USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > Wilbraham annual report 1951-1955 > Part 44
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Mr. Auchter said a similar by-law has been in use in Brimfield for many years, with salutary effect. He also explained this by-law does not limit the speed of a boat to ten miles an hour.
ARTICLE 2. Voted unanimously to accept as a public way the street now known as Old Orchard Road, running east- erly from Main Street for a distance of 1600 feet and that the sum of $1,152. be raised and appropriated for construc- tion of said Old Orchard Road, and that betterment assess- ments be levied in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 80 of the General Laws.
Both the Finance Committee and the Planning Board recommended this action.
ARTICLE 3. Voted unanimously to accept as a public way the street now known as Oak Ridge Road, running south- erly from Old Orchard Road for a distance of 710 feet, and that the sum of $420. be raised and appropriated for con- struction of said Oak Ridge Road; and that betterment assessments be levied in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 80 of the General Laws.
Both the Finance Committee and the Planning Board recommended this action.
ARTICLE 4. A motion was made and seconded that the property of Arthur R. and Margaret E. Brown, situated on the westerly side of Stony Hill Road, comprising eleven acres of land, more or less, with an easement for street purposes extending westerly from Stony Hill Road, be selected as a site for new school building; that the Board of Selectmen be authorized and empowered in behalf of the Town to purchase said land at a price of $8,700.00; to enter into a contract or contracts for such purchase, to accept a deed or deeds thereof; to make payment of the purchase price from funds appropriated under Article 6 of the war- rant for this Town Meeting; and in general to take any other action necessary or proper in the judgment of said Board of Selectmen to consummate the purchase of said land.
At this time Mr. Albert H. Howes, Chairman of the School Building Committee, gave a report covering the following facts:
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A. Members of his committee:
Mr. Wesley H. Holdridge Mr. Harry R. Jeffrey Mr. Leo E. Kuehn Mr. Marshall E. Roper Mr. Irving H. Agard (advisory capacity)
B. Site - A 400'x1100' tract (approximately 11 acres) off the west side of Stony Hill Road north of Spring- field St., about 1/6 mile north of intersection of Stony Hill Road and Springfield Street.
C. Architect: Mr. Warren Ashley, West Hartford, Connecticut. Mr. Ashley was the architect for the Memorial School and its additional rooms, and for the Pines School.
D. Plan: An eight room elementary school to be built now, with 40x60' all-purpose room, teachers' room, etc. This tract of land will be amply large enough to permit the building of ten additional rooms at a future date, if that becomes necessary. Mr. Howes pointed out the fact that the ground in this location is very nearly level.
E. Proposed Estimate: As listed.
Building
$245,000.00
Equipment
17,000.00
Site
8,700.00
Development of site
7,500.00
Specifications
1,500.00
Architect
15,500.00
Contingency fund
9,800.00
$305,000.00
Deduct cost of site
8,700.00
$296,300.00
State assistance, 50%
(maximum aid possible from State)
148,150.00
$148,150.00
Plus cost of land
8,700.00
Net cost to Town, based on present costs
$156,850.00
Slides were shown covering the location, proposed plan, proposed building, and actual pictures of the area. Mr. Howes explained that the Massachusetts School Building Assistance Commission had worked with his committee on this matter.
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Mr. Richard L. Danforth, Chairman of the Finance Com- mittee, made the following report:
"As was indicated in our School Building Committee's report, the estimated total cost of the proposed new 8 room school is $305,000. Of this total $5,000. has already been provided for by a transfer from available funds voted under Article 35 at the Annual Town Meeting in March.
"To provide the remaining $300,000. the Finance Com- mittee recommends that $160,000. be appropriated from available funds in the treasury, and that $140,000 be bor- rowed by means of short term notes which will be paid off over a period of five years.
"Because of the fact that the Town has funds available to pay at least one-half the cost of the school, we are able to take advantage of legislation which provides that the State will remit to the Town the State's share of the cost - in this case 50%, which is the maximum allowance - in five annual installments, beginning with the calendar year in which construction is started.
"This method of financing enables the Town to realize a substantial saving in interest. Assuming an interest rate of 21/4%, the interest on $140,000 paid off in 5 years is $9,450, as compared to a total of $33,075 interest on $140,000. paid off over a 20 year period. The difference between these two figures of $23,625. represents a saving to the Town of 71%.
"The fact that we are tapping our savings account to the extent of $165,000., which might have been used for other purposes, means that the school is costing the Town a sum whose replacement would require the equiva- lent, at present valuation figures, of $4.00 on the tax rate per year for five years.
"In contemplation of the fact that the Town will need additional school room facilities within a very few years, the Finance Committee believes that it will be only common sense to restore to our reserve funds an amount equal to that which we are now withdrawing, so that when the time comes when we need it we will be able to take advan- tage of a similar financing program. Ways and means of accomplishing this will be considered and presented at the next Annual Town Meeting.
"In conclusion, the Finance Committee wishes to express its appreciation to the School Building Committee for the many hours they have spent in studying what is best for the Town, and to congratulate them on the decision they have reached. We urge you people to vote "yes" on the motion before you."
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Mr. J. Loring Brooks spoke of establishing a Stabiliza- tion Fund as an ideal way of insuring availability of funds when needed; or the possibility of building up the Surplus Cash Fund yearly. Any such action has to be voted on at an ensuing Town Meeting.
There was much discussion as to whether the title to the 50 ft. strip of land to be used for ingress and egress to the school building grounds would remain in Mr. and Mrs. Brown's name, or the Town's. Mr. Brown said he was agreeable to either decision, as long as he could use the road. Mr. Brooks suggested that the original motion be withdrawn, and hearing no objection Mr. Auchter ruled it was withdrawn. Mr. Howes stated it was his understand- ing this strip of land would be included with the purchase at $8,700. Motion was made and seconded, and it was
Voted unanimously that the property of Arthur R. and Margaret E. Brown, situated on the westerly side of Stony Hill Road, comprising eleven acres of land, more or less, together with a fifty-foot strip of land extending from said land easterly to Stony Hill Road, which fifty-foot strip shall be subject to an easement for street purposes in favor of the remaining land of said Arthur R. and Margaret E. Brown, be selected as a site for new school building; that the Board of Selectmen be authorized and empowered in behalf of the Town to purchase said land at a price of $8,700., to enter into a contract or contracts for such pur- chase, to accept a deed or deeds thereof, to make payment of the purchase price from funds appropriated under Article 6 of the warrant for this Town Meeting, and in general to take any other action necessary or proper in the judgment of said Board of Selectmen to consummate the purchase of said land.
ARTICLE 5. Voted unanimously to rescind vote adopted under Article 35 of the warrant of the Annual Town Meet- ing of March 5, 1955, relative to the appropriation of money for the purpose of constructing or equipping a school build- ing or buildings.
ARTICLE 6. Voted unanimously that the sum of $300,000. be raised and appropriated for the purpose of acquiring land by purchase, or otherwise, as a site for a school build- ing or buildings, and for constructing thereon a school building or buildings; and for originally equipping and furnishing said building or buildings: and that to meet said appropriation the sum of $160,000. be appropriated from available funds in the treasury, and that the treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow the sum of $140,000. under authority of Chapter 645 of the Acts of 1948, as amended, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor - payable in accordance with
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the provisions of Chapter 44 of the General Laws, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than five years from the date of issue of the first bond or note.
It was stated that the Town must appropriate "something over 50%" of the total needed, in order to receive 50% State assistance. The Finance Committee, as shown under Article 4, recommended this action.
ARTICLE 7. Voted unanimously that the School Building Committee appointed under Article 34 of the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting held March 5, 1955, be empowered in behalf of the Town to proceed with the construction of a new school building or buildings on the site determined therefor, and to enter into any and all contracts or agree- ments necessary to construct, equip and furnish such school building or buildings.
Mr. J. Loring Brooks voiced a resolve that the towns- people show their appreciation and gratitude to the School Building Committee and the School Survey Committee for the excellent job they have done. Applause followed.
Mr. Hintze announced that the spraying by air for pest control was expected to be done on June 8, depending on the weather.
Voted unanimously that all appropriations made at this meeting, unless otherwise provided for, be raised by assess- ment against the polls, personal properties and real estate of the Town.
Voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m.
Attest : Walter J. Berry
Town Clerk
Report of Special Town Meeting OCTOBER 17, 1955
In accordance with the warrant as posted, the voters of the Town assembled in the Wilbraham Memorial School Auditorium, Wilbraham.
Moderator Frank Auchter called the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m., and announced that Town Clerk, Walter F. Berry, was absent because of illness. It was unanimously voted to choose a clerk pro tem. Mr. J. Loring Brooks, Jr. moved, and it was seconded, that Doris Cochran act in that capac- ity. She was sworn in by the Moderator. 190 were present.
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ARTICLE 1. Mr. Nelson read the motion on this Article and it was seconded. Mr. Danforth, Chairman of the Finance Committee, said his Committee had met with the School Building Committee; that the need for the new school is evident; and bids for the construction were higher than had been hoped for, and while it would be possible to wait until some future time hoping for the possibility of lower bids, the current trend in building costs is higher, and later bids might even exceed those already received. In view of these facts his Committee recommended favor- able action on the motion. He also said there would be a saving of $25,000. in interest charges by using the five- year repayment plan, rather than the twenty-year repay- ment plan.
Mr. Howes, Chairman of the School Building Committee, showed figures relating to this matter on the screen as follows:
Building
Voted 6/7/55 $245,000.
Revised $285,000. 17,000. 8,700.
Difference $40,000.
Equipment
17,000.
Site
8,700.
Development of site
7,500.
20,000.
12,500.
Specifications
1,500.
1,500.
Architect
15,500.
20,000.
4,500.
Contingency fund
9,800.
12,800.
3,000.
$305,000.
$365,000.
$60,000.
State Assistance
178,150.
Cost to Town
$186,850.
Mr. Howes explained that the cost of the building will influence the Architect's fee. Other increases were explained, also.
The question was raised as to why action on this matter had been taken so long after the June vote. Mr. Brooks stated that the Committee had worked hard and done an outstanding job - and that architect's plans had to be drawn.
After questions regarding Town finances, a voice vote was taken. This was a unanimous vote, but Mr. Nelson explained that it was necessary to have the number of votes. Accordingly Mr. Auchter appointed counters as follows: Messrs. Leo E. Kuehn, Harry R. Jeffrey, James L. Wallace, and Charles W. Harting.
Voted unanimously that the sum of $60,000. be raised and appropriated for the purpose of constructing and originally equipping and furnishing a school building, said sum to be in addition to the amount of $300,000. appropriated for the
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same purpose under Article 6 of the warrant for the Special Town Meeting held June 7, 1955, and that to meet said appropriation the sum of $10,000. be appropriated from available funds in the treasury and the sum of $15,000. be appropriated from the overlay surplus account, and that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow the sum of $35,000. under authority of Chapter 645 of the Acts of 1948, as amended, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor payable in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44 of the General Laws, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than five years from the date of issue of the first bond or note.
Vote in favor 186
Vote opposed 0
ARTICLE 2. A motion on this Article was made and seconded. The Finance Committee recommended that the $2,000. be raised through taxation. Mr. Nelson explained that unless this money was made available the sidewalks would have to be left in gravel condition - without the hard top finish.
Question was raised regarding maintenance of these side- walks, and Mr. Brooks said the Town might borrow a machine for the winter, for clearing the walks; and hope to have an Article in the next Town Meeting to purchase such a machine. Also, he said, decision would be made at that time as to the policy of the Town regarding mainte- nance of sidewalks. This last comment was in answer to question whether all sidewalks in Town would be cleared, or just those being built at this time. Later Mr. Brooks announced that the two Selectmen present had held a meeting and voted that the policy of the Town regarding sidewalks would be that everyone should clear their own.
Mr. Brooks urged, too, that youngsters be urged to ride their bicycles on the sidewalks, for the sake of safety.
There were questions regarding the school bus transpor- tation situation, and Mr. Roper of the School Committee spoke. However, it was pointed out that this was not a direct issue of the discussion, and it was advised that the matter might be taken up under Article 3.
Voted by a majority to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,000. for the completion of sidewalks appropriated for under Articles 36 and 37 of the Annual Town Meeting held March 13, 1955, with any remaining balance of said appropriation to be used for further construction of side- walks deemed by the Selectmen to be important to the safety of school children.
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ARTICLE 3. 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 to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 p.m.
Attest : Walter J. Berry
Town Clerk
LEGENDS FOR PICTURES SHOWN ON PAGES 53 AND 54
1. North Mountain Road south of Kittridge House. After the water receded, it took over 6,000 cubic yards of dirt to fill the cavity. The road was washed out for a distance of over 900 feet, average width 18 feet, depth 9 feet.
2. A crew of workers clearing the debris from Boston Road, east of Bready's Auction Center, after the water started to recede.
3. Cave-in of the culvert on North Mountain Road, north of the Kittridge homestead.
4. A car stranded on Boston Road near the entrance to Bready's Auction Center. At one time the water of the Chicopee River was 5 feet over the car.
5. Washout of B & A tracks at rear of Bready's Auction Center. The water that caused this damage came from North Mountain Road.
6. The raging waters of North Mountain Road cut a gully north of the Kittridge house and washed the barn away. All that remained was the woodshed which was attached to the barn.
7. Scene of Crane Hill Road looking north across Nine Mile and Calkins Brooks, Saturday afternoon, August 20th. All the people living in the vicinity of Butler Hill were completely isolated.
8. Scene of Crane Hill Road looking south across Nine Mile and Calkins Brooks after a temporary roadway was made, Sunday after- noon, August 21st.
9. Home of Michael Trybus, Jr., 108 Crane Hill Road, which was completely ruined by the overflowing waters of Nine Mile Brook. The house can also be seen in background of picture Number 8.
10. This helicopter landed at Memorial School Field where food and clothing were loaded for the suffering victims of the flood in the Towns of Brimfield, Holland and Wales. The food and clothing were supplied by the American Red Cross and flown to the devastated areas by the U. S. Air Force. Two trips were made from our town.
11. One of the many culverts that were washed out during the flood. This particular culvert is located on Sunset Rock Road, just off North Mountain Road.
The Selectmen wish to thank the many citizens who sent in snapshots of the Flood of 1955. We received so many that it was impossible to print them all. Furthermore, there were many duplicates, but the following scenes will give you a good story of the destruction that existed on the morning of August 19th.
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U.S. AIR FORCE
Town Warrant FOR ANNUAL TOWN MEETING ON MARCH 10, 1956 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 tenth 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 re- quired to be elected or determined by ballot shall be con- sidered after 10:00 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 three years, one Water 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 and other officers or committees.
ARTICLE 3. To fix the compensation of all elected Town Officers for the ensuing year.
ARTICLE 3. Recommend that compensation for elected Town Officers be fixed as follows: Town Clerk, $2,500.00-all fees to revert to Town Treasury; Town Treasurer, $1,200.00 per year; Moderator, $50.00 Annual Town Meetings; $15.00 Special Town Meetings; Town Collector, $2,200.00 per year; Tree Warden, $1.50 per hour (includes use of car); Selectmen, 2 members $500.00 per year, Chairman, $550.00; Assessors, $1.50 per hour (includes use of car when needed); Constables, $1.50 per hour when called on duty by Selectmen, plus fees; Auditor, $200.00 per year; School Committee, no salary; Ceme- tery Commissioners, no salary, $1.50 per hour for time spent at
Bold face type appearing after some articles are the recommenda- tions of the Financial Committee.
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work; Water Commissioners, $150.00 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, 1956, 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 of the General Laws.
ARTICLE 4. Recommend.
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
$ 150.00
Aid to Dependent Children
1,000.00
Aid to Disabled
6,000.00 v
Assessor's Expense Acc't
3,500.00
Board of Health
6,000.00
Building Inspector's Expense
100.00
Cemeteries
1,800.00
Civil Defense
3,000.00
Community Program
4,000.00
Dental Clinic
1,050.00/
Election Expense
2,000.00
Fire Department
11,500.00
Forest Warden
700.00 v
General Relief
6,000.00
Pest Control Chap. 660
1,500.00 v
Dead Wood Chap. 761
1,500.00
Mosquito Control
2,250.00 **
Highways-Miscellaneous
15,000.00
Insurance and Bonding
2,500.00
Interest
50.00
Legal
1,000.00
Library Expense
6,991.42
Memorial Day and Independence Day
250.00
Old Age Assistance
17,000.00
Parks
850.00
Planning Board Expense
500.00€
Playground Expense
3,830.00
Police
12,150.00 ×
Printing Town Reports
1,600.00
Registrar's Expense
600.00 V
Road Machinery Operating Expense
3,750.00v
Safety Committee Expense
1,800.00
Schools
361,440.00 y
School Bonds and Interest (1949)
21,885.00
School Bonds and Interest (1953)
2897.50€ 25,985.00
School Bonds and Interest (1956)
39,400.00
Contingency for opening new School
2.900.00
Selectmen's Contingency
1,500.00
0 7
V
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>
4
Street Lights Town Clerk's Expense
4,400.00 800.00 _
Town Collector's Expense
1,200.00 22,000.00 1
Town Officers and Employees Salaries
Town Offices and Buildings Maintenance
3,500.00
+2501
Town Treasurer's Expense-Land Court
250.00
Tree Warden's Expense
1,000.00
Veterans' Benefits
4,000.00
Water Bonds and Interest (1926)
3,120.00
Water Bonds and Interest (1955)
6,760.86
Water Department-Maintenance
21,000.00 v
Water Notes and Interest (1953)
11,687.50
Water Notes and Interest (1947)
2,542.20
Well Child Clinic
900.00
Wilbraham Contributory Retirement Account - Town's Portion
4,773.99
$661,465.97
ARTICLE 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 81 High- way work, or take any other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 6. Recommend.
ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise andy appropriate, or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 90 High- way Maintenance, or take any other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 7. Recommend.
ARTICLE 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 90 Highway Construction, or take any other action relative thereto.
5000 m 15,0008
ARTICLE 8. Recommend.
ARTICLE 9. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in theY treasury the sum of $10,000. or any other sum to be spent by the Water Department for additional household and business installations for water service, the cost of which is to be collected by the Town from the individuals or con- cerns requesting the installations, and which is returned to surplus funds, or take any other action relative thereto.
10,000
ARTICLE 9. Recommend.
ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate \ the sum of $15,000. or any other sum for a Reserve Fund to be transferred from the Overlay Surplus Account, or take any other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 10. Recommend.
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Town Treasurer's Expense
500.00
ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury the sum of $5,500. or any sum to pay the garbage collector with receipts from garbage collection subscribers to be restored as received by the Town Collector to unap- propriated available funds in the treasury, or take any other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 11. Recommend.
5500
V ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public way the private way known as Decorie Drive as shown on Plan of William and Lillie Decorie, June 1952, Smith & Wallen, Engineers, beginning at Delmor Circle and running westerly to Leemond Street for a distance of 1,565.30 feet, more or less, and that the sum of $2,384. or any other sum be raised and appropriated for construction of said Decorie Drive, and that betterment assessments be levied in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 80 of the General Laws, or take any other action relative thereto.
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