USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1956-1960 > Part 62
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The Department had a total of 84 calls as follows:
Grass 15
Dump 10
Brush 45
Forest
12
Incinerator 1
False Alarm 1
This year we have had more brush and forest fires, many of which were of a suspicious nature; also a lot of repair on trucks and equipment.
Most of our fires run less than an acre which does not cost too much to extinguish and clean up but we had several forest fires this year that run from 5 to 10 acres during the dry season which means you have to leave men and trucks checking it, some times as long as two to three days.
This year, 1960, there were 245 beach permits issued by Ford's Store, Duxbury Beach; 450 issued by Duxbury Beach Park at Blakeman's Store and 245 at the Central Fire Station.
There is an article in the town warrant to purchase a 4-wheel drive truck which I hope very much will be voted, as the Department needs a truck of this type.
I want to thank the Deputy Forest Wardens, fire fighters, Selectmen and Town Departments for their co- operation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
EBEN N. BRIGGS
Forest Warden
19
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, 1960.
All streets throughout the town received annual care. Several miles of black roads were given surface treat- ment. Roadsides were mowed, traffic lines were painted and guard rails repaired.
By special appropriations, the remaining portion of Temple Street was graded, graveled and surfaced, Mullins Avenue was extended three tenths of a mile, graded, graveled and surfaced and Beaver Brook Lane was surfaced.
The bathing beaches and floats at all town landings received annual repairs. Fourteen sections were replaced in the Powder Point bridge and other repairs made when necessary.
Chapter-90 - Maintenance money was spent on Route 14.
Under Chapter-90 - New Construction - Brushing out was started on Franklin Street and will be Continued in 1961.
Respectfully Submitted,
LEWIS B. RANDALL Superintendent of Streets
20
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY TRUSTEES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
and the Citizens of Duxbury :
Your Board of Cemetery Trustees render their re- port for the year 1960.
The regular work done in the cemeteries in Duxbury is covered in the report of the Superintendent. He has also reported on the additional work needed to clean up the damage done by hurricane "Donna".
While we are able to report a continued increase in the Perpetual Care Funds with added income for the operation of the cemeteries, increase in labor costs does not allow a decrease in the appropriation needed to carry out the work of the department. We are asking for an appropriation of $18,714.00, an increase of about $300.00. It should be noted that last year the town re- ceived back over $5,800.00 for work done on the lots.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD P. HOBART, Chairman HERMAN C. BUMPUS, M.D. ERNEST W. CHANDLER CARL E. JOHNSON J. NEWTON SHIRLEY, Secretary
21
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF CEMETERIES
To the Cemetery Trustees :
I submit my report for the year 1960.
At Mayflower, Ashdod, Dingley, and Standish Ceme- teries all general work was done. The avenues were edged and cleaned. The leaves were raked away, and the ever- greens trimmed. Boomer Square was cared for. Some grading was done, making a number of lots available in the old part of Mayflower Cemetery. Each year additional lawn mowing and trimming increase the work of the cemetery department.
There was a large amount of additional work due to storm damage in the cemeteries by Hurricane Donna. A large part of the damage has been cleaned up; the balance of the work will be completed in sixty-one. The Department employees did a fine job in cleaning up the Cemeteries.
The first of this year we sent out leaflets and cards with reference to lots which had insufficient care funds, and also to lot owners who had made no provision for perpetual care. As a result, sixty lot owners increased their funds, and a number of owners started new funds. Others replied they would add funds very soon or make provisions in their wills. A number of cemeteries are asking lot owners to provide for adequate perpetual care so that the number of abandoned lots will be greatly re- duced in the future. Perpetual care is the responsibility of the owners of lots, or their heirs.
22
Perpetual care lots and annual care lots were proper- ly maintained; also the graves of the veterans received our attention. The veterans' monument at the main gate was cleaned.
There were sixty-four interments this year.
Respectfully submitted, LAUREL B. FREEMAN Superintendent of Cemeteries
23
REPORT OF THE TOWN HISTORIAN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
To fill a need felt for some time, a pamphlet listing the best known of Duxbury's historic spots has been printed and placed for distribution. This has been well received.
A single page brief history has also been printed to be sent to the numerous school children who ask every year for the history of colonial Duxbury.
As in other years, talks have been given to various groups, help given to students and researchers, and more items of past history gathered for the files. The resources of the department are available to all.
Respectfully submitted. DOROTHY WENTWORTH
Historian
To Town Directors,
Plymouth County Extension Service
(Trustees, Plymouth County Aid to Agriculture) .
Dear Director:
Each year Town Directors request a report that can be included in their Annual Town Report. Enclosed is material that may be used for that purpose if you so desire. You may even want to add a paragraph or two about local Extension activities pertaining to 4-H Club Work, Agriculture, or the Home.
For the information that you have furnished the residents in your community by telephone, news articles,
24
letter, and this report, the Board of Trustees, Plymouth County Extension Service, is most appreciative.
Any suggestions that you may have for improving service to the citizens in your community, should be sent to this office at any time.
My personal thanks to you for serving as a Town Director during 1960.
ROBERT B. EWING County Agent-Manager
c/o Chairman, Board of Selectmen
P.S. A copy of this report is being sent to the Chairman of your Board of Selectmen. RBE
25
PLYMOUTH COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE (Plymouth County Extension Service) By Robert B. Ewing, County Agent-Manager
The Plymouth County Extension Service (legal name - County Aid to Agriculture) is located in the Court House, Brockton. Since 1915, when it was first estab- lished, the Extension Service, in cooperation with the University of Massachusetts and the United States De- partment of Agriculture, has been furnishing informa- tion in three categories - Agriculture, Home Economics and 4-H, to the citizens of Plymouth County.
The Extension Service is known as the educational arm of the United States Department of Agriculture. In other words, its job is to supply information to people who request it and who reside in Plymouth County. A staff of agents conduct programs (in Agriculture, Home Economics, and 4-H Club Work) by furnishing educa- tional information through farm and home visits, letters, newspaper articles, radio talks, meetings, and office visits. Basically the job of the Extension Service has been the same since 1915, namely to supply information. The programs may vary from time to time and be of a tentative nature to meet an emergency. The basic objec- tive of the Extension Service remains the same but people and times do change.
When the Extension service was first organized, its job in Agriculture was to supply information to com- mercial farmers. However, with an increased population estimated at 30% for the past 10 years in this county the Extension Service is faced with the task of supplying information, not only to commercial farmers, but to part-time farmers, and the new home owners. The Ex- tension Service furnishes the information, but it is up
26
to the individual to make the decision as to how this information can be used to the best advantage.
This year, along with the normal requests for infor- mation, we had an exceedingly large number of requests pertaining to lawns and the care of lawns. This includes seeding, fertilizing and control of insects, diseases and weeds. We also had more than the usual number of requests for information on Japanese beetles, squirrels, pigeons, ants, mosquitoes, etc. It is gratifying to know that many who followed the information obtained satisfactory results.
In general, it is quite difficult to find out how much money an individual farmer saves as a result of educational information that he obtains through the Extension Service. However, this past year we were able to do this in one particular instance. Poultrymen and dairymen in Plymouth County has asked for infor- mation pertaining to the home-mixing of grain. As a result of a series of meetings set up by the Extension agents, at which information on this particular subject was discussed, members of one cooperative in Plymouth County are now saving in the vicinity of $5 per ton of grain. At this rate it means that the dairymen and poultrymen in this cooperative are saving over $20,000 a year in their grain costs.
A new Home Department Advisory Board was es- tablished this year to assist the agents with some phases of the Home Department programs.
The young people in Plymouth County who are in 4-H Club Work participate in one of the finest "fair programs" that is conducted in Massachusetts. Plymouth County 4-H Fair, local community fairs, and other major fairs in southeastern Massachusetts provide an excellent opportunity for 4-H club members to exhibit the products they have grown, produced and made as a result of their project work. When five hundred or more 4-H club mem-
27
bers participate in a program, it gives the public an excellent opportunity to see the results of their activities. We are particularly proud of the achievements of our Plymouth County 4-H club members.
Every citizen in Plymouth County 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 them- selves of the opportunity to secure free help and informa- tion pertaining to 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 the Plymouth County Extension Service are derived principally from the County. Some federal funds are also made available through the University of Massachusetts. Most towns in Plymouth County make an appropriation at the town meeting which is used for the general expenditures of the Plymouth County Exten- sion 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.
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
LEWIS BILLINGS, Plympton MRS. MABEL CHANDLER, Duxbury ROBERT HAMMOND, Wareham
JOHN A. HOWE, West Bridgewater
JOHN W. LITTLE, Marshfield
JOHN PRENTICE, Plymouth
MRS. HERBERT WYDOM, Brockton
GUY L. SOUTHARD, Town Director
28
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Board of Appeals held thirty-three public hear- ings during the year of 1960. Twenty-two were held at the Town Office Building on St. George St., and because of the limited space at the Town Office Building the rest were held at the Elementary School. In the future all hearings will be held at the Elementary School Building.
Twenty of the petitions were granted, eleven were not granted, one petitioner did not appear, and one peti- tion was voluntarily withdrawn by the applicant.
Two decisions handed down by the Board were chal- lenged by the petitioners in Superior Court. The Duxbury Town Counsel lost both cases. On his advice the Select- men have taken one of the cases to the Supreme Court to try to have the Superior Court's decree reversed.
The Board wishes to thank the interested citizens who came to the hearings and expressed their feelings during the year of 1960, and hope there will be as much or more interest shown during the year of 1961.
Respectfully submitted,
ELBURT C. LOTH, Chairman EDWARD P. HOBART, Secretary H. RUSSELL CHANDLER
29
REPORT OF HARBOR MASTER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The 1959 dredging of the basin and channel made it necessary to remove and replace all moorings. The re- setting of moorings for the 1960 season was done in ac- cordance with a plan developed by the Water Front Committee. The plan has allowed us to take full advan- tage of the available deep water mooring area, and the orderly arrangement of moorings has made for a safer mooring area generally.
The great increase in the number of boats operating at high speed in Duxbury Bay during the past few sea- sons has threatened the safety of all who use the Bay.
I recommend that regulations designed to control this situation, along with adequate means of enforcement, be provided so that speed boats will operate safely in these waters, and we will continue to enjoy the pleasure of safe boating and swimming.
This year there were approximately 537 boats, all sizes, moored in Duxbury. An increase of 37 over last year.
Dredging came to a halt in the middle of January 1960. The channel was completed to a depth of 8' and 100' wide to buoys 11 and 12. The basin was dredged to a depth of 8 ft. and enlarged 3 acres giving us an approximate total of 19 acres. The job called for a com- pletion of 21 acres, but because of the added expense of towing the fill out to sea the allotted money was used up. The remaining acreage will be finished as soon as funds are available.
30
The Coast Guard buoyed our main channel, as prom- ised, with nine additional markers, giving us regulation buoys all the way.
A mooring fee was adopted after being approved by the Waterfront Committee, Selectmen, and Town Counsel. 129 mooring fee bills were sent out at 50¢ a foot. This included all boats in deep water at the basin. A total of $1,410.00 was collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer.
Twenty-five channel markers were set out; (Twenty at beach channel and five at Joe's Point, Standish Shore.) This year six channel markers, previously main- tained by Mr. Amesbury, were turned over to the Town. A total of thirty-six channel markers will now be main- tained by the Town.
Respectfully submitted, VICTOR D. NICKERSON Harbor Master
31
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, 1960.
LIST OF OFFENSES
Assault and Battery
3
Assault with dangerous weapon
1
Breaking, Entering and Larceny
4
Delinquency (Juvenile)
9
Drunkeness
18
Giving false name to Officer
1
Furnishing liquor to minors
1
Illegitimate Child act
1
Larceny
1
Leaving scene of accident
2
Lewdness
1
Malicious destruction of property
1
Manslaughter
1
Non-Support
1
Operating M.V. after license suspension
3
Operating M.V. so as might endanger
11
Operating M.V. under influence of liquor
8
Operating M.V. without license
2
Receiving stolen goods
1
Speeding
1
Use of M.V. without authority
7
Violation of probation 2
Total
80
32
DISPOSITIONS
Found guilty and fined 40
Found guilty and committed 11
Found guilty and placed on probation 18
Continued without finding on probation 5
Turned over to other authorities
6
MISCELLANEOUS
Calls and Complaints investigated
2591
Accidents investigated
93
Messages delivered
127
Summons served
69
Animals destroyed
42
Animals returned to owners
45
Emergency trips to doctors and hospitals
62
Deaths investigated
3
Doors and windows secured
or reported to owners
55
Parking tags issued
183
Warnings issued for minor motor vehicle violations
174
Beach Parking Permits (including replacements)
2318
Pistol Permits issued
26
Dealers Licenses (Firearms)
4
Shell-fish Permits issued
1313
Value of money and property recovered and returned
$7767.00
Miles travelled by Cruisers
96,936
DEPARTMENT ROSTER
Chief Earl W. Chandler
Sergeant
Lawrence C. Doyle
80
33
Patrolmen Henry P. McNeil
George F. White
Richard E. Putnam
Thomas A. Johnson William K. LaFleur
Intermittent Patrolmen
Frank E. Phillips, Jr. Robert D. Byrne
Intermittent Patrolmen - Provisional
Gilbert M. MacNab
Michael J. Sheehan
Franklin J. Werner, Jr. Kenneth Lovejoy
Respectfully submitted,
EARL W. CHANDLER Chief of Police
34
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT INSECT PEST CONTROL
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The following is a report of Insect Pest Control for the year 1960.
Insect pests make their appearance in April and the Tent Caterpillars are about first on the list. In recent years the only infestation has been at the North end of Duxbury Beach and during the past year there has been a marked decrease in numbers. However, a build-up in Ugly Nest Caterpillar on Choke Cherry and Beach Plums in that area was short-lived, reproducing less than a dozen egg clusters last year.
Our distressing problem last summer was the in- ability to control the Elm Leaf Beetles. Reports from Amherst were that the insect was becoming immune to D.D.T. A change in spray material is being made to control this insect this coming season.
Other insects on the Insect Pest List appear to be on the decrease.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS, Superintendent
Insect Pest Control
35
REPORT OF CONTROL OF DUTCH ELM DISEASE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
During the year 1960 our elm trees were pruned, two sprays applied and the diseased trees removed.
There were eight diseased trees in all the elms that were sprayed. In the group of elms that were not sprayed, there were fourteen diseased trees.
The hurricane caused many broken elm branches and if these are not removed and burned within the next few months, they will help increase the spread of Dutch Elm Disease.
We have recorded, in actual count, up to 7,800 young beetles under the bark in an area of two square feet. This indicates the importance of removing dying, dis- eased, and broken branches from the elms. The coopera- tion of property owners in this regard has been greatly appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS Tree Warden
36
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Duxbury :
I herewith submit my report for the Tree Depart- ment during the year 1960.
The major part of the work that was done in this department during the year was cleaning up after the hurricane. This work included the removal of hanging and broken branches in the tops of trees. The low- hanging branches that would interfere with the snow- plowing and sanding trucks were removed, as well as the dead and dangerous trees that might fall into the streets during storms.
The trees planted during the year included 8 Elms, 17 Maples, 5 Purple Beach, 1 Hawthorne, 3 Sweet Gums, 2 Red Leaf Smoke trees, 16 Flowering Crabs, 2 Flowering Cherry trees, 6 Willows, 1 Ginkgo, 2 Dwarf Euonymus and 1 London Planetree.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS Tree Warden
37
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Duxbury :
The work on Parks and Playgrounds started the first of April with the cleaning up of the grounds and fertilizing of grass areas.
The surface of the clay tennis courts was cultivated, reworked, rolled and ready for use the middle of April.
In addition to the play area around the School, there are eight other small areas, all of which require a man's full time and only possible by cooperation from the Highway Department with the use of its equipment.
At the Myles Standish Cellar Lot a drainage system was extended to give better protection from erosion at this point.
Hurricane "Donna" caused additional work at the playground, some of which has already been done and things will be on schedule when Spring comes.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS, Superintendent
Parks and Playgrounds
38
REPORT OF THE SHELL FISH WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I submit my report as Shellfish Constable for the year 1960.
There were twenty-one annual fee forms set out and $26.75 collected from grant holders and one new grant permit issued for $5.00.
Three hundred and forty bushels of Cherrystones and large Quahaugs and ten bushels of Seed Quahaugs were planted during the summer and early fall.
About six acres of shore were plowed at Shipyard Lane and Elder Brewster Rd. in an attempt to catch floating Clam seed this coming spring.
Fifty-eight commercial permits were issued at $5.00 each, 1,531 family permits at 50¢ and 25 free ones.
Following is the record of shellfish and sea-worms taken commercially during the year.
340 bushels quahaugs @
$2.50 $
850.00
412 bushels cherry stones
@
4.00
1,648.00
220 bushels little necks
@
9.60
2,112.00
600 bushels mixed quahaugs
@
4.00 2,400.00
12 bushels clams
@
8.00
96.00
24 bushels clams
@
12.00
288.00
21 bushels clams
@
9.00
189.00
24 bushels mussells
@
2.00
48.00
22,530 sea-worms
@
.03
675.90
140 bushels razorfish
@
9.00
1,260.00
72 bushels razorfish
@
12.00
864.00
Total all shellfish and worms
$10,430.90
Respectfully submitted,
MANUEL OLIVER Shellfish Constable
39
REPORT OF VETERANS' AGENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I respectfully submit my report as Agent and Direc- tor for the Department of Veterans Services for the year 1960.
I have continued to assist Veterans, and their De- pendents, in filing and obtaining the many State and Federal Benefits, they are eligible for. Four Pension and one Compensation claims were handled, the applicants to receive Federal checks.
I have registered forty local eighteen year old boys for Draft Board No. 29, Marshfield, Massachusetts.
During the year, we have had a total of nineteen cases, representing fifty-five persons who received Veterans Benefits. Four additional cases, with out of Town settlements, were also handled by this Department.
I recovered the sum of $1,144.75 for the Town, hav- ing 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 $14,412.00, but due to the Fore River Ship Yard Strike on January 22, through June 19, this Department acquired five unexpected cases, and also due to unfore- seen medical expenses, it was necessary to request the Finance Committee to transfer the sum of $3,000.00 from the Reserve Fund to carry us through the last three months of the year. $336.33 of this $3,000.00 was not used and will be returned to the Reserve Fund.
The State Department of Veterans Services will reimburse the Town approximately half of the amount expended this year.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY P. McNEIL
Agent
40
HEALTH DEPARTMENT 1960
I hereby submit my report as Agent for the Board of Health, for the year 1960.
Until the final acceptance for general usage of the Sabin oral vaccine for Poliomyelitis, the Department of Public Health still advises that booster shots of Salk vaccine be given yearly. It is not fair to any child who has had the protection of the original series of shots not to continue the program.
The communicable diseases reported to the Depart- ment during the past year were as follows:
Measles 6
Mumps
40
Chicken Pox 48
Dog Bites 6
Tuberculosis 1
German Measles 13
Venereal Disease 1
Please report all such diseases, even though they may be mild and not seen by a physician.
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 inspec- tion and licensing of eating establishments, chicken farms and the like.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE ROSS STARR, JR., M.D.
41
DUXBURY FREE LIBRARY
To the Trustees :
At the end of another calendar year, 1960 belongs to the annals of the past. The history of a library year is important to all who are in any way concerned with the administration and functioning of the library as well as to those who depend upon its services and resources for information and recreation.
In many ways 1960 differed from the first seven years of the present librarian's sojourn in office. To begin with it was a year of very bad storms and generally inclement weather. A blizzard on March 4th kept the library closed on Friday and Saturday of that week and the schools on Friday and Monday. On September 12th the hurricane closed the library that day and the schools were closed on September 12th, 13th, and 14th. On December 12th the library was closed when another blizzard descended upon Duxbury and the schools re- mained closed on the 12th and 13th of December. In addition to these major storms torrential rains through- out the year and minor visitations of snow greatly hampered the carrying on of our Elementary School Pro- gramme. There were many Thursdays when the rain was so heavy that none of the classes could get to the library. Thursday is the day when either 5 or 7 classes are scheduled for their library visit. On Wednesday two classes come and one class comes on every other day ex- cept Saturday. Not only weather but many changes in our population also contributed to the small loss in circulation which the library suffered in 1960. Several of our best "reading families" moved away, all loth to go, and their staunch support of the library was very much missed.
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