USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > Wilbraham annual report 1946-1950 > Part 17
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serves through traffic and not our own town. We have been attempting to develop a project with the Department of Public Works whereby the State and County would assume all or nearly all of the cost for a new bridge at this point. To date we have no definite results although precedents have been established for such financing of similar projects under like conditions. The Selectmen were so concerned about the safety of this bridge that they called in engineers for an inspection which disclosed the need of closing it pend- ing major emergency repairs. However, the bridge is now again structurally sound but the public hazard involved because of its narrow width and curving approaches can not be eliminated until such time as a new bridge has been constructed. The Selectmen have formally petitioned the
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County Commissioners seeking definite action on their part relative to this project.
SEWERAGE
The Selectmen have instructed the engineering firm of Tighe and Bond to prepare detailed plans and specifications for the purpose of discharging West Wilbraham's sewage into the Springfield system and securing Springfield's per- mission to do this. The existing system for this section of our town is now discharged into the Chicopee river.
GENERAL
Your town was given honorable mention in 1946 for its Town Report and in 1947 was awarded second prize. It is hoped that the State Judges will note further improve- ments in the 1948 report.
FOR THE FUTURE
With Wilbraham's current rapid growth, the town faces financial "growing pains" which will require the soundest planning and self-restraint if the town's stabilized and rea- sonable tax rate is to be maintained. As capital improve- ments become necessary, it is important to provide ade- quately for the town's foreseeable needs. It will be particu- larly necessary in the near future however, to defer many needed and meritorious projects for later attention if the town is to retain its long established conservative and sound fiscal policy. However, with a continuance of the fine coop- eration and excellent judgment which has been consistently shown by Town Meetings, the Financial Committee and all Town Officials, it will be possible to cope with the problems confronting us in an orderly and effective manner without undue fluctuations in tax rate.
Respectfully submitted,
IRVING J. CORDNER, Chairman J. LORING BROOKS, JR. CARL NELSON
Board of Selectmen
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Jury List
Name
Allen, Richard H.
Ardison, Robert J. Ayers, William R. Alberici, Aldo
Baier, Henry M. Barber, Charles O.
Bennett, Francis J.
Brassard, Joseph E. Bogue, Howard C. Backus, Charles J. Buchanan, Leslie B. M.
Baldwin, Joseph J.
Baker, George A.
Butler, Ray L.
Cohn, Frederick M.
Converse, Howard L. Clayton, Spencer D. Galas, Gawat Gebeau, Ellery C.
Grzebieniowski, Frank P. 5 Weston St., Ind. Or.
Harrington, Edwin C. Howes, Albert H. Jekot, John Krezesik, Stanley J. Kinney, Pearl R.
Los, Thaddeus
Lindberg, August Mobley, William L. Miller, Frederick W. Nietupski, Stanley Presz, Peter H. Paine, Earl H.
Langdon, Robert H. Reynolds, Mark E. Smith, George B. Stephens, Charles R. Twing, Garrison S.
Mail Address
403 Main St., W'ham
Elm Circle, No. W'ham Elm Circle, No. W'ham
Boston Rd., RFD 1, Spfld. Ser. Station Mgr.
Chemist
Poultryman
Salesman
Factory Foreman Chemist
RFD 2, Springfield Engineer Retired 31 Maple St., No. W'ham Elm Circle, No. W'ham 3256 Boston Rd., No. W. Mill Foreman Insurance Worker 16 Hunting Lane, W'ham 58 No. Mount. Rd., No. W. Armory Employee 36 Springfield St., W'ham Radio Monitor Mill Worker 21 Weston St., Ind. Or. 6 Springfield St., W'ham
Salesman Shoemaker
Chemist Draughtsman
Grinder
71 Stony Hill Rd., Ludlow Factory Operator 299 Stony Hill Rd.,
Retired
Traffic Inst. Mgr.
Sheet Metal Wrkr.
Banker Salesman Factory Foreman Retired
Insurance Agent
Manufacturer
RFD 1, Springfield 92 Old Boston Rd., Ludlow Factory Worker 1182 Glendale Rd., N. W. Printer 5 Springfield St., W'ham 566 Glendale Rd., N. W. 1063 Glendale Rd., N. W. Poultryman Machinest Manchonis Rd., N. W. 800 Stony Hill Rd.,
RFD 1, Springfield 207 Main St., No. W'ham 575 Main St., W'ham 12 Faculty St., W'ham 369 Main St., No. W'ham Vista Road, No. W'ham
Occupation
Prop. Mch. Co.
Insurance Worker Chemist
18 Ripley St., W'ham 1336 Tinkham Rd., W'ham Farmer Burts Lane, W'ham 20 Manchonis Rd., No. W. 2697 Boston Rd., No. W. Chapel St., No. W'ham 997 Tinkham Rd.,
283 Mountain Rd., W'ham 7 Orlando St., W'ham 131/2 Weston St., Ind. Or.
Factory Foreman ยท
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Report of Annual Town Meeting FEBRUARY 2, 1948
In accordance with the warrant as posted, the voters of the Town assembled in the Grange Hall, 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 Eva M. McCombe, Helen S. Newell, Wanda Gurski, Helen Laurino, Emma Bower, Mary Chapman, George E. Egan, Clara Brad- way and J. Roberts Doe. Ballot box registered 0000. The polls were closed at 7.30 p. m. The total ballot was as fol- lows :
ARTICLE 2. Minor officers elected :
Pound Keeper Jerry Donohue Measurers of Wood and Charcoal
Walter Clark Robert M. Welch
Surveyors of Lumber
Walter Clark J. Wilbur Rice
Field Drivers
Jerry Donohue John B. Tupper Norman Thurlow Weighers of Grain
Henry Clark Harlan Wheeler
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, $200.00 per year and fees; Town Treasurer, $750.00; Moderator, $25.00 An- nual Town Meetings, $15.00 Special Town Meetings; Town Collector, $900.00; Tree Warden $1.15 per hour (includes use of car) ; Selectmen, two members $500.00 per year, Chairman, $550.00; Assessors, $.90 per hour for office work and $1.15 per hour for field service (includes use of car) ; Constables, $.90 per hour when called on duty by Selectmen plus fees; Auditor, $100.00 per year; School Committee, $50.00 per year each; Cemetery Commissioners, no salary, $.90 per hour for time spent at work; Water Commissioners, $75.00 per year each; Library Trustees, no salary; Plan-
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ning Board Members, no salary ; Playground Commissioners, no salary; Poundkeeper, Field Drivers, Weighers of Grain, Surveyors of Lumber, Measurers of Wood and Charcoal (all town officers elected otherwise than on official ballot) fees only as fixed by General Laws.
ARTICLE 5. Voted the following appropriations : (Total $180,763.40). Aid to Agriculture, $25.00; Aid to Dependent Children, $2,300.00; Assessors' Expense, $1,100.00; Board of Health, $2,000.00 ; Building Inspector's Expense, $150.00; Cemeteries, $1,200.00; Dental Clinic, $900.00; Elections Ex- pense, $900.00; Fire Department, $4,500.00; Forest Ward- en's Appropriation, $500.00; Gypsy Moth, $700.00; High- ways, Miscellaneous, $7,500.00; Highways, Safety Commit- tee - Expense, $50.00; Highways, Safety Committee (Pro- tection of Children), $600.00; Insurance and Bonding, $1,100.00; Interest, $50.00; Legal, $600.00; Library (plus Dog Tax), $1,600.00; Liquor Law Enforcement, $100.00; Memorial Day, $150.00; Old Age Assistance, $14,500.00; Parks, $250.00; Planning Board, $900.00; Playground Com- missioners, $1,200.00 ; Police, $100.00; Printing Annual Re- ports, $890.00; Public Welfare, $8,500.00; Registrars' Ex- pense, $150.00; Road Machinery Operating Account, $1,250.00; Selectmen's Contingent, $750.00; Schools, $92,- 648.00; Street Lights, $3,400.00; Town Collector's Expense, $800.00; Town Clerk's Expense, $175.00; Town Officers and Employees Salaries, $7,750.00; Town Offices and Town Buildings - Rent and Maintenance, $800.00; Town Treas- urer's Expense, $430.00; Tree Warden's Expense, $750.00; Veterans' Benefits, $2,500.00; Water Bonds and Interest, $4,080.00; Water Notes and Interest, $2,783.00; Water De- partment - Maintenance, $9,200.00; Well-Child Clinic, $600.00; Wilbraham Contributory Retirement Fund, $332.40.
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, 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. Voted unanimously to raise and appropri- ate the sum of $6,900 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.
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ARTICLE 8. Voted unanimously to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treas- ury the sum of $6,900 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. Voted unanimously to raise and appropri- ate the sum of $1,200 for the maintenance of Chapter 90 Roads, provided the State and County contribute toward the same, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 90, Gen- eral Laws.
ARTICLE 10. Voted unanimously to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treas- ury the sum of $2,400 for the maintenance of Chapter 90 Roads (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 reim- bursement from the State and County to be restored upon receipt to unappropriated available funds in the treasury.
ARTICLE 11. Voted unanimously to raise and appropri- ate the sum of $6,100 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.
ARTICLE 12. Voted unanimously to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treas- ury the sum of $18,300 for the improvement or rebuilding of Chapter 90 Roads (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 treas- ury.
ARTICLE 13. Voted unanimously 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 intersec- tion of said road and Ripley Street and running easterly for a distance of 1500 feet, and being 50 feet in width throughout its entire length, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $750.00 to defray the expense thereof.
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ARTICLE 14. Voted unanimously to accept as 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, be- ginning on the easterly side of Main Street and running easterly, northerly and westerly to Main Street for a dis- tance of 1600 feet more or less, and being 50 feet in width throughout its entire length, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 to defray the expense thereof.
ARTICLE 15. Voted unanimously 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 feet more or less and being 50 feet in width throughout its entire length, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $650.00 to defray the expense thereof.
ARTICLE 16. Voted unanimously to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treas- ury the sum of $8,000 to be spent by the Water Department for additional household and business installations of water service, the cost of which is collected by the Town from the individuals or concerns requesting the installations, and which is returned to surplus funds.
ARTICLE 17. Voted (42-38) to postpone indefinitely ac- tion on this Article.
ARTICLE 18. Voted unanimously to rescind so much of the vote passed under Article 3 of the warrant for the spe- cial 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 adequate water to new connections; to abandon the con- struction of a stand-pipe on municipally owned land on Main Street, and to appropriate the sum of $800 to pay for engineering costs in connection with the cancellation of the order for the stand-pipe, to authorize the Water Commis- sioners or the Board of Selectmen to contract with the Metropolitan District Commission, Commonwealth of Mas- sachusetts, on behalf of the Inhabitants of the Town of Wilbraham under terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed upon by the said Water Commissioners 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 completed ;
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and to expend the balance of the $55,000 appropriated un- der 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. Voted unanimously to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treas- ury the sum of $1,200 to pay to the garbage collection con- tractor the amounts received by the Town Collector from garbage collection subscribers, said receipts to be restored as received by the Town Collector to unappropriated avail- able funds in the treasury.
ARTICLE 20. Voted unanimously to appropriate the Town's share of the 1947 Dog Tax to the use of the Library, in addition to the amount of $1,600.00 appropriated under Article 5.
ARTICLE 21. Voted unanimously to appropriate the sum of $5,500 for a Reserve Fund, this amount to be transferred from the Overlay Surplus Account.
ARTICLE 22. Voted unanimously to authorize the Select- men to institute or defend suits and employ counsel for the purpose of protecting the interests of the Town.
ARTICLE 23. Voted unanimously to transfer from avail- able funds in the treasury the sum of $15,000 for the pur- chase of United States Government Bonds that are legal investments for savings banks, to add to the established post-war rehabilitation fund, in accordance with the provi- sions of Chapter 5 of the Acts of 1943.
ARTICLE 24. Voted unanimously to authorize the Select- men 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 procedure, provided that the Selectmen, or whomsoever they authorize to hold such public auction, may reject any bid which they deem inadequate.
ARTICLE 25. Voted unanimously to instruct the Select- men to make a study of this Article and to bring it before the next Town Meeting.
ARTICLE 26. Voted to rescind the vote of April 1, 1872 passed at the annual Town Meeting under Article 8 of the warrant calling said meeting, as follows: "Voted, that here- after, all the dead be buried at the expense of the Town,
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both for the use of the hearse and for the digging the grave, and that the charge for going with the hearse be subject to their regulation."
ARTICLE 27. Voted unanimously that hereafter the ex- penses of opening and closing the graves of all persons who are residents of Wilbraham at the time of their death and whose burial takes place in any cemetery owned by the Town, or privately owned and located in Wilbraham, be borne by the Town and paid from the annual appropriations. made by the Town for the cemetery purposes, and it was further voted that the expense for opening and closing graves not exceed the sum of $25.00.
ARTICLE 28. Voted to table this Article, and to instruct the Selectmen to select a committee to give the matter care- ful study.
ARTICLE 29. Voted to establish a street light to be . placed on Main Street at or near its intersection with Hunt- ing Lane.
ARTICLE 30. Voted unanimously to raise and appropri- ate the sum of $213.98 to pay an outstanding bill to Koppers Company, Inc. for asphalt, said bill contracted in 1947.
ARTICLE 31. Voted to defer action on this Article to the special Town Meeting voted to be held February 27, 1948 at Fisk Hall, Wilbraham Academy.
ARTICLE 32. Voted to hold a special Town Meeting at Fisk Hall, Wilbraham Academy, at 8 o'clock p. m. on Feb- ruary 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.
ARTICLE 33. Voted unanimously to raise and appropri- ate the sum of $500.00 to pay for the cost of publishing in booklet form the Town By-Laws.
ARTICLE 34. Voted unanimously to raise and appropri- ate the sum of $250.00 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.
ARTICLE 35. Voted unanimously to raise and appropri- ate the sum of $742 to be expended by the Board of Select-
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men for the preparation of final detail plans and specifica- tions for connecting the Town's West-Wilbraham sewage system to the sewage system of the City of Springfield.
ARTICLE 36. Voted unanimously that all appropriations made at this meeting, unless otherwise provided for, be raised by assessment against the polls, personal properties and real estate of the Town.
Voted to direct the Selectmen to appoint a committee to confer with the various town boards and town officers un- der whose supervision laborers, workmen, mechanics and foremen are employed by the Town with an intention to classify such workers equitably in all departments and rec- ommend an equitable pay scale to be used as a guide for similar classifications by the various departments.
Voted to number Mountain Road, the numbers to start at Chapel Street, continuing the entire length of Mountain Road, and ending at the Stone Church on Main Street, Wil- braham.
Voted to instruct the Town Clerk to write a letter of appreciation to Wilbraham Academy for the use of gymna- sium during the winter months.
Voted to instruct the Town Clerk to write a letter to Mr. H. Willis Cutler, retiring member of the School Board, and also a letter to Mr. Albert L. Martin, retiring member of the Board of Selectmen.
Voted to close the polls at 7.30 p. m.
Voted to adjourn.
Report of Special Town Meeting FEBRUARY 27, 1948
In accordance with the warrant, as posted, the voters, and others, of the Town assembled in Fisk Hall, Wilbraham Academy, Wilbraham, at eight o'clock p. m., February 27, 1948.
ARTICLE 1. Frank Auchter was elected Moderator by ballot and was sworn in by the Town Clerk.
ARTICLE 2. Voted unanimously to repeal Article 2, Sec- tion 2 of the Town By-Laws, and substitute the following:
The Annual Town Meeting shall be held on any Sat- urday in the month of March, to be determined by the
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Board of Selectmen and specified in the warrant pre- pared by them. The polls for the election of officers shall open at 8.30 o'clock a. m., and close at an hour to be determined by the Selectmen and specified in the warrant, but the polls shall be kept open at least ten hours. The meeting for the consideration of the articles of the warrant other than the election of officers shall commence at 10.00 o'clock a. m., and the warrant shall so specify. (This is subject to the approval of the At- torney General.)
Voted: To repeal Article 2, Section 7 of the Town By-Laws.
ARTICLE 3. Voted unanimously to elect at each annual election hereafter a Moderator to serve for the term of one year, or until his successor is qualified, in accordance with the provision of the General Laws, Chapter 39, Section 14, and to amend the Town By-Laws accordingly.
ARTICLE 4. Voted unanimously that the Town purchase a grader with attachments, and a V-type snow plow, and appropriate and transfer from the Highway Machinery Fund the sum of $3,835.00.
ARTICLE 5. Voted (No 114, Yes 50) not to appropriate and transfer from available unappropriated funds the sum of $3200 to extend the water main on Stony Hill Road southerly from Springfield Street a distance of one thou- sand feet, provided that any of those who plan to use water from such extension shall pay to the Town in advance the sum of $1600 which on receipt shall be credited to available, unappropriated funds.
ARTICLE 6. Voted unanimously to accept the report of the School Survey Committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen as printed on page 28 of the Annual Report of the Town for the year 1947.
ARTICLE 7. Voted to instruct the Selectmen to support enactment by the Legislature of House Bill 602 as printed on pages 30 and 31 of the Annual Report of the Town for the year 1947, first inserting in Section One of the Bill, the amount of $400,000 which the Town may on future vote borrow in accordance with the provisions of Section One of this special legislation. (1 voter objected.)
ARTICLE 8. Voted to instruct the Selectmen and/or the School Survey Committee to prepare a general plan for a school building to contain 12 school rooms, as well as other
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rooms incidental thereto, and combination auditorium-gym- nasium, to be located on the land purchased from Richard J. Sackett for that purpose, with said plan to be in such form that the building can be constructed by two or three progressive stages or successive units, and in connection therewith to prepare detailed plans and specifications for the first unit thereof, which should contain six school rooms with an auditorium-gymnasium.
Report of Special Town Meeting SEPTEMBER 17, 1948
In accordance with the warrant, as posted, the voters of the Town assembled in Fisk Hall, Wilbraham Academy, Wilbraham, Mass., at 8.15 o'clock p. m., September 17, 1948.
ARTICLE 1. In the absence of the Town Clerk, the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Mr. Irving J. Cordner opened the meeting and called for nominations for a tem- porary Town Clerk. Mrs. Madeline Wellman was nominated and unanimously elected by ballot to act as temporary Clerk, and was sworn to a faithful performance of her duties by the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. She then read the call of the meeting and asked for nominations for the office of Moderator. Mr. Frank Auchter was nominated and unanimously elected by ballot to act as Moderator, and was sworn to a faithful performance of his duties by the temporary Clerk.
ARTICLE 2. Voted unanimously to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treas- ury, the sum of $1500 for Aid to Dependent Children.
ARTICLE 3. Voted unanimously to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treas- ury the sum of $102.95 to pay an outstanding bill to the Pittsburgh-Des Moines Steel Company for the erection of a stand pipe, said bill contracted in 1946, and for the pay- ment of which there were not sufficient funds appropriated under Article 18 of the February 1948 warrant.
ARTICLE 4. Voted unanimously to appropriate the sum of $7000, and to issue notes of the Town therefor payable as follows: $2000 in 1949, $2000 in 1950, $2000 in 1951, $1000 in 1952; said sum to be expended for the further ex- tension of the water main southerly on Stony Hill Road
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to connect with the now existing main on Stony Hill Road, thereby completing the connection of the Boston Road and Springfield Street mains.
ARTICLE 5. Voted unanimously to hear the report of the Selectmen concerning the progress which has been made relative to the proposed new school building to be located upon the Town lot on Main Street purchased from R. J. Sackett; and to further instruct the Selectmen to go ahead with plans for a 12-room school with a combination audi- torium-gymnasium, space for cafeteria, and other incidental rooms necessary thereto. (See special notes)
ARTICLE 6. Voted to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury, the sum of $13,075 to be expended by the Selectmen for the payment of architect's fees and engineering services in the further and additional preparation of plans for the proposed new school building.
ARTICLE 7. Voted to transfer the sum of $1500 from the appropriation of Article 6 of the warrant of the special Town Meeting held June 3, 1947, said sum being an amount not needed for the Nokomis Road improvement, for the improvement of Merrill Road.
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