USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1936 > Part 11
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The practice of voting Town funds for specific WPA projects should be abandoned for several reasons. We have not been able to start up funded projects when we want to; the WPA office has quite arbitrarily re- quired that we make contributions not specified in the project applications, throwing our cost estimates out of balance; most projects run past the calendar year, so that complete funding increases the tax rate un- necessarily ; new projects develop during the year, such as the Courthouse Grading. Also, the funds as voted do not specifically authorize such general items as cer- tifying officer, etc. Therefore a new fund should be set up broad enough to meet such conditions as may arise.
We have seldom been able to do just what we wanted in WPA work. The labor supply has been limited and subject to constant change. Town equipment is lim- ited, and projects have had to be arranged to make the best possible use of what we have had available. Fed- eral red tape has interfered with most projects at one time or another. In view of the handicaps and the largely unskilled nature of the labor, we consider that most creditable results have been obtained.
218
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF WELFARE AND OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
With the acceptance of the change in the town charter last spring, the Selectmen automatically became the Board of Welfare.
The work has been continued along the same lines as in the past, and in addition, all new applications for aid are now presented to the Selectmen for their ap- proval. The nature of Welfare work requires many confidential talks of a personal nature, and this work has always been in a room with other departments. The state now demands separate rooms for Old Age and Welfare. The change of the Electric Light Depart- ment to their larger quarters left their old office avail- able, and it is now being renovated for the use of these departments. This will give greatly improved facilities for handling the work.
Outside Relief
The number of unemployed requiring Welfare aid was about the same in 1936 as in 1935. While some people have secured work in private employment, there are still a large number dependent on the W. P. A. for a living. The W. P. A. quota for Middleboro has been cut about 33 1-3% during 1936. Some of those laid off have secured work while we have had to help others. At present, the situation is the same as last January. No more people can be put on the W. P. A. at present, so needy persons thrown out of employment may require help until work is secured.
219
We cannot see any material reduction in this class of aid for 1937 unless the W. P. A. increases our quota or more unemployed persons secure work.
Aid to Dependent Children
Last summer a new law (Chapter 413 of the Acts of 1936) was passed which extends the scope of the old Mother's Aid law. Under the old law, only children living with the mother came under the regulations. The new law provides partial reimbursement for aid given for dependent children living with other relatives, where the parents are dead or unable to give the proper care.
The Federal Govrenment will now reimburse the town for cash aid to the amount of $6.00 per month for the first child in the family and $4.00 per month for each additional child. The State will also reimburse for one-third of all aid. The town is responsible for the balance of aid given.
We have already transferred some cases from Wel- fare to Aid to Dependent Children, and there are five more cases that will be transferred this month.
Infirmary
The work at the Infirmary has been done in the usual satisfactory manner by Mr. and Mrs. Grant. The in- mates are well cared for. The buildings are in first- class condition, except for an old shed that has been used as a garage and to store tools. This building is so old that the timbers have rotted. Part of the roof is gone, and a gale may blow it over any day. We have asked an appropriation of $1,000 to build a new garage on the site of this building.
220
The work on the piggery was not begun until Decem- ber, but it has progressed satisfactorily; and most of the outside work is completed. With the installation of the pens, we shall have an up-to-date building that will last many years; and with the increased number of pigs we shall be able to raise, we hope to increase our receipts materially. This year the price of pork has been high, and we received over $2,100 for hogs sold.
We are asking for an appropriation for a new truck. The one in use was bought in 1930 and has had constant use for the collection of rubbish and for all the farm work. During 1936 it broke down and had to be re- paired several times. It is likely to give out any day; and every break, in addition to the cost of repair, delays the work for a day or two.
Old Age Assistance
The new law regarding this class of aid, making the age limit 65 years instead of 70 years, went into effect September 1, 1936. New applications exceeded all ex- pectations, and most of them were eligible for assis- tance. With the change in the law, the number of cases has increased from 135 to 265. We are making an esti- mate of 25 more cases for 1937. There is no way to tell how many applications will be received. The total number of cases will gradually increase for several years.
The State regulations require that the Board of Wel- fare shall appoint a Bureau of Old Age Assistance, com- posed of three persons. At least one of these three shall be an interested citizen who is not a member of the Board of Selectmen or Board of Welfare. In accordance with this regulation, Rev. William C. Kilpatrick, Romeo Millette, and Frederick H. Noble were appointed.
221
All cases receiving Old Age Assistance are supervised by the State Department, and the allowance granted in each case is fixed by them.
Under the present law, the Federal Government reim- burses for one-half the aid given up to $30.00 per month, the State for two-thirds of the balance, and the place of settlement for the remainder.
While our estimate for the total aid to be given is over one hundred thousand dollars, and the necessary appropriation is one-half of that amount, the reimburse- ments from the State and other cities and towns will amount to about forty thousand dollars, leaving the net amount paid by local tax of about ten thousand dollars.
This law is a blessing to many aged people who had no income, or in certain cases were actually abused or neglected by those who were caring for them.
Statistics
As usual, a comparative table of statistics for the years 1935 and 1936 follows this report. You will note that the receipts for 1936 were much larger than in 1935, making the net cost to the town almost $7,000.00 less than last year.
WILLIAM G. BOYNTON,
Supervisor.
222
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF WELFARE DEPARTMENT
1935
1936
Administration
Wages
$1,585.39
$1,300.00
Postage
100.08
94.32
Transportation
55.30
94.66
Supplies
76.25
$1,817.02
89.71
$1,578.69
Outside Aid
Groceries and Provisions
$13,836.63
$13,565.07
Board and Care,
5,523.46
6,047.13
Fuel
4,496.18
2,829.20
Medical Care and Medicine
4,198.47
4,756.87
Clothing
1,730.69
1,114.17
Rent
4,203.60
4,079.41
Cash
4,498.34
4,373.37
Other Supplies and Burials
1,017.58
708.32
$39,504.95
$37,473.54
State Institutions
1,644.68
1,616.65
Other Cities and Towns
3,029.61
44,179.24
3,609.46
42,699.65
Mothers Aid
Middleboro Cases
$5,265.28
$7,188.61
Other Cities and Towns
106.66
5,371.94
7,188.61
Infirmary
Salary Supt. and Matron
$1,387.50
$1,387.00
Wages Employees
1,794.57
1,723.17
Groceries and Provisions
2,099.23
2,021.26
Dry Goods and Clothing
109.20
209.69
Buildings
185.36
438.42
Piggery
973.23
Fuel, Light and Water
830.73
678.78
Grain
705.28
695.88
Autos
846.60
734.39
New Tractor
679.00
Other Farm Expense
1,050.89
9,688.36
1,004.50
9,866.32
Total Gross Expenses for Year
$61,056.56
$61,333.27
Less Total Receipts for Year
23,449.21
31,298.31
Net Welfare Expense
$37,607.35
$30,034.96
OLD AGE
1935
1936
Wages
$512.50
$1,054.59
Postage
99.72
113.19
Supplies
54.59
52.75
223
Transporta-
tion 46.18 $712.99
88.35
$1,307.88
To People in Middleboro
$29,804.59
52,837.61
To Other Cities and
Towns
1,378.66
1,258.72
Less Receipts
$23,339.43
Less Federal Re- ceipts Used
11,968.21
35,307.64
Net Cost to Town
$19,374.65
$20,096.57
Total Net Cost both Departments
56,982.00
50,131.53
Receipts
Bills Receivable
1935
1936
1935
1936
Infirmary
$1,399.50
$2,155.30
Hogs
645.52
620.04
Other Produce
$48.52
$34.40
4,107.89
3,717.88
Board
852.76
1,078.18
5.54
1.00
All Others
$6,158.45
$6,494.22
Total Farm
$901.28
$1,112.58
88.50
1,597.27
Individuals
$310.30
$137.59
5,493.10
8,719.30
Cities and Towns
5,919.73
4,425.32
9,468.81
12,068.09
State Welfare
7,226.84
7,390.86
2,240.35
2,419.43
State Mothers Aid
3,753.07
4,509.91
Cities and Towns Mothers Aid
902.35
$23,449.21
$31,298.31
Total Welfare
$18,111.22
$18,478.61
OLD AGE
$180.33
Individual
12,626.52
State
$8,222.48
$12,521.59*
8,204.53
State Special
$10,149.47*
2,328.05
Cities and Towns
1,540.96
$12,521.59 35,970.80
$23,339.43
Total Old Age
$10,149.47
$9,763.44
54,637.74
Total Both Departments
$28,260.69
28,242.05
Federal Reimbursement
$11,968.21 5,254.98
Old Age-Used 1936 Old Age-For use 1937 Mothers Aid for use 1937
7,266.61
1,502.67
* These Items were not classified in 1935.
$31,896.24 12,521.59
$55,404.21
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STATISTICS
Outside Aid
1935
1936
Families
Persons
Families 133
Persons
Middleboro Settlement
137
495
462
State, Settlement
58
238
56
212
Other Cities or Towns
43
129
45
156
Total Aided in Middleboro
238
862
234
830
Average weekly case load
120
442
January 7, 1936
150
573
February 24, 1936, Heaviest Load
169
634
September 28, 1936, Lightest Load
79
314
December 31, 1936
122
470
December 31, 1936, Employable
77
383
December 31, 1936, Non-employable
45
87
Middleboro Settlement living in other places
20
59
19
48
Applications rejected
9
2
Mothers Aid
Living in Middleboro
9
42
14
74
Living elsewhere
1
3
1
3
Old Age Assistance
Total Cases During Year
138
292
Cases at End of Year
117
265
Living in Other Towns
8
18
Cases Rejected
10
20
Infirmary
Middleboro Settlement Dec. 31 18
19
Boarded by Other Towns Dec. 31
8
8
Total During Year
38
35
Average Number of Inmates
28
26
Cost per inmate per week
$4.61
$5.25
Report of Doctors
House Calls
700
851
Office Calls
384
343
Operations
15
20
Confinements
8
12
St. Luke'sHospital
41
cost $2,092.45
37
cost $746.70
Visits of District Nurse
360
495
Visits of Welfare Visitor
876
1,165
Visits to Infirmary
73
58
PEIRCE GROCERY STORE BEFORE REMODELING INTO COURT HOUSE-POLICE STATION.
PEIRCE GROCERY STORE AFTER REMODELING INTO COURT HOUSE-POLICE STATION, 1936.
225
COURT HOUSE-POLICE STATION
P.W.A. Project
At a Special Town Meeting held April 8, 1935, the Committee on New Police Quarters, of which Chief of Police Alden C. Sisson was Chairman, reported and recommended that the Town purchase from the Trus- tees under the Will of Thomas S. Peirce, the Peirce Grocery store property on North Main Street, and re- model the building into quarters for the Fourth District Court of Plymouth, for a Police Station and also provide Comfort Stations for men and women.
The Town voted to accept the report and adopt the recommendations.
To carry out the recommendations of the Committee, the Town voted at a Special Town Meeting held April 8, 1935, an appropriation of $35,000, $13,000 of which was for the purchase of the property and $22,000 for the expense of remodeling.
Lewis F. Harding, Chairman of the Board of Select- men, Arthur D. Benson, Chairman of the Peirce Trus- tees, Alden C. Sisson, Chief of Police, Orrin R. Smith and Harry J. Goodale, Town Manager, were the Com- mittee appointed to carry out this project.
It was intended at the time to do this work as a W.P.A. project but before the necessary authority could be obtained the President issued orders that all projects, the cost of which would exceed $25,000, must be done as a P;W.A. project.
In order to do this work in co-operation with the Government, additional funds had to be provided, so that another Town Meeting was necessary, and an
226
amount of $46,000 was fixed as the then estimated cost of the project and was the sum upon which the grant of 45% of the cost of the work was based. An appli- cation based on this cost was made to the United States Government, and it granted assistance in the amount of $20,700.
In order to comply with all the rules and regulations of the Public Works Administration, other Town Meet- ings had to be called to give the Selectmen and Building Committee authority to proceed with the work.
The plans for this building were prepared by Henry B. Sumner, Architect, and were finally approved by the P.W.A. Engineers early in December 1935.
Bids for the construction of this Project were adver- tised in the local and Boston papers and were publicly opened in the presence of a Government Official on December 10, 1935. Five bids were received ranging from $36,415.00, the low bid, to $43,730.00, the high bid. Joseph N. Fish of Dorchester, Mass., was the low bidder and the approval by the Government Officials of the awarding of the contract to him was made on December 23, 1935, and on the same date Mr. Fish began to remodel the building. We were most fortunate in the selection of the Contractor as it was the desire of Mr. Fish and his Superintendent, Mr. Squib, to do all their work in a very workmanlike manner. Not only was his work of high class, but he was most co-operative in solving the many problems which arose as the work progressed.
Paul H. Roberts, the Government Resident Engineer Inspector, formerly a Middleboro boy, who in his boy- hood days worked in the store, was assigned to the job, and naturally took more than an ordinary interest in the project, and to him we are indebted for his unfailing interest and many helpful suggestions.
227
We also found that some of the Officials in the P.W.A. office in Boston knew the store in their younger days and had a sentimental attachment for it; so that, all in all, we were fortunate in our associations with the Gov- ernment Officials who were more than willing to help smooth out the many problems which arose in complet- ing this project. That these problems arose was due to the fact that certain structural conditions could not be foreseen previous to the tearing out of the old work, thus making changes in the original design necessary. In getting these change orders approved it was very convenient to have the Officials who were to approve these orders, familiar with the situation.
The original estimated cost of remodeling this build- ing was $46,000, but as the work progressed the condi- tions disclosed required that additional costs be incurred if the building was to be put into first-class condition. To take care of this expense the Peirce Trustees provided additional funds.
The total cost of the building as it stands today is therefore $65,000, of which the Town voted $38,500, the Government allotment of $20,700, and a donation from the Peirce Trustees of $5,800.
The reasons for remodeling this building into its pres- ent use were many. The Police Department and the Fourth District Court had been housed for many years in the Peirce Academy, but upon the acquiring of this property by the Government for use as a Post Office site, new quarters had to be secured to house them, and there was no suitable place for them to go. The best that could be secured was a vacant store on North Main Street for the Police Department and the old Lyric Hall in the American or Lang Building for the Fourth District Court, neither of which was at all suitable. When the quarters became unbearable for these uses, it seemed
228
fitting that the old Peirce store, in which the fortune was accumulated which later became the Peirce Fund, and which has been of so much benefit to the Town, should be remodeled into quarters for the Police Station and for the Fourth District Court, thus converting it into a memorial to the Peirce family. This building, being located opposite the Public Library, beside the Fire Station and adjacent to the Public Playground, made it still more desirable that it become a public building.
It is very fortunate that the shape of the building was such that by remodeling the inside of it, ample quarters could be provided for the use of the Police Department, the Fourth District Court, the Probation Officer and the Clerk of Courts. On either end of the wings of the building, adequate provisions were provided for com- fort stations for men and women. Under the main building is a four-car garage. All of these were pro- vided for without making any alterations to the outside of the building. In fact, all that is left of the old build- ing is the outside shell, the inside being completely modernized and very substantially constructed.
The use to which this building is now being put was first discussed with the County Commissioners in 1932, and at that time a Special Act of the Legislature was obtained, allowing the Town to lease quarters to the County for Court purposes for a period of twenty years. This lease has now been executed and the County is paying to the Town an annual rental of $2,200.
The building was occupied about September 1st, 1936, and on October 29, 1936 it was opened to the public for inspection; the dedication exercises being held in the evening.
Those taking part in the Dedication Exercises were: Lewis F. Harding, Chairman of the Selectmen and Chairman of the Building Committee, who welcomed
229
the visitors; Fletcher Clark, Jr., who read a paper on "The Historical Background of Today"; Arthur D. Ben- son, Chairman of the Peirce Trustees; Andrew H. Peter- son, representing the Federal Government; Frederick T. Bailey, representing the County Commissioners, and Judge John H. Sullivan, the Presiding Justice. The ad- dress of the evening was by Hon. Joseph E. Warner, whose subject was "The District Court, Democracy and the Common Law."
The grading of the grounds around the building is not complete as yet. It is being done under a W.P.A. project.
H. J. GOODALE, Clerk of the Building Committee.
230
MIDDLEBORO FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT OF THE CHIEF
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
I have the honor to present herewith, for your con- sideration, the fifteenth annual report of the Chief of the Middleboro Fire Department, for the year ending December 31, 1936, in accordance with Section 16 of Chapter 592, Acts of 1920.
APPARATUS
The apparatus of the Department consists of the fol- lowing :
1 Maxim 1,000 gallon Pumping Engine, purchased April 23, 1928.
1 Maxim 500 gallon Pumping Engine, purchased June 28, 1920.
1 Maxim City Service Ladder Truck, purchased Octo- ber 11, 1915.
1 Maxim 500 gallon Triple Combination Pumping Engine, with centrifugal pump, purchased March 29, 1934.
1 Maxim 500 gallon Triple Combination Pumping Engine, with 200 gallon water tank, purchased March 29, 1934.
All are well supplied with ladders, 3 gallon extin- guishers, and most necessary appliances for extinguish- ing of fires.
The combined equipment on all pieces is as follows : 488 feet of ladders.
231
14 3-gallon extinguishers-Soda-acid. 6 3-gallon extinguishers-Foamite.
4,700 feet of 21/2-inch hose. 800 feet of 11/2-inch hose.
1,150 feet of 3/4-inch hose.
12 21/2-inch nozzles.
4 11/2-inch nozzles. 7 1/4-inch nozzles.
ORGANIZATION
The personnel of the Department at the close of the year is as follows :
One Call Chief.
One Call Deputy Chief.
One Permanent Captain.
Four Call Captains.
Nine Permanent Drivers.
Thirty-three call men and four substitute members. A total of 53 members.
OPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENT Alarms
Month
Box
Squad
Still
Warden
Totals 14
January
3
2
9
0
February
1
8
4
0
13
March
0
7
10
8
25
April
0
8
5
6
19
May
1
4
5
13
23
June
1
0
10
5
16
July
3
3
5
1
12
August
0
2
2
1
5
September
0
0
2
0
2
October
0
2
5
1
8
November
0
4
9
2
15
December
3
5
6
1
15
12
45
72
38
167
232
Mileage
Box
Engine 1
17.5
Squad 333.9
Still 126.6
Warden
Totals 478.0
Engine 2
17.5
17.5
Engine 3
17.5
10.5
. .
255.0
283.0
Engine 4
4.6
. .
. .
· ·
4.6
Ladder 1
17.5
. .
. .
. .
800.6
Equipment Used
21/2" Hose
11/2" Hose
3/4" Hose
3 gal. Foam- Pump Cans Tanks ite
Py- Lung rene Motor
Box
1400'
0
2000'
1
Squad
1750'
300'
5050'
22
Still
100'
400'
5350'
23
1
1
Warden
0
0
7250'
2
-
-
3250'
700'
19650'
46
1
2
1
0
Inspections
Property inspections
1706
Fire hazards found and corrected
41
Conditions still unsatisfactory
22
Oil storage inspections
197
Mileage covered on oil inspections
267
Permits
Garage-Gasoline
19
Fireworks
3
Dynamite
5
Oil storage
197
. .
. .
. .
17.5
. .
233
Spare Hose on Hand
21/2 inch New 1050 feet
21/2 inch Used 1450 feet
11/2 inch New 700 feet
11/2 inch Used 150 feet
The four pumping engines, and equipment thereon, are in good operating condition.
Ladder No. 1 is sadly in need of paint and varnish and its present appearance caused much adverse comment when viewed in the Armistice Day parade. Also, should the Motor Vehicle Department lessen the required dis- tance for stopping with brakes, it would require some changes which would materially add to the Repairs of Apparatus Account. Please bear in mind that this is the oldest piece of apparatus in use here, having been in service twenty-two years.
The old Knox truck is still loaded with hose, ready to be taken out when extra hose is needed in the rural dis- tricts where water is available.
Engine No. 2 should receive a coat of varnish to at least preserve the paint in its present condition.
Because of the reduced appropriation at the annual meeting for salaries of men, no new appointments were made to fill vacancies now existing, and may effect the rating with the Insurance Exchange.
Although the box alarms have been two less than last year, and others increased 12 (total alarms 167), the fire loss has been the least for some years. The only total loss was one dwelling, which was unoccupied, and oc- curred at night, which was practically gone when dis- covered and totally gone when truck arrived; also a hen house and a shed. The total loss for the year was well under $1,000.
234
The 1706 property inspections continue to show that the people as a whole try to keep cellars and premises in a safe condition, as the 41 fire' hazards found were corrected.
Some parts of the roof at the Fire Station leak and demand immediate attention to preserve the ceiling and interior painting. An amount to cover this item is in- cluded in the budget submitted.
Much credit should be given to the permanent men for their efforts made, and the labor involved, in repair- ing the children's toys at Christmas time, affording in- creased pleasure to grateful children.
RECOMMENDATIONS
That 1,000 feet of 21/2" hose be purchased.
That at least one obsolete fire alarm box be replaced with the modern one.
That the Memorial and West Side Schools be con- nected by inside stations to the Street Boxes already installed for that purpose.
Believing that under some circumstances it would be of great value to the residents in the districts recently served by the extensions of water mains, I recommend that fire alarm boxes be installed at Fall Brook corners and the Green.
That the money provided for, in the budget submitted, be appropriated for the repairs and painting of Ladder No. 1.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE A. PHILBROOK,
Chief Middleboro Fire Department.
235
TREE WARDEN
There was but little work done by this department on the trees this year, as we have had two "Tree Trim- ming" W.P.A. projects which have taken care of this work.
The small amount of money that was appropriated this year for tree work was spent in setting out trees on Bourne Street, Clara Street and Lane Street.
Our tree problem is becoming a very serious one in that we have a large number of maple trees which have reached their age limit and each year it is necessary to remove some of them. This work must be continued for some years to come.
If this work is to be continued and the trees replaced, it will require a much larger appropriation in the future.
H. J. GOODALE,
Tree Warden.
236
FOREST WARDEN
The number of fires occurring this year was much smaller than usual.
The total number of fires was 42, burning an area of 19 acres. Of these fires, 20 were grass land and 22 of second growth. There was one railroad fire only.
The largest expense for any one fire in Middleboro was $19.49.
Middleboro was called to assist extinguishing a fire in Plympton and Carver near the California Mills, which covered an area of about 250 acres.
The total cost of all fires was $553.22. This included :
Plympton and Carver fire $129.16
Patroling during dry season 79.89
Gasoline and oil 39.24
Small fires
304.93
Total
$553.22
Respectfully submitted,
H. J. GOODALE, Forest Warden.
237
REPORT OF THE MOTH DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Middleboro, Mass.
Gentlemen :
May I present, for your consideration, the report of the Moth Department for the year ending December 31, 1936.
It is apparent, as one follows the reports of this de- partment from one year to another, that the program is much the same from year to year. On the other hand, our work varies somewhat, due to the prevalence of the pest to be combated, the introduction of new pests which must be met, the amount of funds available for the work and because of the weather and equipment.
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