USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1943-1945 > Part 16
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1
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REPORT
We appreciate the friendly co-operation of a large majority of our people which has helped us materially in obtaining for all a fair share of the necessities of life.
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP L. SCHUYLER, Chairman RUSSELL L. FISH RICHARD L. BROWN Gasoline Panel
JOHN HEFFERNAN DORIS WARD
FRANCES COLE
MARIAN E. BROWN
LILLIAN FINNIE
ROBERT P. O'HERN Fuel Oil Panel Food Panel
RICHARD S. SIERS
HENRY E. BEARCE
LEIGHTON G. CHIPMAN
CLARENCE G. GODDARD
CARL FRESINA Price Panel
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, at the end of the national emergency this department should receive the attention of the citizens, especially toward bringing our Town Maps and Street Numbering to date.
The following is a summary of the work performed by the Engineering Department for the year ending December 31, 1944 :
1. Making surveys and plans of relocation of existing streets and parking space.
2. Preparing plans and indexing land acquired by Town by foreclosure of tax titles.
3. Establishing definite street lines where none existed for land court surveys and other surveys.
4. Appearing at the Massachusetts Land Court in the interest of the Town.
5. Making miscellaneous plans for various Town Departments.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY A. LITCHFIELD,
Town Engineer.
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TOWN COUNSEL'S REPORT
REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL
In the year 1944 the services of your Town Counsel have been quite varied with new as well as old problems arising.
I have served various boards in connection with deeds and other instruments required to be executed ; for example, in the purchase of land and in contracts of the Water Department, sale of Town land by the Selectmen, articles and votes for Town Meetings.
A claim of the City of Boston for reimbursement of a welfare bill was refused payment, the City finally abandoning this claim.
Assistance upon a legal question was rendered a neighboring Town Counsel who would reciprocate upon occasion and thus be help- ing our Town. I have a substantial reserve in this respect.
There were two Town Meetings. At the annual meeting I had occasion to render an opinion decidedly adverse to one citizen, but to my surprise received a gracious letter thanking me for my presenta- tion of the situation. This spirit gives faith in our institutions.
The Selectmen have given due consideration to the legal aspects of the Town's erecting a memorial building. In one case I aided them in the collection of license fees, and upon another occasion in a license transfer.
I have rendered opinions with reference to zoning, sea-mossing, grading, acquisition of lands for parking purposes, layouts, duties of officials, vacations, wage assignments, road machinery, garbage col- lection, installation of cable and electric light poles, civic centre, sal- aries, seawalls, dangerous highways, snow removal and soldiers' aid.
Tort claims against the Town have been settled for nominal amounts, or abandoned.
In a Superior Court petition seeking $1,000 award for land damages, an advantageous settlement was made for $200 without the expenses of a jury trial.
Matters involving tax abatements have been disposed of most advantageously to the Town.
In a welfare case, $1,000 was recently collected for the Town.
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TOWN COUNSEL'S REPORT
The Town's rights are being protected through an appearance in a Land Court case, and also in a United States District Court con- demnation proceeding.
Action has been taken for the Welfare Department to enforce re- imbursement of the Town in a case in which considerable aid has been furnished.
This summary does not purport to list all the matters in which your Town Counsel has been called to serve, but will help interested citizens get a picture of our municipal problems in war times.
A large factor in our not having more litigation is the con- scientious zealous attention given to their civic duties by our Town officials.
VERNON W. MARR,
January 10, 1945.
Town Counsel.
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ASSESSORS' REPORT
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Detail of 1944 Assessments
Number of Polls assessed 1,386
Amount of Poll Tax Warrant
$ 2,772.00
Number of persons, partnerships and corporations assessed on property .3,544
Value of assessed Real Estate :
Buildings
8,835,695.00
Land
3,173,395.00
Total Value of Real Estate
$12,009,090.00
Total Value of Personal Estate
931,418.00
Total Valuation January 1, 1944
$12,940,508.00
Total Valuation January 1, 1943
13,028,344.00
Decrease in valuation
$ 87,836.00
Omitted Assessments December 31, 1944
300.00
Assessed
Horses
43
Cows
49
Other Neat
24
Sheep
35
Fowl
7,744
All Other
319
Swine
18
Automobiles
1,855
Budget for 1944
Town appropriations
$ 488,861.39
Voted to be taken from available funds in 1944
19,000.00
$ 507,861.39
State Tax and Assessments :
State Tax
$ 24,684.00
Auditing Municipal Accounts
558.71
State Parks and Reservations
323.95
County Tax and Assessments :
County Tax
21,252.02
Tuberculosis Hospital
7,311.69
Overlay for current year
14,818.81
Gross Amount to be raised
$ 577,532.37
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ASSESSORS' REPORT
Estimated Receipts :
Income Tax
$ 35,157.24
Corporation Taxes
18,347.16
Gasoline Tax
15,729.49
Motor Vehicle Excise
9,500.00
Licenses
4,500.00
Fines
150.00
Special Assessments
325.00
General Government
850.00
Protection of Persons and Property
150.00
Health and Sanitation
300.00
Highways
100.00
Charities
2,000.00 ·
Old Age Assistance
15,000.00
Old Age Tax (Meals)
693.26
Soldiers' Benefits
1,400.00
Schools
450.00
Water Department
58,861.74
Interest on Taxes and Assessments
3,800.00
Additional Fees
175.00
$ 167,488.89
Overestimates of previous year
56.24
Appropriations voted by Town to be taken from available funds 19,000.00
Total Estimated Receipts and Available Funds
$ 186,545.13
Net Amount to be raised by taxation on polls and property
$ 390,987.24
Number of polls-1,386 at $2 each
2,772.00
Total Valuation of Personal Property-$931,418 at $30
27,942.54
Total Valuation of Real Estate-$12,009,090
360,272.70
Total Taxes levied on Polls and Property $ 390,987.24
Special Assessments :
Moth
320.55
Water
3,518.79
Total Amount of all Taxes and Assessments committed in 1944. . $ 394,826.58
Tax on Omitted Assessments December 31, 1944
9.00
Abatements in 1944 :
To Joseph R. Dillon, Collector, for 1937 $ 1.44
To Joseph R. Dillon, Collector, for 1938.
.93
To Joseph R. Dillon, Collector, for 1939
.77
To Joseph R. Dillon, Collector, for 1940
.15
To Joseph R. Dillon, Collector, for 1941
.11
To Joseph R. Dillon, Collector, for 1942
341.75
To Joseph R. Dillon, Collector, for 1943
441.72
To Joseph R. Dillon, Collector, for 1944.
4,791.02
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY A. LITCHFIELD, Chairman, HENRY T. FITTS, W. IRVING LINCOLN,
Assessors of Scituate.
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·
LIST OF JURORS
LIST OF JURORS FOR 1943
Prepared as provided for in Chapter 234, Section 4, General Laws.
Abbott, Augustus L., First Parish Road, Janitor Adams, George S., Maple Street, Public Accountant Anderson, James A., Gannett Road, Coal Salesman Bates, Herbert C., Lincoln Road, Painter Belcher, Everett E., Country Way, Contractor Best, Theodore H., Jericho Road, Mosser Brier, Clarence E., Gilson Road, Insurance Browne, Leon D., Booth Hill Road, Salesman Chase, Arthur M., Fairview Avenue, Yard Man Cogswell, W. Cleveland, Gannett Road, Salesman Cook, Harry P., First Parish Road, R.R. Exp. Clerk Curtis, William W., Ann Vinal Road, Salesman Dacey, James B., Country Way, Foreman Davis, Ray H., First Parish Road, Defense Worker Donald, Harry W., Hatherly Road, Insurance Dorr, Frederick S., Hatherly Road, Painter Dowd, Frank W., Gannett Road, Defense Worker Fillmore, Andrew J., Cudworth Road, Chauffeur Fish, Archie E., Chief Justice Cushing Road, Defense Worker Freeman, Don W., Stockbridge Road, at Home Goodnow, John M., Stetson Road, Manufacturer Goodridge, G. Herbert, Country Way, Office Manager Hall, E. Winthrop, Stockbridge Road, Mfgr. Manager Hewett, Charles M., Buttonwood Lane, Sales Manager Litchfield, Ezra S., Clapp Road, Plumber Litchfield, Lewis B., Tilden Road, Guard Litchfield, Ralph M., Driftway, Merchant Locklin, Freeman V., Mann Lot Road, Machinist
Merritt, Lloyd E., Clapp Road, Farmer Murphy, Joseph N., Cherry Lane, Painter O'Hern, Robert P., Otis Place, Clerk Reddy, Norman, Mann Lot Road, Plumber Richmond, Winthrop C., Second Cliff, Inspector Sharp, Edgar C., Mitchell Avenue, Salesman Sharp, Franklin T., Clapp Road, Clerk Smith, John L., Branch Street, Heating Spencer, Paul F., Elm Street, Accountant Stenback, Karl H., Otis Place, Merchant Street, Lionel A., Grove Street, Insurance Swift, Ward C., Country Way, Insurance Sylvester, F. Lester, First Parish Road, Carpenter
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86
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
Varney, George F., First Parish Road, Repair Man Viall, Charles R., First Parish Road, Optician Webb, George A., off Kent Street, Mosser White, Edward P., Capt. Pierce Road, Bank Clerk Whittaker, Harold C., Beaver Dam Road, Garage Proprietor Wilder, Herbert E., Country Way, Garage
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.
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT
Herewith I beg to submit the thirteenth annual report of the Scituate Water Department. Work accomplished during the year is herein described and future activities recommended.
At the beginning of the year, there was a very serious deficiency in rainfall and the water tables in our well-fields were very low. It became imperative to complete the development of the well in Stearn's Meadow as quickly as possible. The various restrictions imposed by the War Production Board became a veritable drawback on all of the work required to install the water main and power line. The necessary work was completed and water was being pumped into the system on 20 May 1944. The water is soft and of good quality and was delivered to the system at the rate of 400,000 gallons per day throughout the season.
The drought continued through the summer and the demand for water increased steadily until the consumption reached an all time peak of 1,500,000 gallons per day. This drought taxed the supply to the limit and in August the consumers were requested to stop the use of the hose. The consumers complied with this request very gra- ciously and an adequate supply was thereby made possible for the remainder of the season.
The condition of the Beaver Dam well field was such that it could not be used during the season. Even though the yield is not large,
87
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
this field should be developed and put into the system as soon as possible.
On 14 September 1944 a hurricane passed over Scituate and once more the standpipe on Mann Lot Road proved its value. The electric power system was disrupted at 11:30 P.M. and all pumps were stopped. Power was restored at North Scituate and the pump started at 8 P.M. 15 September 1944. The "Spring" station on Beaver Dam Road was started at 9:30 A.M. and the Webster Meadow wells at 11:00 A.M. 16 September 1944. The Kent Street well was started at 8:45 A.M. and the Stearn's Meadow well at 8:00 A.M. 17 September 1944 and normal conditions prevailed 18 September 1944. This was the second hurricane to test the system since the Mann Lot standpipe was erected. Inasmuch as there were no other serious disasters, such as a fire or a broken water main at the same time, the supply satisfied the demand. Another stand pipe or tank would provide more storage for a longer period but a greater water supply should be provided in the very near future.
Observation of the recently developed water supply in Hanover indicates that it would be practical to obtain water, in the amount required, for the Town of Scituate, from the Town of Hanover, in accordance with an act of legislature passed for that purpose. Revenue derived from fire protection and domestic service should be sufficient to cover a considerable part of the cost of the installation of a water main which would pass through Norwell.
At the Annual Town Meeting a vote was passed recommending the installation of a water main in Pleasant Street. This main was installed early in the season and the citizens are now enjoying a good domestic water supply and the benefits of additional fire protection.
During the latter part of the year, the old turbine pump and centrifugal booster in station #11 were removed and a single turbine pump installed in the well. Although this new pump has not had much service, it is apparently doing a very good job as well as elimi- nating the centrifugal pump.
The pump that was moved from the Bound Brook station to the Kent Street station is performing very well and the over-all efficiency is higher than in the previous location due to the larger quantity of water available.
A new pump has been installed in the Bound Brook well but was delivered so late in the season that it has not yet been used.
The well in Stearn's Meadow has proved to be a very valuable asset to the system, supplying from 400,000 to 500,000 gallons per
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WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
day. During the Fall season, this well provided the entire demand and it was possible to shut down all the other pumps. Because of this operation, the Webster Meadow well-field table rose to the ground level for the first time in a number of years.
Because of the unsafe condition of the mains in the salt marshes, the Water Department should be prepared to make new installations or replacements at any time. This arrangement would require available money or emergency expenditures.
WM. J. LUMBERT, Superintendent.
STATEMENT OF BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS
May we direct your attention to William J. Lumbert's report. It should prove of interest to every citizen of Scituate.
We were successful in developing a new supply of good water at Stearns Meadow. We extended our mains into one section of our Town where domestic service and fire protection were badly needed.
However, our experience of last summer, when the demand made upon our system was greater than ever before and the season was exceptionally dry, made it clear that our hunt for additional reserves of water must continue.
J. F. McJENNETT, Chairman S. C. WEBSTER, RUSSELL J. WILDER, Board of Water Commissioners.
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TREE WARDEN'S REPORT
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
This report is for the Tree Warden and Moth Departments for the year 1944.
There were forty maple and twelve elm trees planted on our road- sides during the year, sixteen of them replacing others that did not live through the previous year. We expect a greater loss this year due to the dry summer and the hurricane.
The hurricane in September was the second such storm that we have seen in Scituate. The first was in September 1938. We can be thankful that the property damage was light, but the condition that our street trees have been left in cannot be overlooked. Many of our elms were uprooted and they had to be cut up and removed. And many are left with large cavities to be cared for and others split that must be guyed. The Carolina Poplars that grew so well in Minot were all uprooted. All these scars left by limbs torn off must be cared for before disease starts the tree to decay.
All the men the Highway, Fire and Tree Departments had were ready the night of the storm and worked together to clear the streets. Except for a few places all streets were open in the morning for everyone. All the equipment of the Highway Department was used, without which it would have been impossible to open the streets as they were.
The elm trees were sprayed twice for the Elm Tree Beetle. They are the worst carrier of the Dutch Elm Disease, and so far this has been kept out of the Eastern part of Massachusetts.
The Brown Tail Moth is no longer active here. But the Gypsy Moth keeps showing up in little colonies. As these are found, painting their nests with creosote and spraying their feeding places keeps them under control. There is one bad infestation in the Government Property near Scituate that we hope will be stopped.
Sincerely,
John W. Ford.
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TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE REPORT
REPORT OF THE TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
This year there have been 5,000 red pine trees set out and on account of the extremely dry weather of this last summer, practically all of them were lost. We also set out 500 white spruce and these have lived very well.
We have cut another fire trail on the Pinson Hill forest and trees trimmed up from the ground high enough so that a fire there could not destroy them.
We have been very fortunate that the hurricane did no damage to our forests.
MARY CRESSY, Secretary, · EMMA LITCHFIELD, JOHN W. FORD, Town Forest Committee.
REPORT OF THE TEMPORARY CLAM WARDEN
December 31, 1944.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Scituate :
Control of Shellfish.
Having completed three months as temporary Clam Warden for the Town, I believe I have fulfilled my duties at all times to the best of my ability. The most trouble encountered was from outside com- mercial diggers and at this date I have not had a single case of poach- ing for weeks.
May I at this time thank your Honorable Board and also the commercial diggers for their full co-operation.
Respectfully submitted, KARL H. STENBECK, Temporary Clam Warden.
91
SCITUATE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERVICE
SCITUATE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERVICE REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT
To the Citizens of Scituate :
Response was generous in our two drives for funds to continue the work of the Scituate Public Health Nursing Service-the Mem- bership Drive and the Tuberculosis Christmas Seal Sale. For the uncertainties of the post-war future an adequate fund should be available to citizens needing help. The Board appreciates the use of your money to improve the health of its residents, and of others, whose care means better, stronger Americans.
However, many more small children could receive immeasurable benefit by attending the Well-Baby Clinic. A monthly check-up with a pediatrician may mean the difference between a sturdy, lively child and one who is often ailing. Transportation will be provided if necessary by telephoning Mrs. Dowd or Mrs. Charles B. Stretch.
Scituate babies up to two years of age may receive expert pedi- atric care at the Well-Baby Clinic, which is held on the fourth Wednesday of every month, with Dr. Olga E. Allers in charge, assisted by Mrs. Alice M. Dowd, Public Health Nurse.
Last Spring a clinic for whooping cough immunization was held, with Dr. Clifford Ward in charge.
The Nursing Service assists in the purchase of supplies for the Public Health Nurse, whose help at the clinics is here gratefully acknowledged.
The expenses of two children who spent eight weeks at the Plymouth County Health Camp were paid, and a generous donation was made toward the work of the Plymouth County Health Associa- tion. Assistance has been given to families in sudden need.
We wish to thank the Board of Health for its co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
ELIZABETH EVANS, President
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PUBLIC NURSING SERVICE FINANCIAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
Annual Financial Statement 1944 of the Scituate Public Health Nursing Service.
RECEIPTS
Cash on Hand January 1, 1944
$ 979.26
Baby Clinic
447.26
Jacobs Trust Fund Interest
10.63
Savings Bank Interest
44.00
Nurses' Donations
277.00
Membership Drive
120.00
Two Children at T.B. Camp
26.13
Rebate of Seal Sale Expenses
$1,964.82
EXPENDITURES
Baby Clinic, Olga E. Allers, M.D.
$ 300.00
P.O. Box Rent
1.80
Donations
60.00
Call Drug Co. Inc.
17.30
Geo. T. Otis & Co.
25.00
Incorporation Expense
240.00
Plymouth County Health Association Camp, 4 Children. .
51.53
Seal Sale Expenses
57.20
Whooping Cough Clinic (Dr. C. L. Ward)
41.45
Miscellaneous Expenses
$ 890.19
Balance on Hand January 1, 1945
1,074.63
$1.964.82
C. L. HARTS, Treasurer.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of Scituate :
In order to conserve both money and paper, all departments have been requested to make this year's Report very brief ; therefore we cannot go into detail regarding the effective health work and
93
44.00
T.B. Seal Sale (last year's returns )
16.54
95.91
BOARD OF HEALTH
education that has been performed by the Board of Health during the past year.
We have carried on our Health Program in an effort to keep our town in as healthy a condition as possible, and have conformed to all State and National laws regarding health and health programs.
While surrounding towns were having difficulty in coping with various types of contagious diseases, we have kept free from epidemics of any kind.
The co-operation of school departments, public health nurses, inspectors, and all others interested in public health has been of great assistance to us in obtaining the success we have had during the year.
We wish to express our thanks to all organizations, town officials, and others, who have assisted us in any way to keep Scituate one of the outstanding health resorts of the Commonwealth.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER L. ENOS, Chairman, GEORGE H. OTIS, WILLIAM P. GROVESTEIN, Board of Health.
REPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
Scituate Board of Health,
Scituate, Massachusetts.
Dear Sirs :
As Public Health Nurse for the Town of Scituate, I hereby submit my annual report of activities for the year 1944.
Visits, totaling 3,550, were made in all, and included the following :
Bedside Nursing Visits 1,353
Old Age Visits for the Welfare Department 130
Soldiers' Relief Visits 50
Hospital Visits with Patients 20
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BOARD OF HEALTH
Ambulance Cases
12
Doctor's Office Visits with Patients
125
Infant Care Visits
422
Baby Clinics (100 Babies)
12
Immunization Clinics (98 Children)
7
Contagious Diseases
80
Prenatal Visits
150
Postnatal Visits
170
Maternity Cases
58
T.B. Follow-up Visits
160
Pre-School Dental Clinics (30 Children)
33
Unclassified Visits
800
Public Health Meetings
8
Conferences with State Health Workers
10
Total Number of Visits
3,550
Dr. John F. Crimmins again conducted the yearly Pre-School Dental Clinic, sponsored by the Scituate Board of Health, with record attendance and accomplishment.
The Board also sponsored the Vaccination Clinic and Diphtheria Clinics, which Dr. Clifford L. Ward, Jr., conducted, and which served 98 children.
The Scituate Nursing Service again gave vital assistance to the community, in its sponsorship of three projects. Dr. Ward conducted their Whooping Cough Clinic, and Dr. Olga Allers, Boston Pediatri- cian, was in attendance at the vitally important Baby Clinic which yearly sees babies through those first vital months.
They also sent to Bailey Camp for eight weeks this summer, two Scituate children.
The year has been a busy one, and the results gratifying.
Respectfully submitted, ALICE M. DOWD, R.N.
95
BOARD OF HEALTH
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC
Board of Health,
Scituate, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I submit the following as a resume of the dental work done in the Hatherly and Jenkins Schools in the calendar year 1944.
354
Fillings in Permanent Teeth
Fillings in Temporary Teeth 148
74
Permanent Teeth Extracted
· 4
Teeth Treated
89
Prophylaxis
131
Completed Cases
120
In taking the children in the lower three grades it is possible to detect small defects in permanent teeth. That this obtains results is shown by the report that only four permanent teeth were extracted during the year.
Respectfully submitted, DR. W. B. PARSONS, School Dentist.
REPORT OF THE PRE-SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC
Scituate Board of Health,
Scituate, Mass.
Dear Sirs :
United States Public Health records reveal that 90% of the nation's school children are afflicted with diseased and malformed teeth; and that at seven years, Massachusetts children show more decay than those in all representative sections of the country.
A late theory lays the reason to the little or no presence of fluorides in our drinking water, which abound in the Southwest, for
96
Temporary Teeth Extracted
BOARD OF HEALTH
instance. Since 1941, Dr. Basil G. Bibby, Dean of Tufts Dental School, has been conducting a Clinic that has quarterly been swabbing the teeth of children with a fluoride solution, and new dental decay in this group has been arrested by 40%. That it works to prevent dental decay is clearly proven ; but how it can best be utilized to the benefit of mankind is yet to be determined. Adding it to our drinking water seems to be the way to reach the most people, but complications make it a decision difficult to reach. Through the profession, of course, it can only reach those who will seek it. Until the decision is made, we will have to face this major disease problem of caries with the best remedies dentistry has to offer.
Thirty children benefited by Pre-School Dental Clinic this year. The thirty-five examined revealed three hundred thirty-five defects within the oral cavity. Remedial treatment included forty-four Roentgenograms taken, sixty-three treatments given, twenty-three extractions made, two hundred seventy-four restorations made, and thirty prophylaxes given, with twenty-three cases completed.
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