USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1956-1960 > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71
DISCUSSION
The first phase of our contract with the Planning Division of the Department of Commerce using "matching Federal funds" was concluded with the seven-month period ending December 31, 1957. The Federal people asked that the money, of which they stand ready to provide fifty percent up to $5,000.00, be spent in a twenty-four month period, so the time schedule under
79
our contract had to be revised to finish the work during the first five months of 1959. As our consultant, James L. Harris summarizes in his outline report to us:
"The first seven months of the twenty-four month program of general planning for the Town of Duxbury has been com- pleted. The work covered during this period has been as follows:
A. Preparation of an analysis and projection of popula- tion for a 15 year period with special reference to school population.
B. Field work to bring the existing land use map up to date.
C. Parking plan and proposals for street changes in the Duxbury Village area and at Hall's Corner.
D. Recommendations concerning school population to be expected, space requirements for the site of the pro- posed high school and alternate proposals for sites for the same."
Of the original planning program outlined the portions on which no work has yet been done are as follows:
A. An analysis of land use, zoning, subdivision controls, economic base and other factors for the adjacent towns to insure integration in planning with adjoining com- munities.
B. A consideration and report of the possibilities for industrial and commercial development with particular reference to the completion of the southeast express- way (Route 3) which passes through Duxbury.
C. A consideration of other municipal services and facili- ties including further work on water distribution if desired.
80
D. A study of the open land in residential districts, con- sidered to be the most favorable and most favored for development, in light of population expected, water service, access, etc., in order to anticipate street pat- terns and connections needed to produce desirable overall developments.
E. (PHASE 3) The preparation of a general plan in map and report form to show the integration of the studies made in phases 1 and 2. This will show land use, circulation, public facilities, in map form as well as include thorough discussion of each aspect. With this, will be developed recommendations for changes in present zoning law and zoning map, in subdivision control regulations as seen needed and in other regu- lations.
Mr. Harris puts this all neatly in this summary paragraph of his year end report to the Board:
"During the next 12 months the planning program will cover a survey of utilities, community services including recrea- tion, and proposals for ultimate land use. A master plan in map and report form will include recommended changes in zoning by-laws and map and in subdivision control regulations."
During the past year there appeared a definite and increas- ing tendency on the part of land owners to divide up large tracts of land into 40,000 sq. ft. or larger lots, all of which will have the required frontage on existing Town ways. This does not constitute "subdivision" within the meaning of the Subdivision Control Law, so your Board merely endorsed the plans indicating that no approval is required.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We wish to acknowledge the co-operation and aid of the Board of Selectmen and the Inspector of Buildings in the
------- ---
81
enforcement of zoning and planning regulations. The Highway Superintendent, the Superintendents and Commissioners of the Water Department, and the Agent of the Board of Health have given their usual co-operation where matters of Highway, Water, or Sanitary facilities were involved in subdivision control.
We continue our hope that the citizens will call to our attention areas in which the Planning Board can be of service in preserving that which is so much an integral part of the charm of Duxbury, and in directing the growth and necessary change in the Town in a satisfactory manner.
Respectfully submitted,
OLIVER L. BARKER, Clerk
CARL F. DANNER
LUCIUS A. HOWARD
DAVID H. MARSHALL
ATHERTON LORING, JR., Chairman
82
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens and the
Honorable Board of Selectmen of Duxbury:
The Department completed its second full year of opera- tion as a Town Department with commitments exceeding expenditures by over $5,000.00.
This is due mainly to the increase in water receipts as a result of the greater water consumption during the past extremely dry summer.
The following tabulation shows the situation in detail:
Commitments:
Water Charges
$52,627.63
$61,134.19
Meter Charges 1,456.00
Service Connections and Repairs
7,050.56
Expenditures:
Maintenance and Operation $37,785.78
Fixed Charges :
Interest
$ 2,020.75
Debt Retirement
14,500.00
$16,520.75 $16,520.75
Special Article:
Art. 38 - Land -- Tank (Not yet expended) 1,500.00
$55,806.53
$55,806.53
Increased commitments over expenditures
$5,327.66
83
During the year, the following work, in addition to routine maintenance and operation, was accomplished:
CAPTAIN'S HILL:
The old wooden Telemeter Control House was replaced by a permanent concrete and brick structure, secure from vandalism, at a cost of $950.00, including electrical connec- tions.
PILGRIM BY-WAY:
The inefficient old two-inch line in this street was replaced by 964 feet of Transite pipe at a cost of $1,266.00. The work was done by Williams & Melvin of Marshfield, who were the lowest bidder.
WEST DUXBURY EXTENSION (PHASE 1)
This work was authorized by Article 39 of the 1957 Town Meeting Warrant. The Commissioners retained the firm of Whitman & Howard of Boston as engineers to prepare detailed plans and specifications and to supervise the construction of the project. The contract prices listed below do not include the 7% engineering fee.
New Well No. 5 (Duxbury Lake Shore Drive): Bids were opened for this construction on April 4th, and the contract was awarded to the lowest bidder, Layne-New York Company. The work was completed in June at a cost of $5,712.00.
Pipe: Bids were opened for supplying 12,700 feet of 12 inch and 4,700 feet of 8 inch Transite pipe on April 4th. The contract was awarded to Johns-Manville Company at a cost of $61,008.00, and the pipe was delivered by the 25th of June.
84
Pipe, Fittings and Hydrants: This contract was awarded to H. R. Prescott and Sons, the lowest bidder, at a cost of $6,811.00, and delivery was completed by August 27th.
Gate Valves and Boxes: Hilco Supply Company, the lowest bidder, was awarded this contract at a cost of $5,198.00, and delivery was completed in August.
Laying Pipe, Installing Hydrants and Gates: On July 9th, bids were opened for this work, which included the construc- tion of the foundation and approach roadway. The contract was awarded to the lowest bidder, Johnson Bros. of Auburn, Mass., at a cost of $33,635.00. The pipe laying was completed in the third week of October, and the tank foundation the first week in November. Water was furnished the citizens living along High Street the fourth week in October.
Storage Tank (1,000,000 Gallons): This contract was awarded to the lowest bidder, the Chicago Bridge & Iron Com- pany, at a cost of $55,100.00, and work was completed, ex- cept for testing and painting, on December 27th. Painting will be completed as soon as weather permits, and the tank will be in operation next spring.
Pumping Station No. 5 (Duxbury Lake Shore Drive): Bids were opened for this construction on November 19th, and the contract was awarded to the lowest bidder, the Clover Con- struction Corp., at a cost of $13,293.00. This work will be completed at any early date.
Pumping Station Machinery: This contract has not been awarded as yet. It is expected that it will be advertised soon and that the cost will be approximately $8,000.00.
Summary - Phase 1: It is estimated that all the work in Phase 1 will be completed for a total of $90,000.00 less than
85
the amount voted for the project. This is due in part to the prompt action in getting the work under way before the con- tractors were busy for the year. It is the belief of the Water Commissioners that the savings should be used to extend the water system where it can be justified economically and also where it will conform to long range aims.
PETITIONS:
During 1957, two petitions for the extension of the water system were received.
The first was for the extension of the 12 inch main along West Street some 2800 feet from Bow Street. The petitioners have had an unsatisfactory domestic water supply and in- adequate fire protection for many years due to the poor condi- tion of the existing mains and the inadequate pipe diameters.
The second petition was for the installation of a 12 inch main along Franklin Street from Route 3 to North Duxbury, the installation of an 8 inch line along Union Street from Franklin Street to Keene Brook, the installation of an 8 inch main along Keene Street from a point north of Union to a point south of Congress Street, and for the installation of a line (part 6 inch and part 8 inch) along Congress from Keene Brook to King Phillip's Path. The petitioners have suffered in many instances from dry wells, and this was accentuated during last summer by the extreme drought.
The petitions have been forwarded to the Selectmen for inclusion in the Warrant for the next Town Meeting. It is the intention of the Water Commissioners to submit their recom- mendations on these petitions in the form of special articles for the warrant in ample time for appropriate action by the Finance Committee and the Selectmen prior to the Town Meeting.
86
WATER RATES:
It is the understanding of the Water Commissioners that the Water Department should be operated so as to be self- supporting and that water rates should be fair and just. It also is believed that extensions should be made only when economi- cally justified on a long range basis.
However, the Commissioners find that sixty percent of the cost of fixed charges (interest and repayment of principal) on outstanding and future water loans can properly be charged to FIRE PROTECTION (this is substantiated by the National Board of Fire Underwriters), and as such should be raised through general taxation by inclusion in the tax rate.
It is believed further that the above amount (60% ) should be voted at each Town Meeting to the Water Surplus account so that the complete financial status of the Water Department, an enterprise account, will be apparent to all citizens. This could be done in a simplified manner as an annual fire hydrant rental charge, as is done in some communities. In Duxbury there are 315 fire hydrants, and it is suggested that $100.00 per hydrant would be a suitable charge. This method would raise $31,500.00 which is approximately equal to the amount raised by the old Water District tax of $3.00 per $1,000.00, plus some taxes now accruing through the increased assess- ments along the West Duxbury extensions.
This procedure would take care of the situation in 1958 when the fixed charges of Phase 1 appear for the first time, and would build up a fund to finance in an orderly manner any extensions that may be voted in the future.
It is only by such a procedure as outlined above that any accurate attempt can be made to calculate and fix just water rates so that fire protection is paid for in accordance with property values, and domestic water in accordance with the actual water used by the consumer.
A special article to initiate the above procedure will be presented for action at the Annual Town Meeting.
STATUS OF APPROPRIATIONS - WATER DEPARTMENT
The amounts listed as available are as of December 31, 1957.
Art.
Warrant
Item
Amount Appropriated
Amount Expended 1957
Available
Available for Transfer
Town 1957
M & O
$ 39,061.00
$ 38,069.45
$
991.55
Town 1957
Travel
100.00
30.33
69.67
Town 1957
Maturing Debt
14,500.00
Town 1957
Interest
2,020.75
14
Dist. 1954
Cleaning
5,000.00
0.00
996.40
$ 0.00
15
Dist. 1954
Depot Street
46,000.00
79.95
4,206.49
4,206.49
11
Dist. 1955
Renewals
10,000.00
0.00
2,107.04
2,107.04
12
Dist. 1955
Eng. Services
6,200.00
129.50
2,515.82
0.00
34
Town 1956
Survey
3,500.00
145.00
235.00
0.00
36
Town 1956
West Duxbury
66,000.00
3,569.33
7,332.17
7,332.17
1956
46
Town 1956
Land Griswold
4,200.00
4,200.00
0.00
0.00
39
Town 1957
Phase 1
293,900.00
143,033.00
150,866.75
0.00
38
Town 1957
Land Gorham
1,500.00
0.00
1,500.00
0.00
87
88
It is the intent of the Commissioners to recommend in a special article that the three balances listed as available, be transferred to Water Surplus and then used to make needed repairs to the Captain's Hill Reservoir and to purchase a re- placement truck.
THE FUTURE:
It is estimated that during the year 1958 the commitments and expenditures will be as follows:
Receipts (Commitments) Expenditures:
$54,000.00
Maintenance and Operation
$41,555.00
Interest
Debt Retire- ment
Fixed Charges:
Old Water Loans
$ 579.25
$ 8,500.00
West Duxbury
1,080.00
5,000.00
Phase
7,680.00
20,000.00
$9,339.25
$33,500.00
$42,839.25
$84,394.25
-$30,394.25
This means that $30,394.25 will have to be raised from general taxes. This is believed to be approximately the amount of taxes formerly collected by the old Water District, plus part of the taxes now accruing due to increased assessments on property along the new water main extensions. This total will continue without any appreciable reduction until 1960.
Respectfully submitted,
LEONARD B. GALLAGHER LLOYD B. SALT JOHN A. BORGESON
Water Commissioners
.
89
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT WATER DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Water Commissioners Town of Duxbury Duxbury, Mass.
Gentlemen:
Following are the 1957 statistics of the Duxbury Water Department, as required by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health:
Greatest amount pumped in any one day: June 15, 1957, 1,472,000 gallons.
Greatest amount pumped in any seven consecutive days: June 16 thru 22, 1957, 8,075,000 gallons.
Total amount pumped during 1957: 172,390,000 gallons. Number of services at the end of the year: 1601.
Number of active services at the end of the year: 1580.
New services installed during the year: 47.
Number of new services on the West Duxbury Extension: 41
Number of service renewals: 12.
Miles of water mains at the end of the year: 40.06 miles.
Acres of land owned for water supply purposes: 56.02 acres.
90
Routine maintenance has been carried out on our buildings and land, shingling the roof and painting the storage shed and garage at Millbrook, painting the office at Partridge Road. Drains have been replaced at the Millbrook Station.
Considerable time has been spent in clearing out our property on Partridge Road and more time will be given to brushing out the land across from the new pumping station on Lake Shore Drive. At the present time we have about 39 acres of cleared land to maintain.
The new portable lighting unit has been placed in service and will fill a great need in cases of emergency repairs and at time of power failure at our main station. Emergency light- ing also has been installed in our stock yard at Millbrook.
I recommend the replacement of our 1951 Dodge pick-up at the next Town Meeting. This truck has been driven about 89,000 miles.
I also recommend the installation of two-way radios in our three vehicles, there is no question but what this equip- ment would save many miles of travel for our trucks and would be invaluable in case of emergencies.
In the Fall of 1958 the Concrete Reservoir on Captain's Hill should receive extensive repairs inside and out, because this has been our only water storage facility this project has long been delayed but with the completion of our new 1,000,000 gallon tank we should not delay this work longer.
At this time the 12" main from Hall's Corner to the reservoir should be cleaned. This is a continuation of the project started in 1955.
Respectfully submitted,
KENNETH O. MACOMBER,
Superintendent
91
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE AND BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Duxbury:
The Department of Public Welfare has completed another year of administering aid under the four categories of public assistance:
Old Age Assistance is granted to persons 65 years of age or over, who are in need and found to meet the requirements under the laws, rules, and regula- tions of the Commonwealth and the State Department of Public Welfare.
Aid to Dependent Children is granted for children deprived of parental support by reason of divorce, death, legal separation, sickness or incarceration of a parent.
Disability Assistance is granted to persons over 18 years of age, who are in need and found to be totally and permanently disabled.
General Relief or Public Assistance is granted to per- sons, or families, who require assistance for a short period of time, or do not qualify for one of the other types of public assistance.
Effective in September 1957, there was a 5.7 per cent cost of living increase granted in all categories of assistance. This increase will reflect in the year 1958, as it will be neces- sary to request a larger appropriation. The hospital rates
92
increased 20 per cent locally, and 50 per cent in Boston; and nursing home rates increased 121/2 per cent during 1957.
The Lien law has been in effect since 1952, and during 1957 the sum of $2,043.21 was recovered under Disability Assistance, and $802.21 under Old Age Assistance. A total of $25,581.93 has been recovered under the Lien law since 1952.
Mr. Edward G. Bottenus was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mrs. Alice H. Garside, who had been an active and interested member of the Board of Public Welfare since August 1949 and Chairman since 1951. It was with deep regret that the resignation of Mrs. Alice H. Garside was accepted.
The Board of Public Welfare wishes to express its apprecia- tion to the Selectmen and to the Police Department for their help and cooperation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
HOWARD M. CLARK, Chairman
PAUL C. BARBER
ADRIAN R. CORDEAU
PAUL M. SWANSON
EDWARD G. BOTTENUS
----
93
REPORT OF SOUTH SHORE MOSQUITO CONTROL PROJECT
To the Citizens of Duxbury:
Submitted herewith is the report of the South Shore Mosquito Control Project of its activities in the Town of Dux- bury for the year ending December 31, 1957.
The Town of Duxbury appropriated $7,550 for mosquito control in 1957. This money was used for mosquito control in the Town of Duxbury by the South Shore Mosquito Control Project, a cooperative effort embracing the City of Quincy, and Towns of Braintree, Cohasset, Duxbury, Hingham, Hull, Marshfield, Norwell, Scituate and Weymouth. In addition, the Project worked under contract for the U. S. Naval Ammunition Depot. This government area lies in the middle of our Project and thus affects four of our towns. The cooperation of the Navy Department in this matter has, this past year, helped people in this area and will in the future be of greater benefit.
TYPE OF CONTROL PROGRAM
The basic program of control continued to be based on drainage in the off-season and larvaciding of all areas found to be breeding during the mosquito season. This program was supplemented by application of D.D.T. dust to selected areas during the period when the swamps were frozen. Fog genera- tors and a mist blower were used to combat flying mosquitoes.
ENCEPHALITIS
As a result of the dry weather and/or other factors not yet recognized, Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis did not appear in humans in Massachusetts this past summer. How- ever, since the threat is definitely present, the Project has, the
94
past year, acquired additional ground equipment of the types most useful during Encephalitis outbreaks. During the period when Encephalitis is most likely to occur, the Project will be in contact with the Massachusetts Department of Health, the U. S. Public Health Service and other mosquito control agencies in a cooperative effort to recognize the danger signs so that work can be directed against the suspected species of mosqui- toes.
Last spring the U. S. Public Health Service established a research laboratory at Taunton to study the disease. During the past summer basic data was gathered, procedures estab- lished, and personnel trained. The long term aims of this laboratory's work are incrimination of a vector or vectors, the development of means for recognizing potentially dangerous years, and a method of attack to prevent epidemics.
An area wide mosquito control effort is our only present defense against the disease. The recent formation of a Plym- outh County Mosquito Control Project will be of great benefit to this Project. For the first time we are completely surrounded by areas in control districts and migrations of mosquitoes into the district will be reduced.
AERIAL SPRAYING
The spring spraying of all fresh water swamps too large to be treated by hand was done in the latter part of April.
2,400 acres were sprayed in the Town of Duxbury.
GROUND SPRAYING
The ground crews circulated on a schedule throughout their sections of the Project. They varied from this circuit to treat in the vicinity of complaints or to treat places found to be breeding by the superintendent or the inspector. They then returned to their rounds.
95
CATCHBASIN SPRAYING
Three catchbasin units were operated the past season. These units are compressed air sprayers mounted on three- wheeled motorcycles.
This phase of the work is particularly important in built up areas since one drainage basin can produce thousands of mosquitoes per week throughout the summer.
DRAINAGE
Since last summer was dry, less spraying was necessary, therefore the crews were able to do ditching and stream clear- ance from time to time. The addition of this work to regular off-season drainage will save further spraying next summer.
In November the Project purchased a hydraulic trencher mounted on a tractor suitable for use in marshy conditions. This machine will be used in conjunction with the saltmarsh trench cleaner, as well as in fresh marsh drainage work.
ADULT MOSQUITO CONTROL
During the past year an additional fogging machine was in operation and a donated mist blower was used. The present three adulticiding machines will enable us to do spot adulticid- ing at a pace beyond that of past years and will be good insur- ance in the event of an Encephalitis outbreak.
EQUIPMENT ON HAND
1, Ford F-350 truck
3, Ford F-250 trucks
1, Ford F-100 truck
1, International 1 ton truck, four-wheel drive
1, Dodge 1 ton platform truck
1, Ford Ranchwagon
96
1, Oliver OC-6-68 tractor with scavel plow
1, Oliver OC-4-68 tractor with hydraulic trencher
1, Trailer for transporting tractors
1, Cushman Truckster (catchbasin unit)
2, Harley Davidson Servi-cars (catchbasin units)
3, 50 gal. Bean hydraulic sprayers
2, Todd Insecticidal Fog Applicators
1, Lawrence Mist-blower
1, Hoffco power brushing tool
1, Gorman-Rupp centrifugal pump
1, Homelite power saw Pack sprayers and dusters Various hand ditching tools
PLANS FOR WINTER
Throughout the months between the past and coming mosquito breeding seasons much attention will be given to ditching. Work on the saltmarsh will be done in the fall and early spring and the colder winter months will be spent in the more protected fresh water areas.
When snow and ice conditions are right, prehatch dusting, as was done the last four years, will be done.
In addition to the ground dusting noted above, further experimental prehatch applications of D.D.T. dust will be made from the air.
PLYMOUTH COUNTY RETIREMENT SYSTEM
The employees of the Project were accepted into the Plymouth County Retirement System on January 1, 1957. The Commission feels that having the employees enrolled in the System works to the benefit of the Project since it lessens the likelihood of experienced employees leaving to take other jobs.
----
- -
-----
97
PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR
All phases of the work carried out in the past will con- tinue. Catchbasin spraying will be done with Dieldrin, a newer insecticide which is effective longer than D.D.T. and thus reduces, by at least one, our applications resulting in a modest saving in labor costs. This saving can be used to further im- plement the policy of the Commission to drain all feasible places and thus cut the costs of repetitive spraying. This policy has made it possible to keep total expenditures at a constant level in spite of increased labor and material costs.
GEORGE ROSS STARR, JR., M.D.,
Commissioner for Duxbury
98
RAILROAD COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Duxbury:
We submit the following report of the special Duxbury Railroad Committee which was appointed to assist the South Shore Transportation Committee to find ways and means to keep the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad from abandoning the Old Colony Line.
Your committee was represented at all meetings of the South Shore Transportation Committee held at Weymouth and Braintree, taking an active part in discussion, and presenting data which we believe to have been helpful in retaining the present service
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.