USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1946 > Part 5
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We wish at this time to thank Mr. Leland Thompson for his splendid cooperation in clearing the avenues of snow and other departments that assisted us in any way.
Respectfully submitted, RAYMOND A. WHIPPLE JOHN T. WALKE LAWRENCE C. FOSTER Cemetery Commissioners.
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REPORT OF THE WATER BOARD
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
The Board of Water Commissioners herewith submit their twelfth annual report for the year ending December 31, 1946.
This is the seventh full year of operations and the following report. shows steady growth in the Water Department.
1945
1946
Total number of services installed
10
23
Total number of service connections
507
534
Total number of hydrants
103
103
Total number of active services
436
470
Total Commitments
$8.315.93
$9,933.08
Total Expenditures
$4,828.38
$7,678.53
Total Pumpage (Gallons)
25.726,846
31,023,456
Largest single day pumpage (Gallons)
159,000
Commitments continue to exceed the cost of operating the department and the payment of interest on the original installation loan. Had it not been necessary to purchase new meters and equipment for service in- stallations at a cost of approximately $1,200., such excess would have been greater than that of last year by a sizeable amount. Service installations must be considered as an investment for future revenue.
Due to insufficient funds several applications for service connections are being paid over for 1947.
Because of numerous applications for service connections, new build- ings planned and the possibility of further construction, we feel that im- mediate steps should be taken to enlarge our source of water to ensure an adequate supply for future demands.
We are very fortunate in having J. Edward Cox continue with us as Water Superintendent. His mechanical ability and understanding of our water system has been extremely valuable and responsible for the efficient operation of the department.
We wish at this time to thank all who have assisted this department. during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE A. HARRIGAN RICHARD H. SMITH CARL G. RICKER
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE WATER BOARD
To the Board of Water Commissioners: GENTLEMEN :
I herewith submit a report of the activities of the Water Department for the year ending December 31, 1946.
During the past year 23 service connections were installed by the water department. Two services required the laying of considerable pipe on private property which was done under my supervision and at the ex- pense of the customers.
The 103 town hydrants and 5 private hydrants were inspected and repairs made where needed. All meters were inspected during the year, and read quarterly ; 24 meters were overhauled and repaired; 2 hydrants damaged by accident were repaired. Samples of town water were periodi- cally sent to the State Health Department for examination.
Some meters were damaged by freezing due to customers leaving the property without heat during cold weather. It would be of great benefit if such users of town water would notify me if they plan to leave the house without heat so that the water can be shut off and the meter properly drained, thereby eliminating damage and possible flooding of the cellar.
Complaints continue to be received regarding charges for excess water. ยท I have investigated every such complaint and in every instance have found that a leak in the plumbing was the cause, and in most cases water leaked by in the toilet flush box. Several thousand gallons of water will pass through a very small leak in the course of a few days.
Periodic inspections have been made of the pumping equipment, and records kept of the amount of water pumped at all times. Six million more gallons were pumped in 1946 than in the previous year.
The assistance rendered by the Water Commissioners and townspeople has been most generous and greatly appreciated.
Respectfully submitted, J. EDWARD COX, Superintendent.
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REPORT OF THE TOWN OF HAMILTON PLANNING BOARD
Your Planning Board. after some years of inactivity necessitated by the war, has been actively engaged in 1946-47 working for the Town. and has given first priority to zoning. This project of zoning was considered to be the most important within the jurisdiction of the Board. due to the anticipated releasing of many government restrictions which would per- mit promiscuous developments in such localities as ours. Zoning provides the framework for the future planning and progress of the town. and should be our first step.
With the fundamental belief in mind that the Town wishes to retain its general character as a residential town. your Board conducted an ex- tensive study of various zoning by-laws now in effect throughout the State. The members of the Board also discussed the project with as many resi- dents as they could. and the first draft of the proposed by-law was pub- lished the latter part of January, 1947. The members of the Board have appeared before organized groups in Hamilton, and from these and the Public Hearing held February 12. 1941, valuable constructive suggestions were received. A revised zoning by-law was then drawn up and circulated to every home, after which an open Public Meeting was held February 26th.
The final zoning by-law which your Board is submitting to the Town for adoption is in its opinion a fair one, which should protect the Town and its residents from speculative or obnoxious outside encroachment, but at the same time premit healthy growth. It is the conviction of your Board that the adoption of this zoning by-law by the Town is imperative now. If it should be delayed, harm to the town and to many of its resi- dents may result.
At the risk of a somewhat lengthy report. your Board is listing below some of the objectives of the by-law. It will :
(1) Protect a home owner from having his home impaired by an undesirable business on an adjoining lot or an injurious change in the character of the neighborhood.
(2) Protect the Town and the home owners from speculative land development schemes, putting desirable building land into cramped de- velopments or multifamily tenements which tend to bring a drifting popu- lation.
(3) Serve to make the Town attractive and a good place in which to live and to bring up children.
(4) Provide adequate open space so that buildings cannot be built too near the street or be placed so close together as to cut off each other's sunlight and air.
We should also like to mention a few things which the proposed by- law does not do :
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(1) It does not change any existing building or alter the present use of any property or land. Whatever is being done now may be con- tinued regardless of the district in which the building or property is located.
(2) It does not impose any limit upon the cost of a house or other building whether it be large or small.
(3) It does not prevent growth of business in the Town. Plenty of room has been provided in districts designated for business for many years to come.
(4) It does not prevent the use of a less than minimum size lot al- ready in existence. A lot of less than minimum size may be built on or may be sold and the buyer may build on it.
It should be pointed out that this by-law may be amended at any Town Meeting.
We should like to take this opportunity to thank the many organiza- tions in the Town which have been so helpful, and also to extend our appreciation to the State Planning Board and to Mr. Allen Benjamin of that Board whose constructive suggestions have been most helpful.
We recommend and sincerely hope that the proposed by-law be adopted at the Town Meeting to be held March 3, 1947.
JOHN R. HOLLISTER, Chairman STANDISH BRADFORD
FRANCIS C. MOYNIHAN
RICHARD H. SMITH
M. KEITH LANDER
68
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
To the Citizens of Hamilton :
The Board of Selectmen herewith submit its report for the year 1946.
During the past year we have had the upstairs hall in the town hall repainted and the floor sanded and refinished. This has brightened up and greatly improved its appearance. New concrete front steps have been constructed at the town hall, but due to weather conditions. are not yet finished. During the past three years a portion of the inside of the town hall has been refinished. The "Community Room" and the back stairway remain to be done, but we feel that this work can be postponed for an- other year.
On three separate occasions it was necessary to replace glass in the windows of the Adelaide D. Walsh School. This expense could have been avoided as the glass was broken by the throwing of rocks. It would seem that persons would have enough civic pride to discourage destruction of town property.
At the suggestion of the Welcome Home Celebration Committee, the Board issued a proclamation setting aside August 17. 1946, as "Welcome Home Day." All places of business were urged and requested to remain closed from one to five o'clock in the afternoon. All business establish- ments and townspeople were very cooperative in carrying out this request. An account of the Welcome Home Reception to Veterans of World War 2 has been made by the Committee and will be found elsewhere in the town report.
An appropriation was made at the annual meeting for Chapter 90 Maintenance to be used in conjunction with State and County funds. Be- cause both the State and County decided not to participate in Chap. 90 road maintenance, it seemed advisable to make the appropriation available for use by the highway department for doing such work. This was done at the special town meeting held August 8th.
Because of many requests for all-night police protection, the matter was brought before the townspeople at the special town meeting held August 8th. The sum of $1500.00 was made available by the meeting for this increased protection for the balance of the year. The 1947 budget to be presented to the annual town meeting will include an appropriation to continue this protection during 1947.
Unavoidable changes by the manufacturer in the dimensions and pumping capacity of the fire apparatus on order has resulted in a larger piece of equipment being provided at no additional cost to the town. This change did necessitate an addition to the engine house, for which money was made available at the secial meeting. The addition is practically com- pleted. and delivery of the apparatus is expected by April 1st.
Due to a delay in preparing plans and specifications. the contract for Chapter 90 Construction on Asbury Street, was not awarded until Decem- ber. Sebastian Triconi of Waltham was awarded the contract. and will start work as soon as conditions permit in the spring.
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Petitions for the laying-out of "North Street," "Perkins Avenue" and "Lake Drive" were received. These proposed streets were surveyed and plans prepared, and the matter of acceptance by the town will be brought before the 1947 annual town meeting.
The Town has been offered the first refusal of buying that section of the road-bed of the abandoned Essex Branch of the Boston and Maine Rail- road from Miles River, along the meadow and property now used by the Water Department. After considering the matter, this Board is of the opinion that it would be advisable for the town to purchase this strip of land. The matter will be brought before the annual meeting for considera- tion.
Perambulation of the Hamilton-Essex, Hamilton-Wenham and Hamil- ton-Manchester town bounds was completed by the Selectmen of the re- spective towns during the year.
We bring to the attention of Veterans of World War 2. that the Board has an up-to-date system for recording discharges, and urge that any Vet- eran who has not already done so, have his discharge recorded in the town records. This may prove of value to the Veteran in years to come should an attested copy be desired, or in case the original is lost. At the present time 116 discharges have been recorded. This is approximately one third of the veterans entering the service from Hamilton.
In compliance with the provisions of Chapter 599 of the Acts of 1946, Edward A. DeWitt has been appointed Director of Veterans' Services. This act provides for the furnishing of such information, advice and assist- ance to veterans as may be necessary to enable them to procure the bene- fits to which they are or may be entitled relative to employment, hospitali- zation, medical care, pensions and other veterans benefits.
We sincerely appreciate the generous and valuable service rendered by Robert B. Walsh, our town counsel. He has devoted much of his time in the interest of the town, in both legal and non-legal matters. The assistance rendered by all town officials and townspeople has been very co- operative and appreciated.
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD A. DEWITT LAWRENCE R. STONE EVERETT F. HALEY Board of Selectmen.
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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 third day of March, nineteen hundred and forty-seven (March 3, 1947), 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 your ballots for :
Moderator for one year.
Town Clerk for one year.
Three Selectmen and Board of Public Welfare for one year.
Treasurer for one year.
Tax Collector for one year.
One Assessor for three years.
One Highway Surveyor for one year.
One Tree Warden for one year.
Three Constables for one year.
One member of the School Committee for three years.
One member of the School Committee for two years.
One member of the School Committee for one year.
One member of the School Committee for two years ( Unexpired term). One Library Trustee for three years.
One Park Commissioners for three years.
One Cemetery Commissioner for three years.
One Water Commissioner for three years.
One member of the Planning Board for five years.
And vote on the following Question :---
Part 1. Shall the town vote that the office of town accountant be placed within the classified civil service? Yes. .No. ....
Part 2. If it is voted to place the office of town accountant with- in the classified civil service, shall the town vote to provide for the continuance in said office of Francis H. Whipple, the present incumbent thereof, after passing a qualifying examination? Yes ....... .No ..
The above named officers and question to be voted for on one ballot on Tuesday, the eleventh day of March, 1947 (March 11, 1947). 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.
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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 transfer the sum of $10,- 000.00 from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to Maturing Debt. or take any action thereon.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Account. the sum of $3,125.00 for Chapter 90 Highway Construction, or take any action in relation thereto.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Account, the sum of $1,000.00 for Chapter 90 Highway Maintenance, or take any action in relation there- to.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to make certain repairs to the grass and cannon at the Memorial Green arising from damage by an automobile on or about April 3, 1946, and that $89.79 received by the town for damage sustained be applied to and used by the town in payment for repair of such damage. or take any action thereon.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to purchase or take by emin- ent domain, for the protection of the Hamilton town water system. a cer- tain strip or parcel of land situated on the northeasterly side of Bridge street, in said Hamilton, being a portion of the now discontinued Essex Branch of the Boston and Maine Railroad, containing about 16,400 square feet, as shown substantially on a plan now on file in the office of the town clerk, raise and appropriate the sum of $600.00 therefor, or take any action thereon.
Article 10. To see if the town will vote to purchase and acquire a new combination cruiser and ambulance for the police department. raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor, or take any action thereon.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to transfer to School Cafe- teria-High the sum of $1,229.18 from the various unexpended balances of the sums of money raised and appropriated under Article 4 for the annual town meeting held March 7, 1946, to wit:
Special School Painting High, Interior 297.83
" Outside Painting, High 239.50
" Gym Steam Pipe and Wiring, High 86.85
" Gym Roof Waste Pipe 25.00
" Ceilings. Lamson 30.00
$1,229.18
or take any action thereon.
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Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $300.00 from the Cemetery Sale of Lots and Graves Fund to a Special Cemetery Account to be expended by the Cemetery Commissioners for im- provements of the cemetery, or take any action thereon.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to build a sidewalk with a "hot-top," or other similar surface, along the northeasterly side of As- bury street, from. Main street to Highland street, and appropriate the sum of $1500.00 therefor, or take any action thereon.
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to construct a sidewalk on the northwesterly side of Willow street. from Rust street to Asbury street, such construction to include the installation of curbing at street corners, and the sidewalk surface to be of a permanent nature, raise and appro- priate a sum of money therefor, or take any action thereon.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to build, grade, drain and oil Savoy road and raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor, the work to be done under the direction and supervision of the Highway surveyor, or take any action thereon.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to receive the report of the General George S. Patton, Jr., Memorial Committee printed in the an- aual town report, as a report of progress, to increase the membership of the committee to nine, to be appointed by the Moderator, and that they be authorized to employ and compensate architects and civil engineers to prepare plans and specifications for a field house on the playground, raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 therefor and other expenses of the committee, or take any action thereon.
Article 17. To consider the final report with recommendations of the Planning Board, including a proposed zoning by-law and map originally establishing the boundaries of zoning districts in the town and the regula- tions and restrictions to be enforced therein, copies of which will be filed with the Town Clerk prior to the meetings, and to see if the town will vote to adopt the proposed zoning by-law and map recommended in such report of the Planning Board or to take any other action thereon.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Account, a sum of money for the state and county share of Chapter 90 Highway maintenance and Construction.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to make certain repairs and alterations in the Adelaide Dodge Walsh School in East Hamilton, raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor or take any action thereon.
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Article 20. To see if the Town will vote that the Adelaide Dodge Walsh schoolhouse building and appurtenances thereto at East Hamilton be used by the town for the purpose of providing suitable headquarters for Augustus P. Gardner Post 194, American Legion, to be under the direction and control of such post and subject to regulations approved by the town, raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor, or take any action thereon, in compliance with section 9, Chapter 40 of the General Laws, Terc. Ed., and amendments thereto.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to accept the lay-out as a public way by the selectmen of North street, so-called, in accordance sub- stantially with a plan dated November, 1946, now on file in the office of the Town Clerk, or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by Barkley W. Tree and others.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to accept the lay-out as a public way by the selectmen of Lake Drive, so-called, in accordance sub- stantially with a plan dated November, 1946, now on file in the office of the Town Clerk, or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by Theo- dore E. Johnson and others.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to accept the lay-out as a public way by the selectmen of Perkins avenue, so-called, in accordance substantially with a plan dated November, 1946, now on file in the office of the Town Clerk, or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by Guy A. Crosby and others.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to adopt the following by- law: "No person shall drive, wheel, draw or park a bicycle upon a side- walk of the town," or take any action thereon.
Article 25. To see if the town will vote that the custody, care, super- vision and maintenance of the Dorothy Winthrop Memorial Lot be vested in the School Committee with all the powers and duties incident thereto, or take any action thereon.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to reduce the number of the members of the school committee from five to three, such vote to go into effect at the annual town election of the annual town meeting to be held in March, 1948, or take any action thereon.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to change the present vot- ing hours for the election of town officers at the annual town meeting, as now provided for in section 1 of chapter 1 of the town by-laws, from 8 A. M. to 8 P. M. by amending said by-law, or take any action thereon.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to name the property at Chebacco Lake accepted by the town as a gift from F. H. Prince under article 18 of the annual town meeting of 1926, Robert B. Walsh Park, or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by the Park Commissioners.
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Article 29. 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, 1948 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 accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws and Amend- ments thereto.
Article 30. To see if the Town will authorize the Collector to use all means of collecting taxes which as Town Treasurer, when appointed Collector, may use agreeable to Chapter 41, Section 37, General Laws and Amendments thereto.
Article 31. To act on any other matter that may legally come be- fore 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 27th day of January. A. D. 1947.
LAWRENCE R. STONE EVERETT F. HALEY EDWARD A. DEWITT Selectmen of Hamilton.
A true copy, Attest :
FRANCIS H. WHIPPLE, Town Clerk.
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REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FINANCE AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
To the Voters of Hamilton :
Your Finance and Advisory Committee during the past three months carefully examined the budget estimates requested from all Town De- partments and checked them with 1946 expenditures for comparison. We have also personally interviewed many of the Department heads, repre- sentatives of or entire Committees to determine actual needs. In spite of the cooperation of some departments to reduce original estimates we find the 1947 budget as recommended to be $41,456.26 in excess of the 1946 appropriation.
Considering all known factors at this writing indications are that the tax rate will increase approximately $6.00 and when combined with a slight upward revision of valuation, property owners of Hamilton are faced with a substantial increase in their tax bills. The actual rate however depends partly on whether we experience more snow storms and also whether the Town decides to follow closely the recommendations of this committee. Moreover, the anticipated higher tax rate is likely to continue for some time to come and possibly may even be again raised unless careful thought and planning are exercised by the Town Authorities.
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