USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1946-1948 > Part 16
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The inspection of untenanted cottages is carried on as in other years. That this service is appreciated is best evidenced by the number of letters received expressing the owners' pleasure for this service.
Respectfully submitted,
-
M. E. STEWART, Chief of Police.
59
PARK COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
REPORT OF THE
PARK COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of Scituate:
The following is a brief report of our work for the year ending 1947:
All the work under our jurisdiction was completed to the best of our ability. Favorable weather conditions and a generous use of fertilizer enabled us to keep the parks and all plots about town in excellent condition.
We were pleased to have added to our equipment two small power mowers.
An expression of thanks is extended to all who have enabled us to make the past year one of progression.
Respectfully submitted,
F. EUGENIA BROWN, Chairman, ROY C. MERRITT, ROBERT F. HALL,
Park Department.
60
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
REPORT OF THE FIRE CHIEF
Board of Selectmen, Scituate, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The report of the Fire Department for the year 1947 follows.
In the past year the department responded to a total of two hundred ninety-one emergency calls, including forest and grass fires, building fires, automobile fires and first aid emergency calls.
The first aid work continues to increase each year and appar- ently is much appreciated by those citizens served. The new first aid emergency truck was delivered to the town in July and has been in service since that time. The equipment carried is most complete for the work and now includes a portable iron lung, which was purchased by popular subscription sponsored by the Scituate Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The older pumping engines are presently dependable but, as is true of any machinery, are showing signs of wear. The new pumping engines were delivered in June and, after undergoing tests by the Board of Underwriters, were accepted by the town and placed in service at the Brook St. and Minot stations. These pieces have performed perfectly and are an addition to the equipment of the department of which the town may well be proud.
The last purchase of hose was made in 1941. Normal wear and natural deterioration during the six years past have reduced the amount of available hose to the point where we are unable to reload trucks with dry hose after fires. It will be necessary to pur- chase new hose this year. An article will be inserted in the town meeting warrant providing for this purchase.
The permanent personnel was increased by three last April, bringing the total permanent manpower to sixteen. In order to ad- just the work week to conform to the seventy-hour law voted by the last annual town meeting, four men must be added this year.
The co-operation of the several town officials and that of the citizens of the town is gratefully acknowledged.
Respectfully submitted,
HOWARD H. COLE, Chief.
61
SUPERVISOR CARE OF VETERANS' GRAVES
REPORT OF THE FOREST WARDEN
Board of Selectmen,
Scituate, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The report of the Forest Fire Department for the year 1947 follows.
Those forest and grass fires occurring in the past year were of little moment and were easily handled by the department with one exception. This fire occurred on April 10th during a particularly dry season and, fanned by brisk and shifting winds, threatened many homes in the Egypt section of town. We are indebted to our good neighbors of Hingham and Duxbury, and to the State Department of Conservation for their prompt and efficient response with men and apparatus.
Engine 4 has been retired from fire department service and is now equipped with a water tank of six hundred gallons capacity. With this large water capacity, this truck should prove most use- ful in forest fire work.
The work of this department has been aided greatly by the co-operation of the various town officials and that of the citizens of the town; for which we are truly grateful.
Respectfully submitted,
HOWARD H. COLE, Forest Warden.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF VETERANS' GRAVES
January 5, 1948.
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 1947. I have faithfully inspected all cemeteries and found all graves in good condition.
Due to continued vandalism I caused the Brown and Damon Tomb to be sealed permanently.
I wish to thank all who are continuing to assist me in my efforts.
Respectfully submitted, ELMER F. RAMSDELL, Supervisor Care of Veterans' Graves.
62
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT REPORT
REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY SURVEYOR
To the Citizens of Scituate:
Once again, I am happy to present to you a brief report of the activities of the Highway Department for the year 1947.
ROADS REBUILT AND RESURFACED
Ann Vinal Road, gravel, mixed in place.
Elm Street, rebuilt, gravel and two applications of asphalt. Hollett Street, rebuilt, gravel and two applications of asphalt and island at intersection remodelled.
Glades Road, during storms of 1946, it was necessary for us to fill this road in with gravel on three different occasions to make the road suitable for public use. At the present time, this road is still impassable.
Maple Street, mixed in place, entire length, gravel and tar.
Summer Street, mixed in place, gravel and tar.
Rebecca Road, mixed in place, gravel and asphalt.
Sherman's Corner, mixed in place, gravel and asphalt.
DRAINAGE
In addition to the regular work of cleaning old drains and catch basins, 2490 feet of new drain was constructed and 21 new catch basins were built, and 1800 feet of old drain was relaid and cleaned.
SURFACE TREATMENT
Twenty (20) miles of road were surface treated, and sand covered.
Twenty (20) miles of road were scraped and the excess material disposed of.
STREET CLEANING
As usual, our regular man has been employed at the Harbor, four days a week and at North Scituate Village, one day a week on street cleaning, and in other sections when necessary. In addition, it has been necessary to clean up much rubbish and sand washed up into the streets by the Fall storms.
PATCHING
All breaks in paved roads were kept patched and 631.30 tons of bituminous concrete and 322.90 tons of crushed stone were used.
63
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT REPORT
SIDEWALKS
A total of 4,950 linear feet of old sidewalk, four (4) feet wide were rebuilt, and 450 tons of bituminous concrete were used. It is our hope that during 1948, the sidewalks in Scituate will be put in first class condition.
CURBING
A total of 9500 linear feet of new curbing was built.
PARKING SPACE
The Harbor Parking Space was enlarged by filling in along the Creek and a new guard rail was built at its edge, thereby providing parking space for approximately 150 additional cars.
EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE
List of Equipment and condition:
3 dump trucks in good condition.
2 pickup trucks, one in good condition.
1 compressor on truck, rebuilt and in good condition, truck in poor condition, nine (9) years old.
2 rollers, one 23 years old in poor condition; large roller, six (6) years old in good condition.
1 tractor, too small for our use, upkeep $1400 in three years.
1 grader, 10 years old and obsolete, should be replaced this year. At the present time, we have been waiting for parts since October 10, 1947. It is our belief that a piece of equip- ment requiring one week out of every month to be repaired should be disposed of.
Last Fall, we installed a 2,000-gallon gasoline tank at the Egypt Plant which makes it possible for us to purchase gasoline at whole- sale prices which we estimate will be a saving to the Town of about $500 a year.
SNOW REMOVAL
The past year, the snow fall was below normal; however, icy conditions were above normal. Therefore, the cost of snow removal still remains high, but after visiting some of our surrounding towns, I think you will agree with me that we should take pride in the fact that our snow and ice control is one of the most efficiently and eco- nomically handled items on the South Shore.
SIGNS
In the Spring of 1947, the street signs were put in first class condition. However, these signs suffer greatly during the summer time especially in the Sand Hills and Shore Acres sections, whether
64
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
from souvenir hunters or just plain vandals, we do not know. If these people who destroy our signs year after year were to realize that they cost the taxpayers at least $10 apiece, I am sure they would be more thoughtful in the future.
LABOR
During the past year, we have noticed a tremendous unemploy- ment situation here in Scituate and the first thought that a working man in need of a job has is to go to the Highway Department, espe- cially during the winter months. With the exception of snow and ice control, there is very little we can do to employ labor, but I can honestly say that there has been no able man turned away without the opportunity of getting at least a few days' honest labor.
TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
During the past year, 180 gallons of traffic paint has been used for street markings, street signs, etc. We realize that every dollar expended under this item is well spent if it can prevent one acci- dent.
In conclusion, we wish to thank the heads of all departments for their fine co-operation during 1947. If, at any time, we can be of help to the citizens of Scituate, we will be very glad to be called upon.
Yours truly,
MATTHEW L. BROWN, Highway Surveyor.
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Scituate, Mass., Jan. 12, 1948.
Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The following represents work performed for year 1947:
377
Inspections
1
Adjustments
Fees collected $90.41
Adjustment fees
.25
Found equipment in good condition in nearly every instance.
Respectfully,
PAUL C. ADAMS, Sealer, Weights and Measures.
65
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE REPORT
REPORT OF
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
To the Voters of Scituate:
As foreseen in our report of last year, the cost of the Old Age Assistance program has increased greatly during 1947. There has been an increase of approximately 15% in the number of recipi- ents and this, coupled with the action of the State Department of Public Welfare in adding materially to the budget for each one, together with higher costs of medical service and hospitalization has put the cost of this service to an all time high. Cost of this category alone is now exceeding $6,000.00 per month.
Reimbursement received from the Federal Government for Old Age Assistance during 1947 was $27,000.00 and can be used for no other purpose. State reimbursement, however, of about $25,000.00 per year goes to the E. & D. account and is not imme- diately available except by the vote of the town.
The Aid to Dependent Children program has been subject to the same budget increases as that for Old Age Assistance and this is, also, marked by a constant rise in the number of recipients.
In spite of almost universal employment as claimed by the experts, and the greatly increased national income, Welfare costs have, also, risen, and we expect still further increases this year.
We extend our thanks to all town officials, organizations and individuals who have assisted in carrying out our work.
Respectfully submitted, W. M. BROWN, MERCY E. LaVANGE, FRANKLIN T. SHARP.
66
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REPORT
REPORT OF THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
We submit herewith a brief resume of the work accomplished during the past year:
1. Preliminary surveys of eleven streets proposed for accep- tance at the next Town Meeting.
2. Design and repair to sea walls damaged by storms.
3. Cost estimates of proposed road construction.
4. Lines and grades for Highway drainage and construction.
5. Completed house numbering of all of the Humarock section and the two new Housing Developments.
6. Attending Highway Meetings with State and County offi- cials.
7. Completed the indexing of the Town Plans.
8. Numerous changes, additions and corrections to the Town Maps.
9. Seven Location plans were made to accompany petition for Residential Zone Variances with the names of abuttors within 500 feet.
10. Staking street lines for walls, hedges and fences.
11. Co-operating with the State Engineers in the construction of the Gannett Road Bridges.
12. Examination of all parcels of land seeking to be regis- tered in the Land Court.
13. Examination of the Humarock Bridge.
We have co-operated with all other Town Departments re- quiring engineering advice and have received the same from them. Respectfully submitted,
JOHN E. BAMBER, Town Engineer.
HENRY A. LITCHFIELD, Associate Engineer.
67
TOWN COUNSEL'S REPORT
TOWN COUNSEL'S REPORT
The year 1947 was marked by more post-war activity through- out the Town and hence more legal problems, but none resulting in expensive litigation. The equity case of the Town vs. Fiorde arose in the previous year out of use of premises allegedly contra to the terms of our Zoning By-laws. A final decree entered in the case a few months ago forbade primary use for conducting a retail store; i. e. fruit and vegetable stand.
The Zoning By-laws have necessitated a number of petitions for variances which have entailed some legal work assisting and advising the Zoning Board of Appeals and other Town Officials. The uses in question have been particularly : sale of antiques and food, renting rooms, gasoline sales and motor repairs, moss proc- essing by machinery, maintenance of nurseries, parking spaces and loam removal.
These and other activities have raised legal questions about Building Laws, and also about other permits and licenses, including permits for advertising signs and bus operations.
Considerable legal service was necessitated to protect the Town in transfer of a strip of land sold to the Satuit Theatre.
Legal advice and services were rendered also in the following matters :
Reimbursement of citizen for damages in auto collision, pro- cedure for removal of trees, appointment of departmental person- nel under civil service, handling of Trust Funds, seawalls (erection and illegal removal), garbage removal, nuisances, resignations and death of elected officials, special elections, retirement system open to all town employees, water supply (operation and legislation) , war bonds, Veterans' Benefits, Agencies, Funds, and gravel pits.
In a tort claim for personal injuries alleged to have been caused by a defective way, damages were refused. A very serious case pending for the past few years was dismissed in the Norfolk Superior Court December 29, Town of Cohasset vs. Scituate (2nd case) after our persistent refusal to yield to the demands of the plaintiff. There were a few ininor actions in which the Town was also concerned.
68
TOWN COUNSEL'S REPORT
Some improvements in the Town By-laws were made by adop- tion of By-laws at the annual Town Meeting under Articles 44, 46 and 47, this latter article providing for new building By-laws which are a credit to our new Planning Board. An enforcement By-law presented under article 45 was rejected but should be given further consideration with the changes which I have made in its form.
.
1947 having been my twentieth year as your Town Counsel, I am going to add a few words in retrospect. It need not be re- called that I have devoted several years to the South Shore's rail- road problems without pay. Due to my appointment as Commis- sioner of Public Utilities, I resigned the Chairmanship of the Old Colony Transportation Committee on July 1, after nearly two years' service in that capacity.
During my tenure of office as Town Counsel the Town has taken many progressive steps which necessarily have involved some legal service; notably, the establishment of a public water system by acquiring both the Scituate and the Humarock Water Com- panies, accomplished without any litigation after we defeated an attempt to increase water rates 100 per cent; the adoption of zon- ing and building by-laws; the development of Town's parking and shore facilities with enlargement of Scituate Harbor, aided by the state and federal governments, and the institution of a Retirement System effective July 1, 1947
The Town has been fortunate in having no costly law suits during this 20 year period. It was involved in only two cases going to the Supreme Court. In both of these the Town of Scituate pre- vailed; namely the Dreamwold Inn case, in which the action of the Selectmen in granting a license was sustained and the Town's zon- ing by-laws upheld, and the case of Cohasset vs. Scituate (before the one dismissed December 29, 1947) decided in favor of the de- fendant in a suit for welfare reimbursement. The court held the latter case to be one for federal aid to dependent children, as con- tended by your Town Counsel. Other suits in the District and Su- perior Courts have resulted favorably to Scituate. The policy of the Scituate Town Counsel has always been to avoid expensive law suits when settlements have been possible and advantageous to the town.
VERNON W. MARR.
January 4, 1948.
69
ASSESSORS' REPORT
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Detail of 1947 Assessments
Number of Polls Assessed 1,945
Amount of Poll Tax Warrant
$2,778.00
Number of persons, partnerships and corporations assessed on property
3,797
Value of Assessed Real Estate :
Buildings
$9,822,140.00
Land
3,284,975.00
Total Value of Real Estate
$13,107,115.00
Total Value of Personal Estate
1,052,366.00
Total Valuation January 1, 1947
$14,159,481.00
Total Valuation Jan. 1, 1946
12,944,670.00
Increase in Valuation
$1,214,811.00
Omitted Assessments December 31, 1947
400.00
Total Value Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise 1946
10,381.11
Total Value Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise 1947
22,738.99
Assessed
Horses
25
Cows
59
Other Neat
16
Sheep
3
Swine
6
Fowl
3,772
All Other
294
Automobiles
2,613
Number of Acres Assessed
9,696
Number of Houses Assessed
3,107
Budget for 1947
Town Appropriations
$677,362.20
Voted to be taken from available funds in 1947
10,000.00
$687,362.20
State Tax and Assessments:
State Tax
$10,650.00
State Parks and Reservations
525.01
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
663.02
Underestimates of Previous Year
196.88
County Tax and Assessments:
County Tax
36,490.40
Tuberculosis Hospital
8,106.58
Underestimates of Previous Year
326.51
Overlay for current year
18,246.78
Gross Amount to be Raised
$762,567.38
70
ASSESSORS' REPORT
Estimated Receipts :
Income Tax
$36,899.94
Corporation Taxes
19,156.60
Gasoline Tax
11,796.03
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
10,000.00
Licenses
6,000.00
Fines
150.00
Special Assessments
40.00
General Government
2,000.00
Protection of Persons and Property
50.00
Health and Sanitation
250.00
Highways
500.00
Charities
2,500.00
Old Age Assistance
18,000.00
Old Age Tax (Meals)
1,437.50
Veterans' Benefits
650.00
Schools
450.00
Water Department
58,000.00
Interest on Taxes and Assessments
3,500.00
Supplemental Cherry Sheet, May 6, 1947 Corporation Tax
6,573.07
Income Tax
19,226.89
Additional Fees-Shellfish, etc.
75.00
Amounts voted to be taken from available funds :
80,000.00
Total Estimated Receipts and Available Funds
$277,255.03
Net Amount to be raised by taxation on polls and property
$485,312.35
Number of polls
1,945 at $2.00 each 3,890.00
Total valuation of Personal Property $1,052,366.00 at $34.00
35,780.44
Total valuation of Real Estate $13,107,115.00 at $34.00 445,641.91
Total Taxes levied on Polls and Property
$485,312.35
Special Assessments : Water
1,174.21
Total Amount of all Taxes and Assessments committed in 1947
$486,486.56
Tax on Omitted Assessments December 31, 1947 13.60
Abatements in 1947:
To Joseph R. Dillon, Collector, for 1945
$297.70
To Joseph R. Dillon, Collector, for 1946
210.36
To Joseph R. Dillon, Collector, for 1947
5,015.05
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY A. LITCHFIELD, Chairman, HENRY T. FITTS, W. IRVING LINCOLN,
Assessors of Scituate.
71
LIST OF JURORS
LIST OF JURORS FOR 1947
Prepared as provided for in Chapter 234, Section 4, General Laws as amended.
Agnew, Dwight L., Jr., Booth Hill Road, Engineer Allen, Frederick W., Jr., Curtis Street, Floor Sander Allen, Walter S., Country Way, Railway Inspector Anderson, James R., Old Oaken Bucket Road, Farmer Anderson, Richard W., Garden Road, Radio Technician Bailey, Jackson E., Country Way, Plumber Barndollar, John W., Country Way, Advertising Bates, Allen W., Country Way, Electrician Benson, Neal P., Tilden Road, Leather Dealer Best, Robert H., Turner Road, Mosser Breen, Robert J., Mitchell Avenue, Contractor Burt, Richard E., Grove Street, Civil Engineer Claybourne, Richard, Curtis Street, Accountant Cole, Harold W., Richfield Road, Piano Tuner Connolly, Stephen F., Mann Lot Road, Filling Station Conway, Oliver J., Jericho Road, Tea Broker Corrigan, Edmund J., Tilden Road, Insurance · Curtis, Stanley W., Dreamwold Road, Insurance Cusick, Henry W., Wampatuck Avenue, Merchant Dolan, James E., Utility Road, Painter Duffley, Francis W., Jr., Country Way, Filling Station Dunn, Theodore A., Maple Avenue, Store Manager Dwyer, Herbert R., Kent Street, Veterans' Director Feeley, Joseph V., Captain Pierce Road, Dye Stuffs Fettig, Howard F., Hazel Avenue, Painter Finnie, James, Tilden Road, Carpenter Fleming, George W., Country Way, Radio Ford, William F., Jr., First Parish Road, Salesman Gates, Lester J., Booth Hill Road, Merchant Hardcastle, Harry H., Ann Vinal Road, Kennels Hardwick, Walter S., Country Way, Carpenter Harwood, Rogers W., Tilden Road, Painter Hendrickson, William A., Jr., Country Way, Salesman
72
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
Killgore, A. Nelson, Tilden Road, Retired Litchfield, Ellsworth B., First Parish Road, Greenhouse Locklin, Chester B., Mann Lot Road, Marine Motors Lonergan, John J., off Brook Street, Carpenter MacIntosh, Robert M., Booth Hill Road, Salesman McCarthy, Ralph F., Jericho Road, Foreman O'Donnell, N. Warren, Elm Street, Engine Dispatcher O'Keefe, Dennis, First Avenue, Traffic Engineer Palmer, Philip, Common Lane, Investments Russell, John A., Country Way, Filling Station Schultz, William R., Mordecai Lincoln Road, Oil Dealer Somers, Peters E., Country Way, Plumber Stone, Walter C., Seaview Avenue, Mechanic Tindall, Howard W., Cornet Stetson Road, Salesman Weightman, Herbert G., Moorland Road, Engineer Wilder, Malcolm E., Tilden Road, Mechanic Wyman, Andrews, Hollet Street, Insurance Broker
REPORT OF THE WATER SUPERINTENDENT
To the Board of Water Commissioners, Scituate, Mass.
31 December, 1947.
Gentlemen:
Following is the 16th Annual Report of the Scituate Water Dept. pertaining to the activities of the Dept. during 1947, with recommendations as to future developments to improve the service.
For some time negotiations have been carried on with the Town of Norwell relative to obtaining a source of water supply for the Town of Scituate in Norwell, and early in January an Article was filed in the State Legislature to authorize the Town of Scituate to proceed with the project, with the condition that an Agreement as to the procedure should be ratified by the officials of Norwell and Scituate. The Scituate Water Commissioners spent consider- able tinie and effort attending hearings in the State House, and numerous meetings with the Norwell Selectmen and Water Com- mittee. The last of these meetings was in the Water Dept. office, 30 December, 1947, but as yet no agreement has been reached. Another source of water supply is still a vital need of the Scituate
73
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
Water Dept. Among the possibilities considered was the Metro- politan Water Supply, but this will not be available for a number of years.
The extraordinary post-war growth of Scituate bids fair to continue for several years with an ever increasing water consump- tion, more particularly, of course, during the summer months. Records show that the water consumption during the peak periods is just about equal to the amount of water that can be pumped in to the system with our present development, and the only backlog available is standpipe capacity for approximately one day. Three or four fair fire streams or a broken main would liquidate this backlog in a matter of hours. These conditions, together with loss of power to operate pumps, can happen all at the same time in the event of a hurricane or storm such as this Town has already ex- perienced. An additional standpipe of 1,500,000 gals. capacity should be taken under consideration as soon as possible.
During March installation of water mains was started and the work on Jefferson and Washington Lanes completed. Construction was carried on along Lawson Road to provide water service for the entire length of the street. Houses under construction and prop- erty development required water service and a main was laid on Henry Turner Bailey Road and Whortleberry Lane to supply the consumers. The Hatchet Rock property was further developed on Blueberry Lane with several houses under construction, and the main was extended to provide service for all of the property in that section.
Houses on 4th Ave. were rebuilt for winter occupancy and the sınall shallow line on that street was replaced with a permanent main from Oceanside Drive to Hatherly Rd. More shallow lines will have to be replaced as the summer residences are changed to permanent homes.
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