USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1956-1960 > Part 25
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The Board interpreted remarks made at the Annual Town Meeting, during which an arbitrary cut was made in the street lighting account, to indicate a desire on the part of the townspeople that street lights on Bay Road be reduced in lumens and numerous locations eliminated. Later conferences with the Finance Committee, and a transfer from Reserve, made it possible to restore street lighting along this roadway prior to the darker winter season.
For the first time our Town Meeting met in divided session. An excellent two-way communication system was employed and business could be transacted with reason- able efficiency.
Dial 'phone service was inaugurated in Duxbury at mid-year. Anticipatory preparations by the Police and Fire Departments prevented any breakdown of emergency services.
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The Personnel Board keeps under surveillance at all times the prevailing wage rates for municipal service positions. At the last Annual Town Meeting their recom- mendation for a general increase, as well as the correction of certain inequities of the classification system, was read- ily adopted. It takes time and continued study to perfect a system of fair grading and fair compensation. It is en- couraging that the Town is understanding and relies on the recommendations of the Personnel Board, which has worked with such diligence.
The 1958 Session of the Legislature granted the De- partment of Natural Resources authority, with approval of the local Selectmen, to take land for park purposes by eminent domain. The first exercise of that authority was the taking of a section of land adjoining the Myles Stan- dish Monument Park Reservation off Crescent Street. The Community Garden Club of Duxbury and the Dux- bury Rural and Historical Society had advocated this en- largement of the Reservation.
Early in the year a member of the Board, Francis W Perry, announced he would be a candidate for the Legis- lature to succeed Nathaniel R. Tilden, of Scituate, who has served this area with distinction for twenty years. The support of the people of Duxbury was overwhelming and. carried a Duxbury candidate to a legislative victory for the first time in many, many years.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Last year the Town Meeting passed over a recom- mendation to build a new High School. Most people ex- pect before too long, perhaps even at the next Town Meeting, the Town will vote to build a new school. This growth of school population with its attendant financial problems is not unique to Duxbury, but it does impose upon us the need for weighing most carefully our munici- pal needs if we are to control the local tax burden.
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Communities need tax relief from the State, but the present deplorable State financial situation suggests Towns must be alertly demanding or the greater portions of any new taxes legislated will be retained by the Commonwealth.
Because of these depressing realistic facts, those of us who are charged with fiscal management for the Town, urge that it is the height of wisdom to proceed toward any new services or expanded services with caution. The open end feature of the property tax makes it rather un- fair and it can be particularly hurtful to those whose incomes are fixed. It behooves all to consider this factor in order that we do not unduly burden our neighbors.
CONCLUSION
Your Board considers it a high privilege to have been engaged in your service during the past year. We have enjoyed the excellent cooperation and assistance of our fellow Town Officers, Committeemen, and Town Em- ployees. We extend our sincere thanks to them. 1958 has been a memorable year. To all who have endeavored to make it so we extend our heartfelt thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP W. DELANO FRANCIS W. PERRY JAMES H. W. JENNER
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REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Duxbury, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The following is a report submitted by the Board of Fire Engineers for the year 1958.
The Department had a total of 132 calls as follows:
Emergency 81
Out-of-Town
5
Building
10
Automobile
11
Bridge
1
Stand-By
5
Oil Burner
11
Chimney
7
False Alarm
1
Of the ten building fires this year, I am very glad to say that none of them were serious and of very little loss.
The new Air Horn fire alarm signal was purchased and installed in the Central Fire Station and completed the latter part of June. It has worked out very success- fully although we only had to use it a few times as the majority of the calls were answered on a still alarm.
We have worked out a signal system of phantom fire alarm boxes which are located at the different road cor- ners in Town and are divided into five districts as follows: The signal beginning with (1) would be Millbrook and Powder Point and part of Washington Street to Surplus Street. No. 2 signal would cover from Surplus Street, Standish Shore, South Duxbury and Island Creek. No. 3 signal covers everything north of Route 14 and North Dux- bury. No. 4 signal is West Duxbury. No. 5 signal covers
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the area from Tremont Street between Route 14 and Route 3 west to the Pembroke line. We have fire alarm books at the Central Fire Station, copies of which are available upon request.
The following permits were issued at the Central Fire Station in 1958:
Bottle Gas
55
Oil Burner
46
Telephone
1989
(for incinerator, rubbish and brush fires)
This year we have done quite a lot of work on the North Duxbury Fire Station such as putting in a new hard-top apron in the front, painting the outside, putting on a new overhead door, shingling, etc. This has been very much needed for some time.
On December 12, 1958, an inspection was made of all school buildings, with the cooperation of the janitors and principals. This inspection was made for the purpose of trying to eliminate all possible fire hazards; also any hazards that might cause bodily injury to the personnel and children. Everything was found to be in a neat and orderly condition except for a few minor things which were taken care of immediately by the School Depart- ment.
The dial telephone system in the Central Fire Sta- tion seems to be working out very well and we find that people calling in for emergencies and fires do use the proper telephone which is listed under EMERGENCY FIRE WE 4-2121 and for all other business or calls per- taining to fire using WE 4-5500. The reason for this is that holding up the emergency phone on any lengthy conver- sation might be just the time somebody would be trying to get the Fire Department for a fire or emergency. Please
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continue using the emergency phone for emergencies only. If at any time a person reporting a fire or emergency can- not remember the number, they should dial the operator and say that "this is an emergency, I want the Duxbury Fire Department."
Respectfully submitted,
EBEN N. BRIGGS, Chief, GEORGE S. BUTLER, Asst. Chief, KENNETH O. MACOMBER, Chairman, ALDEN M. BARTLETT, Secretary, JOHN DeLORENZO, CARL J. SANTHESON, JR., BENJAMIN F. GOODRICH, JR.,
Board of Fire Engineers.
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REPORT OF THE FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Duxbury, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Forest Warden for the year 1958.
The Department had a total of 60 calls as follows:
Dump 19
Forest
9
Grass
9
Brush
21
Out-of-Town 2
Due to the wet spring and fall forest fire seasons, we have had very few calls this year with little acreage burned.
The following fire permits were issued during 1958: 200 Beach Permits issued by Ford's Store, Duxbury Beach; 400 Beach Permits issued by Duxbury Beach Park at Blakeman's Store, and 300 Beach Permits issued at the Central Fire Station.
I want to thank the Deputy Forest Wardens, fire fighters, Selectmen and Town Departments for their co- operation in the past forest fire season.
Respectfully submitted,
EBEN N. BRIGGS, Forest Warden.
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REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit the report of the Highway Depart- ment for the year ending December 31, 1958.
Approximately thirteen miles of black roads were given a surface treatment. Midway Road was topped with mixed in place as well as portions of Union Bridge Road and Myrtle Street.
Traffic lines were painted on the streets, roadsides were mowed and guardrails repaired and painted.
Fifteen complete sections were replaced in the Pow- der Point Bridge, and other repairs made as necessary.
The floats and bathing beaches at all Town landings received annual care and the bathing area at Landing Road was enlarged.
Under Chapter 718 the old stone culvert on Franklin Street was replaced with a concrete culvert. Fifteen hun- dred feet of Franklin Street was widened, straightened, graveled and will be surfaced in the spring. Also under Chapter 718 six-tenths of a mile of Temple Street was excavated, widened, graveled and surfaced with mixed in place.
Under Chapter 90 New Construction improvements to Bay Road continued. Another portion was widened, re- constructed and surfaced with Type I. Also the small section of Tobey Garden Street, left unfinished in 1957, was completed.
Chapter 90 Maintenance money was spent on Frank- lin, Valley and High Streets.
Respectfully submitted,
LEWIS B. RANDALL,
Superintendent of Streets.
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REPORT OF THE CEMETERY TRUSTEES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Duxbury:
We submit our report for the year 1958.
The Report of the Superintendent has been re- ceived and notes the regular work done in the Cemetery Department.
During the year, your Board has carefully checked the costs of operating the Cemetery Department and have again increased charges to meet the increased cost of doing the work. Since a large portion of our work is on areas where we receive no income other than from the appropriation, we are unable to operate on a self-support- ing basis.
Standish and Dingley Cemeteries and Boomer Square represent 51/2% of the hours work done but have no income.
Ashdod Cemetery has a limited income and repre- sents 4% of the hours work done but is only 25% self- supporting.
Mayflower Cemetery represents 911/2% of the hours work done and is approximately 50% self-supporting.
It is our hope that the income from our charges, which we have increased, and the income from the Per- petual Care Funds, which have been increased 2.77% this vear. will see a yearly decrease in the net cost to the Town for the work done in the Cemeteries.
We still have 165 lots in annual care. If the owners of these lots will place them in perpetual care or provide for a perpetual care fund in their wills, the general situ-
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ation will be improved. It is disturbing to the Trustees to find the owner of a lot has died and left an estate but no provision for a perpetual care fund has been made. Our new Representative has entered a bill to amend the law whereby such a fund may be taken from the estate where there are sufficient funds to do so.
We are requesting an appropriation of $18,622.00 to carry on the work of the Cemetery Department.
Your Trustees thank the citizens for their continued interest in maintaining a cemetery which is a credit to the Town of Duxbury.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY A. TAMMETT, Chairman EDWARD P. HOBART CARL E. JOHNSON ERNEST W. CHANDLER
J. NEWTON SHIRLEY, Secretary
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF CEMETERIES
To the Cemetery Trustees:
I submit my report for the year 1958.
At Mayflower, Ashdod, Dingley and Standish Ceme- teries all general work was done and leaves were raked, also avenues were raked, cleaned and weed killer applied. The Airbroom that was added to our equipment was a great help in moving the leaves to the avenues.
We will be able to use the 70" Triplex mower where we filled in walks for new four-grave lots. This equip- ment was much needed due to the enlargement and addi- tional work that is added each year.
This year the care of Boomer Square was added to the Cemetery Department, the cost to be taken from the cemetery budget.
Perpetual and annual care lots were cared for; also the graves of the veterans.
There were sixty-two interments this year.
Respectfully submitted,
LAUREL B. FREEMAN,
Superintendent of Cemeteries.
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REPORT OF THE TOWN HISTORIAN FOR 1958
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Duxbury:
The resources of this department have been increased this year by the gift of pictures, a map, deeds, and letters containing historical references. Individuals and groups have consulted this material in search of home and family data. All are welcome and encouraged to do so.
Several talks were given and many letters have been answered. The interest in Duxbury, its settlers, old houses, and historic places, extends far beyond the limits of the Town.
The help of members of old families, the owners of old houses, and the loan of family records is greatly ap- preciated and gratefully acknowledged.
Respectfully submitted,
DOROTHY WENTWORTH,
Historian for the Town of Duxbury.
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PLYMOUTH COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE By Robert B. Ewing, County Agent-Manager
The Plymouth County Extension Service (Trustees, Plymouth County Aid to Agriculture), is located in the Court House, Brockton. In cooperation with the Uni- versity of Massachusetts and the United States Depart- ment of Agriculture, it provides information to Plymouth County citizens dealing with the Home, 4-H Club Work, and Agriculture.
Increased requests for information about the Home and Home Grounds have come as more people move into our Plymouth County towns from the city. This in- formation has been provided through meetings, news releases, radio, special activities, telephone, letters, etc.
Citizens of this Town should realize that this is a service provided by the County, State, and Federal gov- ernments and large numbers of people are availing them- selves of the opportunity to secure helpful information concerning the Home, Home Grounds, 4-H Club Work, and Agriculture. Requests for such information should be directed to the Plymouth County Extension Service, Court House, Brockton, Mass.
Funds for County Aid to Agriculture are derived principally from the County. Some Federal funds are also made available through the University of Massachusetts. Most towns in Plymouth County make a token appropri- ation which is used for the general expenditures of the Plymouth County Extension Service. Town Directors are appointed in those towns where an appropriation is made. These Town Directors are unpaid volunteer leaders who serve as the Extension Service representatives in their respective towns.
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The Board of Trustees, appointed by the Plymouth County Commissioners, administers the Extension Service program and is composed of the following members:
GILBERT BLACKLEDGE, Whitman, Chairman JOHN LITTLE, Marshfield MRS. HAROLD D. BENT, Brockton
PAUL LEHTOLA, Bridgewater JOHN PRENTICE, Plymouth RALPH McILVANA, Plympton MRS. ROY PUDDINGTON, Hanson
MRS. HERBERT WYDOM, Brockton MAURICE MAKEPEACE, Wareham
GUY L. SOUTHARD, Town Director.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Board of Appeals held thirty-five public hearings during the year 1958 at the Town Office Building on St. George Street.
Twenty-one of the petitions were granted by the Board, ten petitions were not granted and four other petitioners failed to appear at their hearings.
Respectfully submitted by,
ELBURT C. LOTH, Chairman H. RUSSELL CHANDLER EDWARD P. HOBART
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REPORT OF HARBOR MASTER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I respectfully submit my report as Harbor Master for the year 1958.
There were better than 500 boats, all sizes, moored in Duxbury this year. 150 in the Duxbury Basin area, with 115 in deep water, 5 on the edge waiting for space, 4 rotating when regular mooring holders were absent. The remainder were located around the basin on the flats. The larger number of the rest were at Landing Road, Howlands Lane, Joe's Point and in the back river.
A patrol was started this year by the Sea Scouts to restrict speeders from going too fast in our boating areas where swimming was going on. This was a worthwhile endeavor and should be encouraged every year.
Signs and buoys were erected warning boats to keep their speed down in Blue Fish River and at Landing Road.
Twenty channel markers were again positioned, marking beach channel, starting at Ellison's and running down channel to abreast of Clark's Island. Five were placed at Joe's Point on Standish Shore.
Floating white buoys were set up to protect swim- mers at the Town Pier. This helped, but the ever increas- ing number of swimmers and boats in the same area make conditions extremely dangerous. The swimming in this area should be stopped.
Respectfully submitted,
VICTOR D. NICKERSON,
Harbor Master.
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REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
Following is the report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1958.
LIST OF OFFENCES
Assault and Battery
1
Drunkenness
19
Delinquency
2
Larceny
2
Non-support
1
Operating under influence
10
Operating to endanger
12
Operating without license
2
Speeding
1
Failing to slow for intersection
1
Suspicious person
1
Violation of probation
1
53
DISPOSITIONS
Continued
2
Continued w/o finding
4
Filed
5
Fined
27
Probation
8
Released
2
Turned over to other authority
2
Found not guilty
1
Found guilty, appeal pending
2
53
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MISCELLANEOUS
Complaints investigated
2318
Emergency messages delivered
128
Hospital trips with cruiser
28
Motor Vehicle accidents investigated
68
Motor Vehicle violations recorded
175
Parking violations recorded
176
Summons served
74
Doors and windows secured
124
Beach permits issued
2038
Pistol permits issued
37
Shellfish licenses issued
951
Bicycles registered
75
Deaths investigated
4
Animals returned to owners
67
Animals destroyed
81
Dealers license (firearms)
4
Miles traveled by cruisers
74867
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES T. O'NEIL,
Chief of Police.
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT INSECT PEST CONTROL
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The elimination of Tent Caterpillars at the north end of our beach area resulted in 170 nests being destroyed. There were only half a dozen nests found in the remain- ing area of Town.
Most of the elm trees were sprayed for the control of Elm Leaf Beetle. This insect is on the increase and will require more attention in the future.
Our Gypsy Moth Trapping Program was followed again during the summer with not a single male moth being caught.
Reports from various sections of Town indicate that the Japanese Beetles were much less destructive than last year. Our work all along the line was curtailed by one of the wettest seasons in many years.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS, Superintendent,
Insect Pest Control.
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REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Duxbury:
During the winter months, low-hanging branches along the streets in the wooded sections of Town were removed. Trees that were split or weakened were either cabled or cut back to put them in a safe condition.
Favorable results were obtained in spraying the Birch Leaf Miner.
Red Spider, Aphids and Mites were not as abundant this year as last. This was probably due to such a wet season.
The pruning of Maple Trees in the fall continued until the trees started to bleed.
The planting program continued into the fall until freezing weather. The forty-eight trees planted were about equally divided between the standard shade type and smaller flowering type.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS,
Tree Warden.
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REPORT OF CONTROL OF DUTCH ELM DISEASE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
Our elm trees were given a 12% DDT dormant spray this spring wherever possible with the exception of about a dozen trees along one short street.
Most of the elms received the 6% DDT foliage spray for the leaf-eating insects.
During 1958 there were 48 samples taken from that many trees and 24 were found to have Dutch Elm Disease. Our highest percentage of Dutch Elm Trees were found in that group of elms that were not sprayed. However, in spite of wind and rain during the spray season, our control of this disease is considered very good.
It is true that we had more diseased elms this year than last, but in that group of trees that were sprayed, our percentage of loss is less than one-half of one tree per hundred trees.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS,
Tree Warden.
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Duxbury:
Fertilizing of Train Field, the ball fields and other small areas about Town, takes place before the grass gets too much of a start in the spring.
Work starts the first week of April to get the tennis courts in shape for the season. The two courts, plus five ball diamonds and seven other areas to be taken care of, requires one man's time continuously from April to the middle of October with some help. In view of the amount of grass to be mowed as well as the age and condition of the borrowed tractor we have used in the past, we ask that the Parks and Playground Department be supplied with a new tractor to pull our 61/2-foot Woods Rotary Mower.
Improvement of the Myles Standish Cellar Lot with construction of a stone sea-wall was done by the Highway Department. Our part of the project was to plant shrubs at the top of the bank, clear out around the stone that marks the spot of Myles Standish spring and sow grass seed. However, there remains a little more to be done in the way of grading and seeding in the spring.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS, Superintendent, Parks and Playgrounds.
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REPORT OF 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 1958:
Principal
Income
On hand December 31, 1957, as printed in 1957 Town Report $25,000.00
$4,084.17 114.68
Payments not reported in 1957
Corrected balance December 31, 1957 Income for 1958
$3,969.49
802.51
$4,772.00
Paid in 1958 for relief of worthy cases
628.85
Balance December 31, 1958
$25,000.00
$4,143.15
PHILIP W. DELANO FRANCIS W. PERRY JAMES H. W. JENNER MAURICE H. SHIRLEY, Treasurer
The principal consists of:
2 U. S. Government Savings Bonds, Series K $20,000.00
1 U. S. Government Savings Bond, Series K 5,000.00
(Purchased in Feb., 1955, Due in Feb., 1967) $25,000.00 Income: Plymouth Savings Bank $3,856.59
Plymouth Five Cents Savings Bank
286.56
Balance of Income
$4,143.15
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REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE LUCY HATHAWAY TRUST FUND
To the Citizens of Duxbury:
The following is a statement of the operations of the principal and income accounts of the Lucy Hathaway Trust Fund for the year 1958:
Principal
Income
Stocks
Cash
On hand December 31, 1957
$21,069.14
$226.86 $2,783.56
Income converted to principal
1,481.24
1,481.24
$1,708.10
$1,302.32
2/12 Purchased 12 Tel. Convertible De- bentures by exercising 108 Rights and $1200.00
1,200.00
1,200.00
$508.10
4/23 Converted 12 Tel. Debentures plus $508.10 for 12 Am. Tel. & Tel. Stock Income for 1958
508.10
508.10
1,962.67
On hand December 31, 1958 $22,777.24
$ $3,264.99
Principal consists of:
59 Shares of The First National Bank of Boston
80 Shares of American Sugar Refining Company
48 Shares of The National Shawmut Bank of Boston
120 Shares of American Telephone and Telegraph Co.
28 Shares of U. S. Steel Corp.
26 Shares of Boston & Albany Railroad Co.
62 Shares of Old Colony Railroad Income:
Plymouth Five Cents Savings Bank $3,264.99
PHILIP W. DELANO FRANCIS W. PERRY JAMES H. W. JENNER MAURICE H. SHIRLEY, Treasurer
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REPORT OF THE SHELLFISH CONSTABLE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I respectfully submit my thirteenth and final report as Shellfish Constable, having resigned that position on August 14, 1958, in order to work as a permanent patrol- man on the Police Department.
The natural propagation and growing of Clams and Quahaugs during 1958 was very good, there being a sub- stantial amount of Clam and Quahaug seeds along the shores and on the flats in numerous places.
At this time I would like to thank you three gentle- men and previous Selectmen for all the help and assist- ance that was given me in the years I was Shellfish Constable.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY P. McNEIL
REPORT OF THE SHELLFISH CONSTABLE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I submit my report as Shellfish Constable for the year 1958.
The amount of seed scallops has been very scarce again this season, which I feel is due to the very cold periods we have had each winter for the past three years.
During September and October, 400 bushels of qua- haugs were planted in three different areas. These areas are: Kirby's Flat, Long Point and the shore from Winsor Street, north to the yacht basin. Livability on these
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plantings were practically one hundred percent. The money for this work is derived from the State Division of Marine Fisheries.
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