USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1928-1930 > Part 22
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Annual Town Meeting First Monday in March
Election of Officers Second Monday in March
TOWN OFFICERS, 1930
Town Clerk-Jetson Wade, Greenbush.
Town Treasurer-William F. Smith, Scituate.
Selectmen and Board of Public Welfare -- James W. Turner, Chairman, Egypt, term expires March, 1933; William W. Wade, Egypt, term expires March, 1932; W. Irving Lincoln, North Scituate, term expires March, 1931.
Assessors-Henry A. Litchfield, Chairman, Egypt, term expires March 1931; W. Irving Lincoln, North Scituate, term expires March 1932; Henry T. Fitts, Scituate, term expires March, 1933.
Collector of Taxes-Harold W. Cole, Greenbush.
School Committee-W. Cleveland Cogswell, Chairman, North Scituate, term expires March, 1932; Marion C. Alexander, Scituate, term expires March, 1933; Belle H. Chaffin, Scituate, term expires March, 1931.
Board of Health-Dr. William P. Grovestein, Chairman, Egypt, term expires March, 1932; George T. Otis, Scituate, term ex- pires March, 1931; John W. Burke, Scituate, term expires March, 1933.
Highway Surveyor-Archie L. Mitchell, North Scituate.
Park Commissioners-Ernest F. Litchfield, Chairman, North Sictuate, term expires March, 1933; John F. Dalby, Egypt, term expires March, 1931; James L. McCarthy, Sictuate, term expires March, 1932.
Constables-William H. Brown, Scituate; Alton Curtis, North Scituate; Donald Whittaker, Scituate.
5
6
Town Officers
Advisory Board-Walter Haynes, Chairman, Scituate, term ex- pires March, 1933; Harold W. Poland, North Scituate, term expires March, 1933 ; Paul F. Ives, Egypt, term expires March, 1933; J. Edward Harney, Scituate, term expires March, 1932; Herbert G. Summers, Minot, term expires March, 1932; Rus- sell J. Wilder, North Scituate, term expires March, 1932 ; Wil- liam A. Burton, North Scituate, term expires March, 1931; Williams B. James, Scituate, term expires March, 1931; Wil- liam M. Wade, Greenbush, term expires March, 1931.
Planning Board-Ralph Bergengren, Scituate, term expires March, 1931; John F. McJennett, Greenbush, term expires March, 1932; Donald S. Pitkin, term expires March, 1932; Chester E. Stone, Scituate, term expires March, 1933; George S. Bailey, Egypt, term expires March, 1933.
Tree Warden-William F. Ford, North Scituate.
Field Drivers-William H. Brown, Scituate; Alton H. Curtis, North Scituate; Donald Whittaker, Scituate.
Surveyor of Lumber, Measurer of Wood and Bark-Ansel F. Servan, Scituate.
Pound. Keeper-Charles F. Andrews, Scituate Center.
Town Director Plymouth County Extension Service-Ferdinand Feola, Egypt.
TOWN OFFICERS APPOINTED BY THE SELECTMEN
Registrars of Voters-Jetson Wade, Greenbush ; Joseph A. Ward, Scituate, term expires May, 1933; Harry E. Bates, North Scituate, term expires May, 1932 ;- Chester R. Sherman, Greenbush, term expires May, 1931.
Town Accountant-Bertha A. Davenport, term expires March, 1933.
Chief of Police-Michael E. Stewart, Scituate.
Police Officers-William H. Brown, Scituate; John E. Callahan; Scituate; Alton H. Curtis, North Scituate; Joseph A. Dwyer, Scituate; William F. Kane, Greenbush; W. Francis Murphy,
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Town Officers
Scituate; Fred W. Stanley, Greenbush; Chester E. Stone, Scituate; Charles B. Jenson, Scituate; John Stonefield, Scitu- ate; Michael F. Welch, Scituate ; Andrew W. Filmore, Scituate Center ; Donald Whittaker, Scituate; Ezra L. Litchfield, North Scituate; J. Edward Gillis, Scituate; Anthony Bongarzone, North Scituate; Robert Kinsley, North Scituate; Bertram Stetson, Scituate; David J. O'Hern, Scituate.
Special Officers with limited territory-Russell, L: Fish,, North Scituate; Thomas L. Vickery, North Scituate; George F. Dwyer, Scituate; Edgar Whittaker, Greenbush ; George Voll- mer, Scituate; Louis A. Madore, Scituate; Albert Ainslie, North Scituate; Arthur H. Lane, Scituate Center; Daniel F. Sylvester, Minot; Ernest F. Litchfield, North Scituate; James L. McCarthy, Scituate; Joseph A. Ward, Scituate; Walter Haynes, Scituate; Thomas Hernon, Scituate; Michael F. Ma- loney, Minot; Cecil Babbitt, North Scituate.
District Engineers-District No. 1, James Finnie, Scituate ; Dis- trict No. 2, Wendell Whittaker, Greenbush; District 'No. 3,
Archie W. Torrey, North Scituate; District No. 4, Albert F. Turner, Minot; District No. 5, Allerton Bonney, Scituate Center.
Chief of Fire Department-Archie W. Torrey, North Scituate. Town Council-Vernon W. Marr, North Scituate.
Town Engineer-Henry A. Litchfield, Egypt.
Forest Warden-Archie W. Torrey, North Scituate.
Superintendent of Moth Work-William F. Ford, North Scitu- ate.
Scaler of Weights and Measures-Kenneth R. Merritt, Scituate. Inspector of Animals-Andrew S. Finnie, Scituate.
Keeper of Lockup-Michael E. Stewart, Scituate. Harbor Master-George F. Dwyer, Scituate.
Assistant Harbor Master, Humarock-Robert S. Boles, Marsh- field.
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Town Officers
Custodian of Burial Ground-Walter Bailey, Scituate Center. Burial Agent-Alonzo A. Pratt, North Scituate.
Fence Viewers-Thomas O. Jenkins, Greenbush ; Charles N. Tur- ner, Greenbush, Charles F. Andrews, Scituate Center.
Public Weighers-John S. Fitts, Greenbush; Ellis B. Damon, Greenbush; Frank W. Clapp, Greenbush; Harry Whittaker, Greenbush; Andrew Filmore, Scituate Center; Albert L. Littlefield, North Scituate ; Daniel A. Vines, Greenbush ; Henry J. Vines, Greenbush; Arthur H. Lane, Scituate Center; Ar- thur Palmer, Scituate ; Russell L. Fish, North Scituate.
OTHER APPOINTED OFFICERS
Superintendent of Schools-Harold C. Wingate, Egypt.
Inspectors of Plumbing-Philip S. Bailey, North Scituate; As- sociate Inspector, William H. Harney, Scituate.
Inspector of Meat-George H. Otis, Scituate.
Inspector of Milk-George T. Otis, Scituate.
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Report of Selectmen
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
The year of 1930 has been one of nation wide financial de- pression and unemployment which we have all felt to a greater or lesser degree.
We should perhaps look upon this era of unsettled condi- tions as one of necessary adjustments and tending toward more stable and prosperous conditions in the future. We believe how- ever that Scituate has suffered less because of these conditions than most municipalities.
The greater part of our revenue is obtained from those who come here to enjoy the advantages in the way of natural beauty, health and pleasure which Scituate shores and country-side so lavishly provide. Because of this income derived so largely from without, we are enabled to expend on Town projects much larger sums and to enjoy the benefits therefrom than most towns of comparable populations and these generous expenditures have very considerably relieved the unemployment which we would otherwise have experienced.
It would perhaps be wise to confine our appropriations for the coming year for the greater part to enterprises that will employ town labor and to forego seeking such improvements as would require expenditures that would be absorbed in materials and labor which could not be supplied locally. In view of this fact we would be reluctant to ask or suggest the building of any administration building at this time, as was contemplated by the Town at its last annual meeting, by the continuation of the build- ing committee with instructions to bring in at this coming meet- ing plans for such an object. We have such confidence in this most capable committee that we believe they will be able to present plans for the temporary improvement of the present Town Hall providing for added office facilities which will be adequate for several years and at a very moderate investment.
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Report of Selectmen
The new state highway which has been under consideration by the department of Public Works, still seems to be indefinite as to its final consummation. A considerable controversy as to its desired locus through the neighboring towns of Hingham and Cohasset has possibly delayed its construction for another year but we feel rather confident that the State will proceed with this much needed improvement in time for its completion in 1932.
It would seem at this time that the most vital issue that con- fronts the Town is the demand of the Scituate Water Company for a very drastic increase in water rates. Having realized for many years that our rates were among the highest if not the highest in the State, it has been most disappointing to us all to be confronted with an increase instead of the decrease which we had hoped soon to obtain. The merits of the company's demands may be decided before our business meeting by the Department of Public Utilities, and the answer as to whether we will feel obliged to take over the properties of the Scituate Water Com- pany as provided for under its charter and to operate it as a municipal plant, may be largely influenced by the decree of the Utilities Board and by the report of the consulting engineers and accountants employed to determine the costs for purchase and the value of the Company's properties. We feel assured, however, that the citizens of Scituate will not be content to suffer the pro- posed increased rates should they be maintained.
A problem which seems to us quite important and has proven more and more difficult of adjustment, is that of accommodating statewide and we may almost say nationwide parking at our Shore resorts. We are all reluctant to curtail the privilege or deny the pleasure of visiting our beaches to those who come from our cities or afar, but the magnitude of the demand for these privileges and the frequent abuse of them has created a condition which for the conservation of our own needs compels us to take protective measures. The enjoyment of bathing and beach privileges by our own people and the development of those parts of the town not directly on the beaches as well as the com- fort and convenience of those who do dwell on shore frontage actually need all of the available beach spaces of which the Town
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Report of Selectmen
is possessed and we feel that we have reached the time when we will have to restrict these desirable assets for the use of our own inhabitants. There are still available in Plymouth County considerable areas of undeveloped and unused beaches which it would seem the Commonwealth might well acquire and maintain for the use of all of its people, but for any shore town to attempt to assume this responsibility would be prohibitive and destruc- tive. We should of course be willing to bear our part of the State's expense in securing and maintaining these coastal reser- vations.
Legislative bills have been prepared and presented permit- ting the County of Plymouth and the towns of Marshfield and Scituate together with individuals especially benefitted and in conjunction with the State through the Department of Public Works to expend for the protection of fore-shores in said towns a sum in the case of Scituate not to exceed $30,000.00. In ac- cordance with the provisions of this act our town's participation would be about $6,500.00, and it would seem that Scituate should provide for this protective investment.
Our associations with all of the Town departments during the year just ended have been most cordial and gratifying and we take this opportunity of expressing our appreciation of the whole-hearted co-operation which has been accorded us and par- ticularly are we grateful to the Advisory Board for their valu- able assistance in helping us to try to solve many matters of town policy in which we have sought their council.
JAMES W. TURNER, WILLIAM W. WADE, W. IRVING LINCOLN, Selectmen of Scituate.
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Board of Public Welfare
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
The Board of Public Welfare has endeavored to conduct the operation of its Department humanely and wisely. The demand for quick action in acute cases of need does not permit of a com- plete consideration of all details of the case, but often does re- quire that relief shall first be afforded and a more comprehensive adjustment made thereafter. It must be remembered that in the administration of Town Welfare is included the obligation of caring, not only for those of our Town's family who are in need of public aid, but also for the "stranger within our gates" who is in distress and this should be done in manner and to an extent compatible with the interests of the community which is to be held responsible for the aid given. Therefore, at times the amount of aid rendered in a case may appear niggardly or over generous due to the authorization of the Commonwealth if it be a state case or of the city or town in which the settlement is placed, and while aid rendered to those whose settlement is not within the Town, is reimbursed to the Treasury, it does not appear to the credit of this department and, therefore, the ac- count of payments portrayed in the financial report are always considerably in excess of the net amounts expended for public welfare. We have not been obliged to exceed the appropriation provided as have most other municipalities in this past year of universal unemployment. Our fortunate position in this respect is due to several influences. We are not an industrial town and the generous expenditure for enterprizes providing labor have very considerably supplied an income not only to our usual number of municipal laborers but also to many of those usually employed by the various trades which in normal times have re- quired their services. And in this connection we wish to express
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Board of Public Welfare
our appreciation of the effective cooperation of the Highway and Forestry departments. It would appear at the present time that if the depression we are now experiencing shall continue it would be wise to provide a slight increase in the appropriation for Wel- fare aid for the coming year.
We beg to call your attention to the addition to the budget for municipal expenditure for 1931 appearing in the warrant of March 2nd, of the item of Old Age Assistance. This relief measure comes out of Legislation enacted in 1930 and establishes an old age assistance bureau and obligates the towns and cities to provide a sum adequate to provide suitable support for those persons seventy years of age or over who have dwelt in the Com- monwealth not less than twenty years prior to reaching such age and who are in need of such assistance. This law became effec- tive July 1st of the current year and the amount indicated in the budget is your Board's estimate to be required for this pur- pose for the remaining six months of the year from July 1st. We believe this is a forward and beneficial piece of legislation and hope it will make more secure the life and happiness of those of our elderly people who often through no fault of their own may find themselves in straightened circumstances and we hope that this new expense will be cheerfully and patiently borne.
A report from this department without recognition of the assistance and supplemental service rendered by Miss O'Donnell of the public nursing service would indeed be incomplete and your Board would in closing pay tribute to her for the very efficient co-operation she has accorded us.
JAMES W. TURNER, WILLIAM W. WADE, W. IRVING LINCOLN, Board of Public Welfare.
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Report of Highway Surveyor
REPORT OF HIGHWAY SURVEYOR
To the Citizens of Scituate :
Following the practice of the past few years all highways in Scituate have been treated with tar and sand, keeping them in condition for twelve months travel.
The following new roads have been accepted and built : Edgar Road, Curtis Avenue and Seventh Avenue.
The outstanding road work was the building of the Southern entrance to the New Town Way, which relieves the congestion of traffic on Front Street to a great extent.
Edward Foster Road has been widened from Front Street to the New Second Cliff Bridge to allow for a sidewalk on the South side. A special appropriation will be asked for at the annual town meeting to make this much travelled road in good condition.
Drainage has been installed on First Parish Road, Wampa- tuck Avenue and Gilson Road.
The following sidewalks have been resurfaced : Front Street, both east and west sides; First Parish Road from Stockbridge Road to Front Street; Country Way from the Baptist Church to Railroad Station to property of Carl Schaefer; and Glades Road from Grasshopper Lane to property of C. T. Tilden.
New sections of guard rails have been built where needed and repairs made as far as the appropriation would allow. There are still many places where the rails are in poor condition and they must be repaired soon.
A tandem roller has been added to the highway equipment and has proved a great help in our road work.
Respectfully submitted,
ARCHIE L. MITCHELL,
Highway Surveyor.
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Report of Chief of Police
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE
Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen :
The report of the Police Department is herewith respect- fully submitted for your consideration. This report is based upon the activities of the department from May 1, to Dec. 31, 1930 inclusive.
COURT CASES
Number of cases in Court, 154. Male 143, Female 11, Total 154.
CAUSES OF COURT ACTION
ยท Assault
1
Assault and Battery.
3
Assault with a dangerous weapon.
1
Being present at game on the Lord's Day
S
Breaking and Entering
4
Capias
1
Disturbing the Peace
5
Drunkeness
16
Indecent Exposure.
2
Lewdness-Delinquent
1
Lewd and Lacivious Cohabitation
1
Larceny
4
Neglected Child.
S
Non-Support
2
On Warrant (for mental observation)
1
Runaway Child
2
Rape
1
Statutory Rape.
1
Setting up and maintaining game
1
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Report of Chief of Police
Threat to commit a crime-namely to assault with a
dangerous weapon. . 1
Unlawful shooting of Birds. 1
Liquor Violations :
Illegal Transportation 1
Keeping and Exposing. 2
Motor Vehicle Violations :
Cutting out of Line 28
Improper Registration.
1
Leaving the scene of an accident. 2
Not having Registration in possession
1
Not properly insured.
1
Operating under the Influence
5
Operating Negligently.
6
Operating after License has been revoked
1
Operating without License.
2
Operating without Registration .
1
Operating so as to endanger.
1
Refusing to stop on signal of Police Officer
1 30
Unreasonable Speed.
Using Automobile without authority
1
Violating Town Ordinance 4
Total 154
Number of fines imposed. 76
Amount of fines imposed $1,610.00
Amount of fines appealed . $665.00
Amount of fines to credit of State 325.20
Amount of fines to credit of Town 619.80
$1,610.00
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Report of Chief of Police
Held for the Grand Jury. 4
Number of appeals to Superior Court. 18
Number of cases pending, awaiting trial or disposition 3
Sentenced to County and State Institutions. 16
Dispositions not accounted for in above summary, were dis- posed of by being placed on file, probation and in two instances, defendant was found not guilty.
MISCELLANEOUS
Notice of intended sale or transfer of motor vehicles .. 78
Summonses served for other Police Depts .. 48
Unlocked buildings secured by Police Officers 90 Fires covered by Police Officers 35
Fires discovered by Police Officers 13
Complaints investigated by Police Officers. 447
Motor vehicle accidents investigated by Police Officers. . 46
Windows not secured and light left on in stores and etc. investigated by Police Officers 68
Pistol permits issued 20
Cottages inspected. 891
MOTOR VEHICLE MILEAGE
From May 1st to December 31st
Police Auto (Buick)
9,598
Police Auto (Ford) . 14,881
Motorcycle No. 1. 2,916
Motorcycle No. 2.
3,191
Motorcycle No. 3.
10,966
Motorcycle No. 4.
5,012
REMARKS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The motor equipment of the department comprising four motorcycles and two automobiles is in good condition, excepting one 1928 motorcycle which we believe should be replaced by a new machine.
A complete system of filing records of arrests, investigations, complaints, keeping accounts of expenditures, recording mileage
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Report of Chief of Police
of motor vehicles, gas and oil consumption of each vehicle and etc., has been installed in the office. All available information on records, complaints investigations, accidents and etc., is so in- dexed as to be readily produced when required.
A daily bulletin of assignments is posted, detailing officers to their respective patrols, with any instructions which may seem advisable.
Constant attention is directed towards the keeping of the office rooms, first aid room and detention rooms, clean and sani- tary at all times. We cordially invite your board and the citi- zens in general to make a visit of inspection to satisfy yourselves as to the results of this effort.
Following out a practice, instituted in 1927, the officers make an inspection of all unoccupied cottages throughout the town. These visits are repeated as often as time permits. A card of inspection is left on each visit, and any condition noted by the officer, which might call for attention, is attended to by the officer when practical to do so and in all cases the owner is notified.
An officer is on duty at the Police Station twenty-four hours of the day. Scituate Harbor has an officer on duty thene twenty hours each day. North Scituate Corners from 3.00 P. M. to 4.00 A. M. Minot Beach from 7.00 P. M. to 4. A. M. besides patrol visits made to all of these points by the officer detailed to day patrol.
TRAFFIC-MOTOR VEHICLES
The ever increasing flow of vehicular traffic, makes neces- sary the constant study of providing means for the safe guard- ing of the public, (both pedestrian and motorist) a serious prob- lem. In this connection the police have received invaluable ad- vice and material aid from the Scituate Safety Council, which body co-operates with the Governor's Committee on street and highway safety and the Massachusetts and National Safety Councils. The work of the local Safety Council is of value to every one in the community. It therefore becomes the duty of
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Report of Chief of Police
every citizen to co-operate with and aid the Safety Council in their efforts to make our highways safer.
The traffic (Stop and Go) lights installed at the junction of Hatherly Road and Turner Ave., during the past summer, has proven to be an invaluable asset in making this dangerous inter- section safer for travel. While many new signs to regulate traffic have been provided during the season, many more of such signs are needed to meet the rquirements of the traffic ordinances. The painting of the roads at dangerous curves and to facilitate parking has been extended considerably. Much more of this method of warning and instruction remains to be done.
We have advised with members of the Dept. of Public Works and others interested in making travel safer and in common with their opinions we believe that Country Way from the Cohasset Line to the Marshfield Line and Hatherly Road from Jericho Road to Gannet Road, should be through ways. Both of these highways must be viewed as main arteries and the danger of collision is always present, due to the many intersecting streets entering these ways. We therefore respectfully recommend that your board consider the advisibility of making necessary addi- tions to the traffic ordinances to make these through ways.
Should your Board decide to do this then provision should be made so that the signs required to enforce such ordinances could be procured and set up.
TELEPHONE SYSTEM
We are happy to commend those responsible for the installa- tion of the so-called P.B.X. telephone system with police signal lights attached. We believe it has done more to increase the efficiency of this department than any other one thing. We be- lieve that this system should be extended by the installation of at least one more box at this time. In our opinion this additional box should be placed in the vicinity of the Egypt R.R. Station. We therefore recommend the installation of this additional box for the consideration of your Honorable Board. If viewed fav- orably by the Board, then an article should be inserted calling for an appropriation to cover the cost of installation and main-
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Report of Chief of Police
tenance. Other points where boxes are needed and which we be- lieve would very nearly complete this system are one box at Standish Ave., junction of Hatherly Rd., one at Third Cliff and another at Peggoty Beach.
CONCLUSION
We have made a conscientious effort to have members of this department interest themselves in the proper execution of their duties as police officers, to be courteous in their treatment of the public and the results have been most gratifying to your Chief of Police. In conclusion thanks is extended to these officers for the spirit of co-operation and untiring endeavor they have mani- fested; to your Honorable Board for the confidence imposed in my appointment to this office and for your co-operation through- out the past eight months.
Respectfully submitted,
M. E. STEWART, Chief of Police.
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Report of Fire Department
REPORT OF SCITUATE FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
During the year 1930 the Fire Department responded to 63 alarms of fire and two rescue calls. These fires comprise a loss of $30,000.00 nearly all of which being covered by insur- ance.
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