USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1956-1960 > Part 3
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WILLIAM B. COFFIN, Chairman H. RUSSELL CHANDLER EDWARD P. HOBART
January 11, 1957
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REPORT OF THE HARBOR MASTER
December 31, 1956
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I respectfully submit my report as Harbor Master for the year 1956.
There were 114 boats in the basin, approximately 30 at Howland's Lane, and 75 on the shores.
A new mooring plan was set up giving a more accurate boat position, so as to utilize all available space. Every boat now is listed with its mooring location.
48,979 cubic yards of fill was taken out of the basin by the recent dredging. Approximate additional room made available - 10 boats, twenty foot size, with a mooring swing of 60 feet. A small amount of room compared to the number of boats wanting to come in.
Coast Guard and Federal Permits were obtained for our channel markers. They will now be numbered and positioned.
Respectfully submitted,
VICTOR D. NICKERSON,
Harbor Master.
51
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, 1956.
LIST OF OFFENCES
Assault 2
Breaking and Entering and Larceny
3
Delinquency
7
Driving a motor vehicle to endanger
2
Driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated
3
Drunkenness
11
Illegitimate Child Act, violating
2
Malicious injury to property
3
Motor vehicle laws, violating
8
Weapon carrying
1
Neglect or desertion of family
3
Using motor vehicle w/o authority
1
-
48
DISPOSITIONS
House of Correction
1
Fined
18
Suspended sentence and probation 20
Filed 1
52
Not Guilty
3
Continued
5
-
48
MISCELLANEOUS
Complaints investigated 1945
Emergency messages delivered
95
Hospital trips with cruiser
21
Motor vehicle accidents investigated
60
Motor vehicle violations recorded
91
Parking summons issued
95
Summons served for outside police
81
Doors found unlocked and secured
78
Beach permits issued
2147
Pistol permits issued
45
Shellfish permits issued
646
Children reported lost and returned to parents
21
Animals returned to owners 49
61
Air defense warning tests recorded 381
Miles traveled by cruisers
84,263
Respectfully Submitted,
JAMES T. O'NEIL,
Chief of Police
January 10, 1957
Animals destroyed for owners
53
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT INSECT PEST CONTROL
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report of Insect Pest Control for the year ending December 31, 1956.
There was a slight buildup of Tent Caterpillar in the past Spring at the north end of Duxbury Beach. This is not surprising because of the protection the egg clusters receive by the shifting of the sand among the beach plum bushes and low-growing wild cherries.
Aerial spraying was done for the control of Gypsy Moths on three hundred acres around each trap that caught male moths during the previous year. A total of 2700 acres received spray during May.
Thirty-two traps were set again during this summer with only one trap catching moths. This trap, located on the town line in the northwest part of town caught 8 male gypsy moths. Scouting for egg clusters in the vicinity of that trap has been done but no eggs found.
From all reports, Japanese Beetles were considerably less in number this year. However, considerable damage was done to Linden trees, which will require more spraying another season.
Elm Leaf Beetle caused very little damage and the un- sightly Fall Web Worm was absent this year. However, there
54
are eleven insects and two diseases and Poison Ivy that we have to try to keep in chcek. White Pine Blister Rust, being one, was found for the first time in fifteen years that we know of. The alternate host for the disease in this case was wild gooseberries, which were destroyed.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS, Superintendent, Insect Pest Control.
55
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Duxbury:
I herewith submit the report of the Tree Department for the year 1956.
Again, this year the Birch Leaf Miner caused considerable damage to the birch trees. The spraying of single trees and scattered small clumps hardly justifies the time and expense.
In the past, our Elm trees have been the most important to care for and they are now getting to where we have more time to spend on our other varieties. Many of our Maple trees were pruned this past season the first time in ten years. The tops of many trees have been cut back and cables installed, to enable them to stand a few more years.
This past year we planted sixty-one trees along the streets with most of them located back on each lot out of the way of utility wires.
We have added several of the flowering species of trees and now have approximately six hundred plants and trees in the Town Nursery at this time.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS,
Tree Warden
56
REPORT OF PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
Following is a report of the Parks and Playgrounds Com- mittee for the year 1956.
The spring cleanup of Parks and Playgrounds started the first of April with one man full time until the first of October. The tennis courts were put into shape for use the second week of April.
Fertilizing of the grass on Train Field, Little League and Pony League was also done the first part of April. There are nine other small areas in other sections of town that have to be taken care of also: The Partridge Academy Lot, Town Hall, Ellison Beach, Island Creek Pond Lot, Island Creek Park Lot, Tree of Knowledge, Tarkiln Recreation Lot, Hall's Corner Girl Scout Lot and the Myles Standish Cellar Lot.
Poison Ivy was sprayed wherever necessary on these lots as well as around the school playground. One large tree was taken down at the Hall's Corner Girl Scout building and the brush cleaned up at the sides and back of the building.
An area in the Abbott Field between the Police Station and Elementary School was selected for a soccer field and im- proved by taking down the high spots and filling in the low places. Grass seed was then planted and a good catch resulted.
.
57
Train Field and the ball fields were again fertilized in the Fall with the ball diamonds receiving a top dressing of compost. Additional loam was hauled in to level up the base paths and infield.
We have cleaned up an area at the south side of Wright's Dike that the Girl Scouts are going to use as a camp site.
We want to thank the Highway Superintendent for his cooperation in making some of his equipment available for maintaining Parks and Playgrounds.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS, Superintendent, Parks and Playgrounds.
58
REPORT OF CONTROL OF DUTCH ELM DISEASE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report on the control of Dutch Elm Disease for the year 1956.
Each year it is getting more difficult to get good control of the bark beetle that spreads the Dutch Elm Disease. Adverse spray conditions during the Spring spray program were the worst in our experience in this work. The build-up backlog of fungus-carrying beetles in many other towns also adds to a difficult situation. However, that is now behind us and I am very happy to report that we are still up in the 99% plus control bracket as we have been each year for the past ten years.
It is true that nineteen confirmed Dutch Elm Disease sample reports were received by us from the laboratory at Amherst during 1956. This number represents the total of diseased specimens in the entire Elm population of Duxbury including our wild Elms, which number about two hundred. Five of the confimations were from trees that were NOT sprayed. The fourteen cases of Dutch Elm Disease check with the question marks I have against these trees in my spray records.
In analyzing the past season's work, we think that it can be improved upon in the coming year with the aid of heli- copter spraying in connection with the ground equipment.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS,
Tree Warden
59
REPORT OF THE 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 1956:
Principal
Income
On hand December 31, 1955
$25,000.00
$3,389.17
Income for 1956
778.13
$4,167.30
Paid in 1956 for relief of worthy cases
272.25
On hand December 31, 1956
$25,000.00
$3,895.05
PHILIP W. DELANO
FRANCIS W. PERRY
JAMES H. W. JENNER
MAURICE H. SHIRLEY, Treasurer
60
REPORT OF THE 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 1956:
Principal Cash
Income
On hand
December 31, 1955
$20,055.00
$ 15.37
$5,270.14
Income converted to Principal
1,225.63
1,225.63
$1,241.00
$4,044.51
100 Shares American Tel. & Tel. purchased 1956 $1,014.14
$1,014.14
Income Added in 1956
$1,717.53
$5,762.04
Income withdrawn for distribution
$4,800.00
On hand
December 31, 1956
$21,069.14
$ 226.86
$ 962.04
PHILIP W. DELANO
FRANCIS W. PERRY
JAMES H. W. JENNER MAURICE H. SHIRLEY, Treasurer
Stocks
61
REPORT OF THE SHELLFISH CONSTABLE
December 31, 1956
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I respectfully submit my report as Shellfish Constable for the year 1956.
During the spawning period, from June through August of 1955, the amount of seed Scallops were unusually scarce. This seed would have been our 1956 scallop crop. The severe cold and ice during December of 1955 and January 1956, when our Bay froze over for eight days, was very hard on the few seed Scallops we did have, as in the early stages of their life they are very tender.
From January Ist to April 1st, there were from 45 persons at the beginning to 5 persons, raking the remainder of the adult Scallops. A Scallop's normal life is from twenty to twenty- six months, relatively few passing the two year limit.
When the Scallop season reopened on October 1, few Scallops could be found in Duxbury or the Cape Towns. The Town of Gay Head having the only sizeable crop.
During the Summer and Fall months, an average of 16 persons worked throughout the Bay digging Quahaugs, Razor- fish and Seaworms.
In the months of August and September, 4,600 bushels of Mussels were removed from a shore area on Standish Shore. The cost for their removal was $492.21. This money was ob- tained from the State Division of Marine Fisheries, and the
Duxbury Free Library
62
work was supervised by Richard Burton, Marine Fisheries Biologist.
64 Commercial permits were issued @ $5.00 each - total $320.00. 761 family permits at 50¢ each were issued during the year - total $373.00. 13 family permits were issued free to persons 70 years of age or over.
One Clam Grant was renewed at a charge of $5.00 during the year. 15 notices were sent Grant holders requesting a report of work done on grants. 150 bushels of Quahaugs were planted on Grants this year.
There were 15 Annual Fee forms sent out and $22.25 collected in 1955 Annual Fees from Grant holders.
Following is the record of shellfish and seaworms taken commercially during the year.
1,2781/2 bushels of Scallops,
January @ $3.10
$3,963.35
1,1111/2 bushels of Scallops, February @ $3.10
$3,445.65
205 bushels of Scallops, March @ $3.10
$635.00
140 bushels of Quahaugs @ $10.00
$1,400.00
107 bushels of Quahaugs @ 8.00
$856.00
30 bushels of Quahaugs @ 7.00
$210.00
917 bushels of Quahaugs @ 3.00
$2,751.00
50 bushels of Razorfish @ $6.00
$300.00
57 bushels of Razorfish (@ 8.00
$466.00
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23 bushels of Clams @ $12.00
$276.00
20 bushels of Mussels (@ $2.00
$40.00
53,585 Seaworms @ $.03 apiece
$1,607.55
Total all Shellfish and Worms
$16,050.55
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY P. McNEIL,
Shellfish Constable
64
REPORT OF VETERANS' AGENT
December 31, 1956
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I respectfully submit my report as Agent and Director for the Department of Veterans' Services for the year 1956.
Three pension and two compensation claims were han- dled, the applicants are now receiving Federal pension and compensation checks.
I have continued to advise and assist numerous Veterans and their dependents in whatever type of Veterans problem which they presented.
I photostat Veterans Service discharges, and keep a copy on file in the Veterans' Service office.
During the year, seven local 18 years olds were registered for Draft Board No. 129, Marshfield, Massachusetts.
Two death claims were handled in my capacity as Burial Agent.
During the year 1956, this department had its heaviest case load, a total of 22 cases, representing 65 people who received Veterans' Benefits.
Our appropriation was $$11,692.00, but due to a larger case load and unforeseen medical expenses it was necessary to request the Finance Committee to transfer the sum of $2,800.00
65
from the reserve fund to this Department to carry us through the last two months of the year.
The State Department of Veterans' Services will reim- burse the Town for approximately half of the amount ex- pended on our cases.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY P. McNEIL, Agent
66
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
I hereby submit my report as agent for the Board of Health.
The finest thing about this past year from the health point of view was the complete absence of Poliomyelitis. It is per- haps too early to say that we have seen the end of this disease here in town, but the introduction of the Salk vaccine should soon make this disease a medical rarity in a class with such long-gone scourges as diphtheria and small pox. Since the Salk vaccine became available in quantity last Spring a series of five clinics have been held and a total of 1,225 shots given. Opportunity has thus been given everyone up to the age of twenty to have received the first two injections. The efficacy of the Salk vaccine has been proved on a nation-wide scale, and improved manufacturing methods have made the product fool-proof from the safety standpoint so there can be no re- currence of the tragedies which accompanied the first batch.
Although the Salk vaccine is now available to all persons from any private physician for the price of an office visit, there is a staggering lethargy on the part of many when it comes to availing themselves of this opportunity. The mechan- ism of "carriers" of this disease is not well understood, so the eventual safety of all of us lies in immunization of the entire population.
The communicable disease figures for the year were as follows:
Tuberculosis
3
Dogbite
9
Chicken Pox 24
67
German Measles Scarlet Fever Mumps Roseola 1
85
3 2
May we again urge all parents to report all communicable diseases to the health agent when they are so mild as not to require a doctor's services. Doctors are required to report all cases they do see.
The school dental program had another successful year.
Rat bait is available at Dr. Starr's office at all times at no cost. A little less than three hundred pounds were distrib- uted this year. Please take advantage of this program, if you have any rodent problems - it works!
We are grateful to the State Department of Public Health for the assistance and cooperation in the inspecting and licens- ing of eating establishments, chicken farms and the like.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE ROSS STARR, JR., M.D.
68
DUXBURY FREE LIBRARY ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1956
To the Trustees of the Duxbury Free Library:
On December 31, 1956 another year of activity and growth became a part of the library's history. What happened in the library in 1956? First of all, the total circulation for the year amounted to 51,629; a gain of 2,459 over that of 1955. With an estimated population of 4,285, this gives us a 12 per capita circulation which is very encouraging indeed. The American Library Association considers a 5 per capita a satisfactory one. While our gain in circulation was not as large as in the pre- vious three years, it was a gain and circulation statistics indi- cate only a part of what goes on in the library. The daily reference work with the adults and children who visit the li- brary takes up a great part of each day and no one can estimate the far-reaching results of this work. Borrowing special books to fill the needs of adults and juniors who are engaged in research work or in developing projects of vital interest to them also comes into the daily routine. Besides the work with the public there are all of the "behind-the-scenes" activities which must be carried on in the effort to make our library a more useful and efficient institution as the months go by. Our total circulation of 51,629 consisted of 27,828 books borrowed by adults and 23,801 by junior readers.
On June 16, 1956, we began our re-registration of bor- rowers. Each borrower's card is issued for 4 years and at the end of that time, the borrower re-registers. All registrations which have expired on a certain date are removed from the file and in this way, our borrower's file is automatically kept up to date. On December 31, 1956, 3,105 borrowers had reg-
69
istered at the Library since June 16th, 1952. Of these, in 1956, 365 were new borrowers and 324 were re-registrations.
The growing use of the library continues to tax all of its resources and the staff does its best to meet all of the in- creased demands made upon it as efficiently as possible. The additional help which we have enjoyed since May 1956 has been of tremendous assistance in carrying on the daily rou- tine. It is the intention of all on the staff that the best possible service shall be extended to all who visit the library in search of good books or for important information.
Our great need at present is a larger book-budget. With that, our services could be further extended and would reach more people. Books are so much more expensive than they were even five years ago and the demands made upon us in- crease each year. We cannot begin to fill the requests made upon us by the pupils in the public schools. Our circulation would be much larger than we have recorded for 1956 if we had enough junior books to go around when the various classes visit the library.
Work on the discarding of worn-out and useless books and rearranging the collection goes on as time permits, in the hope that in the not-too-distant future a re-cataloguing project will be undertaken in the library.
Our work with the schools continues to grow and is now a part of the established routine. All elementary grades make weekly visits to the library with their teachers and the li- brarian and her assistants help the boys and girls to find good books to read, material on specific subjects, how to use the reference books and to use and enjoy a library in general. It seems to the librarian that there is no more important func- tion to be carried on by the library than the attempt to intro- duce boys and girls to good books and to endeavor to develop
70
them into good readers. Without a firm foundation as a good reader to begin with, further education becomes almost im- possible. One teacher remarked that he considered the library trips invaluable because there was so little time in school to give to actual reading and to emphasizing its importance. The trips to the library during school hours dramatize this im- portance and many parents and teachers have spoken of the decided improvement in reading which many children are enjoying as the result of this library and school collaboration.
The Junior and Senior High School pupils have their turn in the Library after 2:00 P.M. They come to do their reference work and to get books for study at home, books for "outside" reading, etc. A great deal of time is spent with these boys and girls, helping them to get the material they need with which to work out their many problems.
During the summer vacation the 7th and 8th grade chil- dren read books from a "Summer Reading List". The work was carried on at the library in co-operation with the Dux- bury School System. The library purchased many of the books which were on the list and helped the boys and girls select books suitable for their age and reading level. Several of the pupils read over 40 books each - this is the first time such a project has been carried on and we believe that it is a very worthwhile one
The foregoing is a general resumé of what went on in the library during 1956. It is impossible to give in detail the thousand and one things that go to make up a busy day. 1956 has been our busiest year. It is hoped that in 1957 we shall have additional income, especially for books and that we shall be enabled to grow and give even better service to all who come to our doors.
It was Clarence Day, author of "Life with Father" who wrote: "The world of books is the most remarkable creation
71
of man ... nothing else that he builds ever lasts .. . monuments fall ... nations perish ... civilizations grow old and die out; and, after an era of darkness, new races build others. But, in the world of books are volumes that have seen this happen again and again and yet live on ... still young ... still as fresh as the day they were written . .. still telling men's hearts of men centuries dead."
Once again it is the librarian's pleasure to extend her thanks and deep appreciation to all who have helped make the 1956 library year an enjoyable and successful one: to the Trustees, to the Staff - Mrs. Winifred T. Couch, Mrs. Odeal O. Moody and Mrs. Margaret R. Bates, to the members of the Duxbury Community Garden Club for their untiring efforts toward bringing beauty and charm to the interior of the library and to all of those who have so generously donated money, books, periodicals, plants and flowers. All of these kindnesses have benefited the library in many ways and the gratitude of all is extended to the givers.
Respectfully submitted,
MINNIE BURKE FIGMIC,
Librarian
72
REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE DUXBURY FREE LIBRARY, INC. As of December 31, 1956
INCOME ACCOUNT
RECEIPTS
On Hand Jan. 1, 1956:
In Bank
$ 400.93
Lucy Hathaway Fund
(in Town Treas.)
7.20
$ 408.13
$ 408.13
From various trust funds:
Wright
$3,184.09
Winsor
750.54
Hathaway
109.27
Duxbury Hall
257.60
Lucy Hathaway
(From Town Treasurer)
300.00
$4,601.50
$4,601.50
From Librarian - Petty Cash
125.00
From Donation
25.00
From Town of Duxbury (Appropriation $7,000)
6,998.45
$12,158.08
73
EXPENDITURES
Salaries
$ 6,328.96
Books
2,188.37
Insurance
394.60
Repairs and Improvements
151.14
Fuel Oil
904.07
Electricity
340.45
Telephone
132.50
Janitor Services and Grounds
587.85
Other Operating Expenses
150.23
$11,178.17
On Hand Dec. 31, 1956 - In Bank
979.91
$12,158.08
Respectfully submitted,
C. RUSSELL EDDY,
Treasurer
Audited by
WILLIAM B. COFFIN
74
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens and the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Duxbury:
The Water Department completed its first full year of operation as a town department with the charges for water and services furnished during the year exceeding the cost of opera- tion and maintenance and annual increments on principal and interest on the outstanding bonded indebtedness. The cost of operation and maintenance included the cost of administra- tion, supervision, labor and materials of normal operation. However, the non-recurring expenditures authorized in special articles in the Warrant for the 1956 Annual and Special Town Meetings including a part of the appropriation for the West Duxbury extension not raised by a bond issue resulted in a deficit that was met by general taxes. Attention is invited to the fact that the total amount of taxes to meet the deficit was less than that normally collected by the former Water District and now collected by the Town since it absorbed the District.
Purchase of Land. The purchase of the land necessary for the future operation of the new well at Duxbury Lake Shores authorized in Art. 46 of the Warrant for the 1956 Annual Town Meeting has been effected. This source is now completely available for any future expansion of the water system.
New Rules and Regulations. During the year, a com- pletely revised booklet on the Rules and Regulations of the Water Department, which replaces the old Water District booklet, has been prepared and should be distributed shortly after the first of the year.
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Bill Collection. The system of collecting water bills in April and October of each year instead of the usual April billing was inaugurated during the year in compliance with the state law (Chapter 487 of the Acts of 1954) . Some delay was encountered in October in making meter readings in certain cases and bills were delayed in some instances. It is believed that this difficulty will be overcome in the future.
Master Plan. The preparation of a report on the master plan for the future extension of the existing water system to determine sizes of future mains and the priority of building them, as authorized in Article 34 of the Warrant for the 1956 Annual Town Meeting, has been completed by the engineering firm of Whitman and Howard of Boston, Mass. It is attached hereto. Copies have been distributed to interested town officials.
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