Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1960, Part 2

Author: Dighton (Mass. : Town)
Publication date: 1960
Publisher: Dighton (Mass. : Town)
Number of Pages: 166


USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dighton > Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1960 > Part 2


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VOTED: On motion made by Clayton Atwood that the town raise and appropriate the sum of $2,850.00 for the Selectmen's Department. (The amount was reported by the Finance Committee as disapproved.)


(11) VOTED: On motion made by John Cambra that the salaries of the elected Town Officers as appropriated within the Departmental Accounts, be established for the year January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1960 as follows:


Board of Assessors:


Chairman


$700.00


Clerk


500.00


Others


600.00 each


Town Auditor


600.00


Board of Health :


Chairman


300.00


Others


200.00


Board of Public Welfare:


Chairman


400.00


Others


300.00


Board of Selectmen :


Chairman


1,200.00


Others


600.00


Moderator


20.00


School Committee Secretary


25.00


Town Clerk


700.00


Town Collector


1,900.00


Town Treasurer


1,200.00


Tree Warden


35.00


(12) VOTED: On motion made by Earle Smith that the Town appropriate and transfer the sum of $5,000.00 from the Reserve Fund (Overlay Surplus) to Reserve Account Ap-


-


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ANNUAL REPORT


propriated in accordance with Chapter 40, Section 6, General Laws.


(13) VOTED: On motion of Lois Staples that the Town ap- propriate and transfer the Dog Tax Refund in the amount of $519.80 to the Public Library Account.


(14) VOTED: On motion made by Francis Torres that the Town raise and appropriate $250.00 for the purpose of main- taining for 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.


(15) VOTED: On motion of Clayton Atwood that the Town appropriate and transfer $4,500.00 from Surplus Revenue to Chapter 90 Highway Construction to continue the Elm St. project.


(16) VOTED: On motion of Clayton Atwood that the Town authorize the transfer of unappropriated available funds in the Treasury in the sum of $30,650.00 to Highway Revenue in anticipation of reimbursement from the State and County for Chapter 81 and Chapter 90 Highway Maintenance and Construction.


(17) VOTED: On motion made by Clayton Atwood that the Town appropriate and transfer $20,000.00 from Surplus Revenue to the Gravel Roads Account for the purpose of gravelling and improving Town roads.


(18) VOTED: On motion made by John Cambra that the Town authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipa- tion of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1960, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year,in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.


(19) VOTED: On motion of John Cambra that the Town authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the


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ANNUAL REPORT


Selectmen, to sell at public auction or private sale, all proper- ties which the town has legally acquired by Tax Title.


(20) VOTED: On motion of John Cambra that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen, subject to the approval of the Finance Committee to dispose of used materials returned to them, by sale at public auction.


(21) VOTED: On motion of Clayton Atwood that the Town make changes in grade, take land by purchase or eminant domain, and to settle damages for land taken in conjunction with the 1960 Highway Program under Chapter 81 and Chapter 90.


(22) The report of the Town Office Committee was given by Clayton Atwood as follows:


TOWN OFFICE COMMITTEE REPORT


On October 29, 1934, the Town established the present Town Offices by virtue of a vote to raise $100,000.00 to con- struct a Junior-Senior High School and Town Offices.


Since that time several Town Office Committees have been voted authority by the Town to study and report upon expansion needs as well as one whereby a new building ad- jacent to the school was considered.


This present Town Office Committee was established by Town Meeting vote on December 10, 1956. Annual reports have been submitted, the text of which has been "delay" to await the Town's decision relative to the School Needs Program.


The Town's action and decision to join Rehoboth in a Regional District makes available space adjacent to the present Town Offices. The Committee has been meeting on frequent occasions and many, many ideas have been pre- sented and considered.


It is now the will of the Committee that the following be proposed :


1. The present Town Office area be expanded to include class room No. 17 and the principal's office.


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ANNUAL REPORT


2. Class room No. 17 be divided by a suitable partition to create two separate office rooms-one for the Board of Assessors and the other for purposes of hearings, Planning Board, Finance Committee, Water District and such other Board and Committee meetings which may be necessary.


3. The principal's office be assigned to the Police Depart- ment and also to be used as a conference and con- sultation room as required by any agency of local government.


4. A complete repair program of the Town office area be established to include painting of ceiling, walls, re- finishing woodwork and floors and replacement of damaged walls.


5. Installation of a doorway between the Selectmen's office and the principal's office to allow inter-office passage for convenience of personnel.


6. Construction of suitable shelves, files and cabinets on or in the wall dividing the hearing room and new Assessors' office.


7. Recommend an appropriation of $2500.00 to supple- ment the balance on hand to make the proposed changes and repairs.


8. Recommend that the work commence upon the end of the school year and be completed by the beginning of the new school year.


9. Recommend that the Selectmen, Assessors and the Town Clerk be authorized to arrange for the necessary repairs and renovations.


Respectfully submitted,


Clayton H. Atwood


Harold M. Mendoza


William F. Benevides


Francis J. Torres Selectmen


Howell S. Carr Leo T. Pivirotto Assessors


Percy B. Simmons, Town Clerk Harry Hagopian, Chairman School Committee


Stafford H. Hambly, Auditor


Robert T. Roy, Superintendent of Schools"


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ANNUAL REPORT


VOTED: On motion made by Francis Torres that the Town accept the report of the Town Office Committee and the committee be dissolved.


(23) VOTED: On motion made by William Benevides that the Town vote in include in the Town Office area, class room number 17 and the High School principal's office as proposed and recommended by the Town Office Committee.


(24) VOTED: On motion made by William Benevides that the Town vote to raise and appropriate $2,500.00 for the purpose of defraying costs of making necessary repairs, renovations and improvements to the Town Offices and that the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Assessors and the Town Clerk be authorized to contract for same.


(25) VOTED: On motion made by Percy B. Simmons that the Town vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint a Town Accountant as provided under Section 55, Chapter 41, General Laws, and that the office of Town Auditor be abolished upon completition of the present term.


(26) VOTED: On motion made by Clayton Atwood that the Town vote to raise and appropriate $1,200.00 to defray costs of compensation and expenses of the Town Accountant from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, 1960.


(27) VOTED: UNANIMOUSLY : On motion made by Harold Sherrington that Article 27 be tabled.


(28) VOTED: On motion made by Clayton Atwood that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $275.00 to maintain the Civic Center.


(29) VOTED: On motion made by Clayton Atwood that the Town postpone action on Article 29 and refer it to a com- mittee under Article 45.


(30) VOTED: On motion made by Francis Torres that the town raise and appropriate $1,000.00 for Veterans' Memorial Hall Maintenance.


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ANNUAL REPORT


(31) VOTED: UNANIMOUSLY: On motion made by Clay- ton Atwood that Article 31 be tabled.


(32) NOT PASSED: Motion made by Clayton Atwood that the Town vote to approve of the schedule of rates as adopted by the Board of Health in accordance with the recommenda- tion of the Town Ambulance Committee, for services rendered and privilege of use of the Town owned ambulance, and to authorize the assessment and collection of said service charges.


(33) VOTED: On motion made by Harry Willis that the Town vote to appropriate $28,000.00 for the purpose of con- structing a building on Town owned property on Main St. to house fire apparatus and emergency equipment and to serve the needs of the community for civic assembly, and to meet said appropriation, $10,000.00 be transferred from Sur- plus Revenue, and $18,000.00 be transferred from Overlay Surplus, and the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, the Chief of the Fire Department, Deputy Chiefs of the North and South Station, Arthur Staples and Joseph W. Bleau be authorized as a Building Committee to contract for and complete said construction in accordance with existing statute.


(34) VOTED: On motion made by Clayton Atwood that the Town postpone action on Article 34 and refer it to a com- mittee under Article 45.


(35) The report of the House Numbering Committee was given by Clayton Atwood as follows:


"HOUSE NUMBERING REPORT


The Board of Selectmen appointed six citizens,-two members of the Planning Board and four members of the Dighton Fire Department-to serve with them as a House Numbering Committee within the year 1959. The purpose of the Committee was to pursue and study the Town's needs of a house numbering program and to formulate recommenda- tions to be presented at the Town Meeting.


24


ANNUAL REPORT


Whereas the Planning Board had previously been considering a numbering system, the Committee delegated authority to them to obtain estimates and proposals whereby the Town could consider adoption of a program.


The Planning Board has therefore obtained and sub- mitted to the Selectmen an estimate of $3,500 for the costs of obtaining a professional and qualified consultant to es- tablish a suitable and workable program.


Respectfully submitted,


Clayton H. Atwood


William F. Benevides


Francis J. Torres Selectmen


Thomas C. Sherman J. Gerald Fleming Joseph T. White Fire Department"


Richard E. Babbitt Milton F. Horton Planning Board


VOTED: On motion made by William Benevides that the report of the House Numbering Committee be accepted and the committee be discharged.


(36) VOTED: On motion of Milton Horton that the Town raise and appropriate $3,500.00 to defray costs of installing a house numbering and renumbering system and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to contract for such system, as the Selectmen, the Dighton Planning Board, and Planning Con- sultants working jointly may deem necessary and to provide for the manner of operation.


(37) VOTED: On motion made by John Cambra that the Town vote to raise and appropriate $500.00 to defray costs of revising and compiling Town By-Laws and to authorize the Town Clerk to engage legal counsel in completing same.


(38) VOTED: On motion made by John Cambra that the Town vote to raise and appropriate $100.00 to be used for the necessary expenses of the Town's 250th Anniversary Committee.


(39) VOTED: On motion made by Francis Torres that the Town vote to appropriate and transfer $1,000.00 from Sur-


25


ANNUAL REPORT


plus Revenue for the purpose of obtaining an engineering study of the Town's sewerage needs and to authorize the Board of Health to obtain same.


(40) VOTED: On motion made by Clayton Atwood that the Town vote to accept a proposed layout of Elm St. as shown on a plan on file with the Town Clerk and to authorize and accept a proposed taking by eminent domain or purchase, as provided by the General Laws of Massachusetts, by the Select- men of the Town of Dighton, for the purpose of constructing, altering, locating or repairing a highway in said Dighton, known as Elm Street, as shown on a plan of the proposed layout of Elm Street, entitled "Plan of Elm Street in the Town of Dighton, Bristol County, Scale: 40 feet to the inch- Leonard E. Curran & Associates, Civil Engineers, dated Feb. 24, 1960," said plan being on file with the Town Clerk, certain parcels of land in fee with all rights, easements, privileges and appurtenances thereto, including all fixtures, buildings, structures affixed thereto, and all trees, including shade trees, shrubs, and stone walls.


(41) The report of the Building Code Committee was given by Russell Varley as follows :


"REPORT OF CODE COMMITTEE


The Code Committee and Planning Board have met several times since the Special Town Meeting in August 1959.


Due to unforeseen circumstances, especially sickness, the Committee has not yet had a full attendance of its members. However, those present have made some progress but as this is a complex subject and requires considerable thought and detail it will require much more time and many more meetings to prepare a code for your consideration.


Therefore, at this time we can only make a report of progress, and ask for any discussion you wish to make on this subject.


Signers: Russell C. Varley, Arthur C. Staples, Milton Kossoi, Wilfred A. Rhines, Milton F. Horton"


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ANNUAL REPORT


VOTED: On motion made by Francis Torres that the Town vote to accept the report as a report of progress. (42) The report of the Revaluation Committee was given by Clayton Atwood as follows:


"REPORT OF REVALUATION COMMITTEE


At the 1959 Annual Town Meeting, the Town voted to establish a Revaluation Committee whose purpose was to study and report upon the Tax assessing methods and struc- ture of the Town. The Committee was voted to consist of representatives from all local governmental agencies, indus- try, public utilities and agriculture.


At the first meeting of this group, approximately 90% of the Committee was in attendance and heard Mr. Leslie M. Willard of the Massachusetts Tax Commissioner's Staff and Tax Consultant present the advantages of modern tax meth- ods. Subsequently, the Committee voted to engage Mr. Willard to conduct a professional appraisal of the Town's tax structure.


Mr. Willard has completed his study and submitted his report which is presented for the Town's study and considera- tion. The data referred to as the ratio study is purposely omitted because of its length and detail. The ratio summary is as follows:


Thirty four per cent is the mean ratio of local assessors' values to stamp transfer values over a four year period. The range shows a high of 19 above and 13 below the mean, and an average of less than five above and below the mean.


To the Assessors and Town Officials who are close to the tax structure and financial function of the Town, the report is most interesting and should be to the township also.


'REPORT October 1, 1959


'The assessors' alphabetical card index by property owners is very good, but I would recommend a card for each parcel of real estate as required for assessments under our law and that the plan, page and lot indentifica- tion be placed on each card so that a plan reference can be easily made.


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ANNUAL REPORT


The new plans should have placed upon them the dimensions and areas so that the pertinent information of each lot is readily available when referring to the plans. This would be invaluable in equalizing land values.


An index by streets of cards showing all dimensions and physical facts of value and construction of structures with details of land charactertics should be the major future improvement in your assessors' records. This in- formation may be obtained by a commercial firm under contract, local personnel under supervision of the assessors or local personnel under direction of a qualified appraiser- engineer.


The cost of such a program would equal eight dollars for each parcel surveyed if given out to contract.


Supervision of asseessors' work both now and in the future can be obtained by the Town voting for the State Assessment System under Chapter 58, Section 7A of the General Laws and the cost would be less than the annual state audit charge for the service.


The enclosed ratio study shows the need of additional information concerning the physical facts of value in regard to your assessed properties in order that better equalization may be established in your Town. You will note that the sales-ratio information indicates that your board of assessors are doing an excellent job with the facts available to them. Any assessment within plus or minus five percent of the mean percentage is considered good assessment. The fact that your assessments are grouped so closely to the percentage of market value used by the assessors indicates intelligent comparison of the properties in Dighton.


Under such a program as I recommend, the study of commercial, manufacturing and public utilities would have values determined by physical facts, use of proper- ty, classification, capitalization and comparison, so that they too would be equalized for assessment purposes.


An equalization program does not increase the actual taxes on such property as mentioned above. This has


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ANNUAL REPORT


been indicated in seventy such programs in the last ten years.


(Signed) Leslie M. Willard"


On February 17, 1960, the second and last meeting of the Committee was held with 100% of the appointed group in attendance. A lengthy discussion of the Willard report was held and an analysis of the overall tax structure was pre- sented by those in attendance. In view of the expressed attitude of all representatives of industry and the apparent prevailing equities of valuation existing as indicated by the Willard Report, it was the unanimous opinion of the committee that it would not be their will to advise or recommend to the Town a program of revaluation of properties at this time. Representatives of industry requested that at such time as the Town may vote to appropriate funds to acquire a revalu- ation, that all industrial properties be included in such a program.


Respectfully submitted by direction of the Committee


Clayton H. Atwood, Chairman, Board of Selectmen"


VOTED: On motion made by William Benevides that the report be accepted as a report of progress.


(43) VOTED: On motion made by Francis Torres that the Town authorize the Board of Registrars and the Town Clerk to study the feasibility of abolishing the Precinct form of voting.


(44) VOTED: On motion of Clayton Atwood that the Town vote to authorize the Town Clerk, Board of Selectmen, Board of Assessors, the Planning Board and all elected District Officers of the several districts, to study and pursue the feasibility of petition to the legislature for measures whereby the Town may consider the acceptance of the liabilities and functions of the various districts within the Town.


(45) VOTED: On motion made by Clayton Atwood that the assembly authorize the Selectmen to appoint a representative committee of the various civic groups of the Town to study, survey, and pursue the possibility of the best use of the three buildings-civic center, veterans' hall and the old fire station.


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ANNUAL REPORT


The Moderator appointed the Finance Committee for the year to be as follows: John Cambra, Main St .; Earle Smith, Williams St .; Gordon Spinney, Summer St .; Roger Perry, School St .; Osman Crotty, Lincoln Ave .; Kenneth H. Holmes, Horton St .; and Arthur C. Staples, Somerset Ave.


Meeting adjourned at 11:06 P. M.


On April 26, 1960, the regular Presidential Primary was held in the three Precincts. The total votes by precincts were as follows:


A


B


C


Total


Democratic Party


10


3


19


32


Republican Party


18


22


13


53


Total votes cast 85


A Special Town Meeting was held at Town Hall on August 17, 1960 and was called to order at 7:30 P. M. by Stafford H. Hambly, Moderator.


VOTED: To dispense with the reading of the warant.


(1) VOTED: On motion made by Clayton Atwood and seconded that the Town vote to accept a proposed layout of Horton Street as shown on a plan on file with the Town Clerk and to authorize and accept a proposed taking by eminent domain or purchase, as provided by the General Laws of Massachusetts, by the Selectmen of the Town of Dighton, for the purpose of constructing, altering, locating or repairing a highway in said Dighton, known as Horton Street, as shown on a plan of said proposed layout of Horton Street, entitled "Plan of Horton Street in the Town of Dighton, Bristol Coun- ty, Scale 40' to the inch-L. E. Curran & Associates, Civil Engineers, April 15, 1960," said plan being on file with the Town Clerk, certain parcels of land in fee with all rights,


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ANNUAL REPORT


easements, privileges, and appurtenances thereto, including all fixtures, buildings, structures affixed thereto, and all trees, including shade trees, fruit trees, shrubs and stone walls.


There was no other business and the meeting adjourned at 7:33 P. M.


On September 13, 1960 the State Primary Elections were held in the three precincts. The total votes by precincts were as follows :


A


B


C


Total


Democratic Party


124


70


192


386


Republican Party


54


33


16 103


Total votes cast


489


On November 8, 1960 the national and state elections were held in the three precincts. The total votes by precincts were as follows:


A


B


C


Total


717


474


559


Total votes cast


1750


A Special Town Meeting was held on November 16, 1960 at 7:30 P. M. and was called to order by Percy B. Simmons, Town Clerk. The warrant was read and motion requested for nomination of Moderator. Clayton Atwood was nominated and unanimously elected.


(1) The report of the Old Building Committee was given by Francis J. Torres as follows :


4


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ANNUAL REPORT


"REPORT OF OLD BULDING COMMITTEE


The Town Meeting authorized the Selectmen to appoint a committee representative of the several organizations using the facilities of Town owned buildings, to study and consider the best usage and possible disposition of the Veterans' Memorial Hall, the Civic Center and the South Fire Station.


The first meeting of the committee was called on May 11, 1960 with nineteen persons in attendance. It was re- solved to await a reply from the commissioners of the Dighton Water District relative to their consideration of possible usage of the South Station.


The Committee voted to table any further consideration of the Civic Center as a meeting place of the Girl Scout organi- zation, inasmuch that the Girl Scout officials are quite content with the prevailing circumstances.


The Committee further resolved to await the results of a meeting of parties interested in establishing a Youth Pro- gram to be centered around Vets. Memorial Hall. Con- siderable interests appeared to prevail in support of a com- munity sponsorship.


The second meeting of the Committee was held on Oct. 26, 1960 in the Town Offices, with nine in attendance. It was resolved, after hearing it reported that the Water District cannot consider the usage of the Old South Station, to offer the building for salvage purposes to benefit the Dighton Fire- men's Association, and in the event of not accepting the offer, that the Committee recommend to the Town Meeting, the sale at public auction, otherwise authorize the Selectmen to demolish in a manner to be in the best interest of the Town.


Respectfully submitted in behalf of the Committee,


Clayton H. Atwood, Chairman, Board of Selectmen


VOTED : On motion made by William Benevides that the report be accepted as a report of progress, and that the Town act upon the Committee recommendation to dispose of the old South Station under Article 2.


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ANNUAL REPORT


(2) VOTED: On motion made by Francis J. Torres that the Town vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, subject to the approval of the Board of Selectmen to sell at public auction, the building located on Main Street, formerly used as the South Fire Station, and in the event of failure of a satisfactory sale, to authorize the Board of Selectmen to demolish said building in such manner as would most benefit the Town.


(3) VOTED: On motion made by William Benevides that the Town vote to appropriate and transfer from Surplus Revenue $403.75 for the purpose of defraying interest charges on an anticipation of Revenue Loan.


(4) VOTED: On motion made by Francis Torres that the Town vote to appropriate and authorize the transfer of $165.00 of funds in the Treasury as received for burglary indemnifica- tion, to the Town Office Account.


(5) VOTED: On motion made by William Benevides that the Town vote to appropriate and transfer from Surplus Revenue $1,298.00 for the purpose of defraying costs of replacement of the Town safe in the Treasurer's Office.


Meeting adjourned at 7:45 P. M.


ATTEST:


PERCY B. SIMMONS, Town Clerk


DOGS LICENSED IN 1960


Males


279


Females


27


Spayed Females


100


Kennels


6


Total


412


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ANNUAL REPORT


BIRTHS REGISTERED IN THE TOWN OF DIGHTON DURING 1960


Month Name JANUARY 5 Barbara Jean Smith


9 Katherine Jean Silva


22 Cheryl Ann Corey


26 Robin Ann Botelho


31 Judith Lynne Swauger


FEBRUARY


8 Paula Ann Rasmussen


8 Owen George Rebello


10 Cathy Jean Vincent


14 Michael Peter Hoffshire


16 Robert Silvia


22 Ronald Richard Corey


27 Lee Thayer Henry


Parents


Thomas Francis & Dorothy Mary Dugan Smith


William Lawrence & Carolyn Jean Pabst Silva


Alfred A. & Alice Correia Corey Louis Everett & Lillian Carpenter Botelho




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