USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1929 > Part 3
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13 False alarm.
16 26
Still, electrical fixtures, J. Cullity, Rust St. Call for assistance from Essex, hose laid 350 ft.
July 13 21 Garage, Judson Bradstreet, Holmes St.
31 House, Harold Johnson, Asbury St., hose laid, 400 ft.
16 31 12 Grass fire, A. F. Goodwin, Bridge St. Still, grass fire, Myopia Club, Main St.
Aug. 31
Sept. 13 21 Gasoline fire, T. A. Moynihan, Willow St.
17 31 Gasoline stove, Walter Blanchard, Asbury St.
Oct. 8 34 Farm barns, James Appleton, Jr., Ipswich, hose laid 950 ft.
Nov. 12 13
Brush fire, William Cullivan, Chebacco Woods, hose laid 1100 ft.
Dec. 3 14
25 12 House, Edwin Barker, Bridge St. Automobile, Phillip Tracchia, near Essex Junc- tion.
Respectfully submitted,
CHESTER H. KNOWLES, LESTER M. WHIPPLE, RODNEY ADAMS, FRANK DANE, A. MERRILL CUMMINGS,
Board of Engineers of Fire Department.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL FIRE APPARATUS
Jan. 1, 1930.
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton,
Greeting :- The committee to purchase Fire Apparatus, appointed by you at the last Annual Town Meeting herewith submit their report.
The committee met and organized March 20th, 1929. It was voted to have specifications prepared and invite proposals from interested parties on or before April 3rd, at which time bids were to be opened. Proposals to furnish the town with equipment were received from the following: Colonial Garage, Salem, Mass .; Beaver Automobile Co., Salem, Mass .; F. H. Van Blarcom, Lynn, Mass .; American LeFrance Co., Boston, Mass .; A. D. Braden, South Hamilton, Mass., and McVey & Berry, Beverly, Mass.
They were requested to display their chassis before the com- mittee, on the Town Hall grounds, April 6th, at which time and place the Dodge Bros., Reo, Stewart and G. M. C. chassis were looked over. The final proposals received, with allowance for Peerless chassis were as follows: Colonial Garage for a Reo equipped, $2681.00; A. D. Braden for a Stewart, $2685.00; McVey & Berry, G. M. C., $2658.00; F. H. Van Blarcom for a Studebaker, $3000.00; American LeFrance Co., $3550.00. It was voted to award the contract to McVey & Berry.
After the contract had been awarded it was voted to add extra equipment and change the tires, special tires, extra tire
74
75.
COMMITTEE TO PURCHASE FIRE APPARATUS
and rim, set of chains, acid box, Callahan door opener, two steps on rear fenders, Cambridge windshield, special set of ladder brackets, also to clean up and revarnish the ladders on the old Peerless, to be remounted on the new apparatus .. The cost of these items represent the difference between the contract price and the total expenditure as made by the com- mittee for apparatus. The equipment has been accepted and is now installed as part of Fire Department.
Respectfully submitted, CHESTER H. KNOWLES, Chairman, FRANK R. SCHALLER, JONATHAN LAMSON,
Committee.
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
To the Citizens of Hamilton :-
Your Library Trustees report a satisfactory year for the library, the total circulation having been over eighteen thou- sand, over fourteen thousand of which issued from the branch library. Many new books have been added, with special atten- tion to children's books.
The Committee Room at the center has been well patronized, nearly one thousand people having used the same in the past year.
The statistical statement covering circulation, gifts of books, and receipts from fines, will be found in the report of the librarian.
We recommend an appropriation of Two Thousand Dollars, the same as last year which, with the accumulations from existing library funds, should be sufficient for the needs of the library for the year.
Respectfully submitted, ROBERT B. WALSH, Chairman, ARTHUR W. CHANDLER, EDWARD A. UNDERHILL, Secretary.
76
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
To the Trustees of the Public Library:
Gentlemen: The good degree of interest which has been manifested in the Public Library in former years, has been fully maintained during the last year. That the people of the town appreciate their privilege is shown by the large number of volumes issued.
In an earlier report, attention was called to the crowded condition of the shelves in the rooms occupied by the Library, and to the fact that larger quarters must be provided for, if the Library is to continue to hold its place as a means of edu- cation to the people of the Town. The present quarters of the Library were opened in the Town Hall, March 1, 1898. We have grown from a library of 2,116 books to one of 12,090 books.
The delivery room, which serves also as a reading room and reference room, is greatly overcrowded at times. It would be well to maintain a separate room for reference work, if quarters were available.
Last year there seemed to be some misunderstanding in regard to the books at the South Hamilton Branch. Some- time during the year, every one of the books purchased is sent to the Branch Library, so that the people of South Hamil- ton may have the privilege of reading exactly the same books which the people of the center of the Town enjoy. In some cases two copies of popular books are bought. It is hoped that this explanation will clear up this misunderstanding. In sup- plying new books every effort has been made to satisfy all classes of readers. Most of the books added to the Library
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
during the past year have been books of fiction. The pur- chase of books for children and young people has been made a feature this year.
Most of the children's books have been deposited in the seven grades of the South School. This will prove a great help to pupils living a long distance from the Library.
The Library has many visitors during the year from other states. The Librarian has assisted visitors from Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, also has compiled references for the United States Government at Washington. The Librarian is always ready to help pupils in their reference work, and is willing to help out of Library hours if called upon.
Thanks are extended to the donors of gifts of magazines and books sent throughout the year. One gift of books arrived too late to be put on our records for 1929. These will be included in our catalog for 1930.
The Community Room is still in great demand for parties and meetings. It has been used by 746 people this year.
The Main Library is open Wednesday and Saturday. The Branch Library Tuesday and Friday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P. M.
STATISTICS
Fiction
Non-fiction
Total
Circulation :
Main Library
3654
196
3850
Branch Library
13846
432
14278
Total
18128
Circulation 1928
20371
Circulation 1929
18128
Decrease
2243
Magazines loaned
783
79
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
Main Library
370
Branch Library
413
Books sent to Branch Library
352
Books sent to South School
261
Books added 1929
735
Number of books as of December 31, 1929
12090
To the Treasurer :
Fines
$17.66
Junk
.72
Total
$18.38
Respectfully submitted,
LYDIA L. HARADEN
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 eleventh day of March, nineteen hundred and thirty (March 11, 1930) at fifteen 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
Three Overseers of Public Welfare for one year
One Assessor for three years.
One Assessor for two 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 member of the School Committee for one year
One Surveyor of Highways for one year
80
81
WARRANT FOR TOWN MEETING
All on one ballot.
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 vote to build a piece of permanent highway on Highland Street from the Wenham Town line to Asbury Grove, said highway to be built jointly by State, County and Town, and appropriate the sum of $10,000.00 for the cost of the Town's share of above work.
ARTICLE 6. To see if the Town will vote to continue the building of permanent highway on Bridge Street and appro- priate a sum of money for same or take any action thereon.
ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $2,800. to grade and rebuild Rust Street from Union Street to Willow Street as petitioned for by Douglas H. Knowl- ton and others.
ARTICLE 8. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $1,400.00 to grade and rebuild Mill Street from Union Street to Cottage Street as petitioned for by Henry C. Jackson and others.
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
ARTICLE 9. To see if the Town will accept Arthur Avenue from Washington Avenue to Tuckerman's Lane as laid out by the Selectmen and appropriate the sum of $1,800.00 to build the same as petitioned for by George D. Grant and others.
ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $6,500.00 to reconstruct in permanent highway, Union Street, from the Wenham Line to Asbury Street, the same to be let, by competitive bidding and work to start as soon as pos- sible after frost is out of the ground, as petitioned for by Frank E. Withee and others.
ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of Twelve hundred Dollars ($1,200.00) to resurface and oil Park Street, or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by. Grace E. McGinley and others.
ARTICLE 12. To see what action the Town will take towards graveling and grading Farms Road, a public way in said Town of Hamilton (particularly from Main Street in said Town to residence of Maj. Colby), and appropriate a sum of money for same and take such other and appropriate action as may be necessary to accomplish said purpose, as petitioned for by J. W. Griess and others.
ARTICLE 13. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $1,500.00 for the purpose of repairing and oiling Asbury Street from the junction of Highland Street at Peatfield's store to the Topsfield line, as petitioned for by Ellsworth S. Adams and others.
ARTICLE 14. To see if the Town will vote to oil Cummings Street and appropriate the sum of $150.00 for same or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by Patrick Connery and others.
83
WARRANT FOR TOWN MEETING
ARTICLE 15. To see if the Town will vote to build a per- manent sidewalk of tar-concrete construction on the northeast- erly side of Railroad Avenue from Main Street to Willow Street and appropriate the sum of $850.00 for same or take any action thereon.
ARTICLE 16. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $400.00 to build a catch basin at the northeast cor- ner of Mill and Union Streets, and to lay a pipe connecting the same with the public drain on Hamilton Street, as petitioned for by Arthur A. Boreham and others.
ARTICLE 17. To see if the Town will vote to appoint a committee of seven, to consist of the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, the members of the School Committee and three other citizens to be appointed by the Moderator, to investigate the need of a new high school building and report not later than the next Annual Town Meeting, as petitioned for by Robert Robertson Jr. and others.
ARTICLE 18. To see if the Town will vote to designate the bequest of Maxwell Norman, which was accepted at the last Annual Town Meeting, as a nucleus of a New High School Building Fund, as petitioned for by Robert Robertson Jr. and others.
ARTICLE 19. To see if the Town will vote to lay a pipe line, for fire protection purposes, from the Boston & Maine R. R water tank and well, along Railroad Avenue to Willow Street and appropriate the sum of $3,000.00 for same or take any action thereon.
ARTICLE 20. To see what action the Town will take towards supplying water in South Hamilton, including Asbury Street to Asbury Grove. That a committee of five residents of said
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
section of the Town be appointed by the Moderator to consider the subject and that the sum of seven hundred and fifty dollars be appropriated for the use of the committee, or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by Chester H. Knowles and others.
ARTICLE 21. To see if the Town will vote to build a cistern for fire purposes at or near the corner of Bridge and Sagamore Streets and appropriate a sum of money for same or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by Fred F. Stillings and others.
ARTICLE 22. To see if the Town will vote to install a street light on Lincoln Avenue and appropriate a sum of money or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by Walter I. Fowler and others.
ARTICLE 23. To see if the Town will vote to appoint a Tercentenary Committee to arrange for the proper observance of that event and appropriate the sum of $300.00 for same or take any action thereon.
ARTICLE 24. 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, 1931, 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 25. 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 26. To act on any other matter that may legally come before said meeting.
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WARRANT FOR TOWN 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 post offices 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 10th day of February, A. D. 1930.
JONATHAN LAMSON, ARTHUR C. CUMMINGS, GEORGE E. SMITH, Selectmen of Hamilton.
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Hamilton, Mass., February, 1930.
To the Board of Selectmen of Hamilton:
Gentlemen : I wish to submit my annual report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1929.
Whole number of arrests during the year, 30, divided as follows :
Male
30
Adults
26
Minors
4
Native born
19
Foreign born
11
Residents
11
Non-residents
19
OFFENSES
Arson
2
Bastardy
1
Breaking and entering in the night time
2
Burglar tools in possession
6
Loaded revolver in a motor vehicle
6
Loaded revolver on the person
1
Larceny in the night time
10
Larceny in the day time
2
Larceny of an automobile
6
Throwing glass in the street
1
Driving drunk
4
86
87
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
Driving with no license 1
Allowing an improper person to operate a motor vehicle 1
Liquor nuisance
1
Keeping and exposing liquor for sale
1
Drunk
6
Committed to Danvers State Hospital
SENTENCED TO STATES PRISON
No.
Total yrs. 12
3 Larceny of automobile
3 Having burglar tools in possession 12
3 Having loaded revolved in an automobile 12
1 Having loaded revolver on the person 4
2 Breaking and entering and larceny in the night time 24
SENTENCED TO THE HOUSE OF CORRECTION
No. Total yrs.
1 Larceny of an automobile, having burglar tools in possession, and a loaded revolver in automobile 11/2
1 Sentences to Lyman School, larceny and arson
PROBATION
No. Total yrs.
1 Larceny and arson, report to police one year 1
1 Larceny of an automobile, having burglar tools in possession, and having a loaded revolver in an automobile 2
DISPOSITION
Committed to Danvers Hospital
4
Fined-Appealed 1
88
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Fined-Paid
1 Throwing glass in the street, fined and paid
1 Keeping and exposing liquor for sale
1 Liquor nuisance
1 Larceny in the night time
3 Driving drunk
1 Driving with no license
1 Allowing an improper person to operate
Filed-Driving drunk
Drunks released
ARRESTS MADE BY OFFICERS
Arthur Southwick 10
A. L. Perley 3
Fred Saunders 2
Fred Stillings 3
Edward Frederick 9
Benjamin Dodge 2
Frank Dever 1
OFFICERS ATTENDANCE AT COURT
Arthur Southwick 43
A. L. Perley 9
Edward Frederick
Fred Stillings 12
6
Frank Dever
8
Fred Saunders 4
Benjamin Dodge
2
COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATED
Arthur Southwick 204
A. L. Perley 62
8
1
89
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
Fred Stillings 20
Fred Saunders 31
Edward Frederick 19
Frank Dever 26
William Caldwell
6
SUPERIOR COURT
Cases on docket (continued) 1
Automobile licenses and registrations revoked or suspended during the year 1929 in Hamilton by George A. Parker, Regis- trar of Motor Vehicles :
Licenses revoked 8
Licenses suspended 14
Registrations revoked 9
Number of motor vehicle accidents in Hamilton where persons were injured, during the year 1929, reported to police 19
Number of motor vehicle accidents in Hamilton during the year 1929, property damage only, reported to police 46
Number of revolver licenses issued by police to carry a pistol or revolver in the State of Massachusetts, dur- in the year 1929
24
Number of notices of intended transfer or sale of motor vehicles issued by the Hamilton police during the year 1929, on forms supplied by George A. Parker 228
MISCELLANEOUS
Automobiles reported stolen 26
Automobiles stolen in town 7
Automobiles recovered 11
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Automobile tires stolen
6
Other property reported stolen or lost, value about
$1,200 $700
Other property found and recovered, value about
Complaints received
372
Complaints investigated
368
Fires extinguished
4
Disturbances
14
Dogs reported lost or stolen
21
Dogs found and recovered
16
Dogs killed
22
Lights reported out
79
Summonses served for out-of-town officers
32
Dangerous wires reported or removed
2
Accidents reported
46
Persons received assistance
2
Police assistance to out-of-town officers
71
Police assistance by out-of-town officers
82
Court attendance for 1929
84
Report to Prison Commission
2
Report to Highway Commission
1
Letters, postal cards, and notices sent out, about
264
Letters, postal cards, and notices received, about
410
Persons drowned
1
Persons saved from drowning
4
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR SOUTHWICK,
Chief of Police.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts DEPARTMENT OF CORPORATIONS AND TAXATION
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
REPORT OF AN AUDIT
OF
THE ACCOUNTS
OF THE
TOWN OF HAMILTON
FOR
The Fiscal Year Ending DECEMBER 31, 1929
Made in Accordance with the Provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws
February 18, 1930
REPORT OF AN AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
DEPARTMENT OF CORPORATIONS AND TAXATION DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS STATE HOUSE, BOSTON
February 18, 1930
To the Board of Selectmen
Mr. Jonathan Lamson, Chairman Hamilton, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the Town of Hamilton for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1929, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44 of the General Laws. This report is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Edward H. Fenton, Chief Accountant of this Division.
Very truly yours,
THEODORE N. WADDELL,
TNW /RH.
Director of Accounts ..
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF EXAMINER
Mr. Theodore N. Waddell
Director of Accounts
Department of Corporations and Taxation State House, Boston
Sir :
As directed by you, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the Town of Hamilton for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1929, the following report being submitted thereon :--
The financial transactions of the town, as recorded on the books of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town, were examined and checked with the records of the town accountant.
The books and accounts in the town accountant's office were examined and checked with the treasurer's books and with the records in the several departments collecting money for the town.
The appropriations, as entered in the ledger, were checked to the town clerk's records of appropriations authorized by the town.
The receipts, as shown on the accountant's books, were checked with the records of the treasurer, and the payments were compared with the warrants authorizing the treasurer to disburse town funds.
In checking vouchers and pay-rolls it was found that, in a number of instances, expenses incurred in 1928 had been paid from 1929 appropriations. This practice of paying bills of prior years from appropriations provided for current year's
95
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
expenses should be discontinued, since, in some cases, had the bills been paid in the year they were incurred, overdrafts would have been disclosed.
The classification book was examined and checked with the ledger accounts.
The ledger accounts were analyzed, adjusting entries were made, and a balance sheet was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on December 31, 1929.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked. The recorded receipts were analyzed and com- pared with the records in the several departments collecting money for town and with the other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury. The cash in the office was verified by an actual count and the bank balance was recon- ciled with a statement furnished by the bank in which the town funds are deposited.
The payments of debt and interest were verified by a com- parison with the cancelled bonds, notes, and coupons on file.
The savings bank books, representing the investments of the various trust funds in the custody of the treasurer were exam- ined. The income was proved and the recorded disbursements were verified.
The books and accounts of the present tax collector were examined and checked in detail. The commitments for the levy of 1929 and for the motor vehicle excise taxes of 1929 were footed and analyzed. A comparison with the assessors' warrants disclosed small differences, which were adjusted on the accountant's ledger.
The payments to the treasurer were checked to the treas- urer's cash book and the abatements were checked to the assess- ors' records of abatements granted.
The outstanding accounts were listed and verification notices mailed to a number of persons whose names appeared on the
96
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
books as owing money to the town. It was not expedient to write these notices until the detail of $6,923.40, paid over to the treasurer as unclassified taxes, assessments and interest, was established. With the exception of two claims which are being investigated, it would appear that the outstanding ac- counts, as listed, are correct.
Evidence presented by various persons claiming to have made payments to the former tax collector was examined, resulting in a total discrepancy in his accounts amounting to $3,508.59, as of February 12, 1930.
The town clerk's records of town licenses, together with the records of hunting and fishing and of dog licenses, were exam- ined, the payments to the town treasurer being compared with' the treasurer's cash book and the payments to the State and county, respectively, being verified with the receipts on file.
The accounts of all other departments collecting money for the town, or committing bills for collection, were examined and reconciled with the treasurer's and the accountant's books.
The surety bonds of the treasurer, collector, and town clerk for the faithful performance of their duties were examined and found to be in proper form.
Appended to this report are tables showing reconciliations of the treasurer's and the present tax collector's cash, summa- ries of the tax and trust fund accounts, licenses, sealer's receipts, and a balance sheet showing the financial condition of the town as of December 31, 1929.
For the courtesies extended by the various town officials dur- ing the progress of the audit, I wish, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
EDW. H. FENTON,
Chief Accountant.
EIFF / IE
97
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
RECONCILIATION OF TREASURER'S CASH
Balance January 1, 1929
$14,021 06 289,347 27
Receipts
$303,368 33
Payments 287,758 92
Balance December 31, 1929
15,609 41
$303,368 33
Balance January 1, 1930 $15,609 41
Receipts January 1 to 15, 1930 1,903 94
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