Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1961-1965, Part 39

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 39


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With this in mind, we recommend that the State Board of Health be contacted concerning the possibility of setting up a form of sanitary land fill. From our inves- tigations, it appears to us that this method of refuse dis- posal would not be considerably more expensive than that presently being used. It would be much more efficient.


Future Developments


Prefacing our remarks here by admitting that none of us are experts in this area, it would seem that the present dump area probably would be adequate for another four or five years at which time another site will be mandatory. With this in mind, we recommend that the town investigate acquiring another site in the near future with the thought in mind that this would at sometime be used for the Town Dump. The purchase of enough land so that a new dump can be started and main- tained may very well be a distinct advantage to the Town in the years to come as the cost of land continues to soar, more people are developing and building houses, fore- sight in this area should prove economical.


In summation, this committee feels that the main problem is that there have been no definite lines of author- ity in the dump area for some time. We feel that more efficiency, better use of town funds, could be effected by setting up a special department to handle the dump. We feel that with proper management and control the present area is adequate for the immediate future; how- ever, as the Town grows, continuous studies should be made of more efficient and effective methods of refuse disposal.


Respectfully submitted, DR. HERMON C. BUMPUS, JR. DR. GEORGE R. STARR, JR. JOHN ARNOLD, Chairman


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Report of the Personnel Board


To The Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury:


The Personnel Board met formally once each month for the purpose of approving salary increase recommen- dations. These meetings were open and were often attend- ed by Department Heads and other town employees. Certain minor adjustments were made to correct inequal- ities caused by the adoption at the last Town Meeting of new rates of pay.


Many executive sessions were also held. Several job classifications were reviewed, and there were some addi- tional positions added to the current plan. These are, of course, subject to ratification at the Town Meeting to be held in March, 1965.


The Board wishes to thank the Department Heads and all other town employees for their help and coopera- tion. We also wish to thank the citizens of Duxbury for the loyal support they have given the Board.


Respectfully submitted, THOMAS H. LANMAN, JR., Chairman WILLIAM H. HORNICEK JOHN H. STETSON


Personnel Board


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Report of Recreation Activities Committee


Soon after the last town meeting, your committee began to solicit applications for a professional recreation director as authorized by Article 24 of that meeting.


Inquiries were made of placement directors at Spring- field College, Boston University, and Northeastern.


A resume of job qualifications was filed with the Na- tional Recreation Association, a nationwide organization, who make known available positions in the field of recrea- tion to interested candidates.


A number of applications were received, many of which had to be resolved through correspondence because of the distances involved between the applicant's resi- dence and Duxbury.


Personal interviews were held with a number of applicants resulting in the selection of Mr. Ernest Gowen.


Mr. Gowen has had twelve years' experience in rec- reation work, the last six as director of the Columbia Point Center project in Dorchester.


The amount of time necessary to carefully consider all applicants delayed the appointment of Mr. Gowen until September 1, 1964.


A movie program on Saturdays for younger children was commenced in October with total attendance to date for nine showings of 1525 children and a few adults or an average of 169 per Saturday. This program is shown at Tarkiln Center in the morning and in the Intermediate School in the afternoon, at a charge of 15 cents.


As a result of response to a questionnaire circulated by the director among Junior and Senior High School students, an informal lounge program was adopted on


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specified Friday and Saturday evenings at the Old Town Hall. Started on November 6, total attendance for 10 evenings was 1093 or an average of 109 excluding one roller skating program with 78 in attendance.


During school vacations basketball and gym activi- ties were started in the High and Intermediate Schools with an attendance of 86. This program will be continued on Saturdays during the winter months.


A badminton activity, for those not presently in any group, is to be started in January and in January square dancing will commence and continue depending upon acceptance.


Other programs will be adopted as time and facilities permit. Weather has not favored ice skating and hockey as of this writing.


The Director, with the cooperation of the Duxbury Clipper, writes the "Rambling Rec" for the purpose of keeping citizens informed of recreation activities.


Early in the year William H. Penn was appointed to fill the vacancy which occurred when Mrs. Wentworth's term expired. Mrs. Wentworth declined reappointment after many years of service to the Town of Duxbury both on this committee and its predecessor, the Old Town Hall Recreation Committee.


Mrs. Dorothy Proctor was appointed to fill John Os- borne's place when he declined reappointment. Mrs. Proctor and John Osborne were the committee's liaison with Tarkiln. Subsequently Mrs. Proctor was compelled to resign because of the pressure of business and Jack Williams, President of the Tarkiln Association, was ap- pointed in her place.


Roy Daub from the Recreation Council was appointed to fill a vacancy that had existed for some time.


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Walter Kopke, Jr. was reappointed for three years.


The amount of $365.08 was turned into the Town Treasury which represents proceeds of some of the activ- ities for the period October 1 through December 31. It is not expected that the budget for 1965 will exceed the amount appropriated in 1964.


The committee thanks all those volunteers, adults, and teenagers who have supported the programs. Special thanks is due Dr. Handy, the school personnel, the School Committee for the use of the school facilities, the Rotary Club, Duxbury Clipper, Duxbury Council of Churches, Recreation Council, Mrs. J. Verity Smith, and all others who have contributed time and offered suggestions to this activity.


Recreation Activities Committee F. MICHAEL DEWIRE JR., Chairman ERNEST L. GOWEN, Director ROY E. DAUB WALTER F. KOPKE, JR.


WILLIAM H. PENN


THEODORE H. REED EDWARD G. WADELL JOHN A. WILLIAMS


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Report of the Plumbing Inspectors


Since July 20, 1964 there have been fifty-seven permits issued. Fees from these permits are intended to reim- burse the inspectors. They amounted to two-hundred and sixty-one dollars.


The State Plumbing Inspector has met with your Selectmen and Inspector on several occasions.


Meetings with plumbers in Duxbury and Plymouth concerning codes and code changes have been attended.


To meet a State requirement a code change has been submitted for your approval at Town Meeting.


It is already evident that, in both safety and quality of installation, the property owner is the beneficiary of a code.


Under safety it is recommended that an inspection of your house heating boiler and water heater be made by your plumber. We find that Duxbury water, with its high iron content, has a tendency to clog the relief pres- sure valves, thereby subjecting you, your equipment, or your property to damage.


We have had several cases of property and equip- ment damage. Luckily, no personal injury has been reported.


Respectfully submitted,


HERBERT C. WIRT, Plumbing Inspector WILLIAM GARRITY, Assistant Inspector


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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, 1964.


LIST OF OFFENSES


B and E daytime, misdemeanor 9


B and E and L daytime, over $100.00 6


B and E and L daytime, less $100.00 2


B and E and L nighttime, less $100.00


14


B and E and L nighttime, over $100.00 2


15


Larceny, over $100.00


2


Receiving stolen property


1


Assault and battery


7


Assault and battery with dangerous weapon 1


Illegal possession, dangerous weapon


1


Malicious injury private property over $15.00


18


Malicious injury to private property under $15.00


1


Bribery


1


Neglect minor child


2


Illegitimacy


2


Improper attaching registration plates


5


Using motor vehicle without authority


2


Operating motor vehicle after suspension


6


No inspection sticker


1


Operating unregistered motor vehicle


5


Drunkenness


13


Non-support


3


Disturbing the peace


1


Operating so as to endanger


18


Leaving scene after property damage


4


Speeding


7


Operating under influence


5


Operating motor vehicle without license


3


Larceny, less $100.00


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Operating uninsured motor vehicle


5


Failing to slow for intersection 1


Failing to slow for pedestrians


1


Violation of probation


1


Attempted larceny


3


Stubborn child


3


Vagrancy


1


Minor possession of liquor


1


Unnatural act with child under 16 years


1


Indecent assault and battery on


child under 16 years


1


Statutory rape


1


176


DISPOSITION OF OFFENSES


Guilty


84


Guilty and committed


15


Guilty given probation


5


Not guilty


8


Guilty and filed


3


Continued without finding


3


Arrests for outside police


4


Cases pending Superior Court


2


Cases pending District Court


3


Drunks released


3


Judicated delinquent child and committed 1


Judicated delinquent child and given probation 42


Continued without finding juvenile 3


176


MISCELLANEOUS


Calls and complaints investigated


7,288


Arrests


99


Accidents investigated


171


Messages delivered


436


Summons served


249


Animals destroyed


15


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Animals returned to owners 47


Emergency trips to hospital and doctors 78


Deaths investigated (sudden) 11


Doors and windows found open


62


Stolen cars recovered 12


Parking tags issued 353


Beach stickers issued including replacements 2,466


Pistol permits issued 37


Dealers firearms permits


3


Shellfish permits issued 1,056


Value of property recovered


$14,483.20


Missing persons located 20


Committed to State Hospital


3


Suicides 3


Registry of motor vehicle citations issued 45


Miles travelled by cruisers 126,572 miles


M.B.B.A. permits issued 323


POLICE DEPARTMENT ROSTER


CHIEF Lawrence C. Doyle Sergeants


Henry P. McNeil Thomas A. Johnson


Patrolmen


William K. LaFleur


Frank E. Phillips Jr.


Curtis G. Dow


William R. Whitehouse James N. Wills Francis X. Guilderson


Neil Phillips Intermittent Patrolman Robert D. Byrne Provisional Patrolmen


Herbert F. Johnson Kenneth W. Lovejoy


Michael J. Sheehan William B. Griffin


John K. Parker Respectfully submitted, LAWRENCE C. DOYLE, Chief of Police


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Report of the South Shore Mosquito Control Project


The Honorable Board of Selectmen Town of Duxbury, Massachusetts


Dear Sirs:


As representative for this Town on the South Shore Mosquito Control Project Commission, I am furnishing you two copies of the annual report of the project of its activities relating to the Town of Duxbury for the year ending October 31, 1964.


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 the Town of Duxbury


Submitted herewith is the report of the South Shore Mosquito Control Project's activities in the Town of Duxbury for the year ending October 31, 1964.


The Town of Duxbury appropriated $5300 for mos- quito control in 1964. Along with this $2250 was appropri- ated for salt marsh maintenance. This money was used for mosquito control in the Town of Duxbury by the South Shore Mosquito Control Project, a cooperative effort


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embracing the City of Quincy and the Towns of Dux- bury, Braintree, Cohasset, Hingham, Hull, Marshfield, Norwell, Scituate and Weymouth. The project is a year- round operation based on a three-phase plan in the reduc- tion of mosquitoes, that is Permanent Control, Preventive Control and Adult Control.


The following was accomplished by the South Shore Mosquito Control Project last year in the Town of Duxbury.


Permanent Control


475 feet of drainage ditch were reclaimed, 2600 feet of existing drainage ditch were cleared of their block- ages, all to reduce possible mosquito breeding areas. 1200 feet of brushing was done to allow access to ditch or spray.


Preventive Control


175 acres of small isolated woodland swamps were prehatch treated with dust upon ice in winter months to prevent the development of the mosquito eggs. 1185 acres of larger swamp areas were treated in the spring of the year by air from a Piper Cub for larval control of spring mosquitoes.


During the summer months many areas had to be checked and rechecked for possible mosquito breeding and if found sprayed. 590 gallons of insecticide sprayed for larval and pupal control mixed for and applied at the rate of a gallon per acre.


Catchbasins are a souce of a great many mosquitoes. These have to be treated as often as three times a summer season, depending on a wet or dry season. 200 basins were treated in the Town. These are the basins treated, not the number of town basins.


Adult Control


Spraying for adult mosquitoes becomes necessary


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where complaints of large numbers of mosquitoes move into an area, usually migrating from uncontrolled areas or from the many small water containers that breed the Culex or house mosquitoes. 805 gallons of insecticide were space sprayed with hydraulic sprayer and mist blower mixed and applied at between one-half and one gallon per acre.


When weather and other conditions were favorable an insecticidal thermal fogger was used. This usually in the evening hours. 36 acres were fogged in the Town.


The insecticides used by the South Shore Mosquito Control Project were:


DDT Wettable Powder


DDT Emulsifiable Concentrate


Malathion Emulsifiable Concentrate


Malathion Immiscible and oil (fog)


Naled DiBrom No. 14 (fog) Baytex (catchbasins)


All these insecticides are registered and labeled for use in mosquito control and are applied at no greater amounts than their labels recommend as being proper for mosquito control operations.


The main goal of this project shall always be to work toward eliminating as many of the mosquito breeding sites as possible through drainage or fill rather than a dependence on insecticides. To reduce the mosquito pest along with reducing amounts of chemical pesticides is what organized mosquito control means.


The Project wishes to acknowledge the help received from officials and departments of the Town and sincerely hopes that the benefits derived by these departments as a result are as great as those derived by the Project.


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Sealer of Weights and Measures


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


The annual report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures is hereby submitted for the year 1964.


Devices Sealed:


Scales over 10,000 pounds 1


Scales 100 to 5,000 pounds


8


Scales under 100 pounds


34


Weights:


Avoirdupois


15


Metric


18


Apothecary Troy


32


Liquid measures one gallon or under


17


Gasoline pumps


28


Vehicle tank meter


6


Bulk storage meter


1


Oil and grease pumps


12


Yardsticks 8


Sealing fees collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer: $91.00.


Respectfully submitted, WESLEY B. STUART, Sealer of Weights and Measures.


Report of the Gas Inspector


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


As Gas Inspector for the Town of Duxbury, I made the following inspections during the year of 1964.


There were 151 gas permits taken out. These permits included the inspection of 224 gas appliances installed in Duxbury.


Respectfully submitted, LT. HOWARD M. BLANCHARD, Gas Inspector.


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Report of the Board of Public Welfare and Bureau of Old Age Assistance


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen


and to the Citizens of Duxbury


The Board of Public Welfare respectfully submits the following report for the year 1964.


The changes this year in the regulations pertaining to the administration of public assistance were:


State reimbursement toward all General Relief expenditure.


Increased exemptions for children of recipients of Old Age.


Assistance and Medical Assistance for the Aged.


Hospital and some nursing home rates were increased.


Monies recovered during 1964 included:


O.A.A. Liens


$6,356.54


M.A.A.


59.00


Fraud by child of O.A.A. recipient


375.00


Fraud by A.F.D.C. parent


135.25


Hospital insurance for


recipient of D.A. 1,115.11


Hospital insurance for


recipient of G.R.


751.41


Five children attended camp this past Summer through donations made by various organizations.


We wish to thank the Kiwanis, American Legion, Lions Club, Rotary, Council of Churches, Camp T, mem- bers of the Congregational Church, and 5 generous citi- zens of the Town who have helped to bring much hap- piness to those less fortunate through their donations


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toward camp, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Board of Public Welfare wish to thank the Selectmen and the Police Department for their cooperation during the past year.


Respectfully submitted,


HOWARD M. CLARK, Chairman PAUL N. SWANSON NANCY B. TERAVAINEN EDWARD S. BOTTENUS


Report of the Superintendent Insect Pest Control


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen:


It appears that the low point in the cycle of the Tent Caterpillar has been reached. Less than half a dozen nests were found and destroyed this year. However, it is expected that a build-up will soon occur because of in- creased numbers to the West and North of us.


Elm Leaf Beetles are on the decrease. Japanese Beetles are also at the low point in their cycle.


One egg cluster of the Gypsy Moth was found this year on an English Oak on Chestnut Street.


Bark Beetles that infest the Elms are on the increase where the regular spray program is not carried out.


The cutting down and burning of beetle-infested wood is done in connection with control of Dutch Elm Disease.


Respectfully submitted,


ROY E. PARKS, Superintendent


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Report of the Superintendent of Parks and Playgrounds


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen


and the Citizens of Duxbury:


Spring clean-up and fertilizing of the grass on the parks and playgrounds was accomplished early this year due to good Spring weather.


The clay tennis courts were worked over and put in playing condition the first week of April.


The grass was kept mowed on twelve areas, varying in size from the Tree of Knowledge lot to the eighteen- acre lot at Chandler Street.


The Babe Ruth ball field at Chandler Street was put in condition for playing during the season with backstop put up by contract. Thanks to our Water Department for their help installing the water. During the fall the North and East side lines of the ball field were graded and planted to grass and the area around the backstop was enlarged.


During the early fall the old planting in front of the Town Office was taken out and a new planting put in.


Respectfully submitted,


ROY E. PARKS, Superintendent Parks and Playgrounds.


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Report of the Cemetery Trustees


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen


and the Citizens of Duxbury.


The Cemetery Trustees submit the following report for the year 1964 to supplement the report of the Ceme- tery Superintendent.


We wish to thank the Citizens for granting us the new office building which is now in use. We regret that with progress comes added costs as required by the telephone, heat and lights needed for the new building but the added services to the public justify this.


This year has seen an added growth in our Perpetual Care Funds of around $17,000. Our burials have continued at a higher level.


We are requesting an appropriation of $19,000 to carry on the work of the Cemetery Department. This repre- sents an increase of 8.25% due to scheduled increase in salaries and wages of $1,250 and increased office expenses of $450. $800 will be taken care of by added income from the Perpetual Care Funds. It is estimated that $7,000 will come back to the Town from charges for burials and work done on the lots.


The Trustees express their thanks for the help of the Citizens of the Town in maintaining our Cemeteries.


Respectfully submitted, EDWARD P. HOBART, Chairman CARL E. JOHNSON HERMON C. BUMPUS JR. ERNEST W. CHANDLER J. NEWTON SHIRLEY, Secretary


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Report of the Veterans' Agent


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


I respectfully submit my report as Agent and Director for the Department of Veterans' Services for the year 1964.


The office of Veterans' Services is open to Veterans and their dependents Monday through Saturday by ap- pointment.


I have obtained eight Federal Pensions this year for Veterans and their dependents, and continued to advise and assist them in obtaining the numerous benefits to which they were entitled. I expect additional work in 1965, due to President Johnson signing into law an Act of Congress allowing Disabled Veterans to buy National Service Life Insurance. This law will go into effect May 1, 1965.


I have registered 27 local 18-year-olds for Draft Board Number 129, Marshfield, Massachusetts.


On November 20, of this year the State Department of Veterans' Services advised this department that on January 1, 1965 there definitely would be a five per cent increase in all budget categories. This information was given so that we could prepare our 1965 budget for the estimated increase.


During the year we have had a total of 22 cases, representing 84 persons who received Veterans' Benefits. At this time we have 13 active cases representing 45 persons.


Our appropriation was $23,900.68 - we expended $22,389.85 leaving a balance of $1,510.83 in the account to be returned to the Town. Approximately half of the amount expended will be reimbursed to the Town, by the State Department of Veterans' Services.


Respectfully submitted,


HENRY P. McNEIL, Agent


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Report of the Building Inspector


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Following is my report as Building Inspector and Wiring Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1964:


Permits Issued 1964


Houses (also house & garage combinations) 57


Garages 9


Non-Residential (includes storage buildings,


camp buildings, etc.) 7


Alterations & Additions 78


Sewage Disposal 71


Electrical 62


Miscellaneous (renewal permits, relocations) 17


Total number of permits issued 301


Total permit fees collected 1964


$2,626


Estimated costs of construction


(as shown on "Application for Permit" forms) totalled $1,312,930


Petitions to the Board of Appeals filed


through this department numbered 34


Respectfully submitted,


ALBERT R. SCHOFIELD, JR.


Building Inspector Wiring Inspector


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Report of the Superintendent Control of Dutch Elm Disease


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen:


The control of Dutch Elm Disease gets to be more difficult each year.


Application of dormant and foliage spray was given to 2,500 Elm trees. Thirty-three suspected samples were sent to Amherst for testing and 24 returned as confirmed Dutch Elm Disease. Nine out of the 24 were earmarked at the time of spraying as not a good spray job for one reason or another.


In the group of Elm trees not sprayed, 54 diseased and beetle-infested trees were cut down and burned.


The program also consists of sampling and pruning which is a full-time job for a crew of men.


Respectfully submitted,


ROY E. PARKS, Superintendent


The Town Dump


To the Citizens of the Town:


The Town Dump is still in operation and reports indi- cate the public considers the dump is in better condition than it has been for several years. Our thoughts for the future are held in abeyance pending further study of the report of the Committee appointed by the directive of the last town meeting.


J. NEWTON SHIRLEY, M.D. Chairman, Board of Health


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Report of the Harbor Master


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


I submit my report as Harbor Master for the year 1964.


This year there were well over 700 boats of all types moored or anchored in Duxbury waters. This includes inboards, outboards, sailboats, auxiliary sailboats, and tenders.


A new type of channel marker replaced the old spars used previous years in Beach Channel. Made from flota- tion foam rubber these markers are visible during all phases of the tide and proved very satisfactory. This coming season all spars in other channels will be replaced by the foam rubber type.


Speed limit signs were placed in the basin and main channel; also at the mouth of Bluefish River, and on the bank approaching the Cove Street bathing area. We patrol these areas regularly to check speeders and reckless operators.


Mooring fee bills were sent out early in May and approximately $1,600.00 was collected.


Respectfully submitted,


MANUEL OLIVER, Harbor Master


Health Department


I hereby submit my report as agent for the Board of Health for the year 1964.




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