USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1961 > Part 6
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In addition to its regular meetings held every Monday evening, the Board has held special meetings as the occasion required. Each member has attended hearings, conferences and seminars and met with State, County and Municipal officials on matters pertaining to the town.
The Board has continued to oppose the Merrimack-Essex Electric Com- pany running overhead high tension lines along the railroad track through the square and by Patton Park. Considering it for the best interest of the Town, we endeavored to have the wires placed underground in this area. Because of a decision of the Department of Public Utilities granting per- mission for overhead wires, we deemed it advisable to file an appeal with the Supreme Court. An article will be inserted in the 1962 town meeting war- rant to see if the town desires to continue this appeal.
Under our Chapter 90 Road improvement program, we continued work on Bridge Street but were not able to complete the job. It is expected that the water condition on the southwesterly side of the road caused by springs will be taken care of in 1962 together with the finishing of the surfacing. After this is completed the drainage on Walnut Road will be started if sufficient funds are available. We are recommending that the Town appropriate $4,750. for this work in 1962, which, with the State and County share, will make $19,000 available. We recommend that the Town appropriate $1,000 in 1962 for Chapter 90 Road maintenance to be matched with $500 of State funds.
The Board worked in conjunction with the Conservation Commission in carrying out the two mosquito control sprayings. It is understood that the Conservation Commission contemplates additional methods next year along the lines of dusting the swamps during late winter or early spring.
A new Police Department cruiser-ambulance was purchased during the spring from Hamilton-Wenham Garage, Inc., who submitted the lowest bid.
77
The Emergency Report Center, which is under the jurisdiction of the Selectmen, has worked out very well for both Hamilton and Wenham. We are fortunate in having the services of very able and conscientious operators.
Under the direction of the Selectmen the Lamson School building was demolished at no cost to the Town, and the property turned over to the Housing Authority as voted by the 1961 town meeting.
With the cooperation of the Committee for Improvements to Depot Square, the former Railroad Station has been demolished at no cost to the Town. The former baggage room has been renovated for a waiting room at a very nominal cost. It is anticipated that the site of the depot will be improved during the coming year.
In keeping with our policy of making a few major repairs and im- provements to the Town Hall each year, we had the driveways in the front, sides and rear hot topped which greatly improves the appearance as well as eliminating dust and mud being tracked into the building. After the Library moved out of the Town Hall we had a new ceiling put up and furnished the room with thirty new chairs. This room is now used by various town Boards and Committees as a hearing room. New linoleum has been laid in the corridors, and the installation of new water pipes in the cellar completed. A room in the basement used for storage has been turned over to Civil Defense for storage and other uses. Necessary main- tenance of the roof and other parts of the building has been made.
New street lights were installed where needed, others were re-located and the candle power increased where necessary. Street and traffic signs have been erected where needed.
During the latter part of the year we were faced with a serious flood- ing problem on Howard Street due to the flooding of the brook. With the cooperation of the Highway Surveyor this condition was relieved, but due to freezing weather it could not be completed. The over-all plan calls for larger drainage facilities under Highland Street in order to accommodate the capacity of the brook. It is planned to include this as a Chapter 90 Maintenance project in 1962. Several other drainage problems were taken care of in various sections of town during the year.
For many years the Town has provided the Walsh School Building as headquarters for the American Legion and has appropriated $1,000 yearly toward maintenance of the building. The Legion is now interested in pur- chasing the building for a nominal conisderation. If this is done the Legion will no longer expect the maintenance appropriation from the Town. There will be an article in the 1962 warrant covering this matter so that the Town can vote on it. The Selectmen recommend that the Town sell the property to the Legion for a price to be decided upon by the town meeting.
We have continued our meetings with Town Boards and Departments to study the present and long-range needs of the Town, and to insure our operations and expenditures to be in the most efficient and business-like manner. We believe that the time has arrived when we should give serious
78
thought to re-zoning certain areas of the town to permit light industry, thereby relieving the home owner of the entire tax burden.
This report is only intended to be a summary of the activities of the Board of Selectmen which we feel will be of the most interest to the tax- payers. We take this opportunity to thank the people of Hamilton for the privilege of having served as your Selectmen for the past year. We also thank all Town Officials, Departments and others who have assisted us during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, LAWRENCE LAMSON WILLIAM F. MACKENZIE LAWRENCE R. STONE
Board of Selectmen
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 1961.
All elm trees were sprayed several times during the year in an attempt to control the Dutch Elm Disease. It was necessary to remove and burn 33 elm trees during the year that were infected with the disease.
Continuing the policy of setting out new trees each year, 46 new Maple Trees were set out in various sections of Town.
The work of trimming brush and spraying poison ivy on the roadside was carried on as usual.
I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to all Town De- partments and all others who have assisted me during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, RUDOLPH H. HARADEN
Tree Warden
79
REPORT OF THE TOWN TREASURER
To the Citizens of Hamilton :
I herewith submit my report as Treasurer of the Town of Hamilton for the year ending December 31, 1961.
Balance January 1, 1961 :
Beverly Trust Co., Checking Acct. $219,607.79
New Eng. Merchants Bank, Checking Acct. 30,678.65
Cash on Hand 16,160.93
Protested Check 15.87
Receipts during the year
$ 226,463.24 1,512,650.98
Total Balance and Receipts
$1,779,114.22
Payments during the year
1,553,539.16
Balance December 31, 1961
$ 245,575.06
Beverly Trust Co., Checking Acct. $156,606.01
New Eng. Merchants Bank, Checking Acct. 73,988.28
Cash on Hand
14,980.77
$ 245,575.06
As has been the case for the past several years, it became necessary to borrow money during the first of the year to carry on until sufficient tax money had been received. A total of $200,000. was borrowed at a cost of $1,492.13.
Trust funds receipts have been deposited in the respective bank ac- counts.
I express my sincere appreciation to Mrs. Barnes and Mrs. Trussell of the town hall staff who have assisted me in many ways during the year. Also to all town officials and citizens of the town who have assisted me in my work.
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT F. HALEY
Town Treasurer
1961 TOWN COLLECTOR'S REPORT In Account with the Town of Hamilton
Year
Tax
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1961
Refunds
Abate ments Rescinded
Collected
Abate- ments
Trans- ferred to Tax Title
Un- collected
1959 Motor Excise
$ 176.23
126.12
80.03
None
1960 Real Estate
13,477.52
6.10
222.32 13,434.82 714.75
48.80
None
1960 Personal
818.45
None
1960
Motor Excise
13,063.66
1960
Ex. Commitments in 1961
18,692.43
1,677.89
17.02
29,082.86
4,358.10
10.04
1961 Commitments
1961
Real Estate
701,493.70
1,012.00
665,011.28
20,382.60
62.10
17,049.72
1961
Personal
42,207.30
60.60
41,025.90
289.80
952.20
1961
Moth
227.70
207.20
20.50
1961
Polls
3,104.00
10.00
4.00
2,734.00
384.00
None
1961
Motor Excise
100,016.48
1,893.20
87,362.06
8,776.55
5,771.07
1961
Water Rates Bal.
15,579.31
Liens
1961 Water Rates Com.
47,973.10
49.40
48,466.19
311.85
881.30
13,942.47
1961
Water Services Bal.
644.51
1961
Water Serv. Commitment
2,036.58
2,131.89
1.00
18.09
531.11
1961 Water Liens
899.39
34.90
765.19
169.10
1961
Cemetery Balance
58.00
1961
Cemetery Commitment
429.00
412.00
75.00
Respectfully submitted, BERTHA L. CROWELL, Town Collector
103.70
81
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report of the activities of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1961.
Total Arrests 48
Male 38 Female 0 Juvenile 10
CLASSIFICATION OF CRIMES
Breaking and Entering 2 Lewd & lascivious
3
Delinquency . 10
Operating after right
Driving under the influence 2
suspended 2
Driving to endanger 4
Operating without a license 3
Drunkenness
13
Peeping Tom by-law
2
Failing to stop for stop sign 2
Rape
1
Inspection Sticker 1
Speeding
3
DISPOSITION OF CASES
Continued
Not guilty
3
Filed
Released 10
Fined 15 Sentenced 6
AUTOMOBILE REGULATIONS
Accident reports filed
69
Equipment tags issued .
81
Licenses revoked by Registrar 59
Registrations revoked by Registrar
4
MISCELLANEOUS
Accidents investigated 66
Ambulance runs to hospitals 159
Assistance to other police
85
Dangerous wires reported
11
Buildings opened reported to owner to secure
152
Dog complaints
137
Summons served
79
I express my sincere appreciation to the Operators at the Emergency Report Center for their assistance during the year. Also to the Hamilton Police Officers, Police Departments of surrounding communities, and all others who have assisted our Department during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD H. FREDERICK,
Chief of Police
82
WARRANT FOR THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING 1962
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 FIFTH DAY OF MARCH, NINETEEN HUNDRED AND SIXTY-TWO (March 5, 1962) 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. One Selectman for three years. Treasurer for one year.
Tax Collector for one year.
One Assessor for three years. Tree Warden for one year.
Highway Surveyor for one year.
Two Members of the School Committee for three years.
One Library Trustee for three years.
One Water Commissioner for three years.
One Cemetery Commissioner for three years.
One Park Commissioner for three years.
One Member of Planning Board for five years.
One Member of Planning Board for one year (to fill vacancy).
One Member of the Housing Authority for five years.
One Member of the Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School District Committee for three years.
And to vote yes or no on the following question :
Question No. 1. Shall sections sixty-nine C to sixty-nine F, inclusive, of chapter forty-one of the General Laws providing for the establishment of a board of public works exercising the powers of certain other departments and town officers be accepted?
The above-named officers and question to be voted for on one ballot on TUESDAY, the THIRTEENTH DAY OF MARCH, 1962 (MARCH
83
13, 1962) in the HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM. The polls will be opened at 8:00 o'clock A.M. and will close at 8:00 P.M.
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 other action thereon 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 other 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, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to purchase a new truck for use of the Highway Department, provide for the turning in of the present 1946 Ford dump truck 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 8. To see if the Town will vote to purchase a new truck for use of the Park Department, provide for the turning in of the present Chevrolet pick-up truck 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 9. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to appoint an Insurance Study Committee consisting of three registered voters of the Town to examine into and study all insurance coverage of the Town and report their findings to the Selectmen on or before January 1, 1963, and to raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor, or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for mosquito control in the Town, the work to be done under the direction of the Board of Selectmen, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 11. 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 ex- ceed the sum of $30,000 in determining the tax rate for the year 1962, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time as provided for by Section 4 of Chapter 44, General Laws and
84
amendments thereto in anticipation of revenue for the financial year be- ginning January 1, 1963, and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year, in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws and amendments thereto, or take any other action thereon or rela- tive thereto.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Collector to use all means of collecting taxes which a Town Treasurer, when ap- pointed Collector, may use, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to create a stabilization fund pursuant to the provisions of Section 5B of Chapter 40 of the Gen- eral Laws and transfer a sum of money from the Excess and Deficiency Account to such fund, or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $4,391 in satisfaction of an assessment by the County of Essex, for payments made by it of which $2,959 was paid in settlement of claims by Philip A. and Thelma H. Graham for land damages resulting from Chapter 90 highway construction of School Street, and $1,441 was paid for appraisers, realtors and legal services in connection therewith, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote that the Committee for Uses of Depot Square Property be continued, and that the Town raise and appropriate a sum of money for installing a planting of shrubs and trees in a portion of the Town's Depot Square Property and for all incidental work thereto and that the Committee be authorized to accept for the Town any gifts of shrubs, trees, material or labor to be used in connection with the work, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 17. To see if the town will oppose the construction of over- head high tension lines through the South Hamilton area by participation in an appeal to the Supreme Judicial Court from a decision of the Massa- chusetts Department of Public Utilities granting the petition of Merrimack Essex Electric Company for such a location, and to appropriate a sum of money therefor, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to sell and convey for such consideration as shall be fixed at the meeting, to Hamilton American Legion Associates, Inc., the premises now occupied by Augustus Peabody Gardner Post No. 194 at 37 School Street, including the building, fix- tures and personal property thereon, said premises being more fully de- scribed as follows:
Beginning at a point on School Street in said Hamilton one hundred and two and fifty hundredths feet (102.50) Northwesterly from a town way, thence running in a Northwesterly direction on said School Street one hundred and forty-eight (148) feet, thence turn- ing and running in a Northeasterly direction by land of Chebacco Club and also now and formerly of Day three hundred and sixty- five and sixty-three hundredths (365.63) feet to land of Boston and
85
Maine Railroad, thence turning and running in a Southeasterly di- rection by land of said Railroad forty-three and ninety-seven hun- dredths (43.97) feet, thence turning and running in a Southwest- erly direction by land formerly of Knowlton, Whipple, Hawkins and Knowlton four hundred seven and ninety-four hundredths (407.94) feet to the point of beginning, containing thirty-four thousand, six hundred and sixty-nine square feet more or less; for plan of this land see plan of Ray C. Allen, Civil Engineer, dated May 8, 1918, re- corded July 10, 1918, in the Essex Registry of Deeds, South District,
and to authorize the Selectmen to convey said premises by deed on behalf of the Town, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Water Commissioners to use the unexpended balance of $2,334.00 in the 1960 appropriation for Temporary Additional Water Supply and Testing Wells in the Pleasant Pond Area for the purpose of exploring for additional water supply anywhere within the Town, and to raise and ap- propriate an additional $3,000 for such purpose, and take any action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Electrical By-Law of the Town by striking out Article 5 and inserting in place there- of the following:
Article 5. Fees
The following Fees shall be collected before an electrical permit is issued :
New Construction :
Residential Buildings and accessory thereto, up to 75 outlets $ 5.00
For each twenty-five additional outlets .25
Buildings other than Residential:
For each $1,000 or fraction thereof of cost of elec- trical work 10.00
New Service
2.00
Temporary Service
1.00
Additions or Alterations :
Up to 25 outlets
1.00
Each 25 additional outlets or fractional part thereof in excess of 25 1.00
Motors :
For each motor installed up to and including one horsepower
1.00
For each additional horsepower in excess of one horsepower .25
Heating Devices :
For first 2,000 watts or less
1.00
For each additional 5,000 watts or fractional part thereof .50
86
Permits for any Electrical Installation or Equipment for which no fee is herein prescribed, a minimum charge of 2.00
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for the purchase and installation of a Civil Defense Warning Sys- tem, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Protective By-Law by changing the area on the southerly side of Essex Street, be- tween Woodbury Street and Chebacco Road to a depth of two hundred feet (200 feet) from Residential District B to Residential District A to correspond with the opposite side of the Street, as shown on the Zoning Map, Hamilton, Mass., filed with the Town Clerk, or take any other action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 23. To see if the Town will authorize the Moderator and the Selectmen to appoint a study committee, so far as possible with tech- nical training, to examine all matters which may now or in the future be important to Civil Defense consistent with long term Federal planning, including engineering, radiological, logistical and financial aspects; to make a preliminary report and recommendation thereon by the next an- nual town meeting.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select- men to appoint a committee of five registered voters of the town to ex- amine into the desirability of amending the Protective (Zoning) By-Law of the Town to provide for a district or districts permitting light industry or other similar uses, and to report thereon not later than the next annual town meeting, or take any action thereon or relative thereto.
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select- men to endorse the proposal of Governor John A. Volpe to the Massachu- setts legislature that construction for fall-out shelters be exempted from local taxation.
Article 26. To act on any other matter that may legally come be- fore said meeting.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof, one at the Town Hall, and one at each of the Post Offices in said Town, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this Warrant with your do- ings thereon to the Town Clerk at the time of holding said meeting.
Given under our hands this fifth day of February A.D., 1962.
LAWRENCE LAMSON WILLIAM F. MACKENZIE LAWRENCE R. STONE Selectmen of Hamilton.
87
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FINANCE AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Town of Hamilton will again this year be faced with an increase in its tax rate. The construction, operation and maintainng of a new High School would of course, cause considerable impact on the budget for the Town. By voting to join a Regional School district, the Town possibly has saved some of the additional cost involved in an expanded High School system, but because of the enormous rise in the school population our school budget rise is and has been inevitable. The total cost of our schools for 1962 represents 60% of your total budget.
This year we have attempted to make some salary adjustments in all the Town departments. We approve and have recommended a Police de- partment of six full time officers with the definite understanding that we are to have the Town covered on a 24 hour basis by two men. Again we recognize that there are inequalities in the pay schedules but until the Town has voted to approve the adoption of a Public Works department there is very little that a Finance Committee can do. If a Public Works department fails to be approved we strongly recommend the adoption of a Personnel Classification and Compensation By-Law.
This year we are making recommendations on all of the Special Ar- ticles in the Budget. As has been the custom in Hamilton, we held an open Hearing on all the articles, which was well attended, and although in past years the Finance Committee has only made recommendations on articles calling for the expenditure or transfer of money we feel it the duty of a Finance Committee to at least give to the Town an opinion of the requests contained in each article :
RECOMMENDATION ON SPECIAL ARTICLES
Article
$4,750.00
Recommended
Article 6
1,000.00
Recommended
Article 2
5,000.00
Recommended
Article 8
2,900.00
Recommended
Article 9
1,000.00
Recommended
Article 10
2,900.00
Recommended
Article 11
30,000.00
Recommended
Article 12
Recommended
Article 13
Recommended
Article 14
20,000.00
Recommended
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Article 15
4,391.00
Recommended
Article 16
Article 17 Article 18
Not Recommended Not Recommended Recommended Recommended
Article 19 3,000.00
Article 20
Recommended
Article 21
Not Recommended
Article 22
Not Recommended
Article 23
Recommended
Article 24
Recommended
Article 25
Recommended
Respectfully submitted,
CLARK S. SEARS, Chairman GALEAN M. CAMPBELL HAROLD D. MOSES
PAUL M. PILCHER
THOMAS G. STEVENSON
89
TOWN OF HAMILTON 1962 BUDGET
Recommended by the Town Finance Committee
Item No.
Expended 1960
Expended 1961
Recommended 1962
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
1
$
$
Moderator
$
2
15.00
25.00
Expenses
25.00
Selectmen :
3
1,150.00
1,150.00
Salaries
1,150.00
4
4,938.23
5,000.00
Expenses
6,000.00
5
4,895.00
5,200.00
Town Accountant: Salary Expenses
5,356.00
6
396.86
450.00
480.00
Treasurer :
7
1,856.00
1,950.00
Salary
2,106.00
8
839.68
525.00
Expenses
525.00
9
2,315.00
2,430.00
Salary
2,586.00
10
1,285.71
1,150.00
Expenses
1,300.00
11
2,290.00
2,650.00
Salaries
2,800.00
12
484.00
550.00
Expenses
700.00
13
1,000.00
1,000.00
Salary
1,000.00
14
1,150.00
1,200.00
Expenses
1,200.00
15
1,200.00
1,200.00
16
6,696.40
7,800.00
Expenses
8,000.00
17
62.65
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