USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1955 > Part 5
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Chimney, Asbury Street, R. C. Miller
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Rug, Asbury Street, G. W. Caley
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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, 1955.
Total Arrests 45
Male 41 Female 4
CLASSIFICATION OF CRIMES
Assault
1 Attempted bribe of Police
Drunkenness
15 Officer
1
Larceny
4
School Problem 0
Lewd and Lascivious
1
Breaking and Entering 1
Vagrancy
0 Abuse of Female Child 0
Setting grass fire
1 Operating without license 1
Idle and Disorderly Conduct
0 Operating under influence 9
Stolen Car
1 Driving to endanger 3
Disturbing the Peace
0 Stop sign 0
Booking Horses
1 Neglect to minor children 0
Runaways
4 Buying liquor for minors 1
DISPOSITION OF CASES
Fined
25 Probation 5
Sentenced
5 Released (Drunk) 10
SUMMONS SERVED
For local department
11
For out of town police
38
AUTOMOBILE REGULATIONS
Licenses revoked by Registrar 27
Registrations revoked by Registrar
9
Automobile transfers
345
MISCELLANEOUS
Stolen cars recovered
6
Ambulance runs to hospitals and physicians 106
Dangerous wires reported
27
Street lights reported out
91
Street obstructions reported
18
Accidents investigated 29
Assistance to out of town police 82
I again express my appreciation to the Beverly Police Department for its continued cooperation in handling calls for our two-way cruiser radio. The local Telephone Operators have continued their splendid cooperation and service far beyond the scope of their duty which is greatly appreciated. I extend my appreciation to all townspeople and others who have assisted this Department during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD FREDERICK, Chief of Police
61
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Hamilton:
We herewith submit our report for the year ending December 31, 1955.
The year marked a new policy of the Town in regard to the collection of garbage. Due to the fact that we were unable in a growing community, to do a satisfactory job, thru a private contractor, the Town purchased a new truck for this purpose and since January 21, 1955, the householders have been pleased with the new plan.
A new chassis was purchased for the Rubbish Collection and this has also worked out very well.
In regard to the Rubbish Collection, as the same crew also collect the Garbage it was necessary to divide the Town into two districts.
One district embraces all of Cutler Road and all streets lying on the westerly side of the railroad tracks. The other district embraces all streets on the easterly side of the railroad tracks.
As a reminder, the western side of the Town will be picked up the week of Monday, March 5th and every other week thereafter.
The eastern side of the Town will be picked up the week of Monday, March 12, and every other week thereafter.
Again we ask your co-operation in keeping the Garbage free of Glass, Tin Cans, Etc.
The Dental Clinic has continued to be conducted by Dr. John King, assisted by Miss Florence Stobbart, School Nurse. Due to the increased school population, attendance at the Clinic was restricted to children in the first three grades of school. Dr. King's report of the activities of the Dental Clinic may be found elsewhere in the town report.
The following is a list of communicable diseases reported during the year :
Scarlet Fever
10 Hepatitis 2
Tuberculosis
4 Infectious Lepahilis 1
Salmonella 2
Meningitis Influenza 2
Measles
74 Para-Typhoid 2
German Measles
13 Dysentery Bacillary
1
Chicken Pox
18
Sonne-dysentery 1
Whooping Cough
1 Paralytic Poliomyelitis
4
Mumps
13 Non-Paralytic Poliomyelitis 4
Dog Bite 8
The Board expresses its appreciation to Charles F. Poole, Highway Surveyor, for his excellent cooperation at all times, especially his super- vision and loaning of men and equipment for rubbish collection. Appre- ciation is extended to all who have assisted the Board in any way during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT F. HALEY LAWRENCE LAMSON LAWRENCE R. STONE Board of Health
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
We submit herewith a report of the Welfare Department for the year ending December 31, 1955.
The administration of General Relief, Disability Assistance, Aid to Dependent Children and Old Age Assistance in this community is the re- sponsibility of this Board. Expenditures in 1955 for the combined cate- gories showed a decrease of a little more than $4,000.
General Relief expenditures showed an increase of $1,400. over last year due to more persons requiring temporary assistance due to unemploy- ment, and the cost of medical needs.
Disability Assistance expenditures showed an increase of $1700., pri- marily due to the cost of medical needs. For the same reason, Aid to Dependent Children expenditures increased approximately $450.
Old Age Assistance payments decreased approximately $8,000. due to a lesser number of persons receiving assistance than last year.
The continued increase in medical cost is very noticable.
The following figures show the expenditures during 1955, the amount of reimbursements received during the year, and the net cost to the town for each category of assistance.
GENERAL RELIEF
Reimbursements
$4,529.73
State of Mass $128.70
Town and Cities 911.40
Individuals
2,057.00
Net Cost to Town
1,432.63
$4,529.73
$4,529.73
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
Expenditures
Reimbursements
By Town $5,275.92
Federal Government .. $1,258.34
State of Mass. 2,528.39
Net Cost to Town 1.489.19
$5,275.92
$5,275.92
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Expenditures
Reimbursements
By Town
$6,065.82
Federal Government .. $2,657.80
State of Mass. 1,819.54
Net Cost to Town 1,588.48
$6,065.82
$6,065.82
By Town Expenditures
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OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Expenditures
Reimbursements
By Town $39,879.35 Federal Government .. $18,832.63
State of Mass. 15,857.73
Individuals 100.05
Net Cost to Town
5,088.94
$39,879.35
$39,879.35
We extend our appreciation to all who have assisted us during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
LAWRENCE R. STONE
EVERETT F. HALEY LAWRENCE LAMSON
Board of Public Welfare.
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
I herewith submit a report of the Tree and Moth Departments for the year 1955.
The work of supressing the various bugs and diseases that attack shade trees has been carried on by spraying and trimming out dead wood.
Special attention was given our elm trees last year. All Elm trees were sprayed three times for the Elm Bark Beetle, the carrier of the Dutch Elm Disease.
We had 18 Elm trees with Dutch Elm Disease last year. They were cut down and burned as required by law.
Brush and undergrowth have been cut along the sides of various streets.
I wish to thank the Highway Department for their valuable assistance during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
RUDOLPH H. HARADEN, Tree Warden.
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REPORT OF THE HAMILTON SCHOOL BUILDING NEEDS COMMITTEE FOR 1955
A BIT OF HISTORY
One year ago at a special town meeting, the townspeople acting upon the recommendations of The School Building Needs Committee, authorized the construction of a two-room addition to the Manasseh Cutler School.
As you will remember, this unit was offered to the town free of cost for a trial period of up to six months. The New England Development Corporation, Stoner Associates and The A. O. Wilson Structural Steel Corporation produced the two-classroom addition to the Cutler School and the rooms were occupied by Hamilton second and third graders at the opening of school in September of this year.
During the past several months the school children, teachers, the School Committee and Superintendent, The Building Needs Committee, the builders themselves, and hoards of visitors have tried out the new rooms. The Hamilton School Committee, charged with responsibility for a recom- mendation concerning the new unit, is now ready to report to the towns- people.
THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS
The School Committee recommends to the town that it accept the two- room experimental addition to the Manasseh Cutler School, erected by the New England Development Corporation, which has been used by the Public Schools since the opening of school this fall on a trial basis, as was stipulated in a vote of the town at a special town meeting a year ago.
The School Committee feels that we have tested the rooms for a suffi- cient length of time, and that they have proved satisfactory. We have found the building to be utilitarian, easy to maintain, completely adequate in re- gard to heat, light and ventilation. It is well constructed, nicely furnished and landscaped; in short, we feel the town would be receiving good value by purchasing the building at a total cost of $45,000 which is considerably below the cost of so-called conventional construction.
If the town votes this sum for the purchase of the addition, the money would come from the Excess and Deficiency Fund, and not from direct taxation or a bond issue. Since the Excess and Deficiency Fund is com- prised of monies accumulated in various ways over a period of years, and is therefore already in the town's treasury, the purchase of this addition would not result in an increase in the tax rate.
The $45,000 figure would be net to the town. The town is not entitled to state aid on the initial two rooms of the Manasseh Cutler School addition, because of the rather unique procedure that we had to follow in this experi- ment. Since we were not buying the building in the beginning, but only having it erected on a trial basis, we could not have sought competitive bids
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and, after several discussions with state authorities, it was the opinion of the State School Building Assistance Commission's director, Mr. John R. Marshall, that the town could not comply with the law under which the state aid set-up operates. We should like to make clear that this does not reflect upon the quality or type of construction of this unit. It has nothing whatever to do with the construction, but only with legal machinery. As a matter of fact, we have been given to understand that the state authori- ties rather like the building.
You will recall that we notified the town previously that we would seek one more unit of two rooms, should the first two rooms prove satisfactory, as the first step of a new plan to solve Hamilton's school housing problems. We fully expect to receive state aid on the next unit of two, because we now know that the construction is satisfactory, and will need no trial period, and we will establish the machinery necessary to deal with the state in seeking this financial assistance, which would probably amount to about 28% of the total cost.
HAMILTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE Morley L. Piper, Chairman
THE NEXT STEPS
With the new unit occupied and found to be satisfactory, The Building Needs Committee proceeded to an investigation of the next steps in the total school housing plan.
PROJECTED ENROLLMENTS AND SPACE NEEDS
During the past year our enrollment projections have been restudied and we have found them to be essentially the same as has been previously reported to the town. Our room needs are concentrated at the elementary level at this time and the following table may help to emphasize our con- tinuing problem.
ENROLLMENT AND ROOM REQUIREMENTS KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE VI
Grades
YEAR
K
1
2
3
4
5
6
Total
No. Rooms No. Rooms No. Rooms No. Rooms No. Rooms No. Rooms No. Rooms No. Rooms
1955-56*
84
2
111
4
113
4
95
3
92
3
55
2
57
2
607 20
1956-57
90
2
100
4
100
4
110
4
93
3
90
3
53
2
636 22
1957-58
95
2
100
4
100
4
100
4
105
4
90
3 90
3
680 24
1958-59
95
2
100
4
100
4
100
4
100
4 105
4
90
3
690 25
1959-60
95
2
100
4
100
4
100
4
100
4
100
4
105
4
700 26
¥ Actual Enrollment - other years are estimated
Besides the regular classroom requirements shown in the table above, there is need for one room to be used by a remedial teacher and one room to be used by a special class teacher. Thus it may be seen that our known room needs are 28 classrooms by 1959-60 at the elementary school level. It must be remembered that this need is based on present known enrollment with almost no consideration given to potential growth in the town.
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Including the new addition, the present Manasseh Cutler School has sixteen classrooms. Elsewhere in this report The Building Needs Com- mittee has recommended that another unit of two rooms be added to the school, making a total of 18 rooms available by September 1956.
Along with four rooms which are temporarily available in the high school building, the elementary school children are still being housed, but it is obvious that more rooms are necessary in the immediate future.
COMMITTEE CONSIDERATIONS
The School Building Needs Committee, after careful consideration of all the factors involved, believes that the experimental unit of two rooms added to the Mannasseh Cutler School has proved to be advantageous to the town. The complete cost of $45,000 is low by comparison with other rooms which have been added to other schools in our area. As long as it was possible to add to the present Cutler School, these units could be paid for with current funds thus making it unnecessary to use more costly methods of financing. The flexibility inherent in building rooms as needed offered an opportunity for the town to build-as-you-grow for a space of time during which the long range school building needs could be more accurately determined.
The School Building Needs Committee is very much aware of these advantages and others which are potential in the plan. The Committee feels that the town has pioneered through the original two-room unit, in an effort to secure for itself and other towns the advantages of good low- cost school housing. As in all new-type buildings, unforseen delays occur- ed during construction. Changes were made as a result of experience gained and details were altered to improve the serviceability of the unit. The Committee is satisfied that the town has had the use of an even better building than was conceived in the planning stages.
THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS
It is the unanimous recommendation of the School Building Needs Committee :
1. That the Town follow the recommendation of the School Committee and purchase the two-room unit which has been added to the Manasseh Cutler School.
2. That the Town authorize the present School Building Needs Committee to serve as a Building Committee for the purpose of causing specifica- tions, plans and estimates to be prepared for a second two-room unit to be added to the present addition to the Manasseh Cutler School.
Explanation : The School Building Needs Committee is making this recommendation so that, if voted by the Town, a Building Committee will be formed which can then deal legally with the State Building Assistance Com- mission for the purpose of applying for state aid on the second unit of two rooms. The Building Com- mittee would present plans, specifications and esti- mates to the Commission for consideration as an
67
approved project by the Commission. When the project is approved the Building Committee would ask the Town for an appropriation not to exceed $45,000 for the purpose of building the unit. Au- thorized competitive bidding procedures would be fol- lowed and the contract let to the successful bidder. By following this procedure, and with the help of Stoner Associates, the architects, the Town should receive state aid amounting to approximately 28% of the approved cost of the project.
3. That this Committee continue its study of the school building needs and report on or before the next annual town meeting.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
Articles which include the Committee recommendations have been prepared for the warrant for a special town meeting to be held on Wednes- day, December 14, 1955 at 8:00 p.m. at the Hamilton High School. Every interested citizen is urged to come to this meeting to vote on the vital school issues which will be presented.
BY WAY OF SUMMARY
The members of the School Building Committee are grateful for the opportunity which has been theirs to study the expanding needs of the Hamilton Public Schools. The Committee has been dedicated to the task of recommending constructive steps in a building program within the framework of the Town's ability to pay for an adequate school plant.
It is evident, with a growing population, that the work of this Com- mittee is a continuing one. Following whatever action is taken at the special town meeting on December 14, the Committee will continue its study in order to present the next phase of the total plan which will prob- ably indicate the need for another elementary school.
In this report of progress the Committee wishes to point out again that today's space needs at the elementary level foretell a probable need at the secondary level. We would assure the townspeople that the work of the Committee involves study of the total school space issue and that cur recommendations are always based upon taking present steps that will be an integral part of the whole plan.
HAMILTON SCHOOL BUILDING NEEDS COMMITTEE
ALLAN MACCURRACH, Chairman
FREDERICK CALDWELL
DOUGLAS A. CHANDLER
GEORGE C. CUTLER
HENRY J. GOURDEAU GRACE B. LAMSON
JOHN F. NEARY MORLEY L. PIPER
JOSEPH C. QUINN (Resigned)
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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE NEED OF A BUILDING FOR THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS
To the citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
Soon after appointment by the moderator under Article 19 of the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting of 1955, this Committee met and organized.
Several meetings of this committee were held during the year as well as meetings with other boards to discuss the problems. After a great deal of study the following decisions were reached :-
1. The present quarters of the Fire Department are most inadequate and unsafe as to size and construction. The location is not suitable for any possible expansion or new construction.
2. The present Police Station which is located in an upstairs room in Depot Square is crowded and inefficient. The Cruiser-Ambulance must be left outside exposed to the elements at all times.
Therefore, it is the sentiment of this Committee that a definite need does exist for a new building to serve as quarters for the Fire and Police Departments. It is also felt that such a building could be planned so as to serve as a central Public Library, a move which has the support of the Library Trustees. This Committee recommends :
1. That if the Lamson School is to be demolished that the site be retained by the Town as a future site for a building as mentioned above.
2. That this report be accepted as a report of progress and that the committee be continued for the purpose of further investigation and a definite recommendation in the future.
We wish at this time to thank all other Town Officials and citizens that have cooperated with us this past year.
Respectfully submitted, LAWRENCE LAMSON, Chairman EDWARD FREDERICK A. MERRILL CUMMINGS G. GORDON LOVE HENRY GOURDEAU
69
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
We submit herewith our report of the Board of Selectmen for the year 1955.
That portion of Linden Street, extending from Lois Street to High- land is being constructed under the Chapter 90 program. It had been planned to start operations in August but owing to the hurricane during that month the State Dept. of Public Works held up asking for bids be- cause most contractors had their equipment tied up on road work in the western part of the state. It wasn't until the latter part of September that the bids were called for and it was nearly the middle of October before the work was actually started. Some difficulties were experienced which took time to iron out. This slowed things down so that it wasn't until the first of December that the contractor was ready to put on the oil. The month of December proved cold and freezing so that the putting on of oil has had to be delayed until Spring. Another $1000. will be needed to complete the job, of which the town will be asked to appropriate $250. as its share of the cost. Under the Chapter 90 program for 1956, the Board is recom- mending the starting of Chebacco Road. The State Department of Public Works has set up $20,000. to be spent there this year, of which the Town of Hamilton's share towards the cost will be $4000. We are recommending that this $4000. be appropriated as Chebacco Road provides a feeder road to Route #128 and will give Hamilton direct access to the bordering town of Manchester which at the present time it doesn't have. The Board has asked for Chapter 90 Maintenance of $1500. The State will provide $500. of this amount to be used for repair work on existing Chapter 90 Roads in Town.
The law provides that every five years the Selectmen shall preambulate the town bounds, this year this project was carried out with the Ipswich and Topsfield Boards, all the Boundary markers between Hamilton-Ipswich and Hamilton-Topsfield were found to be in place and in good condition.
As directed by vote under Artcle 6 of the Annual Town Meeting alter- ations and repairs have been made in the Town Clerk's office. It now makes it much more convenient and pleasant for the Clerk and his staff to carry on the work of this busy department.
A favorable vote under Article ? called for the purchase of a new Cruiser-Ambulance for the Police Department. The old Cruiser-Ambu- lance was turned in toward the purchase price. This transaction was effected by the Board and the purchase was made through the Ipswich Motors.
Article 9 called for the purchase of a new Fire Truck with a mechan- ical ladder attached to be added to the fire fighting equipment of the town. It's worth was more than demonstrated at the $50,000 fire at Pilgrim Hall, Carmelite Seminary.
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The Board of Selectmen under Article 10 arranged for the repair and shingling of the Adelaide Dodge Walsh School now used as headquarters of the A. P. Gardner Post of the American Legion. The Roof is now in excellent repair and should stand for some years to come.
The Annual meeting voted to accept the layout and relocation of a portion of Cutler Road at the entrance near the Congregational Church as made by the Board of Selectmen. Money was appropriated for the same and the work has been completed.
A request from the Chairman of the School Building Needs Committee, that the Board call a special Town Meeting to consider payment to the New England Development Corp., for a two-room unit already completed, was made. The Selectmen set up the meeting for December but failure of a quorum of 200 citizens being present at the call of the meeting forced a postponement until a later date.
The rapid growth of the town with its added new streets brings many requests for street lights and safety signs from every section. The year 1955 has been no exception. More have been added this year than in any previous year. During the year Mr. John H. Perkins submitted his resigna- tion as Civil Defense Director. Mr. Perkins served the Town conscientiously in the capacity for several years, and it was with regret that his resignation was accepted. Melvin F. Reid has been appointed to fill the vacancy.
The Board accepted with regret the resignation of Mrs. Elizabeth (Walke) Robins as clerk for various town departments.
We express our sincere appreciation to all townspeople and officials who have assisted us during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
LAWRENCE R. STONE LAWRENCE LAMSON EVERETT F. HALEY
Board of Selectmen.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts TOWN OF HAMILTON by Lawrence R. Stone, Everett F. Haley, Lawrence Lamson Selectmen
A PROCLAMATION
Whereas, the inhabitants of the Town of Hamilton are extremely for- tunate in having in their midst BESSIE PRESTON CUTLER, one who has devoted her untiring efforts to the betterment of the community; and
Whereas, her many acts, deeds and kindnesses over the years have ex- emplified her heartfelt devotion for the youth; her sincere concern with the welfare of all; her genuine interest in the successful progress of all organizations, and of the community itself; and
Whereas, she has won the esteem of our citizens and brought honor to the town through other unselfish civic endeavors;
Now Therefore, we Lawrence R. Stone, Everett F. Haley and Lawrence Lamson, Selectmen of the Town of Hamilton, to express and record our sincere appreciation, and the deep indebtedness and whole-hearted gratitude of all the Inhabitants of the Town for her innumerable deeds of benevo- lence, do hereby proclaim as
BESSIE PRESTON CUTLER DAY
Sunday, June Twenty-sixth, Nineteen Hundred Fifty-five and urge that suitable observance be conducted throughout the Town.
Given at the Executive Office of the Selectmen in the Town Hall, Hamilton, Massachusetts, this twentieth day of June, in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and fifty-five.
Francis H. Whipple Town Clerk
Lawrence R. Stone Lawrence Lamson Everett F. Haley Board of Selectmen
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