USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1936 > Part 2
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"The number of voters necessary to constitute a quorum at town meetings shall be four hundred; pro- vided that a number less than a quorum may from time to time adjourn the same. This By-Law shall not apply to such parts of meetings as are devoted exclusively to the election of officers."
Article Forty-Five:
On motion of Ralph L. Drew, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of eleven hundred (1,100.00) dollars to be expended under the direction of the Board of Se- lectmen under the provisions of Section 6A of Chapter 40 of the General Laws for the purpose of advertising the Town's resources, advantages and attractions, if and when an equal amount shall have been raised by public subscription, or by donation, and paid into the Town Treasury, on or before July 1, 1936, to be expended for like purposes.
Article Forty-Six :
On motion of Ralph L. Drew, Voted: That the Town authorize the transfer of the sum of five thousand (5,000) dollars from the Reserve Account in the hands of the Advisory and Finance Committee.
On motion of Herbert K. Bartlett, Voted: To Adjourn.
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING DECEMBER 14, 1936
A. RODMAN HUSSEY, Jr., Moderator
The number necessary to constitute a quorum not be- ing present, on motion of James A. White, it was voted to adjourn until 8 P. M.
The meeting was called to order by Moderator at 8 o'clock, and as there were still less than 400 people in the hall, on motion of James A. White, it was voted to adjourn the meeting until Monday, December 21, 1936, at 7:45 P. M.
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ADJOURNED SPECIAL TOWN MEETING DECEMBER 21, 1936
A. RODMAN HUSSEY, Jr., Moderator
Article Two:
On motion of Ralph L. Drew, Voted: That the Town accept and allow as a town way, the widening of South Street from Pleasant Street to Sandwich Street, by re- location of the northerly line of said way as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and make an appropriation from money in the Treasury, not otherwise appropriated of the sum of forty-two hundred (4,200) dollars for land and property damages, including cost of acquiring titles, and construction. Three hundred vot- ing in the affirmative and 27 in the negative, the neces- sary two-thirds having voted in the affirmative, the mo- tion was carried.
Article Three:
On motion of Ralph L. Drew, Voted: That the Town accept and allow as a town way Overlook Road, from Wellingsley Avenue in a northwesterly direction, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and make an appropriation, from money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated of the sum of one hundred (100) dollars for damages or expense of acquiring titles. Three hundred twenty-one voting in the affirmative and six in the negative, the necessary two-thirds having voted in the affirmative, the motion was carried.
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Article Four :
On motion of Ralph L. Drew, Voted: That the Town appropriate, from money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of four thousand (4,000) dollars for the payment of Old Age Assistance for the remain- der of the current year.
Article Five:
On motion of Ralph L. Drew, voted: That the Town appropriate, from money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of forty thousand (40,000) dollars to be used in connection with any Federal Unemployment Agency, and in the event of the discontinuance of Federal Unemployment Relief, for construction, improvements or repairs of public works within the town. Said appropria- tion to be subject to transfers only on orders of the Board of Selectmen to the several projects, and for necessary local administration. This was a unanimous vote.
Article Six :
To see if the Town will direct the Board of Selectmen to make a division of the Town into two or more voting precincts.
On motion of Ralph L. Drew, voted: That no action be taken under Article 6.
On motion of Herbert K. Bartlett, Voted: To adjourn.
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REPORT OF ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE ON THE ARTICLES IN THE TOWN WARRANT
MARCH 28, 1936
To the Voters of the Town of Plymouth :-
It is apparent that the continuous annual reductions in departmental appropriations over the past five years have resulted in savings to the Town. However, we have now about reached the point where any further cuts in certain departments would result in decreased efficiency.
One cannot observe the increase in cost of government without recognizing the seriousness of the present situa- tion and wondering what the future is ahead for the tax payer. Your Advisory and Finance Committee is of the opinion that only those expenditures which are es- sentially necessary should be undertaken at this time in view of the uncertainty of future conditions.
The budget submitted for our consideration this year, if approved in its entirety, would have resulted in an increase of about four dollars in the tax rate. We are of the opinion that many of our tax payers cannot assume additional tax obligations at the present time. It seems inevitable that unless some reduction is obtained in our Welfare expenditures, that an increase in tax rate to meet necessary appropriations will result. We are aware that the appropriations recommended in this report for the Public Welfare and Old Age Assistance may, and in all probability will, be insufficient for necessary payments. The law makes provision for overdrawing these appro- priations, overdrafts made during the last year amount- ing to more than nine thousand dollars being included in
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this year's tax levy. In the case of overdrafts, even in considerable amounts, being made, the Town will be able before the close of the current year to appropriate from its surplus to cover same. Our recommendations for no action this year were made, in several cases, in the in- terest of economy, even though the projects were worthy of favorable consideration. We believe this is not the proper time to appropriate money on projects that are not immediately necessary.
Our population has remained practically stationary for the past twenty years. During the last eight years taxable property has decreased at the rate of over one- half million dollars a year, but the cost of Town Govern- ment has increased, due recently to the necessity of ren- dering assistance to the needy and unemployed. In view of this additional burden, if we wish better advantages in our school system, more efficient fire and police pro- tection, better highways, street lighting, and other modern facilities, these can only result in further in- creased burden on the tax payer. It should be borne in mind that every $22,000 appropriated means an added dollar per thousand of valuation.
In several instances we have believed it to be for the best interests of the Town to approve budgets slightly in excess of last year in order to increase department efficiency.
We believe that a reduction in Federal doles and sub- sidies is inevitable. It is therefore clear that until changes in business conditions provide employment for those who require relief from their embarrassment, our Public Wel- fare assistance must be continued. Old Age Assistance, which is steadily increasing, is now a permanent institu- tion and is a fixed financial obligation of the Town.
We believe that departmental expenditures should be kept at a minumum consistent with efficient operation. We are confident that our Town Government is efficient and that our officials recognize the necessity for economy,
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yet it is you who appropriate the money and they who will spend it to the best of their judgment. While our Plymouth tax rate at present is not unreasonable for towns having equivalent advantages, population and valu- ation, only a reduction in the Town expenditures, in view of increasing welfare costs, will reduce the tax burden of those who pay the bill.
The By-Law under which this Committee acts author- izes and instructs it to set forth in its reports "Such recommendations on other matters as in its judgment should be brought to the attention of the Town."
In accordance with this section, the Committee recom- mends that the Town give consideration to the installa- tion of sprinkler systems in its various school buildings with special reference to its new Junior-Senior High School.
Your Advisory and Finance Committee, in the interest of strict economy, recommends for your consideration the appropriation of Town monies as follows:
Article 5. To make the necessary appropriations to defray the expenses of the Town, and for other purposes, and to raise such sums of money as the Town shall deem expedient.
Recommended Recommended
by Department by Committee
Selectmen's Department
$4,400.00
$4,000.00
Accounting Department
2,550.00
2,550.00
Treasury Department
2,700.00
2,700.00
Tax Collector's Department
5,000.00
5,000.00
Tax Collector's Dept. 1935 Over- draft
592.83
592.83
Assessors' Department
6,500.00
6,500.00
Law Department
1,400.00
1,000.00
Law Dept. 1935 Overdraft
576.08
576.08
Town Clerk's Department
1,5000.00
1,400.00
Engineering Department
700.00
700.00
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Recommended Recommended by Department by Committee
Planning Board
250.00
250.00
Election and Registration
1,850.00
1,850.00
Maintenance of Town House
2,650.00
2,500.00
Maintenance of Town Hall
7,300.00
7,300.00
Maint. of Town Hall, 1935 Overdraft
519.46
519.46
Police Department
30,927.00
31,200.00
Fire Department
44,878.02
44,300.00
Inspection of Buildings
300.00
275.00
Sealing Weights and Measures
2,140.00
1,790.00
Moth Suppression, including New Sprayer
6,000.00
6,000.00
Tree Warden's Department
4,000.00
3,500.00
Forest Warden's Department
3,500.00
3,000.00
Forest Warden's Dept. 1935 Over- draft
1,258.04
1,258.04
Inland Fisheries
350.00
250.00
Plymouth County Hospital Maint.
10,633.91
10,633.91
Health Department
19,000.00
18,000.00
Piggery Maintenance and Garbage Disposal
8,260.68
8,000.00
Inspector of Animals
360.00
360.00
Public Sanitaries
2,700.00
2,500.00
Sewers
4,000.00
3,500.00
Street Cleaning
5,000.00
5,000.00
Roads and Bridges
41,000.00
42,500.00
Hard-Surfacing Streets
4,500.00
4,500.00
Highway Construction and Recon- struction
22,650.00
15,000.00
Long Pond Road
2,000.00
2,000.00
Point Road and White Horse
Beach Road
2,500.00
2,500.00
Repairs to Highway Department Buildings
600.00
600.00
Gurnet Bridge Tax
1,401.94
1,401.94
Sidewalks
6,000.00
6,000.00
Granolithic Sidewalks and Curbing
3,000.00
3,000.00
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Recommended Recommended by Department by Committee
Snow and Ice Removal
12,000.00
12,000.00
Street Sprinkling (Calcium chloride) 2,500.00
2,500.00
Street Lighting
20,000.00
20,000.00
Traffic Lights
250.00
250.00
Harbor Master
150.00
150.00
Pensions for Town Laborers
1,965.00
1,965.00
Public Welfare Dept. including Mothers' Aid
110,000.00
90,000.00
Public Welfare Dept. 1935 Over- draft
5,060.41
5,060.41
Bureau of Old Age Assistance
50,000.00
35,000.00
Bureau of Old Age Assistance, 1935 Overdraft
4,184.14
4,184.14
Soldiers' Benefits
12,000.00
11,000.00
Soldiers' Relief, 1935 Overdraft
3,775.74
3,775.74
School Department
220,875.00
218,425.00
Park Dept. for Parks, Playgrounds
and Public Camping Places
11,000.00
10,000.00
Sexton
200.00
200.00
Miscellaneous Account
3,700.00
3,700.00
Water Department Maintenance
26,000.00
26,000.00
Water Department Construction
7,500.00
7,500.00
Town Wharf Maint. and Caretaker
700.00
700.00
Town Forest
1,200.00
900.00
Oak Grove and Vine Hills
Cemeteries
10,000.00
10,000.00
Burial Hill Cemetery
1,200.00
1,200.00
Burial Hill Cemetery, for Protect- ing Headstones
300.00
300.00
Chiltonville, Manomet, Cedarville
and South Pond Cemeteries
800.00
800.00
Town Debt and Interest
41,000.00
41,000.00
Total of Article 5
$811,808.25 $761,117.55
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Recommended Recommended by Department by Committee
Art. 6. Plymouth Public Library $8,850.00
$8,850.00
Art. 7. Manomet Public Library
750.00
750.00
Art. 8. Plymouth County Aid to Agriculture
200.00
100.00
Art. 9. Mosquito Control Maint.
500.00
500.00
Art. 10. Rifle Range Expenses
200.00
175.00
Art. 11. Memorial Day
400.00
400.00
Art. 12. Armistice Day
250.00
250.00
Art. 13. July Fourth
750.00
750.00
Art. 14. District Nurse
1,000.00
1,000.00
Art. 15. Town Forest Land
200.00
Art. 16. Shellfish Protection and
Propagation
750.00
750.00
Art. 17. Dog Officer
1,400.00
1,000.00
Art. 19. Increase in Assessor's Salary 560.00
150.00
Art. 20. Reimburse for Truck
600.00
600.00
Art. 21. Acquiring Land of Frim on Bradford St.
1,200.00
Art. 24. Acquiring Paty Land for Playground
4,000.00
Art. 25. Fire Alarm Extension to Manomet
11,000.00
Art. 26. Manomet Avenue Extension
100.00
Art. 27. Strand Avenue
100.00
100.00
Art. 28. Simes Road
100.00
100.00
Art. 29. Holmes Road
100.00
100.00
Art. 30. Unemployment Relief
20,000.00
20,000.00
Art. 31. Federal Furnace Road
3,250.00
3,250.00
Art. 34. Billington Street Sewer
5,500.00
Art. 35. "Craig Farm" Property for Airport
4,000.00
Art. 37. Acquiring Property on School St. for Public Parking Space
5,000.00
Art. 38. Margerie Street
100.00
Art. 39. Benham Street
100.00
Art. 40. Moning Terrace
100.00
100.00
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Recommended Recommended by Department by Committee
Art. 41. Wellingsley Avenue
50.00
Art. 42. Overlook Road
50.00
Art. 43. Extension of Chiltonville Cemetery
800.00
800.00
Art. 45. Advertising the Town's Resources, etc.
1,100.00
1,100.00
Total
$884,868.25 $801,942.55
Article 6. To take such action as the Town shall see fit in aid of the Plymouth Public Library.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $8,850.00, including the Dog Tax for 1935 amounting to $1,777.91.
Article 7. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding seven hundred and fifty (750) dollars in aid of the Manomet Public Library.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $750.00.
Article 8. To see what amount the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the use of the Plymouth County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture and to choose a Town Director, as provided in Sections 41 and 45 of Re- vised Chapter 128 of the General Laws, and act thereon.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $100.00 and the choosing of a Town Director.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred (500) dollars for the purpose of maintaining, during the ensuing year, the mosquito control works as estimated and certified to by the State Reclamation Board in accordance with the pro- visions of Chapter 112, Acts of 1931.
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The Committee recommends the appropriation of $500.00.
Article 10. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding two hundred (200) dollars for Rifle Range Expenses.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $175.00.
Article 11. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding four hundred (400) dollars for the observ- ance of Memorial Day.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $400.00.
Article 12. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding two hundred and fifty (250) dollars for observance of Armistice Day.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $250.00.
Article 13. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding seven hundred and fifty (750) dollars for the observance of July Fourth, said money to be expended by the Board of Selectmen.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $750.00.
Article 14. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one thousand (1,000) dollars to employ a District Nurse.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $1,000.00.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to extend the Town Forest by purchase of adjacent woodland and ap- propriate for that purpose a sum not exceeding two hun- dred (200) dollars.
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The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 16. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding seven hundred and fifty (750) dollars for the cultivation, propagation and protection of shellfish, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Se- lectmen.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $750.00.
Article 17. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding fourteen hundred (1,400) dollars for com- pensation and expenses of the Dog Officer required by Chapter 320 of the Acts of 1934.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $1,000.00.
Article 18. To see what action the Town will take with reference to adopting a Zoning Law for the Town.
The Committee makes no recommendation because, according to the By-Law it is handled by special com- mittee appointed for the purpose.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise the salary of the Chairman of the Assessors from fourteen hundred and forty (1,440) dollars to two thousand (2,000) dollars. (By request of Board of Assessors).
The Committee recommends that the Town raise the salary of the Chairman of the Assessors from $1,440.00 to $1,640.00 and that the sum of $150.00 be added to the Assessors' appropriation to provide for paying such in- creased salary for the remainder of the year.
Article 20. To see if the Town will reimburse the Estate of Levy Mayer for the loss of the truck in the
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forest fire of April 28, 1935, in the sum of six hundred (600) dollars. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends that the Town reimburse the Estate of Levy Mayer for the loss of this truck and appropriate the sum of $600.00 for the purpose.
Article 21. To see if the Town will purchase the land of Harry Frim and Rebecca Frim on Bradford Street, and will make an appropriation therefor, and will authorize the School Committee to exchange a portion of the same for a portion of land of James W. Pratt. (By request of School Committee.)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to sell or otherwise dispose of the Lincoln Street Primary School building after the completion of the new High School.
The Committee recommends that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell or dispose of the Lincoln Street Primary School Building.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to sell or otherwise dispose of the portable building on the Lincoln Street lot.
The Committee recommends that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell or dispose of this portable building.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to purchase for playground purposes, from Elizabeth F. Paty et al., a lot of land containing approximately 169340 sq. ft., ad- joining the southerly side of the Mt. Pleasant School grounds and extending to Mt. Pleasant and South streets, with right-of-way to Whiting Street, and make an appro- priation therefor not exceeding four thousand (4,000) dollars. (By request of the Park Commissioners.)
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The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 25. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of eleven thousand (11,000) dollars for the exten- sion of the Fire Alarm System to that part of Plymouth known as Manomet and White Horse Beach. (By peti- tion.)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 26. To see if the Town will accept and allow as a town way Manomet Avenue from the end of the 1929 layout of Manomet Avenue, northerly to a point opposite to the building of Edward T. Longstreth, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and make an appropriation for damages and expense of acquiring titles not exceeding one hundred (100) dollars. (By pe- tition.)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action, as it is thought that the plan presented is not the best that could be made.
Aricle 27. To see if the Town will accept and allow as a town way Strand Avenue from the junction of the State Highway and the Manomet Point Road to Manomet Ave- nue, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and make an appropriation for damages and ex- pense of acquiring titles not exceeding one hundred (100) dollars.
The Committee recommends the acceptance of this way, as it is now used as a public way under the assump- tion that a previous layout was valid which appears to be incorrect. Appropriation of $100.00 is recommended.
Article 28. To see if the Town will accept and allow as a town way Simes Road, from Holmes Road to Mano-
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met Avenue, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and make an appropriation for damages and expense of acquiring titles not exceeding one hundred (100) dollars. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends the acceptance of this way and the appropriation of $100.00.
Article 29. To see if the Town will accept and allow as a town way Holmes Road, from Strand Avenue to Simes Road, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and make an appropriation for damages and expense of acquiring titles not exceeding one hun- dred (100) dollars. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends the acceptance of this way and the appropriation of $100.00.
Article 30. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding twenty thousand (20,000) dollars to be used in connection with any Federal Unemployment Agency, and in the event of the discontinuance of Fed- eral Unemployment Relief, for construction, improve- ments or repairs of public works within the town. Said appropriation to be subject to transfers only on orders of the Board of Selectmen to the several projects, and for necessary local administration.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $20,000.00.
Article 31. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of thirty-two hundred and fifty (3,250) dollars to be used in construction on the Federal Furnace Road to Carver, in conjunction with the State Department of Public Works and the Plymouth County Commissioners.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $3,250.00 to be used in construction on the Federal Fur- nace Road to Carver, in conjunction with the State De- partment of Public Works and the Plymouth County
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Commissioners. This is a continuation of work done on this road in the same manner during 1935.
Article 32. To see if the Town will adopt Section 85 of Chapter 32 of the General Laws of Massachusetts 1932 Tercentenary Edition, providing for pensions for perma- nent members of the Police and Fire Departments of Towns. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 33. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Section 49 of Chapter 31 of the General Laws, relative to the Chief of the Police Department, and Acts amendatory thereto. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends that the Town accept the provisions of Section 49 of Chapter 31 of the General Laws, relative to the Chief of the Police Department, and Acts amendatory thereto. Acceptance of this law will place the Chief of Police under Civil Service regulations. The regular officers in the Police Department are under the Civil Service by vote of the Town passed in 1917.
Article 34. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not to exceed fifty-five hundred (5,500) dollars for the construction of a sewer in or parallel to Billington and Summer streets as per plans of the Town Engineer, pre- ferably through aid as a W. P. A. project or by labor sent from the Public Welfare Department. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 35. To see what action the Town will take with reference to appropriating a sum not exceeding four thousand (4,000) dollars to purchase the property located in the westerly part of the town, known as the "Craig Farm" for the purpose of an airport. (By peti- tion.)
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The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 36. To see if the Town will acquire by gift, purchase, or eminent domain, lands with an approximate area of 28,000 sq. ft., on the easterly side of School Street for use as a parking space.
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 37. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of five thousand (5,000) dollars to carry out the purpose of Article 36.
In accordance with its recommendation of no action under the preceding article, the Committee recommends that no appropriation be made.
Article 38. To see if the Town will accept and allow as a town way Margerie Street from Oak Street westerly, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and make an appropriation for damages and expense of acquiring titles not exceeding one hundred (100) dollars. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 39. To see if the Town will accept and allow as a town way Benham Street from Margerie Street to Alvin Road, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and make an appropriation for damages and acquiring titles not exceeding one hundred (100) dollars. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action.
Article 40. To see if the Town will accept and allow as a town way Moning Terrace from Standish Avenue southwesterly, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported
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to the Town, and make an appropriation for damages and expense of acquiring titles not exceeding one hun- dred (100) dollars. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends the acceptance of this way and appropriation of $100.00.
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