USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1954 > Part 13
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Veno, Lester, 76 Cedar
Lineman
Waite, Leslie C., 266 Union
Waldon, Earle G., 468 Pleasant
Walling, Irving G., 60 Wessagusset Road
Watson, Cedric D., 42 Cedar
Welch, Thomas M., 49 Bayview
Chauffeur Gen. Mgr. Salesman Traveller Sup. Auditor Steel Work Carpenter
Wentworth, Russell A., 112 Alfred Webster, Philip, 1757 Commercial White, Fred J., 574 Summer Whittle, C. Parker, 26 Summer
Fore River
Wight, Willis M., 126 Evans
Indus. Eng. Pipe Fitter Salesman
Wilkinson, George D., Jr., 51 Elinor Road
Wiseman, John S., 28 Water
Wyman, Francis L., 1221 Pleasant
Wood, Mahlon J., Sr., 725 Broad
Machinist Carpenter Retired
Zeoli, Frank, 392 Middle Zollin, Carl A., 28 Center
Occupation
Office Mgr. Clerk Estimator Naval Arch. Mech. Eng. Fitter Retired
Scrap Iron DIr. Clerk
JOSEPH CREHAN, Chairman WAREN P. BURRELL RAYMOND MORGAN RALPH AMABILE, JR. JAMES T. O'SULLIVAN Weymouth Board of Selectmen
136
JURORS DRAWN July 1, 1953 to July 1, 1954 Name and Address Session
Date Drawn
August 10, 1953
Richard D. Cookley, 92 Academy Ave. Paul J. Sousa, 63 Mt. Vernon Rd., East Clyde F. Thompson, 169 Pierce Road
Criminal, September 14, 1953 Criminal, September 14, 1953 Criminal, September 14, 1953
September 14, 1953
Charles S. Bicknell, 66 Hollis Street Chester B. Campbell, 43 Hilldale Street Mario Cicchese, 76 Shawmut Street
Civil, October 5, 1953
Civil, October 5, 1953 Civil, October 5, 1953
October 13, 1953
George A. Mackenzie, 16 Whitcomb Terr. Walter J. White, 22 Palmer Street Burnard F. Clifford, 47 Athens Street
Civil, November 2, 1953
Civil, November 2, 1953 Civil, November 2, 1953
November 9, 1953
Earnest W. Cain, 14 Johnson Road Dennis F. Herlihy, 50 Center Street
Criminal, December 16, 1953 Criminal, December 16, 1953
December 14, 1954
Alfred E. Hughes, 35 Cedar Street Maynard S. Arnold, 108 Hill Street Kenneth M. Walker, 55 Pond Street
Civil, January 4, 1954 Civil, January 4, 1954 Civil, January 4, 1954
December 19, 1954
Philip M. Welch, 20 Reed Avenue
Civil, January 4, 1954
January 12, 1954
Maynard S. Burgess, 90 Worthen Avenue John M. Sharp, Jr., 17 Pratt Avenue Arthur W. Harkinson. 1015 Main Street
Civil, February 1, 1954 Civil, February 1, 1954 Civil, February 1, 1954
January 25, 1954
John Maconochi, 48 Willow Avenue
Civil, February 1, 1954
March 8, 1954
Edward P. Hunt, Jr., 490 Broad Street Carl Gustafson, 188 Pleasant Street Charles Willander, 46 Unicorn Avenue Philip L. Crooker, 936 Main Street
Criminal, April 5, 1954 Criminal, April 5, 1954 Criminal, April 14, 1954 Criminal, April 14, 1954
March 22, 1954 Warren F. Fowler, 134 Clinton Road
Criminal, Grand Juror
April 12, 1954 Frederick T. Hoffman, 53 Birchcliff Road Ray E. Loud, 23 Johnson Road
Civil, May 31, 1954 Civil, May 31, 1954
May 10, 1954
George B. Marden, 246 Middle Street Ernest Vian, 16 Harland Road
Civil, June 7, 1954 Civil, June 7, 1954
137
1
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK
January 17, 1955
Honorable Board of Selectmen Weymouth, Massachusetts Attention: Joseph Crehan, Chairman
Gentlemen:
Submitted herewith is the Annual Report of the Town Clerk for the year ending December 31, 1954.
Again we have had a busy year in this office. Total fees from all sources were $18,073.30 or an increase of $1,136.80 over 1953.
This year the town received a check from the Norfolk County Treasurer in the amount of $4,062.46 as a refund form dog licenses issued during the year. This sum will again be used for school purposes as provided by state statute.
I should like to extend my thanks to your Board and all departments for the courtesies and cooperation given to me during the year.
Respectfully submitted, HARRY CHRISTENSEN
Town Clerk
SUMMARY OF THE TOWN CLERK'S STATISTICAL REPORT VITAL STATISTICS BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, DEATHS FOR THE YEAR 1954 BIRTHS
The total number of births received and recorded during the year 1954, at the time of going to press, were as follows:
Total number 2,234. Of this number 1,195 were Males and 1,039 were Females. Of the total number 1,366 were children born to Weymouth Residents.
MARRIAGES
The total number of Marriage Certificates received and recorded during the year 1954, at the time of going to press, were 368.
DEATHS
The total number of Death Certificates received and recorded during the year 1954, at the time of going to press, were 494. Of this number 287 were Males and 207 were Females.
TOWN CLERK'S FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 1954
TOWN FEES AND LICENSES FOR YEAR 1954
Recording Chattel Mortgages
$3,691.00
Discharging Chattel Mortgages
336.00
Marriage Intentions 680.00
Business Certificates 58.00
138
1
Birth Certificates
77.50
Marriage Certificates
25.50
Death Certificates Pole Locations
226.80
Miscellaneous
33.00
Gasoline Renewal Permits
133.00
Hawkers and Peddlers Licenses
35.00
Auctioneers Licenses
12.00
10.00
Pool and Bowling Licenses Junk Licenses
125.00
Miscellaneous
2.00
$5,664.80
DOG LICENSES ISSUED FOR YEAR 1954
1,528 Males at $2.00 each
$3,056.00
178 Females at $5.00 each
890.00
1,000 Spayed Females at $2.00 each
2,000.00
2 Male Licenses to Blind-free
1 Kennel at $50.00
50.00
4 Kennels at $25.00 each
100.00
30 Kennels at $10.00 each
300.00
73 Military-Free
....
$6,396.00
Less-Fees retained under Gen. Laws, Chap. 140
and amendments thereto
548.20
Paid to Town Treasurer
$5,847.80
SPORTING LICENSES ISSUED FOR YEAR 1954
610 Res. Citz. Fishing at $3.25 each
$1,982.50
443 Res. Citz. Hunting at $3.25 each
1,439.75
215 Res. Citz. Sporting at $5.25 each
1,128.75
91 Res. Citz Minor Fishing at $1.25 each
113.75
113 Res. Citz. Female Fishing at $2.25 each
254.25
1 Res. Citz. Minor Trapping at $2.25 each
2.25
6 Res. Citz. Trapping at $7.75 each
46.50
2 Special Non-Res. Fishing at $2.75 each
5.50
2 Non-Res. Citz. Fishing at $7.75 each
15.50
1 Non-Res. Citz. Hunting at $15.25
15.25
17 Duplicates at $.50 each
8.50
60 Res. Citz. Sporting-Free
180 Res. Citz. Military or Naval Sporting-Free
2 Res. Citz. Fishing-Blind or old Age Asst .- Free
$5,012.50
Less-Fees retained under Gen. Laws Chap. 131, Sec. 3
371.00
ยท Paid to Division of Fisheries and Game
$4,641.50
Respectfully submitted, HARRY CHRISTENSEN
Town Clerk
139
..
220.00
REPORT OF THE SOUTH SHORE MOSQUITO CONTROL PROJECT
To the Citizens of Weymouth:
Submitted herewith is the report of the South Shore Mosquito Control Project of its activities in the Town of Weymouth for the year ending December 31, 1954.
The Town of Weymouth appropriated $8,250 for mosquito control and salt marsh drainage maintenance for 1954. This money was to be used for mosquito control in the Town of Weymouth by the South Shore Mosquito Control Project, a cooperative program for mosquito control embracing the Town of Weymouth and Braintree, Cohasset, Duxbury, Hingham, Hull, Marshfield, Scituate and the City of Quincy.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In spite of the wettest year on record and existence of mosquito breed- ing places throughout the season in areas normally dry by early June, reports of mosquito troubles were considerably less than last year. In addition, comment to the crews, inspectors, and superintendent indicated a very noticable change for the better in mosquito troubles in the largest part of the project. However, certain areas remain as trouble spots. These areas are mainly associated with large undrained areas, water connected intimately with water supply, or are on the borders of the project. These large problems are the ones we must now solve. With this in mind, ditch- ing operations on a much larger scale than last year were started this fall.
Such strides in a year marked for its wetness indicate an increased efficiency and point out that very good control will be achieved in a normal year. Mosquito breeding is greatly influenced by the precipita- tion during the months of March through September. Looking at the weather records for this period, we find that the total rainfall for these months was 80% above normal and, what is equally as important, there were 20% more days on which we had precipitation of .01 inches or more This frequency of rains was as important as the total amount of rainfall in keeping a large amount of our breeding places wet throughout the season. In addition to the above, hurricanes in the fall and torrential rains in May blocked streams with debris and resulted in abnormal flood- ing. To summarize, this past year was exceedingly wet and rainfall was rather frequent. The weather records also show that this year has been very unusual and that normally we may except a much better situation as regards rainfall and, therefore, mosquito control will be relatively more efficient.
TYPE OF CONTROL PROGRAM
The project went ahead with its program of drainage, chemical treat- ment of water found to be breeding mosquitoes, and insecticidal fogging to combat adult mosquitoes present in housing areas. As before we have been aiming at the reduction of mosquito breeding areas at all times when spraying was not necessary. This is an attacking action which gets at the cause of the problem and will cut it down to such size that it can be efficiently dealt with, not a defensive action which can only give a measure of relief dependent on the weather conditions during the mosquito .
season.
Such a program also contributes to solving a problem always with the town, that of storm drainage and reduction of standing water which may present a hazard to health.
140
AERIAL SPRAYING
The aerial spray program aimed at the April hatch of mosquitoes in fresh water swamps was begun on April 19 and completed May 1. As was the case last year in the original towns, the absence of proper spraying weather resulted in somewhat of a late start and prolonged the work, however, the program was started about a week before that of last year and completed a week ahead of the previous year.
The purchase of two new helicopters by flying service companies in the area this year will make it possible to double up on any one day and result in more efficient use of available decent weather in the future.
This aerial spray program was done by both helicopter and fixed wing plane, the latter being used on large areas close to the two available airports in Braintree and Marshfield.
1,545 acres were sprayed in the Town of Weymouth.
GROUND SPRAYING
The ground crews circulated on a schedule throughout their sections of the project. They varied from this circuit to treat in complaint areas or to treat places found breeding by the superintendent or the inspectors. They then returned to their rounds.
Their job this year was very difficult since excessive rains left them with many large areas to treat in addition to the many obscure breed- ing places. In a normal season this work will be much reduced and drainage work in the future will further lessen the effort necessary to keep up with this very important phase of the work.
DITCHING
Drainage and elimination of mosquito breeding places has been considered the keystone of mosquito control by leaders in the mosquito control field from the very beginning.
Proper installation and maintenance of ditches will eliminate or reduce the majority of the breeding places, thus resulting in a smaller area to be covered by the ground crews or by aerial spraying. In addition to cutting costs, this results in more frequent checking of any given breeding place by the ground crews and thus in more efficient control.
With the above ideas in mind we have proceeded to drain all areas possible. In the Town of Weymouth 5,230 ft. of ditches have been cleaned, 7,220 ft. reclaimed and 1,605 ft. of new ditch has been dug.
The work areas were chosen firstly for intensity of mosquito breeding, secondly for difficulty of handling by spray programs, and thirdly for adaptability to hand ditching methods which are the only methods now available to this project.
Under consideration is the purchase of a tractor fitted for use oil marshland and equipped with a scavel plow. This piece of machinery has been in use for the past six years in Connecticut, New Jersey and Long Island, N.Y. and was developed for the specific job of cleaning or reclaiming salt marsh ditching.
Depending on the type of marsh, 15,000-22,000 ft. of ditch may be worked in a day. It will thus be possible to reclaim (not just clean) all our ditches thoroughly every other year.
141
Like all machines, the above has its limitations and there will still be places where machine work is impossible or must be preceeded by hand work. These places would be handled by our crews in the fall and early spring.
This year the project has been responsible for the salt marsh ditch- ing maintenance formerly under the direction of the State Reclamation Board.
It is our belief that greater benefit was derived from the money set aside for this purpose since closer supervision was possible and because in many cases the work was done by our own crews who knew the area well and were interested in reducing the flooded areas which they had so much trouble treating by hand spraying.
FOGGING
This past season the project has had in operation a Todd Insecticidal Fog Applicator, commonly called a Tifa. This machine emits a smoke containing small particles of insecticides. This smoke is produced by in- troducing insecticide in oil into a stream of hot gases produced in a generator by burning gasoline and propelled by a stream of air from a blower.
This fog drifts with the air currents over the area, wiping out all mosquitoes and other flying insects present.
The machine is of great value in cutting odwn invasions of mosquitoes from large breeding places and is our only means of control in areas where our chemicals may contaminate water supply.
EQUIPMENT
The project continue to add to its equipment as a result of the ex- pansion to Scituate, Marshfield, and Duxbury and to bring the equipment on hand up to the necessary level.
Equipment now on hand
1 Ford F-350 truck
1 Ford F-250 truck
1 Ford F-100 truck
1 Willys 1 ton truck
1 Chevrolet Handyman
1 Cushman truckster (catch basin unit)
2 50 gal. Bean hydraulic sprayers
1 Todd Insecticidal fog applicator
1 Hoffco power brushing tool
1 Gorman-Rupp centrifugal pump Pack sprayers
Various hand ditching tools
Equipment to be added
1 Oliver OC-6-68 tractor with plow designed for ditch main- tenance and digging
142
1 Trailer for transporting ditching tractor
1 Ford F-350 truck or equivalent
2 Catch basin units (Cushman trucksters or motorcyles)
2 50 gal. Bean hydraulic sprayers or equivalent
PLANS FOR WINTER
Throughout the months between the past and coming mosquito breed- ing seasons much attention will be given to ditching. Work on the salt marsh will be done in the fall and early spring and the colder winter months will be spent in the more protected fresh water areas.
In addition when snow and ice conditions are right pre-hatch dust- ing, as was done last year, will be applied. The success of last year's work along these lines makes it feasible to expand this program to as much as help and weather permit.
PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR
All operations above will be included next year.
In addition a very necessary extension of our work will be started. This is treatment of catch basins which breed enormous numbers of house mosquitoes. A survey made this summer indicated that approxi- mately sixty percent (60%) of the catch-basins in the three areas sampled bred Culex pipens, the house mosquito, at a rate of fifty (50) larvae per dipper or more and only twenty percent (20%) had no breeding in them. The rest varied from a few to almost fifty (50) per dip.
This work will be done with a Cushman trukster and a motorcycle with a large spray tank mounted in the rear. A regular round of all basins found will be worked out for each operator in his area. These men will also treat small roadside pools and cellar holes in new developments which are a temporary but important nuisance.
If the project decides to obtain the marsh tractor, ditch re-claiming wlil be done during the summer whenever it doesn't interfere with necessary spraying and will be increased in tempo as soon as spraying is done in September.
OUTLOOK FOR NEXT YEAR
Considering that the project personnel and the people in the several towns have been adding more of the hidden breeding places to our maps and that a tremendous improvement has been made in our drainage system, particularly on the salt marshes, mosquito control should continue to improve at an even greater pace than heretofore.
The above coupled with a normal or dry season should exceed even our greatest expectations.
HENRY F. GODIN Commissioner
143
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL DEFENSE
Honorable Board of Selectmen Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I submit herewith a report covering the activities of Civil Defense for the year 1954.
Organization and personnel continue at essentially the same level as for the previous year. This year, however, we had an opportunity due to hurricanes "Carol" and "Edna" to determine whether or not we had in Weymouth a Civil Defense organization that would function in an emer- gency. The forces alerted during these two emergencies were: Emergency Communications and Auxiliary Police.
Both of these units operated efficiently in full cooperation with other town departments. The willingness of the members of these two units to serve the public is most gratifying, especially as their efforts were con- ducted under exceptionally adverse conditions.
Our emergency communications system operated very satisfactorily and although there were many instances of power failure, we were able at all times to transmit and receive information at The Report Center through our mobile units.
What could have resulted in an unfortunate circumstance during Hur- ricane "Edna" occurred when the telephone service was disrupted at one of our Fire stations. Chief Murray referred the condition to the Civil De- fense Committee who, with the cooperation of The Board of Selectmen, took immediate steps to eliminate the probability of recurrence by pro- viding two additional generators and a portable radio transmitter and receiver.
To further strengthen the emergency communciation system. six new Gonset units have been provided. We now have seven gonset equipped mo- bile units and two receiving stations. These units operate on two meters and are in addition to other mobile units operating on ten meters.
The Committee also completed installation of its warning system. We now have two ten H. P. sirens installed, one at the rear of the High School and the other at Lovell's corner. These are of sufficient capacity to pro- vide adequate coverage over the entire town when used in conjunction with the sirens at The South Weymouth Air Station and The Hingham Ammunition Depot.
During the year, we were fortunate to be in a position to send Deputy Fire Chief Sherman to the Government sponsored Rescue School at Olney, Maryland for instruction. As a result of this, we have recently formed a class for the instruction of a rescue squad. This division is under the super- vision of Mr. Leslie Hebert and will develop into a mobile unit that will certainly be a necessary asset to Civil Defense and the town as a whole.
I wish to thank all those who have contributed to Civil Defense, it is through their efforts that the department has continued to grow and in- crease in its efficiency. Also I wish to again remind all of the townspeople that considerably more help is required before this organization will be in a position to adequately fulfill all of its requirements.
Respectfully submitted. HERBERT W. CAUSER Director, Civil Defense
144
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
January 13, 1955
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1954:
During the year, 1,468 wiring permits were issued.
Receipts for permits fees totalled $2,942.25.
I wish to extend to the Board of Selectmen and to other Town officials my thanks for all courtesies and assistance given me during the year 1954.
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH W ROSS Wiring Inspector
January 10, 1955
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1954:
During the year 1954 permits were issued for the following new build - ings:
377 one-family dwellings
Estimated cost
$2,844,000.00
30 one-car garages
171,400.00
12 two-car garages
12,825.00
1 garage, storage & batching plant
66
66
3,000.00
2 garage sales rooms & offices
35,000.00
1 gasoline service station
15,000.00
2 gasoline stations & lube rooms
20,000.00
1 supermarker
50,000.00
1 fruit market
66
10,000.00
1 telephone exchange building
90,000.00
1 dairy produce stand
66
6,000.00
1 library building
66
15,000.00
1 skating rink
66
30,000.00
1 playground toilet
4,000.00
2 commercial garages
8,000.00
1 taxi waiting room
66
2,000.00
2 storage sheds
66
1,075.00
1 summer cottage
66
4,500.00
1 summer house
66
800.00
66
2 elementary school buildings
944,000.00
66
74,000.00
3 store buildings
66
145
2 greenhouses
2 office buildings
66
1,300.00
1 miniature golf course
300.00
66
110.00
2 poultry houses
5 tool houses
2 work shops
200.00
458 new buildings
Total estimated cost $4,346,960.00
928,613.00
Yearly receipts new building permit fees
3,283.00
Yearly receipts alterations permit fees
639.00
Total receipts 18 Board Zoning Appeals hearings
315.00
Respectfully submitted ANDREW A. CHISHOLM Building Inspector
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES
December 31, 1954
The Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town Hall
East Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
We respectfully submit herewith to you and through your Board to the townspeople our Annual Report for the year 1954.
The activities of our department have been increased substantially this year, and in support of this statement we refer you to our expenditure of more than $80,000.00 for Veterans' Benefits. General business reces- sion may be a contributing factor in developing this total, but the very rapid growth of our town, we believe, is the most influential cause for concern. On this premise we have included in our 1955 budget provision for an additional full time investigator to properly take care of our ad- ditional load and the many out of town and hospital cases.
Because all town department expenditures are covered in detail by the Town Accountant in his annual report and also because our State, credits for the year have not as yet been determined, we can only assume the customary 50% return of our 1954 Veterans' Benefits payments. In) this same connection our records show a return for 1593 of $34,810.98 for Veterans' Benefits and $200.00 for War Allowance.
Once again we resort to this medium to express our sincere thanks to those organizations and individuals who so willingly aided us in the performance of our duties during the year. Also, we wish to thank your Board and all Town departments for their kind cooperation.
Respectfully submitted, RAYMOND E. STEIN, Director
146
3,075.00
1,375.00
415 alterations
-
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
January 3, 1955
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
Following is the report of the Inspector of Animals for the year end- ing December 31, 1954
Places inspected
54
Cows inspected
172
Young stock inspected
44
Bulls inspected
1
Horses and Ponies inspected
64
Goats inspected
23
Sheep inspected
9
Steer inspected
2
Dogs quarantined
215
Cases investigated
23
Rabbits quarantined
1
Monkey quarantined for 2 cases
1
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN H. REIDY Inspector of Animals
REPORT OF THE PLUMBING INSPECTOR
January 3, 1955
Weymouth Board of Health Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending December 31. 1954:
During the year, 889 plumbing permits were issued.
Receipts for permits were $3,741.00.
During the year. 333 permits were issued for cesspools and septic tanks.
Receipts for permits were $333.00.
There was a total of 3,650 fixtures installed in new and old buildings New Buildings 411
Old Buildings 478 $364,900.00
Estimated Cost
Respectfully submitted, THOMAS J. MacDONALD Plumbing Inspector
147
REPORT OF THE ELECTRIC LIGHTING COMMITTEE
December 31, 1954
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
This committee, whose membership is the same as that of last year, has added 153 lights during the year bringing our total number to 2,478 and our monthly bill to over $4,700.00.
We are asking in our 1955 budget for funds to maintain those lights, together with 100 new regular lights. Funds are also asked for the Mercury-lamp lighting of Bridge Street from Bicknell Square to Back River Bridge, Washington Street from Lincoln Square to Main Street. and also Washington Square.
The rates remain the same as for many years and the increase in budget is due only to the increased number and size of lights.
We have a large unexpended balance due to two factors. The lighting system of Back River Bridge gave out the first of the year and there have been no lights there during the year. We are still waiting for the State to decide on the system to be adopted. The second factor were the hurricanes because of which we were without street lighting for about three weeks for which the Town received a rebate of about $3,000.00. The Weymouth Light and Power Company chose to figure the rebate on a pro rata basis whereas the contract did not call for such drastic cuts. It means about a $1,000.00 difference in favor of the Town.
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