USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1956 > Part 6
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We have now completed two years of collecting and disposing of gar- bage and refuse by town equipment and town employees. This method has proven far superior to letting the work out on contract as was done in the past, and by comparison with the cost in other communities the work is being done at a lesser expense.
In keeping with a state wide program, polio clinics were conducted un- der the jurisdiction of this Board for children between the ages of 1 and 15 years. Clinics for first "shots" were held in June, and for second "shots" in August. Children attending these clinics received the innoculations without charge, the vaccine being furnished by the State and the Town asuming the cost of conducting the clinic.
The Dental Clinic has been continued under the supervision of Dr. John King, assisted by Miss Florence Stobbart, School Nurse, for children in the first three grades of school. A report of the activities of the Dental' Clinic by Dr. King may be found elsewhere in the town report.
The following is a list of communicable diseases reported during the year :
Scarlet Fever 3 Infectious Hepatitis 1
German Measles 13 Salmonella 2
Chicken Pox
3 Meningitis 1
Dog-Bite
5 Tuberculosis 1
Mumps
1 Measles 1
The Board expresses its appreciation to Charles F. Poole, Highway Surveyor, for his excellent cooperation at all times, especially his supervision and loaning of men and equipment for rubbish collection. Appreciation 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 a report of the Welfare Department for the year ending December 31, 1956.
The administration of General Relief, Disability Assistance, Aid to Dependent Children and Old Age Assistance in our Town is under the jurisdiction of this Board. The expenditures of all categories in 1956 showed an increase of $2750. over the previous year. The State Department of Public Welfare granted a cost of living increase of ap- proximately six per cent, effective July 1, 1956 to the three categories to which the state and federal government contribute reimbursements to the Town. Another factor was the rising cost of medical care and hospitalization.
General Relief expenditures showed an increase of $1100. over last year due to more persons requiring temporary assistance.
Disability Assistance expenditures decreased $750. but new cases at the end of the year and additional hospital expenses will enlarge the budget for the coming year.
Aid to Dependent Children expenditures increased over $1650. on account of new cases.
Old Age Assistance expenditures showed an increase of $750. be- cause of higher medical expenses. Under a new law, aliens who have lived continuously in the United States and three of the last nine years in Massachusetts are eligible for Old Age Assistance if all other policies are met by the applicant.
A recovery of $3778.54 was made under a lien on real estate, being released on the estate of a recipient of old age assistance. This amount is allocated according to the amount that was contributed by Federal, State and Local governments to this recipient's support.
The following figures show the expenditures during 1956, the amount of reimbursements received and the net cost to the town for each category.
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GENERAL RELIEF
Expenditures
Reimbursements
By Town $5,634.95
By Towns and Cities $1,794.01
By State 398.84
Net Cost to Town 3,442.10
$5,634.95
$5,634.95
DISABILITY
ASSISTANCE
Expenditures
Reimbursements
By Town $4,521.04
Federal Government $1,314.10
State of Mass. 2,165.63
Net Cost to Town 1,041.31
$4,521.04
$4,521.04
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Expenditures
Reimbursements
By Town $7,728.81
Federal Government $2,875.70
State of Mass. 3,050.61
Net Cost to Town 1,802.50
$7,728.81
$7,728.81
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Expenditures
Reimbursements
By Town $40,640.29
Federal Government $18,141.61
State of Mass. 13,852.03
Towns and Cities 1,432.20
Individuals 89.03
Net Cost to Town
7,125.42
$40,640.29
$40,640.29
Earlier in the year, we received the resignation of our Welfare Agent, Francis H. Whipple. Mr. Whipple had served this department for eighteen years. His interest and knowledge in the work of this de- partment over the years has been outstanding. We have appointed to take his place Bernard A. Cullen. Already Mr. Cullen is showing a keen interest in the work and is proving a great help to this Board. To Mr. Whipple, Mr. Cullen and all others who have given us cooperation during the past year, we are sincerely thankful.
Respectfully submitted,
LAWRENCE R. STONE LAWRENCE LAMSON EVERETT F. HALEY
Board of Public Welfare
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JENNIE S. PERLEY July 7, 1874 - October 23, 1956
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On October 23rd. the townspeople of Hamilton were deeply saddened by the death of Mrs. Jennie (Smith) Perley.
Born in Historic Salem, Massachusetts, July 7, 1874, daughter of James T. and Delia (Trull) Smith, she was educated in the public schools of Salem and a graduate of Salem Commercial School, coming to Hamilton soon after her marriage to Alvin L. Perley in 1900.
Mrs. Perley always possessed a sincere interest in civic and social affairs of the town. She held the position of Librarian at the town branch library for thirty-five years until her retirement in 1955. She was devoted to her duties, helpful to all and always thought of as a faithful town official. Mrs. Perley was a charter member of the Hamilton Mothers' Club, a director of Community Service, a member of the first town Scholar- ship Committee and numerous other organizations of town. For thirty-six years she was local correspondent for the Salem Evening News, retiring only a few months prior to her passing.
Loved by children, known by all for her genial personality, a pleasant word for everyone, she will long be remembered by her legion of friends.
84 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
To the Citizens of the. Town of Hamilton :
In submitting our report for the year just ended we wish to call to your attention that Hamilton has completed 164 years of its incorporation. From its early beginning. Hamilton with its rolling fields and farming country was regarded as a rural community. Since then, and particularly during the past ten years. it has experienced many changes, the once rural character of the town has almost completely given way to a more or less suburban area. This rapid change has presented to the Board of Selectmen many new and varied problems. We have endeavored to meet these problems as each presented itself and to solve them for the best interest of the town as a whole.
For the first time in the history of the Town we experimented with aerial spraying for mosquito control. Reports indicate that such spraying was very effective in most parts of town. The $1,200 appropriated provided for but one spraying, and with the apparent success we are to recommend an appropriation of $2,500 for 1957 to provide for three sprayings.
A few years ago steps were taken by the Board of Selectmen to interest the Postoffice Department in instituting mail delivery service in the town. We have pursued this possibility and now have been advised that mail de- livery service will be instituted in the South Hamilton and Asbury Grove section of town early in 1957.
Each year many legislative bills are filed affecting directly or indirectly the Town of Hamilton as well as other communities. During the past year this Board has attended hearings at the State House on such proposed legis- lation, as well as attending conferences and meetings with State, County and Municipal officials on matters pertaining to the Town. In all cases the Board acted in such manner as was considered to be for the best interest of the Town.
The enforcement of the zoning by-law adopted nearly three years ago is the responsibility of the Selectmen. Although for the most part we find excellent cooperation by the townspeople in complying with the provisions of this by-law, it has been the unpleasant duty of the Board in a few cases to resort to legal measures. Several cases involving apparent hard- ships were referred to the Appeal Board for action. We feel that the Appeal Board has done an excellent job in handling such difficult cases.
The adoption by the Town of a Building and Electrical Code, placing the enforcement under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen, made it necessary to appoint Building and Electrical Inspectors. Mr. Frank W. Buzzell had served in such capacity under the zoning by-law for nearly three years and it was considered advisable to have one person perform the duties of both positions, and he was so appointed. Having been a builder for many years, Mr. Buzzell is considered to be well qualified for the position. Mr. Thomas M. Robinson, a licensed electrician, was appointed Electrical In- spector. Mr. Robinson has had many years of experience in electrical work
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of practically every nature, and has excellent qualifications for the position. Both positions are on a part time basis.
The building by-laws also provided for the appointment by the Select- men of a Board of Appeals. In compliance with such provision, Jerome F. Flynn, Clark S. Sears. Carl Poehler, Jr., W. Whitney Lundren and Law- rence C. Foster were appointed.
Due to the quarters of the Branch Library at South Hamilton being taken over to enlarge the postoffice, it became necessary to move the library. At the request of the Library Trustees the Selectmen made space in the Lamson School building available for such purpose.
Several new streets were laid out during the year, and which we recom- mend be accepted as public town ways by the 1957 annual town meeting.
The building of Linden Street under the Chapter 90 Construction pro- gram was completed during the year. This street is now in excellent condi- tion and should serve for many years with but a very little maintenance cost. The Board has had several meetings with officials of the State Depart- ment of Public Works considering streets to be rebuilt under the Chapter 90 Construction program during the coming year. After several conferences it was decided to select School Street to be rebuilt for the entire length.
Notice has been received by the Board that the Town is to receive ap- proximately $16,000 as a grant from the State to be used for road building. We recommend that this money be used to rebuild Willow Street the entire length and that the town appropriate $4,000 to be used for such purpose, the total cost of the work estimated to be $20,000. An article providing for this work will be inserted in the warrant for the 1957 annual town meeting.
For the fourth consecutive year we have continued to erect new street signs, and hope all such signs will be of uniform design within another vear or two. Various traffic signs were purchased and erected at appropri- ate locations. All such signs are acquired by the Selectmen and erected by the Highway Department.
As voted by the annual town meeting, we constructed a parking area on the Engine House Lot at the corner of Willow Street and Railroad Ave- nue. The use of this lot has been well patronized and has resulted in a lesser number of cars being parked on Railroad Avenue.
We have requested of the State Department of Public Works approval of stop signs at the corner of Linden and Lois Streets as well as Railroad Avenue and Willow Street. Such approval is necessary before the signs can be erected.
The outside of the Town Hall was painted and the welfare office re- plastered under the 1956 appropriation for Painting and Repairs. The wel- fare office is to be painted at a later date when the plaster has sufficiently dried.
New street lights have been installed on newly accepted streets as well as a few where needed on older streets. Each year it become necessary to ask for an increase in the appropriation for street lighting to cover the cost of added lights.
During the year Melvin F. Reid resigned as Civil Defense Director, and the Board appointed Harvey E. Barnes to the position. We extend to
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Mr. Reid our sincere appreciation for the excellent manner in which he performed his duties as Director.
Melvin F. Reid also resigned as a member of the Board of Library Trustees. As provided by law, the Selectmen and the remaining members of the Board of Library Trustees met and elected Mrs. Janice P. Pulsifer to fill the vacancy until the next annual election. With the resignation of Raymond A. Whipple as a member of the Board of Cemetery Commission- ers, the Selectmen likewise met with the remaining members of the Ceme- tery Commissioners and elected Luther M. Caverly to fill the vacancy until the next annual town election.
The Board is of the opinion that the cleaning of certain brooks and streams is necessary to provide proper drainage in some sections of the town. With this in mind we recommend that the 1957 annual town meeting appro- priate $1,000 to be matched with a like amount by the State Department of Public Works as a start on this program.
The town hall roof is in need of major repairs or possibly an entire new roof covering. At the time of this writing we are in the process of having inspections made in order that we may be in a position to recommend at the annual town meeting.
The Auxiliary Police of the town organized under the Civil Defense Act, have been most helpful assisting in police matters during the past year. Many of the members have given much of their time without com- pensation by the town. To each and every one we express our sincere thanks and appreciation for the valuable services rendered.
This report by no means covers the entire duties of the Board of Selectmen, nor its complete activities during the year. It is intended to enlighten the townspeople as to those in which there would be the most interest.
In conclusion we would like to thank the Citizens for the privilege you have given us to serve you as your Selectmen. Your patience and un- derstanding has been most appreciative as we have made every effort to solve your problems in a fair and satisfactory manner. We also wish to thank our Town Clerk and Town Counsel as well as all others who have assisted us so generously during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
LAWRENCE LAMSON LAWRENCE R. STONE EVERETT F. HALEY
Board of Selectmen
87
WARRANT FOR THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
1957
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, qualified to vote in election and Town affairs, to meet in the HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM in said Town on Monday, the fourth day of March, nineteen hundred and fifty-seven (March 4, 1957) 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. Assessor for three years. Tree Warden for one year.
Highway Surveyor for one year.
Two members of the School Committee for three years.
One member of the School Committee for two years.
Library Trustee for three years.
Water Commissioner for three years.
Cemetery Commissioner for three years.
Park Commissioner for three years.
Member of the Planning Board for five years.
The above named officers to be voted for on one ballot on Tuesday, the twelfth day of March, 1957, (March 12, 1957) 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.
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Article 3. To hear the reports of the Town Officers and of the Fi- Dance and Advisory Committee and all other committees and take any other 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 of various streets in the town, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for Chapter 90 Highway Construction in the Town, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 7. To see if the Town will provide for the permanent con- struction of Willow Street subject to the approval of the State Department of Public Works and the receipt by the Town of State funds for such pur- pose, and to raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to purchase a new Cruiser- Ambulance for use of the Police Department, provide for the turning in of the present cruiser toward the purchase price thereof, and raise and appro- priate a sum of money therefor, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to purchase a new truck for use of the Water Department, provide for the turning in of the present 1942 Dodge Truck toward the purchase price thereof, and raise and appro- priate a sum of money therefor, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the purchase of a truck equipped with a so-called auto- matic sand spreader, snow plow and other snow fighting equipment for use of the Highway Department, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to lease from F. Harlan Clock and Nellie L. Clock the area of about one and three-quarter acres with right of way thereto from Sagamore Street for a town dump for a period of ten years, being the same area which is now used as a town dump, at a rental of $300 a year and the installation by the Town at an estimated cost of $2,000 of a six-inch water main on the leased land for the sole use of the Town for the duration of the lease and thereafter to the land; to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,000 for the foregoing purposes, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
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Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for mosquito spraying in the Town, the work to be done under the direction of the Board of Selectmen, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of cleaning rivers and streams, the work to be done by the Massachusetts Department of Public Works under Chap- ter 91, to assume liability in the manner provided by said Chapter 91 for all damages that may be incurred by said work; and to authorize the Select- men to execute bonds of idemnity therefor, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 14. 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 in determining the tax rate for the year 1957, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $2,000 from the Cemetery Sale of Lots and Graves Fund to the Cemetery Account for improvements to the Town Cemetery, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $8000, from the Overlay Reserve Account to the Finance Committee Reserve Fund, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 17. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by purchase or eminent domain under Chapter 79, General Laws of Massachusetts, or otherwise, the fee in all or a part of the parcel of land on Bay Road of approximately 60,000 square feet, identified as parcel B on a plan entitled "Portion of Anderson Property" prepared by Northrup B. Allen, C. E., and dated February 15, 1957 on file with the Town Clerk, and adjacent land, and to construct and originally equip and furnish a building or buildings for one or more of the following purposes : police headquarters, fire station, and /or library on said land; to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the foregoing purposes and to determine the manner in which the appropriation is to be raised, whether by borrowing, by taxation, by transfer of available funds or otherwise, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to receive and accept the Fifth Report of the School Building Needs Committee for the period from July 1956 to the present time as an interim report and to continue the Com- mittee for the purpose of making further study and investigation con- cerning school housing needs; such Committee to render its report at a Town Meeting at or before the next Annual Town Meeting, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
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Article 19. To see if the Town will authorize the School Building Committee to employ architects to prepare final plans for the construction of an elementary school, consisting of twelve class rooms, physical educa- tion room, cafeteria-auditorium, offices and incidental rooms, playing fields, landscaping, access and paved areas, to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the foregoing purposes, and to determine the manner in which the appropriation is to be raised, whether by taxation, transfer of available funds or otherwise, or to take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire on behalf of the Town by purchase or eminent domain under Chapter 79, General Laws of Massachusetts, or otherwise, for school purposes, the fee in all or a part of the parcel of land on Bay Road of approximately 15 acres, identified as parcel A on a plan entitled "Portion of Anderson Property", dated February 15, 1951, prepared by Northrup B. Allen, C. E., on file with the Town Clerk, and the parcel of land iden- tified as parcel B on said plan if said parcel is not to be acquired by the Town under Article 17 of this Warrant, to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the foregoing purpose, and to determine the manner in which the appropriation is to be raised, whether by taxation, transfer of available funds or otherwise, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to amend the By-Laws of the Town by striking out Section 1 of Chapter 1 and inserting in place thereof the following: "Section 1. The Annual Town Meeting shall be held on the first Monday of March in each year at 8:00 o'clock in the eve- ning, at which time Town business in pursuance of the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting shall be transacted except the election of Town offi- cers. If the business of the Annual Town Meeting is not completed on the evening of the said first Monday of March the Meeting may be adjourned from time to time. The Election of Town Officers shall be held on the first Tuesday following the second Monday of March. The polls for the election of said Town officers shall be opened at 8:00 o'clock A.M. and shall close at 8:00 o'clock P.M.", or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to accept Chapter 401 of the Acts of 1956, providing certain protection for Civil Defense volunteers driving publicly owned vehicles, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public Town way, Camp Road, so-called, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen and shown on a plan on file with the Town Clerk entitled "Acceptance Plan of Camp Road", or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public Town way, Bradford Road, so-called, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen as shown on a plan on file with the Town Clerk entitled "Acceptance Plan of Bradford Road", or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
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Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public Town way, Priscilla Road and Sharon Road, so-called, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen and shown on a plan on file with the Town Clerk entitled "Ac- ceptance Plan of Sharon Road", and that both such ways be named Sharon Road, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public Town way, Postgate Road, so-called, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen and shown on a plan on file with the Town Clerk entitled "Acceptance Plan of Postgate Road", or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to sell to Esmond R. Crowley, JI. for the sum of $125.00 plus surveying and other costs, a portion of the abandoned Boston and Maine Railroad roadbed now owned by the Town abutting property owned by said Esmond R. Crowley, Jr., and more spe- cifically described on a plan of said land on file with the Town Clerk, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
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