USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1940-1942 > Part 34
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We are including no statistics in this report as a full statement of receipts and expenditures will be found in the Treasurer's and Town Accountant's reports.
We wish to thank all organizations, individuals and other town departments for their cooperation during the past year.
Respectfull submitted,
WILMOT M. BROWN, ANNIE M. SOMERS, FRANKLIN T. SHARP, Board of Public Welfare ..
REPORT OF THE SCITUATE RATIONING BOARD No. 271
January 29, 1943.
To the Board of Selectmen,
Scituate, Mass.
Gentlemen :
Scituate Rationing Board No. 271, appointed by the request of the Office of Price Administration, and later known as the War Price and Rationing Board, started operation in January, 1942, with three members: Herbert A. Whiting, Chairman; Ralph C. Ackerman and Peter W. Sharp.
The first articles to be rationed were Tires and Tubes, these being followed by Gasoline, Sugar, Typewriters, Bicycles, Men's Rubber Footwear, Coffee, Fuel Oil and Stoves.
Russell L. Fish was appointed a member of the Board to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Sharp, and its membership was further increased by the addition of A. Willis Totman.
79
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REPORT
With the activities of the OPA constantly expanding and to bring about an equitable distribution of same, it was deemed expedient to further increase the Board's membership and to appoint the several panels as recommended by the State Director, and to this end the fol- lowing were named: Wilmot M. Brown, Marion E. Brown, Frances H. Cole, Edmund J. Corrigan, John J. Heffernan, Florence M. O'Hern and Doris D. Ward. This gives the Board four active Panels, viz .: Tires and Gasoline, Food, Fuel Oil, and Price Control.
While the initial registrations for War Ration Book No. 1 and Gasoline were under the direction of the School Department officials and teachers, this Board desires to express its sincere appreciation for their assistance; also to the many volunteers who worked faithfully as a patriotic duty to help make this important undertaking successful, and to the Police Department for their cooperation in the delivery of ration books to citizens whose business hours did not permit them to call at the Town Hall for same.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT A. WHITING, Chairman, RALPH C. ACKERMAN, RUSSELL L. FISH, A. WILLIS TOTMAN, War Price and Rationing Board 271.
REPORT OF THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen :
Engineering work, because of the existing conditions, was greatly curtailed. I believe, however, that at the end of the national emergency, this department should receive the attention of the citizens, especially toward bringing our Town Maps up to date.
The following is a summary of the work performed by the Engi- neering Department for the year ending December 31, 1942:
1. Attending hearings preparatory to making layouts of streets offered for acceptance as Town ways.
2. Making surveys and plans for layouts of new streets and relo- cation of lines of existing streets.
3. Setting bounds in the ground to define the lines of layouts accepted during 1942.
80
TOWN WPA AGENT REPORT
4. Reproducing points and replacing monuments where same were destroyed.
5. Establishing definite street lines where none existed for land court surveys and other surveys.
6. Appearing at the Massachusetts Land Court in the interest of the Town.
7. Making miscellaneous plans for various Town Departments.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY A. LITCHFIELD, Assistant Town Engineer.
REPORT OF THE TOWN WPA COORDINATOR
To the Board of Selectmen,
January 28, 1943.
Town of Scituate.
Gentlemen :
The appropriation of $5,000 by the Town at its Annual Meeting in March, 1942, as a general unemployment relief fund in connection with Federal Unemployment Relief projects was an important factor in keeping local unemployment at its lowest level in many years. It provided employment on WPA projects for those who otherwise would have been unable to meet the necessary physical or age requirements prevailing on Defense projects.
Early in the year it was evident that employment in Defense plants and on Defense projects would require the services of all available skilled workers, while construction projects would absorb those familiar with that class of work, thus from a total of 44 Federal Relief workers at the beginning of the year the number was gradually reduced to 12 at the close of the year, divided between two WPA projects, one cover- ing road work at Humarock and the other assisting Civilian Defense Authorities in Scituate, both of which will undoubtedly continue opera- tion in 1943 for a time at least.
We are fortunate, however, in having several approved projects from last year ready for operation on short notice should the necessity arise to relieve any unemployment situation, provided Federal aid is made available as in the past.
I wish to convey to your Board my sincere appreciation for the assistance given me during the year in meeting the problems arising in the administration of this most important relief work.
Respectfully yours, HERBERT A. WHITING, Town WPA Coordinator.
81
TOWN COUNSEL'S REPORT
REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL
Scituate, Mass. January 18, 1943.
One might ask "What has been the effect of the war upon the field of municipal law?" 1942 has been our first year affording an answer to this question.
First it must be borne in mind that legal problems handled in a given year may have been the result of events years ago. Matters which reach the litigation or court stage generally grow out of situations or policies of some years' standing.
Yet 1942 ushered in some war activity evidenced by a special town meeting on January 5th to consider civilian defense measures. Later problems arose in connection with bridge construction at Humarock and public easements in 4th Cliff where the United States government has condemned land for war uses.
In my report for 1941 I called attention to our special transporta- tion needs in the form of rail service thru to Greenbush in the evening and a nine o'clock train to Boston in the morning. It may be noted we now have two after-supper trains down to Greenbush and the late morning train to Boston, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utili- ties having been much concerned for the welfare of the South Shore public
The Cohasset Board of Public Welfare has again instituted suit against the Inhabitants of the Town of Scituate for so-called temporary welfare aid furnished a mother and children who moved back to Co- hasset to live, this suit being brought despite the Supreme Court decision in Cohasset vs. Scituate, 309 Mass. 402 (1941). Cohasset officials take the position that they do not have to furnish aid under the provisions of the Federal Social Security Act which would require about one-sixth of the expense of such aid to be borne by Cohasset. They prefer the Massachusetts statute under which they claim Scituate must reimburse Cohasset one hundred precent, a position which defeats the new law and which disapproved in the welfare case already adjudicated.
The case of Needham vs. Scituate for reimbursement for welfare aid was disposed of in December in the Norfolk Superior Court by entry of judgment for the defendent, extensive litigation in the Supreme Court thus being avoided. A case against the Commonwealth was also dis- missed, the latter having settled the claim. Needham was in doubt as to the right debtor. Scituate did not have to pay.
82
TOWN COUNSEL'S REPORT
Several cases were disposed of at the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board for the Board of Assessors upon terms advantageous to the town.
The present Board of Selectmen has, in keeping with its policies for economy, raised a diminishing number of questions for the attention of counsel. This policy may result in a substantial saving to be re- flected in expense for legal services in 1943. As pointed out, however, recurring problems and unforeseen circumstances make such prophecies uncertain of fulfilment The war effort will continue to be the focus of public attention Municipal government should run with every reason- able economy of time, materials and money, our public officials being quite evidently conscious of this duty.
TOWN BY-LAWS (1937 to 1941)
The following report is made to bring our own By-Laws up to date and may be used for reference as a supplement to compilation in An- nual Town Report for 1936, page 143.
Jan. 25, 1943.
VERNON W. MARR.
REVISION
Town By-Laws, Part I, page 143, Annual Town Report for 1936, Billboard By-law, at page 156 under (i), misprint, line 10, insert after word "application" as follows:
"Notice thereof having been posted in three public places in said Town"-as per page 143, Annual Report, 1929.
Amendments since 1936 to the By-Laws of the Town of Scituate, i.e. By-laws, page 143-Annual Town Report for 1936.
1937. Section 8 of Zoning By-law by vote under Art. 28 of Annual Town Meeting (correction of typographical error).
1938. Zoning Board of Appeals established by vote under Art. 50, Annual Town Meeting.
Sale of lands regulated by vote under Art. 1 Special Town Meeting June 22, 1938.
1939. Regulation of Clams, etc. by vote under Art. 59, Annual Town Meeting.
1940. Zoning By-laws-detailed plans for Zones A and B, Art. 12, Annual Town Meeting.
New Advisory Committee (abolition of Adv. Board) Art 13, An- nual Town Meeting.
REVISION
Legislative Acts accepted by Town, Part II, page 163, Annual Town Report 1936.
83
ASSESSORS' REPORT
Insert :
1915 see report of referendum on vacations.
Part II, additions to Part II, since 1936.
1937. Fire Department placed under Civil Service, Art. 41. Sale of Lands by Selectmen, Art. 60.
Absentee voting in Town election, Art. 1, Special Town Meet- ing, Sept. 27; acceptance of Ch. 103A of G. L. 54.
1938. Dredging Harbor, Art. 11, Special Town Meeting June 22; acceptance of Ch. 406, Acts of 1938.
1939. Votes on Zoning Appeals, Art. 14, Annual Town Meeting; acceptance of s. 27a and 27b (s. 1 & 2 of ch. 133, Acts of 1938).
Tree Warden, 3-year term, Art. 8, Special Town Meeting July 31; acceptance Ch. 3, Acts of 1939.
1940. Highway Surveyor, 3-year term, Art. 17, Annual Town Meeting.
BOARD OF ASSESSORS Detail of 1942 Assessments
Number of Polls assessed
1,574
Amount of Poll Tax Warrant
$3,148.00
Number of persons, partnerships and corporations assessed on property
3,479
Value of assessed Real Estate:
Buildings
$9,015,400.00
Land
3,244,760.00
Total Value of Real Estate
$12,260,160.00
Total Value of Personal Estate
1,008,313.00
Total Valuation January 1, 1942
$13,268,473.00
Total Valuation January 1, 1941
13,055,896.00
Increase in valuation
$212,577.00
Omitted Assessments December 31, 1942.
23,625.00
Assessed
Horses
33
Cows
52
Other Neat
19
Sheep
11
Fowl
4,920
All Other
571
Swine
4
Automobiles
1,929
84
ASSESSORS' REPORT
Budget for 1942
Town appropriations
$510,712.58
Voted to be taken from available funds in 1942
$8,600.00
Voted to be taken from available funds in 1941
23,230.33
31,830.33
$542,542.91
State Tax and Assessments:
State Tax
$27,900.00
Auditing Municipal Accounts
362.52
Hospital and Home Care for Civil War Veterans
240.00
State Parks and Reservations
289.74
County Tax and Assessments:
County Tax
19,029.73
Tuberculosis Hospital
6,439.01
Overlay for Current Year
15,924.38
Gross Amount to be raised
$590,287.48
Estimated Receipts:
Income Tax
$30,277.59
Corporation Taxes
8,214.46
Motor Vehicle Excise
6,000.00
Licenses
4,250.00
Fines
275.00
Special Assessments
425.00
General Government
1,000.00
Protection of Persons and Property
450.00
Health and Sanitation
250.00
Gasoline Tax (Acts of 1941 Chapter 420)
20,044.42
Charities
2,600.00
Old Age Assistance
9,850.00
Soldiers' Benefits
1,150.00
Schools
450.00
Water Department
53,898.00
Interest on Taxes and Assessments
4,000.00
Additional Fees
400.00
Overestimates of previous years
413.87
Appropriations voted by Town to be taken from available funds
18,600.00
Total Estimated Receipts and Available Funds
$162,548.34
Net Amount to be raised by taxation on polls and property
$427,739.14
Number of polls-1,574 at $2 each
3,148.00
Total Valuation of Personal Property at $32
$ 1,008,313
32,266.02
Total Valuation of Real Estate
12,260,160
392,325.12
Total Taxes levied on Polls and Property
$427,739.14
Special Assessments :
Moth
212.15
Water
3,695.36
Total Amount of all Taxes and Assessments committed in 1942
$431,646.65
85
PLANNING BOARD REPORT
Tax on Omitted Assessments December 31, 1942
756.00
Abatements in 1942:
To Joseph R. Dillon, Collector, for 1939 $30.91
To Joseph R. Dillon, Collector, for 1940
1,914.25
To Joseph R. Dillon, Collector, for 1941
3,678.79
To Joseph R. Dillon, Collector, for 1942
7,802.88
Respectfully submitted, HENRY A. LITCHFIELD, Chairman HENRY T. FITTS, W. IRVING LINCOLN,
Assessors of Scituate.
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
To the Citizens of the Town of Scituate:
During the past year we have met and discussed various matters.
We have not been as active as we would have liked to have been however, due to existing conditions.
Respectfully submitted,
R. A. LEVANGIE, Chairman, Planning Board.
LIST OF JURORS FOR 1942
Prepared as provided for in Chapter 234, Section 4, General Laws
Andrews, Otis W., Mann Hill Road, Millman
Barnes, Israel M. Jr., Booth Hill Road, Truck Driver
Cashman, William F., Beaver Dam Road, Defense Worker Chipman, Henry E., Country Way, Salesman Cogswell, W. Cleveland, Gannett Road, Salesman Curtis, William W., Ann Vinal Road, Salesman Davis, Ray H., First Parish Road, Defense Worker Dacey, James B., Country Way, Foreman Deal, Elvin P., off Mordecai Lincoln Road, Realtor Dorr, Frederick S., County Way, Painter Duffley, Frank W., Country Way, Gas Station
86
LIST OF JURORS
Fabello, John B., Country Way, Barber Flaherty, Marcus T., Stockbridge Road, Plumber Fillmore, Andrew J., Cudworth Road, Chauffeur Fish, Archie E., Chief Justice Cushing Road, Defense Worker Girard, John, Allen Street, Merchant Goodnow, John M., Stetson Road, Manufacturer Haartz, Louis O., Mann Lot Road, Electrician Hall, E. Winthrop, Stockbridge Road, Mfgr. Manager Hewett, Charles M., Buttonwood Lane, Sales Manager Harris, Charles R. Jr., Old Oaken Bucket Road, Carpenter Killeffer, D. Allen, Mann Hill Road, Broker Kingsley, Robert, Clapp Road, Carpenter Litchfield, Ezra S., Clapp Road, Plumber Litchfield, Lewis B., Tilden Road, Guard Litchfield, Ralph M., Driftway, Merchant Locklin, Freeman V., Mann Lot Road, Machinist Macy, Thomas W., Summer Street, Spec. Salesman McCarthy, Edward B., Otis Place, Plumber Mckinnon, John I., First Parish Road, Foreman Merritt, Lloyd E., Clapp Road, Farmer Morrison, Sedgeley A., Mann Lot Road, Manager
Morton, Howard N., Mann Hill Road, Litho. Salesman
Murphy, Joseph N., Cherry Lane, Painter Murray, Woodworth N., Old Oaken Bucket Road, Sales Manager O'Hern, Robert P., Otis Place, Clerk Sharp, Franklin T., Clapp Road, Clerk
Summers, Richard N., Cherry Lane, Hotel Swift, Ward C., Country Way, Insurance Wilder, Herbert E., Country Way, Garage
White, Edward P., Capt. Pierce Road, Bank Clerk
Yenetchi, George V., First Parish Road, Highway Maintenance Young, John H., Stone Road, Accountant Yuhr, George, Bramble Avenue, Salesman
DENNIS H. SHEA, W. IRVING LINCOLN, WILLIAMS B. JAMES, Selectmen of Scituate.
87
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Scituate, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The report of the Police Department is herewith submitted for your approval.
This report is based on the activities of the department from Janu- ary 1, 1942 to December 31, 1942.
Arrests
Abortion
1
Accessory Before the Fact
1
Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
1
Disturbing the Peace
15
Drunkenness
79
Insane
5
Illegitimate Child
1
Larceny
8 5
Malicious Damage to Property
5
Neglected Children
4
Refusing to Pay Meal Check
2
Selling Property Illegally
1
Trespassing
2
Motor Vehicle Violations
Attaching plate to other than those issued.
1
Failure to keep on right side of traveled way.
1
Leaving the scene
2
Not being licensed
1
Not stopping at through way.
1
No license in possession
1
No registration in possession
2
Operating under the influence
6 1
Operating uninsured car
1
Operating after revocation of license.
1
Operating without license
1
Speed
18
Violation of Executive Order No. 8
5
Summary
Found not guilty
8
88
Operating unregistered car
Non-Support
PLYMOUTH COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE REPORT
Fines imposed
44
Placed on file
31
Released-first offense-drunkenness
52
Suspended sentence-placed on probation
18
Turned over to other Police Departments.
4
Sentenced to County and State Institutions
15
Complaints investigated by police officers
2697
Cottages Inspected
2476
Fires Covered by Police Officers
53
Fires discovered by police officers
3
Intended sale and transfer of motor vehicles
104
Operators booked
26.
Windows unlocked and lights left on.
197
Pistol Permits issued
51
Summonses served for other Police Departments
67
Motor vehicle accidents investigated by police officers Ambulance Service
35
Number of trips
216
Mileage
8412
Respectfully submitted,
M. E. STEWART, Chief of Police.
REPORT OF THE PLYMOUTH COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE
During 1942 the Extension Service program has been greatly changed as a result of war-time conditions. At the beginning of this war, food production was immediately recognized as one of the great essentials in combat. Our slogan "Food Will Win the War and Write the Peace" is being brought to a more definite realization as our allied forces assume greater offensives. On the home front, the production of food is becoming a critical item. Therefore, Extension Service pro- grams have been geared to do their important part in the organization and education of the production and preservation of food.
Because of the nature of Extension Service work, as it is conducted for many projects on a county-wide basis, it is difficult to outline spe- cifically all of the benefits that a particular town has derived. More than ever, in 1942 the Extension Service has been called upon to exe- cute a large share of the assignments found necessary to promote the war effort. Through the Plymouth County U. S. D. A. War Board, of which the Extension Service is a principal factor, leaders have been chosen to act in the interest of fellow farmers and for rural people. While many of the committees such as Farm Machinery Rationing. Farm Transportation, and Rural Policy Committees, have not func-
89
PLYMOUTH COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE
tioned on a town basis, they have indirectly and directly contributed to the welfare of the townspeople. Town War Action Committees were set up early in 1942 in practically every town in Plymouth County to assume responsibility and to organize and promote the assignments felt necessary within the town. In the year to come these committees will assume a greater role in furthering the Food Production Program.
Commodity project work for dairy, poultry, fruits, vegetables, forestry, and cranberries are conducted largely on a county-wide or regional basis. The Extension agents plan to distribute these meetings in as many towns as possible so that the work may be brought to the attention of as many people as possible on a practical basis. Farm and home visits are made only to fulfill requests, or where visits pro- mote project work. Travel limitations greatly reduced the number of farm visits, but greater demands were made by telephone and through individual letters. Rural families having use for information released by the Plymouth County Extension Service and the Massachusetts State College Extension Service will find this available upon request to the county office. Three departments in Agriculture, Homemaking, and 4-H Club Work, are represented by two agents for each department. Joint responsibility is often shared for certain projects.
The County Home Demonstration Agents conducted meetings on clothing instruction, food buying, Christmas Greens, Garden Planning, Food Preservation, and Food Storage during the past year. However, the majority of the work was placed on the essential item-food pro- duction, preservation, and storage.
Four-H Club projects were carried on in every town offering the possibilities of organized clubs for poultry, dairy, garden, and handi- craft for boys. Girls' 4-H Club work was available in clothing, food, home furnishing, and food preservation. Outstanding work has been accomplished by these departments on a town basis. Much credit is due local leadership in the success of these projects.
The Extension Service work is of such wide scope that the efforts of Extension agents cannot be confined to strictly Extension Service activities. Close cooperation is given any worth-while organization which contributes to better family living.
In 1943, the Food Production Program must of necessity require the major part of the Extension Service work. Food is considered a most critical item in the war strategy. Extension agents and leaders will devote long and arduous hours in making sure that this item does not fall short of the essential demands. Each town which contributes to the support of this organization is doing its part to make sure that Democracy shall live and that this educational process of proven value shall endure.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES E. MITCHELL, Town Director.
90
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS
The activities of the Water Department, due to the war and to restrictions laid down by our government, have consisted mostly of care and upkeep of our present system.
The Water Commissioners have been most concerned the past year with an effort to secure a greater supply of good water for Scituate. Notwithstanding a continuous search for a new supply during the entire year, we have not located a well of sufficient capacity to warrant installing a pump and piping to our system. We are still working at one location which may develop a well of moderate yield.
For this reason, and with the advice of the State Board of Health, we have filed a bill with the State legislature to allow us to prospect for water in Norwell. If this bill is passed, we may discover and pipe to Scituate a supply adequate for all our needs. We consider this to be the most urgent need for Scituate at this time.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN F. McJENNETT, Chairman, RUSSELL J. WILDER, STEPHEN C. WEBSTER, Water Commissioners.
STATEMENT OF BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT
January 1, 1943.
Board of Water Commissioners,
Scituate, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I beg to submit herewith the eleventh annual report of the Scituate Water Department, outlining the activities of 1942, and presenting recommendations for further consideration.
Drastic curtailment of all normal activities became mandatory on the declaration of war. General projects being carried on, under W.P.A. authority were stopped and the labor was transferred to projects on defense work. As a result of this Federal action, the project to lay a water main, westerly from Grove Street on First Parrish Road, was
91
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
deferred for the duration of the war, and a project to compile records and file cards for the Water Department office was also stopped. This labor was transferred to Civilian Defense activities.
A very considerable portion of Civilian Defense work has been carried on in the offices of the Water Department, and the Water Com- missioners should receive credit on this count.
The drought of the last three years is affecting the sources of supply to a very serious extent and new developments had to be considered from the beginning of the year. Holes, from six to twelve inches in diameter have been drilled in various parts of the town. A large part of this work has been accomplished by the men in the Water Depart- ment, and several holes were drilled by a contractor. The available water developed in the wells (with one exception) was not sufficient to warrant the installation of pumps and pipe lines to the distribution system. The well with the possible supply, is being developed, and the well field itself is being searched, to substantiate the amount of water available.
If these wells, when developed, stand up under standard pumping tests and the entire situation is approved by the Mass. State Board of Health, the necessary pumping equipment and mains should be installed as soon as possible.
Unless the water tables in the well fields, now developed, return to normal elevations in the near future, the Old Oaken Bucket filtration and pumping system should be placed in condition for active use. This would afford some four hundred thousand gallons of water a day, but would be more expensive and less potable.
The possible advent of army camps in town would be a severe strain on the present supplies and it would seem very advisable to obtain an act of the legislature to allow the Town of Scituate to prospect further for sources of water supply in the Town of Norwell.
The global war that is disturbing the entire world developed relief that was very seriously needed in the Scituate Water supply, due to the fact that there were considerably fewer summer visitors than usual and the demand for water was much less and more evenly distributed. Had there been the usual number of people in Scituate during the summer months, the seriousness of the drought would have been felt very definitely.
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