USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1940 > Part 7
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A pump located here would force the water through 2,750 feet of 6" main to be laid along Bartlett Road, con- necting with the existing 6" line on Bartlett Road.
The estimated cost of this work, including wells, pump, pump house, land and force main is $7,000.00.
CHLORINATION WATER MAIN
At the suggestion of the State Department of Health, we have adopted the plan in 1940, of chlorinating all new main pipes laid before putting them in service.
The process consists of putting into the pipe a certain definite quantity of chlorine compound for each section of new main laid. The quantity used is dependant on the length and size of the pipe in each section. This chlorin-
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ated section is then allowed to stand for 24 hours, at the end of which time it is thoroughly flushed out, then put into service.
The chlorine compound used for this purpose has been approved by the State Department of Health.
RAINFALL
The total rainfall for the year 1940 was 47.93" which is 1.66" higher than the average annual rainfall for the past fifty-three years. Notwithstanding this comparatively high annual precipitation, during the month of August there was only .74" of rainfall. The average August rain- fall is 3.63".
As a consequence of these drought conditions, during August it became necessary to run the booster pump on the Manomet System for 3421/2 hours.
HYDRANTS AND GATES
During the year, hydrants and gates were given the usual inspection and were in excellent working order at this writing.
ANALYSIS OF WATER
As in the past, samples of water from our source of supply, have been forwarded to the State Department of Public Health at regular intervals for the usual analy- sis, reports of which are filed in the Superintendent's office.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR E. BLACKMER,
Superintendent
1940 PUMPING RECORD
Barr (Steam)
Wolverine-Gould
Fairbanks-Morse Diesel NHS (Electric)
Av. Tem.
Month
Hrs. Run
Lbs. Coal
Pumped
Hrs. Run
Gals.
Fuel Oil
Gals.
Hrs. Run
Gals.
Gals.
Gals.
Pumped
Gravity
in Gals.
Rain
Max.
Min.
Jan.
661/2
12,710
5,388,000
187
614
20,104,000
1,174,000
20,393,000
2.33
26
09
Feb.
10
1,800
863,000
2511/2
844
26,821,000
3,163,000
17,460,000
6.81
34
20
March
8
1,400
646,000
1911/4
6151/2
20,331,000
959,000
18,970,000
7.24
48
33
May
7
1,200
615,000
281
928
29,953,000
1,230,000
21,855,000
1.38
72
54
July
3451/2
1,100
36,913,000
1,492,000
22,339,000
3.60
77
62
Aug.
399
1,302
42,747,000
2,181,000
22,531,000
.74
76
55
Sept.
253
831
27,186,000
793,000
22,394,000
5.03
68
52
Oct.
2301/4
7501/2
24,633,000
671,000
22,590,000
1.80
56
36
Nov.
2061/4
664
21,962,000
582,000
21,659,000
6.53
46
32
Dec.
180 1/4
5941/2
19,606,000
29
76 2,610,000
480,000
22,039,000
2.49
40
23
Total
91 1/2
17,110 7,512,000
2,989 1/2
9,748
319,770,000
29
76 2.610,000
14,417,000
251,698,000
47.93
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Hours Run
Gals. Pumped
Duty based on B.T.U.'s in Fuel 19,500 per 1b. fuel oil 14,500 per 1b. coal Head, 74.5 ft.
Barr (Steam)
911/2 2,989 1/2
17,110 lbs. coal
7,512,000
18,722,000
Wolverine-Gould
9,748 gals. fuel oil
319,770,000
150,755,000
Fairbanks-Morse Diesel
29
76 gals. fuel oil
2,610,000
NHS (Electric)
14,417,000
Total Pumping Gravity
344,309,000
251,698,000
Total Consumption
596,007,000
April
967,000
19,669,000
4.28
36
22
2331/4
758
24,892,000
725,000
19,799,000
5.70
62
46
June
2311/4
7461/2
24,622,000
Pumped
Fuel Oil
Pumped
in Inches
Gals.
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REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
Number of arrests for the year 1940:
Males
411
Females
23
Total
434
Amount of fines imposed
$3,019.00
Property recovered
$3,813.16
Types of automobile accidents :
Automobile Fatal-Operator and Passenger
1
Pedestrian
27
Automobile Injuries
33
Automobile Property Damages
166
Bicycle
3
Respectfully submitted,
RUSSELL P. DEARBORN,
Chief of Police
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ASSESSORS' REPORT
Aggrgate Value
$21,870,850.00
Exempted under Clauses 11-17-18-22-23
54,750.00
Available for Revenue
$21,716,100.00
Valuation of Personal
$1,691,100.00
Valuation of Real 20,025,000.00
To be raised by taxation:
State Tax
55,097.73
County Tax
36,617.48
Tuberculosis Hospital
11,251.29
Town appropriation
986,627.07
Overlay
11,433.19
$1,101,026.76
Estimated receipts, including:
Dog Tax voted by the Town to be used by Assessors: $339,655.01
Over estimates of previous
year to be used as available
Funds State Park and Reservations 98.67
Out of available funds under
approval of Commissioner of
Corp. and Taxation Town Meetings,
October 10, 1939
20,960.00
December 27, 1939
15,725.00
March 29, 1940
3,000.00
379,438.68
$721,588.08
Division of Taxes:
January 1 Personal
$55,468.08
January 1 Real Estate 656,820.00
April 1 Polls
9,300.00
December 31 Additional Polls
36.00
December 31 Additional Personal 78.72
December 31 Additional Real Estate 30.34
Rate of Taxation, $32.80 on $1,000.
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Warrants to Collector:
Personal Property
$55,546.80
Real Estate
656,850.34
Polls
9,336.00
Exempted under Chapter 59, Sec. 5
General Laws as Amended:
Houses of Religious Worship
$348,800.00
Charitable, Benevolent, Literary, and Educational
1,132,300.00
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
182,625.00
United States of America
118,200.00
County of Plymouth
619,850.00
Town of Plymouth
1,999,650.00
Table of Aggregates:
Number of Persons, Firms,
and Corporations assessed
on Property
4,834
Polls assessed
4,668
Polls exempted under Clause 18
23
Polls exempted under Clause 23
21
Polls exempted under Chapter 202
Sec. 1, Chap. 59, G. L.
Acts of 1936
438
Horses
45
Cows
269
Neat Cattle
6
Swine
91
Sheep
18
Fowl
8,765
Dwelling Houses
4,250
Acres of Land
48,000
Motor Vehicles assessed under
Motor Excise Law:
Value of Motor Vehicles Registered
$940,930.00
Warrants to Collector:
(Motor Excise)
$27,990.87
State Rate on Motor Vehicles, $36.40 on $1,000.
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ABATEMENT ACCOUNT
Levy of 1938:
Dec. 31, 1939, Balance
$5,576.73
Dec. 31, 1940, Abatements
Polls
$86.00
Personal 181.75
Real 566.01
833.76
Balance to Reserve Overlay, Levy of 1939:
$4,742.97
Dec. 31, 1939, Balance
$9,425.57
Dec. 31, 1940, Abatements
Personal
$307.43
Real
2,225.25
2,532.68
$6,892.89
Levy of 1940: July 25, 1940, Overlay
11,433.19
Dec. 31, 1940, Abatements
Polls
$930.00
Personal
236.98
Real
9,874.00
11,040.98
$392.21
Reserve Overlay: Dec. 31, 1939, Balance
$10,823.67
From Overlay of 1938
4,742.97
$15,566.64
To Reserve Account
3,369.80
$12,196.84
THOMAS L. CASSIDY, FRED A. SAMPSON, JAMES S. SWANTON, Assessors.
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
February 11th, 1941.
To the Citizens of the Town of Plymouth:
The Board of Public Welfare presents herewith its annual report, covering the year 1940.
Of the total amount appropriated for general relief and for the Infirmary, $5,913.90 remained unexpended at the end of the year. This unexpended balance would have been larger by $1,568.24 but for the fact that, in December, when it became apparent that there would be a substantial surplus, there was expended for fuel for the year 1941, $475 for the Infirmary and $600 for the Old High School, and, in addition, $393.24 was expended for new furniture and equipment for the Welfare office, and $100 for a badly- needed linoleum floor in the main office.
An appropriation of $85,700.00 is being requested for 1941 for general relief and for the Infirmary. There is no reason to believe that there will be any real reduction in the requests for assistance during 1941, and there is every reason to anticipate that the increased cost of living, the increased cost of housing, and the more liberal budget requirements imposed upon us will increase the cost per case, not to mention the necessity of revising upward the patient costs paid to the Jordan Hospital and the material increase of medical requirements during the epidemic the first part of this year. There will be an increase in the budget item for salaries and wages. In 1940, this Board included in its request a sum sufficient to permit the em- ployment of a full time visitor and an extra clerk. This sum was appropriated. It was found, however, that the new clerk was not then necessary, while the visitor was not employed until May, thus saving one-third of the total allotment for her salary. In 1941, we shall be paying a full year's salary.
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The matter causing the Board most concern is the con- dition of the Town Infirmary. A few make-shift repairs were made during the year. However, after careful con- sideration and long discussion, the Board determined that expert advice was necessary, and the architectural firm of Strickland and Strickland was employed. A careful sur- vey was made and a detailed report, with plans and esti- mates, submitted to the Board. It must be apparent to everyone familiar with conditions there that the Infirmary is unsafe and unfit for the care of the old, the infirm and the unfortunate. For this reason, believing that the infirmary is a necessary town institution, a special request is being made for the authority to remodel and modernize the building, and for an appropriation of $15,000.00 to cover the cost of the same.
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Aid has been granted for the care of Dependent Children since 1913 under the Mother's Aid Law, which was a form of Public Assistance. Mother's Aid was the outcome of a liberalized act of Legislature to enable the Public Welfare to extend adequate assistance to Mothers. This act was broadened in 1936 to meet the needs of a larger scope of dependent children living with blood relations other than the Mother. Effective January 1, 1937, under the Federal Social Security Act, the towns and cities participated in reimbursements from the Federal Government as well as from the Commonwealth, and the name changed to Aid to Dependent Children.
Although Aid to Dependent Children is another form of Public Assistance, it is given in cash or check, payable on the 1st and 15th of each month.
At the beginning of January, 1939, there were 34 cases being aided under Aid to Dependent Children. For the next ten months the average monthly case load was 35 cases. December saw a decided increase in cases as 8 new cases were granted relief under this category.
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Active cases Jan. 1, 1940
31
Cases added during year
19
Total Cases Aided-1940
50
Cases Closed:
Child 18 yrs. or not in school
1
Relatives able to support
5
Remarried
1
Total Cases Closed
7
Active Cases December 31, 1941 43
A. RODMAN, HUSSEY, JR., Chairman EDMUND J. PRIESTLEY, Secretary DR. THOMAS W. LOFT
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REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
To the Citizens of the Town of Plymouth:
The Bureau of Old Age Assistance presents herewith its annual report for the year 1940.
At the regular meeting of the Bureau of Old Age Assist- ance held April 5, 1940, the Bureau was organized as follows: Harold S. Damon, Chairman, and A. Rodman Hussey, Jr., and Edmund J. Priestley from the Board of Public Welfare.
During the past year there were 437 cases receiving assistance from this Department amounting to $134,673.27. This would equal an average cost per case of $308.17. There were 87 cases added during the year and 47 cases closed, making a net increase for 1940 of 40 cases. Our active case load beginning January 1, 1941, was 390 cases.
Federal Grants that were received during 1940 amounted to $62,677.31. In addition to the amount that we received from the Federal Government we will receive from the State Department two-thirds of the balance which will amount to $47,997.00, and $1,500.00 from other cities and towns for aid rendered to their cases in Plymouth. Adding the amount of Federal Grants that we receive from the Federal Government to the re-imbursement from the State, Cities, and Towns we have a total amount of $112,- 174.00, leaving a net cost to the Town of Plymouth for 1940 of $22,498.00. The above figures are approximate as it is rather difficult to figure out these expenditures accurately because of questionable settlements and probable dis- allowances.
The total cost for administration for 1940 was $5,675.43, and the Federal Grants to be used for administration were
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$2,109.09, leaving a net cost to the Town of $3,566.34 for administration.
We have requested an appropriation of $82,000.00 for assistance, and $2,120.00 for administration, making a total of $84,120.00 to carry out the estimated expenditures for 1941. This is an increase over last year's appropriation of $7,620.00. Providing no immediate changes are made in the law relative to liberalizing the minimum monthly grants, it is felt by the Bureau that they will be able to meet the expenditures for 1941 if an appropriation of $84,- 120.00 is approved.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD S. DAMON, Chairman A. RODMAN HUSSEY, JR. EDMUND J. PRIESTLEY
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PLYMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY AND LORING LIBRARY
From the annual report submitted to the Board of Di- rectors of the Plymouth Public Library:
Library circulation for the year was 135,043, a gain of 7,152 over the preceding year. Of the total circulation 92,671 were adult books, 21,388 were juvenile, 20,984 were lent through school deposits.
Of the total of 5,111 registered borrowers 424 were new borrowers.
The library received 49 gift books and purchased 1,389 books. Of the total purchases 447 were non-fiction, 614 fiction and 328 juvenile.
Service and activities have included well attended story hours, vacation reading club, exhibits, and work with reading groups and schools.
LORING LIBRARY
The total circulation of 29,086 was a gain of 1,579 over 1939. Of this total 20,741 adult and 8,345 juvenile books were circulated.
We have registered 342 new borrowers and the total registration is now 1,115.
Of 465 books purchased 312 were adult, 128 juvenile and 25 reference.
The Loring Library has been active and successful with increased circulation of books and an increase in bor- rowers.
CHARLOTTE HASKINS,
Librarian
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REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS
The Board of Park Commissioners submits its report for 1940.
The receipts from the bath house at Beach Park showed a decrease over 1939. Received in 1940 were $323.10 as compared with $492.10 in 1939.
The camping receipts at the Indian Reservation Camp Grounds were $1,143.50 in 1940 and $1,055.07 in 1939, which was an increase over 1939.
The receipts from the Nelson Street Camp Grounds were $1,594.55 in 1940 and in 1939 were $1,527.15.
The bath house at Nelson Street had as receipts for 1940, $5.25.
The bath house at Morton Park had as receipts for 1940, $62.15; for 1939, $65.10.
Stephens Field bath house receipts in 1940 were $29.80 as compared with $37.51 in 1939.
The Park Commissioners wish to thank the Welfare Department in giving many hours of labor and through this co-operation, the department was able to accomplish much work which required attention.
The Park Commissioners wish to thank the Plymouth Cordage Company for their many courtesies, and Steven's The Florist for the many beautiful flowers.
The Park Commissioners wish to thank Mr. Josiah Robbins for his contribution of a flag pole at the Indian Reservation Camp Grounds, and the Town Brook Com- mittee of The Woman's Club for the Herb Garden at Brewster Garden.
Veterans Field attained a greater popularity the past
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year than ever before and a Field Day climaxed a suc- cessful season.
Stephens Field has had its usual popularity the past year and the work done by the WPA, under the super- vision of Mr. Charles Potter on the tennis court the field received much praise.
The usual maintenance has kept all Parks in good condi- tion and with the co-operation of the personnel we have been able to keep within the appropriation.
GEORGE T. FOX JOHN L. SEIVER
Board of Park Commissioners
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of the Town of Plymouth:
The work of your Board of Health the past year has been considerably disrupted due to the resignation of two members, the appointment of two new members, the ap- pointment of a new sanitary inspector and a general at- tempt at a reorganization of the department with the view in mind of reducing the costs of administration and in widening the scope of work being done in safeguarding the public health. Nevertheless, the routine work of the department has been carried on satisfactorially.
The resignation of Rudolph E. Swenson elected in 1939 for three years was received June 29, 1940. At a joint meeting of the board and that of the Board of Selectmen on August 5, 1940, Paul W. Bittinger was appointed to fill the vacancy.
The resignation of Alsop L. Douglas was received on August 20, 1940, and on September 19, 1940, at a joint meeting of the Board of Health and the Board of Select- men, Dr. Medora V. Eastwood was appointed to fill the vacancy:
The new board elected Herbert B. Maxwell, chairman, and Paul W. Bittinger, secretary.
In August, Harold E. Giles was appointed Sanitary In- spector.
Following the appointment of Dr. Eastwood and Mr. Bittinger to the Board, immediate steps were taken to study the work of the department. Numerous conferences were held with the State Department of Public Health and also with the Department of Agriculture, under whom comes the inspection of milk. The State sanitary inspector, the state fish inspector and Dr. Stevens of the Department of Public Health were asked to spend some
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time with our department to show the proper manner of carrying on inspections. It is planned another year to furnish inspection certificates to all places inspected and to keep a copy of such certificates on file in the Board of Health office.
The board members have made personal inspections of bad housing conditions and plan to extend this part of the board of health work. It is realized that although housing conditions in many instances are appalling, great care must be exercised in remedying these conditions and the legal procedure must be carefully followed. Several landlords have cooperated very well with the department and have corrected a number of bad conditions such as open traps, leaking roofs, unsanitary toilets, insufficient toilet accommodations in tenements, etc. The Board is of the opinion that constant attention should be paid to cor- rection of housing conditions and is in hopes that a defi- nite program may be followed in carrying out the work.
The program for conduction clinics for the treatment of venereal disease and the cooperation of the department with the schools in carrying on clinics for diphtheria im- munization, has been given careful attention.
This year the number of scarlet fever cases was once more far above the number to be expected in a commun- ity the size of Plymouth. Every effort to trace the origin of these scarlet fever cases has thus far met with no tan- gible evidence although it is the opinion of the Board that diseased tonsils may be in part responsible, and an effort is now being made to have parents attend to the removal of diseased tonsils in their children. It is also planned to carry out the Dick test for scarlet fever on all children in the schools. The department will furnish the serum and the department will then have a complete record of all Plymouth children and as to whether or not any child shows susceptibility to the disease. This program of checking all children plus the gradual education of parents to the value of scarlet fever immunization for their chil- dren should in time practically eliminate scarlet fever from the town. Diphtheria immunizations have already
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shown their effectiveness, not a single case having been reported in Plymouth for many years. It is hoped that in the future this will also be true of scarlet fever.
Your board brought one violation of the slaughtering regulations into court, this being a case of a person having uninspected pork in his possession with intent to sell. The Board recommended to the court that the case be placed on file. The proper inspection of all foods is a vital part of the department's work, and every care is being exer- cised in enforcing the health regulations, periodic inspec- tions being made and recommendations for changes being carefully followed up.
It was necessary late in the year to ask the Finance Committee for money with which to purchase tires for the garbage truck-the truck being stranded on the high- way without a tire with which to operate and the condi- tion of all tires being in a condition to make them unsafe to use.
In the 1941 budget provision has been made to provide a new truck chassis. The present body is considered use- ful for several more years. The present chassis is more than eight years old and badly worn. It is estimated that the cost of repairing the present chassis would not be war- ranted, and that a new chasis would be more economical for the town.
Your board has also spent a great deal of time study- ing the collection and disposal of garbage and believes that substantial savings to the town can be made without reducing the number of men employed or the wages paid to the employees. Garbage collection systems in other towns have been studied and inquiry made as to the rev- enue received for the garbage collected.
Mr. Cadman, who operates the piggery at the county farm desires to establish himself in a place of his own. To meet the situation, the Board has had several conferences with the Plymouth County Commissioners and has se- cured from them a letter stating their willingness to re- lease the town from hiring the piggery at $500 a year. The
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lease has two more years to run but will be cancelled if and when the present piggery is no longer used by the town.
The matter of a new dump has also been given con- sideration and several conferences had with the Plym- outh County Commissioners for the lease of a piece of county property off South Pond road. A bill was introduced into the legislature permitting the county to lease this land to the town for fifty years at a rental of one dollar a year. Under this length of lease it is be- lieved possible to sponsor a WPA project for the running of water pipe to the new proposed dump without much expense to the town. The new dump would solve the dump problem for an indefinite period of time.
A study is now under way of the milk inspection work and of the plumbing inspection. It is hoped to report soon to the town that with a revision of the manner of handling these two subjects upwards of $1,500 can be saved the town.
Other reorganization plans are being considered for further reduction in the expense of running the depart- ment.
The work and responsibilities of the Board of Health are innumerable if properly and thoroughly done. A thorough knowledge of the hundreds of laws governing the work of the board is essential and the extent of what can be done in safe-guarding the public health and in making a more healthful community is limited only by the work and thought that the board members care to put into the department.
We wish once more to remind the citizens of the town of Plymouth that the Board of Health is your department, working for your interests and ready at all times to re- spond to the call of any citizen on matters concerning the public health.
Respectfully submitted,
M. V. EASTWOOD, M. D. PAUL W. BITTINGER HERBERT MAXWELL
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REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
I am again able to report that the high degree of effi- ciency is still being maintained, as shown by the records of the Department.
While the number of alarms is altogether too frequent, 1940 showed a slight reduction from 1939, being 377 against 404 for 1939-a decrease of 27.
The assessed value of buildings, and contents involved, was $856,191.00; the loss $63,090.84. Based on 13,000 in- habitants, this shows a loss of $4.85 per person but 7.3% loss of property involved.
PERSONAL
The Department has lost one member by retirement, namely; James H. Farris. The vacancy was filled by ap- pointment of Romeo W. Carletti, from Certified Civil Service List.
Regular out-door drills have been held during the summer months, in-door classes the balance of the year.
BUILDINGS
The repairs to brick work mentioned in report of 1939 have been made on North Station and partially completed on Central Station. While it seems inexpedient to pro- ceed with approved WPA project to increase the toilet facilities and fire-proof fire alarm room (also clothes dry- ing room), I respectfully request that your Honorable Board endeavor to devise some other means of securing the much needed improvements.
FIRE ALARM AND RADIO
The outside lines are in good condition but should positively be extended south from Cliff Street to the junc-
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tion of Warren Avenue and State Highway. The fore- going mentioned district contains buildings of very great value.
The repeater and switchboard were overhauled during 1940 but due to age and obsolescence they require one overhauling job after another and in the line of economy should be replaced.
The radio communication is still being further de- veloped and proving indispensable. Also, beyond ques- tion of doubt, it is going to be extensively used in Na- tional Defense and it is my intention to continue to im- prove what has already proven very valuable both in forest and building fires; and, as previously mentioned, will be an important factor in National Defense.
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