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 1960-1963 > Part 41
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75.13
0.00
0.00
0.00
75.13
Water-South Street Mains
4.94
0.00
0.00
0.00
4.94
Water-Gravel Packed Well
1,005.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
1,005.00
Water-Bond Premium
92.00*
92.00
0.00
Water-Accrued Interest
44.00*
0.00
0.00
44.00
Water-New Well Construction
69.20
0.00
0.00
0.00
69.20
Water-North Main Construction
377.09
0.00
0.00
0.00
377.09
Water-Comm. of Mass. Expressway Claim
1,401.82
0.00
0.00
0.00
1,401.82
Water-Test Wells
3,158.26
2,000.00
4,850.76
0.00
307.50
Water-Land-Reed Property
115.10
0.00
0.00
0.00
115.10
142
Receipts
+ Includes transfers from Reserve Fund
+ To be raised on 1964 Tax Levy
143
STATE AUDITOR'S REPORT
To the Board of Selectmen Mr. George V. Hollertz, Jr., Chairman West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the town of West Bridgewater for the period from October 16, 1961 to July 24, 1963, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. William Schwartz, Assistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours,
AHM: MCC
ARTHUR H. MacKINNON Director of Accounts
Mr. Arthur H. Mackinnon Director of Accounts Department of Corporations and Taxation
Boston, Massachusetts
Sir:
In accordance with your instructions, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of West Bridgewater for the period from October 16, 1961, the date of the previous audit, to July 24, 1963, the following report being submitted thereon:
An examination and verification was made of the recorded financial transactions of the town as shown on the books of the departments receiving or disbursing money or committing bills for collection.
The books and accounts kept by the town accountant were examined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts were com- pared with the treasurer's books and with the records of depart- mental payments to the treasurer, while the recorded disburse- ments were checked with the treasury warrants and with the records of payments by the treasurer.
144
The appropriations, loan authorizations, and transfers, as entered on the ledgers, were checked with the town clerk's record of financial votes passed by town meetings and with the finance committee's authorizations of transfers from the reserve fund.
An analysis was made of the general and appropriation ledger accounts, the necessary adjusting entries resulting from the audit of the several departments were made, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial con- dition of the town on July 24, 1963.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked. The receipts, as recorded, were compared with the records of the several departments collecting money for the town and with other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury, while the payments were checked with the warrants of the selectmen authorizing the disbursement of town funds.
The cash balance on July 24, 1963 was proved by actual count of the cash in the office and by reconciliation of the bank balances with statements received from the banks in which town funds are deposited.
The payments of maturing debt and interest were proved with the amounts falling due and were checked with the cancelled securities and coupons on file. The amounts of debt and interest unpaid were listed and reconciled with the balances as shown by statements furnished by the banks of deposit.
The records of tax titles held by the town were examined and checked. The taxes, water liens, interest and costs transferred to the tax title account were compared with the collector's records, the recorded redemptions and sale of lands of low value were compared with the treasurer's recorded receipts, the foreclosures were verified, and the tax titles on hand were listed, reconciled with the accountant's ledger, and compared with the records at the Registry of Deeds.
The records of tax possessions acquired by the town by foreclosure of tax titles were examined and checked. The sales of tax possessions were checked with the treasurer's cash book and with the records at the Registry of Deeds, while the tax pos-
145
sessions on hand were listed and reconciled with the accountant's ledger.
The records of payroll deductions for Federal and State taxes, and the county retirement system were examined. The deductions were checked, the payments to the proper agencies were verified, and the balances on hand were reconciled with the respective controls in the accountant's ledger.
The transactions of the trust and investment funds in the custody of the town treasurer were verified, and the savings bank books and securities representing the investment of these funds were examined and listed.
The books and accounts of the collector of taxes were ex- amined and checked. The taxes, excise, and water liens outstanding at the time of the previous examination, as well as all subsequent commitment lists, were audited and checked with the warrants issued for their collection. The recorded collections were compared with the payments to the treasurer, the recorded abatements were checked with the assessor's records of abatements granted, the transfers to the tax title account were checked with the records of tax titles held by the town, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the respective controlling accounts in the accountant's ledger,
The commitments of departmental and water accounts re- ceivable were examined. The recorded receipts were checked with the payments to the treasurer, the abatements, as entered, were compared with the departmental records of abatements granted, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the accountant's ledger.
In order to verify the outstanding accounts notices were mailed to a number of persons whose names appeared on the records as owing money to the town, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
The records of receipts from licenses and permits issued by the selectmen, the town clerk, the building, wiring, and plumbing inspectors, and by the police and health departments, were ex- amined and checked, and the payments to the State and to the town treasurer were verified.
146
The records of receipts of the sealer of weights and measures, and of the school, library, and cemetery departments, as well as of all other departments collecting money for the town, were examined and checked. The recorded collections were compared with the payments to the treasurer, and the cash balances in the several departments, including petty cash advances, were proved.
Appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, are tables showing reconciliations of the several cash accounts, sum- maries of the tax, excise, tax title, tax possession, departmental, and water accounts, together with schedules showing the condition and transactions of the trust and investment funds.
For the cooperation extended by the town officials during the progress of the audit, I wish, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
WS: MCC
WILLIAM SCHWARTZ Assistant Director of Accounts
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Early in 1963 the Industrial Commission worked with a client who planned to construct a 40,000 sq. ft. plant in the Greater Brockton area. They liked the location and setting of a Manley Street site, but it was our duty to inform them of the lack of water in the street. At a subsequent meeting with the Industrial Com- mission and the Water Commissioners a timetable was discussed. The two boards pointed out the problems and the time it would take to alleviate the water need. They also informed the client of progress now under way to facilitate providing adequate water to this area in the future. Well permits were offered by the Water Board as a stop-gap measure until Town water could be provided.
After several weeks the client contacted us and indicated that they would temporarily overcome the water hurdle by installation of their own well. Because the cost of this installation would be considerable and because it would not be sufficient to take care
147
of their sprinkler system, and because their insurance pre- miums would be exorbitant they requested a tax adjustment.
The Industrial Commission immediately set up a conference with the Board of Assessors and all phases were weighed and dis- cussed at great length. The client requested an adjustment to be in effect only as long as it would take to bring a good supply of town water to the proposed plant. An assessment policy was formulated and presented to the client by the Board of Assessors, but it lacked the realism and flexibility needed to persuade the client to invest his money in West Bridgewater.
During the summer and early fall our time and talents were consumed with investigating the ramifications of the projected location of a manure dehydrating plant in our town. We looked at this project from every angle and in conjunction with all of the other town boards and committees consulted on the question, not to mention a general outpouring of comment from the townspeople, the decision was made to invoke the provisions of the Zoning By- Law which would outlaw it as a possible land use.
In November, at the request of a fellow townsman we met with the owner of a large firm and showed them various sites in the town explaining where water and access was available. The client is currently interested and negotiations are being carried on by the Commission at this time to provide answers to several problems which are connected with his most likely choice of site. We can report that the negotiations show promise and that everything is being done in its logical sequence to attempt to make this one a reality.
In summation of our past years activity, substantiated by our experience in these past eight years since the inception of this Commission, the problems attached to the promotion and attain- ment of successful location of industry in the Town of West Bridgewater are primarily these three:
1. The lack of water in proximity to our most desirable sites.
2. The lack of good access to the expressway from our most industrially developable sites.
148
3. The need of a progressive, competitive assessment policy to make the prospect feel that he is being treated realis- tically.
The solution to our water problem is progressing and shows great promise to future industrial development as well as further improving our domestic use.
Designs currently being formulated by your Town Engineer in conjunction with the Industrial Commission, Planning Board, Board of Selectmen, Water Commissioners, and the Highway Department are the direct answer to the access of industry to the expressway.
The assessing policy could be improved by the townspeople themselves indicating their desires and ideas. Let the Board of Assessors know that you support a sound but realistic assessment for our present and future commercial and industrial neighbors. The town boards and committees have encouraged our assessors at every turn, what they need now is the solid weight of your public opinion.
Respectfully submitted,
Advisory Committee William W. Phillips
Ronald F. Brodrick Charles K. Higgins Joseph A. Perry
Robert W. Bowman
Industrial Development Commission
Merton H. Ouderkirk, Chairman George V. Hollertz, Jr., Secretary
Frank S. Miller
Francis LeBaron, Jr.
Leon F. Beaulieu
PLANNING BOARD
The Planning Board respectfully submits its report for the year ending December 31, 1963.
The Board holds its meetings in the second floor Conference Room at the Town Hall at 7:30 P.M. on the first and third Wednesday of each month.
149
The Planning Board personnel have met to make decisions encumbent upon them relative to all phases of the town zoning by-laws; to discuss general and specific planning for the future development of the town, and to assist, through inspection trips in the field, with fulfilling the regulations on the loam and gravel removal permits.
It will be noted, after comparison with the breakdown of the previous year's report, that your Planning Board was not called upon to act on as many items during 1963. This, we are sure, was due in part to the laws and regulations which the townspeople have seen fit to pass at earlier town meetings. Such action is a healthy sign and a credit to our people.
Your Board has tried to keep abreast of the Legislative Bills at the state level, pertaining to Planning Board functions, and have written to our representatives asking their support or re- jection of these bills.
Membership is held in the Massachusetts Federation of Planning Boards-an effective organ in keeping us abreast of law changes, etc., and enabling us to better evaluate our activities.
We are grateful for the friendly, professional guidance given us at our meetings by Town Engineer Charles A. Pickering, Building Inspector Antone Sousa and Atty. Willis R. Downs our Town Counsel.
Listed below is a breakdown of the Planning Board's activi- ties during the year just concluded :
Regular Meetings 24
Plot Plans studied 41
Subdivisions studied 4
Subdivisions approved 2
Field Trips 4
Public Hearings
6
Executive Sessions 2
Out of Town Meetings 0
The Planning Board members take this opportunity to thank all other town personnel, boards and commissions, who have given
150
of their time and knowledge to help us administer the laws and regulations of zoning.
Respectfully submitted,
H. EDWARD PARRY, Chairman MERTON H. OUDERKIRK, Vice-Chairman RUSSELL P. ROBERY ERNEST R. PETERSON FRANK S. MILLER, Clerk
DOG OFFICER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The year 1963 was quite a busy one for dogs, especially the month of December.
All taxes have been paid, after a bit of persuasion for some.
The Town is growing fast and the dog population is keeping step with its human counterpart.
There were in the year 1963:
31 strays 12 strays returned to owners 30 complaints answered.
Respectfully submitted,
P. M. DOWNS Dog Officer
151
PERMANENT SCHOOL BUILDING NEEDS COMMITTEE
At a special town meeting held October 4, 1962 a Permanent School Building Needs Committee was authorized. This committee has endeavored to extend the good work of its predecessors.
School enrollment continues to climb, particularly in the lower grades.
The exact number of pupils per room is the province of the school committee, not this committee. For the first 6 grades their wish is 25, the present average 28.3 and the previous planned figure 30.
Present enrollment of 624 in the first five grades is only 34 less than the 658 expected by the last committee for 1968. The school committee is having trouble finding 2 more rooms for next year.
Our lower grades will account for the major increases for at least the next ten years.
Nine high school building rooms are now occupied by ele- mentary pupils. Some of these rooms will be needed for the high school starting about 1967 depending partially upon the curricula to be offered.
The table presented here shows our projection for the school population through the school year starting 1973. While not identical to the State School Building Assistance Commission figures, the total enrollment figures are in substantial agreement. These figures do not allow for a possible wave of house building and new families, but only the recent average 36% increase of enrollment over births.
Approximately three and one half years were needed from school needs report to a useable facility for the last project.
From the above data this committee recommends that the moderator be empowered to appoint a committee authorized to select and obtain proper site or sites and obtain architectural
152
sketches and estimates for proper facilities for occupancy in 1968 to be presented to the Town for its consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
LUKE M. BOYD
GERTRUDE ESTABROOKS, Secretary DeSALES J. HEATH FRANCIS LeBARON, Chairman ELEANOR M. MAHONEY
SCHOOL POPULATION ESTIMATE
GRADE 1-6
IN- CREASE
ROOMS NEEDED
GRADE 7-12
CREASE NEEDED
TOTAL
CREASE
ACTUAL 1963
735
583
1327*
ESTIMATED
1964
777
42
2
552
-31
1329+
2
1965
815
80
3
555
-28
1370
43
1966
819
84
3
566
-17
1385
58
1967
842
107
4
594
11
1436
109
1968
871
136
5
604
21
1475
148
1969
862
127
5
652
59
2
1514
187
1970
871
136
5
685
103
3
1556
229
1971
869
134
5
717
124
4
1586
259
1972
893
158
6
715
122
4
1608
281
1973
897
162
6
735
142
5
1632
305
*
Including "special class" 9
+ 1964 and after not including "special class" anticipated to remain be- tween 9 and 12.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
We herewith submit the Annual Report of the Board of Appeals for the year 1963.
The board met seven times during the year. A total of nine hearings were scheduled to be heard; variances were granted in
IN-
ROOMS
IN-
153
seven cases, one was rejected, and in the ninth case the decision was still pending at the end of the calendar year.
The board wishes to acknowledge the helpful assistance received from the Planning Board, the Town Counsel, the Board of Selectmen, the Fire Chief and Building Inspector.
The Town Clerk has been of great assistance to the board, receiving the appeals and doing most of the clerical work.
The board retains the same members as in 1962.
Members of the Board of Appeals
NORMAN W. ESTABROOKS, Chairman MINOT A. EDSON
HAROLD F. COLBY, JR. JULIAN LUCINI H. KINGMAN BURRILL, Secretary Alternate Members JOHN HAMILTON ROYAL SNELL
VETERANS' SERVICE DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Selectmen:
I submit herewith a report of my fifth year as Veterans Agent.
During 1963 nineteen cases were assisted of which eight are considered permanent. An analysis of the past five years indicates a drop in the case load:
TOTAL CASES
1962
21
PERMANENT CASES 9
1961
24
12
1960
39
10
1959
30
10
One permanent case was terminated by death during 1963. Of the present case load assistance was given as follows:
154
VETERAN, WIFE
& FAMILY
VETERANS' PARENTS
VETERANS' WIDOWS
Permanent Cases
1
6
1
Temporary Cases
8
2
1
Although total disbursements for assistance were less during 1963 than formerly, a sharp increase in costs of hospitalization has been noted. Therefore, the 1964 budget shows approximately the same requests as in 1963 to allow for these hospital cases which cannot be forecast.
Respectfully submitted,
ROGER H. BURRILL, Veterans Agent
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT OF THE TOWN OF
WEST BRIDGEWATER
FOR THE YEAR 1964
ER
MASS
2-1656
NC
822.
RPC
PULPIT ROCK
16
RATED. FEB.
DORR'S PRINT SHOP BRIDGEWATER, MASSACHUSETTS
156
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
To the Townspeople of West Bridgewater
At this Committee's first meeting of the year, it welcomed three new members: Joseph McMorrow, Charles F. Adams, and Philip C. Tuck. Elected as Co-chairmen were Karl Farrar and Matthew Mazza. Philip C. Tuck was elected Secretary. There have been a total of thirty meetings held during the year. At various times the Finance Committee met with the Board of Selectmen, Town Departments, and Committees to review their needs and requirements in anticipation of the 1964 budget.
We want this report to reflect our pride and admiration for the frugal administration each department head and their person- nel have practiced. In these times of increasing demands for serv- ices by the residents and the climbing costs of providing for those services, it becomes no easy task to maintain a sound financial condition. To help us in our task, it requires the cooperation and understanding of each and every person charged with a responsi- bility for the administration of the town finances.
Your Finance Committee has given diligent and careful thought to the requests of the operating departments and school department as they pertain to the budget. In this respect we offer the following recommendations:
1. Highway Department:
One new plow @ $ 800.00
One new sand spreader @ $1,000.00
2. Police Department: One new cruiser @ $2,300.00
The school budget continues to climb and is up another 8.7% above last year. This budget represents 51.41% of the total budget. We have, this year, changed the form of presentation of the school budget section in order to inform the townspeople in more detail of what the School Committee is asking. As a result of a joint meeting of the two Committees, a total of $2,540.00 has been removed from the budget and committed to Public Law 864 and 874. The Finance Committee voted to recommend a cut of
157
$10,862.00 in the School Committee budget. We feel that this amount is unnecessary and excessive and that school department operations will not be adversely affected as a result.
Your Committee, after many discussions and two field trips, do not recommend the proposed new Town Office Building. It is the majority opinion that further exploration should be made into the possibility of remodeling the present town offices. This Com- mittee has made two field trips to view the results of the remodel- ing of a nearby Town Office Building and were greatly impressed by what was done. We consulted with those people responsible for the alterations and obtained cost figures which were very low. We feel justified in not recommending the new Town Offices.
With reference to Article 21, this Committee recommends that the sum of $60,000.00 be expended on this project instead of the requested $125,000.00. After discussion with the Board of Select- men, we feel there are other sections in town also urgently in need of water improvements.
Note should be made of the new state law which allows cer- tain persons over the age of 70 a $4,000.00 exemption on the assess- ment of their real estate. It is anticipated that approximately $20,000.00 of taxation will be lost in 1964 as a result.
Twenty-seven hundred dollars was transferred from the Re- serve Fund to cover:
1. Fire expenses $1,032.48
2. Fire Station expense 21.97
3. Dog Officer 25.00
4. Snow removal expense 306.13
5. Town reports 64.35
6. Interest 1,154.85
7. Library construction 95.22
$2,700.00
Free cash as certified by Arthur McKinnon, Director of Ac- counts, January 1, 1964 amounts to $21,407.13.
In accordance with Chapter 70 of the General Laws, the fol- lowing report is submitted:
158
Total school appropriation recommended by the Finance Committee $565,421.00
Deduct estimated school aid and reim- bursement in the amount of 79,149.00
Estimated amount to be raised by taxation
amounts to
486,272.00
The 1964 budget for school bonds and
interest amounts to
138,214.00
This year's report also includes a complete list of the total earnings of all town employees for 1963.
TOWN EMPLOYEES SALARIES 1963
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Peter Sperandio
10,220.16
Joseph MacFarlane 3,713.28
Donald A. Fisher
7,958.40
Gwendolyn MacMullen 596.40
Lloyd H. Bell
300.00
Anne Marcus
1,566.64
Harold Bent
5,662.72
Mae E. Mather
3,045.00
Ina Bisbee
1,916.40
Marjorie Mullins
224.85
Jane Boelke
2,033.36
Robert Orr
5,920.00
Joy A. Boucher
4,524.14
Thomas Peters
6,184.47
Michael Brown
4,946.72
Reina Pinansky
1,833.36
Gail Buckley
150.00
Stanley Reed
293.62
Mary Lee Bystrom
30.00
Walter Renaud
5,350.64
Robert Chapman
6,496.00
Marie A. Rosenthal
4,840.05
Elizabeth Davis
1,500.00
Janice Rylander
6,950.64
Pauline DeVeber
4,446.72
Kaiser Shahdan
5,513.28
H. Eileen Doherty
3,652.46
Sarah Shukis
6,696.64
Gertrude Estabrooks
750.00
Carol M. Soule
3,231.72
William Fisk, Jr.
3,524.50
Bruce P. Thomas
5,145.64
Anne Fitzgerald
2,980.00
Harry Tozier
6,139.65
Armand Gendreau
6,203.80
Eleanor Von Bretzel
2,166.64
Carolyn Gravelin
5,746.64
William Wassel
1,583.36
Pat Guercia
6,346.64
Bertha Wheeler
5,580.42
E. Myrtle Howard
4,266.64
Neuman Wood
2,166.64
Anna Howe
150.00
Kathleen Wright
2,980.00
Gerard Hurley
1,900.00
Frank Dunn, Jr.
7,158.72
James Kasperson
150.00
Walter Lewis
6,817.28
Marietta Kent
7,007.92
Albert Orlando
2,968.00
E. Olivia Lawson
7,512.56
Doris Prince
2,968.00
David Leveille
5,858.50
William Rathbun
7,000.72
Thomas Long
4,962.72
Oliver Millett, Jr.
7,985.36
Charles Loverin
6,342.84
Sarah Benson
3,235.22
159
Margaret Boynton
6,196.64
Emma Taylor
5,896.64
Dorothy Cheney
2,233.36
Shirley Thorpe
5,796.64
Thelma Cook
6,018.14
Jessie Anderson
210.00
Sally Decker Thompson
2,845.00
Mary Bergeron
465.00
Bernice Ditchett
5,746.64
llelen Curtis
525.00
Gladys Freeman
5,429.92
John Borgal
30.00
Genova Garvey
6,696.64
Eleanor Soule
1,488.50
Alice Howard
5,996,72
Anne Leighton
543.00
Mary Humphrey
6,396.64
Paul Alexander
4,172.20
Velma Johnston
6,066.72
Arvid Hagglund
5,016.00
Katherine Keough
5,946.64
Gilbert I. Anderson
4,730.40
Roy G. Lundin, Jr.
4,946.72
Carleton F. Hoyt
4,167.92
Marion E. MacDonald
5,596.64
John W. Large
4,155.78
Ethel Marr
5,896.64
Harold Rickson
3,879.30
Judith Merra
4,546.64
Gordon K. Ross
4,511.20
Fontaine Metta
1,680.00
Warren A. Turner
4,171.00
Mary Michelmore
1,500.00
Emma Marzelli
3,610.00
Laurel Nelson
1,515.00
Emily Teixeira
2,340.00
Mary Nelson
6,946.64
Alberta Wardwell
2,491.71
Anne O'Keefe
3,633.28
Ann Pilla
2,480.00
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