USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1946-1950 > Part 42
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Charles Crocker, with cooperation of the other Selectmen, for obtaining the flagpole.
Lewis Randall and the Road Department for trans- porting and setting the flagpole.
The American Legion for the flag.
Those who participated in the dedication-William W. McCarthy, Walter Prince, Charles Crocker, Father Manion, Reverend Carl F. Hall, Bernard Mullaney, the American Legion, Mr. Raymond Chandler and Dr. Shirley.
Mrs. MacFarlane and the Parent Teachers Asso- ciation for assistance at the dedication.
Our janitors, Mr. Schwab, Mr. Harrison and Mr. Putnam for untold help at every turn.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Craig, always available in ways too numerous to mention.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert P. Richards, Jr. for making building blocks for the kindergarten.
Mrs. Russell Eddy, Mrs. T. S. Williams, and Mrs. Clarence Snider, for making dolls' clothes for the kin- dergarten.
The Boy Scouts, Kenrick Denyer and Herbert Wirt, for moving playground equipment for the new school and setting it up,-a big job well done.
To those merchants and others who gave material
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and services at cost for work benches, etc., and who desire to remain anonymous.
And many more.
We desire to pay our respects to Rich Bros., who did a superior job, and who were always most coopera- tive.
We commend with equal warmth our architects and engineers. They were able, resourceful and faithful.
The State Building Assistance Commission informs us that preparation of the necessary information and application forms is now going forward and within a reasonable time the Commission should be in a posi- tion to start payment to the Town of the State's share of the building cost of our School.
Respectfully submitted,
HECTOR M. HOLMES, JOHN MARSHALL, ARLINE M. BUNTEN, New Grade School Building Committee
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ADDENDUM
It is without the knowledge of Mr. Marshall and Mrs. Bunten that I have given this Addendum to the Town Clerk to accompany the Report. I could not permit the Report to appear without paying tribute to Mr. Marshall and Mrs. Bunten for their devoted and effective labors on behalf of this school.
Mr. Marshall was on the job day by day, and when he was not at the school he was on the telephone, seeing to it that the building was properly and well built and, in cooperation with the contractors, archi- tects, and engineers, solving the infinite number of problems which inevitably arise during the construc- tion of a building of this size and character. And he saw to it that these problems were solved to the advantage of the building and at a minimum of cost. I was filled with amazement at his unfailing resourcefulness and wisdom in every emergency. Without Mr. Marshall it would have been necessary to employ the usual pro- fessional Clerk of the Works at a considerable cost and with results which, at best, could not possible compare with those which Mr. Marshall's devotion and skill made possible.
The same is to be said for Mrs. Bunten. She was un- sparing of her time and energy. She visited many schools and consulted educators and teachers in her study of modern methods, practices and equipment in relation to our problem, and saw to it that we had the best that our resources could command. She cooper- ated in the development of the building with equal care, and contributed greatly to the final structure,
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particularly in details of design, arrangement, color, etc., which in the aggregate amounted to a great deal, both practically and esthetically.
Never have I witnessed such whole hearted and un- selfish devotion. To each of these doughty workers the Town owes a great debt of gratitude.
HECTOR M. HOLMES
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REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
Following is the report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1949.
LIST OF OFFENCES
Assault and Battery 1
Disturbing the peace 2
Driving a motor vehicle to endanger life 4
Driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated 7
Driving a motor vehicle without a license 1
Drunkeness 10
1
Non Support
Using motor vehicle without authority 1
27
DISPOSITIONS
Sentenced to House of Correction
4
Fined
11
Released
4
Case placed on file
7
Dismissed 1
27
MISCELLANEOUS
Complaints investigated 914
Motor vehicle accidents investigated 38
Motor vehicles violations recorded 82
1
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Motor vehicle licenses suspended 14
Parking violations recorded 143
Emergency trips to hospitals
6
Emergency messages delivered
37
Lost children returned to parents
13
Committed to State hospitals 2
Animals destroyed for owners
64
Animals returned to owners
27
Summons served for outside police
34
Beach permits issued
1537
Shellfish permits issued
580
Pistol permits issued
23
Motor vehicle transfers filed
408
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES T. O'NEIL, Chief of Police.
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REPORT OF MOTH DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Duxbury, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit report of the Moth Department for the year 1949.
At the last Annual Town Meeting it was voted to procure a new type of spray machine-a Mist blower. This type of machine was purchased and used the past summer with exceptionally good results.
The saving in spraying time with this Mist Blower enabled us to apply more sprays and cover a larger area than ever before.
There were two areas of one hundred acres each that were sprayed by airplane for the control of Gypsy Moths, thereby preventing defoliation. One area was between Autumn Avenue and Birch Street and the other area on Mayflower Street that included the Town Forest.
The previously infested Brown Tail Moth areas have been scouted and not a single insect was found.
The entire forest area of the town has been scouted for Gypsy Moth colonies and it is very gratifying to report that they are very small and few in number.
The Gypsy and Brown Tail Moth Department has had its title changed to Insect Pest Control.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS, Moth Superintendent.
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REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Duxbury, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit report of the Tree Department for the year 1949.
We have, this past season, completed the pruning of all elm trees along the streets in town in addition to pruning many other large trees.
Our elm trees received the three recommended sprays of DDT for the control of the European Bark Beetle.
All trees found to be in a weakened condition and apt to fall in the street were cabled together. Those trees in a dangerous condition and beyond repair were taken down.
Several large trees were fertilized and watered during the drouth.
We had two elm trees on Bay Road infected with Dutch Elm Disease and had to be taken down.
Control of Dutch Elm Disease now comes under the State Conservation Department and has to be handled separately from the Tree Department. This is the reason for a special article in the Town Warrant for Control of Dutch Elm Disease.
Our street planting this past season consisted of 15 new trees including 9 maples, 5 Pin Oaks and 1 Linden. We have also added 50 Norway Maples to our nursery stock.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS, Tree Warden.
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REPORT OF PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Duxbury, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
We submit herewith a report of the Parks and Play- grounds Committee for the year 1949.
The two tennis courts were rolled and put into shape for playing earlier this past season than previously and am pleased to say that the courts were used more.
The work on the parks and playgrounds this past season consisted only of the repair and maintenance of same. The drouth and weather conditions prevented some improvement that was contemplated in the early fall.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS, Chairman
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REPORT OF SHELLFISH CONSTABLE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I respectfully submit my report as Shellfish Con- stable for the year 1949.
There were two to five men who dug razorfish in- termittently throughout the year.
During the summer and fall months, while other work was slack, eighteen men dug Quahaugs, Mussels, Seaworms, and Clams.
During the month of April 90 bushels of seed clams were planted in the closed areas in the bay. The clams were supplied by the State Department of Marine Fisheries at a cost of $315.00. $18.00 was spent for labor planting the clams.
From June 11th through the month of October I had two men working three to four tides weekly destroying the natural enemies of shellfish. The men picked and destroyed 7,104 horse shoe crabs and 36 bushels of cockles. We paid $573.30 for this work, which pro- tected the clams in our closed area to a great extent.
In different sections of the bay where the eel grass has come back there is a fair sized quantity of scal- lops.
We received $1,150.00 from the State towards the planting of shellfish and the extermination of its enemies. We have $567.39 left of this amount to start work in the spring of 1950. $52.00 was spent to plow a large area on Standish Shore.
Mr Ralph Thompson of Powder Point, has given the town permission to take seed clams from his clam
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grant to be used to seed in barren areas for the towns people.
Twenty-three commercial permits at $2.50 were issued-total $57.50. 846 family permits, 15 of which were free to men seventy years of age or over, and the remainder at .25 each, were issued during the year-total $207.75.
Following is the record of shellfish and seaworms taken commercially during the year:
551 bushels of quahaugs @ $2.00 $1,102.00
42 bushels of quahaugs @ $3.50 147.00
15 bushels of quahaugs @ $3.00 45.00
24 bushels of clams @ $7.00
168.00
201/2 bushels of clams @ $6.00
123.00
4 bushels of clams @ $5.00
20.00
1 bushel of sea clams @ $4.00 4.00
25 bushels of mussels @ $2.50
62.50
192 bushels of razorfish @ $7.00
1,344.00
560 bushels of razorfish @ $4.00 2,240.00
10,600 seaworms @ .05 530.00
$5,785.50
Thirty-two notices were sent grant holders request- ing a report of work done on grants.
There were 1289 bushels of quahaugs and 381/2 bushels of clams planted on grants this year.
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Thirty-two annual fee forms were sent out and $50.00 was collected in annual fees from grant holders. The grant holders have six months from the date on the forms to pay this fee, and if payment is not made the grant is subject to cancellation.
One clam grant was transferred at a charge of $5.00 during the year.
During the summer months quite a large number of shellfish signs were damaged and torn down, which gave this department added work and expense.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY P. McNEIL, Shellfish Constable.
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REPORT OF VETERANS' AGENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I respectfully submit my report as Agent for the Department of Veterans Services for the year 1949.
During the year we have had a total of 17 cases, representing 56 persons who received ordinary bene- fits.
We have filed federal pension claims for two, and another case was reopened after being turned down and the veteran received a substantial retroactive award.
The town discontinued registering men for draft board No. 28 in Brockton in September of 1948. There- after we requested permission to continue the register- ing of the local 18 year olds in order to save them the trip to Brockton.
I made five trips with veterans during the year as follows: two trips to Cushing General Hospital, Fram- ingham; two trips to Veterans' Administration, 17 Court Street, Boston; and one trip to the Tuberculosis Hospital in Hanson.
Two cases were suspended from receiving further ordinary benefits.
I have attended the meetings of the Veterans Ser- vice Officers in order to keep informed of the new laws and benefits and was thus enabled to advise and assist numerous veterans and their dependents.
Our appropriation was $6,000.00. We expended $3,829.23 and are returning $2,170.77 to the Treasury. Approximately half of the amount expended will be re- imbursed to the town by the State.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY P. McNEIL, Agent Department of Veterans Services.
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REPORT OF THE DUXBURY RECREATION COMMITTEE
December 31, 1949
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Since the beginning of the year and the reorganiza- tion of the Duxbury Recreation Committee, many changes have taken place both in the program laid out for our young people in town, and in the physical aspects of the old Town Hall, our recreational centre.
Improvements to the Hall have been many: com- plete re-wiring and replacement of electrical fixtures extensive plastering of ceiling and walls, repainting of same, extensive carpentry work, renovated powder and cloak rooms, and kitchen installations. Much of this work has been done voluntarily by the artisans of the town, as well as by the young people ; all of it has been done with thought to the best economy and use of town funds. All work done has been of a permanent nature, and we feel that one of the old landmarks has not only been saved from gradual disintegration, but has been put to practical use.
The year's program has been successful. In addi- tion to other clubs and functions, the Hall has been used weekly by the Cub and Boy Scouts of America; the Myles Standish Club-a social group for all boys and girls of high school age; and the Bon-homme Club, a group for all boys and girls of junior high school age. These last two groups meet under the competent lead- ership of two paid professional directors who have carried out successfully our desire for adequate and supervised programs for these age groups. Their ac- tivities have included, in addition to regular business
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meetings, dances, and games at the Hall, occasionally out-of-town trips for bowling, roller-skating, and swim- ming parties (in winter), for which there are no facili- ties in Duxbury. Attendance at these functions has been good.
The following is a report of the expenditure of the funds appropriated to us at the last town meeting : Amount of appropriation $1,500.00 Expenditures :
Painting
$270.30
Plastering
246.70
Electrical work (unpaid balance) 3.62
Fuel
75.21
Telephone
42.73
Directors' fees
300.00
$938.56
Balance on hand December 31, 1949 $561.44
With this balance we expect to carry out our pro- gram to April 1, 1950, at which time we hope for further town support.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN HUTCHEON, Chairman GEORGE D. BUTLER, Ch. of Finance Comm. E. VIRGINIA WALKER, Sec'y-Treas. Duxbury Recreation Committee.
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REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
and Citizens of Duxbury :
As Sealer of Weights and Measures of the Town of Duxbury I respectfully submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1949.
In my budget for 1950 I am asking for $100.00 more to cover the expenses of an office to carry on my work, which has been done at my house in a back shed with- out heat or light and under a very poor arrangement.
The charges for testing and sealing have been raised about thirty - five per cent as of June 1, 1949. The following is a record of articles tested, sealed and ad- justed and re-weighed from April 1 to December 31, 1949.
Gasoline Meter Pumps tested and sealed, 22 - Re- tested 7. 3 not sealed and condemned, but repaired and sealed at a later date. Adjusted - 7.
Vehicle Tank Meters sealed, 4 - Adjusted 2.
Scales - Platform, counter, spring, computing, per- son weighing, prescription; weighing from 2 lbs to 10,000. Sealed 63, Adjusted 15. Retested 14. Weights tested and sealed - 94.
Yard sticks, 6. Liquid measures 22.
Total tested, sealed and adjusted - 233.
I have also reweighed the following commodities in bags, packages, cartons and cans:
Flour, frozen foods, potatoes, bread, butter, etc.
Total of above commodities - 75.
Total of all testing, sealing, adjusting and reweigh- ing, 308.
CHARLES C. McNAUGHT Sealer of Weights and Measures
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REPORT OF ASSESSORS
Tax Rate 1949 - $34.00 per $1,000.00
Houses Assessed
1,702
Cows
89
Horses
30
Neat cattle other than cows
15
Fowl
6,207
Goats
130
Swine
16
Sheep
19
Persons assessed on Property
2,207
Polls
1,020
Acres of land
13,602.49
Valuation of Buildings
$6,135,055.00
Valuation of Land
$1,902,780.00
Total Value of Real Estate
$8,037,835.00
Personal Property
$533,770.00
Total Valuation
$8,571,605.00
Increase in Real Estate over 1948
$483,595.00
Increase in Personal property
$46,415.00
County Tax
$24,169.47
State Audit Tax
$533.08
State Parks and Reservation Tax
$361.62
Tax on Real Estate
$273,286.39
Tax on Personal Estate
$18,148.18
Tax on Poll's
$2,040.00
Total Taxes
$293,474.57
Assessed Value on Motor Vehicles
$763,350.00
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax
$23,726.22
Motor Vehicle Excise rate per $1,000.00
$41.32
CHARLES R. CROCKER, Chairman PHILIP W. DELANO WALTER G. PRINCE
Assessors of Duxbury
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REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as agent for the Board of Health.
Our range of communicable diseases in 1949 was wider than last year and was noteworthy in that it included two cases of poliomyelitis. Both these pa- tients were over twenty-five years of age which goes along with the national prediction that seventy-five percent of polio cases this year would be in this older age group rather than in young children. Contagious diseases statistics were as follows:
German Measles
52
Scarlet Fever
5
Mumps
5
Measles
4
Chicken Pox
3
Poliomyelitis
2
Whooping Cough
1
Tetanus
1
Syphilis
1
Gonorrhea
1
There were sixteen dog bites reported - most of which were the result of children molesting animals during the hot months of the summer.
The School Dental Program was again successfully carried on.
The menaces to the public health were primarily concerned with objectionable odors as nuisances.
We are grateful to the State Board of Public Health for their assistance and co-operation in the inspecting and licensing of eating establishments, chicken farms, and the like.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE ROSS STARR, Jr., M.D.
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE AND BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
and Citizens of Duxbury :
Greetings:
During the year 1949, it was necessary to have two new members appointed to the Board of Public Wel- fare to fill the vacancies caused by the resignation of Carl J. Santheson, Jr., and Mrs. Barbara S. Mullowney. Mrs. Alice H. Garside was appointed, by the Selectmen, in August 1949, and Mr. Herbert R. Nelson was ap- pointed, by the Selectmen, on December 1, 1949.
There were two legislative enactments last year that will reflect in the general rise of Public Assistance. The hospital rate was increased from $8.00 per day to $10.00 per day on November 29, 1949. This increase will reflect in all three categories of relief, while the increase of $4.00 a month for Leisure Time Activities effects only Old Age Assistance. The increase for Leisure Time Activities became effective December 1, 1949.
GENERAL RELIEF
General Relief is a form of aid granted under the provisions of Chapter No. 117 of the General Laws of Massachusetts, which requires the Town to aid all needy persons, within the Town's limits, who do not qualify for the special type of aid, such as Veterans' Benefits, Aid to Dependent Children, Old Age Assis-
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tance, Unemployment Insurance or Old Age and Sur- vivors Insurance.
The amount expended for General Relief in the year 1949 was $17,000.59 as compared to $11,320.87 for 1948. The appropriation, in March 1949, amounted to $14,550.00 which was insufficient to meet our expenses during the year. In November, the sum of $1,000.65 was transferred from the Reserve Fund, and an ad- ditional sun of $668.43 was transferred from the Fund in December. Cancelled payments in the amount of $86.05, brought our total available funds to $16,305 .- 13. We are left with a deficit of $695.46 for the year 1949 in unpaid bills.
1948
1949
Administration
$1,888.24
$1,300.33
Cash
4,750.75
6,550.27
Board
805.50
221.90
Food
1,450.27
3,919.08
Fuel
119.26
266.66
Rent
24.62
550.00
Clothing
47.06
24.95
Doctors
773.00
1,927.00
Prescriptions
69.75
314.81
Hospital
372.81
858.00
Ambulance
60.90
33.75
Burials
50.00
Miscellaneous
67.45
93.57
Institutions
290.21
407.50
Other Towns
551.05
537.77
$11,320.87
$17,000.59
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There was approximately a 48% increase in the total number of cases handled during 1949 over the previous year.
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1948
1949
January
11
21
February
10
20
March
14
20
April
13
19
May
14
19
June
15
19
July
15
19
August
12
19
September
11
16
October
15
17
November
14
22
December
16
26
160
237
Monthly average
13.3
19.8
The increase in General Relief, during 1949, was due to sickness and lack or loss of employment, as 7 cases were added due to sickness and 14 cases added because of employment conditions.
Active cases January 1, 1949
16
Added during year :
New
14
Reopened
7
Total Added
21
Aided during year
37
Closed :
Death
4
Moved
2
Transferred to ADC
1
Employment
6
Other
1
Total Closed
Active Cases December 31, 1949
14
23
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The Town received, into its General Fund, the sum of $4,351.28 during 1949 for aid rendered to unsettled cases, individuals, and for aid rendered for other towns.
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Aid to Dependent Children is the outgrowth of the Mother's Aid Law, that was inaugurated in 1913, and is now granted under the provisions of Chapter No. 118 of the General Laws of Massachusetts to care for children deprived of parental support because of sick- ness, death or desertion.
Month
Cases Aided
No. of Children
Amount Expended
January
7
21
$937.95
February
7
21
933.30
March
7
21
1,182.80
April
7
21
941.55
May
8
23
1,052.65
June
8
23
1,488.20
July
10
25
1,343.00
August
10
27
1,553.05
September
10
27
1,521.05
October
10
27
1,312.51
November
10
24
1,374.05
December
9
25
971.20
103
285
$14,611.31
Administration
744.74
Total Expense for 1949
$15,356.05
The Town appropriated for 1949 the sum of $11,- 100.00, and during the year there was also $4,052.99 available from Federal Grants for aid and $605.34 as Federal Grants for administrative purposes, making a total of $15,758.33 available for expenses under Aid
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to Dependent Children. Our expenses were $15,356 .- 05, leaving a surplus of $402.28. The amount of $4,- 770.77 was reimbursed by the State as their share of the expense, but this money was not available to the De- partment as reimbursement from the State goes into the Town's General Fund.
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Old Age Assistance is granted under the provisions of Chapter No. 118-A of the General Laws of Massa- chusetts, to needy citizens, sixty-five years of age or over who have resided in the Commonwealth for three years out of the last nine years, including the year immediately preceeding the date of application.
Month
Cases Aided
Amount Expended
January
72
$4,115.92
February
74
4,405.06
March
74
4,881.23
April
74
4,534.34
May
74
4,283.07
June
74
4,848.81
July
76
4,612.32
August
76
4,575.39
September
76
5,029.85
October
77
4,773.91
November
78
5,231.55
December
77
5,132.19
902
$56,423.64
Administration
2,290.58
Other Towns
817.29
Total Expenditures
$59,531.51
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The Town appropriated for 1949 the sum of $32,- 850.00, and during the year there was also $27,580.89 available from Federal Grants for aid and $1,525.15 as Federal Grants for administrative purposes, making a total of $61,956.04 available for Old Age Assistance. Our expenses were $59,531.51, leaving a surplus of $2,424.53. Other funds received totalled $22,874.49, which represented reimbursement from the State amounting to $21,810.84, from Other Towns, $996.35 and from Individuals $67.20. This money was not available to the Department and is included in the General Receipts for the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
SARAH A. STANNARD, Chairman PHILIP G. CHANDLER ROBERT SEYMOUR ALICE H. GARSIDE HERBERT R. NELSON
Board of Public Welfare
Bureau of Old Age Assistance
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REPORT OF LIBRARIAN DUXBURY FREE LIBRARY, INC.
A very good year at the Library so far as attendance and circulation went. The attendance exceeded that of last year by more than 500. Circulation was over 17,500, and more new names were added to the list of patrons.
On the other hand the lack of shelving space is a continued obstacle to the proper display of such at- tractions as should have emphasis from time to time. Also the building itself is in need of repairs. For some time the furnace gave poor service. That has been remedied this year by a thorough over-hauling, includ- ing some replacements, and an arrangement has been made for an inspection twice a year. Owing to the storage of thousands of volumes in the basement, heat must be kept on in summer to counteract the dampness. Some better provision to accomplish this purpose - such as a small oil heater - should be planned for. This ought not to heat the main floor as is the case with the present method.
Another important repair job was the work done by masons on the two chimneys, the stone coping of roof and porch, the stone steps etc. Much of this ma- terial was in a dangerous condition, ready to break away if more frost settled between the joints. Con- tact was made with a roofing firm and an estimate ob- tained and agreed to concerning repairs to the copper roof. For some reason the firm failed to undertake the work. A new effort must be made next summer as several bad leaks, that are injuring the ceiling of the rotunda, make the necessary repairs imperative.
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