USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1939 > Part 7
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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 yu
One Library Trustee for three years
One Cemetery Commissioner for three years
One Park Commissioner for three years
One Water Commissioner for three years One Water Commissioner for two years
The above named officers to be voted for on one ball ) Tuesday, the twelfth day of March, 1940 (March 19, 19b1)
185
WARRANT
Os will be opened at 5: 45 o'clock A. M., and may be 1.00 o'clock P. M."
1 3. "To choose and appoint all other Town Officers winner as the Town shall determine."
1 3. "To hear the report of the Town Officers and France and Advisory Committee and all other commit- i like any action thereon."
1 4. "To raise and appropriate money for Schools, Kand all other town expenses and determine the man- lending same."
NOTE 5. "To see if the Town will vote to raise and At the sum of $6,000.00 to be expended for work to on the Highways, the Cemetery, the Moth Suppression the Parks, Fire Protection, the Water Supply - tenteipal buildings, and other municipal works and lo gal and implements, to provide work for the needy -objed of the town, or take any action thereon."
www. d. "To see if the Town will vote, subject to the Fogl of the Commissioner of Corporations and Taxation, he the sum of $7.000.00 from the Excess and Deficiency w the Selectmen Unemployment Account, or take any
"To see if the Town will vote to appropriate pended balance of funds distributed to the Town un- provisions of Chapter 500 of the Acts of 1938, amount- 1,100,00, for the construction, reconstruction, main- and repair of local roads, streets and highways, as pro- 14 4 1) Chapter 2 of the Acts of 1939, or take any action do Within the provision of said Chapter 2, 1939."
.
186
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
ARTICLE 8. "To see if the Town will raise and app the sum of $1,000.34 to cover the balance and pay the I-no ing overdraft: Chapter 90 Construction, $1,000.34."
ARTICLE 9. "To see if the Town will vote to accept in approve the doings of the Selectmen in taking a right and ment by eminent domain to lay and maintain und water pipes and underground electric cables in a strip of ) in and across the location of the Essex Branch of the I and Maine Railroad - ten (10) feet wide and fifty on twenty-four hundredths (51.24) feet in length across all tion, the proposed water pipes and electric cables being in center of said strip and being at Station 94 + 38, as unhas. tially shown on a plan now on file in the office of the Clerk of Hamilton, entitled "Hamilton, Mass., June 20, 1 Whitman & Howard, Engineers," and vote to appropri sum of money therefor or take any action thercon."
ARTICLE 10. "To see if the Town will vote to acja gift of Julia E. Goodwin of a certain triangular parcel ... Jord lying northerly of the junction of Woodbury and Girl Streets in Hamilton, as shown on a plan entitled "Plan. Knowlton Meadow," recorded with Essex South District I istry of Deeds, Book 3164, Page 344, now in the office af Town Clerk, or take any action thereon."
ARTICLE 11. "To see if the Town will vote that the liab and Regulations as now established and such rules and n- lations as may be hereafter established that have been adopo- and published by the Water Commission now on file in office of the Town Clerk be given and have the full forde wind effect of law, or take any action thereon."
ARTICLE 12. "To see if the Town will vote to purelens tables and benches for the Jonathan Lamson School and
187
WARRANT
priate a sum of money therefor or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by Harry S. Gilchrest and others."
ARTICLE 13. "To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Water Commissioners to appoint a member of its board to another Town office or position for the term provided by law, if any, otherwise for a term not exceeding one year, the salary of such appointee to be fixed by the Town, or take any action thereon."
ARTICLE 14. "To see if the Town will vote to discontinue its present method of choosing constables by ballot at the annual election and authorize the Selectmen to appoint one or more voustables, commencing with the duly elected Board of Select- men for 1941 or take any action thercon, as petitioned for by Mabel Bayard Storey and others."
ARTICLE 15. "To see if the Town will vote to amend the By-Laws of the Town of Hamilton by rescinding Section 1, of Chapter 1, and inserting the following section : Section 1. The Annual Town Meeting shall be held on the second Tues- day in March. The polls shall be open at 5: 45 o'clock A. M. and shall remain open until 1 o'clock P. M. After the closing of the polls the remaining articles shall be acted upon, or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by Frederick P. Goodhue and others."
ARTICLE 16. "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 ale, 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 Arem inadequate, or take any action relative thereto."
188
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
ARTICLE 17. "To see if the Town will vote to authen the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selected borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the royal of the financial year beginning January 1, 1941, and 10 . a note or notes as may be given for a period of less than year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General I and amendments thereto."
ARTICLE 18. "To see if the Town will authorize the lector to use all means of collecting taxes which a 1 Treasurer, when appointed Collector, may use agreeall Chapter 41, Section 37, of the General Laws and amember thereto."
ARTICLE 19. "To see if the Town will vote to adopt sin following By-Law, as provided by Section 38A of Chapter of the General Laws (Tercentenary Edition) or take any no thereon: The collector of taxes shall collect, under the hill Town Collector, all accounts duc the Town, including d collection of water accounts, excepting interest on investment of sinking or trust funds. If it shall seem advisable to il Town Collector that suit or suits should be institutol. prosecuted in the name of the Town, in connection with collection of any of said accounts due to the Town, het so advise the Selectmen, who shall have authority as an the Town to institute and prosecute the same."
ARTICLE 20. "To see if the Town will vote to antoni the Moderator to appoint a committee to investigate the ml bility of establishing a Town Planning Board and prepare a Zoning By-Law, to report the results of their study at ch next annual meeting, appropriate a sum of money thereley take any action thereon."
189
WARRANT
ARTICLE 21. "To act on any other matter that may legally vov before said meeting."
Vad you are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested nos thereof, one at the Town Hall, and one at each of the Fora postoffices in said Town, seven days at least before the Wnf holding said meeting.
Ihreof fail not and make due return of this warrant with is doings thereon to the Town Clerk at the time and place Salling said meeting.
Firen under our hands this 29th day of January A. D. 1940. A true copy, Attest :
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 4, 1940
LTON
. HA
TTS.
· INC
·3
SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS NEWCOMB & GAUSS CO., PRINTERS 1940
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FINANCE AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
l'o the Citizens of Hamilton:
We have this year recommended appropriations of $166,- :77.78, which is $16,875.41 in excess of the appropriations for last year. However, barring additional requirements for now in excess of the amount recommended, and barring addi- tional appropriations at the Town Meeting, it is expected that the larger budget recommended for the current year can be met without an increase in the tax rate. This expectation is based upon a reduction in the state tax for 1940 over 1939, an expectation of larger receipts from the state income tax, the we of Hamilton's share of the state gasoline tax and a transfer from the town's Excess and Deficiency Fund of $7,000 to cover part of the amount to be appropriated for the Unemployed F'und. The principal increases recommended in the town budget for 1940 are as follows:
1. The appropriation suggested for the Unemployed Fund has been increased to $13,000. If $7,000 of this is taken from the Excess and Deficiency Fund as stated above, the increase over last year will not be too burdensome. This appropriation will permit the selectmen to continue as WPA projects the water mains on various streets.
2. The administration of the water system as a going con- cern will involve an annual appropriation which of course will be larger than the amounts heretofore approved. It is natural to expect that the water system will soon be on a pay- as-you-go basis. Annual appropriations for administration and interest and maturities on bonds must, however, be made each
194
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
year. The receipts of the water system will go directly into the town treasury.
3. New equipment has been recommended for several departments, including an adding machine for the tax coller tor, uniforms for the police department, hose for the fire de partment, a small sprayer and small truck for the tree warden
4. Old age assistance has increased approximately $2,150,
5. The regular school budget has increased about $800, exclusive of the appropriations for the cafeteria. The cost of the cafeteria was included in the regular school budget last year but is segregated this year. Special items for the schools have mounted steadily in recent years and this year amount to $6,000, an increase of almost $1,500 over last year, including in both years' computations the cost of the cafeteria.
6. Maturing debt has increased $4500, this increase being attributable for the most part to the first maturity of the. water bonds.
The Finance Committee wishes to commend the department heads for the manner in which the town affairs were handled during the past year. There were few overdrafts, and such as there were, were of small amounts. The cooperation between departments and the intelligence with which the town is being administered should be a gratification to the citizens. A com parison of the appropriations for 1939 and the recommenda tions for 1940 is as follows :
195
FINANCE AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1940 Recom-
1939 Appro- mend- priations ations
Increases Decreases
delectmen
$1,200 00
$1,200.00
0
0
Helvetmen Unemployed
4,200.00
13,000.00*
8,800.00 0
counting
1,350.00 .
1,350.00
0
0
Treasury
1,000.00
1,000.00
0
0
Gdlector
1,250.00
1,250.00
0
0
Adding
Machine
65.00
65.00
0
Ixsessors
1,800.00
1,800.00
0
0
other Finance Accounts
. .
5.00
5.00
0
0
fown Clerk
650.00
650.00
0
0
Election and Registration ..
1,000.00
1,300.00
300.00
0
Town Hall
2,300.00
2,400.00
100.00
0
Town Hall Special
340.00
200.00
0
140.00
Water
1,000.00
2,350.00
1,350.00
0
Police
2,500.00
2,500.00
0
0
I niforms
240.00
240.00
0
Fire
2,800.00
2,800.00
0
0
Hose
550.00
550.00
0
Moth Town
2,000.00
2,000.00
0
0
Moth Private
1,100.00
1,300.00
200.00
0
l'ree Warden
900.00
900.00
0 350.00
0
Forest Fire Warden
75.00
75.00
0
0
Sealer
300.00
300.00
0
0
Health
2,400.00
2,200.00
0
200.00
Inspector of Animals
75.00
75.00
0
0
Highways
13,000.00
13,000.00₺
0
0
Chapter 90 Construction Overdraft
1,500.00
1,000.00
500.00
Chapter 90 Maintenance
500.00
1,000.00
500.00
0
Snow
5,000.00
5,000.00
0
0
1938 Snow Overdraft
1,355.73
1,355.73
Street Lighting
8,200.00
7,000.00
0
1,200.00
Public Welfare
13,000.00
13,000.00
0
0
Soldiers' Relief
1,900.00
1,200.00
0
700.00
State and Military Aid
1,100.00
500.00
0
600.00
Old Age Assistance
6,550.00
8,700.00
2,150.00
0
Old Age Administration
500.00
500.00
0
0
Aid to Dependent Children
900.00
600.00
0
300.00
Aid to Dependent Children Administration
50.00
25.00
0
25.00
0
Small Sprayer Small Truck
350.00
600.00
600.00
0
300.00
500.00
200.00
0
196
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
1940 Recom- 1939 Appro- mend- priations ations Increases Decrease
41,558.64₺ 42,397.78₺ 839.14 0
Schoolţ
Cafeteria 1,300.
Vocational
350.
Educational Trips . 50.
Manual Trg. Mach. 100.
Waterproofing
1,500.
Stoker
935.
Painting
333.
4,568.00
New boiler, Lamson
School
3,400.
Domestic Science . 75.
Painting
275.
Repair Classroom
Chairs, Lamson Sch. 45.
New Desks and Chairs,
Walsh School ...
325.
Vocational
350.
Educational Trips
50.
Cafeteria
1,500.
6,020.00
1,452.00
0
Public Library
2.400.00
2,400.00
0
()
American Legion
300.00
300.00
0
0
Boiler Insurance
75.00
150.00
75.00
()
Insurance Fund
1,300.00
1,075.00
0
225.00
Memorial Day
250.00
250.00
0
()
Parks
150.00
250.00
100.00
()
Reserve Funds
2,500.00
2,500.00
0
Town Clock
50.00
50.00
0
()
Town Reports
500.00
500.00
0
Cemetery
1,400.00
1,400.00
0
0
Interest
3.750.00
3,500.00
0
250.00
Maturing Debt
8,500.00
13,000.00
4,5000.00
()
149,402.37 166,277.78
22,371.14
5,495.72
* Recommended that $7.000 of this amount be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Fund.
Recommended that $4.100 of this amount be taken care of from the amount transferred to the town by the State under c. 500, Act of 1938.
# Without allowance for receipts from dog tax.
T Cafeteria was included in the regular budget for 1939. For pur poses of comparison with 1940, however, it is here shown as a sep arate item.
§ In 1939 the Reserve Fund was transferred from the Overlay Re serve Fund.
197
FINANCE AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Article 6 of the Warrant provides for the transfer of $7,000 Goni the Excess and Deficiency Fund to the Unemployment As indicated above, we are in favor of this transfer.
Article 7 recommends the appropriation of the unexpended Idance of $4,100 from funds derived under chapter 500 of 1/4 of 1938 for the maintenance and repair of roads. This ppropriation will reduce the amount suggested for roads above, and the appropriation is recommended.
Article 9 suggests the approval by the town of the action of the selectmen in taking an easement by eminent domain wyoss the location of the Essex branch of the Boston and Maine Railroad to lay and maintain electric cables. We under- Mand that no appropriation is necessary under this article.
Article 12 suggests the appropriation of money to provide lunches and tables for the lunchroom at the Lamson School. Ilus is a matter which has been discussed by the Finance Committee and the School Committee in recent years. The Finance Committee have believed that the tables and benches were desirable for the school. The Finance Committee have approved a substantial amount of money for machines and tools for manual training at the High School on an under- manding with the School Committee that with this equipment there would be an attempt to make such tables and benches and thus save the town some expense and at the same time provide objectives for the students taking the manual training course. l'his attempt has not yet been made and the School Committee have indicated that they are not now intending to make it. It was suggested that if the attempt were made this year and proved unsuccessful, the Finance Committee might then ap- prove the purchase of ready-made tables and benches next year. This proposal has been turned down by the School Committee.
198
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
The Finance Committee believe that a matter of principle involved and are pleased to have the matter brought to the attention of the citizens. Under these circumstances the l'i nance Committee makes no recommendation at this time ax l the desirability of purchasing already made tables and bench but merely wishes to report the foregoing facts.
Article 13 suggests that the Water Commissioners have power to appoint an officer, the salary of whom is to be fixedl by the town. We are in favor of such an officer and have in cluded in our recommendation of $2,350 for the Water Board $200 as salary for a clerk. If the total amount recommended above is appropriated by the town, no appropriation need !" made under this article.
Article 20 recommends the appointment of a committer to investigate the advisability of establishing a town Planning Board and preparing a zoning by-law. We recommend the appropriation of $100 for this purpose.
Respectfully submitted, STANDISH BRADFORD, Chairman JOHN KING LAWRENCE R. STONE PERCIVAL D. WHIPPLE JOHN M. RAYMOND
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Po the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
Greetings : The Board of Public Welfare submits herewith us report for the year ending December 31, 1939.
T'he past year was the first in which the Welfare Appropri- ation was divided into several parts, namely: General Relief, including Administration; Old Age Assistance; Old Age As- Istance Administration; Aid to Dependent Children Assist- whee and Aid to Dependent Children Administration. This was done to conform with the regulations of the Federal Gov- mment.
BUDGET
The Board submitted the following budget and it was ap- proved at the Town Meeting. That it was closely figured may be seen from the following figures which give a comparison of appropriations and expenditures.
Appro- Expend-
priations itures
General Relief
$13,000 00
Transfer from Reserve
1,220 14
$14,220 14 $14,220 14
Old Age Assistance
$6,550 00
Transfer from Reserve 327 72
6,887 72
6,877 72
Old Age Administration
500 00
495 32
Aid to D. C. Assistance
900 00
444 00
Aid to D. C. Administration
50 00
50 00
200
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Whereas, the above figures show the amounts appropriate and spent, some consideration should be given to the mount collected during the year which amounted to $10,342.30, A. vided as follows :
General Relief
Commonwealth of Massachusetts $3,139 59
Other Cities and Towns 324 62
Individuals 464 61
$3,928
Old Age Assistance
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
$5,357 01
Other Cities and Towns
566 50
5,923 51
Aid to Dependent Children
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
$489 97
489 9,
Total $10,342 ;; 0 In addition to which we received the following amount from the Federal Government to be used for current expendi tures.
Aid to Dependent Children Assistance
United States Grant
$112 06
Aid to Dependent Children Administration
United States Grant 8 33
201
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Old Age Assistance Assistance
United States Grant
5,724 84
Old Age Assistance Administration
Imited States Grant 190 75
Total $6,035 98 Our budget for 1940 is $2,150 larger than in 1939. This A due to an increase in Old Age Assistance. Federal rules Aud regulations are constantly changing and starting January I, the government has increased its participation in this type bf nid.
In keeping with all other communities, Relief is the one Hem which continues to mount each year. Until economic conditions improve we can see no change.
For a more detailed report of the activities of the different units of this department we refer you to our agents report which follows this one.
In conclusion, your Board extends its sincere thanks to the marions town officials and individuals who have so splendidly Pooperated with us during the past year, and to our Agent, Francis H. Whipple.
Respectfully submitted,
WALFRED B. SELLMAN
EDWARD A. DEWITT JOHN H. PERKINS
REPORT OF THE AGENT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Board of Public Welfare:
I herewith submit my report for the year ending De. ber 31, 1939.
During the past year my duties in the administration al Public Welfare in the Town of Hamilton have been many ml varied - so much so that probably many of our citizens mil be interested to know just what the duties of an Agent for sist of.
It is my duty to accept all applications for the various form of public assistance, namely, General Relief, Aid to Depende Children and Old Age Assistance. Then follows, investiga tion of the applicants to determine (first) their eligibility ml (second) whether they are in need of public assistance. (. . aided, periodical visits must be made to ascertain whether not their status has changed in the meantime.
While the Federal Government and the Commonwealth mi Massachusetts assume approximately 50% of our costs, Imatl of these agencies require a great amount of statistical inform. tion and comprehensive reports on each case, such as: read for granting-continuing-increasing-decreasing-or dison tinuing of aid.
If it appears that assistance is needed then an investigaf .... must be made of each applicant's problem and the form nt Relief required, and whether or not there are any legally liall relatives. Also whether or not the person has a settlement i this Town. In many cases this requires considerable time aml necessitates traveling to places where the applicant former! resided, all of which must be done within the space of approsi mately one week.
203
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
The State Department requires monthly reports showing the number of cases and persons aided, with a breakdown of fami- lies, single persons, unemployables, employables, and whether or not hospital treatment is required, and how much expended in each case. In addition, estimates have to be made three months in advance for those that may receive Old Age Assist- lance or Aid to Dependent Children.
During the year 60 cases, representing 183 persons, were nided under General Relief and Aid to Dependent Children, 15 of which were Hamilton settled, 12 had settlements in other vities and towns, 13 had no settlement, 13 persons required hospital treatment, 11 cases were denied assistance. It is pleasing to note that many of these cases required assistance for a short period to help over an unemployment situation.
A total of 46 cases were aided under Old Age Assistance, 31 of which had a settlement in Hamilton, 11 with settlement in other cities and towns, 4 were unsettled. 14 cases were added during the year, 4 of which were transferred from other cities amd towns. 8 cases were closed due to persons moving out of town or death.
I have made 947 in-town calls at the home of recipients, :72 in-town and 106 out-of-town calls on investigations, 8 per- sons were transported to or from hospitals, 7 visits made to the State Department at the State House. Evidence was obtained to deny settlement in 12 cases aided in other cities and towns, settlement was proven to be in other cities and towns in 9 cases aided in this town, 6 were proven to have no settlement, 8 cases lost their Hamilton settlement.
I have attended to funeral arrangements in cases where this Department was interested, arranged for the appointment of administrator of estates left by deceased recipients, recovered from estates for aid given, forced the reimbursement to this
204
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Town for aid accepted illegally, and many other related dutie for the best interests of the Town.
In the performance of these duties I have traveled 9890 miles in my own automobile, 120 miles by train.
Probably no other department of the Town requires so much cooperation from various sources as Public Welfare and this respect our Town Counsel has been invaluable in thos problems involving legal proceedings. At this time I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to him.
No report on any welfare work in this Town should be made without mentioning the splendid cooperation rendered by Mis Haynes, the local visiting nurse. Her services and advice have been most important in handling social and medical problema in this Town.
Likewise the assistance rendered by Mr. Kelleher and MI Merchant of the State Department of Public Welfare has been most generous.
The work has proven very interesting, and in practically every instance-when the law is explained to them-recipient are cooperative. However, it is only natural, in this type of work, to come in contact with a few individuals who have no regard for truth, or those who are paying the bills.
I wish to express my appreciation to you, the Board of Pul lic Welfare, for the friendly assistance and guidance that I have received from you. It has been a pleasure to work with you in the administration of Relief in this Town.
Respectfully,
FRANCIS H. WHIPPLE
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF HAMILTON
FOR THE YEAR
1939
X. HAMILTON
A
. HA
ETTS.
·INCO
1793 .
P
JUN
SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS NEWCOMB & GAUSS CO., PRINTERS
1940
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Hamilton:
The School Committee herewith submits its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1939.
During the year 1939, your committee has enjoyed splendid co-operation from the teaching staff, parents and pupils alike. Without such co-operation, no committee could successfully formulate and pursue an educational program which shall be adequate, progressive and yet within the economic limits which the town may provide.
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