USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1953 > Part 4
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Respectfully submitted,
HENRY J. GOURDEAU, Chairman GEORGE C. CUTLER, JR., Clerk M. KEITH LANDER ARTHUR E. MORROW FRANCIS C. MOYNIHAN
51
REPORT OF THE DENTAL CLINIC
To the Hamilton Board of Health:
GENTLEMEN :
I herewith submit my report of the Hamilton Dental Clinic for the year 1953.
Amalgam fillings
396
Cement or temporary fillings
32
Copper Cement fillings
15
Cement linings
13
Pourlain fillings
2
Cleanings
119
Extractions with novocaine
Temporary teeth
49
Permanent
9
Novocaine injections for fillings
10
Root treatments
8
X-rays
23
Certificates
68
A certificates means that the child has had everything completed for that year.
At this time I feel that I should say something about the Clinic. In 1941 when it was started, we had in the first six grades about 160 children. Now we have about 390 and going up all the time. I am still seeing the children the same six hours per week. Judging from these figures it is most apparent that I am only reaching a portion of the present 390.
A clinic to be a success should reach every child who wishes to attend and each one should have his or her work completed during the school year. Only by so doing can a Clinic be a success. To prove this, one has only to look back to some of my previous records. When we had only 160 children, it was not uncommon to return 150 or more certificates to the school and for several years the loss of permanent teeth was held to less than three per year. One year only one was lost. This year I worked on 177 different children and nine teeth were lost. I can hardly hope to equal such a record again because of a more transient population.
That I believe gives a picture of the Clinic as of today, and I am wondering what can be done about it.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN KING, D.M.D.
52 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
To the Taxpayers of the Town of Hamilton:
The Assessors are pleased to submit their annual report for the calendar year 1953.
In our previous report we predicted that the year 1953 would show a considerable increase in valuation and the number of dwellings. This is now an actuality as shown by the comparative figures below :
1950 1951 1952 1953
Total Valuation $6,323,100. $6,605,585. $6,903,155. $7,377,925.
Number of Buildings
1,059. 1,100. 1,156. 1,231.
The number of Poll Taxes assessed in 1953 was 1,085, compared to 1,023 assessed in the previous year. These statistics will give you a general idea of how rapidly the town is growing.
Detail Report for the Year ending December 31, 1953
Value of buildings
$5,330,400.00 1,420,515.00
Value of land
Total value of Real Estate
$6,750,915.00
Value of Personal Estate
627,010.00
Total valuation
$7,377,925.00
Tax Rate $42.00 per thousand.
Tax on Real Estate
$283,538.43
Tax on Personal Estate
26,334.42
Tax on Polls. 1,085 at $2.00
2,170.00
Total taxes assessed
$312,042.85
1953 RECAPITULATION
EXPENDITURES
Appropriations to be raised by taxation $440,583.66
Abatements in excess of overlay (previous years) 309.70
State Tax and Assessments :
State Parks and Reservations
439.78
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
463.49
County Tax and Assessment :
County Tax
18,397.05
Tuberculosis Hospital
5,326.19
Overlay for the current year
8,887.67
Gross amount to be raised
$474,407.54
53
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND AVAILABLE FUNDS
Veterans Benefits
1,000.00
Income Tax
26,830.22
Corporation Taxes
21,594.34
Reimbursement account of publicly owned land
5,601.82
Old Age Tax (meals)
908.85
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise Tax
30,000.00
Licenses
1,500.00
Special Assessments (moth)
846.60
Protection of Persons and Property
50.00
Health and Sanitation
500.00
Charities (other than Federal Grants for dependent children)
1,800.00
Old Age Assistance (other than Federal grants)
19,000.00
Schools
10,000.00
Public Service Enterprises (water)
19,000.00
Cemetery (other trust funds and sale of lots)
900.00
Interest on taxes and assessments
300.00
Over Estimates of Previous Years
County Tax
1,545.06
Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment
987.80
Amount taken from available funds
20,000.00
Tax Receipts from 1953 assessments
312,042.85
Gross Receipts
$474,407.54
LIVE STOCK ASSESSED
Horses and Ponies
117
Cows (milch) 138
Bulls-Oxen-Heifers
64
Yearlings
76
Sheep
72
Fowl
300
NUMBER OF PERSONS AND CORPORATIONS ASSESSED
Real Estate only 1,011
Personal Estate only 1/1
Personal and Real Estate
164
LAND AND BUILDINGS ASSESSED
Acres of Land
6,645
Buildings 1,231
54
We wish to again advise all residents who have reached the age of sixty-five (65) that they may apply for exemption of their poll tax. The necessary form will be furnished upon request.
The Assessors will be glad to meet, by appointment, any taxpayer who may wish to confer with them relative to the assessment on their property.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT H. CHITTICK JESSE S. MANN ELMO O. ADAMS
Board of Assessors.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of the Town af Hamilton:
The close of 1953 found your School Building Committee essentially ready to wind up its activities, present its application for reimbursement to the State School Building Assistance Commission, turn over a small surplus to the Town Treasury, and ask for a dismissal at the 1954 Town Meeting. There were, however, still some corrections to be made in the work, which were financed out of our budget, and a fairly large list of additional equip- ment necessary for the schools for which additional funds would be needed. At the suggestion of the Finance Committee, we have requested $4,500.00 for equipment in order that the town may benefit by state reimbursement for a part of the cost.
We wish at this time to express our gratitude to Mrs. Alfred Edmond- son, Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools, to the School Committee, to the Superintendent himself, Mr. Douglas Chandler, to Mr. Francis Whip- ple, Town Clerk and to Mr. Walfred B. Sellman, Town Treasurer, for their invaluable help in preparing the request for reimbursement.
Respectfully submitted,
FINLAY D. MACDONALD, Chairman RUTH DONALDSON, Secretary STANDISH BRADFORD FORRESTER A. CLARK G. GORDON LOVE School Building Committee.
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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 ending December 31, 1953.
Total Arrests 40
Male 38 Female 2
CLASSIFICATION OF CRIMES
Assault
1 Abuse of female child 1
Drunkenness
17 Operating without license 2
Larceny by check
1 Operating under influence 4
Lewd and Lascivious
2 Leaving scene of accident
2
Carrying pistol without permit
1 Driving to endanger 4
Vagrancy
1 Operating after suspension 2
Malicious burning
2
DISPOSITION OF CASES
Fined
16 Probation 5
Sentenced
6 Released (Drunk) 13
ARRESTS BY OFFICERS
Frederick. Chief
34 Sargent 2
Charles
2 Wentworth 2
SUMMONS SERVED
For local department
17
For out of town police
26
AUTOMOBILE REGULATIONS
Licenses revoked by Registrar 18
Registrations revoked by Registrar
4
Automobile transfers 152
MISCELLANEOUS
Ambulance runs to hospitals and physicians 123
Dangerous wires reported
6
Street lights reported out
47
Street obstructions reported
2
Accidents investigated 30
Assistance to out of town police 44
56
During the year the two-way radio voted for by the annual town meet- ing for police and civil defense purposes was installed in the cruiser. This radio is tuned in with the frequency of the Beverly Police Department and messages are transmitted through the Beverly system. This means of communication has proved to be very valuable in many instances as it is now possible to contact the police department when the officer is in any part of the town. It is expected that only urgent or emergency calls will be handled through the radio, with those of less importance waiting until the officer can be reached at the office by telephone.
The Cruiser-Ambulance is now on its second year of use, and although in very good condition at the present time, it would seem advisable that it be traded for a new one in 1955. This machine is put to considerable use, available twenty-four hours every day and has travelled many miles.
I express my sincere appreciation to the Beverly Police Department for its cooperation in handling calls for our two-way radio, the local Telephone Operators for their endless cooperation which far exceeds their customary duties, and all townspeople and officials who have assisted the department during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD FREDERICK, Chief of Police.
57
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
To the Citizens of Hamilton:
I herewith submit a report of the Tree and Moth Departments for the year 1953.
The customary spraying and the trimming of dead wood as a means of suppressing the various bugs and diseases that attack shade trees was carried on during the year. Test showed that six trees were infected with dutch elm disease, and as required by law, the trees and stumps were re- moved and burned. Eighty-one other elm trees which showed no signs of dutch elm disease were thoroughly trimmed.
It seems appropriate at this time to mention that the law requires the burning of all elm tree wood that has been trimmed or removed. This ap- plies to trees on private property as well as public property. The leaving of limbs, trees or stumps laying on the ground is in violation of the law.
Undergrowth and brush has been trimmed along the sides of various streets in town. The assistance by the Highway Department in this work has been very helpful and has resulted in a greater number of streets being completed than would have been done without such assistance.
Many of the new streets in town are without shade trees, during the past year twenty small Maple Trees were purchased and set out where needed. With a reasonable appropriation each year it will eventually be possible to cover all the new streets.
I express my appreciation to the Highway Surveyor for the valuable assistance rendered by his department, and to all others who have assisted me during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
RUDOLPH H. HARADEN, Tree Warden.
58
FRED BERRY
May 6, 1861 August 16, 1953
59
FRED BERRY FOREST WARDEN
Hamilton lost its oldest public official in the death of Fred Berry on August 16, 1953. Born in Dover, New Hampshire, May 6, 1861, Fred, as he was known to all, came to Hamilton in 1885 and continued his residence here until his death.
Prior to the organization of a fire department in town, such duties were conducted by Fire Wards. Mr. Berry was one of seven such Wards for many years until 1908 when the office of Forest Warden was created. At this time he was appointed to this position, and which he held continuously until his death, making a total of 46 years of continuous service in this office.
A charter member of the Essex County Forest Warden's Association, Mr. Berry enjoyed the distinction of being its oldest member, as well as being the oldest, both in age and service, official and citizen of the Town of Hamilton.
In addition to being Forest Warden, Mr. Berry was elected a Field Driver of the town in 1896 and was re-elected each succeeding year, and which position he also held at the time of his death.
Of kindly disposition, friendly to all, conscientious in his official duties, he will long be remembered by his legion of friends.
60
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Citizens of Hamilton:
We submit herewith a report of the Welfare Department for the year ending December 31, 1953.
For the third consecutive year the expenditures for General Relief has showed a marked decrease. Total expenditured for this category of assist- ance amounted to $1773. less than was expended in 1952, and $7873. less than 1950. Principally this reduction over the three year period has been due to persons being assisted under other categories in which there is federal and state reimbursement of a part of the assistance granted.
Expenditures under the Disability Assistance category were $1,000. less than during 1952 which is attributed to a lesser number of persons receiving this type of assistance during the year because of death. No comparison of previous years can be made in this category due to not going into effect until November 1, 1951.
Aid to Dependent Children expenditures increased over 1952 by $2600., and an increase over 1950 by $3,200. This increase has been due to an increase in the number of persons receiving this type of assistance as well as a considerable increase in the amount that has been expended for their medical care. Because of this it seems necessary to request a larger appro- priation for this category for the coming year.
Expenditures under Old Age Assistance showed a decrease of $1600. as compared to 1952, and an increase of $8800 as compared to 1950. The decrease has been due to a lesser number of persons receiving assistance in 1953 than the previous year. We find that the expenditures for medical care under old age assistance accounts for a considerable amount of the total expenditures.
In checking over the expenditures for Aid to Dependent Children and Old Age Assistance it will be found that more money was expended by the town than was appropriated by the town meeting. This is because the reimbursements received from the Federal Government may be expended along with the town appropriation. For an example, the total of $45,802.31 expended by the town for old age assistance during 1953 was made up by $29,814.17 from the town appropriation and $15,888.14 from federal re- imbursement.
The following figures show the expenditures for 1953 and the amount of federal and state reimbursement of such expenditures. The amount of reimbursement is not identical with the amount of money actually received during the year due to the overlapping of one year's reimbursements into the following year.
61
GENERAL RELIEF
Expenditures
Reimbursements
By Town $2,077.97 State $157.00
Net Cost to Town 1,920.97
$2,077.97
$2,077.97
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
Expenditures
Reimbursements
By Town
$3,318.91
Federal Government .. $1,020.40
State 1,468.80
Net Cost to Town 829.71
$3,318.91
$3,318.91
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
By Town Expenditures
Reimbursements
$4,836.18
Federal Government .. $1,648.22
State 1,612.05
Net Cost to Town 1,575.91
$4,836.18
$4,836.18
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Expenditures
Reimbursements
By Town
$45,802.31
Federal Government .. $20,797.21
State 16,786.78
Town and Cities 1,152.83
7,065.49
$45,802.31 $45,802.31
We express our appreciation to all who have assisted us in any manner during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, LAWRENCE R. STONE ARTHUR M. KNIGHT EVERETT F. HALEY Board of Public Welfare.
62
WARRANT FOR THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
ESSEX, ss. To the Constable 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, quali- fied to vote in election and Town affairs, to meet in the HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM in said Town on Monday, the first day of March, nineteen hundred and fifty-four (March 1, 1954), 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 for one year.
Treasurer for one year.
Tax Collector for one year.
One Assessor for three years.
One Tree Warden for one year.
One Highway Surveyor for one year.
One member of the School Committee for three years.
One Library Trustee for three years.
One Water Commissioner for three years.
One Cemetery Commissioner for three years.
One Park Commissioner for three years.
One member of the Planning Board for five years.
The above named officers and question to be voted for on one ballot on Tuesday, the ninth day of March, 1954 (March 9, 1954) in the HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM. The polls will be opened at 8:00 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 manner as the Town may determine.
Article 3. To hear the reports of the Town Officers and of the Fin- ance and Advisory Committee and all other committees and take any action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 4. To raise and appropriate money for Schools, Highways, and all other Town Expenses and determine the manner of expending the same.
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for Chapter 90 Highway Maintenance, or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
63
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for Chapter 90 Highway Construction on Essex Street, or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for Chapter 90 Construction on Chebacco Road, or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $500.00 from the Cemetery Sale of Lots Fund to the Cemetery Account for the purpose of making improvements to the Town Cemetery, or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to purchase a truck with snow-plowing equipment for the use of the Highway Department and raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor, or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $4,500. for the purchase, for the Addition to the High School and for the new Elementary School, of additional lights and audio-amplification system for the auditorium in the High School, cycloramic curtains for the stages in both schools, stage curtains for the Elementary school, screens, shades and floor surfacing material, and other fixtures and equipment, such sum to be expended under the supervision of the School Building Com- mittee, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to erect a building on Patton Memorial Park for the purpose of providing toilet facilities at the park and raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor, the work to be done under the direction and supervision of the Board of Park Commissioners, or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to authorize and approve the Board of Assessors to use available funds or "free cash" in an amount not to exceed the sum of $20,000.00 in determining the tax rate for the year 1954, or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the formation of a committee of eight of which four shall be members of the School Committee and Superintendent of schools and of which four shall be ap- pointed by the Moderator (and of which committee the chairman of the School Committee shall be designated Chairman pro tem for organization ) for the purpose of studying the immediate needs for public school require- ments and facilities in the town and making a report of their activities and recommendations on or before the next annual town meeting. and that the sum of $1,000.00 be raised and appropriated for this purpose, or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
64
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Moderator to appoint a committee of five for the purpose of studying the advisability of the adoption by the Town of a building and electrical code, such com- mittee to make its report with recommendations at or before the next annual town meeting, and to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the expenses of the committee, or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Moderator to appoint a committee of five for the purpose of studying the advisability of the formation of a department in the nature of a public works depart- ment in the town, such committee to make its report with recommendations at the next annual town meeting, and raise and appropriate a sum of money for the expenses of the committee, or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to accept a layout of the relocation of a portion of School Street by the Selectmen as shown on a plan on file with the town clerk, and raise and appropriate a sum of money for the relocation and rebuilding of said street in accordance with such plan, or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public town way, Ortins Road, so-called, as laid out by the Selectmen and approved by the Planning Board and shown on a plan entitled "Layout and Acceptance Plan of Ortins Road in the Town of Hamilton, Mass., January 1954", now on file with the town clerk, or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public town way, Porter Lane, so-called, as laid out by the Selectmen and approved by the Planning Board and shown on a plan entitled "Plan of Bruce Acres, Hamilton, Mass., November 6, 195?", now on file with the town clerk, or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public town way, Cunningham Drive, so-called, as laid out by the Selectmen and ap- proved by the Planning Board and shown on a plan entitled "Plan of Bruce Acres. IIamilton, Mass., November 6, 1952", now on file with the town clerk, or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public way that part of Lake Drive, so-called, as laid out by the Selectmen and ap- proved by the Planning Board and shown on a plan on file with the town clerk, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $300.00 to be expended under the supervision of the Surveyor of Highways together with such further sum, not less than $300.00 as shall be contributed by the Abutters of said way, for improvements to said way necessary to make said way con- form to the requirements of Chapter VIII of the By-laws, or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
65
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to change the term of office of the Selectmen from one to three years, to become effective commencing with the election of town officers in 1955, such change to be effected by the election in 1955 of one Selectman for a term of three years, one Selectman for the term of two years, and one Selectman for the term of one year, and by the election each year thereafter of one Selectman for a term of three years, or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote on the joint recommendation of the School Committee and the School Building Committee, to name the new Elementary School the "Manasseh Cutler School" or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to adopt a protective By-law in the form of the By-law which is enclosed in the 1953 Annual Town Re- port and which together with the final report of the Planning Board are on file with the Town Clerk, or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town By-laws by inserting after Section 6 of Chapter X the following new Section :
Section 7. In the interest of public health and welfare, before construction is commenced upon any structure within the Town to be used as a dwelling, place of business, or for livestock, notice thereof shall be given to the Selectmen of the proposed location for registra- tion by the Town Clerk, upon payment of a 50-cent fee therefor.
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time, in anticipation of revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1955, 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 Amendments thereto.
Article 26. To see if the Town will authorize the Collector to use all means of collecting taxes which a Town Treasurer, when appointed Col- lector, may use agreeable to Chapter 41, Section 37, General Laws and Amendments thereto.
Article 27. 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 Post Offices 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 of holding said meeting.
Given under our hands this eighteenth day of January, A.D. 1954.
A true copy, Attest :
FRANCIS H. WHIPPLE, Town Clerk.
EVERETT F. HALEY LAWRENCE R. STONE ARTHUR M. KNIGHT
Selectmen of Hamilton
66
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FINANCE AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Town has continued the accelerated rate of growth and accordingly there has been a substantial increase in total valuation during the past year which may result in no appreciable change in the tax rate despite higher operating costs in several directions, particularly in the educational budget. The departments have conscientiously applied economy measures wherever possible without adversely affecting essential and adequate ser- vices rendered to the Town. The Finance Committee in turn has given careful consideration to the appropriations under review with the intent of providing the most efficient operation of our Town affairs in all fairness to the taxpayers as well as to those performing the work requirements.
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