USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1941-1945 > Part 14
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of Massachusetts for the improvement, development, maintenance and protection of rivers, harbors, tide waters and foreshores, in accordance with Section 11 of Chapter 91 of the General Laws, and authorize the Selectmen to execute and deliver a bond of indemnity therefor to the Commonwealth.
Under Article 16, voted, that the Town authorize the Selectmen to sell after first giving notice of the time and place of sale by posting such notice of sale in some con- venient and public place in the Town, fourteen days at least, before the sale, property taken by the Town under tax title procedure, provided that the Selectmen or whom- soever they may authorize to hold such public auction, may reject any bid which they deem inadequate, and that lot 44A of Block I of the Assessors' Map be excepted from the above and be sold at private sale to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through its Department of Public Works for the sum of $300.70.
Under Article 17, voted unanimously, that the Town accept the gift of $25,000.00 the same to be held as a permanent Charitable Trust Fund to be known as the Jonathan and Ruth Ford Fund, and agree to all condi- tions of the bequest which are as follows:
"To the Town of Duxbury, Mass., I give the sum of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars, ($25,000.00), the same to be held as a permanent charitable trust fund to be known as the "Jonathan Ruth Ford Trust Fund", and the principal of which is to be invested from time to time only in direct obligations of the United States and/or obli- gations of Federal agencies guaranteed by the United States as to principal and interest and/or Massachusetts Savings Banks and/or other banks fully protecting such investment by insurance in a U. S. Government agency.
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The net income only, of said fund, is to be paid by said Town from time to time each year to or for the benefit of those residents of the said Town who are, in the sole discretion of said Town, financially unable to secure badly needed medical and/or nursing care, supplies, apparatus, hospitalization, operations, X-rays and/or other assist- ance (including dental work) deemed necessary by said Town in any case.
The control and management of said fund and the dis- bursement of the income shall be in the hands of such persons as the said Town may elect from time to time, but the business of the said fund shall be transacted through the regular departments of the said Town, viz. the Treasurer, Auditor, etc., and the said Town shall at least once each year render unto its residents a detailed, published statement of the operations of both the Princi- pal and the Income Accounts of said fund for such period.
I direct that said income shall not be anticipated or pledged beyond the amount actually in hand, but it may be accumulated for any purpose within the scope of the gift, and successive accumulations may be applied to the same object. I do also direct that no part of either the income or principal of said fund shall be mingled with other funds or applied to joint undertakings, but that each transaction of this fund shall be separate and distinct and shall always bear suitable identification as belonging to or coming from the "Jonathan and Ruth Ford Fund".
If, for any reason, the principal of said fund shall at any time become impaired the income shall be allowed to accumulate until such impairment shall have been made good."
The following resolutions presented by Rev. Walter R. Hunt were unanimously adopted :
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"In accepting this gift, we desire to place on record our deep appreciation of the generosity and loyal devotion for many years, of the donor, Miss Harriet Ford, her sister Frances, and her father and mother from whom she re- ceived the spirit which prompted this gift.
"We hope that a committee may be appointed charged with the duty of seeing that this vote of ours take the form of some permanent memorial which shall remind the passer-by of a gracious and beautiful approach to life in the Town of Duxbury."
Under Article 18, voted that the Town raise and appro- priate the sum of $150.00 for extra Hydrant rental at Duxbury Beach near Pine Point.
Under Article 19, voted, that the Town rescind the vote of 1909 which reads, "To appropriate $300.00 for services of a Town Physician who shall attend to all medical work for which the town is liable and to whom all medical work under the jurisdiction of the Town Officials shall be as- signed." (Yes 172-No 0).
Under Article 20, the Town voted not to accept Section 11A of Chapter eighty-five (85) of the General Laws. (An act "relative to the registration and operation of certain bicycles").
Under Article 21, voted (123 Yes-34 No), that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $1,100.00 for the purchase and installation of a Siren, to be located on the Town property in the rear of the High School building on Alden street.
Under Article 22, voted, that the Town authorize the Selectmen to control, regulate or prohibit the taking of
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eels, and any or all kinds of shellfish and sea worms within the borders of the Town of Duxbury and such other au- thority as is provided in Section 52 of Chapter 130 of the General Laws, as inserted therein by Chapter 598 of the Acts of 1941.
Under Article 23, voted, that the Town authorize the Selectmen to issue licenses for private shellfish grants in accord with the provisions of Section 57 of Chapter 130 of the General Laws, as inserted therein by Chapter 598 of the Acts of 1941.
Under Article 24, which reads, "Will the Town vote for all labor to receive sixty-two and one-half cents (621/c) per hour and for all trucks to receive one dollar ($1.00) per hour, on all work for the Town of Duxbury," it was voted that this article be referred to the Selectmen for their disposal as they see fit.
Under Article 25, the following amendment, presented by Donald M. Muirhead, was voted (190 Yes-13 No), to add to this article "not only to provide for this service but to arrange to have people transported two or three times weekly to connecting bus lines."
Motion was then made to reconsider the article, and voted (117 Yes-13 No) "that the Town enter into an agreement with the Plymouth & Brockton Street Railway Company for daily (except Sundays and holidays) service to and from Kingston railroad station, said service to continue for one year and thereafter from year to year so long as mutually agreeable, said Company to meet one or more trains for Boston in the morning and one or more trains from Boston at night, it being understood that said Company shall receive a minimum of $900.00 yearly; that it shall collect fares; and that if at the end of each year
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the fares collected have not amounted to $900.00 the Town shall pay said Company the difference between the total of fares and $900.00; it being understood that the route may include all or parts of Bay Road, Washington, St. George, and Tremont Streets, and from June 15, to Sep- tember 15 may include Standish Shore and Powder Point, as may be determined by the committee.
It was voted that a committee of five, three of whom should be the Board of Selectmen, be appointed with full powers to act to attend to the details of any agreement with the Plymouth & Brockton Street Railway Company, as stated in Article 25, and that $200.00 be raised and appropriated for the above purpose.
Under Article 26, voted to raise and appropriate the sum of $297.05 to pay unpaid bills of 1941.
Under Article 27, voted that the Town raise and appro- priate the sum of $1,000.00 for Civilian Defense purposes.
Under Article 28, voted that the Town raise and appro- priate the sum of $500.00 to be used for W. P. A. Projects.
Under Article 29, voted that the Town raise and appro- priate the sum of $500.00 for payment of expenses incur- red in public use of the High School Auditorium.
Under Article 30, voted that the Town accept a portion of Samoset Road from Columbus Avenue to Puritan Road so-called as laid out by the Selectmen, and voted to take $600.00 from the Highway appropriation for the construc- tion of same.
At the close of the business meeting, Mr. Charles S. Clark arose and addressed the assembly as follows:
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"Be it known that on this seventh day of March in the year one thousand nine hundred and forty-two, as the three hundred and fifth Annual Town Meeting came to a close, the assembled citizens of Duxbury appreciatorily arose to 'Mark the perfect man and behold the upright' SIDNEY C. SOULE, for more than thirty-six years a Selectman, with Honor and Fidelity. That Sidney C. Soule may daily each hour each minute enjoy a memorial of their genuine affection, profound respect and sincere good wishes, a watch and chain of gold suitably inscribed was bestowed upon him."
Voted, that the Moderator be extended a vote of thanks for his gracious and courteous conduct of this meeting.
JOSEPH T. C. JONES,
Town Clerk.
At 5:30 P. M. voted to adjourn.
Under Article 25, the following "Bus Committee" was appointed by the Moderator :
PERCY L. WALKER, Chairman WILLIAM B. COFFIN BOARD OF SELECTMEN.
JOSEPH T. C. JONES,
Town Clerk.
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Election of Officers, March 14, 1942
The polls were opened at 7 o'clock, A. M.
The following additional Tellers were appointed by the Selectmen and were sworn by the Moderator: Helen F. Dawes, Richard M. Edgar, Edward P. Hobart, Walter E. S. Frazar, Madeleine H. Baker, Rodney W. Leach and Na- hum M. Hodgdon.
At 3 o'clock, P. M., it was voted to keep the polls open until 7:30 P. M. and at 7:30 when the polls were closed, the ballot-box indicated 1023 : that number of names were checked on the voting lists and 1023 ballots were taken from the ballot-box.
Following is the result of the balloting for Town Officers :
For Selectman for Three Years:
822 Votes Philip W. Delano Blanks 201
And Philip W. Delano was declared elected by the Mod- erator.
For Selectman for One Year (Unexpired Term) :
Ray M. Parks
34 Votes
Walter G. Prince
532 Votes
Harry F. Swift 439 Votes
Blanks 18
And Walter G. Prince was declared elected by the Mod- erator.
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For Assessor for Three Years : Ray M. Parks Walter G. Prince Harry F. Swift Blanks
56 Votes 497 Votes 435 Votes 35
And Walter G. Prince was declared elected by the Mod- erator.
For Members of the Board of Public Welfare for One Year:
Gordon L. King
787 Votes
Willard R. Randall
761 Votes
Paul N. Swanson 764 Votes 1 Vote
Charles R. Crocker
Blanks 756
And Gordon L. King, Willard R. Randall and Paul N. Swanson were declared elected by the Moderator.
For Constables for One Year :
Earl W. Chandler
823 Votes
William J. Murphy
863 Votes
James T. O'Neil 859 Votes
Wilbur Randall 1 Vote
Blanks 523
And Earl W. Chandler, William J. Murphy and James T. O'Neil were declared elected by the Moderator.
School Committee for Three Years:
566 Votes Joseph W. Lund J. Newton Shirley 664 Votes Joyce W. Zipf 469 Votes Blanks 347
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And Joseph W. Lund and J. Newton Shirley were de- clared elected by the Moderator.
Cemetery Trustee for Five Years : Harry A. Tammett Blanks 200
823 Votes
And Harry A. Tammett was declared elected by the Moderator.
For Tree Warden for One Year :
John D. Morrison 837 Votes
Blanks 186
And John D. Morrison was declared elected by the Mod- erator.
Member of Planning Board for Five Years :
Benjamin F. Goodrich
23 Votes
Walter G. Prince
8 Votes
J. Woodward Manning
8 Votes
Percy L. Walker
5 Votes
John W. Laws
6 Votes
Scattering 47 Votes
Blanks 926
And Benjamin F. Goodrich was declared elected by the Moderator.
Voted to adjourn.
JOSEPH T. C. JONES,
Town Clerk.
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Duxbury, Massachusetts July 10, 1942
Mr. Joseph T. C. Jones Town Clerk Duxbury, Mass.
Dear Mr. Jones :
Due to the fact that I have received a commission as Chaplain in the U. S. Army and that these duties will necessitate my absence from Duxbury, I must hereby tender my resignation as a member of the Board of Public Welfare and Old Age Assistance, to take effect immedi- ately.
May I say that I have appreciated the privilege of work- ing on this Board for the past several years and express to its remaining members and agent my most hearty good wishes for all their co-operative efforts for the public good.
Very truly yours,
GORDON L. KING.
Duxbury, Massachusetts August 7, 1942
Dr. J. Newton Shirley
South Duxbury, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
At a joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen and the remaining members of the Board of Cemetery Trustees, it was voted to appoint you to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Edward S. Soule.
This term will run until the next election of officers.
Very truly yours, PHILIP W. DELANO, CHARLES R. CROCKER, WALTER G. PRINCE, Selectmen of Duxbury.
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Duxbury, Massachusetts September 11, 1942
Mr. Philip E. Covell Duxbury, Massachusetts Dear Sir:
The Board of Selectmen meeting with the remaining members of the Board of Public Welfare, have appointed you to serve on the Board of Public Welfare for the re- mainder of the term, until the next regular town election.
Very truly yours, 1
Board of Selectmen of Duxbury,
By PHILIP W. DELANO, Chairman.
The following Town Officers took the Oath of Office in 1942, being sworn by the Town Clerk :
Walter G. Prince, Selectman for 1 year; Assessor for 3 years.
Philip W. Delano, Selectman for 3 years.
H. E. Merry, Forest Warden for 1 year.
Gordon L. King, Board of Public Welfare for 1 year. Willard R. Randall, Board of Public Welfare for 1 year. Paul N. Swanson, Board of Public Welfare for 1 year. J. Newton Shirley, Member of School Board for 3 years. George W. Davis, Harbor Master for 1 year.
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Earl W. Chandler, Constable and Police Officer for 1 year.
James T. O'Neil, Chief of Police and Constable for 1 year.
Lawrence C .Doyle, Police Officer and Constable for 1 year.
Frank E. Phillips, Police Officer for 1 year.
George F. White, Special Officer for 1 year.
Arthur E. Johnson, Surveyor of Wood and Lumber for 1 year.
A. Elliot Holmes, Shellfish Constable for 1 year.
Ernest W. Chandler, Inspector of Animals and In- spector of Slaughtered Animals for 1 year.
Eben N. Briggs, Fence Viewer for 1 year.
Edward S. Soule, Burial Agent for 1 year.
Edwin S. Hill, Field Driver for 1 year.
Edward S. O'Neil, Supt. of Streets, Field Driver and Fence Viewer for 1 year.
Eben N. Briggs, Kenneth O. Macomber, Arthur W. Bennett, Lawrence W. Glass, Edward S. Soule, Henry M. Griswold and Leroy N. Peterson, Fire Engineers for 1 year.
J. Newton Shirley, Cemetery Trustee for unexpired term.
Philip E. Covell, Member of Board of Public Welfare for unexpired term.
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Report of Treasurer
Receipts
Balance, January 1, 1942
$101,901.19
Received :
Taxes
$202,979.78
Licenses and Permits
1,786.50
Fines and Forfeits
86.30
Grants and Gifts
31,794.93
Privileges
9,106.92
General Government
484.54
Protection of Persons and Property
117.77
Health and Sanitation
182.43
Highways
25.78
Charities
2,207.37
Old Age Assistance
13,897.08
Aid to Dependent Children
1,633.58
Soldiers' Benefits
435.00
Schools
289.30
Unclassified
2.00
Cemeteries
2,878.18
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Interest
5,036.58
Agency, Trust and Investment 29,790.40
Refunds
307.53
Total Receipts $303,041.97
Total Cash
$404,943.16
Disbursements
Paid on Selectmen's Warrants $254,494.48
Balance, December 31, 1942 150,448.68
$404,943.16
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH T. C. JONES,
Treasurer.
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Report of Assessors
Valuation of buildings assessed
$5,392,143
Valuation of land
1,759,357
Total value of real estate
7,151,500
Valuation of personal estate
341,653
Total valuation
7,493,153
Increase in real estate over last year
33,559
Decrease in personal estate over last year
11,791
Rate of taxation on $1,000 valuation
22.30
Number of houses assessed
1,526
Number of horses assessed
20
Number of cows assessed
94
Number of sheep assessed
8
Number of neat cattle other than cows
21
Number of fowl assessed
9,140
Number of swine assessed
3
Number of persons assessed on property
1,859
Number of polls assessed
892
State tax
16,950
County tax
11,561.07
State audit tax
337.90
State park and reservations
174.44
Tax on real estate
159,482.73
Tax on personal estate
7,619.76
Tax on polls
1,784.00
Numbers of acres of land assessed
13,714
Assessed valuation on automobiles
266,170
Excise tax (rate $36.46 per $1,000 valuation
9,118.16
CHARLES R. CROCKER PHILIP W. DELANO WALTER G. PRINCE
Assessors.
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Report of the Board of Public Welfare
To the Citizens of Duxbury :
Another year has past for the Board of Public Welfare and Bureau of Old Age Assistance promulgating several changes in the policies of the Department and changes in the Board members.
Perhaps the most important change became effective April 1, 1942 when the recipients of relief were allowed the physician of choice.
Since the last election in March 1942, two members of the Board of Public Welfare and Bureau of Old Age As- sistance have entered the Armed Service. Rev. Gordon L. King entered the Service in July 1942 as a Chaplain and has already seen active service in convoy duty. Paul N. Swanson, elected for the first time in March 1942, was inducted into the U. S. Army in November 1942.
Philip E. Covell was appointed to fill the vacancy ex- isting on the Board after July 1942. Herbert E. Walker, 2nd., was appointed, January 12, 1943, to fill the second vacancy.
The case load under General Relief has apparently reached the minimum. Only eight relief cases remain active, all of whom are totally incapaciated and have no other means of support.
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OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Due to the change made in the Old Age Assistance law, effective May 1, 1942, requiring children to contribute to the support of parents, many changes were made in the amount of assistance granted. At the beginning of 1942, there were 89 active cases. During the year, there were 12 applications received, and at the end of the year only 80 active cases remained. 9 cases were closed by death; 1 case received insurance money and reimbursed the Town for all aid rendered; 2 cases moved to other Towns; 6 cases closed as relatives were able to support; 1 case received inheritance and has not reimbursed the Town for the assistance granted; 1 case proved ineligible due to misrepresentation at time of application; 1 case held pending proof of eligibility.
Many recipients of Old Age Assistance are now seeking light work in Defense Plants in order to show their patri- otic desires to aid in the War Effort. Old Age Assistance is discontinued after receipt of the first pay, and a former relief recipient may re-apply for the assistance as soon as their earnings cease. It is surprising to see how happy these older persons are when they can see that their ser- vices, no matter how small, are required to aid our Country.
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
There were no changes made in the law regarding Aid to Dependent Children this year, and the Department was able to keep within the appropriation allowed.
Employment among recipients of this relief is difficult to check, but 2 cases were suspended for a while due to employment. Some recipients feel that the Town should
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support their children and they should be allowed to spend all earnings for their own benefit. Earnings of the parent or the children must be taken into consideration if the proper amount of assistance is to be granted to a re- cipient of this type of relief.
Another difficult problem is to get the mothers to con- tinue to have necessary medical check-ups so they may keep or improve their health for the benefit of their chil- dren. The Board of Public Welfare would appreciate the cooperation of the recipients of this category of relief so that it will not be necessary to close any case for the lack of cooperation thus causing perhaps a little inconvenience on the part of the recipient.
At present there are 6 active cases, representing 22 persons, receiving public assistance under Aid to De- pendent Children.
Reimbursement from the Federal Government to the Towns is based on the number of children under the age of 16 and between 16 and 18 regularly attending school. This reimbursement is comparatively small for the total expenditures under Aid to Dependent Children.
W. P. A.
The only W. P. A. project in operation is the School Lunch Project. Due to the lack of available funds from the Federal Government for this work, it is quite possible that this work will be discontinued.
CIVILIAN WAR ASSISTANCE
Civilian War Assistance can be considered an addi- tional category reserved for use in meeting emergencies resulting from enemy action.
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It is hoped that it will not be necessary to call upon this type of assistance, but we are prepared, if called upon.
The Welfare Agent for the Town of Duxbury has been appointed by the the Commissioner of Public Welfare to act as Authorizing Agent in case of an emergency arising within the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLARD R. RANDALL, Chairman PHILIP E. COVELL HERBERT E. WALKER, 2nd
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, 1942.
LIST OF OFFENCES
Disturbing the peace 3
Driving motor vehicle to endanger life 2
Driving motor vehicle while intoxicated Drunkeness 8
2
Operating after license was suspended
1
Non support 2
18
DISPOSITIONS
Sentenced to House of Correction
4
Probation
1
Fined
8
Released
2
Filed 3
18
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MISCELLANEOUS
Complaints investigated 689
Motor Vehicle Accidents investigated 17
Emergency Messages delivered 40
Summons served for outside police 11
Arrests made for outside police
1
Animals returned to owners
33
Animals destroyed for owners
96
Fatal automobile accidents
2
Drowning accidents
1
Other deaths investigated
1
Committed as insane
1
Telephone calls answered for Report Center
1,779
Beach stickers issued
1,500
Amount of Fines imposed
$215.00
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES T. O'NEIL,
Chief of Police.
Date: January 23, 1943.
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Report of Fire Chief
January 15, 1943
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Duxbury, Massachusetts Gentlemen :
The following is a report of fires in the Department during my term of office :
Four chimney fires, two emergency calls and one for out of town coverage.
Respectfully yours,
H. E. MERRY.
Report of Fire Department
January 23, 1943
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Duxbury, Mass.
Gentlemen :
The Board of Fire Engineers submit the following re- port of department activites from May 1 to December 31, 1942. The total number of calls were twenty-nine.
10 Buildings
4 Chimneys
3 Oil Burners
2 Boats
3 Automobiles
7 Emergencies
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BUDGET
We, as a new board, feel we have done very well in stay- ing within the limit of the Fire Department appropria- tion which was $6,500.00 for the year of 1942. At our meeting of May 11, 1942, when we organized we had a working balance of $4,469.06 to continue our fire work for the remainder of the year. Not having many serious fires we were able to finish the year with a balance of $199.62.
BUILDINGS
All buildings are in fairly good repair. The North Dux- bury Engine House was painted this year and we feel that the other two engine houses should be painted this coming year. A few changes have been made at the Cen- tral Fire Station. A hose rack which enables us to store three thousand feet of hose has been built. We feel that this is going to be a big saving to the town because, due to the lack of rubber, hose is practically unobtainable and therefore we must protect every foot of hose we already have.
EQUIPMENT
We feel we are fairly well equipped, except for a few minor things which we must purchase during the coming year. All three fire trucks have been gone over thoroughly and at the present are in good condition and should give no serious trouble during the coming year. We have also purchased two Clifford grapling irons, which were very much needed by the department in rescue work.
We, like all other departments, have contributed in man-power to the war effort. The following is a list of firemen in the armed services :
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Company No. 1
Carl Bitters
Thomas Parker
Clyde Chetwynde
Army Army Coast Guard
William Swift Navy Army
Victor Nickerson
Richard Prince Navy
Frederick W. Lyons
Navy
Earl F. Cushing
Edward Soule
Army Transport Army Aviation
Clifford Wyman Navy
Civil Service
Guild Rosengren Costa Rica
Company No. 2
C. Freemont Shirley
Army
Civil Service
Lawrence B. Whitney
Pearl Harbor
Although these members are very much missed by the department we hope they are all in good health and will soon be able to join us again. We feel very fortunate to have filled these vacancies with men who seem to have the right spirit to make good firemen.
As Chief of the Department I want to take this oppor- tunity to thank the citizens, telephone operators, and fire- men for their splendid co-operation in all work pertain- ing to the Fire Department. In visiting the surrounding towns I have been assured the full co-operation of their departments at any time they are needed.
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I would like very much to have the citizens of the Town of Duxbury know that this department stands ready to serve them in any emergency that might arise. When calling the Fire Department, please call the Central Fire Station, telephone Duxbury 333; so that every possible moment can be saved in responding to the call.
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