USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1951 > Part 1
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1951
ANNUAL REPORT
DE THI!
TOWN OFFICERS
HARWICH
TVIL YEAR BNIANG
1951.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
- OF -
HARWICH
PORATED SEPT
14
SEAL OF
INCORPO
6
RWICH
ADOPTED
SEPT. 4.1897.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 31, 1951
PRINTED BY THE CENTRAL CAPE PRESS, Inc. HARWICH PORT, MASS.
3
Town Officers - 1951
Selectmen, Overseers Public Welfare and Board of Health
Charles D. Holmes
Howard C. Cahoon
Emulous E. Hall
Term expires February 1953 Term expires February 1954 Term expires February 1952
Assessors
Charles D. Holmes
Howard C. Cahoon
Emulous E. Hall
Term expires February 1953 Term expires February 1954 Term expires February 1952
Town Clerk
Henry K. Bearse
Term expires February 1952
Town Treasurer
Henry K. Bearse Term expires February 1952
Collector of Taxes
Leslie V. Nickerson Term expires February 1952
Moderator
John H. Paine Term expires February 1952
School Committee :
Channing H. Baker . Term expires February 1954
Ephriam G. Nickerson Term expires February 1953
Margaret Leonard Term expires February 1952
Surveyor of Highways :
Alton ₽. Hall
Term expires February 1952
4
Constables
Alton E. Walker Horace F. Wixon Glenn T. Miller
Henry Higgins James Baldwin
Thomas M. Wright
Hilliard E. Hopkins
Calvin C. Eldredge
Marshall Siebenmann William Gorham (deceased)
H. William Morey
George C. Baldwin
Asahel E. Drake
Term expires February 1952 Term expires February 1952 Term expires February 1952
Finance Commitee
Term expires February 1952 Term expires February 1952 Term expires February 1952 Term expires February 1953 Term expires February 1953 Term expires February 1953 Term expires February 1954 To serve until Town Meeting Term expires February 1954 Term expires February 1954
Trustees Broadbrooks Free Library
Hillary M. Leclaire
Mildred P. Paine
Charlotte P. Sims
Term expires February 1952 Term expires February 1953 Term expires February 1954
Trustees Caleb Chase Fund
Thomas M. Wright
Arthur P. Doane, Jr.
Henry F. Smith
Term expires February 1952 Term expires February 1953 Term expires February 1954
Park Commissioners
Emulous E. Hall, Jr. Edward Taylor
William C. Chase
Term expires February 1953 Term expires February 1952 Term expires February 1954
5
Water Commissioners
Walter E. Cahoon
Lawrence F. Nickerson
Norman O. Nickerson
Term expires February 1953 Term expires February 1952 Term expires February 1954
Cemetery Commissioners
Millard P. Hall Henry F. Smith
John T. Wood (deceased)
Term expires February 1952 Term expires February 1953 Term expires February 1954
Herring Committee
Clarence E. Greenwood
Robert C. Cahoon
Donald T. Bates
Term expires February 1952 Term expires February 1952 Term expires February 1952
Registrars of Voters
Amy B. Davis Cleon S. Crowell Walter T. Gilmore, Chr.
Sealer of Weights and Measures Victor S. Ryder
Acting Chief of Police
Town Accountant
Glenn T. Miller Althea M. Chase
Fire Chief and Forest Warden Wire Inspector
Norman G. Ostby Bradford L. Barrett
Superintendent Moth Department and Tree Warden Robert S. Stearns
Inspector of Animals Inspector of Slaughtering
Charles H. Taylor
Charles H. Taylor
Surveyor of Wood and Lumber Roswell H. Nye
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Field Drivers and Fence Viewers
Alton E. Walker
Glenn T. Miller
Horace F. Wixon
Welfare Agent Olive. L. Williams
Social Worker Frances V. Nichols
Jr. Clerk Typist M. Louise Holt
Secretary to Selectman and Assessors Charlotte W. Morey
Building and Fire Prevention By-Law Appeal Board
Elton A. Tripp
Thomas A. Wright
Henry F. Smith
Term expires February 1954 Term expires February 1952 Term expires February 1953
Building Inspector
Winslow B. Sawyer Term expires February 1952
Shellfish Warden
Roger W. Munsey
Term expires February 1952
Recreation Commissioners
George W. Stidstone
Raymond H. Grayson
Eltön A. Tripp
Priscilla D. Baldwin
Term expires February 1952 Term expires February 1953 Term expires February 1954 Term expires February 1955
Earle F. Bassett Term expires February 1956
7,
Report of The Selectmen
To the Citizens of the Town of Harwich :
Your Selectmen are pleased to report a prosperous year for 1951. We feel that the appropriations for the var- ious departments have been well expended and purposes accomplished. The Building Inspector reports good progress for his department and the Planning Board and Zoning Laws are getting well adjusted. The people are still calling for more beaches and there will be articles in the next an- nual town meeting to purchase or take more beaches in various parts of the town to accommodate the increasing bathing public and are surely needed. There will be other articles calling for appropriations for improvements that are wanted and needed in all growing towns like Harwich and must come eventually. All department heads have at- tended to their duties and we thank them all and the citi- zens for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES D. HOLMES
HOWARD C. CAHOON EMULOUS E. HALL
Selectmen of Harwich
8
Assessors Report
Valuation of the Town Dec. 31,1951
Valuation of the Town Dec. 31, 1950
$11,273,720.00 10,364.530.00
Increase in Valuation
$ 909,190.00
Valuation of Land Exclusive of Buildings $2,381,940.00
Valuation of Buildings Exclusive of land 7,962,490.00
Total Valuation of Land and Buildings $10,344.430.00
Valuation of Personal Estates :
On Stock in Trade
$121,500.00
On Machinery 322,200.00
On Livestock 2,740.00
All Other Tangible Property
482,850.00 929,290.00
Total Valuation
$11,273,720.00
Valuation of Real and Personal Estates :
Tax on Personal 29,737.28
Tax on Real Estate
331,021.76
Tax - Polls
2,346.00
Total Taxes Assessed 363,105.04
Tax Rate $32.00 per Thousand
Added Valuation in October 1951:
Personal Estate 2,370.00
Real Estate 20,400.00
$22,770.00
Added Valuation in December 1951 :
Personal Estate
1,000.00
Real Estate
10,700.00
$11,700.00
Total added valuation in 1951 $44,400.00
Total tax on added valuation 1,144.64
9
Number of Live Stock Assessed :
Horses
6
Cows
7
Swine
15
Goats
23
Fowl
785
Number of Acres of land
9,038.24
Number of Dwellings
2,450
RECAPITULATION
Total appropriations as certified by the Town Clerk
$520,997.50
Amount used from Available Funds
35,140.83
Overlay Deficit 1949 and 1950
870.05
State Parks and Reservations
695.54
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
641.33
Mosquito Control
3,627.59
County Tax
47,755.92
Overlay 1950
584.67
Barnstable County Retirement System
1,928.14
Gross amount to be raised
$582,077.92
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS
Income Tax
27,959.98
Corporation Tax
19,832.20
Motor Vehicle & Trailer Excise
22,000.00
Licenses
5,000.00
General Government
3,500.00
Charities (other than Federal Grants)
6,000.00
Old Age Assistance (other than Federal Grants)
35,000.00
Old Age Tax (meals)
1,838.30
Fines
45.00
Veteran's Benefits
1,500.00
Schools
18,000.00
Court House Rent
1,250.00
Public Service enterprises (water)
40,000.00
Gas and Electric Franchise Tax
301.03
Total Estimated Receipts $182,226.51
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Chapter 90-Maintenance
3,000.00
Chapter 90-Construction
18,000.00
Dog Fund
540.83
Special Town Meeting
9,500.00
Fire Station
1,900.00
Tractor Loader
2,200.00
Total Available Funds
$36,746.37
Total Estimated Receipts and Available Funds
$218,972.88
Net amount to be raised by Taxation On Polls and Property
$363,105.04
Tax on Polls
2,346.00
Tax on Personal Estate
29,737.28
Tax on Real Estate
331,021.76
$363,105.04
HOWARD C. CAHOON
CHARLES D. HOLMES
EMULOUS E. HALL
Assessors of Harwich
11
TOWN OF HARWICH
F
PORATED SEPT
19
SEAL OF
INCORPOR
1694
ARWICH
ADOP
TED
SEPT. 4.1897.
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
WARRANT
FEBRUARY 11, 1952
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Barnstable, SS.
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 11, 1952 at 7:00 A. M., then and there to act on the following articles :-
Polls will be open at 7:00 A. M., and may close at 2:00 P. M.
Article 1. To choose on one ballot the following Town Officers and Committees : Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, Col-
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lector 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 one year; one Recreation Committee for five years; three Con- stables for one year; one Trustee of Brooks Library for three years; one Park Commissioner for three years; Sur- veyor of Highways for one year; one Cemetery Commis- sioner for two years; one Cemetery Commissioner for three years ; one Trustee Caleb Chase Fund for three years and one Tree Warden for one year.
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 rev- enue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1952, 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 of 1951.
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate such sums of money as may be necessary to defray Town expenses for the ensuing year and to act fully there- on.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to fix salaries of the elected Town Officers for the year 1952 and to ap- propriate 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 ap- propriate 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.
Article 9. To see what action the Town will take in re- gard to the Herring Fisheries for the year 1952 and to act fully thereon.
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Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate 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 1952.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money to equip the Exchange Building with an emergency lighting system and to renovate the existing wiring and act fully thereon.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to increase the School Committee Board to five members to take effect by appearing on the annual Town Meeting ballot at the annual meeting in 1953.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the sale at public auction of obsolete radio equipment of no further use to the Police Department and to act fully there- on.
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to sell the land and buildings in North Harwich known as North Har- wich Grade School at public auction under terms as set up by the Board of Selectmen.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to rescind the action taken under Article 11 of the 1950 Annual Town Meeting warrant and to further provide for the selection of the Caleb Chase Fund in some other manner.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to rededicate the Brooks Academy Building to the School Committee for use for school purposes and to act fully thereon.
Article 17. To see what action the Town will take to solve the space needs of the schools and appropriate such sums as may be necessary and to act fully thereon.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of making As- sessor's Maps and to act fully thereon.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to provide for the expense in the laying out, relocation and alteration of Town Ways.
Article 20. To see if the Town will instruct the Select- men to purchase for the Town that part of the Old Chat- ham Road Bed that is in Harwich, and to act fully thereon.
·
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Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to release Miss Lucy Ginn from her contract with the Town, requiring her to pay a 6 per cent guarantee on the cost of a short 2" ex- tension to her residence on Division Street, and to act fully thereon.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), to be used by the Moth Department in controlling the Dutch Elm Disease and to act fully thereon.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars ($500.00), to plant shade trees along the Town Roads under the direction of the Tree Warden, and to act fully thereon.
Article 24. To see if the Town will accept and adopt the following extension to the Protective By-Law for the Town of Harwich :
To extend the Protective By-Law for the Town of Har- wich adopted at the annual Town Meeting, February 13, 1951, approved by the Attorney General's office June 6, 1951, and made effective June 15, 1951 ; to also include South Harwich as shown on a revised Protective By -Law map to be filed with the Town Clerk, under the same rules and regulations but with the following additions :
Under (a) Commercial Districts, page 2, after Harwich Port 2, paragraph 4, page 4, add the following :
South Harwich 5. State Highway Route 28 (Main St.), northeasterly on both sides from Gorham Road, Harwich Port line, to the South Chatham line.
6. Old County Road from junction of State Highway Route 28 (Main St.) east side only, to Chatham Road, then on South side only of Chatham Road to the junction of State Highway Route 28 (Main St.), to include this entire triangle now separated by Deep Hole Road.
(b.) Residential and Agricultural Districts : Residen- tial and Agricultural Districts to consist of all areas in West Harwich, Harwich Port and South Harwich not in- cluded in (a) Commercial Districts.
Article 25. To see if the Town will accept and adopt the following amendments and changes in the present Pro- tective By-Law for Town of Harwich, to clarify certain in-
8
15
terpretations that have come up during the past period of application.
To add the following to Section 2, Use Regulations 1, page 3, after the words (and in addition) in 6th line: any use permitted in the Residential and Agricultural Districts and for. ... etc., etc.
To repeal all of paragraph 2, including (a) (b) (c) (d), page 4, headed in Residential and Agricultural Districts and substitute the following :
2. In Residential and Agricultural Districts, no build- ings, structures or premises hereafter erected or altered may be used for any except (a) Detached one or two family dwelling, with privilege for renting of rooms to summer guests, but shall not extend to include public restaurant service.
(b) Church
(c) Library
(d) Municipal Use
(e) Educational Use
(f) Woman's Club not operated for profit
(g) Non-profit recreational purpose
(h) Private garage with space for storage of not more than two automobiles, unless authorized by the Board of Appeals.
(i) In addition in the area north of State Highway, Route 28, (Main Street) for any agricultural use except piggeries and fur farms and for uses customarily necessary thereto, and for the following commercial purposes, but no others :
(a) The display and sale, at roadside stand; or other- wise, of natural products, the major portion of which are raised on the farms of the town.
(b) Greenhouses, storage and sorting buildings in con- nection with Cranberry bogs.
(c) Dog Kennel or Veterinary Hospital.
(j) In Residential and Agricultural Districts any of the following uses on approval of the Board of Appeals.
(a) The use of a room or rooms in a dwelling may be permitted for a customary home occupations, such as a Lawyer, Doctor, Dentist or similar profession conducted by a resident of the premises.
(b) Cemetery
(c) Hospital, Sanitarium, Institution or Philanthropie use.
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(d) Boys or Girls Camp, if housed in permanent buildings.
(e) Boat-building and Storage.
(f) Hotel or Apartment House.
(g) Any other use determined by the Board of Appeals to be similar to one or more of the uses specifically author- ized and not more detrimental to the neighborhood.
To repeal all of Section 4, page 6, Exceptions and Ad- ministration (a) (b) (c) and substitute the following :
Section 4. Non-conforming Uses :
- (a) Continuation of Non-Conforming Uses: Any law- ful building or use of a building or premises or part there- of at the time this By-Law or any amendment thereto is adopted, may be continued, rebuilt if damaged or destroyed, even if not in conformity with the provisions thereof, provid- ing such has not been discontinued for a period of three years.
(b) Change or Extension of Non-Conforming Uses : The Board of Appeals may permit any non-conforming use to be changed to any specified use, or building enlarged, if not substantially different in character or more detrimental or objectionable to a neighborhood.
Top of page 7 add Section 5, Administration, and change letters on paragraphs to (a) (b) (c).
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to build a new Town Office Building, said building to be built on the site of the old Almshouse and to appoint a building committee of five (5) members to be in charge of the work.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) for the purpose of dredging and improving the breakwater at Allen's Harbor, said sum to be used in conjunction with any funds allocated by the Department of Public Works, and to act fully theron.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00) to relocate the present Street Light in the center of Main Street and Sea Street in Harwich Port, and to increase the wattage from 250 watts to 1,000 watts, and to act fully thereon.
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a certain sum of money to be used in increasing the candlewatt power in the street lights from the parson-
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age corner to Oak Street corner inclusive, on Route 39 in Harwich and to include two lights next north from Route 39 on Route 24 or Pleasant Lake Avenue.
Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to exterminate root and branch, the sprouts and brush from the triangular park belonging to the Town in the rear of the Brooks Aca- demy building; and to place said land under the jurisdic- tion of the Park Commissioners.
Article 31. 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 32. 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 pool on the Herring River a parcel of land approximately 1,000 feet on the Herring River and being seven acres more or less as described in a deed recorded in Barnstable County Deeds in Book 363 Page 178 and standing in the name of Emulous E. Hall.
Article 33. To see if the Town will vote to recommend that the selectmen increase the salary of the combined posi- tions of Fire Chief and Forest Warden from twenty-nine hundred dollars ($2,900.00) per annum to thirty-seven hun- dred dollars ($3,700.00) per annum, the salaries of Perman- ent Firemen from twenty-five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) per annum to three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) per annum, and the pay of Call Firemen from $1.00 per hour or fraction thereof to $1.50 per hour or fraction thereof, and to raise and appropriate the sum of three thousand, fifty dollars ($3,050.00) for this article and to act fully thereon.
Article 34. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) for the purchase of 1,000 feet of treated, double jacket fire hose (21/2 inch) and 600 feet of treated, double jacket fire hose (11/2 inch), and to act fully thereon.
Article 35. To see if the Town will vote to recommend that the Selectmen increase the salaries of the Chief of Police from twenty-seven hundred and fifty dollars ($2,750.00) per annum to thirty-seven hundred dollars ($3,700.00) per annum, and the Patrolmen of various ranks
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from twenty-four hundred dollars ($2,400.00) per annum to three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) per annum and to raise and appropriate the sum of thirty-four hundred and fifty dollars ($3,450.00) for the same, and to act fully thereon.
Article 36. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of twenty-seven hundred and fifty dol- lars ($2,750.00) to pay the salary of one extra year round patrolman in the Police Department, and to act fully there- on.
Article 37. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for unpaid bills of 1951 as provided for in Chapter 179 of the acts of 1941.
Article 38. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of ten hundred and eighty-one dollars ($1,081.00) for the purchase of a new Police Cruiser, and to act fully thereon.
Article 39. To see if the Town will vote to accept Sec- tion 6B, Chapter 40 of the General Laws, which section pro- vides that if a Town accepts this section it may appropriate money for the purchase of uniforms for members of it's Police and Fire Departments.
Article 40. To see if the Town will vote to accept Sec- tion 97A, Chapter 41 of the General Laws as amended by Chapter 595 of the Acts of 1948, which reads: "In any Town which accepts this section there shall be a Police De- partment established by the Selectmen, and such department shall be under the supervision of an officer to be known as Chief of Police. The Selectmen of any such Town shall ap- point a Chief of Police and such officers as they deem nec- essary and fix their compensation, not exceeding in the ag- gregate, the annual appropriation therefor. In any such Town in which such appointments are not subject to Chap- ter 31, they shall be made annually and the Selectmen may remove such chief or other officers for cause at any time after a hearing. The Chief of Police in any such Town shall from time to time make suitable regulations governing the police department and the officers thereof, subject to the approval of the Selectmen; provided, that such regulations shall become effective without such approval upon the fail- ure of the Selectmen to take action thereon within thirty
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days after they have been submited to them by the Chief of Police. The Chief of Police in any such Town shall be in immediate control of all town property used by the depart- ment, and of the police officers, whom he shall assign to their respective duties and who shall obey his orders, Section 97 shall not apply in any Town which accepts the provisions of this section. Acceptance of the provisions of this section shall be by vote at an annual Town Meeting."
Article 41. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of thirty-five . thousand dollars ($35,000.00) for the erection of a new building for the housing of the Police Department and comfort station for the public to be located on Town property known as the School Parking Lot in Harwich Port, and to act fully there- on.
Article 42. To see if the Town will vote to pay the Tree Warden a salary and raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for this purpose.
Article 43. To see if the Town will vote to accept a gift by deed for park purposes from Mr. and Mrs. Joshua A. Nickerson, the following described parcel of land in East Harwich : Bounded on the west by the State Highway (Route 28) 100 feet; on the north by land of Morss Lippin- cott; on the east by the waters of Pleasant Bay 100 feet more or less; and on the south by land of Joshua A. Nickerson, meaning and intending a strip of land 100 feet wide from Route 28 to the waters of Pleasant Bay.
Article 44. To see if the Town will vote to accept a gift by deed for park purposes from Morss Lippincott the fol- lowing described parcel of land in East Harwich: Bounded on the west by the State Highway (Route 28) 100 feet; on the south by land of Joshua A. Nickerson; on the east by the waters of Pleasant Bay 100 feet more or less; on the north by land of Morss Lippincott, meaning and intending a strip of land 100 feet wide from Route 28 to the waters of Pleasant Bay.
Article 45. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to purchase or to accept as a gift, by deed, a portion of the land standing in the name of Leslie H. Strong et ux near Bay Road and Route 28 in East Harwich, said land to be used for a park and for parking purposes.
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Article 46. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to purchase, take by eminent domain, or otherwise in accordance with the Gen- eral Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts the pro- perty now or formerly owned by Joshua A. Nickerson lo- cated in East Harwich on the east side of Route 28 from Bay Road southerly to Muddy Creek, so called, said property to be used for a Town Beach.
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