USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1949-1951 > Part 5
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Conclusion
To your Honorable Board of Selectmen and to all of the people of Scituate, I desire to express my appreciation for the splendid co-operation given the Police Department in the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM F. KANE,
Chief of Police.
61
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS
To the Board of Selectmen:
The report of work done by the department during the year 1949 may seem a bit brief since there were no unusual accomplish- ments the past season.
The parks and plots about the town under our supervision were not kept to our entire satisfaction due to the prolonged dry season and restraint in use of the water supply.
Necessary repairs, painting of fences, beach supervision, and general routine work went on in the usual manner.
Our thanks to all who cooperated and enabled us in a con- tinuation of our work.
Respectfully submitted,
F. EUGENIA BROWN, Chairman,
62
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Park Department. January 16, 1949.
Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The report of the Fire Department for the year 1949 follows :- -
The department responded to 353 emergency calls in the past year. Of these calls, four resulted in the total loss of the buildings involved. In all of these cases the structures were completely en- veloped in flame when the apparatus arrived at the scene.
We note the continued increase in the first aid emergency work of the department and anticipate that the demand for this service will be much greater in the future.
The pumping engine stationed in the Humarock district is now twenty-five years old and of only 350 g.p.in. capacity. This unit is not recognized as providing a proper fire stream because of its very low capacity, and it is obvious that an engine of that age is, at best, not dependable. We deem it advisable, therefor, to replace this apparatus as soon as possible and will submit an article, providing for the purchase of a new combination pumping engine, for the consideration of the annual town meeting in March.
The apparatus room in the Humarock station is not large enough to house a new unit of this type and will require alteration. An article will be submitted to the voters at the annual town meeting providing for the expense of such alteration.
The several other stations, excepting only that at North Scitu- ate which is in need of some repairing, should require only a minimum of expense for maintenance during the coming year.
The cordial co-operation of the various town officials, other departments and citizens of the town is deeply appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
BARTHOLOMEW A. CURRAN, Chief.
63
FOREST FIRE WARDEN'S REPORT
REPORT OF THE FOREST FIRE WARDEN
January 16, 1949.
Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The report of the Forest Fire Department for the year 1949 follows :---
The Department was called to extinguish very few grass and woods fires during the year just past, and those of no great con- sequence. This is surprising inasmuch as the summer was ex- tremely dry and departments in neighboring towns were very active. We attribute our good fortune, in great part, to the co- operation of our townsmen who are increasingly faithful in obtain- ing permits for open air fires and observing the laws of the Com- monwealth regulating such fires. To them our heartiest thanks.
The burning over of grass and meadow lands deemed to be fire hazards was curtailed by wind and weather conditions during the spring burning season and not as much was accomplished as was desirable. It is our intention to continue this program in future.
The forest fire truck was purchased in 1929. At the present writing it is apparently in fairly good condition but we do not consider it good practice to depend upon it much longer as the primary defense against forest fire. We will, therefor, submit an article asking for the appropriation of sufficient money to purchase a new truck and equipment to the annual town meeting.
May we again express our thanks to the citizens of the town, to the various town officials and to the several other departments for their co-operation and kindnesses.
Respectfully submitted,
BARTHOLOMEW A. CURRAN, Forest Warden.
64
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT REPORT
REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
To the Citizens of Scituate:
It gives me pleasure to submit to you a brief resume of the activities and improvements accomplished by your Highway De- partment for the year 1949.
ROADS REBUILT: The following roads were rebuilt in 1949:
First Avenue 690 feet
Second Avenue
690 feet
Egypt Avenue
1320 feet
Stone Road
316 feet
Roslin Road
264 feet
Oceanside Drive
317 feet
Total length
3597 feet
As usual, it was necessary to rebuild Glades Road, 1500 feet. The above mentioned roads were excavated to a depth of two feet (with the exception of Glades Road which was excavated by the sea), filled with gravel from our Town Pit, rolled and treated with bituminous material.
The following new streets were accepted at our 1949 March meeting :
Cedar Hill and Cedar Crest Lanes, combined length 900 feet
Foam Road 570 feet
Stone Avenue 684 feet
Washington and Jefferson Lanes,
combined length
1060 feet
Total length 3214 feet
These roads were brought to the proper grade with adequate drainage and were treated with a bituminous material.
RESURFACING: Following is a list of streets resurfaced by the "Mixed in Place" method in 1949.
Country Way 5000 feet
Hatherly Road 3000 feet
Lawson Road 800 feet
Mordecai Lincoln Road 1584 feet entire length
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HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT REPORT
Stockbridge Road 7390 feet entire length
Brook Street 800 feet Type I
Total length 18574 feet
The 800 feet of Type I on Brook Street includes the intersection of Brook and Front Streets with 125 feet of new sidewalk, making one of the finest intersections in the Town.
We realize that a "Mixed in Place" resurfacing job does make it very inconvenient for our citizens especially in front of their driveways, but after such a job is completed, I feel that it is worth the little sacrifice that you have to make, as this type of resurfacing is very economical and has been highly recommended to us for the roads of Scituate by the State Department of Public Works.
DRAINAGE: In addition to the regular work of cleaning old drains and catch basins, 1090 feet of old drain was dug up and relaid, 2420 feet of new drain were installed and 24 new catch basins were built.
STREET CLEANING: In addition to the regular street clean- ing work in the various sections of the Town, we have endeavored to give men work, who would otherwise be unemployed, sweeping up sand and other debris wherever it may have accumulated. We have also had a man on duty 4 hours Sunday mornings, picking up papers at the Harbor. If everyone would think twice before throwing away papers, our street cleaning work would be much less expensive. We highly recommend that containers be placed at Scituate Harbor and other business sections and we know that thinking people would make use of them.
SIDEWALKS: A total length of 4330 feet of sidewalks were resurfaced on the following streets: Brook Street, Country Way, Grasshopper Lane, Jericho Road and Turner Avenue.
Back in 1938, in your Highway Department report, it was recommended that a sidewalk program should be started the fol- lowing year. However, due to lack of funds, this program was never carried out. It is our belief that in 1950, 4 very important sidewalk projects should be undertaken. First, a section on Hath- erly Road from the corner of Jericho Road north as far as our funds will allow; second, a section on Jericho Road from the end of the present sidewalk north toward the Sand Hills as far as our funds permit; third, on Edward Foster Road with a new curb from Kent Street to the Parking Space at Peggotty Beach; fourth, a section on Grasshopper Lane from Hatherly Road to Ocean Avenue. One sec- tion of 700 feet was completed in 1949.
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HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT REPORT
Under a special article, 1700 feet of sidewalk with curbing was built on River Street, Humarock.
PATCHING: All breaks in roads were kept patched. For this work, 690 tons of bituminous concrete were purchased, and 75 tons were manufactured by the Highway Department at the Egypt Plant. We also used 157 tons of crushed stone and 100 tons of crusher run.
TRAFFIC REGULATIONS: During the past year, 187 gal- lons of traffic paint were purchased for painting curbs, traffic lines, signs, etc. During the past year we have had more and more re- quests for street painting on our narrow and crooked roads and we feel that it is the only guide for the motorist especially during foggy and rainy nights. Any money that we spend under this heading, we feel has been well spent.
SURFACE TREATMENT: Approximately 11 miles of our roads were surface treated with a high grade asphalt and sand covered.
GUARD RAIL The open winter of 1949 was an opportune time to start replacing some of the old horse and buggy guard rail in the Town with the new bumper-high type and 4288 feet of this new type was built.
CHAPTER 90: 700 feet of penetration macadam were built under Chapter 90 and the corners widened at Scituate Center, with adequate drainage to the Town Hall. It is our hope that in 1950, the surface will be completed with a 21/2 inch Type I top, with a tear drop island and Stop and Go signal lights.
SIGNS: In the Spring of 1949, all street signs were put in first class condition and 45 traffic signs and 27 metal street signs were purchased and erected. However, in the Fall, we found that due to vandalism and souvenir hunters, our signs were again in very bad condition.
SNOW REMOVAL: Snow removal for the year 1949 was a comparatively easy task as far as the Highway Department was concerned, but due to the severe winter of 1948, much of our equipment was left in a very bad condition, therefore it was neces- sary to purchase five new snow plows, 4 new sanding machines and the usual sand, salt, erecting of snow fences, spare parts for our equipment, etc.
EMPLOYMENT: It is alarming to note the number of men here in Scituate who are unemployed, especially during the winter
67
SUPERVISOR CARE OF VETERANS' GRAVES
months. It seems to be the thought of every working man in Scitu- ate who is out of a job in the wintertime, to go to the Highway Department for employment, not realizing that there is very little that we can accomplish due to the inclement weather. However, 272 different men have been on our payroll for the year 1949 and I can honestly say that not one worthy man has ever been turned away without a few days' work.
During the past six years, your Highway Department has en- deavored to keep the streets of the Town of Scituate in a condition that we all will be proud of at a minimum cost to the Taxpayer. I wish to thank all the Town Departments for their fine co-opera- tion during the past year and with all of our combined efforts, Scituate can truly be called "The Gem of the South Shore."
Yours truly,
MATTHEW L. BROWN, Highway Surveyor.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR CARE OF VETERANS' GRAVES
December 21, 1949
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 of 1949. I have faithfully inspected all cemeteries from time to time and have 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.
68
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE REPORT
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Voters of Scituate:
The early part of the winter of 1949-50 has been marked by a heavy increase in relief costs, caused in part by the mild weather prevailing during this period, and also by the apparent reluctance of prospective employers to have repairs or other work done on account of the high cost. If this condition continues larger appro- priations will be necessary for 1950.
The Old Age program was affected by the action of the last Legislature in granting a flat increase of $4.00 per month to each recipient. During the year coming this will add about $6000.00 to the cost of this service and there have also been increases in the cost of medical aid, hospitalization, and for board in nursing and rest homes.
The Aid to Dependent Children expenditures continue about normal, with of course the anticipated increase in the number of families aided, and the larger budgetary requirements for chil- dren as they grow older.
We wish to extend our thanks to those citizens who have made contributions of children's clothing and other things, to the Public Health Nursing Service, and to all Town Departments and Officials who have co-operated with us in carrying out our work, and we do not forget our loyal Social Worker and Clerk, who have gone beyond the line of duty to see that all known cases of want have been relieved.
Respectfully submitted,
W. M. BROWN, Chairman, MERCY LAVANGE, FRANKLIN T. SHARP, Board of Public Welfare.
69
TOWN COUNSEL'S REPORT
REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL
During the year 1949 numerous problems arose involving many and varied legal questions. Advice was given and opinions were rendered to the Selectmen and the heads of the various de- partments of the Town. Most of the meetings of the Selectmen have been attended.
Negotiations between the Water Department and the Boston Sand & Gravel Co. with respect to obtaining sufficient land to en- able the Water Department to develop and operate a well which it had discovered were conducted over a period of many weeks. These negotiations ultimately culminated in a deed being given by the Company to the Town of the well and a substantial area of land adjacent to the well. As a result it appears that Scituate now has an adequate supply of water.
An appeal to the Superior Court was taken from a decision of the Building Board of Appeals granting a variance permitting the construction of a building on a lot having a frontage of less than 100 feet. The case was tried at length before Judge Broadhurst in the Suffolk Superior Court and he handed down a decision upholding the Building Board of Appeals in every particular.
A suit has been brought against the Town for $500.00 for legal services and "expert assistance" alleged to have been rendered to the Planning Board. This suit is being defended.
Appended hereto there is submitted a revision of the By-Laws of the Town. Obsolete provisions have been eliminated. An attempt has been made to clarify the by-laws by arranging them so that by-laws relating to the same subject matter are grouped together under the same heading.
Respectfully submitted,
ALFRED C. BLAKE, Town Counsel.
70
TOWN COUNSEL'S REPORT
BY-LAWS OF THE TOWN OF SCITUATE
Note :- The Building Laws and the Zoning Laws of the Town have been published in pamphlet form, and are therefore not in- cluded in this compilation. Copies thereof may be obtained from the office of the Selectmen, the Planning Board and the Building Commissioner.
General Conduct of Town Affairs
Section 1. The financial year shall begin with the first day of January and end with the thirty-first day of December.
Section 2. The annual meeting shall be held the first Monday in March.
Section 3. Town meetings shall be notified by posting an at- tested copy of the warrant, calling the same, in the Post offices, at the Town House, seven days at least before the day appointed for said meeting, and by publication in a newspaper, if any be pub- lished in the Town.
Section 4. At the annual meeting the reports of the Select- men, Overseers of the Poor and all other Town officers, and all standing committees shall be first in order, after the choice of a Moderator.
Section 5. All motions shall be submitted in writing at the discretion of the Moderator or Clerk.
Section 6. 100 voters shall be the number of voters necessary to constitute a quorum at Town Meetings except meetings for the election of town officers, provided that a number less than a quorum may from time to time adjourn the same.
Section 7. The annual report of the Town Officers shall be printed and distributed at least ten days before the Town Meeting.
Section 8. The duties of all Town Officers not specifically pro- vided for by law nor by these rules shall be determined by the rules of parliamentary law contained in Cushing's Manual, as far as they are adapted to town meetings.
Streets and Sidewalks
Section 1. The Selectmen or Road Commissioner may grant permits to any persons to build sidewalks in front of their own land, or on any of the streets or ways of the town, whenever the public safety will permit; which permit shall specify the width and mode of constructing the same.
Section 2. Whenever complaint shall be made to the Select- men that the practice of coasting on any of the streets or sidewalks
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TOWN COUNSEL'S REPORT
in the town has become dangerous to the public safety they may, if they shall judge it expedient, post up a notice in some conspicu- ous place, on the side or corner of such streets, forbidding all persons to coast upon the same; and if any person shall be found coasting upon the same after the posting of such notice he shall pay a fine of not less than one dollar nor more than five dollars for every offense, to be recovered of the offender, his parent or guardian.
Section 3. No person shall wheel, drive or draw any hand- cart, bicycle, handsled or any other carriage of burden or pleasure, baby carriage excepted, nor permit any horse or other beast to go upon any sidewalk, nor to encumber the same with any boxes, barrels or any articles whatever to interfere with the convenient use of the same.
Section 4. Every owner or occupant of premises in the town shall keep the same free from all nuisances and sources of filth injurious to the public health and safety; and any nuisance, source of filth of cause of sickness found on private property must be removed upon notice of the Board of Health and within such time as it may designate. If upon notice from this board any premises are not put in proper sanitary condition, the same shall be vacated upon the order of the Board.
Section 5. No person shall place or cause to be placed in any public or private way of the town the contents of any sink, cess- pool or privy, nor place any dead animal, or dead animal or vege- table substance, rubbish or garbage in the same, except for the purpose of immediate removal therefrom, under a penalty of not less than five nor more than twenty dollars for each offense.
Section 6. The words "public or private way" in the foregoing section shall be understood to include alleys, lanes, yards, beaches, or any other place where the presence of such refuse shall give offense to neighbors.
Section 7. One or more persons standing on any sidewalk or crosswalk, in such a manner as to obstruct a free passage for foot passengers, who shall not disperse immediately when ordered by any of the Selectmen, police officers or constable of the town, shall severally forfeit and pay a fine of three dollars for any violation of this By-Law.
Traffic and Highways
Section 1. The Selectmen shall make some suitable regulations for the occupancy of the highways and streets of the town for
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TOWN COUNSEL'S REPORT
parking of carriages, automobiles or other vehicles as shall provide for the public safety and convenience.
Section 2. The Selectmen may make and rescind from time to time as occasion in their judgment may require, rules and regu- lations governing all traffic upon the highways of the town as well as the parking of automobiles and other vehicles thereon, viola- tion of the rules and regulations so made shall be punished by a fine not in excess of $20 for each offense.
Section 3. Persons parking vehicles in town-owned parking spaces must do so in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted or hereafter adopted by the Board of Selectmen or other Board having charge of said parking space.
Section 4. Said Board may require the use of stickers desig- nating the holder as a person duly authorized to use said parking space.
Section 5. The Parking of vehicles in private parking spaces reserved for guests or customers of the owner or tenant shall also be subject to reasonable rules and regulations by the Board of Selectmen for the protection of life and property.
Section 6. Any person or persons violating any provision of these by-laws or rules and regulations passed thereunder for the parking of vehicles in public or private parking spaces or violating any rules and regulations of the Board of Selectmen governing the parking and use of vehicles upon public ways in the Town shall be subject to forfeiture of a fine of not more than twenty (20) dollars.
Billboards
Section 1. No person, firm, association or corporation shall erect, display or maintain a billboard, sign or other outdoor adver- tising device, except those exempted by Sections 30 and 32 of Chap- ter 93 of the General Laws,
(a) Within fifty (50) feet of any public way;
(b) Within three hundred (300) feet of any public park, playground or other public grounds, if within view of any portion of the same;
(c) Nearer than fifty (50) feet to any other such billboard, sign or other advertising device, unless said billboards, signs or other advertising devices are placed back to back;
(d) On any location at the corner of any public ways and with- in a radius of one hundred and fifty (150) feet from the point where the center lines of such ways intersect;
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TOWN COUNSEL'S REPORT
(e) Nearer than one hundred (100) feet to any public way, if withing view of any portion of the same, if such billboard, sign or other advertising device shall exceed a length of eight (8) feet or a height of four (4) feet;
(f) Nearer than three hundred (300) feet to any public way, if within view of any portion of the same, if such billboard, sign or other advertising device shall exceed a length of twenty-five (25) feet or a height of twelve (12) feet;
(g) In any event if such billboard, sign or other advertising device shall exceed a length of fifty (50) feet or a height of twelve (12) feet; except that the Selectmen may permit the erection of billboards, signs or other advertising devices which do not exceed forty (40) feet in length and fifteen (15) feet in height if not nearer than three hundred (300) feet to the boundary line of any public way.
(h) No billboard, sign or other advertising device shall be erected, displayed or maintained in any block in which one-half of the buildings on both sides of the street are used exclusively for residential purposes; except that this provision shall not apply if the written consent of the owners of a majority of the frontage on both sides of the street in such block is first obtained and is filed with the Division of Highways of the Department of Public Works together with the application for a Permit for such billboard, sign or other advertising device.
(i) No billboard, signs or other advertising device shall be erected, displayed or maintained until a Permit therefor has been issued by the Division of Highways of the Department of Public Works pursuant to the following provisions: Upon receipt from said Division of a notice that application for a Permit to erect, display or maintain a billboard, sign or other advertising device within the limits of Scituate has been received by it, the Selectmen shall hold a public hearing on said application, notice thereof having been posted in three public places in said town at least one week before the date of such hearing. A written statement as to the results thereof shall be forwarded to the Division, containing, in the event of a disapproval of such application, the reasons therefor, within thirty days from the date of notice to the town that an appli- cation for such a Permit has been made. The provisions of (a), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) shall not apply to districts which the Selectmen may determine are of a business character.
Section 2. This By-Law shall not apply to signs or other devices which advertise or indicate either the person occupying the prem- ises in question or the business transacted thereon, or advertise the property itself or any part thereof as for sale or to let; and
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TOWN COUNSEL'S REPORT
provided further that this By-Law shall not apply to billboards, signs or other advertising devices legally maintained at the time of its approval by the Atttorney-General, until one year from the first day of July following such approval.
Section 3. Whoever violates any of the provision of this By- Law shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred (100) dollars, and whoever, after conviction for such violation, un- lawfully maintains such billboard, sign or other outdoor advertis- ing device for twenty (20) days thereafter shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred (500) dollars.
Section 4. If any provision of this By-Law is declared uncon- stitutional or illegal by final judgment, order or decree of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth, the validity of the remaining provisions of this By-Law shall not be affected thereby.
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