Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1961-1965, Part 15

Author: Duxbury (Mass.)
Publication date: 1961
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1508


USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1961-1965 > Part 15


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Philips Path, Vine


and Chandler Sts.


41,500.00*


Transfer from Finance Com.


Res. Fund (Franklin St.)


2,930.00


67,710.00


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Art. 15 - Water Old Rte. 3, and Tremont St.


28.63


Fixed Charges:


Interest on Debt $7,389.27


Maturing Debt:


Old Water Loans


5,000.00


West Duxbury


5,000.00


Phase I


15,000.00


Autumn Ave .- Winter St. 2,000.00


Old Rte. 3-Back-Hoe and Pipe 5,000.00


39,389.27


Credit for Deferred Amortization*


53,946.62


Uncollected Water Bills, December 31, 1962


9,597.90


Uncollected Water Liens, December 31, 1962


340.32


Totals


$165,723.49 $162,711.06


Deficit


-$3,012.43


*Attention is invited to the fact that the amounts charged for work authorized in Art. 32, 33 and 43, Town Warrant 1962, a total of $57,800, will be amortized over a fifteen-year period at a rate of $3,853.33 annually commencing in 1962.


+Unexpended balance


During the year, the changes listed and the following. work, in addition to routine maintenance and operation, were accomplished:


Changes in Board of Commissioners. On July 1, 1962 Mr. Eugene F. Redlon, the Secretary of the Board, re- signed due to his changing his place of residence to Kingston. At a joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen and the remaining Water Commissioners, Mr. Alpheus H. Walker was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Redlon. Mr. Alpheus Walker was elected Secretary.


New Services and Renewals. The demand for this work continued at a rate close to the record established in 1961. Sixty-four new services and six renewals were installed. The new services included twenty-three serv- ices to old houses not previously connected to the system and forty-two services to new buildings. All work was done with Water Department personnel. The Commis- sioners have sought to encourage private contractors to


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do this type of work, particularly when the Department personnel was fully occupied and a service was needed urgently, and have had some success.


Main Cleaning. In accordance with the recommenda- tions of the Whitman and Howard report of 1961, the following cast iron mains were cleaned:


10-in. from Millbrook Pumping Station to Tremont St.


10-in. from end of above on Tremont St. to St. George St.


8-in. from Tremont St. along St. George St. to Washington St.


10-in. from St. George St. along Washington St. to Blue Fish River Bridge.


6-in. along Tremont St. from St. George St. to Depot St.


The work was performed by the New England Main Cleaning Company, with the assistance of Water Depart- ment personnel, in an expeditious and efficient manner so as to minimize the inconveniences to consumers as far as possible. Tests indicate that the anticipated increase in capacities and reduction in pumping pressures have been attained. The cost of the work was $3,270.00


Careswell Street Extension. A 6-in. transite main, 2,745 ft. in length with the necessary fire hydrants, was built from Enterprise Street along Careswell Street to Tremont Street (Route 139), a short distance into Marsh- field, thence westerly along Tremont Street to Cox's Corner. The work was done by Elmer T. Holman of Plymouth, with the Town furnishing the pipe and all fittings, at a total cost, including pipe and fittings, of $7,396.00. It was placed in service July 6th. The sum of $7,400.00 was raised by a direct tax levy for this work.


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Lake Shore Drive Extension. An 8-in. transite main, 2,362 ft. in length, with necessary fire hydrants, was built from the Lake Shore Drive Pumping Station westerly along Lake Shore Drive. The work was done by Elmer T. Holman of Plymouth, with the Town fur- nishing the pipe and all fittings, at a total cost, including pipe and fittings, of $8,281.00. It was placed in service July 22nd. The sum of $8,900.00 was raised by a direct tax levy for this work. There is a small bill for hydrants still outstanding.


Cross Street - King Philips Path - Vine and Chand- ler Streets. The following work was done:


Cross Street, 2540 feet 8-inch transite


King Philips Path, 4095 feet 8-inch transite


Vine Street, 3353 feet 6-inch transite


Chandler Street, 719 feet 8-inch transite


The Town furnished the pipe and all fittings. The work was done by Elmer T. Holman of Plymouth. The total cost to date, including pipe, fittings and labor of laying was $35,981.00. There are several bills still outstanding, including cost of ledge removal and some hydrants. These extensions were placed in service October 18th. Ledge rock was encountered on King Philips Path. The sum of $41,500 was raised by direct tax levy for this work. As in the past the Department was fortunate to secure the experienced services of Mr. John Moore of Kingston as an inspector on all the above extensions.


Franklin Street Underpass. A contract was entered into by the Commissioners and the Department of Public Works of Massachusetts to lay 750 ft. of 12-in. transite main along Franklin Street under the new Route 3 over- pass, in accordance with the authority contained in Art.


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42, 1961 Town Warrant and Art. 42, 1962 Town Warrant. A total of $8,250.00 had been appropriated in the above two articles to do this work. The Town had been advised that the State would permit no construction in their right of way for a period of five years after the bridge, drainage, roadway, etc. had been completed, and it was for this reason that it had been deemed advisable to do this work since the Town might desire to continue the 12-in. circulatory main along Franklin Street into North Duxbury prior to the termination of the five year period. The pipe was laid in solid rock, necessitating blasting, throughout its entire length. The work was done by Campanella & Cardi, contractors for the State, under Water Department supervision. The total cost was $7,910.00 A final acceptance test will be made as soon as weather permits.


Map & Records Program. As it was pointed out in the last Town Report, it was the desire of the Commis- sioners to get the Department records in a more perman- ent and usable condition. The Town appropriated $1,200.00 at the last Town Meeting to initiate this program. The Department was fortunate to obtain the services of a local resident, Mr. William Thayer, a student in archi- tecture at M.I.T., who was available for summer work. Under the supervision of Colonel Gallagher and with the help of Water Department personnel, Mr. Thayer pro- duced a map of the Town in two sheets to a scale of one inch equals 500 feet. The map included the location of every water main two inches and larger in the Town and every fire hydrant and gate valve.


A start also was made on the vital street intersection maps to show the detailed location of gate valves and major fittings. It is intended to continue this program this next Summer if the Town gives its approval to a request for funds at Town Meeting.


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Extensive Pumping Test. The tests recommended by Whitman and Howard for the old well in the Millbrook Pumping Station area have been completed. The report containing their recommendations as to what should be done is not yet available.


Survey. The Commissioners have arranged with the Selectmen to have Mr. Manuel Oliver procure certain information for the Water Department in connection with his annual registration work. At every building where people live and where there is no town water, a card will be filled out giving the name of the owner, street location and approximate distance to the nearest town water main. These data are necessary for planning purposes.


Ten-Year Meter Program. The removal and check- ing of all meters in service for a period of over ten years was continued.


Leakage. Tests to determine the location and amount of our losses due to leakage will be continued as out- lined in the 1961 report.


Hydrant Service. A new study of this subject was directed by the last Town Meeting, and it is understood that a report with recommendations will be made at the next Town Meeting. It is generally agreed by experts that a certain amount of Hydrant Service is just and equitable. However, the method of computing the amount is a very controversial subject. It has been the belief of the Commissioners that the present method as laid down by a study committee in 1958 is just and equitable and meets the special conditions existing in Duxbury. It is hoped that the new recommendations will take cogni- zance of the fact that we are a small system and have a relatively large amount of fixed charges to meet and that there is no provision in the present setup to credit the


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Water Department with taxes derived from increased valuations of property along new extensions to meet the increased interest and debt retirement costs of construc- tion charged to the Water Department. A hydrant serv- ice charge to reflect these increased tax receipts, as well as the 10% (maximum) of the operating budget, is essen- tial if the Water Department is to continue to grow and operate as an enterprise account.


Radios. The Commissioners again desire to point out the necessity of two-way radio service in the Department and hope that the recommendations of the special com- mittee studying this matter will be favorable to the im- mediate installation of an efficient system.


STATUS OF APPROPRIATIONS - December 31, 1962


Art. Warrant


Item


Appropriation and/or Balance


Amount Expended $48,008.68


Unexpended


Recom. Action


4 Town 62 Maintenance and Operation


$48,036.00


$27.32


A.C.


4 Town 62 Out-of-State Travel


200.00


113.50


86.50


A.C.


4 Town 62


Commissioners' Salaries


450.00


436.64


13.36


A.C.


4 Town 62


Maturing Debt


32,000.00


32,000.00


0.00


4 Town 62 Interest


7,390.00


7,389.27


0.73


A.C.


35


Town 59


Indian Trail


12.00


0.00


12.00


A.F.T.


14


Dist. 54 Main Clearing


996.40


996.40


0.00


12 Dist. 55


Engineering New Sources


434.57


0.00


434.57


P.N.C.


39 Town 61


Truck and Back Hoe


298.50


0.00


298.50


A.F.T.


40


Town 61


Search for Water


3,500.00


2,878.50


621.50


P.N.C.


42 Town 61 Pipe - Franklin St.


6,000.00


3,184.00


2,816.00


A.F.T.


32 Town 62


Extension - Careswell St.


7,400.00


7,396.86


3.14


A.F.T.


33


Town 62


Extension - Lake Shore Dr.


8,900.00


8,281.72


618.28


P.N.C.


42 Town 62 Lay Pipe, Franklin St.


5,210.00*


3,941.89


1,268.11


P.N.C.


42 Town 62 Clean Mains, Tremont & St. George Sts.


1,500.00


1,500.00


0.00


42 Town 62 Pumping Tests - Millbrook


2,000.00


0.00


2,000.00


P.N.C.


42 Town 62 Records Program


1,200.00


1,057.37


142.63


P.N.C.


43 Town 62 Exten. Cross, Vine, King Philips Path, Chandler


41,500.00


34,938.42


6,561.58


P.N.C.


A.C .- Automatic Closure A.F.T .- Available for Transfer P.N.C .- Project Not Completed *Includes transfer of $2,960.00 from Reserve Fund by Finance Committee


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The Future


Petitions. A petition for an extension along East Street from Route 3 northward was received during the year. This petition is being studied by the Commissioners, and their recommendations will be submitted at Town Meeting.


General. The Water Department budget pertaining to operating costs solely has increased approximately $10,000, or 25%, in the past seven years due practically in its entirety to increase in labor costs and to the increased costs of practically all materials, supplies and services used by the Department. The increased receipts during this period have been used for the payment of interest and debt retirement of the new extensions in each case. The personnel employed during the period has remained constant except for a minor amount of clerical help. It is the belief of the Commissioners that a raise in water rates is in order, and such an increase will be established as of April 1, 1963. There has been no increase in water rates since 1947.


It is estimated that the financial situation in 1963 will be approximately as in the following table. Figures are given to the nearest hundred dollars. No allowance is made for special articles which, should they be voted at the 1963 Town Meeting, will increase the indicated deficit.


Balance, December 31, 1962 -$3,000.00


Uncollected, December 31, 1962 $9,600.00


Charges to Consumers 64,000.00


Hydrant Service (Public Safety)


24,400.00


Amortized Charge (1962 Extensions) $3,900.00


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Maintenance and Operation 49,300.00


Commissioners' Salaries


450.00


Out-of-State Travel


200.00


Fixed Charges:


Interest on Debt


6,500.00


Maturing Debt:


Old Water Loans


3,500.00


West Duxbury


5,000.00


Phase I 15,000.00


Autumn and Winter Sts. 2,000.00


Old Rte. 3, Truck, Back Hoe and Pipe 4,000.00


Uncollected December 31, 1962 9,600.00


Totals $99,400.00 $95,000.00


Deficit December 31, 1962 -$4,400.00


The Commissioners again wish to commend the Water Department employees for their dedicated service and to thank the town officials for their cooperation.


Respectfully submitted, J. ALVIN BORGESON, Chairman


LEONARD B. GALLAGHER, Colonel, U.S.A. (Ret.)


ALPHEUS H. WALKER, Secretary


Water Commissioners


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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT WATER DEPARTMENT


To the Board of Water Commissioners Town of Duxbury, Mass.


Gentlemen:


Following are the 1962 statistics of the Duxbury Water Department as required by the Massachusetts De- partment of Health:


Greatest amount pumped in any one day: August 6, 1962, 1,502,000 gallons.


Greatest amount pumped in any seven consecutive days: August 1 through August 7, 1962, 8,784,000 gallons.


Total amount pumped during 1962: 213,116,000 gallons.


Number of services at the end of the year: 1875.


Number of active services at the end of the year: 1854. New services installed at the end of the year: 64. Miles of water mains at the end of the year: 49.4. Number of hydrants at the end of the year: 370. Acres of land owned for water supply purposes: 57.67 acres.


In the interest of more efficient operation of this De- partment, I once more urge the purchase of two-way radios for our vehicles, the office on Partridge Road and the main pumping station at Millbrook.


Respectfully submitted,


KENNETH O. MACOMBER,


Superintendent


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REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC WELFARE AND BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Duxbury


The Board of Public Welfare respectfully submits the following report for the year 1962:


There have been no major changes enacted for the five categories of assistance during the past year. The travel allowance for Old Age Assistance recipients was increased $1.00 a month, effective October 1, 1962. Chil- dren's exemptions under both Old Age Assistance and Medical Assistance for the Aged were increased at this time.


The cost of hospitalization was increased, effective January 1, 1962, and we look for a considerable increase in hospital rates effective for 1963. It is impossible to esti- mate an amount that will be spent for hospitalization dur- ing 1963. Hospitalization for 1962 amounted to $11,660.43 for four categories.


O.A.A. 41 days $1,111.92


M.A.A.


357 days


5,568.44


D.A.


436 days 4,651.13


A.D.C.


12 days 328.94


During the past year 42 applications for assistance were taken and 28 were accepted for some type of public assistance. 14 applications were denied for various reasons including death before payment could be made, 6 applica- tions were withdrawn prior to completion of necessary investigations, 2 applications denied due to false informa- tion given on application, 1 had real estate in another


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community, 3 had resources sufficient to meet needs, and 1 application was denied due to non-cooperation on part of applicant.


$23,992.55 has been recovered during the year 1962 towards aid rendered in previous years.


General Relief Recovery $192.95


Old Age Assistance Recovery 20,666.76


Medical care for the Aged 2,913.49


Disability Assistance 219.35


Since 1952 the Board of Public Welfare has recovered the sum of $88,402.23 in all categories of assistance.


This year with the help of the Kiwanis, the Lions, the American Legion, Girl Scouts of America, the Salvation Army, and Camp T, there were 9 children going to a camp this year. It is hoped that more children may be able to attend camp another year. We wish to express our thanks to those organizations for their help in sending the children to camp. We also wish to thank the organiza- tions, including Company 1 and 2 of the Duxbury Fire Department for their generous donations for Christmas cheer to the sick, the shut-ins, and the low income fami- lies. It may be a surprise to many, but there are a great number of older citizens who are forgotten at Christmas. They may be in their own home, a boarding home, hospi- tal, or nursing home.


The Board of Public Welfare wish to thank the Se- lectmen and Police Department for their co-operation over the past 12 months.


Respectfully submitted, HOWARD M. CLARK, Chairman NANCY TERAVAINEN, EDWARD G. BOTTENUS, ADRIAN R. CORDEAU,


PAUL N. SWANSON .


na- her


ce


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REPORT OF THE SOUTH SHORE MOSQUITO CONTROL PROJECT


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Town of Duxbury, Massachusetts


Dear Sirs:


As representative for this Town on the South Shore Mosquito Control Commission, I am furnishing you two copies of the annual report of activities of the Project in the Town of Duxbury for the year ending October 31, 1962.


Our request for this year is for $7550, which includes the usual "salt marsh maintenance" assessment of $2250.


May I ask that you put an article in the warrant, in substance, "to see what sum of money the Town will raise and appropriate to continue Duxbury as a member of the South Shore Mosquito Control Project."


Sincerely yours,


GEORGE STARR, JR., M.D. Commissioner for Duxbury South Shore Mosquito Control Project


To the Citizens of Duxbury:


Submitted herewith is the report of the South Shore Mosquito Control Project of its activities in the Town for the year ending October 31, 1962.


The Town of Duxbury appropriated $5300 for mos- quito control in 1962. Along with this, $2250 was appro- priated for salt marsh maintenance. This money was used for mosquito control in the Town by the South Shore Mosquito Control Project, a cooperative effort embracing


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the City of Quincy and Towns of Duxbury, Braintree, Cohasset, Hingham, Hull, Marshfield, Norwell, Scituate and Weymouth. In addition, the project worked under contract for the U. S. Naval Ammunition Depot for a period up to June 30th, ending our final contract before its deactivation.


Type of Control Program


The basic program of control continued to be based on drainage in the off-season and larvaciding of all areas found to be breeding during the mosquito season. This program was supplemented by application of D.D.T. dust to selected areas during the period when the swamps were frozen. Fog generators and mist blowers were used to combat flying mosquitoes.


Encephalitis


As a result of the dry weather and/or other factors not yet recognized Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis did not appear in humans in Massachusetts this past summer. However, since there is always a definite threat present during late summer and early fall, the period when Encephalitis is most likely to appear, the project was in contact with the U. S. Public Health Service, Massachu- setts Department of Public Health and other mosquito control agencies in a cooperative effort to recognize the danger signs so that work could be directed against the suspected species of mosquitoes.


Aerial Dusting and/or Spraying


The spring dusting or spraying of all fresh water swamps known to be breeders and too large to be treated by hand was done. D.D.T. was used at the rate of a half to one pound per acre, keeping well within the realm of safety to humans and wildlife. 3400 acres were treated in the Town of Duxbury.


F


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Ground Spraying


The ground crews circulated on a schedule through- out their section. They varied from this circuit to treat in the vicinity of complaints or to treat places found to be breeding by the superintendent or foremen's inspection. They then returned to their rounds.


Catchbasin Spraying


Catchbasin spraying was done with a motorcycle servicar, a compressed air sprayer mounted on the rear. Due to reduction of summer personnel, only one unit was operating this year. A dry summer enabled regular crews to treat basins in their assigned towns, thus enabling us to keep ahead of this type of breeding.


Ditching


Drainage, always considered the keystone of mosquito control, is more than ever important as a result of a grow- ing concern by certain groups over the use and buildup of insecticides and other chemicals in our wildlife areas.


Over the years the ditching done by this project has greatly reduced the areas that need spraying or dusting of insecticides. On fresh water only areas capable of mos- quito breeding are drained, shallow stagnant pools. On salt marshes we attempt to keep all ditches clear of grass and mud to allow tidal water a free flow in and out, also to eliminate all brackish sheet water at upper ends of marsh where salt marsh mosquitoes will breed.


The largest amount of mosquito control can be reached with a good drainage program. With this idea in mind, we have proceeded in all areas possible to ditch. In the Town of Duxbury 1150 feet of ditches have been cleaned, 11,200 feet reclaimed, and 200 feet of new ditch have been dug.


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Fogging


This past season the project has had in operation Curtis Dyna Fog Insecticidal Fog Applicator. This machine emits a smoke containing small particles of in- secticide. This smoke or fog drifts with air currents over the area, wiping out all mosquitoes and other flying in- sects present. This machine makes it possible to cover a large area and with insecticide particles being so small there is very little residue to buildup in any one area.


Plans for Winter


Throughout the months between the past and coming mosquito breeding season much attention will be given to ditching. Work on the salt marsh will be done in the fall and early spring, and the colder winter months will be spent in the more protected areas.


In addition, when snow and ice conditions are right, prehatch dusting by ground crews, as was done in the past year, will be applied. The success of the past work along these lines makes it feasible to continue the program. All areas that were hand dusted were free of mosquito breeding in most cases until mid-July.


Plans for Next Year


All phases of the work carried out in the past will continue, placing emphasis on drainage for permanent control and then, in this order: dusting for prehatch con- trol, spraying for larval control, mist blowing and fogging for adult control.


Problems to be Solved


N.A.D.


Since 1957 the project has been under contract to the U. S. Navy to do all phases of mosquito control in their Ammunition Depot, Hingham and Cohasset Annex. In


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June of this year, the Navy decommissioned this reserva- tion, leaving a large area in the center of the project with no control. At present it is uncertain as to what will be done with this area. If the land involved should revert back to their former towns, Cohasset, Hingham, Norwell, Scituate and Weymouth, it will be necessary to up the assessments of these towns for mosquito control as with our present budget we would be unable to handle it.


Need for New Ditching Tractor


The project operates two pieces of tractor equipment on its drainage operation, an OC-6 scavel plow used for cleaning out existing ditches and an OC-4 backhoe trencher for making new drainage work. They have both been in constant use, one since 1955, the other 1957.


On ordinary dry trenching operations these machines might last a few more years. However, on mosquito con- trol ditching, the machine is constantly in water, mainly salt water, year round. Consequently, rust corrosion, along with wear, they have reached a point where they must be replaced in order to maintain what has been accomplished and to continue the phase of machine ditch- ing.


It would not be necessary to replace both tractors as one tractor so constructed could receive and operate both a scavel and backhoe trencher. This would necessi- tate the need for just one tractor as both these are usually being used on the same job.


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TOWN OF DUXBURY Annual Town Meeting Saturday, March 10, 1962


Junior-Senior High School Gymnasium, St. George Street


The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. by the Moderator, Bartlett B. Bradley. A quorum being in at- tendance, the meeting was declared in order.


The Town Clerk read the call for the meeting and the return of service thereof.


It was voted to dispense with the reading of the Warrant.


An invocation was given by the Reverend W. Wallace Bush.


The Moderator made the following announcements: "As has been our previous practice, proponents, of any article in the Warrant shall be given opportun- ity to speak on the question before the article may be tabled.


"The Chair will read each article as we go along, un- less by unanimous consent a long and wordy article be exempt from this procedure by referring to the printed Warrant. The Chair may not repeat motions if, in the opinion of the Chair, the motion has been clearly stated, unless requested to do so.


"The Chair may request any amendments to be sub- mitted in writing."


The Moderator also announced that spectators would be allowed to sit on the bleachers.




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