USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1941-1945 > Part 42
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The Board received from Mr. Herbert Walker, a former treasurer of the Board, an interesting collection of old deeds relating to Library affairs. Among the Board's
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appropriations at its Annual Meeting was one of $200.00 to complete, to date, the Massachusetts Genealogical and Historical Register series.
One of the important features of the past year has been the increase of patronage from new sources, mainly from families brought here through the necessities of war work.
Respectfully submitted,
FISHER AMES,
Librarian.
151
Report of the Treasurer of the Duxbury Free Library, Inc.
During the year 1944 The Duxbury Free Li- brary received a grant from the Town of Duxbury of $1,500.00
The income from the investments of the vari- ous funds, as follows :
Wright Fund
$2,866.13
Winsor Fund
339.93
Harding Fund
0
Hathaway Fund
65.50
Duxbury Hall Fund
173.00
Total $3,444.56
On hand January 1, 1944
$2,686.29
Amount collected on the Principal account
7,235.00
Total
$14,865.85
The expenses of the Library, as follows :
Wages:
Mr. Ames
$1,885.60
Mrs. Bencordo
778.56
Mr. Needham
403.50
$3,067.66
Operating expense : Electric Light $103.68
Oil 232.46
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Water
12.00
Telephone
48.25
Safe deposit box
10.00
Repairs
23.02
$429.41
Interest accrued on bonds bought
$89.44
Hurricane expense
341.25
Bank charges
2.50
Book cases
163.03
$596.22
Taxes : Witholding
$56.40
Miscellaneous
8.30
$64.79
Insurance
178.00
Books and binding
1,612.36
Principal reinvested
8,108.62
January 1, 1945 - Cash
808.79
Total $14,865.85
WILLIAM H. YOUNG,
Treasurer.
153
Report of Shellfish Constable
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Duxbury, Massachusetts.
I herewith submit my annual report as Shellfish Con- stable for the year 1944.
As in all industry, the man power shortage has taken many of our men who usually supply the clam market, and so there has been few regular diggers on the shores this last year. The intense cold also kept most of them ahore the first of the year, only two were clamming regu- larly, and one digging razor-fish part of the time until April. During April there were four digging clams and three quahauging, and in May there were six men digging clams on the flats regularly. From June 15 to September 10, there has been an average of twelve men clamming, four quahaughing, and two digging sea-worms with fairly good results. After September 10, there was an average of five men on the flats daily.
A number of grants have been revoked this year owing to the State law which requires one to cultivate, and file an annual report, which had not been done. Eight grants were newly staked out during the year.
I wish to recommend that, whenever possible, a tractor be purchased for the purpose of cultivating the shores and flats which need turning over badly.
Following is the record of clams and quahaugs planted on grants, and clams, quahaugs, razor-fish and sea-worms taken commercially during the year :
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Planted on grants :
89 bushels of clams
35 bushels of quahaugs
Commercial digging :
338 bushels of Razor-fish @ $3.33 1/3 $1,126.67
3169 bushels of Clams @ $3.50 11,091.50
1126 bushels of Quahaugs @ $3.50 3,941.00
6348 Sea-worms @ 5c each 317.40
Total $16,476.57
From the above total 1787 gallons of clams were shucked at $4.00 per gallon.
There has been 964 no-fee digging permits for family use issued during the year and 31 commercial permits.
Respectfully submitted,
A. ELLIOT HOLMES,
Shellfish Constable.
155
Report of the Superintendent of Cemeteries
To the Cemetery Trustees :
I submit my report for the year of 1944. At Mayflower Cemetery the general work was done, the leaves were raked and the avenues cleaned. The month of August we removed the dead limbs from the trees. In September when the hurricane swept through Duxbury a large num- ber of our trees were badly damaged. In Mayflower Cem- etery there were sixty trees uprooted by the storm and in the undeveloped part of the cemetery around forty trees upooted. We have carted away around forty stumps. The brush has been carted away or burned. We have put in material where the tree stumps were taken out. There are a few more stumps to be taken out and a large num- ber of limbs to be trimmed or removed and this will have to be done next year.
The logs and wood were sold and the money turned over to the Town Treasurer. The logs were taken by Davison and Dennett Saw Mill. They came in the next morning after the hurricane and started to cut the logs and cart them to the mill. Their men did a very good job and so did the men of the Cemetery Department.
The egg clusters were creosoted and the trees sprayed by the Moth Department.
In Ashdod Cemetery the general work was done, the avenues and walks raked and cleaned.
156
At Standish Cemetery the grass was cut, and the cem- etery raked and cleaned. One tree down and a number of limbs in the hurricane.
At Dingley Cemetery the leaves were raked and the general work done. We lost a number of the large pines which have been cleaned up. The fence was damaged in a number of places and it has been repaired.
All Perpetual and Annual care lots were cared for. Several old lots rebuilt. Twenty-seven foundations were built. There were fifty six interments this year. Thirty three Perpetual Care Funds were added this year.
In December, Mr. L. Burton Belknap who worked for the Cemetery Department for a number of years passed away and will be missed by his many friends.
Respectfully submitted,
LAUREL B. FREEMAN,
Supt. of Cemeteries.
157
Report of Cemetery Trustees
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury :
We would submit the following as our report for the year of 1944.
The report of the Superintendent to the Board of Trus- tees has been accepted by the Board and we would refer you to same for information it contains.
Of the sum of $7,500.00 appropriated to the Cemetery Department for the year 1944, $2,837.80 (being the amount received for sale of logs and wood ($137.00) and the usual receipts for interments, annual care of lots, etc.) has been returned to the Town Treasury, leaving $4,662.20 as the Cemetery Department's net indebtedness to the Town.
The Board of Trustees would request that the sum of $8,500.00 be appropriated for the Cemetery Department for the year 1945.
This increase appears necessary on account of still some gale damage yet to be cleared up, increase in labor costs and a larger area of Cemetery to care for each year.
Again we wish to express our appreciaiton to all those who in any way aided us in the upkeep of the Cemetery,
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and this includes the Superintendent and those in his employ.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY A. TAMMETT, Chairman THEODORE W. GLOVER, Sec'y ERNEST H. BAILEY WILLIAM O. DYER J. NEWTON SHIRLEY
Trustees.
159
Care of Playgrounds
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Duxbury, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
Due to the present wartime conditions it was unneces- sary to make extensive repairs to the grounds and build- ings this year, so only the general work was done on the grounds.
Practically the only activities on the field were the ex- hibitions and drilling of the Civilian Defense Organiza- tions and the high school sports.
Respectfully submitted,
EBEN N. BRIGGS.
160
Report of the War Price and Rationing Board
To the Citizens of Duxbury :
January the second marked the third anniversary of rationing. The original Board members consisted of Mr. Philip W. Delano, Chairman; John E. Lucey and George L. Damon. Mr. Delano resigned in 1943 and Mr. Lucey was appointed Chairman. Mr. John W. Flannery was selected to fill the vacancy. As the rationing program was increasing in volume we found it necessary to add to our membership. Mr. Earle Ricker and Jacob Olhson were appointed in 1943.
These members give their services willingly two eve- nings each week and try to interpret the rules fairly and squarely, so the best service possible may be given to you.
A price panel was organized in 1943 and it now con- sists of three members and one part-time clerk.
We have been able to order most of our supplies through the Office of Price Administration and therefore have kept our expenses at a minimum.
Our clerical force is paid by the Federal Government.
We wish to thank the people of the town for their con- sideration and cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN E. LUCEY, Chairman GEORGE L. DAMON JOHN W. FLANNERY EARLE A. RICKER JACOB W. OLHSON.
161
Report of the Trustees of the Jonathan and Ruth Ford Fund
To the Citizens of Duxbury :
The following is a statement of the operations of the principal and income accounts of the Jonathan and Ruth Ford Fund for the year of 1944.
On hand at beginning of year
Principal $25,000.00
Income
Income for 1944
$866.08 640.00
$1,506.08
Paid for relief of worthy case in 1944 223.75
On hand December 31, 1944 $25,000.00 $1,282.33
PHILIP W. DELANO CHARLES R. CROCKER WALTER G. PRINCE JOSEPH T. C. JONES, Treas.
162 Report of Town Historian
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Duxbury :
The Duxbury Historical Society received during the year, the gift of a copy of the report of the Town of Dux- bury for the year 1863-64. So far as I remember, that report contained no word indicating that the war between the States was on, or that Duxbury had any part or in- terest in it.
The Town Reports during the global war in which we are now engaged tell a different story, and will furnish the reader in years to come a fairly accurate picture of ยท Duxbury activities in what we all hope may be "the last war".
But in addition to the war, the normal activities of a small town have to be carried on, and its fortunes and misfortunes accepted. Among these, during the past year may be mentioned the following :
The adoption of the results of a school survey, insti- tuted by the School Committee, and endorsed by the Citi- zens.
The adoption by the Town of a Protective Plan, pro- posed by the Planning Board, voted at Town Meeting.
The moving of the Island Creek schoolhouse over the road to its present location on the High School grounds was an event unusual enough to attract the attention of many.
163
The pupils of the public schools continue to have among their projects the visitation to the historic places in Dux- bury, and a description of them in their own words.
The weather during the summer was very hot, and the long continued drought harmful and almost disastrous to the gardens.
August 12 and 13 were two of the hottest days on record.
On August 12 notice was served by the Water Board limiting the use of water for gardening purposes to cer- tain hours in the late afternoon.
The Hurricane which occurred on the night of Sep- tember 14-15 was most destructive to our beautiful Dux- bury trees. The Yacht Club Basin with its fleet of boats suffered severe damage. Many houses had narrow escapes and it will be a long time before the town recovers from its effects. So far as I know there was no loss of life and no personal injuries.
An album of photographs is in process of preparation which will support the wildest stories of the oldest in- habitant.
So ends the year.
WALTER R. HUNT,
Town Historian.
164
Report of Plymouth County Extension Service
All members of the Extension Service staff devoted an ever-increasing portion of time directly and indirectly in promoting the production and preservation of food. County Agricultural, Home Demonstration, and 4-H Club Agents were united in their Food Production Program. This has been one of the most difficult seasons for our farm people in Plymouth County, the weather being the chief factor with which we had to contend. Crops were greatly reduced, particularly cranberries which had one of the smallest crops in the history of the industry. The hay crop for our dairy farmers is also in this category, and vegetable farms also suffered severely.
Labor has been very acute, but through the funds made available through the War Food Administration, the Farm Labor Program was turned over to the Extension Ser- vice. Under this program, 235 Jamaicans were imported to assist the cranberry industry, and 13 Newfoundland laborers were imported to help our dairy farmers. The total recruitment of workers, including boys and girls, and the above, numbered 696. The Farm Labor Program is cleared through the County Agricultural Agent's office.
Another wartime activity which required an increasing amount of time was the investigation of Selective Service cases, and during the past year 1016 cases were investi- gated and reported to the Local Selective Service Boards.
The County Agents participated in 251 meetings dur- ing the past year ranging from project meetings such
165
as cranberry, poultry, dairy, forestry, market gardening, to committee meetings, and many other meetings in which
we appeared on the program.
The County Staff on the request of the Governor con- tinued the local Food Production and Preservation Pro- gram in each town in the county. An active committee was established in each town, and made a definite con- tribution to the war effort in promoting home food pro- duction in Plymouth County. These local committees should be highly commended for the time and effort that they gave freely to this food program.
The Home Department continued to stress Conserva- tion of food, clothing, home furnishings, and equipment, during 1944. Sewing machine Clinics were held in the various towns throughout the county. At these meetings 242 home-makers learned to thoroughly clean and adjust their machines. Follow-up meetings taught better use of the sewing machines with emphasis on use of attach- ments.
447 homemakers attended slip cover demonstrations, which had been preceded by a lesson on the repair of spring-unit cushions. Due to poor growing conditions, less vegetable canning was done in Plymouth County during 1944, than in 1943. However, meetings on food preservation were conducted in all sections of the county, and many individual problems were answered by the agents from the office and while making home service calls.
So long as the nation is at war, Conservation is destined to be the basis of all the teaching done by the Home De- partment, and they are proud of the contribution the homemakers make to the national conservation program.
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In accordance with the all-over Extension program, the 4-H Department placed emphasis in 1944 on con- servation. "Feed a Fighter or More in '44" was the slogan adopted by the club members for their food production and preservation program. Weather conditions, how- ever, were against the members and gardens did not produce as much as last year. Because the home gar- deners were not successful the canning club members did not preserve as much as in 1943.
The sheep project which was new to Plymouth County proved to be very successful. Sheep shows at the fairs attracted much attention, and were instrumental in se- curing new enrollments in the projects.
4-H Town Committees were organized by the club agents in several towns throughout the county. The duty of the committees is to head-up club work in their re- spective towns. Such an organization leads to a very successful 4-H program within the community.
In line with a proposed program for young people, help has been given to older youth groups by the agents. The 4-H Service Club, which has been inactive since the war began, was also reorganized.
ERNEST W. CHANDLER,
Town Director.
167
Report of Committee on Public Safety
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury :
I am pleased to report that with the exception of a few departments we have had practically no activity for the past year.
PROTECTION DEPARTMENT :
Mr. Richard P. Whitney, Chairman.
We have not had any practice alerts for the year and it has not been necessary to call out the Wardens during that time.
On the night of the hurricane in September the Report Center was manned and a few of the residents of Dux- bury Beach were evacuated to the High School Audi- torium where they were nicely taken care of by Mr. George E. Green.
A requested alert was received for a plane crash in the vicinity of Duxbury which was later found in Dux- bury, Vermont.
We have received through CD weather reports of all severe approaching storms since the hurricane and were prepared to function if the occasion had demanded action.
We wish to express our appreciation to the M.W.D.C. for their cooperation whenever called upon.
168
WAR SERVICES :
Miss Constance Young, Chairman.
The year has been a very quiet one for this division, the only time called on was after the hurricane when we were requested by the Red Cross to get word to the Citi- zens that the Red Cross had artificial ice for those who were out of refrigeration on account of the storm. I am pleased to report that the Neighborhood Leaders and their Aides took care of this very promptly and efficiently.
SOCIAL SERVICE :
Mrs. John Flannery, Chairman.
The Social Service Committee has carried on its work throughout the year having sent, each month, an illus- trated letter of Duxbury news, "The Clam" to each Dux- bury man and woman in the armed forces.
Mr. Green has been most helpful in having these letters multigraphed at the High School.
The Committee Secretary has kept the address file as nearly correct as is possible and has addressed and sent out over 3,300 of these letters. A year's subscription to Readers Digest has been sent to all those overseas in the Pacific, in Alaska, and on active sea duty, again this Christmas.
The Chaplain, Mr. Philbrick, has conducted a service at the War Shrine every week with prayers for everyone in the Services, and with special remembrance for about ten, each Wednesday. He also held a New Year's Eve midnight service.
Because of the expense of stationery and postage for the Clam, stationery, postage and candles for the War
169
Shrine, and the cost of the Readers Digest, the Committee sent out letters asking for contributions to carry on the work. The response was most generous.
The letters of appreciation coming from the men and women from the far corners of the earth, sent by high ranking Officers down through all the grades, repay a thousandfold any effort and time expended.
It is our earnest hope that Peace will bring the men and women home before the close of another year, but the work will be carried on until the day of victory, whenever that may be.
SALVAGE :
Mr. Walter G. Prince, Chairman.
Salvage collected and sold during 1944:
Paper
821/2 Tons
Rags
200 lbs. plus
Tin Cans
5 Tons
Light Metal
11/2 Tons
Monthly reports show Duxbury well over its quota for the collection of fats.
The following donations were voted leaving a balance of $674.56 :
Red Cross War Fund
$50.00
National War Fund
50.00
American Legion Post, No. 223
50.00
Duxbury Women's Defence Corps
50.00
Duxbury Recreation Committee
25.00
Duxbury Social Service Committee 25.00
Coast Guard Auxiliary
25.00
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Red Cross General Fund Salvation Army Jordan Hospital American Legion Christmas Fund
100.00
50.00
50.00
25.00
Total
$500.00
The unfailing monthly contributions of time, trucks, and paper by many Duxbury Citizens is hereby acknowl- edged gratefully by the Committee.
Paper will continue to be collected on the first Tuesday of every month, except in case of rain or snow, when the collection will be made on the first pleasant day.
GENERAL:
The Staff Committee has held meetings at the Report Center through the year as occasion demanded .. Our ex- penses for the year amounted to $489.69 of which $97.14 was for the promotion of the several Bond drives.
While the papers have termed Civilian Defence on a "Stand-by" basis our Report Center is still fully equipped and our Communications System intact and ready for any emergency.
To the Staff Committee, the Chairmen of the various departments and to all those serving in any capacity in Civilian Defence I express to you my sincere apprecia- tion and know that if the occasion comes that you are fully prepared and ready to serve the Community.
To the Captain and members of the M.W.D.C. I wish to add my appreciation for the many services rendered to me personally during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY L. TINKER,
Chairman.
171 Report of the Planning Board
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury :
On April 26, 1944 the Attorney-General's Office re- turned to Mr. Joseph T. C. Jones, Town Clerk of Dux- bury, the Protective By-law (as passed by the town at its annual meeting, March 4, 1944) with the approval of Robert T. Bushnell, Attorney-General. The admin- istering of the By-law is in the hands of the Selectmen. The question of method of administration was taken up by the Selectmen and Planning Board jointly, and it was thought advisable to get further information from the Attorney-General's office. This information having been obtained, a preface of General Information was attached to the printed By-law by the Selectmen and the By-law was then circulated by leaving a copy at each occupied dwelling.
The work of Planning Boards seems to center around the matter of zoning. This seems to be the procedure in most towns. The Board does not wish to shirk any of its obligations, but the affairs of the town seem to be so well run by the Selectmen, with such good judgment and foresight, that the duties of a Planning Board in Dux- bury are greatly reduced. We are always glad to get any suggestions as to guidance and welfare of the town.
There is talk of National and State interest in building highways after the war. The town certainly wants to do its share in providing facilities for travel. We must do what we can to try to steer such work so that the town will not be spoiled in the process.
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The Board regrets to report the resignation of Mr. Franklin Brett, who for many years has been a very effi- cient and willing worker for Duxbury and it has been a great pleasure to be associated with him. The town owes him much.
OLIVER L. BARKER FRANKLIN BRETT MARY N. GIFFORD BENJAMIN F. GOODRICH PERCY L. WALKER.
173
Report of Honor Roll Committee
January 18th, 1945 To the Citizens of Duxbury :
Since the last annual report of your committee thirty- seven names have been added to the Honor Roll list. Due to delays in securing name strips eight of these names are not yet on the board itself.
During the past year four names have had their let- ters changed from white to gold.
Raymond Charles Clark, killed in action over France in March or April, 1944.
Merrill M. Green, died of wounds received in France, July 27th, 1944.
William Manuel Martin, died at Cherbourg, France, November 24th, 1944. Louis P. Mendes, killed in action in France, August 28th, 1944.
The names added since the last report, and which bring the total on the list to three hundred are as follows :
Arnold, Edward L., Jr.
McGrath, Lyman Leavitt Mendes, Louis P.
Briel, Karl R.
Burns, John Torrey
Murphy, Winthrop Allen
Nickerson, Martha Wilma
Burtt, Theodore Carlton Cornish, James E. Davis, Dana Warren
Parkman, Clarence Moulton, Jr.
Perry, Donald David
Davison, Freeman I., Jr.
Phillips, Frank Elmer, Jr.
Dean, Frances Elizabeth
Randall, Rexford Laurence
Edwards, Arthur William
Ely, Valentine Augustus, Jr.
Rose, Sylvia Wadsworth Simmons, Wilma Brett
Harvey, Joseph Larkin Haviland, Alexander James Hazzard, Louis F. Howland, Kenneth A.
Smith, Nora Elizabeth Talmage, John Hoag Teravainen, Charles Torrey, Earl W. Viega, Manuel
Johnson, David Pierce
Johnson, Stanley Victor Jones, William Ellsworth LaGreca, Anthony Francis Marshall, Joseph Alfred
White, William Gardner
Whiting, Alton W., Jr.
Whitney, Irving McFalen
174
Of the amount appropriated at the last Annual Town Meeting about one hundred and seventy dollars was spent in carrying out the plans of your committee as outlined in their last report, and the balance returned to the Town Treasury. The committee recommends that one hundred dollars be appropriated at the coming Annual Meeting for continued maintenance. We estimate that this amount will cover any unforseen expenditure during the year and probably will be sufficient to cover all expense through the following year.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER R. HUNT EDWIN M. NOYES JAMES T. O'NEIL.
175
Report of School Housing Committee
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury :
Pursuant to the town meeting of March 4, 1944 the Moderator appointed a committee, whose names are sub- scribed hereto, to investigate the school housing situation.
Your committee met and organized on March 24, 1944.
It was felt that the question of housing was inseparable from the questions of general future policy of the town as to the handling of its schools. It considers that the immediate needs of the school department are logically a problem of the School Committee. Accordingly this committee has considered the problem of housing in its long range aspect.
The possibility of sending our High School pupils to another town and using our present buildings for our lower grades was discussed and we found that Plymouth would be receptive to the idea of teaching our High School pupils. This offers an arrangement from which it would be easy to withdraw if it did not seem satis- factory, but as a permanent arrangement it did not ap- peal to the committee.
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