USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1956-1960 > Part 1
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Population Pan, 1958 Leleuten 45+4600
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Town Officers and Committees
OF THE
TOWN OF DUXBURY
MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 31
1956 352. 0744 D987
Duxbury Free Library
2208
352.0744 D987
In Memoriam
NEWTON E. HYSLOP
Member Board of Selectmen 1955 - 1956
In Memoriam
EUGENE F. COVELL BOARD OF HEALTH 1917 - 1929
Born: July 27, 1863
Died: December 31, 195
EDWARD S. O'NEIL HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT 1919 - 1945
Born: October 18, 1872
Died: July 20, 195
B
In Memoriam
JOSEPH T. C. JONES
Town Clerk and Treasurer 1935 - 1956
born: November 24, 1878
Died: May 21, 1956
5
3
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1956
SELECTMEN
Philip W. Delano
1957
James H. W. Jenner
1958
Francis W. Perry
1959
ASSESSORS
Philip W. Delano
1957
James H. W. Jenner
1958
Francis W. Perry
1959
BOARD OF HEALTH
The Selectmen
MODERATOR
Bartlett B. Bradley :
1957
CEMETERY TRUSTEES
Harry A. Tammett
1957
H. Russell Chandler
1958
J. Newton Shirley
1959
Edward P. Hobart
1960
Carl E. Johnson
1961
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WATER COMMISSIONERS
John A. Borgeson
1957
Lloyd B. Salt
1958
Leonard B. Gallagher
1959
TOWN CLERK AND TREASURER
Maurice H. Shirley 1959
TOWN COLLECTOR
Edwin M. Noyes
1959
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Dominic LaGreca
1957
Albert P. Richards
1957
Earl C. Grenquist
1958
Elizabeth U. Nickerson
1959
Edward L. Butler
1959
PLANNING BOARD
Atherton Loring, Jr.
1957
Carl F. Danner
1958
Oliver L. Barker
1959
David Marshall
1960
Lucius A. Howard
1961
WELFARE BOARD
Adrian H. Cordeau
1957
Paul N. Swanson
1958
Howard M. Clark
1958
Alice H. Garside
1959
Paul Barber
1959
:5
TREE WARDEN
Roy E. Parks
1958
CONSTABLES
Earl W. Chandler Lawrence C. Doyle
James T. O'Neil
LIBRARY TRUSTEES
Bartlett B. Bradley
Philip W. Delano
Francis W. Perry
William B. Coffin C. Russell Eddy William H. Young
APPOINTED BY THE MODERATOR
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Charles A. Waghorne
1957
Edward G. Wadell
1957
G. Lincoln Dow, Jr.
1957
Ralph H. Osborn
1958
Winthrop A. Clarke
1958
Roger M. Heyward
1958
Stanley H. Merry
1959
Theodore W. Page
1959
Irving H. Locke
1959
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APPOINTED BY THE SELECTMEN
BOARD OF APPEALS
H. Russell Chandler 1957
William B. Coffin
1958
Edward P. Hobart
1959
Elburt C. Loth, Associate . 1957
Loring R. C. Mugford, Associate
1957
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS
Willard R. Randall
1957
Clara M. Redmond
1958
Frances R. Wolfe
1959
FIRE ENGINEERS
Eben N. Briggs
Alden M. Bartlett
Kenneth O. Macomber
George S. Butler Carl J. Santheson, Jr. John DeLorenzo
Benjamin F. Goodrich, Jr.
CHIEF OF POLICE
James T. O'Neil
HEALTH AGENT
George R. Starr, Jr., M.D.
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS Lewis B. Randall
SUPT. INSECT PEST CONTROL Roy E. Parks
SHELLFISH CONSTABLE
Henry P. McNeil
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Ernest W. Chandler
INSPECTOR OF
SLAUGHTERED ANIMALS
Ernest W. Chandler
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WATERFRONT COMMITTEE Frank A. Davis
Henry P. McNeil Norman White Victor Nickerson Myron Linde
Irving H. Locke George S. Butler
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
SURVEYORS OF WOOD AND LUMBER
WEIGHERS OF COAL, COKE, AND HAY
Russell W. Soule
H. Thomas Williams
B. F. Goodrich
B. F. Goodrich, Jr.
Paul McAuliffe
Ernest W. Chandler Lewis B. Randall William P. Clarke
FENCE VIEWERS
William Couch Ray M. Parks Herbert R. Nelson
Lawrence C. Doyle
Victor D. Nickerson
VETERANS' AGENT
BURIAL AGENT (Board of Health)
Charles C. McNaught
Edwin McAuliffe Ray M. Parks Bradley V. Osgood
FIELD DRIVERS
DOG OFFICER
HARBOR MASTER
ASSISTANT HARBOR MASTER
Henry P. McNeil
Henry Purcell McNeil
Maurice H. Shirley
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BURIAL AGENT (Veterans) SUPERVISORS OF PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS
TOWN ACCOUNTANT TOWN COUNSEL
BUILDING INSPECTOR
SO. SHORE MOSQUITO CONTROL Commissioner for Duxbury
TOWN HISTORIAN
Henry Purcell McNeil
Roy E. Parks Charles R. Crocker Annie Dunham Walter G. Prince
Isabelle V. Freeman
John J. Geogan, Esq. Robert B. Delano, C.E.
George R. Starr, Jr., M.D.
Dorothy Wentworth
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JURY LIST JULY 1, 1956
List of persons qualified to serve as Jurors in the Town of Duxbury from July 1, 1956 to July 1, 1957.
Barnwall, Carolyn P.
Housewife
Tremont Street
Blanchard, Florence H.
Clerk
Surplus Street
Bottenus, Edward George
Special Agent
Longview Road
Burdick, Elwin N.
Carpenter
Lincoln Street
Butterworth, Henry L., Jr. Caliri, Nancy W.
Housewife
Partridge Road
Chandler, Ruth S.
Housewife
Franklin Street
Chapin, George H., Jr.
Salesman
Enterprise Street
Cheney, Helen W.
Housewife
Bay Road
Cheney, Lewis C.
Insurance Agent Enterprise Street
Clark, Winthrop A.
Insurance Broker
Harrison St.
Conaty, Helen T.
Housewife
Bay Ridge Lane
Couch, Gordon C.
Insurance Agent
Partridge Road
Couillard, George E.
Retired
Partridge Road
DeLorenzo, Katherine H.
Housewife
Summer Street
Eckersley, Florence M.
Housewife
Surplus Street
Fox, Robert Stanton, Jr.
Naval Architect
Powder Point Avenue
Hathaway, Ethel M.
Housewife
Fort Hill Lane
Hudson, Herbert E. Kierman, Frank A.
Foreman
Pine Hill Avenue
Lovell, Lawrence F.
Firefighter Super.
Bay Road
Means, Robert Snow
Author, Publisher
Sunset Road
Randall, Willard R.
Mason and Caretaker
Harden Hill Road
Reggio, A. William, Jr.
Insurance Agent
Wadsworth Road
Scott, Thomas W. Seymour, Robert
Retired Retired
Washington Street Washington Street
Wadell, Edward G.
Credit-Off. Manager
Duck Hill Road
Waite, Julia R.
Housewife
Plum Hill Lane
Walke, Aurora E.
Housewife
Chandler Street
Washburn, George A.
Carpenter
Tremont Street
Whittemore, C. Mae
Housewife
Washington Street
Wrye, Walter C., Jr.
District Manager
Summer Street
We certify that the foregoing list of persons are qualified to serve as Jurors in the Town of Duxbury from July 1, 1956 to July 1, 1957.
SELECTMEN OF DUXBURY
Retired
Peterson Road
Clerk
Tremont Street
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Herein, the one hundred and fourth Annual Town Re- port, are submitted to the Citizens of Duxbury the records of accomplishment of your officers and committees. We com- mend them all to your careful study.
Early in the New Year Mr. Charles R. Crocker announced to the Townspeople that he would close his record of dis- tinguished public service and not be a candidate for reelect- tion. It was at first unbelievable that one whose cheerful help had come to be accepted so casually for so many years could seriously intend to take this action. However, it was soon realized that "retirement" can mean only slightly stepping aside to a superior vantage point, and it was with his as- surance that Duxbury affairs would still command his atten- tion, that Mr. Crocker's associates and townspeople consented to let him assume the mantle of "elder statesman" with the greatest good wishes it is possible for a warm hearted town to extend.
There were other separations from the Town service which we sadly note here:
Not too long after receiving a deserved resounding en- dorsement by our voters in the March election our beloved Town Clerk and Treasurer, Joseph T. C. Jones, passed from among us. We worked closely with Mr. Jones. We admired and respected his attention to duty. What a wonderful ex- ample of selfless devotion he has set for others to copy.
Then your Board was shocked when our brother Select- man, who seemed to be making such a splendid recovery from his illness in 1955, was suddenly called. Newton Hyslop
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passed away, possibly because his high sense of duty would not even let him spare himself. It is our great misfortune that he could not serve with us long. If those of us who were associated with him were to select his most significant charac- teristic, which so well suited him for public service, we would recall his wonderful sense of fairness. A good and faithful servant, a valued friend, his inspiration will long be with us.
The Town is a continuing entity, and as the law pro- vides, your Board called for a special election to fill the vacancies in the offices of Selectman and Assessor. Previous to this, your Board had appointed Mr. Maurice Shirley to act as temporary Clerk and Treasurer. A candidate for these positions at the special election he was elected for the un- expired terms, and Mr. James H. W. Jenner was elected to the unexpired terms as Selectman and Assessor.
HIGHWAY
Highway improvement was the subject of study at all levels of government during the past year. We believe our Duxbury program of supplementing our general maintenance program with Chapter 90 construction and modest rebuilding activity to be proving itself sound and within our means.
In consequence, that portion of the Bay Road Chapter 90 new construction which was halted by the unusually cold 1955 Fall weather was completed early this Spring. And as the year closed a major step has been taken in roughing out the new construction on Tobey Garden Street. It is planned to continue here next year.
Some road rebuilding was accomplished on Temple Street, Autumn Avenue and Winter Street. Similar projects will be recommended for 1957. Old Colony Road, Brewster Road
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and Eagles Nest Road were laid out by the Board at the request of those residing in the vicinity and subsequently, at the Special Town Meeting, they were accepted. It was, there- fore, possible to improve them during the year.
The unusual and extremely heavy late March snow storms caused expense far exceeding funds appropriated to meet the situation. It was necessary for your Board to declare a state of emergency in order to make funds available for the work.
Drainage of surface water from our highways is a prob- lem that besets us and grows as congestion in our residential areas increases. Fortunately we have been able to cope with this situation without high cost through the splendid co- operation of many of our residents, who permit spilling on unused portions of their lots.
In an effort to alleviate certain dangers in the approach to Route 3A (Tremont Street) from Alden and Bow Streets, we requested a survey by the Department of Public Works of the prevailing traffic situation. Their report confirmed our impression of the danger, and the State erected legal "Stop" signs at those intersections.
At the Special Town Meeting suggestions were made that changes should be instituted in the specifications of ma- terials used in maintenance of the Long Bridge. State engi- neers have responded to our request for a study of the matter and their study was in progress at the year's end.
Unexpected good news was the inclusion of some financial help to local communities in the Highway bond issue passed by the Legislature. Duxbury's share is $24,605.16 and is allo- cated for highway assistance to be used any time within a ten year period. We have made no immediate plans for its use.
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TOWN BUILDINGS
An office was provided for the Building Inspector in the Abbot House, the Police office at the same time being moved to a more adequate room in the same building. Some major repairs were made to the building and it was completely painted outside and some redecorating was done in the in- terior. The needs of this building were so pressing that the proposed painting of the Town Office building was deferred. This, together with extensive repairs within the Treasurer's office and at the Old Town Hall, we trust can be accomplished in 1957. Old buildings, particularly buildings which were not primarily designed for the present functional uses, require extensive and expensive upkeep.
ALONG WATERFRONT
After considerable delays the additional dredging of the basin, with the State furnishing three fourths of the funds, was done during the late Spring and early Summer. Author- izing the use of a deep dead channel as a spoilage area, rather than skowing the spoilage all the way to sea enabled the Town to get more dredging than might have otherwise been antici- pated. The excellent work of the Harbor Master in conjunc- tion with members of the Waterfront Committee, coordin- ating their efforts with the dredgers, kept the inconvenience to boat owners to a minimum. And a new layout of the Basin has been made which should prove itself to be of inestimable value in safeguarding moored boats and in setting boats back in the water with a minimum of lost time and effort in later seasons.
In spite of new basin area we find the interest in boating far outstripping the provisions of facilities to accommodate all the craft. We have instructed the Harbor Master to seek to
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develop the use of secondary mooring areas and to improve the marking of channels, to the extent people will be en- couraged to use them. He is making excellent progress. How- ever, a need for long range planning and study may be indicated.
The excellent Fall weather made it possible to leave the floats in the water until early November thereby effectively extending the period of salt water enjoyment which provides so much stimulating recreation for so many.
It is regrettable that natural conditions have so radically reduced the scallop population, even to the extent that they have so suddenly ceased to be an important factor. At the instance of the Shellfish Warden, State Marine Biologists have the matter under study and are ready to take such steps as seem advisable should natural conditions again make their propagation feasible.
In accordance with the vote of the Town Meeting, the Board acting for the Town, took over the Life Guard equip- ment and were fortunate in having the services of an excellent young man who served at the beach during July and August.
The Blue Fish River tidegates were severely damaged and it is estimated the cost would be substantial to put them back in working condition. Some have remarked that they should be left out completely. An article will be placed in the 1957 Warrant so that the Town can make a decision in this matter.
HATHAWAY FUND
As has been the general practice, the Board distributed the income of the Hathaway Fund to the participating depart- ments. The amount distributed this year was $4,800. Carrying
15
out the wishes of the donors, the benefitting departments will be able to perform some small service which might otherwise pass undone.
LANDING ROAD BEACH
One of our fine citizens in good faith gave, and the Town in good faith accepted, a gift of land at the foot of Landing Road which substantially widened the present beach area. An abutting land owner learned the identity of an heir to a pre- vious owner who possessed good title, and through this heir acquired title and effectively denied use of the beach to many other residents of the general area. The Town Meeting will be asked to make a decision in respect to this land.
WATER EXTENSION
One of the major needs of a large area of our Town where there has existed for years many close groupments of homes has been the need for Town water, with its convenience and consequent improved fire protection. A considerable exten- sion has been completed this year and the report of the engi- neers, engaged for the purpose of blueprinting the course of future expansion, provides sound guidance for future growth.
INSURANCE
As was voted at the Special Town Meeting, the Board placed "extended" coverage clauses on our fire insurance schedule to protect the Town properties against the danger of any damage by high winds.
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The Town's acceptance of Chapter 32B of the General Laws, authorizing employee group insurance coverage in cer- tain categories, will make it possible for the Town to assist in the provision of this desirable coverage to protect those in the employ of the Town. Specifications were drawn and bids received on a plan similar to that instituted for the County employees and will be submitted at the 1957 Annual Meeting for acceptance and provision of funds.
MISCELLANEOUS
The 8% general wage and salary adjustment put into effect as a result of the provision of funds by the Annual Meeting was most helpful in placing most of our Town em- ployees in a position where they felt they were being fairly compensated. We are pleased to report that the Personnel Board is working diligently to bring all positions into a fair relationship.
A program for better care of the dump was instituted following the provision of more funds by the Annual Meeting. Any recommendation for a new dump site has been deferred in deference to the wish of the Cemetery Department that the present area be more completely filled before it is finally aban- doned. Improved sites are, however, under consideration, and a recommendation will be made at a subsequent time.
The building code, and procedures for better enforce- ment, have been under study and improvements have been made which seem to have been generally accepted, and irrita- tions have consequently been reduced.
A retaining wall has been built along the west side of the old Myles Standish Cemetery, and with the cooperation of the Cemetery Department much has been done to improve the
17
appearance of this side of the lot, which had deteriorated badly in recent years.
An electric striking mechanism was installed in the Town Clock as provided by your vote.
A FINANCIAL RECOMMENDATION
Knowing now we inevitably face a very heavy capital ex- penditure for school construction in the near future, we recom- mend that the Town take some steps immediately to lessen the impact at that time by setting aside more funds now. We can add more money to the Stabilization Fund than we did last year. We also can take a far lesser amount of money from our Surplus Fund to reduce the tax rate, allowing in consequence our surplus fund to build up higher than might be warranted under normal conditions in good town fiscal practice.
It has often been the custom of your Boards of Selectmen, as they close the report on one year and contemplate the prob- lems that lie ahead, to caution the voters to study all matters to be acted upon at the forthcoming town meeting with all due diligence, and to vote the expenditure of Town funds with extreme care and selection. This year similar advice is sound, for the financial problems, both immediate and more remote, are of such magnitude to be the seeds of severe tax increases. And because most of our expenditures are only a reflection of the severe growing pains that beset most "sub- urban" communities and the normal desires of a citizenry wishing to modestly raise its standard of living, we can not, and in all likelihood we should not, seek to stave off the inevit- able with any meat axe service cutting tactics.
All must appreciate that we cannot meet the needs of our rapidly growing school population without extensive addi-
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tions to plant facilities and educational staff. Too, the capital expenditures must be made during a period of high building costs and the money must be obtained in a relatively high money market. Then we face the substantial extension of our water system and improvement to plant. This, of course, will be costly but long due. And we already are in substantial debt. And there will be the inevitable pressure for increasing our boating and recreational facilities; the cost of which would be only conjecture but safe to assume large.
Unfortunately these problems which are in no sense par- ticularly peculiar to Duxbury must be faced under a system of taxation and State distributed aids which are not well geared to apportion the costs of our improving standards fairly, from the standpoint of the communities of the Commonwealth of the citizens of those communities. The time has long since passed when we could consider Duxbury's problems and Dux- bury's welfare apart from the economic welfare of our sister communities and our State. Particularly since so many fixed charges against the Town are beyond the control of your local officials, and there are many instances of legislative largess without compensatory cost sharing. Unfortunately there is too little understanding of the complexities of our fiscal structure to permit of easy discussion. Suffice to say we all need to develop an understanding that will not permit those who would beguile us with unsound slogans and catch phrases to continue to block needed revisions of our entire tax structure, to the end that we can face progress with its consequent costs without the certain knowledge that it is hurtful to many whose principal asset is ownership of a home.
It is the thinking of your Board that the additional rev- enue which a general sales tax might provide for distribution to Cities and Towns, coupled with a complete revision of the bases and formulae of State distribution of taxes to Cities and Towns, is the better way to meet those problems Duxbury
19
shares with so many other growing communities. We hope this thought will be provocative of increased tax conscientious- ness.
It has been a high privilege for your Board to serve during the past year and to work with your fine Town Officers, Com- mittees and Employees. We express our grateful appreciation for the splendid help and cooperation we have received from all.
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP W. DELANO, Chairman FRANCIS W. PERRY JAMES H. W. JENNER
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REPORT OF STATE AUDIT
May 28, 1956
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 ending December 31, 1955, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. William Schwartz, Assistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours,
HERMAN B. DINE, Director of Accounts
HBD: TJP
Mr. Herman B. Dine 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 year ending December 31, 1955, and report thereon as follows:
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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 verified by comparison with the reports and records of the town treasurer and the town accountant.
The books and accounts in the office of the town account- ant were examined and checked. The receipts, as recorded, were checked with the records of the various departments making payments to the treasurer and with the treasurer's books, while the payments were checked with the treasury warrants signed by the selectmen and with the treasurer's cash book. The appropriations and transfers from the reserve fund were checked with the town clerk's records of town meetings and with the authorizations of the finance com- mittee.
The town accountant's ledger was analyzed, and a bal- ance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on December 31, 1955.ยช An examination of this balance sheet shows that the town is in good financial condition.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were ex- amined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts were compared with the records in the departments collecting money for the town and with other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury, while the payments were checked with the selectmen's warrants authorizing the treas- urer to disburse town funds. The cash balance on February 25, 1956 was proved by actual count of the cash in the office, by reconciliation of the bank balances with statements fur- nished by the banks of deposit, and by examination of the savings bank book.
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The records of payroll deductions on account of Federal taxes and the county retirement system were examined and proved with the town accountant's ledger controls.
The payments made for maturing debt and interest were compared with the amounts falling due and with the cancelled securities on file.
The records of tax titles held by the town were examined and reconciled with the collector's books and with the town accountant's ledger, the redemptions were checked with the treasurer's cash book, and the disclaimers were verified. The records of tax possessions were examined and the additions as a result of tax title foreclosures were proved. The tax title and tax possession transactions were further verified by com- parison with the records at the Registry of Deeds.
The savings bank books and securities representing the investments of the trust and investment funds in the custody of the town treasurer and the Plymouth Five Cents Saving's Bank were examined and checked. The investments were listed, the income was proved, and all transactions were veri- fied and compared with the treasurer's and the accountant's books.
The books and accounts of the tax collector were ex- amined and checked in detail. The taxes, motor vehicle and trailer excise, and assessments outstanding according to the previous examination, as well as all subsequent commitment lists, were compared with the assessors' warrants issued for their collection. The recorded receipts were compared with the payments to the treasurer as shown by the treasurer's and the accountant's books, the abatements were checked with the assessors' records of abatements granted, the taxes transferred to the tax title account were proved with the treasurer's record of tax titles held by the town, and the out-
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