USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1921-1922 > Part 7
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Chief of Fire Department EDWIN L. DAY CARROLL A. HORTON, Asst. Chief
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Forest Fire Warden EDWIN L. DAY
SELECTMEN
Cemetery Committee GEORGE F. NEWCOMB, Superintendent
Common Committee
CALEB S. HARRIMAN
Term expires 1925
CHARLES F. PERRY
EDWARD N. EAMES
Term expires 1924 Term expires 1923
School Committee
HOWARD M. HORTON
Term expires 1925
ELLEN S. PERRY
PHILIP N. BUZZELL
Term expires 1924 Term expires 1923
Inspector of Buildings WINFRED W. RICE
Board of Appeal
ARTHUR W. EAMES HARRY R. DEMMING EDWARD A. WOODSIDE
Undertakers
EDWARD M. NICHOLS JOSEPH J. WALSH
Burial Agent MILTON T. HOLT
Trustees of Public Library
EDWARD N. EAMES
Term expires 1925
EDWARD A. WOODSIDE
Term expires 1925
DANIEL T. BUZZELL
Term expires 1924
HELEN H. BUCK
Term expires 1924
CHARLES C. ALDEN
Term expires 1923
CALEB S. HARRIMAN
Term expires 1923
9
Trustees of Trust Funds
CALEB S. HARRIMAN CHESTER W. NICHOLS (appointed) EDWARD N. EAMES (appointed)
Term expires 1925
Tree Warden OLIVER A. McGRANE Superintendent for Suppressing Moths OLIVER A. McGRANE
Sarah D. J. Carter Lecture Fund Committee
MILDRED E. NEILSON
Term expires 1927
ARTHUR F. BLAKE
Term expires 1926
FRANK A. ROMAN
Term expires 1925
JOHN W. HATHAWAY
Term expires 1923
JAMES E. KELLEY (resigned)
GUY E. NICHOLS (appointed)
Finance Committee
OSCAR A. LUNDGREN
Term expires 1923
LOUIS T. DOUCETTE
Term expires 1923
GEORGE H. VOTER
Term expires 1923
WALDO L. DEAN
Term expires 1924
LOUIS T. McMAHON
Term expires 1924 Term expires 1924
DAVID P. HOWE
CALEB S. HARRIMAN
Term expires 1925
FRANK M. TIFFANY
A. CHANDLER MANNING
Term expires 1925 Term expires 1925
Ballot Clerks and Tellers
JOHN E. DENEHEY
EBER P. MELZAR JOHN F. MUSE FRANK P. KEEFE MARGARET W. DeLORIEA ELEANOR M. LIVINGSTON HELEN H. BUCK
HAROLD SWAIN EUGENE G. SHAW JOSEPH H. SURRETTE JOHN W. SIMPSON MARY L. CAIL ROSE T. CAVANAUGH ANNIE E. CRONIN
10
JURY LIST, TOWN OF WILMINGTON
Revised by the Board of Selectmen July 17, 1922
Bancroft Abbott
Federal St.
Broker
George L. Blaisdell
Arnold D. Carter
Lowell St.
Teamster
Charles E. Carter
Shawsheen Ave.
Laborer
Daniel R. Carter
Shawsheen Ave.
Salesman
Wm. Warren Carter
Middlesex Ave.
Asst. Postmaster
Carl F. Connor
Glen Road
Electrician
Joseph A. Cotton
off Thurston Ave.
Real Estate
John H. Doyle
Middlesex Ave.
Currier
Arthur B. Eames
Woburn St.
Farmer
Ernest W. Eames
Woburn St.
Milk Dealer
M. Herbert Foskett
Ballardvale St.
Printer
Maurice Gallagher
Middlesex Ave.
Currier
Henry E. Goodearl
Federal St.
Salesman
Charles F. Goodson
Woburn St.
Plumber
Edward S. Lewis
Church St.
Auditor
Charles A. Livingston
Burlington Ave.
Grocer
Frank H. Lyon
Railroad Ave.
Shipper
Christian Neilson
Harnden St.
Farmer
Joseph B. McMahon
Middlesex Ave.
Clerk
Charles F. Perry
Church St. Woburn St.
Janitor Laundryman
Harland J. Savory
Middlesex Ave.
R. R. employe
Sumner A. Titcomb
Railroad Ave.
Brakeman
George H. Voter
Grove Ave.
Purch. Agent
Arthur S. Williams
Wilmington Jct.
Signalman
Leon A. Rhine
Clark St.
Railroad man
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TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
Records of Warrants and Proceedings of Town Meetings, Births, Marriages and Deaths, with a Statement of Money Paid to the County Treasurer on account of Dog Licenses
13
TOWN WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex ss.
To Walter A. Hill, Constable of the Town of Wilmington, Greeting:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and in the manner prescribed in the By-Laws of said Town, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town qualified by law to vote in Town affairs, to meet and assemble at the Town Hall on Monday, the sixth day of March next, at 5.45 o'clock in the forenoon, the polls to be opened at 6 a.m. and may be closed at 4 p.m., for the election of Town Officers.
Article 1. To elect by ballot a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Article 2. To bring in your votes on one ballot for three Selectmen who shall also be Overseers of the Poor and Board of Survey; one Assessor for three years; Town Clerk, Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, Constable, three Fence Viewers, one School Committee for three years; two Trustees of the Public Library for three years, and one Trustee for two years; one member of the S. D. J. Carter Lecture Committee for five years and one member for four years; one Tree Warden; one Trustee of Trust Funds for three years; also to vote on the following questions, to wit: Shall license be granted for sale of certain non-intoxicating beverages in this Town? "Yes." or "No".
You are also hereby further required and directed to notify and warn the said inhabitants of the Town of Wilmington who are qualified to vote in elections and Town affairs therein
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to assemble subsequently and meet in Town Meeting at the Grange Hall, Wildwood Street, in said Wilmington, on Monday, the thirteenth (13) day of March next, A.D., 1922, at eight (8) o'clock p.m., then and there to act on the following articles:
Article 3. To choose all other Town Officers for the ensuing year.
Article 4. To hear the reports of Committees and act thereon.
Article 5. To see how much money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for General Government, Protection of Life and Property, Tree Warden, Forest Fire Wardens, Health and Sanitation, Highway, Roads and Bridges, Support of Poor, Dependent Widows, Soldiers' Relief, Schools and Maintenance, including Transportation, Tuition at Vocational Schools, Public Library, Cemetery, Interest, Notes Payable, Street Lights, State and County Tax, Printing, Care of Town Clock, Contingent Fund and Tax Abatements.
Article 6. To see how much money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the observance of Memorial Day, and to determine how the same shall be expended.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money in anticipation of revenue of the present financial year.
Article 8. To see what method the Town will adopt for the collection of taxes and to determine the compensation of the collector.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of fifteen dollars for the up-keep of Regan Park at the junction of High Street and Middlesex Avenue, or do anything in relation thereto.
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*Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to sell the Fire Engine House, No. Wilmington, to the Wilmington Post No. 136 of the American Legion, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of one thousand ($1,000.00) Dollars for Public Health Work, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $200.00 or some other amount, and elect a director for demonstration work in agriculture and home economics, the money to be expended by, and the di- rector to serve in co-operation with the County Trustees for Aid to Agriculture of the Middlesex County Bureau of Agri- culture and Home Economics, under the provisions of Chapter 273, General Acts of 1918; it being understood that $75.00 shall be expended for local supervision of boys' and girls' club work.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to dispose of the Town Hearse, or what they will do in relation thereto.
*Article 14. To see how much the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the improvement and care of the old cemetery or what the Town will do in the relation to the same.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Chapter 39, Section 16 of the General Laws pro- viding for the appointment and duties of Advisory or Finance Committee, and appoint nine members thereof to serve as follows: Three members for the term of one year, three mem- bers for the term of two years, three for the term of three years, and each following year appoint three members for the term of three years, as the terms of office expire, and accept the following By-Laws governing such Finance Committee, or do anything in relation thereto.
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BY-LAWS
I
The Finance Committee shall consist of nine members, who shall be legal voters of the Town, holding no salaried Town Office, and shall serve without pay, three members to be chosen at the Annual Town Meeting to hold office for the term of three years. Vacancies occurring during the term of office to be filled by majority vote of the committee.
2
It shall be the duty of the Finance Committee to consider all municipal questions effecting the finances of the Town, for the purpose of making reports or recommendations to the Town, and may hold public meetings at which the Town Officials shall attend if so required by the committee.
3
The Finance Committee shall be furnished by the Select- men a copy of all Articles in Town Meeting Warrants at least seven days, and more if deemed necessary before the holding of such meeting.
4
The Finance Committee shall organize by the choice of a Chairman and Clerk who shall keep a record of all meetings of the committee, and five members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to purchase an American flag for use at Regan Park, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to have a new survey of the Cemetery made, or do anything in relation thereto.
17
*Article 18. To see if the Town will vote the following, that a committee be appointed to make some changes in the Building By-Laws of the Town or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to appoint a committee of citizens to investigate and report at the next Town Meeting on the possibility of establishing a Town Forest and to appropriate the sum of $25.00 for the use of the Committee for this purpose, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of two thousand ($2,000.00) dollars under Chapter 90, Section 34, of the General Laws, to be expended under the direction of the Massachusetts Highway Commission, or do anything in relation thereto. (Salem Street.)
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to indemnify the Commonwealth against claims for land grade damages which may result from the laying out and constructing of the pro- posed State Highway, or do anything in relation thereto. (Main Street.)
*Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to accept Grove Avenue extension as laid out by the Selectmen or do anything in relation thereto.
*Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of three hundred ($300.00) dollars or any part thereof to repair and improve Grove Avenue exten- sion, or do anything in relation thereto.
*Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to accept Swain Road from Burlington Avenue to Forest Street, or any part thereof as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, or do any- thing in relation thereto.
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*Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money sufficient to grade Swain Road as far as accepted, or do anything in relation thereto.
*Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to extend Hillside Way to the Burlington line, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money sufficient to grade Hillside Way extension as accepted, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to renew the contract with the Municipal Light Board of Reading, for electric street lights, for a term of three years, or what they will do in relation thereto.
*Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to contract for Electric Lighting of the streets daily, except Sundays, between 5.00 o'clock a.m. and daylight during any part of the year, or what they will do in relation thereto.
*Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to contract for electric lights to be installed on Beacon Street, or do anything in relation thereto.
*Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to contract for Electric Lights to be installed on Boutwell Street, or do anything in relation thereto.
*Article 32. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to contract for Electric Lights to be installed on Hillside Way, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 33. To see if the Town will vote to instruct. the Selectmen to contract for Electric Lights to be installed on Main Street, from the existing lights to the Tewksbury line. or what they will do in relation thereto.
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*Article 34. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to contract for Electric Lights to be installed on Marion Street, or do anything in relation thereto.
*Article 35. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to contract for Electric Lights to be installed on Veranda Avenue, or do anything in relation thereto.
*Article 36. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to contract for Electric Lights to be installed on Washington Avenue, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 37. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to contract for Electric Lights to be installed on . South Street, or do anything in relation thereto.
*Article 38. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or some other amount for the purpose of constructing a sidewalk along Main Street from Clark Street to Lake Street, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 39. To see what action the Town will take in reference to disposing of the North, East and West District School Buildings.
Article 40. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to paint the Town Hall, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 41. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to paint the Library, or do any- thing in relation thereto.
*Article inserted on petition.
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Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk at the time and place of said meeting.
Given under our hands and the seal of Said Town this the fourteenth day of February, A.D. one thousand nine hundred and twenty-two.
(Seal)
FRANK W. DAYTON ASA G. SHELDON HAROLD E. MELZAR Selectmen of Wilmington
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TOWN MEETING
Record of Proceedings of Annual Town Meeting Held
March 6, 1922
In accordance with the directions of the foregoing warrant, the voters assembled on the above date. The votes as declared by the Moderator are as follows:
The meeting was called to order by the Town Clerk and Articles one and two of the warrant read. On motion it was voted to dispense with reading the balance.
Article 1. Bancroft Abbott was elected Moderator, the vote being taken by ballot and the check list being used.
Article 2. The Moderator read Article 2 and then ex- amined the ballot box, which was found empty, the register indicated 0000, the box was locked and the key delivered to the Constable, the Ballot Clerks and Tellers having been sworn, the official ballots were delivered to the Ballot Clerks, a receipt for the same being taken by the Town Clerk. The Moderator announced that the polls for the election of officers were open and that balloting might proceed. At 4 o'clock p.m. the ap- pointed time the Moderator declared the polls closed. The names checked upon the lists numbered six hundred and fifty- five (655) and the ballots as counted from the ballot box numbered six hundred and fifty-five (655) and the register indicated 655. The following is the vote for Town Officers as . declared by the Moderator:
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Selectmen (to act as Overseers of Poor and Board of Survey)
Votes
Elected Frank W. Dayton had five hundred fifty-nine 559
Elected Arthur W. Eames had four hundred fifty-six 456 ·
Elected Carl S . Pettengill had five hundred fifty 550 ·
Percy P. Kidder had one hundred forty-eight
148
Charles F. Perry had one 1 ·
Blanks two hundred fifty-one
.
· 251
Assessor (Three Years)
Elected J. Howard Eames had five hundred thirty-three 533
Milton T. Holt had one 1
121
Blanks one hundred twenty-one
·
Town Clerk
Elected James E. Kelley had five hundred seventy-one . 571
Blanks 84
Treasurer
Elected Frank L. Eames had five hundred thirty-eight
538
Blanks one hundred seventeen
.
·
117
Collector of Taxes
Elected George W. Buck had five hundred sixty-eight
568
Blanks eighty seven
87
Constable
Elected Walter A. Hill had five hundred fifty-six
.
556
Blanks ninety-nine
99
.
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Fence Viewers
Elected Frank W. Dayton had five hundred twenty-nine 529 Elected Arthur W. Eames had four hundred twenty-five 425 Percy P. Kidder had one hundred eighty-nine 189
Elected Carl S. Pettengill had five hundred and five 505
Charles F. Perry had one 1
Blanks three hundred sixteen
316
School Committee (Three Years)
Charles C. Alden had two hundred ninety 290
Elected Howard M. Horton had three hundred twenty-six
326
Blanks thirty-nine 39
Trustees of Public Library (Three Years)
Elected Edward N. Eames had four hundred sixty-three 463
Elected Edward A. Woodside had four hundred ninety- six 496
Blanks three hundred fifty-one
351
Trustee of Public Library (Two Years to fill vacancy)
Elected Helen H. Buck had three hundred thirty-eight
338
Peter Neilson had one hundred ninety-two 192 ·
Blanks one hundred twenty-five
·
125
S. D. J. Carter Lecture Committee (Five Years)
Elected Mildred E. Neilson had four hundred ninety- nine 499
Blanks one hundred fifty-six ·
156
S. D. J. Carter Lecture Committee (Four Years to fill vacancy)
Elected Arthur F. Blake had five hundred and three 503
Blanks one hundred and fifty-two
152
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Trustee of Trust Funds (Three Years)
Elected Caleb S. Harriman had five hundred twenty-one 521
Blanks one hundred thirty-four 134
Tree Warden
Votes
Elected Oliver A. McGrane had five hundred forty-nine 549
Blanks one hundred and six 106
License Vote
Yes, two hundred sixteen . 216
No, two hundred ninety-two .
.
292
Blanks one hundred forty-seven . 147
After the declaration of the vote under Article 2 and administering the oath of office by the Moderator in open meeting to James E. Kelley as Town Clerk and to Frank W. Dayton, Arthur W. Eames and Carl S. Pettengill as Selectmen, Overseers of Poor and Board of Survey, and to Howard M. Horton as School Committee for three years, the Moderator announced that the meeting was adjourned until Monday, March 13th at 8 o'clock p.m. at the Grange Hall, Wildwood Street.
At the appointed time the meeting was called to order by the Moderator and Article Three read.
Article 3. On motion-Voted that a committee of three be appointed by the Moderator to bring in a list of names as nominations for the several offices to be filled under the article. The Moderator appointed Edward M. Neilson, Maurice P. Gallagher and Edward L. Roberts as said committee, who submitted the following list:
Field Drivers
Michael J. McMahon
Ernest R. Currier
Albert D. Butters Edward W. Taylor
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Surveyors of Lumber, Wood and Bark
Herbert C. Barrows Thomas T. Sidelinker James E. Kelley Arthur W. Eames
Frank L. Eames Edward N. Eames S. R. McIntosh Harry R. Deming
Walter L. Hale
Measurers of Leather
J. Arthur Taylor
Harry R. Deming Arthur F. Blake
Public Weighers
J. Arthur Taylor Fred W. Carter Walter L. Hale
Harry R. Deming Arthur F. Blake W. Warren Carter
Common Committee (Three Years)
Caleb S. Harrison
and on motion-Voted that the Clerk cast one ballot for the list, which was done, and the nominees were declared elected.
Article 4. Mr. Edward N. Eames reported for the Com- mittee on Permanent Memorial and requested the committee be continued, and an extension of another year granted, and it was so voted.
Mr. Frank M. Tiffany reported for the Committee on Street Railway which was accepted.
Wilmington, Mar. 7, 1922
Moderator and Voters,
Town of Wilmington, Mass.
Citizens;
At the Annual Town Meeting of March 14, 1921 under Article 28, it was voted that the Moderator appoint a Com- mittee of five to investigate and consider the advisability of opening up the electric road from Perry's Corner, Hudson Corner via Wildwood Street, Woburn Street and Church
26
Street. The undersigned acting as Chairman immediately started such inquiries as might lead in a way to ascertain the conditions of the system at these points, and did make several calls upon the Superintendent of the Eastern Massachusetts Trolley System with the direct idea of arranging a meeting with the Committee appointed by the Moderator. After several attempts to bring this about we received no encour- agement from the trolley officials, although they promised at several times to come to Wilmington and look over the ground with the idea of rebuilding the road, putting it in shape, and extending the lines to North Wilmington.
Inasmuch as no results could be obtained from the Trolley people, Mr. Tiffany of the Committee and myself made a personal inspection and went over the present road and its equipment, and after due deliberation found it in such a condition that it would not warrant any spending of money by the town that would accomplish the desired results.
A proposition that we intended to bring before this Com- mittee was on a rental basis from the Trolley Company, and run the cars ourselves or arrange for the Trolley Company to do so, but as stated above we could not get the trolley people to give us attention, therefore, we considered that the results that might be obtained even if the road was put in good con- dition, would not be the desired transportation that should be given to the citizens of Wilmington, including the transporta- tion of the school children and the public in general. Therefore, we decided to drop the matter and look into some other means of transportation that would be of interest to the taxpayers of the town. Therefore, under Article 28 and in accordance with the vote, we have no other authority than to make a report upon the proposed use of the old trolley system, but we do wish at this time to offer suggestions which we hope will be taken up further by the town relative to this transportation matter which is of vital importance to all concerned. There- fore, we tender this as our report and ask for the discharge of the Committee.
Respectfully, CHARLES J. SARGENT, Chairman For the Committee
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Mr. Tiffany then read an extended and comprehensive report in regard to the matter of Bus Transportation as follows:
Wilmington, Mar. 7, 1922
Mr. Moderator and Voters,
Town of Wilmington, Mass.
Gentlemen;
Inasmuch as it appears that the abandoned trolley system does not meet with any favor with the Committee appointed to investigate a means of transportation, we as a Committee have gone into the matter of investigation and inquiring as to such modes of transportation as in vogue in other cities and towns in New England, and beg to offer this Meeting at this time such suggestions and information that we have been able to acquire, and trust it will be of interest to everyone concerned, particularly those who have children attending school, and that immediate action be taken relative to ways and means to provide for transportation on the lines recom- mended by this Committee.
In order to bring this about, we would suggest that a new Committee be appointed and it include the Selectmen, Super- intendent of Schools, and two or more citizens. For this reason, if any action is taken on the suggestion, it will require the expenditures of some monies and would need careful con- sideration, therefore, we would suggest that the above Com- mittee be composed of town officials that have more or less to do with the finding and spending of all monies.
The mode of transportation in suburban towns where it has in the past been done by loops or branch lines from trolley systems is being discarded in about every city that we have visited. As a matter of fact the trunk or through lines are the only ones that are operating. We mean by this such lines as from Reading to Lowell or Reading to Lawrence. The side lines are being discontinued as the officials claim they have not, been on a paying basis.
28
The trunk lines or through lines are cutting down their running time where trips are made only one an hour and some cases once in two hours and some once in three hours. We cite for your information lines in Connecticut where they are operating from Putnam to New London one in two hours, Bridgeport to Shelton one an hour. You can see by this that the trolley system as a matter of quick conveyance is being discarded and simply using lines for through connections on slow schedule.
The Committee find that a great many towns in New England are using bus transportation, and we yet fail to find a city or town that it has proved a failure. Some towns report that it about pays for itself, but they get the accommodations; other cities and towns state that they are making money. However, it seems that the bus transportation is the coming way of getting to and from trains and accommodation of general public and particularly getting the children to school.
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