USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1958 > Part 5
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Seven perpetual care endowments were received.
Four, eight grave lots were sold.
One, single endowed grave sold.
Three, four grave endowed lots sold. Thirty interments were cared for by the Superintendent.
The usual maintenance work was carried on, and the necessary im- provements taken care of during the year.
We thank all who helped this department in any way and the coopera- tion received from all the other Town departments.
To our Superintendent, P. S. Plummer, we are grateful for his con- tinued interest and care of the Cemetery.
Respectfully submitted, PAUL S. TUCKER LUTHER M. CAVERLY JOHN T. WALKE Cemetery Commissioners.
71
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN :
I have the honor to submit to you the Annual Report of the Department of the Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year ending December 31, 1958. P
Scales :
Adjusted
Sealed
Not Sealed
Con- demned
100 to 5,000 lbs.
2
8
1
0
Under 100 lbs.
29
1
3
Weights :
Avoirdupois
0
19
0
0
Volumetric Measures :
Liquid under 1 Gallon
0
10
0
0
Automatic Liquid Meas. Devices :
Gasoline
0
19
1
0
Vehicle Tanks
0)
5
0
0
Kerosene, oil, grease
C
2
0
0
Peddlers :
Fish
Checked 1 State License
Respectfully submitted,
ERVING O. MAXWELL
Sealer.
72
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS Under The Protective (Zoning) By-Law
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
During 1958 the Board of Appeals conducted thirteen public hear- ings and disposed of a number of minor matters informally. All thirteen hearings were on appeals or original applications for variances, thus equalling the number of variances sought in 1957. This year there were no applications for special permits.
Analysis of the decisions indicates that the chances of obtaining a variance are poor, unless the deficiency in frontage or area is relatively slight or unless the case is one based on the character of the neighborhood under the 1957 amendment to the By-Law and all of the conditions set forth in that amendment are fulfilled. For example, the Board granted variances permitting construction on an "extra lot" in two cases where only a few feet of frontage was lacking but denied such a variance in the case of land on Essex Street in the "B" district containing 41,000 square feet, where a division into two lots barely exceeding 20,000 square feet would, in effect, change these lots to the "A" district. Such hard- ship as exists in this case likewise affects all land in that part of the "B" district (which here lies across the street from land in the "A" district) and it is not for a Board of Appeals to rewrite the Zoning Map of a town.
Neither can a Board of Appeals issue a blanket authority to conduct a business in general or business of any particular general type. Thus on an application to authorize "light industry" at a location where the pre- vious business use had recently terminated and where the applicant could not specify the particular kind and size of enterprise intended, the de- cision was negative. On the other hand specified additions or changes in two existing businesses were authorized as reasonable exercises of non- conforming uses existing prior to the By-Law.
The Board decided four cases apparently inspired by the 1957 amendment, granting two variances and denying two others where the Board could not find that substantially all other lots in the neighborhood were of comparable size. The members of the Board hope that interested citizens will continue to use good judgment in coming to the Board and will not ask for hearings in cases where there appears to be no reasonable chance that relief can be granted.
A review of the locations involved in the fifty or more cases which the Board has considered since adoption of the By-Law in March, 1954, shows a dozen special permit cases to be scattered rather evenly over the Town. Of about forty variance cases more than half are in the two built up areas of South Hamilton and Asbury Grove districts, with another twenty-five per cent in the East Hamilton area. Only four appear to be located in the "B" district of larger size lots. Most of the pressure for variances thus appears to be in direct proportion to the relative conges- tion of the neighborhood.
73
A legislative act of 1958, authorizing building permits for certain small lots if separately owned at the time of adoption or change of a zon- ing by-law, adds nothing to the protection of such lots contained in our by-law. It is interesting, however, as a recognition of the principle ad- hered to by this Board : that land not owned separately in good faith cannot be called a "separate lot" for zoning purposes unless it completely satisfies the several requirements of the By-Law.
sends out notices of hearings and decisions and to Mr. Chittick of the
As in the past the Board is indebted to the Town Clerk whose office Board of Assessors for information as to adjoining and nearby owners. Relations with the Planning Board and the Town Counsel continue to be cordial and helpful. During the year Mr. Frank W. Buzzell resigned as Building Inspector. The co-operation always given by Mr. Buzzell has been continued by his successor, Mr. Leon Perkins. Any person who expects to apply to this Board should first confer with the Building In- spector even if no building permit is desired right away. Such a confer- ence and examination of the Inspector's form of application for a permit will at least define the problems which exist and in some cases may lead to solutions avoiding the delay and trouble of a public hearing before the Board.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE G. BECKETT ELMER H. SMITH JOHN F. NEARY F. HARLAN CLOCK
Board of Appeals
74
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
The past year provided additional proof, if any were needed, of the limitations of our divided library facilities. The loss of our exceptionally qualified Assistant Librarian, Mrs. Thomas E. Dillon, is one example. Mrs. Dillon, with impressive municipal and university experience, suc- ceeded Mrs. Richard L. Wiggin, who resigned early in the year to accept a library position in Lynn. Mrs. Dillon found the town's two-part library operation personally frustrating, and asked to be released. There were other problems, not the least of which were physical ones of repair and maintenance, particularly as regards plumbing, which emphasized the makeshift character of our arrangements in the venerable Lamson School building.
Most serious, of course, is the unfortunate and continuing situation which precludes our ever having the entire book collection available at the same time. The extra library hours added this year alleviate some- what, but in no way answer this basic problem. The result is duplication of effort and expenditure and a reduction in the service offered the citi- zens and students - the kind of service which a town such as Hamilton should provide.
A single, integrated modern library such as that proposed at last year's Town Meeting (and sidetracked) is what is needed. Again, at this forthcoming Town Meeting your trustees feel it their duty to renew the campaign for a new library. Certain planning changes have been made which, they feel, bring the proposal into closer conformity with the think- ing of the ever-increasing number of friends of the new library. The trustees urge all to give the article careful thought. A first rate library is as essential for Hamilton as the excellent schools we insist upon. Delay merely compounds our problem. This should be the year for Hamilton to take this important step.
Despite all obstacles, your trustees are happy to report circulation increases at both the Main and the Branch libraries, for another over-all circulation record. We have also been pleased at the growing response to the bi-weekly visits of the State's Regional Bookmobile, in which program the town has participated since its inception.
The Library Trustees are grateful for voluntary assistance, includ- ing "story hour" help, to Miss Gabriella M. Hurley, and to Mrs. Richard Rulon, as well as to many friends who have lent a hand from time to time.
75
We are especially happy to have an opportunity to publicly thank our devoted Librarian, Mrs. Fred H. Brown, whose unstinting efforts in be- half of our library are all too little recognized. We are grateful, too, for the commendable contributions of Mrs. Brown's assistants, Mrs. Daniel E. Hughes, Mrs. Harry F. Clarke and Mrs. Orman J. Richards.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN F. NEARY, Chairman SARAH H. TRUSSELL JANICE PULSIFER
Library Trustees
76
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
To the Trustees of the Public Library:
The Librarian herewith submits her report for the year 1958.
Circulation reached a total of 25,020 books and periodicals. This includes 2,491 from the State Regional Bookmobile.
Main Library
Branch Library
Schools
Adult Fiction
3605
4090
374
514
(Bookmobile)
Non-fiction
1594
1174
66
315
239
(Bookmobile)
Juvenile Fiction
3018
3861
66
503
362
(Bookmobile)
Non-fiction
993
829
87
97
(Bookmobile)
Periodicals
1430
770
Total
11919
11936
School Stations
1165
The 751 books added in 1958 include 653 titles purchased and 98 gifts distributed as follows :
Adult Fiction
185
119
Adult Non-fiction
119
66
Juvenile Fiction
80
83
Juvenile Non-fiction
49
50
Total
433
318
Books withdrawn or discarded
412
New Cards
168
272
Fines Collected
$286.74
The Librarian wishes to add her thanks to that of the Trustees for the many hours of voluntary assistance so thoughtfully and generously offered by the people of Hamilton.
Respectfully submitted,
LOUISE BROWN
Librarian
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, 1958.
Spring cleaning was completed in the usual manner, roadsides were rocked and broomed, catch basins cleaned and outlets into which street drains enter were cared for.
I wish to stress the need of the town purchasing a complete unit basin cleaner as so many storm drains have been installed and it is im- possible to clean them all by hand labor.
Necessary patching and maintenance work was carried on through- out the year, guard rails repaired and painted.
A section of Asbury and Highland Streets was sealed and covered with pea stone under Chapter 90 Maintenance.
I extend my sincere appreciation to the citizens of Hamilton, all Town Officials and Departments, also the Highway employees that have assisted me in the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES F. POOLE,
Highway Surveyor
78
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
The Park Board herein submits their annual report for the year end- ing December 31, 1958.
The Playground season opened on June 23rd and extended through August 20th. Registration was over 300 with a daily average of 100. The children were under the supervision of the following instructors :- Mr. Gelean Campbell, Miss Marjorie Ricker, Miss Janet Smerage and Miss Judith Crowley.
The regular daily program included both individual and team activi- ties for the Intermediate and Senior groups as well as a daily handiwork period for the younger boys and girls. Special events were held each week which included beach trips, wiener roast, scavenger hunt and the Canobie Lake trip closing the season. We wish to thank the Mother's Club for their helpful assistance with our activities.
The Department continued the maintenance of Manasseh Cutler Park, Soldier's Green, The Robert Walsh Park at Chebacco Lake, Patton Park, and the grounds at the Elementary and High Schools.
For the many baseball teams in town the Department maintains four baseball diamonds. These along with the various parks are under the care and supervision of Mr. Henry Stelline, Park Superintendent.
This year we purchased a second bleacher for the baseball diamond and hope to add another next year.
The skating season again drew large crowds to Patton Park and on January 11th an Ice Carnival was held with ribbons awarded the win- ners.
The Annual Community Service Fair was held once again for a four-day period during the 4th of July Holiday at Patton Park. It was very successful with thousands of people enjoying the Bonfire and Fire- works.
A gift of three willow trees was presented Patton Park by Mrs. Alfred Weis of Bay Road in memory of her late husband.
We wish to thank all Departments for their cooperation and espe- cially the Highway Department for their very able assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
RAY M. SANFORD ALBERT P. LOUGEE GEORGE H. RICKER Park Commissioners
79
REPORT OF THE ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN :
I herewith submit my report as Electrical Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1958.
A total of 144 permits have been issued covering the installation of wiring and appliances as follows :
Municipal new building 1
Commercial old building
1
Dwellings, new construction
26
Temporary wiring, fairs, carnivals, etc.
3
Temporary services
14
New Services (replacements)
18
Oil Burners
39
Gas Burners
2
Electric Ranges
22
Electric Clothes Dryers
10
Domestic Water Heaters
7
Dish Washers
2
Disposals (Garbage)
2
Additions and Repairs
32
Electric signs
1
Electric Baseboard Heating
2
Refrigeration (Commercial)
1
Water Pumps
1
Garage Door Opener
1
Inspections made on above
237
Advisory Calls made
9
Calls for service locations
6
I wish to express my appreciation for the cooperation of the Board of Selectmen, Town Clerk, Fire and Police Chiefs, Mr. Frank Dever of Merrimack Essex Electric Company, Electrical Contractors and all citi- zens I have come in contact with during the performance of my duties.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT L. HAM
Inspector of Wires
80
WARRANT FOR THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING 1959
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 second day of March, nineteen hundred and fifty-nine (March 2, 1959) at eight o'clock in the evening (8:00 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. Trustee of Public Library for three years.
Water Commissioner for three years.
Cemetery Commissioner for three years.
Park Commissioner for three years.
Member of Planning Board for five years.
And to vote yes or no on the following question :
Question No. 1. Shall the town vote to accept the provisions of section six C of chapter forty of the General Laws, which authorize cities and towns to appropriate money for the removal of snow and ice from private ways therein open to public use ?
Yes.
No.
The above named officers and question to be voted for on one ballot on TUESDAY, THE TENTH DAY OF MARCH, 1959 (MARCH 10, 1959) 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.
81
Article 2. To choose and appoint all other Town Officers in such manner as the Town may determine.
Article 3. To hear the reports of the Town Officers and of the Finance and Advisory Committee and all other committees and take any action there- on 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 Construction, or take any 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 Maintenance of various streets in town, or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Library Trus- tees to construct, originally equip and furnish a new library building, and for said purposes (a) to employ an architect, and let contracts and (b) to transfer to the custody and control of the Library Trustees from the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen a parcel of land on Bay Road on which said Library shall be located, such parcel being of approximately 40,000 square feet, and being bounded approximately 200 feet on Bay Road and approximately 200 feet deep, and lying between the new Fire House and the new Elementary School, as more fully shown on a plan on file with the Town Clerk; and for the foregoing purpose to raise and appropriate a sum of money, 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 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 to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money therefor, or take any other action thereon or rela- tive thereto.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to purchase a new truck cab and chassis for use by the Health Department primarily for garbage collec- tions, provide for the turning in of the present Chevrolet cab and chassis toward the purchase price thereof, and to raise and appropriate 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 purpose of acquiring and installing two-way radio communication equipment for use by the police, fire and other Town de- partments, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
82
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to lease for the purposes of a town dump a parcel of land now or formerly of Gordon College of Theol- ogy of approximately seven acres situated on "Proprietors Road", so-called, near the Manchester-Hamilton town line, for a period of five years at an annual Rental of $500, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the use of $2,000. appropriated under Article 11 of the warrant for the 1957 annual town meeting (for the purpose of providing a water main on the town dump, and not expended for such purpose) to provide a water pipe to the new town dump near the Manchester line the lease of which is referred to in Article 11 of this warrant, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Water Commissioners to acquire by purchase or eminent domain a parcel of land belonging to Massachusetts Audubon Society of approximately five acres as shown on a plan on file with the Town Clerk, such land if acquired by purchase to revert to said Massachusetts Audubon Society if not used for water purposes for a period of twenty-four consecutive months, and to acquire adequate rights of way thereto, and to raise and appropriate a sum of money therefore, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 14. 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 un- der the direction of the Board of Selectmen, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to transfer a sum of money 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 $4,000. from the Overlay Reserve Fund to the Reserve Fund, or take any other ac- tion thereon or relative thereto.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Assessors to use available funds or "free cash" in an amount not to exceed the sum of $30,000 in determining the tax rate for the year 1959, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public town way an extension of Postgate Road as laid out by the Board of Selectmen and shown on a plan on file with the Town Clerk, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public town way an extension of Chebacco Road from the terminus of the existing town way to the Manchester line as laid out by the Board of Selectmen and shown on a plan on file with the Town Clerk, or take any other action there- on or relative thereto.
83
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to accept Hatfield Road as laid out by the Board of Selectmen and shown on a plan on file with the Town Clerk, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to discontinue the town way known as Dodge Street, leading off Highland Street, and authorize the Selectmen to release any interest the Town may have in said way, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to change Section IV, Para- graph (5) of the Protective By-Law to read as follows: "(5) Educational, municipal, or municipal recreational building and uses.", or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to change Section V of the Protective By-Law by inserting two sentences at the beginning of Section V to read as follows: "No building in a business district shall be within twenty (20) feet of the street line. The height limitations of Section VI, Paragraph 3, applicable to a residence district shall also apply in a business district.", or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Protective By- Law by adding a new sentence at the end of Paragraph 4 of Section VI to read as follows : "No building or its accessory building shall be within twen- ty (20) feet of any other building or its accessory building.", or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Protective By- Law by changing the area on the southerly side of Essex Street between Woodbury Street and Chebacco Road to a depth of two hundred (200) feet from Residence District B to Residence District A as shown on "Zoning Map, Hamilton, Massachusetts" filed with the Town Clerk, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Electrical By- Law of the Town by striking out Article 5 and 6 and inserting in place thereof the following :
ARTICLE 5. Fees
The following Fees shall be collected before an electrical permit is issued :
New Construction :
Residential Home (New) (up to 75 outlets) $5.00
For each twenty-five additional outlets .25
New Service 2.00
Temporary Service
1.00
Additions or Alterations :
Up to 25 outlets 1.00
Each 25 additional outlets or fractional part there-
of in excess of 25 1.00
84
Motors :
For each motor installed up to and including one horsepower .50
For each additional horsepower in excess of the one horsepower .25
Heating Devices :
For first 2,000 watts or less .50
For each additional 5,000 watts or fractional part 50
Commercial Building :
For each $1,000 Valuation of Building .50
Minimum Charge 3.00
Permits for any Electrical Installation or Equipment for which no fee is herein prescribed, a minimum charge of 2.00
ARTICLE 6. Penalties
A. Whoever wilfully violates any of the provisions of this Electrical By-Law shall be subject to a fine not exceed- ing $50.00 for each violation.
B. An additional charge of $1.00 will be made by this De- partment and must be paid by the applicant doing the work for each additional inspection resulting, in the opinion of the Electrical Inspector, from defective work completed in whole or in part by the use of improper or unworkmanlike installations or incompletion of work.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Building By- Law of the Town in the following respects :
(A) By striking out the last sentence of Section 5 of Article 1 and inserting in place thereof the following: "He shall inspect all building operations within the town and shall have the right of entry at reasonable hours."
(B) By adding a new Section 7 of Article 1, as follows : "The Building Inspector, officer, or employee charged with the enforcement of this by-law shall not be personally liable while acting for the Municipality, and he is hereby re- lieved from all personal liability for any damage that may accrue to persons or property as a result of any act required or permitted in the discharge of his official duties."
(C) By striking out Section 1 of Article 2 and inserting in place thereof the following: "Application for a permit shall be made to the Building Inspector for the con- struction or alteration of a structure, building, or part thereof, before any work shall be commenced thereon."
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