USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1960 > Part 6
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would take place in 1963, there would be elected by ballot a Board of Public Works consisting of three members, the first to be elected to serve for one year, the second for two years, and the third for three years from the date of that Annual Town Meeting; so that there would be one term expiring in each of the first two years at which time the Board member elected would be elected for a three-year term. By the use of staggered terms of office, we would always have at least two veteran members of the Board to insure continued experienced management. Upon election and qualification, the three members of the Board shall then have all of the powers and duties now or from time to time vested by General Laws or special act in the following boards, departments and offices, and have corresponding powers and duties, to wit: Surveyor of Highways, Water Commissioners, Park Commissioners, Cemetery Commissioners, Tree Warden and Moth Superintendent, and such boards, departments and offices shall thereupon be abolished.
The Board of Public Works shall in all respects be the lawful suc- cessors of the boards, departments and offices so abolished. Referral to the Board from this point on shall be construed to mean the Board of Public Works.
The Board shall have additional powers with respect to the furnish- ing of engineering services, the collection and disposal of garbage and refuse, the maintenance and repair of Town buildings and property and the performance of such duties of any other boards, departments or offices of the Town as may be reasonably related to the duties and responsi- bilities of the Board as the Town may from time to time by by-law pro- vide, any other provisions of law to the contrary notwithstanding.
After each election the Board shall elect one of its members to act as chairman for the ensuing year.
The Board shall appoint and fix the compensation of a Superin- tendent of Public Works, who shall perform under the direction of the Board all of the powers, rights and duties transferred from the abolished Town departments previously listed. The Superintendent shall be re- sponsible to the Board for the efficient exercise and performance of his duties, he shall be specially fitted by education, training and experience to perform his duties and may or may not be a resident of the Town.
During his tenure he shall hold no elective or other appointive office, nor shall he be engaged in any other business or occupation. If the Board is desirous, a surety bond for faithful performance may be posted. Sub- ject to the approval of the Board, he shall appoint his assistants and employees as the occasion may demand. He is required to keep full and complete records of the doings of his office and submit such records to the Board as often as they may require. He shall keep the Board fully advised as to the needs of the Town within the scope of his duties and shall furnish the Board each year a carefully prepared and detailed estimate in writing of the appropriations required during the next suc- ceeding fiscal year.
The final section of this chapter deals with the rights of the Town to revoke the Board of Public Works if they should desire to do so. Such
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a revocation can take place after the expiration of three years from the date of the acceptance, by a vote at the Annual Meeting in which the majority decides that they no longer want a Board of Public Works and then by placing the question of revocation on the ballot at the next Annual Election. If the majority of the voters vote to rescind the Board of Public Works on that ballot, then all of the powers, rights and duties revert back to the previous boards, departments and offices that held them prior to the acceptance of the Board of Public Works as if they had never been transferred at all.
As we have already explained, we recommend that the previously described sections of Chapter 41 should be adopted and we further recom- mend that if the Town votes favorably on the 1962 ballot that, at the 1963 Annual Town Meeting, Articles be submitted in that Town Warrant to amend the By-Laws of the Town in order to transfer the furnishing of engineering services, collection and disposal of garbage and refuse, and the maintenance and up-keep of Town buildings (other than school build- ings) to the jurisdiction of the Board of Public Works.
Now that we have given our recommendations and set forth the form of organization and duties of the Board of Public Works, we would like to explain our reasons for arriving at this judgment.
A. As you are probably aware, this problem of whether or not to create a Board of Public Works has been considered both in the 1951 and 1955 Annual Town Meetings. It was determined at those two meetings that the size of the Town and the amount expended by these various departments did not warrant the change to a public works form of organi- zation.
We have prepared charts of actual expenditures for the various de- partments under discussion for a five-year period covering from 1956 through 1960 inclusive and discovered that the amounts expended by these departments, including road constructions, has increased 35% for this period. Total expenditure for all departments jumped from $136,- 000.00 for 1956 to $175,000.00 (appropriated) for 1960. We did not include the amounts spent for water mains, wells, etc., which, for the five- year period, were nearly $120,000.00 more. Our conclusion is that we can anticipate approximately a 7% minimum increase in expenditure of tax- payers' money for these services in each of the years in the immediate future. In considering the projected population growth, particularly in view of the several proposed large-scale home construction developments, this rate of increase could well be much greater than 7% annually. When we review the expenditure of nearly $950,000.00 for these services over this five-year period, we must realize that we are no longer in the rela- tively simple and uncomplex days of a few years ago. Our Town is growing rapidly, AND SO IS OUR TAX RATE. This Committee feels that it is high time some positive action is taken to control the ever- increasing local tax burden and we seriously fear for the financial future of our Town if we do not start to plan and to operate on a sound, modern, business basis.
B. Admittedly, it is most difficult to state that any specific amount of money could be saved by following our recommendations, but as a
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Committee, we are convinced that many dollars will be saved by assign- ing labor and equipment to, and in, whatever capacity or project that they are most needed. This pooling of manpower and equipment in itself should mean increased service at less cost than our present arrangement of divided responsibility and control.
C. A Board of Public Works lends itself much more readily to long-range planning than the cumbersome system of several independ- ently elected and operative bodies that we now have. There has long been a vital need for projecting plans for future public services, and by antici- pating our needs, we save both time and money by having planned properly and we also avoid the costly mistakes of the past. The lack of both adequate personnel and integrated direction from a single authority would preclude the effective coordination necessary for satisfactory long- range planning.
D. There has been some criticism that the expense of employing a competent superintendent of Public Works would more than offset the advantages acquired. Our investigations lead us to believe that a well- qualified person can be engaged at a salary of from $6,000.00 to $7,000.00 per year. We also believe that any competent superintendent could, through prudent supervision and planning, save enough of the probable 1963 appropriation of $210,000.00 plus, to more than make up his salary expense in the first year.
In conclusion, may we remind you our recommendations will in no way affect our present unlimited Town Meeting form of government. The Board of Public Works is as equally answerable to the voters for their conduct and administration as are the several boards, departments and offices presently in office. This Committee is unalterably opposed to sacrificing any of the liberties and privileges of the traditional New England form of town government. We feel that the consolidation of these naturally related services under one command for the sake of effi- ciency and economy is in no way an infringement on our basic form of local government.
In view of the period of time it will take to accomplish the legal establishment of a Board of Public Works, it is extremely important that effective action be taken now. At this Town Meeting, you are only asked to approve placing this question on the ballot for 1962 in order that all of the voters may make their judgment. You will have a year's time to make your final decision. This Committee is aware that this is a major step for Hamilton to concentrate authority and responsibility in this manner, but we believe that we cannot go on passively hoping that some- how the growing needs of the Town will be met. Rather, we do sincerely believe that positive action should be taken NOW.
This report is unanimously agreed on by :
LAWRENCE E. PELKEY, Chairman CLARK S. SEARS EDWARD A. DEWITT EUGENE D. SULLIVAN EDWARD N. McMILLAN
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REPORT OF THE CIVIL DEFENSE AGENCY
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The agencies of Civil Defense that have been set up had a very active year. Our Auxiliary Police Department participated in twenty- four (24) events at the request of Chief Edward Frederick. I do not believe the town or the townspeople are aware of the fact that these men donate their time to the town 'for the privilege of being a part of Civil Defense. Last year the total man hours put in on duty in the 24 events equalled 1161 hours. The only compensation these men receive is to have the town pay for their ammunition, uniforms and equipment. Should we figure out the actual cost per hour for time of these men to the Town it would be less than 50ยข per hour. There are 25 men now who are trained additions to our Police force and we expect further additions in the future.
The Civil Defense radio operations under the direction of William Hamlin, and in cooperation with the Police Department, were called upon to coordinate activities of the police seven times. A total of 94 hours were put in on duty in these events with all radio men contributing to the total hours. In addition to the above-mentioned time, our radio group par- ticipated in the regular monthly drills with the State agency to test equip- ment and receiving ability of the Town of Hamilton. A member of the radio group, Bob Barker, has been giving radio instruction to the Boy Scouts.
The Welfare agency has been under the able direction of Mrs. Dorothy Bradford. Her committee has undertaken the problem of bring- ing "Home Preparedness" to the townspeople. Both Mrs. Bradford and her committee have attended meetings of various organizations in town explaining how all home owners can and should be prepared to care for themselves in case of emergency. This is a long and difficult problem and anyone interested in assisting should contact Mrs. Bradford.
We had another problem facing the town this year which we were very fortunate in solving. The Town needed emergency power to operate the new Fire and Police Communications Center. Through the Civil Defense Surplus Depot a unit was found that would serve our purposes. The cost of this unit to the Government was in excess of $1900.00. We purchased it for $100.00. Another unit was ordered to be used by the Water Department in case of power failure. This would assure the town of an adequate water supply under all conditions. We purchased a $2000 unit for $100 and found it would not run our present water pumps. Rather than return this unit we kept it to run the Town Hall and departments working out of the town garage for heat, light and power in emergency. Another order has been placed for an adequate unit to run the Water Department pumps. We have further participated in the State Surplus depot materials and turned what was bought over to those departments that could use the merchandise and materials procured. All of the surplus
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materials are purchased at less than 10% of the original cost to the Government.
This agency hopes to continue to expand until all departments of Civil Defense are operational. We trust we can continue to have the cooperation of the Selectmen and also more participation by the Towns- people.
Respectfully submitted, HARVEY E. BARNES Civil Defense Director
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REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
The Board of Public Welfare submits the Annual Report of the Welfare Department for the year ending December 31, 1960.
The case load decreased one case as twelve new applications were approved and thirteen cases were removed from the rolls. Expenditures increased for Old Age Assistance but decreased for General Relief, Dis- ability Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children from the previous year
A new program, Medical Assistance for the Aged was instituted dur- ing the year with the Federal and State reimbursing for five-sixths of the cost and the balance of one-sixth to be paid by the Town. Five cases from Old Age Assistance were transferred to this new category.
The following figures show the expenditures for 1960 and the amount of reimbursements from different sources. The amounts may not be the same as actually received because of the overlapping of one year with the next year.
GENERAL RELIEF
Expenditures
By Town $ 1,329.59
Cost to Town $ 1,329.59
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
Expenditures
By Town $ 9,415.24
Reimbursements
Federal Government .$ 2,511.50
State of Mass. 4,255.12
Individuals 395.75
Net Cost to Town
2,252.87
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Expenditures
By Town $ 1,772.90
Reimbursements
Federal Government .$ 1,824.50
State of Mass. 540.51
Individuals 345.00
Net Cost to Town, CR.
937.11
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OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Expenditures
Reimbursements
By Town $49,868.31
Federal Government $22,953.39
State of Mass. 18,022.48
Cities and Towns 431.18
Individuals 69.40
Net Cost to Town
8,391.86
The Board wishes to thank all who aided this Department during the past year, especially the Community Emergency Aid Committee whose interest in the welfare of the citizens of the Town was outstanding.
Respectfully submitted,
LAWRENCE R. STONE LAWRENCE LAMSON WILLIAM F. MACKENZIE
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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE FOR EXAMINING USES OF DEPOT SQUARE PROPERTY
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
Your committee was appointed in 1960 to examine into the uses which may be made of the property at Depot Square consisting of about 14.920 square feet of land and the station and baggage buildings thereon, the same having been acquired by the Town in 1959, and to report with recommendations thereon not later than the next Annual Town Meeting.
The committee has examined the property and held numerous meet- ings to discuss its possible uses.
A meeting was also held with town officials to obtain their views and Mr. Standish Bradford, Town Counsel, attended a meeting of the com- mittee to give us some interesting ideas and information.
The individual committee members also made inquiries to citizens of the Town for ideas and nearly 100 percent of all replies were to remove the existing station to improve the appearance of Depot Square and construct a small attractive station or remodel the former small baggage room into a station or shelter. A number of citizens thought some land- scaping should be done to also improve the appearance of the Square and many others desired additional parking spaces for shoppers and com- muters.
The committee considered possible uses of the existing station but after inspecting the station building, the committee concluded that due to its condition, the cost for repairs for a new heating system and for alter- ations to make the building rentable, would be large and we were doubtful that it would be a good investment for the Town to do so. The committee dropped further consideration of repairing the station for rental purposes when informed that the Legislative Act giving permission to the Town to take the property was worded "for public use" and for the Town to go into the real estate business would be going beyond the intent of the Legislative Act.
There has not been any request to consider additional office space for Town use.
The committee believes the use of public transportation facilities to Boston will gradually increase in the future and that there will always be some form of transportation over the railroad tracks, but Hamilton as well as other towns and cities, will probably have to provide station and parking facilities, if any are to be provided, for the use of the commuters and commuting students to Boston and vicinity.
Although the Town was not committed by the subsequent taking of the property to maintain station facilities, we believe that when the Town
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voted to acquire this property, the majority of the voters assumed that a station building would be maintained.
Believing that it is the desire of the Town to maintain a station building or shelter, the committee examined the former small baggage building with the idea of leaving it in its present location, adding a canopy, making repairs and minor alterations and painting. As this building is located away from the "Square" and where the property is only 43 feet wide, the location would be inconvenient and at this location it could be subject to vandalism and nuisances. Therefor, the committee does not recommend the use of this building at this location for a station building.
The cost of moving this building to the site of the present station, and cost of alterations to make it an attractive building, would be in excess of constructing a new building so the committee recommends selling and removing it from the property to provide additional parking space.
There appears to be considerable feeling by some citizens for im- proving the general appearance and use of the Depot Square area includ- ing the area on the easterly side of the tracks in which the Town owns a long narrow area of approximately 20,330 square feet having a varying width of 26 feet on Walnut Road to 53 feet at the rear and a length of approximately 447 feet. A portion of this area is divided from the rail- road right-of-way by a triangular shaped piece of land containing ap- proximately 17,080 square feet and having a frontage of approximately 110 feet on Walnut Road. This lot was recently purchased from the Railroad by the owners of the IGA Shopping Center.
As any proposed improvement to Depot Square by landscaping, constructing of directional islands, etc., will require considerable study and coordination with the Massachusetts Department of Public Works, and as proposed improvements such as parking facilities, landscaping, etc., on the easterly side of the tracks will also require considerable study and coordination with the B&M Railroad and the owners of the Shopping Center, the committee recommends the appointment of a committee to further study and report on these proposals. Officials of the B&M Rail- road have been contacted and although financial contribution cannot be expected, they are willing to otherwise cooperate.
The committee makes the following recommendations for action at the 1961 Town Meeting:
1. The Town dispose of the existing station and baggage buildings and construct a small attractive station building on the site of the existing station building, and appropriate a sum of money for this work, including architectural fees.
2. A committee of seven members be appointed to study further uses and improvements of the Town property in Depot Square and the uses and improvements of the Town land and land of others located on the easterly side of the railroad tracks and opposite
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to the Depot Square property of the Town, and appropriate a sum of money for engineers and architects fees.
A plan of the proposed new station building will be on display before Town Meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
ELMER H. SMITH, Chairman MRS. FRANCIS H. BURR HENRY P. CONNOLLY HENRY J. GOURDEAU MRS. JOHN NEARY
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REPORT OF THE EMERGENCY CENTER
To the Hamilton Board of Selectmen:
On April 9, 1960, three weeks prior to the Telephone Dial Con- version, the Emergency Center began operation. During this period operators were given extensive training, operating procedures verified for maximum efficiency, all equipment was carefully checked under operating conditions, fire alarms were installed and tested, and training was ac- complished for Police and Fire Department personnel. Thus, at 12:31 A.M., May 1, 1960 commencerate with the Telephone Dial Conversion, the Emergency Center became the Public Safety Reporting Center for the residents of Hamilton and Wenham.
During the year's operating period 6,934 telephone calls were logged, and 12,639 radio messages were recorded. A detailed analysis of these messages is given at the end of this report.
As the Emergency Center is manned 24 hours a day, a staff of trained operators must be available. At the present time there are four full time and three part time operators. The normal full time operator's duty tour is eight hours a day, with the part time operators available to cover days off and sickness of regular operators and also odd night duty tours. In the past year there have been several occasions, such as Hurricane Donna, when a second operator has been on duty to handle the heavy volume of telephone and radio messages.
A gasoline driven emergency power generator was installed at the rear of the Hamilton Fire Station to provide A.C. power in the event of any power service interruption. During Hurricane Donna the emergency unit provided power for eleven hours until regular service was restored.
Vehicles equipped to communicate with the Emergency Center now include the two Police Cruisers, three Fire Engines, and one Water De- partment Vehicle. The radio Station Licenses held by both Towns are in the frequency band designated by the F.C.C. as the Local Government Band. Only in this Band are all Town owned vehicles permitted to com- municate with the Report Center for the conducting of Town business. This allows the Towns to utilize one base station location and a single radio operator for all radio operations, and thus be able to take ad- vantage of the time and labor savings afforded by mobile radio for the least possible costs. In this regard, future plans of various departments in both Towns indicate that additional radio units will be added in 1961.
With the increased use of Radio Communication by the Towns for official business, it is well to review the laws governing the security of communications and the action taken by the Towns to insure such se- curity. Under certain Federal Acts, it is unlawful for anyone (except for the person to whom the message is directed) to make use in any way of information transmitted over a communications system, such as radio or telephone. This means, that information received over private home or
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car receivers or in Town vehicles - to which the message is not ad- dressed - if used in any manner subjects the individual to possible Federal Criminal Action.
Since the Report Center operators handle many confidential messages on both radio and telephone, all operators signed an oath prior to em- ployment acknowledging their strict adherence to the Federal Statutes. Confidential Police and Fire messages are passed over the radio system using a number code system and all other Town employees having access to the radio system have been made fully aware of their responsibilities under the law. Although possession of private receivers is lawful; use of information received, is definitely unlawful and the Towns have every right to pursue violators under the Federal Statutes.
Based on the experience this first year of operation, we feel that a quick review of the Emergency Center Operators' duties is necessary because the number of non-emergency calls such as: "What time is it?", "When does the next train go to Boston?", "Is there school today?", etc., are on the increase. Calls such as these may cause a delay which could cost a Fellow Townsman his life.
The operators are charged with answering the Emergency Lines first. In addition, they are held responsible for: answering the Police Depart- ment telephones when the stations are unmanned; acknowledging and transmitting messages on the Radio System; sounding the fire alarms; answering unlisted Fire telephones to give fire locations to the Firemen ; giving fire locations to the first responding man at the Engine Houses ; making calls to the Registry, State Police, Police and Fire Departments of surrounding cities and towns; alerting Town Officials and Department Heads of dangerous conditions such as fallen wires, approaching storms or icy roads; finding doctors; alerting hospitals; calling the Poison Infor- mation Center; plus many more emergency or public safety actions. Ad- ditionally, to meet the requirements of the F.C.C. and also to insure accuracy of information, all radio and telephone calls passed thru the Center must be recorded by the operator on prescribed log sheets. All these responsibilities are highly complicated requiring clear thinking and fast action on the part of the operators. By keeping non-emergency calls to a minimum, the operators can perform their responsibilities properly and as rapidly as humanly possible.
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