USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1951-1955 > Part 42
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prompt mobilization of their forces and equipment, their bravery, ability and teamwork during the height of the storms, resulted in a record of accomplishment in the clearance of debris and pro- tection of property which lessened the period of acute emergency. Fortunately, too, our financial condition was such that your Board of Selectmen could authorize funds to meet the exigencies of the situation.
Year's end saw most of the hurricane clean-up fully accom- plished and repairs to the Long Bridge far advanced. Of course much of our scheduled programs for some departments were dis- turbed by the unexpected work-load imposed upon them by the storms.
HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT
This past year, an increased allotment for Chapter 90 High- way improvement enabled a speed-up on the Bay Road project, the work being accomplished by Town forces. It is hoped the larger allotment will again be available in 1955. The usual ap- propriation for the Route 14 maintenance program was available and we plan further continuance in 1955.
The County Commissioners made an improved layout of Autumn Avenue from Summer Street to Winter Street eliminating dangerous curves and widening the roadway for its entire length. At a hearing held by the County Commissioners in Plymouth, residents of the area approved this desirable change. A proposed new layout to by-pass a dangerous curve on the Gurnet Road was abandoned because of opposition of residents on the existing road.
Continuing our Town Highway improvement plan, a section of Winter Street was rebuilt and a curve on upper Temple Street was rebuilt and improved. We recommend further work on Winter Street, a curve improvement on Temple Street, and a re- building of the southerly portion of Bow Street in 1955.
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PARKS IMPROVEMENT
Beautification of our open and recreation areas progresses at a modest pace. The Way-to-the-Pond in Tinkertown has been cleared. A small plot at the Partridge Academy site has been set off and a marker prepared for erection there. Some improvements have been made to the ball fields, and the playground equipment has been moved to a new and pleasant area behind the Abbott Building. Work on the new tennis court, authorized by the Town Meeting, was interrupted by hurricane work, but will be com- pleted in 1955. Once improved, we trust these areas can be main- tained in good condition.
We recommend some very necessary repairs be made to Wright's Dike and the beginning of general improvement of that area be commenced in 1955. We also feel the increasing use of Ellison Beach justifies the undertaking of further improvements there.
An offer to sell a parcel of land adjoining the Town properties to the West and South has been made and an opportunity to con- sider the advantages of its purchase will be offered at the Annual Meeting.
BUILDING PROBLEMS
The Point and Village Schools, virtually unused since 1949, were sold in accordance with the vote of the Town. In view of the needed repairs, cost of upkeep and lack of foreseeable muni- cipal need, this was a wise decision.
We were fortunate that hurricane damage to our public build- ings was minor. However, except for our modern school proper- ties, our buildings are aging and in constant need of repair and revamping to suit modern needs. Although the time is not now predictable when our school building problems will become dor- mant and we can turn our serious attention to Town Office needs, we should be aware of our problem and appreciate there are some disadvantages in inadequate work areas.
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MOSQUITO CONTROL
In 1954 we were quite fortunate to have an opportunity to join with other communities in the South Shore Mosquito Control Project. It is well to remember that this is a joint enterprise, operated cooperatively, and on whose managing board Duxbury has an appointee. The Project's work is extensive, its field per- sonnel are skilled, and its equipment is modern and adaptable. We are confident, from knowledge of the work so far done, that results will improve greatly as the benefits from the basic ditching become apparent. We recommend continuance of our association in this project.
PROTECTIVE MEASURES
Enforcement of the Protective By-Law continues to be a pri- mary concern of the Board of Selectmen. In seeking solutions to mutual problems in this area of our government, we are working closely with the Planning Board. It is most gratifying that they so readily have considered our suggestions, and in some instances have made minor clarifying changes in their regulations and promptly instituted study of proper approaches. We continue to enjoy the assistance of our Chief of Police acting in the capacity of Investigating Officer for the Board.
We have adopted such regulations for the taking of scallops as would seem to give the greatest assurance that acts of man will not destroy the scallop industry. The fundamental purpose of these regulations is to offer the fairest opportunity to all our citi- zens to reap the highest gain possible without detriment to the scallop beds.
SEA WALL
The two sections of sea wall at the northerly end of the beach were completed in advance of the Summer Season and represent a source of relief to the property owners who enjoy the protection. With their property assured of safety from Winter Storms many owners have begun extensive improvements.
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BASIN IMPROVEMENT
Almost since the completion of our most recent dredging our Basin facilities have proved inadequate to care for the rapidly expanding interest in boating. Acting on petition of citizens of the Town, a public hearing was held on the matter of improvement to mooring areas at or near the Basin. Following a hearing before the State Commissioner of Public Works and others from his De- partment, at which time suggestions were made by interested parties, the matter was left in the hands of State engineers for study. Their report recommending increasing the present Basin area with State Financial assistance will be placed before the Annual Meeting in 1955 for action.
WAGES AND SALARIES
For the first year in many, we have passed through a period where there has seemed to be a levelling off of living costs. This fact eliminates the most compelling reason for general upward revisions of pay scales. In 1954 wages and salary increases voted at the Annual Town Meeting were made effective, and the Board is disinclined to recommend further changes at this time. It must, of course, be recognized that duties and responsibilities are not constant with a small administrative work force and adjustments dictated by fairness are worthy of serious consideration at all times.
OTHER PROBLEMS
The tremendous accumulation of hurricane debris taxed the capacity of our dump and brought closer the day when a new area will be needed. We recommend that a committee be ap- pointed to commence planning for our future need.
We find the continuing more intensive utilization of land gives rise to many problems of drainage of surface water, and the growth of the Town and consequent opening of new ways contrib- ute to a heavier burden of engineering costs.
A survey has been made by State highway engineers, at our request, of the traffic flow at the junction of St. George and Wash- ington Streets. A decision on whether or not the flagpole should
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be relocated, in accordance with the survey recommendation, to make possible rotary traffic around the flagpole will be left to the wisdom of the meeting.
The Board continues to receive excellent cooperation from our Representative and Senator at the General Court in seeking that sort of special and general legislation which will be most beneficial to the town.
It may well be that under existing tax law we have come close to the top of the possible receipts from some helpful props to local finance - namely, the motor vehicle excise tax, and income and corporation taxes. These revenues have been increasing since 1946 at a sufficiently high rate to materially offset drastic increases which might have reasonably been expected in local real estate taxes, with the accelerated rate of town expenditure. However, with their levelling off, we must realize that a greater portion of higher expenditure will be reflected in our local tax bill. It be- hooves all citizens to weigh carefully their needs in respect to public services and to fully appreciate the seriousness of their actions in the Town Meeting. Also, it would be timely for all to consider thoughtfully the need for other revenue sources than those authorized by present law, if we are to meet our increasing school costs without unfairly burdening the home-owner.
We urge you to study most carefully the reports of those officials who conduct your civil business. You will find them most informative.
It has been a privilege to serve as Selectmen during the past year and we appreciate the wholehearted cooperation we have received from Town Officials and employees. Soon we shall meet in our annual business session and endeavor to make wise de- cisions for the year ahead.
PHILIP W. DELANO CHARLES R. CROCKER FRANCIS W. PERRY
Selectmen of Duxbury
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REPORT OF STATE AUDIT
March 23, 1954
To the Board of Selectmen Mr. Philip W. Delano, Chairman Duxbury, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Duxbury for the year ending December 31, 1953, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by William Schwartz, Assistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours,
HERMAN B. DINE Director of Accounts
HBD:ED Mr. Herman B. Dine Director of Accounts Department of Corporations and Taxation State House, Boston
Sir:
As directed by you, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Duxbury for the year ending December 31, 1953, and submit the following report thereon:
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The financial transactions, as recorded on the books of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town or committing bills for collection, were examined and reconciled with the reports and records in the office of the town accountant.
The town accountant's ledger was analyzed, the receipts being checked with the treasurer's books and the payments being com- pared with the warrants authorizing them and with the treasurer's records of payments. The appropriation accounts were checked with the town clerk's records of town meeting proceedings and the recorded transfers from the reserve fund were verified. A trial balance was taken off, proving the accounts to be in balance, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on December 31, 1953. An examination of the appended balance sheet shows that the town is in very good financial condition.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked in detail. The receipts, as recorded, were analyzed and checked with the records of the several departments collect- ing money for the town and with other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury. The payments were compared with the selectmen's warrants authorizing the treasurer to disburse town funds.
The cash book additions were verified, and the cash balance on February 9, 1954 was proved by actual count of the cash in the office, by reconciliation of the bank balances with statements furnished by the banks of deposit, and by inspection of the securi- ties and the savings bank book.
The payments on account of maturing debt and interest were verified by comparison with the amounts falling due and with the cancelled securities on file.
The savings bank books and securities representing the invest- ment of the trust and investment funds in the custody of the town
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treasurer and the Plymouth Five Cents Savings Bank were ex- amined and listed, the income being proved and the transfers to the town being verified.
The records of tax titles held by the town were examined, and the town and district taxes transferred to the tax title account were compared with the collector's records. The payments to the treas- urer were verified, and the outstanding accounts were listed and compared with the records in the Registry of Deeds.
The records of payroll deductions for Federal Taxes and for the county retirement system were examined and checked, the payments to the Director of Internal Revenue and the county treasurer being compared with the amounts withheld from em- ployees' salaries and wages.
The books and accounts of the tax collector were examined and checked. The taxes and motor vehicle and trailer excise out- standing at the time of the previous examination, as well as all subsequent commitments, were audited and compared with the assessors' warrants issued for their collection. The payments to the town and district treasurers were verified, the recorded abate- ments were checked with the assessors' records, and the outstand- ing accounts were listed and proved.
The records of departmental accounts receivable were exam- ined and checked. The commitments were proved, the payments to the treasurer verified, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled.
The outstanding tax, motor vehicle and trailer excise, and de- partmental accounts were verified by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town and the district, and from the replies received it appears that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
The surety bonds of the town officials required to file them
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for the faithful performance of their duties were examined and found to be in proper form.
The records of receipts from licenses and permits issued by the selectmen, by the town clerk, and by the police and health de- partments, as well as of receipts from all other departments col- lecting money for the town, were examined and checked, the re- ported payments to the treasurer being verified.
Appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, are tables showing reconciliations of the treasurer's and the collector's cash, summaries of the tax, motor vehicle and trailer excise, tax title, and departmental accounts, together with schedules showing , the condition and transactions of the trust and investment funds.
For the cooperation extended by the town officials during the progress of the audit, I wish, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
William Schwartz
Assistant Director of Accounts
WS:ED
TOWN OF DUXBURY Balance Sheet - December 31, 1953 GENERAL ACCOUNTS
ASSETS
LIABILITIES AND RESERVES
Cash:
Planning Board Deposits $24.00
General
$556,119.57
Agency :
Advance for Petty :
County - Dog Licenses
10.20
Collector
$250.00
Tailings - Unclaimed Checks
183.28
Town Clerk
25.00
Ship's Weathervane Trust Fund Income
60.50
275.00
Premium on Loans:
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Accounts Receivable :
Taxes :
Levy of 1953:
Recoveries :
Poll
$4.00
Old Age Assistance
4,861.13
Personal Property
3,150.03
Real Estate
25,660.51
Disability Assistance:
Administration
$129.66
Assistance
1,547.90
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise:
Levy of 1950
$48.58
Aid to Dependent Children: Administration
57.14
Levy of 1952
122.29
Aid 1,127.95
Levy of 1953
4,870.46
Old Age Assistance:
Administration 1,436.81
5,041.33
Assistance 873.15
$254.80
School Addition
Sea Wall
10.00
264.80
U. S. Grants:
28,814.54
Eben Ellison Beach Fund Bequest 133.60
BALANCE SHEET (Continued)
Tax Titles and Possessions:
Tax Titles
$4,474.79
Tax Possessions
93.85
Vocational Education : Smith - Hughes and George - Barden Funds 1,035.84
6,208.45
Departmental:
Dutch Elm Disease
$69.50
2,361.52
General Relief
1,422.50
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Aid to Dependent Children
292.06
Old Age Assistance
1,224.93
$18,646.51
Non-Revenue :
Veterans' Services
1,049.86
Cemetery
246.00
Elementary School Addition 310,799.88
329,446.39
Aid to Highways:
State
$2,112.92
County
1,060.05
35,145.20
3,172.97
Overestimates 1953: County: Hospital Assessment Tax
$1,199.71 1,265.65
2,465.36
4,568.64
Revolving Funds: School Lunch School Athletics
$2,064.22
297.30
Appropriation Balances: Revenue : General
4,304.85
Elementary School Addition Authorized from Investment Funds: Post-War Rehabilitation Stabilization 31,650.36 $3,494.84
Underestimate 1953:
State Parks and Reservations Assessment
241.46
Appropriations Voted from Investment Funds: Post-War Rehabilitation $3,494.84 Stabilization 31,650.36
35,145.20
Sale of Cemetery Lots Fund Reserve Fund - Overlay Surplus Overlay Reserved for Abatements: Levy of 1953 11,161.90
420.00 27,879.72
Revenue Reserved Until Collected : Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise $5,041.33 Tax Title and Possession 4,568.64
Departmental 4,304.85
Aid to Highway
3,172.97
17,087.79
Reserve for Petty Cash Advances Surplus Revenue
275.00 199,694.72
$637,683.56
$637,683.56
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DEBT ACCOUNTS
Net Funded or Fixed Debt: Inside Debt Limit : General Outside Debt Limit: General
Serial Loans: Inside Debt Limit : Schoolhouse Construction $199,000.00
$604,000.00
Elementary School Addition 280,000.00
High School Addition 125,000.00
18,000.00
Outside Debt Limit : Sea Wall Construction
$604,000.00
18,000.00
$622,000.00
$622,000.00
TRUST AND INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS
Trust and Investment Funds: Cash and Securities: In Custody of : Town Treasurer Plymouth Five Cents Savings Bank
Lucy Hathaway Fund
$21,381.05
Jonathan and Ruth Ford Fund
28,766.02
William Penn Harding Library Fund
1,056.41
$206,455.82
526.79
Thomas Hathaway Fund - Shade Trees and Sidewalks 2,854.32
Myles Standish Lot Fund 1,631.47
Cemetery Funds:
Perpetual Care
$112,220.07
Lucy A. Ewell
525.61
George H. Wood
Memorial Day Flower 1,028.72
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Mayflower General Care and Improvement 25.00
Forrest and Helen Partch Flower 304.50
Agnes S. Ellison Cemetery Flower 1,015.00
115,118.90
Investment Funds: Post-War Rehabilitation $3,538.52
Stabilization 32,635.92
36,174.44
$206,982.61
$206,982.61
--- ---
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REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Duxbury, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The Board of Fire Engineers submits the following report of department activities for 1954.
Our 92 calls during the year were as follows:
Automobile 4
Bridge
3
Building
20
Chimney
8
Emergency
32
False Alarm
4
Oil Burner
4
Out of Town Aid
8
Range Burner
1
Stand-by
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The new equipment purchased this year includes one set of new hose bridges to avert blocking traffic during fires; three Scott self-contained air gas masks to enable firemen to enter any burn- ing building which might contain poisonous gases; two salvage covers to replace two badly-worn canvas covers; five hundred feet of Dacron-treated fire hose; one smoke ejector to enable us to clear smoke from a building rapidly; and one electric sump pump.
We decided to buy two 1200 watt generators in preference to one 2500 watt generator and these units were mounted on two of our trucks to equip all three engines in the department with emer- gency lighting equipment. We found these light, portable units - as well as the generator which operates our station and radios in emergencies - very valuable during the last two hurricanes when so many of the townspeople were without electricity and telephones. During the storms we were able to operate five radio- equipped trucks which were dispersed in distant locations through- out town.
The Board of Engineers with a great deal of regret have ac- cepted the resignation of Richard Whitney who on December 18, 1954 retired after twenty-three years of faithful service to the town and fire department. Dick was one of the workers who started the Duxbury Firemens' Relief Association in 1932, was the first secretary of the organization, and later served on the Board of Directors. He was very active in all fire services and activities, and very courteous to the many people and to the children who visited the fire station. We all wish Dick much happiness and success in his new work.
We, the Board of Engineers, feel that after twenty-seven years of working with one permanent man it is time that the department
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enlarged its force to three men and we have submitted our budget accordingly.
We wish to thank the officers and firemen for their splendid co-operation during the past year, and also all the individuals and groups who have co-operated with us in keeping fire losses down.
For the benefit of our new citizens we wish to repeat this para- graph from our last year's report - "We should like to impress upon each citizen the importance of saying, 'Emergency Dux- bury Fire Department 333' when reporting a fire. Give your name, the location of the fire to the best of your ability, and if possible the nature of the fire (as auto, chimney, building, forest, grass, etc.) so that the proper type of equipment can be dispatched to the fire immediately."
Respectfully submitted,
EBEN N. BRIGGS, Chief
GEORGE S. BUTLER, Asst. Chief
KENNETH O. MACOMBER, Chairman LEROY M. PETERSON, Secretary JOHN DELORENZO CARL J. SANTHESON, JR.
ALDEN M. BARTLETT
Board of Fire Engineers
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REPORT OF THE FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Duxbury, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as Forest Fire Warden for the year 1954.
The department had a total of 109 calls, as follows:
31 Brush
44 Dump
3 False Alarms
2 Forest
19 Grass
2 Out of Town
8 Stand-by
I am glad to report that last spring was a very exceptional season because the dampness and early spring foliage assisted in keeping fire losses down. I hope that we will be as fortunate in the coming year regarding the hurricane damage to the wooded area which always creates a fire hazard.
I had planned to put a larger pump, which would have cost
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about $500, on F.F.3 but after further examination I decided that the small increase in water was not worth the expenditure. With the Selectmen's permission I purchased a chain saw just two weeks before Hurricane "Carol."
During the hurricane we received many calls concerning fallen trees blocking the roads, and a crew of men left the station on F.F.2 with the new saw and worked into West Duxbury through the storm. We also had two other trucks working, one in North Duxbury and another on Mayflower Street and Route 14, under the supervision of Highway Superintendent, Lewis Randall, and Tree Warden, Roy Parks.
As Forest Warden I would like to say that I am going to miss the services of Dick Whitney who was a very good forest fireman and deputy warden and who worked with me on many forest fires in Duxbury and surrounding towns. Also all of Plymouth County will miss Dick as a radioman because he was one of the first radio operators and, in my opinion, one of the best on our network. I wish to thank Dick and to wish him the best of luck.
A total of 4700 open-air fire permits were issued this year. Duxbury Beach Park issued 1600 beach permits and Ford's Store issued 600; the Central Station issued 600 written and 1900 phone permits.
Again I want to thank the townspeople for their co-operation in calling for these permits because it saves the department many unnecessary runs and possibly many unnecessary fires.
I wish to thank the deputy wardens, firemen, and all depart- ments for their service this past year.
Respectfully submitted,
EBEN N. BRIGGS
Forest Warden
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REPORT OF HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit the report of the Highway Department for the year ending December 31, 1954.
In addition to annual repairs to all streets throughout the . town, several miles of black roads throughout the town were given a surface treatment. West Street was graveled and given a surface treatment, a portion of Lincoln Street was regraded and surfaced, and by special appropriations, portions of Winter and Temple Streets were excavated, graveled and topped with mixed-in-place. Roadsides were mowed and raked. Traffic lines were painted and new drainage was installed in various parts of the Town.
Fourteen complete sections were replaced in the Powder Point Bridge, as well as several sections of the sidewalk. Other repairs were made as necessary.
The bathing beaches and floats at all town landings received annual care.
Under Chapter 90, New Construction, the project at Bay Road was continued. The work being done, this year, under the super- vision of the Highway Department, instead of being put out to bids as in the past two years.
Chapter 90, Maintenance money, was spent to resurface por- tions of Route 14 with mixed-in-place.
Respectfully submitted,
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 1954.
The report of the Superintendent has been accepted and is made a part of this report. It contains the details of the work done in the various cemeteries.
We are again indebted to the Ladies Union Fair Association for a generous gift of loam. This has been used in improving another section of the older part of Mayflower Cemetery. We extend to them our hearty thanks.
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