USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1951-1955 > Part 45
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The polls will be open at 12 o'clock noon, and close at 8 o'clock P. M.
You are further requested in the name of the Common- wealth to notify the legal voters of said Town of Acton as
17
aforesaid, to meet at the BLANCHARD AUDITORIUM in said Acton on
Monday, March 12, 1956 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 Com- mittees and fix the salaries 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 take any other action relative thereto.
Article 3. To hear and act upon the reports of any Committees chosen at any previous town meeting that have not already reported.
Article 4. To see what sums 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 raised 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:
1956 BUDGET
Recommended 1956
Expended 1955
General Government 3.1% of Total
1 Moderator
$75.00
$75.00
2 Finance Committee Expense
50.00
76.80
3
Selectmen's Dept. - Salaries and Wages
4
Expenses
300.00
228.69
5
Town Accountant - Wages
1,300.00
1,200.00
6
Expenses
200.00
147.25
7
Treasurer, Salary - Wages Expenses
1,300.00
1,200.00
8
400.00
349.46
9
Town Collector, Salary
2,000.00
1.900.00
Wages
4,678.00
4,098.96
Item
18
9A Clerk, Wages Expenses
500.00
10
700.00
593.41
11 Assessors' Salaries - Wages Expenses
4,500.00
4,417.05
12
400.00
318.56
13 14
Town Clerk, Salary - Fees Expenses
350.00
159.95
15
Elections and Registrations - Salaries Wages
2,490.00
1,516.00
16
Expenses
900.00
590.45
17 Total General Government ..
$21,243.00
$17,856.58
Buildings and Grounds 1.1% of Total
18 Buildings and Grounds - -
Salaries - Wages
$3,150.00
$2,637.51
19 Expenses
4,450.00
2,919.01
20 Total Buildings and Grounds
$7,600.00
$5,556.52
Protection of Persons and Property 10.1% of Total
21 Police, Salaries and Wages ..
$20,920.00
$19,232.88
21A Clerk Hire, Wages
1,300.00
22 Expenses including Cruiser operation and Uniforms ....
4,425.00
5,053.03
23
Fire Department - Salaries - Wages
8,775.00
6,450.90
24 Expenses
9,120.00
5,343.50
25 Fire Alarm System - Sal- aries - Wages Expenses
4,760.00
3,563.85
27
Fire Hydrant Rental
10,650.00
10,080.00
28
Sealer Weights and Measures Salary - Wages
250.00
250.00
29 Expenses
50.00
40.32
30
Moth Department Chapter
1,000.00
999.00
31
660 - Salaries - Wages .. Expenses
1,000.00
996.33
32
Dutch Elm Disease Control
- Chapter 761
1,200.00
A 1,000.00
19
26
230.00
565.36
1,100.00
985.00
33 Town Forests-Maintenance
100.00
A 268.10
34 Shade Tree Replacement . .
250.00
A 247.75
35 Tree Warden, Salary Wages 36 Expenses
2,000.00
1,999.07
1,200.00
1,202.39
37 Wire Inspector - Salary and Travel
750.00
750.00
38
Expenses
100.00
97.99
39
Dog Officer
350.00
300.12
40 Total Protection
$68,430.00
$58,440.59
Health and Sanitation 4.0% of Total
41 Board of Health - Salaries
- Wages
$50.00
$50.00
42
Expenses
950.00
741.57
43
Secretary - Salary
2,385.00
2,339.71
44
Town and School Nurse
Salary
3,120.00
3,120.00
45
Expenses
960.00
840.00
46
Assistant Nurse - Salary ....
960.00
380.00
47
Board of Health Agent and Assistant Agent - Sal-
1,885.00
495.13
49
Inspector, Milk and Food
150.00
150.00
50
Custodian - Town Dump Salaries
3,760.00
3,775.00
51 Expenses
800.00
671.75
52
State Sanitorium
700.00
393.00
53
Medical Supplies
150.00
135.00
54
School Clinic
900.00
565.00
55
Garbage Collection
7,900.00
7,400.00
56
Inspector of Animals Expenses
150.00
150.00
57
25.00
25.00
58
Plumbing Inspector
1,000.00
763.00
59 Total Health and Sanitation
$26,510.00
$22,144.00
aries and Wages
48 Expenses
665.00
149.84
-
20
Highways 5.5% of Total
60 Village Highways
$4,000.00
$4,517.28
61 Chapter 81 Highways
8,550.00
8,550.00
62 Chapter 90 Highways
2,000.00
1,500.00
63 Snow Removal
13,000.00
10,806.86
64 Traffic Signs - Lines
500.00
485.01
65 Highway Vacations
925.00
384.00
66 Street Lighting
7,000.00
6,703,98
67 Total Highways
$35,975.00
$32,947.13
Charities 8.0% of Total
68 Welfare District Administra- tion and Welfare Board Salaries
$2,275.00
$2,075.00
69 General Relief and Disability Assistance
5,000.00
4,956.74
70
Old Age Assistance
41,000.00
41,000.00
71 Aid to Dependent Children ..
5,500.00
5,000.00
72 Total Charities
$53,775.00
$53,031.74
Veterans' Aid 1.4% of Total
73
Veterans' Benefits - Salary
- Wages Expenses
$200.00
$200.00
74
250.00
217.76
75
Veterans' Benefits Expendi- tures
8,000.00
7,552.60
76
Veterans' Services - Salary
800.00
750.00
77
Expenses
25.00
17.00
78 Total Veterans' Aid
$9,275.00
$8,737.36
Education 45.8% of Total
79 Instruction - Local
$156,760.00
$154,239.50
80 - Regional
42,531.33
......
81 Textbooks and Supplies
6,775.00
8,493.05
- Wages
- Local
21
82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95
- Regional
5,298.96
Plant Operation - Local
28,450.00
26,066.90
- Regional
11,186.40
- Blanchard Auditorium Maintenance - Local
2,350.00
3,553.98
- Regional
398.25
Auxiliary Agencies - Local
16,775.00
17,242.47
- Regional
5,354.26
9,235.00
9,622.22
General Control - Local - Regional
4,183.41
Outlay - Local
2,400.00
1,877.77
- Regional
88.50
Contingency Fund - Local ..
700.00
97.00
- Regional
132.75
96
Total Education
$305,238.86
$227,920.60
Libraries .8% of Total
97
Libraries - Salaries and
Wages
$3,700.00
$2,965.13
98
Expenses
1,100.00
1,218.08
Books
660.00
660.00
100
Total Libraries
$5,460.00
$4,843.21
Recreation .2% of Total
101
Playgrounds - both fields ..
$1,500.00
$958.60
102
Expenses
150.00
103
Total Recreation
$1,650.00
$958.60
Cemeteries 2.0% of Total
104
Cemeteries, Salaries-Wages
$11,200.00
$9,974.03
105 Expenses
2,500.00
2,485.97
106
Total Cemeteries
$13,700.00
$12,460.00
12,620.00
6,727.71
22
Planning Board .3% of Total
Planning Board - Expenses
$650.00
$170.26
107 108 Service Fees
1,150.00
164.10
109 Total Planning Board
$1,800.00
$334.36
Other Classified Expenses 1.8% of Total
110
Town Reports
$1,700.00
$1,566.88
111 Workmen's Compensation
2,000.00
1,808.34
112 Surety Bonds
675.00
594.00
113 Legal Services - Board of Selectmen
500.00
500.00
114
Fire Insurance - Town
Buildings
1,100.00
740.70
115
Memorial Day
600.00
538.90
116
Pension Fund
3,792.00
2,844.31
117 Pension Fund Expense
205.50
187.50
118
Military Service Fund
19.32
30.73
119
Board of Appeals-Expenses
50.00
14.50
120
Miscellaneous
1,500.00
963.48
121 Total Other Classified Ex-
penses
$12,141.82
$9,789.34
Amortization and Interest Requirements for the Bonded Indebtedness of the Town and the Regional School District 15.9% of Total
122 Elementary and High Schools Maturing Debt
$16,000.00
$16,000.00
123
Interest
4,930.00
5,245.00
124
Blanchard Auditorium
Maturing Debt
20,000.00
20,000.00
125
Interest
1,200.00
1,600.00
126
Regional School Maturing Debt
24,700.00
127
Interest
33,345.00
...
128
Surface Drainage Mohawk Drive and Seneca Road -
Maturing Debt
5,000.00
5,000.00
23
Interest
262.50
..............
129 130 Anticipation of Revenue
Notes -Interest
500.00
...
131 Total Amortization and In- terest Requirements
$105,937.50
$47,845.00
Total Budget
$668,736.18 $502,865.03
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $2,000.00 for the payment of vocational tuition and transportation according to the provisions of Chapter 74 of the General Laws, or take any other action relative thereto.
It is recommended that $1,500. be appropriated which is the same amount approved last year.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $1,000.00 for the conduct of physical educa- tion and athletics by the School Department according to the provisions of Chapter 71 of the General Laws, or take any other action relative thereto.
Money appropriated under this article goes into a revolving fund in which there existed a balance of $812. at the beginning of this year. It is recommended that the appropriation under this article be limited to $500.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $500.00 to establish a special Water Safety Account for the support of the summer Water Safety Pro- gram which is jointly sponsored by the Red Cross and the School Department, or take any other action relative thereto.
Approval of this article is not recommended. This action is consistent with the position of the Finance Committee in previous years.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money for the purpose of constructing an addition to the Julia L. McCarthy Primary School and for originally equipping and furnishing said addition, or take any other action relative thereto.
No estimate of cost has been presented for consideration by the Finance Committee.
24
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money for the purpose of converting the present High School Building to accommodate elementary school pupils, or take any other action relative thereto.
Inasmuch as essential changes in the lighting and heating of the present High School have been completed, further expenditures on this building at the present time do not appear to be justified. The Finance Committee, therefore, disap- proves of this article.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money to renovate the present High School Building, or take any other action relative thereto.
The Finance Committee disapproves of this article for the same reasons as indicated under Article 9.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to purchase, take by eminent domain or otherwise acquire for the Town for school purposes, land currently owned by Maynard Building Supply, Inc. and being shown as lots 2, 3 and 4 on a Plan by MacCarthy Engineering Service, Inc., which plan is dated May 4, 1955 and recorded in the Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds in Book 8483 Page 154, bounded and described as follows: Southerly by Main Street 450 feet, Westerly by land now or formerly of Kelley 249.68 feet, Northerly by land Town of Acton 490 feet and Easterly by land now or formerly of George S. Todd, et al. 189.09 feet; and to see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money therefor, or take any other action relative thereto.
In view of the probable cost of this property the Finance Committee disapproves of this article.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to purchase, take by eminent domain or otherwise acquire for the Town for school purposes, land currently owned by Maynard Building Supply, Inc. and being shown as lot 4 on a Plan by MacCarthy Engineering Service, Inc., which plan is dated May 4, 1955 and recorded in the Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds in Book 8483 Page 154, bounded and described as follows: Southerly by Main Street 150 feet, Westerly by lot #3 200 feet, Northerly by land of the Town of Acton 190 feet and Easterly by land now or formerly of George S. Todd, et al. 189.09 feet; and to see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money therefor, or take any other action relative thereto.
25
In view of the changed character of this area and the cost of such property, the Finance Committee disapproves of this article.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Protective Zoning Bylaw of the Town of Acton by adding the following as Paragraph Three (3) to Section Four (4) Business District, or take any other action relative thereto.
3. Area Regulation. A structure erected for residential purposes in a Business Zone shall conform to the area, setback, side and rear line restriction as set forth in Section Three (3) of the Protective Zoning Bylaw of the Town of Acton.
We believe approval of this article will benefit the Town.
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Protective Zoning Bylaw of the Town of Acton by adding the following as Paragraph Eight (8) of Section Six (6) Administration, or take any other action relative thereto.
8. No new construction, or alteration of an existing structure that would cause a physical change affecting the zoning regulations as applicable to the building if altered, may be started without a permit from the Board of Selectmen. The application for permit should be filed at least fifteen (15) days prior to the start of construction or alteration.
We believe approval of this article will benefit the Town.
Article 15. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint a permanent building committee to be known as the Town Building Committee; said Committee to be composed of five members and of the members first appointed, one is to serve for one year, one is to serve for two years, two are to serve for three years and one is to serve for four years and thereafter appointments are to be for four year terms; with one member of said Committee to be appointed upon the recommendation of the board or committee within the scope of whose supervision and management the then contemplated building or structure will fall; vacancies during any term to be filled as provided in Section 11 of Chapter 41 of the General Laws; said Committee to have general supervision over the design and construction of public buildings, including the authority to employ professional assistance and, subject to specific authorization by the Town, to enter into contracts on behalf of the Town for the prepara-
26
tion of construction plans and specifications and for the con- struction of buildings and other structures, or take any other action relative thereto.
The Finance Committee believes that a permanent Building Committee for the Town is desirable.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $14,500.00 to define and improve the brook in the west part of Town that drains the areas between Massa- chusetts Avenue on the north, Homestead Street on the south, Arlington Street on the west and Central Street on the east, or take any other action relative thereto.
The expenditure of a sum of $5,000. to be transferred from Surplus Revenue is recommended by the Finance Committee to initiate this program.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to adopt, amend and adopt, or reject the Proposed Building Bylaw of the Town of Acton as printed in the 1955 Town Report, under authority of Chapter 40, Section 25 of the General Laws, or take any other action relative thereto.
Adoption of a reasonable Building Code is considered to be of benefit to the Town.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to discontinue as public ways fourteen currently unused and unsafe public ways of record, as shown on a Plan filed with the Town Clerk, or take any other action relative thereto.
The Finance Committee favors abandonment of these roads.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money to complete the grading and seeding on the front and west end of the Blanchard Auditorium, to install additional ventilation in the gymnasium, and to pay expenses incidental to the overhauling and relaying of the gymnasium floor; said money to be spent by the Auditorium- Gymnasium Committee, or take any other action relative thereto.
The Finance Committee recommends the expenditure of not more than $400. to cover painting, removal and restoration of doors in connection with relaying gymnasium floor.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $1,500.00, or any other sum, for the exten-
27
sion of water to a place conveniently located in the center of the town dump and in conjunction therewith to erect a struc- ture which will be used to store and protect equipment used on combustible material brought to the town dump, or take any other action relative thereto.
The Finance Committee does not recommend passage of this article.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $4,500.00, or any other sum, to pay the cost of insurance against the various hazards described in an insurance report submitted to the Selectmen dated January 27, 1956. This sum, or any part thereof, to be expended at the discretion of the Selectmen after consultation with the Finance Committee and the remainder, if any, to revert to the Surplus Revenue Account, or take any other action rela- tive thereto.
Your Finance Committee favors adequate town insurance. However, we feel this article should be passed over until specific costs for the various types of insurance have been determined and presented at a later town meeting.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate 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 take any other action relative thereto.
This appropriation is the same as for 1955 and is recom- mended for the continued program of poison ivy control.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $7,000.00, or any other sum, to be set aside as a Stabilization Fund, or take any other action relative thereto.
In view of this year's markedly increased budget, the Finance Committee recommends that no more than $5,000. be set aside as a Stabilization Fund.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $7,500.00 for new construction of Massa- chusetts Avenue, West Acton from Central Street easterly to the State Highway Bound, a distance of approximately 1,000 feet; said money to be used in conjunction with
28
$7,500.00 to be allotted by the County, and $15,000.00 to be allotted by the State, or take any other action relative thereto.
Approval is recommended.
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $5,000.00, or any other sum, for the replace- ment and construction of sidewalks on Massachusetts Avenue in West Acton, in conjunction with the new construction on Massachusetts Avenue in West Acton, or take any other action relative thereto
The Finance Committee approves the expenditure of not more than $1,200. under this article to be transferred from Surplus Revenue.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $1,000.00, or any other sum, for the installa- tion of bituminous sidewalks on Main Street from the Rail- road Bridge to Flints Pharmacy and on School Street from the Railroad Bridge to the southeasterly entrance to the Rail- road Station, and on School Street from Main Street at the Exchange Hall to the Elementary School in South Acton, or take any other action relative thereto.
The Finance Committee approves the expenditure of not more than $1,000. under this article to be transferred from Surplus Revenue.
Article 27. 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 take any other action relative thereto.
Approval of the conditions of this article is recommended.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $3,000.00 from the Machinery Fund to the Machinery Account, or take any other action relative thereto.
Approval of this bookkeeping transfer is recommended.
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $9,500.00, or any other sum, for the pur- chase of a tractor-loader for the use of the Highway Depart- ment, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to trade-in
29
or sell the currently owned tractor-loader, or take any other action relative thereto.
Your Finance Committee recommends the transfer of $9,500. from Surplus Revenue for the purchase of this loader. It will permit more efficient use of present town equipment. In addition we are informed that this unit will earn more than $1,000. annually for the Town.
Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $1,200.00, or any other sum, to pay the cost of effecting insurance providing indemnity for or protec- tion 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, Chapter 40, Section 5, Sub-section 1, as amended, or take any other action relative thereto.
This is the same amount as requested last year, and approval is recommended.
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $778.24, or any other sum, to pay the cost of obtaining coverage of various objects suitable for insurance under a boiler and machinery policy, or take any other action relative thereto.
This is a continuation of a program initiated and approved last year. Approval is recommended this year.
Article 32. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $200.00 as its contribution to the West and South Water Supply District of Acton toward the cost of extending a six inch water main from Hosmer Street to the Acton town dump on Massachusetts Avenue, or take any other action relative thereto.
This is the third of ten annual payments required to pay for the extension of water service at this location and approval is recommended.
Article 33. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $450.00, or any other sum, for the purchase of a Traffic Timer for the Police Department, or take any other action relative thereto.
30
It is recommended that the sum of $450. be transferred from Surplus Revenue for the purchase of this unit.
Article 34. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint a committee of five members to study the fire house situation and bring in recommendations as requested by the New England Fire Insurance Rating Association, or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 35. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $1,500.00, or any other sum, for the exten- sion of the Fire Alarm System; said sum to be used for an extension of the fire alarm circuit from Main Street along Newtown Road to Maple Avenue, southerly along Maple Avenue to end, thence westerly on Newtown Road approxi- mately 500 feet, thence northerly to Woodbury Lane and easterly on Woodbury Lane to Main Street, and to install one box, or take any other action relative thereto.
It is recommended that $1,500. be raised and appropriated for this purpose.
Article 36. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $500.00, or any other sum, for the purchase and installation of an automatic hose reel for the forest fire truck, or take any other action relative thereto.
The Finance Committee recommends the sum of $500. be transferred from Surplus Revenue to remedy a presently hazardous condition.
Article 37. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $1,000.00, or any other sum, for the pur- chase and installation of a base radio station, to replace the mobile unit now in use as a fire alarm transmitting station, or take any other action relative thereto.
The Finance Committee recommends approval of this article and that the sum be transferred from Surplus Revenue.
Article 38. To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 5, Article 1 of the Town Bylaws having to do with the Fire Department by striking out said Section 5, Article 1 and submitting therefor the amendment as printed in the Annual Town Report for the year 1955, or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 39. To see if the Town will vote to accept an Act providing for life tenure for H. Stuart MacGregor, incumbent
31
of the office of Chief of the Fire Department of the Town of Acton, as provided in the Acts and Resolves of 1956, viz: An Act Providing for Life Tenure for H. Stuart MacGregor, Incumbent of the Office of Chief of the Fire Department of the Town of Acton.
Be it enacted as follows :
Section 1. The tenure of office of H. Stuart MacGregor, incumbent in the office of Chief of the Fire Department of the Town of Acton, shall upon the effective date of this act be unlimited but he may be removed therefrom for cause after hearing in the manner provided by Section 43 of Chapter 31 of General Laws.
Section 2. This act shall take full effect upon its acceptance by a majority of the voters of said Town present and voting thereon at a special or annual town meeting, but not otherwise.
Article 40. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $200.00, or any other sum, for the purchase of a power mower for the playgrounds, or take any other action relative thereto.
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