USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1957-1961 > Part 8
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
Specifically the refrigerator and deep freeze unit were ultimately turned over to the School Department and certain tools were ultimately turned over to the Highway Depart- ment. Final disposition of this property for the best benefit of the Town is still under consideration by the Committee.
ARTICLE 52.
This article was voted that $2000.00 from the tax levy of 1957 be used to make the surveys of certain real estate and to employ non-resident non-taxpaying appraisers to appraise the property as indicated in the Article. The Committee has em- ployed the services of two different real estate appraisers from the City of Worcester. Mr. Eldridge Campbell and Mr. Frank Mahar to appraise certain pieces of property enclosed by Central Street, Main Street, Hamilton Street and Hook Street and another piece of property in the rear of the Medical Center on Elm Street. Both of these pieces of property were appraised as being possible sites for off-street parking devel- opment. The appraisal figures will be made public in a sep- arate release.
112
March 29, 1957- Estate of Deceased Person $ 1,365.84 $ 1,365.84
Warrant to Collector, March 29, 1957 March 29, 1957- Estate of Deceased Person ...
1,509.20
1,509.20
Warrant to Collector, March 29, 1957
December 13, 1957- Farm Animal Excise
216.70
216.70
Warrant to Collector, December 13, 1957
October 9, 1957- Poll Tax Assessment
64.00
64.00
Warrant to Collector, October 9, 1957
December 23, 1957- Poll Tax Assessment ..........
4.00
4.00
Warrant to Collector, December 23, 1957
TOTAL WARRANTS TO COLLECTOR ON POLLS, REAL ESTATE, PER- SONAL, SEWER AND OMITTED ASSESSMENTS FOR 1957
$1,308,517.00
VALUATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES: FOR 1957
Tax on Motor Vehicles for 1957 3,226,880.00
Warrants to Collector for 1957 108,200.90 $ 104,200.90
TOTAL ASSESSED VALUATION FOR 1957 INCLUDING
MOTOR VEHICLES $21,501,070.00
TOTAL WARRANTS TO COL- LECTOR FOR 1957 $1,416,717.90
VALUE OF EXEMPTED PROPERTY
Churches, Parsonages, Schools, Hospital and Cemeteries, etc. $2,305,210.00
Town Property
3,530,275.00
U. S. Post Office
108,000.00
U. S. Government Housing Project 8,150.00
Total Exempted Property $5,951,635.00
Total Number of Motor Vehicles Assessed
6,282
Total Number of Dwelling Houses 2,924
CHARLES NORMANDIN ROSARIO ARPIN ERNEST A. FARLAND Board of Assessors
97
REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR
To the Citizens of the Town of Southbridge: I wish to submit the following report as Collector for South- bridge from January 1, 1957 to December 31, 1957. Excise Taxes: 1953
Abatement cancelled $ 200.00
Received from court order $200.00
Payments to Treasurer 200.00
Excise Taxes: Levy of 1955
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1957
895.41
Abatements reinstated
28.24 $
923.65
Payments to Treasurer
$ 156.34
Abatements
692.30
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1957
75.00
923.65
Excise Taxes: Levy of 1956
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1957
Committed in 1957
$ 19,820.53 63,514.28
Abatement reinstated
13.61 $
83,348.42
Payments to Treasurer
$ 77,030.00
Abatements
6,561.33
Refunds
639.03
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1957
396.12
83,348.42
Excise Taxes: Levy of 1957
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1957
$ 17,261.08
Payments to Treasurer
139,796.51
Abatements
9,667.79
Refunds
Committed in 1957
1,798.93 $ 164,926.45 164,926.45
Sewers:
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1957 $ 1,340.39
Payments to Treasurer
$ 409.53
Abated
672.55
Refund
239.73
98
Unapp. added to taxes App. added to taxes
180.33 317.71 $ 1,340.39
Unapp. Sewer added to 1957 Taxes .. Payments to Treasurer
$ 180.33
180.33
Taxes: Levy of 1954
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1957
$ 332.50
Abatements reinstated
195.00
$ 527.50
Payments to Treasurer
$ 195.00
Abatements
332.50
527.50
Taxes: Levy of 1955:
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1957
$ 1,190.28
Abatements reinstated
236.00
$ 1,426.28
Payments to Treasurer
$ 1,175.53
Abatements
250.75
1,426.28
Taxes: Levy of 1956
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1957
$
45,046.27
Abatement reinstated
2.00
$ 45,048.27
Payments to Treasurer
$ 42,455.37
Abatements
234.50
Refunds
109.20
Tax Titles
23.12
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1957
2,444.48
45,048.27
Payment to Treasurer for Tax Title Account $ 13.40 .... .... ..
99
Taxes: Levy of 1957 Committed in 1957 Abatements reinstated
$1,304,789.25 4.00
$1,304,793.25
Payments to Treasurer
$1,242,554.44
Abatements
24,756.93
Refunds
892.92
Tax Titles
211.69
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1957
38,163.11
1,304,793.25
Public Welfare:
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1957
$ 4,880.79
Committed
8,818.62 $ 13,699.41
Payments to Treasurer
$ 11,140.19
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1957
2,559.22
13,699.41
Health:
Committed in 1957
$ 1,065.73
Payments to Treasurer
1,065.73
Apportioned Sewers:
Added to taxes for 1957
$ 464.47
Payments to Treasurer
$ 368.34
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1957
96.13
464.47
Committed Interest on App. Taxes:
Added to taxes for 1957
$ 88.26
Payments to Treasurer
$ 65.39
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1957
22.87
88.26
Selectmen:
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1957
$ 1,200.00 2,910.00
Committed in 1957
$
4,110.00
100
Payments to Treasurer Abatements Outstanding Dec. 31, 1957
$ 2,545.00
50.00
1,515.00
4,110.00
Airport:
Committed in 1957
$ 300.00
Payments to Treasurer
300.00
Ambulance:
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1957
$ 877.00
Committed
2,990.85
Payments to Treasurer
$ 3,154.60
Abatements
206.00
Refunds
32.50
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1957
539.75
3,867.85
School:
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1957
$ 1,457.56
Committed in 1957
8,058.75
$ 9,813.81
Payments to Treasurer
$ 8,324.20
Abatements
32.05
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1957
1,457.56
9,813.81
Fees, Interest and Costs:
1953 Excise Fees and Interest
$ 10.05
1955 Excise Fees and Interest
3.01
1956 Excise Fees and Interest
389.83
1957 Excise Fees and Interest
190.97
1954 Tax Levy Fees and Interest
14.74
1955 Tax Levy Fees and Interest
121.34
1956 Tax Levy Fees and Interest
901.03
1957 Tax Levy Fees and Interest
455.65
Interest on Unapp. Sewer
12.78
Sewer Discharge Fees
22.00
Municipal Lien Fees
12.00
Sidewalk Discharge Fees
6.00
101
Interest on Sewer
1.47
$ 2,140.87
Grand Total Collected in 1957 $1,533,270.78 I wish to thank the townspeople and various town offi- cials for their cooperation during the year.
Respectfully submitted, ELIZABETH M. DUHAMEL Town Collector.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Citizens of the Town of Southbridge:
An average of five hundred twenty four persons per month were aided during the year 1957. The total welfare cost was $450,574.73 of which $97,079.90 was for medical ex- penses; this exorbitant amount spent for medical expenses during the year is beyond the control of your board. Medical expenses for recipients of public assistance are based on the Medical Care Plan of the State Department of Public Welfare.
The total cost in addition to the medical expenses in- cludes: aid in kind, cash grants to recipients of public assist- ance, salaries, administration expenses, purchase of equip- ment, alteration and repairs of new quarters.
The cost by categories is as follows: Old Age Assistance: $294,069.58; Aid to Dependent Children: $53,870.67; Disability Assistance: $21,636.38; General Relief: $44,906.73. Salaries, ad- ministration expenses, equipment, alterations and repairs to- talled $36,091.37. The town has received a total of $161,323.80 federal grant reimbursements and $135,865.51 as state reim- bursements.
The year of 1957 brought many changes in procedures and policies by the State Department of Public Welfare and also legislative changes. The new Medical Plan of the State De- partment of Public Welfare which became effective Septem- ber 1, 1957 brought many changes in procedures and also in federal reimbursements. The cost of living was increased as of September 1, 1957 from 20% to 25.7%. Legal exemptions in earnings of children whose parents are recipients of public assistance have also been increased.
In September, we changed quarters with the Board of Health. Our new quarters were opened to the public for in- spection on October 28, 1957. Your Board believes that the new quarters of the Welfare Department are now the most modern set-up for maximum efficiency in any Welfare De- partment in the Commonwealth. This was achieved at a cost of $5,000.00.
102
We wish to express our thanks to the Y.M.C.A., the Chamber of Commerce, the Elks, the Mothers' Club, the Ro- tary Club and the many anonymous persons for their interest in the needy children of our community throughout the year. Very truly yours,
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE.
RAYMOND L. BOUCHER, Chairman JOHN M. BEAUDRY, Clerk
HERMAS LIPPE, Third Member
L. G. PROULX, Welfare Agent
REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
The report of the Building Inspector for the year 1957 is as follows:
Total number of permits issued was
117
36 1 Family Residences
1 2 Family Residences
1 Hospital
2 Manufacturing Plants
1 Gas Station
44 Private garages, barns, store houses
32 Additions, alterations and repairs 5 apartments
1 Demolish permit for 3 family house.
New family accommodations, 43; less 3 for apartments demolished.
I have made 618 inspections on new construction, factories, and other buildings.
Respectfully submitted, A. RAYMOND DARTT,
Building Inspector.
REPORT OF THE DOG OFFICER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Gentlemen:
I hereby make returns in compliance with the Dog War- rant as follows:
Killed and Confined, April to December 31 71 dogs Found, April to December 31 37 dogs
Lost, April to December 31 35 dogs
Bites, April to December 31 6 cases
Investigated by cause, April to December 31 12 cases
Complaints, April to December 31 84 cases
Investigated Tax, April to December 31 340 cases
103
Delinquents
Above Totals Total mileage Out of town calls
585 cases
949 miles 10 cases
Respectfully submitted, MOISE RIOPEL, Dog Officer.
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
In accordance with the law and custom, I submit the fol- lowing report of the year ending December 31, 1957, giving names of members of the Fire Department, values of proper- ties under my supervision, number of fires we responded to, values of properties where loss occurred, dates and location of fires.
We responded to 13 Bell alarms. 307 Still alarms. 320
Total alarms for the year
347 Hydrants at $75.00 each per year
$ 25,537.50
Value of buildings
912,500.00
Loss on buildings
27,329.54
Insurance on buildings
679,000.00
Insurance paid on buildings
26,620.54
Value of contents
350,550.00
Loss on contents
38,570.00
Insurance on contents
277,800.00
Insurance paid on contents
38,170.29
Inventory of the Fire Department
Fire Station
80,000.00
Fire Apparatus
70,000.00
Fire Department Supplies
8,000.00
Gamewell Fire Alarm System
60,000.00
ROSTER OF THE SOUTHBRIDGE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Chief Oswald Meunier
Deputy Chief Daniel Daniels
104
Permanent Firemen
Captain Emile Caouette
Adrien Pouliot
Captain Ovila Donais
Edward McNally
Harry Gendron Ernest Collette
Romeo Mathieu
Alva Gregoire Arthur Marand
Napoleon White Roland LaRochelle Alfred Langevin
Edward Boucher
Victor Caouette
William Berry
Biagio Puccilli
Jean St. Amant
Lionel Bachand
Laurent McDonald
Call Men Hose Co. No. 1
Captain Hermas Lippe
Paul LaRochelle
Lieut. Leopold Langlois
Lennie Rutanen
Edgar Tremblay
Clarence Blais
Henry Santelli
Thomas Mannis
Walter Earnest
Wilfred Forcier
Call Men Hose Co. No. 2
Captain Eugene Gaumond
Armand Gibeault
George Plouffe
James Brackett
John Jankowski
Melvin Williams
Call Men Aerial No. 1
Captain Arthur Caplette Lieut. Armand Durocher Raoul Plouffe
Clifford Shaw Raymond Dartt
Donald Salisbury
Louis Ciprari
Roger Favreau
Francis Healy
Anthony DiPietro
Angelo Monaco
Supt. of Fire Alarm Normand LaRochelle
January 1-Still alarm at 5:48 P.M. at 83 Plimpton St. Shed and barn, owned by Lionel Lataille. Caused by over- heated brooder stove. Insured.
January 31-Box 94 at 2:17 A.M. at 23 Olney Ave., Cafe, owned by Rosaire Proulx. Caused by probable short cir- cuit in color T.V. Insured. March 13-Still alarm at 12:50 P.M. at 286 Main St., Build- ing owned by Masonic Building Ass'n. Southbridge. Caused by workmen with blow torch. Insured.
March 23-Still alarm at 9:30 P.M. at Elm St. Congregational Church. Caused by defective power burner. Insured. March 25-Still alarm at 1:05 P.M. at 654 Main St., Dwelling owned by Alfred Havey. Caused by flooded oil burner. Insured.
105
Rodolphe Arpin
Armand Dumas
Lieut. Alexander Daigle Ferdinand Szczypien Roy Proulx Aime Ravenelle
April 22-Box 45 at 7:25 A.M. at 98 Charlton St., store owned by Burt Loomis. Caused by acetylene torch. Insured.
April 25-Box 34 at 4:25 A.M. at 289 Main St., store, owned by Martin Realty Inc. Caused by short circuit in electric wires. Insured.
May 2-Still alarm at 9:45 P.M. at 80 Cross St., Dwelling, owned by Lucien Duff. Caused by carelessly discarded cigarette. Insured.
May 7-Still alarm at 11:00 A.M. at Eastford Road School owned by Town of Southbridge. Caused by delayed igni- tion in power burner. Insured.
May 8-Still alarm at 11:50 A.M. at 31 Green Ave., Dwelling, owned by Naum Rutcho. Caused by children playing with matches. Insured.
May 10-Box 126 at 11:37 A.M. at 38 Green Ave., vacant laun- dry, owned by Leopold Hebert. Caused by children play- ing with matches. Not insured.
40 Green Ave. Dwelling, owned by Henry Libuda. Caused by above laundry fire. Insured.
May 31-Still alarm at 3:20 A.M. at 41 Green Ave., Dwelling owned by Antonio Rossi. Caused by smoking in bed. In- sured.
June 5-Box 321 at 4:48 P.M. at 270 Worcester St., Foundry, owned by Ernest E. Horney. Caused by short circuit. In- sured.
July 13-Still alarm at 3:00 A.M. at 115 Marcy St., Dormitory. Owned by Leo Cournoyer. Caused by smoking in bed. Insured.
July 22-Still alarm at 9:05 P.M. at 327 Pleasant St., Dwelling owned by William Cloutier. Caused by short circuit in T.V. set. Insured.
August 22-Still alarm at 4:30 A.M. at 74 Chestnut St., Dwell- ing, owned by John Dragon. Caused by ashes from cig- arette. Insured.
September 1-Still alarm at 6:15 P.M. at 197 Worcester St., Dwelling, owned by Hector Chapdelaine. Caused by chil- dren playing with matches. Insured.
September 3-Still alarm at 6:15 P.M. at 767 Lebanon Hill, Dwelling owned by George Anderson. Caused by grease in frying pan. Insured.
September 17-Still alarm at 8:55 P.M. at 6 Lens St., Restaur- ant. Owned by Mrs. Blanche Dion, caused by grease on stove. Insured.
September 22-Box 433 at 1:00 A.M. at 76-78 Pleasant St., Cafe. Owned by Alfred Beaulieu. Caused by short cir- cuit in cord. Insured.
October 12-Still alarm at 9:45 P.M. at 69 Cross St., Dwelling. Owned by Adolphe Routhier. Caused by smoking in bed. Insured.
106
October 29-Still alarm at 4:05 P.M. at 43 Coombs St., Dwell- ing. Owned by Herman Renaud. Caused by electric bulb against plastic bag. Insured.
November 6-Still alarm at 2:15 P.M., store. Owned by Con- sumers Market, Inc. Caused by sparks from acetylene torch cutting steel beam. Insured.
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT Permits
Transporting gasoline
1
High explosives
78
Range oil burners
488
Power burners
587
Open air permits
414
Removal of gasoline tanks
2
Decorations
26
Bottled gas permits
75
Burning paint off buildings
2
Inspections
Stores and business places
342
Hotels and boarding houses
3
Dwellings
1227
Range oil burners
488
Power oil burners
587
Clubs and Cafes
31
Locked out
10
Complaints
57
Schools
12
In closing my report for last year, I wish to thank the Citizens for their co-operation, and members of the Fire De- partment for their loyalty to their work.
In conclusion, the Chief, Oswald Meunier, on behalf of the members of the Fire Department wishes to thank the Board of Selectmen and other Town Officials for their courte- sy and consideration of the Department.
OSWALD MEUNIER,
Chief of The Fire Department.
For the Fire Department
Edward Boucher (clerk)
FOREST FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Forest Fire Department answered 40 alarms for forest fires in 1957.
Forest Fire Warden's salary $200.00
There were 414 permits for fires in the open.
I wish at this time to thank the people for their good will
107
and again ask their co-operation with this department to pre- vent fires in this vicinity.
Inventory of the Forest Fire Department
3 Forest Fire Pumps
$ 900.00
5100 ft. of 11/8" hose 2,400.00
4100 ft. of 11/2" hose
4,510.00
4 11/2" shut-off nozzles
125.00
6 1" shut-off nozzles
120.00
7
11/8" shut-off nozzles
245.00
8 Open end nozzles
54.00
1 1 ton Ford Truck
500.00
15 Soda and acid fire extinguishers
150.00
13 Indian pumps
163.00
4 21/2 gal. hand pumps
60.00
6 ten qt. pails
15.00
16 Brooms
16.00
5 Shovels
5.00
12 Reducers
60.00
OSWALD MEUNIER, Forest Fire Department Warden.
Deputy Forest Fire Wardens
Dan Daniels
Emile Caouette
Romeo Lippe
Joseph Mandeville
Harry Michaels
Ovila Donais
Charles Leveille
Rosario Bellerose
REPORT OF THE AMBULANCE DEPARTMENT
In rendering my report for the past year, I wish to state that there was an appropriation of $1,760.00 for this depart- ment.
During the past year the Ambulance made the following trips.
Southbridge
329
Sturbridge
69
Worcester
66
Charlton
37
Fiskdale
10
Brimfield
9
Boston
5
Dudley
5
Brookfield
4
Wales
4
Holland
3
Jamaica Plains
3
Grafton
3
108
Rutland
2
West Roxbury Holyoke
2
2
Quinebaug, Conn.
2
Ware
Mashapaug
Northampton
1
Webster
1
Gardner
1
Oxford
1
Lawrence
1
Hartford, Conn.
1
Springfield
1
Millbury
1
Taunton
1
Putnam, Conn.
1
Dodge
1
568
Inventory of the Ambulance Department
1
Cadillac Ambulance
$ 500.00
1 Packard Ambulance
2,000.00
2 Spare Tires
35.00
2 Folding Stretchers
60.00
1
Orthopatic Stretcher
60.00
2 First Aid Kits
10.00
2 Flame Proof Blankets
90.00
3 Pillows
7.50
19 Pillow Cases
8.50
15 Sheets
15.00
24 Blankets
96.00
12 Towels
6.00
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Gentlemen:
The Planning Board submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1957.
Zone Changes
One Zone Change was approved: Proulx Ave. and Wall St.
Sub-Divisions
Conditional approval was given to Stanley J. Oloff for a sub-division off Ashland Avenue.
Conditional approval was given to Peloquin Realty Co. for a sub-division off Roosevelt Drive and Glenwood Street.
109
1 1
Maps
The Zoning Map is being brought up to date by a planning consultant; contour maps and zoning maps are in the Planning Board Office.
Many citizens of the Town appeared before the Board for information and help concerning the Zoning Map and By-Laws. Copies of same were sent upon request to other Towns and Civil Engineers.
Respectfully submitted, ROLAND A. PONTBRIAND, Chairman ROGER A. MADORE, Secretary JAMES J. FALLON LEON F. LIVERNOIS WILLIAM B. O'SHAUGHNESSY Planning Board.
ANNUAL REPORT OF SOUTHBRIDGE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE
as of December 31, 1957
Southbridge Public Improvement Committee Annual Report to Board of Selectmen as of December 31, 1957
Acting in accordance with an article passed at the annual Town Meeting in March 1957, the Selectmen on 22 April 1957 appointed the following members to serve as the Southbridge Public Improvement Committee:
Clarence Peloquin Charles Trahan Joseph Piasta Louis Ciprari Charles Havener
These members were sworn in for a period of one year by Claire Boyer, Town Clerk and then met with the Board of Selectmen on 22 April 1957. After a discussion concerning the functions and authority of the Committee with the Selectmen, the Committee was organized with Clarence Peloquin as Chairman and Charles Havener as Clerk.
A meeting of the Committee was immediately held and a discussion concerning a period of appointment in terms of the Article presented by the Town and accepted at the March annual Town Meeting was held. As a result of this meeting the periods of appointment were changed in the following manner. Joseph Piasta, three years; Charles Trahan, three years; Clarence Peloquin, two years; Charles Havener, two years; and Louis Ciprari, one year. Replacements in the event of resignations etc. are to be for the balance of unexpired
110
terms with new appointments to be for a three year period.
At a subsequent meeting of the Southbridge Public Im- provement Committee, it was decided that the appointment for a specific period of time was not in accordance with the intent of the Article as passed by the annual Town Meeting nor was it for the best benefit of the Committee or the Town, therefore as of 11 May 1957 the Committee tendered its resig- nation as a group. On 13 May 1957 the Board of Selectmen reappointed the same people to serve as permanent members of this Committee and they were duly sworn in by the Town Clerk, Claire Boyer.
During the course of the year and because of the pressure of personal business and other factors, three of the original members of the Committee tendered their resignation. They were Joseph Piasta, Charles Trahan and Louis Ciprari. Joseph Piasta was replaced by the Selectmen with Joseph Swiacki. At the present time there are two vacancies on the Committee which we expect will have been filled by 31 December 1957.
The following is a listing of the Articles passed at the an- nual Town Meeting in March of 1957 that were specifically referred to the Southbridge Public Improvement Committee for action, and notation is made as to the action taken by the Committee on these articles.
ARTICLE 15.
This article requested that a vault be constructed for the exclusive use of the Town Clerk. This article was voted as the article appointing a committee to be known as the South- bridge Public Improvement Committee and making the Com- mittee responsible for taking inventory of the facilities of the Town and charged with the responsibility of making both short and long term plans and appropriating a sum of $500.00 for other expenses from the tax levy of 1957. The Committee has discussed the necessity of a vault with the Town Clerk and agrees that additional space is definitely required. How- ever, in view of the fact that certain plans are underway for the construction of an armory in the Town of Southbridge and because our best information is that the armory will be available for the use of the Town for Town Meetings and other Town functions, making the present Town Hall Audi- torium available for office or other space, no action has been taken to date as to a recommendation concerning where a vault might be located. The Committee has discussed the pos- sibility of microfilming Town Records with two (2) microfilm companies and with the Supervisor of Public Records of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is apparent that these records must be kept in their original form and that micro- films may be used for duplicate copies only. Action on the solution of the storage problem will continue as an item on the agenda of the Committee.
111
ARTICLE 22.
This article voted that the Town discontinue the in- firmary on Chestnut Street and that the Public Improvement Committee in conjunction with the Board of Welfare, in- vestigate and determine other uses for this property.
The Committee met with the Board of Welfare, reviewed the property and proposed use as a rest home. On June 10, 1957 the Committee advised the Board of Public Welfare that we did not consider the converting of this property into a rest home a desirable move because of the great cost of build- ing improvement and operating costs evaluated against the fact that patients cannot be required to either go there in the first place or remain once there. We considered requests for the use of this property from the newly formed Boys Club in the Town of Southbridge and from the Committee represent- ing the Southern Worcester County Retarded Children's group. Our only action on these requests was to indicate that in its present condition we did not recommend the use of this building for gatherings of children. We subsequently recom- mended that the Board of Public Welfare had no further use for the property and that they turn it over to the Selectmen to become custodians for the Town of Southbridge. Later we recommended to the Selectmen that the property be put in condition to prevent damage during the winter and made an inspection of the property in the company of the Board of Se- lectmen At this time the electricity and water were turned off and pipes and toilet bowls drained. We also recommended that certain pieces of property contained in the building be turned over to other departments in the Town where they might be put to good use.
Specifically the refrigerator and deep freeze unit were ultimately turned over to the School Department and certain tools were ultimately turned over to the Highway Depart- ment. Final disposition of this property for the best benefit of the Town is still under consideration by the Committee.
ARTICLE 52.
This article was voted that $2000.00 from the tax levy of 1957 be used to make the surveys of certain real estate and to employ non-resident non-taxpaying appraisers to appraise the property as indicated in the Article. The Committee has em- ployed the services of two different real estate appraisers from the City of Worcester. Mr. Eldridge Campbell and Mr. Frank Mahar to appraise certain pieces of property enclosed by Central Street, Main Street, Hamilton Street and Hook Street and another piece of property in the rear of the Medical Center on Elm Street. Both of these pieces of property were appraised as being possible sites for off-street parking devel- opment. The appraisal figures will be made public in a sep- arate release.
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.