USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1941 > Part 1
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1890.
Annual Report
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
Town of Plymouth
M
1820
CHU
S.
e
For Year Ending December 31, 1941
HIR
974.48 ANN
Linotyped, Printed and Bound by THE LEYDEN PRESS Plymouth, Mass. 1941
PL
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TOWN OFFICERS, 1941
Selectmen: James A. White, John A. Armstrong, Wil- liam H. Barrett, Howard M. Douglas and James T. Frazier.
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: James S. Swanton, chosen 1939 for three years; Thomas L. Cassidy, chosen 1940 for three years; Fred A. Sampson, chosen 1941 for three years.
Overseers of Public Welfare: Thomas W. Loft, chosen 1939 for three years; Edmund J. Priestley, chosen 1940 for three years; Knowlton B. Holmes, chosen 1941 for three years.
Water Commissioners: John H. Damon and John L. Morton, chosen 1939 for three years; Edward R. Belcher, chosen 1940 for three years; Richard T. Eldridge and William R. Morton, chosen 1941 for three years.
School Committee: E. Harold Donovan and Fannie T. Rowell, chosen 1939 for three years; David A. Cappannari and William E. Curtin, chosen 1940 for three years; Fran- cis E. LeBaron and J. Frankland Miller, chosen 1941 for three years.
Cemetery Commissioners: Arthur E. Blackmer, chosen 1939 for three years; Richard T. Eldridge, chosen 1940 for three years; Edward R. Belcher, chosen 1941 for three years.
Burial Hill Committee: Cemetery Commissioners.
Agawam and Halfway Pond Herring Fishery Com- mittee: Emil C. Birnstein, Elmer P. Boutin and Fred T. Mansfield.
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Park Commissioners: George T. Fox, chosen 1939 for three years: Walter H. Granger, chosen 1940 for three years; Edward J. E. Hand, chosen 1941 for two years, to fill unexpired term of Walter H. Granger, who resigned February 10, 1941; John A. Siever, chosen 1941 for three years.
Board of Health: Rudolph E. Swenson, chosen 1939 for three years. Resigned July 25, 1940, and Paul W. Bittinger appointed to fill the vacancy; Alsop L. Douglas, chosen 1940 for three years. Resigned August 29, 1940 and Me- dora V. Eastwood appointed to fill the vacancy; Herbert S. Maxwell, chosen 1941 for three years; Medora V. East- wood, chosen 1941 for two years; and Paul W. Bittinger, chosen 1941 for one year
Planning Board: Arthur E. Blackmer, George L. Good- ing, Francis C. Holmes, Allen D. Russell and Amedeo V. Sgarzi.
Field Drivers and Fence Viewers: William LaRocque, Lewis Smith and Chester Torrance.
Surveyor of Wood and Bark: Daniel J. Sullivan.
Committee on Inland Fisheries: Frank L. Bailey, War- ren S. Gale and Michael D. Welsh.
Committee on Town Forest: Abbott A. Raymond, Frank Thomas and Arthur W. Weston.
Board of Registration: J. Ernest Beauregard, appointed 1939 for three years; Harold P. Sears, appointed 1940 for three years; Enrico Ferrari, appointed 1941 for three years.
Committee on Sewers: Selectmen.
Sexton: William W. Baker.
Pound Keeper: Russell L. Dickson.
Sealer of Weights and Measures: 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.
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Members of Retirement Board: Russell P. Dearborn, A. Rodman Hussey, Jr., and Elmer R. Harlow.
Superintendent of Oak Grove and Vine Hills Ceme- teries and Burial Hill: Alexander H. P. Besse.
Superintendent of Chiltonville Cemetery: Charles B. Howland
Superintendent of Manomet Cemetery: Gordon S. McCosh.
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: Henry Walton.
Local Moth Superintendent: Abbott A. Raymond.
Town Counsel: Alfred P. Richards.
Building Inspector: Thomas A. Bodell.
Supervisor of Shores and Flats: Daniel J. Kaiser. Dog Officer: Hillery J. Bergman.
Inspector of Animals: Frederick Bradley.
Inspector of Slaughtering: Hillery J. Bergman.
W.P.A. Coordinator: Otis S. Lapham.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, MARCH 22, 1941
AMEDEO V. SGARZI, Moderator
Article Three:
A report of the joint actions of the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Public Welfare and the Planning Board, rela- tive to a Federal Housing Project, was read by James A. White, and on motion of Herbert K. Bartlett, it was 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 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 beginning January 1, 1942, and to issue a note or notes therefor, 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.
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the salary of the Chairman of the Selectmen be fixed at six hundred (600) dollars from April first, 1941.
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the salary of the other Selectmen be fixed at three hundred (300) dollars each from April first, 1941.
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On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the salary of the Chairman of Assessors remain fixed as it now is at nineteen hundred and sixty (1,960) dollars.
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the salary of the other Assessors remain fixed as it now is at sixteen hundred (1,600) dollars each.
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the salary of the Town Clerk remain fixed as it now is at seventeen hundred (1,700) dollars.
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the salary of the Town Treasurer remain fixed as it now is at seventeen hundred (1,700) dollars.
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the salary of the Collector of Taxes remain fixed as it now is at twenty-five hundred (2,500) dollars.
Article Six:
Mr. Daniel F. Mulcahy moved: That the Town appro- priate the sum of $846,620.29 to defray the expenses of the Town, and, for other purposes, of which sum $334,260.77 shall be for salaries and personal services, and $512,359.52 shall be for other expenses including labor payrolls, all in accordance with the printed recommenda- tions of the Advisory and Finance Committee.
Mr. Mulcahy's motion was put before the meeting and carried.
Mr. George F. Davee moved: That the Town accept all of the recommendations of the Advisory and Finance Committee as they appear in the printed report, but the motion was lost.
Article Seven:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $8,850.00, including the Dog Tax of $1,742.10, in aid of the Plymouth Public Library.
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Article Eight:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate tne sum of $3,000.00 to be expended by the Plymouth Public Library for the Loring Library.
Article Nine.
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 in aid of the Manomet Public Library.
Article Ten:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $400.00 for the observance of Memorial Day, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
Article Eleven:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $250.00 for the observance of Armistice Day, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
Article Twelve:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $500.00 for the observance of July Fourth, said money to be expended by the Board of Selectmen.
Article Thirteen:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $200.00 for the observance of Old Home Day, November 27th, 1941, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
Article Fourteen:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $500.00 for the purpose of main- taining, during the ensuing year, the Mosquito Control
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Works constructed in the Town of Plymouth, as estimated and certified to by the State Reclamation Board.
Article Fifteen:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, it was unanimously voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,450.00 for the cultivation, propagation and protection of shell- fish. Of which $1,300.00 shall be for salary of the Super- visor of Shores and Flats, and $150.00 for other expenses. All to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
Article Sixteen:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $2,000.00 for the employ- ment of one or more District Nurses. Said appropriation to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
Article Seventeen:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town vote to choose a Town Director, as provided in Sections 41 and 45 of Revised Chapter 128 of the General Laws, but make no appropriation.
On motion of Herbert K. Bartlett, Voted: That James S. A. Valler be chosen Town Director for County Aid to Agriculture.
Article Eighteen:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $3,750.00 for the improve- ment of Samoset Street, said money to be used in con- junction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County, or both, for this purpose.
Article Nineteen:
On motion of James A. White, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $3,000.00 for the improvement
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of South Meadow Road, said money to be used in con- junction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County, or both, for this purpose. Article Twenty:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $2,500.00 for repairs to the Town House.
Article Twenty-one.
Mr. Daniel F. Mulcahy moved: That the Town appro- priate the sum of $45,000.00 for the purpose of providing co-operation with the Federal Government in unemploy- ment relief and other projects, of direct or indirect bene- fit to the Town or its inhabitants, said appropriation to be subject to transfers only on orders of the Board of Selectmen for the several projects and for administration, and to be used in continuing the projects now working as listed with estimated cost in the printed report of the Advisory and Finance Committee.
1. Administration:
Salary (Sponser's Agent) $1,560.00
Mileage (Sponser's Agent) 350.00
Engineering Services 460.00
Telephones (3)
75.00
First Aid
175.00
Supervision of N.Y.A. Painting 685.00
Bus transportation for Defense Project
7,000.00
2. School Lunch
3,600.00
3. Women's Sewing
1,800.00
4. Household Aids (Mileage)
150.00
5. Construction of Water Mains 300.00
6. Recreation 300.00
7. Historical Records and Music 500.00
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8. Improvement of Secondary Roads and Structures 25,000.00
9. Intercepting Sewer 15,600.00
$58,255.00
In the event of discontinuance by the Federal authori- ties of the Secondary Roads or Intercepting Sewer Pro- ject, or of both, the Board of Selectmen is authorized to procede with other public works projects that they deem advisable and of which they can secure Federal approval.
Mr. Philip Jackson moved to amend so that the motion would read as follows: Excepting that if possible such part or parts of this appropriation as are necessary for the construction of so-called Fish Ways or Herring Runs in so-called Town Brook and including the sum necessary for the acquiring by eminent domain of the lands neces- sary therefor shall be used for this purpose, but the motion was lost.
Mr. Mulcahy's motion was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article Twenty-two:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, 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 its resources, advantages and attractions if and when an equal amount shall have been raised by public subscription or donation and paid into the Town Treasury, on or before July 1, 1941, to be expended for like purpose.
Article Twenty-three:
To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of five hundred (500) dollars for Christmas lighting.
Mr. Daniel F. Mulcahy moved: That the Town take no action under Article Twenty-three, but the motion was lost.
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On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the vote of the Town under Article 23 be reconsidered.
Mr. Mulcahy then moved his original motion: That the Town take no action under Article twenty-three, and the motion was carried.
Article Twenty-four:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $5,000.00 for special police officers.
Article Twenty-five:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $950.00 for a new auto- mobile for the Police Department.
Article Twenty-six:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,500.00 for replacing the motors in the traffic lights at Town Square, Samoset Street and Court Street.
Article Twenty-seven:
Mr. Daniel F. Mulcahy moved: That the Town take no action under Article 27.
Mr. Amedeo Collari moved to amend by substituting the following: That the Town appropriate $2,850.00 for the installation of traffic control signals at Suosso's Lane, Savery's Lane and Court Street, but the motion was lost.
Mr. Mulcahy's motion was put before the meeting and carried.
Article Twenty-eight:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $3,000.00 for changes and repairs at the Police Station as set forth in the article.
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Article Twenty-nine:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $5,000.00 for dredging the channel around Town Wharf.
Article Thirty:
To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of six hundred (600) dollars for compensation and expense of the Dog Officer.
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 30.
Article Thirty-one:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $800.00 for the purchase of an Addressograph and equipment for the use of the Town Treasurer and the Board of Public Welfare.
Article Thirty-two.
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 to construct a rec- reational building at the Fresh Pond Reservation.
Article Thirty-three:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate the money in the Town Treasury, received from the sale of tax possessions, amounting to $2,594.38, for the construction of a cement bridge over Carter's River, so-called, at Great Herring Pond in Cedar- ville.
Article Thirty-four:
To see if the Town will establish a vocational school and for that purpose remodel the old high school building, install a new heating plant and ventilating system there- in, erect, adjacent to said high school building, a building to be used as a garage shop, and purchase equipment
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for said vocational school, and appropriate therefor the sum of forty-eight thousand (48,000) dollars. To meet the appropriation there shall be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Funds of the Town the sum of fifty-five hundred (5,500) dollars and the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, shall be author- ized to borrow a sum not to exceed forty-two thousand five hundred (42,500) dollars and to issue therefor the bonds or notes of the Town to be payable in accordance with Section 19 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than ten years after the date of the issuance of the first bond or note or at such earlier time as the Treasurer and the Selectmen may determine. Said bonds or notes shall bear on the face thereof the wording "Plymouth School Loan Act of 1941." The work to be done hereunder and the erection of said building shall be under the direction of the School Committee and said Committee is hereby authorized to contract for said work and the erection of said building in the name of the Town.
On motion of Arthur L. Ellis, Voted: That the Town take no action under this article.
Article Thirty-five:
To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of five thousand nine hundred (5,900) dollars to pay salaries and wages in connection with the operation of a trade or vocational school until December 31, 1941, and will appropriate the sum of one thousand six hundred (1,600) dollars to pay all other expenses of operation of such school until December 31, 1941.
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 35.
Article Thirty-six:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $750.00, from money in the Town
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Treasury received from sale of cemetery lots and graves, to be expended for hard surfacing roads and paths in Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemetery.
Article Thirty-seven:
To see if the Town will authorize its Board of Health to lease, in the name and behalf of the Town, from the Plymouth County Commissioners, the land owned by the County of Plymouth, lying southeasterly from the South Pond Road in said Plymouth, containing about eight and 5-10 (8.5) acres and shown on a plan entitled "Plan of part of County Farm Property, to be leased to Town of Plymouth, Board of Health, Plymouth, Mass., Scale: 80 feet to an inch. Lewis W. Perkins, County Engineer, April 1, 1940," together with a right of way to and from the South Pond Road. Said land to be used for a public dump. Said lease to be for a term not exceeding fifty (50) years and at an annual rental not to exceed one (1) dollars, and upon such other terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed upon by said County Com- missioners and said Board of Health.
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 37.
Article Thirty-eight:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $6,500.00 to be used for the pur- chase of a Triple Combination Fire Truck to replace a machine purchased in 1916.
Article Thirty-nine:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town authorize the transfer of the sum of $10,000.00 from the Reserve from Overlaying of Taxes to the Reserve Ac- count in the hands of the Advisory and Finance Com- mittee.
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Article Forty:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, it was unanimously voted: That the Town authorize the Water Commission- ers to purchase for the Town said .8 acres, more or less, of land in Manomet adjoining Wanno's Pond, together with the right and easement to lay, maintain, repair and replace water pipes in said existing cartway extend- ing from Bartlett Road to the present town tank lot, and make an appropriation of five hundred (500) dollars therefor.
Article Forty-one:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $7,000.00 for the construction of an auxiliary water supply on the land described in Article 40.
Article Forty-two:
To see if the Town will appropriate, from money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of fif- teen thousand (15,000) dollars for repairs and alterations to the Town Infirmary, to be expended under the direc- tion of the Board of Public Welfare.
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 42.
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Article Forty-three:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Moderator appoint a committee of fifteen to investigate and report to the Town, not later than the next annual town meeting, on the necessity, if any, of a new building for town offices. That the Town make no appropriation under this article.
Article Forty-four:
To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of thirty- two thousand five hundred (32,500) dollars, to be added
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to the money already appropriated and to be paid to the State Treasurer, all of said moneys to be expended for the improvement of Plymouth Harbor, only in the event that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts makes available for such purpose a sum, at least equal to the total contribution of the Town, and the United States of America makes available for such purpose a sum, at least equal to the total contribution of the Town of Plymouth and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To meet the appropriation there be raised in the tax levy of the present year the sum of seven thousand five hun- dred (7,500) dollars and the treasurer, with the approval of the selectmen, be authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding twenty-five thousand (25,000) dollars and to issue bonds or notes therefor, which shall bear on their face the words "Plymouth Harbor Improvement Loan, Act of 1941," Each authorized issue shall constitute a separate loan, to be payable in accordance with the pro- visions of Section 19 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than five (5) years after the date of the issuance of the first bonds or notes.
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 44.
Article Forty-five:
Will the Town approve of turning back to the Town the sum of twenty thousand (20,000) dollars, already ap- propriated and set aside for the purpose of dredging a basin in Plymouth Harbor, to reduce the 1941 tax rate of the Town of Plymouth.
(By petition of William H. Barrett et als.)
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 45.
Article Forty-six:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, it was unanimously voted: That the Town accept and allow as a town way,
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Knapp Terrace, from Court Street easterly over the Knapp property to land of the Old Colony Railroad, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and appropriate the sum of $100.00 for land and property damages and expense of acquiring titles.
Article Forty-seven:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, it was unanimously voted: That the Town accept and allow as a town way, Savery Avenue Terrace, Off Savery Avenue northerly and easterly to land of Augusto Giovanetti, as laid out by the Selectmen, and reported to the Town, and appro- priate the sum of $100.00 for land and property damages and expense of acquiring titles.
Article Forty-eight:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, it was unanimously voted: That the Town accept and allow as a town way, Margerie St:cet, from Oak Street westerly to Vine Hills Cemetery, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and appropriate the sum of $100.00 for land and property damages and expense of acquiring titles.
Article Forty-nine:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, it was unanimously voted: That the Town accept and allow as a town way, Ocean View Avenue, from Standish Avenue westerly and northerly to Nicks Rock Road, as laid out by the Select- men and reported to the Town, and appropriate the sum of $100.00 for land and property damages and expense of acquiring titles.
Article Fifty:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, it was unanimously voted: That the Town accept and allow as a town way, Cordage Terrace, from Standish Avenue westerly, south- erly and westerly to Cordage Terrace Extension, as laid
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out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and appropriate the sum of $100.00 for land and property damages and expense of acquiring titles.
Article Fifty-one:
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town 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 (14) days at least before the sale, property taken by the Town under tax title procedure, provided that the Selectmen or whomsoever they may authorize to hold such public auction may reject any bid which they deem inadequate.
Article Fifty-two:
To see if the Town of Plymouth will appropriate the sum of two hundred (200) dollars for the purchase of game, to be distributed in the township of Plymouth, according to Chapter 142, Section 1, Art. 41 of the Acts of 1938, allowing towns to make such appropriations.
(By petition of James S. A. Valler et als.)
On motion of Daniel F. Mulcahy, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 52.
Article Fifty-three:
Mr. Daniel F. Mulcahy moved: That the Town take no action under Article 53
Mr. Hugh R. Maraghy moved a substitute motion: That the Moderator appoint a committee of three members to make contact with the various Federal and State Authorities for the purpose of definitely ascertaining ex- actly what they will do with reference to allocating funds for the development and improvement of the Plymouth Airport, and to accurately determine what the Town will have to do to secure the said funds and report back to the Town at the next Special or Regular Town Meeting, and the motion was carried.
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Mr. Mulcahy's motion, as substituted by that of Mr Maraghy, was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article Fifty-four:
Mr. Daniel F. Mulcahy moved: That the Town author- ize a survey to be made to determine the feasibility of a municipally owned and operated electric lighting plant for the Town of Plymouth and appropriate the sum of $4,500.00, under the direction of the Board of Selectmen, to cover the cost of such survey.
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