USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1956-1960 > Part 26
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There were twelve Annual Fee Forms sent out and $17.75 collected on 1957 Annual Fees from grant holders and one grant renewal for $5.00.
Forty-two commercial permits were issued at $5.00 each and 1134 family permits at 50 cents.
Following is the record of shellfish and sea-worms taken commercially during the year.
54,470 sea worms
@ $0.03
$1,634.10
15 bushels mussels
@
2.00
30.00
18 bushels mussels
@ 2.50
45.00
89 bushels razorfish
@
6.00
534.00
62 bushels razorfish
@
8.00
496.00
350 bushels quahaugs
@
2.00
700.00
225 bushels little necks
@
9.60
2,160.00
90 bushels cherry stones
@
4.00
360.00
1,247 bushels mixed quahaugs
@
5.00
6,235.00
40 bushels clams
@
8.00
320.00
21 bushels clams
@ 12.00
252.00
Total all shellfish and worms $12,766.10
Respectfully submitted,
MANUEL OLIVER, Shellfish Constable.
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REPORT OF VETERAN'S AGENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I respectfully submit my report as Agent and Director for the Department of Veterans' Services for the year 1958.
This year the budget allowance was increased 8.6 per cent by the State Department of Veteran Services to allow for the higher cost of living.
Effective October 22, 1958, Chapter 487, Acts of 1958, amended Chapter 115 of the General Laws by inserting a new section after Section 5. Section 5A provides for the placing of a Lien on Real Property owned by a dependent mother or father of a veteran applying for, or receiving, benefits based on the war service of such dependent's son or daughter.
I have continued to advise and assist veterans and their dependents in their numerous problems, whenever the occasion arises. When requested, I photostat vet- erans' service discharges, and keep a copy on file in the Veteran's Service office.
Seven pension and compensation claims were handled, five of the applicants are now receiving Federal Pension and Compensation checks, two are still pending.
Three death claims were handled in my capacity as Burial Agent, and two headstones for Veterans' graves were obtained.
I have continued to register young men for Draft Board No. 129, as it is necessary for them to register with- in five days after they reach 18 years of age. Eleven were registered in 1958.
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During the year 1958, this Department had a total of 20 cases, representing 52 persons, who received veterans' benefits. All cases were investigated frequently to make certain of their need.
Our appropriation for Administration, Ordinary Benefits, Medical, Burial, and Fuel expenditures was $13,640.00. We expended $13,250.56, and have a balance of $389.44 to return to the Town.
The State Department of Veteran's Services will re- imburse the Town for approximately one-half of the above amount expended for Ordinary Benefits, Burial, Medical and Fuel.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY P. McNEIL,
Agent.
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HEALTH DEPARTMENT
I hereby submit my report as Agent for the Board of Health.
Poliomyelitis seems hopefully to have become a dis- ease of the past, but Dr. Jonas Salk has just recommended that a fourth shot of the vaccine be given between now and this coming summer.
The communicable diseases reported to the Depart- ment during the past year were as follows:
Measles 17
German Measles
8
Mumps 6
Pertussis 1
Scarlet Fever
1
Meningitis
1
Dog Bites
4
Please report all such diseases, even though they may be mild.
The School dental program had a good year.
Rat bait is always available at Dr. Starr's office, and works well on any rodent problem.
We are grateful to the State Department of Public Health for their assistance and cooperation in the inspect- ing and licensing of eating establishments, chicken farms and the like.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE ROSS STARR, JR., M.D.
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DUXBURY FREE LIBRARY
To the Trustees:
At the end of a six and one-half year period as Li- brarian of the Duxbury Free Library, it is once again time for the librarian to pause and attempt to estimate how much progress has been made during this time toward developing the library into one of the community's most important and valued assets.
In 1953 the circulation amounted to 33,669. The circu- lation for 1958 equals 57,800, a gain of 5,108 over that of 1957 and 24,131 more than in 1953. The junior circulation in 1953 was 10,280. In 1958 it was 30,887, a little more than three times as much as the amount for 1953. For the first time since these records have been kept, the junior circu- lation exceeded that of the adult by 3,974. Based on an estimated population of 4,500, our 57,800 circulation gives us a 12.8 per capita circulation. The American Library Association considers a 5 per capita circulation a satis- factory one. All of these figures testify that the library is growing. At the end of December 1958, 4,299 borrowers had registered since 1953. 642 registrations were recorded in 1958, 354 being new borrowers and 288 were re-regis- trations by borrowers whose cards had been held for four years. 691 adult and 667 junior books were added in 1958, making a total of 1,358. A book budget of $2,900 bought 1,358 books for an average of $2.10 each.
The problems which beset us in 1957 are still with us and intensified by the growth in the use of the library and the various needs which are created by this increased use. It is very difficult to carry on the services of the library and to meet these constantly growing demands without, first of all, more help and more books.
The librarian has exerted every effort possible toward providing the best books available for the money there is
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to spend on them. All requests are considered and filled when the request is a legitimate one. A considerable part of the book budget must now be spent on books dealing with all aspects of the "space-age." Our reference collec- tion is growing steadily and being brought up-to-date. It is in constant use and the librarian has heard many ex- pressions of appreciation in regard to it. With more money for books, to keep up with this increased demand, and more help to get the books into circulation, the library will be able to reach a still wider circle of readers and continue to grow in rendering its vital service to the public.
Of great interest to the library trustees, to the staff, the Duxbury Elementary School and to the parents of the elementary school children is the development of the work with the Duxbury Elementary School. This work is an outstanding service to the children of the community. It began in a small way, five years ago, until now in December 1958, all classes in the Duxbury Elementary School visit the library regularly, accompanied by their teachers. Because of the success of the programme and the greatly improved reading ability which has resulted from these library visits, Mr. Cain, the principal of the Duxbury Elementary School, asked if the first and second grades could be included in the schedule. Therefore in September 1958, the first and second grades began their visits to the library. Under this schedule, every class in the elementary school (1-6) visits the library every other week. Each class remains one-half hour; the librarian and assistants help them to find good books to read for pleas- ure and special books for whatever subject they may be interested in. The librarian reads a story to each first grade group. Instruction in the use of the reference books and where to find things in the library is also given. Every day, except on Saturday, one class visits the library. On Wednesdays, two classes come; on alternate Thurs-
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days, five and seven classes. This work all began because five years ago few Duxbury children visited the library. There were very few books for the younger readers. Neither was there an elementary school library. It all seemed to be a situation which needed attention. As a result of this cooperation between the elementary school and the public library, the junior circulation has risen from 10,280 in 1953 to 30,887 in 1958.
The chief problem which has developed from this work is the one of how to get enough books to supply the demand. At the end of first and second grade visits, there are no books left in their age group. Recently there have been many articles published on how to get children to become good readers, basically the most vital of all abil- ities. None described a programme like that of the Dux- bury Free Library which has been developing for five years. It would appear that the Duxbury Free Library has done some pioneer work in this field with gratifying results. Such an endeavor should receive the support of all who are interested in the welfare and progress of the Duxbury children. The older boys and girls, many of them graduates of the "school-library visits," visit the library regularly for their "book-report" material, pleas- ure reading, home-work and research. In time there will be no public school children to remark that they have never been inside the Duxbury Free Library. It is a fre- quent occurrence to hear a High School student explain that he has never visited the library before.
With the growth of the junior use of the library, comes the need for more space. The librarian recommends that book shelves be built in the room at the foot of the stairs, to hold the newer adult non-fiction. The shelves where these books are now, can be used for junior books. During 1958 the Biography Room has been cleared of all unimportant and worn-out books and re-arranged. This has been a big help to all those who are in search of bi-
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ographical material. A great deal of discarding and re- arranging has also been done in the fiction stacks.
The librarian has received many requests that the library be opened on Friday evenings from 7-9 as well as on Saturday evening. This would accommodate many who find it difficult to come at other times. It is to be hoped that the library may be enabled to give this added service to the public.
It may not be amiss, at this point, to call attention to the fact that with an appropriation from the Town of $8,900 for 1958, the population of 4,500 Duxbury citizens receives all of its library service for a little less than $2.00 per capita.
During December extensive repairs were made on the roof and the re-decorating of the interior of the library was begun. The improvement which will result from this work will give pleasure to everyone.
To summarize the foregoing only a few words are necessary. We are busy, we are growing; we hope that the public believes that an important job is being done and that it should be adequately supported. It is impos- sible to take care of an increase in all library services, without an increase to carry them on.
Once again the librarian wishes to extend her sincere thanks to all who have helped to make 1958 a memorable year: to the Trustees, to the Staff, Mrs. Winifred Couch, Mrs. Odeal O. Moody, Mrs. Margaret R. Bates and Mrs. Winona Strachan. To the members of the Duxbury Gar- den Club for all of the pleasure their exhibits and con- tributions have given to the library staff and to the public, and to all others who have so generously remembered the library, with money, books, periodicals, plants and flowers.
Respectfully submitted,
MINNIE BURKE FIGMIC,
Librarian.
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REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE DUXBURY FREE LIBRARY, INC.
For the Year Ending December 31 1958
INCOME ACCOUNT
Receipts:
On hand 1/1/58 in Bank
$1,059.81
From Various Trust Funds:
Wright
$2,984.36
Winsor
881.75
Hathaway
119.52
Duxbury Hall
191.00
Hunt
28.75
4,205.38
Donations
135.00
Town of Duxbury (Appropriation $8,900.00)
8,899.27
Total Receipts
$14,299.46
Expenditures:
Salaries
$8,211.35
Books
2,658.70
Supplies
271.70
Insurance
386.40
Repairs and Improvements
27.05
Fuel Oil
810.91
Electricity
388.86
Telephone
143.12
Janitor Service
577.69
Other Operating Expenses
44.83
Total Expenditures
$13,520.61
Balance in Bank 12/31/58
778.85
$14,299.46
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Special Appropriation by Town of Duxbury for repairs to Library
$2,000.00
Amount expended for repairs in 1958
845.50
Balance for repairs in 1959
$1,154.50
Respectfully submitted,
C. RUSSELL EDDY, Treasurer,
Duxbury Free Library, Inc.
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F
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REPORT OF OLD TOWN HALL RECREATION COMMITTEE
The year 1958 was successful in two respects to our Committee. First, the Old Town Hall has been used to its full capacity throughout the year. The following groups, to note a few, used the building to good advantage, Bad- minton, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Art Association, Sea Scouts, Bon Homme, Teen Canteen, etc. Second, the town- sponsored Youth Programs for Bon Homme, Teen Can- teen, Badminton and the Tennis Club were attended by more children this year at no increase in cost to the Town on these programs.
The Bon Homme program covers the 12 and 13 year old group, with 70 to 80 average attendance at each scheduled event.
Teen Canteen program covers the 14 and 15 year olds with about 50 average attendance.
The Badminton program has been scheduled at three days per week with 60 youngsters registered in the program.
The summer Tennis Club had a full roster of about 130 youngsters this summer. It is the most successful single youth recreation program operated under Town sponsorship. For the next year (1959) we expect to hold our budget at the same level, dollarwise, and improve our present programs rather than enlarge it.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER F. KOPKE, JR.,
Chairman.
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REPORT OF ANNUAL DUXBURY DAYS PARADE COMMITTEE
Honorable Board of Selectmen
St. George Street
Town of Duxbury, Mass.
Attention: Mr. Delano, Chairman
Gentlemen:
Following the practice of previous years I wish to submit the following itemized accounting of the parade expenses for which the Town appropriated the sum of $500.00 under Article 12 of the 1958 Town Warrant.
Cost of Bands:
1. Plymouth Legion Post No. 40 $245.00
2. Braintree Drum & Bugle Corps 200.00
3. William B. Dalton Post No. 137, Holbrook 75.00
4. Abington Legion Band (Paid for by Kiwanis)
Total $520.00
Other Costs:
a. Floats:
1st prize
$100.00
2nd prize
50.00
3rd prize
25.00
$175.00
b. Horribles:
1st prize
$60.00
2nd prize
35.00
3rd prize
20.00
115.00
c. Best Visiting Color Guard (one award)
25.00
d. Best Walking Entrant
15.00
$330.00
Total
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Miscellaneous Expenses:
1. Meals for Marching Units, from Fort Devens, @ $1.00 per man, for 35 men
$35.00
2. Cost of South Shore Antique Auto Club
50.00
Total
$85.00
Grand Total of Parade Costs
$935.00
It is customary for the Town to pay the cost of the bands direct upon receipt of approved statements, with the Legion to be reimbursed for the balance, if any.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Police, Fire and Highway Departments, and other agen- cies of the Town for their splendid cooperation and sup- port which has helped to make this year's parade an overwhelming success.
Very truly yours,
DAVID H. MARSHALL,
Parade Committee Chairman.
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REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I respectfully submit the following statistical report as Building Inspector for the year beginning January 1, 1958, and ending December 31, 1958.
Total number of permits issued for the year 1958:
Houses (also house and garage combinations) 25
Garages 9
Non-Residential Buildings (Cabins, storage bldgs., etc.) 10 Alterations 76
Miscellaneous (Appeal Board, Electrical, etc.) 124
Cesspool 30
Total number of permits issued 274
Total estimated costs of all construction
$706,123.00
Total fees collected in 1958 $1,830.50
($20 of this figure collected in 1957 and turned in to Town Treasurer in 1958)
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT B. DELANO
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REPORT OF WATERFRONT COMMITTEE
Board of Selectmen Town of Duxbury, Mass.
Gentlemen:
We again wish to express our appreciation to your Board and our Highway Superintendent for the coopera- tion extended to the Waterfront Committee this past year.
In our capacity as an investigating and suggestion committee only and with no power to act in any way, we have met and discussed many waterfront problems, hop- ing to be of assistant to our Harbor Master and Selectmen. Among the many problems confronting the Town along our waterfront are boat landing and mooring facilities and parking, together with the safety of our children swimming from the Town Landing at Mattakeesett Court.
Our mooring plan having been in effect during this past boating season has proved successful. We as an ad- visory committee have discussed at great length the Fed- erel Dredging Project now taking shape. After much consideration and discussion, we have concluded that the plan as presented by the U. S. Army Engineers appeared to be economical and beneficial to the Town.
As we have done in the past, our committee will con- tinue to meeting in the future and discuss all problems pertinent to our waterfront for the purpose of rendering advice and assistance to the Town.
Respectfully yours,
WATERFRONT COMMITTEE
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REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL BOARD
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
The Town adopted the By-law Governing the Classi- fication of Personnel and the Administration of Standard Rates of Salary and Wages in 1955 for the purpose of:
1. Establishing "a system of equitable compensation for all employees eligible to be placed under the pro- visions of this by-law."
2. Creating "a Personnel Board to administer the plan with sufficient powers to make such regulations as may be necessary to adjust the inequities, and to re- classify positions when there is a significant change in the job content of any position."
In classifying positions and acting upon requests for merit increases your Personnel Board has always at- tempted to achieve a fair and equitable relationship of compensation between the various positions held by our Town employees.
The Personnel Board believes that wages and salaries currently being paid to our Town employees are suf- ficiently in balance to require little if any revision other than that resulting from the granting of normal merit increases, and the revision of classifications due to changes in job content.
Classifications developed and revised by the Board during the year will be included in a formal amendment and ratification at the next regular Town meeting as per section (5d) of the Classification and Wages and Salary Plan By-law.
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The Board wishes to express its appreciation for the fine cooperation it has received from all department heads and the selectmen.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES H. W. JENNER, Chairman, IRVING H. LOCKE, Secretary, WINTHROP A. BAKER,
Personnel Board, Town of Duxbury.
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REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury:
STATISTICS
Building Permits for new construction:
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
36
64
85
75
66
59
67
49
26
28
25
Additional data under Subdivision Control Law:
Permits New Construction
59
67
49
26
28
25
Subdivisions
Considered
9
6
10
5
8
11
Approved
7
6
7
4
5
9
Small (Driveways only)
3
6
2
3
5
(included above)
Plans (not subdivisions) Endorsed
13*
52
40
22
24
24
Miscell. Items Referred to Board
6
8
9
4
21
15
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(*Last 3 mo. only)
DISCUSSION
A preliminary report on the Master Plan for the Town of Duxbury was submitted by our consultant, James L. Harris, in the form of a summary for inclusion in this Town Report. His work under the contract is scheduled for completion in May, 1959. His summary follows.
This program is under contract with the Massachu- setts Department of Commerce and is financed in part by a grant from the Federal Government under Section 701 of Title II of the Housing Act of 1954 as amended.
The purpose of this plan is to bring to attention the needs of the Town both present and anticipated, to recom- mend changes and improvements in zoning and sub- division control regulations and to present long range opportunities and problems that need attention.
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The matters dealt with in a Master Plan are in many instances such as to admit to the proposal of alternatives which spring from the assumption of varying policies con- cerning the conduct of local government. To the extent that actual proposals are included herein, this interim report represents the recommendations of the Town's Planning consultant and not that of any board or official of the Town. The final proposals making up the Master Plan will be publicized; copies will be available for inspec- tion; public meetings will be held to discuss the plans.
The Town of Duxbury has been fortunate by virtue of the fact that zoning has been in effect since 1944, that the determination of district boundaries has been care- fully considered; and that subdivision control has been exercised through the Planning Board as authorized by state statute. The actual location of various land uses is such that acute problems of conflict in uses are at a minimum. The increases in population now being experi- enced in the general area of Duxbury, plus what acceler- ation of this growth will be felt when the Southeast Ex- pressway is complete, are of critical importance in con- sidering needs and opportunities of the Town. In the following sections, various aspects of the Master Plan are discussed and proposals mentioned where such have been determined.
Mapping:
The Planning Board is being provided with large scale maps of the entire Town at two scales, one at 1" = 400', the second at 1" = 800'. At the smaller scale (1" = 800'), most of the facets of the plan are being shown. Maps with streets, buildings, topography and property lines have been prepared. Most of the original maps illustrating various aspects of the Plan are in re- producible form, with distinctions made by the use of patterns of texture.
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Land Use:
The present locations of land uses have been mapped at a scale of 1" = 800' on a base map which shows prop- erty lines. These property lines are those shown on the Assessors' maps. A plan of land use for the future is being proposed. The completion of the limited access highway (Route 3 which is the extension of the Southeast Expressway) will have some effect upon the choice of location of non-residential uses in the future. Its path is not precisely determined; only its general location has been established. The fact that it will be limited in access means that any uses drawn to locations in proximity to the highway will have to have access from one of the interchange points. Present plans of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works call for only two such inter- changes, one at Route 14, the other one as presently con- structed near the Kingston town line. This tends to mean that land in the vicinity of these interchanges will be most in demand for non-residential uses. At present, in- dustry and non-retail businesses place a high value upon the advertising value of sites visible from main arteries. Transportation does not favor the Duxbury vicinity as a location for industry; the labor market in the vicinity may well develop to be its major attraction to industries which are not drawn to this area by some specific func- tional demand. The extreme attractiveness of the South Shøre for residential location may well draw firms to this area. The above is to say that the primary land use re- quirements of the future are expected to be:
1) Residential uses at low density: In areas adjacent to the Bay, dwelling unit types other than the single fam- ily house may be justified eventually, thereby increasing the net density for some selected areas.
2) Retail and local service uses to serve the popu- lation of the various communities within the Town: It is possible that a retail development located in the Town
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could draw patronage from a regional area, but there seems to be little to indicate that a location for such in Duxbury will be any more desirable than are locations elsewhere along the path of new Route 3. Therefore, it can be concluded that retail uses can be assured only to the extent needed for the local population, even this need could be met by stores in adjacent towns. The local service type of activities, i.e. boat service, fuel, building materials and supplies, and similar activities will prob- ably continue to grow in proportion to the population and to the facilities for recreational use of the inland water bodies, the Bay and the beach (for town residents and for others).
3) Industrial and non-retail commercial uses: With the possible exception of distribution facilities to serve the South Shore and the Cape, there seems to be little justification to assume that Duxbury will be subject to any pressure at present to provide land on which indus- trial uses are permitted. The entire South Shore area is not in a strong position to compete for major industrial expansion when measured against the remaining sectors of the Metropolitan area of Boston. This situation will undoubtedly improve in later years. When the new high- way is completed, there will be much more likelihood of land being sought for industrial use. It is the recom- mendation of this plan that no zoning change be consid- ered in advance of request relating to specific parcels at this time; furthermore that, after the highway is com- pleted, care be used in changing land from residential zoning district to industrial, in order to avoid inappropri- ate and harmful conditions.
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