USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1943-1945 > Part 28
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The importance of conforming to the law in all cases is neces- sary to the public health and should be particularly attended to in the case of Restaurants, Taverns, Drug Stores or any commercial or industrial installations where food is served to the public.
If proper attention is paid to obtaining the necessary permit, the possibility of interruption of service will be eliminated.
Section 2 of the plumbing Code provides that :- "The plumb- ing of every building in the town of Scituate abutting upon a street or way in which there is or shall be a public sewer, shall be con- nected with such sewer: the plumbing of all other buildings shall be connected with a cesspool approved by the Board of Health." The attention of every citizen contemplating building a cesspool is called to the by-law and the plan for such cesspool must be ap- proved before a permit can be issued for plumbing.
There are sections of the town where the present regulation in regard to sewage disposal may not seem to apply. However, any plan submitted will be carefully considered by the Inspector and some solution of the problem presented.
Yours respectfully, PHILIP S. BAILEY, Plumbing Inspector, Town of Scituate.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
January 19, 1946.
Board of Health, Scituate, Mass.
I have attended to all affairs relative to cattle, goats and swine. I have quarantined all dogs that have bitten people and have found no signs of Rabies.
CHARLES O. CHASE,
Inspector of Animals.
91
ALLEN MEMORIAL LIBRARY REPORT
REPORT OF THE ALLEN MEMORIAL LIBRARY
January 22, 1946.
Board of Selectmen,
Scituate, Massachusetts.
It is a great pleasure for the Trustees of the Allen Memorial Library to report that during the year 1945 we had more people use the facilities of the library than in any previous year in our history.
It is very gratifying to those of us concerned with the operation of the library to see the circulation of our books broaden and the Library grow in usefulness.
During the past year the House Committee and other inter- ested members and friends of the association have arranged ex- hibits of various types and these collections have attracted wide attention and interest.
It is and will be the hope and purpose of the Board of Trustees to make the library of increasing value and interest to the people of the town.
Respectfully submitted, HOWARD O. FRYE, President.
REPORT OF THE PIERCE MEMORIAL LIBRARY TRUSTEES
January 24, 1946.
Board of Selectmen, Scituate, Mass.
Gentlemen :
During the past year the Pierce Memorial Library has served the community and town by making available the latest worth- while books and magazines on all subjects.
There have been 13,047 books circulated and 1,470 magazines. There are 414 card holders. This year the number of books pur-
92
PEIRCE MEMORIAL LIBRARY REPORT
chased from allotted money was 348 and from other sources 9. There have been gifts of 16 books.
In addition to the reading material the public has availed itself of the continued opportunity to view exhibits of unusual interest from all parts of the world.
Under the able direction of the Librarian, Mrs. Sarah H. Knowles, a story-telling hour for children was inaugurated. This proved to be of great interest in the village and two such hours have been held and there will be others in the future.
The Trustees of the Association wish, at this time, to thank their fellow-citizens for the support which is so willingly given to the Library.
Respectfully submitted, VERNETTA G. BARNES, Pres. Pierce Memorial Library Assn.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING SCHOOL HOUSING NEEDS
To the Voters of Scituate:
This committee convened soon after the Annual Town Meet- ing of March, 1945, which appropriated $10,000 for the purchase of land and $6,000 for the engineering expenses.
In order to be sure that a new school would conform to the best modern educational standards, the School Committee was asked to secure an up-to-date survey of the elementary school needs. This has been done by the Massachusetts Department of Education and the report should be in the hands of the School Committee soon.
Questionnaires were sent a number of architects to determine their qualifications to assist us, however no selection has been ınade.
No progress has been made in the actual preparation of build- ing design, as we were advised by the Board of Selectmen that the building site they were directed to purchase by the town vote was encumbered by certain restrictions. The land has therefore not been acquired and no structure planning was done. Your atten-
93
TREASURER'S REPORT
tion is invited to the article by the Selectmen in the Town Warrant for the 1946 annual meeting, pertinent to this land purchase.
Under the appropriations made for this purpose there were no expenditures.
A change in the committee was occasioned by the resignation of Mr. Eldon Lusk and the appointment of Mr. D. A. Vines, to serve in his stead.
Respectfully submitted,
EBEN B. PAGE, Chairman,
THOMAS W. MACY,
DANIEL A. VINES,
MARION E. BROWN,
MARY F. HEFFERNAN,
Committee Appointed to Investi- gate School Housing Needs.
REPORT OF THE
TOWN TREASURER 1
For the Year ending December 31, 1945
RECEIPTS
Receipts for the Year 1945 $655,386.07
Cash on hand January 1, 1945 234,154.08
$889,540.15
EXPENDITURES
As per Warrants of Selectmen
$666,595.24
Balance on hand December 31, 1945
222,944.91
$889,540.15
Respectfully submitted,
ROSE A. SMITH,
Treasurer.
94
TOWN COLLECTOR'S REPORT
REPORT OF THE TOWN COLLECTOR
For the Year ending December 31, 1945
Total Payments to Treasurer
$502,971.61
Total Taxes Collected
$412,257.00
Total Interest Collected
2,119.07
Total Costs Collected
576.34
Total Water Rates Collected
63,379.65
Total Bills Receivable Collected
24,639.55
$502,971.61
1943 Poll, Personal, Real, Moth and Water Liens Uncol-
lected January 1, 1945
$ 18,012.38
Collected
$ 16,914.08
Takings
960.80
Abated
137.50
Interest Collected
1,027.67
Costs Collected
173.59
1944 Poll, Personal, Real, Moth and Water Liens Uncol-
lected January 1, 1945
$ 45,861.43
Refunded
333.00
$46,194.43
Collected
$ 35,513.33
Abated
977.65
Added to Tax Titles
276.50
Uncollected
9,426.95
$ 46,194.43
Interest Collected
$ 945.39
Costs Collected
186.55
1944 Motor Excise Uncollected January 1, 1945 $ 133.75
Committed in 1945
10.00
Refunded
.51
S 144.26
Collected
$ 123.23
Abated
21.03
S 144.26
Interest Collected
$
1.28
Costs Collected
9.45
Polls. Personal, Real, Moth and Water Liens Com-
mitted in 1945
$394.205.31
Refunded
1.276.60
$395.481.91
95
$ 18,012.38
TOWN COLLECTOR'S REPORT
Collected
$353,541.33
Abated
3,863.22
Added to Tax Titles
929.95
Uncollected
37,147.41
$395,481.91
Interest Collected
$ 138.25
Costs Collected
86.00
1945 Motor Excise Committed
$ 6,427.36
Refunded
40.13
$6,467.49
Collected
$ 6,165.03
Abated
99.16
Uncollected
203.30
$ 6,467.49
Interest Collected
$
6.48
Costs Collected
120.75
Water Rates Uncollected January 1, 1945
$ 4,679.76
Committed in 1945
66,509.83
Refunded
672.02
$71,861.61
Collected
$ 63,379.65
Abated
2,973.17
Water Rates Placed in Lien Accounts and Added to
Special Assessments
1,983.68
Uncollected
3,525.11
$ 71,861.61
Accounts Receivable Uncollected January 1, 1945
$ 3,787.75
Committed in 1945
25,159.64
$28,947.39
Collected
$ 24,639.55
Deposited by Treasurer
1,491.71
Deposited by Welfare Department
7.50
Abated .
289.93
Added to Special Assessments
157.50
Uncollected
2,361.20
$ 28,947.39
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH R. DILLON,
Town Collector.
96
PLANNING BOARD REPORT
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
During the year the Planning Board has held many meetings, cooperating with other Boards and Town Officials, giving serious consideration to all propositions brought before it.
Mr. Albert McLean resigned as a member of our Board in July due to his removal from town; at a joint meeting of the Selectmen and Planning Board, Mr. George R. Paul was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy, and he has proven a valuable member.
The first Planning Board, in 1929, recommended that Scituate should own more beach land around beautiful Scituate Harbor, for the benefit of all its citizens. In this we concur, and our Board has approved the proposed taking of the beach land along Jericho Road, as called for by 'an article in this year's warrant.
Our Town is growing rapidly; the serious housing shortage is a condition and not a theory; we undoubtedly will be faced with more building and greater real estate developments in the near future.
Scituate badly needs a simple, effective Building Law, with the consequent appointment of a Building Inspector to aid in its enforcement.
This proposition has engaged most of our efforts for the year, and we are offering for your favorable consideration a Building Law which we feel is both reasonable and timely, an article for the acceptance of which will appear in the annual warrant.
Since 1929 your Planning Boards elected under the so-called "Old Law" have been valuable as far as their legal limitations per- mitted; but under the existing set-up we find it impossible to estab- lish any effective control over any new real estate developments, with which our Town has had some unfortunate experiences the past few years.
To correct this situation and provide for effective regulation of any future real estate developments your Board is sponsoring another article in this year's warrant to abolish the present Planning Board, and the election of a new Board under the 1936 law.
This will enable us to provide the needed regulation for future orderly real estate developments and be of immeasurable benefit to all our citizens.
97
VETERANS COMMITTEE REPORT
We earnestly recommend its adoption.
In closing we thank the Selectmen and other town officials for their advice and assistance, and express our appreciation for the assistance and timely advice of our local architects, builders and real estate operators.
Respectfully submitted,
M. W. MURRILL, C. L. WARD, GEORGE R. PAUL, EVAN F. BAILEY, KENNETH MANSFIELD,
Planning Board.
REPORT OF THE VETERANS COMMITTEE
When the Commissioner of Veterans' Services recommended that all cities and towns in the Commonwealth establish Veterans Centers, Scituate Selectmen not only complied, but offered desk space in an already crowded town hall.
A committee was appointed and held several meetings, but it developed that the dissemination of information would be best handled by one familiar, at least in part, with the volume of regu- lations concerning the returned G. I. and his rights.
A course conducted by the Department of Education and the Commissioner of Veterans Services, covering a period of nine weeks, was attended by the chairman of this committee. .
Each Tuesday, with very few exceptions the Chairman has been at Town Hall ready to assist on:
Bonus Applications Pension Applications
Burial Allowances
Flag Applications
Apprentice Training School Under G. I. Bill
Loan for House or Business Disability Application
Insurance Reinstatements or Reconversion
Discharges have been recorded with the Town Clerk, and ar- rangements have been made with the Town of Marshfield to use their photostat for Scituate veterans, the town reimbursing for film used in making photostatic copies.
98
.
MEMORIAL BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT
Admission to Veterans Hospitals has been secured for sick or disabled veterans and the groundwork has been laid for the ap- pointment of a local physician as Medical Officer. When this is effected, it will reduce the demand for hospitalization and insure for Scituate veterans prompt and satisfactory treatment within the Town limits.
All immediate relatives of the deceased veterans were con- tacted and a sincere effort made to see that they were fully informed as to all benefits due them.
The greatest need is for jobs. Many of the returning veterans enlisted before or immediately after graduation from high school and lack qualifying experience for many jobs which they seek. If one day a week could be devoted to contacting firms or seek- ing placement for these and other unemployed veterans, the posi- tion of Veterans Officer would be happier for all concerned.
Selectman Shea, Mrs. Day, Mr. Kevin B. Dwyer of the Vet- erans Bureau, Mr. Litchfield, who must certify all bonus applica- tions, Town Clerk Wade, and Mr. Roy Litchfield of the local Trust Company have all been most cooperative in the period this com- mittee has functioned.
Action must be taken at the Annual Town Meeting on the recommendation of the Massachusetts Legislature concerning Veteran Centers. For a Town of this size it would not seem to be advisable to have a full time employee, and the committee is not so recommending.
MARY W. MURRILL, Chairman. (Mrs. Mark W. Murrill)
REPORT OF THE MEMORIAL BUILDING COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Town of Scituate, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
The committee appointed by your Board to prepare a suit- able plan for a War Memorial Building for the veterans of the town of Scituate recommend the erection of a Memorial Build- ing to be located in the Center of Scituate.
99
MEMORIAL BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT
A survey has been made of locations situated in the Harbor section of the town, the center of the Town and also considera- tion was given to the acquisition of the Country Club, located at 3rd Cliff.
On January 13, 1946, a public meeting was held at the High School to discuss the entire matter. It was the opinion that before any definite site be recommended to the Town that additional in- formation be obtained relative to the possibility of acquiring the Scituate Country Club for the veterans and to determine the cost of repairing the present club house for the use of the veterans. On January 20, 1946, another public meeting was held and was largely attended by World War II veterans. The expression of this meeting, although informal, resulted in the following:
(1) That the proposed Memorial Building be erected in the Center of the Town and that a sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) be appropriated by the Town for the construction of the proposed building. That this building be used for veterans' affairs and shall not be attached or be a part of any other public building.
(2) That an article be prepared to cover the above request.
Accordingly, your committee recommends the adoption of the above and further recommends that if the transfer of Town owned land, located at corner of First Parish Road and Cudworth Street can not be affected that other land in Scituate Center be purchased.
May we emphasize that the War Memorial Building for the Veterans of our Town should be in keeping with the ideals they helped to perpetuate. It ought to be beautiful, but simple and dignified, and should represent all that is good and great in true Democracy. On the practical side, it ought not to be expensive to establish or maintain, and its beauty and charm should reflect a fitting memorial. Above all, it must be a credit to the com- munity and reflect the highest honor to the men and women it commemorates.
Your Committee wishes to express sincere thanks to your Board, to the service organizations, namely, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, to the several churches and to all who assisted in the formation of the plan selected.
Particular gratitude of your Committee is also expressed to the returned veterans because of their active discussion and sin- cere interest and the manner in which they contacted all the veterans of the Town in arranging and making possible the splendid attendance at the January 20th public meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Scituate Memorial Building Committee, By KEVIN B. DWYER, Chairman.
100
STATE AUDIT REPORT
Feb. 26, 1945
STATE AUDIT
To the Board of Selectmen, Mr. Dennis H. Shea, Chairman, Scituate, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Scituate for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1944, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Herman B. Dine, Assistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours,
THEODORE N. WADDELL, Director of Accounts.
Mr. Theodore N. Waddell Director of Accounts Department of Corporations and Taxation
State House, Boston
Sir:
In accordance with your instructions, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Scituate for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1944, the following report submitted thereon:
The records of financial transactions of the several depart- ments receiving or disbursing money for the town, or committing bills for collection, were examined, checked, and verified by com- parison with the books kept by the town accountant. The recorded receipts were compared with the treasurer's books and with the records of the several departments collecting money for the town or committing bills for collection. The records of disbursements were checked with the treasury warrants and with the payments as shown by the treasurer's books.
The general and appropriation ledgers were analyzed, the appropriations and transfers as recorded were checked with the town clerk's record of town meetings and with the records of the advisory committee, the necessary adjusting entries resulting from the audit of the several departments were made, a trial balance
101
STATE AUDIT REPORT
was taken off, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this re- port, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on December 31, 1944. This balance sheet indicates that the finan- cial condition of the town is very good.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked. The receipts, as recorded, were compared with the records of the several departments collecting money for the town and with other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury, while the payments were checked with the warrants of the selectmen authorizing the disbursement of town funds. The cash balance on January 24, 1945, was proved by reconciliation of the bank balances with statements furnished by the banks of deposit.
The payments on account of debt and interest were verified by comparison with the amounts falling due and checked with the cancelled securities on file.
The savings bank books and securities representing the invest- ment of the trust and investment funds were examined and listed, the income being proved and the transfers to the town being veri- fied.
The tax title deeds representing liens on real estate were listed, the amounts transferred to the tax title account were checked with the collector's records, the reported redemptions, foreclosures, and disclaimers were verified, and the tax titles, as listed, were recon- ciled with the accountant's ledger, and checked with the records at the Registry of Deeds.
The books and accounts of the town collector were examined and checked. The tax, assessments, departmental, and water ac- counts outstanding according to the previous examination, as well as all subsequent commitments, were audited and proved. The col- lections as posted on the commitment records were compared with the cash book collections and with the recorded payments to the town treasurer as shown by the treasurer's cash book. The abate- ments, as entered, were checked to the records in the departments authorized to grant such credits, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the respective ledger accounts. 4
Verification of the outstanding accounts was made by mail- ing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
The town clerk's records of dog and sporting licenses issued were examined, the payments to the State being verified by com-
102
STATE AUDIT REPORT
parison with the receipts on file and the payments to the town treasurer being compared with the treasurer's cash book.
The records of licenses and permits issued by the selectmen and the police and health departments, as well as the records of all other departments collecting money or committing bills for collection, were examined and checked, the reported payments to the treasurer being verified.
The surety bonds of the town officials required to furnish them for the faithful performance of their duties were examined and found to be in proper form.
In addition to the balance sheet referred to, there are appended to this report tables showing a reconciliation of the treasurer's and the collector's cash, summaries of the tax, assessment, tax title, de- partmental, and water accounts, together with tables showing the condition and transactions of the trust and investment funds.
For the cooperation extended by the various town officials during the progress of the audit, I wish, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted, HERMAN B. DINE,
Assistant Director of Accounts.
HBD: CFB
For complete details and figures consult Director of Accounts' Audit on file at the Selectmen's Office.
103
TOWN ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT
REPORT OF THE TOWN ACCOUNTANT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
In compliance with the provisions of Chapter 44 of the Gen- eral Laws, I herewith submit the following report of the Account- ing Department for the year ending December 31, 1945.
I have also included a detailed statement of disbursements showing amounts paid and the persons to whom payments were made, as requested by vote at the annual meeting held March 7, 1927.
ELLEN ELIZABETH COLE,
Town Accountant.
General Revenue TAXES
Current Year :
Poll
$2,218.00
Personal
26,849.79
Real Estate
323,385.04
$352,452.83
Motor Vehicle Excise
6,165.03
Previous Years :
Poll
$118.00
Personal
1,416.62
Real Estate
48,732.44
$50,267.06
Motor vehicle Excise
123.23
From the Commonwealth:
Income Tax
$42,351.33
Corporation Taxes
23,774.17
Smith Hughes Fund
129.79
Vocational Education
1,491.96
Licenses
30.00
U. S. Grant, Old Age Assistance, Assistance
18,008.76
U. S. Grant, Old Age Assistance, Administrative
600.24
U. S. Grant, Aid to Dependent Children, Assistance
1,129.71
U. S. Grant, Aid to Dependent Children,
104
TOWN ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT
Administrative Highway Fund
57.92 15,117.49
$102,691.37
From the County :
Dog Licenses
$876.33
Chapter 90 Maintenance
938.82
$1,815.15
Licenses and Permits
5,520.50
Court Fines
$230.50
Sealer's Fees
80.22
Shellfish Fees
88.05
Transient Vendors' Fees
.
$448.77
Special Assessments:
Moth 1943
$52.00
Moth 1944
71.30
Moth 1945
101.50
$224.80
OTHER RECEIPTS
From the Commonwealth:
Public Welfare
404.25
Aid to Dependent Children
1,483.63
Old Age Assistance
20,196.79
State Aid
540.00
Indigent Persons
18.00
Subsidies Cities and Towns
522.85
Meal Tax
1,253.09
Chapter 90 Maintenance
938.82
$25,357.43
Other Cities and Towns:
Public Welfare
$28.38
Old Age Assistance
741.26
$769.64
General Government
Selectmen :
Advertising
$55.00
Rent of Minot Station
360.00
Sale of Real Estate
2,055.00
Sale of Fire Truck
300.00
Leasing of Float
10.00
$2,780.00
Collector :
Costs
$574.34
Mortgagee's Receipts
2.00
$576.34
Treasurer :
Tax Titles Redeemed
$3,861.89
105
50.00
TOWN ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT
Town Clerk :
Dog Licenses
$1,146.60
Town Hall:
Telephone Tolls
$1.90
Police Department :
Bicycle Registrations
$26.40
Ambulance
30.00
$56.40
Moth Work
2,335.20
Board of Health:
Dental Clinic Fees
60.50
Highway Department: Rental of Equipment
721.79
School Department:
Tuition and Transportation
$197.46
Sale of Supplies
71.16
Rent of Auditorium
60.00
Miscellaneous Collections
42.70
$371.32
Unclassified :
Zoning Board of Appeals
5.00
Park Department:
Care of Cemetery Lot
4.00
Withholding Taxes
24,237.02
Water Department:
Sale of Well Rig
$1,300.00
Sale of Junk .
15.00
$1,315.00
Refunds :
Highway Department
$1.00
Snow Removal
10.50
Old Age Assistance
109.28
U. S. Grant, Old Age Asisstance
90.30
Estimated Receipts
1,018.23
1,229.31
WATER DEPARTMENT
Fixture Rates
$34,131.43
Meter Rates
28,975.81
Miscellaneous Charges
272.41
Liens
3,024.05
66,403.70
INTEREST
On Taxes
$2,119.07
On Tax Titles Redeemed
451.32
106
TOWN ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT
On Rehabilitation Fund
1,562.50
4.132.89
TRUST FUNDS
Eliza Jenkins Fund
$60.40
Lucy Thomas Fund .
20.00
Sarah J. Wheeler Fund
19.76
Hannah D. Miller Fund
39.04
Cornelia Allen Fund
101.72
George O. Allen Fund
10.48
Benjamin T. Ellms Fund
60.00
311.40
$655.386.07
Balance, January 1, 1945
234,154.08
$889,540.15
Expenditures General Government
SELECTMEN
Salaries :
Chairman
$2,163.98
Associates
1,298.38
$3,462.36
Expenses :
Clerical Assistance
$1,238.36
Printing, Stationery and Postage
51.55
Carfares, Autos and Lunches
273.48
Office Expense
23.69
All Other
9.00
1,596.08
5,058.44
DUES - BOSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Dues
TOWN ACCOUNTANT
Salary
$2,165.24
Expenses :
Clerical Assistance
$202.07
Postage
4,50
Office Expense
110.87
All Other
.50
317.94
2,483.18
TOWN TREASURER
Salary
$2,308.28
107
60.00
TOWN ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT
Expenses :
Printing, Stationery and Postage
$209.03
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