USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1954 > Part 7
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ARTICLE 5. Foundatons
Every building shall have a continuous solid masonry foundation, to be built of stone, poured concrete in forms, precast concrete blocks, brick or other approved material, extending from a point at least three and one- half feet below grade, or from ledge, to the under side of the sill at the first floor level. If the land is on one or more sides slopes away to less than one foot above the cellar or basement floor level than the sill may also follow the contour of the land. This exception will not apply where there is no cellar or basement.
For buildings other than accessory buildings of one story in height, the thickness of the foundation walls will be as follows :
a. Stone walls, not less than sixteen inches thick.
b. Poured concrete, of proper mix, at least ten inches thick in the forms, increasing in thickness according to height, size and use of the building. Wall to be full height of the story.
c. Pre-cast concrete blocks, well seasoned, twelve inches wide to grade, and subject to the same requirements as of poured concrete.
d. All masonry walls except stone walls shall start from a footing of concrete, re-inforced, if necessary, when required by the Building Inspector. Such footings shall be at least ten inches thick and four inches wider on each side than the wall itself.
e. No masonry wall shall be built to a height greater than ten feet without re-inforcements or premanent bracing.
f. Carrying sticks (carrying timbers) shall be supported by approved metal columns not more than seven feet apart.
The above requirements shall not be applied to piazzas, porches, or similar projections of not more than one story in height or of more than 100 square feet of floor area.
Under no circumstance, however, will the use of wood resting on or imbedded in the ground be allowed to be used for supports under any sill, girder, partition shoe or other timber sustaining weight.
ARTICLE 6. Firestopping
SECTION 1. All buildings, alterations or additions thereto, hereafter erected, shall be firestopped at all floor levels, to prevent the spread of fire and to cut off drafts.
SECTION 2. Firestopping shall be done by two-inch stock, nominal measure, and must be placed between floor joists at the sill inside the studs between floor joists resting on a girder, girt, partition cap or any other supporting timber, full and complete in height up to the under side of the lining floor. On top of the lining floor stock of two inches in thickness full width of the studs shall be laid flatways between the studs.
SECTION 3. Stairs shall be firestopped at each end and in the middle of each run.
SECTION 4. Chimneys are to be firestopped at each floor with metal strips.
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SECTION 5. Firestopping shall be provided to form an effectual hori- zontal fire barrier between stories and roof spaces. The stopping shall con- sist of pieces of wood, not less than two inches thick, fitted tightly, cement mortar, or brick filling. Fire stopping shall not be concealed from view until opportunity has been given to the Building Inspector to approve it.
(Masonry materials may be used in place of wood.)
ARTICLE 7. Fire Protection of Woodwork
SECTION 1. Woodwork shall be kept at least one inch from the out- side brick work of chimneys and in no case shall nails be driven into the masonry of a chimney for the support of woodwork.
Smoke pipes from furnaces and heaters shall be kept at least eighteen inches away from any woodwork, unless woodwork is protected.
Registers, connected with hot air furnaces, shall be set in non-com- bustible borders at least two inches wide.
Steam pipes shall be kept at least one inch from all woodwork or shall be protected by an incombustible ring or tube, or rest on iron supports.
SECTION 2. Wood and other combustible floors under stoves or simi- lar appliances without legs shall be protected by one inch of asbestos or four inches of masonry, extending not less than four inches beyond the limits of the said appliance.
SECTION 3. No heating boiler, furnace, laundry stove, or similar appliance shall be placed within one and one-half feet of any partition, or ceiling of wood or wood lath and plaster, or within three feet of such par- tition or ceiling unless guarded by sheet metal loosely attached to provide an air space behind.
SECTION 4. No heating boiler or furnace shall be placed upon wooden floor construction.
SECTION 5. No stove or kitchen range shall be placed closer than twelve inches to any woodwork or wood lath and plaster partition; nor closer than twenty-four inches, unless guarded with sheet metal, held off one inch from said partition and allowing a ventilating air space, unless the appliance is approved for contrary installation by the Underwriters' Laboratories.
SECTION 6. All gas, gasoline, or other open flame appliances shall be placed on non-combustible stands at least six inches above any combustible support, unless the burners are at least five inches above the base, with metal guard plates below the burners.
No such device shall be used in a room where gasoline or other volatile inflammable liquid is handled, and no such liquid shall be stored in any room where such device is installed.
SECTION 7. Gas connections to stoves or heating devices shall be by rigid metal pipes.
ARTICLE 8. Party Walls
No opening or doorways shall be cut through a party or partition wall of any building without a permit from the Building Inspector, and when required by the Building Inspector, every such doorway shall be protected by standard self-closing fire doors with approved resistive frame and hard- ware.
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ARTICLE 9. Chimneys
SECTION 1. No tile or metal chimneys shall be allowed. All masonry chimneys shall rest on a concrete footing six inches thick and except those with solid brick walls eight inches thick, shall be lined throughout with vitreous flue lining, not less than 8"x12" (inside dimensions), and shall be topped at least 2'3" above the highest point of contact with the roof. No chimney shall be supported on wood. No wood closer than 1" to any chimney. Space between chimneys and floor joists to be firestopped.
SECTION 2. Every smoke pipe hole into a chimney shall be provided with a metal thimble. Masonry walls at the back and sides of every fire- place shall be at least 8" thick, if of brick and 12" thick if of stone. All fireplaces shall have dampers. Hearths shall be at least 16" in front of the fireplace openings, and at least 8" wider than the fireplace opening. Wood centers under fireplace hearth arches shall be removed before finish- ing thereunder. No wood work shall be within 5" of any smoke pipe.
ARTICLE 10. Roofs
SECTION 1. No part of any roof shall be constructed in such a man- ner as to discharge snow, ice or other material upon a public street or sidewalk.
SECTION 2. Any roof hereafter constructed in the Town of Hamil- ton, shall be covered with a fire-resistive material such as metal, tile, slate, asbestos, shingles, or surfaced asphalt shingles. If asphalt shingles are used, they shall weigh not less than 210 pounds per hundred square feet laid or 64 pounds per hundred square feet of material not laid.
SECTION 3. The roofs of all public buildings hereafter erected or constructed, and the roof of any existing public building hereafter recovered shall be covered and roofed with a non-combustible or fire-retarding mate- rial mentioned above.
SECTION 4. When twenty-five per cent or more of a roof covering is hereafter replaced, the new covering shall be one of the fire resistive mate- rials mentioned above.
ARTICLE 11. Materials (Minimum Requirements)
Sills 4" x 6".
Girders 6" x 8" or steel "I" Beams.
Floor Joists 2" x 8" to a 14' span - 16" on center.
Floor Joists 2" x 10" to a 18' span - 16" on center.
Studs outside walls and carrying partitions 2" x 4" - 16" on center. Collar ties 2" x 6".
Rafters 2" x 6" 14 feet in length or under - 16" on center
Rafters 2" x 8" 14 feet or longer - 16" on center.
ARTICLE 12. Exhaust Fans
Exhaust fans, which are built into a structure, shall be properly ex- hausted to the outside. Such fans shall be of an approved type and the installation shall be to the satisfaction of the Building Inspector.
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ARTICLE 13. Descriptions Not Specified
SECTION 1. All buildings hereafter erected with a specification not provided for in this Building By-Law, shall be constructed in a manner that shall be satisfactory to the Building Inspector.
SECTION 2. All buildings hereafter erected shall be placed on lots in accordance with all the provisions of the Zoning By-Law relating to setbacks and yards, and other pertinent features.
ARTICLE 14. Fees
The following fees shall be paid by applicants for permits into the treasury of the Town before a permit will be issued :
Any dwelling
$10.00
Garage or accesory building 3.00
Alteration or addition :
For operation costing up to $1,000 3.00
For each $1,000 of cost above the first $1,000 1.00
ARTICLE 15. Appeals
The Board of Appeals under the existing Zoning By-Law of the Town of Hamilton shall also act as a Board of Appeals under the Building By- Laws. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Inspector of Buildings may appeal to the Board of Appeals, who shall grant a hearing to the ag- grieved and shall render a decision within fourteen days from the date of appeal. Decisions shall require the assent of two members. The Board of Appeals may, in cases where manifest injustice is done or in cases which appear to them not to have been contemplated by the Building By-Laws, suspend or vary the regulations herein. The decision shall specify the variations allowed.
ARTICLE 16. Amendments
This Building By-Law or any part thereof may be modified or re- pealed as provided by law, at any Town Meeting duly called.
ARTICLE 17. Penalties
Whoever wilfully violates any of the provisions of this Building By- Law shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $50.00 for each such violation.
ARTICLE 18. Invalidity of Any Article
The invalidity of any article, section or provision of this Building By- Law shall not invalidate any other article, section or provision thereof.
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WIRING BY-LAWS OF THE TOWN OF HAMILTON
TITLE
This By-Law shall be known and cited as the ELECTRICAL BY- LAW of the Town of Hamilton as provided under Chapter 166 Section 32 of the General Laws of the COMMONWEALTH of MASSACHUSETTS.
ARTICLE 1.
There shall be appointed annually by the Board of Selectmen an In- spector of Wires. Such appointment shall be made in May of each year and he shall hold office for the term of one year until another is appointed in his place. The Selectmen may at any time remove him. He shall keep a record of the business of his department and submit to the Selectmen in time for publication in the annual town report a yearly report of such business.
The Inspector of Wires must hold a license issued by the Common- wealth of Massachusetts, such license must be kept in force during the term of his service.
ARTICLE 2.
All electric wiring shall comply with the regulations of the National Board of Fire Underwriters Electrical Code, as amended, and the Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
ARTICLE 3.
All wiring shall be inspected by the inspector of wires before the build- ing is laid or the wires otherwise covered.
ARTICLE 4.
A written permit shall be obtained from the Electrical Inspector or his agent prior to starting any electrical work within the Town of Hamilton.
ARTICLE 5.
The following Fees shall be collected before an electrical permit is issued :
NEW CONSTRUCTION
Residential Home (new) $3.00
Commercial Building $3.00
per thousand or fraction thereof of the electrical cost.
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ADDITIONS OR ALTERATIONS (Current Consuming Outlets)
For 1 through 10 outlets $ .25
For 11 through 25 outlets .50
For 26 through 50 outlets 1.00
For 51 through 100 outlets 1.50
For each additional 25 outlets or fractional part thereof in excess of 100 .25
Bell transformers and heat control regulators will be classed as current consuming outlets.
MOTORS
For each motor installed .50
HEATING DEVICES
For first 2,000 watts or less
.50
For each additional 5,000 watts or fractional part .50
ARTICLE 6.
Whoever wilfully violates any of the provisions of this Electrical Code shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $50.00 for each such violation.
ARTICLE 7.
The invalidity of any article, section or provision of this ELECTRI- CAL BY-LAW shall not invalidate any other article, section of provision thereof.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to place on the official ballot at the 1956 Annual Town Election the following question :
Shall sections sixty-nine C to sixty-nine F, inclusive, of Chapter forty-one of the General Laws, providing for the establishment of a board of public works exercising the powers of certain other departments and town officers be accepted ;
or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of compiling and printing a Valuation List of Poll, Personal Property and Real Estate of the Town, or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 23. 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, 1956, 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.
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Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Collector to use all means of collecting taxes which a Town Treasurer, when appoint- ed Collector, may use agreeable to Chapter 41, Section 37, General Laws and Amendments thereto.
Article 25. 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 seventeenth day of January, A.D., 1955.
EDWARD A. DeWITT LAWRENCE R. STONE EVERETT F. HALEY
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
The budget recommendations for 1955 continued to follow the pattern of the past several years with a substantial increase over 1954. Due to the continued increase of the population of the Town, it has been neces- sary to provide additional public services, particularly educational, which result in an increase of cost to the Town. This increase in Town Govern- ment expense is offset to some extent by the increase in realty valuation arising from newly recorded assessments. By careful consideration of departmental budgets and with the cooperation of department heads and other officials, the Finance Committee feel that this budget has been re- duced to an absolute minimum. It has been necessary for 1955, in order to create an equitable wage scale between certain Town departments, to grant increases in certain salary accounts and it is apparent that periodic increases will have to be made for the next several years. Salary adjust- ments together with the cost of several additional new pieces of equipment for various Town departments constitutes the bulk of the increase of the Town budget. It should be noted that the Town's financial position con- tinues to be strong, but that serious consideration must be given to any further requests for the expenditures of Town funds for 1955 other than those recommended by this committee in the budget as submitted. It seems obvious that some increase in the tax rate will be necessary in order to finance the business of the Town under the budget as recommended. It is hoped that no substantial change in the recommendations will be made. This is particularly important as within the next several months the Town is faced with the purchase of four new classrooms for the School Depart- ment that will cost a minimum of $90,000 and with an increase in class- rooms it follows that additional teachers and other services must be ob- tained. It is hoped by this committee that any increase in the tax rate may be kept at an absolute minimum and yet provide all of the necessary services that are in the best interest of all the taxpayers of the Town.
DIVISION OF PROPOSED REGULAR BUDGET
Education $203,747.02
Debt Retirement and Interest
71,100.00
Welfare & Benefits
51,145.00
Highways 49,040.00
Public Service
30,060.00
General Government
31,233.84
Protection 25,642.00
Health 16,375.00
Recreation
8,775.00
Unclassified
15,000.00
Total Regular Budget $502,117.86
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EDUCATION 41.2%
Welfare, and Benefits 10.1%
Highways 9.7%
Debt Retirement and Interest 14.0% Recreation 1.6% Public Service
Unclassified 3.0%
General
Protection
Health 3.1%
6.0%
Government 6.2%
5.1%
ACTION ON SPECIAL ARTICLES 1955 WARRANT
ARTICLE 5: Chapter 90 Highways Construction on Linden Street. Cost to the Town, $3,500.00. Recommended.
ARTICLE 6: Alterations and Repairs in the Clerk's Office in the Town Hall. Cost to the Town, $800.00. Recommended.
The improvements contemplated in the Town Clerk's office are to re- move the now discontinued ventilator shaft which projects into the office and obstructs the Town Clerk's view of the entrance door; and to install fluorescent lighting so as to give adequate illumination.
ARTICLE 7: Purchase of New Cruiser-Ambulance. Net cost $1,800.00. Recommended.
The present Cruiser-Ambulance has been used for three years, and has gone about 75,000 miles. The Finance Committee considers it to be more economical and satisfactory to trade in the present car rather than to try to keep it in repair.
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ARTICLE 8: Purchase of a Truck Chassis for Rubbish Collection. Cost to the Town, $4,200.00. Recommended.
The Chassis presently carrying the rubbish body was used by the Highway Department until 1950 when the present rubbish body was mounted upon it. The chassis is now 14 years old and must be replaced, as it is nearly worn out.
ARTICLE 9: Purchase of new Fire Truck with a Mechanical Ladder. Cost to the Town, $8,000.00. Recommended.
This Fire Truck will replace the old GMC which is now 26 years old and is no longer reliable. With the increasing difficulty in recruiting young men to be available for fire call, the present 40 foot ladder, which needs five men to handle it, probably could not be raised in time in case of an emergency. The proposed mechanical ladder can be operated rapidly by one man. Besides the mechanical ladder, this truck will have two alum- inum ladders, a ladder pipe, a 500 gallon water tank and booster pumps. There will be space besides to carry the following equipment presently owned by the town, inhalator, forestry pump and generator. There is no doubt that the purchase of this piece of equipment will allow broader and more flexible fire protection to the town.
ARTICLE 10: Shingling and Repairing the Roof of the Legion Head- quarters. Cost to the Town, $2,000.00. Recommended.
The present headquarters of the A. P. Gardner Post, American Le- gion, is in the Walsh School situated in East Hamilton. This building was given for the use of the Legion under the permissive Legislation of the State with, however, the building still remaining Town property. The roof is in bad condition and should be repaired.
ARTICLE 11: Installation of Water Pipe from Sagamore Street to the Town Dump. Cost to the Town, $1,800.00. Recom- mended.
The Town Dump is often on fire, and it is considered desirable to have a water pipe line from Sagamore Street to the dump to control these fires. Mr. Clock, from whom the Town rents the land for the dump at $300 per year, has agreed to forego this rent payment for a period of three years, thus assuming one-half the cost of the installation of the pipe line. Mr. Clock has also agreed to lease the dump to the Town for ten years at a, $300 yearly rental.
ARTICLE 12: Draining Patton Park. Cost to the Town, $2,500.00. Recommended.
The present owners of the property across the Bay Road from Patton Park (formerly known as the Anderson property) plan to drain and develop their land. Mr. Charles E. Morse, their engineer, estimates that a 15 inch pipe will have to be laid on the property to drain it properly.
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There is no drainage easement of record permitting the run off water from Patton Park to be dumped onto the Anderson property. Patton Park can eventually be adequately drained if its excess water can flow unob- structed across the Anderson property. This can be accomplished if an 18 inch pipe is installed instead of the 15 inch pipe planned if the Ander- son property alone is to be drained. The owners of the Anderson property agree to grant a drainage easement to the Town and to lay the larger size pipe, provided that the Town pay the difference between the cost of the smaller size pipe and that of the larger. The cost is estimated to be $2,500.00.
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ARTICLE 14: Cutler Road Relocation. Cost to the Town, $1,700.00. Recommended.
Cutler Road presently cuts very close to the northeast corner of the Congregational Church. With the increased use of the road, the probability of an accident in this location has been increased. The plan on file recom- mends that the southern fork of Cutler Road join route 1A approximately 75 feet to the north of the present junction. This will eliminate the blind corner around the church, and will move the route of traffic away from the church yard, thus diminishing the likelihood of accidents in this area. tried
ARTICLE 15: Extension of Water Mains on Lake Drive. Cost to the Town, $3,200.00. Not Recommended.
While the Finance Committee feel that every citizen of the Town is eventually entitled to have town water supplied to him, they still feel that the extension of mains should proceed in orderly manner in accordance with the plan projected into the future by the Water Board, and considered by them to be in the best interest of the town as a whole. In order to carry on the planned extension of water mains, the Finance Committee have recommended an appropriation of $5,000.00 this year for this purpose. If the Water Board feels that the best interest of the town will be served by extending water mains on Lake Drive, they will do so. The Finance Committee views with disfavor any Article introduced into the Warrant for the benefit of any individual or group of indivduals as opposed to that of the town as a whole. They feel that all developments of the town should be carried on in accordance with a proper plan, and not by hit or miss developments for private interest. If the affairs of the town are not being carried on to the satisfaction of the citizens, they can vote each year to replace the town officials with whose performances they are not satisfied. carrier ARTICLE 16: Use of Free Cash in Determining Tax Rate. Recommended.
This Article permits the Assessors to draw on the Excess & Deficiency Fund, $35,000.00 for money to pay expenses of the 1955 budget in determ- ining the tax rate.
Carrera
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ARTICLE 17: Committee to Investigate Fluoridation of Town Water. Cost to the Town, $100.00. Recommended.
In 1951, $1,100.00 was voted upon to purchase equipment in order to introduce Fluorine into the town water supply system. For a variety of reasons, including the fact that the equipment was not available when expected, no Fluorine has as yet been introduced into the Hamilton water. More is being learned every year about Fluoridation of public water sup- plies, and the Water Board has become doubtful about the desirability of adding Fluorine to the Hamilton water. Therefore, they wish to investi- gate this matter further and to report their findings and recommendations to the Town at the regular meeting in 1956.
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ARTICLE 18: Committee to Investigate the Improvement of the Electrical Service in the Town. Cost to the Town, $500.00. Recommended.
The Finance Committee agree that the electrical service supplied by the Essex County Electric Company in the town of Hamilton could be better, particularly in view of the slowness in repairs to the wires after hurricane Carol last summer.
ARTICLE 19: Committee to Study Advisability of New Quarters for the Fire Department and the Police Department. Recom- mended.
This committee will spend no money, and as there is and has been considerable agitation among various groups for new quarters for the Police and Fire Departments, the Finance Committee feel that the matter should be thoroughly investigated and a report made so that the Town may be able to vote intelligently thereon.
ARTICLE 20: Adoption of Building and Electrical Code. Recommended.
The Finance Committee feel that the adoption of the proposed Build- ing and Electrical Code will protect the citizens of the town from dangerous or unscrupulous practices by occasional contractors or individuals. If this code is adopted, the town should vote $1,800.00 with which to hire an in- spector.
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