USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1952-1954 > Part 45
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The Agriculture Department conducts educational programs each Saturday at 8:30 A.M. on Station WBZ-TV, Boston; Mon- day, Wednesday and Friday, 1:05 - 1:15 P.M. on Station WBET, Brockton; also every other Tuesday at 9 o'clock A.M. on Station WBZ, Boston. These programs include information on such phases of Agriculture as Forestry, Home Grounds Improvement, Marketing, and Care of Lawns.
Many pamphlets and booklets are available and may be pro- cured by writing to the Plymouth County Extension Service, Court House, Brockton, Mass.
156
PLYMOUTH COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE REPORT
Your town director is pleased to be of assistance at any time in aiding citizens of Scituate to make contact with any of these Departments of the Extension Service.
Respectfully submitted, RUTH M. MEYERS, Town Director, County Aid to Agriculture.
January 17, 1955
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Fire Department answered a total of six hundred and forty-three emergency calls during the past year. Of these, one hundred sixteen were first aid and rescue calls. The total property loss was comparatively small as compared to the actual value of the properties envolved.
A new Seagrave 750 g.p.m. pumping unit has been delivered and is in service at Station No. 1 (Scituate Harbor) and the La- France pumper formerly stationed there is currently operating out of Station No. 3 (North Scituate) which has been remodeled to accommodate it. The G.M.C. pumping engine formerly serving the latter station was used for trade-in value on the new unit.
The personnel of the department has been increased to a total of thirty-three men, which satisfies the agreement made with the insurance underwriters and implements the fifty-six hour work week voted by the townspeople. As I have mentioned before, the manpower in the outlying stations (Humarock, North Scituate and Minot) , should be bolstered to provide two men on duty at each at all times.
Respectfully submitted,
BARTHOLOMEW A. CURRAN, Chief.
157
FOREST FIRE WARDEN'S REPORT
REPORT OF THE FOREST FIRE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Forest Fire Department responded to a comparatively small number of grass and brush fires in the year just past. Of these calls only a very few were potentially dangerous. The planned burning of grass lands by the department and the co- operation of the people of the town in proper burning of trash are, in my opinion, dominant factors in holding the incedence of grass fires to a minimum. It, of course, follows that the homes, business establishments and other buildings in the town are appre- ciably safer from conflagrations originating in such fires.
The equipment of the department is, for the most part, ade- quate and in good repair. Some consideration must be given, how- ever, to the replacement, in the near future, of one of the forest fire trucks which is now twenty-five years old.
Respectfully submitted, BARTHOLOMEW A. CURRAN, Forest Warden.
158
BUILDING COMMISSIONER'S REPORT
REPORT OF THE BUILDING COMMISSIONER
January 14, 1955
To the Board of Selectmen:
Three hundred and eighty-six (386) applications for Build- ing Permits were received during the year 1954, of which three hundred and eighty-three (383) Permits were issued with an esti- mated value of two million, three hundred and seventy-seven thou- sand dollars ($2,377,000.00). All buildings have been inspected as required by the Town By-Laws and Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Twelve (12) cases were brought before the Building Board of Appeals, all of which were disposed of in the best interests of all concerned.
Several violations of the Zoning By-Laws have been brought to my attention, most of which were satisfactorily disposed of.
LESTER D. HOBSON, Building Commissioner.
REPORT OF THE
BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS
Board of Selectmen Scituate, Mass.
Gentlemen:
During the year 1954 the Building Board of Appeals held six (6) public hearings on appeals from rulings of the Building Com- missioner.
Eight variances were granted, three variances were denied, and one decision was held in abeyance pending the fulfillment of certain conditions.
Respectfully submitted, W. CLEVELAND COGSWELL, Chairman PHILIP S. BAILEY GEORGE E. JACOBSSEN
159
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS REPORT
REPORT OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
January 3, 1955
Board of Selectmen Scituate, Mass.
Gentlemen:
Your Zoning Board of Appeals held ten (10) public hearings in 1954 at which petitions for variances were heard.
After due consideration, ten petitions were granted, three pe- titions were denied, and one petition was withdrawn.
Respectfully submitted,
W. CLEVELAND COGSWELL,
Chairman ALBERT W. HOLCOMB ROBERT M. ALEXANDER, Alternate FLOYD L. ROBBINS, Alternate
REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL
As the Town continues to grow the amount of litigation in- volving the Town increases correspondingly. Similarly the number of legal problems involving the Town, or in which it is concerned, and which do not ultimately result in litigation, continues to increase.
The bitterly contested case involving the occupancy of a trailer as a residence was brought to a conclusion. It may be recalled that the Judge who heard the case reserved his decision. About three months thereafter, no decision having been handed down in the interim, he requested counsel for both parties to come in to see him. At this conference he suggested that counsel file a stipu- lation in court providing in substance that the trailer be removed from the premises by May 15, 1954, and if not so removed by May 15th, that a final decree be entered ordering the defendants to remove the trailer forthwith. After due consideration, and after the Judge had intimated that he purposed to reserve his de- cision until some time after May 15th in any event, such a stipula-
160
TOWN COUNSEL'S REPORT
tion was prepared, signed by counsel for both the Town and the defendants, and filed in court. As was anticipated, however, the trailer was not so removed by May 15th. A final decree was there- upon prepared ordering the defendants to remove the trailer forth- with. This decree was allowed by the Court and certified copies thereof were served on the defendants. As the defendants did not comply with this decree, contempt petitions were prepared and filed in court. Shortly after service had been effected upon the defendants of the orders of notice on these petitions, they moved their trailer out of Scituate altogether, in fact the trailer was moved only two days or so prior to the return day of these orders of notice. Actually the ultimate result was far more beneficial to the Town than it would have been if the Court had given the Town a favor- able decision on every contention which it raised, for had such a decision been rendered the trailer could still remain in Scituate. The only order the Court had the power to make was to enjoin the occupancy of the trailer as a residence, and as the case was finally concluded, the Town got rid of the trailer once and for all.
At the Town Meeting on March 1, 1954 the Town, under Article 53 of the Warrant, voted to purchase the real estate owned by the Scituate Grand Army Association for the sum of one dollar. Shortly thereafter it was discovered that neither the charter or the by-laws of the Scituate Grand Army Association contained any provision under which the Association could legally convey title to any real estate which it owned. As a result it became necessary to prepare and file a somewhat unusual bill in equity, naming the Attorney General of Massachusetts as respondent, seeking a decree authorizing the conveyance of the real estate owned by the Asso- ciation to the Town. A decree authorizing such conveyance was entered by the Court in due course, a form of vote to be passed by the Association was prepared and a deed to the Town was there- after accordingly executed and recorded.
Under Article 55 of the Warrant for the Town Meeting of March 1, 1954, the Town voted to purchase for $1500, or to take by eminent domain, certain real estate on Glades Road. Inasmuch as the owner of this real estate refused to sell it for $1500, it there- upon became necessary to take it by eminent domain proceedings, and the various documents were prepared and recorded, and the various other necessary acts were done, to effectuate such taking. After the taking had been consummated the owner had a change of heart and decided to accept the $1500. A deed from him to the Town, and a release of all demands from him to the Town, as well as the necessary partial releases from the mortgagees, were obtained and recorded.
161
TOWN COUNSEL'S REPORT
A petition for a writ of mandamus was brought against the Selectmen seeking to obtain an order from the Court directing them to accept the filing of an application for a liquor license. The judge who heard the case on the merits in the Superior Court reserved his decision and in due course ordered that this Petition be dismissed. While the Petitioners ultimately filed an appeal to the Supreme Court, it was felt that this appeal was not filed within the period provided by statute. A motion to dismiss their appeal was prepared and filed. After hearing the Court denied this motion without prejudice. Another similar motion to dismiss the appeal was thereupon prepared and filed. In addition a Motion to correct the entry of judgment on the court records, which motion was supported by an affidavit of counsel, was also prepared and filed. Both of these motions were allowed by the Court after hearing arguments of counsel, and the appeal of the petitioners dismissed. Counsel for the Petitioners claimed an exception to the allowance of these motions, and subsequently prepared and filed a Bill of Exceptions. As a result it is possible; if not probable, that this Bill of Exceptions may be heard by the Supreme Court during the spring of 1955.
Acting under a very recent statute, the appointment of a member of the Board of Public Welfare as Conservator of the property of an elderly welfare recipient was obtained. Thereafter, a petition to sell real estate was filed and allowed. When the sale thereunder is effected, it would seem that the Town may be reim- bursed for some of the money which it has paid, and which it must continue to pay, for the support and care of this person in a nurs- ing home.
In addition, a number of suits were brought on behalf of the Board of Public Welfare, and at the express direction of the State Board.
The foregoing does not comprise a complete account of the litigation during the past year nor is it intended to do so. A full resumé might well require several adidtional pages. It is believed, however, that it does cover the more important litigated matters in which the Town is involved.
In addition to litigation there were more than the usual number of matters in which legal documents of one kind or another were prepared. Legal opinions and advice were given both to the Selectmen and to the heads of the various Town Departments on many occasions. As in the past years most of the meetings of the Board of Selectmen have been attended.
Respectfully submitted, ALFRED C. BLAKE, Town Counsel.
162
WIRE INSPECTOR'S REPORT
REPORT OF THE WIRE INSPECTOR
Board of Selectmen
Scituate, Mass.
Gentlemen:
New By-Laws for the installation of electrical work and the appointment of a Wire Inspector for Scituate was authorized at the annual 1954 Town Meeting.
These By-Laws were not officially approved until June and went into effect June 21, 1954.
As your Wire Inspector, I have issued 375 permits for electrical work in Scituate, also 203 approval certificates to the Brockton Edison Co. and eight to the Plymouth County Electric Co.
The following report will show in detail how the permits issued are classified and are for the period from June 21 to Dec. 31, 1954:
New houses
92
Old house wired
2
Additional wiring
68
Remodel service
30
Change to three-wire
18
Re-wire building
3
Ranges
81
Water heaters
58
Oil burners
122
Refrigerators
52
Dryers
19
Clothes washers
3
Dish washers
3
Disposals
3
Motors
4
Temporary services
34
Re-locate appliances
2
Gas boiler controls
9
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN H. REMICK, Wire Inspector.
163
TOWN TREASURER'S REPORT
REPORT OF THE TOWN TREASURER
Receipts
Receipts for the year 1954 $2,213,479.31
Cash on hand, January 1, 1954 921,882.68
$3,135,361.99
Expenditures
As per Warrants of Selectmen $2,852,803.49
Balance on hand, December 31, 1954 282,558.50
$3,135,361.99
Respectfully submitted,
ROSE A. SMITH,
Treasurer.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING AND SANITATION
Scituate Board of Health
Gentlemen:
During the year 1954 the town has continued to grow not only by the addition of new dwellings but in the adaptation of summer homes to year round occupancy.
Your Plumbing Inspectors have inspected all work for which permits have been issued, which includes all new as well as re- modeled plumbing. The Building Commissioner has been very helpful in notifying this department of each building permit issued.
Working as your agent in the capacity of Sanitarian, there has been close association with the Planning Board in the approval of
164
PLUMBING AND SANITATION INSPECTOR'S REPORT
sites for proposed developments. Percolation tests to determine the absorbtion of the soil have been made in the various areas under consideration, and disposal plants recommended to protect Health.
Periodically, this Spring, the State Board of Health held con- ferences for Local and State Sanitation personnel in various local- ities, which were very instructive and helpful. I attended several of these meetings with Mr. Otis, of your Board, as well as the three day Health Council meeting at the University of Massachusetts. These meetings help your Sanitarian keep in touch with the State Department of Health and gives a view of what is being done in other communities to promote Health Programs.
At the present time Metcalf and Eddy are making a further study of our needs in regard to a Sewerage Works and it will prob- ably be ready for presentation to the Voters in 1956.
Respectfully submitted, PHILIP S. BAILEY EDWARD B. MCCARTHY
REPORT OF THE
SEWERAGE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
Citizens of Scituate:
At the last annual meeting you voted to continue the Committee of Sewerage Investigation and raised and appropriated $6,000.00 for a further and more detailed study.
Our engineers, Metcalf and Eddy, report that progress is being made and that definite proposals will be ready to put before you in 1956.
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP S. BAILEY EDWARD S. RAND JOHN E. BAMBER WILLIAM J. LUMBERT WALTER J. BREEN
165
PLANNING BOARD REPORT
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
The Planning Board during the past year had an unusually active program. In addition to its ordinary problems, it has actively investigated the problems presented by our growth on the business arcas as presently set forth in our town. It is presenting at Town Meeting a completely new set of ordinances as to business areas, along with several new areas to be established. It feels that this is a problem of tremendous import to the future growth, and hopes for favorable action from the town.
It is most apparent from the number of subdivisions acted upon by the Planning Board, that the growth of our town is to be more rapid than anticipated. We have enjoyed our usual good relations and active help from the other officials and boards of the town, and we offer our usual great thanks for the assistance that the Town Engineer, John Bamber, has given us.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT F. HAYES, Chairman.
REPORT OF THE STATE AUDIT
June 10, 1954
To the Board of Selectmen,
Mr. William F. Slattery, Chairman, Scituate, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen:
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Scituate for the period from January 1, 1953 to April 19, 1954, made in accordance with the provisions of
166
STATE AUDIT REPORT
Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. William Schwartz, Assistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours,
HERMAN B. DINE, Director of Accounts.
HBD: ED
Mr. Herman B. Dine Director of Accounts Department of Corporations and Taxation
State House, Boston
Sir:
As directed by you, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the Town of Scituate for the period from January 1, 1953, the date of the previous audit, to April 19, 1954, and report thereon as follows:
The financial transactions as recorded on the books of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town or committing bills for collection were examined and reconciled with the books and reports in the town accountant's office and with the records of the town treasurer.
The town accountant's ledger was analyzed, the receipts being checked with the treasurer's books and the payments being com- pared with the warrants authorizing them and with the treasurer's record of payments. The appropriation accounts were checked with the town clerk's records of town meeting proceedings, and the recorded transfers from the reserve fund were verified by com- parison with the records of the advisory committee. A trial balance was taken off, proving the accounts to be in balance, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on April 19, 1954.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked. The receipts, as recorded, were analyzed and checked with the records of the several departments collecting money for the town and with other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury, while the payments were compared with the selectmen's warrants authorizing the treasurer to disburse town funds. The cash book additions were verified, and the cash balance
167
STATE AUDIT REPORT
on April 19, 1954 was proved by reconciliation of the bank balances with statements furnished by the banks of deposit and by actual count of cash in the office.
The payments made for maturing debt and interest were com- pared with amounts falling due and with the cancelled securities on file. The unpaid amounts of interest were listed and reconciled with the bank balance as shown by a statement furnished by the bank of deposit.
The savings bank notes representing the investment of the trust and investment funds in the custody of the town treasurer were examined and listed. The income was proved and the withdrawals were checked with the treasurer's receipts.
The records of tax titles held by the town were examined and reconciled with the collector's books and with the accountant's ledger, while the redemptions were checked with the treasurer's cash book. The records of tax possessions were examined and the additions as a result of tax title foreclosure were proved. Tax title and tax possession transactions were further verified by comparison with the records in the Registry of Deeds.
The records of payroll deductions on account of Federal taxes and the county retirement system were examined and proved with the town accountant's ledger controls.
The books and accounts of the town collector were examined and checked. The tax, motor vehicle and trailer excise, and assess- ments outstanding according to the previous examination, as well as all subsequent commitments, were audited and compared with the assessors' warrants issued for their collection. The payments to the treasurer were verified, the abatements were checked with the asses- or's records of abatements granted, the amounts transferred to the tax title account were proved, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the accountant's ledger. The cash balance on April 19, 1954 was proved by actual count of the cash in the office.
The records of departmental and water accounts receivable were examined and checked. The commitments were proved, the collections were compared with the treasurer's recorded receipts, the abatements were verified, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the accountant's ledger.
Verification of the outstanding accounts was obtained by mail- ing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the
168
STATE AUDIT REPORT
books as owing money to the town, and from the replies received it appears that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
The records of receipts from licenses and permits issued by the selectmen, the town clerk, the building inspector, and the health department were examined and checked, and the payments to the Division of Fisheries and Game and to the town treasurer were verified.
The surety bonds of the town officials required to file them for the faithful performance of their duties were examined and found to be in proper form.
In addition to the departments mentioned, the books and accounts of the sealer of weights and measures and of the police and school departments, as well as of all other departments collect- ing money for the town or committing bills for collection, were examined and checked, the recorded collections being compared with the treasurer's recorded receipts.
In addition to the balance sheet, there are appended to this report tables showing reconciliations of the treasurer's and the town collector's cash, summaries of the tax, motor vehicle and trailer excise, assessment, tax title, departmental, and water accounts, to- gether with schedules showing the condition and transactions of the trust and investment funds.
During the progress of the audit cooperation was extended by all town officials, for which, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, I wish to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM SCHWARTZ, Assistant Director of Accounts.
WS: ED
For complete details and figures consult Director of Accounts Audit on file at the Selectmen's Office.
169
TOWN ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT
REPORT OF THE TOWN ACCOUNTANT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
As required by Chapter 44 of the General Laws, I herewith submit the Town Accountant's report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1954.
Section A contains all the Departmental expenditures for the year, arranged by the various items of cost.
Section B also contains all Departmental expenditures, show- ing the amounts paid, and the persons to whom payments were made, in accordance with the vote at the Annual Town Meeting of March 7, 1927.
Section C is comprised of the financial statements: Summary of Departmental Receipts, Expenditures and Balances; Balance Sheet and Statement of Net Funded or Fixed Debt.
I wish to thank everyone, particularly our Department Heads, for the whole hearted co-operation they have given me during the year, and to assure them that my desire is to be of assistance to them at all times.
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL F. SPENCER, Town Accountant.
RECONCILIATION OF CASH
Cash Balance - January 1, 1954
$921,882.68
Total Receipts - 1954 2,213,479.31
Total
$3,135,361.99
Total Payments - 1954
$2,852,803.49
Cash Balance, December 31, 1954 282,558.50
Total
$3,135,361.99
170
TOWN ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT
GENERAL REVENUE
TAXES
Current Year:
Poll
$3,340.00
Personal
71,644.85
Real Estate
1,014,340.42
$1,089,325.27
Motor Vehicle Excise
81,538.67
$1,170,863.94
Previous Years:
Poll
$350.00
Personal
3,857.46
Real Estate
48,223.89
$52,431.35
Motor Vehicle Excise
15,770.42
68,201.77
From the Commonwealth:
Income Tax
$33,441.00
Corporation Tax - Business
51,120.00
Meal Tax - Old Age Assistance
2,967.30
Pedlar's Licenses
33.00
U. S. Grant, Old Age Assistance - Assistance
38,872.26
U. S. Grant, Old Age Assistance - Administrative
2,882.16
U. S. Grant, Aid to Dependent Children - Assis- tance
9,002.54
U. S. Grant, Aid to Dependent Children - Admin- istrative
1,369.54
U. S. Grant, Disability Assistance - Assistance
2,049.00
U. S. Grant, Disability Assistance - Administrative
416.45
Smith Hughes and George Barden Funds
557.70
School Construction Grant
20,712.80
School Transportation
27,179.34
Vocational Education
3,903.27
School Aid, Chapter 70, G.L.
35,994.62
230,500.98
Federal Grants:
Old Age and Survivor's Insurance
$1,340.40
Public Law 874, Chapter 621, Acts of 1953
3,826.86
5,167.26
From the County:
Dog Licenses
$1,102.41
Court Fines
129.50
1,231.91
Licenses and Permits
5,918.50
171
TOWN ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT
Special Assessments:
Apportioned Street Assessments Not Due
$651.89
Apportioned Street Assessments Added to Taxes 1954
1,023.52
Apportioned Street Assessments Added to Taxes 1953
21.15
Unapportioned Street Assessments - 1953
440.00
Moth 1952
11.00
Moth 1953
11.00
Moth 1954
234.90
2,393.46
OTHER RECEIPTS
From the Commonwealth:
Chapter 90 Construction
$9,999.68
Disability Assistance - Assistance
3,490.36
Disability Assistance - Administrative
208.22
Aid to Dependent Children
6,240.00
Old Age Assistance
40,004.36
Veterans' Benefits
1,960.69
Subsidy, Plymouth County Hospital
1,135.00
Control of Shellfish
200.00
63,238.31
From the County:
Chapter 90 Construction
4,999.84
Other Cities and Towns:
Health Department
$212.26
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