USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1947 > Part 9
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The installation of sand to our beaches at North Weymouth to benefit our citizens and encourage the construction of new homes in this vicinity of our town.
These are a few of the improvements to which we have mentioned, but as you will note, some require large appropriations of money, and with our tax rate on the upward trend we are reluctant to press recom- mendations at this time; however, it is our intention to continue to study and discuss these and other improvements in the hope that they can be completed in the not too distant future.
The board has discussed at great length and on several occasions a few complaints regarding the rules of the Board of Survey; these com- plaints have all come from builders and developers who feel that in order
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. to follow these rules it makes the cost of building new streets a little prohibitive, while we at the moment feel that this expense should be borne by these builders and developers rather than the tax payer; however, the matter is still being discussed and we welcome any suggestions, con- structive or otherwise.
In closing, we wish to thank all those who have given of their time and assistance to our board during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY H. ROSEWELL, Chairman HENRY R. SARGENT, Clerk THOMAS J. KELLY FRANCIS A. FARR WALTER B. HEFFERNAN RICHARD E. MATHEWSON
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
December 31, 1947
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Weymouth Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1947.
During the year permits were issued for the following:
259 Dwellings
59 Garages
5 Stores
1 Electric Welding Shop
2 Greenhouses
1 Dressed Poultry Sales
1 Plumbing Shop
1 Woodworking Shop
1 Restaurant
1 Temporary Bldgs. for Boston Edison Co.
1 Repair Shop
1 Autobody Shop
1 Skating Club
2 Storage Bldgs.
1 Machine Shop
1 Fish Market
1 Garage and Implement Bldg.
28 Miscellaneous Small Bldgs.
367 New Buildings with an estimated cost of $1,981,355.00
296 Alterations with an estimated cost of 221,565.00
Total New Buildings and Alterations
$2,202,920.00
Receipts for permits were $2,037.00. Fifteen elevator inspections.
I wish to extend to your . Board and to other town officials my many thanks for all the courtesies and assistance given me during the year. Respectfully submitted, ANDREW A. CHISHOLM, Building Inspector
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REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN'S SERVICES
East Weymouth, Mass. December 31, 1947
Honorable Board of Selectmen Town Hall East Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith to you and through you to the townspeople my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1947.
We are grateful indeed for the support of your Board during the past year and the cooperation of all town departments, Weymouth Visiting Nurse Association, Weymouth Red Cross and Weymouth Family Service Society. We are mindful also of our loyal office personnel who served us so well during a somewhat trying year.
Without going into extensive detail we offer the following comment for review and consideration.
First. Starting January 1, 1947, the provisions of Chapter 584, Acts of 1946, became effective and our office, with all other municpial and dis- trict offices, came under direct State control. Soldiers' Relief, Military Aid, and State Aid were dispensed with and instead all aid was granted under Veterans' Benefits with grants and decisions subject to the approval of the Commissioner. The application of the new law as interpreted by the Commissioner carried with it many operational changes and respon- sibilities at the local level, and these changes increased our routine and detail for each new case or renewal a hundred fold.
Second. This year our total expended for Veterans' Benefits is just within the amount voted at the Annual Town Meeting. Even though this has been the largest appropriation of our experience we believe the tendency is. still upward and will continue in that direction another five or per- haps ten years. Accordingly our 1948 request for Benefits has been in- creased, bearing in mind that our 1947 budget was favorably influenced by the cashing of Terminal Leave Bonds. However, large as the ex- penditure for Benefits may be, under the present law the State reim- burses the town approximately 50% of the total. This surely has a favor- able reaction on our local tax rate.
Third. On several previous occasions we suggested the provision for an outside investigator, and stressed the need of such a provision in preparation for a positive larger case load. This year we were not only faced with the larger case load but also the added detail of our new Veterans' Benefits Law. Again we urge the serious consideration of our request for an investigator so that we might better serve our veterans and their dependents as well as the town, and also be in a better position to meet our ever increasing department obligations.
In conclusion we submit a brief report of Benefits and Returns as taken from our records, although not verified for November and December by the State office.
Cases
Number
Amount
Refunds
Amount
World War II
85
$18,091.99
Vets. Benefits War Allowance
$34,650.26*
World War I
43
16,410.63
817.50
Spanish
4
650.84
Outside Cities and Towns
Civil
3
1,010.10
35.00
Total
135
$36,163.56
$35,502.76*
*November and December amounts assumed to arrive at a total.
Respectfully submitted, RAYMOND E. STEIN, Director
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REPORT OF TREE AND MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
32 Lochmere Avenue North Weymouth 91, Mass. January 5, 1948
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Weymouth:
Your Tree and Moth Departments have had the busiest year on record. In the first place, we feel grateful for a full years work, with sufficient money to provide a weeks pay for each member of the Departments named.
Secondly, better wages have given the men an incentive and an earnest desire to make a good showing in their work.
At the turn of the year, we were faced with the new problem of Dutch Elm Disease. At that time, we had three known cases in Weymouth. These diseased trees were removed and destroyed as required by law, before May 1, 1947.
During the summer, a complete survey of the Town was made by my- self in the company of State Dutch Elm Disease Inspectors. Nine positive cases of Dutch Elm Disease were found after diagnosis of samples from sus- pected trees checked at the Dutch Elm Disease Laboratories at Amherst. It is alarming to note that these diseased trees were found in every part of Weymouth.
Tree removal is still the major occupation of the Tree Department. Many of our townspeople believe that our trees are "getting old". This is not so. Truly, insects and disease take their toll, but the worst enemy of our public shade tree is Progress. The constant lowering of the water table in the soil, through changes in grades, digging of ditches, cellars etc., deprive trees of their only means of acquiring food through the soil water. Paving shut out the air from the soil. Road chemicals and salts for melting snow poison the tree or affect its health. Severe trimming for wires, root cutting for curbs, sidewalks and drains - all of these seriously affect the health of a tree, making it an easy prey for insects and diseases to finish it off.
Fewer trees, properly spaced and selected as to growth and habits, resistance to insect and disease attacks, would result in future savings to the Town as well as providing greater public safety, more beautiful streets and would certainly increase the valuation of our Town. This is our goal.
Tree planting within the private property line is our policy, thereby building for the future, also providing more suitable space for the trees to grow.
For the past several years, poison ivy control has been in progress. This is a growing phase of our work and will continue to be until the last bit of this dreadful scourge of little children is banished from our Town limits.
The moth situation has been generally good. The Elm Leaf Beetle was quite prevalent in some sections of the Town.
Several insect species apparently made their public appearances here in Weymouth for the first time, namely: Japanese Beetle, European Ear Wig and the common wood tick so well known on Cape Cod. These pests are all worthy of consideration as hard to control insects, and are, in all probability, here to stay. Only wide spread spraying will accomplish adequate control, which leads up to that most modern and efficient
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method of applying insecticides, the airplane. Until this is tried, you cannot know how efficient it is. Let us not be concerned whether or not our surrounding communities are going to do it. Let's control our own pests and the other towns will soon follow our lead.
The addition of our new Blower type sprayer is an asset to our Town. This dispenser of Atom-Mist DDT is sudden death to all insects in the wide area that it covers.
In sections where it was used, there was a noticeable decrease in the mosquito population. The future of the Moth Department is turning to mosquito control. With newer chemicals more powerful than DDT, there is no limit to what we may be able to accomplish in this field of endeavor. This Atom-Mist does not fall or drip from the trees and is not harmful to passing autos, pedestrians, or housepaint.
In the field of education, I have attended several important courses and conferences in shade tree care as follows:
Massachusetts Arborists Ass'n. refresher course at the University of Mass., Field Station, Waltham.
Mass. Tree Wardens' and Foresters' Course at the University of Mass. National Shade Tree Conference at Cleveland, Ohio.
Mass. Forest and Park Ass'n. meetings and others.
In closing I wish to thank every Department of our Town which has called upon us for our services and to all who have aided us in any way in carrying out our duties.
Respectfully, V. LESLIE HEBERT, Tree Warden and Moth Supt.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
East Weymouth, Mass. January 1, 1948
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
Following is the report of the Inspector of Animals for the year ending December 31, 1947.
Places Inspected
64
Cows Inspected 279
Young Stock Inspected
67
Bulls Inspected
11
Horses and Ponies Inspected
86
Goats Inspected
69
Steer Inspected
3
Sheep Inspected
9
Dogs Quarantined
107
Cases Investigated
12
Cattle checked from out of State
190
Respectfully submitted, JOHN H. REIDY, Inspector of Animals
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REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS
December 31, 1947
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Weymouth Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The Park Department has carried on the usual playground activities during the past summer with the addition of a playground being estab- lished at Legion Field, East Weymouth for the children in that section.
This year the Weymouth Chapter of the American Red Cross provided funds to permit the sending of a person to the Life Saving Course of in- struction at Camp Kiwanis. Mr. Preston Barry of Weymouth was selected by the Commissioners and upon completion of the course was employed at the Bath House in North Weymouth during the summer months.
We wish to extend our thanks to the School Committee in allowing us the use of their temporary bleachers at the Stella Tirrell Playground. Also our thanks and appreciation to the Street Department for their assis- tance in conditioning the baseball fields and in the renovation of the Bradford Hawes Playground at Lovell's Corner.
The Great Hill Project Claim has been settled and the Town was the recipient of the sum of $3520.00 which was deposited with the Town Treasurer. It is the desire of the Commissioners that this sum will be made available at the Annual Town Meeting in order that the restoration ,work may be completed this year.
Respecfully submitted,
EVERETT J. McINTOSH, Chairman FRANCIS X. KELLY, Clerk THOMAS A. MCGRATH
REPORT OF SEA WALLS COMMITTEE
December 31, 1947
The Committee held five meetings during 1947, including one jointly with the Board of Selectmen and representatives of the Port of Boston Authority. and one in the office of the Port Authority.
The Port of Boston Authority furnished preliminary blueprints show- ing proposed walls at Wessagussett and at Fort Point, which were ac- cepted after a few changes were made. .
The Port of Boston Authority is now making up contract drawings for the work and it is expected the work will be advertised for bids by the end of January, 1948.
Respectfully submitted, SEA WALLS COMMITTEE,
Oberlin S. Clark, Chairman Milton Hoffman Harold White J. T. Cazeault Thomas Kelly
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
January 5, 1948
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Weymouth
Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my annual report for the year 1947.
During the year the following contagious diseases were reported:
Anterior Poliomyelitis 1
Chicken Pox
24
Dog Bites
130
Measles 74
Lobar Pneumonia 1
Mumps
12
Scarlet Fever
7
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
8
Typhoid Fever
2
Whooping Cough
22
Para-Typhoid
1
Undulent Fever
1
Throughout the past year dairies have been inspected monthly by Mr. Harold Stowell of the Department of Agriculture and myself. The sanitary condition of our local dairies at the present time is of a very high standard. This has been proven by the bacteria counts that have been taken by Mr. Edmund Sweeny of Pure Food and Drug Division of the State Health Department. The local milk pasteurization plants have been inspected and licensed by the Town and the State.
Restaurants have been inspected regularly by Mr. Edmund Sweeny of the State Health Department and myself. Swab tests have been taken of the eating and drinking utensils and on the average have been found to be in a sanitary condition. According to the report of the State In- spector, Weymouth Restaurants are in as clean and sanitary condition as any in the state.
Convalescent homes, infant boarding homes, overnight cabins and bottling plants have been inspected regularly and have been properly licensed.
Throughout the year 1002 investigations were made pertaining to public health.
Monthly meetings of the Board of Health are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. These meetings have been well attended during the past year. -
I wish to thank Mr. Thomas MacDonald and Mr. Paul Coffey for their cooperation given to me during the past year. They have given their time after hours making spot checks on restaurants, and eating and drinking establishments throughout the town.
I also wish to thank Mr. Kelly and Mr. O'Leary of the Street Depart- ment, Acting Chief Murray and Deputy Chiefs Dorey and Coyle of the Fire Department for their splendid cooperation and help during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY F. GODIN, Health Officer
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REPORT OF THE POST WAR PLANNING COMMITTEE
January 16, 1948
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Post War Planning Committee wishes to make their final report to you and the other citizens of the Town of Weymouth.
It has been our happy privilege to have been selected to serve on this committee. It is with regret that we feel that now we have outlived our purpose and are dangerously bordering on interference with the duties which belong to and should be carried out by other duly organized boards. It is with satisfaction that we look back over the past few years and see our visions becoming actualities through the sponsorship of this com- mittee.
Legal technicalities applying to sewage have been ironed out and ยท progress has been made so that this program has become a reality.
In cooperation with the Board of Selectmen, a survey was made as to the feasibility of erecting an incinerator. This survey was made by Metcalf and Eddy, recognized leaders in that field.
Legion Field, for long a bone of contention as to the ability or inability of drainage has been reported and an estimated cost made by competent engineers.
A school plant survey was instituted in cooperation with the School Committee by this group and a complete analysis has been reported to the proper authorities.
Architectural plans have been drawn for the use of the Park Depart- ment regarding plans for future development of said parks.
Lastly a very important committee was promulgated by this group, which, if properly utilized and carried. on, could be one of the most im- portant committees of town government, namely, the Capital Outlay Com- mittee.
In writing this report we have mentioned a few highlights we have accomplished that will have a permanent effect on the future of the town. We humbly acknowledge that, so to speak, we have but scratched the surface of the many things that might be accomplished in the future by careful planning and proper surveys.
In closing we wish to thank those citizens who served on the various sub-committees and other individuals who have assisted us in our endeavors toward accomplishing that for which we were instituted.
Respectfully submitted, THOMAS P. DELAHUNT, Secretary
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SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE LABAN PRATT HOSPITAL
To the Board of Selectmen Town of Weymouth Massachusetts
By direction of the Trustees of the Laban Pratt Hospital, the under- signed, a committee of said Trustees, duly authorized, submit to your Honorable Board this annual report, being the second annual report of the proceedings of the Trustees, required by the provisions of Section 3, Chapter 246, an Act of the Massachusetts Legislature, approved April 26, 1946, creating Laban Pratt Hospital as a corporation.
(a) Pursuant to the provisions of said Section 3, the Trustees at a meeting held on January 9, 1947, elected three trustees from among their number, each to serve for the terms provided in the Act as follows:
Term of one year: Mrs. Lucy P. Mahoney Mr. Roger P. Loud Mr. Russell A. Stiles
Term of two years: Mr. George E. Pruden Hon. Kenneth L. Nash Mr. Timothy G. Osborn
Term of three years: Mrs. Marguerite W. Shaftoe Mrs. Emily L. McGovern Mr. John Gallant
Term of four years: Mr. Preston A. DePlacido Mr. Allan C. Emery Mr. A. Wesley Sampson
Term of five years: Mrs. Gertrude A. Cassese Mr. C. Parker Whittle, Jr. Mr. Clement N. Curtis
(b) On September 11, 1947, the resignation of Allan C. Emery as a Trustee was regretfully accepted. Mr. Emery has long been associated with the project of the Laban Pratt Hospital and is responsible in a large measure for the Act of its incorporation. Notice of the vacancy in the Board of Trustees was given to the Town. Moderator.
(c) During the year the Board of Selectmen transferred the Laban Pratt Fund to the custody of the Trustees.
(d) As a necessary step in the construction of Laban Pratt Hospital, the Trustees have requested your Board, to which you have consented, to insert an article in the warrant for the next town meeting to read as follows:
"To see if the town will vote to transfer to the supervision of the Laban Pratt Hospital Trustees the Town Infirmary Land, 'so called', excluding therefrom the land to the extent of two (2) acres
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and the buildings now used by the town as an Infirmary, or to take any other action in relation thereto"
(e) A copy of Public Law 725 (Federal) Title VI, cited as the "Public Health Service Act" was obtained by the Trustees as a result of their letter to Congressman Wigglesworth dated August 8, 1946. This Law, which was approved August 13, 1946, provides, among other things, for aid in the construction of needed hospital facilities in the communities of the states as determined by state surveys made pursuant to regulations pre- scribed by the Surgeon General of the United States. The Law authorizes the appropriation for five successive years of $75,000,000 for the construc- tion of public and other non-profit hospitals. Congress has not yet ap- propriated these funds.
At the November 13, 1947 meeting of the Trustees, it was voted to inquire of Dr. Vlado A. Getting, Commissioner of Public Health of Massa- chusetts, whether any Federal funds would be available to Laban Pratt Hospital. The Commissioner and his staaff have been very helpful in explaining the provisions of the Federal law and on request of the Trus- tees, A. Daniel Rubenstein, M.D., director, and Claire F. Ryder, M.D., of the Division of Hospital Survey and Construction of the Department of Public Health, addressed the Trustees at their meeting held on the even- ing of December 11, 1947. It was explained to the Trustees that under tentative allocations, nearly $8,000,000 has been apportioned to Massa- chusetts, about $1,600,000 a year for five years. As each dollar of Federal funds must be matched with two dollars of local funds, full utilization of the Federal funds will permit construction of hospitals in Massachusetts at a total cost of $4,800,000 a year for a five year period.
The Trustees were told that the Massachusetts State Plan for the administration of Public Law 725, prepared under date of October 15, 1947, by the Division of Hospital Survey and Construction of the Massa- chusetts Department of Public Health, has been approved by the Surgeon General of the United States. Under this Plan, which among other things reports the results of the survey of the needs of Massachusetts com- munities or areas for additional hospital facilities, the Weymouth area, which includes Abington, Braintree, Cohasset, Hingham, Hull, Norwell, Rockland and Scituate, with an over-all population of more than 88,000, has been designated as a General Hospital Service Area, Intermediate Area No. 11. Under the standards of the Law, the survey indicates the Weymouth area should have 201 additional beds. The Weymouth area has a priority rating of No. B-7. Under the Plan, priority ratings are lettered "A" to "E" inclusive. Priority rating "A" includes seven areas. These areas and areas having a "B" rating superior to Weymouth area make a total of thirteen communities or areas having a prior right to apply for Federal grants in aid of hospital construction. Dr. Rubenstein told the Trustees that only the funds to become available to Massachusetts for the first year have been allocated, about 80% of the amount having been apportioned for General and Chronic Hospitals and about 20% for Public Health Centers.
Dr. Rubenstein stated that a hospital of less than 50 beds is not con- sidered economical to operate and that a deficit of a 50-bed hospital could easily be $50,000 a year. This deficit estimate is of significance in view of present day costs and compares with an estimate of "at least $30,000" made by Dr. Joseph B. Howland for the Town's Special Committee on Laban Pratt Hospital and submitted by that Committee in its report to the Town Meeting in March, 1941. Dr. Rubenstein said that at the prices of today, a 50-bed hospital fully equipped could cost from $13,000 to $15,000 a bed. If it is assumed that such a hospital could be built at a cost of $12,000 a bed (the Trustees have an estimate which supports this figure),
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the total cost would be $600,000. The resources of the Trustees are presently about $620,000. Assuming that eventually Laban Pratt Hospital may qualify for Federal aid under Public Law 275 and a grant in aid of construction of $200,000 becomes possible, the net outlay from the Laban Pratt Fund would be $400,000 and there would be left $220,000 of that fund, the in- come from which would be applicable towards the annual deficits which are certain to occur. Safe income of not more than 3% can be expected in these times and this would amount to only about $6,600 a year. Under the Act creating the corporation, the Trustees have been mandated to establish and maintain "a public hospital for the use of the inhabitants of the Town of Weymouth and others who may be admitted thereto under the provisions of the will and codicil of Laban Pratt and who may, require medical and surgical treatment". It appears clear to the Trustees that an appropriate hospital consistent with the provisions of the will of Laban Pratt can be constructed when and if Federal aid becomes available to them. But, it is equally clear to the Trustees that such a hospital can- not be maintained with the income from the residual of the funds after construction of the hospital with such aid. It is the understanding of the Trustees that the Town has no obligation whatever to take care of any deficits which occur from the operation of Laban Pratt Hospital. It is inconceivable, however, that the citizens of the Town would fail to support the hospital when built, notwithstanding an appropriation of $50,000 an- nually to meet a deficit would impose an additional burden on the tax- payers. Of significance to mention here is the fact that to qualify for Federal aid, among other things, an applicant for funds must give satis- factory evidence of financial resources to construct, operate and maintain the facility proposed, and must furnish information with respect to the methods of raising funds to meet deficits based on estimates of income and costs of operation and maintenance for the two year period immediately following completion of the project.
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