USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1936-1940 > Part 41
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For Selectman:
Philip W. Delano
360 Votes
Harry F. Swift
366 Votes
Blanks 9
For School Committee:
Joseph W. Lund 363 Votes
J. Newton Shirley 516 Votes
Warren G. Wentworth, Jr. 349 Votes
Blanks 242
JOSEPH T. C. JONES,
Town Clerk.
The following Town Officials were duly sworn by the Town Clerk:
Hortence E. Merry, Forest Warden for one year, and Inspector of Slaughtered Animals for one year.
Sidney C. Soule, Assessor for three years.
Harry F. Swift, Selectman for three years.
Charles R. Crocker, Member of Board of Public Wel- fare for one year.
Gordon L. King, Member of Board of Public Welfare for one year.
Annie L. Williams, Member of Board of Public Welfare for one year.
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Edward S. Soule, Cemetery Trustee for five years.
A. Elliot Holmes, Shellfish Constable for one year.
Earl W. Chandler, Police Officer for one year, and Dog Officer for one year.
James T. O'Neil, Chief of Police for one year.
Frank E. Phillips, Police Officer for one year.
Sverre Strom, Harbor Master for one year.
Harry A. Chetwynde, Assistant Harbor Master for one year.
J. Newton Shirley, Member School Committee for three years.
Edward S. O'Neil, Supt. of Streets for one year, Sur- veyor of Wood and Lumber for one year and Field Driver for one year.
David H. Thomas, Field Driver for one year.
Dr. Reuben Peterson, Town Historian for one year.
Louis M. Bailey, Registrar for three years.
John D. Morrison, Tree Warden for one year.
Joseph W. Lund, Member of School Committee for three years.
William J. Murphy, Constable for one year.
Edward S. Soule, Burial Agent for one year.
Philip W. Delano, Inspector of Animals for one year.
Andrew J. Delano, Constable for one year.
JOSEPH T. C. JONES,
Town Clerk.
.
ʻ
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, JULY 6, 1939
At 8 o'clock, P. M. the meeting was called to order by the Town Clerk and the warrant was read.
Under Article 1, it was voted that the Town Clerk cast one ballot for Harry B. Bradley for Moderator, which was done and Mr. Bradley took the chair.
Voted that opportunity be given to speak on questions to be voted upon before disposition of article.
Harry C. McNaught, Robert I. Tower and Charles C. McNaught were appointed Tellers and were sworn in by the Moderator.
Under Article 2. The following Bill was read by Mr. Sidney C. Soule by way of explanation:
House No. 2397, As amended.
An Act relative to the expense of maintaining and control of Gurnet Bridge otherwise known as Powder Point Bridge in the Town of Duxbury.
Section 1. The public highway in the town of Duxbury, known as Gurnet Bridge, which was laid out pursuant to chapter three hundred and one of the acts of eighteen hundred and eighty-seven as amended, is hereby made a town way, with title to said bridge in the town of Dux- bury; and all provisions of the General Laws relative to town ways shall be applicable to said way.
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Section 2. Chapter three hundred and seventy-eight of the acts of nineteen hundred and four is hereby re- pealed.
Section 3. This act shall take effect on the first day of January in the year nineteen hundred and forty-one.
It was VOTED: That the Town is in favor of legislation providing that the Town of Duxbury take over the main- tenance, expense and control of Gurnet Bridge, and authorizes the Selectmen to support such legislation.
71 Yes-17 No
Under Article 3. It was voted, unanimously, to transfer the amount of $200.00 from the amount of $500.00 raised at the March meeting for the employment of counsel for railroad committee, to the committee for the payment of other bills.
At 8:45 it was voted to adjourn.
JOSEPH T. C. JONES, Town Clerk.
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, SEPTEMBER 23, 1939
At 8 o'clock P. M. the meeting was called to order by the Town Clerk and the warrant was read.
Under Article 1, it was voted, unanimously, that the Town Clerk cast one ballot for Harry B. Bradley for Moderator, which was done and Mr. Bradley took the chair.
Robert I. Tower and George E. Green were appointed Tellers and were sworn in by the Moderator.
Under Article 8, on motion made by Sidney C. Soule and seconded by Charles R. Crocker, after the situation was explained by Mr. E. M. Farnsworth, it was VOTED; to raise and appropriate the sum of $7,000.00 to match an equal amount to be furnished by the State to com- plete the dredging of the Anchorage Basin in Duxbury Bay. Yes 49-No 1.
Under Article 3, it was voted to take up the several amounts separately, and VOTED: that the Town transfer from the Overlay Reserve Fund the following amounts: $3,500.00 for Department of Public Welfare; $1,500.00 for Department of Old Age Assistance; $350.00 for Department of Aid for Dependent Children; and $535.00 for Fire De- partment.
At 8:20, voted to adjourn.
JOSEPH T. C. JONES,
Town Clerk.
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, DECEMBER 27, 1939
At 7:30 o'clock P. M. the meeting was called to order by the Town Clerk and the warrant was read.
Under Article 1, it was voted that the Town Clerk cast one ballot for Mr. Harry B. Bradley for Moderator, which was done and Mr. Bradley took the chair.
Under Article 2, it was voted to appropriate from the Overlay Reserve Fund the amount of $1,500.00 to the Highway Department.
Under Article 3, it was voted to appropriate from the Overlay Reserve Fund the amount of $2,300.00 for the payment of bills for the removal of Snow and Ice, includ- ing sanding.
At 7:40 it was voted to adjourn.
JOSEPH T. C. JONES, Town Clerk.
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Report of Treasurer
Debit
Balance, January 1, 1939
$64,871.08
Received:
Taxes
$188,675.37
Licenses and Permits
2,393.75
Fines and Forfeits
31.25
Grants and Gifts
12,695.00
General Government
723.35
Protection of Persons and Property
248.17
Health and Sanitation
475.71
Highways
65.33
Charities
2,738.11
Old Age Assistance
23,847.82
Aid to Dependent Children
1,297.33
Soldiers' Benefits
120.00
Schools
1,366.59
Unclassified
3.20
Cemeteries
2,151.35
Municipal Indebtedness
20,000.00
Interest
6,323.45
Agency, Trust and Investment
5,580.36
Refunds
1,096.03
$269,832.17
$334,703.25
Credit
Paid on Selectmen's Warrants
$278,283.36
Balance, December 31, 1939 56,419.89
$334,703.25
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH T. C. JONES, Treasurer.
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Report of Assessors
Valuation of buildings assessed
$5,289,137.00
Valuation of land assessed
$1,752,292.00
Total valuation of real estate
$7,041,429.00
Valuation of personal estate
$307,351.00
Total valuation
$7,348,780.00
Increase in real estate over last year
$58,045.00
Increase in personal estate over last year
$5,889.00
Rate of taxation on $1,000.00 valuation
$22.50
Number of houses assessed
1,452
Number of horses assessed
29
Number of cows assessed
107
Number of sheep assessed
17
Number of neat cattle other than cows
20
Number of swine assessed
2
Number of fowl assessed
8,430
Number of persons assessed on property
1,698
Number of polls assessed
863
State Tax
$18,540.00
County Tax
$10,915.44
State Audit Tax
$327.19
State Park and Reservation Tax
$245.40
Tax on personal estate
$6,915.90
Tax on real estate
$158,434.27
Tax on polls
$1,726.00
Number of acres of land assessed
13,728
Assessed valuation of automobiles
$299,130.00
Excise Tax (rate $35.90 per $1,000 valuation)
$8,398.27
Respectfully submitted,
SIDNEY C. SOULE HARRY F. SWIFT CHARLES R. CROCKER Assessors of Duxbury.
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Report of the Board of Public Welfare
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To the Citizens of Duxbury:
The expenses of the Welfare Department for this year have been slightly less than last year, which is due to the fact that business conditions were improved and a greater number of people were able to secure private employ- ment, especially during the summer months. Because of the extreme cold weather during the latter part of De- cember which caused the clam flats to freeze, a large number of men were thrown out of work and it was neces- sary to issue a greater number of food orders. Many of these men have now been assigned to W.P.A.
At the present time there are three inmates at the In- firmary. There were no repairs made during the year other than minor ones, necessary for the upkeep of the property.
There were six families consisting of 16 children who received Aid to Dependent Children during the year. Early in the summer one case was closed, a member hav- ing received private employment.
The number of persons receiving Old Age Assistance has steadily increased and at the close of the year there were ninety-one receiving this type of aid, showing an increase of thirteen cases during the year. Several of
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these people have required hospitalization and after being discharged from the hospital, it has been necessary to place them in a nursing home where they would receive the right care. The State Department insists that ade- quate assistance be given those eligible and who are in need of Old Age Assistance but this does not relieve any responsibility of children, who are able, to support their parents and they must definitely show that they are un- able to do so before aid is granted.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES R. CROCKER, Chairman ANNIE L. WILLIAMS REV. GORDON L. KING Board of Public Welfare.
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Report of Chief of Police
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
Following is the report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1939.
LIST OF OFFENCES
Assault
1
Drunkeness
15
Fire without a permit
1
Insane
4
Larceny
1
Non Support
2
Operating to endanger
3
Operating under the influence
7
Robbery
1
Sale of mortgaged property
1
Violation of the illegitimate child act
1
Violation of shell-fish regulations
2
39
DISPOSITIONS
Sentenced to State and County Institutions
7
Probation
7
Fined
14
Filed
5
Found not guilty
3
Released
3
39
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MISCELLANEOUS
Complaints investigated
648
Motor Vehicle Accidents investigated
37
Motor Vehicle violations recorded and operators warned
94
Summons served for outside police
26
Emergency messages delivered
16
Bicycles registered
59
Beach parking stickers issued 1,648
Value of stolen property recovered
$1,758.00
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES T. O'NEIL, Chief of Police.
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Report of Fire Chief
January 25, 1940.
Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Greetings:
This Department had 54 fires, an increase of three over the past year with a loss of $17,143.00 and an assessed value of $112,370.00. Below is a list of the type and kind.
20 Buildings
2 Emergency
17 Chimneys
2 Inhalator
5 Oil Burners
2 Bridge
4 Automobiles 1 Boat
1 Out of Town
New hose has been purchased and the apparatus is in good condition mechanically. A new fog nozzle has been put into service which will be a further protection to the firemen and will aid materially in the suppression of fire.
All heavy losses by fire are caused by delayed alarms, therefore it is important that prompt alarms be given.
The personnel of the department is in good condition. One of our officers had the misfortune to break an arm and a leg but these are mere trifles in the fire department.
The department, through the hard work of its members and the kind heartedness of the citizens brought Christ- mas joy to a large number of children again this year. I wish to thank you for your aid and cooperation shown in this Christmas spirit.
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Again I want to call your attention to what this depart- ment stands for. This is service to its community and its citizens.
The telephone operators are one of our best units in fire control. They always render excellent service at all times for which we are deeply grateful and if their rules allowed, they would be eligible for honorable member- ship in this department.
Will you check your cellars and attics to see that no oily paint rags exist in your buildings? By doing so you will forestall any loss to your property.
Respectfully submitted,
H. E. MERRY, Fire Chief.
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Report of Forest Warden
January 25, 1940.
Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Greetings:
This Department has had 53 grass and brush fires in the past year with a total of 11-2/3 acres burned with no damage to woodland. This shows an increase of 22 fires. This record speaks for itself and shows what organization and teamwork will do.
We were faced with worse conditions this year due to the hurricane and heavy growth of wild grass and pro- longed drought than we were ever faced with.
Another Pierce Arrow was given to this Department by William H. Young and will be put into service this year. It will make an excellent fire fighting unit at a small cost to the tax payer which I think is very important.
I am recommending a Radio at the Central Station as a further step of progress in this department. The fact that we have been fortunate in the past does not mean that we are secure against the future and the first few minutes are all important in any fire. The woodland owners and the property owners must be aware of the fact and realize that this recommendation is worthy of serious consideration. If this recommendation is adopted it would save us from two to five minutes on a fire call.
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The condition in our wooded areas is still very serious and every precaution will be taken to insure their safety.
The apparatus is in good condition and I wish to thank one and all for the splendid support and cooperation you have given me in the past year.
Will you, the citizens of Duxbury be more careful in securing permits for fires in the open air, as we had a. number of fires from no permit burning in the past year. Don't compel me to take drastic measures to stop this neglect of permit securing.
Respectfully submitted,
H. E. MERRY, Forest Warden.
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Report of Moth Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Since last report work has been carried on about the same as last year. Creosoting egg clusters from January 1939 to May 10th. Spraying of road-side trees taken up at this time and continued until July.
Since October 1939 we have been creosoting egg clusters along the road-sides.
Conditions look good.
JOHN D. MORRISON, Local Moth Supt.
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Report of Tree Warden
To the Citizens of Duxbury:
In this department work was started about June.
Spraying Elm trees for the Elm Beetles and Canker Worms around the town until June 17th.
From July 7th trimming was done on the following: Autumn Avenue, Toby Garden, School, Oak, Temple, Keene, North, Congress, Summer.
Would recommend this department should have $1,000 to work with.
JOHN D. MORRISON, Tree Warden.
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Report of Welfare Physician
January 26, 1940.
Board of Welfare
Duxbury, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my annual report as one of the physicians of the Board of Welfare for the year of 1939.
There were 172 visits made to patients receiving aid from the Welfare Board during the year. The visits were distributed as follows:
January
38
February
24
March
16
April
15
May
12
June
29
July
12
August
4
September
1
October
6
November
4
December
11
Several cases required hospitalization at the Jordan Hospital and the Massachusetts General Hospital.
Respectfully submitted,
C. H. KING, M. D.
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Board of Welfare
Duxbury, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I hereby render my report as one of the two Welfare physicians for the year 1939.
Welfare
Aid of Dependent Old Age Children Assistance
Total
January
21
5
21
47
February
13
9
23
45
March
7
6
21
34
April
1
2
25
28
May
16
10
22
48
June
1
14
32
47
July
4
24
28
August
4
26
30
September
17
17
October
3
20
23
November
7
-
23
30
December
3
23
26
Grand Total
403
-
-
Respectfully submitted,
W. V. MAYO, M. D.
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Report of Street Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury:
The work of this department constitutes the usual routine of work each year, repairing, gravelling, tarring and widening of the roads.
This year the tarred roads were badly cracked from the past winter, and had to have a lot of patching done besides the tarring.
Over a mile of Lincoln street was graded and tarred from Route 14 to Temple street.
A portion of Chandler street was widened, also Union Bridge road to Franklin street. This being done by WPA labor and this department furnishing materials and trucks.
At South Duxbury the corner was widened and 150 feet of sidewalk and curbing built.
The dredging of the Yacht Club Basin made it necessary to do a lot of drainage work. There was 1,200 feet of pipe laid and 8 man-holes and catch-basins built.
At Harrison Street Bridge a lot of repairing had to be done as it was in a serious condition.
The Town Landings were also taken care of.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD S. O'NEIL, Superintendent of Streets.
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Report of Memorial Day Committee
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury:
The Memorial Day Committee respectfully submit the following report:
The members of Myles Standish Camp No. 115, S.U.V.C.W., Duxbury Post No. 223, American Legion, Sailors from the National Sailors' Home, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and School Children decorated the graves of all known Soldiers, Sailors and Marines buried in Duxbury, with flags, plants and the wild flowers furnished by the children.
Exercises were held in the Unitarian Church, May- flower, Ashdod, Dingley and No. Duxbury Cemeteries.
The following were decorated:
3 Soldiers' Monuments.
1 Grave of Myles Standish, Capt. of the Pilgrims.
1 Grave of Col. Johnathan Alden.
25 Graves of Revolutionary War Veterans.
4 Graves of 1812 War Veterans.
213 Graves of Civil War Veterans.
4 Graves of Civil War Army Nurses.
13 Graves of World War Veterans.
9 Graves of U. S. Sailors.
1 Grave of U. S. Soldier.
271 Graves and 3 Monuments Total.
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We wish to thank all who helped out in any way.
Respectfully submitted,
PARKER B. CHANDLER, Chairman JULIUS B. CHANDLER EDEN S. GLOVER J. FRANCIS REYNOLDS G. FRANKLIN WHITE
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Report of the Planning Board
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury:
Your Planning Board has met regularly during the past year, principally discussing ways and means of preserving the natural and architectural beauty of the Town.
It is felt by some members that the lack of statutory authority is a handicap to the Planning Board in that its suggestions might be of a more definite character if the Board had a regularly accepted set of By-Laws.
A map of the Present Highways and Ancient Bypaths of Duxbury, compiled by the Planning Board in 1937, was photostated down to a size of 23 by 16 inches, and the negative of the photostat is available to anyone who wishes to make use of it.
Five maps compiled by the Massachusetts State Plan- ning Board showing the Topography, Roads and Build- ings, Soil Classification, and Roads and Waterways of the Town of Duxbury, dated January 1938, were acquired from the State House. These have been framed with the intention of their being hung in the Town offices.
An open meeting was held at the High School on Mon- day, October 30, at 8 P. M. Professor Frederick Adams of the Department of City Planning, Massachusetts Insti- tute of Technology, addressed the meeting on the im- portance of preserving the unspoiled character of Dux- bury.
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The Planning Board returns to the Town $79.26 of its 1939 appropriation of $100.00 and asks that $100.00 be alloted for its expenses in 1940.
Respectfully submitted,
THE DUXBURY PLANNING BOARD.
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Report of Board of Health
January 26, 1940.
Board of Health
Duxbury, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I have the honor to submit herewith my annual report as agent for the Board of Health.
There were thirty-six contagious cases reported in the town of Duxbury during the past year. They were as follows:
Measles 5
Scarlet Fever 14
Whooping Cough 17
The dairies of all producers of milk were inspected and licensed. All retailers were inspected and licensed. Li- censes were also issued to dealers in Oleomargarine.
The Board received various complaints against over- flowing cesspools, dead fish on the beach, improper gar- bage disposal, and other nuisances to the health of the town. These were all investigated and satisfactorily cor- rected.
The Board of Health with the three school dentists has continued the program of School Dental Work. As a result
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there is a marked increase in the dental health of the schools.
There were seventeen dog bites reported in the town during the year. Under the new state law one person was treated with the anti-rabic vaccine.
The Board of Health collected the following money for garbage permits.
4 Garbage Permits $8.00
The town dump has been in very good condition throughout the year except for occasional deposits of garbage in the summer that caused objectionable odors.
Under the new state law all overnight camps are to be inspected and licensed by the local Board of Health.
Respectfully submitted,
C. H. KING, M. D., Secretary and Agent.
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Report of Librarian Duxbury Free Library, Inc.
The Annual Meeting of the Directors has been changed from its original date in January to the second Saturday in April. The main reason was that only after the Town Meeting had been held could the provisions of the Library budget be definitely settled.
Early in the winter the Library furnace, which had given some 30 years of service, was found to be in a state beyond repair. A modern boiler was installed at consider- able expense and has given perfect satisfaction. The heating system is now completely up-to-date and should be efficient for many years to come.
Circulation continued good, equaling that of 1938, while attendance was even better, owing to a larger number of patrons making use of the Library's reference facilities. These have been improved the last two years along what might be called ordinary lines, and will be increased as funds permit. In this connection requests for special in- formative books will always be given careful attention. A number of volumes for parents, for persons interested in secretarial work, manual training, handicrafts, etc., have recently been acquired.
In fiction, travel and biography the Library has kept well abreast of what has proved to be most popular throughout the country during the year.
During the coming year the Directors will consider the feasability of increasing the basement stacks by adding shelving sufficient to accommodate some fifteen hundred (1500) volumes and a large number of magazines, for which there is at present no proper storage space.
FISHER AMES,
Librarian.
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Report of the Treasurer of the Duxbury Free Library, Inc.
Balance Sheet for 1939
Income 1939:
On hand January 1, 1939
$2,587.62
Income from
Wright Fund
$2,691.84
Winsor Fund
280.00
Hathaway Fund
60.50
Harding Fund
25.15
Duxbury Hall Fund
203.00
$3,260.49
Appropriation from Town of Duxbury
$1,500.00
Credit on account of Principal
$16,505.00
$23,853.11
Expense 1939:
Fisher Ames, Librarian
$1,800.00
Elizabeth Bencordo
720.00
George Needham
337.50
$2,857.50
Supplies
Oil
$271.11
Telephone
40.60
Light
100.16
Water
12.00
Safe
10.00
$433.87
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Miscellaneous
$43.19
Interest accrued
145.91
Insurance
178.00
Books
New Heater
$367.10 $1,200.00 $446.37
$5,304.84
Principal reinvested
$16,160.00
Cash December 31, 1939
$2,388.27
$23,853.11
WILLIAM H. YOUNG, Treasurer.
.
.
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Report of Committee on Train Field Playground
January 30, 1940. To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Duxbury, Mass.
Gentlemen:
In making my report this year, I feel that Train Field is in the best condition that it has been for several years, due to the purchase of a power lawn mower.
This enables me to keep the whole field mowed and has resulted in a greatly improved appearance to the public when viewed from either the street or the High School.
July 4th, 1939, the Duxbury Legion Post at their own expense, built an addition to the westerly side of the Band Stand, so that they could combine their amateur show and musical program.
After all necessary work and repairs had been com- pleted for the year,' I used the balance of the appropria- tion to shape up the gravel road which I hope to be able to re-surface with tar or oil in the spring.
Respectfully submitted,
EBEN N. BRIGGS.
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Report of Shellfish Constable
-
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I submit herewith my annual report as Shellfish Con- stable.
I began my work as Shellfish Constable on March 20, 1939, and immediately went over the clamming area (about 2,500 acres) to find out the conditions and the amount of clams available. I found a shortage of market- able clams but a fine set of razor fish. In April I found some small seed clams and in October I found a very good set of seed clams in all parts of the bay. There were about four acres in the "Back River", above the Powder Point Bridge, where the clams had been dormant for about four or five years, and after it had been viewed by the Selectmen, it was closed to digging and the clams used to transplant on Soule's Island, Captain's Flat, and Joe's Point to allow those taken and left a chance to grow to the proper size.
The worms at Soule's Island and Joe's Point did a lot of damage to all the clams and I went to a biologist to see what could be done about them. That is a problem we have yet to solve.
The clams taken from the "Back River" areas were transported by boat to save time, money and breakage, and proved very successful. As soon as possible I talked with each digger to get his opinion, and suggestions for cooperation; I also made and put up all kinds of needed signs, and helped several to mark their grants. Each day
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