USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1920-1929 > Part 13
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SPECIAL MEETING June 14, 1922
Pursuant to a warrant issued by the Selectmen the inhabitants of the Town of Medfield, duly warned and notified in the manner prescribed by law, met at the Town Hall in said Medfield on the 14th day of June, 1922, at 12 o'clock noon and the following action was taken on the several articles contained in the War- rant.
Article 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
The annually elected Moderator being present, no action was taken.
Article 2. To elect a Town Clerk and Trustee of the Public Library to fill the unexpired terms of Stillman J. Spear, de- ceased.
The ballot clerks and tellers were sworn by the town clerk and assigned to duty as follows: Lillian M. Arguin and Turner R. Bailey to distribute ballots; Mary A. Weiker and Michael J. English to check at ballot box; Edward H. Abell, Alex. Allan, Frank J. Bell and George Washburn, Tellers.
B. Frank Rhoades in charge of ballot box. The ballot box was examined and found in good order. The polls were opened at 12 o'clock noon and closed at 7.30 o'clock p. m. The ballots were counted in open meeting and the total vote cast was 430 which agreed with the number checked on the voting list and registered on the ballot box.
The following named persons having received the largest number of votes were declared elected:
For Town Clerk, to fill the unexpired term of Stillman J. Spear, William H. Everett.
For Trustee of Public Library, Harriet B. Crocker.
The ballots and check lists were sealed up in open meeting and endorsed by the proper election officers.
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Article 3. To see if the town of Medfield will accept the be- quest of the late Stillman J. Spear the sum of $200.00, in trust for the perpetual care of the lot and the monumental stones thereon, formerly known as the "Obed Hartshorn" lot in Vine Lake Cemetery, the income thereof or so much as may be necessary to be expended, for said purpose, and any portion of said income not so expended shall be held for unusual or ex- traordinary repairs which may from time to time become necessary.
Also to see if the town will accept the sum of $100.00 dollars for the perpetual care of the Frank Maker lot.
Voted, that the trusts be accepted.
Article 4. To see if the town will vote to purchase a Motor Pumping Fire Engine, grant and appropriate money therefor or do or act anything relating thereto.
Voted, that the town grant and appropriate the sum of $4,200.00 for the purchase of a Motor Pumping Fire Engine, $1,200.00 to be paid out of current taxes of the present mu- nicipal year, and the Town Treasurer be authorized with the approval of the Selectmen to borrow the sum of $3,000.00 for said purpose and to issue notes therefor in the sum of $1,000.00 each payable one in each year for three consecutive years be- ginning with year 1923.
Article 5. To see if the town will vote to elect a Superin- tendent of Streets at the next annual meeting.
Voted, that the article be dismissed.
Article 6. To see if the town will rescind the vote passed at the last town meeting, appropriating the sum of $300.00 for Pfaffs Field, $100.00 for the Athletic Field and $100.00 for Baxter Square.
Voted, that the article be dismissed.
Article 7. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of $500.00 for the Parks and Playgrounds.
Voted, that the sum of $500.00 be granted and appropriated for the Parks and Playgrounds.
Article 8. To see if the town will grant and appropriate a
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sum not exceeding $3,425.00 for the purpose of replacing the present worn out wrought iron pipe in Pleasant Street, from Main Street, to Oak Street and also in Oak Street from Pleasant to South Street with 6-inch Cast Iron Pipe, this new line later to become a part of whatever permanent system is adopted for both Domestic and Fire purposes.
Voted, that the town grant and appropriate a sum not ex- ceeding $3,425.00 for the purpose of replacing the present worn out pipe in Pleasant Street from Main Street to Oak Street and also in Oak Street from Pleasant Street to South Street with 6-inch Cast Iron Pipe.
Article 9. To see if the town will grant and appropriate a sum not exceeding $2,000.00 for the purpose of replacing the present worn out wrought iron pipe in Cottage Street from North Street to Adams Street, and also in Adams Street from Cottage Street to the Fire Reservoir with 6-inch Cast Iron Pipe.
Voted, that the article be dismissed.
Article 10. To see if the town will grant and appropriate a sum not exceeding $735.00 for the purpose of replacing 420 feet of the present worn out wrought iron pipe in Park Street, com- mencing at Main Street, with 6-inch Cast Iron Pipe.
Voted, that the article be dismissed.
Article 11. To see if the town will grant and appropriate a sum not exceeding $680.00 for the purpose of replacing 390 feet of the present worn out wrought iron pipe in Spring Street, commencing at Main Street, with 6-inch Cast Iron Pipe.
Voted, that the article be dismissed.
Article 12. To see if the town will grant and appropriate a sum not exceeding $520.00 for the purpose of replacing 300 feet of the present worn out wrought iron pipe in Mitchell Street with 6-inch Cast Iron Pipe.
Voted, that the article be dismissed.
Article 13. To see if the town will grant and appropriate a sum not exceeding $1,450.00 for the purpose of laying a new line of 6-inch Cast Iron Pipe in Frairy Street from the end of the present 4-inch Cast Iron line at Vinald Road to Cottage
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Street, this extension to become a part of the future permanent system.
This is asked for upon application for twelve new services.
Voted, that the town grant and appropriate a sum not ex- ceeding $1,450.00 for the purpose of laying a new line of 6-inch Cast Iron Pipe in Frairy Street from the end of the present 4-inch Cast Iron Pipe line at Vinald Road to Cottage Street.
Article 14. To see if the town will grant and appropriate a sum not exceeding $800.00 in order that the Water Commissioner may make conclusive tests as to the quantity of water available in our present source of supply, as instructed by Motion No. 2 under Article Five of the Special Town Meeting of April 7th, 1921.
Voted, that the article be dismissed.
Article 15. To see if the town will finance the foregoing Water Department articles by notes on a fifteen-year basis and authorize the Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen to borrow money for said purpose and issue fifteenn otes therefor, the first one being payable in one year from date of issue, the remaining fourteen one in each year thereafter, or act in any manner relating thereto.
Voted, that the sum of $875.00 be paid out of current taxes of the present municipal year, and that the Town Treasurer be authorized with the approval of the Selectmen to borrow the sum of $4,000.00 and to issue notes therefor in the sum of $1,000.00 each, payable one in each year for four consecutive years beginning with year 1923.
All the articles having been acted upon the meeting was dis- solved.
Attest:
EDWARD M. BENT, Acting Town Clerk.
.
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ANNUAL MEETING
March 6, 1922
Pursuant to a warrant issued by the Selectmen, the in- habitants of the town of Medfield, duly warned and noti-fied in the manner prescribed by law, met at the Town Hall on the 6th day of March, 1922, at six o'clock in the forenoon; and the following action was taken upon the several articles in said warrant :-
Article 1. To choose all town officers required to be elected annually by ballot, viz .: One Moderator, One Town Clerk, One Treasurer, One Collector of Taxes, Three Constables, One Tree Warden, all for one year; One Selectman for three years; One Assessor for three years; One School Committee for three years; Two Trustees of the Public Library for three years; . One Member of Board of Health for three years; One Park Com- missioner for three years; One Cemetery Commissioner for three years; One Water Commissioner for three years.
Also to vote on the following question:
Shall license be granted for the sale of non-intoxicating beverages in the town for the ensuing year? The vote to be "Yes" or "No." All the above to be voted for on one ballot. The polls to be opened at 6.15 o'clock in the forenoon and may close at two o'clock in the afternoon.
The ballot box was examined and found in good working order and at close of voting agreed with the check lists in the number of ballots cast.
The following named persons appointed by the Selectmen and sworn by the Town Clerk were assigned to duty as follows: George Washburn and Turner R. Bailey, to distribute ballots; John H. Tuttle and Mary A. Weiker, to check at ballot box; Constable B. Frank Rhoades in charge of ballot box; Edward
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H. Abell, Alex. Allan, Alex A. Maclean and Ira C. Penniman, Frank J. Bell, Arthur W. Hobbs, Michael J. English, Lillian M. Arguin, Tellers.
Cards of Instruction and Specimen Ballots were posted as required by law. The polls were opened at six o'clock in the morning and closed at 2.30 o'clock in the afternoon. The ballots were counted in open meeting and the total vote cast was 755.
The following named persons having received the largest number of votes were declared elected to the several offices:
Moderator, one year, George L. L. Allen.
Town Clerk, one year, Stillman J. Spear.
Selectman, three years, Harry J. Webb.
Treasurer, one year, John H. Tuttle.
Tax Collector, one year, Robert W. Baker.
Tree Warden, one year, Geo. L. L. Allen.
Constables, one year, Cornelius P. McKeoun, B. Frank Rhoades, Levi C. Taylor.
Assessor, three years, Robert W. Baker.
School Committee, three years, Susan M. Clark.
Board of Health, three years, Edwin J. Keyou. Water Commissioner, three years, Michael E. Griffin.
Cemetery Commissioner, three years, Daniels Hamant.
Trustee of Public Library, three years, Nellie T. Keyou. Park Commissioner, three years, Harrison H. Child.
On the question "Shall license be granted to sell certain non- intoxicating beverages in the town for the ensuing year?" the vote was "Yes" 206; "No" 212; Blanks 337.
The ballots were counted and sealed up in open town meeting and endorsed by the proper election officers. All previous ballots have been destroyed.
In accordance with the usual custom the meeting was then adjourned to Monday evening, March 13, 1922, at 7.30 o'clock.
ADJOURNED MEETING
The remaining articles in the Warrant for the Annual Meeting were taken up and acted upon as follows:
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Article 2. To choose Fence Viewers and Field Drivers.
Voted, that these officers be appointed by the Selectmen. The following named persons were appointed as Field Drivers and Fence Viewers: Albert' L. Clark, Joseph E. Allen, George W. Mills.
Article 3. To see if the town will accept the reports of the several Town Officers for the past year.
The reports were acted upon severally and all were accepted.
Article 4. To grant and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to defray the expenses of the town for the en- suing year.
The following sums of money were granted and appropriated to defray the expenses of the ensuing year :
Executive Department. $ 750.00
Treasurer
450.00
Collector. 600.00
Assessors. 450.00
Town Clerk
250.00
Election and Registration
300.00
Town House.
600.00
Police Department.
2,000.00
Fire Department.
2,000.00
Sealer's Department. 50.00
Moth Department. . 900.00
Tree Warden Department.
2,000.00
Health Department.
450.00
Sewer Department
300.00
Street Cleaning. 300.00
Highway and Tarvia.
10,000.00
Snow Department.
300.00
Sidewalks and Tarvia
400.00
Bridges. 100.00
Street Lights.
3,000.00
Charities .
3,000.00
Soldiers' Relief
300.00
Education
23,500.00
Library, Interest on Fund, Dog Tax and
1,400.00
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Memorial Day. .
$200.00
Liability and Boiler Insurance 400.00
Water Department
1,000.00
Interest
1,000.00
Notes .
1,500.00
Cemetery, Proceeds from Sale of Lots and
800.00
Contingent Unclassified Fund
500.00
County Hospital.
1,221.38
District Nurse (Under Article 11)
300.00
Parks (Under Article 16)
500.00
Town Survey 500.00
Guardrails on Highway (Under Article 12) 400.00
Sidewalk Pleasant Street (Under Article 13) 250.00
$61,971.38
Article 5. To see if the town will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the present municipal year to an amount not exceeding in the aggregate thirty thou- sand dollars, and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year, any debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the revenue of the present municipal year.
Voted, that the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the taxes of the municipal year beginning January 1, 1922, to an amount not exceeding in the aggregate Thirty Thousand Dollars, and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year, any debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the taxes of said municipal year.
Article 6. To determine in what manner the taxes shall be collected for the ensuing year, also determine what percentage shall be allowed the Collector for the ensuing year.
Voted, that taxes shall be paid not later than the 15th day of October of each year, and on all taxes remaining unpaid after the first day of November interest shall be paid at the rate of six per cent, per annum from the 15th day of October until such
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taxes are paid. It was also voted that the Collector receive one per cent on all taxes collected by him.
Article 7. To see if the town will authorize the Collector to use all such means in the collection of taxes as the Treasurer might if elected to that office.
Voted, that the Collector be instructed to use all means and processes provided by law for the collection of al taxes remain- ing unpaid after the first day of December, 1922.
Article 8. To see what compensation the Town will allow the members of the Fire Department for the ensuing year.
Voted, that the members of the Fire Department be paid the sum of twelve dollars per year and one dollar for the first hour wh le working at fires and seventy-five cents per hour for each subsequent hour of fire work.
Article 9. To see how much per hour the town will allow for work on the highways for the ensuing year or do or act anything relating thereto.
Voted, that the price for labor, per hour, on the highways be left to the discretion of the Selectmen.
Article 10. To see if the town will accept the following named sums as perpetual trust funds for the care of lots in Vine Lake Cemetery, the interest thereof, or so much as may be necessary to be used for said care, viz .:
For care of Clara L. Howard lot $150.00
For care of Nathan A. Stone lot. 50.00
For care of Henry F. Wight lot. 100.00
Voted, that the trust be accepted.
Article 11. To see if the town will grant and appropriate the sum of three hundred dollars toward the support of a Visiting Nurse as authorized by the Acts of 1911, Chapter 72, Section 1, or do or act anything relating thereto. (Petition.)
Voted, that the sum of $300 be granted and appropriated for the support of a Visiting Nurse.
Article 12. To see if the town will grant and appropriate the sum of five hundred ($500.00) dollars for the erection and repair
92
of guard rails on the highways at such places as may be con- sidered necessary.
Voted, that the sum of four hundred dollars be granted and appropriated for the erection and repair of guard rails on the highways at such places as may be considered necessary.
Article 13. To see if the town will grant and appropriate the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars for the purpose of building a sidewalk on the easterly side of Pleasant Street from Oak Street to residence of Geo. G. Bent, or do or act anything relating thereto. (Petition.)
Voted, that the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars be granted and appropriated.
Article 14. To see if the town will vote to rescind the action taken on Article 6 contained in the warrant for a special meeting, held April 28, 1919, whereby it was "voted that at the next annual meeting for the election of town officers the town shall elect one selectman to serve for three years, one selectman to serve for two years, and one selectman to serve for one year, and shall annually thereafter choose one selectman to serve for three years." (Petition.)
Voted, that the article be dismissed.
Article 15. To see if the town will vote to return to its former method of electing annually a Board of three Selectmen to serve for one year only or until their successors are elected.
Voted, that the article be dismissed.
Article 16. To see if the town will grant and appropriate the sum of $500.00 to be expended for park improvements or do or act anything relating thereto. (Petition.)
Voted, that the sum of five hundred dollars be granted and appropriated, three hundred to be expended on the Pfaff Park, one hundred on the Athletic, and one hundred on the Baxter Park.
Article 17. To see what action the town will take in regard to the unexpended balances and overdrafts in the treasury.
Voted, that the article be dismissed.
Article 18. To see if the town will grant and appropriate the
93
sum of one hundred and eighty dollars for the Board of Water Commissioners as a compensation for their services during a portion of the last year.
Voted, that the sum of one hundred twelve dollars and fifty cents for the Board of Water Commissioners for the balance of the year be granted and appropriated.
Article 19. To see if the town will vote to pay the Board of Water Commissioners a salary of $100.00 each per year, or do or act anything relating thereto.
Voted, to pay the Water Commissioners a salary of fifty dollars each per year.
Article 20. To hear and act on the report of any committees appointed at previous meetings, grant and appropriate money, if necessary, to carry out recommendations, or do or act any- thing relating thereto.
Voted, that the report of the Water Commissioners be ac- cepted as a work of progress.
Article 21. To see if the town will adopt the following regu- lation in relation to employment of labor, or do or act anything relating thereto, viz .:
"In the employment of mechanics, firemen, teamsters, or laborers in the Public Works of the Town of Medfield, or by person or persons contracting therewith, preference shall first be given to resident ex-service men citizens of the United States honorably discharged therefrom; secondly to resident citizens of said town; if they cannot be found in sufficient numbers then to citizens of the United States." (Petition.)
Voted, that the article be dismissed.
All the articles having been acted upon the meeting was dissolved.
Attest :
STILLMAN J. SPEAR,
Town Clerk.
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NOVEMBER ELECTION, 1922
At the State Election held in Medfield, November 7, 1922, for the purpose of choosing State and County Officers and to vote on questions presented on the ballot.
Total vote cast was 558 divided among the several candidates as follows:
For Governor
Channing H. Cox of Boston 398
John F. Fitzgerald of Boston. 142
Henry Hess of Boston.
Walter S. Hutchins of Greenfield.
1
John B. Lewis of Reading 6
Blanks . 11
558
For Lieutenant Governor
John F. Doherty of Boston
120
Alvin T. Fuller of Malden 399
Oscar Kinsalis of Springfield
Thomas Nicholson of Methuen 1
Blanks . 38
For Secretary 558
Frederick W. Cook of Somerville.
405
Albert Sprague Coolidge of Pittsfield.
1
James Hayes of Plymouth .
Charles H. McGlue of Lynn
102
Blanks 50
558
-
95
For Treasurer
James Jackson of Westwood 413
Patrick H. Loftus of Abington
1
Joseph E. Venne of Leominster
96
Blanks.
48
558
For Auditor
John Aiken of Everett . 3
Alonzo B. Cook of Boston 364
114
Edith M. Williams of Brookline
2
Blanks
75
558
For Attorney General
Joseph Bearak of Boston
1
Jay R. Benton of Belmont . 369
David Craig of Milford
2
John E. Swift of Milford
112
Blanks
74
558
For Senator in Congress
Washington Cook of Sharon . 3
William A. Gaston of Boston .
134
Henry Cabot Lodge of Nahant 377
John A. Nicholls of Boston
11
John Weaver Sherman of Boston
1
William E. Weeks of Everett .
Blanks 32
558
For Congressman 13th District
Robert Luce of Waltham 395
Blanks . 163
558
Dennis F. Reagan of Brockton
Alice E. Cram of Boston .
96
For Councillor 2d District
William W. Ollendorff of Medway. 384
Agustus W. Perry of Boston 90
Blanks. 84
558
For Senator Norfolk District
Frank G. Allen of Norwood. 391
Charles F. Riordan of Sharon
96
Blanks. 71
558
For Representative 9th Norfolk District
George Peirce of Medfield.
391
Blanks. 167
558
For County Commissioner Norfolk County Everett M. Bowker of Brookline
388
Blanks . 170
558
For Two Associate Commissioners Norfolk County Turner R. Bailey of Medfield .
1
Harry E. Conway of Medfield
2
Leon E. Mayo of Medfield .
1
Lewis K. Conant of Medfield.
1
William H. Everett of Medfield .
1
Alphonso L. Allen of Medfield .
1
Hiram Hotchkiss of Medfield
1
Frank R. Clark of Millis
1
Blanks. 1,107
1,116
For District Attorney Southeastern District James J. Lynch of Brookline . 97
Harold P. Williams of Brookline. 382
Blanks 79
558
97
For Clerk of Courts Norfolk County
Robert B. Worthington of Dedham 388
Blanks 170
558
For Register of Deeds Norfolk County
Walter W. Chambers of Dedham . 370
Leo P. Noonan of Quincy 80
Blanks 108
585
For County Commissioner Norfolk County (To fill vacancy)
Edward W. Hunt of Weymouth
371
Blanks 187
558
Referendum Question No. 1 Amendment to Constitution
Yes. 219
No.
77
Blanks 262
558
Referendum Question No. 2
Yes .
218
No.
99
Blanks 241
558
Referendum Question No. 3
Yes 165
No.
279
Blanks 114
558
98
Referendum Question No. 4
Yes . 226
No.
228
Blanks .
104
558
Referendum Question No. 5
Yes.
282
No. .
105
Blanks
171
558
A true copy
Attest:
WILLIAM H. EVERETT,
Town Clerk.
ANNUAL REPORT
. OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
TOWN OF MEDFIELD
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1922
101
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Town of Medfield for the Year Ending December 31, 1922
Members and Organization WILLIAM G. PERRY Term expires 1923
WILLIAM F. BEARSE, Chairman Term expires 1924
SUSAN M. CLARK, Secretary . Term expires 1925 ALBERT S. AMES, Superintendent
LAWRENCE DEWAR, Attendance Officer
Calendar
Winter Term, 12 weeks, closes March 23, 1923.
Spring Term, 12 weeks, opens April 1, closes June 22, 1923.
Fall Term, 16 weeks, opens September 4, closes December 21, 1923.
REPORT OF MEDFIELD SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1922
1. Cost of Maintaining the Schools. The net cost of operating the Schools during the year 1922, after crediting the various rebates from the State was $18,901.82.
The increase in the budget for 1923 over that of 1922 is due to the necessity for an additional teacher and to slight increases in cost of transportation, fuel and general control.
2. Overcrowded Condition of the Schools. A matter of first importance, which the Committee feels cannot be brought too strongly to the attention of the Town, is the increasingly over- crowded condition of the schools.
In its last annual report the Committee took pains to acquaint the Town most fully with this menacing situation.
The number of children attending the schools during the present year is in excess of the previous one.
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Already it has become necessary to engage assistant teachers in two of the lower grades of the school because the number of children in those grades has reached the limit allowed by law to one teacher.
Efficiency in teaching can hardly be expected where fifty or more children are placed together in one room, even with two teachers to give the instruction. And yet these children must be taught in this way because there are not rooms enough available in the building to provide them with the accommoda- tions they require.
The situation is steadily approaching the point where larger accommodations must be provided, or the children forced to attend school under the two platoon system, an expedient in- volving increased expenditure on the part of the Town without a commensurate satisfaction to the parents or benefit to the children.
The Committee again seeks to impress upon the Town the urgent necessity of taking prompt action looking eventually to providing larger accommodations for the schools.
3. Establishement of a School Lunch. An accomplishment of note during the year was the opening in November of a school lunch-room. This was brought about through the praise- worthy efforts of the local Parent-Teacher Association in focusing public sentiment in the town upon the need of having a lunch-room at the school, and in securing an increase in the school appropriation to defray the cost of making certain necessary alterations in the building and preparing a room for the purpose.
Public-spirited citizens of the town contributed additional funds for the needed equipment, and a committee of ladies from the Parent-Teacher Association assumed charge of the work of serving the lunch.
It was at first intended only to provide the younger children, obliged to remain at the school between sessions with a suitable room in which they might eat their noon-day meal and to sup- ply them with milk or a hot drink, such as cocoa, to help make the lunches more palatable and nutritious.
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