Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1926-1927, Part 1

Author:
Publication date: 1926
Publisher: Town of Plymouth
Number of Pages: 794


USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1926-1927 > Part 1


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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37


:


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


TOWN OFFICERS


OF THE


Town of Plymouth


For the Year Ending December 31 1926


UTH


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Linotyped, Printed and Bound by The Memorial Press, Plymouth, Mass. 1927


170


122- 1976


145


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Town Officers, 1926


Selectmen-William T. Eldridge, Henry W. Barnes, Jr., Walter E. Bent, Frank Eastwood, and Frank C. Smith. Town Clerk-George B. Howland.


Town Treasurer-George B. Howland.


Collector of Taxes-Herbert W. Bartlett.


Town Accountant-Elmer R. Harlow.


Assessors-Charles H. Sherman, chosen 1926 for one year; James C. Bates, chosen 1925 for three years ; Nathaniel G. Lanman, chosen 1926 for three years.


Overseers of the Poor-Herbert W. Bartlett, chosen 1924 for three years; George L. Gooding, chosen 1925 for three years; William T. Eldridge, chosen 1926 for three years.


Water Commissioners-Frank D. Bartlett and John L. Morton, chosen 1924 for three years; John H. Damon, chosen 1925 for three years; William R. Morton and Ern- est L. Sampson, chosen 1926 for three years.


School Committee-Burt H. Corey and Fannie T. Row- ell, chosen 1924 for three years; Frederick D. Bartlett and Alfred P. Richards, chosen 1925 for three years; Ed- ward R. Belcher and Albert L. Mellor, chosen 1926 for three years.


Cemetery Commissioners-Arthur E. Blackmer, chos- en 1924 for three years; Richard T. Eldridge, chosen 1925 for three years; Horace M. Saunders, chosen 1926 for three years.


Burial Hill Committee-Cemetery Commissioners.


Agawam and Halfway Pond Herring Fishery Commit- tee-George F. Haigh, William J. Graham, and Paul H. Manion.


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Park Commissioners-Henry T. Geary, chosen 1924 for three years; Job H. Standish, chosen 1925 for three years; Loomis R. Grant, chosen 1926 for three years.


Board of Health-Henry W. Barnes, chosen 1926 for one year; Walter D. Shurtleff, chosen 1925 for three years; Herbert S. Maxwell, chosen 1926 for three years.


Surveyors and Measurers of Lumber-Alvin A. Hall, Cornelius C. Holmes, and Warren S. Bumpus.


Surveyor of Wood and Bark-Daniel J. Sullivan.


Town Director to County Aid to Agriculture-Porter T. Harlow.


Planning Board-LeBaron R. Barker, Arthur E. Black- mer, Ellis W. Brewster, George L. Gooding, and Francis C. Holmes.


Field Drivers and Fence Viewers-Charles H. Ray- mond, Lewis F. Smith, and Chester A. Torrance.


Sexton-Arthur L. Howland.


Pound Keeper-Russell L. Dickson.


Committee on Inland Fisheries-James S. Clark, War- ren S. Gale and Geoffrey D. Perrior.


Sealer of Weights and Measures-Daniel J. Sullivan.


Milk Inspector-Daniel J. Sullivan.


Beach Committee-Selectmen.


Superintendent of Streets-Arthur E. Blackmer. 1 Superintendent of Water Works-Arthur E. Blackmer. Collector of Water Rates-George B. Howland.


Harbor Master-Charles D. Craig.


Board of Registration-George F. Anderson, appointed 1924 for three years; Asa H. Burgess, appointed 1925 for three years; Herbert W. Clark, appointed 1926 for three years.


Superintendent of Oak Grove and Vine Hills Ceme- teries and Burial Hill-Edward F. Stranger.


Superintendent of Chiltonville Cemetery-Charles B. Howland.


Superintendent of Manomet Cemetery-George A. Manter.


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Superintendent of Cedarville Cemetery-James L. Haskell.


Superintendent of Almshouse-Russell L. Dickson.


Fire Commissioner-Henry Walton.


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. Building Inspector-Thomas A. Bodell.


Committee on Sewers-Selectmen.


ยท


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Abstracts of Records of 1926


ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, MARCH 27, 1926


FRANK C. SMITH, 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.


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, 1927, in antici- pation 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 in- curred under the authority of this vote shall be paid from the revenue of said financial year.


Article Six:


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, it was unanimously voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $7,000.00 including the dog tax for 1925, amounting to $1,659.68, in aid of the Plymouth Public Library.


Article Seven :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, it was unanimously voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $500.00 in aid of the Manomet Public Library.


Article Eight:


Mr. Francis J. Heavens moved: That the Town appro-


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priate the following sums for the purposes mentioned in Article Eight.


Park Department, $5,800.00.


Mr. Francis C. Holmes moved to amend by


making this amount $6,800.00 and the mo-


tion was carried, $6,800 00


Park Department for cutting wood,


300 00


Training Green, 500 00


Public Camping Place,


750 00


The motion of Mr. Heavens, as amended, was then put before the meeting and unanimously carried.


Article Nine :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, it was unanimously voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of $2,- 500.00 for maintenance and improvement of the Steph- ens Field Playground.


Article Ten :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, it was unanimously voted: That the Town appropriate a sum not exceeding four hundred and fifty (450) dollars for the maintenance and improvement of the Nelson Street Playground.


' Article Eleven :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, it was unanimously voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $2,500.00 for maintenance and improvement of the New Public Playground in North Plymouth.


Article Twelve:


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, it was unanimously voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 for maintenance and improvement of the Elder Brewster Garden.


Article Thirteen :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, it was unanimously voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $800.00 for the construction of an iron fence on the easterly side of Main Street Extension from the bridge to the Emond Building.


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Article Fourteen :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, it was unanimously voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $400.00 for the observance of Memorial Day, $50.00 of this to be apportioned to the United Spanish War Veterans.


Article Fifteen :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of $900.00 for the observance of July Fourth and Forefathers' Day, to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen.


Article Sixteen :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of $500.00 for public Band Concerts.


Article Seventeen :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $250.00 for the use of the Plymouth County Trustees for County Aid to Agricul- ture, and that a Town Director be chosen at this time.


Mr. William T. Eldridge moved to nominate Mr. Porter T. Harlow for Town Director and he was elected.


Article Eighteen : -


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of $200.00 for Rifle Range Expenses.


Article Nineteen :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of $200.00 for purpose of pro- viding headquarters for Post 40, American Legion.


Article Twenty :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $50.00 for the purpose of providing headquarters for the United Spanish War Veterans.


Article Twenty-one:


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted : That the


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Town appropriate the sum of $2,000.00 for re-foresting and improvement in the Town Forest.


Article Twenty-two :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of $3,000.00 for the purchase and equipment of a new automobile truck for the Forest Warden's Department.


Mr. Harry B. Davis moved: To refer back to Article Three and the motion was carried.


Mr. Davis then made a verbal report of progress for the Committee on the Memorial Building.


On motion of Harry B. Davis, it was unanimously vot- ed: That a committee of seven be appointed by the Moderator to investigate the matter of a memorial for the new Memorial Building and report at a future town meeting.


Article Twenty-three :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $6,500.00 for furnishings and equipment for the Memorial Town Hall.


Article Twenty-four:


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of $12,000.00 for maintenance of the Memorial Town Hall for the current year.


Article Twenty-five:


Mr. Francis J. Heavens, moved: That the Town adopt By-Laws for the inspection and construction of building's.


Mr. William T. Eldridge moved to amend that the Town adopt the proposed By-Laws as printed.


Mr. Henry Walton moved to amend by substituting for Section 21, the State Laws for Garages, and the motion was carried.


Mr. Henry Walton moved to amend by substituting for the first paragraph of Section 22, the following :


Section 22. Chimneys.


All chimneys hereafter constructed shall be built of Brick, Stone or other fire-proof non-conducting material


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to have flue linings of proper size. All brick chimneys shall be built of hard burned brick and outside walls to be at least four inches in thickness. On outside of Flue lining all joints to be well filled with cement mortar, and the motion to amend was carried.


The motion of Mr. Eldridge as amended was then put before the meeting and carried.


The motion of Mr. Heavens as amended by Mr. El- dridge and Mr. Walton was put before the meeting and carried.


Article Twenty-six :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 for compensation of an Inspector of Buildings and to defray the expenses of that office.


Article Twenty-seven :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 for hard-surfac- ing on River Street.


Article Twenty-eight:


To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceed- ing one thousand (1,000) dollars for hard-surfacing on Strand Avenue and its vicinity, in Manomet.


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted : That action under this article be indefinitely postponed.


Article Twenty-nine:


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 for widening by rounding off corners at street intersections as recom- mended by the Town Planning Board.


Article Thirty :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted : That the Town authorize the Selectmen to execute and deliver in its name and behalf without payment of consideration separate deeds conveying to Abbott A. Raymond, Blanche M. Brine and Charles H. Dierksmier all its right, title and interest in and to the land lying southerly of Fresh.


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Pond near the junction of the Sandwich Road and the Carver Road and lying between land of said Abbott A. Raymond, Blanche M. Brine and Charles H. Dierksmier and the easterly line of the State Highway as shown on a plan entitled "Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plan of Road in the Town of Plymouth, Plymouth County, Dis- continued as a State Highway by the Department of Public Works Division of Highways Nov. 24, 1921. Scale 40 feet to the inch. A. W. Dean, Chief Engineer," an at- tested copy of said plan being on file with the Town Clerk. Article Thirty-one :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted : That the Town accept and allow the layout of Grant Street as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town.


Article Thirty-two:


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted: That the Town accept and allow the layout of McKinley Road, from Grant Street to Lothrop Street, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town.


Article Thirty-three:


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted : That the Town authorize the transfer and appropriation for con- struction of the Wharf and Public Landing, of the sum of $3,500.00, the same being the unexpended portion of a sum reserved from this appropriation at the Town Meeting, March 24, 1923, for acquiring land.


Article Thirty-four :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted: That the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to execute and deliver in its name and behalf a deed to the Edes Manu- facturing Company conveying to it a parcel of land situ- ated on the easterly side of Water Street Extension con- taining 11,760 square feet and shown in red on a plan entitled "Plan showing land to be conveyed by the Town of Plymouth to the Edes Manufacturing Company, dated February 23, 1926." Said premises to be particularly de- scribed in said deed. Said Conveyance to be made in


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payment by the Town for land taken by it from the Edes Manufacturing Company.


Article Thirty-five :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, it was unanimously voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $45,000.00 for additional High Service System for the Water De- partment, $5,000.00 of such appropriation to be from the tax levy of the current year.


Article Thirty-six :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, it was unanimously voted: That to meet the appropriation made under Arti- cle 35, the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Se- lectmen, be and hereby is authorized under Section 8 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws to borrow the sum of forty thousand (40,000) dollars, and to issue therefor bonds or notes of the Town, the same to be payable in accordance with Section 19 of said Chapter 44, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than five years from the date of issue of the first bond or note.


Article Thirty-seven :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $3,500.00 for new fence for Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemetery.


Article Thirty-eight :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 for new fence for Burial Hill Cemetery.


Article Thirty-nine:


On motion of Judge Harry B. Davis, it was unani- mously voted: That it is the sense of this meeting that the Town should acquire Plymouth Beach for park pur- poses and that a committee of five be appointed by the Moderator to investigate the matter of acquiring it.


Article Forty :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $7,000.00 to continue the macadam process on Sandwich Road.


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Article Forty-one :


To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not ex- ceeding ten thousand (10,000) dollars for macadamizing the upper part of Billington Street, from the Standish Mills to the Pumping Station. (By Petition.)


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted: That action under this article be indefinitely postponed.


Article Forty-two:


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 for improve- ment of Nelson Street.


Article Forty-three :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of $3,500.00 for hard-sur- facing of Taylor Avenue to the brook.


Article Forty-four :


Mr. Francis J. Heavens moved: That the Town take by purchase or otherwise for park purposes, that land lying along the easterly side of Water Street, between the land now owned by the Town opposite the new Town Hall on the north, and extending southerly on the east- erly side of said Water Street to the land now owned by the Town south of the south line of Chilton Street, a distance of about 316 feet, and make an appropriation of $1,600.00 therefor.


Mr. Henry Walton moved to amend by striking out the words "or otherwise", but the motion was lost.


The motion of Mr. Heavens was then put before the meeting and one hundred and eighty-one voting in the affirmative, and thirty-two voting in the negative, the necessary two-thirds having voted in the affirmative, the motion was carried.


Article Forty-five:


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted: That the Town appropriate the following amounts now standing as unexpended balances to reduce the tax levy of the current year :


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Warren Avenue Widening, land damage, 422 39


Alteration of State Highway, land damage, 31 00


Eel River Bridge, 311 68


Eel River, deepening bed below bridge,


642 28


Article Forty-six :


On motion of Francis J. Heavens, voted : That the Town authorize the transfer of the sum of five thousand (5,000) dollars from the Reserve from Overlayings of Taxes to the Reserve Account in the hands of the Advis- ory and Finance Committee.


On motion of George B. Howland, voted: That the sum of $496,699.25 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 William T. Eldridge, voted: To adjourn.


SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, NOV. 13, 1926


FRANK C. SMITH, Moderator


Article Two:


On motion of William P. Libby, voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of forty-eight hundred (4,800) dol- lars for Roads and Bridges.


Article Three:


To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of five hundred (500) dollars to grade Water Street Extension from a point in line with the southerly line of the bulk- head of the Town Wharf and running northwesterly about one hundred and seventy-five feet, and also to grade the approach from said Water Street Extension to the wharf.


On motion of William H. Harriman, voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of five hundred (500) dollars to be used for the purpose mentioned in this article.


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Article Four :


On motion of William H. Harriman, voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of six hundred (600) dollars for construction of granolithic sidewalk on the easterly side of Market Street, in cooperation with the abutting property owners.


Article Five :


On motion of William P. Libby, voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of eight thousand (8,000) dollars for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Fire Department for the balance of the year.


Article Six :


On motion of William H. Harriman, voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of eighteen hundred (1800) dollars for the Forest Warden's Department.


Article Seven :


On motion of William P. Libby, voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of one hundred forty-three and 97/100 (143.97) dollars for Inland Fisheries.


Article Eight :


On motion of William H. Harriman, voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of two hundred and forty (240) dollars for the Tax Collector's Department.


Article Nine :


On motion of William P. Libby, voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of three hundred (300) dollars for the Miscellaneous Account.


Article Ten :


On motion of William H. Harriman, voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of eight hundred (800) dol- lars for Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemeteries.


Article Eleven :


To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of seven hundred ninety-nine and 75/100 (799.75) dollars to be paid to the Treasurer of Plymouth County for the amount of the Town's liability for repairs to the Gurnet Bridge during the year 1925.


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On motion of William P. Libby, voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of seven hundred ninety-nine and 75/100 (799.75) dollars for the purpose mentioned in the article.


Article Twelve:


On motion of William H. Harriman, voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of four hundred ten and 23/100 (410.23) dollars for Town Debt and Interest.


Article Thirteen :


Mr. William P. Libby moved: That the Town author- ize the Board of Selectmen to detail to the central train- ing camp of the State Constabulary at Framingham, for one month's instruction in police work, all regular mem- bers of the Police Department, and to engage special and other officers for police duty during the absence of the members of the regular force.


Mr. Charles H. Raymond moved: That action under this article be indefinitely postponed and the motion was carried.


Article Fourteen :


To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of twenty- five hundred (2,500) dollars to cover the expenses in- curred under the previous article.


On motion of William P. Libby, voted : That action under this article be indefinitely postponed.


Article Fifteen :


To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of seven hundred seventy-four and 68/100 (774.68) dollars to pay for extra dredging done by the Bay State Dredging and Contracting Company at the Town Wharf.


On motion of William H. Harriman, voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of seven hundred seventy- four and 68/100 (774.68) dollars for the purpose men- tioned in this article.


On motion of George B. Howland, voted: That the sum of $19,168.63 being the amount voted in the fore-


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going articles be appropriated from money in the Treas- ury not otherwise appropriated.


Article Sixteen :


To see if the Town will appropriate and transfer to Roads and Bridges the sum of one hundred and eighty (180) dollars received for use of the steam roller during the current year.


On motion of William P. Libby, voted: That the sum of one hundred and eighty (180) dollars be appropriated and transferred to Roads and Bridges as provided in this article.


Article Seventeen :


To see if the Town will appropriate and transfer for Sewers the unexpended balance amounting to four hun- dred fifty-one and 14/100 (451.14) dollars, of an appro- priation for Court Street Drain.


On motion of William H. Harriman, voted: That the sum of four hundred fifty-one and 14/100 (451.14) dol- lars be appropriated and transferred to the Sewer Appro- priation as provided in this article.


Article Eighteen :


Mr. William P. Libby moved: That the Town author- ize its Relocation Committee to amend the agreement made by and between the Town and James Millar Com- pany as set forth in the article, and sixty-four voting in the affirmative, and sixty-five in the negative, the motion was lost.


Article Nineteen :


Mr. William P. Libby moved : That the Town authorize its Relocation Committee to amend the agreement made by and between the Town and James Millar Company so that it shall be binding for the period of ten years from the date the Committee notifies said James Millar Com- pany that the premises are ready for use and not ten (10) years from October 6, 1924, but the motion was lost.


Mr. Asa H. Burgess then moved: That the Town authorize the said Relocation Committee to amend said


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agreement so that agreement shall be binding for the period of ten (10) years from the date the Committee notifies said James Millar Company that the premises are ready for use and not ten (10) years from the date of the agreement (October 6, 1924) as now provided un- der Article D of said agreement, and the motion was car- ried.


Mr. William P. Libby moved: That action under Arti- cle 18 be reconsidered.


Mr. Allen Loft moved: That any further action under this article be indefinitely postponed, but the motion was lost.


The motion of Mr. Libby was then put before the meeting and eighty voting in the affirmative and fifty- three in the negative, the motion was carried.


Article Eighteen :


On motion of William P. Libby, voted: That the Town authorize its Relocation Committee to amend the agree- ment made by and between the Town and the James Millar Company, said agreement being dated October 6, 1924, so that the rental for the premises as described in said agreement shall be one thousand (1,000) dollars per annum and not fifteen hundred (1,500) dollars per an- num as now provided under Article C of said agreement; it being understood that in event of the renewal of the agreement as provided in Article D of said agreement that the rental shall be such sum as at that time shall be just and reasonable.


Article Twenty :


On motion of William T. Eldridge, voted: That the Town accept from the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston, its right, title and interest in and to a strip of land twenty-four (24) feet in width and being the right of way now existing between the land of the Town of Plymouth, upon which stands the Memorial Town Hall, and St. Peter's Rectory, for a public street to be twenty- four (24) feet in width and to run from Court Street to


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Water Street and being shown as a right of way and proposed road on a plan entitled "Town of Plymouth Plan Showing Memorial Town Hall and Adjacent Prop- erty," dated November 23, 1925. The width of said street shall at no time exceed twenty-four (24) feet; travel over said street to be only in one direction except as here- inafter provided ; no parking to be allowed on said street; said street to be used by pleasure vehicles only except such other vehicles as may have occasion to transact business with the owners of property abutting on said street. The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston shall have the right to enter and leave St. Peter's Rectory and the buildings appurtenant thereto on said premises from any direction in said public street.


Article Twenty-one:


On motion of William P. Libby, voted: That the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to lease for a period of ten (10) years, upon such terms and conditions as the Board of Selectmen may determine, the following de- scribed parcel of land, property of the Town of Plymouth, to wit:




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