USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1956-1962 > Part 13
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12 Voted unanimously that the sum of $4,400.00 be raised and appropriated to defray the expenses of the Health Department.
13 Voted unanimously that the sum of $200.00 be raised and appropriated to defray the expenses of the Cattle Inspector.
14 Voted to take up each Item separately:
(a) Voted unanimously that the sum of $20,000.00 be raised and appropriated for Snow and Ice Removal.
(b) Voted unanimously that the sum of $15,000.00 be raised and appropriated for Town Roads.
(c) Voted unanimously that the sum of $5,000.00 be raised and appropriated for the Drainage of Town Roads.
15 Voted unanimously that the sum of $72,000.00 be raised and appropriated to defray the expenses of the Welfare Department, di- vided as follows: Old Age Assistance, Aid to Dependent Children and Disability Allowance $ 52,000.00 Temporary Aid $ 6,000.00 Town Infirmary $ 14,000.00
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ARTICLE 3 16 Voted unanimously that the sum of $4,900.00 be raised and appropriated for Veterans' Benefits.
17 Voted unanimously that the sum of $352,853.00 be raised and appropriated to defray the expenses of the School Department.
18 Voted unanimously that the sum of $8,560.00 be raised and appropriated for Vocational School Tuition.
19 Voted unanimously that the sum of $4,600.00 be raised and appropriated, together with the Receipts from Dog Licenses in 1956, to defray the expenses of the Public Library.
20 Voted unanimously that the sum of $1,000.00 be raised and appropriated to defray the expenses of the Care of the Common.
21 Voted unanimously that the sum of $400.00 be raised and appropriated to defray the expenses of Commemorating Memorial Day.
22 Voted unanimously that the sum of $1,779.75 be raised and appropriated to defray the expenses of publishing and distributing the Town Reports. 23 Voted unanimously that the sum of $6,803.76 be raised and appropriated to defray the expenses of various types of Insurance, including Fire, Compensation, Liability and Collision Insurance.
24 Voted unanimously that the sum of $25.00 be raised and appropriated for Revenue Loans.
25 Voted unanimously that the sum of $4,830.00 be raised and appropriated for the Care of Cemeteries.
26 Voted to take up this Item relative to Street Lights after action on ARTICLE 58.
27 Voted unanimously 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, as provided in General Laws - Chapter 40, Section 6; that the sum of $15.00 be raised and appropriated to be used by the Fi- nance Committee for payment of Membership in the Association of Finance Committees; that the further sum of $185.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of defraying the expenses of said Committee.
28 Voted unanimously that the sum of $1,336.70 be trans- ferred from Available Funds for the purpose of paying Unpaid Bills of 1956 and previous years as follows:
Page's Drug Store $ 20.66 City of Lowell $ 1,117.82
A. G. Pollard Co 39.82 City of Boston 158.40
All being Public Welfare bills.
ARTICLE 4 Voted unanimously that the Town Treasurer be authorized, 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 is- sue 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 unanimously that the sum of $100.00 be raised and ap- propriated for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Planning Board.
ARTICLE 6 Voted unanimously that the sum of $1,725.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Athletic Program in the Westford Schools.
ARTICLE 7 Voted unanimously that the sum of $10,250.00 be raised and appropriated to meet the Town's share of the cost of Chapter 81 High- ways, and that, in addition, the sum of $22,500.00 be transferred from Unappropriated Available Funds in the Treasury to meet the State's share
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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 8 Voted unanimously that the sum of $1,500.00 be raised and appropriated 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 $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 the work, the reimbursements from the State and County to be restored, upon their receipt, to Unappropriated Available Funds in the Treasury. ARTICLE 9 Voted unanimously that the sum of $3,258.75 be raised and appropriated for the Highway Machinery Fund and that the sum of $7,150.00 be transferred from said Fund to the Highway Equipment Ac- count.
ARTICLE 10 Voted unanimously that the sum of $7,000.00 be raised and appropriated to meet the Town's share of the cost of Chapter 90 High- way Construction on Graniteville and Groton Roads, contingent upon con- tributions by either or both the State and County to be used in con- junction therewith, and to meet said appropriation the sum of $7,000.00 be transferred from the proceeds received from the State under the provisions of Chapter 718 of the Acts of 1956, and that in addition, the sum of $24,500.00 be transferred from Unappropriated Available Funds in the Treasury to meet the State's and County's shares of the cost of said Construction of said Roads, the reimbursements from the State and County to be restored, upon their receipt, to Unappropriated Available Funds in the Treasury.
ARTICLE 11 Voted unanimously that the sum of $300.00 be raised and ap- propriated for the purpose of moving the Siren in Nabnasset, said sum to be expended under the supervision of the Board of Fire Engineers. ARTICLE 12 Voted unanimously that the sum of $750.00 be raised and ap- propriated for the purpose of purchasing Lights, Generator, Cord, Hel- mets, Handlights, Nozzles, Hooks, Stretchers, Gloves, Blankets, Chim- ney Brushes, Asbestos Gloves and other Equipment, all for use by the Fire Department, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Fire Engineers.
ARTICLE 13 Voted unanimously that the sum of $1, 700.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of purchasing new Fire Hose for the Fire Department, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Fire Engineers.
ARTICLE 14 Voted unanimously that the Board of Fire Engineers be and they hereby are authorized in the name and behalf of the Town, to ex- ecute a renewal of the lease of quarters at Nabnasset in which one of the fire trucks is stationed, and that the sum of $600.00 be raised and appropriated for rent of said quarters.
A Report of the Planning Board, regarding the possible location of a permanent Fire Station in Nabnasset, was given by E. Kent Allen. ARTICLE 15 Voted unanimously that the sum of $400.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of purchasing new Tires for the use of the Fire Department, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Fire Engineers.
ARTICLE 16 Voted unanimously that the sum of $1,228.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of purchasing a Radio Base Set to be used ,by the Fire Department, to be installed at the Fire Cottage in Westford
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Center, and to be purchased under the supervision of the Board of Fire Engineers.
ARTICLE 17 Voted unanimously that the sum of $350.00 be raised and ap- propriated for the purchase of a Portable Pump for the Forest Fire De- partment, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Forest Fire Warden.
ARTICLE 18 Voted unanimously that the sum of $750.00 be raised and ap- propriated for the purpose of purchasing new Road Signs, Traffic Lights and/or Signs to be used for the protection of children, said sum to be expended under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen.
ARTICLE 19 Voted unanimously that the sum of $600.00 be raised and ap- propriated for the purpose of Painting Traffic Lines and Signals on the public ways of the Town, said sum to be expended under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen.
ARTICLE 20 Voted unanimously that the sum of $1,000.00 be raised and appropriated for the Care of the Whitney Playground and, that in addi- tion, the sum of $700.00 be raised and appropriated for the purchase of a new Mower, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Committee in charge of the Whitney Playground.
ARTICLE 21 Voted unanimously that the sum of $200.00 be raised and ap- propriated for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Tax Posses- sion Sale Committee.
ARTICLE 22 Voted unanimously that the sum of $700.00 be raised and ap- propriated for Band Concerts for the current year.
ARTICLE 23 Voted unanimously that the sum of $500.00 be raised and ap- propriated 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 24 Voted unanimously that the Town accept from Hubbard and Company, a gift of a Parcel of Land containing approximately Three and One-Half Acres situated in Forge Village Southwesterly of but not ad- joining Pleasant Street, and that a vote of thanks be given to Hubbard and Company for this gift.
ARTICLE 25 Voted unanimously that the sum of $4,440.85 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of paying to the Treasurer of Middlesex County Retirement System, the amounts allocated to the Town of Westford by the County Commissioners, in accordance with the provisions of Chap- ter 32 of the General Laws, as amended.
ARTICLE 26 Voted unanimously that the Town accept a gift made to it during the year 1956 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 27 Voted unanimously to dismiss this Article relative to the acceptance of Connell Drive.
ARTICLE 28 Voted unanimously to dismiss this Article relative to the acceptance of Hawthorne Avenue.
ARTICLE 29 Voted unanimously to dismiss this Article reltaive to the acceptance of Laurel Avenue.
ARTICLE 30 Voted unanimously to dismiss this Article relative to the Cost etc of the Improvement and Drainage of Hawthorne Avenue and Lau- rel Avenue.
ARTICLE 31 Voted unanimously that the sum of $75.00 be raised and ap- propriated for the purpose of promoting the work of the Westford 4-H
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Clubs, this amount to be expended with the approval of and under the direction of the Advisory Council of said 4-H Clubs in Westford. ARTICLES 32 and 33 Voted unanimously to defer action on these Articles until after Article 59 has been acted upon.
ARTICLE 34 Voted unanimously that the sum of $3, 700.44 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of paying to the Treasurer of Middlesex County, the amounts assessed upon the Town by the County Commissioners for damages paid by the County in connection with the Relocation of Beaver Brook Road, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 82 of the General Laws, as amended and, that in addition, the sum of $1,388.50 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of paying for Legal Services, Witness Fees and Other Costs incurred in connection therewith.
ARTICLE 35 Voted that the Board of Selectmen be and they hereby are authorized to appoint an Inspector of Wires under the provisions of Chapter 166, Section 32 of the General Laws, as most recently amended, and that said Board fix the Compensation of said Inspector.
ARTICLE 36 Voted almost unanimously that the Town authorize the Plan- ning Board and up to five other voters to be appointed by the Planning Board, to study the present "Protective ( Zoning) By-Law," to determine the need, if any, for revisions, corrections or amendments thereto, and to report its findings and recommendations to the Town at the next Annual Town Meeting, or at any Special Town Meeting held prior thereto. ARTICLE 37 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 lines between land of the Town of Westford and land of the First Parish Church United of Westford, and for that purpose to execute 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 con- venient to establish said boundary lines.
ARTICLE 38 Voted unanimously that a Recreation Commission be estab- lished pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 45, Section 14 of the Gen- eral Laws, as most recently amended, said Commission to consist of three members to be appointed by the Board of Selectmen.
ARTICLE 39 Voted that the sum of $720.00 be raised and appropriated to be expended under the supervision of the Recreation Commission.
ARTICLE 40 Voted unanimously that the sum of $200.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Develop- ment and Industrial Commission.
ARTICLE Ll Voted unanimously that the sum of $300.00 be raised and ap- propriated for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Dog Officer. ARTICLE 42 Voted that the sum of $300.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of providing suitable quarters for the Nabnasset Amer- ican Legion Post No. 437 and the Auxiliary of said Post; 'that the fur- ther sum of $300.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of pro- viding suitable quarters for the Veterans 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 purpose of providing suitable quar- ters for the Frederick S. Healy American Legion Post No. 159 and the Auxiliary of said Post, all for the calendar year 1957.
ARTICLE 43 Voted unanimously that the sum of $200.00 be raised and ap- propriated for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Committee appointed to investigate school building conditions.
ARTICLE 44 Voted unanimously that the Town amend its Protective By-Law and Protective By-Law Map by rezoning, from "Residence A District" to
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a "Business District" that certain parcel of land belonging to William D. Connell, situated in the Northerly part of Westford on the South- easterly side of Groton Road and the Northerly side of Nutting Road, and being shown as Lot 4 on a plan entitled "Plan of Land in Westford, Mass., belonging to Heirs of John A. Healy, James E. Kendall, Surveyor, June 1950", which plan is recorded with Middlesex North District Regis- try of Deeds, Plan Book 79, Plan 29B, and bounded and described as fol- lows: Beginning at the northeasterly corner of the granted premises at a stake on the southeasterly side of said Groton Road and at land now or formerly of Virginia C. Healy et als, said last named land being designated on said plan as "Heirs of John A. Healy"; thence southwest- erly by said Groton Road three hundred fifty (350) feet to a road bound as shown on said plan; thence in a curved line southwesterly, souther- ly and southeasterly on said Groton Road and Nutting Road to another road bound as shown on said plan; thence still southeasterly by said Nutting Road seventy-one and 4/10 (71.4) feet to other land of said Virginia C. Healy et als; thence northeasterly by said last named land three hundred twenty-two and 8/10 (322.8) feet to a stake at still oth- er land of said Virginia C. Healy et als; thence northwesterly by said last named land one hundred (100) feet to the point of beginning. Con- taining, according to said plan, 36,000 square feet of land, more or less.
A favorable Report of the Planning Board was filed with the Town Clerk.
ARTICLE 45 Voted unanimously that the Town amend its Protective By-Law and Protective By-Law Map by rezoning, from "Residence A District" to an "Industrial District" that certain parcel of land belonging to Jesse H. Ward, 3rd, being a portion of Lot 1 shown on a "Plan of Land in West- ford, Mass., surveyed for Donald J. Turner and Gloria E. Turner", dated July 30, 1953, Merrill A. Brown, Registered Land Surveyor, said plan being recorded as Plan 47B in Plan Book 83 in the Middlesex Registry of Deeds, North District, the parcel of land to be rezoned being bound- ed and described as follows: Beginning in the southwesterly portion of said parcel at a point on the easterly side of Providence Road, 260 feet northerly from a drill hole on the easterly side of said Providence Road at land now or formerly of Arthur H. Burnham; thence running North 06.34' 30" East by said Providence Road 134.90 feet; thence running North 0115' 00" East by said Providence Road 25.10 feet; thence turn- ing and running South 88ยบ 52' 00" East by other land of said Jesse H. Ward, 3rd, 260 feet more or less to a stone wall at land now or former- ly of Arthur H. Burnham; thence turning and running southerly and southwesterly along said wall 160 feet; thence turning and running westerly by other land of said Jesse H. Ward, 3rd, 240 feet more or less to the point of beginning. Containing 40,000 square feet, more or less.
A favorable Report of the Planning Board was filed with the Town Clerk.
ARTICLE 46 Voted to take up Article 47 before Article 46.
ARTICLE 47 Voted YES 66 NO 15, counted by four Tellers appointed by the Moderator Pro Tem that the Town amend its Protective By-Law and Protective By-Law Map by rezoning from a "Residence A District" to a "Business District" that certain parcel of land in Westford belonging to Edward S and Yvonne A. Warchol, situated on the westerly side of Tyngsboro Road and thus bounded and described: Beginning at a point on the westerly side of said Tyngsboro Road, said point being distant
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one hundred eighty-three (183) feet southerly of a stone wall at land now or formerly of Josephine Brittain; thence southerly along said Road one hundred forty (140) feet; thence westerly by other land of said Warchols one hundred (100) feet; thence northerly by other land of said Warchols one hundred forty (140) feet; thence easterly by still other land of said Warchols one hundred (100) feet to the point of beginning. Containing 14,000 square feet, more or less.
ARTICLE 46 Voted unanimously that the Town amend its Protective By-Law and Protective By-Law Map by rezoning, from a "Business District" to a "Residence A District" that certain parcel of land in said Westford belonging to Edward S and Yvonne A. Warchol situated on the westerly side of Tyngsboro Road and thus bounded and described: Beginning at a point on the westerly side of Tyngsboro Road, said point being distant four hundred ten (410) feet southerly of a stone wall at land now or formerly of Josephine Brittain; thence westerly by other land of said Warchols one hundred (100) feet; thence southerly still by other land of said Warchols one hundred forty (140) feet; thence easterly still by other land of said Warchols to a point at said Road, said point be- ing distant approximately seven hundred fifty (750) feet northerly of a stone wall at land now or formerly of James Edgar and Mary Edgar; thence northerly along said Road to the point of beginning. Contain- ing 14,000 square feet, more or less. Being the premises rezoned to a Business District under Article 1 of the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting held on September 17, 1956 wherein said parcel was described as being in a Residence B District.
A favorable Report of the Planning Board was filed with the Town Clerk.
ARTICLE 48 Voted almost unanimously to dismiss this Article relative to establishing a Stabilization Fund.
ARTICLE 49 Voted unanimously to dismiss this Article relative to a transfer of money from Surplus Revenue to the School Building Debt Ac- count.
ARTICLE 50 Voted unanimously that the sum of $4,603.08 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of paying to the Treasurer of the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health the amount certified by said Boards as the Town's share of the cost and expenses of the District for year 1957. ARTICLE 51 A motion that $1,050.00 be raised and appropriated for Civ- il Defense was lost.
Voted that the sum of $600.00 be raised and appropriated for the purposes of Civil Defense.
ARTICLE 52 Voted unanimously that the Town adopt the following amend- ment to SECTION VII of the Protective By-Law:
(1) Paragraph 1 (first sentence) shall be amended to read as follows: "1 Lot size and frontage: No building except a one-story building of accessory use shall be erected upon a lot having less than the follow- ing area and frontage:
Frontage
Area
Residence A District
150
30,000 sq. ft.
Residence B District
100'
10,000 sq. ft.
Business and Industrial Districts
100' 10,000 sq. ft.
(2) Paragraph 2 (second sentence) shall be amended to read as follows : "In a Business or Industrial District no building shall be erected within 35 feet of the line of a street."
(3) Paragraph 3 (second sentence) shall be amended to read as follows:
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"In a Business or Industrial District, no building shall be erected within 15 feet of a side lot line or within 30 feet of a rear lot line or within 20 feet of another building."
2 ARTICLE 53 Voted unanimously that the Moderator appoint a Committee of three voters, at least one of whom shall be an attorney, to study the Earth Removal By-Law, to determine the need, if any, for clarifi- cation, revision or amendments thereto, and to report its findings and recommendations to the Town at the next Annual Town meeting or at any special Town Meeting held prior thereto.
ARTICLE 54 Voted unanimously that the Selectmen be and hereby are au- thorized to install One Street Light on Elliott Road on Pole No. 165/4. ARTICLE 55 Voted unanimously that the Selectmen be and hereby are au- thorized to install One Street Light on Robinson Road on Pole No. 16. ARTICLE 56 Voted unanimously that the Selectmen be and hereby are au- thorized to install One Street Light on North Street on Pole No. 22. ARTICLE 57 Voted unanimously that the Selectmen be and hereby are au- thorized to install One Street Light on Hillside Avenue on Pole No. 10. ARTICLE 58 Voted unanimously that the Selectmen be and hereby are au- thorized to install One Street Light on Vose Road on Pole No. 58.
ARTICLE 3 26 Voted unanimously that the sum of $8,600.00 be raised and appropriated for Street Lights.
ARTICLE 59 Voted unanimously that to reduce the tax rate the sum of $35,000.00 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 as- sessed by them.
Voted unanimously to adjourn this meeting to the Town Hall at 8:00 P.M. Monday, March 11, 1957.
The adjourment of this Annual Town Meeting was held at the Town Hall, March 11, 1957 at 8:00 P. M.
Gertrude A. McGrath and Freda V. Prescott, Election Officers using Vot- ing Lists, acted as Tellers at the doors.
The attendance was 109.
Roger H. Hildreth, Moderator Pro Tem, called the meeting to order. ARTICLE 32 Voted that the Town adopt the following amendments to the Town By-Laws :
Voted unanimously to take up each amendment to the By-Laws, sepa- rately.
Voted unanimously that (1) Section 3 of ARTICLE I shall be amend- ed to read as follows: "Notice of every Town Meeting shall be given by posting an attested copy of the Warrant at the Town Hall and each Post Office in Westford at least seven (7) days before such Meeting. In addition to the above requirements notice of every Special Town Meeting shall be given by publishing the time and place of such Meet- ing and a summary of the business to come before such Meeting in a newspaper of general circulation at least seven (7) days before such Special Meeting."
Voted almost unanimously that (2) Section 4 of ARTICLE I shall be amended by adding the following at the end of such Section: "A quorum of two percent (2%) of the registered voters shall be required for the transaction of business at any Special Town Meeting; provided that a number less than a quorum may from time to time adjourn any such Meet- ing."
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Voted unanimously that (3) Section 5 of ARTICLE I shall be amend- ed to read as, follows: "The proceedings of Town Meetings shall be gov- erned by the rules of practice contained in Roberts' Rules of Order (1951 Ed.) except as modified by law or by the By-Laws, and except as the Moderator determines is not appropriate for a Town Meeting."
Voted unanimously that (4) Section 6 (first sentence) of ARTICLE I shall be amended to read as follows: "At any Town Meeting held for the transaction of Town business, no person whose name is not on the list of voters shall be permitted to address the Meeting or shall be admitted to the floor of the Hall except those who may be invited by a two-thirds vote of the Meeting assembled."
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