USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1951-1955 > Part 43
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We are requesting an appropriation of $13,902.00 to carry on the regular work in the cemeteries.
HARRY A. TAMMETT, Chairman
STANLEY V. JOHNSON
EDWARD P. HOBART
H. RUSSELL CHANDLER
J. NEWTON SHIRLEY, Secretary
30
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF CEMETERIES
To the Cemetery Trustees:
I submit my report for the year 1954.
At Mayflower, Ashdod, Dingley, and Myles Standish Ceme- . teries, the general work was done and the leaves were raked, also the avenues were raked and cleaned.
Four lots have been rebuilt in the old part, and also an addi- tion made to the new section of the cemetery.
The Ladies Union Fair Association supplied the loam to com- plete the section in the Historical part of Mayflower Cemetery.
Each year there is more lawn mowing and trimming added to the cemetery work.
There was a large amount of additional work due to the storm damage done to the cemeteries by hurricanes Carol and Edna.
Perpetual and Annual care lots were cared for : also the graves of the veterans.
There were fifty-six interments this year.
Respectfully submitted,
LAUREL B. FREEMAN
Superintendent of Cemeteries.
31
REPORT OF PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Duxbury, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith the report of the Public Health Nurse for the year 1954. This is the work for which the town pays the salary of the nurse by an annual appropriation.
Bedside Work (up to September 1, 1954)
Cases
Visits
Old Age Assistance
5
208
Disability Assistance
1
6
Instructive Work
Contagious Disease
13
13
Crippled children
1
5
Tuberculosis (cases and contacts )
8
10
28
242
Extra Activities
Well-Child Conference (no longer P.T.A. sponsored)
Sessions - 6
Attendance - 114
Immunization Clinic (diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus)
Sessions - 4
Attendance - 202
Boosters - 103
Completed series of 3 - 33
Trips Plymouth County Hospital - 2 trips - 10 individuals
Respectfully submitted,
SUSAN E. CARTER, R.N.
Duxbury Public Health Nurse
32
REPORT OF THE TOWN HISTORIAN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Duxbury:
The accumulation of historic information in a usable form and place continues to be the major work of this department. The collection of notes upon which one phase of the work depends, was - greatly increased this year when some valuable papers were loaned for copy. This generous loan puts important historic data in the care and custody of the town.
No books of historic interest to Duxbury were available for purchase this year, but several are being sought.
Many letters from out of town were answered, giving informa- tion on a wide variety of requests. Cooperation was given to sev- eral committees and organizations needing historic programs. The resources of this department are always available to groups and individuals.
Respectfully submitted,
DOROTHY WENTWORTH
Historian
PHOTO BY ROBERT J. KLEINHANS
LONG BRIDGE AFTER CAROL
34
in their home towns. Many women of Duxbury attended this program.
In December, three women from Duxbury worked at the exhi- bition held at the Extension rooms at Brockton on items and decorations to make at home for Christmas. Duxbury was well represented at this affair and many helpful ideas were used and passed along to others. Also in December there were two after- noon programs given at Kingston for the surrounding towns on EASY DOES IT and weight control.
Mrs. Scott resigned in August and Mrs. Olive Freeman was appointed Town Chairman for Duxbury.
OLIVE FREEMAN
FLORENCE A. SCOTT
The agricultural clubs in 4H have maintained their position in Dairy, Sheep, Poultry, Goats, and Gardens. The Home Econ- omics 4H group had successful clubs in cooking, sewing, knitting, and home improvement.
The 4H Town committee is made up of leaders and former leaders. They are:
John Willis, Chairman Mrs. Malcolm C. Brock - Garden, Knitting, Secretary
Mrs. Earle Grenquist - Sewing, Treasurer James Smithson - Tractors Mrs. James Smithson - Cooking
Kendall Thomas - Goats
Mrs. Kendall Thomas - Knitting
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Malcolm C. Brock - Poultry
Ernest Chandler - Dairy
Miss Ethel McAuliffe - Sewing, Foods, Home Improvement Pelton Goudey - Crafts
The problems of privacy, bench and locker space for Craft projects has not yet been solved.
A Bird Club and further Sewing clubs are in process of forma- tion.
It is fitting that a word of appreciation be given to Miss Ethel McAuliffe who is completing her 25th year in 4H Leadership.
Seven children were sent to 4H camp with expenses paid. Many fairs and field trips were enjoyed. The Duxbury 4H work is still outstanding in Plymouth County.
Respectfully submitted
MALCOLM C. BROCK
Director
36
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Board of Appeals held thirty-one public hearings during the year 1954, all of which were on petitions for variance in the residential district.
Of these petitions, four were withdrawn at the hearings, five were denied, twenty were granted substantially as requested and one was granted subject to a change in the proposed layout of the property involved. Finally, on one petition, for which the hearing was held near the end of the year and which required considerable further investigation and study, decision was necessarily post- poned until early in 1955.
Of the two petitions, for which hearings were held too late in 1953 for decisions at that time, one was dismissed because of a technical omission and the other was verbally withdrawn by the petitioner.
In closing this report the present members of the board wish to express their appreciation of the valuable services of Kenneth O. Macomber, for many years a member and secretary of the board, and to note their sincere regrets that he found it necessary to resign from the board.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM B. COFFIN, Chairman H. RUSSELL CHANDLER EDWARD P. HOBART
37
REPORT OF THE HARBOR MASTER
December 31, 1954
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I respectfully submit my report as Harbor Master for the year 1954.
During the year 1954 there were 100 registered boats in the basin 20 to 45 feet long and a much larger number of outboard motorboats and sailboats than in the year 1953.
We are continuing our policy of requiring all boat owners who desire a mooring to fill out mooring applications. This gives us all the necessary information as to the ownership, type of boat and where the boat owner can be reached in case of trouble.
Already this year we have received numerous requests for moorings from owners of small boats who have acquired boats this year during the Scallop season and would like to have their boats in the basin year around. All boat owners who made moor- ing applications this year were issued moorings. It appears that unless there is additional area dredged soon, that each year some boat owners will have to be turned away and moored elsewhere.
Harbor markers were painted and new reflectors put on all markers. The Duxbury Yacht Club furnished one dozen reflectors for the markers.
There were 15 Boats moored at Howlands Landing, Standish Shore this year.
We wish to thank the Police, Fire, and Highway Departments, Boatyards, Boat Owners and all persons who assisted during Hur- ricane Carol and Hurricane Edna this year. It would seem that some of the boats that came ashore would have fared better if they had heavier mooring ropes.
Respectfully submitted,
SARGENT C. BLACK
Harbor Master
HENRY P. McNEIL, Assistant Harbor Master
38
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 1954:
Principal
On hand December 31, 1953
$25,000.00
Income $3,766.02 94.31*
Income for 1954
3,860.33
Paid for relief of worthy cases in 1954
171.50
On hand December 31, 1954 25,000.00
3,688.83
PHILIP W. DELANO
CHARLES R. CROCKER
FRANCIS W. PERRY
JOSEPH T. C. JONES, Treasurer
*The income has been withheld pending reinvestment of the fund, as the Series G. Bonds expired during 1954.
39
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF AGNES S. ELLISON FUND
To the Citizens of Duxbury :
The following is a statement of the operation of the principal and income accounts of the Agnes S. Ellison Fund for the year 1954:
Principal
Income
On hand December 31, 1953
$1,000.00
$15.00
Income for 1954
30.67
On hand December 31, 1954
1,000.00
45.67
There were no withdrawals in 1954.
PHILIP W. DELANO
CHARLES R. CROCKER
FRANCIS W. PERRY
JOSEPH T. C. JONES, Treasurer
40
REPORT OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen :
This report continues the progress report submitted to you and presented in the 1953 Annual Report of the Town of Duxbury.
The additional structure to the original Elementary School was essentially completed in time for the opening of the school session in September. However, a number of items remained to be finished during the Fall season, none of which appeared to interfere with the daily operations of the elementary classes.
Your committee plans to remain in session through the present school year to execute a satisfactory performance of the entire contract, to finish up such items as landscaping, to complete the fitting out and equipping of the building and grounds, and to perform all necessary paper work for the State School Building Commission in order to be eligible for the scheduled reimburse- ment.
The committee wishes to render a very special note of thanks to Dr. Everett Handy, Superintendent of Schools, whose attention to many details during construction has given us a better school.
We wish also to express our sincere appreciation to our archi- tect. Mr. William B. Coffin, whose daily supervision of the work in progress has assured us of a well constructed building in addi- tion to one of the finest school designs your committee has seen.
We are pleased to report that we are operating well within our appropriation, as show in our financial report to date submitted below.
PHOTO BY ROBERT J. KLEINHANS
SEA HORSE PADANARAM
HURRICANE WRECKAGE
42 REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
Following is the report for the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1954.
LIST OF OFFENCES
Assault
1
Breaking and Entering and Larceny
3
Delinquency
4
Driving a motor vehicle to endanger
5
Driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated
6
Drunkenness
12
Larceny
5
Non-support
2
Using a motor vehicle without authority
2
Violation of labor laws
1
41
DISPOSITIONS
House of Correction
3
Fined
11
Suspended sentence and Probation
6
Not Guilty
1
Released
2
Filed
1
Held for Grand Jury
6
Dismissed
6
Turned over to other authorities
5
41
43
MISCELLANEOUS
Complaints investigated 1576
Emergency messages delivered
83
Emergency trips with cruiser
9
Motor vehicle accidents investigated
59
Motor vehicle violations recorded
144
Cars tagged for parking violations
142
Summons served for outside police 54
Arrests made for outside police
4
Beach stickers issued
2126
Shellfish permits issued
780
Pistol permits issued 43
Committed insane 2
Children reported lost and returned to parents 17
Animals returned to owners 44
Animals destroyed for owners 56
Air defense warning tests recorded
346
Miles traveled by cruiser
67,638
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES T. O'NEIL
January 21, 1955
Chief of Police
44
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT INSECT PEST CONTROL
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen :
In the Department of Insect Control there are eleven insects and two diseases that we have to combat. Dutch Elm Disease is our greatest problem and there is a separate report on that.
The three insects that have caused so much unsightly damage in the past are now very well under control. The past year there was only one small, concentrated spot of Tent Caterpillars the middle of May. The traps were put out around town again this year to catch Gypsy Moths, but only two male moths were caught. Scouting for egg clusters in the location of the trapped moths has been carried out but no eggs found.
Again this year we were fortunate in not having the unsightly Fall Web Worms to contend with. However, there is a great danger that the back-lashing winds of the second hurricane blew in disease-bearing insects that have already infected more of our elm trees.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS, Superintendent Insect Pest Control
45
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Duxbury :
Business is picking up in this department and looks as if it would continue through 1955. As we go through the trees, remov- ing the broken branches, we find a lot of split trees that require cabling, due to wind damage. The cabling of weak trees in the past saved us from losing many of them in the two wind storms.
Our tree planting program blew up in the Fall with only half as many trees planted as we had planned on. However, we have a good supply in the nursery that are out-growing their allotted space.
Since the job of cleaning up debris on the ground along the streets has been completed, our work has been confined to taking out the broken branches from the elm trees which should be com- pleted before the first of May, eliminating the breeding place for the carrier of the Dutch Elm Disease.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS
Tree Warden.
46
REPORT OF PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen :
The Spring clean-up of Parks and Playgrounds started the first of April with the tennis courts ready to play on the middle of the month.
In preparing the fields for the Fourth of July celebration the American Legion gave us a lot of help in cleaning up and leveling up the Walker Field. During the summer this field was sprayed with a brush-killer.
Through the Town Field Improvement Fund, the band stand was moved to a new location on the field; the swings moved away from the Softball diamond; a new location and base for a hard-top tennis court established and improvement of the field around Little League diamond which has been seeded down. The Softball and Little League diamonds were top-dressed with compost and low areas on all three diamonds leveled up with loam.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS, Superintendent Parks and Playgrounds.
47
REPORT OF CONTROL OF DUTCH ELM DISEASE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen:
Duxbury, this year had 14 Dutch Elm-diseased trees among the 2,200 that were sprayed for the control of the disease. In ad- dition to these, three more diseased trees were found among the Elm trees that are in the wooded, swamp or out-of-the-way places and do not stand out as individual trees. The figures were ob- tained from several surveys taken during the summer of every known Elm tree in town.
Out of the 14 diseased trees, 4 trees were infected by root grafts ; 8 trees were in that group of trees that were sprayed the last two days of the spray program with the recommended 25% emul- sion instead of the 12% oil base spray material. One large Elm tree on Washington Street was infected with the disease because only three-fourths of the tree was sprayed with the 12% D.D.T. oil. The untreated remaining portion of the Elm grew into the top of a large, Soft Maple tree. Oil sprays will kill smooth, thin- barked trees and Maples being most susceptible to injury.
In analyzing the year's work, it looks as though a conscien- tious night-time spray job with a 12% D.D.T. oil spray is getting worth-while results. We are still maintaining better than a 99% control since Dutch Elm Disease hit Duxbury over seven years ago. We urge all property owners to help by cleaning up the Elm branches on the ground and the broken and hanging branches in Elm trees in their back yards.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS
Tree Warden.
48
REPORT OF THE HOLDOVER COMMITTEE ON THE CONTROL OF ELM TREE DISEASE
The year 1954 has shown a continuance of a very high degree of protection for our elm trees in Duxbury. Less than one percent of the 2200 elm trees that were sprayed were found infected dur- ing the year. Each of these 2200 trees was inspected. Fourteen were found to be infected. Much has been learned here by our Tree Warden on this problem as a result of this year's experience as well as the experience of the past several years.
We believe that it is not too early to draw several conclusions. First and foremost, within a given area (such as a township) it is possible to keep the results of this affliction within small numerical bounds. This seems to have been accomplished here in Duxbury in spite of the fact that to date no direct positive control of the disease itself, either preventive or counter-actant, has been dis- covered. The present control is secondary - being the control of the carrier.
Second, every diseased tree serves as the locus of further in- fection in two ways. Through the air by carrier beetles for a distance of at least 1/4 mile, and through root taps to possibly every tree within root contact distance (50 to 80 ft. radius).
Third, dead elm branches, and elm cord wood, can support the disease and millions of carrier beetles, each branch becoming a locus of infection.
Fourth, spraying must be thorough, done with the right chem- icals and proper concentration, and at the right time of day and months.
PHOTO BY ROBERT J. KLEINHANS
STATELY ELMS TOPPLED BY THE HURRICANE
49
Fifth, to be effective, spraying must reach every elm tree in the area, whether publicly or privately owned. Partial spraying, such as town owned trees only, is not only ineffective, but a waste of money. The carrier beetles cannot distinguish private from public owned trees.
The problem facing Duxbury this coming year to maintain its control over this disease is a very serious one. The hurricanes of last fall have caused many trees to come down and have spread broken branches over our properties and left many broken limbs hanging. If these are not located and destroyed, we may have trouble breaking out in many spots. The first rule of this Dutch Elm Tree problem is to eliminate the breeding places of infection. In this we need the help of every Duxbury resident.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS
ROBERT S. CROCKER
KENNETH G. GARSIDE
HECTOR M. HOLMES
MALCOLM C. BROCK, Chairman
50
REPORT OF THE SHELLFISH CONSTABLE
December 31, 1954
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I respectfully submit my report as Shellfish Constable for the year 1954.
From January Ist until October 1st 25 men worked in the Bay digging Scallops, Razorfish, Quahaugs, Clams and Seaworms. From October 25th to December 31st there have been 60 to 80 men raking Scallops from the Bay on week days, and on Saturdays and Sundays there were 100 to 130 in the Bay. The maximum "take" in one day was 509 bushels.
From April 1st each year to October Ist is closed season for Scallops, this being due to their spawning and very rapid growth during those months.
This year - starting around October 25th - Duxbury Scal- lops brought a very high price of $4.75 a bushel in the shell because of their large size. A large percentage of the Scallops were trucked to the Cape Towns to be shucked.
In the year 1953 we had a good sized quantity of Scallops, but now our areas have expanded to around 350 acres. In 1953 we had thousands of bushels but the Cape Towns were also well supplied with Scallops which made a very low price for all.
The two Hurricanes, "Carol" on August 31st, and "Edna" on September 11th, destroyed thousands of bushels of the Cape Scallops by covering them with sand and washing them into the swift channel waters.
51
We were much more fortunate as our Scallop beds were in the low flats, were protected by large quantities of Eel grass, and are in the lee of Clark's Island and Duxbury Beach.
In future years when the Cape Towns have a large supply of Scallops our diggers will find it necessary to shuck their own Scallops in order to make a good day's wage.
It was necessary to prohibit the digging, taking and carrying away of Scallops, from the waters, flats and creeks from one half hour after sunset to one half hour before sunrise. One reason was to get the diggers in and on shore before dark for their own safety ; for example, a man overboard in the dark has very little chance of being rescued. The other reason was that many bushels of Scallops were destroyed on the large tides that came early and late because 70 to 100 diggers were walking on the flats in semi- darkness, stepping on the Scallops, and driving them so far into the mud that it became impossible to locate them or rake them again.
In order to make a close check on all Commercial diggers and for their own safety, we found it necessary to compel them all to land their Scallops at the Town landing at Mattakesett Court.
The State Biologists from the Division of Marine Fisheries, have been out in our Bay on numerous occasions to check our Scallop beds and give us valuable advice. We also received offers of assistance at any time from the State Coastal Wardens, Mr. Shaw and Mr. Wilbur, who cover this area.
To protect our Scallop and other Shellfish beds it has been necessary to maintain a very close watch over them, so that when the seasons open the diggers will find Shellfish in the beds. To do this adequately we find we are in need of a boat suitable for all types of weather and also with a much larger outboard motor so we can compete with whoever we find out there. In order to do this I have included in my budget an amount for the purchase of
52
such a boat, motor, and necessary equipment, so that I will be able to give our growing industry the necessary protection it so well deserves in view of its importance to the town.
During the year there was $241.60 spent bulldozing, plowing, picking and destroying mussels, horseshoe crabs and cockles.
282 commercial permits at $2.50 each were issued - total $705.00. 991 family permits (29 being free to persons 70 years of age or over and the remainder at 50ยข each) were issued during the year - total $481.00.
Seventeen notices were sent grant holders requesting a report of work done on grants.
710 bushels of quahaugs and 11/2 bushels of clams were planted on grants this year.
There were 17 annual fee forms sent out and $14.00 collected in annual fees from grant holders.
Following is the record of shellfish and seaworms taken com- mercially during the year.
6471/2 bushels of quahaugs @ $2.00, 2.50, 3.00,
5.00 & 6.00 $ 1,928.75
5621/2 bushels of razorfish @ $4.00, 6.00 & 8.00
$ 2,853.00
10,563 seaworms @ 3 cents 5 & 6
$ 1,032.78
2 bushels of mussels @ $3.00 6.00
20 bushels of soft shelled clams @ $10.00 200.00
4 bushels of sea clams @ $4.00 16.00
628 bushels of Scallops, Jan., Feb., March & April @ $3.00 $ 1,884.00
P
PHOTO BY GILBERT E. FRIEDBERG
SCALLOP FISHERMEN IN THE BAY
53
1,6051/2 bushels of Scallops, October @ $3.50 & $3.75 $ 6,019.62
5,941 bushels of Scallops, November, @ $3.75 & $4.25 $25,249.25
5,888 bushels of Scallops, December, (@ $4.25 & $4.75 $27,217.75
Total bushels of Scallops taken 14,0621/2
$66,407.15
During the year we revoked one Commercial Shellfish permit and suspended twelve permits for violation of our Rules and Regulations.
One boat was found and returned to its owner and all Shellfish Rules and Regulation signs were kept in repair.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY P. McNEIL,
Shellfish Constable.
54
REPORT OF VETERANS' AGENT
December 31, 1954
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I respectfully submit my report as Agent and Director for the Department of Veterans' Services for the year 1954.
The year 1954 presented the usual problems and requests from Veterans of the different Wars.
We assisted numerous Veterans and their dependents in ob- taining the many benefits they are entitled to under both State and Federal laws.
Our Verifax copying machine purchased this year, has been very useful to this department and other Town departments. We have started a policy of photostating discharges of our Korean War and other Veterans upon request. This way, we are able to keep a copy of each Veterans discharge for our records.
I have cut down our case load by obtaining 2 Federal Pensions and one Government allotment for Veterans and their dependents.
I have registered 13 local men for Draft Board Number 129, Marshfield, Massachusetts.
During the year we have had a total of 17 cases, representing 51 persons who received Veterans Benefits.
Our appropriation was $7,762.25. Due to an unforeseen in- crease in our case load and in medical requirements, our Depart- ment did not have sufficient money to cover the year 1954. It was necessary during the month of October, to have an additional $1,500.00 transferred to this Department to cover the balance of the year.
The State Department of Veterans Services will reimburse the Town for approximately half of the amount expended this year.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY P. McNEIL
Agent
55
ASSESSORS' REPORT
During 1954 field cards have been prepared for the Assessors Department to facilitate the assessors' road work. This will elim- inate the use of the master assessment cards on the road, a practice which has caused many difficulties in previous years.
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