USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1961-1965 > Part 2
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GROUND CREW SPRAYING
The ground crews circulated on a schedule through- out their section of the project. They varied from the circuit to treat in the vicinity of complaints or to treat places found to be breeding by superintendent or foreman. They then returned to their rounds.
CATCHBASIN SPRAYING
Two catchbasin units were operated the past season. These units are compressed air sprayers mounted on three-wheeled motorcycles. This phase of work is par- ticularly important in built-up areas since one drainage basin can produce thousands of mosquitoes. 300 breeding basins were sprayed in the Town of Duxbury.
DRAINAGE
The mosquito drainage program has eliminated some ground crew spraying and air spray acreage. In the Town of Duxbury the following ditch work was done: 735 feet of ditches cleaned, 5400 feet reclaimed, 300 feet of new.
ADULT MOSQUITO CONTROL
During the past year a new remote control insecti- cidal fogger was added to this project. It was delivered too late to be used to any extent this year. However, next year, along with our present adulticiding machines, two foggers, and two mist blowers, it will enable us to do spot adulticiding at a pace beyond that of past years and will be good insurance in the event of an Encephalitis outbreak.
PLANS FOR WINTER
Throughout the months between past and coming mosquito breeding season much attention will be given
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to ditching. Work on the salt marsh will be done in the fall and early spring. When snow and ice conditions are right, prahatch dusting, as was done in past years, will be done. The success of past years' work along these lines makes it feasible to continue and expand this pro- gram as help and weather permit. In addition to ground dusting, it is planned to continue application of D.D.T. insecticide dust by air in the Town of Duxbury as results last year were successful.
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 control, spraying for larval control, mist blowing and fogging for adult control.
The project wishes to acknowledge the help received from officials and departments of the Town and sincerely hopes that benefits derived by these departments as a result of this cooperation are as great as those derived by the project.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE B. STARR, JR., M.D. Commissioner for Duxbury
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT WATER DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Water Commissioners Town of Duxbury, Mass.
Gentlemen :
Following are the 1961 statistics of the Duxbury Water Department, as required by the Massachusetts Department of Health:
Greatest amount pumped in any one day : July 13, 1961, 1,264,000 gallons.
Greatest amount pumped in any seven consecutive days :
August 13 through August 19, 1961, 7,073,000 gals. Total amount pumped during 1961 : 184,217,000 gallons. Number of services at the end of the year : 1812. Number of active services at the end of the year : 1792. New Services installed during the year : 66. Miles of water mains at the end of the year: 46.06. Number of Hydrants at the end of the year: 353. Acres of land owned for water supply purposes: 57.67 acres.
Respectfully submitted,
KENNETH O. MACOMBER Superintendent
35
PLYMOUTH COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE (Plymouth County Extension Service) By ROBERT B. EWING, County Agent-Manager
The Cooperative Agricultural Extension Service was established in 1914, when Congress passed the Smith- Lever Act. The question heard so many times since then is "What is the Extension Service, and what does it do?"
The answer to that question is clearly defined in the Act passed by Congress which states, in part, that the Extension Service shall - "aid in diffusing among the people of the United States useful and practical informa- tion on subjects relating to Agriculture and Home Econ- omics, and to encourage the application of the same".
Each year agreements are written between the United States Department of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts and Plymouth County. The Federal, State and County governments cooperate in furnishing this service to the citizens of Plymouth County. Thus the name "Cooperative" Extension Service. Since the Ply- mouth County Extension Service was organized and established in 1915, information pertaining to Agricul- ture, Home Economics education, 4-H Club Work, has been given free to all citizens of Plymouth County. The Extension Service has always been known as the "edu- cational arm" of the United States Department of Agri- culture.
The Extension Service office is located in the Court House, Brockton, and is staffed by agents who conduct programs in Agriculture, Home Economics and 4-H Club Work by furnishing educational information through
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farm and home visits, letters, newspaper articles, radio talks, meetings, office visits. The basic job of the Exten- sion Service has always been the same and that is "to aid in diffusing among the people of Plymouth County, use- ful and practical information on subjects relating to Agri- culture and Home Economics".
Funds for conducting the Plymouth County Exten- sion Service are derived from three sources: Federal, State and County Governments. Along with these funds, most towns in Plymouth County make an annual appro- priation which is used for the general expenditures of the Plymouth County Extension 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 representative in their respective towns.
For the commercial and part-time farmers, infor- mation is available in the following: agronomy, farm management, insect and disease control, marketing, pro- duction, rodent control and weed control.
For the home owners information is available in the following: Growing Vegetables, Flowers and Shrubs : insect and disease control : also information on lawns and household insects.
For the housewife and homemaker information and programs are available in the following subjects: Con- sumer education, home management, homemaking skills, and leadership development.
4-H Club Work is a youth program and is available to any boy or girl between the ages of 10 and 21. These young people are organized in agricultural and home economics clubs of all kinds.
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Requests for information in agriculture, home econ- omics or 4-H Club Work should be directed to the Ply- mouth County Extension Service, Court House, Brockton.
While the Extension Service furnishes information, it is up to the individual who receives this information to make the decision as to how it can be used to the best advantage.
Many Plymouth County citizens avail themselves of the opportunity each year to secure this free help and information pertaining to the home, home grounds, 4-H Club Work and agriculture. As the Extension Service is supported by the Federal, State and County governments, all citizens should make full use of their Extension Service.
The Board of Trustees appointed by the Plymouth County Commissioners, administer the Plymouth County Extension Service programs. It is composed of the fol- lowing members :
GILBERT BLACKLEDGE, Whitman, Chairman MRS. HAROLD D. BENT, Brockton
LOUIS BILLINGS, Plympton
MRS. MABEL CHANDLER, Duxbury MRS. GLADYS GIBBS, Hanover® ROBERT HAMMOND, Wareham JOHN HOWE, West Bridgewater
JOHN W. LITTLE, Marshfield
JOHN PRENTICE, Plymouth
GUY L. SOUTHARD, Town Director, County Aid to Agriculture
38
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I respectfully submit my report as Building Inspector and Wiring Inspector for the year 1961.
The following figures show the total number of per- mits processed for the year 1961.
Houses (Also house & garage combinations) 54
Garages 14
Non-Residential Structures (includes stores, storage buildings, work shops, etc.)
10
Alterations & Additions 74
Miscellaneous (relocations, renewal permits, etc.) 20 Sewage Disposal 26
Electrical 62
Total number of permits issued 260
Gross receipts for 1961
$2,716.00
Less Refunds
4.00
Net $2,712.00
The estimated costs of construction
shown on "Application for Permit"
Forms totalled $1,247,371.00
Assistance was also given to 29 people in filing petitions to the Board of Appeals.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK E. PHILLIPS, JR. Building Inspector
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The Board of Appeals held thirty-three public hear- ings during 1961. Twenty-six were on petition for vari- ance in the residential district and seven in the business district.
Of these petitions two were withdrawn at the hearing and one is still pending waiting relocation of certain prop- erty lines. Of the remaining thirty the Board granted twenty substantially as requested and ten were denied.
The Board thanks the interested citizens who came to the hearings. The opinions as expressed by the citizens at these public hearings is always a great help to the Board in arriving at its decisions.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT SEYMOUR, Chairman EDWARD P. HOBART, Secretary H. RUSSELL CHANDLER
40
REPORT OF HARBOR MASTER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
This year there were approximately 674 boats of all sizes - 213 tenders, 214 outboards, 118 sailboats, 117 inboards, and 12 auxiliary sailboats - moored in Dux- bury.
There were fifteen calls from Scituate Coast Guard to check if boats reported missing and overdue were in Duxbury. Twenty boats were reported missing from shore points. Sixteen were relocated. Fifteen boats broke loose from moorings along-shore. None were total losses, but some were severely damaged. Two boats were re- ported swamped. All passengers in the outboard were saved, but two in the sailboat were lost at sea.
Slowdown signs were placed at Blufish River, Back River, and at the Basin. These areas were much im- proved. However, they will be as closely observed in the future as they were in the past year.
New Rules and Regulations were made up by the Waterfront Committee, approved by the Selectmen, adopted, and posted at the start of the season.
Thirty-one channel markers were set out on the 1st of May - six at Howland's Lane, five at Joe's Point, and twenty at the beach channel. When we picked up the markers on November 1, seven were missing.
Mooring fee bills were sent out and at the time of writing this report, some fees had not been received.
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Where mooring fees were not paid by the end of 1961, the mooring location will be given to the "number one" person on the waiting list and the delinquent will be placed at the bottom.
Respectfully submitted
VICTOR D. NICKERSON Harbor Master
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REPORT OF HEALTH DEPARTMENT 1961
I hereby submit my report as Agent for the Board of Health for the year 1961.
A clinic was held early in the year to give booster shots of Salk vaccine for polio and it was well attended. It will be repeated this year if the oral vaccine is still not available.
The communicable diseases reported to the Depart- ment during the past year were as follows :
Mumps 5
Chicken Pox
41
Measles 56
German Measles
9
Roseola
1
Meningitis
1
Encephalitis
1
Dog Bites
13
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.
43
REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE DUXBURY FREE LIBRARY, INC.
For the Year Ended December 31, 1961
Including payments made by the Town of Duxbury for the Library
Library Town of
RECEIPTS
Treasurer Duxbury
Total
On hand January 1, 1961 in bank
$ 490.89
From Trust Funds:
Wright
$4,050.88
Winsor
906.72
Hathaway
134.45
Duxbury Hall
218.50
Hunt
32.50
$5,343.05
5,343.05
Appropriation
($13,132.00)
$13,131.72
Total Receipts
$5,833.94 $13,131.72 $18,965.94
EXPENDITURES
Salaries
$
$ 9,758.33 $ 9,758.33
Books
1,124.77
2,352.54
3,477.31
Supplies
422.84
242.25
665.09
Repairs and Improvements
152.46
94.96
247.42
Insurance
604.28
604.28
Fuel Oil
783.97
56.16
840.13
Electricity
408.19
408.19
Telephone
152.43
152.43
Janitor Services
897.00
897.00
Other Operating Expenses
38.47
23.20
61.67
Total Expenditures
$3,980.13 $13,131.72 $17,111.85
Balance in Bank, Dec. 31, 1961
1,853.81
1,853.81
$5,833.94 $13,131.72 $18,965.66
Respectfully submitted, C. RUSSELL EDDY, Treasurer Duxbury Free Library, Inc.
44
REPORT OF THE DUXBURY FREE LIBRARY
To the Trustees :
December 31st, 1961 brings to a close another year of library history. 1961 has been a year of increased use of the library in all directions, together with the continu- ing development of its services and resources.
During 1961 the total circulation of library books totalled 64,475, a gain of 5040 over that of 1960 and 30,776 more than in 1953, the first full year of the present librarian's tenure of office. Just these figures alone are an indication of how much the use of the library has increased since those days. Of this 64,475 circulation, 29,764 books were borrowed by adults and 34,711 by juniors. Circulation figures as we all know, are only a partial disclosure of the library's activities. Reference work with all of the pupils in the public schools and with private school and college students is a big part of the daily routine. With our very good reference collection, much satisfactory work is being done in this field. Term papers are required of all pupils beginning with Junior High through High School and nearly all of the material for these papers is searched for and found in the Duxbury Free Library.
Extensive book selection and reference work is also carried on with our adult readers, many of whom are students and people taking courses in widely varied sub- jects. Adults using the library in summer always include many distinguished researchers and readers as well as those who borrow books for relaxation and pleasure. These visitors to the library never fail to express their enthusiasm for all that the library has been able to do for them during their stay in Duxbury.
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The summer months are busy ones in the Duxbury Free Library. There is no decline in the library's activi- ties. As soon as the schools are closed, Duxbury pupils and boys and girls from many parts of the country come to the library with their "summer reading lists." The Library Staff give very careful attention to the selection of these books, in the hope that every title chosen will prove to be the right one for each individual reader.
In the summer of 1961, the library co-operated with the Duxbury Science Programme and a deposit of over 50 science books was made up from their reading list and placed in the Science classroom for the use of the boys and girls taking the course. Many other titles were bor- rowed from the library by the boys and girls themselves. The supervisors of the course were delighted to discover our up-to-date science collection and to know that they were free to use it as extensively as possible.
On December 31, 1961, 6212 borrowers had registered since 1953. During 1961, 715 registrations were re- corded; 407 of these being new borrowers and 308 were re-registrations after the expiration of their four year cards; in 1961 there were 118 more new borrowers than in 1960.
$3447.31 was spent for books and magazines during 1961. Allowing $110 for the magazine bill, $3337.31 purchased 1400 new titles at an average cost of $2.10 per title. In 1960, $3176 bought 1425 titles.
The larger book budget and fewer titles for the money reflect the constant rise in the price of books. Very careful book selection precedes all purchases. Where $5.00 used to be the average top-price for a "must" book in biography, history, travel, or science, these titles are now commonly listed at $7.50 and $10.00. Our increasing circulation statistics reflect the demands made upon the
46
library. It is hoped that our 1962 book budget will be adequate to supply most legitimate requests and will enable us to keep abreast of the changing world in which we live. The librarian is sincerely concerned with getting the very best books to be had with the money at her command.
Our Elementary School Programme becomes more of a part of the regular school curriculum each year and is an established event in our library routine. All elemen- tary school classes visit the library beginning with the first grade and ending with the sixth. Each grade, ac- companied by its teacher visits the library every other week. Twelve classes come to the library each week. The children are taught to become acquainted with the library, how to use reference books and how to select books for their own reading enjoyment. When a class has a special assignment, help is given in selecting the books for their subject.
It is the purpose and hope of all who are connected with the administration of the Duxbury Free Library, that as a result of these visits every Duxbury boy and girl will develop a life-long love of books and reading and that the public library habit will be a lasting one.
Story Hours, given by the librarian, are held every other week for the four first-grade classes. Before many weeks have passed, cards are issued to those who can already read enough to borrow a book. By January 1st almost every first-grader is the proud possessor of a library card. Mr. James M. Cain, Jr., the principal of the Elementary School and the teachers in the first six grades are all enthusiastic supporters of this programme and have been most cooperative in developing it into such an important and successful one. The foundation for all future learning rests upon good reading ability. The
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library's school programme is its contribution to the building of that foundation. Beginning with September 1962, 15 classes will be visiting the library each week.
In 1960 an "Act Providing State Aid for Free Public Libraries" was passed by the Massachusetts Legislature. Libraries in towns under a 10,000 population were to receive 25¢ for each individual in the town, if the libraries met the minimum requirements of the law. It was the first time that Massachusetts towns ever received such aid and it was a clear-cut recognition of the importance of public libraries in the life of our Commonwealth. The Duxbury Free Library met the requirements laid down in the law and was granted its share of this aid, which amounted to $992.67. The amount was slightly less than anticipated because the million dollar appropriation was not quite enough to cover all requests. It is hoped that in 1962 the library will receive $1181.75, based upon population figures of 4727.
The total library appropriation for 1961 was $13,132, $992.37 of this amount coming from the state. It is the hope of the librarian that the 1962 budget will enable the library to further its services in every direction, to take care of the immediate need of more books and of more help to carry on the increasing business of the library; the work with the public, the schools, the selection, cata- loguing and processing of books.
After the immediate needs of the library are taken care of, the future of the library must be considered. Ever since September 1961, when the new Junior-Senior High School·became our near neighbor, there has been a decided increase in the number of pupils using the library for reference. On most afternoons every available seat and nook and cranny are occupied. All available space is being used. The Library Staff often hear the comment,
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"Well, we need a larger library." It is true ; shelves, even with careful discarding are filling up. Duxbury needs a larger library and that problem is something that must be thought about.
On November 15, 1961, Mrs. Odeal Moody resigned from the Library Staff after 12 years of devoted service to the library. The Trustees and librarian accepted Mrs. Moody's resignation with sincere regret. She is very much missed by her host of friends and co-workers. Mrs. Mercy K. Goin is the new member of the Staff.
While the librarian and her husband enjoyed a visit to Ireland, Scotland and England during October, a new book by Mrs. Winona Strachan of the Library Staff was published by Franklin Watts. This is Mrs. Strachan's second book for boys and girls. It is called "Johnny Cod- liner" and it is an exciting and absorbing story of rope- making and Plymouth during our American Revolution.
Once again it is time for the librarian to extend her thanks and appreciation to all who have helped to carry on the increased work of 1961: to the Trustees, sincerely interested in the welfare and success of the library, to the Staff, Mrs. Winifred T. Couch, Mrs. Odeal O. Moody, Mrs. Margaret R. Bates, Mrs. Winona Strachan and Mrs. Mercy K. Goin for their conscientious and faithful execu- tion of their duties, to Mr. James E. Walke, custodian, for a shining library. To the members of the Duxbury Gar- den Club for their contribution of plants and flowers and to the Junior Garden Club for another very decorative Christmas tree. Special thanks is also due to all of our
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library friends who have so generously donated money, books, periodicals, plants and flowers during the year. Gifts, such as these reflect the attitude of the community toward the library. It is an attitude of friendliness and cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
MINNIE BURKE FIGMIC Librarian
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REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Duxbury Finance Committee held its organi- zational meeting on May 16, 1961, at which time new members Stanley D. Waters and Charles H. Fargo were welcomed and the following officers were elected :
Theodore H. Reed, Chairman Charles M. Tenney, Jr., Vice-Chairman Charles H. Fargo, Secretary
Departing slightly from past procedure, one of the three vacant positions on the Committee was filled by Henry Palmer, who had already completed a three-year term.
For the third year John T. Hathaway, Jr., was ap- pointed the Finance Committee representative on the Personnel Board. For the second year Edward B. Peters was appointed our representative on the Site Committee. Henry Palmer was assigned the responsibility of follow- ing through on insurance matters and Nathaniel R. Cutler, Edward B. Peters, and John T. Hathaway, Jr., were as- signed to follow through and recommend on Town Trust and Invested Funds.
Early in our year as a Committee we participated in a Special Town Meeting at which time $11,000.00 was voted to install a filter bed at the Elementary School. It is appropriate to mention here that this $11,000.00 was voted from the Excess & Deficiency Fund and, although the project was unavoidable, the expenditure reduces by that much the amount that would be available from Excess & Deficiency to reduce the tax rate, should it be needed for that purpose.
A study of Building Permit fees was made by a committee headed by Charles M. Tenney, Jr., and a report containing a new proposed schedule was presented to the Selectmen. The aim of this schedule is to provide suffi-
51
cient income to the Town from the fees so as to cover about 75% of the cost of operating the Building Inspec- tor's Department. At the present about 57% of the costs are covered and this was found to be considerably below the average of most other towns surveyed. It should be pointed out here that the fee increases are slight so as not to become a burden to anyone wishing to construct or alter a building.
Your Finance Committee firmly believes that one of its more important duties is to investigate all the possible means by which the Town can save money. One logical way is to charge fees which are more commensurate with services rendered. By so doing, those who make greatest use of a department's services also contribute propor- tionately more to the operation of that department.
A study has also been made by Charles M. Tenney, Jr., relating to the charge for hydrant service. At the present time no conclusions or agreements have been arrived at by the Finance Committee, Water Com- missioners, or Selectmen. However, this report is being studied and by the time of Town Meeting some definite recommendations may be expected.
As this Town Report goes to the printer your Finance Committee has already acted upon some budgets and is seriously considering the balance. Some Special Articles are available for study, but more will be received in the coming weeks. As we make progress in our work and as Town Meeting date nears, we will make periodic reports to the voters through the pages of the Clipper.
It is too early now to make any prediction concerning the 1962 tax rate. However, in Duxbury, as in most other towns, there appears to be no end in sight to the increase in costs of government services. We, in Duxbury, have benefited somewhat each year by an increase in our total
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