible future mainte- nance. The report of said board to be presented at an adjournment of this meeting.


Motion by John J. Round :


That Article 33 be taken up.


The vote on Mr. Rounds' motion was Yes 260, No 178, but inasmuch as the necessary two-thirds vote, required to take up an article having been acted upon, was lacking, the moderator declared the motion not carried.


ARTICLE 76


To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $100.00 to be expended by the Corp. H. E. Nelson Post No. 63, American Legion, and the Marie E. Riess Post No. 376, American Legion, for the proper ob- servance of Armistice Day, November 11, 1951 .- Richard J. Connelly 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 76.


ARTICLE 77


To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $75.00 to be expended by Wakefield Post No. 2106, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, for the proper observance of Armistice Day, November 11, 1951 .- Daniel P. Kelliher and others.


On motion by Finance Committee:


Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $75.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 77.


54


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


ARTICLE 78


To see if the town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to lease for a period of one year, suitable headquarters for the use of Wake- field Post No. 2106, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, and raise and appropriate the sum of $600.00 to carry out the purposes of the article .- T. William Halloran and others.


On motion by Finance Committee :


Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $600.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 78.


ARTICLE 79


To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,- 700.00 to be expended by Wakefield Post No. 2106, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Corp. Charles F. Parker Camp No. 39, United Spanish War Veter- ans; Corp. Harry E. Nelson Post No. 63 American Legion; Marie E. Riess Post No. 376 American Legion; Camp No. 34 Sons of Union Veterans; Col. Allen C. Kelton Detachment Marine Corps League; for the proper ob- servance of Memorial Day, May 30, 1951 .- Daniel P. Kelliher and others.


On motion by Finance Committee:


Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $1,700.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 79.


ARTICLE 80


To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to provide copies of photographs of deceased World War II servicemen, and for frames, brass name plates, mounting and hanging .- Corp. H. E. Nelson Post No. 63, American Legion; Frederick W. Paige and others.


On motion by Finance Committee:


Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $1,220.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 80.


ARTICLE 81


To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 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 nursing work among the people of Wakefield .- Wakefield Visiting Nurse Association, Beatrice G. Monge and others.


On motion by Finance Committee:


Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000,00 to carry out the purposes of Article 81.


ARTICLE 82


To see if the town will vote to instruct the selectmen to petition the General Court for enabling legislation permitting the town to operate under a plan for a limited town meeting .- Linwood F. Young and others.


On motion by Finance Committee :


Voted: That the subject matter of Article 82 be indefinitely postponed.


55


REPORT OF TOWN CLERK


ARTICLE 83


To see if the town will vote to direct the Board of Selectmen to place the following referendum on the ballot at the next annual town election; and to take the necessary steps to execute the mandate of said referendum:


Vote for One


Shall this town operate its government under a limited form of Town Meeting?


Shall this town operate under a city form of government?


Shall this town continue to operate under its present unlimited


form of Town Meeting?


--- Linwood F. Young and others.


On motion by Finance Committee:


Voted: That the subject matter of Article 83 be referred to a commit- tee of five citizens, to be appointed by the moderator, and that the com- mittee so appointed report and make recommendations at a future town meeting not later than November 1, 1951.


On motion by Charles F. Young:


Voted: That this meeting be now adjourned to next Monday evening at 7.30 P. M. at the High School Auditorium and the Princess Theatre.


Meeting adjourned at 10.02 P. M.


Attendance, 475


A true record:


Attest: CHARLES F. YOUNG, Town Clerk


Adjourned Session - May 7, 1951


Meeting called to order at 7.35 P. M. by Moderator Harry Marshall at the High School Auditorium who checked with Assistant Moderator Jo- seph A. Hines at the Princess Theatre and found the communicating sys- tem to be in order.


On motion by Finance Committee:


Voted: That Article one be taken up.


ARTICLE 1


On motion by Finance Committee:


Voted: That the reports of town officers as published be accepted.


On motion by Raymond S. Dower:


Voted: To take up Article 19.


The vote on the motion was, Yes 167, No 9, and, having received the necessary two-thirds vote to take up an article previously acted upon, the moderator declared the motion carried.


On motion by Mr. Dower:


Voted: To reconsider the action taken under Article 19.


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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


On motion by Matthew P. Curran:


Voted: That the town accept the recommendations of the Board of Selectmen in altering Precinct One, and establish Precincts One, Four and Five, as set forth in said Article 19.


ARTICLE 84


Article 84. To see if the town of Wakefield will vote to amend its by-laws by adding thereto a new chapter, entitled :


CHAPTER 16-EARTH REMOVAL


1-1


The removal of soil, loam, sand or gravel from any parcel of land not in public use in the town of Wakefield, except as hereinafter provided for, shall be allowed only after a written permit therefor has been obtained from the Board of Appeals appointed under the zoning and building laws of the town of Wakefield and then only after a public hearing of which due notice is given.


1-2


No permit shall be required for the continuous operation on any parcel of land of a sand or gravel pit in operation at the time this by-law is adopted, provided such operation is not thereafter dis- continued for more than one year; and no perniit shall be required for the removal of soil, loam, sand or gravel from any parcel of land when incidental to and in connection with the construction of a building on said parcel.


1-3


In issuing a permit under this by-law, the Board of Appeals may impose such conditions not specifically provided for herein as it may deem necessary for the adequate protection of the neighborhood and the town. Any conditions imposed by the board shall be at- tached to and made a part of the permit. The board may, in its discretion, require a bond, certified check or other security for com- pliance with said conditions or as evidence of good faith as to the completion of any proposed construction. The board may, after a public hearing on proof of violation of any condition, revoke any permits so issued. No permit shall be issued under the provisions of this by-law for a period of more than three years.


Removal of Soil or Loam


2-1


Soil and loam may be removed from any parcel of land if such parcel is determined by the board to be unsuitable for agricultural use, and the board may issue a permit for such removal, provided, however, that the board shall, in making such decision, obtain the recommendations of the Appropriate Soil District Supervisor and the County Extension Director or Agent, or their successors, and their recommendations shall be made a part of the records of the board. In issuing a permit, the board may impose reasonable con- ditions as to the re-establishment of ground levels and grades.


2-2 Notwithstanding the provisions of the above, the board may issue a permit for the removal of soil or loam from any parcel of land


57


REPORT OF TOWN CLERK


in the town where such removal is necessarily incidental to and in connection with the construction of a road or other facility involv- ing a permanent change in the use of the land. The board shall issue no such permit unless it is reasonably satisfied that the con- struction will be completed and evidence thereof shall be made part of the records of the Board.


Removal Within 300 Ft. of Streets


3-1


Soil, loam, sand or gravel may be removed from any parcel of land within such parcel lying within 300 feet of any street or way, provided a permit therefor has been issued by the board after satis- factory evidence that such removal will not be seriously detrimental or injurious to the neighborhood; provided further that the board shall impose reasonable conditions as to the method of removal, the re-establishment of ground levels and grades and the planting of the area to suitable cover, as it may deem necessary. Removal of soil or loam under authority of this section shall be further subject to the provisions of Section 111.


4-1 Whoever violates the provisions of any of these regulations shall be subject to a fine of not exceeding Twenty Dollars ($20.00) for each offense .- Town Planning Board.


On motion by Kenneth W. Thompson:


Voted: That the town amend its by-laws by adding thereto a new "Chapter 16. Earth Removal," as set forth in Article 84.


ARTICLE 85


To see if the town will vote to amend Section 10 of the Zoning By-Laws of the Town of Wakefield, by adding at the end thereof a new sentence reading as follows:


"Provided, however, any article proposing an amendment to these by-laws shall be placed only in the annual town meeting warrant un- less the town Planning Board considers the matter especially urgent, in which case it may be acted upon at a special town meeting."-Town Planning Board, by Kenneth W. Thomson, Secretary.


Arthur E. Harding, chairman of the Planning Board, read the report of the board which stated that a public hearing on the subject matter of Article 85 was held on March 16, 1951, pursuant to a notice published on March 5, 1951, and that the Planning Board recommended favorable action.


On motion by Mr. Harding :


Voted: That Section 10 of the Town Zoning By-Laws be amended by adding at the end thereof a new sentence reading as follows:


"Provided, however, any article proposing an amendment to these by-laws shall be placed only in the annual town meeting warrant unless


58


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


the town Planning Board considers the matter especially urgent, in which case it may be acted upon at a special town meeting."


The vote in the affirmative was unanimous.


On motion by Finance Committee :


Voted unanimously: To take up Article 74.


ARTICLE 74


On motion by Finance Committee :


Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $7,000.00 to carry out the purposes of Article 74, and that the Police Building Com- mittee be designated as a committee to accomplish the purpose of this article.


ARTICLE 86


To see if the town will vote to amend section 6, Article 1 of the Build- ing Laws of the town by providing that the fee on appeals shall be $15.00 instead of $10.00 as provided therein .- Board of Appeals.


Arthur E. Harding read the report of the Planning Board which stated that a public hearing on the subject matter of Article 86 was held on March 16, pursuant to a notice published in the Wakefield Daily Item on March 5, 1951, and that the Planning Board recommended favorable action.


On motion by William C. McKie:


Voted: That Section 6, Article 1, of the Building Laws of the town be amended by striking out "ten dollars ($10.00)" appearing in the last para- graph of Section 6 and inserting in the place thereof "fifteen dollars ($15.00)", so as to read: "all appeals shall be accompanied by a fee of $15.00."


The vote in the affirmative was unanimous.


ARTICLE 87


To see if the town will vote to amend the Zoning By-Laws of the town by inserting after paragraph marked "D" under heading "Board of Ap- peals" as listed in Section 8 of the Zoning Act, the following:


"E" - All appeals under this by-law shall be accompanied by a fee of $15.00 to cover expenses incidental to such appeal .- Board of Appeals.


Arthur E. Harding read the report of the Planning Board which stated that a public hearing was held on March 16, 1951, on the subject matter of Article 87, pursuant to a notice published in the Wakefield Daily Item, on March 5, 1951.


On motion by William C. McKie:


Voted: That Section 8 of the town Zoning Laws be amended by in- serting after paragraph D a new paragraph reading as follows:


"All appeals under this by-law shall be accompanied by a fee of $15.00 to cover expenses incidental to such appeal."


The vote in the affirmative was unanimous.


59


REPORT OF TOWN CLERK


ARTICLE 88


To see if the town will vote to amend the town zoning by-laws by changing from a general residence district to a single residence district that portion of land situated and described as follows: Northerly by Saugus River and northeasterly by Circumferential Highway, southeasterly by Newburyport branch of Boston & Maine Railroad and southwesterly by business and single residence districts as now established-above area about 175 acres .- Jean C. Hartshorne and others.


Arthur E. Harding read the report of the Planning Board, stating that a hearing on the subject matter of Article 88 was held on March 16, 1951, pursuant to a notice published in the Wakefield Daily Item on March 5, 1951, and that the Planning Board recommended favorable action.


On motion by Morris F. Stoddard, Jr .:


Voted: That the town zoning by-laws be amended by changing from a general residential district to a single residential district that portion of land situated and described as follows: Northerly by the Saugus River; northeasterly by Circumferential Highway; southeasterly by Newburyport branch of Boston and Maine Railroad; and southwesterly by business and single residence districts as now established.


The vote in the affirmative was unanimous.


ARTICLE 89


To see if the town will vote to instruct the selectmen to petition the Legislature for the enactment of legislation repealing Chapter 48 of the Acts of the year 1950 as amended by Chapter 263 of the Acts of the year 1950, said acts establishing a Board of Public Works in the town of Wake- field .- James F. Hurton and others.


On motion by Finance Committee :


Voted: That the subject matter of Article 89 be indefinitely postponed.


ARTICLE 90


To see if the town will authorize the Municipal Light Department to transfer the sum of $50,146.27 from the Operating Fund to the Deprecia- tion Fund of the Municipal Light Department, said sum being the bal- ance of the Operating Fund of the Municipal Light Department as of De- cember 31, 1950 .- Municipal Light Commissioners.


On motion by Finance Committee :


Voted: That the sum of $25,000.00, being part of the balance in the Operating Fund of the Municipal Light Department, as of December 31, 1950, be returned to the town treasury, and the assessors be hereby author- ized to use the same in computing the tax rate for 1951; and authorize the Municipal Light Department to transfer from its Operating Fund $25,146.27 to its Construction Fund, this latter sum being the remainder of the balance of its Operating Fund, as of December 31, 1950.


60


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


DENTAL CLINIC


Evan H. Fairbanks requested unanimous consent of the meeting to read the report of the Dental Clinic Committee, stating that the commit- tee had intended to insert an article in the warrant for such a report, but due to a misunderstanding had not done so. On his motion, it was voted unanimously to grant the request.


Mr. Fairbanks read the report, as follows:


ARTICLE 91


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. -- John J. McCarthy, Town Ac- countant.


On motion by Finance Committee:


Voted: That the Board of Assessors be authorized to use an amount of free cash in the treasury, not in excess of $65,000.00, in computing the tax rate for 1951, and that the amount to be used as estimated receipts as a credit in determining the tax rate for 1951 be used by the assessors to the full amount authorized by statute.


Frank P. Wakefield requested and received unanimous consent of the meeting to thank the Finance Committee for their efficient service.


On motion by Lewis Day :


Voted: That this meeting be now dissolved.


Meeting dissolved at 9.25 P. M.


FINANCE COMMITTEE


Moderator Harry Marshall announced the appointment of the follow- ing persons as members of the Finance Committee for three years:


George F. Gardner, Charles J. Harmon, John J. Kalaher, Marcus Beebe and Richard J. Connelly.


Town Meeting - May 14, 1951


Meeting called to order at the town hall at 8 P. M. by Moderator Harry Marshall, who read the call for the meeting.


On motion by John I. Preston :


Voted: That further reading of the warrant, with the exception of the constable's return, be dispensed with.


Constable's return read by the moderator.


On motion by John I. Preston:


Voted: That this meeting be adjourned until 8.15 P. M., this day, May 14, 1951, at the High School Auditorium and the Princess Theatre, jointly. Meeting adjourned at 8.05 P. M.


A true record :


Attest: CHARLES F. YOUNG, Town Clerk


61


REPORT OF TOWN CLERK


Adjourned Session = May 14, 1951


Meeting called to order by Moderator Harry Marshall at the High School Auditorium at 8.15 P. M. The moderator checked with Acting Moderator Joseph A. Hines at the Princess Theatre and found the com- municating system to be in good working order.


On motion by George F. Gardner, chairman of the Finance Com- mittee:


Voted: That Article one be laid on the table and to take up Article 2. The vote in the affirmative was unanimous.


ARTICLE 2


To see if the town will vote to build and equip with original equipment and furnishings, a new Senior High School Building on land south of the present High School on Main Street and raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money therefor, and/or authorize the town treasurer, with the ap- proval of the selectmen, to issue notes or bonds of the town therefor, and instruct the moderator to appoint a committee of nine citizens with author- ity to contract for the construction of said building and the purchase of said equipment and furnishings, and authorize said committee to engage such professional services as they may deem necessary .- School Committee.


On motion by Finance Committee :


Voted: That action on the subject matter of Article 2 be deferred until a future town meeting.


On motion by Finance Committee:


Voted: To take up Article 3. The vote in the affirmative was unanimous.


ARTICLE 3


Article 3: To see if the town will vote to build and equip with orig- inal equipment an addition to the High School, said addition increasing the floor space thereof and raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money therefor or authorize the treasurer with the approval of the selectmen to issue notes or bonds of the town of Wakefield therefor. Also to authorize the moderator to appoint a building committee of nine (9) members, of which two shall be members of the School Committee, and one member the superintendent of schools ex officio, with the authority to contract for the construction of said addition and for the purchase of said original equipment, and to engage such professional services as they may deem necessary .- School Committee.


Motion by Finance Committee :


That the subject matter of Article 3 be indefinitely postponed.


The motion to indefinitely postpone was not carried, the vote being, Yes 394, No 413.


A motion, at 10.38 P. M., by Patrick H. Tenney to adjourn was de- feated by a vote of 196 "Yes," to 367 "No."


62


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


On motion by Frederick W. Bliss:


Voted: That Article 3 be laid on the table.


On motion by James M. Henderson :


Voted: That this meeting be adjourned until next Monday, May 21. 1951, at 7.30 P. M., at the High School Auditorium and the Princess Theatre.


Meeting adjourned at 11.07 P. M.


Attendance, 850


A true record :


Attest: CHARLES F. YOUNG, Town Clerk


Adjourned Session - May 21, 1951


Meeting called to order 7.35 P. M. by Moderator Harry Marshall at the High School Auditorium, who checked with Assistant Moderator Jo- seph A. Hines at the Princess Theatre and learned that the communicat- ing system was in order.


Motion by Marcus Beebe 2nd :


That the subject matter of Article 4 be referred to a future town meeting, and that the selectmen be instructed to petition the Legislature for permission to conduct a referendum with precinct voting, by ballot, on the subject matter of Articles 1 to 5, inclusive, and that a committee of five, to include the town counsel and the chairman of the Board of Se- lectmen, be appointed by the moderator to carry out the provisions of this motion.


After some discussion, Mr. Beebe withdrew his motion, with the per- mission of the person who seconded the motion, and the moderator per- mitted the motion to be withdrawn.


ARTICLE 4


To see if the town will vote to build and equip with original equipment and furnishings, a new High School building ou a portion of the town farm site and raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money therefor and/or authorize the treasurer, with the approval of the selectmen, to issue notes or bonds of the town therefor and authorize and instruct the moderator to appoint a committee of nine citizens with authority to contract for the construction of said building and the purchase of said equipment and fur- nishings and authorize said committee to engage such professional services as they may deem necessary .- School Committee.


Motion by Town Counsel John I. Preston:


That the town build and equip, with original equipment and furnish- ings, a new High School building on the town farm site; that for said purposes there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of $2,095,000.00 and, to meet said appropriation, the treasurer with the approval of the select- men be and hereby is authorized to borrow said sum of $2,095,000.00 and


63


REPORT OF TOWN CLERK


issue bonds of the town therefor, under and pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 70 of the Acts of the year 1950 as amended by Chapter 150 of the Acts of the year 1951, payable in annual installments within twenty years or at such earlier times as the treasurer and selectmen may determine; that the moderator be and hereby is authorized and directed to appoint a building committee of nine members, two of whom shall be members of the School Committee and one the superintendent of schools ex officio, said committee to have authority to contract for the construction of said school building and to purchase the original equipment and furnishings therefor and in connection with said construction to engage engineers and architects and to contract for other professional services that may be nec- essary and as said committee may deem advisable.


At 8.27 P. M., on a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to put the "Previous Question."


The vote then was taken on Mr. Preston's motion.


Result of the vote: Yes 360, No 353.


Lacking the necessary two-thirds, the moderator declared the motion not carried.


A motion duly made, and seconded, to take up Article 2 was not car- ried. The vote was: Yes 331, No 288, and, lacking the necessary two-thirds vote, the moderator declared the motion not carried.


A motion by Francis Walsh to take Article 3 from the table was voted in the negative. The vote was: Yes 283, No 346.


. !


ARTICLE 5


To see if the town will vote to instruct the moderator to appoint a committee consisting of the present members of the High School Planning Committee to investigate the advisability of taking necessary action to enable the town to obtain the right to fill in a portion of Quannapowitt Lake in that section of the lake known as Hartshorne's Cove and to ob- tain the right by the town to use Veterans' Field, the former Hall prop- erty, now used for park purposes and the land made by said filling for school purposes .- Marcus G. Beebe and others.




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