USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1946-1948 > Part 5
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Resident Minor Trapping, 2 @ $2.25 each
4.50
Resident Citizen Trapping, 5 @ $5.25 each
26.25
Resident Citizen Sporting and Trapping (age 70 or over) 14 free
Resident Military or Naval Service Sporting, 10 free
Duplicate, 2 @ $0.50 each
1.00
$769.00
Less Clerk's fees as agent for the State
87.00
Paid to Division of Fisheries and Game $682.00
Number of Dogs Licensed for the Year 1946
281 Males @ $2.00 each
$562.00
66 Females @ $5.00 cach 330.00
115 Spayed Females @ $2.00 each 230.00
2 Kennels @ $50.00 each 100.00
4 Kennels @ $10.00 cach
40.00
$1,262.00
Less Clerk's fees as agent for the County
93.60
Paid to Town Treasurer
$1,168.40
1946 GASOLINE LICENSE RENEWALS Issued through office of Town Clerk
27 Renewals @ $0.50 each $13.50
Paid to Town Treasurer
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM M. WADE, Town Clerk
67
BOARD OF REGISTRARS REPORT
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF REGISTRARS
Meetings held for registration of voters in 1946:
February 4 at Town Clerk's Office
February 14
at North Scituate Fire Station
February 16
at Scituate Harbor Fire Station
February 21
at Town Hall
May 29 at Town Hall
October 16
at Town Hall
There were 488 names added to the voting list by registrations, while 243 names were dropped because of deaths and change of residence, resulting in a gain in registration of 245.
Registered Voters in the Town of Scituate on December 31, 1946:
Males
1,792
Female
1,761
Total 3,553
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 registered 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 con- tinuing to vote in Scituate, as her previous name will automatically be stricken from the list.
Respectfully submitted,
BERTHA L. TURNER, DANIEL J. QUEENEY, WALTER FLAHERTY, WILLIAM M. WADE, Clerk, Board of Registrars of Voters.
68
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
Honorable Board of Selectinen:
Gentlemen :
The report of the Police Department ending December 31, 1946, is herewith submitted for your approval.
The Department made 112 arrests, calling for court appear- ances for officers and defendants. A summary detailing the cause of arrests and dispositions is omitted to save space.
Complaints investigated by police officers 2748
Untenanted cottages inspected 2167
Fires covered by police officers 73
Fires discovered by police officers 3
1
Notice of intended sale and transfer of motor vehicles 336
Operators booked by police officers-speed 56
Operators booked by police officers -improperly parked 627
Summons served for other police departments 76
Windows not secure and lights left on in stores, etc. 147
Pistol permits issued 41
Unlocked buildings secured by police officers 138
Motor vehicle accidents investigated by police officers 53 Re: Motor Vehicle Accidents :
In a survey of the causes of the 53 accidents listed there appears to be no case where road conditions or obstructions contributed to the accidents; 14 of these collisions might be viewed as serious, in that they involved personal injuries and in one tragic instance a fatality. Speed or other faulty operations caused most of these collisions in the opinion of investigating officers.
I again respectfully recommend that the "Rules and Orders" governing the parking and operation of motor vehicles adopted in 1945 be published in book form for distribution.
The need of more specific rules and regulations to govern the parking of vehicles on town parking lots, reserved for the use of Scituate residents and tax payers and the use of privately owned spaces for the parking of cars where a fee is charged, seems to be imperative. Proposed by-laws, drawn by the town counsel, will be
69
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT
submitted and we recommend that they be inserted in the warrant for action by the voters at the annual meeting in March.
Ambulance service for the year called for 177 trips totaling 8536 miles. This ambulance has now been in service six years, having been purchased in 1940. We suggested last year that the present vehicle should be replaced in 1947. With the difficulty bound to be experienced in procuring a new ambulance at this time, it is hoped that adjustments and needed repairs will keep it serviceable for another year.
The new two-way radio communication system, installed by the General Electric Co., has given excellent service and proven its worth on many occasions.
Respectfully submitted, M. E. STEWART, Chief of Police.
70
PARK COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS
To the Board of Selectmen,
Scituate, Massachusetts:
We have the following report to submit for the year ended December 31, 1946.
The usual routine of work has been followed in caring for the parks. The customary protection was provided at Peggoty Beach during the summer months.
At Minot, the damage done to the water front by storms was repaired.
The broken wooden flag pole at the Henry Turner Bailey plot was replaced by one made of steel.
A few new pieces of equipment were added to the North Scitu- ate playground and activities at the Community house there were again enjoyed by groups throughout the town.
We extend our thanks to all who have in any way manifested their interest in our undertakings.
Respectfully,
F. EUGENIA BROWN, Chairman, ROY C. MERRITT, JOHN F. BURBANK.
71
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The report of the Fire Department for the year 1946 follows:
The past year has been the busiest in the history of this depart- ment. In the aggregate there were two hundred and ninety-eight emergency calls including forest fires, building fires and first aid and rescue calls. The only fire of major proportions was that oc- curring at Cherry Lane which resulted in the loss of two lives.
APPARATUS:
In accordance with the vote of the town meeting last March, and under the supervision of the Fire Department Advisory Com- mittee. appointed by the Board of Selectmen, two new pumping engines have been ordered from the American La France Company. These pumpers should be delivered to the town sometime during the fall of the year.
The first aid emergency truck of the type required is unavail- able at the present writing.
A new chief's automobile has been purchased and is in service at this time.
FIRST AID:
The first aid work of the department continues to increase each year and is a most important part of the service rendered by this department. An increase in the appropriation for this work will be necessary this year.
FIRE STATIONS:
All the stations are in reasonable repair and no major repairs should be required during the current year. Station 4 (Minot) was reopened in July, at the request of a committee of citizens of that area and with the approval of the Board of Selectmen. The re- opening of this station will, of course, necessitate a substantial increase in the maintenance and salary items of the annual budget.
PERSONNEL:
The personnel has been increased in the past year by the addi- tion of one man, a veteran of World War II, to man the station at Minot.
72
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
At the present time this man and the man at the Humarock station are on duty one hundred and twenty hours weekly. The rest of the personnel are required to be on duty eighty-six hours weekly. It should be noted that all members of the department were required to serve an average of three hundred hours extra duty in emergencies occurring during the past year.
There will appear in the warrant for the annual meeting in March, an article asking for the establishment of an average work week of seventy hours for all permanent personnel. At present, the men are working under a modified two platoon system which functions only at the pleasure of the governing authority and is subject to change at any time. We feel that the town should accept the state law. regulating hours, under which a majority of the per- manently manned fire departments in the Commonwealth are now working.
There is added, in the estimated budget for the current year, an item covering the addition of three men. We feel that these men are essential to the proper and efficient operation of the de- partment for the following reasons:
Two of these men will be assigned to work opposite the men at the Minot and Humarock stations, thereby adjusting their hours to agree with those of the rest of the men.
The other man will work six months of the year as operator of the forest fire truck, thereby obviating the necessity of uncover- ing the ladder truck during this season of the year. The remaining six months, this man will be assigned to Station 1 to cover any position necessary to expedite the first aid work, and to substitute for men on vacation leave.
The department gratefully acknowledges the consideration ex- tended by your Board, the various officials of the town and the citizens of the town whom we serve.
Respectfully submitted,
HOWARD H. COLE, Chief.
73
SUPERVISOR CARE OF VETERANS' GRAVES
REPORT OF THE FOREST FIRE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The annual report of the Forest Fire Department follows:
During the past year there were no major forest fires. Those fires occurring were handled easily by the permanent and call men with the occasional assistance of citizens of the town.
In April, the department was called to assist at the forest fire in Sandwich. The department responded with three pieces of fire equipment and some twenty men who served on the fire line for forty-three hours of continuous duty. The expense incurred was over four hundred dollars which was paid out of department funds. The town treasury has since been reimbursed by the Department of Conservation.
The equipment of the department will be necessarily replaced and augmented to some extent during the current year which will reflect in an increased budget for this year.
The department is grateful to the citizens of the town and to all town officials for their generous co-operation.
Respectfully submitted, HOWARD H. COLE, Forest Warden.
REPORT OF THE
SUPERVISOR CARE OF VETERANS' GRAVES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Scituate, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
I submit my report as Supervisor of Veterans' Graves in the Town of Scituate for the year 1946. I have faithfully inspected all cemeteries and found all graves in good 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.
74
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT REPORT
REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
To the Citizens of Scituate:
It gives me great pleasure to submit a brief resume of the activities of the Highway Department for the year of 1946.
As we all know, the winter of 1945-46 with its heavy rains and continued freezing and thawing, left our roads in deplorable condition, especially the main thoroughfares.
Namely, First Parish Road, Beaver Dam Road, sections of Hatherly Road, and Tilden Road. With the aid of rented equip- ment, two gas shovels and a bulldozer, work was started the last week in March, 1946, and continued until the above named were excavated to a depth of approximately two feet and filled with gravel from the Town Pit, and in due time treated with two applica- tions of bituminous material. I realize that this is not the most durable construction, but I do know that the foundation is laid for any future surface such as penetration macadam or a stone or gravel mixed in place, which I highly recommend for any road in Scituate.
Listed below are the roads rebuilt and resurfaced by this Department during 1946:
Tilden Road, 2400 linear feet, 20 feet wide, graveled and tarred, excavated 2 feet, gravel filled, bituminous treated.
Clapp Road, 5000 linear feet, 20 feet wide, mixed in place, 3200 linear feet in addition, graveled and tarred to the Norwell line. Booth Hill Road, 1500 linear feet, 20 feet wide, gravel and tar mixed in place.
Hollett Street, 2400 linear feet, 20 feet wide, gravel and tar mixed in place.
Hatherly Road, 1800 linear feet, 22 feet wide, gravel penetration, 800 linear feet additional stone penetration.
Beaver Dam Road, 4000 linear feet, 22 feet wide, gravel penetration. Hood Road, 1056 linear feet, 20 feet wide, gravel penetration.
First Parish Road, Country Way to Branch Street, 3000 linear feet,
22 feet wide, gravel penetration.
Crescent Avenue, 2500 linear feet, 18 feet wide, gravel filled, bitu- minous treated.
75
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT REPORT
Norwell Avenue and Longly Road, 3500 linear feet, 20 feet wide. gravel, bituminous treated.
Glades Road, 2500 linear feet, 22 feet wide, gravel filled.
Approximately 37 miles of Scituate roads were surface treated. sand covered, or 111,000 gallons of asphalt applied. In addition, 450 tons of bituminous patching material were used.
Drainage: All catch basins were cleaned, and 1200 linear feet of new drain constructed, including 10 new catch basins.
Guard Rails: Practically every guard rail in town was repaired and painted, in addition 1500 feet of new guard rail was con- structed.
Street Cleaning: During the past year, a man has been steadily employed in the business section of Scituate Harbor, four days a week, and one day a week at North Scituate Village. Minot Beach and Humarock have been cleaned at least once a month.
Traffic Regulations: Particular attention has been given to the marking of our streets due to the increase in traffic, as we feel that if proper marking will prevent one accident, the money has been well spent.
Snow Removal: Probably one of the most difficult tasks of the Highway Department is the removal of snow during winter months. Under our present setup our streets are plowed and snow is removed where necessary in the shortest possible time. A year ago a Barber Green Snow Loader was purchased under a rental purchase plan, which in two storms has paid for itself. With the aid of this loader, snow has been removed from our business sections in one quarter the time taken by old fashioned hand shoveling. We take pride in trying to keep winter driving conditions in Scituate the safest on the South Shore. Signs : At the present time the road signs are in very good condition. Sidewalks: Due to the fact our roads were in such poor condition, very little attention was paid to the sidewalks. However, we feel that in 1947 many of the old walks, which are in very poor condition, should be rebuilt, in order that pedestrians may walk in safety.
In conclusion, we would like to thank the heads of all depart- ments, especially our Town Engineer, whose suggestions have been most helpful, and also various citizens whose criticisms and sug- gestions have been most welcome.
Respectfully submitted. MATTHEW L. BROWN, Highway Surveyor.
76
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Board of Selectmen, Scituate.
Gentlemen:
Figures below represent work performed for the year ending Dec. 31, 1946.
Inspections
440
Adjustments 11
4
Gasoline Pumps Condemned
(Sealed later.)
Trial Reweighs 159
(None of these were below standard.)
Collected fees
$87.83
Adjustment fees
.95
Respectfully,
PAUL C. ADAMS, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
The past year has been marked by an increase in the cost of Old Age Assistance, and also in that of Aid to Dependent Children.
In the former case, the increase is dre largely to liberalization of the rules by the State Department ard greatly increased costs of hospitalization, rest home care, and a 50% increase in the amount paid for each doctor's visit.
In the A.D.C. category the amount per case has not increased to such an extent, but the number of cases has doubled during the year.
Welfare costs are still nominal, but greater than last year.
There is every reason to believe that Old Age Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children expenses will increase also during the coming year.
We wish to extend our thanks to all town officials, organizations and individuals who have assisted in our work.
Respectfully submitted,
W. M. BROWN, MERCY E. LAVANGE, FRANKLIN T. SHARP.
77
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REPORT
REPORT OF THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
We submit herewith a brief report of the work accomplished by this department during the past year:
1. Approximately 1600 plans were indexed and filed in sepa- rate folios. Under this system, plans can be readily produced, but it became very apparent that numerous plans that should be on record in the town were missing and should be copied at the Registry of Deeds.
2. 10 Location plans were made to accompany petition for Residential Zone Variances with the names of abuttors within 500 feet.
3. Examining and checking all preliminary Land Court plans for street lines and abuttors.
4. Furnishing lines and grades for roads completely rebuilt by the Highway Department, and cost estimates for proposed drainage systems.
5. Have co-operated with County and State officials on present and proposed Chapter 90 Highway and Bridge work to arrive at a systematic long range program to improve our main highways with the assistance of funds taken from the gasoline tax.
6. With the acceptance of the Building Laws last year, re- quests for street lines became more numerous to insure the required set-back for buildings. We believe this work will help to minimize encroachments on our highways.
7. Co-operated with Engineers of the Department of Public Works. Waterways Division, in regard to erection of rip-rap and scawall repairs; have also assisted the Town counsel in obtaining casements so this work could be performed.
8. The house numbering project, with the exception of Huma- rock, has been overhauled and brought up to date. We urge all townspeople with unnumbered houses to contact this office so a house number can be established and displayed on the building.
9. Numerous additions and changes have been made to the Assessors Survey Maps. We regret that more time could not have been expended on these maps, but with the heavy real estate trans- actions and current building program in excess of 1200 personal
78
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REPORT
calls and letters regarding property lines, areas, drainage, etc., were taken care of.
10. To expedite these maps, we have experimented with Aerial Photography. Humarock Beach was photographed from 3000 feet giving an approximate scale of 400 feet to an inch. These photo- graphs were "blown up" to a scale of 100 feet to an inch from which buildings could be traced upon the original Town maps. The experiment was very successful and we recommend this method as a comparatively inexpensive means of supplementing our maps.
11. We have co-operated with all other Town Departments requiring engineering advice and have received the same from them.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN E. BAMBER, Town Engineer,
HENRY A. LITCHFIELD, Associate Engineer.
79
TOWN COUNSEL'S REPORT
REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL
The year 1946 has been one of increased activity by the Munici- pality, as was to be expected in the post-war period.
The acquisition of Tower Field was culminated for the School Department. The Town acquired three parcels of shorefront land between Jericho Road and the Harbor by takings by eminent domain by the Board of Selectmen.
The Town officials Icarned just before work was to start on the new breakwater at Lighthouse Point, that this sea wall was to extend over the premises of many land owners. Immediate steps were taken to secure the necessary releases for proceeding with this vital shore protection undertaken and completed without delay.
Judgment was obtained and payment made of over $1800 by the administrator of an estate in an action for reimbursement for aid to the intestate. A snit by the City of Boston is pending for services of the Boston City Hospital to a Scituate resident, the Town denying said resident to have been a needy person. An action has been brought by special trial counsel of the Town against Benjamin Forde for alleged violation of the Town's Zoning by-laws on account of certain uses of premises at Scituate Harbor. This suit instituted by the Selectmen is the first one brought for the Town itself for the enforcement of the Town's Zoning by-laws. The Town officials prevailed in the only prior test of its provisions, i.c., in the Dreamwold Inn case. The Town has been reluctant to require any of its officials to become legally bound to enforce the Zoning by-laws by specifically so providing, this responsibility now resting with any aggrieved party, just as in the case of a viola- tion of restrictions in a deed. Most zoning questions have been amicably settled by reasonable conduct of the parties involved with the co-operation of our Town officials, especially the careful attention given such questions by the Board of Selectmen and by the Zoning Board of Appeals whenever a variance has been sought.
.
1
New legal questions have been raised by the adoption of the newer Planning Board provisions of G.L. Ch. 41 and by the Town's
80
TOWN COUNSEL'S REPORT
Building By-laws adopted also at the last Annual Town Meeting. These Building By-laws have been well administered by the Build- ing Commissioner and Board of Appeals without becoming in- volved in litigation.
The conscientious fulfillment of their duties by our Town Boards, other officials and employees, enables us to continue year after year with a minimum of legal problems. I make this state- ment in appreciation of their efforts and co-operation with me.
VERNON W. MARR, Town Counsel.
81
ASSESSORS' REPORT
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Detail of 1946 Assessments
Number of Polls Assessed 1,389
Amount of Poll Tax Warrant
$2.778.00
Number of persons, partnerships and corporations assessed on Property 3,648
Value of Assessed Real Estate:
Buildings
8,794,275.00
Land
3,205,715.00
Total Value of Real Estate
$11.999,990.00
Total Value of Personal Estate
944,680.00
Total Valuation January 1, 1946
$12,944,670.00
Total Valuation January 1, 1945
12,951.071.00
Decrease in Valuation $ -6.401.00
Omitted Assessments December 31, 1946
12.775.00
Assessed
Horses
28
Cows
42
Other Neat
20
Sheep
11
Fowl
4,713
All Other
362
Swine
6
Automobiles
2,257
Budget for 1946
Town appropriations
$546.787.93
Voted to be taken from avaliable funds in 1946
128.835.00
$675,622.93
State Tax and Assessments :
State Tax
$ 10.650.00
State Parks and Reservations
328.13
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
542.68
County Tax and Assessments :
County Tax
30,082.16
Tuberculosis Hospital
6.485.26
Underestimates of previous years
1.732.59
Overlay for current year
10,863.45
Gross Amount to be raised
$ 736,307.20
Estimated Receipts:
Income Tax
36.899.94
Corporation Taxes
19,156.60
82
ASSESSORS' REPORT
Gasoline Tax
11,796.03
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
5,722.00
Licenses
4,000.00
Fines
200.00
Special Assessments
200.00
General Government
2,000.00
Protection of Persons and Property
...
50.00
Health and Sanitation
50.00
Highways
500.00
Charities
1,500.00
Old Age Assistance
16.000.00
Old Age Tax (Meals)
1,412.75
Soldiers' Benefits
400.00
Schools
300.00
Water Department
57,056.00
Interest on Taxes and Assessments
2,000.00
Additional Fees
75.00
Amount brought forward
$159,318.32
Overestimates of previous year
79.61
Appropriations voted by Town to be taken from available funds.
128,835.00
Total Estimated Receipts and Available funds .
$288,232.93
Net Amount to be raised by taxation on polls and property
$448,074.27
Number of polls
1389 @ $2 each
2,778.00
Total valuation of Personal Property
$944,680 @ $34.40
32,496.96
Total Valuation of Real Estate
$11,999,990 @ $34.40
412,799.31
Total Taxes levied on Polls and Property $448,074.27
Special Assessments :
Water
$ 1,318.25
Total Amount of all Taxes and Assessments committed in 1946
$449,392.52
Tax on Omitted Assessments December 31, 1946
439.46
Abatements in 1945 :
To Josepli R. Dillon, Collector, for 1944 $ 51.50
To Joseph R. Dillon, Collector, for 1945
387.05
To Joseph R. Dillon, Collector, for 1946
3,399.09
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY A. LITCHFIELD, Chairman, HENRY T. FITTS, W. IRVING LINCOLN,
Assessors of Scituate.
83
LIST OF JURORS
LIST OF JURORS FOR 1946 Prepared as provided for in Chapter 234, Section 4, General Laws, as amended.
Abbott, Randall W., Country Way, Engineer Allen, Walter S., Country Way, Railway Inspector Anderson, James R., Old Oaken Bucket Road, Farmer Bates, Allen W., Country Way, Electrician Billings, Alson P., Stockbridge Road, Carpenter Blanchard, Stanley H., Summer Street, Carpenter Bonney, Allerton L., Utility Road, Mason Breen, Robert J., Mitchell Avenue, Contractor Brown, Richard L., Allen Street, Printer Chipman, Leighton G., Country Way, Clerk Cogswell, Walter C., Gannett Road, Insurance Cooper, Stuart, Curtis Street, Electrician Corrigan, Edmund J., Tilden Road, Insurance Devine, James T., Cushing Highway, At Home Dunphy, Vincent F., Boardman Avenue, General Manager Duval, Henry L., Fay Road, Baker
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