USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1938 > Part 7
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Another loss to the department was the retirement from its personnel of Mr. Ansel E. Raymond, who has been faithful to the Park Department for over forty years.
The personnel of the Park Department has co-operated in every way with the Commissioners, and it is with their help that we have been able to keep within our appropriation.
ALMORE W. BURGESS, Chairman
ARTHUR L. MORSE
GEORGE T. FOX
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of the Town of Plymouth :
The Board of Health herewith presents its annual report together with the reports of its various ap- pointees for the year ending December 31, 1938.
The reports of our appointees show the work has been carried on in the usual manner.
The contagious disease report show two cases of diph- theria reported. Neither of these cases had been im- munized against disease. Scarlet fever was much less. prevalent than last year.
There were four clinics held at the Board of Health rooms under the supervision of Doctor Curtin and the Community Nurse for immunization against diphtheria with 68 children under school age immunized.
The work on tuberculosis has been carried on in the usual way. There were 48 contacts examined and x-rayed at the Plymouth County Hospital during the year.
Collection of garbage has been satisftctory carried on having very few complaints.
Contagious diseases reported as follows :
Chicken Pox
101
Diphtheria
2
Dog Bites
27
Ger. Measles
1
Pneumonia
5
Mumps
19
Scarlet Fever
26
Tuberculosis
5
Whooping Cough
65
Gonorrhea
18
Syphilis
25
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REPORT OF SANITARY INSPECTOR Edward K. Morse
Complaints :
Rubbish 102
Garbage 68
Miscellaneous 46
Inspection Food Stores :
Grocery, Meat and Fish
532
Bakeries
139
Restaurants and Lunch Rooms
311
Miscellaneous
176
Violations 15
REPORT OF SLAUGHTER INSPECTOR Arthur L. Morse
Animals slaughtered and inspected the past year :
Cattle
104
Pigs
95
Calves
41
REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTORS M. D. Welsh, Fred P. Bailey and Edgar F. Bliss
Number of Permits
229
Number of Inspections
252
New Buildings
23
Old Buildings
206
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR Daniel J. Sullivan
Licenses and Permits Issued :
Class_1
Class B
Class C
Totals
Licenses, Milk Dealers
71 64
32
167
Licenses, Oleomargarine
12
12
Permits
5
46
51
Totals 71 81
78
230
Summary of Inspections Made, Sanitary :
Dairy farms
23
94.0%
Class C-Producers, 1 or 2 cows
2
92.0%
Total
25
186.0
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Average Percentage for Sanitary Conditions, 93.84% Summary of Tests Made:
Butter Fats, Milk
45
Solids 90
Sediment 45
Adulteration
45
Pathogenic 99
Butter Fats, Cream
4
Total 328
Average Percent of Butter-Fats of Milk and Cream Tested :
Raw Milk 3.86%
Pasteurized Milk 3.84%
Cream, Light
27.50%
Cream Heavy 38.00%
Cream, Extra Heavy
42.50%
Average Percentage of Solids-Not-Fat:
Raw Milk
13.50%
Pasteurized Milk 13.40%
Average Refractive In-
dex Reading, Adul-
teration) : 36.10-100%
Average Percentage of
Sanitary Conditions
for Sediment Tested,
92.44%
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT H. MAXWELL,
Chairman
A. L. DOUGLAS, D.D.S. W. L. MERRILL, M.D.
Testimonial
IN LINE OF DUTY
The death of Percy W. Gardner, Plymouth Fire- man, in line of duty, must bring home forcefully to all the dangers regularly faced by such public servants, and the respect that is due them for this very reason. There are those who choose to lose sight of this essen- tial heroism, and to find continual fault with some petty detail of routine within the department. Perhaps they will be silent now.
Few will forget the scene of this town tragedy. The sudden fall, the excited efforts, and the eventual failure to restore life to the injured fireman, all carried on against a background of a dwelling in flames and milling crowds of curious onlookers unaware that a public servant lay dying within a few feet of them.
Mr. Gardner had served with the department for 21 years. He was deeply loved and respected by the entire department for he symbolized those qualities which have gradually become a part of the traditions of every good fire department - he was loyal, ready, and thoughtless of self, a friend to all, and a willing worker in behalf of every charitable cause.
Twenty-one years of faithful service in the pro- tection of life and property has come to a sudden halt for Mr. Gardner, but the sacrifice he made in carrying out his work as a fireman, will forever be written on the Reckoning Books of the town.
The entire town joins in extending its deepest sym- pathy to his wife, Mrs. Ethel M. Gardner, and to his only son, Rev. Earle Gardner, and also to the Plym- outh Fire Department for their great loss.
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REPORT OF FIRE COMMISSIONER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Gentlemen :
I herewith submit a report of the Plymouth Fire De- partment for the year 1938:
It is with considerable satisfaction that I can continue to state that the high standing of efficiency is still main- tained-as shown by the records of 1937.
The number of miles traveled by apparatus was 1,710; 46,915 feet of hose were used and 1,505 feet of ladders. The number of alarms were three hundred and thirteen (313)-sixty-eight (68) less than the year 1937. The assessed value of the building and contents being $491,. 395, the fire loss was but $19,664.78, which is about 4%. Based on 13,000 inhabitants, it means a loss of $1.51 per person. The record made certainly should entitle the Department to a continuance of the support of your Honorable Board and the citizens of the Town.
PERSONNEL
Throughout the entire Department the excellent spirit of co-operation continues to prevail. The Department was unfortunate in the loss, by accidental death in the line of duty, of one of its valued permanent men, namely ; Percy W. Gardner.
BUILDINGS
Both the Central and North stations are in good con- dition and need but minor repairs.
FIRE ALARM AND RADIO
The fire alarm system outside lines are in fairly good condition. The radio has proven itself of inestimable value.
APPARATUS
In my opinion, both from an economical and efficiency maintenance standpoint, a progressive plan of replace- ment should be started. The table showing ages of ma- chines can be found in the report of 1937.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY WALTON, Fire Commissioner.
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PLYMOUTH FIRE DEPARTMENT
Travelled 1710 miles. Pumper used 220 times. False Alarms, 5 H-H Inhalator used 2 times. Feet of Hose used 46,915. Water from Booster Tanks 21,898 gallons. Feet of Ladders used 1,505.
OUT OF TOWN CALLS
Great Herring Pond 4, State Reservation 4, Darby 3, South Pond Road and Village 21, Bourne 1, Carver 5, Long Pond 6, Kingston 1, Sandwich 1; Total 56.
Assessed Value of Buildings $312,945.00 ; Insured $336,350.00. Value of Contents $178,450.00; Insured Contents $147,250.00. Losson Building $13,937.51; Loss on Contents $5,727.27. Total value $491,395.00; Total Loss $19,664.78.
CAUSES
Grass 22, Soot 44, Over Heated Stove Pipes 7, H-H In- halator 3, Partition Fires 3, Children playing with Matches 3, Cats in trees 6, Smoking in bed 5, Removing ice 1, Oil Stoves 5, Over Heated Stove 1, Bon Fires 15, Thawing out water pipes 2, Leaky Gas Pipes 1, Oil Stove exploded 8, Wood Fires 69, Set on Fire 10, Lightning 8, Dump Fires 10, Smoke and Fog 3, Oiley Rags 3, Electric Motors 3, Cooking Fires 3, Over Heated Furnaces 3, Truck Fire 1, Street Fires 22, Garage Fires 4, False Alarms 5, Roof Fires 5, Lost Boy 2, Militia Call 3, Auto- mobiles 8, Spontaneous Combustion 5, Rubbish Fires in Cellars 6, Lost Keys, Removing Trees, Removing Wires, Removing Signs, Boat Fires and others. Total 313.
ORGANIZATION
Fire Commissioner, Henry Walton. Chief, Albert Hil- ler; Deputy Chief, Clifton Hatton ; Fire Department Sur- geon, Dr. William E. Curtin; 4 Captains, 3 Lieutenants, 16 Permanent Men, and 31 Call Men.
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1938
OAK GROVE AND VINE HILLS CEMETERIES
In accordance with the recommendation made in our report of 1937, a special appropriation of $500.00 was made to connect two Tarvialithic drives, one of which came into Vine Hills Cemetery from Samoset Street and the other into Oak Grove Cemetery from Summer Street. Approximately 700 sq. yds. of Tarvialithic surface was laid and we now have one continuous hard surfaced road through both cemeteries, from Summer Street to Samo- set Street.
This work of hard surfacing the roads has been so satisfactory that the Commissioners recommend a $500.00 appropriation for 1939, to hard surface a portion of the easterly Summer Street entrance to Oak Grove Cemetery, from Summer Street to the top of the hill, a distance of about 350 feet.
Additional grading has been carried out in Vine Hills Cemetery, approximately, eighty-five new lots have been staked and are now available.
W. P. A. SURVEY AND PLAN
In April of 1938, a W. P. A. project for a survey and plan of Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemeteries was ap- proved, and field work was started in May. This field work is now nearly completed and a plan has been started on a scale of 40' to the inch which, when completed, will show all lots in both cemeteries with as great a degree of accuracy as some of the lot corners on older lots can be determined.
CHILTONVILLE CEMETERY
Considerable work has been done with welfare labor in developing the land that was acquired in 1936 for an
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addition to this cemetery. Thirty lots have been staked out during the past years and, approximately, twenty- five more will be available when proposed additional grading is finished.
Under the will of the late Charles Hinckley, a sum amounting to $115.50 was left to the Town of Plymouth for the benefit of Chiltonville Cemetery, to be expended planting trees or, otherwise, beautifying the cemetery.
The Commissioners felt that a permanent memorial, in the form of tree planting along the roads in the new development, would be desirable improvement and, ac- cordingly, used this money in setting out thirty maples. All of these trees seem to be thriving.
The new area has been fenced and the fence will be painted during 1939.
MANOMET CEMETERY
In our report of last year, we mentioned the possi- bility of securing approval of a W. P. A. project for the development of a three acre tract that was purchased some years ago as an addition to Manomet Cemetery. The proposed work was to include brushing and building about 650 lineal feet of wall.
Approval of this project was obtained in May, 1938 and additional funds were made available in September, 1938. The wall and rough grading were finished on Janu- ary 1, 1939, and the Commissioners are now hoping to be able to have the unexpended balance on the September 9th appropriation transferred to a supplementary pro- ject for use on new roadways and miscellaneous work.
BURIAL HILL
The appropriation of $1,500.00, made last year for the care of Burial Hill, has permitted us to keep the care- taker on duty from January 11 to October 4.
In this connection, we regret to report the loss of the services of Martin Holmes who has retired under the pension retirement Act. His intimate knowledge of Burial Hill and his courteous attention to visitors made him peculiarly well fitted for his work as caretaker.
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PRESERVATION OF OLD HEADSTONES
For several years, the Commissioners have had some of the older and, what they considered the more his- torically valuable stones on Burial Hill, preserved from further destruction due to weathering by encasing them in copper. Two years ago, we started encasing a few in granite. As might be expected, the work is more attrac- tive, more durable and more expensive than the copper covering. Last year the stone on the Maj. Wm. Bradford lot was so covered at a cost of $85.00 and we recommend an appropriation of $300.00 to cover the cost of covering the following stones:
Thomas Faunce Joseph Bartlett Nathaniel Jackson
We recommend the following appropriations, therefore, for 1939.
Oak Grove and Vine Hills $10,000.00
Burial Hill
1,500.00
Outlying Cemeteries 800.00
Hard Surfacing in O. G. & V. H. 500.00
Preservation of Old Stones B. H.
300.00
$13,100.00
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR E. BLACKMER, Chairman
RICHARD T. ELDRIDGE,
EDWARD R. BELCHER, Board of Cemetery Commissioners.
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DEPARTMENT FOR THE INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my annual report on building opera- tions within the Town for the year ending December 31, 1938.
No.
Kind
Est. Cost
5 Dwellings
$24,800.00
28 Summer Camps
31,850.00
15 Garages 6,425.00
8 Other Buildings
32,000.00
20 Additions and Alterations to Dwellings
21,575.00
23 Additions and Alterations to Other Buildings 28,020.00
99
$144,670.00
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS A. BODELL, Inspector of Buildings
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REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit a report for the year 1938 as Sealer of Weights and Measures. Period from January 1st to December 31, 1938.
Total number of measuring instruments :
Tested
2,674
Adjusted 94
Sealed 2,643
Not Sealed
89
Condemned
41
Total amount of fees collected $365.56
Total inspection which permit no fees, 39,278. Of this number 38,822 were of 14 barrel cranberry boxes.
Trial weighings and measurements of commodities sold or put up for sale :
Total number tested 221
Correct 26
Under 79
Over
116
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL J. SULLIVAN,
Sealer
*NOTE: See Town Accountant's Report for Expendi- tures of this Department.
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REPORT OF THE MEASURER OF WOOD AND BARK FOR 1938
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
In compliance with Chapter 94, Section 296, General Laws of Mass., I herewith submit a Report of the Measurer of Wood and Bark for the year 1938.
WOOD
Dec. 20-4-in. bag kindling, 1 test, correct.
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL J. SULLIVAN
REPORT OF HARBOR MASTER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
During the year of 1938 there were 4,787 fishing boats, 2,753 visiting yachts and 2,120 motor boats, a total of 9,660 crafts in Plymouth Harbor. 108 visiting yachts were moored at the two town moorings.
Five sunken moorings were removed from the channels. Fees taken at the Town Wharf amounted to $237.95.
No boats were lost during the storm of Sept. 21st.
On October 12th 108,000 pounds of fish were unloaded at the two piers.
A' light should be installed over the Town Float for the summer season, the Town Wharf is badly in need of repairs and dredging must be done around the wharf as there is no water at low tide.
Respectfully submitted,
ELMER BOUTIN,
Harbor Master
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GYPSY AND BROWN TAIL MOTH ACCOUNT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The work of this department was carried on as usual during 1938. The Gypsy and Brown-tail Moth, Tent Caterpillar and Elm Beetle were kept well under control. We have sprayers and equipment adequate to keep the Town in good condition if we have favorable weather dur- ing the spraying season.
The use of our sprayers in fighting forest fires proved a great success.
I recommend an appropriation of $6,000.00 for labor and supplies for 1939.
Respectfully submitted,
ABBOTT A. RAYMOND, Superintendent
TREE WARDEN ACCOUNT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
During 1938, all street trees were sprayed, and good results obtained. As a result of the September hurricane, this department will have some extra work to do during the coming year, taking care of trees that were damaged at that time. Those that were lost will be replaced where advisable.
I would like to thank the Highway Dept. for their co- operation during that period. Their help proved most valuable and made it possible for this department to keep within its appropriation.
I respectfully recommend an appropriation of $3,000.00 for labor and supplies for 1939.
Respectfully submitted,
ABBOTT A. RAYMOND,
Tree Warden
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REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
I beg to submit the following report of the Forest Warden's Department for 1938. During the year of 1938 I responded to 31 fire calls. Of these, five were of major proportions, over 50 acres each. The largest, in the Myles Standish State Forest, burned over 1,600 acres. The Parting Ways fire burned around 1500 acres. These were the worst of the year.
The Forest Warden's Department is badly in need of a new fire truck. We have but one and that one is twelve years old and in poor shape. It is not only in poor shape but is obsolete as compared to the trucks used by nearby towns. It has no pump, only extinguishers, water cans and shovels. Mr. Maxwell C. Hutchins, State Fire Warden, says Plymouth has not half enough forest fire equipment, even with the trucks used for this work from the Cen- tral Fire Station. In proof of this, on all major fires, help has to be called in from nearby towns. While they all seem willing, it does not seem right to call on them all the time to fight our fires. The trucks and men from the other town departments were a big help in 1938. Also of the greatest help were the equipment and men from the Central Fire Station and the truck from the Myles Standish State Forest. I am in hopes that the Finance Board and the voters of Plymouth see fit to realize the urgent need of a new forest fire truck.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES S. A. VALLER,
Forest Warden
* Note :- See Town Accountant's Report for Expendi- tures of this Department.
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REPORT OF TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen we respectfully submit the following report :-
We were very fortunate during 1938 as the forest fires were few in number, and most all were extinguished be- fore many acres were burned over. None of them oc- curred on the Town Forest tract. The worst fire was on the westerly side of the Carver Road. It started near Clear Pond and burned nearly to Standish Avenue, and many homes were endangered.
The usual maintenance work has been carried on, fire guards have been ploughed and some weeding and trim- ming been done.
One thousand white pine seedlings were set out on the spot which was burned over last summer.
We did not cut any cord wood this winter as it seemed to be unnecessary due to the plentiful amount which came as a result of the damage caused by the hurricane.
For the ensuing year we recommend an appropriation of $1,000.00 for reforesting and improvements.
ADRIAN P. WHITING, Chairman
ABBOTT A. RAYMOND, Town Forest Committee
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REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON INLAND FISHERIES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
The committee received an appropriation of three hundred dollars for 1938. Following their custom for the last few years, of securing fish that are native to our waters, we purchased twelve hundred large red perch for distribution. Many of our ponds have red perch and plenty of them, but they reach a size of five or six inches and grow no larger. Authorities of fish culture say that it is lack of new blood, that they are too closely interbred to attain any size. We purchase pickerel when we are able to get them, but the hatches for the last two years were complete failures.
Respectfully submitted,
W. S. GALE GEOFFREY PERRIOR M. D. WELSH
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REPORT OF TOWN ENGINEER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
During the past year the work of the Engineering De- partment has been routine and covered a variety of activ- ities. The larger part of the work done has been in mak- ing surveys and plans for proposed W.P.A. projects and in establishing lines and grades on projects under con- struction.
Among these may be noted twelve projects for new curbs, six for storm water drains and three for sewers.
STREET LAYOUTS
Plans for new street layouts were made, recommended by the Selectmen and accepted by the Town for a part of Castle Street and Manomet Avenue and for Clark Street.
ANCHORAGE BASIN
For the use of the Harbor Master, a survey was made and a plan prepared showing the location of the fifty moorings in the Yacht Basin off Plymouth Rock.
NOOK ROAD PLAYGROUND
A survey and plan was made of a four acre tract on Nook Road, given to the Town by Mr. Alfred Avery for a playground. A contour map was made and estimates given which indicated this development would require about 17,000 cu. yds. of earth to be moved. This was ap- proved as a W.P.A. project and work has already begun.
NOOK ROAD SEWER
At the request of your Board, a survey was made and a plan prepared for the extension of the Nook Road sewer from its present terminous at the Nook Farm
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Dairy, southerly to South Street, south-easterly to the farm of Manuel Medara and south-westerly to Ray- mond's corner, so-called.
The construction of this work involves laying about 5,000' of pipe and would serve twenty-houses that are now without sewer connections.
MISCELLANEOUS
Various other studies have been made, among which are plans for a herring run on Town Brook, at Water Street, and establishing grades on W.P.A. projects in Manomet Cemetery.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR E. BLACKMER, Town Engineer
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REPORT ON COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE (Plymouth County Extension Service)
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I beg to submit the following report as Town Director of County Aid to Agriculture. The sum of $150 was ap- propriated in March for the Town's contribution for the use of the County Extension Service and paid to the County Treasurer for such use.
There have been various meetings for the different groups of agriculturists called and sponsored by the Ex- tension Service in 1938 at places most convenient to the groups as a whole.
As Town Director I have attended some of these meet- ings and think the Extension Service is doing a good piece of work in the county.
As all money appropriated is used only for and by the Extension Service, it seems we should appropriate a like amount for 1939.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES S. A. VALLER, Town Director of County Aid to Agriculture
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REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
The Board organized for 1938-9 with Allen D. Russell as Chairman and Arthur E. Blackmer as Secretary.
At the early meetings considerable time was given to the Westerly Route and its status in the Highway depart- ment records. There was also made a study of a possible parking space at the location formerly occupied by the grain mill.
A study was made of the possibility of so planting such a parking place with trees and perhaps some flower beds, that parking would not be hindred to too great an extent while the effect of the Brewster Gardens would be pro- duced thus creating another link in the possible develop- ment of the Town River Valley as a parkway connecting Brewster Park with Billington Sea and Morton Park.
The Board also took up the question of parking meters and at one of their meetings had a demonstration of the meters both as to their mechanical operation and geo- graphical placement.
It might not be amiss to call attention to a statement of the demonstrator that such meters should be placed only as a parking and traffic regulatory device and not as an income producer. He stated that the placing of meters where they were not actually needed tended to turn the populace against the device and further that courts had held that a town could not charge for the mere use of its streets but could regulate traffic by any law or device within reason.
At one meeting it was voted that the Board recom- mend to the selectmen that they appoint a committee to further investigate the question of sewage disposal and to make a report at the next Town Meeting. In response to this letter the Selectmen did appoint such a commit- tee and two members of the Planning Board were in- cluded in the committee.
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From that point on the Planning Board as a whole de- voted its time to the sewage disposal question. The Board relied upon the study of its two members and reports brought to it by them, and in addition some of the other members made special studies on their own account.
Respectfully submitted,
ALLEN D. RUSSELL, Chairman
REPORT OF BOARD OF RETIREMENT
February 10, 1939
To the Citizens of the Town of Plymouth :
The Board of Retirement submits herewith a report of its activities for the year 1938, the first full calendar year since the system went into effect for town em- ployees.
Several amendments to the laws governing retirement systems have been made, one of which provides for the election of the third member of the Retirement Board by the members of the system. A meeting of the members for this purpose will soon be called.
The accounts of the system have been audited by the Division of Insurance.
Part time clerical services on the retirement system in the offices of the Town Accountant and the Treasurer are now being paid for from the Expense Account.
All pensions to members retired thus far are for prior service and paid entirely from the town appropriation. Several more members are in line for retirement under similar conditions. We are pleased to state, however, that the amount set by the Division of Insurance, to be appropriated by the town, is less by about three thousand dollars than in last year.
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