USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1926-1930 > Part 5
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Voted to amend by striking out the word "Fordson," and then
Voted, to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,500 to pur- chase a tractor, with full crawler and all attachments for road work.
The House then rose and voted, unanimously, that the Moderator be thanked for his courteous services and that he be paid the sum of $25.
Voted, to adjourn.
GEORGE H. STEARNS,
Town Clerk.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, DECEMBER 11, 1926
The Town met and proceeded as follows :
Chose Henry P. Moulton as Moderator.
Voted, unanimousl, under Article 2, to amend so as to read, "to raise and appropriate $700 for Snow" instead of $200, and
Voted, unanimously, under Article 2, to raise and appro- priate the sum of $5,275 for the following purposes: Char- ities, $1,500; Snow, $700; Tax Collector, $150; Forest War- den, $200; Fire Protection, $200; Bounties, $25; Interest, $2,500.
Voted, to adjourn.
GEORGE H. STEARNS,
Town Cler !.
96
STATEMENT OF DOG LICENSES ISSUED
Whole number of dogs licensed
181
Males
156
Females
25
Kennel or breeders
2
Paid County Treasurer
450.40
Fees paid Town Clerk
$ 36.60
GEORGE H. STEARNS,
Town Clerk.
Duxbury, Dec. 31, 1926.
97
Report of the Assessors
Value of Buildings Assessed
$4,118,645.00
Value of land assessed
1,561,094.00
Total value of real estate
5,679,739.00
Total value of personal estate
370,018.00
Total valuation
6,049,757.00
Increase from last year in real estate
858,582.00
Decrease in personal estate from last year
28,805.00
Rate of taxation on $1,000.00-$26.50
Number of houses assessed
1,135
Number of acres of land assessed
14,257
Number of horses assessed
98
Number of cows assessed
133
Number of sheep assessed
8
Number of neat cattle, other than cows
20
Number of swine assessed
11
Number of fowl assessed
7,831
Number of persons assessed on property
1,587
Residents
815
Non-residents
772
State tax
$8,040.00
State Highway tax
2,643.99
County tax
10,168.63
State Audit tax
210.01
Tax on personal estate
9,806.61
Tax on real estate
150,514.70
Tax on polls
1,132.00
Number of polls assessed 566
Respectfully submitted, SIDNEY C. SOULE, WENDELL PHILLIPS, ALFRED E. GREEN, Assessors of Duxbury.
98
Report of Overseers of the Poor
To the Citizens of Duxbury :
Your Board make the following report.
The work of the board has been about the same as of previous years.
We are continually being approached by many people for aid especially in the winter months. We have had cases this season that were necessary to be treated at the Hospital which adds greatly to the expense.
There being one case in particular which caused a great deal of trouble and expense to both the Board of Health and Overseers.
There are five inmates at the Almshouse at the present time.
While the expense of running same seems large great credit should be given Mr. and Mrs. Chase for the manner in which the inmates are cared for. About the only repairs this year being on the stable consisting of repairing floor and door of main building and roof of tool sheds.
Respectfully submitted,
SIDNEY C. SOULE, WENDELL PHILLIPS, ALFRED E. GREEN,
Overseers of the Poor.
99
Report of Chief of Police
At the Annual Town Meeting, March 6, 1926, it was voted that the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen by virtue of his office being the Chief of Police, should make a report annually.
There are three Constables elected annually by the voters. The Selectmen appoint such Special Police Officers as they deem necessary. These officers have all the powers of a Con- stable, except serving warrants in civil process. The Special Police are employed chiefly in directing traffic in congested districts or at large gatherings.
There has been very little serious crime committed ix town the past year as far as is known requiring the services of Police Officers.
Respectfully submitted,
SIDNEY C. SOULE.
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100
Report of Fire Chief
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury :
Greetings :
The department is in very good condition and the trucks ·were freshly painted this year. I may have to replace a few lengths of hose later. The siren system of alarm is working out very satisfactorily. We have had no bad fires this year. I would like to urge you citizens to allow no rubbish to accu- mulate in your basements or near your chimneys. One cf our greatest troubles comes from chimney fires. The chim- neys should be cleaned once every second year. It is no great job to do and would save untold trouble for both the depart- ment and yourselves
Greater interest has been shown in the department in the last year under the system of pay than for a number of years.
Co-operation we have from our citizens and neighboring towns is very gratifying to me.
Thanking your for services rendered, I am,
Respectfully submitted,
H. E. MERRY, Chief.
101
Report of Forest Fire Warden
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Duxbury :
Greetings :
Again I have a very gratifying report to make. We lost only one cord of wood in the past year. The apparatus is in good condition. Everyone responds to the call readily and promptly and our townspeople by their cautious and careful manner of handling fires, we have no danger from them. The patrol on the streets on Sundays and holidays is one of the greatest factors in fire prevention.
Plymouth County had a wonderful record in prevention and suppression of forest fires last year, except for one in- stance. The organization of which I have the honor of being President has been a leading factor in the work. The name of the organization is Plymouth County Foresters' Associa- tion.
I want you all to feel free at any time to call on me or the department to assist you in correcting or caring for any fire hazard that exists in the neighborhood. Fires, as you all know, start small and the best way to fight them is not have any to fight.
Respectfully submitted,
H. E. MERRY,
Forest Warden.
102
Town Dump
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury :
Greetings :
The law prevents me from expressing my sentiments regarding the town dump, so will just make a few recom- mendations and submit them to you for approval. The only way it can be kept in proper condition is by having a man there three days a week and have those days main dumping days. The expense would not be heavy.
I have even begged patrons of this beauty spot to apply the Golden Rule, but my honest belief is the majority of them have never heard of it. I have tried very hard to keep the place in proper condition, but it is abuse, not use, that causes so much dissatisfaction by our lovers of scenic beauty.
Respectfully submitted,
H. E. MERRY.
103
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures
To the Selectmen of the Town of Duxbury :
Following is a report of the work accomplished by the Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year ending Novem- ber 30, 1926.
During the year a total of 81 scales of all types were examined and sealed, ten of which were adjusted. Six scales were condemned for various reasons.
One hundred avoirdupois weights were tested and sealed with twelve adjustments. One weight was condemned.
Seventy-four liquid and dry measures were sealed.
Forty-eight gasoline pumps were tested, four of which were condemned.
Five kerosene pumps and thirty-two oil pumps were tested and sealed.
In the above group two hundred sixty-eight quantity stops were tested and sealed after making forty-two adjust- ments.
One yard stick was sealed and one condemned.
Total money collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer, $60.39.
Early in March the working standards were compared and adjusted with the State standards at the town offices, as required by law.
Respectfully submitted,
EUGENE O. PAGE,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
104 Report of Moth Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen : Gentlemen :
I submit the following report of moth work since last report.
Continued creosoting on roadsides until May 24th. It was then time to start spraying trees. Finished up this work about the last of June. Work was again started about the first of September creosoting roadside trees and looking over the Town. Conditions in some parts of the town are very good ; others very bad. The last two years we have had no help from the State Forestry Department, this being a great handicap to our town.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN D. MORRISON,
Local Superintendent
Report of Tree Warden
To the Citizens of Duxbury :
The work in this department this year consisted of spray- ing all the wild cherry trees on all the town roads. Several maple trees were sprayed with lime sulphur. The department was favored with a very good appropriation this year and a number of trees were trimmed on several streets in town. Keep up the good work.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN D. MORRISON,
Tree Warden.
105
Report of Town Forest Committee
To the Citizens of Duxbury :
At your last Town Meeting a committee of three were appointed to look into the proposition of a Town Forest and $200.00 was appropriated to be spent under the supervision of the Tree Warden. The Tree Warden met this committee at the Town Office and was elected a member of this commit- tee by the Selectmen. Since then we have purchased 23 acres of land on the northerly side of Mayflower Street.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN D. MORRISON,
Chairman Town Forest Committee.
106
First Annual Report of the Duxbury Planning Board for the year 1926
At the Annual Town Meeting held in Duxbury on March 7th, 1925, it was voted to create a Planning Board in accord- ance with Chapter 41, Sections 70 and 72, inclusive of the General Laws, said Board to be chosen at the regular Town Meeting of March, 1926, and to consist of five members, -- one to be elected for five years, one elected for four years. one elected for three years, one elected for two years and one elected for one year, and thereafter one member to be elected annually for a term of five years.
Pursuant to the above action the persons elected to mem- bership on the Duxbury Planning Board at the Annual Town Meeting held in Duxbury March 13, 1926, were Mr. Frank- lin Brett, Mr. B. F. Goodrich, Mr. Charles Bittinger, Mrs. Josephine H. Shaw and Miss Agnes S. Ellison, and they held their first meeting at the Town Offices, Wednesday, May 5th, 1926, at eight o'clock p. m., for the purpose of organizing and at the same time mapping out a course of procedure to accomplish the purpose or purposes for which they were elected.
Mr. Franklin Brett was chosen Chairman and Miss Agnes S. Ellison was appointed Secretary for the Board.
Meetings have been held on the first Wednesday of each month for the purpose of considering the best method of developing the natural beauty of the Town of Duxbury, both at the present time and in the years to come.
The value of Duxbury as a home town and for summer residents can be increased or diminished according as we allow it to be developed with the ideas of future beauty and utility combined, and with measures for the protection of
107
health as well as property. Every community looking to- ward improvement, does well to appoint a Planning Board whose business and interest lies in constant attempts to bring to the attention of its citizens and the Selectmen of the Town, measures for improvement of the roads, widening and straightening of bad corners and curves, making for road safety, as well as improving the appearance of the town, and offering suggestions as to laying out of new roads that will develop unused tracts of land and open up desirable resi- dential properties.
By such study it becomes possible to reserve locations of unusual scenic advantages, which will tend to increase the value of Duxbury for residential homes.
The development of a proper setting of shrubs and lawn around our new High School Building has been considered by the Board as well as the subject of sewage disposal for the Town. A problem that must be solved for the lower part of the town in the near future if residences increase and the health of the town is to be preserved.
Plans looking toward improvement of the small parks or triangles of land at the "Tree of Knowledge," so-called ; at the junction of St. George and Tremont Streets in Mill- brook, and for a straightening of the road at and around the Flag Pole near the Cable Office have been made, also measures for relieving the traffic problem around the bridge at Powder Point have been considered with a view to divert- ing traffic to the beach by other roads, thus removing the annoying conditions that now exist during the warm weather. The relief of traffic conditions at the Post Office on Washing- ton Street during the summer has received a good deal of consideration and suggestions as to parking rules and the use of Sunset Road as a turn around instead of the road belonging to the Parish House has been recommended.
In reading this report it should be explained that the Planning Board is an advisory body, organized to work for the improvement of the Town, and to offer recommendations
108
to the Selectmen of the Town looking towards the conserva- tion of all natural resources; the improvement of the pres- ent conditions in the town, including needed traffic control and the laying out of new tracts and roads with the future beauty and best interests of the town in view. If the results of the Board's work are considered by your Selectmen and incorporated, whenever possible, in their program of Town business, the future development of Duxbury will be in line with modern methods and a fine home community will be assured.
We should make no small plans for our Town. Big plans once diagramed on the map of the town's future recur again and again, directing its growth, holding in the hearts and thoughts of its citizens a civic order and a beacon light, mak- ing for constant joy in our home town, and an incentive to those adjoining towns to develop and increase their resources.
With the above objects in mind and trusting to receive your approval and co-operation in their endeavors to pre- serve the Town of Duxbury and keep it, as it has always been, an ideal home community, the members of the Plan- ning Board for the Town of Duxbury herewith submit their first annual report.
FRANKLIN BRETT, Chairman B. F. GOODRICH CHARLES BITTINGER JOSEPHINE H. SHAW AGNES E. ELLISON, Secretary.
109
Report of Street Department
Gentlemen :
I submit the following report. The usual routine of work on all roads has been completed. On Congress Street we built 3,500 feet of new asphalt road and not thinking it advisable to continue, I decided to spend the rest of the money in preparing more road by widening, pulling out trees and filling in, which I believe to be a much better plan ; the filling then having a chance to settle during the winter.
The two tractors have proven a great asset in the build- ing and repairing of roads; also in connection with the snow plow have done great work in clearing the streets of snow. The money spent on this equipment was well invested.
I wish to thank you for your kind co-operation in the work.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD S. O'NEIL,
Superintendent of Streets.
1
110
Report of the Treasurer of the Duxbury Free Library, Inc.
Jan. 1, 1926, balance on hand
$672.87
Receipts
Town of Duxbury
$1,500.00
Income :
Wright Fund
3,097.50
Winsor Fund
225.00
Hathaway Fund
73.62
Duxbury Hall Fund
127.50
Harding Fund
68.00
$5,091.62
Total
$5,764.49
Payments
Salaries, care of library and grounds
$1,901.25
Telephone
45.65
Electric Lights .
150.14
Coal and wood
347.70
Adjustment of accrued interest on change of investments
886.24
Typewriter
65.00
Books and magazines
1,011.89
Water
30.00
Book cases
191.50
Sundries
118.21
$4,747.58
Dec. 31, 1926 balance
$1,016.91
B. C. LEAVITT,
Treasurer.
111
Report of the Trustees of Duxbury Free Library, Inc.
To the Selectmen :
The following statistics are taken from the Librarian's annual report for the year 1926 :
Circulation
15,500 vols.
Non-fiction 1 3,823 vols.
Delivery to outlying districts
1,794 vols.
Additions
By purchase 486
By gift
63
549 vols.
New cards issued
116
During the months of July and August the Library was open daily, except Sundays.
Circulation for July
2,261 vols.
Circulation for August
2,174 vols.
Five new bookcases have been placed in the stack room during the year, and many old, unused and out-of-date books have been discarded to make room for the new books. From time to time, exhibits of picture post cards and other mate- rial, illustrative of various subjects and occasions, have been of interest and service to the public.
HERBERT E. WALKER,
Clerk.
112
Report of Cemetery Trustees
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury :
Again we are called upon to make a report of our work in this department during the past year. We are glad in- deed to do so as we feel that much work has been accomplished and the appropriation judiciously spent. As in past years we were obliged to remove several trees and much dead wood from all others, in both Mayflower and Standish Cemeteries. We have planted quite a few new ones to replace the old and many shrubs which will beautify the grounds as they grow larger. The shrubbery at the Duxbury Library having grown so luxuriant it became necessary to remove much of it and this which was removed was given us for cemetery planting, for which we were very thankful. A number of these trees and shrubs were planted in the Ashdod Cemetery also. A great deal of work has been done in the addition to the May- flower Cemetery. It has been necessary to cart in there a lot of loam for grading and nine new lots have been built and thirty others rebuilt in various parts of the Cemetery. Sixteen lots have been taken in the new part. The Receiving Tomb for which the town voted an appropriation at the last Annual Meeting has been built and is a very fine piece of workmanship and we are told by out-of-town undertakers that it is one of the finest in any cemetery in Massachusetts. The whole cemetery has been kept mowed and raked through- out the season and the lots watered during the dry weather. The outside fence has been painted as have many of the fences around the lots. The Ashdod, Standish and Dingly Cemeteries have all been kept in their usual condition. Sev- eral of the avenues in Mayflower Cemetery have been cov-
113
ered with stone dust which makes them much harder and better in every way. The "Perpetual Care Lots" have been increased by eleven new ones being added, making 175 lots now being cared for by that fund. Most of the leaves were raked this last fall but we were overtaken by the snow and obliged to leave some to be burned later. The Trustees feel that the water pipes should be extended this year into the new addition and several other necessary things done. As the cemetery is increasing in size every year it requires much more attention and care and that the good work may go on we would respectfully request that $4,500.00 be appropria- ted this coming year. We wish to express our appreciation of the cordial co-operation of the citizens in all ways, in our efforts to make the final resting places of the loved ones gone before, of quiet peacefulness and natural beauty.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT M. GOULDING
Chairman JOHN SIMMONS
Secretary
MARTIN HANIGAN
THEODORE W. GLOVER
Trustees
114
Report of the Board of Health
To the Selectmen and Voters of Duxbury :
Greeting :
In some ways the year 1926 has been one of unusual expense, but if we stop and see what has been gained direct- ly and indirectly we are more than satisfied. Two families, one of four, the other of two, have by the provisions of Sec. 32, Chap. 111, Gen. Laws, and the aid of the Board of Over- seers of the Poor, been transported to other towns; one out of the State. They had been, were and would have continued to be an expense to this town. The legal setlements of above families have been hard to determine, and expensive to prove, and in one case the proof has not been acknowledged. There is a matter of several hundred dollars due on outside cases as reimbursement for money expended as required by law, and which we feel should be adjusted at once.
By the advice of our district health officer, we have "with the exception of two places where no one was home" had the water from the remaining wells along High Street from E. O. Swanson's to the Pembroke line, and B. F. Good- rich's on Taylor Street, analyzed by the State Board of Health with the result that all were found to be more or less polluted and a menace to health. Due to the fact that nearly all of the operators of the wayside lunch rooms sell their own cooked pastry, they come under the Bakery laws which we have to see are complied with. We came very near losing our famous Duxbury clams, but by the kindness of the Engineer- ing Department of the State Board of Health we were granted an extension of time to see if we could stop the emptying of all sewage into Duxbury Bay, thereby eliminating the dan-
115
ger to the clams. Enough to say, we did it, and the Duxbury Clams are enjoying greater prestige than ever. The dis- posal of garbage has been far more satisfactory than for a number of years, and we are trying the disposal by com- posting, and for the first year the result has been satisfac- tory.
The production and sale of milk has taken more time, due to the fact that nearly every wayside lunch room sells milk, and quite a part of it being drunk by the little folks, calls upon us to see that that milk is clean and safe, as guar- anteed by the Milk Dealers' Permit issued by us to them. We have had several analyses of milk made, both of our local producers and dealers, and that brought into town by outside dealers, and we have been to some expense to find just what we could, and could not, do about issuing a permit to an outsider whose score on methods and equipment equalled or exceeded the local dealers'. We have made a beginning on the problem of venereal diseases, and particularly among those of school age and attending our schools. Some will say there is no danger from them. There is danger, and we want to minimize the danger for you who are sending your chil- dren to school. We have cleaned the heads of six children which were thoroughly infested with Pediculi Capitis (lice), and the hair covered with nits. The parents are to blame for this condition.
There have been reported 108 cases of communicable diseases in town since Jan. 1, 1926, divided as follows : Chick- en-pox, 42; 11 cases in May, 5 in June, 2 in July, 16 in No- vember and 8 in December. One case of German measles in May; 53 cases measles, 27 in January, 23 in February, 2 in March and 1 in July. Two cases of mumps; 1 in March and 1 in November. Four cases reported of influenza in April. One case lobar pneumonia, following influenza; died in Jor- dan Hospital. Five cases pertussis ; 2 in June and 3 in July ; 2 cases dog bite from rabid dog in September, 1 case belong- ing in Lowell, the other in Boston. We have disposed of four
116
cases of syphillis, one advanced case with complications, the other three were congenital and attending school; and here is where there is needed a most thorough examination by the School Physician and School Nurse, who should at once re- port to the Board of Health all suspects; and we will immedi- ately have a blood and skin test made, followed by clinical treatment if needed until they are no longer a menace.
Respectfully submitted,
BOARD OF HEALTH.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
Town of Duxbury
for the Year Ending Dec. 31st 1926
119
ORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
John Simmons, Chairman
Elizabeth A. Phillips, Secretary
Alpheus H. Walker
Term expires 1927
Term expires 1928
Term expires 1929
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
John H. Parker, Kingston, Mass. Office Telephone : Kingston 75
STAFF
George E. Green, Bates College, Principal, High.
. Howard H. Cutting, Wesleyan University, High. Sophie Aronoff, Radcliffe College, High.
Mary A. Roper, Wheaton College, High.
Lois Henderson, Chandler Secretarial School, High.
Ellen W. Downey, Partridge Academy, Village Gram- mar.
Elizabeth A. Hastings, Partridge Academy, Village Grammar.
mar.
Mary Abbie Baker, Partridge Academy, Tarkiln Gram-
Alice L. Michelson, North Adams Normal, Tarkiln Inter- mediate.
H. Winnifred Nickerson, Hyannis Summer School, Tar- kiln Primary.
Sara E. Paulding, Partridge Academy, Millbrook.
Gladys Pratt, Bridgewater Normal, So. Duxbury. Marjorie L. West, Bridgewater Normal, Point.
120
Marianne I. Coughlin, Burdett College, Ashdod.
Samuel Warner, Supervisor of Drawing.
May Blair McClosky, Supervisor of Music.
N. K. Noyes, M. D., School Physician.
Annie L. Williams, R. N., School Nurse.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Winter Term-Begins Monday, January 3, eleven weeks, ends Friday, March 18th, vacation one week.
Spring Term-Begins Monday, March 28th, ends Wednes- day, June 15th. High School Graduation, Tuesday eve- ning, June 14th.
Fall Term-Begins Wednesday, September 7th, sixteen weeks, ends December 23rd, at noon.
Winter Term 1928-Begins Monday, January 2, 1928.
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