USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1958-1962 > Part 22
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Appropriation for Maintenance $1,105.00
Appropriation for Water Notes
1,000.00
Appropriation for Interest on Notes
168.75
Total
$2,273.75
Expended:
Water Service $ 717.26
Clerical Hire 64.00
Printing & Postage
8.34
Meter Reading
29.00
Repairs
4.00
Water Line Note
1,000.00
Interest on Note
168.75
Total Expended $1,991.35
Unexpended 282.40
$2,273.75
SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES
Cost of Maintenance
$ 822.60
Water Note and Interest 1,168.75
Total Cost for 1962
$1,991.35
Water Commitments 1962
$2,443.61
Net Profit $ 452.26
Return from Appropriation $ 282.40
Respectfully submitted, CLARENCE E. VARNEY, Chairman M. MORTON GOODNOW DONATO F. LEONE Water Commissioners.
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REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and
Citizens of the Town of Mendon:
I hereby submit to you this report for the Police Depart- ment for the year ending December 31, 1962.
Complaints
251
Accidents Reported
66
Accidents (Property Damage over $200.00)
43
Accidents (Property Damage under $200.00)
23
Accidents Personal Injury reported
21
Out of Town Persons in Accidents 80
Persons in Town involved in Accidents
23
Fatal Accidents
0
Hit & Run Accidents
5
Property Damage Incidents Reported
9
Assistance to Disabled Motorist
12
Articles Reported Lost or Stolen
6
Doors Found Unlocked
55
State Hospital Commitments
3
Truants
2
Ambulance Calls and Accident Victims Transported to Hospitals
28
Assistance to Out of Town Police
31
Messages Delivered
18
Missing Persons
13
Breaks Reported
12
Thefts Reported
20
Bicycles Registered
7
Summonses Served
43
Summonses Obtained
55
Arrests
14
Grand Jury Cases
3
Notices to Show Cause Obtained
3
Pistol Permits
9
65
Parking Tags Issued
17
Defective Equipment Tags Issued
80
Violation Notices Sent to Registry 66
Licenses Suspended by Registry
16
Licenses Revoked by Registry
2
Registrations Revoked by Registry
1
Hearings by Registry
4
Dangerous Weapons Confiscated
2
Fireworks Confiscated
2
Stray Horses and Cows Reported
7
Stolen Cars Recovered 4
A total of 46 persons were summonsed into The Third Dis- trict Court for the following violation:
2
Operating While Under Suspension
3
Operating Under the Influence
1
Failure to Keep to the Right
6
Failing to Have Motor Vehicle Inspected
13
Speeding
18
Leaving the Scene of an Accident
3
Failing to Stop for School Bus
1
Performing Unnecessary Work on Sunday
1
Unregistered and Uninsured
2
Operating so as to Endanger
2
Passing Without Required 400 Feet
2
Failing to Stop on Signal
2
Following Too Close
3
Passing on Double Solid Line
5
Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle
1
No License in Possession
2
Failing to Display Registration Plate
1
Defective Equipment
3
Failing to Stop for Pedestrian Light
1
Guilty Findings
44
Not Guilty Findings
4
Nolo Pleas Entered
5
Complaints Filed
13
Juveniles in Court:
Larceny and Breaking and Entering
2
Accessory Before the Fact
1
Indecent Exposure
1
Breaking and Entering (Adult)
3
Larceny
3
Operating Without a License
66
Drunkenness 2
Amount Assessed in Fines Motorist Assessed Court Cost 3
$725.00
Cases Continued for Disposition 4
Cases Appealed 1
The Police Cruiser travelled a total of 20,793 miles during the year. Patrolling has been done every night throughout the year and also days to what extent the budget would allow.
At the end of the year 1962 I am very happy to be able to report to you that our highways have again been death-free. This makes a total of 52 months without an automobile fatal- ity. The last pedestrian fatality occurred in November of 1954 which makes it over 8 years since one of these has occurred on our highways.
During the year an additional telephone was placed in service on our regular Police line in an effort to give better service to the citizens of the town.
Police Memorial Sunday was observed and flowers were placed on the graves of departed members of our department. Prayers were offered by a member of the clergy, for which we are very grateful.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Select- men, department heads and all others for their cooperation throughout the year. Cooperation and working together for the good of all, makes for a much better Community.
Respectfully Submitted, WILLIAM D. RONDEAU, Chief of Police.
67
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and
Citizens of the Town of Mendon:
I hereby submit to you the following report for the year 1962:
Scales under 100 lbs. @ 50ยข 1
Scales over 100 lbs. @ $1.00 1
Gasoline Pumps @ $1.00 10
Oil and Grease Pumps @ $1.00 4
Oil Tank Truck Meters @ $3.00
2
Fees and adjusting charges as authorized by Section 58, General Laws, Chapter 98 as amended by Chapter 34, Acts of 1949.
If any adjustments or repairs are made on Scales or Pumps, where the Seals have been broken to do so, the Sealer of Weights and Measures should be notified before said equip- ment is restored to use.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM D. RONDEAU, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
68
REPORT FROM THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
To the People of Mendon:
In accordance with the requirements of the General Laws you will find between the covers of this book the customary Annual Reports from some of the town departments and com- mittees for the calendar year of 1962. These reports, although not mandatory in all instances, serve a useful purpose to ap- prise you of the activities and the progress made during the year. Similarly, it was agreed by the Board of Selectmen to include a short summary report which contained one or two of the more important activities covered by the Board.
The Board of Selectmen has met every Monday evening at 7:00 o'clock during 1962 for the specific purpose of trans- acting the business of the Town. In addition, there have been almost as many special meetings which were required to be held, or attended by the Board with other departments, com- mittees or State bodies.
During 1962 the Board held a Special Town Meeting in September to hear and act on the report and recommendations of the Committee which was appointed for the purpose of investigating the needs of new town office facilities. The Board wishes to take this opportunity to express their thanks to this Committee in behalf of the people of Mendon, for the time and effort spent for this purpose. The Committee com- prised of the following:
George W. Gardner Thomas D. Hackenson Kenneth D. Morgan Harold E. Taylor Robert C. Jackson
In an effort to establish a more orderly and organized town government, the Board appointed a By-Law Committee of five citizens for the following purposes:
69
1. Review all existing town By-laws.
2. Generate a set of By-laws to be brought forth at the Annual Town Meeting for possible adoption by the people of Mendon.
The diligent efforts of this Committee, in collaboration with the Board of Selectmen and the Town Counsel have re- sulted in the proposed By-laws which have been included in this Annual Town Report. It is the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen that all citizens will review these By-laws and lend their support in their adoption.
The By-law Committee comprised of the following:
Mrs. Raymond Grant, Chairman Albert S. Coleman George A. Daige William M. Kimball Lawrence Pezzella
The Board of Selectmen wishes to express their appreci- ation to this Committee for their hard work in accomplishing this task.
During the year the Board held several meetings with the local Civil Defense Director and reviewed the plan for action for this Town in the event of a national emergency. A meeting regarding Civil Defense was called by the Governor in Octo- ber and was attended by both the Board of Selectmen and the Director of Civil Defense.
These meetings have resulted in a revision of the line of succession plan which had existed for this Town. This plan has been included in this Annual Report for your information and guidance. In addition, we have considered what action should be taken in the event an alert was sounded during school hours. After much deliberation and consultation the Board of Selectmen and the Civil Defense Director have concluded, that under such conditions, to retain all pupils at the schools under the direction of the faculty until notified by the Civil Defense Director to return them to their homes. This conclusion has been reached on the following reasons:
70
1. The previous assumption that there would be a one- half hour period to seek shelter from the time an alert had been sounded is no longer valid. This period of time may be much less if a missile was launched from a nuclear submarine located several hundred miles off shore.
2. Our present school transportation system does not per- mit enough time to return all children to their homes within one-half hour.
3. Keeping the pupils at school under the direction of the faculty and until the danger has passed would ensure the least confusion at a most critical time.
The Board and the Civil Defense Director have discussed this proposed plan with members of the School Committee and have requested their concurrence. It is hoped that this concur- rence shall be received in the very near future.
For the year 1963 the Board of Selectmen intends to take a hard look at what can be done to attract industry to our Town in order to provide the much needed revenue to stabilize our ever increasing tax rate. Here again we intend to solicit assistance from those citizens whom we feel are best qualified for this purpose.
In closing, the Board fervently solicits the continued inter- est of all its citizens in assisting us toward keeping Mendon a desirable place in which to live.
Respectfully submitted, E. THEODORE GIATAS, Chairman ARTHUR WIERSMA VERNON A. BARROWS
71
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF CIVIL DEFENSE
Mendon Operations Plan
Appendix 1
ORGANIZATION
Selectmen E. Theodore Giatas Arthur Wiersma Vernon A. Barrows
Director Asa B. Vear
Communications Officer Lester Irons
Administrative Assistant Harold Metcalf
Fire Linwood E. Lowell
Welfare
Helen Irons
Police William Rondeau
Emergency Succession:
In order that the government of Mendon shall continue to have a capable and experienced executive, in the event that the elected officials are casualties and regular procedures for filling such vacancies are not practicable, the above-named individuals are designated emergency successors to the Board of Selectmen in the order listed.
72
The purpose of Civil Defense is to try, to the best of our ability, to provide a certain amount of protection to the towns- people in any emergency.
In the event of natural disasters such as hurricanes, tor- nadoes, floods, etc., this agency would work closely with the Red Cross to bring relief to distressed areas.
However, in case of attack by an enemy, Civil Defense must assume responsibility for the welfare of the community. One of our greatest problems in this respect is proper shelter in case of attack by nuclear weapons. There is, it seems, wide- spread belief that shelters would not provide any protection in case of attack. This might be true in case of a direct hit. However, we must not concern ourselves only with this pos- sibility, but rather with the greater problem of shelter from radioactive fallout from hits on industrial centers.
In February, 1962, the Federal Government began a sur- vey of all buildings in the Commonwealth which might have a protection factor of one hundred and accommodate at least fifty people. Such a survey was completed in Mendon by July first. No such building was found in Mendon which would provide such a safety factor. This leaves us with the problem of providing some shelter at Town expense, or urging all home owners to construct shelters in their own basements or else- where.
In the case of school children, the policy has been that in the event of an alert all schools would close and the children be sent home. We in Mendon seem to be faced with the hard fact that to send the children home in case of an alert would be sending them into less protection than they already have in the basement and boiler room of the Center School.
Therefore, the Director of Civil Defense and the Board of Selectmen strongly recommend that this policy be changed and the children be kept at the Center School until an all clear is sounded and a survey taken to determine the amount of fall-out, if any, there is in Town. Should this policy be changed, the parents of school children will be given due notification.
Respectfully submitted, ASA B. VEAR, Director of Civil Defense
73
THE BLACKSTONE VALLEY REGIONAL VOCATIONAL SCHOOL PLANNING COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Mendon:
This is the second annual report of the Mendon members of the Blackstone Valley Regional Boys Vocational High School Planning Board.
During 1962 the Planning Board met in Northbridge High School on January 11, March 29, April 26, June 27, October 4, November 14, and December 12.
This regional planning board is now made up of three members from each of the following towns: Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Uxbridge, and Upton. An of- ficially appointed three-man study committee from Millbury has attended our meetings and on October 4 requested permis- sion to join our regional planning board. At that time we had progressed so far with our Agreement that it would compli- cate matters too much to admit Millbury then, but we did vote to invite Millbury to join the regional district after the various towns had voted on the question.
During 1962 the Planning Board completed the Agree- ment which was unanimously accepted and signed by the members at our October 4 meeting. The Agreement has been approved by bond council Ropes and Gray, the Commissioner of Education, the School Building Assistance Commission, and the Emergency Finance Board. We are now ready to present the question to the voters of the area to decide whether or not they want a regional vocational school.
The State and Federal governments have offered us tre- mendous inducements to form a regional vocational school such as:
74
1. The State will pay 53.45% of the cost of the building and the equipment.
2. The State will reimburse the district for 50% of all maintenance and operational costs forever.
3. The State will reimburse the district for 100% of all transportation costs and the law specifies that this reimbursement must be paid to the district on or be- fore November fifteenth each year.
4. The School Building Assistance Commission will re- imburse the district up to 75% of all architect fees. This money has been promised within ninety days from the date a contract to build has been signed.
5. Under provisions of Public Law 883, 80th Congress, the Secretary of Defense has a supply of machinery which will be loaned to vocational schools. The only cost to our school would be transportation charges.
6. The State Director of Vocational Education has al- lotted our proposed school the following federal aid: 50% of the director's, and shop and related teachers salaries each year for the first five years.
Your Committee recommends that the town vote to join the Blackstone Valley Regional Boys Vocational High School District.
Respectfully submitted, THOMAS GUERRA GERARD SWEENEY H. WILLIAM THATCHER
75
PROPOSED BY-LAWS
OF THE TOWN OF MENDON, MASS.
CHAPTER I
General Provisions
Section 1. The adoption of these by-laws by the Town shall have the force and effect of repealing all presently exist- ing by-laws and regulations heretofore adopted by the Town, except that this repeal shall not apply to or affect any by-law, order or article heretofore adopted accepting or adopting the provisions of any statute of the Commonwealth and specific- ally excepting the Mendon zoning by-law and the Mendon sub-division control law. These by-laws shall be known and referred to as "By-Laws of the Town of Mendon, Massachu- setts."
Section 2. Whoever violates any provision of these by- laws whereby any act or thing is prohibited shall, unless other provision is expressly made, forfeit and pay a fine not exceed- ing twenty dollars.
CHAPTER II Town Meetings
Section 1. The annual Town Meeting for the election of town officers shall be held on the fourth Monday in March of each year.
Section 2. The polls for the annual Town Meeting shall be opened at 9:00 o'clock in the forenoon and shall remain open until eight o'clock in the evening.
Section 3. All business of the annual Town Meeting, ex- cept the election of such officers and the determination of such matters as are required by law to be elected or deter-
76
mined by ballot, shall be considered at an adjournment of such meeting to be held on the succeeding Friday at 7:30 P. M.
Section 4. Notices of every Town Meeting shall be given by posting an attested copy of the warrant for such meeting in three or more public places in the Town of Mendon at least seven days before said meeting; one copy thereof shall be posted on the Town Hall Building.
Section 5. Whenever a Town Meeting shall adjourn to a future date, the Selectmen shall cause a notice of the date, time and place of adjournment to be published in a newspaper circulated in the town. Such notice shall briefly state the busi- ness to come before the adjourned meeting.
Section 6. All articles to be included in the annual town warrant shall be submitted to the Selectmen seven weeks be- fore the date of the annual Town Meeting.
Section 7. Copies of the warrant and of the report of the Finance Committee thereon shall be made available to the voters at or prior to the annual Town Meeting.
Section 8. The Moderator shall appoint tellers, who shall permit only registered voters to enter upon the floor of the Town Hall at the annual or any Town Meeting: the stage may be occupied under the direction of the Moderator. The presence of persons on the floor other than registered voters shall be allowed only with the approval of the majority of members present at the meeting.
Section 9. If a motion can be sub-divided, it shall be divided and the question shall be put separately upon each part thereof, if ten voters so request.
Section 10. When a question is before the meeting, the following motions, namely: to adjourn; to lay on the table; for the previous question; to postpone to a time certain; to com- mit; to recommit or refer; to amend; to postpone indefinitely; shall be received and shall have precedence in the foregoing order: the first three shall be decided without debate.
Section 11. On proposed amendments involving sums of money, the larger or largest amount shall be put to the ques-
77
tion first, and an affirmative vote thereon shall be a negative vote on any smaller amount.
Section 12. Any voter desiring to speak upon a question or matter on debate shall rise to his feet, and each person, shall in turn, be recognized by the Moderator.
Section 13. Any person who is employed as an attorney by another interested in any matter under discussion at a Town Meeting shall disclose the fact of his employment before speaking thereon.
Section 14. When a question is put, the consensus of the Meeting shall be determined by the voices of the voters and the Moderator shall declare the vote as it appears to him. If the Moderator is unable to decide the vote by the sound of the voices, or if his decision is immediately questioned by ten or more voters rising in their places for that purpose, he shall determine the vote by ordering a show of hands and he may appoint tellers to make and return the count.
Section 15. Ten voters rising in their places for that pur- pose shall determine that the vote on any motion shall be taken by secret ballot.
Section 16. No vote passed at any meeting shall be re- considered at an adjournment of that meeting unless notice be given in writing to the Moderator at the meeting that a motion to reconsider will be made at the adjournment thereof. No vote determining that any matter shall not be reconsidered shall be the subject of reconsideration and no question shall be reconsidered more than once. No vote shall be reconsidered on a motion to adjourn, to lay on the table, or for the previous question. Any notice of motion to reconsider delivered to the Moderator shall forthwith be delivered by the Moderator to the Town Clerk and shall also notify the voters on the floor at once. No motion can be reconsidered at a Town Meeting after one hour from the time the vote is declared by the pre- siding officer.
Section 17. All Special Committees unless directed other- wise, shall submit a report within a year after their appoint- ment, or shall be discharged.
78
CHAPTER III
Duties of Town Officers
Section 1. The Selectmen shall have the general direc- tion and management of the property and affairs of the Town in all matters not otherwise provided for by law or these by- laws.
Section 2. It shall be the duty of the Town Clerk imme- diately after every Town Meeting to notify in writing all mem- bers of committees appointed by the Moderator and not pres- ent at the meeting.
Section 3. All town officers shall make their annual re- ports to the Board of Selectmen on or before the fifteenth day of January in each year. The annual reports shall contain estimates of the amounts required by the several departments for the ensuing year.
Section 4. The Selectmen shall cause to be printed in one volume, to be ready for distribution at least five days be- fore the annual Town Meeting, the reports of the officers, and the reports of the heads of the various departments. When practical, the reports of all committees appointed by the Town shall also be printed.
Section 5. All town officers shall annually submit to the Selectmen on or before April 1st an inventory of all property belonging to the Town.
Section 6. The Selectmen are authorized to sell and as- sign by public sale any tax lien held by the Town and/or bar- gain, sell and convey any property to which the Town has or may hereafter acquire title through the foreclosure of tax liens, or under the statutes relating to Lands of Low Value. The Se- lectmen are authorized to sign, execute and deliver in the name of the Town, any and all legal instruments under seal, necessary to convey to the assignee or purchaser all right, title and in- terest of the Town in such property.
79
CHAPTER IV Finance Committee
Section 1. There shall be a Finance Committee, consist- ing of five members, to be appointed by the Board of Select- men.
Section 2. The committee shall organize each year by the selection of a chairman and a clerk. The clerk shall keep records of the activities of the Committee.
Section 3. It shall be the duty of the Committee to con- sider all articles in the warrants for Town Meetings that in- volve the expenditure of money. The Committee shall make recommendations at meetings in regard to the action that should be taken thereon.
Section 4. No motion relating to an expenditure of money or an appropriation shall be acted upon at any Town Meeting until the Finance Committee has stated its recom- mendations.
Section 5. All officers, agents, and committees of the town, shall give the Finance Committee access to their books, records and accounts, and furnish all information with respect to the conduct of the town's affairs that it shall request. It shall make reports and recommendations to the Board of Selectmen, with respect to the management of town affairs and the conduct of all departments.
Section 6. No paid town officer or paid town employee shall be eligible to serve on the Finance Committee.
Section 7. The Finance Committee shall hold a meeting open to the public, prior to the annual Town Meeting, at which a member of said committee shall explain the recommenda- tions of the committee.
Section 8. The report of said Committee shall be con- tained in each annual Town Report.
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CHAPTER V
Contracts
Section 1. No officer of the Town shall participate in making or passing upon any sale, contract, or agreement - or the terms or amount of any payment in which the Town is interested - if such officer has any personal financial interest therein, direct or indirect.
Section 2. A bond for the faithful performance of any contract in excess of one thousand dollars ($1000) may be re- quired by the Selectmen, School Committee, or Board having in its charge the execution of such contract.
Section 3. A certificate shall be filed by any contractor doing work for the Town of Mendon, showing compliance with the Workmen's Compensation Laws, before commencing any such work.
Section 4. Any Board or Officer in charge of a depart- ment of the Town may sell any personal property of the Town within the possession or control of the department, which has become obsolete and/or is not required for further use by his department or any other town department: provided that, the original cost of the articles or property did not exceed fifty dollars. Sale of property which costs more than fifty dollars must have the prior approval of the Board of Selectmen before any such sale.
CHAPTER VI Legal Affairs
Section 1. The Selectmen shall be agents of the Town to institute, prosecute and defend any and all claims, actions and proceedings to which the Town is a party or in which the interests of the Town are or may be involved.
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