USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1937-1939 > Part 37
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52
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT
All inspectors under our jurisdiction have carried on their work in a highly satisfactory manner and the Board takes this opportunity to thank them for their assistance and for the success they have attained in their work.
The cooperation of the School Doctor and Nurse has been very satisfactory. All cases brought to our attention have been reported to them. The careful check-up and follow-up of all cases has been highly satisfactory and has been instrumental in checking the spread of disease.
The cooperation of all heads of departments and Town officials has been very freely given and we take this opportunity to again thank them for the valuable assistance they have given us when called upon.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER L. ENOS, Chairman GEORGE H. OTIS, DR. WILLIAM P. GROVESTEIN,
Board of Health.
REPORT OF THE PLUMBING INSPECTOR
Gentlemen:
In the year 1939 there were 45 permits issued and inspections made for the installation of plumbing.
With the ever-increasing number of water takers from the public supply it is imperative that plumbing arrangements within the home be properly installed to prevent the possible cross connection between waste and supply which might result in contamination of the supply, resulting in disease.
The situation in regard to the disposal of sewage was not as troublesome this year on account of less rainfall, but the Town must look forward to some adequate sewage disposal system in certain places to insure the health of the community.
Respectfully submitted, PHILIP S. BAILEY, Inspector, W. H. HARNEY, Assistant Inspector.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
To the Board of Health, Scituate, Mass.
I wish to report inspection of all cattle, goats, swine, all found in good condition. Have quarantined all dogs that have bitten people. No signs of Rabies.
CHARLES O. CHASE,
Inspector of Animals.
53
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BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR
Board of Health, Scituate, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I have issued fifty-three milk licenses, five oleomargine licenses, two licenses for the manufacture of ice cream and one license for the pasteurization of milk.
We have two local people manufacturing ice cream in Scituate and one milk producer has started a pasteurization plant.
There is a state wide movement to pasteurize all milk and there are several cities and towns in Massachusetts that sell nothing but pasteurized and certified milk.
We are very fortunate in this Town as the raw milk produced here is above standard and the producers are very careful to abide by all the milk rules and regulations, showing their willingness to cooperate in every way possible to produce a clean milk.
Samples of raw and pasteurized milk have been taken and tested at regular intervals by your Town and State inspectors.
Respectfully yours, GEORGE H. OTIS, Milk Inspector.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
Feb. 15, 1940
To the Board of Health, Scituate, Mass.
I have inspected all animals slaughtered in the town of Scituate and with no exceptions found them perfect.
Respectfully,
EDWIN L. MERRITT,
Inspector of Slaughtering.
REPORT OF SCHOOL DENTIST
Board of Health and Superintendent of Schools Scituate, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I submit the following figures as a summary of the work accomplished in the Hatherly and Jenkins Schools from January 1939 to January 1940:
54
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT
Fillings in Permanent Teeth
425
Fillings in Temporary Teeth
241
Permanent Teeth Extractions 5
Temporary Teeth Extractions 73
Teeth Treated 58
Cleansings 185
Completed Cases 184
Prospects are very bright for several 100% rooms at the Hatherly School before June. That means that every child in the room has been completed either at the clinic or by the family dentist.
This past year every child in the two sixth grades were given a chance to be completed at the clinic before passing into Junior High.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIS B. PARSONS, D.M.D.
School Dentist.
PRE-DENTAL CLINIC REPORT
Scituate Board of Public Health
Scituate, Massachusetts
Dear Sirs:
Having completed ten mornings of Pre-School Dental Clinic, I am impressed with the vital need this clinic meets in the community, and the tremendous task and responsibility it has to cope with.
Of forty-four children examined, two hundred fifty-one defects were found within the oral cavity; a percentage far too high, and pointing to the need of an earlier approach.
Not enough parents realize what a healthy and normal mouth means to a child, or how important is the saving of deciduous teeth. More ills come from bad teeth and sick mouths in childhood, than from anything else.
If these same children could have had the benefit of clinical and radiodontic examination, together with a prophylaxis, beginning not later than the age of three, and the parent been informed of the dietary needs of the child, necessary to the building and maintaining of caries-resisting teeth, preventive dentistry could function to the end of sounder teeth at pre-school age.
Of the nineteen children treated at the clinic, nine were completed. Eighty-five deciduous teeth, and twelve permanent teeth were filled. Six treatments, one extraction, seven radiodontic examinations and nine prophylaxis were included in the work covered.
There are two points I would stress. First, that a sound and practical educa- tional program for the parents be included and presented by the dentist, along with the clinical work, thereby giving him the opportunity of aiding the mother in the elementary principles of diet and oral hygiene; showing her, how decay in teeth, barring the influence of heredity, can be prevented; and secondly, if clinical facilities cannot be offered at the early age of three, that mothers attending the Baby Clinic perhaps, be afforded the same opportunity of such an educational program.
JFC:LG
Yours respectfully,
JOHN F. CRIMMINS, D.M.D.
55
PUBLIC WELFARE REPORT
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
This department showed a considerable decrease in expenditures for Public Welfare during 1939 as we had predicted in our report of a year ago. Increased W.P.A. quotas and slightly improved business conditions accounted for this im- provement. The Board has adhered to a strict policy of investigation, having in mind that our function is to be fair to both recipient and tax-payer. There have been several changes in the methods of handling Old Age Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children during the past year. We have conformed to all federal and state laws and rulings. Our accounts and records on Old Age Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children have been audited by the Government. Our same policy of detailed checking of settlements has been continued with resultant reimbursements. Our conformity to federal laws and regulations has enabled us to receive large federal grants under Old Age Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children.
At this time the Board wishes to thank all other town departments, societies, and individuals who have co-operated with us during the past year.
NATHANIEL TILDEN, RALPH S. BROWN, HARRY F. CLEVERLY
REPORT OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The purpose of this report is to describe the work done by the Engineering Department and to explain the manner in which the money appropriated for Engineering was expended during the past year.
The Town Engineer and the assistants that he requires for both field and office work are paid, on an hourly basis for their services as rendered, from the Engineering Appropriation. All equipment and materials connected with engineering work are likewise paid for.
The engineering services rendered by this department during the year end- ing December 31, 1939 are listed as follows:
1. Attending hearings and viewing conditions on the ground preparatory to making layouts of unaccepted streets offered for acceptance as Town Ways.
2. Making surveys and plans for layouts of said streets.
3. Setting monuments in the ground to define the lines of streets accepted during 1939.
4. Making surveys and plans for easements for public utilities crossing private property.
5. Staking street lines for various Town Departments, public utilities and individuals.
6. Reproducing street lines and replacing monuments where monuments were destroyed.
56
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REPORT
7. Establishing definite street lines where none existed for Land Court sur- veys and other surveys, both public and private.
8. Locating property lines of Town property other than streets i.e., cemeteries, gravel pits, parking spaces and playgrounds.
9. Attending hearings at the Massachusetts Department of Public Works relative to issues which involve the Town.
10. Appearing at the Massachusetts Land Court for protection of Town in- terests.
11. Making miscellaneous plans for various Town Departments; making plans and studies of proposed W. P. A. Projects for W. P. A. Officials.
12. Engineering design and supervision of construction projects, both Town and W. P. A., throughout the Town.
13. Estimating costs of various proposed improvements throughout the Town.
14. Locating details not shown on the Town Plan.
15. Acquiring information at the Plymouth Registry of Deeds relative to Town interests.
By comparative observation through each successive year, it is clearly ap- parent to those familiar with the administration of town government in Scitu- ate that the various services required of the Engineering Department to satisfy the needs of the Town are constantly widening in scope; the amount of work as- signed to this Department increases steadily each year.
We should regard this fact as an indication that Scituate is enjoying a healthy growth and realize that we who live here can enjoy the pleasure of be- ing a part of a modern, progressive community.
Respectively submitted, DANIEL F. APPLETON, Town Engineer.
HENRY A. LITCHFIELD, Assistant Town Engineer.
REPORT OF TOWN WPA AGENT
January 22, 1940.
To the Board of Selectmen,
Town of Scituate.
Gentlemen:
Through the co-operation of the Work Projects Administration by the allot- ment of Federal funds, and the Town by the appropriation of $20,000 at its Annual Meeting in March for the purchase of materials, trucking, etc., to carry out ap- proved work relief projects, unemployment in Scituate has been materially reduced and welfare aid substantially lightened during the year 1939.
At the beginning of the year there were 120 persons on local WPA pay rolls, including 12 men at the Hingham Arsenal project. A gradual reduction as a result of opportunities for private employment in the spring and summer brought the number down to 69 during August; from that period onward there was a
57
TOWN WPA AGENT REPORT
steady increase until the number reached 114 at the close of the year. The weekly average for the entire year was 95 as compared with 77 for the previous year, showing an increase of 18 over the year 1938.
During the year 1939 there were paid from Federal funds to the residents of Scituate for labor performed on WPA projects $53,923.90
Non-Labor
2,236.94
$56,160.84 Increase over the year 1938, $14,225.66. Value of Surplus Commodities distributed in Scituate $5,700.72
Increase over the year 1938, $1,010.32.
Following is a brief summary of the work projects operated or completed during the year 1939, those scheduled for operation during 1940, and new projects proposed and now awaiting approval for future operation:
Work Projects Started in 1938 and Operated in 1939
WP 16,475 Install a Water Main in Mann Lot Road from the Standpipe to Clapp Road. Started August 8, 1938, closed down February 4, 1939, reopened April 20, 1939 and completed July 11, 1939.
WP 16,559 Develop a Recreational Area at North Scituate. Field House, Tennis Courts and other facilities for games constructed. Started August 12, 1938 and completed December 15, 1939.
WP 17,899 Conserve Shade Trees throughout the Town. Started December 27, 1938, closed down April 30, 1939, reopened December 26, 1939. Operating January, 1940.
WP 19,509 Forest Fire Hazard Reduction Work. Under the supervision of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Started November 25, 1938, closed March 24, 1939.
Work Projects Started and Operated in 1939
WP 17,264 Highway Department General Road Construction and Repairs, Drainage, etc. Blanket project. Started February 27, 1939 and operated con- tinuously throughout the year. Operating January, 1940.
WP 17,686 Install New Filing System for Police Department. Non-Manual. Started March 31, 1939 and operated continuously for remainder of year. Oper- ating January, 1940.
WP 18,097 Indexing and Classifying Old Town Records. Non-Manual. Supplementary to WP 15,129, starting April 25, 1938. Operating January, 1940. WP 18,380 Control and Eliminate Leaf Feeding Pests. Started February 24, 1939. Operated until seasonal close down July 11, 1939. Reopened Decem- ber 15, 1939. Operating January, 1940.
WP 18,431 Construct Fire Trails Through Woodlands. Started March 10, 1939. Closed down May 17, 1939. Expected reopening January, 1940.
WP 18,974 Prepare Record of the Graves in Scituate of Honorably Dis- charged Veterans of the Army, Navy or other Military Establishments of the United States. Non-Manual. Started September 26, 1939, and continued through December. Supplementary project approved. Operating January, 1940.
WP 20,319 Install Water Mains on Tilden Road and Norwell Avenue to Connect Two Main Lines in the Water System. Started October 3, 1939. Com- pleted December 19, 1939.
WP 20,978 Improve Water Supply System. Lay Mains on Tilden Road, Hawley Road, Brockton Avenue, Cedar Street, and Front Street. Approved De- cember 12, 1939. Operating January, 1940.
58
TOWN WPA AGENT REPORT
Construction Work at the Hingham Arsenal.
Scituate residents are assigned to this project which has operated continuously throughout the year, the weekly average being 13 men. Operating January, 1940.
Proposed Work Projects
Control and Eliminate Leaf Feeding Insect Pests. Creosoting, spraying, cut- ting webs, and thinning infested areas. Submitted November 15, 1939.
Install a New System of Water Department Records and Maps, showing loca- tion, size and age of Water Mains, including Service and Gate Location Cards. Submitted December 28, 1939.
To Prevent Mosquito Breeding in Low Wet Areas. Construct a Drainage System in the Swamp Area between Alden Avenue and Winslow Avenue, Shore Acres, with Outlet into the Sea at Brewster Avenue. Easements Requested De- cember 20, 1939.
On July 11, 1939, the new WPA wage schedules, as provided in the Emer- gency Relief Act of 1939, were put into effect. This increased the number of hours worked per fiscal month to 120 hours for each classification, but without increase in the total monthly wage.
The new regulations for the referral of persons for certification for WPA employment became effective November 1, 1939. It provides that eligibility for assignment to work projects is determined on a basis of need and employability, and persons referred for certification as in need of relief by the Board of Public Welfare, must also be eligible according to the Federal regulations under which the Works Projects Administration functions.
The National Youth Administration provides a work program for unemployed out-of-school youth. Needy youths of both sexes are employed on a wide variety of work units, such as the construction of playground facilities, recreational leader- ship, clerical work, etc., on a part-time basis (55 hours a month) at a maximum wage of $21 a month. Age limits 18 to 24 years, inclusive.
As provided thereunder, three young ladies are employed on local projects: two in the Allen Memorial Library and one in the Pierce Memorial Library assist- ing the librarians, while one has been certified to the High School Cafeteria.
Another NYA project has been approved to give part time employment to a number of local young men in general forestry work under Town supervision in our Town forest, but up to the close of the year it has been impossible to start operation because of the inability to secure a sufficient number to warrant it.
In August 1939, the law requiring the removal from WPA pay rolls of all persons having 18 months continuous employment became effective, and resulted in 12 men being dropped from the pay rolls before the close of the year. How- ever, all had an opportunity to be referred for certification before the expiration of 30 days from the date of their removal. This made reinstatement more rapid, and assignments in nearly every case have been made.
The operation of these constructive projects has enabled several of the Town Departments to utilize the services of those persons who would otherwise have been unemployed much of the year, and has also made possible improvements of permanent value to the Town at a greatly reduced cost; they have been a source of security for the citizens and kept relief costs down.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT A. WHITING,
Town WPA Agent.
59
TOWN COUNSEL REPORT
REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL
An examination of your counsel's previous reports will give you a good idea of the frequent need of legal assistance in our municipal affairs. Your counsel, moreover, holds himself available at all hours of day and night throughout the year to be of service to the town officials. He renders to some degree a protective service just as does a member of the police and fire departments.
Omitting detailed reference to our many legal problems, your counsel briefly points out particular instances of service in a few matters.
Representing the town in the matter of final decree in condemnation proceed- ings for the new coast guard station, your counsel obtained in 1939 the collection of $1,737.01 taxes due the town on the premises taken by eminent domain by the United States government: case of United States of America v. McDonald, Town of Scituate, et al.
In the case of William H. Doggett v. the Town, land damage petition in the Plymouth Superior Court, a settlement was reached and the case closed without a trial; likewise, in a tort case an advantageous settlement was reached before trial.
Other notable matters handled were zoning appeals, Appellate Tax Board hearings and A.B.C. proceedings and Welfare settlements.
In the matter of the continued operation of the Old Colony Railroad, counsel has served the town without compensation. In August your counsel attended the hearing at New Haven which resulted in the abandonment of the plan to discon- tinue all passenger service on the Boston and Greenbush line September 24, 1939. In October your counsel filed a brief for the Town as amicus curiae in the case of Palmer et al. v. Commonwealth and attended the hearing before the United States Supreme Court at Washington. These proceedings resulted in the favorable deci- sion set forth in Mr. Justice Frankfurter's opinion establishing the jurisdiction of our Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities and the Interstate Commerce Commission over the affairs of the Old Colony even though in bankruptcy. The Commonwealth was ably represented by Assistant Attorney General Edward O. Proctor.
The Governor, Attorney General, and Special Commission members all deserve our praise and thanks for their defense of our railroad facilities. It now appears as if the continuance of our passenger rail service depends upon the possibility of effecting economies in operation. It appears impractical for local counsel to assume a defense of our service other than supplementary to the efforts of the Commonwealth. Your counsel, however, believes the communities should stand ready to furnish assistance and should protect their own special interests involved in the operation and reorganization of the railroad system serving the South Shore.
VERNON W. MARR,
Town Counsel.
REPORT OF ASSESSORS
Detail of 1939 Assessments
Number of Polls assessed 1,497
Amount of Poll Tax Warrant $2,994.00
Number of persons, partnerships and corporations assessed on property 3,018
60
ASSESSORS' REPORT
Value of assessed Real Estate:
Buildings
$ 8,617,615.00
Land
3,251,545.00
Total Value of Real Estate
Total Value of Personal Estate
$11,869,160.00 970,799.00
Total Valuation January 1, 1939
$12,839,959.00
Total Valuation January 1, 1938
12,889,691.00
Decrease in Valuation
$ 49,732.00
Omitted Assessment December 20, 1939
500.00
Assessed
Horses
50
Cows
94
Other Neat
16
Sheep
2
Fowl
6,661
All Other
265
Automobiles
1,971
Budget for 1939
Town Appropriations
Voted to be taken from available funds in 1939
$ 5,627.33
Voted to be taken from available funds in 1938
31,481.96
37,109.29
$579,860.06
State Tax and Assessments:
State Tax
$ 33,120.00
State Tax (underestimate 1938)
16,560.00
Auditing Municipal Accounts
414.87
Hospital and Home Care for Civil War Veterans
240.00
State Parks and Reservations
431.82
State Parks and Reservations (underestimate 1938)
26.05
County Tax and Assessments:
County Tax
19,499.43
County Tax (underestimate 1938)
41.51
Tuberculosis Hospital
5,946.23
Overlay for current year
13,248.51
Gross Amount to be raised
$669,388.48
Estimated Receipts :
Income Tax
$ 25,625.81
Corporation Taxes
3,259.26
Motor Vehicle Excise
12,500.00
Licenses
5,300.00
Fines
100.00
Special Assessments
425.00
General Government
950.00
Protection of Persons and Property
1,150.00
Health and Sanitation
100.00
Charities
2,250.00
Old Age Assistance
12,000.00
Soldiers' Benefits
1,230.00
61
$542,750.77
PLANNING BOARD REPORT
Schools
1,350.00
Water Department
93,886.25
Interest on Taxes and Assessments
5,700.00
Veterans' Exemptions
58.55
Additional Fees
425.00
Total Estimated Receipts
$166,309.87
Overestimates of previous years
120.00
Appropriations voted by Town to be taken from available funds
76,239.81
Total Estimated Receipts and available Funds $242,669.68
Net Amount to be raised by taxation on polls and property $426,718.80
Number of polls-1,497 at $2.00 each $ 2,994.00
Total Valuation of Personal Property $970,799 at $33.00 32,038.65
Total Valuation of Real Estate $11,869,160 at $33.00
391,686.15
Total Taxes levied on Polls and Property
$426,718.80
Special Assessments:
Moth
$ 599.90
Water Liens
2,488.88
Total Amount of all Taxes and Assessments committed in 1939
$429,807.58
Tax on Omitted Assessment December 20, 1939
16.50
Abatements in 1939:
To Joseph R. Dillon, Collector, for 1937 $ 1,941.59
To Joseph R. Dillon, Collector, for 1938
280.34
To Joseph R. Dillon, Collector, for 1939
4,768.58
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY A. LITCHFIELD, Chairman, HENRY T. FITTS, W. IRVING LINCOLN,
Assessors of Scituate.
PLANNING BOARD REPORT
During the early spring your Planning Board received complaints from citizens on the appearance of the town occasioned by the unrestricted use of "For Sale" and "To Let" signs by realtors.
Many properties carried several signs and certain sections gave the impression that all property was on the market. As a result of this condition, a visitor to Scituate gained the impression that residents were attempting to unload their properties and that this was not a desirable town in which to own property.
A meeting of Scituate Realtors was called by your Board in an effort to get them to clear up and police this phase of their business without other interference. A voluntary agreement to dispense with all such signs for one year was reached. As a result practically all signs were removed as agreed. Somewhat later, one or two of the Real Estate agents who were part of this agreement re-erected some of their signs. Your Board believes that public opinion will be the strongest method of keeping this situation in hand.
Among others, the North Scituate Beach Improvement Association was inter- ested in this problem of Real Estate signs and your Board met with their repre-
62
LIST OF JURORS FOR 1939
sentatives in an effort to work out a solution to the problem in their section. The entire matter of signs in Scituate was studied very thoroughly and the cooperation of your Selectmen was solicited in an effort to preserve the attractive appearance of our town.
During the year, Planning Board members devoted considerable time and effort to protect the town's zoning of residential areas from the encroachment of business. In all instances your Board sought to protect the interests of the greatest number of citizens. In this connection, several efforts have been made to open up some sections of Route 3A to business.
It is the belief of your Planning Board that to make one or two new business areas on Route 3A in the interest of one or two individuals is highly unfair to the rest of our citizens. As an alternative to this end and as it is felt by some that this route does represent a special opportunity for exploitation, we have suggested the creation of a Civic Market somewhere on the route. Such a market would be open to all. It would be well set back and attractively designed in order that it might be an asset rather than a liability to our town.
The Planning Board will welcome any suggestions for planning and operating a Civic Market. Obviously, there are many difficulties in the development of this idea. However, citizens who have known of the suggestion of your Board have given us a very favorable reaction. We hope to hear from many more.
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