USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1956-1960 > Part 24
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Competition in the field of armaments, the need for leader- ship in our search for peaceful relations with others, and the need for scholars in the various scientific fields makes us realize the importance of giving our gifted students every opportunity for success. Good library facilities and opportunities for in- dividual study and research will help make this possible.
All of the above suggest the need for high school facilities that will meet the many different needs of our young people. These needs call for academic classrooms, a gymnasium for sports and physical education, a shop for industrial arts train- ing, a unit for instruction in home economics, space for instruc-
34
tion in commercial subjects, a room for arts and crafts, science laboratories and classrooms, a library, and a room for music instruction. In addition, there should be space for such services as: cafeteria, guidance, health and administration. Such a school need not be elaborate or ornate or pretentious, but it should provide the necessary space and equipment good teachers need to help our young people meet the challenge of today's world.
FINANCE
During the past four years there has been a steady increase in the proportion of the school budget expended for instruction over non-instruction items. The percentages shown in the chart on the next page indicate this change. This is a healthy situa- tion for it shows that we are spending a greater proportion of our money on "what goes on in the classroom" than on build- ing operation and maintenance, administration, and other non- teaching items. It means more funds for classroom supplies, textbooks, teaching aids, and teacher salaries. Larger amounts for teacher salaries will buy more experience and a higher level of training. This has been shown to be true for Duxbury as indicated in the section on personnel, where the growth of our teachers in experience and training was shown.
Budget requests for 1958 total 7.1 percent above those for the previous year. Last year the requested increase was 13.7 percent over the previous year.
During 1957 the town treasurer received reimbursements on account of schools in the amount of $82,925.78. These amounts may be subtracted from the 1957 appropriation to arrive at the net cost of the schools for that year. A detailed statement of these reimbursements is shown on the following pages.
Special appropriations are not included in the regular school department budget and, by law, must be voted separately.
School Appropriations Compared for the Years 1954-1958
1954
%
1955
%
1956
%
1957
%
1958
%
General Control
$11,924.00
5
$12,094.00
5
$12,468.00
4
$13,769.00
4
$14,462.00
4
Instruction
146,300.00
66
172,074.00
64
207,775.00
69
240,049.00 71
262.435.00
72
Operation
22,774.00
10
27,431.00
10
28,056.00
9
30,343.00
9
32,915.00
9
35
Maintenance and Repairs
12,232.00
5
24,483.00
9
9,785.00
4
11,364.00
3
9,033.00
3
Auxiliary Agencies
26,380.00
12
29,827.00
11
38,351.00
13
39,499.00
12
40,319.00
11
Outlay
3,169.00
2
2,702.00
1
3,447.00
1
3,059.00
1
2.956.00
1
Totals
$222,799.00 100
$268,611.00 100
$299,912.00 100
$338,083.00 100
$362,120.00 100
36
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
December 31, 1957
Appropriation
Expended
Requested for 1958
GENERAL CONTROL
$13,769.00
$13,736.37
$14,462.00
School Committee Expense
250.00
224.90
250.00
Expense of Office
13,519.00
13,511.47
14,212.00
INSTRUCTION
239,179.00
234,026.20
262,435.00
Salaries, Elementary School
106,144.00
105,067.07
117,969.00
Salaries, High School
81,673.00
78,940.27
90,552.00
Supervisors and
Special
Instructors
35,290.00
34,801.16
36,132.00
Classroom Supplies,
Elementary School
4,770.00
4,641.93
5,764.00
Textbooks,
Elementary School
1,800.00
1,377.34
1,792.00
Classroom Supplies, High School
7,602.00
7,491.27
7,289.00
Textbooks, High School
1,900.00
1,707.16
2,937.00
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OPERATION
31,594.00
31,542.48
32,915.00
Salaries, Janitors
17,311.00
17,298.29
18,669.00
Other Expenses
of Operation
14,283.00
14,244.19
14,246.00
MAINTENANCE
AND REPAIRS
11,683.00
11,668.66
9,033.00
Elementary School
7,055.00
7,054.54
5,271.00
High School
4,628.00
4,614.12
3,762.00
AUXILIARY
AGENCIES
39,499.00
38,067.18
40,319.00
Health
4,109.00
3,782.71
4,137.00
Libraries
800.00
757.24
1,000.00
Transportation
34,230.00
33,204.50
34,733.00
Graduation
200.00
164.63
250.00
Insurance
160.00
158.10
199.00
OUTLAY
2,359.00
2,271.26
2,956.00
Elementary School
626.00
625.21
1,337.00
High School
1,733.00
1,646.05
1,619.00
TOTALS
$338,083.00 $331,312.15 $362,120.00
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Special Appropriations for 1958
Public Use of Buildings
$1,500.00
Americanization Classes
500.00
Vocational Education:
Allowance for two students tuition at $375.00
$750.00
Transportation
604.80
Adult Evening Classes :
Janitor Service
80.00
Part of Instructors' Salaries
600.00
Evening and Trade School Classes for Adults
30.00
2,064.80
Out of State Travel
250.00
Total
$3,939.80
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SCHOOL REGULATIONS
Admissions
Children who are five years of age on or before January 1st following the opening of school in September will meet the kindergarten age requirement.
A certificate of successful vaccination is required for ad- mission.
A birth certificate is required to establish a child's age.
Health
In cases of absence of more than five days a child should present a note from his or her parent stating the cause of absence and may be readmitted to school after checking with the school nurse. However, in case of absence due to a specific contagious disease, a doctor's certificate is required.
Parents are not expected to send their children to school on days when, in their opinion, the weather is such as to en- danger the health of the child even though the busses are in operation. Such absences are excused on receipt of a written request.
No School Signal
School is usually called off only when bus transportation is unsafe. On such days an announcement is made over Sta- tions WBZ, WEEI, WHDH, WBET in Brockton and WPLM in Plymouth, between 6:45 and 7:45 A.M.
40
GRADUATION EXERCISES - JUNE 7, 1957
PROGRAM
Processional - March of the Priests Mendelssohn
Invocation
Rev. Robert Lisensky
Address of Welcome John D. DeLorenzo, Jr. President -- Class of 1957
Student Addresses
Diane Thomas Morals for Moderns
Diane deGrasse My Heart Leaps Up
America - Our Heritage - Steele Choir
The Lord's Prayer Choir
Address
Dr. John M. Blum
School of Humanities Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Class Song Seniors
Presentation of Awards and Scholarships Rodney R. Wood
Principal
Presentation of Diplomas Mr. Earle C. Grenquist Dr. Everett L. Handy, Superintendent of Schools
Recessional - March of the Priests Mendelssohn
Benediction Rev. Robert Lisensky
Reception to the Seniors in the Elementary School Auditorium at 9:30 P.M.
41
1957 GRADUATES
Winslow Lincoln Allen, Jr. *Russell Vernon Atwood, Jr. Paul Joseph April, Jr. Mary Louise Balboni Linda Lee Benevides Eleanor Louise Blanchard Gayle Sandra Campbell Grant Cope
*Diane Esther deGrasse John David DeLorenzo, Jr. Darlene Sandra Doyle Dorothy Margaret Egan Linda Joan Faulkner Greta Evelyn Glass Patricia Ann Glass
Edward Lincoln Hardy Grace Louise Lantz Ethel Louise MacFarlane Frank Everett Nudd, Jr. Thomas Parker Phyllis Jennie Paulding
*Charlotte Ruth Pearson Neil Phillips Patricia Ann Pratt Edward Seaver, III
*Diane Dee Thomas Mary Elizabeth Thomas Ernest Eric Timpany Warren Russell Tripp
*Barbara Louise Wadsworth
Ruth Cheryl Woodsum
CLASS OFFICERS
President
Vice President Secretary Treasurer
John D. DeLorenzo, Jr. Edward Seaver, III Diane E. deGrasse Greta E. Glass
MARSHAL
George W. Handy Class Flower: Red Rose Class Colors: Black and White Motto: Let Not The Future Forget The Past
42
DUXBURY AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS TO THE CLASS OF 1957
Awards
The American Legion Distinguished Achievement Award Diane E. deGrasse
The American Legion Distinguished Achievement Award Russell Atwood
Daughters of American Revolution Good Citizenship Award Diane Thomas
The Duxbury Kiwanis Award for Excellence in U. S. History Diane Thomas
$25.00 War Bond for Excellence in the Commercial Field* * Barbara Wadsworth Charlotte Pearson Commercial Prize for good work during Work Experience Program, $10.00 Mary Louise Balboni
*Member of National Honor Society
** Awards for Excellence in the Commercial Field, two $25.00 War Bonds. The Plymouth Federal Savings and Loan Asso- ciation, The Plymouth Five Cent Savings Bank, The Plym- outh National Bank and The Plymouth Savings Bank.
43
The Duxbury High School Distinguished Service Awards
Eleanor Blanchard Phyllis Paulding Diane deGrasse
The Duxbury High School Distinguished Achievement Awards
Phyllis Paulding Barbara Wadsworth Edward Hardy Russell Atwood Diane Thomas Diane deGrasse
Scholarships The Duxbury Art Association Scholarship Diane E. deGrasse
The Duxbury Garden Club Scholarship Diane D. Thomas
The Duxbury Grange Scholarship Gayle S. Campbell
The Duxbury Kiwanis Club Scholarships Paul April Russell Atwood Diane Thomas
44
The Duxbury American Legion Scholarship Edward Hardy
The Duxbury Legion Auxiliary Scholarship Paul April
The American Legion Independence Day Scholarship Russell Atwood
The Duxbury Parent-Teachers Community Scholarships
Paul April Diane E. deGrasse Diane D. Thomas
The Duxbury Rotary Club Scholarship Russell Atwood
The Duxbury Yacht Club Scholarship Edward Hardy
The Partridge Fund Scholarships Diane E. deGrasse
South Shore Playhouse Associates Diane E. deGrasse
Total Duxbury Scholarship Aid $3,900.00
45
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL CENSUS
The following report of children in town and enrollment is based upon the school census taken October 1, 1957.
5 yrs. and under 7
7 yrs. and under 16
Illiterate minors 16 and under 21
Number of boys living in Duxbury
94
394
1
Number of girls living in Duxbury
98
380
1
Total in residence
192
774
2
Distribution of above:
*Public School Mem- bership
182
692
0
In Continuation School Membership
0
0
0
In Vocational School
0
0
0
*In Private and Parochial Schools
10
82
0
In State and County Institutions
0
0
0
Not in any School
0
0
2
*Does not include pupils over sixteen years of age.
* Does not include private kindergartens.
46
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1957 - 1958
September 4 - School Opens
October 18 - Teacher's Convention
November 11 - Veteran's Day November 28 and 29 - Thanksgiving Recess
December 23-27 - Christmas Vacation
January 1 - New Years Day
February 17-21 - Winter Recess
April 14-18 - Spring Vacation
May 30 - Memorial Day
June 13 - School Closes
INDEX
Accountant
151
Annual Duxbury Days
71
Assessors
147
Audit for 1957 19
Balance Sheet
28
Births
135
Board of Appeals
43
Building Inspector
73
Cemetery Superintendent 39
Cemetery Trustees
38
Cemetery Trust Fund
145
Deaths
138
Dutch Elm Disease 50
Duxbury Recreation Committee 68
Elections and Registrations 125
Finance Committee
149
Fire Department 33
Forest Warden
35
Harbor Master 44
Health Board
57
Highway Department
37
Historian
40
Insect Pest Control 47
Inspector of Animals
144
Jonathan and Ruth Ford Fund 51
Jury List 9
Library
59
Licenses, Permits 143
Lucy Hathaway Fund 52
Marriages
129
Memorial Day Committee
66
Officers of the Town 3
Parks and Playgrounds
49
Personnel Board
76
Planning Board
78
Plymouth County Aid to Agriculture 41
Police
45
98
Schools
Appendix
Selectmen
10
Shellfish Constable
53
South Shore Mosquito Control
93
· Tarkiln Recreation and Youth Center
69
Town Clerk
129
Town Meeting
99
Treasurer
145
Treasurer Report, Free Library
64
Tree Warden 48
Veterans' Agent 55
Water Commissioners 82
Water Superintendent 89
Waterfront Committee
75
Welfare
91
Railroad Committee
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Town Officers and Committees
OF THE
TOWN OF DUXBURY MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
1958
In Memoriam
CHARLES R. CROCKER
SCHOOL COMMITTEE SELECTMAN
ASSESSOR FIRE ENGINEER
Died August 27, 1958
Age 80
In Memoriam
LEROY M. PETERSON WATER COMMISSIONER WATER SUPERINTENDENT (Dist.) FIRE ENGINEER
Died January 31, 1958 Age 72
ERNEST H. BAILEY CEMETERY TRUSTEE
Died January 31, 1958 Age 87
MARY N. GIFFORD PLANNING BOARD
Died February 12, 1958 Age 91
PERCY L. WALKER PLANNING BOARD
Died May 1, 1958
Age. 83
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Town Officers and Committees
OF THE
TOWN OF DUXBURY MASSACHUSETTS
OR
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
1958
Linotyped, Printed and Bound by THE MEMORIAL PRESS, INC. Plymouth, Massachusetts
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TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1958
SELECTMEN
Francis W. Perry
1959
Philip W. Delano
1960
James H. W. Jenner
1961
ASSESSORS
Francis W. Perry
1959
Philip W. Delano
1960
James H. W. Jenner
1961
BOARD OF HEALTH The Selectmen
MODERATOR
Bartlett B. Bradley . 1959
CEMETERY TRUSTEES
J. Newton Shirley
1959
Edward P. Hobart
1960
Carl E. Johnson .
1961
Harry A. Tammett
1962
Ernest W. Chandler
1963
TOWN CLERK AND TREASURER
Maurice H. Shirley . 1959
TOWN COLLECTOR
Edwin M. Noyes 1959
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Edward L. Butler
1959
Elizabeth U. Nickerson
.
1959
Herbert R. Nelson
1960
Walter B. Collins
1960
John A. Brock, Jr.
.
1961
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WATER COMMISSIONERS
Leonard B. Gallagher
1959
John A. Borgeson
1960
Lloyd B. Salt
1961
PLANNING BOARD
Oliver L. Barker
1959
David Marshall
1960
Lucius A. Howard
1961
Atherton Loring, Jr. .
1962
Carl F. Danner .
.
1963
WELFARE BOARD
Paul Barber
1959
Edward Bottenus
1959
Adrian H. Cordeau .
1960
Paul N. Swanson
1961
Howard M. Clark
1961
TREE WARDEN
Roy E. Parks 1961
CONSTABLES James T. O'Neil
Earl W. Chandler Lawrence C. Doyle
PERSONNEL BOARD James H. W. Jenner
Irving H. Locke Winthrop A. Baker
LIBRARY TRUSTEES Bartlett B. Bradley - President William H. Young - Honorary President
William B. Coffin Philip W. Delano C. Russell Eddy
Francis W. Perry
Ralph N. Blakeman Hector M. Holmes
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FINANCE COMMITTEE (Appointed by the Moderator)
Theodore W. Page . 1959
Stanley H. Merry
1959
Irving H. Locke
1959
Alexander C. Colburn
1960
Edward G. Wadell
1960
Edwin D. Ryer .
1960
Henry W. Palmer
1961
O. E. Ringquist .
1961
Richards Beane .
1961
APPOINTED BY THE SELECTMEN
BOARD OF APPEALS
Edward P. Hobart 1959
H. Russell Chandler . 1960
Elburt C. Loth .
1961
Loring R. C. Mugford, Associate .
1959
Robert Seymour, Associate
.
1959
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS
Frances R. Wolfe 1959
Willard R. Randall
.
1960
Clara M. Redmond .
1961
FIRE ENGINEERS
Eben N. Briggs
George S. Butler
Alden M. Bartlett
Carl J. Santheson, Jr.
Kenneth O. Macomber Benjamin F. Goodrich, Jr.
John DeLorenzo
CHIEF OF POLICE James T. O'Neil
FIRE CHIEF AND FOREST WARDEN . Eben N. Briggs HEALTH AGENT . George R. Starr, Jr., M.D.
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SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS . Lewis B. Randall SUPT. INSECT PEST CONTRL
Roy E. Parks
SHELLFISH CONSTABLE . Manuel Oliver
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING Ernest W. Chandler
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Charles C. McNaught
SURVEYORS OF WOOD AND LUMBER Edwin McAuliffe Ray M. Parks Bradley V. Osgood
WEIGHERS OF COAL, COKE, AND HAY
B. F. Goodrich H. Thomas Williams
B. F. Goodrich, Jr. Paul McAuliffe
Russell W. Soule
FIELD DRIVERS
Ernest W. Chandler Lewis B. Randall William P. Clark - -
FENCE VIEWERS
William H. Couch Ray M. Parks Herbert R. Nelson
DOG OFFICER Lawrence C. Doyle
HARBOR MASTER . . Victor D. Nickerson
ASSISTANT HARBOR MASTER Henry P. McNeil
VETERANS' AGENT . . Henry P. McNeil BURIAL AGENT (Board of Health) . Maurice H. Shirley
BURIAL AGENT (Veterans) Henry P. McNeil
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SUPERVISORS OF PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS
Roy E. Parks
Charles R. Crocker
Walter G. Prince
Annie Dunham
TOWN ACCOUNTANT
. Isabelle V. Freeman
TOWN COUNSEL .
. John J. Geogan, Esq.
BUILDING INSPECTOR
Robert B. Delano
MOSQUITO CONTROL COMMISSIONER
FOR DUXBURY .
. George R. Starr, Jr., M.D.
TOWN HISTORIAN .
. Dorothy Wentworth
WATERFRONT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Victor D. Nickerson
Irving H. Locke
Henry P. McNeil
Norman White
Frank A. Davis
Myron Linde
Gordon Tucker
RECREATION ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE
Joseph Velardo, Jr. . 1959
Alice Savastano
. 1959
Reatha Burns . 1960
Paul N. Swanson
1960
Paul April
1961
Walter F. Kopke, Jr. ·
. 1961
Dorothy Wentworth .
1961
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JURY LIST - July 1, 1958
List of persons qualified to serve as Jurors in the Town of Duxbury from July 1, 1958, to July 1, 1959:
Barber, Paul Cole
Powder Point Ave. Industrial Sales
Batson, Robert A.
Moulton Road General Contractor
Brennan, Isabel C.
Depot Street Clerk
Briggs, Helen D.
Marshall Street Housewife
Burnham, Charles K.
Water Street
Miller
Caliri, Nancy W.
Partridge Road Housewife
Cheney, Lewis C.
Enterprise Street
Insurance Agent
Clarke, Winthrop A.
Captain's Hill Road Insurance Salesman
Conathan, Phyllis S.
Peterson Road
Saleswoman
Cordeau, Adrian R.
Washington Street
Sales Analyst
Damon, Rachael L.
West Street Telephone Operator
Dohoney, Eunice B.
Doyle, Russell L.
Chestnut Street
Traffic Employee
Flanigan, Alice
Tremont Street
Antique Dealer
Gardner, Virginia N.
Hicks, Elizabeth
Bay Ridge Lane
Accounting Service
Hicks, Willard E.
Bay Ridge Lane
Retired
Johnson, Dorothy E.
Keene Street
Housewife
Kierman, Frank A.
Pine Hill Avenue
Retired
Marston, Harriet P.
Chestnut Street
Housewife
Merry, Alice N.
West Street
Housewife
Olsen, Vera M.
Sunset Road
Housewife
Page, Theodore W.
Arrowhead Road
Insurance Agent
Paulding, Dolly H.
Arrowhead Road
Housewife
Rich, A. Frederick
Chapel Street
Banker Housewife
Southard, Allan H., Jr. Waite, Julia Rockfellow
Arrowhead Road
Safety Specialist
Waters, Stanley D.
Marshall Street Comptroller
White, Winsor
Anchorage Lane
Art Dealer
Wolfe, Mildred P.
Enterprise Street
Housewife
Tremont Street Housewife
Gallagher, Leonard B.
Standish Street
Ret. Army Colonel
Captain's Hill Road Housewife
Salsman, Edna Mae
Elderberry Lane
Plum Hill Avenue Housewife
PHILIP W. DELANO, FRANCIS W. PERRY, JAMES H. W. JENNER, Selectmen of Duxbury.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
Your Board submits herewith the one hundred and sixth annual report of your Town Officers and Commit- tees. These are records of the governmental function of your Town for the year past. We urge your thoughtful perusal.
This was the year of man's introduction of objects into outer space. It is difficult for most of us to imagine what the crossing of these new "frontiers" may portend. Hap- pily the quickening pace of these changing times has not as yet changed the tenor of life in Duxbury. We have maintained the leisurely pace of our growth in recent years, attracting here many who add appreciably to the richness of our Town, persons appreciative of the his- torical past, who, like their neighbors of longer residence, wish to retain the charm and loveliness of an old seacoast town, and are eager to contribute to the civic welfare. This spirit augurs well for Duxbury's future, and makes the governing of our Town a pleasurable experience.
Charles R. Crocker, a beloved associate, passed from among us this year. Few men have loved Duxbury more. Few, in its long history, have served the Town better. We, his colleagues, know the selflessness by which "Char- lie's" services were marked. We appreciated his friend- ship, admired his nobility of character, and regret we may no longer benefit by his wise counsel.
HIGHWAYS
As previously planned, the money allocated to Dux- bury under Chapter 718 of the Acts of 1956, was appro- priated for Highway improvement in 1958. Major con- struction work substantially widened and greatly reduced the grade of Temple Street near the North Duxbury Vil- lage. On Franklin Street the old damaged cap stone
-10-
bridge near Union Bridge Road was removed and a com- pletely new culvert type bridge constructed. In the same vicinity a substantial section of road was straightened and improved. Chapter 718 State assistance enabled us to accomplish these major projects without locally reflected tax costs.
Under the Chapter 90 State-County-Town participa- tion program, the remaining section of Tobey Garden Street was completed, thus eliminating dangerous curves on this road. With the balance of Chapter 90 funds work was continued on Bay Road.
The proposed new layout of Chandler Street was approved after a hearing held by the County Commis- sioners. The County Engineer continued preliminary work on a new layout for West Street and Congress Street to Lincoln Street which is expected to be the main access road in Duxbury to the Southeast Expressway.
TOWN BUILDINGS
In addition to the minor repairs which are constantly necessary to older buildings, the exterior of the Old Town Hall was repainted, and a contract let for the repainting of the exterior of the old Tarkiln Twin-Schoolhouse build- ing. These properties received other repairs of a minor nature and it is obvious major roof repairs at Tarkiln cannot be delayed much longer.
In the late fall serious trouble developed with the old heating system in the Abbott (Police) House. Inspection by the Fire Chief resulted in condemnation and the recom- mendation that the boiler be replaced. Minor temporary repairs kept the system operating but replacement is planned as soon as the 1959 heating season ends.
WATERFRONT AND BEACHES
Early this year, motivated by concern over the dark- ening clouds of increasing business recession, the Federal
-11-
Government conducted a review of pending Federal proj- ects which could be instituted on short notice to act as an antidote to sagging business expenditures. The long awaited Duxbury Basin and Channel project, laid out prior to World War II, was studied and recommended. Congress gave its approval and appropriated money to do the work, with the requirement that the State and Town participate in the cost to a minor degree. Local in- terests have been represented in numerous conferences and discussions and a Special Town Meeting will act on the matter early in 1959. The proposed improvement carries with it assurance of future maintenance by the Federal Government.
During the severe spring storms the main beach suf- fered considerable damage when water raced across it at several points. During the discussions on dredging the beach was proposed as an excellent "spoilage" area for the dredged material. If engineering tests prove this plan feasible, the considerable material thus deposited on the outer shore should contribute materially to decreased erosion and may even result in some slight accretion.
Posts have been erected at all Town landings to de- lineate the bounds of the public ways.
The shore line at the Myles Standish Cellar Lot has been protected by the installation of a rip rap wall. Erosion has been rapid at this vulnerable area and the protection of this historic spot has been made none too soon.
At mid-year pressure of other duties necessitated the resignation of Henry P. McNeil as Shellfish Constable. The Selectmen appointed Manuel J. Oliver to fill the va- cancy. Mr. Oliver commenced his duties with encourag- ing eagerness, indicating a desire to continue the program of shellfish propagation and study in conjunction with the State Department of Marine Fisheries. To facilitate the
-12-
Constable's work, the Long Point, Kirby's Flat, and Blue Fish River areas have been closed to the taking of shellfish until further notice.
During the early summer a substantial quantity of sand was deposited on the additional areas recently ac- quired for beach purposes at Landing Road. The usable beach is now considerably enlarged and improved and neighborhood residents who enjoy the beach and swim- ming were extremely pleased with the results.
It is unfortunate that careless maneuvering of boats near swimming areas continues in spite of patrols insti- tuted by the Harbor Master. Any speeding in Duxbury waters is forbidden, and this past year a regulation was adopted prohibiting water skiing within one hundred yards of any swimming area or swimming group.
WATER
Water extension on the reasonably closely populated sections of Franklin, Union and Keene Streets in West Duxbury was accomplished by the Water Department during the past year. This greatly reduces fire hazards and results in substantial insurance savings for home owners thus protected. The cost of these extensions, par- ticularly with the extra pipe size and hydrants to accom- plish fire protection, is great and has necessitated the Town incurring substantial debt. The Committee ap- pointed at the Annual Town Meeting, to study a reason- able way to apportion this element of cost without dis- rupting the rate structure of the Water Department, reports elsewhere. Discussions have been held with the Committee and it is hoped a reasonable compromise can be reached at the Annual Town Meeting forthcoming to satisfy the financial requirements of operating an "Enter- prise" Department without changing the Town's accus- tomed methods of financial management.
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INSURANCE
Following a claim for damage resulting from a slight accident involving a Fire Truck it was decided to be in the Town's best interest to obtain insurance, rather than continue as a self-insurer. This coverage was instituted during the past year with funds appropriated therefor at the 1958 Town Meeting.
In renewing the Group Hospital Insurance a slight in- crease in benefits was obtained to bring the Duxbury plan in line with the County plan.
MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS
A substantial physical change was made to the Town Dump early this year, and has resulted in more orderly use. The top surface at this facility was built up to en- able trucks to approach the edge of the dumping area safely.
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