Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1939-1940, Part 10

Author: Wilmington (Mass.)
Publication date: 1939
Publisher: Town of Wilmington
Number of Pages: 388


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1939-1940 > Part 10


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The Meeting then adjourned until March 11, 1940.


Attest:


WILLIAM S. CAVANAUGH,


Town Clerk


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Record of Proceedings of the Adjourned Annual Town Meeting Held March 11, 1940.


The meeting was called to order by the Town Clerk at 8:00 P. M.


Due to the resignation of the Moderator Pro-tem, Mr. Ralph R. Currier, nominations were in order for a Moderator pro-tem for this meeting.


On motion of Mr. H. C. Barrows it was voted to instruct the Town Clerk to cast one ballot for Mr. Harold E. Melzar as Moderator pro- teni who was duly declared elected and sworn by the Town Clerk.


The Moderator Pro-tem proceeded to take up article 2.


Article 2. On motion of Mr. H. C. Barrows it was voted that a committee of three be appointed by the Moderator Pro-tem to bring in list of names as nominations for the several offices to be filled under this article.


The Moderator appointed the following committee: Mr. Charles Perry Mr. Joseph P. Ring Mr. Gardner Richie


The following list was submitted as nominations.


Field Driver


Charles D. Reilly


Surveyors of Wood, Bark and Lumber


Wilfred A. Andrews Frank Patch


Harry R. Deming Herbert C. Barrows


Arthur W. Eames


Measurer of Leather


Lawrence W. Harriman Bernard F. Ring


T. Reginald Frotton Paul Chisholm


Public Weighers of Merchandise


Edward Haskell


Harry R. Deming Algot L. Osterman Clifford Gates


Walter L. Hale, Jr. Arvid G. Simpson Clayton F. Lyon Fred W. Carter


John Fleming


Cemetery Commissioner (Three years)


David Martin


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On motion it was voted that the report of the committee be ac- cepted and adopted and the nominees be declared elected.


Article 3. Report of Committees.


Report of the Committee on Water Extensions


The assignment made to this committee is rather a difficult problem to solve. There are many factors to be taken into considera- tion in the extension of water mains, one of which is the fact that most of our populous settlements have been made at the extremities of the Town. The committee had a survey made of the excepted streets of the town and the distance on each street where there was no water main.


The estimated cost of completing water system on the present accepted streets would be somewhat in excess of $300,000.00. It is undoubtedly out of the question for the town to attempt at one time, the completion of such mains.


The committee has prepared a table showing each accepted street and the amount of extension necessary to complete the laying of water mains on that street. In order to get a clearer picture, each street was broken down into one thousand foot sections and the es- timated cost of extensions shown also. In addition, a survey was made showing the number of buildings in each one thousand feet and the approximate valuation thereof (allowance should be made for slight errors in numbers and valuations).


It would seem that the practical method of extensions would be to extend the mains on the streets where the valuation is highest in proportion to the cost of extensions and where the income to the department would be greater. This plan presents difficulties inas- much as a street might show a high valuation with low cost, but to reach this street it might be necessary to extend a main on another street where the cost would be very high. The committee found it difficult to recommend a plan that would be entirely satisfactory, but they submit the following for your consideration:


RECOMMENDATIONS


1. The Town should make an appropriation each year of ap- proximately $5,000.00 for the extension of water mains, or whatever amount the budget will permit.


2. That other things being equal, preference be given where there is a high valuation in proportion to cost, allowance being made for emergencies.


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3. If government assistance is available through W. P. A. or otherwise, that this assistance should be obtained for making water main extensions (note: the average cost runs about 55% material and 45% labor).


4. Instead of making one extension with the full amount ap- propriated, several shorter extensions could be made in dif- ferent sections of the town each year, which would more nearly equalize the extensions.


5. That these recommendations be turned over to the Planning Board and the Board of Water Commissioners, and that they be jointly responsible for making recommendations of future extensions to the Town Meetings.


The committee wishes to express its thanks to the employees of the Water Department and the Assessors for the assistance in preparing these charts and table.


Respectfully submitted,


LOUIS T. McMAHON, PAUL E. TODD, WM. A. WITHERSPOON, LAWRENCE M. FOLEY, DANIEL H. ROSS.


Mr. Louis T. McMahon, chairman of the committee on water ex- tensions, made the above report.


On motion of Samuel F. Frolio it was voted that the report of the committee be accepted.


The committee appointed to supervise the construction and equipment of a schoolhouse in the Silver Lake District has made an interim report which is set out in the printed Annual Report of the Town Officers. The committee desires further time in which to com- plete grading of the grounds and landscaping.


On motion of Mr. William P. Curtin it was voted to accept the report of the committee and that further time be granted.


Article 4. On motion of Frank W. Dayton it was voted that the several and respective sums as recommended by the Finance Com- mittee be raised and appropriated for the purpose set forth in Article 4. Each item to be taken up and voted on separately and subject to amendment.


The following sums were raised and appropriated under this article :


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General Government


Selectmen:


Salaries


$650.00


Expenses


50.00


Town Accountant:


Salary


800.00


Expenses


50.00


Treasurer :


Salary


800.00


Expenses


1,000.00


Tax Collector:


Salary


1,500.00


Expenses


1,000.00


Assessors:


Salaries


1,700.00


Expenses


300.00


Finance Committee


Expenses


75.00


Town Counsel:


Salary


300.00


Expenses


200.00


Town Clerk:


Salary


400.00


Expenses


50.00


Election and Registration :


Salaries and expenses


1,000.00


Town Hall


750.00


Constable Salary


50.00


Planning Board:


Expenses


50.00


$11,400.00


Protection of Life and Property


Police Department:


Salaries


7,052.00


Expenses


948.00


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Fire Department:


Salaries


5,900.00


Expenses


2,500.00


Hydrant rental


5,600.00


Inspector of Buildings:


Salary


300.00


Expenses


50.00


Board of Appeals:


Expenses


50.00


Sealer of Weights and Measures:


Salary


250.00


Expenses


80.00


Moth Department


1,700.00


Tree Warden


800.00


Health and Sanitation


2,500.00


Public Health Nurse


1,000.00


$28,730.00


Highways Roads and Bridges


Highways General Account:


Amendment by Frank W. Dayton it was voted to include the Snow Removal account with the Highway General Account.


Highway General


$15,000.00


Road Machinery Account


2,000.00


Chapter 90 Maintenance


2,000.00


$19,000.00


Charities and Aid


Public Welfare


$10,000.00


Aid to dependent Children


5.000.00


Old Age Assistance


20.000.00


State aid


200.00


Military Aid


100.00


Soldiers Relief


3,000.00


Education


Schools


74,000.00


Vocational Training


500.00


$38,300.00


$74,500.00


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Miscellaneous


Library


1,000.00


Street Lights


7,700.00


Parks


400.00


Unclassified


800.00


Cemetery


On amendment by Louis McMahon it was voted to appropriate $2,750.00 for cemetery purposes, of which $2,000.00 to be raised by taxation and $750.00 transferred from the Cemetery Reserve Account. Interest $11,906.25


To be raised as follows:


By Taxation


$2,790.25


Transferred from Water Revenue


9,116.00


Reserve Fund


5,000.00


Maturing Debt


To be raised as follows:


By taxation


$19,900.00


Transferred from Water Revenue


4,000.00


$23,900.00


Water Department


On motion of Herbert C. Barrows it was voted that the appropria- tion for 1940, the receipts of the water Department and unexpended balance of which the sum of $9,116.00 be applied to credit of Interest Account and the sum of $4,000.00 to the credit of Maturing Debt.


Article 5. On motion of Herbert C. Barrows it was voted to lay Article 5 on the table until Article 16 had been disposed of.


Article 6. On motion of Frank W. Dayton it was voted that the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of 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, 1940, and to issue a note or notes therefore payable in 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, Chapter 44 of the General Laws.


Resolution : On motion of William Curtin it was voted to adopt the following resolution: Resolved: That it is the sense of this meeting that in the selection of future W.P.A. projects, that the Selectmen invite


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the Planning Board to aid them in the choice of Projects and that the Projects so selected be then submitted to the voters of the Town for their acceptance or rejection.


Article 7. On motion of Charles H. Black it was voted that the sum of $1,290.78, this being the Town's share of the net cost of care, maintenance, and repair of the Middlesex County Tuberculosis Hos- pital, including interest on temporary notes issued therefor and in- cluding Chapter 400, Section 25 G (6) (a) of the Acts of 1936, be and said sun is hereby appropriated.


Article 8. On motion of Jerome J. O'Leary it was voted that the sum of $480.83 (Four Hundred, eighty dollars and eighty-three cents) be raised and appropriated to pay for effecting insurance providing indemnity for the protection of the officers and employees of the Highway, Police and Cemetery Departments of the Town against loss by reason of their liability to pay damages to others for bodily injuries including death, at any time resulting therefrom, caused by the operation within the scope of their official duties of employment of motor vehicles owned by the Town to an amount not exceeding Five Thousand dollars ($5,000.00) on account of injury or death of one person, in accordance with the provisions of section 5, Chapter 40 of the General Laws as amended.


Article 9. On motion of Edwin J. Twomey it was voted that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00) for the observance of Memorial Day and that the Moderator appoint a Committee who shall have charge of the observance. The moderator appointed the following: Commander Ernest Cail, Commander Ora Smith, of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars respectively, Mrs. Ethel Buck, President of the American Legion Auxiliary, Mrs. Sadie Howe, President of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, John Simpson of the G.A.R., Justice Balser, President of the Wilmington Ex-Service Men's Club, John Doyle, John Joyce, Edwin Twomey, Chester Nichols, Joseph McMahon, Herbert Higgin- botham, Frank Poitrast and Joseph Kelley.


Article 10. On motion of John D. Cooke it was voted to authorize a Committee composed of the Board of Selectmen, Town Treasurer, and Tax Collector, to sell on any terms which the Committee may deem for the best interests of the Town, any and all property taken by foreclosure proceedings or otherwise; however, due notices of the contemplated sales are to be published in the local paper before any property can be sold, and the Selectmen further be authorized to execute any and all documents necessary to carry out the purposes of this vote.


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Article 11. On motion of Samuel F. Frolio it was voted to lay Article 11 on the table until Article 19 had been disposed of.


Article 12. On motion of Charles H. Black it was voted that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) to indemnify John Reagan, a member of the Town Fire Department, for expenses sustained by him while acting as a Fireman.


Article 13. Herbert C. Barrows moved that Article 13 be in- definitely postponed. At this time, Fire Chief Edwin Day, gave a vivid description of the mechanical inefficiency of the present Reo Fire Truck, where upon Herbert C. Barrows withdrew his motion.


On motion of Jerome J. O'Leary it was voted to raise and ap- propriate the sum of Seventy-Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500.00) for the purchase of a new Fire Engine and to meet the appropriation thereby raised in the levy of the current year the sum of Fifteen Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) and the Town Treasurer with the ap- proval of the Selectmen be authorized to borrow the sum of Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00) and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor, said bonds or notes to be paid in not more than five (5) years or such earlier dates as the Treasurer and Selectmen may determine. The turn-in value of the old engine may be applied to the cost of the new engine. Standing vote required-169 in affirmative; 0 in negative.


Article 14. On motion of Herbert C. Barrows it was voted that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for the purpose of indemnifying police officers and firemen of the Town and other persons designated in General Laws, Chapter 41, Section 100, as amended, for expenses or damages heretofore or hereafter sustained by them within the preview of said statute, during the current year, said sum to be expended by the Selectmen from time to time in their sole and uncontrolled discretion, any amounts required for such purposes, up to the total amount of such appropria- tion to be transferred from time to time as needed from the Excess and Deficiency Fund.


Article 15. On motion of Herbert C. Barrows it was voted that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of Four Hundred and Seventy-Five Dollars ($475.00) to erect portable stands on the athletic field of the Town Park.


Article 16. On motion of Thomas Andrews it was voted that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of Three Thousand Seven Hun- dred Dollars ($3,700.00) for the purpose of extending the water main easterly along Lowell Street from its present terminus near the re-


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sidence of Mr. Dupont to West Street thence northerly along West Street to or near the residence of Mr. Christopher.


Article 5. Was taken from the table at this time and acted upon.


On motion of H. C. Barrows it was voted that there be raised and appropriated the sum of Twelve Thousand Dollars ($12,000.00) for the necessary expenses in connection with the Works Progress Adminis- tration Projects or other Work Relief Program. With provisions that no funds be used from other Town Funds for W.P.A. purposes.


Article 17. On motion of Samuel F. Frolio it was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for the purpose of having the Board of Assessors issue an Assessed Valua- tion Book.


Due to the doubting of the vote, a standing vote was taken. 127 in the affirmative, and 59 in the negative.


Article 18. On mnotion of Samuel F. Frolio it was voted to lay Article 18 on the table until Article 11 was disposed of.


Article 19. On motion of Susan T. Esler it was voted to pass this article.


Article 11. On motion of Charles H. Black article 11 was taken from the table and it was voted that there be appropriated the sum of Two Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty-six Dollars ($2.646.00) from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to constitute a fund for insurance of the Town Property, from which all Insurance for Protection against loss by fire, shall be paid, said appropriation to be expended by the Selectnien; and further, that any returned premiums be paid into said Excess and Deficiency Fund.


Article 18. On motion of Susan T. Esler to distribute the Town Insurance equally among its Insurance Agents or Brokers of the Town, the motion was lost.


Article 20. On motion of Samuel F. Frolio it was voted to pass the article.


Article 21. On motion of Edwin Twomey it was voted to pass the article.


Article 22. It was moved by William H. Feindel that the Town vote to require the Board of Water Commissioners to hold its Board meetings in a Town owned building. The motion was lost.


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Article 23. This article was ruled out by the Moderator.


Article 24. On motion of Herbert C. Barrows it was voted to install four electric lights on Woburn Street from the corner of Woburn and Eames Street to the Woburn line, and that it be left to the discretion and direction of the Board of Selectmen as to the location of these lights.


Article 25. On motion of Herbert C. Barrows it was voted to pass the article.


On motion of Charles H. Black it was voted to adjourn.


There were 344 registered voters present.


Attest :


WILLIAM S. CAVANAUGH,


Town Clerk.


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TOWN WARRANT


Special Town Meeting Held June 10, 1940


To Harry J. Ainsworth, a Constable of the Town of Wilmington:


Greetings :- 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 Tenth day of June next at 8:00 P.M. to consider and act on the following articles :


Article 1. To see how much money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the following items (in addition to the amounts already appropriated therefor respectively at the Annual meeting) : Public Welfare, Soldier's Relief, Police Department, Selectmen's Expenses.


Article 2. To see if the Town will vote to accept King Street or any part thereof as laid out by the Board of Selectmen or do any- thing in relation thereto.


Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to accept Williams Ave. or any part thereof as laid out by the Board of Selectmen or do any- thing in relation thereto.


Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to accept Jones Ave. or any part thereof as laid out by the Board of Selectmen or do any- thing in relation thereto.


Article 5. To see if the Town will authorize the purchase of a motor truck for the Highway Department and appropriate any sum therefor to be paid from the Highway Road Machinery Fund and/or transferred from the general account of the Highway Department or do anything in relation thereto.


Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to adopt the following By-law. There shall be an annual audit of the Town's accounts under


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the supervision of the Director of Accounts of the Department of Corporations and Taxation in accordance with the provisions of Sec- tion 35 Chapter 44, General Laws.


Article 7. To see if the Town will appropriate $1,000.00 or any other amount to the reserve fund from the payment received from Insurance Carriers for fire damage to cemetery building, or do anything in relation thereto.


Hereof fail not and make due return of this WARRANT, or a a certified copy thereof, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, as soon as may be and before said meeting. Given under our hand and Seal of said Town this FIRST DAY OF JUNE, A.D. ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED AND FORTY.


CHARLES H. BLACK, FRANK W. DAYTON, JEROME J. O'LEARY,


Selectmen of Wilmington.


June 3rd, 1940


Middlesex ss;


This is to certify that I this day posted attested copies of this WARRANT in accordance with the By-Laws of the Town of Wil- mington. Harry J. Ainsworth, Constable of the Town of Wilmington.


Attest:


WILLIAM S. CAVANAUGH,


Town Clerk.


Record of Proceedings of Special Town Meeting Held June 10, 1940


In accordance with the foregoing Warrant, the Special Town Meeting was called to order by the Moderator. The Warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk when upon motion by James Castine, it was voted to dispense with further reading except the Constable's return, which was duly read by the Town Clerk.


Article 1. Motion by Jerome J. O'Leary that the Town raise and appropriate for each of the following items (in addition to the amounts already appropriated therefor respectively at the annual Meeting) the following sums respectively, each item to be taken up and voted on separately and subject to amendment:


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Public Welfare


$5,000.00


Soldier's Relief


1,000.00


Police Department


500.00


Selectmen's Expenses


100.00


Mr. Herbert C. Barrows reported for the Finance Committee that they had not had sufficient time to call a public hearing and act on the various articles in the warrant, therefore, they had no report to make at this time.


The moderator ruled that various articles in the warrant calling for appropriations could not be acted upon at this meeting and re- commended that this meeting be adjourned until some later date.


On motion of John Reagan it was voted to lay article 1 on the table until article 7 had been disposed of.


The Moderator ruled that the remaining articles in the warrant could be acted upon at this meeting.


Article 2. On motion of Micheal H. Barry it was voted to accept as a public street that portion of King Street extending about eight hundred and eight (SOS) feet northeasterly from Glen Road to Garden Street as laid out by the Board of Selectmen.


Article 3. On motion of Frank W. Dayton it was voted to accept as a public street that portion of Williams Avenue extending about six hundred and ninety-three (693) feet northeasterly from Main Street as laid out by the Board of Selectmen.


Article 4. On motion of Jerome J. O'Leary it was voted to ac- cept as a public street that portion of Jones Avenue extending about seven hundred nineteen (719) feet northeasterly from Glen Road as laid out by the Board of Selectmen.


On motion of Frank W. Dayton it was voted that this meeting stand adjourned until Monday, June 24, 1940.


There were 114 registered voters present.


Attest:


WILLIAM S. CAVANAUGH,


Town Clerk.


31


Record of Proceedings of Adjourned Special Town Meeting Held June 24, 1940


The meeting was called to order by the Moderator at 8:00 P. M. The Moderator proceeded to take up Article 1.


Mr. O'Leary withdrew his motion on Article 1 as presented at the previous meeting.


Article 1. On motion of Jerome J. O'Leary it was voted that $4,000.00 be raised and appropriated for Welfare purposes and that the Finance Committee be requested to transfer $1,000.00 from the Reserve Fund to Public Welfare, and that the sums of $1,000.00 to Soldier's Relief, $100.00 to Selectmen's expenses, and $500.00 to Police Expense Account be requested to be transferred from the Reserve Fund.


Article 5. On motion of Frank W. Dayton it was voted to author- ize the Selectmen to purchase a motor truck for the Highway Depart- ment and that the sum of $1,500.00 be and is hereby appropriated therefor to be paid out of the Highway Road Machinery Fund and any balance which said fund may not be sufficient to cover to be transferred from the general account of the Highway Department.


Article 6. To adopt the following By-laws: There shall be an annual audit of the Town's accounts under the supervision of the Director of Accounts of the Department of Corporations and Taxa- tion in accordance with the provisions of Section 35, Chapter 44, General Laws.


On motion of Charles H. Black it was voted to pass the article.


Article 7. On motion of Louis T. McMahon it was voted that the Town appropriate the sum of $1,087.12 (Ten hundred, eighty seven and 12/100 dollars) to Cemetery Fire Damage Account, this being the amount received from Insurance Company for repairs of fire damage to Cemetery Building.


There were 77 Registered Voters present.


Attest:


WILLIAM S. CAVANAUGH,


Town Clerk.


32


Warrant for Special Town Meeting July 29, 1940


To Harry J. Ainsworth. Constable of the Town of Wilmington:


Greetings :- 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 Twenty-ninth Day of July next at 8:00 P.M., to consider and act on the following articles:


Article 1. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of constructing an addition with furnishings therefor to the High School Building including a com- bined auditorium and gymnasium and equipment therefor, or do any- thing in relation thereto.


Article 2. To see if the Town will vote to rescind the action taken at the last annual meeting making the extension of water main easterly along Lowell Street, which was voted under Article Sixteen of the warrant for said meeting. a W. P. A. project, and provide instead that the work be done with town labor under the supervision of the Board of Water Commissioners, or do anything in relation thereto.


Article 3. To see how much money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the Road Machinery Account (in addition to the amount already appropriated therefor at the annual meeting).


Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to appear by the Town Counsel before the Department of Public Utilities of the Commonwealth and to advocate, by petition or otherwise as they may be advised. that the classification of this Town under the Schedule of Rates and Charges of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company be changed so as to bring this Town within one of the groups therein provided for in the Metro- politan Boston District, or do anything in relation thereto.


Hereof fail not and make due return of this Warrant, or a certi- fied copy thereof, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, as soon as may be and before said meeting.




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