USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1959 > Part 4
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Except for a few minor faults which should be corrected by the time the Town Report is printed, the building is in excellent condition and we believe a handsome addition to the Town.
FREDERIC WINTHROP, Chairman
HENRY J. GOURDEAU MALCOLM E. DOUGLASS DONALD L. MILLER JOHN F. NEARY
FREDERICK J. CALDWELL
ELMER H. SMITH MORLEY L. PIPER
School Building Committee for New Elementary School
49
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of Hamilton:
We submit herewith a report of the activities of the Board of Health for the year ending December 31, 1959.
Along with the other departments of the town, the activities and duties of the Board of Health have increased with the continuing growth of our community.
In addition to having jurisdiction over communicable diseases and local health problems, the Board of Health is responsible for the col- lection and disposal of refuse and garbage, the inspection of all new building developments to ascertain whether adequate sewage and drain- age can be provided, the inspection of all operating sewage disposal sys- tems, inspection of food handlers and restaurants, and other matters relating to Public Health.
A Polio Clinic was conducted in cooperation with the Ipswich Board of Health, with over 300 residents and their children, who had not been previously innoculated, taking advantage of this clinic to receive their three Polio shots or a booster shot.
Chest X-Ray examinations were conducted under the auspices of the Essex County Health Association, which proved very beneficial to a number of Hamilton residents.
The Board has long realized the need for a complete set of up-to- date rules and regulations pertaining to all health matters under control of the local Board. During the past year these rules have been drafted and are now ready for adoption. These rules and regulations will be printed in booklet form and should be available early this spring.
The Dental Clinic has been continued under the supervision of Dr. John King and the school nurse and with the able assistance of the Super- intendent of Schools, Dr. John Lawson. The Dental Clinic is conducted for the first three grades only.
It was with much regret that the Board received word of the retire- inent of Miss Florence Stobbart, who had so ably served as both School Nurse and Health Nurse. Her services will long be remembered and ap- preciated by all who had the opportunity to be associated with her.
Mrs. Irene Dankowski was appointed School Nurse and will assist Dr. King in carrying out the Clinic duties this coming year. A complete report of the activities of the Dental Clinic will be found elsewhere in the Town Report.
The Board opened a new town dump off Chebbaco Road on January 1, 1959. A lease authorized by the last annual town meeting has been signed with the owner for three years. This lease is renewable for three- year periods, and should serve the needs of the town for many years to come.
At the last annual town meeting, the townspeople approved the Board's request for a new garbage truck. This truck was put into service
50
in May, and its reliability has proven to be a great asset in the operation of the department.
The following is a list of communicable diseases reported during the year :
Chicken Pox 48
Mumps 12
Dog-bite
8 Salmonella
1
German Measles
7 Scarlet Fever
2
Measles
15 Tuberculosis 3
This report by no means covers the entire duties nor the complete activities of the Board during the year. It is a summary of accomplish- ments and recommendations which should be of the most interest to the voters of the town.
The Board expresses its appreciation to Charles F. Poole, Highway Surveyor, for his cooperation in the operation of this department, especially the loaning of men and equipment when needed.
Appreciation is also extended to all who have assisted this Board in any way during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM F. MACKENZIE
LAWRENCE LAMSON LAWRENCE R. STONE
Board of Health
51
REPORT OF THE DENTAL CLINIC
To the Board of Health:
GENTLEMEN :
I herewith submit my report of the Dental Clinic for 1959.
Amalgam fillings .......... ........... 449
Cement fillings 44
Linings 17
Temporary fillings
8
Treatments ........... 8
Extractions (temporary )
25
(permanent)
2
X-rays
11
Novocains
34
Cleanings
123
Examinations
2
Certificates
116
Number of operations 684
Number of children having work done 167
Number of hours 210
As in previous years, I again urge the parents of children in the first three grades to see that their children receive dental certificates either through the dental clinic or any other dental office.
Sincerely, JOHN KING, D.M.D.
52
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
The Assessors submit herewith their annual report for the calendar vear ending December 31, 1959.
COMPARATIVE FIGURES (for the past four years) 1956
Total Valuation
$9,073,215
1957 $9,559,310
1958 $9,877,015
1959 $10,202,075
Increase over
previous year
682,230
486,095
317,705
325,060
Number of Polls
1,355
1,455
1,446
1,494
Number of Dwellings
1,507
1,727
1,746
1,772
DETAIL OF ASSESSMENT
Value of Buildings
$7,820,025
Value of Land
1,780,020
Total Value of Real Estate
$9,600,045
Value of Personal Estate
602,030
Total Valuation
$10,202,075
Tax Rate $56.00 per Thousand
Tax on Real Estate
$537,714.52
Tax on Personal Estate
33,702.48
Tax on Polls
2,988.00
Total Taxes Assessed
$574,405.00
RECAPITULATION
EXPENDITURES
Appropriations to be raised by taxation
$838,459.81
Deficit in overlay of 1958
4,225.42
State Tax and Assessments :
State Parks and Reservations
2,729.00
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
1,464.69
County Tax and Assessments :
County Tax 1959
26,064.29
County Tax 1958 - Underestimate
3,175.09
Tuberculosis Hospital
6,211.99
Essex County Project 1959-E16
2,878.00
Overlay for the current year 1959
10,890.01
Gross amount to be raised
$896,098.30
53
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND AVAILABLE FUNDS
Veterans' Benefits
$
2,000.00
Income Tax 61,030.10
Corporation Tax
20,244.34
Reimbursement a/c publicly owned land
7,445.49
Old Age (meals)
1,178.47
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
85,000.00
Licenses and Fines
2,500.00
Special Assessments (moth)
500.00
Health and Sanitation
1,000.00
Charities (other than Federal Grants for dependent children)
7,000.00
Old Age Assistance (other than Federal Grants)
16,000.00
Schools
11,000.00
Public Services (water)
44,000.00
Cemetery
800.00
Interest on Taxes and Assessments
1,400.00
State Assistance for School Construction
23,668.07
Town of Manchester (in lieu of taxes)
800.00
Amounts taken from available funds and over-estimates
34,126.83
Tax receipts from 1959 assessments
574,405.00
Gross Receipts
$894,098.30
Anyone who transfers or sells a motor vehicle should apply to the Assessors for an abatement for the balance of the year as promptly as possible, stating the date of such transfer. In many cases this will make it possible to deduct the amount of the rebate when paying the original excise tax itself and thus eliminate the need for mailing out a refund check.
The comparative valuation figures shown above indicate a conserva- tive increase in residential valuation but running less than half the peak year of 1956. The possibility of a mushrooming growth of low-cost housing in Hamilton seems now rather remote. Building lots in the smaller categories are gradually disappearing and more and more permits are being taken out for sites in the 40,000 square foot classification. This leads to a gradual up-grading as pertains to average cost per dwelling unit and helps in part to offset the falling off in new construction.
With town budgets and expenses on the increase the need is urgent to find new taxable property that will help to bear the burden. One source is new commercial valuation, and we stress the desirability of developing more of the right kind of business concerns in our town. To the extent that your spending dollar goes elsewhere you are helping the tax rate of neighboring communities rather than your own. The relief is
54
more needed right at home, as witness the fact that one nearby city was able to give the taxpayers a substantial drop in the tax rate this year, due to the influx of new business.
Respectfully submitted, ROBERT H. CHITTICK ARTHUR L. BENNETT ROBERT H. TRUSSELL
Assessors
55
REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN :
I herewith submit my report as Building Inspector of the Town of Hamilton for the year ending December 31, 1959.
A total of 120 permits with an estimated cost of $707,850 exclusive of land have been issued covering the construction of the following :
New dwellings with garage 7
New dwellings 23
Dial Exchange Building
1
Recreation and Bowling
1
Block of stores, 3 stores
1
Swimming pools
4
Garages
8
Polo Arena
1
Stables ..... 4
Small greenhouses
3
Tool houses (accessory buildings)
6
Moving
3
Demolish
3
Carports
2
Additions
35
Alterations
18
Total (120)
I wish to express my appreciation for the cooperation of the Board of Selectmen, Town Clerk and others I have come in contact with during the performance of my duties.
Respectfully submitted,
LEON S. PERKINS
Building Inspector
56
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY DEPARTMENT
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
The Board of Cemetery Commissioners submit their annual report for the year ending December 31, 1959.
Single Endowed Graves Sold 16
Four Lot Endowed Graves Sold 4
Eight Lot Graves Sold ...... 6
Perpetual care Eight Grave Lots
7
Interments ..... 30
We wish to thank everyone who helped this Department in any way and the cooperation received from all the other Town Departments.
To our Superintendent, Philip S. Plummer, we are grateful for his interest and care of the Cemetery.
Respectfully submitted, PAUL S. TUCKER LUTHER M. CAVERLY JOHN T. WALKE
Cemetery Commissioners
57
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS Under the Protective (Zoning) By-Law
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
During the year, the Board of Appeals conducted eighteen public hearings, making 1959 the busiest year to date. There were four special permit cases, for greenhouses or two-family houses, two of which also required minor variances.
Of the fourteen variance cases, the Board denied three and withheld decision in one pending receipt of measurements by a surveyor. At first glance the total of ten variances granted appears to be high. The record discloses, however, that three or four of these were cases where the action permitted was probably legal without a variance. Two other decisions permitted minor side line deficiencies for modern garages improving the location, one authorized an additional tank for a filling station and one approved frontage shortages for three house lots of legal area where the lots across the street were also narrow. A one-man business was permitted in a dwelling house near a business district upon strict limitations as to use and duration, and a dwelling house was authorized in the case of one very small lot upon the unlikely condition that certain adjoining land be acquired by the applicant. Among the denials was an application to authorize conversion of a large two-family dwelling into an apartment building for four families.
It is important to note a change in the governing state law (General Laws, Chapter 41A), effective last August, requiring the published notice to appear at least twenty-one days before the hearing. In the past, the Board has on occasion been able to arrange a hearing within two weeks or less where speed was important. This accommodation will no longer be possible and applicants must plan on an interval of about five weeks after submission of the appeal or request together with the required names and addresses of interested parties before the hearing can be held.
Members of the Board desire to warn the public, particularly pur- chasers of house lots, of the danger in buying any lot which does not conform to the legal requirements of area and frontage. There is no law which forbids the sale or purchase of an undersized lot or even a sliver of land. Our By-Law, like all zoning laws, operates through the power to deny a building permit. Certain undersized lots are protected by the state law and by our By-Law if they existed in their present form when the By-Law (or an amendment increasing the requirements) was adopted, if there was no adjoining land in the same ownership. Recently, a parcel of land has been divided by deeds into two or more lots of inadequate size and in other cases inadequate lots have been offered for sale, which may have been separate in 1954, but have since been combined in larger tracts. The Building Inspector will not grant a building permit for any such lot without a variance granted by the Board of Appeals and it is extremely unlikely that this Board will grant such a variance where the result
58
would be to circumvent the purpose of the By-Law, regardless of the in- nocence of the persons concerned. The matter can be further complicated by questions of good faith when there appear to be conveyances to rela- tives, partners, or "straws." The buyer of a sub-standard lot who is not positive that the same is protected by a provision of the By-Law, or of applicable state law, acts in peril of denial of a permit. Trusting in the say-so of a seller or broker or in an old recorded plan may be grounds for a lawsuit to avoid his purchase, but it is not the kind of hardship that will guarantee a variance authorizing a building permit. The proper course for a buyer is to insist on his seller obtaining a variance before passing papers, including this as a condition in the agreement of purchase and sale if one is to be used.
Elmer H. Smith ceased to be a member of the Board upon expiration of his second term in April. This brief acknowledgment is insufficient to express the appreciation of the members and of the public generally, of Mr. Smith's valued service in the difficult early years of zoning. By ap- pointment by the Selectmen, Costas L. Caraganis became the new regular member. The Building Inspector, Mr. Perkins, has attended the hearings and has worked closely with the Board in matters of common interest. As in the past, the assistance of the Assessors and the Town Clerk is grate- fully acknowledged.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE G. BECKETT JOHN F. NEARY COSTAS L. CARAGANIS F. HARLAN CLOCK
Board of Appeals
Dear Fellow Citizens:
At the 1958 Town Meeting a proposed new library for Hamilton was tabled. Last year a similar proposal was defeated. Your library trustees could, conceivably, have adopted the easy way this year, in the face of continued opposition from the Finance Committee, and taken no action. Such a course was never contemplated-could not possibly be in view of the exceedingly serious need which exists, now intensified by two years of delay.
Briefly, Hamilton's divided, two-part library cannot serve the town well, is ineffi- cient, uneconomic and ill-housed. At no time is our entire book collection available to citizens and students. Furthermore, our overcrowded room at Town Hall admittedly must soon be requisitioned for town offices. Our makeshift Lamson School library room is without sanitary facilities of any kind during much of the year, has experienced rain leakage and blown-out window panes in recent months. What's more, demolition of the building itself is under consideration as part of an imminent public housing project. All this, as book circulation sets new records year by year, adds up to a deplorable, even shameful situation-particularly for a community with Hamilton's proud reputation.
Your trustees again and most earnestly ask your support for a new library-a building which is substantially that proposed last year and which continues to be, in their estimation, the realistic answer to the town's library question. It is the product of detailed studies and surveys made under the guidance of two of the country's most dis- tinguished library experts, Messers Philip McNiff and John Humphry.
However, the trustees, while strongly favoring the complete facilities, as embodied in this building, offer the town an alternate proposal by which the same structure could be erected in two steps should the citizens prefer a lesser initial financial outlay. This partial facility, as indicated on the back cover, would be temporarily adequate and would, of course, involve commitment to completion of the entire building, as originally pro- posed, at a later date.
Estimated maximum cost of the complete library building-which could well be bid in for less-is roughly $82,000, including outside fill and landscaping. Furniture and architectural fecs bring the total to approximately $90,000-estimated. Similarly, the building cost of the alternate partial library is about $59,000, with furniture and archi- tect's fees making a total of some $65,000- estimated. Cost of the complete structure would represent about $1.00 on the tax rate, the alternate building, of course, appreci- ably less.
Obviously Hamilton must come to grips with its library situation just as it has so resolutely confronted its school problems. Nothing is to be gained by delay. Now, at the coming Town Meeting, let us take decisive action to provide the intellectual and cul- tural stimulus which a good library can mean for all of us and for our children.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN F. NEARY, Chairman SARAH H. TRUSSELL JANICE P. PULSIFER
Trustees-Hamilton Public Library.
ALEX. HAMILTON
SETTS.
INCORP.
VE 21.1793
Hamilton, Massachusetts
February, 1960
PROPOSED LIBRARY - TOWN OF HAMILTON
Complete Facilities . . .. Article 8
CIAMI 10 9 4 8X
WOMEN
BOILER RM 10x 17
MEN
1
F
LAV
JANITOR
REFERENCE & PERIODICALS 40×20 0009
WORK $ STAFF PM, 12'× 18 2169
1
DESK
ADULTS 2.3× 52 . 12009
CHILDREN 40×20. 8009
SU
-
VEST.
1
RM
Alternate Library Proposal - Town of Hamilton
Partial Facilities . . Article 9
WOMEN
BOILER RM. 9'× 17'
MEN
LAV .
CLOS .
C
JANITOR
PERIODICALS - ADULTS 40 ×20'
800$
WORK $ STAFF RM. : 12' × 21' 252 9
4
DESK
CHILDREN 40 × 20= 800¢
1
7
59
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
Your trustees were heartened at the annual Town Meeting of last year by the substantial support given the proposed new library by citi- zens of the town. Although we were not successful, the trustees feel that public awareness of Hamilton's library plight was broadened. The past year has served to intensify the urgency of the town's need for single, unified library facilities. Hence the trustees feel they would be remiss in their duty if the subject were not again brought before the citizens at this year's meeting.
Consequently, two articles have been inserted in the warrant for the March meeting - one proposing complete facilities, the other a proposal by which the new library could be achieved in two steps over a period of time. The trustees, of course, favor the former, but in the face of our urgent need, and since cost was apparently the decisive factor in 1959, would settle for a partial and currently adequate library, always with the understanding that the second construction phase - as planned - would subsequently be undertaken.
We urge you to support new library construction. Not only is our present divided status uneconomic, requiring duplication of effort and expenditure, but it results in reduced service to citizen and student. What is more, the Lamson School which houses our branch library is pro- gressively deteriorating. This winter we have been faced with roof leaks, frozen plumbing, loose windows and, of course, no sanitary facilities. Book circulation, even under these conditions, has increased by 2000 in the branch library alone. As for our main library, town officers are con- stantly pressing for additional space at Town Hall, which means that relinquishing our library area is imminent. We do not think that Hamil- ton's citizens are inclined to tolerate such a shameful situation. It is cer- tainly not in keeping with the standards of the town we take such pride in. Your trustees feel that this is the year to take action, that delay merely compounds our problem, and earnestly hope that you will support a new library at the forthcoming town meeting.
This has been another record year for library circulation. In fact. as library use parallels school growth, our personnel and facilities are currently taxed to the utmost. We continue to supply books for circula- tion within the schools, and our resources are supplemented by the state's popular Regional Bookmobile service.
Mrs. Daniel E. Hughes, of Hamilton, was recently appointed Assist- ant Librarian to work under the direction of the Librarian. Mrs. Hughes had been a volunteer assistant, later becoming a member of the staff. In the past year she has completed three library training courses, two at the State Regional Headquarters in North Reading, one at Harvard College under University Extension auspices. Volunteers who have contributed
60
assistance during the year and to whom thanks are due are Miss Arlene Robbins and Miss Judith Noyes.
The trustees wish to express their deep gratitude to Mrs. Fred H. Brown, our able and dedicated librarian, for her patience and tireless dili- gence. Hamilton is much in her debt. We wish also to thank Mrs. Hughes, Miss Gabrielle Hurley, Mrs. Harry F. Clarke and Mrs. Orman J. Richards of the library staff for their excellent work during the year, as well as Mrs. Robert Goodhue, formerly of Hamilton and the staff, whose long and faithful service merits special mention.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN F. NEARY, Chairman SARAH H. TRUSSELL JANICE PULSIFER
Library Trustees
61 REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
To the Trustees of the Public Library:
The Librarian herewith submits her report for the year 1959.
The year 1959 was in many ways an unusual one. It began in the midst of a crisis brought about by the lack of a librarian for the Branch. We undertook immediately an emergency training program for the will- ing and enthusiastic new staff recruited from our volunteers, Mrs. Daniel Hughes, Mrs. Harry F. Clarke, and Mrs. Orman Richards. One of our first steps was to take inventory of adult books. Over a period of several months we carried out a systematic weeding program and rearranged the books on the shelves. We apologize for the temporary confusion this may have caused. One patron said he felt like the man who never knew whether he had come home to the right house or not because his wife moved the furniture so often. However, these seemingly aimless activities resulted in more space for new acquisitions and a neater more serene and attractive appearance of the room in general. Furthermore, the staff obtained a much more intimate acquaintance with their 'stock' than could have been gained from many more months of mere routine circula- tion procedures. That it was not in vain is attested by the continued upward trend to an all-time high of 13,651 in circulation at the Branch.
Beginning in February, your Librarian and Mrs. Hughes took a courses in Problems of the Small Public Library given by Mrs. Rita Abbott at the State Regional Library Center in North Reading. Apart from the ideas and inspiration we gained directly from this course we found a morale builder in our association with other librarians who were faced with problems similar to ours. Informal meetings have since taken place, roughly once a month of Librarians from such North Shore towns as Ipswich, Manchester and Amesbury. We share both ideas and books. Those mystery stories you take out bearing the official seal of a neighbor- ing town are on a form of inter-library loan and not as illegal as they look.
August brought another crisis with the resignation of a highly valued assistant, Mrs. Robert Goodhue. Again it was, "Volunteer to the rescue" and Miss Gabrielle M. Hurley is now an official member of the staff. In Miss Hurley we recently discovered a bonus in her unusual talent for mixing paint. Have you noticed how well the temporary shelves we bought to help out in the space emergency at the Main Library match the old woodwork ?
In November we celebrated Children's Book Week with a series of reviews of the new juvenile books presented by Mrs. John Page, a former Children's Librarian, at each of the Hamilton Public Schools. The impact of this program was felt immediately in increased circulation of the books mentioned. There have been many requests from teachers, parents and children that we repeat the event.
62
Our book-selection policy this year was designed to strengthen our collection of adult non-fiction. Accordingly, we added approximately 100 older standard titles in the fields of psychology, religion, sociology and science, all expertly evaluated as the most authoritative and suitable for public library use. This, of course, was in addition to our usual ac- quisition of current fiction and non-fiction.
I wish to publicly welcome Mrs. Daniel Hughes as Assistant Li- brarian. Mrs. Hughes has recently completed an extension course in cataloging and classification but in addition to her formal training she brings many personal qualifications of even greater value to the position.
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