USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1946-1950 > Part 41
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REPORT OF PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith the report of the Public Health Nurse for the year 1949, for services rendered under the town appropriation which pays the salary of the nurse for this purpose.
Classification
Cases
Visits
Bedside visits
Old Age Assistance
8
182
General Relief
2
35
Aid to Dependent Children
2
16
Instructive visits
Contagious Disease
17
22
Crippled Children
3
8
Tuberculosis (cases and contacts)
8
12
Totals
40
275
This is an increase in general over the work done last year, though the distribution is different. Other Activities
Well-Child Conference-6 meetings, 78 attended (P.T.A. sponsored)
This is twice the figure for last year. Transportation
Brockton Orthopedic Clinic 3 trips
Plymouth County Hospital 3 trips
Respectfully submitted,
SUSAN E. CARTER, R. N., Duxbury Public Health Nurse.
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REPORT OF THE TOWN HISTORIAN 1949
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
During the past summer an interesting Pageant brought vividly to mind an important event in Duxbury history. Three hundred years ago three Pilgrims from the Duxbury Plantation, Myles Standish, Constant Southworth, and William Nash, met by appointment Ousamequin, chief of the Wampanoag tribe of Indians, and his counsellors to arrange for the purchase and sale of a large tract of land lying to the West of the town.
The meeting took place on what is now known as Sachem's Rock in East Bridgewater. The Bridgewater Historical Society, which staged the pageant, used the original site for its presentation and the partici- pants were descendants of those taking part in the original transaction.
Rev. Leroy C. Perry, a lineal descendant of Massa- soit, standing on the Rock made an oral proclamation giving to the Town of Duxbury all the land extending, "7 miles north, 7 miles south, 7 miles east, 7 miles west."
In return payment Duxbury gave knives, hatchets and other implements useful to the Indians. The land purchased included what is now the Bridgewaters, Abington, Rockland, a part of Hanson, and Brockton.
The original deed, signed for Duxbury by Myles Standish, Samuel Nash and Constant Southworth, and
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for the Indians by a Hand, Massasoit, is the valued possession of the Bridgewater Historical Society.
The Pageant brought vividly to mind the simplicity of the times, how our New England towns grew, and how much the friendly open dealings with the Indians meant in our history.
The important part which our New England Acade- mies, our own Partridge Academy among them, have played in the education of youth, was emphasized this summer by appropriate exercises commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Old Bridgewater Aca- demy. Its founder was Rev. Zedekiah Sanger, at one time the Minister of the First Parish in Duxbury, and whose wife was a Duxbury woman.
The Tide Water marks on the wall in front of the "King Caesar House" have been re-cut. They show the height reached by the waters in the storms of 1851 and 1898.
Many inquiries addressed to The Chamber of Com- merce are received each year. They request informa- tion not only in regard to the history of the Town, but its present interests. All these requests are an- swered personally. Our friends realize that we have not only a past, but a present and a future.
WALTER R. HUNT,
Historian.
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REPORT OF THE WAR MEMORIAL COMMITTEE
1949
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
On April 21, 1949 the Moderator, as authorized by vote of the town on March 5, 1949, appointed a War Memorial Committee of seven citizens to suggest plans for a suitable Memorial.
This committee met and organized with Abbot Peter- son as chairman and Harry C. Grafton, Jr. as secretary.
At its monthly meetings, letters containing sugges- tions for possible sites and types of memorials were dis- cussed, as well as the various projects which the pre- vious Memorial Committee had considered. It was the unanimous opinion of the Committee that pro- posals such as rebuilding Partridge Academy or erect- ing a concrete stadium at Train Field, even if de- sirable, involved prohibitive expense to the town, and it was finally agreed to recommend to the town meet- ing a type of Memorial which should be commemora- tive, not utilitarian. Accordingly, two sites and two somewhat different memorials are suggested for con- sideration at the Annual Town Meeting. The expense involved would be approximately the same in each case.
Plan No. 1. To erect a granite shaft inscribed with the names of the Duxbury men who gave their lives in the nation's defense, on the American Legion Lot
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at the Tremont Street entrance of Mayflower Cemetery. To place on the same lot a flagpole where the National Flag might be flown throughout the year. Note. On Nov. 14, 1949, the Legion voted to relinquish to the town it's rights in the above mentioned lot, in the event the town should decide on the location for its War Memorial.
Plan No. 2. To fill in the lot between the old Lucas Property and the Cable Office on Washington Street and place thereon a granite boulder with a bronze tablet, suitably inscribed, with appropriate landscaping as a memorial to the men of Duxbury who gave their lives in defense of the nation. Note On November 19, 1949, the Duxbury Rural and Historical Society, unani- mously voted to convey to the town the title to the above mentioned lot, in the event that the Annual Town Meeting decided upon that location as the site of its War Memorial.
Your Committee is of the opinion that the adoption by the town of either of these two plans would result in a War Memorial of dignity and beauty.
Respectfully submitted,
ABBOT PETERSON, Chairman HARRY C. GRAFTON, Jr., Secretary ALFRED J. FECKE, Jr. EDWARD B. HUTTON
HENRY P. McNEIL
RICHARD C. PRINCE ALLAN G. WAITE
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REPORT OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE 1949
The towns of Plymouth County have the opportunity of contributing directly to the budget of the Plymouth County Extension Service by town appropriation, which is sent directly to the County Treasurer for the use of this Department. Town Directors are chosen to repre- sent the town in the administration of the Extension Service wherever possible.
The Extension Service is an educational organization sponsored jointly by the County of Plymouth, Universi- ty of Massachusetts, and the United States Department of Agriculture. There are three Departments within the Extension Service :- Agriculture, Homemaking and 4-H Club Work. The major objectives of the Extension Service are directed to farm and rural people, but since funds from tax sources are used, there is an obligation to all citizens of the County.
The direction for the Extension Service is by board of nine trustees who are appointed by, and report to, the Board of County Commissioners. In addition, each De- partment has an advisory council and commodity com- mittees which give counsel in the formation of educa- tional programs for their respective groups.
General educational programs are conducted through meetings, circular letters, newspaper and radio publicity. In addition, farm and home visits are made to promote rural welfare among the men, women and youth interested in better farm and rural living.
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Statistical Summary of Achievements
Home Demon. 4-H Club
Agri. Dept.
Dept.
Dept.
Total
Farm or Home Visits
859
216
588
1,663
Telephone Calls
5,747
1,322
1,840
8,909
Office Calls
2,173
395
307
2,875
News Stories
131
39
1,880
2,050
Radio Talks
273
104
12
389
Bulletins Distributed
4,902
10,721
7,614
23,237
Individual Letters Written
2,723
423
1,041
4,187
Circular Letters Written Copies Mailed
72,792
30,433
14,275
117,500
Number of Leaders
96
294
165
555
Meetings of Leaders Attendance
83
13
13
109
1,156
113
271
1,540
Demonstration Meetings Attendance
98
151
12
261
Other Extension Meetings Attendance
2,456
3,721
13,513
19,690
Meetings with other organi-
zations
58
254*
3,840*
4,152
Attendance
5,505
12,703
35,560
53,768
No. 4-H Clubs 121; No. Club Members enrolled in 4-H Clubs, 987.
No. 4-H Achievement Days, 1; Attendance 450.
*Includes meetings held by Local Leaders and 4-H Clubs.
Table goes in 8 point
Respectfully submitted,
ROGER GRISWOLD, Town Director.
486
5,885
46
124
276
446
196
60
120
376
5,143
256
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CEMETERY TRUST FUND ACCOUNT
Total Amount of Cemetery Perpetual
Care Funds, December 31, 1948 $86,077.35
Dividends added to the Trust Funds in 1949 1,713.08
New Funds Added in 1949
John D. Adams 200.00
Anna S. Berg 100.00
Harry S. Chetwynde 200.00
George B. Cushing 200.00
Effie D. Finney 102.00
G. S. and S. A. Grueby
200.00
Julia Bradford Holmes
200.00
Lucy M. Morrison
200.00
James H. W. Myrick 200.00
Arthur L. Parker
200.00
Forrest L. Partch 200.00
Francis C. Rogerson
200.00
Julia A. Wiley 200.00
Edward R. Williams 400.00
Funds increased by the following deposits :
George H. Bailey 100.00
Scott B. Belknap 150.00
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Arthur F. Blanchard
100.00
Ellen Burke
100.00
D. D. Devereux
100.00
Enid E. Gallagher
100.00
Franklin W. Hatch
200.00
Mary E. Hoffman
25.00
Frank Huckins
100.00
Mayflower Cemetery Fund
120.00
Total Trust Funds and Dividends
$91,687.43
Amount withdrawn from income
for care of lots in 1949
1,640.50
Balance of Cemetery Funds
December 31, 1949
$90,046.93
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The Board of Appeals held seventeen public hear- ings during 1949, fifteen of which were on petitions for variances in residence districts and two for ex- ceptions where the Protective By-Law gave authority subject to the approval of the Board of Appeals.
Of the petitions for a variance, nine were granted, four were denied, one was dismissed because nobody appeared at the hearing and one is still pending the board's decision. The two petitions for exceptions, one in a residence district and the other in a business dis- trict, were granted.
Two of the hearings on variances which were de- nied and the one for an exception in a business district created general interest and were largely attended.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM B. COFFIN, Chairman H. RUSSELL CHANDLER KENNETH O. MACOMBER
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REPORT OF HARBOR MASTER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my annual report as Harbormaster for the year 1949.
In the waters of Duxbury Bay last summer there were 55 registered boats under 40 feet, 15 over 40 feet, plus a large number of sail boats and outboard motors. Out of this number 50 were moored in the basin.
Several of the boat owners, both boat yards, and myself have written to the Director Bureau of the Bud- get in regard to the dredging of the basin. We re- ceived a favorable reply that something would be done as soon as possible. In the meantime we will have to contend with the conjested situation of the basin.
This Spring we plan to mark the Standish Shore channel up as far as Howland's Lane, hoping that this will encourage more boats to anchor there. This will help to relieve some of the congestion in the Duxbury Boat Basin.
We now have four floats two of which will be used for boat docking, of the other two, one is very old and should be replaced, if this is done with the proper coop- eration, this should be adequate. There is plenty of space on the Town wharf for more lockers, this will insure safety of boat equipment.
I have made up a set of rules and regulations, and posted the same, hoping that this would insure com- fort and safety of boat owners using the basin.
Respectfully submitted,
VICTOR D. NICKERSON, Harbormaster.
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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF 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 1949:
Principal
Income
On hand at beginning of year $25,000.00
$2,199.45
Income for 1949
669.72
$2,869.17
Paid for relief of worthy cases in 1949 225.30
On hand December 31,1949 $25,000.00 $2,643.87
PHILIP W. DELANO
CHARLES R. CROCKER
WALTER G. PRINCE
JOSEPH T. C. JONES, Treas.
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REPORT OF NEW GRADE SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
At the Annual Town Meeting in March 1948, it was voted that the Moderator appoint a committee of three to formulate plans for a new Grade School for presentation to the Town for action at an early date.
Your Committee received notice of its appointment on March 26, 1948 and at once set to work.
We first sought to learn by postcard canvass the sentiment of the citizens as to whether the new school should comprise an addition to the present High School or a separate building. We also asked for opinions as to how much should be spent, and solicited letters and communications.
The response was gratifying, both in amount and in the interest shown. But there was no predominant opinion on any question presented.
The replies were almost equally divided between those who favored a new wing to the present High School and those who favored a separate building. A few were for no school, a few for a new High School, and some were for either proposal so long as a school was built. Many voluntered a desire for a Colonial design.
The response and our own inquiries disclosed sub- stantial interest in the prospect of a regional High School and a desire that the plans should take into consideration that possibility.
As to the amount to be spent, a substantial number were on the side of economy. Some wanted to spend
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very little, some to spend a great deal, and there were all sorts of views in between.
We met with the School Committee, representatives of the Taxpayers' Association, the Finance Committee, the Selectmen, and as many others as possible. The teachers were consulted as to their needs and require- ments and we had the benefit of the studies that had been made in connection with the previous proposal for the so-called Orr School.
We felt very strongly the urgent need for new grade school accommodations, and that such accommodations should be completed no later than the opening of school in 1949.
We conceived that our duty was not to decide what our Committee most desired or what any particular group most desired, but rather to present plans which would take care of present needs with credit to the Town, and of a character, both as to design, type of construction and cost, that would meet with such gen- eral approval as to carry the necessary two-thirds vote at a Town Meeting.
With these considerations in mind, we engaged a well known and experienced architect, Harold Field Kellogg of Boston, together with Thomas Worcester, Inc., as associate engineers, to make preliminary plans, both for an addition to the High School and for a separate building, answering our present requirements and within a cost range which we believed would be approved.
We had been voted no funds, but our architects and engineers agreed to prepare such preliminary plans provided we would agree that they would be engaged as architects and engineers, at the usual rate, to com- plete the final plans and specifications if either pro-
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posal was accepted by the Town, and provided further that we would ask by warrant in the call of a special Town Meeting that they be paid an agreed amount for the preliminary plans, if, on their presentation, the Town voted to proceed no further. It was further agreed that if the Town did vote to proceed no further and failed to vote payment for the preliminary plans, no bill would be rendered.
The preliminary plans as they progressed were sub- mitted to the various groups to which we have re- ferred. We received many valuable suggestions and tried to satisfy as many of these suggestions as to modifications and additions as possible within what we felt would be a total cost which the Town would approve.
When completed, the plans with perspective views were given as wide a distribution and showing as our resources afforded, and a public meeting, which was well attended, was held in the Auditorium on June 25, 1948, for a showing and discussion. Prior to the meeting we issued and sent to the voters a full report, recounting in some detail what the Committee had done up to that time.
On the basis of the preliminary plans and prelim- inary specifications, we obtained cost estimates from three carefully selected and competent builders and made a survey of the requirements for cafeteria equip- ment and school equipment and the probable cost. From these estimates, and on the advice and study of our architects and engineers, we felt sufficiently satis- fied as to the probable total cost of each plan to feel warranted, at some risk, in proposing to the Town that if they chose to accept one or the other of these plans, the Building Committee be voted a fixed sum of money and be authorized to spend the same in pre-
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paring final plans and specifications, receiving bids, and building and equipping, substantially in accord- ance with the plan which had been accepted.
The alternative would have been to have a Town Meeting at which the voters would be asked to appro- priate a substantial amount for the completion of final plans and specifications and obtaining bids, requiring a majority vote, and thereafter at a subsequent Town Meeting to present the bids and ask for an appropria- tion of the money necessary to go ahead. This would have meant considerable delay and two Town Meet- ings, with the possible risk that while there had been a majority vote to proceed with the preparation of final plans and specifications, the necessary two-thirds vote would not be forthcoming for the final appropriation for building.
Accordingly, at a Special Town Meeting held on June 25, 1948, the two alternative building plans were presented, together with our estimate as to the sum of money which we deemed necessary for completing and equipping the building selected, substantially in accord- ance with the preliminary plans.
By a vote of 237 to 50, the following vote was passed :
Voted, That the Town vote to construct a new elementary school building on land of the Town in the area south and east of the High School, substan- tially in accordance with the plans of Harold Field Kellogg, and to furnish and equip said building, and to appropriate funds for the purpose in the follow- ing manner-From the Post-War Rehabilitation Fund $50,000; from Excess and Deficiency $75,- 000; and by issuance of a loan as provided in Chapter 44 of the General Laws, in the amount of $274,000; and that the Treasurer be and hereby is
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authorized to borrow said amount of $274,000, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor, such bonds or notes to be payable in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44 of the General Laws, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than twenty years from the date of issue of the first bond or note, or at such earlier date as the Treasurer or Selectmen may determine.
Further Voted, That the present School Building Committee be authorized to expend said appropria- tion, to determine the final plans and location of the school, to make all contracts in the name of the Town pertaining thereto, and to do all other things necessary and proper to construct, equip and furnish said building and fit the same for use and occupancy.
The substantial work of completing final plans and specifications went forward rapidly during the sum- mer, and on October 4, 1948, they were advertised and submitted for bids. Bids of ten contractors were re- ceived on October 20, 1948. The low bidder was Rich Bros. Construction Co. of Boston. On inquiry we re- ceived the highest recommendations for this firm as competent and reliable builders. Our subsequent ex- perience showed that we were fortunate in our builder.
Similiar inquiries satisfied us as to the sub-contrac- tors, with one exception, and in that instance we selected the second lowest bidder for what we and Rich Bros. felt to be good reason.
On October 27, 1948, we executed a letter of intent and order to proceed, and on November 17, 1948, we executed the final contract at a figure of $355,980.00.
Careful consideration was given to the placing of the School, in conjunction with the Planning Board and others.
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Construction started on October 29, 1948.
As building proceeded certain extras were found essential or desirable, and we found we could afford to provide some things which we had not originally plan- ned on. The change orders for these extras or changes have amounted to $4,450.21 (subject to some small adjustment for one or two items still to be settled). The most substantial item was an enlargement of the sewage disposal field. Although the original plans provided a disposal field which our engineers advised was ample and which was considerably larger than that provided in the plans of the Orr School, the State officials thought it should be larger, and we ac- cordingly enlarged it at a cost of approximately $2,700.00.
The final building cost was $360,431.21 (subject to some small adjustment for one or two items still to be settled). The architects and engineers' fees were $21,567.00.
The final building cost of $360,430.21 represents a construction cost of .83 per cu. ft.
The total cost, including fees and equipment, comes to .94 per cu. ft., which compares most favorably with other schools of a comparable character which are currently building.
In addition to building cost and fees, the following expenditures were made for equipment, grading, etc .:
1. J. L. Hammett Co .- School Furniture and Trucking $6,821.09
2. Henry S. Wolkins Co .- School Furni- ture & Equipment 3,250.75
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3. Golden-Berch Co .- Furnishings for Teachers' Room 300.00
4. Bay State Nurseries-Landscaping 535.00
5. Thompson - Winchester Co. - Cafe- teria Equipment 1,916.05
6. Hobart Mann Co .- Wiring for dish washer motor 24.80
B. F. Goodrich-Plywood and lumber
364.96
7. £ for classroom work benches Cement for base of flagpole 4.60
8. C. M. Sampson-Labor and materi- als for classroom work benches 280.75 Labor and materials for building cafeteria counter 461.69
9. Henry Ohlson - Painting classroom work benches 270.00
10. Thomas J. Kenney-Linoleum and beading for work benches and cafe- teria counter 159.96
11. Loren C. Nass-Iron piping for cafe- teria counter 23.28
12. Wirt Bros. Co .- Plumbing Cafeteria 301.80
13. Sequin and Caron-Extra wiring 50.38
14. B. D. Lewis-Painting cafeteria walls and counter 230.00
15. Labor for setting up cabinets in cafe- teria (paid by Mr. Marshall and reimbursed by the Town) 41.90
16. Duxbury Fire and Water District 12.00
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17. Brockton Gas Co .- Making gas con- nections 206.50
18. Austin Reed-Paving drive 390.00
19. Wm. Filene's Sons Co .- 1 Clinic Cot and Mattress (bought by Mrs. Bun- ten and reimbursed by the Town) 22.90
20. Hunter's Hardware Store - Hooks (bought by Mrs. Bunten and reim- bursed by the Town) 4.00
21. Di Natale Floors, Inc .- Extra lino- leum for counters (paid by Mrs. Bunten and reimbursed by the Town) 8.00
22. Baxter Trans. - Shipping Mirrors (paid by Mr. Marshall and reim- bursed by the Town) 1.35
23. Electric Time Co .- Bell System 327.00
24. Murray Electric Co. - Wiring Bell System 27.00
25. Boston Plate Glass & Window Co .- Mirrors 75.00
26. H. T. Dowd Co. Inc .- Towel and Toilet Cabinets 137.95
27. Joseph T. Martin-Labor, hanging mirrors, cabinets, etc. 35.00
28. Walter G. Prince-Trucking 51.35
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Recapitulation as to Cost
Building Cost
$360,430.21
Architects and Engineers
21,567.00
Equipment and Miscellaneous 16,335.06
$398,332.27
The building was completed (except for a few minor items) and ready for occupancy at the opening of school on September 12, 1949.
On September 10, 1949, the new school was dedi- cated and turned over to the Town, by appropriate exercises which were well attended. Following the dedication the new building was viewed by a surpris- ingly large number of Duxbury residents.
We cannot conclude this report without expressing our deepest gratitude to the many people who helped us so generously. The response of the townspeople to any suggestion of assistance was astonishing. When toward the end, time was running short and it was learned that there remained a very substantial job of uncrating and placing the school furniture and equip- ment, work parties sprang up, it seemed, over night, and worked several evenings at the school until the furniture was all uncrated and placed. This was a very big job and the assistance of the very large number of people who participated was invaluable.
We cannot enumerate all of those to whom thanks is due, but we would refer with special thanks to the following :
Howard Sampson, for acting as Clerk of the Works when Mr. Marshall went south for his health for two or three weeks during the winter. Mr. Sampson studied the plans and devoted much time to the neces- sary supervision. He would accept no remuneration.
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Howard Clark and the Taxpayers Association, for organizing work parties and for organizing and arrang- ing the details of the dedication. And Mr. Clark's truck was always available.
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