USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1931 > Part 10
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The central feature of the construction now under way includes an auditorium, the floor of which will seat eleven hundred persons, and arrangements have been made for a future balcony which will seat four to five hundred persons. This auditorium will contain a stage of large proportions. The auditorium is entered from Massachusetts Avenue through a beautiful portico with balcony overhead, the entire design being practically a replica of the Bulfinch front of the State House on Beacon Hill. The auditorium roof is surmounted with a beautiful cupola rich in colonial design. The trimmings of this central feature or auditorium section is natural limestone. The large columns and cornice being of white pine, painted after the manner of the State House. The audi- torium floor is of wood suitable for dancing, and the floor space is large enough to provide for pageants, balls, exhi- bitions, and similar functions, and it is planned that it can be used at this time for gymnasium purposes until such time as the gymnasium, as originally planned in the school program, can be completed.
Under the auditorium floor space of about ten thou- sand square feet has been provided for a lunchroom. This space is large enough to provide for cafeteria re- quirements for the next ten or fifteen years of school expansion.
Below the lunchroom floor there is a space as yet unassigned containing about one hundred seventy thousand cubic feet and about ten thousand square feet. This space is suitable for many purposes, among which are orchestra and band rehearsals, athletic locker storage and
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field equipment, facilities for visiting athletic teams, and general storage for schoolhouse equipment for entire Town.
This auditorium section contains also two large stair halls, large lobby and coat rooms; also toilet facilities for men and women, electric room, fan room electric distri- bution center, service room for gas and water services, and kitchen facilities.
It should be borne in mind in connection with the classroom section that there are two rooms which are suitable for special lecture work, music instruction or domestic science instruction. Locker facilities have been provided in the corridors for all pupils, and there are adequate toilet facilities on each floor.
It is well to note that in connection with this present construction that the building is of fireproof nature, that the floor construction throughout is of reinforced concrete, that the roof of the classroom section is of reinforced concrete, that the roof of the auditorium is framed entirely of structural steel with pre-cast gypsum for roof con- struction, giving it a fireproof classification. This is the first school building in the Town which has been erected and can be classed as a fireproof structure. The saving to the Town in insurance rate is a considerable item, and the safety to the pupils is of paramount importance and value. The stairways and corridors are designed to pro- vide for quick ingress and egress, and the entire building conforms to the latest standards of the Department of Public Safety.
The construction now under way within the appro- priation of two hundred seventy-seven thousand dollars ($277,000.00) has provided for future additions and ex- pansion consistent with a normal increase in number of
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
students. There will be available in September accom- modations, therefore, for four hundred thirty-five pupils.
It is expected that the next addition would consist of extending the classroom section on the northeast side, which would provide classroom facilities for three to four hundred more pupils. This section would balance the rear portion of the program.
It is expected, also, that an administration wing should be provided at the front, which will connect the auditorium section with the present high school building.
The next addition, or future expansion, would un- doubtedly consist of the completion of the auditorium, providing for a balcony and complete equipment, pro- jection booth, etc., and at the same time the completion of the gymnasium on the northwest side. This gymnasium will be large enough to permit regulation basketball games, with adequate seating capacity for spectators, and will provide for a gymnasium floor of sufficient size as to allow track games and general gymnastic work.
The next development or expansion would un- doubtedly be on the northeast side, and would consist of a classroom section containing nine classrooms and also a wing to the right of the auditorium, which would contain a library.
The only item of the entire program then left un- finished would be the gymnasium on the northeast side within the square formed by the library and northeast classroom sections. This could be constructed as the last part of the program.
It should also be noted that the layout of buildings provide that at the northwest corner, or end of the present classroom section now under construction, three addi-
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TOWN RECORDS
tional classrooms could be provided which would bring the corridor opposite the corridor in the present high school building and would eliminate the present stairway and would allow for the construction of an elevator for handling equipment, which is badly needed.
It is hoped that the Board will be permitted to carry out the program as planned, and which has been diligently inquired into and worked out through numerous confer- ences with the school committee. Having in mind, also, the importance of constructing buildings which will be consistent in architecture with the best traditions and precedent already established in the Town.
This group of buildings, on account of its prominent location, demands special architectural treatment, and a great deal of thought has been put into the design to create simple Colonial features which are beautiful and yet not costly.
This report is submitted as a report of progress, and we trust that the finished project will merit the approval of the citizens of Arlington.
. HOLLIS M. GOTT, WILLIAM O. HAUSER, ARTHUR P. WYMAN, Selectmen of Arlington.
On motion of G. Bertram Washburn:
Voted (unanimously): That the report be received.
On motion of Hollis M. Gott:
Voted: That the reports of the Selectmen and various Town Officers, as presented in the Town Report, together with the additions of the Table of Statistics of Assessors and Committees heretofore appointed, be accepted.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
On motion of G. Bertram Washburn:
Voted: That the report of the Finance Committee, as presented in its printed form, be received.
On motion of G. Bertram Washburn:
Voted: That Article 3 be laid on the table.
On motion of G. Bertram Washburn:
Voted: That the remaining articles in the Warrant be now taken up, and that the recommendations of the Finance Committee under the various articles as pre- sented in their printed report be considered as now before the meeting, to be voted on without further motion, respectively and in the order in which they appear in said Warrant.
Article 4 taken up. (Town Outlays and Expenses.)
Voted (unanimously): That sums be appropriated to defray Town expenses for the year 1931, to be expended as detailed under the direction of the respective depart- ment heads, as follows:
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Voted (unanimously) :
1. Finance Committee (Finance Committee) : Salaries . $900.00
(Chairman, $250; Secretary, $50; Clerk, $600)
Expenses . 600.00
$1,500.00
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TOWN RECORDS
Reserve Fund, of which the amount of $10,000.00 is transferred from the Reserve Overlay Surplus. 15,000.00
$16,500.00
Voted (unanimously) :
2. Board of Appeal (Board of Selectmen) Salaries and Expenses . $600.00
Voted (unanimously) :
3. Selectmen (Board of Selectmen)
Salaries of the Board . $2,000.00
Chairman, $800; others $600 each)
Other Salaries and Expenses . 5,204.00
(Clerk of Board, $2,000; Other Salaries, $1,534)
Contingent Expenses 500.00
$7,704.00
Voted (unanimously) :
4. Accountant (Board of Selectmen)
Salary of Accountant. $3,500.00
Other Salaries and Expenses 2,045.00
$5,545.00
Voted (unanimously) :
5. Treasurer (Treasurer)
Salary of Treasurer $3,200.00
Other Salaries and Expenses 1,130.00
$4,330.00
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Voted :
6. Collector (Collector of Taxes)
Salary of Collector . $3,500.00
Other Salaries and Expenses . 8,324.00
(Salaries. $5,374)
$11,824.00
Mr. Edward A. Bailey, Collector of Taxes, offered the following substitute motion that $9,000.00 be substituted for the amount of $8,324.00, as recommended for other salaries and expenses. The motion being put before the meeting, and the Chair being in doubt of the result, a rising vote was taken. Dr. Ring, Mr. Bixby and Mr. Davis acted as tellers, 99 voting in the affirmative and 103 in the negative; the motion was lost.
On the substitute motion of Earl A. Ryder, it was
Voted (unanimously): To substitute the following for Item 7 under Article 4:
7. Assessors (Board of Assessors)
Salaries of the Board ($1,200 each) ... $3,600.00
Other Salaries and Expenses. 11,625.00
(Salaries, $8,500; Expenses, $3,125)
For copies of new block plans. 400.00
$15,625.00
Voted (unanimously) :
8. Legal (Board of Selectmen)
Salary of Town Counsel . $2,000.00
Expenses: Legal expenses, including, among others, expenses relating to the prosecution, defence, or settle- ment of actions or claims by, against or involving the interests of the Town
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TOWN RECORDS
or relating to matters for which there have been or may be special appro- priations . 37,150.00
$39,150.00
Voted (unanimously) :
9. Town Clerk (Town Clerk)
Salary of Town Clerk. $3,500.00
Other Salaries and Expenses . 3,344.00
(Salaries, 2,704.00)
$6,844.00
Voted (unanimously) :
10. Board of Public Works, General Adminis- tration (Board of Public Works)
Salaries of the Board. $2,000.00
(Chairman, $800; others $600 each)
Other Salaries and Expenses . 10,416.00
(Salaries, $8,516)
$12,416.00
Voted (unanimously) :
11. Engineering (Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works)
Salary of Town Engineer . $3,900.00
Salary of Assistant Town Engineer 2,600.00
Other Salaries and Expenses . 11,720.00
(Special plans for use of Depart- ments, $1,800) Reproducing Plans 3,000.00
$21,220.00
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Voted (unanimously) :
12. Elections and Town Meetings (Board of Selectmen)
Salaries and Expenses $8,500.00 (Registrars, $600)
Voted (unanimously) :
13. Planning Board (Planning Board)
Salaries and Expenses . $400.00
Special Engineering; the additional sum of 800.00
$1,200.00
Voted (unanimously) :
14. Board of Survey (Joint Board of Select-
men and Board of Public Works)
Salary of Clerk. $800.00
Other Salaries and Expenses 2,300.00
(Salaries, $1,100; Engineering, $900)
$3,100.00
Voted (unanimously) :
15. Robbins Memorial Town Hall (Board of Selectmen)
Salaries .
$5,888.00
Maintenance of Building 8,949.00
(Fuel and Lighting, $3,450; Repairs and Maintenance, $4,780)
Maintenance of Grounds . 1,360.00
$16,197.00
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TOWN RECORDS
PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY
Voted (unanimously) :
16. Police Department (Board of Selectmen) Salaries . $103,036.00
(Chief, $3,200) Expenses . 11,263.00
(Expenses and Equipment, $2,285; Automobile Maintenance, $2,500; Maintenance of Building, $3,878)
Expenses incurred outside the Com- monwealth as described in General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 5, Para- graph 34 . 500.00
$114,799.00
Voted (unanimously) :
17. Fire Department (Board of Selectmen) Salaries . $103,125.75
(Chief, $3,200)
Expenses. . 11,880.00
(Expenses and Equipment, $8,180; Maintenance of Buildings and Grounds, $3,700) Expenses incurred outside the Com- monwealth as described in General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 5, Para- graph 34. 200.00
$115,205.75
Fire and Police Signal System Salaries . . $3,825.00
(Salary of Asst. Supt., $2,500)
Maintenance of System . 2,415.00
Additional Fire and Police Boxes. 3,741.00
$9,981.00
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Voted (unanimously) : 18. Building, Plumbing and Gas Inspection (Board of Selectmen) Salaries. $9,175.00
(Building Inspector, $3,200; Plumb- ing and Gas Inspector, $2,750) Expenses. 1,460.00
$10,635.00
Voted (unanimously) :
19. Wire Department (Joint Board of Select- men and Board of Public Works)
Salary of Superintendent of Wires. . .
$1,600.00
(Board of Selectmen) Salaries . 4,141.67
(Salary of Inspector of Wires, $1,600)
Expenses 789.00
$6,530.67
Voted (unanimously) :
20. Sealer of Weights and Measures (Board of Selectmen)
Salary and Expenses . $2,850.00
(Salary, $2,100)
Expenses incurred outside the Com- monwealth as described in General
Laws, Chapter 40, Section 5, Para- graph 34. 100.00
Additional Equipment 45.00
$2,995.00
Voted (unanimously) :
21. Gypsy and Brown Tail Moth Suppression (Board of Selectmen) Salaries and Expenses . . $6,115.00 (Salary of Superintendent, $1,450)
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TOWN RECORDS
Voted (unanimously) :
22. Tree Warden (Tree Warden) Salaries and Expenses . $6,490.00
(Salary of Warden, $750)
HEALTH AND SANITATION
Voted (unanimously) :
23. Board of Health (Board of Health)
Salary of Board . $750.00
Other Salaries and Expenses 11,505.00
(Salary of Agent, $2,860)
Communicable Diseases. 11,197.50
Care of Spy Pond and Reservoir . 900.00
Expenses incurred outside the Com- monwealth as described in General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 5, Para- graph 34. 200.00
$24,552.50
Voted (unanimously) :
24. Vital Statistics (Town Clerk)
$375.00
Voted (unanimously) :
25. Inspector of Animals (Board of Select- men) $500.00
Voted (unanimously) :
26. Sewer Maintenance (Board of Public
Works) .
$4,850.00
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Voted (unanimously) :
27. Sanitary Division (Board of Public Works) Removal of Ashes, Offal and Rubbish . . $86,000.00
HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS
On the substitute motion of Charles M. Sawyer, by rising vote 121 in the affirmative and 71 in the negative, it was
Voted: To amend the motion of the Finance Com- mittee of Twenty-one under Article 4, No. 28, as shown on page sixteen of their Report, under Division of Highways and Bridges, by striking out the recommended appropria- tion of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00) for recon- struction of Massachusetts Avenue from Menotomy Road to Central Street so that the amount for Reconstruction of Streets, including storm drains, shall read fifty-five thousand dollars ($55,000.00), making the total ap- propriation for the Division of Highways and Bridges one hundred fifty-five thousand eight hundred and twenty dollars ($155,820.00), to be expended as detailed under the direction of the Board of Public Works.
28. Division of Highways and Bridges (Board
of Public Works) Highway Maintenance. $100,820.00
(Salary of Superintendent of High- ways, $3,900) Reconstruction of Streets, including Storm Drains . 55,000.00 Approximately as follows:
Medford Street, "Concrete"; Park Avenue, from Massachusetts Ave- nue to Oakland Avenue“, Penetra-
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TOWN RECORDS
tion"; Highland Avenue, from Gray Street to Ottawa Road, "Penetration," $55,000.00
$155,820.00
Voted (unanimously) :
29. Removal of Snow and Ice (Board of Pub- lic Works) $26,500.00
Voted (unanimously) :
30. Street Lighting (Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works) 45,351.54
On the substitute motion of G. Bertram Washburn:
Voted (unanimously) :
31. Traffic Signals (Board of Selectmen)
Maintenance $1,925.00
Equipment . 4,470.00
Painting Stalls . 250.00
$6,645.00
CHARITIES AND SOLDIERS' BENEFITS
Voted (unanimously) :
32. Public Welfare Department (Board of Selectmen)
Salaries . $3,750.00
(Agent, $2,300; Physician, $600; Visitor, $450)
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Expenses 280.00
Aid .... 40,000.00
Aged Citizens' 'Assistance *5,000.00
$49,030.00
*July 1 to Dec. 31, 1931.
Voted (unanimously) :
33. District or Other Nurses (Board of Selectmen) . $1,000.00
Voted (unanimously) :
34. State and Military Aid (Board of Select- men) $1,200.00
Voted (unanimously) :
35. Soldiers' Relief, Burials and Exemptions (Board of Selectmen) . $7,500.00
SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES
Voted (unanimously) :
36. School Department (School Committee)
General Control.
$23,670.00
Instructional Service .
570,775.00
Operation of School Plant.
76,790.00
Maintenance of School Plant. 28,589.00
21,130.00
Auxiliary Agencies and Other Activities Capital Outlay .
13,595.00
Vocational School Tuition .
9,000.00
Expenses incurred outside the Com- monwealth as described in General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 5, Para- graph 34. . 350.00
$743,899.00
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TOWN RECORDS
Voted (unanimously) :
37. Robbins Library and Branches (Trustees of the Robbins Library) Books and Maintenance of Libraries .. $30,543.34 (Including Dog Tax, $2,511.34)
RECREATION AND UNCLASSIFIED
Voted (unanimously) :
38. Public Parks Department (Board of Park Commissioners) Administration:
Salary of Superintendent. $1,500.00
(new, beginning July 1, 1931)
Other Salaries and Expenses 150.00
Maintenance of Parks.
7,177.50
Equipment and Maintenance of Same.
2,029.50
Miscellaneous; including Ice Mainte- nance and Equipment for the Winter Season of 1931-1932 1,200.00
$12,057.00
Voted (unanimously) :
39. Pensions (Board of Selectmen) .
$13,444.23
Voted (unanimously) :
40. Memorial Day
To be expended as follows:
Under the direction of Francis Gould Post No. 36, G.A.R ... $300.00 Local Post of the United Span- ish War Veterans . . 100.00
Arlington Post, No. 39, Ameri- can Legion . 300.00 Post 1775, Veterans of Foreign Wars. 100.00
$800.00
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Voted (unanimously) :
41. Patriots' Day (Board of Selectmen) $200.00
On the substitute motion of Hollis M. Gott: Voted (unanimously) :
42. Printing Town Reports (Board of Select- men) . $1,635.00
Voted (unanimously) :
43. Insurance (Board of Selectmen).
$11,240.00
Voted (unanimously) :
44. Workmen's Compensation
Insurance
Fund (Board of Selectmen) . $8,000.00 Voted (unanimously) :
45. Municipal Insurance Fund (Board of Selectmen). $5,000.00
Voted (unanimously) :
46. Menotomy Hall (Board of Selectmen) Maintenance and Wages . $2,200.00
Voted (unanimously) :
47. Repairs to Houses Owned by Town
(Board of Selectmen) .
$350.00
-
ENTERPRISES AND CEMETERIES Voted (unanimously) :
48. Water Department Maintenance (Board of Public Works)
Administration . $4,664.00
(Superintendent, $1,200; Water Reg- istrar, $520.00)
Maintenance of Water System .
51,160.00
$55,824.00
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TOWN RECORDS
Voted (unanimously) :
An amount of unappropriated free cash in the Treasury, not exceeding $23,212.55, being Water De- partment Surplus Revenue received on account of previous levies before the amount of the tax levy for 1931 is deter- mined, and certified by the Town Accountant as to its being available, shall be used for defraying the above appropriation as far as possible; and the balance of said appropriation shall be raised by taxation as provided by law, unless special provision is otherwise made in con- nection with any specific item.
Voted (unanimously) :
49. Cemeteries (Board of Cemetery Commis- sioners)
Salaries, Wages and Expenses. $28,195.00 (Superintendent, $3,120)
Voted (unanimously) :
50. Interest . $98,000.00
(Water Debt, $11,250; other Debt, $67,926.50)
Voted (unanimously) :
51. Maturing Town Debt.
$195,000.00
(Water Debt, $37,000)
Voted (unanimously) :
52. Sinking Fund . $2,000.00
Voted (unanimously) : An amount of unapproriated free cash in the Treasury, not exceeding $135,640.18, received from taxes on account of previous levies before the amount of the tax levy for 1931 is determined, and
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
certified by the Town Accountant as to its being available, shall be used for defraying the above appropriations as far as possible; and the balance of said appropriations shall be raised by taxation as provided by law, unless special provision is otherwise made in connection with any specific item.
Article 5 taken up. (Treasurer-Power to Borrow.)
Voted (unanimously): That the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow money, from time to time, in antici- pation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1931, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year; any debt or debts so incurred to be paid from the revenue of said financial year.
Article 6 taken up. (Collector of Taxes-Means of Collecting.)
Voted (unanimously): That the Collector of Taxes be and hereby is authorized to use all means of collecting taxes for the year 1931, which a Town Treasurer may use when appointed a Collector of Taxes.
Article 7 taken up. (Sidewalks and Edgestones.)
Voted (unanimously): That the sum of $16,000 be and hereby is appropriated for the construction of per- manent sidewalks, and for the installing of edgestones for the year 1931, the same to be expended under the direc- tion of the Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works.
Article 8 taken up. (Aerial Street.)
On the substitute motion of Robert M. Boyd:
Voted (unanimously): That the laying out of a town
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TOWN RECORDS
way from Forest Street three hundred eighty-five feet easterly substantially in the location of the private way known as Aerial Street, as more particularly described in Article 8 of the Warrant, under the provisions of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, as made and reported by the Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works be accepted, said way established and said Joint Board authorized to take land for the purpose of said way.
Article 9 taken up. (Bailey Road.)
Voted (unanimously): That the laying out of a town way from Massachusetts Avenue to Gloucester Street, substantially in the location of the private way known as Bailey Road, as more particularly described in Article 9 of the Warrant, under the provisions of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, as made and reported by the Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works, be not accepted.
Article 10 taken up. (Blossom Street.)
Voted (unanimously) : That the laying out of a town way from Park Avenue Extension to the easterly side line of Newland Road, substantially in the location of the private way known as Blossom Street, as more particu- larly described in Article 10 of the Warrant, under the provisions of law authorizing the assessment of better- ments, as made and reported by the Joint Board of Select- men and Board of Public Works, be not accepted.
Article 11 taken up. (Burton Street.)
On motion of Hollis M. Gott:
Voted (unanimously): That Article 11 be laid on the table.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Article 12 taken up. (Edmund Road.)
Voted (unanimously) : That the laying out of a town way from Forest Street to one hundred fifty feet beyond Peter Tufts Road, substantially in the location of the private way known as Edmund Road, as more particularly described in Article 12 of the Warrant, under the pro- visions of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, as made and reported by the Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works, be not accepted.
Article 13 taken up. (Field Road.)
Voted (unanimously): That the laying out of a town way from Wildwood Avenue to Gloucester Street, sub- stantially in the location of the private way known as Field Road, as more particularly described in Article 13 of the Warrant, under the provisions of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, as made and reported by the Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works, be accepted, said way established and said Joint Board authorized to take land for the purpose of said way.
Article 14 taken up. (Herbert Road.)
Voted (unanimously): That the laying out of a town way from Lake Street to Varum Street, substantially in the location of the private way known as Herbert Road, as more particularly described in Article 14 of the War- rant, under the provisions of law authorizing the assess- ment of betterments, as made and reported by the Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works, be accepted, said way established and said Joint Board authorized to take land for the purpose of said way.
Article 15 taken up. (Lockeland Avenue.)
Voted (unanimously): That the laying out of a town
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TOWN RECORDS
way from Massachusetts Avenue to the southerly side line of Gloucester Street, substantially in the location of the private way known as Lockeland Avenue, as more particularly described in Article 15 of the Warrant, under the provisions of law authorizing the assessment of better- ments, as made and reported by the Joint Board of Select- men and Board of Public Works, be accepted, said way established and said Joint Board authorized to take land for the purpose of said way.
Article 16 taken up. (Melrose Street.)
A substitute motion offered by Rev. Warren N. Bixby was lost. By rising vote 65 in favor and 107 in opposition, it was
Voted: That the laying out of a town way from Herbert Road to Brooks Avenue, substantially in the location of the private way known as Melrose Street, as more particularly described in Article 16 of the Warrant, under the provisions of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, as made and reported by the Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works, be not accepted.
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