USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1946-1950 > Part 19
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February 21, 1948
$12.60
Outstanding February 21, 1948, per list
12.14
$24.74
MOTOR VEHICLE AND TRAILER EXCISE-1947
Commitments per warrants
$12,035.23
Abatements and payments refunded 311.77
$12,347.00
Payments to treasurer
$10,475.84
Abatements
699.26
Outstanding December 31, 1947
1,171.90
$12,347.00
23
Outstanding January 1, 1948 $1,171.90
Commitment January 1 to
February 21, 1948, per warrant 62.26
Abatements and payments refunded January 1 to February 21, 1948 12.96
$1,247.12
Payments to treasurer January 1
to February 21, 1948 $809.87
Abatements January 1 to February 21, 1948
8.14
Outstanding February 21, 1948, per list
367.43
Cash balance February 21, 1948
61.68
$1,247.12
INTEREST AND COSTS
Interest
Costs
Cash balance January 1, 1947
$4.20
Collections :
Taxes :
Levy of 1945
$66.64
13.45
Levy of 1946
410.74
93.25
Levy of 1947
60.72
56.00
Motor vehicle and trailer excise :
Levy of 1946
6.98
28.00
Levy of 1947
15.13
69.50
$560.21
$264.40
Payments to treasurer 1947
$560.21
$264.40
Collections January 1 to February 21, 1948 : Taxes :
Levy of 1947
$66.76
$23.10
Motor vehicle and trailer excise :
2.88
10.15
Levy of 1947
$69.64
$33.25
24
Payments to treasurer January 1
to February 21, 1948
$60.48
$28.70
Cash balance February 21, 1948
9.16
4.55
$69.64
$33.25
TAX TITLES
Balance January 1, 1947
$1,496.75
Transferred to tax titles :
Taxes 1945
$20.38
Taxes 1946
72.17
Taxes 1947
180.64
Interest and costs
68.50
341.69
$1,838.44
Payments to treasurer
$758.12
Abatements
38.90
Balance December 31, 1947 and
February 21, 1948, per list 1,041.42
$1,838.44
TAX POSSESSIONS
Balance January 1, 1947
$93.85
Balance December 31, 1947 and
February 21, 1948, per list
$93.85
SELECTMEN
Accounts Receivable
Commitment 1947
$37.70
Outstanding December 31, 1947 and
February 21, 1948, per list $37.70
25
Licenses and Permits
Cash balance January 1, 1947 $5.00
Licenses and permits issued :
Amusement
$44.00
Auctioneer
2.00
Automobile dealer
35.00
Clam
49.00
Firearms
4.00
Ice cream
1.00
Innholder
2.00
Junk
35.00
Liquor
3,068.00
Shellfish
348.25
Sunday
18.00
Taxi
6.00
Victualler
22.00
3,634.25
$3,639.25
Payments to treasurer 1947
$3,639.25
Licenses and permits issued
January 1 to February 21, 1948 :
Amusement
$2.00
Automobile dealer
5.00
Clam
16.00
Liquor
10.00
Shellfish
.50
Sunday
4.00
Taxi
6.00
Victualler
4.00
$47.50
Payments to treasurer January 1 to February 21, 1948
$47.50
Licenses issued February 22 to
March 8, 1948 : Shellfish :
$0.75
Payments to treasurer February 22
to March 8, 1948 $0.75
26
TOWN CLERK
Dog Licenses
Licenses issued 1947 :
Male
218 @ $2.00
$436.00
Spayed female
90 @
2.00
180.00
Female
48 @ 5.00
240.00
Kennel
6 @ 10.00
60.00
$916.00
Payments to treasurer 1947 :
For Town-fees
$72.40
For County-proceeds
843.60
$916.00
Sporting Licenses
Licenses issued 1947 :
Series No. 1 30 @ $2.00
$60.00
Series No. 2 135 @
2.00
270.00
Series No. 3 42
@ 3.25
136.50
Series No. 4 9
@ 1.25
11.25
Series No. 5
2
@
2.25
4.50
Series No. 6
5 @ 5.25
26.25
Series No. 9
1
@
5.25
5.25
Series No. 12
1 @ .50
.50
$514.25
Payments to treasurer 1947 :
For State-proceeds
$458.25
For Town-fees
56.00
$514.25
Licenses issued January 1
to February 21, 1948:
Series No. 1 5 @ $2.00
$10.00
Series No. 2 10 @ 2.00
20.00
Series No. 3
14 @ 3.25
45.50
Series No. 6 2 @ 5.25
10.50
$86.00
27
Payments to treasurer January 1
to February 21, 1948 :
For State-proceeds
$74.75
For Town-fees
7.25
Cash on hand February 21, 1948 verified 4.00
$86.00
TOWN CLERK Licenses, Permits, Fees, Etc.
Receipts 1947 :
Certified copies
$19.75
Gasoline renewals
5.00
Marriage permits
40.00
Recording fees
286.50
Sale of "Story of Duxbury"
6.00
$357.25
Payments to treasurer 1947
$357.25
Receipts January 1 to February 21, 1948 :
Marriage permits
$10.00
Recording fees
45.75
Physician's registration
.25
$56.00
Payments to treasurer
January 1 to February 21, 1948
$56.00
Petty Cash
Petty cash advance
$25.00
Cash on hand February 21, 1948, verified
$25.00
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Permits
Permits issued 1947
$7.50
Overpayment to treasurer
.50
$8.00
Payments to treasurer 1947 $8.00
28
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Fees 1947
$39.95
Overpayment to treasurer
.30
$40.25
Payments to treasurer 1947
$40.25
HEALTH DEPARTMENT Accounts Receivable
Commitments 1947
$188.29
Payments to treasurer 1947
$188.29
Licenses and Permits
Outstanding January 1, 1947 $2.00
Licenses and permits issued :
Cabin
$4.50
Garbage
12.00
Milk
8.00
Oleomargarine
3.50
28.00
$30.00
Payments to treasurer 1947
$30.00
Licenses and permits issued
January 1 to February 21, 1948 :
Alcohol
$2.00
Cabin
1.00
Garbage
6.00
$9.00
Payments to treasurer
January 1 to February 21, 1948
$9.00
Licenses issued February 22 to March 8, 1948 : Alcohol $1.00
Payments to treasurer
February 22 to March 8, 1948 $1.00
29
PUBLIC WELFARE DEPARTMENT
Temporary Aid - Accounts Receivable
Outstanding January 1, 1947
$187.60
Commitments 4,969.24
$5,156.84
Payments to treasurer
$4,241.91
Outstanding December 31, 1947
914.93
$5,156.84
Outstanding January 1, 1948 $914.93
Payments to treasurer
January 1 to February 21, 1948 $263.95
Outstanding February 21, 1948
per list
650.98
$914.93
Aid to Dependent Children - Accounts Receivable
Outstanding January 1, 1947
$867.92
Commitments
3,196.53
$4,064.45
Payments to treasurer
$2,838.23
Outstanding December 31, 1947
1,226.22
$4,064.45
Outstanding January 1, 1948
$1,226.22
Commitments January 1, to
February 21, 1948 825.51
$2,051.73
Outstanding February. 21, 1948 per list $2,051.73
30
BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Accounts Receivable
Outstanding January 1, 1947
$608.74
Commitments
18,701.62
$19,310.36
Payments to treasurer
$18,329.02
Outstanding December 31, 1947
981.34
$19,310.36
Outstanding January 1, 1948
$981.34
Commitments January 1 to
February 21, 1948
3,524.21
$4,505.55
Payments to treasurer
January 1 to February 21, 1948 $2,339.66
Outstanding February 21, 1948
per list 2,165.89
$4,505.55
VETERANS' BENEFITS
Accounts Receivable
Outstanding January 1, 1947
$330.00
Commitments
2,101.65
$2,431.65
Payments to treasurer
$330.00
Abatements
283.25
Outstanding December 31, 1947
1,818.40
$2,431.65
31
Outstanding January 1, 1948 $1,818.40 Abatements reported in error adjusted January 1 to February 21, 1948 180.88
$1,999.28
Abatements January 1 to February 21, 1948
$78.50
Outstanding February 21, 1948 per list 1,920.78
$1,999.28
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT Accounts Receivable
Commitments 1947
$630.02
Payments to treasurer 1947
$516.44
Abatements 1947
113.58
$630.02
CEMETERY DEPARTMENT Accounts Receivable
Outstanding January 1, 1947
$110.75
Commitments 2,719.90
$2,830.65
Payments to treasurer
$2,164.90
Abatements
11.00
Outstanding December 31, 1947
654.75
$2,830.65
Outstanding January 1, 1948
$654.75
Commitments January 1, to February 21, 1948
407.00
$1,061.75
Payments to treasurer
January 1 to February 21, 1948 $180.75
Outstanding February 21, 1948 per list 881.00
$1,061.75
32
LUCY HATHAWAY FUND
Cash
Savings Deposits
Securities
Total
On hand at
beginning of year 1947
$3,515.21
$21,205.00
$24,720.21
On hand at
end of
year 1947
$5,319.32
$21,205.00
$26,524.32
On hand Feb- ruary 21, 1948
$49.00
$5,703.31
$21,205.00
$26,957.31
Receipts
Payments
1947
Income
$1,685.53
Added to savings
Sale of Rights
118.58
deposits
$1,804.11
$1,804.11 January 1 to February 21, 1948
$1,804.11
Income
$432.99
Added to savings deposits Cash in general treas- ury February 21, 1948
$383.99
49.00
$432.99
$432.99
THOMAS D. HATHAWAY FUND Shade Trees and Sidewalks
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1947
$2,457.08
$2,457.08
On hand at end of year 1947
$2,493.78
$2,493.78
On hand February 21, 1948
$2,493.78
$2,493.78
Receipts
Payments
Income
1947 $36.70 Added to savings deposits $36.70
January 1 to February 21, 1948 No transactions recorded
33
WILLIAM PENN HARDING LIBRARY FUND
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning
of year 1947
$1,040.80
$1,040.80
On hand at end of year 1947
$1,061.71
$1,061.71
On hand February 21, 1948
$1,010.61
$1,010.61
Receipts
Payments
1947
Income
$20.91 Added to savings deposits
$20.91
January 1 to February 21, 1948
Withdrawn from
Transferred
savings deposits
$51.10
to town
$61.71
Income
$10.61
$61.71
$61.71
MYLES STANDISH LOT FUND
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1947
$1,591.39
$1,591.39
On hand at end of year 1947
$1,588.45
$1,588.45
On hand February 21, 1948
$1,588.45
$1,588.45
Receipts
Payments
1947
Withdrawn from
Transferred
savings deposits
$2.94
to town
$34.92
Income
31.98
$34.92
$34.92 January 1 to February 21, 1948 No transactions recorded
34
JONATHAN AND RUTH FORD FUND
Savings Deposits
Securities Par Value
Total
On hand at begin-
ning of year 1947
$1,689.59
$25,000.00
$26,689.59
On hand at end of year 1947
$2,121.29
$25,000.00
$27,121.29
On hand Feb. 21, 1948
$2,121.29
$25,000.00
$27,121.29
Receipts
Payments
1947
Income
$655.40
Added to savings deposits Transferred
$431.70
to town
223.70
$655.40
$655.40 January 1 to February 21, 1948 No transactions recorded
LUCY A. EWELL CEMETERY FUND
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1947
$533.38
$533.38
On hand at end of year 1947
$544.09
$544.09
On hand February 21, 1948
$549.53
$549.53
Receipts
Payments
1947
Income
$10.71 Added to savings deposits
$10.71
.
January 1 to February 21, 1948 :
Income
$5.44 Added to sayings deposits . . $5.44
35
GEORGE H. WOOD MEMORIAL DAY FLOWER FUND
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1947
$1,023.10
$1,023.10
On hand at end of year 1947
$1,023.66
$1,023.66
On hand February 21, 1948
$1,023.66
$1,023.66
Receipts
Payments
1947
Income
$20.56 Added to savings deposits
$0.56
Transferred to town 20.00
$20.56
$20.56
January 1 to February 21, 1948 No transactions recorded
CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE FUNDS
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1947
$75,574.95
$75,574.95
On hand at end of year 1947
$81,553.24
$81,553.24
On hand February 21, 1948
$81,755.31
$81,755.31
Receipts
Payments
1947
Income
$1,507.79
Bequests
5,890.00
Added to savings deposits $5,978.29
Transferred
to town 1,419.50
$7,397.79 January 1 to February 21, 1948
$7,397.79
Income
Bequests
200.00
$2.07 Added to savings deposits $202.07
$202.07
$202.07
36
POST-WAR REHABILITATION FUND
Savings Deposits
Securities Par Value
Total
On hand at begin- ning of year 1947
$2,204.75
$50,000.00
$52,204.75
On hand at end of year 1947
$3,495.88
$50,000.00
$53,495.88
On hand Feb. 21, 1948
$3,838.64
$50,000.00
$53,838.64
Receipts
Payments
1947
Income
$1,291.13 Added to savings deposits $1,291.13
Income
January 1 to February 21, 1948 $342.76 Added to savings deposits
$342.76
STABILIZATION FUND
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1947
$9,500.00
$9,500.00
On hand at end of year 1947
$19,190.95
$19,190.95
On hand February 21, 1948
$19,190.95
$19,190.95
Receipts
Payments
1947
Appropriation by town
Added to savings
$9,500.00
deposits
$9,690.95
Income
190.95
$9,690.95
$9,690.95 January 1 to February 21, 1948 No transactions recorded
TOWN OF DUXBURY Balance Sheet-December 31, 1947 GENERAL ACCOUNTS
ASSETS
LIABILITIES AND RESERVES
Cash :
General
$232,880.40
Petty Advances:
Collector $150.00
Town Clerk 25.00
Fire Insurance Reserve
2,500.00
Proceeds of Dog Licenses-Due County
1.80
Tailings
593.20
37
Taxes:
Levy of 1946:
Federal Grants:
Personal
Property $4.14
Aid to Dependent Children: Administration $17.21
Real Estate 399.89
Aid 757.53
Levy of 1947:
Old Age Assistance:
Poll $12.00
Administration 78.14
Assistance 241.51
Property 705.88
-
Real Estate 19,379.35
Tax Title Receipts Reserved : Section 79, Chapter 60, General Laws 355.66
20,097.23
20,501.26
Unexpended Balances
42,155.45
Payroll Deductions: Federal Withholding Taxes $987.63 Contributory Retirement Funds 194.09
$1,181.72
175.00
$233,055.40
Accounts Receivable:
Sale of Cemetery Lots and Graves Fund
150.00
Sale of Real Estate Fund
5,600.00
$404.03
Personal
1,094.39
BALANCE SHEET-Continued
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise:
Levy of 1946
$24.74
Levy of 1947
1,171.90
County Assessments 3,156.92
3,234.75
Tax Titles
1,196.64 1,041.42
Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus 10,357.92
Tax Possessions
93.85
Overlays Reserved for Abatement of Taxes: Levy of 1946 $404.03
Departmental:
Levy of 1947 2,168.66
Selectmen $37.70
Temporary Aid 914.93
Aid to Dependent Children 1,226.22
Old Age Assistance 981.34
Veterans' Benefits 1,818.40
Cemetery, 654.75
5,633.34
Aid to Highways 9,000.00
Aid to Highways-Chapter 90
9,000.00
Surplus Revenue
Overlay Deficits:
Levy of 1940
$3.38
Levy of 1941
3.34
Levy of 1942
3.34
Levy of 1943 3.22
Levy of 1944
3.23
16.51
$270,538.42
$270,538.42
38
Tax Title and Tax Possession 1,135.27
2,572.69
Revenue Reserved Until Collected : Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise $1,196.64
Departmental 5,633.34
16,965.25 183,775.59
Overestimates: State Assessment $77.83
TRUST AND INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS
Trust and Investment Funds, Cash and Securities: In Custody of:
Lucy Hathaway Fund $26,524.32
Thomas D. Hathaway Fund 2,493.78
William Penn Harding Library Fund 1,061.71
Town Treasurer
$214,078.70
Myles Standish Lot Fund 1,588.45
Plymouth Five Cents Savings Bank 518.67
Jonathan and Ruth Ford Fund 27,121.29
Lucy A. Ewell Cemetery Fund 544.09
George H. Wood Memorial Day Flower Fund 1,023.66
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds
81,553.24
Post-War Rehabilitation Fund 53,495.88
Stabilization Fund 19,190.95
$214,597.37
$214,597.37
39
40
REPORT OF ASSESSORS
Tax Rate 1948 - $33.00 per $1,000.00
Houses Assessed
1,636
Cows
74
Horses
34
Neat Cattle other than cows
47
Fowl
5,118
Goats
25
Swine
11
Sheep
10
Persons assessed on Property
2,105
Polls
988
Acres of land
13,604.72
Valuation of Building's
$5,713,560.00
Valuation of land
$1,840,680.00
Total Value of Real Estate
$7,554,240.00
Personal Property
$487,355.00
Total Valuation
$8,041,595.00
Increase in Real Estate over 1947
$230,810.00
Increase in Personal Property over 1947 $54,995.00
County Tax $18,800.15
State Audit Tax $529.08
41
State Parks and Reservation Tax
$288.47
Tax on Real Estate
$249,289.92
Tax on Personal Estate
$16,082.72
Tax on Polls $1,976.00
Gain on account of fractional divisions of tax rate $3.24
Total Taxes $267,351.88
Assessed Value of Motor Vehicles
$531,700.00
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax $16,455.85
Motor Vehicle Excise rate per $1,000 $38.07
CHARLES R. CROCKER, Chairman
PHILIP W. DELANO
WALTER G. PRINCE
42 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, 1948.
LIST OF OFFENCES
Assault and Battery
2
Assault with dangerous weapon
1
Assault with intent to rape
1
Breaking, entering and larceny
3
Drunkenness
13
Game law violations
4
Larceny
2
Operating to endanger
2
Operating after suspension of license
1
Operating under influence of liquor
6
Non support
2
37
DISPOSITIONS
Placed on probation
4
Released
3
Case placed on file
1
Held for Grand Jury
3
Sentenced to House of Correction
4
Fined
19
Dismissed
1
43
Found not guilty Released to other Departments
1
1
37
MISCELLANEOUS
Complaints investigated
884
Motor vehicle accident investigated
33
Deaths investigated
2
.
Emergency messages delivered 45
Emergency trips to hospitals
5
Animals destroyed for owners
85
Animals returned to owners
20
Lost children returned to parents
7
Committed to State hospitals
3
Summons served 32
Beach stickers issued
2,200
Clam permits issued
656
Pistol permits issued
29
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES T. O'NEIL,
Chief of Police.
44
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
January 8, 1949
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Duxbury, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
The Board of Fire Engineers submit the following re- port of the Department activities for the year 1948.
Our total number of runs this year was 57:
9 Chimney
12 Buildings
5 Automobiles
9 Oil Burners
14 Emergencies
2 False Alarms
4 Stand-by
2 Outside aid
Of the 12 building fires only two were considered a total loss. Both were of incendiary origin and were be- yond control when we received the call. Among the four- teen emergencies there were two successful trips with the rescue boat and four calls for the resuscitator and oxygen. This service has proved to be a great help in sav- ing human life when we are called soon enough.
No doubt the nation has this year suffered its greatest loss of property and human life due to fire in its history.
45
With the continued cooperation of the citizens of Duxbury and their growing consciousness of fire prevention we hope to keep our fire losses at a minimum.
Last March we purchased a new 12 KVA Generator and had it installed at the Central Fire Station. This is one of our biggest steps forward in fire prevention and sup- pression. Always when we lose our electric power and telephones it is in a wind or snow storm. With this gen- erator we are able to run our heat, lights, and, which is very important, our station radio. In this way we have communication all over town by radio and it keeps our station siren in operation. This helps all town depart- ments.
Under the new regulations for Liquified Petroleum Gas this year, all persons using bottled gas must have a per- mit for same. If they will make application at the Cen- tral Fire Station, I will see that a permit is issued. These must be obtained by June 1, 1949.
Thanks again for the cooperation of the citizens of Duxbury. Remember we stand ready to answer all fire calls and any emergency. Just call the Duxbury Fire De- partment 333.
Respectfully submitted,
EBEN N. BRIGGS, Chief GEORGE S. BUTLER, Assistant LeROY M. PETERSON, Secretary KENNETH O. MACOMBER, Chairman HENRY M. GRISWOLD CARL J. SANTHESON
46
REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
January 8, 1949
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Duxbury, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as Forest Fire Warden for 1948.
The total number of calls was 45:
4 Forest
11 Brush
18 Grass
10 Dump
2 Outside Aid
I am glad to report that this has been a very unusual year in the forest fire department. We have not had the usual droughts of former years. Conditions and weather have been with us.
Of our forest fires this year, we had only one of incen- diary nature and that, fortunately, did not cause much damage.
This is the first year in my service as Forest Warden that I have had the good fortune to have a balance in my appropriation at the end of the year. I felt the most usable and beneficial thing I could purchase was an additional mobile radio unit. This gives us a total of three mobile units.
47
I feel the new wetting agent known as Drench which we have been using since June, 1947, has proved itself one of the best discoveries in the suppression of forest fires.
Again we thank the Board of Selectmen and citizens of Duxbury for their cooperation with the Forest Fire De- partment.
Respectfully submitted,
EBEN N. BRIGGS, Forest Warden.
48
REPORT OF HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit the report of the Highway Depart- ment for the year ending December 31, 1948.
One third of a mile of Alden Street was widened and re- surfaced with mix and place. Hall's Corner was resur- faced with Type I. Seal coating was done, and general repairs were made on all streets throughout the town.
The usual work was done on all town landings. The parking area at Mattakeesett Court was filled in with gravel, given a penetration coat of tar and a finish coat of asphalt. Two new floats were purchased, one for Matta- keesett Court and one for Old Cove.
Several new sections were put into the Powder Point Bridge. Fences were repaired and painted, roadsides mowed and raked.
It was necessary to put in several new catch basins in various parts of the town.
We were fortunate in having Chapter 90 Maintenance money with which to rebuild the old stone bridge on Con- gress Street (Route 14), which collapsed last June. The remainder of the Maintenance money was used to mix and place and seal coat portions of Route 14.
Under Chapter 90-New Construction-Congress St. was rebuilt from Route 14 to the Pembroke line. The State, County and Town share the cost of all Chapter 90 work.
Respectfully submitted,
LEWIS B. RANDALL,
Superintendent of Streets.
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REPORT OF MOTH DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Duxbury, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit the report of the Moth Department for the year 1948.
Spraying of our trees along the main streets through town this year by airplane again proved very satisfactory.
One application of the present day insecticides does the work of two or three applications used a few years ago. Exceptionally few egg clusters of the gypsy moth can be found where spray material has been applied.
The creosoting of Gypsy Moth egg clusters around all residences was completed in the fall and showed a very marked decrease in number.
The forest areas along the Kingston, Pembroke and Marshfield lines have been scouted for Gypsy Moth colo- nies and three were found that would cause defoliation. The scouting is still in progress with a larger central por- tion of town to be completed.
The Brown Tail moth situation at the southeastern end of town yielded only one nest of young moths at the time of inspection but this may have been due to a previous heavy sand storm in that area.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS, Moth Superintendent,
50
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Duxbury, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit the report of the Tree Department for the year 1948.
During the past year we have concentrated our work on the elm trees along the streets in all sections of town. These trees have received two and three sprays of D.D.T. and we are in hopes that this, with the elimination of dead wood will ward off the European Bark Beetle, which is the carrier of the dreaded Dutch Elm Disease. The elms appeared to be in such good condition during the summer that no test samples were sent in to the State University for culture. If we can maintain our present help, we should have all our elm trees along the streets cleaned up this coming season.
Several large elms were taken down during the year but for other reasons than Dutch Elm Disease.
Where necessary, the trees along the streets were spray- ed for Tent Caterpillar and Fall Web worms.
We have started a Town tree nursery and have to date 20 maple trees, 5 oaks and a donation of 16 Flowering Dogwood trees by two public spirited citizens.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS,
Tree Warden.
51
1
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
Board of Health
Duxbury, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my annual report as Agent for the Board of Health.
With the exception of a mild epidemic of measles in June and July, the general health of the town was good throughout the past year. Contagious disease statistics were as follows:
Measles
84
German Measles
1
Mumps
8
Scarlet Fever 2
Chicken Pox
1
Syphilis
1
Dog Bite
5
The School Dental Program which was so successful last year was increased in scope this year by using both local dentists. Also at the beginning of the program this year each child was given as complete an examination as possible with our facilities so that work could be done first on those children who needed it most.
The Board of Health attended to all menaces to the public health. We fortunately missed the job of disposing of the Kingston 'whale' by a matter of a few hundred yards.
Tourist camps and eating establishments were inspect- ed before being licensed. We are grateful to the State Board of Public Health for their fine cooperation and their inspection of sanitary and water supply problems as requested.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE ROSS STARR, Jr., M.D.
Agent.
52
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE AND BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
and Citizens of Duxbury :
Greetings :
November 24, 1948 the Selectmen appointed Messrs. Stanley H. Merry and Robert Seymour to the Board of Public Welfare, to serve until the March 1949 Election of Officers. This was in accordance with the vote of the July 1948 Town Meeting to increase the Board from three to five members.
Public Welfare is not something new, it can in fact be traced back to the English Poor Relief Act of 1601. When the Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay Colonies were join- ed to form the Province of Massachusetts Bay in 1692, the General Court in that year enacted a poor law which was, of course, borrowed directly from the English Poor Law.
The Act of 1692 provided that every town within the state should support all poor and indigent persons. This act further provided "that the kindred of any such poor person, if any he shall have, in the line of degree of father or grandfather, mother or grandmother, children or grandchildren, by consanguinity, living within the state of sufficient ability, shall be holden to support such pauper, in proportion to such ability." Thus, for a period of 256 years, or since 1692, there has been no change in the re- lations named as responsible for the support of their in- digent kin.
Since the enactment of the Massachusetts Old Age Assistance Law, July 1, 1931, there have been many
53
amendments passed by the Legislature bearing on the amount of assistance, the responsibility of children to support their parents, residence requirements, property and insurance matters as well as the type and number of personnel in the welfare offices.
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