Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1949-1951, Part 31

Author: Scituate (Mass.)
Publication date: 1949-1951
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 744


USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1949-1951 > Part 31


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To the Voters of Scituate:


In common with all commodities the cost of the Welfare pro- gram for the year 1951 has continued to rise. A cost of living increase of 5.9% was granted by the State to all Old Age Assistance recipients effective October 1, in addition to the Leisure Time Activities grant of $4 per month to each person on the rolls granted earlier in the year. These extra costs were absorbed with no addi- tional appropriations on the part of the Town by making use of the money received from the Federal Government as its reimburse- ment of a part of Old Age Assistance costs. Without this Federal money the Town would be required to appropriate much larger sums, but we may be reasonably sure that for every dollar received from this source the people of the Town of Scituate through the many and various Federal taxes have paid at least 50% more.


The Legislature of 1951 then proceeded to further increase Old Age Assistance benefits by establishing higher minimum allow- ances, and in practically relieving all children of recipients of any financial responsibility for the support of their parents.


In the new law is a provision that the amount of real estate which may be held by a recipient is not restricted as formerly, but demands that a lien be filed and recorded against all such property thereby penalizing the small proportion of recipients fortunate enough to own their homes; these increases will of course be re- flected in our budget for 1952.


A further act of the Legislature created a new category of relief called "Disability Assistance" whereby any person not old enough to obtain Old Age Assistance may if disabled be entitled to aid on the same budgetary basis as in Old Age Assistance. What this will cost we do not know accurately but it will add a substantial amount to future appropriations.


Nothing of note has occurred in the administration of the Aid to Dependent Children and Welfare programs, conditions being about the same as in previous years.


No provision was made by the Legislature to increase the bene- fits paid to Aid to Dependent Children recipients.


67


SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES REPORT


Our case load has become so heavy that in the very near future it will be necessary to employ an additional Social Worker, we being already beyond the State approved limit to be taken care of by one person. At that time it will be necessary to provide additional office room, as our present quarters are entirely too small for even the two employees we have at the present time, together with the necessary desks and files which alone occupy more than half of our present floor space.


The report of the Town Accountant gives a complete state- ment of the cost of the Welfare program.


We extend our thanks to all individuals, organizations and Town Departments who have assisted us in carrying on our work.


MERCY E. LAVANGE, Chairman, W. M. BROWN, FRANKLIN T. SHARP,


Board of Public Welfare.


REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES


Honorable Board of Selectmen,


Scituate, Mass.


Gentlemen:


The following is a, resume of the work performed by me for the year 1951:


343


Scales inspected


12


Scales adjusted


$ 50.00


Peddler's License fees


219.20


Fees collected


Respectfully submitted, FRANK W. DOWD Sealer of Weights and Measures.


68


TOWN COUNSEL'S REPORT


REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL


The year 1951 was marked by a very substantial increase in the amount of litigation in which the Town was involved.


In the suit brought against the Town to recover $500.00 for "legal services and expert assistance" alleged to have been rendered to the Planning Board, the plaintiff appealed from the decision in favor of the Town to the Appellate Division. A brief was prepared for the Town and the case was thereupon argued before the Appel- late Division which in due course handed down an opinion affirm- ing the decision of the lower court. The plaintiff then appealed to the Supreme Judicial Court. A brief was prepared and filed for the Town and the case was then argued before the full bench of the Supreme Court which also handed down an opinion affirming the decision of the lower court in favor of the Town. This litigation has therefore been concluded.


As the result of numerous complaints from residents that an individual was removing loam and sand and gravel from an arca in an A zone and thereby creating a nuisance because of noise, dust, etc., the selectmen authorized action against the offender. A Bill in Equity was accordingly brought and a temporary restraining order sought and obtained from the Courts. This injunction was continued in effect on the return day of the order of notice so that it would seen that the condition complained of has been effectually corrected.


An appeal was taken to the Superior Court from a decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Upon instructions of the Board of Selectmen an answer was filed on behalf of the Zoning Board of Appeals and the appeal is being defended.


An attempt was made to obtain an injunction enjoining the Zoning Board of Appeals from holding a hearing on a petition for a variance. This application was successfully defended and the injunction denied and the hearing was held. An appeal was taken from the decision of the Zoning Board at this hearing and this appeal is also being defended.


Several suits were brought on behalf of the Welfare Department against close relatives of recipients of welfare to compel them to contribute to the support of their respective parents. One of these


69


TOWN COUNSEL'S REPORT


cases was settled advantageously after the authorization therefor had been obtained from the Welfare Department of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts. Another claim against the estate of a deceased welfare recipient was settled with the approval of the State for $750.00. The other cases are pending and may be tried or dis- posed of during 1952.


Negotiations were held over a protracted period both with the N. Y. N. H. & H. Railroad and the purchaser of the North Scituate Railroad Station property with a view of purchasing a substantial portion of this property for highway and parking purposes. An agreement was finally reached and a Special Town Meeting held at which this purchase was authorized.


In addition to the foregoing, advice and opinions were given on a great many occasions to the Selectmen and to the heads of various departments of the Town. Many problems presented have required numerous conferences with the office of the Division of Accounts at the State House. As in the past most of the Select- men's weekly meetings were attended.


Respectfully submitted,


ALFRED C. BLAKE, Town Counsel.


70


ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REPORT


REPORT OF THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT


Honorable Board of Selectmen,


Gentlemen:


I submit herewith a brief resume of the work accomplished during the past year:


1. Assisted State Engineers in survey and design of approaches to the proposed Humarock Bridge.


2. Gave Engineering assistance to the Chapter 90 construc- tion of Gannett Road cut off.


3. Lines and Grades for construction of Tenth Avenue.


4. Lines and Grades for construction of Carver Avenue.


5. Lines and Grades for construction of Edward Foster Road.


6. Lines and Grades for construction of Peggotty Beach Road.


7. Lines and Grades for construction of Washington Avenue drain.


8. Examined all plans seeking to be registered with the Mass. Land Court.


9. Examined all plans presented to this Department by the Planning Board, and co-operated with Planning Consultant in preparation of the Master Plan.


10. Co-operated with Waterways Engineers on Glades Road repairs and proposed future work.


11. Attended Chapter 90 Road Construction hearings and sev- eral Waterways Appropriation hearings in Boston.


12. Furnished numerous street lines and set back lines for new homes in conjunction with the Building Commissioner.


13. Assigned Street Numbers for new buildings.


14. Assisted the Assessors with new lots, subdivisions and areas.


15. Prepared Highway Layout Acceptance plan for Carver Avenue.


71


ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REPORT


16. Prepared Highway Layout Acceptance plan for Thomas and Clifton Avenues.


17. Prepared Highway Layout Acceptance plan for Ocean Drive, Julian, Franklin and Alden Streets, Humarock.


18. Prepared Highway Layout Acceptance plan for Tenth Avenue.


19. Furnished necessary information for several Zoning Vari- ance Hearings.


20. Have given many hours of Engineering services to Attor- neys examining Land Titles and to prospective home owners in Scituate.


21. Considerable progress has been made in revising the . Assessors' Maps.


As in the past, each succeeding year demands that more time be given to our Foreshore Protection problems and the coming year will demand many hours due to an expanded appropriation by the Commonwealth for Shore Protection work.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN E. BAMBER,


Town Engineer.


72


ASSESSORS' REPORT


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS


Detail of 1951 Assessments


Number of Polls Assessed


..... 1,983


Amount of Poll Tax Warrants


$3,966.00


Number of Persons, Partnerships and Corporations assessed on Property


4,133


Valuation of Assessed Real Estate:


Land


$3,656,805.00


Buildings


13,381,700.00


Total Value of Assessed Real Estate


$17,038,505.00


Value of Assessed Personal Property:


Stock in Trade


$136,750.00


Machinery


63,475.00


Live Stock


7,270.00


All Other Tangible Personal Property


1,083,200.00


Total Value of Assessed Personal Property


$1,290,695.00


Total Valuation. January 1, 1951


$18,329,200.00


Total Valuation, January 1. 1950


17,065,940.00


Total Increase in Valuation


$1,263,260.00


Total Committed Motor Vehicle and Excise Tax, 1950


$59,150.13


Total Committed Motor Vehicle and Excise Tax, 1951


66,511.77


Number of Live Stock Assessed


Horses


13


Pony


1


Cows


32


Other Neat


14


Swine


0


Sheep


7


Fowl


2695


Goats


10


Fox


10


Mink


150


Number of Acres of Land Assessed


9696


Number of Houses Assessed


3743


Number of Automobiles and Trailers Assessed


3432


1951 Recapitulation


Appropriations:


Voted to be raised by Taxation $989,232.65


73


ASSESSORS' REPORT


Voted to be taken from Available Funds 124,750.00


$1,113,982.65


Other amounts required to be raised:


Salaries


$2,500.00


Glades Road Emergency


10,000.00


Snow Removal


2.362.18


14.862.18


State Taxes and Assessments:


State Parks and Reservations


$1,300.61


Underestimate of Previous Year


273.34


State Audit of Municipal Accounts


633.85


2.207.80


County Tax and Assessments:


County Tax


$49,182.00


Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment


19,530.65


Underestimate of Previous Year


1,038.63


69,751.28


Overlay of Current Year


16,197.27


Gross Amount to be Raised


$1,217.001.18


Estimated Receipts:


Income Tax


$45,088.69


Corporation Tax


34,066.60


Old Age Tax (Meals)


1,989.15


Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise


50.000.00


Licenses


7.000.00


Fines


50.00


Special Assessments


50.00


General Government


2,000.00 300.00


Health and Sanitation


25.00


Highways


300.00


Charities


4,400.00


Old Age Assistance (other than federal grants)


45,000.00


Veterans' Benefits


2,000.00


Schools


11.000.00


Public Service Enterprises (Water Department)


75.000.00


Interest on Taxes and Assessments


1.500.00


State Assistance for School Construction


15,408.00


Gas and Electric Franchise Tax


2,629.46


Sealer's Fees


225.00


Shell Fish Control


750.00


: Moth


1.,200.00


Total Estimated Receipts


$299,981.90


Overestimates of Previous Year:


County Tax : 137.11


74


Protection of Persons and Property


ASSESSORS' REPORT


AAmounts to be taken from Available Funds


124,750.00


Total Estimated Receipts and Available Funds


$424.869.01


Net Amount to be Raised by Taxation on Polls and Property


$792,132.17


Number of Polls


1,983 at $2.00


$3.966.00


Total Value Personal Property


$1,290,695.00


at $43.00


55,499.89


Total Value Real Estate


17,038,505.00 per $1.000


732.655.72


$18.329.200.00


Gain on account of fractional division of tax rate


10.56


Total Taxes Levied on Polls and Property


$792,132.17


Special Assessments added to Taxes: Moth Liens


$184.05


Water Liens


2,075.09


$2.259.14


Total Amount of 1951 Taxes on Polls and Property and Special Assessments added to Taxes as Committed to Collector


$794,391.31


Omitted Taxes -- December 31, 1951: Real Estate


$249.40


Abatment and Exemptions Granted in 1951: Poll and Property


To Joseph R. Dillon, Tax Collector, for 1949


$309.45


To Joseph R. Dillon, Tax Collector, for 1950


97.44


To Joseph R. Dillon, Tax Collector, for 1951


11,130.16


Automobile and Trailer Excise:


To Joseph R. Dillon, Tax Collector, for 1950


$771.47


To Joseph R. Dillon, Tax Collector, for 1951


2,561.32


Respectfully submitted,


HENRY T. FITTS, Chairman, PAUL A. REYNOLDS, STANLEY F. MURPHY,


Assessors of Scituate.


75


PARK COMMISSIONERS' REPORT


REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS


January 15. 1952


To the Citizens of Scituate:


The following is a report of our work for the year ending 1951.


We have completed all the work under our care, to the best of our ability, and with fair weather and a good use of fertilizer have kept the parks and small lots in good condition.


We have also painted the Old Lighthouse tower at the Sand- hills and the "Old School" at the west end.


We wish to extend our thanks to all who have assisted us during the past year.


Respectfully submitted, FRANCIS C. CURRAN, Chairman, EDWARD A. COLE, ROY C. MERRITT.


76


SUPERVISOR CARE OF VETERANS' GRAVES


REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR CARE OF VETERANS' GRAVES


January 11, 1952: Scituate, Mass.


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,


Gentlemen:


I submit my report as Supervisor of Veterans' Graves in the Town of Scituate for the year 1951.


I have faithfully inspected all cemeteries from time to time and have found all graves in good condition.


Once again I would like to remind all caretakers that they should report to me, in writing, whenever a Veteran is interred in their respective cemeteries.


I wish to thank all who are continuing to assist me in my efforts.


Respectfully submitted, ELMER F. RAMSDELL,


Supervisor Care of Veterans' Graves ..


77


TREE WARDEN'S REPORT


REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN


January 15, 1952


To the Board of Selectmen,


Town Hall,


Scituate.


Gentlemen:


During the 1951 season 123 new maple trees were planted on our roadsides. It has been a good growing year and all of these trees have lived and look good. Most of these trees have been planted on streets where new homes have been built.


The Dutch Elm disease increased from 23 trees last year to 53 trees diseased this year. These trees have been removed and all the wood and brush burned as required by the State. We are also carrying on the spraying as the State recommends. No cure for this disease has been found yet but progress has been made and some of the new chemicals found to be effective at the experimental stations are expected to be a big help this year. We are doing all that the University of Massachusetts Shade Tree Laboratory recommends.


We have had a normal year in other insects. The ticks were in the same areas as in previous years and do not seem to be any worse. No gypsy moth was found in our Town and we hope this conținucs.


Our roadsides have been mowed and cleared and all corners cleared for driving safety.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN W. FORD, Tree Warden.


78


LIST OF JURORS


LIST OF JURORS 1951


Prepared as provided for in Chapter 234, Section 4, General Laws (T.E.)


Barnes, John, Hood Road, Cement Business Bates, H. Fletcher, Beaver Dam Road, Fisherman Bittenbender, Steven, Captain Pierce Road, Clerk Blagdon, Harry M., Garden Road, Engineer Blanchard, Stanley H., Summer Street, Carpenter Brown, Matthew L., Brook Street, Highway Surveyor Burke, Robert M., Captain Pierce Road, Salesman Casey, James D., Washington Lane, Plant Manager Chessia, Robert, First Parish Road, Lobsterman Clark, Webster C., Marshfield Avenue, Merchant Cody, Elliot J., Hollett Street, Distributor Corcoran, Shanley F., Hood Road, Shoe Mfg. Damon, Ellis B., Stockbridge Road, Carpenter Davis, Edgar, Hazel Avenue, Salesman Feeley, Helen R., Captain Pierce Road, Housewife Ferreira, Anthony J., off Turner Road, Electrician Fletcher, George P., Porter Road, Mechanic Fryling, Owen W., Booth Hill Road, Foreman Fuller, Mildred P. Stockbridge Road, At Home Gardner, Wm. Apperson, Brook Street, Real Estate Goddard, Clarence G., Otis Street, Merchant Hall, Irving K., Crescent Avenue, Retired Harris, Frank P., Turner Road, Mason Hewitt, Wilfrid, Hood Road, Sales Manager Holcomb, Albert W., Booth Hill Road, Per. Agent Hopper, Richard G., Ticknor Court, Cost Engineer Kindlund, Olive M., Jericho Road, At Home Laidlaw, Elliot C., Maple Street, Insurance Limper, Henry W., Barker Road, Accountant Lucas, Chris H., Allen Street, Merchant Merritt, Kenneth R., Country Way, Machinist Meyers, Bernard A., Curtis Street, Market Gardener Meyers, Ruth M., Curtis Street, Housewife Norton, Richard H., Central Avenue, Boat Builder O'Hern, Robert P., First Parish Road, Office Manager Packard, Katherine W., Captain Pierce Road, Housewife Rand, Edward S., Tilden Road, General Manager Rand, Elizabeth C., Tilden Road, Housewife


79


LIST OF JURORS


Remick, John H., Beaver Dam Road, Electrical Engineer Reynolds, John J., Jr., Captain Pierce Road, Salesman Russell, McLean C., Dreamwold Road, Insurance Sargent, Kenneth M., Peggotty Beach Road, Restaurant Shone, Ronald H., First Parish Road, Merchant Sibley, Priscilla, Hillside Road, Artist Photographer Tripp, Percy G., Washington Lane, Garage Owner Turner, Lloyd A., Gannett Road, Farmer Waters, Martin F., Moorland Road, Librarian Welch, James M., First Parish Road, Accountant Whittemore, Hadley O., Central Avenue, Steward Withem, Jessie M., First Parish Road, Carpenter Yates, Monroe A., Allen Street, Fisherman ·


80


CONASSET HARDOR


COHASSET


AD


HINGHAM


1


COHASSET


MINOT


NO SCITUATE BEACH


LNG


EGYPT BEACH


THIRD CLIFF


Route 3 A


RIVER


SHORE ACRES


FOURTH CLIFF


ANDHILLS


3


NORWELL


SCITUATE HARDOX


SPITHOUSE POINT


FIRST CLIFF


SECOND CLIFF


BAY


RIVER


THIRD CLIFF


F


MARSHFIELD


5


RIVER


--------


TOWN OF SCITUATE MASS


well Dete.


FOURTH CLIFF


SOUTH RIVER


WATER DEPARTMENT 1931


MASSACHUSETTS


NORWELL


NORTH C.


NORWELL


HUMAROCK SECTION


81


WATER SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT


REPORT OF THE WATER SUPERINTENDENT


December, 1951


Scituate Water Commissioners,


Gentlemen:


Following is the twentieth annual report to the Scituate Water Commissioners setting forth the work that has been accomplished during 1951, with recommendations for future consideration :-


Several hydrants have been set on the older mains in service at points that have developed a demand for fire protection, and old-type hydrants have been replaced to give a more adequate service; as part of a long-term project to modernize and improve the system. There are many hydrants in the system with hose con- nections only, that were set before the Fire Department equipment was brought up to date. These hydrants were satisfactory for hose service at that time, but with the advent of the present pumping facilities of the Fire Department it is compulsory to bring the water supply to a par with the fire-fighting equipment, in order to obtain the best possible service from the Fire Department.


The accompanying map shows clearly the inadequacy of the water mains that must be used as transmission mains throughout the Town in case of fire. Approximately every street in Scituate has a long section of six-inch water main, which acts as a definite bottle- neck in case of emergency.


The greater part of the water supply is pumped from the Greenbush section of the Town from the wells numbered. 2-9-10- 11-17 and 18, and at the present time must be forced through six- inch lines on Kent Street, Stockbridge Road, Country Way and Grove Street, to furnish water to more than two-thirds of the Town. At a recent Town Meeting funds were allocated to eliminate a serious part of this condition on Kent Street, and as soon as material is delivered this part of the project from Gilson Road to First Parish Road will be completed. A ten-inch main will be installed and will provide more available water throughout the Harbor, Sand Hills and the Cliffs, and will also back up the supply to the beaches.


The heavy dash and solid line on the map indicates a direct transmission main from Greenbush to North Scituate Square, and


82


WATER SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT


thence to North Scituate Beach. The solid line indicates about 5000 feet of this 12-inch main that has been installed and is now in service. This portion of the project provides more available water at the Harbor at the present time if the greater draft is in that direction.


The present water development makes it possible to pump more than 1,500,000 gallons per day from three areas in Greenbush, and it immediately becomes evident that a 12-inch main along Route 3A and Gannett Road will not only relieve costly high pres- sures at the pumps, but will provide more available water for a possible conflagration at North Scituate Beach. This main will also supply the West side of the Town with better service.


More than 100 different areas in Scituate have been explored for new sources of water supply. The areas that have yielded water in sufficient quantities have been developed, but the rapid growth of the Town has kept the demand for water equal to the amount that can be obtained from the wells, and with the use of more than 2,000,000 gallons in one day, there is no factor of safety in case of emergency, such as a fire or broken water main. The total storage capacity on the system is 1,500,000 gallons, or twenty-five per cent less than the total consumption in one day. The water in storage is available to the system without any further effort on the part of the pumps, but the water in the wells must be pumped out of the ground before it becomes available in the system. Lightning or a blizzard might put the electric power system out of commission and stop the electric pumping units. Available water would then be the amount of water in the storage tanks plus about 600,000 gal- lons per day that could be pumped by Diesel power. Another standpipe, with capacity of 1,500,000 gallons, should be added to the system to take care of such a contingency. With the addition of another standpipe in the system, the development of additional sources of water supply might be deferred for a short period, as the standpipe could be filled during the off peak hours at night for use during the day. At the present rate of growth of the Town this con- dition would not be stable, and the development of another source of supply would become a necessity in the near future. Because of the great amount of work before the Metropolitan District Com- mission, it will apparently be a matter of ten or twelve years before the Town can obtain water from that supply, and then only at a very considerable cost. A search for a possible new source of water supply was carried on during the summer, covering the entire Town, but there were no favorable results obtained at any location.


One of the subjects under consideration in many cities and towns, throughout the country, is the Fluoridation of the public


83


WATER SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT


water supply at the source. The application of fluorides to the teeth of children apparently reduced the dental caries forty to sixty per cent, in children who have used Fluoridated water from birth up to 10 years of age. Fluorides, in the form of paste, have been applied externally to the teeth of the children in the school dental clinics for several years, but results obtained in this manner are not as satisfactory as those obtained when the flouride is applied through the blood stream in the body. Fluorides introduced in the water supply at the source will, of course, eventually be found in the blood stream of persons using the water. The treatment must be continuous from birth to about age ten years to develop the benefits desired.


Application of fluorides to the public water systems has been approved by the State Board of Health, and a number of towns and cities in eastern Massachusetts have started this type of treatment. Costs of fluoridation are from $0.07 to $0.10 per capita, per annum, at the present time.


Details of the activities of the Water Department are shown in the following tables.


Respectfully submitted,


WILLIAM J. LUMBERT, Superintendent.


WATER SUPPLY STATISTICS 1951


Population Supplied - Winter, 6,000; Summer, 30,000


Scituate


Humarock


Jan.


18,208,000 gals.


1,068,900 gals.


Feb.


15,844,000 gals.


1,000,725 gals.


Mar.


14,215,000 gals.


1,063,125 gals.


Apr.


15,574,000 gals.


1,076,025 gals.


May


23,364,000


gals.


1,863,075 gals.


June


26,385,000 gals.


2,262,450 gals.


July


42,689,000


gals.


4,618,575 gals.


Aug.


33,314,000


gals.


4,262,175


gals.


Sept.


23,671,000


gals.


2,405,250 gals.


Oct.


16,306,000


gals.


1,346,475 gals.


Nov.


17,678,000 gals.


1,267,725 gals.


Dec.


18,535,000 gals.


1,270,275 gals.


Total


265,783,000 gals.


23,504,775 gals. == 289,287,775 gals.


84


WATER SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT


Greatest Amount Pumped or Used in one day: Day: July 26, 1951 2,067,000 gals.


Greatest Amount Pumped or Used in any week: Week: July 9 to 15, 1951


11,083,000 gals.


Gallons Supplied to Distributing Mains During the Year




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