USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1943 > Part 3
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Respectfully submitted,
LYDIA L. HARADEN, Librarian.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
As might be expected, the past year was marked by a further decrease in library circulation. War conditions, with attendant departure of young peo- ple from the town, the demands of war work and the difficulties of transporta- tion are, of course, the principal reasons. With the latter circumstances in mind the trustees saw fit to lengthen the borrowing period for books not in the immediate "best-seller" class.
Increased book costs without a corresponding budget increase during 1943 made necessary greater care than ever in book selections. The trustees have tried to meet the demand for the current war literature without sacrificing too greatly in other respects, particularly the juvenile and reference fields. The trustees feel that our library has kept well abreast of reading trends, and they ask the townspeople to verify this by visiting the library and making greater use of its facilities.
During the year, a number of the older volumes, principally of light fic- tion were distributed to service men at the Ipswich barracks and the Merchant Marine Headquarters in Boston. A collection of French novels was donated to seamen aboard French vessels stationed in this section.
The trustees are deeply appreciative of the friendly and faithful manner in which the librarians perform their duties. The remaining trustees also regret that Mr. Roland W. Payne will not again be a candidate for the board in the coming year. He has been a zealous and able fellow member.
Respectfully submitted,
BEATRICE B. HOLMES, Chm. ROLAND W. PAYNE JOHN NEARY, Sec.
34 REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN :
I herewith submit my report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1943.
Total number of arrests during the year, 16; divided as follows : Classification of crime :
Drunks 8 Vagrant 1
Attempted rape
1
Driving to endanger
1
Larceny
1
Driving unreasonable rate of speed
2
Lewd and lacivious
1
Assault
1
DISTRICT COURT Disposition of Cases
Released without arraignment .. 2 Fined 4
Sentenced to House of Correction
4
Appealed to Superior Court
3
Sentenced and put on probation .. 3
SUPERIOR COURT
Found guilty
2
Nol prossed
1
ARRESTS MADE BY OFFICERS
Frederick
14
Poole
1
Whipple 1
Arrests for out-of-town police
5
Persons held at local police station and later released ..
9
SUMMONS SERVED
For out-of-town police by local police
21
AUTOMOBILE REGULATIONS
Licenses revoked by Registrar of Motor Vehicles 4
Registration revoked by Registrar and plates returned by local police. 2
Automobile transfers by individuals 57
Automobile transfers by Class 1 dealers
18
REPORTS MADE BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE
To the Commissioner of Correction
4
To the Registrar of Motor Vehicles
17
To the Probation Officer 3
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS REPORTED
Causing injuries to persons 4
Causing damage to property only
11
35
TRANSPORTATION OF PERSONS
Taken to the Hospital 7
Taken to their own homes
9
Taken to doctor's office for treatment
2
COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATED
Frederick
205 Poole 36
Whipple 29
MISCELLANEOUS
Automobiles reported stolen 1
Automobiles recovered
1
Lights reported out 78
Dangerous wires reported 7
Obstruction in the street reported to Highway Surveyor 2
Obstruction in the street reported to Tree Warden 3
Police assistance to out-of town officers 14
Property reported stolen (value) $900 00
Property recovered (value) $750 00
A decrease in the number of complaints and crimes as compared to previ- ous years is noticable. Automobile travel and accidents have been lessened, complaints concerning juvenile delinquency have been but very few.
The policy of having an officer on duty every evening from 5 P. M. has been continued, but the time has been extended from 12 P. M. to 1 A. M. This change was made in order to have an officer on duty when the last train ar- rived. This policy has proved very satisfactory and beneficial to the towns- people, affording them of an opportunity to readily contact the police depart- ment should it be necessary.
I wish to extend my appreciation to Mrs. Constance Williams for her con- tinued generous cooperation in allowing me to leave my duties while in her employ to attend to police duties. Also I am very appreciative of the co- operation and assistance received from my officers, members of the police de- partments of the neighboring cities and towns, Mr. Hugh Grieve of the Regis- try of Motor Vehicles, the Board of Selectmen, and all other persons who have assisted me in any way.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD FREDERICK, Chief of Police.
36
REPORT OF THE AGENT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Board of Public Welfare:
I herewith submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1943.
Assistance granted during the year under General Relief and Aid to De- pendent Children was to unemployable persons only. The number of persons receiving such assistance was reduced during the year because of employment being obtained by all persons able to work.
The number of old age assistance recipients have varied but very little. Legislation during the year greatly affected the administration of old age. assistance, making it necessary to review each individual case and make changes in conformity with the law.
The cooperation rendered by the representatives of the State Department, the local physicians and the Visiting Nurse has been very generous and of great assistance. I wish to take this opportunity to extend my appreciation to all who have assisted me during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS H. WHIPPLE Welfare Agent.
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD, 1943.
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton :
The planning board is organized, and is ready to perform the various functions prescribed by the statute (General Laws, Chapter 41, Sections 81A - J), by authority of which its members were elected. Due to the pressure of both public and private affairs, incident upon the war, it has been unable as yet to make studies of the "resources, possibilities and needs" of the town.
It has collected, at private expense, various maps and plans, preparatory to making a "master" or study plan of the town. The preparation of such a. plan is made discretionary with the board by Section 81B of the statute. How- ever, if the board should deem it advisable to prepare such a plan, the statu- tory requirements as to its contents indicate that the cost of preparation would not be insignificant.
If the town feels that its planning board should proceed to exercise the various powers entrusted to it by law, consideration should be given to the ad- visability of placing funds at the board's disposal.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN DE COURCY, Chairman.
37
1
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
We submit herewith our annual report for the year 1943.
For the eighth consecutive year, your Board is pleased to announce that there has been a reduction in the tax rate. We appreciate the fact that all departments co-operated in conducting their various activities so that ex- penses were held to a minimum, contributing largely in making this reduction possible.
The sum of three hundred dollars was appropriated at your last Town Meeting to erect a memorial to our sons and daughters who are serving in the armed forces of the country. On October 17, 1943 your Selectmen accepted the beautiful honor roll from the Committee, who had very efficiently carried out the work.
During 1943, the Federal Government notified the Board that the W.P.A. would be discontinued and in April all W.P.A. activities ceased. We had very few residents on the W.P.A. rolls and these were all taken care of through private enterprise or in defense work.
The outside of the Town Hall was given two coats of white paint, the contract for the work being awarded to the lowest bidder. We believe that, when conditions permit, it will be necessary to have some work done in the interior.
This year the Town observed the 150th Anniversary of its incorporation, and on June 21, 1943 a celebration was held in the Town Hall, with an inter- esting program.
May we take this opportunity to thank the various departments in the Town for their co-operation during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD A. DEWITT, Chairman JOHN H. PERKINS LAWRENCE R. STONE
38
REPORT OF THE HAMILTON COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
The Hamilton Committee on Public Safety submits herewith its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1943 :
This is the third report issued since this Committee was created in 1940. The first year was one of planning and organization, the second saw the ful- fillment of these plans, and this year, because the dangers of attack on our shores have been greatly reduced, an adjustment of full-time activity to part- time. Having established an effective organization is proof that our per- sonnel is trained and should be able to discharge the missions entrusted to it. Furthermore, it is clear that the general public is now adequately informed concerning the alarm signals and the procedure to be followed when those signals are sounded. The townspeople have given the Committee their whole- hearted support and excellent cooperation.
REPORT CENTRE
The Report Centre, which is the vital connecting link between the Army and the civilian population, must be manned until such time as the military authorities inform us that there is no longer any need for its operations. Upon each Report Centre rests the full responsibility of alerting its inhabitants and mobilizing its local protective personnel. Each Committee must solve its individual needs by providing an adequate method of 24-hour coverage. After having been granted permission from State Headquarters, one of our Deputy Wardens and a local merchant have kindly agreed to receive the calls under the direction of the Executive Committee. This means that eighty-eight resi- dents of Hamilton who have given so untiringly of their time in the manning of this Centre are now relieved of their tasks. To those members of the staff who were on the job night and day for the past year and a half the Committee expresses its heartfelt thanks.
SALVAGE COMMITTEE
While the duties of most all services connected with Civilian Defense have been reduced, such has not been the case with the Salvage Committee.
All through the year there have been collections of junk-keys, tin cans, silk stockings, paper and waste fats. In the one paper collection, which was made in November, over 33/4 tons were collected. The Girl Scouts have placed the Town among the leaders in the State through their outstanding work of collecting fats. Only recently over 1200 pounds of clothing have been collected, all of which had to be weighed, sorted and tagged before it was accepted by the Government authorities.
The position Hamilton holds in this vital salvage program is a tribute to Mrs. C. Donald Woodman and her energetic workers.
FIRE EQUIPMENT
During the year the Town has received from the Federal Government a 500-gallon pump trailer with 1200 feet of hose and all other essential equipment attached. This apparatus may be used by the Fire Department at all fires
39
whether or not caused by war hazards. It is valued at $3000 and should be very useful to our firemen, particularly when called upon to handle grass fires.
Water Commissioner Everett P. Haley has kindly consented to act as Property Officer for this and any other equipment which we may receive from the Government in the future.
With the suspension of dimout regulations, the Committee has been par- tially relieved of an important military service at least temporarily. Dimout restrictions or variations in the dimout procedure may be reimposed at any time in the future. In the meantime our Air Raid Wardens, Medical Units, Blackout officials and all other services stand ready to assist when requested by military authorities.
No report of the measures taken to protect the town in time of war would be complete unless it contained commendation for the splendid manner in which members of A. P. Gardner Post American Legion have carried on the task of manning the observation post. While the public safety committee is not directly concerned with the work of the observation post, except as it provides financial support, it has been with a feeling of pride that your com- mittee has watched the Legion carry on under extremely adverse conditions.
Recently there has been all over this country a wave of optimism. This optimism has unquestionably affected the attitude of the public toward our war effort, and has brought about a general relaxation in all phases of war . work. This optimism, overconfidence or complacency-our attitude towards the war-whatever it may be called-is caused by a feeling that the war has been practically won, that Germany at least will soon collapse. Government and military leaders are continually warning the people against this over- confident attitude. Military authorities believe Germany capable of prolonged resistance and that Japan cannot be overcome without long and costly battles.
It is unfortunate that this attitude has gained such headway-even worse, it is a dangerous mood in which to face unexpected difficulties. Before we attain our goal-unconditional surrender-we must be prepared for terrific loss of life among the cream of our country. As a considered warning and as a statement of it's own position your committee can do no better than repeat the final paragraph of the report which it rendered last year :
"As the pendulum swings slowly toward a favorable conclusion of the war efforts of the United Nations, we must be eternally vigilant in our protective duties. The ends to which our enemies may turn in desperation are many and terrific. That through the negligence of overconfidence we should lose our slow gains is unthinkable. With the continued coöperation of those who cherish their town, its traditions and its future, your committee is confident that we shall carry on alertly during the coming year."
Respectfully submitted,
Hamilton Committee on Public Safety JOHN H. PERKINS, Chairman.
40
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 di- rected 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 sixth day of March, nineteen hundred and forty-four (March 6, 1944), 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.
Three members of the School Committee for three years.
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 Member of Planning Board for five years.
The above named officers to be voted for on one ballot on Tuesday, the fourteenth day of March, 1944 (March 14, 1944). 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 the Schools, Highways and all other expenses and determine the manner of expending same."
Article 5. "To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,200.00 for the preservation of health and protection of persons and prop- erty, to purchase equipment, uniforms and supplies for auxilliary fire and po- lice departments, air-raid wardens, first aid rescue squads, continuance of
41
present town defense committee and other essential units of defense, to pro- vide for the training of its citizens in first aid and other matters essential to civilian defense, and to provide for such other means as may be necessary in the national emergency for the protection of the people and property in the Town, or take any action thereon."
Article 6. "To see if the Town will vote, subject to the appproval of the Commissioner of Corporations and Taxation, to transfer the sum of $11,000.00 from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to Maturing Debt, or take any action thereon."
Article 7. "To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the present Se- lectmen's Unemployed Appropriation to Selectmen's Appropriation the unex- pended balance for unemployment raised and appropriated under Article 7 of the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting held March 2, 1942, or take any ac- tion thereon."
Article 8. "To see if the Town will vote to acquire by purchase a one-half ton motor truck for the use and maintenance of the Hamilton Water Depart- ment and raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor, or take any action thereon."
Article 9. "To see if the Town will acquire by purchase from Emily P. Mandell of Hamilton, a certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon, sit- uated on the westerly side of Bridge Street, in said Hamilton, and adjoining the pumping station premises of the Hamilton Water System, containing sub- stantially 40,000 square feet of land more or less, and raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor, or take any action thereon."
Article 10. "To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the maintenance of various streets, said money to be used in con- junction with any money which may be allotted by the State for this purpose, or take any action thereon."
Article 11. "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 Excess and Deficiency Fund to the Reserve Fund, or take any action thereon."
Article 12. "To see if the Town will vote to amend the vote passed under Article 16 at the annual town meeting held March 1, 1943, providing for the sale by the town in separate parcels of the premises situated at 45 School Street, East Hamilton, by striking out all the words contained in said vote be- ginning with the word "that" in the first line thereof and ending with the word "transaction" in the eleventh line thereof, and substitute therefor the following :
Voted : That the town sell to the highest bidder, at public auction or at private sale, the premises 45 School Street, East Hamilton, contain- ing substantially 7,883 square feet of land, more or less, with the build-
42
ings thereon, and that the Selectmen in their descretion be and hereby are authorized and empowered in behalf of the town with full powers to do any and all things necessary to consumate the transaction and execute and deliver the necessary deed or deeds therefor.
Article 13. "To see if the town will vote to have a committee of five, to be appointed by the moderator, to study post-war problems as they may affect the Town of Hamilton and to report the result of their investigations with rec- ommendations to the annual town meeting for 1945, or at a special meeting called earlier for such purpose if necessary.
Article 14. "To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to sell, and execute and deliver a deed or deeds therefor, land of low value, 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 as provided for under Chapter 60 or the General Laws and amendments thereto, provided that the Selectmen or whomsoever they may authorize to hold such public auction may reject any bid which they deem inadequate, or take any action thereon."
Article 15. "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 revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1945 and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a shorter period than one year, in accord- ance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws and Amendments thereto."
Article 16. "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, General Laws and Amendments thereto."
Article 17. "To act on any other matter that may legally come before said meeting."
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof, one at the Town Hall, and one at each of the three postoffices in said Town, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this Warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk at the time and place of holding said meeting.
Given under our hands this 31st day of January, A. D. 1944.
A true copy, Attest :
EDWARD A. DEWITT JOHN H. PERKINS LAWRENCE R. STONE Selectmen of Hamilton.
A true copy, Attest :
GEORGE GIBNEY HARADEN,
Town Clerk.
REPORT
of the FINANCE
and
ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
1943
45
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FINANCE AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
The town enters the New Year in excellent financial condition. It has added a considerable amount to the excess and deficiency fund and has a sub- stantial cash balance. Several factors have contributed to this situation : the usual careful management of town departments, the generally prevailing con- ditions which have made it impossible to obtain sufficient material to carry out some of the projects planned for the past year, the substantial reduction in the demand for unemployment funds, and the lack so far of heavy snow expense.
The principal financial problem confronting the town at this time is that of increased wages and salaries. Salaries have been increased in the past few years based on increased duties. This year there have been some requests for further increases. Your Finance Committee has devoted a great deal of time and thought to this matter. Justification of salary increases is based on a general increase in the cost of living. It seemed only fair, therefore, that your Finance Committee consider the salaries of the town officials in that light and since the increase in the cost of living has affected everyone, to recommend that all be treated alike.
Furthermore, since the conditions prevailing today are so unusual and so likely to change, it was felt that any treatment designed to compensate for these conditions should be of a temporary nature, subject to review at the next town meeting.
After careful consideration of the various factors, bearing in mind that among the taxpayers of the town who must assume the burden of increased salaries are some whose incomes may have remained fixed or even decreased, and also the need of keeping the town in sound financial condition, your com- mittee recommends a flat 15 per cent temporary increase for the 12 months' period from town meeting 1944 to town meeting 1945. It is felt that if the remainder of our recommendations are adhered to this temporary increase may be granted with no increase in the tax rate.
1943 Appropriation
1944 Recommendation
Selectmen, salaries
$1,000 00
$1,150 00
expenses
300 00
300 00
Unemployment Fund (carry over)
(3,981 13)
Accounting
1,475 00
1,678 00
Treasurer, salary
325 00
285 00
70 00
Tax Collector, salary
1,000 00
1,150 00
expenses .
460 00
485 00
Assessors, salaries
800 00
920 00
expenses
1,000 00
980 00
special (Record Work)
500 00
. .
800 00
920 00
expenses
special (Land Court)
.
46
1943 Appropriation
1944
Recommendation
Other Finance Accounts
15 00
15 00
Town Clerk, salary
650 00
748 00
expenses
150 00
150 00
Law, salary
600 00
690 00
Election and Registration
800 00
1,530 00
Town Hall
3,000 00
3,180 00
special (Painting and repairs)
1,000 00
Police
3,200 00
3,560 00
Fire
3,000 00
3,203 00
special (Painting Fire House)
200 00
Moth, Town
2,500 00
2,700 00
private
1,300 00
1,200 00
Tree Warden
900 00
1,100 00
Forest Fire Warden
85 00
90 00
Sealer
300 00
330 00
Health
2,700 00
3,530 00
Dental Clinic
500 00
2,200 00
Inspector of Animals
75 00
137 00
Highways, salary
2,000 00
2,300 00
expenses
10,800 00
10,310 00
Chapter 90, Maintenance
800 00
snow
5,500' 00
5,500 00
Street Lighting
7,200 00
7,200 00
Public Welfare
6,000 00
5,100 00
Veterans' Benefits
(1,000 00)
1,500 00
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