USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1951-1955 > Part 10
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of the General Laws so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than 10 years from the date of issue of the first bond or note, and that the present School Building Committee be and is hereby authorized to ex- pend said appropriations or so much thereof as is needed, to determine upon the final plans of said addi- tion and remodeling, to make all contracts in the name of the Town pertaining thereto, and to do all other things necessary and proper to construct, remodel, equip and furnish said addition and remodeling of the High School for use and occupancy, the said remodel- ing, addition, equipping and furnishing shall all be substantially in accordance with the plans of Sturgis Associates, Inc., as presented at this meeting.
Final plans and specifications were completed and on April 26, 1951, they were advertised and submitted for bids. Bids of eleven contractors were received on May 25, 1951. The low bidder was C. A. Batson Co. of Brockton. On inquiry, we received the highest recom- mendation for this firm as competent and reliable build- ers. Our experience has shown that we were fortunate in our builder. In June 1951 we executed the final con- tract and order to proceed at a figure of $236,610.
Work proceeded and was substantially completed in September of 1952 for occupancy. In October 1952 the new addition was turned over to the town at appropriate exercises.
The recapitulation as to cost is as follows :
Building cost
$241,441.03
Architects
14,869.43
Equipment and Miscellaneous 15,094.79
$271,405.25
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We desire to express our thanks to the Sturgis Associ- ates Inc. and to C. A. Batson Co. for their excellent work in completing this project.
Respectfully submitted,
EARLE C. GRENQUIST, Chairman DOROTHY WENTWORTH C. RUSSELL EDDY THEODORE M. CHASE EARLE A. RICKER
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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, 1952.
LIST OF OFFENCES
Assault and Battery
1
Breaking and Entering and Larceny
3
Carnal Abuse 1
Delinquency
8
Driving a Motor Vehicle to endanger life 8
Driving a Motor Vehicle while intoxicated 9
Drunkenness
20
Contributing to Delinquency
1
Neglect of Child
2
Non-support
4
Larceny
2
Larceny of Auto
3
-
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DISPOSITIONS
Filed
2
Fined
31
Dismissed
1
House of Correction
4
Not Guilty
1
Probation
17
46
Grand Jury
1
5
-
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MISCELLANEOUS
Complaints investigated 1330
Emergency messages delivered 45
Emergency trips with cruiser
6
Motor violations recorded
88
Cars tagged for parking violations 142
Beach stickers issued 1901
Shellfish permits issued
946
Pistol permits issued 33
Motor vehicle accidents investigated
52
Summons served for outside police
59
Arrests made for outside police
3
Committed insane
4
Air defense warning tests recorded
79
Children reported lost and returned to parents 27
Animals returned to owners
48
Animals destroyed for owners
92
Automobile transfers filed 458
Miles traveled by patrol car
56,848
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES T. O'NEIL,
Chief of Police.
Date: January 8, 1953
Continued
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT INSECT PEST CONTROL
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report of the Insect Pest Con- trol department for the year ending December 31, 1952.
The Tent Caterpillar, Elm Leaf Beetle and the Fall Web-Worms were very scarce the past season. The Brown Tail Moth seems to be a thing of the past for none have been found the past two years.
The Gypsy Moth trapping program was followed again this year. We put out 43 traps during the flight season and caught 7 male gypsy moths. Scouting for egg clusters where the moths were caught was carried out but no eggs found. Since all catches occurred in traps close to the highway, it seems probable that the male moths caught must have been brought in on cars and trucks.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS, Superintendent, Insect Pest Control
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REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Duxbury :
I submit herewith the report of the Tree Department for the year 1952.
The control of the Birch Leaf Miner this past year was very much better than previous years.
The Red Mites that cause so much trouble on Red Cedar trees were very few and caused very little dam- age the past summer. A miticide was used in the DDT spray on deciduous trees this season which probably accounts for a lot less damage to the foliage by the mites.
The fertilizing of weak trees during the winter showed very good results after they leafed out in the Spring.
During the winter the rabbits ruined nearly one hundred young Sugar Maple seedlings in the nursery. A fence put up protects our nursery this year.
During the fall we planted Longfellow Terrace with 26 trees. This made a total of 44 trees along the streets in town planted this year.
Brush was cut back at intersections and corners where there was poor visibility of the highway ahead. Low hanging branches were removed and dead trees taken down along the streets.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS, Tree Warden.
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REPORT OF PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen :
Following is a report of the Parks and Playgrounds Committee for the year 1952.
The Spring clean-up of the playgrounds at Train Field was started the first of April. The tennis courts were next and were ready to play on about the first of May. Just after school was out it was decided to use the Softball court for Little League baseball and by removing the grass for an infield it serves for both games. Benches were added for the players and spec- tators.
During the spring the lot was taken over for base- ball by some of the children of that neighborhood.
The improvements at Island Creek Park have been of a minor nature. This past season the only perman- ent addition was the drinking fountain installed over the old well at the corner of Park Street and Route 3-A. This was used a great deal during the summer and really appreciated by the children of the neigh- borhood.
During the latter part of the year other Town prop- erties were added to come under the supervision of the Park Board. These were the Abbott Field; the Alden Field; the Walker Field; the Town Hall Grounds and the Tree of Knowledge Plot.
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At the Abbott Field the group of trees (mostly locust) directly back of the Library have been nearly all removed. At the Walker Field all the cherry and locust trees at the north end of the field have been re- moved. In the Alden Field all of the Wild Cherry trees have been cut down. A chemical will be put on the stumps in the spring to prevent further growth.
Lime was spread over Train Field early in the Fall. During the Christmas holidays the grass on Train Field and the Town Hall lot was fertilized.
Our budget for Parks and Playgrounds this year represents maintenance, and if there is a chance to economize, possibly a few minor improvements.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS, Superintendent Parks and Playgrounds.
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REPORT OF CONTROL OF DUTCH ELM DISEASE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen :
Following is a report of the control of Dutch Elm Disease for the year 1952.
The one most important factor in the control of Dutch Elm Disease is the spraying of all elm trees with a 12% DDT spray before the trees leaf out in the Spring. The second important factor is to get the right amount of material at the top of the tree where the carrier of the Dutch Elm Disease works.
After spraying all elm trees that we could reach from the street, we then went onto private property and sprayed all elm trees we could reach without damaging the lawns with the heavy equipment. There were a few exceptions where the property owner had already had the trees sprayed before we got to them.
This early spray does not control the Elm Leaf Beetle and it is necessary to spray the trees again with a 6% DDT solution about the first of June.
All elm trees that we could reach from the street were given this second DDT spray. We did not spray elm trees on private property a second or third time.
From observation, it is found that there is a second
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brood of beetles here that carry the disease about the first of August. For that reason, our street shade tree (elms) were given a third DDT spray.
Our percentage of control on the trees that were sprayed three times was better than 99%. Figures show that the trees that were sprayed only once con- tained four times as many diseased trees.
We are asking for an increase in the appropriation this year in order to give all elm trees on private prop- erty the three sprays providing it can be done with- out injury to a person's lawn.
Every elm tree in town that we know of has been inspected at least three times during the summer for symptons of Dutch Elm Disease.
Except for three cases, where we are waiting for lawns and gardens to freeze hard, we have taken down all diseased trees both public and private. The re- maining three trees will be taken down and burned up before the first of April.
The two elms taken down along the street at the Dwinnell property on Washington Street have been replaced again by American Elms.
Eleven diseased elm trees were taken down along the street.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS,
Tree Warden
53
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE CONTROL OF DUTCH ELM TREE DISEASE
To bring the latest and most complete information to bear locally on the problem of control of Dutch Elm Tree Disease your committee was represented 'at three special conferences of a semi state wide level. In August at the Waltham Experimental Station the speakers and research specialists gave little hope of progress. At the State House in December and again at Bourne in January, however, real progress was re- ported. Commissioner Lyon read a report on experi- mental work in the town of Alfred, Mass. The report emphasized the necessity of getting 12% DDT dorm- ant spray at the top of the crown of trees before leaves emerge and again of getting a 6% DDT spray on leaves about the middle of June. The result was nearly 100% control.
In Duxbury we have approximately 1200 public trees and 600 privately owned. On the public trees we have had 3 sprays (one for late August brood of beetles,) for some five years. In 1952 we lost 11 public trees or better than 99% control - about the 5 year average on these public trees. The private trees, how- ever, were given one spray, at public expense, and had four times as many diseased trees in proportion as the public trees.
Dr. Malcolm A. Mackenzie, Director of the Shade Tree Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts, at the Bourne Conference, stated that at last it seemed highly possible that we could control our elms if prop-
54
erly taken care of by our tree department. There is no reason why American elms could not be planted - if proper precautions are taken. It is a proven fact that a single diseased tree, not cared for, can spread infection for considerable distances. This infection does not know the difference between a public and privately owned tree. If we are to control this disease to the best of our present knowledge, in the opinion of your com- mittee, it becomes wise and necessary to extend the 3-spray program to the private trees. This means in- creased materials and labor. The matter of an increase in the budget for this department (roughly $1,000.00) has been presented to the Finance Board and approval granted.
In the meantime it becomes of the utmost import- ance for each private tree owner to have all dead wood and branches trimmed out ruthlessly and at once. Such wood should be immediately destroyed.
We wish to compliment the Tree Department on a job well done.
MALCOLM C. BROCK, Chairman ROY E. PARKS ROBERT S. CROCKER KENNETH G. GARSIDE HECTOR M. HOLMES
January, 1953
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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 1952.
During the year the natural propagation and growth of quahaugs and razorfish has been satisfactory.
In an effort to increase the amount of clams in the Town we again made some seed clam plantings, dur- ing the month of October. The seed came from con- taminated areas and was purchased with the cooper- ation of the State Division of Marine Fisheries. Cap- tains Flat off Standish Shore was closed to the digging and taking of shellfish and seaworms. 101 bushels of seed clams were then planted at a cost of $505.00 for clams and a cost of $32.55 for labor.
During the Spring and Summer two men worked part time picking and destroying horse shoe crabs and cockles. We paid $128.10 for this work.
Twenty-one commercial permits at $2.50 each were issued - total $52.50. 1156 family permits, 29 of which were free to people seventy years of age or over and the remainder at .25 each were issued dur- ing the year - total $281.75.
At this time I would like to suggest that the fee for family permits be raised from 25 cents to 50 cents where over three fourths sold are to non-residents of the town, for the Duxbury Beach area. This would be added income for the Town.
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Following is the record of Shellfish taken by Com- mercial diggers, who worked intermittently during the year.
160 bushels of razorfish @ 4.00
$ 640.00
123 bushels of razorfish @ 4.33
532.59
62 bushels of razorfish @ 6.00
372.00
10 bushels of razorfish @ 8.00
80.00
893 bushels of quahaugs @ 2.00
1,786.00
400
bushels of quahaugs @ 2.25
900.00
364 bushels of mussels @ 1.00
364.00
30 bushels of mussels @ 2.00
60.00
30 bushels of clams @ 12.00
360.00
25
bushels of clams @ 10.00
250.00
70 bushels of clams @ 7.00
490.00
40 bushels of clams @ 8.00
320.00
10,000 sea worms @ 21/2 cents apiece
250.00
$6,404.59
Eighteen notices were sent grant holders request- ing a report of work done on grants.
There were 960 bushels of quahaugs, and 29 bushels of clams planted on grants this year. There was 600 bushels of quahaugs and 391/2 bushels of clams taken from grants this year.
During the year 4 clam grants were renewed, 1 transferred and 1 issued at a charge of $5.00 each - total $30.00.
Eighteen annual fee forms were sent out and $32.25 collected in annual fees from grant holders.
The corner stakes were put out for two grant hold- ers and all shellfish regulation signs kept in repair.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY P. McNEIL, Shellfish Constable.
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REPORT OF VETERANS' AGENT
January 9, 1953
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I respectfully submit my report as Agent for the Department of Veterans' Services for the year 1952.
The office of Veterans' Services has been moved from the Town office building to upstairs in the Police Department building and the entrance is on the East side of the building. The facilities of this office are open to Veterans and their dependents Monday through Saturday by appointment.
We have advised and assisted Veterans of the Span- nish American War to the present Korean War and find that each Veteran has his own individual prob- lem, and they require help to enable them to receive the benefits they are entitled to.
I have registered 15 local men for the Draft Board No. 129 in Marshfield, Massachusetts.
In my capacity as Burial Agent three cases were handled.
During the year we have had a total of 12 cases, representing 34 persons who received Ordinary Ben- efits.
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It was necessary to suspend two cases from receiving Ordinary Benefits.
Our appropriation was $6,903.00. We expended $3,458.84 leaving a balance of $3,444.16 in the account to be returned to the Town. The State Department of Veterans' Services will reimburse the Town for half the amount expended.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY P. McNEIL, Agent.
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ASSESSORS' REPORT
The records of the Board of Assessors are public records and it is the desire of the Board and our Clerks to be helpful to those seeking information in regard to property. We have instituted an improved program of record filing ; are receiving and filing photostatic copies of Duxbury deeds; and this coming year will com- mence to receive photostatic copies of Duxbury plans filed at the Plymouth Registry of Deeds.
We hope, in conjunction with other Departments, to improve the handling of plans in order to make the information they contain readily available, not only for our own use but for those others who need to see them.
Carefully kept records are the necessary tools for good assessing work. To be able to give out public information without inconvenience to the recipient or our office workers is an essential service for the Town. The Board will continue to keep abreast of modern assessment methods and to gather the best available information respecting property values.
Tax Rate 1952 - $43.00 per $1,000.00
Houses Assessed
1,926
Cows
80
Horses
19
Neat cattle other than cows
39
Fowl
8,625
Goats
11
Swine
8
60
Sheep
15
Persons assessed on Property
2,378
Polls
1,232
Acres of Land
13,446.02
Valuation of Buildings
$7,052,840.00 1,967,040.00
Valuation of Land
Total Real Estate
$9,019,880.00
Personal Property
682,960.00
Total Valuation
$9,702,840.00
Increase in real estate over 1951
339,860.00
Increase in personal property over 1951
47,930.00
Plymouth County Tax
29,091.89
T. B. Hospital Assessment
10,656.59
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
975.45
State Parks and Reservations
848.89
Taxes on Real Estate
387,854.84
Taxes on Personal Estate
29,367.28
Tax on Polls
2,464.00
Total Taxes
$419,686.12
Assessed Value of Motor Vehicles
$812,340.00
Motor Vehicle Excise Rate
48.25
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax
37,775.18
CHARLES R. CROCKER, Chairman
PHILIP W. DELANO
FRANCIS W. PERRY
Board of Assessors
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REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
I herewith submit my report as agent for the Board or Health.
There were fewer cases of communicable diseases in the past year than we have had for some time. There was one case of poliomyelitis. Statistics were as follows :
Measles 12
German Measles 3
Scarlet Fever
23
Poliomyelitis 1
The advent of the antibiotics has made possible many changes in the laws covering the handling and quarantine of diseases dangerous to the public health. The latest Massachusetts regulations amended to Aug- ust 1952, state for instance that placards on homes are required for only three diseases; Asiatic cholera, plague, and smallpox. Of particular interest is the new regulation on Scarlet Fever wherein the patient is now to be quarantined for "One week, or two days after the beginning of adequate specific therapy which must be continued for seven additional days."
Eight dog bites were reported.
A considerable number of people from all parts of town have stopped by for Rat Bait, but withal we have not gotten the response we hoped for. The town is far from rat-free, but just supplying the bait is apparently not enough.
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The School Dental Program had another successful year.
The board has made application for a chest X-ray survey to be made in Duxbury this coming April 15th and 16th.
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 ANIMAL INSPECTOR
January 9, 1953
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
The following is a report of the Animal Inspector for the year 1952.
Number of premises inspected 26
Number of Cattle inspected 238
Number of Sheep inspected 32
Number of Hogs inspected 26
Number of Horses inspected 14
Number of Goats inspected 16
Number of slaughtered animals - Pigs 2
Number of Dogs quarantined 4
Yours respectfully,
ERNEST W. CHANDLER,
Animal Inspector and Inspector of Slaughtering.
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE AND BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Board of Public Welfare during the past year has endeavored to carry out its twofold obligation: first, to those who are in need of assistance, and sec- ond, to the taxpayers who pay the bill. Strict control by State and Federal regulations limit the jurisdiction of the local boards of welfare, but within these limits your Board has attempted to do what seemed best for the citizens of Duxbury.
As always, the question of money is of primary con- cern. It is pleasant to be abe to report that although, at the special town meeting in November it was neces- sary to ask for a transfer of funds among the different categories within the Department, it was not necessary to request an additional appropriation. In this con- nection we call to your attention the fact that the appropriation requested by the Department of Public Welfare for 1953 is a single sum rather than the four separate amounts requested in previous years. A re- cent act of the legislature permits this change in pro- cedure. A lump-sum appropriation would obviate the necessity of asking the town's permission to transfer money from one category to another within the depart- ment. Under the new regulation, if a single appropri- ation is made for the department, money can be trans- ferred as needed from one category to another, at the
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discretion of the Board of Public Welfare. Accord- ingly, your Board strongly urges that the 1953 appro- priation for Public Welfare be made in one sum rather than in four separate appropriations.
The total appropriation requested this year is $62,- 600.00 which is $3,285.00 less than was appropriated for the Department in 1952. It should be emphasized, however, that this decrease does not represent a sav- ing to the town. What appears to be a saving results from a change in reimbursement policy and bookkeep- ing procedures. Actually the Department of Public Welfare's budget amounts to $121,676.42 for 1953 as compared with the budget of $109,301.92 for 1952.
1953
1952
OAA
$91,101.74
$85,323.29
ADC
10,901.35
11,978.63
DA
12,044.76
1,200.00
GR
7,628.57
10,800.00
Total
$121,676.42
$109,301.92
Less Federal Grants
59,076.42
43,416.92
$62,600.00
$65,885.00
This discrepancy is explained thus: in the three cat- egories of welfare in which there is federal, state and town participation, the town makes the payments and is later reimbursed from federal and state funds up to approximately 75% of the total cost. The Federal Grants are returned to the Department and can be used by the Department later in the year. The reim- bursement from the state goes to the town and is de- posited in the E. and D. account. In October 1952, the state percentage was decreased while the federal was increased by a like amount, thereby making more
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money available to the Department. Consequently, although it is anticipated that expenses will be greater next year, it will be possible to carry on the work of the Department with a smaller appropriation from the town.
One other change in procedure appears to save money for the town. A new category of aid was in- itiated in November 1951 to render assistance to those who for reasons of physical disability, are unable to support themselves. Like Old Age Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children it is administered subject to State regulations, and with State, federal and town support. In many cases, qualified individuals who have been receiving General Relief have been trans- ferred to Disability Assistance, thereby decreasing the cost to the town which pays the total cost of aid for recipients of General Relief and only about 25% of that for recipients of Disability Assistance. Again it should be noted that this is no real saving since the taxpayer foots the bill and whether the money is dis- pensed by town, state or nation, the source is the same.
A step in the opposite direction - that of decreas- ing the cost of assistance - is indicated by the recent enactment of the Lien Law. This law, effective Jan- uary 1952, subjects real estate owned by relief recip- ients to a lien made payable to the town. Upon sale of the property recovery of all or part of the aid ren- dered by the Board, is possible. During the year 1952 the amount of $5,522.54 was thus recovered and re- turned to the town treasury.
In concluding the account of the year's activities, the members of the Board wish to express their feeling of deep loss in the death of one of their members, Benjamin F. Tyler. He was competent, able and sin-
67
cerely interested in the work of the Board. It will be difficult to replace him.
We wish to express our appreciation to the Select- men for their help and cooperation and also to the Finance Committee who have been of great assistance in solving our financial problems.
Respectfully submitted,
ALICE H. GARSIDE, Chairman HERBERT R. NELSON PAUL N. SWANSON HOWARD M. CLARK
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REPORT OF LIBRARIAN DUXBURY FREE LIBRARY, INC.
To the Trustees of the Duxbury Free Library :
On June 16, 1952, Mrs. Minnie B. Figmic began her work as librarian of the Duxbury Free Library. The following is an account of what has been taking place in the Library during the past six months and a statement of what needs to be done in the future.
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