USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1954 > 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 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
Annual Reports
FOR THE YEAR 1954
ORATED SESY
SEAL
INCORPO
1694 ARWICH
ADOPTED SEPT. 4.1
TOWN OF HARWICH
1954 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF
HARWICH
JE T
TE
SEP
POR
SEAL OF
INCORPO
1694
HARWICH
ADOPTED SEPT. 4.1897
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1954
PRINTED BY KENDALL PRINTING CO. FALMOUTH, MASS.
1
3
Town Officers - 1954
Selectmen, Overseers Public Welfare and Board of Health
Howard C. Cahoon (resigned)
Stephen Weekes
Alton E. Walker
Term Expires February 1957 Term Expires February 1956 Term Expires February 1955
Assessors
Howard C. Cahoon (resigned) Term Expires February 1957 Stephen Weekes Term Expires February 1956 Alton E. Walker Term Expires February 1955
Town Clerk
Henry K. Bearse Term Expires February 1955 Town Treasurer Henry K. Bearse Term Expires February 1955
Collector of Taxes
Leslie V. Nickerson Term Expires February 1955
Surveyor of Highways
Alton P. Hall Term Expires February 1955 Tree Warden
Walter E. Cahoon
Term Expires February 1955 Moderator
John H. Paine Term Expires February 1955
School Committee
H. William Morey Ephriam G. Nickerson Margaret Leonard
Term Expires February 1957 Term Expires February 1956 Term Expires February 1955
Constables
C. Conrad Nickerson Charles S. Hartig Horace F. Wixon
Term Expires February 1955 Term Expires February 1955 Term Expires February 1955
4
Park Commissioners
William C. Chase Emulous E. Hall, Jr.
Reginald P. Kendall
Term Expires February 1957
Term Expires February 1956 Term Expires February 1955
Water Commissioners
Harold Thompson
Term Expires February 1957
Walter E. Cahoon (resigned) Term Expires February 1956
Norman O. Nickerson
Term Expires February 1955
(appointed)
Francis J. Hibbert
Term Expires February 1955
Cemetery Commissioners
John R. S. Handren
Henry F. Smith
Carlton Chandler
Term Expires February 1957 Term Expires February 1956 Term Expires February 1955
Herring Committee
Donald T. Bates
Term Expires February 1955
Archilus H. Cahoon
Milton L. Cahoon
Term Expires February 1955 Term Expires February 1955
Trustees Broadbrooks Free Library
Charlotte P. Sims .
Mildred B. Paine
Hillary M. LeClaire
Term Expires February 1957 Term Expires February 1956 Term Expires February 1955
Planning Board
Esther A. Stidstone, sec.
Roswell H. Nye
Edwin W. Dybing
Ralph B. Snow
C. William Johnson, chm.
Term Expires February 1959
Term Expires February 1958
Term Expires February 1957
Term Expires February 1956
Term Expires February 1955
Recreation Commissioners
H. Morrison Mitchell Raymond H. Grayson Virginia S. Doane
Earle F. Bassett
Priscilla D. Baldwin
Term Expires February 1959 Term Expires February 1958 Term Expires February 1957 Term Expires February 1956 Term Expires February 1955
5
APPOINTED OFFICERS
Finance Committee
Asahel E. Drake
Term Expires February 1957
George C. Baldwin, sec.
Amos Bartlett
Robert S. Stearns, chm.
Alfred Carter
Irvin Phipps
Henry Higgins
James Baldwin
Thomas Wright
Term Expires February 1957 Term Expires February 1957 Term Expires February 1956 Term Expires February 1956 Term Expires February 1956 Term Expires February 1955
Term Expires February 1955 Term Expires February 1955
Registrars of Voters
Helena T. Maguire
Cleon S. Crowell, chm.
Joseph V. Gavin
Term Expires February 1957 Term Expiers February 1956 Term Expires February 1955
Sealer of Weights & Measures
Victor S. Ryder Term Expires February 1955
Superintendent Moth Department
Walter E. Cahoon Term Expires February 1955
Inspector of Animals
Hilliard E. Hopkins Term Expires February 1955
Inspector of Slaughtering
Hilliard E. Hopkins Term Expires February 1955
Surveyor of Wood & Lumber
Roswell H. Nye Term Expires February 1955
Wire Inspector
Bradford L. Barrett Term Expires February 1955
Building Inspector
Winslow B. Sawyer Term Expires February 1955
Plumbing Inspector
Courtenay N. Chase Term Expires February 1955
6
Field Drivers & Fence Viewers
C. Conrad Nickerson Charles S. Hartig Horace F. Wixon
Term Expires February 1955 Term Expires February 1955 Term Expires February 1955
Protective By-Law Board of Appeals
Leland H. McKenney Peter Barber
Charlotte P. Sims
Sheldon Thayer
Herbert R. Morse
Carl N. Lombard
John S. Raneo
Francis M. Orchard, chm.
Donald T. Bates
Term Expires February 1961 Term Expires February 1960 Term Expires February 1959 Term Expires February 1958 (resigned) Term Expires February 1958 (appointed) Term Expires February 1957 (resigned) Term Expires February 1957 (appointed) Term Expires February 1956 Term Expires February 1955
Veterans Agent ,
Harry B. Albro
Term Expires February 1955
Civil Defense Director
Howard B. Corey Term Expires February 1955
Shellfish Warden
Roger W. Munsey Term Expires February 1955
Harbor Masters
Watson J. Small-Wytchmere Harbor
Term Expires February 1955
Rupert P. Nichols-Allens Harbor Term Expires February 1955
Roger W. Munsey-Town Term Expires February 1955
Chief of Police
C. Conrad Nickerson Term Expires February 1955
Fire Chief & Forest Warden Charles A. Hall Term Expires February 1955
7
Town Accountant
Althea M. Chase
Term Expires February 1956
Town Counsel
Oscar J. Cahoon
Secretary to Selectmen & Assessors
Charlotte W. Morey
Term Expires February 1955
Welfare Agent
Olive L. Williams
Social Worker
Frances Nichols (resigned) Madeline M. Galeckie
Junior Clerk & Typist Mary L. Snow
Dog Officer
Hilliard E. Hopkins Term Expires February 1955
Health Officer
Dr. F. L. Moore Term Expires February 1955
Sanitary Inspector & Collector Milk Samples
Ernest C. Eldredge Term Expires February 1955
Wharfinger
Roger W. Munsey Term Expires February 1955
Town Nurse Adelyn J. Peabody, R.N.
Town Forest Committee
Joseph E. Craffey
Donald T. Bates
Doris Doane
Trustees Caleb Chase Fund
Henry F. Smith
Milton Cahoon
8
Report of the Selectmen
Previous to the Annual Town Meeting of 1954 the Town owned no more than 860 feet of shore frontage. This past year, in accordance with your instructions, the Selectmen added approximately 3,500 more feet. The Town now has excellent neighborhood beaches at Pleasant Road, Earle Road, Atlantic Avenue, Bank Street, and Bay Road; and the begin- ning of a fine beach for the general public at South Harwich. The South Harwich beach, when finished, will be about one- half mile in length. One section of it is already complete. The contract for a second section has been awarded. The 1955 Warrant contains requests for funds to construct still a third section plus adequate parking facilities. We now have a sound, forward-looking beach program, worthy of our most valuable asset.
Again this year we face the question of parking in the Harwich Port business district. The traffic situation there is as bad as ever. Its effect on the area is to turn potential income to other towns, perhaps even to turn away potential residents. In addition our summer visitors and non-voting taxpayers are deserving of such services and facilities as adequate parking and less hazardous driving in the shopping districts.
On behalf of those Departments and Agencies which have moved into the new Town Offices, we wish to thank you for this timely provision. It would not be easy for you to fully realize the improvement that these offices are over the old arrangement. We are all very happy with, and proud of, our new quarters. You, too, may well be proud of your investment. You have an excellent building, one worth many times the cost.
During the year the Selectmen directed the following projects as instructed by vote of the 1954 Meeting: Shore improvement; Earle Road, Deep Hole Road Harbor improvement; Allen Harbor, Wychmere Harbor Purchase Police Cruiser, Town Ambulance Improvements Exchange Hall stage lighting
9
Improvements several beach parking lots Work at fresh water beaches Committee for Fourth of July Bond issue, water main extension Purchase and renovation Bank Building Administration of By-Law amendments Purchase and taking Recreation Land
Purchase and taking beach land Loyout of several roads
We take this opportunity to thank everyone who assisted in the progress and contributed to the welfare of our Town.
Respectfully submitted,
ALTON E. WALKER STEPHEN WEEKES Selectmen of Harwich
10
Report of the Assessors
Valuation of the Town-December 31, 1954
$13,945,610.00
Valuation of the Town-December 31, 1953
13,203,960.00
Increase in valuation $741,650.00
Valuation of land exclusive of buildings
$2,681,970.00
Valuation of buildings exclusive of land
10,218,290.00
Total valuation of land & buildings
$12,900,260.00
Valuation of Personal Estates:
Stock in Trade
$64,450.00
Machinery
39,800.00
Live Stock 2,930.00
All other Tangible Property
938,170.00
Total of Personal Property
$1,045,350.00
1,045,350.00
$13,945,610.00
Taxes Levied:
Tax on Real Estate
$464,409.36
Tax on Personal Property
37,632.60
Tax on Polls
2,270.00
Total taxes $504,311.96 Tax Rate-$36.00 per Thousand
Added valuation December 20, 1954-Real Estate $18,240.00. $656.64
Tax on added valuation
Number of livestock assessed:
Cows 4
Horses 3
Swine
101
Fowl
645
All other 27
Number of Acres of Land Assessed 9,038.24
Number of Dwellings Assessed 2,915
Recapitulation
Amount used from Available Funds
Overlay Deficits-1952 and 1953
Total appropriation as certified by the Town Clerk $645,638.75 96,325.36 736.24
11
State Parks & Reservations
1,274.07
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
668.10
Mosquito Control-Cape Cod Project County Tax Barnstable County Retirement Overlay of current year
4,621.39
60,374.96
3,791.61
6,000.00
$819,430.48
Estimated Receipts
Income Tax
$35,056.49
Corporation Taxes
32,232.20
Motor Vehicle & Trailer Excise
31,863.65
Old Age Tax (Meals)
1,786.03
Licenses
5,000.00
General Government
5,000.00
Charities (other than Federal Grants for Aid to Dependent Children)
9,000.00
Old Age Assistance (other than Federal Grants)
33,000.00
Veterans Benefits
4,000.00
Schools (Funds from Income Tax not to be included)
9,300.00
Public Services (water)
48,524.00
Court House Rent
1,250.00
Total estimated receipts
$216,512.37
Overestimates of previous year:
Cape Cod Mosquito Control Project
$.02
County Tax
2,280.77
Amounts taken from Available Funds
96,325.36
$98,606.15
Total amount to be raised
$819,430.48
Total estimated receipts
and available funds
315,118.52
Net amount raised by Taxation
$504,311.96
Tax on Polls
$2,270.00
Tax on Personal
37,632.60
Tax on Real Estate
464,409.36
$504,311.96
ALTON E. WALKER, Chairman STEPHEN WEEKES HOWARD C. CAHOON (resigned) Assessors of Harwich
12
TOWN OF HARWICH ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT
FEBRUARY 14, 1955
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 High School Building in said Town on Monday, February 14, 1955 at 12 noon then and there to act on Article 1 and afterwards on the following day, Tuesday, February 15, 1955 at 7:30 P.M. to meet in Exchange Hall to act on the remaining articles.
Polls will be open at 12 noon and will close at 8:00 P.M.
Article 1. To choose on one ballot the following Town Officers and Committees: Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, Col- lector of Taxes for one year; one Selectman, Overseer of Public Welfare and Board of Health for three years; one Assessor for three years; one Selectman, Overseer of Public Welfare and Board of Health for two years; one Assessor for two years; three Herring Committee for one year; one Rec- reation Committee for five years; three Constables for one year; one Trustee of Brooks Library for three years; Surveyor of Highways for three years; one Cemetery Commissioner for three years; one Tree Warden for one year; one Moderator for one year; one School Committee for three years; one
13
Water Commissioner for three years; one Water Commissioner for one year and one Planning Board Member for five 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, 1955 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 of the General Laws.
Article 4. To hear the report of all Town Officers and Committees for the year of 1954.
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be required to defray Town charges for the calendar year 1955 and to act fully thereon.
Article 6. 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 7. 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.
Article 8. To see what action the Town will take in regard to the Herring Fisheries for the year of 1955 and to act fully thereon.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to petition the Director of the Division of Marine Fisheries for the right to control and regulate the alewife fisheries in the Town of Harwich as provided for under the General Laws and all amendments thereto and to act fully thereon.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of six hundred dollars ($600) for Band Concerts in the summer of 1955 and to act fully thereon.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) to be used under the direction of the Selectmen to properly cele- brate and observe July 4, 1955 and to act fully thereon.
14
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be used under the direction of the Selectmen for the promotion of public recreation and amusement in the form of athletics and to act fully thereon.
Article 13. 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 14. To see if the Town will vote to place under the jurisdiction of the Park Commissioners the land pur- chased under article 41 of the Annual Town Meeting in 1948 for park purposes at the east end of Long Pond in East Har- wich and to act fully thereon.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to place under the jurisdiction of the Park Commissioners the triangular piece of land at the intersection of Depot Street and Great Western Road in North Harwich and to act fully thereon.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to place under the jurisdiction of the Park Commissioners the triangular piece of land at the intersection of Chase Street and Rte #28 in West Harwich and to act fully thereon.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to connect the present two sets of bleachers in the ball park at Brooks Park and to act fully thereon.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars ($1,250) to complete construction of the bulkhead at the Town Landing at Allens Harbor and to act fully thereon.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for the purpose of harbor and breakwater improvements of Wychmere Harbor and to act fully thereon.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to accept and adopt the following changes in, and amendments to the PROTECTIVE BY-LAWS for the Town of Harwich.
Under Section 2-USE REGULATIONS. Delete para- graph 1, and substitute the following :-
"1. In Commercial Districts, Buildings, structures and premises may be used for any lawful business, service or public utility, except (Junk Yard, Second-hand machinery or Equip- ment yard storage) and in addition, any use permitted in the Residential and Agricultural Districts. All buildings herein-
15
after erected or enlarged in Commercial Districts require construction plans to be reviewed by the Harwich Board of Selectmen for architectural design and appropriate safeguard where such are deemed necessary. Not more than two signs, other than those which are attached to and are part of the architectural design of a building or structure shall be per- mitted on each of these premises."
Paragraph 2. Delete the words "Board of Appeals" in the fifth line and substitute "Harwich Board of Selectmen."
In Paragraph 3. Delete the first five lines and insert the following :- "In Residential and Agricultural Districts, no building or premises shall be used, and no building therein shall be erected or structurally altered except for the follow- ing purposes: (a) Detached one family dwelling with privilege for renting of not more than five (5) rooms to paying guests, but shall not extend to include public restaurant service. A two family house may be permitted if plans of building con- for mto the general construction of the residences in the same general location, and approved by the Harwich Board of Selectmen. (*See note at bottom of page.)"
The following note is to be inserted at the bottom of the page which contains the above reference to it:
*Note. Dwellings erected or enlarged for renting of more than five (5) rooms for paying guests and all types of Motels are considered commercial uses and may only be constructed and located in Commercial Districts.
Under Section 5. ADMINISTRATION. Delete paragraph (a) and substitute the following: "(a) Board of Appeals. There shall be a Board of Appeals consisting of seven regular mem- bers, and in addition seven alternate members, one regular member and one alternate member from each Post Office area in Harwich, all to be appointed by the Selectmen, said Board to act in accordance with General Laws, Chapter 40, 25- 30B and subsequent amendments thereto;" and to act fully thereon.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to build a tool house in Brooks Park and to act fully thereon.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to extend the water from the present location to the vicinity of the flag pole in Brooks Park and to act fully thereon.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to lay out Grassy Pond Road in Harwich Port and to act fully thereon.
16
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to lay out Sunset Road in West Harwich leading from Brooks Road westerly to Victory Drive and to act fully thereon.
Article 25. To see if the Town will accept the layout of Robbins Road in Harwich and Harwich Port leading from South Street easterly to Forest Street as reported and recom- mended by the Selectmen under date of January 21, 1955 and to authorize and instruct the Selectmen to take by purchase or eminent domain the lands or interests in the lands, within said layout, and to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for this purpose and to act fully thereon.
Article 26. To see if the Town will accept the layout of Pleasant Park in Harwich leading from Park Street northerly to a dead end as reported and recommended by the Selectmen under date of January 21, 1955 and to authorize and instruct the Selectmen to take by purchase or eminent domain the lands, or interests in the lands, within said layout, and to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for this purpose and to act fully thereon.
Article 27. To see if the Town will accept the layout of Victory Drive Extension in West Harwich leading from the end of the 1952 layout to a dead end as reported and recom- mended by the Selectmen under date of January 21, 1955 and to authorize and instruct the Selectmen to take by purchase or eminent domain the lands, or interests in the lands, within said layout, and to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for this purpose and to act fully thereon.
Article 28. To see if the Town will accept the layout of Colonial Way in Harwich Port leading from Rte #28 southerly and westerly to a dead end as reported and recommended by the Selectmen under date of January 21, 1955 and to authorize and instruct the Selectmen to take by purchase or eminent domain the lands, or interests in the lands, within said layout, and to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for this purpose and to act fully thereon.
Article 29. To see if the Town will accept the layout of Trumet Road in West Harwich leading from Kelley Road northerly to Joe Lincoln Road as reported and recommended by the Selectmen under date of January 21, 1955 and to authorize and instruct the Selectmen to take by purchase or eminent domain the lands, or interests in the lands, within said layout, and to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for this purpose and to act fully thereon.
17
Article 30. To see if the Town will accept the relocation and alteration of Belmont Road in West Harwich leading from Rte #28 southerly to Nantucket Sound as reported and recommended by the Selectmen under date of January 21, 1955 and to authorize and instruct the Selectmen to take by pur- chase or eminent domain the lands, or interests in the lands, within such alteration and relocation and to raise and appro- priate a sufficient sum of money for this purpose and to act fully thereon.
Article 31. To see if the Town will accept the relocation and alteration of South Chatham Road in South Harwich leading from Uncle Venies Road to the Chatham line as re- ported and recommended by the Selectmen under date of January 21, 1955 and to authorize and instruct the Selectmen to take by purchase or eminent domain the lands, or interests in lands, within such alteration and relocation and to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for this purpose and to act fully thereon.
Article 32. To see if the Town will accept the relocation and alteration of Willow Street in West Harwich leading from Division Street easterly to Riverside Drive as reported and recommended by the Selectmen under date of January 21, 1955 and to authorize and instruct the Selectmen to take by pur- chase or eminent domain the lands, or interests in the lands, within such alteration and relocation and to raise and appro- priate a sufficient sum of money for this purpose and to act fully thereon.
Article 33. To see if the Town will accept the relocation and alteration of Hersey Road in South Harwich leading from Julien Road easterly to Uncle Venies Road as reported and recommended by the Selectmen under date of January 21, 1955 and to authorize and instruct the Selectmen to take by pur- chase or eminent domain the lands, or interests in the lands, within such alteration and relocation and to raise and appro- priate a sufficient sum of money for this purpose and to act fully thereon.
Article 34. To see if the Town will accept the relocation and alteration of Deep Hole Road in South Harwich leading from Old County Road southerly to Nantucket Sound as re -- ported and recommended by the Selectmen under date of January 21, 1955 and to authorize and instruct the Selectmen to take by purchase or eminent domain the lands, or interests in the lands, within such alteration and relocation and to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for this purpose and to act fully thereon.
18
Article 35. To see if the Town will accept the relocation and alteration of Julien Road in South Harwich leading from Rte #28 southerly to and including that part known as Old Wharf Road as reported and recommended by the Selectmen under date of January 21, 1955 and to authorize and instruct the Selectmen to take by purchase or eminent domain the lands, or interests in the lands, within such alteration and relocation and to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for this purpose and to act fully thereon.
Article 36. To see if the Town will accept the relocation and alteration of Cemetery Road in East Harwich leading from Church Street westerly to Rte #137 as reported and recommended by the Selectmen under date of January 21, 1955 and to authorize and instruct the Selectmen to take by pur- chase or eminent domain the lands, or interests in the lands, within such alteration and relocation and to raise and appro- priate a sufficient sum of money for this purpose and to act fully thereon.
Article 37. To see if the Town will accept the relocation and alteration of Kelley Road in West Harwich leading from Division Street easterly to Riverside Drive as reported and recommended by the Selectmen under date of January 21, 1955 and to authorize and instruct the Selectmen to take by pur- chase or eminent domain the lands, or interests in the lands, within such alteration and relocation and to raise and appro- priate a sufficient sum of money for this purpose and to act fully thereon.
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.