USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1952-1956 > Part 29
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ARTICLE 19. Voted that the sum of $700.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of Hot Topping the driveway at the Westford Fire Station, said sum to be expended under the supervision of the Board of Fire Engineers.
ARTICLE 20. Voted that the sum of $250.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of purchasing new Road Signs and Traffic Lights, said sum to be expended under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen.
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ARTICLE 21. Voted that the sum of $550.00 be raised and ap- propriated for the purpose of painting Traffic Lines and Signals on the public ways in said Town, said sum to be expended under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen.
ARTICLE 22. Voted to dismiss this Article relative to the purchase of a Tractor Shovel.
ARTICLE 23. Voted that the sum of $75.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of promoting the work of the Westford 4-H Clubs, said sum to be expended with the approval of the Town Director.
ARTICLE 24. Voted that the sum of $700.00 be raised and appro- priated for Band Concerts during the current year.
ARTICLE 25. Voted that the sum of $500.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of constructing new Public Sidewalks and for the purpose of repairing and maintaining existing Public Sidewalks, said sum to be expended under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen.
ARTICLE 26. Voted that the sum of $970.00 be raised and appro- priated for the care of the Whitney Playground.
ARTICLE 27. Voted that the sum of $400.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of defraying the expenses of taking the State Census, said sum to be expended under the supervision of the Registrars of Voters.
ARTICLE 28. Voted that the sum of $2,716.66 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 29. 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 30. Voted that the sum of $200.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of defraying the salary of the Dog Officer.
ARTICLE 31. Voted that the sum of $1,000.00 be raised and ap- propriated for the purpose of improving the lighting in the Elementary Schools, said sum to be expended under the supervision of the School Committee.
ARTICLE 32. Voted that the sum of $422.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of purchasing two Typewriters, one for use by the Town Treasurer and one for use by the Board of Assessors, said pur-
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chase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen and that the Board of Selectmen be and hereby are authorized to transfer by a good and sufficient Bill of Sale title to the two old Typewriters now in use by the Treasurer and Assessors and apply the sum received there- from against the purchase price of the two new Typewriters.
ARTICLE 33. Voted that the sum of $990.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of purchasing a 1955 Ford V-8 Mainlain Tudor Sedan for use by the Board of Health, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Health, and that said Board of Health be and hereby is authorized to transfer by a good and sufficient Bill of Sale title to the automobile now being used by said Board of Health and apply the sum received therefrom against the purchase price of the new Auto- mobile.
ARTICLE 34. Voted that the sum of $699.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of purchasing a new Automobile for use by the Police Department, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen and 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 being used by the Police Department and apply the sum received therefrom against the purchase price of the new automobile.
ARTICLE 35. Voted that the Town authorize the Board of Select- men to arrange for a Forester from the Department of Natural Resources to inspect the Town Forests and make recommendations regarding the sale of merchantable timber therefrom.
ARTICLE 36. Voted that, in the event the Forester from the De- partment of Natural Resources recommends the sale of merchantable timber from the Town Forests, the Board of Selectmen be and hereby are authorized in the name and behalf of the Town to sell said timber in accordance with the recommendations of said Forester and to execute and deliver in the name and behalf of the Town such Bills of Sale or other instruments as may be necessary and expedient to accomplish said sale.
ARTICLE 37. Voted that the sum of $300.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of providing suitable quarters for the Nabnasset American Legion Post No. 437 and the Auxiliary of said Post for the calendar year 1955 and that the further sum of $300.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of providing suitable quarters for the Vet- erans of Foreign Wars Post No. 6539 and the Auxiliary of said Post and that the further sum of $300.00 be raised and appropriated for the pur- pose of providing suitable quarters for the Frederick S. Healy American Post No. 159 and the Auxiliary of said Post, both for the calendar year 1955.
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ARTICLE 38. Voted that a Committee of six voters be appointed by the Selectmen, one of said Committee to be a member of the School Committee, to determine the type and cost of an addition needed at the Nabnasset School and report its findings and recommendations to the Town at a Special Meeting to be called for that purpose and that the sum of $400.00 be raised and appropriated to defray the expenses of said Committee.
ARTICLE 39. Voted that the Present Water Committee, with two more to be appointed by the Moderator, be authorized to investigate the advisability of exercising the Town's right to take by direct purchase under the Charter of the Westford Water Company, incorporated by Chapter 175 of the Acts of 1907, the franchise and property of the Com- pany and to report its findings and recommendations to the Town at a Special Meeting to be called for that purpose.
ARTICLE 40. Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby are au- thorized in the name and behalf of the Town to enter into a contract with the Westford Water Company for the rental of four hydrants for a period not to exceed five years and on such terms and conditions as they deem advisable, said four Hydrants to be located as follows: Two on Myrtle Avenue in Nabnasset, one on Pine Ridge Road in Graniteville and one on Crescent Street in Forge Village.
ARTICLE 3-5. Voted that the sum of $5,605.00 be raised and ap- propriated for Fire Hydrants.
ARTICLE 41. Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby are author- ized to install five Street Lights on Forrest Road on Poles numbered 54-50-45-42 and 38, lights to start at east end of Forrest Road at Oak Hill Road intersection and proceed westerly on Forrest Road in pole multiples of four or less to the Groton Road.
ARTICLE 42. Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby are author- ized to install two Street Lights on Dunstable Road, one on pole 20/55 and one on pole 20/58 on Tenney Road.
ARTICLE 43. Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby are author- ized to install one Street Light on pole No. 7 on Coolidge Avenue, Nab- nasset.
ARTICLE 44. Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby are author- ized to install three Street Lights on Carlisle Road on poles numbered 83, 87 and 91.
ARTICLE 45. Voted to dismiss this Article relative to a Street Light on Off West Prescott Street as it is not an accepted Street.
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ARTICLE 46. Voted that the Selectmen be and hereby are author- ized to install one Street Light on Tenney Road on pole No. 4.
ARTICLE 3-25. Voted that the sum of $8,282.00 be raised and ap- propriated for Street Lights.
ARTICLE 49. Voted that the Town accept Broadway from Main Street to the northerly end of the 1908 Middlesex County Layout as laid out by the Selectmen as shown by their Report and Plan duly filed in the Office of the Town Clerk.
ARTICLE 50. Voted that the sum of $100.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of Civil Defense.
ARTICLE 51. Voted that the sum of $2,000.00 be raised and ap- propriated for the purpose of purchasing a new or used Truck for use by the Moth Department and Tree Department, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen and that the Board of Selectmen be and hereby are authorized to transfer by a good and suffi- cient Bill of Sale title to the two old trucks now used by said Depart- ments and apply the sums received therefrom against the purchase price of said new or used Truck.
ARTICLE 52. Voted that the sum of $2,000.00 be raised and ap- propriated for the purpose of purchasing, for use by the Moth and Tree Departments, a new Blower, said purchase to be made under the super- vision of the Board of Selectmen and that the Board of Selectmen be and hereby are authorized to transfer by a good and sufficient Bill of Sale title to the Spray Rig on one of the old trucks now used by said Depart- ments and apply the sum received therefrom against the purchase price of the new Blower.
ARTICLE 53. Voted that to reduce the Tax Rate, the sum of $20,000.00 be raised and appropriated from Available Funds to be de- ducted by the Assessors under the provisions of Section 23 of Chapter 59 of the General Laws as amended, from the amount required to be assessed by them.
ARTICLE 54. Voted to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Meeting.
ARTICLE 55. Voted to dissolve the Meeting.
A True Record, Attest:
CHARLES L. HILDRETH, Town Clerk of Westford
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING-JULY 19, 1955
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of Westford, qualified by law to vote in Town affairs, held at the Town House, Tuesday, July 19, 1955, at 8:00 P. M., the following business was transacted :
Ben W. Drew, Town Moderator, called the meeting to order.
Voted to dispense with the reading of the Warrant.
Albert A. Hildreth and Freda V. Prescott, using Check Lists, acted as Tellers.
The attendance from the Check Lists showed a total of 200 present.
ARTICLE 1. Voted that the sum of Four Thousand ($4,000.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated, or transferred from available funds, to the account entitled "Welfare Department"-"Aid to Dependent Children."
ARTICLE 2. Voted that the sum of Nine Hundred Fifty ($950.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated, or transferred from available funds, for the purposes of Civilian Defense in the event that $950.00 is obtained in matching funds from the State or Civilian Defense Boards.
ARTICLE 3. Voted that the sum of Two Thousand Fifty ($2,050.00) Dollars be raised and appropriaed, or transferred from available funds, in addition to the sum of $20,500.00 transferred under Article 7 of the Warrant for the Annual Meeting held March 12, 1955, to meet the State's share of the cost of Chapter 81 Highways, the reimbursement from the State to be restored upon its receipt to unappropriated available funds in the Treasury.
ARTICLE 4. Voted that the sum of Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated, or transferred from available funds, for the purpose of defraying the additional expenses incurred by the Board of Selectmen in connection with the Zoning By-Laws adopted by the Town at the last Annual Town Meeting.
ARTICLE 5. Voted that the sum of One Hundred ($100.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated, or transferred from available funds, for the purpose of defraying the expenses incurred in hiring the loud speakers and chairs at the last Annual Town Meeting.
ARTICLE 6. Voted that the sum of Four Hundred ($400.00) Dol- lars be raised and appropriated, or transferred from available funds, for the purpose of defraying the additional expenses of the Moth Depart- ment.
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ARTICLE 7. Voted not to hot-top the tennis court on the Whitney Playground.
ARTICLE 8. Voted that the sum of Eighteen Hundred Fifty ($1,850.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated, or transferred from avail- able funds, for the purpose of paying for legal services rendered to the Westford School Building Committee in connection with the construction of the new six-year High School.
ARTICLE 9. Voted that a Committee of five voters of the Town be appointed by the Selectmen to study the operations of all the Depart- ments of the Town for the purpose of recommending action that will bring about economies and more efficient management in the Government of the Town and report its findings and recommendations to the Town at the next annual Town Meeting or at a Special Town Meeting called prior thereto for that purpose.
ARTICLE 10. Voted that the Selectmen be and they hereby are authorized to install one street light on West Prescott Street, Forge Village, on Pole No. 61/55, and that the sum of $9.00 be raised and ap- propriated, or transferred from available funds, to defray the additional cost of said light for the balance of the year.
ARTICLE 11. Voted unanimously that the Town amend its Protec- tive By-Law and "Protective By-Law Map" by re-zoning, from "Residence B District" to a "Business District," that certain parcel of land belong- ing to John L. and Catherine A. Connell, situated on the Southerly side of Groton Road and bounded: Northerly by said Groton Road, Two Hun- dred (200) Feet; Easterly by land supposed to belong to Joseph R. Con- nell et ux, Two Hundred (200) Feet; Southerly by other land of said John L. and Catherine A. Connell, Two Hundred (200) Feet and Westerly by land supposed to belong to William J. Boisvert et ux, Two Hundred (200) Feet.
ARTICLE 12. Voted that the Town accept the following gifts made to it to assist the Town in defraying the cost of constructing, equipping and furnishing the new six-year High School Bulding now in process of construction:
From: Trustees of Westford Academy, in addition to the gift of $8,500.00 already accepted by the Town, the further sum of $1,500.00.
Mrs. Lowell M. Chapin, in memory of her son Pvt. Hasbrouck Fletcher, a graduate of Westford Academy, the sum of $950.00. Mr. Paul Bohenko, a graduate of Westford Academy, the sum of $500.00.
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Mr. J. Austin Healy and Mr. Arthur L. Healy, in memory of John A. Healy and Frederick Sullivan Healy graduates of West- ford Academy, the sum of $500.00.
H. E. Fletcher Social & Athletic Club the sum of $250.00.
Sargent, Frost and Nabnasset Teachers' Associations the sum of $50.00.
Westford Teachers' Association the sum of $25.00.
Tadmuck Club the sum of $25.00.
Franco-American Club the sum of $100.00.
Mrs. Edward Fisher the sum of $200.00 in memory of Hon. Ed- ward Fisher, a graduate of Westford Academy and, at his death., President of the Board of Trustees of Westford Academy.
Abbot Worsted Company the sum of $15,000.00.
Said gifts totaling $19,100.00 and that said sum be appropriated for the purpose of completing the construction, equipping and furnishing of the said new High School Building, said sum to be in addition to and to be added to the sums appropriated for said purpose at prior Town Meet- ings.
Voted unanimously that most sincere thanks be given to those who made the above gifts.
ARTICLE 13. Voted that the sum of $15,000.00 be raised and ap- propriated, or transferred from available funds, in addition to the sum appropriated under the preceding Article, for the purpose of completing the construction, equipping and furnishing of the new six-year High School Building, said sum to be in addtion to and to be added to the sums already approprated for said purpose at this and prior Town Meetings.
ARTICLE 14. Voted that the Board of Selectmen be authorized and directed to appoint a Committee of five voters to investigate the entire matter referred to in this Article of the Warrant and that said Commit- tee report at the next Annual Town Meeting. (This Article in the War- rant was relative to a sale by the Town of a Parcel of Martina Gage land to Middlesex County 4-H Fairs, Inc.)
ARTICLE 15. Voted to postpone action relative to the acceptance of Hawthorne Avenue until the next Town Meeting.
ARTICLE 16. Voted to postpone action relative to the acceptance of Laurel Avenue until the next Town Meeting.
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ARTICLE 17. Voted to dismiss this Article relative to requiring the Town Clerk to have office hours at the Town Hall every Tuesday and Friday evening from 7:00 P. M. to 9:00 P. M.
ARTICLE 18. Voted that the Report of the Water Committee be accepted as a report of progress and that the Committee be continued to negotiate with the Westford Water Company towards a satisfactory purchase price and to study further the probable costs of extending and improving the water system and to report at the next Town Meeting.
ARTICLE 19. Voted not to close the present Town Dump and not to establish the proposed new Dump.
A motion to reconsider this Vote was lost by a vote of YES 20 NO 61.
Tellers were appointed by the Moderator.
ARTICLE 20. Voted to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the meeting.
ARTICLE 21. Voted to dissolve the meeting.
A True Record, Attest:
CHARLES L. HILDRETH, Town Clerk of Westford
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING-DECEMBER 8, 1955
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Westford, qual- ified by law to vote in Town affairs, held at the Town House, Thursday, December 8, 1955, at 8:00 P. M., the following business was transacted:
Ben W. Drew, Town Moderator, called the meeting to order.
Voted to dispense with the reading of the Warrant.
ARTICLE 1. Voted not to dismiss this Article.
Voted that the sum of Twelve Thousand Five Hundred ($12,500.00) Dollars be raised in the levy of 1956 and appropriated for the purpose of purchasing One Tractor Shovel for use by the Highway Department, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen.
ARTICLE 2. Voted that the sum of Two Thousand ($2,000.00) Dol- lars be raised in the levy of 1956 and appropriated for the purpose of purchasing a Sander for use by the Highway Department, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen.
ARTICLE 3. Voted that the sum of One Thousand One Hundred Fifteen and 42/000 ($1,115.42) Dollars be raised and appropriated, or transferred from the account entitled "Overlay Surplus" to the account entitled "Insurance-Fire and Compensation," for the purpose of defray- ing the expenses of additional Insurance Premiums.
ARTICLE 4. Voted that the sum of Two Thousand ($2,000.00) Dol- lars be raised and appropriated, or transferred from available funds to the account entitled "Welfare Department-Old Age Assistance."
ARTICLE 5. Voted that the sum of One Thousand Two Hundred ($1,200.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated, or transferred from avail- able funds, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Fire Depart- ment.
ARTICLE 6. Voted that the sum of Five Thousand Three Hundred Fifty ($5,350.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated, or transferred from available funds, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the School Department, divided as follows:
General Expenses-$5,200.00 Vocational Tuition-$150.00
ARTICLE 7. Voted that the sum of One Hundred Ninety ($190.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated, or transferred from available funds, for the purpose of Election and Registration.
ARTICLE 8. Voted by a standing vote of YES 76-NO 25, counted by Tellers appointed by the Moderator, that the Town amend its Pro- tective By-Law and Protective By-Law Map by rezoning from Residence
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B District to a Business District, that certain Parcel of Land belonging to Mitchell F. and Ruth E. Balas, situated at the junction formed by the intersection of the northeasterly line of Oak Hill Road and the northwest- erly line of Brookside Road and bounded:
Northwesterly by other land of said Balas et ux, two hundred two (202) feet; northeasterly by still other land of said Balas et ux, one hundred thirty-three and 79/100 (133.79) feet; southeasterly by said Brookside Road, one hundred sixty and 22/100 (160.22) feet; and southwesterly by said Oak Hill Road, one hundred sixty-six and 30/100 (166.30) feet.
ARTICLE 9. Voted unanimously that the Board of Selectmen be and they hereby are authorized in the name and behalf of the Town to establish the boundary line between land of the Town and land of the Union Congregational Church in Westford, and for that purpose to exe- cute and deliver in the name and behalf of the Town and accept on behalf of the Town, such deeds or other instruments as may be necessary or convenient to establish said boundary line.
ARTICLE 10. Voted unanimously that the Board of Selectmen be and they hereby are authorized to execute and deliver in the name and behalf of the Town to the First Congregational Parish (Unitarian) in Westford, Massachusetts, without consideration therefor, a good and suf- ficient deed conveying the real estate which was conveyed to the Inhab- itants of the Town of Westford by Joel Abbot in 1794 by deed recorded with Middlesex North District Registry of Deeds, Book 7, Page 459 of the Westford Copies, said conveyance to be subject to the same restric- tions and conditions as are contained in said deed.
ARTICLE 11. Voted that a Committee of five members be ap- pointed by the Moderator to investigate the feasibility of numbering the houses in the Town and report its findings and recommendations at the next annual meeting.
ARTICLE 12. Voted to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the meeting ...
ARTICLE 13. Voted to dissolve the meeting.
A True Record, Attest:
CHARLES L. HILDRETH, Town Clerk of Westford
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING-DECEMBER 28, 1955
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Westford, qual- ified by law to vote in Town affairs, held in the Town House, Wednesday, December 28, 1955 at 8:00 P M., the following business was transacted:
Ben W. Drew, Town Moderator, called the meeting to order.
H. Arnold Wilder, Raymond G. Malloy, Jr., Freda V. Prescott and Gertrude A. McGrath, using Voting Lists, acted as Tellers at the doors of the Hall. The attendance was 123.
ARTICLE 1. Voted unanimously that the Final Report of the Com- mittee on Purchase of Westford Water Company, read by Richard S. Emmet, Jr., be accepted and placed on file with the Town Clerk and that the Committee be given thanks for its extensive report.
ARTICLE 2. The Agreement made by the Westford Water Com- pany and the Board of Selectmen was read by the Chairman of the Board, Elroy A. Field. The Finance Committee recommended ratification of the Agreement.
Voted 85 to 38, by a ballot vote, counted by four tellers appointed by the Moderator and using Voting Lists, that the Town establish and op- erate a water supply and distribution system under the applicable provi- sions of Chapter 40, Sections 38 to 390, inclusive, of the General Laws for the purpose of supplying itself and its inhabitants with water, and in that connection that:
The action of the Selectmen taken under the provisions of Section 38 of said Chapter 40 in providing for the purchase from the Westford Water Company of its whole water rights, estates, franchises and privi- leges and thereby becoming entitled to all its rights and privileges and subject to all its duties and liabilities, all as set forth in an agreement between the Selectmen and the Westford Water Company, dated Novem- ber 29, 1955, on file in the office of the Board of Selectmen, be and the same hereby is ratified and confirmed in all respects; and
It raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Eighty-One Thou- sand ($281,000.00) Dollars for the purpose of purchasing under the pro- visions of said Section 38 from said Westford Water Company its whole water rights, estates, franchises and privileges and thereby becoming entitled to all its rights and privileges and subject to all its duties and liabilities, all as more particularly set forth in said agreement herein- above referred to; and
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To meet said appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow the sum of Two Hun- dred Eighty-One Thousand ($281,000.00) Dollars and issue bonds of the Town therefor under and pursuant to Section 8, Clause 3 and other ap- plicable provisions of Chapter 44 of the General Laws to be payable over a period not to exceed thirty years from the date of issue of the first bond, to bear such rate of interest (not exceeding 4% per annum), to be in such form and to be sold in such manner as shall be determined by the Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen.
ARTICLE 3. Voted that the Town accept Sections 42A to 42F in- clusive, of Chapter 40 of the General Laws.
ARTICLE 4. Voted that the Town authorize the Selectmen to act as Water Commissioners until the next Annual Town Meeting and that at such next Annual Town Meeting Water Commissioners be elected pur- suant to the provisions of the General Laws.
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