USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1926-1930 > Part 31
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Under Article 14, voted, to raise and appropriate the sum of $8000 for the purpose of resurfacing and widen- ing Bay Road, and that to meet said appropriation there be raised in the levy of the current year the sum of $3000, and that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Select- men, be and hereby is authorized to borrow a sum not to
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exceed $5000, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor, said bonds or nots to be payable in accordance with provisions of Chapter 44, Section 19, of the General Laws, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than five years from date of issue of the first bond or note. 91 voted in favor and none in opposition. More than 2-3 having voted in favor, the motion was carried and was so declared by the Moderator.
Under Article 15, voted, to build and tarvia Keene Street from the junction of High Street to Union Street, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $5000 for the same.
Under Article 16, voted, to raise and appropriate the sum of $2500 to repair Loring Street from Bay Road to Park Street, as laid out by the County Commissioners.
Under Article 17, voted, to raise and appropriate the sum of $500 for hydrant rental at Duxbury Beach.
Under Article 18, voted, to raise and appropriate the sum of $1000 to repair with asphalt, Priscilla Avenue from Bay Road to the westerly boundry of White Street.
Voted, to lay on the table Article 19, which reads: "To see if the Town will accept Priscilla Avenue, from White Street to west bound of Leverone's land, a distance of about 500 feet, and take any other action thereon."
Under Article 20, voted, to make repairs on road ad- joining Careswell Street, Marshfield, and voted that the money for these repairs be taken from this year's high- way appropriation.
Voted, that the Superintendent of Streets be instructed to provide a rough map of the Town, for the use of citizens in town meetings, the expense of this map to be taken from the regular highway appropriation.
Under Article 21, voted, to raise and appropriate $35 for the decoration and care of Boomer Square, the work to be done by the Cemetery Department.
Under Article 22, voted, to accept the road as laid out over the property of Reuben Peterson and John S. Phillips.
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Voted that Articles 23 and 24 be taken up together, and
Voted to raise and appropriate $500 to purchase and install an automatic electric traffic signal of the type known as "Stop and Go" at Millbrook Corner, and
Voted, to make the road at the easterly side of triangle at Millbrook Corner a one-way street, by the erection of proper signs.
Under Article 25, which reads: "To see if the Town will vote that a Committee be appointed to get an esti- mate of cost of fixing the grounds and putting outside of Town House and Academy in good repairs," voted that the Moderator appoint a Committee of three.
Under Article 26, voted, to raise and appropriate the sum of $50 for the use of the Planning Board.
Under Article 27, voted, to raise and appropriate the sum of $150 for street signs.
Under Article 28, voted, to raise and appropriate the sum of $100 for "Clean Up Week."
Under Article 29, voted, to raise and appropriate the sum of $1700, to install sanitaries, electric lights, heat- ing system, cellar, painting outside of building and any other improvements on the Point School.
Under Article 30, voted, to rescind the vote of March 3, 1928, whereby it was voted to instruct the Selectmen to give to Joshua M. Dill a quitclaim deed of the North Duxbury School House property.
Under Article 31, voted, to instruct the Selectmen to give to Arthur E. Dorr and others a quitclaim deed of the North Duxbury School House property.
Under Article 32, voted to raise and appropriate the sum of $1000 for construction and repairs of highway fences.
Under Article 33, voted, to apply the dividend from the Plymouth County Dog Fund to the support of schools.
Under Article 34, voted, to raise and appropriate the sum of $300, to be expended under the direction of the
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Town Forest Committee on land purchased by them on Mayflower Street.
Under Article 35, voted, to return to the Treasury the sum of $99, the balance of appropriation for purchase of land at Tarkiln Grammar School.
Under Article 36, voted, not to rescind the vote taken March 4, 1916, whereby it was voted that the annual salary of each Registrar be $25.
Voted, to lay on the table Article 37, which reads : "Will the Town vote that the annual salary of each Regis- trar be $50?"
Under Article 38, voted, to raise and appropriate the sum of $300 for the care of Train Field Playground, and that a Supervisor be appointed by the Moderator to take charge of same.
Under Article 39, voted, to raise and appropriate the sum of $500 for the extension of tar road on Massasoit Road and Mayflower Avenue from Columbus Avenue to Spring Street.
Under Article 40, voted, to authorize the Selectmen to sell the old No. 2 Engine House at South Duxbury.
Under Article 41, voted, to raise and appropriate the sum of $900 for improvement of avenues in Mayflower Cemetery.
Under Article 42, voted, to raise and appropriate the sum of $3000 to resurface with gravel and oil, Laurel Street, from Temple Street to the Marshfield Line.
Under Article 43, voted, to raise and appropriate the sum of $2500 to complete Temple Street project, from Laurel Street to River Street.
Under Article 44, voted, that the Island Creek School House be not sold at this time, but left for the use of the Women's Exchange, as it is now used, until further action by the Town; that Patridge Academy be used as a Com- munity Building until further action by the Town; and that the other school houses be left as at present.
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Under Article 45, voted, to raise and appropriate the sum of $610 to purchase a sand spreader.
Voted, that the thanks of the Meeting be extended to the Moderator for his extreme patience and courtesy in the conduct of this Meeting, and that the sum of $25 be paid for his services.
Voted to adjourn.
GEORGE H. STEARNS, Town Clerk.
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ELECTION OF OFFICERS, MARCH 9, 1929.
The polls were opened at 7 o'clock A. M.
The following additional Tellers were appointed by the Moderator and sworn by the Town Clerk: William J. Turner and John A. Chandler.
At 1 o'clock P. M. it was voted that the polls be kept open until 3 o'clock P. M.
At 3 o'clock, when the polls were closed, the ballot-box indicated 449, that number of names were checked on the lists and 449 ballots were taken from the ballot-box.
Following is a result of the balloting for Town Officers : For Selectmen for one year :
Charles S. Clark
167 Votes
E. Burton Freeman 87 Votes
Alfred E. Green
295 Votes
Sidney C. Soule
388 Votes
Harry F. Swift 259 Votes
Blanks 15
And Alfred E. Green, Sidney C. Soule and Harry F. Swift were declared elected by the Moderator.
For Assessor for three years :
Charles S. Clark
139 Votes
E. Burton Freeman
59 Votes
Harry F. Swift 210 Votes
Blanks 41
And Harry F. Swift was declared elected by the Mod- erator.
For Members of Board of Public Welfare for one year :
Charles S. Clark 154 Votes
E. Burton Freeman 81 Votes
Alfred E. Green
295 Votes
Sidney C. Soule 375 Votes
Harry F. Swift 262 Votes
Blanks 180
And Alfred E. 'Green, Sidney C. Soule and Harry F. Swift were declared elected by the Moderator.
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For Town Clerk for one year :
George H. Stearns
405 Votes
Blanks 44
And George H. Stearns was declared elected by the Moderator
For Town Treasurer for one year :
George H. Stearns
388 Votes
Blanks 61
And George H. Stearns was declared elected by the Moderator.
For Collector of Taxes for one year :
George H. Stearns
373 Votes
Scattering
1 Vote
Blanks
75
And George H. Stearns was declared elected by the Moderator.
For Constables for one year :
Andrew J. Delano
349 Votes
Elbert E. Little
90 Votes
William James Murphy
230 Votes
James T. O'Neil 329 Votes
Charles S. Pierce
163 Votes
Blanks 186
And Andrew J. Delano, William James Murphy and James T. O'Neil were declared elected by the Moderator.
For School Committee for three years :
Alpheus H. Walker
343 Votes
Blanks
106
And Alpheus H. Walker was declared elected by the Moderator.
For Board of Health for three years :
Julius B. Chandler
258 Votes
Eugene E. Covell
137 Votes
Blanks 54
And Julius B. Chandler was declared elected by the Moderator.
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For Cemetery Trustee for five years :
John Simmons
363 Votes
Thomas W. Herrick
1 Votes
Blanks 85
And John Simmons was declared elected by the Mod- erator.
For tree Warden for one year :
John D. Morrison
369 Votes
Blanks
80
And John D. Morrison was declared elected by the Moderator.
Member of Planning Board for five years: Agnes S. Ellison
319 Votes 130
Blanks
And Agnes S. Ellison was declared elected by the Mod- erator.
Voted to adjourn.
GEORGE H. STEARNS,
Town Clerk.
George H. Stearns, Town Clerk, Treasurer and Tax Collector, was sworn by the Moderator.
The following Town Officials were duly sworn by the Town Clerk :
Alfred E. Green, Harry F. Swift and Siduey C. Soule, Selectmen and Members of the Board of Public Welfare.
Harry F. Swift, Assessor for three years.
Alpheus H. Walker, Member of the School Committee for three years.
Julius B. Chandler, Member of the Board of Health for three years.
John Simmons, Cemetery Trustee for five years.
John D. Morrison, Tree Warden for one year.
Andrew J. Delano, William James Murphy and James T. O'Neil, Constables for one year.
GEORGE H. STEARNS,
Town Clerk.
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The following communications were received :
"Duxbury, Mass., April 20, 1929.
Mr. George H. Stearns, Town Clerk,
Duxbury, Mass.
Dear Mr. Stearns :-
In accordance with the vote of the Town under Art. 25, at the Annual Town Meeting, March 2, 1929-' that the Moderator appoint a Committee of Three to get an estimate of cost of fixing grounds and putting outside of Town House and Academy in good repair'-I have appointed the following Committee :
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Dr. Nathaniel W. Emerson, Chairman. Mrs. H. Parker Whittington, Mr. John D. Morrison. Yours truly, Henry P. Moulton, Moderator."
"Duxbury, Mass., April 20, 1929.
Mr. George H. Stearns, Towr. Clerk,
Duxbury, Mass.
Dear Mr. Stearns :---
In accordance with the vote of the Town under Art. 38, at the Annual Town Meeting, March 2, 1929 'that the sum of $300 be raised and appropriated for the care of Train Field playground, and that a Supervisor be ap- pointed by the Moderator to take charge of same' -- I have appointed Mr. Parker B. Chandler, Supervisor.
Yours truly, Henry P. Moulton, Moderator.
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, DECEMBER 28, 1929.
The Town met and proceeded as follows :
On the motion of Mr. Harry F. Swift it was voted, unanimously, that the Town Clerk deposit a ballot for Mr. Henry P. Moulton for Moderator, which was done, and Henry P. Moulton was declared elected Moderator.
Under Article 2 it was voted, unanimously, to appro- priate from the Excess and Deficiency Account the sum of $2,737.43 for the various departments.
Soldiers' and Sailors' Aid $519.70
Forest Warden 12.25
Selectmen's Department
25.00
Land Damages, Loring Street
142.00
Fire Department
900.00
Interest 613.48
Tax Collector's Department
200.00
Land Damages, Summer and South Streets
325.00
Under Article 3 it was voted, unanimously, to transfer the following unexpended balances to the Highway De- partment :
Gurnet Road, $13.00; repairs of Keene Street, $26.32; repairs of Loring Street, $28.18; Massasoit Road and Mayflower Avenue, $289.00; Mullens Avenue and Mill- brook Corner, $113.88; repairs on Priscilla Avenue, $60.01; Station Street repairs, $31.73; Temple, Keene and River Streets, repairs, $88.07; Town Landings, $40.75; amounting to $690.94
Voted to adjourn.
GEORGE H. STEARNS,
Town Clerk.
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STATEMENT OF DOG LICENSES ISSUED
Whole number of dogs licensed
221
Males
182
Females
39
Kennel Licenses
Paid County Treasurer
$564.40
Fees paid Town Clerk
44.60
GEORGE H. STEARNS, Town Clerk.
On October 1st, George H. Stearns resigned the office of Collector of Taxes and Edwin M. Noyes was appointed by the Selectmen to serve as such for the unexpired term. Mr. Noyes accepted the appointment and was sworn by the Town Clerk.
GEORGE H. STEARNS,
Town Clerk.
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Report of Treasurer
Debit
Balance January 1. 1929
$7,570.61
Received :
Taxes
$188,751.41
Highways
17,960.04
Interest
3,869.70
Municipal Indebtedness
145,000.00
Refunds
60.14
Cemetery Trust Funds
2,050.00
Public Welfare
482.00
Protection of Persons and Property
187.11
Licenses and Permits
649.93
Fines
593.55
General Government
82.10
Cemeteries
2,291.86
Soldiers' Benefits
218.00
Schools
180.00
$362,375.84
$369,946.45
Credit
Paid on Selectmen's Warrants $363,562.30
Balance, December 31, 1929 6,384.15
$369,946.45
GEORGE H. STEARNS, Treasurer. Duxbury, December 31, 1929.
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Report of Assessors
Value of Buildings Assessed
$4,800,257
Value of Land Assessed
1,776,314
Total value of Real Estate
6,576,571
Total value of Personal Estate
323,847
Total Valuation
6,900,418
Increase from last year in real estate
510,402
Decrease in personal estate from last year
47,039
Rate of taxation on $1,000-$23.80
Number of houses assessed
1230
Number of Acres of land assessed
14,273
Number of Horses assessed
60
Number of Cows assessed
132
Number of Neat cattle other than cows
23
Number of Swine assessed
2
Number of Fowl assessed
14,388
Number of persons assessed on property
1,518
State Tax
$7,225.00
State Highway Tax
3,530.15
County Tax
12,307.27
State Audit Tax
277.19
Removal of Snow
67.54
Tax on personal estate
7,707.77
Tax on real estate
156,523.42
Tax on polls
1,238.00
Number of polls assessed 619
In addition to this under the Excise tax :
1124 Automobiles assessed valuation 393,235.00
Tax at $29.65 per $1,000.00
10,291.42
Respectfully submitted, SIDNEY C. SOULE, ALFRED E. GREEN, HARRY F. SWIFT, Assessors of Duxbury.
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Report of Department of Public Welfare
Duxbury, December 31, 1929.
To the Citizens of Duxbury :
There seems to be very little to mention regarding this department.
The work is of a routine nature. One member of the Infirmary was taken to Tewksbury State Infirmary in February 1929 and passed away the last of December. The number of Inmates at the present time is five. Of which one of these is blind and helpless.
The shortage of employment through the winter months necessitates quite a little out side aid.
While our town has much to be thankful for especially for the fact we have no factory employes to be out of work. Many of the larger towns are being called upon for a very large amount of assistance.
We shall require about the same appropriation as last year.
Respectfully submitted, SIDNEY C. SOULE, ALFRED E. GREEN, HARRY F. SWIFT, Board of Public Welfare.
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Report of Chief of Police
To the Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury :
Appointed by the Selectmen on June 15 to take charge of the Police Officers and Police Work, I herewith submit my report for the remainder of the year 1929. The Police record book shows it has been a very busy year.
Serious motor violations were prosecuted in Court, and the minor violations were taken care of by the Reg- istry of Motor Vehicles.
A number of liquor violators paid fines and in two cases were given jail sentences.
We had a number of breaks in the homes of our Sum- mer Residences, and some patrol work has been done.
Two arrests were made for breaking and entering and larceny and jail sentences were imposed.
There has been several cases of Drunkenness, Cruelty to Children, Abusing Children and numerous other of- fences, all of which constitutes a very active year.
Respectfully submitted, ANDREW J. DELANO,
Chief of Police.
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Report of Fire Chief
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury :
Greetings :
This department is in the best condition in equipment and personnel of men, since I have been chief.
The placing of a permanent man at No. 2 station has been one of the best moves the engineers have ever made. It gives you real protection. The engineers were very fortunate in obtaining the services of a man so efficient and capable as the present incumbent. All apparatus is kept in splendid condition by him in every way.
We have had thirty-one fires, eight of which were on Powder Point Bridge. A small amount of damage with the exception of one instance which was of incendiary origin of which you will hear more about later. The fire department not only saved the cellar, but the evidences. It gave us a tough battle.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Leslie Turner for the kindness to my men in providing hot coffee and doughnuts on that occasion.
The engineers feel the time is ripe for the town to purchase a pumping engine. The western part of the town has practically nothing with which to combat against a serious fire. I find in looking over that section of the town many places available for a pump to work. The following I call your attention to :
Malichia Brook; Gifford's bog; a hydrant on Marsh- field and Duxbury line adjacent to North Duxbury ; Steven's reservoir ; Five C. Cranberry Co .; Baker's Pond,
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Ashdod; Robert's Pond at East Pembroke; Island Creek Pond, Tinkertown; Seger's Pond, Tarkiln; Nelson's res- ervoir on High Street, are places available for water in almost any quantity.
A line of hose can be laid by trucks very quickly and it is not difficult for a pumping engine to give a good fire fighting stream through three or four thousand feet of hose.
A chart of these places will be made and placed in all engine houses so that knowledge will be made available for the men.
Your attention is called to Chapter 148 of the General Laws, Section 2. which says a license and permit is re- quired for garages containing two or more cars; Section 7. which says that no garage shall be located in a build- ing that is in any part occupied as a dwelling. Fortunate- ly there are only a very few of these in town and no doubt this condition will be remedied this year, otherwise the Fire Marshal's office will take the matter up.
Our telephone operators have been a great help and would recommend that they be made honorary members of the fire department.
As the town assumes no liability in case of accident to a fireman, I am recommending a blanket insurance which will give them compensation in case of injury.
Respectfully submitted,
H. E. MERRY, Chief.
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Report of Forest Fire Warden
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury.
Greetings :
There has been forty-five grass and brush fires in the past year. In the majority of cases a very small area burned over. In spite of one of the worst droughts known in this section, only one burned as large as five acres. No timber-land was burned at all. The perman- ent man at number two station was a great help in keep- ing them confined to small areas.
Owing to the lumbering operations in the western part of the town in the last two years one of the worst fire hazard exists there, since my time as forest warden.
A new fire truck for forest fire work will be put in the place of the little Ford forest fire truck at North Dux- bury. I want to assure the residents of that section that I will do all in my power to give them better protection.
If a fire is sighted, notify central at once. Take no chances! If one started with proper conditions and got any headway at all, it would be very hard to bring it under control.
I wish to thank you one and all for your generosity in your appropriation and the splendid help you have always given me. It gives me great encouragement in continu- ing the work. Hoping for a continuation of the same.
Respectfully submitted,
H. E. MERRY, Forest Warden.
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Report of Dump Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury.
Greetings :
This spot which is so heavily patronized by the Town's people is going on very nicely.
The man in attendance, with the people's cooperation has kept things in good shape through out the past year.
One could not believe, unless he actually saw the a- mount of rubbish that comes to this place.
I would ask all who bring papers there, to either tie them up or put them in a burlap bag. Loose papers blowing around the premises are unnecessary and ex- pensive to gather up.
Respectfully submitted,
H. E. MERRY.
Report of Tree Warden
To the Citizens of Duxbury :
The work of this department has been cutting dead wood and cutting down and removing several large dead trees. The amount appropriated for the use of the Tree Warden is far too small and I should recommend the sum of $1,000.
We have some very fine trees in town and some extra work on them would do lots of good.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN D. MORRISON, Tree Warden.
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Report of Moth Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen : Gentlemen :
At the annual Town meeting in March 1928, the town appropriated the sum of $5,000 for this work, this was a great help but at the annual Town meeting in March, 1929 the town appropriated $2,593.69; this has set back the good work done in 1928.
Work had to stop the first week in June for lack of funds. Since January 1st, 1930 and up to the present the department has been creosoting roadside trees.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN D. MORRISON,
Local Supt.
Report of Town Forest Committee
To the Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury :
Your Town Forest Committee since last report have had the Town Forest Land on Mayflower Street Surveyed and a small amount of brush cut. Your Committee would like to ask for $300.00 to clean up this lot.
Respectfully submitted,
Town Forest Committee.
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Report of Street Department
To the Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury :
The work of this department has been in general on all roads, with the completion of Laurel, Temple and Keene Streets. These streets were built under great dif- ficulties owing to the dry season. On Careswell Street the same difficulty confronted us and we finally decided to leave the applying of oil until spring.
Oil was used to great advantage on dirt roads and seal coats on others.
Work to quite an extent was done on fences by rebuild- ing, repairing and painting and there is still need of more to be done in scattering parts of the town.
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD S. O'NEIL, Superintendent of Streets.
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Report of Memorial Day Committee for G. A. R.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury :
The Committee appointed to take charge of the Mem- orial Day Observances respectfully make the following report :
We procured the band, speaker, flags, flowers, trans- portation and printing also dinner for those that marched and for the 85 school children that brought flowers.
Myles Standish Camp S. U. V. C. W., The American Legion Post 223 and The Boy Scout Troop worked very harmoniously in decorating all the Soldier's Monuments and all known soldiers graves with flags and potted plants, also with cut flowers furnished by the school children.
Exercises were held, at Blue Fish River Bridge for the Marines and Sailors that perished at sea, as well as at the Unitarian Church and at the Mayflower and Ashdod Cemeteries.
The committee redecorated with new flags on Christ- mas.
Many days were spent during the year checking up our list of graves and found many mistakes in it, which we have rectified.
To see the large number of school children participat- ing in the exercises was very gratifying to the committee and we urge the parents to encourage them in this great patriotic work.
We wish to thank all who have helped out in any way.
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This year we decorated :
23 graves of soldiers' of Revolutionary War. 3 graves of soldiers' of War of 1812. 212 graves of soldier's of Civil War. 7 graves of soldiers of World War.
The W. R. C. decorated 4 graves of Army Nurses of Civil War.
Appropriation $400.00 Balance 1928 8.58
Total
$408.58
Speaker
$15.00
Music
173.95
Flags
50.95
Flowers
81.25
Printing
14.50
Auto Hire
24.00
Dinner
44.31 .
403.96
Unexpended Balance
4.62
Total
$408.58
Respectfully submitted,
PARKER B. CHANDLER, Chairman. EARL W. CHANDLER,
GEORGE B. CUSHING,
EDEN S. GLOVER
OSCAR B. RYDER,
HOWARD BUTLER,
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Report of the Planning Board
To the Citizens of Duxbury :
Your Planning Board makes the following report for the year 1929. Six meetings have been held during the year, and several important matters have been consid- ered, followed by letters to the Selectmen recommending action thereon. The Board urged the need of directional signs being erected throughout the Town, money for the same having been appropriated at the annual Town meeting. The appointment of the first week in April as Clean-up Week, with the collection of rubbish from the residences about town was sponsored by the Board.
A letter from the Daniel Guggenheim Fund for the Promotion of Aeronautics, asking that a suitable marker for aerial transportation be placed on some roof in the Town was considered by the Planning Board, and in ap- proval of Mr. Baker's offer to allow the roof of the coal shed belonging to the Duxbury Coal & Lumber Co., to be used as such a marker, the matter was referred to the Selectmen for further action.
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