USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1924 > Part 3
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May 28 3-3 12.15-12.20 A. M. Wenham Neck 30 24 3.04- 3.50 P. M. W. W. Bancroft
June 2 23 6.35- 7.45 P. M. Meris of N. H.
5 S 9.25- 9.40 A. M.
Miss Seavey
Walnut
Rubbish
3 14 9.20- 9.50 P. M.
Essex
Grass
3 32 10.50-11.10 P. M.
West Barn destroyed, incendiary
17
21 1.18- 3.20 P. M.
A. C. Burrage, Jr. (Thos. Baldwin)
T. A. Moynihan
Union
Grass
Aug.
2
24
2.43- 3.20 P. M.
Appleton's Filling Sta.
Main
Automobile
13
14 3.50- 4.12 P. M.
Bridge
Grass
Sept. 19
31 9.10- 9.37 A. M.
11.33-12.55 Noon
Main
House
Oct. 18
30 23 23 5.20- 5.50 P. M.
J. B. Moulton
Main
Chimney
19
23 7.04- 7.36 P. M.
Colonial Garage
Main
Automobile destroyed
Nov. 1 31 5.04- 5.10 P. M.
Eben Hurlburt
Asbury
Grass
1 21 7.10- 8.30 P. M. T. A. Moynihan
Union
Brush
8
9.27-10.25 A. M.
L. M. Whipple
Essex
Brush, hot ashes
9
13 S 11.30-12.00 A. M.
Eben Hurlburt
Asbury
Brush
11
31 4.50- 5.15 P. M.
False alarm
16
3-3 9.04-10.25 P. M. Essex
Gardner Brush
Main Truck and furniture Main Automobile
July 3 S 12.15-12.35 A. M.
A. W. Chandler ? George Burroughs
Main Barn destroyed, lightning
21
21 1.15- 1.40 P. M.
Kane
Franklin Bell J. A. Gaffey
Asbury
Chimney
Date Dist. In Out Owner Street Description Woods
17 3-3 8.16-12.30 P. M. Wenham-Princemere
Dec. 22 21 9.35-11.00 P. M. A. C. Burrage, Jr. (Thos. Baldwin)
29 3-3 7.45- 9.10 P. M.
Main Barn destroyed, lantern
Wenham-Princemere House
Respectfully submitted,
CHESTER H. KNOWLES, HARRY R. MCGREGOR, LESTER M. WHIPPLE, FRANK DANE, RODNEY H. ADAMS.
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
To the Selectmen of the Town of Hamilton :
DEAR SIRS: The following is the report of the Cemetery Commissioners for the year 1924.
The work started last year on the front of the cemetery has been completed by Mrs. Alice A. Meyer by planting trees and shrubs.
The Commissioners have cleared of trees and bushes about two acres in the new part of the cemetery, have built over a part of the boundary wall and done other general work.
The Perpetual Care Funds amount to $8,090.77 and the Special Cemetery Fund amounts to $870.53.
We recommend an appropriation of $800.00.
Yours respectfully,
GEORGE H. GIBNEY, FRANCIS C. NORTON, ADALIZA C. ROBERTS,
Cemetery Commissioners.
79
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSION
Hamilton, Mass.
To the Citizens of Hamilton:
For the past few eyars the Park Commission has asked for an appropriation large enough only to keep Central Park mowed and to make minor improvements. In doing this the thought has been to practice as much economy as was consistent with main- taining a neat appearance; also to provide the children of the neighborhood with a playground. The Park has been used con- siderably as a playground, although it became necessary to pro- hibit the playing of golf there, since that proved to be a menace to safety and to property.
Central Park is now in good condition. The grass has been kept short from the street to the top of the hill; the undergrowth has been cleared away on the slope of the hill facing Butler's Pond; and two permanent painted benches have been put up. The view from the brow of the hill is pleasant, and the Park is an attractive resting place on a warm summer's day.
We believe that we are justified in asking for a larger appro- priation this year than in the past in order that we may make further improvements. At present the Park can hardly be dis- tinguished from the adjacent pieces of property. We feel that a hedge and perhaps a little shrubbery or a few flowers might add to its appearance.
The slope towards the Pond also is capable of considerable development. It is now very difficult to reach Butler's Pond
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REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
except by crossing Mr. Norman's property, since the approach from the street end of the Pond is so steep, and in the winter especially, so slippery. This Pond is the only available skating place in this vicinity, and we believe that it is desirable to pro- vide better access to it.
We have talked with the Town Counsel and with the Select- men and through them spoken to the Memorial Committee re- garding Soldiers' Green and the Soldiers' Memorial. All are agreed that it is desirable that the Park Commission be granted custody of the Green and the Memorial. We have included in the amount we have asked to have appropriated to us this year a sum large enough to maintain these, provided the Town sees fit to turn them over to us.
Respectfully submitted,
PERCIVAL D. WHIPPLE, Chairman.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
There has been a great change in the method of handling the Highway Department this year. A Surveyor of Highways was chosen at the last Annual Town Meeting, who took full charge of this department as he was authorized by law to do, agreeable to Chap. 41, Sec. 62 of the General Laws as follows :
"Chapter 41, Section 62 of the General Laws.
"If a Highway Surveyor be chosen, he shall have the exclusive control of the ordinary repairs of public ways in his town without being subject to the authority of the Selectmen. .. . "
The special appropriations voted under our direction at the Annual Town meeting were carried out according to our best judgment under the circumstances, with the exception of the side- walk on Home Street. In regard to sidewalk on Home Street, we found the lines of this street not clearly definied, but we have now established the lines of this street and filed a plan of same in the clerk's office and upon acceptance of same by the town, this work can be carried out next year, as there is a balance of this appropriation of $488.26 for this purpose.
Owing to the dangerous condition of some parts of our high- way, the Selectmen on August 25, 1924, voted authorizing the Surveyor of Highway to incur an overdraft in this department to correct said condition. For this purpose the sum of $806.18 was expended.
On recommendation of the Board of Fire Engineers we voted to indemnify, in part, those members of the Fire Department who incurred expenses and sustained damages while in the discharge of their duties on their way to a fire at the Moulton estate on Oct. 18, 1924, resulting from a collision of the fire truck with
82
83
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
an automobile on Main Street, as provided for in section 100, Chapter 41 of the General Laws.
Under Article 5 the Town voted to lay a drain on Union Street from Railroad Avenue to Hamilton Avenue. This work has been done at an expense of $396.90, the appropriation being $400.00.
The Guard Rails along the Highways of the Town are in a deplorable condition and we recommend that something be done to put them in good condition.
We also recommend the purchase of some type of flashing beacon to be located at dangerous street corners in the Town. There will be one or more types displayed through the Town be- fore Town Meeting for your approval.
Yours respectfully, JONATHAN LAMSON, ARTHUR C. CUMMINGS, EDWARD A. DEWITT, Board of Selectmen.
WARRANT FOR THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Essex, ss. To either of the Constables of the Town of Hamilton, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Hamilton, qualified to vote in elections and town affairs, to meet in the Town Hall in said town on Tuesday the tenth day of March, nineteen hundred twenty-five (March 10, 1925) at fif- teen minutes before six in the forenoon (5.45 o'clock A. M.), then and there to act on the following articles, viz. :
ARTICLE 1. To bring in your ballots for :
Moderator, for one year.
Town Clerk, for one year.
Three Selectmen, for one year.
Overseers of Poor, and Board of Health, three for one year. One Assessor, for three years.
Treasurer for one year. Tax Collector, for one year.
Tree Warden, for one year.
Three Constables, for one year.
One Library Trustee, for three years.
One Cemetery Commissioner, for three years.
One Park Commissioner, for three years.
One member of the School Committee, for three years. One Surveyor of Highways, for one year.
And to vote on the following :
Shall license be granted for the sale of certain non-intoxicat- ing beverages? Yes or No.
All on one ballot.
84
85
WARRANT FOR TOWN MEETING
The polls will open at fifteen minutes before six in the morn- ing (5.45 a. m.) and will close at one o'clock in the afternoon (1 o'clock p. m.). After the close of the polls the remaining articles of the warrant shall be acted upon.
ARTICLE 2. To choose and appoint all other town officers in such manner as the town shall determine.
ARTICLE 3. To hear the report of the town officers and of the Finance and Advisory Committee and other committees and take any action thereon.
ARTICLE 4. To raise and appropriate money for Schools, Highways and all town expenses and determine the manner of expending the same.
ARTICLE 5. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $806.18 to cover the overdraft in the Highway Department.
ARTICLE 6. To see if the Town will vote to hold in trust exclusively for the A. P. Gardner Post No. 194 American Legion's Building Fund, until such time as the Post requires it to com- plete its memorial home, the Town's proportion of the surplus funds collected in part from the cities and towns, by the State, to provide suitable recognition of those residents of Massachu- setts who served in the army and navy during the war with Ger- many, and refunded and paid to the Town by virtue of Chapter 480 of the Acts and Resolves of 1924, or take any action thereon as petitioned for by the A. P. Gardner Post No. 194 of the Amer- ican Legion.
ARTICLE 7. To see what action the Town will take towards appointing a committee, to be composed of the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Chief Engineer of the Fire Department and one member to be named by the Moderator, to consider the ques-
86
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
tion of water for Fire Protection and that the sum of three hun- dred ($300.00) dollars to be appropriated for their use in carry- ing out their investigation, as petitioned for by the Board of Fire Engineers.
ARTICLE 8. To see what action the Town will take towards building a cistern for fire purposes at the corner of Hamilton Ave- nue and Union Street and appropriate the sum of eight hundred ($800.00) dollars for same.
ARTICLE 9. To see if the Town will vote to accept Plum Street, so called, as laid out by the Selectmen and as per plan on file in the Town Clerk's office and appropriate the sum of fifteen hundred ($1,500.00) dollars to construct the same as peti- tioned for by Elmo O. Adams and others.
ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will vote to accept Chestnut Street, so called, from the end of the present accepted street to the Wenham line towards Walnut Street, as laid out by the Select- men and as per plan on file in the Town Clerk's office, and appro- priate the sum of fifteen hundred ($1,500.00) dollars to construct same, as petitioned for by Willard O. J. Martin and others.
ARTICLE 11. To see what action the Town will take towards grading and gravelling Grant Avenue and to appropriate a sum of money for same, as petitioned for by George Bunce and others.
ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will accept Home Street as laid out by the Selectmen and as shown on a plan filed with the Town Clerk and take by purchase or eminent domain the land necessary therefor, and appropriate the sum of one hundred fifty ($150.00) dollars therefor, or take any action thereon.
ARTICLE 13. To see if the Town will vote to build a side- walk on the northerly side of Railroad Avenue, between Union and Lois Street and appropriate a sum of money for the same, as petitioned for by Rev. J. J. O'Hearn and others.
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WARRANT FOR TOWN MEETING
ARTICLE 14. To see if the Town will vote to repair Guard Rails along the Highways of the Town and place street signs where necessary and appropriate a sum of money for same.
ARTICLE 15. To see if the Town will vote to purchase some type of flashing traffic beacons and appropriate a sum of money for same.
ARTICLE 16. To see what action the Town will take towards building a catch basin near the residence of Nancy Haskell on Rust Street and connect the same by drain with a catch basin on Willow Street, as petitioned for by Charles A. Smerage and others.
ARTICLE 17. To see if the Town will vote to install one street light at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Lois Street and appro- priate a sum of money for same, as petitioned for by John J. Rhodes and others.
ARTICLE 18. To see if the Town will install three additional street lights on Highland Street near the estate of Mrs. Grace T. Davidson and appropriate a sum of money for the same.
ARTICLE 19. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of two hundred fifty ($250.00) dollars for the use of the Augustus Peabody Gardner Post No. 194, American Legion, or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by Finlay D. MacDonald and others.
ARTICLE 20. To hear the report of the Soldiers' Memorial Committee and take any action thereon.
ARTICLE 21. To see if the Town will give the Park Com- missioners the care and custody of the Soldiers' Memorial and Green or take any other action thereon.
ARTICLE 22. To see if the Town will vote to build a piece of permanent highway and appropriate a sum of money for same or take any action thereon.
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
ARTICLE 23. To see if the Town will authorize the Treas- urer with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow during the municipal year beginning January 1, 1926, in anticipation of the revenue of said municipal year, such sums of money as may be necessary to meet the current expenses of the town, giving the note or notes of the town therefor. Any debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from revenue of said municipal year.
ARTICLE 24. To see if the Town will authorize the collector to use all means of collecting taxes which a Town Treasurer, when appointed Collector, may use agreeable to Chapter 41, Section 37, of the General Laws.
ARTICLE 25. To act on any other matter that may legally come before said meeting.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof, one at the Town Hall and one at each of the three postoffices in said Town, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of holding said meeting.
Given under our hands this 9th day of February, A. D. 1925.
JONATHAN LAMSON, ARTHUR C. CUMMINGS, EDWARD A. DEWITT,
Selectmen of Hamilton.
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Hamilton, Mass., February, 1925.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen: I wish to submit my annual report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1924.
Whole number of arrests during the year, fifteen, divided as follows :
Male
15
Adults
12
Minors
3
Native Born
13
Foreign Born
2
Residents
2
Non-residents
13
OFFENSES
Drunkenness and disturbing peace
7
Bastardy
1
Drunkenness
4
Contempt of Court
1
Violation of automobile law
2
DISPOSITION
Fined and paid
7
Thirty days in house of correction (suspended)
1
Appeals
1
Released
3
Drunkenness cases filed
3
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
SUPERIOR COURT
Cases on docket
2
ARRESTS MADE BY OFFICERS
Arthur Southwick
Alvin L. Perley 4
Fred F. Stillings
2
Frank Dever
2
OFFICERS' ATTENDANCE AT COURT
Arthur Southwick 20
Alvin L. Perley 4
Frank Dever 5
Fred F. Stillings
2
Oscar A. Wood
1
COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATED
Arthur Southwick 152
Fred F. Stillings 3
Oscar A. Wood
4
Alvin L. Perley
28
Frank Dever
100
Charles H. Smith 3
Automobile licenses and registrations revoked or suspended during year 1924 in Hamilton by Frank A. Goodwin, Registrar of Motor Vehicles :
Licenses revoked 3
Licenses suspended 6
Registrations revoked 4
Number of motor vehicle accidents in Hamilton, where per- sons were injured, during the year 1924, reported to police 8 Number of motor vehicle accidents in Hamilton during the year 1924, property damage only, reported to police 32
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
91
HOURS OF DUTY PERFORMED BY OFFICERS
Southwick
1595
Dever
447
Perley
415
Stillings
349
Haraden
1781/2
Wood
115
W. F. Dodge
74
Fifield
47
Saunders
31
Keefe
16
Varnum
12
Smith
9
Duran
5
Leroy Dodge
0
MISCELLANEOUS
Automobiles reported stolen
19
Automobiles found and recovered
Bicycles reported stolen
13
Bicycles found and recovered
2
Other property reported lost or stolen, value about
$5,556
Other property found and recovered, value about
$515
Complaints received
320
Complaints investigated
290
Fires extinguished
2
Buildings found open
6
Disturbances
23
Dogs reported lost
23
Dogs found and returned to owners
9
Dogs killed
4
Children reported lost and found
2
Itinerant persons ordered to leave town
31
Lights reported out
129
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Summons served for out-of-town officers
15
Dangerous wires reported or removed
10
Obstructions removed
12
Accidents reported
41
Accidents resulting in death
Persons received assistance
38
Police assistance to out-of-town officers
ry
Court attendance for 1924
32
Report to Prison Commission
1
Report to Highway Commission
16
Letters, postal cards and circulars received about
451
Letters, postal cards and notices sent out, about
152
Persons held on suspicion
12
AMOUNT OF MONEY RECEIVED BY EACH OFFICER
Chief Southwick
$797 50
Officer Dever
178 50
Officer Perley
207 50
Officer Stillings
174 50
Officer Haraden
89 25
Officer Wood
57 50
Officer W. F. Dodge
37 00
Officer Fifield
23 50
Officer Saunders
15 50
Officer Keefe
8 00
Officer Smith
4 50
Officer Duran
2 50
Officer Leroy Dodge
Special officer service
6 00
$1,601 75
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR SOUTHWICK, Chief of Police.
Police assistance by out-of-town officers
LIST OF JURORS 1925
William E. Townsend, Willow Street, Superintendent of Streets.
Rodney H. Adams, Highland Street, farmer.
Frank Dane, Moulton Street, foreman. Charles A. Smerage, Rust Street, R. R. conductor.
John E. Cox, Main Street, foreman.
William A. Brumby, Main Street, chauffeur.
Fred A. Saunders, Railroad Avenue, collector.
Oscar A. Wood, Bridge Street, carpenter.
Daniel P. McGinley, Park Street, machinist.
Otho L. Charles, Plum Street, chauffeur.
Finlay D. MacDonald, Union Street, carpenter.
Frank L. Bailey, Highland Street, electrician.
George F. Cross, Walnut Street, carpenter.
Robert H. Chittick, Jr., Asbury Street, machinist.
Harold A. Daley, Main Street, grocer. Samuel G. Goodhue, Asbury Street, real estate.
Bayard Tuckerman, Asbury Street, insurance.
Edward A. DeWitt, Essex Street, chauffeur.
Foster E. Tappan, Goodhue Street, farmer.
Walter E. Cheever, Knowlton Street, farmer.
93
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
To the Citizens of Hamilton :
The Trustees of the Public Library submit the following re- port for the year1924.
The total circulation of the Hamilton Public Library for the past year was thirteen thousand five hundred sixty-one (13,561) of which number nine thousand two hundred eighteen (9,218) were issued from the Branch at South Hamilton, in spite of the fact that the Branch was closed two months, and four thousand three hundred forty-one (4,341) at the Main Library in the Town Hall.
In March, the Branch Library was destroyed by fire, and the Trustees were forced to secure new quarters. They secured these in the brick block on Main Street, and out of the insurance, which was promptly paid and amply covered the loss sustained, furnished the new Reading Room, which, the Trustees believe, is much better adapted to the needs of the townspeople than the old room. We were obliged to expend considerable money in fitting up the room and also to assume a rental of Twenty-Seven Dollars and Fifty Cents ($27.50) per month as compared with a rent of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) Dollars per month for the old quarters. However, this rental is lower than the other occupants of the building are charged, and a lease was procured for three (3) years, with an option of renewal for three (3) years, assuring us of a fixed rental until 1930. In view of the various improve- ments that we were obliged to make, we took the precaution in drawing a lease of inserting the clause that all fixtures, including electrical lighting units, shelvings, counters, curtains, screens, fur- naces, stoves and piping, etc., installed by the lessee, of whatever nature. shall remain the property of the lessee.
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REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
In compliance with the vote of the Town at the last annual meeting, whereby the sum of Five Hundred ($500.00) was appro- priated for the establishment of a public reading, recreation and community room in the Town Hall, we took over the room for- merly called the School Room on the ground floor. The old black- hoards were removed and turned over to the School Committee, and the walls were re-painted with a terra cotta dado, and the upper part finished in a harmonizing color effect. New electrical fixtures were installed to insure sufficient light for reading. Dra- peries have been put up, and willow and cretonne furniture pro- cured, all reflecting the same color scheme. We have also hung the following pictures :
"Under Blue Ionian Skies"-Grecian in effect; "The Amalfi" -Italian in effect ; "The Sheperdess"-by a French artist; "The Dutch Flower Girl"-A Holland view; "The Old Farm"-A pic- turesque New England scene; "The Bend in the Road," one of the latest pictures by a leading American artist, the subject of which, by coincidence, might easily be said to have been taken from one of the roads in Chebacco woods. In the selection of these pictures, we have tried to meet the current trend of interior decoration by combining brightness and warmth with art and education.
The delay in furnishing the room is chargeable partly to the extra work caused in getting the Branch Library in shape after the fire, and the exercise of economy in the buying of the furnish- ings, owing to the limited amount of the appropriation. The room has been in much demand for dancing, whist parties and club meet- ings, and we feel will well warrant the expenditure entailed.
An unusually large number of new books has been added to the library, particularly for children's reading at the request of the Superintendent of Schools, who has co-operated with the Trus- tees in furnishing the lists necessary to supplement the required reading in the school courses.
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
We recommend an appropriation of $2,700.00, the increase over last year being due to the advance in rent for the Branch Library.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT B. WALSH, Chairman, ARTHUR W. CHANDLER, EDWARD A. UNDERHILL,
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
To the Trustees of the Public Library:
Gentlemen: Herewith is submitted my fifth annual report as librarian.
The affairs of the library have progressed very favorably this year. We suffered the loss of a considerable number of books, when our Branch Library was burned down. We re-opened on May - with 1200 books on the shelves.
To all those who have made gifts of books or magazines we wish to extend thanks. These gifts indicate the donors are inter- ested in the work, even if they are not able to visit the library. More books have been used this past year in connection with school work, than in previous years. Interest in magazines still holds good and they are eagerly sought for as soon as available. During the year many scholars spent much time searching the magazines for topics connected with their school work.
Although the records for two months were lost at the Branch Library, the circulation from May, 1924 to January, 1925 was only 300 less than for the year 1923. Total circulation for the- year was 13561: at the Branch 9218, at the Main Library 4341. The magazines loaned at the Main Library numbered 530; at the. Branch, 177, making a total of 700.
During the year 1,914 books were added to the Library. This: number being unusually large owing to our re-stocking the Branch Library. Of this number 388 were gifts, 1526 were purchased.
The number of borrowers for the year ending Dec. 31, 1924 was 630 at the Branch, 331 at the Main Library, a total of 961.
The amount of fines collected was $34.64 as follows: $21.38
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
at the Main Library, at the Branch Library $23.26. The sum of $4.17 was received for the sale of old books and magazines, a total of $38.81 being turned over to the Town Treasurer.
The Branch Library is open on Tuesday and Friday, the Main Library on Wednesday and Saturday, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p. m.
Respectfully submitted. LYDIA L. HARADEN, Librarian.
:
REPORT OF INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE
APPOINTED TO INVESTIGATE THE POSSIBILITY OF SENDING OUR HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS TO BEVERLY
The committee held several meetings to consider the prop- osition and delegated the Secretary to meet the Beverly School Committee and present the case to them. The Secretary, to- gether with the Superintendent of Schools, met the Beverly School Committee at their regular October meeting, and after going over the case very carefully, were promised a reply at an early date. The following letter received from Mr. Chace, the Beverly Super- intendent of Schools, was the answer :
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