USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1936-1940 > Part 20
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Article 18. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $300.00 for the maintenance of Jones Com- munity Field, South Acton, or act anything thereon.
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Article 19. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $10,000.00 for the Work Relief Fund, or ajot anything thereon.
Article 20. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum sufficient to pay the County of Middlesex, as re- quired by law, the town's share of the net cost of the care, maintenance, and repair of the Middlesex County Tuberculosis Hospital, as assessed in accordance with the provisions of Chap- ter 111 of the General Laws and Acts in amendment thereof and in addition thereto and including Chapter 400, Section 25 G (6) (a) of the Acts of 1936, or take any action in relation thereto.
Article 21. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money sufficient to rebuild that portion of road in West Acton known as Central Street, beginning at its inter- section with Massachusetts Avenue, so-called, thence northerly to a point formerly rebuilt near the residence of Millard J. Hand- ley, or take any action in relation thereto.
Article 22. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $550.00 or any other sum to purchase new fire hose.
Article 23. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money to purchase additional equipment for fighting brush fires or act anything thereon.
Article 24. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money to pay the following unpaid bills for 1938 or do or act anything thereon.
General Government
$459.30
Buildings and Grounds
94.70
Fire Department
15.00
Board of Health
85.27
Town Nurse
26.74
Highways
19.25
Public Welfare
549.44
10.00
Branch Library
Dog Officer 4.00
Total
$1,263.70
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Article 25. To see if the town will vote to transfer $700.00 from the Machinery Fund to the Machinery Account and the purchase of a hone for the road department, or act anything thereon.
Article 26. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $1,200.00 to purchase a truck for the Street Department, or act anything thereon.
Article 27. To see if the town will vote to appoint a com- mittee composed of one veteran and one non-veteran from each of the three precincts of the town, to purchase the truck for the Street Department, or act anything thereon.
Article 28. To see if the town will vote to accept the layout as made by the Selectmen of a street in South Acton leading northwesterly from Main Street toward the Marlboro Branch railroad tracks a distance of approximately 200 feet to a point beyond the residence of L. Edward Laird.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof seven days at least before the time of said meet- ing as directed by vote of the town.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon to the town clerk at or before the time of meet- ing as aforesaid.
Given under our hands at Acton this first day of February, 1939.
A true copy. Attest :
JAMES E. KINSLEY RALPH W. PIPER RAYMOND F. DURKEE Selectmen of Acton
MICHAEL FOLEY
Constable of Acton
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Report of Finance Committee
In submitting our recommendations for the ensuing year we call the attention of the voters to the fact that additional State taxes for 1938 and 1939 will make necessary the raising of at least $10,000.00 more than the amount required for this item last year. Also it is probable that the amount received on account of income taxes will be less than in 1938.
These items alone will undoubtedly add approximately $3.00 per $1,000.00 to our tax rate.
There are also many other items over which the voters have little or no control such as Welfare, Old Age Assistance and Soldiers' Relief.
To decrease the appropriation for those departments over which the voters do have complete control, enough to offset the above items, will result in drastic cuts in services which the Town has established and we believe that the responsibility for such reduction of service should rest with the voters.
The amounts we are recommending for the several regular departments are in our opinion the minimum required to main- tain the present standards.
We have approved two special road appropriations under Arti- cles 16 and 17 which we would recommend passing over this year except for the fact that they carry substantial allotments of State and County money which undoubtedly helps the un- employment situation in Town.
Recommendations :
Highways, General maintenance -
Villages
$1,150.00
Chapter 81
8,850.00
Chapter 90
2,000.00
Education
47,000.00
Street Lighting
3,500.00
Memorial Library, current expenses ..
Memorial Library, expenses branch
1,000.00 V service 300.00
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Memorial Library, books
200.00 %
Hydrant Service
3,128.00 V
General Government
6,500.00
200
Building and Grounds
1,500.00 -
Cemeteries
1,450.00 ^
Military Aid
150.00)
State Aid
600.00
Soldier Relief
2,500.00
Police Department
2,500.00
Board of Health
1,200.00
Public Health, Nurse, Salary, Art. 11
2,000.00 200.00
Welfare, Temporary Aid
6,000.00
Aid to Dependent Children
1,800.00
Old Age Assistance
14,000.00
Tree Warden, care of shade trees Art. 13
700.00
Unclassified
400.00
Notes and Bonds
5,500.00
Interest on Bonds and Notes
572.50
Interest on Revenue Loans
250.00
Memorial Day-Art. 5
275.00
Fire Department-Art. 6
2,800.00
Forest Fires
500.00
Gypsy Moth Work-Art. 12
1,200.00
Liability Insurance-Art. 8
1,000.00
Treasurer, Collector and Clerk Bonds- Art. 9
253.00
County Hospital Maintenance-Art. 20 Fire Department, New Hose-Art. 22
994.23
300.00
Redemption Tax Titles-Art 14
100.00
Expense, Dog Officer-Art. 15 225.00
Main Street Improvement-Art. 16.
3,500.00
School Street widening-Art. 17
1,000.00
Jones Athletic Field-Art. 18
300.00
Work Relief-Art. 19
2,000.00
Total
$129,397.73
Public Health, Nurse, Expenses, Art. 11
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Article 21. Recommend no action.
Article 22. Recommend this article include brush fire hose.
Article 23. Recommend no action.
Article 25. Recommend the transfer of $700.00 from Ma- chinery Fund to the Machinery Account and purchase of a hone for the road department.
Article 26. Recommend no action as the money appropriated last year is still available.
Recommend appropriating the sum of $1,450.00 for Ceme- teries, $1,300.00 to be raised and $150.00 transferred from Cem- etery Land Fund.
Recommend appropriating the sum of $1,500.00 from Overlay Surplus Account for the Reserve Fund.
Precinct 1-Murray Brown, Alden C. Flagg.
Precinct 2-Howard J. Billings, William T. Merriam.
Precinct 3-Webster S. Blanchard, Alfred W. Davis.
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Selectmen's Report
We submit, herewith, the reports of the various departments of the Town for the year ending December 31, 1938, also, all of the actions under the different articles voted at the last annual Town meeting and the Special Town Meetings.
Executive Clerk
The board found it necessary to hire a full time clerk for the Selectmen and Welfare departments. The board was fortunate in securing Miss Virginia Milbery for this position, who has proven a conscientious public servant. This action was necessi- tated by the work required by W. P. A., Welfare and Old Age Assistance. The services of the clerk are available to all de- partments of the town.
Chapter 90 Roads
The Main Street improvement was continued this year after a late start, due to the town receiving the contract late in the season. The Department of Public Works recommends the re- moval of the bog on this road and the construction of a bridge at an estimated cost of $17,000. The board believes it is good; business for the town to join the state and county in building chapter 90 roads.
The tentative set-up for 1939 on Main Street is-Town $3,500, County $3,500, State $7,000, Total $14,000; School Street, South Acton-Town $1,000, County $1,000, State $2,000, Total $4,000. The town will receive $13,500 from the state and county by rais- ing $4,500.
The board recommends the continuance of the construction of Main Street and specific widenings on School Street, South Acton.
Chapter 81 Roads
The board ,did not receive the contract on Chapter 81 until June this year making the work late on all our roads. The De- partment of Public Works advised the board that the town will be required to live up to the letter of the law on all Chapter 81 work for the year 1939. This ruling will prohibit the spending of any of this money on village streets. The present appropria-
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tion of $1,150 for village work will prevent any amount of work on village streets. The board asks your favorable consideration of an increase in this appropriation.
Snow Removal and Sanding
The town has six trucks plowing snow that are giving satis- factory service. The board has increased the sanding of icy roads as a safety measure. This work is costly to the town and the board invites the advice of the citizens at the annual meet- ing on this matter.
Street Lighting
The board has received requests from property owners for more street lights, but has not been able to grant their requests because the present appropriation does not permit more lights. The board is of the opinion that the annual meeting should con- sider the lighting question.
Jones Field
The board received the deed to the Elnathan Jones Com- munity Field as voted at the annual town meeting. Mr. Eden Cahill was hired to care for the field and has charge of letting the field. The board made no charge for the use of the field. The board invites the advice of the citizens on the proper man- agement of this field for the benefit of the citizens of Acton.
Work Relief
The W. P. A. reconstructed parts of Nagog Hill Road by widening, gravelling, installing new culverts and rebuilding a bridge. The hurricane damage made it impossible to complete this road. We believe the town should favorably consider the continuation of W. P. A activities as long as a need for this work exists in Acton.
Hurricane, Sept. 21, 1938
The night of Wednesday, September 21, 1938 found practi- cally every street in town blocked by trees and poles. On Thurs- day morning every principal street was open to traffic due to the public spirited co-operation of many citizens of the town. The board expresses the appreciation of the town to those citi- zens who helped in any way during the emergency.
The board spent all the Chapter 500 money on clearing the
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town streets and estimate the cost at over $9,000 for the work performed.
We believe that an appropriation should be made to complete the W. P. A. project on trimming and removing shade trees damaged by the hurricane.
Article 31 Highway Truck
Your board encountered unforeseen obstacles that made it inadvisable to purchase a truck under the authority of the vote under this article The board is of the opinion that it would be a sound economical and efficient plan for the town to own and operate the regular highway equipment under proper conditions.
Taxation and Economy
We ask all departments of the town to operate as economically as possible for the year 1939, as the town faces an increased state tax and an appropriation for restoring the town to normal as a result of the hurricane damage.
We ask all the citizens of the town to consider the problem of increased taxation by attending the annual town meeting and voting to keep the appropriations within the power of our citi- zens to pay.
Your officials are governed by the action of your annual meet- ing in the administration of the affairs of the town. We ask your study of the services of the town that might be omitted in seeking to keep the tax rate at or below $30 per thousand.
We wish to thank the different officers and committees of the town for doing their part in carrying out their work in the different departments of the Town.
JAMES E. KINSLEY RAYMOND F. DURKEE RALPH W. PIPER
Selectmen of Acton
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Welfare Department Report
During the year $7,671.77 was expended in aiding thirty-six families representing one hundred thirty-two persons in Acton. Of this amount, the town of Acton will be reimbursed approxi- mately $1,400 for cases having settlements in other cities and towns. There was $1,120.34 expended by other cities and towns on eight cases representing twenty-four presons having settle- ments in Acton. This makes a total of forty-four cases represent- ing one hundred fifty-six persons who were aided during the year. There were seventeen active cases representing seventy- two persons at the end of the year.
During the latter part of 1937, we had a general recession in business which caused our Welfare load to increase tremen- dously, particularly during the winter months. This continued throughout the year 1938, which necessitated asking for an addi- tional appropriation of $2,500 at a special town meeting. This department is not going to ask for any increase of the various relief appropriations over that of last year. However, we cannot be assured that this will be sufficient to carry us through the year. With business still in an unsettled state and both Federal and State government advocating increased relief of all kinds, with the cities and towns assuming a larger share of the burden, it is impossible to predict what we will be faced with before the completion of the year 1939.
In distributing the relief which comes under the supervision of this board, we have constantly kept in mind what this ex- penditure means as an added burden to our citizens. Yet, more important than this, we have had to keep in mind that our fel- low citizens, particularly the children, must not suffer, because of no fault of theirs, for want of the necessities of life. Every application for relief regardless of its type is treated individu- ally and investigated thoroughly, keeping in mind the laws gov- erning each case.
Space will not permit going into detail. However, it can read- ily be seen the tremendous amount of work involved in the
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supervision and distribution of relief. During the year, this board supervised the distribution of approximately $37,000. This was done at a cost to the town of Acton of $463.34 or approximately one and one-third per cent of the total amount disbursed.
Respectfully submitted,
CARL E. BACKMAN MARY M. LAFFIN RAYMOND L. HATCH
Board of Public Welfare
Old Age Assistance Report
We started the year 1938 with seventy cases. During the year there were twenty-two cases added, making a, total of ninety-two persons receiving Old Age Assistance in Acton. There were fourteen cases closed during the year leaving seventy-eight active cases on December 31, 1938. Eight cases having Acton settlements were aided in other cities and towns. There were sixteen cases aided in Acton having settlements in other cities and towns. $25,738.13 was disbursed by the Acton Bureau of Old Age Assistance to recipients during the year. Taking into consideration the reimbursements to be received from Federal, State and other cities and towns, the total cost to the town of Acton for this assistance was approximately $3,900.
Respectfully submitted,
1
CARL E. BACKMAN, Supervisor
Bureau of Old Age Assistance
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Aid to Dependent Children Report
On January 1, 1938, there were seven cases representing nineteen persons receiving this aid. On December 31, 1938, there were five cases representing fifteen persons receiving this aid. During the year there was $2,143.50 expended; the cost to the town of Acton being one-third or $714.50.
Respectfully submitted,
CARL E. BACKMAN, Chairman
Board of Public Welfare
Department of Public Welfare
Appropriations recommended for 1939.
Old Age Assistance $14,000.00
Temporary Aid 6,000.00
Aid to Dependent Children 1,800.00
CARL E. BACKMAN, Chairman
Board of Public Welfare
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Town Meetings
Abstract of the Proceedings of the Annual Town Meeting, March 14, 1938
Art. 1. To choose all necessary town officers and committees and fix salaries of all town officers.
Chose Clara L. Sawyer trustee of the Elizabeth White Fund for three years.
Chose Charles E. Smith trustee of the Goodnow Fund for three years.
Chose Frederick T. Kennedy trustee of the Acton Firemen's Relief Fund for three years.
Chose Arnold H. Perkins trustee of the West Acton Firemen's Relief Fund for three years.
Voted: That the salary of the tax collector be one thousand dollars per annum and to allow an additional charge for expense of postage incurred in the collection of taxes.
Voted: Under Art. 26. That the salary of the chairman of the Selectmen be three hundred dollars per annum and the other members two hundred dollars each per annum.
Voted: That the salary of the Assessors be nine hundred dollars in the aggregate per annum to be apportioned as they may determine the said sum to include any salary of a clerk';
Voted: That the salary of the chairman of the Board of Pub- lic Welfare be one hundred and twenty-five dollars per annum and the other members seventy-five dollars each per annum.
Voted: That the salary of the chairman of the Board of Health be twenty-five dollars per annum, the clerk fifteen dollars and the other member ten dollars per annum.
Voted: That the salary of the Moderator be fifteen dollars for the annual meeting and ten dollars for special meetings.
Voted: That the salary of the Town Clerk be two hundred dollars per annum.
Voted: That the salary of the Town Treasurer be five hun- dred dollars per annum.
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Voted : That the salary of the Town Accountant be four hun- dred dollars per annum.
Art. 2. To see if the town will vote to accept the several reports of the town officers.
Voted : That the reports of the several town officers be ac- cepted.
Art. 3. To hear and act upon the reports of any committees chosen at any previous meeting that have not already reported.
No action taken under this article.
Art. 4. To see what sum of money the town will appropriate to defray the necessary and usual expenses of the several de- partments of the town and determine how the same shall be raised.
Under this article and other articles in the warrant it was voted to appropriate and raise by taxation for:
Roads, general maintenance
$12,000.00
Schools
47,000.00
Street Lighting
3,500.00
Memorial Library, current expenses
1,000.00
Memorial Library, for books
200.00
Hydrant Service
3,128.00
General Government
6,300.00
Buildings and Grounds
1,500.00
Cemeteries
800.00
Military Aid
200.00
State Aid
800.00
Soldiers' Relief
1,500.00
Police Department
2,500.00
Board of Health
1,500.00
Public Welfare
6,000.00
Aid to Dependent Children
1,800.00
Old Age Assistance
14,000.00
Snow Removal
3,600.00
Care of Shade Trees
700.00
Unclassified
400.00
Bonds, High School and Fire truck
5,500.00
Interest on Bonds
760.00
Interest on Revenue Loans
300.00
4988.
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Memorial Day
275.00
Fire Department
2,800.00
Forest Fires
500.00
Gypsy Moth Work
1,200.00
Liability Insurance
1,000.00
Treasurer's, Collector's and Town Clerk's Bonds
236.00
Public Health Nurse, salary
2,000.00
Public Health Nurse, Expenses
200.00
County Hospital, maintenance
1,011.55
County Hospital, alterations
1,543.30
Fire Department, hose
550.00
Dog Officer, expenses
200.00
School Buildings, repairs
3,000.00
Truck, Purchase of
1,200.00
North Main Street, construction
4,000.00
Tax Title Redemption
100.00
Memorial Library, Branch service
300.00
Jones Athletic Field, maintenance
300.00
Reserve Fund from overlay surplus
2,000.00
Cemeteries transfer from Cemetery Land Fund . 500.00
Road Machinery Account transfer from Road Machinery Fund 520.00
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Art. 5. To see what sum of money the town will raise for the observance of Memorial Day.
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred and seventy-five dollars to be expended under the direction of a committee consisting of the Commander of the Isaac Davis Post, G.A.R., the Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Finance Officer of Edwards-Quimby Post American Legion.
Art. 6. To see what sum of money the town will raise and appropriate for the maintenance of the fire department or vote anything thereon.
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of twenty-eight hundred dollars.
Art. 7. To see if the town will pay for fighting brush fires and fix a price thereon.
Voted: To appropriate five hundred dollars for fighting
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brush fires and that the price for services and labor be fixed at fifty cents per hour for firemen, sixty cents per hour for Deputy Forest Warden and seventy-five cents per hour for the Forest Warden.
Art. 8. To see if the town will appropriate a sum of money : to insure the employees of the town or act anything thereon.
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of one thousand dollars.
Art. 9. To see what amount of money the town will appro- priate for the payment of premiums on the treasurer's and collector's bonds or act anything thereon.
Voted: To appropriate two hundred and thirty-six dollars for payment of premiums on treasurer's, tax collector's and town clerk's official bonds.
Art. 10. To see if the town will vote to authorize the town treasurer, with the approval of the selectmen to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning Jan. 1, 1938 and to issue a note or notes there- for, 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.
Voted: That the town treasurer with the approval of the selectmen be and is hereby authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1938 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.
Art. 11. To see if the town will vote to employ a public health nurse and appropriate a sum of money for the maintenance of same.
Voted : To employ a public health nurse to be under the direc- tion of the Board of Health and to appropriate two thousand dollars for the salary of said nurse and two hundred dollars for expenses.
Art. 12. To see if the town will vote to accept Chapter 77,
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Acts of 1937; an act providing for absent voting at regular town elections.
: Voted: To pass over the article.
Art. 13. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of fifteen hundred dollars more or less to drain and re- pair the road known as Central Street, in West. Acton, beginning at its intersection with Massachustts Avenue thence northerly to or near the residence of Millard J, Handley or act anything thereon.
Voted: To pass over the article.
Art. 14. To see what action the town will take to meet the assessment of $1,543.30 heretofore made on it for the purpose of paying its share of the cost of making alterations and construct- ing additions in and to the Middlesex County Tuberculosis Hos- pital under Chapter 417 of the Acts of 1935, as amended by Chapter 205 of the Acts of 1937; to see whether the town will vote to appropriate all or any portion of said assessment and to raise the amount so appropriated in whole or in part in this year's tax levy or to transfer such amount in whole or in Dat ! from any available funds; to see whether the town will vote to appropriate all or any portion of said assessment and to borrow the amount so appropriated on bonds or notes of the town; to see whether the town will elect that all or any portion of said assessment shall be funded through the issue of bonds or notes of the County of Middlesex as authorized by said Chapter 417, as amended; in case the town shall elect to fund under said Chapter 417, to see whether the town will elect that the assess- ments to be hereafter made upon it on account of any such funding loan shall be payable by it over the maximum permitted term of fifteen years or over a lesser period; to see whether the town will vote to direct the Town Clerk to file with the Middle- sex County Commissioners promptly, and in any event not later than April 15, 1938, an election to fund all or any portion of the assessment already made upon it as aforesaid; and to take action in connection with the matters contained in this article.
Voted: To appropriate and raise by taxation the current year the sum of $1,543.30 to meet the assessment made on the town for the purpose mentioned in this article.
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Art. 15. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the improvement of Main Street, from the Carlisle line to the State Road in East Acton; said money to be used in conjunction with any money that may be allotted by the State or County or both for this purpose or take any other action in relation thereto.
Voted : That the town raise and appropriate the sum of four thousand dollars for the continuation of the improvement of Main Street from the Carlisle line to the State Road, East Acton ; said sum or any portion thereof to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County or both for this purpose.
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