USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Treasurer's report of the receipts and expenditures, 1959, 1964, 1975, 1977 > Part 2
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1959
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HAMPDEN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
1959
The sixty-third annual report of the County Commissioners made under the provisions of Chapter 35, Section 26 of the General Laws, Tercentenary Edition, referring the taxpayers to the County Treasurer's report for specific details.
We have taken action on the following cases which were pending January 1, 1959:
In the matter of the petition of the United States of America for legally closing that portion of the public way known as Brook St., to be discontinued and abandoned is no longer necessary and that the same be and is hereby discontinued and abandoned, said discontinuance and abandonment to include the land beginning at the westerly side line of West Street and extend westerly 4200 feet more or less to its terminus approximately 450 feet easterly of the Ludlow-Chicopee line. No dam- ages having been claimed, none were awarded. All damages sustained by reason of the discontinuance and abandonment of said portion of Brook Street in Ludlow shall be paid by the Town of Ludlow.
In the matter of the petition of the United States of America for legally closing that portion of the public way known as Moody St., Ludlow, it was ordered and decreed that the portion of Moody St., to be discontinued and abandoned is no longer necessary and that the same be and is hereby discontinued and abandoned, said discontinuance and abandonment to include the land beginning at the southerly side line of Brook Street and extend southeasterly 1290 feet more or less now form- erly of Herman E. Tolman et ux. No damages having been claimed,
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HAMPDEN COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S REPORT
none were awarded. All damages sustained by reason of the discontiu- ance and abandonment of said portion of Moody Street in Ludlow shall be paid by the Town of Ludlow.
In the matter of the petition of the United States of America for legally closing that portion of the public way known as West Street, Ludlow, it was ordered and decreed that the portion of West Street to be discontinued and abandoned is no longer necessary and that the same be and is hereby discontinued and abandoned, said discontinuance and abandonment to include land beginning at a point opposite the division line between land of United States of America and land now or formerly of Peter Buczoki, approximately 800 feet northerly of Nash Hill Road and extend northerly 7800 feet more or less to a point 750 feet more or less southwesterly of Fuller Road. No damages having been claimed, none were awarded. All damages sustained by reason of the discontinu- ance and abandonment of said portion of West Street in Ludlow shall be paid by the Town of Ludlow.
A final decree was filed in the matter of the petition of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Chicopee for specific repairs and treatment under Chapter 90 Construction on Mckinstry Avenue in Chi- copee, and for aid. It was decreed that repairs (construction) be made and completed to the satisfaction of the County Commissioners and the County of Hampden shall pay to the City of Chicopee a sum not to exceed $3,000.00 towards the repairing (construction) of same. All damages sustained by any person by reason of said repairs (construc- tion) shall be paid by the City of Chicopee.
On the petitions of the Selectmen of the Town of Granville for layout, relocation, alteration and/or construction and specific repairs on Main Road and Old Westfield Road, and for aid, it was decreed that repairs (construction) be made beginning at end of section of road improved in 1955, about station 356+00 and extend westerly to about station 403+00 on the Main Road; and beginning at a point about 1500 feet southerly of Westfield line, about station 186+00 and extend
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HAMPDEN COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S REPORT
southerly to about station 165+00 on Old Westfield Road; said repairs (construction) to be made and completed to the satisfaction of the Coun- ty Commissioners. It was ordered that the County of Hampden pay to the Town of Granville a sum not to exceed $5,000.00 towards the re- pairing (construction) of these roads. All damages sustained by any person by reason of said repairs (construction) on these roads shall be paid by the Town of Granville.
A layout-relocation decree was filed in the matter of the petition of the Selectmen of the Town of Longmeadow for location of so much of highway included within what is commonly known as West Chest- nut Street or East Longmeadow Road, lying in Longmeadow. All damages sustained by any persons by reason of said layout and relocation on this road shall be paid by the Town of Longmeadow.
On the petition of the Selectmen of the Town of Southwick for layout, relocation, alteration and/or construction and specific repairs on Feeding Hills Road, was decreed that construction repairs be made be- ginning at station 100+00 extending in an easterly direction to about station 165+00. It was decreed that said construction repairs be made and completed to the satisfaction of the County Commissioners and the County of Hampden to pay to the Town of Southwick a sum not to ex- ceed $10,000.00 towards the repairs (construction) of same. All damages sustained by any person by reason of said repairs (construction) shall be paid by the Town of Southwick.
A decree/order was filed dismissing without prejudice the petition of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Springfield for relocation reconstruction, etc., on Monsanto Avenue. In a subsequent petition, funds allocated were transferred and made available for use on Berkshire Avenue.
Inhabitants of the City of Westfield, Petitioners, for discontinuance of a portion of an old wood road called Gillett Road in the City of Westfield - upon the request of the petitioners that the petition be
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HAMPDEN COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S REPORT
withdrawn, it was decreed/ordered that the petition be and the same hereby dismissed without prejudice.
On the petition of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Westfield for layout, relocation, alteration and/or construction and speci- fic repairs on Union Street, and for aid, it was decreed that construction repairs be made beginning at Elm Street, about station 120+00 and extend easterly to about station 100+00. It was decreed that said con- struction repairs be made and completed to the satisfaction of the County Commissioners and the County of Hampden shall pay the City of Westfield a sum not to exceed $5,500.00 towards the construction repairs of this road. All damages sustained by any person by reason of said repairs (construction) shall be paid by the City of Westfield.
An Order and Decree discontinuing a portion of Springfield Street in the Town of Wilbraham was field in the matter of the petition of the Selectmen of the Town of Wilbraham. No damages having been claimed, none were awarded. All damages sustained by reason of the discontinuance of said portion of the way known as Springfield Street in Wilbraham shall be paid by the Town of Wilbraham.
An Order and Decree discontinuing a portion of Old Ludlow Road in the Town of Wilbraham was filed in the matter of the petition of the Selectmen of the Town of Wilbraham. No damages having been claimed, none were awarded. All damages sustained by reason of the discontinu- ance of said portion of the way known as Old Ludlow Road in Wilbra- ham shall be paid by the Town of Wilbraham.
Sixty-two petitions were filed during the year 1959 and we have taken action on them as stated below:
The following petitions were filed for specific repairs and aid, and on each we ordered specific repairs made; a sum not exceeding a specified amount to be paid to the Town upon completion of the repairs
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HAMPDEN COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S REPORT
satisfactory to the County Commissioners; and, all damages sustained by any person by reason of said repairs shall be paid by the Town:
Agawam-Springfield Street, 200 feet $4,000.00
Westfield Street, 7,128 feet; West Street 8,450 feet; Southwick Street, 8544 feet; Silver Street 2100 feet; South Street, 5,000 feet; Suffield Street, 1,567 feet; Westfield Street, 2000 feet
Blandford-Cobble Mountain Road, 7300 feet 2,000.00
North Blandford Road, 12,200 feet;
Brimfield-Warren Road, 8082 feet; Brookfield Road, 1,500.00
3000 feet; Warren-Sturbridge Rd., 4000 feet;
Chester-East River Road, 8000 feet; Chester Hill Road, 1,500.00 7666 feet; Middlefield Road, 2200 feet;
East Longmeadow-Elm Street, 8070 feet 1,000.00
Granville-Main Road, 27,380 feet 1,500.00
Hampden-Springfield Street, 3717 feet; Wilbraham Road, 1,000.00
7300 feet; Scantic Road, 1665 feet
Hampden-Drainage Work on Main Street, 60 feet 300.00
Holland-Brimfield Road, 1000 feet; Mashapaug Road, 1,000.00
4500 feet; Sturbridge Road, 2800 feet
Longmeadow-Williams Street, 13,191 feet 2,000.00
Ludlow-North Street, Rte #21, 1000 feet; East Street, 1,500.00
4800 feet; Miller Street, 2400 feet; Tilley Street, 800 feet; West Street, 2650 feet; Rood Street, 2600 feet
Monson -- Wales Road, 1,330 feet; Granite Street, 200 feet; 1,000.00 Wilbraham Road, 700 feet
Montgomery-Main Road, 10,400 feet 1,000.00
Montgomery-Jason Road, 300 feet 300.00
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HAMPDEN COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S REPORT
Palmer-Park Street, 2300 feet; Bridge Street, 507 feet; 2,500.00
North Main Street, 4854 feet; Belchertown Road, 2440 feet; Ludlow Road, 7500 feet; East Main Street, 6228 feet; Bondsville Road, 19,900 feet; Thorndike Street 11,200 feet; Forest Lake Road, 13,250 feet; Whipple Bridge, ; High Street, 2,835 feet; Central Street, 720 feet; Palmer Road, 6,233 feet; Bridge Street, (Three Rivers) 750 feet; West Warren-Ware Road, 5,889 feet; Commercial Street, 1,050 feet; (Thorndike) Springfield Street, 1,460 feet; Main Street (Three Rivers), Main Street (Thorndike) 479 feet; South Main Street, 1,400 feet
Russell-Montgomery Road, 3,600 feet; Gen. Knox Road, 1,500.00 5,000 feet; Main Street, 500 feet; Blandford Road, 3,900 feet; Dickinson Hill Road, 2,000 feet
Southwick-So. Longyard Road, 800 feet; Feeding Hills 1,300.00 Road, 1,514 feet; Sheep Pasture Road, 2,350 feet; Granville Road, 5,300 feet
Tolland-West Granville Road, 8,635 feet 700.00 Wales-Stafford Road, 1,450 feet; Hollow Road, 1,500 feet 500.00
Wilbraham-Stony Hill Road, 8,900 feet; Old Boston Road, 1,500.00 2,000 feet; Springfield Street, 3,200 feet; No. Main Street, 5,500 feet
The following petitioners were filed for layout, relocation, altera- tions and/or construction, specific repairs, and aid, and on each we have ordered specific repairs (construction) made; a sum not exceeding a specified amount to be paid to the Town/City upon completion of the repairs (construction) satisfactory to the County Commissioners; and, all damages sustained by any person by reason of said repairs (construc- tion shall be paid by the Town /City:
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HAMPDEN COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S REPORT
Blandford-North Blandford Road, 4,400 feet
$4,500.00
Brimfield-Monson Road, 1,300 feet 4,000.00
Chester-Blandford and Middlefield Roads, 4,925 feet 4,500.00
Chicopee-Fuller Road, 5,820 feet 15,000.00
East Longmeadow-Shaker Road, 2,100 feet 3,900.00
Granville-Main and Old Westfield Roads, 4,300 feet
3,700.00
Hampden-Chapin Road, 2,400 feet 2,650.00
Holland-Stafford Road, 700 feet 2,000.00
Monson-Hampden Upper Road, 3,100 feet
6,200.00
Montgomery-Carrington Road, 1,500 feet
2,500.00
Russell-Old Westfield and Pine Hill Roads, 1,900 feet 1,500.00
Springfield-Bradley Road, 5,054 feet 42,500.00
Southwick-Granville Road, Route 116, F.A.S., 2,000 feet 3,100.00
Tolland-New Boston Road, 4,900 feet 3,450.00
Westfield-Union Street, 6,370 feet 13,000.00
West Springfield-Dewey Street, 4,950 feet 10,500.00
Wilbraham -- Monson Road, 4,075 feet 4,150.00
It was ordered and decreed that a portion of the way known as Old Bradley Road in the City of Springfield from Boston Road south- easterly 4,750 feet more or less, to the North Branch of Mill River, be discontinued. No damages having been claimed, none are awarded. All damages sustained by reason of the discontinuance of said portion of Old Bradley Road in the City of Springfield, shall be paid by the City of Springfield.
We gave notice and heard the parties interested and allotted County
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HAMPDEN COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S REPORT
monies for Chapter 90 construction work in the matter of petitions from the following Towns/Cities.
Agawam-North Street
$2,500.00
Holyoke-Southampton Road 19,650.00
Longmeadow-Converse Street
6,000.00
Ludlow-East and Plumley Streets - 6,200.00
Palmer-Thorndike Street, Route 32 5,750.00
Springfield-Berkshire Avenue 14,750.00
Wales-Hollow Road 2,000.00
The Selectmen of the Town of Montgomery filed a petition for lay- out, relocation, alteration and/or construction and specific repairs on Main Road and for aid, it appearing that a subsequent petition having been filed in which petition it was requested that funds allocated for this petition be transferred and made available for use on Carrington Road in Montgomery, it was ORDERED that said petition be and the same was dismissed without prejudice.
The Selectmen of the Town of Wales filed a petition for layout, re- location, alteration and/or construction and specific repairs on McBride and Mt. Hitchcock Road and for aid, it appearing that a subsequent petition having been filed in which petition it was requested that funds allocated for the petition be transferred and made available for use in the petition for Hollow Road in Wales, it was ORDERED that said petition be and the same was dismissed without prejudice.
W. Edwin Watkins of Wilbraham filed a petition for abatement of taxes on personal property at 31 Elm Street in Springfield, and it appearing that the abatement petitioned for having been voted by the Board of Assessors of the City of Springfield, it was ORDERED that said petition be and the same was dismissed.
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HAMPDEN COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S REPORT
The following petitions for abatement of taxes on real estate were removed to the Board of Tax Appeals:
Hazel Irene Mansfield, Petr, - real estate situated at Main Street at the corner of Colonial Village in the Town of Hampden, Mass. Hazl Irene Mansfield, Petr, - real estate situated at Main Street in the Town of Hampden, Mass., and known as the United States Post Office Building.
Taylor Realty Corporation, Petrs, - real estate situated on the north side of Taylor Street and on the east side of Dwight Street locally known as 435 Dwight Street in the City of Springfield, Mass.
We gave notice and heard the parties interested in the following petitions.
Westfield, Mayor and City Council, City of, Petrs, for alteration and reconstruction of Bridge No. 60.96 over tracks of N.Y., N.H., and H. Railroad at Notre Dame Street to conform to proposed reconstruction of said Notre Dame Street by the City of Westfield at this location.
Chicopee, Residents of the City of, Petrs, for layout as a public way of Burnett Road in Chicopee.
Agawam, Residents of the Town of, Petrs, for layout of Kirkland Street as a public way from that part of Kirkland Street now a public way, northerly, 500 feet more or less.
A petition was filed on December 14, 1959 by the Selectmen of the Town of Ludlow for layout, relocation, alteration, widening of Fuller Street from the intersection of Cady and Fuller Streets going north about 1000 feet more or less.
A petition was filed on December 14, 1959 by the Selectmen of the Town of Ludlow for layout, relocation, alteration, widening of Millet Street from the intersection of Miller and Plumley Streets going north about 1000 feet more or less.
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HAMPDEN COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S REPORT
A petition was filed on December 28, 1959 by the Selectmen of the Town of West Springfield for layout, relocation, alteration and/or construction and specific repairs on Ashley Avenue Bridge, and for aid.
A petition was filed on December 29, 1959 by the Selectmen of the Town of Russell for specific repairs on Great Bridge across the Westfield River, and for aid.
DAMS
Precipitation throughout Hampden County for the year 1959 was above average based upon records of the past 57 years. For the 57-year period ending 1958, the average total precipitation computes to be 43.84 inches per calender year. In 1959, the total precipitation was 49.36 inches. This is 5.52 inches above average. The total precipitation during the calender year was 45.50 inches.
All dams and dam sites situated in Hampden County, on record and known to the County Hydraulic Engineer, including dams and re- lated structures that have been discontinued and have waterways thru and around them were inspected at least once during the calender year of 1959.
From time to time throughout 1959, reports were submitted to the Board of County Commissioners in connection with inspections carried on in the various communities of Hampden County. These reports con- tained general information on each dam, as well as on old abandoned dam sites where a new structure could be rebuilt without too much difficulty for the purpose of impounding a sizeable pond of water.
Interlocutory Decrees were entered in which plans and specifications were approved authorizing work to be done in the matter of the follow- ing petitions relating to dams filed during the year:
Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Springfield, Petrs, for approval of plans and specifications for alterations and improve- ments to the outlet structures of both the Upper and Lower Van Horn Dams in the City of Springfield.
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HAMPDEN COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S REPORT
William W. Jurczyk, Inc, Petr, for permission to construct a dam and spillway on Bumstead Road in the Town of Monson, Mass.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Public Works, Division of Waterways, Petrs, for approval of plans and specifica- tions for the proposed reconstruction of the spillway at Alden Pond in the Town of Ludlow, Mass.
Holland, Board of Selectmen of the Town of, Petrs, for permission to complete the construction of the dam at Hamilton Reservoir and to build a new gatehouse in connection therewith - plans and specifications filed.
Strathmore Paper Company, Petrs, for repair of an existing mill dam across Agawam River at West Springfield, Mass.
No highways have been laid out by the Commissioners under the provisions of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, and no sums have been reimbursed the County as betterments.
The following petitions for assessment of damages against the Coun- ty of Hampden are still pending:
Edward J. McGurn, Jr.
William J. Wenk, et al
Estate of Dennis M. Crowley
Alfred J. Therrien et al
Romeo G. Verville et al
George L. Bennett et al
Kevort G. Choolgian (Ind.)
The following new petitions for assessment of damages were filed during the year:
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HAMPDEN COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S REPORT
Daniel E. Burbank
Joseph T. Mulcahy, Sr., et al
Raymond J. Mulcahy, et al
Lottie M. Gilman Bailey
An action of tort against the County of Hampden was filed during the year.
No applications have been made to the Department of Public Works.
During the year the following repairs have been made on the County Buildings:
Superior Court
On August 27, 1959, an award was made to John Payer, Inc., of Springfield, Mass., in the amount of $645.00 for the re-painting of the District Attorney's Office and Court Room #2 in the Superior Court Building.
On September 23, 1959, a contract in the amount of $2700.00 was awarded to Tebaldi Brothers of Springfield, Mass., for the construction of a new concrete sidewalk on the south side of Elm Street running from the easterly terminus of County property to the westerly terminus.
On October 21, 1959, an award was made to Tebaldi Brothers in the amount of $840.00 for the construction of additional parking spaces between the Superior Court Building and the Hall of Records Building.
On December 9, 1959, an award was made to John Payer, Inc., in the amount of $843.00 for the re-painting of Court Room#1 in the Superior Court Building.
District Court of Springfield
On December 2, 1959, a contract was awarded to C. J. Sullivan Inc.,
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HAMPDEN COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S REPORT
Holyoke, Mass., in the amount of $1,990.00 for repairs to the roof, District Court of Springfield Building.
District Court of Western Hampden
On January 7, 1959, an award was made to J. J. Sherlock, Westfield, Mass., for the construction of a Judge's Bench and Clerk's Bench, in the amount of $2,250.00.
Training School
On November 4, 1959, a contract was awarded to S. Louis Sca- votto, d.b.a. Cambridge Decorating Company, Springfield, Mass., for the painting of the exterior trim of the Main Building, Hampden County Training School, in the amount of $2,500.00
On December 2, 1959 ,a contract was awarded to Louis R. Tatro, d.b.a. Main Tile Co., Agawam, Mass., for repairs to the storage shed No. 69 consisting of a new wooden roof and asphalt roofing, amount of contract $2,940.00.
In addition, Rooms No. 5 and No. 8 at the Training School together with the four dormitories were painted at no cost to the County, labor having been furnished by inmates.
Jail and House of Correction
On November 4, 1959, a contract was awarded to Hampden Fence & Iron Works, Inc., Agawam, Mass., in the amount of $2,000.00 for installation and erection of 888.8 feet of Chain Link Fence at the Jail Farm in Agawam.
The following work was done by inmates at the Jail and House of Correction:
Re-painting and re-puttying windows of main cell block and west cell block in women's section.
Installation of new elbows and fittings on eave troughs.
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HAMPDEN COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S REPORT
Re-roofed house at Farm.
Re-painted three buildings at Farm. Re-painted all cells in tiers 3, 4, 7 and 8.
All repairs hereinbefore mentioned have been completed in a satis- factory manner in accordance with the terms of the various contracts and specifications set forth in the invitations to bid.
The following transfers were made to meet the expenditures which exceeded the amount appropriated.
From the account for Reserve Fund to the amount authorized by law for Superior Court Probation Office, Clerical Assistance, $200.00 From the account for Reserve Fund to the amount authorized by law for Probation Office Superior Court, $636.99.
From the account for Reserve Fund to the amount authorized by law for Unpaid bills of previous years, $77.04.
From the account for Reserve Fund to the amount authorized by law for Probation Office Superior Court, $318.48.
From the account for Reserve Fund to the amount authorized by law for County Aid to Agriculture, $626.18.
From the account for Reserve Fund to the amount authorized by law for Superior Court Probation Officer, $200.00.
From the account for Reserve Fund to the amount authorized by law for District Court of Springfield, $100.00.
From the account for Reserve Fund to the amount authorized by law for Training School, $2,940.00.
From the account for Reserve Fund to the amount authorized by law for District Court of Holyoke, $102.86, Clerk's Office.
From the account for Reserve Fund to the amount authorized by law for Training School, $63.01.
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HAMPDEN COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S REPORT
From the account for Reserve Fund to the amount authorized by law for Unpaid Bills of Previous Years, $73.00.
From the account for Reserve Fund to the amonut authorized by law for Training School, $5,123.61.
The following are the basic salaries of the County Officials prescribed by law:
Sheriff and Master
$ 9,200.00
Clerks of Courts
12,350.00
Assistant Clerk of Courts
9,262.50
Second Assistant Clerk of Courts 7,410.00
Third Assistant Clerk of Courts 6,792.50
County Treasurer 9,200.00
Register of Deeds 9,800.00
Assistant Register of Deeds 7,527.00
Second Assistant Register of Deeds
5,525.00
County Commissioners (3)
13,500.00
The sum of $500,000.00 was borrowed in anticipation of County Taxes for the year 1959, on April 22, 1959, at 1.725% discount, from the Valley Bank and Trust Company, Springfield, Mass.
$75,000.00 was borrowed April 15, 1959 for the Tuberculosis Hos- pital Account to be paid April 1, 1960. A split award of the $75,000.00 was made awarding a note to the Security National Bank of Springfield. Mass., in the amount of $37,500.00 and another note to the Valley Bank and Trust Company, Springfield, Mass., in the amount of $37,500.00; at the rate of 1.70 per cent discount. The notes are to be repaid by an assessment upon the cities and towns in the Hospital District (all cities
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HAMPDEN COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S REPORT
and towns in the County except Springfield comprise the Hospital Dis- trict ).
$10,000.00 was borrowed under the provisions of Chapter 35 Sec- tion 36-A on February 25, 1959 for re-equipping of the District Court of Western Hampden at its new location, City Hall, City of Westfield, Mass., a note was awarded to the Security National Bank of Springfield, Springfield, Mass., at the rate of 1.65% interest for a period of nine months.
The following is an inventory of the property of the County of Hampden December 31, 1959:
Court House, building and lot $650,000.00
Hall of Records, building and lot 500,000.00
Law Library (32,069) 177,212.00
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