USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1920-1925 > Part 13
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December
3 Charles W. Hinde
4
0
Charlestown, Mass.
Hemorrhage of pharynx
December
3
Adelaide Simmons
85
5
11
Fairhaven, Mass.
December
5 Emma M. Hunt
86
5
15
Weymouth, Mass.
Cerebral hemorrhage
December
11
Horace W. Waldron
80
5
19
Boston, Mass.
December
20
Priscilla D. Peck
70
1
9
Brockton, Mass.
Apoplexy
December
25 Katherine L. Sampson
77
0
0
Marshfield, Mass.
December
29
Katherine Coman (Curtis)
55
11
27
Brookline, Mass.
Cancer of breast Carcinoma of cervix
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Accident
Chronic cystitis and prostatitis
Arterio sclerosis
Carbuncle on back of neck
Cold
Arterio sclerosis nephritis
General peritonitis
Chronic nephritis
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TOWN MEETINGS
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, MARCH 11, 1922.
Chose Harry B. Bradley, Moderator.
The Tellers, Harold F. Hanigan, Harry A. McNaught, Her- bert Packard and Ray M. Parks, were sworn by the Town Clerk.
The polls were opened at 6 and closed at 11 o'clock A. M., and at that time it was voted that a recess of an hour be taken.
The register on the ballot-box indicated 120, there were 120 names checked on each list and 120 ballots were counted from the ballot-box.
Following is the result of balloting for Town Officers:
For Selectmen for one year :
Alfred E. Green,
83 votes
Wendell Phillips,
99 votes
Sidney C. Soule,
107 votes
Scattering, 7 votes
Blanks, 64
For Assessor for three years :
Alfred E. Green,
78 votes
Scattering,
4 votes
Blanks,
38
For Overseers of the Poor for one year :
Alfred E. Green, 81 votes
Wendell Phillips,
96 votes
Sidney C. Soule,
105 votes
Scattering,
5 votes
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Blanks, 73
For Town Clerk for one year : George H. Stearns,
110 votes
Blanks,
10
Town Treasurer for one year :
George H. Stearns,
107 votes
Scattering,
1 vote
Blanks,
12
Collector of Taxes for one year :
George H. Stearns,
108 votes
Scattering,
1 vote
Blanks,
11
Constables for one year :
Charles S. Pierce,
94 votes
Warren C. Prince,
89 votes
Robert I. Tower,
88 votes
Scattering,
2 votes
Blanks,
87
School Committee for three years : Elizabeth A. Phillips,
100 votes
Blanks,
20
Board of Health for three years :
Paul C. Peterson,
97 votes
Scattering,
2 votes
Blanks,
21
Cemetery Trustee for five years : Albert M. Goulding,
98 votes
Blanks,
22
Tree Warden for one year :
John D. Morrison,
100 votes
Scattering,
1 vote
Blanks,
19
Auditor for one year :
Charles L. Simmons, 98 votes
Blanks, 22
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"Shall Licenses be granted for the sale of certain non-in- toxicating beverages in this town "
"'Yes", 71
"'No", 40
Blanks, 9
Voted, that the Selectmen appoint the necessary officers not chosen by ballot.
Voted, that it is the sense of this meeting that the Select- men be requested to take steps to change the form of the annual town meeting, one day to be for election of Town Officers and another day for action on the other articles of the warrant, 32 voting in favor and 26 in opposition.
Voted, that the reports of the various Town Officers and Committees be accepted as printed in the Town Report.
Voted, to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,109.88 for payment of bills remaining unpaid in the various depart- ments for the year 1921, and over-drafts in Police, Forest, Fire and Snow departments.
Voted, to raise and appropriate $39,941.14 as follows:
Resurfacing St. George and Washington Sts.,
Loan of 1917, $800 00
Resurfacing King Caesar Road, Loan of 1918, 1,200 00
Road Machinery, Loan of 1919,
1,000 00
Resurfacing Washington Street, Loan of 1919,
1,000 00
Resurfacing Columbus Avenue and Marshall
Street, Loan of 1919, 2,200 00
Resurfacing Chestnut, Tobey Garden and Elm
Streets, Loan of 1920,
6,000 00
Interest,
5,000 00
Gypsy and Browntail Moth,
1,741 14
State, County and Highway Tax, Voted to appropriate for
21,000 00
Cemeteries,
1,500 00
Plymouth County Hospital,
1,439 47
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Support of Schools (together with all reim- bursements received during the year, and the Dog Fund), 31,000 00
Fire Protection, 1,000 00
Forest Warden, 800 00
Tree Warden, 100 00
Snow Removal, 1,000 00
Voted, to take up Articles 28, 29, 30 and 31 in connection with the appropriation for Street Lighting, and to appro- priate for
Street Lighting, $1,600 00
Health Department, including Vital Statistics, 1,050 00
Animal Inspection, 150 00
Inspection of Slaughtered Animals, 150 00
Charities, 6,000 00
Soldiers' and Sailors' Aid,
100 00
Town Physicians,
400 00
Repairs of Gurnet Bridge,
762 31
Selectmen's Department,
1,200 00
Election and Registration,
350 00
Treasurer's Department,
950 00
Collector of Taxes Department,
1,000 00
Assessors' Department,
1,200 00
Law Department,
500 00
Town Office and Hall,
1,000 00
Town Clerk's Department,
450 00
Accounting Department,
600 00
Police Department,
500 00
Department of Sealer of Weights and Measures,
150 00
Bounties on Hawks, Crows and Seals,
75 00
Unclassified Department, 1,300 00
Town Dump (to be expended under the direc- tion of the Selectmen), 100 00
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For regular maintenance and repairs of High- ways, Bridges and Sidewalks (including new construction ),
7,500 00
Town Landings, 50 00
Voted, to raise and appropriate the sum of $300, to be ex- pended under the direction of William Wadsworth Post No. 165, G. A. R., for the observance of Memorial Day.
Voted, that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Se- lectmen, be authorized to borrow money from time to time, in anticipation of revenue for the financial year, beginning January 1, 1923, and to issue a note or notes therefor, pay- able within one year, any debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the revenue of said financial year.
Voted, to indefinitely postpone action on Article 9, which reads, "To see if the Town will vote to authorize its Treas- urer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to hire money to continue the moth work from December 1, 1922 to March 1, 1923."
Voted, to raise and appropriate $500 for a reserve fund for the year 1922.
Voted, to raise and appropriate $200 for the use of the Plymouth County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture, as provided in Chapter 273, of the Acts of 1918, and chose Alpheus H. Walker as Town Director.
Voted, to raise and appropriate $4,000 to resurface with sand asphalt that portion of Powder Point Avenue from the residence of Mr. Phillips, easterly to Gurnet Bridge.
Voted, to lay on the table Article 13, which reads, "To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sum of money to resurface with sand asphalt or other suitable material, the road called Surplus Street, beginning on the easterly end of Washington Street to the westerly end which joins Depot Street, and take any other action thereon."
Voted, to lay on the table Article 14, which reads, "To see if the Town will build a sand or gravel asphalt road from
Duxbury Six
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the State Road at Island Creek Post Office over Park and Loring streets to Bay Road, and appropriate money for the same."
Voted, to raise and appropriate $1,500 to fix and repair Temple Street from Laurel Street to Franklin Street.
Voted, to raise and appropriate $1,000 to resurface Sunset Road with sand asphalt.
Voted, to raise and appropriate $1,000 for repairs of that part of Standish Street which leads southerly from the end of Marshall Street.
Voted, to raise and appropriate $1,000 for repairs of the roads at Duxbury Beach.
Voted, to indefinitely postpone Article 19, which reads, "To see if the Town will take any action regarding building a sea wall at Duxbury Beach between Webster Island and the Hummock".
Voted, to lay on the table Article 20, which reads, "To see what action the Town will take, if any, regarding changing the location of Town Landing and entrance thereto, north- erly of premises of the late Captain Adams."
Voted, to indefinitely postpone Article 21, which reads, "To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to lay out a Town Landing on the southerly side of Powder Point, called Cedar Pond."
Voted, to raise and appropriate $1,000 for the purchase of books, to be expended under the supervision of the Trustees of the Duxbury Free Library.
Voted, to lay on the table Article 23, which reads, "To see what action the Town will take regarding discontinuing flagmen at Harrison and Surplus Streets, to be substituted by automatic signals."
Voted, to raise and appropriate $2,000 to enlarge Mayflow- er Cemetery.
Voted, to raise and appropriate $200 for a road index and plan, also file and index for same.
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Voted, to raise and appropriate $300 to be spent by the Selectmen in establishing the bounds of town ways.
Voted, that the Selectmen be instructed to obtain and pub- lish an opinion of the Town Counsel as to the rights and restrictions of the land owners, citizens and others, to the shore and town landings.
Voted, to raise and appropriate $250 to purchase settees for the Town Hall.
Voted, to raise and appropriate $250 for signs about town, $45.91 of this amount to be paid to Mr. Alfred E. Green as a refund for money paid out for street signs.
Voted, that the sum of $25 be expended for one or more portfolios for the proper filing of blueprints, maps, etc., in the office of the Town Clerk, this amount to be taken from the Unclassified Account.
Voted, to authorize the Selectmen to appoint a Committee of Citizens to investigate, and report at the next Town Meet- ing, on the possibility of establishing a Town Forest, and to appropriate the sum of $25 for the use of this Committee, who are to serve without pay; and Frederick B. Knapp and John D. Morrison were appointed to serve on this Committee.
Voted, to lay on the table Article 36, which reads, "To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000 for the Gypsy Moth Department;" Article 37, "To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,500 for the purchase of two one-ton trucks for the Highway Depart- ment;" Article 38, "To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to widen the easterly end of Winsor Street."
Voted, to instruct the Selectmen to sell the old schoolhouse lot at the Corner of Chandler and Summer streets at public auction.
Voted, that $25 be paid the Moderator for his services. Voted, to adjourn.
GEORGE H. STEARNS, Town Clerk.
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, MAY 6, 1922.
On the motion of Sidney C. Soule it was unanimously voted that the Town Clerk deposit one ballot for Alfred E. Green for Moderator, and Alfred E. Green was chosen Mode- rator.
Voted, to raise and appropriate $1,000 for the Moth De- partment, 11 voting in favor and 6 in opposition.
Voted, unanimously, to adopt the following resolution, of- fered by Charles S. Clark :
"Be It Resolved :
Citizens of Duxbury in town meeting assembled hereby represent to His Excellency the Governor that the assessed valuation of real and personal property is less than six mil- lion dollars, that they have already appropriated town funds to an amount equal to one twenty-fifth of one per cent. of their assessed valuation of real and personal property, for the suppression of Moths.
They question the authority of the State Forester to order a further expenditure and respectfully request His Excellency to secure the opinion of the Attorney General with respect thereto.
Having complied with the requirements of G. L. C. 132, S. 13 and the Forester is of the opinion an amount in addi- tion is necessary, they respectfully request His Excellency to direct that the Commonwealth shall expend within the limits of the town for the suppression of said Moths such an amount as the Forester, with the advice and consent of the Governor, shall determine,"
and that a copy be forwarded to His Excellency, the Governor.
Voted, to lay Article 3, which reads, "To see if the Town will vote to transfer any unexpended balances from special highway appropriations of 1922 to the general highway ac- count, and take any other action thereon," on the table.
Voted, to indefinitely postpone Article 4, which reads, "To
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see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $250 for electric lights on Marshall Street and Columbus Avenue. Voted, to adjourn.
GEORGE H. STEARNS, Town Clerk.
May 8, 1922.
To His Excellency the Governor,
State House, Boston, Mass.
Dear Sir :
At a special town meeting held in Duxbury on May 6, 1922, the following resolution, offered by Mr. Charles S. Clark, was adopted :
"BE IT RESOLVED :
Citizens of Duxbury in town meeting assembled hereby represent to His Excellency the Governor that the assessed valuation of real and personal property is less than six mil- lion dollars, that they have already appropriated town funds to an amount equal to one twenty-fifth of one per cent. of their assessed valuation of real and personal property, for the suppression of moths.
They question the authority of the State Forester to order a further expenditure and respectfully request His Excel- lency to secure the opinion of the Attorney General with respect thereto.
Having complied with the requirements of G. L. C. 132, S. 13 and the Forester is of the opinion an amount in addition is necessary they respectfully request His Excellency to di- rect that the Commonwealth shall expend within the limits of the town for the suppression of said Moths such an amount as the Forester with the advice and consent of the Governor, shall determine "
Yours very truly,
(Signed)
GEORGE H. STEARNS, Town Clerk.
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State House, Boston (9), May 17, 1922.
Mr. George H. Stearns, Town Clerk, Duxbury, Mass.
Dear Sir :
Your letter of May 8th addressed to the Governor contain- ing a copy of a resolve adopted at a special town meeting held in Duxbury on May 6th has been referred by His Excellenc? to this department, with the request that this department ob- tain from the Attorney General an opinion on the specific question,-Has the State Forester authority under the law to require a town to spend money in excess of one twenty- fifth of one per cent. of its assessed valuation for the sup- pression of gypsy and browntail moths ?
Pursuant to the above request, on May 17th this office con- sulted the Department of the Attorney-General, and all the facts surrounding the case were submitted, and after taking sufficient time to read the law very carefully the Attorney- General's office expressed the opinion that the State Forester has in no wise exceeded the authority granted him by law in requiring a continuation of moth-suppression work in the town of Duxbury which would involve an expenditure of one thousand dollars in addition to the amount already expended there this year.
Very truly yours, W. A. L. BAZELEY, State Forester
(Signed)
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, JULY 5, 1922.
The Town Clerk not being present, the meeting was called to order by the Chairman of the Selectmen, and Wendell B. Phillips was chosen Clerk Pro Tem.
Voted, unanimously, that the Clerk deposit one ballot for Charles S. Clark for Moderator.
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Voted, to raise and appropriate $250 for approximately sixteen electric street lights from where they now discontinue on Standish Street, through Marshall Street to and through Columbus Avenue.
Voted, to raise and appropriate $1,800 for a suitable chassis to carry the apparatus and hose at No. 2 Engine House.
Voted, unanimously, to raise and appropriate $500 for the Police Department.
Voted, unanimously, to raise and appropriate $300 for the Forest Warden Department.
Voted, unanimously, to raise and appropriate $795.56 for repairs of Gurnet Bridge for year 1920
Voted, to adjourn.
WENDELL B. PHILLIPS, Town Clerk, Pro Tem.
STATEMENT OF DOG LICENSES ISSUED.
Whole number of dogs licensed,
149
Males, 128
Females, 21
Kennel,
1
Paid County Treasurer,
$356.00
Fees, paid Town Treasurer,
30.00
GEORGE H. STEARNS, Clerk.
Duxbury, Dec. 30, 1922.
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ASSESSORS' REPORT
Value of buildings assessed, $2,756,105 00
Value of land assessed, 1,353,560 00
Total value of real estate,
4,109,665 00
Total value of personal estate,
354,895 00
Total valuation,
4,464,560 00
Increase from last year in real estate,
ยท 116,810 00
Increase in personal estate from last year,
1,125 00
Rate of taxation on $1,000, $22 80
Number of houses assessed, 991
Number of acres of land assessed,
14,208
Number of horses assessed, 162
Number of cows assessed, 240
Number of sheep assessed,
18
Number of neat cattle, other than cows,
68
Number of swine assessed,
32
Number of fowl assessed,
6,258
Number of persons assessed on property,
1,414
Residents,
711
Non-residents,
703
State Tax,
8,160 00
State Highway Tax,
1,783 40
Signboards and milestones,
862 54
County Tax, 6,145 49
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State Audit Tax,
271 33
Gypsy and Brown Tail Moth Tax,
603 38
Civilian war poll tax,
1,614 00
Tax on personal estate,
8,091 68
Tax on real estate, 93,700 80
Tax on polls, 2,690 00
Number of assessed polls,
538
Number of polls exempt, 23
WENDELL PHILLIPS,
SIDNEY C. SOULE, ALFRED E. GREEN,
Assessors of Duxbury.
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REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
Your Board of Overseers make the following report:
The work of caring for the needy does not vary much from year to year. While the Town may relieve itself of some expensive case by some reason or other, and things look bright for a smaller appropriation needed. There al- ways seems to be another of equal expense appear which makes it impossible to reduce the appropriations.
There have been several deaths at the Almshouse the past year. At the present time there are five inmates living, three men and two women.
The work of caring for people of the age and condition of the inmates at the Almshouse at the present times is very hard and needs the attention of the best ability and dis- position a person can furnish. We believe the present care- takers there fill the needs beyond question.
The out-of-town cases cared for in Duxbury amount to about $1,000 annually, making the appropriation asked for greater than we actually need for our own poor.
We would suggest that we be granted the amount asked for the coming year which will be listed in the appropria- tion recommendations.
Respectfully submitted,
SIDNEY C. SOULE, WENDELL PHILLIPS, ALFRED E. GREEN,
Overseers of the Poor.
1.
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REPORT OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The year 1922 has been free from any epidemics and the communicable diseases total but 15 as against 106 of last year.
The work of the board has been largely along preventive lines with results very gratifying. We have answered sev- eral complaints regarding unsanitary conditions on private property and in each case these conditions have been reme- died, although in some instances not' without persistent ef- fort on the part of this board. A general survey of sani- tary conditions in all parts of the town has been made, recommendations offered, and on the whole a marked im- provement `been shown. In the near future toilet facilities should be erected at the Green Harbor end of Duxbury Beach and at Powder Point Bridge. Care should be exer- cised at the camp sites off Bay Road in constructing cess- pools and driving wells.
You will note in the financial report, a reimbursement to the town of $418.10. This was long overdue the town from the State Board of Charity and though out of our jurisdic- tion, was collected through the persistent efforts of this board.
The dairy inspection has shown good results this year and in closing we refer you to a complete report herein published, showing activities in that direction. The ines- timable results of this work cannot well be overlooked.
Following is a list of communicable diseases within the town this year : Measles, 5 cases; Chicken Pox, 4; Scarlet Fever, 2; Diphtheria, 1; Pulmonary Tuberculosis, 1; Mumps, 1; Anterior Poliomyelitis, 1.
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL C. PETERSON, Chairman, CHARLES W. EATON, Secretary, EUGENE E. COVELL.
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DAIRY INSPECTION, 1922
In conformity with the laws relative to the production and sale of milk, over 100 places were visited and 91 per- mits to produce and sell milk were granted. These expire April 1, 1923, and unless the producer is found to be com- plying with the rules as posted up in each barn, to the ex- tent that the milk is deemed clean and safe for infants, no new permit will be granted until such compliance is made.
It is a well established fact the world over, that the mor- tality of the bottle-fed infant is frightfully in excess of that of the breast-fed infant and this excess of mortality is in great measure due to intestinal trouble or communicable di- seases caused by contaminated or infected milk. The health and cleanliness of the cow is of first importance and the health and cleanliness of the person or persons caring for the cow is of almost equal import. The more important diseases of man that milk may play a chief part in trans- mitting, are Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Scarlet Fev- er, and Septic Sore Throat. A volume could easily be writ- ten on the method and results of the same, but it is enough to say that if we expect to save the bottle-fed infant, it must have clean and safe milk.
On the first inspection of 1922, there were found only 31 dairies with a score of 60 or more out of a possible 100. There were the same number with a score ranging from 50 to 55. There were 22 whose score was less than that of 1921 and 25 scoring the same as in 1921 or with a difference of only one point. The U. S. score card was used and the producers were given the most favorable score possible. There were 40 or more who were warned and recommenda- tions made. The second inspection found all but 11 had complied to a far greater extent than the most optimistic inspector would have dared hope. The other 11 were given another chance and when inspected later, had done fairly well. Two permits were revoked but on compliance with the rules were reissued.
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The 91 producers keep 237 cows which at the time of in- spection were giving 479 gallons of milk daily. Five had 13 or more cows; six between 3 and 13; ten had 3; twenty= five had 2; and forty-five had only one. Those keeping only one or two cows do so for their own families and to accommodate, supply one or more neighbors. Generally speaking the conditions are primitive. Those keeping from 3 to 10 cows have in most instances modernized and im- proved both methods and equipment; and the five keeping 13 or more have invested considerable money in their plants and are thoroughly equipped.
But some of these say and with considerable truth, "What is the use ? The man who keeps a scrub cow in an old barn, uses no ice, and keeps the milk stored in the pantry unbot- tled, gets the same price per quart as I". True ; but a scrub or even a grade cow kept under such conditions, with some- times a quart or two of grain and watered once daily, will produce but little milk and that which barely gets by with the requisite amount of milk-fat and solids. The inspector is fully convinced that in justice to all, milk should be grad- 'ed. Then each one would get paid for what he had,-either grade A or grade B. Then the dairyman keeping high grade, tuberculin-tested cows, under the most sanitary con- ditions, can command and receive a higher price for his output than the man selling grade B milk. This is because the one selling A grade furnishes an implied guarantee that the milk so sold is clean and safe even for babies, while those buying B grade know that it is inferior and will see that it is not given to infants. A copy of the law govern- ing A grade milk may be found in General Laws, Chap. 94, Sect. 13.
Thanking all who so willingly co-operated in the produc- ing of clean and safe milk for babies, I submit this report.
CHARLES W. EATON,
Dairy Inspector of the Board of Health.
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REPORT OF THE MOTH DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen-I submit the following report of moth work done since last report :
Worked two weeks in October, 1921, and three days in January, 1922, treating roadside trees. Started roadside treating again about the first of February, 1922. Contin- ued this work until May 19. Started spraying May 20th, stopped spraying July 1. Started creosoting roadside trees September 16, 1922, continued this work until November 30, 1922. Started creosoting roadside trees again January 10, 1923, which I am still doing.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN D. MORRISON, Local Superintendent.
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
To the Citizens of Duxbury :
The work in this department this year has been trimming trees on Sunset Avenue, cutting down three dead trees on Elm Street, and one on Franklin Street.
There should be some work on Elm Street as the trees there are in very bad shape.
I am handicapped for lack of funds to do the necessary work.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN D. MORRISON, Tree Warden.
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REPORT OF THE STREET DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Dux- bury :
Gentlemen-During the past year the usual work on highways was completed.
Powder Point Avenue and Sunset Road were built for the appropriation voted, also repairs were made on Gurnet Road at Duxbury Beach, residents there being well pleased with what was done.
The appropriation' to be spent from Laurel to Temple Streets, North Duxbury, was used, although it was late in the fall when finished, is I believe in satisfactory condition as far as we went.
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