USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1915 > Part 9
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Registration is now being made which will make an exact record possible of the books of the Library after their delivery.
Two new book stacks have been placed in the Library-the open shelves have been newly arranged and made more accessible to the public-one book of fiction and two books of non-fiction can now be taken out on one card-new and improved electric lights have been placed before the book shelves and the catalogue case in the reading room-the reading room is now open to the public on Sundays from two until six o'clock p. m., and the children have the use of the southerly end of the reading room with the adjoining shelves for their books.
The children's books were found to be almost utterly worn out and only a few were worthy of being placed on the shelves, but, thanks to the generosity of Miss Caroline B. Warren and Miss Mary Pratt, who generously made a donation for this pur- pose of $50.00 each, new books were obtained and are now being placed on the shelves.
The Book Club has generously donated sixty-five volumes of good books to the Library during the year.
The Directors respectfully request the co-operation of the citi- zens of the town with the work of the Librarian in her effort to make a new and perfect Registration, and to cheerfully give her and the assistants all the information desired which is necessary to make such Registration full and complete.
The Librarian thoroughly believes in the importance of the work with the children, and as the Children's Department is sadly deficient in the number of books and the Reference Depart- ment is also deficient in many standard books which should be in the Reference Department of every good Library, the Directors are asking this year, for the first time in the history of the Library, for a special appropriation from the town to remedy these two defects, and respectfully ask the citizens to give a fav- orable consideration to this request.
WILLIAM HEDGE, President,
For the Directors.
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REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
During the past year we suffered in this State from the dis- ease known as foot-mouth disease of cattle, and we did not have any in our town. The State was quarantined so that cattle could not be moved either into the State or out of it.
At one period of the outbreak, cattle were not allowed to be moved at all, then after a time they were allowed to be moved only on a permit from a local inspector.
Owing to this epidemic the yearly inspection of cattle was not completed.
In January, 1915, one cow was condemned as suffering from tuberculosis. In August, 1915, one cow was condemned as suffer- ing from tuberculosis. In September, 1915, another cow was killed, suffering from tuberculosis.
FREDERICK H. BRADLEY,
Inspector of Animals.
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REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING.
During the past year the following number of animals have been slaughtered :
Pigs
Calves
Cattle
Sheep
January, 1915,
85
14
17
February,
36
8
10
March,
27
11
10
April,
36
10
8
May,
16
9
2
June,
14
16
6
1
July,
2
15
2
1
August,
4
4
5
2
September,
17
4
5
October,
65
10
2
November,
91
10
3
3
December,
118
6
8
4
Totals,
511
117
83
11
During the year two pigs and one head of cattle were con- demned as suffering from tuberculosis, also two calves were condemned for being too small.
FREDERICK H. BRADLEY,
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REPORT OF FISH COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE AGAWAM AND HALFWAY POND HERRING COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :-
We herewith submit the following report :
The stream has yielded a good catch of fish and we are of the opinion that the fisheries are in a more prosperous condition than ever before to Plymouth and Wareham.
Respectfully submitted, ALFRED HOLMES, FRANK HARLOW, ARTHUR L. MORSE.
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REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF SHORES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Plymouth :-
I herewith submit the following report :
The clam industry has been very good the past year, but at the present time there seems to be quite a lot dying from some cause, not known to the local diggers, but we have a good stock on the shores. Of clams that came in in 1914, the last season, the set did not come up to the year before, owing partly to the dredging, which caused the mud to settle on the shores and flats. I estimate the number of buckets of clams dug in the harbor the past year to exceed 20,000 buckets.
Respectfully submitted, ALFRED HOLMES,
Supervisor of Shores and Flats.
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HARBOR MASTER'S REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :-
The work of dredging in the harbor is completed and we have a depth of water and good anchorage basin to accommodate quite a fleet of small vessels or yachts that will not interfere with the navigation in the main thoroughfare which has a depth of 18 feet at. low water.
Respectfully submitted, ALFRED HOLMES, Harbor Master.
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SPECIAL REPORT ON FIRE DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FIRE
DEPARTMENT.
To the Citizens of Plymouth :-
The Committee appointed by the Moderator at the Town Meet- ing in March, 1915, under the following motion :---
Voted: "That the subject matter of this article (Art. 27 Town Warrant of March, 1915), be referred to a committee of five to be appointed by the Moderator, who shall make a comprehensive report as to the present and future needs of the Fire Department and report at a subsequent meeting of the town."
organized with Robert C. Harlow as Chairman and Henry Walton as Secretary.
Under the above motion the Committee considered that its duty was to investigate in a thorough manner the present fire department organization and apparatus, and to recommend such new organization and apparatus as would provide Plym- outh with an efficient, up-to-date Fire Department.
To enable the Committee to better discuss the present fire department equipment, the Committee prepared a list of the ap- paratus at present in service, made a personal inspection ac- companied by the Board of Engineers, and found as follows :-
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LOCATED AT CENTRAL ENGINE HOUSE.
Combination Hose and Chemical-Motor Driven. Pope Hartford.
Q. Date purchased? A. September, 1913.
Q. Cost price ? A. $6,000.00.
Q. Capacity or equipment? A. 1000 feet hose, two 50-gal- lon tanks, 250 feet hose for chemical.
Q. Present condition ? A. First class.
Q. Amount paid for repairs during last ten years? A. $37.50.
The Committee feels that this is a good piece of apparatus, and that the Town should keep it in commission.
Ladder No. 2-Horse drawn. No name.
Q. Date purchased? A. 1874.
Q. Capacity or equipment? A. Ladders, etc.
Q. Present condition ? A. Good for type. Very old.
Q. Possible radius of action? A. Centennial to South street.
Q. Cost price? A. $600.00.
Q. Amount paid for repairs in last 10 years ? A. $272.21.
This is a very old, unhandy piece of apparatus, and it is the opinion of the Committee that it should be replaced by a motor- driven ladder truck.
H. P. Bailey Hose No. 1-Horse drawn. Make-International Fire Engine Company.
Q. Date purchased ? A. About 1900.
Q. Capacity or equipment? A. 1000 feet hose.
Q. Present condition? A. Good for type.
Q. Possible radius of action? A. Anywhere in town.
Q. Cost price? A. $500.00.
Q. Amount paid for repairs in last 10 years? A. No records.
This should be disposed of.
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Engine No. 2-Horse drawn. Make-Manchester Locomotive Works.
Q. Date purchased? A. June 12, 1893.
Q. Cost price? A. $3,300.00.
Q. Capacity or equipment? A. 400 gallons per minute.
Q. Present condition ? A. Good.
Q. Possible radius of action ? A. Anywhere in town.
Q. Amount paid for repairs during the last 10 years. A. $1,423.33.
This engine should be removed to the North Engine House, to take the place of two old engines out there and should be replaced by a triple combination pumping Engine, Hose & Chemical Truck, motor-driven.
Engine No. 1-Horse drawn. Make-Amoskeag International Power Company.
Q. Date purchased? A. 1909.
Q. Cost price ? A. $5,200.00.
Q. Capacity or equipment? A. 900 gallons per minute.
Q. Present condition ? A. Excellent.
Q. Possible radius of action. A. Car barn to Lothrop street.
Q. Amount paid for repairs last ten years. A. $252.30.
Should be kept in the Central House for use in the center of the town, as this is the location where large quantities of water may be required for fires, also the piece of apparatus is too heavy for use in the extremities of the town excepting under very unusual conditions.
Chemical No. 2-Horse drawn. Make-C. T. Hollaway.
Q. Date purchased? A. 1894.
Q. Cost price? A. $1,575.00.
Q. Capacity or equipment? A. Two 50-gallon tanks, 200 feet chemical hose.
Q. Present condition ? A. Good.
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Q. Possible radius of action. A. Spare. Held in reserve.
Q. Amount paid for repairs in last ten years. A. Ap- proximately $700.00.
This should be kept in reserve.
LOCATED AT NORTH ENGINE HOUSE.
Hook and Ladder No. 1-Horse Drawn. Make-Seagraves, Detroit, Michigan.
Q. Date purchased? A. 1893.
Q. Cost price ? A. $963.50.
Q. Capacity or equipment ? A. Ladders, etc., and one 35-gallon chemical tank with 150 feet chemical hose.
Q. Present condition ? A. Fair.
Q. Amount paid for repairs in last ten years. A. $252.45.
Q. Possible radius of action? A. Anywhere in town.
This hook and ladder truck is in good condition and should be left in its present location.
Hose Wagon No. 2-Horse drawn. Make-Charles Waugh & Co.
Q. Date purchased ? A. 1905.
Q. Cost price? A. $325.00
Q. Capacity or equipment? A. 800 feet of hose.
Q. Present condition? A. Good for type.
Q. Amount paid for repairs in last ten years? A. No rec- ords.
This hose wagon is in good condition and should remain in its present location.
Old Engine No. 2. Make-F. Button & Sons, No. 87.
Q. Date purchased? A. 1874.
Q. Cost price? A. $3,500.00.
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Q. Capacity or equipment? A. 400 gallons per minute.
Q. Present condition? A. In working condition only.
Q. Amount paid for repairs in last ten years. A. No rec- ords.
This engine should be disposed of.
Engine No. 3. Make-Hunneman & Company.
Q. Date purchased? A. 1869.
Q. Cost price? A. $3,387.50.
Q. Capacity or equipment? A. 400 gallons per minute.
Q. Present condition ? A. In working condition only.
Q. Amount paid for repairs in last ten years? A. Only records available are $231.20.
This engine should be disposed of.
An analysis of the tabulation shows much of the present equip- ment to be antiquated, decidedly inefficient, and in such condi- tion that a very slight accident will put it out of commission.
The present organization and pay roll of the department as furnished by the Board of Engineers is as follows :-
A Board of Engineers, three members, appointed by the Selectmen, one of whom is chosen Chief Engineer by the other two.
Chief Engineer,
$150 00
Assistant Chief, 75 00
Clerk, 100 00
Central Engine House, 6 permanent men, $5,720 00
Ladder No. 1, 10 call men,
509 00
Ladder No. 2, 10 call men,
509 00
Engine Nos. 1 and 2, 26 call men,
1,345 00
Engine No. 3, 10 call men, 543 00
This shows that we have a permanent fighting force of six (6)
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men stationed at the Central Fire House, but with a running card so arranged, however, that because of the days allowed off we really have only a permanent force of four (4) men.
The Call men attached to the Companies stationed in the Central House number thirty-six (36) and respond to every alarm, either reporting at the fire if their company responds, or at the Fire House if the box calls other companies.
The Call men attached to the North Engine House number twenty (20) and report only when their company responds to the box, and an interesting sidelight is the fact that these men attached to the North companies receive as much pay per man per year as the Call men of the other companies who are obliged to report for every alarm of fire.
To further assist the Committee to arrive at its conclusions, we also sought information from outside the town. A personal investigation of the Fire Department in the Town of Brookline was made, and inquiries were addressed to the National Board of Underwriters, Heads of Town Managements, and Chiefs of Fire Departments of twenty-five towns of about the same popu- lation as Plymouth, twelve of said towns being in Massachusetts, eight in New York and Connecticut, and the balance in the North West. The answers received from these inquiries were highly interesting and instructive, and we file the same with our report for reference. We also consulted with the present Board of Engineers of our own town.
With the foregoing facts and figures in hand your Committee proceeded to discuss the proposition in a careful manner, and are pleased to report the following as their recommendations :--
First. The re-organization of the Fire Department so that it would change the present form to one governed by a Com- missioner.
Second. The appointment of a Permanent Chief with pay
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sufficient to allow him to give his whole time to the Fire Depart- ment.
Third. The purchase of the following apparatus : A triple combination motor driven truck to cost about $10,000.00. This piece of apparatus to consist of a gasolene motor operated pumping engine to deliver about 1,000 gallons per minute ; equip- ped or provided with necessary regulation 21/2-inch fire hose, and one fifty-gallon chemical tank with sufficient chemical hose to operate samc.
A motor driven ladder truck with a new equipment of ladders, etc., at a cost of about $5,500.00.
A motor driven chemical engine to cost about $1,250.00, suit- able for answering still alarm fires where it is not necessary to send the present motor driven chemical engine.
This new apparatus to be stationed in the Central Engine House with three extra permanent,men to man the equipment.
Engine No. 2 to be transferred to the North Engine House.
The following apparatus to be discarded :-
H. P. Bailey Hose No. 1.
Ladder No. 2.
Engine, Old No. 2.
Engine No. 3.
The men connected with the North Engine Companies to be made Call men to answer only second alarm fires, and the pay for same to be reduced proportionately.
In explanation of our recommendations we offer :-
That a single Fire Commissioner would remove much of the friction and prevent conflict of authority, impossible to avoid, where more than one has power, and provide a responsible head who could be held to account for the management of the Depart- ment. Our idea being that this Commissioner would be one with good business training, rather than an experienced fireman, who
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would be competent to handle the purchase of equipment and supplies, provide proper rules for governing the organization ; see that the same are enforced, and act without fear or prejudice for the best interests of the town.
The petition to the State Legislature which is necessary to allow the re-organization of the Fire Department and the ap- pointment of a Commissioner reads as follows :-
An Act Relative to the Fire Department in the Town of Plymouth
Section 1. The town of Plymouth is hereby authorized to establish a fire department, to be under the control and direction of one fire commissioner, who shall be appointed by the select- men for a term of three years. He shall signify his acceptance in writing and shall serve without pay. He shall serve until his successor is appointed and may be removed for cause by the selectmen at any time after a hearing. The fire commissioner shall have the charge of extinguishing fires in said town and the protection of life and property in case of fire, and he shall pur- chase and keep in repair all apparatus used by the fire depart- ment. He shall have and exercise all the powers and discharge all the duties conferred or imposed by statute upon boards of engineers for towns, and he shall appoint a chief of department and such other officers and firemen as he may think necessary, and may remove the same at any time. He shall have full and absolute authority in the administration of the department, shall make all rules and regulations for its control, shall report to the selectmen from time to time as they may require, and shall annually report to the town the condition of the department, with his recommendations thereon. In the expenditure of money the fire commissioner shall be subject to such limitations as the town may prescribe.
Section 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage so far as to allow the town to vote upon the acceptance of the same, but shall not take full effect until it has been accepted by a majority of the voters of said town present and voting thereon at a town meeting duly called for the purpose.
Plymouth fourteen
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Your Committee has already petitioned the Legislature and the citizens will be given an opportunity to vote on this act at the Town Meeting held for the Election of Officers in March next, the question appearing on the official ballot. The Com- mittee sincerely hopes that enough will vote in favor so that its recommendations may be put into operation at once.
The Permanent Chief we recommend because we believe that the Department is of sufficient importance to the town to demand at least the undivided attention and constant presence of an able, competent Fire Chief.
Centralization of apparatus we believe is of the greatest im- portance. If the town votes to purchase the apparatus recom- mended we are positive that it can be best handled from one station. We have only to consider the work performed by the present motor driven piece to prove our statement, for here is a piece of apparatus that has been able to cover the entire town in a manner never before possible with the horse drawn machines stationed in different sections, and dependent upon horses which are frequently not available.
The new apparatus, the purchase of which we recommend, is in the line of progress and a link in the chain, whch will ulti- mately mean an organization capable of meeting the new condi- tions which are bound to arise with the growth of the town. The particular pieces at present recommended will handle the fires for some time to come, and with the department properly organ- ized will provide a much more efficient fighting force at only a slight increase in cost.
The apparatus we propose transferring to the North House will provide additional means when a fire assumes proportions beyond the control of the apparatus first called to the scene.
The apparatus we propose discarding, in the opinion of your Committee, has outgrown its usefulness. To attempt alterations will only delay the purchase of suitable equipment and add an expense which at best only provides a makeshift.
An estimated cost to operate the department with the addi- tional men and equipment, as recommended, is shown in com- parison with the present cost of maintenance.
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Present Cost.
Board of Engineers,
$325 00
6 permanent men,
5,720 00
56 call men,
2,906 00
Horse hire for Central house,
1,680 00
Total,
$10,631 00
Estimated Cost if Recommendations Are Adopted.
Commissioner,
no pay
Chief,
$1,200 00
9 permanent men,
8,500 00
56 call men,
2,380 00
Total,
$12,080 00
This shows an increased cost to operate the department of about $1,449.00, if the foregoing recommendations are adopted.
In conclusion, the Committee would ask that the citizens give this report with its recommendations their most careful consider- ation before passing judgment. We believe that with the slight additional annual expense the efficiency of the department will be increased to a point which cannot be figured in dollars and cents.
We seldom have warning of a fire and can never know how serious the results may be. Each and every citizen is entitled to what protection the town offers, be he tenant or owner of real estate, and all of us are charged with providing suitable means to assist the fire fighter in the performance of his duty.
Respectfully submitted, ROBERT C. HARLOW, JOHN H. DAMON, EUGENE P. ROWELL, JOHN E. SULLIVAN, HENRY WALTON.
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REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
This Board was created under the following Act of the Legis- lature in 1913 :
Chapter 494, Acts of 1913.
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 directed 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 ap- pointed by the governing body of the city. In towns, the mem- bers 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.
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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 such form as may seem proper; and said commission is further- more authorized and directed to furnish information and sug- gestions from time to time to city governments and to the se- lectmen of towns and to local planning boards, when the same have been created, such as may, in its judgment, tend to pro- mote 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 authorized to make suitable by-laws, for carrying out the pur- poses of this act, and they may appropriate money therefor.
Section 5. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
At the 1914 town meeting the then members of the board of selectmen were elected members of the planning board, and at the 1915 town meeting the same board was re-elected.
It is this board's conviction that the planning board should be composed of individuals not serving on administrative boards of the town.
The 1914 board did practically no constructive work, but the past year we have used the sum of $150.00 in having drawn a suitable plan of the town, which in our estimation, is essential before any other work is planned. This plan is being drawn on a scale of 200 feet to the inch, and will take in the section starting northerly at the Kingston line, and extending south a short distance beyond the Hotel Pilgrim, and westerly as far as Billington Sea.
The plan is being drawn from data obtained from the survey
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for the Assessors' Plans and covers at present a section from the Kingston line to Lincoln Street which is as far as the Assessors' Plans have been completed.
We recommend an appropriation of $100.00 for this depart- ment for the coming year to be expended on the plan, and for such other expenses as may be necessary to be incurred.
WILLIAM T. ELDRIDGE, EPHRAIM D. BARTLETT, JOHN L. MORTON.
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1
WARREN AVENUE COMMITTEE REPORT
The committee appointed by the Moderator of the March Town meeting to represent the Town in all matters relative to the widening of Warren Avenue held several meetings and went over the ground carefully. Following the recommitment of the matter to the same committee by vote of the Town meeting, held October 23rd, 1915, the committee went to Boston and met the Highway Commission. The commission had prepared plans, showing the land they proposed to take for a section of State highway in Plymouth. The committee also learned that the contract and specifications were in the possession of our Select- men, it being understood by the Highway Commission that the Town of Plymouth proposed to exercise its right to contract for the construction of the road. Your committee further learned that the commission, having adopted definite plans, there was- nothing to be done except for the Town to provide the necessary funds to defray the land damages, and secure releases for the land to be taken by the commission.
The accompanying cuts, made from the drawings furnished by the commission, show the layout which is 50 feet in width. Beginning at the southerly end of the avenue near Cliff Street and extending northerly to the residence of Mr. H. H. Litch- field, the widening is on both sides. From there the taking on the easterly side decreases to nothing at a point opposite the residence of Mr. Theodore Adams. From this point the taking is practically all on the westerly side as far as the residence of Mr. A. E. Blackmer. From this point the widening gradually crosses to the easterly side, and at Jabez Corner is all on the easterly side.
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