USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1952-1954 > Part 44
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4
Operating a Motor Vehicle while under the influence of liquor
7
Operating a Motor Vehicle after Revocation of license
1
Operating a Motor Vehicle without being licensed
1
Operating a Motor Vehicle and failing to stay to the right of the traveled way
1
Operating a Motor Vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident after causing damage to property 1
Operating a Motor Vehicle without authority
2
Operating a Motor Vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and proper 3
Operating a Motor Vehicle and failing to stop at the signal of a Police Officer
2
Total 110
138
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT
SUMMARY OF WORK DONE BY DEPARTMENT
Beach Parking Permits issued (Scituate)
4840
Beach Parking Permits issued (Humarock) 434
Bicycle Registrations issued 57
Building found open 541
Complaints investigated
6080
Defects in Streets reported
85
Fire Alarms answered 42
Investigations made for other departments 279
Insane Commitments 8
Motor Vehicle accidents investigated
117
Motor Vehicle Licenses Suspended 220
Pistol permits issued 72
Summons served for other departments 684
Summer homes inspected
8154
Street lights reported out
870
Transfer of Motor Vehicle permits
933
Ambulance
Number of Home to Hospital Trips
233
Number of Emergency Accident Trips 16
Total
249
One of the chief functions of your police department is that of crime prevention. It is better to prevent a crime than to punish the offender after the crime has been committed. Knowing that this is the first duty of your police department, and that it is also a sound economic fact, we have held this thought ever uppermost in our minds during the year.
Many of the problems facing your police officers to-day are looked upon by the general public with either apathy or mis- understanding. They seem to overlook the fact that the task of the police official is to enforce the laws which were designed, through their legislators, for their protection.
We would like to repeat what has been said so many times, that the real problem of juvenile delinquency is the problem of the home and the parents. We do not believe that can be stressed too emphatically. There is a growing tendency on the part of some government agencies to attempt to replace the home and do their job, instead of placing the responsibility where it belongs - that is the home.
We believe that, with proper guidance and supervision, no child becomes a juvenile delinquent. And that, "Understanding
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CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT
youth and its problems is a primary factor in combating this present day increase in youthful crimes. Sincere friendship extended, plus the knowledge that these youngsters will be the citizens of to-morrow is of great importance, and is the first step to eliminating this evil." "Time and effort devoted to youth by parents, teachers and those in authority will accomplish more than anything else to help our youth, but it takes the combined forces of all to obtain this goal."
Experience with the curfew laws, where they have existed, fails to show proof of any claim to their effectiveness. What do we attempt to accomplish by the curfew? We attempt to keep our children from engaging in unhealthy recreational activity. How- ever, this does not seem to accomplish our objective, because there is still much time available for children to engage in unlawful or degenerating activities which the curfew will not protect them against, unless we go to an extreme of subjecting them to a 24 hour curfew. Also what happens when, after a child has reached the age covered by curfew, and finds himself with much time on his hands?
In the youthful mind, curfews present a challenge. While we are endeavoring to instill in the minds of our children a respect for authority and a friendliness toward police officers, a curfew would seem to work against this. To the child it is a discriminatory act and shows him that we lack trust in him. As a restriction on his activities, it seems to be a punitive measure. From a practical point of view, it increases juvenile tensions against adults and more particularly against authority without showing any concrete results. From an educational point of view, it tends to abrogate all that we are trying to teach our children :- a sense of self discipline, mutual respect for adults, belief in American tradition of independence and fair play, and a faith in the individual.
It seems to us that the curfew is an admission of failure on the part of the community to find wholesome recreational facilities for our children, and is not the means of solving the juvenile problem.
We are pleased to report that juvenile delinquency has greatly decreased in our town this year. Percentage-wise for this year the figures are, one half of one percent per thousand of population. We feel that much of the credit for this excellent record is due to the parents, the churches and our good schools.
In Conclusion, I wish to express my thanks to your Honorable Board and to the other Municipal Departments of the Town, for your, and their cooperation during the year. I also wish to express
140
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT
my appreciation to the citizens of the Town for their wholehearted co-operation.
The conscientious work and devotion to duty of the police officers deserves commendation and I thank them sincerely.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM F. KANE, Chief of Police.
141
CLAM WARDEN'S REPORT
REPORT OF THE CLAM WARDEN
To the Board of Selectmen,
Scituate, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The report is based on the activities of the Department.
The clam flats at Minot are closed to all kinds of digging. There is a very good set of clams throughout the whole area.
These flats will be opened when the majority of the clams reach legal size.
Three creeks in the North River Area have some good clam digging in them.
Two acres of the flats, in Humarock, have been re-seeded with clam seed taken from the Peggotty Beach Flats. The seed has grown an inch in one year. A very good set of natural seed has set in over the seed that was planted. We are going to fence in this area to protect the seed from the mass of green crabs that cause so much damage to the clams.
The State contributed approximately eleven hundred dollars to work with during the year on the clam flats.
This year we plan to put in some bigger clams at Humarock, to try to get some good natural sets of young seed.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER O'NEIL, Clam Warden.
142
VETERANS' COMMITTEE REPORT
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF VETERANS' SERVICES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Scituate:
Gentlemen:
As Director of Veterans' Services and Veterans' Benefits, I am pleased to submit the annual report for the year 1954.
In the past year the Department of Veterans' Services has averaged 32 cases per week. These cases comprise: Education, Re- habilitation, Employment, Income Tax, Medical, Dental, Hospital- ization, Job Placements, Veterans' Administration, Widows and Dependents Pension, Burial, etc. Monetary and Hospital Benefits in the amount of over $37,000 were secured for Veterans and their Dependents during the year.
May I express my sincere appreciation to the Board of Select- men, Chief William Kane, and the members of the Police Depart- ment, the Scituate Kiwanis Club and especially Mr. John Nichols, Chairman of the Underpriviledged Fund, and the Salvation Army and all who have given their whole-hearted cooperation.
Respectfully submitted, JEROME F. CROWLEY, Veterans' Agent.
143
BOARD OF HEALTH
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
-
To the Citizens of Scituate:
The year just passed has been a most successful one, and much progress has been made in our entire Health Program.
Scituate still ranks high in the State, as one of the outstanding towns in the Commonwealth in health and health matters.
Contagious disease has been kept at a low ebb and we feel certain this will continue.
There are many problems in regard to Sanitation and these were taken care of in a satisfactory manner.
Our Inspectors, Mr. Philip S. Bailey and Mr. Edward B. Mc- Carthy have rendered very valuable assistance to the Board in all matters.
Mr. George H. Otis, our Milk Inspector, has had tests made at various times of the milk sold in Scituate, and all Dealers have been properly licensed.
During the year, and particularly after the hurricanes, all meats for sale were inspected by both State and Local Town Inspectors.
Restaurants and all places where food is dispensed were in- spected several times during the year by both State and Local Boards.
Our town has grown rapidly, and as it grows, so do our health problems. However, up to the present time these problems have been taken care of satisfactorily.
All Clinics have been enlarged and have been well attended, which justifies our continuing them during the coming year. . ....
Reports of those whom we employ follow, and we are pleased to report their work has been efficiently carried out and we take this opportunity to thank them for their cooperation.
144
BOARD OF HEALTH
All town officials, of the various Departments, whom we have called upon, have given us their assistance, and we wish at this time to extend our thanks to them.
DR. CLIFFORD L. WARD, JR., Chairman WALTER L. ENOS, Secretary GEORGE H. OTIS
December 31, 1954
REPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
Scituate Board of Health
Scituate, Massachusetts
Dear Sirs:
The following is a resume of activities for the year 1954:
Morbidity Visits
1810
Old Age Visits 209
40
Ambulance and Hospital Cases
75
Doctor's Office with Patients
30
Infant Welfare Visits
250
Baby Clinics-(127) Babies
12
Immunization Clinics- (80) Children
3
Communicable Visits
150
T.B. Follow Up
60
Antepartal
85
Postpartal
90
Unclassified
500
Public Health Meetings
5
Conferences with Health Workers
12
Total Number of Visits
3331
The Scituate Health Service continued its vital assistance to the community by sponsoring the Whooping Cough Clinic, con- ducted by Dr. Clifford L. Ward, also the Well Baby Clinic with Dr. Olga Allers, Pediatrician, in attendance.
Respectfully submitted,
ALICE M. DOWD, R.N.
December 31, 1954
145
Soldiers' Relief
BOARD OF HEALTH
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DENTIST AND DENTAL HYGIENIST
December 1954
Board of Health Scituate, Mass.
Gentlemen:
Due to the fine clerical and chair assistance of Mrs. Winthrop Hall, and others under the auspices of the Scituate Health Service, we have completed a most successful year.
At the pre-school clinics in April, one hundred and forty-four (144) children were examined. Five pre-school clinics were held in June for children entering kindergarten.
From September to December children in the first grade at Hatherly School were given a chance to have their dentistry done at the Elementary School. Transportation to the clinic was fur- nished by the school department by bus.
The second grades in the Jenkins School will receive treatment after the first of the year.
The children from the third to sixth grades are examined by the hygienist, who cleans and polishes the teeth and notifies the parents of any defects found for the attention of their family dentist.
Over six hundred prophylactic treatments were completed by the hygienist in 1954.
Respectfully submitted,
W. B. PARSONS, D.M.D. ELLA DICKINSON, D.H.
146
BOARD OF HEALTH
REPORT OF THE MILK INSPECTOR
To Board of Health
Gentlemen:
No complaints of the quality of milk sold in the Town of Scituate have been received during the past year. During the past year I have issued:
51 Milk Licenses for Stores
9 Milk Licenses for Vehicles
24 Licenses for Sale of Oleomargarine
1 License for Pasturizing Milk
1 License for a Boys' Camp
1 License for a Funeral Home
1 License for a kindergarten
17 Licenses for Sale of Anti-freeze Solution
5 Licenses for Sale of Denatured Alcohol
A total of 110 Licenses were issued and a total of $88.50 paid and turned over to Town Treasurer.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE H. OTIS, Milk Inspector.
REPORT OF THE
INSPECTOR OF MEAT AND SLAUGHTERING
Board of Health Scituate, Mass.
Dear Sirs:
I have inspected all slaughtered animals during 1954 in accord- ance with State Laws of Massachusetts.
147
BOARD OF HEALTH
I have found them in good condition and suitable for eating and have stamped them as required by law.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM J. MCAULIFFE, Inspector.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
January 22, 1955
Board of Health, Town of Scituate Scituate, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
In accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth, I have in- spected all cattle, horses, goats and swine. Housing of these animals is satisfactory in all cases.
There has been, during the year of 1954, a decided increase in the number of injuries through dog bites. However, I have care- fully checked all of the dogs which have been reported to me. All of these dogs have been quarantined for the required time and have proved to be free of rabies.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES P. CHASE, Inspector of Animals.
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Gentlemen:
The following is a brief report of the Park Department. The interior of the Community House at North Scituate was painted. Three plots of flowers and rosebushes were an added attraction to Lawson Park this season. Special attention was given Peggoty Beach, also a surf board added for the safety of the public.
Many thanks to all those who assisted us.
EDWARD A. COLE, Chairman ROBERT E. HUNTLEY ROY C. MERRITT
148
PLAYGROUND INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE REPORT
REPORT OF THE PLAYGROUND INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE
January 18, 1955 Scituate, Mass.
To the Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
The following is an outline of our activities since our last report to you.
Last spring the ballfield and backstop on Beaver Dam Play- ground were completed, and we are happy to say the field was utilized fully by the Little League. A swing set for the younger children arrived too late for installation this year, but will be set up this coming spring. This should make a fairly complete unit, and we expect this Playground to get more and more use in the future.
As the year progressed, it became apparent that more baseball diamonds would be needed. The field on Branch Street in front of the Central Elementary School offered possibilities for two dia- monds. As the High School Football Team also uses this field for practice, we had to find a place for them. The solution came by using Cudworth Park at the corner of Cudworth and First Parish Roads for football practice. This idea met with the approval of the School Committee, and the Advisory Board advanced the neces- sary funds to get the work underway. Cudworth Park was leveled and some loam brought in. At Town Meeting we will ask for enough money to seed it and erect fencing on the First Parish side and part of the Cudworth Road side. This move should be benc- ficial to the football team as they would be much closer to the locker and shower rooms. An additional plot, 200 feet by 75 feet, on the Branch Street site was graded and seeded. At the Town Meeting we will ask for funds for two backstops, two infields, and necessary fencing along Branch Street and the south side of the field.
An carnest attempt was made to acquire the playground from the Scituate Beach Association, but due to circumstances beyond our control, the association members voted against selling that land to the Town.
149
PLAYGROUND INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE REPORT
Our long-range recommendations have not changed, and we feel that over the next eight to ten years they can be accomplished. We also want to thank the various Town Departments and em- ployees for their continued fine cooperation.
PLAYGROUND INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE A. W. KRAUSE, JR., Chairman WILLIAM R. JOHNSON EDWARD A. COLE JOHN J. REYNOLDS, JR. FRANK D. TIBBETTS, SR.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Voters of Scituate:
Changes made by the State in the rules applying to Social Workers visits to families in the Aid to Dependent Children cate- gory, together with the adoption of a new medical plan, both of which are mandatory for all cities and towns in Massachusetts, have made it necessary for us to employ an additional Social Worker on our staff; it is now necessary to visit all Aid to Dependent Children families at least once a month, and the medical plan demands much more clerical work than formerly, but may save its cost in reduced medical expenses. This category of assistance continues to increase and is now larger than ever before.
The Old Age Assistance program remains about the same as formerly, with only nominal growth; increased Social Security bene- fits are beginning to have effect, and as this is extended it should tend to reduce the amounts to be appropriated for this category.
Disability Assistance has not increased as rapidly as was ex- pected, but considerable money from the Town's Welfare funds are now being used, much of which may eventually be transferred to the Disability category.
We extend our thanks to all individuals and Town officials who have aided us in this work, and the Police Department espe- cially deserves our thanks for their prompt attention to all ambu- lance calls and other services under their jurisdiction.
Respectfully submitted, W. M. BROWN, Chairman MERCY E. LAVANGE FRANKLIN T. SHARP
150
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REPORT
REPORT OF THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Honorable Board of Selectmen
January 18, 1955 Scituate, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The duties of this department have steadily increased and have reached a point that additional engineering assistance must be made available.
Our foreshore protection and dredging programs have neces- sitated many hours of work in conjunction with the Waterways Engineers of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works dur- ing the planning and construction stages.
The expanded Planning Board activities, including Lot Size Zoning, Subdivisions, Road construction and Drainage supervision have and will continue to be an important problem to this depart- ment.
Many hours have been given while serving on the Town Pier Committee, Sewerage Committee, and as a consultant to the Play- ground Committee and Planning Board.
Drainage studies have been made of many locations in con- junction with the Highway Surveyor and the Sanitary Engineer for the Board of Health.
The routine work of street numbering, Assessors plans, lines and grades for Highway construction, etc., have been carried on as usual.
I would like to publicly thank Mr. John D. M. Luttman-John- son, an outstanding Harbor Development Engineer, for the valu- able services he has rendered through this department to the Town of Scituate.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN E. BAMBER, Town Engineer.
151
SUPERVISOR CARE OF VETERANS' GRAVES
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR, CARE OF VETERANS' GRAVES
January 3, 1955 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 of 1954.
I have faithfully inspected all cemeteries from time to time and have found that all graves are kept in good condition.
I would once again 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 again all who are continuing to assist me in my efforts.
Respectfully submitted, ELMER F. RAMSDELL, Supervisor, Care of Veterans' Graves.
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
January 1955
To the Board of Selectmen Town Hall, Scituate
Genlemen:
This year we planted 143 maple, 32 willow and 10 moraine locust trees on our roadsides. The summer season was wet and cool, so we had no trouble getting them to live. They were fertilized once after planting. We will have to step up our tree planting for some years to come though to replace lost ones from the hurricanes.
152
TREE WARDEN'S REPORT
The hurricanes Carol and Edna in September destroyed our trees as no other storms have in our memory. We are prepared for any ordinary storm but not for anything like these. Everything was made easier by the perfect cooperation of all departments, for within hours all streets were opened. With the aid given us by the state we will be able to clean up our broken trees and remove the dangerous ones by spring.
We had 52 diseased elms to remove and burn. This is 22 less than last year. But this disease has now spread to the Cape Cod area and although we did have less diseased trees this year, the University of Massachusetts Shade Tree Laboratory looks for an increase again because of so many damaged trees left after the hur- ricanes.
Very few gypsy moths were found here this year but the tick was very active most of the summer. The Jap beetle was worse this year than we have seen it before. An effort is to be made. this year to have property owners apply the milky disease to their lawns. This should kill the grubs before they can come to the surface.
We have kept our streets and corners clear of bushes for driv- ing safety. We also hope that roadside dumping of refuse will stop, for a clean roadside makes our town more beautiful.
I wish to thank all those that helped us in any way during this past season.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN W. FORD, Tree Warden.
REPORT OF THE TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
January, 1955
To the Board of Selectmen Town Hall, Scituate
Gentlemen:
This year the two hurricanes hit our forests very badly and broke and blew down many of the trees. This was all cleaned up and there is nothing on the ground to cause a fire.
153
TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE REPORT
The state is planning to use a piece of the Mann Lot forest beside their highway as a rest area this year. This will offer shade and a cool place for those who like to have picnics. The clearing and maintaining will be done by the state.
We had one small fire in the Pincin Hill forest this year and although no harm was done to the forest, we want to ask everyone to be careful of this danger.
We know that the forests were used more last year than in other years and hope this continues. You are welcome to come and enjoy them.
Respectfully submitted, TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Board of Selectmen Scituate, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The following summary comprises the work performed by me for the year 1954:
Scales and other devices inspected and sealed 398
Devices not sealed or condemned 50
Sealing fees collected $227.35
Pedlars' license fees $33.00
Respectfully submitted,
Jan. 15, 1955
ALLEN W. BATES, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
154
PEIRCE MEMORIAL LIBRARY REPORT
REPORT OF THE PEIRCE MEMORIAL LIBRARY
North Scituate, Mass. January 15, 1955
Mr. William Slattery, Chairman Board of Selectmen Scituate, Mass.
Dear Sir:
The year 1954 saw the realization of a long cherished dream in the addition to the Library of a well planned and tastefully decorated Children's Room, located directly behind the Librarian's charging desk.
Plans for the remodelling and decorating of space formerly occupied by two small unfinished rooms were prepared by Duke W. Rowat, chairman of the House Committee. In addition to the pleasant Children's Room there is a convenient work room for the Librarian. The new room, so deeply appreciated by the children and their parents, has greatly increased the usefulness of the Library to the community.
During the year, four hundred and thirty-six (436) new vol- umes were added by purchase and by gift. The volume of books (29,941) and of magazines (3,102) circulated during the year showed a gratifying increase over 1953.
299 31 330
The Association wishes to thank the Scituate Garden Club for once more supplying and arranging flowers to decorate the Reading Room during the summer and early fall.
We record with regret the death of Miss Katherine Ellis, a Past President and long time Trustee of the Association.
We are very grateful to the townspeople for their loyal interest and support through the year.
Respectfully submitted, VERNETTA G. BARNES, President, North Scituate Library Association.
155
PLYMOUTH COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE REPORT
REPORT OF THE PLYMOUTH COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE
Board of Selectmen Scituate, Mass.
Dear Sirs:
The Plymouth County Extension Service, through its three Departments, Agriculture, Home-making and 4H Club work, ren- ders valuable service to the residents of the County. It is promoted jointly by Plymouth County, University of Massachusetts, and the United States Department of Agriculture.
The $100 appropriated by the town, each year, goes directly to the county treasurer. Your director is a volunteer worker.
To the usual three departments, a new one has been added this year, that of "Farm and Home Planning." This means that there are now four agents for the first time in any county. These men are experts in their fields of Dairying, Poultry, Market Garden- ing and Farm and Home Planning.
The Home Economics Department with its Home Demon- stration Agent assists the homemaker with information regarding such items as Home Management, Budgets, Food Purchase, Pres- ervation and Storage, Dressmaking and Textiles. There are ex- perts in this department who may be called upon, at no charge, to aid in the planning of a convenient kitchen for the home or church. Many visits and much assistance has been given to the residents of Scituate from this Department.
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