USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1946-1950 > Part 62
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At the present time there are over 400 people of the Town enrolled in First Aid training classes, and more are in the course of development.
Under "Police Services" there is at present a group of 90 Auxiliary Police. Posts in the various sections of the Town have already been set up and the men assigned to their posts. The training of the Auxiliary Police is under the direction of Sergeant R. Kenneth Grady.
Under "Evacuation and Transportation" forms have been sent out to owners of trucks and vehicles that may serve in any emergency, and we have had very good re- sponse to date. This is under the supervision of Mr. Leslie Moore.
Communications are in charge of Arthur Zavarella, a member of the American Radio Relay League. He has set up a radio communication system throughout the Town. Through this system every section of the Town will have adequate communication facilities with a central point in the event of disaster.
The Control Center has been established and equip- ment has been ordered, such as the Auxiliary Power Unit, which is one of the essential items requested by the State Agency.
Civil Defense Maps have been prepared, showing the locations of all strategic points in Town.
James C. Atwater who has been in charge of pub- licity, was officially appointed Deputy Director of Civil Defense in November. There were several meetings called of the full Council in 1950.
The Director, Deputy Director, and the Secretary are in constant session, for the developing of plans of the Civil Defense Program.
Signs designating air-raid shelters have been pre- pared and will be erected on the thorough-fares designat- ing buildings capable of serving as bomb shelters. Also large signs have been prepared and will be erected at the eight entrances of the Town instructing all motorists coming into the Town to seek shelter when the Air Raid Warning Signal is given. They will be placed at the fol- lowing points :
No. Westfield Street at No. West Street
So. Westfield Street at Pine Street
Southwick Street at No. and So. West Streets
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Agawam Bridge Mittineague Bridge South End Bridge Main Street at State Line Suffield Street at State Line
THE AIR RAID WARNING SIGNAL WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:
"RED ALERT" PUBLIC WARNING SIGNAL WILL BE OF THREE MINUTES DURATION-FLUCTUA- TING OR WARBLING SIGNALS BY SIRENS, OR A SERIES OF SHORT BLASTS BY HORNS OR WHIS- TLES. "ALL CLEAR" THREE STEADY ONE MINUTE BLASTS BY SIRENS, HORNS OR WHISTLES. TAKE IMMEDIATE COVER ON THE "RED ALERT" SIGNAL.
The following is a copy of the proclamation issued by his Excellency, Paul A. Dever, Governor of Massachu- setts :
Whereas, the President of the United States on De- cember 16, 1950 did issue a proclamation stating the existence of a national emergency, which requires that the military, naval, and civilian defenses of the nation be strengthened as quickly as possible, to the end that we may be able to repel the threats now imminent against our lives, liberties, peace, security, and the fulfillment of our solemn obligations to the United Nations; and
Whereas, it is provided by the Acts of 1950 of the General Court, Chapter 639, Section 5, "An Act to pro- vide for the safety of the Commonwealth during the existence of an emergency resulting from disaster or from hostile action," that
"If and when the President of the United States shall by proclamation or otherwise inform the governor that the peace and security of the commonwealth are en- dangered by belligerent acts of any enemy of the United States or of the commonwealth or by the imminent threat thereof, ... the governor may issue a proclamation or proclamations setting forth a state of emergency."
Now, therefore, I, Paul A. Dever, Governor of the Commonwealth, by virtue of said Acts of 1950, Chapter 639, and all powers vested in me thereunto enabling, do hereby set forth and proclaim that a
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STATE OF EMERGENCY
exists by reason of the fact that the peace and security of the Commonwealth are endangered by the imminent threat of belligerent acts of the enemies of the United States.
I urge all the people of the Commonwealth to assist and cooperate with the duly constituted authorities in all measures taken for defense, to remain calm in this crisis and determined by all means at their disposal to maintain unimpaired the basic liberties which are the essence of our democracy, and to avail themselves at every opportu- nity of the privilege of serving in some capacity for the achievement of peace in cooperation with the other free- dom-loving nations of the world.
Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this six- teenth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thou- sand nine hundred and fifty, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the one hundred and sev- enty-fifth.
PAUL A. DEVER
There still remains a tremendous amount of work to be done to further develop the Civil Defense Program and maintain it on a sound workable basis. I wish to take this opportunity to thank all of the people of the Town who are giving so much of their time and cooperation willingly, for the development of the Civil Defense Pro- gram. I feel absolutely confident that all those who have not volunteered up to the present time will very eagerly do so when a place in the Civil Defense Program has been designated for them. It is the serious hope of the Direc- tor and his staff and the members of the Civil Defense Council, that we shall be spared the horrors that are associated with a bombing. However, if such a disaster should come to us the Civil Defense Program in Agawam will be on a sound working basis, and prepared to cope with any situation that might arise.
I wish to express my deep appreciation to the Council for the excellent help in developing the Civil Defense Program.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES A. O'KEEFE Civil Defense Director
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1
REPORT OF THE GYPSY MOTH CONTROL
To the Citizens of Agawam:
Gypsy Moth control work was carried on as usual, with approximately 1000 clusters being painted.
Mr. John E. McCool spent 128 hours as supervisor of this work and his assistant worked 353 hours.
Due to the pressure of other business, and his work having been completed, Mr. McCool tendered his resigna- tion to the Board of Selectmen on August 25, 1950.
The Department of Conservation, Insect Pest Control, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, has notified the Board of their recommendation, that the Town of Agawam ap- propriate $800.00 to be expended solely for control work against those insects of nuisance specified in Section 11, Chapter 660, Acts of 1948.
It is the opinion of the Selectmen, that this important work should be continued. We propose to replace Mr. McCool with a competent man in the near future.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD W. TALMADGE WALTER T. KERR FREDERICK C. EMERSON Board of Selectmen
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REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of the Town of Agawam:
Since my appointment as your Town Counsel in March of 1950, I have attended numerous meetings of the Board of Selectmen; the Planning Board; Water Board; Personnel Board; Finance Board; Board of Asses- sors; Town Clerk; Board of Appeals and have also attend- ed three Town Meetings.
I have represented the Town at three bankruptcies hearings and have made two trips to Boston, one relative to the case of the Planning Board and the other to present the revised Zoning By-law to the Attorney General's office.
I have been called on for both written and oral opin- ions for the following departments; Board of Selectmen, Board of Appeals, Board of Assessors, Board of Public Welfare, Plumbing Inspector, Fence Viewers, School De- partment, Planning Board, Personnel Board, Town Clerk.
During the year the lease for the Agawam Airport was redrafted and executed. The case of Hill against the Town for land damages for the school taking was settled. Appearances were entered on behalf of the Town in three new land damage cases. An agreement was drawn be- tween the town and the S & D Construction Co. for certain specifications laid down by the Planning Board.
In accordance with the vote of a Town Meeting, three legislative bills were drafted for presentation by Rep. George Porter to the General Court.
I want to express my thanks for the sincere coopera- tion of all town officials and employees given to me during my term of office.
HENRY E. PATNAUDE
Town Counsel
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Articles in Warrant for Town Meeting
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Hampden, ss.
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 $650. or any other sum for the 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 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $4,000. or any other sum for the Liability Insurance of its employees, 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 $1,900. or any other sum toward 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 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and
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appropriate a sum of money for enforcement of the dog law, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 9. 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, 1951, 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 10. 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 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $125. 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 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $7,467.79 for the Contributory Retirement System of the Town, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Road Machinery Fund to the Road Equipment Account the sum of $1,400. for the purchase of one pick- up truck for the Highway Department, and to use in trade a 1941 used truck to be applied toward the purchase price, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Road Machinery Fund to the Road Equipment Account the sum of $3,400. for the purchase of a truck for the Highway Department, and to use in trade a 1941 used truck to be applied toward the purchase price, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $600. for the purchase of a radio
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for use of the Water Department, said radio to be in- stalled in the pick-up truck, 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 $6,000. to provide for the monthly collection of rubbish, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500. or any other sum for Fore- closure of Tax Titles, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $100,000. for Chapter 90 Construc- tion of Springfield Street, with the understanding that the Town will be reimbursed $70,000. by the State, and $15,000. by the County, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 19. 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, 1951, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 20. To make the necessary appropriations for the ensuing year.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,700. for School Traffic Officers, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $1,400. from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to the Account of Chapter 90 Maintenance, Mittineague Bridge, said sum being necessary to pay an overdraft, with the understanding that said sum of $1,400. will be reimbursed to the Town by the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 23. To hear and act upon the report of the Feeding Hills School Building Committee, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000. to be used to combat the
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spread of Dutch Elm Disease, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate any sum of money for insurance of Town Vehicles, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 26. To hear and act upon the report of the Business Expansion Committee, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 27. To hear and act upon the report of the Committee for Recodification of the Town By-laws, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 28. To hear and act upon a report of the Assessors relative to the revaluation and tax equalization program as authorized by the vote of the Town under Article 12 of the Special Meeting held May 8, 1950, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of not more than $28,000. for the purpose of employing a firm, on a competitive basis, to revaluate and provide for tax equalization and the map- ping of the Town, the said work to be done in cooperation with the Board of Assessors, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to accept Carr Avenue, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, as a public street.
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to accept Elbert Road, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, as a public street.
Article 32. To see if the Town will vote to accept Silver Lake Drive, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, as a public street.
Article 33. To see if the Town will vote to accept Howard Street, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, as a public street.
Article 34. To see if the Town will vote to accept Spencer Street, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, as a public street.
Article 35. To see if the Town will vote to accept
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Oak Hill Avenue, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, as a public street.
Article 36. To see if the Town will vote to accept Edward Street, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, as a public street.
Article 37. To see if the Town will vote to accept Albert Street, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, as a public street.
Article 38. To see if the Town will vote to accept Corey Street, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, as a public street.
Article 39. To see if the Town will vote to accept Norman Terrace, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, as a public street.
Article 40. To see if the Town will vote to accept Broz Terrace, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, as a public street.
Article 41. To see if the Town will vote to accept Liberty Street, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, as a public street.
Article 42. To see if the Town will vote to accept Rhodes Avenue, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, as a public street.
Article 43. To see if the Town will vote to accept Ridgeway Drive, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, as a public street.
Article 44. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint a committee of five for the purpose of making plans for the Centennial Celebration in 1955, said committee to make a report of their progress at the next annual town meeting, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 45. To see if the Town will vote to take by eminent domain, the parcel of land described below; said land to be used for municipal purposes :
All land conveyed to Carmella Albano from Frank G. Lee and Eliza M. Lee, January 3, 1951 and recorded in Book 2095 Page 288, Hampden County Registry of Deeds and described as follows:
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Beginning at the northeasterly corner of grantors, running southerly along property of the Town of Agawam about 78 feet to land now or formerly of one Albano; thence easterly along said Albano 300 ft. to other land of the grantors; thence northerly in a line parallel with the easterly boundary about 78 feet to land of the Town of Agawam; thence easterly along said Town of Agawam to land of Allen and along land of Cloe et. al., 300 feet to the point of beginning, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 46. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Fund the sum of $750. for the purchase of power-driven sewer cleaning equip- ment, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 47. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $6,000. for Chapter 90 Mainten- ance, $2,000. of which will be reimbursed to the Town by the State, and $2,000. of which will be reimbursed to the Town by the County, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 48. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $16,500. for the construction of a sanitary sewer on Southwick Street for a distance of 2100 feet, west of Feeding Hills Center, said construc- tion to be done under the Betterment Act, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 49. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $6,500. for construction of a san- itary sewer on Franklin Street from the end of the pres- ent sewer to the project addition to the present Veteran's Housing Project, said construction to be done under the Betterment Act, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 50. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $4,600. for construction of a san- itary sewer on South Park Terrace from the end of the present construction to the end of South Park Terrace, said construction to be under the Betterment Act, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 51. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $17,000. for construction of a san-
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itary sewer on Perry Lane and Mill Street, said construc- tion to begin at the end of the existing sewer at the junc- ture of Elm Street and Perry Lane to Mill Street, thence to the juncture of Mill and Suffield Streets, said construc- tion to be done under the Betterment Act, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 52. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,500. for the construction of a sanitary sewer on Suffield Street between Cooper Street and Center Street, said construction to be done under the Betterment Act, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 53. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $850. for the construction of a sidewalk on the south side of Springfield Street at the end of the present walk to Rowley Street, said construction to be done under the Betterment Act, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 54. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $450. for the reconstruction of a sidewalk and curbing on the westerly side of Main Street between the Baptist Church and the new Post Office, the cost of said construction to be divided between the abut- ters and the Town, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 55. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,000. for the construction of a sidewalk and curbing on the westerly side of Bridge Street, between High and River Streets, said construction to be done under the Betterment Act, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 56. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of $776.73 to cover the cost for the installation of 636 feet of water main on Senator Avenue, said funds to be reimbursed to Joseph P. Ramah, who in- stalled this main in 1947, prior to the repeal of the By-law covering such installation, said By-law was adopted by the Town, March 6, 1918, and repealed at the last annual Town Meeting, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 57. To see if the Town will raise and appro-
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priate the sum of $500. for the purchase of Seedlings for use by the Forestry Department, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 58. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $86.32 for miscellaneous bills con- tracted in 1950, but received in 1951, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 59. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,300. for increases granted ret- roactively to the teachers (not yet paid) and approved by the School Board, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 60. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $514. to compensate certain em- ployees for increases in wages granted retroactively (not yet paid) by the Personnel Board, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 61. To see if the Town will vote to discon- tinue all that land on both sides of Elm Street from Main Street to Silver Street, lying between the present private property lines and the boundaries of the County Layout adopted in 1926, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 62. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint a committee of five to make a study of the advisability of a centralized purchas- ing system for the Town, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 63. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum not to exceed $1,300. for the purchase of a Graphotype to be used in the Town Administration Building by all departments, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 64. To see if the Town will vote to change the zoning of the following described property from Resi- dence A2 to Business A :
Land located at 464 Main St., Agawam (presently known as Lauriente Nurseries, Inc.) beginning at the South east corner of the L. Moore property, thence south- erly and parallel to Main St. through the J. Monette prop-
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erty 166.00 feet; the H. Johnson property 202.00 feet; the S. & D. Construction Co. property 262.36 feet; the G. Todd property 125.00 feet; and the Lauriente property 406.00 feet; a total distance of 1161.36 feet. Pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 65. To see if the Town will vote to change the zoning of the following described property from Resi- dence A2 to Business A:
Starting at the intersection of Cooper and Rowley streets and running thence westerly along the southerly side of Rowley Street, Two Hundred (200) feet; thence southerly in a line parallel to and Two Hundred (200) feet from Cooper Street to Green Acre Lane; thence easterly by the northerly side of Green Acre Lane, Two Hundred (200) feet to Cooper Street and thence northerly along the westerly side of Cooper Street to the point of begin- ning. Pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 66. To see if the Town will vote to change the zoning of the following described property from Resi- dence A2 to Industrial :
Beginning at a point in the westerly line of Main street distant Seven Hundred Sixty-two and 40/100 (762.40) feet, more or less, from a Massachusetts High- way bound located at the intersection of the northerly line of Cooper Street and the westerly line of Main Street and running thence South 63 deg. 00 min. 37 sec. West Three Hundred Forty-five and 11/100 (345.11) feet to an iron rod; thence south 82 deg. 58 min. 31 sec. West, One Hundred Eight and 94/100 (108.94) feet to an iron rod; thence North 68 deg. 25 min. 41 sec. West, Ninety-nine (99) feet to an iron rod; thence South 44 deg. 6 min. 39 sec. West, Forty-three and 23/100 (43.23) feet; thence North 30 deg. 18 min. 29 sec. West, Three Hundred Sixty- five and 79/100 (365.79) feet to an iron rod ; thence North 79 deg. 35 min. 19 sec. East, Two Hundred Twenty-nine and 29/100 (229.29) feet; thence North 58 deg. 54 min. 44 sec. East, Ninety-seven and 51/100 (97.51) feet to an iron rod; thence North 50 deg. 20 min. 44 sec. East, One Hundred One and 94/100 (101.94) feet to an iron rod; thence North 60 deg. 12 min. 14 sec. East, Eighty-two and 30/100 (82.30) feet; thence North 73 deg. 41 min. 44 sec. East, Seventy-five and 28/100 (75.28) feet to the
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