USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1913 > Part 2
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In estimating the cost of construction work, it is almost wholly impossible to keep within the estimate. Conditions unseen at the time of estimate are met with, and must be properly taken care of to insure a satisfactory outcome. Estimates are often made by expert contractors on State work, that in the actual working out prove ruinous financially simply on account of these hidden conditions.
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ROADS AND BRIDGES. (Maintenance).
Appropriation, 1913, $20,000.00
Reimbursement (Contingent Account), 4,202.03
Reimbursement (State Highway tax from Revenue
Account), 495.00
24,697.03
Expenditures,
24,697.03
For details see Report of Town Accountant.
Under this appropriation, 48,035 square yards of tarvia sur- face have been applied to Darby Road, Court, Summer and Wa- ter streets and Shirley Square.
COLD SPRING.
The outlet of this valuable spring has been moved to the east side of Court street, and by means of a hydraulic ram, its waters are now pumped to a substantial fountain. Under the old con- ditions the spring was dangerous, owing to its close proximity to the street railway. It was also unsightly, unsanitary, and an extreme source of danger to children owing to its low delivery pipe. While the cost of this work ($544.59) may seem exces- sive, it must be considered that during the past decade hundreds of dollars have been expended upon this spring with absolutely no permanent beneficial results. The present cost of maintain- ing Pilgrim Spring is $200.00 per year. The cost for main- tenance at Cold Spring henceforth should be practically nothing. The work has been completed in a most thorough manner and should require little if any outlay for years to come.
For 1914 the Selectmen recommend an appropriation for
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Roads and Bridges of $25,000.00. This amount includes pro- posed repairs to Pilgrim wharf, now leased by the town, Pilgrim Spring maintenance, and cost of maintaining Public Float. This also includes estimate of bituminous surface for the follow- ing streets: Court Street, Railroad Avenue to Lothrop Street, Court Street, Russell Avenue to Cherry Street, Court Street, Shirley Square to Railroad Avenue, Sandwich Street, Darby Road, Manomet Point road, and Water street.
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CONSTRUCTION (NEW ROADS).
Appropriation,
$10,000.00 Reimbursement (Sandwich Street, macadam app.), 403.64
$10,403.64
Expenditures (Construction)
$9,610.34
Transferred to Contingent account, 700.00
$10,310.34
Balance,
$93.30
This appropriation was reduced $5,300.00. Main Street Extension macadam, Lewis Street widening, and Summer Street macadam, which were included in 1913 estimate, were deferred, the Main Street Extension macadam work at the request of the Commercial Club, owing to supposed relations of this work to grade at the Post Office site, and Lewis and Summer Streets from lack of funds. Other necessary work was substituted, costing less.
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SUMMARY-CONSTRUCTION.
Estimate
Expended
Water Street,
$3,300.00
$3,796.15
Beaver Dam,
500.00
495.52
Savery's Lane,
2,066.50
2,116.39
Savery's Avenue,
800.00
522.22
Kingston Line,
600.00
803.47
Union Street (not in estimate)
635.48
Samoset Street (not in estimate)
261.78
Summer Street (not in estimate)
235.18
Main Street Extension (not in estimate)
17.85
Transferred to Contingent Account,
726.30
Total expenditures,
$9,610.34
BEAVER DAM ROAD.
The sum of $500 has been expended upon this road, this being a desirable yearly expenditure upon this way.
KINGSTON LINE.
The dangerous curve at this point has been, by decree of the County Commissioners, largely reduced. This work, in con- junction with new macadam at this point, has resulted in a splendid improvement to the northerly entrance to the town, and is much appreciated by the ever increasing auto travel.
SAVERY'S AVENUE.
This way has also been added to the town's worked streets. While the grade was extremely sharp, the work has resulted in a
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substantial road bed, which cannot but add to property valuations in that vicinity.
SAVERY'S LANE.
This formerly unsightly narrow way has been worked to a uniform width of 35 feet, and makes a decided improvement to the old thoroughfare.
WATER STREET.
This street has been widened, regraded and macadamized. Buildings belonging to Moses Simmons have been moved back and the general result calls for much favorable comment. A small additional amount was expended owing to the peculiar prominence of the Simmons buildings after the widening had been made.
UNION STREET.
This street has been greatly improved, details being full given in the report of the street Superintendent.
SAMOSET STREET.
A much needed improvement was made at the junction of this Street with Oak Street, a small strip of land was purchased from Timothy A. Regan, and the alignment greatly improved thereby.
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On petitions the Selectmen have decided to lay out the follow- ing new ways.
Water Street (Extension) ; Taylor Avenue (Extension) ; Obery Street ; Public Landing at Manomet Beach.
Alterations in existing ways have been decided upon as fol- lows :
Westerly side, Main Street Extension; Summer Street (Spar- row's Hill) ; Main Street (decree County Commissioners).
Petitions have been received for a layout of Suosso's Lane (so- called) action on which is deferred; also for a relocation of the road at South Pond Village. While this improvement is un- doubtedly desirable, the construction cost is excessive, and the Board does not deem it advisable to recommend this work.
The estimated cost of completion and construction of ways already accepted by the town, those carried over from last year's estimate, and those to be presented to the town for acceptance, is as follows :
Summer Street (County Commissioner's layout) to Morton Park entrance, $1,100.00
Lewis Street (land damage $300, construction $800), 1,100.00
Beaver dam road (allotment for 1914), 500.00
Brookside avenue, 793.00
Water Street (Extension) land damage, $568.75; construction, $6,650.00, . 7,218.75
Taylor Avenue, 1,000.00
Summer Street (Sparrow's Hill), land damage, $100.00; construction, $1,000.00, $1,100.00
Obery Street (not in estimate)
Main Street Extension, (widening and construc- tion) land damage $1,000; building damage, $2,077.50, 3,077.50
Widening, $776.50 ; macadam construction, $3,536.50 4,313.00
Main Street widening (decree County Commis-
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sioners), land and building damage, $4,010.00;
construction, $341.00,
4,351.00
Lewis Street and Brookside Avenue to be laid out under the Betterment Act.
For Road Construction for 1914, the Board recommends an appropriation of $16,000.00, estimate for the following :
Lewis Street (land damage),
$300.00
Lewis Street, (construction),
800.00
Taylor Avenue (extension), 1,000.00
Summer Street (Entrance to Morton Park),
1,100.00
Summer Street (widening at Sparrow's Hall), 1,100.00
Beaver Dam, 500.00
Main Street Extension (macadam),
3,536.50
Main Street Extension (widening), 3,077.50
Main Street (12 foot cut, Leyden Street to Bram- hall's building, 4,351.00
MAIN STREET WIDENING.
Under a decree of the County Commissioners, Main Street has been ordered widened upon its easterly side to a depth of 12 feet, from Leyden Street to the Bramhall building.
This decree was issued after many hearings, and much detail work. Various plans were suggested, that calling for a 12-foot cut at Leyden street, and an 8-foot cut at Middle Street, seeming to meet with the greater support. The total award by the County assessed upon the town with a small rebate from the County, was $23,261.00. The Selectmen were of the opinion that $30,000.00 was a fair sum to expend upon this improvement. The Board, however, were firmly opposed to any settlement which would be other than final, and thus involve the town in a con-
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troversy with the abuttors through the courts. This outcome being assured, the Board pleaded with the Commissioners not to make the widening general. Prominent citizens joined in the plea, and the change was so ordered. The amount called upon for the Town to assume, is $3,200.00, damage and land taken from the Weston property. The award by the County was $2,891.00. This award was rejected by the owners, and a final settlement was made at the sum given. The award to B. L. Bramhall, et als., was $810.00. These awards are subject to partial abatement by the County upon petition of the town, asking for aid, followed by a hearing, after actual work is com- pleted.
WARREN AVENUE.
This important town way for a distance of about 5,470 feet, has never received attention other than by gravel surfacing. By arrangement with the Highway Commission, a survey was made with a view to the State taking up the work of widening and macadamizing this thoroughfare. In order to bring this about, the avenue would be obliged to be widened to a width of 50 feet. The land values at this point are prohibitive to this much needed improvement. Negotiations have been entered into with the Highway Commission to macadam this way. This would necessitate no widening, and the Town and probably the State would share in the cost of construction, the town assuming any extra cost. . In the opinion of the Board, this is the better solu- tion of the matter.
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POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Appropriation, Reimbursement (Contingent Acct.),
$10,000.00 259.74
$10,259.74
Expenditures,
10,259.74
The Police Department has prosecuted its work with com- mendable zeal. The Town has been orderly, receiving much favorable comment.
At the Annual Town Meeting in 1913 the Selectmen were authorized to purchase an automobile for the Police Depart- ment. As the cost for purchase and maintenance would involve an expenditure of $2,000.00, and as this sum had not been in- cluded in the Police Appropriation, the Board did not deem it advisable to make this outlay.
The Board recommends an appropriation of $10,400.00 for this department. This amount includes necessary repairs to the heating apparatus.
STREET LIGHTING.
Appropriation,
$8,000.00
Reimbursement (Contingent Acct.), 41.10
$8,041.10
$8,041.10
Expenditures,
For 1914 we recommend an appropriation of $8,550.00 which includes Range Lights and lights on Pilgrim Wharf. Seven lights operative January 1, 1914, at Manomet are also included, and ten lights at Chiltonville. The town now has 363 incandes- cent lights at $20.00, 8 cluster lights (5 each), at $89.00.
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Six (6) lights have been added during the year as follows : one (1) at Maple avenue, one (1) at Clifford road, three (3) at Water street extension, one (1) corner Forest avenue and South Spooner street.
A largely signed petition has been received for a general lighting of the Manomet district. As this would involve a con- siderable expense, the Board thought best to have the matter brought before the town in a special article. Seven lights were, .
The plan for street lighting known as the "Great White Way," however, placed giving temporary relief.
while it has many commendable features, entails such an addi- tional expense that its adoption is a subject for careful consid- eration. This we presume will be given the matter at the proper time and place.
PUBLIC SANITARIES.
The old Police station has been remodelled by vote of the town, into a public lavatory. The work was planned by Gay and Proctor, architects, Boston, and the contract was awarded to Carroll D. Howland, the contract price being $1,935.00. The work was held back owing to non-arrival of slate delayed through the order being placed in the rush season. This great public improvement has occasioned much favorable criticism, not only locally but by firm representatives who supplied the fittings, who state that very few cities have public conveniences to compare with these.
Appropriation,
$2,000.00
Reimbursement (Contingent Acct.),
123.20
$2,123.20
2,123.20
Expenditures,
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The Selectmen have appointed Thomas J. Kennedy as jan- itor, and would recommend an appropriation of $330.00 for his salary and maintenance.
SIDEWALKS.
Appropriation, Expenditures-
$3,000.00
Construction,
$2,492.62
Transferred to Contingent Account,
500.00
$2,992.62
Balance, $2.38
For 1914 we recommend an appropriation of $2,600.00. There has been a steady increase in the area of granolithic walks laid during 1913. The increase in this form of sidewalk means a decrease in cost of maintenance.
SEWERS.
Appropriation,
$2,000.00
Expenditures,
1,771.50
Balance,
$229.50
The usual amount of private sewers have been laid. The Board would recommend the laying of a sewer on Peck avenue (so called). The conditions here are bad, and the public health should be safeguarded. The estimate for this work is $500.00 For 1914 we recommend an appropriation of $2,400.00.
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STREET SPRINKLING.
Appropriation,
$4,500.00
Reimbursement (Contingent),
147.61
$4,647.61 $4,647.61
Expenditures,
For 1914 we recommend an appropriation of $5,750.00.
The departure from water to oil for street sprinkling has been attended with much success. Dustoline has proved of great value not only as a dust layer, but as a preservative of roads. The appropriation for 1913 was not sufficient for actual needs. This preparation is in active demand from the town by individuals. The Pilgrim Society experimented with an application at the grounds of the Faith Monument. The proceeds from these sales go into the Town Treasury, and are not therefore available for use by the Town. It is highly im- portant that dustoline be placed during the fall as well as spring months in order to insure much needed improved dust conditions during the winter. The appropriation called for includes two additional tank cars of dustoline.
REMOVAL OF SNOW.
Appropriation,
$1,000.00
Expenditures,
$37.76
Transferred to Contingent Fund, .
877.37
912.13
Balance,
$87.87
For 1914 we recommend an appropriation of $1,000.00.
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CULTIVATION, PROPAGATION AND PROTECTION OF SHELLFISH.
Appropriation,
$700.00
Expenditures,
600.00
Balance,
$100.00
This great food source of the town is being rapidly increased through scientific culture of clams by the Andrew Kerr Co. Their own grant is not only showing a splendid crop already available for market, but the shores and other flats relieved from their burden of millions of small clams, are now yielding an abundant supply to all who seek them. The early prospect of a large canning factory being constructed, brings our harbor into prominence as an actual money supply in place of a barren waste.
For 1914 we recommend an appropriation of $700.00.
NOTES.
The repairs to the bulkhead between Pilgrim and Atwood's wharfs, in the estimate for 1913, has been assumed and carried out by the Pilgrim Society.
The unexpended balances of the several departments have been transferred to the Contingent account, and in turn re-trans- ferred to departments showing a deficit. Final balances were transferred to the Excess and Deficiency account.
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The following appropriations are asked for by the several Departments :-
Selectmen's Department,
$1,375.00
Accounting Department,
1,200.00
Treasury Department,
1,200.00
Tax Collector's Department,
1,400.00
Assessors' Department,
2,500.00
Assessors' Plans,
600.00
Law Department,
750.00
Town Clerk's Department,
450.00
Election and Registration,
950.00
Maintenance of Town House,
1,800.00
Town House, addition to vault,
1,000.00
Police Department,
10,400.00
Fire Department,
14,500.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures,
500.00
Moth Suppression,
3,800.00
Tree Warden,
1,000.00
Forest Warden,
2,000.00
Shell Fish,
700.00
Inland Fisheries,
300.00
Health Department,
4,800.00
Sewer Maintenance,
2,400.00
Maintenance of Public Sanitaries,
330.00
Roads and Bridges, including Street Railway Excise Tax, 25,000.00
Road Construction,
16,500.00
Survey of Street Lines,
100.00
Sidewalks,
2,600.00
Snow Removal,
1,000.00
Street Sprinkling,
5,750.00
Street Lighting,
8,550.00
Harbor Master,
150.00
Repairs to Pilgrim Wharf and Float,
350.00
Poor Department,
11,500.00
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Aid to Mothers, Chap. 763, Acts of 1913,
Military Aid 1913,
2,000.00 72.00
Soldiers' Relief, 1913,
2,838.53
School Department,
71,000.00
Parks, 1,500.00
ยท Improvements at Beach Park,
300.00
Training Green,
185.00
Sexton, 125.00
Memorial Day,
225.00
Contingent Account, for transfers only,
5,000.00
Miscellaneous,
1,200.00
Water Department,
18,000.00
Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemeteries,
5,000.00
Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemeteries, for water pipe, 300.00
Burial Hill,
1,000.00
Chiltonville, Manomet, Cedarville and South Pond Cemeteries,
150.00
Town Debt and Interest
$46,500.00
Total,
$280,850.53
Less Estimated Receipts-
Corporation Tax from State,
$18,444.92
National Bank Tax from State,
1,238.65
Moth Assessment,
617.25
Street Railway Excise Tax,
677.65
Sealing of Weights and Measures,
80.00
Health Department,
350.00
Sewer Department,
1,000.00
Highways,
1,500.00
Poor Department,
1,800.00
Miscellaneous,
1,800.00
Town Debt and Interest,
2,300.00
Plymouth 3
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Water Department,
38,000.00
Cemeteries,
4,043.82
Total estimated receipts,
$71,852.29
$208.998.24
It will be necessary to raise the sum of $208,998.24 to meet the above amount covering the expenses of the town for 1914.
Respectfully submitted, ALFRED S. BURNS, EPHRAIM D. BARTLETT, HERBERT S. MAXWELL,
Board of Selectmen.
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CIVIL SERVICE REPORT.
At the annual Town meeting of 1913, the Selectmen were instructed to report upon the advisability of placing the Fire and Police departments under Civil Service Rule.
While the Board is favorable to the general principles of the law, yet so far as being essential to the welfare of these depart- ments, we are of the opinion that the town is not called upon to make this change at the present time.
The demand for this law is not unanimous on the part of the two departments. "Demonstrated relative fitness, without regard to political beliefs," is not only the base upon which Civil Service Rules are built, but apparently the keynote upon which the departments of Fire and Police in Plymouth are established.
For these reasons the Board recommends postponement upon this matter.
Respectfully submitted, ALFRED S. BURNS, EPHRAIM D. BARTLETT, HERBERT S. MAXWELL,
Board of Selectmen.
TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
Chap. 494, Acts of 1913, calls for the election of a Board known as the Town Planning Board.
The law is printed for the benefit of the citizens, and action will be taken at the Annual Meeting in March.
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[CHAP. 494.]
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL
PLANNING BOARDS BY CITIES AND TOWNS.
Be it enacted, etc., as follows :
SECTION 1. Every city of the commonwealth, and every town having a population of more than ten thousand at the last preceding national or state census, is hereby authorized and di- rected to create a board to be known as the planning board, whose duty it shall be to make careful studies of the resources, possibilities and needs of the city or town, particularly with respect to conditions which may be injurious to the public health or otherwise injurious in and about rented dwellings, and to make plans for the development of the municipality with special reference to the proper housing of its people. In cities, the said board shall be appointed by the mayor, subject to con- firmation by the council, and in cities under a commission form of government, so-called, the members of the board shall be appointed by the governing body of the city. In towns, the members of the board shall be elected by the voters at the annual town meeting.
SECTION 2 .. Every planning board established hereunder shall make a report annually to the city council or governing body in cities, and to the annual town meeting in towns, giving in- formation regarding the condition of the city or town and any plans or proposals for the development of the city or town and estimates of the cost thereof; and it shall be the duty of every such local planning board to file a copy of all reports made by it with the homestead commission.
SECTION 3. The homestead commission, created by chapter six hundred and seven of the acts of the year nineteen hundred and eleven, is hereby directed to call the attention of the mayor and city governments in cities and the selectmen in each town having a population of more than ten thousand at the last pre- ceding national or state census to the provisions of this act in
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such form as may seem proper ; and said commission is further- more authorized and directed to furnish information and sugges- tions from time to time to city governments and to the selectmen of towns and to local planning boards, when the same shall have been created, such as may, in its judgment, tend to promote the purposes of this act and of those for which the said commission was established.
SECTION 4. The city council or other governing body in cities is authorized to make suitable ordinances, and towns are author- ized to make suitable by-laws, for carrying out the purposes of this act, and they may appropriate money therefor.
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon its passage. [Approved April 16, 1913.
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen-
I herewith submit the report of the Street Department for the year 1913.
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
Maintenance.
This includes the ordinary repairs on the streets in the center of the town and also on the roads in the outlying districts. On account of the rapidly increasing automobile traffic, which is largely a through travel, and which calls for a much better and more costly thoroughfare than did the horse drawn vehicles, it is necessary to expend a larger sum each year on repairs.
A tarviated surface has been laid on the following streets : Sandwich street, 10,000 square yards ; Darby road, 27,915 square yards; Court street, north of Cherry street, 8,397 square yards; Summer street, 3,962 square yards ; Court street, north of Shirley square, 6,281 square yards ; Water street, 1,480 square yards.
Also out of this appropriation the following work has been done on Cold Spring: a cement concrete well has been built around the spring and the water conducted by pipes to a hydrau- lic ram and thence forced to a fountain situated on the sidewalk on the east side of the street at a point where the sidewalk is of good width.
The Pilgrim Spring has been maintained from this appropri- ation, as has also the float at Town Dock.
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Construction.
Under this appropriation extensive repairs have been made on the Beaver Dam road. The roadway has been straightened, wid- ened and drained, and it is hoped that an equal amount of work can be done on that road during the year 1914.
On Court street, at the Kingston line, a widening was decreed by the County Commissioners, and the work has been done by the town from this appropriation, the street being widened ten feet at the Kingston line and running out to a point 420 feet south of the line.
Savery's lane has been built from Court street to Standish av- enue, a sidewalk built on both sides of the street, gutters paved and the surface of the road hardened with gravel. This street is 605 feet long and 35 feet wide.
Savery's avenue. Beginning at Standish avenue and extend- ing 735 feet west, this street has been built, a sidewalk put in on the north side and a gutter paved to the top of the hill. The surface of this street is covered with gravel.
Water street, from Water Cure street to Sandwich street, has been widened on the west side to a uniform width of 40 feet. One house and two barns were moved to give the required width. The grade was also changed to make a better approach to Sand- wich street. A six inch tarviated macadam surface was applied, the amount being 1,155 square yards.
Union street, from Bradford street to Water street, has been rebuilt, particular attention being paid to the drainage. This street was also surfaced with a six inch tarviated macadam, there being 672 square yards.
Samoset street, between Allerton and Oak streets, has been wid- ened on the south side and a sidewalk built from Oak street to the Samoset Garage, a distance of 372 feet. A paved gutter has also been put in on this section of the street.
Summer street. A section of Summer street, west of Billing- ton street, has been rebuilt and surfaced with gravel.
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Boundary street, the street at the Seaside depot, one half of which is in Plymouth and one half in Kingston, has been sur- faced with gravel and treated with two applications of Dustoline, one half of the expense being borne by each town.
STREET SPRINKLING.
The use of Dustoline, a dust laying oil, has been continued and has given very satisfactory results. Five tank cars, about 40,000 gallons, have been used. I would recommend a larger amount for the coming year as this oil not only acts as a dust layer but is very useful as a preventative of washouts.
SIDEWALKS.
Sidewalks have been built with ashes, surfaced with crushed stone and edged with block pavers, on the following streets :
Oak street, Sidewalks appropriation,
951 feet
Vernon street, Sidewalks appropriation, 144 feet
Davis street, Sidewalks appropriation, 615 feet
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