USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1957 > Part 4
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The Town voted to build a Fire Station and Police Headquarters which at this time is near completion. This building will give the two Departments modern quarters.
ALARMS FOR 1957
JANUARY, 1957
Date Dist. No.
Nature Location Owner
2 24
Chimney, Moulton Street, Norman Vaughn
12
23
Oil Burner, Orchard Road, William Cox
26 3-3-3 Chimney, Wenham,
FEBRUARY, 1957
3
False
10
21
Rubbish, Off Bay Road, H & W News
20
21
Grass, Asbury Street, E. L. Trefry
21
31 Oil, Boston Avenue, Hugh Wentworth
21
24
41
21 Grass and brush, Off Bay Road, Myopia Hunt Club Rescue a cat
MARCH, 1957
19
21 Grass, Off Bay Road, Standish Bradford
23
31
Bedding, Arthur Avenue, B. J. Bullerwell
24
31
Grass, Asbury Street, Town of Hamilton
24
21
Grass, Bay Road, Everett Haley
24
31 Grass, Highland Street, Town of Hamilton
24
24
Grass and brush, Off Sagamore, H. C. Hatfield Rubbish, Walnut Road, Town of Hamilton
27
21 Gas Leak, Linden Street,
27
False
APRIL, 1957
1
23 Grass, Crescent Road, C. H. Harris
12
31 Grass, Topsfield Road, Town of Hamilton
13
23 Grass and brush, Margaret Road, George Harrigan
14
30 Grass and brush, Topsfield Road, Town of Hamilton
25
21
48
Date Dist. No. Nature Location Owner
15
16
Oil Burner, Essex Street, John Horne
16
13
Grass and brush, Essex Street, C. C. Newlin
16
21
Grass, Fox Run Road, Omer Poirer
16
41
Grass, Off Highland, E. G. Purdy
16 3-3-3
Inhalator, Wenham
16
31
Grass, Grant Avenue, Robert Brooks
19
25
Grass, Cutler Road, S. J. Comeau
19
21
Grass, Park Street, Alexina Morrow
19
23
Grass and brush, Margaret Road, George Harrigan
22
21
Track Lumber, Off Asbury Street, B & M Railroad
27
13
Grass and brush, Essex Street, Morley Piper
28
17
Brush, Off Forest Street
30
12
Brush, School Street, Philip Graham
30
23
30
17
Grass and brush, Margaret Road, George Harrigan Grass, Gregory Island
1
23
Grass and brush, Margaret Road, George Harrigan
2
23
Grass and brush, Margaret Road, George Harrigan
8
21
Grass, Off Highland Street, J. R. Gauthier
8
34
Auto, Goodhue Street
10
32
Brush, Winthrop Street, J. S. Laurence
13
31
Gas Leak, Topsfield Road
10
3-3-3
House, Topsfield
13
24
Lumber, Bay Road, Donald Cutler
7-10
3-3-3
Woods, Manchester
JUNE, 1957
13
17
Woods, Forest Street, Joseph Dodge
16
31
Dump, Asbury Street, Mrs. Gardner
17
21
Lumber, Asbury Street, B & M Railroad
18
31
Motor, Day Avenue, James Taylor
25
25
Woods, Chebacco Road, Town of Hamilton
JULY, 1957
2
12
Grass, Bridge Street, Town of Hamilton
18
41
Grass and brush, Off Highland Street, Jerry Vitale
19
24
Dump, Off Bay Road, Oliver Wolcott
20
32 Brush, Winthrop Street, J. S. Laurence
21
23
Grass, Off Bridge Street, Carmelite Seminary
22
31
Grass, Baker Avenue, Mrs. Piotrowski
23
23
Motor Bike, Bay Road, H. A. Moses Lot Child, Pleasant Pond
28
24
Grass, Gardner Street, J. P. Sears
28
31
Grass and brush, Highland Street, Gladys Johnson
30
31
Grass, Baker Avenue, F. R. Walker
AUGUST, 1957
3
24
Grass, Sagamore Street, Clifford Roberts
3
25
False, Cutler Road
9
24
Oil Burner, Gardner Street, Sumner Pingree, Jr.
15
24
Grass and brush, Sagamore Farm Road, H. H. Laughlin
16
21
Motor, Cunningham Drive, F. E. Lenherr
21 3-3-3 Grass and brush, Off Walnut Road, Frederick Ayer
22
16 Dump, Off Essex Street, Myopia Hunt Club
23
16 Dump, Off Essex Street, Myopia Hunt Club
27
12 Brush, Bridge Street, Elsie Knowlton
21
5-5
MAY, 1957
49
SEPTEMBER, 1957
Date Dist. No. Nature Location Owner
3
31
Inhalator
15
21
Couch & Clothing, Maple Street, Mrs. Sturk
15
21
Auto, Bay Road
23
21
Brush, Bay Road, Myopia Hunt Club
24
21
Brush, Bay Road, Myopia Hunt Club
25
21
Brush, Bay Road, Myopia Hunt Club
27
21
Brush, Bay Road, Myopia Hunt Club
30
31
Brush, Highland Street, Gladys Johnson
OCTOBER, 1957
1
31
Brush, Highland Street, Gladys Johnson
1
31
Brush, Highland Street, Gladys Johnson
2
23
Brush, Off Bay Road, R. H. Smith
5
12
Brush, Highland Street, Gladys Johnson
11
15
Rescue a cat, Chebacco Road
13
25
Hay and brush, Cutler Road, Thomas Stevenson
14
21
Brush, Off Bay Road, Myopia Hunt Club
15
31
Brush, Topsfield Road, G. S. Patton, Jr.
15
31
Grass, Highland Street, Town of Hamilton
23
41
Grass, Stopford Road, Town of Hamilton
25
23
Woods, Off Bay Road, R. H. Smith
31
23
Leaves, Bridge Street, Town of Hamilton
2
23
Curtain, Bay Road, Dantan Sawyer
7
31
False
Oil Burner, Asbury Avenue, Dana Benfield
DECEMBER, 1957
4
21
Oil Burner, Maple Street, Joseph St. Germaine
8
41
Inhalator
15
31
Grass and brush, Topsfield Road, Town of Hamilton
22
Ladder work, Wenham
24 14 Grass and Rubbish, Bridge Street, Forester Clark
We wish to thank all who have assisted the Department during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
A. MERRILL CUMMINGS, Chief RAYMOND A. WHIPPLE RUDOLPH H. HARADEN
Fire Engineers
NOVEMBER, 1957
8
31
50
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. 1957.
The State Department of Public Welfare granted a cost of living in- crease of approximately five per cent, with an increased allowance for the budget item of fuel, to recipients of Old Age Assistance, Aid to Dependent Children and Disability Assistance. Nursing homes were also granted in- creased rates for the care of recipients.
General Relief expenditures decreased about $1800 over the previous year due to fewer persons requiring temporary aid.
Aid to Dependent Children expenditures increased $625 over last year.
Disability Assistance expenditures increased $1250 as compared to 1956.
Old Age Assistance expenditures increased $3650 over the previous year because of new eligible recipients being added to the category.
A recovery of $5434.90 was received under a lien on real estate being released on the estate of a recipient of Old Age Assistance. A refund under Disability Assistance of $549.90 was made by a recipient. These amounts are allocated according to the funds contributed by the Federal, State and Local governments to their support.
The following figures show the expenditures during 1957, the amount of reimbursements received and the net cost to the town in each category.
GENERAL RELIEF
Expenditures
Reimbursements
By Town
$3852.96
State of Mass. $288.00
Towns and Cities 1947.75
Net Cost to Town 1677.21
$3852.96
$3852.96
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
Expenditures
By Town $5777.36
Reimbursements
Federal Government $1657.02
State of Mass. 2536.82
Individuals 92.80
Net Cost to Town
1490.72
$5777.36
$5777.36
51
AID TO DEPENDANT CHILDREN
Expenditures
Reimbursements
By Town
$8352.58
Federal Government $2970.95
State of Mass. 2765.23
Individuals 120.00
Net Cost to Town
2496.40
$8352.58
$8352.58
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Expenditures
Reimbursements
By Town
$44317.84
Federal Government
$20382.65
State of Mass.
15950.34
Towns and Cities
586.24
Individuals
311.95
Net Cost to Town
7086.66
$44317.84
$44317.84
We desire to commend the Community Aid Committee and the organi- zations and individuals who assisted this group during the year. The aid rendered by them to needy persons is deeply appreciated by this Board. We also extend our thanks to all who have assisted this Board during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM F. MACKENZIE
LAWRENCE LAMSON
EVERETT F. HALEY
Board of Public Welfare
52
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton :
The Board of Selectmen met and organized on March 18, 1957. Law- rence Lamson was elected Chairman for the year 1957-58. Everett F. Haley was elected Chairman of the Board of Health. William F. Mackenzie was elected Chairman of the Board of Public Welfare. Francis H. Whipple was appointed Clerk.
The various town offices under our jurisdiction requiring appointment were reappointed.
The Board has held its regular weekly meeting every Monday evening and numerous special meetings whenever necessary. The Board has been represented at State House hearings on proposed legislation. In addition, members have attended conferences and meetings with state, county, and municipal officials on matters pertaining to the town.
One of Hamilton's greatest needs is for a long-range planning program to clarify the future needs of the town so that we can be progressive and yet not find ourselves with an unreasonably high tax rate. The Board is now compiling information for such a plan which will be available in the near future.
The annual aerial spraying for mosquito control was carried out in three stages. Reports indicate that this spraying was very effective in most parts of town. We recommend that this project be carried out again this year.
After several years of effort on the part of the Board of Selectmen, mail delivery service was inaugurated on November 1 in a large part of the town.
Due to inequities in the existing zoning by-laws, the Selectmen felt cer- tain revisions should be made and inserted an Article for a change in the by-laws in the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting of September 10, 1957, which was approved by the voters.
Two new sections of streets were laid out, which we recommend be ac- cepted as public ways by the 1958 annual Town Meeting.
State and County funds have been made available, and if voted at the Annual Town Meeting, the sum of $28,000 will be used to reconstruct School Street under Chapter 90 work this year. The Board recommends that Chapter 90 Maintenance funds be increased this year. This would en- able Hamilton to maintain these roads at a portion of the total expense.
As voted by the annual Town Meeting, a new police cruiser-ambulance was purchased for the Police Department.
In addition to the usual maintenance of the Town Hall building, major repairs were made to the roof and chimney. It is hoped that this will correct the condition that has been troublesome in the past. We recommend that at least the front be repainted this year. The old sheds in the rear of the Town Hall have been removed, as they were beyond repair and of no use to the town. We also recommend that a portion of the Town Hall driveway be resurfaced this year.
53
New street and traffic signs were erected, and street lights installed where needed. We now feel that this program is nearly completed through- out the town.
Street numbering of new homes has been brought up to date.
The sum of $1000 voted by the 1957 Town Meeting, to be matched by the State under Chapter 91 Brook and Stream Clearing Program was not used, due to the restrictions placed by the State Department of Public Works. We recommend that the $1000 be re-appropriated this year and the work be carried out under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
Through the efforts of the Board, the State Department of Public Works resurfaced Bay Road from Depot Square to Bridge Street, and made sidewalk improvements from Cutler Road to Rock Maple Avenue.
This report by no means covers the entire duties of the Board of Selectmen, nor its complete activities during the year. It is a summary of the accomplishments and recommendations which would be of the most in- terest to the voters of the Town.
In conclusion, we would like to thank the people of Hamilton for the privilege of having served you as your Selectmen. We have made every effort to solve your problems in a fair and satisfactory manner. Your patience and understanding have been most appreciated.
In addition, we take this opportunity to thank all the appointees of the Board of Selectmen, the other Town Departments, and the Town em- ployees for the splendid co-operation they have given the Board during the past year. It is only by working as a team that a growing community such as ours can best be served.
Respectfully submitted, LAWRENCE LAMSON EVERETT F. HALEY WILLIAM F. MACKENZIE Board of Selectmen.
54
REPORT OF THE REGIONAL SCHOOL PLANNING COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
Since the Committee's appointment on October 9, 1957, by the Town Moderator we have proceeded to investigate the advisability of joining in the establishment of a regional high school.
In connection with our investigation, we have held joint meetings with the Wenham Regional School Planning Committee, representatives of the Manchester School Building Needs Committee, and with the Ipswich Re- gional School Planning Committee.
To speed up our work, we have decided to meet regularly with the Wenham Regional School Planning Committee. Operating as a joint com- mittee with them, we are in the process of obtaining information on such factors as :
Towns that could be included in a regional school district.
Town population trends and projections.
Projected school enrollments.
School sites.
School building and operating costs.
Projected capital budget requirements of the Town School government. Curriculum.
Relationship of a Regional High School to our present Hamilton School System.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Laws-Assistance and restrictions.
A final report will be submitted as soon as the supporting information has been obtained.
Respectfully submitted. JAMES E. HALL, Chairman JOE Y. JACKSON RICHARD PRESTON
55
REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY SURVEYOR
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
I herewith submit my report of the Highway Department for the year ending December 31, 1957.
Necessary patching and maintenance work was carried on through- out the year. Several streets were oiled to protect the surface from breaking. Catch basins were cleaned and guard rails repaired and painted. A section of Essex and Woodbury Streets was sealed and covered with pea stone, under Chapter 90 Maintenance.
Progress was continued on draining, grading and oiling gravel roads. The sidewalk program was carried on, continuing on Highland Street.
A Dodge truck was purchased complete with snow plow and sand- ing equipment by authority of the Annual Town Meeting.
Drainage is becoming more of a problem each year as many catch basins have been added over a period of years. I wish to stress the need of the town purchasing a complete unit basin cleaner as all this work has to be done by hand at the present time.
I extend my sincere appreciation to the citizens of Hamilton, all Town Officials and Departments and the Highway employees that have assisted me in the past year.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES F. POOLE, Highway Surveyor
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 1957.
There were thirty-eight (38) maple trees planted on new streets in the town. Brush and undergrowth have been cut along the sides of various streets.
We had thirty-two (32) elm trees with Dutch Elm Disease last year. These were cut down and burned as required by law.
All elm trees were sprayed three times for the elm bark beetle, the carrier of the Dutch Elm Disease.
I wish to thank all Departments for their valuable assistance during the year.
Respectfully submitted, RUDOLPH H. HARADEN Tree Warden
56
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS Under the Protective (Zoning) By-Law
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
During 1957 the Board of Appeals conducted sixteen public hear- ings and also disposed of a number of matters where hearings were not required, an increase in volume over 1956 of approximately twenty-five per cent. Two applications were refused for lack of jurisdiction and referred to other boards for action. Special permits were granted for a small riding stable and for two soil removal projects, in each case subject to conditions imposed by the Board. In the thirteen variance cases results varied from complete denial through partial or conditional approval to full endorsement in a few instances. These last were chiefly cases of relocation of a building or change of a business use where some rights had existed prior to adoption of the Protective By-Law in 1954. All decisions were unanimous.
Mention should be made of the 1957 amendment to the By-Law adopted by vote of the Town and set forth with the Town Clerk's report. Early in 1957 the Board twice denied a variance for a proposed new lot considerably smaller than the original requirements of 90 front feet and 10,000 square feet of area, principally because such a lot must violate the intent of the By-Law, in view of the 1956 amendment which adopted the minimum area. The 1957 amendment (which was initially recom- mended by this Board) does not make any sub-standard lots legal or even entitle them to a variance. It merely gives the Board of Appeals specific authority to grant variances (upon conditions to be imposed by the Board) for such smaller lots as may satisfy all of the various re- quirements spelled out in the amendment. It is believed that there are few proposed lots which can qualify under these requirements, which should be studied by prospective applicants.
The year was notable for the first appeals to the Superior Court from decisions of the Board. In the case (referred to in our 1956 re- port) of the expanded private garage containing a carpentry shop which had existed before the By-Law, a consent decree was agreed upon by the parties at the suggestion of Judge Querico. The decree permitted the owner to relocate within the building in part as he desired but sub- ject to rather stringent conditions for the protection of the residential neighborhood. The result of this case is indicative of the care exercised by the courts to protect rights in existence before zoning.
The other court case is representative of most zoning appeals where no legal non-conforming use exists. After the second denial of a variance for the small lot mentioned above the owners filed their appeal and a full trial was held before Judge Morton, with testimony by witnesses and argument by counsel. It could be supposed that certain elements of alleged hardship in this case, particularly the fact that a house on this
57
lot would complete a regular pattern for the block, might lead to a favorable decision from an equity court (even as these elements led this Board to recommend an amendment to the By-Law and in fact to grant the variance for this lot after the 1957 amendment has been adopted). Instead, the Court's decree affirmed the decision of this Board denying a variance, finding that the decision did not exceed the Board's authority, and thus following the pattern of zoning cases decided by the Supreme Judicial Court. In the absence of any question of pre-existing rights, these Supreme Court decisions amply justify Judge Morton's remark at the trial, to the effect that in order to upset a decision of a zoning board of appeals, one needs to have a truly ironclad case.
The Building Inspector has attended all hearings where his presence was necessary or advisable. Mr. Clock, the Associate Member, par- ticipated in a number of the hearings and decisions. The assistance of the Town Clerk, the Town Counsel and the Assessors is again grate- fully acknowledged.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE G. BECKETT ELMER H. SMITH JOHN F. NEARY F. HARLAN CLOCK Board of Appeals
58
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
At the Annual Town Meeting of the Town of Hamilton held on March 4, 1957, the town voted, (1) to purchase for $15,000 the southerly 16 acres of the so-called Anderson Property on which to build the pro- posed elementary school for grades 4, 5 and 6, and (2) to appropriate $35,000 for the architects (Hugh Stubbins and Associates) to prepare working drawings for this school as outlined in the brochure distributed to the citizens of the town sometime before the meeting.
As the vote to purchase the Anderson Property was carried by only one vote more than the two-thirds majority required, a petition was circulated subsequent to the Town Meeting asking that another Town Meeting be held to reconsider both of the above votes.
Such a meeting was held on April 16, 1957, and the town voted neither to buy the Anderson Property nor to appropriate any money for the architects to proceed with the original plans. The town voted, however, to appropriate $8,000 to pay for two alternate sets of plans to be submitted at a later meeting.
This later meeting was held on September 19, 1957. At this time, the town voted by a substantial margin, (1) to purchase the above re- ferred to 16 acres of the Anderson Property, less the lot purchased for the Fire Station, for $15,000, and (2) to appropriate $30,000 for the architects to proceed with the working drawings of the school as de- scribed in the prospectus delivered before the Annual Town Meeting in March. Because he had taken on other work when the town turned down the appropriation for working drawings at the April Meeting, Mr. Stub- bins was not able to go to work on the plans until November.
As of February 1, 1958, good progress has been made. The finished plans should be sent out for bids early in March. The contractors should submit their bids early in April. If this schedule is adhered to, your committee plans to have a special town meeting called in the middle of April for the purpose of considering the bids, and taking appropriate action thereon.
If the Town votes the necessary money at that time, the contractors should start work by the first of June, and should finish this building by Christmas of 1959.
FREDERIC WINTHROP, Chairman HENRY J. GOURDEAU JOHN F. NEARY ELMER H. SMITH DONALD L. MILLER ALLAN MacCURRACH
FREDERICK J. CALDWELL MALCOLM E. DOUGLASS
59
REPORT OF THE WATER SUPERINTENDENT
To the Board of Water Commissioners:
GENTLEMEN :
I respectfully submit my yearly report as Superintendent of the Water Department for the year ending December 31, 1957.
The extension of mains program involved the installation of 1800 feet of 6" pipe on Forest Street and two fire hydrants. This installation has made it possible for twenty home owners to have town water piped into their homes.
There were fifty-eight (58) house services installed during the year making a total of one thousand four hundred twenty-nine (1,429) active services on the system.
Fluoridation tests have been made daily the results of which have been sent to the State Department of Public Health.
Samples of water for bacterial and chemical tests have been sent to the State laboratory for their examination.
The extremely dry summer which we experienced created a large demand for water which we were unable to meet with our present fa- cilities making it necessary to take water from the town of Essex.
The following figures will indicate the amount of water pumped during the year. These figures represent the water used with a ban on outdoor use during the summer months.
1957
Gallons Pumped
1956 91,445,800 7,500,000
Gallons Pumped
From Essex
School Street
51,481,350
Bridge Street 55,235,000
Total
98,945,800
Patton Well 7,280,000
From Essex
10,475,100
Total
141,751,450
Water Analysis by Massachusetts Department of Public Health Collection on October 29, 1957. (Parts per Million)
No. 422601 Bridge St. Station
No. 422602 School St. Station
Turbidity
10
2
Sediment
2
2
Color
12
1
Odor-cold
0
0
Chlorides
18
15
Hardness
56
142
Alkalinity-M. O. phth
44
43
pH
6.3
6.3
Iron
.63
.33
60
I wish to express my appreciation for the cooperation I have received from other Town Departments and from all who are associated with us in our work.
Respectfully submitted, RAYMOND A. WHIPPLE, Superintendent, Water Department
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
The Cemetery Commissioners herewith submit their annual report for the year ending December 31, 1957.
Twenty-four interments were cared for by the Superintendent.
Ten Perpetual Care endowments were received.
Four single endowed graves were sold.
Seven eight grave lots were sold.
The cooperation we have received from all the town departments is appreciated.
We thank our Superintendent, Philip S. Plummer, who has per- formed his duties so conscientiously.
Respectfully submitted, LUTHER M. CAVERLY JOHN T. WALKE PAUL S. TUCKER Cemetery Commissioners
61
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
The Assessors submit herewith their annual report for the calendar year ending December 31, 1957.
COMPARATIVE FIGURES (for the past four years)
1954
1955
1956 1957 $9,559,310
Total Valuation
$8,014.920
$8,390,985
$9,073,215
Increase over previous
year
636,995
376,065
682,230
486,095
Number of Polls
1,178
1,284
1,355
1,445
Number of Dwellings
1,351
1,403
1,507
1,727
DETAIL OF ASSESSMENT
Value of Buildings
$7,271,075 1,644,510
Value of Land
Total Value of Real Estate
$8,915,585
Value of Personal Estate
643,725
Total Valuation
$
9,559,310
Tax Rate $48.00 per Thousand
Tax on Real Estate
Tax on Personal Estate
$427,948.08 30,898.80
Tax on Polls
3,026.00
Total Taxes Assessed
$461,872.88
RECAPITULATION
EXPENDITURES
Appropriations to be raised by taxation
$709,353.45
Deficit in overlay of 1956
102.38
State Tax and Assessments :
State Parks and Reservations
1,972.77
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
628.13
County Tax and Assessments : County Tax
18,896.61
Tuberculosis Hospital
9,629.65
Overlay for the current year 1957
13,498.54
Gross amount to be raised
$754,081.53
62
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND AVAILABLE FUNDS
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