USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > Wilbraham annual report 1956-1960 > Part 38
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$2,594.30
Transfer from Reserve
170.00
98
Town Office and Buildings Maintenance
Appropriation $5,000.00
Expenditures :
Floor Covering, Heater,
Fan, Polisher $808.75
Janitor Services 673.60
Outside Services
104.48
Supplies
359.96
Utilities, Gas, Oil, Water, Electricity, Telephone
2,786.32
$4,733.11
Unexpended Balance
266.89
$5,000.00
$5,000.00
Town Officers' and Employees' Salaries
Appropriation $31,500.00
Expenditures :
Selectmen
$1,850.00
Assessors
1,655.50
Town Clerk
1,450.00
Town Collector
2,900.00
Town Treasurer
1,450.00
Moderator
65.00
Auditor
200.00
Building Inspector
2,400.00
Welfare Agent
4,700.00
Registrars
537.75
Veterans' Agent
360.00
Sealer of Weights
and Measures
291.50
Animal Inspector
65.00
Slaughtering Inspector
50.00
Dog Officer
150.00
Water Commissioners
450.00
Field Driver
10.05
Clerical
12,044.38
$30,629.18
Unexpended Balance
870.82
$31,500.00
$31,500.00
99
Town Treasurer's Expense
Appropriation
$400.00
Expenditures :
Dues
$6.00
Use of Car
100.00
Postage and Envelopes
177.02
Supplies
75.82
Miscellaneous
31.40
$390.24
Unexpended Balance
9.76
$400.00
$400.00
Town Treasurer's Land Court Expense Account
Appropriation $250.00
Unexpended Balance $250.00
Tree Warden's Expense
Appropriation
$1,600.00
Expenditures:
Outside Services
$2,175.00
Transferred from Reserve
974.50
Labor and Trees
399.50
$2,574.50
$2,574.50
Veterans' Benefits
Appropriation
$4,500.00
Expenditures:
Burial
$95.00
Cash Grants
3,921.11
Clerical Services
30.00
Dues
10.00
Druggists
196.35
Food, Fuel, Clothing
219.72
Forms
5.80
Hospitalization
1,998.46
Physicians
258.75
$6,735.19
Unexpended Balance
358.02
$7,093.21
$7,093.21
Transfer from Reserve
2,593.21
100
Water Bonds and Interest - 1955
Appropriation
$6,732.50
Expenditures $6,732.50
Water Notes and Interest - 1953
Appropriation $11,012.50
Expenditures $11,012.50
Water Notes and Interest - 1958
Appropriation
$21,050.00
Expenditures $21,050.00
Water Department
INSTALLATIONS
Appropriation
$16,550.00
Expenditures:
Payrolls
$2,824.96
Supplies
9,305.02
Outside Services
417.77
Postage
5.11
$12,552.86
Unexpended Balance
3,997.14
$16,550.00
$16,550.00
POMEROY STREET
Appropriation
$3,300.00
Expenditures :
Payrolls
$287.45
Supplies
1,444.49
Outside Services
238.00
$1,969.94
Unexpended Balance
1,330.06
$3,300.00
$3,300.00
8" WATER MAIN
Transfer from 16" Main
Expenditures:
$5,100.00
Payrolls
$815.00
Supplies 932.01
Refund to 16" Main
(for supplies) 2,847.21
Outside Services 50.00
$4,644.22
Unexpended Balance
455.78
$5,100.00
$5,100.00
101
16" WATER MAIN - BOSTON ROAD
Balance
$9,616.90
Expenditures :
Labor
$43.45
Contractor
1,193.03
Engineering
1,924.00
State Inspector
760.29
Transfer to 8" Main
5,100.00
$9,020.77
Unexpended Balance
3,443.34
$12,464.11
$12,464.11
MAINTENANCE
Appropriation
$21,350.00
Expenditures :
Payroll
$8,002.76
Repairs
77.46
Operating Expenses
(Truck)
783.27
Outside Services
109.23
Supplies
1,321.49
Office Supplies
454.82
Electricity
424.84
Heating Yard Office
39.45
Engineering
1,688.53
Dues
8.00
Water
8,221.06
Permit for R. R.
Crossing
10.00
Contr. for 12" Main
(B. & M.)
193.40
$21,334.31
Unexpended Balance
15.69
$21,350.00
$21,350.00
Wilbraham Contributory Retirement Account (Town's Portion)
Appropriation
$8,137.64
Expenditures
$8,137.64
Refund for Supplies
2,847.21
102
Town Services - Telephone Directory
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Fire Department
To Report a Fire
LY 6-3111
Station - Boston Road
LY 6-3122
Station - Main Street
LY 6-3916
Chief Tupper
LY 6-3014
Police
State Police
Palmer AT 3-5671
Local Patrol
LY 6-3816
Sergeant Pollitt
LY 6-4756
Civil Defense
LY 6-3816
Director Hintze
LY 6-3030
Department
Call
Telephone
Assessors
Assessors
LY 6-3816
Birth, Death, Marriage Certificates
Town Clerk
LY 6-3816
Board of Health
Selectmen
LY 6-3816
Building Permits
Town Clerk Inspector
LY 6-3807
Charities and Relief
Welfare Department
LY 6-3816
Dog Licenses
Town Clerk
LY 6-3816
Dog Roaming
Dog Officer
LY 6-3457
Fishing & Hunting Licenses
Town Clerk
LY 6-3816
Forest Warden
Fire Chief
LY 6-3122
Highways
Superintendent
LY 6-3060
Library
Librarian
LY 6-4461
Planning Board
Secretary
LY 6-3816
Rubbish, Garbage Disposal
Selectmen
LY 6-3816
Schools
Minnechaug
LY 6-6161
Schools
Pines
LY 6-4974
Schools
Springfield St.
LY 6-4642
Schools
Memorial
LY 6-3465
Schools
Stony Hill Road
LY 6-4974
School Nurse
Memorial
LY 6-3465
Supt. of Schools
Minnechaug
LY 6-4266
Taxes
Town Collector
LY 6-3816
Town Treasurer
Treasurer
LY 6-3816
Trees
Tree Warden
LY 6-3595
Veterans Services
Veterans Agent
JU 3-2115
Visiting Nurse
Visiting Nurse Assoc. Spfld. RE 2-4145
Water Department
Superintendent LY 6-3816, LY 6-3060
Sundays and Holidays LY 6-3413
LY 6-3816
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WILBRAHAM
ANNUAL REPORT
1960
-
w.
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WHAT A WINTER
ANNUAL REPORT
WILBRAHAM MASSACHUSETTS
1960
The pictorial essay embellishing this report is intended to more or less follow the theme: "How the People Work and Live"
COVER PHOTOGRAPHS: Spec Pond by R. McGee; Academy Graduating Class by Mercury Studio; Garden Tour by H. Bogue; Ice Boating by H. Bogue INSIDE COVER photograph by H. Bogue
Table of Contents
Page
Page
Aid to Agriculture
58
Library
48
Animal Inspector 51
Pest Control 57
Appointed Town Officers 5
Planning Board 46
Assessors
42
Auditor
91
Police Department 55
Balance Sheet 92
Radio Committee
62
Board of Health
50
Revaluation Study Committee. . 44
Building Inspector
44
School Building Committee
24
School Committee
20
Sealer of Weights and Measures 51
Selectmen
7
Dog Officer
52
Elected Town Officers
4
Electrical Inspector
52
Finance Committee
16
Fire Department
53
Forest Warden
57
Town Meeting
June 6, 1960
71
Town Treasurer
95
Treasurer's Trust Fund
98
Warrant - March 11, 1961 ...
79
Jury List
74
Water Department
42
Slaughtering Inspector
52
Town Clerk
99
Town Collector
100
Town Meeting
March 12, 1960
65
Governmental Districts
3
Hampden-Wilbraham Regional
School District
32
Playgrounds
56
Cash Disbursements
102
Civil Defense
61
Comparative Annual Exp.
75
Governmental Districts and Representatives for the Town of Wilbraham
Second Congressional District Seventh Councillor District Worcester and Hampden Senatorial District First Hampden Representative District
United States Senators
Benjamin Smith, 2nd, Gloucester Leverett Saltonstall, Dover
Representatives in General Court
Raymond H. Beach, Wilbraham
George T. Smith, E. Longmeadow
State Senator Paul H. Benoit, Southbridge
County Commissioners William F. Stapleton, Holyoke Thomas F. Sullivan, Springfield Ralph P. Walsh, Longmeadow
Democratic Town Committee
Thaddeus J. Bierowka
Walter J. Freely
Stanley J. Peczka
Constantine Cioch
Thomas F. Gallagher
Alphonse S. Sambor
Josephine Cioch
Edward W. Irla
Jane F. Sullivan
Vincent T. Sullivan
Stanley T. Szczebak
Mary B. Connelly
Stanley E. Kogut
William G. Dale
Carl O. Lindell Mildred M. Lindell
Irene Donovan
Frederick T. Los
Robert D. Driscoll
Earl W. Moody
Edward O. Felsentreger
Patrick J. O'Connor
Flora C. Fitzgerald
Joseph M. O'Neil
Frederick Reidy
Republican Town Committee
Richard H. Allen Stanley Arabik
Maurice H. Baitler
Jacquelyn W. Lewis
Roland H. Bennett
Evelyn M. Macdonald
Arthur A. Binder
Charles L. Merrick
J. Loring Brooks
A. Douglas Morgan
Robert G. Carter
Carl Nelson
Faith C. Plumb
Leo Paradis
Robert McMullen
Howard B. Miller Byron I. Musselman Earl H. Paine Marjorie W. Payne
Charles E. Dorey
George Alden Safford Charles H. Sheline Harold F. Swetland
William L. Wagner, Jr.
W. Edwin Watkins Mansfield W. Williams
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
Maria Blaisdell
Donald F. Bready George G. Canney
Harry C. Crawford, Jr. Filomena M. Gilbert Phyllis A. Gleason Wanda Gurski Walter G. Johnson Charles Lenz
Phyllis R. Christensen Bettylee Cizek William H. Dawson
E. Helen Porter Barbara M. Putnam
Franklin T. Richardson
George Robinson Gilbert Stacy Bruce A. Stephens Gladys K. Steup Myrtie A. Trant Alvin P. Trombly
3
Roger W. Folsom Oren K. Gilbert Edward H. Godfrey Harold R. Goodnow Herman G. Grandchamp Dudley N. Hartt, Jr. Harold K. Jones Jean R. LaCroix
Edmund S. Lee, Chairman
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
Henry Baush
Tom Fitzgerald Herbert Murphy
Earl W. Decorie
Mary A. Irla
Joseph D. Connelly
Edward S. Kapinos
Elected Town Officers
AND DATE OF EXPIRATION OF TERM
Selectmen and Board of Public Welfare
Roger T. Hintze, Chair., 1961 Jesse L. Rice, 1962 Richard L. Danforth, 1963
Town Collector Mark E. Reynolds, 1961
Town Clerk Doris G. Cochran, 1961
Town Treasurer Doris G. Cochran, 1961
Assessors Allan R. Kinney, Chair., 1961 Edward H. Godfrey, 1962 Harold K. Jones, 1963
School Committee
Ethel M. Musselman, 1961 Margaret L. Williams, 1961 Matthew A. Gozdowski, Chr., 1962 Alexander W. Marco, 1963 Harry J. Dabagian, 1963
Auditor
William T. Payne, 1961
Tree Warden Ernest M. Hayn, 1961
Cemetery Commissioners Arthur D. Tripp, 1961 Weldon G. Jameson, 1962 Roland H. Bennett, 1963
Water Commissioners John W. Gale, 1963 Sidney Low, 1962 Robert W. Maynard, Chair., 1961
Moderator Ernest W. Furnans, Jr., 1961
Trustees of Public Library Barbara B. Dickey, 1961 (Resigned) James B. McGuire (Appointed to fill vacancy) Raymond J. Barber, 1962 (Resigned) Mary G. Ronk (Appointed to fill vacancy) Loni Brower, Chair., 1963
Planning Board
Bion T. Wheeler, Jr., Chair., 1961 Robert A. Edwards, 1962 Leo E. Kuehn, 1963 Richard H. Morgan, 1964 Robert G. Carter, 1965
Hampden Wilbraham Regional School District Committee
Harold W. Barber, 1961 Doris C. Bowman, 1962 John R. Lyman, Chair., 1962 Dudley N. Hartt, Jr., 1963 Alexander W. Marco (Appointed)
Pound Keeper Gardner Files
Surveyors of Lumber Walter H. Clark Jesse L. Rice
Field Drivers Benjamin F. Griffin Peter Presz Leonard VonFlatern, Sr.
Weighers of Grain Weldon G. Jameson Jesse L. Rice
Measurers of Wood and Charcoal Walter H. Clark Edward P. Lindsay
4
Officers Appointed by Selectmen AND DATE OF EXPIRATION OF TERM
Finance Committee
Aldo E. Alberici, 1961 Irving J. Cordner, 1961 Earl W. Decorie, 1961 Fred T. Googins, 1961 Herman G. Grandchamp, 1961 Albert H. Howes, 1961 John W. Juechter, Jr., 1961 Albert E. Neale, 1961 Russell R. Moffatt, 1961
Superintendent of Streets Herbert L. Butler, 1961
Dog Officer Gardner R. M. Files, 1961
Police William Pollitt, Chief, 1961 John Chrzanowski, Patrolman, 1961 Gardner R. M. Files, Patrolman, 1961
Stephen Lopata, Reserve, 1961 Alton M. McDonald, Reserve, 1961
Constables Robert A. Converse Robert C. Dietz
Milk Inspector Health Officer (Sanitarian) John A. Brickett, 1961
Animal Inspector Slaughtering Inspector Gardner R. M. Files, 1961
Secretary to Selectmen Mary L. Powers, 1961
Welfare Director Helen C. Boden, 1961
Bookkeeper Josephine M. Pease, 1961
Town Counsel Peter G. Ellis, 1961
Pest Control Officer Gordon R. Long, 1961
Fire Chief Forest Warden Ralph E. Tupper, 1961
School Dentist Dr. George H. Nieske, 1961
Board of Appeals Harrison F. Lyman, Jr., 1961 Pearl R. Kinney, 1962 Albert L. Martin, 1963 A. I. Macdonald, Assoc. Mem., 1963 (Resigned) Ralph E. Keyes (Appointed to fill vacancy)
Veterans Agent George Martin, 1961 (Deceased) George A. Dusenberry, Jr. (Appointed to fill vacancy)
Sealer of Weights and Measures Charles L. Merrick, 1961
Fence Viewers
Gordon W. Holdridge, 1961 Harry R. Jeffrey, 1961 Harry R. Whyte, 1961
Registrars of Voters Doris G. Cochran, 1961 (Ex Officio) Leonard F. VonFlatern, Sr., 1961 William Sullivan, Jr., 1962 Henry P. Baush, 1963
Playground Commissioners Robert J. Driscoll, 1961 Victor S. Kodis, 1961 Dr. Gordon C. MacKay, 1961
Board of Fire Commissioners Wesley G. Chapman, 1961 Ettore L. Pederzani, 1961 Rudolph L. Shults, 1961
Revaluation Study Committee Richard L. Danforth Earl W. Decorie
Harold K. Jones
Peter G. Ellis
James L. Marchese
Roland L. Sirois Michael J. Rudy
Radio Advisory Committee Herbert Butler, 1961 Roger T. Hintze (Ex Officio) William Pollitt Harland H. Rogers Ralph E. Tupper
5
School Building Committee
Irving H. Agard Allan A. Campbell Michael F. X. Gigliotti Fred T. Googins Dorrance T. Green Angelo C. Pessolano Robert P. Whittier
Civil Defense Personnel
Roger T. Hintze, Director
Lincoln A. Dexter, Deputy Director
Charles E. Dorey, Deputy Director
Walter R. Howe, Deputy Director
Harland H. Rogers, Deputy Director
Angelo C. Pessolano Robert P. Whittier
Bi-Centennial Celebration Committee
J. Loring Brooks Irving J. Cordner Richard L. Danforth
Henry I. Edson Raymond F. Gurney Roger T. Hintze Harry R. Jeffrey Ralph M. Kilcourse
John J. Lyons
Albert L. Martin
Charles L. Merrick
Carl Nelson Jesse L. Rice
Insurance Review Committee
Aldo Alberici, 1961
Theodore F. Angell, 1961
Gerald N. Hakes, 1961 Bert Mount, 1961 Leland W. Shaw, 1961
Building Inspector Anthony G. Mascaro, 1961 Thomas W. Farnham, Asst., 1961
School Survey Committee Kenneth R. Bunten, Jr.
Allan Campbell Michael F. X. Gigliotti Dorrance T. Green
John R. Lyman
Electrical Inspector William E. Fitzgerald
History Committee Henry I. Edson
Raymond F. Gurney
Harry R. Jeffrey
Ralph M. Kilcourse
John J. Lyons Charles L. Merrick
Town Report Committee Warren I. Fillmore Burton W. Hall Mrs. Eugene H. McGinty Chester L. Thorndike, Jr.
In Memoriam
GIACOMO ALBERICI
Former Constable, 1944-1955
G. B. SMITH
Former Member Planning Board, 1951-1954
6
Selectmen's Report
Last year the Federal Census indicated that Wilbraham has now grown from the status of a small town of 4,000 population in 1950 to that of a large town with a population of 7,387 in 1960. This tremendous increase in population with all its related problems for demands in Town services such as Schools, Roads, Police, Fire, etc., is a challenge to all of us to keep our expenses within our ability to pay. In re- viewing our progress for the past ten years, and comparing it with our accomplishments, we can't help but congratulate all elected and appointed officials for their dedi- cated services and careful consider- Chairman of the Board of Se- lectmen Roger T. Hintze, proof- reading the "galleys" for this Town Report - a big job. ation during this period of tremen- dous expansion. We cannot offer congratulations without thanking the townspeople who have voted wisely at our Town Meetings on all matters that were called to their attention to produce the excellent financial condition that the Town is in today.
In the past we have repeatedly tried to impress everyone with this tremendous influx of population and the resulting demands for Town services and other related problems as the results of this growth. We still have a long row to hoe but our accomplish- ments to date are the envy of surrounding towns and also of other towns of comparable size throughout the State. By careful planning for all our services in the future, the same as we have in the past, we can't help but eventually work out of this dilemma with a great deal of satisfaction. Wilbraham is unique in that it is full of good traditions and the cooperative effort by all of its citizens in solving these problems adds that much more to our tradition. Such an attitude by all of us makes our Town a desir- able place in which to live and a happier place to bring up our children.
The following paragraphs outline some of our accomplishments during the past year and also explain the need for careful con- sideration in voting on the appropriations for the coming year that are recommended by your Finance Committee.
7
Highways
Our Chapter 90 Construction allotment for the past few years has been concentrated on re-building and re-locating Monson Road. It is our desire to continue this project eventually to the Monson line. The amount of funds for this project are limited and 75% of the cost is contributed by the County and State Department of Public Works, based on a formula which natur- ally restrains us from doing what we would like to do on our road building program. Last year's allotment was not used be- cause of complications regarding land taking, but this problem has been satisfactorily solved by having the County Commis- sioners take land by eminent domain for the purpose of re-locat- ing a portion of this road. This coming year we plan to proceed with our program, east of Ridge Road, by using last year's amount that was held and carried over to this year, plus this year's allotment.
Our Chapter 81 program, which is likewise very limited and contributed to by the State, is also based on a fixed formula but in our opinion it is very inadequate to keep our present roads in first-class condition based on today's costs. After we repair our existing roads and take care of one or two drainage prob- lems, there is very little money left over for construction pur- poses. We feel we should protect what we have and keep the existing roads in first-class condition rather than neglect proper treatment and in a few years be confronted with the problem of re building many of our roads.
This year we have two Special Articles; one for the re-building of Faculty Street and one, for the resurfacing a portion of Spring- field Street, which we feel are necessary at this time, and we hope for favorable approval by the townspeople. Faculty Street normally comes under Chapter 81 and we do not have sufficient funds in this account to do any construction. Those who travel over this road realize the poor condition and the constant need for repair to keep it passable. Such repair expense will be elimi- nated for many years if this road is re-built according to State specifications. Springfield Street comes under Chapter 90, but the construction and maintenance grants for the coming year have already been allocated. To re-surface a portion of this road from Main Street to Ripley Street will eliminate the possible re construction of this section for some time to come. In our opinion, it is good advice to you to have this done and it is
8
recommended by the Department of Public Works that this action be taken at this time.
Snow
The amount of snow that we have had this last winter cer- tainly warrants a few special comments. First of all, the cost of snow removal this year is approximately three times normal cost. Our Highway Department has done a superb job and should be congratulated by all of us for a job well done with the limited equipment at their disposal. A comparison with the accomplish- ments of Highway Departments in other towns makes us feel proud of our small Department.
Drainage
This is one of the biggest problems facing the community to date in our Highway program. Your Selectmen have had several joint meetings with your Planning Board and we discussed this particular subject and have made recommendations to eliminate some of these problems from recurring. Recommendations regard- ing specifications for road building have likewise been strength- ened to eliminate excessive maintenance cost in the future.
Because of the tremendous number of drainage problems al- ready in existence, it is going to take time because of our limited financial means to satisfactorily correct them. Certain problems can be temporarily corrected, but we feel permanent plans will eliminate additional costs in the future. We are making progress in our solutions to these problems, but it is slow and if you will be patient we are sure the final results will meet with your approval.
Our South Main Street drainage problem seems to be the most acute and this year we asked for a special construction allotment under Chapter 90 of which only a small amount was approved. Possibly over a period of two or more years a sufficient amount can be obtained to finally complete this project at the Woodland Dell Road area. By doing this under Chapter 90, the Town's share of the total cost is only 25%.
Town Report
Your Town Report Committee has now been operating for two years. In our opinion they have done a remarkable job and have relieved your Selectmen of much of the work which always
9
comes during the busiest time of the year. We want to express our appreciation for their assistance and original ideas that they are gradually developing in these reports.
At the request of Mr. Neale, a member of our Finance Com- mittee, you will note that the Financial Report Section has been changed to make it easier for you to understand the total expendi- tures for the past year. This new arrangement not only includes Article 5, but brings all Special Articles relative to the same classification together under the proper heading. For example, in Article 5, under Highways, you will notice two accounts; namely, Miscellaneous Highway Account and Road Machinery Operating Expense, but the total of these two items will not give you the total cost of the operation of the Highway Department. In last year's Warrant, Articles 7 through 16 are part of our Highway Program. By putting all these items together as out- lined in our new Financial Statement, each person will then have a better understanding of our Highway program. We feel that this new arrangement will be appreciated by those who want to analyze further the exact costs of operating our Town.
Schools and School Needs
It is not our prerogative to discuss Schools and School needs in the foreseeable future, but it is only fair to call to your attention the increased demands for the next few years based on the cur- rent population trends. A very large portion of our tax dollar will have to be spent to meet these demands. We feel that our program to date has been extremely sensible and we hope that by continuing on the same logical basis we can meet the expense of this expanding problem and solve it with a considerable amount of pride. The continuation of our Stabilization Fund on the same basis as we have in the past; namely, $45,000.00 per year would permit us to keep up with our school building needs. Our school population increase indicates we need approximately three new classrooms per year. The average classroom cost in this vicinity is in the neighborhood of $30,000.00 each. The aid from the State which is approximately 50% of the total construc- tion cost, plus the yearly deposit to our Stabilization Fund, gives us enough to meet the demands for the three classrooms that are needed each year. Another good benchmark to remember is that for each classroom that is put in operation there will be an additional operational expense for that year of approximately $8,500.00 per room.
10
As far as our financial situation is concerned the Town is in excellent condition. We have a very respectable credit rating which is evidenced by our ability to borrow money in anticipa- tion of taxes at a very low and attractive rate. Last year it was necessary for us to borrow $200,000.00 in anticipation of taxes at the rate of 1.93%.
Special Articles in This Year's Warrant
There are several articles in this year's Warrant that require a very careful appraisal by you for the general welfare of the Community. Such things as water main extension to East Wil- braham, the property of the old United Church, the taking of land for recreational and park facilities, such as Spec Pond and the problem concerning the elimination of water betterments which was adopted in 1958. We also have included an article to authorize the establishment of an Industrial Development Com- mission which will not become legal until the adoption of such permissive legislation in accordance with the provisions of the General Laws. The Selectmen made this appointment in order for the Committee to get organized but no money may be appro- priated for use by this Commission for expense purposes until such Commission is legally adopted at the next Annual Town Meeting by the townspeople. We hope you will approve these two articles therefore legally establishing the Industrial Develop- ment Commission. Up to this point its function has been pri- marily a Study Group but because of the possible tax revenue from Industrial and Business Establishments, it is felt that this Commission can help relieve the tax burden on the homeowner by getting a few industries to move into Town.
Another item of extreme importance is the report made by the Revaluation Study Committee and their recommendation in the Warrant for this year. The Revaluation Study Committee has reviewed the problem since the last Annual Meeting and have had several joint meetings with the Finance Committee and your Board of Selectmen. The Finance Committee as well as your Selectmen strongly recommend the adoption of this program and we hope the article having reference to this subject will meet with your approval.
We have also installed a chart at the end of our report which has been prepared for your convenience in order that you might determine for yourselves the inevitable cost that you, as property
11
owners, will be confronted with as our Town grows larger. This chart does not necessarily mean that we have to conform to this particular pattern if we have some other method of satisfying the needs. This chart, however, represents 190 towns in the State of Massachusetts grouped by population for comparative purposes. It is interesting to note the average percentage of expenditures for the various town services for all towns in the Commonwealth compared to those of Wilbraham.
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