USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1961-1965 > Part 13
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Bay Rd.
Sales Eng.
Sinnott, Margaret L.
Tremont St.
Telephone Operator
Smithson, James Southard, Clayton B.
Congress St.
Foreman & Realtor Tax Cons.
Spring, Hobart Wadsworth Sunset Rd.
Stetson, Brewster
Marshall St.
Sales
Sullivan, Dudley J.
Harrison St.
Sales
Swanson, Arthur E.
Hornbeam Rd.
Sales Eng.
Sawyer, William P.
Summer St., RFD
Mechanic
Company President
Feeley, Thomas J.
Architect
Purchasing Agent
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Swanson, Elsa B. Taft, Byron W. Trainer, Foster M.
Venier, Madeline C. Vose, Harold L., Jr. Walker, Donald D.
Ward, Rosamond R. Watt, Nancy L.
Whittemore, C. Mae Wickham, Edward F. Williams, Frances G. Wirt, Herbert C.
Tremont St.
Housewife
Oil Dir.
King Caesar Rd.
Partner Inv. Firm Housewife
Tremont St.
Union St.
Paint Sales
Tremont St.
Real Est. & Ins. Agt.
Surplus St.
Housewife
Weston Rd.
Housewife
Washington St.
Housewife
Josselyn Ave.
Marine Engineer
St. George St.
Housewife
Bay Rd.
Plumbing Contr.
PHILIP W. DELANO
JAMES H. W. JENNER J. NEWTON SHIRLEY
Board of Selectmen of Duxbury
Tremont St.
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1962 SELECTMEN'S REPORT
To the Citizens of Duxbury:
We submit herewith the one hundred and tenth an- nual report of the officers and committees who comprise your town government. We commend them all to your careful study.
1962 was a busy year. Fortunate are we indeed to have good zoning laws which help to insure the orderly growth of our town. Our town is growing and with this growth the town departments have additional work to perform. We are more than fortunate in having dedicated, respon- sible town employees who take this growth in stride. The duties our personnel are required to perform have become more arduous and more complex every year. The Select- men are grateful for the loyalty shown them by the town personnel.
Early in January the garage at the police station was completed, and at the same time the kitchen of the so- called Abbot House was completely repaired and reno- vated so that it now serves as a waiting room we can proudly display.
Vinyl tile has been used to replace the aged and oil soaked wooden floors on the first floor of the town office, helping to alleviate a lighting problem, as well as remov- ing hazardous splinters and surface irregularities.
In accordance with the vote of the town meeting a new police cruiser was purchased, a truck added to the Highway Department, and a new boat and motor were purchased for the Harbor Master and Shellfish Warden.
The bulkhead at Mattakessett Court has been rebuilt and at this writing the extension to the seawall at Dux- bury Beach is under construction.
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Repairs to Powder Point Bridge were delayed to give the Selectmen adequate time to explore the economic feasibility of replacing the burned section with a concrete causeway. Original estimates were encouraging, but actual bids on the work indicated that the cost would be prohibitive in view of the negligible benefits of such a causeway. Therefore, the Highway Department plans to rebuild the pile and plank bridge as soon as weather con- ditions permit.
Dredging in the basin has not been completed yet. On December 13th Anthony W. Spadafora, Acting Director of the Division of Waterways, wrote to the Selectmen as follows:
"As you are perhaps aware the legislature in 1962 appropriated funds for only five proj- ects, which were specifically referred to, as to location and finances. Unfortunately, the Division has no funds at present for the dredging in Duxbury and the future prospect of doing this work depends solely on the funds that the new legislature may appropriate."
With the assistance of Duxbury Post No. 223, Ameri- can Legion, eighteen acres of land on Chandler Street have been cleared and seeded to grass. With the demand for new ballfields for our younger generation the purchase of this land will prove to be a wise investment. We recom- mend clearing a small area each year. When it becomes necessary to build a school on this site a great deal of site development costs will thus be avoided.
The Beach Patrol was continued during the Summer season. The Powder Point Patrol, instituted and paid for by the Powder Point Association, helped a great deal in
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handling the flow of traffic to the bridge and the beach. We thank them for their contribution.
We compliment the Garden Club for their activities at the Bird Sanctuary and censure the vandals who at- tempted to destroy the work done in this area.
Preliminary steps have been taken this year in the development of plans to make the original John Alden cel- lar site a National Shrine.
Work has been started by the State on the express- way going through Duxbury, and with the completion date set for December 8, 1963 the years ahead are sure to be very busy ones. Revision of the Assessors' Map, which was permitted to lag in anticipation of the construction of the expressway, must be stepped up in 1963 to provide the Assessors and other boards with adequate working infor- mation.
1962 found one member of this Board, James H. W. Jenner, duly qualified as a real estate appraiser, and brought to Philip W. Delano the honor of being elected President of the Plymouth County Assessors Association.
We thank all elected officers, department heads, and committeemen, for their cooperation and devoted efforts during 1962.
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP W. DELANO, JAMES H. W. JENNER, J. NEWTON SHIRLEY,
Board of Selectmen
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REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
January 7, 1963
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Duxbury, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The following is my report for the year of 1962.
First, I would like to express my sincere appreciation of the very wonderful privilege of serving as Chief of the Fire Department. Although I was appointed by the Board of Selectmen, I feel their choice was greatly influenced by the wholehearted support which I have received from every member of the Fire Department. This splendid support has been a daily inspiration to me and I am truly grateful. It is a truly great Department, operated by a fine group of men, and I cannot help but think, many times each day, if only the men of all nations could have in their hearts the same wonderful unselfish desire to help others, we would no longer need to fear wars.
We answered 301 calls, this total is 83 more than the same period in 1961. The break-down is as follows:
15 Building Fires
56 Woods and Brush Fires
33 Grass Fires
19 Car Fires and Accidents
11 Dump Fires
2 Bridge Fires
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18 Oil Burner and Stove Fires
10 Electric Wire Fires
4 Chimney Fires
19 Investigations
5 Mutual Aid Stand-By
23 Resuscitator Calls
19 Hospital Trips with Police
9 Rescue Boat Calls
5 Mutual Aid Rescue Boat and Divers
2 False Alarms
4 Searches for Lost Children
1 Mutual Aid Search
43 Miscellaneous Calls
There were 2414 permits issued for open air fires. 52 oil burner, 43 bottle gas and 92 natural gas installations were inspected. All public buildings and stores were in- spected. Quarterly inspections were made in schools, nursing homes, rest homes and churches as required by the Department of Public Safety.
All radio equipment has been replaced or altered to meet the new rules and standards of the Federal Com- munications Commission.
I am very proud to report that in the past year the department has properly trained and fully equipped, through their own efforts, an eight-man Underwater Res- cue Team. This team has already taken part in the re-
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covery of several drowning victims. We hope to train several more men for this team this winter.
As time goes on and our town grows continually larger, with more people, cars and highways, we find we are called upon more frequently to render aid to the sick and injured. We have tried to work closely with the Police Department. We feel with our combined efforts and manpower we can better protect the people of our town. Well over one hundred emergency trips were made to the hospital last year. At the present time I feel we do not have the proper equipment to do this all- important work. For these reasons we have an article in the warrant asking the town to purchase an ambulance and other necessary rescue equipment. As for myself, I ask from the very bottom of my heart that this request may be granted. I know it is quite a large amount, but even if it helps to save but one life, it would be well worth the price.
In closing I would like to thank all the other town departments who have helped me in so many ways to carry out my duties.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE S. BUTLER, Chief
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HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit the report of the Highway Depart- ment for the year ending December 31, 1962.
Several miles of streets throughout the town were given surface treatment, in addition to general repairs to all streets. Roadsides were mowed, traffic lines painted and guard rails repaired.
The floats and bathing beaches at all town landings received annual care.
Repairs were made on several sections of the Powder Point Bridge and its sidewalk.
Drainage was installed on Carr Road, Franklin Street and a portion of Washington Street.
Under a special appropriation, Washington Street, from Hall's Corner to Partridge Road, was resurfaced with Type I.
Under Chapter 90, New Construction, brushing out on Route #14 is near completion and excavation will commence as soon as weather permits.
Chapter 90, Maintenance, funds were spent on High Street.
Respectfully submitted,
LEWIS B. RANDALL,
Superintendent of Streets
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REPORT OF THE CEMETERY TRUSTEES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
and the Citizens of Duxbury.
The Trustees have accepted the Report of the Super- intendent and it gives the details of the work done in the Cemeteries.
We request an appropriation of $18,050.00 to carry on the regular work of the Cemetery Department.
We request an appropriation of $100.00 for out of state travel.
We further request an appropriation of $1,750.00 to black top Evergreen Ave., black top an added portion of Mayflower Ave., and seal coat the black roads of the Cemetery. This work is to be done by the Highway De- partment.
We appreciate the support of the Citizens of Duxbury in maintaining our Cemeteries.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD P. HOBART, Chairman. HERMON C. BUMPUS JR., ERNEST W. CHANDLER, CARL E. JOHNSON, 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 1962.
All general work was performed at Mayflower, Ash- dod, Dingley, Standish Cemeteries, Smith Tomb and Boomer Square. The leaf blower, supplemented by some hand raking, made it possible to clear the cemetery of leaves in record time. The Avenues were cleaned, weed killer put on, and some gravel added. We planted several Maples, three at Standish Cemetery. We repaired the old well house. The wooden fence at the back of the ceme- tery, and the fence along Tremont Street, were repaired and painted.
The Veterans' Monument at the main gate was cleaned, and the joints filled with setting compound. The Receiving Vault was repaired, cleaned, and two coats of water seal added to the bricks. There was a large amount of work done in trimming the trees and Evergreens. Ad- ditional lots were built in the new section of the ceme- tery, and several lots were added in the old section of Mayflower Cemetery. In building new lots, consideration was given both to the availability to expansion area and to the expressed preference of Duxbury residents.
Perpetual Care and Annual Care lots were properly maintained and the Veterans' graves received our atten- tion.
There were fifty-nine interments this year.
Respectfully submitted,
LAUREL B. FREEMAN, Superintendent of Cemeteries
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REPORT OF THE TOWN HISTORIAN FOR 1962
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
During the past year the resources of this department have helped in the search for old homes, ancestors, and family information. Students and researchers have used the files. Talks were given in Duxbury and in several nearby towns. Many requests came from school children working on colonial history projects. In all cases informa- tion was furnished and pictures sent. Several unusual souvenir requests were met.
I am indebted to many Duxbury people for family information, and for helpful suggestions. They lent valu- able letters, diaries, and pictures. All information has been recorded and filed, ready for all who have an interest.
Respectfully submitted,
DOROTHY WENTWORTH,
Historian
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THE PLYMOUTH COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE Court House, Brockton 10, Mass. Robert B. Ewing, County Agent-Manager
January 3, 1963
To Town Directors,
Plymouth County Extension Service
(Trustees, Plymouth County Aid to Agriculture)
Dear Director:
Each year I am requested by some Town Directors to submit a report that can be included in their Annual Town Report. The enclosed material can be used for that pur- pose if you so desire. I am sure you can understand why any report that I send to you must be of a general nature. However, there is no reason why you cannot add a para- graph or two about the local Extension activities in your town pertaining to 4-H Club Work, Agriculture or the Home Department. Some Town Directors do this each year.
The Board of Trustees, Plymouth County Extension Service, requested that I express its appreciation to you for serving as Town Director and for the information that you have furnished residents in your community by tele- phone, news articles, letters and reports, etc.
I am sure that if you have any suggestions for improv- ing the service to the citizens in your community, the Trustees would be very happy to receive them.
"Thank you" for serving as a Town Director during 1962 and best wishes for a "Happy, Prosperous and Healthy New Year."
Sincerely, ROBERT B. EWING, County Agent-Manager
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PLYMOUTH COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE (Plymouth County Extension Service)
By Robert B. Ewing, County Agent-Manager
A review of last year's report would show that an attempt was made to answer the question, "What is the Extension Service?" The report stated that in 1914 Con- gress passed the Smith-Lever Law which clearly stated that the Extension Service shall "aid in diffusing among the people of the United States useful and practical infor- mation on subjects relating to Agriculture and Home Economics, and to encourage the application of the same."
The Extension Service has always been known as "the educational arm" of the United States Department of Agriculture and the title "Cooperative Extension Service" is used because Federal, State and County Governments cooperate in furnishing this service to the citizens of Plymouth County. Each year agreements are written be- tween the United States Department of Agriculture, the University of Massachusetts, and Plymouth County.
Since 1915, when the Plymouth County Extension Service was organized and established, educational in- formation pertaining to Agriculture, Home Economics and 4-H Club Work has been given free to citizens of Plym- outh County.
Although methods may change with the times, the basic job of the Extension Service remains the same, and that is, as the 1914 Law states, "to aid in diffusing among the people of the United States useful and practical in- formation on the subjects relating to Agriculture and Home Economics and to encourage the application of the same."
The Extension Service office is located in the Court House, Brockton, Mass. and is staffed by agents who con-
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duct programs in Agriculture, Home Economics and 4-H Club Work by furnishing educational information through farm and home visits, letters, newspaper articles, radio talks, meetings, office visits and telephone calls.
Federal, State and County government funds are used for conducting the Extension Service programs. Along with these funds, most towns in Plymouth County make. an annual appropriation which is used for the general expenditures of the Plymouth County Extension Service. Town Directors are appointed in those towns where an ap- propriation is made. These Town Directors are unpaid volunteer leaders who serve as the Extension Service representative in their respective town.
All citizens should make full use of their Extension Service as it is supported by the Federal, State and County Governments. It should be remembered that while the Extension Service furnishes the information it is up to the individual citizen who receives this information to decide how it can be used to best advantage.
Requests for information can be directed to the Plym- outh County Extension Service, Court House, Brockton, Massachusetts.
The Board of Trustees, appointed by the Plymouth County Commissioners, administer the Plymouth County Extension Service program and is composed of the fol- lowing members:
Mr. John Prentice, Plymouth, Chairman Mrs. Elva Bent Swartz, Brockton Mr. Lewis Billings, Plympton Mrs. Mabel Chandler, Duxbury Mr. John Duffy, Halifax Mrs. Gladys Gibbs, Hanover Mr. Robert Hammond, Wareham Mr. John Howe, West Bridgewater Mr. John W. Little, Marshfield
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Board of Appeals held twenty-five public hear- ings during the year ending December 31, 1962. All the hearings were held in the Primary School Building. In one case, however, because approximately 370 citizens attended, a number far in excess of the capacity of the hall, the Chairman recessed the hearing to immediately reconvene in the Auditorium of the High School.
Of the twenty-five hearings, seven were for variances or special permits in the business zones and eighteen in the residential zones.
The disposition of the petitions by the Board were as follows:
14 Approved substantially as requested.
1 Approved in part with some restrictions.
7 Denied.
1 No action taken by the Board until proper survey of the land in question has been furnished to the Board.
1 Petition withdrawn by the petitioner.
1 Awaiting further information before rendering a de- cision.
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25
On three of the denials the petitioners brought actions in the Superior Court against the Board, alleging that it had exceeded its authority granted under Chapter 40A of the General Laws, that it (the Board) had erred in its decision, and in one case that the Protective By-Law of the Town was unconstitutional. The Board was repre- sented in Court by Robert J. Geogan, Esq., Town Counsel.
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In all three cases the Court upheld in every respect the rulings of the Board.
The Board extends its thanks to the interested citi- zens who came to many of the hearings.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT SEYMOUR, Chairman
EDWARD P. HOBART, Secretary H. RUSSELL CHANDLER
REPORT OF HARBOR MASTER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen:
There were approximately 700 boats of all types moored or anchored in Duxbury waters during the past season. This includes tenders, outboards, inboards, sail- boats, and auxiliary sailboats.
Speed limit signs were placed in the basin and the main channel, also at the mouth of Bluefish River, and on the bank approaching the Cove Street bathing area. This has helped a great deal in slowing down speeders.
The new Harbor Master's boat and motor have proven very satisfactory for patrolling and also as a work boat.
Thirty-three channel markers were set out early in the spring. These were placed at the beach channel, How- land's Landing, and at Joe's Point. These work out fairly well where the water in the channel is not too deep and the current not too fast, but they are very unsatisfactory in the deep water sections of the beach channel and I hope to replace these with a new type of marker this coming season.
Mooring fee bills were sent out May 1, and were col- lected.
Respectfully submitted,
MANUEL OLIVER, Harbor Master
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REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
Following is the report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1962.
LIST OF OFFENSES
Sodomy 1
Unnatural and lascivious acts with child
under 16 1
Lewd, wanton and lascivious in speech and behavior
1
Lewd and lascivious cohabitation
3
Illegitimacy
1
Indecent exposure
2
Unnatural act with child under 16
1
Indecent A and B on child under 14
4
Non-support
3
Delinquent child
1
Runaway
1
Contributing to delinquency of minor
2
Vagrancy
1
Escaped prisoner apprehended
1
Absentee armed forces apprehended
1
B and E nighttime, larceny over $100.00
2
Larceny by.check over $100.00
1
Larceny by check under $100.00
1
Drunkenness 10
Operating motor vehicle under influence
6
Operating motor vehicle without authority 3
Operating motor vehicle without license
1
Operating after right to operate suspended 4
Failing to stop for police officer 1
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Operating unregistered motor vehicle 3
Operating uninsured motor vehicle 3
Larceny of motor vehicle 1
Leaving scene of accident after property damage 3 Operating motor vehicle so as to endanger
7
Speeding 3
Furnishing liquor to minors 1
1
Larceny over $100.00
B and E nighttime, larceny under $100.00 2
77
DISPOSITION OF OFFENSES
Found guilty and fined
12
Found guilty and committed
18
Found guilty and placed on probation 19
Found not guilty
2
Charges filed
5
Continued without finding
7
Arrests for outside police departments
5
Cases pending for grand jury
4
Cases pending for district court
2
Released
1
Turned over to Youth Service Board
1
Turned over to Military Authorities
1
77
Dispositions include both District and Superior Court findings.
MISCELLANEOUS
Calls and complaints investigated
5200
Arrests
36
Accidents investigated
163
Messages delivered 390
Summons served 151
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Animals destroyed
23
Animals returned to owners
45
Emergency trips to hospitals and doctors
110
Deaths investigated 6
Doors and windows found open
50
Parking tags issued 203
Duxbury Beach parking permits issued, including replacements 2254
Pistol permits issued
38
Dealers' firearms permits
5
Shellfish permits
997
Value of property recovered
$10,826.64
Missing persons located
34
Commitments
6
Attempted suicide
1
Escaped prisoner apprehended
1
A.W.O.L. apprehended
1
Miles travelled by cruisers
106,104 miles
POLICE DEPARTMENT ROSTER Chief Lawrence C. Doyle Sergeants
Henry P. McNeil Thomas A. Johnson
Patrolmen
George F. White Frank E. Phillips, Jr. William K. LaFleur Intermittent Patrolman Robert D. Byrne Provisional Patrolmen
Herbert F. Johnson James N. Wills
Michael J. Sheehan Kenneth W. Lovejoy
William R. Whitehouse
Respectfully submitted, LAWRENCE C. DOYLE,
Chief of Police
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT INSECT PEST CONTROL
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Scouting was done for the Tent Caterpillars with the result of less than a dozen nests found.
Control of Elm Leaf Beetle improved last year and it is our plan to improve conditions by making two appli- cations of spray for this insect.
Japanese Beetles were not as prevalent as in other years.
White Pine Blister Rust was found in one area in town and plans are made to take care of it in the Spring.
Scouting was done for Brown Tail Moth and Gypsy Moth with negative results.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS, Superintendent Insect Pest Control.
REPORT OF CONTROL OF DUTCH ELM DISEASE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
In accordance with the recommendations made at the Annual Dutch Elm Disease Conference, our elm trees were sprayed with a 12% D.D.T. dormant application. They were also sprayed with a 6% D.D.T. foliage spray in May and June.
During the year, fifteen samples of suspected trees
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were sent to Amherst for culture. Six returns were con- firmed Dutch Elm Disease.
Thirty-three other diseased and beetle-infested trees in back yards and swamps, were cut down and burned on the spot or taken to the Town Dump for burning.
Our loss among sprayed trees is still less than one-half of 1%, so it looks as though D.D.T. plus sanitation, is the best control so far for Dutch Elm Disease.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS, Tree Warden.
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
and the Citizens of Duxbury:
During the winter months, our work consisted of pruning back along the streets; removing low-hanging branches; taking down dead trees that might be blown into the street or on the utility wires and cabling of trees that were weakened by high winds. All equipment was cleaned up, repainted and reconditioned.
The results of spraying are showing improvement with the use of the newer insecticides.
Our planting of new trees is divided about equally between Spring and Fall. Those included in this year's group consisted of 13 Flowering Crabs, 5 Flowering Cher- ries, 15 Maples, 2 Ginkgo trees, 1 Beech, 1 Hawthorne, 1 Mountain Ash, 1 Dogwood and 2 Plane trees.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY E. PARKS,
Tree Warden.
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
and the Citizens of Duxbury:
Our parks and playgrounds were fertilized early in April and our clay tennis courts put into playing condi- tion. The mowing of grass continued up to the first of November.
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