Wilbraham annual report 1956-1960, Part 38

Author: Wilbraham (Mass.)
Publication date: 1956
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 654


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.


-


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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