USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1922-1923 > Part 1
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TOWN OF PLYMOUTH
1620.
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TO
...
TS,
REPORT OF THE TOWN OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1922
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
Town of Plymouth
For the Year Ending December 31
1922
TH
1620
SSA
CH
M
I
PLYMOUTH THE MEMORIAL PRESS 1923
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Cemetery Commissioners-Horace M. Saunders, chosen 1920 for three years; Arthur E. Blackmer, chosen 1921 for three years; Richard T. Eldridge, chosen 1922 for three years.
Burial Hill Committee-Cemetery Commissioners.
Agawam and Halfway Pond Herring Fishery Committee -Warren S. Gale, Frank Harlow and Alfred Holmes.
Park Commissioners-Benjamin F. Raymond, chosen 1920 for three years; John Russell, chosen 1921 for three years ; Patrick O. Conley, chosen 1922 for three years.
Board of Health-Herbert S. Maxwell, chosen 1920 for three years; Harry R. Talbot, chosen 1921 for three years; Walter D. Shurtleff, chosen 1922 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, George L. Gooding, Francis C. Holmes and Arthur E. Black- mer.
Field Drivers and Fence Viewers-Charles H. Raymond and Lewis F. Smith.
Sexton-Arthur L. Howland.
Pound Keeper-Russell L. Dickson.
Committee on Inland Fisheries-James S. Clark, Warren S. Gale and Geoffrey D. Perrior.
Sealer of Weights and Measures-Daniel J. Sullivan.
Beach Committee-Selectmen.
Superintendent of Streets-Arthur E. Blackmer
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Superintendent of Water Works-Arthur E. Blackmer. Collector of Water Rates-N. Reeves Jackson.
Harbor Master-Alfred Holmes.
Board of Registration-Herbert W. Clark, appointed 1920 for three years; George F. Anderson, appointed 1921 for three years; Charles H. Sherman, appointed 1922 for three years.
Superintendent of Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemeteries and Burial Hill-Edward F. Stranger.
Superintendent of Chiltonville Cemetery-Charles Rog- ers.
Superintendent of Manomet Cemetery-George A. Man- ter.
Superintendent of Cedarville Cemetery-James L. Has- kell.
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 1922.
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, MARCH 25, 1922.
ARTHUR LORD, Moderator.
Article Three :
On motion of George B. Howland, Voted: That the reports of the several boards of officers and committees of the Town be accepted and placed on file.
Mr. Frank Eastwood read a report of the Plymouth Relo- cation Committee, and on motion of Charles Otten, Jr., Voted: That the report be accepted as a report of progress. Article Four :
On motion of George B. Howland, Voted: That the Town authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen or a majority thereof, to borrow during the financial year beginning January 1, 1923, 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.
Article Five :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess, the following resolution was adopted: That the Town does hereby notify all its de- partments of its desire that all possible economies be ef-
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fected, both in reduction of wages and expenses, and fur- ther more expresses serious desire that, as far as possible, all departments make their requirements come within their appropriations.
On motion of Edward L. Burgess, the following resolution was adopted: That a Committee of three be appointed by the Moderator to investigate the subject of furnishing light for the Town, and report to the Town at a special meeting.
On motion of Edward L. Burgess, the following resolution was adopted : That the duties involved in the care of Shell Fish, in Inspector of the Board of Health and in the Truant Officer of the School Department shall be performed by the appointment of one or more of the regular Police Officers of the Town of Plymouth, acting in the course of their regular duties. One hundred and ninety-one voting in the affirma- tive and one hundred and eighty in the negative.
Article Six :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess it was unanimously voted: That the sum of $5,000.00 including the dog tax of 1921, amounting to $1,355.99, be appropriated toward the maintenance of Plymouth Public Library.
Article Seven :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess it was unanimously vot- ed : That a sum not exceeding $500.00 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 :
Park Department, $3,300 00
Parks, for cutting wood, 300 00
Training Green, 300 00
Article Nine :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess it was unanimously voted: That the sum of $800.00 be appropriated for the
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maintenance and improvement of the Stephens Field Play- ground.
Article Ten :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess it was unanimously voted: That the Town appropriate a sum not exceeding $275.00 for defraying expenses of the observance of Me- morial Day.
Article Eleven :
To see if the Town will appropriate for the use of the Plymouth County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture a sum not exceeding two hundred and fifty (250) dollars and choose a Town Director.
On motion of Edward L. Burgess, Voted: That action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article Twelve :
Mr. Edward L. Burgess moved that consideration of Articles 12, 13 and 14 be considered together and that the Moderator appoint a committee of five to consider the questions as they now present themselves of quarters for War Veterans and a Town Hall Auditorium, and their connection with the development of the Town Hall Lot. This committee to report to the Town with necessary plans and estimates at a special meeting at as early a date as possible. But the motion was lost.
Mr. Henry Walton moved : That the Town erect and equip a building as a Memorial for properly commemorating the services and sacrifices of Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, under the authority granted by Clause 12, Section 5, of Chapter 40 of the General Laws; said building to be con- structed in accordance with the plans submitted to the Town and to be erected on the so-called Lothrop Lot on Court Street; the front line of the building to be approxi- mately sixty feet from the Easterly sidewalk line of Court Street; and the Town appropriate the sum of Sixty Thou- sand Dollars for the purpose of constructing and equipping
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said building; and that under the authority granted by Clause 7, Section 8 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws, the Selectmen be and hereby are authorized to exceed the debt limit of the Town for the purpose of raising the money herein appropriated for the erection and equipping of said building.
Mr. William M. Douglass moved to amend by striking out "said building to be constructed in accordance with the plans submitted to the Town and to be erected on the so- called Lothrop Lot on Court Street; the front line of the building to be approximately sixty feet from the Easterly sidewalk line of Court Street." Three hundred and four voting in the affirmative, and one hundred and sixty in the negative, the motion was carried.
Mr. Walton moved to amend by substituting $80,000.00 for $60,000.00, but the motion was lost.
The motion of Mr. Walton as amended by Mr. Douglass was then put before the meeting and carried.
Mr. Walton moved; That the Town Treasurer be au- thorized, when so directed by the Selectmen, to borrow the sum of Sixty Thousand Dollars, appropriated at this meet- ing for the erection and equipping of a building as a Me- morial for properly commemorating the services and sacri- fices of Soldiers, Sailors and Marines. Bonds or notes shall be issued therefor, signed by the Treasurer, and counter- signed by a majority, at least, of the Selectmen, with interest payable semi-annually at a rate not exceeding five per centum per annum. Such bonds or notes shall be dated July 1, 1922 and shall be made payable in such annual proportionate payments as will extinguish the same in twenty years from their date.
Three hundred and forty-four voting in the affirmative and none in the negative, the motion was carried.
Mr. Walton moved: That whereas, the Town has voted to authorize the construction and equipping of a building
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as a suitable Memorial for properly commemorating the services and sacrifices of Soldiers, Sailors and Marines under Article 12, of the Warrant, the Selectmen be and hereby are authorized in accordance with the provisions of Section 105 of Chapter 41 of the General Laws to appoint a temporary Board of Trustees, to have charge and control of the construction of such Memorial and have the custody and care thereof after its construction, said Board to serve until the next annual meeting of the Town.
Mr. William M. Douglass then moved that further con- sideration be indefinitely postponed and the motion was carried.
Mr. William M. Douglass then moved: That Henry Wal- ton, Fred A. Jenks, Frank Eastwood, Charles H. Robbins and John W. Osterdiep be a committee to investigate the matter of location and plans and report to the Town. And the motion was carried.
Article Thirteen :
To see if the Town will vote to rescind the vote passed under Article 7, at a Special Town Meeting on the eleventh day of October, 1919, providing for the erection of a Town Hall as a Memorial Building and making an appropriation of three hundred thousand (300,000.00) dollars therefor.
On motion of Edward L. Burgess, Voted: That action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article Fourteen :
Mr. Harry B. Davis moved: That the Town appropriate the sum of $125,000.00 to erect and equip with suitable seats a municipal auditorium on the Lothrop Lot now owned by the Town on Court Street, said building to be constructed substantially in accordance with plans submitted and now before this meeting; that the construction of said building shall be under the direction of the Selectmen and a Com- mittee of five to be appointed by the Selectmen. The Selectmen and said Committee shall procure bids for the
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erection of such a building on the plans submitted and speci - fications to be furnished by advertising therefor in the usual manner, and are hereby authorized to sign a contract in the name of the Town for the erection of said building at a price not to exceed the amount of the appropriation therefor, and that any contract so made shall cover the cost of the building, 1500 seats and architects and engineering fees. Two hundred and thirty-four voting in the affirmative and eighty-four in the negative, the motion was carried.
Mr. Harry B. Davis moved: To provide funds for the construction and equipment of a municipal auditorium, the Town Treasurer be and hereby is authorized, when so di- rected by the Selectmen to borrow the sum of $125,000.00 and to issue therefor bonds or notes of the Town, signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by a majority of the Selectmen. Bonds or notes so issued shall bear interest payable semi-annually at a rate not exceeding five per centum per annum, shall bear the date of issue and shall be made payable in such annual proportionate payments as will extinguish the entire issue in twenty years from its date. One hundred and seventy-three voting in the affir- mative and one hundred and twelve in the negative, the necessary two-thirds not having voted in the affirmative the motion was lost.
Article five was then taken up and Mr. William T. Eld- ridge moved: That the Town appropriate the sum of $5,000.00 to provide work for Soldiers, and others.
Mr. Edward L. Burgess moved to substitute: That men in need of aid under this proposed appropriation be em- ployed under regular departments of the Town on special work contemplated by special request for funds and be paid from appropriations made for such departments. Forty-three voting in the affirmative and fifty-two in the negative, the motion was lost.
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The motion of Mr. Eldridge was then put before the meeting and carried.
Mr. Edward L. Burgess moved that there be appropriated for
Sidewalks $3,500 00 Voted.
Sidewalks, Granolithic, 2,000 00 Voted.
Article Fifteen :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess, Voted : That the Town accept and allow the layout of Edes Street as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town.
Article Sixteen :
,
On motion of Edward L. Burgess, Voted : That the Town cooperate with the Commonwealth and Plymouth County in erecting a new bridge, over Eel River, on Warren Avenue and appropriate therefor a sum of $5,500.00.
Article Seventeen :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess, Voted : That the Town authorize the Selectmen to stipulate in writing to indemnify and save harmless the Commonwealth against all claims and demands for damages which may be sustained by any person or persons whose property may be affected by the alteration and reconstruction by the Commonwealth of a portion of the highway leading from Plymouth to Bourne.
Article Eighteen :
To see if the Town will vote to surface with asphalt and sand that part of the Bournedale Road between Costello's Corner and the portion of State Highway northerly of the Bourne-Plymouth line near Great Herring Pond, in co operation with the Commonwealth and Plymouth County ยท and to make an appropriation therefor not exceeding six- teen thousand (16,000) Dollars.
On motion of Edward L. Burgess, Voted: That action under this article be postponed until the Town can be assured of united, favorable action by the other communities interested.
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Article Nineteen :
Mr. Edward L. Burgess moved: That action under this article be indefinitely postponed. But the motion was lost.
Mr. Thomas A. Proctor moved: That the Town appro- priate the sum of thirty-five hundred dollars to be expended surfacing the White Horse Road. And the motion was carried.
Article Twenty :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess, Voted : That the Town appropriate a sum not exceeding $750.00 for laying a side. walk on the southerly side of Cliff Street.
Article Twenty-One :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess, Voted : That the Town change the number of the School Committee from three members to six members. Sixty-two voting in the affirma- tive and thirty-one in the negative.
Article Twenty-two :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess, Voted : That the Town accept the provisions of section 132 to 136 of Chapter 140, General Laws, relative to the abatement of the smoke nuisance.
Article Twenty-Three :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess, Voted : That the Town adopt the following by-law :
Article 1. Owners of buildings along the line of public ways shall have such buildings numbered in accordance with plans approved by the Board of Select- men and in a manner acceptable to said Board.
Article 2. The owner or owners of a building which is not numbered in accordance with the fore-going pro- visions and who shall fail to have same properly num- bered within thirty days after being notified in writing, shall be punished by a fine of not more than twenty dol- lars.
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Article Twenty-four :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess, Voted : That the Town appropriate a sum not exceeding $400.00 for providing suitable headquarters for Post 40, American Legion, accord- ing to provisions of Section 9, Chapter 40, of the Genera1 Laws.
Article Twenty-five :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess, Voted : That the Town appropriate a sum not exceeding $150.00 for providing suita- ble headquarters for United Spanish War Veterans, as provided by Chapter 227, Acts of 1921.
Article Twenty-six :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess, it was unanimously voted : That the Town purchase for the purpose of enlarging the Stephens Field Playground, a lot of land now owned by Edward B. Stephens, Mary S. Baker, et al, containing 29,000 square feet more or less, bounded on the east and south by land of the Town of Plymouth, on the west by land of Jennie H. Chase and Mary A. Sampson, and on the north by land of George A. Nickerson, and to make an ap- propriation therefor of a sum not exceeding eight hundred (800.00) Dollars.
Article Twenty-Seven :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess, it was unanimously voted: That the Town appropriate a sum not exceeding $500.00 for laying a Rip Rap Retainer on easterly side of the Stephen's Field Playground.
Article Twenty-eight :
To see if the Town will vote to establish a Public Camping place, either at Morton Park or at the Indian Land in Manomet, as recommended by the Park Commissioners, and make an appropriation for the purpose not exceeding seven hundred (700) Dollars.
On motion of Edward L. Burgess, Voted: That action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
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Article Twenty-nine :
On motion of Charles Otten Jr., it was voted that the following resolution be adopted :
Resolved: That it is the sense of this meeting that the Town should acquire for Park purposes, part of the land on the north side of Town Brook between Main Street Extension and Water Street and that the Park Commissioners be requested to prepare the necessary plans and estimates and present them to the voters as provided for in General Laws, Chapter 45, Section 3. Article Thirty :
On motion of William T. Eldridge, Voted: That the Town authorize the Selectmen to appoint a committee to investi- gate the matter of Town Forests, to ascertain what lands are available for reforesting and expense of same, and report to the proper officials of the Town.
Article Thirty-one :
Mr. Edward L. Burgess, moved: That action under this article be indefinitely postponed. But the motion was lost.
On motion of William T. Eldridge, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of five hundred (500) dollars toward defraving the expenses of a community nurse.
Article Thirty-two :
To see what action the Town will take in regard to the Sever Street Extension as laid out by the County Com- missioners, and make an appropriation therefor.
Article thirty-three :
To see if the Town will discontinue that part of South Russell Street lying westerly of the proposed extension of Sever Street, between Russell and South Russell Streets.
On motion of Edward L. Burgess, Voted: That the sub- ject matter of Articles 32 and 33 be referred to the Town Planning Board and the Selectmen for their investigation and report at a later meeting.
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Article Thirty-four :
To see what action the Town will take in regard to wid- ening Middle Street, throughout its whole length, on the northerly side thereof, and to raise and appropriate any money which the action of the Town may require.
On motion of Edward L. Burgess, Voted: That action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article Thirty-five :
On motion of William T. Eldridge, Voted : That the Town erect and maintain floats and landings at the State Pier, and make an appropriation not exceeding seven hundred (700) dollars for the purpose.
Article Thirty-six :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess, Voted : That the Town authorize the transfer of a sum not exceeding $5,000.00 from Reserve from Overlay of Taxes to the Reserve account in the hands of the Advisory and Finance Committee.
Article Thirty-eight :
On motion of Edward L. Burgess, Voted: That the Town authorize the transfer of the unexpended balances to the credit of Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemeteries for Water Pipe, and Cemetery Department, for Monuments to those who served in the Revolution, to the appropriation for Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemeteries, as recommended by the Cemetery Commissioners.
On motion of George B. Howland, Voted: That the sum of $363,182.00 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 ex- penses of the Town for the ensuing year.
On motion of Nicholas Keefe, Voted: That from March 25, 1922 to March 1923, all Town Meetings of the Town of Plymouth, Mass., be held in the Armory.
On motion of George B. Howland, Voted: To adjourn.
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, JUNE 1, 1922. ARTHUR LORD, Moderator.
Article Two :
On motion of Alfred P. Richards, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of five thousand (5,000) dollars for the Forest Warden's Department.
Article Three :
On motion of Alfred P. Richards, Voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of two hundred (200) dollars for salary of Supervisor of Shores and Flats, from Jan- uary 1st to May 1st of the current year.
Article Four :
Mr. Alfred P. Richards moved: That the Town appro- priate the sum of two thousand (2,000) dollars for Sewers.
Mr. William T. Eldridge moved to amend: That the Town appropriate the unexpended balance, if any, of the appropriation for the new outlet for Sewers and enough additional to make the total $2,000.00. This amendment being accepted, the motion as amended was put before the meeting and carried.
Article Five :
On motion of Alfred P. Richards, Voted : That the Town appropriate for Granolithic Sidewalks all reimbursements for granolithic construction during the current year.
Article Six :
On motion of Alfred P. Richards, Voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of five hundred (500) dollars for the further improvement and maintenance of the Stephens Field Playground.
Article Seven :
Mr. Alfred P. Richards moved: That the Town does not rescind its vote passed at a Special Town Meeting held on the eleventh day of October, 1919, providing for the erection of a Town Hall as a Memorial Building and mak-
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ing an appropriation of three hundred thousand (300,000 .- 00) dollars therefor. By consent of the mover of the vote, the moderator submitted the following question to the meeting :
Shall the Town rescind its vote passed at a Special Town Meeting on the eleventh day of October, 1919, providing for the erection of a Town Hall as a Memorial Building and making an appropriation of three hundred thousand (300,- 000) dollars therefor?
A ballot was then had and the ballots were collected and counted by tellers duly appointed and sworn by the Town Clerk to the faithful performance of their duties and the vote announced by the moderator as follows. Two hundred and thirty have voted "Yes" and four hundred and thirty- six have voted "No," and the motion to rescind is defeated.
Article Eight :
To see if the Town will vote to issue bonds or notes of the Town in the sum of one hundred and twenty-five thous- and (125,000) dollars for the purpose of providing funds to erect a Municipal Auditorium in accordance with the vote of the Town passed at the Annual Town Meeting on March 25, 1922.
Mr. Alfred P. Richards moved: That action under this article be postponed; four hundred and thirty-six voting in the affirmative and one hundred thirty-eight in the negative, the motion was carried.
Article Nine :
To see what action the Town will take in regard to the report of the Committee of the Town appointed to investi- gate the location and plans for the proposed Memorial Building at the Annual Town Meeting, and to make appro- priation to carry out action of the Town under this article.
Article Ten :
To see if the Town will authorize the issue of bonds
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or notes of the Town to carry out action of the Town under the preceding article.
On motion of Henry Walton, Voted: That the subject matter of these articles be referred to the Town Hall Com- mittee with instruction to report thereon with their recom- mendations, at a special meeting of the Town to be called by the Selectmen within the next six weeks.
On motion of George B. Howland, Voted: That the sum of $7,700.00 be raised and assessed upon 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 George B. Howland, Voted: To adjourn.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, JULY 27, 1922.
ARTHUR LORD, Moderator.
Article Two :
On motion of Alfred P. Richards, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of Fifteen Hundred (1500) dollars for Roads and Bridges.
Article Three : Mr. Alfred P. Richards moved: That the Town take no action under this article. But the motion was lost.
On motion of Horace M. Saunders, Voted : That the sum of one thousand (1,000) dollars be appropriated for grading, surveying, and making of plans in Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemeteries.
Article Four :
On motion of Alfred P. Richards, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of two hundred (200) dollars for the Miscellaneous Account.
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Article Five :
On motion of William T. Eldridge, Voted : That the report of the Town Hall Committee as printed, be accepted.
Article Six :
Mr. Alfred P. Richards moved: Whereas at the Special Town Meeting held October 11, 1919, it was voted under Article Seven of the Warrant, to erect a suitable Town Hall with Town offices, as a Memorial Building and to appropri- ate the sum of three hundred thousand ($300,000) dollars therefor.
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