USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Lenox > Town annual report of the town of Lenox, Massachusetts > Part 2
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Approved by the Planning Board.
Article 42. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from Surplus Revenue the sum of $5,100.00 for construction of Orchard Street, provided Article 41 is voted in the affirmative.
Not approved by the Planning Board.
Not approved by the Finance Committee.
Article 43. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a Town Way a certain Private Way called Lawton Avenue, in Lenox Dale, as laid out by the Selectmen of Lenox and which said laying out together with boundaries and measurements of said way has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk of Lenox.
Approved by the Planning Board.
17
Article 44. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from Surplus Revenue, the sum of $5,200.00 for construction of Lawton Avenue, Lenox Dale, from Crystal Street to School Street, provided Article 43 is voted in the affirmative.
Approved by the Planning Board.
Approved by the Finance Committee through taxation.
Article 45. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from Surplus Revenue the sum of $2,900.00 for construction of Lawton Avenue, Lenox Dale, from School Street westerly to end of layout provided Article 43 is voted in the affirmative.
Not approved by the Planning Board.
Not approved by the Finance Committee.
Article 46. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a Town Way a certain Private Way called May Street in North Lenox as laid out by the Selectmen of Lenox, and which said laying out together with boundaries and measurements of said way has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk of Lenox.
Approved by the Planning Board.
Article 47. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from Surplus Revenue the sum of $1,300.00 for the construction of May Street in North Lenox, provided Article 46 is voted in the affirmative.
Not approved by the Planning Board.
Not approved by the Finance Committee.
Article 48. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a Town Way a certain Private Way called Jennifer Street in North Lenox as laid out by the Selectmen of Lenox and which said laying out together with boundaries and measurements of said way has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk of Lenox.
Approved by the Planning Board.
Article 49. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from Surplus Revenue the sum of $1,300.00 for construction of Jennifer Street in North Lenox provided Article 48 is voted in the affirmative.
Not approved by the Planning Board.
Not approved by the Finance Committee.
Article 50. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a Town Way a certain Private Way called Bolton Drive as laid out by the Selectmen of Lenox and which said laying out and measurements of said way has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk of Lenox.
Approved by the Planning Board.
18
Article 51. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a Town Way a certain Private Way called Post Road as laid out by the Selectmen of Lenox and which said laying out together with boundaries and measurements of said way has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk of Lenox.
Approved by the Planning Board.
Article 52. To see if the Town will vote to re-open Road known as Willow Creek Road which was abandoned as an Accepted Public Way at Town Meeting of February 24, 1956.
Article 53. To see if the Town will vote to authorize and direct the Board of Selectmen to file a petition in the General Court of Massachusetts for the pur- pose of obtaining authorization to sell and convey to Southern Berkshire Power and Electric Company an easement for the construction, maintenance and opera- tion of poles and wires for the transmission of electricity, on, over and across the so-called Aspinwall property purchased by the Town for Park and Playground purposes from Edward M. O'Connor et al, by deed recorded with Middle Registry of Deeds for Berkshire County at Pittsfield, Massachusetts in Book 644, page 338, et seq. said property being shown on plan filed with the Town Clerk by the Lenox Planning Board, February 24, 1956, said easement being over a strip of land one hundred (100) feet in width, as shown on plan designated "Southern Berkshire Power & Electric Company." "Plan showing Location of Easement on Land of Town of Lenox, Scale 1"-300'-Date Jan. 14, 1957, L-5982" and authorize the Selectmen, in consideration of payment to the Town of $3,000.00 or any other sum to execute, seal, acknowledge and deliver a deed in the name of and in behalf of the Town to Southern Berkshire Power & Electric Company granting to that Com- pany an easement for the construction, maintenance and operation of said poles and wires for the transmission of electricity on, over, and across the park and playground property above mentioned, such deed to be in such form as the Select- men deem proper; and further, to request that the representatives of the Town of Lenox in the General Court to do all things necessary to insure the admission and enactment of legislation at the present legislative session whereby the Town may be empowered to execute a deed for this easement or take any other action in re- lation to the foregoing.
Article 54. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint a Playground Commission of five qualified citizens to control and man- age the Aspinwall Property until the Town Meeting of 1958; and further, to pro- vide that at the next annual Town Meeting for the election of officers, there shall be elected a Board of Playground Commissioners, as follows: One Commissioner for 5 years, one Commissioner for 4 years, one Commissioner for 3 years, one Commissioner for 2 years, and one Commissioner for 1 year; thereafter one Com- missioner shall be elected annually for a term of 5 years. The duties of such Com missioners shall be as set forth in Chapter 45, Section 14, of the General Laws, covering the Laying Out, Use and Control of Playgrounds.
19
Article 55. To see if the Town will yote to change Section 1 of Chapter XIII of the Town By-laws to read as follows: "No motor trailer used for residence pur- poses shall be parked within the limits of the Town other than in a duly authorized motor trailer parking lot."
Article 56. To see if the Town will vote to change Section 8A "Area Regu- lations" part 3 of Chapter VI of the Town By-Laws to read as follows: "Lot Size. No building, except one story buildings of accessory use, shall be erected in a resi- dence district on a lot containing less than twenty-two thousand five hundred square feet, or less than one hundred fifty feet wide: provided that one building may be erected on any lot which, at the time the original Zoning Law was adopted (February 3, 1941) is separately owned and contains five thousand square feet: and provided further that one building may be erected on any lot which prior to July 18, 1956, is separately owned and contains fifteen thousand square feet."
Article 57. To see if the Town will vote to change Section 3 "Subdivision A" of Chapter V of the Town By-Laws to read as follows: "A subdivision for the pur- pose of this section is hereby defined to be a division of a tract of land into two or more lots in such manner as to require provision for one or more new public ways, not accepted by the Town at the time when this By-Law is passed, to furnish access for vehicular traffic to one or more of such lots, and shall include subdivision. The minimum frontage for each lot on such public way shall not be less than two hundred feet and the total area of such lot shall not be less than forty-thousand square feet."
Article 58. To see if the Town will vote to add the following to Sections 6 and 7 of Chapter XIII of the Town By-Laws "Miscellaneous Provisions." Section 6 to read as follows: "No person or corporation shall, within the Town of Lenox, act, or be collectors of, dealers in, or keepers of, shops for the purpose of sale, or harbor junk, old metals, or second hand articles in a business or industrial district unless licensed by the Board of Selectmen, as provided by statute, and only after a public hearing has been held."
Article 59. To see if the Town will vote to add to Section 7, Chapter XIII of the Town By-Laws the following: "No person shall in a Residence District in the Town of Lenox harbor for sale, junk, old metals and unregistered vehicles, except those vehicles used for farm purposes."
Article 60. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell and convey at Public Auction, in the name and on behalf of the Town of Lenox at such prices and under such terms and conditions as the said Board of Selectmen may determine the whole or any part of any parcels of land which the Town has acquired or may hereafter acquire by the foreclosure of Tax Titles or in any manner by reason of non-payment of taxes.
20
Article 61. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to dispose of by Public Auction or Sale any excess, obsolescent or discarded equip ment or material with an estimated value of less than $500.00 which is not required or needed by any Town Department, from time to time, and upon such terms as the Board of Selectmen may determine to be in the best interests of the Town.
Article 62. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from Surplus Revenue the sum of $600.00 for sidewalk construction on Cliffwood Street.
Not approved by the Finance Committee.
Article 63. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $250.00 to be used for expenses of the Capital Outlay Committee.
Approved by the Finance Committee.
Article 64. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to appoint a committee of three citizens to study the problem of compensation of all Town employees; to prepare a plan classifying all such. employees into groups doing substantially similar work or having substantially equal responsibilities, and providing minimum and maximum salaries to be paid to such employees in posi- tions so classified, and for the attainment of such maximum salaries by periodic ster-rate increases, and to report at the next Annual Town Meeting its recommen- dations as to what action should be taken with respect thereto.
Article 65. To see if the Town will vote to continue the committee appointed by the Selectmen on storage of Town Equipment and Parking Lot; and authorize them to consider alterations of existing buildings designed to provide improved facilities for Town Officials and storage of equipment; and to raise and appropriate $1,000.00 to employ the services of an architect for the purposes aforesaid, and to report at the next annual Town Meeting its recommendations as to what action should be taken in relation thereto.
Approved by the Finance Committee to be transferred from the Post War Rehabilitation Fund.
Article 66. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of $550.00 or any other sum to erect a suitable me- morial in bronze to be placed in or on the Town Building in memory of her sons and daughters who served their country in World War II and Korea, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Approved by the Finance Committee and transfer recommended from the Post War Rehabilitation Fund.
21
Article 67. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of $1,500.00 for necessary repairs of the Fire Depart- ment Building, such work to be performed under the Fire Chief's supervision and upon specifications mutually agreed upon by the Selectmen and the Fire Depart- ment.
Approved by the Finance Committee by transfer from the Post War Reha- bilitation Fund.
Article 68. To see if the Town will vote to authorize and direct the Assessors to take any excess from available funds which is included in "Free Cash" and is in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars, for the purpose of reducing the tax levy for 1957, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 798, Section 6, Acts of 1951.
Approved by the Finance Committee.
Article 69. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to settle the case of INHABITANTS OF THE TOWN OF LEE and INHABITANTS OF THE TOWN OF LENOX VS. MIDDLE ATLANTIC TRANSPORTA- TION COMPANY, INC. AND FRANCIS C. DUFFY for the total sum of $12,500.00, $6,250.00 of which will be paid to the Town of Lenox and $6,250.00 of which will be paid to the Town of Lee.
Article 70. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a Town Way a certain private way called Lasher Lane in Lenox Dale, as laid out by the Selectmen of Lenox and which said laying out together with boundaries and measurements of said Way has been filed in the Office of the Town Clerk of Lenox.
Approved by the Planning Board.
You are also directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Lenox qualified to vote in Town Affairs to meet in the Town Hall in said Lenox on Mon- day, February 25, 1957 at 7 o'clock A. M. to bring in their votes for the following town officers:
One Moderator for one year, One Selectman for three years, Two Members of the School Committee for a term of three years, One Assessor for three years, One member of the Board of Health for three years, One Water Commissioner for a term of three years, Six Constables for one year, One member of the Planning Board for five years, One member of the Planning Board for two years, to fill vacancy, One Commissioner of Trust Funds for three years, One Cemetery Com- missioner for three years.
All said officers will be voted for upon the Official Ballots furnished to the voters at the polls.
The Polls will be open at 7 A. M. and may be closed at 7 P. M.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting an attested copy of the warrant therefore in three public places in the Town not less than seven days before the meeting.
22
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk or the Selectmen, at the time and place of said meeting.
Given under our hands the eleventh day of February in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty-Seven.
Signed:
RALPH HENRY BARNES DAVID H. MACKEY CHARLES F. HOUSE, Selectmen of Lenox.
A true Copy Attest: WILLIAM H. GORMAN Constable of Lenox.
ORGANIZATION CHART - TOWN OF LENOX, MASS.
VOTERS
WATER COMMISSIONERS
BOARD OF HEALTH
CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
TOWN CLERK AND TREASURER
COLLECTOR OF TAXES
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
MODERATOR
SELECTMEN
CONSTABLES
TREE WARDEN
FINANCE COMMITTEE
ASSESSORS
COMMISSIONERS OF TRUST FUNDS
PLANNING JOARD
REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTI PLANNING COMMITTEE
LENOX ACADEMY
FENCE VIEWERS
FIELD DRIVERS
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS
TOWN ATTORNEY
TOWN ACCOUNTANT
SURVEYORS OF LUMBER
MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK
SEXTONS
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
FIRE CHIEF FIRE WARDEN FOREST WARDEN
CAPITAL OUTLAYS COMMITTEE
RECREATION COMMITTEE COMMUNITY CENTER
NORTH LENOX SEWAGE COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE STORAGE TOWN EQUIPMENT PARKING LOT
INSURANCE COMMITTEE
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
SECRETARY TO BOARD OF SELECT MEN
TOWN PHYSICIAN
PLAYGROUNDS
DOG OFFICER POUND KEEPER
BEACH COMMITTEE
WIRE INSPECTOR
CIVIL DEFENSE DIRECTOR
POLICE DEPARTMENT
SALVAGE COMMITTEE
CARE TAKERS
RELIEF
24
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
To the Citizens of Lenox:
As members of your Board of Selectmen we respectfully submit our report for 1956, and express our whole hearted thanks for the cooperation of the people during the year just past.
The developments of the past few years have brought us to a realization that our Towns are being pushed into new activities and projects without very much warning or preparation.
Here are five points that no one can miss:
1. The Massachusetts Thruway.
2. The growth of the Town, and need for more fire protection.
3. Dwindling surplus revenue.
4. School problem, proper educational requirements.
5. Sewer pattern in the North Lenox area.
In some minds Selectmen are not supposed to have positive views on policies and problems which are committed to other elective bodies and officials. This refers to the School Committee, the Tree Warden, the Water Commission and the Board of Health. The Selectmen, however, have the same interest as all the people. Being people themselves, they should not be bashful about injecting their ideas and thoughts into the continuous discussions about all Town problems.
A year ago the Selectmen appointed a Committee to report on various mat- ters, including the storage of Town equipment and the modernization and re- arrangement of space on the second floor of the Town Hall. We have the thought that all official business of the Town should be consolidated in the Town Building.
Several private ways were surveyed, and hearings were held to determine whether the property owners on those ways would grant necessary easements and waive land damages in case the Town Meeting votes to accept any or all of these streets as public ways. These are all dead end streets with the exception of Lasker Lane. We agree with the recommendation of Planning Board that no money be appropriated for construction except in the cases of Brunell Avenue and Lawton Avenue.
An Article has been inserted in the Warrant to authorize the Selectmen to sell, without further vote, all tax title land. It was found that the Town had title to two lots in the East Street-Orchard Street area, and this developed when we were laying out this Street (Orchard) for acceptance.
The Traffic Rules and Orders have been printed as approved by the Massa- chusetts Department of Public Works. These contain regulations and locations for Stop and Parking signs, and we anticipate that this will improve traffic condi- tions in the business center of the Town.
25
The School Committee and the people who live in the East New Lenox area are very much concerned with the fact that the school buses can no longer cross the bridge over the river due to excess weight. We have taken the matter up with the Commissioner of Public Works, and hope eventually to get this bridge re- placed. A survey will have to be made by the State, and some determination made as to how the construction must be financed.
The boundaries of the Town were perambulated with Selectmen from the bordering towns. This is required to be done every five years, and the proceedings recorded.
Last year the Town voted to purchase the Aspinwall property for $12,000. The Selectmen endeavored to secure clear title to the property, and to do this it was necessary to hire the legal assistance of Judge Charles R. Alberti of Pittsfield. His report is briefly quoted: "I, therefore, find that title is good as to about 58 acres, more or less, it being the main or more valuable part of the premises to be conveyed. As to the remaining 300 acres, more or less, which I am informed is much less valuable land, record title is two-thirds undivided interest in the sellers; and one-third undivided interest in the heirs and devisees of Thomas H. Hubbard, and the heirs and devisees of two of his deceased children. Deeds for all of these interests have been recorded with the Berkshire Registry of Deeds." In order to pay for this legal service it was necessary to defer the presentation of Judge Al- berti's bill of $1280.46 to Town Meeting of 1957. We therefore have placed an Article in the Warrant covering this obligation and recommend that the Town vote $1280.46 from this year's taxation. The work was necessary and in the Town in- terest, and should be paid by the Treasurer as soon as authorized.
We have also inserted an Article to authorize the Selectmen to appoint a playground commission of 5 qualified citizens to control and manage this land until Town Meeting of 1958. At that time we propose to have the Playground Commission elected, in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of Chapter 45 of the General Laws.
Another Article in this year's Warrant concerns a right of way or easement over a 100-foot-wide strip through the Aspinwall property. The Company has made an offer of $3000 for the easement, which would be used for the construction of a power line for service to a sub-station near the Tanglewood-Shadowbrook area. It would be necessary for the Town to secure approval of General Court for the vote of the Town, just the same as it would for any disposition of parcels ofthis property which was purchased for "Park and Playground Purposes."
In conclusion, the Board of Selectmen wishes to express its thanks for the help and cooperation of all officials, department heads and employees of the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH HENRY BARNES CHARLES F. HOUSE DAVID H. MACKEY
Board of Selectmen.
26
REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of the Town of Lenox:
Your Finance Committee submits the following report and recommendations for the year 1957;
Our recommendations with respect to the Budget and Special Articles in the Town Warrant amount to $541,961.80. This represents an increase of approxi- mately 24 per cent.
During the year the Finance Committee approved transfers from the Reserve Fund to the following accounts:
North Section, East St .- Water Installation
$1,943.29
Memorial Day Fund
42.00
Snow Roads Account
1,500.00
Accountant's Department
40.00
Lenox Academy Account
125.00
Fire Department
266.00
School Budget
1,601.99
Board of Health
852.00
Rec. Program (Turnure Trust Real Estate)
770.00
Telephone Account
48.00
Highway Department
1,500.00
Cemetery Account
18.00
Total
$8,706.28
Balance Returned, Overlay Surplus
1,293.72
$10,000.00
It is recommended that the Selectmen appoint a committee or Personnel Board which will be separate from the Finance Committee, and that this com- mittee or board will be able to make a study of compensation of all Town em- ployees; as the Finance Committee feels that the study of the various departments will result in a better evaluation of each employee. The primary authority must still rest with the Department concerned, followed by the Finance Committee for appropriations, and finally the Town Meeting.
It is recommended by the Finance Committee that some of the articles deal- ing with the Highway department should be postponed to a later date in view of the estimated tax rate in the Finance Committee's report.
27
In accordance with the provisions of Chapter 70 of the General Laws, whereby the Finance Committee is required to specify the estimated amount which is to be received as School Aid or reimbursement from the Commonwealth, the School Committee has submitted the figure of $33,403.13.
The Committee appreciated the splendid cooperation and assistance it has received from the Board of Selectmen, town officials and employees for the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM D. ROCHE, Chairman JOSEPH E. MARTIN, Clerk ADELBERT I. NEWTON
HARRY C. HUGHES
GEORGE F. HENDERSON LENGES H. BULL J. BURRELL FIELDING
WALTER B. BOOTH
HAROLD E. HUMPHREY
Finance Committee.
28
BUDGET REPORT
Expenditures 1955
1956
Requested 1957
Recom- mended 1957
General Government 7.3% of total budget
1 Selectmen
$ 5,319.00
$ 3,904.27
$ 4,100.00
$ 4,100.00
2 Accountant
2,698.88
2,963.33
3,200.00
3,150.00
3 Treasurer
3,026.78
3,003.45
3,350.00
3,325.00
4 Law
450.00
472.50
500.00
500.00
5 Assessors
3,000.00
3,215.00
3,415.00
3,415.00
6 Tax Collector
3,298.50
3,548.99
3,700.00
3,700.00
7 Town Hall
10,093.78
10,323.55
10,850.00
10,850.00
8 Election and Registra- tion
1,842.94
2,437.48
2,000.00
2,000.00
9 Town Clerk
1,815.69
1,971.94
2,250.00
2,175.00
10 Finance Committee
16.00
15.00
100.00
100.00
11 Planning Board
493.32
568.57
650.00
650.00
12 Moderator
60.00
60.00
60.00
60.00
Totals
$32,114.89
$32,484.08 $34,175.00
$34,025.00
Protection of Persons and Property 7.4% of total
13 Police Department
$10,707.01
$11,313.27
$12,196.00
$12,635.65
14 Fire Department
13,740.53
12,991.97
13,438.80
13,776.75
15 Sealer of Weights
236.38
259.86
270.00
260.00
16 Forestry Department
3,483.60
3,493.24
4,000.00
4,000.00
17 Insect Pest Control
199.20
200.00
200.00
18 Other Protection
300.00
350.00
350.00
350.00
19 Wire Inspector
450.00
465.00
450.00
450.00
20 Civil Defense
32.00
247.50
300.00
300.00
21 Board of Appeals
2.97
50.00
50.00
22 Dutch Elm Disease
2,494.80
2,476.36
3,000.00
2,500.00
23 Gypsy Moth
999.99
83.33
83.33
Totals
$32,646.48
$31,597.20
$34,338.13
$34,605.73
Health and Sanitation 4.2% of total
24 Health Department
$ 4,612.00
$ 5,651.16
$ 6,000.00
$ 6,000.00
25 Sewer and Pumping Station
11,455.49
12,396.60
12,400.00
12,400.00
26 Lenox Visiting Nurse
1,400.00
1,400.00
1,400.00
1,400.00
Totals
$17,467.49
$19,447.76
$19,800.00
$19,800.00
29
Highways 11.2% of total $ 4,200.00 $ 4,410.00
$ 4,800.00
$ 4,800.00
27 Supt. of Streets
28 Highways, Bridges,
Dust Layer
21,511.43
21,010.47
21,000.00
21,000.00
29 Sidewalks
2,289.69
2,126.05
2,300.00
2,300.00
30 Snow Roads
9,782.78
11,299.34
10,000.00
10,000.00
31 Street Lights
12,950.22
13,559.23
14,000.00
14,000.00
Totals
$50,734.12
$52,405.09
$52,100.00
$52,100.00
Charities 12.4% of total
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