Town of Franklin annual report 1960, Part 2

Author: Franklin (Mass.)
Publication date: 1960
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 308


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(2) Auxiliary Police Force trained by the local Police Chief and members of regular force to control panic, direct traffic, and take part in rescue work.


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(3) Board of Welfare-To take care of emergency lodging, feed- ing, clothing, registration, financial assistance, and evacua- tion. Need of many volunteers in this field for improvement.


(4) Radio by RACES-Members and radio students for transmis- sion of messages of Civil Defense.


(5) Transportation-Control of school busses, transportation of supplies, evacuation of school children and personnel in emergency.


(6) Auxiliary Fire-Hoping to organize to assist Fire Department in emergency. Many volunteers are wanted for this unit.


(7) Highway and Engineering-To control sanitation, decon- taminate, repair roads, engineering, water, and supply.


(8) Medical-Local doctors to cope with emergency. Need is very urgent in this field.


(9) Nursing-To handling any emergency when required. This year under leadership of Mrs. Stobbart and assisted by Mrs. Burrows a class of 38 registered nurses graduated Civil Defense Disaster Nursing for this purpose. With greater outlook for improvement in 1961.


(10) Radiac Officer and Monitors-To determine by instruments, compute Fallout and radiation. A unit wanting many volun- teers for this purpose.


(11) Education-In Franklin schools instructing children what to do in Civil Defense Emergency.


(12) Industrial Facilities Personnel-Plan for survival of indus- try, and how to cope with emergency problems.


(13) Scuba-Personnel needed for rescue work.


It is my pleasure to thank all Officers and Town Department Men and unit forces for wonderful cooperation rendered for Civil Defense year 1960. All services by these men volunteered with no remunera- tion. An Agency in need of many volunteers to minimize the effects of an enemy attack, or Natural Disasters.


Training courses will be continued as units are formed on volun- teer basis. Complete activity in detail report.


Respectfully submitted,


JOSEPH A. BORRUSO,


Civil Defense Director


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REPORT OF THE FRANKLIN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FOR THE YEAR 1960


Miss Holmes, Librarian, and the Franklin Library Association, proudly report to the town of Franklin a record circulation and book buying year:


Adult


Juvenile


Total


1960


1959


1960


1959


1960


1959


Circulation


43,181


39,127


18,884


17,193


62,065


56,320


Registration


1,700


1,670


2,324


2,000


4,024


3,670


New Borrowers


438


372


324


262


762


634


Books Added


752


576


317


275


1,069


851


Your Library Association feels certain that part of the reason for the rise in circulation lies in the fact that more books were purchased this year than in any other year. Franklin and Franklin Library have mutually proven that very few towns in our area can boast of a better circulation based on a population-number of books ratio.


The Nominating Committee-(Miss Wiggin, Mrs. Stack and Mrs. Abbott) submitted the following slate of officers for the year 1960:


OFFICERS:


President, Ray E. Parmenter Vice-President, Trueman J. Menadue


Treasurer, John R. Goodwin


Secretary, Ruston F. Lodi Auditor, Kenneth P. Doe


DIRECTORS:


Bertha M. Bachner William C. Garner


Edmund J. Keefe George W. Dana


James W. Howard


Richard T. Stack


Books were donated by the following: Mrs. Jesse Hoyt, Miss Wilma Winters, Mr. Robert Gilmore, Mrs. Richard Rowe, Miss Charlotte Van Duzor, Mrs. Ray Smith, Mr. William Stewart and the Aldenettes.


Magazines and papers were donated by the following: Franklin Sentinel, Universalist Leader, Specialty Salesman, Rosicrucian Digest, Living Tissue, Rotarian, Medical Missionary, and Architectural Review, a single copy (January 1902) which contains a picture of the Franklin Library and architectural plans.


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Our sincere thanks to all the donors. At this point the Aldenettes are to be doubly thanked for their donation of twenty five classics for the book report collection, a set of Vocational Guidance Manuals (twenty in all) and several children's books.


The one note of sadness in this report is the death of Mrs. Gladys Tilton who assisted in the library from November 1957 up to March 1960.


Miss Holmes reported that the library now has two high school students as part time assistants, Miss Alice Wilkinson and Miss Peggy Young.


Once again we take this opportunity to thank the following organi- zations for their constant effort in helping the library in its work: the Volunteer Members of the Association and their Bookmobile, the Aldenette Club, and the Community Service Department of the Alden Club. We also want to thank Mr. Peterson and his insurance agency for yearly providing the library with book marks.


At this point the Association would like to commend the library staff and the people of Franklin for the successful year-may it con- tinue for 1961.


The Franklin Library Association respectfully requests that the sum of $13,300.00, plus the Dog Tax, be granted for the 1961 mainte- nance of the library.


Sincerely, RUSTON F. LODI, Secretary


REPORT OF THE ADVISORY BOARD


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


The following requests were made to the Advisory Board, for transfer of funds from the Special Reserve Fund, to the following departments:


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August 24, 1960-To Department of Public Works


Swimming Pool Maintenance Requested $452.00


Approved $350.00


September 21, 1960-To Department of Public Works


Hurricane Damage Requested $5,000.00


Approved $3,800.00


September 21, 1960-To Department of Public Works


Bulldozing Town Dump Requested $800.00


Approved $500.00


November 9, 1960-To Department of Public Works


Street Lines and Signs


Requested


$120.00


Denied


November 9, 1960-To Selectmen


Inspection by Wiring Inspector Requested $700.00


Approved $700.00


November 9, 1960-To Selectmen


Fleet, Fire and Theft Insurance Requested $30.73


Approved $30.73


November 9, 1960-To Department of Public Works


Drainage, Keogh Street Requested $972.00


Approved $972.00


November 9, 1960-To Department of Public Works


Snow Removal


Requested


$3,000.00


Postponed


November 9, 1960-To Selectmen


Fleet, Fire, Theft and Collision Requested $15.00


Approved $15.00


November 9, 1960-To Selectmen


Fire Insurance Requested $125.00


Approved $125.00


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November 9, 1960-To Selectmen


Building Inspector Requested $900.00


Approved $900.00


November 28, 1960-To Assessors


Clerk Hire


Requested $250.00


Approved $250.00


December 1, 1960-To Board of Registrars


Elections and Registration Requested $994.74


Approved $994.74


December 15, 1960-To Department of Public Works


Highway Maintenance Requested $750.00


Denied


December 15, 1960-To Dog Officer


Requested $27.00


Approved $27.00


December 15, 1960-To Selectmen


Insurance, New Sweeper


Requested $31.68


Approved $31.68


December 15, 1960-To School Committee


For payment of payrolls due in 1960


For bills contracted in 1960


Requested $18,360.79


Approved $10,089.78


December 15, 1960-To Police Department


Various unforeseen expenses


Requested $855.00


Approved $855.00


December 15, 1960-To Civil Defense


Total Requested $33,475.94


Total Approved $19,732.93


Very truly yours,


F. OTT WILBEE,


Clerk


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REPORT OF THE REGISTRAR OF BICYCLES


DECEMBER 31, 1960


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


I hereby submit the Bicycle Registration Report for the year ending December 31, 1960:


Appropriation


$50.00


Expenditures


7.00


Balance


$43.00


$43.00


Receipts:


265 Bicycles registered at $.25 each-$66.25 $66.25


Our program for 1961 will include lectures and movies on bicycle safety. Bicycles will not be permitted on sidewalks and will not be allowed on the road after dark without proper lighting.


For necessary expenses for the year 1961 I recommend the sum of $50.00


Respectfully submitted,


WALTER F. CARR, JR., Registrar of Bicycles


ARTHUR C. PELLEGRI, Chief of Police


FIELD DRIVER'S REPORT


December 22, 1960


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


During the year 1960 there were no complaints, and I did not pick up any stray animals.


Respectfully submitted,


RICHARD SILLOWAY, Field Driver


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REPORT OF THE SAFETY OFFICER


To Police Chief Arthur C. Pellegri:


The Safety Education Program was carried out during the year 1960 in the Public and Parochial Schools as follows:


Classroom Lectures


16


Classroom Pictures, Gr. 1-8


8


Safety Posters


300


Pamphlets Distributed


3,000


Safety Patrol Members


27


Safety Calendars Posted


250


Safety Patrol Classes


6


Ice Skating Checks


Daily in Season


School Bus Checks


40


For the year 1961 I will show movies, give safety lectures, check School buses and skating areas, distribute safety posters and pamphlets and in general endeavor to further enhance the continued safety of our Children.


I wish to thank School Supt. Thomas, his staff of principals and teachers, Sister M. Gabriela and the good sisters on her staff and the Registry officials for the excellent cooperation afforded me in the past year.


Respectfully submitted,


WALTER F. CARR, JR., Safety Officer


ARTHUR C. PELLEGRI, Chief of Police


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REPORT OF FRANKLIN CD AUXILIARY POLICE


December 18, 1960


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


The Franklin Auxiliary Police have continued to be a very active Unit the past year holding two meetings a month consisting of drill and instruction given us by the Officers and members of the Regular Police Department. To Chief Arthur Pellegri we give our many thanks, for his and the members of that Department's help and mutual feelings.


We have held our membership to 31 men and have a very loyal faithful group that give freely of their time and hours to duty. For this I cannot express my gratitude.


We have spent a great many hours on traffic duty which keeps the Unit at a peak of training should they ever be called on in the Emer- gency we prepare for but hope never happens. We have assisted at Fires, Parades, Field Days, and the Policemen's Ball. These duties we value for experience. Our total of duty hours are approximately 4000 hours.


We have been in closer contact with our neighboring towns so that we may help each other by knowing how their units acquire training and experience, and just to acquaint ourselves with each other. We have gained by this by learning where we may obtain training films and speakers, what each unit does for practical experience.


Again we are asking the town thru an Article in the Town War- rant for a sum of money we would like yearly to maintain the unit. We have no funds from the Civilian Defense Budget and to maintain the uniforms for the men as they need replacements of pants, and parts of the uniforms worn each time on duty and other Police equipment we need, this sum to be $500.00.


The Unit wishes to thank the People of the Town of Franklin for their cooperation while we are on duty, their friendliness and support. To the Town Officials who help us in every way possible and to the Firemen for the use of their hall.


Respectfully submitted,


GEORGE H. ELLIS,


Chief Auxiliary Police


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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS FOR THE YEAR 1960


Valuation:


Land


$ 2,341,095.00


Buildings


11,767,625.00


Personal Property


1,241,596.00


Total


$15,350,316.00


ITEMS USED BY THE ASSESSORS IN FIXING THE TAX RATE


Town Appropriations


$ 1,444,958.67


State Tax and Assessments


12,115.85


County Tax and Assessments


35,883.22


Overlay of Current Year


39,701.26


Gross Amount to be Raised


$1,532,659.00


ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND AVAILABLE FUNDS


Income Tax


$ 93,067.73


Corporation Taxes


62,831.23


Old Age Tax (Meals) Ch. 64B, Sec. 10


5,392.74


Reimbursement for State Owned Land


595.94


Motor Vehicle Excise


50,000.00


Licenses


8,000.00


Health and Sanitation


1,000.00


Charities


16,000.00


Old Age Assistance (Other than Federal Grants)


30,000.00


Veterans' Services


6,500.00


Schools (Funds from Income Tax not included)


23,500.00


Water Department


50,000.00


Interest on Taxes and Assessments


1,000.00


Town Clerk's Fees


1,200.00


Ambulance


2,000.00


Franklin Housing


1,008.00


State Assistance (School Construction)


8,418.71


Farm Animal Excise


250.00


Overestimates


7,225.90


Available Funds - Voted by Town


237,917.79


Total Estimated Receipts and Available Funds


$ 605,908.04


Net Amount to be Raised by


Taxation of Polls and Property $ 926,750.96


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NET AMOUNT RAISED BY TAXATION OF POLLS AND PROPERTY


Valuation


Tax


Personal Property at rate of $60.00 per thousand


$ 1,241,596.00


$74,495.76


Real Estate at rate of $60.00 per thousand


14,108,720.00


846,523.20


Poll Taxes Totals


5,732.00


$15,350,316.00


$926,750.96


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN YADISERNIA HOWARD C. ABBOTT ANTHONY M. VIGNONE


Board of Assessors


REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES


December 20, 1960


Mr. Robert Bell, Chairman


Board of Selectmen


Franklin, Massachusetts


Dear Mr. Bell:


The following data is a summary of the regulatory activities of the Sealer of Weights and Measures during the period extending from January 1, 1960 through December 20, 1960.


Weighing and Measuring Devices Sealed 193


Weighing and Measuring Devices Adjusted 12


Weighing Devices Condemned 1


Trial Reweighings of Packaged Commodities


41


Number Found Correct


19


Number Found Incorrect


22


Overweight


9


Underweight*


13


Peddler's Licenses Checked


6


Transient Vendors Checked


3


Peddler's Scales


2


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*The underweight items consisted of 12-10 pound bags of shrunken potatoes which were condemned.


Consumers should note that a new law effective 1960 requires that most pre-packaged commodities require that the price per pound as well as the total price and weight be shown on each package.


Respectfully yours,


ROBERT R. SHARP,


Sealer of Weights and Measures


AMBULANCE REPORT


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


During the year 1960 we responded to 301 ambulance cases and transfers as follows:


Milford


163


Boston


54


Roslindale


28


Norwood


16


Worcester


7


Pondville


5


Framingham


5


Attleboro


4


Wrentham


4


Woonsocket, R. I.


3


Providence, R. I.


2


Pawtucket, R. I.


1


Foxboro


1


Medway


1


Rest Homes


6


Needham


1


The total amount of money collected for ambulance service was $2810. This sum has been deposited with the Town Treasurer. The difference between the amount of money received and the department expenditures was $700. This amount of $700 was the cost to the Town for one year.


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With the help of the Fletcher Hospital Committee we hope to purchase a new ambulance in 1961.


For the year 1961 I recommend $3500.


Yours Respectfully,


CONNOR J. POND,


Chief


ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FRANKLIN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION


To the Board of Selectmen:


The Franklin Industrial Commission wishes first of all to express its gratitude to the Board of Selectmen for the support and encourage- ment which the Commission has received from the Selectmen. It is particularly encouraging to the Industrial Commission to know that the Board of Selectmen and the Commission are of one mind regarding the needs and requirements of the Town of Franklin for proper economic growth.


Any report submitted by an organization or commission to its sponsoring body usually points with some pride to tangible gains and results. While the Commission is proud of its efforts and activities, quite frankly it cannot at this time point to any tangible results such as new industry located in Franklin. To the members of the Commis- sion this is not surprising, as they did not necessarily expect such tangible results in so short a time. Most particularly is this lack of new industry not surprising due to certain inherent problems in the Town itself which require solution. Industrial development is not an overnight creation, and requires considerable effort, activity, spade- work, etc. Larger cities than Franklin, with more to offer including plant buildings already available have waited longer periods of time for new industry to arrive.


The Franklin Industrial Commission has been busy. It has not stood still. A number of projects and activities have been undertaken, industrial contacts obtained, and information gathered. Here are some of the activities:


41


1. A survey of available and properly zoned land suitable for industrial settlement. Many Saturdays, Sundays, and evenings have been spent pouring over the Town land and zoning maps, interviewing landowners, tramping fields, and investigating records to determine land ownership. The Commission has found that the problem in Franklin as far as land is concerned is not availability. There is plenty of available land which can be purchased, and some of this land has utility facilities readily available. Rather, the problem has arisen in attempting to obtain firm commitments from landowners. Most of the owners contacted have been unwilling to commit themselves price- wise, even at the current market price, to the Commission. These owners wish to negotiate directly with the principals themselves. However, this is not the way industrial development works well, and has created a problem. The Commission has nothing definite to offer interested industries in the way of available sites with tentative price tags attached. And industry is not interested in any large amount of preliminary exploration and bargaining, and looks to the city or town which has something concrete to offer. No industrial commission can hope for any degree of success without definite sites, available with prices, to offer industry.


2. A survey of available transportation and warehousing facili- ties has been completed, providing the Commission with definite infor- mation to give industry about these services.


3. A survey of the labor reservoir or "pool" of the Town is presently underway and will be completed shortly. From this survey the Commission plans to obtain definite information regarding the available labor in Franklin, special skills and technical knowledge present, and other vital statistics.


4. The Commission sponsored and carried out the Franklin Industrial Development Promotional Week in May of 1960. This project involved window displays, meetings, and the dinner given for interested townspeople, businessmen, and industrial developers, etc. The people from State agencies and industrial development companies who were present received very favorable impressions of Franklin, its residents, and its interest in industrial development. The Commission plans to repeat this promotional week as an annual program.


5. Members of the Commission expended considerable time and effort attempting to bring about a negotiation between a prominent developer (of the Marlboro Industrial Park, Dedham Shopping Plaza, and other properties) and the owner of the Indian Rock site. The developer was definitely interested and made a concrete and generous offer. His plans were substantial and he represented a potential in- fluence in the development of other properties in the Town. Unfor-


42


tunately, due to the apparent reluctance of the property owner to enter into intelligent negotiation this activity was unsuccessful. How- ever the Commission does feel that it is entitled to some credit for the current negotiations being conducted for a shopping center at the Indian Rock site, although taking no active part. The previous activi- ties of the Commission have focused attention on this site and its possibilities. The Commission has willingly assisted in the promotional efforts carried on to secure shopping facilities for Franklin, as contri- buting to the environment attractive to industries seeking locations.


6. Members of the Commission contributed considerable time to negotiations with R. M. Bradley Company, industrial developer, regard- ing a possible location for an industry which later turned out to be a Polaroid plant. Our efforts were unsuccessful, but we received definite information from the developer that Franklin had been seri- ously considered and found to be favorable in all aspects except one. Franklin had an insufficient supply of water and no concrete prospects for creation of a supply. This factor only prevented Franklin from being a very prominent prospect for this plant.


7. Negotiations were also conducted with Ernst & Ernst regarding location of a chemical plant. Again we lost out because of insufficient water supply.


8. The Commission has been assisting and actively supporting the Public Works Commission in preparation of an Article for the Town Warrant calling for a survey of water facilities. The ultimate aim in this endeavor is serious consideration of, and possible creation of, a reser- voir sufficient to satisfy the Town's future needs for at least twenty years, take care of possible industrial requirements, and very possibly allowing for sale of water to neighboring towns.


9. The Commission is collecting and preparing a series of infor- mational releases for newspaper publication, publicizing Franklin, its resources, its facilities, and its people. It is hoped that these articles, after publication, can be incorporated in a promotional folder.


10. Although planning no large projects of its own, the Commis- sion has participated willingly in the meetings of joint boards called by the Selectmen for the purpose of long range planning. The Com- mission is interested in and favorable to a number of the projects advanced by the Town boards, which would enhance Franklin's pros- pects as an industrial location area. The Commission wishes to assist in any projects which would pave the way for broadening of our tax base and stabilization of our economic future.


43


11. The Commission participated, with local businessmen, in dis- cussions regarding possible usage of the Franklin Woolen Company buildings, soon to be vacated. Although not empowered to establish any type of industrial foundation for the purpose of acquiring land or buildings for industry, the Commission offered its contact and publicity services to the interested businessmen who contemplated forming such a foundation. Unfortunately, this group of businessmen did not pursue the original idea, and this project appears to have collapsed.


12. Contact has been made with a Boston realty organization interested in locating manufacturing and warehousing facilities avail- able for occupation and usage. While this project is in its very prelimi- nary stages, it offers some opportunity for possible acquisition of new business activity in Franklin.


The Franklin Industrial Commission will be pleased to discuss with the Selectmen any and all aspects of this report at any time. Sugges- tions and ideas presented by the Selectmen would be most welcome.


In all fairness the Commission must point out certain areas of activity which it feels worthy of consideration by the Selectmen, and which the Selectmen may be investigating already. Such activities we feel would contribute materially to the economic health of the Town.


a. Serious consideration of a long range plan for adequate water supply, including a reservoir. We understand that present usage is approximately 850,000 gallons out of a possible 1,200,000 gallons, leaving only a slight cushion for extra usage. Obviously such a small surplus offers no attraction for industry, and very little supply for added future residential requirements.


b. Methods of obtaining sites for potential industrial location should be considered. Such methods should include ways of obtaining definite price commitments from land owners, and possibilities of a municipal land development foundation, non-profit, for the purpose of acquiring land for industrial development. This second plan could well be included within the scope of an Urban Renewal or Community Facilities project.


c. Definite entrance into an Urban Renewal program, to rejuve- nate blighted areas of Franklin, improve the Town center as a shopping attraction, and to take advantage of funds available from the Housing and Home Finance Agency (Federal) for urban renewal and community facilities development.


d. Close investigation of all possible or pertinent State commis- sions and agencies for possible sources of assistance, financial and


44


otherwise, for improvement of the Town industrially, commercially, and residentially.


For the Franklin Industrial Commission


GEORGE DOYLE,


Chairman


N.B. A report of finances for the past calendar year is attached.


FRANKLIN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION FINANCIAL REPORT


Calendar Year 1960


Balance available a/o December 31, 1959 $ 67.75


Appropriation from Board of Selectmen 1,000.00


Balance available for 1960


1,067.75


Less: Expenditures for 1960 (See detailed listing below)


695.06


Balance a/o December 31, 1960


$ 372.69


Schedule of Expenditures for 1960:


Secretarial supplies (envelopes, writing paper, postcards, binders, etc.) $ 31.83


Banquet tickets for promotional week


9.00


Trophy for window decoration for promotional week


39.50


Art supplies for posters, decorations, etc., for promotional week


29.28


Artwork services


5.00


450 banners for promotional week


2.50


3,000 labor survey forms


24.75


5,000 Franklin Industrial Development brochures


548.20


Secretarial services


5.00


TOTAL $ 695.06


45


REPORT OF THE WIRING INSPECTOR


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Wiring inspection as outlined in Article 73, Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting, February 9, 1960 and approved by vote has been in effect from July 1, 1960. Since that time 246 wiring permits have been issued and the sum of $1,682.80 collected by the Town Treasurer. Inspections were made by me or by Deputy Wiring Inspector James A. Molloy.




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