USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1920-1921 > Part 1
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Them in the Town of
4.72 914.48 Flumlecth 19.00-2X
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
Town of Plymouth
For the Year Ending December 31
1920
1620.
CH
T
THE
PLYMOUTH MEMORIAL PRESS 1921
INDEX
Abstracts of Records
6
Advisory and Finance Com-
mittee 38
Agawam and Halfway Pond
Fisheries
209
Appropriations Recommended 21
Assessors' Report 183
Attendance Officer
318
Births
155
Board of Health
213
Cemetery Commissioners
192
Deaths
153
Fire Department
229
204
Town Accountant 55
Town Clerk's Report 143
Town Engineer
23
Town Officers
3
Town Warrant
224
Marriages
144
Memorial Building Commit-
tee
51
Moth Department
205
Overseers of the Poor
187
Park Commissioners
197
Plymouth Public Library
201
Police Department
175
School Committee 262
School Physician
303
School Superintendent
266
Sealer of Weights and Meas- ures 211
Selectmen's Report
16
Senior High School Report
287
Superintendent of Streets
23
Supervisor of Shores
208
Inland Fisheries
210
Inspector of Slaughtering
Junior High School Report 295
List of Jurors
219
List of Teachers
283
Tree Warden
206
Vocational Agricultural De-
partment
1298
Water Report
239
14%
108 - 1920
Forest Warden
217
145 V
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TOWN OFFICERS, 1920.
Selectmen-William T. Eldridge, Ephraim D. Bartlett, George W. Bradford, Dexter H. Craig, and William M. Doug- lass.
Town Clerk-George B. Howland.
Town Treasurer-George B. Howland.
Collector of Taxes-Herbert W. Bartlett.
Town Accountant-Elmer R. Harlow.
Assessors-George Harlow, chosen 1918 for three years; James C. Bates, chosen 1919 for three years; Nathaniel G. Lanman, chosen 1920 for three years.
Overseers of the Poor-Herbert W. Bartlett, chosen 1918 for three years; Charles A. Strong, chosen 1919 for three years; William T. Eldridge, chosen 1920 for three years.
Water Commissioners-John W. Churchill and Robert C. Harlow, chosen 1918 for three years; John H. Damon, chosen 1919 for three years ; Eugene H. Dorr and William R. Morton, chosen 1920 for three years.
School Committee-Helen F. Pierce, chosen 1918 for three years; Edward W. Bradford, chosen 1919 for three years ; Frederick D. Bartlett, chosen 1920 for three years.
Cemetery Commissioners-George Mabbett, chosen 1918 for three years, deceased August 20, 1920; and Arthur E. Black- mer elected to fill vacancy; Henry W. Barnes, chosen 1919 for three years; Horace M. Saunders, chosen 1920 for three years.
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Burial Hill Committee-Cemetery Commissioners.
Agawam and Halfway Pond Herring Fishery Committee- Warren S. Gale, Frank Harlow and Alfred Holmes.
Park Commissioners-John Russell, chosen 1918 for three years ; William H. Beever, chosen 1919 for three years; Benja- min F. Raymond, chosen 1920 for three years.
Board of Health-Harry R. Talbot, chosen 1918 for three years; George H. Jackson, chosen 1919 for three years; Her- bert S. Maxwell, chosen 1920 for three years.
Surveyors and Measurers of Lumber-Alvin A. Hall, Cor- nelius C. Holmes and Warren. S. Bumpus.
Surveyor of Wood and Bark-Alfred C. Finney.
Planning Board-Arthur Lord, LeBaron R. Barker, Francis C. Holmes, George Mabbett and Arthur E. Blackmer.
Field Drivers and Fence Viewers-Charles H. Raymond and Lewis F. Smith.
Sexton-Thomas J. Kennedy.
Pound Keeper-Russell L. Dickson.
Committee on Inland Fisheries-James S. Clark, Warren S. Gale and Geoffrey D. Perrior.
Sealer of Weights and Measures-Frank L. St. George, de- ceased August 20, 1920 and Lewis F. Smith appointed to fill vacancy.
Beach Committee-Selectmen.
Superintendent of Streets-Arthur E. Blackmer. Superintendent of Water Works-Arthur E. Blackmer. Collector of Water Rates-N. Reeves Jackson. Harbor Master-Alfred Holmes.
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Board of Registration-George F. Anderson, appointed 1918 for three years ; Charles H. Sherman, appointed 1919 for three years; Herbert W. Clark, appointed 1920 for three years.
Superintendent of Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemeteries and Burial Hill-Edward F. Stranger.
Superintendent of Chiltonville Cemetery-Charles Rogers. Superintendent of Manomet Cemetery-George A. Manter. Superintendent of Cedarville Cemetery-James L. Haskell. Superintendent of Almshouse-Russell L. Dickson. Fire Commissioner-Robert C. Harlow.
Town Engineer-Arthur E. Blackmer.
Chief of Police-John Armstrong.
Tree Warden-Abbott A. Raymond.
Forest Warden-Ira C. Ward.
Local Moth Superintendent-Abbott A. Raymond.
Committee on Sewers-Selectmen.
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ABSTRACTS OF RECORDS OF 1920.
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, MARCH 27, 1920.
CHARLES S. DAVIS, Moderator.
Article three :
On motion of William T. Eldridge: voted, that the reports of the several boards of officers and committees of the town be accepted and placed on file.
Article four :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, that the town authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Select- men or a majority thereof to borrow during the financial year beginning* January 1, 1921, in anticipation of the revenue of said year, such sums of money as may be necessary for the current expenses of the town, giving the notes of the town therefor payable within one year from the dates thereof. All debts incurred under the authority of this vote shall be paid from the revenue of said financial year.
On motion of Edward L. Burgess : voted, to take up Article nineteen, for consideration.
Mr. Edward L. Burgess then moved: that the salary of the Chairman of the Selectmen be increased to $900.00 a year, and that it is inexpedient to increase the salaries of the other mem- bers of the board.
Mr. Morton Collingwood moved : to amend by striking out
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"and that it is inexpedient to increase the salaries of other members of the board" and adding and of the other Selectmen to $300.00 a year. But the motion was lost.
The motion of Mr. Burgess was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article six :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess : it was unanimously voted, that the sum of $4,000.00 including the dog fund of 1919, amounting to $1,097.00, be appropriated for the maintenance of the Plymouth Public Library.
Article seven :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess : it was unanimously voted, that the sum of $250.00 be appropriated in aid of the Manomet Public Library.
Article eight :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess : it was unanimously voted, that the following appropriations be made :
Parks,
$3,950 00
Cutting wood in Parks, 500 00
Training Green, 300 00
Stephens Field, 150 00
Article nine :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess : it was unanimously voted, that the town appropriate a sum not exceeding $225.00 to pay the expenses of the observance of Memorial Day.
Article ten :
Mr. Edward L. Burgess then moved: that the town appro- priate the sum of $250.00 for the aid of the Plymouth County Farm Bureau. Sixty-six voting in the affirmative and two in the negative, more than two-thirds voting in the affirmative the motion was carried.
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Article eleven :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, that the sum of $3,500.00 be appropriated for the purpose of resurfacing the westerly side of Main Street, and that part of Town Square below the westerly line of Market Street, according to the plans of the Selectmen.
Article twelve :
To see if the town will appropriate the sum of four thousand (4,000) dollars to be used for concrete construction on bridge over Eel River.
On motion of William T. Eldridge : voted, that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article thirteen :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, that the sum of $700.00 be appropriated for deepening the bed of Eel River below Warren Avenue Bridge, such sum to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen.
Article fourteen :
To see if the town will appropriate the sum of seven hundred (700) dollars to be expended on Bartlett Road in Manomet in building a permanent road.
On motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, that further con- sideration of this article be indefinitely postponed.
·Articles fifteen, sixteen and seventeen :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, that further con- sideration of these articles be indefinitely postponed, as the sub- stance of these articles was taken up under Article five.
Article eighteen :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess : voted, that the town ap- propriate, from money in the Treasury not otherwise appro- priated, the following amounts, for payments of bills contracted in 1919.
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Law Department,
$130 00
Assessors' Department,
70 00
Fire Department,
436 63
Sewer Department,
24 45
Article twenty :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, that the town au- thorize the closing of the Town House on Wednesday evenings during the months of July and August.
Article twenty-one :
To see if the town will accept Chapter 423, Acts of Mass. for 1909 and amendments thereto, relative to the sale of ice cream, confectionery, soda water and fruit on the Lord's Day.
Mr. Edward L. Burgess: moved, that further consideration of this article be indefinitely postponed. But the motion was lost.
Mr. John L. Morton: moved, that the town accept Chapter 423, Acts of Massachusetts for 1909 and amendments thereto relative to the sale of ice cream, confectionery, soda water and fruit on the Lord's Day. 'And the motion was carried.
Mr. William S. Kyle : moved, that Article three be taken up. Fifty-one voting in the affirmative and fourteen in the negative, the motion was carried. A report was asked for from the Town Hall Committee, but no action was taken.
Article twenty-two :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, that the town au- thorize the use for cemetery purposes a lot on South Street near Brailey's Lane.
On motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, that the sum of $386,139.40 be raised and assessed upon the polls and estates of the inhabitants of the Town of Plymouth, and upon the es- tates of the non-residents, to defray the expenses of the town for the ensuing year.
On motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, to adjourn.
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, MAY 29, 1920.
CHARLES S. DAVIS, Moderator.
Article two :
To hear the report of the Town Hall Committee and see what action the town will take thereon.
Mr. Henry Walton : moved, that the report of the committee as printed be accepted and that the committee be instructed to keep in touch with the building situation through the architect and when the time arrives that a contract can be made insuring the erection of the memorial building proposed, that they do so.
Mr. Charles H. Raymond : moved, that further consideration of this article be indefinitely postponed, but the motion was: lost.
The motion of Mr. Walton was then put before the meeting. and carried.
Article three :
To see what action the town will take in regard to the erection of a Town Hall and furnishings for the same and to make an appropriation therefor, and to authorize the issue of notes or bonds of the town for said purpose, and to reconsider or rescind any vote heretofore passed by the town in regard to the same.
On motion of Edward L. Burgess : voted, that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article four :
Mr. Edward L. Burgess: moved, that the town accept Chap- ter 240 of the Acts of 1920, sixty-eight voting in the affirmative and ten in the negative, the motion was carried.
Article five :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, that the town ap- propriate the sum of $5,000.00 to be placed at the disposal of
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the Selectmen for entertainment purposes during the present and next succeeding financial year.
Article six :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess : voted, that the salaries of the Assessors be fixed at one thousand dollars, and that the town appropriate the sum of three hundred dollars to meet the increase.
On motion of George B. Howland: voted, that the sum of $5,300.00 be raised and assessed upon the polls and estates of the inhabitants of the Town of Plymouth and upon the estates of the non-residents, to defray the expenses of the town for the ensuing year.
On motion of Edward L. Burgess : voted, to adjourn.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, JULY 24, 1920.
ARTHUR LORD, Moderator.
Article two :
Mr. Edward L. Burgess: moved, that the town appropriate the sum of ten thousand five hundred twenty-six and 26-100 dollars to be used for the payment of bill of the architect on account of working drawings and specifications for the Town Hall, but the motion was lost.
Article three :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, that the town ap- propriate the sum of five thousand dollars. for the use of the Tercentenary Committee.
On motion of George B. Howland: voted, that the sum of
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five thousand dollars be raised and assessed upon the inhabi- tants of the Town of Plymouth, and upon the estates of the non-residents, to defray the expenses of the town for the ensuing year.
On motion of William T. Eldridge : voted, to adjourn.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, AUGUST 7, 1920.
ARTHUR LORD, Moderator.
Article two :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, that the town ap- propriate the sum of ten thousand five hundred twenty-six and 26-100 dollars for payment of bill of the architects for services on account of working drawings and specifications for the Town Hall.
Article three :
To see if the town will authorize the transfer of the sum of two hundred dollars received from the sale of the Chilton- ville Grammar School building. to the School Department ap- propriation, to be used for improving the Lincoln Street grounds.
Omn motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, that no action be taken under this article.
On motion of George B. Howland: voted, that the sum of ten thousand five hundred twenty-six and 26-100 be raised and assessed upon the inhabitants of the Town of Plymouth, and upon the estates of the mon-residents, to defray the ex- penses of the town for the ensuing year.
On motion of William T. Eldridge : voted, to adjourn.
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, DECEMBER 30, 1920.
ARTHUR LORD, Moderator.
Article two :
To see if the town will appropriate from money in the treas- ury not otherwise appropriated the sum of one hundred eighty- one dollars for election and registration.
On motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, that no action be taken under this article.
Article three :
To see if the town will appropriate from money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated the sum of one hundred forty dollars for maintenance of the Town House.
On motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, that no action be taken under this article.
Article four :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess : voted, that the town ap- propriate from money in the treasury not otherwise appropriat- ed the sum of three hundred fifty dollars for the Police De- partment.
Article five :
Om motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, that the town ap- propriate from money in the treasury not otherwise appropriat- ed the sum of seven thousand dollars for the School Depart- ment.
Article six :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess : voted, that the town ap- propriate from money in the treasury not otherwise appropriat- ed the sum of five hundred dollars for Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemeteries.
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Article seven :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, that the town ap- propriate from money in the treasury not otherwise appropriat- ed the sum of fifty dollars for Burial Hill.
Article eight :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, that the town ap- propriate from money in the treasury not otherwise appropriat- ed the sum of seven hundred sixty-four and 03-100 dollars for Town Debt and Interest.
Article nine :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, that the town ap- propriate as provided in section 7, Chapter 591, Acts of 1920; to Roads and Bridges, reimbursement in the sum of eighteen hundred sixty-three dollars for labor and materials paid from that appropriation used on North Park Avenue and in front of the railroad station; and to granolithic sidewalks all reim- bursements for granolithic construction during the year.
Article ten :
To see if the town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to use for other purposes, incident to the Tercentenary celebra- tion, such portion of the appropriation already made by the town for entertainment purposes, as they may deem advisable.
On motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, that the town take no action under this article.
Article eleven. :
To see if the town will rescind its vote of October 11, 1919, making an appropriation for building a Town Hall.
On motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, that further consideration of this article be postponed until some future meeting.
ARRANGE BUDGET FOR CELEBRATION
Plymouth to Raise $50,000 for Tercentenary.
PLYMOUTH, March 21 .- Saturday evening the executive committee of the Plymouth tercentenary committee prepared the budget of the expenses of the town for the big celebration this year, including Plymouth day, Aug. 1.
The budget is as follows: Invita- tions, $500; meals for invited guests, $2500; meals for sailors, $6000; enter- tainment for sailors, $2000; amplifier, $2000.
Parade, music, $2000; prizes, mili- tary division, $125; civic division, $125; industrial division, $125; auto- mobile division, $125; town floats, $500; incidentals, mounts, sidecars, badges, printing, $1000; incidentals, $3000.
Band concerts, four of Pilgrim band, $2000; eight other concerts, $2000; vo- cal concerts, $1500; bandstand $500; administration, first aid and informa- tion headquarters, $6000; Pilgrim pro- cessional, $1000; Indian camps, $2000; occasional observances, including July 4, with fireworks and sports, $2000.
Decorations, 24 banners with names of Pilgrims hung across Court and Sandwich streets, $1200; six large banners, 30 feet long, for center of town, $360; four big net banners wich Mayflower for entrance to town, $500; 19 public and historic buildings, Rail- road avenue, Town square and Train- ing green decorated, $1940.
Publicity, large bulletin board oppo- site postoffice on Main street exten- sion for general information, $1000; in- cidentals, $4000.
The total sum is $50,000. There is now $10,000 available which was pre- viously appropriated, making the amount to be appropriated by the town $40,000. This matter of appropriation will come up Saturday at the annual town meeting.
ISE
of society
in's Home Missionary -The annual meeting of the Wom- Massachusetts will be held at the Por-
J. Warren Murray.
weeks with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. nouth, O., where she will pass three treec will leave Wednesday for Ports-
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'Article twelve :
To see if the town will rescind its vote of October 11, 1919, to erect a suitable Town Hall, as a memorial building, with town offices.
On motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, that further con- sideration of this article be postponed until some future meet- ing.
Article thirteen :
To see what action, the town will take in regard to the erection of a Town Hall and furnishings for the same, to make an appropriation therefor, and to authorize the issue of notes or bonds of the town for said purpose.
On motion of Henry Walton : voted, that further considera- tion of this article be indefinitely postponed.
On motion of Edward L. Burgess: voted, to adjourn.
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REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN
In presenting this Annual Report of the acts of the Select- men for the past year we wish to call attention, not only to what has been done, but also to what will have to be done, to rehabilitate the Town after the very extensive alterations, which the work of the Tercentenary Commission will make. It is utterly useless to bemoan the lack of foresight which caused the Town to acquiesce in these changes without some guarantee that suitable substitutions should be made for the facilities taken away. It is now the duty of the Town to devise and prepare something to take the place of our vanishing wharves and water facilities. The water borne freight, which has been a factor in the business of the Community and the fishing in- terests (larger than most people suppose), must be provided with proper landing places or we shall find ourselves with an ever-tightening net of increased charges about us. It is per- haps difficult to say just what should be done, but several of our most earnest and patriotic citizens are at work on this problem, and the result of their labors when given to the Town will be well worth the very careful consideration of our voters.
During the past year the Town has made several improve- ments in its travelled ways. The Town, at the last annual meeting, made a special appropriation for surfacing Water street and building a sidewalk from the Depot to Brewster street. This has been completed and has resulted in a very decided improvement, both in appearance and utility.
In the Spring of 1920 it was thought advisable to put the work of the road department and the Water department under
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one head, as these operations were more or less interlocking. This was done and Arthur E. Blackmer, the Superintendent of the Water Department, was placed in charge. This has proved to be a most excellent arrangement, both in economy to the Town and in efficiency for the departments. The details of the work on Highways will be found farther on in the report of the Superintendent.
It was intended to make repairs of a permanent nature to the bridge on Warren Avenue, at Eel River, but by the ad- vice of the Chairman of the Board of Public Works for the State, the matter was put over to this year, as he intimated that Legislation was pending that might take care of such problems as that. We have not yet, however, had any assurance that this will take place and it may be necessary for the Town to do this work.
The activities of the Police Department have been augmented in the past year by the peculiar conditions created by the Na- tional Prohibition Act of last July. A number of criminals of this type have been apprehended and punished, but the possi- bilities of profit in this business are so great that there are still many weak-principled parties who are willing to take the chances of arrest for the gain involved. Conditions are, how- ever, improving, and with the increasing difficulty of getting supplies, there will be a gradual diminution of their number.
The electric lighting situation is somewhat involved at the present time. The Company that supplies us has ceased manu- facturing and is delivering current from outside sources. There has been some difficulty in maintaining the service at its high- est efficiency and a number of plans have been submitted by the Company for bringing this current into Town with a view to improving the situation, but as yet no plan that the Selectmen feel that they can approve has been presented. Probably this will be worked out in time.
PLYMOUTH TWO
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The removal of Cappannari Bros. from their Water Street lo- cation to the corner of Water and Union streets, presents an opportunity for a much needed widening at that point. A sub- stantial strip of land has been taken from the Water Street side curving into Union Street opposite the Plymouth Foundry Co., much relieving the curve at that point, and the new Cap- pannari buildings, are being placed so that a further widening can be made there when convenient. It will be necessary at no distant time to widen the whole length of Union Street where it fronts the foundry property. This street, with Lin- coln Street, will be increasingly travelled, as it gives the most direct route to the railroad from the South, this at the same time relieving Sandwich and Main Streets of some of their overload.
The only new construction contemplated is Oak Street. This street carries a very heavy truck travel to and from the rail- road, and can no longer be maintained as a gravel road. We recommend an appropriation for a stone road similar to Railroad Avenue. This will relieve the Department of High- ways from a very considerable expense for repairing.
It is intended to resurface a number of the gravel streets that formerly were repaired with gravel, with an application of Tarvia and pea stone which method was used on Market and Pleasant Streets and was apparently very successful. The ex- pense of this is very small and even if it has to be renewed every year (which does not seem likely), it is cheaper than the old plan of gravelling, as well as providing a better street to ride over as well as one that is dustless.
Sewers have been extended as far as the needs have appeared and the appropriation would warrant. It is good policy to in- crease the Sewer facilities as much as possible, both as regards the convenience of the property owner and the public health. It is hoped to get all of the Town that possibly can be, sewered eventually.
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The celebration of the coming summer will require all of our best efforts to make it an affair creditable to the Town and its citizens. Much will be expected by the visiting public, and it will be necessary for the Town to provide funds for the absolutely necessary expense incident to carrying out the plans prepared for the Town's participation. It is to be hoped that the Town will make suitable provision for this at the coming Meeting.
During the past Summer we have had several public func- tions related to this matter. The most important, as regards the recognition by the world at large, of our Tercentenary being the visit of Mr. A. N. Hollely who came as the accredited representative of the City of Plymouth, England, and in behalf of that municipality presented us with an illuminated address of greeting and good will. The ceremony of presentation was held in the Old Colony Theatre and was a very enjoyable occa- sion. Mr. Hollely made an impressive address and the kindly expression of good will was much appreciated. The illuminated address from his city is now hung on the wall in the Selectmen's room in the Town House and it is hoped that the Town may at the coming Meeting make a suitable reply.
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