USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1941-1945 > Part 6
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Following is the result of the balloting for Town Officers :
For Selectman for Three Years:
Charles R. Crocker
Harry F. Swift Scattering Blanks 211
613 Votes 67 Votes 7 Votes
And Charles R. Crocker was declared elected by the Moderator.
For Selectman for One Year (Unexpired Term) :
Edward L. Arnold 37 Votes Philip W. Delano 434 Votes
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William W. Radcliffe Paul N. Swanson Scattering Blanks
320 Votes 92 Votes 1 Vote 14
And Philip W. Delano was declared elected by the Moderator.
For Assessor for Three Years:
Edward L. Arnold
39 Votes
Philip W. Delano
412 Votes
William W. Radcliffe
314 Votes
Paul N. Swanson
93 Votes
Scattering
2 Votes
Blanks 38
And Philip W. Delano was declared elected by the Mod- erator.
For Members of the Board of Public Welfare for One Year:
Charles R. Crocker
590 Votes
Gordon L. King
580 Votes
Ethel L. McAuliffe
404 Votes
Willard R. Randall
506 Votes
Scattering
1 Vote
Blanks
613
And Charles R. Crocker, Gordon L. King, and Willard R. Randall were declared elected by the Moderator.
For Town Clerk for Three Years :
Joseph T. C. Jones 799 Votes Blanks 99
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And Joseph T. C. Jones was declared elected by the Moderator.
For Town Treasurer for Three Years :
Joseph T. C. Jones Blanks 107
791 Votes
And Joseph T. C. Jones was declared elected by the Moderator.
Collector of Taxes for Three Years :
Edwin M. Noyes
Scattering Blanks
774 Votes 4 Votes 120
And Edwin M. Noyes was declared elected by the Mod- erator.
For Constables for One Year :
Earl W. Chandler
627 Votes
Delbert C. Glass
319 Votes
William J. Murphy
660 Votes
James T. O'Neil
728 Votes
Scattering 1 Vote
Blanks 359
And James T. O'Neil, William J. Murphy, and Earl W. Chandler were declared elected by the Moderator.
School Committee for Three Years :
Kenneth G. Garside 585 Votes Herbert C. Wirt 524 Votes
Ethel S. Wyman
420 Votes
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Scattering Blanks
2 Votes 265
And Kenneth G. Garside and Herbert C. Wirt were de- clared elected by the Moderator.
For Cemetery Trustee for Five Years :
William O. Dyer Scattering Blanks
728 Votes 4 Votes 166
And William O. Dyer was declared elected by the Mod- erator.
For Tree Warden for One Year :
John D. Morrison Blanks 156
742 Votes
And John D. Morrison was declared elected by the Moderator.
For Member of Planning Board for Five Years : Franklin Brett
727 Votes 3 Votes
Scattering Blanks 168
And Franklin Brett was declared elected by the Mod- erator.
Voted to adjourn.
JOSEPH T. C. JONES,
Town Clerk.
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The following Town Officers took the Oath of Office in 1941:
Joseph T. C. Jones, Town Clerk and Treasurer for three years was sworn by the Moderator.
The following Town Officials were duly sworn by the Town Clerk :
Charles R. Crocker, Selectman for 3 years; Board of Public Welfare for 1 year.
Philip W. Delano, Selectman for 1 year; Assessor for 3 years.
Gordon L. King, Board of Public Welfare for 1 year. Willard R. Randall, Board of Public Welfare for 1 year. Earl W. Chandler, Constable and Police Officer for 1 year.
William J. Murphy, Constable for 1 year.
Lawrence C. Doyle, Police Officer for 1 year.
Frank E. Phillips, Police Officer for 1 year.
Edwin M. Noyes, Tax Collector for 3 years. H. E. Merry, Forest Warden for 1 year. Howard D. Butler, Special Officer for 1 year. Kenneth G. Garside, School Committee for 3 years.
A. Elliot Holmes, Shellfish Constable for 1 year.
Edward S. O'Neil, Supt. of Streets, Field Driver and Fence Viewer for 1 year.
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Edward S. Soule, Burial Agent for 1 year.
Alpheus H. Walker, Registrar of Voters for 3 years.
Sverre A. Strom, Harbor Master for 1 year.
Norman B. White, Assistant Harbor Master for 1 year.
Arthur E. Johnson, Surveyor of Wood and Lumber for 1 year.
Ernest W. Chandler, Inspector of Animals for 1 year.
Edwin S. Hill, Field Driver for 1 year.
Dr. Reuben Peterson, Town Historian for 1 year and Planning Board for 5 years.
H. E. Merry, Leroy M. Peterson, Arthur C. Greene, Edward S. O'Neil, Edward S. Soule, Levi G. Cushing and Harry A. Tammett; Fire Engineers for 1 year.
Harry A. Tammett, Cemetery Trustee to March, 1942 (Unexpired Term).
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Report of Treasurer
Receipts
Balance, January 1, 1941
$67,683.27
Received :
Taxes
$210,195.53
Licenses and Permits
2,544.00
Fines and Forfeits
306.00
Grants and Gifts
14,030.48
General Government
648.40
Protection of Persons and Property
249.28
Health and Sanitation
132.30
Highways
358.62
Charities
2,627.96
Old Age Assistance
29,688.33
Aid to Dependent Children
1,973.59
Soldiers' Benefits
370.00
Schools 482.33
Unclassified
4.00
Cemeteries
2,627.90
Interest
10,321.82
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Agency, Trust and Investment
3,657.30
Refunds
176.54
Total Receipts
$280,394.38
Total Cash
$348,077.65
Disbursements
Paid on Selectmen's Warrants $246,176.46
Balance, December 31, 1941 101,901.19
$348,077.65
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH T. C. JONES,
Treasurer.
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Report of Assessors
Valuations of buildings assessed
$5,362,297
Valuation of land assessed
1,755,644
Total value of real estate
7,117,941
Valuation of personal estate
353,444
Total valuation
7,471,385
Increase in real estate over last year
36,235
Increase in personal estate over last year
17,429
Rate of taxation on $1,000.00 valuation
22.30
Number of houses assessed
1,517
Number of horses assessed
23
Number of cows assessed
93
Number of sheep assessed
20
Number of neat cattle other than cows
20
Number of fowl assessed
8,825
Number of persons assessed on property
1,791
Number of polls assessed
873
State Tax
18,645
County Tax
14,230.30
State audit tax
257.82
State park and reservation tax
219.31
Tax on real estate
158,732.04
Tax on personal estate
7,882.76
Tax on polls
1,746.00
Number of acres of land assessed
13,723
Assessed valuation of automobiles
358,180
Excise tax (rate $36.80 per $1,000.00 valuation) 11,146.12
Respectfully submitted,
SIDNEY C. SOULE, CHARLES R. CROCKER, PHILIP W. DELANO,
Assessors.
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Report of the Board of Public Welfare
To the Citizens of Duxbury :
The year 1941 has seen several changes in the Depart- ment of Public Welfare.
Ernest A. Jones, who had been employed by the De partment for more than 4 years, resigned in April 1941 to accept employment elsewhere.
Under the direction of the new Agent, Miss Katherine E. Deans, several changes have been affected to the bene- fit of the Department and to the Town.
Since 1909, Duxbury has employed either one or two town physicians each year to give medical care to those unfortunate families who found it necessary to seek assistance from the Welfare Department. In 1931, Old Age Assistance was established, and each recipient was required to call the town physician for his medical care. During 1939 the State Department advocated that those persons receiving relief be allowed the "Physician of Choice". This requirement has been partially complied with, but Duxbury still maintained the Town Physicians. As it is necessary to follow the advice of the State De- partment, in reference to reimbursements, the town physician should be discontinued and the physician of choice urged in all categories of relief.
The Infirmary was closed May 1, 1942 as there was only one inmate left.
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The Red Cross Motor Corps has been of great assistance in the past few months in assisting in cases where emer- gency transportation was required. Their cooperation in time of distress and emergency is deeply appreciated.
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
The 1940 report showed that the new year would begin with 88 active cases. Since April 1941, 12 new applica- tions and 1 renewal application for Old Age Assistance were made; 11 of these applications were accepted and approved by the State Department, 2 were denied by the Local Bureau of Old Age Assistance, and taken to the Appeal Board for consideration. The Appeal Board denied Old Age Assistance in these cases. One case was closed following home visit when sufficient income was found in family to cover the required budget, 1 case proved in be ineligible for the assistance, 4 cases moved to other towns, and there were 3 deaths, leaving 89 active cases at the close of the year.
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
It is rather difficult to estimate the amount of money that will be required for this category of relief, or to esti- mate the number of families and children eligible for Aid to Dependent Children. Although in 1937 this branch of relief was broadened to cover a larger scope of children, certain qualifications must still be met in order to prove eligibility for this assistance, therefore, the number of cases remain in the lower brackets of relief given.
During 1941, only 7 cases representing 22 children were aided. 2 cases with 10 children were closed leaving only 5 active cases with 12 children at the close of the 1941 fiscal year.
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W. P. A. REPORT
The early part of 1941 the W. P. A. projects for our unemployed men were closed. During March 1941, a School Lunch Project was proposed and started, employ- ing 11 women. The Red Cross Motor Corps services were greatly appreciated giving volunteer transportation of the hot lunches to the various schools, and their capable assistance in serving the foods.
School closed the latter part of June and this project was discontinued until the school session reopened in September.
The value and result of having this project may be obtained from the Superintendent of Schools and the School Nurse. We do know, however, that the maintain- ing and improving of children's health is one way that will assist our Government in the Civilian Defense Pro- gram.
CHARLES R. CROCKER, Chairman GORDON L. KING WILLARD R. RANDALL
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Report of Chief of Police
January 22, 1942
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
Following is the report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1941.
LIST OF OFFENCES
Assault
1
Drunk
12
Illegitimate Child
1
Insane
2
Larceny
1
Operating to endanger
2
Operating under the influence
2
Non Support
2
Rape
1
24
DISPOSITIONS
Sentenced to State and County Institutions
3
Probation
4
Fined
13
Filed
1
Released
1
Continued
2
24
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MISCELLANEOUS
Complaints investigated
439
Motor accidents investigated
31
Summons served for outside Police
23
Emergency messages delivered
50
Beach stickers issued
2,250
Dogs disposed of
27
Cats disposed of
46
Animals returned to owners
39
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES T. O'NEIL,
Chief of Police.
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Report of Fire Chief
January 16, 1942
The Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Duxbury, Mass.
Gentlemen :
The following is my report of the activities of the Fire Department for the year 1941. A total of 41 Calls.
13 Buildings
8 Chimney
5 Automobiles
5 Oil Burners
4 Emergency
3 Out of Town
1 Bridge
2 Elec. Wires
None of these were serious fires, due to the cooperation of the citizens of the town by removal of debris from the attics and cellars, and the prompt response of the department.
This year presents a different problem now that we are at war. The only new equipment that I shall ask for will be for hose and etc. The apparatus is in good condi- tion and well cared for.
Duxbury Beach has presented a problem but I feel the steps we have taken will eliminate any serious fire hazard in that section.
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I have appointed one man for each of the five small. communities and they in turn have organized groups that are being drilled and will perform in any emergency. If this war comes to New England every fire department will be in the front line, therefore it behooves every citizen to take every precaution possible and be prepared to use what you have at hand to combat an incendiary fire. Sand for the layman is the answer.
It is your duty to acquaint yourselves with any and all information you can get. This department is ready at all times to furnish you with that information or do any- thing in its power to give service to you.
I wish again to thank the telephone operators for their splendid cooperation. They have pulled the Number 1 hook for many years. That now will be located at the Central Station, but they still call my men for which I owe them a debt of gratitude.
Respectfully yours,
H. E. MERRY,
Fire Chief.
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Report of Forest Warden
January 16, 1941
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Duxbury, Mass.
Gentlemen :
The following is a list of fires, and number of acres burned over during 1941 with a total of 81 calls and a total of 18 acres burned over.
19 Grass
13 Brush
5 Forest
17 Roadside
8 No Permit
16 Dump
7 Out of Town
3 Unnecessary
The increase in numbers over the previous year was due to the worst drought we have had in fifty years.
In May I organized a group of High School boys to be known as the Junior Forest Fire Department, naming Robert Peterson as Captain, Marshall Freeman as 1st Lieutenant, and Richard Ford as 2nd Lieutenant. They have shown a lot of interest and have done a lot of good work. They have drilled and become familiar with all of our equipment and their parents may well be proud of them.
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At the Marshfield Fire we lost the Dodge from No. Duxbury. That has been replaced by a Model A Ford with a new engine and a new pump which gives us good protection in that district.
I have ordered 2 portable units powered by Briggs and Stratton engines with pumps and will ask for a small truck to take the place of the Dodge at Freeman's Garage in which one of these small units with a 100 gallon tank will be placed. The other to be used for protection in Island Creek during the emergency.
I want to again call your attention to the great help our radio gives us in its service, and radio will be more in use if war comes to us. In the Marshfield Fire radio was the only means of communication during the fire.
Our other apparatus is in good condition and will be ready for service when the season opens. That portable saw mill operating for the past year in the western part of the town that may bring a headache to us in the future but as in times past we will do our part, no man can do more.
Again I want to thank the men and boys for their splendid cooperation, it is that that has kept the fire losses at a minimum.
Respectfully yours,
H. E. MERRY,
Forest Fire Warden.
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Report of Moth Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Since our last report work has been carried on about the same as last year. Stripping was quite bad during the summer season and at the present we are treating a' great number of nests in the thickly settled parts of the town. Another good sprayer would help a lot. At present we are creosoting egg clusters along the roadside.
JOHN D. MORRISON,
Local Moth Supt.
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Report of Tree Warden
To the Citizens of Duxbury :
Work was started early in the spring on our elm trees for the Elm Beetle. The elm trees were sprayed only once but should be sprayed two or three times. We have done trimming and also dead-wood removed from the following streets : Chandler, Union, River, Keene, Laurel, Bay Road, Marshall, Columbus Ave., Crescent, So. Sta- tion and Depot. We also cut Web Worms on several streets in town where they were bad.
The tree department should have more money to work with and this would keep the Highway Department away from the trees along the roadsides.
JOHN D. MORRISON,
Tree Warden.
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Report of Street Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury :
This Department has carried on the usual routine work required on the roads each year.
About ten miles of road in different parts of the town were seal coated with asphalt, and 5,000 ft. of guard rails repaired and painted.
The appropriations for the new work was done as follows :
Chandler Street widened, gravelled and asphalted for one and a half miles.
Old Cove Road was built according to the layout also gravelled and a coat of asphalt put on.
Soule Avenue from Route 3A to Bay Road was built and 500 feet of fence erected and painted.
A new bridge was constructed on the Duxbury and Pembroke line, with Pembroke sharing half of the ex- pense.
Gurnet Bridge has been repaired as needed and kept in as good condition as possible.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD S. O'NEIL,
Superintendent of Streets.
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Report of Board of Health
Board of Health,
Duxbury, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I have the honor to submit my annual report as agent for the Board of Health.
The dairies of all producers of milk were inspected and licensed. All retailers were inspected and licensed. Licenses were also issued to dealers in oleomargarine.
All overnight camps were inspected and licensed. These camps are also checked by the State Department of Health.
There were thirty-seven contagious cases reported in the town of Duxbury during the past year. Authoriza- tion for x-ray examination at the Plymouth County Hos- pital was issued for several cases.
The Board of Health continued the school dental work, with Dr. George M. Mayers and Dr. W. O. Dyer as school dentists.
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 corrected.
Respectfully submitted,
C. H. KING, M. D.,
Agent.
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Report of Memorial Day Committee
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Duxbury, Massachusetts :
Again the Memorial Day Committee of Myles Standish Camp, No. 115, S. U. V. C. W. are called upon to give an account of the funds entrusted to us to carry out the seventy-three year old tradition of remembering those who made the supreme sacrifice on land and sea that the blessings of a free government might be our heritage.
We have, as always, endeavored to fulfill the trust im- posed in us by the G. A. R., to decorate the graves of all known soldiers and sailors within our jurisdiction. If any omissions have been noted, kindly advise us.
Our detail, composed of Camp No. 115, S. U. V. C. W., Post 223 American Legion and Boy Scout's held services at Ashdod, Dingley, North Duxbury, Standish and May- flower cemeteries and Blue Fish River Bridge, where our auxiliary conducted the service, with the usual service in the Unitarian Church, assisted by the school children of Duxbury.
In the decoration of graves in the Mayflower Cemetery, we were assisted by members of Post 223 American Le- gion, Boy and Girl Scouts in a very willing and efficient manner. As chairman of the committee I wish to especi- ally thank the Legion for their kind and ready response to my several requests upon them.
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Our thanks to everyone who in any way assisted. Expenses $277.91.
Respectfully submitted,
EDEN S. GLOVER, P. Com., Chairman PARKER B. CHANDLER, P. Com., Clerk
GEORGE B. CUSHING, P. Com. OSCAR B. RYDER, P. Com. HOWARD D. BUTLER, P. Com. FRANKLIN WHITE.
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Report of Librarian Duxbury Free Library, Inc.
January 1st, 1942.
Business at the Library has been as usual, the summer circulation heavy and no perceptible change in the aver- age for the year. Attendance has been about 15,000. One good sign was the slight increase in the number of juve- nile patrons.
Book prices were somewhat stiffer than in recent years, with a tendency to raise books formerly sold at $2.00 to $2.50. However, the Library kept its supply of modern fiction and non-fiction fairly well up to the mark.
Naturally since the begining of the war the output of non-fiction has grown steadily greater and the demand for this more expensive type of book has increased in equal ratio. Popular interest in all subjects relating to world affairs is far more wide-spread than ever before.
It has been officially given out that 10.000,000 books are required for use by the Army and Navy forces. Your Librarian has been appointed by the State committee to receive all local contributions. Books of all kinds are needed, fiction, science, travel, history, biography, etc., but these must not be out-dated or in poor condition.
All those who wish to aid in this important work may
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bring the books to the Library where they will be packed and forwarded to the central regional station.
Respectfully submitted,
FISHER AMES,
Librarian.
:
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Report of the Treasurer of the Duxbury Free Library, Inc.
For the year 1941 the Library re- ceived a grant from the Town of Duxbury of $1,200.00
and its share (one sixteenth)
of the Lucy Hathaway Fund (paid each third year) 317.84
The income from the various funds
amounted to sums as follows :
Wright Fund
$2,989.56
Winsor Fund
265.50
*Harding Fund
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Hathaway Fund 69.31
Duxbury Hall
310.95
$3,635.32
There was collected on the principal account
3,156.00
$8,309.16
On hand January 1, 1941
2,708.72
$11,017.88
The Expenses for 1941 :
Fisher Ames, librarian $1,800.00
Mrs. Bencordo 720.00
George Needham 360.00
$2,880.00
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Operating Expenses :
Oil
$237.06
Light
109.54
Water
12.00
Telephone
42.95
Insurance
232.00
Repairs
174.05
Safe Deposit Box
10.00
$817.60
Miscellaneous expenses
7.07
Books
1,200.00
Principal reinvested
3,403.00
Cash on hand January 1, 1942
2,710.21
$11,017.88
WILLIAM H. YOUNG,
Treasurer.
January 3, 1942
Came too late to be included.
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Report of Shellfish Constable
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I submit herewith my annual report as Shellfish Con- stable for the year 1941.
The first two months of the year, in spite of consider- able ice in the bays, there were an average of 10 men dig- ging shellfish and the next three months an average of 12 men. They had fair digging. From June 1st to Octo- ber 1st there were 18 men digging shellfish. They had very good digging, and received a fair price for their clams. There were also 2 men digging seaworms during most of that time.
From October 1st to January 1st there was an average of only 12 men digging. On account of defense work and the draft the diggers are gradually leaving the shores which will give the small clams a chance to increase and grow in size. There has been quite a lot of seed clams come into the bay this year and razorfish are quite plen- tiful.
There has been little trouble from out-of-town diggers, the greatest trouble has been the destroying of signs.
The following amount of shellfish has been taken from the flats :
Razorfish 1,330 bushels @ $1.25 per bushel $1,662.50 Clams 6,635 bushels @ $1.33 1-3 per bushel 8,846.67
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Quahaugs 200 bushels @ $1.25 per bushel 250.00 Sea Worms 52,740 bushels @ 0.02 each 1,054.80
$11,813.97
30 permits were issued.
262 buckets of cockles were destroyed.
Out of the total of clams dug, 2,934 gallons of shucked clams were sold @ $2.25 per gallon.
A. ELLIOT HOLMES,
Shellfish Constable.
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Report of the Superintendent of Cemeteries
To the Cemetery Trustees :
I submit my report for the year of 1941. At Mayflower Cemetery the general work was done. The leaves were raked and the avenues edged and cleaned. The fence on the back of the Cemetery was painted and repaired.
The egg clusters were creosoted and the trees sprayed three times by the Moth Department.
In Ashdod Cemetery the avenues and walks were edged and cleaned. The general work was done. Dingley Ceme- tery was raked and cleaned. At Standish Cemetery the grass was cut and the cemetery raked and cleaned.
All Perpetual and Annual care lots were cared for and fertilized. Five new lots were built and seven old lots rebuilt. Fifty-five foundations were built. There were fifty-two interments this year. Seventeen Perpetual Care Funds were added this year.
The Ladies Union Fair Association rebuilt a section in the Historical part of Mayflower Cemetery.
From the Samuel H. Howland Cemetery Fund the Cem- etery Department improved a section along the front of the Cemetery facing Tremont Street.
This Department had a number of shrubs and ever- green trees donated to them this year.
The Duxbury Firemen have placed their bowlder on the Firemen's lot and have placed their lot in Perpetual Care.
Respectfully submitted,
LAUREL B. FREEMAN,
Supt. of Cemeteries.
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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 1941.
As the report of the Superintendent of Cemeteries covering the work of caring for the Cemeteries has been received and accepted by the Trustees, and will be printed in the Town Report for 1941, we would refer to said report for information.
In order that the work of caring for the Cemeteries may be carried on as has been the practice in recent years, we would respectfully ask for an appropriation of $7,500.00 for the year 1942.
In asking for an increased appropriation for 1942, we would call attention to the following: For the year 1941 we had a total available fund (including the annual March meeting appropriation) of $7,070.71.
For 1942 our available revenue (outside of what may be allowed us at the March meeting of 1942) will be ap- proximate $700.00 less than in 1941. Another item is the advance in wages of the employees, which will mean approximate $500.00 more for the same amount of work done per year. Assuming that the citizens of Duxbury desire to keep the Cemeteries up to the present standard, we are asking for the above amount for 1942.
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