USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1941 > Part 17
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On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town make no appropriation under Article 25.
Article Twenty-six:
To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of thirteen hundred and eighty-six (1,386) dollars for one additional regular patrolman for the Police Department.
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On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town make no appropriation under Article 26.
Article Twenty-seven:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $7,000.00 to be used for the pur- chase of a triple combination fire truck to replace a truck purchased in 1916.
Article Twenty-eight:
To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of eight- een hundred and fifty (1,850) dollars for the reconstruc- tion of the fire alarm system from Jabez Corner to Cliff Street to the junction of Warren Avenue and the State Highway.
(By petition of William Barrett et als.)
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town make no appropriation under Article 28.
Article Twenty-nine:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $438.70 to defray the hospital and doctor's expenses incurred by Anthony Provinzano because of injuries sustained by him in jumping into a life net at fire drill, June 1, 1941.
Article Thirty:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $400.00 to install a hydrant on the easterly line of the State Highway near Manomet Dump.
Article Thirty-one:
To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of five hun- dred (500) dollars to defray the expenses of extending Garbage Collection to include Manomet.
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On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town make no appropriation under Article 31.
Article Thirty-two:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $3,800.00 to extend the drainage system only along Knapp Terrace.
Article Thirty-three:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,850.00 to be used for the pur- chase of a new truck for the Highway Department, to re- place a 1935 Studebaker truck.
Article Thirty-four:
Mr. Ralph H. Gilbert moved: That the Town make no appropriation under Article 34.
Mr. Ralph F. Matinzi moved: That the Town appro- priate the sum of fifteen hundred (1,500) dollars to be used at the Standish Avenue Playground, and the motion was carried.
Mr. Gilbert's motion, as amended by Mr. Matinzi, was put before the meeting and carried.
Article Thirty-five:
To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of seven hundred (700) dollars to hard-surface the road from Sandwich Street to Stephens Field.
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town make no appropriation under Article 35.
Article Thirty-six:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $400.00 for repairs to the Town Wharf.
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Article Thirty-seven:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town vote to construct the fishways in Town Brook as set forth in Article 37, and including a catching pool to cost not more than $150.00, that the Town appropriate the sum of $5,000.00 to be expended under the orders of the Board of Selectmen for the construction of said fishways and catching pool.
Article Thirty-eight:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 38, the subject matter having been considered in Article 5.
Article Thirty-nine:
Will the Town approve of a salary increase for all regular town employees, other than elected officials as follows: From a wage or salary of $1,299 or less per year a 25% (twenty-five percent) increase in wages or salary. From a wage or salary of $1,300 or more per year a 5% (five percent) increase in wage or salary. This increase to take effect the first day of April, 1942 and continue on until the next annual town meeting after the national emergency is declared at an end.
(By petition of William Barrett et als.)
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 39.
Article Forty:
Mr. Ralph H. Gilbert moved: That the Town take no action under Article 40.
Mr. James A. White moved: That the Town set the hourly wage of all regular town employees classified as laborers at $.65 an hour for forty hours per week and for all regular town employees classified as truck drivers at $.70 an hour for forty hours per week, and the motion was carried.
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Mr. Gilbert's motion, as amended by Mr. White, was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article Forty-one:
Mr. Ralph H. Gilbert moved: That the Town take no action under Article 41.
Mr. James A. White moved to amend by substituting the following: That the Town approve of turning over to the Selectmen the sum of $20,000.00 already appropri- ated and set aside for the purpose of improvement of Plymouth Harbor, to be invested in United States De- fense Bonds, under the provisions of Chapter 4 of the Acts of 1942, and the motion was carried.
Mr. Gilbert's motion, as amended, was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article Forty-two:
Will the Town approve of turning back to the Town the sum of $20,000.00 already appropriated and set aside for the purpose of dredging a basin in Plymouth Harbor, to reduce the 1942 tax rate of the Town of Plymouth.
(By petition of William Barrett, et als.)
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article Forty-two.
Article Forty-three:
Mr. Ralph H. Gilbert moved: That the Town make no appropriation under Article 43.
Mr. Edward R. Belcher offered the following substitute motion: That the Town authorize the Water Commission- ers to acquire by purchase or eminent domain, for the protection of its water supply, land at Little South Pond, with the buildings thereon, belonging to Adrian P. Whit- ing et als, containing 15 acres, more or less, and shown on a plan entitled, "Plan showing proposed purchase at Little South Pond Scale 60 feet - 1 inch, March 4,
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1942, A. E. Blackmer, Town Engineer," and appropriate therefor the sum of two thousand (2,000) dollars; and land at said Little South Pond, with the buildings there- on, belonging to Lillian M. Buckingham, containing 0.35 acres, more or less, and shown on said plan, and appropri- ate therefor the sum of one thousand (1,000) dollars. This motion was carried, unanimously.
Mr. Gilbert's motion, as amended by Mr. Belcher, was put before the meeting and carried.
Article Forty-four:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town authorize the Water Commissioners to purchase equip- ment for the protection of the town's water supply, in- cluding a wire fence and portable emergency pump and chlorinator, and appropriate therefor the sum of $2,000.00.
Article Forty-five:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, it was unanimously voted: That the Town vote to purchase from Robert Bowler, Jr., land on the northerly side of Billington Street, approximately 300 feet long, to widen street fifty feet at this location and slope back 125 feet, and appro- priate the sum of $100.00 for such purchase.
Article Forty-six:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, it was unanimously voted: That the Town vote to purchase from Mrs. Addie H. Burgess, land on the northerly side of Billington Street, containing about three and one half acres, for the use of the Highway Department including source of supply for sand and gravel; and appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 for such purchase.
Article Forty-seven:
To see if the Town will vote- to acquire for playground purposes a lot of land, containing 149,460 square feet, es
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owned by Mrs. Sarah J. Pratt and located at the rear of Standish Avenue, as shown on the Assessors' map and designated as Plan 13, excepting as much as was sold to Eva Cortelli, and appropriate the sum of fifteen hundred (1,500) dollars for purchasing the same.
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town make no appropriation under Article 47.
Article Forty-eight:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, it was unanimously voted: That the Town accept and allow as a town way, Olmsted Terrace, from Court Street to Standish Avenue, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and appropriate the sum of $100.00 for land and property damages and expense of acquiring titles therefor.
Article Forty-nine:
To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of forty- nine hundred and fifty (4,950) dollars to extend the sewer along Olmsted Terrace.
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town make no appropriation under Article 49.
Article Fifty:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town authorize the Selectmen to sell to the Arthur L. Ellis Company for the sum of twenty-seven hundred (2,700) dollars that portion of the Plymouth Mills property, so- called, located on Billington Street, as is shown on a plan entitled: "Land of the Town of Plymouth occupied by Arthur L. Ellis Co.," dated March 26, 1942, a copy of which plan is on file in the Town Clerk's office, together with the buildings thereon, excepting, however, the mill privil- . ege, and reserving the right to construct and maintain a fishway on that portion of the premises which lies south- easterly and southwesterly of the building as shown on said plan; and reserving, too, the right to maintain and
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keep in repair that portion of the town sewer as is shown on said plan; together with and subject to such rights of ways and other rights and conditions as the Board of Selectmen may determine.
Article Fifty-one:
To see if the Town will vote that the highway known as the Halfway Pond Road, extending from the four corners of the Charles Redding Dahlia Farm to the junc- tion of roads at the Long Pond Chapel, a distance of .8 of a mile, be hard-surfaced and that the necessary amount for putting this piece of road into condition and for sur -. facing it be appropriated.
(By petition of Henry Gilbert et als.)
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town make no appropriation under Article 51.
Article Fifty-two:
Mr. Ralph H. Gilbert moved: That the land at Nelson Street, originally voted for purchase by the Town in 1910 for playground purposes, be used for playground purposes only.
Mr. James T. Frazier offered a substitute motion: That the Town take no action on Article 52, but the motion was lost.
Mr. Freeman S. Cornish moved to adjourn, but the motion was lost.
Mr. Hugh R. Maraghy moved a substitute motion: That the Town instruct the Park Commissioners to limit the area of the Municipal Camp Ground to so much of the Town owned land at the foot of Nelson Street as lies Southerly of the road from Water Street Extension to the bath house; the Town land lying Northerly of said road to be devoted exclusively to playground purposes; the bath house to be used for bathing purposes and the bath house, raft and beach to be used by the public gen- erally, and the motion was carried.
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Mr. Gilbert's motion, as amended by Mr. Frazier and further amended by Mr. Maraghy, was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article Fifty-three:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town authorize its Board of Health to lease, in the name and behalf of the Town, from the Plymouth County Com- missioners, the land and the right of way all as set forth and described in Article 53 of this warrant. Said land to be used as a public dump. Said lease to be for a term not exceeding fifty (50) years, at an annual rental not to exceed one dollar, and upon such other terms and con- ditions as may be mutually agreed upon by said County Commissioners and Board of Health.
Article Fifty-four:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town authorize the Selectmen to execute and deliver a deed for the sum of one dollar to Robert Bowler, Jr., and Christina W. Bowler as tenants by the entirety, releasing the interest of the Town of Plymouth in a certain parcel of land situated on Sparrow's Hill and comprising about six (6) acres of the property known as the Lodi Farm, described in a certain deed of Charles Hathaway, Jr., by the Collector of Taxes of the Town of Plymouth to the Town of Plymouth, dated June 12, 1875, and recorded with Plymouth County Deeds Book 415, Page 166.
Article Fifty-five:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town authorize the Selectmen to sell, after first giving notice of the time and place of sale by posting such notice of sale in some convenient and public place in the town fourteen (14) days at least before the sale, property taken by the Town under tax title procedure, provided that the Selectmen or whomsoever they may authorize to hold such public auction may reject any bid which they deem inadequate.
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Article Fifty-six:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town accept Section 103A of Chapter 54 of the General Laws, which section provides for absent voting at all regular town elections in towns which have voted to accept the section.
Article Fifty-seven:
Mr. Ralph H. Gilbert moved: That the Town take no action under Article 57.
Mr. Herbert K. Bartlett offered an amendment to the motion: That on and after this date, the Town discon- tinue opening the Town Offices in the Town House for business purposes on Friday evenings, and the motion was carried.
Mr. Gilbert's motion, as amended, was put before the meeting and carried. 1
Article Fifty-eight:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town accept Section 15, Chapter 129 of the General Laws, as amended by Chapter 162 of the Acts of 1941, which sec- tion provides for the nomination of inspectors of animals by the Board of Health and not by the Selectmen.
Article Fifty-nine:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town amend the Plumbing By-Laws, adopted by the Town, March 23, 1935, by striking therefrom Article 2 and by substituting in place thereof Article 2 as printed in Article 59 in the warrant for this (March 28, 1942) meeting.
Article Sixty:
On motion of William H. Armstrong, Voted: That the Town accept the provisions of Section 49 of Chapter 31 of the General Laws, and acts amendatory thereto, pro- viding for placing the Chief of Police under Civil Service.
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Article Sixty-one:
To see if the Town of Plymouth will accept, approve and put into operation the provisions of the General Laws of Massachusetts, Chapter 147, Section 16B, as am- ended by the Acts of 1938, Chapter 426, Section 2, the pro- visions of which are as follows:
Except in Boston, members of the police department of every town which accepts this section by vote of the town, whether or not section fourteen, fifteen, sixteen or sixteen A has theretofore been operative therein, shall be excused from duty for one day out of every six with- out loss of pay. (1938, 426, S2 approved June 16, 1938)
(By petition of Amedeo Collari et als.)
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 61.
Article Sixty-two:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town accept Section 11A of Chapter 85 of the General Laws (Ter. Ed.), requiring the registration of all bicycles by the Police Department.
Article Sixty-three:
Will the Town of Plymouth adopt a by-law on competi- tive bidding to read as follows:
No contract for construction work whether for repairs or original construction or for the purchase of apparatus or materials, the estimated cost of which amounts to $50 (fifty dollars) or more, except in cases of special emer- gency involving the health or safety of the people or their property, shall be awarded unless sealed proposals for the same have been invited by the board, officer or committee authorized by the town to make a contract. All town boards, officers or committees authorized by the town to make a contract reserve the right to reject any or all bids when, in their opinion, materials to be
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used or purchased are below a certain standard set forth at the time of the invited proposals. Everything else considered on an equal basis, contracts must be awarded to the lowest bidder.
(By petition of William Barrett et als.)
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 63.
On motion of James A. White, Voted: To adjourn.
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REPORT OF ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE ON THE ARTICLES IN THE TOWN WARRANT
MARCH 28, 1942
Your committee is now working under war conditions. We have to face the increased taxes by the Federal Gov- ernment to finance this war which was not of our choos- ing. During the year we have a new department to fi- nance, the Committee of Public Safety which is looking after the public's safety under this state of war. It will require an appropriation of $16,500 as a minimum to equip the hundreds of volunteer workers in the different groups.
As many articles can not be purchased due to war conditions and as many things we would like to do are not necessary to do this year, we have recommended that the Town put these off for another year or so. We hope the voters will back the committee in these recommenda- tions at this town meeting.
For the purpose of comparison we submit the following:
1941 Finance Committee recommenda- tions $951,928.00
1941 Increase voted at town meeting 1,225.00
1941 Total appropriations voted ...... 953,153.00
1941 Tax rate, $32.40.
1942 Total asked on this year's list 1,025,660.00
1942 Finance Committee recommenda- tions 912,130.00
1942 Approximate tax rate, $29.00.
The committee has been divided into five groups of three to study the needs of the various town departments. These have met with the heads of departments during the
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year so that we know the requirements of the various de- partments when the budgets are presented.
We make the recommendation that department heads carefully watch expenditures this year so they will not over expend these appropriations. Last year two depart- ments went over these appropriations, the sealer of weights and measures and the police department. This will not happen again in the police department as they are using a numbered order system and' are able to keep track of expenditures as made.
The amounts printed as appropriations requested in Article 6, also under Articles 7, 8, 15 and 26, were made in accordance with the opinion voiced at a meeting of de- partment heads and others, with the selectmen, on Janu- . ary 15th., which was ... "That those present go on record as being in favor of increasing laborers' pay to 65 cents an hour, the salaries and wages of all other town em- ployees 10 per cent, not in any case to exceed $200 for a year of twelve months, and that the increase be for the duration of the emergency and six months thereafter."
This committee is faced with a serious problem in the matter of remuneration of town officials and employees. Living costs are steadily rising. We found that many de- partment heads last year raised wages of laborers 10%. After careful study we agreed that labor should receive a minimum of 60c an hour. This means some departments would have to increase the wages by 20% to meet this standard. The appropriations of the different depart- ments were figured on this basis and with a five cents an hour increase to laborers now receiving 60c or more per hour.
With reference to officials and employees working on a salary basis the committee feels that no increases should be made this year, with the exception of such step rates as are now in force in the Police, Fire and School De- partments.
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The Town of Plymouth has been very generous in the amount of salaries paid in comparison with other towns of equal size.
Article 5. To see what action the Town will take with regard to fixing the salaries of elected town officers.
Recommended that the salaries of the following elected town officers remain fixed as they now are: viz.,
Chairman of Selectmen $600.00
Other Selectmen (each) 300.00
Chairman of Assessors 1,960.00
Other Assessors (each) 1,600.00
Town Clerk
1,700.00
Town Treasurer
1,700.00
Collector of Taxes
2,500.00
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Chairman of Board of Public Welfare 50.00
and that the Secretary of the Board of Public Welfare shall receive no salary.
Article 6. 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 by Departments Recommended by Committee
Salaries or Personal Services
Other Expenses $1,150:00
Personal Services $3,965.00
Other Expenses $1,150.00
Accounting Department
3,484.00
300.00
3,300.00
300.00
Treasury Department
2,587.25
870.00
2,455.25
870.00
Tax Collector's Department
4,047.50
1,500.00
3,300.00
1,500.00
Assessors' Department
6,803.80
333.20
6,366.80
333.20
Law Department
1,000.00
50.00
950.00
50.00
Town Clerk's Department
2,695.25
192.50
2,563.25
192.50
Engineering Department
850.00
50.00
850.00
50.00
Planning Board
300.00
200.00
150.00
50.00
Election and Registration
1,800.00
965.00
1,800.00
965.00
Maintenance of Town House
860.80
1,630.00
800.00
1,630.00
Maintenance of Old High School (Portion used by Town Departments)
1,480.00
1,516.00
1,375.00
1,151.00
Maintenance of Town Hall
(Increased to cover roof repairs)
3,420.00
2,650.00
3,180.00
3,350.00
Police Department
37,716.55
5,925.00
35,435.00
5,800.00
Fire Department
43,243.47
7,645.00
38,700.00
7,645.00
Inspection of Buildings
159.00
10.00
159.00
10.00
Sealing Weights and Measures
1,505.00
467.65
1,400.00
400.00
Sealing Weights and Measures
1941 bill in excess of appropriation (Requires a four-fifths vote)
14.50
14.50
Moth Suppression
1,490.00
4,535.00
1,400.00
4,367.50
Tree Warden's Department
745.00
2,553.00
680.00
2,420.00
Forest Warden's Department
2,579.50
2,295.00
1,000.00
1,095.00
Salaries or
Selectmen's Department
$4,131.00
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Recommended by Departments Recommended by Committee
Salaries or Personal Services
Other .. Expenses
Salaries or Personal Services
Other
Expenses
Forest Warden's Department, for Forest Fire Payrolls
Inland Fisheries
Plymouth County Hospital Maintenance
12,670,30
12,670.30
Health Department
5,867.25
14,746,00
5,580.00
13,464.00
Health Department, Garbage Collection
475.15
8.046.00
442,00
8,000.00
Inspector of Animals
338.75
312.50
Public Sanitaries
2.236.32
300,00
2,135.00
300,00
Sewers
4,624,00
4.300,00
Street Cleaning
5,936,00
4,775,00
Roads and Bridges
5,896.10
39,344,34
5,360,00
36,500 00
Joint Maintenance on Highways in conjunction with State and County-One Third ..
5.000.00
5,000.00
Highway Construction and Reconstruction
20,200.00
18,700,00
Hard-Surfacing Streets
5,624.00
5,000.00
Sidewalks
5,780,00
5.000.00
Granolithic Sidewalks and Curbing
2,000.00
1,000.00
Snow and Ice Removal
6,000.00
5,500.00
Street Sprinkling
1,000,00
1,000.00
Street Lighting
20,000.00
20,000,00
Traffic Lights
300.00
300,00
Harbor Master
492.45
458.45
Public Welfare Department
8,445.75
59,050.00
7,645.50
51.250.00
Aid to Dependent Children
29,000,00
25,000.00
Old Age Assistance
1,384,92
97,000.00
1,028,92
95,000.00
Soldiers' Benefits
427.50
15,000.00
397.50
15,000.00
.
..
..........
..
..
...
.....
..
..
..
..
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..
1,800.00 300.00
1,800.00 300.00
..
Recommended by Departments Recommended by Committee
Salaries or Personal Services 196,350.00
Other Expenses 54,715.00 6,123.00
Personal Services 183,850.00 4,500.00
Other Expenses 51,000.00 5,000.00
Park Department
5,287.00
Pensions for Town Laborers
1,696.00
1,696.00
Insurance of Town Property
3,900.00
3,900.00
Contributory Retirement System:
Pension Fund
17,891.69
17,891.69
Expense Fund
Sexton
215.00
200.00
Miscellaneous Account
460.00
2,205.00
460.00
2.205 00
Water Department Maintenance
14,200.00
13,506.00
12,800.00
13,000.00
Water Department Construction
3,000.00
3,000.00
Town Wharf Maintenance
940.50
100.00
874.50
100.00
Town Forest Maintenance
201.25
822.50
175.00
775.00
Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemetery
2,700.00
9,800.00
2,164.00
8,000.00
Burial Hill Cemetery
2,000.00
1,800.00
Chiltonville, Manomet, Cedarville and South Pond Ceme- teries
1,000.00
850.00
Town Debt and Interest
........
...
35,750.00
35,750 00
$368,512.06
$539,783.99
$339,908.67
$506,873.00
Total, Article 6
$908,296.05
$846,781.67
...
... ...
.
..
..
..
..
..
398.31
399.51
... ...
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Salaries or
School Department
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SPECIAL ARTICLES
Requested
Recommended
7. Plymouth Public Library
$9,350.00*
$8,850.00
8. Loring Library
3,140.00
3,000.00
9. Manomet Library
1,000.00
1,000.00
10. Memorial Day
400.00
11. Armistice Day
12. July Fourth
13. Old Home Day
14. Mosquito Control Works
500.00
500.00
15. Shellfish Cultivation, Propagation and
1,575.00
1,475.00
16. District Nurses
17. County Aid to Agriculture
18. Samoset Street, Chapter 90
15,000.00
19. Civilian Defense
17,500.00
16,500.00
20. Unemployment Relief, W. P. A. and Commodity Rationing
30,000.00
11,000.00
15,000.00*
15,000.00
21. Reserve Account
(Also usual transfer of $5,000 from
Reserve from Overlayings of Taxes)
22. Conventions, etc. (37) Sect. 5, Chap. 40, G. L.
150.00
150.00
24. Spanish War Veterans' Convention
1,500.00
25. Assessors' Plans
1,200.00
26. Additional Police Officer
1,386.00
27. Triple Combination Fire Truck to re- place truck purchased in 1916
7,000.00
7,000.00
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