USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1923-1924 > Part 2
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It being understood and agreed that the breaking down of the lines of said Light Board by the elements, accidents to its machinery or apparatus, or fire at its station, shall not be construed as a fault for which this contract shall be cancelled, but said Town shall be entitled to a proportionate rebate therefor.
Seventh-It is understood and agreed that if said Town at any time during the continuance of this contract takes the plant of said Light Board under the present law or any amend- ments of the same, that neither party shall be holden for the unexpired term of said contract, nor shall said contract or the
28
unexpired term thereof be in any way considered as an element of value.
Eighth-Said Light Board agrees that all its poles and wires on the streets of said Town shall be kept in proper order and condition and in such a manner as will insure public safety, and will assume such liability in connection therewith as is provided by law.
Ninth-It is understood and agreed that said Town shall grant to said Light Board all the necessary rights for the loca- tion of its poles, wires and other fixtures required by said Light Board for the installation and operation of the lamps contemplated by this Contract.
In Witness Whereof, said Town of Wilmington, by its Selectmen, authorized by vote of said Town duly passed at its meeting held March 13, 1922, and said Town of Reading, by its Municipal Light Board, hereunto set their names and affix the corporate seals of their respective Towns the day and year first above written.
Town of Wilmington, Massachusetts
(Seal)
FRANK W. DAYTON CARL S. PETTENGILL ARTHUR W. EAMES
1
Board of Selectmen
Town of Reading, Massachustts
(Seal)
WILLIAM G. LONG HERBERT G. EVANS HARRY P. BAKER
Municpal Light Board
The report of the Committee on Town Forest was deferred to be taken up later under Article 14 of the Warrant.
29
General Government
Article 5. On motion voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the several and respective sums recommended by the Selectmen, and that the motion be divided and put upon each item separately and subject to amendment.
Selectmen, salaries and expenses $850.00
Town Accountant, salary and expenses
650.00
Treasurer, salary and expenses 500.00
Collector, salary and expenses amendment made that the $300.00 be added to the recommendation : voted in the affirmative 1,800.00
Assessors, salary and expenses
1,250.00
Town Clerk, salary and expenses
220.00
Election and Registration, salaries and expenses
400.00
Town Hall, Janitor, fuel, light and repairs 400.00
Town Constable 50.00
Protection of Life and Property
Police Department 3,000.00
Fire Department 2,500.00
Suppression of Moths (compulsory $1,045.35), inci- dentals, telephone and insurance $225.00 1,270.35
Sealer of Weights and Measures . 200.00
Building Inspector, Amendment that $200 be the the amount, amendment carried 200.00
Tree Warden
1,000.00
Forest Fires
.
500.00
Health and Sanitation
Board of Health Agent's salary, quarantine wages, Inspector of Animals, Inspector of Meats and Provisions and vital statistics . 600.00
30
Highways
Highways, roads and bridges and snow removal 6,500.00
Under Chapter 81, error in recommendation, voted 7,125.00
Specific Repairs, $1,000.00 from State and County 500.00
Electric street lights
7,533.00
Charities
Care of Poor
3,200.00
Aid for Dependent Mothers
.
200.00
Town Indebtedness
.
2,250.00
Reserve Fund
2,000.00
Soldiers' Benefits
State Aid (appropriated)
400.00
Soldiers' Relief .
200.00
Education
Schools, including salaries, books and supplies,
repairs, fuel, furnishings, tuition at vocational schools, outside tuition, transportation, including estimated receipts of $7,900.00 .
39,500.00
Library
750.00
Cemetery
900.00
Unclassified, printing Town Reports and care of Town Clock 800.00
Interest on loans for general purposes . ยท
5,000.00
Harold Rogers Park .
15.00
Regan Park
.
.
15.00
.
Article 6. On motion voted: That $350.00 be raised and appropriated for the observance of Memorial Day, to be expended for that purpose under the direction of a Committee of eight. This committee shall consist of One Civil War Vet- eran, ex-officio, One Spanish War Veteran, Four World War Veterans, and Two from the Ladies' Auxiliary. The Moder-
31
ator appointed the following named persons to serve on said Committee :- Mrs. Rose T. Cavanaugh, Mrs. Florence I. Buck, Roger S. Buck, Claude W. Thompson, John J. Kenney, Ed- mund H. Sargent, Dr. Harold N. Eames and Milton T. Holt, ex-officio.
Article 7. On motion voted: That the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year, beginning January 1, 1923, and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year. Any debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the revenue of said financial year.
Article 8. Voted: To pay the Collector of Taxes 2% of his collections as his compensation for the ensuing year and that he collect the taxes according to law.
Article 9. Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of thirty dollars, ($30) for the upkeep of Regan Park and Harold Rogers Park, fifteen dollars to be spent on each Park.
Article 10. Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of one thousand ($1,000) dollars for Public Health Work.
Article 11. Motion: That the Town raise and appro- priate $200.00 and elect a Director, the money to be spent by said director in accordance with the conditions as set forth in the article. On being put to a vote the Moderator declared the motion carried. The vote was doubted and on a rising vote 75 voted Yes and 7 voted No, and the motion was declared carried.
Article 12. On motion voted :- that the salary of the Town Clerk be increased to $200.00.
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Article 13. Motion: That the membership of the School Committee be increased by the addition of three members, to be elected at the next annual election, by adding one to each class, and to hold office according to the tenure of the class, to which they are chosen. Amendment made that the Committee serve. without pay. The vote was taken on the amendment and declared in the affirmative. The vote was then taken on the original motion as amended and the vote was declared in the affirmative.
Article 14. Voted to pass by the article.
Article 15. Motion: That a Committee of Three, namely, Caleb S. Harriman, A. Chandler Manning and Clifford H. Wilson, be appointed. First, to determine what the water needs are at the High, Center, Walker and Whitefield Schools; second, to determine what is necessary to supply these needs, and prepare a plan and statement of costs, which they shall submit at a later meeting. Mr. Wilson declined to serve, and it was agreed with the mover of the motion that Mr. Harriman and Mr. Manning fill the vacancy by the choice of a third member. After some remarks on the question, on being put to a vote it was voted in the affirmative.
Article 16. Motion: That a committee of Three, namely, Arthur F. Blake, Charles C. Alden and Peter F. McMahon, with Chief Edwin L. Day of the Fire Department as an ex-officio member, be appointed :- First, to determine whether it is expedient for the Town to purchase additional fire ap- paratus at this time; second, to study the present and future needs of the department and to formulate plans for housing, location, etc., which the Town may have for future guidance,. said Committee to submit a report at a future meeting. Voted in the affirmative.
Article 17. Voted to pass by the article.
.
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Article 18. Letter read by Mr. Dayton in explanation of the usefulness and cost of a tractor, after which on motion it was voted to pass by the article.
Article 19. On motion voted to pass by the article.
Article 20. On motion voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $200.00 to purchase an Orchard Power Sprayer for the use of the Moth Department.
Article 21. On motion voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $2,000.00 under Chapter 90, Section 34 of the General Laws, to be expended under the direction of the Department of Public Works, for the continuance of the State Road on Salem Street.
Article 22. Motion made, to accept Swain Road from Taft Road to Forest Street, Voted in the negative.
Article 23. Voted to pass by the article.
Article 24. Voted to pass by the article.
Article 25. Motion made, to instruct the Selectmen to contract for Electric Lights to be installed on Swain Road as far as accepted. Moderator decided the vote on the same in the negative. The decision was doubted and on a rising vote 23 voted Yes and 53 voted No and the motion was declared in the negative.
Article 26. On motion: Voted to pass by the article.
Article 27. Motion made, That the Moderator appoint a Committee of Five to consider the question of additional school accommodations and report at a future meeting. Voted in the affirmative. Moderator appointed on said Committee, Louis T. McMahon, Walter H. Currier, Edward M. Neilson, Carl S. Pettengill and Mrs. Mary J. Daly.
34
Article 28. Voted to pass by the article.
Article 29. Voted to pass by the article.
Article 30. On motion voted: To increase the salary of the chairman of the Assessors $100.00.
Article 31. As the first item in the article could not be lawfully transferred, a motion was made that the sum of $88.00 Cemetery Lots Reserve Account, be transferred to Excess and Deficiency Account, voted in the affirmative.
James E. Kelley was sworn in as Town Clerk, Assessor and Measurer of Wood and Lumber, by the Moderator.
The meeting was then dissolved.
Attest: JAMES E. KELLEY, Town Clerk
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TOWN WARRANT
Special Town Meeting August 14, 1923
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex ss.
To Walter A. Hill, Constable of the Town of Wilmington, Greeting:
In the name of the Commonwealth you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said town who are qualified to vote in Town affairs to meet in the Town Hall on Tuesday, the fourteenth day of August next, at 8.15 o'clock in the afternoon, to act upon the following articles:
Article 1. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into a contract with the Department of Public Works, Division of Highways, for the construction of any State highway which may be laid out or constructed in the town during the present year.
Article 2. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $5000 for the purpose named in Article 1, and determine how the same shall be raised.
Article 3. To see if the Town will indemnify the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts against any and all claims for land, grade and drainage damages which may be caused by or result from the laying out, construction or reconstruction of any State highway in the town during the present year, and will authorize the Board of Selectmen to sign an indemnity agree- ment in behalf of the Town.
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Article 4. To hear reports of the committees on Memorial Library, Water for Schools, Fire Department improvements, and to act thereon.
Article 5. To see if the Town will authorize the School Committee to sell the North and East schoolhouses.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof seven days at least before the time of said meeting as prescribed in the By-Laws of said Town.
Hereof fail not and make return of this warrant with your doings thereon at the time and place of said meeting.
Given under our hands this sixth day of August, A.D., 1923.
CARL S. PETTENGILL ARTHUR W. EAMES CHARLES F. PERRY
Selectmen of Wilmington
Record of Proceedings of Special Town Meeting held August 14, 1923
Meeting called to order by the Town Clerk, the Warrant read, and as the Moderator was absent, a temporary Moderator was elected by ballot the check list being used; and on the ballots being counted, Mr. Herbert C. Barrows was elected temporary Moderator.
Article 1 was read and on motion it was voted that it be laid on the table and Article 2 be taken up.
37
Article 2. The following motion was then made by Mr. Carl S. Pettengill-That the sum of $5,000.00 be appropriated for the necessary costs and alterations in connection with the building of the State Road on Main Street, and that one thousand dollars of this sum be transferred from the present highway appropriation and that $4000.00 be raised by four notes of $1000.00 each; one to expire each year for the next four years. Report of the Finance Committee on the same then read by Mr. Louis T. McMahon, as follows:
Report of Finance Committee
Wilmington, Mass. August 14,1923
To the Citizens of Wilmington:
The Board of Selectmen presented for the consideration of this committee, the matter of raising funds to meet the demands of constructing a new piece of State road on Main Street.
The committee voted to recommend to the voters that the sum of $5000.00 be appropriated for this work.
There should be no question in anybody's mind that this piece of road has constituted a menace for a number of years, and that a permanent road is advisable and should be built at once.
During the last two years the Selectmen have tried their best to have the State take over this piece of road and build it anew, but were unsuccessful in getting any action, although several promises were made.
The State has now definitely assured them that they will start around September 1 and build a cement road connecting the terminals of the present state road. They will not touch the road, however, until the street railway tracks are removed from the center of the street to the side, and the present turn- out moved to the westerly side of the railroad crossing. The expense of moving these tracks is estimated at about $5000.00 and we will have to bear this burden. Every effort has been
38
made to have this expense borne by the state, the county, and the street railway company, but they have been unsuc- cessful. In the efforts made it was pointed out that under similar conditions the City of Lowell was obliged to spend $20,000 for removing tracks.
During the past few years we have been obliged to spend the greater part of $1000 each year in keeping this road passable and having spent it have nothing to show for it. By spending $1000 now for five years we will have a cement road with the cost of maintenance permanently removed.
We feel that the Town has been fortunate, considering the condition of this road and the amount of travel for the last few years, to have had no accidents with the resultant damage suits which might have cost the Town many thousands of dollars.
Considering these facts, and the possibility of securing the taking over of this road by the state without further delay, we consider it for the best interests of the Town to raise the money called for in this article.
Respectfully submitted,
FINANCE COMMITTEE
After some remarks, a vote was taken and the same was unanimous in favor of the motion. Motion then made to take Article 1 from the table, voted in the affirmative.
Article 1. Motion then made in words of the article, namely: That the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into a contract with the Department of Public Works, Division of Highways, for the construction of any State High- way which may be laid out or constructed in the town during the present year. Voted in the affirmative.
Article 3. On motion voted: That the Town will in- demnify the Commonwealth of Massachusetts against any and all claims for land, grade and drainage damages, which may be
39
caused by or result from the laying out, construction of recon- struction of any State Highway in the Town during the present year, and will authorize the Board of Selectmen, to sign an indemnity agreement in behalf of the Town.
Article 4. Report of Committee on Memorial Library was then read by Mr. Charles C. Alden, as follows:
To the Citizens of Wilmington :-
Your committee appointed to present plans for a Library as a permanent memorial for the Soldiers and Sailors of Wilmington who were engaged in the Great World War, beg to submit the following report:
Following out the plan of a new library, the committee visited several libraries in surrounding towns, and consulted with the State Librarian who was helpful with suggestions and photographs of various libraries.
Architects, who had built some of these buildings were called upon, and two of them submitted rough plans and sketches, with approximate costs. A building that would be at all acceptable would cost completed with furnishings, etc., around twenty-five or thirty thousand dollars.
The committee had to consider the following facts in making any recommendations:
1st-If we spent thirty thousand dollars at this time on a library, with the present cost of construction, our citizens would be rightly disappointed with what they got for their money.
2nd-That an expenditure of this size is going to add greatly to our taxes which are already about as high as we wish to have them.
3rd-That we have confronting us the problem of addi- tional school requirements with the resultant costs.
4th-That in the very near future we will be confronted with the question of a water supply, which will be a tremendous burden.
40
Considering these facts therefore the committee felt that we could do without a new library until such time as our town had grown and would be in a better position to assume such a debt, and
Voted .- That this was an inopportune time to consider such a project, and that the building of a library be postponed indefinitely.
The Committee are, however, strongly of the opinion that a Memorial should be erected which will bear the names of Wilmington's Soldiers and Sailors. To this end we propose to submit an article in the next annual warrant asking for funds to erect a rockery with an appropriate bronze tablet attached, in a park to be made at the head of the common. This memorial to suffice until some time as we can build a building that will be worthy of dedication to our Honored Sons.
Respectfully submitted,
L. T. McMAHON H. C. BARROWS C. C. ALDEN
After the reading of the report, on motion it was voted that the report be accepted.
The report of the Committee on Water for Schools, was then read by Mr. Louis T. McMahon as follows:
To the Voters of Wilmington:
The Committee appointed at the Annual Town Meeting to determine the water needs at the High, Center, Walker and Whitefield Schools, respectfully submit the following report:
Mr. H. C. Barrows was appointed as the third member, replacing Mr. Clifford C. Wilson, and upon Mr. Manning's resignation Mr. Louis McMahon was appointed to fill the vacancy.
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The Committee got in touch with the State Board of Health, and as soon as the snow left the ground we were furnished an engineer, Mr. Weston, with whom we went over the subject very carefully at all the schools, taking samples at Mr. McMahon's spring and Mr. Romain's well. Later the State Board of Health sent out their chemist, who made field tests at the above two places, the idea in mind being to locate a satisfactory supply of the required purity and amount to supply all four schools; also which could be used at some future date for a town supply.
To simplify this subject it is best divided into three parts: First: The location of the supply.
Second: The machinery and housing at the well or wells. Third: Piping the supply to the respective schools.
The location of the supply is the all important point, and this entails prospecting, which will cost money and is more or less of a gamble. We have talked with several contractors and engineers regarding this matter, and one of the two following systems seems the best-driven wells or deep rock wells. To make the proper prospecting tests an appropriation of $3000 should be voted.
We have examined the Reading water supply, and will be glad to answer any questions the voters wish to ask. Also have looked into the water supply of Mansfield, which consists of an open well twenty feet deep and thirty feet in diameter. They pump 600.000 to 1,000,000 gallons a day of the best water, and are most fortunate.
Providing the Town wishes to pursue further the matter and is willing to furnish the money for the prospecting work and we are fortunate in locating a satisfactory supply, we can then take up No. 2 and No. 3. These depend much on the results of No. 1.
Under No. 3 we advocate laying a pipe from the Walker to the Whitefield School, approximately 112 miles in length, and of sufficient size to form the beginning of a town water supply, first to supply the schools and later to supply water for home consumption. The congested parts of the Town are greatly
42
in need of a pure water supply, and we feel strongly this should have attention at once before we are forced by sickness to assume the responsibility.
A small driven well in the rear of the Whitefield and High Schools we suggest as a temporary arrangement to take care of the above two schools and the Center Grammar building. The outlook at the Walker building seems very poor to the Committee, ard we therefore do not recommend the expendi- ture of any money at this building for a temporary supply.
C. S. HARRIMAN L. T. McMAHON
After some remarks by Mr. Horton and Mr. McMahon, on motion, voted the report be accepted.
The Report of the Committee on Fire Department Im- provements, was then read by Mr. Arthur F. Blake, as follows:
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens:
Your Committee would recommend the purchase of a Four Tank Chemical Combination Equipment, mounted on a Reo Chassis, the same to have a chemical capacity of 140 gals. in four 35 gal. tanks which is about 31/2 times the capacity of the one now on duty.
As the great majority of fires are put out with chemicals, the efficiency of our department would be increased about the same ratio as above, as well as enabling the firemen to hold a fire in check while getting the pumping engine in position where water in sufficient quantity is available.
This truck has a complete equipment of ladders, axe, crowbar, lanterns, searchlight, alarm siren, etc.
Also, we recommend that an addition be made to the present firehouse on Church Street of suitable size to house the above truck, as well as space for a pair of horses in case of unusual winter conditions such as we experienced during the past winter.
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We believe the above additions to the present department would suffice for a considerable number of years and would therefore recommend that the sum of $4200.00 be appropriated at the next regular Annual Town Meeting in March for the above purpose.
Respectfully submitted,
A. F. BLAKE PETER F. McMAHON C. C. ALDEN
Committee
After the reading, on motion, voted the report be accepted.
Article 5. Motion made to pass by the article, after some discussion on the question on a vote being taken, it was voted in the affirmative.
On motion it was voted to adjourn.
Attest :
JAMES E. KELLEY, Town Clerk
BIRTHS REGISTERED IN THE TOWN OF WILMINGTON FOR THE YEAR 1923
No.
DATE OF BIRTH
NAME OF CHILD
NAMES OF PARENTS
1
January
8
Gertrude E. Murray .
2
1
January
14
Dorothy Cote.
Charles A. Doucette-Alphonsine Langlois
4
January
21
Walter Raymond Doucette .
Harold N. Eames-Ina G. Redgrove
6
January
23
Allan Sawyer, Jr ..
Allan Sawyer-Annie R. Frollo
7
January
24
Lawrence Cole.
Chester A. Cole-Ellen A. Ward
8
January
29
Emily Mary Babine.
9
February
4
Lewis Harvey Clark.
10
February
10
Emma F. Young . .
February
12
Ina Euella Hinxman
12
February
14
Verna Irene Taylor
Ralph A. Taylor-Myrtle E. Carter Edward H. Quimby-Esther P. Walker
13
February
15
Veronica Partricia Quimby
14
February
18
Warren Arthur White.
15
February
20
Roy Albion Fiske . .
16 17
March
3
Adeane Phyllis Chase
March
11
Marjorie Bernice Batchelder
18
April
5
Evelyn Anna McGown
19
April
6
Marilynn Helen Ellsworth
20
April
18
Irene Buck Ingalls
21
April
22
Katherine Stafford
22
May
1
23
May
2
Preston Mitchell Bent .
25
May
9
Thelma F. Bourbeaul.
26
May
19
Merlin Edwinson.
27
May
30
Margaret Elizabeth Hale .
28
June
2
Jean Macleod .
29
June
4
Terizia Mnolitney
30
June
9
Esther Minsky . .
31
June
12
Margaret Mary Surrette
32
June
15
33
June
18
Irene Ethel Smith
34
June
21
Ruth Cooney
35
June
28
- Di Donati
August G. Macleod-Gladys Harriman Demetri Mnolitney-Mary Dorofi Hyman Minsky-Fannie Weinstein Joseph W. Surrette-Mary H. Sharry Joseph M. Devane-Mary Julia Surrette Henry H. Smith-Sadie J. Goodman John J. Cooney-Mary A. Quigley Saverio Di Donati-Josephine Melluso
44
George W. Chase-Eva B. Buckman Oscar W. Batchelder-Dorothy Jaquith
Edward D. McGown-Pauline C. Rost 'Walter F. Ellsworth-Helen N. Taylor Milo L. Ingalls-Mabel Saunders Frederick S. Stafford-Helen M. Leary
Casimer Zengilowski-Amelia Rebiski
Joseph Zengilowski . Stillborn
24
May
6
Hugh Charles Murray-Mary Jessie Doucette
3
January
9
Catherine Elizabeth Overton
Robert Overton-Josephine Howe Wilfred P. Cote-Ardell A. Miller
5
January 22
Gwendalyn Mary Eames
Joseph P. Babine-Florence J. Surette
John Clark-Bertha Milbury Allan E. Young-Emma A. Martin |Roland E. Hinxman-Avis Manwaring
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