USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > Wilbraham annual report 1946-1950 > Part 30
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35
ARTICLE 17. Voted unanimously to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treas- ury the sum of $2,500.00 to be added to the existing appro- priation for constructing, equipping and furnishing the Wilbraham Memorial School Building for water pump to provide additional pressure.
ARTICLE 18. Voted unanimously to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,800.00 to be added to the existing appropria- tion for constructing, equipping and furnishing the Wil- braham Memorial School Building for new dental chair and equipment.
ARTICLE 19. Voted unanimously to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,547.00 to be added to the existing appropria- tion for constructing, equipping and furnishing the Wil- braham Memorial School Building for underground fed steel street lights on drive to the Memorial School Building.
ARTICLE 20. Voted unanimously to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,100.00 to be added to the existing appropria- tion for constructing, equipping and furnishing the Wil- braham Memorial School Building for paneling the audi- torium lobby.
ARTICLE 21. Voted unanimously to appropriate and transfer from Soldiers' Bonus Trust Fund the sum of $2,589.01 to add to the existing appropriation for construct- ing, equipping and furnishing the Wilbraham Memorial School Building for such suitable Memorial in that build- ing as may be designated to the building committee within 30 days by a Soldiers' Bonus Trust Committee which should consist of two members selected by Wilbraham Post 286, two members selected by Edward Pease Post 418 of the American Legion, together with Carl Nelson, chairman of the School Building Committee, and upon failure of such a committee to be appointed or to act, the building com- mittee shall designate such memorial.
29
ARTICLE 22. Voted unanimously to accept as a public way the street now known as Delmor Circle as shown on a plan of land in Wilbraham surveyed for William Decorie by Merrill & Sears, Civil Engineers, May 16, 1941, begin- ning at Main Street and running westerly for a distance of approximately 350 feet and being 50 feet in width throughout said length, which 50 feet is made up of the 40 feet width shown on said plan plus an additional 5 feet on the south side and an additional 5 feet on the westerly side, with all of said additional land to be deeded to the Town by each abuttor for the consideration of $1.00, thence running northerly for approximately 465 feet to the inter- section of the street now known as Delmor Avenue, and being 35 feet in width throughout the latter distance, which 35 feet is made up of the 30 feet width shown on said plan plus an additional 5 feet on the westerly side, with all of said additional land to be deeded to the Town by each abuttor for the consideration of $1.00, and to raise and · appropriate the sum of $1,200.00 or any sum to defray the expense thereof, or take any action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 23. Voted unanimously to accept as a public way the street now known as Delmor Avenue, as shown on a plan of land in Wilbraham surveyed for William Decorie by Merrill & Sears, Civil Engineers, May 16, 1941, begin- ning at Main Street and running westerly to the intersection of Delmor Circle for a distance of approximately 465 feet, being 50 feet in width throughout its entire length, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $600.00 to defray the expense thereof.
ARTICLE 24. Voted unanimously to accept as a public way the street now known as Mountain View Street, as shown on plan entitled "Mountain View Park" by Durkee, White & Towne, Engineers, April 1916, beginning at the intersection of Boston Road and running southerly for a distance of 750 feet more or less to the private way known as Grant Street, and being 50 feet in width throughout its entire length, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $700.00 to defray the expense thereof.
ARTICLE 25. Voted unanimously to accept as a public way the street now known as Wilson Street, as shown on plan entitled "Mountain View Park" by Durkee, White & Towne, Engineers, April 1916, beginning at Boston Road and running southerly for a distance of approximately 550 feet more or less, and being 50 feet in width throughout
30
its entire length, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $650.00 to defray the cost of same.
ARTICLE 26. Voted to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,400.00 to purchase and install about 550 feet of 6-inch water main on Wilson Street. A rising vote was taken, showing 96 in favor of this amendment and 47 opposed. Amendment carried.
ARTICLE 27. Voted unanimously to accept as a public way the street now known as Hillcrest Drive, as shown on plan entitled "Lake Shores, Section C" by Phillips, Dudley, Sullivan, Surveyors, April 1929, beginning at the inter- section of Manchonis Road and Lake Drive and running southerly for a distance of approximately 450 feet more or less, and being 40 feet in width throughout said length, which 40 feet is made up of the 18 feet width shown on said plan plus an additional 11 feet on the easterly side and an additional 11 feet on the westerly side, with all of said additional land to be deeded to the Town by each abuttor for the consideration of $1.00, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $400.00 to defray the cost of same.
ARTICLE 28. Voted unanimously to accept as a public way the right of way running easterly from the southerly end of Hillcrest Drive to Lake Drive for a distance of approximately 150 feet more or less, said way being 50 feet in width throughout said length, which 50 feet is made up of the 15 feet width shown as right of way on said plan plus additional land on both the northerly and southerly sides of said way as shown on plan filed with the Town Clerk on February 15, 1949, with all of said additional land to be deeded to the Town by each abuttor for the consideration of $1.00, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $200.00 to defray the cost of same.
ARTICLE 29. Voted unanimously to accept as a public way the street now known as Highland Avenue as shown on Profile Plan of Highland Avenue and approved by the Wilbraham Planning Board, December 1948, beginning at Springfield Street and running northerly for a distance of approximately 600 feet more or less, and being 50 feet in width throughout its entire length, and to raise and appro- priate the sum of $650.00 to defray the expense thereof.
ARTICLE 30. Voted to postpone indefinitely any action on this Article. (Yes, 112; No, 63.)
31
ARTICLE 31. Voted to postpone indefinitely any action on this Article.
ARTICLE 32. Voted to postpone indefinitely any action on this Article.
ARTICLE 33. Voted to postpone indefinitely any action on this Article.
ARTICLE 34. Voted unanimously to postpone indefinitely any action on this Article.
ARTICLE 35. Voted unanimously to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treas- ury the sum of $12,000.00 to be spent by the Water Depart- ment 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 installa- tions, and which is returned to surplus funds.
ARTICLE 36. Voted unanimously to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,500.00 to extend the 6-inch water main west- erly on Manchonis Road for a distance of approximately 500 feet (not to extend beyond accepted part of street) .
ARTICLE 37. Voted unanimously to postpone action on this Article re Quabbin connection.
ARTICLE 38. Voted to raise and appropriate the sum of $600.00 to purchase and install 150 feet of 6-inch water main on Monson Road.
ARTICLE 39. Voted to postpone action on this Article.
ARTICLE 40. Voted to postpone action on this Article.
ARTICLE 41. Voted unanimously to appropriate and transfer from available funds in the treasury or otherwise provide the sum of $3,000.00 to install a system of chlorina- tion treatment for the town's water supply.
ARTICLE 42. Voted unanimously not to allow for the licensing of mechanical amusement devices and the regula- tion for same, as provided under section 177A of Chapter 140 of the General Laws as amended.
ARTICLE 43. Voted unanimously to raise and appropriate the sum of $250.00 for operating costs of the quarters in
32
the Perry Building to provide for such expenses as heat, light and janitor service.
ARTICLE 44. Voted unanimously to raise and appropriate the sum of $700.00 to be expended under the local Gypsy Moth Superintendent, to cover the cost of pruning and destroying all existing dead wood in the town elms, as per Section 13 of Chapter 761, Acts of 1949, effective August, 1949.
ARTICLE 45. Voted unanimously to amend the zoning by-laws as adopted May 23, 1946, by the addition to Sec- tion 16 (and to become Paragraph 5 thereof) of the follow- ing by-law: The keeping and raising of mink and foxes is prohibited.
ARTICLE 46. Voted unanimously to authorize the Select- men to appoint an inspector of wires, and to fix his com- pensation, as required under Section 32 of Chapter 166 of the General Laws.
ARTICLE 47. Voted unanimously to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treas- ury the sum of $1,450.00 and to raise and appropriate the sum of $250.00 to pay to the garbage collection contractor the amounts received by the Town Collector from garbage collection subscribers, said receipts to be restored as re- ceived by the Town Collector to unappropriated available funds in the treasury.
ARTICLE 48. 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 49. Voted unanimously to accept the following Cemetery Trust Fund left to the Town since the last An- nual Town Meeting: $200.00 from Charles North, Adams Cemetery.
ARTICLE 50. Voted unanimously to appropriate the Town's share of the 1949 Dog Tax for the use of the Library.
ARTICLE 51. Voted unanimously to appropriate the sum of $5,500.00 for a reserve fund to be transferred from the Overlay Surplus Account.
ARTICLE 52. Voted unanimously to authorize the Select- men to sell at public auction, after first giving notice of the
33
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 whomso- ever they authorize to hold such public auction may reject any bid which they deem inadequate.
ARTICLE 53. 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 instruct the temporary Town Clerk to write a letter to Mr. Charles Stevens extending our appreciation for the facilities of Fisk Hall.
Voted that the Selectmen be recommended to charge for any building permit issued by the building inspector.
A rising vote of thanks was given to Mr. George E. Murphy, Jr., as Chairman of the Financial Committee.
It was resolved that the Selectmen should appoint a com- mittee to study the water problem in the Town.
Whereas, Mr. H. W. Cutler has completed over fifty years service, the Town recognizes his long and faithful per- formance of his duties, and we take this opportunity to extend to him the thanks and appreciation of the people of the Town, therefore be it resolved that a copy of this mo- tion be sent to Mr. Cutler and also entered in the Town Meeting records.
The total ballot was as follows :
Precinct A, 638 Precinct B, 494 Precinct C, 444
Total votes cast, 1,576
Voted to adjourn at 6 o'clock p. m.
34
Selectmen's Report
SCHOOL AND AUDITORIUM
Your Board of Selectmen has completed, with the excep- tion of a few remaining details, the assignment of con- structing the new Memorial School and Auditorium. The Board hereby extends its appreciation and that of the Town to the Building Committee appointed by the Selectmen, who rendered untiring attention and effort to this exacting project. The excellent results, praised by all leaders in education who have seen the building, confirm the excellence of this committee's work as well as the effectiveness of the original planning which preceded construction.
We salute the Building Committee - Chairman A. L. Martin, William F. Roach and Carl Nelson, together with the original School Survey Committee for jobs well done. The Building Committee gave uncounted hours of study and effort to their responsibility. The project is now complete with the exception of a few minor adjustments to be worked out with the contractors and the final accounting with the State School Building Assistance Commission for certification of the exact amount of annual state reimburse- ment over the next twenty years.
The Board recommends to the voters that provision be made to select a committee to conduct a suitable ceremony on Memorial Day, at which time plaques will be unveiled dedicating the building to the memory of the men of Wil- braham who have given their lives to their country, dedicat- ing the flag pole presented by the Grange to the soldier dead of that organization and dedicating the health room to the memory of Dr. Arthur L. Damon. An article will be pre- sented to the annual town meeting to consider the appoint- ment of such a committee.
The indicated total cost of the entire Memorial School and Auditorium project amounts to $520,925.35 with an unexpended balance of approximately $700.00, part or all of which will be used for the surfacing of the play area. Of the above total, $520,225.35 is estimated as eligible un- der the law for state assistance which has been established for Wilbraham at 36%. A breakdown of the indicated gross and net cost of the total cost is as follows :
Site Engineer $2,174.00
Architects 26,509.00
Building 423,616.00
Excavations, Grading, walks, drives,
fencing, landscaping and seeding 35,455.30
35
-
Junior High School Pupils in classroom with Principal Irving H. Agard, Jr.
36
Water Equipment and furnishings
Bronze plaques
2,129.10 30,846.95 195.00
$520,925.35
Estimated total reimbursement from state of which 1/20th will be received each year $188,000.00
Estimated indicated net principal cost to the town $333,000.00
HIGHWAYS
Under the Chapter 90 highway construction program for 1950, it seemed impossible, within the limits of available funds, to widen and reconstruct North Main Street from the northerly end of the new construction in front of the new school the full distance northerly to the point which had been previously widened. Our Highway Superintend- ent, Mr. William M. North, met this challenge by develop- ing simplified specifications which were approved by the engineers of the Department of Public Works, the net result of which was not only a most satisfactory completion of the entire distance, but also a small unexpended balance available for use in widening North Main Street at its intersection with Boston Road. Your Board is pleased to report that the Department of Public Works has agreed to widen Boston Road at this point to further reduce the traffic hazards existing at this intersection.
In our project for 1951, in view of the very satisfactory accomplishments to date on Springfield and Main Streets, we plan to proceed with the improvement of what appears to be a particularly dangerous section of highway on Glen- dale Road between Mountain Road and Crane Hill Road. For this project, we recommend the Town's appropriation of $5,000.00 which will be augmented by $5,000.00 from the County and $10,000.00 from the State, or a total of $20,000.00.
On 1950 Chapter 90 Maintenance, a large portion of the $1,500.00 available was used for improving the shoulders of that section of North Main Street which has not been rebuilt.
In respect to Chapter 81 and miscellaneous highways, full details of which are included in the detailed report supplement of this book, your Selectmen wish to commend the Highway Superintendent for particularly effective re- sults within the limits of moderate expenditures.
37
LOUIS C. HINCKLEY ARCHITECT SPRINGFIELD MASS.
PROPOSED ALTERATIONS TO OLD SCHOOL HOUSE FOR NEW TOWN OFFICES WILBRAHAM. MASS.
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
PROPOSED ALTERATIONS TO OLD SCHOOLHOUSE FOR. NEW TOWN OFFICES WILBRAHAM-MASS
CLOS
CONFERENCE
COLLECTOR. WATER. DEPT PLANNING BOARD. 12 × 2 3
CLOS
ASSESSORS 16 × 23
ALL DEPARTMENT: 16" × 23
DOWN
. CORRIDOR.
VAULT 7 × 70
BUILDING INSPECTOR 7 x10
GUPOD
CupORD
F
ENTRY
=
SECRETARY
WELFARE 114 × 12
1010
SELECTMEN 16,23
PORTICO
LOUIS C HINCKLEY ARCHITECT SORIN. FIELD - MASS
Minutes = EXISTING PARTITIONS = NEW PARTITIONS
39
ENTRY
MEN
WOMEN
TOWN CLERK TOWN TREAS. 12 × 196
Your Board worked closely with representatives of the Department of Public Works in the setting of speed limits to be posted on Route 20 within the limits of the Town. The results of these varying figures for different locales as ultimately agreed upon are entirely satisfactory to your Board of Selectmen, and should contribute greatly to future public safety.
TOWN OFFICES
Your town officials and employees have long worked un- der trying conditions and in cramped, inadequate quarters. The expanded operations of a growing community have taxed the use of these limited facilities to the utmost. In addition, our attention has been again directed to the regu- lation requiring a separate office to be devoted to the use of a town's Welfare Agent in order to secure full State and Federal financial aid. Your Board feels that the time has come when this problem must be faced. We therefore are recommending that the former No. 8 school building be remodeled and adapted for use as town offices. Although such action would eliminate the availability of that building for possible future emergency school needs, it is the considered opinion of your Board that if any new construction is to be undertaken, it should be devoted to providing modern classrooms rather than to provide newly built town offices at the expense of continuing to use ob- solete quarters for the education of our youth. The Select- men submit herewith a picture of recommended exterior and interior remodeling to adapt this school building to such use. It is estimated that the approximate cost of this undertaking, including a vault, would be $13,000.00 of which at least one fourth represents current maintenance necessary to maintain the building.
Your Board of Selectmen is encountering more difficul- ties each year in arranging for garbage collections; the present contract is based on a $30.00 weekly payment. This contract could not have been obtained at this price unless the parties kept swine and had a gainful means for dis- posing of the garbage. As the swine breeders become fewer each year, it can be readily seen that soon we will be faced with the problem of additional expenses in renewing our garbage disposal contract.
Your Board of Selectmen wishes to thank Mrs. Helen B. Tower, Art Teacher in our schools for the silhouettes of the first grade children appearing on the inside covers of our Town Report.
40
We are exceedingly happy to be able to report that we have at long last been assured by a representative of the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company that unless prevented by economic conditions beyond their control, Wilbraham is to have a dial phone system installed and in operation on August 14, 1952. It is the present intention of the Telephone Company to include Wilbraham as a part of the Springfield exchange thereby permitting calls to any telephone listed in the Springfield directory without a toll charge. The Telephone Company is planning to make a survey of each telephone subscriber in Wilbraham to deter- mine if the townspeople desire the installation of dial phones and inclusion in the Springfield area. At the time of the survey, full information will be given as to rates, etc., and if 90% or more of the subscribers accept the proposal they will proceed with the installation.
Your Board of Selectmen wishes to take this opportunity to thank the various chairmen and boards, together with Town officials and employees for their cooperation during the year.
Two major projects have been completed this past year - Chapter 90 Main Street, and the new Wilbraham Memo- rial School and Auditorium. With this in mind, it is hoped that our townspeople will continue to maintain a conserva- tive approach to all future needs which may arise.
Respectfully submitted, CARL NELSON IRVING J. CORDNER J. LORING BROOKS, JR.
Board of Selectmen
41
Town Warrant FOR ANNUAL TOWN MEETING ON MARCH 17, 1951 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 Wilbraham Memorial School in said Town on Sat- urday, the seventeenth day of March next at 8.30 a. m. to bring in their votes for Town Officers and act on the follow- . ing articles. The polls will open at 8.30 a. m. and may be closed at 6.30 p. m. All business of said meeting and elec- tion 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, a Town Clerk, a Town Treasurer, a Tree Warden for the ensuing year, one Selectman for three years who shall be a member of the Board of Public Welfare and Board of Health ; one Assessor for three years; five Constables for the ensuing year; one Auditor for the ensuing year; one School Committee mem- ber for three years; one School Committee member for two years; Town Collector for the ensuing year; one Cemetery Commissioner for three years; one Water Commissioner for three 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 2. To hear and act on reports of the Selectmen, Board of Public Welfare, Treasurer, School Committee and other officers.
ARTICLE 3. To fix the compensation of all elected Town Officers for the ensuing years.
42
ARTICLE 4. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen to bor- row money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1951 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 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 raise and appropriate the sum of $7,200.00 or any sum for the main- tenance of Chapter 81 roads, provided the State contribute toward the same, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 81, General Laws, or take any action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury the sum of $7,200.00 or any sum for the main- tenance of Chapter 81 Roads (an amount equal and in addition to the amount appropriated under Article 6), to meet the State's share of the cost of the work, the reim- bursement from the State to be restored upon receipt to unappropriated funds in the treasury.
ARTICLE 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 or any sum for the main- tenance of Chapter 90 Roads, provided the State and County contribute toward the same, in accordance with the provi- sions of Chapter 90, General Laws, or take any action rela- tive thereto.
ARTICLE 9. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury the sum of $2,000.00 for the maintenance of Chap- ter 90 Roads or any other sum (in an amount which will be double and be in addition to the amount appropriated under Article 8) 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.
43
ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000.00 or any sum for the im- provement 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 11. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury the sum of $15,000.00 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 10) to meet the State and County shares of the cost of work, the reimbursement from the State and County to be restored upon receipt, to un- appropriated available funds in the treasury.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.