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 24
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cludes a long-range plan of ditching and draining. Also, and very important, it requires the co-operation of every resident in eliminat- ing possible breeding-places on their property; of any container of stagnant water such as cans and old tires; in other words of an in- tensive clean-up program in conjunction with work undertaken by the Town, County and State.
A chest X-ray clinic was conducted at the Town Hall, made available by the Plymouth County Health Association and Ply- mouth County Hospital. Response, again, was good, and there was no expense to the Town involved. The CD Nurse Corps under the leadership of Mrs. Kenneth Buker provided hostesses and Town Clerk Anna Brown headed the clerical corps.
Over thirty investigations were made during the year relative to cesspool and sewage disposal problems; made more difficult be- cause of low-lying land and the presence of a strata of blue marl or hard-pan which is common throughout the area. Here, it may be stated, the service of a trained part-time sanitarian would be most valuable.
The Town dump has posed a perennial problem, but con- ditions are believed to be in an improved state; in availability through road-work and consistent bull-dozing; in cleanliness by eliminating much out-of-town dumping and by co-operation re- ceived from townspeople. A Custodian would aid appreciably in controlling dumping but would also add to Town expense. Town- supervised rubbish and garbage collection is an item which must be decided on in the near future.
A number of small road-side dumps were also investigated and subsequent talks with land-owners and those in the neighborhood found all co-operative and the conditions rectified. Signs were placed prohibiting further dumping.
In closing, I wish to thank the many individuals and depart- ments who have assisted during the past year in making West Bridgewater a healthier place in which to live.
Report of the Fire Department, printed on leaflets, was given to each voter as he entered the hall.
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Moved :- to accept the reports of all Town Officers and Com- mittees as printed in the Town Report. Motion carried.
Article 3. Voted, The Town Treasurer be authorized, 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 therefor, payable with- in one year, and to renew any notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
Article 4. Voted the Board of Selectmen be authorized to appoint one of their members to the office of Agent for 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 ap- propriations for the same.
The following is a list of appropriations as voted by the meeting:
Moderator
$ 25.00
Finance Committee
100.00
Selectmen:
Salaries
1,600.00
Expenses
700.00
Town Accountant:
Salary
1,450.00
Expense
535.00
Equipment
65.00
Treasurer:
Salary
1,800.00
Expenses
1,701.00
Equipment
550.00
Collector:
Salary
3,100.00
Expenses
1,485.00
Equipment
186.00
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Assessors:
Salaries
3,750.00
Expenses
1,610.00
Law:
Town Counsel
500.00
Damage Claims
200.00
Town Clerk:
Salary
1,300.00
Expenses
248.00
Town Hall and Offices:
Salary
2,080.00
Expenses
2,830.00
Election & Registration:
Salaries
260.00
Expenses
1,160.00
Preserving Old Records
50.00
Other Financial Offices
25.00
Police:
Salaries:
Chief
4,800.00
Patrolmen
14,160.00
Expenses
3,540.00
Equipment
46.00
Fire:
Salaries:
Chief
1,000.00
Firefighters
4,000.00
Expenses
6,614.00
Equipment
250.00
Fire & Police Station:
2,050.00
Expenses Equipment
350.00
Hydrants
5,445.00
Tree Warden:
Salaries:
Superintendent
1,960.00
Labor
3,584.00
Expenses
970.00
Equipment
315.00
Town Nursery
300.00
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Sealer of Weights & Measures:
Salary
200.00
Expenses
45.00
Inspector of Wires:
Salary
400.00
Expense
200.00
Inspector of Buildings:
Salary
500.00
Expense
175.00
Civil Defense:
Expenses
500.00
Dog Officer
300.00
Planning Board Expense
300.00
Zoning Committee Expense
100.00
Expenses, Board of Health
475.00
T. B. Hospital
1,700.00
Visiting Nurse
800.00
Well-Child Conference
100.00
Diphtheria Clinic
110.00
Dump
1,500.00
Inspection of Animals
450.00
Inspection of Slaughtering
100.00
Dental Clinic
500.00
Highways:
Salaries:
Superintendent
4,420.00
Labor
11,000.00
Expenses
16,600.00
Snow Removal:
Labor and Expenses
8,175.00
Truck and Equipment, Maintenance
3,500.00
Street Lights
9,100.00
Public Welfare:
Salaries:
Board Members
252.00
Welfare Agent
400.00
Expenses
550.00
Aid
8,800.00
Old Age Assistance:
Salary, Welfare Agent
400.00
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Expenses Aid 35,000.00
Aid to Dependent Children:
Salary, Welfare Agent
260.00
Expenses Aid
100.00
Disability Assistance:
Salary, Welfare Agent
150.00
Expenses
210.00
Aid
4,000.00
Veterans' Agent:
Salary
495.00
Expense
155.00
Aid
14,550.00
Schools:
Salaries
237,709.33
Expenses
69,941.90
Library:
Salaries
4,100.00
Expenses
1,482.00
Monuments & Parks:
Salaries:
Superintendent
2,478.00
Labor
200.00
Expenses
670.00
Cemeteries
500.00
Contributory Retirement
8,043.00
Town Reports
1,300.00
Memorial & Armistice Days
500.00
Insurance
8,000.00
Reserve Fund (Overlay Surplus) $ 4,000.00
Christmas Decorations
200.00
Water Department from Water Revenue:
Salaries:
Commissioners 1,000.00
Superintendent
4,175.00
Labor
8,400.00
Expenses
15,825.00
Equipment
600.00
1,200.00
280.00
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Maturing Debt & Interest:
Schools 112,627.50
Water from Water Revenue 22,588.00
Interest-Temporary Loans 1,000.00
The following special motions were made on the above Appropriations:
Moved :- the sum of $1,600.00 be raised and appropriated for the salaries of the Board of Selectmen to be paid as follows: Chair- man, $700.00; Clerk, $500.00; Associate Member, $400.00. So voted.
Moved :- the sum of $3,540.00 be raised and appropriated for the expenses of the Police Department, including $85.00 for Out- of-State Travel and $75.00 for going out of State for prisoners. So voted.
Moved :- the sum of $3,750.00 be raised and appropriated for the salaries of the Board of Assessors to be paid as follows: Chair- man, $1,550.00; Clerk, $1,150.00; Associate Member, $1,050.00. So voted.
Moved :- that the salary of the Police Chief be raised and appropriated to the sum of $4,800.00. So voted.
Moved :- the sum of $4,000.00 be raised and appropriated for the salaries of firefighters to be paid as follows: Deputy Chief, $1.60 per hour; Captains, $1.55 per hour; Privates, $1.50 per hour. So voted.
Moved :- the sum of $6,614.00 be raised and appropriated for the expense of the Fire Department including $75.00 for Out-of- State Travel. So voted.
Moved :- the sum of $1,960.00 be raised and appropriated for salary of Tree Warden to be paid at the rate of $1.75 per hour. So voted.
Moved :- the sum of $3,584.00 be raised and appropriated for Labor salaries to be paid at the rate of $1.60 per hour. So voted.
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Moved :- the sum of $11,000.00 be raised and appropriated for Labor salaries in the Highway Department to be paid at the rate of $1.60 per hour. So voted.
Moved :-- the sum of $252.00 be raised and appropriated for the salaries of the Board of Public Welfare, to be paid $84.00 each. So voted.
Moved :- the sum of $495.00 be raised and appropriated for the salary of Veterans' Agent, to be paid at the rate of $15.00 per case. So voted.
Moved :- the sum of $69,941.90 be raised and appropriated for the School Department expense, including $255.00 for Out-of- State Travel. So voted.
Moved :- the sum of $1,000.00 be raised and appropriated for the Water Commissioners' salaries to be paid as follows: Chair- man, $333.34; Associate Members, $333.33. So voted.
Article 6. Moved :- that the sum of One Thousand Dollars (S1,000.00) be raised and appropriated to meet the Town's share of Chapter 90 Maintenance, and that in addition, the sum of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) be appropriated from Surplus Rev- enue to meet the State's and County's share of the cost of the work, reimbursement from the State and County to be restored, upon their receipt, to the Surplus Revenue account.
So voted.
Article 7. Moved :- that the sum of Forty-five Hundred Dol- lars ($4,500.00) be raised and appropriated to meet the Town's share of Chapter 90, New Construction, and that in addition, the sum of Thirteen Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($13,500.00) be appropriated from Surplus Revenue to meet the State's and County's share of the cost of the work, reimbursement from the State and County to be restored, upon their receipt, to the Surplus Revenue account.
So voted.
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Article 8. Moved :- that the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) be raised and appropriated for the use of the Plymouth County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture (Plymouth County Extension) and that Clifford H. Carlson be appointed as Town Director as provided in Sections 41 and 42 of Revised Chapter 128 of the General Laws.
So voted.
Article 9. Moved :- that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of Twelve Hundred Dollars ($1,200.00) to be expended by the Selectmen for the purchase of a new Police Cruiser for the Police Department, and the transfer of equipment to such new Cruiser, 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.
So voted.
Article 10. Moved :- that the term of office of the Town Treasurer shall be three years, beginning at the March election in 1958.
So voted.
Article 11. Moved :- that the sum of Thirty-five Hundred Dollars ($3,500.00) be raised and appropriated for Physical Train- ing. Athletics, Sports and Equipment, according to Chapter 638, Acts of 1956.
So voted.
Article 12. Moved :- that the sum of Three Hundred Eighty Dollars ($380.00) be raised and appropriated for equipment for the Committee Room.
So voted.
Article 13. Moved :-- that the sum of Five Hundred Dollars
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($500.00) be raised and appropriated, to be expended under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen, for the services of a qual- ified Civil Engineer, upon a per-diem basis, in connection with municipal planning and public improvements in the Town.
So voted.
Article 14. Moved :- that the sum of $500.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of providing Band Concerts.
Upon vote, motion lost.
Article 15. Moved :- that the sum of Four Thousand and Forty-two Dollars ($4,042.00) be raised and appropriated to cover the cost of pruning and destroying all existing dead wood in the Town Elms.
So voted.
Article 16. Moved :- that the sum of Two Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty-five Dollars ($2,955.00) be raised and appropri- ated for Insect Pest Control.
So voted.
Article 17. Moved :- that the sum of Twelve Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventy-seven Dollars and Three Cents (12,777.03) be raised and appropriated for the permanent con- struction of West Center Street and to meet such appropriation the sum of $12,777.03 be appropriated from Surplus funds in the Treasury.
So voted.
Article 18. Moved :- that the sum of Three Hundred and Seventy-six Dollars ($376.00) be raised and appropriated to install new street lights, re-locate and increase size of present lights, as recommended by the Street Lighting Committee.
So voted.
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Article 19. Moved :- that the sum of $8,000.00 be raised and appropriated for enclosing the passageway between A. and C. blocks of the Spring Street School.
Upon vote, motion lost.
Article 20. Moved :- that the Moderator appoint a commit- tee of five to obtain preliminary plans and determine a suitable location for a building to house the Public Library and that the sum of $1,000.00 be raised and appropriated for expenses incurred.
Upon vote, motion lost.
Article 21. Moved :- that the sum of Fifteen Hundred Dol- lars ($1,500.00) be raised and appropriated to paint the Fire and Police Station.
Upon vote, motion lost.
Article 22. Moved :- that the sum of Forty-five Hundred Dollars ($4,500.00) be raised and appropriated, to be expended for drainage work as recommended by the Planning Board, under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen.
So voted.
Article 23. Moved :- that the sum of Two Thousand Six Hundred Dollars ($2,600.00) be raised and appropriated to be ex- pended by the Board of Water Commissioners for the purchase of a new truck and special equipment for the same required for de- partmental uses, and that the Board of Water Commissioners be, and they hereby are, authorized, directed, and empowered 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, from Water Surplus.
So voted.
Article 24. Moved :- that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of Six Thousand One Hundred Dollars ($6,100.00) to be
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expended by the Selectmen, for the purchase of a new Truck and Snow Plow for the Highway Department, and that the Selectmen be, and they hereby are, authorized, empowered and directed to trade in the old truck, and to apply the trade-in value of the old truck toward the payment of the price for such new truck and that to meet such appropriation, the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) be appropriated from the Machine Fund, and the sum of Five Thousand One Hundred Dollars ($5,100.00) be raised and appropriated from the tax levy for the year now current.
Upon vote, motion lost.
Article 25. Moved :- that the sum of Four Thousand Dol- lars ($4,000.00) be raised and appropriated for a Mosquito Control Program.
So voted.
Article 26. Passed without action.
Article 27. Moved :- that the sum of Seven Thousand Dol- lars ($7,000.00) be raised and appropriated to purchase and equip a Forest Fire Truck for the Fire Department.
Upon vote, motion lost.
Article 28. Moved :- that the Town endorses Senate Bill 111, introduced into the General Court of the Commonwealth by Honorable Warren S. Keith, Senator from the Plymouth District, providing a mosquito control project for Plymouth County, and recommends its passage.
So voted.
Article 29. Moved :- that the Town vote to authorize the Assessors to take from available funds in the Treasury, the sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) to be used for the purpose of reducing the tax rate for the current year.
So voted.
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Article 30. Moved :- that the Town vote to adopt the fol- lowing By-Law, to be Article XXV, of the Town By-Laws, entitled "By-Law Regulating the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of House Trailers in the Town of West Bridgewater, 1957."
Upon two-thirds vote of show of hands-Affirmative, 195; Negative, 9-motion carried.
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 occupied for living or business purposes until a written permit has been secured from the Board of Selectmen, who, after due notice and public hearing there- on, 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 Selectmen may issue 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 regarded as a single-family dwelling, and the parcel upon which the same is placed must conform to all area regulations per- taining to lot sizes and in every case shall be installed, maintained, and used subject to the regulations promulgated by the Board of Health.
Section 4. Penalty for Violation. Whoever violates any pro- visions 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 during which any violation hereof continues shall, for the purposes of this by-law, be considered a separate offence.
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Motion made to adjourn the meeting until Tuesday, at 8 P.M. at the High School Auditorium.
Motion carried.
Adjourned Town Meeting March 12, 1957
Meeting called to order by the Moderator, John C. Eldridge, at 8 P.M., to resume action on the rest of the articles on the War- rant. 112 Male and 52 Females checked.
Article 31. Moved :- that the Town vote to adopt the fol- lowing amendments to Article XXVI of the Town By-Laws, "By- Law Regulating the Size and Uses of Building Lots in the Town of West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, 1956," to wit: First: By Strik- ing out Section II thereof, entitled "Area Regulations," and insert- ing in place thereof the following:
Area Regulations
Section II. Only one dwelling and usual accessory buildings may be erected, 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 herein 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) feet of a rear lot line, except as herein other- wise provided.
Amendment made to change 20,000 square feet to read "area of less than 18,750 square feet." Upon vote, amendment carried by- 53 yes, 49 no.
Upon vote on Article 31 as amended Yes-111, No-10; motion carried.
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Article 32. Moved :- that the Town vote to amend Article XXIV of the Town By-Laws, entitled "Earth Removal By-Law, Town of West Bridgewater, 1956" by striking the same out and in- serting 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 use, is forbidden, except as hereinafter provided. Any person desir- ing 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. However, Public hearing will not be required either in such case or for the renewal 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. However, before any such permit is either granted or re- newed, the site of the pit shall be inspected by a committee con- sisting 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
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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. Applic- ants for a permit to remove sand and gravel under this by-law shall submit a plan and profile of the area, prepared by a qualified en- gineer, from which suitable levels may be established. However, the required submission 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 Planning 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 compliance 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 pro- visions 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 par- cel of land, except within three hundred (300) feet of a street or way, and the Board shall issue a permit therefor, provided. how- ever, 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 pro- visions 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 Select- men. The Board in making such decision shall obtain the recom- mendations of the appropriate Soil District Supervisor and the County Extension Director, or agent, or their successors, 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 condi-
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tions as to the re-establishment of ground levels and grades. Re- moval of soil or loam under authority of this section shall be sub- ject 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 con- struction of a road or other facility involving a permanent 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.
Removal within 300 Feet of Streets
Section VII. Soil, loam, sand, or gravel may be removed from any area 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, however, 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 per- mits for the removal 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 areas outside of the Town may, at the discretion of the Board of Selectmen, be pro- hibited.
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
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two hundred ($200) for each additional offense thereafter. Each day during which the provisions of this by-law are violated shall be considered a separate offense.
Upon vote, motion carried unanimously.
Article 33. Moved :- that the Town vote to adopt the fol- lowing By-Law to be Article XXVII, entitled:
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 conserv- ing the value of buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of land in the town, in accordance with the provisions of Chap- ter 40a of the General Laws.
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