USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1946-1950 > Part 35
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The Finance Committee recommends that the sum of $1000.00 be raised and appropriated and expended under the direction of the Selectmen.
Article 23. To see if the town will vote to authorize a board or committee to draw up a set of simple Zoning By- Laws for the Town of Acton; to determine the number to be on said board or committee, and to determine how the said board or committee shall be formed, or act anything thereon. (Inserted in warrant on petition bearing fifty-nine (59) signa- tures.)
Article 24. To see if the town will vote to appropriate from the Surplus Revenue Account the sum of $1,800.00 for the purchase and installation of new compressor and air tanks for the Acton Center fire house, or act anything thereon.
It is recommended that the sum of $1800.00 be appropri- ated from Surplus Revenue for this purpose. The present equipment is not considered dependable if dismantled and reinstalled.
Article 25. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $250.00 for the cutting of brush, fire lanes and other work in the Town Forests, or act anything thereon.
Inasmuch as no money has been spent for the protection and improvement of the Town Forests, it is recommended that the sum of $250.00 be raised and appropriated for the purposes indicated.
Article 26. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 for the control work of Dutch Elm Disease in accordance with Chapter 761 of the Acts of 1949, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee does not favor this article and
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believes that the money presently expended for feeding trees, combined with present spraying schedules, is adequate.
Article 27. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $800.00 or any other sum for the purpose of oiling roads and avenues in Mt. Hope Cemetery, or act anything thereon.
It is recommended that the sum of $800.00 be raised and appropriated for continuation of the program designed to properly protect the roads in Mt. Hope.
Article 28. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,500.00 or any other sum, for the extension of the Fire Alarm System from Acton Center along Concord Road and Great Road to the Acton-Concord line, then back along Great Road (Route 2) to Davis Road, then to Brook Street, along Brook Street to Main Street and along Main Street to Acton Center with four or more fire alarm bwes, or act anything thereon.
It is recommended that $2500.00 be raised and appropri- ated for the further extension of the System.
Article 29. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of $300.00 from the Surplus Revenue Account for the purchase of a power mower for the playgrounds, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee recommends the appropriation of $300.00 for a power mower.
Article 30. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $350.00 for folding chairs for the lower hall of the Town Hall, or act anything thereon.
Favorable action on this article is recommended.
Article 31. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000 for completing the refinishing and repainting of the High School interior, or act anything thereon.
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It is recommended that $1000.00 be transferred from Sur- plus Revenue for refinishing and repainting.
Article 32. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $4,000.00 (additional funds) for the installation of a new state approved school type heating unit at the Center School, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee believes that the present heating equipment is adequate and that the expenditure of $4,000.00 for a new system is unnecessary at the present time.
Article 33. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $120.00 to renew the $10,000.00 fire insurance policy on the Acton High School for three years, or act anything thereon.
A policy in this amount is required to cover the outstand- ing bonded debt and the Finance Committee recommends the sum be raised and appropriated.
Article 34. To see if the town will vote to instruct .. ne Moderator to appoint a committee of three to investigate and recommend the advisability of insuring all or any part of the town buildings or equipment and report at the next annual or a special town meeting, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee believes that this problem should be studied immediately in the interest of sound town finance.
Article 35. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $450.00 for repairs to the fire escape on the Town Hall, or act anything thereon.
It is recommended that $450.00 be raised and appropri- ated for this purpose.
Article 36. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to cover the water tax assess- ment on all town owned buildings and land, or act anything thereon.
Article 37. To see if the town will vote to appropriate
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from the Surplus Revenue Account the sum of $900.00 for the purchase of a new portable forest fire pump, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee recommends that $900.00 be appropriated from Surplus Revenue for a new pump. The present pump will be continued in use for stand-by purposes.
Article 38. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,100.00 for the painting of the exterior of the Town Hall, or act anything thereon.
It is recommended that $2 100.00 be transferred from Surplus Revenue for painting the Town Hall.
Article 39. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $700.00 to pay the cost of effecting insurance providing indemnity for or protection to any officer or employee of the Town against loss by reason of his liability to pay damages to others for bodily injuries, including death at any time resulting therefrom, or for damage to property, caused by operation, within the scope of his official duties or employment of motor or other vehicles owned by the Town as provided by the provisions of General Laws (Ter. Ed.) Chapter 40, Section 5, Subsection 1, as amended, or act any- thing thereon.
It is recommended that this sum be raised and appro- priated for the purpose indicated.
Article 40. To see if the town will vote to rescind the action under Article 27 at the annual town meeting held March 13, 1950, or act anything thereon, said article having read as follows: To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of $45,000.00 or any other sum, for the construction of a new fire house in Acton Center on the present fire house location, according to plans submitted by the fire house com- mittee, and determine how the same shall be raised, or act anything thereon. (Inserted in warrant on petition bearing twelve (12) signatures.)
The Finance Committee recommends that this Article be passed over.
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Article 41. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Cemetery Commissioners to purchase for burial purposes, two parcels of land, approximately 42 acres, adjoining and near Woodlawn Cemetery in the easterly part of Acton, Mass., as described in the "Description of Parcels" in the report of the Cemetery Commissioners in the town report for the year 1950; and to raise by taxation or appropriate from Surplus Revenue, $8,200.00 or any other sum, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee considers the acquisition of the proposed land necessary for the continued development of Woodlawn Cemetery and recommends that $8200 be appro- priated from Surplus Revenue for the proposed purchase.
Article 42. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of $1,500.00 from the Cemetery Land Fund to be divided as follows: $1,000.00 for Woodlawn Cemetery, and $500.00 for Mt. Hope Cemetery, for the purpose of clearing, grading and laying out new sections for cemetery lots, and to authorize said Cemetery Commissioners to do anything necessary, proper, or expedient for carrying out the above purposes, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee recommends that $1500.00 be appropriated from the Cemetery Land Fund and used as indicated.
Article 43. To see if the town will vote to accept as a town way, the laying out by the Board of Selectmen of a road in. West Acton extending in an easterly and northerly direction from Central Street, a distance of approximately 900 feet by land of Sked, French, Smith, Hitchcock and others, a plan of which is filed in the office of the Town Clerk, said way to be named Orchard Drive, or act anything thereon.
It is recommended that the road to be known as Orchard Drive be accepted as a town way provided it meets the re- quirements of the proposed Sections 11 and 12 of the Town By-laws.
Article 44. To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of $1,000.00 for the purchase and erection
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of traffic zone speed signs for Main Street from the Maynard line to Route 2; and from the Concord-Acton line to the Acton- Maynard line on Route 62, or act anything thereon.
It is recommended that the sum of $1000.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose indicated. These are the first and most critical sections. The remainder of the pro- gram to be considered for future years is estimated to cost about $3000.00.
Article 45. To see if the town will vote to amend Section two (2) of the Town By-laws by adding the following articles, or act anything thereon.
Article 11. Every way that shall be laid out for the acceptance of the town as a town way, shall be laid out forty feet or more in width, with twenty-four feet or more of approved road building materials that shall meet the requirements of the Planning Board.
Article 12. If an existing private way shall be laid out for the acceptance of the town as a town way, such way shall not be accepted unless and until the Planning Board shall have certified in writing that such way meets the requirements of Article 11.
The Finance Committee believes it to be to the best inter- est of the town the by-laws be ammended by the above Articles 11 and 12.
Article 46. To see if the town will vote for the Moderator to appoint a committee of five to investigate and study the provisions of Chapter 662 of the Acts of 1949, the act relative to the organization of union health departments, and deter- mine the desirability of (Town) Acton, Mass. joining with one or more of the following towns: Concord, Carlisle, May- nard, Littleton, Westford, Stow, Bedford, Sudbury, Lexington or others, to form a union health department. This committee to report its findings to the next town meeting.
No action by the Finance Committee is considered neces- sary.
Article 47. To see if the town will vote to raise and
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appropriate the sum of $8,000.00 or any other sum for the Civil Defense Agency of the Town of Acton, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee will make oral recommendations at the time of the meeting.
Article 48. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,000.00 or any other sum, to be expended under the direction of the Special School Building Committee for employing a competent person or persons to make a survey to determine probable enrollment in grades 9 to 12 in 1959 to 1964, or act anything thereon.
It is recommended that the requested sum be appropri- ated so that a more complete agreement may be reached on school population trends. It is expected that one-half of this sum will be returned to the Town by State participation in the proposed survey.
Article 49. To see if the town will vote under authority of Chapter 41, Section 81A of the General Laws, to establish a planning Board to consist of not less than five members and not more than nine; the terms of office to be so arranged that the term of at least one member will expire each year, and their successors shall be elected for terms of five years each, or act anything thereon.
Recommendations by the Finance Committee are not con- sidered necessary under this article.
Article 50. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to act as the Planning Board under Chap- ter 41, General Laws, Section 81A; until such time as an official Planning Board is elected at a subsequent annual meet- ing; or act anything thereon.
Recommendations by the Committee are unnecessary.
Article 51. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $6,000.00 as a Reserve Fund, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee requests that the sum of $3000
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be raised and appropriated for the Reserve Fund and that $3000 be transferred from the Overlay Surplus to the Re- serve Fund.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting attested copies thereof seven days at least before the time of said meeting 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 meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hands at Acton this twenty-third day of January, 1951.
ARTHUR W. LEE LAWRENCE DONNELLY GEORGE S. BRAMAN Selectmen of Acton
A true copy.
Attest :
Constable of Acton
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ABSTRACT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, NOVEMBER 27, 1950
Article 1. To see if the town will vote to transfer the sum of twenty-five hundred (2500) dollars for Old Age Assist- ance from the Surplus Revenue Account or act anything thereon.
Voted Unanimously : To transfer the sum of twenty-five hundred (2500) dollars for Old Age Assistance from the Surplus Revenue Account.
Article 2. To see if the town will vote to transfer the sum of eighteen hundred (1800) dollars for unexpected school department expenses from the Surplus Revenue Ac- count or act anything thereon.
Voted Unanimously: To transfer the sum of eighteen hundred (1800) dollars for unexpected School Department expenses from the Surplus Revenue Account.
Article 3. To see if the town will vote to transfer the sum of eight hundred fifty (850) dollars for Veterans' Bene- fits from the Surplus Revenue Account or act anything there- on.
Voted Unanimously: To transfer the sum of eight hundred fifty (850) dollars for Veterans' Benefits from the Surplus Revenue Account.
Article 4. To see if the town will vote to transfer the sum of eight hundred (800) dollars for Brush Fire Payroll from the Surplus Revenue Account or act anything thereon.
Voted: Unanimously: To transfer the sum of eight hundred (800) dollars for Brush Fire Payroll from the Surplus Revenue Account.
Article 5. To see if the town will vote to amend the vote taken at the 1950 annual town meeting on Article 27, relative to the appropriation of forty-five thousand (45,000) dollars for the construction of a new fire house in Acton Center on the present fire house location according to plans
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submitted by the Fire House Committee and determine how the same shall be raised, to read as follows: That the sum of sixty thousand (60,000) dollars be appropriated for the construction of a new fire house in Acton Center, and that the town authorize the Fire House Committee to enter into contracts for the planning and construction of a new fire house and disposal of the present fire house; such plans, construction, equipment, disposal, contracts, and expendi- ture, for or in connection therewith, to be at the discretion and direction of the Fire House Committee; and to meet said appropriation the sum of fifteen thousand (15,000) dollars shall be appropriated from the Surplus Revenue Account, the sum of fifteen thousand (15,000) dollars shall be raised in the 1950 tax levy, and the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, shall borrow thirty thousand (30,000) dollars by issuing a note or notes for a period of two (2) years; fifteen thousand (15,000) dollars of which shall be paid each year.
The motion was made to amend the vote taken at the 1950 annual town meeting on Article 27, relative to the appropriation of forty-five thousand (45,000) dollars for the construction of a new fire house in Acton Center on the present fire house location according to plans submitted by the Fire House Committee and determine how the same shall be raised, to read as follows: That the sum of sixty thousand (60,000) dollars be appropriated for the construc- tion of a new fire house in Acton Center, and that the town authorize the Fire House Committee to enter into contracts for the planning and construction of a new fire house and disposaal of the present fire house; such plans, construction. equipment, disposal, contracts, and expenditure, for or in connection therewith, to be at the discretion and direction of the Fire House Committee; and to meet said appropriation the sum of fifteen thousand (15,000) dollars shall be ap- propriated from the Surplus Revenue Account, the sum of fifteen thousand (15,000) dollars shall be raised in the 1950 tax levy, and the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, shall borrow thirty thousand (30,000) dollars by issuing a note or notes for a period of two (2) years; fifteen thousand (15,000) dollars of which shall be paid each year.
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Moderator appointed five tellers :
Dewey E. Boatman
Ormal Laffin
Thomas E. Wetherbee
James E. Kinsley Edwin H. Christofferson
Motion for ballot vote prevailed.
Total votes cast 198
Yes 72
No 126
Meeting adjourned at 9:10 P.M.
A true copy. Attest: HARLAN E. TUTTLE,
Town Clerk
ABSTRACTS OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, MARCH 13, 1950
Article 1. (Officers) To choose all necessary town officers and committees and fix the salary and compensation of all elective officers of the town.
Chose: Clara L. Sawyer trustee of the Elizabeth White Fund for three years.
Chose: Frederick T. Kennedy trustee of the Acton Firemen's Relief Fund for three years.
Chose: Arno H. Perkins trustee of the West Acton Firemen's Relief Fund for three years.
Chose: Charles E. Smith trustee of the Goodnow Fund for three years.
Voted: That the salary of the Tax Collector be twelve hundred and fifty dollars per annum.
Voted: That the salary of the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen be four hundred dollars per annum and the other members three hundred dollars each per annum.
Voted: That the salaries of the Assessors be two thou- sand dollars in the aggregate per annum to be apportioned as they may determine.
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.
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Voted : That the salary of the Chairman of the Board of Public Welfare be one hundred and twenty-five dollars per annum and that of the other members seventy-five dollars each per annum and that the Board of Public Welfare be authorized to appoint one of its members as agent, at a salary of $600.00 in accordance with the provisions of Section 4A of Chapter 41 of the General Laws.
Voted: That the salary of the Town Clerk be four hundred dollars per annum, said salary to be retroactive to January 1, 1950.
Voted: That the salary of the Tree Warden be fixed at $1.25 per hour plus 75 cents per hour for use of a truck.
Voted: That the salary of the Moderator be fifteen dollars for one evening and twenty-five dollars for two eve- nings for the anual town meeting and ten dollars for each special meeting.
Voted: That the salary of the Town Treasurer be nine hundred dollars per annum, said salary to be retroactive to January 1. 1950.
Article 2. (Reports) To see if the town will vote to accept the several reports of the town officers and boards or act anything thereon.
Voted: To accept the several reports of the town officers.
Article 3. (Reports) To hear and act upon the re- ports of any committees chosen at any previous meeting that have not already reported.
Voted: To pass over the article.
Article 4. (Memorial Day) Te see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00, or any other sum, for the observance of Memorial Day, this sum to be expended under the direction of a committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen, or act anything thereon.
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred (500) dollars for the observance of Memorial Day,
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this sum to be expended under the direction of a committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen.
Article 5. (Memorial Day) To see if the town will vote to authorize the Finance Committee to include in each an- nual budget, a sum of money for the observance of Memorial Day and that this sum be expended under the direction of a committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen, or act any- thing thereon.
Voted: To authorize the Finance Committee to include in each annual budget, a sum of money for the observance of Memorial Day and that this sum be expended under the direction of a committee appointed by the Board of Select- men.
Article 6. (Borrow Money) To see if the town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year begin- ning January 1, 1950 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 ac- cordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws, or act anything thereon.
Voted Unanimously: To authorize the Town Treas- urer with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1950 and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to re- new 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.
Article 7. (Borrow Money) To see if the town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in any fiscal year in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1st of that current year, 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 or act anything thereon.
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Voted: To authorize the Town Treasurer with the ap- proval of the Board of Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in any fiscal year in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1st of that current year, 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.
Article 8. (Machinery Fund) To see if the town will vote to transfer the sum of $2,500.00 from the Machinery Fund to the Machinery Account, or act anything thereon.
Voted: To transfer the sum of Twenty-five Hundred (2500) dollars from the Machinery Fund to the Machinery Account.
Article 9. (Dog Officer) To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $450.00 for the use of the Treasurer to pay the expenses of the local Dog Officer. The amount spent for board and disposal of dogs will be reimbursed by the County of Middlesex, or act anything thereon.
Voted. To raise and appropriate the sum of Four Hundred fifty (450) dollars for the use of the Treasurer, to pay the expenses of the local Dog Officer.
Article 10. (Dog Officer) To see if the town will vote to authorize the Finance Committee to include in each an- nual budget a sum for the use of the Treasurer to pay the expenses of the local Dog Officer, or act anything thereon.
Voted: To authorize the Finance Committee to include in each annual budget a sum for the use of the Treasurer to pay the expenses of the local Dog Officer.
Article 11. (Garbage) To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2000.00 or any other sum, so that the Board of Health may contract for the col- lection and disposal of garbage for a period of one year, or act anything thereon.
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of Two Thou- sand (2000) dollars, so that the Board of Health may con-
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tract for the collection and disposal of garbage for a period of one year.
Article 12. (Garbage) To see if the town will vote to authorize the Finance Committee to include in each an- nual budget a sum of money so that the Board of Health may contract for the collection and disposal of garbage or act anything thereon.
Voted: To authorize the Finance Committee to include in each annual budget a sum of money so that the Board of Health may contract for the collection and disposal of garbage.
Article 13. (Trees) To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $250.00 for the Tree De- partment for the replacement of shade trees or act anything thereon.
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hun- dred Fifty (250) dollars for the Tree Department for the replacement of shade trees.
Article 14. (Town Hall) To see if the town will vote to appropriate from the Surplus Revenue Account the sum of $4,750.00 for the rewiring, repairing and redecorating the interior of the Town Hall, or act anything thereon.
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