USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > Wilbraham annual report 1951-1955 > Part 20
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ARTICLE 32. Voted unanimously that the Water Com- missioners shall increase the quarterly water rates to 40¢ per hundred cubic feet for the first 5,000 cubic feet of consumption, and 12¢ per hundred for all over 5,000, with a minimum charge of $5.00 per quarter.
ARTICLE 33. Voted unanimously to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 to be expended by the Library Trus- tees for additional renovating and equipping of the Library Building.
ARTICLE 34. Voted unanimously that the Selectmen and the Treasurer be instructed to accept for approval by the Town only those cemetery trust fund gifts which are not restricted to the providing of care to specific lots unless each such trust fund be in an amount of $1,000.00 or more.
ARTICLE 35. Voted unanimously to accept as a contribu- tion to the Cemetery Trust Fund the sum of $50.00 from the late Frederick Coon, subject to the approval of the executors of the late Frederick Coon.
ARTICLE 36. Voted unanimously that the Selectmen be instructed to install four street lights at Springfield Street, from Ridgewood Road westerly to 553 Springfield Street, the cost of said lights to be taken from the Street Lights appropriation under Article 5.
ARTICLE 37. Voted unanimously to instruct the Select- men to install one street light at the corner of Merrill Road
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and Main Street, the cost of said light to be taken from the Street Lights appropriation under Article 5.
ARTICLE 38. Voted unanimously to appropriate and trans- fer from the Road Machinery Fund the sum of $2,004.00 to purchase a one-half ton pick-up truck and snow plow for use of the highway department.
It was voted - 40 for and 16 opposed - that the follow- ing amendment be added to the above vote: That as to all purchases of Town equipment, when proposals are received from businesses located within the town which are equal or better than those received from proposals from without the Town, those within the Town shall be given preference.
ARTICLE 39. Voted unanimously to instruct the Select- men to consider the future laying out of private ways con- ditional upon the levy of betterment assessments in accord- ance with the provisions of Chapter 80 of the General Laws.
ARTICLE 40. Voted unanimously to instruct the Selectmen to appoint a committee to study and report to the next an- nual meeting of the Town on costs, benefits, and their rec- ommendations relative to group life insurance.
ARTICLE 41. Voted unanimously to instruct the Water Commissioners to study and report back to the next annual meeting of the Town on the advisability and methods of assessing betterments for future water main extensions adopted by the Town upon petition of the abuttors, in ac- cordance with the provisions of Section 1 of Chapter 80 of the General Laws.
ARTICLE 42 to ARTICLE 48, inclusive. Voted unanimously that no action be taken on these articles at this time.
ARTICLE 49. Voted unanimously that the Town By-laws not be amended so as to provide for the election of a school committee of five members, who shall hold office for terms of three years, beginning with the first annual Town elec- tion after this amendment, at which election two members shall be elected for a term of three years each and one member for a term of two years.
ARTICLE 50. 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.
At this time the motion was made and seconded that two associate members be added to the Finance Board, raising the number to nine. Recommended that an article be brought before the next Town meeting to townspeople to vote on the by-law provision to increase the members of the Financial Committee from seven members to nine, in
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accordance with Article 3, Section I of the By-laws of the Town.
Mr. Auchter asked that those present stand for a minute of silence in tribute to the late George E. Murphy, Jr., former Selectman and Chairman of the Finance Commit- tee, who died November 24, 1952. He was known through- out Wilbraham as an expert in matters of Town govern- ment. He possessed to an unusual degree knowledge and experience which was invaluable in the administration of government. He served this Town in numberless capaci- ties, giving of his time, energy and skill, with unselfish devotion. He was a man to admire, to honor and to love. His passing leaves us with a loss that will be felt not alone in Wilbraham, but also throughout the entire Common- wealth, for his influence was as far-reaching as that. We mourn his loss, but we also rejoice in the memories we shall have of his stalwart citizenship and upright statesmanship.
The following tribute to Mr. Murphy is taken from the Report of the Financial Committee: Late in 1952 the Town of Wilbraham suffered an irreparable loss in the death of George E. Murphy, Jr., a man whose knowledge of the recent history of this town and whose understanding of its problems over the years have been a steadying influence and source of strength. George Murphy's greatest concern was always the welfare of the town as a whole and his sincerity, tactfulness, and sound judgment gained for him the respect of all the people in the town. Your Financial Committee's loss is a personal one. We miss his friendly guidance as chairman and his humorous yet always sym- pathetic anecdotes about town events and personalities. It is our earnest hope that with his inspiration as a guide the committee will continue to have the support and co- operation of the people of the town and, in our dealings with the various boards, the spirit of mutual trust that George Murphy always fostered and of which he was so proud.
Voted that the polls be closed at 6.30 P. M.
Meeting adjourned at 4.55 P. M.
The total ballot was tabulated as follows :
Precinct A 305
Precinct B 233 Precinct C 44
Total votes cast
582
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Special Town Meeting JULY 27, 1953
In accordance with the Warrant as posted, the voters of the Town assembled in the Wilbraham Memorial School Auditorium, Wilbraham, Massachusetts.
As the regular moderator was absent, Mr. James M. Carroll was nominated from the floor and unanimously elected by ballot as moderator pro tem. He was duly sworn in by Mr. Walter F. Berry, Town Clerk. Workers sworn in officially by Mr. Berry were: A. J. Brooks, Assistant Town Clerk; Alice Hodgdon, Dorothy Reidy, Clara Brad- way, Anna Tupper, Alice Rodenhizer, June Rice, Jerry Donahue, Jack Alberici, William L. Dempsey, Muriel Murphy.
The meeting was called to order by Moderator James Carroll, at 7.45 p. m., and the following matters, listed on the Town Warrant dated July 16, 1953, were voted on as shown.
ARTICLE 1. Voted yes by more than 2/3 vote to amend Section 1, Article 3 of the Town By-Laws to provide for the appointment of a Financial Committee of nine (9) members.
The amendment from the floor to have three members appointed from each Precinct was voted no.
The Moderator appointed at this time four (4) official counters, namely : E. Ray Pease, Wendell Stacy, Charles Merrick, and Howard B. Miller.
ARTICLE 2. Voted not to adopt the following by-law: No person shall fire or discharge any firearms or explo- sives of any kind within the limits of any highway, park or other public property, or on any private property, ex- cept with the consent of the owner or the legal occupant thereof : provided, however, that this by-law shall not apply to the lawful defense of life or property, or to any discharge of firearms in accordance with law enforcement.
Vote in favor, 101; Vote opposed, 210.
ARTICLE 3. Voted unanimously that the Board of Select- men appoint a committee of 3 to study and report to the next Annual Town Meeting the advisability of charging fees for building permits - and recommend amounts to be charged, if any.
ARTICLE 4. Voted unanimously to amend the zoning by- law and change Residents "A2" district to "Business" dis- trict the hereinafter described parcel of land lying south-
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erly of Boston Road and easterly of Stony Hill Road, viz : beginning at a point in the westerly line of land now or formerly of Charles W. Gowen, which point is one hun- dred (100) feet southerly from the intersection of said Gowen's westerly line with the southerly line of Boston Road, thence running westerly parallel with and one hun- dred (100) feet distant from the southerly line of Boston Road, a distance of about one thousand thirty-five (1035) feet to a point in land of Francis J. Powers and Lillian C. Powers, which point lies in the extension northerly of the easterly line of land now or formerly of Parkway Thea- tres, Inc .; thence southerly in the extension of said east- erly line of land of Parkway Theatres, Inc., and along the said easterly line seven hundred seventy (770) feet to the southeasterly corner of land of said Parkway Theatres, Inc., thence easterly at right angles to the last described course, and about ten hundred five (1005) feet to the west- erly line of land now or formerly of said Gowen; and thence northerly along land of said Gowen about eight hundred fifty (850) feet to the point of beginning.
ARTICLE 5. Voted unanimously that the sum of $2,640.00 be raised and appropriated, and added to the existing ap- propriation for Schools, as provided for under Article 5 of the Annual Town Meeting held March 7, 1953.
ARTICLE 6. Voted that the sum of $22,000.00 be raised and appropriated and added to the existing appropriation for the purpose of constructing additions to the Memorial and the Pines Schools, and for originally equipping and fur- nishing such additions, as provided for under Articles 2 and 3 of the Special Town Meeting of July 8, 1952. (Vote in favor 255 - Opposed 50)
ARTICLE 7. Voted unanimously that the sum of $8,500.00 be raised and appropriated, and added to the existing ap- propriation for laying a 16-inch feeder main from the end of the Metropolitan District Commission's 16-inch pipeline on Miller St. in Ludlow, and via public ways and private ways in Wilbraham, to the intersection of Maple and Main Streets, as provided for under Article 31 of the Annual Town Meeting held March 7, 1953.
At this time the question was raised as to the order in which Articles 8 and 9 should be voted on. After discus- sion and unsuccessful attempt to ballot people's desire, the Moderator ruled that Articles 8 and 9 be voted on in order shown on Town Warrant.
Mr. J. Loring Brooks, Jr., then moved that the meeting proceed under Article 11 and hear the report of the Water Survey Committee, made in compliance with vote on Arti-
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cle 30 at the Annual Town Meeting of March 7, 1953. This motion was carried by unanimous vote.
The Water Survey Committee report was read by Ed- ward Lindsay.
Voted unanimously to accept report of the Water Survey Committee with appreciation for their diligence; and file said report with the Town Clerk.
A vote of 181 in favor, 128 opposed was made to con- sider Articles 8 and 9 concurrently.
ARTICLES 8 and 9 (concurrently) : Defeated by a vote of 5 in favor - 311 opposed.
ARTICLE 9. Defeated by a vote of 112 in favor - 187 opposed.
ARTICLE 10. Voted unanimously to postpone action in- definitely.
ARTICLE 11. 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 unanimously that the Board of Selectmen be in- structed not to hold a special town meeting to act on the subject of rent control.
Voted unanimously to authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint a School Survey Committee of 5 members who will submit to a future Town Meeting results of their studies on the Town's minimum future needs in all grades as to additional school facilities and potential economies in school operation which may be obtainable without deterio- ration of educational standards.
Meeting adjourned at 11.30 p. m.
...
Orchestra - Miss Maxine Westfall, Music Supervisor
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Town Warrant FOR ANNUAL TOWN MEETING ON MARCH 13, 1954 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden, ss.
To any 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 Saturday, the thirteenth day of March next at 8.30 a. m. to bring in their votes for Town Officers and act on the following 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 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, 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, Town Collector for the ensuing year; one Cemetery Commissioner for three years; one Library Trustee for two years, one Library Trustee for three years, one Water Commissioner for three years; one Member of the Planning Board 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 year.
ARTICLE 3. Recommend that compensation for elected Town Offi- cers be fixed as follows: Town Clerk, $2,500 - all fees to revert to Town Treasury; Town Treasurer, $1,200 per year; Moderator, $50 Annual Town Meetings; $15 Special Town Meetings; Town Collector, $1,900 per year; Tree Warden, $1.50 per hour (includes use of car); Selectmen, 2 members $500 per year, Chairman, $550; Assessors, $1.50
Bold face type appearing after some articles are the recommenda- tions of the Financial Committee.
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per hour (includes use of car when needed); Constables, $1.50 per hour when called on duty by Selectmen, plus fees; Auditor, $200 per year; School Committee, no salary; Cemetery Commissioners, no sal- ary, $1.35 per hour for time spent at work; Water Commissioners, $150 per year; Library Trustees, no salary; Planning Board Members, no salary; Poundkeeper, Field Drivers, Weighers of Grain, Surveyors of Lumber, Measurers of Wood and Charcoal (all town officers elected otherwise than by official ballot) fees only as fixed by General Laws.
ARTICLE 4. 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, 1954, 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 5.
Aid to Agriculture
$125.00
Aid to Dependent Children
2,000.00
Aid to Disabled
6,000.00
Assessors' Expense Account
3,000.00
Board of Health
5,000.00
Building Inspector's Expense
100.00
Cemeteries
1,800.00
Civil Defense
2,000.00
Dental Clinic
1,050.00
Election Expense
1,500.00
Fire Department
8,000.00
Forest Warden
600.00
General Relief
4,000.00
Gypsy Moth and Elm Disease Control
1,475.00
Gypsy Moth - Destroying dead wood in town elms
1,500.00
Highways - Miscellaneous
12,500.00
Insurance and Bonding
1,650.00
Interest
50.00
Legal
2,000.00
Library Expense
8,360.00
Liquor Law Enforcement
100.00
Memorial Day
200.00
Old Age Assistance
15,000.00
Parks
350.00
Planning Board Expense
370.00
Playground Expense
1,750.00
Police
500.00
Printing Town Reports
1,375.00
Registrars' Expense
750.00
Road Machinery Operating Expense
3,400.00
Schools
258,858.00
Safety Committee Expense
950.00
Selectmen's Contingent
1,000.00
Street Lights
4,000.00
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Community Program - Schools
3,500.00
Town Clerk's Expense
Town Collector's Expense
Town Officers and Employees Salaries
700.00 900.00 20,000.00 3,000.00
Town Office and Buildings Maintenance
Town Treasurer's Expense
900.00
Town Treasurer's Expense - Land Court
250.00
Tree Warden's Expense
950.00
Veterans' Benefits
1,500.00
Water Bonds and Interest
3,360.00
Water Dept. - Maintenance
19,000.00
Water Notes and Interest
2,598.49
Well Child Clinic
600.00
Wilbraham Contributory Retirement Account - Town's Portion
2,650.43
$411,221.92
ARTICLE 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $7,350.00 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 other action rela- tive thereto.
ARTICLE 6. Recommend.
ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury the sum of $7,350.00 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 7. Recommend (Financing).
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 Coun- ty contribute toward the same, in accordance with the pro- visions of Chapter 90, General Laws, or take any other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 8. Recommend.
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.
ARTICLE 9. Recommend (Financing).
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ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,500.00 or any sum for the im- provement or rebuilding of Chapter 90 Roads, provided the State and County contribute toward the same, in ac- cordance with the provisions of Chapter 90, General Laws, or take any other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 10. Recommend.
ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury the sum of $10,500.00 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.
ARTICLE 11. Recommend (Financing).
ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $6,250.00 or any sum for the im- provement or rebuilding of Chapter 90 Roads and Bridges, provided the State and County contribute toward the same, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 90, General Laws, or take any other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 12. Recommend.
ARTICLE 13. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury the sum of $43,750.00 for the improvement or rebuilding of Chapter 90 Roads and Bridges, or any sum, to meet the State and County shares of the cost of work, the reimbursement from the State and County to be re- stored upon receipt, to unappropriated available funds in the treasury.
ARTICLE 13. Recommend (Financing).
ARTICLE 14. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury the sum of $8,500.00 or any sum to be spent by the Water Department for additional household and busi- ness installations for water service, the cost of which is collected by the Town from the individuals or concerns requesting the installations, and which is returned to sur- plus funds, or take any other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 14. Recommend (Financing)
ARTICLE 15. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to sell at public auction, after first giving
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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 the 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, or take any other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 15. Recommend.
ARTICLE 16. 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 other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 16. Recommend.
ARTICLE 17. To see what disposition the Town will make of the Dog Tax of 1953.
ARTICLE 17. Recommend that the 1953 Dog Tax (estimated as $876.82) be added to the Library appropriation under Art. 5.
ARTICLE 18. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $7,500.00 or any sum for a Reserve Fund to be transferred from the Overlay Surplus Account, or take any other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 18. Recommend.
ARTICLE 19. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury the sum of $3,500.00 or any sum to pay the gar- bage collector, with receipts from garbage collection sub- scribers to be restored as received by the Town Collector to unappropriated available funds in the treasury or take any other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 19. Recommend (Financing).
ARTICLE 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,500.00 or any sum for the pur- pose of purchasing a garbage cooking unit, or take any other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 20. Recommend.
ARTICLE 21. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $22,515.00 or any sum to pay interest and amortization of the Wilbraham Memorial School Building Loan, and to transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury the sum of $9,426.25 or any other sum toward such appropriation, being the amount to be received toward such bond amortization from the State, with such payment from the State to be restored upon receipt to
41
unappropriated available funds in the treasury, and to raise $13,088.75 or the balance of such appropriation, or take any other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 21. Recommend.
ARTICLE 22. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $26,555.00 or any sum to pay the second year's interest and amortization of the Wilbraham Memorial and Pines School Building Loan, and to transfer from unappro- priated available funds in the treasury the sum of $6,000.00 or any other sum toward such appropriation, being the amount to be received toward such bond amortization from the State, with such payment from the State to be restored upon receipt to unappropriated available funds in the treas- ury, and to raise $20,555.00 or any other sum for the bal- ance of such appropriation, or take any other action rela- tive thereto.
ARTICLE 22. Recommend.
ARTICLE 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $12,137.50 or any sum to pay the first year's interest and amortization of the Water Mains loan, or take any other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 23. Recommend.
ARTICLE 24. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,300.00 or any sum to extend the existing 6-inch water main with appropriate hydrants for a distance of approximately 500 feet in an easterly direc- tion on Monson Road, or take any other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 24. Not recommended.
ARTICLE 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,400.00 or any sum to purchase and install about 1100 feet of 6-inch water pipe with appro- priate hydrants on Faculty Street, or take any other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 25. Not recommended.
ARTICLE 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,500.00 or any sum to purchase and install about 750 feet of 6-inch water pipe with appro- priate hydrants on Manchonis Road, or take any other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 26. Not recommended.
ARTICLE 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,000.00 or any sum to purchase and install about 500 feet of 6-inch water pipe with appro-
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