USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dighton > Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1948 > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE TOWN OF
DIGHTON
Year Ending December 31, 1948
174.4 ann
916757
DIGHTON PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 3575 00020 0149
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE TOWN OF
DIGHTON
Year Ending December 31, 1948
The North Attleborough Chronicle Company
1949
3
ANNUAL REPORT
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1948
Selectmen, Board of Welfare and Board of Health
JOHN BOLGER, Chairman Board of Selectmen P. O. Dighton, Mass .- Telephone Dighton 3451 CLAYTON H. ATWOOD Chairman Board of Health and Public Welfare P. O. Segreganset, Mass .- Telephone Dighton 4271 GEORGE V. TINKHAM, P. O. North Dighton, Mass. Telephone Taunton 4-7777
Town Clerk, Treasurer and Agent of Board of Health
DWIGHT F. LANE, P. O. Segreganset, Mass. Telephone Dighton 4821
Auditor
WILLIAM F. HATHAWAY, P. O. North Dighton, Mass. Telephone Taunton 4-5713
Tax Collector
PERCY SIMMONS, P. O. North Dighton, Mass. Telephone Taunton 4-6465
Assessors
WALTER HAMPTON, Chairman P. O. Segreganset, Mass .- Telephone Dighton 3241 RAYMOND A. HORTON, P. O. North Dighton, Mass. Telephone Dighton 2158 ARTHUR F. SPRAGUE, P. O. Dighton, Mass. Telephone Dighton 2321
4
ANNUAL REPORT
Superintendent of Streets HENRY P. GOFF, P. O. North Dighton, Mass. Telephone Taunton 2-3583
Sealer of Weights and Measures DONALD B. HATHAWAY, P. O. Dighton, Mass. Telephone Dighton 3791
Finance Committee JOSEPH K. MILLIKEN, Chairman
THOMAS B. BARRY, Clerk DR. CHARLES M. SOUZA
DR. ARNOLD E. WORDELL NORMAN S. BOWEN
CAESAR ARAUJO ROBERT H. LEEMING
School Committee GENE PERRY, Chairman-P. O. Dighton, Mass. EDWARD C. FRENCH, Secretary P. O. North Dighton, Mass. JESSIE P. CHRISTENSON, P. O. North Dighton, Mass. CHARLES SWARTZ, P. O. North Dighton, Mass. HAROLD O. WOODWARD, P. O. Segreganset, Mass. LAWRENCE MENDOZA, P. O. Dighton, Mass.
Superintendent of Schools JOHN J. ROLPH, P. O. North Dighton, Mass. Telephone Taunton 2-0698
Town Nurse MRS. ESTHER BOWDEN, R.N., P. O. Dighton, Mass. Telephone Dighton 2141
Moth Superintendent GEORGE W. ROSE, P. O. Dighton, Mass. Telephone Dighton 2551
5
ANNUAL REPORT
Tree Warden
HENRY P. GOFF, P. O. North Dighton, Mass. Telephone Taunton 2-3583
Forest Fire Warden
JOHN W. SYNAN, P. O. North Dighton, Mass. Telephone Taunton 4-7511 or Taunton 4-6257
Chief of Fire Department
(Dighton) DONALD HATHAWAY, P. O. Dighton, Mass. Telephone Dighton 3791
(North Dighton) JOHN W. SYNAN, P. O. North Dighton, Mass. Telephone Taunton 4-7511 or Taunton 4-6257
Chief of Police
JOHN W. SYNAN, P. O. North Dighton, Mass. Telephone Taunton 4-7511 or Taunton 4-6257
6
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Selectmen
To the Voters and Taxpayers of the Town of Dighton:
The year 1948 witnessed many incidents worthy of note. Total appropriations set a new high of $212,515 .- 97. Expenditures of $48,650.99 were made for charities, soldiers' benefits and public assistance comparing with the highest attained during the depression years. School and Library costs of $119,483.52 was actually an amount greater than the taxes levied in the Town.
Greater demands than were anticipated were placed on the Welfare, A. D. C. and Veterans' Benefits appro- priation which necessitated supplementary funds trans- ferred from the Reserve Account by the Finance Com- mittee.
Although several departments exceeded their appro- priations and the Reserve Account was completely used, the net appropriation balance shows a net of $3,600.76 which together with the revenue receipts of $11,033.50 in excess of the estimate, makes $14,634.26 transferred to Surplus Revenue in 1948.
The Welfare Department account shows a deficit of $336.14, and the General Relief account $51.27, to be raised in 1949 due to lack of available funds.
During the past year the fire station on Main Street has been remodeled and a new heating plant installed, making it adaptable to housing two fire trucks and the Town Ambulance, with adequate quarters for the firemen
7
ANNUAL REPORT
and facilities for the usual precinct voting in the south part of the Town. We feel these facilities will be ade- quate for the Fire Department in the south part of the Town for several years.
We hope to get permission from the Annual Town Meeting in March to sell the large barn in the rear of the fire station, and applying the proceeds to necessary grad- ing and black-topping of the yard adjacent to the fire station.
The Maxim Fire Truck which has been housed at the garage of Lester Briggs has been moved to its permanent home in the fire station and makes for more efficient and prompt handling of fire calls.
The contract for remodeling the fire station was given to the low bidder on April 7, 1948. The following bids were received:
L. M. Witherell & Sons of Taunton $12,166.00 Walter H. Barker, Inc. of Taunton 10,388.00 Charles A. Eldridge of Taunton 8,297.00
Due to delivery delays on certain material pre- scribed in the specifications the completion of this job was delayed. Although this building is now occupied by the Fire Department, there are some minor details to be completed by the Contractor as a result of the final in- spection by the Building Committee. The final bill will be paid on the completion of these details.
Again we wish to thank the following members of the Committee who gave so much of their time to com- plete this project: Norman S. Bowen, Wendell Carey, John Farrar, Antone Goulart, Donald Hathaway and John
8
ANNUAL REPORT
W. Synan. We aslo want to extend our thanks to the Anchor Color & Gum Works, and their architect, Charles E. Bishop, who drew up the plans and specifications and supervised the job with no cost to the Town of Dighton.
In keeping with the general policy of all Department Heads for the year ,the Fire Chiefs have lived within their budget and finished the year with a cash balance of $652.05.
A new hydrant has been installed on the Somerset Water System at the corner of Main and County Streets which we believe adds to the general fire protection of this thickly settled area, and also affords a considerable saving in insurance costs to the adjacent property owners. For a more detailed report on the Fire Department refer to the reports of the Fire Chiefs.
During the year 1948, $25,128.04 was spent on our road program. The State contribution through Chapter 81 was $10,350.00 and the County and State contributed $500.00 each through Chapter 90. The Town of Dighton appropriated $6,000.00 at the Annual Town Meeting to meet its share of the cost of maintaining our roads. It was also necessary, with the approval of the Finance Committee, to transfer $1,215.00 from the Reserve Ac- count to the Street Account, to complete some necessary . graveling on our dirt roads and to improve the east side of the river bridge on Elm Street near Brook Street, crossing the Segreganset River. Because of weather conditions it was impossible to complete this program and a balance of $836.62 was left in the street appropriation at the end of the year.
All our hard surface roads had the usual surface treatment and are in very good condition. Our dirt roads
9
ANNUAL REPORT
have had the usual scraping and filling and several boulders have been removed from Tremont, Oak and Horton Streets to facilitate further improvement and widening, and to afford a better opportunity to plow snow on these streets.
The condition of Cedar, Oak and Horton Streets has been called to our attention during the past year by the people living on these streets and those obliged to use them during their travel to and from their homes. The condition of these and all of our dirt roads are of great concern to your Board of Selectmen, and we propose to ask the Town Meeting for a substantial appropriation for a large scale gravel job to improve our dirt roads.
Middle Street has been improved for a distance of 2000 feet which completes this street from Center to the North. Pine Street has been improved and extended a distance of 900 feet. Smith Street has had considerable gravelling and widening and has an improved black-top surface for 800 feet north from Cedar. It is planned to complete this street to Wellington Street this year, thus affording the people living in this area the convenience of an improved road to the North, South, East or West.
Tremont Street from Lincoln Avenue west to the brook has been graded and widened and some boulders removed, and will be gravelled and have an improved black-top surface this year. It is the plan of your Board to extend these improved roads each year where they will serve the convenience of the greatest number of citi- zens, consistent with the amount of money available for this purpose.
The condition of Muddy Cove bridge at Pleasant Street has been called to our attention. Underneath the
10
ANNUAL REPORT
bridge from low water level to the roof of the cement has been chipped off leaving the steel reinforcing rods ex- posed and badly rusted. We have asked the State Depart- ment of Public Works to make an inspection and prepare an estimate of cost of repairs. Immediate correction of this condition is imperative in order to avoid a major con- struction job. The necessary appropriation to complete this job will be asked for at the Annual Town Meeting of 1949.
All of our road work is done under the supervision of the State Department of Public Works. Mr. Grover Coffin and Mr. Seth Freeman who represent this depart- ment have been most cooperative and we appreciate their advice and help in our many problems.
In September of this year Governor Bradford re- quested the Town of Dighton to appoint a committee to head the campaign in this area for the United New England Scrap Drive. The following committee was ap- pointed by the Board of Selectmen: Chairman, Wilfred Hathaway, Charles Harris, Harry Bridgford, Walter Pill- ing and John Rolfe.
Mr. George V. Tinkham who has served as a mem- ber of the Board of Selectmen, Board of Public Welfare and Board of Health since his election in 1941, resigned in September 1948. Mr. Tinkham has moved to Cape Charles, Virginia to carry on his extensive farm business in the south. The Board of Selectmen regret the loss of Mr. Tinkham. We miss his genial personality and sound advice and judgment on matters of Towri affairs. We wish to extend to Mr. Tinkham our best wishes for good health, happiness and prosperity in his new home.
11
ANNUAL REPORT
During the past year considerable work has been done by the School Planning Committee to implement the wishes of the people in presenting tentative plans and locations for a new building to replace the present Ele- mentary School in South Dighton, as requested by the School Committee, with no material results up to the present time.
There is one point that most everyone agrees on and that is the necessity of replacing the South School. There are some people who favor a consolidated school centrally located, others who prefer the sectional plan of Educa- tion. Regardless of where the people decide to build a school, or what plan is used, the cost from the standpoint of the taxpayer's dollar, will be reflected in the tax rate for the next twenty years, which is the life of a bond issue.
As citizens and parents we should make every effort to provide the best educational facilities for our children, but we must also be careful that our people are not burdened with a tax rate beyond their ability to pay.
The cost of maintaining our schools is increasing each year ,as are the other public services such as police, fire, health, streets and the welfare categories. All of these are essential to the operation of a well organized Town. In order to look at the financial problem facing us with regard to any large bond issue, if we are to get the proper persepctive, we must analyze the problem as a whole before passing final judgment.
Therefore, we urge every citizen to study all the facts before forming an opinion on this important matter, and then be sure to implement that decision by coming to
12
ANNUAL REPORT
the Town Meeting and voting according to the dictates of your conscience.
If we do this we will have done our part completely in helping to solve this important problem.
As departmental budgets for 1949 are being pre- pared, all indications point to increased appropriations. The high costs of all items relative to public service will reflect on the tax rate. Salaries, wages and materials are factors which enter into a budget and until such time as more definite legislation providing for revenue assistance to small towns is made, we will have to finance the re- quirements by taxation.
To all Town Officials, employees and citizens we are most grateful for their continued loyalty and cooperation.
JOHN BOLGER CLAYTON H. ATWOOD WILLIAM F. HATHAWAY
Selectmen of Dighton.
13
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Board of Public Welfare
To the Citizens of Dighton:
The various categories of Relief showed a consider- able increase in expenditures during the year.
The appropriation in the General Relief account was $5,000.00 which was overdrawn in the amount of $1,736.14. A transfer from the Reserve Account was made in the amount of $1,400.00 and $336.14 from the 1949 Revenue, to take care of expenses. The overdraft is mainly due to Dighton settled cases being aided out of town, the expense for which cannot be anticipated. Total expenditures during the year were $6,736.14 for aid ren- dered to sixteen (16) cases representing forty-three (43) persons.
Aid to Dependent Children began the year with one case representing three children ,and the year ended with seven (7) cases representing nineteen (19) children. The Town appropriated $1,000.00 since receipt of U. S. Grants are applied directly to the account and do not revert to the Town Treasury. In view of the increase in case load, it was necessary to transfer $4,500.00 from the Reserve Account to carry on. Total U. S. Grants re- ceived were $1,385.43. It was mandatory to increase grants to recipients of this category in the amount of 8.3% effective as of October 1, 1948, in accordance with the State Standards of Assistance. This increase amount- ed to $48.30 a month. Total expenditures for the year were $6,370.45.
14
ANNUAL REPORT
Old Age Assistance aided 45 cases in January and although only 42 cases are receiving relief at the end of the year, 6 cases were added and 9 cases were closed during the year. Town appropriation was $17,500.00, and U. S. Grants amounted to $14,083.74, making the total available funds $31,583.74. Expenditures for the year were $30,638.22, so that there was a balance of $945.52. An increase of 8.3% was granted to all eli- gible cases, effective as of October 1, 1948, as required by the State Standards. The total increase in payroll as a result of this change was $225.40 per month.
The Taunton Greyhound Association again con- tributed a $500.00 Christmas Fund which is gratefully acknowledged, and was distributed among the needy.
Appreciation is expressed to the State Department of Public Welfare for courtesies and assistance ren- dered.
CLAYTON H. ATWOOD JOHN BOLGER WILLIAM F. HATHAWAY
15
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Board of Health
The total expense of the Health Department for 1948 in providing health and sanitation service was $4,736.78. Thus the appropriation of $4,795.32 was adequate to meet the requirements. A classification of the Department's expenditures will be found in the Town Auditor's report and a study of them indicates that no abnormal or unusual cost prevail.
The Department continues to deliver water to those residents of the stricken areas and will do so until such time as the property owners remedy the polluted condi- tions of their wells. The State Department of Public Health have within the year conducted further tests of these wells and in most instances contamination and pol- lution prevail, thus the wells are condemned. The Board of Health therefore have no option other than to provide these people with a source of water for drinking and culinary purposes.
The Town Ambulance has again served the needs of the community under the supervision and manning by the South Dighton Volunteer Firemen's Association, whom we wish to commend for their unselfish donation of time and inconvenience. The ambulance incidentally has been fitted with a set of new tires and tubes and together with other repairs is in excellent condition to provide the com- munity with this invaluable service. The ambulance is now garaged in the new fire station and will facilitate the department in better serving the public.
16
ANNUAL REPORT
The other functions of the Board have proceeded in a normal manner and we trust to the satisfaction of the citizens of the Town.
We express our appreciation to Mrs. Esther Bowden for her continued co-operation and efficiency in matters of this department.
Respectfully submitted, CLAYTON H. ATWOOD JOHN BOLGER WILLIAM F. HATHAWAY Board of Health.
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures
To the Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1948:
I have tested, adjusted and sealed the following: 46 Scales-21 adjusted 58 Weights-9 adjusted 20 Liquid Measures 26 Automatic Liquid Measuring Devices-3 adjusted.
Respectfully submitted, DONALD B. HATHAWAY Sealer of Weights and Measures.
17
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Community Nurse
To the Board of Health:
Gentlemen:
I submit the following report for 1948:
My work for 1948 was carried on as in previous years. Patients were taken to various hospitals, clinics and doctors' offices, the Town Ambulance being called on many occasions.
The Toxoid Clinic and Pre-school Clinic sponsored by the Board of Health and School Department were well attended. Diphtheria is a dread disease and I again urge parents to have their children immunized.
No new cases of Tuberculosis were reported and there were no deaths from this disease. The follow up work was carried on as usual.
I attended meetings and conferences that were given by the State Department and other Health Organi- zations.
I wish to express my appreciation to the many Organizations of the Town for their contributions and help during the past year. To the Town Officials I also want to express my thanks for their continued help and co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
ESTHER BOWDEN, R.N.
18
ANNUAL REPORT
ACCOUNT OF AUDIT
Mr. Francis X. Lang.
Director of Accounts Department of Corporations and Taxation State House, Boston Sir:
In accordance with your instructions, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the Town of Dighton for the period from December 1, 1947, the date of the previous examination to November 23, 1948, and submit the following thereon:
The books and accounts in the office of the account- ing officer were examined, checked, and compared with the records of the several departments in which money is collected or bills are committed for collection and with the records of the Town Treasurer.
The general and appropriation accounts in the ledgers were analyzed, the appropriations being com- pared with the Town Clerk's record of financial votes passed in Town meetings. A trial balance was taken off proving the accounts to be in balance, the necessary ad- justing entries resulting from the audit of the several departments were made, and a balance sheet, showing the financial condition of the Town on November 23, 1948, was prepared and is appended to this report. This balance sheet indicates that the financial condition of the Town is excellent.
19
ANNUAL REPORT
The books and records of the Town Treasurer were examined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts were analyzed and compared with the records in the sev- eral departments collecting money for the Town and with other sourecs from which money was paid in to the Town treasury, while the payments were checked with the Selectmen's warrants authorizing the Treasurer to dis- burse Town funds and with the Accounting Officer's books.
The Treasurer's cash balance on November 23, 1948 was proved by actual count of the cash in the office and by reconciliation of the bank balances with state- ments furnished by the banks of deposit.
The payments on account of debt and interest were checked with the amounts falling due and with the can- celled securities on file.
The savings bank books representing the investment of the trust funds in the custody of the Town Treasurer were examined and listed. The income and transfers to the Town were proved and the balances were found to be as reported.
The records of tax titles held by the Town were ex- amined. The Town and District Taxes added to the tax title account were compared with the Collector's rec- ords, the recorded redemptions were verified, and the tax titles on hand were listed and reconciled with the Ac- counting Officer's ledger.
The books and accounts of the Tax Collector were examined and checked. The Town and District taxes and Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise outstanding at the time
20
ANNUAL REPORT
of the previous examination, as well as all subsequent commitment lists, were audited and reconciled with the Assessors' warrants. The reported collections were check- ed with the payments to the Town and District Treas- urers, the recorded abatements were compared with the Assessors' record of abatements granted, the transfers to the tax title account were checked with the Treasurer's records of tax titles held by the Town, and the outstand- ing accounts were reconciled with the respective ledger accounts.
The records of departmental accounts receivable outstanding at the time of the previous audit and all sub- sequent charges were audited and proved. The pay- ments to the Treasurer were verified by comparison with the Treasurer's cash book, the abatements were com- pared with the departmental records of abatements granted, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the Accounting Officer's ledger.
Verification of the outstanding tax, motor vehicle and trailer excise and departmental accounts was made by sending notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the Town and Districts, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts, are correct as listed.
The records of the Selectmen, the Town Clerk, and the Health Department for licenses and permits issued were examined and checked. The payments to the State were compared with the receipts on file and the pay- ments to the Town Treasurer were checked with the Treasurer's cash book.
The surety bonds of the financial officials bonded for the faithful performance of their duties were exam- ined and found to be in proper form.
21
ANNUAL REPORT
The records of all other departments collecting money for the Town or committing bills for collection were examined and reconciled with the Town Treasurer's and the Accounting Officer's records.
While engaged in making the audit, cooperation was received from all Town Officials, for which, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, I wish to express apprecia- tion.
Respectfully submitted,
HERMAN B. DINE Assistant Director of Accounts
-
22
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Superintendent of Streets
To the Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my annual report as Superintendent of Streets.
General Account
Various streets, cleaning out catch basins,
tree work and ledge:
Labor and Truck
$1,289.60
Snow Plowing, Sanding and Sand
4,385.03
Labor on Snow Plow
12.80
Grading on Town Dump
62.50
Material, Repairs and Saws Filed
214.55
Labor on Hydrant
59.00
Dighton-Berkley Bridge
43.90
Lights
36.00
Tree Warden
35.00
Superintendent of Streets
240.00
$6,378.38
Chapter 90 Maintenance:
Centre Street, tarring
$1,500.00
Chapter 81:
Autumn Street, tarring
$80.40
Bow Street, tarring
50.38
Brook Street, scraping, drainage, brush and tarring 460.94
Centre Street, tarring ledge, patching, shoulders and sign 810.90
23
ANNUAL REPORT
Chase Avenue, tarring 169.25
Elm Street, scraping, gravelling, drainage, patching and tarring 1,384.61
Lincoln Avenue, gravelling washouts and repairing guardrail 301.80
Middle Street, scraping, gravelling, widen- ing, ledge, curb, brush and tarring 4,216.39
Main Street, shoulders, drainage, ledge and tarring 1,050.84
Pine Street, scraping, gravelling, drainage and tarring
1,111.80
Pleasant Street, shoulders and tarring
939.60
Smith Street, scraping, gravelling, brush, ledge and tarring
833.74
Spring Street, shoulders and tarring
509.71
Summer Street, shoulders and tarring
766.32
Tremont Street, scraping, gravelling, brush, ledge and tarring 435.25
Various Streets, scraping, gravelling,
patching, brush, ledge, shoulders and drainage
2,582.27
Williams Street, scraping, gravelling,
brush, shoulder, tarring and signs 1,464.62
Winter Street, tarring 80.80
I wish to express my appreciation to the members of the Board for your continued interest and cooperation in Highway Work. It has been a pleasure to serve the Town as Superintendent of Streets.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY P. GOFF
Superintendent of Streets.
24
ANNUAL REPORT
Annual Report of Dighton Assessors
We herewith submit to the citizens of Dighton our Annual Report for the year 1948:
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.