USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1931 > Part 4
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Total arrests made by the Hamilton officers for the year ending 1931 26
Total attendance in Police and Superior Court by Hamilton officers 62
Total number of complaints investigated by Hamilton Police 359
Automobile licenses and registrations revoked or sus- pended during the year 1931 in Hamilton by Morgan J. Ryan, Registrar of Motor Vehicles : Licenses revoked 12
Licenses suspended
18
Registrations revoked
10
Registrations suspended
21
Number of revolver licenses issued by police to carry a pistol or revolver in the State of Massachusetts, during the year 1931 21
Number of notices of intended transfer or sale of motor vehicles issued by the Hamilton police during the year 1931, on forms supplied by Morgan J. Ryan 203
MISCELLANEOUS
Automobiles reported stolen
18
Automobiles stolen in town
2
Automobiles recovered
2
Property reported stolen or lost
$800
Property found and recovered
$425
Complaints received
362
Complaints investigated
359
Disturbances
10
Dogs lost or stolen
28
Dogs found and recovered
22
Dogs killed
11
Summonses served for out-of-town officers
21
102
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Accidents reported
46
Police assistance to out-of-town officers
4
Police assistance by out-of-town officers 6
Report commissioner of correction
2
Report to highway commissioner
3
Fires extinguished
4
Letters, postal cards and notices sent out, about 160
Letters, postal cards and notices received, about 211
Persons drowned 2
Persons saved from drowning
3
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR SOUTHWICK,
Chief of Police.
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
January 1, 1932.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen : The Engineers of the Fire Department herewith submit their report for the year ending December 31st, 1931.
During this year the department has responded to 34 alarms : 2 false, 4 still, and 28 bell alarms in Hamilton. Total amount of hose laid 11,800 feet of 21/2-inch, 2,400 feet of 11/2-inch, and 1,200 feet of 3/4-inch.
The hydrant line has been extended to Hamilton Avenue on Union Street, giving the property owners in this district lower insurance and better fire protection. We recommend fur- ther installations of the hydrant line this year.
Two gas masks have been purchased, making a total of three; all equipped with the all-service canisters. A 100-gallon water tank has been installed on the Seagrave Pumper and its worth has been demonstrated several times during the past year.
All the ponds, brooks and rivers have been inspected and listed. Also measurements have been taken, so the department knows the property covered by the amount of hose carried on the apparatus.
We intend, as fast as our appropriation permits, to improve and give the outlying sections of the town places to obtain water for fire protection.
We have an agreement with Wenham to answer any second alarm in the town of Hamilton.
The town has long needed some modern equipment to take care of accidents, such as electric shock, drowning, suffocation by smoke or gas, or an emergency use of oxygen in certain cases of sickness. Therefore, we recommend the purchase of
103
104
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
an Inhalator with two extra tanks at the cost of two hundred twenty-five dollars ($225.00) for the use of the Fire and Police Departments.
The heating plant has been inadequate to heat the Engine House since it was enlarged. It is not only unsatisfactory but expensive. The installation of a pressure tank and two radia- tors will give the results needed.
In our town it is necessary to have more hose and equipment on the Seagrave than it was designed to carry. The judgment of the Engineers is that the present brakes are not fully suffi- cient for safety. The installation of the B-K Booster brake system will give the protection needed.
We wish to thank the Fire Departments of Wenham and Essex for the valuable assistance rendered this past year. We wish to express our appreciation for the co-operation of the Selectmen, members of the Company, and all who have helped to maintain the efficiency of the department.
ALARMS FOR 1931
Date District Description Owner Street
Mar. 12 Still Chimney-P. J. Timmer. . Union Ave.
Mar. 31 21 Grass-Mrs. S. E. McGlauflin . Main Apr. 5 16 Barn-Myopia Club. off Main Apr. 9 34 Grass-J. Appleton-B. Tuckerman.
Farms Rd.
Apr. 13
25
Grass-Major Colby Farms Rd.
Apr. 13 15
Grass-C. E. Whipple Chebacco Rd.
Apr. 14 15 Woods-F. H. Prince. Chebacco Rd.
Apr. 16 24 Brush-L. E. Libby-R. Kinsman.
Sagamore
Apr. 19 14
Grass-Ipswich Junction Bridge
Apr. 20 21
Shed-Geo. Adams .Mill
105
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
Date District Description Owner Street
Apr. 21 Still Hay-Geo. Adams .Mill
Apr. 22 Still Grass-F. C. Ayer. Walnut Rd.
Apr. 28 15
Woods-F. H. Prince Chebacco R1.
May 1 21 Auto -- J. Brown, Jr. Main
May 2 14
Barn-Henry Terrio. Bridge
May 4 15
Woods-Gertrude Knowlton. . Chebacco Rd.
May 5 25
Grass-B. & M. R. R. Farms Rd.
May 15 21
House-Amos Fuller. . Hamilton Ave. False Alarm.
May 19 24
Ice House-E. E. Whipple. .. Chebacco Rd.
July 26 23
Chimney-Frank Hills Railroad Ave.
Sept. 3 31
False-Vineyard Hill. Topsfield Rd.
Sept. 27 21 House-Harold Cushman Home
Sept. 30 14 Grass-Wiseman Estate Essex
Oct. 3 Still
Woods-Manchester
Chebacco Rd.
Nov. 5
21
Chimney-Standard Oil Co. Main
Nov. 8 41
Brush-Wenham Swamp.
Nov. 13 34
Woods-F. Winthrop. off Highland
Brush-Mrs. G. Von Meyer . Main Nov. 13 23
Nov. 25 23 Chimney-J. W. Griess. Farms Rd.
Dec. 19 16 Auto-John M. Fudge. Woodbury
Dec. 28
21 Grass -- Myopia Club. off Main
Respectfully submitted,
A. MERRILL CUMMINGS, EARL E. JOHNSON, DOUGLAS H. KNOWLTON, RANDOLPH H. HARADEN, JOHN E. CROSS,
Board of. Engineers of the Fire Department.
May 22 15
June 21 13
Brush-L. Scheluzmeyer . . Lake Shore
July 25 21
Grass-Wm. Kensella . . off Main
REPORT OF THE NEW HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Hamilton :
The Building Committee respectfully submits a "Report of Progress" on the construction of the new Hamilton High School as voted at the Town Meeting on March 10, 1931.
The Committee received its appointment around March 22, 1931. from the Town Moderator, and a meeting of organiza- tion was held electing Mr. Jonathan Lamson, chairman, and Mr. Frederick C. Holland, secretary.
After interviewing a large number of architects, the Com- mittee inspected many buildings in order to determine the capabilities of the six whom they considered outstanding. On April 1, 1931, Mr. Charles G. Loring was commissioned as the architect for the new Hamilton High School.
For about six weeks, the Committee and Mr. Loring devoted much time in planning the building and preparing the plans and specifications for selective bidding. The Committee chose ten contracting organizations who had been recommended to them by the architect or other sources to submit proposals for the new school. The general contract was awarded to the D'Amore Construction Company at $78,200. The electrical, plumbing, heating and ventilating contracts were submitted for bid at the same time and were awarded to the lowest pro- posals : Mclaughlin at $3,920, Robert Robertson & Company at $7,100, and V. J. Kenneally & Company at $15,417, respec- tively; making the total original general contract $104,337. The general contractor took over these sub-contractors, making only one organization, The D'Amore Construction Company, responsible to the Town of Hamilton at the signing of the con-
106
107
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON NEW HIGH SCHOOL
tract, July 10, 1931. Ground was broken around July 15, 1931.
The proposals on the specifications as originally issued were so favorable to the Town of Hamilton that the Committee de- cided to improve the class of construction of the building, thus making it more completely fireproof, safer, and more sanitary for the occupants. This improvement was realized by chang- ing the type of construction from bar-joist to pan at an addi- tional cost of $2,100 without violating the conditions of the contract.
As now constructed, the building is of the Class A type with a fire-resisting Barret roof, concrete floors covered with tile, but hardwood floors in the auditorium and stage, and wooden blocks in the shop.
The seating capacity of the building is 274 pupils with the auditorium having a floor space which will accommodate 360.
The basement has no academic class rooms, this section of the building being confined to the vocational department. It contains a Cafeteria, Sewing, Domestic Science, Shop, and boiler rooms.
The two upper floors contain eight class rooms, a Science Laboratory and Study Hall on the top floor, and the adminis- tration offices on the first floor. The building was designed so that it would be modern in every respect and utilize all avail- able space in order to give efficient and practical service, allow- ing for sufficient growth with excess room for 100 pupils. The Committee felt that the auditorium should be constructed more on the plan of a gymnasium, a long needed unit in the town, which is of sufficient size to take care of a regulation basketball court.
The Committee gave considerable attention to lighting, and through the courtesy of the Tenney System the building was surveyed. A semi-direct lighting system with Holophane fix-
108
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
tures containing prismatic glass was recommended for class rooms. All necessary wiring and connections have been in- stalled so that centralized radio and private telephone systems may be connected at a future date. The building, as placed on the Dorothy Winthrop Memorial Lot, will allow for an addition, if necessary, and for future construction of an ath- letic playground in back.
The Building Committee, Board of Selectmen, and Town Treasurer co-operating, issued the $110,000 Town Bonds at 31/2 per cent and received a bid from R. L. Day and Company of $111,856.25. It is gratifying to note that this is one of the most favorable pieces of financing to a town of this size of any community of the Commonwealth during 1931.
In memory of the gift so graciously donated to the Town by the late Maxwell Norman and used towards defraying, in part, the expenses of constructing the building, the Committee dedicated the auditorium as the
MAXWELL NORMAN
MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM
As directed by the Town at the Annual Meeting of March 10, 1931, the Committee wrote a clause into the contract pro- viding that all contractors should employ local laborers, trades- men, and mechanics as far as possible. At a time of wide- spread unemployment this proved to be the most difficult prob- lem the Committee faced. The Committee believes that this provision was carried out, as far as practical, for the best interests of the Town.
At some saving to the Town the Committee bought about $5,700 in equipment for the building independent of the architect, and also utilized available furniture in the South School. While this does not fully equip the building, it pro-
109
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON NEW HIGH SCHOOL
vides the necessary equipment to carry on the work now being performed in the school system.
The Committee will need an additional $1,500 in order to complete the work on the building. This extra amount is necessary mainly because delay has caused an additional ex- pense which the Committee was unable to anticipate, because unforeseen circumstances arose over which the Committee had no control, and because the Committee found it necessary to do some additional grading around the building last fall which was not provided in the general contract at a cost of $600.
The Building Committee sincerely feels that the Town of Hamilton received adequate value for every dollar invested in the building and that the Town has a schoolhouse of which it may justly be proud. The Investigating Committee deserves high praise for the work it did, as can be evidenced by the fact that the building will be constructed within the estimate of $125,000.
To supervise the construction of this building, the Com- mittee held some thirty-three meetings, not including numerous informal gatherings on the building site to decide subjects of immediate issue.
The co-operation received from the School Committee, Super- intendent and Principal of Schools, Town Officers and citizens has been of inestimable value to the Committee and of great assistance in performing the duties of the office.
Respectfully submitted,
JONATHAN LAMSON, Chairman. FREDERICK C. HOLLAND, Secretary. GEO. S. MANDELL. LEVERETT A. HASKELL. GEORGE E. SMITH.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
The Town voted the sum of $30,350.00 for road and drainage construction to be expended under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen during the year 1931. Approximately one and one-quarter miles of permanent highway was constructed on Highland Street with the assistance of State and County. The part of Bridge Street between Main Street and Miles River Road was constructed of permanent macadam, straightening the road and widening the bridge over Miles River. We were able to do this work and return a balance of $508.57 after meeting land damages as occasioned by the County layout of this street. We also constructed first class gravel and oil roads on Lorenzo, Pine and Knowlton Streets within these appropria- tions. We constructed the drainage on Hamilton Avenue as authorized by vote of the Town. This work was also done within the appropriation, leaving a balance of $68.25. An application of two coats of Tarvia was made on Cottage Street. Because of the policy of the County, not to assist in the con- struction of highway this year, we are unable to complete the permanent construction of Highland Street at this time. We have extended the pipe line on Railroad Avenue and Union Street some 1,700 feet, adding six hydrants and installing a gate at the corner of Willow Street and Railroad Avenue. We feel that this is a step forward in fire protection and insurance reduction for this section of the community and would advo- cate its continuance as far as practical. The Board at this time is carrying on a drainage project on Linden Street and constructing a fire cistern, corner of Moulton and Main Streets, as voted at a Special Town Meeting.
110
111
SELECTMEN'S REPORT
These various projects are outside of the regular routine of the Selectmen's Department, but we have willingly undertaken this work for the best interests of the Town. We feel that the voters appreciate the fact that these projects entail a great deal of additional work and time on our part and that the Board has tried conscientiously to carry out their wishes.
We hope that at the Annual Town Meeting the expenditures will be such as to permit the Town to keep within the present tax rate or lower, bearing in mind the financial condition of the Town depends on the appropriations made at this meeting.
Yours respectfully,
JONATHAN LAMSON, ARTHUR C. CUMMINGS, GEORGE E. SMITH,
Selectmen of Hamilton.
TOWN OF HAMILTON
REPORT
OF THE
Finance and Advisory Committee ON THE Appropriations and Articles FOR THE
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING MARCH 8, 1932
MA
S
A
X. HAMILTON
. HAM
ETTS.
·INC
O
SALEM, MASS. NEWCOMB & GAUSS CO., Printers 1932
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FINANCE AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
TOWN OF HAMILTON
Voters:
You have but to read the morning papers to see that every city and town, the conservative as well as the extravagant, is cutting or slashing its 1932 Budget.
Hamilton should be no exception unless it wishes to risk impairing its credit and valuations.
Hamilton is fortunately in the more conservative class of towns, but this class is suffering with and on account of the majority, and must sensibly face general conditions and be prepared for eventualities.
There is but one safe and sane policy ; namely
Appropriate substantially less money than in 1931.
Lower taxes.
Declare a year's moratorium on betterments.
Strictest economy in all town expenses.
We are in the midst of an unprecedented situation. Private incomes of all kinds have suffered drastic reductions, and it seems as if all public expenditures should be reduced in accord- ance with the reduced incomes of the people who pay the taxes.
We lay this program before you for your own good as well as for the good of the Town. We can do no more than solicit more earnestly than ever before your support at the Town meeting.
Let us study the facts.
115
116
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
There follows the 1932 Budget for the Town Departments :
Selectmen $ 1,200
Accounting 1,300
Treasury
1,000
Collector
1,200
Assessors
1,800
Other finance acct.
50
Law
200
Town Clerk
650
Elec. and Reg.
1,000
Town Hall
2,000
Police
2,000
Fire
2,800
Fire Special
500
Sealer
350
Petroleum Insp.
25
Moth, Town
2,000
Moth, Private
1,500
Tree Warden 1,000
Forest Fire Warden
200
Game Warden
15
Health Department
2,400
Insp. of Animals
75
Highway
12,000
Snow
5,000
Street Lights
8,200
Public Welfare
7,500
State Aid
400
Soldiers' Relief
1,200
Schools
45,860
Schools Special
600
Public Library
2,000
Parks
350
117
REPORT OF FINANCE AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Memorial Day
300
Town Reports
400
Town Clock
50
American Legion
250
Boiler Insurance 150
Reserve Fund
3,000
Cemetery
900
Interest
8,000
Maturing Debt
6,500
Total for Departments $125,925 00
In order to arrive at the total tax levy for 1932, there should be added to this
The two items passed at the special meeting in January :
Home Street $2,500 00
Fire Cistern, Moulton St. . . 2,000 00
$130,425 00
Also out of the Warrant:
Article 5-1931 overdrafts :
Snow
$
898 66
Highway 956 75 $132,280 41
Article 8-overdraft High School $1,500 00 $133,780 41
Article 6-maintenance
Article 7-addition to
Essex Sanitorium $1,451 53 $135,231 94 Hospital $ 26 70 $135,258 64
This total of $135,258 represents items for town expenses and certain fixed charges that cannot be reduced.
In addition, however, and here is the problem that must be
118
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
studied, there are 10 articles in the Warant calling for appro- priations and expenditures.
Art. 14 Land Damage $ 100
66
9 So. School alterations
2,300
12 So. School grading. . .
500
13 Fire Pipe Line
3,000
15 Prospect St.
2,000
20 Farms Road 300
16 Maple St.
2,900
19 Grant Ave. 500
66
18 Baker Ave. 2,000
15 Asbury St. . . $7,000- 15,000
Total $28,600 $163,858 64
If this program were to go through it would be most unwise and most harmful to the Town and its credit, and a severe hardship on the taxpayers.
Taxes would jump from $24.70 to $26.25.
Beware of any such action.
Taxes should go down-not up.
Note how town tax and expenses have been climbing :
Tax $23.40 1928 levy . $135,315 91
Tax $22.70. 1929 levy 140,120 00
Tax $23.60.
1930 levy 151,946 67
Tax $24.70.
1931 levy 159,538 67
Tax $26.25 if voted. .. 1932 levy 163,883 64
We must also inform you that the State Tax will be greater this year, and income from the State will be less.
Bearing this in mind, we submit a schedule showing, for vour information, as near as can be estimated, what the tax rate would be with various appropriations.
119
REPORT OF FINANCE AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
If the town votes a total of $163,883 1932 tax will be $26.25
159,500
153,700
66
66
66 24.60
148,000
66
66 23.60
142,200
66
66
66
22.60
140,000
66
66
22.20
To sum up :- We advocate
(1) A Real economy program.
(2) Substantial reduction of appropriations.
(3) Lower tax rate.
This plan we earnestly urge for the best interests of the Town and its residents.
G. v. L. MEYER WM. W. BANCROFT J. H. PERKINS J. E. AUSTIN WM. S. FORBES
Finance Committee
25.60
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF HAMILTON
FOR THE YEAR 1931
MAS
H
ALEX.
MILTON
HAM
TTS.
INCOR
793.
SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS NEWCOMB & GAUSS CO., PRINTERS
1932
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Citizens of Hamilton:
Your School Committee is pleased to submit its report for the operation of your school system during 1931.
The year 1931 has been one of uncertainty and financial dis- tress, and every expenditure by the School Committee has been made with the purpose of keeping the cost of education under control and of maintaining a high educational standard.
The Committee feels that a public office is a public trust and, in administering the office, the greatest good should accrue to the greatest number of people. As your school department directly and indirectly affects the largest percentage of indi- viduals in this community, the operations of the Committee during the past year have been with the sole purpose of "the greatest good to the greatest number,"
EDUCATIONAL
Your School Committee and every employee of the School Department are working towards the advancement of the edu- cational standards and opportunities in the Town of Hamilton.
Four vacancies occurred in our teaching staff, which were filled by individuals who, we confidently feel, are well qualified for their respective positions. A great deal of care and time was given in selecting outstanding individuals to perform spe- cific functions in the school system. We have every confidence in the teaching staff and sincerely feel that its best united efforts are given to the Town of Hamilton.
The Athletic program inaugurated during 1931 met with sufficient success to warrant continuance and enlargement so as to include both girls and boys. The new High School Build -
4
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
ing offers many opportunities in this field which, heretofore, have been unavailable to the pupils.
The Examination System, as introduced during 1930 by your School Committee, has proved successful, and as a result the school year has been divided into quarters with schedule examinations at the end of each quarter. The Committee finds that these examinations have been beneficial to both teachers and pupils.
FINANCIAL
For the year 1931, your Committee asked for an appropria- tion of $45,880. The cost to run the entire system in 1931 was $44,114.99. with an unexpended balance of $1,765.01, which was turned back to the treasury. This saving was real- ized through the reduction of transportation costs, the lowering of the insurance rate because of the construction of the pipe line, and various economies which were effected.
The Town received a rebate from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of $3,390. which resulted in a net cost of $40.724.99 to the Town of Hamilton for the operation of its school system. This rebate from the State which the Town has received for years is based on the number of experienced teachers in the school system and on the extent of their experi- ence. Because of the theory that there is some cost to towns for the training of inexperienced Normal School and College graduates, the State reimburses the communities for part of this expense.
Transportation was advertised for public bid and under competition, and a more attractive contract resulted in a saving of some $400 for the year 1931 and about $1,000 per year con- trasted with the price previously paid.
Your Committee asks for an appropriation of $45,860.98 including the Dog Tax to finance the entire school system for
5
SCHOOL REPORT
the year 1932. This budget includes the operation of the new school, the South School, and the Adelaide Dodge Walsh School, but provides for no increase over our budget of 1931. The Investigating Committee for the new High School recommended increased expenditures of $3,300 for the operation of the new plant, but we earnestly feel that the entire system can be main- tained for the amount suggested.
The Town Warrant contains an article placed there by the School Committee calling for $2,300. to be spent under the direction of the School Committee. This is to provide for the necessary repairs to the South School basement and the ex- penses involved in moving the six grades into the South School.
The grounds of the South School are greatly in need of grading to insure the health of the children, and we recommend that the proceeds from the sale of the two annexes be appro- priated to the School Department for this purpose.
The above recommendations could be used as unemployment relief measures.
In times of economic distress and financial trouble, the thoughts of the taxpayers turn to the expense of running the school system. Your Committee is aware of the reduced income of the taxpayers and has reduced its expenditure to the mini- mum without sacrificing educational standards.
The following table will indicate how the money appropri- ated for the school department is used :
1931 Per cent Expenditures of total $5.00 . .
1932 Per cent
Budget of total
General expense
·
. .
Salaries (including all salaries)
32,562.98
74
33,437.68
71.3
Textbooks and supplies
2,561.86
5
1,550.00
3
Fuel
1,555.22
3
2,800.00
6
Electricity and gas
319.05
. 7
455.00
.9
6
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Janitor's supplies
273.08
. 6
425.00
.9
Repairs to buildings and grounds
766.09
1.7
50.00
.1
Transportation
4,972.58
11
4,283.00
9
Insurance
410.87
. 9
1,431.00
3
New equipment
182.30
. 4
500.00
1
Miscellaneous
505.96
1
929.30
2
$44,114.99
$45,860.98
You will note under the budget for 1932 increases in sala- ries, fuel, electricity, insurance, new equipment, etc. The increase in salaries is due to the employment of a janitor for the new school building and the appointment of a full-time teacher in place of one on part-time. Fuel and electricity increase because of the new building; insurance advances be- cause of some protection to be placed on the new building and because of readjustments made during 1931 on the insurance carried on South School, which were credited to us this year but will be a debit in 1932. This item on the old building will hereafter be about $900.00 per year instead of the usual $1,500.00 in previous years, which nets the Town a yearly saving on insurance on the South School building of some $600.00, due to better fire protection. The Committee plans to add almost $500.00 in new equipment each year until the new building is fully equipped.
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