USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1951-1955 > Part 22
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3,500.00
70 Total Charities $ 53,975.00
$ 51,832.94
Veterans' Aid 1.3% of Total
71 Veterans' Benefits Salary -
Wages $ 200.00
$ 150.00
72
Expenses
150.00
149.60
73
Veterans' Benefits Expendi- tures
5,000.00
4,360.00
74
Veterans' Services Salary -
Wages
900.00
806.50
75 Expenses
50.00
6.00
76 Total Veterans' Aid $ 6,300.00
$ 5,472.10
Education 44.4% of Total
77 Instruction
$135,360.80
$112,854.00
78 Textbooks and Supplies
11,247.53
6,779.73
79 Plant Operation
25,250.00
22,547.18
80 Maintenance
1,350.00
990.25
81 Auxiliary Agencies
21,225.00
10,303.49
8
82 General Control
9.400.00
8,664.47
83 Outlay
3,225.00
1,703.62
84 Contingency Fund
700.00
471.38
85 Total Education $207,758.33
$164,314.12
Libraries .8% of Total
86
Libraries Salaries & Wages .$
2,100.00
$ 1,550.00
87
Expense
971.00
983.06
88
Books
660.00
600.00
89 Total Libraries $ 3,731.00
$ 3,133.06
Recreation .4% of Total
90 Playgrounds - both fields ... $
1,500.00
$ 611.26
91 Skating Rink
200.00
-
92 Total Recreation .$ 1,700.00
$ 611.26
Cemeteries 2.6% of Total
93 Cemeteries Salaries-Wages
(inc. vacations)
$ 9,500.00
$ 8,482.20
94 Expenses
2.500.00
2,297.32
95 Total Cemeteries
. $ 12,000.00
$ 10,779.52
Unclassified 2.3% of Total
96
Town Reports
$ 1,500.00
$ 1 316.00
97
Workmen's Compensation . 2,000.00
1,598.52
98 Surety Bonds
600.00
595.25
99 Town Counsel
(Legal Services)
500.00
410.00
100 Fire Insurance
Town Bldgs.
1,850.00
1,922.62
101
Memorial Day
600.00
520.87
102 Pension Fund
2,192.45
1,859.00
103 Pension Fund Expense . .
150.80
129.50
9
104
Military Service Fund
49.09
41.00
105 Miscellaneous
1,500.00
586.47
106 Total Unclassified $ 10,942.34
8,979,23
Maturing Debt & Interest 9.3% of Total
107 Maturing Debt (Elem. and High Schools) $ 16,000.00
$ 16,000.00
108 Interest (Elem. and High High Schools) 5,560.00
5,875.00
109
Blanchard Auditorium
Maturing Debt. 20,000.00
-
110
Interest (Blanchard
Auditorium) 2,000.00
111 Total Debt and Interest $ 43,560.00
$ 21,875.00
112 Total Budget $467,879.67
$377,579.19
Article 5. To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of $2,500.00 for the payment of vocational tuition and transportation according to the provisions of Chapter 74 of the General Laws, or take any action thereon.
The Finance Committee recommends that the appropria- tion for this purpose be limited to $1,500.00, which is the same amount voted for last year.
Article 6 To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of $500.00 for the conduct of physical edu- cation and athletics by the School Department according to the provisions of Chapter 71 of the General Laws, or take any action thereon.
This is the same amount approved by the Town for 1953.
Article 7. To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of $1 000.00 to be extended by the School Committee for the purchase of a tractor-mowing machine, or act anything thereon.
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The purchase of a tractor-mowing machine at a cost of $1,000.00 is considered to be an unnecessary extravagance because of the relatively small area to be cared for around the High and New Elementary schools. If the present equip- ment is not considered to be adequate, it is recommended that the School Department arrange for the use of the mower used at Jones Field.
The Finance Committee disapproves of this article.
Article 8. To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money for the purpose of rehabilitating the present Acton High School, or act anything thereon.
Attention is invited to the heavy increase in school costs for this year, and the impending heavy expenditures neces- sary for the construction of new High School facilities.
Until such time as the problem of furnishing and financing new High School facilities has been satisfactorily resolved, it is considered unwise to spend any substantial amount of money for renovation of existing structures. Furthermore, no specific figures have been available for con- sideration.
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends that any appropriations under this article be deferred until such time as the voters have available for consideration informa- tion on the entire High School situation.
Article 9. To see if the town will vote to transfer the sum of $2,700.00 from the Machinery Fund to the Machinery Account, or act anything thereon.
This is a routine bookkeeping transfer and is recom- mended for approval.
Article 10. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $250.00 for the Tree Department for the replacement of shade trees, or act anything thereon.
Approval is recommended, - the amount is the same as last year.
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Article 11. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000.00, or any other sum, for the Tree Department for the eradication of poison ivy on the highways, streets and school grounds, or act anything thereon.
This appropriation is the same as for 1953 and is recomi- mended for the continued program of poison ivy control.
Article 12. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000.00, or any other sum, for the control of. Dutch Elm Disease in accordance with the pro- visions of Chapter 761 of the Acts of 1949, or act anything thereon.
This is the same appropriation as for 1953 and is man- datory by the State.
Article 13. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $100.00 for thinning out of hard- wood trees in the Town Forest, or act anything thereon.
Approval of this money is recommended for the con- tinuance of the program of Town Forest improvement.
Article 14. To see if the town will vote to appropriate from the Surplus Revenue Account the sum of $600.00 for the purchase of an Electric Chain Saw, Generator and Flood Light for the Tree Department, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee considers that the purchase of this equipment will enable the Tree Department to operate more effectively and efficiently. Approval is recommended.
Article 15. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 to establish a special Water Safety Account for the support of the summer Water Safety Program which is jointly sponsored by the Red Cross and the School Department, or take any action thereon.
As stated last year, it is the opinion of the Finance Committee that the costs of this program should be sustained
12
by outside subscription and not by the taxpayers. Approval is not recommended.
Article 16. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $375.00 for Protection for Members of Volunteer Fire Companies covering loss of life, total dis- ability, weekly indemnity and medical expense coverage, or act anything thereon.
Approval is recommended.
Article 17. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000.00, or some other sum, to be set aside as a Fire Apparatus Depreciation Fund, or act any- thring thereon.
The Finance Committee recommends the sum of $5,000 be raised and appropriated as an addition to the Fire Ap- paratus Depreciation Fund.
Article 18. To see if the town will vote to appropriate from the Surplus Revenue Account the sum of $500.00, or any other sum, for the purchase of an electric generating set, trimmer and a power mower for the Cemetery Depart- ment, or act anything thereon.
It is recommended that the sum of $500.00 be transferred from the Surplus Revenue account for purchase of the equip- ment indicated.
Article 19. To see if the town will vote to appropriate from the Surplus Revenue Account, the sum of $425.00, or any other sum, for the installation of four (4) poles. trans- former and wires, for the purpose of installing electricity and telephone service in the office at Mt. Hope Cemetery, or act anything thereon.
Transfer from the Surplus Revenue account for this purpose is recommended.
13
Article 20. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $4,000.00 for new construction of Main Street from Kelley's Corner to Acton Center; said money to be used in conjunction with $4,000.00 to be allotted by the County, and $8,000.00 to be allotted by the State, or act anything thereon.
Approval is recommended.
Article 21. To see if the town will vote to appropriate from the Surplus Revenue Account the amount of the State's and County's allotments for highways under Chapters 81 and 90; provided that the reimbursement be credited back to the Surplus Revenue Account, or act anything thereon.
Approval of the conditions of this article is recom- mended.
Article 22. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,825.00, or any other sum, for the purchase of two or more radios and alternators for the Fire Department, or act anything thereon.
It is recommended that the sum of$1825.00 be approved.
Article 23. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,200.00, or any other sum, 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 there- from, 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 pro- visions of General Laws (Ter. Ed) Chapter 40, Section 5, Sub-section 1, as amended, or act anything thereon.
Approval is recommended.
Article 24. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $410.00 to replace the present
14
counter and grating at the Acton Memorial Library with a new charge desk, or act anything thereon.
It is expected that installation of new desk arrange- ments would materially improve efficiency of operation and convenience to callers. Expenditure of $410.00 is therefore recommended.
Article 25. To see what sum of money the town will raise and appropriate to maintain and operate the Blanchard Auditorium, or act anything thereon.
No information is now available on which to make any recommendation.
Article 26. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,000.00 (approx.) as a guarantee to the Acton Water District toward the extension of the present 6 inch water main on Concord Road along Hosmer Street to Massachusetts Avenue (now Route 2), thence to the Acton town dump on Massachusetts Avenue. This sum to be spent $300.00 each year for a period of 10 years as the Town's share in defraying the interest on said extension, or as payment for the water used at the dump, or act anything thereon.
In view of the statements which have been made to the effect that commercial interests are prepared to guarantee the extension described, the Finance Committee does not approve of this article.
Article 27. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $225.00 for the purchase of an adding machine for the office of the Town Collector and authorize him to trade-in or sell the old one, or act anything thereon.
Approval is recommended.
Article 28. To see if the town will vote to appropriate and either raise or transfer a sum of money for the Acton Members of the Nagog Regional School District Committee
15
and authorize them to appoint one of their members as Agent to familiarize the members with the arrangement and con- struction of the Blanchard Auditorium as may pertain to the future operation and maintenance thereof and fix the compensation of said Agent, or act anything thereon. (In- serted in warrant at request of the Acton Members of the Nagog Regional School District Committee).
It is the opinion of the Finance Committee that the specifications and drawings prepared by the architect, and the on-the-spot assistance of the contractors responsible for installing equipment, would normally be sufficient to fa- miliarize custodians with operatnig requirements. There- fore this article is not approved.
Article 29. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $300.00, or any other sum, for the purchase of a pump for the forestry truck and authorize the Board of Selectmen to trade-in or sell the old one, or act anything thereon.
The cost for this replacement is recommended.
Article 30. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,200.00, or any other sum, for the purchase of a new cruiser and radio for same for the Police Department, or act anything thereon.
The addition of permanent members to the Police De- partment will necessitate a new cruiser. It is expected that the new vehicle - which will also include facilities for stretcher cases - will provide the opportunity for increased flexibility and efficiency of operation. The Finance Com- mittee approves the expenditure of $3,200.00 for a new cruiser.
Article 31. To see if the town will vote to appropriate from the Machinery Fund, the sum of $2,200.00 for the pur- chase of a tractor-loader for the Highway Department and authorize the Board of Selectmen to trade-in or sell the old one, or act anything thereon.
16
Because of increasing maintenance costs on present equipment it is considered most efficient to acquire a new tractor-loader. The Finance Committee recommends an ap- propriation of $2,200. and the trade-in of the present loader.
Article 32. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 for the purchase of a new snow plow for the Highway Department, or act anything thereon.
Approval is recommended.
Article 33. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,250.00 for the extension of the Fire Alarm System for the Town of Acton; $750.00 of which to be used for the extension of circuits and $1,500.00 for the installation of ten fire alarm boxes, or act anything thereon.
The requested extensions are approved.
Article 34. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $425.00 for fireproofing the boiler room of the West Acton Fire Station, or act anything thereon.
Dangerous existing conditions necessitate this expendi- ture and the amount requested is approved.
Article 35. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,550.00 for the purchase and in- stallation of a heating system in the South Acton Fire Station, or act anything thereon.
A dangerous situation also exists in the South Acton Station and an appropriation of $1,550 for correction is approved.
Article 36. To see if the town will vote to raise and :appropriate the sum of $250.00 for the installation of street
17
lights on eleven poles on Central Street from Elm Street to Nashoba Road, West Actoh, or act anything thereon. (Re- quested by a petition bearing eighteen (18) signatures).
The Finance Committee disapproves this article, inas- much as funds are provided in the general budget for street light installations.
Article 37. To see if the town will vote to instruct the Moderator to appoint a committee of three to study the needs of additional equipment for the Acton Fire Department and report to the Town at the next annual or special town meet- ing, or act anything thereon.
There appears to be no necessity for any action at the present time and it is recommended that this article be passed over.
Article 38. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,500.00, or any other sum, for the Acton Planning Board, or act anything thereon.
An appropriation of $500 is approved for the require- ments of the Planning Board during the remainder of the year.
Article 39. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $700.00 for the taking of the State Census beginning January 1, 1955, or act anything thereon.
The article is approved.
Article 40. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $300.00 for the use of Pony League baseball in this area, or act anything thereon. (Inserted in warrant on petition bearing ten (10) signatures).
The Finance Committee does not approve this article. Expenditures of this nature should not be a part of the tax structure.
18
Article 41. To see if the town will vote to accept the plan of a town road, which has been laid out by the Select- men and has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk, said plan showing a road 40 feet in width with a 24 foot or more traveled way, extending in an easterly direction from Arling- ton Street, a distance of approximately 251 feet plus an 80 foot circle, said road to be known as Haynes Court, or act anything thereon. (Inserted in warrant on petition bearing ten (10) signatures.)
The Finance Committee disapproves of this article. The recommendation for approval of roads is now the responsi- bility of the permanent Planning Board in accordance with Articles eleven and twelve of the By-Laws of the Town as approved at the 1953 Annual Meeting.
Article 42. To see if the town will vote to accept the plan of a town road, which has been laid out by the Select- men and has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk, said plan showing a road 40 feet in width with a 24 foot or more travelled way, extending in an easterly and northerly direc- tion from Central Street to Seneca Road, a distance of ap- proximately 2,250 feet, said road to be known as Mohawk Drive, or act anything thereon. (Inserted in warrant on petition bearing eleven (11) signatures).
The reason for disapproval is the same as indicated under Article 41.
Article 43. To see if the town will vote to accept the plan of a town road, which has been laid out by the Select- men and has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk, said plan showing a road 40 feet in width and a 24 foot or more travelled way, extending in an easterly direction from the way now known as Mohawk Drive, a distance of approxi- mately 570 feet, said road to be known as Seneca Road, or act anything thereon. (Inserted in warrant on petition bearing eleven (11) signatures).
The reason for disapproval is the same as indicated under Article 41.
19
Article 44. 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.
It is recommended that $3,000 be raised and appropriated and $3,000 be transferred from the Overlay Surplus to be used as a Reserve Fund.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting attested copies thereof seven days at least before the time of said meeting in not less than six public places in the town to be designated by the Board of Selectmen.
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 fifteenth day of January, 1954.
ARTHUR W. LEE LAWRENCE DONNELLY GEORGE S. BRAMAN
Selectmen of Acton
A true copy.
Attest : MICHAEL FOLEY,
Constable ofActon.
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ABSTRACT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, MARCH 9, 1953
Article 1. (Officers) To choose all necessary town officers and committees and fix the salary and compensation of all the elective officers of the town.
Chose: Clara L. Sawyer trustee of the Elizabeth White Fund for three years.
Chose: Helen B. Wood trustee of the Elizabeth White Fund to fill vacancy for two 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: Frank E. Greenough trustee of the Goodnow Fund for three years.
Voted: That the salary of the Moderator be fifteen dollars for one evening and twenty-five dollars for two eve- nings for the annual town meeting and ten dollars for each special meeting.
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 salary of the Town Treasurer be eleven hundred dollars per annum.
Voted: That the salary of the Tax Collector be one thousand eight hundred dollars per annum.
21
Voted : That the salaries of the Assessors be thirty- four hundred dollars in the aggregate per annum, to be ap- portioned as they may determine.
Voted: That the salary of the Town Clerk be four hundred dollars per annum.
Voted: That the salary of the Tree Warden be fixed at $1.35 per hour plus 75 cents per hour for use of a truck.
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 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.
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.
Voted: To accept a supplemental report of the Audi- torium-Gymnasium Building Committee.
At a meeting on March 6th with Mr. John Marshall, Administrator for the School Building Assistance Commis- sion, attended by the Superintendent of Schools, two Select- men, members of the Finance Committee, School Committee, Regional Planning Board, and the Auditorium-Gymnasium Building Committee, Mr. Marshall promised aid on a High School size gymnasium that will tie into a Regional High School. We have received a letter confirming this proposal.
Because of the Town's acceptance of the Regional School agreement, this Committee recommends that the Town vote on Article 42 to make $275,000.00 available to the Building
22
Committee so that plans and construction can proceed forth- with on a High School size gymnasium that will contain more than twice the floor area that was in the building that was formerly recommended by this committee to be built under Article 41.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts School Building Assistance Commission 88 Broad Street, Boston 10
March 6, 1953
Mr. Porter G. Jenks Rear 303 Central Street
West Acton, Mass.
Dear Mr. Jenks :
I am writing to summarize briefly our conference in this office this morning. It was gratifying to have before us for the first time a concrete proposal for constructing needed school facilities in Acton in a manner compatible with the stipulations of the Blanchard gift and the requirements of this office.
The proposal is to use local funds to build a high school gymnasium, to serve as the gymnasium of the regional high school recently voted by Acton and Littleton.
This we can gladly approve. I would call your attention to the following points of our discussion today :
1. Your committee should advise with this office during the planning, and obtain written approval of the plans before construction is begun. I appreciate your willingness also to advise with the regional district school committee when it is organized, so that the gymnasium will be easy to link with the total high school plant.
28
2. Since under the terms of the Blanchard gift the Town of Acton is to construct and retain title to the gym- nasium, it will be necessary for us to apply the local rate (about 36 per cent) to the project.
3. Our approval of this project is predicated upon its being available for use by the regional high school. I assume the regional high school will be under construction by the time your committee requests reimbursement for the gym- nasium.
I look forward to working with you on this project.
Cordially yours,
/s/ JOHN E. MARSHALL John E. Marshall Administrator
JEM/jv
cc: Superintendent of Schools Mr. Robert Stow
Article 3. (Reports) To hear and act upon the re- ports of any committee chosen at any previous meeting that have not already reported.
Voted. To pass over the Article.
Article 4. (Expenses) To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and appropriate to defray the necessary expenses of the several departments of the town and determine how the same shall be raised.
Voted: That the following sums of money be raised and appropriated for the several purposes hereinafter desig- nated and that the same be expended only for the purposes under the direction of the respective boards, committees, or officers of the Town as follows :
24
General Government
1 Moderator $ 55.00
2 Finance Committee Expense 75.00
3 Selectmen's Dept. Salaries & Wages
3,684.00
4 Expenses 200.00
5
Town Accountant Salary & Wages
1,100.00
6 Expenses
100.00
Treasurer Salary & Wages
1,100.00 350.00
9 10 Expenses
1,800.00 300.00
11
Assessors' Salaries & Wages
3,750.00
12 Expenses
300.00
13 14
Town Clerk Salary & Fees Expenses
800.00
350.00
15 Elections & Registrations Salaries & Wages
780.00
16 Expenses
540.00
17 Total General Government $ 15,284.00
Buildings and Grounds
18 Buildings & Grounds Salaries &
Wages $ 3,100.00
19 Expenses 5,525.00
20 Total Buildings and Grounds 8,625.00
Protection of Persons and Property
21 Police Salaries & Wages .$ 13,418.00
22 Expenses, including Cruiser operation and uniforms 2,550.00
25
7 8 Expenses
Tax Collector Salary & Wages
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Expenses 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Dog Officer 37 Total Protection
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