USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1924 > Part 32
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The Committee recommends that the Town appropriate the sum of $3,500 for new fence for Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemetery.
Article 38. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding one thousand (1,000) dollars for new fence for Burial Hill Cemeterey.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropriate the sum of $1,000 for new fence for Burial Hill Cemetery.
Article 39. To see what action the Town will take in regard to acquiring Plymouth Beach for park purposes. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends, under the circumstances, that the Town appoint a committee of five to investigate and report to the Town under Article 39.
Article 40. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of fourteen thousand (14,000) dollars for macadam- izing the Sandwich Road from the present end of the ma- cadam at Benson's Hill (so-called) to Terry's Corner. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends that the Town appropriate the sum of $7,000 for continuing the macadam on the Sandwich Road.
Article 41. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding ten thousand (10,000) dollars for macad- amizing the upper part of Billington Street, from the Standish Mills to the Pumping Station. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends that the Town take no action under this article. The Highway Department plans to rebuild the whole of this road from its regular appro- priation during the present year making it as good as any of the gravel or dirt roads now maintained.
Article 42. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum
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not exceeding one thousand (1,000) dollars for improve- ment of Nelson Street. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends that the Town appropriate the sum of $1,000 for improvement of Nelson Street.
Article 43. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of thirty-five hundred (3,500) dollars for the purpose of continuing the hard-surfacing of Taylor Avenue, at White Horse Beach, to the bridge over the brook, or as far as the above appropriation will cover. (By petition.)
The Committee recommends that the Town appropriate the sum of $3,500 for hard-surfacing of Taylor Avenue to the Brook.
Article 44. To see if the Town will take by purchase or otherwise, for park purposes, the whole or any part of the land on the easterly side of Water Street, bounded on the south by the State reservation, and on the north by the new Town Wharf, and make an appropriation there- for.
The Committee recommends that the Town secure the land lying along the easterly side of Water Street, ap- proximately 316 feet, between the land now owned by the Town opposite the Town Hall lot and land owned by the Town south of the line of Chilton Street.
Article 45. To see if the Town will vote to appro- priate the following amounts now standing as unex- pended balances to reduce the tax levy of the current year.
Warren Avenue Widening, Land Damage, $422 39
Alteration of State Highway, Land Damage, 31 00
Eel River Bridge, 311 68
Eel River, deepening Bed below Bridge, 642 28
The Committee recommends that the Town vote to ap- propriate all the items as printed, amounting to $1,407.35, to reduce the tax levy of the current year.
Article 46. To see if the Town will authorize the transfer of a sum not exceeding five thousand (5,000) dollars from the Reserve from Overlayings of Taxes to
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the Reserve Account in the hands of the Advisory and Finance Committee.
The Committee recommends that the transfer as stated in the above article be authorized.
Respectfully submitted,
ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE,
TOWN OF PLYMOUTH.
Francis J. Heavens, Chairman ; John D. Brewer, Guy R. Cole, Fred M. Rowell, Allen D. Russell, Albert S. An- derson, Howard M. Douglas, Philip Mayher, Mansfield S. O'Brien, Alfred L. Barnes, Edward A. Buttner, Alton D. Edes, Isaac B. Holmes, Albert H. Wirzburger.
Elmer R. Harlow, Secretary.
REPORT OF ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE, TOWN OF PLYMOUTH
FOR SPECIAL TOWN MEETING TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1926
The Committee has considered all of the Articles con- tained in the Warrant for this meeting and heard the Selectmen and other town officers on their respective articles, and respectfully submits this report as required by the Town By-Law.
Article 2. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of forty-eight hundred (4,800) dollars for Roads and Bridges, it being the amount expended from that appropriation during the current year for repairing and improving the Standish Avenue Bridge.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropri-
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ate the sum of forty-eight hundred (4,800) dollars for Roads and Bridges.
Article 3. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of five hundred (500) dollars to grade Water Street Extension from a point in line with the southerly line of the bulkhead of the Town Wharf, and running north- westerly about one hundred and seventy-five feet, and also to grade the approach from said Water Street Ex- tension to the wharf.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropri- ate the sum of five hundred (500) dollars to be used for the purpose mentioned in this article.
Article 4. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding six hundred (600) dollars for construction of granolithic sidewalk on the easterly side of Market Street, in cooperation with the abutting property owners.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropri- ate the sum of six hundred (600) dollars for construc- tion of granolithic sidewalk on the easterly side of Market Street, in cooperation with the abutting property owners.
Article 5. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money for the Fire Department.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropri- ate the sum of eight thousand (8,000) dollars for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Fire Depart- ment for the balance of the year.
Article 6. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding eighteen hundred (1,800) dollars for the Forest Warden's Department.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropri- ate the sum of eighteen hundred (1,800) dollars for the Forest Warden's Department.
Article 7. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one hundred, forty-three and 97/100 (143.97) dollars for Inland Fisheries.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropri-
Plymouth Three
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ate the sum of one hundred, forty-three and 97/100 (143.97) dollars for Inland Fisheries.
Article 8. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding two hundred and forty (240) dollars for the Tax Collector's Department.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropri- ate the sum of two hundred and forty (240) dollars for the Tax Collector's Department.
Article 9. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding three hundred (300) dollars for the Mis- cellaneous Account.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropri- ate the sum of three hundred (300) dollars for the Mis- cellaneous Account.
Article 10. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding eight hundred (800) dollars for Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemeteries.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropri- ate the sum of eight hundred (800) dollars for Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemeteries.
Article 11. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of seven hundred, ninety-nine, and 75/100 (799.75) dollars to be paid to the Treasurer of Plymouth County for the amount of the Town's liability for repairs to the Gurnet Bridge during the year 1925.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropri- ate the sum of seven hundred, ninety-nine and 75/100 (799.75) dollars for the purpose mentioned in this article.
Article 12. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of four hundred, ten and 23/100 (410.23) dollars for Town Debt and Interest.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropri- ate the sum of four hundred, ten and 23/100 (410.23) dollars for Town Debt and Interest.
Article 13. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to detail to the central training camp of the State Constabulary, at Framingham, for one
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month's instruction in police work, all regular members of the Police Department; and to engage special and other officers for police duty during the absence of the members of the regular force.
The Committee recommends favorable action under the above article.
Article 14. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of twenty-five hundred (2,500) dollars to cover the expenses incurred under the previous article.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropriate the sum of twenty-five hundred (2,500) dollars for the purpose mentioned in this article.
Article 15. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of seven hundred, seventy-four and 68/100 (774.68) dollars to pay for dredging done by the Bay State Dredg- ing and Contracting Company at the Town Wharf.
The Committee recommends that the Town appropriate the sum of seven hundred, seventy-four and 68/100 (774.68) dollars for the purpose mentioned in this article.
Article 16. To see if the Town will appropriate and transfer to Roads and Bridges the sum of one hundred and eighty (180) dollars received for use of the steam roller during the current year.
The Committee recommends that the sum of one hun- dred and eighty (180) dollars be appropriated and trans- ferred as stated in the above article.
Article 17. To see if the Town will appropriate and transfer for Sewers the unexpended balance amounting to four hundred, fifty-one and 14/100 (451.14) dollars, of an appropriation for Court Street Drain.
The Committee recommends that the amount be appro- priated and transferred as stated in the above article.
Article 18. To see if the Town will authorize its Re- location Committee to amend the agreement made by and between the Town and the James Millar Company, said agreement being dated October 6, 1924, so that the rental for the premises as described in said agreement shall be
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one thousand (1,000) dollars per annum and not fifteen hundred (1,500) dollars per annum as now provided under Article C. of said agreement; it being understood that in event of the renewal of the agreement as provided in Article D. of said agreement that the rental shall be such sum as at that time shall be just and reasonable.
The Committee recommends favorable action under the above article.
Article 19. To see if the Town will authorize the said Re-location Committee to further amend said agreement so that said agreement shall be binding for the period of ten (10) years from the date the Committee notifies said James Millar Company that the premises are ready for use and not ten (10) years from the date of the agreement (October 6, 1924) as now provided under Article D. of said agreement.
The Committee recommends favorable action under the above article.
Article 20. To see if the Town will accept from the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston its right, title and interest in and to the strip of land twenty-four (24) feet in width, and being the right of way now existing be- tween the land of the Town of Plymouth, upon which stands the Memorial Hall, and St. Peter's Rectory, upon condition that the Town will lay out and construct the right of way and proposed road as shown on a plan dated November 23, 1925 "showing Memorial Town Hall," as a public street, twenty-four (24) feet wide, and to main- tain said public street continuously and forever at said width, and shall cause all vehicles in and over said public street to travel only in one direction, and will not permit automobiles or other vehicles to park within the limits of said public street, and will exclude therefrom all ve- hicles except pleasure vehicles, reserving to said Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston the right to enter and leave St. Peter's Rectory and the building appurtenant
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thereto on said premises, free access thereto and there- from from any direction in said public street.
The Committee recommends favorable action under the above article.
Article 21. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to lease for a period of ten (10) years upon such terms and conditions as the Board of Selectmen may determine, the following described parcel of land, property of the Town of Plymouth, to wit :- A parcel of of land situated on the Obery Road and bounded easterly by land now or formerly of D. H. Craig; southerly and westerly by Obery Road; and northerly by land of Ca- pella.
The Committee recommends favorable action under the above article.
Advisory and Finance Committee, Town of Plymouth : Alton D. Edes, Chairman, Albert S. Anderson, Howard M. Douglas, William H. Harriman, Philip Mayher, Mans- field S. O'Brien, Alfred L. Barnes, Edward A. Buttner, Isaac B. Holmes, Herbert A. Stockbridge, Roy E. Bea- man, Aldo Giovanetti, Myron L. Smith, George B. Sween- ey, William P. Libby, Chairman, pro tem.
Elmer R. Harlow, Secretary.
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REPORT OF SELECTMEN
In presenting this the Annual Report of the Town for the year 1926 we do so with the hope that the Citizens will give the various recommendations a very serious consideration. The note is being sounded on all sides that Taxation is fast assuming proportions that will make an intolerable burden on not only the private citizens but will seriously hamper the Industries on which the Su- premacy of New England depends. Already in many of the Manufacturing Cities of our State mass meetings are being called to see if some measure of relief can be found to ease the burden which is sapping the strength and vitality of our large Textile Mills. It therefore be- hooves every voter to give his or her best efforts to the question. The Budgets presented by the different De- partments represent what the Head of that Department thinks is neccessary for the successful conduct of his par- ticular work. And it will be found on close investigation that these amounts are usually not far from right if we are to enjoy the facilities that we are accustomed to. It is in the new projects involving as they do large sums that the Voter should carefully study and form his opinion as to the desirability from a standpoint of the greatest good to the greatest number. Many an other- wise valuable project when considered from the point of , a reasonable Tax Levy may be found to be unwise at this particular time, and any proposition should be viewed not from a purely local standpoint but as to its value to the Town as a whole.
In the past year the Memorial Hall has reached com- pletion and has been occupied by many Organizations and
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Societies for the various purposes of their entertainment.
It has proved itself to be well adapted for the many diversified gatherings which have taken place there and the Town can congratulate itself on having a public meeting place second to none and fully competent to care for any gathering that will be likely to come to our Town. There are some few matters connected with the surround- ings that remain to be completed but these will be taken care of as they present themselves.
At this time it is with the deepest feelings of appreci- ation that we wish to record the generous action of our friends of St. Peter's Parish in turning over to the Town (through His Eminence, Cardinal O'Connell) their fee in the right of way between the Parish House and the New Hall.
This gift by them is all the more commendable from the fact that the new hall is more or less of a detriment to their parish house, and the spirit of civic pride shown by them at this time is one that any citizen in Town could well follow.
The Town Wharf, another enterprise that was in an uncompleted state at our last report has made great progress during the past year and although not entirely finished, is at the present time functioning as a Coal Wharf, Millar & Co. doing business there now. It will be necessary to provide funds for the shifting of the road . way to carry out the bargain made with the Old Colony Railroad which we gave to the Road a strip of land com- prising the width of Water Street Extension, the length of their property and received from them a large part of their holdings between the Railroad Station and Court Street. It would seem to be the proper time, too, to carry out the deferred plan of a substantial surface on the street from Ripley & Bartlett's Factory to the Railroad crossing at the foot of Nelson Street.
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HIGHWAYS
The highways of the Town have been kept up to their usual good standard, and many additions have been made to the street surfaces.
It is our policy in so far as possible to have all of the streets hard surfaced, this not only from the standpoint of public efficiency, but it will result in a great saving and maintenance cost. A detailed list of expenditures will be found in the report of the Superintendent of Streets.
POLICE
The situation in the Police department is not materi- ally different from the past. The patrolmen are func- tioning well and the department as a whole has done good work during the year.
The streets have been orderly and quiet and any dis- turbances have been quelled and the offenders promptly punished.
STREET LIGHTING
During the past year, there have been, as usual, a num- ber of new lights added, both in new streets and in places where the former lighting seemed to be insufficient.
An experiment is now being made on the so-called White Way, by substituting high powered incandescent lamps for the arc lights formerly used. This is expected to do away with the fouling up of the globes which has been a source of trouble ever since the system has been installed.
In conclusion, we wish to express our appreciation in the work of the different departments of the Town and as we have previously stated in other reports, the effici- ency of any department can be greatly increased if the ordinary citizen would interest himself to the extent of notifying the department head of any defect in his par- ticular line.
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With a Town as widely spread out as ours, it is impos- sible for any department to know at the moment of all defects.
We would urge upon the voters to carefully go over the items in the different budgets and inform themselves as to the manner in which their money is spent, and again, we reiterate the the large items of new expenditures be given the gravest and most careful consideration.
WILLIAM T. ELDRIDGE, FRANK C. SMITH, HENRY W. BARNES, JR., FRANK EASTWOOD, WALTER E. BENT,
Selectmen of Plymouth.
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS AND TOWN ENGINEER
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen, Plymouth, Mass.
Gentlemen :-
In accordance with an annual custom I herewith sub -- mit a report of the work done by this Department during: the year 1926.
An enormous increase in automobile and heavily load- ed truck travel is noticeable even to the casual observer .. As you well know the appropriations for road mainten- ance have not begun to keep pace with the increase in travel over the roads. I am of the opinion that the time has come when we should consider the advisability of building a much heavier type of road on the main high- way to take care of the increased wear caused by the increased travel and these heavier loads. Either some type of reinforced concrete or granite block pavement on. concrete base would, in my judgment, be a desirable type to adopt.
I recommend that an appropriation of ten thousand dollars be made to build a section on Main St. Extension. during the coming year, of whichever one of the above types a further study would make appear desirable.
EQUIPMENT
In 1921 a G. M. C. truck was purchased and has been in continuous service since that time. I recommend the purchase of a new truck this year to replace this truck. The cost of the new truck would be about $3,700.
In the past two years we have used our five ton cater- pillar tractor with the road machine for road grading. I am of the opinion that, considering the amount of
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money invested in this tractor, it is better judgment to keep this in good shape as a snow plow unit, rather than to use it for road work. I think a Fordson tractor with an attachment for grading which can be purchased for about $1,900, and requires only one man to operate it, would make a satisfactory substitute for the outfit we have been using, except in very heavy work when the caterpillar tractor could be brought into use,
There is on the market a small outfit for making a hot asphalt and sand mix which seems to produce pretty sat- isfactory results. The Town of Walpole owns such a machine. An examination of road patching and sidewalk work done by them with this machine appears to indi- cate that very satisfactory work can be done. There are . many miles of sidewalk in Plymouth which should be built with some type of surface that is durable and smooth to walk on. Since it is hopeless to expect that all sidewalks can be built of granolithic, I think a ma- chine of this sort would do satisfactory work for us in constructing this cheaper type of asphalt and sand sur- face, and I recommend the purchase of one. The cost of this machine would be about $1,650.
I recommend an appropriation of $7,250 for the pur- chase of new equipment as outlined above.
SNOW REMOVAL
The total cost of snow removal for the year 1926 was $16,000.
The following equipment was used :-
One five ton Holt Caterpillar tractor and Sargent plow owned by the Town, one F. W. D. truck and blade plow loaned to the Town by the State Department of Public Works, two five ton Mack trucks with bladeplow hired from A. K. Finney, one Fordson tractor and Stark V plow hired from Joseph Malaguti, and one tractor and V plow hired from Elmer Raymond at Long Pond.
Each of the outfits had a definite route assigned to it,
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and started out at approximately the same time, viz: when two inches of snow had fallen.
When a snow storm starts at night the patrolmen not- ify the foreman so that a prompt start may be made.
The crews that operate these snow plow units deserve a great deal of credit for sticking to their tasks in cold, dark and stormy weather. They show a fine spirit of courage and endurance in facing what are often severe blizzards, in their successful efforts to keep the roads open for travel, and it is a pleasure to record this tribute to their loyalty to duty under adverse conditions.
With the great increase in winter automobile travel it is apparently going to be increasingly necessary to cart off snow from the business section of Main and Court Streets and some of the adjacent narrow side streets.
The more of this sort of work that is done after each heavy storm the sooner will normal conditions be re- stored, insofar as they relate to vehicular travel on the highways.
One fact must not be lost sight of however, and that is that to meet the demand for snow plowing and snow removal, much larger expenditures must probably be made in the future than we have been accustomed to make for this sort of work in the past.
One helpful feature in reducing snow drifting on the highways has been snow fences that have been erected in cooperation with the Plymouth and Brockton Street Railway.
An additional thousand feet of snow fence was put up this past year, and further additions will undoubtedly be desirable from time to time.
SEWERS AND DRAINS
Two extensions have been made to the sanitary sewer system during the year.
An extension of 400' of 8" tile pipe was made on Stand- ish Avenue at a cost of $619.14, and one of 275' of 8" on
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Cotton Street west from Standish Avenue at a cost of $437.06.
Two lines of 15" storm water drains were laid during the year to improve drainage conditions in the localities in which they were built.
One line of 380' with a necessary catch basin was laid easterly from South Street through land of Morton Rob- bins and Edward L. Burgess. The total cost of the job was $688.50.
Another line, 390' long, was laid on Atlantic Street from a low spot in the street west of the railroad, cross- ing under the railroad track, and running to the shore. The cost of this work was $1,722.74.
A considerable part of this cost was due to the fact that the drain crossed two tracks of the New Haven Road at a depth of about 10'.
With the completion of this drain, a condition that has heretofore been a very unsatisfactory one in this low spot during the winter, and in heavy rains, will be greatly improved.
I recommend an appropriation of $6,000 for the en- suing year.
ROUNDING STREET CORNERS
The 1925 report of the Planning Board contained a recommendation to the Selectmen that an appropriation of $1,000 be made to improve various street corners by putting in corners of longer radius.
This recommendation was approved by the Selectmen, and the Town appropriated $1,000 to be used for this purpose.
With this appropriation the radius of curvature at the following corners has been increased and conditions greatly improved.
Court Street at North and South Park Avenues.
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Court Street at Samoset. Court Street at Vernon. Court Street at Clyfton Court Street at Brewster.
DARBY ROAD
An appropriation of $5,000 was made for continuing the work begun in 1925 of widening the shoulders on the Darby Road.
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