USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1957 > Part 1
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ANNUAL REPORTS
For The Year 1957
TOY
RATED SEPT
SEAL
MCOR
NICH
ADOI
.97
T
SEPT
TOWN OF
HARWICH >
1957 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF
HARWICH
TO
TED
POR
SEAL OF
INCOR
HARWICH
ADOPTED SEPT. 4.1897
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1957
KENDALL PRINTING CO. FALMOUTH, MASS.
3
Town Officers - 1957
Selectmen, Overseers Public Welfare and Board of Health
Milton H. Welt Stephen Weekes Alton E. Walker
Milton H. Welt Stephen Weekes Alton E. Walker
Henry K. Bearse
Term expires March 1958
Town Treasurer
Term expires March 1958
Collector of Taxes
Leslie V. Nickerson Term expires March 1958
Surveyor of Highways
Alton P. Hall
Term expires March 1958
Tree Warden
Walter E. Cahoon Term expires March 1960
School Committee
H. William Morey Charles H. Monbleau
Donald T. Bates
Margaret Leonard
Ralph U. Brett
Term expires March 1960 Term expires March 1960 Term expires March 1959 Term expires March 1958 Term expires March 1958
Constables
C. Conrad Nickerson Charles M. Johnson Horace F. Wixon
Term expires March 1958 Term expires March 1958 Term expires March 1958
Park Commissioners
William C. Chase Emulous E. Hall, Jr. Everett T. Ryder
Term expires March 1960 Term expires March 1959 Term expires March 1958
Assessors
Term expires March 1960 Term expires March 1959 Term expires March 1958
Town Clerk
Henry K. Bearse
Term expires March 1960 Term expires March 1959 Term expires March 1958
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Water Commissioners
Harold A. Thompson Norman O. Nickerson
Francis J. Hibbert
Term expires March 1960 Term expires March 1959 Term expires March 1958
Cemetery Commissioners
John R. S. Handren
Term expires March 1960
Ambrose Nickerson
Term expires March 1959
Rodney O'Brien
Term expires March 1958
Trustees Broadbrooks Free Library
Charlotte P. Sims
Term expires March 1960
Mildred B. Paine
Hillary M. LeClaire
Term expires March 1959 Term expires March 1958
Planning Board
Carleton R. Crosby
Term expires March 1962
Ralph B. Snow (Resigned)
Term expires March 1961
Alfred F. Trowbridge (Appointed)
Term expires March 1958
C. William Johnson
Term expires March 1960
Esther A. Stidstone
Term expires March 1959
Roswell H. Nye
Term expires March 1958
Recreation Commissioners
Virginia S. Doane
Term expires March 1962
Earle F. Bassett
Term expires March 1961
Alice C. Morris
Term expires March 1960
Forrest Eaton
Term expires March 1959
Raymond H. Grayson (Resigned)
Term expires March 1958
William L. Chandler (Appointed)
Term expires March 1958
Moderator
Alan T. Hunt
Term expires March 1958
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APPOINTED OFFICERS Finance Committee
George C. Baldwin (Resigned)
Fernand A. Fournier (Appointed)
David Davis
Frederick W. Crowell, Jr.
Irvin R. Phipps
Raymond H. Grayson
Ralph B. Snow
Ralph W. Cashen
Term expires March 1958
Henry B. Higgins
Guy O. Putnam
Term expires March 1960 Term expires March 1958 Term expires March 1960 Term expires March 1960
Term expires March 1959 Term expires March 1959 Term expires March 1959
Term expires March 1958 Term expires March 1958
Registrars of Voters
Helena T. Maguire
Cleon S. Crowell
Joseph V. Gavin
Term expires March 1960 Term expires March 1959 Term expires March 1958
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Victor S. Ryder Term expires March 1958
Superintendent of Moth Department
Walter E. Cahoon Term expires March 1958
Inspector of Animals
Hilliard E. Hopkins Term expires March 1958
Inspector of Slaughtering
Hilliard E. Hopkins Term expires March 1958
Surveyor of Wood and Lumber
Roswell H. Nye Term expires March 1958
Wire Inspector
Bradford L. Barrett Term expires March 1958
Building Inspector
Winslow B. Sawyer Term expires March 1958
Plumbing Inspector
ยท Courtenay N. Chase
Term expires March 1958
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Field Drivers and Fence Viewers
C. Conrad Nickerson Charles M. Johnson Horace F. Wixon
Term expires March 1958
Term expires March 1958 Term expires March 1958
Subdivision, Building and Protective By-Law and Board of Appeals
North Harwich: Terms expires March 1964
Member-John S. Raneo Assoc. Member-William L. Chandler
West Harwich: Terms expires March 1963 Member-Ralph B. Cummings Assoc. Member-John C. Tracy, Jr.
Pleasant Lake: Terms expires March 1962
Member-Donald T. Bates Assoc. Member-Wilbur H. Crowell
East Harwich: : Terms expires March 1961 Member-Leland H. McKenney Assoc. Member-Charles W. Chase
Harwich Port: Terms expires March 1960
Member-Peter Barber Assoc. Member-Raymond H. Grayson-Resigned Robert D. Hall-Appointed
Harwich: Terms expires March 1959
Member-Charlotte P. Sims Assoc. Member-C. Earl Chase
South Harwich: Terms expires March 1958 Member-Herbert R. Morse
Assoc. Member-Amadee S. Mazzur
Veteran's Agent
Harry B. Albro Term expires March 1958
Shellfish Warden
Roger W. Munsey Term expires March 1958
Harbor Master and Wharfinger
Joseph L. Ellis Term expires March 1958
Chief of Police
George C. Baldwin Term expires March 1958
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Fire Chief and Forest Warden
Charles A. Hall
Term expires March 1958
Town Accountant
Douglas B. Sawyer Term expires March 1959
Civil Defense Director
George C. Baldwin Term expires March 1958
Town Counsel
Oscar J. Cahoon Term expires March 1958
Assistant to the Assessors Charlotte W. Morey
Dog Officer
Hilliard E. Hopkins Term expires March 1958
Health Officer
Dr. F. L. Moore Term expires March 1958
Sanitary Inspector and Collector of Milk Samples -
Ernest C. Eldredge Term expires March 1958
EMPLOYEES UNDER CIVIL SERVICE
Welfare Agent Olive L. Williams
Social Worker Madeline M. Galeckie (Resigned) Althea M. Latham (Appointed)
Junior Clerk & Typist
Mary L. Snow
Town Nurse
Adelyn J. Peabody Term expires March 1958
Assistant Town Nurse
Georgiana Rix Term expires March 1958
Trustees Caleb Chase Fund
Henry L. Smith Douglas B. Sawyer Norman O. Nickerson
Term expires March 1960 Term expires March 1959 Term expires March 1958
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Town Forest Committee
Joseph E. Craffey Doris Doane Donald T. Bates
Term expires March 1960 Term expires March 1959 Term expires March 1958
Town Office Employees Charlotte W. Morey-Secretary to the Selectmen Elizabeth Sebold-Clerk
Town Employees
James L. Smith-Custodian Town Dump Robert E. Winston-Custodian Town Beaches Sulo A. Jussila-Custodian Exchange Hall and Town Office Milton Monbleau-Life Guard Mary Belle Small-Life Guard George Moody-Supervisor Herring Brook
COMMITTEES School Space Needs Committee
Frederick W. Crowell
Earle W. Sims
Gersham D. Hall Roswell H. Nye Julius E. Warren
Town Government Study Committee
Elmer Holmes
Robert J. Chase
Robert L. R. Place
Robert S. Stearns George N. Vagenas
Frederick W. Whitehouse
Arthur I. Keefe
Gas Code Committee
Winslow B. Sawyer
George W. Maxwell
Courtenay N. Chase Raymond H. Grayson (Resigned) Charles A. Hall
Municipal Airport Study Committee
Donald E. Hall
Wilfred E. Adams
Charles S. Hartig Richard M. Symmes Frederick W. Crowell, Jr. (Resigned)
Regional School Committee
Raymond Vachon Anne Hall Davis
Margaret E. Leonard
9
Report of the Selectmen
The new binding and filler used for this year's Annual Report is an attempt by the Selectmen to make the report more attractive. Surprisingly enough, it is difficult to get information about the town government to the townspeople. Not because the information isn't available, or because the mediums of bringing it before the people are lacking. The problem lies in getting the voters sufficiently interested in the town business to want to consider it. Town business is normally dry and uninteresting and makes very poor reading but the more of it that is digested by the voters, the sooner we will be assured of solid progress. No one knows better than the Selectmen that nothing is done in regard to town government without the consent of the voters. All too often town officials fail to get their problem across to the voters, fail to get an understanding of the action they propose and lacking sufficient understanding or information the voters often deny the town officials support they would otherwise have given. Unfortunately, if the vote is lost, the year is lost, which makes it doubly important that available infor- mation be made as attractive as possible.
This year the Selectmen initiated a policy of holding weekly press conferences. These conferences are open to any questions and all information is made available to the re- porters. On occasion we were able to help further with charts and graphs. The purpose, of course, is to enable the townspeople to keep abreast of the work in this office. It was suggested to the various Departments that they file interim reports with the Selectmen to broaden the scope of the available information. We are indebted to the newspapers for the fine coverage that we have received.
The Board has inserted an article in the 1958 Annual Warrant requesting the voters to accept Section 8C of Chap- ter 40 of the General Laws inserted by Section 1, Chapter 223 of the Acts of 1957. A town which accepts this section may establish a Conservation Commission for the promo- tion and development of the town's natural resources and for the protection of its watershed resources. The Commis- sion shall consist of not less than three members nor more than seven members to be appointed by the Selectmen. Mem- bers serve for a period of three years.
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The activities of the Commission would be primarily con- cerned with research, planning, coordination, public advise- ment and recommendations, such a commission would offer an excellent opportunity for coordinating the efforts of other town groups which are interested in this aspect of the town's future. In this light we would like to see representatives of the Recreation Commission, the Water Department, the His- torical Society, the Planning Board, the Town Forest Com- mittee, the Garden Club, and the Park Department appointed to the Commission.
By planning for the conservation and development of the town's natural resources, the town would be much more likely to avoid a situation such as it has encountered in re- gard to its salt water beaches.
Some effort should be made this year toward correcting the defects in the town's salary and wage policy. The Board feels that the policy is seriously lacking in its treatment and appreciation of the following principles of sound wage man- agement:
1. Financial recognition of individual progress or im- provement.
2. Financial recognition of years of service or experience.
3. Standardization or equal pay for equal work.
4. Financial recognition of the required job classification, job responsibilities and difficulties.
5. A standard and approved vacation and sick leave plan.
6. Proper recognition of the highly competitive charac- ter of the open personnel market.
As it stands the town's salary and wage policy is not only unfair to the employees, it is also unfair to the taxpayer. Among other things the taxpayer will find that under the present policy the town cannot reasonably expect either to retain the qualified employees it has been fortunate enough to attract or to fill future openings satisfactorily. As a result he will find that the town departments cannot offer the type of performance which is essential to economical, efficient government.
In this same connection the Board feels that a sound salary and wage plan is consistent with its desire to stabilize the tax rate, that governmental efficiency and economy de- pend primarily on capable personnel. With the object of ensuring a high standard of personnel the Selectmen recom- mend that sufficient money be appropirated to enable the town to hire a professional firm to draw up a salary and wage plan.
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In accordance with Town Meeting instructions the Red River area bounded by Uncle Venies Road, South Chatham Road, the Chatham line and Nantucket Sound has been given continued consideration. We have discussed the possibility of a Harbor here with representatives of the State Division of Waterways. They in turn have taken soundings and ap- pear to be favorably disposed. The difficult job of deter- mining present ownership of the salt marsh area has been completed and arrangements have been made for a legal appraisal of the entire area for purpose of arriving at land costs and awards. The Board intends to hold several hearings during 1958 with the owners, abuttors and interested per- sons in order to work up a plan for taking and proposed use of the taking and to evaluate both the demand for and objections to such a facility.
Hearings were held this past year on the Andrews River area for the purpose of reaching some agreement on the size of the area to be included in the taking. The Board felt that these hearings were very helpful. They provided many excellent suggestions. Discussions were also held with individual owners and abuttors during which the Board tried to work out compromises which would represent the needs of both these people and the town. It was finally de- cided that the area to be taken should include swampland only with the exception of the access from Nantucket Sound and Route #28.
In connection with this proposed harbor, it is only fair to state that the property owners in the Wychmere Pines sec- tion and the Sequatucket Bluffs section who abut this marshy area do not favor this proposal. They originally bought property in those locations for the beauty and the privacy there and they object to any encroachment on that privacy or any destruction of those aesthetic values. At the same time, these people do not want to stand in the way of the town's progress and are aware of the need for additional harbors. The voters should certainly consider their feelings when coming to a decision on this matter. Moreover, should the taking be voted, the Selectmen hope that the townspeople will make every effort to avoid any program which might be detrimental to the valuable developments which surround this area.
Orders of taking were drawn and recorded with the accompanying plans for Railroad Avenue, Harwich Center; Lincoln Village Road, Harwich Port and the new Well Field in East Harwich.
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The town participated in the County Greenhead Fly control program at a cost of $584.40. The shore and marsh areas were sprayed by helicopter with noticeable results. Sufficient funds remain in this account to enable the town to participate in the program in 1958.
The $500 appropriated for Cranberry Harvest days was requested by the Harwich Chamber of Commerce for the following expenditures which were approved:
Red Men's Band $375.00
Tent for Brooks Park 125.00
$500.00
Christmas decorations were purchased for the town office building under Article #29. They are of the type that can be used for several years.
Under Article #43, 9 bids were received for the purchase of a Front End Loader for the Highway Department. Award for the loader was given to the lowest bid of those firms which met the specifications, Morrissey Bros. Tractor Co., Bur- lington, Mass. This firm supplied the town with an Allis- Chalmers Tractor Loader.
Under Article #38 a snow plow was purchased at a cost of $529.00.
The amendment to the Town By-Law requested under Article #67 and having to do with contracts by Town officers for their personal financial advantage was disapproved by the Attorney General's office .- "as being too vague and indefi- nite and there is no ascertainable standard by which one may know the wrongful conduct stated therein. Also, there is no enforcement provision in case of violation of said By- Law." The approval of the Attorney General is required be- fore any town By-Law becomes effective. All recent amend- ments to the town's By-Laws have been incorporated in a new booklet which also includes a zoning map. This book- let is available at the town office.
Of the four roads which the Selectmen were instructed to lay out, only one, Hudson Lane failed to meet the neces- sary requirements. The remaining three, Nevins Lane, Ar- butus Avenue and Orton Road will be reported out and con- sidered for taking at the 1958 town meeting.
Many residents and taxpayers living on private roads have objected to the fact that the Highway Department is unable to plow their streets free of snow. In an attempt to remedy this situation the Selectmen drew and circulated
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a petition requesting that the question of plowing private ways be considered on the ballot. The law provides that 200 registered voters may petition for this action.
The study of drainage conditions at the intersection of Cross Street and Pleasant Street demonstrates the wisdom of the Finance Committee recommendation under Article #39. The request to take this water off through drainage pipes to any one of several low spots in the area was found to be both impractical and costly. Results of the survey show that the most efficient and economical method of drainage is by a so-called filter bed system at the location of the trouble. Great care must be exercised in the construction of this type of drain, expecially in the provision of arresting sand and matter before it reaches the leaching bed, in the materials used for the leaching bed and in the size of the bed itself. Otherwise the system becomes clogged and loses its effectiveness after a short time.
The School Space Needs Committee was appointed to work with the School Committee and the Regional School Committee and to recommend to the Town the way or ways for meeting the problem of school space needs.
Repairs to the Herring Run were effected under the di- rection of Mr. George Moody. Considerable work was done in clearing ditches and pond outlets. Additional work is con- templated for next year at the Herring Pool and in clearing brush below the pool.
The concerts during the summer months at Brooks Park by the Orleans Band were well attended and popular with the townspeople as well as our summer visitors.
Two new police cruisers were purchased for the Town. The successful bidder was Dennisport Motors of Dennisport who furnished the Police Department with two 1957 Plymouth sedans.
The Selectmen also contracted with the Maynard Fire Engine Co. of Marshfield for a new four wheel drive Power Wagon as voted under Article #16. Additional Fire Hose was purchased by competitive bid as authorized under Article #17.
The land taking at Herring River voted under Article #24 was effected. A suit for land damage has been filed against the Town by one of the principals. The sum of two hundred dollars voted by the Town, was used to clear away, debris from the area.
After a series of hearings held by the Selectmen, agree- ment was reached with owners in the marsh area north of
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Allen Harbor enabling the Town to take this land at vir- tually no cost under a new plan. The acceptance was sub- sequently voted at the special Town Meeting held in October. The order of taking has been drawn and recorded with the plan.
The Town has acquired as a gift from Mrs. Elouise B. Larsen the land facing Wychmere Harbor. This area is to be beautified and landscaped for use as a vantage point from which to view the harbor and the Sound beyond it. The beautiful view from this point is thus assured for the future for the public.
Arrangements were made with the J. & L. Realty Company of Pawtucket, R. I. for the use of their land on Main Street in Harwich Port as additional off-street parking during the summer months.
White lines were painted at the parking area at Bank Street Beach. This made possible fuller and more orderly use of this area and kept traffic congestion at a minimum. The parking area at Pleasant Road Beach in West Harwich was improved and oiled. The Selectmen also engaged the ser- vices of the Mechanical Beach Cleaner owned by the Town of Barnstable for cleaning the Bank Street Beach.
A considerable amount of work was done toward improv- ing the Red River Beach in South Harwich. The immediate problem was to raise the height of the beach so as to protect the investment there. That section from Uncle Venies Road east to the Chatham line has now been brought to at least the 10' above mean low water recommended by the State. The master plan for this beach calls for a parking area running its entire length on the back side wide enough to permit passage of two cars and one line of diagonal parking. More fill will be required at the water edge of the beach and it is hoped that the State will be willing to pump this in by hy- draulic dredge providing the town raises a sufficient sum of money as its share of the cost of the project.
During the course of the year improvements were made to the basement of the town office. Two hearing rooms are now available, one with a capacity of approximately 100 persons, the other a smaller room for conferences. A rear door was cut to the larger hearing room to provide the re- quired exit. Termites were discovered in the northeast cor- ner of the basement which section was partially torn up to replace all affected construction. The Terminex Co. of Cam- bridge, Mass., the lowest of three quotations, was called into exterminate, go over the entire building and treat the grounds
15
around the entire outside. Additional lighting and heating units were added where needed. Repairs were also made to the copper gutters. Extensive repairs were made at the Exchange Hall in connection with the windows there. The Board is reluctant to spend too much money on this building until it is definitely decided that substantial amount of money will be spent to put it in good condition. Many of the windows, however, were on the point of falling or being blown out and had to be replaced. Other minor repairs were made where necessary. The Police Relief Association was given permission to move into the old Welfare offices where they have made several improvements.
The Selectmen added $3,200., which was available from a previous dredging job, to the $5,000. appropriated for dredg- ing at Allen Harbor in order to obtain an overall sum of $33,000. (State and Town) for this work. The State has scheduled the operation for the spring of 1958. Satisfactory improvements were made to the Round Cove Channel.
The easement requested by the Cape & Vineyard Electric Company has been drawn and signed and $100. received from that company, deposited with the Town Treasurer.
Various questions have been raised during the year in regard to the Town's Insurance Costs. These result primarily from the building schedule which is as follows:
Item Name of Property
Amount of
1. Exchange Building
Main Street
$160,000
2. Police Station
Sisson Road
4,000
3. Police Garage
Sisson Road
1,000
4. Moth Superintendent
Sisson Road
500
5. New Highway Building
Sisson Road
20,000
6. Fire Department
Bank Street
20,000
7. Brooks Block Building
Main Street
60,000
8. Band Stand
Main Street
800
9. Brooks Park Comfort Sta.
Main Street
2,500
10. Pumping Station
Chatham Road
55,000
11. Pumping Garage
Chatham Road
500
12. New Pumping Garage
Chatham Road
3,000
13. Oil Tank
Chatham Road
500
14. Sub Station-First Rear
Chatham Road
14,000
15. Sub Sta .- Second Rear
Chatham Road
14,000
16. Sub Station-Third Rear
Chatham Road
14,000
17. Transmission Lines, Poles and Transformer
Chatham Road
4,500
18.
Comfort Station
Bank Street
2,500
19. Town Office
Main Street
80,000
20. Old Academy
Sisson Road
50,000
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Item Name of Property
Location
Insurance
21. Old Elementary
22. New Elementary
23. New High School
Sisson Road
35,000
Sisson Road
600,000
Sisson Road
300,000
$1,441,800
$96,000 - personal property-$4,000 - plans and books of record.
Real Estate is on an 80% co-insurance basis; personal property and plans, 90%. The premiums (fire and extended coverage) vary from year to year depending on the policy amount com- ing due. Consequently the budget account also varies.
At the 1957 Meeting $30,000 was raised for Chapter 90 road construction on Pleasant Lake Avenue. Another $14,000 was transferred and added to that sum from the previous years Chapter 90 funds. The State requested an improved layout; 60' wide with most of the curves worked out. A survey and plan for this new layout was completed at a cost to the town of approximately $2,000 and the County Commissioners were petitioned to accept it. They refused, however. As a result of objections raised at the hearing the Commissioners notified the Selectmen that the petition was denied. In an attempt to overcome these objections the Selectmen took the matter before the Special Town Meeting of October 15th re- questing that the townspeople back up the Selectmen in their attempt to acquire the new layout. The motion was soundly defeated. The State then indicated that although reluctant to do so, they would undertake the construction within the present 45' layout. The State is of the opinion that this road should be improved as soon as possible. Chapter 90 con- struction money to be voted in 1958 will be added to the amount currently available in order to complete this work.
In regard to the budget account Survey & Maps of the Town it should be emphasized that the town has no surveyors or engineers as town employees. This work is done by the town's hiring the necessary services, equipment and supplies the same as any individual would do. There has been, in the past, some confusion as to the expenditures under this budget item. It was originally set up for the purpose of carrying the work of Assessor's Maps. As time passed, how- ever, various survey projects became so important that the item was used for the purpose of surveys as well. Eventually the item was changed to include surveys in its title and for the past couple of years it has been used primarily for surveys.
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