USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1956-1960 > Part 14
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Police
51
Schools
Appendix
Selectmen
10
Shellfish Constable
61
South Shore Mosquito Control 183
Tarkiln Recreation and Youth Center
100
Town Clerk
165
Town Meeting 110
Treasurer
178
Treasurer Report, Free Library
72
Tree Warden 55
Veteran's Agent
64
Water Commissioners 74
Water Superintendent 92
Waterfront Committee
105
Welfare
96
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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Town Officers and Committees
OF THE
TOWN OF DUXBURY
MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 31
1957
In Memoriam
MARY E. GREENE
CLERK FOR SELECTMEN AND ASSESSORS May 10, 1915 - 1943
TOWN ACCOUNTANT March 19, 1920 - 1943
TREASURER, DUXBURY FIRE AND WATER DISTRICT 1922 - 1928
LOUIS M. BAILEY
REGISTRAR OF VOTERS 1928 - 1949
In Memoriam
FRANK E. PHILLIPS
POLICE OFFICER August 15, 1936 - 1957
WALTER N. SMITH
DISTRICT WATER COMMISSIONER 1947 - 1951
MALCOLM BROCK
DIRECTOR, AID TO AGRICULTURE 1950 - 1957
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Town Officers and Committees
OF THE
TOWN OF DUXBURY
MASSACHUSETTS
MA
IS
IS STAND
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 31
1957
SANDERSON BROTHERS
NORTH ABINGTON, MASS.
i
3
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1957
SELECTMEN
James H. W. Jenner
1958
Francis W. Perry
·
1959
Philip W. Delano
1960
- - ---................
ASSESSORS
James H. W. Jenner
1958
Francis W. Perry
·
1959
Philip W. Delano
1960
BOARD OF HEALTH
The Selectmen
MODERATOR
Bartlett B. Bradley
1958
CEMETERY TRUSTEES
H. Russell Chandler 1958
J. Newton Shirley
1959
Edward P. Hobart
1960
Carl E. Johnson .
.
1961
Harry A. Tammett
1962
:
4
TOWN CLERK AND TREASURER
Maurice H. Shirley
1959
TOWN COLLECTOR
Edwin M. Noyes
1959
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Earl C. Grenquist
1958
Elizabeth U. Nickerson
1959
Edward L. Butler
1959
Walter B. Collins
1960
Herbert R. Nelson
1960
WATER COMMISSIONERS
Lloyd B. Salt
1958
Leonard B. Gallagher
1959
John A. Borgeson
.
1960
PLANNING BOARD
Carl F. Danner
1958
Oliver L. Barker
1959
David Marshall
1960
Lucius A. Howard
1961
Atherton Loring, Jr.
1962
WELFARE BOARD
Paul N. Swanson
1958
Howard M. Clark
1958
*Edward G. Bottenus
1958
Paul Barber
1959
Adrian H. Cordeau
1960
*Serving unexpired term.
5
TREE WARDEN
Roy E. Parks 1958
CONSTABLES James T. O'Neil
Earl W. Chandler Lawrence C. Doyle
LIBRARY TRUSTEES
Bartlett B. Bradley William H. Young (Honorary President)
William B. Coffin
Francis W. Perry
Hector M. Holmes
C. Russell Eddy Philip W. Delano Ralph N. Blakeman
APPOINTED BY THE MODERATOR FINANCE COMMITTEE
Ralph H. Osborn
1958
Winthrop A. Clarke
1958
Roger M. Heyward
.
1958
Stanley H. Merry
1959
Theodore W. Page
1959
Irving H. Locke
1959
Alexander C. Colburn
1960
Edwin D. Ryer
1960
Edward G. Wadell .
1960
HIGH SCHOOL STUDY COMMITTEE (Article No. 40 - of 1957)
Edward L. Butler
Herbert R. Nelson
Edward G. Wadell
Walter F. Kopke
(Mrs.) Gertrude M. French Atherton Loring, Jr.
Norman W. Rodham
.
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APPOINTED BY THE SELECTMEN
BOARD OF APPEALS
William B. Coffin 1958
Edward P. Hobart
1959
H. Russell Chandler
1960
Elburt C. Loth, Associate
1958
Loring R. C. Mugford, Associate
1958
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS
Clara M. Redmond
1958
Frances R. Wolfe
1959
Willard R. Randall
1960
FIRE ENGINEERS
Eben N. Briggs
George S. Butler
Alden M. Bartlett
Kenneth O. Macomber
Carl J. Santheson, Jr. Benjamin F. Goodrich, Jr.
John DeLorenzo
CHIEF OF POLICE
James T. O'Neil
HEALTH AGENT
George R. Starr, Jr. M.D.
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS Lewis B. Randall
SUPT. INSECT PEST CONTROL Roy E. Parks
SHELLFISH CONSTABLE
Henry P. McNeil
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Ernest W. Chandler
INSPECTOR OF
SLAUGHTERED ANIMALS Ernest W. Chandler
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WATERFRONT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
SURVEYORS OF WOOD AND LUMBER
WEIGHERS OF COAL, COKE AND HAY
FIELD DRIVERS
FENCE VIEWERS
DOG OFFICER
HARBOR MASTER
ASSISTANT HARBOR MASTER
VETREANS' AGENT
BURIAL AGENT (Board of Health)
Victor D. Nickerson
Henry P. McNeil Frank A. Davis
Irving H. Locke Norman White
Myron Linde
George S. Butler
Charles C. McNaught
Edwin McAuliffe
Ray M. Parks Bradley V. Osgood
Russell W. Soule
H. Thomas Williams
B. F. Goodrich
B. F. Goodrich, Jr. Paul McAuliffffe
Ernest W. Chandler
Lewis B. Randall
William P. Clarke
William Couch
Ray M. Parks
Herbert R. Nelson
Lawrence C. Doyle
Victor D. Nickerson
Henry P. McNeil
Henry P. McNeil
Maurice H. Shirley
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BURIAL AGENT ( Veterans )
SUPERVISORS OF PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS
TOWN ACCOUNTANT TOWN COUNSEL
BUILDING INSPECTOR
SO. SHORE MOSQUITO CONTROL Commissioner for Duxbury
TOWN HISTORIAN
Henry P. McNeil Roy E. Parks Charles R. Crocker Walter G. Prince Annie Dunham
Isabelle V. Freeman
John J. Geogan, Esq. Robert B. Delano
George R. Starr, Jr., M.D.
Dorothy Wentworth
BOAT MOORING BASIN SURVEY COMMITTEE (Article No. 28 - of 1957)
C. Shelton Collins John Soule
Nelson Smith Edward Hutton David Marshall
9
JURY LIST - JULY 1, 1957
1
List of persons qualified to serve as Jurors in the Town of Duxbury from July 1, 1957 to July 1, 1958.
Almy, Robert B., Jr.
Washington Street
Salesman
Atwood, Margaret
Bay Road
Housewife
Bahm, Beatrice
St. George Street
Housewife
Barry, Jack
Hobomock Hill
Public Relations Con.
Bartlett, Alden M.
Temple Street
Claims Adjuster
Boynton, Freeman
Washington Street
Securities Salesman
Briggs, Helen D.
Marshall Street
Housewife
Caliri, Nancy W.
Partridge Road
Chapin, George H.
Enterprise Street
Housewife Wholesale Salesman Accountant
Cheney, Lewis C.
Insurance Agent
Clarke, Winthrop A.
Insurance Salesman
Assistant Manager
Cordeau, Adrian R. Damon, Rachael L. DeLorenzo, Katherine H. Fox, Robert Stanton Gallagher, Leonard Githens, Ernest B. Hicks, Willard E. Howland, Virginia Kierman, Frank A. Loring, Fannie R. Marston, Harriet P. Merry, Alice N. Page, Theodore W.
Bay Ridge Lane Crescent Street
Manufacturers' Rep. Retired Housewife Retired
H-wife, Sub. Teacher Housewife Insurance Broker
Insurance Claim Sup.
Insurance Salesman
Credit Manager
Housewife
Anchorage Lane
Antique Art Dealer
Washington Street
Housewife
Summer Street
Insurance
PHILIP W. DELANO FRANCIS W. PERRY JAMES H. W. JENNER
Selectmen of Duxbury
Chase, Theodore M.
Chestnut Street
Enterprise Street Harrison Street Washington Street Off West Street Summer Street Powder Point Ave. Standish Street Arrowhead Road
Telephone Operator Real Estate Broker
Naval Arch., Mar. Eng.
Retired Army Colonel
Pine Hill Avenue Duck Hill Road Crescent Street West Street Arrowhead Road Wadsworth Road
Bookkeeper
Reggio, A. William, Jr. Southard, Allan Hunt, Jr. Wadell, Edward G. Waite, Julia Rockfellow White, Winsor Whittemore, C. Mae Wrye, Walter C., Jr.
Arrowhead Road Duck Hill Road Plum Hill Avenue
10
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
We present to the Townspeople of Duxbury the One Hundred and Fifth Annual Report of the Town Officers and Committees. These are the comments and documentation of the records and accomplishments of one year of the splendid his- tory of your Town. We urge your thoughtful study.
This was the year when a replica of the sailing ship that brought our founders to these shores, the tiny Mayflower II, sailed from England to America and landed at Plymouth. The very sight of such a craft, bobbing upon a tremendous sea, called to mind the courage and purpose possessed by those hardy persons of over three centuries past, who came to these shores seeking freedoms. Theirs was a wonderful legacy, and we should be grateful beneficiaries.
Our year has not been marked by untoward incident, un- less we record the most severe drought in more than a century. And while this act of Nature wrought some distress to those dependent on private water supplies for domestic purposes and to those engaged in agricultural pursuits, it also increased the tempo of our Summer recreational activities.
HIGHWAYS
During the year a very substantial section of Tobey Garden Street was resurfaced and the remaining portion can be com- pleted in 1958 under Chapter 90 assistance. This rebuilding has made a splendid stretch of straight highway leading from South Duxbury to the western sections of the town, and it should decrease measurably the time required to answer fire calls in West Duxbury. In 1958, after the completion of Tobey Garden Street, we have planned to continue the improvements to Bay Road.
11
The improvement of Winter Street, in progress over the past few years, was completed; and preparations were made for substantial improvement to Temple Street, the principal access to North Duxbury village. It is hoped the improvements to Temple Street may be completed in 1959 and meanwhile it seems advisable to re-build the small bridge on Franklin Street and the adjacent section of road between Congress Street and Union Bridge Road.
As was reported last year, under Chapter 718 of the Acts of 1956 a sum of money ($24,605.16) was allocated by the State for approved highway work in Duxbury. In the interest of keeping expenditures reflected in the tax rate at a minimum, your Board has petitioned to use this money for the suggested work on Temple and Franklin Streets, and to offset the Town's share of Chapter 90 construction costs.
Looking to the future, a petition has been entered with the County Commissioners requesting a new layout of Chandler Street over its entire length, and a new layout of West and Congress Streets from Tremont Street to Lincoln Street. It is assumed that upon completion of the Southeast Expressway through Duxbury there will be an access road from Route 14. The new layout of West and Congress Streets will improve the road which will lead from the more heavily populated sections to the new highway. It is important and prudent to make such layouts before substantial building impedes the way.
Newly built roads accepted during recent years have added to the mileage of roads your Highway Department must main- tain, and of course added mileage increases the costs of such maintenance. A very substantial mileage of sealcoating was accomplished this past year but it will be necessary to do many more town roads in 1958.
Following the suggestion of a State engineer's report, timbers now used in the Long Bridge are treated with a wood preservative.
12
TOWN BUILDINGS
During the past year the exterior of the Town Office was repainted and the Treasurer's Office was refurbished. Many lesser repairs which are necessary to properly maintain older properties, serving purposes for which they were not originally designed, were made. All Departments are now provided with some sort of housing, and it would appear that we can con- tinue during the school expansion period to "make do" with the office facilities as they now exist.
WATER FRONT
For the second year in a row we have enjoyed a storm free Autumn. We delayed removing floats until after the middle of October to assist the popular water activities which con- tinued much later than might normally be expected.
The increase in boating activity continues and, as the Harbor Master will attest, a strain is placed upon the existing mooring facilities. In order to cope with this situation there has been a continuing emphasis on the development of second- ary areas. In this respect two things should be noted: as authorized by the Annual Town Meeting, a gravel ramp was built to the low water mark off Howland's Landing. This enabled an easier landing to be made here and increased the use of this mooring area. Also, the beach channel was marked to facilitate greater use of that section of water near and to the northward of Powder Point and the Long Bridge.
As authorized by the Annual Town Meeting, the tide gates at Blue Fish River were rebuilt and reinstalled.
Our Shellfish Constable is assisting in a study program conducted by the Massachusetts Shellfish Officers Association in cooperation with the Division of Marine Fisheries. It is
13
hoped that the accumulation of extensive data may result in the development of more successful shellfish propagation pro- grams.
Your Board is mindful of the dangers that arise through carelessness around the waterfront. The Harbor Master has been authorized to deny mooring privileges to those who flagrantly violate the simple rules set down to insure personal safety. In this same regard, water skiing has been restricted to designated areas.
BEACHES
Considerable improvement has been made at Ellison Beach, including the placement there of much new sand. A granite marker was erected at the entrance to remind those who enjoy this fine area that it came to the people of Duxbury through the generosity of a man who loved Duxbury and enjoyed, particularly, seeing people relaxing and finding hap- piness at the shore.
The beach at Landing Road was a subject of much interest at the last Annual Town Meeting, at which time it was voted to take two disputed areas by Eminent Domain. As a result of the additional bay frontage, families in the vicinity now find the beach more nearly adequate to the requirements of the neighborhood.
WATER
It came as a substantial relief to the citizens of West Duxbury to have the newly acquired benefit of an excellent public water supply and the assurance of improved fire pro- tection during the unusually dry summer.
14
Last March the voters directed the Selectmen to inquire into the methods, costs, and feasibility of fluoridating the Town Water Supply. Your Board has made inquiries from many sources and we are grateful particularly to our local Dentists, the Water Commissioners, and the Water Superintendent, for their kindness in furnishing helpful data. Local Dentists strongly recommend the introduction of water fluoridation. While your Board's study has not been finalized at year's end, and a public hearing will be held prior to the 1958 town meet- ing, some conclusions are possible now:
The efficacy of fluorine content in drinking water as a help in preventing tooth decay is no longer in the speculative stage.
Many towns (including such towns as Hingham) introduce fluorine into their public water supplies.
There is no substantial evidence that the recommended fluorine content leads to arthritis and bone troubles.
There is no substantial evidence that the recommended fluorine content destroys water pipes and equipment, although ·some may still argue that it hastens metallic deterioration.
Introducing fluorine into the public drinking water is not a new practice.
Its benefits are particularly noticeable in younger children, but there may be some correlation between fluorine content and teeth improvement in older persons.
It is endorsed by the American Dental and the American Medical Associations.
After the initial installation of equipment, the cost of operating in conjunction with pumping water should be nominal.
15
Existing fluorine content (natural) in Duxbury water is far below the optimum amount (Duxbury .05 parts fluorine per million parts water - Recommended, 1 to 1.5 parts fluorine per million parts water ).
Based on the factors above enumerated, and other informa- tion to be presented at the 1958 Annual Meeting, the voters will be given the opportunity to make a final decision on this health matter.
INSURANCE
Rising construction costs have caused the Board to author- ize increases of insurance coverage on several Town Buildings.
The Townspeople voted in 1956 to permit the adoption of a comprehensive Hospital - Surgical - Life Insurance pro- gram for all regular Town employees, the actual cost of the plan to be evenly divided between the Town and the employees. Anticipating the appropriation of necessary funds at the 1958 town meeting, the Board received bids on a plan corresponding to that adopted by the County Commissioners for County Employees, which is as liberal a plan as the law permits. This plan is operative and provides a comforting source of additional financial security for your town workers.
MISCELLANEOUS
A significant number of our residents, particularly in the Summer season, are dependent on some form of transportation to and from Boston. The transportation crisis made it seem wise for us to reconstitute a Special Railroad Committee to participate in the activities concerned with preserving adequate public conveyance to serve the South Shore area. That Com- mittee has been active and informed.
16
There has been some increase in building activity during the year. However, it has not reached the proportions of our most rapid growth. It has been our good fortune that our population increases have been so gradual that newcomers could be assimilated without undue economic hardship. We are pleased and proud that the people who have come to live with us in Duxbury are civic minded and participate actively in helping preserve the fine things which attracted them to our community.
The unsatisfactory condition of the Dump, when operated without an attendant, has led the Board to place a Custodian there. This change should result in our having a more usable and less noisome facility.
Some improvement has been made to the Myles Standish Cellar Lot as was provided in the action of the last Town Meet- ing. The grounds have been cleared, the lot has been fenced, and a granite marker placed there. There remains the need to protect the shore side against erosion. Mounting concern for proper care of this historical site, which has been too long neglected, not only indicates a proper reverence for Duxbury's forbears, but reflects our desire to make each little neighborhood a place where charm and beauty are encouraged and ap- preciated.
Duxbury's record of control of Dutch Elm Disease has continued to be superior.
During the past year there has been no general rise in wages for Town personnel. The Personnel Board has been studying the relative fairness of our existing pay standards and will doubtless have some recommendations to make. A modest rise would seem indicated to place our employees on a scale comparable to prevailing rates in adjoining Towns and be in the interest of fairness.
E. S. LOCK
MAYFLOWER II In Plymouth Harbor in June, 1957, after its arrival from Plymouth, England.
17
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
The Selectmen, in those areas of your government under our supervisory control, act to carry out the wishes of the Townspeople as indicated by action of the voters at Town meetings. The decision in respect to the extent of service is thus made by the voters, and in the final analysis the expressed wishes of the citizens of the town determine the tax costs. Other elective Boards and Officers regard your votes as definite indications of desired activities by them in their governmental areas of primary concern. It, therefore, behooves all citizens to act wisely and prudently in their decisions on each budget item.
There is every indication that we face a substantial school building and school system expansion program over the next few years. This will require heavier borrowing costs and in- creased annual expenditures. The Selectmen have attempted to make reasonable preparations for the school program by urging the increase of our Stabilization Fund and by reminding the voters to be cautious in the use of Surplus Funds in the Treasury. It is a source of some gratification that we are better prepared to meet the exigencies of a growing school system than are most small communities.
Last year the tax rate rose ten dollars, probably the greatest single increase in any one year. It is sobering to realize that our debt costs - interest and principal - are just under one hundred thousand dollars annually. This item alone repre- sents almost nine dollars on our tax rate. Without any expan- sion of services or facilities we should be able to manage our affairs without any substantial rise in the tax rates for the year 1958. It would seem the course of wisdom to seek to hold our present tax line, but this can be done only if the Town confines itself to presently existing services and facilities.
The complexity of our State - Town fiscal relationships sometimes places our affairs beyond our direct control. This
18
is significantly evident in the present predictions that there will be a decrease in payments to cities and towns because of antici- pated reduction of the Corporation and Income taxes.
It is certainly unfortunate that local real estate must bear the burden whenever the income from other tax sources fails to produce anticipated revenue. This points up sharply the need for Legislative action to insure stable income to cities and towns. To relieve the pressure on local real estate some tax revisions at State level might be desirable.
CONCLUSION
Your Board considers it has been a privilege to serve you during the past year. We have enjoyed the cooperation and assistance of our fellow Town Officers, Committeemen, and Employees. We express our sincere thanks to them and to all who have faithfully endeavored to make 1957 a happy, prosperous, and memorable year.
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP W. DELANO, Chairman FRANCIS W. PERRY JAMES H. W. JENNER
Selectmen of Duxbury
19
REPORT OF STATE AUDIT
November 15, 1957
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 period from January 1, 1956 to July 23, 1957, made in accordance with the pro- visions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. William Schwartz, Assistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours, HERMAN B. DINE Director of Accounts
Mr. Herman B. Dine Director of Accounts Department of Corporations and Taxation State House, Boston
Sir:
In accordance with your instructions, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Duxbury for the period from January 1, 1956, the date of the previous examination, to July 23, 1957, the following report being submitted thereon:
20
An examination and verification was made of the financial transactions as recorded on the books of the several depart- ments receiving or disbursing money for the town or committing bills for collection.
An analysis was made of the town accountant's ledgers for the period covered by the audit. The receipts were checked with the treasurer's books and the payments were compared with the warrants authorizing them and with the treasurer's records of payments. The appropriations and loan authoriza- tions were checked with the town clerk's records of town meet- ing proceedings, and the recorded transfers from the reserve fund were verified by comparison with the records of the finance committee. The necessary adjusting entries resulting from the audit of the several departments were made, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on July 23, 1957.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked. The recorded receipts were analyzed and compared with the several departmental records of pay- ments to the treasurer, with other sources from which the town received money, and with the town accountant's books, while the payments were checked with the approved warrants author- izing the disbursement of town funds and with the accountant's books.
The cash balance on July 23, 1957 was proved by actual count of the cash in the office, by reconciliation of the bank balances with statements received from the banks of deposit, and by examination of the savings bank books.
The transactions of the trust and investment funds in the custody of the town treasurer and the Plymouth Five Cents Savings Bank were verified, and the savings bank books and securities representing the investment of these funds were examined and listed.
21
It is recommended that withdrawals from trust funds be made before payments of bills chargeable to the income of such funds are made.
The deductions from employees' salaries and wages for Federal taxes, the county retirement system, and group insur- ance were listed and reconciled with the amounts due and paid to the proper agencies. The balances remaining in the general treasury were proved with the respective ledger controls.
The records of tax titles held by the town were examined and checked in detail. The taxes transferred to the tax title account were checked with the collector's records, and the redemptions were checked with the treasurer's cash book. The tax titles on hand were listed and reconciled with the ac- countant's ledger.
The books and accounts of the town collector were examined and checked. The tax, motor vehicle and trailer ex- cise, assessment, departmental, and water accounts outstanding at the time of the previous examination, as well as all subse- quent commitments, were audited and proved. The payments to the treasurer were verified, the abatements were checked with the records in the departments authorized to grant such credits, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved with the accountant's ledger controls.
Verification of the outstanding accounts was obtained by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, and from the replies received it appears that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
The town clerk's records of dog and sporting licenses issued and of miscellaneous receipts were examined, the pay- ments to the State being compared with the receipts on file and the payments to the town being checked with the treasurer's cash book.
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