USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1938 > Part 1
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ACHU
SS
1820.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
Town of Plymouth
**
TH
1620.
A
HIR 974.48 ANN 1938
For the Year Ending December 31, 1938
LINOTYPED, PRINTED AND BOUND BY THE MEMORIAL PRESS PLYMOUTH, MASS.
PL
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TOWN OFFICERS, 1938
Selectmen: James A. White, Howard M. Douglas, James T. Frazier, Hugh R. Maraghy and John H. Mur- ray.
Clerk of Selectmen: Norman W. Gray.
Town Clerk: Herbert K. Bartlett.
Town Treasurer: Herbert K. Bartlett.
Collector of Taxes : Harold W. Baker.
Town Accountant: Elmer R. Harlow.
Assessors : Charles H. Sherman, chosen 1936 for three years; retired Dec. 31, 1937. James S. Swanton, chosen 1938 for one year. Thomas L. Cassidy, chosen 1937 for three years; Fred A. Sampson, chosen 1938 for three years.
Overseers of the Public Welfare: Harvey S. Hatch, chosen 1937 for two years; Mr. Hatch resigned Oct. 14, 1937, and Paul W. Bittinger appointed to fill the vacancy. Thomas W. Loft, chosen 1938 for one year; Lawrence L. Lahey, chosen 1937 for three years. Mr. Lahey resigned Oct. 6, 1938, and Edmund J. Priestley appointed Oct. 13, 1938, to fill the vacancy; A Rodman Hussey, Jr., chosen 1938 for three years.
Water Commissioners: Frank D. Bartlett and John L. Morton, chosen 1936 for three years. Mr. Bartlett re- signed April 7, 1938, and John H. Damon appointed April 18, 1938, to fill the vacancy; Charles Moning, chosen 1937 for three years. Deceased Nov. 15, 1938, and Edward R. Belcher appointed Dec. 22, 1938, to fill the vacancy; William R. Morton and Richard T. El- dridge, chosen 1938 for three years.
School Committee: Fannie T. Rowell and E. Harold Donovan, chosen 1936 for three years; Edward W. Brad- ford and Edward A. Buttner, chosen 1937 for three years. Mr. Buttner deceased March 12, 1937, and David A. Cappannari appointed to fill the vacancy; David A. Cappannari, chosen 1938 for two years. Edward W.
Bradford, deceased April 10, 1938, and William E. Cur- tin appointed June 9, 1938, to fill the vacancy ; Harry W. Burns and J. Frankland Miller, chosen 1938 for three years.
ยท Cemetery Commissioners : Arthur E. Blackmer, chosen 1936 for three years; Richard T. Eldridge, chosen 1937 for three years ; Edward R. Belcher, chosen 1938 for three years.
Burial Hill Committee: Cemetery Commissioners.
Agawam and Halfway Pond Herring Fishery Commit- tee: Emil C. Birnstein, Jr., Elmer P. Boutin and Paul H. Manion.
Park Commissioners : Ernest C. Dunham, chosen 1936 for three years. Mr. Dunham resigned Aug. 17, 1938, and George T. Fox appointed Sept. 22, 1938, to fill the vacancy ; Almore W. Burgess, chosen 1937, for three years; Arthur L. Morse, chosen 1938 for three years.
Board of Health: Alsop L. Douglas, chosen 1937 for two years; Wiggin L. Merrill, chosen 1937 for three years ; Herbert S. Maxwell, chosen 1938 for three years.
Surveyors and Measures of Lumber: Warren S. Bum- pus and Alvin A. Hall.
Surveyor of Wood and Bark: Daniel J. Sullivan.
Town Director to County Aid to Agriculture: James S. A. Valler.
Planning Board: Arthur E. Blackmer, Aldo Giovanet- ti, George L. Gooding, Francis C. Holmes and Allen D. Russell.
Field Drivers and Fence Viewers: Charles Moning, Lewis F. Smith and Chester A. Torrance. Charles Mon- ing deceased Nov. 15, 1938.
Committee on Inland Fisheries: Warren S. Gale, Geoffrey D. Perrior and Michael D. Welsh.
Committee on Town Forest: Abbott A. Raymond, Charles Moning and Adrian P. Whiting. Charles Moning deceased Nov. 15, 1938.
Board of Registration: J. Ernest Beauregard, ap-
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pointed 1936 for three years ; Harold P. Sears, appointed 1937 for three years; Enrico Ferrari, appointed 1938 for three years.
Committee on Sewers: Selectmen.
Sexton: Edward G. Ellis.
Pound Keeper : Russell L. Dickson.
Sealer of Weights and Measures: Daniel J. Sullivan.
Milk Inspector : Daniel J. Sullivan.
Beach Committee : Selectmen.
Superintendent of Streets: Elmer C. Chandler.
Superintendent of Water Works: Arthur E. Blackmer.
Collector of Water Rates: Addie H. Burgess.
Harbor Master: Elmer P. Boutin.
Members of Retirement Board: Russell P. Dearborn, A. Rodman Hussey, Jr., and Elmer R. Harlow.
Superintendent of Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemeter- ies and Burial Hill: Alexander H. P. Besse.
Superintendent of Chiltonville Cemetery: Charles B. Howland.
Superintendent of Manomet Cemetery: Gordon S. Mc- Cosh.
Superintendent of Cedarville Cemetery : Alberto M. Haskell.
Superintendent of Infirmary : Russell L. Dickson.
Fire Commissioner : Henry Walton.
Town Engineer: Arthur E. Blackmer.
Chief of Police: Russell P. Dearborn.
Tree Warden: Abbott A. Raymond. Forest Warden: James S. A. Valler.
Local Moth Superintendent : Abbott A. Raymond. Building Inspector: Thomas A. Bodell. Town Counsel : Alfred P. Richards.
Supervisor of Shores and Flats: Daniel J. Kaiser.
Dog Officer : Hillery J. Bergman.
Inspector of Animals: Arthur L. Morse.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING MARCH 26, 1938
AMEDEO V. SGARZI, Moderator
Article Three :
On motion of Herbert K. Bartlett, Voted: That the reports of the several boards of officers and committees of the Town be accepted and placed on file. A report from the Committee on the Town Manager Form of Government was read and on motion of Henry Walton it was voted: That the Committee report at the next annual meeting.
Article Four :
On motion of Herbert K. Bartlett, Voted: That the Town authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year begin- ning January 1, 1939, and to issue a note or notes there- for, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws. Article Five :
Mr. Philip Jackson moved: That action upon Article five be postponed to an Adjourned Town Meeting to be held in this hall upon the second Monday of the com- ing April at eight o'clock in the evening, and that the Plymouth Finance Board be hereby requested to recom- mend to the Town at this Adjourned Meeting such ap- propriations under Article Five as to assure a tax rate not to exceed $29.60 per thousand of valuation in the Town of Plymouth, and that when this Town Meeting shall adjourn it shall adjourn to said second Monday in the coming April at eight o'clock in the evening in this hall to hear the report of the Finance Board and to take such action as the town may see fit.
Mr. John D. Brewer moved to amend the motion of Mr.
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Jackson by substituting the following motion. That the Town appropriate the sum of $862,992.79 to defray the expenses of the Town in accordance with the several items indicated in the printed recommendations of the Advisory and Finance Committee.
Mr. James S. Swanton moved and it was voted: That the vote be taken by ballot. Five hundred seventy-nine voting in the affirmative and three hundred seventy vot- ing in the negative, the motion was carried.
The motion of Mr. Brewer, as amended by Mr. Barrett, was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article Six :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $8,850.00, including the dog tax of $1,923.25, in aid of the Plymouth Public Library.
Article Seven :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $750.00 in aid of the Manomet Public Library.
Article Eight :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of $150.00 for the use of the Plym- outh County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture, and choose a Town Director.
On motion of Herbert K. Bartlett, Voted : That James S. A. Valler be chosen Town director to County Aid to Agriculture.
Article Nine :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $500.00 for the purpose of main- taining, during the ensuing year, the mosquito control works as estimated and certified to by the State Reclama- tion Board.
Article Ten :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town
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appropriate the sum of $325.00 for Rifle Range Ex- penses.
Article Eleven :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $400.00 for the observance of Memorial Day.
Article Twelve :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $250.00 for the observance of Armistice Day.
Article Thirteen :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $50.00 to be expended by the Selectmen for one or more public bonfires in celebration of Independence Day.
Article Fourteen :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $500.00 for observance of July Fourth to be expended by the Board of Selectmen.
Article Fifteen :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,500.00 to employ a District Nurse.
Article Sixteen :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,650.00 for the cultivation, propagation and protection of shellfish, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen. 688 vot- ing in the affirmative and two in the negative, the neces- sary two-thirds having voted in the affirmative, the mo- tion was carried.
Article Seventeen :
Mr. John D. Brewer moved: That the Town appro- priate the sum of $600.00 for compensation and expenses of the Dog Officer required by Chapter 320 of the Acts of 1934, but the motion was lost.
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Article Eighteen :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $2,500.00 to be used in construc- tion on the Federal Furnace Road to Carver, in conjunc- tion with the State Department of Public Works and the Plymouth County Commissioners.
Article Nineteen :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $2,500.00 to be used in construc- tion on Taylor Avenue, Extension between White Horse Beach and Manomet Point Road, in conjunction with the State Department of Public Works and the Plymouth County Commissioners.
Article Twenty :
To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceed- ing fifteen thousand (15,000) dollars for Reconstruction on Samoset Street.
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 20.
Article Twenty-one :
Mr. John D. Brewer moved: That the Town appro- priate the sum of $2,500.00 for the purchase of a new grader for the Highway Department, but the motion was lost.
Article Twenty-two:
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $300.00 for property damages on the Manomet Point Road, as ordered by Decree No. 887 of the Plymouth County Commissioners.
Article Twenty-three :
Mr. John D. Brewer moved: That the Town take no action under Article 23.
Mr. Philip Jackson moved to amend by substituting : That the Town elect a Committee to consist of five mem- bers, one member preferably to be a direct descendant from the Donor of Morton Park to the Town of Plymouth,
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to make a study of present conditions in said Morton Park, also plans whereby the Park can be so developed as to become a greater asset to the Town nearer self supporting, through the opening of parts of said Park to campers through rental of properly restricted camp sites, and through construction by the Town of so-called log cabins for rental, etc., and to report their finding and suggestions to the Town at their earliest convenience, but not later than the next annual Town Meeting: Said Com- mittee to be appointed by the Moderator of this Town Meeting, but the motion was lost.
The motion of Mr. Brewer was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article Twenty-four :
To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one thousand (1,000) dollars for the purchase of a new sprayer for use in Morton Park and Elder Brewster Garden.
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 24.
Article Twenty-five:
To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of two hundred and fifty (250) dollars for promotion of base- ball, under the provisions of Section 14, of Chapter 45 of the General Laws. (By Petition.)
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 25.
Article Twenty-six :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town authorize its Board of Health to lease, in the name and on behalf of the Town from the Plymouth County Com- missioners, the land and buildings owned by the County of Plymouth, and now being leased by the Town for the purpose of a piggery, said lease to be for a term of five years at an annual rental not to exceed $500.00, and to be upon such other terms and conditions as said Board of Health shall require.
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Article Twenty-seven :
To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one thousand (1,000) dollars to be expended for dredging at the Town's fish wharf.
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 27.
Article Twenty-eight:
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,500.00 to be used for provid- ing proper facilities for public entertainment at the time of the State Convention to the United Spanish War Vet- erans, to be held in Plymouth during the current year, and of paying expenses incidental to such entertainment. Money so appropriated shall be expended under the di- rection of the Board of Selectmen.
Article Twenty-nine:
Mr. Brewer moved: That the Town vote to accept the provisions of Section 49 of Chapter 31 of the General Laws, and acts amendatory thereto, providing for plac- ing the Chief of Police under Civil Service, but the mo- tion was lost.
Article Thirty :
To see what action the Town will take regarding the following buildings and land, formerly used for public school purposes, which the School Committee has notified the Board of Selectmen are no longer to be so used: Al- den Street School House and part of the lot, Cliff Street School House and lot, Cedarville School House and lot.
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell or lease any or all of the properties as set forth in the Article or to make such disposition of them as said Board deems advisable.
Article Thirty-one :
To see if the Town will acquire by purchase for school purposes, the land known as the Grace A. Pope property lying on the southwesterly side of Union Street and ad-
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joining other land of the Town of Plymouth, and make an appropriation not exceeding three thousand seven hundred and fifty (3,750) dollars therefor.
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 31.
Article Thirty-two :
Mr. John D. Brewer moved: That the Town vote to amend the By-Laws of the Town of Plymouth by insert- ing therein the following new section, "Actions at law. In all cases not provided for by law the Selectmen shall have full authority, as agents of the Town, to employ counsel, to institute and prosecute suits in the name of the Town, and to appear for and defend suits brought against the Town, and to settle or compromise any claim or suit for or against the Town, unless it is otherwise specifically ordered by vote of the Town," but the motion was lost.
Article Thirty-three :
Mr. John D. Brewer moved: That the Town vote to authorize the Selectmen to sell, after first giving notice of the time and place of sale by posting such notice of sale in some convenient and public place in the town fourteen days at least before the sale, property taken by Town under tax title procedure, provided that the Selectmen or whomsoever they may authorize to hold such public auc- tion may reject any bid which they deem inadequate.
Mr. William S. Dupuis moved that the vote be taken by a show of hands, but the motion was lost.
Mr. Michael Bagnell moved: That no action be taken under this article, but the motion was lost.
Mr. Brewer's motion was then put before the meet- ing and carried.
Article Thirty-four :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted : That the Town appropriate from money in the Town Treasury not other- wise appropriated the sum of fifty thousand (50,000) dollars to be used in connection with any Federal Un-
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employment Agency, and in the event of the discontin- uance of Federal Unemployment Relief, for construction, improvements or repairs of public works within the town. Said appropriation to be subject to transfers only on orders of the Board of Selectmen to the several proj- ects, and for necessary local administration.
Article Thirty-five :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town vote to accept a tract of land containing three and nine- tenths acres and lying on the northerly side of the Nook Road, so-called, as a gift from Mr. Alfred H. Avery, to be maintained by the Town as a Memorial Playground under the direction of the Board of Selectmen; to be named Avery Memorial Playground in memory of Elmer E. Avery and Lester E. Avery, father and brother of the donor.
Article Thirty-six :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town authorize the erection of a building on the Water Street end of the Plymouth Memorial Building lot for the pur- pose of an information booth. Said building to be only one story in height and to have a ground area not exceed- ing five hundred (500) square feet.
Article Thirty-seven :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,200.00 to be used in making monthly payments of fifty dollars to the widow of Her- bert R. Benton, and the parents of James H. Devitt, said Benton and Devitt having been killed while serving as volunteer firemen in fighting a forest fire in the Town of Plymouth.
Article Thirty-eight :
Mr. John D. Brewer moved: That the Town take no ac- tion under Article 38.
Mr. James S. A. Valler moved a substitute motion : That the Town appropriate the sum of twenty-five hun-
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dred (2,500) dollars for the purchase of a fire truck to be used by the Forest Fire Warden's Department, but the motion was lost.
Mr. Brewer's motion was put before the meeting and carried.
Article Thirty-nine :
Mr. John D. Brewer moved: That the Town appro- priate the sum of $14,500.00 for the purchase of a ladder truck, but the motion was lost.
Article Forty :
Mr. John D. Brewer moved : That the Town accept and allow the relocation of the southerly line of Water street, from the southerly line of Watercure Street southwesterly 77.55 feet, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen and reported to the Town, and appropriate the sum of $300.00 for land and property damages and expense of acquiring titles. Twenty-one voting in the affirmative, and seventy-three in the negative, the neces- sary two-thirds not having voted in the affirmative, the motion was lost.
Article Forty-one :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town accept and allow as a town way, Castle Street, easterly from the end of the laid-out way on Castle Street, ap- proximately one hundred and twenty (120) feet, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and ap- propriate the sum of $100.00 for land damages and ex- pense of acquiring titles. 232 voting in the affirmative and four in the negative, the necessary two-thirds having voted in the affirmative, the motion was carried.
Article Forty-two:
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted : That the Town accept and allow as a town way, Clark Street, from Standish Avenue southwesterly approximately two hun- dred and seventy (270) feet to a line of a private way, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and
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appropriate the sum of $100.00 for land and property damages and expense of acquiring titles. 229 voting in the affirmative and three in the negative, the necessary two-thirds having voted in the affirmative, the motion was carried.
Article Forty-three :
Mr. John D. Brewer moved: That the Town take no action under Article 43.
Mr. J. Frankland Miller moved to amend the motion of Mr. Brewer, by substituting the following: That the Town accept and allow as a town way, Manomet Avenue from the end of the 1929 layout of Manomet Avenue, northerly to a point opposite to the building of Edward T. Longstreth, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and make an appropriation of one hundred (100) dollars for land and property damages and ex- penses of acquiring titles, and the motion was unani- mously carried.
The motion of Mr. Brewer, as amended, was then put. before the meeting and unanimously carried.
Article Forty-four :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,100.00 to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen, under the pro- visions of Section 6A of Chapter 40 of the General Laws for the purpose of advertising the Town's resources, ad- vantages and attractions, if and when an equal amount shall have been raised by public subscription or by dona- tion and paid into the Town Treasury, on or before July 1, 1938, to be expended for like purpose.
Article Forty-five :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town authorize the transfer of the sum of $5,000.00 from the Reserve from Overlayings of Taxes to the Reserve Ac- count in the hands of the Advisory and Finance Com- mittee.
On motion of James A. White, Voted : To adjourn.
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING JULY 18, 1938
AMEDEO V. SGARZI, Moderator
Mr. William H. Barrett moved: That Article 10 be taken up for consideration at this time, but the motion was lost.
Article Two:
Mr. John D. Brewer moved: That the Town appropri- ate, from money in the Treasury not otherwise appro- priated, the sum of thirty-nine hundred thirty-eight and 90/100 (3,938.90) dollars, to the Police Department, to be used for restoring salaries to members thereof to the amount received by them before the Town Meeting held on March 26, 1938. Such restoration to be retroactive to April 23, when the deductions were first effective.
Mr. Peter Sylvia moved: That the debate under this article be limited to five minutes, and the motion was carried.
Mr. Brewer's motion was put before the meeting, 512 voting in the affirmative and 500 in the negative, the motion was carried.
Article Three:
Mr. John D. Brewer moved: That the Town adopt the third project for sewage disposal at sea, substantially as recommended by Metcalf and Eddy, Jan. 10, 1931, author- ize and direct the Selectmen to cause plans, specifica- tions and estimates to be prepared and to report back to the Town thereon at the next special or annual town meeting, and appropriate the sum of tweny-five hun- dred (2,500) dollars, from money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to defray the necessary expenses of preparing such plans, specifications and estimates.
Mr. Philip Jackson moved to amend Mr. Brewer's mo- tion by substituting: That the Town hereby appropriate
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the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars, from money in the Treasury, not otherwise appropriated, to defray the necessary expenses of plans, specifications and estimates for the disposal of the Sewage of the Town of Plymouth through the contruction of an inland disposal plant, com- monly called Filter Beds, and hereby authorize and direct the Honorable Board of Selectmen to cause such plans to be prepared at their earliest convenience and to report thereof back to the Town at the next annual town meet- ing.
Mr.William H. Barrett moved that action be indefi- nitely postponed. James S. Swanton moved that the vote be taken by ballot, but the motion was lost, 441 voting in the affirmative and 237 in the negative, the motion to postpone was carried.
Article Four :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town appropriate, from money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of seventy-two and 40/100 dollars (72.40) for Insurance of Town Property.
Article Five :
On motion of John D. Brewer, Voted: That the Town appropriate, from money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of five hundred (500) dollars for the Forest Warden's Department.
Article Six :
Mr. John D. Brewer moved: That the Town take no action under Article 6.
Mr. Philip Jackson moved a substitute motion: That the Town hereby vote to elect the Moderator annually on the official ballot as provided in Section 14 of Chapter 39 of the General Laws. 185 voting in the affirmative and 202 in the negative, the motion was lost.
Mr. Brewer's motion was then put before the meeting and carried.
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Article Seven :
To see if the Town will hereby vote to change the date of future Annual Town Meetings, excepting that part devoted to the election of Town officers upon the official ballot, to the first Monday after the first Saturday in February at seven-thirty o'clock in the evening.
(By Petition)
Mr. John D. Brewer moved: That the Town take no action under Article 7. Mr. John H. Murray moved that action be indefinitely postponed, and the motion was car -. ried.
Article Eight :
To see if the Town will hereby vote to authorize the Honorable Board of Selectmen for the Town of Plymouth to apply to the proper authorities in Washington for a loan sufficient with what other aid may be obtained from so-called P. W. A., W. P. A., etc. for the construc- tion of so-called Filter Beds for the disposal of the sew- age of the Town of Plymouth. (By Petition)
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