USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1956-1960 > Part 52
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The roof was shingled at the Tarkiln Recreation Center and exterior walls were painted. Protective screening was placed over the large windows to prevent further costly damage by vandals.
The interior of the Old Town Hall was redecorated and the floor refinished. A new heating system was installed in the Abbott House, which provides office quarters for the Police and various other departments.
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Our customary yearly review of the Group Hospital and Insurance plan led us to adopt increased benefits. We polled the town employees and the result indicated 90% of the group wished to pay increased rates and receive increased coverage.
After many years of service as Patrolman and later as Chief of Duxbury's Police Department, James T. O'Neil retired on September 1st. Sergeant Earl W. Chandler was appointed Chief.
Robert B. Delano, who has served as Building Inspector since 1955, filed a resignation to become effective January 1, 1960. From among several well qualified applicants the Select- men have requested Frank Elmer Phillips, Jr., to serve as Interim Building Inspector on an appointment which will expire in March of 1960.
December found us at loss for the services of legal counsel. The serious illness of John J. Geogan, Esquire, our town counsel for many years, was followed by the sudden death of his asso- ciate, Elmer Egan, Esquire. In a few short weeks Mr. Geogan's illness terminated in death and he was replaced by his nephew, Robert Geogan, Esquire, who consented to serve the interim appointment which will expire in March of 1960.
Our Board has tried not to encroach upon the prerogatives of the various Officers and Committees whose duty it is to report through the Selectmen to you. We believe the public is better informed if the individual reports are expanded by those persons who have the responsibility for executing certain functions.
The fifteen foot tide of December 29th, 1959, which caused considerable damage elsewhere, created only minor problems in Duxbury, but reminded us that our nearby ocean can be an enemy as well as a friend. Federal dredging has increased the
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size of our basin and the 100 foot wide channel should con- tribute greatly to the convenience and pleasure of Duxbury's many boat owners.
It is too early to make accurate predictions for the coming year, except to comment that we expect the trend in rising tax rates to continue in direct ratio to the increased cost of ma- terials and services. Until the inflationary trend throughout the United States reaches its peak and prices level off there is little to be done at the town level to recapture prices which were in effect in the "good old days".
We wish to thank you for the privilege of serving you this past year, and we thank the officers and committees for the co- operation we have received from them.
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP W. DELANO JAMES H. W. JENNER J. NEWTON SHIRLEY
13
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 1959.
The Department had a total of 122 calls as follows:
Building
18
Oil Burner
6
Automobile
10
Emergency
75
Chimney
9
Stand-By
1
Bridge
2
False Alarm
1
This has been a very light year for the Fire Department in that our 18 building fires were not serious and all held to the point of origin.
During the month of May, all public buildings in the town were inspected and recorded in the Department's files. I found the owners of these public buildings, stores and garages very cooperative in every way. The schools and churches are in- spected quarterly, which has now become a law by the Depart- ment of Public Safety.
The following permits were issued and inspected: Bottle Gas 31; Oil Burner 66; also there were 1979 telephone permits issued for open air and incinerator fires.
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We feel very thankful for the cooperation which the Fire Department receives from the citizens of the Town of Duxbury for apparently they are fire-minded and, undoubtedly, some of the credit is due to TV and radio broadcasts which certainly help correct fire hazards in people's homes.
We always stand ready to answer any emergency. Please call WE 4-2121 for all emergencies, and for other business use the business telephone number WE 4-5500.
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. THEODORE W. PAGE
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 1959.
The Department had a total of 60 calls as follows:
Grass
28
Dump
13
Brush 10
Stand-By
1
Forest
5
Incinerator
3
Again this season was practically the same as last in that the wet spring and fall kept our forest fires down to a minimum.
The following fire permits were issued during 1959: 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 would like very much to exchange my small 3/4 -Ton Forest Fire truck for a 4-wheel drive due to the fact that in the past two years we have had so many calls on Duxbury Beach and do not, at the present time, have a truck suitable for this purpose and have to borrow one of the firemen's beach trucks.
I want to thank the Deputy Forest Wardens, fire fighters, Selectmen and Town Departments for their cooperation in the past year.
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 Department for the year ending December 31, 1959.
General repairs were made on all streets throughout the town. Several miles of black roads were given surface treatment.
Traffic lines were painted on the streets, roadsides mowed and guard rails repaired and painted.
The floats and bathing beaches at all Town Landings re- ceived annual care. At the Blue Fish River Landing, the wooden bulk head was replaced with a cement one. This work, being done by the Highway Department was a great saving in cost to the town.
Several whole sections were replaced in the Powder Point Bridge, and repairs made on all bridges as necessary.
Under Chapter 718 - The portion of Franklin Street, that was rebuilt last year, was surfaced with mixed-in-place. Also under Chapter 718 - guard rails were installed on Temple Street, and the shoulders graded.
Under Chapter 90 - New Construction - The project on Bay Road was completed.
Chapter 90 maintenance money was spent on Route 14.
Respectfully submitted,
LEWIS B. RANDALL,
Superintendent of Streets
17
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY TRUSTEES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
and the Citizens of Duxbury:
We submit our report for the year 1959.
We regret to have to mention the loss of Mr. Harry A. Tammett who faithfully served the town as a Cemetery Trustee for nearly eighteen years and was its chairman for nearly seven- teen years.
The report of the Superintendent has been received and notes the work of the Cemetery Department.
The Trustees have again checked the charges made for work done and have made increases where indicated.
We are pleased to announce that the increase in Per- petual Care Funds is over $18,000.00 or more than 5.5% increase.
We are requesting an appropriation of $18,800.00 to carry on the work of the Cemetery Department. It should be real- ized that more than $5,000.00 of this comes back to the town in collections for work done but it is not available to the Ceme- tery Department.
Our thanks go out to the Citizens of the Town for their cooperation in maintaining a fine cemetery.
Respectfully yours,
EDWARD P. HOBART, Chairman CARL E. JOHNSON ERNEST W. CHANDLER HERMON C. BUMPUS 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 1959.
At Mayflower, Ashdod, Dingley and Standish Cemeteries all general work was done and leaves were raked. Also the avenues were raked and cleaned. Boomer Square was cared for.
The fence around Dingley Cemetery was repaired and painted as were the cannons and fence in front of Standish Cemetery.
At Mayflower we have been grading walks and marking lots with cement markers. The fence along Tremont Street in front of cemetery and the tool house were painted. We trimmed the evergreens and edged around flush markers.
Perpetual and annual care lots were cared for; also the graves of the veterans.
There were fifty-five interments this year.
Respectfully submitted,
LAUREL B. FREEMAN,
Superintendent of Cemeteries
19
REPORT OF THE TOWN HISTORIAN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Duxbury:
The history of Duxbury continues to fascinate the His- torian and the people of the town. During 1959 there were many calls on the resources and information held by this de- partment. Requests for tourist information have increased to the point where it is necessary to consider a printed pamphlet.
Some sole patterns, forms, and pegs were received by gift: These relate to the home industry that kept many Duxbury families from want about a hundred years ago. Such gifts are appreciated.
Pictures and information have been added to the general collection of notes, and are available to all who have interest in them.
Respectfully submitted,
DOROTHY WENTWORTH,
Town Historian
20
PLYMOUTH COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE
By Robert B. Ewing, County Agent-Manager
The Plymouth County Extension Service, located in the Court House, Brockton, Mass., in cooperation with the Uni- versity of Massachusetts and the United States Department of Agriculture, supplies information concerning the Home, 4-H Club Work, and Agriculture to any citizen residing in Plymouth County.
The Extension Service, through its Agricultural Agents, provides Plymouth County farmers with information pertaining to all phases of commercial agriculture, including Farm Man- agement, Production, Marketing, Insect and Disease Control Programs, etc.
More people continue to move into our Plymouth County towns. Many of these folks, coming from urban areas, make their first contact with "Agriculture" when they arrive here. Each year we receive an increasing number of requests from this group for information about the Home - Lawns and Home Grounds. We endeavor to provide the information.
While we have always been asked to identify insects, along with injury caused by insects and diseases, this year we have received an exceptional number of requests for assistance in controlling or eradicating squirrels, raccoons, skunks, flies, ants, and woodticks.
4-H Club Members continue to amaze adults with their excellent project work, programs, demonstrations, and activi- ties. More people see 4-H club members in action at our southeastern Massachusetts fairs than in any other manner. At
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these fairs some four hundred Plymouth County 4-H club members participated in livestock and home economics exhibits as well as demonstrations and contests. One outstanding Plym- outh County 4-H dairy club member was selected as one of five in the United States to receive a $400 scholarship in the National 4-H Dairy Program. Many people fail to realize that 4-H Club Work is the Extension Service's youth program.
Programs of the Home Department, primarily for adult women, are not limited to any one particular group in the community. Some have the mistaken impression that only one group can be organized in each community. Your community or town can have just as many homemakers' groups as it can provide leadership for.
Along with the regular programs, agents in the Home Department conducted two outstanding programs this year that were of interest to many women in Plymouth County. The first was a Home Finance Forum where such topics as Use of Credit, Financing a Home, Insurance, Social Security, etc. were discussed. The second one in cooperation with the Massachu- setts Department of Commerce had for its theme "How the Homemaker Can Supplement the Family Income".
As a citizen of this town, you should be aware of the fact that the Extension Service is supported by the county, state, and federal governments, and that a large number of Plymouth County citizens avail themselves of the opportunity to secure free help and information pertaining to the Home, Home Grounds, 4-H Club Work, and Agriculture. Requests for such information should be directed to the Plymouth County Exten- sion Service, Court House, Brockton, Mass.
Funds for the Plymouth County Extension Service are derived principally from the County. Some federal funds are also made available through the University of Massachusetts.
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Most towns in Plymouth County make an appropriation at the town meeting which is used for the general expenditures of the Plymouth County Extension Service. Town Directors are ap- pointed 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.
A Board of Trustees, appointed by the Plymouth County Commissioners, administer the Extension Service program, and is composed of the following members:
Gilbert Blackledge, Whitman, Chairman
Mrs. Harold D. Bent, Brockton
John A. Howe, West Bridgewater
Mrs. A. Harris Kenyon, Hanover (Resigned Dec. 1959) Paul Lehtola, Bridgewater John W. Little, Marshfield
Maurice Makepeace, Wareham
John Prentice, Plymouth
Mrs. Herbert Wydom, Brockton
GUY L. SOUTHARD,
Town Director
23
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Board of Appeals held twenty-five public hearings during the year of 1959. Twenty-four were held at the Town Office Building on St. George St. and because of the limited space at the Town Office Building one was held at the Elemen- tary School auditorium.
Sixteen of the petitions were granted, four were not granted, four petitioners did not appear and one petition was voluntarily cancelled by the applicant.
The Board wishes to thank the interested citizens who came to the hearings and expressed their feelings during the year of 1959 and hope that there will be as much or more interest shown during the year of 1960.
Respectfully submitted by:
EDWARD P. HOBART H. RUSSELL CHANDLER ELBURT C. LOTH, Chairman
Dec. 31, 1959
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REPORT OF THE HARBOR MASTER
December 31, 1959
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Again this year there were approximately 500 boats of all sizes in Duxbury. Small sailboats and outboards were more numerous, whereas the number of inboards and larger sailboats decreased, mainly due to the dredging operations.
The dredge arrived on June 15th and started work the next day. As 1959 ends the channel is finished and the basin dredging should be completed shortly. The exact size of the basin cannot be determined until a survey is completed, but Butler's City Service Dock now has a straight entrance and deep water.
Notice has been received from the Coast Guard that upon the completion of this dredging our channel will be maintained and properly buoyed as required by law, as a Federal Project.
Complaints from the Cove Street area that boats were speeding and endangering swimmers were investigated and found to be justified. Excessive speed in this area has been a dangerous practice and will be closely watched during the summer of 1960. Signs will be erected beginning at the Smith Landing Area and running to Cove Street, warning boats to slow down to 5 miles an hour.
Beach Channel and Joe's Point were marked. During the dredging operations both these areas were greatly used.
Respectfully submitted,
VICTOR D. NICKERSON,
Harbor Master
25
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, 1959.
LIST OF OFFENCES
Incest
1
Escapee
2
Assault and Battery
3
Assault with Intent to Rape
1
Alien in possession of Firearms
1
Breaking and Entering
1
Delinquency
20
Drunkenness
10
Indecent Exposure
1
Lewd and Lascivious in speech and behavior
1
Malicious destruction of property
15
Neglect of minor child
4
Neglected Children
2
Operating after revocation of license
1
Operating under influence of liquor
3
Operating so as might endanger
6
Operating uninsured vehicle
2
Operating unregistered vehicle
2
Operating vehicle with improper plates attached
1
Operating without license
5
Using Motor Vehicle without authority
2
Possession of obscene literature and pictures
1
Violation of Probation
2
Total
87
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DISPOSITIONS
Held for Grand Jury
2
Released
1
Dismissed
2
Found Guilty and fines imposed
19
Placed on file
5
Suspended sentence and probation
14
Continued without finding on probation
24
Found Not Guilty
4
Turned over to other authority
16
Total
87
MISCELLANEOUS
Calls and Complaints investigated
2499
Messages delivered
251
Emergency trips to Hospital by Cruisers
28
Motor Vehicle Accidents investigated
109
Summons served
118
Doors and windows secured or reported to owners 72
Parking Tags issued
367
Animals destroyed
99
Animals returned to owners
108
Deaths investigated
4
Beach permits issued
2256
Shellfish licenses issued
1234
Pistol permits issued
27
Dealers licenses (Firearms)
4
Miles travelled by Cruisers
84,452
Value of money and property recovered and
returned to owners
$5,971.71
Respectfully submitted, EARL W. CHANDLER, Acting Chief of Police
27
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT INSECT PEST CONTROL
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Following is a report of Insect Pest Control for the year ending December 31, 1959.
Tent Caterpillars were very few the past season and were confined to the north end of the beach section of Town.
A good control was obtained on the Elm Leaf Beetle by the foliage spray of the elms.
Gypsy and Brown Tail Moths have not put in an appear- ance for several years. We did not trap for the Gypsy Moth the past season as no egg clusters have been located since the Plymouth County Spray Project.
The Japanese Beetles appeared to be about one-half as numerous as last year.
Fall Web Worms were no problem, although some work was involved in the control. Spraying and scouting for the insects is done each season.
Several Heavy infestations of Poison Ivy were sprayed.
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:
I submit, herewith, my report of the Tree Department for the year of 1959.
Pruning of overhanging branches along the streets; cut- ting back the corners; removing dead trees that might blow across the street; cabling weak branches and pruning out dead wood, constitutes the major part of the Tree program. Fer- tilizing trees in key positions and those that are low in vitality is also taken care of.
The planting of new trees to replace those that must come down as well as planting on new streets, more than offsets the number necessary to remove.
Thirty-eight trees were planted during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS,
Tree Warden
29
REPORT OF PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Duxbury:
Following is a report of the Parks and Playgrounds Com- mittee for the year of 1959.
The work on Parks and Playgrounds starts off with fer- tilizing the ball fields and Train field the first week of April. At this time the clay tennis courts are re-graded and put into shape.
During April all ball fields are fixed up and about the first of May we start mowing of the grass. These and all other fields that we mow must first be hand-picked of stones, sticks and glass.
In addition to the school playgrounds, there are ten other plots about Town to be taken care of as much as time and money will permit.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS, Superintendent
Parks and Playgrounds
30
REPORT OF CONTROL OF DUTCH ELM DISEASE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
The work in the Control of Dutch Elm Disease has been carried out the same as in other years.
The dormant spraying of the elm trees with the 12% D.D.T. solution was started the first week of April and con- tinued into the month of May. The foliage spray of 6% was also applied.
Scouting and sampling of elm trees starts the 20th of June and continues the balance of the year. Infected trees are taken down right away or pruned severely to eliminate Fall spreading of the disease.
There were seventeen Dutch Elm-diseased trees found in Duxbury this year. However, ten of these diseased trees oc- curred on one street that we did not spray because of about twenty young lambs feeding under the trees.
In spite of conditions weather-wise and otherwise, our control among our sprayed trees was as good this past year as it has been other years. This is our twelfth year with a control of better than 99%.
Respectfully submitted, ROY E. PARKS,
Tree Warden
31
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE 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 1959:
On hand December 31, 1958
Principal $25,000.00
Income $4,143.15
Income for 1959
814.19
$4,957.34
Paid in 1959 for relief of worthy cases
596.21
Balance December 31, 1959 $25,000.00
$4,361.13
PHILIP W. DELANO
JAMES H. W. JENNER J. NEWTON SHIRLEY MAURICE H. SHIRLEY, Treasurer
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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 1959:
Principal Stocks*
Income
On hand December 31, 1958
$22,777.24
$3,264.99
Less: Audit Adjustment -
(Bank Service Charge for purchase of Tel. stock 1957)
.50
Adjusted Balance
$22,776.74
Income for 1959
2,131.33
$5,396.32
Distribution to various Departments
4,600.00
On hand, December 31, 1959
$22,776.74
$ 796.32
PHILIP W. DELANO
JAMES H. W. JENNER J. NEWTON SHIRLEY MAURICE H. SHIRLEY, Treasurer
*For more detailed information see Investment section in this report.
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REPORT OF SHELLFISH CONSTABLE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I submit my report as Shellfish Constable for the year 1959.
The natural propagation of clams and quahogs during 1959 was fairly good but there was a great loss of seed and small quahogs on certain areas during the early months of winter due to the extreme low temperatures and formation of ice on the shores.
Eight new grants were issued on Isaac's Flat bringing the total of all grants to twenty. The seeding of these grants has been quite satisfactory but has been slightly hampered by the difficulty of obtaining clam seed. Many grantees have planted quahogs for the present until clam seed is more readily available.
Fifty commercial permits were issued at $5.00 each and 1,451 at 50 cents. There were also 34 given free of charge to persons over 70 years of age.
Following is the record of shellfish and sea worms taken commercially during the year.
35,730 sea worms @ $0.03
$1,071.90
1,540 bushels mixed quahogs @
4.50
6,930.00
150 bushels quahogs @ 2.00
300.00
52 bushels mixed quahogs @ 6.25
325.00
93 bushels little necks @ 9.60
892.80
80 bushels cherry stones @ 4.80
384.00
72 bushels razors @ 7.00 504.00
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40 bushels razors
@
9.00
360.00
12 bushels clams
@
8.00
96.00
37 bushels clams
@
10.00
370.00
21 bushels mussels
@
2.00
42.00
40 bushels mussels
@ 3.00
120.00
Total all shellfish and worms
$11,395.70
Respectfully submitted, MANUEL OLIVER,
Shellfish Constable
35
REPORT OF VETERANS' AGENT
December 31, 1959
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I respectfully submit my report as Agent and Director for the Department of Veterans Services for the year 1959.
This Department assisted numerous Veterans, and their dependents, in obtaining the many benefits they are entitled to under State and Federal Laws.
Five pension claims, two Compensation, one Civil Service pension, and one Social Security Award were handled, the applicants now receive Federal pension checks. Eight Veterans were helped to obtain the necessary Veterans' Administration Hospitalization.
I have registered twenty-five local eighteen year old boys for Draft Board No. 29, Marshfield, Massachusetts.
During the year, we have had a total of seventeen cases, representing thirty-seven persons who received Veterans Bene- fits.
I recovered the sum of $867.00 for the Town, having had a Lien against an insurance settlement due one of our cases.
In my capacity, as Burial Agent, two cases were handled.
The appropriation for this Department was $14,085.00, but, due to unforeseen medical expenses, it was necessary to
36
request the Finance Committee to transfer the sum of $3,000.00 from the Reserve Fund to carry us through the last two months of the year. $556.55 of this $3,000.00 was not used and will be returned to the Reserve Fund.
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