USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1946-1950 > Part 42
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CONSTRUCTION
The Water Department has completed another phase in its long range program of water main extensions, all the work being done by the personnel of the department. The location of these new lines has enabled the Town to effect another step in its objective: to provide better wa- ter distribution and more adequate fire protection, by the elimination of numerous dead ends and the installation of additional cross connections. These factors will event- ually improve the distribution system to the point where all areas serviced in Agawam wil be provided with two- way feeds, and prevent the shutdown of large sections of the system during breaks or repairs. All new lines are being laid with an adequate number of gate valves to serve this effort.
Included in the new construction work are extensions on the following streets :
Size of Pipe 8"
Length of Pipe 860'
No. of Hydrants 2
Franklin Street
Cooper, Federal & Federal Street Ext.
6"
1,800'
3
Rowley Street
8"
1,000'
3
183
Shoemaker Lane
8"
1,000'
2
Silver Street
8'
900'
2
Poplar Street
6"
1,000'
1
Mill Street
6"
900'
2
Norris Street
6"
300'
1
Monroe & Main Street
(Extension)
6"
100'
Randall Street
1
Another phase of the new construction work was the relocation of the house service lines from River Road to the Connecticut State line to provide proper depth and clearance before the new highway is started in this area. During this operation, all the old type lead goose necks were replaced with copper; since the records of the past five years indicate that failure of these lead goose necks has accounted for the majority of our troubles.
BREAKS AND REPAIRS
There has been one major break at North Street 32' of 6" cast iron pipe was broken and replaced when the excavating was being done for the sewer job. Forty lead goose necks were broken in different parts of the Town - the majority of these necks were replaced with copper. Fifteen (15) service galvanized iron pipe developed leaks due to old pipes. Some of these pipes were in the ground thirty to thirty-five years. The galvanized iron pipe service lines are fast being replaced with copper tubing.
There has been no end of service calls, such as meter leaks, to raise or lower service boxes, shut off or open up the water, broken gate boxes to be dug up and repaired, and so forth.
NEW EQUIPMENT
A drill and tapping machine was purchased that will drill and tap pipe 4" to 8" inclusive under pressure, with- out shutting down the main lines. You may like to know how we got along without this machine up to now; first we want to thank the Town of West Springfield and the Superintendent for accommodating us. When we had one or possibly two connections a year, they would send their men and machine to do the job. Now we have many more connections per year and our neighbor has much more
184
work, so we could not impose upon them. We have made six of these connections in 1949.
An addressograph machine was purchased. The de- partment feels this machine will pay for itself in a very short time. At present we have about 2,500 water bills, each bill has a duplicate address which means 5,000 prints per quarter or 20,000 per year. Actual timing, this machine will do 10 to 1 by hand.
PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION WORK
We are requesting an increased budget for next year to re-locate all hydrants on Springfield Street and to make room for the proposed widening of the road.
Pre proposed water extensions for the year 1950 are:
Rowley Street
1,650'
Silver Street
1,600'
Shoemaker Lane
1,000'
School Street
1,500
Carr Avenue
1,550'
Washington Avenue
800'
Franklin Street
500'
Moore Street
500'
We have inserted an article in the Town Warrant for the purchase of a compressor. We believe that the Town would profit by owing this equipment.
Respectfully submitted,
DUDLEY K. BODURTHA, Chairman LOUIS MERCADANTE, Superintendent EDWARD CONNOR, JR., Clerk Board of Water Commissioners
185
REPORT OF THE ANIMAL INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my annual report as Animal In- spector for the year ending December 31, 1949.
Barns inspected
77
Number of cows
616
Number of calves
201
Number of bulls
20
Number of steers
3
Number of horses
45
Number of swine
917
Number of sheep
3
Number of goats
2
Cattle shipped into town
27
Dog bites
1
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH J. D'AMATO Animal Inspector
186
REPORT OF THE AGAWAM HOUSING AUTHORITY
Board of Selectmen Agawam, Massachusetts Gentlemen :
On behalf of the Agawam Housing Authority I here- with submit to you this report of our activities since the beginning of the year 1949.
At the start of the new year appointed members of the Authority continued in office until the Annual Town Meeting in February, and the newly elected members were: Louis DePalma, Raoul A. Charpentier, Harry N. Abell, Jr., and Robert J. Hackett. George L. Reynolds continued in office by virtue of his former appointment by the State Housing Board.
Our application for financial assistance was ap- proved, and it was the intent of the Housing Authority that dwelling accomodations be adequate in size, attrac- tive in appearance and of permanent construction. At the same time it was essential that the construction be of a type lending itself to economical maintenance. The result has been the planning of two-story garden type apartment buildings, consisting of seven-four apartment buildings and two duplex buildings, making a total of thirty-two dwelling units, heated from a central heating plant. The site selected was on a ten acre lot at the corner of Springfield and Franklin Streets, utilizing two and one-half acres. The excess land is being reserved for future development.
On March 24, 1949, after bids had been advertised and awarded, ground was broken and construction of State-aided project 200-1 was started. The project was completed and ready for occupancy September 1, 1949. being the first project actually started and completed under Chapter 200.
This report is submitted with complete awareness of the fact that the Authority's self-imposed work to date
187
represents more than a start in its over-all program, which includes a survey of future housing needs for our veterans which are still inadequate, and the utilization of excess land for future planning.
Our Veterans' Housing Project, known as Joseph J. Brady Village, has been fully occupied since its opening. It consists of thirty-two units. The admission and in- come limits have been set at $3,250. for two dependents or less, and at $3,500. for three dependents or more. The average cost of shelter rent (without heat furnished) amounts to $33.10 per month.
A summary balance sheet statement of income and expenses is enclosed herewith.
However, the progress made does represent an ap- preciable amount of labor and time given by every mem- ber of the Authority. I am personally grateful to my co- workers comprising the Authority. Each has served and is serving without compensation and at a considerable sacrifice of his business activities and personal affairs. The abilities of each member are well suited to the varied phases of the Authority's program.
Successful completion of our assignments will call for sustained team work and devotion to duty as we see it. Progressing towards our objectives we shall need to be thankful for the cooperation of legisaltive and adminis- trative bodies of Town and State. We also hope for the continued confidence of Agawam citizens and the under- standing of our many problems.
Respectfully submitted,
RAOUL A. CHARPENTIER
Chairman
AGAWAM HOUSING AUTHORITY Agawam, Massachusetts Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1949 Development Fund ASSETS
Cash
In Bank $ 9,495.79 10.00 $ 9,505.79
Petty Cash
188
Accounts Receivable Development Costs Incomplete Contracts
15.00 330,858.98 300.00
TOTAL ASSETS
$340,679.77
LIABILITIES
Notes Payable
Notes Authorized-Tempo-
rary
$340,600.00
Less: Notes Unissued
600.00
Notes Outstanding
$340,000.00
Accrued Liabilities
Interest on Notes
379.77
Contract Awards
300.00
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$340,679.77
Administration Fund
ASSETS
Cash in Bank
$
3,813.90
Management Expense, Office Salary, etc.
244.34
Operating Services, Janitor's
Salary, etc.
233.28
Utilities-Fuel, Light, Telephone, etc.
681.91
General Expense (Fire Insur- ance)
840.04
TOTAL ASSEST $ 5,813.47
PROJECT INCOME
Dwelling Rent Schedule
$ 5,804.97
Other Project Income
8.50
TOTAL PROJECT INCOME
$ 5,813.47
189
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE
Town of Agawam - 1949
In accordance with the General Laws of the Common- wealth - Chapter 128. The Trustees For County Aid to Agriculture are empowered to receive on behalf of the County money appropriated by any town or by the Fed- eral Government for carrying out the provisions of the law under which they are appointed.
The Trustees are further empowered to maintain agents to conduct meetings or demonstrations, make in- dividual farm and home visits and in all ways help to improve home and community interests in every way possible.
Their agents have made contacts during the past year in every community either by public meetings, in- dividual visits, group discussions, demonstrations or otherwise in attempting to assist the needs of the citizens toward better business, better living and better commu- nity service and have been ably assisted by hundreds of local volunteer leaders to this end.
In Agawam the following citizens have been of real assistance in promoting such assigned projects as have been conducted during the year :
Mrs. Robert Allen, Thomas Reidy, Mrs. Charles F. Chunglo, Mrs. Adah D. Blood, Mrs. Joseph Vaislow, Jo- seph Vaislow, Miss Jean Hall, Miss Norma Lauritsen, Russell Jenks, Mrs. Ernest Hall, Mrs. Leonard Johnson, Mrs. Orlo Powell, Mrs. D. R. Goss and Mrs. Fred Jeserski.
A total expense of $74.57 was incurred during the year for either travel or purchase of material needed in carrying on the various projects by the local leaders. The appropriation made by your town was used by the agents of the Trustees for only residents of your town.
190
Your 1949 apropriation was
$50.00
You had a credit carried over from 1948 98.05
Total expended during the year 1949 74.57
Balance available for 1950 73.48
Recommended appropriation for 1950
50.00
Respectfully,
Trustees For County Aid To Agriculture By: L. B. BOSTON, Clerk
191
Articles in Warrant for Town Meeting
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Hampden ss
To either of the Constables of the Town of Agawam in said County
Greetings:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby directed to warn and notify the inhabi- tants of the Town of Agawam qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet in the auditorium of the High School building on Saturday the 4th day of March, 1950 at 1 o'clock P. M., then and there to act on the following articles :
Article 1. To choose two or more Fence Viewers, and two or more Field Drivers.
Article 2. To hear and act upon the reports of the Town Officers.
Article 3. To see what method the Town will adopt for the support of Public Welfare for the ensuing year, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $300. or any other sum for the proper observance of Memorial Day, and provide for its expenditure, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $200. or any other sum for Fore- closure of Tax Titles, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $600. or any other sum for the
192
payment of a proper charge of an Insurance Company for acting as Surety on the Official Bond of its officers, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,600. or any other sum for the Liability Insurance of its employees, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000. or any other sum towards the purchase of new cars for use of Police Department, and to authorize the Police Commissioners to trade in cars to make up the balance of purchase price, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for enforcement of the dog law, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or otherwise provide the sum of $105. for insurance on town owned vehicle bill contracted in 1949 and not previously presented, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to the Leonard Street Construction Account the sum of $1,047.31 to pay Scott Bros. for extra work, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint a Town Accountant, in accordance with the provisions of Section 55 of Chapter 41 of the General Laws, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 13. 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, 1950, and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $10,000. from the Overlay Reserve to the Re-
193
serve Fund, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Assessors to use a sum not exceeding $25,000. from Available Funds for the reduction of the amount to be raised by taxation during the current year, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $50. to be expended in the Town of Agawam by the Hampden County Trustees for Aid to Agriculture in accordance with the provisions of the laws of the Commonwealth, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 17. To see if the Town will amend its by- laws by voting to make all purchases of equipment in excess of $300. by any department or board, subject to competitive bidding, pass any vote or take any action rela- tive thereto.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $6,335.95 for the Contributory Retirement System of the Town, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Road Machinery Fund to the Road Equipment Account the sum of $4,000. and to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,200. to be used for the purchase of 2 new trucks, and to use in trade 2 used trucks to be applied to- ward the purchase price, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,200 to provide for the pur- chase of a tractor loader for the Highway Department, and to use in trade the old loader to be applied toward the purchase price, pass any vote or take any action rela- tive thereto.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $15,000. for Chapter 90 Construc- tion of Springfield Street, with the State and County co- operating, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and
194
appropriate the sum of $900. towards the purchase of a new truck for the Water Department and to authorize the Water Commissioners to trade in the old truck to make up the balance of purchase price, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,800. for the construction of a sidewalk on Springfield Street between the Agawam Bridge and Maple Street, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to the Sewer Con- struction Account the sum of $50,000., pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000. or any other sum for macadam surfacing of Ottawa Street between Walnut and Bridge Streets, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,400. for the reconstruction of the sidewalk and curbing on Bridge Street between River Street and the bridge, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,500. for the tarring and graveling of Adams Street, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $6,000. to provide for the monthly collection of rubbish, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to amend its by-laws by adopting the following; under authority of Section 108A of Chapter 41 of the General Laws:
Section 1- The Classification Plan : - The of- ficial classification plan for positions in the service of the Town shall consist of the classes listed by titles in Schedule A which is made a part hereof (Exhibit A of Report) and shall apply to all positions in the service of the Town.
Section 2 - The Pay Plan: - The official pay
195
plan shall consist of the scales of pay for the several classes set forth in Schedule B (Exhibit B of Report) which is made a part hereof.
Section 3- Amendment of the Plans: - The Classification plan and the provisions included herein may be amended in the manner provided by law, or in the manner provided by the by-laws of the Town, whichever is applicable. The pay plan may be estab- lished or changed by vote of the Town at a Town Meeting, or as provided by law, whichever is ap- plicable.
In a case of urgent necessity, the personnel of- ficer, after consultation with the appointing author- ity and with the approval of the personnel board, may anticipate formal action by the Town by tentatively adding a new classification to the classification plan and establishing the salary or wage therefor, subject to subsequent early ratification of such action by the Town at a Town Meeting and further subject to the approval of the Division of Civil Service when so re- quired.
Section 4- Personnel Board: - There shall be a personel board consisting of three members to be appointed by the Moderator, as follows:
(a) An elected town official who shall be chair- man
(b) A Town employee
(c) A citizen and registered voter of the Town
The term shall be a three year term, one member to be appointed for one year, one for two years, and the third for three years, and thereafter each ap- pointment will be for three years.
The personnel board shall be vested with the authority to promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary for the proper administration of the classification and pay plans. Nothing in such rules and regulations shall conflict with the provisions con- tained herein.
Section 5 - Personnel Officer: - There shall be appointed, by the Board of Selectmen, a personnel officer who shall be responsible for the administra- tion of the classification and pay plan and such rules
196
and regulations regarding the plans that may be promulgated by the personnel board.
Appeal from any decision of the personnel officer may be made to the personnel board, should such decision conflict with any thing contained herein, or with the rules and regulations adopted by the board for administration of the plans.
Section 6 - Class Definitions : - The personnel officer shall provide, and may amend from time to time, written definitions of the classes of the classi- fication plan, such consisting of a statement describ- ing the essential nature of the work characteristic of positions of the class that distinguished such posi- tions from positions of other classes with such ex- amples as may be deemed appropriate.
Section 7 - Interpretation of Class Definitions : - The definitions of the classes shall be interpreted as descriptive only and not restrictive. The definition for any class shall be construed solely as a means of identifying positions properly pertaining to the class, and not as prescribing what the duties or re- sponsibilities of any position of the class shall be, or as modifying, or in any way affecting the power of any administrative authority, as otherwise existing, to appoint, to assign duties, to, or to direct and con- trol the work of any employee under the jurisdiction of such authority.
Section 8- Records and Requisitions: - The personnel officer shall keep such records of all em- ployees of the Town, including the name, age, date of employment, civil service classification, if any, de- partment in which employed, nature of duties and other information as it deems desirable. All requisi- tions for persons to fill positions or perform duties classified under the civil service law, all requests for transfers, increases in salary, changes in ratings, or other requests made to the director of civil service or the department of civil service shall be cleared through the personnel officer.
Section 9 - Allocation of Positions to Classes : - The personnel officer shall allocate each position subject to the provisions of this by-law to its appro- priate class in the classification plan. Whenever a
197
new position is established, or the duties of an exist- ing position are so changed that, in effect, a new position of a different class is substituted for the old position, the personnel officer shall allocate such new or changed position to its appropriate class. He shall likewise re-allocate any position from class to class whenever he finds such action warranted by reason of error in the allocation then in effect. He shall afford reasonable opportunity to be heard to any employee or appointing authority affected by any allocation or re-allocation, upon written request therefor, and may afford such opportunity in the absence of such request.
Section 10 - Titles of Positions: - No person shall be appointed, employed, or paid as an employee in any position subject to the provisions of this by- law, under any title other than that of the class to which the position is allocated. The title of each class shall be the official title of every position allo- cated to the class for all purposes having to do with the position as such, and shall be used to designate the position in all payrolls, budget estimates, and of- ficial records and reports, and in every other connec- tion involving personnel and fiscal processes, but any abbreviation or code symbol approved by the person- nel officer may be used in lieu of the title to designate the class of a position in any such connection.
Section 11 - Operation of By-Law : - This by- law shall be operative only as to employees whose positions are classified hereunder and for which posi- tions minimum and maximum salaries have been established by vote of the Town at a Town Meeting.
Section 12-Civil Service Law: - Nothing in this by-law shall be construed to conflict with Chap- ter 31 of the General Laws.
pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to fix the salary and compensation of all elective officers of the Town as provided by Section 108 of Chapter 41, General Laws, as amended, effective from January 1, 1950, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 31. To make the necessary appropriations for the ensuing year.
198
Article 32. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,316. for School Traffic Officers, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 33. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000. or any other sum for a sidewalk on the north side of Springfield Street from Wil- son to Greenock Streets, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 34. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,500. for repairs to the Pier and Superstructure of the Mittineague Bridge, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 35. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500. for Engineering Serv- ices on brief submitted to the U. S. Government for possi- ble damages caused by the raising of the Connecticut and Westfield Rivers, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 36. To see if the Town will vote to amend the vote taken at the Special Town Meeting held on December 15, 1948, which reads as follows: "That the Feeding Hills Schoolhouse, so-called, substantially as shown on plans by Paul B. Johnson, Architect, be con- structed and equipped under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and the Building Committee; that the sum of $401,825.00 be and the same is hereby appropriated to be spent under the direction and supervision of the Board of Selectmen and the Building Committee; that to meet said appropriation there be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Fund the sum of $2,825.00 that the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen be and is hereby authorized to borrow the sum of $399,00. and to issue bonds therefor; said bonds to be payable in accord- ance with the provisions of Chapter 44 of General Laws, and acts in amendment thereof and in addition thereto, so that the whole loan will be payable in not more than twenty years (20) from the date of issue of the first bond, or at such earlier date as the Town Treasurer and the Selectmen shall determine. Said bonds shall be denominated "Schoolhouse Extension Bonds of 1949" and shall bear interest payable semi-annually at a rate not ex- ceeding three (3%) percent per annum, the interest rate
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