USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1940-1942 > Part 5
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Date
Name of Deceased
Age Y. M. D.
Cause of Death
Names of Parents
Nov. 24
William J. Roberts
63
3 8
Cardiac decompensation with anasarca
John A. and Catherine Roberts
Dec. 1
Mary Esther Wilder
78
8 2
Hemorrhage due to ulceration of pharynx
Daniel J. and
Mary B. Bates
Dec. 2
Eugene Thomas Brown
78 :3
8
Uremia
Moses L. and
Dec. 7
Bertha A. Davenport
62
- -
Carcinoma of the Pancreas
Dec. 14
Perez Litchfield Young
44
17
Cardiac failure
Dec. 17
George Clarkson
55
7 14
Sudden death. Heart disease, presumably coro- nary thrombosis
Dec. 19
Harry Francis Cleverly
61
1 3
Heart disease, presumably coronary sclerosis
Dec. 20
Martha Jane Lincoln
87
2 18
Cerebral hemorrhage
William J. and
Susanna Newcomb
-
58
Sophia Brown George and Sarah F. Davenport Perez Litchfield and Malvina H. Young Arthur and Elizabeth Clarkson Francis and Mary Cleverly
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
.
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
Licenses Issued for Division of Fisheries and Game in 1940
Resident Citizen Fishing, 25 @ $2.00 each
$50.00
Resident Citizen Hunting, 148 @ $2.00 each 296.00
Resident Citizen Sporting, 21 @ $3.25 each
68.25
Resident Citizen Minor and Female Fishing, 11 @ $1.25 each
13.75
Resident Citizen Trapping, 1 @ $5.25 each
5.25
Resident Citizen Sporting (Age 70 or over), 4 Free
Duplicate 1 @ $0.50 each
0.50
Lobster and Crab, 40 @ $5.00 each
200.00
$633.75
Less Clerk's fees as agent for the state
61.50
Paid to Division of Fisheries and Game
$572.25
Number of Dogs Licensed for the Year 1940
284 Males @ $2.00 each
$568.00
65 Females @ $5.00 each
325.00
74 Spayed Females @ $2.00 each
148.00
2 Kennels @ $50.00 each
100.00
1 Kennel @ $25.00 each
25.00
$1166.00
Less Clerk's fees as agent for the County
85.20
Paid to Town Treasurer
$1,080.80
Transient Vendor's License
Dorothy Muriel, Inc.
$50.00
Guay's System Bakery, Inc
50.00
Paid to Town Treasurer
$100.00
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM M. WADE,
Town Clerk.
59
PARK COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
Board of Selectmen,
Scituate, Mass .:
In our report for the year 1940, we wish to thank everyone who has helped to make the year a successful one for this Department.
Owing to the scarcity of rain, the parks were unable to be at their best.
The small parks around town were taken care of to the best of our ability.
At Minot the cliff was washed away and the fence on the waterfront was torn down by the storm in April.
We repaired and painted the damaged fence and filled in the bank with loam and reseeded it all along the waterfront. The result was that we were able to have a fine looking beach front.
Respectfully submitted,
ERNEST F. LITCHFIELD, Chairman, JOHN F. DALBY, GEORGE YENETCHI,
Park Commissioners.
January 16, 1941.
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Scituate, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen:
The report of the Fire Department for the year 1940 is herewith submitted for your approval.
During the year 1940, the department responded to 148 alarms, a detailed report of which will be found attached hereto.
Your Board of Engineers found, on entering their duties, that a new working plan for the men of the department had been introduced and was operating. While this plan was not a two-platoon system, it followed closely on that line and required the service of one additional permanent man. The men were well pleased with the new arrangement, and since it increased materially the number of permanent men available at all fires, it seemed well to continue its operation even though the budget had not been set up to take care of same. By a careful study and by making economies in other lines, it was possible to go through the year on the original budget. Your Board feels that this plan should be continued.
60
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
A new problem presented itself at Humarock Beach shortly after the Board took office. The call man in charge of our apparatus in this section resigned his position. A large building development was started, increasing considerably our fire hazard in this district. The older residents of this part of the Town demanded adequate protection of their properties. The only possible way to meet their needs was to place a permanent man of the department in charge at this point. This was done and is being continued at this time, since your Board feels that it is absolutely necessary for the protection of the locality. In addition to fire hazards, your perma- nent man has been able to give valuable aid in several instances to victims of immersion. The saving of life in itself has warranted our additional expense at this point.
While the Board has had to make savings in order to carry out some of these new problems, it has not done so to the detriment of your Department's upkeep. Our apparatus at the present time is in good condition. Our equipment has been kept up. We have been able to purchase additional hose to a point, whereby our yearly purchases of same should be at a minimum.
While your apparatus is in good condition now, it should be borne in mind that several pieces are very old and an emergency might arise at any time de- manding that the Town take action on new apparatus. This we do not anticipate this year, but do call it to your attention.
In considering our budget for 1941, we shall not increase the budget over that of this past year, with the exception of the amount of money needed to take care of our problem at Humarock Beach. The increase in the Town's revenue at this point should more than offset any question of the small amount of money asked for to take care of that problem.
The Board extends its thanks to the Selectmen and to the citizens of the Town for their cooperation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
J. GEORGE VOLLMER EBEN B. PAGE, EDW. P. BREEN,
Engineers
ALARMS CLASSIFIED BY DISTRICTS
Peggotty Beach
First Cliff
Second Cliff
Third Cliff
Sand Hills
Scituate Harbor
Shore Acres
Greenbush
Humarock
North Scituate
Minot Beach
Egypt
Scituate Centre
Out of Town
Total
Buildings
1
1
1
1
26
1
7
4
6
Forest
1
I
1
1
2
19
1
8
1
14
8 1
2 12
3 3
1
66
Rescue
Miscellaneous
1
1
1
6
2
1
1 13
Total
1
3
2
3
4
54
2
17
6 20
9
15
8
4 148
... 5
...
3
1
...
1
3 64
61
FIRE WARDEN REPORT
CAUSES AND TYPES OF FIRES 1940
Burning Soot
Carelessness
Smoking
Electrical
Defective Chimney
Miscellaneous
Overheated Stoves
Flooded Oil Burners
Sparks from Chimney
Unknown
Lightning
Overheated Furnace
Needless Calls
Total
Automobile
1
6
1
8
Dwelling
2
2
3
8
5
4
14
7
5
3
1 54
Garage
1
2
4
18
Totals
2
3
9
8
19
4 14
7
6
2
3
5 82
Forest Fires
66
148
REPORT OF THE FIRE WARDEN
January 16, 1941
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen
Scituate
Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
This year the Forest Fire Department has had an unusually good year. Our fire loss, per acre, was the smallest of any we have had in recent years. We re- ported to 66 calls.
We have bought 2,000 feet of No. 1 inch hose and the equipment is in good condition.
We, once again, would like to remind the citizens to apply to the Department for a permit if outside burning is desired.
Your Department extends its thanks to the Selectmen and the citizens of the Town for their cooperation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
J. GEORGE VOLLMER, Forest Fire Warden
62
...
2
Other
12
1
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
February 5, 1941
To the Citizens of Scituate,
On December 31, 1940 there were approximately 70 miles of accepted Town streets together with culverts and bridges, drainage systems, curbings and sidewalks which were maintained, developed and improved by the Highway Department.
There are 13 regular department employees and various other numbers at seasonal times and in emergencies. Equipment consists of 1 motor grader with V-type snow plow, 2 tractors with V-type snow plows, 1 dump truck, 1 steam roller, 1 gasoline roller, 1 compressor, 1 stone crushing plant, 1 cement mixer, 1 pick-up truck and 13 blade snow plows.
In the spring, the work consists of cleaning streets of the sand used in the winter to prevent skidding; taking down and storing snow fence; repairing guard rails, street signs and roadsides damaged by snow plows; and patching holes in the road surfaces caused by frost boils. Snow and ice in the winter with frequent freezings and thawings are the principle sources of trouble in construction and maintenance operations, and time is taken in the spring of the year to study drain- age problems and maintenance requirements of all highways throughout the Town.
Most of the maintenance work, highway and sidewalk construction and drain- age systems installed is done during the summer months when the work can be done in the most economical manner with few complications arising from weather conditions.
Part of the fall program includes cleaning all ditches, drains, catch basins and culverts so that excess water during the spring thaw can be adequately handled. All snow equipment is completely overhauled at this time and snow fence is erected at the most effective locations throughout the Town.
The winter season is almost entirely devoted to snow removal problems. Unlike summer maintenance work where it can be determined in advance just how much work will have to be done, snow and ice problems with the kind and amount is subject only to the dictates of Nature. The Town of Scituate takes pride in its winter maintenance system. Visitors here have been favorably impressed with the road conditions after a heavy snowfall as compared with other localities. As new equipment, materials and methods have come along, refinements have been ınade in operations but the basic principle has remained the same-speed of operation. The equipment and materials used and the methods employed in their use are all pointed toward taking care of a maximum mileage of roads in a minimum of time.
The Highway Department has utilized the service of the Federal Work relief program since its incorporation, employing about 70 men daily on highway projects.
Work performed under the supervision of the Highway Surveyor during the year ended December 31, 1940 is herewith presented under the proper classification, giving the location and the nature of the improvement thereon.
Rebuilding and Drainage
Greenfield Lane:
Rebuilt 2300 linear feet of roadway, mnacadain construction; regraded and seeded slopes; installed 70 linear feet of 12 inch corrugated iron pipe and 4 catch basins.
63
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Cornet Stetson Road:
Installed 310 linear feet of 12 inch vitrified clay pipe and 4 catch basins.
Hawley Road:
Installed 225 linear feet of 8 inch vitrified clay pipe and 2 catch basins.
Hatherly Road (near Egypt Beach Road) :
Installed 60 linear feet of 36 inch iron culvert under highway.
Hollett Street :
Installed 96 linear feet of 8 inch vitrified clay pipe and 1 catch basin. Jericho Road (at Porter Road) :
Installed 96 linear feet of 8 inch vitrified clay pipe.
Jericho Road (at Foam Road) :
Installed 40 linear feet of 10 inch vitrified clay pipe and 2 catch basins. Lawson Road:
Installed 90 linear feet of 8 inch vitrified clay pipe and 1 catch basin.
Gilson Road (at Kent Street) :
Installed 379 linear feet of 8 inch vitrified clay pipe, 1 catch basin and widened corner.
Oceanside Drive (at Seventh Avenue) :
Constructed 50 square yards of bituminous concrete gutter.
Scituate Avenue:
Rebuilt 600 linear feet of gravel and tar blanket roadway.
Stockbridge Road:
Installed 138 linear feet of 12 inch corrugated iron pipe.
Third Avenue:
Rebuilt 600 linear feet of gravel and tar blanket roadway.
Tilden Road (at Turner Road) :
Installed 90 linear feet of 12 inch corrugated iron pipe, 132 linear feet of 10 inch corrugated iron pipe, 3 catch basins; and widened corner.
Sidewalks and Concrete Curbing
Booth Hill Road:
Rebuilt 1098 linear feet of sidewalk with tar-penetrated, crushed stone base and bituminous concrete surface.
Brook Street:
Constructed 162 linear feet of sidewalk with tar-penetrated crushed stone base and bituminous concrete surface; and installed 162 linear feet of concrete curbing.
Crescent Avenue (at Bridge Avenue) :
Installed 163 linear feet of concrete curbing and regraded slopes.
Jericho Road:
Resurfaced 385 linear feet of sidewalk with bituminous concrete.
Mordecai Lincoln Road:
Constructed 294 linear feet of new sidewalk and rebuilt 288 linear feet of old sidewalk with tar-penetrated, crushed stone base and bituminous concrete surface; and installed 294 linear feet of concrete curbing.
64
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
New Streets
Mary's Lane and Boardman Avenue:
Constructed 1300 linear feet of gravel and tar blanket roadway.
Mitchell Avenue:
Constructed 800 linear feet of gravel and tar blanket roadway; and installed 46 linear feet of 6 inch iron spiral pipe and 1 catch basin.
Town Way off Ann Vinal Road:
Constructed 750 linear feet of gravel and tar blanket roadway; installed 75 linear feet of 21 inch corrugated iron pipe, 126 linear feet of 12 inch corrugated iron pipe and 1 catch basin.
Town Way off Union Street:
Constructed 750 linear feet of gravel and tar blanket roadway; and installed 32 linear feet of 36 inch iron culvert.
State, County and Town Projects (Chapter 90)
Country Way:
Rebuilt 2220 linear feet of highway-gravel base and 21/2 inch stone mixed in place surface; regraded street and reduced curve; installed 1515 linear feet of 12 inch concrete pipe, 54 linear feet of 10 inch concrete pipe, 510 linear feet of 12 inch perforated iron pipe, 120 linear feet of 6 inch perforated iron pipe, 24 linear feet of 18 inch reinforced concrete pipe, 15 linear feet of 15 inch reinforced concrete pipe and 10 catch basins; and installed 305 linear feet of concrete curbing.
Gannett Road:
Excavated 2250 cubic yards of peat from roadside; filled in 2719 cubic yards of gravel; installed 60 linear feet of 12 inch reinforced concrete pipe, 213 linear feet of 12 inch plain concrete pipe and 6 catch basins.
Miscellaneous
Ann Vinal Road: Installed 90 linear feet of retaining wall.
Harbor Parking Space:
Constructed 3500 square yards of additional parking area-filled in with 7838 cubic yards of gravel; tarred entire new section, reset guard rails; installed 72 linear feet of 18 inch corrugated iron pipe with tide gate; and constructed 200 linear feet of concrete curbing.
The progress that has been made by the Highway Department in recent years can be attributed to three principle reasons:
1. Sufficient revenues provided through appropriations made by the voters, a well balanced program and a planned budget.
2. Cooperation between the Board of Selectmen, the Advisory Board, Town Departments, the County Commissioners, The Massachusetts Department of Public Works and the public in general.
3. Competent planning, designing, recording and supervision by a personnel who are thoroughly acquainted with the needs relative to highway develop- ment and who, as citizens of Scituate, have a personal interest in the Town's growth.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES M. WAGNER, Highway Surveyor.
65
PEIRCE MEMORIAL LIBRARY REPORT
REPORT OF THE PEIRCE MEMORIAL LIBRARY
The trustees of the Peirce Memorial Library submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1940, and express their thanks to the citizens of Scituate for the assistance and co-operation.
Books in circulation in 1939
21,116
Books in circulation in 1940
22,410
Gain
1,294
Magazines in circulation in 1939
1,957
Magazines in circulation in 1940
2,059
Gain
102
Books purchased in 1940
583
Books given in 1940
52
Books borrowed from State or other libraries in 1940
62
Books rebound in 1940
62
Number of active card-holders in 1940
531
During the year a new toilet has been installed, also a storm porch added.
The financial report, covering library expenses found on another page of this book, covers only the actual amount appropriated at the town meeting. The addi- tional money from the dog tax received is much appreciated. We want the tax- payers to know, however, that the amount given by the town does not cover all of the expenses of maintaining the library.
Respectfully submitted,
KATHERINE ELLIS,
President.
66
ALLEN MEMORIAL LIBRARY REPORT
REPORT OF THE ALLEN MEMORIAL LIBRARY
To the Selectmen of Scituate
The Directors of the Allen Memorial Library have had a very constructive year. The necessary repairs for the building have been completed and it is in first class condition.
The library hall has been relet to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
A large assortment of new books for reference and fiction are constantly being added. It is the wish that the Library may be of increasing use.
A visit to the Library will, I am sure, convince one that everything is being done to bring and keep the assortment of books useful and up to date.
Respectfully submitted,
T. B. ALEXANDER, President.
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
I respectfully submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1940.
The number of devices sealed for use in trade was five hundred forty-nine. Ten devices were condemned, being unfit for use in trade. One hundred thirty- two adjustments were made on various devices.
Inspections were made of various packaged goods and food products. Many packages put up for sale by weight were inspected and reweighed.
The licenses of many peddlers were inspected. All transient vendors were licensed and the fees received by the town.
Sealing fees collected for the year of 1940 were $96.46. Adjusting charges were $5.15. Outstanding fees December 31, 1940, $0.59. The total amount paid the Town Treasurer during 1940 was $101.61.
Respectfully submitted,
HOLLIS H. YOUNG,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
67
BOARD OF REGISTRARS REPORT
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF REGISTRARS
Meetings for registration of voters in 1940:
February 14th at North Scituate Fire Station
February 19th at Scituate Harbor Fire Station
February 21st at Town Hall
April 10th at Town Hall
August 28th at Town Hall
October 11th at North Scituate Fire Station
October 14th at Scituate Harbor Fire Station
October 16th at Town Hall Nine additional meetings were held for certification of names on Town and State nomination papers.
Registered Voters in the Town of Scituate on December 31, 1940:
Males
1,528
Females 1,487
The Board made a house to house canvas throughout the entire Town of Scituate as required by Chapter 440 of the Acts of 1938, an Act transferring certain duties of local Assessors to the Registrars of Voters relative to the listing of inhabitants.
There were 388 names added to the voting list in 1940 by means of registra- tions, while 187 names were dropped because of deaths and change of residence, resulting in a gain in registration of 201.
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
January 19, 1941
Board of Selectmen Scituate, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
Your Clean-up Committee for 1940 asked for a slight increase in its appropria- tion with the intention of adding a second clean-up day in mid-summer.
After careful study and consideration this was not done as we decided it would be a step towards the addition of another costly service by the Town which was not necessary at this time.
68
CLEAN UP COMMITTEE REPORT
We delayed our collection day this year till the week before Memorial Day to better serve the owners of Summer property. This appears to have been a successful change.
We decided this year to conduct our activity upon a strictly business basis and ignore the fact that there were several trucks available whose owners were clamoring for work; we therefore advertised for bids for the entire trucking job. Not to exclude any truck owners we arranged so that the work need not be done all in one day. This also saved the Board of Health any expense for extra help at the dump. We let the work to the lowest bidder-did a better job and saved about 30% over the previous year. We left an unusual balance of 40% of our appropriation revert to the Excess and Deficiency Account.
We feel very definitely that this activity should be conducted in the future by the Board of Health and they agree with us and have included in their budget for 1941 sufficient funds to provide for doing so.
We therefore recommend the abolition of the Clean-up Committee.
PHILIP L. SCHUYLER LOUISE ROTHERY A. D. CREELMAN
REPORT OF THE
SCITUATE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERVICE
The Scituate Public Health Nursing Service has held ten regular meetings, with an average attendance of sixteen members.
The President was appointed by the Board to represent the Nursing Service on the Medical Council approved at the Annual Town Meeting in March.
Mrs. James Harris once again conducted a very profitable Membership Drive.
After due consideration, the Nursing Service opened its new headquarters, on July Ist. The new office is located on Front Street in Scituate Harbor. Board Members, under the leadership of Mrs. Joost DeHaan have been very generous in subscribing to the new heating unit. Plans are under way for a Thrift Shop, to be held there at stated intervals, and any donations the townspeople might wish to make such as clothing, books, household articles, etc. will be most grate- fully received.
An educational program has been carried out at the monthly meetings where- by members have had the opportunity of keeping abreast of the times in all types of health work. Our sincere thanks to the local doctors who have given so freely of their time to lecture to us, and the hostesses who welcomed us to their homes.
A very successful T. B. Seal Sale Drive was conducted under the chair- manship of Mrs. Robert Tilden.
69
SCITUATE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING REPORT
On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a new car has been purchased for the nurse.
It was voted to hold the Annual Meeting at the High School Cafeteria with Dr. William F. Murphy, as guest speaker.
Our achievements in 1940 are an incentive to more extensive work in the coming year to meet the ever-increasing demands of Public Health Service.
Respectfully submitted,
EDITH G. STALK, Secretary of Nursing Service.
ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE SCITUATE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERVICE
Receipts
January 1, 1940-Cash on hand
$710.18
Town payment toward expense
500.00
Christmas T. B. Seals, last year's returns
208.04
Nursing Fees
148.00
Telephone Tolls
18.45
Membership Receipts
271.00
Savings Bank Interest
10.42
Donations
85.00
Miscellaneous Activities
116.32
$2,067.41
Respectfully submitted,
C. L. HARTS,
Treasurer.
Expenditures
Car Insurance
$53.10
Young's Garage
208.43
Whittaker Bros. Garage
36.29
Whittaker Bros. New Plymouth Car
296.75
Satuit Garage
54.55
M. O'Donnell, Salary
100.00
M. O'Donnell, Garage
60.00
Agnes O'Donnell, Nurse
5.00
Alice M. Dowd, Nurse
100.00
N. E. Telephone & Telegraph
65.75
Miscellaneous Expense (Community Federation,
T. B. Seal Drive, Membership Drive)
90.78
70
BOARD OF HEALTH
Seaverns Drug Store
4.06
Egypt Garage
11.38
Office Rent
125.00
Office Expense-Furnishings & Equipment,
(including heater & hot water heater)
289.69
$1,500.78
Cash on hand, January 1, 1941
566.63
$2,067.41
Respectfully submitted,
C. L. HARTS,
Treasurer.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of Scituate:
During the past year the Health Department has continued its work, con- forming in every way to State laws and all other regulations that make for better health conditions in the various communities of our Town. We cannot urge too strongly upon every individual that health and health conditions are vitally im- portant for the best interests of all. The cooperation of every citizen of this Town is necessary for better health conditions, whether it be in Schools, Clinics or any other Agency that promotes Health education. Therefore we again seek the Kindly cooperation we have had in the past for the promotion of those health measures that will continue to make Scituate one of the healthiest communities of the Commonwealth.
Collection of Garbage
The collection of garbage has been carried on as in former years. An increase of new houses, especially on the water front, necessitates that an additional sum of money be raised to care for extra collections. Your Board will also change its contract this year, adding extra collections during the winter months.
Town Dump
Favorable comments have been made by State Departments of the manner in which our Dumps have been kept and regulated, and many of the surrounding towns have copied our methods and have made Dumps similar to those of Scituate. The roadways leading to the Dumps have been kept in good condition so that people can get in and out easily, without mishap. Many individuals are now dis- posing of rubbish more frequently, which, in itself, helps to reduce the spread of contagion.
Clinics
School Dental, Well Baby, and Antitoxin Clinics were held during the past year, and the favorable results obtained warrants your Board to highly recommend the continuance of all Clinics and broaden out on them whenever necessary.
71
BOARD OF HEALTH
Inspectors
Inspectors of Milk, Animals, Meat, and Slaughter, also plumbing, have carried on their work very satisfactorily. Separate reports have been rendered by each of them.
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