USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1952-1956 > Part 10
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46
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Voted to take up Article 1, Parcel 2.
ARTICLE 1. PARCEL 2 On a Motion made and seconded that the Board of Selectmen be and hereby are authorized to purchase on behalf of the Town the following described Parcel of land to be used as a site for a school building, namely:
Land, with the buildings thereon, situated in said Westford on the easterly side of Depot Street, bounded and described as follows:
Beginning at a stone bound on the easterly side of said Street at land formerly of Elizabeth A. Kittredge et al, now supposed to belong to Teresa Buckshorn; thence easterly on a stone wall by said last named land about seventy-two (72) feet to a corner; thence southerly by said last named land and by land formerly of Gertrude B. Skidmore and now supposed to belong to Maurice J. and Claudine M. Huckins about four hundred thirty (430) feet to land now or formerly of Barbara Rice; thence still in the same direction along land of said Rice about two hun- dred forty (240) feet to the southeasterly corner of said Rice land; thence still in the same direction in a straight line to land now or formerly of William G. and Helen S. Chace at a point distant about three hundred fifty (350) feet easterly from Depot Street; thence easterly along said last named land and by land formerly of Frank C. Drew and now sup- posed to belong to Arthur L. Hope about three hundred seventy-five (375) feet to a stone wall; thence southerly along said wall by land now or formerly of said Hope about two hundred (200) feet to land formerly of M. Elizabeth Whitney and now supposed to belong to Russell L. Brown, Jr. and Patricia A. Brown; thence easterly on the wall by said last named land about three hundred forty-four (344) feet; thence northerly on the wall by said last named land and by land formerly of W. E. Greene, now supposed to belong to Paul L. and Barbara B. McDonald, about seven hundred (700) feet to a corner; thence easterly on the wall by said last named land at a right angle about one hundred eighty-one (181) feet to a corner; thence northerly and northeasterly about at a right angle on the wall by said last named land about eight hundred ninety-three (893) feet to a corner at land now or formerly of the Heirs of Margaret Ban- nister; thence northwesterly on the wall by said last named land about four hundred twenty-three (423) feet to land formerly of Adeline M. Buckshorn and now supposed to belong to Fisher Buckshorn; thence southwesterly on the wall by last named land and by land formerly of J. Henry Fletcher, now supposed to belong to Arthur W. Fletcher about five hundred ninety-five (595) feet to said Depot Street; thence southerly and southwesterly by said Depot Street about seven hundred fourteen (714) feet to the point of beginning.
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Also a strip of land fifty (50) feet in width along the entire northerly side of said land of William G. and Helen S. Chace, extending easterly from Depot Street to land formerly of Frank C. Drew and now supposed to belong to Arthur L. Hope, for a distance of approximately four hun- dred twenty-five (425) feet.
Being all and the same premises described as the first parcel in a deed from G. Henry Cadman to William C. Harrington and W. Arthur Perrins, dated August 12, 1927 and recorded with said Registry of Deeds, Book 753, Page 287 and a portion of the premises described in a deed from Florence B. Wright to Moses L. and Beatrice Fecteau, dated Au- gust 29, 1928 and recorded with said Registry of Deeds, Book 918, Page 104; and said fifty foot strip being a portion of the premises described in a deed from Frances B. Fisher to William G. and Helen S. Chace, dated February 13, 1939 and recorded with said Registry of Deeds, Book 926, Page 107.
Excluding from the above premises, however, a parcel consisting of approximately one acre on which the dwelling house and barns now stand and bounded:
Northwesterly by Depot Street two hundred forty (240) feet;
Northeasterly two hundred fifty (250) feet, more or less;
Southeasterly by a line parallel with and distant perpendicularly two hundred twenty-five (225) feet southeasterly from the southeasterly line of Depot Street two hundred forty (240) feet, more or less; and
Southwesterly by land formerly of Elizabeth A. Kittredge et al, now supposed to belong to Teresa Buckshorn, two hundred fifty (250) feet, more or less.
All of said distances, except the distance along Depot Street and the perpendicular distance from said Depot Street, being more or less. It being intended that the northeasterly boundary line of said excluded parcel be a straight line running from said Depot Street through a point distant twenty-five (25) feet from the nearest point of the barn on said premises, and that the sum of $30,000.00 be transferred from available funds for that purpose, the Moderator appointed as Tellers in the Upper Hall, Albert A. Hildreth, John W. Spinner, Robert V. Cassidy, Reginald Blowey, Leslie N. Athorn, W. Arthur Perrins and James Kelly, Jr., and the Assistant Moderator appointed as Tellers in the Lower Hall, H. Ar- nold Wilder and Carroll J. Rollins. On standing votes taken in both Halls, the Moderator announced the total result of the Tellers' count as fol- lows: Yes, 342; No, 14; and as this was more than a two-thirds majority vote he declared the motion carried.
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ARTICLE 3 Voted that the following named persons be and hereby are constituted a Committee to be known as the Westford School Building Committee, with full authority to enter into all contracts and agreements necessary to construct, equip and furnish a new six-year High School building: Edward M. Abbot, Chairman; Edward N. Lamson; Frederick W. Gatenby; Edward G. Spinner; James L. Healy; Ernest L. Poulin and Edward F. Harrington.
Voted to dissolve the Meeting.
A True Record, Attest:
CHARLES L. HILDRETH, Town Clerk of Westford
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ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION - MARCH 2, 1953
Prec. 1 Prec. 2 Prec. 3 Prec. 4 Total
Whole Number of Ballots Cast 423
279
191
427
1320
SELECTMAN-Three Years
Cyril A. Blaney
155
161
68
246
630
Elroy A. Field
263
115
121
177
676
Blanks
5
3
2
4
14
ASSESSOR-Three Years
Norman K. Nesmith
381
229
171
316
1097
Blanks
42
50
20
111
223
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE-Three Years
William L. Wall
356
204
165
306
1031
John W. Catchpole
0
0
0
1
1
Robert Connolly
0
1
0
0
1
Blanks
67
74
26
120
287
TAX COLLECTOR-Three Years
David I. Olsson
384
213
166
276
1039
Dorothy M. Ricard
24
58
21
140
243
Gardinia Doucett
0
1
0
0
1
Blanks
15
7
4
11
37
TREASURER-Three Years
Charlotte P. Greig
372
210
172
306
1060
Blanks
51
69
19
121
260
CONSTABLE-Three Years
John F. Sullivan
361
208
160
324
1053
Blanks
62
71
31
103
267
SCHOOL COMMITTEE-Three Years
John A. Urbaniak
266
199
119
258
842
Alice E. Whitcomb
335
165
152
281
933
Stanley Smith
1
0
0
0
1
Blanks
244
194
111
315
864
26
TRUSTEE J. V. FLETCHER LIBRARY-Three Years
Alice M. Howard
353
203
166
292
1014
Blanks
70
76
25
135
306
CEMETERY COMMISSIONER-Three Years
Sebastian B. Watson
350
199
164
290
1003
Robert Fitzpatrick
0
0
0
1
1
Blanks
73
80
27
136
316
BOARD OF HEALTH-Three Years
Ralph E. Cole
355
201
158
301
1015
Aleck Miller
0
1
0
0
1
Blanks
68
77
33
126
304
TREE WARDEN-One Year
Frederick J. Fitzpatrick
184
189
111
349
833
Kenneth A. Wilson
227
73
71
67
438
Blanks
12
17
9
11
49
We hereby certify that the above is a true Canvass of the Votes Cast at the Annual Town Election held March 2, 1953.
ATTEST:
NORMAN E. DAY
JAMES J. McKNIFF PAUL L. DUNIGAN CHARLES L. HILDRETH
Board of Registrars of Voters-Westford
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - MARCH 7, 1953
At a legal Meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Westford, qualified by law to vote in Town affairs, held at the Town House, Satur- day, March 7, 1953 at 1:00 P.M., the following business was transacted:
Ben W. Drew, Town Moderator, called the Meeting to order.
Albert A. Hildreth and Robert J. Spinner, using Check Lists, acted as Tellers at the doors of the Hall. The attendance was 154.
Rev. Edward W. Pfluke, Jr. gave the invocation.
The Canvass of the Votes Cast at the Town Election, March 2nd, made by the Board of Registrars of Voters, was read by Charles L. Hil- dreth, Town Clerk.
Voted to dispense with the reading of the Warrant.
ARTICLE 1 Voted that the Report of the School Planning Com- mittee appointed under Article 1 of the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting held March 10, '1951 made at the Special Meeting held February 14, 1953 be accepted and its duties having been completed that said Com- mittee be discharged, and that the unexpended balance of the appropria- tion be not transferred to the Treasury until all outstanding bills charge- able against said appropriation have been paid, any such outstanding bills before their payment to be first approved by the Westford School Building Committee.
Voted to defer action on the report of the Committee elected at the Special Meeting held September 30, 1952, relative to a proposed purchase by the Town of the Westford Water Company.
Voted to accept a verbal final report of the Committee appointed under Article 42 of the Annual Town Meeting held March 10, 1951, rela- tive to Stocking Ponds and other Inland Waters within the Town.
ARTICLE 2 Voted to take up each Item separately.
Voted that the compensation of the Town Officers be as follows and effective as of January 1, 1953:
Selectmen-Chairman, $225.00.
Other two members $200.00 each.
Board of Public Welfare-Chairman, $20.00.
Other two members $10.00.
Town Treasurer
$2,600.00
Town Clerk
400.00
Tax Collector
2,000.00
Tree Warden
1.25 per hour
Assessors
1.25 per hour
Registrars of Voters
1.25 per hour
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ARTICLE 3.
1 Voted that the sum of $15,417.00 be raised and appropriated for General Government divided as follows:
Selectmen-$1,500.00
License Expense-$150.00
Town Accountant-$1,200.00
Town Treasurer-$3,000.00
Assessors-$3,079.00
Tax Collector-$2,900.00
Tax Title Expense-$750.00
Town Counsel-$300.00
Town Clerk-$863.00 Election and Registration-$1,675.00
2 Voted that the sum of $3,840.00 be raised and appropriated for the General Expenses of the Town Hall.
3 Voted to take up this Item relative to the Police Department after Article 35.
4 Voted to take up this Item relative to the Fire Department after Article 24.
5 Voted to take up this Item relative to Fire Hydrants after Ar- ticle 28.
6 Voted that the sum of $125.00 be raised and appropriated for the Sealer of Weights and Measures.
7 Voted that the sum of $1,800.00 be raised and appropriated to de- fray the expenses of fighting Forest Fires.
8 Voted that the sum of $25.00 be raised and appropriated to defray the expenses of the Town Forest.
9 Voted that the sum of $1,600.00 be raised and appropriated to de- fray the expenses of the Tree Warden.
10 Voted that the sum of $1,200.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Moth Department in the suppression or control of insect pests which destroy forest and shade tree foliage, including the Elm Leaf Beetle and the Dutch Elm Disease.
11 Voted that the sum of $5,500.00 be raised and appropriated to de- fray the expenses of the Health Department.
12 Voted that the sum of $200.00 be raised and appropriated to defray the expenses of the Cattle Inspector.
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13a Voted that the sum of $11,000.00 be raised and appropriated for Snow and Ice Removal.
13b Voted that the sum of $10,000.00 be raised and appropriated for Town Roads.
14 Voted that the sum of $61,400.00 be raised and appropriated to de- fray the expenses of the Welfare Department, divided as follows:
Temporary Aid-$5,100.00
Town Infirmary-$16,000.00
Disability Allowance-$7,300.00
Old Age Assistance-$27,000.00 Aid to Dependent Children-$6,000.00
15 Voted that the sum of $4,000.00 be raised and appropriated for Sol- diers' Benefits.
16 Voted that the sum of $161,844.00 be raised and appropriated to defray the expenses of the School Department.
17 Voted that the sum of $6,600.00 be raised and appropriated for Vo- cational School Tuition.
18 Voted that the sum of $3,800.00 be raised and appropriated, together with the receipts from Dog Licenses in 1952, to defray the expenses of the Public Library.
19 Voted that the sum of $500.00 be raised and appropriated to de- fray the expenses of the Care of the Common.
20 Voted that the sum of $400.00 be raised and appropriated to de- fray the expenses of Commemorating Memorial Day.
21 Voted that the sum of $1,125.00 be raised and appropriated to de- fray the expenses of Publishing and Distributing the Town Reports.
22 Voted that the sum of $4,800.00 be raised and appropriated to de- fray the expenses of various types of Insurance, including Fire, Compensation, Liability and Collision Insurance.
23 Voted that the sum of $25.00 be raised and appropriated for In- terest on Revenue Loans.
24 Voted that the sum of $4,000.00 be raised and appropriated for the Care of Cemeteries.
25 Voted to take up this Item relative to Street Lights after Article 32.
26 Voted that the sum of $5,000.00 be raised and appropriated to be used as a Reserve Fund at the discretion of the Finance Committee
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as provided in General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 6; that the sum of $10.00 be raised and appropriated to be used by the Finance Committee for payment of Membership in the Association of Town Finance Committees; and that the further sum of $150.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of defraying the expenses of said Committee.
27 Voted unanimously that the sum of $2,393.73 be transferred from Available Funds for the purpose of paying Unpaid Bills of 1952 and previous years as follows:
Ayer Plumbing and Heating Supply: For work done at Fire Cottage in Westford Center and dated March 20, 1950, $68.72; Arthur Deforge: For Police work in December 1952, $25.00; Re- pairs to Forestry Truck which was in an accident. Insurance Company has refused to pay: Feltus Motor Co., Inc. $918.99; Whitney's Repair Shop $47.35; Gorham Fire Equipment $25.00; Gorham Fire Equipment $43.20; Gorham Fire Equipment $25.00; Richard Sign Co. $12.00; Edward T. Sullivan $10.00. TOTAL- $1,081.54. Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Division of Child Guardianship $355.89; Tewksbury State Hospital $279.02; Tewks- bury State Hospital $316.96. TOTAL - $951.87. Chelmsford Street Garage: For work done to grader which was in an ac- cident. Insurance Company is paying this amount $220.10; Mid- dlesex County Sanatorium, Waltham $46.50. GRAND TOTAL- $2,393.73.
ARTICLE 4 Voted unanimously that the Town Treasurer be au- thorized, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the current financial year and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year, in accordance with Section 17 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws.
ARTICLE 5 Voted that the sum of $10,125.00 be raised and ap- propriated to meet the Town's share of the cost of Chapter 81 Highways and, that in addition the sum of $22,275.00 be transferred from Unap- propriated Available Funds in the Treasury to meet the State's share of the cost of the work, the reimbursements from the State to be re- stored, upon their receipt, to Unappropriated Available Funds in the Treasury.
ARTICLE 6 Voted that the sum of $1,000.00 be raised and appro- priated for Maintenance of Chapter 90 Roads, on condition that like amounts be contributed by either or both the State and County re- spectively, to be used in conjunction therewith and, that in addition, the sum of $2,000.00 be transferred from Unappropriated Available Funds
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in the Treasury to meet the State's and County's Shares of the cost of the work, the reimbursements from the State and County to be restored, upon their receipt, to Unappropriated Available Funds in the Treasury.
ARTICLE 7 Voted that the sum of $1,756.25 be raised and appro- priated for the Highway Machinery Fund, and that the sum of $5,825.00 be transferred from said Machinery Fund to the Highway Equipment Account.
ARTICLE 8 Voted that the sum of $2,000.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of reconstructing Beaver Brook Road, and that the sum of $1,000.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of recon- structing Graniteville Road, both contingent upon contributions by either or both the State and County to be used in conjunction therewith, and that, in addition, the sum of $6,000.00 be transferred from Unappro- priated Available Funds in the Treasury to meet the State's and Coun- ty's shares of the cost of reconstructing said Beaver Brook Road and that the sum of $3,000.00 be transferred from Unappropriated Available Funds in the Treasury to meet the State's and County's shares of the cost of reconstructing said Graniteville Road, the reimbursements from the State and County to be restored, upon their receipt, to Unappropriated Available Funds in the Treasury.
ARTICLE 9 A motion that the sum of $9,000.00 be raised and ap- propriated for the purpose of purchasing two new fire trucks was lost on a voice vote.
Voted that the sum of $4,500.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of purchasing a new fire truck for the Fire Department, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Fire Engineers and the Board of Selectmen, and that they be and hereby are authorized to transfer by good and sufficient bill of sale title to the old fire truck and apply the sum received therefor against the purchase price of the new fire truck.
ARTICLE 10 Voted that the sum of $800.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of purchasing approximately 500 feet of new 21/2 inch fire hose, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Fire Engineers.
ARTICLE 11 Voted that the sum of $1,900.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of purchasing a new pick-up truck for use by the Highway Department, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen.
ARTICLE 12 Voted that the sum of $1,100.00 be raised and ap- propriated for the purpose of purchasing a new mechanical broom for
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use by the Highway Department, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen.
ARTICLE 13 Voted that the sum of $5,500.00 be raised and ap- propriated for the purpose of purchasing a new truck for use by the Highway Department, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen, and that said Board of Selectmen be and hereby are authorized to transfer by a good and sufficient Bill of Sale title to the old truck used by the Highway Department, and apply the sum received therefor against the purchase price of said new truck.
ARTICLE 14 Voted that the sum of $500.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of purchasing a radio and installing the same on one of the fire trucks, said purchase and installation to be made under the supervision of the Board of Fire Engineers.
ARTICLE 15 Voted that the sum of $495.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of purchasing a new automobile for the Police Department, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen.
ARTICLE 16 Voted that the Board of Selectmen be and hereby are authorized to transfer by a good and sufficient Bill of Sale title to the automobile now used by the Police Department and apply the sum received therefor against the purchase price of the new automobile.
ARTICLE 17 Voted to dismiss this Article relative to authorizing the Board of Selectmen to settle claims for damages.
ARTICLE 18 Voted to dismiss this Article relative to installing new lights in elementary schools.
ARTICLE 19 Voted that the sum of $200.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of Civil Defense, and a further sum of $50.00 contingent upon receiving from either or both the State and Federal Government like amounts.
ARTICLE 20 Voted that the sum of $600.00 be raised and appro- priated for Band Concerts during the current year.
ARTICLE 21 Voted that the sum of $100.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of purchasing new road signs, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen, and that said new signs be erected by the Highway Department under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen, and that an additional sum of $100.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of purchasing Safety Signs, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen, and said Safety Signs to be erected under the supervision of the Police Department.
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ARTICLE 22 Voted that the sum of $500.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of repairing such public sidewalks as the Board of Selectmen shall determine, said sum of money to be expended under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen.
ARTICLE 23 Voted that the sum of $950.00 be raised and appro- priated for the care of the Whitney Playground.
ARTICLE 24 Voted that the compensation of those persons who drive or are attendants in the Town Ambulance be at the rate of $2.00 per trip per man, said compensation to be paid out of the Fire Depart- ment appropriation. A rising vote of thanks was given Robert J. Spinner and George E. St. Onge for their splendid past services given without any compensation.
ARTICLE 3-4 Voted now to take up this Article and Item.
Voted that the sum of $8,500.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Fire Department, divided as follows: General Expenses $8,000.00; Permanent Man $500.00.
ARTICLE 25 Voted that the sum of $500.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of continuing the Survey and Maps of the Town under the supervision of the Board of Assessors.
ARTICLE 26 Voted that the sum of $2,496.73 be raised and ap- propriated for the purpose of paying to the Treasurer of the Middlesex County Retirement System the amounts allocated to the Town of West- ford by the County Commissioners in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 32 of the General Laws, as amended.
ARTICLE 27 Voted that the Town accept a gift made to it by the Isabel F. Hyams Fund Inc., formerly known as the Solomon Hyams Fund, Inc., and that the Town Clerk be authorized and directed to extend to said Corporation the appreciation of the Town for this gift.
ARTICLE 28 Voted that the Board of Selectmen be and hereby are authorized in the name and behalf of the Town to enter into a con- tract with the Westford Water Company for the rental of two hydrants for a period not to exceed five years and on such terms and conditions as they deem advisable, said two hydrants to be located as follows: One on Prescott Street and one on Hillside Avenue.
ARTICLE 3-5 Voted now to take up this Article and Item.
Voted that the sum of $5,197.50 be raised and appropriated for Fire Hydrants.
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ARTICLE 29 Voted that the sum of $300.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of providing suitable quarters in the Nabnasset Section of said Westford for the Nabnasset American Legion Post No. 437 and the Auxiliary of said Post for the calendar year 1953, and that the further sum of $300.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of providing suitable quarters for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post No. 6539, Westford, Mass., for the calendar year 1953.
ARTICLE 30 Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby are author- ized to install one street light on Main Street on Pole #57.
ARTICLE 31 Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby are author- ized to install one street light on West Street in front of Onesime Le- vasseur's.
ARTICLE 32 Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby are author- ized to install one street light on Graniteville Road between Susan Green's and Edmund Szylvian's.
ARTICLE 3-25 Voted now to take up this Article and Item.
Voted that the sum of $8,040.00 be raised and appropriated for Street Lights.
ARTICLE 33 Voted that the sum of $1,000.00 be raised and ap- propriated for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Athletic Program in the Westford Schools.
ARTICLE 34 Voted that the Town adopt the following By-Law: All owners or keepers of dogs, kept in the Town of Westford, who on the first day of June of each year, have not licensed said dog, or dogs, as prescribed in Section 137, Chapter 140 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Mass., be required to pay an additional fee of not more than one dollar ($1.00). Said fee to be retained by the collecting Officer.
ARTICLE 35 Voted to dismiss this Article relative to $300.00 as compensation for the Town Dog Officer.
ARTICLE 3-3 Voted that the sum of $13,363.00 be raised and ap- propriated for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Police De- partment.
ARTICLE 36 Voted that a Committee of three be appointed by the Moderator to investigate the possibility of purchasing or acquiring by eminent domain a site of land that can be developed and used as a town beach, and that said Committee report back not later than the next Annual Town Meeting.
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ARTICLE 37 Voted to accept the report of the Committee elected under Article 8 of the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting held Sep- tember 30, 1952, to consider the advisability of the possible purchase by the Town of the Westford Water Company, as a report of progress.
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