USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1946-1950 > Part 1
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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Town Officers and Committees
OF THE
TOWN of DUXBURY
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 31 1946
352.0744
Duxbury Free Library
352.0744 D987
DUXBURY FREE LIBRARY
FXLIB
IBRIS
TRIS
X
193
Duxbury Massachusetts
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Town Officers and Committees OF THE
TOWN of DUXBURY
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 31 1946
Linotyped, Printed and Bound by THE ROGERS PRINT Plymouth, Mass.
.
In Memoriam
PHILIP E. COVELL
Born in Springfield, 1908 Died February 14, 1946
Board of Public Welfare 1942-1944
THEODORE W. GLOVER
Born in Duxbury, 1863
Died July 25, 1946
Auditor
1905-1907
Selectman
1908-1916
Cemetery Trustee
1925-1946
In Memoriam
ARTHUR C. GREENE
Born in Concord, 1880
Died April 20, 1946
Fire Engineer 1921-1941
CHARLES S. CLARK
Born in Winchester, 1863 Died December 3, 1946 Served on various Committees and was Chairman of the Duxbury Railroad Committee for many years.
7
Town Officers, 1946
SELECTMEN
Charles R. Crocker
1947
Philip W. Delano
.
1948
Walter G. Prince
1949
ASSESSORS
Philip W. Delano
1947
Walter G. Prince
1948
Charles R. Crocker
. 1949
BOARD OF HEALTH
Charles R. Crocker
1947
Philip W. Delano
1948
Walter G. Prince
1949
CEMETERY TRUSTEES
Harry A. Tammett
1947
Ernest H. Bailey
1948
J. Newton Shirley
1949
Edward P. Hobart, replacing
Theodore W. Glover, deceased
1950
C. H. King
1951
8
TOWN CLERK AND TREASURER
Joseph T. C. Jones 1947
1
COLLECTOR OF TAXES
Edwin M. Noyes 1947
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Herbert C. Wirt 1947
Kenneth G. Garside
1947
George C. Scott .
1948
J. Newton Shirley
1948
Loring Mugford
1949
PLANNING BOARD
Benjamin F. Goodrich 1947
Mary N. Gifford .
1948
Oliver L. Barker .
1949
Percy L. Walker .
.
1950
Arthur Murphy .
1951
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE
George S. Butler . 1947
Barbara Mullowney. . .
1948
Carl J. Santheson, Jr. . . 1949
9
CONSTABLES
Earl W. Chandler
James T. O'Neil
Lawrence C. Doyle
TREE WARDEN
Roy E. Parks
OFFICIALS APPOINTED BY THE SELECTMEN BOARD OF APPEALS
Parker B. Chandler . 1947
H. Russell Chandler .
1948
William B. Coffin
1949
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS
Frances Covell 1947
Louis M. Bailey
1948
Clara M. Redmond
1949
Fire Engineers : Eben N. Briggs, Henry M. Griswold, Kenneth O. Macomber, Carl J. Santheson, Jr., George S. Butler, Leroy M. Peterson, Francis W. Perry.
Agent, Board of Health-C. H. King, M. D. Superintendent of Streets-Lewis B. Randall.
Chief of Police-James T. O'Neil.
Forest Warden-Eben N. Briggs.
Moth Superintendent-Roy E. Parks.
10
Shellfish Constable-A. Elliot Holmes, resigned Nov. 15, 1946-Henry P. McNeil.
Historian-Rev. Walter R. Hunt.
Inspector of Animals-Ernest W. Chandler.
Inspector of Slaughtering-Ernest W. Chandler.
Sealer of Weights and Measures - Charles C. Mc- Naught.
Surveyors of Wood and Lumber-Ray M. Parks, Bradley Osgood.
Weighers of Coal, Coke and Hay - Benjamin F. Goodrich, Iza M. Goodrich, Benjamin F. Goodrich, Jr., Paul S. McAuliffe, Russell W. Soule.
Field Drivers - Ernest W. Chandler, Lewis B. Randall.
Fence Viewers-Henry M. Griswold, Ray M. Parks, Eben Briggs.
Dog Officer-Lawrence C. Doyle.
Harbor Master - Floyd Kenney; A. Elliot Holmes, Assistant.
Burial Agent-J. Newton Shirley.
Supervisors of Parks and Playgrounds - Eben N. Briggs, Annie Dunham, Roy E. Parks.
Town Accountant -- Isabelle V. Freeman.
.
11
Jury List
List of persons qualified to serve as Jurors in the Town of Duxbury from July 1, 1946 to July 1, 1947.
Baker, Edwin I.
Mechanic Bay Road
Bartlett, Alden M.
Insurance Temple St.
Bates, Lester R.
Tool Maker Bay Road
Bump, Morrison M.
Engineer
Surplus St.
Carlson, Charles R. U.S.A. Retired
St. George St.
Chandler, Parker B.
Carpenter
Cove St.
Crocker, Richard C. Carpenter
Chestnut St.
DeWolf, John H. Florist
Tremont St.
Gosnell, William C.
Realtor
Elm St.
Grafton, Harry C.
U.S.M.C. Retired
Washington St.
Harrison, Ellis F.
Janitor
Chestnut St.
Hubbard, Ray B.
Mechanic Puritan Road
Kent, John H.
Retired Washington St.
Lucey, John E.
Greens Keeper
St. George St.
Luttropp, Knute E.
Salesman
St. George St.
Merry, Stanley H.
Draftsman
West St.
Phillips, Wendell B.
Carpenter Winter St.
Rogerson, Francis C.
Trustee
Washington St.
Schaffer, Carlton H.
Oil Dealer Tremont St.
Soule, Russell W.
Boat Broker Powder Pt. Ave.
Snyder, Clarence O.
Insurance Tremont St.
Swanson, Paul N.
Truckman Tremont St.
Thomas, David H.
Poultry Man Depot St.
Walker, Donald D. Realtor
West St.
12 Report of Selectmen
To the Citizens of Duxbury :
We submit herewith the Ninety-Fourth Annual Re- port of the various officers and committees for the year 1946.
This has been a year of increasing costs. The hourly wage rate has been 75c for the past two years. This year it has been necessary to raise the rate to 85c. In- creases have been allowed for the heads of some de- partments.
It has been necessary that the Town Dump be kept open seven days a week during this past year. In order to keep it accessible to the public it has been necessary to have a man on duty most of each day. This will mean that the appropriation for the coming year will be somewhat higher.
We are asking for a sum of money to purchase a dump truck for the Highway Department, as was sug- gested in our last report. The Chapter 90 Highway program will be continued to the extent of the partici- pation by the State and County.
In the spring Lewis B. Randall replaced Edward S. O'Neil as Superintendent of Streets. Mr. O'Neil had served the town in this capacity for more than thirty years and was also interested in many other town affairs.
13
In pursuance of the vote at the Annual Meeting in March, the Alms House was sold at public auction on December 21st, to Mr. Moses F. Carr for $5600.00, that being the highest bid received.
The Highway Department moved from the Alms House yard to a new location at the rear of the old Partridge Academy site. This location was chosen be- cause it is central and because equipment and materials can be stored there, and are out of sight.
It was necessary to shingle the major portion of the roof of the Abbott House. Also repairs were made to other buildings. During 1947 the Town Hall, the Ab- bott House, and the Town Office Building, should be painted on the outside, and it may be necessary to make repairs on some of the other town buildings.
The money appropriated for dredging and improv- ing the basin of Duxbury Harbor was not used during the year because the Federal Government apparently was not in a position to expend money for that purpose. We are not sure whether this project will be carried out in 1947, but we hope that conditions may be such that it can be done. Meanwhile, we will hold the money available until such time as the State and Federal Gov- ernments wish to proceed.
The shore protection at Duxbury Beach has been started by the Department of Public Works, and it is our understanding that it will complete the work early in 1947.
The Welfare Department has moved to the rooms formerly occupied by the Civilian Defense in the Ab- bott House, where the accommodations are better suited to the requirements of the department.
14
A. Elliot Holmes, who had served as Shellfish Con- stable for seven years, resigned on November 15, 1946, and was replaced by Henry P. McNeil, a veteran of World War II.
Chapter 599 of the Acts of 1946 requires that a De- partment of Veterans' Services shall be established in every city and town in the Commonwealth. In accord- ance with this law, we made the following appoint- ments on November 7th : Charles R. Carlson, Director; and Rev. John H. Philbrick, Willard Murray, Walter Deacon, M. D .; John Whitehead, Philip Delano, Clem- ent Briggs, Advisory Board.
As a result of many complaints from various parts of the town in 1945, we requested the Department of Public Utilities to make a survey relative to the service and plant of the Plymouth County Electric Company in the town of Duxbury. This survey was completed last July, at which time we received a letter from Thomas A. Flaherty, Chairman of the Commission, which reads in part as follows :
"It is interesting to note that we have received no complaints in the past year from customers relative to service, which may be indicative of a relative degree of satisfaction with the service by the consumers. The Department is very much in- terested in the quality of service supplied by the utilities companies throughout the state, and ap- preciates your bringing this condition to our at- tention. I am of the opinion that conditions are satisfactory and no further action or considera- tion is necessary by the department in this mat- ter."
15
The increases in the regular departments would seem to indicate that the tax rate will be about $36.00 per thousand. However, if the town votes additional sums of money in special articles, the tax rate will be directly affected at a rate of about 13c upward for each $1000.00 raised.
May we at this time express our appreciation of the cooperation and assistance given us by the various officers and committees in the administration of the affairs of the town.
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP W. DELANO, Chairman, CHARLES R. CROCKER, WALTER G. PRINCE,
Selectmen of Duxbury.
16
Report of State Auditor
February 15, 1946
To the Board of Selectmen Mr. Philip W. Delano, Chairman
Duxbury, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Duxbury for the year end- ing December 31, 1945, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Herman B. Dine, Assistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours,
THEODORE N. WADDELL,
Director of Accounts.
TNW: HDK
Mr. Theodore N. Waddell
Director of Accounts
Department of Corporations and Taxation
State House, Boston Sir:
As directed by you, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Duxbury for the
17
year ending December 31, 1945, and submit the follow_ ing report thereon:
The financial transactions, as recorded on the books of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town or committing bills for collection, were examined and reconciled with the reports and records in the office of the town accountant.
The town accountant's ledger was analyzed, the re -: ceipts being checked with the treasurer's books and the payments being compared with the warrants au -: thorizing them and with the treasurer's records of ::: : payments.
The appropriation accounts were checked with the town clerk's records of town meeting proceedings and the recorded transfers from the reserve fund were veri- fied. A trial balance was taken off, proving the ac- counts to be in balance, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on December 31, 1945. An examination of the appended balance sheet shows. that the town is in excellent financial condition.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked in detail. The receipts, as re- corded, were analyzed and checked with the records of the several departments collecting money for the town and with other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury. The payments were com- pared with the selectmen's warrants authorizing the treasurer to disburse town funds.
The cash book additions were verified, and the cash balance on January 8, 1946 was proved by actual count
.
18
of the cash in the office and by reconciliation of the bank balances with statements furnished by the banks of deposit.
The payments made for maturing debt and interest were compared with the amounts falling due and with the cancelled securities on file.
The savings bank books and securities representing the investment of the trust and investment funds in the custody of the town treasurer and the Plymouth Five Cents Savings Bank were examined and listed, the income being proved and the transfers to the town being verified.
The records of tax titles held by the town were ex- amined and the taxes transferred to the tax title ac- count were compared with the collector's records. The payments to the treasurer were verified and the out- standing accounts were listed and proved.
The books and accounts of the tax collector were examined and checked. The taxes outstanding at the time of the previous examination, as well as all subse- quent commitments, were audited and compared with the assessors' warrants issued for their collection. The payments to the treasurer were verified, the recorded abatements were checked with the assessors' records, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved.
The records of departmental accounts receivable were examined and checked. The commitments were proved, the payments to the treasurer were verified, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved.
The outstanding tax and departmental accounts were verified by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money
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19
to the town, and from the replies received it appears that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
The records of licenses and permits issued by the selectmen, town clerk, and by the police and health departments, as well as those of all other departments collecting money or committing bills for collection, were examined and checked, the reported payments to the treasurer being verified.
The surety bonds of the various town officials re- to file them were examined and found to be in proper form.
Appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, are tables showing a reconciliation of the treas- urer's and collector's cash, summaries of the tax, tax title, and departmental accounts, together with tables showing the condition and transactions of the trust and investment funds.
For the co-operation extended by the town officials during the progress of the audit, I wish, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
HERMAN B. DINE,
Assistant Director of Accounts
.
HBD: HDK
1
20
LUCY HATHAWAY FUND
Cash Savings Securities Total
Deposits
On hand at begin-
of year 1945 $6,680.96 $21,205.00 $27,885.96
On hand at end of year 1945 $1,671.01 $21,205.00 $22,876.01
On hand Jan. 8, 1946 $102.00 $1,671.01 $21,205.00 $22,978.01
Receipts
Payments
1945
Withdrawn from
savings de-
Transferred to town $6,680.96
posits
$5,009.95
Income 1,671.01
$6,680.96
$6,680.96
January 1 to 8, 1946
Income
$102.00 Cash in general treasury Jan. 8, 1946 $102.00
21
THOMAS D. HATHAWAY FUND Shade Trees and Sidewalks
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning
of year 1945
$2,349.32
$2,349.32
On hand at end of year 1945
$2,396.52
$2,396.52
On hand January 8, 1946
$2,396.52
$2,396.52
Receipts
Payments
Income
1945 $47.20 Added to savings deposits $47.20
January 1 to 8, 1946 No transactions recorded
WILLIAM PENN HARDING LIBRARY FUND
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning
of year 1945
$1,020.10
$1,020.10
On hand at end of year 1945
$1,020.30
$1,020.30
On hand January 8, 1946
$1,020.30
$1,020.30
Receipts
Payments
Income
1945 $20.30 Added to savings deposits $0.20
Transferred
to town 20.10
$20.30
$20.30 January 1 to 8, 1946 No transactions recorded
22
MYLES STANDISH LOT FUND
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning
of year 1945
$1,583.26
$1,583.26
On hand at end of year 1945
$1,584.55
$1,584.55
On hand January 8, 1946
$1,584.55
$1,584.55
Receipts
Payments
Income
1945 $31.69 Added to savings deposits
$1.29
Transferred
to town 30.40
$31.69
$31.69 January 1 to 8, 1946 No transactions recorded
LUCY A. EWELL CEMETERY FUND
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1945
$512.59
$512.59
On hand at end of year 1945
$522.88
$522.88
On hand January 8, 1946
$522.88
$522.88
Receipts
Payments
Income
1945 $10.29 Added to savings deposits $10.29
January 1 to 8, 1946 No transactions recorded
23
JONATHAN AND RUTH FORD FUND
Savings
Securities
Total
Deposits
Par Value
On hand at beginning
of year 1945
$1,506.08
$25,000.00
$26,506.08
On hand at end
of year 1945
$1,440.26
$25,000.00
$26,440.26
On hand January 8,1946
$1,440.26
$25,000.00
$26,440.26
Receipts
Payments
1945
Withdrawn from
Transferred
savings deposits $65.82
to town
$711.80
Income
645.98
$711.80 January 1 to 8, 1946 No transactions recorded
$711.80
GEORGE H. WOOD MEMORIAL DAY FLOWER FUND
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1945
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
On hand at end of year 1945
$1,020.10
$1,020.10
On hand January 8, 1946
$1,020.10
$1,020.10
Receipts
Payments
Income
1945 $20.10 Added to savings deposits $20.10
January 1 to 8, 1946 No transactions recorded
24
. CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE FUNDS
Cash
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1945
$100.00
$60,298.41
$60,398.41
On hand at end of year 1945
$68,933.83
$68,933.83
On hand January 8, 1946
$150.00
$68,933.83
$69,083.83
Receipts
Payments
1945
Income $1,195.62 Added to savings
Bequest
8,484.00
deposits
$8,635.42
Cash in general
Transferred
treasury Janu-
to town
1,144.20
ary 1, 1945 100.00
$9,779.62
$9,779.62
January 1 to 8, 1946
Bequest
$150.00 Cash in general
treasury Janu-
ary 8, 1946
$150.00
25
POST-WAR REHABILITATION FUND
Savings
Securities
Total
Deposits
Par Value
On hand at beginning
of year 1945
$25,000.00
$25,000.00
On hand at end of year 1945
$939.06
$50,000.00
$50,939.06
On hand January 8, 1946
$1,256.26
$50,000.00
$51,256.26
Receipts
Payments
1945
Appropriation
Securities pur-
by town
$25,000.00
chased $25,000.00
Income 939.06 Deposited in
savings bank 939.06
$25,939.06
$25,939.06
January 1 to 8, 1946
Income
$317.20 Added to savings deposits $317.20
TOWN OF DUXBURY Balance Sheet-December 31, 1945 GENERAL ACCOUNTS
Cash :
ASSETS
LIABILITIES AND RESERVES
General
$196,357.86
Federal Withholding Taxes $729.28
Petty Advances:
2,500.00
Collector
$150.00
547.58
Town Clerk
25.00
175.00
Sale of Cemetery Lots and Graves Fund 140.00
$196,532.86
Accounts Receivable : Taxes:
Federal Grants: Aid to Dependent Children: Administration 26 $6.01
Levy of 1944:
Personal Property $41.52
Aid
328.95
Real Estate 1,738.98
Old Age Assistance:
Administration 79.43
Assistance 3,532.26
3,946.65
Personal Property 584.04
Real Estate 19,328.27
Tax Title Excess Reserve
355.66
19,942.31
21,722.81
Unexpended Balances
23,818.88
Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes:
Levy of 1944
15.35
Levy of 1945
314.03
329.38
Assessment 46.58
Tax Titles Tax Possessions
1,474.53
93.85
Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus 11,516.24
1,780.50
Levy of 1945:
Poll
$30.00
Fire Insurance Reserve Tailings
Overestimate 1945: State Parks and Reservations
Departmental:
Health
$12.00
Public Welfare
269.32
Aid to Dependent Children
520.44
Old Age Assistance
364.27
State and Military Aid
816.00
Schools
323.38
Cemetery
253.75
2,559.16
Departmental 2,559.16
Underestimate 1945: County Tax
1,019.18
Surplus Revenue
173,439.41
$223,731.77
$223,731.77
Net Funded or Fixed Debt
DEBT ACCOUNTS $5,000.00 High School Loan
$5,000.00 27
TRUST AND INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS
Trust and Investment Funds
Lucy Hathaway Fund $22,876.01 Thomas D. Hathaway Fund William Penn Harding Library Fund 2,396.52 1,020.30
Cash and Securities :
Myles Standish Lot Fund Jonathan and Ruth Ford Fund
1,584.55
In Custody of:
26,440.26
Town Treasurer
$175,215.22
George H. Wood Memorial Day Flower Fund 1,020.10
Plymouth Five Cents Saving Bank
518.29
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds Post-War Rehabilitation Fund 50,939.06
68,933.83
$175,733.51
Overlays Reserved for Abatement of Taxes: Levy of 1944 Levy of 1945
$230.15
2,004.42
2,234.57
Revenue Reserved Until Collected : Motor Vehicle Excise Tax $329.38
Tax Title and Tax Possession 1,568.38
4,456.92
Lucy A. Ewell Cemetery Fund 522.88
$175,733.51
28
Report of Assessors
Tax Rate 1946 - $27.60 per $1,000.00
Houses assessed
1,560
Cows
96
Horses
22
Neat cattle other than cows
29
Fowl
9,145
Sheep
3
Swine
33
Persons assessed on property
1,952
Polls
923
Acres of land
13,759,95
Valuations of Buildings
$5,414,475.00
Valuation of Land
1,789,615.00
Total value of Real Estate
7,204,090.00
Personal Property 359,220.00
Total Valuation 7,563,310.00
Decrease in Real Estate from 1945
17,183.00
Decrease in Personal Estate from 1945 9,340.00
State Tax 6,100.00
29
County Tax
17,230.15
State Audit Tax
536.96
State Parks and Reservations Tax
180.29
Tax on Real Estate
198,832.88
Tax on Personal Estate
9,914.47
Tax on Polls
1,846.00
Gain on account of Fractional Division of tax rate .02
Total Taxes 210,593.37
Assessed Value of Motor Vehicles
202,780.00
Motor Vehicle Excise
5,697.13
Motor Vehicle Excise Rate
35.40
From Excess and Deficiency Account
to reduce tax rate $30,000.00
CHARLES R. CROCKER, Chairman PHILIP W. DELANO, WALTER G. PRINCE,
Board of Assessors.
30
Report of Board of Appeals
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Duxbury
Gentlemen :
We respectfully submit our Annual Report.
The Board of Appeals has been quite active during the year 1946, has held many meetings and has con- ducted twenty public hearings.
In rendering its decisions the Board has always en- deavored to act in accordance with the provisions of the Protective By-Law and to preserve the best inter- ests of the Town, but at the same time to give desirable relief to petitioners, particularly in cases where no op- position was presented at the hearings.
It has been brought to the Board's attention that there is very little available space left in the existing business zones for the location of new business enter- prises; also that on Route 3, beyond the limits of the existing business zone, there are and have been for several years a continuation of small businesses ex- tending for a considerable distance along the street. These conditions would indicate that it is time for the Planning Board to make a further study of the busi- ness zones.
PARKER B. CHANDLER, Chairman WILLIAM B. COFFIN, H. RUSSELL CHANDLER.
31 Report of Chief of Police
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
Following is the report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1946.
LIST OF OFFENSES
Assault
2
Delinquent Child
5
Disturbing peace
2
Drunk
11
Larceny of auto
1
Non Support
3
Operating to endanger
2
Operating under the influence
5
A. W. O. L. Army
1
32
DISPOSITIONS
Fined
16
Sentenced to House of Correction
1
Placed on Probation
7
Found not Guilty
1
Continuation for Disposition
1
Released
2
Turned over to other Authorities
4
32
32
MISCELLANEOUS
Complaints investigated 526
Motor Vehicle accidents investigated 37
Emergency trips to Hospitals 13
Committed to State Hospitals
3
Emergency messages delivered 50
Arrests for outside Police 4
Summons served for outside Police 43
Animals destroyed for owners 66
Animals returned to owners 19
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES T. O'NEIL,
Chief of Police.
33
Report of Fire Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Duxbury, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
The Board of Fire Engineers submit the following report of the department activities for the year 1946.
The total number of calls was seventy-eight.
Summary :
18 Chimney
8 False Alarms
7 Oil Burners
22 Emergencies
7 Automobiles
12 Buildings
1 Bridge
3 Stand-by
Of the twelve building fires only five were serious, and in each of these cases, the fire was confined to its point of origin. Property loss has been kept at a minimum, and when this is compared with the terrific loss of both property and human life over the state and nation this year, we feel that we are extremely lucky.
Again this year we have stayed well within our ap- propriation. We have purchased a two-way radio mo- bile unit. The doors of the Number 2 Engine House have been enlarged and other necessary repairs have been made.
We regret that we cannot acknowledge delivery of our new fire truck during 1946. Due to strikes and shortages of materials its assembly has been delayed.
34
However, we feel very confident that we will get de- livery early in 1947.
As Chief, I would like to give much credit to the firemen for their splendid work in salvaging and pro- tecting personal property. This is a very important factor in keeping our fire losses down. As always, we stand ready to serve in any emergency.
Again we thank the telephone operators, firemen, and all the townspeople for their splendid cooperation. Your help is greatly appreciated.
In case of fire or emergency call the Central Fire Station-Duxbury 333. Give the location of the fire, and if possible the nature of the fire. For example: chimney, house, forest, or grass. This is very import- ant, for it enables us to send the proper equipment immediately.
Respectfully submitted,
EBEN N. BRIGGS, Chief LeROY M. PETERSON KENNETH O. MACOMBER GEORGE S. BUTLER HENRY M. GRISWOLD
CARL J. SANTHESON, JR. FRANCIS W. PERRY
Board of Fire Engineers.
35
Report of Forest Warden
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Duxbury, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Forest Fire Warden for the year 1946.
The total number of calls was 81.
Summary :
3 Rubbish
11 Brush
17 Town Dump
19 Grass
3 False Alarms
3 Stand-by
6 Outside Aid
19 Forest
Of the 19 forest fires this year only two were serious. I refer to the fires off Keene Street on July 14. These were of incendiary origin and cost the department over $400. After four days in the Plymouth and Brockton Courts the person responsible was found guilty and was duly prosecuted. On July 29 we had a call for a forest fire on the easterly side of Lincoln Street. This fire burned over only about 5 acres, yet had to be pa- trolled for 4 days and nights. This made the cost run up to more than $400 again. If it had not been for these 2 fires I would have stayed well within my ap- propriation.
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