USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1950 > Part 2
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Moved by Mr. Everett F. Haley and duly seconded : "That the town vote to approve and authorize the rearrangement of the various town offices and departments situated in the Town Hall building deemed necessary by the selectmien to remedy present congested conditions and protect valuable town records, providing among other changes for the removal of the Main Library into the Community Room and the installation of a new vault. substantially as shown on a plan now on file in the office of the Town Clerk and raise and appropriate the sum of $6.000.00. the work to be done under the direction and supervision of the Board of Selectmen."
Mr. Richard Preston: "I move that the consideration of Article S be deferred until after Article 15 has been acted upon."
Voice Vote. Motion unanimously carried.
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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. take any action thereon."
Moved by Mr. Everett F. Haley and duly seconded: "That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $4,000.00 for the purpose of purchasing a truck body to be used and utilized for the collection of town rubbish and other purposes under the direction and supervision of the Board of Health. and that the Board of Health be authorized and empowered, with full powers to consummate such purchase."
Voice Vote. Motion carried.
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 there- on."
Moved by Mr. Leland D. Thompson and duly seconded : "That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $6500.00 for the purpose of pur- chasing a truck for the Highway Department, and that the Surveyor of Highways be authorized and empowered, with full powers, to consummate such purchase."
Voice Vote. Motion unanimously carried.
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 Commission- ers."
Moved by Mr. Richard H. Smith and duly seconded: "That the town transfer the sum of $1500.00 of the unexpended balance of $4502.18 remaining in the Reservoir and Wells, etc. Account to the Laying Mains Acount, raised and appropriated for under Articles two and three at the special town meeting held on August 29, 1947."
Voice Vote. Motion unanimously carried.
Article 12. "To see if the Town will vote to rescind the vote of the Town adopted November 12, 1793 and amendments thereto. "that two constables 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."
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Moved by Mr. John H. Perkins and duly seconded: "That the town vote to rescind the vote of the town adopted at its meeting November 12, 1793 and amendments thereto, "that two constables shall be chosen annual- ly by ballot" and substitute therefore "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."
Voice Vote. Motion unanimously carried.
Article 13. "To see if the Town will vote to rescind section 6 of Chap- ter 2 of the Town By-Laws, providing that "two hundred (200) legal vot- ers shall constitute a quorum at all town meetings," and substitute the following therefor: "One hundred (100) legal voters shall constitute a quorum at all town meetings," or take any action thereon."
Moved by Mr. Lawrence R. Stone and duly seconded: "That the town vote to rescind Section 6 of Chapter 2 of the Town By-Laws, provid- ing that "two hundred (200) legal voters shall constitute a quorum at all town meetings," and substitute the following therefor: "One hundred (100) legal voters shall constitute a quorum at all town meetings."
Voice Vote. Motion defeated.
Article 14. "To see if the Town will vote to consider and discuss the report of tthe School Survey Committee printed in the 1949 annual Town Report as a report of progress, authorize the committee to continue its school survey work and raise and appropriate a sum of money for necessary expert advice and clerical services, or take any action thereon."
Moved by Mr. Everett F. Haley and duly seconded: "That the re- port of the School Survey Committee as printed in the 1949 town report be received as a report of progress and that the Committee be continued with its present powers.
Moved by Mr. Standish Bradford and duly seconded: "That the motion be amended by adding at the end, "and with the powers of a Re- gional School Committee."
Amendment to motion accepted by Mr. Haley.
Voice vote on motion as amended. Motion unanimously carried.
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, authorize the committee to continue its town study work and raise and appropriate a sum of money for necessary expert advice and clerical services, or take any action thereon."
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Moved by Mr. Frederic Winthrop and duly seconded: "That the town consider and discuss the report of the Town Study Committee printed in the 1949 Annual Town Report as a report of progress, authorize the committee to continue its town study work and raise and appropriate the sum of $2500.00 for necessary expert advice and clerical services."
Voice Vote. Motion carried.
Moderator: "We shall now take up Article 8."
Mr. Frederic Winthrop: "We asked that action on this article be de- ferred to see whether or not the town would vote to accept Article 15. In the report of the Finance Committee we asked that the Town Study Com- mittee be continued. This committee will present recommendations next year on changes in the town government and the reorganization and re- location of various departments. The Finance Committee feels that this town hall should not be remodeled until this report is received. For a fee of $2,500 the experts will present a detailed blue-print."
Mr. Everett F. Haley: "For the past five years the selectmen have asked that something be done about the Town Hall and every year we put it off because there were other vital appropriations necessary. We have a plan prepared by Mr. Thibedeau in which it is planned to move the library into the Community Room and give two rooms to the Town Clerk, one for private conferences, I move the article be adopted. The motion was duly seconded.
Mr. Richard Preston: "My committee has no objection to these changes and I would like to back up the motion of Mr. Haley."
Rising Vote. Motion defeated 169 to 104.
Article 16. "To see if the Town will vote to remove the piece of curbstone opposite 314 Asbury Street, the work to be done under the di- rection 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."
Moved by Alfred J. Jermyn and duly seconded: "That the Town vote to remove the piece of curbstone on the suothwesterly side of Asbury Street opposite the property numbered 314 Asbury Street and appropriate the sum of $175.00 therefor, the work to be done under the direction and supervision of the Surveyor of Highways."
Voice Vote. Motion defeated.
Article 17. "To see if the Town will vote, subject to compliance by the selectmen with section 81 L of Chapter 41 of the General Laws and amendments thereto, to accept the proposed layout as a public way by the selectmen of Stopford Street, so called, from Durham Avenue in a north- easterly direction for a distance of approximately 366 feet substantially as shown on a plan entitled "Plan of Durham Ave., Appleton, Stopford and Gibney Streets. Hamilton, Mass., for acceptance, Nov. 22, 1941, Morse Dickinson & Goodwin, Engineers, Haverhill, Mass." or take any action thereon as petitioned for by Theodore E. Johnson and others."
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Moved by Mr. Everett F. Haley and duly seconded : "That the Town accept the proposed layout as a public town way by the selectmen of Stop- ford Street. so called, from Durham Avenue in a northeasterly direction for a distance of Approximately 366 feet. substantially as shown on a plan entitled "Plan of Durham Avenue, Appleton. Stopford and Gibney Streets. Hamilton. Mass., November 22, 1941. Morse, Dickinson & Goodwin, En- gineers," now on file in the office of the Town Clerk.
Voice Vote. Motion unanimously carried.
Article 18. "To see if the Town will vote, subject to compliance by the selectmen with section 81 I of Chapter 41 of the General Laws and amendments thereto. to accept the proposed layout as a public way by the selectmen of an extension of Lincoln Avenue, so called. substantially as shown on plans on file in the office of tthe Town Clerk of Hamilton, or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by Herbert C. Haraden and others."
Moved by Mr. Lawrence R. Stone and duly seconded: "That the 'town accept the proposed layout as a public town way by the selectmen of an. extension of Lincoln Avenue, so called, as shown on a plan entitled "Plan of a portion of Lincoln Avenue, Hamilton, Massachusetts, for acceptance, March 1950, Charles H. Morse & Son, Engineers." now on file in the office of the Town Clerk."
Voice Vote. Motion unanimously carried.
Article 19. "To see if the Town will vote, subject to compliance by the selectmen with section 81 I of Chapter 41 of the General Laws and amendments thereto, to accept the proposed layout as a public way by the selectmen of Moynihan Road, so called, situated in South Hamilton, sub- stantially as shown on a plan entitled "Plan of Moynihan Road. Hamilton. Mass., Charles H. Morse & Son, Engineers. Haverhill, Mass .. dated Jan- uary 1950." now on file in the office of the Town Clerk of Hamilton or take any action thereon. as petitioned for by Francis C. Moynihan and others."
Moved by Mr. Richard W. Johnson and duly seconded: "That the town accept the proposed layout as a public town way by the selectmen of Moynihan Road, so called, substantially as shown on a plan entitled "Plan of Moynihan Road, Hamilton, Mass., Charle H. Morse & Son. Engineers, dated January 1950." now on file in the office of the Town Clerk.
Voice Vote. Motion unanimously carried.
Article 20. "To see if the Town will vote, subject to compliance by the selectmen with section 81 I of Chapter 41 of the General Laws and amendments thereto, to accept the proposed layout as a public way by the selectmen of the extension of some 200 feet of Howard Street, so called, situated in South Hamilton, substantially as shown on a plan entitled "Plan of extension of Howard Street, Hamilton, Mass., Charles H. Morse
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& Son, Engineers. Haverhill, Mass .. dated January 1950." now on file in the office of the Town Clerk of Hamilton, or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by Francis C. Moynihan and others."
Moved by Mr. Richard W. Johnson and duly seconded: "That the Town accept the proposed layout as a public town way by the selectmen of the extension of some 200 feet of Howard Street, so called. substantially as shown on a plan entitled "Plan of extension of Howard Street, Hamilton Mass., dated January 1950. Charles H. Morse & Son, Engineers," now on file in the office of the Town Clerk."
Voice Vote. Motion unanimously carried.
Article 21. "To see if the town will vote, subject to compliance by the selectmen with section 81 I of Chapter 41 of the General Laws and amendments thereto, to accept the proposed layout as a public way by the selectmen of the extension of Lake Drive. so called, substantially as shown on a plan entitled "Plan of Lake Drive for Acceptance. December 13, 1948, Charles H. Morse & Son. Engineers." now on file in the office of the Town Clerk of Hamilton, or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by Phillip Brackett and others."
Moved by Mr. Everett F. Haley and duly seconded: "That this article be indefinitely postponed as it does not comply with the by-law."
Voice Vote. Motion carried.
Article 22. "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 purchasing and laying water mains of not less than six inches but less than sixteen inches in diameter on Moynihan Road. so called, South Hamilton, and acquiring necessary water departmental equipment including hydrants and attachments therefor, or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by Francis C. Moynihan and others."
Moved by Mr. Richard W. Johnson and duly seconded : "That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $4,000.00 for the purpose of purchasing and laying water mains of not less than six inches but less than sixteen inches in diameter on Moynihan Road, so called. and acquire necessary water departmental equipment including hydrants and attachments there- for, the work to be done under the direction and supervision of the Water Department, provided the developer executes and delivers to the town a written agreement satisfactory to the town counsel guaranteeing to the town a return of 10 percentum annually on the cost of such main equip- ment and the installation thereof."
Voice Vote. Motion carried.
Article 23. "To see if the Town will vote to build, grade, oil and drain Lake Drive, an accepted street, as shown on a plan entitled“Accept-
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ance Plan of a portion of Lake Drive, 6 December 1946, and accepted by the Town as a public way at the annual town meeting held March 3, 1947, 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, as petitioned for by Roy E. Crosby and others."
Moved by Mr. Roy E. Crosby and duly seconded: "That the Town build, grade, oil and drain Lake Drive, an accepted town street, as shown on a plan entitled "Acceptance Plan of a portion of Lake Drive. 6 Decem- ber 1946." and accepted by the town as a public town way at the annual town meeting held March 3, 1947, and raise and appropriate the sum of $4,000.00 therefor, the work to be done under the direction and super- vision of the Surveyor of Highways."
Voice Vote. Motion carried.
Article 24. "To see if the Town will vote to build, grade, drain and oil Perkins Avenue, an accepted street, 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, as petitioned for by Roy E. Crosby and others."
Moved by Mr. Roy E. Crosby and duly seconded: "That the town vote to build. grade, drain and oil Perkins Avenue, an accepted street. and raise and appropriate the sum of $2,375.00 therefor, the work to be done under the direction and supervision of the Surveyor of Highways."
Voice Vote. Motion defeated.
Article 25. Moderator: "To see if the Town will vote to accept the relocation or alteration of Railroad avenue as a public town way by the selectmen for the use of the inhabitants of the town under section 21 of Chapter 82 of the General Laws and amendments thereto to remedy the unnecessarily high curbstone on the southwesterly side of said avenue and to widen said avenue, as shown on a plan now on file in the office of the Town Clerk, vote to acquire land by purchase or eminent domain for such purpose under Chapter 79 and raise and appropriate or transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Account a sum of money therefor or take any ac- tion thereon."
Moved by Mr. Edward A. DeWitt and duly seconded: "That the town accept the relocation and alteration of Railroad Avenue as a public town way by the selectmen between Main Street and Willow Street under section 21 of Chapter 82 of the General Laws and amendments thereto to remedy the unnecessarily high curbstone on the southwesterly side of said avenue and to widen said avenue as shown on a plan entitled "Plan show- ing Proposed Changes on Railroad Avenue, Hamilton, Massachusetts. Feb- ruary 1950, Charles H. Morse & Son, Engineers," now on file in the office of the Town Clerk, vote to acquire land by purchase or take land by eminent domain for such purpose under Chapter 79 of the General Laws, and transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Account a sum of $7500.00 for
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such purposes, the relocation, alteration and widening work to be done under the direction and supervision of the Surveyor of Highways and the acquiring or taking by eminent domain of land, if necessary, to be done under the direction and supervision of the selectmen.
Mr. Frederic Winthrop: "I move that if this article is accepted, the money be raised by taxes rather than transfer it from the Excess and Deficiency Account."
Moderator called for a vote on Mr. Winthrop's amendment which was defeated.
Mr. Richard L. Wiggin : "I would like to make an amendment that a sum of money sufficient to raise the grade be appropriated."
Voice Vote. Amendment defeated.
Moderator called for vote on Mr. DeWitt's motion.
Voice Vote. Motion defeated.
Article 26. "To see if the Town will vote to approve making Rail- road Avenue a one-way street between Willow Street and Main Street, or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by Gordon L. Thompson and others."
Moved by Mr. Harold A. Daley and duly seconded : "That the town vote to make Railroad Avenue a one-way street between Willow Street and Main Street.
Voice Vote. Motion defeated.
Article 27. "To see if the town will vote to erect a suitable memorial on the Public Playground and Recreation Center at the corner of Main and Asbury Street, called Patton Park, in memory of those from Hamilton who served their country during World War II, raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor, or take any action thereon."
Moved by Mr. Elmer H. Smith and duly seconded: "That a com- mittee of five be appointed by the Moderator to consider and recommend a suitable memorial to those of Hamilton who lost their lives in World War II. The committee to consist of one member of the Park Commis- sioners, one member of the Finance Committee, one member of Augustus Peabody Gardner Post 194 American Legion and two other registered voters of Hamilton, and that the sum of $100 be raised and appropriated for expenses of the Committee."
Voice Vote. Motion carried.
Article 28. "To see if the Town will vote to erect a flagpole with a suitable inscription thereon to the memory of General George S. Patton, Jr., on the public playground and recreation center at the corner of Main and Asbury Streets, called Patton Park, raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor, or take any action thereon."
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Moved by Mr. Elmer H. Smith and duly seconded: "That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $450.00 for a flagpole, flag and bronze plaque to be erected at Patton Park to the memory of General George S. Patton. Jr."
Voice Vote. Motion carried.
Article 29. "To see if the Town will vote to build a Field House on the town Playground and Recreation Centre at the corner of Asbury and Main Streets. called Patton Park, and raise and appropriate the sum of $18.000.00 therefor. which sum shall include and provide for the neces- sary equipment and furnishings of said building, engineer and architect fees and plans. grading of the land, building of a roadway to the building, and other necessary expenditures that may arise, the work to be done under the direction and supervision of the Board of Park Commissioners, or take any action thereon."
Moved by Mr. Ralston Pickering and duly seconded: "That the town vote to build toilet facilities on the town playground and recreational centre at the corner of Main and Asbury Streets, commonly called Patton Park. and raise and appropriate the sum of $7,500.00 therefor, which sum shall include and provide for the necessary equipment and furnishings of said building, engineer and architect fees and plans, grading of the land and other necessary expenditures that may arise, the work to be done under the direction and supervision of the Board of Park Commissioners."
Mr. Everett F. Haley: "I well realize the need of toilet facilities. but aren't you a little far-fetched in broadening out this article. There is quite a little difference beteween a field house and toilet facilities. I really don't see how you can erect toilet facilities under this article."
Moved by Mr. Standish Bradford and duly seconded. that Mr. Picker- ing's motion be amended that $18.000.00 be appropriated to build a field house.
Moderator to Mr. Pickering: "I am forced to rule against you as it is broadening the intention of the article. I have to rule your motion out of order."
Moderator called for a vote on the motion as amended by Mr. Bradford. Voice Vote. Motion defeated.
Article 30. "To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Park Com- missioners to fix and collect admission fees from non-residents of the town for the use of town playgrounds and recreation centres and parks or take any action thereon."
Moved by Mr. Ray M. Sanford and duly seconded: "That the town vote to authorize the Park Commissioners to fix and collect reasonable ad- mission fees from non-residents of the town for the use of the town play- ground. recreational centres and recreational parks with the town buildings and equipment thereon. the proceeds therefrom to be applied only to the maintenance and equipment costs thereof."
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Mr. Harold A. Daley : "I am a little bit confused. I would like to ask how you will go about it and still comply with the law. Doesn't the money that is received have to go to the Town Treasurer ?"
(The Moderator agreed with Mr. Daley and the words "the proceeds therefrom to be applied only to the maintenance and equipment costs there- of" were struck out of the motion.)
Voice Vote. Motion carried.
Article 31. "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, 1951, 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."
Moved by Mr. Walfred B. Sellman and duly seconded: "That the town vote to authorize the town treasurer. with the approval of the select- men, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of revenue of the financial year beginning January 1. 1951, 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 of the General Laws and Amendments thereto."
Voice Vote. Motion unanimously carried.
Article 32. "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."
Moved by Mr. John H. Perkins and duly seconded : "That the town vote to 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, of the General Laws and Amendments thereto."
Voice Vote. Motion unanimously carried.
Article 33. "To act on any other matter that may legally come be- fore said meeting."
Moderator: "I would like to announce that at the adjournment of the meeting, a hearing on the regional school will be held."
On the motion of Mr. Lawrence R. Stone, the Moderator declared the meeting adjourned at 9:40 p. m.
Vote on Article 1. March 14, 1950.
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Polls were opened at 5:45 a. m. by the Moderator, Oliver Wolcott. There were 1164 votes cast under Article 1.
Men
607
Voted in Person
1136
Women
557 Absentee Votes 28
1164 1164
MODERATOR-for one year
Wolcott, Oliver 879 Blanks 284
Brackett, Phillips 1
TOWN CLERK-for one year
Whipple, Francis H. 1015 Blanks 149
SELECTMEN-three for one year
D'Arcy, Stephen J. 361 Stone, Lawrence R. 723
De Witt, Edward A.
674 Tree. Frank Leonard 153
Dodge, Benjamin A.
363 Blanks
Haley, Everett F.
657
TREASURER-for one year
Sellman, Walfred B. 988 Blanks 176
TAX COLLECTOR-for one year
Crowell, Bertha L. 1046 Blanks 118
ASSESSOR-for three years
Chittick, Robert H.
796 Dodge, Charles H. 100
Colwell, Gerald F. 227 Blanks 41
TREE WARDEN-for one year
Haraden, Rudolph H.
984 Blanks 179
Blenkhorn, Creighton . 1
SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS-for one year
Bancroft, William R.
271 Blanks 49
Thompson, Leland D.
844
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