Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1954, Part 1

Author: Fairhaven (Mass.)
Publication date: 1954
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 250


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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.


17


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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