USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > Wilbraham annual report 1946-1950 > Part 10
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Legislation for the extension of the Quabbin Water System into the Chicopee River area was passed in the spring of 1947. Preliminary plans were formulated for the extension of this system to the City of Chicopee. From the preliminary plans, it appeared that Quabbin Water could be delivered to Wilbra- ham, that a substantially higher head could be obtained than from the Ludlow System or the Little River System of the City of Springfield and that the charge per million gallons for this water might be favorable to Wilbraham. On advice of our Engineer, the delivery of all materials was held up pending complete and final information relative to the Quabbin supply.
Planning of the development of the Quabbin supply has been completed, and an offer has been made to the Town of Wilbraham with favorable rates. Under the plan, the elevation of the Quabbin supply at the point of delivery to the Wilbraham system on Miller Street will be 75 feet higher than water taken from the Little River supply during times of heavy draft, and 57 feet higher than the Ludlow reservoir supply.
The laying of the necessary pipe lines from the Quabbin Reservoir will be completed early in the year of 1950.
The Quabbin water supply has been investigated as to its desirability from temperature, taste and odor viewpoint and the Board feels that it compares favorably with the Spring- field Little River supply.
Meetings were held with the Board of Water Commisson- ers of the City of Springfield relative to their increasing pressures
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in the East Springfield area and recreasing water rates. The City of Springfield Water Commissioners could give us no en- couragement as to any reduction in water rates in the next 20 to 30 years. Springfield charges $80.00 per million gallons for Little River water and $70.00 for Ludlow water. While they hope to increase pressures in the East Springfield area, no definite plans have been made.
The Board of Water Commissioners recommends that the proposal submitted by the Metropolitan Water Commission be accepted by the Town and articles have been included in the warrant for the February 2, 1948 Annual Town Meeting to vote on this proposal. If this is accepted by the Town, a saving of approximately $18,000 for standpipe and shared cost of laying pipe in the City of Springfield would be saved to apply toward further extension of the voted main on Stony Hill Road.
With the completion of the laying of 8" pipe on Boston Road to Stony Hill Road, along Stony Hill Road and along Springfield and Faculty Streets from Stony Hill Road to Main Street and the proposed connection with the Quabbin supply. adequate water and pressure will be available for fire protection in the existing distribution system in Wilbraham and no stand- pipe will be needed.
In order to avoid possible catastrophe in Wilbraham, a temporary connection was made during 1947 to the Spring- field Water System on Wilbraham Road at the Springfield- Wilbraham Town Line. This connection has increased fire protection and pressures throughout all areas of Wilbraham except the Boston Post Road.
It is proposed by the Board of Water Commissioners, while recognizing that the connection will be for only a period of about two years if the Town votes to contract for Quabbin water, to make a temporary connection with the Springfield System at the Boston Post Road and Stony Hill Road and to lay the 8-inch Boston Post Road main early in 1948. This will increase the water available in the Boston Post Road area and provide more adequate fire protection for this area during the interim before the connection to the Quabbin System.
The following is a copy of proposal from the Metropolitan District Commission.
November 10, 1947
Albert L. Martin, Chairman Board of Selectmen Town of Wilbraham
Town Hall, Wilbraham, Mass.
Dear Sir:
Chapter 575 of 1947 removed all obstacles in the way of a supply of water from Quabbin Reservoir to municipalities in
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the Chicopee Valley, and paved the way for an agreement be- tween the Metropolitan District Commission and the Town of Wilbraham and other towns to which such a supply can be made available.
The Special Commission's report which resulted in this legislation was published as House Document 1667 of the year 1947, and you are, I believe, familiar with this report. Since it was published the Commission has had surveys made along the line of the proposed Chicopee Valley Aqueduct. These have made little or no material change in the location of the proposed aqueduct, as shown on the plan facing Page 18 of the report. The only noteworthy difference is an improvement in the elevation of the District's proposed distributing reservoir in Ludlow which would establish the grade for serving Wilbraham. The recent surveys indicate the possibility of raising this about 15 feet to a maximum flow line, Elevation 425 above Boston City Base.
It is estimated that the District will have to spend about $3,100,000 to construct the necessary works. This will bring water to the north end of the Town's present 10-inch supply main in Ludlow. The District would own the aqueduct and the connecting line up to Wilbraham's meter, and would bear all cost of maintenance and operation. The District would own the meter.
The District is, of course, prepared to go ahead only if the large City of Chicopee is to be included among its customers. There is every reason to believe that Chicopee and the District can come to an agreement.
The rates which are offered are as follows:
In each of the first ten calendar years following the first use of the completed works, $67 per mil. gals .; subject to a reduction in each year thereafter to 50c until it is reduced to $45 per mil. gals .; and subject further to a guaranteed minimum annual total of $2,000 per year.
These figures are based on September 1, 1947, prices and the Commission is willing to make an agreement on this basis before the end of the year which would enable construction to get started next spring and water to be delivered in 1950. If the making of sufficient and suitable agreements with potential customers is unduly delayed, the Commission reserves the right to make a readjustment of the rates taking into considera- tion any substantial increase in construction costs.
I trust this matter can receive prompt attention by the Town.
Very truly yours,
WILLIAM T. MORRISSEY Commissioner.
KRK:Car c.c. Mr. Bond
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TOWN WARRANT
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden, ss.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Wilbraham in the County of Hampden:
GREETING:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Wilbraham qualified to vote in town affairs to meet in Grange Hall in said town on Monday, the second day of February next at 9 o'clock A. M. to bring in their votes for town officers and act on the following articles. The polls will open at 9 A. M. and may be closed at 6 o'clock P. M. All business of said meeting and election of town officers except the election of such officers and the determination of such matters as by law are required to be elected or determined by ballot shall be considered after 10 o'clock A. M.
Article 1. To choose a moderator to preside in said meet- ing.
Article 2. To choose a Town Clerk, a Town Treasurer, Tree Warden for the ensuing year, one Selectman for three years who shall be a member of the Board of Public Welfare, one Assessor for three years; five Constables for the ensuing year; one Auditor for the ensuing year; one School Committee member for three years; Town Collector for the ensuing year, one Cemetery Commissioner for three years; one Water Com- missioner for three years, one Water Commissioner for two years; one Library Trustee for three years; one Playground Commissioner for three years; one member of the Planning Board for five years. All on one ballot. Also all other town officers.
Article 3. To hear and act on reports of the Selectmen, Board of Public Welfare, Treasurer, School Committee and other officers.
Article 4. To fix the compensation of all elected Town Officers for the ensuing year.
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Article 5. To raise such sums of money as may be deemed necessary for defraying the expenses of the Town for the ensuing year and appropriate the same and vote how the same shall be raised.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1948, and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of $6,900. or any sum for the maintenance of Chapter 81 roads, provided that the State contribute toward the same, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 81, General Laws, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury the sum of $6,900. or any sum for the maintenance of Chapter 81 roads (an amount equal to and in addition to the amount appropriated under article 7), to meet the State's share of the cost of the work, the reimbursement from the State to be restored upon receipt to unappropriated funds in the treasury.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,200. or any sum for the maintenance of Chapter 90 roads, provided the State and County contribute toward the same, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 90, General Laws, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treas- ury the sum of $2,400. for the maintenance of Chapter 90 Roads or any other sum (in an amount which will be double and in addition to the amount appropriated under Article 9) to meet the State and County shares of the cost of the work, the reimbursement from the State and County to be restored upon receipt to unappropriated available funds in the treasury.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $6,100. or any sum for the improvement or rebuilding of Chapter 90 Roads, provided the State and County contribute toward the same, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 90, General Laws, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the
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treasury the sum of $18,300. for the improvement or rebuilding of Chapter 90 Roads, or any other sum (in an amount which will be triple and in addition to the amount appropriated under Article 11) to meet the State and County shares of the cost of the work, the reimbursement from the State and County to be restored upon receipt, to unappropriated available funds in the treasury.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public way the street now known as Hunting Lane (formerly known as Merrick Avenue) as shown on a plan of Merrick Park recorded in Hampden County Registry of Deeds in Book of Plans Z at page 43, and beginning at the intersection of said road and Ripley Street and running easterly for a distance of 1700 feet more or less, and being 50 feet in width throughout its. entire length, to the intersection of said road and Main Street, or any portion thereof, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,750. or any sum, to defray the expense thereof, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public way the street now known as Merrill Road, and shown on Plan of "The Foot Hills" owned by Bessie R. Belcher, Merrill & Sears, Civil Engineers, Springfield, dated June 12, 1941 and recorded in Hampden County Registry of Deeds, 20-81, beginning on the easterly side of Main Street and running easterly, northerly and westerly to Main Street for a distance of 1600 feet more or less, or any portion thereof, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $750. or any sum to defray the expense thereof, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public way the street known now as Ridgewood Road, and shown on Plan of Lots owned by George P. and Mildred P. Rice by Cobb, Beesley and Miles, Engineers of Springfield, Mass, dated September 1946, starting at Springfield Street and running southerly for a distance of 700' more or less and being 50' in width throughout its entire length, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $650. or any sum to defray the expense thereof, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treas- ury the sum of $8,000. or any sum to be spent by the Water Department for additional household and business installa- tions of water service, the cost of which is collected by the Town from the individuals or concerns requesting the installa- tions, and which is returned to surplus funds, or take any action relative thereto.
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Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,000. or any sum to extend the water main on Stony Hill Road southerly for a distance of one thous- and feet, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to rescind so much of the vote passed under Article 3 of the warrant for special town meeting held March 1, 1947, as provided for the payment to the City of Springfield of such part of the cost of laying pipe in Springfield as may be necessary to supply ade- quate water to new connections; to abandon the construction of a stand-pipe on municipally owned land on Main Street, and to appropriate the sum of $800 or any sum to pay for engineering costs in connection with the cancellation of the order for the stand-pipe, to authorize the Water Commissioners or the Board of Selectmen to contract with the Metropolitan District Com- mission, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on behalf of the In- habitants of the Town of Wilbraham under terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed upon by the said Water Commis- sioners or Board of Selectmen and said Metropolitan District Commission for the town's water supply, to be furnished when the said Commission's local water supply installation is com- pleted; and to expend the balance of the $55,000 appropriated under Article 3 of the warrant for the special town meeting held March 1, 1947, including the loan balance, for that work voted under said Article 3 which is not rescinded herein.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury the sum of $1200. or any sum to pay to the garbage collection contractor the amounts received by the Town Col- lector from garbage collection subscribers, said receipts to be restored as received by the Town Collector to unappropriated available funds in the Treasury, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 20. To see what disposition the Town will make of the Dog Tax of 1947.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $5,500. or any other sum for a Reserve Fund, this amount to be transferred from the Overlay Surplus Account.
Article 22. To see if the Town will authorize the Select- men to institute or defend suits and employ counsel for the purpose of protecting the interests of the Town, or take any action relative thereto.
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Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from available funds in the treasury the sum of $15,000. for the purchase of war bonds that are legal investments for savings banks, to add to the established post-war rehabilitation fund, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 5 of the Acts of 1943, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to sell at public auction, after first giving notice of the time and place of sale by posting such notice of sale in some convenient and public place in the Town, 14 days at least before sale, property taken by the Town under tax title pro cedure, provided that the Selectmen, or whomsoever they- authorize to hold such public auction, may reject any bid which they deem inadequate, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to take immediate steps toward holding the annual town meeting separate from annual elections, and to have said meetings held at night, and also to start action for precinct voting at town elections, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to accept the report of the committee appointed under Article 28 of the last annual town meeting to study the matter of the burial of the dead at the expense of the town, and to take any action relative thereto.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to rescind the vote passed at the annual town meeting held April 1, 1872, under Article 8 of the warrant calling said meeting, reading as follows: "Voted, that hereafter, all the dead be buried at the expense of the town, both for the use of the hearse and for digging the grave, and that the charge for going with the hearse be subject to their regulation"; adopt any new vote in lieu thereof, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to rescind the vote passed at the annual town meeting held February 3, 1947 under Article 29 of the warrant calling said meeting, reading as follows-"Voted to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000 to lay out and construct a sidewalk, with or without curbs, on Boston Road from Chapel Street to the No. 8 school, North Wilbraham".
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $18.75 (an annual recurring expense) or any sum to establish a street light to be placed on Main Street at or near its intersection with Hunting Lane, formerly known as Merrick Avenue, or take any action relative thereto.
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Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $213.98 to pay an outstanding bill to Koppers Company, Inc. for asphalt, said bill contracted in 1947 and for the payment of which there was not sufficient funds in the 1947 appropriation when the bill was received.
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to accept the report of the School Survey Committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen, to carry out the provisions of Article 10 of the Special Town Meeting of June 3, 1947.
Article 32. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Board of Selectmen to call a special town meeting at Fisk Hall, Wilbraham Academy at 8 P. M. on February 27, 1948, to further consider the report of the School Survey Committee and to make recommendations to the Board of Selectmen on the type of plans to be developed and selection of architect, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 33. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500 or any sum to pay for the cost of publishing in booklet form the town by-laws, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 34. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $250 or any sum to be expended under the direction of the Tree Warden for equipment and material for poison ivy control along the public highway with, the equipment to be used and the material applied under the direction of the Tree Warden by citizens of the town who have volunteered their services for the purpose, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 35. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $742 or any sum to be expended by the Board of Selectmen for the preparation of final detail plans and specifications for connecting the town's West-Wilbraham sewage system to the sewage system of the City of Springfield, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 36. To transact such other business as may properly come before said meeting.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof, one at the Post Office at Wilbraham and one at the Post Office at North Wilbraham and one at Glendale Church, seven days at least, before the time for holding said meeting. Hereof fail not and make due return of
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this warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk on or before the time for holding said meeting.
Given under our hands this 5th day of January in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and forty-eight.
ALBERT L. MARTIN IRVING J. CORDNER J. LORING BROOKS, JR.
Selectmen of Wilbraham ยท
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Report of Annual Town Meeting FEBRUARY 3, 1947
In accordance with the Warrant as posted, the voters of the Town assembled in the Parish House, North Wilbraham.
Article 1. Frank Auchter was elected moderator by ballot. He was sworn in by the Town Clerk. William F. Logan was sworn in as Warden and Ernest L. Bacon as Constable. Ballot Clerks and Tellers sworn were Lillian E. Thompson, Eva M. McCombe, Wanda Gurski, Helen S. Laurino, Helen S. Newell, Clifford Bradway, Filomene M. Gilbert and Mary L. Lynch. Ballot box registered 0000. The polls were closed at six o'clock, P.M., the total ballot was as follows: Precinct A - 103; Precinct B-108; Precinct C-87. Total 298.
Article 2. Minor officers elected :
Pound Keeper Jerry Donohue
Measurers of Wood and Charcoal Walter Clark Robert W. Welch
Surveyors of Lumber
Walter Clark J. Wilbur Rice
Field Drivers
Jerry Donohue John B. Tupper Norman Thurlow Weighers of Grain
Henry Clark Victor Patnode
Article 3. Voted to accept the reports of Selectmen, Board of Public Welfare, Treasurer, School Committee and other officers.
Article 4. Voted that compensation for elected Town Officers be fixed as follows: Town Clerk-$100.00 per year and fees; Town Treasurer-$650.00; Town Collector-$900.00; Tree Warden-$1.00 per hour (includes use of car;) Selectmen, two members $400.00 per year, Chairman $450.00; Assessors $.75 per hour for office work and $1.00 per hour for field service (includes use of car); Constables no yearly salary, fee only; Auditor-$100.00 per year; School Committee-$50.00 per year each; Cemetery Commissioners-no salary, $.75 per hour for time spent at work; Water Commissioners-$75.00 per year each; Library Trustees-no salary; Planning Board Mem- bers-no salary; Playground Commissioners-no salary.
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Article 5. Voted the following appropriations :
Aid to Agriculture.
$
25.00
Aid to Dependent Children
1,500.00
Assessors' Expense
900.00
Board of Health
1,500.00
Building Inspector's Expense.
150.00
Cemeteries.
1,200.00
Dental Clinic.
600.00
Elections Expense
200.00
Fire Department.
4,300.00
Forest Warden's Appropriation
300.00
Gypsy Moth
700.00
Highways, Miscellaneous.
4,500.00
Highway Safety Committee-Expense
-Protectionof School
children
600.00
Insurance and Bonding
1,000.00
Interest
50.00
Liquor Law Enforcement
100.00
Legal
700.00
Memorial Day
100.00
Old Age Assistance
12,500.00
Parks
250.00
Planning Board .. -($600.00 and $400.00)
1,000.00
Playground Commissioners
1,200.00
Police
100.00
Printing Annual Reports
781.50
Public Welfare
5,000.00 150.00
Road Machinery Account
1,000.00
Selectmen's Contingent.
750.00
Schools.
87,130.00
Soldiers' Benefits
2,500.00
Street Lights.
3,400.00
Town Collector's Expense
800.00
Town Clerk's Expense
200.00
Town Officers and Employees Salaries.
7,200.00
Town Offices and Town Buildings-Rent and Maint.
1,000.00
Treasurers' Expense.
430.00
Tree Warden's Expense
700.00
Water Bonds & Interest
4,200.00
Water Department-Maintenance
7,650.00
Well Child Clinic.
600.00
$158,916.50
(* $400.00 returnable to treasury)
50.00
Library (Plus Dog Tax)
1,900.00
Registrars' Expense.
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Article 6. Voted unanimously to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1947 and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
Article 7. Voted unanimously to raise and appropriate the sum of $6,900.00 for the maintenance of Chapter 81 roads, provided that the State contribute toward the same, in accord- ance with the provisions of Chapter 81, General Laws.
Article 8. Voted unanimously to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury the sum of $6,900.00 for maintenance of Chapter 81 roads to meet the State's share of the cost of the work, the reimbursement from the State to be restored, upon receipt, to unappropriated funds in the treasury.
Article 9. Voted unanimously to raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 for the maintenance of Chapter 90 Roads, provided the State and County contribute toward the same, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 90, General Laws.
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