USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dighton > Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1950 > 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 | Part 6
DIGHTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 3575 00038 5460
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
TOWN OFFICERS
of the Town of
DIGHTON
Year Ending December 31, 1950
. T
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
TOWN OFFICERS
of the Town of
DIGHTON
Year Ending December 31, 1950
3
ANNUAL REPORT
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1950
Selectmen, Board of Welfare and Board of Health
JOHN BOLGER, Chairman Board of Selectmen, Public Welfare and Board of Health. P. O. Dighton, Mass. - Telephone Dighton 3451 WILLIAM F. HATHAWAY, P. O. North Dighton, Mass. Telephone Taunton 4-5713
H. JUDSON ROBINSON P. O. Segreganset, Mass .- Telephone Dighton 3122
Town Clerk, Treasurer and Agent of Board of Health
DWIGHT F. LANE, P. O. Segreganset, Mass. Telephone Dighton 4821
Auditor
RUTH D. LEEMING, P. O. Segreganset, Mass. Telephone Dighton 3431
Tax Collector
PERCY SIMMONS, P. O. North Dighton, Mass. Telephone Taunton 4-6465
Assessors
FRANK R. O'CONNELL, Chairman P. O. North Dighton, Mass .- Telephone Taunton 2-0577
ARTHUR F. SPRAGUE, P. O. Dighton, Mass. Telephone Dighton 2321
" : RAYMOND A. HORTON, P. O. Dighton, Mass. Telephone Dighton 2158
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* JOSEPH K. MILLIKEN, Jr., Chairman x THOMAS P. BARRY, Clerk DR. CHARLES M. SOUZA
DR. ARNOLD E. WORDELL NORMAN S. BOWEN
CAESAR ARAUJO ROBERT H. LEEMING
School Committee EUGENE WHITE, Chairman P. O. North Dighton, Mass. EDWARD C. FRENCH, Secretary P. O. North Dighton, Mass. CHARLES SWARTZ, P. O. North Dighton, Mass.
LAWRENCE MENDOZA, P. O. Dighton, Mass.
RICHARD DeMELLO, P. O. Dighton, Mass. ANTHONY ANDREWS, P. O. North Dighton, Mass.
Superintendent of Schools
JOHN J. ROLFE, P. O. North Dighton, Mass. Telephone Taunton 2-0698
Town Nurse
MRS. ESTHER BOWDEN, R.N., P. O. Dighton, Mass. Telephone Dighton 2141
5
ANNUAL REPORT
Moth Superintendent
GEORGE W. ROSE, P. O. Dighton, Mass. Telephone Dighton 2551
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
* Resigned
xSuccessor
6
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 November 16, 1949 the date of the previous examination, to December 11, 1950, and submit the following report thereon:
The books and accounts in the office of the town auditor 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 ledger accounts were analyzed, the appropria- tions and loan authorizations being compared 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 adjusting entries resulting from the audit of the several departments were made, and a balance sheet, showing the financial condi- tion of the town on December 11, 1950, was prepared and is appended to this report.
The books and records of the town treasurer were examined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts
7
ANNUAL REPORT
were analyzed and compared with the records in the several departments collecting money for the town and with other sources from which money was paid into the treasury, while the payments were checked with the Selectmen's warrants authorizing the treasurer to dis- burse town funds and with the town auditor's books.
The treasurer's cash balance on December 11, 1950 was proved by actual count of the cash in the office and by reconciliation of the bank balance with statements furnished by the banks of deposit.
The savings bank books representing the invest- ment 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 recorded payments on account of maturing debt and interest were checked with the amounts falling due and with the cancelled securities on file.
The records of tax titles and tax possessions held by the town were examined. The amounts transferred from the several town and district tax levies to the tax title account were proved, the redemptions and sales were verified, and the tax titles and tax possessions on hand were listed, reconciled with the ledger accounts, and compared with the records in the Registry of Deeds.
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 of the previous examination, as well as all subse- quent commitment lists, were audited and reconciled with the assessors' warrants. The reported collections
8
ANNUAL REPORT
were checked with the payments to the town and dis- trict treasurers, 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 outstanding accounts were reconciled with the respective ledger accounts.
The records of departmental accounts receivable outstanding at the time of the previous audit and all subsequent charges were audited and proved. The pay- ments to the treasurer were verified by comparison with the treasurer's cash book and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the town auditor's ledger accounts.
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 the ac- counts, as listed, are correct.
The records of the selectmen, the town clerk, and the health, school and library departments were ex- amined and checked. The payments to the State were compared with the receipts on file and the payments 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 ex- amined and found to be in proper form.
The records of all other departments collecting money for the town or committing bills for collection
9
ANNUAL REPORT
were examined and reconciled with the town treasurer's and the town auditor's books.
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 appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
HERMAN B. DINE
Assistant Director of Accounts
10
ANNUAL REPORT
Resolution
WHEREAS:
JOSEPH K. MILLIKEN
has served this Town faithfully and ably, especially in earlier years on the Appropriations Committee, and more recently for thirty years as Chairman of the Finance Committee; and in this connection has given unstintingly of his time and effort to the citizens of the Town of Dighton; Therefore, be it resolved, that we, the Board of Selectmen, as representatives of all our fellow-townsmen, do hereby express to Mr. Milliken our sincere apprecia- tion of the valuable services he has rendered.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this Resolution be sent to Mr. Milliken; and the Resolution be published in the current issue of the Town Report.
JOHN BOLGER WILLIAM F. HATHAWAY H. JUDSON ROBINSON
Selectmen of Dighton
At Dighton, January 10, 1951.
11
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN
To the Voters and Taxpayers of the Town of Dighton:
The cash balance in the Town as of December 31, 1950 was $186,192.89 while the cash balance on Janu- ary 1, 1950 was $164,480.16. This represents an in- crease of $21,712.73 during the year 1950.
It was necessary to transfer $2,163.61 from the Ap- propriated Reserve Account to several departments which were overdrawn. There still remains, however, an unexpended balance in this account of $2,836.39 at the close of 1950. All of these transfers were required due to unforeseen emergencies which occurred during the year.
The unexpended balance in the appropriation ac- counts was $11,442.67 on December 31, 1950. This credit balance was made possible by the careful super- vision of expenditures by the various departments in the Town, and despite the fact that practically all commod- ity costs have been increased since the budget was drafted early in the year.
It is indeed gratifying to be able to present the above favorable commentary on the financial condition of the Town of Dighton, and it is suggested that the Town Auditor's Report be studied for a complete financial analysis.
During the year 1950, a total of $35,344.08 was spent on maintenance, of Town Roads. Of this amount
12
ANNUAL REPORT
$2,761.44 was spent for sidewalk repairs, snowplowing and sanding and various other street projects not aided by State Funds.
We are glad to report to you that with the assistance of Mr. Henry Goff and his crew, and also Mr. O'Connell of the High School Vocational Department, our street sign project in Town is practically completed. We hope this job will meet with your approval.
Under Chapter 81 we spent $19,550.00 of which $6,900.00 was appropriated from Town funds and $12,650.00 from State contribution. Under this Chap- ter the Town appropriates $150.00 for each of its 46 miles of road and the State contributes $275.00 per mile. These funds are only available to Towns who can qualify under Chapter 81.
To be eligible, a Town must have a valuation of less than five million dollars. If its road mileage divided into its last established State Tax per million dollars is more than twelve, we no longer are eligible for aid under Chapter 81, and it would mean a loss of revenue of at least $12,650.00 per year to be used on our highways.
Our State Tax per million is now $550.00 and if div- ided by 46 our road mileage we get an answer of 11.95, so it is very obvious that any change in the State Tax up- wards would eliminate our Town from benefits under Chapter 81 funds if our road mileage remains the same.
In an article on a Special Town Warrant last Octo- ber, your Selectmen put this matter of adding road mile- age before the voters and the matter was laid on the table without any discussion. A similar article will be in the 1951 Warrant and we recommend your serious con- sideration.
13
ANNUAL REPORT
Under Chapter 90 Maintenance $1,500.00 was spent. $500.00 of this amount was contributed by the County, $500.00 by the State and $500.00 appropriated by the Town. This amount was spent chiefly to correct and improve the road condition at the junction of Hart and Elm Streets which has been the cause of much con- cern to Town Officials for many years. It involved the construction of several catch basins and pipe lines to care for the surface water. The approaches to this corner were graveled, graded and tarred, and we believe the Super- intendent of Streets, Henry Goff with the assistance of State Engineers handled this difficult job well.
A total of $388.45 was spent on repairs on the Berkley and Pleasant St. Bridge.
On the Williams Street extension a total of $11,124.26 was spent this year for the construction of approximately 1,800 feet of new road. An appropria- tion of $3,500.00 was made for this account this year to be matched with $3,500.00 from the County and $7,000.00 from the State which would give us a total of $14,000.00 available for this job. The contractor's esti- mate was less than the State estimate which left a bal- ance in this account of $2,875.74.
We are informed by the State Engineers who made an inspection of the Berkley Bridge that the bridge floor and associated structure is in very poor condition and should be replaced. The estimated cost of this work is $25,000.00. The cost of maintaining this bridge is div- ided, Dighton paying 7-10 and Berkley 3-10.
With the State participating on a Chapter 90 Con- struction basis, the State paying $12,500.00, the County $6,250.00, Dighton's share would be $4,375.00. We
14
ANNUAL REPORT
are including in our annual budget a request for an ap- propriation of $4,375.00 to complete this work.
During the past year we have enjoyed the usual and wholehearted cooperation from our State Department Engineers, Grover Coffin and Seth Freeman. Their assist- ance and advice was very helpful.
In compliance with Executive Order Number 2 issued by his Excellency, Paul A. Dever, Governor of Mas- sachusetts, dated September 12, 1950, ordering all cities and towns in the State to appoint a Director of Civil De- fense, Mr. George H. Gilbert has been appointed by the Board of Selectmen to serve in this capacity.
In a letter from the Governor dated September 29, 1950, he said, "I am pleased to learn from Director Stokes the name of Mr. George H. Gilbert whom you have asked to act as Director of Civil Defense in your com- munity. I want to express my appreciation for this evi- dence of cooperation in a State wide program designed to protect all our citizens in the event of military or other disaster. I am sure you share with me the feeling of re- gret that the appointment of a Civil Defense Director is necessary, but at the same time I know you will want to take every step to protect the lives and insure the safety of the people of your community as well as make avail- able the services of your community for others who may be less fortunate."
The Town of Dighton is very fortunate in having a man of the calibre of Mr. Gilbert to serve in this capa- city, and we feel confident that the citizens of the Town of Dighton will cooperate in whatever capacity they may be called upon to serve in the development of this Civil Defense organization.
15
ANNUAL REPORT
Mr. Charles Day of Elm Street, Dighton was ap- pointed Local Coordinator for Air Ground Observation Corps by the Board of Selectmen in April, 1950, as re- quested by the State Organization. Mr. Day has organ- ized this department to be known as a "Ground Ob- servation Corps" with an observation post and telephone service on the roof of the Mt. Hope Finishing Company.
Mr. Harry McConville has been appointed Chief Observer for this group and has more than 40 volunteers for this work. However, more people will be needed as time progresses. This group has had four trial runs as an educational feature of this program. Two were held on November 4th and 5th and two on February 10th and 11th.
Mr. Day and Mr. McConville are attending meet- ings in New Bedford regularly in cooperation with the State leaders, to be better able to carry out these impor- tant duties. To all these busy people who give of their time and effort in the interest of this civil duty, we say thank you.
We wish to express our appreciation to all officials, employees and citizens of the Town for their cooperation throughout the year.
JOHN BOLGER, WILLIAM F. HATHAWAY, H. JUDSON ROBINSON,
Selectmen of Dighton
.
16
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Board of Public Welfare
To the Citizens of Dighton:
All categories of Relief showed a considerable in- crease for the year 1950.
The Welfare Account appropriation amounted to $8,000.00 and the expenditures for the year totaled $6,950.84. There was a recovery on this account in the amount of $19.55 so that we closed the year with a balance of $1,068.71. We started the year with 8 active cases and added 17 new cases at various times during the year. We closed out the year as we started, with 8 cases. Total expenditures for these cases were $4,802.58 and in addition we aided 7 Dighton Settled Cases living in other Towns, at an additional cost of $2,148.26, making the grand total cost of $6,950.84 for the year 1950 which is an increase of $310.15 over 1949.
The Aid to Dependent Children, appropriation amounted to $6,000.00. On January 1, 1950 there was a U. S. Grant balance of $266.61 and our Federal Re- imbursements during the year amounted to $2,937.50. Our total expenditures for this department in 1950 amounted to $8,075.85, leaving a balance in this account of $1,128.26. The total expenditures for this depart- ment in 1949 amounted to $7,103.79. We started 1950 with 6 active cases representing 15 children. Two cases were added during the year representing 5 children. The year was closed with 5 cases representing 13 children.
The Old Age Assistance appropriation amounted to $23,000.00. During the year Federal Reimbursements
17
ANNUAL REPORT
amounted to $16,380.39. It was necessary to request the Finance Committee to authorize the transfer of $1300.00 from the appropriated reserve account to the Old Age Assistance account, to balance out an over- draft in this appropriation. The total expenditures for 1950 were $39,501.95 which is $3,580.45 greater than 1949. There was a recovery of $44.00 during the year, leaving a balance at the end of the year of $1,222.44. We started the year with 49 cases and added 8 new cases during the year, closed out 11 cases and ended the year with 46 active cases.
The Taunton Greyhound Association contributed $500.00 to the Dighton Christmas Basket Fund again this year and this gift was distributed among our needy in the Town. This generous gift is greatly appreciated.
JOHN BOLGER, WILLIAM F. HATHAWAY, H. JUDSON ROBINSON,
Board of Public Welfare
Report of the Board of Health
As can be noted from the report of our Town Nurse Esther Bowden, there was no epidemic of a serious nature, during the past year, and in general the health of the community was good.
We believe this to be the result of an educational program conducted during the past years through vari- ous pre-school clinics and anti-tuberculosis tests. These
2
18
ANNUAL REPORT
programs have not only helped to detect and check con- tagious diseases in their infancy, but has done a lot to make people more conscious of the value of good health and the need for consulting with their doctor in cases of sickness.
We extend the thanks of the Board to Mrs. Esther Bowden for a fine job done during the past year.
Total appropriations for the Board of Health for the year 1950 was $3,895.60. Total expenditures were $3,397.02 leaving a balance of 496.58 in this account. This was $931.40 less than the cost to maintain this de- partment in 1949.
The Town Ambulance as usual has served its use- ful purpose in our community during the past year.
The Board of Health extends its thanks and the gratitude of the citizens of the Town to the members of the South Dighton Fire Department for making this serv- ice possible through their volunteer services on all am- bulance calls.
JOHN BOLGER, WILLIAM F. HATHAWAY, H. JUDSON ROBINSON,
Board of Health
19
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Community Nurse
To the Board of Health:
Gentlemen:
I submit the following report for 1950.
My work as Community Nurse was carried on for 1950 as in previous years. Bedside nursing to older patients seems to increase each year, perhaps due to the now longer life span and the better medical care of older people.
Patients were taken to Clinics, Hospitals and Doctor's offices. The Town Ambulance again carried on the important work of transporting patients safely and comfortably.
One new case of Tuberculosis was reported, one case was re-hospitalized and one death occurred from this disease. All suspects and contacts were X-rayed. The follow up of all previous cases was carried on and checked.
Our Dighton residents appreciate the services offered them at the Toxoid and Pre-school clinics by their continued good attendance. These clinics are held in April, May and June each year.
The monthly meeting of the Social Health and Welfare Workers Group proved most helpful and in- spiring. This Fall I have had two courses, one given by the American Red Cross and the other by the State
20
ANNUAL REPORT
Department of Public Health. The first was a thirty hour course for Instructors in Home Nursing and the other sixteen hours in Maternity Care.
I wish to express my appreciation to the Town Officials for their continued cooperation and help and to the Organizations of the Town for their contributions and help in many ways.
Respectfully submitted,
ESTHER BOWDEN, R.N.
Treasurer's Report
Balance in Treasury January 1, 1950
$164,480.16
Total Receipts during the Year 353,823.15
$518,303.31
Selectmen's Warrants paid during the year 332,110.42
Balance in Treasury, December 31, 1950 186,192.89
$518,303.31
21
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Cemetery Fund
Amount of Fund
On Deposit Interest Paid for Jan. 1, 1950 Rec'd Care
Sarah Babbitt
$100.00
$193.63
$3.88
$
Briggs Lot
125.00
242.77
4.87
9.00
Mary J. Briggs
100.00
118.62
2.37
2.00
George E. Francis
100.00
150.58
3.02
2.00
Joseph Gooding
142.75
171.67
3.44
3.00
Truman N. Goff
100.00
130.74
2.62
2.00
George H. Horton
100.00
181.23
3.64
6.00
Nelson Horton
100.00
157.67
3.16
2.00
Sylvanus Jones
100.00
192.67
3.86
2.00
Josiah R. Talbot
100.00
147.23
2.95
6.00
Dr. A. J. Smith
150.00
183.53
1.84
4.00
Martha L. Smith
50.00
50.34
.50
Nathan Walker
100.00
120.34
2.41
3.00
William Walker
250.00
310.42
6.23
10.00
Williams Lot
100.00
179.69
3.60
4.00
Thomas B. Witherell 100.00
119.88
2.40
1.00
Benjamin F. Goff
100.00
130.64
2.61
1.00
Davis W. Francis
100.00
124.19
2.49
1.00
N. Allen Walker
150.98
303.28
6.09
6.00
Oliver P. Simmons
721.00
722.86
14.52
16.00
Francis J. Wheeler
100.00
116.78
2.33
1.00
William D. Goff
100.00
108.58
2.17
1.00
Robert S. Waterman
100.00
113.43
2.27
1.00
Joseph G. Thaxter
100.00
112.32
2.25
Submit Babbitt
50.00
51.24
1.02
Ebenezer Gay
50.00
50.93
1.01
22
ANNUAL REPORT
Emerson W. Goff
100.00
117.14
2.35
1.00
Shubel Wheeler
100.00
100.02
1.00
Westcott & McNally 200.00
207.51
2.08
2.00
Wendell Weed
100.00
100.22
2.01
Emeline Williams
100.00
104.00
2.09
6.00
Zenas H. Goff
150.00
175.80
3.60
1.00
Job Paull
100.00
116.89
2.34
1.00
Albert F. Goff
50.00
50.31
.50
Edgar A. Essex
200.00
229.35
4.60
6.00
John H. Horton
100.00
103.41
2.07
1.00
Alfred A. Horton
100.00
102.28
2.05
1.00
John H. Harlow
100.00
100.77
2.01
1.00
Ephira Goff
100.00
102.66
2.05
1.00
Helen C. Briggs
75.00
84.21
1.69
1.50
Westcoat Lot
200.00
201.37
4.04
1.00
Joshua Bliss
5,000.00
5,077.54 102.05
46.00
Arthur A. Hathaway 200.00
214.91
4.31
2.00
E. & J. Lincoln
200.00
213.45
4.28
6.00
Gilbert Strange
200.00
200.58
4.02
4.00
Charles E. Carr
500.00
505.74
10.15
8.00
Nancy C. Jones
150.00
157.96
3.16
2.00
Jesse P. Goff
100.00
100.01
2.01
2.00
Emery White
100.00
104.32
2.09
2.00
Elbridge G. Francis
200.00
200.00
3.01
2.00
23
ANNUAL REPORT
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
The regular annual Town Meeting for Election of Officers was held in the Town Hall on March 6, 1950. Meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Wayne M. Philbrook at 10 o'clock A. M. Rose E. Bolger was elected Moderator pro-tem in the absence of the Moder- ator. The Polls were opened for voting at 10:01 A. M. and balloting was under the supervision of the following Election Oficers: Rose E. Bolger, Catherine Sherman, Elaine Varley, Hazel Horton, Helen Atwood, Florence Perry, Agnes Murray, Edna Horton, Frank Boothby and Robert Phillips. The Polls were closed at 8 o'clock P. M. Ballots having been assorted and counted, the results were declared as follows:
Moderator for one year-Wayne M. Philbrook.
Selectman for three years-William F. Hathaway.
Board of Public Welfare for three years-William F. Hathaway.
Auditor for one year-Ruth D. Leeming. Town Clerk for three years-Dwight F. Lane. Town Treasurer for one year-Dwight F. Lane. Assessor for three years-Raymond A. Horton. Assessor for one year-Frank R. O'Connell.
24
ANNUAL REPORT
Tax Collector for three years-Percy B. Simmons.
School Committee for three years-Charles Swartz and Anthony Andrews.
Trustee of Public Library for three years-Jerome Greer.
Tree Warden for one year-Henry P. Goff.
Oyster Warden for one year-Dwight F. Lane, Howell S. Carr and John Bolger.
Fish Warden for one year-Dwight F. Lane, Howell S. Carr and John Bolger.
The regular Annual Town Meeting was held in the Town Hall on March 13,1950. Moderator, Wayne M. Philbrook called the meeting to order at 7:30 o'clock P.M.
Voted: To accept the various reports of Town Offi- cials as published in the Town Officers' report for 1949.
Voted: That the Board of Selectmen be authorized to appoint all necessary Town Officials and Commit- tees.
Voted: That the Town Treasurer be bonded for $19,000 and the Town Collector be bonded for $18,800.
Voted: That the salaries of Elected Town Officials be established for 1950 as follows:
Moderator $ 20.00 Town Treasurer 850.00
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.