USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1951-1955 > Part 18
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In the Town Office Building necessary repairs and the installation of an additional lavatory were com- pleted.
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But always there is the wise reluctance to enter upon any major expenditure, for the entire office set-up is so antiquated and impractical that soon, in the interest of proper efficiency, the Town must face the problem of providing improved office facilities for all Depart- ments. However, because of a concern for first im- proving the Town's financial well-being, the Board defers asking for a thorough study of the problem at this time.
MOSQUITO CONTROL
This service has become an accepted and expected feature of our community life. Last season, due partly to unprecedented wet weather but more because the effect of the County Wide Gypsy Moth spray (which decimated the mosquito population also) was one more year removed, our appropriation was insufficient to perform the work to our entire satisfaction. We have studied this problem and shall present to the Annual Meeting an opportunity to improve vastly on the results achieved last year.
WAGES AND SALARIES
We are recommending some further moderate incentive revisions in the wages and salaries of those town officers and employees over whom we exercise appointive power:
HATHAWAY FUND
We have made distributions of the interest accum- ulated in the Hathaway Fund to the benefiting depart- ments who, carrying out the wishes of the donors, will perform some work which ordinarily might not be done because of budget limitations.
PINE BROOK
The Board, advised by State Senator Edward C. Stone, has followed closely the attempts of the City of
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Brockton to encroach upon the water rights of Pine Brook in West Duxbury. Far removed as the need now seems, we must reserve rights there for Duxbury, for a demand for water in that area in the future cannot be ignored in a rapidly growing town. The Board will continue its diligence in the matter.
On the following pages are reports treating with particular phases of your Town governmental activities. All are most worthy of your thoughtful study. In the year to come, when we face the impact (deferred) of additional school debt service charges sufficient in themselves to raise our tax rate $2.00 per thousand, and when, principally because of additional enrollment, your school budget will rise an amount representative of a rate increase of $3.50 per thousand, and when all expenses, less spectacularly, contribute their share to the load, it behooves all citizens to stop and weigh again the value of the things not essential to the wel- fare of the Town.
The Board feels it was a privilege to serve during the past year and gratefully acknowledges the whole- hearted co-operation of fellow Town Officers and Town employees. Soon we will be engaged in the important business meeting of the year. We urge you, our citizens, to consider prayerfully your decisions in all matters. Harry B. Bradley, former Selectman, throughout his years, was a splendid example of how important the individual citizen can be to a Town he loves dearly. Harry B. Bradley, a true friend and counsellor of this Board, will not be present, but if his spirit of fairness, his wisdom and acumen, can remain with us, the Town will be well guided and counselled.
PHILIP W. DELANO, CHARLES R. CROCKER, FRANCIS W. PERRY, Selectmen of Duxbury.
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Report of Highway Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
I herewith submit the report of the Highway Depart- ment for the year ending December 31, 1953.
Approximately twelve and one half miles of black roads throughout the town were given a surface treat- ment. Portions of Union Bridge Road and King Phillips Path were graveled to eliminate a serious mud condition every spring. All other streets received annual care. Roadsides were mowed and raked. Traffic lines were painted on the streets, and new drainage was installed in various parts of the town.
By special appropriations Blodgett Avenue, Captains Hill Road and Longview Road were graveled and sur- faced with two applications of asphalt. One half mile of Standish Street was surfaced with mixed-in-place, as well as one mile of Temple Street.
Twelve complete sections were replaced in the Pow- der Point Bridge and other repairs made as necessary. The old stone bridge on Birch Street which is on the Duxbury-Pembroke line was rebuilt with four foot con- crete pipe. The cost was shared by both towns. Due to a washout the bridge on Chandler Street had to be rebuilt also.
The parking area at Mattakeesett Court was given a sealcoat. The floats and all town landings received annual care.
Under Chapter 90-New Construction the project at Bay Road was again put out to bids. This year David J. Roach Co., of Bridgewater was the lowest bidder and was awarded the contract.
Chapter 90-Maintenance money was spent on Route 14.
LEWIS B. RANDALL,
Superintendent of Streets.
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Report of the Cemetery Trustees
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
and the Citizens of Duxbury:
We submit our report for the year 1953.
The report of the Superintendent has been received and notes the regular work of the cemeteries.
We wish to express our regret on losing the services of Mr. Ernest H. Bailey, who served as a member of the Board of Cemetery Trustees for twenty five years.
Our thanks are offered to the Ladies Union Fair Association for their generous gift of loam. This has enabled us to improve a large area in the old section of the Mayflower cemetery. We know the Citizens of Dux- bury join us in these thanks.
With the growing tendency for non-residents to purchase burial rights in our cemetery, we have revised our rates so that they will have to share a just proportion of the cemetery costs now and in the future. They are obliged to provide perpetual care for their graves and a payment to a new fund, the Mayflower Cemetery General Care and Improvement Fund. The interest on this fund will be used in maintenance work on cemetery roads and paths.
We continue to urge lot owners to provide perpetual care for their lots now or make provisions for such care in their wills.
We are requesting an appropriation of $12,261.00 to carry on the regular work of the department.
We thank the citizens for their continued interest in our work of maintaining a cemetery which is a credit to the Town of Duxbury.
HARRY A. TAMMETT, Chairman, STANLEY V. JOHNSON, EDWARD P. HOBART,
H. RUSSELL CHANDLER,
J. NEWTON SHIRLEY, Secretary.
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Report of the Superintendent of Cemeteries
To the Cemetery Trustees:
I submit my report for the year 1953.
At Mayflower, Ashdod, Dingley, and Myles Standish Cemeteries the general work was done and the leaves were raked. Gravel was added to the avenues and they were raked and cleaned.
The fence at Mayflower Cemetery along Tremont Street was painted, also the buildings.
We have planted twelve Maple and Oak trees that were given to the Cemetery by the Tree Department.
With the co-operation of the State Department they have planted a row of Maple trees along Tremont Street in front of the cemetery.
There has been an addition made to the new section of the cemetery. Five lots have been rebuilt in the old part of the cemetery.
The Ladies Union Fair Association supplied the loam to extend the section in the Historical part of Mayflower Cemetery.
Perpetual and Annual care lots were cared for; also the graves of the veterans.
There were sixty-four interments this year.
Respectfully submitted,
LAUREL B. FREEMAN,
Superintendent of Cemeteries.
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Report of Public Health Nurse
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Duxbury, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I submit herewith the report of of the Public Health Nurse for the year 1953. This is the work for which the town pays the salary of the nurse by an annual appro- priation.
Classification
Cases
Visits
Bedside Work
Old Age Assistance
9
308
Disability Assistance
1
101
General Relief
2
77
Veterans Assistance
1
5
Instructive Work
Contagious Disease
7
7
Handicapped Children
4
12
Tuberculosis
9
13
(cases and contacts)
33
523
This is a general increase over last year. Extra Activities
Well-Child Conference (P.T.A. sponsored)
Meetings 6
Attendance 131
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Trips
Plymouth County Hospital 5
Boston Floating Hospital
1
Respectfully submitted,
SUSAN E. CARTER, R. N., Duxbury Public Health Nurse.
.
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Memorial Day Report
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury:
The Memorial Day Committee respectfully submits the following report.
At 8:00 a.m. details from The Sons of Union Veterans, American Legion Post 223, Boy Scouts and School Children, went by bus to Ashdod Cemetery and decorated the graves of Civil and World War veterans. Closing the services by a three volley salute which was fired by Post 223 of Duxbury. Taps.
8:30 a.m. Decorated graves of Revolutionary Soldiers and 1812 Veterans at Dingley Cemetery.
8:45 a.m. Decorated at North Duxbury Tomb.
9:30 a.m. Services held at Blue Fish River for the Sailors and Marines who perished at sea.
9:45 a.m. Services conducted at the Honor Roll by American Legion Post for service men who gave their lives in World War II.
10:00 a.m. Decorated at Myles Standish Cemetery.
10:15 a.m. Duxury High School Band furnished the music for the parade which formed at Standish Cemetery and proceeded down Chestnut Street by way of Hall's Corner to the Unitarian Church.
11:00 a.m. Memorial Service held at Unitarian Church for all veterans of all wars.
Directly after services, graves of all veterans in Mayflower Cemetery were decorated by Sons of Union Veterans, American Legion, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Brownies and school children.
In all there were decorated: 2 Colonial War veterans, 212 Civil War, 4 Civil War army nurses, 28 Revolutionary
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War, 8 veterans of 1812, one Indian War veteran, 3 Spanish War, 41 World War I and 14 World War II.
Ceremony closed by Legion Firing Squad and Taps.
Respectfully yours,
MERRITT FERRELL, Chairman, PHILLIP CHANDLER, PARKER CHANDLER, ROLAND WASHBURN, OSCAR RYDER, EDEN GLOVER.
Report of the Town Historian
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Duxbury:
It has been my intention to collect all possible facts about Duxbury, not only as a matter of historic interest, but as a matter of convenience. Duxbury records, history, facts, and legends are so scattered that they are in danger of being lost or forgotten. It is a satisfaction to be able to report that during the past year enough use has been made of the lists, notes, and sources to justify the effort made in assembling them. This collection is always open to further additions.
The present project is to list and identify all 17th and 18th century houses in Duxbury. This is such an ambitious project that any information from past or present owners will be helpful and appreciated.
A copy of THE HISTORY OF THE FIRST PARISH CHURCH by Gershom Bradford has been added to the books in this department.
Respectfully submitted,
DOROTHY WENTWORTH.
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Report of the Board of Appeals
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Board of Appeals held thirty-one public hear- ings during the year 1953 of which twenty-eight were for variances in residence districts and three for ex- ceptions where the Protective By-Law gives permis- sion subject to the approval of the Board of Appeals.
Of the petitions for a variance, fifteen were granted, nine were denied, two were withdrawn, and on two petitions, for which hearings were held near the end of the year, decisions will be made early in 1954.
The three petitions for exceptions were granted. Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM B. COFFIN, Chairman, H. RUSSELL CHANDLER, KENNETH O. MACOMBER.
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Report of the Harbor Master
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I submit my report as Harbor Master for the year 1953.
This year, there were 78 registered boats in the basin 20 to 83 feet long and a large number of outboard motorboats and sailboats.
All boat owners were required to fill out mooring applications this year. This gives us all the necessary information as to the ownership, type of boat and where the owner of boat can be reached in case of trouble.
All boat owners who made mooring applications this year were issued moorings. I hope we will be able to do the same in the year 1954.
Harbor markers were painted and new reflectors put on all markers, which makes night sailing much easier.
There were 15 boats at Howlands Landing, Standish Shore this year.
I wish to thank the Fire and Highway Departments, . Boat owners, Boat Yards, and all persons who helped during the bad storms we had this year.
Respectfully submitted,
SARGENT C. BLACK, Harbor Master.
HENRY P. McNEIL, Assistant Harbor Master.
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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 1953:
Principal Income
On hand December 31, 1952
$25,000.00 $3,391.39
Income for 1953
705.63
$4,097.02
Paid for relief of worthy cases in 1953
331.00
On hand December 31, 1953 $25,000.00 $3,766.02
PHILIP W. DELANO,
CHARLES R. CROCKER,
FRANCIS W. PERRY,
JOSEPH T. C. JONES, Treasurer.
Report of the Trustees of Agnes S. Ellison Fund
To the Citizens of Duxbury:
The following is a statement of the operations of the principal and income accounts of the Agnes S. Ellison Fund for the year 1953:
Principal received during 1953
$1,000.00
Interest added during 1953
15.00
$1,015.00
Expenditures
0.00
On hand December 31, 1953
$1,015.00
PHILIP W. DELANO, CHARLES R. CROCKER, FRANCIS W. PERRY, JOSEPH T. C. JONES,Treasurer.
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Report of the Elementary School Building Committee
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen:
At the Special Town Meeting held October 24, 1952, it was voted under Article 3 that the Town instruct the Moderator to appoint a committee of seven, including one member of the School Committee, to further study, in cooperation with the State School Building Assistance Commission, the future school building needs, and to present preliminary plans and estimates to provide for such needs at or before the next regular Town Meeting; and voted that they ap- propriate from available funds now in the treasury $5,000 for this purpose.
Your committee received notice of its appointment on November 10, 1952, and set to work at once.
We first studied our needs. A pre-school census was conducted by a special committee of the Parent- Teacher Association. Our next step was to schedule as many conferences as necessary with the State School Building Commission in regard to their requirements for State financial aid, and suggestions as to how a good school should be put together. When the pre- school census data was assimilated and thoroughly analyzed, it was concluded that a ten-room primary wing housing the first three grades, plus a remedial reading room, should be added to the present Ele- mentary School. Also, there should be a connecting unit consisting of an all-purpose or utility playroom to replace this same room in the present building, which had to be converted into classrooms.
With these requirements in mind, and after consi-
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derable deliberation, your committee commissioned Stur- gis Associates of Boston to draw up preliminary plans.
Meanwhile, members of your committee visited a number of schools to get ideas and to learn from the experience of Building Committees in other towns.
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After numerous meetings with the architect, your committee decided on a building similar to the present Alcott School in Concord, Mass. This decision was not reached until there had been a number of visits to this school, and talks with the Principal and several of the teachers, getting their opinions on any aspects of the architecture or buildings.
The final preliminary plans were presented at the Annual Town Meeting on March 14, 1953, in accordance with your 'directions listed above.
Under Article 29 at this meeting, it was voted that the Town raise and appropriate $431,000.00 for the purpose of preparing final plans and specifications, re- ceiving bids, and to construct and equip a ten room addition to the Elementary School substantially in accordance with the plans of the Sturgis Associates, Inc., as presented at the meeting.
The Town further voted to provide the money for said addition and equipment by appropriating $151,000.00 from available funds and issuing bonds of the Town for $280,000 in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44 of the General Laws and Chapter 56 of the Acts of 1952, with the provision that the whole loan be paid in not less than 20 years from the date of issue of the first bond.
The present Elementary School Building Commit- tee was authorized to expend the appropriation or so much thereof as is needed to determine upon the final plans of said addition and in the name of the Town to make all contracts pertaining thereto, and to do all
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things necessary and proper to construct, equip, and furnish said ten room addition to the Elementary School.
Your committee, following the meeting, instructed Sturgis Associates to proceed and present final plans and specifications.
These plans were approved by your committee on June 23, 1953, by the State School Building Commis- sion on July 10, 1953, and submitted for bids on July 21, 1953.
On August 13, 1953, bids were received and opened at the office of the architects. The low bidder was C. A. Batson Company of Brockton, Mass.
The committee then made a very thorough in- vestigation of this company as to their ability to under- take this project. The contract was signed on Sep- tember 11, and construction began on September 21.
The committee feels very fortunate in having for our architect, Mr. William B. Coffin of Duxbury, a member of the firm of Sturgis Associates. Mr. Coffin visits the project each day, supervising and inspecting every detail of construction.
Your committee hopes to present the completed building to the Town on or about August 1, 1954. At this writing, the Contractor informs the committee that the project is running slightly ahead of schedule.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD B. HUTTON, Chairman HARRIET B. BORGESON, Secretary G. LINCOLN DOW, Jr. EARLE C. GRENQUIST JACKSON S. KENT ALICE N. MERRY WARREN B. STETSON
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Report of the Committee to Study the Town Hall and Tarkiln Recreation Centers
January 17,1954 To the Selectmen of the Town of Duxbury:
At the annual Town Meeting held March 1953 it was voted, under Article 4, that the Moderator appoint a committee of five, together with a member of the Finance Committee to study the Town Hall Recreation Centre and the Tarkiln Recreation Centre with the express purpose of suggesting ways by which these activities can become more self-supporting and the com- mittee is to report its recommendations at the next annual town meeting.
This committee consulted the officials of both recreation centres and found that many different groups used both centres to good advantage. We also found that the groups that used them could be classi- fied into two categories, profit groups and non-profit groups.
Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Bon Homme Club, Myles Standish Club etc., were classified as non-profit groups. Dances given by different organizations, dancing school groups etc., were classified as profit groups.
This committee has been advised that in the past some of the profit groups have donated some money for the use of the hall, heat and light when they used it but also there were those who did not donate to it at all.
We suggest that the Selectmen or the Recreation Committees should set a fee per day for the use of the Centres for profit groups only, payable to the treas-
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urers of the Recreation Centres and limit the use of the centres, only to those profit groups who are willing to pay this fee.
We believe that the non-profit groups should con- tinue to use the centres as before.
This committee knows of no other ways in which revenue can be gained from these groups and believes that the only fair way to meet the cost of the rec- reation centres is by the present system of taxation now in use.
Respectfully submitted,
ELBURT C. LOTH, Chairman MRS. JOSEPH DeLORENZO, MRS. ROBERT H. PIERCE, CLARENCE J. SMITH, JOHN T. WALES, J. ALVIN BORGESON,
Finance Committee.
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Report of Playground and Building Committee
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The duties of this Committee were to study the over all town problem of playgrounds, playing fields and available buildings.
The committee at its meetings discussed and visited the various properties under consideration. Consider- able study was made of the facilities and properties surrounding the High School and Elementary Schools. The services of a planning engineer were secured, without expense to this committee. The needs of the school department for recreation and athletic activities were presented to us. Consideration was given to the present use of this property by the town and school and preliminary sketches prepared by the planning engineer incorporating the needs of the school department. Un- fortunately it was impossible, from existing records, to determine the exact location of the property line of the school property to the northwest of the High School. Because of this fact and the need for more detail study the completion of an accurate and reliable plan could not be made. Further, in view of the fact that the pre- liminary plans represented only one interest, namely; the school department and, since other interests share an equal consideration in the final development, in the opin- ion of this committee the problem should be given con- siderable more study. A study that would allow all in- terested parties equal participation in a long range development. Since it is acutely tied in with the over all future planning and development of buildings, etc., it is the recommendation of this committee that the study and planned development be turned over to the town Planning Board for further action.
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We recommend that another tennis court be con- structed. Its location to be determined by the School and Park Departments and construction done by the Highway and Park Departments.
We further recommend that water and drinking fountains be made available and installed at the tennis courts and at the soft ball field.
We further recommend that sufficient work and materials be used and done to improve the condition of the turf and grades of Train Field. Upon completion of this work the use of the field should be restricted as regards public use so as to preserve the good condition of the field.
We further recommend that the swings and play equipment now adjoining the soft ball diamond on Train Field be removed and reset in the area behind Abbott House, the exact location to be selected by the Park Department.
We further recommend that the present bleachers at Train Field because of their hazardous condition be removed.
We further recommend that the land and buildings known as Point School and Village School be disposed of.
We further recommend that the Band Stand be disposed of.
Respectively submitted,
LEWIS B. RANDALL, ROY E. PARKS,
CLARENCE W. WALKER, EDWARD L. BUTLER, KENNETH G. GARSIDE,
EARLE C. GRENQUIST,
LUCIUS A. HOWARD, Chairman.
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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 1953.
Spring cleaning of playgrounds was started in April. The tennis courts were worked over, some material added to existing low spots and then rolled. Some repairs were made to the back-stops and with the help of the School Athletic Department the tapes were put down ready for use early in May.
Last year Little League Baseball and Softball teams used the same field adjoining Alden Street. It was deemed necessary to place Little League Baseball in a new and safer location and was located back of the Library. The removing of large stumps, plowing, grading and planting of grass seed was done by local contractors.
The parking areas in the Alden and Walker fields were enlarged by cutting down Wild Cherry and Locust trees and levelled up in places. In clearing these fields many Cedar trees have been sold.
The new 61/2 foot rotary mower is a wonderful asset in this department and has been most satisfac- tory. The Highway Department has loaned us a trac- tor to haul this equipment when it was not being used by them. As a result, the mower was not used as often as we would like to have used it.
With the increased interest in Softball this season and one of the most-used areas in the playgrounds, it was decided to re-seed the softball diamond, which
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was done the first of October. A special, tough, play- ground grass seed was used and a good catch resulted.
Some smoothing-up of the rough spots in the Abbott field was done just before the ground froze. However, there is a lot of smoothing-up to be done in the Abbott, Walker and Alden fields in order to use the mower to the best advantage.
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