USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Mattapoisett > Town annual report of the officers of Mattapoisett, Mass 1951 > Part 4
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Balance : to be raised by taxation $205,335.99
Valuations :
Personal
$562,423.00
Real Estate
3,967,987.00
Total Valuations
$4,530,410.00
Tax Rate (per thousand dollars of valuation) $45.00
Taxes to be Raised
Poll
$1,466.00
Personal
25,309.04
Real Estate
178,559.42
Fractional Adjustment
1.53
Total Taxes Levied on Polls and Property $205,335.99
Assessed value of land, exclusive of Buildings $1,412,552.00
Assessed value of buildings
2,555,435.00
Value of Stock in trade
60,285.00
Value of Machinery
56,653.00
106
Value of other tangible personal property 412,430.00 Value of Live Stock 33,055.00
Value of Automobiles 497,387.00
Auto Excise Tax Levied 17,631.47
Number of Acres Assessed 11,355
Number of persons assessed
2,313
Number of Buildings assessed
1,546
1951
Estimated Receipts from State
27,321.72
Payments to State 19,180.01
Balance used by Assessors in making 1951 Tax Rate 8,141.71
1952
Estimated Receipts from State 29,731.71
Payments to State 19,196.75
Balance to be used by Assessors in making Tax Rate 10,534.96
ASSESSOR'S EXPENSES
E. S. Winslow, Post Office Box rent $ .60
Mass. Association Assessor, State and County 9.00
C. E. Hiller, Printing 12.50
Hobbs and Warren, Recap. Sheets 1.75
J. R. Johansen, cleaning office machine 47.00
Julia Morton, copying records, Plymouth 74.66
J. R. Johansen, repairs to office machine 25.00
Enoch Winslow, Post Office Box rent .60
C. E. Hiller, tax forms 41.50
Copying Tax Records 222.25
C. E. Hiller, tax forms 72.00
107
Virginia Mahoney, expenses Assessors Meeting 30.00
Enoch Winslow, expenses Assessor Meeting
30.00
A. J. Sylvia, expense Assessor meeting
15.00
A. J. Sylvia, auto hire 50.00
681.86
Appropriation
600.00
From Reserve Fund
32.00
632.00
Expenses for year
631.86
Balance
$ .14
Respectfully submitted,
ENOCH LeBARON WINSLOW
A. J. SYLVIA
VIRGINIA MAHONEY
Board of Assessors
Report of the Planning Board
To the Citizens of the Town of Mattapoisett:
At the first meeting of the board held during 1951 officers were elected as follows :
Thomas V. Brennan, Chairman; Osborne P. Nash, Clerk. All members were present including John C. Perry, Benjamin F. Willoughby and Richard E. Chase. It is with the deepest regret that we note the death of two members of the board during their term of office.
Mr. Benjamin F. Willoughby Mr. John C. Perry
They gave generously of their time to serve their fellow citizens.
The board approved the subdivision development plan submitted by Earl G. Boardman for property owned by him on Hollywood Road and Grand Avenue. With the understanding that no expense be incurred by the town in the matter of Roads, Water, etc.
A subdivision plan was submitted by George Sil- veria for land bounded by Hammond St., County Road and property of Harold D. Mahoney and several others. The board could not approve the plan because it show- ed a proposed 40 ft. Public way which the town would be asked to accept and fill, grade and surface. The lines of this proposed 40 ft. public way crossed and-in- cluded parts of property of other home owners.
109
The Planning Board wishes to point out that there is a state law relating to subdivisions of land, where- in there is to be a private way, right of way or public way. The owner must submit a plot showing these ways to the Planning Board for approval.
OSBORNE P. NASH, Clerk RICHARD E. CHASE
THOMAS V. BRENNAN Chairman
Report of the Inspector of Animals
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Animals for the Town of Mattapoisett for the year ending De- cember 31, 1951.
Barns Inspected
39
Horses
14
Cows
176
Heifers
42
Bulls
13
Steers
8
Goats
39
Sheep
4
Swine
77
Respectfully submitted,
JOSIAH H. RANDALL,
Inspector of Animals
Report of the School Building Committee
The present School Building Committee, comprising the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee, was authorized by the Special Town Meeting of June 5, 1950. The organization meeting, held on June 19, 1950 elected Lester A. Crampton as chairman and George S. White as clerk. These officers continued in the same capacity during the year 1951.
After a rather discouraging waiting period during which the construction of the new School Building was held to a stand-still because of the lack of constructural steel, we witnessed extremely rapid progress during the summer and autumn months. At the close of the year, Mr. Raymond Stowell, our architect, stated that the Building was 90% completed, for which we and the citizens of the Town are extremely thankful.
Payments in the amount of $195,498.99 to Sullivan- Foster, Inc., of New Bedford representing approxi- mately 87% of the contract price is due at this time.
Payments were also made on the necessary equip- ment to furnish the new School to the amount of $4,- 758.08.
We would like to call the attention of the citizens of the Town to the Article in the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting requesting additional funds to purchase further necessary equipment for the new School.
The Committee wishes to thank the Citizens of the Town for the money which was provided for the pur- chase of a performance bond.
112
To all the Citizens of the Town and especially to those who have in any way been helpful to the Com- mittee, we give our sincere thanks, for we now are the proud possessors of a completely modern School Building which will extremely aid the education of our boys and girls during the future years.
Respectfully submitted, School Building Committee By : GEORGE S. WHITE,
Clerk
Report of Fire Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my report of the Mattapoisett Fire Department for the year 1951.
Number of calls
34
Buildings
8
Grass and woods
13
Flooded oil burner
1
Automobile
5
Chimney
5
Lumber
1
Electric motor
1
Total
34
Number of tower calls
23
Insurance value of buildings
$34,000.00
Loss paid by Insurance
$2,845.50
Insurance on contents
8,500.00
Insurance paid on contents
606.00
Uninsured loss
1,575.00
$42,500.00 $5,026.50
Permits issued
Storage of oil
54
Storage of L P Gas
65
Burning permits
205
Filling stations and garages
11
Rest Homes
2
Dynamite
1
Fire works
1
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE C. BRADLEY, JR., Chief
1
Report of Police Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit a report of the activities of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1951.
OFFENCES AND COMPLAINTS
Drunkenness
8
Auto accidents
53
License suspended
28
Warnings issued to operators
65
Breaking and entering (night-time)
3
Breaking and entering (day-time)
2
Breaking glass (windows)
Boys
5
Disturbing the peace (night-time)
20
Destruction of property
30
Suicide (Carbon Monoxide poisoning)
1
Accidental death
1
Hit and run
4
Larceny of bicycles
1
Larceny by check (restitution made)
2
Driving while intoxicated
8
Driving to Endanger
10
Being an Unlicensed Operator
3
Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle
1
Operating an uninsured Motor Vehicle
1
Lewdness
1
Drunkenness
15
Unlicensed
1
A. & B.
1
Robbery
3
Keeping and exposing
-
1
115
B. & E., intent to commit larceny
2
Lewdness in speech and behavior
4
Larceny under $100.00
7
Car Breaks
2
Hit and run
1
Stolen car
1
House Breaks
3
Abandoned cars
3
Capsized boats
4
Middleboro Court
Days
6
Wareham Court
Days 28
Plymouth Grand Jury
Days 1
Brockton Superior Court Ambulance Cases
Days
4
St. Luke's Hospital, New Bedford, Mass.
31
Tobey Hospital, Wareham, Mass.
5
Taunton State Hospital, Taunton, Mass.
6
Acushnet Hospital, Acushnet, Mass.
3
Mass. General Hospital, Boston, Mass.
2
Providence Hospital, Providence, R. I.
1
Ambulance to Mattapoisett, Fairhaven, New Bedford and Wareham
47
Total 94
Miscellaneous Work
Miscellaneous Complaints
301
Summons served
7
Warrants served
4
Capias served
3
Lockup - Wareham
15
Car Sale, Transferal blanks issued
204
Registration of Bicycles - Plates
83
Mattapoisett has in 1951 its best traffic year to date. In view of our fine traffic record and no traffic fatalities for the year 1950, Mattapoisett was awarded a placque by the National safety council. It was presented to
116
your Chief who accepted it in the name of the town. We may very well look forward to another such award for the year 1951 as we now find ourselves with an outstanding record of 1,665 days without a traffic fa- tality.
In closing, I would like to thank the many who so willingly cooperate in making the work of the police department a lighter task. On behalf of myself and members of my department, I wish to thank the Hon- orable Board of Selectmen for their support and co- operation. I also wish to thank the Auxiliary Police who have assisted me throughout the year.
I respectfully suggest your attention be drawn to the total number of ambulance cases for the year pro- viding beyond a doubt the urgent necessity for a town- owned ambulance. With the steady increase in resi- dents the present arrangement of ambulance cruiser car, the satisfactory up to a point, can no longer be called adequate to meet our needs.
Respectfully submitted,
ALDEN S. KINNEY,
Chief of Police.
Report of Fire Station Building Committee
This committee, authorized under Article 55 of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant of March 5, 1951, met periodically, from March 1951 through January 1952, on which date the building was formally accept- ed.
Mr. Kenneth Wood was elected chairman.
Mr. Raymond Stowell was appointed as architect and submitted complete plans for the committee's ap- proval.
It was decided to request an additional sum of $400. for the purchase of the land and an additional sum of $11,000.00 for the building at the Special Town Meet- ing July 31. The former was approved, but the latter was not. This necessitated revision of the plans for completing the second story of the building.
September 5th, 1951, five bids were opened and dis- cussed. The committee accepted the lowest bid of $28,468.00 submitted by Sullivan & Foster, Inc. of New Bedford. Work on the building commenced shortly thereafter and progressed satisfactorily to its conclu- sion.
The committee authorized the contractor to install the cupola and weather vane and make minor interior changes.
The committee also gratefully accepted the archi- tect's offer of a reduction in his fee.
118
Land: Appropriation
$2,400.00
Mary R. Sylvia
$2,000.00
Manuel F. Rosa
400.00
$2,400.00
Fire Station Building Committee,
Kenneth M. Wood Chairman
George C. Bradley, Jr.
Carleton Burr
Secretary
Lester A. Crampton
Manuel C. Linhares
Edwin L. Perkins
George S. White
F. L. Dixon Yard
Report of Herring Inspector
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
At the suggestion of the Herring Inspector, the Town voted to close the Herring Weir to the catching of herrings for a period of three years. Through the cooperation of the Department of Marine Fisheries approximately 8,000 herrings were again transferred from the Taunton River to Snipatuit Pond. If a program of allowing the free passage of all herrings, plus the transfer of additional from the Taunton River by the State, to Snipatuit Pond, is continued for the next three years the stream should be greatly improved. If at the end of this period the desired results have not been obtained it may be advisable to continue the program for an additional three seasons. For various reasons the stream has been allowed to deteriorate for many years and will take time to build up again. When the river is again back to normal many visitors will be attracted to watch the herrings run up stream, as well as supplying herrings for all Town residents who de- sire them.
This year, as in the past, full cooperation was re- ceived from the Town Officials, residents of the Towns of Mattapoisett and Rochester, for which grateful ap- preciation is given at this time.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN C. PERRY,
Herring Inspector
120
FINANCIAL REPORT OF THE HERRING INSPECTOR
Appropriation
$150.00
Expenses
Herring Inspector - Labor and Patroling River 105.00
Balance $45.00
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN C. PERRY,
Herring Inspector
Report of Shellfish Constable
To the Citizens of Mattapoisett :
Due to the intensive program of shellfish propogation being carried on in the Waters of the Town, many of the natural digging areas have been officially "closed" during either all or part of the year of 1951. This has of course worked a hardship, currently, to those residents wanting to take shellfish, but in the ultimate consideration will prove of greater value, because of the increased amount of shellfish available in the future. Explicit report of this propogation program may be found in the report submitted by Mr. Everett Eldridge, in other pages of this book. Because of the many closed areas, it has not been necessary for the Shellfish Constable to devote the usual hours of work to policing the digging areas, but with the re-opening of the areas in the future, much intensive supervision will again be advisable, particularly as it becomes com- mon knowledge that there is again a plentiful supply.
During the year, vigilant attention was given to see that restricted areas were so kept. Also, in the areas where digging was allowed, a close check was kept up- on those digging, the amounts taken, and the size of shellfish taken. The estimated value of the yearly catch is $8,785.00.
Your Shellfish Constable assisted Mr. Eldridge in the propogation program during many hours of plant- ing. Combining that work, and the time worked at the digging areas amounted to 267 days worked.
Following is a statistical report of work done on the beaches :
122
Contacts made 2570
Complaints investigated 2
Licenses revoked, by Selectmen upon recommenda- tion of Shellfish Constable 3
Violations recorded :
5 taking seed quahaugs
4 taking quahaugs after sun-down.
13 taking shellfish in restricted areas.
9 non-residents taking shellfish
7 residents digging without license
7 summer residents digging without license
2 taking in excess of allowed amount.
Of those listed above only two were second offenders.
The fact that there were only two who were found in violation on a second count emphasizes the value of having a constable on the beaches. All offenders taking shellfish illegally in any way, immediately re- turned the "take" back to the flats. The actual amount so returned might be relatively small, but of course the real value of the service is the protection that pro- hibits the taking of the potential bushels that might have followed, were the beaches not patrolled.
Again I wish to express my appreciation to the Se- lectmen and all citizens of the Town who have co- operated with me to make my work effective.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY G. ERHARD,
Shellfish Constable
Report of Propagation of Shellfish
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I hereby submit my report on the general shellfish conditions in the Town.
GENERAL SHELLFISH CONDITIONS
Excluding scallops and clams our shellfish supply for 1951 continued to be good, considering the large areas that are closed for propagation.
A greater part of the quahog supply for family use was taken from the Pine Island Pond area.
This area has been very productive for the past nine years and it is hoped that it will continue to be so until the areas we have closed are opened.
The open area beginning at the entrance to Eel Pond Creek westerly to Huston's Wharf was checked on De- cember 29, 1951; quahogs were found fairly plentiful there. It should not be difficult for anyone to get their supply for family use, providing the tide is fairly low.
The outlook for clams is unfavorable.
A fair scallop catch is expected in 1952.
AREAS CLOSED FOR PROPAGATION AND SHELL- FISH PLANTED THEREIN
At present we have four areas closed. Each year we stock these areas with as many quahogs as we are able to obtain and have money to pay for.
The location of the areas and year of closing are as follows :
1949 West Shore Brandt Island Cove
15 bu. seed quahogs 4 bu. mixed
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1950 East Shore Mattapoisett Harbor
80 bu. mixed quahogs 22 bu. large quahogs
1950 West Shore Mattapoisett Harbor
50 bu. mixed quahogs
5 bu. large quahogs
1950 Oyster area 100 bu. seed oysters
1951 Huston's Wharf to Mollie's Cove 202 bu. mixed quahogs 17 bu.large quahogs
1951 Mattapoisett River 76 bu. of oysters
SHELLFISH ENEMIES
217 bushels of starfish were collected from Matta- poisett Harbor and 302 bushels from the Cleveland's area. The cost for collection was granted by the State.
Starfish are our worst shellfish enemies. They are under control in our Harbor but are a menace to both Marion and Mattapoisett outside scallop areas.
The State has agreed to grant $350. to be used by the two Towns to help thin these pests down and save our seed scallops. The work to be done between now and the summer spawning season.
If each Town would cooperate; appropriating $200. each for collection of starfish, this year I feel sure they would get good returns for it.
Estimated value of Shellfish Catch for 1951 $8,785.
This is low due to shellfish areas being closed for propagation.
Respectfully submitted,
E. EVERETT ELDRIDGE
(In charge of Town Shellfish Interests)
1
Report of the Wharf Department
MAINTENANCE OF WHARF PROPERTY
Appropriation for 1951
$400.00
Total expenditures
292.52
Balance
$107.48
REPAIRS TO SHORT WHARF
Appropriation for 1951
$500.00
Paid Dennis Mahoney & Sons, per Contract 497.50
Balance
$2.50
INSURANCE ON LONG WHARF AND MIDDLE WHARF
Appropriation for 1951
$200.00
Paid William Clegg for $10,000.00 policy 200.00
W. F. JENNEY
Wharf Commissioner 1951
Following are the names of those hiring space at the Wharves and please note that Skiff spaces have been numbered as to avoid any confusion in regard to who rents which space.
WHARFAGE 4/1/51 to 4/1/52
Paid : John Makuch Stanley Sterling
$8.00
5.00
Norman Dexter 5.00
126
Frank Linhares
5.00
Hudson Hardy
5.00
Frank Pimental
8.00
Milton Haskell
5.00
Ira Hiller
8.00
Joseph Reilley
5.00
Joseph Mello
8.00
Enoch Winslow
8.00
John T. Doran
8.00
Arthur Kennedy
not paid 3.00
WINTER STORAGE 1951 - 1952
Paid :
Walter Pratt
$2.00
Capt. Geo. Dentz
2.00
W. F. Jenney
2.00
Walter Wilhelm
not paid 2.00
SKIFF WHARFAGE 4/1/51 to 4/1/52
Paid :
No.
7 Harry Erhard
$2.00
6 W. F. Jenney
2.00
5 Ed. Wilber
2.00
4 Orum Kerst
2.00
3 Dr. A. P. LeClair
2.00
2
F. D. Wertz
2.00
1 Charles Marvin
2.00
8 Marshall Ross
2.00
9 Charles Avilla
2.00
10 Albert Furnans
2.00
11 W. H. Winslow, Jr.
2.00
12 George Eldredge
2.00
13 J. Johansen
2.00
14 Russell Chase
-2.00
15 F. Rowland
2.00
127
16 Walter Pratt
2.00
17 Geo. Bradley
2.00
18 Edwin Perkins
2.00
19 A. Faria
2.00
20 Emily Perry
2.00
21
O. P. Nash
2.00
22
Joseph Hammond
2.00
25 Albert Rebello
2.00
28 Harold Mahoney
2.00
29
J. Tripp
2.00
30 Ed. A. Walsh
2.00
31
Alden Kinney
2.00
32
J. Farley
2.00
33
D. Wood
2.00
34 Harold Vokes
2.00
35 Phillip Purrington
2.00
36 James Scott
not paid 2.00
37 James Maury
2.00
38
Charles Whalen
2.00
39 Robert Leonard
2.00
40 William Campbell
not paid 2.00
41 Albion Stone
2.00
Hathaway Oil Co., gas pump
6.00
Norman Gingras, Float
10.00
Val. Henshaw, Fish Market
75.00
W. F. JENNEY
Wharf Commissioner 1951
As we come to the close of another year I wish to thank the Highway Dept. for their help in maintaining the surface of the wharves and the Water Dept. for in- stalling the water lines once more. I also want to thank the Board of Selectmen for the installation of the flood lights. I should like to express my appreciation to the Mattapoisett Grange for their generosity which made possible the conditioning of the two Horse Shoe Courts and the lighting of them. My thanks to Mr. Charles
128
Marvin who arranged and supervised the work and to all those who assisted Mr. Marvin. Once again the courts were extremely well patronized by both young and old.
I should like to congratulate the Mattapoisett Im- provement Association for their success in bringing to- gether all the local Yacht Clubs for one big regatta such as was held last August. I know that all who saw it were thrilled by the sight of about 50 sail boats racing within the limits of Mattapoisett Harbor. Lets hope that this will grow into an annual event.
There are still quite a few names on the waiting list for Skiff spaces and I hope to be able to make room for them all this coming year. The piles on the west side of the Short Wharf are pretty well rotted and will be replaced and more added to accommodate more skiffs.
This coming year I hope to top and point up the East side of Short Wharf. The landing float needs repairs to the deck and if possible I hope to drive a few piles on the east side and end of Long Wharf.
This was not too busy a year as far as boating goes. There were no Yacht Club Cruises stopping here as in the past, but there were the average number of visit- ors and I believe most of them were well pleased with our accommodations for them. It is hoped that the New York Yacht Club will once again visit our harbor this next year. I do know that Squadron 14 of the United States Power Squadron has already picked Mat- tapoisett as their rendezvous for the Labor Day Week end. This will bring together a large number of boats, mostly power boats, which will in all probability over- tax our wharf facilities. I hope that they will find suit- able accommodations and will make this an annual af- fair. As your Wharf Commissioner I will do all I can to make their stay pleasant.
.
129
A large group in this area recently took the Piloting Course as presented by the Attleboro Power Squadron and it is hoped by the local Lieutenant Mr. Ed. Wilber that in the near future a Buzzards Bay Squadron will be organized with Mattapoisett as its base. This could be one of the biggest boosts to Mattapoisett Harbor since the passing of the Whaling industry.
The Wharves once were a spot for Commerce and Labor, but of late they are more useful as a recrea- tion spot and as a scenic spot for both local folks and visitors from other Towns and States. I am not op- posed to commercializing the Wharves if it will benefit the Town as a whole, but until that time comes I be- lieve we are now making the best use of our Wharves and that they are one of our finest assets.
Respectfully submitted,
W. F. JENNEY
Wharf Commissioner 1951
HARBOR MASTERS REPORT 1951
To the Board of Selectmen, Mattapoisett, Mass.
As per vote of the annual Town Meeting I was ap- pointed Harbor Master March 30, 1951 and sworn in on April 2, 1951.
With the organizing of a branch of the Attleboro U. S. P. S. in this area under the capable leadership of Area Lieutenant Ed. Wilber I look for increased ac- tivity on the water here. I have plans for setting at least three guest moorings and Burr Bros. Boat Yard has offered to donate at least three spars for these moorings. I now have two and possibly three lengths of heavy chain and without much expense to the Town hope to be able to install these guest moorings.
130
I should like to again caution all local boatmen against excessive speed thru anchorage areas. The boat owner is liable for any damage caused by his boat because of reckless operation and can be heavily fined or imprisoned. Please be careful and consider the other fellow.
Appropriation for 1951 Paid Burr Bros. Boats
$50.00
14.00
Balance
$36.00
W. F. JENNEY
Harbor Master 1951
1
Mattapoisett Free Public Library
SECRETARY'S REPORT
Circulation for 1951
Non-fiction
3,232
Fiction
11,244
Periodicals
746
15,222
Weekly average
292
Books per capita
7
Registration
New borrowers
151
Total registered
918
Books added by
Town appropriation
279
Gifts
34
313
Books discarded
143
Number of volumes in Library
11,221
Fines paid to Town Treasurer
$147.21
From the above figures it can be noted that the cir- culation of books and magazines has returned to the 1949 level after the 'television slump' of 1950. Also that the Fine money has increased most amazingly - $10 over last year. To correct an erroneous idea which many patrons of the Library have, may we here state that this money does NOT help the Library. By law it must be turned in to the Town Treasury.
132
The usual activities of other years have been con- tinued and improved upon.
The 5th and 6th grades from the Center School have been divided into four groups. Each group with a teacher comes to the Library once a month on Wednes- day from 1.30 to 2.00 p.m. They learn how to borrow books and to use the Reference Room and other facil- ities of the Library.
The Bookmobile from the Regional Library Center at Fall River visits here every six weeks. They make many calls in the outlying districts leaving book de- posits. This Library may borrow from them to supple- ment our collection and also, Miss Keith, the Librarian will obtain for us any unusual books which may be re- quested from time to time - such as technical books and other expensive reference material for which we have neither the space or money.
The Christmas week celebration was greatly en- hanced this year by the new spruce tree that the Im- provement Association planted on the Library lawn. The very attractive shape of this tree decorated with the new small light bulbs was a beautiful addition to the Town's Christmas. Carols were sung on Saturday evening and both the singers and listeners came in for coffee. Our thanks to Miss Emily Perry and Mrs. Em- erson Hiller of the Improvement Association for their interest and assistance.
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