USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1951-1955 > Part 33
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Many Town departments now purchase identical ma- terials from various suppliers at various prices. This does not seem consistent with good business procedure. Therefore, in the interest of economy, your Finance Committee recom- mends serious consideration of centralized purchasing for the town needs.
We would like to call your attention to the mounting costs of Veterans Benefits Expenditures. Because of existing statutes there is little that can be done at present. However, projection of these costs into the future would indicate a very high outlay for this item. Changes in present laws seem the only hope for this mounting pressure on our tax burden.
The Finance Committee would like to thank all Boards and Committees for their cooperation during the past year.
EDWARD S. BOYDEN ROBERT F. CHARLES JOHN M. GODDARD ROGER M. MYRICK BRADFORD S. LEACH, Clerk JOHN M. WHITTIER, Chairman
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TOWN WARRANT
D
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS MIDDLESEX, ss
To either of the Constables of the Town of Acton, in said County, Greetings :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify the legal voters of said Town of Acton, qualified to vote at town meetings for the transaction of town affairs, to meet in their respective precincts, to wit:
Precinct 1-Town Hall, Acton Center
Precinct 2 - Congregational Church, South Acton
Precinct 3-Woman's Club House, West Acton
at 12 o'clock noon, Monday, the seventh day of March, 1955, by posting a copy of this warrant, by you attested, at each of the places as directed by vote of the town, seven days at least before the seventh day of March.
To bring in their votes on one ballot for the following town officers: Moderator, town clerk, town treasurer, town collector, one selectman for three years ; one assessor for three years; one member of the board of public welfare for three years; four constables for one year; one cemetery commis- sioner for three years; two members of the school committee for three years; one member of the school committee for one year (to fill vacancy) ; one member of the board of health for three years; one trustee Memorial Library for three years; a tree warden for one year; one member of the planning board for five years; one member of the planning board for one year (to fill vacancy).
The polls will be open at 12 o'clock noon, and close at 8 o'clock p. m.
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You are further requested in the name of the Common- wealth to notify the legal voters of said Town of Acton as aforesaid, to meet at the BLANCHARD AUDITORIUM in said Acton on
Monday, March 14, 1955 at 7:30 o'clock P. M. Then and there to act on the following articles :
Article 1. To choose all necessary town officers and
committees and fix the salary and compensation of all the elective officers of the town.
Article 2. To see if the town will vote to accept the several reports of the town officers and boards, or act any- thing thereon.
Article 3. To hear and act upon the reports of any com- mittees chosen at any previous meeting that have not already reported.
Article 4. 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.
It is recommended that the following sums of money be ra sed and appropriated for the several purposes hereinafter designated and that the same be expended only for the pur- poses under the direction of the respective boards, committees, or officers of the Town as follows:
Recommended 1955
Expended 1954
'Item
General Government 3.4% of Total
1 Moderator $ 55.00
S 55.00
2 Finance Committee Expense . .
50.00
10.00
3 Selectmen's Dept. Salaries -
Wages
4,091.00
3,708.52
4 Expenses
300.00
189.20
5
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Town Accountant - Wages ..
Expenses
1,200.00 150.00
1,200.00 149.49
Treasurer Salary - Wages . .
1,200.00
1,200.00
Expenses
350.00
350.00
Tax Collector Salary - Wages Expenses
500.00
649.00
Assessors' Salaries - Wages Expenses
400.00
236.18
14
350.00
345.89
Elections & Registrations, Sal- aries - Wages
1,116.00
1,525.00
15 16 Expenses
700.00
802.70
17 Total General Government .... $ 17,262.00 $ 16,639.53
Buildings and Grounds 1.4% of Total
18 Buildings. & Grounds Salaries
- Wages $ 3,150.00 $ 2,450.51
19 Expenses
3,875.00
3,520.92
20 Total Buildings and Grounds . $ 7,025.00 $ 5,971.43
Protection of Persons and Property 11.8% of Total
21
Police Salaries and Wages ... $ 19,236.00 Expenses including Cruiser operation and Uniforms . . 4,225.00
4,324.36
23
Fire Department Salaries - Wages
8,760.00
5,127.05
24 Expenses
5,430.00
6,277.05
25
Fire Alarm System Salaries -
Wages
3,820.00
3,625.60
26 Expenses
1,050.00
671.94
27
Fire Hydrant Rental
10,000.00
9,730.00
28
Sealer Weights and Measures Salaries - Wages ·
250.00
250.00
29 Expenses
50.00
41.58
30
Moth Dept. Salaries - Wages
1,000.00
1,314.05
31
Expenses
1,000.00
1,192.87
6
..
800.00
614.25
Town Clerk Salary - Fees Expenses
1,900.00
1,900.00
4,100.00
3,704.30
$ 16,972.63
22
32 33
Tree Warden Salary - Wages Expenses
2,000.00
1,592.20
1,200.00
1,010.53
34 35
Wire Inspector, Salary and Travel
750.00
750.00
Expenses
100.00
78.83
36
Dog Officer
350.00
280.00
37 Total Protection $ 59,221.00
$ 53,238.69
Health and Sanitation 3.8% of Total
38 Board of Heath Salaries -
Wages
$
50.00
$ 50.00
39
Expenses
800.00
946.56
39A
Secretary - Salary
2,340.00
1,478.50
40
Town and School Nurse
3,100.00
3,070.00
41
Expenses
840.00
815.00
42
Board of Health Agent
Salary
350.00
300.00
43
Expenses
300.00
416.60
44
Inspector, Milk and Food Salary
150.00
297.65
45
Expenses
0.00
0.00
46
Custodian - Town Dump -
47
Salary Expenses
800.00
1,110.95
48
State Sanitorium
500.00
363.00
49
Medical Supplies
150.00
136.63
50
School Clinic
300.00
190.00
51
Substitute Nurse
300.00
276.00
52
Garbage Collection
5,450.00
4,950.00
53
Inspector of Animals
150.00
150.00
54 Expenses
25.00
21.10
55 Total Health and Sanitation $ 19,105.00
$ 18.048.99
Highways 6.7% of Total
56 Village Highways . $ 3,000.00
2.998.32
7
-
3,500.00
3 477.00
57 Chapt. 81 Highways
8,550.00
8,550.00
58 Chapt. 90 Highways
1,500.00
1,200.00
59 Snow Removal
13,000.00
11,197.64
60 Traffic Signs - Lines
500.00
493.78
62 Highway Vacations
700.00
547.60
63 Street Lighting
6,618.60
6,040.12
64 Total Highways $ 33,868.60
$ 31,027.46
Charities 10.7% of Total
65 Welfare District Administration
and Welfare Board Salaries $
1,800.00
$ 1,475.00
66
General Relief
3,000.00
3,231.91
67 Old-Age Assistance
41,000.00
41,000.00
68 Aid to Dependent Children
5,000.00
5,000.00
69 Disability Assistance
3,000.00
3,500.00
70 Total Charities $ 53,800.00
$ 54,206.91
Veterans' Aid 1.8% of Total
71 Veterans' Benefits Salary
Wages $ 200.00
$ 200.00
72
Expenses
250.00
248.00
73
Veterans' Benefits Expenditures
8 000.00
10,570.97
74
Veterans' Services Salary - Wages
900.00
799.75
75
Expenses
50.00
0.00
76 Total Veterans' Aid $ 9,400.00
$ 11,818.72
Education 46% of Total
77 Instruction
$159,133.35
$133,911.28
78 Textbooks and Supplies
8,780.70
11,147.25
79 Plant Operation
27,275.00
25,242.19
80 Maintenance
3,740.00
1,324.08
81 Auxiliary Agencies
18,325.00
19,317.63
8
82 General Control
11,925.00
8,995.72
83 Outlay
2,299.15
2,987.28
84 Contingency Fund
700.00
439.66
85 Total Education $232,178.20
$203,365.09
Libraries .7% of Total
86
Libraries Salaries and
Wages
Ş 2,100.00
S
2,036.70
87
Expenses
785.00
908.10
88 Books
660.00
660.00
89 Total Libraries
3,545.00
Ş 3,604.80
Recreation .3% of Total
90
Playgrounds - both fields ... $
1,500.00
1,020.20
91 Expenses
150.00
0.00
92 Total Recreation $ 1,650.00
$
1,020.20
Cemeteries 2.5% of Total
93 Cemeteries Salaries - Wages
(inc. vacations)
$ 10,000.00
$ 9,419.10
94 Expenses
2,500.00
2,493.21
95 Total Cemeteries $ 12,500.00
$ 11,912.31
Unclassified 2.4% of Total
96
Town Reports
$
1,700.00
S 1,491.35
97 Workmen's Compensation
2,000.00
1,363.48
98 Surety Bonds
600.00
528.75
99 Town Counsel (Legal Services)
500.00
500.00
100 Fire Insurance - Town Buildings
2,150.00
1,759.26
101
Memorial Day
600.00
560.02
102 Pension Fund
2,844.31
2,192.45
103 Pension Fund Expense
187.50
150.80
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104 Military Service Fund .
30.73
49.09
105 Board of Appeals - Expense
100.00
12.25
106 Planning Board - Expense . .
200.00
305.77
107 Service Fees
300.00
0.00
108 Miscellaneous
1,000.00
324.71
109 Total Unclassified $ 12,212.54 $ 9,237.93
Maturing Debt & Interest 8.5% of Total
110 Maturing Debt (Elem. and High
Schools)
$ 16,000.00
$ 16,000.00
111 Interest (Elem. and High Schools)
5,245.00
5,560.00
112
Blanchard Auditorium -
Maturing Debt
20,000.00
20,000.00
113 Interest
1,600.00
2,000.00
114 Total Debt and Interest.
$ 42,845.00
$ 43,560.00
Total Budget $504,612.34
$463,652.06
Article 5. To see if the town will vote to transfer the control of the Blanchard Auditorium and Gymnasium from the Acton Members of the Nagog Regional School District Committee to the Acton School Board, who shall be the repre- sentatives of the Town of Acton in all matters relating to the operation and maintenance of the premises and shall employ at the expense of the town all persons employed in such opera- tion and maintenance, and shall in general have charge of the premises in behalf of the town including the assignment of dates and hours for use by organizations and for activities other than the School Department, or act anything thereon.
The Acton School Committee is presently considered to be the logical group to operate the Blanchard Auditorium. Passage of this article is therefore recommended.
Article 6. To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of $35,200 for the installation of unit ventilators in the High School, or act anything thereon.
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The Finance Committee disapproves this article. In view of the fact that the heating system has recently been mod- ernized, and replacement of inadequate lighting is now pend- ing, the critical changes in the High School building will have been accomplished.
Until the exact use of the building is decided in reference to a new High School, it is recommended that no major ex- penditure for ventilation be made. At that time it is ex- pected that any necessary improvement in the ventilation can be accomplished in a much more economical manner than anticipated under this article.
Article 7. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 for the replacement of the cesspool at the Acton Center School, or act anything thereon.
In view of the anticipated closing of the village schools following proposed new construction, the Finance Committee is reluctant to recommend replacement of the cesspool. It is recommended that the present facilities be maintained until such time as the future use of this property is finally determined.
Article 8. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,000.00 for the payment of voca- tional tuition and transportation according to the provisions of Chapter 74 of the General Laws, or take any action thereon.
It is recommended that $1500 be appropriated. This is the same amount voted last year and is also slightly in excess of actual expenditures.
Article 9. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 for the conduct of physical education and athletics by the School Department according to the provisions of Chapter 71 of the General Laws, or take any action thereon.
Money appropriated under this article goes into a revol- ving fund in which there existed a balance of $363 at the
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beginning of this year. It is recommended that the appro- priation under this article be limited to $750, which is fifty per cent above the appropriation of last year.
Article 10. 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.
We find no reason to change our recommendation of previous years. We believe that the costs of this program should be sustained by outside subscription and not by the taxpayers. Approval of this article is therefore not recom- mended.
Article 11. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to complete the electrical work in the rehabilitation of the High School, or take any action therecn.
The Finance Committee favors the expenditure of suffi- cient funds to achieve satisfactory lighting in the present High School building.
Article 12. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $11,120.00 to maintain and operate Blanchard Auditorium, or act anything thereon.
The amount of money requested is an estimate prepared for the School Committee. The Finance Committee favors the appropriation.
Article 13. 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.
Article 14. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000.00, or any other sum, for the
12
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 1954 and is recom- mended for the continued program of poison ivy control.
Article 15. 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 provi- sions of Chapter 761 of the Acts of 1949, or act anything thereon.
Approval is recommended.
Article 16. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $100.00 for thinning out hardwood trees in the town forest, 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 Stabilization Fund, or act anything thereon.
The appropriation represents a continuation of the pro- gram of reserving funds for new Fire Department apparatus. The Finance Committee recommends approval.
Article 18. To see if the town will vote to transfer from the Stabilization Fund, the sum of $15,000.00, or any other sum, for the purchase of a fire truck, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee favors the purchase of new pumping apparatus. The proposed purchase will preserve the Town's present Class C rating and will continue the pro- gram of supplying the Fire Department with essential equipment.
Article 19. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 for the extension of the Fire Alarm System for the Town of Acton; said sum to be used
13
for an extension of the fire alarm circuit from the South Acton Fire Station to the corner of Main and Prospect Streets and for a box to be located at said corner, or act anything thereon.
Approval is recommended.
Article 20. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $4,500.00 for new construction of Main Street from Kelley's Corner to Acton Center; said money to be used in conjunction with $4,500.00 to be allotted by the County, and $9.000.00 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 recommended.
Article 22. 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.
Approval of this bookkeeping transfer is recommended.
Article 23. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of $500.00 from the Surplus Revenue Account, for the purpose of oiling the roads and avenues in Mt. Hope Cemetery, or act anything thereon.
The requested appropriation is recommended to provide for the program of continued road maintenance.
Article 24. To see if the town will vote to transfer from the Surplus Revenue Account the sum of $835.00 for repairs to the Acton Memorial Library, or act anything thereon.
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It is recommended that $835 be transferred from Surplus Revenue for the purpose indicated.
Article 25. 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 pro- tection 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, Sub-section 1, as amended, or act anything thereon.
This is the same amount as requested last year, and ap- proval is recommended.
Article 26. To see if the town will vote to instruct the Board of Selectmen to contract with the Water District for hydrant rental at $25.00 per hydrant annually, or act anything thereon.
It is understood that an annual rental of $25.00 per hydrant was previously approved by the Town. No informa- tion has been presented to justify any increase.
Article 27. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from the Surplus Revenue Account, the sum of $1,600.00 to be expended under the direction of the Blanchard Auditorium Building Committee, for the pay- ment of unpaid bills, for painting the locker room floors and for the purchase of equipment for the Blanchard Auditorium, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee favors this request.
Article 28. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds, the sum of
15
$400.00 for the installation of an oil burner at the Town Hall, or a t anything thereon.
It is recommended that $400 be transferred from Surplus Revenue for this item.
Article 29. 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, and see if the town will authorize the Finance Committee to hereafter include a sum sufficient for this purpose in the annual budget, or act anything thereon.
This is the same amount requested last year. Approval is recommended.
Article 30. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $200.00 as its contribution to the Acton Water District toward the cost of extending a six inch water main from Hosmer Street to the Acton town dump on Massachusetts Avenue, or act anything thereon.
The objective of this article received favorable action under Article 26 of the 1954 Annual Meeting. The sum of $200 requested this year represents the second of a total of ten annual payments, and approval is recommended.
Article 31. To see if the town wil vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $50.00 for the purpose of paying a bill submitted by Storey, Thorndike, Palmer and Dodge for legal services in 1953 in connection with the proposed agree- ment for the formation of the Nagog Regional School Dis- trict, or act anything thereon.
Payment of $50 for the purpose indicated is recom- mended.
Article 32. To see if the town will vote to transfer from the Surplus Revenue Account, the sum of $700.00 for con- structing an additional office and conference room on the
16
first floor of the Town Hall, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee favors this expenditure to con- tinue the program of providing suitable centralized space for the use of boards and committees in their expanding work.
Article 33. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $600.00, or any other sum, to pay the cost of obtaining coverage of various objects suitable for insurance under a boiler and machinery policy, or act any- thing thereon.
Boiler insurance would protect the town against loss resulting from explosion of equipment, cover replacement of cracked boiler sections on a depreciated basis, result in im- proved inspection procedures, and increase the safety of per- sons and property. The town now pays approximately $200 annually for State boiler inspection, which could be dispensed with inasmuch as similar inspection would be provided under the proposed insurance.
Article 34. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to contract for the purchase of fuel oil for all of the town buildings equipped with oil burners, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee favors the procurement of sup- plies, heating oil, gasoline, tires, and other requirements of the town on whatever basis will result in maximum economy.
Article 35. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $350.00 for the purchase of a dupli- cating machine for the use of the Board of Selectmen and other town departments, or act anything thereon.
It is recommended that arrangements be made with the School Department for the use of its duplicating equipment.
Article 36. To see if the town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint a committee of five, including two
17
members of the Planning Board, to compile and publish town ordinances, regulations and by-laws now in effect in Acton.
Compilation of the proposed material is desirable on the condition that it is unnecessary to prepare more than a very limited number of copies for official town use.
Article 37. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000.00 for a survey of the pollution of waters in the Town of Acton and correction thereof, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee is opposed to this proposed pro- ject. Inasmuch as flagrant situations are already known, a survey is unnecessary.
Article 38. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,500.00 for the extension of water to a place conveniently located in the center of the dump with water house for connection of hose, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee disapproves this article. The newly installed hydrant located near the dump, and placed there for fire control, is considered adequate.
Article 39. To see if the town will vote to transfer from the Surplus Revenue Account the sum of $500.00 for the wages of the Inspector of Plumbing, or act anything thereon.
This article represents an opportunity for the voters to determine whether Acton requires the services of a plumbing inspector.
Article 40. 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. This is the same amount as last year.
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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 twenty-eighth day of January, 1955.
CARL A. CHRISTOFFERSON LEO C. CUNNINGHAM FREDERICK W. ABBT
Selectmen of Acton
A true copy.
Attest : MICHAEL FOLEY,
Constable of Acton.
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ABSTRACT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, JANUARY 4, 1954
Article 1. To see if the town will vote to instruct the Board of Health to enter into a three year contract for collect- ing and removing garbage from the Town of Acton and the sum of $4,950.00, or any other sum, be raised and appropriated for garbage removal expense for 1954, or act anything there- on.
Voted Unanimously: To instruct the Board of Health to enter into a three year contract for collecting and remov- jno garbage from the Town of Acton and that the sum of $4,950.00 be raised and appropriated for garbage removal expense for 1954.
Voted to adjourn at 8:30 P.M.
A true copy. Attest :
HARLAN E. TUTTLE,
Town Clerk
20
ABSTRACT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, MARCH 8, 1954
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: Thelma M. Blood trustee of the Elizabeth White Fund for three years.
Chose: Clarence Frost trustee of the Acton Firemen's Relief Fund for three years.
Chose: H. Stuart MacGregor trustee of the West Ac- ton Firemen's Relief Fund for three years.
Chose: Roy H. Linscott trustee of the Goodnow Fund for three years.
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 Moderator be fifteen dol- lars for one evening and twenty-five dollars two evenings for the annual town meeting and ten dollars for each spe- cial meeting.
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