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O
HIR 974.48 ANN 1942
Annual report Town officers of the Town of Plymout
NON-CIRCULATING
Annual Report
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
Town of Plymouth
16:26
OF
E
For Year Ending December 31,
1942
HIR
974.48 AND
THE LEYDEN PRESS Plymouth, Mass. 19 42
NON-CIRCULATING
PLYMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY PLYMOUTH, MA 02360
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TOWN OFFICERS, 1942
Selectmen: James A. White, John A. Armstrong, Wil- liam H. Beever, 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: Thomas L. Cassidy, chosen 1940 for three years; Fred A. Sampson, chosen 1941 for three years; James S. Swanton, chosen 1942 for three years.
Overseers of Public Welfare: Edmund J. Priestley, chosen 1940 for three years; Knowlton B. Holmes, chosen 1941 for three years; A. Rodman Hussey, chosen 1942 for three years. Gordon S. McCosh appointed military sub- stitute for Mr. Hussey, Sept. 17, 1942.
Water Commissioners: Edward R. Belcher, chosen 1940 for three years; Richard T. Eldridge and William R. Mor- ton, chosen 1941 for three years. William R. Morton re- signed July 27, 1942 and Daniel F. Mulcahy appointed to fill the vacancy, Aug. 6, 1942. John H. Damon and John L. Morton, chosen 1942, for three years.
School Committee: David A. Cappannari and William E. Curtin, chosen 1940 for three years; Francis E. LeBaron and J. Frankland Miller, chosen 1941 for three years; E. Harold Donovan and Fannie T. Rowell, chosen 1942 for three years.
Cemetery Commissioners: Richard T. Eldridge, chosen 1940 for three years; Edward R. Belcher, chosen 1941 for three years; Arthur E. Blackmer, chosen 1942, for three years.
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Burial Hill Committee: Cemetery Commissioners.
Agawam and Halfway Pond Herring Fishery Commit- te: Emil C. Birnstein, Elmer P. Boutin and Fred T. Mans- field.
Park Commissioners: Edward J. E. Hand, chosen 1941 for two years; John A. Siever, chosen 1941 for three years; Arthur Sirrico, chosen 1942 for three years.
Board of Health: Medora Eastwood, chosen 1941 for two years; Herbert S. Maxwell, chosen 1941 for three years; Paul Bittinger, chosen 1942 for three years.
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: Harold P. Sears, appointed 1940 for three years; Enrico Ferrari, appointed 1941 for three years; Joseph R. Stefani, appointed 1942 for three years.
Committee on Sewers: Selectmen.
Sexton: William W. Baker.
Pound Keeper: Russell L. Dickson.
Sealer of Weights and Measures: Daniel J. Sullivan.
Superintendent of Streets: Elmer C. Chandler.
Superintendent of Water Works: Arthur E. Blackmer, succeeded by Theodore Brink.
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Beach Committee: Selectmen.
Collector of Water Rates: Addie H. Burgess.
Harbor Master: Elmer P. Boutin.
Members of Retirement Board: Russell P. Dearborn, Herbert K. Bartlett, and Elmer R. Harlow.
Superintendent of Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemet- eries 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, succeeded by Edward Chase.
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.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, MARCH 28, 1942
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 of the Committee on the Necessity of a New Building for Town Offices was read by James A. White.
A report of the Committee for Study of a Vocational School and Future Use of Old High School, was read by Arthur L. Ellis.
A report of the Committee to Determine the Feasibility of a Municipally Owned and Operated Electric Light Plant was read by Amedeo O. Collari.
On motion of Freeman S. Cornish, Voted: That the Electric Light Committee be discharged, and a new com- mittee appointed by the Moderator consisting of 7 non- office holding members.
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, 1943, and to issue a note or notes therefor, pay- able within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in ac- cordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
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Article Five:
Mr. Ralph H. Gilbert moved: That the salary of the Chairman of Selectmen be set at six hundred (600) dollars.
That the salary of the other Selectmen be fixed at three hundred (300) dollars each.
That the salary of the Chairman of Assessors be fixed at nineteen hundred and sixty (1960) dollars.
That the salary of the other Assessors be fixed at sixteen hundred (1,600) dollars each.
That the salary of the Town Clerk be fixed at seventeen hundred (1,700) dollars.
That the salary of the Town Treasurer be fixed at seventeen hundred (1,700) dollars.
That the salary of the Collector of Taxes be fixed at twenty-five hundred (2,500) dollars.
That the salary of the Chairman of the Board of Public Welfare be fixed at fifty (50) dollars.
That the Secretary of the Board of Public Welfare shall receive no salary.
Mr. A. Rodman Hussey, Jr., moved to amend Mr. Gil- bert's motion by providing that the Chairman of Board of Public Welfare shall receive no salary, and that the Secretary of the Board of Public Welfare shall receive a salary of three hundred and fifty (350) dollars a year, and the motion was carried.
The motion of Mr. Gilbert, as amended, was put before the meeting and carried.
Article Six:
Mr. Ralph H. Gilbert moved: That the Town appropri- ate the sum of $847,283.67 to defray the expenses of the Town, and for other purposes, as printed in the recom-
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mendations of the Advisory and Finance Committee, of which sum $340,210.67 shall be for salaries and personal services, and $507,073.00 for other purposes including all labor payrolls.
Mr. Henry Walton moved: That the amounts for Sal- aries and Personal Services as recommended by Depart- ments, be substituted for those recommended by the Finance Committee, and the motion was carried.
Mr. Gilbert's motion, as amended, was then put before the meeting and carried.
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town reconsider the action taken under Article five.
Article Five:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the salaries of elected town officers be as follows:
Chairman of Selectmen $660.00
Other Selectmen (each) 330.00
Chairman of Assessors
2,156.00
Other Assessors (each)
1,760.00
Town Clerk 1,800.00
Town Treasurer
1,800.00
Collector of Taxes 2,700.00
Chairman-Bd. of Pub. Wel.
385.00
Article Seven:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $9,350.00 including the dog tax of $1,676.09, in aid of the Plymouth Public Library.
Article Eight:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $3,140.00 to be expended by the Plymouth Public Library for the Loring Library.
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Article Nine:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 in aid of the Manomet Public Library.
Article Ten:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, 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:
Mr. Ralph H. Gilbert moved: That the Town make no appropriation for the observance of Armistice Day.
Mr. Hugh L. Garrity moved to amend the motion of Mr. Gilbert by substituting therefor the following motion: 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, but the motion was lost.
Mr. Gilbert's motion was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article Twelve:
Mr. Ralph H. Gilbert moved: That the Town make no appropriation for observance of July Fourth.
Mr. James A. White moved to amend Mr. Gilbert's motion, by appropriating $60.00 for celebrating July Fourth, and the motion was carried.
The motion of Mr. Gilbert, as amended by Mr. White, was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article Thirteen:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town make no appropriation for observance of Old Home Day.
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Article Fourteen:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $500.00 for the purpose of main- taining during the ensuing year the mosquito control works constructed in the Town of Plymouth, as estimated and certified to by the State Reclamation Board.
Article Fifteen:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, it was unanimously voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,575.00 for the cultivation, propagation and protection of Sheil- fish, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
Article Sixteen:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $2,000.00 for the employment of one or more district nurses. Said appropriation to be ex- pended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
Article Seventeen:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town make no appropriation for the use of the Plymouth County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture. That the Town vote to choose a Town Director under this article.
On motion of Herbert K. Bartlett, Voted: That James S. A. Valler be chosen Town Director for County Aid to Agriculture.
Article Eighteen:
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of fifteen thousand (15,000) dollars for further improvement of Samoset Street, said money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County, or both, for this purpose.
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town make no appropriation under this article.
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Article Nineteen:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $17,500.00 for Civilian Defense, as recommended by the Executive Staff of the Plymouth Committee on Public Safety, said appropriation to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
Article Twenty:
Mr. Ralph H. Gilbert moved: That the Town appropri- ate the sum of $11,000.00 for the purpose of providing cooperation 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.
Mr. Albert H. Shurtleff moved to amend Mr. Gilbert's motion by substituting the figure $30,000.00 for the figure $11,000.00, but the motion was lost.
Mr. Gilbert's motion was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article Twenty-one:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town appropriate, from money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of $15,000.00 to the Reserve Ac- count in the hands of the Advisory and Finance Commit- tee and authorize the transfer of the sum of $5.000.00 from the Reserve from Overlayings of Taxes to the Re- serve Account.
Article Twenty-two:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $150.00 for providing proper facil- ities for the holding of conventions and the reception of distinguished guests. Said appropriation to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
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Article Twenty-three:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $500.00 to be expended vader 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, to be used for like purposes.
Article Twenty-four:
To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of fifteen hundred ($1,500) dollars, to be used for providing proper facilities for public entertainment at the time of the State Convention of the United Spanish War Veterans, 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 direction of the Board of Selectmen.
(By petition of William Hurd et als.)
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town make no appropriation under Article 24.
Article Twenty-five:
To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of twelve hundred (1,200) dollars for the purpose of carrying along the Assessors' Plans from where they were stopped sev- eral years ago. Money to be expended under the direction of the Assessors.
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town make no appropriation under Article 25.
Article Twenty-six:
To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of thirteen hundred and eighty-six (1,386) dollars for one additional regular patrolman for the Police Department.
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On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town make no appropriation under Article 26.
Article Twenty-seven:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $7,000.00 to be used for the pur- chase of a triple combination fire truck to replace a truck purchased in 1916.
Article Twenty-eight:
To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of eight- een hundred and fifty (1,850) dollars for the reconstruc- tion of the fire alarm system from Jabez Corner to Cliff Street to the junction of Warren Avenue and the State Highway.
(By petition of William Barrett et als.)
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town make no appropriation under Article 28.
Article Twenty-nine:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $438.70 to defray the hospital and doctor's expenses incurred by Anthony Provinzano because of injuries sustained by him in jumping into a life net at fire drill, June 1, 1941.
Article Thirty:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $400.00 to install a hydrant on the easterly line of the State Highway near Manomet Dump.
Article Thirty-one:
To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of five hun- dred (500) dollars to defray the expenses of extending Garbage Collection to include Manomet.
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On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town make no appropriation under Article 31.
Article Thirty-two:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $3,800.00 to extend the drainage system only along Knapp Terrace.
Article Thirty-three:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,850.00 to be used for the pur- chase of a new truck for the Highway Department, to re- place a 1935 Studebaker truck.
Article Thirty-four:
Mr. Ralph H. Gilbert moved: That the Town make no appropriation under Article 34.
Mr. Ralph F. Matinzi moved: That the Town appro- priate the sum of fifteen hundred (1,500) dollars to be used at the Standish Avenue Playground, and the motion was carried.
Mr. Gilbert's motion, as amended by Mr. Matinzi, was put before the meeting and carried.
Article Thirty-five:
To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of seven hundred (700) dollars to hard-surface the road from Sandwich Street to Stephens Field.
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town make no appropriation under Article 35.
Article Thirty-six:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $400.00 for repairs to the Town Wharf.
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Article Thirty-seven:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town vote to construct the fishways in Town Brook as set forth in Article 37, and including a catching pool to cost not more than $150.00, that the Town appropriate the sum of $5,000.00 to be expended under the orders of the Board of Selectmen for the construction of said fishways and catching pool.
Article Thirty-eight:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 38, the subject matter having been considered in Article 5.
Article Thirty-nine:
Will the Town approve of a salary increase for all regular town employees, other than elected officials as follows: From a wage or salary of $1,299 or less per year a 25% (twenty-five percent) increase in wages or salary. From a wage or salary of $1,300 or more per year a 5% (five percent) increase in wage or salary. This increase to take effect the first day of April, 1942 and continue on until the next annual town meeting after the national emergency is declared at an end.
(By petition of William Barrett et als.)
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town ake no action under Article 39.
Article Forty:
Mr. Ralph H. Gilbert moved: That the Town take no action under Article 40.
Mr. James A. White moved: That the Town set the hourly wage of all regular town employees classified as laborers at $.65 an hour for forty hours per week and for all regular town employees classified as truck drivers at $.70 an hour for forty hours per week, and the motion was carried.
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Mr. Gilbert's motion, as amended by Mr. White, was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article Forty-one:
Mr. Ralph H. Gilbert moved: That the Town take no action under Article 41.
Mr. James A. White moved to amend by substituting the following: That the Town approve of turning over to the Selectmen the sum of $20,000.00 already appropri- ated and set aside for the purpose of improvement of Plymouth Harbor, to be invested in United States De- fense Bonds, under the provisions of Chapter 4 of the Acts of 1942, and the motion was carried.
Mr. Gilbert's motion, as amended, was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article Forty-two:
Will the Town approve of turning back to the Town the sum of $20,000.00 already appropriated and set aside for the purpose of dredging a basin in Plymouth Harbor, to reduce the 1942 tax rate of the Town of Plymouth. (By petition of William Barrett, et als.)
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town take no action under Article Forty-two.
Article Forty-three:
Mr. Ralph H. Gilbert moved: That the Town make no appropriation under Article 43.
Mr. Edward R. Belcher offered the following substitute motion: That the Town authorize the Water Commission- ers to acquire by purchase or eminent domain, for the protection of its water supply, land at Little South Pond, with the buildings thereon, belonging to Adrian P. Whit- ing et als, containing 15 acres, more or less, and shown on a plan entitled, "Plan showing proposed purchase at Little South Pond Scale 60 feet - 1 inch, March 4,
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1942, A. E. Blackmer, Town Engineer," and appropriate therefor the sum of two thousand (2,000) dollars; and land at said Little South Pond, with the buildings there- on, belonging to Lillian M. Buckingham, containing 0.35 acres, more or less, and shown on said plan, and appropri- ate therefor the sum of one thousand (1,000) dollars. This motion was carried, unanimously.
Mr. Gilbert's motion, as amended by Mr. Belcher, was put before the meeting and carried.
Article Forty-four:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town authorize the Water Commissioners to purchase equip- ment for the protection of the town's water supply, in- cluding a wire fence and portable emergency pump and chlorinator, and appropriate therefor the sum of $2,000.00.
Article Forty-five:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, it was unanimously voted: That the Town vote to purchase from Robert Bowler, Jr., land on the northerly side of Billington Street, approximately 300 feet long, to widen street fifty feet at this location and slope back 125 feet, and appro- priate the sum of $100.00 for such purchase.
Article Forty-six:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, it was unanimously voted: That the Town vote to purchase from Mrs. Addie H. Burgess, land on the northerly side of Billington Street, containing about three and one half acres, for the use of the Highway Department including source of supply for sand and gravel; and appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 for such purchase.
Article Forty-seven:
To see if the Town will vote to acquire for playground purposes a lot of land, containing 149,460 square feet, es
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owned by Mrs. Sarah J. Pratt and located at the rear of Standish Avenue, as shown on the Assessors' map and designated as Plan 13, excepting as much as was sold to Eva Cortelli, and appropriate the sum of fifteen hundred (1,500) dollars for purchasing the same.
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town make no appropriation under Article 47.
Article Forty-eight:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, it was unanimously voted: That the Town accept and allow as a town way, Olmsted Terrace, from Court Street to Standish Avenue, 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 therefor.
Article Forty-nine:
To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of forty- nine hundred and fifty (4,950) dollars to extend the sewer along Olmsted Terrace.
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town make no appropriation under Article 49.
Article Fifty:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town authorize the Selectmen to sell to the Arthur L. Ellis Company for the sum of twenty-seven hundred (2,700) dollars that portion of the Plymouth Mills property, so- called, located on Billington Street, as is shown on a plan entitled: "Land of the Town of Plymouth occupied by Arthur L. Ellis Co.," dated March 26, 1942, a copy of which plan is on file in the Town Clerk's office, together with the buildings thereon, excepting, however, the mill privil- ege, and reserving the right to construct and maintain a fishway on that portion of the premises which lies south- easterly and southwesterly of the building as shown on said plan; and reserving, too, the right to maintain and
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keep in repair that portion of the town sewer as is shown on said plan; together with and subject to such rights of ways and other rights and conditions as the Board of Selectmen may determine.
Article Fifty-one:
To see if the Town will vote that the highway known as the Halfway Pond Road, extending from the four corners of the Charles Redding Dahlia Farm to the junc- tion of roads at the Long Pond Chapel, a distance of .8 of a mile, be hard-surfaced and that the necessary amount for putting this piece of road into condition and for sur- facing it be appropriated.
(By petition of Henry Gilbert et als.)
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town make no appropriation under Article 51.
Article Fifty-two:
Mr. Ralph H. Gilbert moved: That the land at Nelson Street, originally voted for purchase by the Town in 1910 for playground purposes, be used for playground purposes only.
Mr. James T. Frazier offered a substitute motion: That the Town take no action on Article 52, but the motion was lost.
Mr. Freeman S. Cornish moved to adjourn, but the motion was lost.
Mr. Hugh R. Maraghy moved a substitute motion: That the Town instruct the Park Commissioners to limit the area of the Municipal Camp Ground to so much of the Town owned land at the foot of Nelson Street as lies Southerly of the road from Water Street Extension to the bath house; the Town land lying Northerly of said road to be devoted exclusively to playground purposes; the bath house to be used for bathing purposes and the bath house, raft and beach to be used by the public gen- erally, and the motion was carried.
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Mr. Gilbert's motion, as amended by Mr. Frazier and further amended by Mr. Maraghy, was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article Fifty-three:
On motion of Ralph H. Gilbert, Voted: That the Town authorize its Board of Health to lease, in the name and behalf of the Town, from the Plymouth County Com- missioners, the land and the right of way all as set forth and described in Article 53 of this warrant. Said land to be used as a public dump. Said lease to be for a term not exceeding fifty (50) years, at an annual rental not to exceed one dollar, and upon such other terms and con- ditions as may be mutually agreed upon by said County Commissioners and Board of Health.
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