USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1950 > Part 1
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1950
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Town Officers
- OF -
HARWICH
F
PORATED SEPT 14 HA
SEAL OF
INCORP
1694 RWICH
ADOP
4.1897.
TE
EP
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 31, 1950
PU
1950
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS - OF -
HARWICH
PORATED SEPT. 14, 16
OF
NCORPOR
94
ARWICH
C
ADOPTED
.1897.
4
SEPT
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 31, 1950
PRINTED BY THE CENTRAL CAPE PRESS, Inc. HARWICH PORT, MASS.
SEAL
3
Town Officers - 1950
Selectmen, Overseers Public Welfare and Board of Health
Charles D. Holmes
Howard C. Cahoon
Emulous E. Hall
Term Expires February 1953 Term Expires February 1951 Term Expires February 1952
Assessors
Charles D. Holmes Howard C. Cahoon Emulous E. Hall
Term Expires February 1953 Term Expires February 1951 Term Expires February 1952
Town Clerk
Henry K. Bearse
Term Expires February 1951
Town Treasurer
Henry K. Bearse Term Expires February 1951
Collector of Taxes
Leslie V. Nickerson Term Expires February 1951
Moderator
John H. Paine Term Expires February 1951
School Committee
Channing H. Baker
Ephriam G. Nickerson
Margaret Leonard
Term Expires February 1951 Term Expires February 1953 Term Expires February 1952
Surveyor of Highways
Alton P. Hall
Term Expires February 1951
4
Alton E. Walker Horace F. Wixon Isaiah Kelly
:
Term Expires February 1951 Term Expires February 1951 Term Expires February 1951
Finance Committee
William M. Gorham
Wallace Wales
Marshall Siebermann
Term Expires February 1953
Calvin C. Eldredge
Henry Higgins
Term Expires February 1953 Term Expires February 1952 Term Expires February 1952
James Baldwin
Thomas M. Wright
Term Expires February 1952
Asahel E. Drake
Term Expires February 1951
Hilliard E. Hopkins
Term Expires February 1953
Trustees Broadbrooks Free Library .
Hillary M. Leclaire
Term Expires February 1952
Mildred B. Paine Term Expires February 1953
Charlotte P. Sims Term Expires February 1951
Trustees Caleb Chase Fund
Wickham Ames Term Expires February 1951
Joseph B. Atkins
Term Expires February 1951
John T. Wood Term Expires February 1951
J. Freeman Ryder Term Expires February 1951
Thomas M. Wright Term Expires February 1951
Arthur P. Doane Term Expires February 1951
Ambrose N. Nickerson
Term Expires February 1951
Park Commissioners
Emulous E. Hall, Jr. Edward Taylor William C. Chase
Term Expires February 1953 Term Expires February 1952 Term Expires February 1951
Constables
Term Expires February 1951
Term Expires February 1951
5
Water Commissioners
Walter E. Cahoon
Lawrence F. Nickerson
Norman N. Nickerson ·
Term Expires February 1953
Term Expires February 1952 Term Expires February 1951
Cemetery Commissioners
Millard P. Hall Henry F. Smith John T. Wood
Term Expires February 1952
Term Expires February 1953 Term Expires February 1951
Herring Committee
Clarence E. Greenwood
Robert H. Cahoon
Donald T. Bates
Term Expires February 1951 Term Expires February 1951 Term Expires February 1951
Registrars of Voters Amy B. Davis Cleon S. Crowell Walter T. Gilmore, Chr.
Sealer of Weights and Measures Victor S. Ryder
Chief of Police Glenn T. Miller
Town Accountant
Althea M. Chase
Fire Chief and Forest Warden Wire Inspector
Charles A. Hall Bradford L. Barrett
Superintendent Moth Department and Tree Warden Walter E. Cahoon
Inspector of Animals Charles H. Taylor
Inspector of Slaughtering
Charles H. Taylor
Surveyor of Wood and Lumber Roswell H. Nye
6
Field Drivers and Fence Viewers Alton E. Walker Isaiah Kelly Horace F. Wixon
Welfare Agent Olive L. Williams
Social Worker Frances V. Nichols
Jr. Clerk Typist M. Louise Holt
Secretary to Selectmen and Assessors Kathleen Betty Gorham
Building and Fire Prevention By-Law Appeal Board
Elton A. Tripp · Term Expires February 1951 Thomas A. Wright Term Expires February 1952 Henry F. Smith Term Expires February 1953
Building Inspector
Winslow B. Sawyer Term Expires February 1951
Shellfish Warden
Roger W. Munsey Term Expires February 1951
7
Report of The Board of Selectmen
To the Citizens of the Town of Harwich :
Our Town Beaches continue to be well patronized and requests have been received for more Town beaches.
From the records of the Building Inspector it is found that 145 permits for building were issued in 1950. It is believed the Building and Fire Prevention By-Law has kept construction, sanitation and other important factors at a high level.
The progress made by the Planning Board during 1950 has been very satisfactory.
Road layouts and common landings have been petitioned and will be discussed at Annual Town Meeting.
All departments have operated this year to the best of their ability and it is again urged that all Department heads show a brief breakdown of their spending in forthcoming reports.
The need for new and larger Town Offices is again stressed.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES D. HOLMES
HOWARD C. CAHOON EMULOUS E. HALL
8
Assessors Report
Valuation of the Town Dec. 31, 1950 :
Valuation of the Town Dec. 31, 1949 :
$10,364,530.00 9,746,480.00
Increase in Valuation
$618,050.00
Valuation of Land Exclusive of Buildings : 2,350,480.00
Valuation of Buildings Exclusive of Land : 7,204,260.00
Total Valuation of Land and Buildings 9,554,740.00
Valuation of Personal Estates :
On Stock in Trade
$97,900.00
On Machinery 47,000.00
On Livestock
4,700.00
On All Other Tangible Property 660,190.00
809,790.00
Total Valuation
$10,364,530.00
Valuation of Real and Personal Estates :
Tax on Personal $29,152.44
Tax on Real Estate 343,970.64
Tax - Polls 2,202.00
Total Taxes Assessed $375,325.08
Tax Rate $36.00 per thousand
Added Valuation in December 1950 : Personal Estate $10,020.00
Real Estate 60,660.00
Total added Valuation in 1950 Total tax on added Valuation Number of Live Stock assessed :
70,680.00
2,544.48
Horses
10
Cows
14
Swine
34
Goats
6
Fowl
1190
Number of acres of land
8391
Number of Dwelling Houses 2378
9
RECAPITULATION
Total Appropriations as certified
by the Town Clerk
499,651.50
Amount used from Available funds
126,350.19
Overlay Deficit 1948 and 1949
528.09
State Parks and Reservations
598.50
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
702.56
Mosquito Control
3,410.71
County Tax
46,640.01
Overlay, 1949
6,364.53
Barnstable County Retirement system
786.43
Gross Amount to be raised
$685,032.52
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS
Income Tax
$32,070.10
Corporation Tax
32,723.16
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
15,000.00
Licenses
4,000.00
Special Assessments (Moth)
306.95
General Government
3,000.00
Fines
15.00
Charities (other than
Federal Grants)
4,000.00
Old Age Assistance (other than
Federal Grants)
28,000.00
Old Age Tax (meals)
2,005.77
Veterans' Benefits
1,000.00
Schools
18,996.62
Court House Rent
1,200.50
Public Service Enterprises (Water)
40,000.00
Chapter 804, Acts of 1949
726.72
Gas and Electric Franchise Tax
312.43
Total Estimated Receipts
$183,357.25
Chapter 90 - Maintenance
$3,000.00
Chapter 90 - Construction
28,000.00
Dog Fund Brooks Library
550.19
Total Available Funds
31,550.19
Total Estimated Receipts and Available Funds
309,707.44
10
Net Amount to be raised by Taxation on Polls and Property Tax on Polls
375,325.08
$2,202.00
Tax on Personal Estate
29,152.44
Tax on Real Estate
343,970.64
$375,325.08
HOWARD C. CAHOON
CHARLES D. HOLMES
EMULOUS E. HALL
Assessors of Harwich
11
TOWN OF HARWICH
O
OF PORATED SEPT 14 16
INCORPO
1694
SEL
RWICH
ADOPTED
SEPT. 4.1897.
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
WARRANT
FEBRUARY 12, 1951
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Barnstable, SS. 1
To either of the Constables of the Town of Harwich, in said County, Greetings :-
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Town qualified to vote in elections and town affairs, to meet in the Exchange Hall in said Town on Monday, Feb- ruary 12, 1951, at 7:00 A.M., then and there to act on the following articles :-
Polls will be open at 7 A.M., and may close at 2 P.M.
Article 1. To choose on one ballot the following Town Officers and Committees: Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, Collector of Taxes for one year; one Selectman, Overseer of Public Welfare and Board of Health, for three years; one Assessor for three years; three Herring Committee for
12
one year; one Recreation Committee for one year, one Re- creation Committee for two years, one Recreation Commit- tee for three years, one Recreation Committee for four years, one Recreation Committee for five years; three Constables for one year ; one Trustee of Brooks Library for three years ; one Park Commissioner for three years; Moderator for one year; one Water Commissioner for three years; Surveyor of Highways for one year; one Cemetery Commissioner for three years; one Trustee Caleb Chase Fund for one year ; one Trustee Caleb Chase Fund for two years, one Trustee Caleb Chase Fund for three years.
Article 2. To choose all other Town Officers and Com- mittees.
Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1951, and to issue a note or notes therefore payable within one year and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
Article 4. To hear the report of all Town Officers and Committees for the year 1950.
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to defray Town expenses for the ensueing year and to act fully thereon.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to fix salaries of the elected Town Officers for the year 1951 and to appro- priate money therefor.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 90, Highway Maintenance, or take any action in relation thereon.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be used with whatever State and County funds are available under Chapter 90, Road Construction, and to act fully thereon.
2
13
Article 9. To see what action the Town will take in regard to the Herring Fisheries for the year 1951 and to act fully thereon.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sufficient sum of money to purchase or take by eminent domain in accordance with the General Laws of the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts the whole or any part thereof of a certain piece of registered property located in West Harwich now or formerly known as the Edwardina Gleason property under Certificate of Title No. 3203 and shown on Land Court Plan No. 14737A recorded in Barnstable - Barn- stable County Deeds, said property to be used for a Town Beach.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to lay out a Common Landing leading southerly from Braddock Street to Nantucket Sound between the properties of Van Iderstine and Smyser.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to lay out a Common Landing on Herring River at the easterly end of Smith Street.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to be used in re- moving the rocks and posts and improving the Town Beach at the foot of Pleasant Road, West Harwich.
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of Two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00), to purchase a loud speaking system complete to be used at the discretion of the Board of Selectmen for such Town affairs as they deem advisable.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to provide for new Town Offices for all Town Officials and act fully thereon.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of making Assesssors' Maps and act fully thereon.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to be used in the appointment of a Town Surveyor, to pay his salary, office
14
help and expenses, said Surveyor's services to be available to all Town Departments.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to provide for the purchase of suitable markers to be placed in certain squares within the Town of Harwich commemorating the sons of the Town who gave their lives in the service of their country (By request of the American Legion).
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Moderator to appoint a Committee of three to investigate the purchase of a Town Forest and to report to the next Annual Town Meeting.
Article 20. To see if the Town will assume liability in the manner provided by Section 29 of Chapter 91 of the General Laws for all damages that may be incurred by work to be performed by the Department of Public Works of Massachusetts for the improvement, development, main- tenance and protection of rivers, harbors, tide waters and foreshores, in accordance with Section 11 of Chapter 91 of the General Laws, and authorize the Selectmen to execute and deliver a bond of indemnity therefor to the Common- wealth.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), for the purpose of dredging the channel at Wytchmere Harbor. Harwich Port, said sum to be used in conjunction with any funds allocated by the Department of Public Works, Division of Waterways.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Seven thousand dollars ($7,000.00), to dredge the mouth and channel of Allen's Harbor, the money to be used in conjunction with such amount allocated by the Department of Public Works, Division of Water- ways, or otherwise in the discretion of the Selectmen, and to act fully thereon.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), for the purpose of dredging a channel at the mouth of Herring River, West Harwich, said sum to be used in con-
15
junction with any money contributed by the State Depart- ment of Public Works or private subscription and to act fully thereon.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to purchase a truck for the Water Department and to authorize the Board of Water Commissioners to sell or trade a truck now in use and to apply the money received against the purchase of the new truck.
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to the Water Department Construction Account for extending water mains and ap- purtenances including engineering services in such ways, public or private, as the Board of Water Commissioners shall determine.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Four thousand dollars ($4,000.00), to be used by the Board of Water Commissioners for ex- tending water mains where requested, providing the esti- mated income is at least 6 per cent of the cost of installing.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to install a water main on Lower County Road from Brooks Road west a distance of 300 feet more or less.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to install a water main on Sequatucket Bluffs.
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to install a water main on Great Western Road.
Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to install a water main on Doane Road.
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to install a water main on Willow Street.
Article 32. To see if the Town will vote to install a water main on Lower County Road from Pleasant Road east to Mandeville Road.
Article 33. To see what method the Town will adopt for financing the appropriations which may be voted for the extension of water mains; determine whether the appro-
16
priation shall be provided for by taxation, by transfer from available funds in the Treasury or by issuance of a loan.
Article 34. To see if the Town will vote to create a Department of Civil Defense in accordance with the pro- visions of the Acts of 1950 Chapter 639, as follows :
Section 1. DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL DEFENSE. There is hereby established a department of Civil Defense (hereinafter called the "department"). It shall be the function of the department to have charge of civil defense as defined in section 1, Chapter 639, Acts of 1950 and to perform civil defense functions as authorized or directed by said chapter or by any and all executive orders or gen- eral regulations promulgated thereunder, and to exercise any authority delegated to it by the governor under said chapter 639.
Section 2. DIRECTOR OF CIVIL DEFENSE. The de- partment shall be under the direction of a director of civil defense (hereinafter called the "director"), who shall be appointed as prescribed by law. The director shall have direct responsibility for the organization, administration and operation of the department, subject to the direction and control of the appointing authority. The director may, within the limits of the amount appropriated therefor ap- point such clerks, experts and other assistants as the work of the department may require, and may remove them. The director shall receive such salary as may be fixed from time to time by the appointing authority, and may make such expenditures as may be necessary to execute effectively the purposes of chapter 639 of the Acts of 1950.
The director shall also have authority to appoint dis- trict co-ordinators as may accept and may receive, on be- half of the Town, services, equipment, supplies, materials or funds by way of gift, grant or loan, for purposes of civil defense, offered by the federal government or any agency or officer thereof or any person, firm or corporation, subject to the terms of the offer and the rules and regulations, if any, of the agency making the offer. The director shall cause appropriate records to be kept of all matters relating to such gifts, grants or loans.
Section 3. CIVIL DEFENSE ADVISORY COUNCIL.
17
There is hereby established a civil defense advisory council (hereinafter called the "council"). Said Council shall serve without pay and shall consist of the director of civil defense, such other department heads and such other persons as the authority appointing the director may deem necessary. Such member of said council as said appointing Authority shall designate shall serve as Chairman of said council. Said Council shall serve subject to the direction and control of the appointing authority and the director on matters pertaining to civil defense.
Section 4. POLICE AID TO OTHER CITIES AND TOWNS IN EVENT OF RIOTS OR OTHER VIOLENCE THEREIN. The Police department is hereby authorized to go to aid another city or town at the request of said city or town in the suppression of riots or other forms of vio- lence therein.
Secion 5. TERMINATION OF BY-LAW. This By-Law, shall remain in full force and virtue during the effective period of Chapter 639, Acts of 1950 and any act in ammend- ment or continuation thereof or substitution therefor.
Section 6. DEFINITION. All references to chapter 639, Acts of 1950, as now in force, shall be applicable to any act or acts in ammendment or continuation of or substitu- tion for said Chapter 639.
The foregoing has been approved as to form by the Attorney General as to provisions of Chapter 639, Acts of 1950.
Article 35. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), to carry out the work of the Department of Civil Defense, and to act fully thereon.
Article 36. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Nineteen hundred dollars ($1,900.00), to complete the heating system in the Fire Station, and to act fully thereon.
Article 37. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500.00), for needed repairs on Engine 4 (Buffalo), and to act fully thereon.
18
Article 38. To see if the Town will instruct the Select- men to sell the coal boiler that was removed from the Fire Station, and to act fully thereon.
Article 39. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five hundred dollars ($500.00), to be expended for Recreation and Amusement in the form of Baseball.
Article 40. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five hundred dollars ($500.00), for Band Concerts to be given by the Chatham Band in Brooks Park in the summer of 1951.
Article 41. To see if the Town will vote to rededicate the Brooks Academy Building to the School Committee for use for school purposes, and act fully thereon.
Article 42. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five hundred dollars ($500.00), to purchase for the purposes of furnishing a herring fishing pool on the Herring River a parcel of land approximately 250 feet on the River and approximately 200 feet in depth and approximately 200 feet by an old road and being not less than 40,000 square feet in area, being a parcel of land standing in the name Emulous E. Hall and recorded in Barnstable County Deeds in Book 363, Page 178.
Article 43. To see if the Town will vote to instruct its Selectmen to control, regulate and prohibit the taking of eels and any or all kinds of shellfish and sea worms within the Town limits, as provided in Chapter 598 of the acts of 1941, and to make any regulations in regard to such fish- eries as may be expedient.
Article 44. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Moderator to appoint a committee of three to serve with the Board of Health to investigate the Town Dump, its facilities, the question of an incinerator, a new dumping ground and report back with recommendations at the next Town Meeting.
Article 45. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One thousand dollars ($1,000.00), to be used in all control work against the Dutch Elm Dis- ease.
19
Article 46. To see if the Town will vote to expend the refunded Dog Tax for the support of Brooks Free Library and to act fully thereon.
Article 47. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Six hundred dollars ($600.00), for the purpose of repainting certain rooms in Brooks Block occupied by the 2nd District Court and the hall and stair- way leading to the Library.
Article 48. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to construct a side- walk on the east side of Mansion Street in West Harwich beginning at the State Highway and extending northerly to Smith Street and to act fully thereon.
Article 49. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two thousand dollars ($2,000.00), for the purpose of purchasing a new truck for the Highway Department and to authorize the Surveyor of Highways to sell or trade the truck now owned by the Town and the sum from same to be used towards the purchase of a new truck and to act fully thereon.
Article 50. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty-two hundred dollars ($2,- 200.00), to purchase a tractor loader for use of the High- way Department and to act fully thereon.
Article 51. To see if the Town will vote to change the name Nickerson Court to Edgewood Road. (This Way was accepted as a Town Way February 7, 1949, under Article 37).
Article 52. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to lay out as Town Ways the following: Joe Lincoln Road ; Harniss Road; Trumet Road; Bayport Road and Ostable Road all in West Harwich.
Article 53. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to lay out an extension of Woodbine Lane to Pleasant Lake Avenue.
Article 54. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to lay out a Town Way from Route 24 south of Long Pond to Pleasant Bay Road so called beginning north
20
of the residence of Idella M. Bassett and proceeding to Pleasant Bay Road near the residence of Ralph Brett.
Article 55. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to lay out Percy Road in West Harwich as a Town Way thirty (30) feet in width, and act fully thereon.
Article 56. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to lay out the following Ways as Town Ways: Satucket Road; Ayer Lane; Quason Lane; Flake Yard Road; Sequatton Lane; Pilgrim Road; Woodland Road; Bay View Road ; Harbor Road to Town Landing; Sea Breeze Avenue; Park Street-the part westerly of Ocean Grove; Zylpha Road; Ocean Avenue ; Deep Hole Road and Lothrop Avenue.
Article 57. To see if the Town will accept the layout of Woodbine Lane leading from Meadow Lane to land formerly of the Chatham Branch of the Old Colony Railroad Company, as reported and recommended by the Selectmen under date of January 26, 1951, and to authorize and in- struct the Selectmen to take by purchase or eminent domain the lands, or interest in the lands, within said layout, and to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for this purpose.
Article 58. To see if the Town will accept the layout of Meadow Lane leading from Park Street to land formerly of the Chatham Branch of the Old Colony Railroad Com- pany, as reported and recommended by the Selectmen under date of January 26, 1951, and to authorize and instruct the Selectmen to take by purchase or eminent domain the lands, or interest in the lands, within said layout, and to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for this purpose.
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