USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1930-1931 > Part 4
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The Police Department has performed its usual duties in a satisfactory manner, and crime of a serious nature has been very rare. The reports of the Chief of Police, which are filed with the Selectmen each month, show that the department has conscientiously performed the vari- ous duties that fall within their province. Traffic con- trol takes up a large part of the time of the Police in the Summer, when the great influx of Tourists eventuates.
In accordance with the vote of the Town at the last March Meeting, the old Police Station has been rebuilt and furnished, and is now a first-class up-to-date Station, with facilities for carrying on every type of Station work. There is some Legal formality to be carried out
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in the way of leasing by the County Commissioners, but this is under way and will soon be effective.
The Police Department troubles of last Spring, (which by the way, were never settled by the Court, being al- lowed to lapse) made it necessary to appoint a new Chief, owing to the retirement of the former one. The Selectmen after considering a number of applications appointed Russell Dearborn, a member of the State Con- stabulary, and have seen no reason since to regret the choice.
It also became the duty of the Selectmen to choose a new Superintendent of Streets and Highways. Mr. Blackmer, who had held this position for a number of years being obliged to resign as the Water Commission- ers, for whom he is also Superintendent, insisting that he confine his activities to that Department. From a number of applications for this position Daniel Crockett was selected and he has handled the Department since in a very satisfactory manner.
The Town Wharf is gradually developing business and there are now several concerns doing a considerable fish business there with good prospects for an increase. This furnishes some work for our own people and should be encouraged as far as possible. The wharf was enlarged this past year, and the channel was widened, making the wharf more accessible.
In conclusion we can think of nothing more important than to again urge the voters to exercise their rights and to give their best thought to the items in the warrant and pass nothing that we can without serious damage defer to more prosperous times. The coming year bids fair to be one of financial depression, and the needs of the people out of work will have to be met.
WILLIAM T. ELDRIDGE, HERBERT K. BARTLETT, ANDREW J. CARR, HARRISON F. GODDARD,
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS AND SEWERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit a report of the work done in these two Departments from May 22nd, 1930, to January 1st, 1931.
SEWERS
Four lines have been extended to connect houses. Harding Avenue, 218 ft. of 8-inch pipe and one manhole. Samoset Street, 250 ft. of 8-inch pipe. Standish Ave- nue, 362 ft. of 8-inch pipe and two manholes. Prince Street, 134 ft. of 6-inch pipe and one manhole.
Sewers have been cleaned and properly cared for, and have had very little trouble from stops. I recommend $6,000 for the year 1931.
STREET SPRINKLING
The treatment of streets to lay the dust and to keep the gravel from blowing away is the cheapest thing we can do to the outlying roads, and I recommend continuing this practice. $5,000 will be required for this work.
STREET CLEANING
This is very important for the appearance and clean- liness of your streets, and I recommend $6,000 for this work.
MACADAMIZING ROADWAY AT TOWN WHARF
This surface has been regraveled to grade, and there is quite a settlement after a high course of tides. If this settlement stops, the surface will be put on this year.
ASPHALT SIDEWALKS
About 12,737 sq. yds. of this surface has been laid. The following sidewalks were surfaced: No. Spooner St. 398 sq. yds., So. Spooner St. 804 sq. yds., Court St. 2,002 sq. yds., Alden St. 648 sq. yds., Standish Ave. 1,581 sq. yds., Chestnut St. 637 sq. yds., Alvin Road 424 sq. yds., Oak St. 11 sq. yds., Samoset St. 121 sq. yds., Allerton St. 606 sq.
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yds., Vernon St. 479 sq yds., Davis St. 166 sq. yds., Clyfton St. 166 sq. yds., Brewster St. 949 sq. yds., Water St. 94 sq. yds., Town Square 200 sq. yds., School St. 69 sq. yds., Main St. 49 sq. yds, Middle St. 183 sq. yds., Bradford St. 566 sq. yds., So. Green St. 159 sq. yds., Pleasant St. 292 sq. yds., South St. 329 sq. yds., Brookside Ave. 508 sq. yds., Sandwich St. 45 sq. yds., Lincoln St. 18 sq. yds., Willard Place 194 sq. yds., Summer St. 1,039 sq. yds.
For 1931 it is fair to figure on about the same amount of surface, as an output of this machine, and by placing this work on streets most in need, will make quite a gain on this type of work.
GRANOLITHIC SIDEWALK
For the year 1930, 2,220.23 sq. yds. of granolithic sidewalk was laid with 3,662.70 ft. of curbing, and 5,040.20 ft. of curbing on Standish Avenue. Also, sev- eral street corners have been rounded, making a much safer entrance.
STANDISH AVENUE IMPROVEMENTS
Standish Avenue from Alden St. to the bridge over the Middleboro Branch Railroad was rebuilt on a reclaimed base 26 ft. wide, then a top wearing surface of TAR- VIALITHIC 24 ft. wide was laid and rolled in two courses, covering 8,284 4/9 sq. yds. of surface.
Concrete curbing was built on both sides of the avenue with sectional joints for expansion, a total of 5,040.20 ft. of curbing in length.
Penetration gutters were then built from the wearing surface out to the curb about 6 ft. on either side. Two drop inlets were built at the low points in the crest of the hill, and a 10-inch drain 250 ft. long on the east side, taking the water through the crown at that point, coming out in the gutter below.
CLIFFORD ROAD
This work one mile and one-tenth in length and twenty feet wide was built from the junction of Doten Road and Clifford Road to the intersection near the Rubber Mills. A stone base 21/2" thick filled with sand was put in from the junction of Doten Road to the bridge then a binding surface of 344" New Haven Trap Rock bedded in a heavy
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coat of A-KP was used for a surface for the entire road. New gravel was added to grade where it was needed to true up the surface.
HEDGE ROAD
Hedge Road contains 3,503 sq. yds. of surface. This road was graveled and brought to a good surface, honed and rolled. Then the surface of 3/4" New Haven Trap Rock bedded in a heavy coat of A-KP was put on and rolled.
McKINLEY ROAD, HARDING AVENUE, AND WALNUT AVENUE
These three streets together contain 3,341 sq. yds. of surface. The soft sand was removed and six to eight inches of gravel was used for a base, firmed and rolled. The surface consists of 34" New Haven Trap Rock bed- ded in a heavy coat of A-KP.
SOUTH STREET, EASTERLY OF PLAYGROUND
South Street, easterly of the playground was built of 344" New Haven Trap Rock bedded in KP.
VINAL AVENUE AND MANOMET AVENUE
Vinal Avenue and Manomet Avenue about three-tenths of a mile in length, were surfaced with 34" New Haven Trap Rock and A-KP. The width of these two avenues is eighteen feet.
BEAVER DAM ROAD
Beaver Dam Road, four-tenths of a mile, surfaced with 3/4" New Haven Trap Rock bedded in A-KP. The width of this road is eighteen feet.
RIVER STREET
River Street, four-tenths of a mile, on the south end resurfaced with a two-inch Tarvia-ietread wearing course.
GRAY AVENUE
Gray Avenue, newly graded, had several deep fills, and it was not good policy to put a surface on this street until settlement had stopped.
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HARD-SURFACED STREETS
The following streets have been hard-surfaced, some for their entire length and width, while on others, sec- tions were resurfaced that needed repairs, and shoulders carried out: Hamilton St. resurfaced, Savery Lane re- surfaced, Forest Ave. resurfaced and widened on Court St. end. Savery's Ave. resurfaced, Prince St. intersec- tion at Court St. and a strip ten feet by two hundred feet over the sewer resurfaced. Standish Avenue, in front of Hedge School, base strengthened and resurfaced, Spoon- er St., a section by Hedge Pond, and the shoulders on So. Spooner St., bound out to the curb. Ocean View Ave. resurfaced, Alden St. Extension resurfaced, Summer St. from Oak St. to cemetery, and shoulders to Catholic cem- etery. Nelson St., both sides of the Railroad widened and surfaced, Sagamore St. resurfaced, Massasoit St. re- surfaced, shoulders on Pleasant St. east side from No. Green St. to South St., Union St. east side from Yacht Club to foundry. Shoulders on Bradford St. and Chilton St. bound out to curb, shoulders on Oak St. east side from Summer St. to Samoset St. hard-surfaced, Allerton St. corner cut and three hundred feet of shoulder resurfaced, Howes Lane resurfaced, Darby Road about six hundred feet resurfaced. Standish Avenue from Samoset St. to Alden St. hard-surfaced, Union St. from Bradford St. to Fremont St. hard-surfaced, Seaver St. hard-surfaced, Court St. from Chilton St. to So. Russell St. and from Samoset St. two hundred feet north on Court St. hard- surfaced.
DRAINS
Court Street :
350 ft. of 10" cast iron pipe from Howland St. to Chil- ton St. with 3 catch basins.
Highland Place :
320 ft. of 8" vitrified pipe, two drop inlets and outlet. Mt. Pleasant St. Drain :
Two drop inlets, 24 ft. of 12" vitrified pipe and 73 ft. of 15" vitrified pipe.
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Town Wharf :
Drains were laid to pick up springs on the Wharf prop- erty. 137 ft. of 8" vitrified pipe, 114 ft. of 6" vitrified pipe, 3/8"x8" Y's, 2/8"x6" Y's, 2/6"x6" Y's.
Line and grade for street and sewer work has been supplied by the Town Engineer, Arthur E. Blackmer, and records of the same kept on file.
The outlying roads have been graveled in sections most in need, and a number of the blind curves cut back to give better vision for the motorist. The work now going on trimming out the sides of these roads for fire belts will make a vast improvement and safer for sum- mer driving.
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL M. CROCKETT,
Superintendent of Streets and Sewers.
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REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF NINE
(Appointed March 28th, 1929, authorized by vote un- der Article 19 at Annual Town Meeting of March 23, 1929.)
The Special Committee of Nine agrees with the School Committee that our school buildings are not on a par with some other towns of our size. We also believe that if the Town should start a new school house building program that we should include in such buildings audi- toriums, gymnasiums, cafeterias and other equipment the equal of any town of our size.
After careful consideration and study the Special Com- mittee of Nine unanimously believe that the Junior and Senior High Schools should not be in the same building, or in nearby buildings. We believe doing so would be false economy, and not working for the best interests of the children either educationally or otherwise.
Therefore the committee recommends that the survey made by John R. Fausey be used as a basis for action of the Town in its future school building construction pro- gram; both in regard to high and elementary schools.
OLIVER L. EDES, WALTER E. BENT, JOHN J. O'BRIEN, LEONARD M. BURGESS, MICHAEL D. WELSH, LOUIS G. GIOVANETTI, JULIA H. DAVIS,
PHILIP S. BARNES, GRACE B. DODGE.
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REPORT OF THE EMERGENCY EMPLOY- MENT COMMITTEE
Herbert W. Bartlett, Chairman; Ira C. Ward, Oscar H. Tracy, LeBaron R. Briggs, Jr., Charles M. Doten, Roger S. Kellen, Secretary
Your Committee has considered the unemployment sit- uation as it is at present and as it is likely to be during the next six months, basing their expectations on pres- ent business conditions and comparing their findings with actual conditions as they existed in 1929.
The Town may fairly assume that a certain amount of money is bound to be spent in relief measures during the coming winter. The Town will also admit that the average individual wants employment and has a natural repugnance to a dole of any kind.
On the other hand, the proposed measure is one of a temporary relief form and is not designed to supply regular employment to the individual, nor to compete with other forms of normal employment. There is an intention of supplying a sufficient amount of money to an individual to keep his head above water financially. There is no intention of supplying him with luxuries nor permitting other expenditures which occur under normal conditions. That is precluded by the emergency feature of this measure.
Your Committee is mindful of the fact that the recent big woods' fire cost the Town approximately $12,000.00 in cash expended without considering the loss in taxable property burned over. There are other big tracts of woodland which are in similar danger, and the Commit- tee has in mind the zoning of these tracts by fire lanes,
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and the brushing back of woods' roads to afford better protection for them. Labor, then, applied to this purpose would be of greatest value to the Town. As this work may only be done when cut brush may be burned on the spot (this to avoid the expense of carting it away) when all danger of woods' fires is past, other available work must be supplied until this time arrives. Your Commit- tee has ascertained that such work is available.
The problem is, therefore, how the Town, knowing that certain money must be expended, may receive some re- turn from such expenditure both to its own profit and to the benefit of the individual aided.
With this condition in mind, your Committee makes the following recommendations :
That the Town establish an Emergency Employment Fund for the winter of 1930-1, and appropriate the sum of $15,000.00 toward this fund.
That the Overseers of the Public Welfare shall admin- ister the expenditure of this fund and shall be author- ized to spend the sum of $500.00 for administration and expense, and are also authorized to employ an assistant to handle the records and to make such investigations as shall arise in connection with applications for work under the fund. It is estimated that the heaviest burden of carrying on the clerical end of this project will be during the first two months. The hiring of a full-time assistant by the Welfare Department will, therefore, probably be of a temporary nature.
That said Welfare Department shall prepare and use a form of History Record in each case thereby not only enabling them to be thoroughly acquainted with appli- cant's condition but also to establish a Town Employment Bureau which may be of value to the citizens of the Town at large.
That applicants under the fund shall be paid at the regular rates, i.e. 50c per hour, but that the number of days' work per week shall be limited to-2 days for a sin- gle man, 3 days to a married man supporting a wife but
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without children, 4 days to a married man supporting a wife and children. The Welfare Department is author- ized to make such changes in time allowed as conditions warrant, or in the consideration of individual cases.
That applicants who are eligible to the fund shall be given work by such Town Departments as have work available.
That as soon as it is safe to do so, work under the fund shall be transferred to the brushing out of woods' roads and the creating of fire lanes under the direction of the Fire Warden.
That all monies expended under this fund shall be for labor only, except as already provided above.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT W. BARTLETT, Chairman, ROGER S. KELLEN, Secretary, IRA C. WARD, OSCAR H. TRACY, LE BARON R. BRIGGS, JR., CHARLES M. DOTEN.
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REPORT CONCERNING THE DEVELOP- MENT OF A PROPOSED AIRPORT FOR THE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH, MASS.
December 31, 1930.
Selection of Site
After a study of all available sites in the vicinity of the Town of Plymouth in August, 1930, the most advantage- ous area for the construction of an airport was found to the southwest of the town in the general vicinity of South Meadow Road. In this section the particular location of the property known as the "Craig Farm" seemed best. Consideration was given to properties along the seaboard in order to provide, if possible, both land and water facilities, but an investigation of all available sites re- vealed no property close to the Town of Plymouth avail- able for this purpose that could be improved at reasonable cost. The Craig Farm section has the advantage of being a fairly level range of country, with low growth, and with a soil that is particularly suited for drainage. The apparent absence of rock formation of any kind should make it reasonably economical to develop in regard to grading.
Description of Development
The survey furnished covers an area on the Craig Farm of approximately 120 acres with a minimum flying dimension (in a northeasterly and southwesterly direc- tion) of approximately 1,950 feet. In order to reduce the cost of the initial improvement to a minimum it is recom- mended that only a portion of the area indicated on the survey be developed at this time, limiting the actual rolling field for the present to approximately 1,700 feet in all directions-utilizing about 90 acres of the property.
TOWN OF PLYMOUTH
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The entire property shown on the survey should, however, be purchased at this time, leaving the southeast end for future development; and possibly acquiring additional land later for the final (second) expansion to the west.
It is impossible to foresee at present the extent of the development of aeronautics in any particular locality, and regardless of the size of an airport that will serve present needs provision should be made for expansion to provide adequate facilities for larger aeroplanes, and to ultimately provide an A 1 A field as recommended by the Aeronautics Branch of the Department of Commerce. The drawings herewith indicate an initial development of only 90 acres with provision for expansion in two di- rections in the future, marked "First Expansion" and "Second Expansion," ultimately providing an A 1 A air- port, with clear approaches in every direction.
Clearing Property
The absence of any appreciable amount of large timber on the property indicates that the question of clearing should not prove to be a serious problem. Work can be done rapidly with a battery of tractors to uproot the scrub undergrowth.
Grading
An inspection of the site did not reveal any indication of rock out-cropping in this neighborhood. The sandy loam should be handled readily, and it should not be nec- essary to drain any portion of the rolling field at this time.
The ground is relatively level in the section to be de- veloped first. The southerly end of the field has one fair sized gully and one swail in the area not included in the initial development. There are minor swails and hill- rocks all through the property that can readily be leveled and filled. It is impossible without a complete engineering study of the topography to determine the amount of cut and fill that is necessary to bring the grading to a min- imum of 21/2% - but it does not appear excessive.
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Buildings
The plot plan indicates the ultimate development of a building group at the north corner of the property ad- joining South Meadow Road, being the nearest approach to the Town. In this corner is indicated a future Termin- al building flanked by four hangars, none of which would be included in the present budget except hangar No. 1 nearest South Meadow Road. The main entrance to the Terminal Building and the adjoining spaces will not be improved until conditions warrant the erection of the Terminal Building. Temporary access will be had to hangar No. 1 through the gate adjoining from South Meadow Road. The hangar should be substantially con- structed of permanent materials. It is possible to erect a building of sheet metal the same size as the one indicated for approximately $10,000.00 less, but the problems of maintenance and heating are serious with a metal build- ing, and excessive heat in the summer is often a serious objection. We believe as a matter of policy it is better with a limited budget to build fewer buildings in a more permanent manner. It will be necessary to provide con- crete aprons on two sides of the hangar, and to provide drainage from these.
Lighting Facilities
We do not recommend the development of an airport that does not include in its budget provision for night lighting. We recommend that the original installation include boundary and obstruction lights, a floodlight for the field, a revolving beacon, and an illuminated wind cone. In the original plan it will be necessary to install approximately 8,000 feet of cable with 30 boundary lights. The question of obstruction lights is a matter that will have to be studied in the field. It is planned to use a three wire multiple circuit, 110 volt system throughout in order to reduce cost. A single Sperry floodlight will take care of the field illumination.
Field Communications
An appropriation should be provided for the installa- tion of a radio receiving and sending set, and the neces-
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sary teletype, telegraph, and telephone connections through the city.
Roads
In the ultimate development of the field it is contem- plated that hard surface roads will be provided as indi- cated. It is not planned that they will be improved at this time, except where necessary to connect with hangar No. 1. It may prove desirable, however, to install in the near future a temporary road connection around the field to the public road on the south. The narrow road now across the property will have to be closed.
Taxiway
The drawings indicate a circular taxiway around the entire perimeter of the field on a 1,250 foot radius. This taxiway need not be installed at this time. It can be built at various intervals as required and should ultimately be hard surfaced. A study should be made later of the na- ture of the soil, with the idea of using an oil impregna- tion to provide a permanent and reasonably hard surface, at a minimum of cost. It may be necessary to install a small section of the oil surface immediately adjoining hangar No. 1 in the beginning in order to protect the building and equipment from excessive dust.
Runways
No runways are contemplated in the present set-up. There will be serious problems of dust in the beginning of the development that will have to be overcome in time through seeding, but hard surface runways are too costly to be considered at this time. Ultimately it may be neces- sary to install them over portions of the rolling field. The airport as laid out is arranged for the installation of eight, radiating from the center of the field.
Fences
When fully developed the airport will have to be en- closed entirely with a high protective fence. For the present it should be sufficient to install one only along South Meadow Road.
KENNETH FRANZHEIM,
Architect.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN CLERK
Births, Deaths, Marriages
For The Year 1930
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MARRIAGES REGISTERED IN PLYMOUTH IN 1930
Jan. 1. Anthony Perry of Carver and Eva Pina of Wareham, married in Plymouth.
Jan. 10. Harold Emory Cripps of Bourne and Ruth Helene Tribou of Plymouth, married in Plymouth.
Jan. 18. Antonio Marchetti of Medford and Lena Ver- nazzaro of Plymouth, married in Plymouth.
Jan. 18. Osborne Junius Burgess and Irene Silva Made- rios, both of Plymouth.
Jan. 19. Alfred Charles Reggiani and Marion Gray Whiting, both of Plymouth.
Jan. 25. Essio Besegai and Mary Tavers, both of Plym- mouth.
Jan. 25. Jerome Goulart of Boston and Josephine Anna Seaver of Plymouth, married in Providence, R. I.
Jan. 26. Kenneth M. Libby of Plymouth and Loretta Agnes Memoe of Shelburne, Vt., married in Colches- ter, Vt.
Jan. 28. William Hugo Borghesani of Plymouth and Mary Nazarene Ciccola of Medford, married in Med- ford.
Feb. 1. Charles E. Cooper of Plymouth and Jessie Laing of Boston, married in Boston.
Feb. 2. Joseph Nunes and Florence Pauline Lemoine, both of Plymouth.
Feb. 2. Frank Robidoux and Carrie Joseph, both of Carver, married in Plymouth.
Feb. 4. William Murray Cameron and Margaret Mc- Kinley, both of Brookline, married in Plymouth.
Feb. 9. Maurice T. Loring of Kingston and Emily C. Peterson of Duxbury, married in Plymouth.
Feb. 11. Henry Theodore Crawford of Pembroke and Ruth Hilma Goulding of South Weymouth, married in Plymouth.
Feb. 12. Jason Marston of Taunton and Mary A. Parker of Plymouth, married in Taunton.
Feb. 15. Herman W. Winter and Dorothy Strittmatter, both of Brockton, married in Plymouth.
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Feb. 21. Winfield Scott Axford and Elise Beatrice An- drews, both of Plymouth.
Feb. 22. Russell Waldo Anderson and Eudora Stewart Bartlett, both of Plymouth.
Feb. 22. Santa George Rossi and Helen Harriet Hurle, both of Plymouth.
Feb. 27. William Waino Saari and Alma Achsah Pease, both of Plymouth.
Mar. 1. John Anthony Palavanchi and Nona Lee Hol- man, both of Plymouth.
Mar. 4. John Harding Barrett and Inez Maria Borghi, both of Plymouth.
Mar. 4. Joseph Morris and Celia Frances Wright, both of Plymouth, married in Bourne.
Mar. 7. Wilfred Bartlett Sloan and Eva May Raymond, both of Plymouth, married in Boston.
Mar. 11. Joseph Fernandes and Catherine Thomas, both of Plymouth.
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