USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1960-1966 > Part 64
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82
Article 9. Voted unanimously to authorize the Board of Selectmen to abandon, in behalf of the Town, all right, title and interest which it ac- quired by virtue of an Order of Taking dated April 30, 1963 and recorded with Norfolk Deeds in Book 4068, Page 378, 379 and 380 in, under and through that portion of the easement so taken which lies between lands
171
ANNUAL REPORT
1965
now or formerly of Laura H. Smith and Henry S. Smith and Hillcrest Road, said Order of Taking to remain otherwise in full force and effect.
Article 10. Voted unanimously to accept a grant of easement for water supply purposes in, over, under and through the land in Medfield shown on a sub-division plan of land entitled "Plan of Land in Medfield, Mass.," dated August 20, 1964 and revised April 6, 1965, drawn by Cheney Engineering Co., and being recorded with Norfolk Deeds as Plans No. 817 and 818 of 1965 in Plan Book 218, the area in, over, under and through which said grant is to be made being shown on the aforesaid plan as "Rolling Lane Extension" and said grant is to include the right to install, maintain and repair a water supply pipe or pipes, including necessary fittings and appurtenances thereto and such other rights in said Rolling Lane Extension as are necessary or incidental to the purpose of the grant.
Article 11. Voted unanimously to accept as a gift a deed to a parcel of land owned by Hoover Realty Trust, comprising about 5,000 square feet of land and lying between Rolling Lane Extension and land owned by the Town of Medfield and being shown on the plan referred to in the previous article in this warrant.
NOTE-Voted to act on Article 19 prior to Article 12.
Article 19. Voted to transfer the sum of $4,000.00 from free cash in the Town Treasury for the purpose of extending the water mains in Pleasant Street between the corner of Pleasant Street and Metacomet Street and Curve Street, said extension to be under the provisions of the Water Betterment Act.
Article 12.
NOTE-In the midst of lengthy discussions on this article and prior to any vote taken on the same, it was voted to adjourn the meeting until 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23, 1965 at the Dale Street School.
The standing vote for adjournment was counted as follows:
224 for adjournment 75 against adjournment
172
TOWN OF MEDFIELD
1965
ADJOURNED SPECIAL TOWN MEETING November 23, 1965
The Moderator called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. at the Dale Street School and action was resumed on Article 12. After considerable discussion a standing vote counted as follows showed that the article failed to pass:
136 voted in favor of passage 141 voted against passage
Article 12. Voted that this article be dismissed wherein the sum of $65,000.00 was sought for the acquisition for parking purposes of all the land now owned by the Socony Mobil Oil Company lying Northerly of Main Street and Easterly of North Street.
NOTE-Prior to action under the foregoing article the Board of Selectmen submitted to the Meeting plans, specifications and estimates of the probable cost or expense of the project in accordance with Article 1, Section 6 of the Town By-Laws adopted March 8, 1926.
Article 13. Voted that this article be dismissed wherein a sum of money was sought for the demolishing and removing Socony Mobil Oil Company structures if Article 12 was approved.
Article 14. Voted that this article be dismissed wherein a sum of money was sought for the purpose of renovating the North Street School for conversion as a municipal office building.
Article 15. Voted to authorize the Selectmen to appoint a commit- tee of five (5) to study and locate a suitable site for the construction of a Town Garage, which said committee shall report to the Town with plans of a site and structures and recommendations at a future Town Meeting, and to raise and appropriate from the 1966 Tax Levy the sum of $3,000.00 for the use of said Committee in its work.
Article 16. Voted to authorize the Selectmen to appoint a commit- tee of seven (7) persons to study and report at a future Town Meeting on the creation of a Town Common and parking area on land presently owned by the Socony Mobil Oil Company, Inc. No sum of money was voted for Committee's use at this time.
Article 17. Voted to dismiss this article wherein a sum of money was sought for making repairs to the North Street School Building.
173
ANNUAL REPORT
1965
Article 18. Previously acted upon.
Article 19. Previously acted upon.
Article 20. Voted to transfer the sum of $2,000.00 from available funds in the Town Treasury to the Board of Public Welfare for Medical Assistance for the Aged.
Article 21. Voted to transfer the sum of $3,000.00 from available funds in the Town Treasury to the Board of Public Welfare for Aid to Families with Dependent Children.
Article 22. Voted to transfer the sum of $1,000.00 from available funds in the Town Treasury to the Board of Public Welfare for Disability Assistance.
Article 23. Voted to transfer the sum of $2,045.45 from the unex- pended balance of Article 21 of the Annual Town Meeting of 1965 (Curve Street Bridge) and the sum of $5,500.00 from the Snow Account to the Street Improvement Account for the purpose of completing a section of Granite Street.
Article 24. Voted to take action of Article 25 prior to Article 24.
Article 25. Voted unanimously that in addition to sums heretofore appropriated, the sum of $68,000.00 be appropriated for constructing and originally equipping and furnishing the Upper Elementary School now be- ing constructed, this additional appropriation to be used for the con- struction of an athletic field adjacent to such school as a part of said project, and that to raise this appropriation the sum of $2,000.00 be ap- propriated from the excess and deficiency account, the sum of $13,000.00 be transferred from the unexpended balance of an appropriation made under Article 8 of the Special Town Meeting of September 17, 1962 and that the Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen be authorized to borrow $53,000.00 under the provisions of Chapter 645 of the Acts of 1948 as amended.
NOTE-Prior to action under the foregoing article the School Building and Planning Committee submitted to the Meeting plans, specifications and estimates of the probable cost or expense of the project in accordance with Article 1, Section 6 of the Town By-Laws adopted March 8, 1926.
Article 24. Voted that the sum of $20,000.00 be raised and appropri- ated from the 1966 Tax Levy for the purpose of resurfacing the athletic
174
TOWN OF MEDFIELD
1965
field at the Amos Clark Kingsbury High School with the present School Building and Planning Committee having supervision and control of the project.
Article 25. Previously acted upon.
Article 26. Voted to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by purchase, taking by eminent domain or otherwise, in behalf of the Town of Medfield for School purposes 99,129 square feet of land situated on the Southeasterly side of Pound Street and being shown as the lots numbered 1 and 2 on a certain plan recorded with Norfolk Deeds in Plan Book 217 as Plan No. 600 of 1964, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $13,600.00 from the 1966 Tax Levy to defray the cost of acquisition of said premises.
Article 27. Voted unanimously that the sum of $36,500.00 be appro- priated for acquiring by purchase or by eminent domain for school pur- poses approximately 53.34 acres of land situated on the Southerly side of Elm Street and being shown as the lots numbered 1 and 2 on a certain plan recorded with Norfolk Deeds as Plan No. 795 of 1954 in Plan Book 188 and being now or formerly premises of Frank G. Webster; that to meet said appropriation the sum of $1,500.00 be appropriated from the Excess and Deficiency Account and that the Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen be authorized to borrow the sum of $35,000.00 under the provisions of Chapter 44 of the General Laws as amended; and that the Selectmen be authorized to take all action necessary to carry out this vote.
NOTE-Prior to action under the foregoing article the Land Acquisi- tion Committee for School Building Needs submitted to the Meeting plans, specifications and estimates of the probable cost or expense of the project in accordance with Article 1, Section 6 of the Town By-Laws adopted March 8, 1926.
Article 28. After a negative vote of 46 in favor of passage and 123 against passage it was voted that this article be dismissed wherein a sum of money was sought for the acquisition for school purposes of a parcel of land situated on the Southwesterly side of Pleasant Street said to belong to the Beckwith Post No. 110, American Legion.
Aricle 29. Voted that this article be dismissed wherein a sum of money was sought for the acquisition for school purposes of a parcel of land situated at or about School and North Streets said to belong to Evelyn Byng.
175
ANNUAL REPORT
1965
Article 30. Voted that this article be dismissed wherein a sum of money was sought for the acquisition for school purposes of a parcel of land situated off North Street said to belong to Frances M. Cunning.
Article 31. Voted that the sum of $5,370.00 be raised and appropri- ated from the 1966 Tax Levy for the purpose of employing and equipping with uniforms of female school traffic supervisors, such persons to be employed and discharged at the pleasure of the Board of Selectmen and not to acquire any tenure or Civil Service status under the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 31.
Article 32. Voted that the sum of $2,750.00 be transferred from free cash in the Town Treasury to defray the cost of developing a street num- bering system for the Town of Medfield.
Article 33. Voted unanimously to adopt a Building Code for the Town of Medfield, all as is set forth in a bound volume entitled "Build- ing Code for the Town of Medfield, November 8, 1965" and official copies of which are on file in the Office of the Town Clerk, Office of the Board of Selectmen, Office of the Building Inspector, Office of the Plan- ning Board and in the Medfield Public Library and available to the pub- lic for inspection.
Article 34. Voted that this article be dismissed wherein a sum of money was asked for the purchase of vacant land adjacent to the land presently owned by the Town of Medfield and used in conjunction with the Swimming Pond.
NOTE-Prior to action on Article 35 a motion was made to reconsider Article 12. The Moderator noting that several voters were leaving called for a quorum count which showed that only 147 voters were present. As this was below the 150 required by Town By-Laws, it was voted to adjourn until 7:30 p.m. November 29, 1965 at the Dale Street School.
1965
TOWN OF MEDFIELD
176
ADJOURNED SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
November 29, 1965
The Moderator called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. at the Dale Street School and a motion was made and seconded to recind the vote taken at the previous adjourned session of this Special Town Meeting, Tuesday, November 23rd, to dismiss Article 12 of the warrant and to reconsider the action taken under this article.
A motion to use written ballots for the question of reconsidering Article 12 was carried by a standing vote of 232 in the affirmative and 103 in the negative.
Ballots were passed out to the voters present and when counted by the tellers showed that the motion for reconsideration of Article 12 failed to pass. The results were:
207 voted for reconsideration 209 voted against reconsideration
NOTE-A two-thirds (2/3) majority to reconsider an article is re- quired by Town By-Law.
Article 35. Voted to appropriate the sum of $350.00 to the use of the Park Commission for the purpose of flooding a portion of the parking area at the swimming facility so as to provide public ice skating and to meet said appropriation the sum of $200.00 be transferred from the Swimming Pond Payroll Account, $50.00 from the Park Upkeep Account and $100.00 from free cash in the Town Treasury.
Article 36. Voted to change the name of a certain public way off Mt. Nebo Street, sometimes called Nebo Street, from Forest Lane to Rustic Lane.
Voted that a certified copy of this vote be forwarded to the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds.
Article 37. Voted that the sum of $346.62 be transferred from Free Cash in the Town Treasury for purpose of paying land damages arising from the relocation of Hospital Road.
Article 38. Voted to transfer the sum of $1,200.00 from Free Cash in the Treasury, said sum to be used for repairs to the Fire Department Water Tank Engine 4.
1965
ANNUAL REPORT
177
Article 39. Voted to accept the following named sums as Perpetual Trust Funds for the care of lots in the Vine Lake Cemetery, the interest thereof or as may be necessary to be used for said care, viz:
Robert Eburne Lot
$300.00
Guerino Silveri Lot
100.00
John F. Bradstreet Lot
50.00
Mary Farquhar Lot
50.00
Ellen Holmquist Lot
50.00
Edward M. Moulton Lot
100.00
Frederick Juergens Lot
50.00
Edwin F. Penniman Lot
50.00
John F. Broderick Lot
150.00
George B. Sims Lot
50.00
Voted that the meeting be adjourned at 8:15 P.M.
A true copy attest:
CHARLES W. KEIRSTEAD . Town Clerk
178
TOWN OF MEDFIELD
1965
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
In March of 1965, the Board of Selectmen was organized with Austin C. Buchanan, Chairman; Edward R. Perry, Clerk; and Richard G. Con- nors, Third Member.
The decennial census figure showed a total of 7,479 residents in the Town of Medfield as of January 1, 1965 which represents an increase of 41% in the past 10 years.
A promotional examination was held for the Police Department and an additional Sergeant was appointed to assist in the administration and supervision of the Police Department activities.
We met with the various departmental inspectors and discussed issu- ance of permits and procedures to be followed so that the town by-laws and rules and regulations would be strictly followed.
The abandoned vehicle by-law proposed by the Selectmen and enacted by the Town this year has been instrumental in clearing up several neighborhood nuisances.
A number of committees have been appointed to study the needs for facilities and make recommendations for a town garage; for office and meeting space for the various town boards; and to enhance the central business district to list but a few. It was suggested and so voted by the Town that a permanent Master Plan Implementation Committee be established.
The Board has been very active in preparing specifications and in- vestigating new developments in order to acquire new equipment for the various town departments which is specifically suited for the town's oper- ation at a minimum of expense.
It was our pleasant duty as the oldest town in the area to arrange for the perambulation of the town bounds with representatives of the abutting towns. This perambulation takes place every five years. We found all the bounds in good order with the exception of two which, by mutual agreement with the Towns of Dover and Sherborn, have been replaced.
During the year, the Traffic Rules and Regulations were amended to conform to the Department of Public Works' recommendations. The paint-
179
ANNUAL REPORT
1965
ing and posting of the changed areas have been delayed due to the lack of additional parking space to take care of the cars displaced by the revisions.
We initiated an investigation of machine accounting procedures. It is our feeling that mechanized accounting may well represent considerable savings to the Town in the years to come.
In compliance with the recommendation of the Town Clerk, and the vote of the townspeople, the streets of the town will be numbered early in 1966. This will not only be beneficial in establishing a legal number for each structure, but will represent a safety factor when a householder calls upon the Fire or Police Department.
There were a number of innovations this year including public meet- ings to inform the townspeople of various propects contemplated by the Selectmen, auditor's reports to the various departments to keep them apprised of their budget balances, and where particular problems have come to the Board's attention, we have met with the parties involved in an effort to mediate and come to some satisfactory conclusion.
We met with the members of the Board of Public Welfare and the Board of Assessors to elect members to fill vacancies until the next annual election.
We met with the County Commissioners and the Commissioner of Public Works to bring to their attention particular highway problems.
We instituted a definite pay policy for elected and appointed officials.
The Selectmen have negotiated for the acquisition of land for the Town for well field, library and school purposes.
Our appreciation is extended to all who have contributed their time and energies for the well-being of the Town of Medfield.
Respectfully submitted,
AUSTIN C. BUCHANAN EDWARD R. PERRY RICHARD G. CONNORS
Board of Selectmen
180
TOWN OF MEDFIELD
1965
REPORT OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Board of Selectmen held a public hearing on June 22, 1965 under the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 41, Section 23B concerning the operation of the Police Department, and after reviewing the facts, issued a letter of reprimand which is reproduced herein in its entirety as re- quired under the provisions of this chapter. (quote letter of July 19, 1965)
OFFICE OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Medfield, Massachusetts
July 19, 1965
Allan A. Kingsbury, Chief Police Department Medfield, Massachusetts
Dear Chief Kingsbury:
We have studied the transcript of the testimony taken at the public hearing held by us at the Town Office in Medfield, on Tuesday, June 22, 1965 and relating to the matter of the breach of the peace which occurred on June 13, 1965 at or near 5 Miller Street, at approximately 8:00 p.m.
A copy of the transcript was provided to you on July 12, 1965 in ac- cordance with your request. The transcript clearly shows that at that time and place a disturbance was in progress and consisted of a group of young people who were so conducting themselves as to cause annoyance and harassment to the residents in that vicinity. It appears that in re- sponse to a telephone call made by a citizen to the Police Deparment, a cruiser was dispatched to the scene with two officers. It further appears that there was present at the scene in addition to others one young man described as being approximately 18 years of age, and that he was clearly drunk.
It further appears that this young man was requested to get into the cruiser which he refused to do, whereupon it became necessary to force him to do so, and in the ensuing encounter it appears that he struck and hit the two officers then present, used abusive language, and struggled with the two officers, and threw them to the ground. At or about this time, the citizen who had first requested police aid then called the Police
181
ANNUAL REPORT
1965
Station, stating in substance that the two officers were having difficulties in placing this young man under arrest, and suggested that reinforce- ments be sent. Another officer responded to this call in the second cruiser and arrived at the scene. By this time, the first two officers had suc- ceeded in placing the prisoner in the first cruiser, whereupon he broke out of the cruiser, and in the process of doing so, he kicked one of the officers, knocked him to the ground and engaged in a general melee with both officers.
At this point, the third officer entered the fray and the prisoner was finally subdued, handcuffed, and placed in the cruiser, brought to the Po- lice Station and placed in a cell. While being placed in the cell, the prisoner lunged out into the Police Station in an attempt to escape and in so doing, made physical contact with more than one of the officers, in- cluding yourself. Again the prisoner was forceably placed back in the cell and the door locked.
It further appears that a close relative of the prisoner brought to the station some form of medication which you allowed the prisoner to take without any knowledge of its nature or possible harmful effect.
At about midnight, the prisoner was released upon the execution by him of the "drunk release," so-called.
On the following Monday morning, you made a complaint at the Dis- trict Court in Dedham only for "drunkenness" against this young man.
Subsequently on the following Tuesday morning, you were informed personally by two of the Selectmen that it was their opinion that in view of the facts surrounding this arrest, that the proper procedure for you to follow would be to submit evidence to the Court itself as to what tran- spired in order that the Court might determine wheher or not this young man was guilty of assault and battery upon one or more of the arresting police officers. The same Selectmen also advised you that in their opinion a failure on your part to bring the whole of the evidence before the Court for determination would constitute an abuse of your discretionary author- ity in the matter.
On Thursday, June 17, 1965, you went to the office of the District At- torney in Dedham, at approximately 2:00 p.m., and discussed the case with him, and you were advised that you should seek at least a hearing upon the question of whether or not assault and battery complaints should be sought. On the following day, you sent the Sergeant to the District Court office - he having no personal, first-hand knowledge of the facts surrounding the arrest, with instructions to seek a hearing on the question of assault and battery complaints.
182
TOWN OF MEDFIELD
1965
The instructions to the Sergeant were to seek a hearing upon the is- suance of a complaint for assault and battery. Upon discussing the matter with an assistant, the Sergeant informed her that none of the officers im- mediately involved would ask for such a complaint. No hearing was held and no complaint was sought or issued, and at this point the entire case appears to have been closed by the Police Department.
It does not appear to us from an inspection of the transcript of the testimony or the police log or from conversation with you that any serious investigation whatsoever was made by you as to where this 18 year old man obtained the liquor.
In at least three other serious cases, one of which could constitute a felony, you took no steps whatsoever to make complaints in Court and to submit the evidence for determination by the Court.
In conclusion, it is our considered opinion that your continued failure to promptly and fully present to the Courts having jurisdiction the evi- dence available to you; by reason of your continued failure to abide by the established rules of procedure for Police Chiefs as demonstrated by the "Blue Book," so-called; by your continued failure to provide manage- ment of and leadership to the Police Department now under your juris- diction, we hereby advise you as follows:
Effective immediately, you are hereby placed on a positive final warning to the effect that any future dereliction of duty as outlined in the preceding paragraph will result in prompt disciplinary action by the ap- pointing authority, this action to be construed as up to and including dis- missal from the Force.
Very truly your, AUSTIN C. BUCHANAN, Chairman EDWARD R. PERRY, Clerk RICHARD G. CONNORS
Board of Selectmen
cc/Civil Service Commission Town Counsel Town Clerk
FINANCIAL REPORTS
Town of Medfield
FOR YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1965
1965
ANNUAL REPORT
185
ASSESSORS' REPORT
$1,807,478.79
Town Appropriations Total Appropriations voted to be taken from Available Funds
In 1964 In 1965
$ 44,820.78 27,635.21
72,455.99
Overlay deficits
3,334.08
State Tax and Assessments:
State Parks and Reservations
3,616.30
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
86.72
Mosquito Control
5,158.46
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Bills
627.60
9,489.08
County Tax and Assessments :
County Tax
20,081.19
County Hospital Assessment
1,029.28
21,110.47
Overlay of current year
18,361.42
GROSS AMOUNT TO BE RAISED
$1,932,229.83
Estimated Receipts and Available Funds:
Income Tax
113,042.62
Corporation Taxes
33,872.73
Reimbursement on account publicly owned Land
6,937.73
Old Age Tax (Meals) Chap. 64B S10
1,792.01
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
167,225.19
Licenses
3,219.00
Fines
29.60
General Government
23,168.06
Charities
21,319.33
Old Age Assistance
8,519.18
Veterans Services
1,273.30
School
15,320.96
Public Service Enterprises
60,396.83
Interest: On Taxes and Assessments
2,202.66
State Assistance for School Construction
110,325.55
Farm Animal Excise
26.73
Water Betterment
8,836.52
1,879,934.78
Total Estimated Receipts
577,508.00
186
TOWN OF MEDFIELD
1965
Overestimates:
County Tax
64.44
State Recreation
284.11
Mosquito Control
407.99
Amounts voted to be taken from available funds:
June 22, 1964
20,000.00
June 22, 1964
2,500.00
June 22, 1964
1,944.26
June 22, 1964
406.00
June 22, 1964
1,000.00
June 22, 1964
1,505.25
June 22, 1964
2,500.00
November 30, 1964
244.27
November 30, 1964
1,500.00
November 30, 1964
1,000.00
November 30, 1964
762.00
November 30, 1964
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.