USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1937-1939 > Part 36
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Mann Hill
Scituate Centre
Out of Town
Buildings
1
1
6
15
2
0
10
5
2
1
5
1 51
Forest
1
3
9
7
4
8
2
13
5
10
4
66
Rescue
1
Miscellaneous
1
2
2
3
1
4
1
2
1
2
19
Total
3
6
..
16
24 4 13 5
28
=
15
2
11
1 113
CAUSES AND TYPES OF FIRES 1939
Burning Soot
Carelessness
Smoking
Electrical
Defective Chimney
Miscellaneous
Overheated Stoves
Flooded Oil
Sparks from
Chimney
Unknown
Lightning
Overheated Furnace
Needless Calls
Total
Automobile
5
2
2
0
Dwelling
10
3
3
1
5
4
5
1
8
3
2
1
46
Garage
1
1
Store
1
Other
6
1
2
1
6
16
Totals
10
1
3
8
1
13
4
5
2
13
4
8
1
73
Forest Fires
66
139
Respectfully submitted,
ALEXANDER K. WILLIAMS, WILLIAM E. SHUTTLEWORTH, M. W. MURRILL,
Board of Engineers.
42
. .
..
. .
1
..
co
..
1
Burners
1
FIRE WARDEN REPORT
REPORT OF THE FIRE WARDEN
To the Board of Selectmen:
The Forest Fire Department is pleased to report that we have met with no serious fires and that as far as possible have removed all known fire hazards under our control.
We would suggest that all rubbish and all burnable debris be burned in an incinerator and that same be placed as far as possible from any building.
We would also request that a permit, for which there is no charge, be obtained from the Fire Wardens for any grass or brush burning and the reasonable regu- lations as set forth in the permit be observed.
In our opinion, these above requests may prevent fires and will be of great assistance to our department.
A. K. WILLIAMS, Forest Fire Warden.
REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
February 2, 1940.
To the Citizens of the Town of Scituate:
A resume of the activities of the Highway Department during the year ended December 31, 1939 is herewith rendered for your consideration and approval.
The yearly increase in the population of the Town of Scituate and the sub- sequent increase in the number of motor vehicles using the Town's streets has contributed in a large degree to the duties of the department in the following instances: (1) the construction and maintenance of newly accepted streets, (2) the elimination of dangerous corners and narrow curves on old lay-outs, and (3) the general repairs and reconditioning which must be done to keep existing streets suitable for the convenience and safety of vehicular traffic.
The following is a report of the work performed during the past year showing the various items and including the detailed account of streets upon which opera- tions were conducted of a major nature.
Rebuilding
The reconstruction of the Town highways is a problem encountered frequently and requires much detailed study and planning. The roads of twenty-five or thirty years ago which have been maintained and repaired year after year down to the present time were built to provide suitable passageway for the small number of horse drawn vehicles then in use, and consequently are not suitable in this age of high-speed traffic and heavy trucking. Grades must be changed, new curves designed, sharp corners and steep hills eliminated and proper drainage provided. A list of streets upon which reconstruction work was performed together with the type of surface follows:
43
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1
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT REPORT
STREET
SURFACE
Greenfield Lane
Macadam
Cornet Stetson Road
Macadam
Damon Road Mordecai Lincoln Road
Macadam
Macadam
Orchard Road
Tar and Gravel
Bituminous Concrete
Gannett Street Cliff Avenue
Tar and Gravel
The rebuilding done on the above streets was planned according to modern engineering methods with the view in mind of furnishing a smooth, safe surface for the travel of pleasure vehicle owners and in providing a durable roadway which will withstand the pounding of heavy truck traffic.
Drainage
The drainage situation remains to be a major problem to the Highway Depart- ment and a considerable amount of the funds provided by the annual appropri- ation was used in the expansion of drainage systems. Streets upon which drains have been installed during the year are listed below. Clapp Road Hatherly Road
Edward Foster Road
Elm Street
Curtis Road
Mitchell Avenue
Cornet Stetson Road
Egypt Beach Road
Beaver Dam Road
Tilden Road
Turner Road
Drainage is a necessary adjunct to highway construction and must be taken into consideration in rebuilding projects and new construction.
Surface Treatment
Over fifteen miles of hard-surfaced streets received an application of tar mixed with sand or pea stone during the last twelve-month period. Streets of this nature require a road oil treatment every three years in order to preserve the surface and extend the useful life.
Bituminous Resurfacing and Patching
On Marshfield Avenue in the Humarock section, a great amount of difficulty has been experienced in providing a stabilized surface, due to the nature of the base. Eighteen hundred eighty square yards of bituminous concrete cushion was applied and has given excellent results to date. This street is a direct approach to Humarock Beach and it is believed the present surface will serve for many years to come.
A great many of the streets throughout the Town have been in use for a good number of years and the constant thawing and freezing occurring in the - winter months cause holes and breaks to appear. Heavy traffic breaks through weak spots in the wearing surface and streets are being constantly dug up by gas, electric and water companies. These bad places are immediately repaired with bituminous concrete patching material by the maintenance crew of the Highway Department who are continually on the lookout for these and other danger spots.
Street Cleaning
Over a thousand tons of sand were used as a safety measure on the slippery streets during the winter of 1938 and 1939. In the Spring, this sand was cleaned off the streets and removed from the gutters and catch basins where large quan- tities had deposited. The purchase of a rotary street brush which was attached to the front of the Town's portable compressor helped to keep the cost of this street clean-up work at a minimum.
44
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT REPORT
Federal Projects
Highway reconstruction and improvements under the Federal Relief Program including such work as gravel-asphalt and macadam surfacing, the installing of curbing, guard rails and retaining walls together with the necessary ditching, grading and otherwise improving of the roadsides has been in continuous operation throughout the year. A list of streets which include hard-surfaced, bituminous, gravel or macadam, together with the type of improvement done on each is here- with presented.
STREET
IMPROVEMENT
Old Oaken Bucket Road
Drain
Garden Road
Rebuilt
Hawley Road
Rebuilt
Jay Road
Rebuilt
Irving Road
Rebuilt
Longley Road
Corner Rebuilt
Fay Road
Rebuilt
Norwell Avenue
Resurfaced
First Avenue
Resurfaced
Oceanside Drive
Resurfaced
Snow Removal
Probably one of the most difficult tasks confronting Highway Departments in this section of the country is the elimination of snow and ice from the highways during the winter months. The increase in winter driving makes it necessary that careful attention be given to the condition of the surface of the streets after a fall of rain, snow or hail. After snowstorms, the roads must be plowed as quickly as possible in order that traffic may not be impeded and also, the snow piled up in the business sections must be removed so as to allow business to continue normally. The use of up-to-date equipment together with the application of the knowledge gained by trial and practice in past years has placed the Highway Department in a position to cope with all snow removal problems in a speedy and satisfactory manner.
During the last few years, important advances have been made in the methods used in contending with the hazard which is always present in the event of hard- packed snow and ice being on the streets and sidewalks. The adoption and prac- tice of these modern methods accomplishes the desired result of making safe travel for both pedestrians and motorists.
New Equipment
Through the use of special appropriations voted at the annual Town meeting, the acquisition of two new heavy-duty machines for road building work was made possible. A No. 66 Austin Western Motorgrader, a new type of equipment in the Highway Department, was bought in April and has proven invaluable in the variety of services to which it may be utilized. The small "Caterpillar" tractor, after a number of years of useful service, was turned in as a part of the purchase price of a modern tractor of the same make. In addition to the many benefits rendered by these machines in road construction and maintenance, they are also used in keeping the streets open during the winter season.
Miscellaneous
The buildings recently acquired in Egypt were painted and repaired through- out. This property has proven most valuable in the garaging of town equipment and in the provision of comfortable working quarters when overhauling machinery and making repairs during inclement weather.
45
PEIRCE MEMORIAL LIBRARY REPORT
The removal of protuding sections of ledge on Border Street has eliminated a dangerous traffic condition. The blasting operations were performed in the early part of the year in order not to interfere with summer traffic.
Other work performed by the Highway Department includes such items as the building of retaining walls, maintaining of guard rails, resurfacing of sidewalks, painting of street traffic lines and the repairing and painting of numerous street signs.
Conclusion
The trend in late years is to better highways - and the main objective of the Highway Department has been to produce the best roads attainable with the least expense to the taxpayer. (In 1939, the expense was about fourteen cents out of each dollar of taxes.) Common and skilled labor was secured entirely from local residents which alleviated greatly the burden of Town unemployment, and all expenditures were closely watched to safeguard the funds provided for the care and maintenance of highways. Honest criticism and suggestions have been wel- comed and this opportunity is taken to express appreciation to all who have aided in the functions of this department.
Respectfully submitted,
Highway Surveyor.
REPORT OF PEIRCE MEMORIAL LIBRARY
The Trustees of the Peirce Memorial Library submit the following report for the year ending December, 1939, and express their thanks to the citizens of Scituate for their assistance and co-operation.
Books in circulation 1938
17,940
Books in circulation 1939
21,116
Gain
3,176
Magazines in circulation 1938
1,708
Magazines in circulation 1939
1,957
Gain
249
Books borrowed from State Library
92
Books purchased in 1939
616
Books given in 1939
41
Books rebound in 1939
32
Magazines subscribed, etc., in 1939
22
Number of active card-holders 1938
404
Number of active card-holders 1939
526
Gain 122
The financial report, covering the library expenses found on another page of this book, covers only the actual money appropriated by the town. The trustees appreciate the additional sum received this past year from a part of the town dog tax, but feel that the townspeople should know that the entire annual amount received from the town does not cover the entire running expenses of maintaining the library.
Respectfully submitted,
KATHERINE ELLIS, President.
46
ALLEN MEMORIAL LIBRARY REPORT
REPORT OF THE ALLEN MEMORIAL LIBRARY
To the Selectmen of Scituate:
Everything possible is being done to increase the usefulness of the library. It has been necessary to make many repairs to the building, originally of splendid construction.
The library hall has been let to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. It was neces- sary to install a new modern heating system. This has worked out very well. The library proper has been put in a more useable condition and the result. is most satisfactory.
Extensive pruning has been done of old and out dated books, and valuable, worn books are being repaired. This is under State Supervision. This gives additional space for new literature.
The co-operation and valuable aid of the various committees have been most helpful.
It will be the effort of the Directors to make the library increasingly useful.
Respectfully submitted, T. B. ALEXANDER,
President.
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
North Scituate, Mass.
Board of Selectmen, Scituate, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen:
My annual report for the year ending December 31, 1939 is as follows:
Devices sealed for use in trade totaled five hundred and ninety-three. Ad- justments made were eighty-two. Condemned devices unfit for use, were only eight.
Numerous inspections were made of various package goods, weights of merchandise, etc.
Licenses of peddlers were checked and many peddlers not having proper licenses, were forced to leave Town.
Through the fine co-operation of our Town Clerk, William M. Wade, the transient vendor problem was well taken care of.
Sealing fees charged for 1939 amounted to $95.20, adjusting charges totaled $4.18. Fees collected for work done during 1938, $3.44. Total outstanding December 31, 1939, $2.50. I paid to the Town Treasurer during 1939, $100.22.
Respectfully submitted,
EUGENE H. LANE, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
47
BOARD OF REGISTRARS REPORT
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF REGISTRARS
Meetings for registration of voters in 1939:
February 17th
February 20th
February 21st
at North Scituate at Scituate Harbor at Town Hall
A meeting was held on February 9th at the Town Clerk's Office for cer- tification of names on nomination papers.
The Board made a house to house canvas as required by Chapter 440 of the Acts of 1938, an Act transferring certain duties of local assessors relative to the listing of inhabitants to Registrars of Voters.
Registered voters in the Town of Scituate on December 31, 1939:
Males 1,422
Females 1,392
2,814
There were 110 names added to the voting list in 1939 by means of regis- trations while 73 names were dropped because of deaths and change of residence, resulting in a gain in registration of 37.
Respectfully submitted,
BERTHA L. TURNER, J. EDWARD HARNEY, DANIEL J. QUEENEY, WILLIAM M. WADE,
Board of Registrars of Voters.
REPORT OF THE CLEAN UP COMMITTEE
Board of Selectmen,
Scituate, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen:
Your Committee believes that the service rendered to the Town through us is important and should be continued, but that some changes should be made.
This activity was inaugurated as a health measure to enable those residents who had no private dump facilities and could not transport their rubbish to the Town dump, to dispose of insect breeding articles such as empty cans, bottles, dishes, cooking utensils, etc. This has gradually grown until, in addition, we were asked to take such articles as old baby carriages, sewing machines, old stoves, bed springs, mattresses, auto parts, furniture, piles of brush cuttings, lawn rakings and finally shingles and roofing paper from a remodeling job.
The worst offenders seem to be the well-to-do who have plenty of motor trans- portation of their own.
We removed fifty-nine truckloads of material on May 13, 1939.
The amount of garbage and rubbish dumped along the roadside seems to have not been reduced at all. We recommend to our Police Department a definite
48
CLEAN UP COMMITTEE REPORT
follow-up in this practice with prosecution to the full extent of the law of offenders so as to make an example, thereby stopping this disfiguration of our town and eliminate a health menace.
We also recommend to our successors the consideration of changing this service to a later date and the possible need of an additional day in midsummer, thereby serving our summer population more fully, as well as a specification of what will be removed at Town expense.
Our Board of Health co-operated with us fully and greatly added to our results.
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP L. SCHUYLER, Chairman.
MRS. LOUISE ROTHERY, REV. ALLEN CREELMAN, RALPH LITCHFIELD, HAROLD BATES,
Clean Up Committee.
REPORT OF
SCITUATE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERVICE
The Scituate Public Health Nursing Service has held ten regular meetings with an average attendance of fourteen members.
In January 1939, the Finance Committee purchased a new Plymouth car for the nurse. At the annual Town Meeting in March, it was voted that the Town furnish $1280, in addition to the nurse's salary, to cover cost of clerical assistance and transportation necessary in connection with the nurse's work. Miss Helen Chicko has been doing this work, thus giving Miss O'Donnell needed time for her duties to the Board of Health, Board of Public Welfare, School Committee, and Nursing Service.
During the year, the By-laws have been revised and new copies provided for each member.
A very successful Membership Drive was carried out under the direction of Mrs. James Harris, netting the organization a substantial sum. Under the able chairmanship of Mrs. Robert Tilden, the T.B. Seal Sale was conducted this year. Of the Seal Sale receipts 5 per cent. goes to National Headquarters to help pay for material furnished, 10 per cent. to State Headquartrs, 35 per cent. to Plymouth County, and 50 per cent. is returned to us to be used for pre-school clinics and conferences.
The work of the organization has followed the usual lines: pre-school, dental, and the customary Well-baby clinics. During the summer a tonsil clinic was con- ducted at Cohasset Hospital with Dr. Cowan surgeon, assisted by Dr. Alexander. Twenty cases were cared for at an expense of $20.00 per child, of which some paid in full, others a part, others none.
The president and nurse have been sent as delegates to several conferences during the year, bringing to the members splendid reports of the work being done along the lines of Public Health work.
Miss Anna Foley, of Brockton, was the guest speaker at the November meet- ing, describing fully the work of the Plymouth County Health Association, stressing the value of the audiometer in the school.
49
SCITUATE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING REPORT
A program committee of executive board members has been chosen to furnish speakers for the meetings. It was voted to hold the Annual Meeting with the P. T. A. as guests at the Scituate High School. The Community Federation of Boston is to furnish the program with the local workers present.
Thanks are due to all who have helped so generously with transportation and those whose gracious hospitality has made the meetings so pleasant.
A year ends, and we start forth on a new one with renewed conviction that health education and work in prevention of disease are of the greatest importance in our program of Public Health Service.
Respectfully submitted,
VERA L. WILDER,
Secretary of Nursing Service.
ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE SCITUATE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERVICE Receipts
January 1, 1939-Cash on hand
$ 942.34
Town Payment toward expense
500.00
Christmas T. B. Seals, last year's returns
187.13
Refund T. B. Seals expense
2.02
Nursing Fees
147.95
Membership Receipts
362.75
Savings Bank Interest
15.93
Telephone Tolls
23.25
Tonsil Clinic receipts
125.00
Food Sale at Firemen's Ball
6.00
$2,312.37
Expenditures
New Plymouth Car
$ 406.65
Car Insurance and Plates
59.98
Miss O'Donnell, Salary
100.00
Mrs. Alice M. Dowd, Salary
100.00
Garage Rent
60.00
Miscellaneous Expenses
30,00
Membership Drive Expenses
40.48
T. B. Sales Expenses
15.00
Tonsil Clinic and Cohasset Hospital
408.00
Helen Chicko, Services
65.00
N. E. Telephone & Telegraph Co.
66.65
Satuit Garage
41.91
Whittaker Bros.
96.64
Egypt Garage
23.43
Young's Service Station
75.24
Seaverns Drug Store (Medical Supplies)
13.21
$1,602.19
Cash on hand, January 1, 1940
710.18
$2,312.37
1
50
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of Scituate:
The Report of your Board of Health varies but very little from year to year, yet we are desirous to have the citizens of our town familiarize themselves with some of the problems that confront us from time to time. The matter of health and health conditions is one of vital importance and through the cooperation of every individual we can put into practice those health principles that make for the betterment of all. Therefore we seek your cooperation and trust that as time goes on we can increase our activities and eliminate some of the problems that now confront us; although not of a too serious nature at the present time, yet they nevertheless need attention when more money is available.
Collection of Garbage
The collection of garbage increases every year and at present it seems as if we may be forced to put on additional collections during the late fall and winter, but until such time as more money can be obtained it must remain with two col- lections per week in early Spring, three during the summer and early Fall and one during the winter.
Town Dump
The use of the Town Dump increases every year and it has been kept in a condition that reflects credit to the Town. The easy access to the dump is of great advantage. The accumulations around the back yards are no longer seen, which proves that the individuals are disposing of rubbish frequently. This in itself reduces the spread of disease.
Clinics
The school Dental Clinics have been held regularly during the School year and under the reports of the Health Nurse and School Dentists you will find what work has been done and the recommendations necessary. Your Board highly recommends the continuance of these clinics.
Well Baby Clinic
The Well Baby Clinic has been held as in former years under the direction of the Health Nursing Service. Favorable results have been obtained and it is highly recommended to continue this clinic and to enlarge its scope when possible.
Antitoxin Clinic
It has been recommended by the State Department of Health that clinics for immunization against diphtheria be held in as many towns as possible during 1940 and your Board will arrange with the Nursing Service to set a date for the holding of this clinic. We trust the parents will cooperate and have their children im- munized.
Inspectors
The Animal Inspector, the Milk Inspector, and the Inspector of Plumbing, also the Meat and Slaughtering Inspector have all rendered separate reports and under those headings you will find the work covered by them.
51
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT
Vital Statistics
The records of marriages, deaths and births, also burials, termed as Vital Statistics, are kept by the Town Clerk, and under his report can be found the information covered by this item.
Roadside Cleaning
Although we have been able to decrease this work to some extent, yet we are sorry to report that there are many people who have little regard for the keep- ing of our road sides free from rubbish of all types. The worst offences seem to come in early Spring and Fall. We make a strong appeal to our townspeople and our summer visitors to help in keeping the roadsides free from health menaces and to report any violations that we may be able to bring to justice those who are responsible.
Care of Beaches
We are called upon many times during the summer months to remove from beaches, kelp, dead fish and other waste brought in by the tides and after a storm. This, if left on the beach, would cause a very serious health menace. The past summer was very little worse than all former years and the expenditure was kept at a minimum. The results warrant the expenditure each year to keep good clean beaches for bathing.
Town Free Parking Spaces
Comfort Stations are maintained at all parking spaces with the exception of Humarock. Some action should be taken by our Selectmen to install a Comfort Station at this beach.
Musquashicut Pond
During the early part of the summer complaints were numerous and the State Department was called in several times to assist in determining the cause of a health nuisance existing at that point. The peculiar type of fly that was breeding there was causing great annoyance to those living near and around the pond. Following the recommendations of the State Department of Health, your Board purchased a number of ducks and also stocked the pond with such fish as were available and by these methods were able to reduce the nuisance to a great extent. It will again be necessary to secure an appropriation sufficient to carry on the work recommended in an attempt to abate this health menace.
All complaints properly brought before your Board have been investigated and satisfactory settlements made.
During the past year we have had a slight epidemic of Scarlet Fever, many of the cases were very mild, yet the epidemic could have been very serious, but was kept well in check by the cooperation of the School Doctor, the Health Nurse, and other agencies. We make a strong appeal to all parents to cooperate more fully than has been done in some cases. Where there has been a contact with disease do not hesitate to call your family doctor for advice; avoid contact with those in quarantine, report any violations of quanantine; call upon the Health Nurse for advice and assistance. Please assist all those who are doing everything in their power to check this and all contagious diseases.
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