USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1943-1945 > Part 15
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8 18
Sudden death. Case under investigation,
Nov. 15 Frank Thomas Whittaker
68
2 1
Circulatory failure, arteriosclerosis, cancer of spine with metastasis.
Nov. 19
Edwin H. Litchfield
82
2 13
Pulmonary infarcts, hypertrophy of prostate with suprapubic cystostomy therefor.
Nov. 21 Annie Jeanette Cochran
8,3 3 28
Cerebral hemorrhage, hypertension and arterio- sclerosis.
Nov. 21 Herbert Newton Litchfield
57 8 12
Coronary thrombosis, pernicious anemia.
Nov. 30 James John Barry
73 7 26
Virus pneumonia.
Dec. 30
Alice Elizabeth Colman 85
5 22 Cerebral thrombosis, arteriosclerosis.
Frederick and Julia Stanley Samuel Herbert, and Florence Nichols George and - Whittaker
Liba and Elizabeth Litchfield William and Sarah Harper William Jenkins and Olive Litchfield Thomas and Barry
Page and Eliza Jane Furber
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
Licenses Issued for Division of Fisheries and Game in 1944
Resident Citizen Fishing, 30 @ $2.00 each $60.00
Resident Citizen Hunting, 149 @ $2.00 each 298.00
Resident Citizen Sporting, 41 @ $3.25 each 133.25
Resident Citizen Female and Minor Fishing, 15 @ $1.25 each
18.75
Resident Minor Trapping, 2 @ $2.25 each
4.50
Resident Citizen Trapping, 2 @ $5.25 each
10.50
Resident Citizen Sporting and Trapping (age 70 or over ), 9 free
Resident Military or Naval Service Sporting, S free
Duplicate, 3 @ $0.50 each
1.50
$526.50
Less Clerk's fees as agent for the State
59.75
Paid to Division of Fisheries and Game $466.75
Number of Dogs Licensed for the Year 1944
263 Males @ $2.00 each
$526.00
69 Females @ $5.00 each
345.00
91 Spayed,Females @ $2.00 each
182.00
2 Kennels @ $50.00 each
100.00
1 Kennel @ $25.00 each
25.00
$1.178.00
Less Clerk's fees as agent for the County
85.20
Paid to Town Treasurer $1.092.80
1944 Gasoline License Renewals
Issued through office of Town Clerk
29 Renewals @ $0.50 each $14.50
Paid to Town Treasurer
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM M. WADE, Town Clerk.
65
BOARD OF REGISTRARS REPORT
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF REGISTRARS
Meetings held for registration of voters in 1944:
February 7th. . at Town Clerk's Office
February 18th . at North Scituate Fire . Station
February 21st at Scituate Harbor Fire Station
February 23rd .at Town Hall
April 5th at Town Hall
June 21st at Town Hall
August 22nd. at Scituate Harbor Fire Station
September 19th. at North Scituate Fire Station
.at Town Hall October 18th
Five meetings were held during the year at the Town Clerk's office for certification of Town and State nomination papers.
There were 508 names added to the voting list by registrations, while 143 names were dropped because of deaths and change of resi- dence, resulting in a gain in registration of 365.
Registered Voters in the Town of Scituate on December 31, 1944 : Males Females 1,688
1,708
The Board made a house to house canvass 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.
The attention of interested parties is called to Chapter 51, Section 2 of the General Laws, viz. : If the name of a female who is duly reg- istered as a voter is changed by marriage or by decree of court, her right to vote in her former name shall continue until January first next following. Adherence to this law requires every female now on the voting list whose name is changed by marriage or by decree of court to appear at an advertised meeting of the Board of Registrars and re-register as a voter if desirous of continuing to vote in Scituate, as her previous name will automatically be stricken from the list.
Respectfully submitted, ,
BERTHA L. TURNER, J. EDWARD HARNEY, DANIEL J. QUEENEY, WILLIAM M. WADE, Clerk, Board of Registrars of Voters.
66
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 January 1, 1944 to December 31, 1944.
Arrests
Arrested on warrant from other Police Departments 6
Accessory after the fact of Murder
2
Assault and Battery 7
A.W.O.L.
1
Committing Unnatural Act
5
Disturbing the Peace
10
Damage to Property
2
Drunkenness
Interfering with Police Officer in discharge of his duty
Insane
Illegitimacy
Larceny
5
Non-Support
2
Sounding False Alarms of Fire
8
Violation of Probation
1
Weights and Measures-violation of
1
Motor Vehicle Violations
Operating under the influence 6
Leaving the scene without making self known 3
Using car without authority 1
Fines imposed 32
Found not guilty 3
Placed on file 31
72 1 4 1
67
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT
Released-first offence-drunkenness 42
Suspended sentences 5
Turned over to other Police Departments 6
Sentenced to County or State Institutions 19
Complaints investigated by Police Officers 2,584
Cottages inspected 2,216
Fires discovered by Police Officers 5
64
Intended sale and transfer of motor vehicles
193
Motor vehicle accidents investigated by Police Officers 29
Operators booked 61
Windows unlocked and lights left on 137
Pistol permits issued
26
Summons served for other Police Departments
47
Unlocked buildings-secured
97
Ambulance Service-
Number of trips
167
Mileage 8,187
The entire community was rudely shocked on June 10th of this year upon the disappearance of Frances McGrath, 10-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John McGrath, summer residents of the Town over a number of years. A week of intensive search was insti- tuted and carried on before the abused body of the little girl was dis- covered in a lane off Winter Street, Norwell. Hundreds of persons took part in the search for the child, including a great number from the M.S.G. units, detachments of regular U.S. Army and Navy- U.S. Coast Guard-Boy and Girl Scouts and many volunteers. Then followed the investigation in an all-out effort to locate the dastardly assassin or assassins guilty of this foul crime. Four Lieutenant De- tectives of the State Department of Public Safety were detailed to assist the local department. This force was augmented by the per- sonal appearances for several days of Commissioner John Stokes and Capt. Joseph Ferrari of the department. In addition to this force the department laboratory men were made available and proved of invaluable assistance in the investigation. Every possible source of information has been examined and hundreds of interviews taken stenographically in an effort to arrive at the solution of this unspeak- able offence. While at this writing no arrests have been made, the investigation continues and facts in possession of those investigating cause them to be confident that the perpetrator of this heinous crime will in the end be brought to justice.
68
Fires covered by Police Officers
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT
False Alarms of Fire
The contemptible practice of sounding false alarms of fire which called the Fire Department needlessly on nine occasions between June 22nd and August 2nd seemingly stopped following an investi- gation which resulted in the appearance of eight young defendants before the court charged with these offences. Each of the defendants were ordered to make restitution to the Town for the expense in- curred by the Scituate Fire Department in responding to these alarms. A total of $288.00 was paid through the probation office and turned over to the Town Treasurer.
Respectfully submitted,
M. E. STEWART, Chief of Police.
69
AIRPORT COMMITTEE REPORT
REPORT OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE
Pursuant to the vote of the Town at its 1944 March Town Meet- ing, the committee appointed by the Town Moderator, has had sev- eral meetings during the past year and has viewed various locations for consideration as a possible Airport site for the Town of Scituate. Your committee believes that an Airport would be a valuable asset for future development of the Town and make available to the Town facilities necessary in the post war era. It is deemed that any Air- port will of itself not be a self-sustaining matter, but will indirectly. enhance the Town's development.
During the past year the U. S. Government has selected various cities and towns throughout the country within which it recommends location of an Airport, among which is Scituate. It is contemplated that the U. S. Government will contribute toward the construction of Airport sites it may approve, but the terms and conditions under which contribution may be made is as yet indefinite and uncertain, but it may be established by government enactment in the near future. Until the extent of government participation is determined no definite plans should be undertaken. However, the preliminary matters of determination of site location should be made so that when and if the government funds become available, the Town may be in a position to take advantage thereof.
Your committee therefore recommends that the Town vote to instruct the Moderator to appoint a committee to further study all phases of an Airport to be located in the Town and that the sum of five hundred dollars ($500) be appropriated for the use of such com- mittee to make surveys and other studies as may to them be neces- sary for determination of site locations, plans and or matters for consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
STAFFORD A. SHORT, ROBERT I. FRANCIS, WILSON S. BROWN, WALTER S. ALLEN, WILLIAM J. SLATTERY, DANIEL A. VINES, JOHN J. HEFFERNAN. By STAFFORD A. SHORT,
Chairman.
70
PARK COMMISIONERS' REPORT
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS
To the Board of Selectmen :
It is our pleasure to submit the following report for your approval.
This Department has functioned, as in former years, in beautify- ing and caring for all the parks in Town. This included the grounds around the High School, which was an entirely new undertaking this year.
Several important improvements were made to the Scituate Lighthouse and the surroundings.
The wall at the North Scituate Playground was pointed.
All the parks were given a dressing of commercial fertilizer this Fall, which we hope will produce results. 1
The extreme heat and dryness of the past season made many of the usual procedures and mowing unnecessary. Therefore, we are able to refund a part of the appropriation which ordinarily would have been used.
We wish to extend our thanks to all who have cooperated with us the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY C. MERRITT, JOHN FORD, F. EUGENIA BROWN, Chairman.
71
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
January 18, 1945.
Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I submit herewith the report of the Fire Department for the year 1944.
The year 1944 proved to be one of exceptional activity for this Department. Although there were few major fires, the Department answered more emergency calls than ever before in its history.
The manpower available to the Department remains at sub- stantially the same level as in the past several years, and the attend- ance record of the part time, or call men, is, as usual, excellent. It should be noted, however, that these men are at a distinct disadvan- tage in that there is of necessity some delay in transmitting calls to them.
As mentioned in last year's report, some of the motor apparatus while in reasonably good condition is older than is consistent with good practice. May I again emphasize the necessity of providing for new apparatus when it becomes practical so to do.
Under a delegation of authority issued by the State Fire Mar- shal, the Department is now charged with issuing permits and, when necessary, making inspections in connection with the manufacture, keeping, handling and transporting of inflammable fluids, explosives, etc. It is also within the authority of this Department to approve per- mits for and set seating capacities of all places of public assembly.
The Department suffered a great loss in the death of Ferdinand Feola, for some sixteen years a faithful call fireman.
For the courtesy and co-operation enjoyed in our dealings with the people of the Town and with the various departments and offi- cials, we are deeply grateful.
Respectfully,
HHC/T
HOWARD H. COLE, Deputy Chief.
72
FIRE WARDEN'S REPORT
REPORT OF THE FOREST FIRE WARDEN
January 18, 1945.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The report of the Forest Fire Department for the year 1945 follows :
This department responded to the normal amount of grass and woods fires expected in the average year. With one exception, these blazes were extinguished with little difficulty. In the case of one fire, occurring in the Egypt section, we were fortunate in having the help of our good neighbors Norwell, Hingham, Hull and Cohasset. With their aid, the fire was extinguished with little loss or damage to any property.
It is the intention of this department to continue the burning over of such grass lands as are considered to be fire hazards insofar as the current lack of man power will permit.
It is gratifying to note that the majority of our people abide by the provisions of the State law by obtaining permits for open air fires. This law is designed to protect all property owners and should be ob- served by all.
Respectfully,
HOWARD H. COLE, Forest Warden.
HHC/T
SCITUATE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
36 Country Way, Greenbush, Massachusetts
January 16, 1945.
Board of Selectmen, Scituate, Massachusetts,
Gentlemen :
We submit this, our third annual report, covering our activities for 1944.
73
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
In March we decided that conditions warranted relaxing mate- rially our activities, and therefore went upon a suspended basis, maintaining our physical set-up of, Report Center, Communications Equipment, Medical Center Supplies, Motor Corps, etc., but ceased any drills or personnel activities. As a result, we reduced our routine expense to $5.66 per month. In June the State Committee ordered action similar to ours for the entire state.
We are, however, ready to immediately re-activate any or all of our services which may be needed to meet any civilian emergency which may arise. This has been proven on the following two occa- sions. At the time of the McGrath case in June when on four sep- arate days, with less than an hour's notice on two of them, we fed a substantial ration including hot coffee to the searchers. On one of these evenings the number exceeded 250 people. Again at the time of the hurricane, September 12th, we evacuated the people from Humarock as well as in other exposed shore settlements and pro- vided for those of them who needed it, shelter for the night with cots, blankets, etc., at our High School Auditorium and also operated the Cafeteria for sandwiches and hot drinks both in the evening and again before they left in the morning.
During the year we continued operation of our Service Men's Club on Meeting House Lane-the entire expense of about two years' operation has been borne by the U.S.O. and private contributions. Not a cent of Town money has been used for that purpose. Because of reduced Service population in Town, we felt the expense of con- tinuation was not warranted and have closed the club as of December 15, 1944.
The Red Cross Motor Corps has been extremely active, efficient and cooperative in our work. They drove 500 miles in connection with the McGrath case and 375 miles during the hurricane, in addi- tion to 25,569 miles of routine driving to hospitals and blood bank. The entire cost of this work has been borne by the ladies who furnish and drive their own cars without any reimbursement.
We have also been handling the salvage work for the Town. In addition to house to house pick-ups, we established collection points for tin at the Police Station and for paper at the Welch Com- pany Coal Yard where towns people could dispose of their accumu- lation. Unfortunately, some of our people did not co-operate in the proper use of these collection points so that we were obliged to dis- continue them. We plan to again conduct a house to house pick-up in the near future. We have shipped about 10 tons of tin and about 80 tons of paper but this activity has to be very carefully handled for the income to cover the expenses.
74
SUPERVISOR CARE OF VETERANS' GRAVES
Our fat collections at the various stores have been very satis- factory, averaging about 250% of our quota each month. This is through the individual activities of our housewives and is very grati- fying to your committee.
We have a balance carried over from the 1942 appropriation amounting to a little over a $1,000 in the general fund and a little over $600 in our Police Department special appropriation from the same year.
Although we do not take too seriously the recent warnings of the probability of buzz bomb attacks, we feel that we would be remiss in entirely disregarding them, as it is possible. Therefore, we recom- mend that the two balances referred to above be allowed to remain to our credit for the ensuing year to provide immediate funds for any emergency which might arise.
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP L. SCHUYLER, Chairman
WILLIAM J. LUMBERT,
Water Dept., Vice-Chairman
MICHAEL E. STEWART, HOWARD H. COLE,
Chief of Police
Deputy Chief, Fire Dept.
ROY E. LITCHFIELD,
ELMER F. RAMSDELL,
American Legion Veterans of Foreign Wars
HAROLD E. WINGATE,
School Department.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR CARE OF VETERANS' GRAVES
January 15, 1945.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Scituate, Mass. Gentlemen :
I submit my report as Supervisor of Veterans' Graves in the Town of Scituate for the year 1944.
During the past year 162 graves situated in the various tombs and cemeteries have been cared for.
I have inspected all graves and I find that all cemetery corpora- tions and caretakers are continuing to co-operate with me in my efforts to see that all graves of veterans in the Town are properly cared for.
All neglected graves continue to show a great improvement in their condition.
I wish to thank all who are continuing to assist me in my efforts.
Respectfully submitted, ELMER F. RAMSDELL, Supervisor Care of Veterans' Graves.
75
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT REPORT
REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
To the Citizens of the Town of Scituate :
Upon taking office as your Highway Surveyor on March 13, we had, under the Care of Roads, a total of $35,658.00. With approxi- mately seventy-two miles of improved highways to maintain, despite this small appropriation and under wartime conditions, I believe that we have accomplished many worthwhile sidewalk and road improve- ments. It has been necessary to pay more for labor, skilled and un- skilled, more for road materials and more for the upkeep and main- tenance of our equipment than ever before in the history of the Town. However, due to careful estimating, planning and full time super- vision, the following is a brief summary of the work :
Roads rebuilt and resurfaced, 5.44 miles.
New sidewalks, 1,165 feet.
Old concrete steps were eliminated at 182 Front Street.
Parking space at Sand Hills was gravelled and brought to the proper grade. It will be finished in time for summer parking.
The third lane at the Parking Space at the Harbor will be brought to proper grade and tarred to be ready for the summer season.
Particular attention has been given to our summer sections. All work that was necessary, has been done early in the Spring or in the Fall to in no way interfere with our summer residents.
During the summer months, the roads have been swept once a week at Minot and North Scituate and at various times at Humarock.
Drainage, 750 feet.
The catch basins at Scituate Harbor have been brought to the proper grade. At the present time, we have several drainage prob- lems which we hope to rectify this coming summer.
In addition to the work mentioned above, six hundred fifty (650) tons of bituminous patch were applied. This amount includes the elimination of the dangerous condition at the intersection of First Parish Road and Country Way, the improvement of the Beaver Dam railroad crossing and also the dance board at Humarock.
76
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT REPORT
56,785 gallons of tar and asphalt were applied to our streets where the need was greatest.
The garage and office building at Egypt has been given a much- needed coat of paint, windows reset and it has been put in first class condition. At this time, we would like to invite any interested citizen of Scituate to pay a visit to your plant.
At the present time, one of the greatest problems confronting this department is the plowing of private drives. In the past, it has been a practice to plow drives. As you may or may not know, the condition of your drive is in no way the responsibility of the Highway Department. However, in cases of emergency, we will do our best, after the roads are plowed, to keep your drives open.
In conclusion, I wish to thank our Selectmen and heads of vari- ous departments for their co-operation during this past year and also to the many citizens whose suggestions and interest in this depart- ment have been most welcome.
Respectfully submitted,
MATTHEW L. BROWN, Highway Surveyor.
77
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Board of Selectmen,
Scituate, Mass.
Gentlemen :
Figures below represent detailed inspections, fees and adjusting charges for year ending December 31, 1944 :
Platform scales
21 Sealed
Counter
14
Beanı
66
2
66
Spring
30
66
34 66
Personal
8
66
Prescription
6
66
Weights
157
66
Vehicular tanks and scales
8
66
Liquid measures
30
66
Gasoline tanks
36
66
Oil and grease pumps
24
66
Yard sticks
7
66
1 Condemned
Sealing fees
$72.88 Adj.
3.70
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL C. ADAMS, Sealer, Weights and Measures.
January 18, 1945.
78
66
Computing
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE REPORT
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE AND BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
To the Voters of Scituate :
The outstanding feature in the administration of the Old Age Assistance program in 1944 has been the attempts to enforce the law passed at the last session of the Legislature which compels children of recipients to contribute to the support of their parents, and the provisions of that law putting upon local boards the responsibility of enforcing it.
The results of the workings of this law have been unsatisfactory ; an immense amount of work has been put into it, and a great deal of hard feeling has developed among both the recipients and the children, with results entirely incommensurate with the troubles involved. It is, however, fair to state that in some other towns it has been more successful.
The report of the Recess Commission on Old Age Assistance says: "The administration of Old Age Assistance is a complicated and involved process." This it certainly is, and made more so by a well organized staff of State employees who are continually revising and sometimes reversing the rules as to the interpretation of the law.
Another incident in the year's work was the withdrawal by our local Chapter of the Red Cross of the services of the Motor Corps in transporting recipients to and from hospitals and clinics, making it necessary for the Board to find other means of rendering this very necessary service.
Nothing of note has occurred in the administration of the Gen- eral Welfare and A.D.C. programs, conditions being about the same as in previous years.
We wish to extend thanks to all individuals and Town Depart- ments who have assisted us in carrying on our work, and to Mrs. Dowd, nurse for the Health Department, who has been very helpful.
Respectfully submitted, W. M. BROWN, ANNIE M. SOMERS, FRANKLIN T. SHARP.
79
RATIONING BOARD REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCITUATE RATIONING BOARD NO. 271
January 9, 1945.
Board of Selectmen, Scituate, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
We respectfully submit this our Second Annual Report.
We have continued to operate from the office established August 4, 1943, situated at 70 Front Street in the Harbor which appears to be a more convenient location for a large part of our population.
The detail of our work has been substantially increased because of added activities in connection with Price Control. In order to properly handle this activity, a new panel has been recently organized composed of five local merchants who have first hand knowledge of the effects of this phase of rationing.
We have also established a Medical Panel composed of local doctors who advise us on applications for additional food rations be- cause of sickness.
In spite of the above referred to increases in our work, the Re- gional O.P.A. office has reduced from four (4) to three (3) the num- ber of federally paid clerks allowed us. We have, therefore, been obliged since July to pay the fourth clerk from Town funds. This has necessitated our obtaining a transfer of $500 through the Advisory Committee from the Reserve Fund and will compel us to ask for an increase of $1,000 in our appropriation at the Annual Town Meeting of 1945. About fifty per cent (50%) of the expense of this federal activity is now being borne by the Town.
We believe our citizens have come to realize the necessity and justice of rationing and that it will have to be continued for some- time to come.
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