USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dighton > Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1956 > Part 2
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ANNUAL REPORT
(17) VOTED: On motion of Peter Tuttle that the Town ap- propriate and transfer from the Surplus Revenue Account $1,750. for the purpose of defraying costs of making necessary repairs to the High School Building.
(18) VOTED: On motion of Peter Tuttle that the Town ap- propriate and transfer from the Surplus Revenue Account to an Elementary School Drainage Account $300.00 to defray costs of surveying and making plans for the construction of suitable drainage facilities on the Elementary School grounds and that the Moderator appoint a committee of five (5) citizens to supervise the project and that they report the results of the survey at the adjourned Town Meeting.
The moderator named the committee as follows: Chair- man of Selectmen; Chairman of School Committee; Superin- tendent of Schools; Mr. John Farrar, Director of Bristol County Agricultural School; and Mr. Earl Varley.
(19) VOTED: On motion of Charles Harris that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $250. 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 provisions of Chapter 112, Acts of 1931.
(20) VOTED: On motion of William Benevides that the Town, as provided under Section 15A, Chapter 40, General Laws, establish as a public playground to be under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen, that section of Town-owned land formerly used for school purposes, located on School Lane and described in a lay-out as filed with the Town Clerk.
(21) VOTED: On motion of Charles Harris that the Town authorize the Selectmen, the Town Treasurer, and the Town Historian to acquire a suitable parcel of land surrounding the historical "Council Oak" located in the Dighton Nursery, per- petuate the site as a "historical landmark" by proclamation upon acquisition of such lawful instrument as may be required and apply any legal charges thereon to the Town Historical Account provided that such acquisition is in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 79, General Laws.
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ANNUAL REPORT
(22) VOTED: On motion of Clayton Atwood that Article 22 be tabled. (Unanimous)
(23) VOTED: On motion of Milton Horton that the Town appropriate and transfer the sum of $261.62 from the 1955 State Census Account to the Town Cemetery Account.
(26) Report of the School Needs Committee was given by Walter H. Candelet, Chairman as follows:
"Following a study of the school housing needs of the Town of Dighton, a report was given, containing recom- mendations of courses to pursue in an effort to alleviate the classroom shortage, and at the same time to give the pupils the best educational facilities at the lowest possible cost.
"As a result of these recommendations, and by vote of the Town, a Regional School Planning Committee was ap- pointed by the moderator for the purpose of conferring with nearby towns in an effort to establish a region of suitable size and within a certain range of mileage.
"The Regional School Planning Committee entered into a series of discussions with a combination of towns which included Berkley, Freetown, Lakeville, Rochester and Carver. These meetings were carried on until it appeared that the final location of such a school would be in or near the East Freetown-Rochester line. The mileage to be travelled was considered as much too far, and talks with those towns were stopped.
"We, as a committee, then advised our Regional School Planning Committee to contact the town of Rehoboth School Committee, with the idea of establishing a Region- al School District including the two towns. As a result of this contact, voters of the Town of Rehoboth, estab- lished a Regional School Planning Committee, and meet- ings between the two committees have progressed at a rapid pace, with results most satisfactory, and in line with the recommendations of the Dighton School Needs Study Committee.
(Signed) WALTER H. CANDELET, Chairman."
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ANNUAL REPORT
VOTED: On motion of Peter Tuttle that the report of the School Needs Committee be accepted as a report of progress. (27) Report of the Regional School District Planning Commit- tee was given by Walter H. Candelet as follows:
"By vote of the townspeople of Dighton, a Regional School Planning Committee was created, and the moderator ap- pointed a committee of three as required by law. Meet- ings were immediately started with a combination of towns, namely: Berkley, Freetown, Lakeville, Rochester and Carver. At the same time we were conferring with the Towns of Berkley and Freetown in a move to center the district within reasonable mileage for each of the three towns.
"When it became apparent that the Freetown committee favored the five town district, which would place the pro- posed school at the Freetown-Rochester line, we were notified of their choice, and shortly thereafter we were informed by the committee from Berkley that in view of their critical school situation and financial conditions, they would have to join the district of Freetown-Lake- ville-Rochester and Carver. This left us in the position of having to solve our problems alone, which could be very costly to the town from a financial and educational stand- point.
"The School committee of Rehoboth was contacted and in time the voters of that town created a Regional Plan- ning Committee. At an organization meeting of the joint Dighton-Rehoboth Committee, W. H. Candelet of Dighton was elected chairman and Mrs. D. Lee Johnson of Rehoboth was elected as secretary.
"While each town had its own school housing problems, they were each on a different level of pupil education. After many evenings and hours of meetings a course was chosen, which we, as a committee, feel would be to the best interests of the taxpayers financially, and to our pupils educationally. We have made great progress to the point where a tentative agreement has been drawn up and a tentative site has been selected. The agreement
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ANNUAL REPORT
at present is being checked by a representative of the Massachusetts School Assistance Commission before being mimeographed. The tentative site as selected, we believe, is in both towns, and is high, dry, and free of dwellings or buildings of any kind.
"The course selected by the committee is a six year, junior- senior high school, with facilities for a Vocational divi- sion. If the school could be planned, built, and equipped within the next three and one-half years, we would have an opening enrollment of 950 pupils. Because of the increasing school population, we should build a school large enough to take 1200 pupils.
"In a school of this size we could have a much more varied number of subjects which are not economically feasible under our present school conditions. We could have a considerably expanded vocational department to cover other types of trade, in addition to the auto and carpentry shops we now have, and the added space would enable them to operate safely. Our present instructors have done remarkably well in maintaining safety under the present conditions. An industrial arts program could be developed, which we do not have in our present setup.
"We have tried to think ahead to a period 10 to 15 years from now, and we believe that any additions and altera- tions that could be done at this time, would then be insufficient as far as our high school goes. We would then have to start from scratch, with the possibility of no financial help from the Massachusetts School Assistance Commission because, as of the present date, they are due to expire in 1958. This could be a heavy blow to our town financially. At the present time we would receive from them approximately 42% as an individual town seeking help. As a member of a Regional District, we would receive 100% of our planning and engineering costs, 65% of all other building and equipment costs, 100% of all pupil transportation costs, and in addition would receive 15% more general school aid, which under our present enrollment, would amount to between $5,000. to $6,000. per year.
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ANNUAL REPORT
"The method settled upon for determining the amount to be paid by each town for Capital expense was by averag- ing the equalized valuation, plus the pupil enrollment of each town, which would amount to approximately 471/2% for Dighton and 521/2% for Rehoboth. The maintenance or yearly budget costs would be based strictly on a per pupil enrollment basis, thereby protecting each town from the possibility of any sudden increase in pupil enrollment due to a building boom in the other town. It might be well to point out at this time, that once this region is established, neither town could withdraw, without paying its full share of the bonded indebtedness.
(Signed) WALTER H. CANDELET, Chairman."
VOTED: On motion of Charles Day that the report of the Regional School District Planning Committee be accepted as a report of progress.
(28) VOTED: On motion of Charles Harris that the town instruct the Town Finance Committee to study the Town's Financial Needs of Capital Outlay for the next five (5) year period and to report their findings to the next annual Town Meeting.
VOTED: On motion of Harold Woodward that the meet- ing adjourn until May 7, 1956 at 7:30 P. M. at the High School.
Meeting adjourned at 10:30 P. M.
On April 24, 1956 the regular Presidential Primary was held. Forty-three Republican votes and sixteen Democratic votes were cast.
The adjourned Town Meeting was called to order by the moderator, Stafford Hambly, at 7:30 P. M. He declared the adjourned Town Meeting recessed to take up the special Town Meeting according to the warrant of April 27, 1956.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The special Town Meeting was called to order at 7:35 P. M. and the warrant was read by the moderator.
(1) The report of the Finance Committee on the Town Needs for Capital Outlay was given by Charles W. Harris, Chairman. He explained that some of the needs to be faced within the next five years were: the acquisition of a supply of gravel on Brook St., the Segreganset River Bridge on Elm Street, the bridge on Elm Street at Muddy Cove Brook, a new fire truck for the fire department, the problem of drainage in North Dighton, the woodworking shop and automotive shop at the High School, and a Town owned garage.
On motion of Clayton Atwood it was voted to accept the report of the Finance Committee as one of progress and to instruct the committee to continue their survey of the five- year plan.
(2) The following motion made by Clayton Atwood was de- feated by a written vote of 123 against and 87 in favor: That the Town vote to purchase from Mr. George Collis the building and land on Briggs Street as described in a proposal on file with the Town Clerk and authorize the Board of Selectmen to establish and maintain the same as a Town Garage for the housing and maintenance of Town owned vehicles and equip- ment.
(3) & (4) VOTED: On motion made by Clayton Atwood that Articles 3 and 4 be tabled.
(5) VOTED: On motion of Earle Smith that the Town ap- propriate and transfer $5,000. from the Surplus Revenue Account to the Machinery Account for the purpose of purchas- ing a 1956 Dump Truck and attachments.
(6) VOTED: On motion of Clayton Atwood to table Article 7.
(8) VOTED: On motion of George Phillips that the Town authorize the Dighton Planning Board to join the Regional Planning District as provided under Chapter 40B, General Laws.
VOTED: On motion of Clayton Atwood that the Special Town Meeting be adjourned at 9:27.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The Moderator then called to order the adjourned Annual Town Meeting.
VOTED: On motion of Earle Smith to reconsider Article 6.
VOTED: On motion of Clayton Atwood to consider Item 14-Street Department.
VOTED: On motion of Clayton Atwood that the Town appropriate and transfer $3000. from the Surplus Revenue Account to the Street Department Account.
VOTED: On motion of William Benevides to reconsider Article 18.
The report of the Elementary School Drainage Commit- tee was given by Lawrence Mendoza as follows: "The com- mittee has met on five occasions since the Annual Town Meet- ing. Mr. Israel Almy, Elementary School Architect of Somer- set, was retained by the Committee to draw plans in the Town's behalf. Mr. William Andrews, a local citizen and a U. S. Soil Conservation Agent, and Mr. Seth V. Freeman, Dept. of Public Works Area engineer, were engaged as con- sultants to advise and aid the committee in layout and prepara- tion of the system.
"Final Plans have been unanimously approved by the com- mittee and consist of the following general provisions :
"225 sq. yds. of bituminous concrete
650 lin. ft. bituminous curbing
8 manholes and catch basins
2100 ft. of 10 - 15 in. concrete pipe
300 ft. of earth berm
260 ft. drainage trench
2 4x4x1 ft. head walls
1 12x6x1 ft. head wall
Necessary trench excavating
5000 sq. yds. fine grade and finish and a margin factor for ledge removal.
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ANNUAL REPORT
"The Committee estimates that the work can be completed within the summer months before the reopening of school.
"The estimated cost for the construction of the system has been established at $12,000.00.
"The Committee awaits the decision of the Town.
Respectfully submitted, ELEMENTARY DRAINAGE COMMITTEE
(Signed) CLAYTON H. ATWOOD, Chairman, Board of Selectmen LAWRENCE J. MENDOZA, Chairman of School Committee ROBERT T. ROY, Superintendent of Schools EARLE H. VARLEY JOHN B. FARRAR"
VOTED: On motion of Lawrence Mendoza that the Town vote to appropriate and transfer from the Surplus Revenue Account $12,000. to the Elementary School Drainage Account and authorize the Drainage Committee to contract for the construction of the system in accordance with the plans as presented. 102 voted. 59 in favor and 43 opposed.
Mr. Hambly submitted the following appointments to the Finance Committee of the Town of Dighton to serve until the final adjournment of 1957 Annual Town Meeting:
John Cambra, Main Street Elliot D. Cole, Pleasant Street Louis Constantine, County Street William L. Donle, Pine Street Milton F. Horton, Walker Street Herbert Holt, Andrews Street Gordon E. Spinney, Summer Street Voted to adjourn without date at 9:45.
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ANNUAL REPORT
On September 18, 1956 the State Primary Elections were held in the three precincts. The total votes by precincts were as follows :
A
B
C
Total
Democratic Party
52
41
122
215
Republican Party
71
65
38
174
Total votes cast
389
A Special Town Meeting was held at Town Hall on Mon- day, October 8, 1956 and was called to order at 8:00 P. M. by Stafford H. Hambly, moderator. Eighteen voters were present.
Mr. Hambly read the warrant for the meeting.
(1) VOTED: On motion of William Benevides that the Town appropriate and transfer $5,500.00 from the Surplus Revenue Account to Chapter 90, Spring Street Bridge Account, as the Town's share of widening the Bridge in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 90 construction plans.
(2) VOTED: On motion of Clayton Atwood that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to layout a part of Muddy Cove Lane in the Town of Dighton as a public way, crossing on a level with the tracks of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company, and to take by eminent domain for said purposes all as duly authorized by the Bristol County Commissioners and the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, a parcel of land described as follows: Beginning in the easterly line of State Highway Route 138, also known as County Street, at a point located N. 19° 42' 31" E. 34.52 feet from an angle point in said easterly line; thence by the northerly line of the proposed layout of Muddy Cove Road by the following two lines, southerly and easterly by a curve to the left having a radius of 30.00 feet and a length of 40.91 feet to the end of said curve; thence by another curve having a radius of 20.00 feet proceeding southeasterly and to the right about 59 feet to the easterly boundary line of land of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad; thence
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ANNUAL REPORT
by said easterly boundary line southwesterly about 31 feet to the southerly line of said proposed layout of Muddy Cove Road; thence by said southerly line by the following two lines, northwesterly and to the left by a curve having a radius of 19.70 feet a distance of about 59 feet to the end of said curve ; thence by another curve having a radius of 20.00 feet pro- ceeding westerly and southwesterly and to the left a distance of 35.01 feet to said County Street; thence by said County Street by the following two lines N. 21° 26' 28" E. 44.29 feet to an angle point; thence N. 19° 42' 31" E. 34.52 feet to the point of beginning.
(3) VOTED: On motion of Earle Smith that the Town ap- propriate and transfer $500.00 from the Surplus Revenue Account to the Street Department Account for the purposes of meeting expenses in connection with Muddy Cove Lane Crossing.
(4) VOTED: On motion of Clayton Atwood that the Town accept the layout as made by the Board of Selectmen of the "Council Oak" parcel and authorize the Town Treasurer to accept and record a grant and conveyance of same.
(5) VOTED: On motion of Earle Smith that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell to the highest bidder two gas stoves and one refrigerator as recommended by the Town Finance Committee.
Gordon Spinney reported that the Finance Committee recommended that the two gas stoves and one refrigerator be sold to the highest bidder and that the public be notified by advertisements in the two newspapers for two nights.
VOTED: To adjourn at 8:20 P. M.
The national and state elections were held on the sixth of November. Voting took place in the three precincts. Total votes by precincts were as follows: Precinct A, 648; precinct B, 414; precinct C, 535; total votes cast 1597.
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ANNUAL REPORT
A Special Town Meeting was held on Monday, December 10, 1956 at 7:30 P. M.
(1) The motion as follows was made by Walter Candelet and seconded by Wyman Hawkes: That the Town accept the provisions of Section sixteen to sixteen I, inclusive, of Chapter seventy-one of the General Laws providing for the establish- ment of a regional school district, together with the Town of Rehoboth, and the construction, maintenance and the operation of a regional school by the said district in accordance with the provisions of a proposed agreement filed with the Select- men.
After a lengthy discussion, the voting on the question was held at the polling place downstairs with a written ballot being used. Polls were closed at 10:00 P. M. and the results were declared as follows: A total of 534 votes were cast. Yes votes, 136; No votes, 396; blanks 2. The motion was not carried.
(2) VOTED: On motion of Earle Smith that the Town trans- fer $1,000.00 from the Old Age Assistance Account to the Street Department Account.
VOTED: On motion of Earle Smith to transfer $1,500.00 from the Old Age Assistance Account to the General Relief (Public Welfare) Account.
VOTED: On motion of Earle Smith to transfer $1,000.00 from the Disability Assistance Account to the Gravel Roads Account.
(3) VOTED: On motion of Clayton Atwood to appropriate and transfer $1,000.00 from the Machinery Fund to the Machinery Account for the maintenance of Town owned highway equipment.
(4) VOTED: On motion of William Benevides to transfer $1,700.00 from the Old Age Assistance Account to a Police Cruiser Account and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to purchase a 1957 motor vehicle suitable for police department requirements and to offer a 1954 Chevrolet Coupe as a trade value.
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ANNUAL REPORT
(5) VOTED: On motion of Earle Smith that the Town in- struct and authorize the Board of Selectmen to provide for the election at the next annual meeting of a playground commission to consist of three members elected for terms of one, two, and three years, to perform such duties as may be provided under the provisions of Section 14, Chapter 45 of the General Laws.
(6) VOTED: On motion of Earle Smith that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint a committee of elected Town Officials to study with them the needs and feasibility of revising the functions and duties of Town Officers and to make recommendations at the next annual meeting.
(7) VOTED: On motion of William Benevides that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint a committee to study with them the salaries and compensation of Town Officers and employees, other than the School Department, and to report their findings and recommendations at the next annual meeting.
(8) VOTED: On motion of Robert Roy that the Town create a special unpaid committee to be known as a Regional School District Planning Committee, to consist of three members, including one member of the School Committee, to be ap- pointed by the Moderator in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of Chapter 71 of the General Laws, as amended. A motion to table the above motion had previously been de- feated by a two-thirds majority.
(9) VOTED: On motion of Earle Smith that the Town give authority to the Board of Selectmen to appoint a Town Office Committee with instructions to study the needs for all Town Offices and to report their findings at the next annual meeting. (10) Defeated by a two-thirds majority; Motion to table Article X.
DEFEATED: On motion of Clayton Atwood that the Town vote to purchase the building and land on Briggs Street as described in a proposal on file with the Town Clerk and
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ANNUAL REPORT
authorize the Board of Selectmen to establish and maintain the same as a Town Garage for the housing and maintenance of Town owned vehicles and equipment and to provide suitable and necessary facilities for Civilian Defense and Ground Ob- servor Corps activity.
VOTED: To adjourn at 11:20 P. M.
Attest :
PERCY B. SIMMONS, Town Clerk
THE FOLLOWING LICENSES WERE ISSUED DURING 1956
The following licenses were issued during 1956: All Al- coholic Club License (1), All Alcoholic Restaurant License (2), All Alcoholic Package Store License (2), Automobile Dealers' License (4), Cabin License (3), Common Victuallers' License (13), Denatured Alcohol License (5), Entertainment License (1), Firearms License (3), Garbage Permit (1), Gasoline Per- mit (2), Ice Cream Manufacturer (1), Junk Collector (6), Lord's Day (14), Milk License-Stores (13), Milk License- Vehicle (8), Oleomargarine License (7), Oyster Bed Privileges (1), Sausage Manufacturer's License (1), Open Road Permit (1), Moving Permit (1), Skeet Shoot Permit (1), Sign Permit (1), Building Permits-Alteration (16), Building Permits- New Construction (31), Wine and Malt Beverages (1), Tem- porary Wine and Malt Beverages (4), and a dog racing meeting license was issued to the Taunton Greyhound Assoc., Inc., beginning August 31, 1956 to October 27, 1956.
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ANNUAL REPORT
BIRTHS REGISTERED IN DIGHTON DURING 1956
Date Name JANUARY 3 Deborah Ann Rabbitt 8 Susan Diane Chamberlain Deslauriers
8
18 Beth Elaine Babbitt
22 Catherine Frances Laine
26 Deirdre Jane Goulart
30 Susan Ann Rose
Parents
John D. & Mary C. Martin Rabbitt Elmer A. & Harriet Poor Chamberlain Leo J. & Julia Perry Deslauriers Richard E. & Verna White Babbitt Leo R. & Joan Reynolds Laine Edward F. & Doris Dionne Goulart Anthony G. & Margaret Lewis Rose
FEBRUARY
3 George Richard Swisher
5 Debra Jean Amaral
7 Mark Steven Quackenbush
8 Susan Lelia Duffy
12 Virginia Ann Ross
22 Stephen Allen Perry
22 Jane Frances Haggstrom
27 James Kenneth Sammons
Arlyn W. & Emily Tavares Swisher Francis & Margaret Thompson Amaral Gerald & Evelyn May Quackenbush Leo A. & Florence Sousa Duffy Norman A. & Rosemarie Menard Ross Hannibal J. & Evelyn Arruda Perry Walter R. & Frances Wyatt
Haggstrom
James A. & Lorrayne J. Sylvia Sammons
MARCH
21
7 William John Mendoza Georgia Marie Bump
23 Robert Baxter Dermody
23 June Marie Burden
William J. & Evelyn Dupere Mendoza George D. & Lolamarie Townsend Bump
Richard J. & Ethel Baxter-Green Dermody
William H. & Norma E. Crawford Burden
23 Robert Kenneth CummingsKenneth & Rose Marie Goulart Cummings
APRIL
7 William Joseph Kelley
11 Robert Morris Brown
Thomas & Elnora Crowninshield Kelley Robert & Marybelle Stonely Brown
MAY
3 Patricia Ann Vaz
10 Stephen Wayne Rose
17 Roberta Rose Hagopian
18 Alan Charles Souza
20 Cynthia Jean Phillips
27 Sean Michael Kearney
Arthur & Emily Perry Vaz George & Mae Jones Rose
Harry & Aza Parsekian Hagopian Frank & Josephine Souza Souza David & Norma Davis Phillips John & Sheila Sullivan Kearney
JUNE
13
1 Robert Windsor Tinkham Lynn Frances Barry
Robert & Ann Neven Tinkham Ralph David & Cynthia Coe Barry
JULY
1 James Edward Cabral
3 Laurie Jo Ashcroft
Charles & Nancy Wickham Cabral William & Barbara Horton Ashcroft
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ANNUAL REPORT
3 Donna Marie Rivet
14 Milton Eugene Ashley
18 Donald Silvia
Richard & Theresa Torres Rivet Lewis & Dora Jacques Ashley Alvin & Beatrice Gracia Silvia
23 Kenneth Raymond Harwood Raymond & Edith Williams Harwood 24 Arthur Phillip Correia 24 Carl Fredrick Hayward Arthur & Catherine Taylor Correia Leonard, Jr. & Eleanor Casey Hayward 28 Jonathan Samuel Fain Richard & Natalie Chamberlain Fain 31 Jane Ann Lopes Benjamin & Marilyn Peirce Lopes
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