USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1957 > Part 2
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Moved by Mr. Frederic Winthrop and duly seconded : "That the School Building Committee be authorized to employ architects to pre- pare final plans for the construction of an elementary school consisting of twelve classrooms, physical education room, cafeteria-auditorium, offices
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and incidental rooms, playing fields, landscaping, access and paved areas ; that the sum of $35,000 is hereby appropriated for such purpose, the same to be expended under the supervision of said School Building Com- mittee, and to meet such appropriation, the sum of $30,000 be transferred from available funds for the purpose and $5,000 to be raised by taxation.
Voice Vote. Motion carried.
Article 20. Moderator: "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, 1957, prepared by Northrup B. Allen, C. E., on file with the Town Clerk, and the parcel of land identified 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."
Moved by Mr. Frederick J. Caldwell and duly seconded : "That the Board of Selectmen be authorized to acquire by purchase or by 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 fifteen acres, identified as Parcel A on a plan entitled "Portion of Anderson Property", dated February 15, 1957, prepared by Northrup B. Allen, C. E., on file with the Town Clerk, and that portion of Parcel B on said plan, which is not acquired by the Town pursuant to the vote adopted under Article 17 of the Warrant for this meeting ; that the sum of $15,000 is hereby appropriated for such purposes and to meet such appropriation the sum of $15,000 be transferred from available funds; and that the Selectmen be further authorized with full power in the premises to do all acts and things necessary or con- venient to consummate such purchase."
Mr. John C. Garland : "There seems to be some misunderstanding betwen Mr. Winthrop and myself. We understood there would be only $30,000 transferred from available funds. This is an additional $15,000."
Moved by Mr. John C. Garland and duly seconded: "That this motion be amended to read "the sum of $15,000 to be raised through taxation" rather than transferred from available funds."
Voice Vote. Amendment carried.
This article requiring a two-thirds vote, the Moderator called for a standing vote. The count of votes was reported to the Moderator by the tellers, and he announced the vote to be :
In favor: 305 Against : 152
The Moderator then declared the motion carried.
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Article 21. Moderator: "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 evening, at which time Town business in pursuance of the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting shall be transacted except the election of Town officers. 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."
Moved by Mr. Everett F. Haley and duly seconded : "That the Town 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 evening, at which time Town business in pursuance of the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting shall be trans- acted except the election of Town officers. 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.
Voice vote. Motion carried.
Article 22. Moderator: "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."
Moved by Mr. Lawrence R. Stone and duly seconded: "That the Town accept Chapter 401 of the Acts of 1956, providing certain protec- tion for Civil Defense Volunteers while driving publicly owned motor vehicles."
Voice vote. Motion carried.
Article 23. Moderator : "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."
Moved by Mr. Lawrence Lamson and duly seconded : "That the Town 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", dated February, 1957, Charles H. Morse & Son, Engineers, and that said way be named Village Lane."
Voice vote. Motion carried.
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Article 24. Moderator: "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."
Moved by Mr. Everett F. Haley and duly seconded : "That the Town accept as a public Town way, Bradford 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 Bradford Road," dated February, 1957, Charles H. Morse & Son, Engineers."
Voice vote. Motion carried.
Article 25. Moderator : "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 "Acceptance Plan of Sharon Road", and that both such ways be named Sharon Road, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto."
Moved by Mr. Lawrence R. Stone and duly seconded : "That the Town accept as a public Town way, Priscilla Road and Sharon Road, so-called, and laid out by the Board of Selectmen as Sharon Road, as shown on a plan on file with the Town Clerk entitled "Acceptance Plan of Sharon Road", dated February, 1957, Charles H. Morse & Son Engi- neers.''
Voice vote. Motion carried.
Article 26. Moderator : "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."
Moved by Mr. Lawrence Lamson and duly seconded : "That the Town 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', dated February, 1957, Charles H. Morse & Son, Engineers."
Voice Vote. Motion carried.
Article 27. Moderator: "To see if the Town will vote to sell to Esmond R. Crowley, Jr., 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 specifically 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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Moved by Mr. Everett F. Haley and duly seconded : "That the Town sell to Esmond R. Crowley, Jr., for the sum of $125.00 plus surveying and other costs, a portion of the abandoned Boston and Maine Railroad road- bed now owned by the Town abutting property owned by said Esmond R. Crowley, Jr., and more specifically described on a plan of said land on file with the Town Clerk."
Voice vote. Motion carried.
Article 28. Moderator : "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, 1958, and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year, in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws and Amendments thereto."
Moved by Mr. Thomas G. Stevenson and duly seconded : "That the Town authorize the Town Treasurer, with approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time, in anticipation of revenue of the finan- cial year beginning January 1, 1958, and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year, in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, Gen- eral Laws and Amendments thereto."
Voice vote. Motion unanimously carried.
Article 29. Moderator: "To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Collector to use all means of collecting taxes which a Town Treasurer, when appointed Collector, may use agreeable to Chapter 41, Section 37, General Laws and Amendments thereto."
Moved by Mr. Lawrence R. Stone and duly seconded : "That the Town authorize the Collector to use all means of collecting taxes which a Town Treasurer, when appointed Collector, may use agreeable to Chapter 41, Section 37, General Laws and Amendments thereto."
Voice vote. Motion unanimously carried.
Article 30. Moderator: "To act on any other matter that may legally come before said meeting."
There being no further business, it was voted to adjourn at 10:25 p.m., until 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 12, 1957, at the High School Audi- torium, when the balloting under Article 1 shall take place.
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Voted on Article 1. March 12, 1957.
Polls were opened at 8:00 a.m. by the Moderator, John H. Perkins. There were 1543 votes cast under Article 1.
Men
757 Voted in Person 1516
Women
786
Absentee Votes 27
1543
1543
MODERATOR-for one year
Perkins, John H. 1245 Dodge, Charles
1
Johnson, Richard
6 Blanks
290
Pickering, Ralston
1
TOWN CLERK-for one year
Whipple, Francis H. 1435 Blanks 108
SELECTMEN-three for one year
Haley, Everett F.
865 Haraden, Donald G. 486
Lamson, Lawrence
856 Mackenzie, William F. 837
Stone, Lawrence R.
836 Blanks
749
Recount of votes for Selectmen held March 19, 1957, resulting in 836 votes for Stone and 836 votes for MacKenzie. Appealed by Mackenzie, before Single Justice of Superior Court, Boston, April 10, 1957. Deci- sion of Superior Court received gave Stone 836 votes and Mackenzie 837 votes.
TREASURER-for one year
Sellman, Walfred B. 1345 Blanks 198
TAX COLLECTOR-for one year
Crowell, Bertha L. 1402 Blanks 141
ASSESSOR-for three years
Bennett, Arthur L.
904 Blanks
86
Armstrong, Ralph W. 553
TREE WARDEN-for one year
Haraden, Rudolph H. 1359 Blanks 184
HIGHWAY SURVEYOR-for one year
Poole, Charles F. 1341 Blanks 202
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE-two for three years
Lamson, Grace B. 540 Hall, James Edward 906
Emery, Richard M.
1098 Blanks 542
SCHOOL COMMITTEE-one for two years
Miller, Donald Lang 1252 Blanks 291
LIBRARY TRUSTEE-for three years
Pulsifer, Janice P. 1272 Blanks 271
WATER COMMISSIONER-for three years
Smith, Richard H.
740 Pierce, Lewis K. 309
Johnson, Donald P.
356 Blanks 138
CEMETERY COMMISSIONER-for three years
Caverly, Luther M. 1341 Blanks 202
PARK COMMISSIONER-for three years
Lougee, Albert P. 1289 Blanks 254
PLANNING BOARD-for five years
Laughlin, Henry A., Jr. 675 Blanks
223
Regan, Harold W., Jr. 645
The polls were closed at 8:00 p.m. and the Moderator announced the results of the voting and declared the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
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REPORT OF THE SPECIAL TOWN MEETING Held in the High School Auditorium, April 16, 1957
The Moderator, Mr. John H. Perkins, opened the meeting at 8:14 in the evening on Tuesday, April 16, 1957.
Invocation by Rev. Norman B. Cawley.
Article 1. Moderator : "To see if the Town will vote by secret ballot to reconsider the action taken under Article 20 of the warrant for the annual town meeting held March 4, 1957, such action being
VOTED that the Board of Selectmen be authorized to acquire by purchase or by 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 fifteen acres, identified as Parcel A on a plan entitled "Portion of Ander- son Property", dated February 15, 1957, prepared by Northrup B. Allen, C. E. on file with the Town Clerk, and that portion of parcel B on said plan, which is not acquired by the Town pursuant to the meeting; that the sum of $15,000 is hereby appropriated for such purposes ; and that the Selectmen be further authorized with full power in the premises to do all acts and things necessary or conven- ient to consummate such purchase.
Before accepting a motion, I have been asked to explain why we are here tonight. Without doubt this is the first time there has been a meeting to reconsider action taken by voters at a previous town meeting. If you vote "NO" on Article 1, that means action taken at the town meeting is sustained. If you vote "YES", previous action taken is nullified. Although both articles required a two-thirds vote, they may be recon- sidered on a majority vote. The town By-Laws do not cover this, but the statutes cover it very thoroughly."
Mr. John M. Darnton: "First I would like to explain the reasons for calling this meeting. Mrs. Darton and Mrs. Oxenham got it rolling- not so much because of their personal opinions but because of the strong demand that somebody do it.
Moved by Mr. John M. Darnton and duly seconded : "That the Town reconsider the action taken under Article 20 of the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting held March 4, 1957."
Moderator: "This article calls for a secret ballot. Mr. Lawrence Lamson and Mr. Everett Haley will serve as tellers and the chair will appoint Mr. William Burchard and Mr. Frank Farmer to serve as counters."
After the counting of ballots, the Moderator announced the vote to be: YES-331, NO-186, and declared action taken on March 4 on Article 20 rescinded.
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Mr. John F. Neary : "I would like to suggest that we dispense with the checking. This may be done with the approval of the meeting."
Moved by Mr. John F. Neary and duly seconded : "That the check- list be dispensed with."
Voice vote. Motion carried.
Moderator : "In view of the fact that action has been rescinded, to see if the Town will vote by secret ballot upon said Article 20 as set forth in the warrant for said March 4, 1957 meeting, said Article being
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 emi- nent 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 Febru- ary 15, 1957, prepared by Northrup B. Allen, C.E., on file with the Town Clerk, and the parcel of land identified 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 fore- going purpose, and to determine the manner in which the appropri- ation is to be raised, whether by taxation, transfer of available funds or otherwise, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto. Under the Town By-laws, this article will require a two-thirds vote."
Moved by Mr. Donald L. Miller and duly seconded : "That the Board of Selectmen be authorized to acquire by purchase or by eminent demain 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 fifteen acres, identified as Parcel A on a plan entitled "Portion of Anderson Property", dated February 15, 1957, prepared by Northrup B. Allen, C.E., on file with the Town Clerk, and that portion of Parcel B on said plan, which is not acquired by the Town pursuant to the meeting; that the sum of $15,000 be transferred from available funds for such purposes; and that the Selectmen be further authorized with full power in the premises to do all acts and things necessary or convenient to consummate such purchase.
"This is the same parcel of land. The only change is that the sum of $15,000 will come out of Excess and Deficiency rather than from taxa- tion. We of the Building Committee would welcome any questions."
Moderator : "This again calls for a secret ballot. The chair will ask Mr. Burchard and Mr. Farmer to repeat their performance as counters."
After the counting of ballots, the Moderator announced the vote to be :
YES 230
NO 272
The Moderator declared the motion defeated.
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Article 2. Moderator : "To see if the Town will vote by secret ballot to reconsider the action taken under Article 19 of the warrant for the annual town meeting held March 4, 1957, such action being
VOTED that the School Building Committee be authorized to employ architects to prepare final plans for the construction of an elementary school consisting of twelve classrooms, physical education room, cafe- teria-auditorium, offices and incidental rooms, playing fields, land- scaping, access and paved areas; that the sum of $35,000 is hereby appropriated for such purpose, the same to be expended under the supervision of said School Building Committee, and to meet such appropriation, the sum of $30,000 be transferred from available funds for the purpose."
Moved by Mr. Malcolm Douglass and duly seconded : "That the Town reconsider the action taken under Article 19 of the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting held March 4, 1957.
Moderator : "We are now ready for a vote. A vote of "NO" sus- tains action taken at the town meeting, a vote of "YES" nullifies action taken at the town meeting. The chair again calls on Mr. Burchard and Mr. Farmer to serve as counters."
After the counting of ballots, the Moderator announced the vote to be :
YES 269 NO 142
The Moderator then declared action taken on March 4 on Article 19 rescinded.
Moderator: "In view of the fact that action has been rescinded, to see if the Town will vote by secret ballot to authorize the School Building Committee to employ architects to prepare alternative preliminary plans for elementary school facilities as a separate entity or as an addition to existing school plant, such plans to be in various price ranges; and for the foregoing purposes and to pay for plans already prepared, to raise and appropriate a sum of money, and to determine the manner in which the appropriation shall be raised, whether by taxation, transfer of avail- able funds, or otherwise, or to take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
This is a very important part and it is hoped that you will remain for a vote on this.
Moved by Mr. Malcolm Douglass and duly seconded : "That the School Building Committee be authorized to employ architects to prepare additional preliminary plans for elementary school facilities at lower cost levels than the plan proposed at the March 4, 1957 Town Meeting; and that for such purposes and to cover the cost of plans already pre- pared, the Town transfer from available funds the sum of $12,000.
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Since the hour is growing late and voting by secret ballot takes time, I am going to ask the Moderator to take a vote to see if the town will take a standing vote on this motion."
With a voice vote, a call for a standing vote on the motion was defeated.
After the counting of ballots, the Moderator announced the vote to be
YES 196 NO 93
The Moderator declared the motion carried by more than the required two-thirds vote.
Moderator : Article 3. "To act on any other matter that may legally come before said meeting."
Upon motion by Mr. Lawrence Lamson, duly seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 11:57 p.m.
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REPORT OF THE SPECIAL TOWN MEETING Held in the High School Auditorium, September 10, 1957
The Moderator, Mr. John H. Perkins, opened the meeting at eight- twelve (8:12) o'clock in the evening on Tuesday, September 10, 1957.
Invocation offered by Rev. Edward J. Mclaughlin.
Moderator: "The first business of the evening is Article 1: "To see if the Town will cause secret ballots be cast when any article pertaining to the choosing of a site for the new elementary school, the appropriation of money for the final plans of the new school, or any article which relates in any way to the new school, comes before the town meeting, as peti- tioned for by Stephen J. D'Arcy and others."
Moved by Mr. Stephen J. D'Arcy and duly seconded : "That the vote upon any article to be acted upon at this meeting pertaining to the choice of a site for a new elementary school, the appropriation of money for the final plans for a new school or for any other article which relates in any way to a new school, shall be by secret ballot."
Voice vote. Motion carried.
Moderator: "The chair will appoint Mr. Alex Mahan and Mr. Harold Regan to serve as tellers when we do arrive at a secret ballot vote :"'
Article 2. Moderator : "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, 1957, prepared by Northrup B. Allen, C. E., on file with the Town Clerk, 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."
Moved by Mr. Frederic Winthrop and duly seconded: "That the Board of Selectmen be authorized to acquire on behalf of the Town by purchase or by 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, 1957, prepared by Northrup B. Allen, C. E., on file with the Town Clerk, and to transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Account the sum of $15,000 for the foregoing purpose."
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At the conclusion of voting by secret ballot, the Moderator an- nounced the vote to be :
YES 338 NO 99
The Moderator declared the motion carried by more than a two- thirds majority.
Moderator : "Article 3 is by-passed because of the affirmative vote on Article 2."
Article 3. If the Town does not vote in the affirmative to acquire the parcel of land referred to in Article 1 of this Warrant, 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 one of the following described parcels of land (to be voted upon in the order listed) :
1. Fifteen acres more or less of land formerly belonging to Beatrice Ayer Patton bounded on the East by land of Mary Weld Pingree, on the South by Cross Street and on the West by Asbury Street.
2. Fifteen acres more or less of land presently belonging to the Iron Rail Fund of Girls Clubs of America, Inc., bounded on the East by Wood- bury Street, on the North by Essex Street, on the West by a line five hundred feet from, but parallel to, land formerly of C. F. Ayer.
3. In whole or in part 20 acres of the so-called "Day Farm" bounded on the West by Highland Street, on the South by properties on Moynihan Road belonging to others, on the East by a brook, and on the North by the abandoned Boston and Maine Railroad bed to Asbury Grove. Copy of plan on file with the Town Clerk.
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."
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