USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1937 > Part 6
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The acquisition of this property at this time and particularly at the price for which it can be obtained is imperative if the future interests of the Town are to be protected.
For the purpose of bringing this matter before the citizens an article has been inserted in the warrant for the annual town meet- ing. The Board has no hesitation in saying that it heartily approves the project and recommends its acceptance by the Town.
The Board desires to express its deep regret at the untimely passing of the late Chester H. Knowles, who was one of its valued and efficient members and whose services were always at the call of the Board.
We desire at this time to extend our thanks to the Board of Selectmen, the Federal Co-ordinator and all other Town officials of the Town who have generously given of their time and effort in helping us carry on for the benefit of the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
LAWRENCE E. ANDERSON HAROLD L. KNOWLTON GEORGE E. SMITH
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
Greetings: The Cemetery Commissioners submit herewith their report for the year ending December 31, 1937.
This year as in the past the major improvement in the Ceme- tery was the grading and seeding of several lots in the new part of the Cemetery. Through the medium of a WPA project a bronze marker and a marble headstone were placed on the graves of all war veterans.
We wish to thank the Selectmen and the Unemployment Com- mittee for their assistance and advice, also the Superintendent of Streets for patching material for the Main Avenue and for keep- ing the avenues open in the winter time.
Respectfully submitted,
RAYMOND A. WHIPPLE LAWRENCE C. FOSTER EVERETT F. HALEY
JURY LIST FOR 1938
J. Edward Cox, Maple Street, Chauffeur. Edward A. Underhill, Main Street, Forester. Edward H. Sargeant, Appleton Avenue, Contractor. Ernest M. Barker, Jr., Bridge Street, Farmer. Raymond A. Tucker, Prospect Street, Laborer. Edward W. Wallace, Rust Street, Chauffeur. Randall E. Adams, Highland Street, Salesman. Hugh E. Duran, Highland Street, Chauffeur. John H. Perkins, Asbury Street, Broker. Edward J. Ready, Asbury Street, Salesman. John F. Counihan, Willow Street, Bookkeeper. Harold C. Back, Maple Street, General Foreman. James J. Ferme, Linden Street, Greenskeeper. Francis H. Whipple, Moulton Street, Carpenter. E. Nelson Pierce, Walnut Road, Retired. Howard B. Lougee, Asbury Street, Meat Cutter. John F. Carlson, Home Street, Machinist. John Walsh, Maple Street, Gardener. Anthony Bingle, Main Street, Chauffeur. Elmer L. Butler, Main Street, Gardener. John Mullins, Willow Street, Hostler.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
To the Trustees of the Public Library :
Herewith is presented the forty-fifth annual report.
The number of volumes added to the Library during the year was 829, obtained chiefly by purchase. Total number of volumes at end of year was 13,634. The total amount expended for books was $1,042.57, as follows: non-fiction $479.49; fiction $563.08. The sum of $101.90 was spent for periodicals.
The home use of books for the year was 17,579, a loss in circu- lation of 679 from 1936. The use of material for reference and study at the Library is unrestricted. It is impracticable to keep a record of it. There was a loss in the circulation at the Branch Library of 1,194; at the Main Library a gain of 515. It is inter- esting to note that of the circulation of juvenile books, 4,531- 830 were non-fiction, 3701 fiction. This is a gain in circulation of "44. This is a very fine record for a town the size of Ham- ilton.
The books deposited in the schools have been worn out. We have thought it best not to replace them, as we have a sufficient number of books in the children's department to take care of the pupils' needs.
Old and worn-out books to the number of 415 were discarded. Many worthwhile and popular books have been rebound.
The circulation of magazines was 2,293, a gain over 1936 of 392.
This year the Librarian completed a course in Reference Work. This course proved very helpful and worthwhile. As a result we feel better able to cope with any and all reference questions. To the gifts of reference books received have been added many new books. We now have a very fine collection of reference material.
As a contribution to exhibitions at Columbus, Ohio, and Mari-
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
etta, Ohio, the Librarian has sent, as a personal contribution, many items dealing with the History of Hamilton, Manasseh Cutler, and the Covered Wagon, also some pictures of the Town.
The Main Library is open on Wednesday and Saturday from 3 to 5 and 6.30 to 8.30 P. M. The Branch Library is open on Tuesday and Friday, 3 to 5 and 6.45 to 8.45 P. M.
Respectfully submitted,
LYDIA L. HARADEN,
Librarian.
STATISTICS
Number of volumes accessioned
18,926
Number of volumes January 1, 1937
13,220
Number of volumes added in 1937
829
Number of volumes withdrawn in 1937
415
Number of volumes as of January 1, 1938
13,634
Books-gifts
200
Books-purchased
629
Circulation including periodicals
19,872
Circulation books
17,579
Main Library
5,636
Branch Library
11,943
Books, non-fiction, adult
966
Main Library
393
Branch Library
573
Books, non-fiction, juvenile
830
Main Library
156
Branch Library
674
Books, fiction, adult
12,082
Main Library
3,787
Branch Library
8,295
165
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
3,701
Books, fiction, juvenile Main Library
1,300
Branch Library
2,401
Circulation periodicals Main Library
1,237
Branch Library
1,056
Borrowers
763
Main Library
347
Branch Library
416
BOOKS CLASSIFIED
Adult
Juvenile
.000-General Works
100-Philosophy
56
35
200-Religion
18
59
300-Sociology
83
106
400-Language
8
9
500-Science
38
120
600-Useful Arts
105
168
700-Fine Arts
57
49
800-Literature
107
81
900-909, 930-999-History
185
93
910-919-Travel
63
B920-Biography
232
40
Fiction
12,082
3,701
13,048
4,531
Books, Total
17,579
2,293
CHESTER H. KNOWLES
In Memoriam
CHESTER H. KNOWLES
CHESTER H. KNOWLES, for many years prominent in the affairs of the town, died November 11, 1937. He was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, July 7, 1880. He had been engaged in the retail drug business for several years in Beverly and elsewhere before he removed to this town in 1916, where he continued in the same business until 1934, when he retired.
Aside from his business responsibilities he ever found time to give his energy and ability unstintingly to the promotion of the public good and held many offices. He had been Fire Chief for several years and also had served on the Finance Committee.
At the time of his death he was Chairman of the Public Library Trustees and a member of the Water Board, Treasurer of the Community Service and a member of many social and fraternal organizations. He was also a veteran of the Spanish American War.
In Memoriam
GEORGE E. SAFFORD
GEORGE E. SAFFORD died January 27, 1937. He was born in Hamilton, July 5, 1862. Son of the late Judge Daniel E. Safford, he had been practically a lifelong resident of this town. In earlier life he had been engaged in the general livery business in Ipswich, and later devoted his time to real estate.
He held public office for many years, having been Selectman and Assessor from 1898 to 1907, and from 1922, with the excep- tion of two years, had served on the Board of Assessors down to the time of his death, having been Chairman of the Board for several years. He was regarded as one of the best-informed men in the State on the taxation laws.
He was prominently identified for years with the First Congre- gational Church and was a member of several social and fraternal bodies.
C
GEORGE E. SAFFORD
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
Under existing conditions we find that the demands on this department have materially increased over those of last year. The majority of new cases were from people who lived out of town but had a settlement in Hamilton.
The cost of persons cared for by this department in other Cities and Towns amounted to $3,665.56, in institutions main- tained by the State, $1,481.50, hospitalization and medical amounted to $2,474.16, while Old Age Assistance accounted for $9,684.27 more.
We note the increase in expenditures in Hamilton averaged as low or lower than in other towns of our size in the State.
The caseload of Old Age Assistance cases has increased from 16 in 1935 to 36 in 1937, with several new cases pending. All applications, either approved or rejected, are subject to super- vision by the State authorities, and since the Federal Govern- ment has been contributing a portion of the expense their repre- sentatives have also been acting in checking details to assure that applicants receive proper consideration.
With the more active participation of State and Federal author- ities in this work, and changes which are to be expected from time to time, it is only natural to expect that additional detail will be required and that larger amounts will have to be author- ized to care for the increased number of recipients.
It is disappointing to note the absence of a reduction of these costs, but in so far as we are able to forecast, no such decline can be expected, at least, not until private industry absorbs many more than it has to date.
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
The members of the Board recognize their responsibilities to the citizens and will continue to handle all business and consider all applications on a fair and impartial basis. We wish to thank the various Town officials and individuals who have in any way assisted in our work.
Respectfully yours, WALFRED B. SELLMAN EDWARD A. DEWITT JOHN H. PERKINS
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
During the greater part of 1937 the Selectmen were confident that the general improvement in business would be reflected in lower appropriations for the current year. However, with the country-wide recession which developed during the last quarter of the year, we have Unemployment and Public Welfare as our major problems. We are hoping that this setback is of a temporary nature.
Our policy of permanent improvements under the W. P. A. was carried on this year by extending the pipe line to Asbury Grove. This affords fire protection to a section which heretofore was the scene of several serious fires. It has also brought about a sub- stantial reduction in fire insurance to the residents in that vicinity.
At the Annual Meeting the Town voted the sum of $7,500.00 to be used in conjunction with the state and county in constructing permanent roads under Chapter 90. Three thousand feet of permanent highway known as Type 1, was built on Asbury Street. This type of road was recommended by the State Department of Public Works and is now being generally used throughout the State.
Work on Bridge Street was completed. This now gives the town a macadam road from Main Street to the Essex line.
Also, in conjunction with the Town of Ipswich, we reconstructed the bridge that divides the two towns on Highland Street. This work was accomplished without interfering with the architectural design of early New England bridges.
Chapter 90 road work carries out an established policy of the board of constructing a piece of permanent highway each year at a very small cost to the town. With the thought in mind of maintaining our present tax rate this year, we are asking for the smallest appropriation in several years to carry on the work.
The Board wishes to acknowledge the report of the House Numbering Committee. This work necessitated considerable trav-
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
eling, conferences with other City and Town officials, and called for technical knowledge in mapping out the Town's business and residential areas. For their efficient and painstaking work the Board wishes to thank them and urge that their recommendations be adopted.
In September the Town was unexpectedly requested by the Federal Government to participate in the Commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the departure of the first covered wagon that started from Hamilton to establish the Northwest Territory. A committee was appointed and the occasion was fittingly observed. We wish to thank the Committee and the Citizens for their enthu- siastic assistance.
During the past year the town has lost the services of two faith- ful public officials and mourns the passing of George E. Safford, Chairman of the Board of Assessors for many years and a former Selectman, and Chester H. Knowles, Chairman of the Trustees of the Public Library and a member of the Water Commissioners. We who had the privilege of serving with them feel a loss that cannot be expressed within the scope of these few lines.
Without the whole-hearted assistance of the Unemployment Committee, the Surveyor of Highways, and Miss Morrow, our Federal Co-ordinator, the unemployment problem would have been much more difficult. We take this opportunity to thank them and all other town officials for the co-operation they have extended to us during the past year.
The Board has endeavored to carry out the wishes of the citizens impartially and for the best interests of the Town. We are con- fident that the high standing Hamilton has always enjoyed can be maintained, provided that prudence and co-operation prevail at the annual Town Meeting.
Yours respectfully, JOHN H. PERKINS, EDWARD A. DEWITT, WALFRED B. SELLMAN.
WARRANT FOR THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
ESSEX, SS. To either of the Constables of the Town of Hamilton : GREETINGS :
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 election and Town affairs to meet in the Town Hall in said Town on Monday, the seventh day of March, nineteen hundred and thirty-eight (March 7, 1938) at seven thirty o'clock in the evening (7.30 P. 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 Treasurer for one year Tax Collector for one year One Surveyor of Highways for one year
Tree Warden for one year
Three Constables for one year
One Assessor for three years One Member of the School Committee for three years One Library Trustee for three years One Library Trustee for one year
One Cemetery Commissioner for three years
One Park Commissioner for three years
One Water Commissioner for three years
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
The above named officers to be voted for on one ballot on Tuesday the fifteenth day of March, 1938 (March 15, 1938). The polls will be opened at 5.45 o'clock A. M. and may be closed at 4.00 o'clock P. M."
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 all other committees and take any action thereon."
ARTICLE 4. "To raise and appropriate money for Schools, Highways and all other town expenses and determine the manner of expending same."
ARTICLE 5. "To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $12,500.00 to be expended for work to be done on the Highways, the Cemetery, the Moth Suppression Depart- ment, the Parks, Fire Protection, the Water Supply System. municipal buildings, and other municipal works and for materials · and implements, to provide work for the needy unemployed of the town, or take any action thereon."
ARTICLE 6. "To see if the Town will vote to continue the building of permanent highway on Asbury Street, said highway to be built jointly by the State, County and Town, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,500.00 for the Town's share of the cost of above work, or take any action thereon."
ARTICLE 7. "To see if the Town will vote to authorize and empower the Selectmen to acquire land by purchase of a certain portion of the Emily P. Mandell estate, so called, on Bridge Street. in accordance with Chapter 122, Acts of 1902, and amendments
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WARRANT FOR TOWN MEETING
thereto, providing for supplying the town and its inhabitants with water for the extinguishment of fires and for domestic, manufac- turing and other purposes, appropriate a sum of money therefor, provide for the issue of notes or bonds, or take any action thereon."
ARTICLE 8. "To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to defray the expense of waterproofing the south and east sides of the High School Building and do such other repairs in connection thereto, as necessary on the inside, to bring the work to a satisfactory completion, or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by the School Committee and others."
ARTICLE 9. "To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $1,087.03 to cover the balance and pay the following overdrafts :
Police $209.86 Public Welfare 877.17"
.
ARTICLE 10. "To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $1.500.00 for the purpose of constructing permanent sidewalks on both sides of Walnut Street from Main Street to the Wenham line, or take any action thereon as petitioned for by Washington A. Patch and others."
ARTICLE 11. "To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred and Seventy-five Dollars for the pur- chase and installation of curbing on the southwesterly side of Memorial Green, as petitioned for by Raymond H. Stone and others."
ARTICLE 12. "To see if the Town will vote to publish and distribute a valuation book for the year 1938, and raise and appro- priate money for the same, as petitioned for by Roland P. Berry and others."
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
ARTICLE 13. "To see if the Town will vote, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Corporations and Taxation, to transfer the sum of $3,000.00 from the Overlay Reserve Fund to the Reserve Fund."
ARTICLE 14. "To see if the Town will authorize and empower the Selectmen to purchase or take by eminent domain certain land for the purpose of establishing a park for playground and swimming pool purposes for the children and inhabitants of the Town, appropriate a sum of money for the same or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by Robert B. Walsh and others."
ARTICLE 15. "To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to sell, after first giving notice of the time and place of sale by posting such notice of sale in some convenient and public place in the Town fourteen days at least before the sale, property taken by the Town under tax title procedure, provided that the Selectmen or whomsoever they may authorize to hold such public auction may reject any bid which they deem inade- quate, or take any action relative thereto."
ARTICLE 16. "To see if the Town will vote to accept Section 1, Chapter 7777 of the Acts and Resolves of Massachusetts for 1937, entitled 'An Act Providing for Absent Voting at Regular Town Elections.' "
ARTICLE 17. "To see if the Town will vote to make and adopt the following by-law requiring and regulating the numbering of buildings on or near the line of public or private ways prescrib- ing by whom and the method in which it shall be done; and appro- priate a sum of money therefor or take any action thereon:
177
WARRANT FOR TOWN MEETING
CHAPTER IX.
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR STREET NUMBERING.
Section 1. All principal buildings in residential districts and all stores, industrial and other principal buildings in business and other like districts shall be numbered as provided in the follow- ing regulations :
Section 2. The numbering shall correspond with the number- ing on the street (or one of the streets, if more than one) on which the lot with the building thereon abuts.
Section 3. The numbering shall begin at the end of the street as may be determined by the Board of Selectmen.
Section 4. On all streets the numbers shall run in consecutive order alternating from one side to the other, the odd numbers being on the right-hand side of the street, the street running in the direction of increasing numbers.
Section 5. Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Selectmen each 40 feet of street frontage in residential districts, each 10 feet of frontage in business districts, and each 20 feet of frontage in camp districts shall be given a number, which shall be the number belonging to the buildings included in or embrac- ing the frontage.
Section 6. All measurements of frontage shall be made on the center-line of the street; no allowances are to be made for entering of intersecting streets, parks, cemeteries or other areas.
Section 7. Where two or more residences or establishments have their principal entrances within the same 40-foot frontage, the number shall be determined by the Board of Selectmen.
Section 8. In the case of incompleted streets, numbers shall be assigned to the buildings until such time as the completion of the street will permit the assignment of permanent numbers con- forming to these regulations.
Section 9. All principal buildings or establishments now exist- ing or hereafter erected to which a number has been assigned
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
shall have the number conspicuously placed in such manner that it will be visible from the street, using figures at least three inches in height.
Whenever the building stands back more than seventy-five feet from the street line, the number shall be conspicuously displayed at or near the street upon a post, or in some appropriate manner and location so as to be easily legible from the street.
Section 10. It shall be unlawful for any person to remove, alter, or deface any number assigned and displayed as aforesaid, or to retain an improper number, or to substitute and display any number other than the one designated by virtue of these regula- tions.
Section 11. The interpretation and enforcement of the above rules and regulations shall be vested in the Board of Selectmen."
ARTICLE 18. "To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to petition the Division of Fisheries and Game to close Pleasant Pond for fishing from November 1st to April 15th for a period of three years or take any action thereon."
ARTICLE 19. "To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1939, and to issue a note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accord- ance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws and amendments thereto."
ARTICLE 20. "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 and amendments thereto."
ARTICLE 21. "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 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 1st day of February A. D. 1938. A true copy, Attest :
(Signed)
JOHN H. PERKINS WALFRED B. SELLMAN EDWARD A. DEWITT Selectmen of Hamilton.
TOWN OF HAMILTON
REPORT
OF THE
Finance and Advisory Committee ON THE Appropriations and Articles
FOR THE
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
MARCH 7, 1938
MAS
AC
ALE
HAMILTON
HA
TTS.
· INCORP.
1. 1793·
JUNE
SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS NEWCOMB & GAUSS CO., PRINTERS 1938
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FINANCE AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Hamilton:
For the year 1938 the Finance Committee has approved a total Town budget in excess of that for 1937. In Article Thirteen of the Warrant it is suggested that the amount for the Reserve Fund be transferred from the Overlay Reserve Fund. If this is done the total appropriation will be less than 1937. However, no allowance is made in this calculation for any additional sums appropriated under special Articles in the Warrant or for additional requirements for snow removal. We therefore caution the voters that any substantial appropria- tions in addition to those recommended will almost surely mean an increase in the tax rate.
In our last year's report we called your attention to certain increases over the prior year, which were given in the case of schools, police and roads. Of these departments the regular budgets of schools and police are increased again this year and an additional $500 is recommended for the maintenance of Chapter 90 roads. Although these increases seem desirable at this time, it is felt that these departments should make a par- ticular effort during the coming year to examine their expenses to see whether these successive increases should be continued. In addition to the regular budgets for the various departments, we are recommending the purchase of power machinery for the manual training department of the school, and the purchase of a motor sprayer for the moth department.
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