USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1949 > Part 6
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(a) The Committee shall organize and choose by majority vote a chairman and a deputy chairman, a treasurer and a secre- tary, each to hold office for one year and until their successors are chosen. The secretary and treasurer may be the same person and need not be a member of the Committee. Such officers shall be elected by majority vote of the Committee at an annual meet- ing of the Committee to be held on the third Monday of April of each year. The Committee may appoint such other officers as it may require from time to time. The treasurer shall be bonded and the secretary or an assistant secretary shall keep the records of all meetings of the Committee. The minutes of each meeting shall be approved at the next succeeding meeting. The minute book shall be kept at the office of the Committee and shall be open to inspection by any member of the Commit- tee.
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(b) The treasurer shall cause to be maintained accounts of the District in accordance with usual accounting practices and shall maintain all necessary vouchers, checks and financial rec- ords. Such records shall be maintained at the office of the Committee as public records.
(c) The District may employ a superintendent, assistants, teachers and other employees upon such contracts and with such terms and conditions as shall be approved by the Committee, provided that no contract shall in any way exclude the right of removal of any superintendent, assistant or teachers by the Committee at any time for cause.
(d) The Committee shall annually, on such day in October or November of each year after at least ten days' notice pub- lished in papers with reasonable circulation in the Participat- ing Towns, hold a public meeting to present frankly the aims and objectives and problems of the District for public discussion. Upon vote at the termination of any such meeting of a ma- jority in attendance the meeting shall be reconvened on such day and time as may be specified, for further discussion. At each such meeting the comparative quality of the education pro- vided at the District School shall be a matter on which the Committee shall report.
(e) The District may by purchase or the exercise of eminent domain acquire such real estate and other property and may enter into such contracts or agreements and employ such archi- tects, contractors, engineers, attorneys or other experts and em- ploy such agents and employees as in each instance may be necessary or desirable for the District to carry out its purposes and powers.
(f) The District may maintain an office at a place within the District to be determined by the Committee and shall have the power to equip the same and employ required assistants.
11. To effect the primary purpose of the District to establish a regional high school as herein specified, the District shall forth- with acquire a necessary amount of land, and shall erect thereon such building or buildings as shall be necessary to provide ade- quately for the education and athletic training of the pupils from the Participating Towns to be educated in said high school; pro- vided that allowance for growth shall not exceed 75% of the esti- mated initial enrollment. In connection with the cost of the acquisition of said land and the improvement thereof, including
72
the construction of buildings, the District shall exercise its powers to borrow money and shall be entitled to borrow the full cost there- of on its bonds payable as to principal annually in twenty install- ments, the first such payment to be made one year from the date of said borrowing.
12. Teachers serving on a tenure basis on the date of this Agreement in the schools to be superseded by the District School shall be given first consideration for teaching positions in the Dis- trict School.
13. The Committee may accept for enrollment in the Distri : School pupils from towns or cities other than the Participating Towns on a tuition basis on such terms as it may determine, pro- viding facilities for such pupils are available. In determining each Participating Town's share of amortization and operating costs, the number of tuition pupils shall not be considered as part of the District School's total average enrollment. Income received by the District from admission of tuition pupils shall be deducted from total costs prior to allocation thereof. under paragraph 5 above, to the Participating Towns.
14. At such time as the school plant is filled to 90% of the established capacity, the Committee shall submit to the Partici- pating Towns an amendment to this Agreement to provide the method of financing such additional space as may be required : pro- vided that for every year, after the first year in which the original school plant is filled to the established capacity with pupils from the Participating Towns, each Participating Town shall be en- titled to send to the original school plant a number of pupils equal to the average number of pupils it had in attendance on the first days of October, November and December in such first year of full capacity.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF. this Agreement has been executed, accepted and approved as hereinbefore provided as of the day and year first above written.
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REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT PLANNING BOARDS Ruth F. Donaldson Chairman for Hamilton Ellen C. Welch Chairman for Manchester
Roger J. Edwards Chairman for Topsfield
John E. Arnold Chairman for Wenham
ACCEPTED TOWN OF HAMILTON By Chairman of the Board of Selectmen ATTEST :
Town Clerk
TOWN OF MANCHESTER By Chairman of the Board of Selectmen ATTEST :
Town Clerk
TOWN OF TOPSFIELD
By Chairman of the Board of Selectmen ATTEST :
Town Clerk
TOWN OF WENHAM By Chairman of the Board of Selectmen ATTEST :
Town Clerk
APPROVED
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Emergency Finance Board By Salvatore E. Aloisi David J. Malcolm Francis X. Lang
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Department of Education By John J. Desmond Jr.
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REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen : GENTLEMEN :
I have the honor to submit to you the Annual Report of the Depart- ment of Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year ending December 31, 1949.
Scales
Adjusted Sealed Not Sealed Condemned
Over 10.000 1bs. 2
100 to 5.000 lbs.
8
2
2
Under 100 lbs.
1
20
3
4
Weights
26
Vehicle Tanks
3
Liquid Measures
Under 1 Gal.
25
Meters
Inlets 1" or less 1 18
1
Vehicle Tank
Meters
3
Other Liquid Measuring Devices
1
19
Yard Sticks
2
2
Totals
5
115
25
8
-
Reweighing Commodities Sold or Put Up for Sale
Number Correct 41
Number Under 19
Number Over 291
Respectfully submitted,
ERVING O. MAXWELL. Sealer.
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REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report of the activities of the Police Department for the year 1949.
Total Arrests 31
CLASSIFICATION OF CRIMES
Drunkeness 10 Driving to endanger 3
Non-support
6 Operating without license 1
Truant
2 Operating under influence .
3
Larceny
2 Begetting with child 1
Failure to send child to school 1
Leaving scene of accident 1
Distruction of property 1
DISPOSITION OF CASES
Sentenced and put on probation 10 Sentenced to State Farm 1
Fined and paid 6 Sentenced to House of
Appealed to Superior Court 2 Correction 2
Released without arraignment
SUPERIOR COURT
Found guilty and fined 2
ARRESTS BY OFFICERS
Frederick, Chief
24 Jackson 4
Poole 2 Wentworth 1
SUMMONS SERVED
For local department
15
For out of town police
31
AUTOMOBILE REGULATIONS
Licenses revoked by Registrar
21
Registrations revoked by Registrar 8
Automobile transfers 93
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MISCELLANEOUS
Persons conveyed to hospitals and physicians 116
Dangerous wires reported 8
Street lights reported out
47
Street obstructions reported
4
Accidents involving personal injury 5
Accidents involving property damage only 16
Assistance to out of town police 21
I take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to the police officers, town officials and all others who have assisted me in the per- formance of my duties during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD FREDERICK, Chief of Police.
THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton :
The Cemetery Commissioners submit herewith their report for the year ending December 31, 1949.
The usual maintenance work has been done with a minimum of extra labor involved.
The main avenue was patched, oiled, and covered with pea stone.
Eight family size lots and three single endowed graves were sold. Two endowments were received on family lots. Perpetual care of family lots is encouraged by the Cemetery Commissioners.
Thirty-one internments were cared for by the superintendent.
We wish at this time to thank Luther Caverly our superintendent who has performed his duties so conscientiously and faithfully, and Leland Thompson, Surveyor of Highways, for keeping the avenue's plowed.
RAYMOND A. WHIPPLE LAWRENCE C. FOSTER JOHN T. WALKE
Cemetery Commissioners
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN :
The Engineers of the Fire Department herewith submit their report for the year ending December 31, 1949.
The department responded to 47 alarms as follows : 27 bells, 19 stills, 1 false.
The amount of hose laid, 21/2 inch, 2,600 feet; 11/2 inch 1,450 feet; 3/4 inch, 4,550 feet.
10,100 gallons of water were used from booster tanks.
400 feet of hose and two gas masks were purchased this year.
Date Dist. Description Owner Street
Jan. 3
32
Chimney. Sumner Pingree, Highland
4 32 Dump, G. E. Lawrence, Winthrop
14 21 Auto, Phillip Graham, Main
32
Dump, G. E. Lawrence, Winthrop
Feb.
31
Barn, Shaw McKean, Gail Ave.
9
31 Kennels, Shaw Mckean, Off Asbury
19
24 Hen House, Walter Emeney, Gardner
20
13
Building, Beverly Taxi Co., Appleton Ave.
23
12
Auto, Ernest Barker, Bridge
Mar. 26
41
Motorcycle, Arthur Wasburn, Highland
28
14
Rubbish, Gardner Hersey, Echo Cove Rd.
31
31
Grass and Brush, Francis Swindell, Highland
Apr. 2
25
Chimney, R. H. Smith, Cutler Road Grass and Timber, Dame Lumber Co., Willow
25
16 Brush, Myopia Hunt Club, Off Main
28
21
30
17
Rubbish, First National Stores, Railroad Ave. Brush, Gregory Island
May 2
21
Truck, Retail Stores, Asbury
3
13
Chimney, Peter Costopoula, Knowlton
4
31 Motorcycle, R. Maidment, Jr., Bosworth Ave.
4
31
Dump, Joseph Saunders, Highland Dump, F. A. Walker, Asbury
9
31
Brush, Est. Emerson Procter, Topsfield Rd.
18
18 21
21 Brush, B. & M. R.R. & Myopia Club, Off Main Mattress, Mrs. D. Momeaw, Cottage
June 13
31
20
88
Dump, F. A. Walker, Asbury Police Call
12 4
3
21
ry
31
78
Date
Dist. Description Owner Street
July 5
41
Motorcycle, George Ricker, Off Highland
8
41 Brush, V. T. Freeman, Lake Drive
8
31 Dump, Frank Maione, Asbury
23
21
Oil Burner, Henry Jackson, Mill
28
41
Swamp, Loyd Ricker, Off Highland
Aug.
3
41
Oil Burner, John Bodge, Appleton
6
12
Grass, Harry Moore, Bridge
8
24
Meadow. F. R. Appleton, Off Main
Sept. 25
14
Brush, George Clement, Sagamore
Oct. 2
21
Auto, George Clement, Main
6
25
Chimney, R. H. Smith, Cutler Road
12
31
Brush, T. A. Moynihan, Highland
13
31
Brush, T. A. Moynihan, Highland
13
31
Brush, T. A. Moynihan, Highland
14
31
Brush, T. A. Moynihan, Highland False
Nov. 24
21
Brush, B. & M. R.R., Off Asbury
Dec. 20
21
Dump,
Off Sagamore
31
14
Grass, Forrester Clark, Bridge
31
14
Dump,
Off Sagamore
15
31
A. MERRILL CUMMINGS RUDOLPH H. HARADEN HAROLD G. DODD
Engineers
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Citizens of Hamitlon :
We submit a report of the activities of the welfare department during the year 1949.
Expenditures for all categories of assistance exceeded the amount an- ticipated at the time the budgets were prepared. This necessitated calling a special town meeting to provide sufficient funds to finish out the year.
Legislation was enacted in 1949 which provided a $4.00 per month "leisure time" increase to each old age assistance recipient. This amount is reimbursed by the state, but must be appropriated and paid by the town in the first instance.
The constant increase of the work involved in handling the relief pro- gram became more than one person could do on a part time basis. Much thought was given to the matter and it was decided to be for the best in- terest of the town to engage a veteran to assist under the "on the job train- ing" program. Several persons were considered and final approval was given by the necessary state and federal agencies for the appointment of Robert H. Kirby. Under this arrangement a part of his salary is borne by the Town, the Veterans' Administration and the Social Security Admin- istration. This arrangement is working out very satisfactory.
The following cash basis tables will show the proportionate cost dur- ing 1949.
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Expenditures
Reimbursements
By the Town $36,004.09
Federal Government $15,340.76
State
12,568.86
Meals Tax 768.96
Towns and Cities
1,242.10
Individuals
486.71
Net cost to Town
5,596.70
$36,004.09
$36,004.09
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Expenditures
Reimbursements
By the Town
$1,413.65
Federal Government $378.23
State
437.56
Net cost to Town 597.86
$1,413.65
$1,413.65
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GENERAL RELIEF
Expenditures
Reimbursements
By the Town
$7,802.86
Towns and Cities $631.32
Individuals 20.00
Net cost to Town 7,151.54
$7,802.86 $7,802.86
Federal Grants received are available to be expended for assistance, which accounts for an expenditure by the Town for old age assistance of $36,004.09, with a town appropriation of $24,000.00. Receipts from other sources cannot be so used, but are taken into consideration as estimated receipts by the Assessors when determining the tax rate.
It will be noted by the table that a total of $45,220.60 was expended in 1949 for all categories, with a net cost to the town of $13,346.10. An increase in expenditures during 1950 is anticipated in all categories, which has been taken into consideration in making up our budget for the coming year.
The continual cooperation by the local physicians and district nurse has been most helpful in handling medical problems. The cooperation by Edward Frederick, Chief of Police, in transporting persons to hospitals in the police cruiser-ambulance has been excellent and has eliminated the necessity of hiring an ambulance in many cases. To these, and to all who have assisted us during the year, we extend our sincere appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
LAWRENCE R. STONE EVERETT F. HALEY EDWARD A. DEWITT
Board of Public Welfare.
81
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
To the Citizens of Hamilton :
We submit herewith our report for the year 1949.
A section of Essex Street was rebuilt with a hot-top surface under Chapter 90 at a cost of approximately $16.000.00, with the town and county each assuming $4,000 and the state $8,000 of the cost.
During the year the sidewalk construction program was continued with permanent hot-top sidewalks being constructed on Asbury, Maple and Park Streets. We propose to continue this program in 1950 by doing the sidewalks on Hamilton Avenue and Mill Street.
The Board attended a hearing at the State House and opposed the elimating of the crossing tender and substituting automatic gates at the Asbury Street crossing. Even with the opposition, the Department of Public Utilities approved the petition, and the gates were installed during the year. The Board also attended the hearing and favored legislation to permit the town of Essex to furnish Hamilton with water. This legisla- tion was passed and is now in effect.
In accordance with a vote of the town, we advertised for bids for the sale of the land and buildings at 45 School Street, and the property was sold to R. C. Berry for $825.
The community room and back hall of the town hall have been re- paired, painted and new lights installed. Mr. Raymond Thibedeau was engaged to make a study of rearranging the offices in the town hall with a view of alleviating the existing crowded conditions in the town clerk's office and library, and provide for additional vault storage, as well as affording a greater degree of privacy for those having business in the town hall. After making a thorough study of the conditions and possibilities, Mr. Thibedeau prepared two plans for our consideration. One providing for enlarging the present vault and office space, with some structural changes of the building. The other providing for moving the library into the community room and moving the town clerk's office into what is now the library and constructing a new vault. The proposed changes have been carefully considered by this Board and the Finance Committee with all agreeing that the latter plan is most feasible and that the change should be made as it will accomplish all the purposes for which changes were proposed. An article will appear in the warrant for the 1950 town meeting so that the town can vote on the matter.
During the latter part of the year the Planning Board met with the Selectmen and recommended that Railroad Avenue be made a one-way street between Main Street and Willow Street. We felt that we should make a study of the conditions before taking any action to put this recom- mendation into effect. Upon our request our chief of police and a traffic engineer of the State Department of Public Works, who has had consider- able experience with such problems, assisted us in making such a study. It is the unanimous opinion that Railroad Avenue should be widened on the
82
northeasterly side so as to provide more space for parking and two way traffic, and that the excessive high curb stone condition on the southwester- ly side should be alleviated. A survey is being made and an article will be in the warrant for the 1950 town meeting so that the matter may be acted upon by the town.
Requests have been made to the Board for street layouts, and petitions filed for articles to be inserted in the 1950 warrant for the acceptance of the same as town ways.
One hour parking signs have been erected on Railroad Avenue. and the one hour parking regulation is now in full force and effect. Other types of traffic signs were erected during the year in various places where it was felt that the conditions warranted the same.
Street lights were installed in much needed places during the year, and the street numbering book was brought up to date by inserting new pages for the streets that have recently been accepted and adding in the new buildings that have been constructed.
Following the adjournment of the 1950 town meeting a discussion period will be held on the Regional High School District which question is to be voted on by ballot on March 14th. We feel that this will give the voters an opportunity to obtain information and ask questions relative to the regional high school district prior to voting on the question.
We extend our sincere appreciation to all the townspeople and town officials who have assisted us during the year in the performance of our duties.
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 sixth day of March, nineteen hundred and fifty (March 6, 1950), 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 Library Trustee for three years.
One Park Commissioner for three years.
One Cemetery Commissioner for three years.
One Water Commissioner for three years. One member of the Planning Board for five years.
One member of the Planning Board for four years (Unexpired term).
And vote on the following Question :-
Shall the town accept the provisions of sections sixteen to sixteen I, inclusive, of chapter seventy-one of the General Laws, providing for the establishment of a regional school district, together with the towns of Hamilton, Manchester, Topsfield, and Wenham, and the construction, maintenance and operation of a regional school by the said district in accordance with the provisions of a proposed agree- ment filed with the selectmen ?
YES
No
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The above named officers and question to be voted for on one ballot on Tuesday, the fourteenth day of March, 1950 (March 14, 1950). The polls will be opened at 5:45 o'clock A. M. and will close at 8:00 o'clock, P. M.
Article 2. To choose and appoint all other Town Officers in such man- ner as the Town may determine.
Article 3. To hear the reports 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,, Essex County Retirement Board and all other Town expenses and de- termine the manner of expending the same.
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Account a sum of money for Chapter 90 Highway Construction on Essex Street, 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 a sum of money for Chapter 90 Maintenance or take any action thereon.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Account a sum of money for the purpose of building hot-top sidewalks on certain streets of the Town, the work to be done under the direction and supervision of the Highway Surveyor, or take any action thereon.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to approve and authorize the rearrangement of the various town offices and departments situated in the Town Hall Building as deemed necessary by the selectmen to remedy present congested conditions and protect valuable town records, providing among other changes for the removal of the Main Library into the Com- munity Room and the installation of a new vault, substantially as shown on a plan now on file in the office of the Town Clerk, raise and appropriate or transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Account a sum of money there- for, or take any action thereon.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to purchase a truck body to be used and utilized for the collection of town rubbish and other purposes under the supervision of the Board of Health, raise and appropriate or transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Account a sum of money therefor, or take any action thereon.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Account a sum of money for the purchase of a truck for the Highway Department, or take any action thereon.
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Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to transfer Fifteen Hundred ($1500.00) Dollars of the unexpended balance of $4502.18 remaining in the Reservoir and Wells, etc. Account to the Laying Mains Account, or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by the Board of Water Commis- sioners.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to recind the vote of the Town adopted November 12, 1793 and amendments thereto, "that two con- stables shall be chosen annually by ballot" and substitute therefor "that one or more constables shall be appointed annually by the selectmen from the registered voters of the town, "in accordance with chapter 41, section 1 of the General Laws and amendments thereto, or take any action thereon.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to recind section 6 of Chap- ter 2 of the Town By-Laws, providing that "two hundred (200) legal voters shall constitute a quorum at all town meetings," and substitute the follow- ing therefor: "One hundred (100) legal voters shall constitute a quorum at all town meetings," or take any action thereon.
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to consider and discuss the report of the School Survey Committee printed in the 1950 annual Town Report as a report of progress, authorize the committee to continue it's school survey work and raise and appropriate a sum of money for necessary expert advice and clerical services, or take any action thereon.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to consider and discuss the report of the Town Study Committee printed in the 1950 annual Town Report as a report of progress, authorized the committee to continue it's town study work and raise and appropriate a sum of money for necessary expert advice and clerical services, or take any action thereon.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to remove the piece of curb- stone opposite 314 Asbury Street, the work to be done under the direction and supervision of the Highway Surveyor, raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor, or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by Alfred J. Jermyn and others.
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