USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1917 > Part 8
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Other Expenses,
8.15
Total Payments,
$13,554.62
Balance to Excess and Defficiency,
$1,045.45
MOTHERS' AID.
Appropriation,
$4,000.00
Payments-
Cash,
$2,959.00
Rent,
108.00
Fuer,
62.75
All Other,
29.43
Total Payments,
3,159.18
Balance to Excess and Deficiency,
$840.82
CHARLES A. STRONG, HERBERT W. BARTLETT, WILLIAM T. ELDRIDGE,
Overseers of Poor.
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REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1917.
OAK GROVE AND VINE HILLS CEMETERIES.
The Board of Cemetery Commissioners respectfully submits their report for the year 1917 and recommendations as follows:
Appropriation,
$6,000 00
Income from Funds for care,
445 92
Income from Funds for general use,
35 35
$6,481 27
Expenditures.
Superintendent's salary,
$779 50
Labor, material, etc.,
4,752 42
Telephone,
18 00
Tools and repairs,
110 10
Shrubs and plants,
32 17
Stationery, printing, clerical services,
113 72
Gypsy Moths,
431 08
Miscellaneous,
14 00
$6,250 99
Unexpended,
230 28
$6,481 27
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Receipts.
Sale of lots,
$374 95
Burials, 387 25
Care and making of lots,
1,736 30
Foundations,
218 53
From funds for general use,
35 35
$2,752 38
The advance in cost of materials, together with the increase in pay of the town workmen voted in 1917, renders it necessary, in the judgment of the Board, that the appropriation for Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemeteries for the coming year be $6,000, and we ask for this amount.
An item of expense that cannot be estimated but must be considered, is the fight for the extermination of the Gypsy Moth. During the past year the work has been done thoroughly, but there is always the possibility of a further invasion, and if this should happen, prompt measures must be taken to preserve our beautiful trees.
SPECIAL APPROPRIATION FOR LAYING OF WATER PIPE IN OAK GROVE AND VINE HILLS CEMETERIES.
Unexpended from 1916, $206 11
No work has been done under this appropriation.
BURIAL HILL.
Appropriation,
$1,000 00
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Expenditures.
General care,
$604 26
Burials,
6 65
Care and making of lots,
73 49
Superintendent's salary,
126 50
Police,
56 35
Tools and repairs,
15 10
$882 35
Unexpended,
117 65
$1,000 00
Receipts.
Care of lots, $26 93
We recommend that the sum of $1,000.00 be appropriated for the year 1918.
APPROPRIATION FOR REVOLUTIONARY MARKERS.
Unexpended from 1916, $62 15
Expenditures.
Markers,
$2 50
Unexpended,
59 65
$62 15
SPECIAL APPROPRIATION FOR PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF STONES, BURIAL HILL.
Appropriation, 1917, $300 00
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Expenditures.
Encasing Gray and Crowe stones, $296 00
Unexpended, 4 00
$300.00
'The head and foot stones of Edward Gray and the head stone of William Crowe have been encased in granite slabs and are now permanently protected from the weather. Mr. Benjamin Drew, in his "Burial Hill: its Inscriptions and Epitaphs," speaks of the Gray stone as "the oldest monument on Burial Hill," and of the Crowe stone as. "next in age to the oldest stone on the hill."
CHILTONVILLE, MANOMET, CEDARVILLE AND SOUTH PONDS CEMETERIES.
Appropriation, 1917,
$150 00
Expenditures.
Chiltonville, General repairs, .
$76 11
Manomet, General repairs, 22 73
$98 84
Unexpended,
51 16
$150 00
Receipts.
Chiltonville, sale of lot,
$11 56
We recommend that $150.00 be appropriated for the year 1918.
-
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SPECIAL APPROPRIATION FOR ADDITION TO MANOMET CEMETERY.
Unexpended from 1916,
$176 09
Appropriation, 1917, 300 00
$476 09
Expenditures.
Labor, clearing land,
$120 53
Unexpended,
355 56
$476 09
Receipts.
Sale of wood, $36 00
The Town Accountant, in his report, gives the entire list of funds for perpetual care. During the year nine funds have been established, amounting to $1,195.00.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE MABBETT, HORACE M. SAUNDERS, HENRY W. BARNES, Board of Cemetery Commissioners.
PLYM. TWELVE
-1:8-
PLYMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Directors of the Library respectfully submit the follow- ing report for the year ending January 1, 1918:
The year has been a most gratifying one, for, although the · Library was obliged, on September 1, 1917, to lose the services of Mrs. Flora Whyte, who had been Librarian for two years, and who had substantially completed her remarkable work of the reorganization of the entire Library, with the exception of a complete shelf list of the books and a new and more com- prehensive catalogue, the Library was fortunate in being able to secure, on the same date, the services of Miss Lilian C. Kerr, of Milton, as a worthy successor to Mrs. Whyte, and under her regime, with the aid of the two assistants, Miss Marie F. Smal- ley and Mrs. Arthur O. Johnson (née Snell), the work of the Library has steadily gone forward and increased.
The total circulation of the books of the Library for home reading was Juvenile, 12,793 volumes; adult, 21,693 volumes; total, 34,486-a gain of 9,030 volumes over the year 1916, and the largest circulation in the history of the Library.
There were about 860 notices of over-due books issued, but only four books were not returned to the Library, three of which were lost and have been paid for, and the other is still missing. 486 volumes were re-bound during the year. 824 volumes were added to the Library during 1917, viz: 153 by gift, and 671 by purchase. The Plymouth Book Club presented their usual collection of good books, and the Arts and Crafts Committee of the Plymouth Woman's Club presented quite a valuable col- lection of Arts and Crafts books.
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PERIODICALS.
American Forestry
American Magazine of Art Atlantic Monthly Bird Lore
Book Review Digest
Century Collier's Weekly Country Life in America
Etude Fibre and Fabric
Harper's Monthly
House Beautiful
Ladies' Home Journal
Library Journal
Literary Digest
Nation National Geographic New Republic
, North American Review Old Colony Memorial Our Dumb Animals Outing: Outlook
Playground
Popular Mechanics Popular Science Monthly Public Libraries
Review of Reviews
Saint Nicholas Scientific American Scientific American supplement Scribner's Survey
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Wireless Age
World's Work
Youth's Companion Boston Transcript
Christian Science Monitor
New York Times
Religious Weeklies presented to the Library- America
Christian Register Church Militant
Christian Science Sentinal
Union Signal
Room for the insertion of two small low. tables and low chairs for the children has been made in the Reading Room, contiguous to the open shelves for the children's books, and in consequence the use of the Library by the children has been re- markable, viz. of an increase of 102 per cent. over the previous year.
Quite recently the lighting system of the Reading Room has been entirely changed. The gas standards on the reading tables have been removed and the electric light now comes from the ceiling above by the use of the most improved indirect lighting system, which not only throws the light upon the reading matter but lights up the whole building
The reorganization of the Library has not only put the Li- brary in an improved, modern condition, but it is steadily causing a greater and more satisfactory use by the public, both adults and children.
WILLIAM HEDGE,
President.
FOR THE DIRECTORS.
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SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Plymouth Mass., Jan. 1918.
Gentlemen : In compliance with the public statutes I here- with submit my report for 1917 as Sealer of Weights and Measures.
Property of the State in the Department.
One brass beam scale and cabinet.
One each 50-1b., 25-1b., 10-1b., 5-1b, one 4-1b, one 2-1b, 1-1b, 8- oz., 4-oz., 1-oz., 1/2-oz., 1/4-oz., nickle.
Dry Measures, 1/2 bushel, 1 peck, 1/2 peck, one 2-quart, one quart, iron.
Linear measures, one steel tape, one 1-yard measure, brass.
Working Set Belonging. to the Town.
Nineteen 50-1b weight, iron; one 25-1b; one 10-1b; one 5-1b weight, nickle; one 4-lb; one 2-1b; one 1-lb; one 1/2-1b; one 4-oz .; one 2-oz. and 1-oz .; one 1/2-oz .; one 1/4-oz .; one 1/8-oZ. Dry measure, one 1/2 bushel, one peck, 1/2 peck, 2 quart, wood. Liquid measure, one 5-gal .; one 3-gal .; one 2-gal; 1-gal; one 2-quart; one 1-quart; one pint, one 1/2 pint, tin.
One portable balance with case.
One hanger weight, nickle.
One sealer case with tools.
One hand press seal. One sealing clamp.
Wire, nickle and paper seal, marking acid, record book, steel alphabet, dies and safe.
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Scale, Etc., Tested.
Sealed Adjusted Not Sealed Con. 1
Platform over 5,000
13
Platform scale under 5,000 141
1
16
Counter Scale
9
Balance Scale
59
Computing scale platform,
15
Computing hanger
24
Spring Weighing scales
2
2
Weights, avoirdupois,
1,109
167
Apothecary weights,
18
1
1
Dry measures
4
Liquid measure
10%
20
Oil measuring pump
17
2
Molasses pump
3
Yard measures
16
8
8
Cranberry bbls.
8,899
Sealing fees
$129.42
Adjusting charge
.50
Correct Under Over
Total
Coke in bags, tested
175
S
19
202
Charcoal in bags, tested,
120
11
21
152
Reweighed loaf of bread, tested,
180
13
167
180
Reweighed packages in store,
493
20
520
Funds collected and handed to the Treasurer, $129.42.
I recommend an appropriation of $800.
F. L. ST. GEORGE, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
Spring balance
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REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
The various Parks of the Town have been maintained as us- ual and improvements made in some places as much as was really necessary and our appropriation would allow.
During the months of April and May, seventeen hun- dred four year old trees of different varieties, such as White Pine, Red Pine, Austrian Pine and Norway Spruce were planted at Morton Park and the Indian Land at Manomet, and every tree is doing well.
One thousand of these trees were purchased of the State nurseries at Barnstable. The usual supression of the Gypsy Moth was carried on the past year in Morton Park and although increasing in numbers they have been .kept from stripping the foliage to any great extent.
We intend thinning the oak growth in several of the worst infected areas this winter and spring and replanting with dif- ferent species of pines, spruce and maple.
We advise every owner of wood lots to cut out his oak wood and replace with as many trees of this variety as possible, there- by, not only helping to exterminate the Gypsy Moth and Brown- tail Moth which are doing so much damage, but eventually will make fine timberland which the country is very much in need of at the present time.
The Bath Houses have been patronized to a greater extent than ever the past year and it is very evident that Beach Park Bath House, especially, will have to be enlarged in the near future. Owing to the advanced price of bathing suits and the absolute necessity for Police duty on Sundays and holidays we ask for an additional appropiration of one hundred dollars for the care and maintenance of the Beach Park Bath House.
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About an acre has been filled in at the Stephen's Field the past year at an average of seven feet in depth which we con- sider is making a very good start towards having a real Play- ground in the near future at a very small cost to the town.
We ask for an appropriation of ($300) three hundred dollars to defray the expense of drain pipe, extra labor, etc., for the coming year at this place.
We ask for the ensuing year an appropriation of $1,200 for Parks. $350 for the care and maintenance of Beach Park Bath House. $150 for care and maintenance of the Nelson Street Bath House. $300 for the further improvement of the Stephen's Field Playground. $200 for the care and maintenance of Training Green. Also an additional appropriation of $1,000 for concrete walks at Training Green.
REIMBURSEMENTS.
Beach Park Bath House,
$347 60
Nelson Street Bath House,
· 48 35
Appropriation, 1917,
$1,901 80
Income from Morton Fund,
101 25
Total,
$2,003 05
PAYMENTS.
Park Department.
General
Salaries and wages,
$1,059 39
Teams,
135 50
All Other,
352 77
Bathing Beaches,
455 39
Total Payments,
$2,003 05
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Training Green.
Appropriation,
$200 00
Salaries and wages,
$178 50
Teams,
11 50
All Other,
9 96
Total Payments,
$199 96
Unexpended,
$ 04
Respectfully submitted, BENJ. F. RAYMOND, JOHN RUSSELL,
Park Commissioners.
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GYPSY AND BROWN TAIL MOTH ACCOUNT
Dr
To appropriation,
$5,000 00
To reserve appropriation,
1 57
$5,001 57
Cr.
By Superintendent,
$720 60
Labor,
2,345 85
Teams and trucking,
638 20
Insecticides,
870 62
Hardware and tools,
299 86
Telephone,
33 14
Miscellaneous,
93 30
$5,001 57
During the past year, the work of this department was carried along on about the same lines as in previous years, keeping the residential sections of the town in good condition. Much more work was done in the out-lying districts than ever before, especially in the way of spraying. One small sprayer was bought this year, at a cost of $120.00, which proved to be a success.
Cranberry growers should look over their bogs very carefully During the day, the larvæ are hard to find, as it is their habit to feed during the night and remain secreted during the day. When small, they eat but little of the foliage, but cut off the stems just above the old growth, and also the stems of the
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flowers or nearly set berries. By parting away the vines, the larvæ may be found underneath, next to the cool earth, ready to come up when the sun goes down and continue their feed- ing. Bogs that may appear to be entirely free from the. pest, may harbor great numbers that will greatly reduce the crop. On bogs, I have found larvæ hatched on the vines and come through the adult stage without other food. To be safe, every bog should be sprayed early, when the larvæ are small, whether any have been found or not. This department is ready at all times to aid cranberry growers and all other citizens in the work, as far as possible.
I respectfully recommend an appropriation of $5,000.00 for labor and supplies for this department for the ensuing year.
A. A. RAYMOND,
Moth Superintendent.
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TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :-
I hereby submit my report for the year 1917.
Dr.
Appropriation,
$1,700 00
From Reserve,
5 38
$1,705 38
Cr.
Salaries and Wages-
Superintendent,
$340 63
Labor,
568 85
$909 48
Other Expenses-
Teams,
$203 75
Hardware and tools,
101 57
Loam,
71 50
Trees,
63 00
Telephone,
28 23
Equipment,
30 00
All Other,
297 85
$795 90
Total Payments, $1,705 38
In the above expenses are included 305 new trees which have been set out, at a cost of $500.00.
Proper care has been given to the town shade trees as usual, considerable prunning done and all dead limbs removed.
With the desire of having additional street trees, a total of
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325 new trees have been set out in various sections of the town from the Kingston line to Hotel Pilgrim; the locations being made under supervision of the Planning Board. Of this num- ber 125 young maples were furnished by the Mass. State High- way Commission for the easterly side of Warren Avenue.
Several of the older trees which were dead have been removed and also a large tree on private property which was a source of danger to public travel.
The egg clusters of the Gypsy Moth were treated and the trees sprayed which is a large factor in preserving the foliage through- out the season.
In conclusion, I respectfully recommend the usual appropri- ation of $1,200.00 for the ensuing year.
CALVIN S. MIXTER,
Tree Warden.
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REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1917. Twenty-two fires occurred during the year distri- buted as follows. One in January; One in March; One in Apirl; Ten in May; One in June; One in July; Three in September; Four in November. They were of small extent except two in May that covered a large area. The fire tower near the Pumping Station was closed July 1st, not being need- ed with the one in operation at Monks Hill. Everything used in connection with fires has increased much in price making a large difference to the total expenses. Last year an appropria- tion of $2,500.00 was asked for to meet the expenses of this department. 'The committee of fifteen in their report advised that this amount be reduced to $1,500.00, a sum that was known to be insufficient to meet the expenses. The result is an overdraft of $713.60. The.total expenses being $2,213.60. I recommend an appropriation of $2,500.00 for 1918.
Respectfully,
IRA C. WARD, Forest Warden.
List of 1917 Deputy Forest Wardens.
F. L. St. George, W. S. Bumpus, John W. Churchill, Jas. H. Nixon, E. P. Bartlett, H. O. Whiting, L. B. R. Barker, A. G. Harvey, Aaron Sampson, John F. Raymond, A. A. Ray- mond, Geo. W. Douglass, B. Hedge, Wallace J. Miles, Henry Ware, Jas. W. Hazen, Walter H. Brown, Lyman Ward.
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REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF SHORES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
I herewith submit the following report:
Owing to the herring fishing and other demands for labor, the clam industry for 1917 has not been up to the average of other years, as few men have followed the business. The pros- pect for the coming year is, there will be plenty of clams to supply the demand. The small and medium sized clams are abundant on most of the shores and flats.
From the various localities there have been, so far as we are able to estimate.
Shipped out of town, bushels,
927
Dug for markets and by individuals, bushels,
2,420
Total,
3,347
Respectfully submitted,
ALFRED HOLMES, Supervisor.
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FISH COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
We herewith submit the annual report of Agawam and Halfway Pond Herring Fisheries.
During the past year 1917 no changes have been made in the business of the stream. The demand for the fish has been very, good.
The stream was sold March 21st, 1914 and will be sold again in 1918 for a term of five years. The prospect is for the coming sale the price will be better than that in 1914.
Respectfully submitted,
ALFRED HOLMES.
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HARBOR MASTER'S REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
I herewith submit the following report :
With the exception of the herring fleet we have had much less shipping in our harbor the past year than usual. The Boston Boat was taken from the route and only a small num- ber of visiting yachts entered the port.
The state contract for dredging in Goose Point Channel has been completed which gives us a navigable channel to within a few hundred feet of the canning plant and will prob- ably be extended in the near future.
Respectfully submitted, ALFRED HOLMES,
Harbor Master.
PLYM. THIRTEEN
-- 194-
REPORT OF TOWN ENGINEER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :-- The following work has been accomplished by the Engineering Department during the past year.
In conjunction with the work done for the Assessors, the street line survey work, begun two years ago, has been continued and twenty-seven additional stone bounds have been set.
This street line work consists in re-running the street lines on those streets where work is being done for the Assessors map. Where it is possible to do so, the original layouts of the streets have been reproduced on the ground, and all angles and. curves marked by stone bounds.
Lines and grades have been given for approximately 5,545' of concrete curbing, after profiles of the original curb had been made and satisfactory grade determined for the new one. This new curb has been laid on the following streets. Approxi- mately 445' on Sandwich Street at Jabez Corner, 200' on War- ren Avenue at Henry Davis's, 1,425' on Stafford Street from South to Towns, 1,070' on Alden Street from Allerton to Standish Avenue, 1,130' on Sandwich Street between Water and Lincoln, 350' on Nelson Street, and 825' on Court Street and Savery's Lane.
Plans and profiles have been made and lines and grades given for the following pieces of sewer work; 680' of 8" sani- tary sewer on Savery Avenue, also 825' of 12" for a storm water drain on Newfields Street, which drains the water from Jackson's meadow into Town Brook.
There was also laid 825' of 12" storm water drain on Samo- set Street east of Oak Street.
Respectfully submitted,
A. E. BLACKMER,
Town Engineer.
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BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Plymouth :
The following shows the various activities and expenses of the Board of Health for the year ending December 31. 1917.
During the past year, there has been but little change in the general purpose, method and procedure of the Board. Its work is constantly increasing however, as our knowledge of health problems grows and as public opinion is educated to the opin- ion prescribed by the best thinkers along sanitary and health lines.
Among the comparitively recent activities of the Board, we would call your attention to work done in tuberculosis cases by the Board of Health Dispensary and also to our efficient sys- tem of milk inspection, the report of which as submitted by the Inspector is included herewith and deserves careful analysis. The average citizen does not appreciate the fact that the scope of work is constantly growing, and that in spite of all efforts to keep down expenses, these also are increasing, due in part to the new activities voluntarily assumed, due in part to the general high cost of living, which has increased the cost of all kinds of cases where the Board is required to furnish food, medical attendance, and also due to the fact that the Com- monwealth is requiring more and more from the cities and towns, even more than perhaps seems necessary or wise, but all in the interest of uniformity and administrative accuracy, which in the end we trust, will be for the benefit of all of our citizens.
The number of complaints which have been attended to of all
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kinds during the past year, are less than usual and we believe that general conditions during the past five years show a steady improvement.
The Inspector has posted and fumigated all cases of con- tagious disease from time to time as has been required, and also has visited and ascertained that six ships which came into this port from Mexico, had a clean bill of health.
Our Plumbing Inspectors report a total of one hundred seventy-five (175) permits of various kinds issued and 218 inspections made by them as well as some 15 examinations. Of the number of permits issued 37 were for work on new houses.
The expense of this work is fixed by statute and costs the Town from $600 to $1,000 yearly depending upon the business conditions and the growth of the Town.
During the past year there has been a total of one hundred and thirty-six cases of contagious disease as compared with two hundred and sixty-eight of the preceeding year.
The following tabulation by months will show the contagious disease most prevalent at all times during the year.
Jan.
: Feb.
Mar.
April
May
i June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
| Nov.
| Dec.
Total
Chicken Pox
2
9
Diphtheria
1
1
1
8
7 6 29
German Measles
1
7: 1
1| 4 317
Opthalmia
1
1
2
Supp. Conjunctivitis
7
1|11
Measles
1
3 2 1
9.16
Mumps
1 1
Scarlet Fever
4 2|1 1
1
2
1 13
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
2
1 1,2 1
2
2
12
Other Forms
1
2
Typhoid
3.
1
1|
8
9
Trachoma
Lobar Pneumonia
11 3
4
Septic Sore Throat
1 1
Total Cases, 136
İ
1
4 10
Whooping Cough
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Twenty-two cases of contagious disease have been reported to the Board as indigent. Of these twelve had tuberculosis, six diphtheria and three scarlet fever. In each case, the Board has assumed entire charge and placed the patient in a recognized institution for care and medical treatment. Such disposal be- ing-cheaper and better than the old system of caring for in- digent contagious cases at home.
Quarantine in every case has been enforced as in the past most cases as stated before, have been removed to a hosiptal where conditions are better for segregation and for efficient treatment. The home has after such removal, been disinfected and the immediate family have been detained no longer than was practical to safeguard the Public Health.
Ambulance service has been conducted under direction of one experienced in this line of work. The comfort of the patient during removal has been provided for and no pains have been spared to protect the public from infection.
Disinfection has been done wherever necessary; during the year. no second infections have been noted and the Board knows of no better test for efficiency than by results obtained.
The regular supply of ante-toxine, vaccines, culture tubes, containers, tests, etc., as furnished by the State have been re- ceived and supplied regular physicians throughout the year on request.
Since the completion of the contagious ward at the Jordan Hospital, which was built with the understanding that the Town should pay a definite part of the maintenance cost (inasmuch as this construction was deemed equivalent by the Common- wealth, to a contagious Hospital owned and operated by the Town which the Town had been ordered by the State Board of Health to construct) nearly all contagious cases the cost of which was a charge against the Board of Health, have been treated there.
The Board however, has only just succeeded in getting a sat- isfactory agreement with the Jordan Hospital covering its share
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of the maintenance cost which has now been fixed at $2,000 per year, and which by advice of the Town Counsel is to be paid from the date of the construction of the contagious ward, to wit : September 1st, 1915.
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