USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1961-1964 > Part 45
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49
As this Code is now in effect in most Cities and Towns of the Brockton Edison Company, no difficulty is expected in its acceptance.
Permits issued during 1964 were as follows:
Electrical Wiring - 505; approved certificates to the Brockton Edison Company - 283; to the Plymouth County Electric Company - 30.
Fees collected and credited to the Town amounted to $2374.00.
Electrical Permits as issued during 1964 are classified as follows:
New Homes (Domestic)
88
New Buildings (Commercial)
6
Additional Wiring
118
Services remodeled
110
Service change from 2 to 3 wire
35
Buildings rewired.
5
Electric Ranges .
83
Electric Water Heaters
38
Oil Burners.
67
Refrigerators
64
Electric Dryers
149
Clothes Washers
82
Dish Washers
30
Disposals
2
Motor (HP)
30
Temporary Services .
39
Air Conditioning (HP)
104
Gas Burner Controls
26
Electric Heat.
3
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN H. REMICK Inspector of Wires
108
TOWN OF SCITUATE ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE VETERANS GRAVE REGISTRATION COMMITTEE
Board of Selectmen Town Hall Scituate, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit a brief review of my activities for the past year as the custodian responsible for the care of the many veterans graves located in the various cemeteries in the Town.
I have continued my inspections of the veterans grave sites in all of the cemeteries, and have found with some exceptions that the burial areas are in good condition. Some of the very old sections are in need of ground reconditioning that I feel the cost of which would be too heavy for the Associations to handle.
The rate schedule which I established last year has been complied with and has provided funds for me to bring about the establishment of the new Veterans Section in the Town owned Cudworth Cemetery.
On behalf of the veterans of the Town I would like to thank the members of the Board of Selectmen for their thorough study and ultimate approval of the new 180 grave lots now set aside in Cudworth Cemetery for needy veterans. This step has provided a much needed Town service and I be- lieve has added to the historic record of our community.
I have made available to the various Funeral Directors the services which I am allowed to provide, and have ordered from the Department of the Army and Navy memorial markers for some unmarked veterans graves in town cemeteries.
I have recommended to your Board the establishment of a Cemetery Commission and with your approval will file legislation at this years Annual meeting seeking the approval of the Town.
I wish to extend my appreciation to all who have contributed toward keeping our cemeteries in good order, particularly the Parks Division of the Scituate Public Works Department.
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD P. HORNE, Supervisor Veterans Grave Registration
109
TOWN OF SCITUATE ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL BOARD
Board of Selectmen Scituate, Massachusetts
In accordance with its assigned responsibilities, the Board reviewed salaries and wages and rendered interpretations of the Classification and Salary Plan.
No general wage increase was recommended since our study of sur- rounding communities indicated that Scituate's rates of compensation compared favorably. In addition, the cost of living had increased only 1-1/2% since the general increase recommended and voted at the 1963 Town Meeting. It is interesting to note that no employee group submitted an Article in this Warrant for salary increase. Since the Classification and Salary Plan went into effect in 1956, this was the first year that there were no major salary Articles in the Warrant sponsored by either the Personnel Board or an Employee Group.
Articles were sponsored by the Personnel Board and were acted favor - ably upon for improving the benefits in the Classification and Salary Plan as follows: Emergency leave with pay up to three days for a death in an employee's immediate family; granting an additional day's vacation if a paid holiday falls on a regular scheduled work day during a vacation period; and granting paid time off for a portion of the day before Christmas.
With Public Works scheduled to go into effect April 1st, Articles were sponsored by the Personnel Board and acted favorably upon for changing the job titles in Schedule II, eliminating the position of Town Engineer and Assistant Town Engineer and establishing the position of Town Surveyor.
The Personnel Board has worked through the year with the School Com- mittee in trying to obtain a more uniform approach in salary and benefits for all Town employees. Progress has been made and it is expected that further progress will be made in the years to come. Obviously, such a program will take time since we just started collaborating the latter part of 1963.
The Personnel Board held twenty-one meetings in the year 1964.
Respectfully submitted,
DOUGLAS W. FIELDS, JR., Chairman CLAIR E. ACKER PAUL R. HARRIGAN CORLISS P. HUNTER MELVILLE A. MORRIS
110
TOWN OF SCITUATE ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
This past year has been an active year for the Planning Board. We have had more than 40 meetings and, although this year there was not a great deal of activity in subdividing control, the Planning Board was kept busy in a great many other areas. During the course of the year there were four site plan hearings, three public hearings on subdivisions creat- ing an additional 15 lots and 27 Form "A" plans presented.
During the year with the many meetings, your Planning Board members had an average attendance of better than 80 percent or 4 out of 5 members were present at every meeting. At our first meeting Charles S. Connolly was greeted as a newly elected member.
Some of the areas in which the Planning Board worked this year were meetings with the various representatives concerned with the beach park- ing problem in North Scituate. We hope we have made some constructive steps to increase the parking facilities and alleviate some of the traffic problem.
This past year saw the implementation of a soil study with the Depart- ment of Agriculture. Meetings were held with the State concerning re- location of Route 128 and also concerning problems of drainage and sanitary disposal in the Town of Scituate.
Dana G. Mauch was appointed as our representative on the School and Public Building Committee.
We worked with other town officials and property owners in the area of drainage easements. Our sidewalk program continues, although rather slowly. However, our subdivisions continue to build sidewalks which are ultimately tying into the overall sidewalk program.
This year the Planning Board instituted a comprehensive filing and in- dexing of all plans, subdivisions and other related material.
Scituate's most natural asset is its harbor which received attention as the proposed marina in the harbor came under study. We hope that the Scituate Harbor Development Committee can be activated to properly de- velop our harbor.
Neil Murphy was appointed as our representative to the Conservation Commission. A School Site Selection Subcommittee was appointed to work with the Planning Board and the School Committee in meeting the ever in- creasing demand for additional school sites. Additional playgrounds and recreational areas also received attention this year.
Meetings were held with various regional planning agencies including the Boston Regional Planning Project. Meetings were held with the various library associations and assistance was offered to them in expansion and development programs.
111
TOWN OF SCITUATE ANNUAL REPORT
Some of the areas which will need continued attention will be the areas of Scituate which have been subdivided but not yet built upon, particularly subdivisions prior to our present Rules and Regulations.
The problem of refuse disposal is becoming critical and the Planning Board held meetings with representatives of incineration construction and viewed various sanitary landfill operations.
The Planning Board will continue to review the Zoning By-Laws and the Rules and Regulations so that they will be consistent with the times and leave no undesirable loopholes.
With all of the necessary projects with which the Town is faced, a real- istic capital outlay budget must be prepared.
In summary, we have gone forward this year with what we feel is pro- gressive planning. However, we realize there are still areas which need to be investigated and reviewed. The Town of Scituate must face these problems in an orderly fashion and your Planning Board working together with all of the other Town boards and agencies feels confident that the future development of the Town must be an orderly one and in the best interests of its citizens.
SCITUATE PLANNING BOARD
ARTHUR F. O'DAY, Chairman LEONARD N. BACKER CHARLES S. CONNOLLY NEIL J. MURPHY PATRICK R. O'DONNELL
REPORT OF THE HARBORMASTER
Board of Selectmen Scituate Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
We wish to thank everyone who made this past year, the busiest in the history of the harbor, a very successful one. Especial thanks to the ad- ministrative staff at the Municipal Building for their wonderful cooperation and dedication.
We expanded our facilities this past year, and if the boating industry continues to grow as it has in the past few years, we will have to expand again next year.
It is my intent and duty to bring to the attention of the proper authorities any unauthorized encroachments onto the public lands. Any such encroach- ment encountered by this department will be duly prosecuted.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT N. DUFFEY Harbormaster
112
TOWN OF SCITUATE ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCITUATE HOUSING AUTHORITY
To the Citizens of Scituate:
We have had a wonderful year at Lincoln Park. The residents take a great deal of pride in their Club, which has flourished under the guidance of its president, Mrs. Amy Sherman; and in their flower gardens and window boxes, for which they have received many compliments. Our Senior Citizens here at Lincoln Park have set a wonderful example as to how a small community should live.
The AUTHORITY has improved the property by constructing additional parking facilities, reducing the "turnaround" and blacktopping the area about the clothes yards.
The second payment in reduction of the mortgage has been made. Thirty-eight years from now, Lincoln Park will be presented to the Town of Scituate, free of charge. At that time it will be in A1 condition, as we set aside money in the Operating Reserve Fund each year, over and above our operating expense, for the care, maintenance and improvement of the property.
We have only two new residents at Lincoln Park this year. Our appli- cations for apartments number over fifty people who are over 65 years of age, of low income and in need of Housing.
We wish to thank all the civic groups who have so generously given gifts, time and talents to help make Lincoln Park an ideal place for our Senior Citizens.
The SCITUATE HOUSING AUTHORITY is very grateful for the willing cooperation of the officials and departments of the Town of Scituate.
Very truly yours,
MERRILL A. MERRITT, Executive Director STURGIS EVANS, Chairman CHARLES F. JENKINS LOUIS H. MacDONALD THOMAS F. WHITE HENRY N. SILK
1.1 3
TOWN OF SCITUATE ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE PLYMOUTH COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE
(Plymouth County Extension Service) by Robert B. Ewing, County Agent - Manager
The primary responsibility of the Extension Service is as the 1914 law states "to aid in diffusing among the people of the United States useful and practical information on the subjects relating to Agriculture and Home Economics and to encourage the application of same".
Resources of the University of Massachusetts and the United States Department of Agriculture are available to the Staff of the Plymouth County Extension Service because of a mutual assistance agreement.
To make this service available to you, funds are provided by the Fed- eral, State and County governments. Thus the name-Cooperative Extension Service.
Since 1915, when the Plymouth County Extension Service was organized and established, educational information pertaining to Agriculture, Home Economics and 4-H Club Work has been given free to citizens of Plymouth County.
The Extension Service office is located in the Court House, Brockton, Massachusetts, and is staffed by agents who conduct programs in Agri- culture, Home Economics and 4-H Club Work by furnishing educational information through farm and home visits, letters, newspaper articles, radio talks, meetings, office visits and telephone calls.
You are invited to make full use of the services provided by the Ex- tension Service but should remember that although the Extension Service furnishes the information, it is you who makes the decision as to how the information may be used to best advantage.
Requests for information can be directed to the Plymouth County Ex- tension Service, Court House, Brockton, Massachusetts.
The Board of Trustees, appointed by the Plymouth County Commis- sioners, administer the Plymouth County Extension Service program and is composed of the following members:
Mr. Gilbert Blackledge
Whitman - Chairman
Mr. George Ridder
East Bridgewater
Mr. Robert Chisholm West Bridgewater
Mr. Lewis Billings Plympton
Mrs. Mabel Chandler Duxbury
Mr. John Duffy
Halifax
Mrs. Gladys Gibbs
Hanover
Mr. Robert Hammond
Wareham
Mr. John Howe
West Bridgewater
114
TOWN OF SCITUATE ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Scituate, Massachusetts
During the past decade the rapid population growth has called for con- servation of our natural resources. The need to preserve our heritage has at last been recognized throughout the entire nation. Toward this end, in 1961, the Town of Scituate voted to establish a Conservation Commission.
In April of 1964 two new appointees were welcomed. Allerton Bonney, Jr. is a member and director of the Scituate Rod and Gun Club. Neil J. Murphy is a member of the Scituate Planning Board. In November John Ford, tree warden for many years, reluctantly resigned from the com- mission because of the pressure of his new position as head of the Park Department. He asked that he remain a part of the work on conservation, andis now an associate member of the commission. Mrs. Douglas Dayton, and associate member for three years was appointed by the Selectmen to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Ford's resignation.
This year the commission adopted the following statement concerning the goal and purpose of the Scituate Conservation Commission: "The prime goal and object of this commission is land acquisition or preserva- tion. Every other activity such as compilation of land inventories, bio- logical surveys, publication of reports and studies, being subservient to and geared toward the acquisition of land for preservation in the natural state, or, for public outdoor recreational use."
The commission voted that its priority project for 1965 would be ac- quisition and protection of the North River marshlands. The Board of Assessors provided the commission with a list of all property owners of North River marshland along with assessments. We are grateful to Miss Katherine Flaherty, secretary to the Board of Assessors, for her time in preparing this list. Negotiations with some owners have already com- menced.
By statute it is possible for the voters to create a Conservation Fund to be administered by the Commission for the purpose of acquisition or protection of natural resources -- land considered of prime importance in the conservation program. The North River marshes are of prime im- portance according to a report issued by the State Department of Natural Resources in 1964. Often the need to act immediately outweighs any other consideration in the effort to acquire land for conservation purposes. Without a substantial fund, it is impossible to make any commitment to a property owner prior to town meeting. The Commission voted to request a fund of $5000 in addition to normal budget requirements at the 1965 town meeting.
To insure success of this program, we of the commission feel that we need more balance in existing conservation endeavors. It is one of our aims to investigate fully the establishment of a "Scituate Land Trust"- a private trust separate and distinct from the commission and organized for the purpose of acquiring conservation lands. Many owners are re- luctant to donate to the town whereas they might donate to a
115
TOWN OF SCITUATE ANNUAL REPORT
private organization. An educational meeting has been arranged to pursue this matter more fully.
In October the commission held an informative meeting on Cluster Zoning. Guest speakers were Jerry Levin of Regent Homes, Inc., builders and developers of a cluster-zoned sub-division in Andover; Austin O'Toole and Richard S. Lund of the Homebuilders Association, and, as featured speaker, Regis Harrington of the Massachusetts Department of Commerce and Planning.
Exploration of all means of achieving sound conservation planning is one of our responsibilities. Cluster Zoning will be reviewed in depth during the coming year.
The need to educate and to inform the public about conservation is im- mediate. With today's society geared to accept land development of any type, the job of conservation becomes a major task. Projected studies forecast that in this country, population will double within thirty years -- that the population of the world will be five times what it is today within one hundred years. Is it any wonder that naturalists and conservationists are concerned ?
Late in the year, members and associate members of the commission began a program of educating and informing the Scituate citizens of the work being done by national state and local officials in the field of con- servation. Display posters have been prepared, pamphlets have been gathered for distribution and methods of education employed by other commissions have been investigated to determine their feasibility as ap- plied to Scituate.
Under the direction of Mrs. Douglas Dayton and associate member Barry O'Neil, monthly displays on conservation will appear throughout the town during the coming year.
The commission wishes to express its deep appreciation for the sup- port of its associate members. Their enthusiasm and support is a most encouraging projection for the future. It is our hope that their active participation will encourage other Scituate townspeople to take up the cause of conservation in one of the few coastal towns still retaining a large per - centage of its natural heritage.
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID NOONAN, Chairman NEIL J. MURPHY, Chairman WILLIAM NEWTON ALLERTON BONNEY, JR. ELIZABETH DAYTON
JANE ATHERTON, Secretary
116
TOWN OF SCITUATE ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE CIVIL DEFENSE AGENCY
Mr. Lester Gates, Chairman
Board of Selectmen
Town of Scituate Scituate, Mass.
In re: Civil Defense
Dear Lester:
As previously mentioned to you, I have been considering resigning from my post as Civil Defense Director and now feel that I should tender my resignation on or before the end of this year, whichever time is more con- venient for you and the Board.
I was appointed as Director on April 17, 1962, following the resignation of Colonel VonDette, and during my time as your Director have attempted to follow the policy established by the Board of Selectmen and to keep ex- penditures to a minimum.
I would, however, like to point out a few of the activities that have taken place during my time as your Director and these are as follows:
1. An alert warning system has been installed at Police Headquarters.
2. The Junior High School, Central Elementary School and Town Hall have been stocked with shelter supplies.
3. Two men have been authorized to teach the personal and family survival course.
4. Nineteen men have completed an accelerated radiological monitor- ing course.
5. Radio drills have been resumed from local Civil Defense Head- quarters to Sector Civil Defense Headquarters.
6. A radio drill from local Civil Defense Headquarters to Communica- tion Mobile Units throughout the town has been held.
7. New communications equipment has been added and existing com- munications equipment updated.
It is important to note that a Town Civil Defense Director is essentially a co-ordinator of town departments when designated to do so by the proper governing authority, and I wish to make note that all departments have been most cooperative.
In closing, I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen, Civil Defense vol- unteers, Town Departments, and the citizens of the town for their fine support.
Very truly yours,
RICHARD DAMON
117
TOWN OF SCITUATE ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Board of Selectmen Scituate, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
A summary of work performed by me for the year of 1964 is as follows:
Devises tested and sealed Sealing fees collected
322 $190.45
Respectfully submitted, OSBORNE McMORROW Sealer of Weights and Measures
REPORT OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Scituate, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
During the calendar year 1964 the Zoning Board of Appeals received sixteen applications for public hearing, fourteen of which were requests for a zoning variance or an exception to the zoning by-laws and two re- quests were for determination as to whether or not there was a violation of the zoning by-laws.
Eight public hearings were held and the following decisions rendered:
8 variances or exceptions were granted (most with specific restrictions and limitations)
4 variances or exceptions were denied
1 determination was made that there was a violation of the zoning by- laws
1 determination was made that a variance was not required
2 decisions are pending
Copies of all decisions were filed with the Town Clerk and in all in- stances before a decision was rendered the Board investigated and viewed the premises under consideration.
Fees totalling $340.00 were received with the above mentioned appli- cations and were turned over to the town treasurer.
Respectfully submitted:
ALEXANDER R. SUTTON, Chairman DWIGHT L. AGNEW, SR.
HERBERT G. TAYLOR)
PAUL J. COVELL 1 ROBERT M. ALEXANDER
Alternates
118
TOWN OF SCITUATE ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS
To the Board of Selectmen Scituate, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
During the calendar year 1964 the Building Board of Appeals held one public hearing on application for a variance of the building by-laws and granted the requested variance.
Respectfully submitted, PHILIP S. BAILEY, Chairman Building Board of Appeals
REPORT OF THE SCITUATE LIBRARIES
Board of Selectmen Town Hall Scituate, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The Scituate libraries - the Allen Memorial and the Peirce Memorial - have completed another year of notable service to the community.
The book collections have been enriched by a "weeding" operation and the addition of new material. Subject gaps are being filled according to plan. There are 41,267 volumes in the two libraries.
In 1964, circulation reached a record high of 168,922 volumes. This represents approximately 14 books per capita - a truly amazing use of library facilities. Most cities and towns of the Commonwealth find their libraries circulate less than 8 volumes per capita. In addition, the librar- ies provided recorded reference service to adults and students on 5005 occasions.
Other services included children's story hours, book deposits at Lincoln Park, and library service for shut-ins in cooperation with the Scituate Council for the Aging.
The Public Schools and the libraries have worked closely in areas of common interest. Examples are the availability of High School Library books at the public libraries during the summer and the load of public library books to High School teachers for class room use.
The staff of the libraries has been encouraged to improve its profes- sional stature by training within the libraries and by enrollment in outside courses of study.
119
TOWN OF SCITUATE ANNUAL REPORT
Comparative statistics supplied by the Commonwealth for the year ending December 31, 1964 show that the services of the Scituate libraries continue on an efficient basis - dollars and cents wise.
The increasing use of the libraries with the growth of the Town has focussed attention on the gross inadequacies of the existing physical facili- ties now over fifty years old. We must plan for a new central library building. The Scituate Library Committee will discuss this situation with you during the coming year so that the matter may be considered at the 1966 annual Town Meeting.
The Committee records with sorrow the passing of Mrs. Margaret Smelzer, one of its original members, who provided forthright leadership and a steadying influence during her time with us.
Sincerely, Scituate Library Committee
JOSEPH D. BLUMENTHAL, Chairman EVAN BAILEY MARY DEAN CAROL MILES WALTER SIMS WENDELL G. SYKES JOHN R. TINCH
REPORT OF THE TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Town Hall Scituate, Mass.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.