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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1949 ADVISORY REPORTPlease Preserve This Report for Use at the Town Meeting TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER Report of the A, dvisory Board MARCH 19, 1949 TO THE CITIZENS OF NORTH ANDOVER: In its 1948 report your Advisory Board stateeI that it had been £oreed to disapprove many art~_cles of merit because of the large appropriations made necessary by increased ~osts of various town departments. We quote from that report, "We have no right to extend approval ~o any expenditure unless xve feel that you can pay for it, and we believe that a tax tale of $~0.00 comes very dose to the maximum limit that you eau or should pay". Because of special artieles voted by the town ag'a~nst the recommendations of your board, the final rate was set at 863.00. It now appears tha~ our whole eco~mmy with very few exceptions, is receding from ~ts inflation peak. Prices gen- erally have experieuced downward adju%menta. We have soon s ~teady increase in unemployment in this area and are told that our mer;~hant~ are having more difficulty in moving the a'oods on their shelves, probably because of the hiffh price of that merchandise. Ali these signs ~ndieate a need for caution in planning' for future expendituros in our town. They indicate possible difficulties in the collection of taxes because of downward adjustments hq the pnrehasin~ power of mr citizens. In vkew of air these factors to~'ether with the re~lizafion thr~t vm~r ~948 tax rate wa~ the seeol~d highest h~ the entire state, your board connuoiw, od its deliber~tious tLis .year, determined, if possible, ~o "hold the linc". Despite this poller, your board has recommended an increase in budget appropriations of ~52,000.00 over those of 1948 and an increase m "special art]ele~" of $11,000.00 w~th the result that although ir has tried to be conservative, your board is recommending that yon spend ]u ~949 a total of ¥63,000.00 more than yon voted to speud in 1948. A comparative munmary condensed for simplicity to the nearest lhousand is as follows: 1947 1948 1949 Bude'e~ Appropriat~ous $5Sl,000. $506.000. ¢658,000. Special Articles 47,000. 80.0(1(). 91,000. Total Tax Rate 053, THE 1949 TAX RATE Your Advisory Board cannot forecast the i949 tax rate with any accuracy, not only because it has recommended the use of "free cash" for certain of the "special articles", but also because the effect on the tax rate of the revaluation survey which has been completed, cannot now be estimated. You may be certain that the tax rate will be higher ii you do not agree with your Board's reeommendatious than it will be if you do--by about $1.00 ior each additional $7,500.00 N appropriations which you choose to vote. In 1940, which was the hast pre-war budget year, $378,000.00 was appropriated for salaries and expenses, in other words, the cost of framing the Town o~ North Andover. in 1948 those same appropriations totaled $606,000.00 an increase of better than 60~;~. When we compare the amounts raised by taxes in those same base years, we find that the increase runs to 680¢) and yet the valuation of property in the town during this period increased by only 11~¢ and this 11 ¢~; includes an increase in motor vehicle valuation of 49c/~. it must be apparent that our expenditures, whether for salaries and expenses or for special articles, must be scru- tinized careftdly by you at your Town Meeting, if yon are to arrive at a tax rate which you can afford to pay. $3.00 [~ER WEEI( PAY RAISE Your Board advised you at last year's Town Meeting that the employees of this town weYe entitied to some recog- nition in face of a rising wage scale despite the fact that the town employees bad a somewhat grea~er degree of stability in their employment status than did employees in industry. As poh~ted out earlier in, this report, our economic status seems to have reached a leveling point and industry generally is granting no wage raises at this time. You voted last year to g~ve your regular full time town employees a cost of living bombs at the rat~ r~f $3.00 per week. Your Advisory Board reeommeuds that *~ $3.00 per week permanent raise be given to all full time ~mtph>yees, effective ]mmediat(qy. SCIIOODS The largest items to be placed before you this year are the School Department Budget and thc cost of the School Building Program, a eonthmation of ~vhieh >ou have favored for several years. The School Department Budget represents the largest singqe item in the cost of running your town. In total it represeuts more than one third of the total budget require- merits of the town and in emnparing the requirements of the School Commlttee for expenses and wages in 1940 with 1949 we find that the item has increased by 9:V¢;. "SCHOOl, AID" Last year the Legislature made some changes in the inethod of~ apportioning the reimbursements from the Corn- 2 monwealth for money collected by the State in taxes, to give slightly more to thc towns having larf,'er numbers of school children in proportion to their assessed valuations. According to the "cherry sheet" figures, we will receive a net amount of $72,242.27 this year, which is $2,621.45 more than last year and makes the estimated amount to be raised by local taxes $598,000. The additional $2,600. which we are to receive this year is known as "school aid", because it helps towns like ours, which have small but expensive school systems to maintain. SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAM The School Building Committee has continued to carry out your wishes in the furtherance of the School Building Program and has made several requests for funds in special articles in this year's warrant, to which your Advisory Board has recommended £avorable consideration. For 2urther in- formation you are referred to the current report of the School Building Committee. SEWER AND WATER EXTENSIONS Your Advisory Board has continued your clearly stated policy established several years ago in connection with water and sewer extensions. These ~tems represent a sizeable portion of the amount requested in special articles in the warrant each year and your board continues to favor a participation by petitioners in this type o~ expenditure. .FIRE DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT The appointment of a committee has been recommended to study iu close co-operation with the Board of Fire :Engineers, the problem of equipment in the Fire Department. The boarcl b~lieves that a definite program should be outlined for this de- partment, so that future Town Meetings may have a clear pie- ture of the financial needs of the department during the years to come, and so that fire protection can be maintained at its usual high standard. We wish to express our sincere thanks to all of the offi- cials of the town who have given us so much co-operation during our lengthy deliberations in preparation for the annual Town Meeting. All of the officials and individuals appearing before us have been most co-operative and have given freely o~' their time and energy. Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR E. SUNDERLAND, Chairman S. FORBES ROCKWELL JOHN J. FITZGERALD KENNETH 3/[. CRAWFORD ARNOLD H. SALISBURY WALDO It. HOLCOMBE IlARVEY LEBOW ARTICLE 2. To elect all other officers not required by law to be elected by ballot. Recommended that this be referred to the Selectmen for action. ARTICLE 3. To sec if the Town will vote to accept the report of receipts and expenditures as presented by the Selectmen. Recommended that the report be accepted. ARTICLE 4. To see what action the To~vn will take as to its unexpended appropriations. Recommended that all unexpended appropriations be returned to the Treasury, with the exception of the following amounts, which were originally appropriated under the Ar- ticles indicated: Amount Article ~e~r $482.73 18 1946 273.68 24 1948 594.54 45 1948 229.38 46 1948 1,640.61 47 ~948 21].67 52 ]948 1,351.88 53 1948 239.!)6 54 ]948 1,346.58 55 1948 4,000.00 61 1948 36,979.12 t57 52 1948 1947 89,696.12 58 1948 ARTICLE 5. To see w~iat action the Town will take as to the recommendations of the Advisory Board. Recommended that each item of the propeaed budget be considered separately. See page 12. The salary figures recommended by your Advisory Board include an allowance for ~ pay raise in thc amount of $3.00 per week for all reo~'ular full-thne employees. Further detail is set forth in t~e first part of this report . ARTICLE 6. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow fao.ney from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1950 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 ]ess than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44. General Laws. Favorable action recommended. ARTICLE 7. To consider the report of ail special eom- mittees. Recommended that the reports of all special committees be heard. ARTICLE 8. To see what action the Town will take in regard to appointing a committee to take care of the public parks, triangles, and playgrounds of the Town. By its action at the 1947 Town Meeting, the Town con- stituted the Board of Public Works as a Permanent Committee to care for public parks, triangles, and playgrounds. There- fore, it is recommended that this Article be stricken from the Warrant. AItTICLE 9. To see if the Town will vote to authorize ~he Board of IIealth to appoint one of theh' members to the position of Board of Health Physician and to fix his compen- sation, in accordance with Section iA. Chapter 41, General Laws. Favorable action recommended on the basis of compen- sation in the amount o~ $750.00 ~or the year 1949. This amount has been included in the Board of Health appropriation as recommended by your Advisory Board, ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the School Committee to appoint one of its members to the position o~ School Physician and to fix his compensation in accordance with Section 4A, Chapter 41, General Laws. Favorable action recommended on the basis of compensa- tions in the amount of $750.00 for the year 1949. This amount has been included in the School Department appropriation as recommended by your Advisory Board. ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate suffleie~t funds to erect on Drmnmond Play- ground one open-type shelter and three benches. Petition of the Board of' Selectmen on recommendation of the Recreational Council. It is recommended that the sum of $600.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of this Article, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Public Works. ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate sufficient fnnds to purchase and plant (>ne twenty- five (25) foot Chinese Ehn Tree and to furnish three concrete seats at Grogan's Playground. Petition of the Board of Selectmen on recommendation of the Recreational Council. It is recommended that the sum df $200.00 be raised and appropriated for the purposes of this Article, to be expended under the directivn of the Board of Public Works. It is further recommended that the services of a reliable tree 5 nursery be procured to assist in the choosing and planting of a su/table tree, not necessarily a Chinese Elm. ARTICLE 13. To see if the Town ~vill vote to raise and appropriate the snm of Six Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($6,200) to :~urnish and install an eight ($) foot high chain link fence, with two ten (10) foot truck gates and two pedes- trian gates, around, the present Grogan's baseball field. Petition of the Board of Selectmen on recommendation of the Recreational Counoil. Unfavorable action recommended. In line with the cur- rent policy of yonr Board, as previously outline& it is felt that this is an expenditure which should be postponed ~o a later date. ARTICLE 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Eight Hundred Dollars ($800) -- the sum of six hundred dollars ($600) to be used ~or salaries of our Playground Instructors and one Supervisor for the six- week schedule in the smnmer of 1949; the sum of Two Hundred Dollars ($200) to be used for Playground handicraft supplies. Petition of the Board of Selectmen on recommendation of the Recreational Cmmcil. Favorable action recommended. These expenditures are a continuation of the policy established under Article 22 and 23 of the Warrant at the 1948 Town Meeting. It is recom- mended that the sum of $600.00 be raised and appropriated to be expended under the direction of the Recreational Council for the instruction and supervision of children upon the play- grounds of the Town, and that an additional sum of $200.00 be raised and appropriated to be so expended for the purchase of supplies, including handicraft and other expendable items, for the use of children, instructors and supervisors on said playgrounds. ARTICLE 15. To see if the Town will vote to repeal all the existing by-laws of the Tow.n and substitute therefor for "Revised By-Laws of the Town of North Andover" recom- mended by the By-Laws Committee and made a part of its final report appearing in thc Town Report for 1948, or to take some other action relative to said report. Petition of the By-Law Committee. Favorable action recommended. The proposed "Revised By-Laws", as printed in the Town Report for 1948, have been carefully studied by your Board in conjunction with the By-Law Committee, and it is felt that they are a definite and needed improvement over our present by-laws. It is further recommended thag the sum of $350.00 he raised and appro- pr/ated for the purpose of printing copies of the Revised By-Laws, when approved by the Attorney General, for dis- tribution to the citizens of the Town. ARTICLE 16. To see if the Town will vote to authorize thc Board of Selectmen to enter into a lease with Charles Perry, upon such terms and conditions as the Selectmen may deem advisable, with respect to premises known as "To~vn Dump" at th.e end of Union Street. Petition of the Board of Selectmen. Favorable action recommended. ARTICLE 17. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to accept, in behalf of the Town, a gift of a certain portion of land on Hillside Road, all as lined on plan of proposed widening of Hillside Road, North Andover, Massachusetts, drawn by Ralph B. Brasseur, Feb- ruary, 1948, from II. W. Clark. Unfavorable action recommended, since the proposed gift is expressly conditioned upon certain expenditures by the Town which have been estimated at $3,000, as set forth in Article 36. It is your Board's belief that such an amount can be better spent for other purposes at this time, and it has therefore also recommended unfavorable action on Article 36. However, your Board also feels that the thanks of the Town should be given Mr. Clark for his generous offer, and that further consideration should be given the project at some later date if the offer remains open. ARTICLE 18. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell, convey or otherwise dispose of, Lot No. 27 located on Upland Street, deeded to the In- habitants of North Andover, for such price as may appear suitable; such lot described and bounded as follows: Westerly by Upland Street, forty-five (45) feet, southerly by lot 26, one hundred (100) feet, easterly by lot 30, forty-five (45) feet and northerly by lot 28: one hundred (] 00) feet containing forty-five hundred (4500) square feet more or less. Petition of thc Board of Selectmen. Favorable action recommended. ARTICLE 19. To see if the Town will vote to sell the tract of land with buildings thereon, situated on Beverly Street, North Andover, l¥Iassachusetts, and known as the Union School property; and to empower the Board of Select- men to arrange and execute such sale on terms most advan- tageous to the Town, and to make and delivery good and sufficient deed or deeds for the same; provided, however, that the authority granted under this article shall become effective only after the School Committee has certified to the Board of Selectmen that the Union School has been vacated and is no longer needed for pnrposcs of the School Depart- mont. Petition of the Board of Selectmen. Favorable action recommended. ARTICLE 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($1,400) for the purchase of one half-ton pick-up truck. Petition of John J. Connors, Tree Warden. It is recommended that the sum of $1,300.00 be taken from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury, to be used by the Tree Warden, together with his present pick-up truck, for the purposes of this Article. ARTICLE 21. To see if the To~vn will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred Fifty Dollars ($550) for the purchase of a powered chain saw. Petition of John J. Connors, Tree Warden. It is recommended that the sum of $550.00 be taken from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury, to be ex- pended by the Tree Warden for the purposes of this Article. ARTICLE 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Sixty-Five Dollars and Thirty-four Cents ($165.34) to take care of the unpaid bills for the Town Infirmary for the year 1948. Petition of the Board of Public Welfare. Favorable action recommended. However, your Advisory Board wishes to call to the attention of the Town, and the heads of the various Town Departments, the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 31, which forbid town departments to incur any liability in excess of their appro- priations except in cases of extreme emergency involving the health or safety of persons, and then only by a vote of two- thirds of the Selectmen. Section 64 of the same Chapter requires a four-fifths vote of the Town Meeting for adoption of such an Article as this. ARTICLE 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Oue Hundred Sixty six Dollars ($]66) to take care of unpaid bills for the year 1948 for the Police Department. Petition of Alfred H. YfeKee. Favorable action recommended. Comments made under the preceding Article are equally applicable here. ARTICLE 24. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for the salaries and wages in each Town Department, except the School Depart- ment, to grant a Three IInndred Dollar ($300) increase to ali full-time town employees. Petition of Edward ]tfelamed and others. Inasmucl~ as a general increase in wages has been pro- posed by your Advisory Board and provided for in appropria- tions recommended for each town department, it is recom- mended that this Article be stricken from the Warrant. ARTICLE 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Six Hundred Dollars ($600) to be used with the present Chevrolet car, to purchase a new police car. Petition of Alfred II. McI~ee and others. It is recommended that the sum of $600~00 be taken from unappropriated funds in the Treasury, to be used by the Chief of Police, together with the present Che~rrolet car, for the purposes of this Article. ARTICLE 26. To sec if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Eight Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($8.400) to be added to the Police Department Appropriation, zo provide for the appointment of three competent and quali- fied men, under Civil Service Rules, to be regular patrolmen. Petition of Alfred H. McKee and others. Unfavorable action recommended. Your Advisory Board believes that the Town can be adequately policed and pro- tected by the present police personnel, and that no permanent increase in the Police Department budget should be voted at this time. ARTICLE 27. To see il~ the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the smu of One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1.500 to purchase ,new ladders for the Ladder Truck. Petition ol; the Board of Fire Engineers. Unfavorable action recommended, in view of the recom- mendation of your Board under Article 30. ARTICLE 28. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($1.200 to lmrchase six air masks as required by State Laws. Petition of the Board of Fire Engineers. It is reconunended that the sum of $1,200 be taken from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury, to be ex- pended under the direction of the Fire Engineers to purchase s~x "gas masks", as required by General Laws, Chapter 48, Section 5lA. ABTICLE 29. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($1,800) to purchase an automobile for use of Fire and Forest Fire Departments. Petition of Board of Fire Engineers and Forest Warden. Unfavorable action recommended. This action is in line wi~ the policy of the Town as established at the Annual Town Meeting last year. There is no apparent need for addi- tio~l traasportional facilities in the Fife Department at this time. · ARTICLE 30. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Moderator to appoint a comnfittee to investigate the ad- visability of procuring a new Ladder Truck for the Fire Depa~ment. /Petition of the Board of Fire Engineers. ~// It is recommended that a committee of five citizens of the Town, none of whom shall be a paid municipal officer or employee, be appointed forthwith by the Moderator, to study the needs of the Fire Department, with reference to the procuring of such new equipment as may be necessary to make the department an efficient fire fighting unit, and to report its findings and recommendations to the next annual town meeting. ARTICLE 31. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of Six Hundred Dollars ($600) for the pur- chase of snow equipment for a Highway Department lrnek. Petition of the Ilighway Surveyor. With the approval of the Highway Surveyor, it is re- commended that this Article he stricken from the Warrant. A/<TICLE 3~. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of Two Thou:sand Dollars ($2,000) to be used for a sidewalk project; the Town to pay one-half of the ex- pense and the applicant lo pay the other half of the cost. Petition of the Highway Surveyor. It is recommended that the sum of $9.,000.00 he taken from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury, to be used for the purposes of this Article, under the direction of the Highway Surveyor. ARTICLE 33. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of ~qix Th(insand Five lIm~dred Dollars ($6.500) for the purchase of a two and one-half to three ton heavy-duty Dump Trnek chassis and eob with nine yard enclosed rubbish body. Petition of the Highway Surveyor. Unfavorable action recommended. Your Advisory Board believes ~hat ghis is another of those large expenditures which shi)uld not be nndertaken at this time: It is felt that rubbish collections in this Town can be adequately made with the use of present equipment and personnel, ARTICLE 34. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the stun of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000) for main- tenance on any street in Town under Chapter 90 of the General Laws, said money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County, or both, for this purpose; or take any other action in relation thereto. Petition of the Itighway Surveyor. 10 It is recommended that the sum of $2,000 be taken from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury for the pur- poses of this Article, to be expended by the Highway Surveyor, under Chapter 90 of the General Laws, together with any money which may be allotted for such purposes by the State or County or both, but in no greater proportion than $2,00 of Town money to each $1.00 of such allotted funds. ARTICLE 35. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) for the conthmation of the rebuilding of Main Street under Chapter 90 of the General Laws, said money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County or both, for this purpose; or take any other action in relation thereto. Petition of the tIighway Surveyor. It is recommended that the sum of $5,000,00 be taken from unappropriated available funds in Treasury for the puro poses of this .Article, to be expended under the direction of the Highway Surveyor, under Chapter 90 of the General Laws, together with any money which may be allotted for such purposes by the State or County or both, but in no greater proportion than $2.00 of Town money to each $1.00 of such allotted funds. ARTICLE 36. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or provide from available funds, the sum of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000) for the purpose of widening Hillside Road in accordance with the plan of proposed widen- ing of Hillside l~oad, North Andovcr, Massachusetts, drawn by Ralph B. Brassenr, February, 1945. Petition of the Highway Surveyor. Unfavorable action recommended. See comment under Article 17. ARTICLE 37. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, provide by bond issue or transfer from available funds, Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500) to be used to purchase and install an electric motor, centrifugal pinup, and appurtenances to replace the 1906 pump and engine at the pumping station. Petition of Board of Public Works. The purpose of this and the following three Articles is to further the established policy of the Board of Public Works to maintain an efficient water system in the Town. Your Advisory Board has been advised that if an additional $1,000.00 is made available for the purposes of this Article, equipment can now be purchased which will facilitate the future installa- tion of a fully automatic water system, at a considerable saving to the Town. It is therefore recommended that the sum of $8,500.00 be taken from unappropriated available 11 funds iu the Treas~ry, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Public Works for the purposes of this Article. ARTICLE 38. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the 1948 Stabilizatim~ Fund Four Thousand One Ituudrcd Seventeen Dollars and Eighty-eight Cents ($4,117.88) to be used to purchase and install an electric motor, centrifugal pump and appnrtenances to replace the 1906 pump and engine at the pumping station." Petit]on of Board of Public Works. Favorable action recommended, the money to be expended under the direction of lhe Board of Public Works for the purposes of this Article. ARTICLE 39. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate ~rom available funds the sum of Two Thousand T~vo Hundred Twenty-Six Dollars and Twenty-seven Cents ($2,226.27) being the amount, of water departmcnt receipts in excess of water department operating expenses for 1948 for the purchase and installation of an electric motor, centrifugal pump and ap- purtenances at the pumping station. Petition of Board of Public Works. It is recommended that the sum of $2,226.27 be taken from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Public Works for the purposes of this Article . AI~TICLE 40.. To see if the Town wil}, vote to authorize the Board of Public Works to dispose of the 1.5 million gallon a day pmnp and engine installed at the pumping station in 1906 and used as stand-by equipment since 1930. Petition of Board of Public Works. Favorable action recommended, with the understanding that the proceeds from the sale of this equipment be returned to the Treasury. ARTICLE 41. To see ii the Town will vote to raise and appropriate Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000) to place hydrants at the new houses of Edward Welch, Dale Street, Francis Cashman, Winter Street, Christian Stoehr, Salem Street and other necessary locations. Petit[on of Board of Public Works. It is recommended that the sum of $2,000 be taken from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury, to be ex- pended under the direction of the Board of Public Works for the purposes of this Article. ARTICLE 42. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate, provide by bond issue, or transfer from available funds, Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) to clean and cement line water mains in the water works system. Petition of Board of Public Works. 14 Unfavorable action reconunended. After some discussion with the Superintendent of the Board of Public Works, it is believed that this expenditure can be postponed for some time, without detriment to the Town's interests. ARTICLE 43. To see if the Town will raise and appro- Priate, provide by bond issue, or tra.nsfcr from available funds, Four Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($4,500) to extend the sewer system on Main Street from 281 Main Street to Davis Street before Main Street is reconstructed. Petition of Board of Public Works. Unfavorable action recommended, since it appears that the proposed sewer extensions would serve no present pur- poses, and may never become necessary. ARTICLE 44. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Chapter 586 of thc Acts of 1948. "An Act authorizing increases of the amount of pensions payable to certain former public employees who have been retired and to beneficiaries of certain retired public empioyees. Petition of ,lames J. Maker and others. Favorable action recommended. Your Advisory Board has been given to understand 'that this article does not call for any increased contributions by the Town to the present retirement system. ARTICLE 45. To see if the Town will vote to accept School Street aceording to the layout approved by the Plan- ning Board and as adjudicated by the Board of Selectmen. Petit/on of ,lames Farrell and others. Favorable action recommended. ARTICLE 46. To see if the Town will vote to accept Faulkner Road, from Parker Street to Greene Street, accord- ina to the layout approved by the Planning Board and as adjudicated b~, the Board of Selectmen. Petition of Louis H. McAloon and others. Favorable action recommended. ARTICLE 47. To see if' the Town will vote to extend the street lights from the present location at the corner of Salem Street to Mosquito Brook on Foster Street for safety protectio.n. Petition of Loring N. Foster and others. Favorable action recommended. The proposed street lighting appropriation has been increased to cover the cost of the additional lights. ARTICLE 48. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum to instaIIa fire alarm box at the junction of Salem, Boxford. and Foster Streets. Petition of John J. Wilcox~ and others. 15 Unfavorable action recommended. The cost of this pro- ject has been estimated at $1,500.00~ Your Board believes that the cost of such an installation is too high to warrant affirmative action at this time. AI~TICLE 49. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient amount of money to install a surface drain on Moody Street from Chadwick ~qtreet for a distance of Five Hundred (500) feet. Petition of Paul G. Dyer and others. Unfavorable action recommended. The petitioners did not appear before your Advisory Board at its Public hearings, and no evidence of the need for, or the cost of, such an installation has bee~t made available. However, since Moody Street is not an accepted way, your Board's established policies would require a negative recommendation in any event. ARTICLE 50. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, provide by bond issue, or transfer from available funds, a sufficient sum of money to extend th~ water system ou Boxford Street to l~orest Street and then a clistanee of One Thousand Seven Hundred ((L700) feet on Forest Street for fire protection in accordance with Article 9 of the Town lV[eeting of March 7, 1898. Petition of Fred Rabs and others. The initial cost of this installation, which would serve only ~our small houses, has been estimated at approximately $12,000.00. Moreover, in response to a request for comment~, the New England Fire Insurance Rating Association has re- plied, in part, as follows: "Therefore, if the Kimball district is to be furnished with fire protection it appears that it will be necessary to go back with the line to the reservoir, probably at least 12" in diameter, in order that a reasonable amount of water may be available for the section under consideration.' If this additional 12" line to the reservoir were installed, it is estimated that it would cost $115,000.00. The possibility of elevated storage instead of the 12" line for the district was considered and an estimate of $25,000.00 secured for a 100,000 gallon tank. Approval of this Article would commit the Town to a program calling for the eventual extension of the water system in~o outlying parts of the Town which, while desirable in many ways, would cost so much that your Advisory Board believes that the Town would not be able to pay for it. The petitioners have advised that any cost guarantee or percentage sharing of the cost is unacceptable to them. The Town, upon a similar recommendation voted overwhelmingly against the same Article at the 1948 Town Meeting. In view of all these factors, your Advisory Board recommends unfavorable act[on. ARTICLE 51. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, provide by bond issue, or transfer from aYailablc 16 funds, a suffieient amount of money to install water service an Summit Street roi' a distance of Two Hnndred (200) feet from Prescott Street. Petition of Harriet C. Brip;htman and others. The cost of this project is estimated at $900.00. It is recommended that the sum of $225.00 be taken from unappro- priated available fund~ in the Treasury, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Public Works for the purposes of this Article, upon the following conditions, which are im- posed in conformity with the established policy of the town: (1) That, on or before July 1, 1949, the petitioners and/or owners deposit with the Town Treasurer, for the use of the Town, the sum of $675.00 to cover the balance of the cost of the project. (2) That, on o~ before said July 1, 1949, the petitioners and/or owners give to the Selectmen such assurance as they may require that, within such time after the installation of water service under this Article as the selectmen may set, the roads and sidewalks affected thereby, and the drainage ef the same, will be put into a condition satisfactory to the H!ghway Surveyor, in accordance with the Selectmen's "Reg- ulations for Laying Out Streets". (3) That, on or before said July 1, 1949, the Planning Board shall have approved the layout and plan of the street involved. ARTICLE 52. To see if' the Town will vote ~o raise and appropriate, or provide by bond issue, or transfer from avail- able fnnds, a sufficient sum of money to extend the water system on Lorraine Avenue, Three Hundred Twenty (320) feet from Andover Street. Petition of ~[alcohn G. Norwood and others. The cost of this project, is estimated at $1,400.00. It is recommended that the sum of $350.00 be taken from unappro- priated available funds in the Treasury, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Public Works for the purposes of this Article, upon the following conditions, which are im- posed in conformity with the established policy of the Town: (1) That, on or before July 1, 1949, the petitioners and/or ovfners deposit with the Town Treasurer, for the use of the Town, the sum of $1,050.00 to cover the balance of the cost of the project. (2) That, on or before said July 1, 1949, the petitioners and/or owners give to the Selectmen such assurance as they may require that, within such time after the installation of water service under this Article as the selectmen may set, the roads and sidewalks affected thereby, and the drainage of the same, will be put into a condition satisfactory to the Highway Surveyor, in accordance with the Selectmen's "Reg- nlation~ for Laying Out Streets". 17 (3) That, on or before said July 1, 1949, the Planning Board shall have approved the layout and plan of the street involved. ARTICLE 53. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or provide by bond issue, or transfer from avail- able funds, a sufficient sum of money to extend the sewer system on Pleasant Street from Camden Street, Three Hundred (300~ feet toward Stevens Corner. Petition of ¢4itehell P. Bootman and others. Favorable action recommended. The cost of this project is estimated at $1,500. It is recommended that this amount be taken from unappropriated available funds in the Treas- ury, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Public Works for the pm'poses of this Article upon condition that a two cent assessment rate be made applicable to this project, under Acts of 1906, Chapter 380, section 6, as amended. ARTICLE 54. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, provide by bond issue, or transfer from available funds, a sum of mo~ey sufficient to extend the sewer system from Park Street, by way of Chiekering Road, to Main Street, and on Main Street as far as the site proposed for the new Center-Merrimack School. Petition of School Building Committee. It is recommended that the sum of $3,000.00 be taken from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury to be expended under the direction of the Board of Public Works for the purposes of this Article. This expenditm'e is necessary to provide for the proposed new Merrimack-Center School. ARTICLE 55. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or provide hy bond issue, or transfer from avail able funds, a sufficient sum of money to extend the sewer system on Putnam Road from Ilolbrook Road to .Mifflin Drive. Petition of Simon Caponette and others. The cost of this project is estimated at $1,000.00. It is recommended that this amonnt be taken from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury, to be expended nnder the direction of the Board of Public Works for the purposes of this Article, upon the following conditions, which are imposed in conformity with the established policy of the Town: (1) That the construction of homes to be serviced by the proposed installation shall have been started by July 1, 1949. (2) That a two-cent assessment rate be made applicable to the project, under Acts of 1906, Chapter 380, Section 6, as amended. (3) That, on or before said July 1, 1949, the petitioners and/or owners give to the Selectmen such assurance as they may require that, within such time after the installation of a sewer system under this Article as the Selectmen may set, 18 the roads and sidewalks affected thereby, and the drainage of the same, will be put into a condition satisfactory to the Highway Surveyor, in accordance with the Selectmen's "Reg- ulations for Laying Out Streets". (4) That, on or before said July 1, 1949, the Planning Board shall have approved the layout and plan of the street involved. ARTICLE 56. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or provide by bond issue, or transfer from avail- able funds, a sufficient snm of money to extend the water system on Pntnam Road from I-Iolbrook l~oad to tile residence of Simon Caponette. Petition of Simon Caponette and others. The cost of this project is estimated at $700.00. It is recommended that the sum of $175.00 be taken from unappro- priated available funds in the Treasury, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Public Works for the purposes of this Article, upon the following conditions, which are im- posed in conformity with the established policy of the Town: (1) That, on or before July 1, 1949, the petitioners and/or owners deposit with the Town Treasurer, for the use of the Town, the sum of $525.00 to cover the balance of the cost of the project. (2) That, on or before said July 1, 1949, the petitioners and/or owners give to the Selectmen such assurance as they may require that, within such time after the installation of water service under this Article as the Selectmen may set, the roads and sidewalks affected thereby, and the drainage of the same, will be put into a condition satisfactory to the Highway Surveyor, in accordance with the Selectmen's "Regulations for Laying Out Streets". (3) That, on or before said July 1, 1949, the Planning Board shall have approved the layont and plan of the street involved. ARTICLE 57. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, provide by bond issue, or transfer from available funds, a sufficient stun of money to extend the sewer system on Putnam l~oad from Greene Street to Mifflin Drive. Petition of Leon Beanehes~ne and others. The cost of this project is estimated at $3,000.00. It is recommended that this amount be takeu from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Public Works for the purposes of this Article, upon the following conditions, which are imposed in conformity with the established policy of the Town: (1) That the construction of homes to be serviced by the proposed installation shall have been started by July 1, 1949. 19 (9.) That a two-cent a~ses~ment rate be nmde applicable to the project, under Acts of 1906, Chapter 3~0, Section 6, as amended. (3) That, on or before said July 1, 1949, the petitioners and/or owners give to the Selectmen such assurance as they may require that, within such time after the installation of a sewer system under this Article as the Selectmen may set, the roads and sidewalks affected thereby, and the drainage of the mine, will be put into a condition satisfactory to the Highway Surveyor, in accordance with the Selectmen's "Reg- ulations for Laying Out Streets". (4) That, on or before said July 1, 1949, the Planning Board shall have approved the layout and plan of the street involved. _~kRTICLF~ 58. To see if the Town w~ll v(~te to raise and appropriate or provide by bmod issne, or transfer from avail- able funds, a sufficient stun of money to extend the watei system on Putnam Road from Greene Street to Mifflin Drive Petition of L(~on Bcanehesne and others. The cost of this project is estimated at $3,~00.00. It is recommended that the sum of $800.00 he taken from nnappro- priated available funds in the Treasury, to be expended under ~e direction of the Board of Public Works for the purposes of ~his Article, upon the following conditions, which are im- posed in conformity with the established policy of the town: (1) That, on or before July 1, 1949, the petitioners and/or owners deposit with the Town Treasurer, for the use of the Town, the sum of $2,400 to cover the balance of the cost of the project. (2) That, on or before said July 1, 1949, the petitioners and/or owners give to the Selectmen such assurance as they may require that. within such time after the installation of water service under this Article as the Selectmen may set, the roads and sidewalks affected thereby, and the drainage of the same, will be put into a condition satisfactory to the High- way Surveyor, in accordance with the Selectmen's "Regula- tions for Laying Out Streets". (3) That, on or before said July 1, 1949, the Planning Board shall have approved the layout and plan of the street involved. AIITICLE 59. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or provide by bond issue, or transfer from avail- able funds, a sufficient sum of money to install a sewer system on Sawyer Road for a distance of Two Hundred Forty (240) feet beginning at Pembrook Road. Petit]on of Joseph J. Sambataro and others. Unfavorable action recommended. Your Advisory Board believes that while other streets in which installations have 2O been made at the request of this petitioner remain in as poor a condition as they now are, no further consideration should be given to Articles for sewer and water extensions sponsored by him. Ai~TICLE 60. To see if '~he Town will vote to raise and appropriate or provide by bund issue, or transfer from avail able funds, a s,iffieient sum of money to install a water system on Sawyer Road for a distance of Two Hundred Forty (240) feet beginning at Pembrook Road. Petition of Joseph ~. Sambataro and others. Unfavorable action recommended. See comments under the preceding Article. AIVI'ICLE 61. To see if the Town wflI vote ~o raise and appropriate, provide by bond issue, or trans,'er from available fm~ds,, a .;uffie}ent sum of money to install a sewer system ou Mifflin Drh,e Two Hundred Thirty (230) feet from Massa- (~h nsetts Aven~te. Pe:~tion o~ Anthony J. Venture and others. U~f~vorable action recommended. Yaur Advisory Board is of th~ opinion ~hat until ~i~flin Drive is properly cou- s~ruct,d a~d provided with ~ ~dequate tire, rage system, the Town should not spend any of its funds to provide it with exte~sio~ts of sewer and water services. ARTICLE 62. To see i~ th(~ Town w[]l vote to ra.~se and appropriate, or provide by bond issue, or transfer ~rom ava[l~ ab}e ftmds, a s~ff~ieient sum of money to install a water system cn 51ffil[n Drive Two IIm~dred Thh;~y (230) feet from ~assa- ebusett:s Avenue. Petition o{' Antkony ~1. Venture and others. Unfavorable achon recommended. See comments under tiaa preceding Article, ARTICLE 63. To sec if tine Town w~ll vote to raise and sppropriate, or transfer from available funds, the sum of Six Thousand Dollars ($5,000) for the use of the k'ub~[c Works Department in bringing water and sewer lines to suitable po~nt~ adjacent to the Veterans' Houslng Development prop- erty, and to improve approaches ~o ~he property as may be nr~eessary ¢o e~sure passable ways to parking lot a~d for ~ il~ries at all ;in~e.~. The Veterans' Housing Development, to be built in the area bom~ded by Francis Street, Baldwin Street a~d Gnlbert Street, will provide dwe/ling' unit~q for ~wenty-four (24) Veterans and their families. r'etition of the North Andover Housing' .Authority. It is recommended that the sum of $6,000.00 be taken from unappropriated available fun48 in the Treasury, to be expended under the direction of the Bo~d of ]Public Works for the purposes of thi~ Article. 21 ARTICLE 64. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By-Laws by changing the classification of a piece of property owned by Ethel Freeman £rom a residential to a business district. Said property is located at Andovcr and Salem Turnpike (Turnpike Street) and bounded and described as follows: "Beginning at a point i~ the northerly line of the Salem Turnpike said point being 280 fee; northerly from a stone bonnd marking' the westerly end of a curve at the junc- tion of the Salem Tm, npike and Andover Street, thence north- westerly by the easterly line of Turnpike 111.44 feet to a point, thence northeasterly 391~72 feet to a point, thence south- easterly 172.03 feet to a point on the westerly line of Andover Street, thence southerly by the westerly line of Andover Street 207.95 feet to a point~ said point behag 187.50 feet northerly from a stone bound marking the easterly end of a curve at the junction of Andover Street and the Salem Turnpike, thence ~esterly 295.53 feet to the point of beginning." Petition of Ethel 5,L Freeman and others. Your Advisory Board wishes to place itself on record as being opposed to any gradual repeal of the Zoning By-Law by "Spot Zoning" amendments to the Zoning Map. However, no one appeared before your Board at its public hearings either in favor of or in opposition to this Article, and for this reason, as well as because the Planning Board is required by law to make recommendations to the Town Meeting relative to proposed zoning changes, your Advisory Board makes no recommendatim~ as to this Article. ARTICLE 65. To see if the To~vn will vote to establish a Reserve Police Force of from two (2) to four (4) men from those who have fully qualified and passed the State Civil Service ['hysical and mental examinations; all in accordance with Civil Service Rules and Reo~'ula. tions; to become effective immediately. Petition o~ David 1~'. Roche and others. This Article is similar to one in the 1948 Warrant, con- cerning which your Advisory Board said: "The Police Depart- ment is under jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen. The Advisory Board feels that all matters pertaining to the duties, personnel and administration of police department affairs should be sponsored by or carry a written approval of the Board of Selectmen, the ~hief of Police or both. Unfavorable action is recommended." Since the present Article is ~ot so sponsored or approved, your Board feels bound by the vote of the Town iu 1948 to reaffirm its position o~ this qnestion. Unfavorable action commended. ARTICLE 66. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of Three Hundred Fifty Dollars ($350) for 22 the maintenance and expenses of Post 2104, V.F.W. for the year 1949. Petition of Martin J. Lawlor, Jr., and others. Since the proposed budget includes the item requested by the petitioner it is recommended that this Article be stricken from the Warrant. ARTICLE 67. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of Eighteen Thousand Sixty Dollars ($18,060) to be added to thc Stabilization Fund under Chapter 124, Acts of ~945, as created nnder Article 36 of the Warrant for the Annual Meeting held ~'Iarch 16, 19~6, and as recommended in the Reeves' School Survey . Petition of the School Building' Committee. Favorable action recommended. This is a continuation of the policy established by the Town in 1946 dud ratified at each Town Meeting since that time, of regularly setting aside each year a proportionate share of tax money for the financing ef the long range school building program of the Town. AI~TfCLE 68, To see if the ~Pown will raise and appro- priate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) to be used by the School Building' Committee to obtain plans and/or specifications for a new high school or any other school build- ina, and to authorize the School Building Committee, if poss- ible, to borrow funds for the plans for new school buildings nnder t~t}e 5, Public Works, Acts of 1944, or take any other action relative thereto. Petition of School Building Committee. The building of a new high school is of necessity, a project for the future, which it is not contemplated the Town will undertake for some years, and it is felt by your Advisory Board that any appropriation for plans and specifications can very well be postponed. Urffavorable action recommended. ARTfCL[~] (i.(L To see il' thc, To-wu will make an additional appropriation of not exeeediug One }tundred and Two Thou- sand Dollars ($102,000) for the purpose of eonstrneting and orig'lnally equipping }nnd furnishing an addition to the Brad- street School and a grammar school to serve all areas other than the Thomson and Bradstreet districts, and will raise the ~ame by borrowb]g' or otherwisp., and will provide for different dates and maturities of the unissued bond.~ authorized under Artie!e 1 of the special Town Meeting held May 24, 1948. Petition of School Building Committee. For a detailed explanation of the proposal made by this Article, the Town is referred to the report of the School Building Committee, which is being mailed out separately. It is recommended that the following vote be passed: That the sum of One Hundred and Two Thousand ($102,000) Dollars be appropriated, in addition to the appro- priation already made, for the purpose of constructing and originally equipping and furnishing au addition to the Brad- street School and a grammar school to serve all areas other, than the Thomson and Bradsireet districts, and to meet said additional appropriation the sum of $2,000.00 shall be raised in the tax levy of the current year, the sum of ~30,000.00 to be transferred from unappropriated available funds, and the TreasureL with the approval of the Selectmen, is authorized to borrow the sum of $70,000.00 and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor, sa~d bonds or notes, and the un~sued $180,000~00 of the bond or note~ authorized under Article 1 of the special Town ~Ieeting held May 24, 1948, to be issued from time to time, each issue to constitute a separate loan, and the bonds or notes to be payable in accordance with Chapter 44 of the General Lav:s in not more than 20 years from their respective dates, or at such earlier ti~ne as the Treasurer and Selectmen may detern~ine. ARTICLe] 70. To see if ~he Town wi)l a;lthorize the School B~l~ling Committ~e created under :krtiele 34 of the Warra~t <)f the An~ual ~ro~¥n ~ieet.ing held 5~areh 1~, 1946, to enter irate any contracts l~ecessar'y for the purpose o~ earryiz~g olat the vote passed under Article 6f~, relative to %onstrueting and origi~ally equippi~g tke addition to the l¢radstreet EI~,n~entary School and tl~e startia~g oi a school tc serve all areas other titan the Thomson and Bra.dstreet Districts." I'~,tition of' School i3~tilding Co~n~nittea. Pavorable action recommended,