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ROTECTORS
PIS!
POLICE
FLOOD
1
TOWN OF FAIRHAVEN ANNUAL REPORTS 1954
ANNUAL REPORT
OF The Town Officers OF Fairhaven, Mass.
N
S
NO
22-1812
ORATED FEB
FOR THE Year 1954
THE A. E. COFFIN PRESS NEW BEDFORD, MASS. 1955
FAIRHAVEN FIRE FIGHTERS FROM 1805
In keeping with the frontispiece the writer feels that the residents of this Town should have some idea as to what went on in the early years of the Fire Department. As we all know, Fairhaven was part of New Bedford until it in- corporated February 22, 1812.
In 1805 Oxford Village purchased an engine called Oxford No. 2, and the funds were raised by subscription.
History refers to the first engine owned in the lower village of Fairhaven as Flood, No. 1. It was a bucket en- gine, with double pumps and end brakes, and was a valu- able machine in its day.
In 1836 Messrs. Dyer and Richmond, of New Bedford, built for the Town of Fairhaven the first suction engine, the Columbia, No. 3, at a cost of $1,500. It proved to be a serviceable machine, and with the No. 1 and the Oxford engine furnished ample protection for many years in ordi- nary fires; but, when large conflagrations occurred on either side of the river, all engines were brought into service.
It was a great feat when either party could get "first water" on their neighbor's fire. This proved especially true of the Lindsey fire in 1811 when the Oxford engine went over from Fairhaven to New Bedford and played "first water". It has been bragged about ever since.
When the first large fire took place on Centre Street in New Bedford on September 6, 1820, the Oxford engine went over and played "first water". Thus we see the early development of rivalry, not only between the towns, but between the fire companies as well.
In the same year history relates that a large three- story wooden building occupied by the Mechanic Company was saved principally by the judicious, spirited and perse- vering exertions of the citizens of Fairhaven, attached to the engines of the villages of Fairhaven and Oxford. The manner in which the fire originated has not been ascer- tained. We hope it will be a warning to a greater caution in the management of fires, particularly in combustible buildings, and that our citizens will see the policy hereafter of building their tenements of brick or stone. It is a mis- taken notion that they are much more costly than wood be-
3
cause the expense of insurance is abundantly less on a brick or stone building than one of wood.
Exemption from poll tax and military duty was the compensation awarded to members of fire companies dur- ing these years. Their organization was of a simple char- acter, their operations at fires being under the supreme dictation of the fire wards. All citizens were alike under their control and were expected to keep in their houses fire buckets ready for immediate use. It was an important duty for we must remember that suction engines were not at this time in use, and the water supply of the engines was dependent upon buckets.
It might be noted at this time that in the early 1800's there was considerable destruction of properties by fire that could have been stopped had the towns had a police force but being as there was none the policing was strictly in the hands of the selectmen who exercised the only auth- ority of that day. In 1830 at a Town Meeting it was voted to form a vigilance committee organized for the specific object of protecting the Town from mob violence and was the parent organization for our present efficient Protecting Society. The Protecting Society is the oldest part of the Fire Department, and they are known even to this day as Fire Police.
On May 18, 1848 a fire occurred in Oxford Village that furnished an opportunity for sweet revenge. The Mechanic, No. 6, of New Bedford went over and played "first water". This balanced the "first water" of the Ox- ford engine at the Center Street fire in 1820.
4
ROLL OF THE FAIRHAVEN FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR 1890
Chief Engineer, George R. Valentine First Assistant, John A. W. Burgess Second Assistant, James M. Allen, Jr.
Contest Steam Fire Engine Co., No. 3
Foreman,. Thomas R. Brownell
First Assistant, Nathaniel B. Dunn
Second Assistant, Wm. K. McLane Third Assistant, Dennis D. Holmes Clerk, Henry Spiller
HOSEMEN:
Wm. H. Bryant
Thomas F. Morse
Harry W. Delano
Joseph A. Gifford
John J. Brownell
Henry Reed
Wm. A. Hanna
Wm. Asten
Oliver S. Gurney Silas H. Rounsevelle
TORCHMEN:
Thomas D. Brownell Frank E. Dunn Walter S. Harding
ENGINEER: Charles F. Dillingham
STOKER:
Walter L. Rounsevelle Thomas D. Brownell
Walter S. Harding
DRIVERS:
George L. Bauldry Edward Manchester, Jr.
Hook and Ladder Co., No. 1
Foreman, Davis Sherman First Assistant, John E. Thompson Clerk, Joseph B. Peck Joshua R. Delano George C. Mathewson
Thomas W. Nye Driver, Charles S. Dunham
5
Protecting Society - 1890 -
President, Isaac N. Babbitt, Jr.
Secretary and Treasurer, John T. Hanna
First Director, Horace K. Nye
Second Director, Charles F. Brownell
Third Director, Herbert D. Burke
Herman H. Hathaway
James L. Gillingham
John S. Howland
Charles H. Gifford
E. L. Shurtleff
Lyman C. Bauldry
Frank A. Hanna
George D. Hammond
F. A. Keith
Wm. H. Taylor
B. Taber, Jr.
Henry L. Card
Louis N. Baudoin
Thomas Dahl
Fred. R. Fish
David A. Kelley
Wm. Card
Arlington Craig
Joseph K. Nye
Charles D. Waldron
Driver of Chemical Wagon, Benj. F. Tripp
The names listed above probably bring back many fond memories of many residents still living in the Town of Fairhaven.
For the dubious the writer wishes to insert this infor- mation: That the Fairhaven Veteran Firemen's Association secured the Mazeppa, No. 3, from Provincetown in 1890. George Carpenter, the father of Orrin B. Carpenter, Treas- urer of the Fairhaven Institution for Savings, was a mem- ber of the Mazeppa, No. 3. Mazeppa means hetman (a Cossack headman or general).
History refers to the Mazeppa, No. 3, in action at the Fourth of July celebration in 1890 with Capt. Lawrence controlling the movements of the engine and William J. Marr directing the stream of 198 feet, 11/4 inches. At this same celebration the Relief, No. 5, of Fairhaven was man- ned by the Cornelius Howlands and their army of adher- ents. Alonzo V. Jason directed the working of the engine,
6
William A. Gibbs directed the stream and J. H. Backus and Charles H. Card served as pipemen. They produced a stream of 216 feet, 57/8 inches. This won the first prize and with it the cordial congratulations of everybody.
Compiled by KENNETH ROGERS VINING.
FIRE CHIEFS OF THE FAIRHAVEN FIRE DEPT.
John W. L. Kempton, 1893; George R. Valentine, 1894- 95; John F. Sullivan, 1896-99; Albert C. Aiken, 1900-03; John F. Sullivan, 1904-08; Albert C. Aiken, 1909-11; Wil- liam P. Shaw, 1912-13; Charles E. Westgate, 1914-19; Jesse S. Gifford, 1919-20; Alexander Price, Jr., 1921-29; Edward G. Spooner, 1929-49; Frank Rogers, 1949 to date.
Ref. - Material was gathered from the "History of the Fire Department of the City of New Bedford, Massachu- setts - by Leonard Bolles Ellis".
7
"WITHOUT MEDAL OF HONOR BESTOWED"
Since here we've met in our beautiful hall, Give ear to my story, ye citizens all. I speak of the bold firemen whose true, sturdy stroke Always turns every fire which we have into smoke.
Number One takes the lead with her jolly young band, She's never caught napping, but always on hand; Though engine and crew you may think rather small, You will find she's pretty great squirt after all.
And next on the list, sirs, is old Number Four, Somewhat stricken in years but still great and true. "Always ready" her motto, always ready her men, She has often been there first and she'll do it again.
Number Five and worthy the name, With a crew who ne'er flinch at smoke or the flame, But our brave mechanics kept repaired and manned Number Five to the rescue is always on hand.
The old Number Two, as firm as a rock, With her black jacket boys boldly breast every shock, Aloft she hangs out her flag of defiance; In seasons of danger the Town's self reliance.
Number Three, is never behind, Not a more gallant crew in the ranks you will find; And she leaves not a doubt while the fire she is routing, She can beat e'en a member of Congress at spouting.
And now before closing just a word I would say Ladder Number One, the rear guard of our gallant array; With their axes and ladders and hooks at command, To strike a bold stroke they are always on hand.
But we must not forget the vanguard of our line, With blankets and brooms in order so fine; All armed and equipped, see them rush through the flame, Protection their motto, protection their aim.
Thus fellow townsmen, before you displayed, The thrice gallant band for your safety arrayed; With such bold protectors no fear will we feel, With their arms all untiring and hearts true as steel. K. R. V.
8
FFD.
STA 2
OXFORD STATION, No. 2
WALNUT ST. STATION (Now on Spring St.)
WASHINGTON ST. STATION
IN OLD LOWER FAIRHAVEN AND OXFORD VILLAGE
OXFORD STREET STATION is without a doubt the oldest fire station in town; dating back to at least 1815 when Relief No. 1 was housed within - this was a hand engine.
WASHINGTON STREET STATION was formerly a Police Station and then the Protecting Society used it for their equipment and fire rescue wagon. In the 1880's there was attached to the East end of the building a long shed for the housing of the first hook and ladder.
On Spring Street still stands the old fire house that H. H. Rogers had moved from Walnut Street where now stands the beautiful Millicent Library. This old fire house when in use had Contest No. 3 as its occupant - this was a Jeffers Steam Engine. The old steamer had to have a supply wagon with fresh water carried in a hogshead to go along to all fires.
When H. H. Rogers installed the water system in Fair- haven in 1894 hydrants were soon put in and our firefighters only had to reach a hydrant with a reel of hose and pray that there was enough line to reach the building which was
on fire. The first hydrant used was at the Rogers mansion February 18, 1894. The Pope-Hartford was a chemical and hose wagon, the first of the motor driven type in town in 1912. The town acquired its first pumper in 1923 and it was called Engine No. 1, American-LaFrance.
L. O. Pardee pulled the first box July 4, 1898 at Howland Road and Main Street.
The Fairhaven Protecting Society, active during the 1890's up through 1917 and reactivated in 1941 by Audell Monk and others, like Ellsworth Burgess who served as president and secretary. The Society's president this year is Theodore Ring.
The writer wishes to thank former Deputy Chief George E. Jenny for his help in writing about the firefighters, and the photos were taken by Ray Whitten.
The cover was very cleverly sketched by our artist Ma- jor Milton K. Delano.
NOTE: A history of the Police Department with pic- tures will come in another year.
MAZEPPA HALL. 5
BARN ROOF Our Boys Risking Their Necks
PLAYING HOSE Lay It On Boys !
OLD MAZEPPA
CONFLAGRATION Cedar Ledge Dairy Barn
WATER FRONT FIRE Hathaway - Braley Wharf
FARHAVEN FIRE DEPARTMENT
Front Row, Left to Right: Manuel Machado, Gilbert Vieira, Lieut. John Pacheco, Capt. Joseph Andrews, Henry Jachna, Lieut. Walter Jachna. Back Row: Joseph Costa, Antone Roderiques.
Fairhaven Fire Dept.
1955
F.F.D. ENGINE 3
Left to Right: William Gifford, Capt. Allerton Delano, Lieut. Charles Maxfield, Frank Barcellos, George Gonsalves, Daniel DePina, Driver Lieut. Oren York.
FAIRHAVEN FIRE DEPI
ENGINE NO. 2
Front Row: Chief Frank Rogers, Arthur Nunes, William Perry, Harold Perry. Rear: Capt. Earl Moore, Lt. Hugh Francis, Lt. Ar- nold DeTerra, Alfred Sears, Man- uel Rose, Wilfred Fletcher, Driver.
ENGINE NO. 4
Charles Covill, Lt. Edward Fisher, Kenneth Sisson, Capt. Frank Folger, L+. George Selley, Charles Faria, Ray- mond Gonsalves, John B. DeGraw.
ENGINE NO. 1
Capt. John Gage, Manuel Teixeira, Lt. Wilton Westgate, James Pierce, Norbert Cruz, Joseph Lewis, Richard Carpenter, Warren Monk, Lt. Leroy Sisson, Bradford Luther, Jr., Driver, (Permanent).
LADDER NO. 1
Frank Dillingham, Antone Perry, Ors- man Shumway, Lt. Alfred Gething, Capt. Charles Lawton, Lt. George Mar- tin, Hobart Boswell, Lt. William F. Odiorne, Driver, (Permanent). Rear: Ezekiel Waclawik.
1947 Remember When . . .. . 1926
CENTRAL STATION - 1947
CENTRAL STATION - 1926
FAIRHAVEN FIRE DEPARTMENT ENGINEERS - 1955 Left to Right: Lindsey Gifford, 3rd Asst. Engineer; Harold Macomber, 2nd Asst. Engineer ;
.
Table of Contents
History of Fire Fighters
3
Factual Information About Fairhaven
...
15
Calendar of Board Meetings
17
Directory of Town Officers
18
Selectmen's Message
24
Financial Reports of Town Accountant
55
Departmental Reports
61
Report of the School Committee
119
... .
Appendix :
Annual Town Meeting 173
Special Town Meeting 174
List of Town Meeting Members
207
Vital Statistics
159
Report of Millicent Library
221
Index ... ......
241
Town of Fairhaven
Settled 1653 Incorporated 1812
Population 12,764 - 1950 Census Ninth Congressional District First Councillor District
Third Bristol Senatorial District Ninth Bristol Representative District
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Second Saturday in March
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
First Monday in February
14
Fairhaven, Massachusetts
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TOWN
Located On the Shore of Buzzards Bay 56 Miles from Boston 1 Mile from New Bedford
Registered Voters - 7267 Tax Rate - $60.00
Valuation - $14,621,930
Area - 7,497 Acres Miles of Streets and Roads - Approximately 60 Number of Dwellings - 5,075
Churches - 9 Public Schools - 6
Private Schools - 3
Banks - 2 Shore Resorts - 8 Parks - 10
PRINCIPAL INDUSTRIES
Ship Building Winches & Fishing Machinery
Tack & Nail Making Oil Refinery
Fishing Industry Diesel Engine Repairing Loom Crank Shafts Fish Freezing
BENEFACTIONS OF THE LATE HENRY H. ROGERS
Millicent Library High School
Town Hall Rogers School
Fairhaven Water Works Unitarian Memorial Church Cushman Park
15
· ORGANIZATION · OF· FAIRHAVEN.TOWN. GOVERNMENT.
VOTERS
Moderator
Town Meeting Members
Precinct Chairmen
Finance Commitee
Planning Board
Town Collector
School Committee
Town Treasurer
Town Clerk
Board of Assessors
Auditors
Commsnrs of Trust Funds
Park Comm's'nrs
Tree Warden
Board of Selectmen
Board of Health
Sewer and Water Com- missioners
Welfare Board
Bureau of Old Age Assistance
Registrars 3 of Voters
Town Accountant
Burial Agent
Veterans Services
Slaughter Inspector
Animal Inspector
Plumbing Inspector
sealer of Weights and Measures
Safety Committee
Police Dept.
Supt. of Sts. Building Inspector
Civil Defence
Fire Dept.
Shellfish Inspector
Dog Officer
Forest Committee
Forest Warden
Board of Appeals
Calendar
BOARD MEETINGS
SELECTMEN-Every Monday at 7:00 P.M. Telephone 2-5416.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE-Every Monday following Selectmen's Meetings. Telephone 2-5416.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE-Second Tuesday at 7:30 P.M. Telephone 3-1241. SEWER and WATER COMMISSIONERS-Every Thursday at 7:00 P.M. Telephone 3-8531.
BUILDING INSPECTOR-Business transacted in Assessors' Office daily from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Monday to Friday. Saturdays 9:00 A.M. to 12 Noon.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT-Office located at Town Yard, Rotch Street, and is open 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Monday to Friday. Saturdays 9:00 A.M. to 12 Noon.
THOSE OFFICES NOT MAINTAINING OFFICE HOURS IN THE TOWN HALL MAY BE REACHED AS FOLLOWS:
SHELLFISH INSPECTOR: 163 Main St., Fairhaven. Telephone 9-6367.
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS and DOG OFFICER: 138 Alden Road, Fairhaven. Telephone 2-1561.
SLAUGHTER INSPECTOR: 373 Alden Road, Fairhaven. Telephone 2-3557.
INSPECTOR OF WIRES: 110 Green St., Fairhaven. Telephone 3-1963. SEALER OF WEIGHTS and MEASURES: 67 Cedar Street, Fairhaven. Telephone 8-5154.
INSPECTOR OF PETROLEUM : 11 Bridge Street, Fairhaven. Telephone 2-0125.
TREE WARDEN : 134 Bridge Street, Fairhaven. Telephones 3-0866, 2-7700. WHARFINGER: 104 Main Street. Telephone 2-9046
PARK COMMISSIONERS: Call Joseph L. Faria, Jr., 39 Elizabeth Street, Fairhaven. Telephone 3-9292.
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Directory of Town Officers
LEGISLATIVE
STUART M. BRIGGS, Moderator Term expires 1955
Finance Committee At Large
Frederick J. Hayward Charles A. Maxfield, Jr.
F. Eben Brown Precinct 1
Eliot Mowat Term expires 1955 Fred A. Hubbard (resigned) Term expires 1956
D. Austin Sistare, Secretary (to fill unexpired term) Jack B. Hirschmann Term expires 1957
Precinct 2
Arthur P. Lewis
Term expires 1955
John B. Humphreys Webster Wilde
Term expires 1957
Precinct 3
Gilbert Vieira
Term expires 1955
James J. Medeiros, (resigned)
Term expires 1956
James B. Taylor (to fill unexpired term)
Walter J. Borowicz, Chairman
Term expires 1957
Precinct 4
Clarence I. Bangs
Term expires 1955
Augustus H. Xavier
William E. Flack
Term expires 1956 Term expires 1957
Precinct 5
Marinus VanderPol
Term expires 1955
Louis E. Doucette Joseph H. Mckenzie
Term expires 1956 Term expires 1957
ADMINISTRATIVE
(Elective Officials Designated by Capital Letters)
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
WALTER SILVEIRA Term expires 1955 ALBERT E. STANTON Term expires 1956
CHARLES W. KNOWLTON, Chairman Term expires 1957 Claudia I. Schiller
Addie M. Stowell
Secretary Clerk
18
Term expires 1956
TOWN CLERK
MICHAEL J. O'LEARY Rose E. G. Keen
Term expires 1955 Assistant Town Clerk
TREASURER
MICHAEL J. O'LEARY Anna Calassa
Term expires 1956 Statistical Clerk
TAX COLLECTOR
THOMAS J. MCDERMOTT Term expires 1956
Helen M. Westgate Assistant to the Tax Collector
DEPUTY TAX COLLECTOR John F. Hennessey TOWN ACCOUNTANT Irva M. Bushnell ASSESSORS
SUSAN B. VINCENS CHRISTOPHER J. BIRTWISTLE
CLARENCE A. TERRY
BOARD OF HEALTH
DR. FILBERT A. SILVEIRA, Agent CLARENCE A. TERRY
DR. C. E. P. THOMPSON
Term expires 1955
Term expires 1956 Term expires 1957
Term expires 1955
Term expires 1956 Term expires 1957
TOWN PHYSICIAN Dr. C. E. P. Thompson HEALTH AND SANITATION
Dr. Edward J. Mee Dentist Grace E. Smalley, R.N. John M. Reilly Eben P. Hirst District Nurse Plumbing Inspector Associate Plumbing Inspector
SHELLFISH INSPECTOR Tracy W. Marks
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Samuel C. Barrett DOG OFFICER Samuel C. Barrett
SLAUGHTER INSPECTOR Henry Stevens
19
SEWER AND WATER COMMISSIONERS
G. WINSTON VALENTINE JOHN M. REILLY LAWRENCE B. MAXFIELD
Term expires 1955
Term expires 1956
Term expires 1957
Elizabeth H. Church
Clerk
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
CLARENCE E. MAGUIRE
Term expires 1955
DAVID W. FITZGERALD
Term expires 1955
EDITH M. MOORE
Term expires 1956
RAYMOND G. ARCHAMBAULT
Term expires 1956
ALBERT M. GONSALVES
Term expires 1957
WALDO E. HAYDON
Flavel M. Gifford
Beatrice M. DeCoffe
Term expires 1957 Superintendent
Grace M. Plant
Secretary to the Superintendent Clerk
REGISTRAR OF VOTERS
JAMES F. MURRAY
Term expires 1955
GEORGE A. SELLEY
Term expires 1956
DOROTHY S. KEARNS, Chairman
Term expires 1957
Michael J. O'Leary
Town Clerk
SAFETY COUNCIL
Norman D. Shurtleff E. Cooper Jacques
CHIEF OF POLICE DEPARTMENT Norman D. Shurtleff BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
Frank Rogers Augustus H. Xavier Harold S. Macomber, Jr. Lindsey S. Gifford
CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT AND SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARM Frank Rogers CIVIL DEFENSE
Dr. Arthur J. Mullen Rose L. Lawton
Director Secretary
INSPECTOR OF WIRES Clifton A. Hacker
20
Audell W. Monk
ASSOCIATE INSPECTOR OF WIRES John C. Avila
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Charles P. Thatcher (deceased) INSPECTOR OF PETROLEUM Augustus H. Xavier
COMMISSIONERS OF TRUST FUNDS
ORRIN B. CARPENTER
Term expires 1955
CHARLES RADCLIFFE, JR.
Term expires 1956
BRADFORD W. LUTHER
Term expires 1957
BOARD OF RETIREMENT
Elizabeth H. Church, Chairman (appointed by Selectmen 7/12/54) Irva M. Bushnell, (Town Accountant) Michael J. O'Leary (Elected 8/27/54)
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
WALTER SILVEIRA
Term expires 1955
ALBERT E. STANTON
Term expires 1956
CHARLES W. KNOWLTON
Claudia I. Schiller
Term expires 1957 Social Work Supervisor Social Worker
Marion D. Candage
Social Worker
Edith B. Horne Gladys M. Boyd
Social Worker
Edith S. Alden
Senior Clerk-Typist
Doris S. Terry (Intermittent)
Junior Clerk-Stenographer
Clara S. Durfee Junior Clerk-Typist
Marguerite Hansen (provisional) Junior Clerk-Stenographer
PLANNING BOARD
ALFRED RAPHAEL
Term expires 1955
WILLIAM TALLMAN
Term expires 1955
ARSENE G. DUVAL
Term expires 1956
KENNETH R. VINING HERBERT L. CANDAGE NOEL B. COUTURE
Term expires 1956
Term expires 1957
Term expires 1957
CHARLES R. DUGDALE JAMES PARKINSON
Term expires 1958
Term expires 1958
21
BOARD OF APPEALS
Stanley H. Packard (deceased)
Term expires 1956
Wendell T. Eldridge
Term expires 1956
William C. Brennan
Term expires 1957
Ellsworth M. Burgess (Associate)
Term expires 1957
Rudolph H. Brenneke, (Associate)
Term expires 1957
Joseph A. Walker
Term expires 1958
Warren C. Thompson
Term expires 1959
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Henry T. Howard
Ellsworth M. Burgess
Superintendent Principal Clerk
BUILDING DEPARTMENT
Henry T. Howard Susan B. Vincens
Building Inspector Clerk
TREE WARDEN AND MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
JOHN JARVIS Term expires 1955
PARK COMMISSIONERS
LOUIS T. BROCK
Term expires 1955
JOSEPH L. FARIA, JR.
Term expires 1956 Term expires 1957
TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
Kenneth R. Vining Mabel L. Potter Wallace B. Baylies
Term expires 1955
Term expires 1956 Term expires 1957
WHARFINGER Frank J. Cunniff MEASURER OF WOOD AND BARK Ellsworth M. Burgess FIELD DRIVER Michael Kerns
FENCE VIEWER
Clarence A. Terry
Christopher J. Birtwistle
22
ERNEST TRIPANIER
OFFICERS OF FEDERAL, STATE AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS
Senators in Congress
Leverett Saltonstall John F. Kennedy
Representative in Congress Ninth Congressional District
Donald W. Nicholson
GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Christian A. Herter Summer G. Whittier
Governor's Councillor
First Councillor District
Harold R. Allen
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Edward J. Cronin
Treasurer and Receiver General
Foster Furcolo
Attorney General
George Fingold
Senator, Third Bristol District
Edmund Dinis
Representative, Ninth Bristol District
F. Eben Brown
BRISTOL COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Commissioners
Leo H. Coughlin Arthur R. Machado Charles A. Frates Patrick H. Dupuis
Sheriff Register of Deeds Treasurer District Attorney
Lawrence W. Caton Ernest W. Kilroy Maurice M. Lyons
LOCAL JUDICIARY
Third District Court of Bristol :
Justice
Special Justice
Special Justice
Clerk
Assistant Clerk
Second Assistant Clerk
Court Officer
Chief Probation Officer
Assistant Probation Officers
Juvenile Probation Officer
August C. Taveira Samuel Barnet George H. Potter Walter R. Mitchell Mary E. Bannister Daisy L. Putz Albert M. Gonsalves George D. Cram Alfred F. Dunham Joseph M. Souza Albert J. Moquin
23
The Selectmen's Message
The members of the board organized with Charles W. Knowlton as chairman of the Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Welfare, Walter Silveira as clerk and Al- bert E. Stanton, Veteran's Agent.
The year has been a busy one with many important problems before the board.
Improvements
Water-proofing of the town hall exterior was continued on the west side and the tower. It is planned to do the east side and rear of the building next year, thereby com- pleting the job. Painting of the basement corridor and office of the community nurses has been finished. The new vault in the basement, new lighting installed in the tower clock to give much brighter light on the face at a greatly reduced expenditure for electricity ; folding chairs were purchased for the banquet hall, floor covering laid in the main corridor, treasurer's and tax collector's offices, and sound-proofing treatment given the ceiling in the se- lectmen's office. All of these improvements were neces- sary and we feel have added much to the general appear- ance of the building.
New equipment was purchased to replace the out- moded stove and refrigerator at the Town Infirmary. Car- pentry work requested by the State Department of Public Health was partially completed.
Sewage Disposal
Mr. Herman B. Dine, Director of Accounts for the Commonwealth, conducted a hearing in the Town Hall, by direction of the State Department to determine the ability of the town to finance the sewage disposal project which was rejected by vote of the annual town meeting in March.
He stated that Plan 1, according to a 1951 estimate, would cost $1,750,000 and Plan 2 estimated in 1953, would cost $2,836,000 plus $50,000 for plans. The sum of $50,000 has already been spent for plans under Plan 1. The fin- ancial situation was presented by members of this board and persons in the audience. Within a few days following
24
the hearing a letter was received from Mr. Dine stating that it was not within the financial ability of the town to finance the plan proposed, in either of its alternatives, by the Department of Public Health.
Hurricane Damage
On August 31 the worst hurricane to ever reach this area did many thousands of dollars worth of damage. The town wharf was damaged very severely and to meet the emergency the board applied to the Hurricane Relief Board for funds. Assurance has been given that the repair work will be done by the State up to the sum of $15,000. The sum of $2,000 has been allowed for rebuilding of the sea- wall at Fort Phoenix and $1428 for repairs to the mosquito ditches.
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