USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1928-1930 > Part 23
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The most dangerous fire occurred on the morning of April 23, at 3.15, on Glades Road. Soon after the call, four houses were in flames fanned by a brisk northwest wind. The serious- ness of this situation made it necessary to sound a general alarm and call for outside help. The timely response of two pieces of apparatus equipped with men from Cohasset, under Chief Martin, contributed largely toward the subduing of this conflagration. The effort and skill of both permanent and call firemen unquestionably saved many thousand dollars worth of property. This fire demonstrated the fact that the Scituate Fire Department is no larger than it should be.
The Ford truck stationed at Scituate Center has been equipped and placed at Humarock with the new Ford hose truck in its place in accordance with the vote of the Town, also fire alarm boxes installed as voted.
The Board of Engineers submits the following recommend- ations for 1931. The purchase of a piece of land to enlarge the lot of the present Fire Station at North Scituate to avoid tres- passing on the abutters. The extension of the Fire Alarm System to the west part of the town, and the acquisition of suf- ficient land at Humarock to provide Fire Station, Comfort
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Report of Fire Department
Station and parking facilities for future use. The Board of Engineers believe these expenditures are necessary and should be made this year.
ARCHIE W. TORREY, Chief, JAMES FINNIE, Asst. Chief, ALBERT F. TURNER, 2nd Asst., WENDELL WHITTAKER, 3rd Asst., ALLERTON L. BONNEY, 4th Asst.
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Report of Forest Warden
REPORT OF THE FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The Forest Fire Department responded to 62 alarms in 1930 the majority of which were grass.
The largest and most extensive woods fire was started Sep- tember 16, at 3:30 P. M. off Booth Hill Road and burned more or less for four weeks. The wooded areas of both Cohasset and Scituate were somewhat damaged. Owing to the drought and scarcity of water supply the men were handicapped in attempt- ยท ing to suppress this unusual fire. Three State pumpers were called in before it could be extinguished. Additional expense consequent of this fire was caused by replacement of small and minor equipment.
An increase of $300.00 will be asked for this year to employ a part time man to drive the forest truck during the most haz- ardous periods.
It seems rather difficult for the citizens to understand that a permit for all outdoor fires is necessary for in many instances this lack of knowledge causes expense and damage, particularly from the illegal use of so called incinerators.
Respectfully submitted,
ARCHIE W. TORREY, Forest Warden.
24
Report of Board of Health
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of the Town of Scituate :
At a special town meeting held on June 12, it was voted that the town put the collection of garbage to contract.
The board had water led from Stockbridge Road to town dump for the purpose of controlling fire and we have a man in constant attendance there.
There have been no epidemics for the year excepting chicken pox, the usual number of complaints entered and taken care of.
The board recommends the placing of a Comfort Station located somewhere at Scituate Harbor.
Yours very truly,
DR. W. P. GROVESTEIN, GEORGE T. OTIS, JOHN W. BURKE, Board of Health.
25
Report of Inspector of Milk
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MILK
To the Board of Health :
There were twenty-six milk licenses issued for the year 1930. There were also issued seven licenses for the sale of denatured alcohol, six licenses for the sale of oleo and two water licenses.
I have visited the dairies and found them in good condition, also had milk tested and found it up to the required standard. All milk brought in from out of town for sale is pasteurized.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE T. OTIS,
Inspector of Milk.
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Report of Inspector of Slaughtering
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
To the Board of Health :
Gentlemen : I have answered all calls for examination of animals that were slaughtered and sold for food and found them satisfactory according to law.
GEORGE H. OTIS, Inspector of Slaughtering.
27,
Report of Park Commissioners
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of Scituate :
We wish to submit the following report :
Believing that a town is partly judged by its public build- ings and grounds we immediately started to repair the Light House, which was very much in need of repair.
When work was started on the Light House we found that only the roof of the storehouse was in good condition and so it was necessary to construct a new storehouse. A comfort station was built on the Light House grounds, town water was installed in the Light and a glass lantern was built on the top of the building.
Lawson's Park is badly in need of fertilizer and will be taken care of in the spring.
At the Civic Center the tennis courts were well cared for, and on account of the lack of rain they required a great deal of attention. It was our aim to make the courts ideal so they might meet the approval of the many tennis enthusiasts who play dur- ing the summer months.
The shrubs were especially looked after in a fitting manner so that they might add to the beauty of the fine new school building.
The rest rooms at Peggoty Beach have been painted, and all small parks have been properly taken care of.
At Minot the whole concrete walk had to be repaired and two thousand feet of fence painted on the break-water.
We hope that this report will meet with the approval of the townspeople, who have given us their hearty support during 1930.
ERNEST F. LITCHFIELD, Chairman, JOHN F. DALBY,
JAMES L. McCARTHEY,
. Park Commissioners.
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Report of Tree Warden
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
During the past year, 1930, I have planted 150 Maples, 40 Elms and 25 Lindens. All have done very well. The summer being very dry they did not show much growth.
I have removed considerable dead wood and branches that overhung the roadway. Our greatest pest on our roadsides is the Tent Caterpillar. It usually confines its attacks to Wild Cherry and Apple, but it is very abundant every 10 or 12 years, when it may also attack Oak and other trees. The eggs are de- posited in July in masses around small twigs, covered with a gray glue-like substance, probably for protection.
The Elm Leaf Beetle is another pest that will show on your Elm trees if you are not prompt in spraying. The grubs feed upon the green tissue on the under surface, skeletonizing the leaves. When numerous the leaves turn brown and fall off, us- ually the latter half of July. Spraying is the only thing that will keep them under control.
WILLIAM F. FORD.
Tree Warden.
29
Report of Town Forestry Committee
REPORT OF TOWN FORESTRY COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Scituate :
Last year the Town appropriated $1,000 for the Town forest. Most of this is to be spent on the Mann Lot plot. 4,000 young trees have been set out, bushes have been cut, pines trimmed and released, and undergrowth cleared. Both forests are showing a wonderful growth. On account of the unemployment situa- tion most of the work as far as possible has been given to heads of families.
On October 24 and 25, 1930, two of the Scituate Town forest Committee attended the Third Annual Conference of Town Forest Committees held at Fitchburg City Hall.
Arriving at noon in a downpour of rain two forests were visited in spite of the inclement weather.
Ayer Town forest was visited under the direction of Mr. George Hill, chairman. Groton Town forest which is a Memorial Forest dedicated to the World War Heroes comprising 180 acres of land taken from the original Town Farm for this purpose. There are now 90 Town forests in Massachusetts. It would please the committee if the townspeople would feel interested to visit both of the forests in Scituate.
MARY E. CRESSY, Secretary.
30
Report of Planning Board
2
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Planning Board submits the following report.
In its first report, submitted a year ago, the board strongly advised the adoption of zoning for the immediate protection of the town against undesirable change, and prepared and offered for consideration a zoning by-law designed to preserve all indi- vidual uses of property that had hitherto been characteristic of Scituate and to prevent such uses as have in recent years done growing injury to the well-being of towns in all parts of the country. It strongly advised town action to preserve the trees now bordering a portion of Front Street and to make such provi- sion as can now be made for the future widening of that street. It advised strongly that measures be taken for a future continua- tion of Front Street to meet Hatherly Road and to prevent build- ing between Jericho Beach Road and the ocean view which that road now commands. It pointed out that circumstances have long provided the town with an open space of marshland and tidal water, beginning to function as an attractive vista from a long way off on any of the several approaching roads, that has been an asset to the town in attracting desirable development; and strongly advised that this condition should be made per- manent and secure by town possession.
The present report can do no less than reiterate these con- victions and repeat that they concern the town as a whole and not in any separate parts. Everybody in town, it may fairly be said, has access to and uses the "Harbor" district. Its ap- proaches, appearance, bridge, parking facilities, and waterfront are a common concern of all citizens and residents. Everybody in town uses the roads, and the appearance anywhere within town limits of what has come to be called the "roadside slum"
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Report of Planning Board
and the "blighted neighborhood" would be a matter of general concern and regret. In its simplest definition the function of a planning board is the protection of the great majority of citi- zens and residents in a given community against undesirable change in their neighborhood or town environment. If modern conditions of transportation and so-called "land development" had not brought about, and visibly proved in many towns, the destructive result of such changes, there would now be no plan- ning board movement steadily growing in strength and public support throughout the United States.
For the reasons above given the board last summer opposed the location of a filling station at the corner of Front Street and Edward Foster Road, in which opposition, however, Mr. Stone did not concur. The board went over with other town officials, and approved, the proposed route of the new State road through Scituate. In relation to the new bridge on Edward Foster Road, the plan was not definitely put before the board in time for seri- ous consideration. The board has seen and recommends for adoption the plan for remodeling the Town Hall which is to be presented at the forthcoming Town Meeting by the committee appointed to consider the needs of the Town with reference to the erection of a Town Office building.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN F. McJENNETT, DONALD S. PITKIN, CHESTER E. STONE, GEORGE S. BAILEY, RALPH W. BERGENGREN, Planning Board.
January, 1931.
1
32
Report of the Scituate Safety Council
1
REPORT OF THE SCITUATE SAFETY COUNCIL
During the year your Safety Council has examined and discussed the most evident sources of danger in the Community and organized for their elimination through available agencies.
Your Highways present your first and most important prob- lem. Including approximately 117 miles of well built and well maintained roads, there is, however, the difficulty for modern traffic encountered on all New England roads, the things that bring visitors from the other parts of the country to enjoy them, their curves and grades, their trees and shrubbery and pleasing narrowness which obstruct the view and endanger those who use them.
You can preserve this natural beauty and increase safety by a few modern practices, white center lines and sidewalks. White center lines should be placed as soon as possible on every curve and grade and intersection throughout the town. The Country Way should have a center line throughout its entire length. Curves on Gannett Road, Border Street, Hatherly Road, curves on Mann Hill, Tilden Road, Driftway, Stockbridge Road at the Railway Bridge, Branch Street, Capt. Pierce Road and Egypt Station give sufficient examples.
Of considerable assistance to the safety of travel would be more frequent and thorough trimming of the roadsides. During the past year and particularly in the late summer, shrubbery obstructed the view at curves and even covered warning signs and crowded pedestrians further into the travelled way.
Saftey for pedestrians, school children and teachers within the mile limit of the schools, those who walk to railway stations, those who would walk in summer for health and enjoyment and those who early and late walk to work deserves your considera-
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Report of the Scituate Safety Council
tion. With 117 miles of roads noted above, you have approxi- mately 81/2 miles of usable sidewalk.
The report of the advisory board at the town meeting a year ago recommended that the Safety Committee make a study of the needs of the Town for sidewalks, map out a program ex- tending over a period of five years, and ask for the necessary appropriation to carry it through. An estimate of the needed sidewalks in the order of its need is as follows:
1. Country Way from First Baptist Church to the Hath- erly School east side to connect with a series of side- walks radiating from Gannett's Corners; to provide protection for children and teachers living within the mile limit of Hatherly School on a curved road-1,000 feet.
2. Civic Center to Scituate railway station will connect with present sidewalks down First Parish Road to the Harbor, used by many young people attending the high school and play grounds, a road which though compara- tively straighter than others, bears considerable traffic and requires little if any grading-3,000 feet.
3. Egypt Post-office corner and Curtis Street to the Coun- try way-2,000 feet-and Capt. Pierce Road to Ann Vinal Road-1600 feet-an old sidewalk which should be resurfaced. It is used by many year-round residents in walking to Egypt station and is crowded in Summer with vehicles, and has dangerous curves.
1
4. Civic Center to the Country Way requires surfacing, is now curbed. A sidewalk in the heart of the town needed by students and teachers within the mile limit -1,000 feet.
5. Country Way, Scituate Center to Curtis Street would connect a network of sidewalks about Egypt Station with the Civic Center and Harbor-2,600 feet.
A most important need is a relief of traffic on the Country Way which will come with the proposed road on the west side but the Country Way will still be the road most used by residents of the town. Over 13 per cent. of the voters reside on the Coun-
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Report of the Scituate Saftey Council
try Way; over 30 per cent. of the few accidents reported on our highway occurred on the Country Way.
6. A sidewalk on the Country Way, Gannett Corner to the Cohasset line would have several advantages. This bit of road is narrow and is built in a re- verse curve. It is certainly one of the least beautiful pieces of road in the town with its dump, its adver- tising signs of which this town is fortunately as yet comparatively free, diverting attention from the busi- ness of careful driving. It contains the Fire Head- quarters and an approach to a dangerous railroad crossing and road intersections. This piece of road should be widened and straightened, and with that change a sidewalk should be provided. If not, a widen- ing, it should have at least a sidewalk-1,900 feet.
7. Country Way from Hatherly School past Hollet Street to Captain Pierce Road, if it included grading at Hollet Street would widen a seriously dangerous in- tersection and improve a badly obstructed view-1,650 feet.
8. Capt. Pierce Road to Curtis Street would connect side- walks from the Harbor through the Civic Center to North Scituate. This distance on Country Way would still be within the mile limit southward from Hatherly School-2,400 feet.
9. Country Way, First Parish Road to Greenbush a mile and three-quarters from the Civic Center would bring Greenbush, Civic Center, Harbor, Egypt and North Scituate together-7,700 feet.
10. In the Summer colonies and for the Summer months the first need might be a continuation of the sidewalks at the Harbor to First Parish Road over the Edward Foster Road and bridge to Crescent Avenue and Cres- cent Avenue to Peggoty Beach. There is a considerable traffic in this direction to and from this beach. It would give access to the beach not only to harbor popu- lation but to residents of First Parish Road.
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Report of the Scituate Safety Council
11. A sidewalk is needed from Front Street to the Sand Hills over the present Jericho Road or other roads as planned. There is considerable pedestrian traffic par- ticularly at night for the theatre in this place. It is about 3,500 feet.
12. Hatherly Road from the Proving Ground to the Har- bor is relatively narrow and many Summer people walk to the Harbor. Jericho Road to Turner Avenue is 3,000 feet.
13. Hatherly Road from Turner Avenue to Standish Ave- nue is 4,000 feet.
14. In the North Scituate Minot section, there is at present considerable sidewalk developed. A connection of this section with the railway station should be considered. Hatherly Road to Mr. Schafer's house at Gannet Cor- ner where sidewalks begin is about 8,600 feet.
On the 28th of January a request was made by the Safety Committee to the Board of Selectmen to place an article in the Warrant for the coming town meeting to appropriate a sum of $2,200 for the construction of the sidewalk named in the first item of this program. It is felt by the Safety Committee that subsequent building of sidewalks should be initiated by the Board of Selectmen when they and the Advisory Board consider that the town can afford them. The foregoing program is all needed at the present time.
Credit is given at this point to the Road Surveyor for prompt action in sanding the roads, grades, curves, intersections and railway crossings after the ice storms and in attacking snow.
Warning and directional signs need some additions and some corrections. The railway crossing warning signs, a round disk labeled R. R. placed three hundred feet from the crossings are all on the wrong side of the street except at North Scituate, two or three signs are obstructed by poles or in Summer covered with shrubbery. It is recommended that during the course of the year the police inspect the signs and see that they are in condition to be of service, and not obstructed by either snow or foliage.
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Report of the Scituate Safety Council
North Scituate railway grade crossing has been accepted by all as a dangerous situation. In June, town officers discussed it with the railway and state officials. It is considered too wide for gates. Lights were proposed and it is now in the hands of the signal department of the railway to place green lights chang- ing to red when a train enters the block and to retain the cross- ing tender and in uniform as a police agent. General lighting was increased at this point early in the year at the suggestion of the Committee.
The two old unused watering troughs at either end of First Parish Road should be removed. In general, the Police have well in hand plans for the placing of several additional signs, particularly parking signs and reflectors.
A Traffic Code was formulated and adopted in June 1930. It is based on the Model Municipal Traffic Ordinance, prepared by the National Conference on Street and Highway Safety, Washington, D. C., 1926, a form being generally adopted throughout the United States. To this plan, our local parking regulations were added-and there is now available a compre- hensive instrument which should be generally helpful.
The safety of school children was reviewed with the assist- ance of Mr. Wingate and his last report outlines the best stand- ard practice which he has adopted. The police department have given needed assistance at the schools to protect children on the highway. State regulations for school busses have now been prepared and it is expected that the School Committee will adopt these rules in the coming year including signs for school busses to warn passing motorists, regulations for stopping at railway crossings, periodical inspections of busses, management of chil- dren in busses, etc. There was one slight accident to a child alighting from a bus, who was struck by a passing car. At another time, a careless truck driver who narrowly missed a group of children alighting from a bus was apprehended, se- verely fined and his license suspended.
Coasting has been well regulated by the police. At Jenkins School, the conditions are most undesirable, tending to obstruct one of your principle thoroughfares and providing at best only
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Report of the Scituate Safety Council
a dangerous slide. It is recommended that Coasting be restricted within the school grounds and to children of that school and that arrangements be made elsewhere for general coasting. Skat- ing has also received the attention of the police. The Fire De- partment placed ladders and life preservers at the three deep ponds this winter.
Prior to the Summer season several matters were investi- gated.
1. Safety at the beaches justifies consideration as a special feature of this town. Life preservers have been placd at all of them but more could be done. The police department have given good service with traffic at the beaches and it is a considerable part of their work in Summer and you could not expect them to act also as life guards on the shore. Special life saving courses are provided by the Y. M. C. A. and American Red Cross and it is suggested that the time has come when the beach associations might consider making arrangements for life savers on Sundays and holidays by having some persons trained and employed for this purpose. It is understood that the physical director at the high school is capable of training persons in life saving.
Both the police and fire departments are ready to respond to emergency calls when life is in danger. Fire alarm boxes may be used for this purpose but this does not cover the prompt ac- tion needed in case of danger or drowning.
2. Safety from fire was especially investigated by the Fire Department. They considered exits of public buildings such as hotels, schools and club houses, the theatre and the use of oils and gasoline in the harbor at the pier and garages and reported everything as satisfactory.
The Fire Department consider dangerous the exposed over- head wire system through Front Street. These poles besides carrying the electric light, telephone and fire alarm system have a 2,300 volt power line. These wires are so close to the buildings that it is feared that the fire department would be seriously handicapped in handling apparatus in case of fire. They recom- mend carrying all of these wires underground with modern light- ing poles fed from below. It is suggested that the Board of
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Report of the Scituate Safety Council
Selectmen take this problem up with the parties involved. It can easily be appreciated that a great improvement would be effected both in case of handling fire in this congested area as well as lessened danger in storms to persons in the streets from falling wires and an immense improvement to the appearance of Front Street.
Earlier in the year the School Committee co-operated with the fire department in placing home fire inspection blanks in the hands of some of the school children in order to arouse interest in fire prevention and fire safe practice. The fire department will be glad to investigate where unsafe conditions may be sus- pected by the owners of property. The electric light and gas companies will do the same on request. Forehand knowledge in such matters would frequently forstall much loss and danger.
3. Emergency first aid was reviewed. Every community today should be provided with means of mitigating injury when it does occur. Possible sources of injury or catastrophe are your railway and its crossings, your sea front from vessels at sea or from the beaches, your highways or a serious loss by fire.
Your district nurse has access to first aid cabinets in three schools and at police headquarters there is an emergency room capable of treating one person at a time. It is not known what is available when the schools are closed and it is suggested that the local chapter of the American Red Cross examine into this question. It is a long distance from the Glades to Hummerock and it would seem that stations for first aid relief should be established at both places and at the harbor providing a first aid room like the one at the police station and supplies main- tained and an organization developed to promptly call compe- tent persons to these points. Other similar locations might be the four railway stations. The Massachusetts Humane Society have houses at the Glades and at Peggoty Beach; possibly this organization might be willing and able to assist if this idea was considered important.
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