USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > West Bridgewater > Town annual reports of the selectmen, overseers of the poor, town clerk, and school committee of West Bridgewater for the year ending 1955-1959 > Part 22
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The following expenditures from the Reserve Fund of $3,000.00 wcre voted during the year:
Disability Assistance
$1199.39
Cemeteries
41.64
Fire Department Labor
285.50
Armistice Day
13.00
Patrolmen Labor
33.55
Police Expense
145.08
Town Elms Expense
360.00
Tree Wardens Expense
.30
Snow Removal
192.02
School Bonds & Interest
.50
Interest on Tax Anticipation Note
352.50
Total
$3,000.00
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A greater effort should be made by all departments to stay within their voted budgets.
The Finance Committee does not look favorably on the re- quests for equipment such as made at the last special Town Meeting for Civil Defense uniforms. It is our opinion that such requests should be made only at the Annual Town Meeting unless an emer- gency arises.
With Government costs running at a high level, the following analysis may prove helpful to the taxpayer in understanding his community burden:
1 Increases:
A. Protection $ 5,754.96
B. Charities 1,600.00
C. Education 32,382.23
D. Recreation
23.00
E. Highways
6,296.00
F. Pensions
3,715.10
G. Unclassified
1,100.00
$52,871.29
2 Remaining the Same: A. Cemeteries
500.00
3 Decreases:
A. General Government $ 446.00
B. Health & Sanitation 2,435.00
C. Veteran's Services
1,895.00
$4,776.00
Total Increase
$48,095.29
4 Water Department:
A. Increase of $2,970.00
5 Maturing Debt & Interest:
A. Increase of $3,320.50
As required by Chapter 70 of the General Laws, the following report is submitted:
-
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Total School Appropriation recommended by the Finance Committee $307,651.23
Deduct: Estimated School Aid & Reimburse- ment 76,238.00
Estimated amounts to be raised from taxation $231,413.23
The Finance Committee herewith submits to you its recom- mendations relative to the Budget and Special Articles with the sincere hope that they will be approved. Subject to their approval the estimated tax rate for the year 1957 will be $65.00.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE V. HOLLERTZ, JR., Chairman MALCOLM H. HASKINS CHARLES A. FREEMAN FRANK S. MILLER EDWARD D. CROSS
RONALD F. BRODRICK
EMIL H. OHMAN, Secretary
WARRANT FOR ANNUAL MEETING March 11, 1957
Article 1. To choose Town Officers for the ensuing year not elected on the Official Ballot.
Article 2. To hear the reports of all Town Officers and Com- mittees and act thereon.
Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1957, and to issue a note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with sec- tion 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
205
Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint one of their members to the office of Agent of Veterans' Services.
Article 5. To raise such sums of money as may be necessary to defray the Town charges for the ensuing year, and to make appropriations for the same.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate, or transfer from available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 90 Maintenance, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 6. Recommended - $1,000.00
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate, or transfer from available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 90 New Construction, or take any action rela- tive thereto.
Article 7. Recommended - $4,500.00
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate, or transfer from available funds in the Treasury, the sum of $100.00 for the use of Plymouth County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture (Plymouth County Extension Service) and choose a Town Director as provided in Sections 41 and 42 of Re- vised Chapter 128 of the General Laws, and act thereon.
Article 8. Recommended - $100.00
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money to be expended by the Selectmen for the purchase of a new Police Cruiser for the Police Department, and will authorize and empower the Selectmen to trade in the old Police Cruiser and to apply the trade-in value of such old Police Cruiser toward the payment of the price for such new Police Cruiser; or take any action relative thereto.
Article 9. Recommended - $800.00
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote that the term of office of the Town Treasurer shall be three years, beginning at the March election in 1958.
Article 10. Recommend Adoption
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate or transfer from available funds in the Treasury, the sum of $3,500.00 for physical training, athletics, sports and equipment, etc.
Article 11. Recommended - $3,500.00
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Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money for equipment for the Committee Room, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 12. Recommended - $380.00
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate, or transfer from available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money to be expended under the supervision of the Board of Select- men, for the services of a qualified civil engineer upon a per-diem basis in connection with municipal planning and public improve- ments in the Town, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 13. Recommended - $500.00
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate, or transfer from available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money for the purpose of providing Band Concerts; or take any action relative thereto.
Article 14. Not Recommended
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate or transfer from available funds in the Treasury, the sum of $4,042.00 to cover the cost of pruning and destroying all existing dead wood in the Town Elms.
Article 15. Recommended - $4,042.00
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate or transfer from available funds in the Treasury, the sum of $2,955.00 for Insect Pest Control.
Article 16. Recommended - $2,955.00
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate or transfer from available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money for the permanent construction of West Center Street, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 17. Recommended
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate, or transfer from available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money to install new Street Lights, re-locate and increase size of present lights, as recommended by the Street Lighting Committee.
Article 18. Recommended - $376.00
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Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate or transfer from available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money for enclosing the passageway between A and C blocks of the Spring Street School, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 19. Not Recommended
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote for the Moderator to appoint a Committee of five to obtain preliminary plans and determine a suitable location for a building to house a Public Library, and appropriate a sum of money for any expenses in- curred, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 20. Not Recommended
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate or transfer from available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money to paint the Fire and Police Station, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 21. Not Recommended
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate, or transfer from available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money to be expended for drainage work as recommended by the Planning Board under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 22. Recommended - $4,500.00 for clearing Brook between Spring St. & North Main St.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate, or transfer from available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money to be expended by the Water Commissioners, for the pur- chase of a new truck for the Water Department, and will authorize and empower the Water Commissioners to trade in the old Water Department truck and to apply the trade-in value of such old truck toward the payment of the price for such new truck, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 23. Recommended - $2,600.00
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate, or transfer from available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money to be expended by the Board of Selectmen, for the purchase of a new truck and snow plow for the Highway Department, and will authorize and empower the Board of Selectmen to trade in the old truck and to apply the trade-in value of such old truck toward the payment of the price for such new truck; or take any action relative thereto.
Article 24. Not Recommended
208
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate or transfer from available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money for a mosquito control program.
Article 25. Recommended - $4,000.00
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate, or transfer from available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money to construct a sidewalk on Howard Street from the westerly side of Spring Street to North Main Street, or take any action rela- tive thereto.
Article 26. Not Recommended
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate, or transfer from available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money to purchase a Forest Fire Truck for the Fire Department, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 27. Not Recommended
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to approve an Act of the General Court, establishing a Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project.
Article 28. Recommended
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Assessors to take from available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money to be used for the purpose of reducing the tax rate for the current year.
Article 29. Recommended - $30,000.00
Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to adopt, or take any action relative to, the following by-law, to wit:
By-Law Regulating the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of House Trailers in the Town of West Bridgewater, 1957
Section 1. No trailer having a gross floor area of less than eighty-five (85) square feet per occupant, located upon any land in the Town, shall be occupied for living or business purposes for a period exceeding thirty (30) days, and except when placed in an authorized trailer park, no trailer shall be occu- pied for living or business purposes until a written permit has been secured from the Board of Selectmen, who, after due notice and public hearing thereon, shall act upon the application for such permit. No such permit shall be issued for a period of more than one (1) year from and after the date of such hearing.
Section 2. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Board of Select- men may issuc a temporary permit to such applicant, pending public hearing and action by such Board, for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days.
Section 3. That for the purposes of this by-law, each trailer shall be re- garded as a single-family dwelling, and the parcel upon which the same is
209
placed must conform to all area regulations pertaining to lot sizes and in every case shall be installed, maintained, and used subject to the regulations promul- gated by the Board of Health.
Section 4. Penalty for Violation. Whoever violates any provisions of this by-law shall be subject to such penalties as may be prescribed by the General Laws of the Commonwealth for the time being in force. Each day dur- ing which any violation hereof continues shall, for the purposes of this by-law, be considered a separate offence.
Article 30. Recommend Adoption
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to adopt, or take any action relative to the following amendments of "By-Law Regu- lating the Size and Uses of Building Lots in the Town of West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, 1956," to wit:
First: By striking out "Section II" thereof entitled, "Area Regulations" and inserting in place thereof, the following, to wit:
AREA REGULATIONS
Section II. Only one dwelling and usual accessory buildings may be crected, placed, or maintained on a lot. No dwelling or similar structure, shall be erected upon a lot having an area of less than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet and a frontage of one hundred twenty-five (125) feet, except as hercin otherwise provided.
Second: By striking out "Section IV" thereof entitled, "Side and Rear Lot Lines" and inserting in place thereof the following, to wit:
SIDE AND REAR LOT LINES
Section IV. No dwelling, garage, or accessory building shall be erected or placed within twenty (20) feet of a side lot line, or within thirty-five (35) fcet of a rear lot line, except as herein otherwise provided.
Article 31. Recommend Adoption
Article 32. To see if the Town will vote to adopt, or take any action relative to amending by-law entitled, "Earth Removal By-Law, Town of West Bridgewater, 1950" by striking out the same and inserting in place thereof the following by-law, to wit:
By-Law Regulating the Removal of Soil, Loam, Sand, and Gravel in the Town of West Bridgewater, 1957
REMOVAL OF EARTH
Section I. The removal of soil, loam, sand, or gravel from any parcel of land in the Town of West Bridgewater not in public usc, is forbidden, except as hereinafter provided. Any person desiring to remove soil, loam, sand, or gravel shall make an application in writing to the Board of Selectmen, who, after public hearing of which due notice shall be given, may issue a written permit for such removal. Such hearing shall be held within forty-five (45) days of the receipt of the application in writing by the Town Clerk.
Section II. A permit shall be required for the continuous operation of any sand or gravel pit in operation at the time this by-law is adopted. How- ever, Public hearing will not be required either in such case or for the renewal
210
of any permit in connection with the granting of which public hearings were held, provided that such sand or gravel pit has been actively operated during the twelve (12) months' period preceding the application for such permit. How- ever, before any such permit is either granted or renewed, the site of the pit shall be inspected by a committee consisting of one or more members of the Planning Board, one or more members of the Board of Selectmen, and, if and when the Town has secured the services of an engineer, the Town Engineer. The recommendations of the inspecting committee shall be in writing and made a part of the records of the Board of Selectmen. No permit shall be required for the removal of soil, loam, sand, or gravel from any parcel of land, if such removal is incidental to, or in connection with, the erection and construction of a building on such parcel, provided, however, that no such removal shall take place until the erection and construction of such building is completed.
Section III. In issuing a permit under this by-law, the Board of Selectmen may impose such conditions not specifically provided for herein as it may deem necessary for the adequate protection of the neighborhood and the Town. Any conditions imposed by the Board shall be attached to and made a part of the permit. Applicants for a permit to remove sand and gravel under this by-law shall submit a plan and profile of the arca, prepared by a qualified engineer, from which suitable levels may be established. However, the required submis- sion of a plan and profile of the area for which application has been made for a permit to remove sand and gravel, may, upon recommendation of the Plan- ning Board, and by vote of the Board of Selectmen, be waived provided that acceptable ground levels and grades may otherwise be determined. The Board may in its discretion require a bond, certified check, or other security for com- pliance with said conditions or as evidence of good faith as to the completion of any proposed construction. The Board may, after a public hearing on proof of violation of any condition, revoke any permits so granted. No permit shall be issued under the provisions of this by-law for a period of more than one year, and shall be effective from April first of the year issued to March thirty- first of the following year.
REMOVAL OF SAND AND GRAVEL
Section IV. Sand and gravel may be removed from any parcel of land, except within three hundred (300) feet of a street or way, and the Board shall issue a permit therefor, provided, however, that the Board shall impose such reasonable conditions as to the disposition of top soil and the re-establishment of ground levels and grades as it may deem necessary. Removal of sand or gravel under authority of this section shall be further subject to the provisions of Sections I and III.
REMOVAL OF SOIL OR LOAM
Section V. Soil or loam may be removed from any parcel of land within such area as may be determined by the Board of Selectmen. The Board in making such decision shall obtain the recommendations of the appropriate Soil District Supervisor and the County Extension Director, or agent, or their suc- cessors, and the recommendations of such supervisor, director, and agent shall be made a part of the records of the Board of Selectmen. In issuing a permit, the Board may impose reasonable restrictions and conditions as to the re-estab- lishment of ground levels and grades. Removal of soil or loam under authority of this section shall be subject to the provisions of Section I hereunder.
Section VI. Notwithstanding the provisions of this by-law, The Board of Selectmen may issue a permit for the removal of soil, or loam from any parcel of land in the town, where such removal of soil or loam is incidental to, or in connection with, the construction of a road or other facility involving a perma- nent change in the uses of the land. The Board of Selectmen shall issue no such permit unless it is satisfied reasonably that the construction will be completed and the evidence thereof shall be made a part of the records of said Board of Selectmen.
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REMOVAL WITHIN 300 FEET OF STREETS
Section VII. Soil, loam, sand, or gravel may be removed from any arca of land within such parcel lying within three hundred (300) feet of any street or way, provided a permit therefor has been issued by the Board of Selectmen after evidence satisfactory to them has been presented, that such removal will not be seriously detrimental or injurious to the neighborhood; provided, how- ever, that the Board shall impose reasonable conditions as to the method of removal, the re-establishment of ground levels and grades, and the planting of such suitable cover in the area as the Board of Selectmen may deem necessary. Removal of soil or loam under authority of this section shall be further subject to the provisions of Sections I and III.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section VIII. All applications for original or renewal permits for the re- moval of soil, loam, sand, or gravel, or any of the same, shall be referred to the Planning Board.
Section IX. The removal of loam to arcas outside of the Town may, at the discretion of the Board of Selectmen, be prohibited.
PENALTY FOR VIOLATION
Section X. Whoever violates the provisions of any of these regulations shall be subject to a fine of fifty ($50) dollars for the first offense, one hundred ($100) dollars for the second offense, and two hundred ($200) for each addi- tional offense thereafter. Each day during which the provisions of this by-law are violated shall be considered a separate offense.
Article 33. To see if the Town will vote to adopt, or take any action relative to, the following by-law, to wit:
Protective (Zoning) By-Laws For the Town of West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, 1957
PURPOSE OF BY-LAW
Section I. This by-law is for the purpose of promoting the health, safety, convenience, and welfare of the inhabitants of the Town of West Bridgewater, by dividing the town into districts, and regulating the use, construction, and alteration of buildings and the use of premises within each district, with a view to conserving the value of buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of land in the town, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 40a of the General Laws.
NON-CONFORMING USES
Section II. Any legal use of land or of buildings, not consistent with the provisions of this by-law at the time of its adoption or amendment shall be deemed to be a non-conforming use.
Nothing in this by-law shall prohibit the continuation of a non-conform- ing usc, but if such use is abandoned for a period of one year it may not be resumed unless authorized by the Board of Appeals. Nothing in this by-law shall be construed to restrict or prohibit conforming uses outlined in Section IV in business and/or industrial zones.
Necessary repairs to and rebuilding of a building or structure for a non- conforming use after damage by fire, storm, or similar disaster, are permitted provided they are accomplished without undue delay and do not substantially change the character or size of the building, nor the use to which it was put prior to such damage.
A non-conforming use may be changed, enlarged or extended on the prem- ises, provided such change, enlargement or extension is not more detrimental and only if authorized by the Board of Appeals.
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DISTRICTS
Section III. The Town is hereby divided into three classes of districts:
General Residential and Farming
Business Industrial
(a) "General Residential and Farming" districts are defined as being all land in the town, not otherwise classified by this by-law.
(b) "Business" districts are defined as being that land (a) on both sides of Main Street from the Brockton-West Bridgewater Line to the Bridgewater- West Bridgewater Linc, situate within five hundred (500) feet of the respective casterly and westerly sidelines of said Main Street; (b) on both sides of West Center Street from its intersection with said Main Street to the easterly sideline . of Amvets Memorial Highway, situate within five hundred (500) feet of the re- spective northerly and southerly sidelines of said West Center Street; and (c) on both sides of East Center Street from its intersection with said Main Street to the East Bridgewater Line, situate within five hundred (500) feet of the respective northerly and southerly sidelines of said East Center Street.
(c) "Industrial" districts are defined as being that land off Howard and Main Streets formerly comprising and known as "depot and freight yard," that portion of land lying west of the Amvets Memorial Highway, bounded on the north by West Street, on the west by the Easton line, and on the south by the Bridgewater line; and that portion of land lying east of said Amvets Memorial Highway bounded on the north by Walnut Street, on the south by West Street, and on the east by a line parallel with said Amvets Memorial Highway, and located a distance of one thousand three hundred twenty (1320) feet easterly from said Amvets Memorial Highway.
(d) These districts are defined and bounded on "Protective (Zoning) By- Law Map" dated March 12, 1957, which, with its notations, is hereby made a part of this by-law.
GENERAL RESIDENTIAL AND FARMING DISTRICTS
Section IV. In General Residential and Farming Districts no building or structure shall be constructed or altered and no building, structure or prem- ises shall be used for any purpose except:
(a) A one-family dwelling and its accessory buildings including a garage for storage of not more than three automobiles.
(b) The conversion of a large single-family dwelling, in existence at the time of the passage of this by-law, for the use of two or three families provided that such conversion does not substantially change the character and size of the building.
(c) Churches and other places of worship, parish houses and Sunday School buildings.
(d) Facilities necessary in connection with municipal or public utilities serving the town.
(e) Farming, dairy, nursery, market garden or greenhouse, including the sale of natural products, provided all the usual and accepted good farming prac- tices are observed. All expansion of such businesses, alteration of existing build- ings, and new construction must conform to the building by-law and the rules and regulations of the Board of Health and be consistent with general public welfare.
(f) Clubs, not conducted for profit, excepting Golf or Country Clubs.
(g) Accessory uses customarily incident to a dwelling, including:
(1) The use of a room or rooms in the dwelling, by the resident, for the practice of a profession, or for the pursuit of a customary home occu- pation, provided that there be no visual evidence of said use other than the permitted sign.
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(2) The use of the premises and accessory buildings by a builder, car- penter, painter, plumber, tinsmith, upholsterer, machinist, or similar trades- man, resident on the premises, in connection with his trade, under a permit from the Board of Appeals, and on the condition that no manufacture or business requiring substantially continuous employment be carried on.
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